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POETICAL  WORKS 


o  r 


GEOFFREY    CHAUCER. 


CoBtaJnIng 


CAVTltlUKT  TALIS, 

¥OUAU!IT  or   THE  ROSE, 
IftOILOASiO  CRCSriDC, 

THi  cootT  or  Luve, 

TUC  COMPLAINT  or  PITBC, 
ANNEUDA  AND  rALSC  aRCITI, 
IRK  A9IEMBLCE  Of   rOULES, 
«U<QOMrLAIMT  or  THE  BLACK  KNIGBT,  I 


THE  BOOK  or  THE  DUCUBSSBy 

chauccr's  a,  B,  C, 

THE  HOUSE  or  rAME, 

chaocer's  oreme, 

the  elour  and  tue  lere, 

the  lccenoe  ue  ooode  women, 

the  complaint  oe  mars  and  venul, 

TUE  COCKOO  AND  TUC  NlOliTlNCALI, 


tj**.  \^c,  to'r. 

Tb  wblch  b  prefixed 

THE    LIFE    OF  THE    AUTHOR. 


Old  Chaucer,  like  the  wmUgfiar^ 
To  us  difcovert  day  from  far ; 
His  light  thofe  mifts  and  clouds  diflblvM,. 
Which  our  dark  nation  long  invoWd  \ 
But  he  defcending  to  the  Ihadcs, 
X>u-kners  again  the  age  invades. 

DeVOAM's   VCBSBS  on  TUE  DEATH  OE  COWLKT. 


'     ED^INBUR 


P&IMTED  BY  MUNDELL  AND  SOS,  ROYAL  BANK  CLOSE, 

.1793. 


/fc^^t^ 


L  O^H  ON  . 

imiedfhr  lollTI  A-Arth  U  r  Arr  h/Z^Omfy^rimrJ^S/m'/ 


J   »-  N. 


■^v" 


:m 


%»^ 


^  />/l 


POETICAI.   WORKS 


o  t 


GEOFFREY    CHAUCER. 


CoitaJiilng 


GAWTIRBIMtT  TALIS, 

mOMAUNT  OP  TBC  lOSK^ 

TtOlLDSANO  CRESCIDB, 

THL  COniT  OF  LOVE, 

rat  COMPLAINT  OP  PIT£Cy 

ANKfUPA  AND  PALSB  ARCITK, 

TflS  AStEMBLCK  OP  POOLES, 

74E  Q0MPI.A1MT  OP  THE  B2.ACK  KNIGBT, 


THE  BOOK  OP  THE  DUCUBSSE, 

chauccr's  a,  B,  C, 

THE  HOUSE  OP  PAME, 

CHAOCER*}  DREME, 

THE  PLOOR  AN9  TUE  LEPB, 

THE  LCCENOE  UP   OOODE  WOMEN, 

THE  COMPLAINT  OP  MARS  AND  VENUS, 

TUE  COCKOO  AND  TUE  NIOUTINCALE, 


tj**.   toV,    Vtf. 

Tb  whkh  b  prefixed 

rHE    LIFE    OF  THE    AUTHOR, 


Old  Chaucer,  like  the  warning Jlar^ 
To  us  difcovers  day  from  far ; 
His  light  thofe  mifts  and  clouds  diflblvM,, 
Which  our  dark  nation  long  invoWd » 
But  he  deTcending  to  the  lhadcs» 
Darknels  again  theag^  invades. 

DbVBAM*S   verses  on  THE  DEATH  OP  COWLET. 


PRINTED  V^MUNDELL  AND  SON,  ROYAL  E^NK  CLOSE* 


■:|^ 


THE  LIFE  OF  CHAUCER, 


H  tW  begioniDg  of  the  elerenth  century,  our  Ternacalar  poetry  receiTed  firom  the  Noraunt,  the 
uliments  of  that  CDltivation  which  tt  has  prefenred  to  the  prefent  timet. 

In  the  two  fucceeding  centoriet,  the  principal  efibrts  of  our  yet  untutored  Terfifiert,  vere  rhyming 
lironjcles  and  metrical  romances,  the  ftyle  of  which  was  rough,  and  the  harmony  of  the  nnmhcrs 
try  dcfedive. 

In  the  reign  of  Edward  I.,  the  chara&or  of  oar  poetical  compofition  was  confiderably  changed,  hf 
he  introdttdion  and  increafe  of  the  ules  fA  chivalry,  and  the  popular  fables  of  the  troobadonn  of 
?TOfencc- 

Fiditioos  sdventores  were  then  fubftituted  by  the  minftrels  in  the  place  of  hiftorical  and  tradi^ 
ionary  iads,  and  a  ufte  for  omamenul  and  exotic  eipreffion  gradually  prevailed  over  the  rude  ilaiu* 
ackj  o£  the  native  Engliih  phrafeology. 

Thefe  fabulods  narratives,  afterwards  enlarg^  by  kindred  fancies,  derived  from  the  crnfades, 
id  enriched  by  the  marvellous  machinery  of  the  lulian  poets,  formed  the  ufte,  and  awakened 
ic  imagination  of  Giorviiit  Cbaucir,  the  illuibriotis  ornament  of  the  reign  of  Edward  lU.  and  o£ 
^fucceflor  Richard  II.,  the  father  of  the  EngUii  heroic  verfe,  and  the  firft  Eoglifh  veriifier  whft 
rote  poetically. 

or  the  great  poet,  with  whofe  compofitions  this  colle^ion  of  claffical  Englifli  poetry  commencei, 
ic  curioHty  which  his  reputation  moft  excite,  will  require  more  ample  information  than  can  now 
e  given.  His  contemporaries,  who  reverenced  his  genius,  recorded  few  particulars  of  his  lifie  ; 
nd  all  who  have  fince  written  of  him,  relate  nothing  beyond  what  cafual  mention,  uncertain  tra- 
iticn,  and  difcordant  conjeAure,  have  fupplied. 

This  meagre  narration,  therefore,  fcarceljr  merits  the  title  that  is  given  to  it ;  but  the  materiala 
'jt  a  fuller  account  are  not  to  be  found,  without  fnpplying  the  deficiency  of  fa^  by  the  commenta 
nd  inventions  of  his  biographers,  which  have  nothing  to  recommend  them  to  credit  but  the  fingU 
ircumHance  of  being  often  repeated. 

The  birth  of  Chaucer,  in  1328,  has  been  fettled^firom  the  infcription  on  his  tomb  (tone,  iigniiying 
ba:  he  died  in  1400,  in  the  7  2d  year  of  his  age. 

Of  the  place  of  his  nativity  there  is  no  memorial,  any  more  than  of  his  parents.  Bale  fays  he  was 
.  Berkihireman ;  Pits  would  entitle  Woodftock  in  Oxfordfliire  to  his  birth ;  and  Camden  affirms  that 
^Ddon  was  his  birth-place  :  '*  Edmund  Spenfer,"  lays  he,  **  a  Londoner,  wait  fo  fmiled  on  by  the 
bfofcs  at  his  birth,  that  he  excelled  all  the  Englifh  poets  that  went  before  liim,  if  we  except  only  his 
cllow  citizen  Chaucer."  But  Chaucer  himfelf  feems  to  have  determined  the  point.  In  his  Tifim» 
tent  of  Lrt^  he  calls  himfelf  a  Londenou  or  Londoner,  and  fpeaks  of  the  city  of  London  as  the 
)lace  of  his  aigenJrure, 

His  defcent  has  been  varioufly  alfigned.  Leland  fays  that  he  was  of  a  noble  ftock ;  Pits,  that  he 
•as  the  fon  of  a  knight;  Spcght,  that  his  father  was  a  vintner';  and  Heame,  that  he  was  a  merchant* 

This  difference  of  opinion  Ihews,  that  nothing  can  be  faid  with  any  tolerable  affurance  of  hit 
baily;  but  the  patronymic  name  iecms  to  indicate,  that  it  came  originally  from  Normandy;  and 
dkcrc  is  fomewbat  more  probability  of  his  being  the  fon  of  a  gentleman  rather  than  of  a  tradcfmao* 

a  % 


U  THS  LIFE  OP  CHAUCER. 

Hii  hiognphen  wtt  tt  amch  in  the  dark  about  the  place  of  hi«  education.  The^  tell  m  that  1 
received  the  rudimenti  of  hit  edncation  in  Solere's  Hall,  Cambridge,  where  he  wrote  hit  Cmirt 
Js9ve :  and  afterwards  completed  his  ftudies  in  Mcrton  College,  Oxford. 

In  his  Cwri  c/  Lcve,  he  fpeaks  of  himfelf  under  the  name  and  chancer  of  **  Philogene^ 
of  Cambridge,  Clerk.*'  This  is  by  no  means  a  decifiTe  proof  chat  he  was  really  educated  at  Csi 
bridge ;  but  it  may  be  admitted  as  a  ftrong  argument,  that  he  was  not  educated  at  Oxford,  as  L 
land  has  fuppofed,  without  the  (hadow  of  proof.  The  biographers,  howcTcr,  inftead  of  wdghii 
one  of  thefe  accounts  againft  the  other,  hare  adopted  both,  and  tell  us  very  gravely  that  be  w 
firft  at  Cambridge,  and  afterwards  removed  from  thence  to  complete  his  education  at  Oxford. 

After  he  left  the  univerfity,  he  is  fuppofed  to  have  added  to  his  accomplifliments  by  traveUii 
into  France  and  the  Low  Countries ;  but  when  he  went  abroad,  or  at  what  time  he  retamed,  i 
circumftances  not  determined. 

His  biographers  agree,  that  on  his  return,  he  entered  himfelf  of  the  Inner  Temple,  and  pro/ecnt 
for  fome  time  the  ftudy  of  the  law.  6peght  has  given  us  a  record  in  the  Inner  Temple  (which  i 
fays  a  Mr.  Buckley  had  feen),  where  •*  Geoffrey  Chaucer  was  fined  two  (hillings,  for  beating  a  Frai 
cifcan  friar  in  FIcct-ftrcet."  It  were  to  be  wiihed  that  he  had  given  the  date.  Leland  fays, "  C 
^egfa  Leguteiorum  frequentttvit,  after  his  travels  in  France,  and  perhaps  before."  Thefe  travebin  Fran 
Tcft  entirely  on  the  authority  of  Leland,  whofe  account  is  full  of  inconfiflendes. 

He  appears  to  have  been  early  converfant  with  the  court,  and  particularly  attached  to  the  fervi 
*sof  the  king's  fon,  John*  of  Gaunt,  Duke  of  Lancafter,  by  whofe  favour  he  obtained  in  marria 
TMIippi,  daughter  of  Sir  Payne,  or  Pagan  Rouet,  a  native  of  Hainault,  and  fifter  of  the  fame 
Catherine  Swynford,  the  duke's  miftrefs,  and  afterwards  his  wife. 

As  the  credit  of  the  Duke  of  Lancafter  increafed  with  his  father,  Chaucer's  alfo  rofe  in  a  U 
proportion ;  and  the  livclinels  of  his  parts,  and  the  native  gaiety  of  his  difpolition,  rendered  hira 
-very  popular  and  acceptable  charader  in  the  Englifli  court,  at  that  time  the  moft  gay  and  fplend 
Hn  Europe. 

That  he  had  difVingniihed  himfelf  before  this  time  by  his  poetical  performances,  is  almoft  certafi 
and  there  is  a  tradition  fupported  by  fome  paffages  in  his  Dteam^  and  Cuk9o  and  NiikimgmU,  thx 
*when  he  attended  the  court  at  Woodllock,  he  redded  at  a  fquare  ftone  houfe  near  the  park  ftil 
-which  dill  retains  his  name. 

The  firft  authentic  memorial  of  Chaucer,  is  the  patent  in  Rymer,  41.  Edward  \\\,  by  which  tl 
lung  grants  to  him  an  annuity  of  10  marks,  by  the  title  of  yaUttus  He/ler.  He  was  then  in  the  39^ 
Tear  of  his  age.  How  long  he  had  ferved  the  king  in  that  or  any  other  Aation,  and  what  particuL 
snerits  were  rewarded  by  this  royal  bounty,  are  points  equally  unknown.  There  is,  however,  i 
•ground  for  fuppofmg  that  this  mark  of  his  Majefty's  favour  was  a  reward  of  Chaucer's  poetic 
snerits.  If  it  is  confidcred  that  a  few  years  after  (48.  Edward  III.),  the  king  appointed  hii 
Comptroller  of  the  Wool,  &c.  in  the  port  of  London,  with  the  following  injuncftion  in  the  pattni 
^  So  that  the  faid  Geoffrey  write  with  his  own  hand  his  rolls,  touching  the  fuid  office,  and  continual 
Tcfide  there,  and  do  and  execute  all  things  pertaining  to  the  faid  office  in  his  own  proper  perfo 
•nd  not  by  his  fubftitute;" — it  (hould  feem  that  Edward,  though  adorned  with  many  royal  and  hero 
'virtues,  had  not  the  gift  of  difcerning  and  patronizing  a  great  poet :  a  gift  which,  like  that  of  genuij 
poetry,  is  only  beflowed  on  the  chofen  few,  by  the  peculiar  favour  of  Heaven ; 


>  neque  enim,  nifi  cams  ab  ortu 


Diis  fuperis,  poterit  magno  fuilTe  poets. 

Milt.  Man'sui* 

Prom  this  time  Chaucer  is  frequently  mentioned  in  various  public  indruments.  In  the  46.  E 
ward  III ,  {Rymer]  the  king  appoints  him  Envoy  (with  two  others)  to  Genoa,  by  the  title  of  6V*//; 
utfier.  This  embaffy  might  probably  have  afforded  him  an  opportunity  of  vifiting  Petrarch 
Padua,  where  he  tells  us,  in  the  prologue  to  the  Uerkts  Tale,  he  learned  from  him  the  (lory  of  Gi 
ieldii.  Bat  it  is  unccruin  whether  he  ever  went  upon  the  embaffy  ;  and  the  biographers  of  Petrarc 
who  died  the  year  following  (1374)1  have  not  recorded  the  rcvercutial  villt  of  the  EogUlh  cnva 


THE  LTFE  OP  CHAtlCEIt.  v 

Ipotaie  write,*'  bjt  Speght,  •*  that  he>  with  Petrarke,  was  prefeot  at  the  liamigiR  of  Lbnell  thkt 
^Clarence,  with  Violante«  daughter  of  Gakafius  Duke  of  Millain;  yet  Paulas  Joviiu  nameth  nbc 
kaocer,  but  Petrarke,  he  (ayeth,  was  there."  It  appears  from  an  inftrument  in  Rymer  [4*.  Edward 
D*].  that  the  Duke  of  Clarence  pafied  from  Dover  to  Calais  in  his  way  to  Mihn,  in  the  fpring  of 
^38,  with  a  retinae  of  457  men  and  laSo  hoHes^  That  Chaucer  might  have  attended  the  Dn^ 
|0D  this  occafion,  is  not  impoilible ;  hut  his  name  does  not  appear  among  the  **  Grandi  Signori 
l^gni  Inghilefe,"  who  were  '*  Com.  Meflere  Lionell  in  compagnia**  [Mmratan],  In  the  48.  Ed- 
ptd  111^  he  has  a  grant  for  life  of  a  pitcher  of  wine  daily  [Hymer].  In  the  49.  Edward  HI.  the  king 
pants  to  him  the  wardfliip  of  Sir  Edmond  Staplegate*s  heir  [Rymer],  for  which  he  receiTcd  104  b; 
pid,  in  the  next  year,  fome  forfeited  wool,  to 'the  value  of  7XI.  4  s.  6d.  [C/rr.  Li/r  of  C6.].  In  the 
iftyenr  of  Edward  III.,  he  was  fent  to  France  with  Sir  Guichard  D* Angle  and  Richard  Stan  [or 
ihirry  ],  to  treat  of  a  marriage  between  Richard  Prince  of  Wales,  and  a  daughter  of  the  French  king 
frmfart]. 

f  In  the  next  year,  i.  Richard  II. ,  hit  annuity  of  20  marks  was  granted  to  him  in  lieu  of  the  pitcher 
f  wine  daily.  In  his  7efiameat  •fLcve^  he  alludes  to  the  misfortunes  brought  upon  him  by  YatmedtUii^ 
I  the  diflurbances  which  happened  in  London  in  the  7.  Richard  II.  What  the  real  defigns  of  John 
toberton,  commonly  called  John  of  Northampton,  and  his  party,  were,  and  how  a  trifling  city-rioe 
vne  to  be  treated  as  a  rebellion,  are  points  of  great  obfcurity.  There  is  good  ground  to  belicTe  that 
Donibertoo,  in  has  endeavours  to  reform  the  city,  according  to  the  advice  given  by  Wickliffe,  was 
MDotenanced  by  the  Duke  of  JLancafter,  which  may  account  for  Chaucer's  engagement  with 
iat  party.  When  Chancer  fled  to  Holland,  to  aToid  being  examined  in  relation  to  thefe  ,^- 
turbances  (as  he  lays,  Teft,  •/  Love)  he  was  probably  fuperfeded  in  his  office  of  Comptroller.  It 
is  probable,  too,  that  he  was  confirmed  in  it  on  his  return,  though  the  inftrument  has  not  been  pro- 
ioced.  In  the  XX.  Richard  II.,  he  had  the  king's  licenfe  to  furrender  his  two  grants  of  20  marks,  in 
tvour  of  John  Scalby.  This  furrender  was  probably  occailoned  by  his  diftrelTcd  circumftances.  la 
be  13.  Richard  II.,he  appears  to  have  been  Clerk  of  the  works  at  Weftminfter,  &c,  and  in  the  fol- 
iwing  year  at  Windfor.  In  the  xy.  Richard  II.  the  king  granted  him  a  newannnityof  20}* 
^ymerJ]  If  he  was  ever  poiTelTed  of  Dunnington  Caftle  in  Berkfliire  (as  his  biographers  fuppofe),  he 
ull  have  purchafed  it  about  this  time ;  for  it  appears  to  have  been  in  the  pofleflion  of  Sir  Richard 
ddcrbury,in  the  17.  Richard  II.  [Mofiajt.  Amg.  it.  474]-  But  there  is  no  proof  of  any  fuch  pur- 
uTe ;  and  the  iituation  of  his  afi'Airs  makes  it  highly  improbable.  The  tradition  of  aa  oak  in  Dun- 
ogton  park,  called  Chaucer*s  oak,  may  be  fufilciently  accounted  for,  without  fuppofing  that  it  was 
inted  by  Chaucer  himfelf,  as  the  caftle  was  undoubtedly  in  the  poifdHon  of  Thomas  Chaucer,  who 
fuppofcd  to  be  his  fon,  for  many  years. 

In  the  21.  Richard  II.  the  king  granted  him  his  protedion  for  two  years  [Hymer];  and  in  22,  a 
pe  of  wine  annually  [iiiJ]  .  In  the  next  year,  the  i.  Henry  IV.,  his  two  grants  of  the  annuity  of 
)  1.,  and  of  the  pipe  of  wine,  were  confirmed  to  him  [Xymef];  and  at  the  fame  time,  he  had  an  ad- 
tional  grant  of  40  marks,  [itU],  It  appears  that  he  received  an  annuity  of  10  marks  on  account 
hi.H  wife.  He  died,  according  to  the  infcription  on  his  tombftone,  in  the  2.  Henry  IV.,  on  the 
ith  of  Odober  1400,  and  was  buried  in  Weftminfter  Abbey.  A  monument  was  ereSed  to  his 
cmory  in  1556,  by  Mr.  Nicholas  Brigham  of  Oxford,  upon  which  he  caufed  his  pidlure  to  be 
Limed,  from  the  original  of  Occleve,  in  the  illuminated  manufcript  of  his  treatife  De  regim-m 
rifu:jUf  together  with  the  following  infcription,  which  ftill  remains. 

M.S. 
Qui  fecit  Anglorum  vates  nofter  maximus  ollm. 
GALraiDUs  Chaucie  conditur  hoc  tumulo  : 
Annum  fi  quaeras  Domini,  fi  tempora  Titx, 
Ecce  notx  fubfunt  qus  tibi  cup^  notunt. 
25  Odobris  140a 
JErumnarum  requies  mors. 
N.  Irigham  hos  fecit  Mufanim  nomine  fumptut. 
1556. 


TheCe  arc  the  i 


THE   LIFE  OF  CHAUCflt- 
ii^  in  Chaucer'i  life,  whidt  are  attefted  I: 


*  prtDcipftl  fai^  in  Chaucer'i  life,  whidt  are  attefled  iry  authentic  cvidenrtv*  llf  wP 
ttfrtati/t  M  iie  ^}*Uh»,  lie  tnformt  ut  chat  he  had  a  Ton  called  X.cwi£,  who  wa&  ten  yran  of  tge  in 
159 1«  There  is  no  account  in  vrhAt  ftacioo  he  lived,  or  when  he  died*  The  relatioo  of  ThaaiM 
Chauctf  to  him  baa  ftcit  been  aCocrraiDed.  Speght  rajt,  "  ih^t  fom£  hdd  opinion,  thAt  Thaon* 
Chtticer  was  not  the  Con  of  Geoffrey;**  and  there  are  certainly  many  circumilances  which  render 
that  opiniofi  probable.  He  ntarricd  Maude,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Durgherihe,  rcfided  chiefly^  it 
Ewclm  in  Oxforddliretpancd  through  fcveral  puoHc  flation%  and  died  on  the  iSth  of  April  f  4i4- 

The  po«cicai  c^mpofitionft  of  Chaucer,  particularly  his  Canterbury  Tales,  obtained  him  the  highcft 

place  of  diilio^iofi  asong  hit  eontemporarict.     The  tales,  it  is  probable,  were  coonpofcd  at  differ* 

cnt  pciirid*  of  hii  li£c.    He  connected  them  together  in  that  admirable  dramatic  flru^urc  in  which 

they  are  at  preCcUt*  about  the  year  1583,    They  were  fir(l  printed  by  our  meritorious  countryinM 

William  Caxtirn^  the  firft  Enghlh  printer,  i«  Ames  fuppofei,  aUmt  i47jor  1476,  and  again  In  t^tm 

Subfequcnt  editions  wtrc  printed  by  Wynkcn  dc  Wordc,  in  I^^j,  and  by  Pynfon  in  I49il,aad  r5a4w 

if^hich  wai  the  iTrjithat  Indudcdhts  mifccllaneous  piecet.  Thennt  edition  was  printed  by  God/rcf 

^  15  jii  with  Mr.  William  Thynne*f  dedication  to  Henry  VIIL,  and  a  great  number  of  piece*  never 

■jeforc  publi(hed.    Thi&  edition  waj  many  timet  reprinted,  as  the  llandard  edition  of  Oiaiipar% 

^orkt,  till  the  appearance  of  the  editions  of  Scowc  and  Speght  in  1561,  if 97,  and  t6oa;  andiT 

Phte  edition  undertaken  by  Urry,  %vhich  wai  publiibcd  fome  years  after  his  death,  in  1711,  wk|l#, 

preface  by  Mr,  Timothy  Thomas.     An  edltioia  of  the  Camterhtry  TaUt  was  pablifhed  by  Tl 

Tyrwhiu,  Efq*,  in  4  ¥als.  Xto,  1 775,  to  which  waa  added,  in  1778,  a  fifth  volume,  contamti 

*"  Eflay  on  the  Language  and  VerfiBcauoo  of  Chaucer/'  **  ma  Imrodudkory  Difcourfe  to  the 

|Jirrj  Talit^  and  *'  a  GblEiry."* 

%  The  prdeot  edition  '4  the  CamUrUiry  Takt  H  printed  from  TyrwKitt*t  inconiparable  editloo^ 
and  his  Learned  and  Tahiable  OMTary  i»  copied  with  little  vartatiofi*  except  iu  the  omiflion  of  tkc 
nuincrtcal  rrfctcnce*.  The  Flovmnm*  TiXp,  T*lr  ff  Gamrlytft  Aivmlurt  of  Farduur  and  T^^jfltf^ 
And  ile  Mf^iMMi'i  ftxMtt  Tnlf,  omitted  by  Tyrwhitt,  ha«  been  retained,  though  all  evidence, 
intcmal  and  external,  is  againft  the  fuppofition  of  their  being  the  produdion  of  Chaucer* 

Tlic  genuine  w*/f»i/.i*«i/*  fiteut  of  Chaucer  are  prmted  from  UrryV  edition,  exctuGve  oithMk 
lieces  which  are  known  to  be  the  peodudlton  of  other  autborf,  and  the  anonymous  compoQtionaf 
khich,  from  time  to  time,  hare  been  added  to  Chaucer'i,  in  the  feveral  editions,  without  any  evi» 
nee  whatevfr*  Befidei  thefe  more  confidenable  works,  it  appears  that  he  had  cainpoled  oianf 
tltt^rit  Mmmdds^  f^inl^ys,  and  that  he  had  m*ide  many  a  Lay  mmd  mamy  a  7Xi«^.  A  few  pieeci  of 
hi*  fort  are  A  ill  extant,  and  tnferted  here  at  they  A  and  in  the  editiont. 

The  wnrk^  of  Chaucer  in  profe  are,  a  tranHation  of  Bocthiua  de  ewtt/aiatitmt  PbUtftpU^^ 
he  Kst  mentioned  himfetf  in    Iht  L*j^e  9/  Gotir  J^vmn^  A  Trtatiji  on  tlM  AfiftUU^ 
\  his  foD  twe«^i«  in  I  J9fi  and  tit  Tefammf  9f  L»w,  which  is  evidently  an  knitation  of  Borthi 
mfidatinnv  PUtf^fi^, 

The  pri^ratc  chftra6ker  t{  Chaueer  appears  to  have  been  as  rrfpedable  as  hti»  literary 
|pj.»  truly  iUttilrious.  In  hit  manners  he  wat  mild  and  gentle;  in  his  difpofition  he  wai  open  and 
tioua.  He  wis  a  fine  gentlemen,  an  agreeable  companion,  and  a  learned  writer.  Hij  con- 
ries  and  dJfciplcs,  Cower,  OccIctc,  and  Lydgatc^  are  bvifti  ^n  his  praifc.  With  Wickltffe,  the 
Ikllier  lithe  Preformation,  he  concurred  in  fentimcnts  of  religion,  and  cn-operated  in  hit  moil  va* 
lusible  dc£ig;n«  ;  fo  natural  »  the  roiinc6liIon  between  genius  and  the  love  of  liberty* 

Oq  the  llteraf  y  chancer  of  Chaucer  it  is  the  left  nctelTary  to  enlarge,  as  it  has  within  thefe  few 
yean  been  fo  accurately  and  «mply  displayed  by  Mr.  Warton,  the  learned  biAorian  of  the  EngtiJh 
poetry,  whofe  death  i»  an  irreparjiMc  lofs  to  Englilh  literature, and  Mr.  Tyrwbict,  whofc  edition  ol 
r  CiJitn^ry  T'^ia'iM  thcmoA  curluUft,  erudite,  and  Yaluabk  publication  thai  hat  yet  appeared  in  thia 
Ocntry. 

Chaucer  is  ufually  charaflerifcd  as  the  Reformer  of  the  Englifh  language,  and  the  father  of  Bng- 
liih  poetry.     He  undoubtedly  critically  cnltlYated  hjs  native  t<ingne«  that  he  might  reform  its  irrc- 
uiaritici,  ard  rfVaklifh  au  EiigUih  Hyle;  and  he  was  certainly  the  ilrft  perfon  in  Englatid  Co  whom 
^  tbe  appelkiion  of  a  |-n€t»  in  its  genuine  luilre,  cuuld  be  aj'pticd.     He  lias  attcmpud  every  fpe- 


Sorthi^i^H 
f  charafl^^ 


I 


^^^^^P  THE  LIFE  OF  CHAUCER-  ?f 

Eifilffiiecry,  (ttoBO.  Ill  epigttm  to  m  epic  porm,  and  hts  faccccdcd  la  all.    If,  t10wc^^r  he  ippeirt 
L^BiPOit  m  mtrf  one  poetical  drpartment,  it  is  in  the  defcriptlYe.      The  CamUrUtj  T^tru 
Jm  yniif  predo^ion,  eihtbit  a  wonderful  variety  of  tmtcDti;  for  they  abound  with  ihr  fuhltme  and 
irff  fcnii.    with  admirable  fatire,  geisuine  humoor,  and  an  uacotmiiQ*i  knowledge  of  life.  They 
wmtfnhMj  compoied  in  imitation  of  the"  Decameron"  of  Boccice  tliotigb  upon  a  diflfencnt  and 
I  fdftn*     The  general  plan  may  be  learned  from  tlic  prolof  oe  he  has  prcfited  to  rhcm.   H« 
itberc*  that  a  company  of  p'ilgrim«  g^otng  to  Canterhuty,  aHemble  at  an  inn  in  Southwark« 
vAifFQt*  that  for  their  common  amofement  on  the  road,  each  of  ihfm  flialt  tell  at  lesjl  one  talft 
Ifliiig^lo  Cafitcrhury,  and  another  in  coining  back  from  thence;  arid  that  he  who  Ihall  tell  the 
Midi!  fliiU  be  treated  by  the  reft  with  a  fuppcr,  upon  their  return  to  the  fame  inn.     It  appcart 
AtlM  Kc  dcGgned  to  dcfcribc  their  journey,  and  ail  tht  wtmumMi  *f  thar  fil^wmit^   includioj; 
laliUy  their  adventure*  at  Canterbury,  as  well  a»  upon  the  road  ;  but  this  ejttcnlivc  and  diifjcult 
nil  ill  I  ij^  has  been  left  impetfcifi ;  and  tnore  than  one  half  uf  the  tales  he  intended  to  give 
ir^BCicg,      l*he  chara^cr*  of  the  pilgrlme  are  ai  variout  a§  at  that  time  could  be  found  in  the  de- 
jiTBiidifi  of  middle  life ;  and  the  ftoties  are  cxadly  fuited  to  their  chara£lcr'»  and  clearly  evince,  that 
QmccT,  notwithflanding  the  aids  he  derived  from  hit  aci^uaintance  with  Italian  literature,  waa 
pfefiedof  a  Doble  ij)Yention«  and  a  fruitful  imagination. 
ThtKM^yi  Talt,  The  Wtjt  ^f  3<^th* i  TW^  raUofthi  Nunt  Pntjf,  Fhiifet  wdth  tt/e,  and  T&f 
■^  c^  m  €J*0d  Far/mf,  have  been  thought  worthy  of  imitation  and  revival  by  Drydcn^  whol^ 
f  particularly  of  the  Knigbt*t  TaU^  and  of  the  FUiDtr  itmiihe  Lt^f^  arc  the  moft  animated 
\  pieces  of  vcifificaticn  in  the  Engliih  langtiage.     Pope  has  imitated  the  Mcnhwt** 
T^  Tl»  §9^i/k  0/  Baiif*t  Pftvgtie^  and  Th<  Houft  of  Fams^  with  his  ufual  elegance  of  di<5iion  and 
.ksMtoy  <if  v«r{i£catioD*    Mr.  Betterton  hai  tranflated  the  Jitv/4  Tah  and  the  CbttraGen  oftSe  FiU 
mm$  t  sDd  a  coUe6tioD  of  '*  The  C^^itcrburj  Talcs  Moderoixcd,"  was  publifhcd  by  Mr.  Ogle,  14 

I    TW  SfM^arV  T^le  it  coofidered  by  Mr.  Warton  ai  Chaucer^s  capital  poejn ;  and  he  has  admirablf 
1  file  origin  of  the  fiSions  with  which  it  abounds.     With  like  ingenuity  and  learning  ho 
>  the  various  poems  of  Chaucer  \  and  with  regard  to  thofc  which  had  a  foreign  original^ 
'  ^r  the  produdions  which  gave  rife  to  them  have  been  copied,  altered,  and  improved* 

lToh  tumi  out  in  many  rcfpcifU  to  the  advantage  of  the  Engliih  poet. 
ccr,*"  fays  he/*  was  a  man  of  the  wcn'ld;  and  from  thi»  circumflance  we  art  to  accoant, 
^Agreat  tncafore,  for  the  many  new  cmbellifhinents  conferred  on  our  poetry.  The  dcfcHptiona 
^H|ba^id  proceOions  and  gallant  car oufals,  with  which  his  worki  abound, are  a  proof  tJiat  he  waa 
^Wmt6ati  with  thepraAice  and  diverfions  of  polite  life.  His  travel  likewife  enabled  him  to  cul< 
L  ilMilW  tiaJian  and  Froven<;al  poetry  with  the  grcateft  fucccfs,  and  induced  hira  to  polifh  the  af- 
^^^,  tttd  cmich  the  fterility  ol  his  native  verHficatlon,  with  fofter  cadences,  and  a  more  copioui 
^Voiic|>ted  pbrafcology/' 

I      teorsiirg  the  licentious  pafTages  that  are  to  be  met  with  in  Chaucer *s  poems,  the  fame  ingenious 

■ilame^  writer  obfervcs,  that  they  are  in  a  great  meafure  to  be  imputed  to  the  age  in  whicla 

^were  written.    **  We  arc  apt,"  fays  he,  "  to  form  romantic  and  exaggerated  notloDf  aboufil 

I   ^•ocal  ioooecsce  of  our  anceflors.     Agei  of  ignorance  and  flmplicity  are  thought  to  be  ages 

I  ^riiy.    l^hnt^BttSt  cotitrary  I  believe  is  the  cafe*    Rude  periods  have  that  giofTnefs^of  manncrig 

I  Wfckh  is  tJOt  J<f*  friendly  to  virtue  than  luxury  icfelf.    In  the  middle  ages,  not  only  the  mod  flagrant 

r  llAlitioc»i  of  roodcfty  wcfc  frequently  pradlifed  and  permitted,  but  the  moft  infamous  vice*.     Men 

I  «t  kit  sftacoed  as  they  are  kfd  polifhed.  Great  refinement  multiplies  criminal  p1cafure«,  but  at  tkc 

isu  lisle  prevents  the  a&uaJ  commiQion  of  many  enormities,  at  lead  it  prcferves  public  decencys 

ad  ^pprttfea  public  UccntioufneCi.** 

I     lidclMitiag  Chaucer's  talent  for  humour,  Mr.  Warton  agrees  with  Dr.  Hurd,  who,  in  htf 

"IcQBV  on  Chivalry,"  fnppofcs  that  the  Rmt  0/  Sir  Titcpar,  waa  intended  to  expofc  the  leading 

lijiililiti  of  ih9  old  f  omancc.  That  thii  wa»  Cbauccr*»  aim  appears  from^  many  palTages  takeo 


1W 


us 


viii  THE   LIFE   OF   CHAUCER, 

ffom  Ifamirast  TJSeatis  Defiiiust  and  other  romances,  in  the  fame  ftyle,  which  arc  dill  extant  t  anA 
therefore  the  tale  may  juftly  he  called  a  prelude  to  Don  Quizotte. 

From  Mr.  Warton's  furvey  of  the  poemi  of  Chaucer,  thefe  conclufions  are  deduced  coocem^ 
hioi:— -That  in  cultivation  and  elegance,  in  harmony  and  perfpicuity  of  veriification,  he  fnrpafiSet  his 
predeceiTurs  in  an  infinite  proportion ;  that  his  genius  was  univerfal,  and  adapted  to  themes  of  «•« 
boiiiided  variety ;  that  his  merit  was  not  lefs  in  painting  familiar  manners  with  humour  and  propria 
tyi  than  in  moving  the  paffions,  and  in  reprefenting  the  beautiful,  or  the  grand  objeds  of  : 
vrith  grace  and  fublimity ;  and  that  he  appeared  with  all  the  Inftre  of  a  true  poet,  in  an  age  i 
impelled  him  to  ftruggle  with  a  barbarous  langutgey  tnd  a  national  want  of  tafte ;  and  when  t% 
^itc  v^fc»  at  all  was  a  iin|^ular  quaUficatiQ^« 


THE  CANTERBURT  TALES. 


THE     PROLOGUE; 


L  3ScpffiirD 
rof  £ath  i 


Wkabks  that  Aprtl  with  his  ibour(»  fote 
tit  JfuMgtuc  o£  March  hath  pcrccd  to  the  fotc^ 
■    1  cTcrjr  ¥cinc  in  fwichc  licour, 
I  vertuc  cngcndred  i«  the  flour  ;) 
}iirus  eke  with  his  fote  brcthc 
I  in  trtty  holt  and  hcthe 
TW  Isdrc  croppet,  aiid  the  yooge  foaoe 
Hidl  4a  the  lUin  his  halfe  court  yrofmCi 
4bI  istle  foiilcB  zTukkeD  melodic, 
TliC  leym  &Ue  night  with  opco  eye, 
i>|lftrtii  l»eiB  nature  in  hir  coragei, 
TIb  liegcn  folk  to  goo  on  pilgrim^es, 
iii  frimcm  for  to  fckcn  ftrangc  i>roiidc«, 
TWIm  hftlvet  coutbe  iu  fondry  loudei ; 
4li|fpectaUj  from  every  ihire's  ende 
PI  Iw^ifflnnil  to  Canterbury  they  wende, 
tk  koly  liUfilul  martyr  for  to  fckc 
Jkm  ken  h«K  bolpen  whan  that  they  were  fcke» 

Biff  Br  chat:  in  that  fefoo  on  a  day, 
hfaKkwiikat  the  Tabard  at  I  lay. 
Up  m  weiMkn  cm  my  pilgxisuigc 
T#€k»iE^yry  With  deronte  courage, 
!  into  that  hoftelrte 
r  in  a  compagnic 
ift^  by  avcnture  yfalle 
,  tod  pilgrimci  were  they  aHe 
t  Canterbury  woldcn  ride, 
«i  and  the  Jtablet  weren  wide, 
Iwtlire  wo-enciirfi  atte  befic, 

I  fronlf  when  the  foane  waigon  to  rcfte, 
ii  IftAie  1  fpoken  wkk  bem  cverich  on, 
Thm  1  irai  if  liir  febwlhip  anon» 
AaI  wmU.  liirword  c;rly  for  to  rife, 
7»iak«  «Btt  wsy  thcr,at  1  you  devlTe* 


But  nathclcs  while  !  have  time  and  fj 
Or  that  I  forthcr  in  thii  tale  pace, 
Mcthinkcth  it  accordant  to  rclbn 
To  tellcn  you  alle  the  condition 
Of  echc  of  hcm,fo  as  it  Cemcd  mr, 
And  whiche  they  weren,  and  of  what  degref 
And  eke  in  what  araie  that  they  were  inne  ; 
And  at  a  knight  than  wol  I  firfte  beginne. 

A  Knight  ther  was,  and  that  a  worthy  inaD# 
Thtt  fro  the  time  that  he  firfte  began 
To  riden  out,  he  loved  chivalrie, 
Trottthe  and  honour,  frcdom  and  curtiCe* 
Ful  worthy  was  he  in  his  lordci  wcrre, 
And  therto  hadde  he  ridden,  no  man  fctre 
As  well  m  Crimen dom  as  in  Hetheneffe, 
And  c^cr  honotircd  for  hi*  worthincJTe* 

At  Alifandre  he  was  whan  it  was  wonne  * 
Ful  often  f  tme  he  haddc  the  bord  begonnc  f 
Aboven  allc  nations  in  Pruce  : 
In  Lettowc  hadde  he  reyfcd  and  In  Ruce, 
Ho  Crificn  man  fo  ofte  of  his  degre  : 
In  Gcrnade  at  the  ficgc  eke  hadde  he  ht 
Of  Algefir,.  and  ridden  in  Belmarte  i 
At  Lcye^  was  he,  and  at  Satalle, 
Whan  they  were  wonne ;  and  in  the  Grttc  S^ 
At  many  a  nolile  ahnce  hadde  he  be. 
At  moHal  batailles  hadde  he  ben  fiftenc^ 
And  foughtcn  for  our  faith  at  TrattuJIene 
In  liilcf  thricf,  and  ay  flain  hii  fo. 

This  like  worthy  Knight  hadde  ben  alfci 

«  AleiundrEt  in  ^gyv^  ^a*  won  (And  Immed^tdf  tftef 
•bindoDcd}  in  1365  by  Pierre  dc  LuJittiiAn  KinK  uf  Cf  • 

f  Hehad  been  pticed  at  ttic  I»»d  of  thetible,  th«  ufU^ 
4I  coRiplimenC  to  txtTjordmaff  mcfJt,  ai  the  coiniiKtita* 
tor»  TCfy  propery  explalu  \u  '^ 


I 
I 
1 


I 


THE     P  li  O  L  O  G  t;  ^. 


Some  time  with  the  I.or  J  of  Pulatie  • 
i^gcn  another  Hcthcn  in  Turkic, 
And  evermore  hi*  haddc  a  lovcrcinc  pris. 
And  though  that  he  was  worthy,  he  was  wife, 
And  of  his  port  as  im  ke  as  is  a  mayde. 
He  never  yet  no  vihmic  nc  faydc 
In  allc  his  lif  unto  no  manere  wight : 
He  was  a  veray  parfit  gtntil  Knight. 
But  for  to  tcllcn  you  of  his  araie. 
His  hors  was  good,  but  he  nc  was  not  gaie. 
Of  fuiHan  he  wered  a  gtpon 
Allc  bcfmotrcd  with  his  habergeon. 
For  he  was  late  ycomc  fro  Uis  viage. 
And  wente  for/o,d<2n  his  pilgrimage. 

With  him  thcr  was  his  fonc,  a  yongc  SqnUr^ 
A  lover  and  a  lufty  bachcler,  • 

Vri»h  locVcs  cruU  as  they  were  laide  in  prefTe ; 
Of  twenty  ycre       age  he  was,  I  geflc. 
Of  his  ilature  he  was  of  even  jengthc, 
And  woiidcrly  deliver,  and  grete  of  ftrengthe ; 
And  he  hsddc  be  fometimc  in  chcvachie 
fn  Flaunders,  in  Artois,  and  in  Picardic, 
And  borne  him  wcl,  as  of  fo  litul  fpace. 
In  hope  to  ilondcn  in  his  ladies  grace. 

Fmbroudcd  was  he,  as  it  were  ain«de 
Allc  full  of  frcsfhe  flourcs  ^hitc  and  rede  : 
Singing  he  was  or  floyting  allc  ihe  day  : 
He  was  as  fresfhc  as  is  the  moncth  of  May  : 
Short  was  his  gounc^- with  fleves  long  and  wixie; 
'W'cl  coudc  he  fitte  on  hor*,  and  f^yre  ride  : 
He  coudc  fong  »  make,  and  wcl  endite. 
Jufte  and  ckc  danre,  and  wcl  pourtraic  and  write; 
So  bote  he  loved,  that  by  ni?htert;;le 
He  flep  DO  more  than  doth  the  night-ingale  : 

Cuitcis  he  was,  lowly  and  frrvifablc. 
And  carf  before  his  fader  at  the  table. 

A  I'aKOM  haddc  he,  and  fervantes  no  iqo 
At  that  time,  for  him  lufte  to  ride  fo, 
And  he  was  cladde  in  cote  and  bode  of  grese  ; 
A  ihefc  of  peacock  arwcs  bright  and  kcne 
Under  his  Velt  he  bare  full  thriftily  : 
Wcl  coude  he  drcffe  his  takcl  yemanly  : 
His  aru  es  drouped  not  with  fbtheres  lowe. 
And  in  his  bond  he  bare  a  mighty  bowe, 

A  notched  hadde  he,  with  a  broune  vifage  : 
Of  wood-craft  coude  he  we(  allc  the  u&gc : 
Upon  his  arme  he  bare  a  gaic  bracer, 
And  by  his  fide  a  Cwerd  and  a  bokelcr. 
And  on  that  other  fide  a  gaic  daggere, 
Hamcifed  wcl,  and  fharp  as  point  of  fpere : 
A  Criftofrc  on  his  breit  of  nlver  flicne. 
An  home  he  bare,  the  baudrik  was  of  grenc ; 
A  fprfter  was  he  fothely,  as  I  gelTe. 

i^icr  was  alfo  a  Nonne,  a  Prioreffi^ 
That  of  hire  fmiling  was  fui  fimpie  and  coy, 
Hire  f  retell  Abe  n*as  but  by  Scint  Eloy, 
And  ihe  was  cleped  Madam  Eglcntine ; 
Ful  wel  Am  fangc  the  fervice  devine, 
Entuned  in  hire  nofe  ful  fwetely ; 
And  Fk-enche  fhe  fpake  fvl  fayre  and  fetiHy, 
After  the  fcole  of  Stratford  arte  Bowe, 
For  Prcnche  of  Paris  was  to  hire  unknowe  : 
At  mete  was  Ihe  wcl  yunghte  withelle. 
She  Ictte  no  ^prfcl  from  mre  llppc*  fallc, 

«  PalathU  la  AnstOIb. 


Ne  wette  hire  fingres  in  hire  faucc  dep^*; 
Wcl  coude  fbe  carie  a  morfel,  and  wel  kepe^ 
I'hattc  no  drope  ne  fell  upon  hire  breft  : 
In  eurtcfie  was  fette  ful  moche  hire  icSt : 
Hire  over  lippc  wiped  (he  fo  clenr. 
That  in  hire  cnppe  was  no  fcrthing  fene 
Of  grcfe  when  (he  dronkcn  hadde  hire  dbraagfai 
Full  femely  after  hire  mcfic  flic  raught  > 
And  fikcrly  flic  was  f  if  grete  difport. 
And  ful  pleufaiit  and  amiable  of  port» 
And  peined  hire  to  contrcfctao  chere 
Of  court  and  ben  tftatelich  of  manere. 
And  to  ben  holden  diene  of  reverence. 
But  for  to  fptkro  of  hire  coofcicncc. 
She  was  fo  charkable  and  fo  pitous 
She  wolvie  wcpc  if  that  flie  faw  a  mous 
Catighte  in  a  trappe  if  it  were  ded  or  bledd^. 
Of  fmale  houndcs  haddc  flic,  that  flie  feddc 
With  roiied  flcfli,  and  milk,  and  waftel  bred^ 
But  fore  wept  flie  if  on  of  hem  were  dede. 
Or  if  men  fniote  it  with  a  yerde  Imert ; 
^Vnd  all  was  confciencc  and  tendre  hcrte. 
Ful  femely  hire  wimple  ypinchcd  was. 
Hire  nofe  treiis,  hire  eycn  grey  a*  glan  ; 
Hire  mouth  ftUl  finale, and  therto  foft  a:id  red: 
But  dkerly  flie  haddc  a  fayre  ferehcd  : 
It  was  alnioil  a  fpanne  brode  1  trowe. 
For  hardily  flie  was  not  undergrowe. 

Ful  fctife  was  hire  cloke,  as  I  was  ware. 
Of  finale  coral!  aboute  hire  ami  file  bane 
A  pair  of  bedes  gauded  all  with  grenc, 
Ar.d  thereon  heng  a  breche  of  gold  ful  ftcM 
On  whiche  was  firft  ywritten  a  crouacd  A, 
And  after  /Imor  wneh  9mma, 

Another  Nwne  alfo  with  hire  Icdde  fte 
That  was  hire  cka^kUeine,  and  Prtt/Us  tturc. 

A  M§mi  ther  was,  a  fayre  for  the  maillrie^ 
An  out-rider  thar  loved  venerie  ; 
A  manly  man  to  ben  an  abbot  abic  ; 
Ful  many  a  deinte  hors  hadde  he  in  fbiblr. 
And  whaa  he  rode,  men  mighte  has  bride!  ben 
Gingciing  in  a  whittling  wind,  as  ckre 
Anil  eke  as  loude  as  doth  the  chapelt  belle 
Ther  as  this  lord  was  kcper  of  the  rdlc. 

I'he  rcale  of  Scint  Maure  and  of  Seint  BcA 
Becaufc  tl\at  it  was'oldc  and  fomdcle  ftreit. 
This  iHre  nionk  lette  6]dc  thinges  pace, 
And  hclde  after  the  newc  world  the  traee. 
He  yave  not  of  the  text  a  pulled  hen 
That  faith  that  hunters  ben  not  holy  men, 
Ne  that  a  monk  whan  ke  isrekkttes 
Is  like  to  a  fHh  that  is  waterlci ; 
This  is  to  fay,  a  monk  eiit  of  his  cloiflre  ; 
This  iike  text  held  he  not  worth  as  oiftie  ; 
And  I  fay  his  opinion  was  good. 
What !  fliulde  he  ftudie  and  make  himfelTcii  woi 
U)K)n  a  book  in  cloiiVre  alway  to  pore. 
Or  fwinkcn  with  his  hondea)  and  labourr, 
A4  Auftin  bit  ?  how  (hal  the  world  b.-  ferred  f 
Let  Auflin  have  his  fwink  to  him  relcrved : 
Thcrfore  he  was  a  prickafimrc  a  riglit. 
Grcihoundes  he  haiMc  asfwift  as  foul  of  flighc* 
Of  pricking  and  of  hunting  for  the  liare 
Was  all  his  lull ;  for  no  coil  woMe  he  fpare. 

I  faw  his  fleves  puriiled  at  the  bond 
With  gris|  and  that  the  fincft  of  the  load ; 
3 


1*HE     I*ROLOGllE, 


hU  hood  under  hit  chLnne 
ywrooght  a  curlou*  pmjie ; 
the  grctcx  cndc  tiirr  was : 
m^M  WQed,  and  Qionc  &«  any  gU»s 
I  liii  ta^O^  a.«  it  hadde  ben  anoint ; 
I A  tor4  isil  iat,  aa<i  tn  good  jKiini : 
I  ttrpc,  aiiid  rolling  in  hi»  hcd, 
toed  «*  a  fomcii  of  a  led ; 
fees  fbaplr,  liis  Kors  in  grcc  cilat ; 
foinly  Kc  wat  i  ,     'at: 

IMC  iaAc  a«  a  I  jl ; 

ro  loTcd  he  bvit  ^^i  ^j.;  jo{l : 
pef  Vi^  as  brouoc  &«  ii  a  bery. 
ir#  jhtr  T\  J ',.  J  wanton  and  a  mcry# 
pr,  pocman : 

tor<^:  1^  Hon  that  can 

r  o{  daLancc:  and  fayrc  luigage* 
e  fOiAdc  ibl  many  a  ntanage 
p  wimmtn  at  hi*  owcn  c<ik  { 
^  0rdrc  be  wa»  a  noble  pofl, 
^elovv^  and  ^miller  wai  he 
KJiclciiift  OTer  aU  in  hia  contreff 
\  mith  worthy  wimmcn  of  die  TouD| 
Wl  fcw€r  of  confcfTion, 
t  haisCfilrt  more  than  a  curat, 
n  osiirc  he  was  a  hctnciai. 
lefj  herde  he  confeOioc, 
^nt  wsa  hb  abfolution. 
an  eff  man  to  give  pcnaoce 
fcc  vt^  ^  *  uj  *  good  pitanccg 

lap  -  for  to  give 

SbiAt  «  iik«i»  t->  wd  yfhrivc; 
t  cAve  he  dorfie  make  avanc 
r  Jiat  a  man  wan  repentant ; 
ff  A  mao  fu  hard  it  of  his  hcitc, 
'Cfif  wcp<  atthough  him  fore  fmcrtc; 
h  of  wcping  and  praierea 

^  !    r<T  to  th«p  poQxe  i^rerei. 

^p;t:  ^^)  '  ^^^1  ^  knivcf 

Irt  (or  to  wivea  : 

feinly  be  Kiiua^  a  nitryno:c; 
le  he  fifige  and  plaicu  vu  a  rnte. 
■iptl  *  he  ba.r<:  utttrly  the  prr«  ; 
Wwwm  white  31  the  flour  dc  if. ; 
|9  ftrrittg  was  a$  a  chanipioun, 
ar  wej  Uve  ta'rcnics  in  c%*cry  touD» 
r|  lifiOfirT  and  gay  upflcrc, 
■B  a  lasar  or  ;i  beggcrt ; 
flwiehe  a  worthy  man  as  he 
MiO^ht,  as  by  his  faculce 
^  vrith  iUu  lazars  acquaiiiiance ! 
|i0Oeila»C  inay  ^t  ayancc^ 
1 4cleii  with  no  fwiche  jTounL^k^ 
ith  rkhe  and  feUers  of  vitaiik-. 
vcf  all»  cbcr  a»  profit  ihold  arifc 
br  '♦as,  mtid  lowly  of  fcmfc  : 
I  ao  amo  no  *«rbcr  fo  vertuoun; 
be  Iprfte  '^^^^^'^  *^  ^^J^  ^^^^  hou», 
Af  r  ihc  grunt 

iat  'bis  haunt : 

;h  a  fiiJL'vtc  ozdoc  hut  afhoo, 


Yet  wold  he  have  a  fertMng  or  be  Went  ♦ 

Hh  pourcba»  waswel  better  than  lii»  rent  i 

And  rage  he  coude  as  it  hadde  ben  a  it  help  ( 

In.  Jovedayea  ther  coudc  be  mo^rhel  help  ; 

For  thcr  was  be  nat  Ukc  a  doiftcrcrc^ 

With  thredbarc  cope,  at  is  apoure  ftolcre, 

But  he  wa4  like  a  maifler  or  a  pcipc  ; 

Of  doable  worftcd  was  hi»  fcroicopt*, 

That  round  wa^^  as  a  bc-lle  out  of  the  prdTe. 

Somwhat  he  lifped  for  hij  watitonnelle 

To  make  his  Engliih  fwet'c  upon  hia  tongc; 

And  in  hi&  haiping ^  whtui  that  he  haddc  fongr,  f^ 

His  cyen  twinkeled  in  his  hcd  aright 

A^  don  the  fterres  in  a  frolly  night. 

This  worthy  liinitour  waft  deped  Huberd. 

A  Mi^rcbant  was  thcr  with  a  forked  herd  | 
In  mottclce,  and  highc  on  hors  he  fat,  || 

And  on  his  bed  a  Faundnfh  bever  hau 
His  bootcf  dapfcd  f^yre  and  fetiidy; 
His  rcfons  fpakc  he  ful  folcmpncly,  ^  i 

Souning  alway  the  encrelc  Q>i  his  winning  : 
He  wold  the  fee  were  kept  *  for  any  thing 
Bctwixcn  Midddburgh  and  Orcwcll* 
Wd  coud  he  in  cfchangcs  ihddcs  fcUe. 
This  worthy  man  ful  wcl  his  wit  bcfctte; 
Thcr  wifte  no  wight  that  he  was  in  dette. 
So  HedcfalUy  didde  he  his  governance 
With  his  bargtinei  and  with  his  chcvijancei         j  j 
Forfothe  he  waJi  a  worthy  man  withallc,  |  j 

But  foth  to  fayn  f  n'ot  how  men  him  calk» 

A  CUrk  ther  was  of  Oxcnford  alfo, 
That  unto  logike  haddc  long  ygo. 
As  lent  was  his  hors  as  is  a  rake^ 
And  he  was  not  right  fat  I  undertakti 
But  lokcd  holwf,  and  therto  foberly. 
Ful  thredbare  was  hi«  ovcrcft  courtcpy. 
For  be  hadde  gcten  him  yet  no  benefice, 
Nc  was  nought  worldly  tr/  have  an  office  ; 
For  him  was  lever  ban  at  his  beddcs  bed 
Twenty  bokes  clothed  in  blakc  or  red 
Of  Ariftotle  and  bis  philofophic  . 

Then  robes  richc,  or  fidd  or  fautrie  s 
But  all  he  that  he  was  u  philofopbrc 
Yet  Jiaddc  he  hut  litd  gold  in  cofrc. 
But  all  tluit  he  might  of  his  frcodes  hente 
On  boke«  and  on  lenang  he  it  fpente. 
And  hcfily  gan  for  the  foules  praic 
Of  hem  that  yavc  him  when^iih  to  fcolaic. 
Of  ftudic  tokc  he  mofte  cure  and  hcdc  ; 
Not  a  word  fpakc  he  more  than  was  ncde. 
And  that  wa»  faid  in  forme  and  reverence. 
And  fhort  and  quike»  and  ful  of  high  fentcnce  I 
Souning  in  moral  vcrtuc  wa*  hi^  fpeche,  , 

And  gladly  wolde  be  Icme  and  gladly  teche, 

A  Srr^t^mt  of  ihf  Ltrwt  ware  and  wife* 
That  often  hadde  yben  at  the  paruis 
Thcr  was  alio,  fol  richc  of  cicclknce ;  \  | 

Difcrcte  he  waa,  and  of  grcte  reverence; 
He  fcmcd  fwichc-,  ht»  worda  were  fo  wife  r 
Jufticc  be  WIS  ful  often  in  afiifc 
By  patent  and  by  pleinc  con  milTibun  : 
Fof  hia  fcicncc  and  for  his  fTigb  reooun 

1 1  rVibllJv  ortcmii  jgC  cf  pmindspe 
pur  U  (aufgardc  et   culHoCL  ^ei 


THE    PROLOGUE 


,  Of  fees  ind  Tohb%  had  he  tnany  on  : 
Bo  grctc  a  pdurchafour  wat  oo  whcr  non  ; 
lil  w'ms  fee  fimpic  to  hjm  in  effc<^, 
i  pourchafing  mig^ht  not  ben  tn  fafpcd  t 
No  whf  r  fo  bcfy  a  man  as  he  thcr  a*a*. 
And  yet  he  fciive d  bcficr  than  he  was. 
In  tcrmci  haddc  he  ca*  and  domes  iUc 
That  fro  the  time  of  King  Will,  wcrcn  falle  ; 
Thcrto  he  coude  enditc  and  make  a  thing ; 
I  Ther  coudc  no  wight  ptnche  at  his  writing  ; 
I  And  every  ftatute  coude  he  plaine  by  rote« 
I  He  rodr  but  homely  in  a  medlec  CGPtc 
I  Girt  With  a  fi-int  of  iilk  with  barret  Onale. 
Of  his  amy  tell  I  no  Icngcr  tale. 

A  FrmmhUh  was  in  thi*  compagnie  ; 
White  was  his  herd  as  ts  the  da  ye  tic  : 
lOf  hit  eompiexion  he  wac  fanguin  ; 
Wcl  loved  he  by  the  morwe  a  fop  in  wki ; 
Xo  liven  in  delit  was  ever  his  wone. 
For  he  was  Epicure**  owen  fone, 
That  held  opinion  that  picin  delit 
Wiis  Tcratiy  fehcite  parfite. 
And  houfhulder,  and  that  a  ^r*^^  ^^'^^  ^^* 
)  Sctnt  Julian  he  was  in  his  CTK7trec, 
\  His  brede,  his  Ac\  v^-a*  alw^y  after  on  ; 
k  A  better  envyned  man  was  no  vrhcr  non. 
'^^''ithoiitcn  bake  mete  never  was  his  hous 
Of  fifh  and  flcfh,  and  that  fo  plenteous 
It  fncwcd  in  his  houfe  of  mctc  and  drinkc 
Of  allcdeinte^sthat  men  coud  of  thiiike. 
After  the  fondry  fefons  of  the  yere 
^  changed  he  his  mete  and  hit  foupere. 
i  Ful  many  a  fat  patrich  hadrk  he  in  mewe, 
I  And  many  ahremc,  and  many  a  luce  to  ftewc- 
[  'Vo  was  his  coke  but  if  his  faircc  were 
1  Poiniint  and  fharpc,  and  rcdy  all  his  gcrc, 

Hi»  ublc  dormant  in  hi£  halle  aWay 
^  €tode  re<ly  covered  tile  the  lotigc  day. 
At  feffions  there  w»  ke  lord  and  fire; 
Full  often  time  he  was  knight  of  ibc  0ltre« 
An  anelacc  and  a  gipcierc  all  of  filk 
Hcng  at  htt  girdcl  w'mte  a*  irrorwe  milk, 
A  ihcreve  hadde  he  ben  ami  a  coimtour ; 
Wat  DO  wher  fwiehc  a  worthy  vavafour  ** 
An  Hmir*d*fi€rt  and  a  C^ffftnUr^ 
I  A  l^''i^,  a  BfjfTy  and  a  ^Tapifir^ 
[  Were  alle  yclothcd  in  o  livcrc 
I  Of  a  folempoe  and  gretc  fratcmite. 
(  Fill  freflie  and  ncwe  hir  gcrc  ypiked  wai; 
\Kx  knive-f  were  ychaped  not  with  bras, 
LBtjt  all  with  filver  wrought  fnl  ckne  and  wcl, 
[HiV  girdcle^  and  hir  pouches  every  del : 
I  Wcl  ttmcd  eche  of  hem  a  fayre  burgeis 

To  fitten  in  a  giJd  halle  on  the  dd*  : 
\  Evcrirh  iot  the  wifdom  that  he  can 
I  fliapcUch  for  to  Bet*  an  alderman, 
p  caicl  haddcn  they  ynoiigh  and  ivnt» 
I  eke  hir  wivct  wolde  it  wcl  Affect ; 
And  clfet  certainly  they  were  to  blame  : 
It  it  fill  (ayrc  to  ben  yclepc»i  Madame, 


tTlieKtelfttmt 
w  MtMAmiQi 


d«r^ 


or  thli  fKird  Uof^en  atti^rcurc  ai 

^t  tA  Vt  In  Rit*  place  U  ikoald  per* 

M«De*a  itie  wMt  Uaitol  niM^Unc 


And  for  to  goo  to  vigiJes  all 
And  have  a  mantel  rcaUich  ybore. 

A  Celf  they  haddcn  with  hem  for  the  nMic% 
To  boik  the  chikenc$  and  the  marie  bonet^ 
And  p4>udre  marchant,  tart  and  galingalc, 
Wcl  coudc  he  knowe  a  draught  of  LoodciQ  aleh 
He  c«>ude  rof^c,  and  fethe,  and  broiJc,,  and  iiie^ 
Maken  mortrewes,  and  wcl  bake  a  pie ; 
But  gret  harm  was  it,  as  it  though te  me^ 
That  on  his  Oiinne  a  mormal  hadde  he. 
For  hlatic  manger  that  made  he  with  the 

A  SififhmttM  wa&  ihcr  woned  fcr  by  wcfl  ( 
For  ought  I  wote  he  was  of  Dertemouih  i 
He  rode  upon  a  rouncie,  as  he  couthe. 
All  in  a  goune  of  falding  to  the  knee. 
A  dagger  hanging  by  a  las  hadde  hcc 
About  his  nekke  under  hit  arm  adoun  - 
The  hate  fommcr  hadde  made  kis  hewe  aH 
And  certainly  he  was  a  good  frkw ; 
Ful  many  a  draught  of  win  he  hadde  draw 
From  Burdeux  ward  while  that  the  chapmen  He] 
Of  nice  confcicnce  toke  he  no  kepe. 
If  tiiat  he  faught  and  badde  the  higher  hand. 
By  water  he  fcnt  hem  home  to  every  land. 
But  of  his  craft  to  rckcn  wcl  his  tides, 
Hi»  ftrcmcs  and  hi*  fkrandes  him  be  fide*. 
His  hcrbcrwe,  hi«moQe»and  bis  lodcmanage^ 
Ther  wat  non  fwiehc  from  Hull  unto  Cartage* 
Hardy  he  waa,  and  wife,  I  undertake  ; 
With  mairy  a  tempefl  hadde  his  herd  be  fhakejf 
He  knew  wcl  alle  the  havens  as  they  were 
Fro  Gotland  to  the  Cape  dc  Ftniftcre, 
And  every  creke  in  Bretagne  and  io  Spaloe  : 
His  barge  ycteped  was  tJie  Magdetaine. 

With  MS  thcr  wat  a  Do^omr  9/  PKiJih ; 
In  all  this  world  ne  was  ther  non  him  like 
To  fpeke  of  phifike  and  of  furgcrrc. 
For  he  was  grounded  in  aftrooooiie. 
He  kept  his  paticm  a  ful  grct  dc) 
III  houres  by  hit  magike  naturel ; 
Wcl  coude  he  fortunen  the  afcendent 
Of  his  images  for  his  patient. 

He  knew  the  caule  of  every  maladie. 
Were  it  of  cold,  or  bote,  or  moift,  or  drie. 
And  wher  engendred^and  of  what  humour  : 
He  was  a  veray  parfite  ptadifoar* 
The  caufe  yknowe,  and  of  hit  harm  the  rotc> 
Anon  he  gave  to  the  fike  man  hit  bote, 
Ful  redy  hadde  he  hisapochecarirt 
To  fend  him  dragges  and  his  Icttuariet, 
Fi^r  eche  of  hem  made  other  for  to  wtnne  ; 
Hir  frendfhip  o'a*  not  newe  to  bcgiose. 
Wcl  knew  he  the  old  Efcolapiut^ 
And  Diofcoridci  and  Ac  Rufat, 
Old  HippCMrrat,  Hali,  and  Gallicn, 
Scrapion,  K%£\\  and  Aviccn, 
Avcrrois,  Damafcenc,  and  Conftaatiiif 
Bernard,  and  Gatifden,  and  Gtlbertill. 
Of  his  diete  mcfurable  tiras  he  ; 
For  it  wat  of  no  fuperflulcee. 
But  of  grct  no<iriflliing  and  digefliible  : 
His  ftudtc  was  but  Utel  on  the  Bible* 
In  fanguin  and  in  perfe  he  clad  was  alle 
LiD«4  witJt  ta£aca  and  with  feodailc 


THE     PROLOGUE. 


"*-  "^Tit  tfj  of  difpence ; 

^2n  m  the  peHilcocc; 

ne  be  k»Yed  gold  in  fpcciaJ* 

»$^*fm^9  thcr  ^  befidc  JW*r. 
a  fbm  dcldefe,  and  that  was  fcathe. 
b  iRftktog  Ike  haddcfwiche  an  haunt, 
•^^n  of  [prc»  aod  of  Gaum. 
ifh  ^rif  ne  wai  ther  con 
^  "    ?  before  hire  fhufde  gon, 
I  rtasa  (6  wroth  was  &e» 
ol  allc  char i tee. 

liil  fine  of  ^ound ; 
wcycden  a  pound 
ly  were  upon  hire  hcdc  : 
of  fine  fcarkt  rede, 
and  IhooQ  ful  moili  and  newc  ; 
face,  and  fayre  and  rede  of  hew. 
*  y  woman  all  hire  live  ; 
the  chtrche  dore  had  (he  had  five, 
CMnpagme  in  fouthe, 
I  net  to  fpeke  as  nouthe  ; 
fhe  ben  at  Jerofaicme ; 
nusy  a  flrange  (Ire  me  t 
^iliadde  heUf  and  at  fioloine, 
James,  and  at  Coloine  : 
of  wandring  bj  the  way  ; 
p»ai  flic,  fothly  for  to  fay  ; 
bbkr  efily  (be  (at, 
L,  and  on  hire  hede  an  hat 
a  bokeUr  or  a  targe, 
about  hire  hipped  ^^* 
a  pair  of  fporrc^  fliarp^. 
coikIc  (he  laughe  and  rarpe* 
love  (he  knew  parchance^ 
the  cotidc  the  oldc  dance. 
thcr  WW  of  rcligioun 
Parjw  of  a  toun, 
cf  holy  thought  and  vrcrk  ; 
a  feftied  man,  a  Clerk, 
goQpd  ttcwciy  wolde  prcchc ; 
devoutly  wold«  he  tcche ; 
and  wonder  diligcnti 
hi  patient, 

u  yprevcd  often  (ithes; 
t  to  curfen  for  hl»  tiihct, 
he  yeven  out  of  doutc 
parilhens  ahoutc 
mzd  eke  uf  hi*  fubfUncc ; 
rl  thing  have  fuliilance  : 
parUh,  and  houTrs  icr  afonder, 

o^u;:-"  ' ram  tic  thondcr. 

vifitc 
bis  J  c  and  Lite 

an-  i  i  a  ftaf  : 

f  ^«^p«  ^^  J^ff 

rottj^ht  and  afterward  he  taught, 
*  he  the  wprdc*  citjglitp 
he  added  yet  thereto 
what  (buld  iren  do 

-  Jiom  we  trull 
luft; 
n,  .i  >«^4  «  ^<*te(l  take  krpc 
I  ihcf  he^d  ar.d  ckot  jhf  pt : 


Wcl  ought  a  prccft  cnfamp!e  for  t«  jtm 
By  bis  dcncncfTc  how  hit  Ihcpc   fhuldc  live*. 

He  fette  not  his  benefice  to  hire, 
And  tctte  his  ihepe  accombrcd  in  the  mire, 
And  ran  unto  London  umo  Stint  Poule» 
To  feken  him  a  chanterie  for  foulei^ 
Or  with  a  brotherhede  to  be  withold. 
But  dwelt  at  home  and  keptc  wcl  his  fold^ 
So  that  the  wolf  oc  made  it  not  mifcarie  ; 
He  was  a  Ihepherd  and  no  mcAcnaric  ; 
And  though  he  holy  were  and  virtuous 
He  was  to  finful  men  not  difphou*, 
Ne  of  hit  fpcchc  dangerous  ac  digne^ 
But  in  his  tcching  dilcrcte  andbcnigne* 
To  drawen  folk  to  heven  with  faircneffc  ; 
By  good  cnfampie,  was  his  beftnclTc ; 
But  it  were  any  perfone  obftinat> 
What  fo  he  were  of  higl^c  or  low  cftat* 
Him  woldc  be  fnibben  Iharp^y  for  the  Docieif 
A  better  prced  I  trowe  that  no  whcr  uoti  ii^  |] 

He  waited  after  no  pompe  ne  reverence, 
Ne  maked  hini  no  fpiced  confcicncc 
But  CriJlc«  lore,  and  his  apofUes  twelve 
lit  caught^  but  firft  he  Ixilwed  it  himfelvev 

With  him  ther  was  a  Pia^mait,  was  hisbrothcjy 
That  haddc  ylaid  of  ck>ng  ful  mapy  a  f other  ^ 
A  trut*  fwinkcr  and  a  good  irt  as  he, 
Living  iu  pect  and  par  lite  fharitee  : 
God  loved  he  bcfte  with  aJlc  hiA  herte 
At  allc  times,  were  it  gain  or  (mcrte, 
And  than  his  neighcbuur  right  as  hiiiifelvc* 
He  wuldc  thrcfti,  and  therto  dike  aud  dclvc^ 
For  Criftes  fake»  for  t^cry  pourc  wight 
Withouten  hifc^  if  it  lay  to  his  might. 

His  tithe*  pajed  he  fuj  fayrt  and  wcl 
Both  of  his  proprc  fwinke  and  his  catcl. 
In  a  tabard  he  rode  upon  a  mere. 

Thcr  was  aifo  a  Rcvc,  and  a  MtUcrep        * 
A  Sompfiour,  and  a  Pardoner  alfo, 
A  Manciple,  and  niyfclf ;  ther  ti'crc  no  mo. 

The  MiiUr  was  a  (lout  carl  for  the  nones^ 
Ful  biggc  he  was  of  braun  and  ckc  of  boncs^ 
That  proved  wel,  for  over  all  thcr  he  came. 
At  wrafUlng  he  wolde  here  a^way  the  ram. 
He  wa«  (hort  (huldcfcd,  brode,  a  thikke  gnarre| 
Thcr  n*aa  no  dore  iJiat  he  o'pldc  hcve  of  barrc 
Or  brcke  it  at  ii  rcnning  with  his  hcdc  \ 
Hi^  bcrd  as  any  fowc  or  fox  watj  rede. 
And  therta  bfode  as  though  it  were  a  fpade* 
Upon  the  cop  right  ui  hj»  nofe  he  hade 
A  wert>  and  the  eon  (lode  a  t\»fte  of  hcrei 
Rede  as  the  briflles  of  a  lotves  crcs : 
His  nofc-thirlcs  blacke  i^crc  and  wide  : 
A  fwcrd  and  bokclcr  bare  he  by  his  Gde  ; 
His  mouth  as  wide  was  aJia  foineis: 
He  was  a  jangler  and  a  Goliardeis, 
And  that  was  mod  of  fmne  and  hiirlotriej  : 
Wcl  coudc  he  Uclcn  come  and  tollcn  thries ; 
And  yet  he  Lad  a  thonib  of  gold  parde, 
A  white  cote  and  a  blew  hodc  wered  he  : 
A  baggepipe  wel  coudc  he  blowc  and  founc. 
And  therwithali  he  brought  nsoitt  of  louiic^ 

A  gen  til  AJaivipit  was  thcr  of  a  temple, 
Of  which  achate ursmighUD  take  enfctu|}t^ 

^5Jj  I 


t:ie   pmoLOGUE, 


M  U 

^         An 

ml 


W<^  td  hen  wife  in  bylng'  of  vitailk, 

ir  whether  tJiat  he  paide  or  toke  by  tailie 
l^tc  he  waited  ib  in  hii  achate 
at  he  t^as  ay  before  in  good  cflate  : 
fow  is  not  that  of  God  miul  fay  re  grace 
[That  fwichc  a  lew^d  mannct  wit  Ihal  pace 
""he  wifdom  of  an  hrpe  of  Icrcd  men  ^ 
Of  maiftcrft  had  he  mo  than  thrie»  ten 
lat  were  pf  lawc  cxpt  rt  and  curious, 
f  whtch  thcr  was  a  dofein  in  that  hou* 
orthy  to  ben  fitwarde*of  rent  and  lond 
Of  any  lord  that  if  in  Ejigtelond, 
To  rnakto  him  Uve  by  hit  propre  good 
In  honour  dettcles,  but  if  he  were  wood^ 
Or  live  at  fcarfly  ai  him  UH  defire, 
And  able  for  to  helpen  all  a  (hire 
~    any  cas  that  nii||^hte  fallen  or  happe  *, 
id  yet  thif  Manciple  fcetc  hir  allcr  cstppc. 
The  ^*%fe  was  a  fl4:ndrc  colerikc  man. 
Hi*  beisd  wa»  (have  at  neighc  a»  etcr  he  can  ; 
Hii'  here  wa-  ^  -   "  '     -  =i  round  yfliorne ; 
His  top  wa  a  prceA  beforne  s 

KuJ  iongt  vvc:_ ^gt*aud  ful  lene, 

yiikc  a  fUif ;  ther  was  no  calf  yfene  ; 
Vfci  coude  he  kcpe  a  gamer  and  a  bitinc; 
Thcr  wa»  non  auditour  coudc  on  him  winne; 
Wei  wiftc  he  by  the  drought  and  by  the  rain 
The  jelding  of  hi»  feed  and  of  his  grain. 
Hii  lordei  fheiv,  hta  nete,  and  hi*  deirie^ 
Hi*  fwinc,  hi*  horf,  hit  (lore,  and  hi*  pultrie. 
Were  holly  in  hh  Rtyc»  govern ing» 
And  by  hia  covenant  yavc  he  rekening, 
Sin  that  hi*  bird  was  twenty  yerc  of  age; 
Thcr  ctiude  no  man  bring  him  in  arerage, 
Ther  n*a»  bailltiT,  oc  herde,  ne  other  hine, 
That  he  nc  knew  hii  Height  and  hia  covine  ; 
They  were  adradde  of  him  a»  of  th*  dcth* 
Hi«  wanning  was  ful  6ayre  upon  an  heth ; 
With  grcnc  tree*  ylhadewed  wai  hi*  place  j 
He  coudc  better  than  hii  lord  pourchace : 
Fu}  rich*  he  wi*  yAorcd  privily  : 
Hj*  lord  wcl  coadc  he  plcfen  fubtilly 
To  yevr  and  lene  him  ojf  hit  owcn  good, 
And  have  a  thank  and  yet  a  cote  and  hood. 
In  youthe  he  icrntd  hadde  a  good  miftere ; 
"*c  waa  a  wel  good  wright,  a  carpentere. 

J9  Rcve  fate  upon  a  ri};hc  good  (lot 
That  wa»  all  pome  Ice  grey,  and  h»ghte  Scot : 
A  Jong  furcf)te  nf  prrfe  upon  he  hade. 
And!  by  hli  fide  he  liare  a  mlly  bLide, 
Of  N<iTk>lk  wa»  rhi»  Rcvc  of  which  1  tcU, 
Befidc  3  toun  men  depen  BddrfwelL 
1  ockrd  he  waa,  as  is  a  frere  ibouie, 
And  ever  he  rode  the  hi' "<"-'♦  "f  the  route, 
A  SM/Af>n*ur  wMs  thrr  that  place 

Tb'*t  hadde  a  fi reared  ^i  face, 

'or  faufeHemc  he  was,  with  eycn  narwc ; 
bote  he  wn^  and  !i*t^n>Lr*  a*  a  fparwe, 
^1  dberd; 

Ther  n '  u  -  .]  u  I L  fc  j  nc  brimfion, 

Boras  ccrufr^nv  -  '  non, 

ojncmcnt,  ih^t  wil*!.  tjctifd  or  bite^ 
h^  him  ought  hetpcn  of  hit  ^  hcik«  white. 


Nc  of  the  knobbc!  Citing  on  hit  cKeket  t 
Wd  luvcd  he  garlike,  onion«,  and  Icket, 
And  for  to  drinke  drong  win  aa  rede  as  bkuxit 
Than  woldc  he  fpeke  and  crie  aa  he  were  wood 
And  whanth^t  he  wel  dronken  had  th^t 
Than  w«]r|  he  fiicken  no  word  but  Lathi ! 
A  fewc  trnnrt  coudc  hc^  two  or  thrce» 
That  he  had  temed  out  of  fom  decree  ; 
No  wonder  is,  he  heard  it  all  the  day  ; 
And  eke  ye  knowen  wel  how  that  a  jay 
Caii  clcpi;n  watte  as  wel  as  can  the  pope  i 
Btil  who  fo  wolde  in  other  thing  him  grop 
Than  h^de  he  fpcnt  all  hi*  fihilofophic  ; 
A}'  ^ejlio  qttidjwrid  f  woMe  he  crie. 

He  wa*  a  gcntil  harlot  •  and  a  kind  ; 
A  better  fclaw  fliuldc  a  man  not  find  : 
H.;  wolde  fuffre  for  a  quart  of  wine 
A  good  felttw  to  have  hi»  concubine 
A  t  V    '  't,  and  cicufc  him  at  the  fuU  \ 

FuJ  \  ich  eke  coudc  ho  pull ; 

Ami  i;  ...  iviihki  o  where  a  good  fclawe 
He  wolde  tcchcn  him  to  have  non  awe 
In  fwiche  acas  of  the  arcliedekcnci  curic» 
But  if  a  manncs  foulc  were  in  hii  purfe. 
For  in  his  purie  he  (hulde  ypanHhcti  be; 
Purfc  is  the  archedeken*  heUe»  faid  he. 
But  wel  I  woie  he  Bed  right  in  dcde ; 
Of  curfing  ought  cche  gilty  man  him  dredc 
For  curfe  wol  flc  right  as  aflbifing  lavccily 
And  alfo  wire  him  of  a  fignifna^it. 

In  danger  hadde  he  at  his  owtn 
The  yongc  girlct  of  the  diocife, 
And  knew  hir  counfeil  and  was  of  hit  rede* 
A  geriond  hadde  he  fette  upon  hi»  bede 
As  gret  as  it  were  for  an  aleflake ; 
A  bokcler.  hadde  h«  made  him  of  a  dkc. 

With  him  ther  rode  a  gentil  Fgrdmtr^ 
Of  RouncevalJ,  hit  frend  and  his  contper^^  1 
Thitt  ftncit  waa  comcn  from  the  court  of  rJ 
Ful  louUc  he  fang,  Come  hither  Jove  to  i 
This  Sompnour  bare  to  him  a  (litf^htmlo 
WiU  itever  irompe  of  half  fo  grrt  a  fciOn, 
Thii  Piirdoncr  had  here  a»  yctwe  u  wajL 
But  (moth  It  heng  a*  doth  a  ftrikc  of  flax; 
By  uncc>  baig  his  Iokke»that  he  hadde. 
And  therwith  he  his  fliuideri  ovcrfpradde  ; 
Full  thinne  it  lay,  by  culpons  on  and  on, 
But  bode  for  jolirc  ne  wcrcd  he  noo.  ^M 

For  It  wa*  trutfed  up  in  hit  wallet,  ^M 

Him  thought  he  rode  all  of  the  oewf  ge% 
Dilhevcle,  fauf  his  cappc»  he  rode  all  bare  ; 
Swichc  glaring  even  hadde  he  zb  An  hare  :    ^Ji 
A  vemtcle  hadde  he  fcwed  upon  hit  cappcf^l 
His  wallet  hiy  beforne  him  in  his  lappc        ^^ 
Brci-ful  of  pardon  come  from  Rome  al  hofe  i 
A  voii  he  hadde  as  fmalc  as  hath  a  gote  i 
No  bo-d  hadde  hc»  nc  never  noo  ftulde  hti 
Ai  fmoihc  it  was  as  j(  were  newc  (have  ; 
1  trowe  he  were  a  gelding  or  a  marc. 

But  ofliis  craft,  fru  Bcrwike  uztto  Ware 


•  The  nameof  luflot  wit  ancicoiJf  gIvCB  I 
wcUsswuneo. 


THt     PUOLtJGtn!, 


E  VM  €bcr  fwlc^  an  othtr  Pardoricrc, 
I  in  lii^  male  he  haddc  4  pilwcbrre 
^-'^,  s*  %c  Cude,  was  ourc  J-JuJict  vicl  : 
f  he  h»ddc  &  gobbet  ol  the  fcyl 
:  Sctut  Fctcr  had  whan  that  he  went 
I  the  ice  till  Jcfu  Criil  hlni  Kent ; 

I  a  crciis  of  T*t*>n/ul  of  ftone*, 
I  in  «  idu  K  ;?g«  bo»ca. 

klrtdi  QiciL  iOBc  tliYt  he  food 

^    ^      EtpeHboc  u waiting  up  on  )ond, 
X^fod  a  Cay  lie  gat  him  more  moncie 
7te  than  the  perfone  ^t  in  monethes  eweic; 
Aai  ihB»  wtCll  famed  fiattcring  and  japc^ 
lit  Made  tlie  perJonc  and  the  pepic  bis  apei. 

Bntrcwely  to  teHcti  arte  kft, 
^  «i»vi  cJhxr^e  a  noble  eeclc&aft  ; 
Wd  Fudr  he  rede  a  kCTon  «r  a  (lorie, 
teiyeiKA  he  iang  aa  oflertorie  ; 
r«r  eiJ  Ibe  wttfbc  wham  that  fong  was  fonge 
HeiiBit  preache  and  wcl  afile  bi»  tone 
IT^viape  fiJvrr,  a«  he  right  wcJ  cotide, 
rfoKe  he  r^ng  the  mericr  and  loodc. 
pv  Itwc  I  told  you  fhortjy  in  a  clause 
eftaft,  th*  araie,  the  nombrc,  and  eke  the  cazife, 
/that  aJTcmbltd  was  thi»  compagnie 
|Ib  Somhvrerk  at  this  gcndJ  hodclrle 

E  highte  The  Tabard,  faft  by  the  BcUc. 

'  it  time  to  you  for  to  telle 
}  that  we  baren  u«  that  tike  night 
I  we  were  in  that  hofteb-ie  alight ; 
I  alter  wol  I  tell  of  our  wage, 
I  aQ  lh«  remcnant  of  our  pilgrimage. 
it6Hle  I  praic  you  of  your  curtefie 
I  ft  »c  ^Ttnc  it  not  my  vilanic, 
an  that  I  plainly  fpcke  in  thie^  matcrc, 
FT*  MB  yem  hir  word««  and  hir  chcre, 
Jlr  l>>a|;h  I  fpckc  hir  words  proprcly ; 
F«r  thk  ft  kficwen  a1  fo  wcl  at  I, 
Who  fo  fiiall  telle  a  Talc  after  a  man 
Hk  rnoUc  rchcrje  as  neighe  as  ever  he  can 
Ifrsich  tpord,  if  it  be  in  hj%  charge, 
M  fal«  be  DercT  fo  rudely  ind  lo  large, 
1[jk»  be  mofte  tellen  hi»  Tale  untrewe, 
I  thii>ge^or  fuiden  worde*  ncwc  ; 
ioe  Ipftre  although  he  were  hh  brother; 
I  wd  fayn  o  word  as  an  other. 
i  %ake  hsoifeU  ful  brode  in  holy  writ, 
I  fid  ft  w»tc  no  vilanie  is  it : 
^PVeo  faycih,  who  fo  can  him  rede, 
e  w^dtB  tnoft  ben  cofin  to  the  dedc* 
All]  praic  you  to  forgive  it  me 
41  ^tft  I  fi<BC  fette  folk  in  hir  de^ee 
fetii  ihb  Tatf  aA  that  they  Ouildcn  (^onde  : 
Mf  mt  iA  Ihoet  ye  may  well  undcrllonde. 
CfcT  cbcTV  made  <mr  Hofte  us  evcrich  on, 
I  to  the  fMifCT  fctte  he  110  anon. 

1  tn  with  Titaillc  of  the  befte ; 
I  waa  the  win,  and  wel  to  drink  us  lc%* 
Ittil  oor  Hode  was  with  alic 
I  ben  a  marflial  in  an  ha  lie ; 
AlsTt  tnao  K  h  eyen  ftepe; 

A  ^er  buff.  nc  in  Chipc  : 

\  Void  of  hi«ft«^^><^^  «iMi  tvife,  and  wcl  ytaughf, 
'  ^M  oC  fBMkbood  diked  right  him  nsiught : 


Eke  thcrto  wa«  he  righf  ^  ^^-^  ^>tin, 

And  »ftcr  foijpcr  plaicn  ' 

And  fpakc  of  mirthe  anp     _  "  thirigc* 

Whan  that  \fc  hidden  madf  our  rckcnlngt^ 

And  faide  thus ;  Now  Lording v*4,  tr cwtly 

Vc  ben  to  roe  welcome  right  hertify. 

For  hy  biy  trouthc,  if  that  I  fhal  not  lie, 

<  faw  nat  this  yerc  fwiche  a  cmnpagnic 

At  ones  in  this  herberwe  as  is  now ; 

Fayn  wolde  I  do  you  mirthe  afid  1  wiftt  hofv^l 

And  of  a  mirthe  I  am  right  now  bcihw/ught'     r 

Ti>  don  jou  cfc,  and  it  Ihall  coftc  you  nought. 

Ye  gon  to  Canterbury ;  God  yoo  fpeJc* 

The  blifsful  martyr  quite  you  your  mcdc  i 

And  wcl  I  wot  a»  ye  gon  by  tbc  way 

Ye  (bapen  you  to  talkcn  and  to  play  ; 

For  irewcly  comfort  ne  mirthe  is  non 

To  riden  by  the  way  dombe  a&  the  fton  ; 

And  thcrforc  wold  I  maken  you  dJTport, 

Aa  I  faid  eril,  and  don  you  fomc  coinfort- 

And  if  you  liketh  alJe  by  on  a0ent 

Now  for  to  ftondcn  at  my  jugement. 

And  for  to  wcrdien  sa  I  !Iml  you  fay 

To-morwe,  whan  ye  riden  on  the  way. 

Now  by  my  fadcrs  foulc  that  is  dcd 

But  ye  be  rncry*  fmitcth  of  my  hcd  : 

Hold  up  your  honde*  withouteo  more  fpeche^ 

Our  counfcil  was  not  long  for  to  fechc ; 
U?  thought  it  was  not  worth  to  make  it  wifC| 
And  granted  him  withoutcn  more  avifc. 
And  bad  him  fey  hit  vcrdit  a&  him  Icftc. 

Lordi!^«,(quodbc)  now  hcrkcneth  for  the  bcflc^ 
But  take  it  nat,  1  pray  you,  in  dildain  : 
This  is  the  point,  to  fpcke  it  plat  and  plain. 
That  cche  of  you  to  Ihortcn  with  youre  way 
In  this  vlagc  Ihal  tellen  Talcs  tway. 
To  Canterbury  ward  I  mtne  it  fo, 
And  homeward  he  fhall  ttlltn  oihtr  two. 
Of  aventurcJi  that  whilom  ban  be  faille. 
And  which  of  you  that  bercih  hini  heft  of  aUci 
That  is  to  fayn,  that  tcllcth  in  thi*  ca» 
Tales  of  bell  fcntcnce  md  moft  fplas. 
Shall  have  a  fouperat  yourc  aMcr  coil 
Here  in  thi«  place  fitting  by  thi^  polt, 
Whan  that  yc  cwiicn  agcn  from  Caiuerbuiy, 
And  for  to  maken  you  the  more  mcry 
I  wol  my  fclvcn  gladly  with  you  ride. 
Right  at  min  owcn  coft,  aud  be  your  gide. 
And  who  that  wol  my  jug^ment  withfay 
i'^.z\  pay  foralle  we  fpcnden  by  the  way* 
And  if  ye  vouchefauf  that  it  be  fo. 
Telle  me  anon  withouteo  wordei  mo. 
And  I  wol  erly  Hiapen  me  tberfore. 

This  thing  was  granted,  and  our  othes  fwo^ 
With  fulglad  hertc.aiid  praidcn  him  alfo 
That  he  wold  vouchefauf  for  to  don  fo^ 
And  that  he  woldc  ben  our  govcroour, 
And  of  our  Talcj  jugc  and  reportour, 
And  fette  a  foui-er  at  a  certain  pri§. 
And  we  wol  rculcd  ben  at  his  dcvilc 
In  htghc  and  lowe*  :  and  thus  by  on  aJTcnt       ^m 
Wc  ben  accorded  to  hi»  jugcment  j  H 

#  M,  or,  Dt  ah'}  ft  biijfb.  Iwrb  Lit.  H^iuf  tt  hnt,  Fr, wt^ 
c3cprc(Ilon'  or  cuikc  fubaul&un  0°  one AilciiiU  rovcreiisnty 
n  tUeuUier. 

A  iiij 


THE     PROLOGUE* 


And  therupOD  the  wio  was  fette  anon  : 
We  dronk^n,  and  to  rcftc  wenten  echc  ©n 
tV'ithouten  any  Icngcr  urying. 

A  morwc  whan  the  day  hcgau  to  fpring 
tip  fofc  our  Hojle,  and  was  our  aller  cok. 
And  gadcrd  us  togedcr  in  a  flok, 
And  forth  we  Hdoi  a  lied  more  than  pat 
Uato  the  watering  of  Scint  Thomas, 
And  thcr  our  Kofte  began  hit  hor»  arcfk, 
And  faid,  Lord«,  hcrkcncth  if  you  left  ; 
Yt  wctc  yoiir  forword,  and  I  it  record  : 
If  cir<tD  fong  and  morwc  fong  accord, 
Lrt  fc  now  who  {hal  telle  the  firft  Talc  : 
Ai  ever  mote  I  drinken  win  or  lic 
Who  fo  I*  rebel  to  my  jugement 
Shal  pay  for  alle  that  by  the  way  it  fpenf- 
Kow  drawtth  cnltc  or  that  yc  forther  twinuc  ; 
He  which  that  hath  the  fhortcfl  fhal  bcginrfc, 

Stre  Knight,  (c]uod  he)  my  maiilcr  and  my  lord, 
Now  drawcth  ci»ttC|  for  that  ii  miti  Mcord. 


Cometh  ncrc  (quod  he)  my  Lady  FiioreSk  ^ 
And  yc  fire  Clerk ;  let  be  your  fhamefaftnei'' 
He  Itudieth  nought :  lay  hand  to  evct7  man. 

Anon  to  drawcn  every  wight  began. 
And  Shortly  for  tcllcn  as  tt  was. 
Were  it  by  aventure,  or  fort,  or  ca% 
The  foche  is  thii,  the  cuttc  fell  on  the  Knight, 
Of  which  ful  hiith  and  glad  was  every  wight  | 
And  tell  he  mud  hh  Tale  as  was  refon. 
By  forwordand  by  ccmipofition, 
A*  yc  han  herd ;  what  ncdeth  wordes  mo  ? 
And  whan  thi»  good  man  (aw  that  it  waa  lb, 
A»  he  that  wife  was  and  obedient 
To  kepc  his  forw'ord  by  his  free  affcnt. 
He  fxide  ;  Sithcn  I  (hal  begin  thi^  gamie. 
What,  welcome  be  the  cutte  a  Qoddcs  nao 
Now  let  us  ride,  and  hearkeneth  what  I  fayS 

And  with  th  U  word  we  ridcn  forth  omr  T 
And  he  began  with  a  right  mery  chere 
His  Ti&e  anoDi  and  &idc  aa  yc  ftal  here. 


) 


THE  KNIGHTES  TALE. 


WmoM,  o  olde  ftorici  teilen  m. 

Her  was  m  duk  thiit  highte  Thefeua ; 

QfAdbcztcs  he  was  lord  smd  govemour, 

lid  ta  his  time  fwkbe  a  conquerour, 

Ttat  greter  Twas  thcr  dod  under  the  Tonne ; 

Wfcuiy  a  richc  coatrec  had  be  wonnc* 

flbt  ^th  bu  vrifdom  and  his  chevalric 

WecyaniiLiJ  all  the  tejgnc  of  FemifuCr 

Hk  wliiloal  was  ycleped  Scythia, 

AaA  wedded  the  &^eslhe  quene  Ipolica, 

Aal  tvontgiit  hire  hoiDe  with  him  to  his  coatrec 

W«h  mochcl  glorie  and  great  folcmpnitee, 

AmA  eke  hire  jongc  fuftcr  Erne  He, 

Ab4  t^as  witli  vidfcorie  and  with  melodie 

la  1  this  worthy  duk  to  Athcnes  ride, 

<Aiid  aH  kit  bcdl  in  armct  him  bcfidc. 

Aodccrtct,  if  it  n'ere  to  Jong  to  here, 
1  Wilde  bft^c  told  fou  fully  the  maoere 
H»w  wvnacR  was  the  rcgnc  of  Feminic 
iy  Tbeicuft  aod  by  hi*  chevalric, 
Mad  §i  dte  gTcte  bataillc  for  the  nonet 
ietwii:  Atheocs  and  the  Amafonci, 
Asd  )mm  mflcged  was  Ipohta, 
iWfairr  bardy  quenc  of  Scythia, 
Atfdfll  the  fefte  that  wa»  at  hire  wedding', 
J^  of  the  temple  at  hire  home  coming ; 
Bb  lA  lilts  thing  I  mofte  as  now  forbtre  : 
IImk^  G<»d  wot,  a  large  fcld  to  ere, 
Aoi  wckc  ben  the  oxen  in  my  plow  j    . 
I  *IV  rd&cDent  of  my  Taje  is  Jong  ynow. 
liiaoclcttcn  eke  non  of  this  route; 
iv  efciy  Ccla-w  tcUe  his  Tale  aboute, 
iid  kt  A:  Qiow  who  (hal  the  fouper  winnc. 
I  Iko  li  I  left  I  will  agen  beginnc. 

Tlat  du^,  of  whom  I  made  mentioun, 
Vku  ke  ^ras  ccrmen  almoft  to  the  toun, 
bull  jlil  weLe  and  in  his  mo£le  pride, 
■*'  are,  as  he  caft  his  eye  a0dc, 

;  'ther  kneled  in  the  highc  wcy 
;pir  of  ladies  twey  and  rwcy, 
'  other*  clad  in  clothe*  blakc  j 
II  a  crie  and  fyirichc  a  wo  they  makcj 
I  this  world  n'is  creature  living 
«cr  herd  fwiche  SLoather  waimenting ; 
I  <oi  thil  crie  oe  wolde  they  never  (^entea 
ni  they  the  resnet  of  his  bridel  henten. 

What  folk  be  yc  that  at  min  home  coming 
Vtnurhen  fo  iny  fcftc  with  crying  ? 
^od  Thdeos;  have  ye  fo  grctc  cnvic 
Of  ado  hooonr^  that  thus  cnntpbtne  and  crie  ? 
Or  who  kath  yoo  roifbodcn  or  olf ended  ? 
Pfeldk  ou:,  if  that  it  viav  be  umcnded^ 


And  why  ye  he  thus  clothed  all  in  btake  i 

The  oldcft  lady  of  hem  all  than  fpake. 
Whan  fhe  had  fwouned  with  a  dedly  chere. 
That  it  wm»  reuthe  for  to  fecn  and  here. 
She  faydc»  Lord,  to  whom  Fortune  hath  ycvot 
Vii^oric,  and  at  a  conqueror  to  liven. 
Nought  grtvcth  ui  your  glorie  and  your  honour, 
Bui  wc  befeke  you  of  mcrcic  and  focour ; 
Have  mcrcic  on  our  woe  and  our  diftrcfic  : 
Some  drope  of  pitcc  thurgh  thy  gentillcffc 
Upon  us  wretched  wimmen  let  now  falle  ; 
For  ccrte»,  Lord,  ther  n'i&  non  of  usallc 
That  flic  u*hith  ben  a  ducheffc  or  a  qucnc  j 
Now  be  wc  caitives,  as  it' is  wel  fenc  ; 
Thanked  be  Fortune  and  hire  faUc  whele 
That  non  cftat  cnfurcth  to  be  wele. 
And  certcs.  Lord,  to  abidcn  your  prcfcne^ 
Here  in  thii  temple  of  the  goddcffe  Clemcace, 
Wc  han  ben  waiting  all  this  fourtcnight : 
Now  hclpc  u I,  Lord,  fm  it  licth  in  thy  might- 

1  wretched  wight,  that  wepe  and  waiJc  tkua. 
Was  whilom  wif  to  King  Capancus 
That  ftarfc  at  Thebes,  curfed  be  that  day  g 
And  allc  we  that  ben  in  this  aray. 
And  maken  alJ  this  lamentation* 
Wc  ioften  all  our  hufbondcs  at  that  toun 
While  that  the  ficge  therahotiten  lay : 
And  yet  now  the  olde  Creon,  wala  wa  1 
That  lord  is  now  of  Thehct  the  citcc, 
FulAlkd  of  ire  and  of  Jtjjqiiitttc, 
He  for  dcfpit,  and  for  his  tyrannic. 
To  don  the  ded  bodies  a  vilanic. 
Of  allc  our  lordes,  which  that  ben  yllawc. 
Hath  allc  the  bodies  on  an  hcpe  ydrawe. 
And  will  not  fpfiVen  hem  by  non  alTcut 
Ncyther  to  ben  ybcried  nc  y brent. 
But  makcth  houndciete  hem  in  defpite. 

And  with  that  word,  wtthoutcn  more  refplte| 
They  fallen  grolT,  and  crien  pitoufly, 
Have  on  us  wrcichtd  wimmcn  Ibm  mercy, 
And  let  our  forwe  fink  en  in  thin  herte» 

This  gentii  duk  doun  from  his  courfer  (tcnc 
With  hcrtc  piteous  whan  he  herd  hem  fpeke ; 
Him  tlioughtc  that  his  herte  wolJc  all  to-breke  y 
When  he  faw  hem  fo  pitous  and  fo  mate 
That  whilom  wercti  of  fo  gret  cflate^ 
And  in  his  am^es  he  hem  all  up  hcntc. 
And  htm  comforted  in  ful  good  entente. 
And  fwore  his  oth,  as  he  was  trcwc  knighc^ 
He  wolde  don  fo  ferforthly  his  might 
Upon  the  tyrant  Crcon  hem  to  wrcke. 
That  ail  tlje  pcpU  of  Gi  cc?  Ihukle  l^^eke 


THE    KNfGHTES    t  A  L  t. 


How  Creon  was  of  Tbcfcu*  yfervcd» 

As  be  thu  hath  his  dcth  ful  wcl  deferved« 

And  right  ajiewjjWiihoutcn  more  abode. 
Hit  banner  he  difpUidc,  and  forth  he:  rode 
To  Thebes  ward,  and  all  his  hofl  be  fide  : 
No  ncr  Athenci  n'oldc  he  go  nc  ride, 
Nc  take  Kis  efc  fully  hidlf  a  duy, 
Bur  onwitrd  on  hu  way  that  night  be  lay, 
Aud  fent  anon  Ipolita  the  queue. 
And  EmcUc  hire  youngc  fiftcr  (hene. 
Unto  the  (oun  of  Athencs  for  to  dwell ; 
And  forth  he  rit ;  thcrr  n'aa  no  more  to  tcIL 

The  red  ftatuc  of  Matsj  with  fpere  and  targt. 
So  ihineih  in  his  w bite  banner  laTp:^ 
That  ail  the  felde^  glitcren  up  and  dotin ; 
And  by  hi&  banner  borni-  is  his  |>enon 
Of  gold  ful  richc,  in  which  that  ther  wt*  ybctc 
The  Miiiotaure  which  that  he  flew  in  Crete 
ThuB  rit  this  duk,  thus  rit  this  conqucrour. 
And  in  hb  hoft  of  chcvalrie  the  flnur. 
Til  that  he  came  to  Thebe*,  and  alight 
Fayrc  in  a  fekl,  ther  as  he  thought  to  Hgbt. 
But  flionly  for  to  fpcken  of  this  thing. 
With  Creon,  which  that  was  of  Thebes  king 
He  fought,  and  flew  him  man^  a*  a  knight 
In  plaine  hataille,  and  put  his  folk  to  flight ; 
And  by  afTaut  he  wan  the  citcc  after, 
And  rent  ;idoun  bothe  wall,  and  fparre,  and  rafter | 
And  to  the  ladies  he  reftorcd  again 
Tbq  bodies  of  hir  houfbondes  that  were  (lain. 
To  don  the  obfef^uie^  as  was  tho  the  gife. 

But  it  were  all  to  long  for  to  de^rife 
Thtf  grcte  clamour  and  the  waimeuting 
Whiche  that  tjlc  ladies  made  at  the  brennmg 
Of  the  bodies,  and  the  gret  honour 
That  The  feu*,  the  robic  con<iuerour» 
Doth  to  the  ladies  whan  they  from  him  wente; 
But  fhortly  for  to  telle  is  min  entente. 

Whan  that  thi«  worthy  duk»  this  Thcfeas, 
Haih  Creon  flain  and  wonnen  Thf  bci  ihus^ 
Still  in  the  feld  he  toke  all  night  his  refte  ^ 
And  did  with  all  the  countree  as  him  lefte  ; 
To  ranfakc  in  the  ta*  of  bodies  dedc, 
Hem  for  to  ftripc  of  hamcif  and  of  wcdc, 
The  pilloars  dide  hir  bcfincfTe  and  core. 
After  the  bataiUe  and  difcomliture ; 
And  fo  befell  that  in  the  tas  they  found, 
Tbiu-gh  girt  with  many  a  grevoui  blody  wouftdf 
Two  yonge  knightes  Ugging  by  and  by, 
Bothe  in  on  armcs  wrought  ful  rkhely ; 
Of  whiche  two  Arcita  highte  that  on, 
And  hd  that  other  highte  Palamofi. 
Not  fully  quik  nc  fully  ded  they  wcftf. 
But  by  hir  cote  armure  and  by  hir  gefe 
Th€  beraudes  knew  him  wtl  in  fpecial, 
As  tko  ihttt  wcren  of  the  blod  real 
pf  Thebes  and.  of  fuflrcn  t^'O  y borne. 
Out  of  the  taa  the  piltours  han  hrm  tome. 
And  han  hem  carried  loft  unto  the  tentc 
Ol  Thcteus,  and  he  ful  fonc  hem  fento 
T"  Atlwi,^   fnr  fr>  dwctlcn  in  prifon 
Pi  QorauDfon. 

A'  rihy  duk  had  thus  ydofl, 

^  tukc  his  hcril,  ^d  homc  ^  VA  iaoHj 


With  laurel  crouned  as  a  eonqucn^nr^ 
And  ther  he  liveth  in  Joyc  and  in  honour 
Termc  of  his  lif ;  what  ncdetli  wordcs  too  f 
And  in  a  tour  in  angaifh  and  in  wo 
Dwcllen  thii  Palamon  and  ckr  Arcite 
For  cvcrmo,  ther  may  no  gold  hem  quite* 

Thus  paffcth  yerc  by  yerc,  and  day  by  daf^  j 
Till  it  fell  one*  in  a  morwe  of  May 
That  Eittelte,  that  fayrer  waa  to  fcoe 
Than  is  the  Ulie  upon  hn  flalke  g;renr« 
And  fre^fher  than  the  May  with  fiourcs  neVy 
(For  with  the  rofe  colour  ftrof  hire  hcve; 
I  n'ot  which  was  the  finer  of  hero  tw«| 
Er  it  was  day,  as  fhe  wsa  wont  to  ^ 
She  was  ari^n,  and  all  rcdy  dighc. 
For  May  wol  hare  no  flogmrdie  a  night  | 
The  felon  prikcth  every  genttl  hertc, 
And  maketh  him  out  of  his  Hepe  to  ft«rte. 
And  fayth,  Arife,  ;ind  do  thin  obrtrs^jiec. 

This  maketh  £mclie  ban  rennrtnbranec 
To  don  honour  to  May,  and  for  to  rife  ; 
Yclothed  was  (he  freslbc  for  toaevifr, 
Hire  yelwc  here  was  brotded  in  a  tncflc 
Behind  hire  back,  a  ycrdc  hmg  I  geffci 
Aiid  in  the  gardin  at  the  iV  iine  uprtfV 
She  walketh  op  and  donn  whet  aji  hire  hH  t 
She  j]r;i{hereth  floures,  partic  white  and  rt4^ 
To  miikc  a  fotcl  jfcrlond  for  hire  bed  ; 
And  xi  an  angel  hevenlich  fhe  fong. 
The  grctc  tour  that  was  fo  thikke  and  fbtiti^ 
Uliich  of  the  eaAel  was  the  chef  doogron, 
(Wlicr  as  thcfe  knightes  wenen  in  pdfbn. 
Of  which  I  tolde  you,  and  tetlen  (hiE) 
Was  even  joinant  to  U>*  gardin  waU^ 
Ther  ai  this  Emclie  had  hire  playing,  [ 

Bright  was  the  fonne  and  clere  that  inorw 
And  Palamon,  this  woful  prifoner, 
As  was  his  woue,  by  leve  of  his  gayftr 
Was  rifenf  and  romed  in  a  chambre  on  high. 
In  which  he  all  the  noble  citcc  (igh, 
And  ike  the  gardin,  fut  of  branches  greof, 
Ther  as  this  frcsiie  Emelia  the  jfacne 
Was  in  hire  walk,  and  rom^d  up  andd<>un« 

This  forweful  prifoner^this  PaMmon, 
Goth  in  his  ehambre  ron  ing  to  and  fro. 
And  to  himfclfc  c  T  -  of  his  WO  : 
lliat  he  was  born  Jayd  Alls! 

And  fo  befell,  by  ivtiMun;  or  cas. 
That  tliurgh  a  window  ilnkke  of  piaay  a  1 
Ofyrcn  gret,  and  (quare  as  any  fp^rre. 
He  caft  his  cyen  upon  Emcliai  * 
And  thcrwtihat  he  blent  •  and  cried  A! 
A*  though  he  ftongen  were  unto  the  herte? 

And  with  that  aic  Ar<!itc  anon  up  ftertf* 
And-faide,  Cofin  mm,  what  eyletb  thei; 
That  art  fo  pale  aiid  dcdly  for  to  fee  ? 
Why  cridcfl  ihoti  ?  who  hath  thee  don  offeficel 
For  Goddes  love  take  all  in  patience 

•  Tliii  word  hu  v^Hdai  fcnfe*  \n  Ch»»»feTt  #•  li  U  d«» 

rfifrtH^     ft  >jBfiri»  >..■  ,  t(ir 

linic  In  ^McfrSh.^t  »0 

(hnnit  or  tijirtttlldc 


THEKNTGHTES    TALI!. 


I 


tlV  fnfim.  for  k  Iniy  fioo  other  be ; 
W^ftioc  bath  ycrco  ttt  this  adrerfoe  i 
Son  vUe  ikfped  or  dilpofittoD 
OfSatnmc,  \rf  iom  coci£t«llarian» 
Httib  fcvctt  ut  this«  &hhoU|^h  wc  had  it  Tworn  : 
SoisDil  ihe  beren  whan  that  we  wcr^  bom  : 
Wt  onttt  cndsre;  Ch»  is  tlte  fhort  atid  plain. 
Tka  Pkhmnin  anfwcrdc,  and  £iyde  again, 
Ce^Mg  Cbfibdi  of  thi«  optoion 
*Ihm  baft  a  T^ainc  ioiaginatioti : 
Tbii  frifoQ  cxufirti  me  not  for  to  criCf 
l>t  ]  was  hurt  right  now  thnrghotit  tnxn  eye 
laid  fnin  brrtcr,  that  woL  my  banc  be  ; 
IV  ^TmefTe  of  a  lady  that  1  fe 
YoaA  vt  tiic  Rrdta  ramiii^  to  aad  fro 
h  cnife  o£  mU  m j  oying  and  my  wo  : 
I  %'tt.  wbc'r  Ihe  be  woman  or  goddeflc, 
Jl^r  ToHii  is  it  fbthlf  at  1  gefTc. 

Aad  tberwttball  on  kjices  adovn  he  fill, 
Aai  fzfde ;  Vcntit,  if  it  be  your  will 
Tmi  in  tbi>  g;»rdm  thua  to  tranffignrr, 
BeiiarB  me  Ibnrdol  wretched  crearure* 
Oat  of  tbi*  prilbii  helpe  that  wc  may  fcape ; 
And  if  6>  be  our  dciliiie  be  (bape 
By  etcTVC  word  to  dirti  in  prifmif 
CHT  OCT  ^gsagte  have  fome  compaflion, 
TbM.  h  to  lim  ybrou^ht  by  tyrannies 

As>d  with  that  word  Arata  gan  cQite 
miicr  a«  thit  lady  romcd  tu  and  fro, 
Asd  with  tbat  ft^ht  hire  beautc  hurt  him  fo, 
That  if  thftt  Miimof}  were  wounded  fore 
Ai«Cc  Ki  hmt  u  moche  as  be  or  more  ; 
And  with  a  fif  h  he  fayde  pitottfly^ 
31lc  iredbc  bcaute  fleth  me  fodcnly 
ptfbire  that  roincth  tntbe  yotidcr  place; 
A>4  but  t  bATC  hire  mcrcie  and  hire  grace, 
TlBi  I  muy  fteo  hire  at  the  leilc  way, 
t  e'iBB  bttt  dcd;  thern'it  no  more  to  fay^ 

Tlis  P^lafncMip  whan  be  theft  wordeb  herd, 
taHfi/touiij  be  lokcd,  and  anlwcrd, 
lAeibcr  hytSi  thou  this  in  entefk  or  in  play  I 

m^^q^o^  Arcitc,  in  emcll  by  my  fay  j 
M  belpc  jne  fo,  Die  Itifl  fuU  y vcl  play« 

Tbia  Pftlanton  gran  knit  hi«  browcs  twey. 
It  were,  ^U0d  he,  to  thee  no  ^rct  honour 
fm  M  be  faJle,  ne  for  to  be  tnytnur 
Tottc^tbit  am  thy  cofio  and  thy  brother 
IkMgmc  ful  ^fCt  and  echc  of  q«  to  othcr^ 
Tbtf  orvrr  for  to  dien  in  the  peine 
TTI  dMi  tbe  deth  dcp^rtcn  (h:J  ut  tweinCi 
KijllKf  vf  OS  in  love  to  hindrc  other, 
Jle  m  »aii  other  ca^,  my  Ic  vc  brother ; 
1^  flat  tboB  ftiiildcjl  trewtly  forthcr  me 
ii  «9efy  c»  aa  I  fltidd  forthcr  thee. 
T\a  was  tbm  oth,  and  niln  olfo  certain ; 
1  wot  it  w«i  tb'niu  darH  tt  not  with  fain  : 


TWmfcMi 

jl  outof  doute, 

AadtowOk^T^ 

Hy  ben  aboute 

T»W*<iiiy  L 

love  and  fcrvc, 

Aadera^flial 

Ucrtc  Ucrvc, 

NSW. 

.trcuc,  thou  fhalt  not  fo  ; 

IWwit 

ndtoldcthcemy  wo. 

Aii»sn>  v.^i^.. 

^..i  my  brother  fworac 

Tifenbamaa 

1  bxvc  fold  btfoine, 

For  which  thou  art  yl>ound«i  a»  a  knight 
To  helpcn  me,  if  it  Ik  in  thy  might, 
Or  cUc^art  thou  fulfe  I  dare  wel  fain. 

This  Arcita  full  proudly  fpakc  again. 
Thoti  fhalt,  quod  he,  be  rather  falfe  than  ] 
And  thou  art  falfe,  I  tell  thee  utterly ; 
For  /iar  amaur  I  loved  hire  firil  or  thou. 
What  wok  thou  fayn?  thou  wiftcfk  tiat  right  t 
Whether  (he  Wert:  a  woman  or  a  goddcfliie  : 
Thin  ia  afl&r<Sion  of  holineffe. 
And  inin  h  love  an  to  a  creature. 
For  which  T  tolde  thee  min  aventure. 
As  to  my  cofin  and  my  brother  fwome. 

I  pofc  that  thou  lovcdeft  hirv  bcfome  i 
Wo  ft  thou  not  we!  the  olde  clerkeu  fawc  f^ 
That  who  fhall  give  3  lover  any  bwc  f 
Love  is  a  gretcr  lawc  by  my  pan 
Then  may  be  yevcn  of  any  erthly  man  ; 
And  thcrfore  pofitif  lawc  and  fwidic  decree 
la  broken  all  day  for  love  in  cche  degree. 
A  man  moflc  ncde*  love  nlaugrc  his  hed ; 
He  may  not  flccn  it  though  he  fliuld  be  dcd^ 
^\11  bcfhc  maid,  or  widewCjor  ell<^  wif. 

And  eke  it  is  not  likely  all  thy  lif 
To  lion  den  in  hire  grace,  no  more  fhal  I ; 
For  wcl  thou  woft  thy  fclven  vcraily 
That  thou  and  I  be  damned  to  prifon 
Ptrpctuci ;  us  gaincth  no  raunfon, 

Wc  llrive  ab  did  the  houndcsfor  the  hooe. 
They  fought  all  day,  and  yet  hjr  part  was  none  1 
Thcr  came  a  kyte,  while  that  they  were  fo  wrothc. 
And  bare  away  the  honi;  betwix  hem  boihc. 
And  thcrfore  at  the  kinges  court,  my  brother,  ^ 
Echc  man  for  himfelf,  thcr  i*  non  other. 
Love  if  thee  fu{t,  for  I  love,  and  ay  fhal  i 
And  lothly,  leve  brother,  I  hi  i  is  ah 
Here  in  this  prifon  moften  wc  endure, 
And  cvcrich  of  us  take  his  avcniiire* 

Grct  was  the  (trif,  and  long  bttwix  him  twey" 
If  that  \  haddc  Iciitr  for  to  fey : 
But  to  th'  cflcd.     It  hopped  on  a  day, 
(To  tell  it  ynu  as  fhortly  as  I  may) 
A  worthy  duk  that  hightc  Pcrithous, 
That  felaw  was  to  thi-t  duk  Thcfeus 
Sin  thilkcday  that  they  were  children  Utc, 
Was  cotnc  to  Athencs  Im  fclaw  to  vifitc. 
And  for  to  play  aa  he  was  wont  to  do, 
For  in  thi»  world  he  loved  no  man  {o^ 
And  he  loved  him  as  tendrcty  again  : 
So  wel  they  loved,  a*  olde  bokes  fiin, 
That  wlian  that  on  was  dede,fothly  to  tell. 
Hi*  fclaw  wente  and  fought  him  down  in  hcU  : 
Put  of  that  ftortc  lift  me  not  to  write. 

Duk  Perithouft  loved  wel  Arcite, 
And  had  him  knowc  at  Thebes  ycre  by  fcre  ^ 
And  finally,  at  requcfl  and  praicrc  ^^ 

Of  Perithous,  withouten  any  raunfon,  ^H 

Duk  Thcfeus  him  let  out  of  prifon,  ^K 


►the. 

1 


1 


f  The  older i^' I'  £*Tir,  n.io* 


':iy  In  mijiy  plic«.  Tbc' 


» 


THE    KKlCHTei    V  A  h  t. 


Frely  to  fOQ  whfr  that  hini  lift  over  all, 

»tn  fwichc  >,  gife  as  I  you  tellcn  Ihalt. 
Thi$  was  the  forword,  plainly  for  to  cAdtte, 
Betwixen  Thcfeyiand  him    ircite; 
That  if  To  were  that  ^cite  were  yfouad 
£vcr  in  his  Li f«  by  day  or  night,  o  ilouod 
Id  Any  countrce  of  this  TbcTcui, 
Ajid  he  were  caught,  it  w^i  accorded  thus. 
That  with  a  fwerd  he  (huldc  lefc  hit  hcd; 
Th<;r  wm  non  other  rcmcdic  ac  tcdc  ; 
But  takcth  his  lcv<r,and  homeward  he  him  fpeddc ; 
l^ti  him  beware,  hit  nekke  licth  to  wcddc. 

How  gTCt  a  for  we  faflercth  now  Arcite  ? 
The  deth  he  fcleth  thurgh  his  hcrte  imitc  ; 
He  wepcth,  waiJcth,  cheth  pitoufly. 
To  flc£n  hirafctf  he  wmittth  privcly. 
He  faid,  Alas  the  day  that  I  was  borne  * 
Now  tft  my  prifon  werfc  than  bcfomc  ; 
Now  it  me  (hape  etcrnaJly  to  dwellc 
Not  only  In  pur^toric  but  in  hcllc. 
Alu!  that  ever  I  knew  Ptrithoua, 
"For  clle*  had  I  dwelt  witli  Thcfcy»> 
Yfetcred  in  hLi  prifoo  cTcnno ; 
Thau  had  t  ben  in  bliiTc  and  not  in  wo; 
Only  the  Ught  of  hire  whom  that  I  ferve. 
Though  that  1  never  hire  grace  may  dcfcrvCi 
Wold  have  fufftccd  right  ynough  for  tnc, 

O  derc  cofiQ  Palamon^  quod  he. 
Thin  is  the  vrdoric  of  this  aventure ; 
Ful  bliiful  in  prifon  maicfl  thou  endure  : 
Id  prifon  ?  ctrtc*  nay,  bet  in  paradile. 
Wcl  hath  Fortune  y turned  thee  the  dife, 
That  hafl  the  fight  of  hire  and  I  th'  abfence. 
For  polfible  i*,  fiti  thou  haft  hire  pre  fence, 
And  art  a  knight,  a  worthy  and  an  able, 
That  by  fome  cas,  Hn  Fortune  h  changeable, 
ThoQ  maicft  to  thy  delir  fomtime  attcinc  ; 
But  that  1  am  exiled,  and  barreine 
Of  alle  grace,  and  in  fo  gret  dcfpaire. 
That  ther  n'ia  crthe,  water,  fire,  ne  aire, 
Ne  creature,  that  of  hem  maked  i». 
That  may  me  heic  or  doo  cotnfort  in  thii, 
Wcl  ought  I  ftervc  in  wanhopc  and  diftrefle* 
Farcwel  my  lif,  my  laft,and  my  gladncflc. 

Alas  !  why  pUinc^i  men  fo  in  commune 
Ofpurveiancc  of  God  or  of  Fortune, 
That  yc^cth  hem  ful  oft  in  many  a  gife 
Wcl  better  than  they  can  hcmfclf  dcvifc  f 
Som  man  delireth  for  to  have  richcl!^. 
That  caufe  i»  of  his  murdre  or  gret  fiknelTe  ; 
And  fom  man  wold  out  of  hi»  prifon  fayn, 
That  in  his  honie  u  of  hi«  meynie  0aiQ. 
Infinite  harmes  ben  in  this  materc  ; 
We  wotc  not  what  thing  that  we  praien  here. 
We  faren  as  he  that  dronke  is  ai  a  mous ; 
A  dmokcn  man  wot  wet  he  hath  an  houi. 
But  be  nc  wot  which  is  the  right  way  thider) 
And  to  a  drtmKen man  the  way  is  fltder. 
And  certcs  in  thlh  world  fo  farcn  we. 

We  fcken  fad  after  fcHcitc, 
But  we  go  wrong  ful  often  trewcly. 
thut  we  may  fayen  lUc,  and  namely  l^ 
Thai  weAde,  and  had  a  gret  opinion^ 

C  Alight  dcapca  fro  f^in 


Than  I  had  ben  in  joye  and  ptrftte  hele, 
Ther  now  1  am  exiled  fro  my  wcle- 
Sin  that  f  may  not  fccn  you  EmcJie 

I  n'am  but  dcd;  ther  n'is  no  rcmediev 

Upon  that  other  0de  Palamon, 
Whan  that  he  wtft  Arcita  was  agon, 
Swiche  forwc  he  maketh,  that  the  grctc  tOI 
Refouucd  of  his  yelling  and  damourp       ^ 
The  pure  fetters  on  his  Ihinnes  grete  , 
Were  of  hl»  bitter  falte  teres  wctc. 

Ala* !  quod  he,  Arcita,  colin  niin> 
Of  all  our  ftrif,  God  wot,  tlie  fnite  is  thin. 
Thou  walkcft  now  iti  Thebes  at  tliy  large, 
And  of  my  wo  thou  yevcflt  litel  charge. 
Thou  maift,  {iih  thou  haft  wiidom  and  mt 
AlTcmhlen  al]  the  folk  of  our  kinrrfie. 
And  make  a  werrc  fo  iharpc  on  thi»  ton  tree. 
That  by  fom  aventure  or  fom  tretec 
Thou  maift  have  hire  to  lady  and  to  wif 
For  w^hom  that  1  muft  nedes  lefe  my  lif. 
For  as  by  way  of  pojhbilitce, 
Sith  thou  art  u  thy  large  of  prifon  free. 
And  art  a  lord,  gret  is  thin  avanuge. 
More  than  is  min»  that  ftervc  here  in  a  cagt : 
For  I  may  w^pe  and  waile  while  that  \  live. 
With  all  the  wo  that  prifon  may  roc  yevc. 
And  ckc  with  peine  tliat  love  me  yeveth  alfo. 
That  doubleth  all  my  tourmcnt  and  my  wo. 

Therwith  the  fire  of  jaloulie  up  ftertc 
Within  hi.sbreft,  and  hcnt  him  by  the  bene 
So  woodly^  that  he  like  was  to  behold 
The  b-OA.-trcr,  or  the  afbcn  dcd  and  cold, 
llien  faid  he  ;  O  crticl  Goddes  !  that  govemc 
This  world  with  binding  of  your  word  ctemCi 
And  writen  in  the  table  of  athamanl 
Your  parlemcnt  and  your  ctcrnc  graot* 
Wliat  is  mankind  more  sin  to  yhold 
Than  is  the  flicpc  that  roukcth  in  the  fold  i 
For  £bin  ts  man  right  as  another  bccft. 
And  dwellc th  eke  in  prifon  and  arreft^ 
A  nd  hath  fiknefte  and  gret  adverfite, 
And  often  timet  gilteles  parde. 

What  governance  is  in  this  prcfcicnoc;  ' 
That  gikeicfs  turmcnteth  innocence  I 
And  yet  encrefeth  this  all  my  penance. 
That  man  h  bo un den  to  his  obfcrvanc^ 
For  Goddcs  lake  to  letcn  of  his  will, 
Ther  as  a  bccft  may  aU  his  luft  fulfill. 
And  when  a  becft  is  ded  he  bath  no  peine ; 
But  man  after  his  dcth  motcwepe  and  pkine«^ 
Though  in  this  world  he  have  care  and  wa  I  * 
Without  en  doutc  it  mayc  ftooden  fo. 

The  anfwer  of  ihii  Icte  1  to  divines. 
But  wel  I  wotc  that  in  this  world  gret  pin^  ii» 
Alas  [  I  fee  a  ferpcnt  or  a  thcfc. 
That  many  a  trewc  man  hath  do  meichefe, 
Gon  at  his  large,  and  wher  him  luft  may  turn. 
But  t  mode  be  n  in  prifon  thurgh  Saturn, 
And  eke  thurgh  Jimo,  jaloui  and  eke  wood 
That  hatb  wcl  neye  deftruicd  all  theblooi 
Of  Thebes,  w^ith  his  waftc  walh  wide. 
And  Venus  ileeth  mc  on  that  other  Jide 
For  jaloufic,  and  fere  of  him  Arcitc 

Now  wd  1  i^t  of  Palaxmia  i  bie. 


:i 


THE    ItNlGHTfiS    TAtfi- 


And  keen  lum  in  hit  prifon  ftiU  dwelk, 
MA  of  Arciu  forth  I  wol  you  tcUc. 

Tbe  fofniner  pafTcth,  ind  che  Dightci  long 
laoefetl  doable  wi£e  the  peines  ftron|^ 
Bb^  of  the  lover  ac4  of  the  pnroner ; 
Ib\>c  which  haih  ihe  wofuUcr  miftctc 
For  feoTtly  for  to  fay,  thi>  P&UmoD 
FcTpetncily  is  damned  to  prifon, 
In  chaincs  and  in  fctt€r»  to  ben  ded  i 
AbI  Arcite  Im  exiled  on  his  hed 
for  rrersiore  a*  out  of  that  contrre, 
Ik  nnrcr  more  he  fhal  hit  Udy  frc. 

Yo«  loTCTi  a.ie  I  now  thi«  queHion, 
Wh*  haUi  the  wcrfe,  Arcite  or  Faiamon  f 
Tktt  om  my  fc  hU  Udy  day  by  day, 
Bm  *m  Mifba  moftc  he  dwellen  alway  : 
"nvmer  whcr  him  luil  may  ride  or  go, 
Ak  la  hi*  lady  £hal  he  never  mo. 
Mom  tencth  ^  you  hilr,  ye  that  csm^ 
ft€  I  wil  tcU  you  forth  ai  I  began. 

When  that  Arcite  to  Thebes  comen  wu* 
M  06  ft  ^f  he  twth  and  faid  Alat ! 
For  Ccn  hia  Udy  (hal  he  never  mo. 
And  Chortly  to  concluden  all  hit  wo, 
So  ntochd  forwe  haddc  never  creature 
That  k  or  flul  be  while  the  world  may  durc« 
His  llcpe,  his  mctc,  hi>  drinkep  is  him  byraftf 
That  Icse  he  wex,  and  dric  »•  i»  a  Ibafc 
Hb  eycB  holwe,  and  griily  to  bchntd. 
Hi*  hewe  fkhnre,  and  pale  a»  a£hen  cold, 
And  SaUtMTf  he  waa,  and  ever  alone, 
And  waahag  aU  the  night,  making  hit  mone  i 
Aad  if  he  benk  fong  or  inftrument, 
Tkao  would  he  wepe,  he  mighte  not  be  (lent* 
<»  fithle  were  hit  fpiritct,  and  fo  low, 
Jkmd  dtanged  fo,  that  no  man  coude  know 
fb  ipechc  PC  hit  voif,  though  men  it  herd. 
Aad  m  hi*  gere,  for  all  the  world  he  fcrd 
Ho^fht  only  like  the  lovcrt  malmdiey 
Of  Ereet,  hut  rather  ylike  maDic^ 

of  humoori  melaocolike, 
;  hit  hed  in  hit  cellc  fantaftike. 
MIfrorrfy  Htmed  wat  all  up  fo  douil 
Btk  hsbif  and  eke  dlfpoCitioun 
Of  lln.  thk  woM  lover  Dan  Arcite, 
WIkAsU  tall  day  of  hit  wo  endite  ? 

Whaa  he  endured  had  a  ycre  or  two 
WlcnKl  torment,  and  thit  peine  and  wo, 
JtlMiea,  ID  hit  contree,  at  I  faid, 
Oh  a  bI^I  bi  flepe  at  he  him  laid, 
Kathaof^  hew  that  the  winged  gbd  Mercury 
Bdarve  htm  flood,  and  bad  him  to  be  mery. 
Ha  4epy  ycrde  in  bond  he  bare  apn|ht ; 
As  hat  hr  wered  upon  hit  heret  bright  i 
Amied  WMthis^od  (at  he  toke  kepe) 
M  he  waaflitoxi  that  Argut  tokc  bii  flq^e, 
Aad  fhtd  liint  that  i  To  Athene^  fhalt  thou  wende ; 
Ther  tt  thee  IbipcD  of  thy  wo  an  ende. 

Aad  with  that  word  Arcite  awoke  and  ftert. 
How  trewdy  how  fore  that  ever  mc  fratrt* 
f^odhe^to  Athenci  right  now  wol  I  tarej 
Me  kr  00  drodc  of  dcth  fhidl  I  not  rp;ire 
To  fe  my  lady^that  I  love  and  fervc  ; 
Ji  kire  gttfemot  X  nkkt  not  to  ftcTV% 


And  with  that  word  he  caught  1  gret  fllifltl^i 

And  law  that  changed  wat  ^ill  his  colour. 

And  faw  hi|  vifagc  all  in  aaothtr  kind  s 

And  right  AioD  it  ran  him  in  his  mind» 

That  Jith  hit  face  wat  fo  disfigured 

Of  maladic  the  which  he  had  endured. 

He  Blight c  wel,  if  that  he  bare  him  lowest 

Live  in  Athenct  evermore  unknowe. 

And  fen  his  bdy  wcl  oigh  day  by  day. 

And  right  anon  he  changed  hit  aray. 

And  clad  him  as  a  poure  labourer. 

And  all  alone,  fave  only  a  fquier, 

That  knew  hit  privite  and  all  his  cat, 

Which  was  difguifed  poure  I  y  at  he  wa% 

To  Athene  s  it  he  gone  the  ncxtc  way. 

And  to  the  court  he  went  upon  a  day. 

And  at  the  g^ite  he  proffered  his  fervice, 

To  drugge  and  draw  what  fo  men  wold  dc^Q 

And  Ihortly  of  this  mat  ere  for  to  fay  n. 

He  fell  in  office  with  a  chamberlain. 

The  which  that  dweU-ng  was  with  Emelie, 

For  he  wat  wife,  and  coude  fone  efpie 

Of  every  fervent  which  that  fervcd  hire  ; 

Wel  coude  he  hewen  wood*  and  water  here. 

For  he  wat  yongc  and  mighty  for  the  nonet^ 

And  therto  he  waa  ftrong  and  big  of  honet 

To  don  that  any  wight  can  him  dcvife- 

A  ycre  or  two  he  waa  in  thit  fcrvicc. 
Page  of  the  chambrc  of  Emelie  the  bright^ 
And  Philofkrate  he  fayde  that  he  hight. 
But  half  fo  wel  beloved  a  man  as  he 
Ne  was  ther  never  in  court  of  his  dcgrc. 
He  was  fo  gcndl  of  conditioun, 
That  ihurghout  alt  tlie  court  was  his  rcnoum 
They  fayden  that  it  were  a  charitc 
That  Thcfeus  wold  cnbaunfe  his  dcgrc,  -^_ 

Aod  putten  him  in  worfliipfui  fervicc,  ^H 

Ther  as  he  might  hit  vertucs  cxercife-  ^1 

And  thus  within  a  ul\ilc  his  name  is  fpronge 
Both  of  his  dcdcs  and  of  his  good  tonge. 
That  Thefeut  had  taken  him  fo  ner 
That  of  hit  chambrc  he  mudc  him  a  fquier^ 
And  gave  him  gold  to  maiiueine  his  degrc; 
And  eke  men  brought  him  out  of  his  contie 
Fro  yere  to  yerc  fol  privcly  his  rent ; 
But  honeftly  and  (ieighly  he  it  fpent. 
That  no  man  wondred  how  that  he  it  haddt^ 
And  thre  yerff  in  thii  wife  hislif  he  ladde^ 
And  bare  him  fo  in  pecs  and  eke  in  werrc         ^^ 
Ther  n'as  no  man  that  Thefeus  hath  dcrre^       ^H 
And  in  this  bli fie  let  1  now  Arcite,  ^| 

And  fpekc  I  wol  of  Palamon  a  lite. 

In  dcrkcnefTe  and  horrible  and  ftrong  prifofl. 
Thit  feven  yere  hath  fitten  Palamon, 
Forphied,  what  for  love  and  for  diftreCTc* 
Who  fclcth  double  forwe  and  hcvinefie 
But  PaJamon  ?  that  love  dillraincrh  fo. 
That  wood  out  of  his  wit  he  gotii  for  wt^ 
And  eke  therto  he  it  a  prifoncre 
PcrpctucU,  nut  only  fi>r  a  ycre. 

Who  coude  time  in  Enghlh  proprcly 
His  martirdom  ?  forfoth  it  am  not  1, 
Ther  fore  I  paffe  at  lightly  as  I  may. 
It  feU  that  ill  the  revemh  y^cre,  to  May , 

J 


1 
I 


14  T  H  £    K  N  f  a 

The  thruldt  night,  (ti  oidc  boke«  fAyo* 

Timt  a\\  thU  {lurie  LcUui  more  |)dlia) 

Were  it  by  ^venture  or  dcftiDce, 

( Ai  when  i.  chtog  is  IhxpcD  it  flial  be) 

*i*hat  ioac  after  the  nudnlght  Puldinoo, 

By  helping  of  a  frcnd,  brake  hii  prifon. 

And  ficcth  the  cite  faftc  a%  he  m^iy  go^ 

For  he  had  yeren  drinkc  his  gaylcr  fo. 

Of  a  clarre  made  of  a  certain  wine, 

With  narcocikci  and  opie  ol  Thebes  fine,    [fhake, 

That  tXl  the  aight  though  tiiat  men  wold  him 

The  gailcr  flcpr,  he  might c  nor  aw^ake  : 

And  thufc  he  fleeth  ai  faftc  as  ever  he  may. 

The  night  wufhort,  and  fallc  by  the  day. 
That  nedcs  coil  he  moiic  himfeWen  hide; 
And  to  a  profc  fafte  tber  betide 
1^'iih  drcdful  foot  than  ftolkcth  Pilainon : 
For  fliortly  thi*  was  his  opinion, 
That  in  that  grove  he  wold  hiw  hide  all  day. 
And  in  the  night  than  wold  he  take  hi»  way 
To  Thcbct  ward,  hi*  frendc^  for  to  pccic 
On  Thcfeua  to  hclpen  him  werreitf  ; 
And  ftjortly,  cyther  he  wold  lefe  hit  Uf 
Or  winaeo  Emelie  unto  Liii  wif. 
Thii  It  tlie  cfied,  and  his  entente  (deiti. 

Now  wol  1  turncn  to  Arcite  agrin, 
That  Heel  wifV  how  ncighe  wat  h^  care« 
Till  that  Fortune  had  brought  him  in  the  foarc. 
The  bcfy  larke^  the  meflager  of  day, 
fiaiewith  in  hire  (nng  the  m«rwc  graji 
And  firy  Phcbus  rtfcrh  up  fo  bright, 
That  ail  the  orient  lauglieth  of  the  fi^ht. 
And  with  his  ftremcs  dricth  in  the  gir 
The  fiiver  dropei  hanging  on  the  Icvei, 
And  Arcite,  that  it  in  the  court  real 
With  The  fen  I  the  li^ttier  principal, 
li  rifen,  and  loketh  on  the  mcry  dsy  ; 
And  for  to  don  hi«  obrcmmce  to  Maj* 
Remembring  on  the  point  of  hii  (kfiret 
He  on  hift  courfcr,  Aerting  ai  the  firci 
Ii  ridden  to  the  h\dc%  him  to  pley. 
Out  of  the  cottTt^  were  it  a  mile  or  twey  ; 
Aod  W  the  grove  ol  which  that  i  yon  told 
By  ftvcEsnirv  hit  wsy  he  gio  to  hold^ 
To  makcfi  him  a  gerlond  ckf  the  grcvct, 
Were  it  of  woodbmd  of  of  hatithom  lcvc»» 
And  hnid  he  fong  agen  the  fomie  Ihcae. 

Miye,  with  aU  thy  floors  and  thf  greoe. 
Right  welcome  be  ihoo  faire  frefhe  May, 
I  hope  that  t  fotoc  greoc  here  getten  may. 
And  from  his  courfer  with  a  luily  hcrtc 
Into  the  grove  fal  hailily  he  fterte, 
And  iu  a  path  hi  weawi  up  and  doun, 
Thcr  at  by  »v«linirc  Uiia  Palamoa 
Wat  in  a  boil,  that  no  iiiaa  might  him  fc^ 
For  fore  afcred  o^  hk  deth  was  he. 
Nothing  nc  kcew  he  that  it  was  Arcite : 
God  wof  he  woid  have  trowed  it  ful  lite. 
Bnt  foth  ii  faid,  goo  &thcg  arc  many  yerev, 
That  feld  hath  ryen,  and  the  wood  hath  eKi^ 
It  it  ful  fair?  a  man  to  bere  liim  even 
For  at  day  mrtea  men  it  unlet  Ocven* 
f^  litd  wote  Arciie  of  hit  CcUw, 
That  wa«  fk  Deigfa  to  huhm  of  hit  kw. 


ll  T  E  »    T  A  L  «. 

For  in  the  buHi  he  fitteth  now  ful  (ISL     • 
Whan  tli^t  Arcite  had  romcd  all  his  hii. 
And  longvn  all  \hr  mi.Mri,  i  luHily, 
Into  a  lludic  he  t 

As  d  fj  n  thcfe  lu V  L  r  , .  inte  geret, 

N»jw  in  the  crop,  and  now  down  in  the  brere^ 
Now  up,  now  doun,  as  bokct  in  a  well. 
Right  as  the  Friday,  fothly  for  to  tell. 
Now  fhioeth  it,  and  now  it  raineth  fail ; 
Right  fo  can  gci-y  Venus  overcaft 
The  hcrtcs  of  hire  folk,  right  a«  hire  day 
h  gcrfuU,  right  fo  diangeth  Ihe  oray. 
Sclde  t»  the  Friday  all  the  wcke  yiike, 

Whaji  Arcite  haddc  yfonge,  he  gan  to  lik^ 
And  fct  him  douu  withoutcn  any  more  ; 
Alas !  (quod  he)  the  day  tliat  1  was  bore  1 
flow  longc,  Juno,  thurgh  thy  crucitee 
Wilt  tliou  wcrrcicn  Tiicbes  the  citcc  t 
Alas  I  ybrought  i|  to  cotlfufioti 
The  blood  real  of  Cito€  and  Amphion  •  i 

Of  Cadmijs,  which  that  was  tht  fuHc  man 
Thai  Thcbc*  buik,  or  firfte  the  touu  hcg*n. 
And  of  the  citcc  firltc  was  crountd  king. 
Of  hi^  linage  am  1,  and  his  ofsprtng 
By  vcray  line,  as  of  the  iUtk  real ; 
And  now  1  am  fo  caitif  and  fo  thral, 
I'hat  he  that  is  my  mortal  enemy 
1  fcrTc  him  as  his  fquicr  pourely. 
And  yi't  doth  Juoo  me  wel  more  fliamc!* 
For  1  dare  not  bcknowe  mm  oweo  ntme, 
Bnt  ther  as  J  was  wont  to  highte  Ajrc(t«» 
Now  highte  T  Ahiloftrat  nut  worth  i  mite, 
Alas !  thou  fell  Mars,  alas !  thou  Juno, 
Thus  hath  your  ire  our  linage  all  fordo. 
Save  only  me  and  wretched  Palamoo, 
That  Thcfeus  martircth  in  prifon. 
And  (yvcT  all  this,  to  flcn  me  utterly, 
Loire  hath  his  firy  dart  fo  brcnninglf 
Yftikcd  thurgh  my  trewc  carefDl  hert. 
That  Ibapcn  was  my  deth  eril  than  my  (bcrL 
Yc  flcn  mc  with  your  cyen  Emclie ; 
Ye  hen  the  caufc  wherfore  that  1  die. 
Of  all  tlie  remoiant  of  mlo  other  care 
Ne  fct  [not  the  mount  ancc  of  a  tarSa 
So  that  I  coud  doB  ought  to  your  pteMnce. 

And  with  that  word  he  k\\  doiai  m  a  tmuc 
A  loDge  lime,  and  afterward  up  fterte* 
This  Palamon,  that  thooghr  thurghvut  hit  h«rie 
He  felt  a  catiic  fwcrd  fMenty  j^lide  : 
For  ire  he  cjuoke,  no  I  ule: 

And  whan  that  he  had 
As  he  were  wood,  with  i*  :c  lini  «ja  pjie. 
f  k  Ikrte  him  i^»  out  of  the  buihet  thikke 
And  fayde ;  Falfc  Arcite,  faUie  traitoor  wiclSr, 
Now  art  thou  heat,  that  loYcSt  my  lady  fo. 
For  w  httot  thai  t  have  all  thit  peine  and  wo* 
And  art  my  blood,  and  to  my  cotifeil  fworti. 
As  I  ful  oU  have  told  :hc«  herebefom. 
And  hail  hciapcd  here  Duk  Tliefinit^ 
And  fallcly  changed  haft  thy  name  thtti; 
1  wol  be  ded,  or  ellcs  thou  Ihalt  die  : 
Thou  fhalt  not  lore  my  bdy  Emelieg 
Bbt  I  wol  love  hire  only  and  tin  mo^ 
For  1  am  PahunoD  thy  mortal  lc 


^m                           THE    KNIGHTES    TAXI.                                   i$       | 

^^m  thai  f  no  wvpen  have  in  this  place, 

Thou  mighteft  wenen  tbarthiK  Pjlamdn                          H 

^■MToa  Am  «flm  by  gr»ce. 

III  hj4  JighuDg  were  as  wood  loon,                                   H 

^^Wit  t^ae  eythcr  thou  (hAlt  die 

And  a.s  a  cruel  tigre  wa»  Arcite  :                                        H 

^^^■mlt  Bmt  Invcn  Hmelic  ; 

As  wildc  bores  gan  they  togcdcr  finite,                          ■ 

^^KiIniv  frolt,  for  thou  (fadt  not  «Aerte. 

That  frothcn  white  a»  fomc  for  ire  woo*!  *                       ■ 

^^^k,  f  9ii»  with  fill  difpitouK  hcrtc, 

Up  to  the  ancle  foughte  they  in  hir  hUnul ;                     1 

^^^p  kniTPP,  and  iud  hi*  t^^k  herd. 

Ajid  in  this  wile  I  let  hem  fighting  dwclle,            'ft^^l 

^^Hk^tt  f^vtlltriioue  3  fwerd^ 

And  forth  1  wol  orThLfLU&  yoti  telle,                     M^^H 

^^Kba;  By  Ood  that  fictcth  al>ove^ 

The  dell  i  nee,  m  i  n  iilr e  gc  ncral,                             ^^^^| 

^^^Kiiiofi  Jirt  fikc  xnd  wood  for  lure. 

That  executcth  in  the  world  over  d                      ^^^H 

^^Ktlwo  no  wepen  haA  in  thi«  pbc«^ 

The  purvciaace  that  God  hath  fen  hefome,          ^^^B 

^^Hl  never  cmt  of  this  grove  pace. 

Sii  fining  it  i^  that  though  the  world  hath  fworne         ■ 

^^BlbuMeft  dien  of  miit  hond; 

The  contrary  of  a  thing  by  ya  or  nay,                               ■ 

Bnke  fuf^ctec  and  the  bond 

Yet  fomtime  it  Ihiil  fiillcn  on  a  day                                    1 

MiM  thoB  fjuft  that  I  have  mide  to  thcc. 

That  f'llleth  nat  cftc  in  a  thotifand  ycre                            1 

mcray  ienA^  tkirikt  wei  thaf  love  is  free, 

For  certainty  oar  appetites  here,                            ^^^^1 

pul  km  Hire  maugre  aU  thy  mtfrht. 

Be  it  of  werrc^  or  pcet,  or  bate,  or  lore,               ^^^^| 

hlMm  *tt  B  worthy  g^ntil  knight, 

All  is  this  ruled  by  the  fight  above.                        ^^^H 
This  mene  I  now  by  mighty  Thrfeus,                    ^^^| 

MMft  to  darrainc  hire  by  bataille. 

fceiBT  trouth,  toiDiorwe  1  will  not  faille, 

That  for  to  hnntcn  is  fo  defirout,                            ^^^H 

^^HpetiBf  of  AJiy  other  wight, 
fHi^oi  Sip  foon^fT!  a*  8  knight. 

And  namely  at  the  grete  hart  in  Miy,                   ^^^H 

That  in  his  bed  ther  daweth  him  no  diif               ^^^H 

BSni  harr                             n  i*>r  thc«» 

That  he  n*is  c)ad,  and  redy  for  to  ride                    ^^^^| 

m£  the  fcw                             \vcr<\c  for  mc  ; 

With  huntc  and  home,  and  hotindcs  him  bcfide;^^^^| 

praddttr                              ol  1  hriii)? 

1  For  In  hi^  hunting  hath  he  fniche  dclitc,               l^^^l 

kl«r  tll€c .                               f hy  beading | 

That  it  is  all  hi^  joye  and  appetite                           ^^^^| 

^^ftthxt  ^.^_<                  .vin« 

To  ben  himfclf  the  grete  haris  banc  ;                    ^^^^B 

^^■b  chi^  woder,  thcr  1  am  in, 

For  after  Mars  he  fcrvcth  now  Diane^                             ^H 

^^Hirel  tave  thy  bdy  as  for  mc. 

Clere  wa*  the  day,  as  I  have  told  or  lid*,              ^^^B 

^^Hbmmi  auTwered,  1  grant  h  th<e ; 

And  Thcfeos,  with  allc  joye  and  blis,                     ^^^M 

With  bis  Ipolitla,  the  fuyre  queno,                        ^^^H 

And  Emclic,  yclothod  all  in  grene»                         ^^^^| 

iptfsl  oat  of  iMc  thantte. 

On  hunting  bea  thy  ridden  really  t                       ^^^H 

t'  that  wolt  no  felaw  hare  w:th  thee. 

And  to  the  grove,  that  Aood  ther  faOf  by,            ^^^H 

1  h  fayde,  thai  love  ne  lordfbip 

In  which  ther  was  an  hart  .^s  men  him  tukt,         ^^^H 

1  ho  thaiilcci  haye  no  feiawOiip. 

Duk  Thcfcus  the  ftreite  way  hath  hold,                 ^^^M 

ilea  tlue  Arrite  and  Piibmon. 

And  to  the  bunde  he  ridcth  him  ful  right,           ^^^H 

t^^A-t^ri  snone  UDtO  the  tOUR, 

Ther  was  the  hart  ywont  m  have  hit  flighty         ^^^^M 

^^ftrr                   It  were  Aaj  I'ght^ 

And  over  a  brooke,  and  fo  forth  on  his  wey,       ^^^H 

H^v                1  ^  hath  he  dight. 

This  Juk  wot  have  a  cours  at  him  or  twey            ^^^^| 

l^&BS  aad  mete  to  danrine 

With  houndes,  fwichc  as  him  lull  to  eomiiiaunJ^^^^H 

And  when  this  duk  wa»  comen  to  the  taunde^     ^^^^H 

Ehi«  hor¥,  alope  zi  he  was  borne, 

Under  the  foiine  he  Inked,  and  auon                       ^^^^H 

■e^  all  rKU  hameii  him  beforne  ; 

He  was  ware  of  Arcite  and  PaUmon,                   ^^^H 

t{Tor<<,  «  tiroe  and  place  yfctte* 

ThiiL                              ,  as  it  were  holies  two;        '^^^H 

jtifc  anil  thit  Palamon  ben  mctie. 

Til                              wemr n  to  and  Tfo                 ^^^H 

^^^^         .-.r,     tK^     ^,.L.*.r;n      h.T-    f'T,^.-^ 

•%  K.  ,,.J.  the  Icfte  aroke                     ^^H 

^^K 

h  fcmcd  that  it  woide  felle  an  oke,                         ^^^^1 

^^Kt' 

But  what  they  weren  nothing  he  nc  wottf ;          ^^^^| 

^^Bt^' 

This  duk  his  c'ourfer  with  hi^fporresfmote^         ^^^^| 

And  at  a  (Icn  he  w^is  betwii  bent  two,                 ^^^H 

^^^V  bothc  il«&  boughc^  and  the  levef. 

And  pulkd  out  a  fwcrd  and  cried.  Ho  I                 ^^^H 

^^Hi  Here  Cometh  tny  mortal  cn<my. 

No  mere,  up  pcin?  of  leCng  of  your  bed;              ^^^H 

MmhSHe  he  mu{>  be  ded  or  I : 

By  mighty  Man  he  fhall  anon  be  ded                   ^^^H 

KcT  1  niotc  flain  him  at  the  gajvpe. 

That  fmitcth  any  ftrokcthat  1  nny  fen  !               ^^^H 

KMKfict}  n       -  -'"-'  nac  mifhappc. 

But  telleth  me  what  miAere  men  ye  hen,               ^^^^| 

^^^P^  in                       rhirhev/e, 

That  bco  fo  hardy  for  to  d^r^Acn  here                     ^^^^| 

^^HifeeT  r-i               ■  -T  knewe. 

Without<?n  any  jugc  or  other  ofBcerc,                     ^^^^| 

^^Hp  good  day,  oc  no  filuinj^, 

As  though  it  were  in  liAes  really.                           ^^^^M 

^^Hkl^cAitet:!  TTOfdcs  reherfing 

This  L^lamon  anfwrred  h:i{li]y                           ^^^^B 

^^Bfem  Irajpc  to  armm  other 

And  faide;  Sire^  what  ncdeth  wordc«  mo*?            ^^^^| 

^^Khe  Vtfe  hii  owen  brother ; 

Wc  have  the  dcih  dcfrrved  bothc  two  :                 j^^^H 

^^Wi  with  (hirpe  fpern  (Irong 

Two  wofnl  wretrhet  ben  we,  two  caitivet,            ^^^H 

^^bpcdtc  ai  #t^er  iroo4q^  i^J*^- 

1  liat  hcu  accombrcd  of  our  owcn  lives^               ^^^H 

tt 


THE    KiriOHTES    T  Att 


I 

■  ni 

■  The 


I 


dioo  trf  t  Hj^htful  lord  and  jugc 
jcrc  us  ncythcr  mcrcte  nc  refuge; 
And  flc  mc  firit  for  Tcinte  charitcc. 
But  flc  my  felaw  ckc  as  wcl  a^  mc ; 
Or  lie  liim  firft,  for  though  thou  know  it  Iitc» 
ThJjt  U  thj  mortal  fo,  this  is  Arcitc^ 
That  fro  thy  lond  is  biinijhcd  on  hi«  hcd, 
lor  which  he  haih  dticrvcd  to  be  ded; 
For  thii  is  he  that  came  uato  thy  gate. 
And  faydc  that  he  lug^htc  Philoftratc. 
Ilus  tuth  he  japed  dice  ful  many  a  ycre. 
And  thou  haft  malted  him  thy  chief  fquiere. 
Add  this  is  he  that  lovcth  Emclie. 

For  Cth  the  day  is  come  that  1  {hal  die 
I  make  pUinly  my  confcflion* 
That  I  am  thilke  woful  Palamon 
That  hath  thy  prifon  broken  wilfully  : 
1  am  thy  mortal  fo»  and  it  am  1 

toTcth  fo  hot  Emeiie  the  briglit, 
That  1  wold  dien  prcfcnt  in  hire  fight, 
Tteforc  f  axe  deth  and  ray  icwife, 
■^     Oc  my  fclaw  in  the  fame  wife, 
both  we  havr  deferred  to  be  fiain. 

This  worthy  duk  anfwerd  anon  again, 
,  Aivf  layd,  Thi»  is  a  fliort  conctufion ; 
YottT  Qvren  mouth,  by  your  confefll on^ 
Hath  damned  you^  andf  wol  it  retordc; 
It  ncdcth  noi;  to  pine  you  with  the  cordc  ; 
Ytf  fhul  he  ded  by  mighty  Mars  the  Rede, 

The  quene  anon  for  veray  womanhcdfi 
€«i  for  to  wepe,  and  fo  did  EmcIic, 
And  ill  the  ladies  in  the  compftgnie. 
Gret  pite  was  it»  as  it  thought  hem  alle. 
That  ever  fwlche  a  chance  fhulde  bcfolte, 
For  gcntilmen  they  were  oi  grct  cOat, 
And  nothing  but  for  love  wnt  this  debat ; 
And  fawe  hir  blody  wonnde»  Wide  and  fore. 
And  alle  cridcn  bothe  lefle  and  more, 
Have  mercie  Lord  upon  ur  wimmcn  allc, 
And  on  hir  bare  kne«  ndoun  they  falle^ 
And  wotd  have  kift  hii  feet  ther  a»  he  llood, 
TiU  at  the  bfl  aflaked  wat  hii  mood; 
(For  pitec  renneth  f<^nc  in  gentil  herre) 
And  though  he  tiift  for  ire  quoke  and  llcrte. 
He  had  confidered  ihortly  in  a  cli^ife 
The  trefpat  of  hem  both,  and  eke  the  caufie ; 
And  although  that  hit  ire  hir  gilt  accufed. 
Yet  in  his  rffon  he  hem  both  cxcufcd  ; 
A%  thui  ;  he  though  te  we  I  that  evf  ry  man 
Wnl  hclpe  himfcLf  in  love  if  that  he  can. 
And  ckc  deliver  himfcif  oat  of  prifon  ; 
And  ckc  hit  hertc  had  compafTum 
Ofwimirien,  for  they  weptcn  ever  in  on, 

j'N  ;.: 

I  ^  '  '  rcic, 

Bi:r  be  a  teon  both  m  word  and  dcde, 
*to  hem  that  be  io  repentance  and  drcde, 
A«  wcl  at  to  a  proud  dtfpitoun  man 
Thn  wol  maintctnrr  that  the  firft  began. 

That  lordbn 

Thnt  in  f»  M 

BufwcjKctti  ,rr..  r     ,M  ,.  ^,,,.i^,..  .tftcr  OS* 
At^  (bt»nl2  whin  hii  Ire  iv  thu*  agon, 
2 


He  gan  to  lokcn  up  with  cycn  light; 
And  fpakc  thcfc  fame  worde*  aU  on  higkt. 

The  god  of  Love,  a  henedkiU  / 
How  mighty  and  how  grcte  a  lord  i«  he  f 
Again  his  might  thcr  gainen  nun  obftaeletv 
He  may  be  clepcd  a  God  for  bis  miracle^ 
For  he  can  roakcn  at  his  owcn  gifc 
Of  cverich  hertc  as  that  him  lift  devife, 

Lo  here  this  Arcite,  and  this  Palamon, 
That  quitely  wcren  oat  of  my  prifon. 
And  might  have  lived  in  Thebet  really. 
And  wctcn  I  am  hir  mortal  enemy. 
And  that  hir  deth  lith  in  my  might  alfo. 
And  yet  hath  lave,  tnaugre  hir  eyen  two, 
Ybrought  hem  hither  both  for  to  die  i 
Now  lokcth,  is  not  thti  an  heigh  folic  ? 
Who  may  ben  a  fool,  but  if  that  be  love  ? 
Bcho)d  fur  Goddc4  fake  that  fitteth  above. 
So  how  they  hledc  !  be  they  not  wcl  araied  ?      . 
Thui  hath  hir  lord,  tlie  god  of  Love,  hem  ptilii 
Hir  wages  and  hir  feci  for  htr  fcrvice. 
And  yet  they  wcnen  for  to  be  ful  wife 
That  fcrvcn  Love  for  ought  that  may  bdaUc* 
And  yet  is  this  thebedc  game  of  alle. 
That  (he  for  whom  they  have  thit  joUte 
Con  hem  therfore  aA  moche)  thank  aa  me. 
She  wot  no  more  of  alle  thit  bote  fare, 
By  God,  than  wot  a  cuckow  or  an  hare. 
But  alJ  mote  ben  alfaicd  bote  or  cold ;      t 
A  man  mote  ben  a  fool  other  yonge  or  old; 
I  wot  myfcif  ful  yore  agon. 
For  in  my  time  a  fervent  wa&  I  on  ; 
And  therefore  fith  1  know, of  love*  peine. 
And  wot  liow  fore  it  cap  a  man  de&rcine^ 
A<^  he  that  oft  hath  been  capght  in  bit  laa, 
I  you  foryeve  all  hc^ly  this  trcfpas. 
At  requcft  of  the  qucoe  that  knelcth  hot^ 
And  ckc  of  Emelic,  my  fuiler  dcre. 
And  ye  (hul  both  anon  unto  me  fwcit 
That  never  mo  ye  (bttl  my  contree  dene, 
Ne  makcn  wcrre  upon  me  night  nc  day^ 
But  ben  my  frendcs  in  alle  that  yc  may. 
1  you  foryeve  this  trcfpas  every  del. 
And  they  him  fvvare  hi^  axing  fayr  and  wel. 
And  him  of  lordJhip  and  of  mercie  praid. 
And  he  hem  granted  grace,  and  thut  he  fiyd  :, 

To  fpcke  of  real  linage  and  richcflc. 
Though  that  fhe  were  a  quetie  or  a  princefieg 
£che  of  you  bothc  is  worthy  doutclci 
To  wedden  whan  tirpc  is,  but  natlirlcs, 
I  fpeke  as  for  my  fuAer  Emeiie, 
Far  whom  ye  have  tliisflrif  and  jalooGet 
Yc  *vot  yourfelf  flic  may  not  wcddcn  iw« 
At  ones,  though  ye  lighten  evcrmo; 
But  on  of  you  I  al  be  him  loth  ox  Icfe, 
He  mot  gon  pipen  in  an  ivy  lefe  : 
This  is  to  fay,  ihe  may  not  have  you  botlie^ 
Al  be  ye  never  fo  jalaui  ne  fo  wrothe. 
And  forthy  I  you  put  in  this  degree. 
That  cche  of  you  uaO  have  hit  deJLne« 
At  \xTn  is  fliapv,  and  hcrkncth  in  wHat  wife  ; 
Lo  here  your  cndc  of  that  I  ihal  dcvife. 

My  will  i>  this  for  plat  cuoclufiaiif 
Withoutf  n  any  replication^ 


T  H  J9    K  K  la  H 
Bu  iiLe&^  tdbe  it  for  the  hcftc, 
tkh  m£  yov  flud  gem  wkrr  him  k£bc 

imuiQm  or  datig^rr. 
^f  iftf  wdbe^  IcfTe  or  acre, 
i  fmilM  bnng  to  htaulred  knigbH^i 
rfl/ttmrnp  at  alle  rtglite% 
to^wneia  hire  bf  ba»ii]e« 
beKcce  I  Y^n  witkenttcD  faille 

tht^  of  yim  boihc  hailt  thact  mfghti 
frfitf  tii»t  whether  h«  or  thdd 
i  hU  bondrcd,  m  1  fpake  of  now, 
iferay,  ur  cmt  of  It^cs  drive, 
f  f  cYCQ  fifodie  to  wbe 
that  ForxiMe  f«vcth  fo  hjr  a  grftce. 
lei  AtaJ  I  nnfcni  tn  tbk  phct^ 
fo  wtilf  on  mf  &mU  rrv^^r, 
mil  lugr  ben  atiii  trewe* 

^tacT  endt  with  me  mak^a 
F  f9m  fie  fliall  be  dcd  or  uken  t 
b  clkALefh  thii  b  wcl  jfitfd, 
t  s^ia,  axid  hoktctft  joti  apaid  £ 

Wid  f  oar  cofichition, 
brtib  lis^tlf  ft«w  bat  Pabnofi  f 
fedi  «p  for  joje  birt  Arcite  f 
I  'd  tell,  0(r  wbo  cond  it  cndite, 
ihst  is  Disked  in  the  phce 
{Mem  hacii  don  ib  fafre  a  grace  f 
tatt  lEneet  urcut  every  manerc  wight, 
hi4  Ihk  Wftb  all  hir  herte»  migtrti 
9y  ikcie  Tbebases  often  fith. 
bf  With  comI  hdpe  and  iirtth  herct  hVtih, 
tsliir  kvc,  and  hoitiewart!  nn  thtf  rnk 
p,  wdch  hii  olfk  wakin  wide* 
lineii  wtMt  4ant  k  nt^f^e^ 
|i  «» idle*  tlie  fttlpcocc 
^  tim  gt^h  fb  befikf 
w^  ^e  Tiftet  rcaHf , 
m  mdhU  thextre  ws  n  wu 

in  ail  thi»  world  tfacr  n*4»  : 
titile  waff  ibcrate 

and  diched  all  withoute; 
le  (hipe,  'm  xnarfere  of  a  coinpai 
|rees  ^^^  bight  of  fiity  pai, 
fet  on  o  dcfree 
for  to  fee. 
oflaMtc  of  marbel  white, 
AHcie  another  in  th^  cppofite} 
t^tMihtitjit  fwiche  a  placi 
m  ertbe  in  fb  IneJ  i  ^e, 
lotid  tlier  fi^as  so  crafttt  maa 
^Kcu-k  or  arfancti  ikie  can, 
[kroft  ae  ker«er  of  itna|re», 
libsi  Ht  |if  bin  mtit  and  wagci 
^  for  C0  flbibeB  tnl  deviib. 
r  ttf  das  Wt  rive  mi  frefifitt 
|4  taikipoe  the  fa»  above, 
i|p^  Tfiftftf  godd^lle  4^  Lote, 
^  «v  aoter  aAd  an  nraefrrii;, 
^pnff4,  in  tbc  miodc  and  in  memftfie 
flw  oufcid  bath  right  fwiche  tnother, 
fcl^lrfyol  |f)M  a  fotbiT  : 

ftdcofatt 


T  E  a    T  A  t  R 

An  orjtorie  Hcbc  fbf  fO  <^C, 

In  wuffhip  of  Dime  of  cha^tte^, 

Haih  Thd'cua  dbn  wrought  in  n/>hl4t  wife* 

But  yet  had  i  ftJryttten  to  devil^ 
The  no'jlc  fcCT^n^  and  the  portrcieuret, 
Tbr  fbspe,  fhe  cofiteiidfice,  of  the  flgurfii 
Tliat  wtf en  io  thefe  oritorid  three. 

Fjfft  In  thercinple  of  Vcnat  Tnaiftfhoii  (li^ 
Wfanght  on  the  wall,  tu]  f)t"U^  rn  brholdc. 
The  brokeft  ftepes,  and  tke 
The  facred  fcir<»  ati*ithe  ^^  ^, 

The  liry  fir  >  "Jg", 

That  Lt'v..  lif  enduren,    • 

The  otbr*  rh  it  mr  cun  :iunr»  afTuren, 
Plftace  and  Hope,  Defire,  Foolhwdioefl>4 
Beautc  and  Youthe,  Biudrfe  alid  kichefTe, 
Charmei  and  Force,  Lefinge?  and  Fbtcritf| 
Difpence,  A^ftnefle,  and  Juloufie, 
That  wcrcil  of  yelwc  golde*  a  gerlond. 
And  hjdde  a  caekow  fitting  on  hirr  h-ncf, 
Fcflca,  tn^brnmenti,  and  car  ncet^ 

LuA  and  ^^rr^ij,  and  all  the  r9 

Of  Love,  which  that  I  rektn  and  r>  ken  fhsMg 
By  ordrc  wereti  petntcd  on  the  wall. 
Ami  mo  t^-'  T  --      -'-     -^  -    -  -    -  ^ 
Forfothly  L 

Thcr  Vcnu.  — i ~  r f—  ^ -^i 

Waifhewed  on  thecal]  in  pnrtreying, 
With  all  the  gardin,  and  the  luftJncrfe  ; 
Nought  was  foryetten  the  porter  fdelftcfl«| 
Nc  NarcifTiis  the  fayreof  yore  ajfoti, 
He  yet  the  folJe  of  King  Salomon, 
Nc  yet  the  petf  ftrcftfthc  of  HemiJes. 
Th*  eijchantment     '  *'    '    i  and  Circe% 
Nc  of  Tumo*  tJ  ',  ^  corjgej 

1  he  ricbc  Crefo-  ,  .-.. 

Ihvh  may  ye  f^*  rtehefl^, 

Bcaiifc  nc  lUigbt  ,  .,  Hardineflfe, 

Ne  may  with  Venus  holdrn  ehajiipinie, 
For  as  hife  liHe  the  world  may  Jbe  gie. 
Lo,  all  thefe  folk  fo  cnught  weie  In  hire  lit 
Til  they  for  vro  ful  often  faid  Ala»! 
SufRccth  here  tfiftmplei  on  or  two» 
And  yet  I  coude  rektn  a  thoufand  mo. 

The  ftaeue  of  Vcnu*,  ^plorious  for  t©  (be, 
Was  naked  ileting  in  the  Inl^ge  fee, 
And  fro  the  navel  doun  viM  covered  w«i 
With  wawes  grene,  and  bright  as  any  gin* 
A  cilok  in  hire  rtght  hand  htdde  (he. 
And  oD  hire  bed,  fuJ  femely  for  to  ftr> 
A  rofe  gerlond  fftfh  and  ^r*!  fmcTlmpf 
Above  hiH  bed  birt  d  -ng  : 

Before  hire  fto<id  hire  i  -, 

Upon  hia  ftoolders  vi'^^'^:^  n  .:  ne  tw<*, 
And  blind  he  ws*,  a*  it  k  often  fcne  ; 
A  bow  he  bare  and  arwe«  bright  and  kefle. 

Why  fhalde  I  not  is  wel  eke  lell  yoa  dl 
The  purtreiturc  that  was  npon  the  trail 
Within  tbe  tenipl*  of  mighty  Mart  the  ft.ede  f 
All  peintrd  wl»  the  wall  in  length  and  brede 
Like  to  the  cftf-en  of  the  gftfly  place 
Tliat  hightc  the  gret  tcmflc  of  Mtf»  bi  Tracrt 
•In  tKi)kc  colde  af  d  ftxjfty  regiof<, 
Thcr  at  Mirt  bM  llii  fovtr<iflc  mtflfi^iu 


tJ 


|g  TMEKNIGH 

Fifd  on  tlie  wall  wa*  peiutcd  a  foreft. 
In  which  thcr  wonncth  ncythcr  man  nc  bcft. 
With  kjiotty  knarry  barrcin  tree*  old 
Of  ftubbci  iharpe  and  hidout  to  behold. 
In  which  thCT  ran  a  rombk  2nd  a  fwough, 
^s  thaiigh  X  ftormc  ftiuUI  brcftcn  cvtry  bvugh; 
And  do un  ward  from  an  hiU  under  a  bent 
rhcr  ftood  the  tcmpk  of  Man  Armipotcnt, 
Trought  all  of  bunicd  ftelc,  of  which  th'  entree 
Was  longc  and  (Ircite,  and  ghafily  for  to  fee  ; 
And  thereout  eamc  a  rage  and  fwtchc  a  vife 
'l*hat  Jt  made  all  the  gatei  for  to  rife. 
The  northern  bgbt  in  at  the  dore  fhone. 
Far  window  on  the  wall  «c  wai  thcr  none 
Thurgh  which  men  mightcn  any  light  dikemc  ; 
The  dore  was  all  of  athamant  ctrnav 
r*y  clenched  otcrthwart  and  endelong 
^ith  yrcn  tough,  and  for  to  make  it  ftroog. 
Ever  pilcT  the  tei»ple  to  fiillcne 
Was  tonne<>gTet,  of  yrcn  bright  and  llicne* 

Ther  faw  I  6ri%  the  derkc  imagining 
Of  Fclonie,  and  alle  tke  comp^lTiiig  ; 
The  cruel  ire,  red  a»  any  glcde. 
The  pikepurfc,  and  ekt  the  pale  dredf, 
Thtr  fmiJt  r  with  the  knif  under  the  cloke^ 
The  (bcpen  brening  with  the  blake  fmoke. 
The  trefon  of  the  mordring  in  the  bedde. 
The  open  werre,  with  woundet  atlbibkddc; 
Contekc  with  blody  knif  and  Ikarp  manacc  ; 
All  full  «f  chirking  wafr  that  forry  place. 
The  fleer  of  himfcLf  yet  f»w  1  there, 
Hii  herte  blood  hath  bathed  ill  hi*  here  ; 
The  nailc  ydriven  in  the  fhode  on  bight. 
The  cold  deth,  with  mouth  gaping  Mpright* 
Aniiddes  of  the  tcmpk  fatt  Mifcluince, 
"With  difcomfort  and  forry  contmancc  j 
Yet  (aw  I  Woodnefle  laughing  in  hit  rage. 
Armed  Complaint,  Outhee»,  and  fires  Outrage ; 
The  carraiae  in  the  buA,  with  throtc  yeorvcn  ; 
A  thoufaod  flain,  and  not  of  aoalme  yftorvdi ; 
The  uranc,  with  the  prey  by  force  yraft  ; 
The  toun  dcflroied,  ther  wa»  nothing  kft ; 
Yet  faw  I  brent  the  fliippei  hoppellcre*. 
The  huntc  yftrangkd  with  the  wilde  here*  ; 
The  fow  freting  tKc  child  right  in  the  cradel. 
The  coke  yftalkd  for  all  his  long  tadel : 
Knught  vns  for^'fte  by  th'  infortunc  of  Marts 
The  carter  overridden  with  hit  carte ;        ^ 
Under  the  wheel  ful  low  he  lay  adouo. 

Thcr  were  alfo  of  Martci  diviCon 
Th*  annerer  and  the  bowyer,  and  the  fmithg 
That  forgeth  Ibarp  fwerdc*  on  his  ftith  j 
And  all  above  depeinted  in  a  tour 
Saw  1  a  CooqucfC  fitting  in  gret  honour,  , 
With  thille  Inarp  fwtri  over  hi*  bed 
Yhanj*tng  by  a  fohtil  twined  thred. 
Depeinttd  was  the  (Isughter  of  JuUiii^ 
Of  gret  Ncr«  and  of  Antonius  : 
All  be  that  thilke  time  they  were  iinbomc, 
Yet  was  htr  deth  depeinted  thcr  hefornc. 
By  menacing  of  Mari,  right  by  figure, 
&•  watic  ihewed  m  that  purtreiturc 
A*  is  depetnted  in  the  fercjcs  above, 
iRThe  iUl  be  flame  M  lUct  M  fef  li0TC 


T  I  3    T  A  L  R 

Sufficeth  on  enfample  in  ftorie^  a1 
I  may  not  reken  hem  alle  though  1  woCdev 
The  ftatue  of  Mars  upon  a  cane  fto<»d 
Armed,  and  loked  grira  M  he  were  wood,. 
An4  over  hi»  bed  thcr  fliinen  two  figures 
Of  flrrret  that  ben  clepcd  in  fcripturciy 
I'hat  on  Puella,  that  other  Rubcus. 
Thi»  god  of  Armes  was  araicd  thus  ; 
A  wolf  thcr  ftood  befornc  him  at  his  fete 
With  eyen  red,  and  of  a  man  he  ete  i 
With  fubtil  pcnCl  printed  wa«  this  ftorir. 
In  rcdouting  of  Mars  and  of  hts  glaric« 

Now  to  the  temple  of  Diane  the  chafle 
A*  (hortly  as  I  can  f  wol  mc  haftc. 
To  lellcn  you  of  the  dcfcriptioun, 
Depeinted  by  the  walks  up  and  doim. 
Of  hunting  and  of  ihamefafl  chaiUtee* 
Thtr  faw  I  hnw  woful  Califtope, 
Wh^n  thai  Diane  agrcvcd  was  with  herv 
Waft  turned  from  a  woman  tilra  here. 
And  iftcr  was  (he  made  the  lodefterre : 
Thui  was  it  pcintedf  I  can  fay  no  ferre; 
Hire  fone  is  eke  a  ftcrrc  as  men  may  fee* 
Ther  faw  (  Dane  y turned  til  a  tree, 
I  mmc  not  hire  thrgoddelTe  Diane, 
But  Pcncub  daughter,  which  that  highte 
l^her  faw  I  Atteon  an  hart  ymakcd, 
For  vengeance  that  he  (aw  Diane  all  naked  : 
]  faw  how  that  his  houndes  have  him  caught. 
And  frcteii  him,  for  that  they  knew  hun  naugjb 
Yet  pcinted  was  a  litcl  fortherniore 
How  Athilante  hunted  the  wilde  bore. 
And  Mclcagre,  and  many  another  mo. 
For  which  Diane  wroughtc  hem  care  and  wo*  { 
Thcr  faw  t  many  another  wonder  Itorie, 
The  which  me  lifte  not  drawcn  to  mcmork* 

This  goddcfle  on  an  hart  ful  heyie  fete. 
With  fmak  houndet  all  aboat  hire  fete. 
And  undemethe  hire  feet  flic  hadd<e  a  molie,       | 
Weaing  if  wju,  and  Ihuldc  wantn  folK. 
In  gaudy  grene  hire  (latue  clothed  wat« 
With  bow  in  hond,  and  arwcs  in  a  caa« 
Hire  eyen  cafle  (he  ful  low  adoun, 
Ther  Pluto  hath  his  derke  regioun* 
A  woman  travailling  was  hire  beforne. 
But  for  hire  childe  fo  longe  was  unbome 
Ful  piioufly  Lucina  gan  fhc  caU, 
And  fayed ;  Hclpe,  for  thou  may  eft  bede  of 
Wcl  coudc  he  peinten  lifly  that  it  wrought. 
With  many  a  florcin  he  the  hewe« bought. 
Now  hen  thefe  U(kes  made,  atid  Thefcua 
That  at  his  grctc  coft  arrajcd  thus 
The  temples,  and  the  tliratre  evcridcl, 
Whan  it  was  don  him  liked  wonder  weL 
But  ftint  1  wol  of  Thefeuft  a  lite. 
And  fpcke  of  Palaraon  and  of  Arcite, 

The  day  apprechcth  of  hir  returning. 
That  evtrich  Chuld  an  hondred  knighte*  briil|^ 
That  hatailk  to  derrcinc,  as  I  you  told  ; 
And  til  Athene!  hir  covenant  for  to  hold. 
Hath  everichol  hem  brought  an  hundred  hlU^ 
WrI  armed  for  the  werre  at  aUe  nghtes. 
And  fiktrJy  ther  trowed  many  a  man 
That  ocYCf  Hthea  that  the  world  begaa^ 


THE    KNiaHTES    TALE. 


I 


Jb^eo  rpeke  of  knighthood  of  hirhoad, 
A«  tcr  *»  God  hath  mcked  fee  and  lond, 
iTi*  o£  fb  fcwic  Tu  noble  a  cumpagnic  i 
For  mtry  ^ri^^t  that  loved  chcvalnc, 
JM  vtttc  ^  han  j,  piiTitut  nime, 

Bkk  prm.  I  rif^ht  !>rn  of  that  j;:ime» 

ifaiwd  »..^  iLitn  ihjit  thcrtocbofen  wi*, 
I^  if  tber  Xcll  tQMmorwc  fuch  a  c^% 
Tc  lanWcu  we  I  that  every  lufty  knight 
Tkv  lovtih  ^r  tf«io»r,  mnd  hiich  hj&  migbl| 
Were  it  m  J^ng^Idond  or  ellcfwhcf , 
TlMTf  wroki  hir  chaakcA  wUicn  to  be  ther* 
To  Oght  lor  a  ladj^  a  hn^tiuitt  / 
It  w^r  a  iufty  fifhr«  for  to  fc. 

And  right  fo  (cr  ten  thcf  with  Palamon. 
Wwlk  kim  tlicT  wcQten  kxiightcs  many  on ; 
Sam  ««|-beTi  armed  in  id  habergcoa, 
^•i  ii  a  brell  plate,  and  in  a  gipun  ; 
Amd  fcm  -wo]  liaYC  a  pair  of  platea  large, 
.Am  lam  wol  have  a  Prucc  (held  or  a  targe ; 
Sam  wol  lien  a.rnied  on  ht^  Icg^e*  welc, 
As<i  hmTC  ui  axe,  and  foine  a  mace  of  ftdc. 
TWr  a*c»  no  newc  ginfe  that  it  D*ai  old. 
Acmed  Uicf  wcrcn  at  I  have  you  totd, 
Bvcvich  after  hi»  opinioct. 

Thcr  Rxatfl  thou  fc  comine  with  Palamon 
lumfelf,  the  grcte  lung  of  Trace  *, 
tt  hU  herd,  and  manly  wa»  hti  face ; 
oerddi  of  hi»  eyen  in  hii  hed 
They  (fcrwedcn  betwizen  yelwe  and  red, 
Aad  &€  %  gHfibn  loked  he  about, 
Wiak  Iccmped  herci  on  hi»  browt«  dout ; 
^  MiiMri  grct,  his  bratmes  hard  and  fLrongf , 
Ki  ftoitldrc«  brode,  hii  armei  round  atid  loogc  i 
Aid  at  dire  gutfe  wa^tn  his  contrec, 
Mla^e  npoci  a  char  of  gold  flood  he. 
Wkfebsre  white  bolle«  iii  the  trais. 


ofcocc  armure  on  hi«  harnais, 
iil attic*  fxiwc,  and  bright  ai  any  gold, 
lit  Ii4ic  a  bereft  fkin,  cole-blake  for  *jld. 
liili^gc  here  was  kempt  behind  hii  bak^ 
Jmy  rsvcDe»  f ether  it  ihonc  for  bUke. 

I  of  gold  arm-gret,  of  huge  weight, 
I  hed  late  ful  of  flooca  bright, 
rIalMiaaiid  of  diamantf. 
iacharther  wen  ten  white  atauns, 
lod  mo,  u  gret  a^  any  flcrc, 
the  Icon  or  the  dere, 
I  liim,  with  mofcl  fail  ybound, 
iih  gold,  and  torett^  Hied  round. 
'  lordet  had  he  in  hii  route 
ffeU  wtj,  with  hertet  ftcrne  and  floute. 
i  Arcila,  in  f^oriet  ai  men  find, 
CoMtritis  the  King  of  Indc, 
'  :  hay,  trapped  in  ftele, 

k  cloth  of  gold  di:(prcd  wcle, 
like  the  god  of  armcs  Mar« ; 

It  of  a  doth  of  Tars 
^  perles  white,  and  round,  and  grctc; 
I*  of  brent  gold  new  ybctc ; 
A  mactr^rt  apoo  hii  fhouldrti.  hjnguig 
Brtx-M  of  mbiei  ncid,  ai  fire  fparkling ; 
JSicriffc  brre  1^  riogea  wa*  yronnc, 

m*  fclwc, a^ gUttrcd  ii  ihc  fbonc; 


Hifi  nofc  wai  high,  hi»  cycn  bright  c!crit)| 
His  lippes  round,  his  colour  waa  fanguin, 
A  fcwc  fraknes  in  hi*  face  yfprcint, 
Betwisen  yblwe  and  blake  fonidel  ymeint. 
And  ai  a  Icon  he  hia  loking  caHc, 
Of  five*and-twc;nty  y ere  his  age  [  ctfte  ; 
Hia  herd  Was  wel  begonnen  for  to  fpring. 
His  Tois  was  as  a  trompe  thondering ; 
Upon  his  hede  he  wered  of  laur;r  grenc^ 
A  gerlond  fresihc  and  lully  for  to  fenci 
Upon  his  bond  he  bare  far  his  deduit 
An  egie  taxhr,  as  any  lily  whit : 
An  hundred  lordet  had  he  with  him  thcrt» 
All  armed  favc  hir  hcdes  in  uU  hir  gerc, 
Ful  richcly  in  allc  manere  thinges ; 
For  tmftcth  wel  that  erics,  dukes,  kingt«| 
Were  gathered  in  this  noble  compagnic. 
For  love  and  for  cncrcfc  of  chcvah  ic. 
About  this  king  ther  ran  on  every  part 
Ful  many  a  tame  Icon  and  leopart. 

And  in  this  wife  thefe  lordcs  all  and  £bme 
Ben  on  the  Sonday  to  the  citee  come 
Ah  out  en  prime,  and  m  the  toon  alight. 

This  Thcfeus,  thi«du)c,  this  worthy  knigh% 
Whan  he  had  brought  hem  into  his  citee. 
And  inned  hem  cverich  at  his  degree. 
He  felleth  hem,  and  doth  fo  gret  labour 
To  cfen  hem,  and  don  hem  all  honour. 
That  yet  men  wcnen  that  no  mannca  wit 
Of  non  cftat  nc  coud  amcndcn  it. 
The  minllndcie,  the  fervicc  at  the  fefle. 
The  grcte  ycftes  to  the  moft  and  Icftep 
The  richc  array  of  Thcfcu?  paleis, 
Ne  who  late  firft  nc  lafl  upon  the  deis. 
What  ladicii  fay  reft  ben  or  bell  dancing. 
Or  which  uf  hem  can  carolc  befl  or  iing, 
Ne  who  mofl  fclingly  fpeketh  of  love. 
What  haukts  fitten  on  the  pcrche  above. 
What  houndcR  Hggcn  on  the  floor  adoun. 
Of  all  this  now  make  I  no  mcntioun. 
But  of  the  cffcd,  that  thinketh  me  the  bcfle  ; 
Now  comcth  the  point,  and  herkcncth  if  you  ItSkc^ 

The  Sonday  nightc  or  day  began  to  fpriugi, 
Wlian  Falamon  the  larkc  hcrdc  ling. 
Although  it  n'erc  not  day  by  houres  two. 
Yet  fang  the  larkc»  and  Palamon  right  tha 
With  holy  hcrte,aiid  with  an  high  corage 
He  rofe,  to  wcnden  on  hia  pilgrimage 
Onto  thr  biifsful  Citherea  benigoe, 
r  mt:ne  Venus,  hduourablc  and  digne.^ 
And  in  hire  houre  he  walkcth  forth  a  pat 
Unto  the  liftcs,  ther  hire  temple  was. 
And  doun  he  kncleth,  and  with  humble  che^ 
And  hcrte  fore  he  fayde  as  ye  Ihul  here  : 

Fayrcll  of  fayre,  o  lady  min  Vcnijia, 
Daughter  to  Jove,  and  fpoufe  of  Vulcanut, 
Thou  glader  of  the  Mount  of  Citherou  ! 
For  thilke  love  thou  haddcft  to  Adon, 
Have  pi  tee  on  my  bitter  teres  fmert. 
And  take  myn  humble  prair  at  thin  hcrte. 

Aha !  I  ne  have  no  langage  to  tell 
The  eflc^e  nc  the  torment  of  min  hell ; 
Min  hertc  may  min  harmes  not  bcwrey  j 
1  iun  tu  coufuk  ^imi  1  guviot  fay  : 

>9 


TTH  E    K  N  I  G  H  T  £  3    T  A  L  #♦ 


I 

I 


I 

I 

I 


]6ut  mf  r^y,  Udy  bright !  that  knowcfl  welc 

My  thought,  and  fcrft  what  harmcs  that  I  f«k  : 

Confider  all  this,  »rd  ntc  upon  my  fofc. 

As  wifit  ai  I  Otjd  for  evermore 

Emforth  my  might  thy  treYre  Trrvant  bf , 

And  holdcn  wcrrc  alway  with  chdlite ; 

Thiit  make  Imin  avow  fo  ye  mc  hdlpe, 

t  kcpc  (luught  of  annc»  for  to  yetjk-, 

Ne  axt  I  nal  it»-tuorwc  to  hive  vidorie, 

Nc  rcnoun  in  thh  cas tic  vaine  gloHe 

Of  i^riAtf  armcs,  hluwen  up  and  douo, 

But  J  wold  have  fuUy  foffirffirrun 

Of  Emelle,  and  die  in  ncr'fcrvifif  j 

Find  rhou  the  mancre  how,  a,iid  in  what  wiic, 

f  rekkc  not  but  h  may  hettcr  be 

To  have  vidorie  of  htm,  of  f  hey  of  me 

Eo  ihat  I  have  my  lady  in  mm  irmei ; 

l"or  though  fo  he  that  Mars  h  god  of  Armcs, 

Your  Tcjiue  h  fo  grcte  in  hcvcn  above, 

That  if  you  liftc  I  ftid  Wcl  have  my  Igtrc. 

Thy  temple  wol  I  worfhip  evermo, 

And  on  thin  aotcr,  wher  t  ride  orgo^ 

I  wol  don  facrifice,  and  firt^  bete. 

And  if  ye  wol  not  fo,  my  lady  fwetef 

Than  pray  I  you  to-morwf  with  a  fpcrc 

That  Arcit*  mz  thurgh  tHt  hcrtc  here  ; 

Than  rckkc  I  not  whin  1  have  Jod  my  iLf 

Though  that  Arclta  win  hire  to  his  wif» 

This  iitfaerfiTe^e  i"'^  'ttI^  i,r  my  poiiTr, 

Wve  mc  ray  love  !  Udy  dcrc  1 

When  th«  ori Jon  !   F^j^tmon 

His  famficc  he  did,  aiid  thiit  aticn, 
Ful  pitcuily,  with  allc  eircuinllancc% 
All  tcU  f  not  as  now  hi«  ohfcrvanct  t. 
But  at  the  JaU  the  ftafne  of  Ycnm  i>iokt% 
And  made  %f  '       Ity  that  he  rokc 

Thai  his  pr;i  r  [  wa»  that  day ; 

For  though  I  J.  u  ..^^  .    .-.twcd  adeUy, 
Vet  wift  be  wel  that  j^ranted  w»8  hi»  bone. 
And  witli  glad  herte  fie  wrnr  him  home  ful  fofic. 

The  thridde  hour  itrcqual  that  HaUmon 
degsn  to  Venus  temple  for  tn  gun. 
Up  rofii  the  fonnej  and  itp  rofe  Pmelie, 
Aod  to  the  temple  of  Diunc  g^m  hie. 
Hire  maydcn*  chat  fhe  thidrr  with  hire  1ad4e 
Ful  redily  with  hem  the  £re  they  haddc, 
Th*  encexcCr,  tike  clothef,  tad  the  rcmenant  all, 
That  to  the  facfUke  lairgen  ft  alt. 
The  homes  ful  of  mede,  af  wn^  rhr  vnf.^  • 
Ther  lakked  noog^ht  to  doii  h 
Smoking  the  tempc,  ful  of  cl  '  , 

Thi«  EnicJic  wtfh  hert*  debonaipc 
Hire  body  wetfbe  with  waiter  of  i  wefl^ 
But  how  ihe  did  hirt-  rite  f  dart  fiot  tet}. 
Bat  it' be  any  rtttng  m  general* 
And  yet  it  were  a  game  to  hcren  iUj 
To  him  that  mcneth  wtl  it  n'erc  nu  charge  5 
But  it  t«  good  a  w'^  ■"  •"  '■    ^'  lirg^i 
Hire  hnpht  here  V  .  mitrefled  all ; 

A  eorotiif  of  a  gn  tal 

t)pofD  hire  hed  was  fet  fui  tayre  Rfld  mctc  : 
T«o  fire*  on  the  autcr  gnn  (he  bete, 
Aod  did  hit*  thingei  annen  m»y  behold;] 


hetr 


Whan  kindled  was  the  fire,  with  pftoui  ctietif 
Unto  Diane  flic  fpokc  as  ye  may  here  i 

O  chaile  goddrJTr  of  the  wodes  grcne» 
To  whom  both  he-yen,  and  crthe,  aodiee«li 
Qticne  of  the  regne  of  Fluto  derke  and  lowe^ 
Goddefle  of  maydeiit,  that  min  hertc  haft  kii< 
Ful  many  a  yerc*  and  woft  what  1  deCtre, 
A*  kcpc  mc  im  thy  vengeance  and  thin  ire» 
That  Alteon  nboughtc  cruelly ! 
Ch^  goddtffc  !  wel  wotefl  thou  that  I 
Dcfire  to  hen  a  mayden  all  my  lif, 
Nt'  never  wol  f  he  no  love  nc  wif : 
I  am  Jthou  woft)  yet  of  thy  compagnte, 
A  mayde,  and  love  hunting  and  veneric. 
And  for  to  witkcn  in  !hc  wodes  wilde, 
And  not  to  ben  a  wif  and  be  wjtJ)  childe  ; 
Nought  wol  I  knowen  compagnie  of  miin ; 
Now  heJpc  nie,  Lady,  fith  you  may  and  can. 
Fur  though  three  fomic?  that  thou  hail  in 
And  Pulamon  that  hath  fwiche  love  to  me, 
'And  eke  Arc  itc,  thai  lovcth  me  fo  fore^ 
Thi*  grice  1  p«iic  thee  witbonten  more. 
At  feiide  loTC  and  pees  b^twtx  em  two. 
And  fro  mc  tome  away  hir  hcrtcis.  fo. 
That  all  hir  hote  love  and  hir  defire, 
And  ail  hir  htPy  tonuent  and  htr  fire 
Be  qoemtf,  ortonicd  rti  another  place. 
A»id  if  fo  be  thou  woh  not  do  mc  grace^ 
Or  if  my  dtftiacc  be  thapen  fo 
That  I  fhal  nedci  have  on  of  hem  twr. 
As  fendc  mc  him  that  mo  ft  deftreth  me. 

Beholdc,  goddefie  of  clctJC  Chaf^ite, 
The  bitter  tercf  that  on  my  chekes  fdJJ  : 
Sin  thou  ait  mxyde,  and  kcper  of  us  all, 
My  maydetibe^  thou  kepc  and  well  coai^rt^* 
And  while  1  live  a  mayde  I  wol  thee  fervt. 

The  fires  brennc  upon  the  autcr  clcrc 
Whik-  Emelie  was  thu»  in  hire  praiirc,, 
But  fodmly  ihe  f-^  a  Cghte  queinte; 
For  right  Anon  on  of  the  fires  quiente 
And  quiked  again,  and  after  that  anon 
That  other  fire  was  qncinic  and  all  agotJ, 
And  a9  it  qtidnte  it  made  a  whifteling 
A*  d<»n  thcfe  broadei  wet  in  Inr  brenniiig;, 
And  at  the  hrondes  ende  outcan  anon 
Aft  it  wcrr  blody  drope*  many  on  ; 
For  which  fo  (on  agift  was  fimflie , 
That  (he  w»»  wtl  nci^h  mad,  and  gan  l«  O-iff^ 
For  Ihc  ne  wide  what  it  fignificd. 
But  only  fur  the  fere  ihut  (he  cried 
And  wcpT,ih3T  it  wai  pitec  for  to  here. 

And  there  with  ill  Btaiie  gan  appt  tc 
With  bowc  in  bond,  right  as  an  hunff  rcfH^ 
And  fayde,  Dtntghtrr,  ftint  thin  ht  ■ 
Amoii^  the  goddrs  highc  tt  1$  affc: 
And  by  eiernc  wond  wrinen  and  conu  rmtd, 
Thuu  ihalt  be  wedded  unto  on  of  thy 
That  ban  for  rhve  fb  mochcl  care  and  wo. 
But  unto  which  of  hem  I  nay  not  tell 
Farewcl,  for  here  t  may  no  longer  dwell; 
The  fire*  which  that  on  min  autcr  hreunc 
Shal  thcc  dtclaren  er  that  thou  go  henxic 
Thin  avcnturc  of  love  as  in  this  caa. 

And  wnh  thu  ysQid  ikc  znvcs  in  the  cij 


«r  tefcdUfe  clatt«tieB  hit  sad  ring, 
Md  fianik  lbs  wcoc  aod  aiAcU  i  r«nilbia^ 
f«r  which  thb  Ejncjie  aitonUd  w««^ 
Jbid6fde,  Ultec  amoucittih  thk|  aImJ 

^  ( ta  thj  iUTporitioa, 

!  goth  inon  the  ncit*  way. 


Thma^bm^eS^^* 

M  no  wore  to  hy. 

TV  MXie  h«* 
Of  fierce  Kl 

r«hiaih' 

Ifoiwiag  thM 
vv  Milted  it 
1  hi*  lacf  iiifc 

in 

Oiros^  Uutl.  UiAi  in  the  rcgnri  cuid 
if  XncK  JMOourcd  an,  znd  lord  yhnM, 
AiihiA  sg»  c«<ry  regnc  and  cirery  land 
ttsBC^ftU  the  hiidd  10  tluo  limrd, 

t  «f  toe  atf  f  item*  Cti:7iElc ' 
k  fiMt  wy  ^ '  -  •?--'    '-r-rvr, 

7>ygoihed»  ik^i  t  chine, 

Haa  prak  I  thee  to  nrw>e  erion  my  pioc» 
lor  tkolhipeifhc  arH  rhtlkc  horc:  fire 
iiHiiclltliou  w!  r  rirfu-e 

WWiBrth»t  t|^r'  julcC 

Of  %re  yertkgir  Vcnub  irtrit^v  .%nti  irec, 
^t  Iksre  » innca  It  thy  tviUr; 

I  h$4  crnv^t  thrc  io  hti  Im^ 
1  thee  licgil^  by  hit  wit,  %lan  I 
t  liSke  UfW^ei^  thsl  wu  tho  ic  thin  lif  rta 

I  at  iv<I  upon  my  pciJ5*t  fmcrtf, 
im  joagm  an  '  /  u  thou  woll, 

i«i,  li  1  trow,  %  I  c  ndcd  flwit 

llv  (PV  1PA#  Oi  1  I  tire ; 

^fteditfdbtb  V  WQ  endure 

I  IkKeceth  Ojcma  wricmcr  J  Unke  or  fictt; 
I  'Mwd  I  Wo«  or  flw  me  mercy  Kcte 

^^  wkh  A««l|fth€  win  hinr  io  the  plaet| 
Mi«itl  woi  withomeB  hclpc  or  gnice 
tt  %  IK  17IST  rr^T  ilrcxiffthc  aof  »^Ue| 
^WhEipBr  rwr  ia  my  bxtaUIc, 

XrMht^'  rcr^ncd  thee, 

ii«4Maia£tii  rhmc, 

^4^«l^l  I  t'-  .  vidarle; 

^WUMnvirakUic  any  LhJii  be  thefbrkw 

il  mj  pbct-«  «ad  ahrAy  m«A  Ubouren 
htf^cUMK9  and  in  ihf  crmfNit  Urstig  ( 

JlKtfjB-lby   tc-ii^^lc'  I  w^al  mv  hanrr  hoog* 

WcvLrm  - 

I  tv»4  i»^Wi»f;  tiict  Tuid  ; 
'Jul  avow  i  wul  be  Hkid 
,  mj  h«9c  tjhac  h*ii9t«h  Umg  adoun, 
'  T«t  l«lc  aoii  oCtfifioiui 

\  wd  th««  yt vc, 
A«twhik  Ilivew 
"   "T^*-^  "ny  forwet  fiire* 
im  more, 

re  that  houge, 
1  ful  Ut, 


The  (ires  brent  npao  ibt  aut«r  hrig^ht 
Thar  it  pan  .ill  the  icmpje  far  to  light  ; 
A  fwois  fourU  aiiofl  tJtc  grouod  u^  ya/. 
And  Arcita  anos  hh  hond  up  haf» 
^od  more  enfccnic  i<;ca  the  Ijrc  htf  call. 
With  otlicrntci  mo^iind  at  the  Uft 
The  ilauie  of  M^k  bt^gan  hi*  hauherke  riOj^ 
Aiid  ^ith  iPiat  louj3  he  herd  a  murmuring 
Ku)  low  a^nd  din;,  that  laid  thui»  V  id  one  ; 
For  whtch  he  yr.'  ^    M-   h<iiiour  and  jcWiiu 

And  thu4  WH  hnp«  wd  to  fari 

Afciic  &II04  uiu .u,:u  If  Tare 

A*  fajTi  as  fovl  it  of  ti.»  brixHtd  fanne. 

And  right  anon  fwiche  llrtf  thcr  ia  bcgoim^ 
For  thilke  granting  in  the  hevcu  iibove 
J}/t%vix<:a  Veiiui  the  god  diltc  of  X^oVi\ 
And  Muff  the  Ikrnc  y^od  Armipotcnt^ 
Thit  Jupiter  WW  htiy  it  to  fkcM^ 
Til    hit  I 
That  k.ic\  , 

Fond  in  I l 

That  he  ji  I  every  j»>rt» 

As  footb  1  I  f^ret  »«riAtagv; 

la  cide  it  both  nviidom  and  ttfaj^e  t 
Men  ma>'  thr  pM  nrtt^r^noc  but  iwt  otit-rcdc* 

S^itu^ti'  If  fW  and  drcde. 

Albeit  tji  ind» 

Of  alltJi.  -    ■ 

My  d*  I '  '-tunifj, 

My  !"■■■   ■  ■    "■^t'-.x   rji     .'A   r  ulUC 

HaN  Q  wot  aiiy  man. 

Mir'   i-    :  •    ir>  fin-  fa-  Co  WIH^ 

Mih  I'.  tL  .i^c, 

Min  istir  byihethrotSy 

The  murmiirc^  a>iid  ti»c  chcrtca  rcbclitU|r, 

The  ;;Toynin^  ind  tbe  pcivc  ejaipoyfomcg. 

I  dtj  VLn;;cAtHc  ikod  pjciae  corrc^liulk 

While  I  dwell  in  the  figne  of  the  L^^n, 

Mm  h  thr  ruiiic  of  the  highelialk% 

Ihc  ftUJing  Gj  the  ioiire&  aittd  of  the  wallc| 

Up  ji  the  piitictiir  ^r  ttie  carpenter  j 

I  Qc  w  S;iiniba  in  ChakiDi^  thr  jtiler* 

Min  ben  «il9  ihe  AiAlidiei  CoMe, 

The  ddke  trcf«ot  and  the  cmllc&  old«  ; 

Aly  lokbg  19  iha  fader  of  PcAilencr. 

Now  we  pc  Ao  nM*e,  I  fii^  do  diJiMflce 

That  l\lj»w^n»  thul  ia  Ihia  vmcn  kaigbt, 

Sbal  b»vc  hit  J4dy«  as  thou  haft  lum  highc 

Thogh  M.i4«  fiiai  help  hii  kaifrht  yet  nailwlasp 

B^tw  ijccn  ycm  ihtr  mot  fpmctime  be  pcci : 

All  be  ye  not  ci<  o  cnmplorion 

Ti:at  caiiTeth  :iti  day  fwiclie  diriCoii. 

I  ani  tl^in  aycl,  tcAj  at  thy  wtAI  ; 

Wepe  now  no  more,  i  ihall  thy  laft  ftilfiO. 

Nqv^  woi  I  fioocca  of  the  guidei  aboWy 
Of  Mars  and  td  Vetms  goddeiFc  of  Ix^tc, 
And  ttUen  you  as  pjainjy  a«  1  can 
ThcgTct  eflfeei  for  which  tliat  t  hcf^stn. 

Orel  V'Mi  the  fcfte  in  Athenei  thilkc  day, 
And  die  the  lufty  fefon  of  that  May 
Made  every  wij^be  to  ben  in  Iwichc  plefancr. 
That  :ilJ  that  Monday  juflcn  tlicy  and  dance 
And  fpcndeJi  it  in  Venui  highe  fcxvife  ; 
put  hy  the  canfe  that  they  3iuld«a  ftU 
J3  iij 


h« 


THE    KMIGHTE3    TALE. 


I 


Efly  a-monrc  for  to  teen  the  fight. 
Unto  hir  retle  wcoten  ihcy  at  night. 
And  on  the  morwc  whan  the  <!ay  gan  fpring 
Of  horsand  harnris  ooifc  and  cluttering 
The r  wa«  in  the)ioQclric«  all  aboute, 
And  to  the  paleis  rode  ther  many  a  route 
Of  lordet  upon  ftedcs  and  palfr«i»» 

Thermaycft  thuu  fee  devifing  ofhamds 
So  uncouth  and  fo  rich c»  and  wraiighi  fo  wcle 
Of  goldfmithry,  of  brouding  and  of  ftcle ; 
The  iWldcA  brightc,  tcllcrcs,  and  trappure*, 
Gold'hcwcn  hclmev  haubcrket,  cote  annures ; 
Lordesin  panementcs  on  hir  courfcrcn, 
Kni^htes  of  retcnue,  ind  ebe  fqiiici  e», 
Naihng  the  fperc*,  and  hclmca  bnkeUng, 
Guiding  of  (heldes,  with  kincr%  Ucing ; 
Thcr  a&  ncde  i»  they  wcren  nething  idel ; 
*rhc  fomy  ftcdci  en  the  golden  bridcl 
Gnawing,  and  fafi  the  armurc*  alfo 
With  file  uid hammer pnking  to  and  fro; 
Yemen  on  foot,  and  conimunct  many  on 
"Wtth  fhorte  flave«,  thickc  a»  they  may  gon  ; 
pipes,  t7onnpeft,nakeres,  and  clariouneft. 
That  in  the  battaillc  blowen  blfwjy  foune« ; 
ThepalciA  fill  ofpcpk  up  and  doun. 
Here  three,  ther  ten,  holding  hir  queflioun, 
Dcvming  of  theft  Thcban  tuiightcf  two, 
Soni  iiy  den  tbu»,  Ibm  fay dc  ii  ftalJ  be  fo ; 
Som  hekJm  with  h'm  with  the  bkcke  herd, 
Som  with  the  ballrdf  fom  with  the  thick  herd  j 
Som  laide  he  lokcd  grim^  and  woldc  6ghte ; 
He  liath  a  fparth  of  twenty  pound  of  wightc. 

Thui  was  the  halk  full  of  dcTining 
XtOiig  after  that  the  fonne  gan  up  fpring. 
The  grct  Thcfpui  that  of  hii  flepe  U  waked 
'Withfuinflralcie  and  noife  that  was  maked, 
Held  yet  the  chambre  of  hi»  paleLs  ri<.he. 
Til  that  the  The  baa  knigbto  bothc  yUche 
Honoured  were,  and  to  the  paleis  frtte. 

Duk  Thefeuiii  at  a  window  fette. 
Araied  right  a»he  were  a  god  in  trone  1 
The  pcple  prcf^lhtblderward  ful  fonc, 
Him  for  to  fcen  and  don  high  reverence. 
And  eke  to  herkcn  hi«  heflc  and  hi»  Icnteocc. 

An  hcraud  on  a  fcafTold  made  an  O, 
Til  tbat  the  noife  of  the  pcple  wa»  ydo. 
And  whan  he  faw  the  peplc  of  noiie  al  ftiU 
Thuji  Ihcwed  he  the  mighty  dukc4  wiU. 

The  lord  hath  of  his  high  difcrctiofi 
ConHd^red  that  it  were  ^t^ftrudtion 
To  gcntil  blood  to  fightcn  in  the  gife 
Of  mortal  bataillc  now  in  this  cmprtfe  ; 
Wherefore  to  (bapcn  that  they  (huloot  die. 
He  wol  hit  firfte  ptirpo*  modifie. 

No  man  therefore,  tp  peine  of  lofle  of  Uf, 
Ko  mancr  Ihot  nc  poUai  nc  fhort  knif 
Into  the  lift C4  fend  or  th  *     ' 
htc  fliof  t  fwcrd  for  to  1  nt  biting^ 

Ko  M^  nc  draw  nc  bct^  .    l  t  •  •  ^  -Je ; 
K&  no  man  (hd  unto  hi*  felaw  ndc 
But  o  eoiir»,  with  a  iharpe  ygrounden  fpere  j 
FoiiT  if  ^iim  Jill  on  fr.ot.  himfcH  to  were  : 
And  he  that  it  at  mefc)  lef  (hal  be  take. 
And  not  il«aic,  but  be  bf  ought  unto  the  ft^ke 


Th:it  fhal  ben  ordeined  on  eythcr  Ude  j 

Thider  he  Ihal  by  force,  and  ther  abide  t 

And  if  fo  fall  the  chevetain  be  take 

On  eythcr  (idc,  or  ellei  ileth  hi»  make, 

No  longer  Ihal  tlie  tourneying  ylaft, 

God  fpcde  you  ;  goth  forth  and  lay  on  fa(l : 

With  longe  fwerd  and  with  mafe  fighteth  your  &^ 

Goth  now  your  way ;  thi«  in  the  lordc«  will. 

The  voii  of  the  peplc  touched  to  the  hcves, 
Se  loTjdc  crieden  they  with  mcry  fteven^ 
God  favefwiche  a  lord  that  ii  fo  good. 
He  wilncth  no  dcllrudiou  of  blood. 

Up  gon  the  tTompe!»and  the  melndie. 
And  to  the  lifie&  rit  the  compagnie 
By  ordinance,  thurghout  the  cite  large. 
Hanged  with  cloth  of  gold  and  not  with 
Ful  like  a  lord  This  noble  duk  gan  ride. 
And  thelc  two  Thcban^  upon  eythcr  fide, 
Ajid  after  rode  the  queue  and  Emc]ie^ 
And  after  that  another  compagnie 
Of  on  and  other  after  hir  degree ; 
And  thu*  they  pdTen  thurghout  the  citce. 
And  to  the  Ufict  comen  tliey  be  time  : 
It  n'as  not  of  the  day  yet  fuUy  prime. 

Whan  fet  was  Thefeu»  ful  riche  and  hie, 
Ipolita  the  queoe,  and  EmcUe, 
And  othtr  ladies  in  degrees  aboute. 
Unto  the  fetes  prefcth  all  the  route* 
And  wcftf^ard  thur|jh  the  gate*  under  Mart 
Arcitc,  and  eke  the  hundred  of  his  part, 
W ith  baner  red,  is  cntrcd  right  anon  | 
And  in  the  fclvc  moment  Pakinon 
Is,  under  Venus,  cfl ward  in  the  place, 
Wjtii  bancr  white,  and  liardy  chere  and  lice. 
In  all  the  world  to  feken  up  aod  dotto. 
So  tven  without  voriatioun 
Ther  n'crc  Iwiche  compagnie*  never  twcy  ; 
for  ther  wai  non  fo  wile  that  coudc  fey 
That  a|iy  haddc  of  other  a  vantage 
Of  worthinelTe,  ne  of  cftai  nc  age. 
So  cyen  were  they  chofen  for  to  gelTe  i 
And  in  two  renge*  fayrc  they  hem  drcfTei 
Wlian  that  hir  names  red  were  cverich  on. 
That  in  her  uombrc  gile  were  thcr  non, 
Tho  were  the  gate*  flictte,  and  cried  wa«  loude, 
Do  now  your  devoir,  yongc  knightci  proude. 
The  heraudcft  left  hir  priking  up  and  doun. 
Now  ringin  trompei  loud  and  clarioun. 
Thcr  ii  no  more  to  fay,  but  eft  and  weft 
In  gon  tlie  fpcrc*  fadly  in  the  reft  j 
In  goth  the  fharpe  fpore  into  the  fide  t 
TUct  ice  men  who  can  jufte  and  who  cati  ride  : 
Thcr  fliivercn  jhaftei  upon  fhelde*  thickc  ; 
He  ftleth  tliurgh  the  hcrtc  fpone  the  pricke  : 
Up  fpringen  Ijpcres  twenty  foot  on  highte  j 
Out  coo  tlic  fwerdc^at  the  filver  brighte  r 
The  Itclmca  they  to-hewen  and  to-lhredc ; 
Out  breft  the  blod  with  fleme  ftremen  rede  ; 
With  m;ghty  macei  the  bonet  they  to-brefte; 
He  ihurgh  the  thickeft  of  the  throng  gan  threfte  t 
Thcr  ilombleo  flede*  ftrong,and  doun  gmh  all^ 
He  ralicLh  under  foot  aa  doth  a  ball : 
He  foinetli  on  his  foo  wlili  a  trooctu^on. 
And  bp  hua  huriicth  with  hbhors  adoun  : 


THE    KMtCHTES    fALl* 


*» 


liedy  U  Iron,  and  fitk  ytalce 
hod,  and  brought  unto  the  ilak^« 
ml  was,  right  thcr  he  mufl  i^idci 
lad  U  on  th^t  other  fide : 
tiine  doth  hem  Thefeus  to  rcffc, 
Itirefli  znd  drinken  if  hem  left, 
i  a  day  hao  chilkc  Theb&nci  two 
lact  and  iwrtiught  cche  odier  wo  : 
I  liacli  ecfac  other  of  hem  cwey. 
I  BO  cigje  in  the  vale  ef  Golaphey, 
bt  hire  whetpc  h  AoTe  whao  it  is  lltti 
DO  the  bttnt  as  ii  Arcite 
llierte  opon  thu  Palamon; 
kmsrie  thcr  n*H  fo  felt  leon 
tied  i*t  or  for  his  hungrr  wood, 
I  ppey  dclireth  fo  the  bloody 
IDQ  CO  Jleeo  hi*  foo  Arcite  : 
ki  ftrokes  cm  hir  hclmei  btte; 
eth  %»Ioo<l  on  both  her  Gdw  rede, 
kie  an  code  ther  i»  of  every  dede ; 
le  focmc  unto  t^    -  '^         nt 
B^  King  Mtncr  <  ,  i 

iroon,  !•  he  f«u|^...  .. ._  .\rcite, 

k  hia  fwcrd  drpe  io  his  flcth  to  bite  i 

tlie  force  «( twenty  is  he  take 

^and  ydrawcn  to  the  (lake  : 

jibe  ref<QU»of  this  Palamon 

Bgc  King  Licnrge  i»  borne  adoun  ; 

^  Emetn^t  for  all  his  flren^the 

out  of  hi»  fadel  a  fwerdes  Icngthc, 

lum  Palasioxi  or  he  were  take  : 

n  aottj^t,  he  wm  brought  to  the  ftakc ; 

I7  hittte  might  him  helpcn  naught  * 

Ic  ibidcQ  whan  that  he  was  caught 

I  and  eke  by  compofition, 

Ibrweth  now  but  wofuJ  Palamon, 

pfftc  no  more  gon  again  to  fight  ? 

lan  ihai  Thefeus  had  feen  that  fight 

t  folk  thAt  foughieu  thus  eche  on 

i.  Ho?  no  more,  for  it  is  don. 

6  trewc  jugc  and  not  partic. 

f  Thchcs  fhal  have  Emtlie, 

f  bi>  fortuflc  huth  hirr  fay  re  ywonoe* 

i  dicr  n  a  noifc  of  pepk  begonne 

t  oC  thk  fo  loud  and  high  withall 

4  that  the  liiles  Ihuldcn  fall. 

I  can  now  fayre  Venus  done  above  ? 

^Ui  Ckc  now  f  what  doth  thisqtiene  of  Love 

pcth  fo  for  wanting  of  hire  will 

>  lure  tern  in  the  liftes  fill : 

de,l  am  aikamcd  doutelces. 

imu  fryde,  Daughter,  hold  thy  pecs : 

atli  hi^  wilj^hii  knight  bath  all  his  bone, 

f  tarn  bed  thoa  (halt  ben  cfed  fone. 

trofnpoores  with  the  loud  minflralcie, 

randea,  tiut  fo  loodc  yell  and  crie, 

hlTToye  for  wele  of  Dan  -arcite. 

rkcneth  me,  and  ftcnteth  noifc  a  Ute, 

r  a  niiraele  thcr  befell  anon. 

ificrcc  Arcite  hath  of  hiihelme  ydon, 

I  a  courier  for  to  (hew  his  face 

belli  codclong  the  large  place, 

»  opvrard  upon  this  Emelic, 

i^^ain  hm  cafe »  £r»dlich  eye, 


( For  women,  as  to  .  ^  .ken  in  commune, 
1  hey  folwcn  ail  th,'  i^vour  of  Fortune) 
And  w^>  all  his  in  cherc  as  his  in  hcrte. 
Our  of  the  ground  a  Fury  infernal  fterte. 
From  Pluto  fent,  at  rcqucfte  of  Satunie, 
For  which  hiu  hors  for  fere  gan  to  tumc. 
And  lepte  aGdc,  and  foundred  as  he  lepe; 
Artd  er  that  Arcite  may  take  any  kepe 
He  pight  him  on  the  pomel  of  his  hcd. 
That  in  the  phcc  he  lay  as  he  were  de^. 
His  breil  to^broften  with  bis  fadel  bow; 
As  blake  he  lay  as  any  cole  or  crow, 
So  was  the  blood  yronnen  in  his  face* 

Anun  he  was  y borne  out  of  the  ptadp^ 
With  hertc  fore,  to  Thefeus  paleis  ; 
Tho  wat»  he  corven  out  of  his  hamcts. 
And  in  a  bed  ybrought  ful  fayre  and  blive^ 
For  he  was  yet  ia  mcmoric  and  live^ 
And  alway  crying  after  Emclie. 
Duk  Tbtrfcus  with  all  bis  compagn'e 
Is  comen  home  to  Athens  his  citee 
With  aUc  biiflc  and  grct  folcmpnite. 
^l  be  it  that  this* venture  wasfalle 
He  n'oldc  not  difcomforten  hem  alle* 
Men  fayden  eke  that  Ardtc  fbal  not  die, 
He  (hal  ben  he  led  of  his  mabdie* 
And  of  another  thing  they  were  asfayn, 
That  of  hem  alle  was  ther  non  yilain, 
Al  were  they  fore  yhurt,  and  namely  on. 
That  with  a  fprrc  was  thirled  his  breft  bone* 
To  other  woundes  and  to  broken  armcs 
Sam  haddcn  falvcs  and  fume  hadder    '  irmet; 
And  ftmiacies  of  hcrbes,  and  eke  fave 
They  dronken,  for  they  wold  hir  lives  have ; 
For  which  this  noble  duk,  as  he  wel  can, 
Comforteth  and  honourcth  every  man, 
And  made  revel  all  the  longe  night 
Unto  the  ftrange  lordes,  as  wa*  right, 
Nc  ther  n*as  holden  no  difcomforting 
But  as  at  juftcs  or  a  tourneying ; 
Fur  fojhly  ther  n*as  no  difcomfitnre, 
For  falling  n*ts  not  but  an  aventurc  ; 
Nt  to  be  lad  by  force  unto  a  Hike 
Uoyoldcn.and  with  twenty  knightei  take, 
O  pcffon  all  alone,  withoutcn  mo, 
And  haricd  forth  by  armes,  foot,  and  too. 
And  eke  hii  ftcdc  driven  forth  with  ftavcs. 
With  fiMPtmtn,  bothc  ycmen  and  ckc  knave^ 
It  was  arettcd  him  no  vilatue  ; 
Thcr  may  no  man  cicpen  it  cowardte* 
Fiir  which  anon  Duk  Thefeus  let  eric. 
To  llentcn  allc  rancour  and  cnvie. 
The  gree  as  wel  of  o  fide  as  of  other, 
And  cythcr  fide  ylikc,  as  otben  brotbcrj 
And  yavc  hem  giftes  after  hir  degree. 
And  hcldc  a  feftc  fully  dayes  three  5 
And  conveyed  the  kingc»  worthily 
Out  of  hi  a  toun  %.  joumee  largely  \ 
And  home  went  every  tnan  me  rigbte  wayj 
Ther  n'as  no  more  but  Fare  wel,  Have  good  day* 
Of  this  batailk  1  wol  no  more  enditc. 
But  fpeke  of  Palanion  and  of  Arcite. 

Swclleth  the  breft  of  Arcite,  and  the  for^ 
Encrefcth  at  bit  herte  more  and  more, 
fiUi| 


«4 

TlffKNiaHTESTA^.!.                                   ^ 

1 

The  clotcrcd  blood  i" 

.ir  inv  I.Tln-.-rnft 

Au,                     ;,i          J 

Then.:                                         ;                    1 

1 

Corrumpeih,  ftAci  - 

■  ft, 

f 

That  ne^thtr  vch 

iiing, 

Ktf  driiikc  of  I 

ii^  b^jpi*ifi. 

pf  loule*  find  i  not  in  i 

ITic  vcrtoc  V . 

^ 

^'c  mc  luft  not  th'  op:? 

1 

Troth  like  v  rioc  . 

'^^''      n 

pfhcm,th'                              tai  wiicrtJicjrdi^cJki 

Ke  may  d^  veoiin 

.xpeU; 

Arcitc  is  f                                  !<iulc  gic. 

The  pipcf  r>f  ' 
And  every  1. 
1»  (bent  with 

in. 

Now  wol  i  lpC**P  lor 

Shn^^htl^aiirjpill                     .nan, 

• 

H«m  giiineth 

id      * 

Saou                                      .]  the  corpt  a.w%f^ 

Vomit  upwdi 

-•■■.-    .-.^  .-i  i 

Wiiat  :      ^    -,         '                  .,    [th  the  dav. 

All  ii  to-broikii  tiiiiiLc  region ; 

To  tcUcti  how  ihe  wcp  Wh  - 

JNjiturc  hath  ^w  no 

daniu3;uion : 

kFnr  in  fwichc  ca>  v.  nmncn  h                               , 

And  ceruinly  thcr  nature  wol  not  wcfchc. 

Wlun  that  bir  houiUcj                     i..i*i4^4>,           J 

Farcwel  phvftkej  go 

bcrc  the  man  to  clicrch€. 

That  for  the  more  par^                     ii  £q,                 J 

Thjsii.: 

1    die  J 

Or  dies  fallen  in  f                     Lw,                       Mm 

ForwJ. 

That  attc  lafb  c. ;                      dk.                    ^H 

And  Piij^unijri,  r  i,.r. 

Ml  'Juie ', 

Innnitc  bentli'                     '*     tcrf^           ^^| 

Than  fayd  he  thfi», 

.iffcr  ^crc. 

or  oldc  folk  4UJ                                ca               ^H 

Nought  may  th 

,n    njya   bcTt^C 

In  all  thr  touD  la.  .^.....  „.  _..       ...l»an;           ^^M 

Drclarc  o  point  yi 

np 

For  him  thcr  w^pcth  bo  the  child  and  man  t    ^H 

To  you  my  la-l  ,\i; 

.So  grcl  a  wtpjui:  n-;ii  tJicr  n-'ii  ccrt-ifa                ^^M 

1 

But  1  bcqutt! 

ly  goi 

Whanii^^                                                  aa 

To  yonabuv^ 

To  Troy:., 

Bin  tJiat  my  Hi  ut  j 

src. 

Cratchinjf  of  chwkci,  i- 

Ahi  the  wol  aL 

Why  woldeft  thou  be  li                               ^r\c^ 

That  1  i             ' 

,'i     .^   k'UgC  f 

Ar«d  haddtft  gold  ynwu^h  arai  ijsiciit. 

Ala*th 

.  ' 

No  tnjM  Duuht  gladcn  thi*  Puk  TticffUA 
Sjvin^T  Ilia  yldc  fcidcr  Eg«US                                        i 

Alas  acJ|i,♦^.,. 

!■:  ! 

Alas  mm  he,': 

wif! 

That  knew  tPu>  wurldt ^  trauTmuUticN], 

Min  bcitci  ; 

1^  r 

A  '  he  Iti.'I  Il-'i  !j  .'^  kh^uiip-cii  ur»  anl  iiou;i, 

1 

What  i 

to  U-ivc^ 

J^'y^ 

Uow%^. 

<jri4vc 

And  11 

Alone  wiiiiGi. 

IC. 

Right  a^  ihi.r  diCii  nt ¥eir  n                        ) 

Firewel  my  1 

Emeliel 

That  hr  tic  Uvrd  te  crth  in  f 

And  foftc  tak 

'  y 

Porlovf  of  G 

iftr 

In  all  t                                                                              . 

I  have  hcr^ 

"11 

This  vn>nu  11  i.s.  iiiu  A  ii.Liw'-iii.Lir  EU-i  ^ij  wn. 

Had  ftrif  and 

<>p 

And  we  ben  pilgrim C4  pifliiig  to  and  fro  ; 

Forlofcof  yi 

©tth  ift  an  end  of  tv.  -*  v.    r hies  fore. 

And"  Jupiter  1 

-i^t 

And  over  all  t  L                       mochel  fHOM 

To  fpekcn  t»f  . 

')■» 

To  this  JIlcI,  fi.;                       .li.jr: 

Wjth  ail 

Thcp 

That  k 

And  kuJtfhthcde, 

Du'. 

'Wifdow 

■  '  ■"'..■-':'., 

He  .afl-ih  liuw  >^iicr  K                     .:ufc                    ' 

Frctlon- , 

- ' '  ^ 

Of  >rood  Afjate  may  b.  i                    ; , 

m 

Sr  iM.M.r    , 

'^ 

Aiuiokemo-i  '                                 A^^^^l 

1 

A*:',  -r-.v^ 

ivnow  ( nin 

Ai^d  at  die  i                                                                    , 

1 

Sc,  uoft*i;  ; 

1  hat  thcr  a.  ;.. ..  .^.  ...  .^..  .           -^ 

1 

TJfat  fcrvr-th 

UX; 

iHadden  foriryc  the  Ujtailk  I                   c,              •! 

1 

And  if  that  c  * 

Ihat  injb^liUvc  jirov  .  t'^.                    . 

1 

Foryctc  not  I 

,                     1 

Tbcir^hcbaddc  :                            .,                      |l 

1 

And  witji  I 

ie  UtSTftii: 

M/iComnt^iict.  afi''  ^                              .  i'irc^,                    | 
!Hc  wi,;.                '  luc,  ui  v^Wh  Jiv  wlliwe                 * 

For  from  hj*  f«u  *^p  fo  li^  lifi^il  ^^  come' 

The  coW  tif  rieth  tiu*  had  him  *>v?rnonic  ; 

lOf  fun                       Tit  aUacmmphir}                              || 
Aiid  let  an.                                             -ad  bcW«                fl 

And  ye!  ' 

!          :  .        ■     1- 

The  vii 

Theokeaolr                                       v                           | 

Onl-  '^' 

In  enlpont,  \i L J  ,x  .»iu»i  n/i  l..  u^^uiit.                           i 

VI. 

Siii  o£c£i&  wuh  fwifte  feet  they  cenoo  ^ 

Oai-„ 

And  ri^C  anon  ^t  his  rortMn^xulcinrnt, 

ft|M^ 

'- cth  : 

And  after  tl  :                                       it 

ittSTji 

After  i  h'  rf , 

With  ckth  0.  ^14  4^  ^iUli  fcUi  be  Mdikt           ' 

THE    KNIGHTES    TALE, 


UfC  he  cUdde  Ardtc. 
_    _  I  Were  Ilia  glovca  wliltr, 

I  his^od  a  croime  of  burcr  groic, 
i&tt  honii  m  fwf  rd  fal  bright  and  kenc* 
ii  him  bare  the  viXagc  on  the  l)cr&« 

p^  the  pep-  en  him  allc^ 

lil  wiA  d^)  ;  t  him  to  the  h^Ik| 

I  of  the  crjitfij  *xid  the  foun, 
;  thi&  w  of  111  i  hcban  Paiamaii 
r  bcxd  aod  ruggy  a^y  hcrci, 
I  hjikcy  y dropped  zilJ  with  terciy 
f  o^cr  of  wepicg  Emclie) 
':  of  4II  ths  compagnic. 


^■^. 


coble  and  i 
ikt  fibril 


V idle  I 
t  ihcfc  IU-ck4  grt.t  .uui  uiuU 
I  ioiky  of  which  ou  bare  hit  fhdidf 
fckts  f|)£rc  up  ia  hi» '  ! ; 

Irid4e  b&rc  vriLja  hw^  irkcU, 

■H  gold  uta^  die  <,^«uti»i 


im  ionh  ;i  |>^ 

-Xi|l  cfwrc 

lltllC   Vr-JVC.   4: 

.  r  here. 

[oot; 

were 

kr  ih 

Kacke  p;i^, 

; <d  Aiid  \y44^, 

Immu  the  c. 
^wt  wail  ^1  V 

maifttr  ilris^ 

ndcr  hU 

Inf  the  lame  is 

n'« 

, 

b  tiiat  oshet  Uc 

prSels  in  bi^  ^" 

«-"i 

lef  boay. 

vine  I 

OQ  wir  ^    _     ^ 

'  ikat  c^iic  wofui  iLm^Uc 
?  in  hond,  .-l*  wj>  that  tTqtr  the  giie^ 


.»v..^  ^»i^  -:*.».-  .traqghtj 
ighc*  were  fo  h;odct 
Ukd  miwiy  4  Wr. 
Jbcxw  ifi^  tire  was  mated  vp  «q  highte, 
kr  the  noraci  how  the  trees  hightc'i 
br  h,  afpe,  alder,  holm,  poplcre, 

|r,  is:,  alb,  bojLjChc^iltin,  Imd,  Jaurcre, 

Lcum,  beche,  hafci,  ew^  iiviii>pukK, 

ere  £cid,  fhai  not  be  toid  for  ipc  j 
llie  KQildei  rn/iQcn  up  ax^d  douii 
■  M  htr  habitaticmii, 

Cthc  -^  alle 

for  frPB  wh*a  the  wood  gan  fallej 
the  ground  Agaft  was  of  the  light, 
oot  wect  ta  fee  ilic  fonnc  bright ; 
the  fire  waa  couched  ftrft  with  ftrc, 
with  dric  ftiekei  dove n  a-tlire, 
wirh  grenc  wood  and  fpiccric, 
Itt  with  doih  of  gold  3^<i  with  pcrnct 


And  gcrbndj  bang^ing  with  fu)  tnanf  a  flour, 
TTit!  mirre,  the  enceqle  aifo  with  fwcte  odour; 
No  how  Arcita  liy  aroong  all  ihi», 
Ne  what  richeire  about  hii  body  jj ; 
Kc  how  that  Emiiie^  as  was  the  gife. 
Put  in  the  fire  of  funeral  fcrvice  ; 
Nc  how  Ihe  fwouned  whaji  ihe  made  the  fiq^ 
Nc  what  fhe  fpake,  ne  what  was  hifc  deilrc) 
Nc  what  jewclks  men  in  the  fire  caile. 
Whan  that  the  fire  was  grct  and  brente  fafte; 
Nc-  how  fom  call  hir  fhcld  and  foin  hir  fpcre^ 
And  of  hir  vellimentc*  which  ilicy  were^ 
And  cuppca  full  of  winc,  a»d  mlk,  and  bifMi4» 
Into  the  fire,  that  brent  a*  it  were  wood; 
Ne  how  the  Grekes  with  a  huge  route 
Thice  times  ridcn  all  the  Ere  aboute 
Upon  the  left  bond,  with  a  loud  £boutlag« 
And  thrics  with  hir  fpcrc»  datcring, 
And  thries  how  the  la^lici  gim  to  crie ; 
Ne  htnv'  that  led  was  homeward  Emdie  ; 
Ne  how  Ardtc  is  brent  to  aihen  cold; 
Ne  huw  the  lldiCrwake  •  wai  yhoid 
All  thiltc  night ;  nc  how  the  Grckci  play  ; 
The  waVc-pTaiei  ne  kepc  1  not  to  fay ; 
Who  wrelllcd  bed  naked,  with  oile  enoint, 
Ne  who  that  bare  him  befl  in  no  disjoint  i 
I  vvoll  not  tellen  eke  how  they  all  gon 
Home  til]  Athenei  whan  the  play  ii  don. 
But  fhortly  to  the  pfunt  now  wol  1  wende. 
And  maken  of  my  longc  Tale  an  cade. 

By  proccife  and  by  lei^gtbe  of  certain  yei^ 
All  (lenten  is  the  mourning  and  the  tcru 
Of  Grckcs  by  on  general  slfcnt ; 
Than  fcmeth  rae  thcr  ww  a  porlcniient 
At  Athene*  upon  certain  pointH  and  cai  5 
Amonges  the  which  points  yfpig>k<D  waa 
To  have  with  certain  contrce^  alliance. 
And  have  of  Thcbanes  fully  ohdfanee  : 
Fitr  whidi  thif  noble  Tbefrus  aaoa 
Lctfcndcn  after  gentd  Palamon. 
UnwitI  of  him  what  %v'a»  the  cayfc  and  why  ^ 
But  in  his  bbcfce  clotheE^  forwc fully 
He  came  at  his  commandment  on  hie  | 
Tho  fcntc  Thefeut  for  £  me  lie. 

Whin  they  were  fct,  and  hufbt  was  al  the  plac^ 
And  Thcfcus  abiUcn  hath  a  fpace, 
Or  any  word  came  from  his  wife  br^ft 
His  cyen  fet  he  ther  as  was  his  left, 
And  with  a  fad  vifagt:  he  fik<?d  fkill. 
And  after  that  righi  tlius^hc  fayd  hi«wilL 

The  firAc  Mover  of  thccaufe  iihovc, 
"Wlian  he  Jirilte  madt:  the  fayrc  chainc  of  Icure, 
Grct  was  tli'  dTcd,  and  high  wa&  hi§  entemj 
Wdl  wifl  he  why  and  what  thcrof  he  mentis 
For  with  that  f^yre  chaine  of  bve  he  bond 
The  fire,  the  air,  the  watr*",  and  the  loud. 
In  certain  bondcn,  that  they  may  not  flee  : 
That  tdmf  prince  ^d  Mover  ^\ui  (%iiod  he) 

•  Thecuflrin  orwaicliin^  vnWt  dead  bfMlle^  (fice,  Stv.) 
K  prob*blv  very  ancknt  In  lhi»  coufHrv.  Jt  wat  ahurcil, 
»<  nttxcr  w«kc^  and  vigtW  wci*-.  »cc  Dtt  Ci»fe  in  ¥,  IV- 
tsltdi.  "'  Jn  *il.|;lilJi»  circi  cnrimr*  fT'Oi  nigrum  vct«»irur 
**  chnrejie  ct  C4*itikn»e,  rcciitaro  liidi  ctaiji  turfe«  ctfi* 


THE    KNFGHTES    TALI. 


Hath  ftibUftit,  In  thi*  wretched  woHd  adotm, 

Ccrtiin  of  daycs  and  duration 

To  ail  that  arc  cng^endrcd  in  this  place, 

Over  the  which  day  they  nc  mow  fioi  pace, 

Al  mow  they  yet  the  dayci  well  abrcgc* 

Ther  ncdcthnon  autoritcc  allege, 

For  it  U  prcvcd  by  experience. 

But  that  mc  luft  dcclaren  my  fentence. 

Than  may  m^ii  by  thh  ordrc  wcl  difccme 

Th  It  ihilke  Mover  ftabJc  it  and  etcmc  ; 

Wei  may  men  knowen,  but  it  he  a  fool. 

That  every  part  derivcth  from  his  hool ; 

For  Nature  hath  not  taken  his  begioning 

Of  no  partte  nc  cantel  of  a  thing. 

But  of  a  thin^  that  parfit  ti  and  liable^ 

Dcfccnding  fo  til  it  be  comunpablc  ; 

And  therefore  of  hia  wife  purveyance 

He  hath  fo  wel  bcfet  his  ordinance. 

That  fpeccs  of  thin^i^ex  and  progrcHioiil 

Shullen  enduren  by  fuccefhons. 

And  not  etc  me,  wi  thou  ten  any  lie ; 

Thi«  maiefl  thou  nnderfland  and  fecn  at  eye, 

Lo  the  •ke,  that  hath  fo  long  a  norifhing 

Fro  the  time  that  it  ginnctb  firft  to  fprinjf, 

And  hath  To  long  a  lif,  m  ye  may  fee. 

Yet  at  the  lafle  wafted  is  the  tree 

Ccmfidercth  eke  how  that  the  hardc  (lone 

Under  our  feet,  on  which  wc  trcdc  and  gon, 

It  waflcth  a»  it  lieth  by  the  wey ; 

The  brodc  river  fometime  weieih  drey ; 

The  grctc  tounet  fee  wc  wane  and  wcndc  t 

Than  may  ye  fee  that  all  thing  hathc  an  code. 

Of  man  and  woman  fee  we  wcl  alfo. 

That  nedc*  in  on  of  the  termc*  two, 

Tha^t  is  to  fayn,  in  youihe  or  ellca  age. 

He  mote  h«  ded  the  king  as  fhall  a  page  ( 

Som  in  his  bed,  fom  in  the  depe  fee, 

Som  in  the  large  fcld,  ai  ye  may  fee  : 

Thcr  helpeth  nooght,  all  goth  that  like  wey ; 

Than  may  1  fayn  that  alle  thing  mote  dey. 

Whatt  maketh  this  but  Jupiter  the  King, 

The  which  is  prince  and  caufe  of  alle  thing, 

Converting  alle  unto  his  proprc  wille. 

From  which  it  is  derived,  foth  to  telle  i 

And  here^gaines  no  creature  on  live 

Of  CO  degree  avaiUcth  for  to  ftrivc. 

Than  is  ii  wifdom,  as  it  thinketh  me. 

To  makcn  vertue  of  occeffite, 

And  take  it  wel  that  we  may  not  cfcbewe. 

And  namely  that  to  u»  all  ti>  dcwe ; 

And  whofo  grutcheth  ought  he  doth  folic, 

And  fcbel  is  to  him  that    all  may  gie. 

And~cettatt]ly  a  man  hath  moft  honour 

To  dicn  in  his  excellrnce  and  flour. 

Whan  he  is  fikcr  of  hn  goode  name  \ 

TbtO  hath  he  don  his  fi^nd  ne  him  no  (hame  ; 

And  gladcr  ought  his  frcnd  ben  of  hisdcth, 

^ffhsm  with  bopour  ia  yoklcn  up  hit  brcib| 


I 


Than  whan  his  name  appalled  is  for  tge. 
For  all  f^r^'cttcn  i«  his  vaffalage  : 
"i  han  if*  it  bcft  as  for  a  worthy  fame, 
To  dein  whan  a  man  is  betl  of  name. 
The  contrary  of  all  this  is  wilfubicffc. 
Why  grutchcn  wc  ?  why  have  wc  hcvineCe, 
That  good  Arcitc,  of  chivalry  the  flo^r, 
Dcpiirtcd  is,  with  dutec  and  honour. 
Out  of  this  foulc  prifon  of  this  lif  ? 
Why  grutrhcn  here  his  cofm  and  his  wif 
Of  his  welfare,  that  loven  him  fo  wcl  f 
Cati  he  bcm  thank  f  nay,  God  wot,  never  a  del 
Thit  both  his  foulc  and  eke  hcmfelf  offend. 
And  yet  they  mow  her  luflres  not  amend. 
What  may  I  conclude  of  thisUongc  fcric, 
Bur  after  forwc  I  rede  us  to  be  merie, 
Atid  t^anken  Japitcr  of  all  his  grace; 
And  er  that  we  departen  Irom  this  place, 
I  rede  that  wc  make  of  forwes  two 
O  parti  t  joyc  laAing  evcrmo  : 
And  loketh  now  wher  moil  forwc  is  hereifla 
Thcr  wol  I  firflc  amen  den  and  begin. 

Sifler,  (quod  he)  this  is  my  full  affcnt. 
With  all  th'  avis  here  of  my  parlement, 
i  hat  gcRtil  Falsmon,  yoarowen  knigbe. 
That  fervcth  you  with  will,  and  herte,  and  i 
And  ever  hath  don  fin  you  Brfl  him  knew. 
That  ye  fhall  of  your  grace  upon  him  rcw. 
And  taken  him  for  hutbond  and  for  lord : 
Lene  mc  your  hand,  for  this  is  oure  accord* 

Let  fee  now  of  your  womanly  pitec  : 
He  is  i  kinges  brothers  fomc  par  dee  ; 
And  though  he  were  a  pourc  bachelerc. 
Sin  he  hath  fcrvcd  you  fo  many  a  ycrc. 
And  had  for  you  fo  grct  advcrfite. 
It  molle  hen  confidered,  levcth  me, 
For  gentil  mercy  oweth  lo  paffen  right* 

Than  fayd  he  thus  to  Palamon  the  ICnight ; 
I  trow  ther  nedcth  Utcl  fermoning 
To  makcn  you  aJTcnten  to  this  thing* 
Cumeih  ncr,  and  take  your  lady  by  the  hond« 

Betwixen  hem  was  makcd  anon  the  bond 
That  highic  Matrimoine  or  Marbge, 
By  all  the  confcil  of  the  baronage ;  -- 

And  thuf  with  allc  Miffc  and  melodic  ■ 

Halh  Palamon  ywcddcd  Emelie  ;  m 

And  God,  that  all  this  wide  world  hath  wrougin 
Send  him  bis  love  that  hath  it  dere  ybought. 
Far  now  is  Palamon  in  alle  wele. 
Living  in  bU0e,  in  richelTe,  and  in  hcle. 
And  Emilie  him  lovcth  fo  tcndrely, 
And  he  hire  fervcth  all  fo  gentilly. 
That  never  was  ther  no  word  hem  bctwcDQ 
Of  jaloufic,  nc  of  non  other  tene. 

Thus  cndeth  Palamon  and  Emelie, 
And  God  lave  all  this  hjr^  compagnie. 


1 


I 


THE  MILLERES  PROLOGUE. 


'Waal  ifczt  the  Knight  bad  thtii  bii  Tale  told« 
1ft  dl  the  compogsic  n*at  ther  young  nc  old 
Tki£  he  «e  laid  it  was  a  noble  lloric, 
^^kad  VOTtlty  to  be  drawen  to  memortc, 
Aad  aafeciy  the  gcrmilcs  cvcriich  on, 
0»  HoAe  ioucli  and  fwort,  So  mou  1  goo 
thi  goUk  ari^t ;  unbokcl<;d  u  the  male ; 
Let  kc  new  who  flull  ul  another  T«Je» 
f«r  trcvcJy  tltS9  game  ii  wel  begociiic  : 
Hhv  tdkth  yc  lire  Monk,  if  that  yc  conne, 
lliiM  pliii  to  qvitm  with  the  Koi^htcft  TaU. 
•  Tkr  MiUex,  tJui  (or-dronken  wa&  jJlpalc, 
iotiai  itsikcthet  upon  hU  hon  he  lac. 
Be  tt  okd  svilcn  neither  hood  ne  hat, 

^|k  almlcsi  no  m«ci  fur  hli  curtcfie, 

■hi  IB  Piktcs  vo)«  he  gan  to  eric, 

Vdlftdfircire  by  amies,  and  by  blood|  and  bones, 

F  t  OB  •  noble  1  ale  for  the  noac», 

I    WjA  which  I  wiU  now  quite  the  Kntghtct  Talc, 

f       Our  Hode  faw  that  he  wa«  dronkcn  of  ale, 
Afidftyd,  abide,  Robin,  my  Icve  brother, 
betacr  man  ihaiJ  tcU  u*  firft  another  ; 
id  let  Uft  werken  thriftily. 
Bf  Goddiet  Ibule  (quod  he)  that  wot  not  I, 
f«f  I  mtl  fpekr,  or  elks  go  my  way. 

I       Ok  |ioltc  afifwertd.  Tell  on  a  devil  way ; 

K  IOns  art  a  fool ;  thy  wit  ia  overcome. 

^w      Hmt  berkcfieth^  quod  the  Miller,  all  and  fome 

f    Mm  M  1  make  a  protcftatioan 

I     73m  I  ana  drcmke,  I  know  it  by  nty  foun, 

I     Aid  therefore  if  that  I  milTpcke  or  fay 

I     Woe  it  the  aic  of  Souihwcrk  1  you  pray  i 

f      fv  1  wotl  tcU  a  legend  and  a  lif 
Maih  of  s  carpenter  and  his  wif, 

I     B»w  tint  a  derk  has  fct  the  wrightcs  cappe. 

H     The  Rrve  anfwerd  and  faidc,  Stint  thy  dappc 

H  la  be  thy  lewed  dronken  harlotrie. 

'       jk  Ji  »  lifiDtf  and  eke  a  gret  fohe 

To  i^cireo  any  man,  or  htm  defame, 

'  ckc  U  briPgco  wiTca  m  fwidic  »  aamc  $ 


Thou  mayft  ynough  of  other  thingr^  fain* 

This  drunken  Miller  fpakc  ful  fonc  again. 
And  fayde,  Levc  brother  Ofewold, 
Who  hath  no  wit  he  is  no  cokewoid ; 
But  I  lay  not  therefore  that  thou  art  on  ; 
Ther  ben  ful  goode  wives  many  on*. 
Why  art  thou  angry  with  my  Tale  now  ? 
t  tiavc  a  wif  parde  a&  wcl  as  thou, 
Yet  n*oldc  1  for  the  oaen  in  my  plough 
'1  akcn  upon  me  more  than  ynough 
As  dcmtn  of  myfelf  that  I  am  on  ; 
I  wol  beLcveu  wel  that  I  am  non. 
An  hufbond  fhuld  not  be  inquifitif 
Of  Goddrs  privite  nc  of  his  wif : 
So  he  may  linden  Goddcs  foifon  there 
Of  the  rrmcnant  ncdcth  not  to  enqucre. 

What  fliuld  1  more  fay,  but  this  Miller* 
He  n'oldc  his  wordes  for  no  man  forbcre^ 
But  told  his  chcrles  Talc  in  his  mniiere, 
Mc  thinkcth  that  1  (hal  rcherfe  it  here  ; 
j\nd  therefore  every  gentil  wight  I  pray. 
For  GoddcH  love,  as  deme  not  that  I  fny 
Of  evil  enteot,  but  that  1  mote  rehcrfe 
Hir  Taks  alle,  al  be  they  better  or  werfe. 
Or  cllcs  fatfcn  fom  of  my  materc  ; 
And  therefore  who  fo  liil  it  not  to  hrrc 
Tumc  over  the  Icef,  and  diefe  another  Tale, 
For  he  Ihal  find  ynow  bothe  grete  and  fmak. 
Of  ftorial  thing  that  touchcth  gcntiUcfl'c, 
And  eke  moralite  and  holineflc. 
Blaracth  not  mc  if  that  ycchcfcamis; 
The  Miller  is  a  cherl,  yc  know  well  this, 
So  was  the  Rcve,  (and  many  other  mo) 
Ai)d  hartotrie  they  toldcn  bothc  two. 
Avjieth  you  now,  and  put  me  out  of  blame ; 
And  ckc  men  Ihuld  not  make  ernefl  of  game. 

♦  After  this  vcrfc  the  twci  (<Mctviia%  »rc  fnuod  In  fo  mt> 
ny  mfT.  thai  perhapt  (hey  uugbt  to  have  beca  interted  i\ 
the  text 

And  ever  i  ihauf^nd  Knod  acetnt  on  baildc. 
ThMi  ksowett  tbuu  wd  but  If  ibuu  b^  uaawle* 


THE    MII.LERES    TALC. 


THE  MILLERES  TALE*. 


I 


▼Vmilom  thcr  wai  dwnclling  in  Oxcnfordc 
A  riche  gnof,  that  ifcftcs  helde  uj  bordc. 
And  of  hii  cnft  he  was  a  carpenter. 
With  him  thcr  was  dwelling  a  poor  fcolcTp 
Hud  terned  art,  but  all  )U9  fantalie 
Wa*  turned  for  to  tcmc  aJlrologi>, 
And  coude  a  certain  of  concluHoni 
To  dcmen  by  interrogation&» 
If  tliat  m^  ijkcd  him  in  certain  kram 
Whao  ^tit  men  fliuldc  have    drought   ttr  dies 
Or  if  men  a&Qd  him  what  Ihdde  falle    [Biouivj ; 
Of  every  thtng,  J  nu^  not  rcken  alic 

This  dtrk  wn*  clepcd  Heady  NicboUi; 
Of  dcrnc  love  hecoude  tndof  folaa; 
And  thcitohc  wsa  flic  and  fd  pnvc. 
And  like  a  maid  en  mthe  iof  to  &, 
A  chambrc  hiMl  he  tn  that  hoftek ic 
Alone,  withouteaaoy  campsgoie, 
FuJ  fctiHy  ydight  with  herbc*  fiite» 
And  he  himLIf  wm  fvirctc  a»  is  the  Tots^ 
Of  licoris,  or  aoy  fetcwale. 
His  ahnagclle,  and  bokft  gm  ind  froak , 
Hltadrelabrr^  kiigiog  for  Kit  art, 
Hii  Mgritii  ftoaeaf,  layta  fainc  apart 
On  fhrj«ei  couched  at  hit  bedik^i  htd» 
Hii  preffc  y covered  with  a  fa]din|r  red  5 
And  all  above  t;xr  lay  a  gay  fantric^ 
On  which  he  made  on  nlghte*  nricJodie 
So  fweicly,  that  all  the  cham  W  nag^ 
And  AftgfJtu  ad  yiijmtm  he  f«ig; 
And  after  that  he  Cang  tlir  kingu  pote  ; 
Fill  often  bleifcd  wa*  hii  mcry  throte. 
And  thiii  ihji  fweic  dcrk  hi%  time  fpcnt 
After  h»  frendtrt  finding  and  hi»  rent. 

Tbii  carpectirr  ku)  wedded  new  m  wif 
Which  that  he  luvcd  more  than  hli  lif : 
Ot  cj^hrcnc  ycrc  flic  was  I  gclle  of  age. 
Jalou*  he  »^4,  aiid  held  hire  narwe  in  ca^^ 
J'or  flic  was  wild  and  yongc^  and  he  wa$  old. 
And  cicrued  hinifcU  bclikv  a  cokewolu. 
He  know  fioi  Caion,  for  iiin  wit  wa«  rude, 
*i'hat  bade  a.  man  Ihuddc  wcdde  his  finulitude^ 
M-n  ikMm  ipodiiea  %hct  bir  efbte. 
For  yflutbr  U^  elde  ia  often  at  debiite  ( 
But  iithca  he  wajs  f.ilkn  in  the  foarc 
He  inoil  eadujrc  (as  other  folk)  hb  care, 

Fayre  was  this  yonguc  wif,  and  therwithal 
Ai  any  wcfcl  hire  body  gent  and  imal, 
A  leiiN  Ai«  wcred,  b«iTcd  all  of  filk, 
A  bMmc-cloth  eke  it  white  at  morwc  milk 

•  Nicholas  a  fcholir  nr  Offord,  pnaffHh  wUh  Allfon, 

the  flifj^cTiTcr**  wtff  rif  fifViev,  %.  .ltf«e»*c  her  hufband,  tiuc 
J"  V-    TM%  l<  o»>c  of  thcife  j 

*'  ue  to  The  Story  of  ttic 

(,  comjufiyr. 
«*»  '«'  -re  tv*  cxped;  rcid  or  ' 

f  Ai-fi       ,, .  ^  .   ,        ..  ^ritbm^  the  ArabHtn  term 

fw  ouii^crjUi4i^    JL*>trim  jivnr*  ihcf  cfore  wtre  l^lc  (icMttc* 
•r  counter*  wlucli  v»«rc  anckmly  urea  in  QuateratAHii      \ 


Upon  hire  Icndc*,  ful  of  many  a  gore  j 

White  wa»  hire  fmok,  and  broudcd  ail  bcibctt 

And  eke  behind  on  hire  colere  aboutc 

Of  cole-l}lack  illk  within  and  eke  withoute  t 

The  tapci  of  hire  white  volupcre 

Were  of  the  fame  iiiit  of  hire  coIcre  ; 

Hire  filki  brodc  of  fdk,  and  ftt  full  hye  ; 

And  jikcrty  flic  had  a  likeroui  eye  ; 

Fill  fmal  ypullcd  were  hire  browe»  two» 

And  they  were  beot,  and  black  ai  any  do  I 

She  was  wel  more  blifaliil  for  to  £se 

Than  i*  the  ncwe  pcrien^rte  tree. 

And  foftcr  than  the  wwjUe  ii  of  a  wtih«r. 

And  by  hire  girdcl  hmg  a  purfe  of  lafhcib 
TalTrlcd  with  filk  and  perled  with  latoun. 
in  all  thitwoTld  to  fekcn  up  and  doun 
Thcr  Q*it  00  man  fo  wife  that  coude  thentbt 
So  gay  a  popdoi  or  fwiche  a  wen  eke. 
Ful  brighter  was  the  JUining  of  hire  hewe 
Than  in  the  Tour  the  uoblc  yforged  aew«  | 
But  of  hire  fong»  it  wai  a^  loud  and  yvTM 
As  any  fwslow  fitting  on  a  heme, 
1  hereto  flie  GOiide  flcip  and  nidkc  a  gome 
As  any  kid  or  calf  folowing  hitdume. 
Hire  mouth  W3«  fwete  a«  hraket  or  the  m«tli« 
Or  kord  of  applet  laid  in  hay  or  heth* 
Winftng  the  wa»  at  is  a  |of  y  colt. 
Long  a«  a  mail,  tad  upright  as  a  boll. 
A  bro^he  flie  bare  upon  hire  low  colerv^ 
A*  brode  as  i«  the  bojTe  of  a  bokelerv. 
Hare  ihoon  were  laced  on  hire  legg«a  |de£ 
3he  was  a  prinaerolej  a  piggefnie, 
For  aoy  lord  to  liggen  in  hi«  bedde, 
Or  yet  for  any  good  ycnien  to  wedd«« 

Now  ftre,  and  id[t  Cire,  fo  befell  the  eai^ 
That  on  a  day  this  Htndy  Nicholaa 
Fol  with  this  yooge  wif  to  rage  aad  plcfr^ 
Whik  that  hire  hufbond  was  at  Ofeney^  ' 

A)  clcrkes  ben  ful  fubtil  and,  ful  queint^ 
And  privcJy  he  caught  hire  by  the  t^tietnt^ 
And  laydc,  Ywis  but  if  I  have  my  will 
Fvr  dcrnc  love  of  thee,  lemman^  I  fpLU ; 
And  hcldc  hire  fafte  by  the  hanche  bunci. 
And  Aiyde,  Lemman,  love  me  wej  at  onc«^ 
Or  I  wol  dien,  al  fo  God  toe  lave. 

And  flic  fprong  as  a  colt  doth  in  tile  era^ne 
And  with  hire  hcd  ihe  writhed  faftc  away^ 
And  fayde,  I  wol  not  kiffe  ihee  by  my  fay* 
Why»  let  be,  (<|Uod  flie)  let  be,  Kicbohw, 
Or  1  wol  eric  out  Harow  and  Alas  \ 
Do  way  your  hondc$  for  your  curteiie. 
This  Nicholat  gan  mercy  for  to  criev 
And  fpake  io  fairc,  and  prefer cd  him  fo  fail, 
That  the  hire  love  him  granted  at  the  laik. 
And  fwore  hire  oth  by  Scint  Thomas  of  Kcotf 
That  flie  wold  ben  at  hii  commandcfoexit 
Whaji  that  flie  may  hire  Icifcr  we  I  efpic. 
Myn  hufbood  i|  is  fo  ful  of  jaloufi^ 


tf  jt  wtfftfi  wd  afid  be  pi  ve 
^f  r  w«l  1  n^Afn  btii  ded,  <|Uod  /he; 
fuul  dcrtie  2*  in  ihi»  cbm. 
rare  jou  not,  qocKl  NkbvUi  ; 
ki  n  trtbrrlj  bcfct  his  whik 
m  cai^eotci  hef  »lc. 

I  li  forne. 

iMddeiL  ;  dcK 

sbotit  the  IcHfkil  wcl, 
d  Ittrc  tmciCt  KOd  uketH  hi«  rautrie. 
Ml  fmtkt  iLO^l  m^kcth  rot^l^die. 
fdt  &&  Uiu»^  tb9t  to  thepiirKYt  clicrche 
^a^^ntetk  mrcrkc*  for  to  wcrclic) 
hd:  wlf  itfent    upon  a  t^cty  day  ; 
1    .-.,  .    ..  K..   i.r  a*  ally  dajr, 

i  Sc  hire  wcrk. 
rc*h«  a  fi^riA  ckrk 

>  hrcfe*  «Ad  X4  the  g:o1d  it  fhon, 
«•  »  isftJM  Urge  and  br ode  ; 

KaMd  even  Uif  hit  joiy  (hode  : 

wiilditiyn  carvcn  on  hk  jhoos  i 
bs  wenc  fill  fciiHy  r 
tt  wmm  M  IbmI  and  proiirety 
II  yttti  «f  a  kifftu  waget  *  ; 

'  ttmkf  hen  the  polnte*  Pec ; 

he  had  a  jf»y  furplife, 
is  th<  blolme  upon  the  rife. 
chftUc  ht  w»iT  to  God  me  d-ve ; 
Im  krteo  bbdp  Slid  clippc  and  fhsf  e, 
a  chartrc  of  tockl  and  a  (^tiiunee  : 
<0id  he  trip  lud  dtm^e, 
of  Ctenfei^  th«) 
i§  caAea  m  «nd  fro ; 
«•  a  fiOk)  rihiMe ; 

a  loud  qutnibic  : 
he  pUf  on  a  f  itcftic  : 
at  hrc^^hnuA  rve  uveme 

f  illerewaa; 

ic  MJL4  lomdcl  fqti&rmitt» 
«l  fpeche  dangerous. 
JMI  joly  wzt  aiid  gfty» 
i  ii«  ti«  holy  dJiy, 
of  tfn  puifn  fafte, 
a  lowly  toll*  he  «»  hem  caHe, 
ci*pettlcfeti*if; 
ton  thonght  a  mery  lif ; 

fv»etc,  and  Vikcfouf, 
it  ih«  had  keen  a  snoxa 
bo  tvotde  htre  hcnt^  anun, 
clerk,  chit  joly  Abfolttn, 
liorU  fwkhe  a  Ioyc  lon^in^, 
wif  M>hf  hr  —    '^— '  • 
befiiyd, 
at  ni^'  .    righte  (boo. 


_         .ki»#«ff  ei|»htri«  ttfatchet  t9 


4 


And  forth  he  goth  jolif  and  amorout, 
TiJ  he  came  to  the  carpeuttfre*  hoas, 
A  Utel  after  the  cockcs  had  ycrow, 
And  dreffcd  him  up  by  a  fhot  window 
That  wafc  irpon  th**  carprntcrc*  TivaL 
He  fiDgeth  in  his  to*  gcntil  and  fmiil. 
Now,  derc  Lady— if  thy  wiilc  he, 
1  pray  you  that  ye — wd  rewc  on  mtf  i 
Ful  wcl  accordant  to  his  gieerniog. 

Thif  carpenter  awoke,  herd  hin^  fing. 
And  fpakc  unto  hii  wif,  and  faid  jktion^ 
What,  Alifon  f  hcrcs  thou  not  Abfuloft, 
That  chantcth  thos  under  mir  Wjrcj  waff 
And  fhc  anfwtrd  bipe  hufbund  therwlthnl, 
Yci,  Cod  wot,  jnhni  I  htrc  blm  cvcrj  tM. 

This  palTeth  f<-rth  ;  what  v  ol  yc  bet  Uian  wc|| 
Fro  day  today  this  joly  Abfoloit 
So  lirveth  hire  that  him  is  w6-hegoi]  : 
He  \f»akcth  sl]  tlic  night,  and  aJl  the  day 
He  kembcth  hit  loekes  brodc,  and  made  him  Dfl 
He  wocth  hire  by  inenes  and  brocage. 
And  fworc  he  woMe  he  a  hire  o«^rn  page  : 
He  finjfcth  bfnkkinjr  ^ 

He  kilt  htr  prnnet,  i  :  ale. 

And  wafrcs  piping  hot  uui  ui    um   •^ntlc  ; 
And  lor  i!he  was  of  toun  be  proftrcd  mc  Jc  j         ab 

For  fom  folk  \ro!  be  wonncu  for  t->  i    <f. 
And  fom  for  flrokec,  and  fi>me  v  iTe, 

Sometime  to  Jhew  his  hghtn*  •  llric 

He  pblcth  Herode  on  a  flcaifuld  hie. 

But  what  avaittth  him  as  in  this  caaf 

Sw  love  I  h  fhc  thin  Hendy  NIchob*, 

That  Abfolon  may  blow  the  bucket  horiK  ; 

Ht  nc  had  for  his  labotir  but  a  fcornc  : 

And  thu»  ftic  make th  Abfolon  hire  ape. 

And  all  hii  crneft  tourneth  to  a  jape. 

1  ul  foih  is.  fhtfi  provtrbc,  ii  is  iio  lie  ; 

Men  fay  right  th»«  alway.  The  ncighc  file 
^aketh  *f  time  the  fer  lecf  to  be  lothe  ; 

For  though  ih^t  Abfolon  be  wood  or  wrothc^ 

Becaufc  that  he  fer  was  from  hlie  fight, 

Tliis  ncighc  Nicholas  Aood  in  hji  light. 

Now  bfTL  thee  i»er,  thou  Hcndy  Nicholaf, 

For  Abfolon  may  waile  and  flng  utts. 
And  fo  bcTcU  that  on  a  Saturday 

T I  lis  carpenter  uasgon  tu  OfccQy^ 

And  HLndy  Nichnb*  and  AlIfoA 

Accorded  ben  to  this  coRcIuCun, 

That  NicholuA  ft^l  (hapeu  him  a  wih: 

riiis  fely  jftl6u«  huibond  to  Scgik  ; 

Ajid  if  fo  were  the  giamc  went  iirighc 

She  ftiuld  flepc  in  his  armes  allc  nighty 

For  thi*  -was  hire  dcfirc  and  hii  alfo. 

And  f?^t  anon,  withouten  worde^  rao^ 

Tlii*  NiclMjlat  no  lengcr  wold  taric^ 

But  doth  ful  ffift  unto  hi»  cbanibre  caric 

Both  mete  anddrinke  for  a  day  or  twcy. 
And  to  Lire  huibond  bcid)u;r  for  to  Stj^ 

If  thaE  he  axed  after  Nichok* 

She  Ihulde  fuy  fhc  n'iile  not  wher  he  was; 

Of  all  the  day  Hie  law  htm  not  widi  eye  ; 

She  tr6wed  he  wai  in  fom  tnaladiet 

For  for  no  eric  hire  maiden  coud  him  catle^ 

He  n'oldc  anfwer  for  nothing  ibut  might  faEe. 
Thui  pailcth  forth  all  thiikc  Saturday^ 


|H> 


rnn    MILLER  E3    TArL^; 


And  etc,  anci  flept,  incf  dide  what  him  Uft, 

Til  Sonday  thdt  the  fonoe  gothc  to  reil. 
This  Tcly  carpenter  hath  gret  mcrvailc 
Of  Nicholas^  or  what  thing  might  him  aile, 

And  fdid,  1  am  adrad  hy  5cmt  I'homu 
It  ftondcth  not  aright  with  Nicholas; 
Cod  fliildc  tliat  ht:  died  fodetily  ; 
Tliis  world  is  now  (a\  tikcl  fikcrly  : 
I  faw  to-day  a  corps  ybomc  to  chcrchc 
That  now  on  Monday  lafl  I  faw  him  wcnchc. 

Go  up  (quod  he  unto  his  knave)  anon, 
Clcpc  at  hia  dorc»  or  knockc  with  a  Hon  ; 
Lokc  how  it  is,  and  telle  mc  boldcly. 

Thii  knave  got  him  up  ful  fturdcly, 
And  at  the  chamhre  dure  while' that  he  flood 
He  cried  and  knocked  a»  thzt  he  were  wood ; 
What  ?  how  ?  what  do  ye,  MailUr  NichoUy  ? 
How  may  ye  flcpcn  all  the  \ongc  day  I 
But  all  lor  nought,  he  hcrde  not  a  word. 
An  hole  he  fond  ful  low  upon  the  bord, 
Thcr  M  the  cat  wa*  wont  in  for  to  crepe, 
And  at  that  hole  he  loked  in  ful  dcpc, 
And  at  the  lad  he  had  of  hLm  a  dght. 

This  Nicholas  fat  ever  gaping  upright^ 
Ai  he  had  kykcd  on  the  ncwe  mone. 

Adoun  he  goth,  and  tclkth  hib  maifier  fotlft 
In  what  array  he  taw  thia  ilkc  man. 

Ttu»  carpcntrf  to  blilTeo  him  began. 
And  faid.  Now  helpe  u»  Seintc  Fridcfwidct 
A  man  wotc  litcl  what  fhal  him  betide. 
This  man  is  fallen  with  his  allronomic 
In  fom  woodnefTc  or  in  Com  agonte, 
1  thought  ay  wcl  how  that  it  IhulJc  be ; 
Men  fllulde  not  knowe  of  Goddc*  privetcc* 
Ya.bleffcd  be  alway  a  Icwcd  man. 
That  nought  but  only  his  bcleTe  can, 

I  fto  ferd  another  clerk  with  aftronomic  ; 

t  He  walked  in  the  fclde«  for  to  prie 
Upon  the  fterres,  what  ther  (huld  befaUCf 
Til  he  was  in  a  marlqiit  yfallc« 
He  few  not  that.  But  yet  hy  Seint  Thomas 

\  We  rcwcth  fore  of  Hcndy  Nicholas : 

'  H."  thai  be  rated  of  hi*  fludying. 
If  that!  may,  by  Jcfu*,  hevcn  king. 

Get  me  a  flafT,  that  1  may  undcrCpore 
While  that  thou,  Robin,  hevefl  of  the  dorc  : 
He  ihal  out  of  his  (ludying  as  1  gefTr. 
And  to  (be  chambre  dore  he  gan  him  drclTc, 
Hi&  knave  was  a  ftrong  carl  for  thu  none*, 
And  by  the  hafpe  he  haf  it  of  at  ones ; 
Into  the  florc  the  dore  fell  anon. 

This  Nicholas  fat  ay  a»  (lillc  as  Hon, 
And  ever  he  gaped  upward  into  the  eirc* 
Thi*  carpenter  wond  he  were  in  defpcirc, 

ijknd  hcnt  him  by  the  ihuldcr^  mightily, 

I  And  Qioke  him  hard,  and  cried  fpituuHy ; 

I  What,  Nicholas  ?  what,  how  man  ?  loke  adoun  ; 

1  Awake,  and  thinkc  on  Criftes  paflioun. 
I  crouche  thee  from  elves  and  from  wightei. 

i  Therwith  the  oightfpd  faid  he  anon  rightcs 
On  foure  halves    '  -'     ^     ;    iboutc 
And  on  the  thr  dorc  withouKc  • 

TcfuCnttand  S.:  -  ^  ..-  i.^^ht 

I  WiiTc  Uu>  botuir^mi  cY^ry  wicked  wight, 


Frr»  the  rightcs  marc,  the  wlte  Pltef-ilo 
Wh^r  woned  ihou  Seint  Peter*  fuflcr  ? 

And  at  the  lad  this  Hcndy  Nicholas 
Can  for  to  Gken  fore,  and  faid,  alas  t 
Shal  all  the  world  be  lod  cftfone*  now  P 

This  carpenter  aafwcred,  What  faieft  i 
What  ?  cjtinkc  on  Ood.as  wc  do,  men  tbalf 

This  Nicholas  anfwercd,  Fetch  mc  a  < 
And  after  wol  I  fpekc  in  privetcc 
Of  certain  thing  that  touchcth  thee  and  in4i 
I  wol  tell  it  non  other  man  certain. 

This  carpenter  goth  doun  and  cDti 
And  brought  of  mighty  ale  a  lar^c  c 
And  whan  that  cche  of  hem  had  droU 
lliis  Nicholas  his  dare  fafle  ihettc. 

And  doun  the  carpenter  hy  him  he  fd   

And  faide,  Julin,  min  hodc  lefc  and  dcre^ 
Thou  fhak  upon  thy  trouthe  fwcrc  mc  he 
That  to  no  wight  thou  ihalt  my  counfcil  i 
For  it  is  Cride&  counlcil  that  I  fay, 
And  if  thou  tell  it  man  thou  art  forlorr; 
For  this  vcngeatice  thou  Ihalt  have  thcrfof^ 
That  if  thou  wrcye  mc  thou  flialt  be  ^ 

Nay,  Crift  forbcdc  it  fgr  hi*  holy  blotidtij 
Quod  tho  thii»  fcly  man  :  1  am  no  lahbe^ 
No  though  1  fay  it  I  n*am  not  Icfc  to  frab' 
Say  what  thou  wolt,  I  (hall  it  never  telle 
To  child  ne  wif,  by  him  that  harwcd  hellc. 

Now,  John,  (quod  Nicholas)  I  wol  not  T 
1  have  yfourde  in  min  aUroIogic, 
Ai  I  have  lokedin  the  moone  bright. 
That  now  on  Monday  n est,  at  quarter  tag 
Shal  fal  a  rain,  and  that  fo  wild  and  y 
That  half  fo  grct  wos  never  Noes  flood  : 
Thi>»  world  (he  faid)  in  Icffc  than  in  an  I 
Sh;il  all  be  drcint,  fo  hidous  is  the  Ihoure  ;  i 
Thufr  dial  manktnde  drcnche  and  lefe  hir  I 

This  cafpenter  anfwerd,  Alas  my  "wif  * 
And  dial  flie  drcnche  ?  ala*  min  Alifoun  I 
For  forwe  of  this  he  fell  almod  adoun. 
And  faid,  Is  ther  no  remedy  in  this  cas  f 

Why  yes,  for  God,  quod  Hendy  Nich 
tf  thou  wolt  wcrkcn  after  lore  and  rcde« 
Thou  maid  not  werken  after  thin  owtn  1 
For  thus  faith  Salomon,  that  was  ful  tr 
Werke  all  by  confcil,  and  thou  fhalt  not  i 
And  if  tliou  werken  wolt  by  good  confcil 
I  undertake,  withouten  mad  or  feyl. 
Yet  Ihall  1  Civen  hire,  and  thee  and  mc 
Haft  thow  not  herd  how  favcd  was  Noe, 
Wlxan  that  our  Lord  had  warned  him  I 
That  all  the  world  with  water  diuld  1 

Ve»,  (quod  thi&  carpenter)  fut  yore  I 

Had  thou  not  herd  (quod  Nicholas)] 
The  forwe  of  Noe  with  hi*  feUwdiip, 
Or  that  he  might  get  hi*  wif  to  fliip  ? 
Him  had  be  lever,  1  dare  wcl  undertake. 
At  thilkc  time,  than  all  hi»  w  ethers  Make, 
That  fhc  had  had  a  dvip  hire  fclf  alonr  | 
And  therfore  wod  thou  what  is  bed  to  doocf 
Thii^  axcth  had,  and  of  an  hadif  thing 
Men  may  not  preche  and  maken  tarying* 
Anou  jfo  get  us  fad  into  thi*  in 
A  kncdin^  trough  or  ellcf  a  kcmeljti 


THE    M  1  L  L  E  R  E  8    T  A  h  f^ 


fee  oi  ui ;  bot  loltjt  thit  they  ben  Urg^e, 
ich  wc  nnj'.vc  u  L"-4'immc  a*  ill  a  barge  i 
Ift'fc  tkcrifii  vituUt  ruiHfiUit 
pr  »  day  ;  he  on  the  remcnaat ; 
Wwtcf  IhalL  all^e  aod  gon  away 
Ieh  prane  upon  the  nettc  day. 
^afaiin  may  oot  wetc  af  thU  thy  knave, 
|ft  thy  maydcn  QiUc  I  may  not  fave  £ 
f0t  why ;  for  though  thnu  aae  me^ 
fPoctfUen  Goddcs  privctcc 
^  thrc,  but  if  thy  wittes  madde, 
^  m§  grei  a  grace  at  Hoe  hadde. 
|tf  Aal  I  wcl  Taven  out  of  douti:. 
m  tkf  wmy,  and  fpcdc  tbcc  hereabouts* 
l-wAixa  thou  haft  for  hire,  and  thee,  and  me» 
pi  m  thefc  kncding  tubbed  thre, 
I  ftiit  thou  hang  hem  jn  the  roofe  ful  hie, 
IAD  Bua  of  our  ptirvcya;nce  efpie : 
^pfaut  thou  hafl  don  thiu  a»  I  have  faid. 
Ml  our  Titaille  faire  in  hem  ylaid, 
ike  \a  axe  to  fmitc  the  cord  a-two 
^  ehac  the  water  comcth,  that  we  may  go 
hr^e  an  hole  on  high  upon  the  gable 
tlicgardin  ward,  ov<rr  the  (lahlr, 
«rr  may  frely  pafTcn  forth  our  way, 
I  that  the  grete  fhoure  i&  gon  away^ 
f  fhal  thou  fwim  as  mcry,  I  undcrtaket 
ich  the  white  dokc  after  hire  drake  ^ 
\  wol  I  clepe»  How,  AlUbe !  how,  John ! 
ery,  for  the  flood  wol  palTc  anon. 
mum  wolt  fain,  Haile  !  MaiOcr  Nicholay. 
Inuirwe !  I  fce  thee  wt I,  for  it  k  day, 
fhall  we  be  lordea  all  our  U£ 
the  worhi,  aitNoe  and  ht«  wiL 
o  thing  I  warne  thee  ful  rights 
tCed  on  that  ilkc  nighCf 
\m€  ben  cntrcd  into  (hippes  bord, 
tsC  ui  ne  fpckc  not  o  word^ 
lie  eric,  but  be  in  hi  a  praiere, 
li  Godi^  owen  heflc  dere. 
wif  and  thou  mode  hangco  fcr  a-tWiDDC, 
bctwtxcn  you  flial  be  no  Unne, 
t  in  loking  than  ther  fball  in  dede. 
ce  i»  faid ;  go,  God  thee  fpcde. 
f  ni,.hf  whan  men  ben  all  aflcpc^ 
V  'l>cs  wol  we  crepe, 

(tier  '^mg  Goddt*i  grace. 

thj  way,  I  have  no  lengcr  fpace 
t  *k  this  no  Icnger  fermoning  : 
thut.  Send  the  wife,  and  f^y  nothing  : 
i  art  io  wife  it  nedeth  thee  nought  tcche. 
c  our  live*,  and  that  t  thee  bcfeche, 
lely  carpenter  goth  forth  hii  way, 
^  fa«  laid  All* !  tod  WaU  wa ! 
to  Kitwif  he  totd  hi*  privatee, 
I  Ihe  was  ware,  and  knew  it  bet  than  he 
It  all  thit  queinte  cafl  wa>  for  to  fey  ; 
ligiathele  •  Jhc  fcrde  ad  (he  woid  dey, 
Ifrid,  Ak«1  p*  forth  thy  way  anon; 
ir  IB  to  fcapc,  or  we  be  dcd  eche  on  : 
I  thy  trrwe  ferny  wedded  wif ; 
ijdere  ^ufe  ^  and  hclpe  to  fave  onr  lifl 
-^  *haf  a  gret  thing  i«  affcdiou  J 
mrf  die  fi^  iina|;ix;*|io£i. 


So  depc  may  impreffion  be  tat** 

Thi»  fely  carpenter  begin neth  quake; 

Him  thinkcth  veraily  that  he  may  fee 

Noes  flood  comen  walwing  ai  the  fee 

To  drcnchcn  Alifon,  hi*  honey  derc  : 

He  wepeth,  waileth,  maketh  fory  ohere  f 

He  fiketh,  with  ^1  many  a  fory  fwough» 

He  goth  and  geteth  him  a  kncding  trough^ 

And  after  a  tubbe  and  a  kcmelin, 

And  privcly  he  fent  hem  to  his  in, 

And  hcng  hem  in  the  roof  in  privetec. 

His  owcn  bond  than  madt!  he  ladders  three f. 

To  climben  by  the  renge^  and  the  fblkes 

Unto  the  tubbci  honging  in  the  bafkfii; 

And  hem  vitailled,  kcmclin,  trough,  and  tubbc,^^ 

With  bred  and  chcfc,  and  good  ale  in  ajubbe. 

Sufficing  right  ynow  as  for  a  day. 

But  er  that  he  had  made  all  this  array 
He  fcnt  hi«  knave,  and  eke  his  wcnchc  alfo. 
Upon  his  nede  to  London  for  to  go. 
And  on  the  Monday,  whan  it  drew  to  night. 
He  fhettc  hiidore,  withoutcn  candel  light. 
And  drefTcd  all  thing  as  it  ihuldc  bee ; 
And  Ihortly  up  they  clombcn  alle  three. 
They  fittcn  ilillc  wcl  a  furlong  way. 
Now,  pMer-nofler,  Clum,  faid  Nicholay, 
And  Clumf  quod  John,  and  Clum,  faid  Aliibn  S 
This  carpenter  faid  his  devotion. 
And  ilill  he  fit,  and  biddetb  hi*  praiere. 
Awaiting  on  the  rain,  if  he  it  here. 

The  dcde  Ilepe,for  wcry  bcfinefle, 
Fell  on  this  carpenter,  right  sa  I  gcffe, 
AboutLQ  curfew  time,  or  litcl  more, 
for  travaillc  of  his  gofl  he  groncth  (brc» 
And  eft  he  routeth,  for  hi*  bed  miflay. 
DotiD  of  the  ladder  (lalketh  Nicholay, 
And  Alifon  ful  foft  adoun  hire  fpedde. 
Withouten  wordes  mo  they  wtnt  to  bcdde, 
Ther  a*  the  carpenter  was  wont  to  lie ; 
Ther  waa  the  revel  and  the  mclodie. 
And  thu!^  lith  MMon  and  Nicliola» 
In  befmclTc  of  mirtbc  aiid  in  folaa. 
Til  that  the  bell  of  iauiUj  gan  to  ring. 
And  frcrc*  in  the  chancel  gon  to  fing. 

This  parifh  clerk,  this  amorous  AbfbJoD, 
That  is  for  love  alway  fo  wo-begon. 
Upon  the  Monday  was  at  Ofcnay 
With  compagnie^  him  to  difport  and  play. 
And  afked  upon  cas  a  cloiflcrer 
Ful  privcly  after  John  the  carpenter ; 
And  he  drew  him  apart  out  of  the  chirchc* 
He  faid,  I  no't,  1  faw  him  not  here  wlrdie 
Sith  Saturday ;  1  trow  that  he  be  went 
For  timbre  ther  our  abbot  hath  him  fcnt  ; 
Fnr  he  i*  wont  for  timbre  for  to  go, 
And  dwelli-n  at  the  Grange  a  day  or  two; 
Or  cEes  he  is  at  his  hous  certain  : 
Wher  thiit  be  be  I  cannot  fothly  fain. 
Thi^Abfolon  ful  joly  was  and  light, 
A^  thoughts,  nov^  is  time  to  wake  al  night, 

f  VTithhUownhaad.  So  Cover,  Ctoi^f.  Amant*^Qi^96*^ 
The  cmfte  Myowvcof  v»ollc  lundc^ 


I 


3*  t  H  E 

For  Clccrly  I  fiw  him  nat  Airing 
About  hi^  diire  &n  day  began  t<i  fpni)^. 
So  mote  I  tln-ivc  H  (h^l  at  cockci  crow 
Ful  privcly  go  kuccke  at  hh  v^mdow. 
That  (bni  full  lo^  upon  his  buuret  wrU  ? 
To  Aliibl)  wol  [  now  telle n  all 
My  love  lonj^ng ;   for  yrt  I  iliJiU  not  milTc 
That  ar  the  lefte  way  I  (hal  hire  kiffe. 
Some  mancr  comfort  (hal  I  have  parfoyp 
My  mouth  hath  itched  a]  thi*  longe  day ; 
That  h  a  %nc  of  kifTing  at  the  IcSe  : 
AU  ii^ht  me  rrettc  eke  I  wav  at  a  feflc  : 
Therforc  I  wol  g^o  flepe  an  houre  or  twty, 
And  all  the  mjjht  than  wol  1  wake  and  pley. 

Whan  iltat  the  firftc  cock  hath  crowc,  anon 
Up  rift  this  joly  JoTcr  Abfolon, 
And  him  araycth  gay,  at  point  devifc ; 
But  fir  ft  he  chcweth  grein  and  licorife. 
To  fnieUm  fotc  or  he  had  fpoke  with  here. 
Under  his  toQ^  a  trewc  love  he  here, 
For  t  her  by  wend  he  to  ben  gr^iciouf. 
He  Cometh  to  the  carpen teres  hotit, 
And  flill  he  ftant  under  the  Ihot  window; 
Unto  his  breft  it  ratight,  it  wa»  fc  low ; 
And  foft  he  cocghcth  with  a  femilmm, 

Xrliat  do  ye,  hofl)  combe,  fwcte  Alifotin, 
My  fftlrc  Iftrd,  my  fwetc  (i&amome ! 
A waketh,  lemmaen  min,  and  fpeketh  to  me. 
Ful  litcl  Lkinken  ye  upon  my  *o, 
That  for  your  lore  I  fwcte  ther  ai  I  go. 
Ko  wonder  is  though  that  I  fweltc  at>d  fwcte> 
I  mourne  at  doth  a  bunb  after  the  tete, 
Ywi»,  temman, !  have  fwicbc  lore  longing 

That  like  a  tixrte!  trewe  i«  my  motiming, 
1  may  not  ete  no  more  than  a  maid. 
Go  fro  the  wmdc w,  jacke  fool»  (he  faid  : 

Ai  helpe  me  Ood  it  wol  not  be,  compAmc. 
1  love  aoof her,  or  eOea  t  were  to  blame, 

Wei  bet  than  thee  by  Tcft,  Abfobn. 

Go  forth  thy  way,  or  I  wol  caft  a  ftoo  ; 

And  let  me  flepe ;  a  twenty  divcl  way. 
Alas !  (quod  Abfolon )  and  wala  wa ! 

That  trewe  lore  was  cter  fo  yvci  bcfette  i' 

''I  han  Lifle  me,  fin  thst  it  may  be  no  bcttc. 
For  Jcfun  love,  at»d  for  the  love  of  me. 

Wilt  thou  than  go  thy  way  thcnvith  ?  i^nod  fhe, 
Ya  certef,  lemman,  <jood  this  Abfolon. 

1  ban  make  thee  rcdy,  (qtrcd  Ihc)  I  come  anon. 
Thi*  Abfolon  dotin  fct  him  on  hi*  knbes, 

And  (aide,  1  am  a  lord  n  all  degreei : 

For  afte?  this  I  hope  ther  cometh  more ; 

Lemmanf  thy  ^aec,  and,  fwcte  bird  !  thyn  ore. 
The  i^inxlow  Ihe  undoth,  and  that  in  hafte, 

Hive  don,  (quod  fhe)  come  of,  atid  fpedc  thee  faftc, 

lycfl  that  our  neighboures  thee  efpie. 

This  Abiblof)  gan  wipe  his  mouth  ful  drte. 

Berke  wia  the  night  as  pitch  or  at  the  cole, 

And  ftt  the  window  ihc  put  out  hire  hole, 

And  Abfolon  him  felle  ne  brc  nc  wer?. 

But  witk  his  mouth  he  kill  hih:  naked  ers         « 

Ful  favorly,  er  he  wai  ware  of  thi». 

Abak  he  (Krrte,  tad  thcrughc  it  wai  atniv, 

For  wcl  he  wt^  a  womaii  hath  do  bfnl« 

He  felt  a  thing  all  rowc,  aod  long  )LerJ, 


Mitttftts    TAif. 


And  inACf  Fy,  aUa  \  what  have  f  da  f 

Te  he,  quod  ihe,  and  ctapt  the  window 
And  Ahfolon  goth  forth  a  fory  pat, 

A  berd,  a  bcrd  !  faid  Hendy  Nicholas; 
By  Gnddes  iOffitj  thif  goth  faire  and  itck 

Thi«  fely  Ahfolon  herd  every  del, 
And  on  hii  Hppe  he  gan  for  angtr  bite, 
And  to  kimfelf  he  faid  I  Ihal  thee  quite. 
Who  rubbeth  now,  who  {rnteth  now  his  ItppCft 
With  dfiil,  with  fond,  with  flraw,  with  cloili. 
But  Abfolon  f  that  faith  full  oft  Alai !       (i 
My  foule  betake  I  unto  Sathanas 
But  rrc  were  lever  than  all  ihit  toun  (qindbe) 
Of  thisdefpit  awfoketi  for  to  be. 
Ah^  ?  aJas !  that  1  ne  had  ybleni. 
Hi*  hotc  love  h  cold  and  al)  yqueint ; 
For  fro  that  time  that  he  had  kift  hire  cr» 
Of  paraniourf  ne  raught  he  not  a  kerS| 
For  he  was  heled  of  his  mabdie  ; 
Ful  often  ptramoura  he  gan  dcjic, 
And  ivcpc  as  doth  a  chiM  that  ii  ybete.* 
A  fofte  pa&  he  went  him  over  the  ft  ret  c 
ITntil  a  fmith  man  callcn  Dan  Otrvc'n^ 
That  in  hh  f*irge  fmithed  plow-harness; 
He  (harpeth  fliarc  and  culuc  bcfily. 
I'his  Abfolon  knocketh  all  efily. 
And  faid,  Undo,  Gcrvei9,aiid  that  anen. 

What,  who  art  thou  ?  It  am  1  AbfoM^ 
What,  Ahfolon  ?  what,  Chfiftes  fwcte  tre, 
ViHiy  rife  ye  fo  rath  ?  ey  hneditrtef 
What  eileth  you  ?  fome  gay  girle,  Gtid  it  wote^ 
Hath  brought  yoa  thuj  npon  the  viretot*  r 
By  Seint  Neotc  ye  wote  wel  what  I  meue:. 

This  Abfolon  ne  raughte  not  a  bene 
Of  all  his  play ;  no  word  again  he  yaf  i 
He  haddc  more  tawe  on  hi«  dijlaf 
Than  Gervew  knew,  and  faide,  Frmd  fi>  dcrff^ 
That  bote  cdter  m  the  chcminee  here 
As  Icne  it  me,  I  have  tberwith  to  don  ; 
I  wol  it  bring  ajra-n  to  thee  fiil  fonc, 

OerVei?  i  i  ertes  were  it  g«ld) 

Or  in  a  p<  ■  untold, 

i  hoa  fliuidcu  It  ni\t-,  an  lam  trewe  fmith* 
Ey,  Criftes  fuot,  what  wol  ye  dun  therwith  I 
Thtrof,  quod  Abfolon,  be  as  be  may, 
I  fhal  wcl  tellen  ihec  another  day ; 
And  caught  the  cutter  by  die  colde  flelc. 
Ful  foft  out  at  the  dore  he  gan  to  dele, 
And  went  unt©  the  carpenferes  wall  \ 
He  coujrhed  firft,  and  knocked  therwithaU 
Upon  the  window,  right  at  he  did  er. 
Thii  Alifon  anfwcrcd,  Who  is  thet 
That  knocketh  fo  ?  1  warrant  hinn  t  thefc. 
Nay,  nay,  (quod  he)  God  wot,  my  fwcte 
1  am  thin  Abfolon,  thy  dereWng. 
Of  gold  (quod  he)  I  have  thee  broaght  a  ring; 
My  mother  yaVe  it  me,  fo  God  mc  fare, 
Ful  fine  it  is,  and  iherto  wel  ygravc  ; 
This  wol  I  yeven  thee  if  thou  me  kilfe. 
This  Kichola^  w:i^  rfJrn  for  fo  pilTe, 
And  thought  he  v  jco  all  the  japfj 

He  ihulde  kiffc  I  ^  be  fcape  j 

And  up  the  window  cihi  lie  hifHIy, 
And  out  hit  en  he  puftcth  privily 


tHC    MiiL£R£d    tAlS. 


'  tht  t>nttolc,  to  the  hanche  bon ; 
therwith  fpake  this  clerk,  this  Abfolon, 
:c  fwctc  biridv  I  n'ot  not  vrher  thou  art. 
b»  Nicholas  anon  let  fleen  a  fart 
ret  as  it  had  been  a  thonder  diDt, 
:  with  the  fbxkke  he  was  wcl  Hie  yblict  I 
he  was  redy  with  his  yien  bote, 
IGcholas  aznid  the  ers  he  fmote^ 
fgoth  the  {kinne  an  hondbrede  al  aboytej 
b^  cnher  brenned  fo  his  tonte, 
£ar  the  fmcrt  he  wencd  for  to  die ; 
e  were  wood  for  irro  be  gan  to  trit 
e,  water,  water !  help  for  Goddes  herte ! 
Bs  carpenter  out  of  his  ilumber  fterte, 
herd  on  crie  Water  as  he  were  wood, 
diongfat,  alBt !  now  pometh  Moes  flOod« 
fat  him  up  withooten  wordes  mo, 
with  his  ase  he  fmote  the  cord  atwo^ 
coun  goth  all ;  he  fond  neyther  to  feile 
reed  ne  ale  til  he  came  to  the  ieOei 
1  the  flove,  and  ther  afwoune  he  lay. 
>  fiertes  AliA>n  and  Nieholay, 
cTJedcn,  Out  and  harrow  !  in  the  flrete* 
kc  Deif^icboures  bothe  fmale  and  grete 
men  for  to  ganren  on  this  man, 
^  afaroimc  by^bothe  pale  and  wan, 


IV 


For  with  the  fnll  he  broften  hath  his  arm.  , 

But  ftondcn  he  mufl  unto  his  owcn  harm. 

For  whan  he  ipake  he  was  anon  bore  doun 

With  Hendy  Nicholas  and  Alifoun* 

1  hey  toldcn  every  man  that  he  was  wood. 

He  was  agaile  fo  of  Noes  flood 

1  hurgh  fantafic,  that  of  his  vanitee 

He  had  ybought  him  kncding  tubbc4  three. 

And  had  hirm  bonged  in  the  roof  above. 

And  tliat  he  praicd  hem  for  Goddes  love 

To  fittcn  in  the  roof />ar  compagnie. 

The  folk  gan  laughen  at  his  fantafie. 
Into  the  roof  they  kyken  and  they  gape. 
And  turned  all  his  harm  into  a  jape. 
For  what  fo  that  this  carpenter  anfwerd 
It  was  for  nought,  no  man  his  refon  herd* 
With  othes  gret  he  was  fo  fwome  adoun 
That  he  was  holden  Wood  in  all  the  toun, 
For  everich  "clerk  anon  right  held  with  c  thef  | 
They  faid  the  man  was  wood,  my  lere  brother} 
And  every  wight  gab  laughen  at  thit  ilrif. 

I*hu8  fwived  was  the  carpenteres  ^if 
For  all  his  keping  and  his  jaloufie. 
And  Abfolon  hath  kift  hire  nether  eye, 
And  Nicholas  is  fcaided  in  the  toute. 
I'his  Tale  is  doD,'«ad  God  lave  aH  the  routes 


II.  L 


tf  AK  folk  han  laughed  at  this  nice  cas 
Of  Abfolon  and  Hcndy  Nicholas, 
Divcrfe  folk  divcrfcly  they  ftjdc, 
But  for  the  more  part  thcf  lought  and  pkide  ; 
Ne  If  tliis  Talc  I  fkw  iio  man  grcve 
But  it  were  only  Ofcwold  the  Reve  ; 
Bccaufc  he  was  of  carpcn teres  craft 
A  litei  ire  J»  in  hi»  hcrtc  ybft ; 
He  ga»  to  gmtch  and  blaniLn  it  a  lite. 
&e  the  ik,  quod  he,  ful  wel  coudc  I  him  <].ii;Ite 
With  birring  of  a  proude  ntillereicye, 
If  that  mc  lift  to  fpckc  of  ribaudric. 
But  ik  am  oldc  ;  mc  lift  not  play  for  agf  ; 
Graa  time  is  don,  my  foddrc  i*  now  forage  : 
Th"»  white  top  writcth  mine  old  ycre*  i 
Min  hcrte  is  ^o  moulded  as  miri  herc»; 
But  if  I  fare  as  doth  an  open  ers, 
That  ilkc  fruit  ii  ercr  Icngcr  the  wcra 
Til  it  be  rotcn  in  muik-k  or  in  (Ire. 

Wc"  oldc  men,  I  drcdc,  fo  fa  Pen  we  ; 
Til  wc  be  rotcn  can  wc  not  he  ripe  ; 
Wc  hoppc  alway  while  that  the  world  wol  pipe ; 
For  in  our  wiUthcr  ftiketh  ever  a  nayl. 
To  have  an  liorc  hed  and  a  grcne  tayl. 
As  hjith  a  Icke  ;  for  diough  our  might  be  goB 
Our  will  dcCreth  foUy  ever  in  on  ; 
For  whan  we  may  not  don  th;ui  wol  wc  fpckeDi 
Yet  in  our  afhcn  cold  is  fire  yrcken. 

Four  glcdt*  han  we  wliich  1  fhal  devife, 
Avauniiitg,  lying;,  anger,  and  covetifc  ; 
*rhcfc  fourc  fparkes  longt  n  uuto  cldc  ; 
Our  oldc  limei  mow  wcl  ben  unwclde, 
Btit  will  ne  Oiall  not  faJlkn  that  is  fothe  : 
And  yet  have  \  alway  a  coltct  tothe, 
A^  muiy  a  yere  as  it  pafTcd  hcnne 
tsiD.  that  my  tappc  of  Uf  began  to  rencc : 


For  fikorly  wKan  I  was  home  anon 

Deth  drow  the  tappc  of  lif  and  let  it  gOD  j 

And  ever  fith  hath  fo  the  tappc  yronne^ 

Til  that  almoft  all  empty  is  the  tonne  ; 

The  Jlrcmcof  lif  now  droppcth  oo  the  chiin^*  | 

The  ft:ly  tongc  may  wel  ringe  and  chimbe 

Of  wrctchcdncflc  that  paffcd  is  ful  yore  : 

With  oldc  folk  fave  dotage  is  no  more. 

Whan  that  cmr  Hoftc  had  herd  thii  lennocuflg^ 
He  pm  to  fpcke  as  lordly  as  a  king, 
\nd  fayde,  What  amounteth  all  this  wit  ? 
'^''hat,  (hall  we  fpckc  all  day  of  holy  writ  ? 
The  devil  made  a  Rcve  for  to  prechc, 
Or  of  a  footer  a  fhipman  or  a  lechc. 

Say  forth  thy  Tale,  and  tary  not  the  tisic  ; 
Lo  Depcford,  and  it  is  half  way  prime  : 
Lo  Grcnewich,  thcr  many  a  Ihrcw  is  ioiie  : 
It  were  al  time  thy  Talc  to  bcginne. 

Now,  fires,  quod  this  Ofcwold  the  Hew, 
I  pmy  you  ailc  that  yc  not  yoti  grtvc 
Though  I  anfwere,  and  fomdclfct  hishowr^ 
For  Icfwl  is  with  force  force  off  to  fliowve. 

rhisdronkcrn  Miller  hath  yiold  oabcre 
How  that  bcgiled  was  a  carpcntere, 
para  venture  in  fcorae,  for  I  am  on ; 
And  by  your  tevc  I  Ihal  him  quite  anott  I 
Right  in  his  chcrle*  termei  wol  I  fpckc  j 
I  pray  to  God  his  necke  mote  to  breke. 
He  c»n  wel  in  min  eye  fcen  a  ftalk, 
But  in  his  owcn  he  cannot  fecn  a  balk* 


•  jtuflfft  Tcut-  mc»n»  the  prnTtilnencTOf  the(l«*«l 
yand  the  hci4  of  the  Unci.  l"bc  UBigery  h  «ry  <" 
«itabca«tiful# 


THE    REVES    TALE*. 


B,  not  fcr  fro  Cantcbrigge^ 
I  m  brook,  and  over  that  a  brigge, 
^pes  ilie  whichc  brook  tber  ftone  a  mclk ; 
Aki  tlkit  U  vcra^y  fothe  that  I  you  telle. 
A  mSkr  W94  cher  dweUing  many  a  day, 
Ai  Utf  peacock  be  waj  proude  and  gmy  ; 
FifCB  he  coodCf  and  fime«  aJid  nlttcsbete, 
Afid  tsmeo  ciippes,  and  wnlUeD  wel  uid  {bete. 
Ay  by  bU  belt  he  bare  a  loog  pavade, 
Aod  ol  a  fwcrd  fol  trenchuic  wa«  the  blade  : 
A  jolf  |x>pper  bare  be  in  his  poucbe. 
Tbcr  &*ai  oo  man  for  peril  dorft  Mm  toucbe. 
A  ftrfrW  thwitc]  bare  he  in  hi»  hofe  : 
Mamd  was  hit  £ace«  aiid  camufe  was  hU  Dpfe  : 
At  pllkd  as  an  ape  was  hia  ikull : 
He  wa*  a  tuarket-beter  at  the  full. 
IWdor&e  oo  wight  bond  upon  bim  Icgge* 
^InC  be  nc  fwore  be  {huld  anon  abegge. 

A  thdc  he  was  fodbth  of  corne  and  nlele, 
Aidtbts  flie^  and  ufaot  for  to  flele  : 
RiiBiBC  waa  hotcD  Dcinout  Simekin  f. 
A  viTlie  bftdde  comea  of  coble  kin  : 
E  pcrlion  of  the  toun  hire  father  was  : 
fc  hire  he  yaf  ful  many  a  panne  of  bra» 
|d^  Simldn  fliold  in  hit  blood  allie  ; 
Iktn  jCoHered  In  a  nonnerie ; 
fir  Ibifc  in  wolde  no  wif,  as  he  fayde^ 
Bk  Ae  were  wel  ynooriibed  and  a  tnaydei 
Tm  (twem  his  eikat  of  yemanrie  : 
MM  fre  wat  proud  azid  pert  as  it  a  pie. 
\  Jk  U  fmtc  fig^t  wai  h  apoD  hem  two. 
Cm  hakf  dayes  befome  hire  wold  be  go 
Wiik  hi  I  tiprt  ybounde  about  hit  hedf 
Mad  Ale  came  after  in  a  gite  of  re^d, 
Aad  Simkin  badde  ho(ca  of  the  fame. 
Tfaer  dorfie  no  wight  depeo  her  but  Dame  : 


MmklA,  the  tniller  of  Trompf npton^  decclveth 
of  SotltrVhall  lnejmbrid|;c  \n  fieiliife  Ebtir 
III  mtjugctbdr  rriATter^tUjit  thct  revenue 
KftiU.  Thl*  Tate  is  iroiutcJ  frnrn  Bcctjce, 
tfrtu,  flay  the  yth.-^Thit  you  m»f  paft  otcr  if 

i*j|51dion«  or  «ilikh  Itmekin  kthe^Smi 


Mh>««  Jkiid  frx^m  bif  dtfdainful  inrolent  mann.-rj  he  hut 
iftftrt.i  tUc  mraatneor  Oeta,m^^  jult  at  Nklu>Ut*  Iri  the 
tmmu  ttJe,  w««  Ucpcd  £fri«tf>'  from  the  very  opponte  be- 
fcaitoiu.  A  fiTit  tumhjf  ut  our  fijfn*tnr?  hn*c  been 
#(M«eA  limn  ^quaUiies  of  the  iriind.  anil  >t  k- 

•»%|n«ie  that  at  die  bcfinnirf  (hcv  «^* 
teal,  lifee  «%il  «e  call  idcknamc*.   It  I    , 
Vwale  wf  }itKrtit»nrl'*}nuinea  ¥^uaoi  evcti  »>  v.>i«  d^.'» 
%ff*  fatty  'etikUteiamoBLS  cbe  lower  cUirct  of  people. 


Was  non  fo  hardy,  that  went  by  the  way, 
That  with  hire  dorile  rage  or  one*  play. 
Bat  if  he  wolde  be  JlaiD  of  Simikin 
With  pavadc,  or  with  knif  or  bodckin  ; 
(For  jaloUG.  folk  bcQ  pcritout  evcrmo, 
Algate  they  wold  hir  wives  wendcn  fo.) 
And  eke,  for  (be  wasfomdcl  fmoterlich. 
She  w^  as  digne  as  water  in  a  dich, 
And  al  fo  ful  of  hoker  and  of  bifinare. 
Hire  thoughte  that  a  ladic  fliuld  hire  fparc, 
What  for  hire  kinrcdc  and  hire  nortelrie 
That  Ibe  had  lemcd  in  the  nonnerie. 

A  doughter  haddets  they  betwix  hem  two 
Of  twenty  yere,  withouten  any  mo. 
Saving  a  child  that  was  of  half  ycrc  age  ; 
In  cradle  it  lay,  and  wat  a  proprc  page. 
This  wcnchc  tbicke  and  wel  ygrowcn  wat. 
With  caraufe  nofc  and  eycn  grey  as  gb» ; 
With  huttake&  brode,  and  b  relic  a  round  and  hdc^ ' 
But  right  faire  wai  hir  here,  t  wol  not  lie. 

The  perfon  of  the  toun,  for  fhe  was  fairc, 
In  purpot  was  to  maken  hire  hit,  haire 
Both  of  his  catcl  and  of  hn  mefuage^ 
And  ftrangc  he  made  it  of  hire  mariage^ 
Hh  purpos  was  for  to  bellow  hire  hie 
Into  fomc  worthy  blood  of  anceftrie. 
For  holy  clurcfacs  good  mote  ben  defpendcd 
On  holy  chirches  blood  that  ti  dcfcended ; 
Therforc  ht  wolde  his  holy  blood  honourc 
Though  that  he  holy  chirdie  ihuld  dfvoure, 
Grct  foktn  hath  this  miller  out  of  doute 
With  whetc  and  mak  of  alJ  the  land  aboute. 
And  namely  ther  was  a  gret  college 
Men  clep  the  Soler  hall  at  Cantehregc, 
Thet  was  hir  whctc  and  eke  hir  maltc  ygrotind* 
And  on  a  day  it  happed  in  a  floutid 
Sike  lay  the  manciple  on  a  maladie^  ^M 

Men  wendcn  wifly  that  he  Ihuldc  die  j  V^ 

For  which  thit  miller  (iale  both  mcle  and  com    * 
An  hundred  times  more  than  beforn. 
For  thcrbcforn  he  ftalc  but  curtcifly^ 
But  now  he  wa»  a  thcfc  ootragcoufly. 

For  which  the  wardcin  chtdde  and  made  fare,      

But  therof  fct  the  n<illcr  not  a  tare ;  jM 

He  craked  boft,  and  fwoVe  it  n'as  not  fo,  "^1 

Than  were  tJicr  yonge  poure  fcolorc*  two 
That  dwclten  in  the  hal!e  of  which  I  fay  j 
Tcftif  they  w«re>4»d  lufty  for  to  play, 


I 


Ml 


rut    REVES    TALE* 


And  only  for  hir  mirth  and  revclric 

Upon  the  wardeln  befiJy  they  eric 

To  ycvc  htm  levc  but  a  litflc  j!^otind 

To  gon  to  irtillc  and  fccn  Kir  com  y^round ; 

And  hardily  they  dorften  lay  hir  neckc 

The  miUcr  ihuki  not  Hclt  hem  half  a  peckc 

Of  corn  by  flcightc,  nc  by  force  him  reve. 

And  at  the  bft  the  wardcin  yave  hrm  Icvc. 
John  hightc  thit  on,  and  Ale  in  hlghte  that  other ; 
Of  a  toun  were  they  bora  th;kt  hightc  Strotherr 
Fcr  in  the  north,  1  caimot  tellen  wHere. 

Thit  Alcin  mnkcth  rtdy  aUhiigHcre, 
And  on  a  hors  the  fak  he  caft  anon  : 
Ff'ftb  goih  Alcin  the  clerk,  and  alfu  John, 
With  good  fwerd  and  with  bokckr  by  hir  £tde. 
John  kney^  the  way*  him  ncded  not  no  ^iUc, 
And  at  the  mille  the  f&k  adoiui  he  laith. 

Alcin  f]vj|r^  fird;  AlIhaiie,5imond,  in  faith. 
How  (jj^ci  thy  falrc  daughter  and  thy  wif  ? 

Alcin,  welcome  (quod  SmiAjji),  by  my  lif» 
And  John  aUo.  Hc-w  now,  whstt  do  yc  here  I 
By  Gix!,  Simond  (quod  John),  nede  has  no  pert ; 
Him  brhovcf  ferve  himlelf  that  hin  n^  fwaio. 
Or  elleft  he  ii  a  fool,  as  clerke^^  fain. 
Our  manciple  1  hope  he  wol  bcdcd, 
Swa  werkcsi  ay  the  WiDge*  in  hit  bed ; 
And  thcrfore  i«  1  c«me,  ar.d  eke  Aleln* 
To  grind  our  com  and  cary  it  bamc  agein  ; 
I  pray  you  fpc^  •  -     ^-  -^  r  that  ye  may. 

It  fhal  be  dr  I  kia)  by  my  fay- 

tVhat  wol  TC  d"  '.Jt  it  ii  in  hatid? 

By  Gad,  right  by  the  hopper  wol  I  ftand, 
(Ouod  Jubn)  and  fcen  how  that  the  corngaJ  to; 
Vet  faw  I  never  by  my  fader  kin 
How  tliat  thc^  hopper  wagges  til  ^nd  fra* 

Alcin  anfwered,  John,  and  woli  thou  fwa? 
Than  wol  I  be  bcncthc  by  my  eroun. 
And  fee  how  that  the  melt  filltt  adown 
in  til  the  trogh  j  that  llial  be  my  difport ; 
For,  John,  ;•'  '  r*!^  I  may  leu  oif  youi  fort  j 
I  it  a^  tU  ii  yL\ 

Thii  n  1  at hirniccttc. 

And  thot^ght  ali  thi^  u*is  don  but  for  a  wiLc, 
They  w<ncn  that  no  man  rrfrry  hrm  bfgilc. 
But  hy  my  thrift  yet  flial  ^  ^  'c 

I'or  all  the  fleightc  in  hir  i 
The  mcF'  '      '  ;  T:r, 

'i'he  mor 
In  ii^'' 

Thr 

A*  V  ;  .        ,        _       .    ^     . .  _   .  .... . .  ; 

Of  ali  hir  art  ne  cvitat  1  n^t  a  t.^  *e. 

Oi|t  at  »hr  dote  he  goth  ful  privcly 
Whan  th;*t  he  faw  h:»  time  fofu^'y. 
Me  lokcth  up  ;:nd  doun,  til  he  hadi  found 
The  clerk e»  hors  ther  a»  he  flocd  y bound 
Behind  the  mille  under  a  levefcU, 
And  to  the  hon  he  ;_     '  '        ""  JfC  itid  well. 
And  ftriprth  of  the  1  joou. 

And  -nh  "  ^k.  u.  ^  ^  to  gon 

Towarc'  jic» 

And  for!  ^  :.:td  thione. 

Thi»  miHcr  ^otb  ag^in,  no  i»ktird  he  iald, 
But  doth  his  lujtei  a&d  with  tLck  cL:»kci  plaid. 


Till  that  hir  corn  was  faifc  and  wcT  ffrrennim 
And  whan  the  mele  if  facked  and  yboond. 
This  John  goth  out  and  Ont  hi*  hor»  away, 
And  gan  to  eric  Harow  and  wala  wa? 
Our  bora  U  loilt  Alcin,  for  Goddct  baoci 
Step  on  thj  feet;  come  of,  man,  al  at  anet  r 
Alas  i  our  wardcin  has  hi*  palfrey  lorn- 

Thia  A!eir4  al  forgat  both  mele  and  com  ; 
Al  was  out  of  hi*  mind  kh  hufbandrie  ; 
\Vhat,whilke  way  is  he  ^on  ?  he  gan  to  crk. 

The  Wif  came  Icptng  inward  at  a  rcnnc  ; 
She  fayd«  Alas  \  yourc  hot*  gotb  to  the  fenoe 
Witli  wildc  marcf  as  f^l  as  h^  may  go, 
Un thank  come  on  hh  hand  that  bond  him  fo^ 
And  he  that  bcttot  flmld  have  knit  the  rcifiv 

Alai !  (quod  John)  Alcin,  for  Crifte^  pcia 
Lay  doun  thy  fwcrd,  and  I  Chal  min  aifwa  ; 
I  h  ful  wight,  God  watc,  as  s&  a  ra<. 
B/  Goddcfe  faulc  he  fhal  I  not  fcapc  us  bathe. 
Why  nc  had  thou  put  the  capcl  in  the  latlic  f 
111  haile,  Alrin,by  God  ibou  if  a  fonnc. 

Thjcfc  fcly  clerks  ban  ful  fall  yronnc 
Toward  th  j  fen,  bothc  Alcin  ard  ckc  John  t 
And  whan  the  miller  faw  tl\at  they  were  go« 
He  half  a  bulhcl  of  hir  flour  hath  takc» 
And  had  bi»  wif  go  knede  it  in  a  cake* 
He  fayd,  I  tfcw  the  clcrkc*  were  aftrdf  : 
Yet  can  a  miUcr  make  a  clcrki:*  bcrde 
For  til  liii  art,    Ye»  let  hem  ^on  Lir  way. 
l.o  whtT  thry  gon,   Yc,  Id  the  children  play  : 
Thjygct  him  not  fo  lightly  by  my  ctou«. 
Thcfc  fe!y  ckrk^ft  rcnncn  up  and  doun 
With  Kepe, kepe ;  Stund,  (land;  jofTa,  wardcrctc 
Ga  wbifllc  lbou«  and  I  flial  kepe  liim  bctc. 
But  fliortly,  till  that  it  wa»  veray  night 
l*hey  coudcf  not,  though  tkey  did  aU  hir  nighty 
Hir  cupel  natch, he  ran  alway  fo  fail. 
Til  In  a  dichc  they  caught  him  at  the  lift. 

Wery 'and  wet,  4%  beftes  in  the  rain, 
Cometh  fcly  J  ^^'     *^  '  ^ith  him  contcth  Aki]t« 
Ala*  (quod  J  that  I  wa*  borne  I 

Now  arc  wc  iV  i^hing  and  til  fcome. 

Our  corn  i*  ftqinc,  men  wol  u»  fouiKi  calle. 
Both  the  wardein  and  eke  our  fdawc*  aUc» 
And  namely  the  miller,  wala  wa  I 

Thus  pbincth  John  a*  he  gotb  by  the  w^f 
Toward  the  nuUt,  And  Ii>i  '      bund. 

The  milkr  fitting  by  thr  u 

For  it  wa»  night,  and  fori.ij  jiu^^j^i  they  nouj 
Hat  focUic  love  of  God  th^y  h\m  bcfoir^ht 
Oi  h  rbcrwL  and  <if  efc,as  for  h*r  pcny. 
i  lit:  miUcr  laitic  agtu,  It  thcr  be  any, 
Swithc  n  it  i*  yet  1h»ll  yc  have  your  part. 
Myn  houfc  is  ftrcit.bui  yc  lave  lerned  art ; 
Yc  can  by  argumcnti  m^ikcn  a  place 
A  mile  brode  of  twenty  foot  of  fp*ce- 
Let  fee  now  if  tliit  place  may  Ui&tc^ 
Or  ma!:  «  r      -  ^  ^^^ 

Now, ->  itbb«4 

Ay    i*tht.  u    ,r,,.,.   ;,    a 

I  have  herd  fay  niai  s 

Slikc  ai  he  6ndc%  •  ^, 

PuL  fpecJally  I  pray  thee,  hol>e  dere. 
Gar  u*  have  mctc  and  dritikc,  aadr  ixaakc  u* 


THE    R1VE8    TALE. 


Add  ve  £a]  palcii  trewelf  at  tBe  full : 
Witli  empty  h»ad  znen  may  na  haukcs  tuU* 
Lo  Iwrevur  filler  rcdj  for  lo  fpend. 

This  Tnillrr  to  the  touil  hit  doughur  feod 
For  ^  and  hred,  acd  roiled  hem  a  goos, 
J»d  bond  bir  hon  he  Jhtdd  no  more  gn  lacs, 
Am!  ia  ha  o'vrcti  chsmbrc  hem  made  a  btddc, 
Vkh  AM^ef  and  with  chalons  fa  Ire  ffprcddt. 
Kit  firom  kU  oiirco  bed  tea  foot  or  twcWc : 
Hk  doQgliCer  badmhcdall  by  hire  fclvc, 
Si^jbiS  m  the  lame  cham^Tc  hy  and  by  : 
k  Wjgjhrg  be  DO  bet,  ;uid  cauic  why, 
ThtT  vras  no  roucicr  hcrhcrwe  in  the  place. 
T^  fowfKji^  kud  they  fpekco  of  foh^ce, 
Jkai  T^  -  :cr  ftrong  ale  at  the  heft, 

i^nL  -.  ^  h  t  wente  the Y  tu  reft- 

Wil  h.irh  iJriis  mtUcr  vcrnilhcd  hi*  bed, 
hlfalc  be  vr2«,  for-dronlteo,  and  aought  rrd. 
Hr  yoicth^vul  he  fpeketh  thurgh  the  uofc, 
At  be  "vrcrc  on  the  quaitke  or  on  tlic  pok. 
To  bed  be  gotb,  and  with  him  fi;uUi  hia  wifi 
Ai  aanr  iaf  Ibe  light  wai  :md  jolif; 
Se  n  kh^  joly  whi/lk  wcl  ywcttc. 
The  crftdel  M  hire  hedde*  feet  w«»  fette 
To  rockna,  cod  to  yeve  the  child  to  foukc. 
A^  wkao  tku  dronken  was  a.!l  in  the  croukc 
To  beijde  west  the  dou^hter  ri^ht  aui.n, 
T«  be^tdc  gocli  Aleiu       '    "      I  Iiiu 
Ulicr  n*^9  tto  more ;  :  :n  dwaie, 

llii  Milkr  h^th  '  ^ 

Tbtf  a»aL&  bor  , 

Ife  «f  |l»  ttd,bu       . 
ISs  wirtRUV  him  a  burdon  a  ful  i 
Mai  mi^br  hir  routing  hrren  j  t        <  j. 
TV  wmche  routcth  eke  par  compcgmtf. 

AkSfi  tbie  clerk,  that  herd  this  inelodie, 
Bff  ftkirtb  John,  and  fi^yde,  Sk  pcH  thou  } 
Hu^Jt  cboo  AVer  Hike  a  fong  cr  now  ? 
r  a  complin  i»  ymcl!  hem  allc; 
re  upou  hir  bodit-:;  Ij.llt.% 

"i  ever  £like  a  fcrly  thing  ? 
tc,^e|'  iball  b^Tc  the  /lour  of  yvtt  ending. 
Tliik^g:e  night  ther  tidci  me  no  rcfle ; 
iBjff  cia  ttxce,  all  ihal  be  for  the  belie. 
hi^fAok  (ra>*d  he),  u  ever  mote  t  tbriTe, 
ittlkic  f  anty  yoo  wenche  wo!  1  fwivc* 
lb«  dimeot  has  lawc  yfhapcn  us ; 
?flrf  jttlua,  titer  ii  a  iawe  thatfaieth  thus, 
Tba  if  a  man  in  o  point  he  agrevcd 
fktf  aft  *iiother  (be  Hial  be  releved* 
^  Olrcpni  ia  Xkolne,  fcnhly  it  is  na  nay, 
\  hui  had  an  yvel  fie  to-day ; 
'  MfA  iifi  1  fl>^  b^^^  *^^">  amendemenc 

J  my  loiTe  I  wol  have  «d  cfement ; 

l%Go«ldct  latde  it  &al  nan  other  be. 

Tllk  Tokn  anfwered,  Akiii,  aviie  thee ; 

\  mtjler  is  a  perilous  man,  he  fayde, 

L  if  that  he  out  oi  his  Depc  ahraidef 

bUf  ayvfeo^  don  Uf  bathe  a  vLlaiiie. 

m  ^dwFtrtd,  I  count  him  oat  a  9ie« 
__  j  tpbe  rift,4Dd  by  the  wenchc  be  crept. 
jmii  W0icbe  lay  upright,  and  fafte  flcpi, 
^  TDbc  To  fiirb  was,  cr  flic  might  efpte, 
T^  it  bftdlica  to  Uu  Iff  to  eric : 


And  fliortly  for  to  fay,  they  were  at  on* 
Now  play  Alriii,for  J  wol  fpekc  of  John* 

This  Joha  lith  ftill  a  furlou|r  vray  or  two, 
And  to  himfclf  he  mafeech  touth  fod  wcu 
Ahs !  (quod  he)  this  i*^  a  wkkt:d  jape  i 
Now  may  I  fay  that  I  is  but  an  ape. 
Yet  has  my  felaw  fcMuwhat  for  hik  hanttc  | 
He  has  the  miUcrs  duuj^htcr  in  fik  aroia  : 
He  auntrcd  him,  and  h^ith  his  nudes  IpcJde, 
And  I  lie  a^  a  draf  fak  in  my  beddc  ; 
And  whan  thj§  jape  i%  tald  smother  day 
I  fhol  be  halden  a  daffe  or  a  token  ;»y ; 
I  wol  arife  and  auutrc  it  by  my  faj  : 
Unhiu-dy  is  uufcly,  thya  men  f^y. 

And  up  he  ro[c,and  i'olteiy  lie  went 
Unto  the  cr^el,  aud  iu  his  hand  it  hont^ 
And  bare  it  foft  unto  hi$  beddet  fete. 
Sone  ctfter  thii  the  wif  hire  routing  letc;i 
And|;;an  awake,  and  went  hire  out  to  pi(r«» 
And  came  agair,  and  g^u  the  cradel  miHe, 
And  groped  here  and  thcr,  but  ibc  fond  n/tn* 
Ala?  (quod  flic) !  I  Uiid  «ilmoll  milgon  ; 
I  had  i\moi\  gon  to  the  cierkes  beiJdc  : 
Ey  hnt^i^iti  1  than  KmI  i  toulc  yiptddc 
And  fiifth  flie  goth  til  fhi?  the  cr*dti  fond. 
She  gropeth  alway  fottlicr  whh  hire  liotid,  { 

And  fond  tie  bed|  and  thoughte  nat  bur  goo^*  \ 
Bti-uifc  tluit  tlie  cradelby  it  ilc<jd, 
xVnd  nMIe  wher  f}ir  wati,  for  it  was  derk^ 
But  fairc  and  wcl  (he  crept  in  by  the  clerk. 
And  lirh  ful  ftilU  and  wold  ban  caught  a  Hepe* 
Withm  a  while  this  John  thcckik  Up  kptf^ 
And  on  this  goode  wif  he  laieth  on  tore  \ 
So  mery  a  fit  ne  had  ftic  nst  ful  yore : 
He  priketh  hard  and  dcpc  a^i  he  were  mad« 

ThI*  joly  lif  ban  thefe  two  ckrkes  lad 
Til  that  ihc  thridde  cok  began  to  fing. 
Akin  wcjc  weriein  the  morwciung^, 
For  he  had  fwonken  all  the  ionge  night. 
And  fayd,  Farewcl,  MuJLin,  my  fwetc  wight  i 
The  day  is  com? » I  may  no  lonj^er  bide. 
But  cvcrmo  wher  fo  I  go  or  ride 
I  js  thin  awcn  dwrk»  fo  have  I  hck. 
Now,  dcre  lemmau,  quod  Jhc,  go,  farcwck; 
But  or  thou  j;f>,  o  thing  I  wol  thee  lelL 
Whan  that  thou  wcndcft  homeward  by  the  mcll. 
Right  at  the  entree  of  the  dorc  behind 
Hiou  flialt  a  cake  of  half  a  bufliel  find 
That  was  ymaktd  of  thin  owen  m»;k, 
Which  tliat  I  haipe  my  fa.dcr  for  lo  ftelc  : 
And,  goode  kmman,  C>nd  thee  favc  and  kepc» 
And  with  that  word  fljc  gan  almoil  to  wcpc. 

Akin  uprift,  and  thought  er  that  it  daw, 
I  wol  go  crcpen  in  by  my  felaw  ; 
And  fond  the  eradcl  at  hi*  hand  anon. 
By  God,  thought  he,  all  wmcg  I  have  mifg^Q  I 
My  bed  i&tottic  of  my  fwink  to  night. 
That  maketh  mc  that  I  go  nat  aright. 
1  wot  wel  by  the  eradcl  I  have  mifgo; 
Here  lith  the  miller  and  his  wif  alfo. 
And  forth  he  golh  a  twenty  divcl  way 
Unto  the  bed,  thcr  iis  the  niilkr  lay. 
He  wend  have  eropen  by  hit  felaw  Jobi3| 
And  by  the  ^iljer  ia  he  crept  anon, 
I  C  iii 


38 


THI    REVES    TALE. 


And  caught  him  by  the  nckkr,  and  gan  him  fhaltc, 
Atid  fayd,  1  hou  Johc^  thou  fwiiielhcd,  awikc 
Ftir  Crtftcs  fituk.and  ticrc  a  noble  ijamc; 
For  by  that  lord  that  called  h  Scint  Jame, 
A»  I  have  thrici  aa  ifi  this  (hort  night 
5?vs  ivc  J  the  nitllm  doughter  bolt  upright 
While  thou  bad  as  a  cow|rd  ben  ag^ifl. 
Vc,  faife  hiirlot,  quod  ihc  niillcr,  haft  ? 
L,  falfe  traitour,  falTc  clerk  (({uod  he), 
rhou  flialt  be  dcd  by  Goddcv  dignitcc, 
I'^'ho  dorfte  be  fo  bold  to  difparagc 
iMj  doughter,  that  k  come  of  fwiche  linage, 
I  And  by  the  tbxote'-bollc  he  caught  Aleio, 
"And  he  him  hent  defpitoufly  again, 
And  on  the  riofe  he  fmote  him  with  his  fift  ; 
Doun  ra6  the  blody  ftreme  upon  his  breft  : 
And  in  the  lore  with  nofe  and  mouth  to-broke 
They  w^lwe,  as  don  two  piggca  in  a  poke. 
And  up  they  gon,  anddoun  again  anon, 
1  il  that  the  miller  fporned  at  a  fton. 
And  doun  he  fell  backward  upon  hii  wif. 
That  wifte  nothing  of  ihi»  nice  ftrtf : 
For  (be  %Ta»  fall  aAcpe  a  litcl  wight 
With  John  the  clerk » that  waked  had  all  night, 
And  with  the  fall  out  ot  hire  ilepc  Jhe  braide, 
^clpe,  holy  crof*  of  Bromeholnie!  (ftic  faydc) 
ij&i  manttji  ttmt.  Lord,  to  thee  1  call* 
Awake,  Stmopd,  the  fend  is  on  me  fall ; 
Myn  bene  ii  broken  ;  helpc ;  1  n*am  but  ded ; 
Ther  lith  on  up  my  wombc  and  op  myn  bed  j 
Hflpe,  Simkin,  for  the  faU'c  ckrkc*  6ght. 
jrbii  Jolm  ftcfc  up  M  faA  a9  ever  he  might. 


And  grafpcth  by  the  walk's  to  Mid  fro 
To  find  a  flaf,  and  ftie  ftcrt  up  alfo. 
And  knew  the  cftres  bet  than  did  thii  Johil| 
And  by  the  wall  iSie  toke  a  ftaf  anon. 
And  faw  a  litcl  fhemeringof  a  light. 
For  at  an  hole  in  fhone  the  mone  bright. 
And  by  that  light  (he  faw  hem  bothc  two. 
But  Qkcrly  (he  n*ille  who  wat  who, 
But  af  ftc  fuw  a  white  thing  in  hire  eye  ; 
And  whan  (be  gan  this  white  thing  efpie 
She  wend  the  clerk  h-id  wcrcd  a  volupere. 
And  with  the  (Vaf  fee  drow  ay  nere  and  no 
And  wend  han  hit  this  Alein  atte  fuU, 
And  fmote  the  ifiiller  on  the  pitied  fknll. 
That  doun  he  goth,  and  cried,  Harrow  !  1  c  _ 
ThiTe  clerke»  bete  him  wel,  and  let  hint  lie,  ^ 
And  greithcn  hem,  and  take  hir  hort  anon. 
And  eke  hir  mele,  and  on  hir  way  they  gon  j 
And  at  the  mille  dorc  eke  they  toke  hir  cak« 
Of  half  a  buftiel  flour  ful  wcl  ybake. 

Thu*  i»  the  proude  miller  wcl  ybette. 
And  hath  ylofi  thr  grinding  of  the  whete. 
And  paid  for  the  fouper  every  del 
Of  Alein  and  of  John  that  bete  him  wel  ; 
His  wif  i*  fwivcd  and  his  doughter  al« ; 
Lo,  fwicbc  it  is  a  miUcr  to  be  faU  : 
And  thcrfore  thii  proverb  ii  fayd  ful  foth. 
Him  tharnot  winnen  wel  that  evil  doth; 
A  gilour  fhal  himfclf  begiled  be ; 
And  God,  that  Cieth  hie  in  mageftee. 
Save  all  tkis  compagnie  gret  and  finale. 
Thm  have  I  (]uit  the  miller  ia  my  Tile. 


YHE    COKtS    PROLOG  Vt. 


THE    COKES    PROLOGUE. 


be  of  Loodoo^  while  the  Rerc  fpake, 
[turn  thought)  he  clawed  him  on  the  h^k  : 
~  ke)  for  Criftts  paOioD, 
"  »  fharpc  conclufioti 
,t  of  hcrbcrgigc. 
in  hii  laagmge 
ercrjr  m^n  into  duo  hoaSi 
ig  by  DJght  ii  perilouaL 
kt  a  man  avifed  for  to  be 

he  brought  into  his  privetee. 
» God  Tq  y eve  me  forwe  and  care 

1  hightc  Hodgt  of  Witt, 
i  Miller  bet  jfctte  »^erk ; 
I  JMe  of  malice  in  the  derk. 
od  iorbedc  that  wc  flint  en  herc^ 
if  ye  Touchen  fiaiif  to  here 
me  that  am  t  pourc  tnaq^ 
tell  as  wel  a»^Ycr  I  can 
^  that  feU  in  our  citee. 

a&fwcrd  a&d  faydc^  I  grant  ll  thee  ; 


Kow  tell  on,  Roger,  atid  loke  that  it  be  good, 
For  many  a  paftcc  hafl  thou  Icttco  blood. 
And  many  a  Ja*:kc  of  Dover  hafl  thou  fold 
l^hat  hiith  been  twiei  hot  and  twic»  cold  : 
Of  many  a  pilgrim  halt  thou  Criflcs  curfe. 
For  of  thy  perfelee  yet  fare  they  the  wcrfef 
That  they  ban  cten  in  thy  ftoblc  gooft. 
For  in  thy  (hopgoth  many  a  flic  looa. 
Now  tell  on,  gcntil  Roger  by  thy  name. 
But  yet  1  pray  thee  be  not  wrofh  for  game  ; 
A  man  may  fay  ful  foth  in  game  and  play. 

Thou  fayfl  ful  foth,  quod  Roger,  by  my  fay ; 
But  foth  play  fMadeJfrel,  as  the  Fleming  laith, 
And  iherforc,  Hcrry  Ballly,  by  thy  fiith 
Be  thou  not  wroth,  or  wc  departcn  here, 
Thotigh  that  my  Talc  be  of  an  hollclerc  : 
But  nathcles,  I  wo  I  not  telle  h  yet. 
But  cT  wc  part  ywis  thou  lb  alt  be  quit. 
And  thcrwithal  he  lough  and  made  chcre 
Aud  iayd  his  Talc,  at  yc  fhal  alter  here. 


THE    COKES    TALE* 


liTTs  whUoin  dwelt  in  our  citce, 
I  craft  M  ▼itailler»  wat  he : 
he  «rm*a»  goldfinch  in  the  Ihawe^ 
l»  a  bcry,  a  proprc  (hort  fclawe, 
kke»  bbke  kcmbcd  ful  fctifly  : 
he  coitde  (o  wel  at^d  joUjy, 
waa  cleped  Fcrkin  Revelour: 

B  fol  Of  lave  and  paramour 

hhnr  fol  of  hon^y  fwete ; 

tht  wcochc  with  him  mightp  metc* 

BflprMaiieraii  ontbHAy  prenriec  (rltco  to  dtet, 
li  vtec*  waftinjt  thcf  cby  itu  mtfUr'a  p>P(N,  mr.4 
•0  MmfctrufcwrcAte.  <  h€  BioQ,  ifiLTi  of  %hh  Tale 


At  every  bridalc  would  he  finjr  apd  hopp#  | 
He  loved  bet  the  tavernc  than  the  ihoppc; 
For  whan  thcr  any  riding  was  in  ChL'pe 
Out  of  the  ihoppc  tliider  wold  he  kpc, 
And  til  that  he  bad  all  the  (ighe  yfcin, 
And  danced  wet,  he  wold  not  conic  ugein  ; 
And  gadrcd  him  a  meinie  of  his  fort 
To  hoppc  and  ling,  and  makcn  fwichc  difport  ;» 
And  thcr  they  fcttcn  flcvcn  for  to  mctc 
To  plain  at  the  dice  in  fwichc  a  (Irctc  ; 
For  in  the  Toun  nc  was  ilicr  no  prciitix 
That  fairer  coudc  callc  a  pair  of  Ji» 
Than  PtrUn  coudc,  and  thereto  he  wa*  fre 
Of  his  dtfpcccc,  m  pliec  of  pnvctce ; 
U  iii> 


TMS    OOKSS    «rAL«. 


That  fond  his  maiiler  wel  in  his  chafiere^ 
For  often  time  he  fond  his  box  ful  bare. 

For  fothly  a  prcntis,  a  revelour, 
Th2t  haunteth  dis,  riot  and  paramoQ|r, 
Hismaifter  Ihal  it  in  his  fhoppe.abie, 
M  have  he  no  pan  of  the  mkiftrakiei 
For  theft  and  riot  they  ben  convertible^ 
Al  can  they  play  on  giteme  or  ribiblc. 
Revel  and  trouth,  as  in  a  low  degree, 
They  ben  ful  wroth  ail  day,  as  men  may  fee. 

This  joly  prenti»  with  hi«  maifter  abodp, ' 
TJl  he  was  neigli  out  of  his  prefttifliede, 
Al  were  he  fnibbed  bothe  erly  and  late. 
And  fpmtime  lad  with  revel  to  Newgate  ; 
But  at  the  lafl  his  maiiler  him  bethought. 
Upo  !  a  day  whan  he  his  p^er  fought. 
Of  a  provcrbc  that  laith  this  fame  i^oHt 
ly^clbetisrotenafpclotitolhord        ' 


Than  that  it  rots  alie  the  remepant  t 
So  fareth  it  by  a  riotous  fervant ; 
It  is  wel  laife  harm  to  let  him  pace 
Than  he  fliende  all  the  fervants  in  the  place  : 
Therforc  his  maifter  yaf  him  a  quittance, 
Ar«  mht  him  gty,  with  for  vie  cncF  witii  ikieftAHM 
And  thus  this  joly  prentis  had  his  levc : 
Now  let  him  riot  all  the  night  or  leve. 

And  for  ther  n'is  no  thefe  without  a  louke 
That  helperh  him  to  waften  and  to  fouke 
Of  that  he  bribeB  can  or  borwo  mays 
Anon  he  fent  his  bed  and  hia  array 
Unto  a  compere  of  his  owen  fort 
That  loved  dis,  and  riot,  and  di^rt. 
And  had  a  wif  that  held  for  countenance 
A  ihoppe,  and  fwived  for  hire  fuftei\aiice. 


THE  MAN  OF  LAWES  PROLOGUE. 


(Wi  MoSkc  Cxm  wcl  ihat  the  WigKtd  foanc 
Tkck  oThii  artificui  day  had  ronttc 
TklNETtbe  Bart  aod half  an  houru  and  more  | 
I  ikhotagb  he  were  not  dcp«  expert  Iq  lore, 
r  vifte  it  wa»  the  cighu-<uid.cw<:ae]r  d^y 
I  Afril*  tJmt  U  mclTiigcr  to  May, 
■d  Bw  wei  that  the  thodow  of  every  tree 
lr>ft«*  ia  leogtbe  of  the  j}une  qiuniitoc 
I «» tbc  bcKly  trc>A  that  caufed  it, 
[  ibcrfore  by  the  fhadow  he  tokc  hu  wit 
t  Fbelfcs,  which  that  ihonc  fo  ticrc  ajjdhrightf 
D^greet  wa*  fiifo-aDd-fort  j  *:Iombe  on  hight  i 
Ai^ior  tliac  day,  ai  in  th^it  htitudc;, 
ll  vm  tea  of  the  dok  he  gan  conclude, 
Aftd  Mesly  he  piight  his  hors  &boute* 

LcrdiD^,  quod  he,  [  waroc  you  ail  this  route 
TV  f&wrthe  parcie  of  this  day  U  gon : 
Ki«  fior  the  love  of  God  and  of  Semt  Juhn 
Ldali  no  time,  at  fcrlbrth  as  ye  may* 
Imiat^lK  the  time  it  wailcth  night  and  day, 
^it£  §tleih  from  u4,  what  privciy  flejung, 
JIaA  what  thurgh  ocgligcncc  in  our  waking, 
AtAetk  the  itrrme,  that  turntth  never  again^ 
'>'tT-tlr«*g  §ro  the  montagoe  iota  a  plain, 
Vd  can  Senek  and  many  a  philoJbphrc 
Vvaira  tixnf  more  than  gold  in  cofT^c  i 
f^k^crf  c«td  ftiay  rccovcicd  be, 
Ik  hie  of  titne  &endeth  us,  quod  he. 
Aiafaac  cioibc  again  withouten  drcde, 
tkmatt  than  wol  Malkint  nuidenhcde 
Tboiibe  hath  loSk  it  in  hire  wantooneirc  ; 
Ut  K#  not  tnoulen  ihu&  in  idJcnelTc. 

Src  Man  of  Lrawe,<)uud  he,  to  have  ye  bill, 
T^  B»a  Tale  auon,  a5  for  word  is, 
ti  hen  fijabsnitted  thurgh  your  Ifce  alTcnt 
Tft^aode  in  thii  ea«at  my  jugimrnt. 

I  yon  now,  and  hoideth  your  behefli 
Ate  ye  doo  your  devoir  at  the  Icil, 
e^  s^iod  he,  dt  f>ar  dUvm  jf&  ajftntt^ 
en  forword  tH  not  niin  entente. 
t  is  del ee,  and  I  wold  hold  it  iayn 
1  my  heheft,  }  can  no  better  fayn« 
r  fwkbe  bwe  as  man  ycvctli  another  wight 
e^fikohl  timCclven  ufen  it  by  right. 
Thn*  wol  9Qr  icjit ;  but  nathcles  certain 
1  am  lighi  now  no  thrifty  Talc  fain, 
{(ut  Cliauccr  (thotigh  be  can  but  lewdely 
Db  metrei  and  on  riming  craftily) 
Hieh  Qyd  hem  in  fwiche  EngUih  at  he  can 
pf  olde  doi^Ci  u  koowoh  nuny  a  maa  \ 


And  if  he  have  not  fayd  hem,  levo  brother. 
In  o  book,  he  hi^th  fayd  hem  in  another  : 
For  he  hath  told  of  lovcra  up  and  douu 
Mo  tJiikn  Ovidc  umdc  of  incntioun 
In  kis  EpWiQiti^  that  b«&  fut  olde. 
What  IhulJ  \  tellcn  hem  fin  they  ben  toldc  J 
In  youthe  he  made  of  Ccyc*  and  Atcyoa^ 
And  Jlthan  hath  he  fpoke  of  evcrich  on 
Thifc  noble  wive*,  and  thife  lover*  cke« 
Who  fo  that  woj  his  large  volume  feke 
Ctcpcd  Tbc  Seintes  Lcgendc  of  Cupide  : 
Thcr  may  he  £t:  the  large  woundcs  wid<; 
Of  Lucrccc,  and  of  Babylon  Thifbc  \ 
The  fwcrd  of  Dido  for  the  falfc  Ence  ; 
The  tree  of  Philli»  for  liirc  Demophon  \ 
The  pfaint  of  Deianire  and  Hermlon, 
Of  Adriane  and  VHphilee  ; 
The  harrcinc  ile  bonding  in  the  fee  ; 
Tbc  drcint  Lcandre  for  hi»  fayre  Hero  ; 
'I'ht  \^x^%  of  Hclcine,  and  ckc  the  wo 
Of  Brileidc  sind  of  Ladomia  j 
The  crueltee  of  thee,  Quetic  Medea, 
Thy  Hie!  children  hanging  by  the  haU 
For  thy  Jafon,  that  was  of  love  fo  fals  ; 

0  Hipcrmetlra,  Penelope,  Alccflc  \ 

Your  wif  hood  he  commendeth  with  the  bcdc. 

But  certainly  no  word  ne  writeth  ho 
Of  thllke  wickc  cnfampk  of  Canace, 
That  loved  hire  oWen  brother  fmfully  j 
(Of  all  fwiche  curfed  ftorie*  1  fay  Fy) 
Or  clles  of  Tyrius  Appolonious, 
How  that  the  curfed  king  Antiochus 
Beraftc  hiidoughtcr  of  hire  maidenhcde, 
That  is  fo  horriljlc  a  tak  for  to  rede. 
Whan  he  hire  threw  upwn  the  pavcmcnu 
And  thcrforc  he  of  ful  avifemcnt 
N'old  never  write  in  nou  of  his  fcrmoa* 
Of  fv.ichc-  unkindc  abhominattoiM  ; 
Ne  1  wol  Hon  rthcrfe,  if  that  I  may. 
But  of  my  Talc  how  Ibai  I  don  thij  day  \ 
Mc  were  loth  to  be  likened  douttlcs 
To  Mufei  thit  men  clcpc  Picrides, 
(  MetjTHarpbofe^i  wrote  what  I  mene) 
But  nathcks  I  rccche  not  a  bene 
Though  I  come  after  him  with  hawcbake  ; 

1  fpcke  in  profc,  and  let  bim  rimes  make. 
And  with  that  word  he  with  a  fohre  chcre 
Began  hii  Talc,  and  faydc  a«  yc  fliuil  hcitf. 


THE  MAN  OF  LAWES  TALE. 


I 


O  iCATHFUL  harm,  condition  of  povcrtc, 
With  thirflfWitti  cold,  with  hunger,  fo  confounded, 
To  aikcD  helpc  thcc  Ibamcth  m  ihioc  hertc. 
If  thou  non  aflc,  fo  fore  art  thou  ywoundcd. 
That  vcray  ncdc  unwrappeth  all  thy  wound  hid* 
Maug^rc  thin  bed  thou  moft  for  indigence 
Or  itcle  or  beggc,  or  borwc  thy  difpcnce» 

Thou  blameft  Crift,  and  [Ji3fft  ful  bitterly, 
He  mifdcp&rteth  rkhcHc  temporal  ^ 
Thy  neighcbour  thou  witcrll  finfully* 
And  fay^  thou  hail  to  Litcl  and  he  hath  all ; 
Parfay  (fayft  thou)  fomctimc  he  rckcn  fhall, 
Whftti  that  his  tayl  flial  brenncn  in  the  gledc, 
For  he  nought  helpcth  needful  in  hir  ncde. 

Herkcn  what  h  the  fentcncc  of  the  wifc» 
Bet  ii  to  dlen  than  have  indigence. 
Thy  fclvc  neighcbour  wol  thee  defpife  ; 
IT  thou  be  ponre  farcwcl  thy  reverence. 
Yet  of  the  wife  man  take  thb  fcntence* 
Allc  the  dayes  of  poure  men  ben  wicke ; 
Beware  therfone  or  thou  come  to  that  pricke. 

If  thou  Ik  pourc^  thy  brother  hateth  thcC| 
And  ili  thy  frcndct  flcen  fro  thee,  ala>  f 

0  richc  marchanti!  ful  of  wcle  hep  ye, 
C  nublc,  o  prudent  folk  *  a*  in  thii  cas. 
Your  bagges  ben  not  filled  with  ambci  as^ 

But  with  fii  cink,  that  rrnocth  for  your  cbanee ; 
At  Criftcnmafle  mcry  may  ye  dance* 

Ye  fekcn  tond  and  fee  for  your  winninges  \ 
As  w  ife  folk  ye  knowen  all  th*  eflac 
Of  rcgncs ;  ye  ben  fathers  of  ddingci 
And  tales  both  of  pees  and  of  debat : 

1  were  right  now  of  talei  defolat, 

N*erc  that  a  tnarrhant,  gon  ii  many  a  ycre, 
lAc  taught  a  Tale  which  that  ye  fhull  here* 

In  Surric  whilom  dwelt  a  compagnie 
Of  chapmen  rich,  and  therto  fad  and  trewc. 
That  wide  were  fenicn  hirfpicerie, 
Clothes  of  gold,  and  fatini  riche  of  bcwe  : 
Hir  chafl«rt  wai  fo  thrifty  axid  fo  ncwe. 
That  every  wight  hath  dcintce  to  chaflare 
With  hem,  and  eke  to  fell  en  hem  hir  ware. 

Now  fell  it  that  the  maiHen  of  that  fort 
Hin  fhapen  hcni  to  Rome  for  to  wcnde. 
Were  it  for  chanmanhood  or  for  difport, 
Nan  other  meflagc  woldc  they  thider  fcnde^ 
But  comen  hemfelf  to  Rome,  this  it  the  ende; 
And  in  fwielte  phce  a»  thought  hem  avantagie 
for  hir  entente  they  taken  lur  hcrbcr^gt. 


Sojourned  han  thefe  marchantt  in  that  torn 
A  certain  time»  aj  fell  to  hir  plcfance  : 
And  fo  bcfcl!  that  the  eicellent  reooun 
Of  the  tmpcroure*  doughter.  Dame  Cuflancc, 
Reported  was  with  every  circumilancc 
Unto  thefc  Surrien  marchantf  in  fwicbc  wife 
Fro  day  to  day  as  I  fhall  you  dcvife. 

This  was  the  commun  vots  of  every  mm  : 
Our  emperour  of  Rome,  God  him  fe, 
A  doughtcr  hath  that  fin  the  world  begain. 
To  rccken  as  wcl  hire  goodaeffe  at  bcaute, 
N'ai  never  fwiche  another  at  it  (he ; 
t  pray  to  God  in  honour  hire  fuftene, 
Aad  wold  fhc  were  of  all  Eurwpc  the  t}oene« 

In  hire  is  high  bcautc  withouten  pride, 
Youthc  withouten, grcnehed  or  folic  : 
To  all  hire  werkes  vertuc  is  hire  guide  ; 
HumblcfTe  hath  flaien  in  hire  tyrannic  t 
She  is  niirrotir  of  alle  curtcfie. 
Hire  Kerie  ii  vcray  chambre  of  holinefTe, 
Hire  bond  mini^re  of  fredom  for  almcflfe. 

And  al  thi»  vots  wa»  foth,  as  God  it  trewc  j 
But  now  to  purpot  let  ui  tume  agetn. 
Thcfc  marchants  ban  don  fraught  hir  fluppei  Qcwe, 
And  wlian  they  ban  this  bltsfAil  maiden  fein 
Home  to  Surric  ben  tliey  went  ful  fayiij 
And  don  hir  nedes,  as  they  ban  don  yore, 
And  liTen  in  wele ;  I  can  fay  you  no  more 

Now  fell  it  that  thcfc  marchanti  flood  in  grace 
Of  him  that  was  the  Soudan  of  Surrie; 
For  whan  they  came  from  any  ftrangc  place 
He  wold  of  bis  benigne  cnrtcfic 
Make  hem  good  eherc,and  bcfily  cfpic 
Tidings  of  fundry  rcgncs,  for  to  lerc 
The  wonders  that  they  mightc  fecn  or  here, 

Amongei  other  thinge*  fpeciatly 
Thefc  marchants  han  him  told  of  Dame  Cu 
So  grct  noblelTr,  in  emeft  fcrioufly, 
That  thi^  Soudan  hath  caught  Su  grtt  p!;iaiice 
To  han  hire  figure  in  hi*  remembnmce. 
That  all  his  luft  and  all  hit  befy  core 
Wa»  for  to  love  hire  while  his  lif  may  dure, 

Piraventure  in  tbilke  large  book 
V^Tiich  that  men  clepc  the  Hcvcn  ywritten 
With  fterret,  whan  that  he  his  birthc  took. 
That  he  for  love  (huld  ban  hii  deth,  alat  J 
For  in  the  ftcrrc*^  clcrer  than  it  glas, 
U  writ  en,  God  wot,  who  fo  coud  it  rede. 
The  dcth  of  CTcry  nan  witboutcB  drWc« 


THE   MAN   O 

mAoy  a  winter  therbcf«m 
m  the  dcth  of  Hcdor,  Acliilles, 
Ifiry,  Julius,  or  they  vrtrt  born  ; 
iof  Tbcbcft,  snd  of  Hcrculc*, 
Titnnis^  mnd  of  Socr&tc^ 
Mt  ayaukCM  wittci  ben  fo  dull 
cm  wd  rede  it  at  the  full. 
for  hU  pKre  councel  foot, 
Pftly  of  thU  fT»tcrc  for  to  pace, 

to  hem  declared  hi§  entest, 
fd  hem  certxin,  but  he  might  have  gncc 
I  Cyfhincc,  within  a  htel  fpacc 
I  hut  dedf  and  charged  hem  in  hie 

for  his  lif  fom  remedie. 
Hr  atcD  dWcrie  thingi  faiden ; 
q^amentet  caftcn  up  and  doun  ; 
kfabcil  reibn  forth  they  laidco  i 

of  magtkc  and  abufioo ; 
^^  mm  in  conclufion, 

feen  iimthat  non  avantage, 
loo  other  way  favc  manage. 
I  frw  they  therein  fwiche  difficultee 
( of  rcfon,  for  to  fpcke  all  plain, 
kther  w»t  fwichc  diverCtcc 
tc  bir  b«itbe  lawe»,  that  they  fayn 

CD  diat  no  Crifttn  prince  woU  fayn 
ha  childe  under  our  law  fwcte, 
■na  ycven  by  Mahound  our  prophetCt 
Ihe  snfwcred^  Rather  than  1  kfe 
I  wol  be  criftened  doubteki ; 
9  hirea,  1  may  noo  other  chcfe, 
m  hold  y ottr  arguments  in  pecs ; 
kny  lif,  afld  beth  not  recchcles 
a  htre  that  hath  my  life  in  cure, 
lii  wo  I  may  not  long  endure. 
sedech  greter  dilatation  i 
trctirc  and  ambalTatrie, 
the  Fopcs  mediatioun, 
the  chirche,  and  atJ  the  chcvalrte, 
ideftni^ioi)  of  Maumetric, 
\tmewtik  of  Crifiei  lawe  dcrc, 
ttaiK!orded  fo  as  ye  may  here  : 
M  die  Soodan  and  his  baronage. 
Am  Urges,  fliuld  ycriftencd  be, 
bil  hs!n  Caibincc  in  manage, 
giold,  1  D*ot  what  quantitce, 
finden  fuffifant  furetcc. 
accord  is  fwome  on  eyther  Ode  ; 
^r  Cullance,  almighty  God  thee  gxde. 
wolden  fom  men  waltcn,  as  I  gefie, 
Ihuld  telkn  all  the  punrciance 
ikh  that  the  Empcrour  of  his  noble  He 
tipen  for  his  doughtcr  Dame  Cuftancc« 
ty  mco  know  that  fo  grct  ordinance 

cdlen  in  a  litel  daufc 
airaied  for  fo  high  a  caui^. 

bcB  flupen  with  hire  for  to  wendcj 
its,  and  knig^htcs  of  re  noun, 
ker  Ibik  ynow ;  this  is  the  end  : 
ti£ed  is  thorghout  all  the  toun 
cry  wight  with  gret  devotioun 
prayca  CriSk  that  he  this  mariage 
IP  grcc^  aod  ijpcdc  thl^  viagc* 


F  LAWES    TALE.  4f 

The  day  h  comen  of  hire  departing, 
1  fay  the  woful  day  fatal  is  couk 
That  ther  may  be  no  longer  taryiag* 
But  forward  ihey  hem  drcffen  all  and  fome, 
Ctiftante,  that  was  with  forwe  all  overcome, 
Ful  pale  ariil,  and  drcfleth  hire  to  wcnde. 
For  wel  Ihe  fech  ther  n*ig  non  other  cnde. 

Ala*  !  what  wonder  is  it  though  flic  wcpt^ 
That  Ihal  be  fent  to  ilrangc  nation 
Fro  fircndes  that  fo  tendrely  hire  kept. 
And  to  be  botinde  under  fubjcdion 
Of  on  fhcknowcth  not  his  condition  ? 
Houfhondes  ben  aU  good,  and  han  ben  yore* 
That  knowen  wive*,  I  dare  foy  do  more. 

Fader,  (flje  laid)  thy  wretched  child  CuftaBce, 
Thy  yonge  doughter,  foftcred  up  fo  foft^ 
And  ye,  my  moder^  my  foverainc  plcfance 
Over  all  thing,  (out  taken  Crift  on  loft) 
Cuilancc  your  child  hire  recommendcth  oft 
Unto  your  grace,  for  1  {ha!  to  Surric, 
Ne  &al  1  never  fcen  you  more  with  eye. 

AJas !  unto  the  Borhare  nation 
t  mulle  gon,  fin  that  it  t*  your  will ; 
But  Crift,  that  ftarfc  for  our  redemption. 
So  ycvc  mc  grace  his  hellcs  to  fuliJJ, 
I  wretched  woman  no  force  though  I  fpill  : 
Women  arc  borne  to  thraldom  and  pcoance. 
And  to  ben  under  mannts  governance. 

I  trow  at  Troyc  whan  Pirrus  brake  the  wall 
Or  Ilion  brent,  or  Thcbca  the  citcc, 
Nc  at  Rome  for  the  harm  thurgh  HannibaU, 
That  Romans  hath  venquclhcA  times  three, 
N*as  herd  fwiche  tend  re  wcping  for  pttec 
As  in  the  chambre  was  for  hire  parting  j 
But  forth  ihe  mole  whtdcr  ft>e  wcpc  or  Xing. 

0  Brftc  moving  cruel  firmament  * 
With  thydmmal  fwvgh  that  troudtft  ay. 
And  hurtlcft  all  from  ell  til  Occident, 
That  naturally  wold  hold  another  way. 
Thy  crouding  fet  the  hcvcn  tn  fwiche  array 
At  the  beginning  of  this  fierce  viagc 
That  cruel  Mar^  bath  llain  this  marriage. 

Infortuiiat  afcendeut  tortuous. 
Of  which  the  lord  is  helpeles  fall,  alas ! 
Oat  of  his  angle  into  the  dcrkell  hous, 
O  MarH,o  Atyzar!  as  id  this  cat; 
O  fcblc  Mofic !  unlutppy  ben  thy  pat. 
Thou  knittefl  thee  thcr  thou  art  not  received, 
Ther  thou  were  wel  fro  tbenncs  art  thou  wdved« 

Imprudent  Emperour  of  Rome,  alas  J 
Was  ther  no  philofophre  in  al  thy  loun  I 
Is  no  time  bet  than  other  in  fwiche  ci&^ 
Of  viagc  is  ther  non  cledioun, 
Namely  to  folk  of  high  conditioun^ 
Nat  whan  a  rote  is  of  a  birth  yknowc  ? 
Alas !  we  ben  to  lewed  or  to  How. 

To  fhip  is  brought  this  woful  faire  gaaid 
Solerppnely,  with  every  circuniflance  : 
Now  Jcfu  Crift  be  with  yot*  all,  (he  faid* 
Ther  ii'JA  no  more,  but  Fiirewcl,  fair  Cuilancc. 
She  peineth  hire  to  make  good  countenance  ; 
And  forth  I  lee  hire  faylc  in  this  mauere, 
And  tumc  I  >vol  ;»gainc  to  my  luatcrc. 


THE   MAN   OF   LAWES  TAL«.      ^ 


That, 
^H^or  tl 


Tlie  mcrttitf  of  Saudto*  well  of  vkct, 
Efpted  hath  hire  fonci  plelne  entente, 
How  he  wol  Icte  hit  old  ficrifices ; 
And  right  inoji  flic  (or  her  confcil  frote. 
And  they  ben  comen  to  know  what  {he  mcntc; 
And  whao  affembled  wi4  ihi*  folk  in  fere, 
She  fft  hire  down,  and  fayd  as  jv  fliul  hcrei 
l4^rdft*j  (fbc  fayd)  yc  kmrwn  tytrkhon 
How  that  my  fone  in  point  i»  for  to  lete. 
The  holy  Uwe^  of  our  Alk^Lron^ 
Yeven  by  Godde«  MeJTager  Muhomete ; 
But  on  avow  to  g^rete  God  I  hete» 
The  Ijf  fhal  rather  otit  of  my  body  ftnte 
Than  M^homctet  bwe  otit  of  niyu  hcrt«. 
.   Wktkt  Oiuld  U9  tiden  of  ihift  newe  la  we 
Mot  thraldom  to  our  bodsei  and  peiiance. 
And  afWrward  in  he  He  to  Hen  drawt% 
fet  wc  rcncicd  Mjthound  our  ereince  f 
Btit,  Lorden,  wol  ye  mukeii  afTunince^ 
As  I  fhal  fay,  aifenting  to  my  Wre  ? 
And  I  (hdt  m;ike  us  ttnl  for  cvcrm<ire. 

They  fworcn  ind  a  Hen  ted  ev^ery  man 
•To  live  with  hire  and  die,  and  by  Hire  flond  ; 
And  cverich  on,  in  the  heft  wife  he  can. 
To  ftrcngthcfl  hire  ih^l  all  hi*  frendc*  fond. 
Ami  Ihc  huth  this  rmprife  yt:iken  in  bond 
VTifch  ye  {hull  hcfcn  that  \  Ih-tl  dcvife, 
Antl  lo  hem  all  (he  fpakc  right  in  thit  wife. 
We  Ihnl  firf\  fcio  irt  Criftcndom  to  uke  | 
Cold  water  fbal  nen  ^eve  ut  but  a  lite  j 
And  1  fhal  fwiche  a  fede  and  revel  make 
That,  SEf  I  trow,  I  (h»l  the  St.)udiifl  quite  i 
~~  If  tho  hii  wif  he  cflftencd  never  fo  white 
(hal  have  nedc  to  wafh  awiy  the  rede 
igh  the  a  font  of  water  with  hire  ledti. 
O  SoudannelTcf  rote  of  inj<]u»tee, 
"Vrraj^o  ihou  Semyramre  the  fecoad^ 
O  fcrpc,  nt  under  fcmioirtitet, 
Ukc  to  the  fcrpcnt  depe  in  helk  y1ioun4» 
O  fciiied  won^oin  ¥  A.U  thiit  may  confound 
Vcrtur  and  innatrence,  thurgh  thy  malice 
Ia  bred  in  thee,  a  neft  of  every  vice* 

O  S<ithxn  cnviou!  !  Cm  tJuLkc  dny 
That  thou  were  chnfed  from  oitf  heritage, 
Wei  knowdl  th«u  to  woman  the  oldc  way  i 
Thou  m^Jcll  Evn  1n   -.  .  -    -,  r,,.-  ", 
Thou  wtiit  fordi 

Thin  inftrtimcni  1  ') 

Mskrfl  tfeou  of  women  whan  thou  wok  Hegile. 

Thi»  SoudinnefTe.whom  I  thtwhlameandwurric, 
Let  privety  hire  conlcil  gon  hif  way  t 
"What  fhuld  I  in  this  Tile  lonjjcr  turic  f 
fihc  ridctli  to  the  Sotidan  on  a  d.iy. 
And  fayd  him  that  flic  wold  reiiite  hire  lif , 
And  CnUcudnm  of  prejlci  hondev  fo^t 
"^.epcntiug  hire  (h?  liethen  w»i  fo  lonj? ; 
Bcf^,K,r..,  u,*^  to  dot]  hfte  cbM  hon«iur 
Thai  i  II  theCrift«n  folk  to  Mi 

To  fl  vol  drt  my  hbour. 

^^  ic  8  ,1  wol  dun  at  yotir  heft, 

rA  kv  l^ed  hire  of  that  requett  ; 

gUd  ht  wa*  ne  nMfte  not  what  to  fay, 
1^  bi|T  fpnc^  aad  home  ihc  ^h  hiire  w»y. 


Arrived  ben  th«fc  Crimen  folk  e«  loni 
tn  Surric,  with  a  jpret  folcmpnc  rouvc. 
And  haftily  thi*  Boudan  fent  hit  fond 
FirR  to  his  mother  and  a.U  the  regne  abouti 
And  fayd  liii  wif  was  comen  out  of  dout^  i 
And  praide  hem  for  to  ridcn  af^n  the  ^ti 
The  houonr  of  hit  re^e  to  fuilene. 

Gret  wiu  the  prefie,  and  rictie  waa  til*  1 
Of  Surrient  and  Romanci  met  in  f<rre. 
The  modier  of  the  Sonian  richc  and  gvf 
Received  hire  with  all  fn  glad  a  ehcrc 
As  any  mother  miitht  hire  douj^hter  dercp 
And  to  eke  ncxte  citcc  thcr  befjdc 
A  foftc  pa»  folempncly  they  ride. 

Nought  trow  I  the  triumph  of  Julioa, 
or  which  tliat  Lucan  niaketh  fwiche  a  boll^«  i 
Was  realItT  or  more  curious 
Than  waa  th*  aifemblee  of  thi*  blitful  hoft  $  ( 
Butte  this  fcorpion,  thii  wicked  goft. 
The  Soudaade,  for  all  hirc#atrcring 
Cail  under  thi*  M  mortally  to  ftin|r. 

The  Soodan  coimjeth  himffif  fonc  titer  t 
So  really,  that  wonder  in  to  tcll^ 
And  wekometh  hire  with  alle  joy  and  blii.  i 
And  thus  in  mirth  and  joye  I  let  hem  dwell 
The  fruit  of  thi»  materc  i*  tJiat  I  tell 
Whan  time  came,  men  thouj^ht  it  for  th*  I 
That  revel  ftint,  and  men  go  to  hir  reft. 

The  time  come  It  this  Mc  9owhamt&, 
Ordeined  hath  the  fcftc  of  which  I  tnklt. 
And  to  the  feUe  Criilen  folk  him  dreife 
In  general,  ya,  bothe  yonge  and  oldc. 
Thcr  maymcnfeft  and  rcaltec  beholde. 
An  J  dcintec*  mo  than  [  can  you  devife ; 
But  all  to  dt:re  they  hou],;ht  it  or  they  riJSe. 

O  loden  wo,  that  ever  art  fucceifour 
To  world!)'  bllffe!  fprciut  h  with  bittcniriSr  ' 
Th*  cnde  of  the  ]oye  of  our  worldly  la&oiir^ 
Wo  occnpicth  the  ^n  of  our  gladodTe, 
Herken  this  coafeil  for  thy  fikemcfTe, 
Upon  thy  glade  day  have  in  thy  minde 
The  uiiwarc  wo  of  horme  that  cooKth  bd 

For  Ihortly  for  to  tellea  at  a  word. 
The  Soud.iD  and  the  Cnilen  everich  oa 
Ben  all  to-hewe  and  iUked  at  the  bord 
But  it  were  only  I>ime  Cultmncc  alone- 
Thin  old  Sotidancffc,  thia  curfed  crone. 
Hath  with  hirui  frende*  doo  tbia  curted  tfcde* 
For  fhe  hi  re  ft  If  wold  all  the  contree  Icde. 

Nc  ther  wa»  Surrien  non  that  was  Coavc: 
That  cif  the  confcil  of  the  Soudan  nmU 
That  he  n'as  aJl  to-hewe  crhc  aficrted  ; 
And  Cullance  han  thry  taken  aoofi  fot»>hof ^ 
And  in  a  llhip  alt  ft«n:lc6  (God  wot  > 
They  han  hire  fet,  wad  hidden  hire  l^nc  Uf 
Out  of  Surric  agaiaward  to  Uaille. 

A  certmin  tTofcir  that  ihe  thither  Udde» 
And  foth  to  fayp  vkaiik  grcc  pfcatee. 
They  han  hire  yevca^  and  clochet  ek«  ifae  ] 
And  forth  lie  faylcth  in  the  faltc  icew 
O  my  CuHaocc  I  fal  of  bcnsgAttee, 
O  Exnpcrottm  yonffc  dioQgfater  dere  J 
He  tlut  it  poii  of  lonnRC  be  thy  ilcie. 


rrtg   MAN   Of  tAWE3   TALI, 


H^ 


'ill  pttJOUi  VOU 

)ilc  Ihc  i 
nolj  croi»! 
fit!  of  pftfe, 

kcpc 
:>  t;u  dcpc- 
r  trcwc, 
f  ujbcrc 
Ul>  wc'undcs  newe, 
!  was  with  a  fpcrc  j 
d  here 
iJ_,  crtindcn, 
n»c  might  tnr  lift©  amctidco* 
fleet  thi*  cTciture 
of  Gr<!'c'',  unto  the  Stnitc 
If  WM%  Ktrt  avrtiture  : 

ihc  baitc ; 
,uc  waite, 
^,..,  .,  ,M  !, ire  drive 
fti  fhi!  Old  irtvc. 
n  why  ftic  was  not  flaio  ? 
nvfghi  hire  body  fcvc  ? 

til  demand  again, 
Dftiiici  ii)  the  horrible  c&ve, 
^  wif^lkt  favc  hf,  miftcr  or  knave, 
tk  kao  frrttt  or  he  ailerte  ? 
bvt  Co«3,  that  he  bare  in  hit  hertc* 
I  to  Hktw  h\%  wonderful  miracle 
r«  Qmid  fecD  bis  mighty  wcrkei  r 
tfj^t  i..  f.v  *>very  harm  iriacle, 
fr  Liiewcfl  clerkc^, 

l^fbf  nde  that  ful  drrke  is 

I  wti,  that  tor  our  ignorance 
korrw  hi«  prudent  porvciancc. 
h  IW  wat  not  at  the  felle  yfl;iLwe, 
t  hirr  frty  the  drcnchi»g  in  the  Ice  ? 
jot-  ■  ■      fifhe*  mawe,    ^ 

I  §p^  HincTfec  ? 

Ktt  -  *  no  wight  hm  he 

lib'  ulce  fro  drcr]'-:hirgj 

Irfei  : ^1  jur  thefecpairmg, 

the  four*  Ipiriti  of  temptft, 
laut  to  an  oven  lond  and  Tee, 
k«Bd  fi>uth,  and  alfo  v/eil  an^l  cll» 
Hrr  fe*? ,  ive'  load,  ne  tree  ? 
!?r  of  tUat  was  he 
*  fty  thi^  wvman  kcpte 
iti  .1         -,•,■:  1.C  :i^  u'  ...  r^ic  lltpte. 
ijpJif  *"    .'A    i-fiinri.         -..i  drinkchavc? 
—  "*  re  Vitaillc  ? 

_.   ../,;//*. 

^v  •  iwri  to  ftde  : 

,iL  Utrc  greic  nede* 
rn^o  tj%ir  ocean 

■        ■     ■  !1 
.  n, 
.  v»   turc  call, 
t  fo  fait 
^  ,  _   ...  Ai  a  tide  : 

l^ot  Crift  w  tftyt  Ok  Ihuldc  abide. 


The  ConfUbleof  the  calUe  doun  it  fare 
To  fccn  this  wrecke,  and  al  the  ihip  he  fou^h^ 
And  fond  thii  vcxy  woman  ful  of  earc ; 
He  fond  alfo  the  trefouf  that  Ihe  brought ; 
In  hire  langa^  mercy  the  bcfooght. 
The  lif  out  of  hire  body  for  to  twiunf. 
Hire  to  deliver  of  wo  that  ihc  wa*  innc. 

A  mxtiLT  Latin  c<?rrupt  wu  hiie  fpe^he. 
But  alj^e  th<:;rby  wa^fbe  usderAond. 
The  CoiiAable,  whan  him  lifl  no  longrr  fccht!;^ 
This  wofal  woman  brought  he  to  tliC  lofid. 
She  kncleth  doun,iind  thanketh  G^dJix^  tond^ 
But  wh4.t  ihe  was  Hie  wulJc  tio  miai  f<:ye 
For  foule  ne  [aire,  though  thtit  ye  Aiuldc  dcfO. 

She  faid  (he  wa*  To  mufcd  in  the  fee 
Thjt  Pt\c  formate  hire  mindc,  by  hire  troulh. 
TK :  C'-nftaldc  hath  of  hire  fo  gret  pltce. 
And  eke  his  wif,  that  tliey  wcpc/i  lov  routh  : 
She  wai  {o  dUtg;cnt  withouten  Houth 
To  ferve  and  pUfen  cverich  in  that  plicc» 
That  LiU  hire  love  that  hiken  In  hire  face. 

The  Conllabk  atid  D^n^c  (icTmrgildhit  wif 
Were  Payenea^  an<l  that  contrcc  every  wliCT£ 
But  Hcrmcgild  loved  Cuflance  at  hire  lif; 
And  Cu fiance  hath  fo  long  fojourncd  tUcr 
In  crifoDs,  with  many  a  bitter  tcre, 
Til  Jtfu  hath  converted  ihurgh  hii  grace 
Diimc  Hermcgild,  ConftablcfTc  of  thnt  place. 

In  all  that  land  no  Criflen  dorftc  route  ; 
All  Crit"len  faUt  ben  fled  fro  that  contrec 
Thurgh  Paycticft,  that  cunquercjcn  all  abouto^ 
The  plages  of  the  north  by  Lond  ind  feci 
To  Wdlci  fled  the  Chrinianitce 
Of  oldc  Bretons  dwcUiug  in  this  ilc  ; 
Thf r  wTu  hir  rcftjgc  fer  the  mene  w}tile. 

But  yet  ri*cre  Criften  Bretons  fo  cxUcd 
That  ther  nVrc  fom  which  in  hir  priviicc 
Honoured  Crift,  and  Hethcn  folk  begilcd. 
And  neigh  the  caftlefwiehe  ther  dwcltcn  three  r 
That  on  of  hem  was  blind,  -od  might  not  fee. 
But  it  were  with  thiike  cycn  of  hitminde. 
With  which  m^n  mowcn  fee  whan  they  ben  blinde.^ 

BH f^ht  was  the  fonne  a*  in  that  fomjners  day. 
For  which  the  CoBllahk  atd  his  wif  alfb. 
And  Ciiftance,  han  ytake  the  rightc  way 
Toward  tlie  fee  a  furlong  way  or  two, 
To  plaicQ  and  to  romen  to  and  fro, 
And  in  hir  walk  tJiiiblimle  lu^n  they  mcttc, 
Croked  and  olde,  with  eyen  fail  ylhctte- 

In  the  name  of  Crid,  (cried  thi»  btlndc  Breton)^ 
Dame  Hermegild,  yevc  me  my  light  again. 
Thiihidy  wejce  afraicd  of  tliat  foun, 
Left  that  hire  hujbond,  fiiortly  for  to  fail]. 
Wold  ^ire  for  Jdu  Crifte*  love  have  flain, 
I'll!  Cullance  made  hire  bold,  and  bad  hire  trcrdi^ 
The  will  of  Crift,  a«doughterof  holy  cherche. 

The  Cdnflablc  wcxe  abafhcd  of  that  fight. 
And  fuyde»  What  amounteth  all  thi»  fare  ? 
C\i^  tiuc  anfwercd.  Sire,  it  js  Cnfte»mi[;ht^ 
i  h:»t  liclpeth  fglk  out  of  the  fcndesfnarc  : 
And  fo  fc I  forth  ihe  o^au  our  lay  declare. 
That  Ihe  the  Conilable,  er  that  it  were  eve^^   - 
Convccted^  and  on  Qvlk  made  him  hckv^. 


4l  THE  MAN  O 

TKi»  Con{bW«  wai  not  lord  of  the  place 
Of  wbicK  1  fpcVc,  ther  as  he  Cuftancc  fond. 
But  kept  It  flrongly  many  a  winter  fpacc 
Under  Alb  King  of  Northumbcrlond, 
That  wai  ful  wife,  and  worthy  of  hkhond 
Again e  the  ScottM,  at  men  may  wel  here  % 
But  tourne  I  wol  againe  to  my  matcre, 

Sathan,  that  ever  Ui  waitcth  to  begilc, 
Saw  of  Cttftarjce  all  hire  perfcdiouo, 

I  And  C3A  anon  how  he  might  quite  hire  while, 

I  And  made  a  yongc  kntght,  that  dwelt  in  that  toim» 
"  ovc  hire  fo  hole  of  fnuk  affedioun, 

bj,t  veraily  him  thought  that  he  IhuldfpiUc 

rSut  he  of  hire  might  ones  han  hiii  willc. 
He  woeth  hire,  but  it  avmiteth  nought ; 
She  wolde  do  no  fmncby  no  wey ; 
And  for  dcfpit  he  compafTcd  his  thought 
To  makcn  hire  on  Oiameful  deth  todey  : 
Hr  waiteth  whan  the  Conflable  it  away. 
And  privily  upon  a  night  he  creptc 
In  Hcrmcgildcftchambre  while  fhe  Hepte. 

Wcry,  forwakcd  in  hire  orifotii, 
Sk-peth  Cutiince,  and  Hcrmcgildc  alfo. 
This  knightf  thurgh  Sathanes  temptations^ 
All  foftely  is  to  the  bed  ygo, 
And  cut  the  throte  of  Hcrmcgildc  atwo. 
And  kyd  the  bloody  knif  by  Dame  Cuflance, 
And  went  hi  J  way*  ther  God  ycve  him  mifchance. 

Sonc  after  cometh  this  Conflablc  home  again, 
Atidekc  Alia,  ihatking  was  of  that  lood, 
And  faw  his  wife  defpitoufly  yflain, 
For  which  ful  oft  he  wept  ^nd  Tvrong  hii  hood; 
And  in  the  bed  the  blody  knlf  he  fond 
By  Dame  CuRance.     Alas  !  what  might  (he  fay  t 
For  veray  wo  hire  wit  wai  all  away* 

To  King  Alia  wa»  told  all  this  mifchaiice^ 
And  eke  the  iime,  and  wher,  and  in  what  wlTci 
That  in  a  {hip  was  fonden  thU  Cuftancca 

^Jk4  here  before  ye  han  herd  mc  dcTife  : 

pThe  kiDgcs  herte  of  pttee  gan  agrife 

*  Whan  he  faw  fo  benigne  a  creature 
Fall  in  difcfc  and  in  mLfa venture. 

For  as  the  lamb  toward  hi»  deth  it  hrought| 
Sn  flant  this  innocent  befom  the  king : 
Thi»  falfe  knight,  that  hath  this  trcfun  wrought, 
£ereth  hire  in  hond  that  (he  hath  don  thU  thing  : 
But  nathelet  there  wa»  gret  murmuring 
Among  the  pcple,  and  fayn  they  cannot  gtfle 
That  ihe  had  don  fo  great  a  wickednciTe  ; 
For  they  han  feen  hire  ever  fo  vertuouA, 

|>  And  loving  Hcrmcgild  right  as  hire  lif. 
Of  this  bare  witneflc  cverich  in  that  hous 
Save  he  that  Hcrmegild  flow  with  his  knif. 
Thif  geuiil  king  hath  caught  a  gret  motif 

I  Of  this  witoef*,  and  thought  he  wold  enqucte 

I  Drpet  in  thit  cms,  trouthe  for  to  lerc. 

I      Alaft  I  Cuflance,  thou  hzQ.  do  champion, 

'  Ke  Hghten  canft  thou  cat,  fo  wala  wa ! 
But  he  that  ftarf  for  our  redemption, 
And  bond  Sathan,  and  yet  lith  Uicr  he  lay. 
So  be  thy  IVrongc  champlan  this  day : 

\tor  but  ifCrffton  thrt  miracle  kithe, 
Witliuiitcn  gilt  thou  (hale  be  Uain  a«  fwithe. 
Sbe  Ui  hire  doim  oa  kB&es»  and  thiu  fbe  fiydc; 


F  LAWES  TALI, 
Immortal  God !  that  («fv4A  Su^annt 
Fro  falfc  blcme,  and  thou  mcrcifnl  may <fi^ 
Mary  1  mcne,  doughtcr  to  Seint  Anne, 
Beforn  who«  child  aneeU  fingen  Ofadne* 
If  I  be  giltclc«  of  this  ^lonie 
My  foconr  be,  oreUcii  fhal  I  die. 

Have  ye  not  feen  romtime  a  pale  face  ^ 

(Among  a  prees)  of  him  that  hath  ben  bd  j 

I'oward  his  dcth,  where  as  he  getteth  no  fff/0^  ^ 
And  fwiche  a  colour  in  his  face  hath  had. 
Men  migliten  know  him  that  wax  fo  beftad 
Amongea  all  the  faces  in  that  route, 
So  llant  Cullance,  and  loketh  hire  aboute*  ^ 

O  quenes  living  in  profperitee,  ^ 

EhichtfTcs,  and  ye  ladic*  evcrich  oo !  jy_ 

Havcth  fom  routhc  on  hire  adverHceCfl  , 

An  cmperoures  doughter  fta;  t  alone ;  -  j 

She  hath  no  wight  to  whom  to  make  hire  flMSii^ 
O  blood  real,  that  fkoxidck  in  thi*  drede, 
Fer  ben  the  frendes  in  thy  gretc  nedc  !  /^ 

This  Alia  king  hath  fwiche  compa[&oao»      y. 
As  gtntil  herte  is  ful  felled  of  pitce,  -  l 

That  fro  his  eyen  ran  the  water  douzi*  <. 

Now  haftily  do  fecchc  a  book,  quod  he. 
And  if  this  knight  wol  fweren  how  that  flic     '^ 
Thii  woman  flow,  yet  wol  we  us  avife. 
Whom  that  we  wol  that  fhal  ben  our  julUcei  ^ ' 

A  BretoEi  book,  written  with  Evangiles^ 
Was  fet,  and  on  this  book  he  fwore  anoo  «. 

She  giltif  was,  and  in  the  menc  whiles  ■ 

An  hond  him  fmotc  upon  tlic  nekke  booCf  \ 

That  doun  he  fell  at  ones  a^  a  (lone. 
And  both  his  cycn  broft  out  of  hit  face 
In  fight  of  every  body  in  that  place, 

A  voice  was  herd,  in  general  audience. 
That  fayd.  Thou  haft  defciandercd  gikcJe* 
The  doDghtcr  of  holy  chirche  in  hi^  ftfdeace 
Thus  hall  thou  don,  and  yet  hold  I  my  pee 
Of  this  mcrvaille  agafl  was  all  tbcpreo; 
As  mafed  folk  they  (londen  cTcricK  «l 
For  dredc  of  wreche,  favc  Cuftance  alone, 

Gret  waa  the  drcde  and  eke  the  repentaa 
Of  hem  that  hadden  wronge  fufpcdioQ 
Upon  thisfely  innocent  Cuftancc  i 
And  for  this  miracle,  in  concluiioo. 
And  by  Cuftances  mediation. 
The  king,  and  many  another  in  that  place. 
Converted  was,  thanked  be  Crillei  grace. 

Thisfalfe  knight  was  flainfor  hituntroutlM 
By  jugcment  of  Alia  haftily ; 
And  ytt  Cuftance  had  of  his  dctb  gret  routhc  | 
And  after  thia  Jeftis  of  his  mercy 
Made  AJla  weddcn  ful  folempncly 

This  holy  woman,  that  is  fo  bright  and  flie ^ 

And  thus  hath  Crift  ymade  CuSance  a  qiteil«« 

But  who  was  woful  (if  1  ihall  not  lie) 
Of  this  wedding  but  Donegild,  and  no  mo. 
The  kingcs  inother,  full  of  tyrannic  f 
Hire  though^e  hire  curfcd  herte  braft  atwo; 
She  wotde  not  that  hire  font  had  do  fo  t 
Hire  thoughte  a  defpit  that  he  (huldc  take 
So  llmngc  a  creature  unto  hit  make. 

Me  lift  6oC  of  the  ch:if  ne  of  the  ftrc 
Makcn  fo  long  a  talc  as  of  the  com« 
WhMt  ihuld  I  tcUcfl  of  the  rcaltce 


THI    MAN    OP    LAWES    TALR 


"isflrt  or  uliich  coun  gmh  befom, 
^w«th  Id  ■  tronrtpe  or  m  aa  bom  f 
h  oi  c^cry  taht  U  for  to  f»y ; 

~  drink,  and  daoce,  &nd  (ing,  uidpUy* 
r^oii  to  bcd»  aa  it  wai  fklll  and  nght^ 
■igli  tbtt  wiTCsben  fal  holy  thingct, 
pften  t^ke  id  patience  a  aight 
Bsoer  o>e<cirArics,  as  ben  plcIiiigeB 
tlkac  ban  ywtdded  hem  with  ringct. 
f  1  lite  hir  holincr»  siilde 
ihe  time,  it  may  ao  bet  betide. 
Ire  he  gat  a  knave  cbildc  anoD» 
a  biAop,  ajid  hit  Coojbble  elcc, 
i  ham  mf  to  kept,  when  he  ii  goo 
kod  ^raxd,  his  fomcn  for  to  frktr, 
Irr  Chift^ancCf  that  h  fo  humble  and  m^ke^ 

gen  with  du]dc  til  that  diU 
ikire  ckacnbre^  abiding  Crifteiwill, 
r  b  come,  a  kn»Te  child  flie  bere  ; 
at  eke  fontftone  thej  him  calle. 

lie  doth  forth  come  a  TncHager, 
aoto  his  king  that  clepcd  wat  AUe, 
tkiftblisfu]  tiding  U  befalle, 
r  tidiDgt  fpedcful  for  to  fay. 
k  the  lettrc,  and  forth  he  goth  hit  way. 
lefigcr,  to  don  hii  a  vantage, 
kingea  mother  ridcth  fwithc, 
betll  hire  ful  faire  in  his  languor. 
tt  ^aod  he,  yc  may  bt  glad  ajid  blithe, 
token  God  an  hundred  thou  fan  d  fit  he  i 
f  4^Beiie  hath  child,  withouten  doutc, 
md  btilTe  of  all  tkit  regne  aboute. 
Ire  the  Icttrc  feled  of  thit  thing, 
~  here  ID  all  the  haft  1  may  : 
jbf  BDto  your  fane  the  king, 
■r  ferram  bothe  night  aiid  day. 
~E  Aofw^crd,  A«  now  at  thb  time  oay ; 
t  wol  all  night  thoa  take  thy  reft, 
■e  wol  1  fay  thee  what  me  left, 
lefagcr  drank  fadly  ale  and  wine, 
^  were  hi*  lettrc*  priTcly 
b  has,  while  he  flept  at  a  fwiae ; 
Brdeted  wu  ful  fnbtilly 
r  lettre,  wro jg^ht  ful  CnfuUy, 
le  king  dircde  of  thii  matere 
Conltahie^  »  ye  (hal  after  here. 
Icfzre  fpake,  the  quene  delivered  was 
Irrihie  i  fendlichc  creature^ 
the  cmftle  turn  fo  hardy  was 
w  while  dodt  therein  endure : 
ther  waa  an  elf  by  aventure 
hy  channel  or  by  forccrie, 
tnth  man  hateth  hire  compagnie^ 
mB  thi4  king  when  he  thb  tettre  had  fcin. 
lo  wight  he  told  hii  forwet  fore, 
omen  hand  he  wrote  again  j 
the  fbode  of  Crift  for  evermore 
am  now  Icmcd  in  his  lore  : 
;ic  be  thy  luft  and  rhy  plefance; 
I  ptit  ill  in  thyn  ordinance. 
Bi  tji  Ne  it  foalc  or  faire, 

f  wv  iiin  home  coming  : 

;,  fendeu  me  an  hcirc 
|Tca;  ,  *  to  my  Ukiug. 

Irt  he  Iiicd,privd|  wcpin^ 


Which  to  the  mclTager  wa^ttikcn  Osne, 
And  forth  he  goih,  diere  i«  no  more  to  done* 

O  mclTager  fulfilled  of  dronkencfte? 
Strong  is  thy  breth,  thy  limmes  fattrca  ay. 
And  thou  bcwreieft  alle  fecrcneJIe ; 
Tlky  mind  i»  lorne,  thou  jangleft  as  a  jay  | 
Thy  face  U  toumcd  in  a  new  array  : 
Thcr  dronkenefTe  rcgntth  in  any  route 
Ther  is  no  copfeil  hid  withouten  doute. 

O  Bonegild!  1  nc  have  non  Engtilb  digne 
Unto  thy  malice  and  thy  tyrannic, 
And  thcrforc  to  the  fcnde  I  thee  rcfigne* 
Let  him  cnditen  of  thy  traitorie, 
Fy,  mannifti,  fy  !  o  nay,  by  God  I  tie ; 
Fy,  fendlichc  fpirit!  for  I  dare  well  teUe, 
Though  thou  here  walke,  thy  fpirit  is  in  heller 

This  meflagcr  comcth  fro  the  king  again^ 
And  at  the  kingc^  qiodrcf  court  he  iight^ 
And  fhe  was  of  thit  mcftagtr  ful  fayn« 
And  pkfcd  him  iojall  that  ever  ftie  might. 
He  drank e  and  we  1  his  girdel  undcrpight  i 
He  |]epeth  and  he  fnorcth  in  his  gifc 
Alt  night  until  the  fonne  gan  arife. 

Eft  were  hislcttrcsftolen  everichon. 
And  coDtrefeted  lettres  in  thi«  wife. 
The  king  commanded  his  Conftable  anon, 
Up  peitur  of  hanging  and  of  high  jewife. 
That  he  nc  ihuldc  fofTran  in  no  wife 
Cuftance  within  hi*i  regne  for  to  abide 
l^hrec  daici  and  a  quarter  of  a  tide  ; 

But  iu  the  fame  Qiip  asi  he  hire  fond 
Hire  and  hire  yongc  fonc,  and  all  hire  gerr, 
He  Ihulde  put,  and  croude  hire  fro  the  lond. 
And  charge  hire  that  (he  never  eft  come  there. 
O  my  Cuftance  !  wcl  may  thy  ghoft  have  fere. 
And  (Icping  in  thy  drcme  ben  in  penance^ 
Whan  DonrgiJd  caft  all  thi»  ordinance. 

Thit  mcfFagcr  on  morwe  whan  he  awoke 
Unto  the  caftd  halt  the  ontc  way^ 
And  to  the  Con^able  he  the  Icttrc  toke; 
And  whan  that  he  thii  pitovt  lettre  fey 
Ful  oft  he  fayd  Ala£,  and  wala  wa  * 
Lord  Chrift,quDd  he,  how  may  this  world  endure^ 
So  fill  of  flnne  is  many  a  creature  f 

O  mighty  God  t  if  that  it  be  thy  will. 
Sin  thou  art  rightful  juge,  how  may  it  be 
That  thou  wolt  foffrcn  itmoccnce  to  fpill. 
And  wicked  folk  regne  in  profperitcc  ? 
A  !  good  Cuftance,  alaa !  fo  wo  i»  me. 
That  1  mote  be  thy  turmcntour,  or  dey 
On  ftiames  dcth,  ther  is  non  other  wey. 

Wq:>eo  both  yonge  and  oldc  in  all  that  plact 
Whan  that  the  king  this  curfed  Icttrc  fcnt : 
And  Cufltance  with  a  dedly  pale  face 
The  fourthe  day  toward  the  ftiip  fhe  went ; 
But  natheteff  flie  taketh  in  good  cntent 
The  will  of  Crift,  and  kneling  on  the  ftrond 
She  fay dc.  Lord,  ay  welcome  be  thy  fond. 

He  that  me  kcptc  fro  the  faUe  blame. 
While  [  was  in  the  lond  amongct  you, 
He  can  me  kepc  fro  harme  and  eke  fro  Hiamc 
In  the  fait  fee,  although  I  fc  not  how  : 
Af  ftrong  as  ever  he  was  he  i*  yet  now  ; 
In  him  truft  I,  and  in  his  mother  dcre» 
That  U  to  mc  my  fail  and  ckc  my  litre. 


THE  MAN  OP  LAWES  TAtt. 


I 


I 


Hire  litcl  child  lay  weplng  in  hire  arm. 
And  knctifij;  jiitoully  to  him  flic  faid, 
Pecht  lire!  fooc,  I  w«I  dn  thcc  no  harm  j 
IV'iih  tliut  hire  touvcrchicf  of  ^ji^c  hcd  llic  brud. 
And  over  bis  Ittd  eye n  file  it  lard » 
And  in  liirc  armc  ibc  lullcth  i(  ful  faCt, 
And  into  ihc  hcfvctj  hire  eytn  up  ihc  caft- 

Mother,  quod  ihc,  iind  n»wydcn»  bright  M«rie  * 
Snthittli&t  thury^li  U'oRi:inc»<ggi?meot 
Miirliind  wia  lorne,  and  diumued  nj  to  die, 
J-^jr  which  thy  cliild  waa  on  a  croi*  yrcnt  : 
*Jhy  hlififui  cycD  faw  all  hi»  turmem, 
I']),!!!  ii  ther  no  comparifou  hrtv»i'tie 
Thy  wo  and  any  i^omfea  m»y  fu(>cnc. 

Thou  fiiw  thy  child  ylUin  haorc  thin  eyen, 
Alififtt  now  livcth  my  liicl  child  parfay  : 
Now,  Lady  brtglit !  to  whom  all  woful  crirn, 
^rhfiU  glory  of  womnflhtfd,  th&y  fi^irc  May! 
Thou  haven  of  rrfutr^  bright  ftcrre  oi  diy! 
Rcw  on  my  chiklp  that  of  thy  g^cnUleflc 
JLcwcft  oth  tvery  rtwful  in  diftrcfie, 
"    O  litclchild,  al.i*  !  what  is  fhy  gilt, 
•That  never  wrou^htuft  finne  a*  yet  pardc  I 
'Why  woj  thiD  harde  father  have  thee  fpilt  ? 
O  mercy,  dcrc  ConftabU- !  (quod  ihc) 
A«  let  n»y  litcl  child  d^eli  here  with  ther; 
And  if  thou  darft  c»  t  U\cn  him  fro  blame. 
So  kiHe  him  on««  in  inn  f^drc6  n?in'.c. 

Thcnvith  fbc  k4cth  bsckv/ard  to  the  Innd, 
And  fsiidcp  Farewcl,  houibond  routhelet ! 
And  lip  (he  rift,  and  walkcthdoun  the  ftrond 
JTo^'ard  ihr  (hip  ;  hire  fokrwrih  all  the  prea  i 
k  ^d  evrr  (he  praicth  hint  chiid  to  hold  hi*  pers 
I -ire  kvc,  and  w^th  an  holy  ciitcnt 
[ic,  and  iniothe  (hip  fhc  wfrtit, 
*^    (hip,  it  ta  no  drcdc, 
>rca  ful  lonjr  fjiaci:; 


llahur 

And  ft 

She  h^c' 

For  \\y.  ' 

And  brtiig  htrc  in 

Huf  tn  fit-  f-cfhc  .: 

''rtif  con.tiii 

-I. 


le 

race  : 

d  purchace* 
o  better  fj»y, 
>  hire  way* 
foDr  after  thk 


r                         J,  of  thr  uhich  I  I  old, 
/  ■  t:d  it; 

'1  old, 

A^w,  J...  ..,  .H  ,P.  :okl 

A*'  TC  lull  l-trd,   I  '  "f, 

Aud  flirwid  the  ki:  ^,  ....  :-- ii;tt  Ictttsri 

And  fj^iile,  Lord,  as  ye  comn>atided  m< 
Up  pii  1.   .,f  ,«t'l\  f"  !  .iv  !  d*rti  certain. 
1  dJ  he 

^i  ..t  and  plain 

Fro  nt^jjt  !u  ui^hi  in  what  ybce  he  hiMl  lain  : 
And  Ihurby  wit  and  fuhtil  cf»i;tieriii<( 
Imigmed  WM  by  wliom '*  ^innjr- 

Tljt  lixnd  w»i  kiwiw  r  ^^rlKe» 

A»d  Ji!l  •'     -    *  '  uu  ".'uv, 

But  in  at. 

The  e'J     .        _.,:._:   ,....    .  yr  r.f  ^r,,\e 

Hi%  «io4er  litxv,  that  moun  u  rede, 

For  that  H.c  triaitosr  was  to  h  . . 

Tim*  tndcd  thai  oW  Donej^dd  wjth  mckhstsoe. 
The  Ltw'c  than  tiiia  AUa  night  and  daj 


MkihfHh  fur  hi»  wif  and  for  hi»  chll^ 
Ther  is  no  ton^ethat  it  telle m  muy. 
But  now  wol  1  agcti  tn  f  ^f** 

That  flctctb  in  the  H*  1  W* 

Five  yerc  and  iricire»  **  i-^ivi  v  .  liKtAHulf* 
Or  tli:4t  hire  (hip  approdied  it»  the  l&niri. 

Under  an  Hethaie^ftel  at  tlic  kft, 
(Of  whieh  the  name  in  my  tcJrt  I  not  fit^) 
Cuflatiee  and  eke  hire  eliild  the  fee  up  ead. 
Almighty  Crod,  that  favcd  ail  mankind, 
H^vc  on  CuflatKe  and  on  hire  child  fotn  fl 
That  fiillen  i«  m  Hnthen  hondcftfutic 
In  point  to  fpiJJ,  ^*>  I  fh^l  telJ  you  futie. 

Dciim  fro  the  cailel  Cometh  ther  oiAilf  al 
To  gaurcn  on  thi§  Ihip  and  on  Cuflalice  : 
But  iliorily  '-^^ ''«      -'   "    -  ■  ^ -ht, 
Thf  lordc-  I  n  m<i 

A  thc^f  til  /  «cc» 

Ciiincinfii  theihip  alone,  andiudhe  wol^le 
Hire  Icniman  he  wli-jfber  fhe  ^%Adr  or  nVlde. 

Wr«  V,  as  thif  wretched  womaxi  tho  b^«iL$ 
Hire  chill  rn'd,  an<f  ih»*cr«'d  tiiroofly  5 
Bi(thliJ>h«l  ^  I  , 

For  with  h  If 

Ihe  thcef  i 
And  in  the  ' 
And  thus  \ l  .  .. 

O  fouK-  hj*t  oi  luxi 
Not  only  ehrft  thou  fun 


it  1 1    Ji'U'JjM)  , 


♦  d  (or  Tcnjjcancr ; 

- — '1  L.-t  C* 


But  iccrally  thou  wok  hii  btniy  ihvmUe* 
rh'  ende  of  thy  werk«  cr  of  thy  lulle«btia 
U  ctmpl,:uii5ng  :  how  many  may  men  luid 
Th;it  not  for  v'erk  fonictitnc,  but  for  th'  tnitem  1 
To  don  thift  finn^,  ben  cythcr  (laiti  or  Vu 
How  ma^  thift  wekc  woman  h^v  the  : 
Hire  todri      ^  -!      ^  .--..-  ? 

0  GoliaA  ! 

How   oil     f  ._    ;..,-..,;.  ..„,    :i   <r..l.    '■ 

So  )i  armure  fc  dcK  ' 

How  ^.s  upon  thy  dredr 

Wcl  may  men  fceii  it  was  but  G«n>  i  »     t^ 

WIio  yaf  Jtwlith  ccrafre  or  harduKiic 
To  fivcti  him  Hfilof'.'rne^  in  hie  teat. 
And  to  dciivcr  out  of  wretcludneffe 
The  pcplc  of  God*  !  Iky  fc*.    ' 
That  right  a»  Cod  (ptrit  ol 
']  a  hem,  andi^ved  hem  em  i'^  >^'^  <  .r,<.n  , 
So  fent  he  might  and  Tigotir  to  Cuilwice. 

Forth  goth  hire  (Hip  thurrhu-.it  thr  nAr «.-  moll 
Of  Juhaltcrf  and^pi  , 
Sometime  wtH,  and  i^ 
And  fnmetime  ejl,  ful 
TilCrif>t^ffiod<Tfbk]. 
Hafh  r?h  lure  cii  . 

To  n  t.f  aU  hire  ) 

titiw  lit  ij.  mat  of  (' 
Aftd  fpckc  wc  of  the  i^ 
Thnt  outo^  c,  .^;..  \,,.. 
The  daug] 
Dun  to  ht* 

1  mere  the 
Thct  at  ihr  .^  ',!,,.. 

For  whicU  thie  cuipcr^^iir  imiti  icu; ; 
Hii  fenatuur,  with-  tcoi  ordifiimcet, 


HE  MAN  OF  LAWJSS  TALK. 


tut^f  many  on, 
rii  high  vcngftncc : 
cn,  ami  bring  hem  to  mefchonce, 
piilirft  but  (hunly  tfus  ii  th*cTidc, 

I  Cif  R<in     *'■        -       "  !mn  to  wetidc, 
stour  r  cleric 

■  ward,  !^  .  -,,  .-     --..J, 
I  the  Aip  driving,  a*  iJith  the  ftoric, 
I  Cu^iHcc  Iftrcth  fnl  phnudy  * 

he  whit  ftic  was,  ne  why 
array,  nc  fhc  wil  fey 
though  that  (he  ihuldc  dey. 

hire  td  Rome,  and  to  his  wif 
And  hire  yoji^c  fonne  i«li\>, 

*  fmrntour  ihc  lad  hire  lif, 

•  Ltody  briiigcn  out  of  wo 
and  many  another  mo  : 

r  4 willed  (he  in  that  pUio! 

I  ever,  a«  was  hire  grace, 

k  wif  hire  atuite  wa*, 

knew  hire  DCTcr  the  more  : 
■  tarirn  in  ihi«  cas, 
r  AlLa^  -which  J  If  Ac  of  yorf, 
.  wif  wipcth  and  nkcth  fgrc, 
I  wcl  CuiLince 
ivcftiance. 
•r  hat!  his  moder  dlln^ 

re];u'nta.ncc, 
ih-J  iad  pUin, 
til  to  receive  his  pcTiancc, 
Jie  Popci  ordinance 
^Oii  Jcfu  Cr'ift  bc'foir^^ht 
,:!  ^rrkfi  that  hr  hu[  wrought. 
St  a^Di     "  bom, 

II  t:  ',  as  wa*  afagc, 

ay.  ^ "J y  of  his  linage, 

i<b  I  g^jficencc 

bit  doth  tiu9  nobic  fcnatnur 
r*l3.,   jrid  he  tohimalfo  : 

^th  other  jfrct  honour  ; 
.t  in  a  day  or  two 
tvjjr  I*  It!  Kiiijj  Alia  go 

t  Oicrt  ly*  if  I  Ihal  r.fjt  He, 
•  foBC  wrtit  in  hi*  comp^'jifjc. 
I  wold  fain  zt  fv'queii^t!  uf  Ctiilance 
r  liatJb  tad  thii  childc  to  ftCtc  i 
mrvciy^  circumllacce ; 
f  ikcr  wu  he  at  the  Itrftv  : 
I  tliii,  that  at  his  imothcrs  hefte 
dyunng  the  metc^  fpacc, 
'       picking  in  the  king^fs  face. 

>  hath  of  this  child  grct  wonder, 
fald  anoOi 

:  that  ftondcth  yonder  ? 
>d,  and  by  Seint  Juhn ; 
fader  huth  he  a  on 
shortly  tn  a  (lound 
lAlUfeow  that  thift  cbtld  was  found. 
I  woi,  qood  thii  fcnatour  itfo, 
I  a  li^eT  in  all  my  lif 
^  Cxc^  u:  herd  t^f  mo 


Of  worldly  woman,  m;ildcn,  wid 
I  dar:  wcl  fayn  hire  haddc  lever  a  Itnif 
'rhin*;hout  hire  h  re  ft  tha^i  ben  a  woman  wiWkc  ; 
'I  hci'  IS  no  man  cou  Jc  brin^  hire  to  chat  prikke. 

Now  was  thi«  child  as  lil^c  iinto  Cullauce 
A^ ,» jfliblc  1*1  a  creature  tu  be  : 
Tlv*  .\llahalh  the  face  in  remembrance 
Of  Uiimc  Cuftance,  atyd  thcrun  mufed  he, 
If  that  tlie  cliildcs  mode r  were  aught  0llc 
Thjt  Ift  hi-  wif,  and  privdy  he  llghtc. 
Ami  fpcd  him  fro  the  table  that  he  mightc-, 

I'irfay,  thought  he,  fsntnmc  i»  in  min  hcd; 
1  ought  tadcmtf  of  Ikilful  ju^cmeitt 
That  in  the  fjhe  fee  my  wit  lb  detL 
Ajfid  afn  rward  he  made  his  argument ; 
Wh:iT  wot  I  if  that  Crift  have  hidcr  fcnt 
My  wif  by  fee,  as  wel  as  he  hire  lent 
To  my  co«tree,  fro  ihennt-s  that  (he  went  ? 

And  after  noon  h  «»iic  with  the  fcnatour 
Goth  Alia,  for  to  fee  this  wonder  chance, 
"^ihii  kuatour  doth  Alia  ^rct  honour. 
And  haftily  he  fcnt  after  Cu{hincc; 
But  tnUlcth  wcl  hire  lufte  not  to  dance  : 
\V*han  that  flic  wifte  wlicrfore  was  that  fondc 
Uiinr.'the  upon  hire  feet  fhc  mightc  (Vonde. 

Whan  Alb  fuw  hit  wif  fuire  he  hire  ^rctte. 
And  wept  thai  it  was  routhc  for  to  fee ; 
For  at  the  firftc  look  he  on  hire  fettc 
He  knew  wel  veraily  that  it  was  fhe ; 
And  flic  for  forwe  a»  domb  flant  as  a  tree  ; 
So  w;i»  hire  hcrtc  fliette  in  hire  diftreflc 
Whan  Ihe  rcnicmbered  his  unkindcncfle. 

'I'wics  fhcfwounctli  in  hjsowcn  fight; 
Ilf  wepcth  and  him  cicufcth  pttoufly  : 
N<iw  Gud,  quod  he,  and  all  his  halwe*  bright, 
:>o  wifly  on  my  foule  a»  have  mertry, 
Hue  of  your  harrae  a^  gilteki  am  1 
Aa  in  Maurice  my  font-,  Co  like  your  face, 
£lki»  the  fend  rac  fetchc  out  of  thi?^  place, 

X-ong  wx.  the  fobbing  and  the  bitter  peine 
Or  that  hir  woful  bertes  mighten  ccfe; 
Gret  was  the  pitcc  for  to  here  htm  pUine, 
Tburgh  whichc  pleintes  gan  hir  wo  encrefc. 
J  pray  you  all  my  bbour  to  relefc, 
I  may  not  tell  hir  wo  until  to^morwe, 
1  am  fo  wcry  for  to  fpckc  of  fonve. 

But  finally,  whan  that  tlic  foth  is  will. 
That  Alia  giltttes  waj  of  hire  wo, 
I  trow  an  hundred  times  hau  tbey  ki(t. 
And  fwi:he  a  blifle  h  thcr  bctwix  hem  two, 
That,  favc  tlie  joyc  tiiat  laflcth  cvcrino, 
Ther  i*  non  like  that  any  creature 
Hach  fccn  or  flial  while  that  the  world  may  duft, 

Tho  praicd  flir  hire  hufbond  mekcly. 
In  relccf  of  hire  longe  pitouj  pine, 
rhat  he  wo!d  priy  hire  fader  fpeciallj 
Th:t  cf  hii  A'.agcftcc  he  woldc*  cnclinc 


ally 


To  vouchcfuuf  fom  day  wirh  him  to  dtnc  j 
She  praicd  him  eke  he  fliutdc  by  no  way 
Unto  hire  fader  no  word  of  hire  fay, 

Scm  men  wold  fayn  how  that  the  child  Maurt^^ 
Dotli  thii  melTagc  until  this  cmperour; 
But  aA  I  gclfc  AlU  wa*  not  fo  nice, 
To  hiiii  tiut  is  fo  Ibveraiuc  of  hououri 


THE  MAN  OF  LAWES  TALE. 


A«  he  th*t  i«  of  Criftcn  folk  the  Hour, 
Send  any  chiKt,  but  it  is  bet  to  deme 
He  went  himiclf,  and  fo  ir  may  we  I  feme, 

Thi*  cmperour  hath  grunted  ^ciitilly 
T»Tt  come  to  dinner  zs  he  him  beloughte ; 
And  wel  rede  I  he  loked  bcTily 
fjf.ori  thifi  child,  and  on  his  doughtcr  thought. 
Ailji  goth  Vt  hjs  innc,  and  as  him  ought 
Arr-iicd  for  this  feftc  in  every  wife 
At  ferforth  at  hi*  conning  may  fufGc^. 

The  morwc  came,  and  Alia  gain  him  dreiTe, 
Atii  eke  his  wif^  t^is  empcrour  to  m-^tc; 
And  forth  they  ride  in  joyc  and  in  gJudncfTc ; 
And  whan  fhc  hvr  hire  fader  in  the  Itrete, 
I  Bhc  light  at^ouQ  and  falleth  him  to  fete. 
'  Fitlcr,  quod  ihe,  your  yongc  child  Cullance 
It  nnw  ful  cicne  out  of  your  remembrance* 

t  am  yoi^  dou^hter,  your  Cuftance,  quod  flie, 
That  whilom  ye  ban  fcnt  mr<4  Surric ; 
It  mm  1,  fader,  diat  in  the  fake  fee 
Wj«t  put  done,  and  <lampncd  for  to  die  : 
Kow,  goodc  fader,  F  you  mere le  eric  ; 
Send  me  oo  more  into  non  Hnhcncflc, 
But  thankcth  my  lord  here  of  hitkiadodTc. 

Who  c*fi  the  pitouf  joyc  tcilen  all 
BetwijL  hem  thre  fin  they  ben  thui  ymeUti 
But  of  my  Talc  make  aiti  cnde  I  fljal. 
The  day  goth  Me^  [  wol  do  longer  Icttc. 
Thifc  glad  •  to  Ik  to  dinner  ben  yfette ; 
In  jf?yc  an  J  blrffe  at  mete  I  let  hem  dwell, 
A  thoufan  Hold  wH' more  than  f  can  telL 

Tl  it  ihiid  M:«uncc  w*»  Uih<'n  Empcrour 
Made  by  die  Pope,  and  iivcd  ChriAenly; 
To  Criilet  chirche  did  hcfirrct  honour  ; 
Biit  t  Jet  all  hit  (loriepailcn  by; 
Of  Cuftancc  if  my  Tale  fpccially  ; 


Ic  the  olde  Romane  gelles  men  may  Und 
Maurices  Tif*  1  b«rc  it  not  in  mind. 

This  King  Alia,  whta  he  hi*  time  fey. 
With  hi»  Cudance,  hi*  hofy  wif  fo  fwite. 
To  Znglond  ben  they  come  the  righte  wey, 
Ther  as  they  live  in  joye  and  in  quietc  : 
But  litt'l  T^hilc  it  b[tcth  I  you  hetc ; 
Joyc  of  tlu«  world  for  time  wol  not  abide. 
Fro  day  to  night  it  thangcth  as  the  tide. 

Who  lived  ever  in  fwiche  d*rlite  o  day 
That  him  nc  mcved  cythcr  confcicncci 
Or  ire,  or  takut,  or  fom  km  affray, 
Envic,  or  pnde,  pr  pafllon,  or  offence  f 
\  nc  fay  but  ft>r  thi*  aid  th>»  fcntccce, 
That  litcl  v^hik  in  joye  or  ip  plefaoce 
Laileth  the  bliflc  of  All*  with  Cuftanc*. 

ForDcth,  that  ukcth  of  hie  and  iowel 
Whan  p^iffed  was  a  ycrc,  even  as  1  grflc. 
Out  of  this  world  this  King  Alia  he  hcnte,J 
For  v.'hotn  Cull  an  ce  haih  ful  grct  hevcnci&ll 
Now  let  us  praien  God  his  fuulc  blcflc  : 
And  Dame  Cu(bjiee,  finally  to  fay, 
Toward  the  toun  of  Rome  goth  hire  way. 

To  Rome  it  come  tht»  holy  creature. 
And  findeth  ^cr  hire  frepde^  hole  and  foi 
Now  is  Oic  fcaped  all  hire  avcnture  : 
And  whan  thai  ihe  hire  fader  hath  yfound^  J 
Doun  on  hire  knees  falleth  Ihe  to  ground^ 
Wcping  for  teiidemeiTi  in  htrte  blithe, 
She  htrirth  God  an  hundred  thoufand  Htl 

In  venue  and  in  holy  alniefle  dede 
They  liven  ille,  and  ntver  aibnder  wcode| 
Till  deth  dtparteth  hem  ihi*  lif  tlicy  lede  j 
And  fare th  now  wcl,  my  Tale  is  at  an  end 
Now  Jcfu  Criil,  that  of  his  might  may  1 
Joyc  after  wo^  govcrnc  us  in  his  grace. 
And  krpe  us  allc  tliat  ben  in  this  place. 


t 


THE  WIF  OF  BATHES  PROLOGUE*. 


k 

^■k,  thoBgh  Don  adontire 
IBs  ^^orld,  i»  nght  ynough  for  me 
of  ifro  that  ii  in  nuriagr  ; 
dxi^g%,  fin  I  twcU  ycre  was  of  age 
gi,  be  Ood  that  ii  ttcme  on  live) 
les  at  chif  che  <Iore  have  I  had  five, 
au^hc  han  wedded  be) 
inarthy  men  in  hir  degree, 
told,  not  longe  time  ag^oo  ii^ 
Ort£L  ne  went  never  but  onift 
_  m  the  Cane  of  Galilee, 
that  tike  cnfample  taught  he  mc 

Ihulde  wedded  be  but  onc&. 
|c  eke,  which  a  ibafp  word  (or  the  nonet, 
i  wcUe  Jcfu  God  and  man 
renrele  of  the  Samaritan  ; 
I  ]it»dde  five  hufbonds,  fayde  he, 
kc  man  that  now  faalh  wedded  thee 
tfa  hoflyand.     Thut  faid  he  certain  ; 
kat  he  meat  therby  1  can  not  fain  ; 
1 1  aflce  why  that  the  fifthe  man 

iMllbond  to  the  Samaritan  f 
my  ought  (he  have  In  manage  ? 
H I  oerwcT  tellen  in  min  age 
l6»  ootimhre  diffinitioun ; 

devioe  and  glofco  up  and  doun. 
twd  I  wot  cxprcflc  withoutcn  lie, 
|f«t  for  to  wei  and  multiplie; 
iKil  text  can  1  wcl  umlerftond  : 
1 1  irot  he  iayd  that  min  hufboud 


) 


.  of  a  few  vrrfei  tf>  c^fine^  this  Prnjoctie  with 
TaJc  w»i perceived  la^n  aijtf^,  jitad  the  rlt'crt 
Vto^<■  fupi^lkd  bv  Ehcftutlior  of  rhet<»iIow*Mg 
iA  if.  B*  «ic  ptetined  to  iTie  comnK'n  Pro- 


F      nu.iP--.  rt   R  f  s 


-  uri  annn* 

'  cvcdcti  onCa 
ife 
V  Talc, 


:•:  lean. 
r  Tile  byt;unne. 


Inytan.  . 
»  are  prmfea  iitf <  *4  « Ju^Ulicattea  for  not  la* 


Shuld  Icve  fader  and  moder  and  take  to  in«; 

But  of  no  noumbre  mention  made  he 

Of  bigamic  or  of  o<^ogumie ; 

Why  ihiild  men  thaji  fpckc  of  it  vilanic? 

Lo  he  PC  the  wife  King,  DiUi  Salomon, 
I  trowc  he  hadde  wive*  mo  than  on, 
(Ai  wplde  God  it  Icful  were  to  me 
To  he  refrcJhcd  half  fo  oft  a$  he) 
Which  a  gift  of  God  bad  he  for  allc  hji  wivc»  ? 
No  man  hd^th  fwiche  that  in  thic»  world  on  live  i 
God  wot  this  noble  king,  as  to  my  witte, 
The  firde  night  bad  many  a  mery  littc 
With  cchc  of  hem ^  fo  wcl  wm  him  on  live, 
Bkfled  be  God  that  I  have  wedded  five ; 
Welcome  the  fixthc  whan  that  ever  he  IhalJ; 
For  fith  1  wol  not  kepc  me  chafte  in  all. 
Whan  mill  huiband  i^  fro  the  world  ygonc 
b'oni  Criftcn  man  Ihal  weddcn  tnc  anon ; 
For  than  the  apofllc  faith  that  1  am  frc 
To  wedde  a'  Goddcs  half  wher  it  liketh  mc  j 
He  faith  that  to  be  wedded  is  m>  IJnne  ; 
Better  ift  to  be  wedded  than  to  brinne. 

What  rckketh  mc  though  folk  fay  vilsuitc 
Of  Ihrcwed  Lamech  and  his  bigamie  i 
I  wot  wcl  Abraham  wa*  an  holy  man. 
And  Jacob  eke»  ash  fer  as  ever  1  can. 
And  cche  of  hem  had  wives  mo  than  two, 
And  many  another  holy  man  alfo. 
Whcr  can  ye  fcen  in  any  maner  age 
That  higlic  God  defended  mariagc 
By  cxprtffc  word  ?  1  pray  you  tcUeth  mc. 
Or  whcr  commanded  he  virglnitec  ? 

I  wot  as  wtl  as  ye,  it  is  no  drcdc, 
The  apoflle.whtLn  he  fpakc  of  maidenhcde. 
He  faid  that  precept  thereof  had  he  non ; 
Men  may  cotifeillc  a  woman  to  ben  on. 
But  confeilltng  is  on  commandement  i 
He  put  it  in  our  own  jogement. 

For  hadde  God  commanded  maldenhede. 
Than  had  he  dampned  wedding  out  of  dredc; 
And  ccrtcs  if  ther  were  no  fcde  yfowc 
Virginitee  than  whereof  fhuld  it  growc  t 

Poule  dor  ft  e  not  comroanden  it  the  left 
A  thing  of  which  his  maiflcr  yaf  non  heft. 
The  dart  h  fctte  up  for  virginitee. 
Catch  who  fo  may,  who  renneth  hdk  let  fee. 


rtit  %fl^  df  fiATHEt  >ROLOGDg. 


I 


I 
I 


But  till*  word  19  not  take  of  every  wight. 
But  tJjtr  a»  God  wol  yeve  it  of  his  might, 
!  wot  wti  that  the  apoftlc  wa&a  mild. 
But  naLlicIe*,  though  that  he  wrote  and  fajd 
He  wold  that  every  wi;;ltt  wcrr  fu  ichc  ^  he, 
All  n'iftbut  coufcll  to  virgimiec. 
And  fnr  to  ben  a  wif  he  yaf  mc  Icvc, 
€)f  indulgence,  fo  n'is  it  nou  rcf?rcvc 
To  wcddcn  me,  if  that  my  make  die, 
WItliout  exception  of  higamic ; 
All  were  it  good  no  woman  for  to  totiche, 
(He  ment  a*  in  hi*  bed  '»'  in  his  loiichc) 
For  peril  1%  both  fire  and  tdvv  to  ulTctrihle  $ 
Ycknow  vshat  ihiscnf^mplt!  ntay  iclemble* 

Ihisi&ail  and  lom,  he  hild  vLrgiuitcc 
f^i,.-,  fjiint  ihan  wt'ddiijg  in  frccliee  : 
(1  1  c  1,  but  if  that  he  a:jd  flic 

V  t  live*  all  in  challitec) 

1  t-raunt  It  %vrl,  T  have  of  non  en  vie 
Who  maidenhed  prcfcrrctobigfamic ; 
It  liJkeih  hem  to  be  cletic  in  body  and  goft : 
Of  min  cilat  I  wol  not  makcn  boft. 

For  wel  yc  know  a  lord  in  bis  houfhold 
^c  hath  nat  every  vcfTcll  all  of  i^old  : 
Som  ben  of  tree,  and  don  hir  lord  firTvicc, 
God  clcpeth  folk  to  him  in  fondry  wife, 
And  cvcrich  hath  of  God  a  proprc  gift, 
Som  thii,  fom  thai,  »«  that  him  likctlx  Ihli^. 
VirgLnitcfc  ti  grct  perfcdion,  ' 

And  continence  eke  with  devotion  ; 
Bui  CriQ,  that  of  pcrfciftlon  h  wetle, 
>fc  Lade  not  cvCTy  wight  be  ftiiild  go  fclle 
Ail  that  he  had  and  ycvc  it  to  tlie  poure. 
And  m  fwichc  wife  follow  hiiiv  and  his  lore ; 
He  fpakc  to  hem  that  Wold  live  parfirly. 
And,  Lordings,  (t>y  your  Icve)  thai  am  oat  I : 
I  wol  bctlow  the  flour  of  all  myn  age 
In  th*  atle*  and  the  fruit  of  mariagc. 

Tell  mc  alfb  to  what  conclullon 
Were  membrcs  tnnde  of  generation. 
And  of  fo  parfit  mfc  a  wi^ht  y  wrought  ? 
Trufteth  me  wtl  they  were  nat  made  for  nought. 
Clofe  who  fo  wol,  and  fay  bothc  up  and  douii, 
That  ihcv  were  made  for  pureAtioan 
Ofunra'      '    r     .        1  ^        .,.^ 

And  cl.  liici 

Andfot  1......  — ..  V * 

The  opcrlcncc  wot  wt' 
8o  ihit  the  tlcrkcibc  n  .  wroth  j 

I  fay  thK,  that  ihcf  maked  ten  (or  both  ; 
This  it  til  fayu,  for  olljcs?  i.^d  f  >r  cfe 
Of  cngcndnircj  ther  we  f  ]  !cfc. 

Why  Jhuld  ff<cn  «*f!f*  Ir  ffc 

Thit  n;       '  r.? 

Kowwl  cnt 

If  he  nc  UKt:  iji/  K:t}   ii:j;/ULiui.r  r 
Than  were  they  made  upon  a  creature 
Topurgc  urtf      ^--^  -i      -  -^  .  r.*.  ,^jr-,,r.- 

But  I  fiy  1 
That  hath  r\\  J  , 

To  gon  and  ukn  hem  in  \ 

Tlian  fhiJd  men  take  of  i.  cure, 

Criil  V.1U  a  maidc,  aad  Ih&pLD  ^  a  iitan, 
Aud  ouoy  a  feint,  iith  that  this  world  began. 


Yethved  they  ever  in  par&t  chaftltee; 

]  n'ill  tnvic  with  no  vir^'nitcc. 

Let  hem  with  bred  of  puf«d  whctc  be  (itd[« 

And  let  us  wivc»  ctea  barly  brc4 : 

AiA  yet  with  barly  bred,  Mark  tcllet!  cati, 

Our  Lord  Jefu  rcfreihed  many  a  man. 

In  fwichc  e{tat  a$  God  hath  cleped  us 

1  wol  perftvcr,  I  nam  i*ol  preciouf. 

In  wii  hodc  wol  I  ufe  min  tnilrument 

A*  frcly  as  my  Maker  hath  it  fcnt. 

If  I  bt  dangerous,  G«h1  yeve  me  forweT, 

TVTin  hufband  Ihal  it  have  both  even  and 

Wbiiutlut  hhn  iii^  comQ  forth  ax^^  J^y  Hi«  dcaife 

All  hitfhond  wol  I  have,  [  wol  not  ktie. 

Which  ITial  be  hoih  my  detour  and  my  thnfl. 

And  have  hii^  tribulation  withall 

Upon  his  flcfti,  while  that  1  am  hi»  Wif. 

I  have  the  power  duritrg  all  ray  lif 

Upon  his  proprebodt,  ajid  na«  he  ; 

Right  thus  the  apoftlv  told  itunto  nie« 

And  bad  our  hulbonds  for  to  love  ire  wel  t 

All  thb  fcntence  mc  Hkcfh  every  dil. 

Up  ficrt  the  Pardoner,  nn^^ 
Now,  Damt;,  quod  he,  by  C 
Yt  beo  a  noble  prx;chour  in  tl^r^  i.a.  : 
1  was  abmtt  to  wed  a  wif,  a]a»  1 
Uliat  ?  fhuld  I  b(C  ft  on  thy  Hdh  fo  dtrc  i 
Yet  hitd  T  lever  wed  no  wif  to*yerc 

Abide,  quod  ftic,  my  'rale  is  not  be^nne 
Nay,  thon  flialt  drinkcn  nf  another  lonti'  , 
Er  that  I  go,  fhal!  favor  worfe  ihim  ale  :  J 

And  whan  that  I  have  toM  thee  fonK  my  Tak,  J 
Of  tribulation  in  manage,  ^2 

or  which  1  am  expert  \n  al  min  age,  J 

(This  if  tofayn  myfclf  hath  Ircn  the  whtppe|  j 
Than  maieft  thou  chefen  wheder  thou  wolt  iff9'  ]j 
Of  thilke  tonne  that  f  fhal  abroche  :  ^ 

Ecwirc  of  it  erthou  to  i\^\-A\  :r»rroefcie#  .^ 

For  I  fhal  tel  enfomplc  n,  ^ 

UTjo  fo  that  n*ill  bcwai  mat  '% 

By  him  fhal  other  nren  correelcd  be  ;  J 

Thife  fame  wordes  writeth  Ptho-lwnce,  .  ?j 

Rede  in  his  Almnjeftir,  and  take  tt  there.  ^ 

Dame,  I  wo!d  pray  you,  if  your  wiU  ji  w«rf^' '  ''I 
Sayde  this  Pardoner,  as  yc  began  * 

Tell  forth  your  Talf,  and  iparet h  fin  tto  Bun/M^^ 
And  techeth  us  yi^nge  men  of  your  pra<5ike. 

Gladly,  quod  fhc,  fiu  thjU  it  may  you  like, 
But  that  V  pray  to  all  thin  compagnic. 
If  thiit  I  fpekc  ai^er  my  fantafie, 
A*  tikt'th  not  a  grecfc  of  that  1  fay. 
For  frrin  entente  is  non  but  for  to  pby. 

Now,  Sine*,  than  wol  1  tell  you  forth  l»*y  Tllfc*^ 
Afr  ever  mote  1  drinken  win  or  ale 
I  (hal  fay  foth,  th£  hufbondcs  that  1  had 
As  three  of  hem  were  [^      '       '  ^     ' 

The  three  w  ere  goodt 
Unnethes  migi  t«»  they 
In  which  that  they  wc,  ic  . 

Vc  wot  wcl  what  I  m*.  r  , 

A*  God  mc  helpc  I  Uugfa  whan  that  t  ihui^ 
How  pitcufly  a-night  1  made  hem  fwiiiLf , 
Bur  hy  my  fay  I  toldc  of  it  no  ftorc  t 
They  had  mc  ycvco  hir  lond  and  hir  t?Tcfwr\ 


ifa 


THE  WIF  OF  BATHES  FROLOGp?. 


,  ICC 

vf  fence. 

Idc  «iilde  no  <r. 

kir  love  iher  a  m.(1i 

ch  I  had  hen  hti:  u], 

thaf  €jicy  h.a<4<j  alJ  hir  Innd, 

tftttid  I  tidteti  >r  k,,r  ?o  pkfc, 

I  were  lor  my  pr^^uc  i)r  uiin  d'c  ? 
fi»  a-wprk*"  l^y  my  fay, 
lya  ri  1  Wala  wa  ! 

It  "wmi  I  truw 

fncti  r     iuow. 

nied  hef^ 

rr}>r  of  t  ;  fawfc 

f  the  fey  re  : 

I    }  4kc  him  byre  ; 
■Wfft  1  c:ki4i«k:  htrm  ipitoufly, 

th  how  I  Ikirc  rue  proprely. 
inrivc$,  that  can  untlerflood, 

rpeke,  and  be  re  hctn  wrong  on  hood, 


cr  no  man 
\in  can. 
!ut  ben  %vlfe, 
^M  nnfuyjfc.) 
-     Ai  hire  good» 
ofid  the  cow  w  wood, 
uf  ImrcoweQ  inayd 
lit  ;  but  bcrkiftieth  how  I  J'-iyd* 
Kaytiard*  ift  tJiia  ihin  aray  ? 
■••wy  no^hctvoijrcs  wff  fo  gay? 
^h'-oiourod  Qvrr  id  whcr  (he  gmh  ; 
c»  I  h«vr  oo  thrihy  cloth. 
►  than  At  my  ncij>;hehmirc»  houi  ? 

li  our  m:iide  ? 
y  jipes  br. 
hare  a  goilib  or  a.  freisd, 
^tlt)  thou  elude  ft  a*  a  fend 
<»r  play  unto  his  hout. 
hom  ai  droukiin  «  a  mou», 
t  oo  thy  bcnchc  with  rvU  prcfc  : 
:  to  mc-,  U  M  a  gfret  nirfchiefc 
^         nagcj 

.    -    wunnentriL' 
aod  hire  mcl«inc<ilic; 
'a>fc,  thou  vtJiay  knave, 
y<l  uu-r  every  holour  wol  htt€  have; 
'  no  whflr  l-rt  cha<lifec  itbidt 
r  Gdf. 

uf  for  riebrntf, 
ti  far  our  faifo.'iT  , 
r  fine  or  datict*, 


ititf/ 


ffi  IftCiT  -ifflii 


male : 

1  oLitcl  wal« 

vit  that  fhc 
iy  fee  I 

^IBSJ  Soden  ibiii  man  hire  to  chcpe. 


Nc  non  fo  gr<y  gooa  goth  ther  in  the  take 
(As  fayil  thovi)  ih^t  wnl  ben  withtiut  ii  msJke  : 
And  fayft  Jt  is  an  hard  thing  for  to  wdde 
A  thing  that  no  man  wo)  his  thankrs  httdo. 

Thus  fayftthon    U  -   i    .  i  .-    i ^\  (^  bci}> 

And  thit  no  wiit  i  J, 

Nt  no  man  that  *  ] 

With  wild<f  -thondcr  diut  aiid  hiy  kirtn 
Mote  thy  wciked  mkkc  hr  TfT-hrnlt<r, 

Thou  fayit  tliat  droj ;  Andckc^kn 

AnA  chidipg  wive*,  ml  JlcG 

Out  of  ^ir  oWeii  Kcu».  '     ^ 

What  atlclh  fwiche  ao  t©  dild*  I 

Thou  fayft  wc  wivcu^  v.ti  nut  >ico  hide 
Til  wc  be  Lft^  ^tnd  than  we  wol  hLni  (luwr* 
Wd  may  that  he  a  provcrhc  of  a  flircwc 

Thou  fayll  that  oxen^  aiTcs,  hof«,  and  hotmdcs. 
They  ben  aOUicd  at  divcrfc  Ooundeti, 
BxfincBij  bvoure*,  or  that  men  hem  hie, 
r>ponc%  floatea,  and  all  fwicbe  htifbondne. 
And  fo  bea  potte^  dothci,  ^^<^  any, 
BtJt  folk  of  wives  makcn  non  a0ay 
Til  they  ben  wedded,  obk-  dotard  fhrewe, 
And  than,  fay  It  thou,  we  wol  our  vices  flicwe* 

Thou  f^yli  ftUu  lltatit  difplcfcth  me 
But  ff  that  thou  woit  prtUcn  niy  beautcc. 
And  but  thiiu  pore  alway  U(.'on  my  farc^ 
ArM  clcpe  me  Faire  Datie:  in  every  pi  !>  >?  ; 
And  but  thou  make  a  fefte  on  thilkc  day 
That  I  W35  borne,  and  make  mc  frcfli  ojkI  gay; 
And  but  thou  do  to  my  uorke  honour. 
And  to  mychambtrcre  within  m^  buitr* 
And  to  my  fadcrs  folk  and  mrn  mUici  : 
'J'hu*  fayft  thou»  oldcbr*   '  "'     , 

And  yet  ailb  of  our  ]  ■  ^ 

Ftr  his  crlfpe  here,  Ihi>  ,  i  io  fir, 

AjuI  forhe  fquicrcth  ni  d  doUHi 

Yft  bait  thou  i:       }  f  i  ;  '':--mi 

I  wul  him  1.  J  io-morwe. 

Butteiln  iwithfbnvc 

The  kcicH  of  ihy  chett  ^tway  iro  mc  ? 
I:  h  my  good  as  well  aa  thin  parLie« 
W'lat,  wcncil  thou  mukc  an  idtor  of  our  Damc?*^  • 
Now  bj»  thn:  Lord  that  ekpcd  i» Stint  Jamc,     i* 
Thuu  tlidt  nut  bothr,  tliough  tiuit  ihnu  were  wocmU 
Be  tniifttT  of  my  bof^y  attd  of  tny  good; 
*rh>it  on  thou  fuel:  T-  ---  -  -.  *    .^Ji,  cym. 

What  htlpLth  it  t  '  nd  fpicn  ? 

I  trow  thou  tvoidti"  .  y  chdle. 

Thou  {hulddl  lay*  Fayr  WaI,  po  wh^re  thee  kfte; 
TAc  yo»?r  difport ;  I  wul  «.it  levc  no  taJt;* ; 
1  know  y^o  icir  u  ucwc  wif.  Daino  Ales. 

W\-  love  no  man  thut  taiEcth  kcpe  or  char^ 
Wh«r  that  wc  gon  ;  wc  wol  be  at  ottt  iar^. 
Of  aijc  men  yM  JTed  mot£  be  be 
J'hc  wife  aft  roloj^"      ^        "'    »    ,..^^ 
That  fayth  tiri*  pr  ugtHc, 

O'  allc  men  htswli ->  ••>    -  i..^  — - 
That  rtkketh  not  who  h?.thfbe  world  in  bond. 

hy  this  proverbc  thoo  ihalt  wcl  uiidLTdond, 
H^t  J  thou  ynough,  wh:d  thxr  thee  rekkc  or  eaic 
How  merily  that  ether  folkts  fare  f 
For  ccrtcs,  oldc  dotard,  by  yoor  levc, 
Yr.  fhulJcn  have  Quctntf  i^hc  yncragh  at  rvc» 

V  5 


f  HE    WIF   or  BATHES   PROtOCWf. 


» 


He  h  to  fjrct  a  ni^rd  that  wol  wertic 
A  rmn  to  light  a  can  del  at  his  lantcme ; 
He  fhal  have  never  the  IrfTc  light  pardf  i 
Havt  then  ynough  ih;:^c  thar  not  plainen  chcc. 

Thou  fayft  alfo  if  that  mc  make  u*  gay 
With  clothing  ami  with  prtcciou»  amy. 
That  it  w  pfril  of  our  chaftitec  : 
And  yet  with  forwc  thou  cnforcrft  the*', 
And  rayfl  thljt  worde»  in  the  aix>(llci  name  ; 
IQ  habit  made  with  cha(^itec  and  (hiunc 
Ve  women  fliul  apparcilc  yot^^  (quod  he) 
And  nai  in  irtflVd  here  asd  gay  perric, 
A»  perk i,  ne  <rith  gold,  nc  clothes  richc. 

After  ihy  text  dc  after  thy  rubrichc 
I  wdI  not  wtnk  a>  mochcl  ui  a  j^nat. 
Thou  fay  ft  alfo  I  vrJkc  out  Hke  a  cat  3 
ft^  «rho  fo  wotde  kngc  tlic  caitc*  fkin 
Than  wol  the  rat  wel  dwcHen  iif  hire  in  ; 
And  tf  the  c^ttri  (kin  be  fleke  and  gay. 
She  wot  (tst  dwetlen  tn  houi  half  a  day. 
But  forth  (he  wol,  or  any  day  be  daw^d. 
To  fticw  hire  (kin  and  gon  a  caterwawcd. 
This  i»  to  Tiy,  if  I  be  guy,  fire  (hrewei 
I  wo^rcrTIC  out  my  borcl  for  to(hcwe. 
Sire  oltlt  fuo>,  what  hclpcth  thee  to  fpien  ? 
Thoijj^h  thou  pray  Argus  with  hi^  liuadred  cyen 
To  be  my  wardccorpa,  a*  he  can  heft. 
In  faith  be  ihal  not  krpe  me  but  me  left  : 
Vet  coudc  I  n'take  his  lirrd,  (o  mote  I  the. 

Thou  (ayeft  ckc  that  thcr  ben  thingcs  three, 
Whicli  thitigei»  grctly  troubkn  all  this*  crthe, 
And  that  no  wight  nc  may  endure  the  ferthc  : 
O  Icfe  fire  Arcwe,  Jcfu  Ihort  thy  Iif. 

Yet  prechcft  thou,  an  fayft,  »m  hateful  w\( 
Yrekened  11  for  on  of  thjfe  tnifchuices* 
Be  ihcr  Bon  other  maner  refntiblanccs 
Thit  J4  may  liken  your  parablo  to 
But  if  a  fcly  wif  be  on  of  tho  ? 

Thou  likeneft  eke  woman s  love  to  hrQe, 
Tohirrcin  lond  thcr  water  may  not  dwclk. 

Thou  Ukcoeft  it  alfo  to  wildc  (ire  % 
The  mor  it  brccmcth,  the  more  it  hath  dcfirc 
To  confuitiervcry  thing  that  brent  would  bc- 

Thou  Uytfi  right  at  wormes  (hcnde  a  trc 
KigW  in  a  wtf  deftroieth  birc  buftK)nd  i 
This  knowco  they  that  ben  to  wivci  bond 

I^rdings,  right  thtv^  avye  hao  ondcrflondy 
B&rc  I  (lifly  mis  old  hnibondcion  htind, 
That  thus  tliiry  faidm  in  hir  dronktnnellc  ; 
And  all  WIS  lalfe  but  a»  I  toke  wltceHc 
On  Janliin,and  upon  my  nccc  alfo* 

0  L^rd  I  the  peine  1  did  hem  and  the  W9$ 
Fill  gtkelefa,  by  Goddea  fwete  pine, 

FoiT  a»  in  hor!i  1  coudc  bite  and  whine  i 

1  eoude  plain^  and  1  was  in  the  gilt. 
Or  ellcn  oftcntimc  I  had  ben  fpih. 

Who  fo  firft  cometh  to  the  miU  firft  grint ; 
1  plained  firO,  fo  wm  our  weire  yftitit. 
They  were  ful  glad  to  cxcufcn  hem  full  hHve 
0( thing  the  which  they  never  apit  hir  live. 
,  Of  wcnche*  wold  I  bercn  hem  on  bond 
Whan  that  for  like  nnnethc*  might  they  fto<id. 
Yet  tikcfffd  I  hithrrtc  for  that  he 
Wcad  that  1  ba4  of  hun  fo  grci  chicrUe  ; 


I  fworc  that  all  my  walking  oUt  by  ni'gM 

Wis  for  to  efpicn  wenchei  that  he  dighi ; 

Under  that  colour  had  I  many  a  mirth  ; 

For  all  fwiche  wit  i»  yeven  u»  in  our  btnh  ; 

Deecitc,  weping,  fpinning,  God  hath  ycveti 

l*o  women  kJCfiUy  whHe  ihat  they  may  IjvelXtfj 

<.\nd  thus  of  i»  thing  I  may  avauotcn  me. 

At  th'  endc  I  had  t'le  betex  in  cche  degree. 

By  height  or  force,  or  by  fom  maner  thin)f. 

As  by  continual  murmur  or  gmtching. 

Namely  a-bed  ;  ther  hadden  they  mcfcfaan 

Thcr  wold  I  chide,  and  don  hem  00  pi 

I  wold  no  icnger  in  the  bed  abide 

If  that  I  felt  hit  arme  over  my  fide. 

Till  he  had  mnde  hi«  raunfon  unto  me, 

1  han  wold  I  foffre  him  do  hit  nicetee  : 

And  tlicrforc  every  man  thi*  Tajc  I  tell, 

Wiitnc  who  fo  may,  foe  all  it  for  to  fell, 

With  empty  bond  men  may  no  haukr*  lufe 

For  winning  wold  I  all  h  19  tail  coduie. 

And  makcn  me  a  felned  appctit, 

And  yet  in  bacon  hid  I  ne  rer  dclit. 

That  maked  mc  that  ever  I  wold  hitn  chide  f 

For  though  the  Pcpc  had  fittcn  hem  be  fide, 

I  wold  not  fpare  hetn  M  hir  owen  bord, 

F<jr  by  my  trouLhe  1  <ftiittr  hem  word  ftir  wor4^ 

As  hclpe  me  vcray  God  omnipotent, 

Tho  I  right  now  fhould  make  my  trfbamc9it» 

I  ne  owe  him  not  a  word  tliat  it  n*ta  quit ; 

I  brought  it  fo  abwutcnby  my  wit 

""i     -k  they  muft  yrve  it  up  ai  fof  the  bvA^ 

Or  cllc»  had  we  never  been  in  reft  ; 

For  though  he  loked  as  a  wowl  kon 

Yet  (hulJ  he  faille  of  hi»  conchifiorn. 

Than  wold  I  fay.  Now,  goode  lefe,  talEf  Icpt ; 
How  mckcly  k»kcth  Witkin  oure  (hepc  * 
Come  tier  my  fpoufe,afid  let  me  ba  thy  chtke; 
Yc  (huldcn  be  al  pari  en  t  and  mtkc, 
*\nd  ban  a  fwcte  fpiccd  confciencc, 
Sith  ye  fo  prechc  of  Jobis  patience^ 
Suffreth  alway  (in  ye  (o  wel  can  prcrhc. 
And  but  yc  do,  certain  wc  (hall  you  techc 
That  it  it  faire  to  ban  a  wif  in  pee». 
On  of  ut  two  moil  howen  douteleet; 
And  fith  a  man  it  more  refonablc 
Than  woman  i»»  yc  mullcn  ben  fofTrable. 
What  ailetli  you  to  grutchcn  thus  and  gf«MK  f 
U  it  for  jc  wold  have  my  queint  alone  f 
Why  take  it  all ;  lo,  hare  it  every  del } 
Peter,  I  (hrew  you  but  you  love  it  wel : 
For  if  I  wolde  fell  my  LiU  sh^y 
I  coude  walke  a«  frc(he  a«  it  a  rofe. 
But  I  wol  kcpc  it  for  your  owen  toth. 
Ye  be  to  bbune,  by  God  I  fiiy  yon  (bdi, 

Swichc  maner  wordeshaddco  wecB  li^tt^ 
Now  wol  I  fpckcn  of  my  of  fonrthc  huibood. 

My  four? he  hu(bonde  wii  a  feveUottTi 
This  it  tn  fayn,  he  bad  a  paramoor* 
And  1  wa*  yonge  and  ful  of  ragerie, 
Stlblnirr^  .uid  llrong,  and  |oly  a*  a  pie  ; 
'1' ho  ugh  coude  1  dancen  fo  aa  harpe  fmajc^ 
And  fmg  ywit  at  any  nighting^e, 
UTien  1  had  dronke  a  draught  of  fwcte 
Mcttcliiui,  the  foul  chc/kjthcfwtBCy 


THE    WiF   OF    BAT 
a  IW  1: craft  hi*  wif  hire  li/ 
dnukk  wine,  though  I  had  been  his  wif 
*  he  soc  have  dstuntt^d  mc  fro  drinlLc; 
■nc  aif  Vcnui  moft  I  thinke  ; 
lb  fikcr  as  cold  rngciidrcth  hay^l 

mouf  h  nvoil  han  a  Ukcrous  tsiyh 
▼molcnt  is  no  defence, 
Icchours  by  experieDce. 
Ijord  Criil !  whan  that  it  rcmembreth  me 
l^atli,  silld  on  tnj  jolitec, 
mat  about  myn  hcrtc  rote  : 
it  doth  myn  herte  bote, 
luLd  my  wurld  u  in  my  time. 
I !  that  all  wot  envenimc, 
tierafr  my  bcautee  and  my  pith  { 
farr^Nr«l,  ;hl  devil  go  therwith  ! 
cs  gno,  thcr  n'isDo  more  to  tell  ; 
«s  I  hcik  may  now  mo^c  I  fetl, 
la  be  (%bc  mcry  ^rol  I  fond, 

to  tellcn  of  ray  fourthc  hufhond* 

in  hcrtc  grtt  defpit 
mnj  other  hjJ  dclic  : 
^juit  hy  God  and  by  Stint  Jocc  t 
ban  of  the  fame  wood  a  croQc, 
body  in  oo  foule  mancVe, 
'y  ]  made  folk  fwkhe  chcre, 
orwcn  grcfe  I  miide  him  fne, 
and  for  veray  jaloufie, 
ill  CTth  I  yt^£  hii  PurgatorlCf 
I  hope  his  foule  be  in  gjorie  : 
wote,  he  Utc  ful  oft  .uui  fonj^e 
hi*  fhn  ful  hiitcrly  bim  wrojijjo  : 
no  Wight,  favc  God  nnd  be,  that  will< 
iBf  a  wife  how  fore  that  I  bim  twUle« 
md  'whan  I  came  fro  Jcrufalcm, 
Ith  ygrave  under  the  rodc-becm  ; 
»]i»  totnbe  not  fo  airiont 

the  fepulcre  of  him  Darios, 
%  tkac  AppclkswTOugbt  fo  fotctly  t 
waft  tu  bury  hem  predaufiy, 
k£wrw"-'     '    '        .  Jm  foule  reft, 
■v  in  h  '\  in  his  chcft. 

of  my  i\.....  ....wi>ndc  wol  I  telle  : 

hia  foule  never  come  in  hcllc  : 
fEl  was  he  to  me  the  mofte  fhrcvr ; 
irie  1  oo  my  ribbet  dl  by  rew, 
fltal  tiuto  min  ending  day  : 
r  bed  he  was  fti  frefli  and  gay, 
"  lall  he  coude  fo  well  mc  glofe, 
be  Wcfldc  baa  my  Aei/^  ^^''fi^ 
iborQ^  he  had  be  bet  on  every  bon 
win  agrn  my  love  anon. 
I  loved  him  the  bet,  for  he 
love  fo  dangerous  to  mc. 
haii»  if  t}ut  I  ihal  not  lie, 
a  queiote  fantafie. 
^rh:it  thing  we  may  nai  lightly  have, 
tr  wol  we  cry  oil  day  and  crave. 
:  m  thioi^  and  that  dcfircn  we  ; 
*  oa  « lift  and  ihanne  wol  we  flee. 
idangcritttren  wc  all  our  chalTare  ; 
Iproea  at  mvkec  maketh  dere  ware, 
iVD  gret  chepe  h  holdcn  at  litcl  prife  ; 
\hmmtth  every  woman  that  is  wifc. 


HES   PROLOGtJt.  S3 

My  Crrhc  hi]fbondt\  Cod  his  foule  bklTe, 
Which  that  1  toke  for  love  imd  no  hcheffeir 
He  font  time  was  a  clerk  of  Oxeniorc^e^ 
And  had  Ic/t  fcole,  and  went  at  home  at  horde 
With  fny  goflib,  dwtilJrg  in  cure  toua, 
God  have  hire  foule  !  hire  name  wa^  AliToan. 
She  knew  my  hertc  and  all  my  privctcc 
Bet  than  our  parlQi  prccfl,fo  mote  llhc  : 
To  hire  bewned  I  my  couofcil  all. 
For  bad  my  huibt<nd  pifTcd  on  a  wrII, 
Or  don  a  thing  that  Ihuld  imve  Ln{\  hi*  lifj 
To  hire,  and  to  another  worthy  wif. 
Anil  to  my  nece,  wbleh  th.it  I  lovrd  wel, 
I  wold  have  told  bi»  cotinftiil  tvcry  del : 
And  fo  I  did  ful  often,  Gad  it  wote, 
That  made  hi*  face  full  oftrn  red  ^nd  bote 
For  vcray  ftiumc,  .ind  blamed  hitnfclf,  for  he 
Had  told  til  mt  ir>  gret  a  privE^tec. 

And  fo  be  fell  tint  out  n  in  a  Lent 
(So  often  rimes  I  to  my  gnlTib  went. 
For  ever  yet  1  loved  to  be  g-jiy, 
And  for  to  walkc  m  March,  April,  arid  May, 
From  bout  to  houi,  to  hercn  fundry  tak») 
That  Jank'n  clerk,  ^nd  my  goilrb  Dame  Alcig 
And  r  mj^felf,  into  the  fiUci  went. 
Myn  hufbond  was  at  I. en  don  all  that  l.ent  : 
I  had  the  better  Iclfcr  for  to  plLie, 
And  for  to  fee » and  eke  for  to  be  fcie 
Of  lufty  folk.  What  wift  I  wher  my  grace 
Waa  fliaprn  for  to  be,  or  in  what  place  ? 
Therforc  male  1  my  vilitatioiu 
To  vigilic^  and  to  proccfiion^, 
To  prcLhinjrs  tkc,  and  to  thife  pilgrimage*!. 
To  playes  of  miradeii,  and  manage  , 
And  wcrcd  upon  my  guy  flcarl':t  gitcn. 
*rhifc  wormes,  nc  thifc  mothtf^  tie  thife  mitei(| 
Upon  my  paraiUc  frctt  hem  never  a  del ; 
And  woft  thou  wfny  '  for  they  were  ufcd  wcl* 

Now  wol  I  tcllcti  forth  what  happed  mc* 
I  fay  that  in  the  fcldci  walked  wc 
Till  trcwcly  wc  had  fwichc  daUance, 
This  clerk  and  I,  that  of  my  purvcance 
t  fpake  to  him,  and  laid  him  how  tl^at  he, 
If  I  were  widewe,  Ihulde  wcddcn  me. 
For  certainly,  1  fiiy  for  oo  bobance, 
Yet  was  I  net er  witliout  purvcancc 
Of  mariagc^  nc  of  other  thinges  eke  : 
I  hold  a  niuufe*  wit  not  w6rth  a  Icke 
That  hath  but  on  hole  for  to  ftcrtcn  to. 
And  if  tkat  faille,  than  is  all  ydo. 

I  bare  him  on  bond  he  had  enchanted  mc^ 
(My  da43r!c  taughte  mc  that  fubtiltce) 
And  eke  1  fayd  I  metre  of  him  all  nighty 
He  wold  ban  flain  mc  a«  I  lay  upright. 
And  all  my  bed  was  ful  of  vcray  blood; 
But  yet  I  hope  that  ye  (huln  do  me  good. 
For  blood  bctokcncth  gold,  as  me  was  taught. 
And  al  was  fal/c,  I  dreamed  of  him  right  naught, 
But  as  I  fojwcd  ay  my  damci  Icre, 
Aft  wcl  of  that  as  of  other  tbiiiges  more. 

But  now,  Sire,  let  me  fc<?,  what  Ihall  I  lain  ? 
A  ha !  by  God  1  have  my  Tale  again. 
Wrian  that  my  fourthe  hulhonJc  was  on  btre^ 
I  wept  algatc  and  made  a  fory  chctc, 
Diiij 


I 


I 

I 


si  THE   WlF   Ql'    iA 

As  wi?f»niotcn,  for  it  i*  the  ufag^e, 

And  with  my  covcrchcfc  covered  my  vifagi:; 

But  for  that  ]  waipurvrycd  of  »  make, 

I  wcfit  biiL(h!aI,»ud  that  I  umLrtakc. 

To  cliirchc  wm  myn  hulbond  h<im  a-morwe 

Witli-Dciy^liebourcs  that  for  him  madeti  forowc. 

And  J^ukin  ourc  cltrk  wa.i>  on  uf  tho  : 

As  htlpc  me  God,  whan  that  1  faw  him  go 

After  iKc  btrcj  roc  thought  he  had  a  pairc 

Of  Itg^rcsand  of  feet  focknc  und  fairer 

^'hat  all  my  hcztc  1  yave  unta  his  hold. 

yic  v-as,  1  trow,  a  tT\cniy  witittr  old, 

And  1  waffourty,  if  I  fhal  fay  foth. 

But  yet  1  had  alway  a  coltcs  toth* 

Gat^toihcd  1  wa»,  and  that  became  me  wde  ; 

1  had  the  print  of  Sclnt  Venus  fcle. 

As  he\p€  nie  God,  1  was  a  lully  on. 

And  fairer  and  riche,  and  yongc,  and  wcl  bcf«Q  ; 

And  trcwcly,  as  niin  hidboudcs  to)dcn  mc, 

I  had  the  belle  qucint  that  mighu  be. 

For  ccrtcs  I  am  all  Vcocmn 

In  fclingt  and  my  hcrte  I>  Martian  : 

VcntiA  me  ya:¥c  my  lufl  and  likt-ToufnclTf, 

And  M>i»  y^vc  mc  my  fturdy  hardlnc (Tc. 

Min  afccndtrnt  was  T&iirc,jLnd  Mars  ihctimic  i 

Alas,  alaa !  that  ever  Ioyc  wii»  (iotiel 

I  fo!wcd  ay  min  inciination 

By  vcrtuc  of  my  confleUaticn  ; 

That  made  mc  that  I  coudc  nat  wiihdrEW 

My  chanibtc  of  Venus  from  a  ^CKid  felaw ; 

Vet  have  I  Maries  mcrtc  upon  my  facc^ 

And  alfb  in  aitothtr  |iiivcc  place  , 

For  Godi  ib  ttiOy  be  my  rJvatioii, 

1  loved  never  by  no  difLrettoti, 

But  ever  folwcd  min  a^tpcttt. 

All  i^erc  lit  ibofte,  longc^  blacke,or  white  r 

I  tokc  no  kr|«r,  fo  that  he  iikcd  me. 

How  poiiie  he  woi,  nc  ikc  nf  what  drgrec. 

WhatibuLde  1  fay  f  btit  at  the  moiuhrs  cndc 
*rbi&  joly  cltrk  Jankin,  that  wa»  fo  hcnde, 
Hath  wedded  mcv.::;  tec. 

And  to  htm  yave  I  .  t 

That  ever  ^was  me  yt-xiL  n.^i^-^i-^.^. 
But  afterward  repented  me  fui  furc. 
He  n'oldcr  fufTre  nothing  rt  n  v  lift  : 
By  God  he  fmotc  r  hh  fifl, 

For  that  1  rent  out  o.  >  Icfc, 

That  of  the  flroke  mya  cr«  wcji  all  dcfc. 
S^tibborne  1  ww  a*  i*  a  let^ncfTi-, 
And  of  my  tongc  a  A 
And  Vb'iHie  1  wold,  . 
Fro  hcius  tn  how",  aititriK 
For  \^hl<Lh  be  oftcntim^t  ^ 
And  mc  <  '    '   -  ii..,*.n,n.- 

How  i  r, 

Acd  hirr  cl, 

Mot  but  for  &pro4>cdf:d  he  hire  t-y 
XjCi^Eg  out  at  h:c  dorc  liptiu  a  da  y. 

Another  Rcnkainc  told  he  tue  by  name, 
Thit  for  his  wif  w«*  at  a  (hmmrr  jrame 
Without  hii  Wt  lire  eke. 

Ai*d  thin  V.  ]  ible  feke 

That  ilkc  provtinc  >>i  i.tc    ;i  titc, 
Ulicr  he  (omtiiacdctli,  and  foibedcth  folle, 


tHKS    hKOhOQilt* 


'    Man  dial  not  niffcr  hia  wif  ^  mtde  aljotlt^. 

Thau  wold  he  fay  ri]|^ht  thu*  withoutcn  dout% 
Who  fo  that  bildrtb  lit .  hou»  all  of  fkiwci,      * 
And  prtkcth  hi^  blind  hort  over  the  ffthrea». 
And  fufiVrcth  bi»  wif  to  go  fekcn  luilwc*» 
1»  worthy  to  be  boojged  on  the  gaiwei* 

But  all  for  nought;  I  fctte  uot  an  bawe 
or  his  provcrhcft  ne  of  iii%  oldc  fnwc  ; 
Nc  1  wold  not  of  him  corrected  be» 
I  hate  hem  that  ttiy  vice*  leiien  me, 
And  I'u  du  mo  bf  us  (Gud  woic)  than  I, 
Thi^  made  him  wood  with  mc  all  utterly  ', 
I  n'oldc  uot  fnrberc  him  in  no  an. 

Now  woi  I  fay  you  foth,  by  Seint  Thoft.at^ 
Why  that  I  rent  out  of  hi*  book  a  lrfe» 
For  which  he  Imotc  me  fo  thai  I  wa*  dz,'r. 

He  hud  a  bo«:tk  that  ^adly  night  and  day 
For  his  difport  he  wcldc  it  rede  alway  ; 
He  tlcpcd  it  Valerie  atid  1  bcophraft,  4 

And  with  tliat  hook  he  lou^h  away  lul  fait>        4 
And  eke  thcr  w:i»  a  clerk  foretime  at  Romrpi 
A  cardinal,  that  hightc  Scint  Jerome,  1 

Thut  madt  a  book  again  jovimin, 
\V*liich  book  was  iher,  and  eke  TcrtuUiar  ■, 
Crifippus,  Trotula,  and  Helowis, 
That  waa  abbcITe  not  fer  fro  Parit,  « 

And  eke  the  Parabolcs  of  JSalomoB,  1 

Ovides  Art,  and  Ixjui  det  many  on  ;  'd 

And  allc  thife  were  boaden  in  o  volume^  I 

And  every  night  and  tUy  wa»  hi»  aajQ.ux^ir 
(Whan  he  hatl  kifcr  ^nd  vacatittn 
From  other  worldly  ocnipatioo)  • 

To  redin  in  thi»  book  of  wikkcd  wiv**  :  •i 

He  knew  of  bun  mo  Itgtnde^  and  mo  ltve«  • 

Than  ben  of  goodc  wivc^  in  the  Bibic 

For  truflefh  wel  i*  is  an  impuCkblc 
That  any  ctcrk  wul  Ipckcn  gtMHi  of  wive*, 
(Bitt  if  it  be  of  holy  feinted  lives) 
Ne  of  nnn  other  woman  never  the  i 
Who  primed  the  J»Jon,  telleth  me  w 
By  Cod  if  wimmcD  hii*  '  r 

A*  clerked  ban,  witJur^ 
Thty  V--'  '  -     ■  •  ' 
Th:.n 

Thccl .  ,  . 

Ben  in  hir  wcrking  fiU  cofitrartous. 

Mercury  loveth  wiidam  aj^d  fdaicej 

And  Vcnui  loveth  riot  atjd  ddpencc  ; 

And  for  hir  divers  diipofition 

Eche  fallcth  in  otheri  L-itaitaticQ  : 

A$  thu»;  God  wote  Mercury  t*  uefuUt 

In  Pjfces,  wher  Vcnui  is  csdtat. 

And  Venu»i  fjikih  whcr  Mercury  ij  rrifed, 

Thtrtorc  no  wutnati  of  p"    '-  '-^  >--  .  »■  -*    »^ 

l*hc  clerk  whan  he  la  vt  i  do 

Of  Venut  wcrkc^  not  1-.  I 

'J 'ban  fiteth  he  doua  and  writeth  m  hi*  du  .,  j. 

That  wimmen  caimot  kepc  hir  manage, 

Bui  IK.W  to  purpos  why  1  toldc  t!ice 

Tliat  1  iva*  belrn  for  a  book  pardr,  ^ 

Upon  a  iiigiu  Jxnktn,  that  was  oar  ftrc. 
Red  on  hh  boolc  ai  he  fate  by  the  firt , 
Of  £va  fir&,  that  for  hire  wickcdncne, 
Was  all  mankind c  k ought  to  wrctehcdccfie 


THE   WIF  OF   BA 


I  the  loiic  of  iill  itiii^nkif  1  J. 
K  lie  mc  huw  Sanipfon  lofl  his  hcrcs, 
ikittc  hcna  with  hire  £bcrc«, 
trcfoa  loR  ht  hath  hi&  cycu* 
i  he  inc»  il  that  1  (hall  not  litn, 
^  sud  of  hU  IkiaDlrc, 
1  to  fet  hiinfelf  a-firc* 
&t  he  the  care  and  the  wo 
*.  r.i,  "    ,,  t^^ivcs  two; 

upcn  his  hcd. 
.  .  were  tied; 
K  lied  ;  DO  more  dorii  he  Hua 
ftluMvdrr  (Hot  ther  comcth  rain, 
,  that  was  the  Qncne  of  Crete, 
kidnrrffc  liira  thought  the  ulc  fwctc. 
t  luone  (it  is  a  grifcly  thuig) 
ble  lull  and  hire  likmg. 
'  r  hire  kchcrit: 
t  imlbond  for  to  die. 


L  kmd  a  ieg;t:Dd  oj  hi9  wif 
|r,  flat  for  ati  c^ucKc  of  gfdd 
tly  uTito  the  Cn:kc«  tol*l 
thtrc  huibond  hidde  htm  ina  placc^ 
'  l^^zd  at  Thclic*  fory  grace. 
\  %old  he  me,  and  of  Lticic  ; 

'    *"  ~  '    ^'      '     for  to  dir, 
llfrr  '  :or  hsLtc. 

lllti-  lib  Jo  : 

1  fo, 

re  thuikr, 
•  c^irifike, 

i  u^ti  vf  A  wlk  liy  ti^  mcirwc  r 
ate^  hiiJfbonde5  hadd^en  forwt* 

[  he  ortc  huw  on  L^ktumco* 

i  to  his  lelaw  Arius, 

:    -  -^nwcd  fwichc  a  trcr, 

that  his  wi\c»  three 


rrce, 

I  u  fti  U  be:. 

j.Lh  he  tcfl'^r, 
u,i  Ui  huilondci  ia  hir  bcddc, 
>ur  di|(ht  hcQi  all  the  night, 

^lic  ilore  ujulght; 
in  hir  bruirit 
bus  thty  han  Iicm  iiiln  ; 
I  in  hir  diiUi . 
-:.  :  :  hcTit  may  lic:liink«J* 
knew  of  mopiovcrbcs 
itr  grow  en  gra^or  hcrbc*. 
I  habitaiicu 
t:  dragon 

for  to  chidi?* 
Lhc  roof  abide 
lajTgtv  wunMD  douniu  the  hou&, 
rikked  and  ccctrariQUi ; 


THIS   PROLOGUK. 

They  hat  en  that  tiir  htiibondfi  loves  ay* 

H'i  fayd  a  woman  call  hire  Oiamc  »wiiy 
Whan  (he  caft  of  hircfhmi  J:  -  uu!  f.  -th.  r  n   r 
A  fnire  woitian,  but  fhc  i 
h  h'ke  a  gold  ring  in  a  i^ 

Who  coudiz  wcne  or  v^ho  cuuiic  i 
The  wo  that  In  rain  hcrtc  was  and  ti 
And  whan  i  faw  he  n^oldc  never  fine 
1  o  rcdcn  on  this  curfcd  Iwok  alt  :iigh% 
At  Mcnly  tlirce  Icvc*  have  1  plight 
Out  of  his  hook^ri^ht  a*  he  rcdde,  and  eke 
1  with  my  flit  to  tokc  liim  on  the  cheke 
That  in  cure  fire  he  fe!l  hatkw;inl  ndotin  ; 
And  he  up  flcrtc  8»doth  a  wood  Lour, 
And  with  his  lifl  he  fmolc  luc  un  tlic  hed» 
That  in  the  ilore  1  by  as  1  were  ded. 
And  whan  he  faw  how  flillc  that  1  lay 
He  W4*  agaft,  and  wold  jiavt  fled  awny. 
Til  at  the  lafl  uvcuf  my  fwduj;h  1  hrayde. 

0  I  hiUi  thou  flain  mc,  falfc  thitf  ?  I  fayde. 
And  for  my  lond  thus  huSi  thou  mordrcd  mc  ? 
Er  I  be  dtrd  yet  wo]  I  kiflea  thee. 
Aiid  nerc  he  came,  ^:'  '  '  '^  ^    '  ftirc  zdoua. 
And  faydr,D<re  fi  i ! 
Aft  helpe  me  God  II               i     ^cr  fmitc  : 
That  I  havt  dofi  if  h  thyfclf  lo  wit<  ; 
Forycvc  it  me, and  that  1  ihcc  heft 3;.. 
And  yet  c/tfoncs  I  hlttc  him  on  the  chcTte, 
And  fayde,  Thtcf,  tliii*  much  am  1  u.wrck^* 
Now  vfo\  t  die,  I  may  no  longer  fpckc. 

But  at  the  bft,  widi  niochclcarc  and  wo. 
We  fell  accorded  by  oorfelveii  two. 
He  yaf  mc  aM  the  bridctin  min  bond 
To  ban  the  govcniancc  of  hou>  and  \r*n(}. 
And  of  his  looge  and  of  hi*  htmd  alfo, 
And  made  him  hrcnne  \\h  hooTv  anon  right  tho, 

And  wlian  that  I  had  gctten  unto  mc 
By  maiilric  all  the  fovcrainctce. 
And  thnt  he  fayd,  Min  owcn  trmT  wif, 
Do  3!  thee  lift  the  tcrnnc  <^f  iHl  tliy  Itf ; 
Kcpcthin  honour,       " '  '.•  min  cftai; 

After  that  day  we  i  -bet, 

God  helpc  me  fo,  1  %.wi'.  t  j  F.mt  as  kindc 
As  any  wif  fio  Denmark  unto  Inde, 
And  al  fo  trc^vc,and  fo  wa*»  he  to  me  : 

1  pray  to  Gad  that  fu  in  rwajcflcc 
Srj  bliiTe  hirt  foule,  for  hi*  mercy  dcrc. 
Now  wol  1  r?,y  my  T?J^  IT  f  c  wol  here. 

The  Frcrc  iotj^h  w?jan  he  had  herd  ;i!I  thi>  rr 
Now%  Dame,  <juod  he,  fo  have  1  joyg  and  blils. 
This  is  a  long  preamble  of  a  Tale. 

And  whan  the  F  '       '  i'lc  Frcfe  ple^ 

i\si  two.       ' 


r:iv:s  two. 


ho  (cji;od  thi^  Son 

A  1" rcre  wol  entcnvi^.  lu  u . :. i  .. .  ■.  i  j mm  ; 

l.o,  goode  men,  a  flic  and  elte  a  Frcrc 

Wol  fall  in  every  difli  and  eke  matcrc. 

What  fpckcft  thou  of  prc«imbuiaLiouu  ? 

Wh«  ^  aniWc  or  trot,  or  pre?.,  or  go  fit  doun  % 

Thou  kttcfi  our  difport  in  this  matcrc. 

Ye>  wolt  thou  fo,  Stre  Snmpmmir  ?  quod  the  Fr€fe^ 
Now  by  n.y  faith  1  flul,  er  that  I  go, 
TdX  of  a  *Sompnoiir  Iwielu-  a  Talc  or  two. 
That  all  the  folk  Qiiil  lyughcn  in  thh  plaee. 

No%y  dki,  Ffvre,  I  will  bcflircwe  tliy  fcicc. 


is  THE    WIF  OF 

(Quod  thii  Snmpnotir)  and  I  bcftircwc  nic 
But  if  I  idle  T*icsi  two  or  three 
Of  Ffcrcs,  or  1  came  to  Sidc?n borne. 
That  I  flial  make  thin  hene  for  to  mornc, 
For  wcl  t  %vot  thy  patience  is  j^onc. 
Our  Hoftc  chcd,  Pcvs,  and  that  anoo  ; 


BATHES   PROLOGUE. 

And  fuydc,  Let  the  woman  tell  hire  Tak  ; 
Yc  fare  as  folk  that  dronkeu  b«i  o(  aJc. 
Do,  D»ime,  tcU  forth  your  Tale,  and  chat  i»  1 

A\  r(!dy.  Sire,  quod  ftc,  rij^iit  as  yuo  left«| 
If  I  have  licence  df  thit  worthy  Frcre. 

Yc»,  Daimc,  qaod  h«,  tcU  forth,  aod  1 1 


THE  WIF  OF  BATHES  TALE". 


I 


In  olde  dayc«  of  the  King  Artour, 
Of  which  Uut  Bretons  fpcken  grct  honour. 
All  wasthii  lond  fulfilled  of  Facnc  ; 
The  Elf  qacnc  with  hire  joly  compugniQ 
Danced  ful  oft  id  many  a  grcne  mede, 
l^htft  waa  the  old  opinion  as  I  rede ; 
1  fpekc  of  many  hundred  ycrct  ago, 
But  now  can  no  man  fee  oon  eUcs  mo  j 
For  now  tht;  grctc  charitec  and  praycrci 
Of  limitourc*  and  other  holy  freres, 
That  fcrchcQ  every  land  and  every  ftrcmc. 
At  thikke  aa  motci  in  the  fonnc  heme, 
Bliiling  hallcs,  chambrei,  kicheni,  and  hourct^ 
Citeei  and  burghcs,  eaftlc*  ^^«ghc  and  tourcs, 
Thropc»and  bcrnc»,  fhrpene»  and  dairtt, 
Thii  maketh  that  therb<-n  no  Faerie*  : 
For  ther  a«  wont  to  waken  wa»  an  elf, 
Ther  walketh  now  the  limatour  himfeif 
In  undermelet  and  in  morweningci. 
And  fayth  his  matines  and  his  holy  thingct 
Ashe  goth  ID  his  limitutioun. 
Women  may  now  go  fafcly  up  and  doun. 
In  every  bufli,  and  under  every  tret, 
Ther  it  non  other  tncube»  but  he. 
And  he  n^  will  doti  hem  no  dilhonour. 
An  fo  befell  it  that  thi«  King  Artour 
I'tad  in  hif  houi  a  lufty  hacheler, 
Th4t  on  a  day  came  riding  fro  river  ; 
And  happed  that,  aJone  aiflic  was  borne. 
He  faw  a  maiden  walking  him  bcforne, 
Of  which  maid  he  anon,  maugre  hire  hed, 
By  veny  force  beraft  hire  maidcnhcd  ; 
For  which  opprcGlon  wai  Iwichc  clamour. 
And  fwiche  purfuite  unto  the  King  Artour, 
That  damned  was  thii  knight  for  to  be  dcd» 
By  coon  of  bwe,  and  ihuld  have  loft  hit  hed, 
(Panveniure  fwiche  was  the  flatutc  tho) 
But  that  the  qticnc  axid  other  Udiei  ma 


i  b^tchclnrnf  icingr  ArthutN  cour^  Ucnj.tlrtci!  by  'he 
»*  upiin  p«lf»  oi  <le*th,  to  tdl  wh«t  thine  It  i*  ^^^^  **": 
Id  mtia  aelit*.  al  IcoriIi  h«  U  uuf  M  it  by  *»  "*»* 
D»  frbon>  H »•  cnf^uei  to  marry «   i'lrj , 


•   A 
WMUti^  frbiito  iKi*  cnfgiuei  to  marry « 


Sr»  longe  praicdcn  the  king  of  graice, 
I  Til  li'-  hif»  hi  liiin  granted  in  the  pbcf, 
,  And  yaf  him  to  the  qucne,  all  at  hJre  WsU 
To clitfe  whether  Die  wold  him  hvc  or fptlLl 

The  qiicnc  f  hankcth  the  kitig  wiL*i  all  hire  i 
Arid  after  this  thus  f|j  jke  Ihc  to  the  knight. 
Whan  that  fhe  faw  hire  time  upon  a  day. 

Thou  ftandeft  yet  (^jaod  i])r)  in  fwiche  ai, 
Thait  of  thy  lif  yet  halt  thou  not  feuretoe; 
I  grant  thte  lif  if  thuu  canft  ttUcn  me 
What  thing  is  it  tliat  women  mol>  dcfirtu  : 
Beware,  and  keppe  thy  rekke  hoa«  frotn  ynen. 
And  if  thou  cinft  not  tell  it  me  anon. 
Yet  wol  1  ycve  thee  levc  for  to  gim 
A  twelvemonth  and  a  day  to  tike  and  Uft 
And  anfwer  fuffilani  in  this  mat  ere ; 
And  frurctce  wol  I  have,  or  th^t  thoilfioe, 
1  hy  body  for  to  ycldcn  in  this  place. 

Wo  was  the  kriight,  and  forwJaOytef 
But  wh^it  ?  he  may  not  don  al!  ns  himliketh. ' 
And  at  the  \i\\  he  chefc  him  for  to  wcnde. 
And  cnme  jgcn  right  at  rhcyeres  cndc 
With  fwichc  anfwer  as  God  wold  htm  panray. 
And  taketh  hi*  levc,  and  w*^ndi  th  for  lu»  i 

He  fckL-tli  every  hotis  and  every  place. 
Whcr  as  he  hopeth  for  to  findcn  grace, 
Tij  IcTOcn  what  thing  women  loveti  i 
But  hcne  coude  arivcn  in  do  coftc 
Wher  ist  he  mighte  find  in  this  materc 
Two  creature*  according  in  fere. 
Soni  faiden  women  bvcn  beft  richcfTe, 
Sum  Ciiidcn  hocotir^  fom  faiden  joUneflV, 
Som  richc  array,  fom  faiden  lull  itA^d 
And  oft  time  to  he  wid^rwe  and  to  be  v 

Some  faiden  that  we  bui  in  hertc  mo     , 
Ulian  that  we  ben  yflatered  and  yprcifed. 
He  goth  ful  nigh  the  fotb,  I  wol  not  lie ; 
A  man  fhal  winnc  u*  beft  with  flaterie  ; 
And  with  attendance  and  with  hcfineJle 
Ben  we  ylimcd  bothe  njore  and  Icffe* 

And  fom  men  faidf  n  that  we  loven  bcft 
For  to  be  frer^  and  do  nght  at  uf  kQ:, 


ben  wife  and  notliing  skc : 
ntf  tbcrn'b  DOD  of  u«  all, 
^rol  claw  us  on  the  g^H , 
kk«  for-^  -»^         rhit*fothj 
Chajfir  loth; 

XT  fo   Vki     .  :iSIiC 

holden  w^fe  ^rd  dene  of  finne* 
bai  faidm  tib,^t  gret  dclic  ban  wc 
^holdrn  Hjihlt  and  ckc  fecrc, 
^  frarpo*  flcdfidlly  to  dwrll, 
LWvrycjtm  tbing^tliAt  men  us  tcU; 
!ia]£t«i  Dot  worth  a  nkc-flelc. 
Ic  woftscn  cocincn  nothing  htlc, 
I  on  Mt<ia  ;  wol  yc  hrre  the  Tak  i 
*^  SfKVOO^ft  other  thingrs  iinak, 
Ida,  liad  un^tr  his  loQ|rc  hcncs 

Enpon  his  bed  two  nSfct  eret , 
lie  ▼ice  he  hid,  aihe  bcfbc  might, 
tilly  from  rrery  mAonc»  fight, 
Irr  tu«  "wif  thrr  wifl  of  it  no  mo ; 
hire  moft^  kud  tfuAed  hire  ftlfo; 
d  ktrc  that  to  no  cr«iture 

f  ellcn  of  ki«  diifi^re* 
ore  him  Ncy,  for  dl  the  world  to  winnc 
do  tluit  vilaiEtietie  fmnc, 

c  huiboiid  han  To  foulc  a  name  : 
t  tell  it  for  hire  owcfn  (hanic. 
hire  thoughtc  that  fhc  didc 
longr  (huld  a  coufeil  hide ; 
'  It  tt  ivril  fo  fore  aboi.;  btre  herte, 
IctB  wt>fd  hire  mufl  aflcrte ; 
dorft  nat  telle  U  to  no  man, 
Tinaret^  fi^Ilc  by  (be  rmn ; 
MDC  iber  hire  hertc  wrs  a-fire  : 
ibiloR  bumbteth  iu  thr  niire, 
btre  iriOQth  unto  the  water  doutt. 
not,  tliou  WBter,  with  thy  foun, 
:ci  thee  I  tcH  tt,  and  no  mo, 
hath  long' affeacres  two. 
aio  herce  ftll  hole,  now  h  it  out, 
to  Lender  krpe  it  out  of  dout. 
ye  fee,  though  wc  a  time  abide, 
paefle  ;  wt^C^n  no  corjeil  hide. 
tof  theTale^  if  ycwol  here, 

Mud  thcr  yc  may  it  If  re. 
t,  of  which  my  Talc  is  rpccjaUy, 
le  faw  he  might  not  come  therby, 
frjn,  what  women  loven  moft) 
I  brefl  fvl  forwcful  was  his  gofl* 
be  goth,  he  mio;hte  not  jfnjoume  j 
come  that  homward  mufl  he  turtle. 
af  it  happtrd  him  to  ride, 
t^  under  a  forcfl  fide, 
heJk'ir  upon  a  ditnce  go 
fotire-ai>d-twcnty,  and  yet  mo. 
lhi»  like  djsnce  he  drow  ful  ytmc^ 
be  f'    ■  -    '  '  -^  fliulde  Icme  ; 
cr  ;iiy  there 

is  Li..   . J  c  n'iftc  not  wh«; 

law  he  that  bare  Itf, 
greec  he  faw  fitting  a  wif, 
ight  thrr  may  no  man  devife. 
knight  thif  oldc  wif  gAS  arilc, 


no  way. 
Tell  me  what  that  yc  fcken  by  your  fay, 
Paraventnre  it  may  the  better  be  : 
Thife  oldc  folk  con  mochel  thing,  qnadfhe. 

My  Icvc  mother,  quod  this  kni^bt,  ccnaln 
I  n'am  but  ded  but  if  that  I  can  fain 
What  thing  it  i*  that  women  moft  dcCrc  : 
Coudc  yc  mc  wifle  I  woM  qnirc  wcl  your  hire. 
Plight  mc  thy  troutbc  here  in  myn  bond,  qut>d  (hc» 
The  Hctte  thing  that  1  requcrc  of  thee 
Thou  fhalt  it  do,  if  it  be  in  thy  might. 
And  1  wol  tell  it  you  or  it  be  night. 

Have  here    my    trouthe,    quod  die  knight^  I 
graunte. 

Thannc,  qucx!  llhr,  I  dare  mc  we!  avadDte 
Thy  lif  11  fauf,  for  I  wol  ftond  therby. 
Upon  my  lif  the  quenc  wol  fay  ai  I. 
Let  fee  which  is  the  proudcft  of  hem  allc. 
That  wcreth  on  a  kcrchcf  or  a  callc, 
♦  hat  dare  fayn  nay  of  that  I  fhal  you  tcche. 
Let  U4  go  forth  without  en  knger  fpechc* 

Tho  rowncd  Ihc  a  piflcl  in  his  ere, 
And  bad  bins  to  be  glad,  and  have  no  fere. 

Whan  they  ben  comen  to  the  court,  this  knigbt 
Said  he  had  hold  his  day  as  he  had  hight, 
And  rcdy  was  hi^  anfwcre,  aj  he  faldc. 
Fui  many  a  noble  wif,  and  many  a  maide, 
And  many  a  widewe,  for  that  thty  ben  wif*^ 
(Thcqur^nc  htrcfclf  fitting  as  a  jufticc)^ 
Aflcmbltd  btn  his  anfwer  for  to  here, 
And  afttrward  tl:is  knight  was  bode  appcrc 

*ro  every  wig^Kt  commanded  was  filcncc. 
And  that  the  knight  IhuM  tell  iu  audience 
What  thing  that  wnrldjy  women  loircn  bed. 
This  knight  ne  flood  not  flill  as  doth  a  belt, 
Bui  10  thin  qucftion  anon  anfwcrd 
With  manly  vtws,  that  all  the  court  it  herd. 

My  licgc  Lady,  generally,  quod  he, 
Women  deCrcn  to  ban  foveraintec, 
As  well  oirer  hir  biifbond  as  hir  love, 
And  fur  to  ben  in  maiArie  him  above. 
Thii  your  mofi  defire,  though  yc  me  kjlle  ; 
Doth  as  you  lift,  I  am  here  at  your  wilLc. 

In  all  the  court  nc  was  tticr  wif  nc  maidc, 
Nc  widewe,  that  contraricd  that  he  faldc. 
But  faid  he  was  worthy  to  han  hts  lif. 

And  with  that  word  up  llcrt  this  oldc  wif 
Whicli  that  the  knight  faw  fitting  on  tlie  grcne. 
Merty,  quod  ibc,  my  fovcraioe  lady  Queue, 
Er  that  your  court  depart,  as  doth  me  right. 
I  taughlc  this  aofwerc  unto  this  knight, 
Fnr  which  he  plightc  mc  histrouthe  there, 
The  fi die  thing  I  wold  of  him  rcqucre. 
He  wold  it  do,  if  it  lay  in  his  might. 
Before  thi*  court  than  pray  1  thee,  Sire»  Knight, 
Qnad  fiic,  tliat  thou  mc  take  unto  thy  wif. 
For  wel  thou  wofl  that  1  have  kept  thy  lif  : 
If  I  fay  fJfe,  fay  nay  upon  thy  fay. 

This  knight  anfwered.  Ah*  and  wala  wa ! 
I  wot  right  wcl  that  fwichc  was  my  bchcft. 
For  Goddes  love  a*  chde  a  new  requcH  ; 
Take  all  my  good,  and  let  my  body  go. 
Nay  thaji,  q\iod  fbc,  I  Ihrcwe  %$  bothc  twt ; 


i 


6o 


THE    Wil^    OF    BATHES    TALE, 


lF6r  though  that  I  be  oldr,  foule,  and  pore, 
I  n'clde  for  all  the  metal  nc  the  ore 
Tliat  under  ertbc  u  grave,  orliihabovc^ 
But  if  thf  wit  I  were  and  t;kc  thy  luvc. 

My  love  I  quod  he:  nay,  my  dstnpaadon. 
Abi  ]  that  any  of  my  nation 
Shu  Id  cYcrfo  fouk  difparaged  be. 
But  all  fpr  nought ;  the  cud  i%  thi6,  that  hi: 
Conft rained  was  he  nedcs  muft  hrre  wed, 
And  tiiltcth  thi»  oldc  wif»  and  gnrh  to  bud. 

Now  woldcn  fom  men  fayn  paravtiuure, 
Thai  for  my  negligence  t  du  no  cure 
To  tcilen  you  the  jcyc  and  all  the  Army 
That  ai  the  feilc  was  that  iike  dliy. 

To  which  thing  Qiortly  wjirwci^cn  1  flial : 
I  fay  thcr  wai  no  joyc  nc  fctle  at  a! ; 
Thcr  n*ai  but  hcviaeiTe  and  mochelforwc; 
For  privfly  he  wedded  hire  on  Ok  morwe. 
And  all  day  after ^hid  him  assji  oul^ 
iyo  wo  wa»  hini  hl%  wif  Joked  io  foulc* 

Gret  was  the  wo  the  knight  hid  in  his  thought 
Whan  he  was  with  his  wif  a-bcd  ybrought ; 
He  walwelh,  and  he  turncth  to  and  fro. 

Thi&  oldc  wif  lay  fmiling  cvcrtno. 
And  faidt  0  dcre  huihuodf  b*:ti«fiiaii\ 
Fareth  ever  kni^t  thu-*  wlih  wif  z%  yc  ? 
1i  this  the  lawc  of  K.ing  Artourcs  hoys  f 
Is  every  knight  of  hii  3iui  d;aigcrou»  ? 
1  am  your  owcti  love,  aud  ck^  yoxis  wif» 
I  am  fhc  which  that  fivcd  hath  your  Iff, 
And  ccrtci  yet  did  I  you  never  mu-ight ; 
Why  fare  yc  thuj  with  v.^-:  '^      t^r^.  night  ? 
Yc  faren  like  a  man  h.. 
What  b  my  gilt  I  kr  G  tdt  it, 

And  it  fhal  ben  amended  tl  1  may^ 

Anknded  !  quod  thi»  knight,  alts!  nay,  luy. 
It  wol  not  hen  amended  never  mo; 
Thou  art  fo  lotlily,  and  fo  olde  alfo, 
And  thcno  comcn  of  fo  low  a  kind, 
That  littrl  wonder  i*  though  I  wtijwc  ftud  wiml ; 
So  wolde  God  mfn  hcrte  woldc  bred. 

I»  this,  quod  ihc,  the  taufe  of  your  unreA  i 

Yc  certainly,  q\iod  he,  do  %voRdcr  \^ 

Now  Sire,  quod  ihe»  f  cuude  amend  all  thl^t 
If  ih Jt  me  lift,  er  it  were  diyc^  three. 
So  weJ  yc  mtghtcn  here  you  unto  mc. 

But  for  yc  fpcktn  of  fwichc  grntiilcflc 
Ai  is  dcfcended  out  of  old  ricItcBie  ; 
That  therefore  fhullcn  ye  be  gentilnica ; 
Swiche  arrogaccc  n'i^not  worth  an  hen. 

Loke  who  that  is  rio£1  vrrtuotK  alway, 
Privc  andap«rt,  and  ir-  '^  -    -  -  '  'h  ay 
To  do  the  gcDtil  dcd^-!^ ' 
And  take  him  for  the  gri         ^     ilinan. 
Crift  wol  we  claimc  of  him  our  gciiiiUclIc, 
Koc  of  our  clJcrt  for  hir  old  richeffe ; 
For  thci^h  they  yqvc  ui  all  hii  heritage. 
For  which  we  cFaimc  to  ben  of  high  pangc. 
Yet  may  they  not  bequcthen  for  ixu  thing 
To  non  of  u«  hir  vcxtuou*  living, 
That  made  hem  jyentllmen  called  to  k*^. 
And  bade  m  folw<^n  hem  in  fwichc;  i^^i-gree 

Wcl  can  the  wif^*  poet  of  JFlorencc, 
That  hightc  Dant,  fp^kcn  of  this  fenicnee  : 


Lo  in  fw/ehe  maner  rime  U  Dapiet  t^l^j 

hul  fildc  11  }>  rifcth  by  his  b^aiichcaf 
Prowefle  of  man,  fur  God  of  hiai^oo 
Wol  that  we  ciaimcof  him  our  gcotillcflJe  \ 
For  of  our  ciders  may  we  DotJiing  clailiK 
But   tempore!    thing,    that  man   may 

Eke  every  wight  wot  thUaa  wcl  aa  i, 
If  gcntiUcfle  were  planted  naturelij 
Unto  a  certain  linage  doun  the  line, 
Privc  and  aprrt,  than  wold  they  ncTcr  fiiifl 
To  don  of  gentillclfc  the  fairc  Q^t ; 
They  mighten  do  no  viiiuiic  or  vice. 

Take  fire,  and  here  it  into  thrdcrkcilh« 
Betwix  thiiand  the  Mount  of  Cac*i'u», 
All!  let  men  ftictt*  the  doert,  andga  the 
Yet  wol  rhe  fire  a*  fairc  Tic  and  brcunc 
As  twenty  ihoufand  mra  might  it  bcixilds  a 
His  ofVicc  naturel  ^y  wnl  it  hold, 
UppcriJ  iff  m>  I  it  die. 

Here  may  yt  .  tliat  getltefic 

hnot  annexed  tu  y  u. », 

Sitb  folk  DC  don  hir  operation 

Alway»  a!t  duth  thefir<'  =  1*.  «ti  hi*  kiti<!  i 

For  Go  J  it  wot  men  ;  ten  find 

A  lordeifoAc  tio  ihBn>  h*. 

And  he  that  wt>1  ban  gei»cari«r4 

For  he  wa»  boren  of 

And  had  hi*  eidere  uable  j 

And  n'ill  himJ'elven  do  tiO). 


til  auucctlrit  nun  or  o.  it, 
be  he  dak  or  cil, 


Uce«l 


He. 
For 

For  • 

Of  i:. 

Winch  is 
Thy?:nr 
Tha- 

Th!i:hahlu-. 
WasthilkcTul 
Th:^f 
Re.l 
Th  : 
Th:r 
And  ^ 

A\  be  It  tJiat  mm  amictjlrc*  wcrr 
Yet  may  the  hrghc  God,  and  fo  F 
Granten  mc  grace  to  livcTi  vertuou-I>  ; 
Than  am  I  gentil  whan  that  I  bef^'iuuc 
'Fo  ]t  uily  and  wcJ 

A  c  of  povcir  r, 

Thtfciiivi'    vrwij,  on  whom  i.>».^  «^  ivittve,         i 
In  wilful  povcrtc  chcfe  to  Icdc  hi|  Uf  ;  , 

And  ccrtrr*  every  m»n>  [HiLlt-ii.  or  wif. 
May  undcrftond  that    •  king 

Ne  wold  not  chcfc  a  \  \ 

Glaii  i)OVj:rte  ii  an  K  iisi,    ^H 

Tht«  wol  .Hcnck  and  qi  ^^ 

Who  ft  I  that  fi4lt  hinBpjjd  ot  his  p  .vcrte, 
I  hold  him  r*ch,  aJ  had  he  not  aihcrtc* 
Ho  r  '  -      -    .     v,t^ 

For  !  s  might  ; 

But  i.-  ;.  ..  „.  ,,, .,  ...  -.  -.itcth  to  hav^^ 

U  nci  e.  ftUhou^h  yc  bold  hm\  buia  knare. 


THE    WIF    d?  BATHiS'  TALE. 


It' 


I  feof  povnte  h  finne  profrdy, 
I    Jmatl  Cstih  of  povrrtc  mcrilff 
ITv  fow  nuQ  wh&D  h«  gt>th  hj  the  W37, 
I  lewii  eke  fKevo  hr  may  &of^  a^nd  play. 
iNmte  if  haccfo!  ^ood  ;  xad,  ai  I  gclTc, 
1 4  nJ  ^Vl  vdftccT'  ont  or  bcfincwF  \ 
[Hfrrt  amcsd^T  <kc  of  fapjencc 
I  Te  him  th^t  takcth  it  in  patience. 
l&nrcnc  U  this,  although  it  fomc  clcnge, 
"■I  thjkl  no  wight  wol  chAlkngc, 
E  f«l  oftcti,  whan  a  mam  is  low* 
I  hi%  God  ^nd  ckc  khnfrrf  to  ko<rw. 
i  a  fpe^akel  is»  e§  thinkcth  mc, 
I  TWiJb  wluclk  he  may  his  veray  frendcs  fcr, 
jEBl^creforc^  Sire,  fin  tlmt  1  you  not  grcvc^ 
Of  mf  |ofertc  no  more  me  reprevc. 
Jfam,  Sire,  of  elde  that  ye  rqireven  me  : 
iSil  £0%»,  Sire,  though  non  auifioritce 
r  no  bc»ok,  yc  gentilc-«  of  honour 
t  mrn  Ifiuld  an  olde  waght  honour, 
:  Kim  Fader,  for  your  gcntillt  fTc  ; 
V  fital  T  finden,  as  1  gc^Tc. 
'  ibcr  jc  fain  that  I  am  foulc  and  oId» 
sde  jrc  not  to  ben  a  coke  wold  i 
e,  aild  elAc  alfo,  fo  mote  I  the, 
deini  upon  chailitee. 
df]  1  know  your  delic, 
I  your  wordly  appetit, 
am  (quod  fh<)  on  of  thifc  thingci  twcy, 
Ibttic  and  old  til  that  I  dey, 
t  tt»  ftfu  a  tfcwc  humblt  wif, 
'  you  difplcfe  in  all  my  liT ; 
\  wol  yc  han  me  yongr  and  fairc, 
your  a  venture  of  the  rcpaJrc 
t  be  to  your  houa  becaufc  of  mc, 
I  oth<T  place  ir  may  wcl  be  f 
lea  dtde  yourftlven  whether  that  you  liketh. 
T^lsight  a<)fttli  him»  anJ  fore  fikcth, 


But  at  the  bfl  he  faid  in  this  mancrc : 

My  lad/  and  my  love,  and  wif  fo  dcrc, 
I  put  mc  in  your  wife  governance, 
Chefeth  yourfcli"  which  may  be  raoft  pleiaDce 
And  moA  honour  to  you  and  me  alfo, 
tdoxio  force  the  whether  of  the  two, 
For  35  you  Uketh  it  fufliceth  me. 

Than  have  f  got  the  maiftere,  quod  i 
Sin  I  may  chcfc  and  govcrnc  a«  me  IclL 
Ye  certcs,  wif,  quod  he,  I  hold  it  be  ft. 

KiiTr  ntt*  quod  Ihc,  we  be  nu  Icngcr  wrothc^ 
Few  by  my  trouth  1  wol  be  to  you  bothc. 
This  to  faiTi,  yc  bothc  fa  ire  and  good. 
I  prjy  to  God  that  I  mote  ftervcn  wood 
But  I  to  you  be  al  fo  good  and  trcwc 
A*  ever  was  Wif  fin  that  the  world  wat  QCWe^ 
i'Vivd  but  I  be  to-morwc  a»  faire  to  iecn 
As  any  lady,  cm  peri  ce,  or  queue. 
That  11  bctwiir  the  eft  and  ckc  the  wcf*» 
Doth  with  my  lif  and  dcth  right  as  yon  left 
Caft  tip  the  cortcfn,  loke  how  that  it  is. 

And  whan  the  knight  faw  vcraily  all  ihii, 
That  (he  fo  faire  wa^,  and  fo  yongc  thcrto^ 
For  joyc  he  bent  hire  in  his  armct  two : 
Hi^  hcrtc  bathed  in  a  bath  of  bliffe, 
A  thoufand  time  a-row  he  gan  hire  kiffc  : 
And  lb c  obeyed  him  in  every  thing 
That  mightc  don  him  plcfancc  or  liking. 
And  thus  they  live  unto  htr  live*  ende 
In  parfit  joye  j  and  Jefu  Crifl  us  fendc 
Hufbondcs  olekc  and  yongc,  and  fresih  a-bcd. 
And  grlce  to  ovcrliTc  hem  that  wc  wed. 
And  ckc  I  pray  Jefus  to  fliort  htr  Hvc* 
That  wol  not  be  governed  by  htr  wivci  5 
And  old  and  angry  nigards  of  difpcncc 
God  fend  hem  fonc  a  veray  pclliknct» 


THE    FRERES     PROLOGU& 


THE  FRERES  PROLOGUE. 


Tmf  worthy  UmlCour,  this  noble  Frcrc, 

He  iilaJc  alway  a  majier  tourinj^  chcrc 

Upon  the  Sompnour,  but  for  honcftcc 

No  viUin*  word  as  yet  to  him  fpake  he ; 

But  at  the  Uft  he  faid  unto  the  Wif, 

Dumc,  (qtiod  he)  God  ycve  you  right  gcxid  lif, 

Yc  have  here  touched,  ill  fo  tnotc  I  the. 

In  fcok  m&tcnc  m  ful  gret  dilEcultic  ; 

Yc  han  fald  mochd  thing  right  wcl  I  fay  ; 

But,  Dame,  here  as  we  ridcn  by  the  way 

Us  nedeth  not  to  fpeken  btit  of  g^une^ 

And  let  au^oritccs,  in  Goddct  namCp 

To  prechrng  and  to  fcole  ckc  of  c1ergtC4 

But  if  it  like  unto  this  compagtiic 
1  wo  I  you  of  a  Sompnour  tell  a  game ; 
P*fdc  yc  may  wel  knowcn  by  the  name 
That  of  a  Sompnour  may  no  good  be  fa  id  ^ 
I  pimy  that  ooa  of  you  be  evil  apaid  : 


A  Sompnour  ii  t  renncf  ap  and  dooB 
With  mandcmrnt^  for  fornicatioun. 
And  U  ybctc  at  every  tounet  cnde* 

Tho  fpakc  our  Hofle,  A,  Sire,  yc  (ku 
And  curteis  ai  a  man  of  your  eilat. 
In  compagnie  wc  wiln  have  no  debat  ; 
TcHcth  your  Tate,  and  let  the  Sompoour  1 
Nay^  quod  the  Sompnour,  let  him  (ay  by  I 
What  (o  him  lid  ;  whan  k  comcth  to  my  loi 
By  God  I  Jhal  him  qui  ten  every  grot  ; 
I  fhaJ  him  tell  en  which  a  gret  honour 
It  is  to  be  a  Aatcring  limit  our, 
And  eke  of  many  another  maner  crime^ 
Which  nedeth  tiot  rchcrfen  at  this  time, 
And  hi*  ofitcc  I  ihal  him  tell  ywii. 
Our  Hoftc  anfwercd.  Pee*,  no  more  ol  ebiv 

I  And  afterward  he  faid  unto  the  Frcrc 
Tel  forth  yowr  Tale  mm  owcn  maiiier  dcp 


THE  FRERES  TALEf. 


WpitOM  thcr  was  dwell iftg  in  my  contre« 

An  archedeken,  a  man  of  high  degree. 

That  boldely  did  execution 

Id  punifhing  of  fornication, 

Of  witchecraft,  and  eke  of  bauderie, 

Of  defamation,  and  avottteric. 

Of  chirche-revet,  and  of  tcfhuncnti, 

Of  contract,  aod  of  lack  of  facramcntt. 

Of  ufurr,  and  of  fimonie  alfo. 

But  certei  lechours  did  he  greteft  wo ; 

They  fhuldf  n  flngen  if  that  they  were  hent, 

/kod  finale  tidierei  werco  £Dule  yfiicnt  i 


infer  ^er,    A  • 


-  A^vi\  mfftino  nn  the waVf  ifter 
to  hctt  tney  jjo 

*.    i/tf¥. 


If  any  perfonc  wold  ypon  hem  plainc 
Thcr  might  aftert  hem  no  pccunial  (leine. 
For  fmalc  tithc»  and  fmale  ofTering 
He  made  the  peple  pitoufly  to  fing, 
For  cr  the  biHiop  bent  hem  with  hit  crooll 
They  wcren  in  the  archedekent  book } 
Than  had  he  thurgh  hi»  jurifdi^oo 
Power  to  don  on  hem  corredtion. 

He  had  a  Sompnour  redy  to  hit  houdt 
A  flier  boy  was  noQ  in  Eoglelond ; 
For  fubtilly  he  had  hi«  cfpiailk^ 
lliat  taught  him  wel  wber  it  might  oagKt  i 
He  coudc  fparc  of  lechour*  on  or  two 
To  techen  hem  to  foure-and-tweiity  mo  t 
For  though  this  Sompnour  wood  be  aaao  I 
To  tell  hif  barloiric  t  wol  not  fpare, 


THE  FRERES 


> 


wt  htn  ««C  of  hir  corredicn, 
L  of  ti«  no  jorifdidioD, 
frill  have,  tcrtnc  of  all  hlr  Itvca. 
cTf  fb  bcB  the  women  of  the  (live^ 
A*»  Sprnpff'^ur,  yput  out  of  our  cure  ? 

r  :      !(.c  uid  with  nufavencurcy 
V  t  him  tcU  Iti*  TaJe. 

.jr  t  »  II  na^  j.ud  let  the  Sompnour  gale, 
rth  not,  QUO  owcn  maifter  derc. 
f*ifc  tbccf.thia  Sornj'nour,  c^uod  the  Frerc, 
mnj  hmudc%  redy  to  his  homl, 
ia|rh4.ukc  to  lure  in  Englelond, 
•old  him  ail  the  fecree  that  they  k  tie  we, 
tir  acqiiauatuice  wai  not  come  of  dcwc; 
Tfef  wcrm  lvi»  approver*  privcly  : 
1k«Ki4c  btmfelf  a  grct  profit  tbcrby, 
&iidier  knew  not  alwiiy  what  he  wan* 
Wl^mtcn  matwlcincnt  a  kwcd  man 

CHlir  f<ict-*pnc  up  peine  of  Cnfle^i  ciirfe^ 
they  were  inly  glad  to  lilit  It^  f  urfc, 
lakrfi  him  gret  fci^es  st  tht  uj.L% 
f^llhct  an  Juda4  hadde  puric^  itjiiilic, 
«M  a  checf,  rif^ht  fwiche  a  thcef  wa«  he  ; 
Kb  coiier  ha^de  but  half  hiit  ductce 
Fk  «^  (if  1  fhal  yevcn  him  hi,s  laud) 
A  tbtcti^  And  eke  a  f^ompnour,  ond  a  b«ud. 

He  hmd  eJbe  werchei  at  hm  rcttnue^ 
TbiC  vrhrthcr  that  Sire  Robert  or  Sir^  Hue, 
Or  Jakke  or  Rauf,  or  whc»  fo  thstt  it  were 
Ttac  Imj  by  hem,  they  told  it  i;i  his  rre* 
Tbw  W9^  the  wrenche  aitd  h<^  of  or  all  cut ; 
Jlodke  wotd  fecch^a  feined  mandcnient, 
Amd  Jbmpne  hem  to  the  chapttri:  bt^thc  two, 
MmA  psil  the  man  and  let  the  wiurhe  go  : 
Ikim  wold  he  Ciy,  Freud,  I  £hal  for  thy  fiike 
BsfijiLc  thee  out  of  oure  lettrc«blakc; 
TWt  tbar  no  more  aa  ia  this  ca§  travaiUe  ; 
l^thy  firend  thcr  I  may  thee  av^tlc. 
Cvaia  be  1tx;^cw  of  briboure*  many  ma 
T^pof&ble  iK  to  tcU  in  yeret  two  ; 
fwi^this  world  n'i»  dr»ggc  for  the  bowe 
"nB  ao  an  hurt  dere  from  an  hole  yknowe 
IksdM  thiQt  Scnnpnour  kjiew  a  Die  Icchour, 
^»  arcnitrcf'  or  a  paramour ; 
JUf  iar  that  was  tlie  fruit  of  all  his  rent, 
Tlcflore  on  it  he  fct  all  hi»  entent, 
Aad  io  befell  that  oae»  on  a  day 
Ikn  Socnpoour,  waiting  <^vcr  on  his  praye, 
%cef  forth  to  fompnc  a  widewc,  an  old  ribibe, 
hmmg  a  cauie,  for  he  wold  ban  a  bribe  j 
And  happed  that  he  faw  bcfom  him  ride 
A  fTj  ycwati  under  a  foreft  fide ; 
A  >)0w  he  bmrc,  aod  arwce  bright  and  keric. 
He  ^^  upon  a  coitrtepy  of  grcnc. 
As  hat  upon  hi*  htd  with  frcngcs  blakn. 
Sire,  quod  the  Sompnour,  haile,  and  wcl  atakc. 
Welcome,  qnod  he,  and  evtry  gopd  fcUw. 
Vbider  rideH  th  .11  under  ihii  grenc  fhaw  ? 
fSaiAt  thli  yeman)  wolt  thou  fcr  lo-nlay  ? 

Thi»  iH>mpnouf  him  aofwerd,  and  fi>idc  Nay. 
He»t  £aAe  by  (quod  be)  ift  min  entitnt 
1o  riden,  fct  to  reifen  up  a  rent 
71^  loeii^tlL  to  my  iordc#  ductcc* 
A!  sn  Cioutbafl  »■  bailUf  ?  Ye^  rjuod  he. 


(He  dorftc  not  for  veray  filth  and  fliime 
Say  that  he  wo^  a  Sompnour,  fur  the  name.) 

Bt  ^r  dl^x,  quod  tlii*  yeman,  Icvc  brother^ 
Thou  an  a  bailUf,  aod  I  am  another. 
1  am  unknowtn  a&  in  this  con  tree ; 
Of  ihin  acquaintance  I  wol  prayen  thee. 
Arid  tk.c  of  brothiirhed,  if  that  thee  liil, 
I  have  gold  and  lllvcr  lying  In  my  chid; 
If  that  rhce  hap  to  come  in  to  our  fiiirc 
Al  fhal  be  thin  right  a*  thou  wolt  dcfire. 

Grand  mer^y,  qucxL  tiiis*  Sompnour,  by  my  fiutb^ 
Everich  in  others  bond  hi»  trouthc  Uith 
For  lo  bt  fwornc  brethren  til  they  dey. 
In  daliauncc  they  riden  forth  and  pley. 

Thli  bompnour,  which  that  waa  a«  fill  of  jaliglei 
Aa  fill  of  veninie  ben  thifc  warianglet. 
And  ever  enquiring  upon  every  thing, 
firochiT,  quod  he,  wher  h  now  your  dwelling. 
Another  day  if  that  [  fliuld  you  fedic  ? 

This  ycman  him  unfwcrd  in  fofte  fpcche, 
Brother,  quod  he,  fer  in  the  north  contrce, 
Wher  as  I  hope  fometimc  I  flull  thee  fee. 
Or  we  depart  1  fhal  thee  fo  wd  wific. 
That  of  min  hom  nc  (halt  thou  never  miffe. 

Now  brother,  quod  this  Sonipnour«  1  you  pray 
Teche  me,  while  that  we  ridcn  by  the  way, 
(Sith  tliat  yc  ben  a  baillif  as  am  I) 
Som  fubtihec,and  tell  me  faithfully 
In  min  office  how  1  may  moflc  winne; 
And  fparcth  not  for  confcicncc  or  for  finne. 
But  as  my  brother  tcU  mc  how  do  yc. 

Now  by  my  trouthc,  brother  min,  faid  he, 
A*  I  Ihal  tcHen  thee  a  faithful  Talc, 
My  wage*  ben  ful  fbdt  and  eke  ful  fmale  ; 
My  lord  i.s  hard  to  me  and  dangerous, 
And  min  office  n  ful  laborious, 
And  thcrfore  by  tritortion  1  Icve ; 
Forforh  1  take  all  that  tntn  wol  rae  ye¥C  % 
Algatc}  by  flcightc  or  by  violence 
Fro  ycre  to  ycre  I  win  all  my  difpence : 
1  can  no  better  telle n  fajthfully. 

Now  certes  (quod  this  Sompnour)  fo  fare  I^ 
I  fparc  not  to  taken,  God  it  wote, 
But  if  it  be  to  hcvy  or  to  hole* 
What  I  may  getc  in  confril  prively 
No  mancr  confcicncc  of  that  have  L 
N'crc  min  extortion  1  might  not  liven, 
Nc  of  fwiche  japes  wol  1  not  be  Ibriven. 
Stomak  nc  confciencc  know  I  non ; 
I  fhrew  thife  Ihriftf  fadcrs  cvcrich  on  ; 
Wei  be  we  met  by  God  and  by  Stint  Jame. 
Butt  Icvc  brother,  telJ  mc  than  thy  name. 
Quod  thi^  Sompnour.  Right  in  this  mcnc  whi!^ 
This  yfman  gan  a  litel  for  to  fmilc. 

Brother,  quod  he,  wo^t  thou  that  I  ihcc  tclit 
I  am  a  fend,  my  dwelling  is  in  hell, 
And  here  I  ride  about  py  pourchafing 
To  wote  whcr  men  wol  give  me  any  thing ; 
My  ppurchas  la  ih*  effcd  of  all  my  rent, 
JLokc  how  thou  ridcft  for  the  fame  entent ; 
To  winnen  good  thou  rt;kcft  never  how  ; 
Right  fo  fare  I,  for  ridcn  wol  1  now 
Unto  the  woridcs  cmlc  for  aprsyc, 

A,  quod  this  Sompnour^  ^«^iV«l«  /  what  fa^  yc/ 


!^ 


i 


m 


THE    FRE  RES   TALE. 


I  weoil  ye  were  a  ycmm  irtrwtly, 
Yc  have  3  manncs  ft  ape  as  wcj  as  I : 
Have  fc  ihc^n  a  figTirc  dcicrrainsit 
la  hclle,  thtryc  hen  in  yourcftat  ? 

Nay  ce^:aul^y,  quod  he»  ther  lave  wc  non, 
But  whan  tis  tikcth  we  cau  i^ke  111  on. 
Or  dies  wake  you  we  Of  th:it  wc  ben  fhape 
Somtime  like  a  miinj  or  like  an  ape, 
Or  like  iuj  angtrl  cin  1  ride  or  go ; 
It  h  no  wotidcr  t'liiig*  thouj;h  it  be  fo ; 
A  loufy  jogelour  can  deccivcn  thee, 
And  parde  yet  ctlv.  I  more  cmft  than  he. 

Why,  quod  the  Sompnour,  ride  ye  tlua  or  gon 
In  fou  Jry  (hupc,  and  not  aJT^*ay  in  on  .' 

Fo?  we,  qood  he,  wol  ns  fwicht  forme  makt 
As  moft  is  able  our  prcye  for  to  take. 

Wlut  msketh  you  to  han  a)  this  bbotir  ? 

Fill  nuny  i  caui'c,  Icve  Sirx-  Smnpnour, 
Saidc  this  ft  nd.  But  allc  thinj;  hatb  time  ; 
*rhc  day  im  ftiort,  and  it  is  paJlcd  prime, 

I  And  yet  ne  wan  1  nDthtn]^  tn  thii  day; 
I  wol  cntcnd  to  winning  iff  may. 
And  not  emend  uur  thin^c^  to  dtclare ; 
For,  brother  m in,  rhy  wit  i^al  ta  bare 
To  underftand,  alihouj;^  I  told  hem  thee. 
Bat  for  thou  aicft  why  lahourcn  wc  ? 
For  fomtinie  wc  be  Goddes  infh-urr.entt, 
jyid  inenc*  to  don  his  cominandLmcnts, 
inian  rhat  him  lift,  upon  his  crcaturei, 
In  d'  ^      .md  in  divert  figurei  j 

Wi  :  we  have  00  might  ccrtiiii} 

If  t!...  ;..,,.  -  :l  to  flondcn  thcragain. 
And  lomtimc  at  our  praicrc  Inn  wc  lefc 
Only  the  body  and  r.ot  the  foul  to  greve ; 
"WitntJlc  on  Job,  whom  that  we  didcn  wo, 
And  fomtime  han  we  might  on  bothc  two. 
This  is  to  fain,  on  foolc  and  body  eke  : 
And  fomtimc  be  wf  fuflercd  for  to  fekc 

■    Upon  a  n;.  '   T  hit  foiilc  unncfte 

jVod  no!  id  all  if  for  the  bcfte* 

Whanht  -  rtcniptaiion 

It  »acn,i  , 

»AI  be  it  t'.-.    .    .-.    -  .  ..., I r  entente 
He  Qiuld  be  fjuf,  bn:  ibut  wc  wold  htm  heiite. 
And  fomtimc  bewc  fcrvtints  unto  m.ui, 
Aatn  the  Archcbifhnp  Siini  Dunfhtn, 
And  to  the  apoAIr  fcrvunt  ckc  was  L 

■        Yct  tcH  mr,  qticd  this  Sompnour,  faitiifttUy^ 
Make  ye  you  newe  bodies  this  alway 
Of  clement*?  Thcf  fend  anfwcrcd  N.iy* 
Somtimc  wc  fcinc,  and  fomtimc  wc  arife 

I    With  dtd  bodies,  in  ful  fncdry  wife. 
And  fpeke  3%  renably,  and  fain:,  and  wc1» 
Ai  to  the  PhitonciTc  did  Samuel; 
And  yet  wol  fom  men  Ly  it  was  not  be  : 
1  do  no  force  vrf  your  divitjftce. 
But  o  thing  wirnt  I  ther,  I  wol  not  pft. 
Thou  wn!r  ^!]^fct  tvetr  how  wc  be  (htifc  : 

■    ThourtuI  ward,  my  brother  drre. 

Come  u1  th  not  of  me  to  Icre, 

For  r'  "  --C 

Cor  c 

BetL*.^,  ,Mt.<',vi. .;..;•.  >,., ., 

lDlrI>3iit  9}fo,  Now  let  Ui  riden  blirt, 


For  I  wol  holil.  11   rnmnr^rlr^ith  thee 

Til  it  be  fo  il  ic. 

Nay,  quod  at  ih»f  urver  bettic^ 

1  am  ye  man  knciwru  isiui  wide; 
Nfy  trouthc  woM  hold,  as  in  thii  cat; 
For  though  thou  were  the  ^evil  Sath)i?iai 
My  trouthe  woi  I  hold  to  thcc,  my  brother. 
As  t  have  fwome,  nnd  cchc  of  ua  f o  other. 
For  to  be  trewe  brethren  in  this  ca*, 
Amlbithc  vrr   ■   -  ^    ■  t'^n  our  pmircbaA* 
Take  thou  th  r  that  men  wol  thee 

And  1  fbal  mm,  : :       .  ..)  wc  bnflt  h  vr  * 
And  if  that  any  o*  u»  have  mr 
Let  him  be  tru we,  cud  part  it  ',  .htr. 

I  gnuntc,  quod  the  devH,  by  my  Ijy; 
And  with  th;ii  word  they  riden  forth  her  wsy^ 
And  rit;ht  at  cntring  of  the  touncii  rtide 
To  which  tltf*  Sompnotir  fliope  him  forfo 
They  Utw  n  csrt  that  charged  wa*  with  hay. 
Which  that  a  carter  drove  forth  on  hi*  way 
Dcpf  waikthe  way,  for  which  the  eattf  fto<*dj 
The  carter  fmotc,  and  cried  a*  he  were  wc 
licit  Scot,  hert  Brot;  whal,fpare  ye  for  tb<? 
The  fend  (qu^d  he)  you  fccche  body  and  boat 
Ai  ferforthly  as  cvtr  yc  were  foled, 
So  mockel  wo  a»  [  have  with  you  tholed. 
The  devil  hive  al,  bothe  hor»,  and  cart,  and 

Th(c9flmpn*>urr»yde,Hcre  Ihil  we  hive  4 
And  ncfc  the  fend  he  drow,  a$  aoug^hf  ne  i« 
Ful  privtly,aml  rouned  in  hi^ere, 
Hcfkcn  my  brother,  hcrkcn,  by  thy  faith  ; 
He  re  ft  thou  not  how  thit  the  carter  faitb  f 
Hent  it  anon,  for  he  nath  yevc  it  thee, 
BotJi  hay  and  cart,  and  tke  hi*  caple^  thnre. 

Nay,  quod  the  devil,  God  i^ot  never  a  dcH 
It  IS  not  hia  entente,  truft  thou  me  wel  t 
Axe  him  thyfclf,  if  thou  not  trowcft  me^ 
Or  liki  ftint  a  while  and  thou  Jhalt  fee. 

This  carter  thakketh  hi«  hor*  upon  the  croupe. 
And  they  begontie  to  draw  en  and  tv  fliMipe. 
Hcit  now,  quod  he;  thcr,  Tefu  Crift  yoo  blcffe. 
And  aU  hi««  hondca  werk  bothc  more  and  IriTe! 
That  wa«  wel  twighi,  min  ow* f  T  >   r^' 
1  pr-y  God  five  thy  body  and 
Now  is  my  cart  otii  of  the  flov,^, 

Lo,  brother,  qtiod  the  fend,  what  told  I  the<P^ 
Here  may  yc  fecn,  min  owcn  dcrc  brotJier, 
The  chert  fpake  o  thing  but  he  thought  ajiolhci 
Let  MB  fro  forth  abouten  our  viage  ; 
Here  win  I  notliing  iipcn  iht%  cariage. 

Whan  that  they  comen  fomwhw  out  of  I 
This  Sonipnuur  to  his  brother  gan  to  rtatne  % 
Brother,  quod  he,  here  woneth  an  old  rrbcklic 
That  had  alinoft  a»  Icfe  to  lefc  hire  uekhjc 
Aifor  to  yeve  a  pcny  of  hire  good, 
f  wol  have  twtrlf  pen*  thonjjh  ihut  (he  be  wo 
Or  I  wol  fomonc  hire  tf>  our  other, 
And  yet,  God  wot,  of  hire  know  I  no  vice  ; 
But  for  thou  canft  not  as  in  thi«  eorttrce 
Winnen  thy  ccft»  take  hcic  enfample  of  mt\ 

Thiji  Sonipii'         '  '  '  *      -^g^ll 

Conic  out,  be  I 
I  trow  tbou,  W^u  ;.-...  ..^..  v,  ..,,....  ......  ihee,1 

MI1U  ebppeih  ?  fai J  thu  wiij  tmtiiosi  / 


wBS^  yopr  fwete  will  f 
he,  of  fnnions  here  a  bill ; 
iirilii^  lokt  th;4C  thou  be 
licforc  the  archc<Icltcot!s  knee, 
fi.  t^      .  ,uft  of  ccrt^im  i^ijiigei, 
1 1  Chrifl  Jcfu,  King  of  kingcs, 

I  i  nc  may  t 

l^ii  like:,  .iu%i  Lhsit  fuU  man^  a  diy  : 
btt  go  fo  fee  (quud  {be)  ne  ride 
'  d^il,  fo  yrii.-. th  kin  my  fide. 
ItbcUSjrc  S'jnipnour, 
'  curatour 

111  appolcii  mc  ? 
.;,  pay  juioojcl  Icc^ 
I  will  ihce  ftccjuite; 
rhy  but  ijte; 
■o^t  znd  not!, 
lien  bailily; 
K  '  niity  no  Iciiger  taric. 

I  i!ic  ;  now  Lady  Seint  Marie 


jt'jf  of  care  andfianc. 

Be  « .>  ^^h  ihat  I  fbuld  it  winnc, 

h  0»t  t  \«  t-li  ^cnf  within  my  held, 
pm  -wel  t>iat  t  fttn  poure  and  old  $ 
'*—  ilm  ft-,  t'pon  me  poure  wrctchc. 

i^  i^ikmI  be»  the  fuule  fend  me  fetche 
BCUA4^  L^^ugii  thoo  £buldc(l  be  fpilt. 
lod  Ac,  God  wot  I  have  no  guilt. 
^quod  l»c,  or  by  dicfwetc  Seiou  Anoc 
,Wt«  vwvf  thy  nt-wc  panne 
whicb  ihuu  oyfcH  me  of  old, 
t  thpni  tti«^efit  thyn  hufboDd  cokewold, 
tiofne  for  thy  corrediion. 
"UdL^tftMod  fhc,  by  my  falvatiun ; 
I  «rrrr  or  oow^  widew  nt  \vif, 
adco  yotxr  court  to  ail  my  itf^ 
I  «•*<  but  of  my  body  trcwe, 
t  AiTil  rmi^h  «Jid  bUke  of  hewe 
§^  lodf  «rtfl  my  panne  alio. 
^JLam  the  devil  herd  hire  curfcn  to 


ESTALt,  #5 

Upon  hire  kneei  he  fayd  in  this  manere ; 

Now  Mabily,  min  modT  dcre, 
la  this  your  will  in  camtii  thit  yc  fay  ? 

The  devil,  quod  Ihc,  fo  fetche  him  or  he  dcy, 
And  panne  and  all,  but  he  wol  him  repent. 

Nay,  olde  flot,  that  is  not  min  entcot^ 
Q^iod  thU  Sompnour,  for  to  rtpcnten  me 
Fur  any  thing  that  ]  have  had  of  thee  : 
I  wold  T  had  thy  fmok  and  every  cloth. 

Now  brother,  quod  the  devil,  be  not  wroth; 
Thy  body  and  thi?*  panne  ben  min  by  ri^ht : 
Tf;ou  flialt  with  mc  to  hcllc  yet  to-night, 
Whcr  thou  Jhalt  known  of  wur  privetce 
More  than  a  maljlcr  of  divtnitee. 

And  with  that  word  the  loul^  fend  him  hcnc 
Body  and  foulc  :  he  with  the  devil  went 
Wlier  a^  thJfe  Sompnour^  ban  her  heritage  : 
And  God,  thatcnaked  after  his  imaj^c 
Mankinde,  fave  and  gide  us  all  and  lome, 
And  \ti\c  thti  SompQour  good  nmn  to  become* 

LordingH,  1  coudc  have  told  you  (quod  thicFrore} 
Hid  I  had  leifer  for  this  Sompnour  here, 
After  the  text  of  C rift,  and  Poule,  and  John, 
Aud  of  ourc  otiier  dodoiir*  many  on, 
Swichc  peiue«  that  your  hcrtcn  might  agrife, 
Ai  be  it  fothat  no  tonge  may  deviie. 
Though  that  I  might  a  thoufand  winter  tell, 
Thi.'  peine*  of  thilke  curfcd  hous  of  hell ;    • 
But  for  to  kcpe  us  fro  that  curfcd  place 
Wakfth  and  praycth  Jefu  of  \\h  grace 
So  kcpe  uj$  fro  the  temptour  Sathanu«. 
Hcrkneth  this  word,  beware  at  io  this  cu  { 
The  leon  fit  in  hi»  awaitc  alway 
To  fle  the  innocent  if  that  he  may. 
Difpofcth  aye  your  hertesto  withdond 
The  fend,  that  you  wold  makcti  thral  and  bond  t 
He  may  not  tcmptcn  you  over  your  might, 
For  Criit  wol  be  your  champion  and  your  kntght  ; 
And  praycth  that  ihia  Sompnour  him  repent 
Othii  miidcdet,  or  that  the  fend  him  henr. 


THE  SOMPNOURES   PROLOGUE. 


Tttti  Sompnour  in  hj» flirops high  he  flood; 
Upon  this  Frcre  his  hcartc  wa*  fo  wood» 
Th«l  like  an  afpcn  \cci  he  quolte  for  ire* 
X,4rdiDgt,  quod  he,  hut  o  thing  I  dcfirc ; 
I  you  bcfeche  th«t  of  your  curtefie. 
Sin  ye  hoo  herd  thit  falfc  Frcrc  lie, 
A»  fufTercth  me  I  maiy  my  talc  telle. 

Thi»  Frcrc  boftcUi  that  he  knowcth  hcUe, 
And  God  it  wot  that  ii  but  litci  wonder  ; 
Frcrc»  and  feadrs  ben  but  Ikel  nfonder. 

For  pardc  ye  han  often  time  hetd  teUc 
[  How  that  a  frcrc  ravifhcd  was  to  belle 
In  fpirit  ones  by  a  vifioun. 
And  as  an  angef  lad  him  up  and  doun. 
To  flicwcn  him  the  painet  thit  ther  were^ 
In  all  rhc  place  faw  he  not  a  frcrc  : 
Of  other  folk  he  faw  ynow  in  wo. 

Unto  this  '^°^^  l^akc  the  frcre  tho  ; 
Kpw  Sire«  quod  he,  haxi  frerc4  fwich  a  gnctf 
That  non  of  hem  fhall  comcn  in  this  plaec  ? 

Ifet^quod  thi»  angel,  many  a  miUiouo; 
And  unto  S&thanu  he  hd  him  doun. 


(And  n<ny  hath  Salhuiai,  faith  he,  a  tayj 
^rcKJfr  than  ttf  a  carrike  ia  the  fay  I) 
Hold  up  thy  tmyl,  thou  Sathaoat,  quod  he^ 
Siiew  furth  thin  cri,  snd  let  the  frcrc  fc^ 
Whcr  i»  the  ncft  of  frcrc*  in  chit  place. 
And  ere  than  half  a  Ivrlong  way  of  fpace^  J 
Right  fo  aa  beea  out  fwarmen  of  an  hlire^ 
Out  of  the  devils  en  ther  gonnen  drive 
A  twenty  thoufand  freres  c 
And  thurghout  hdl  they  fv^rmed  al  abooCi 
And  com  agen,  as  fafl  a»  they  may  gcKi, 
And  in  hiscrt  they  crepen  evertch  on  : 
He  dapt  hi»  tayl  igrain,  and  lay  ful  ftill. 

Thii  frere,  whan  he  loked,  liad  his  fill 
Upon  this  turmenu  of  thi*  fory  place  ; 
Hi»  fpirit  God  rellored  of  his  grace 
Into  his  body  agcn,  and  he  awoke  ; 
But  tiathlefs  for  fere  yet  he  qtioke, 
So  was  the  dcviii  ert  ay  tn  hii  mmd^ 
That  is  hi*  hcretage  of  vcray  kind. 

God  favc  you  alle  favc  thii  cur  fed  FreW| 
My  Prolu^c  wol  lend  in  thii  i 


wol  1  end  iQ  thii  m^cre.        ^^ 

4 


THE  SOMPNOURES  TALE*. 


JOKDfNes,  there  is  in  Yorklhire,  at  I  gtffe, 

A  merib  contree  y called  Holdernene, 
In  which  tlirr  went  a  limitour  uboutr, 
To  preach  and  Ac  to  beg  it  i«  no  doubte« 

•  ANte^nffrlar  comtng  to  ■  farnTcr**  bnurewhoby 
fttk,  vbiaiiictii  of  the  tick  mtn  m  cettjuti  tt|;icy  wtttch 
muH  be  equiliyiliv tiled  aiaon£  hi*  ciuivcnc.  A  rrquitil 
tw  ihe  PrUr,  Wte^lnit  thetr  co^en^^,  toiuhnfi  ioipiHlcnt 
UgKiiic,«fid  hypoallical  prtyiiif . 


And  fo  befell  that  on  a  day  thi»  frrre 
Had  preached  at  a  chirche  in  hi*  manere. 
And  fpecially  ftboven  every  thing 
Eicited  he  the  pcpic  in  hi«  preching 
To  trentab,  and  to  yeve,  for  Goddc^  fafcr, 
Wherwith  men  mighien  Loty  houfcamake, 
Ther  as  divine  fcrvice  is  honoured. 
Not  Uicr  09  it  b  woibd  and  dcYovrod, 


THE  SOMPNOUkES  TALE. 


'  h  nc^rth  not  Cor  to  be  ycvcn, 
» pollHEouer%,  that  mowcD  levcn 

I  be  God)  m  wclc  end  abundance* 
,  r^yd  he,  deliver  en  fro  pcni^nce 
ic»  fbulcs  a^?  well  old  as  )  on^c, 
i^wfe^ii  tKat  they  ben  haJlily  yfonge^ 
t  for  to  hold  a  precft  jolif  and  gay, 
* ,  not  but  D  miiTc  on  a  d.ty. 
aVout  (miod  he)  aaon  the  foulcj. 
'd  it  ts  wkh  fldhhook  or  with  ouka 
t  jdanredj  or  to  brcn  or  bake. 
r  %i^  ytyuhAilily  for  Cnll«4  f.ikc. 
Aod  whui  tlilt  frcre  bad  &id  oJl  his  enteDt, 
\  tmi  fifjB  jt^tri  fonh  hi?  way  be  went. 
¥!«  folk  in  chircKe  had  ycTt  him  what  hcni  Jell 
^Ikymf  hi*  way,  no  knger  wold  he  rcil. 
'ri^pc  and  tipped  ftaf,ytucked  hlc, 
r  hous  be  gan  to  pore  and  pritf, 
mele  and  cKcfe,  or  ellc»  corn* 
r  had  a  flaf  tipped  with  hornj 
IfHTof  iabte«  a.U  of  ivor)% 
f  a  fmoizl  jpolifhcd  fetifly, 

:  alway  the  numes,  a*  he  Hood^ 
that  yavc  hem  any  good* 
:  tbat  be  woulde  for  hem  prcye. 
c  fttmbtifiicl  whetc,  or  malt  or  reyc, 
i  luchd,  or  a  irtppc  of  chcfei 
IcfinwliAt  ycu  lift,wc  may  not  cbefc; 
iGoddca  halfpenny,  or  a  maiTe  peny, 
'ryevcilAof  yotif  braun,  if  ye  have  ikny, 
k  h^pm  of  your  tiUckct,  Icve  Dame, 
OirliftcT  deix,  (loyherc  T  write  your  name} 
Inmor  hcdT,  or  fwichc  thing  as  yc  find. 
A.9ii^y  ha^rlot  wetit  bem  ay  behind, 
IW  mrki  h/tr  boflo  maoi  and  bare  a  fakkc^ 
Afiiirtat  waca  y^ivc  hem  laid  it  on  hia  bakke« 
4ai  mhaa  that  he  was  oat  at  dorc^  anoo 
He  plaied  away  the  names  evcrich  on 
^^  he  before  had  written  iu  hh  tahle^t; 
Bifned  hem  with  nifics  and  with  fahli«. 
Mq  thrr  tboa  Uefb,  thou  Sompnour,  <{uod  tbe 


^■^ffeid  ewir  Hofte,  for  Grilles  inodcr  dere 
TfilfTh  thy  Tale,  and  fpare  it  not  at  all. 
i*£biTe  I,  i|uod  this  SompooiLf}  tc*  1  (hall, 
Si  lt»g  he  wcttt  fro  hous  to  hous  ttl  he 
C^  eo  afi  houf  ther  he  was  wont  to  be 
korc  than  in  a  hundred  pb4:ct. 
i  by  th«  hufbond  mau  who»  that  the  place 
b; 

I  opof]  a  couche  low  he  lay, 
I  ^L\  iptod  he  ;  O  Thomas !  frtnd,  goM  day» 
IliTde  ihii  frcre  ail  curtrily  and  foft. 
iTIaBas  <|U'>d  he»  God  yclde  it  you,  ftil  oft 
rf  vpoD  this  benchc  faren  ful  wdc, 

I  i  eten  many  a  tticry  mc!c. 
I  fro  the  beache  he  drove  away  the  cat, 

1  idouTi  bit  potent  ^d  his  hat, 
•  c^  hts  fcrtp,  ajjJ  fct  himfelf  adouu  t 
ttifekw  wa*Twalkcd  into  toUDt 
flvdiirith  his  knavc»  into  that  hoftelrie 
|lnter  aa  he  Ihope  him  thilke  night  u  lie. 

0  dcfc  o»i0er  !  quod  this  filke  man, 
lil»«  harm  ft  fkrezi  fia  that  March  began  ? 


i  faw  you  not  this  fourtene  night  and  more. 

God  wot,  quod  be,  laboured  have  I  full  fore> 
And  rpecially  for  thy  falvatioii 
Have  I  fayd  many  a  precious  orifon, 
And  for  our  other  frendes  God  hem  bUrfle. 
I  have  thh  day  ben  at  your  chirchc  at  mclTe) 
And  faid  4  fermon  to  my  flmple  wit. 
Not  all  after  the  text  of  holy  writ  | 
For  it  i»  hard  to  you  aa^  1  fuppcfc. 
And  therefore  \,ol  I  techc  you  ay  theglof<l« 
Glofjug  is  a  ful  glorious  thing  certain^ 
For  letter  fleih,  fo  ai  we  ckrkcs  f;ua  ; 
ThtTc  have  1  taught  hem  to  be  charitable, 
And  fpcnd  hir  good  tbtr  it  isrcafonabic ; 
And  fher  1  faw  our  dame  ;  a  !  wher  is  fhc  ? 

Ycnder,  t  trow  that  In  the  yard  !hc  bt, 
Saydt  tbi»  man,  and  jQic  wol  come  ancjn» 

Ey  maiiter,  welcome  be  yc  by  Scint  Jcha^ 
Saydc  this  wif ;  how  fare  ye  bcnlly  ? 

This  frere  arilbth  up  ful  curtiUyi 
And  hire  embrace tb  m  her  arme«t  narwc, 
Aid  kifftfh  hire  fwete,  aad  chirkcth  as  a  fparwil 
With  his  lippc*.  Damei  quod  he,  right  \vt), 
A*  he  that  is  your  iVrvaoi  every  del. 
Thanked  be  God  that  you  yaf  foulc  and  lif 
Yet  faw  I  not  this  day  fa  faire  a  wif 
In  ali  the  chirchc,  God  to  lave  mc, 

Yc  God  amende  defantci.  Sire,  quod  Qic, 
Al gates  welcome  be  yc^  by  my  fay# 

Grand  iif^'rrvj  Dame,  that  have  1  found  alway^ 
But  of  your  grcte  goodncfTc,  be  your  Icvc'^ 
I  woldc  pray  yoti  that  yc  not  y&u  grevc, 
1  Wfil  with  Thomas  fpekc  a  litel  throw, 
Tbife  curates  bcti  lb  negligent  aud  flow 
To  gropen  tenderly  a  confdcnce, 
In  fhrift,  \n  prcchiug.  Is  my  diligence 
And  ftudy,  in  Pcteri  wordes  and  in  Poulcs; 
I  walkc  and  fisflie  Criftcn  mcnnea  foidcs. 
To  yield  our  Lord  Jcfu  hii  proprc  rent| 
To  fprcd  bis  word  is  fct  all  mine  cntcnt. 

Now  by  your  faith,  o  dere  Sire  \  quod  ihe^ 
Chidcth  him  we  I  for  Scintc  Chariiec  ; 
He  is  ay  angry  as  is  a  pifTtimir.j 
Though  that  he  have  all  that  he  can  defirc  : 
Thouji;h  I  him  wric  a-night^  and  make  him  waroi  ^ 
And  over  him  lay  my  leg  and  eke  mine  arm, 
He  groneth  as  our  bore  litb  in  our  llie : 
Other  difport  of  bim  right  non  have  I ; 
1  may  not  pleafe  him  in  no  niancr  cas. 

O  Thomas,  J«  i*out  lAV,  Tbomas,  Thomas  ! 
This  makcth  the  fend,  this  mid^e  ben  umt^iulfd* 
Ire  ij  a  thing  that  high  God  hath  defended, 
And  iberof  wol  I  fpckc  a  word  or  tv.  o. 

Now  malUpr,  quod  the  wif,  cr  that  I  go, 
IVTiat  wol  yc  dine  ?  I  wol  go  thcraLoutc. 

Now  DamJ,quod  kctjco  votn  di^  fanx  Jottte^ 
Have  I  not  of  a  capon  but  the  Uver, 
And  of  your  white  bred  nat  but  a  Ibivcr, 
And  after  that  a  rolled  pigge*  hed» 
(But  I  ne  wf>ldc  forme  no  bceft  were  dcdj 
1  han  had  I  with  jou  hi  mly  fu^fan:!; ; 
1  am  a  mnn  of  little  fuftcnaucL  ; 
My  fpirit  hath  hii  fell  ring  in  the  Bible  i 
My  body  is  ay  fo  ready  and  So  petii^ 


68 


THfe  SOM^KOURfiS  TALt* 


To  waken,  that  my  (loma^  is  deftnjicd. 
1  f  my  you,  Daoic,  that  ye  be  nougbi  unjioied, 
'Jhough  I  io  frrndly  you  my  confcil  fhcwc ; 
By  God  I  ti'otd  have  toM  it  hut  a  fcwe. 

Now  Sire,  quod  fiir,  but  o  word  cr  I  go. 
My  child  is  dcd  within  theft?  wffctrs  two, 
Sonc  after  that  yc  went  out  of  this  toun. 

Hi*  dtth  faw  I  by  rcvchtioo'i, 
Sayde  thifl  frcrif,  at  home  iu  our  dortour, 
1  dare  Wcl  fain  that  tr  than  half  on  hour 
Aftirr  his  dcth  I  faw  him  borne  to  bliffc 
In  mine  a.vinon,  lo  God  mc  wilTc  ; 
So  did  our  Icttein  and  our  fcrmcrere. 
That  han  ben  trewe  frefea  fifty  ycrc*  ; 
Thty  may  now,  God  Lc  thanked  of  his  lone, 
Makcn  hirjubdce,  aod  walkc  alone. 
And  up  I  arofe,  and  all  our  coveot  eke. 
With  many  a  tcrc  trilling  on  our  chtke, 
WiLlKJutcn  noifc,  or  dattcriog  of  belief 
7i  Jeum  was  o;lr  fong,  and  nothing  cllcs, 
f)iivc  that  to  Crift  !  bade  an  orifon, 
*nianking  him  of  my  revelation. 
For,  Sire  and  Dame,  trufttith  mc  right  wcl 
Our  orifont  ben  more  cfTeducl, 
And  more  wc  fcen  of  Criflet  fecrct  ihlngeii. 
Than  burcl  folk,  although  that  they  be  kingck 
Wtf  live  in  povcrtc  and  in  abHincnce, 
And  borcl  folk  in  richcflc  and  difpencc 
or  mete  and  drinlcc^  and  in  htt  foule  delit  ; 
\^^chan  thi&  worlJes  bil  all  in  defpic« 
La^ar  and  Divts  Uviden  diverfcly. 
And  divtr*  fjucrdon  haddcn  they  thcrby. 
1\Tio  fo  wo}  pray,  he  nuifl  fail  a»d  be  clcnc^ 
And  fat  hi^  fonle  and  make  hi^  body  Icne. 
We  fare  as  fayth  the  apoHle ;  cloth  and  food 
f^ufhccth  u»,  though  tbey  be  not  ful  gtH>d. 
The  cUncncfle  and  the  falling  of  us  irtrt^ 
Makt'th  that  Crift  acccpfcth  our  pfaiercs«  , 

Lo,  Moifc*  forty  daic&and  forty  night 
Faded  er  that  the  high  God  ful  of  might 
8pakr  with  him  in  the  mountagnt  of  Sinay  ; 
With  empty  womhe  of  fafling  many  a  day 
Keccivcd  he  the  Isrwc  that  was  writen 
With  Got  uct  Enger ;  and  Eli,  wel  ye  wltcn, 
1ft  Mount  Or  b,  cr  he  had  any  fpcchc 
With  higl-^  Cod,  that  i* our  live*  Icchc, 
lie  faftod  1'^^,  and  wa»in  contcmplance. 

Aaron,  that  had  the  temple  in  govcrnancr. 
And  ckc  the  other  pncc£le»  everich  on. 
Into  the  temple  whan  thry  (fiuldcn  gon 
To  praien  for  the  pcple,  and  do  fervire. 
They  n'olden  drinkcn  it  no  maner  wife 
Kodrinke  which  that  might  hem  dronkcn  make, 
But  thcr  in  abdinencc  pray  and  wake 
Left  that  they  deiden.  Take  heed  what  I  fay- 
But  they  be  fobft  that  for  the  prple  pray — 
Ware  that  1  fay — No  more ;  for  it  fufficcth* 
Our  Lord  Jcfu,  as  holy  writ  dtvifcth, 
Yavc  Ui  cnlample  of  falling  and  praicret: 
Thcrforc  wc  mcndianti,  w«  fcly  frcrc*, 

♦  See  Dii  C^/f ,  in  t,  Semftitat.  Pecullaf  honour*  and 
Ifpiitunuici  i»i-rej;rinted|b¥  th<  ftilco4  ti  Bcitcdid  to  th  <fe 
monk*  *'  ^t  quinqnaf  inia>  aniviHi  in  ordtnc  execcr«nc» 
<•  qti' I  sitnunf  jubilicum  rtc^iffe  vulico  illdmut."  It  I* 
^nb4bk  th«t  limine  lioiiUr  reguktlva  wbtaiocU  in  the  oUicv 


Ben  wedded  to  povcrtc  and  continftice^^ 
To  charitcc,  humbkffe,  and  abftinence. 
To  pcifecution  for  rightwifnc  Ye, 
l*o  weping,  mtfericordc,  and  to  cicncncflc  £ 
And  thcrforc  nfiay  yc  fee  that  our  praicrc* 
(t  fpckc  of  us,  wc  mcndianti,  we  frercs) 
Ben  to  the  highe  God  more  acceptable 
Than  yourcs,  with  your  fcftcsat  your  tal>le«. 

Fro  Paradis  firfl»  if  I  fhal  not  Uc, 
Was  man  out  chafed  for  his  glofonic ; 
And  chaft  was  man  in  Paradi*  certain. 
But  hcrken  now.  Thorn a%  what  I  dial  £ijn  \ 
I  haVe  no  text  of  it  ai  I  fuppofc. 
But  I  fbal  find  it  in  a  inaoer  gtofe ; 
That  fpccially  our  fwcte  Lord  Jcfu« 
Spake  this  by  frercs  whan  he  faydc  thtt*^ 
BiclTcd  be  they  that  pourc  in  fpirit  ben  ; 
And  fo  forth  all  the  |,ofpcI  may  yc  fen. 
Whether  k  be  Itkcr  otir  profcdion 
Or  hirs  that  fwifimien  in  poifcirKSn. 
Fic  on  hir  pompc,  and  on  hir  glotonie. 
And  on  hir  lewcdncfTe  !  1  hem  dcfte. 
Me  thinkcth  they  ben  like  Jovinian» 
Fat  as  a  whale,  and  walkcn  as  a  fwatl ; 
AI  vmotcnc  as  bote!  in  the  fpcnce; 
Hir  praicr  is  of  ful  grct  reverence  : 
Whan  they  for  foules  fay  the  Pfalm  of  DlT 
Lo,  buf  they  fay,C9r  memm  rru^anHi, 

Who  folowcth  Criftes  gofpel  and  his  lore 
But  wc,  that  humble  bcn^and  chafl  and  j 
Workcri^  of  Goddes  word,  not  auditors  } 
ThtTforc  right  as  an  haukc  upon  a  fours 
Up  fpringeth  into  the  aire,  right  fo  prair«* 
Of  chariublc  and  chafl  befy  Ircrcs 
Makcn  hir  fours  to  Goddes  crci  two. 
Thomas,  l^homas !  fo  mote  I  ride  or  go. 
And  by  that  lord  that  ck|K:d  is  Seint  fvr, 
N'crc  thou  our  brodcr  Ihuldcft  thou  ooi  thritc, 
in  our  chapitre  pray  we  day  and  night 
Tu  CriO,  that  he  tnec  fcndc  hele  andmtglit 
Thy  body  for  to  weldcn  haflily. 

God  wot,  quod  he,  nothing  thereof  fd  I. 
As  help  mc  Crjfl,  as  I  in  fcwc  ycrcs 
Hwc  fpL-ndt'd  n|>on  divers  maoer  frcrw 
Ful  many  a  pound,  yet  fare  1  neref  rhc  brtf 
Certain  my  good  have  I  almoft  befct : 
Fare  wcl  my  good,  for  it  is  al  ago.  « 

The  frerc  anfwcrcd,  O  Thomas !  doll  Uion  fo  f 
What  ncdcth  you  divcrfc  freres  to  feche  f 
What  ncdcih  him  that  hath  a  parfit  lechc 
To  fcchcn  other  leches  in  the  toun  ? 
Your  incondancc  is  your  confufion. 
Hold  yc  than  me,  or  cites  our  coTcnt, 
To  pray  for  you  hen  infuflicicnt  ? 
Thomas,  that  jape  nls  not  worth  a  Dtite  ^ 
Your  maladic  is  for  we  han  to  lite. 
A  !  ycv.'  that  covent  half  a  quarter  otc#j 
And  yevc  that  covcnt  four-and-twcnty  giMte^ 
And  yevc  that  frere  a  pcny  and  let  him  go  i 
Nay,  nay,  Thomas,  it  may  no  thing  be  fo. 
What  IS  a  ferthing  worth  parted  on  twelve  ? 
Lo,  cchc  thing  that  is  oncd  in  himfelve 
U  more  ftrong  than  whan  it  is  yfcatcred, 
Thomasy  of  Bie  thou  Ihilt  not  b«  y&Atttcd^ 


■1 


THE   fiOMPNOURES  TALE. 


I  fwr labour  al  for  nought ^ 
TW  U^be  Co4«  that  all  this  world  h»th  wrought, 
"  ''\  tliat  the  workman  worthy  k  hU  hire 
J  nou^l  of  your  trcfor  I  dc&re 
r  mjlelf,  but  that  aJl  our  covttit 
yo«  I*  ay  fo  diltgent, 
p  tjft  bildc-ii  Criftcf  owcn  chirche, 
,  if  ye  wol  lemen  for  to  wirche, 
t  klding  up  of  chirchcs  siay  yc  findc 
^t  be  good  in  Tbomai  lif  of  lade, 
fe  bgigcii  here  ful  of  anger  and  of  irCy 
rdi  which  the  devil  fet  your  hcrte  oa  fire, 
bl  duden  here  this  holy  ionoccntj 
'  laar  wif,  that  is  fo  good  and  patient ; 
kai  therfore  trow  me^  Thomas,  if  thee  Icffc, 
^  '  wc  not  with  thy  wif,  as  for  the  bcfl. 
r  thi^  word  away  cow  by  thy  faith, 
^  r«richc  thitvg,  lo,  what  the  wife  laith ; 
i  thj  hous  nc  be  thou  no  leoo, 
f^fo^grts  do  noo  opprefEon, 

:  thou  not  thin  acquaintance  to  flee. 
I  yrtL,  Thoinaa,  cftfone*  charge  J  thee, 
^  £ru«i  ire  that  m  thy  bofom  ficpctb  ; 
Ware  fro  the  ferpcnt  that  fo  flily  crcpcth 
Hbdcr  the  gra*,  and  iiiingcth  fubtilly  : 
iHnrcvaif  Cboe,  and  hcrkeo  pjtfiently, 
Tk^  fcniy  thoufand  men  han  In  (I  hir  Uvea 
!follrmn|p  with  hir  Icmmant  and  her  wivct* 
Worn  fith  ye  han  fo  holy  and  meek  a  wif, 
WiMt  sedcth  you,  Thoma»,  to  makcn  fbif  f 
TWr  a*i»  ywT»  no  ferpcnt  fo  cruel, 
▼kn  m^tk  trcdeth  od  hit  tail,  uc  half  fo  fcl, 
Jk»%aatan  tawhao  (be  hath  caught  an  ire; 
^tny  vcweance  is  than  all  hire  defire. 
Ipb  ii  »  fifinc  on  of  the  gn  te  feven, 
hie  unto  the  God  of  hcvcn^ 

'  "it  i»  deHnidion  '. 
r  lewed  Ticar-and  pcrfon 
J  how  ire  engcndrcth  homicide  S 
,  Ir  '•«  loth  executaur  of  pride. 
I  md  of  ire  fay  fo  mochcl  forwe 
Vylik  fholdc  kften  til  to-tnorwe  ; 
4*1  ^rf (pre  pray  I  God  both  duy  and  night 
JitM^m  cnan  God  fend  him  litd  might, 
.  ft«|retb»nn,  and  ccrte*  gret  pitcc, 
I T*  Die  ao  irom  man  in  high  degree. 
L  thcr  was  an  irou»  potellat, 
I  Ai  ^ith  Senek,  that  during  hi«  eftat 
|C^  a  day  outriden  knighte«  two{ 
\m  Fortune  wold  that  it  were  fo, 
tea  «| hem  came  home,  that  other  nought* 
t  the  knight  before  the  judge  i»  brought, 
;  fet4*  thtti;  Thou  hiidthy  felaw  Oain, 

I  t  deme  thee  to  the  deth  certain^ 

Icoasiother  knight  commanded  he^ 

vkile  him  to  the  deth,  I  charge  th(-C. 

s  they  wcnten  by  the  wcy 

I  the  place  ther  aa  he  (huldc  dey, 

~  '  L  came  which  men  wenden  had  be  ded  i 

I  they  it  waa  the  beftc  rede 
h^  both  to  the  juge  again. 

Q,  l>ord,thc  knight  tic  hath  not  flain 
aw,  here  he  ftondcth  hoi  alive. 
:  fl^tiu  he  dcd|  i^uod  be,  fo  mot  1  thrive. 


F^kyJ 


rhat  h  to  fay,  both  on,  and  twn,  and  three. 
And  to  the  firftc  knight  right  thus  fpake  he* 

t  damned  thee,  tljou  muft  algatc  be  ded ; 
And  thou  aU'o  muft  nedes  lefe  thyn  hed« 
lor  thou  art  caufe  why  thy  felaw  deycth ; 
And  to  the  thridde  knight  right  thus  he  Icycth, 
Thou  hall  not  don  that  J  comnunded  thcc. 
And  thu»  he  did  do  flen  hem  allc  three. 

Irous  Cambifcs  was  eke  dronkelew^ 
And  ay  delighted  him  to  beu  a  fhrew  : 
And  fo  bcfcU  a  lord  of  his  nictaic. 
That  loved  vcrtaou3  moralitee, 
Sayd  on  a  day  betwLx  hcnj  two  right  thus; 
A  lord  14  lofl:  if  he  be  viciouft; 
And  dronkenneUe  it  eke  a  foule  record 
Of  aoy  man,  and  namely  of  a  lord. 
Ther  is  ful  many  an  eye  and  many  an  ere 
Awaiting  on  a  lord,  and  he  n*ot  whcr. 
For  Goddes  love  drink  more  attemprely  ; 
Win  makctb  man  to  kfen  wretchedly 
Hk  mindi  and  ckc  his  limmen  cVL'rich  on. 
The  rcyers  fhalt  thou  fee,  quod  he,  anon. 
And  prevc  it  by  thyn  owcn  experience 
Than  win  nc  doth  to  folk  no  Cwichc  offence^ 
Ther  i*  no  win  berevcth  me  my  might 
Of  bond,  nc  foot,  ne  of  myn  tycn  fight. 
And  for  dclpit  he  drankc  mochel  more 
An  hundred  part  than  he  had  don  before. 
And  right  anon  thit  curfed  irou»  wretchc 
This  knightcs  fonc  let  before  him  fetch c. 
Commanding  him  he  t»uld  before  him  flond^ 
And  fodenly  he  took  hi«  bow  m  bond, 
And  up  the  firing  he  pulled  to  his  ere. 
And  with  an  arwehc  flow  the  child  right  thcr# 

Now  whether  have  I  a  fikcr  bond  or  noti  ? 
Qund  he  j  h  al  my  might  and  mind  agon  I 
Hath  win  bcrevcd  me  min  eyen  fight  f 

What  fhmld  I  tell  the  anfwer  of  the  knight  i 
Hi»  fun  was  Hain,  tbcr  is  no  more  to  fay. 
Beth  ware  therfore  with  lor dc»  for  toolay, 
Singeth  Placebo,  and  I  fhal  tf  I  c^n. 
But  ti  it  be  unto  a  poure  man  : 
To  a  pourc  map  men  fbuld  hi*  vices  telle. 
But  not  to  a  lord,  though  he  Ihuld  go  to  hcUct 

Lo,  irons  Cirus,  thllke  Pcrficn, 
How  be  defiroyed  the  river  of  Gifen, 
For  that  an  hor&  of  his  was  dreint  thcrin. 
Whan  that  he  wcntc  Biibilon  to  win  i 
He  made  that  the  river  was  fo  fmal^ 
That  wimmen  might  it  wadcn  over  al. 
Lo,  what  faid  he,  that  fo  wtl  tcchcn  can  } 
Nc  be  no  fcUw  to  non  tfous  man, 
Ne  with  DO  wood  mat}  walke  by  the  way. 
Left  thee  repent :  I  wol  no  fort  her  fay. 

Now  Thomas,  leve  brother,  Icve  thin  ire, 
Thou  fhalt  me  find  as  jufl  aa  iii  a  fquire  : 
Hold  not  the  dcvi!»  knif  ay  to  thin  hcrte^ 
Thin  apger  doth  thcc  aU  to  fore  fmerte  j 
But  fhew  to  me  all  thy  confcfiion. 

Nay,  quod  the  ick  man,  by  Scint  SimoQ 
I  have  ben  Ihrivcn  this  day  of  my  curat; 
1  have  bim  told  al  holly  min  t  flat, 
Nedcth  no  mo  to  fpcke  of  ir,  fayth  bC| 
But  if  mc  lifi  ijf  min  humilitce. 


^ 


Ycve  m«  than  of  ilvy  ^oM  to  make  our  cloiftrff, 
QijoJ  he,  for  many  a  mufck  and  many  ati  oiilrC| 
V  han  other  men  han  ben  fulweJ  at  cfe, 
Hath  ben  our  food,  our  cloHlre  for  to  rcfc; 
Afi*!  yci,  Gpd  wot,  uniicth  the  fundament 
Patfourmcd  »,  nc  of  our  pavcmcni 
H'is  not  a  tiJc  yet  within  our  woncs : 
By  God  wc  ovvcn  fourty  pound  for  ftonw. 
Kow  help,  lliomas,  for  him  that  harwcd  hcUe, 
For  cUe*  mote  we  our  bokcs  fcUc, 
And  if  ye  lack  our  predicatioD, 
Than  goth  thU  world  all  to  dtflnidior!  5 
For  who  fo  fro  thi^  world  wold  u^  ht-reve. 
So  God  mc  fiinre,  Thomas,  by  your  Itrvc 
He  wold  hcreve  out  of  this  world  the  fonne; 
For  who  cat!  tcrlie  and  worken  as  wc  connc  ? 
And  that  i»  not  of  Utd  rime  (quod  he) 
Btit  fithcn  £lic  w;ksi  and  Elifcc 
Wan  htm  ben,  that  find  1  of  record, 
In  vliaruce,  ythpnked  be  our  1  ord. 
K«w  Thomu,  help  for  tfeintc  Chiiritce. 

Acd  dfitin  anon  he  fcttc  him  on  his  knee, 

Thh  Ckc  man  woxe  wei  neigh  wood  for  ire ; 
He  woldc  that  the  frcrc  had  hen  a-firc 
^''ah  his  falfe  diCrimalation. 

Swichc  thing  a»  m  in  my  pofFefTioQ, 
^od  he,  that  mjy  I  yerc  yoa^  ;icd  oon  *ithcr. 

r  lain  mc  thus,  how  that  I  am  your  brother, 
ctneit  qnod  thi*  frere»  ye  truOeth  wcl; 
I  took  our  dame  ihc  letter  erf  our  ftfc. 

Now  wel,  quod  he,  and  fopiwhnt  (bal  I  ycvc 
Unto  your  holy  cotent  while  I  Uvi^  j 
And  in  Unn  hond  tho j  fhait  it  have  anon, 
On  thii  condltjViTi,  and  other  non, 
Thu  thou  depart  it  fo,  my  dcrc  brother, 
That  every  frerc  have  a&  ntochc  as  other  « 
Ttas  ihalt  thou  fwcre  on  tTiy  profeOion 
Withouten  fraud  or  caviladon. 

1  fwcre  it,  quod  the  frcrc,  upon  my  faith; 
And  therwi^hal  his  hond  in  UU  he  luyth. 
Lo  here  my  faith 4  in  me  fhal  he  no  tak. 

Than  put  thin  hond  adoun  nj^ht  by  my  bak, 
aide  thii  man,  and  gjope  wel  behind 
*"n<;the  my  ljurtok,ther  thoii  (hake  find 
Fa  thing  that  1  have  bid  c. 

I'A!  thought  i^ii  frcrt,  with  mej 

And  doun  hi*  hond  he  i,.. ,.-...  ...  to  the  diftc, 

I  hope  for  to  finden  ther  a  gifte. 

And  whan  this  fike  man  felt  ihis  frerc 

bout  his  towel  ^TOpen  thcr  und  bene, 
kid  hi;  bond  he  Ut  the  frcTC  a  fart ; 
|'herii%>  no  capel  drawing  in  a  cart 
That  might  han  let  a  fart  cf  fwiche  t^  fotin, 

7  he  frere  up  fterie  u  d'^th  a  wood  Loun ; 
A  !  falfe  chcrl,  quod  he,  for  Goddci  bonei, 
f3*hi»  h;Lil  rh'"    '  ^  '^'^  d'^-n  for  the  ncraci; 

hou  ihalt  it  that  I  may. 

Hi*  meiii.   .   .^  it  herden  thii  affray. 

Came  lepirtg  m,  and  <:h:ifcd  out  the  frere. 
And  forth  he  gOth  with  a  ful  anp7  chert. 
And  fei  hiifeUw  thcr  ai  by  hit  florc  : 
fc  Inked  M  It  were  a  wllde  bore» 
Ind  j^rinte  with  hi*  teeth,  fo  wi$  he  wroth. 
\  ilurdy  paa  doun  to  the  court  he  gocb. 


THE  SOMPNbURES  TALE. 


Wher  aether  woncd  a  man  of  ffet  lionaWt 
To  whom  that  he  was  i^lway  confetfour  : 
Thi»  worthy  man  wa*  lord  of  that  village. 
This  frcre  came,  aihe  wltc  in  a  rjge, 
Wher  as  this  lord  fat  eting  at  his  bord  : 
Unnethrs  might  the  frcre  fpekc  a  word* 
1  il  aite  laftc  he  faide,  Go4  )ou  fee  ! 

This  lord  gan  lok/,  and  fa  id,  Bfi*eSiiUf 
What?  I'rcrc  John,  what  mancr world  i»  illTi? 
I  fee  wel  that  fom  thing  thcr  is  amii ; 
Yc  loken  ^%  the  w^ood  were  ful  of  theve*. 
Sit  A<fati  anon,  and  tell  me  what  your  gr^ftil| 
And  it  Ihal  bcnimcndcd  if  t  may, 

1  havCf  quod  he,  had  a  defpit  to  day^ 
God  yelde  )OU,adoun  in  your  village. 
That  in  [his  world  ther  n'is  fo  poure  a  pagC| 
That  he  Isolde  have  abhominatioun 
Of  thai  I  have  received  in  youre  toun  ; 
And  yet  ne  greveth  me  nothing  fo  fore 
As  that  the  olde  chcrl  with  lokkc»  bore 
Biafpbemedhath  ourc  holy  covtnt  eke. 

Now  niailtr,  quod  this  lord,  !  you  hefekcv 

Ko  maiflcr,  %'ire,  quod  hc^  but  fervitour^ 
Though  I  have  had  in  fcole  that  honour. 
Gid  hkcrh not  that  mcin  u&  R4bi  call 
Neither  in  market  ne  in  your  large  hall. 

No  force, quod  he, but  ttll  mc  all  yt»«r 

Sire,  quod  thisficre,  an  odiou*  mifchefe 
This  day  betid  i»  to  trJn  ordrc  and  roc, 
Aijdfo^,T  t^nff^untt  toeche  degree 
Of  lioly  tliirchc,  God  antcndc  it  fone,  _ 

Sire,  quod  the  lord,  ye  wot  what  \%  to  doc  r 
Diftempre  you  not,  yc  ben  my  confcffour; 
Yc  hen  the  fait  of  the  erthe  and  the  fivour ! 
For  Goddc«  love  your  patience  now  hold ; 
Telle  me  your  grcfc.     And  he  anoti  hhn  tcW 
Ai  yc  ban  herd  before,  yc  wot  wtl  whtL 

The  lady  of  the  hoiis  ay  ftillc  fat 
Til  flic  had  herdc  what  the  frere  feid. 

liy,  Goddes  moder,quod  ihe,  blisfu]  ttsidl 
Ift  ther  ought  cUei  \  tell  me  faithfully* 
M  idamc,quod  he,  how  thinkcth  you  therby  ? 
Bow  tiiat  mc  thjnkcth  f  quod  (he ;  foGod  one  fpe^ 
f  fay  a  cherlchaddon  a  cherlei  dede. 
Wh?  I  fljuld  1  fay?  God  let  him  never  the ; 
Hk  fikc  hcd  is  ful  of  vanitee  ! 
1  hoid  him  in  a  mancr  frcneric. 

Madame,  quod  he,  by  God  I  ilial  not  lie^ 
But  1  in  other  w  ifc  may  ben  awrckc  \ 
\  fhal  diUkme  him  over  :ill  ther  1  fpeke ; 
Ttj*  falfe  blafphemour,  rJiat  charged  Oae 
To  parten  th;tt  wol  not  departed  be 
To  every  man  yllkc^witli  mefchance. 

The  lord  fat  lUUc  it^he  were  in  a  trance. 
And  in  his  hertc  he  rolled  itp  and  doun 
How  had  thi&cherl  imagmatioun 
To  ihcwen  fwichc  a  probleme  to  the  fircre. 
Never  crft  or  now  ne  herd  I  fwithe  matcre  \ 
I  trow  the  devil  put  it  in  his  mind. 
In  all  arfmctrike  fhal  ther  no  man  find 
Bcfora  thit  day  of  fwichc  a  queflion. 
Who  (liulde  make  a  demonUr^tton 
That  every  man  (huld  han  ylike  hiipart 
At  of  a  foun  or  favour  of  a  fan  | 


THE   SOMPNOURES  TALI. 


Mce^oode  dwrl!   I  fhrcwc  hi«fMc. 
Lo,  Sires,  <}ix»d  the  lord,  with  hardc  grace, 
■*  herd  of  fwiche  a  thing  or  now  I 

rp  rwery  ramn  ylike  *  tell  me  how, 
k  a »  impollible,  it  may  not  be  : 
■  ;  Wkt  dierl !  God  let  him  uerer  the. 
c  nmJbEisi^  of  a  fart,  and  every  fouo, 
'  ITti  but  of  aire  rcveTbcratioun, 
Aid  erer  It  waActh  lite  and  lice  awsy ; 
[  Thcr  B^it  no  man  can  Hemen,  by  my  fay, 
ff  ibz  k  vrcTZ  departed  cquaUy. 

s?  lomy  chcrl,  lo  yet  how  (hrewedly 
>  icy  confilTaur  co-day  he  fpake ! 
cert&ia  »  dcmoolake. 
joor  lActe,  ajid  let  the  cherl  go  play ; 
I  gp  hoogc  himfelf  a  devil  way. 
'%m  ftood  the  lordet  fquicraite  bord 
^  Bcsff  hht  metCf  and  herdc  word  by  word 
F  aO  this  thing  of  which  I  have  you  fayd. 
Mf  Lord,  quod  he,  be  yc  rot  cvii  apaid ; 
'  fimie  telle  for  a  goune-cloth 
[Tofiv,  Sttc  Prere,  fo  thai  ye  be  not  wroth, 
[Bapir  thas  this  fart  Ihuid  eves  ydeted  be 
Imemgt  jvar  covent,  if  it  liked  thcc 
Tdl,  ^iiod  the  lord^  and  thou  Ihalt  have  an  on 
La. gOB^e^cSdch,  hy  God  and  by  Scint  John. 
I     Iff  LonI,  quod  he,  whan  that  the  weder  is  i 
Wnfmmtioi  mriode  or  pertoarbiog  of  aire,  [fAirc, 
^  Ia  brag  a  cart-whcle  here  into  this  hall, 
~  i  kkK  th«i  it  have  his  fpokes  all ; 
Jwdl  fpokci  hath  a  cari-whele  communly ; 
I  ^Kmg  Bic  than  twclf  freres,  wcte  ye  why  f 
[  is  a  covent  as  1  gcS[c  : 
r  here  for  hU  wonhinefle 


ft 


Shal  parfourme  up  the  coumbrc  of  Kis  torentt 

Than  fhull  they  knclc  udoun  by  on  alTcnt, 

And  to  every  fpokcs  end  in  this  manerc 

Ful  fadly  lay  his  nofc  ihal  a  frcrc  ; 

Your  noble  confcfToufi  thcr  God  him  fave, 

Shal  hold  his  nofe  uprig^ht  under  the  nave, 

Than  fhal  this  cherl,  with  bely  ftif  and  tought 

A»any  tabour,  hider  ben  ybrought ; 

And  fet  him  on  the  whele  right  of  thii  cart 

Upon  the  nave,  and  make  him  let  a  fart. 

And  ye  ihull  feeo,  up  peril  of  my  Uf, 

By  vcray  precf  that  is  demon ftratif. 

That  equally  the  foun  of  it  wol  wende. 

And  ckc  the  Hinke,  unto  the  fpokes  cnde, 

Save  that  thif  worthy  man^  your  confcffour, 

(Bccatife  he  is  a  man  of  g^ct  honour) 

Shal  han  the  iirfle  fruit,  as  refoci  is. 

The  noble  ufage  of  frercs  yet  it  h 

The  worthy  men  of  hem  (hu!  fir  ft  be  fcrved. 

And  certainly  he  hath  it  wcl  defervcd  ; 

He  hath  to-day  taught  us  fo  mochel  good. 

With  prcching  in  the  pulpit  tlier  he  ftood. 

That  I  may  voucbefaf,  I  fay  for  me. 

He  haddc  the  firfle  fmcl  of  fjirtes  three. 

And  fo  wold  all  his  brctjircn  hardcly. 

He  bcreth  him  fo  faire  and  holyly. 

The   lord,   the  lady,  and  eche  man,    IkTe  die 
Say  den  that  Jankin  fpakc  in  this  matere       [frerv, 
Ai  wcJ  as  Euclidc  or  cllcs  Ptholomcc. 
Touching  the  chrrl  they  faydan,  Stibtiltce 
And  hi^hc  wit  m<ide  him  fpcken  a>  he  fpA^  ; 
Hl-  n'i*  no  fool  nc  no  denioniak^. 
And  Jankin  hath  ywonne'a  new  goune* 
My  Talc  is  don ;  we  ben  almoft  at  touuc* 
E  jiij 


THE    CLERKES    PROLOGUE. 


5iRt  Clerk  pf  Oxcnforde*  onr  HoUc  faid, 
Y«r  rid«  a*  ftiUc  and  coy  a«  doth  a  m^iid 
Were  ncwe  fpoufcd,  fitting  at  the  hord ; 
1*1114  4;»y  nc  herd  |  of  your  tonjjc  a  word. 
I  fraw  ye  {ludic  abouien  foro  fopKimc ; 
But  Salomon  faith  that  every  thing  huth  time. 
For  Goddc*  fake  as  b^th  of  better  chcic. 
It  IS  no  time  for  to  iludetn  hcr«» 
Tell  us  foni  mcry  Talc  hj  your  fay- 
For  what  min  that  h  entre J  tn  a  pUy 
He  ncdc«  nioft  unto  the  play  afTcut. 
""lit  pnechcth  not,  it,  frerc*  don  in  Lent, 
b  make  u§  irr  our  olde  (inties  wcpc, 
to  that  thy  Talc  make  u&  not  to  Ccpc* 
TdU  us  fom  m^^ry  thing  of  avcnttircf  | 
our  tcrnu  4,  your  coloured,  jind  your  figiirci, 
K^jv  hem  in  Itore  tU  fo  be  yc  ersdit* 
Hie  ftilc,  a*  wU^n  th^t  tnen  to  ktagci  write. 
Spcketh  fu  pluin  at  thi»  tmic»  I  you  pny» 
That  wc  may  underAondcn  what  ye  fay. 

Thii  worthy  Clerk  bcnigndy  aiifwcrdc  | 
HoAc,  quo«!  he,  I  a:n  under  your  yerde, 
Ye  ftavc  of  VA  now  the  governance, 
Aiid  therefnrc  wolde  I  do  you  obcyjance^ 
Aj  fcr  a*  rcfon  aiketh  h^rdcly  : 
I  wol  ycu  tell  a  I  itlc  which  that  I 
Lcmed  st  Padowe  of  a  lyorthy  clerk, 
A*  prcvird  hy  bin  word  "i  anH  hit  work  : 
He  la  fSfTW  did  and  nailed  m  h*fccheJic, 
]  pmy  to  Gbvl  to  ytvc  hts  foalc  rdle. 


FmuneeiB  Petrark»  the  Lnurrat  poete, 
Hijrbte  rhi»  clerk,  whos  rdborikc  Iwctc 
Hnlumined  all  Itaille  of  poctrie, 
As  Lynyan  §  did  of  phiiofophir 
Or  law,  or  other  art  pariiculere ; 
But  Deth  that  wol  not  fufrc  utdwell^n  ] 
But  as  it  were  ?.  twinkling  of  an  rye. 
Hem  both  hath  flaine,  and  alle  we  (hnl  d| 

But  forth  to  ic  lien  of  this  worthy  tmn 
That  taughtc  me  thi»  fak  is  1  began,  , 

1  fay  that  firft  he  with  highe  Ailc  cnditcth  ^ 
(Or  he  the  body  of  hi»  Talc  wrttcth) 
A  prohcmc,  in  the  which  defcriveth  he 
Picmont,  and  of  Salucci  the  con  tree. 
And  ffjeketh  of  Apcjinin  the  hille*  hie, 
I'hat  ben  the  boundei  of  weft  Lnmbardici 
And  of  MouiTt  Vefuluf  in  fpccial, 
Wher  a«  the  Poo  out  of  a  wcilc  fmal 
I  akvth  his  llrite  fpringin^  and  Jii»  fours 
That  cftwiird  ay  eccrcfcih  in  hi*ro'- 
To  Emrlic  ward,  to  Fcrarc  and  \ 
The  which  a  longe  thing  were  u-> 
And  trewcly,  aa  to  my  jugcmcn:, 
Me  tliinketh  it  a  thing  impertiucut. 
Save  that  he  wol*  conveyen  ht»m;iiere: 
But  thi*  ii  the  T^Jc  which  thjit  ye  mow  here. 


i  Or  Unian.  The  f>tTfm  mcftnt  w«t«ii  wmm 
411 J  iiu4c  4  |p(4t  ^g^|(  ^^^  ^f  jn^^  j  1^  iii^  ^^^^ 


THE  CLERKES  TALE. 


I  Twi  k  riffht  St  the  weft  fide  of  Itailk, 
I  It  the  Ttftc  of  Vtftilu*  the  cold, 
Ahkf  piaia  habundam  of  vjuiUc, 
]  Thffwxn^j  a  toua  uid  tour  thou  maiA  behold, 
I  lltf  CoiDi^cd  were  io  time-  of  fathers  old| 

Me  fiphtc, 
l^aiiMi  tree  highte* 

Anas^i^'^  '  I  iu  Ml  I ,. u  WM  of  tJiir  lond, 
I  jb  w^iT  Hm*  worthy  cldens  Kim  before, 
A--    »rLfvf^M.  iv  red)  rohUhond, 

th  Itflcand  more ; 
rli,  and  hith  don  yore, 
-jii,  thurgh  favour  of  Fortune, 
i^cs  and  of  his  commune. 
:u  be  ma*,  to  fpekcn  of  linage, 
'-J1  ybomc  of  Lumbardic, 
ribn,  and  ftronj,%  and  yong  of  age, 
r  honour  and  of  curtcfic ; 
"  ^>i.  hit  eoatrcefor  to  ^ie, 
,mge§  that  he  was  to  blame, 
,  i»  thi»yoage  lordea  Qanic. 
f  tniTT*  hitn  thui,  that  he  conCdcrcd  nought 
b  tvne  coming  what  might  him  bctidc, 
Is!  QA  kit  luft  prefcnt  waa  all  hi*  diought, 
Aai^  to  hauke  and  hunt  on  rvery  fide  ; 
Vd^Q^h  all  Cither  curci  let  he  Qidc  \ 
JiAfbr  he  nol'd  (and  that  wa«  worft  of  all) 

•  oo  ^if  for  ought  that  might  befall. 
f  th*t  point  hij  peplc  bare  fo  fore 

tiockincl  on  a  day  to  him  they  went, 
I  ^  bcm«  thtt  wilefl  wa^  of  lore, 
ilhBt  the  lord  wold  befl  afTcat 
t  iltfiki  tell  hem  what  the  peplr  ment, 

•  «oa1d  he  wel  (hew  fw iehe  materc  } 
trkit  £aid  as  ye  fbuU  here, 

\  Markit,  your  humatiitee 
\  a»  aix!  yTcth  u&  hardinene, 
I  time  ift  of  ncceflitee 
r  te>  yon  mow  tell  our  heTtnefTe; 
<fiK,  Lord,  than  of  your  gentillefle 
T  w^th  fiitiou*  hcrteunto  you  plainc, 
I  yoitr  erei  nat  my  iro:(  difdAJne. 
tc  1  HOC  to  den  in  thii  matere 
\iSksuk  another  man  hath  in  thi»  place, 
Kk  a>  yc,  my  Lord  fo  dcrc, 
■  ahvif  tbemtA  en  r  J  grace, 

ibntrralk'  ce 

ICC  t^  fljtrWvi,  *  ..  ...,.^it, 
i  fCt  mj  LorU,  to  doo  right  >»  you  kfU 


For  certcs.  Lord,  fo  wcl  us  liketh  you 
And  all  your  wtrke,  and  c\^t  hath  dow,  dial 
Nr  couden  not  ourfelf  devifen  how 
Wc  might  en  live  in  more  felicitee, 
Save  o  thing,  Lord,  if  it  yotir  willc  be 
That  for  to  be  a  wedded  man  you  left 
Than  were  your  peple  in  foveraln  bertcv  reft. 

Bowcth  your  nekke  under  the  blif&ful  yok 
Of  fovcriintcc,  and  not  of  fc-rvife. 
Which  that  men  clepen  Spoufaile  or  Wedlok  ; 
And  thiuketh,  Lord,  among  your  thoghtea  wtfCf^ 
How  tliat  our  days  paiTe  in  fondry  wiic ; 
For  though  we  ilcpe,  or  wake,  or  rome,  or  ride, 
A^  flcth  the  time,  it  wol  no  man  abide. 

And  though  your  grene  youthc  floure  ai  yet. 
In  crepeth  age  alway  aa  llill  u  fton. 
And  dcth  nianafcth  every  age,  and  iinit 
In  cchc  cftat,  for  tbcr  cfcapclh  non  ; 
And  al  fo  certain  a*  wc  knowc  eche  on 
That  we  fhul  die,  a»  unartain  we  all 
Ben  of  that  day  whan  dcth  flial  on  us  falL 

Acccpteth  than  of  U4the  trctv>'e  entent. 
That  never  yet  rcfufeden  your  heft, 
And  wc  wol.  Lord,  if  that  you  wol  a0ent, 
Cht  fe  you  a  wife  in  fhort  time  at  the  meil 
BoTJi^  of  tlic  gcntillefl  and  of  the  befl 
Of  all  thii  land,  fo  that  it  oughte  feme 
Honour  to  God  and  you  as  wc  can  dcme. 

Deliver  us  out  of  all  this  bcfy  drcde. 
And  take  a  wif  for  higbe  Goddta  fake  ; 
For  if  it  fo  befell,  a*  God  forbede. 
That  rhurgh  your  dcth  your  linage  fhuldc  ilake« 
And  that  a  llrange  fucccffour  fhuld  take 
Your  heritage,  o  f  wo  were  us  on  live  ; 
Whcrfurc  wc  pray  you  haflily  to  wive* 

Hir  mckc  praiere  atid  hir  pitous  chere 
Made  the  niarkit  for  to  ban  pitcc. 
Ye  wol,  quod  he,  min  owen  pcpJc  dere. 
To  that  I  never  cr  tluiught  coDilrainiM  mc  : 
I  me  rejoyced  of  my  libcrtee. 
That  fclden  time  !*  found  in  mariage ; 
Ther  I  was  free  I  mullc  btn  in  fcrvage. 

But  nathclc&  I  fee  your  trcwc  entcnt. 
And  trufl  upon  ynur  wit,  and  have  don  ay  ; 
Whtrfnrc  of  my  free  will  1  wol  afTcnt 
To  weddcn  mc  ai^  fone  as  ever  I  may  : 
But  thcf  a&  yc  ban  prof  red  me  to-day 
*Fo  cht  fen  wc  a  wif,  1  you  rclcfc 
Thatdi^i$i  Slid  pray  you  of  that  piofcrccfe. 


I 


I 


I 


I 


For  GccJ  It  wot  ihM  children  often  ben 
Unlike  hir  worthy  cIcJre*  hem  before  : 
Boumee  comcih  al  of  God,  not  of  the  ffrcn 
Of  which  they  ben  y^adred  and  yborc  : 
I  iruft  in  Goddes  botintce,  and  thcrforc 
My  mariagc,  and  min  cllat  and  reft, 
I  hini  bctzike  ;  he  may  don  as  him  left, 

L.ct  mc  Alone  ra  chrfmg  of  my  wLf ; 
That  charge  upon  my  bak  I  wol  endure  : 
Eut  1  you  pray  and  charge  upon  your  lif 
That  what  wit  that  J  take  yc  me  alTure 
Toworfhip  hire,  w*iilc  tlut  hire  lif  may  dure, 
la  word  and  werk  both  here  and  dies  where, 
A*  flie  an  cmperourcs  doughtcr  were 

And  forthcrmorc  this  fhuUi  yc  fwcre,  ihat  yc 
Again  my  choii  (hal  neTcr  grutch  he  ftfife  j 
Ff*  flih  !  Ihat  forjro  my  libcrtec 
At  yonr  rcqucfl,  a5  ivfr  mote  I  thrive 
Thcr  a*  inin  he«c  i*  fci  thcr  wol  I  wire  : 
And  but  ye  wol  affent  in  fwiche  manerc 
I  pray  you  fpeke  no  more  of  this  matcrc. 

With  hertty  will  thL7  fworen  and  aflontcn 
To  all  this  thin^f  ther  faide  not  i>  wight  nay, 
Befccbing  him  of  i^raee,  or  that  they  wetitcji. 
That  he  wold  grzncen  Ivcra  a  certain  day 
Of  his  rpoufftile  as  fone  at  ever  he  may, 
For  yet  alway  the  prpic  Tome  what  dred 
hth  that  rhi*  marki«  wolde  no  wif  wed. 

He  Jointed  hrm  a  day,  fwiche  as  him  left, 
Oo  which  he  wold  he  wedded  fikcrly. 
And  faid  he  did  all  ihii  at  hir  requejl ; 
And  they  with  hnmble  bcrtc  ful  btixnmly, 
Kneling  ufon  hir  knees  ful  rcTercntly, 
Him  thonken  all  :  and  thus  they  han  an  end 
Of  hir  entente,  and  home  agen  they  wend. 

And  hereupon  he  to  hit  officered 
Commandeth  for  the  feftc  to  punray, 
And  to  hi«  privce  knightei  and  fquieres 
Swichc  charge  he  yave  a*  hem  lill  on  hem  lay, 
And  they  to  hia  commandcmeot  obey, 
Aitd  eche  of  hem  doth  all  his  djligeoce 
To  do  unto  the  feflc  ai  reverence. 

Part  ffiVJ»da, 

Nought  fer  ffo  thiike  paleit  honoiunible, 
Whcr  a»  thtjt  mark  is  Ihopc  his  manage, 
Tberftood  a  thorpe,  of  fighte  delitabte, 
In  which  that  poure  folk  of  that  Tillage 
Hadden  hir  beftet  and  hir  herbergage, 
And  of  hir  labour  toke  hir  fufleoance. 
After  that  the  erthc  yave  hem  habtindance. 

Among  thii  poure  folk  iher  dwelt  a  man 
Which  that  was  holden  pooreft  of  hem  all, 
But  highe  God  fomtime  £enden  can 
Hta  grace  unto  a  Ittel  oiet  flail ; 
Jiokola  men  of  that  thorpe  him  call : 
A  doughter  had  he,  faire  ynough  to  fight. 
And  Grifildit  this  yonge  maiden  hight- 
*     fiut  for  to  fpeke  of  ▼ertuouibcautee^ 
Than  was  fhe  on  the  faired  under  foooe. 
Ful  pourely  yfoftrcd  up  wa*  flie ; 
No  likerouj  luft  wai  In  hire  henc  rronnc  ; 
Wcl  oftrr  of  the  well  than  of  the  ttmnc 
She  dnnke ;  and  for  ihe  wolde  vcrttie  pkfc 

\  kaew  wel  labour  but  noo  idel  cfc. 


But  though  thii  mayden  teodre  W£re  of  2ge« 
Vet  in  the  bred  of  hire  virginitec 
Ther  waa  enclofed  fad  and  ripe  corage. 
And  in  grct  reverence  and  charicee 
Hire  oldc  poure  fader  foftrtd  Cm  : 
A  few  fheep  fpinning  on  the  feld  (he  kept ; 
She  wolde  not  ben  idel  til  (he  flept. 

And  whm  Ihe  homward  came  fhc  wolde  bri0| 
Wortcs  and  other  hcrbts  timcioft. 
The  whirh  fhc  fhrcd  and  fcthc  for  hire  living. 
And  madr  hire  bed  ful  hard  and  nothing  fofi  i 
And  ay  (He  kept  hire  fadret  lif  on  left 
Wiih  every  obetfance  and  diligence 
That  child  may  don  to  fadrcs  reverence* 

Upon  GrifiMc,  thi*  poure  creature, 
Ful  often  dthe  thit  markis  fclte  hit  eye, 
A*  he  on  hunting  rode  paraventure  ; 
And  whan  it  fell  that  he  might  hire  cfpie. 
Ho  not  with  wanton  loking  of  folic 
Hit  tyen  caft  on  hire,  bur  in  fad  wife 
Upon  hire  (here  he  wold  him  oft  avife ; 

Commending  in  hit  herte  hire  womanheile. 
And  eke  hire  vcrtuc,  paOing  any  wight 
Of  fo  yong  age  as  wcl  in  chere  aa  dcde  r 
For  though  the  peple  have  no  gret  in  (ight 
In  vcrtuc,  he  confidcrcd  ful  right 
Hire  boontcCf  and  difpofed  that  he  wold 
Wcddc  hire  only  if  ever  he  wedden  Ibold. 

The  day  of  wedding  came,  but  no  wight 
Tcllcn  what  woman  that  it  Ihulde  be. 
For  which  marvaille  won  dred  many  a  mmik, 
AnA  faidcD,  whan  they  were  in  privcCce* 
Wol  not  our  lord  yet  Icvc  his  vanitec  ' 
Wol  be  not  wtdde  ?  Alas,  alas  the  while  ! 
Why  wol  he  thu^  himielf  and  us  bcgile  I 
But  natheles  thit  markis  hath  do  maks 
Of  gemmcii  fcttc  in  gold  and  in  afurc 
Broches  and  ringes  for  Grifildesfake; 
And  of  hire  clothing  toke  he  the  mefi 
Of  a  maiden  like  unto  hire  flature. 
And  eke  of  other  ornamentcs  all 
That  imto  fwiche  a  wedding  ihuldc  fall* 
The  iLmc  of  undeme  of  the  fame  day 
Approcheth  that  this  wedding  Ihulde  be^ 
And  ^1  the  palclt  put  was  in  array. 
Both  halle  and  chambrca,  eche  io  his  degree, 
Houfes  of  office  fluffed  with  plentee  ; 
Ther  ma)'d  thou  fee  of  dcinteoui  vitaiUe 
That  may  be  found  as  fcr  as  lafltth  Itailk* 

This  real  markis  richely  arraide« 
Lordes  and  ladte«»  in  hit  compagnie. 
The  which  unto  the  fcfte  weren  praidCg 
And  of  his  retenuc  the  bachclerie, 
With  many  a  foim  of  fondry  melodie, 
Unto  tlie  village  of  the  which  I  told 
In  thit  array  the  righte  way  they  hold. 

Grifildc  of  this  (God  wot)  ful  innocent 
That  for  hire  ihapeti  was  all  this  array. 
To  fctcben  water  at  a  welle  is  went. 
And  cometh  home  as  fone  as  ever  (he  may; 
For  wcl  fhc  had  herd  fay  that  thilkc  day 
The  markis  fliulde  wedde,  and  if  fhc  might 
She  wolde  fayn  han  fecn  fom  of  that  fight. 

She  thought  1  wol  with  other  maidens  llondj 
That  ben  my  fclawe%,  in  our  dore,  and  fc« 
The  markjfeiFc,  and  therto  wd  I  fo&d 


THE  CLER] 

•  f5m;,  2«^fGne  as  it  may  b«, 
whJcJi  tlrAt  longeth  unto  me, 
tiXD  t  may  at  leifer  hire  behold, 
likvay  unto  the  CaOct  hold. 
i£  at  ftie  wolde  over  the  thrcfwold  gon 
tMrU*  casnc  and  gan  hire  for  to  call, 
ll^fift  doQo  hire  water-pot  anon 
^^^Btrertvold  in  an  oxes  ftall, 
^^B^oo  111  re  koeet  Die  gnti  to  fatl, 
Iriib  &d  c»\Lntenatice  luiekth  ftiU, 
t  bid  berd  ^wbat  was  the  lordcs  will. 
ia  dhoughtful  xnarki^  fpake  imto  thi«  moid 
bcrty,  and  f^id  in  thh  mancre ; 
ii  jour  fadcT,  Griiildu .'  he  faid. 
k  with  reverence  in  humble  chcrc 
D«d»  X^ord,  fie  it  al  tcdj  here, 
i  ibc  ^otli  withoutcD  lenger  Icttc, 
» iKc  m^flus  01C  hire  fader  htte* 
hf  tlic  Ko^d  fhan  loke  thii  poure  man^ 
aide  thus  ^han  he  him  had  afidc  ; 
)la,  1  neither  majr  oc  cao 
cr  tlu:  plcJknce  of  min  herte  hide  ; 
l^'U  vaischcfauf,  what  fo  betide, 
hter  w  ol  I  t^ikc  or  thac  I  Bcnd 
unto  hire  lives  end. 
me,  that  wot  1  we!  certain, 
fxifhful  liegeman  yborc, 
that  liketh  me,  T  dare  wcl  faio, 
t)tee,aiid  fpccialli'  thcrforc 
that  point  tliat  1  have  faid  before^ 
ihoB  wolt  ufito  this  purpos  drawe, 
»  me  9M  for  th7  foa  in  lawc  ? 
ibdcfi  ca»  tiii»  man  aOoned  fo, 
d  he  weXf  abajft,and  a1  quaking 
id ;  ui^ncihr^  faid  he  wordci  mo 
kthm  ;  Lord,  quod  he,  my  willing 
:  vol,  nc  ageins  your  liking 
o  tliiog,  inin  owen  Lord  fo  dcrc  ; 
II  ^u  lift  govemcih  this  matcrc. 
Birol  1,  quod  this  mat  kit  fofttly, 
chainbre  l,and  thou, and  flic, 
lOfi  ;  and  wofl  thou  why  ? 
hire  if  it  hire  wilJc  be 
wif,  and  reulc  Iiire  after  me  ? 
Ihal  be  don  In  thy  prt fence  ; 
c  nut  of  chin  audience^ 
chambre,  while  they  were  aboute 
,  which  3A  ye  fliul  after  here, 
eamc  into  the  hous  witlioute, 
idred  hem  iti  hnw  hondl  manerc 
jhe  kept  hire  fader  dcre  : 

Grifildji  wonder  might, 
er^  ae  ijiw  fhr  fwiche  m  fight* 
r  is  though  that  Ihc  be  aflooed 
a  gen  come  in  that  place, 
to  non  fwiche  geftcs  woDcd, 
ftie  loked  -n  ith  ful  pale  face, 
forth  thii  itiaterc  for  to  thace, 
wordct  that  the  markis  faid 
^  le  vcray  faithful  matd. 
be  faid,  ye  fliuln  wel  underAond 
your  fader  and  to  mc 

>,  and  eke  it  may  fo  ftoitd, 
:,  ye  wol  that  it  fo  be  ; 
kuodca  aike  f  £rlt  (quod  he) 


That  fin  it  fhall  be  don  in  baAy  wilV, 
Wol  ye  aficnl,  of  elles  you  avife  ? 

I  fay  this  be  ye  redy  with  good  hcrte 
To  all  my  lull,  and  that  1  freely  may, 
A»  me  beft  thlnketh^  do  you  laugh  or  fineftCp 
And  never  ye  to  gr^itclicn,  night  ne  day. 
And  ckc  whan  I  fay  Ya  ye  fay  Nay, 
Ntiihcr  by  word  ne  frouning  countenance  I 
Swcrc  thi«,and  here  I  fwerc  our  alliance, 

Wondring  upon  thii  thing,  quaking  fordrcdc^ 
She  faide,  Lorde,  indigne  and  unworthy 
Am  I  to  thilke  honour  that  ye  me  bede. 
But  ns  ye  wol  yourfelf,  right  fo  wol  I : 
And  here  1  fwcrc  that  never  willingly 
In  wrrknc  thought  I  n'ill  you  difobcie 
For  to  be  dcd,  though  me  were  loth  to  dcie* 

This  is  ynoiigh,  Grifilde  min,  quod  he. 
And  forth  he  gttih  with  a  fui  fobre  chcrc 
Out  at  the  dore,  and  after  than  came  Jhc, 
And  to  the  pcplc  he  faid  in  this  mancre  ; 
This  IK  my  wif,  quod  lu,  that  flondeth  here  j 
Honourcth  her,  and  toveih  hire,  I  pray, 
M*ho  fo  mc  lovetJi ;  thcr  n'iino  more  to  fay. 

And  for  that  nothing  of  hire  oldc  gcrc 
•She  ftiuldc  briijj:  into  his  hous,  he  bad 
That  women  {hu!d  defpoilcn  hire  right  there. 
Of  which  thifc  ladic*  weren  nothing  glad 
To  handle  hire  clothee  whcrin  flie  was  clad  : 
But  nathclcs  this  maiden  bright  of  hew 
Fro  foot  to  bed  they  clothed  ban  all  new. 

Hire  hcres  ban  they  kempt,  that  lay  imtrcJTcd 
Ful  rudely,  and  with  liir  fingrci  fmal 
A  corounc  on  hire  hcd  they  ban  ydrefled, 
And  fettf  hire  fuj  of  nottchei  grct  and  fmal. 
Of  hire  array  what  ftiulJ  I  make  a  talc  ? 
Unncth  the  pepk  hire  knew  for  hire  fairncfTc 
Whan  (he  iranfmcwed  was  in  fwiche  richelTc, 

This  m^rkii  hath  hire  fpoufed  with  a  ring 
Brought  for  the  fame  caufe,  and  than  hire  fcWtf 
Upon  an  horRfuow-whitc  and  wcl  ambling. 
And  to  his  pflleis,  or  bt*  longer  Ictte, 
(With  joyful  pcplc  that  hire  hd  and  mette) 
Conveyed  hire ;  and  thus  the  day  they  fpcndt 
In  revel  til  the  fonne  gan  dtfccjdc. 

And  Ibortly  forth  this  talc  for  to  chace, 
]  fay  that  to  this  new  markifcfTc 
God  hath  fwiche  favour  fcnt  hire  of  his  gracCt 
That  it  nc  fcnicth  not  by  likelineire 
That  fhc  was  borne  and  fed  in  nidcnelTe, 
A$  in  a  cote  or  in  an  oxc*  ftall, 
But  nourifticd  in  an  empcmurcs  hall. 

To  every  wight  fhc  waten  is  fo  dcrc 
And  worihipful,  that  folk  thcr  flie  was  bore* 
And  fro  hire  birthe  knew  hire  ye  re  by  ycre, 
Unnethes  trowed  they,  but  dorft  ban  fwore 
That  to  Janick,  of  which  I  fpake  before. 
She  doughter  n*a»j  for  a»  by  conjedurc 
Hem  thoughte  (he  was  another  creature. 

For  though  that  ever  vcrtiious  wai  the. 
She  wai  encrcfed  in  fwiche  excellence 
Of  thewes  good,  yfct  in  high  bountee. 
And  fo  difcrcte,  and  faire  of  cli>qucifcc, 
So  benigne,and  fo  digue  of  reverence. 
And  coudc  fo  the  pcpltjs  hcrte  embrace. 
That  echc  hire  loveth  that  k^kcth  on  hiie  face. 


THE  CLERKES  TALI. 


Not  only  of  Sa^laceim  the  toun 
Pubjifhcd  Vf^i  the  bouatee  of  hire  nAmCt 
But  ckc  Kefidc  icmany  mrcgiouti; 
If  on  faith  wel,  another  laith  the  fame  ; 
S«  Cprcdcth  of  hire  hie  bountec  the  hmc. 
That  men  und  women,  yon^g  as  wcl  as  oltl| 
Con  to  S3 1  aces  upon  hire  to  [>chold. 

Thus  Walter  lowly,  nay  but  nsilly, 
Wcdtkd  with  fortunat  honcflec^ 
In  Goddc»  pcc»  livcth  ful  cfily 
Af  liomc,  and  grace  jnoug^h  outward  had  he  ; 
AM  for  he  faw  that  under  Tow  degree 
Wiii  horn  ft  Ttrtu  hid,  the  pcplc  him  held 
A  prudent  man,  and  that  in  fern  fttl  feld. 

Not  only  this  Grifildis  thurgh  hire  wit 
Coude  all  the  fete  of  wifly  homlinelTc  ; 
But  ckc  wh^ifi  th:it  the  ca»  required  it. 
The  comunc  profit  copde  ibe  rcdrcJTc  : 
Thcr  n*ai  difc  or  J  ,f  rancour,  nc  heviueffe. 
In  all  the  lond  that  Ihc  ne  cuude  appefe, 
And  wifely  brings  hem  all  in  herte«  efe. 

Thou|^h  t^at  hire  huibotid  abfcnt  were  or  non 
If  genuuncn  or  other  of  that  contrcc 
Were  wroth,  fhe  woldc  bringen  hem  at  00. 
So  wife  and  npc  wordet  haddc  fhc. 
And  jugemeot  of  fo  gretc  equitec, 
That  rht:  from  hcvcn  fent  was,  at  men  wend, 
Peple  to  favc,  and  every  wrong  to  amend. 

Not  longc  time  after  that  thi»  Orifilde 
Was  wedded,  flic  a  doughtcr  hath  yborCi 
All  had  hire  lever  ban  borne  a  knave  childe  ; 
Glad  was  the  markis  and  hi»  folk  thcrforc  i 
por  though  a  ma^iden  childe  eotnc  all  before^ 
She  may  unto  a  knave  child  attrinr, 
Bj  likelyhcd,  Im  Ihc  n'is  not  barreinCi 

jPtfr/  Urtia, 

Thcr  fell,  as  it  befalleth  times  mo. 
Whan  that  this  childe  had  foukcd  but  a  thro  we, 
This  marki*  in  his  herte  longed  fo 
To  umpt  hii  wif,  hire  fadnelTc  for  to  knowe. 
That  he  ne  might  out  of  his  hcrte  thro  we 
Thii  marveillous  dcfir  his  wif  to  aifay  : 
Kedlees,  Ood  wot,  he  thought  hire  to  afiraj. 

He  had  aflaicd  hire  ynough  before, 
And  found  hire  ever  good  ;  what  necdcth  it 
H^re  for  to  tempt,  and  alway  more  and  more  I 
Though  fomc  men  praifc  it  for  a  fubtil  wit ; 
Bui  K5  for  me,  I  fay  that  evil  it  fit 
To  affay  a  wife  whan  that  it  t%  po  ncde. 
And  putt  en  hire  in  anguiih  and  in  drede. 

For  which  thii  marki i  wrought  in  this  maocre ; 
He  came  a^aight  alone  thcr  a«  fhe  by 
With  ftcrn  face  and  with  full  trouble  chcre. 
And  faydc  thus,  GriCldc,  (quod  he)  that  da^ 
That  I  you  toke  out  of  your  poure  array. 
And  put  you  in  eAat  of  high  nobtcffc, 
Ye  han  it  not  forgcticn,  a*  1  gcflc  ; 

I  &y,  GriClde,  thii  prcfent  dignttee. 
In  which  that  I  have  put  you,  as  1  trow^ 
Makcth  you  not  forgetful  for  to  be 
That  I  you  toke  in  poure  cftat  ful  low. 
For  any  wcle  ye  mote  yourfclven  know. 
Take  hedc  of  every  word  that  1  ynu  fiy, 
^hsx  1} nc  wight  that  hcrcth \i  btt;  wc  tway. 


Ye  wotc  yourfclf  wel  how  that  ye  came  I 

Into  t  hi  a  ho  ut,  it  is  not  long  ago  ; 
And  though  to  me  ye  be  right  lefs  and  dcre 
Unto  my  gcntiU  ye  be  nothing  fo  : 
They  fay  ttj  hem  it  ii  grct  fliamc  and  wo 
Ftir  to  be  fwggetcs  and  ben  in  fervagc 
To  thee,  that  borne  art  of  a  final  linage. 

And  namely  Hn  thy  doughter  waa  ybor«^  i 
Thifc  wordes  hcti  tlicy  Ipokcn  doutclcs ; 
But  1  dclire,  a»  1  have  done  before, 
lb  live  my  lif  with  hem  in  re  A  and  pees  : 
I  may  not  in  this  cas  be  rechcles  : 
I  mote  do  with  thy  donghtcr  for  the  beft, 
Kot  as  I  wold,  but  as  my  geniiU  left- 

And  yet,  Gfld  wote,  thi*  is  ful  toatb  to  t 
But  nathcles  withoutcn  your  weting 
1  wdI  nought  do ;  but  thus  wol  I  (quod  he) 
That  ye  to  me  aifcnten  in  this  thing  j 
Shew  now  your  patience  in  your  wcrkJng 
That  ye  mc  hight  and  fworc  in  your  village  i 
The  day  that  maked  waj  our  manage. 

Whaii  Ihc  had  herd  all  this,  (he  not  amev 
Ncythcr  in  word«  in  chcre,  ne  countcuaoce, 
(For  as  it  femed,  Ihe  was  not  agrevcd) 
She  faydc,  Lord,  all  lith  in  your  pleafaace  |1 
My  child  and  I  with  hertely  obeifancc 
Ben  youres  alit  and  ye  may  fave  or  fpiU 
Ynur  owcn  thing  :   wcrketh  after  your  wilL 

Thcr  may  no  thing,  fo  God  my  foule  fan' 
Like  unto  you  that  may  difplcfca  mc-% 
Nc  1  dcfirc  nothing  for  to  have, 
Ne  drtdc  for  to  Icfc,  fauf  only  je  : 
This  will  is  in  myo  hcrte,  and  ay  fliatl  be« 
No  length  of  time  or  dcth  may  thi*  deface, 
Nc  change  my  courage  to  an  other  place. 

Glad  was  this  markis  for  hire  anfwcrill^f 
But  yet  he  fcijied  aa  he  were  not  fo ; 
A)  dxcry  washif»  cherc  and  hisloking^ 
Wh^n  rhat  he  fhuld  nut  of  the  chamber  ft« 
S+Juc  after  ihl.^,  a  furlong  way  or  twO| 
He  privcly  hath  told  all  his  en  tent 
Dnto  a»  man,  and  to  his  wif  him  fenti 

A  mancr  fcr^eant  wai^  this  prive  man, 
The  which  he  faithful  oTten  foundcn  had 
In  things  gret,  and  eke  fwiche  folk  wcl  usk 
Don  execution  on  things  bad ; 
The  lord  knew  wel  that  he  him  loved  and  < 
And  whan  this  fergeant  wifV  hislordcs  wiU, 
Into  the  chambre  he  fUlkcd  him  ful  (lilL 

Madame,  he  fayd,  ye  mote  foryevc  it  me. 
Though  I  do  thing  to  which  1  am  conftreiue 
Yc  ben  fo  wife,  that  right  wcl  knowcu  yc 
That  lordes  hi^ftesnuy  not  hen  yfcmcd; 
They  may  wel  be  bei^aikd  and  complained* 
But  men  mote  nedcs  to  hir  lull  obey. 
And  fo  wol  I ;  ther  n'is  no  more  to  fay. 

The  child  I  am  commanded  for  to  take — ' ' 
And  fpake  uo  more,  but  out  the  child  he  hent 
D^fpituuQy,  and  gan  a  chcre  to  make. 
As  though  he  wold  have  flain  it  or  he  weott 
GrifUdis  myil  al  fuffcr  and  al  confcnt ; 
And  as  a  lambe  flie  litteth  mekc  and  (lill^ 
And  k't  this  cruel  Lrgcaut  do  hii  wtll^ 


tkc  diiTimc  of  this  mafif 
^  fiM,  fO^a  hU  word  alio, 
the  ttBW  in  «»hich  he  this  began  ; 
Wc  doogliter,  tlut  fhc  loved  fo 
vnik  he  woJd  ham  flaica  it  right  tho; 
LC&ele*lti£  norther  wept  ne  Cited, 
rmlag  hire  to  tKat  the  markii  likccL 
m  the  I3Q  to  fpekcn  (he  began, 
Kjkriy  file  to  th«  fcr^ cant  pri&id 
he  ira>  a  ^'Ortt  '  .ui) 

he  miglst  kiHc  i  <  that  it  deid; 

hire  baxmc  iKj-  m  li  ..uivl  ftic  kid; 
J  face,  and  gan  the  child  to  MinV, 
it,  and  after  gun  it  kifie. 
m  flic  feyd  in  hire  bcoig^ne  vois; 
my  chil«i,  1  fhal  the  never  fee, 
ha%>e  thee  marked  with  the  crois, 
Hiirr  ybleffcd  mote  thou  be 
k  truia  of  tree, 
I  him  betake, 
if^ajE  dioti  dien  for  iDy  fake, 
to  a  nonce  in  this  cza 

tliu  roothc  for  to  fee ; 
modcr  than  han  cried  AI»l&  f 
to  fad  flcdfail  Will  fhe, 
mdurcd  all  adverfiEec. 
%c  fergeant  mckely  (he  faydc^ 
n  yocr  lit  el  yongc  mayde, 
(quod  Oil)  and  doth  my  lordca  heft  : 
wold  t  pray  you  of  your  gracr« 
d  forbade  ycu  it  the  left, 
lite  J  body  in  fom  place 
tse  no  briddes  it  to-race. 
^.r\  ►"  *'vir  purpoiwold  fey, 

i  \i^eixt  upAti  hit  way. 
unto  his  lofd  ajj^iu, 
GnUidci  wordo  and  hire  there 
tm  point  for  point ,  in  fbort  and  pl^Tin, 
preieDted  vith  hisdoughttr  drrc* 
Ihii  lord  hath  routhe  m  hit>  mancre, 
purpc*  held  he  ttill, 
whan  they  wol  have  hir  will; 
U  fcrgeant  th^t  he  privcly 
Id  ful  fofte  '»Tind  aiid  Wrappe, 
umibmccs  tendrely, 
k  in  a  cofre  Or  ii^  a  Uppe  ; 
peine  his  h<-d  of  for  to  Iwappc 
tall  flivlde  know  of  hit  en  tent, 
he  came  tie  whider  that  he  went ; 
ignc,  unto  hj»  fufber  dere, 
of  Pa  vie  was  Countc  CTe, 
and  (hew  hire  thlt  m&terc, 
c  to  don  hire  beGncjTe, 
foAren  in  aJlgentiUctre  ; 
Ichild  that  it  wai^he  bade  hire  hide 
tght,  for  cujht  that  may  betide* 
if  goth^and  hath  fullilde  thisthtR^. 
arqminow  retomc  we; 
goth  he  ful  fafl,  imagining 
wirct  f^rrc  he  mightc  fee, 

Tccive,  that  (he 
never  could  hire  finde 
on  >  i^kr  iid  *nd  kindc. 
tm  humble,  ai  hc£r  in  fervicc 


TKI  6LERKES  TALE.  if 

And  ckc  in  love,  u  (he  wai  wtmt^hif 

Wm  fhc  to  him  in  every  manner  Wifc  j 

Ne  of  hire  dougliter  not  a  word  fpake  Ihe  t 

N'jn  accident  for  non  advcrfitee 

Waft  feen  in  hire,  ne  tiever  hire  doughtcrs  nim^ 

Nc  ncTcZied  fhc  fur  erncft  ne  for  game* 


Ifcri;' 


t  htS  1 


llhii 


I  time  < 
(rake  i 


Parj  fvafia. 

In  thif  eftat  thcr  pa  (Ted  beo  foure  yere 
Er  (he  with  childe  was,  but  a^  God  woJd, 
A  knlvc  childe  (ha  hare  by  thii  Walcerc 
Ful  gracious,  and  fair  for  to  behold  ; 
And  whan  that  folk  it  to  hi*  fader  told* 
Not  only  he  but  all  his  contrce  raery 
Was  for  this  chtlde,  and  Cod  they  thonk  and  heff^ 

Whan  it  was  two  ycre  old,  and  from  the  brcIL 
Departed  of  his  norice,  on  a  day 
This  markis  caughte  yet  another  left 
To  tempte  his  wif  yet  oftcr,  if  he  may, 

0  !  DcdeleA  was  ftic  tempted  in  aifay  : 
But  wedded  men  ne  connen  no  mefure 
Whan  that  ihcy  finde  a  patient  creature, 

Wif,  qurd  this  markj»^ye  han  herd  or  thii 
My  pcple  Akely  bercn  oar  martage. 
And  namely  fin  my  fonc  yborcn  i*. 
Now  ts  it  wcrfc  than  ever  in  al  our  age ; 
The  murmur  fletJi  myo  herte  and  my  corage^ 
For  to  myn  ercs  cometh  the  vois  fo  fmcrte. 
That  it  wcl  nie  dellroyed  hath  myu  herte. 

Now  fay  they  thus ;  Whan  Wiilier  is  agon, 
T^ian  (hall  the  btood  of  Janicle  fuccede. 
And  ben  our  lord,  for  other  hin  wc  non. 
Swiche  wordes  fayn  my  peplc,  it  is  no  drcdej 
Wei  onght  J  of  fwichc  murmur  taken  hcdc. 
For  certainly  1  drcdc  al  fwiche  fen te nee. 
Though  they  not  plainen  to  myn  audience. 

I  worde  live  in  pec*  if  that  1  might ; 
Wherefore  I  am  difpofed  utterly. 
As  1  his  fuflter  fcrvcd  cr  by  night. 
Right  fo  thinkc  I  to  fcrvc  him  prively, 

1  his  warne  1  you,  that  ye  not  fodcnly 
Out  of  yourfclf  for  no  wo  (huld  outmie  j 
Bt  th  patient^  and  therof  I  you  praie. 

I  have,  quod  Ihe,  fayd  thiis»  and  ever  (haT, 
1  wol  no  thing,  re  r/iJJ  uc  thing  certain. 
But  a«  you  h^ :  not  grcTcth  me  at  al 
l*hough  that  my  doughtcr  and  my  fone  he  fiaia 
At  your  commandement :  th;it  ts  to  fain, 
I  have  not  had  no  p«rt  of  children  twcin 
But  fir  ft  fikencffc  and  after  wo  and  peine. 

Yc  ben  my  lord,  doth  with  your  owa»  thing 
Right  as  you  lift ;  aiketk  no  rede  of  me  ; 
For  as  I  lei^  at  home  al  my  clothmg 
Whan  t  came  firft  to  you,  right  fo  (quod  fhe) 
Left  1  my  will  and  all  my  libcrtee, 
And  toke  your  clothing ;  wherefore  I  yon  prey 
Doth  your  plefance,  !  wol  yourc  luft  obey. 

And  certcs,  if  I  hadde  prcfetnce 
Your  will  to  know  er  yc  your  lull  me  told, 
I  wold  it  do  with  out  en  negligence  : 
But  now  1  wotc  your  lull,  and  what  ye  wold. 
All  your  plefance  fcrmc  and  flable  I  hold; 
For  wilt  1  that  my  dcth  might  do  yon  efc 
Right  gladciy  wold  I  dicn  you  coplcfe. 


tHE  CtiERICES  t  ALB. 


I 


That  nothcr  Irv  hire  w©rdf«  nc  hire  face, 
Bcfom  die  fotk,  nc  ckc  in  hir  ablcncc, 
Nc  fiicvtd  (he  that  htrc  wa*  doo  offence^ 
Nc  of  hire  high  cftat  no  rcmcmbrAiice 
Nc  haddc  fhc  as  by  hine  contcnance, 

»No  wonder  i»,  for  in  hire  grct  cOat 
Hire  jrofl  was  ever  in  picmc  htinii litest 
No  tcndrc  mouthy  no  hcrtr  dtHcat, 
fto  pompc,  no  fcmblant  of  rcaltcc, 
Bnt  ful  '  ■       *—'  V.ni^iitcc, 
Dift'Tcii  ^s,  iiy  honourable*, 

And  t'i  I  :  rd  ever  mckc  and  ftablc. 

Mill  Iptrkc  of'  Job,  and  moft  for  hi*  humblcffcj 
Anckrkce  whaa  hem  lift  can  wrl  endite, 
Nantcly  of  men,  btit  as  in  frythfaftnclTc, 
Thotiph  derkrs  prtif^n  women  but  a  lite^ 
Thcr  can  no  man  in  humbkff.'  him  acquitc 
A»  w*iman  can,  nc  can  he  half  fo  trcwe 
Ai  wcmcn  ben,  but  it  be  failc  of  newc. 

Fro  Bolojgnc  is  thh  Earl  of  Pavic  comc^ 
Of  which  the  fame  up  fpracg  to  more  and  Icflc  : 
And  to  the  pcpies  crc«  »ll  and  fomc 
Wa*  couth  ekr  that  a  Dcwe  markifcfle 
He  with  him  brought  in  fwich^  pomp  and  richeflc^ 
That  never  was  thcr  fccn  with  mannes  eye 
So  nnbk  array  la  al  Weft  Lumbardle. 

The  markis,  which  that  (hope  and  knew  all  this, 
Er  thas  thU  erl  wa»  come  fcnt  hi»  meifagc 
I'ur  thifkc  pourc  fcly  Grifiidij, 
And  the  with  humble  hertc  and  ^iad  vifagc, 
Not  with  no  fwoUcn  tho tight  in  hire  corage. 
Came  kt  kit  heft,  and  on  hire  kncei  hirr  fettc. 
And  reveretitly  and  wifely  fiic  him  grettc, 

Qrifilde,  (quod  he)  my  will  is  utterly 
This  maiden  that  (hal  wedded  be  to  me 
Received  be  to-morwe  as  really 
Ai  it  potftblc  h  in  myn  hous  to  be; 
And  ckc  that  every  wig^ht  in  his  degree 
Have  hi*  eftat  in  fittiDg  and  fcrvice, 
AdH  high  plcfancc,  as  I  can  bell  dcvife, 

I  have  no  woman  fuffiCant  cc^ain 
The  chambres  for  to  array  in  ordinance 
Aft4-r  my  luffc^  and  thcrfore  wolde  I  fain 
That  thin  were  all  fwichc  manerc  jjovcmancc  ; 
Thou  knowcft  tke  of  old  Al  my  plLfancc: : 
Though  thin  arniy  be  bad,  and  evil  bcfcy, 
Do  thou  thy  devoir  at  the  IciVe  Wf5% 

Not  oiiiy,  Lord*  tliiit  I  am  glad  (quoth  fhc) 
To  don  your  lull,  but  I  dcfirt:  ^Ifo 
Vou  U'T  to  ftTTc  and  pkfc  in  my  d:grcc 
Wlihuuten  fidnung,  und  Ihal  evcmio  ; 
Nc  never  for  no  wck  nc  for  no  wo 
Nc  flial  the  goft  wiLhin  myn  hcrtc  ftente 
To  love  you  Heft  witJi  all  my  tre-tvc  entente. 

And  with  that  word  ftic  gan  the  hous  to  dight. 
And  tables  for  to  rette»  and  bcddtf  m -kc, 
And  peined  her  to  dum  alt  thit  i 
Praying  fhc  chambcffrc^  for  : 
Tohaftcnhcr.  '  , 

And  Ihc.  the  i 


I 


I 


I 


I 


Hath 


every  eLi.at»un,  JH.1 


Aboutcn  undem  gan  this  erl  alight 
That  WTth  him  brought  thife  noble  children  1 
For  which  the  peplc  ran  to  fee  the  fight 
Of  hir  array,  fo  rrchely  befcy  ; 
ATid  that  at  erft  amongc*  hem  they  fey 
That  Wiltc-r  wa*  no  fool,thmigb  th«t  him  Jdl 
To  change  hi»  wif,  for  it  wa*  fur  tlic  befl. 

For  ftie  is  fairer,  as  they  dtmcn  all, 
TIiDU  his  Grlfltdc,  and  more  tendrc  of  asre» 
And  fairer  fruit  bctwenc  hrm  fhul<!r  fj.1!. 
And  more  plcfant,  for  hire  high  lin/-c?  , 
Hire  brother  ckc  fo  fairc  waa  of  vifi^e 
That  hem  to  fcm  the  peplc  hath  caught  plcfi 
Commendincj  now  the  markiigovernant'e. 

O  ftormy  peplc,  unfjd  and  ever  untrcw^ 
And  undifcrcLc  fund  changing  as  a  fine. 
Delighting  trvcr  in  rombei  that  i$  ncwc. 
For  like  the  mone  waxen  ye  and  wane  : 
A  ful  oi  clipping,  df  re  ynoogh  a  jaAe, 
Yoiir  dome  i*  fab,  your  conltance  evil  prcv 
Ay  ful  grel  fool  is  he  that  on  you  Icvcth  ! 

TliUH  fiiidrn  fade  folk  m  that  citee 
Whan  that  the  pcple  gafcd  up  and  doon. 
For  they  were  glad  right  for  the  iiovdt«e 
To  hav<  a  new  lady  of  hir  toun,  • 
No  more  of  this  make  I  now  mentioun* 
But  to  Grifilde  a^en  [  wol  me  dreffr* 
And  ;dl  Lire  coutlance  and  hire  htC     T 

Ful  befy  was  Grtltlde  in  every  t] 
That  to  iht  fcfte  was  appertinent ; 
Right  naught  waji  (he  abaiil  of  hire  clothing,  J 
1  hough  it  W(.rc  rude,  and  fomdc)  <'V  '  ^'^ 
B\it  with  glade  chcre  to  the  yatc  i^ 
With  other  folk ,  to  gr etc  the  marl: 
And  after  that  doth  forth  hire  btfinciFc, 

With  fo  glad  chere  his  gcftes  (he  rccd» 
And  connlngly  everich  in  hi*  degree. 
That  no  defaut  no  roan  appercciveth> 
But  ay  they  wondrtn  what  fhc  mighte  be 
That  ID  fo  poure  array  wi*  for  to  fer, 
And  coude  fwichc  honour  and  rcvrrence. 
And  worthily  they  preifcn  hire  prudence. 

In  all  this  mtoc  while  (he  nc  ftcct 
This  maide  and  ckc  hire  brother  to  cumntend 
With  all  hire  hcrte  in  ful  bcnignc  ctiient, 
So  wcl  that  no  man  enud  hire  preifc  ameod  i  ' 
,  But  at  the  laft  whan  thai  thife  lordes  wend 
t  To  Ctttn  doun  to  meie,  he  began  to  call 
I  Orifilde,  asfticwasbefy  in  the  halT, 

Grifildf ,  (quod  he,  a*  st  were  in  hi«  pl*y) 
How  bketh  ihec  my  wif  and  hire  bcajtcf  ? 
^  Right  wrl,  my  Lord,  quod  flie,  for  in  good  ^f 
A  fairer  faw  I  never  non  than  the  ; 
I  pray  to  God  yevc  you  profpcritcc. 
And  fo  I  hope  thai  be  wul  to  you  fcnd 
PIcfance  ynougli  unto  your  live*  eiiJ» 

O  thing  bcfccch  t  yoti  %nd  warneatfo, 
That  ye  nc  prikkc  with  v^  mrmv-rtiog 
Thia  tendrc  maiden  as  ne. 

For  ftic  is  foftred  tn  hir 
More  tcndrcly,  ainl  »r  ii  i;^ 

She  mighte  not  «t.|   >  i  i     .; 

A*^  coudc  a  pourc  fwi-\.  c  '         ■ 


THE   CLERKED   TALI. 


tlib  Walter  &w  hire  patience, 
^berc,  ukI  no  malice  at  all, 
tthcn  hadde  hire  don  often  ce, 
iad^  and  cuiiOaiit  as  a  w^Jl, 
mg  ever  liirc  ixtdocence  over  all, 
I7  cnarkis  gan  liia  hcrte  dnSc 
ttpon  hire  wiflf  i^cdef^ilnifle. 
r^oti^h,  GriQlfic  mm,  qucxl  he, 
IP  inojrc  a^aik  nc  evi]  apaid; 
^  UtiK  xwl  thy  bcnigiiitcCt 
I  ever  «rom;ui  wa^  aiTaidf 
ktt  and  poucrelich  arniid  : 
w  1,  der^  wif,  thf  HedcfailnefTe; 
n  Wiies  toke,  a£>tl  g;ati  to  kcifc. 
IP  lor  iw^jadcr  toke  of  it  no  kepc ; 
f  Qoe  wkst  thing  he  to  hire  Ciid ; 
as  flie  iud  ifccrt  out  of  a  llepe, 
■  of  hire  mafedncfre  abr;iid. 
i|ocid  he,  by  God  that  for  Ui  dcld^ 
I  my  vrtf ;  m>n  other  1  nc  have 
r  h^^  *&  God  my  foulc  fave, 
I  iLf  dougheer  which  thou  hall  fuppofcd 
iy  wif ;  th-ai  other  faithfully 

!vc»r,  a*  1  Jiavc  ay  difpofcd  j 

of  thy  body  trcwelv ; 
J^vc  I  kept  hrm  prtvely  : 
fij  fof  now  maifl  thou  not  f.iy 
li>rn  non  of  thy  children  tway, 
other*  ifc  hau  faid  of  me, 
^«rel  that  i  have  doo  thli  dcdc 
ae  for  no  crucltce, 
J  in  thee  thy  womanhcdc, 
my  children  (God  forlcdt:) 
hcxD  prively  and  dill 
itkfKW  and  all  thy  will. 
•i%  herd,  afwounc  doun  fhe  falleth 

and  iJtvr  hire  fwoumng 
yon^e  children  to  hire  caJkth, 
j3TEiir«,  pitouily  wcpinjgf, 
brut,  *jid  tcndrcly  kliling 
is%Budcr,  with  hire  ialte  terei 
bath  hiririfagc  and  hir  hcrck 
r  2  pit  Otis  thing  it  w«i  to  fte 
20g,  and  hire  huRiblc  vois  to  here* 
t  f  I>crd,  God  thiiiik  it  you  (quod  fhc) 
i  £iycd  nie  my  children  dere  t 
I  ocTftrr  to  be  dcd  right  here, 
ksd  in  jQUt  Icve  and  in  your  grace, 
t  «i  d^li*  oe  whan  my  fpirl:  pace. 
Nire,  Vf  dcre,  o  yong?,  children  mine! 

tnatlier  wened  ftedfiillly 
iej  hottndes  or  fom  fcul  venuiue 
\  jou  I  bitt  God  of  hii  mercy 
BT  hcai^Tt^  fader  tcndrely 
1  you  k<TC  :  and  in  that  fame  flound 
jy  fhr  fwapt  adooo  to  ground. 
I)  hire  fmouj^h  fo  fadly  holdcth  fhc 
Irtrff"  tvtfO^  whan  fhe  gan  hem  emhracCi 
^^R<t  flcigbt  and  gret  dilKcuUce 
^^(  frtjni  hire  arm  they  gan  arracc* 
r  S  fere  oa  many'  a  pitotri  fnce 
9  of  iKXn  that  fludeii  hire  be  fide  ; 
F  aWtsfdi  hire  might  they  abide* 
r  lifcrc  £Udeth,a»d  hire  furwe  flakcth  \ 
h  «p  abided  firo]Q  l^xrc  vcmcc^ 


And  every  wig^t  hire  joye  and  fefle  maketh 
Tii  (he  hath  caught  agcn  hire  lontenance. 
Walter  hire  doth  fo  faithfully  plcfancc, 
Ihat  it  was  dcintee  for  to  fccn  the  chcrc 
Betwixt  hem  two  iin  they  ben  met  in  fere. 

Thifc  ladies,  whan  that  they  hir  lime  fey, 
Han  taken  hire,  and  into  chambrc  gon. 
And  Uripenhirc  out  of  hire  rude  arrcy. 
And  Id  a  doth  of  gold  that  brighte  {hone, 
With  a  coroune  of  many  j\  riche  l^one 
Upon  hire  hcd^  they  into  hdl  hire  broughte. 
And  thcr  fhe  was  honoured  a«  hire  ought. 

Thus  hath  tills  pitou*  day  a  bliaful  end. 
For  every  m^n  and  wontau  doth  his  niight 
This*  day  in  miith  and  rc%*ct  to  difpend. 
Til  on  the  welkin  fhonc  the  llcrre^  bright ; 
For  mure  folcmpnc  in  every  mannev  fight 
This  fcrftc  was,  and  greter  tf  coilagt, 
Thau  was  the  revel  of  hire  niariage. 

Ful  ntuny  a  ycrc  in  high  profperitec 
Liven  thiic  two  in  concord  and  in  rcjt,  \ 

And  richcly  hi*  doughter  marled  he 
Unto  a  lord,  on  of  the  worthicll 
Of  all  Itaillc,  and  than  in  pees  and  red 
His  wivei  fader  in  his  court  he  kepcth 
Til  thit  the  loukoutof  hi*  body  crepcth. 

Hii  fonc  fucccdeth  in  his  heritage. 
In  reft  and  pcc»,  after  hi*  fadres  day. 
And  fortunat  wa*  ckc  in  mariage, 
Al  put  he  not  his  wif  in  grct  afiay ; 
This  world  i*  not  fa  fLrung,  it  U  no  nay. 
As  it  h:ith  ben  in  oldc  times  yore, 
And  hcrkncth  what  this  audlour  faith  therforew 

This  ilury  \h  faid,  not  for  that  wivc-i  (buM 
Folwc  Grifildc  at  in  hum  ill  tec. 
For  it  were  jmponahle  tlio  tlicy  wold. 
But  for  diat  every  wight  in  hli  degree 
Shuldc  be  conflant  in  adverfitcc 
Ai  was  Grifildc,  ihcrforc  Petrark  writeth 
Thi»  floric,  ivhich  with  high  flilc  he  ecditctl^ 

For  fith  a  woman  was  fo  puticnt 
Unto  a  mortal  man,  wel  more  vvc  ought 
Rccciven  all  in  grcc  that  God  u*  fent. 
For  grct  Ikill  h  he  pri^vc  that  he  wrought; 
But  he  ne  tempttth  no  man  that  he  bought, 
A*  faith  Sunt  J^mc,  if  yc  his  pilkll  rede? 
He  prcvcth  folk  al  day,  ii  is  no  drede ; 

And  fuiTreih  u*,  as  for  our  cicrcifc. 
With  fharpe  fcourge*  of  adverljtcc 
Ful  often  to  be  bctc  in  fondry  wife, 
Not  for  to  know  our  wilL  for  ccrtca  he. 
Or  we  were  bonur,  knew  all  our  frcclctcc^ 
And  for  our  beft  is  all  hia  governance ; 
Let  us  than  live  in  vertuoua  fuffrancc 

But  o  word,  Lordings,  herlaicth  or  [  go  : 
It  were  ful  hard  to  linden  now  ad^yts 
In  all  a  touo  Grifildc^  three  or  two  j 
For  if  that  :hcy  were  puttofwichc  affayca 
The  gold  ol  hem  hath  now  fo  bad  ahiycB 
With  brai,  that  though  the  coine  be  fairc  at  eye 
!t  woldc  rather  braft  at  wo  than  plic. 

For  whivh  here,  for  the  Wives  love  of  Bath^ 
Wha»  lif  and  nl  hire  fcdc  God  malntenc 
I»  high  maiilric\  and  idlu»  x^erc  it  fcath^ 


u 


THE   eLERKES  TALE. 


I  wol  *itK  hifty  hfertc  Iresfhe  and  greoe 
Say  you  a  fon^  to  gladen  you  I  wene. 
And  let  U9  ftint  of  erneftful  mattre. 
Herkneth  my  fong,  that  faith  in  this  n^anere : 

Grifildc  it  dcd»  and  eke  hire  patience. 
And  both  «t  ones  buried  in  Itaille, 
For  which  I  crie  in  open  audience, 
No  wedded  man  fo  hardy  be  to  affaiile 
Hi.8  wives  patience,  in  trufl  to  find 
prifildes,  for  in  certain  he  fhal  faille. 

P  ppble  wives  !  ful  of  high  prudence, 
Let  non  humilitee  your  tonges  naile, 
Ne  let  no  clerk  have  caufe  or  diligence 
To  write  of  you  a  ftorie  of  fwiche  mcrvaiUe 
As  of  Grifddis,  patient  and  kinde, 
Left  Chichcvache  yon  fwalwe  in  hire  entnille. 

Folweth  Ecco,  that  holdeth  no  lilence. 
But  ever  anfwcreth  at  the  countretaille  ; 
Beth  not  bedaffcd  for  your  innocence, 
But  iharply  takcth  on  you  the  governaille : 
j^preptetji  we|  this  kJToD  in  yov  miode 


For  comun  profit,  fith  it  ma^  A^raiQt. 

Ye  archcwives !  ftondeth  ay  at  dcfieact. 
Sin  ye  be  ftrong  as  is  a  gret  camafllef 
Ne  fuffreth  not  that  men  d»  you  «ffeocc. 
And  fdendre  wives,  feble  M  ia  bataills, 
Beth  egrc  as  is  a  tigrc  yood  in  Inde; 
Ay  clappcth  as  a  naUl  I  yoa  eoaniaillc 

Ne  drcde  hem  not,  doth  hem  no  remeRce| 
For  though  thin  huibond  armed  be  in  maille. 
The  arwes  of  thy  crabbed  eloquence 
3hal  perce  hi^  breft  and  eke  his  aveotaflle  : 
In  jaloufie  I  rede  eke  thou  him  binde,. 
And  thou  (halt  make  him  couche  as  doth  a  ^(oul 

If  thou  be  fairC)  ther  folk  ben  in  prefenoe 
Shew  thou  thy  vifage  and  thin  aparaiUe  ^ 
If  thou  be  foule,  be  nee  of  thy  difpence ; 
To  get  thee  freiides  ay  do  thy  trxvaiUe  : 
Be  ay  of  chere  as  light  as  kfc  on  linde. 
And  let  him  care,  and  wepe^  anil  wnngC|  i 
waillc. 


L 


THE  MARCHANTES  PROLOGUE. 


W9  fii^  wiiCng,  care,  vid  other  ibrwe, 
c  fnongh  CMi  <vcn  and  on  morwe, 
|lic  Marchant,  and  fo  have  other  mo 
wedded  ben  ;  1  tiowc  that  it  be  {o^ 
rd  I  wot  it  farcth  fo  by  tivL 
E  m  wif  «he  wcHle  that  may  be, 
iQOgh  the  fend  CO  hire  y coupled  were, 
rolde  higip.  overmatche,  I  dare  wcl  fwcfit 
ftoJde  I  ymi  rchcHie  in  fpcclal 
hjjgb  malice  ^  flie  ii  a  ihrcw  at  at 
er  ift  a  long*  and  a  Urge  difiereoce 
^  iCrrilUdes  grete  patkncc 
if  my  wlk  the  pauing  crudtee, 
f  uaboacden^  all  do  mote  I  the, 
Ic  ocvcr  eft  comen  in  the  fiiarc, 
cdde||  Bota  live  in  forw^  and  care  2 


k 


Aflay  it  whofo  w^\^^n6  he  Ihal  finde 
That  I  &y  foth,  by  Seint  Thoma*  of  |n4e. 
As  for  the  more  part,  I  fay  not  allc  ; 
God  fhildr  that  it  Ihtilde  fo  bcLdlc. 

A,  good  Sire  Hoftc,  I  have  yweddcd  he 
Thife  moncthe^  two,  and  more  not  p^rde; 
And  yet  I  Uowe  that  he  that  all  histif 
Wific*  hath  hen,  though  that  men  ^olde  hixfl  rife 
into  the  h<:rtc,  nc  coude  ki  no  manere 
TcUen  fb  much  forwe  as  J  you  here 
Coud  tclkn  of  my  wiycs  curfcdneffc-  [hJclTe, 

Now,  quod  our  Hoftci,  Marchant,  fo  God  yofl 
S\a  ye  fo  mochci  knowcn  of  that  art» 
Fu[  hcrtcly  I  pray  you  tell  y*  part. 

GUdiy,  <|uod  he,  but  of  mip  owcn  forcj 
For  fory  herte  1  tiUJmsi  may  qq  fSioTt* 


THE  MARCHANTES  TALE 


\  dwelling  In  Lumbardi^ 
nkj  knight,  that  born  wa*  at  Pavie, 
mh  he  lived  in  gret  profperitce  ; 
bEty  ycrc  a  wiBcs  man  was  he, 
iilwed  ay  hl4  bodily  dclit 
men  ther  a&  was  his  appctit, 
D  thi£e  fooler  that  ben  fccnlere. 
wfan  that  he  wa»  paifed  fiity  yere, 
it  for  holincifc  or  for  dotage 
ot  ialn^  but  fwiche  a  gr^t  corage 
t  thim  knight  to  ben  a  wedded  mas, 
day  and  night  ^c  doth  all  that  he  caii 
pien  whcr  that  he  mtght  wedded  bc| 

or:--   I  <irii  to  (rranrcti  fJiti  that  hfi 


U  n 


'  fitanlcih  fminf  May*  tnd  for  Iili  Qtlt- 


And  for  to  live  under  that  holy  bqnd 

With  which  God  firllc  man  and  woman  boadi 

Hon  other  lif  (faid  he)  is  worth  a  bcuc  ; 

For  wcdlok  i*  fo  cfy  and  fo  clcnc 

That  in  this  world  it  is  a  paradifc. 

Thy*  faith  this  oldc  knight  that  was  fo  wife. 

And  certainly,  as  foth  as  God  k  king, 
To  take  a  wif  it  is  a  glorious  thing ; 
And  namely  whan  a  man  is  <^ld  and  horc. 
Than  is  a  w if  the  fruit  of  his  trcforc  ; 
Than  ihuld  he  take  a  yoog  wif  and  a  fairc, 
On  which  he  mi^ht  cngcndrcn  him  ao  hcice^ 
And  Icdc  his  Uf  m  joye  and  an  folai, 
Whcras  thife  bachdcrs  fingcii  aloA  ! 
Whan  that  they  fiiidc  any  advcrfitee 
In  love,  which  n'is  but  chiJdi/h  vanitce. 
And  trcwely  it  At  wcl  to  he  fo 
1  hat  bachckr^  have  often  pdne  suid  wo  | 


On  brotel  grownd  they  bildt%  and  broieint  fie 

They  fin  den  whan  tlicy  wcncn  fiki-riicffc  t 

They  live  but  as  a  bird  or  as  a  bcftc, 

In  Ubcrtcc  and  under  non  artllie, 

Thcr  a^  a  wciMcd  man  in  hi*  clHt 

liivelh  a  Hf  bliiful  and  ordinal. 

Under  the  y^lcc  of  mariagc  ybound; 

Wcl  may  hi*  hcrtc  in  joyc  and  bhflc  abound  ; 

For  who  can  be  fo  huxom  a«  a  wi/^ 

Who  i*  Co  trcwr;  and  eke  To  ententif 

To  kcpc  him,  TiKl'  and  holt,  as  is  his  make  ? 

For  wde  fir  wo  fhc  nTjlI  him  not  forfakc  ; 

She  n*is  not  wcry  him  to  love  and  fcrvc, 

TJiaugh  tJiut  he  lie  bedrede  til  that  he  (Icrvc. 

And  yet  fom  ihrkes  fain  it  i»  not  fo. 
Of  which  he  Thcojihrafl  i*  on  of  tho, 
Whiil  fofce  though  Thc^phraft  lift  for  to  |ic  I 

Nctak  no  *»if,  quod  he,  for  hofbondnr, 
As  for  To  rparc  in  houfbold  thy  difpence  : 
A  trcwcfcrvant  doth  more  drli^ncc 
Thy  gobd  to  kcnc,  than  doth  thin  owen  wif> 
For  fh^  wf,d  cbimen  half  part  al  liirc  iif. 
And  If  that  thou  be  fike,  fo  God  mc.favc. 
Thy  veray  nrcndcs'ot  a  trcwe  knave 
tVol  kcpc  thee  bet  th*n  Ihc,  that  waiteth  ay 
After  thy  good,  and  hath  don  many  a  day 
'*  This  jtntcnce, and  an  hundred  thingci  wcrfe, 
Writcth  thi»  tl»an,  ther  Qod  his  bones  ciirfc.       ' 
Bot  take  no  kepc  of  aU  fwichc  vanitce ; 
DcficihlTtcophraft,  and  hcrkeneth  mc. 

A  wif  i%  Otrddea  ycftu  vcmify  j 
All  tithcr  mancr  ycftc*  hardcly, 
A»  londcs,  rentes,  pafture,  or  commune. 
Or  meblci,  all  btrh  yeftct  of  Fortune, 
trhat  pafTcii  at  a  ftiadow  on  the  wall ; 
But  df'edc  thou  not  if  plainly  fpcke  t  (hal^ 
A  wif  wol  Jaft  and  in  thin  hiius  endure 
\lCcl  Itn^cf  than  tbec  iift  p.a-aveDiure. 

M  tf  ia^c  ii  a  ful  grctc  facramcnt  j 
He  which  that  hath  no  wif  I  hold  himlhcnt; 
He  llvf  th  hdpk*  and  all  dcfolat : 
(I  fprkc  of  folk  in  fecular  eft  at) 
And  licrkncth  why,  I  fay  nut  thl»  for  n^iught, 
That  woman  k  for  mav^f*  hclpc  yvvrougJic ; 
_*fhc  hi^he  God,  whan  he  had  Adam  mukcd. 
And  f;iw  him  al  alone  belly  naked, 
God  of  hia  g^ctc  i^iodueiTc  faiqe  than, 
l^et  us  tiow  make  an  hctpc  unfo  thU  man 
l.ikeio  himfdf,  and  th^m  he  mijic  liim  Eve. 

Here  may  yc  fr,     -  ^  '       '        -y  yc  prcve. 
That  a  wif  h  mom  omfort, 

H  *  f-  -«'^'-   ft^rref^:.,  ...J.  ...    .,..^^ri  t    ' 
S  !  fo  vcrtu'jui  is  (he, 

'I  ■    n  nMtfft  livi  \n  unifce  : 

<}  flrlh  they  beir,  and  o  flelh,  as  I  gefTc, 
liath  but"t*h  herte  in  wck  and  in  difkrcfle, 
'    A  wif  ?  a?  $e:me  Mark,  itmJi.'U  * 
Kc^  m'ight  t  man  have  iny  adverfitc 
ThJt  hath  a  wif  ?  ccitcs  I  c^.nuot  fcye. 
The  hliflc  <hc  which  rhit  is  bttwiit  hem  twcyc 
Thcr  nv-v  --  tn-^ .  o  Ti>  ,ir  \\cnc  thinke. 
If  he  I  'h  him  to  fwinke; 

fihc  k  t     <  ^      \        ^  waOeth  neviT  a  del; 

AJJ  itui  hue  hiilboDd  doih^  hire  bkctb  wcl : 


t 


She  Ciith  not  ones,  Nay,  whan  he  fattH,  Vc; 
Do  this,  faith  he  ;  Ai  rcdy.  Sire,  fjiih  Alf, 

O  blifsful  ordre,  o  wcdlok  prcciou*! 
1  hou  art  fo  mery  and  eke  fo  vertuou% 
And  fo  commended  and  approved  eke, 
That  every  min  that  holt  htm  worth  i  IdECi 
Upoii  hii  bare  knees  ought  ali  his  lif  ' 

Thankcn  hit  God  that  him  hath  fcnt  a  wif» 
Or  cllc$  pray  to  God  him  for  to  fend 
A  wif  to  lali  unto  hi*  lives  end; 
For  than  hi»  Ijf  it  fet  in  flkcmeCTct 
He  may  not  be  deceived,  ai  I  grfTc, 
Sn  thac  he  werche  after  ht»  wive*  rede  ; 
Than  may  he  boldly  bercn  up  hi*  hcde. 
They  ben  fo  trcwc,  and  thcrwtthal  fo  wifef 
For  which  I  if  thou  wilt  wcrchen  as  the  wif^q 
Uo  alway  fo  a^  women  wol  thcc  rede. 

Lohow  that  Jacob,  a&thife  cletkc%  rede. 
By  good  <;onfeil  of  hi»  mothcT  Rebeklu: 
Bcundc  the  kidde.sikiji  about  his  nckke. 
For  which  his  fadrcb  bcnifon  he  wan, 

Lo  ]ndith»  at  the  ilorie  eke  tell  can. 
By  geod  confcii  ftie  Goddcs  peple  kept. 
And  How  him  Holofcmcs  while  he  ilcpT. 

Lo  Abigails  by  gooil  confeU  how  fhe 
Saved  hire  hufbond  N.tbat,  whan  that  he 
Sfiuld  hac  be  Jkin.     And  lokc,  Heder  alf(»  ^ 
By  good  con  fell  delivered  out  of  wo 
I'hc  pcpk  of  God,  and  m^ide  him  Ma; 
Of  Alfucrc  t-nhanfed  for  to  Inr, 

Thcr  n'l*  no  thing  in  grce  fuperUttf 
(Avf^ith  Scnck)  above  an  humble  wif. 
Suffer  thy  wives  tongc,  as  Caton  bit; 
She  (ha I  command  and  thou  (halt  fuFrcn  it» 
And  yet  fhc  wol  obr)^  of  curtcfa*. 

A  wif  is  kcpcT  of  thtn  hufbandrie  : ' 
Wei  may  the  fikc  man  bewaile  and  wepe 
1  her  as  thcr  if  no  wif  the  hous  to  kcpc. 

I  warnr  thcc,  if  wifely  thou  wilt  vvcidi€« 
Love  wcl  thy  wif,  a$  Crift  lovcth  h»  clketchc  ^  , 

II  thou  bved  thyfclfy  llove  thou  thy  wif^ 
No  man  hatcth  his  flefh|  but  in  his  lif 
He  fodrcth  4t,  and  iberfofe  bid  I  thcc 
ChcriOt  tby  wif,  or  thou^fhah  never  the, 
Hufljond  jnd  wif,  what  fo  men  jape  or  platyJ 
Of  worldly  folk  holden  the  fiker  way  :  1 
They  ben  fo  knit  thcr  may  non  harm  bcttde,-] 
Ard  namely  upon  the  wives  fide. 

For  which  this  January,  of  whom  t  toU, 
Conlidcrcd  hath  with rn  his  dayes  old 
The  lufty  lif,  the  vcrtuout  qoietCi 
That  i»  in  mariajjc  honcy-fwcte, 
-^.ud  for  his  frendea  on  a  day  he  ftnt 
To  tclkn  hem  ih*  effcd  of  hif  entenr. 

With  face  fiid  hit  tile  he  hath  hem  told  ;] 
He  fjyde,  Frendcs,  !  am  horc  and  old. 
And  aim  oft  (God  wot)  on  my  pittcs  brink 
lipon  my  foulc  fom  what  mofl  I  tlitcke, 
I  have  my  body  folily  difpendcd, 
BkiTtd  be  God  that  it  (ball  ben  amended  I 
i^nr  I  iivol  ben  certain  a  wedded  man, 
And  that  anon  in  til  the  had  I  can. 
Unto  lorn  maiden,  fairc  and  tcndre  of  9fg&^\ 
I  pray  yon  (bap ctJi  for  laj  manag* 

I 


^^^^y               THE   MARCHANTES   TALS.                                        *  IS      | 

^HpT^^ol  riot  aliidc; 

(AsalldayJailethakcrcatitVn     .                                    1 

^Bf  focide  to  dpicn  on  my  fide 

Betwixenfirende»,and  difpuiifon)                                  ^H 

EoBi  1  may  be  wadded  halVilr, 

Thcr  fell  a  ftrif  betwix  Ut*  brethren  two,         i^^H 

IT  as  TOotht  M  yc  ben  more  than  I, 

Of  which  that  on  wii«  ckped  PlacLbo,               .^^^H 

ullm  ntber  fwichc  a  thinjjc  cfpiea 

JufliquB  fotlUy  called  wa«  lltM  other,                    '^^^H 

1,  and  wher  mc  bcftc  wrre  to  alUcnl 

Placebo  fayd^  O  January  !   brol^er,                 l^^H 

l^ilim^  wirn  I  jt^u,  my  frcndcs  dcrc, 

Ful  litel  ncdc  han  yc,  my  lordfo  Avt  \               ^^^^1 

HK  oldc  wif  han  in  no  mantrrc  ; 

C "n  fc  1 1  t o  aik  <f  fl f  a n  y  tiiat  i »  here,                         ^^H 

Bmot  pilTcii  iwcnry  yck'  ctrtuin  ; 

But  that  yc  ben  fo  ful  of  fapiencre                          ^^^| 

lb  and  yonge  iif  fli  wold  I  have  fain. 

That  ymi  ne  liketh  for  your  lu^^h  prudence        ^^^^H 

(fjuud  he;  a  pike  thiiu  a  pikcrcl, 

To  wcivcn  fro  the  word  of  S«lonion  {               <^^^H 

>cc  th^ui  old  beef  u  the  tctujrc  vccJ. 

The*  word,  fayd  he,  unto  u»  cverieh  on,                ^^^H 

Qo  woman  thirty  ycre  of  a^c  ; 

Wurkc  alio  thing  by  conlcil,  thusfayd  he,          ^^^| 

mt  bcocLlmw  atid  frr^t  fonijj^. 

And  ihuii  nc.dmlr  thou  not  repenicn  thee.         /^^^H 

i&e  Uitfc  oldc  i^idcwc*  (Ond  it  wcrtc) 

But  though  that  8<ilomon  fpakc  fwlcJic  a  woroj^^^^H 

K               fo  moch  craft  on  Wadet  bote. 

Min  uwcn  dere  brtnhcr  and  my  l<>id«                 J^^^H 

I                    ken  liarm  whan  that  hem  Idl, 

So  wifly  God  my  fouk  brii^c  at  rcil,                 ^j^^^| 

.i^,...  .,.ui  fhuld  I  never  live  in  reft. 

I  hold  ynur  owcn  Cftnfcd  i»  the  bcli,                     ^^^H 

Rliry  fcolei  raaken  fubtil dcrkes ; 

For,  hfothcT  miii,  tiJtc  of  me  tlU^  motif,       ^^^| 

■0  of  many  fcoica  half  a  clerk  is. 

1  have  now  bt n  a  courtHiian  uU  my  lif,               ^^^| 

trtaLnly  i  yorip  tiling  men  may  |;le, 

And  God  it  wpt,  ihou^n  1  uuworLhy  be^,          ^^^| 

1 15  men  may  waim  wai  with  hande?  plie  ; 

1  have  (londtn  in  ful  ^ct  dtgree                        i^^^f 

rforc  1  f*y  yoti  phiiily  io  a  clxufc 

Aboutcn  Idrdei  of  ful  high  ellac,                         ^^^H 

I  otvn  old  wif  han  right  for  this  caufc. 

Yet  had  I  never  with  non  of  hem  dcbat;            ^^^| 

f  if  fo  were  I  hadde  fwlche  mefchance, 

1  ncvtr  han  contniried  trowcly.                            ^    ^B 

i  1  in  hire  ne  coudc  have  no  pkfancc. 

1  wot  wcl  that  my  lord  tan  mi»re  than  Ij     ,               1 

LAttld  I  Icdc  my  Lif  in  avoutrie. 

What  that  he  fuith  I  holdc  it  ftrme  and  flable  t           1 

^■iright  to  the  devil  whan  I  die. 

I  I'ly  the  lame,  or  dlci  thine  fembhibU'.  1 
A  ful  grct  fool  is  any  coafcihour,                          ^^^M 

Pl^ta  fiiulJ  1  non  upun  hire  gcten  ; 

«re  nsL  lever  houndcv  had  mc  etco 

that  ferveth  any  lord  of  hig:h  honaur,               j^^H 

that  min  heritage  ihnldc  fall 

Thiit  dare  prcfumef.  or  ones  thinkeii  tl^  ^^^^H 
That  hU  confeil  Ihitld  pivlfc  hii  lprdc«  wit  :        ^^H 

lua^  hoodes;  and  tJiis  \  tell  yoti  alL 

'.nou  ^  "^^^  t*»*  «'a"fc  why 

Nay,  lordcK  be  no  iooleA  by  my  Uy.                    ^^^H 

fhuUcn  wcdde ;  juid  f^nhtrmorc  wot  1 

Yc  han  yourlv'lven  fhewtd  here  to-day             -«^^^| 

fpcketh  many  a  man  of  manage 

So  hi^^fh  fcotcnce,  foholily,  and  wcl,                 |^^^| 

,#oc  no  more  of  it  than  wot  my  page 

Th;it  1  confent,  and  confinnc  every  dtl              .^^^H 

liiicfa  caufcf  a  man  fhujd  take  a  wif. 

Your  wc'i'de^  ull,  and  your  cplnioun.                 ^^^^H 

lasy  not  liven  chsft  his  tif. 

By  GL>d  thern'i«  no  man  in  all  diis  toutj^             ^^H 

lum  a  vvlf  with  grct  devotion. 

Ni   in  Irarlk,  coad  Ixt  hun  ylayd  :                       "^^H 

fc.of  Jcrfui  procreation 

Crifl  belt  him  of  this  canfeil  y^vi  sppaiJ:           'J^^^H 

fl^rris,  to  the  hotiour  of  God  aboTC, 

Aud  trevvcly  it  if  an  hi^h  cor4gc                          i^^^h 

^  only  f<^r  paramoor  or  love, 

Of  j»cy  man  that  Hopen  is  in  ag^c                            ^^^| 

ibr  they  Ihulden  lecheric  efchot* 

To  take  a  young  wif :  by  rr-y  filler  kin              ^^^H 

pM  hir  dctte  ^han  that  it  i«  due, 

¥i*ur  hcrtehongethona  joly  pin.                     'i^^^H 

■^bt  echo  of  hem  ihuld  hclpen  other 

Doth  now  in  this  mat*  re  right  a»  yau  hd,     .^^^m 

^H^,  34  a  fuiler  fb^l  the  brother, 

For  fijially  I  hold  it  f*>r  the  \Mh                                     1 

PRln  cbatlitcr  ful  holily. 

Jttfliuut,rhat  ay  llitle  fat  and  henl,               \r^^M 

t,  Sirc!,  (by  your  kvc)  than  am  not  I, 

Ri^hr  in  thi»  wife  he  ta  Plat  l bo  anfwc rd  S         J|^^| 

B^bc  iiiaiikcd,  I  dare  mike  avuuitt. 

Mow,  brother  min,  bis  piitieut  1  pray^                xJ^^ 

^HptnuneB  flarkand  fuffiUnc 

bin  ye  ban  faid,  and  htrkocih  wh^t  I  fay.         ^  p 

^^P^that  m  man  Klonvcih  f  j  : 

Senck,  among  bin  other  worde>  w  *kt             |j^ 

^^Ktlveti  b?&  whut  1  m^y  dri. 

Saiih  ih»r  a  nwii  ought  him  right  wcl  aviftf      ';^ 

j^lflie  hoort  I  fare  as  doth  a  tre 

To  whom  ha  ycvcth  hirf  lond  or  hts  catcl  t        .> 

^Mmeth  cr  the  fruit  ywoxen  he  ; 

And  lith  J  ought  aviftn  me  right  wel                :| 

lloijny  t^  ^'^  neither  dric  ne  ded : 

To  wh  tu  1  ycve  my  good  away  fro  ro^              |^ 

Bic  oo  wher  ho6r  but  on  my  bed  t 

Wcl, more  1  ought  aviien  ifir«  parde,                   j\ 

KTte  9(iA  all  my  hmmcs  ben  txs  grene 

To  whom  I  ycve  my  body  ;  for  n\\\Af                 ^ 

j^^  ^1.  ,_  ,%,  t^^  ycre  hint  to  fc*jc. 

I  waroe  you  wcl  \l  n  no  ^luldt  *  play                 t^* 

la  t?                     brrd  all  mtn  entcnt, 

To  take  a  wM  withoii :  avilcnicnt.                       ^. 

:                                             4d 

Men  mud  enquerui  filiia  in  mm  affcnt) 

Whcacr  Jbe  be  ^viTc  and  fcibr;;  or  dronkelew^ 

h      -                                 .  "^' 

Or  proud,  or  cllca  othtr  ivaic*  a  ijircw. 

|^^tw*i  it,  io  ti  pr*ulvd  *£  certain  « 

.^E^H 

je^tgj  ib^rtly  £&r  tg  iain. 

14 


VrfE   MARCftANTES  TALK. 


I 


I 


A  chitltfter,  or  it  ^rxflouf  of  thy  good. 
Or  riche  or  poure,  or  c)i«.t  a  men  i»  wood  : 
Al  be  it  (b  thttt  na  man  findcn  0i.il 
Non  in  this  world  that  trotti-th  hoi  in  a), 
Nc  jnan|nc  bcfte,  fwichc  as  men  can  dcvife, 
But  nathcle*  it  oug-ht  ynoujjh  ftiJficc 
With  any  wif,  if  fo  were  that  the  had 
Mo  good  rhcwe»  than  hire  irices  bad  ; 
And  all  tKi»  axeth  Irifurc  to  cni|U<:rc} 
For  G^  it  wot  t  have  \vc{>t  many  a  ure 
Ful  privcly  fiir  that  t  had  i  wif. 
Praifc  who  fo  wo\  a  wedded  manner  lif. 
Certain  I  find  in  it  birr  coft  and  tare, 
And  obfcrtanccf  of  alle  bhiTejt  bare; 
And  yct»  God  wot,  my  ncighcbours  abottte. 
And  namely  of  women  many  a  route, 
Sain  that  I  have  the  raolie  (Icdefaft  wif, 
And  ckc  ihc  mckeft  on,  that  bcrcth  Kf : 
But  1  woi  bcl^  ^h«r  wnng^th  mc  my  (ho. 
Yc  may  for  me  n|fht  aft  you  Hkcth  do. 
Avifeth  you,  y«  ben  a  man  of  Ag^, 
I  low  that  yc  entr^n  into  mariage. 
And  namely  with  a  yong  wif  and  a  hint*^ 
By  him  that  made  water,  firci  erth,  and  aire, 
The  yon^cfl  man  that  ia  in  all  this  route 
U  bcfy  yh&^  to  bringvn  it  aboutt 
T^  hkn  h»  wif  ilome,  rniftetft  mc : 
Ye  ftrnl  not  plefcn  hrrc  fully  ycre»  three  5 
This  h  to  ikin,  to  don  hire  ful  plefnncc  : 
A  wif  ascth  fill  many  an  obfervance. 
*  1  pray  you  that  ye  be  not  c»il  appaid. 

Wel»  quod  thi*  January,  and  hift  thou  faidc  f 
Straw  for  Scneh,  ajid  ftraw  for  thy  provcrbe*; 
1  counte  not  a  panier  ful  of  herbea 
Of  fcole  tcrmts !  wifcr  men  than  thou, 
A«  thou  hmfk  htfrd,  affe&^d  htre  right  now 
T©  my  pnrpof.  Placebo,  what  faye  ye  J 

I  faye  it  i«  a  corfcd  man,  <)uod  he. 
That  leitcth  mauunoitie  fikcrly. 
And  with  that  word  they  nfcn  fodtritf^ 
And  ben  aflcntcd  fully  that  he  Iholdi 
Be  wedded  whao  him  lifl  and  w her  he  wohte. 

High  fintafie  and  curious  befinclTe 
Fro  day  to  duy  ^an  in  the  foutc  cmprvflb 
Of  Jintiary  about  hii  mariagc  : 
•^ta&y  a  fairc  fhap  and  many  a  fai re  vi/agie 
Ther  palFcth  Ihitrgh  his  bertc  night  by  nights 
As  whd  i^  ttfke  a  mirrour  poliihed  bright, 
And  fct  it  in  a  comtme  market  place. 
Thai  Oiatd  he  fee  many  a  figure  pace 
By  has  mirrour,  and  in  the  fame  wife 
<}iiii  Jvnuary  in  with  his  thou|^ht  dcvife 
4)f  nuidttii  which  that  dwcken  hint  beGde  ; 
He  wifllc  not  whcr  that  he  might  abides 
fur  if  thM  on  have  be&utee  in  hire  {let^ 
Another  ftdfit  fo  in  ^k*  peples  grace, 
For  hire  fadncffe  and  hire  bintgnrtee. 
That  of  tlic  pcT>lc  the  ifr':tLfl  vqia  hath  ihe  t 
And  fot  n  a  btd  Dame  * 

JBot  narr  !  gamCi 

He  «t  the  Ull  appointed  him  on  on. 
And  let  all  other  from  his  heftr  gon, 
And  chcci  hire  of  his  owcn  audoriieet 
S9I  love  It  blind  aU  A*f  auid  m^y  not  kc 


And  whan  that  hr  wax  in  hu  bed  ymv&fgm^ 
He  purtrcied  in  his  herte  and  in  hi&  thovgkf 
Hire  frefhc  bcautee  and  hire  age  teadre. 
Hire  midd el  fmaL,  hire  armes  £ong  and  fckiidr<% 
Hire  wife  goremance,  hir^  gentiUeJle, 
Hire  womanly  bering,  and  hire  fadmcflic. 

And  whan  that  he  on  hire  was  coodtfa 
Him  thought  his  chois  it  might  not  bes  mm 
For  whan  that  he  himfelf  concluded  had, 
Him  thought  cche  other  manncs  wit  fo  batdi^  J 
That  impolTjblc  it  were  to  replie 
Ag^in  his  ehoiij  this  was  his  fantiiicr 

His  frendes  lent  he  to,  at  his  inlVancc, 
And  praied  hem  to  don  him  that  pleikncc 
That  haftily  they  wolden  to  Uti  come  ; 
He  woldc  abrcgge  hir  labour  aU  and  foine  v  \ 
Neded  no  more  to  hem  to  go  nc  ride^ 
Ik  Wis  appointed  ther  he  wolde  abide* 

Placebo  came,  and  eke  his  frendes  fone^ 
And  alderfirfl  he  bade  hem  all  a  boDe, 
That  non  of  hem  non  argomcotc*  make 
Again  the  purpos  that  he  hath  ytake  ; 
Which  purpos  was  plc-fani  to  Ood  (fmid  he) 
And  verify  ground  of  hia  profpcriteeu 

He  faid  ther  was  a  maiden  in  the  tonn 
Uliich  that  of  bcautee  hadde-gretrenounf 
Al  were  it  fo  Ihc  were  of  final  degree  ; 
5uf£ceth  him  hire  youth  and  hire  bcatiteit ; 
Which  maid  (he  faid)  he  wold  ban  to  htawi( 
Tfi  Icdc  in  eH'  and  holineffc  hts  life ; 
And  thanked  God  that  he  might  han  hire  jj^ 
That  no  wight  with  his  blifTe  partea  As»tt| 
And  praied  hem  to  labour  in  this  nede. 
And  (hapcn  that  he  faille  not  to  fpeik  i 
For  than,  he  fayd,  his  fpirit  was  at  cf«| 
Than  is  (quod  he)  nothing  mny  me  di^ " 
Save  o  thing  prickcth  in  my  confcience^ 
The  which  1  wol  reharfe  in  your  prtStom^ 

t  h»vc  (quod  he)  herd  faid  foi  yort  if^        1 
Ther  may  no  man  han  parfitc  bhlTcB  fWA*         ^ 
This  is  Co  fay,  in  crthe  and  eke  in  heveii  i 
For  though  ht  kcpe  him  fro  the  finnc^  fr*9^. 
And  ckc  from  every  branch  of  thilke  tfce, 
Yet  is  ther  fo  paffit  feHcitee, 
And  fo  grete  cfe  and  in  ft,  in  mariage. 
That  ever  1  am  agaJl,  now  in  min  age. 
That  I  thai  Icden  ar^w  fo  mery  a  lif, 
So  delist,  withoufxrn  wo  or  ffrif. 
That  1  flulhan  min  heren  in  rrthe  here's 
For  fm  that  veray  hcvcti  it  bought  fo  dtre. 
With  tribubdon  and  grec  pmance, 
Huw  (huld  I  than,  livmg  to  fwiche  pici&oc* 
As  alle  wedded  men  don  with  hir  witei. 
Come  to  the  blilTc  ther  Crifi  etcme  on  liv«f  j 
This  is  my  drede,  and  yc,  my  brcthtCxi  I 
Aflodcdi  mtf  this  queftjon  I  preic. 

Juatnus,  which  that  bated  his  foh>, 
Anfwcrd  anon  ngf  t  in  hij  jvpcrie,  . 
And  for  he  wold  Kis  long  tAle  aJut^ 
He  woldc  non  iudoritee  aUegC, 
But  fayde,  Sire,  fe  ther  be  n«n  <^il«cle  < 

Other  than  thii,  God  of  his  hie  ntiraelti 
And  of  his  mercy,  may  fo  for  you  W€rrtt«» 
Thiit  cr  }'c  hifo  jwii  rij^ti  <Mf  iMly  iimtdm 


THE  MARCH 

'T«  tt£y  TT^TA  <d  Wedded  manors  lif, 
li  tirhich  %c  l^in  tlirr  i»  no  wo  nc  ftriif; 
JkmAtBcm  God  f>  i^i    *i"  ^"^t  ir  he  fent 
Sl  WK^^md  man  ^  in  ro  repeat 

W^tiiu^mhct  r|e  man  : 

itBdc3iccdbr£,^Mrr»  tKe  brli  rcde  chat  I  can, 
Ikd^pctre  fou  ooc,bbt  ha  vet  b  in  aieniorie 
^te^mmafc  Sk^  mmy  be  yotir  Rurjfaioric ; 
Ske  nakj  he  Go4dc*  mcoe  and  Ooddeft  irhippc, 
Hmh  ft(kl  your  fouie  up  nnta  bcven  flcippc 
BwKut  t^ A  doth  2ii  orow  of  a  bow.. 
1  Wf<  to  God  htTcsi£teT  ye  {ba.1  kaow 
t%a(  ck^  it*i»  Don  ib  grct  felkiie4^ 
li  wv^,  oc  acf^rmore  fh^LI  be^ 
TW  fou  ib&l  ict  of  ro4ir  iklratioii, 
'  9M  ye  tUe,  »  HciU  ii  and  rdion, 
ewes  of  jow  wif  ittctnpfcly, 

tycpl^c  hire  nat  to  amorminf, 
t  ^  lfc«^  700  (^Iec  from  other  fuine. 
r  Taie  t»doci»  for  ray  wit  is  bat  thince. 
I  Bot  a^aH  fcricof,  t^y  brother  dcre, 
t  let  xt^  wa<len  our  ckf  diis  mfttcrc. 
i»V  of  BMhc,  if  ye  ban  undcrfboml, 
e,  vrliidti  yc  now  haii  tn  bondi 
,  hAtb  fat  wd  iii  litd  fpace. 
v^nivw  mclf  G«d  h;tve  you  io  hia  gfrace  ! 
And  with  this  word  this  Juftiuc  and  his  brother 
t  take  hir  kve,  and  cchc  of  hem  of  other. 

\  tlicy  £lw  that  it  muft  nedct  be« 
f  vroQi^liileii  f<L  by  flcighte  and  wife  tretee 
(he  llrta  maiden,  which  tiiat  Maiua  highc, 
lluftity  M  ercr  that  fhe  mrj^bi, 
1  wvddcd  be  unto  thi^  Jarmary. 
■W4:  were  to  looge  you  to  tsiry, 
ff  I  fOH  told  ctf  CTcry  fcript  and  bond 
^  if  miiiedx  fhit  Ihc  wa*  fcoiTcd  in  thi»  loi&d^ 
^fer  to  ttikkcr.  of  hire  rich  array. 
iv^SnaUy^  ycomcsnis  the  day 
Xtal  t9thr  cturcbc,bolh  bcu  tbcy  went 
f«i«  recesve  the  holy  i4crratnet)t. 
l«4<om«thlhe  prcieil,wtth  ftolcabeutbis  ad^e« 
ikU^k  Hrr  be  bke  Sara  and  Rebekke 
r  aad  in  trouthe  of  inariiige  ; 
j  Miigfd  hi*  orifons,  as  ii»  ufiigti 
\Maromhcd  hc]il,and  bade  God  ihtild  hem  bldfei 
•  all  fiker  ynow  with  bolinelTe. 
Tktta  htn.  they  wedded  with  rQlcxnpmtec ; 
Aiijffthe  ie£be  fitteth  he  and  fite, 
Wkh  other  worthy  folk,  upon  the  deis* 
Mhiei  l^fc  and  bhlTe  is  the  paleti, 
fsd  isl  ui  inlkriixncatft,  and  of  vitaille 
;  deiiitaoai  of  all  Itaille, 
I  hem  ftood  fvridie  inilru  meats  of  fouit 
f  ne  nf  Thebes  Ampbioni 
I  nevrr  fwiche  a  mclodie : 
J  cour»  mcsme  loud  minftmlciet 
I  ncTcr  |nab  trompcd  for  to  herr, 
ik  ke  THcoddBiaft  yet  half  fo  dere 
M  Tbieb«>  wh^n  the  citee  waa  in  dnate^ 
licdtM  ebe  tria  htm  Ikinketh  ftll  ahotite, 
iad  Vanti  laogheth  upon  every  wiofht, 
(for  JiMry  wa»  become  hire  knight, 
.  Aid  wxMe  both  aBaicn  hit  conge 
I U  iikrtce  wd  eke  io  ttof  iage) 


AMTl^S  TALE.  || 

And  with  hire  iirebrobd  in  hire  honil  aboute 
Danceth  before  the  bride  and  all  the  rotete. 
And  certainly  I  dare  ri^ht  wel  f^  dus^ 
Tmcncus,  that  g;od  of  Wedding  ii. 
Saw  nrvcr  hit  Uf  io  mery  a  wedded  man* 

Hold  thou  thy  pees,  thou  poet  AfarciaB^ 
That  writefl  &s  that  tike  wedding  mery 
Of  hire  Phitologtc  and  him  Mercuric, 
And  of  the  fonges  that  the  Mufcs  fonge  ; 
T«i  fmal  is  both  thy  pen  and  eke  thy  tong^ 
Tor  to  dcfcriven  of  thi«  mariage. 
Whan  tcndrc  Youth  hath  wedded  floupiag  Ag%| 
I'her  tji  fwiche  mirth  that  it  may  not  be  wrkcn4| 
AITaieth  it  yourfdf,  than  itmy  ye  witen 
li  that  I  lie  or  non  in  thii  matere, 

Maius,  that  fit  with  fo  beaigDc  a  dicre, 
Hire  to  behold  it  fenied  EKrie. 
Qucnc  Hcftcr  loked  never  with  fwlche  u  eye 
Oil  Aflucrc,  fo  mcke  a  look  liadi  Ike. 
I  may  you  not  dcvife  all  hire  hcautce ; 
But  tJiis  moch  of  hire  beautce  CcU  I  may. 
That  fhe  was  like  the  brij^hte  morwe  of  Mafi 
Fuimicd  of  all  beautce  and  pkiance. 

This  January  is  ravilhed  in  a  trance 
At  every  time  he  loketh  in  hire  face ; 
But  in  hi*  heitc  be  gan  hire  to  manaee 
That  he  that  night  In  annea  wold  hire  (treme 
H^acr  than  ever  Paris  did  Haleine. 
But  nathelcJi  yet  had  he  gret  pitec 
That  thilkc  night  o^enden  hire  muft  hc| 
And  thought,  alas!  o  tcudrc  creature  ! 
Now  woidc  GM  yc  migbtcn  wcl  ciidun: 
All  my  coragc;   it  h  fo  (bir^pc  and  kenc 
I  am  agaft  yc  Ihal  it  cat  fuftene  ! 
But  Cod  forbedc  that  1  did  all  my  might ! 
Now  wolde  God  that  it  were  waxen  night| 
And  that  the  ni>;hi  wold  laften  ever  mo  J 
I  wold  that  all  this  peple  were  ago  I 
And,  finally,  he  doth  all  his  labour, 
An  he  befit  mightCf  faving  his  honotir, 
To  hcrtc  him  iro  the  mete  in  fubtil  wife. 

The  time  came  that  refon  was  to  rife, 
And  after  that  men  dance  and  drinken  fad^ 
And  fpicc»  all  about  the  how  thqr  call. 
And  ful  of  joye  and  biilTe  i^  every  man, 
Ali  but  A  fquier  that  hightc  Damian, 
Which  carf  bcforn  the  knight  ful  many  a  day  ; 
He  was  (o  raviiht  oh  his  Lady  May, 
That  for  the  veray  peine  he  was  n»c  wood  j 
AlmoU  he  fwdt,  and  fwouncd  ther  he  flood  ! 
So  fore  hath  Venus  hurt  him  with  hire  broa4 
As  that  (he  bare  it  dancing  in  hire  bond} 
And  to  his  bed  he  went  him  haOily  : 
No  more  of  him  as  at  this  time  fpche  I, 
But  ther  1  let  him  wepc  ynow  and  plaine* 
TiJ  frcfhc  May  wcl  rewc^j  on  his  peine. 

O  perilous  fire  that  in  the  btsdilraw  brcdeth  I 
O  fiimulcr  fo  that  his  fervice  bedcth  I 
O  fervant  traitor^  falfe  of  holy  he  we, 
Like  to  the  neddcr'in  bofom  fiic  untrewe, 
God  fhcldc  usalle  from  your  acquaintuicc ! 
O  January  !  dronken  in  pkfancc 
Of  maria^i\  fee  how  thy  Damian, 
Thin  Qwcn  tinier  and  thy  horeu  in»ti| 


fd                             THE  ^fARCHAlj^TEs  Valu.                            ^ 

With  which  whan  tfinr  him  lift  he  it  iinftctt^ ; 

Lo  Argusj  which  that  had  —  »—-!"«  f^nf          j 

And  wbin  that  he  vm\4  pay  hin  wive*  derttc 

For  all  that  ever  he  coude  p 

In  fomor  ftffon  thidtT*wold  he  j^,                             i 

Yci  was  he  blent,  and,  Cod  *<  .  ,              uo,    ^^A 

And  Miy  hit  wif»  and  no  wi^Kt  but  they  two; 

That  wcoen  wifly  that  it  be  not  fo.                 ^H 

And  thiol's  which  that  were  not  don  a-bedde 

P.tf!t  over  Is  10  cfc  ;  1  fay  ito  more,                 ^H 

Hs  in  the  gardin  pwfonmied  hem,  and  fpcdde.       i 

Thin  freftif  May,  of  which  !  fpake  of  yor^^H 

And  in  thi«  wife  many  a  mt* ry  day 

In  wunn  wkx  hath  enp rented  the  cliket         ^^| 

Lived  this  January  and  frcihe  May  : 

Th  If  Jjinuary  bare  of  the  fmal  wiket*              ^^H 

Bur  worldly  joyc  nwty  not  alwiiy  endure 

fiy  which  inrx)  ha  gardic  oft  he  wetit,              ^^| 

To  January  ne  to  no  crcatur<r. 

And  Druniiiii,  that  knew  ill  hire  ciitczit,         ^^1 

O  f'xlcn  hap,  o  thmi  Fortune  nnftable !                 , 

The  clikct  contrefcted  prrveJy  :                       ^^M 

Like  to  the  fcorpion  fo  dccciv;ihle. 

Thcr  n'i*  uo  more  to  fay,  but  haftily               ^^H 

That  fiatrcft  w»th  thy  htrd  whan  thou  wolt  fting ; 

Som  wonder  by  this  clikec  Qial  betide,           ^^H 

The  tayi  it  deth  thurgh  thin  evrnioiing* 

Which  ye  ftiui  her  en  if  ye  wol  abide.             ^^H 

O  brmtl  jeye !  o  iWcte  po^-fon  iiueinic ! 

0  nohlc  Ovide!  foth  Diyeft  thou,  (Sttd  v"°^^| 

O  mofiftrt !  that  fo  fotiliy  canft  pcinte 

What  fleight  bit,  if  Love  be  Jong  axsd  hotr,^^^^ 

Thy  giftm  under  hewc  of  ft edl aft iieffe, 

That  he  trill  find  it  out  m  fom  man'  r^  ?        ^H 

That  thou  dcccivcit  botih*  more  and  Iclfe, 

By  Pyramtti  and  Thilbc  may  men  Irr^- ;          ^^t 

Why  bin  thou  Jaftujir^'  thtiftdecdwd, 

Though  they  were  kept  ful !' :          "      ciag^^M 

That  h^ddcil  him  for  thy  ful  frcnd  received  ^ 

They  ben  accorded,  rowiiiti                      ^4i^^^| 

And  now  tli6a  hall  befaft  him  both  his  eycn. 

IhernowigiitcoudehaiTfauri^^.^  ..  .•rinH^^H 

For  for^'c  of  which  dcfiteth  he  tu  dyea. 

But  now  to  purpos.  Er  that  daic*  cijrhie         ^^H 

Al^iii  1  ihi»  nohlc  January  free, 

Were  paCTcd  of  the  month  of  Juit,  betid           ^H 

Amiddc  hi*  luft  and  hi^piiofpcritee. 

That  January  hath  caught  fo  gret  a  wiU,       ^H 

Is  vnxtti  Mind,  »f*d  that  al  fodenly. 

Thurgh  egging  of  hiK  wif,  him  for  to  play    ^^M 

He  wcpttJi  and  he  waikth  pitoufly, 

in  hii  gardin,  and  no  wi|^t  but  they  twajgl^H 

And  thcrwithall  the  fire  of  jalouQc 

That  in  a  morwe  tinto  thtu  May  faid  he,      *^^| 

(Left  that  hf*  wif  fhuld  faJl  in  fom  folk) 

Rife  up.  my  wif,  my  love,  my  lady  fret !       ^^M 

So  brent  hishertc  th:it  he  wokie  fain 

The  turtles  vois  it  herd,  myn  owen  fwetc!  ^^M 

That  fom  man  had  both  him  and  hire  yflain  ; 

The  winter  is  gon,  with  all  hiirainca  tr*««lr'  ^^M 

For  nother  after  his  deth  oc  in  his  Iff 

Come  forth  now  with  thtn  rycn  colmnbinei^^l 

Nc  wold  he  that  Ihc  were  no  love  nt  wif, 

Wcl  fairer  ben  tbv  ^^-  ^*^  ^^>*n  ony  vrac      ^^| 

3ut  ever  liTe  a^  a  widewc  in  clothes  blake* 

l*hc  gardin  is  en                    N'Wte ;                  ^^B 

Sole  as  the  turik  thiit  h&th  toft  hire  make. 

Come  forth,  my  v              n  c,  for  oat  ^^"^^^M 

But  at  the  laft,  after  a  moneth  or  tw»y. 

Thou  haft  me  wounded  m  myn  henc,  owif^^^ 

Hi»  forwc  gan  aJTwagcn,  foth  to  fay  ; 

No  fpot  in  thee  n'at  never  in  all  thy  Itl        ^^M 

Fur  whan  he  wi(k  it  niig:ht  non  other  be. 

Come  f(mh,  and  let  us  taken  our  diteni     ^H 
1  chefc  thee  for  my  wif  and  my  ooaatgn*       ^^M 

He  patiently  tokc  hi*  advcrfitce ; 

Save  out  of  doutc  he  nc  may  nat  forgoti 

5wichc  oldc  tewed  wordea  ufed  be.           ^^M 

That  he  a*M  jalou*  ever  more  in  on  ; 

On  Damian  a  figoe  made  (he,                         ^H 

Which  jalftufie  it  was  fo  outrageoui^ 

That  he  fhuld  go  before  with  hh  cliktr.        ^H 

'That  neither  in  haUc,  nc  in  Don  other  hous. 

This  Damian  hath  opened  the  wikct.             ^H 

Nc  in  noo  other  plicc  never  the  mo. 

And  in  he  ftcit,  and  that  in  fwiebe  maotfTP    ^B 

He  n'olde  fuffine  hire  for  to  ride  or  ga 

That  no  wight  might  him  fee  ncytlier  yhei*?    1 

But  if  that  he  had  hvndc  on  hire  alway  ;- 

And  ftill  he  fit  unacr  a  bulb.   Anon               ^J 

For  which  ful  often  wepeth  freflic  May^ 

This  Jnnuary,  ai  blind  a£  ii  a  fton,                 ^^B 

That  lovctk  Damian  fo  brenning^ly, 

With  Majus  in  his  htnd^  and  no  wi^t  in«V^^| 

That  fhe  mofte  cither  dien  foder^y 

Into  this  frcihe  gardin  tt  afro,                           ^H 

OrcUes  file  moftc  ban  him  a«  Inre  Mk  ; 

And  cllppct  to  thcwik^'t  fodecly                     ^^H 

She  wake 4  wham  hire  herte  woM  to-breH. 

How  wif.  quod  he,  here  n'i»  but  thov^^^H 

Upon  that  other  fide  I^amian 

That  art  the  ereaturt:  that  1  befk  tovef^^^^H 

Bc*.omcn  i^  the  (brwefulkft  man 

For  by  tliat  Lord  that  fit  rn  bcven  ab^^^^^| 

Thit  cvcl-  was,  for  nehhf.-  ntijht  ce  thy 

1  hadde  lever  dicn  on  a  knif                           ^^^^H 

Wc  might  he  fpekc  a  word  to  frcftw  May, 

Than  thee  o^enden,  dcre  tvewe  wif.            ^^M 

As  to  hi-»  purpot,  of  no  twtchc  ntattre. 

For  Geddes  fake  thinke  how  I  thee  dk«e^  ^^M 

But  if  that  JMHiary  rauft  it  here, 

Not  for  no  covetife  doutekt,                         ^^M 

That  had  an  hand  upon  hire  evcrmo ; 

But  only  for  the  love  1  i»ad  to  thce^              ^^M 

But  oathde*  by  writing  to  and  fro, 

And  though  that  I  be  old  and  tniy  tict  '^MI^^H 

And  privec  fij^tit »,  wift  he  what  ihe  ment^ 

Beth  to  me  trcwc,  and  1  wol  tell  yon  *vh]rp^^^ 

Antl  Ok  knew  eke  the  Rn  of  hit  entent. 

Ccrces  tl.rcc  tKid^c*  fhal  ye  win  thcrfff  |       ^^| 

O  Jaoaar^-  !  what  might  it  thee  availe 

Firftlovcof  Cr^'^     -^  -   vonrfdf  imiWW,  i^B 

T*hough  thou  might  feen  aa  fer  as^ippcs&ile  ? 

And  all  min  hi  r                    /nd  tmir ;            ^H 

For  a»  ^ood  ai  bUod  to  dccti ved  be 

lyevc  it  you.m-i.^...  .:.... :re4 as yo«  kftt     ^^t 

/u  be  deceived  whan  a  m^a  may  Car* 

Thi»  ti»l  be  doQ  t<Mnor^o  ct^^trntwH^          ^ 

THE  MAACHANTES  TALlC. 


9^. 


Win  J  to  bliffip  : 
JfMioa  ifaiicovmaQt  jc  mckilTe. 
(ev^  that  1  be  ptiou*  wite  me  nonght ; 
i»  dteoc  etfprcfitcfl  bi  my  ihonf  ht, 
I  dlst  I  confider  yonr  beaucce, 
"  the  uolilteiy  eldc  of  me, 
tcrttMt  thoo^  t  fhulde  die, 
CO  bea  out  of  ycrur  compagnie 
•e;  thas  is  vritbcut«n  doute  i 
V  wif,  aad  l«t  Q5  rome  abotiic. 
frdhe  Mmj,  whan  IhctbUc  wordc4  herd, 
CO  Jmsary  iniWf  rd« 
h1  ftirwuil  Ihe  be^n  to  vepc  : 
quod  Ibe^  «  f<mb  for  to  kqie 
IT,  and  alfo  mill  honour, 
fny  wif  hoo^  thilkc  tcndre  flcar 
:  I  lltfipe  oflitred  in  your  hood, 
tiie  preefl  to  you  my  body  bond, 
re  I  wal  uifwcnt  ia  this  manerf , 
rve  ^f  you,  myn  ovrrn  lurd  fo  dcre. 
to  Ood  that  nev^r  daw  that  day 
ftaffire,  3S  foule  lU  wotnan  may, 
B  do  Ufico  my  kin  that  (hamt| 
•  1  cmpcire  To  my  name 

i*ic  I  and  if  t  do  that  hikke, 
me  and  put  mc  tn  a  fakke, 
th«  wvtMxe  li^rcr  do  mc  drcnchc  : 
^mil  woman  and  no  wcnche. 
fcke  ye  thoi  ?  but  men  ben  ever  Diitre«ro, 
I  luui  repTcfe  of  yon  ay  ocwe. 
other  daliaAcc,  I  Icve, 
^  to  o*  a«  of  otitmfl  lod  fcpre-rc, 

thai  word  the  law  wher  Damian 
ib«  avd  cooghcn  fhc  bc^n ; 
nc  finger  a  Ggoe  made  Ihc 
I  flinlde  eitTTib  up  on  2  tre 
_^    I  «rte  « ith  fruit,  slikI  up  he  Went  ( 
■i$  he  ^ew  all  hire  cntent, 
ry  Sgne  that  flic  coadc  make, 
than  January  her  own  make^ 
i  kttrr  the  had  told  him  all 
Bfcre,  how  that  he  werken  fhalL 
•  I  iitt  him  fittings  in  the  pcry, 
■ary  and  M47  mmtng  fal  mery* 
kc  was  the  day,  and  blew  the  firmament ; 
«f  ^Id  hit  ftrcmes  douu  hath  fent 

cwery  flour  with  his  warmntfle  ; 
^thnt  time  in  Geminis  I  gcfie, 
~  fro  bii  declination 
If,  f 0«ra  ctihation. 
t§tM  ffrtlifct  bright  morwe  ttde, 
ItKc  1  the  frrrhcr  fide, 

bat  of  Faerie, 

.a  [jti.  ■  "  nie 

■  wif,  P">*i 

il»ib«ri._  .->.  > .,  :-.  ^thnti, 
Hie  f-idred  floares  it^  the  mede, 
D  ye  may  the  ftory  rede, 
mlaire  w  bt»gril'cl^  carte  hcfctte) 
Sffg  of  FacTie  adoun  htm  fette 
!>  Wndic  of  turvo  rrcftie  and  grcne, 
|tit  anon  tbut  faid  he  to  his  quene  : 
Wit,  <|iiod  be,  ther  may  no  wight  fay  nay, 
^dkw  fo  prevcth  it  every  dajr^ 


The  trcfon  which  th«t  womalj  doth  to  mail : 

Ten  hundred  thouiand  Utitna  tcU  t  can 
Notable  of  your  untrouth  and  broti.'ln«f(<9r 

O  Sakmion !  richeil  ol  all  richelTc, 
Falfillcd  of  fapicncc  and  «vordly  giori<T» 
Ful  worthy  ben  thy  wordei  to  mcntorie 
To  every  wight  that  wit  and  refott  can. 
Thus  pniiCeth  he  the  bouote^  y«t  of  nta«{ 
Among  a  thoxifiutd  nicn  yet  lulid  I  (m« 
But  of  all  women  foiid  I  neVf  r  non* 
Thus  f;uth  this  |jnc:,thaikncwc: your  wikkcdnefTQ^ 
And  Jefus,/i/i^/  Siratrh,  as  t  geiie. 
He  fpeketh  of  you  but  fi-Idvn  r«?vereo<e- 
A  wildc  lire,  a  corrupt  peftilencc, 
So  (ill  upon  your  bodies  yet  to-uight, 
Nc  fee  ye  not  this  hotiourable  knight  ? 
Bccaufe,  abs!  that  he  is  blind  atid  old 
His  owen  man  fhal  hiakc  him  cokewoldt 
Lo  whcr  he  fit,  the  lechotif^  in  the  tree. 
Now  wol  1  graantea  of  my  majcllce 
Unto  this  olde  bUndr  worthy  knight. 
That  be  (tiA  have  again  hi»  eycn  light 
Whan  tluit  his  wif  wol  don  hjni  viluiiief 
Thau  fhal  he  knowen  all  hire  barlotric, 
Both  in  reprefc  of  hire  and  other  rao, 

Yc,  Sire,  qtiod  Proferpinc,  and  wol  yc  fo  f 
Now  by  my  mod  re  Geres  foulc  I  fwerc 
That  1  flial  yeve  hire  fuflRfant  anfwcre. 
And  allc  women  after  for  hire  fake. 
That  though  they  ben  in  any  gilt  ytake* 
With  face  bold  they  Ihnj  hemietve  excuie. 
And  here  hem  dotin  that  wolden  hamacctdc  f 
For  lackc  of  anfwere  non  of  u$  Ibul  dien, 
Al  hid  yc  fecn  a  diing  tvith  both  your  cyen^ 
Yet  fhul  wcfovifitgc  it  hardely, 
And  wqre.and  twere,  and  chidcn,r«btiUy, 
That  ye  (hui  ben  at  lewed  as  ben  gcee, 

What  rtkkcth  me  of  your  audoriee«f  ? 
1  wotc  vre]  that  this  JeWe,  this  Salomon, 
Fond  of  us  women  foolcs  many  on  : 
But  though  that  he  nc  fond  no  good  woman,. 
Thcr  hath  yfonden  many  an  other  man 
Women  ful  gOod«  and  trewe  and  vcrtttoua, 
Witnefle  on  hem  thit  dweite  in  Criflo  bew^ 
With  martyrdom  they  prcved  hir  conftance. 
The  Roman  gcdei  makcn  remrmbranee 
Of  many  a  vcray  trcwc  wif  allb. 
But,  Sire,  ne  be  not  wroth  al  be  it  foi. 
Though  that  ht  {aid  he  fond  no  good  woman  ^ 
I  pray  you  take  the  femence  of  the  man  : 
He  ment  thus,  that  in  foveretn  bountee 
bTis  Don  but  Ood,  ni»,  nonchrr  he  ne  (ke, 

£y,  for  the  veray  Ood  that  n'ii  bait  on. 
What  makcn  y\:  fo  moche  of  Sntomon  I 
What  thotigrh  he  made  a  tchiple,  Guddes  houi  ? 
What  tl^iough  he  were  richc  and  glorious  * 
So  made  Ke  eke  a  temple  of  falfc  goddes; 
How  might  he  don  a  thing  that  more  fbrbode  is  P 
Pardc  as  fairc  as  yc  his  name  emplaltrc. 
He  was  a  lee  hour  and  an  idolaftrc, 
And  in  his  eldc  he  veray  God  forfoke  ; 
And  if  that  God  nchadde  (as  iaithe  the  boke) 
Spared  him  for  his  fathert  f;ike,  he  fholdc 
Hio  loiL  his  rcgne  rather  ihao  he  woldc. 


{>1 


THt   MARCHANTES  TALP. 


I  fete  nat  of  all  the  viUnt«^ 
That  he  of  womtn  wrote  i  boterflic 
I  am  a  woman  ;  ncct»  moflc  I  ipcke. 
Or  fwcU  unto  that  trmc  min  herte  breke; 
Fof  fin  he  fair!  thiit  wc  ben  jangl-ffcfTci^ 
Ascvrr  mote  1  broukcn  hole  my  ircJle*, 
1  ihal  fiat  fp^rcn  for  no  curtcftc 
To  fpckc  him  harm  that  fayth  ns  vilanie. 

D^ime,  quod  thi^  Pinto,  be  txn  tengcr  wroth, 
1  ycvc  it  up  :  but  fin  1  fwcrc  min  oth. 
That  I  wold  graunten  him  his  fight  agaiiL, 
My  word  Ibal  fland,  that  warne  [  you  ccnuin  J 
1  am  a  king,  it  fit  me  not  to  lie. 
And  1,  quod  fhc,  am  Qrcnc  of  Faerie. 
Hire  anfwcrc  fhc  (hal  ban  I  undertake  j 
l>cr  a»  no  more  wordc*  of  it  make. 
Forfoth,  quod  he,  I  wol  you  not  contrary, 

Kow  let  u»  turn  again  to  January, 
That  m  the  ^rdin  with  his  taire  May 
Stngcth  wcl  mericr  than  the  popinjay  ; 
You  love  I  hcdt^  and  ihal,  and  other  non. 

So  ]ong  about  the  alieye»  i»  he  gun. 
Til  he  wai  comen  ag:iiin  to  thilke  pcry 
Wher  as  this  Damian  fitteth  ful  mcry 
On  high,  among  the  frt-fhe  Icvc*  grcuc, 

TPliifreflie  May,  that  is  fu  bright  and  (hcne^ 
Can  for  to  fikc»  and  fa  id,  Ala«,  my  fide  I 
Now,  Sire,  quod  (he,  for  ought  that  may  betide, 
1  mofle  have  of  the  per«8  that  1  fee. 
Or  1  moftc  die,  fo  fore  tongcth  mc 
To  ct^n  of  the  fmale  pcrei  grenc  ; 
Krip  for  hire  love  that  ti  of  hevcn  qutnc« 
]  tell  you  wel  a  woman  in  my  pUt 
May  have  to  fruit  fo  gret  an  appctic. 
That  ibe  may  dicn  but  ihe  of  it  have. 

Alas  I  qnod  he,  that  I  n'addr  here  a  tuiiTc 
That  coudc  climbc  :  ala«  !  ala»l  rquod  he) 
For  I  am  btiridc.     Yc,  Sire,  no  force,  quod  flic ; 
But  wold  ye  vouchcfauf,  for  Goddes  fak^. 
The  pery  in  with  your  armes  for  to  take, 
(For  wcl  1  wot  that  ye  miftruftcn  mc) 
Than  wold  I  climbcn  wel  ynough,  (quod  (he) 
So  I  my  fote  might  fetten  on  your  back. 

Ccrte«,  faid  be,  thcrin  flial  be  no  tack, 
Miglit  I  you  helpeo  with  min  hcrte  hlood. 

He  ftoupeth  doun,  and  on  his  back  Ihe  Jdood, 
And  caught  hire  by  a  twifl ;  and  up  fhc  goth, 
|[Ladit«,  I  pray  you  tha.t  yt:  be  not  wruth; 
I  caiintt  glofc  ;  1  am  a  rude  man  :) 
Andfodenly  anon  this  Damian 
Can  pullen  up  the  fmock,  and  in  he  throof* 

And  whan  that  Pluto  faw  tliit  grctc  wrong, 
To  January  he  yaf  again  hi«  fight, 
And  made  him  fee  at  wel  at  ever  he  might ; 
And  whan  he  thus  had  caught  hi»  Hght  again 
Ne  was  t her  never  man  of  thing  fo  faiit  i 
^ut  on  his  wif  his  thought  was  ever  mo. 

Up  to  the  tree  he  c^  hiscycn  two. 


And  faw  how  Damian  hif  wif^  hid  drtlTfi 

In  fwichc  manerc  it  may  not  bea  caprt^cd, 

But  if  I  woldc  fjpekc  uncurtciily  ; 

And  up  be  yaf  a  roring  and  a  cry, 

Ai  doth  the  motiicr  wlum  the  child  IhaJ 

Out !  htlpe  !  alas  !  harow  !  he  gan  to  cry  $ 

0  llrongc  lady  flore,  what  dodt  ihau  i 
And  fhc  anfwcred.  Sire,  what  aileth  you  ?- 
Have  patience  and  refon  in  your  mindc, 

1  have  you  hiilp«rn  on  both  your  cyai  blil 
Up  pi!ril  of  my  foale^  1  fhal  nat  hen, 
A"  me  was  taught  to  hclpcn  with  your 
Was  nothing  better  for  to  make  jou  fc« 
*rhan  ftroglc  with  a  man  upon  a  tree  : 
God  wot,  I  did  it  in  ful  good  cntenu 

StrogU !  quod  he  ;  ye,  algate  in  it  Wi 
Gnde  ycve  you  both  on  Ihames  dcth  to 
Hu  fwived  thee,  I  faw  it  wirh  min  cycn^ 
And  riles  be  1  hoagcd  by  the  hatfe. 

Than  ia,  quod  (he,  my  medicine  d 
For  crrt*inly  if  that  ye  mijrhtcn  fre, 
Yc  wold  not  fay  thifc  worde*  unio  me. 
Ye  have  fom  ghmfing,  and  no  pariit  figl 

I  fL'L\  quod  he,  as  wel  as  ever  I  might 
(Thanked  be  God)  with  both  min  eycn 
And  by  my  ftith  mc  thought  he  did  thee 

Ye  mafc,  yt  mafcn,  good  Sire,  quod 
This  thank  liave  I  for  I  have  made  yoo  fee ; 
Alas !  quod  flic,  tliat  ever  1  was  fo  kind. 

Now  Dame,  quod  he,  let  at  pafle  out  f 
Come  doun,  my  lefe,  and  if  I  have  ntilTai^ 
God  helpr  me  fo  as  1  am  evil  appaid  t 
But  by  my  fadrct  luule  I  wende  hikvc  {em 
How  that  this  Damian  had  by  thee  !eiii» 
And  that  thy  fmock  had  Icin  upon  bit 

Yc,  Sire,  quod  fhc,  yrmayweneatt 
But,  Sire,  a  man  that  wcketh  of  hia 
He  may  not  fodenly  wcl  taken  kcpe 
Upon  a  thing,  nc  fcen  it  parfitly. 
Til  that  he  be  adiwcd  vcraily  : 
Right  fo  a  man  that  hrig  hath  blind 
He  may  not  fi»denjy  i'o  wel  yfee, 
Firfl  whan  hii  fight  is  ncwe  comen  igafl^ 
As  he  that  hath  a  day  or  two  yfein. 
Til  that  your  fight  yfatcled  be  a  white, 
Thcr  may  fid  many  a  fighte  you  beglle* 
Bi  ware,  I  pray  you,  for  by  hcvrn  Kinjj 
Ful  many  a  mm  wcnctli  to  fee  n 
And  it  U  all  aaoiher  tXan  it  fern 
He  which  that  mifconceivcth  ott  ntii".  ;tici 

And  with  that  word  Oic  Icp  doun  Cro 
This  Jariucvry  who  is  -*  ^  I-  *  '  -  ? 
He  kilfcth  hire  und  <  ful  oft. 

And  on  hire  wombc  L  -    ^i  Jiirc  Jul  tk 

And  to  his  paleis  home  he  hath  hire  lad* 
Now,  goode  men,  1  pray  you  to  be  ^e' 

Thus  endcth  here  my  Talc  of  }•  nuiric 
God  blcfFc  us,  and  hit  mpicr  Scintv  NWi 


fi 


THE    S<lpil«.E3    PROI-OGUK. 


n 


THE  SQUIERES  PROLOGUE. 


\  mcfcy,  fayde  ourje  Hofie  \ho^ 
|clic  a  wif  I  prric  God  ktpe  me  £ro, 
^  flci^hicft  and  fubnlxtcci 
^  bcQ  1  for  ay  3»s  bdy  »»  bcc* 
[us  telf  men  for  to  deceive, 
ki  a  fbelte  wol  they  ever  wcivc  : 
Mkrcliantes  Talc  it  prcvcth  wcl* 
ric»,  »  trewc  AH  any  ftcJc 
Uiff  though  tliat  fkt  poure  be^ 
^  tODge  a  Ubbing  (hrcwe  i&  Qie ; 
J  tiath  an  hcpc  of  vkct  mo. 
ke  ;  let  all  fwfkhc  thingti  go» 
phat  ?  in  cnnfcil  be  ii  fcyde, 
:  I  ajii  unto  hire  tcydc ; 
dc  rckcnc  every  vice 
i  b»cfa,  ywb  I  were  to  nice; 


And  caufe  wbyi  it  niuldprepf»rtcdl>^ 
And  told  to  htrc  of  fom  of  this  compagnieg 
(Of  whom  it  nedcth  not  for  to  declare, 
h  Sin  wufticn  connen  utter  fwiche  cha/TareJ 
And  eke  my  wit  fwfRceth  not  therto 
To  tcllcn  all;  wherforc  my  Tale  m  do. 

Squier,  come  ncr,  if  it  youre  wille  he,- 
Aud  fay  fomwhat  of  love,  for  cerfcs  yc 
Coimcn  t heron  as  moche  a*  iny  man. 
Nay,  Sire,  quod  he,  but  fwiche  thing  ai  I  can 
With  hcrtly  wilk\  for  1  wol  not  rcbelle 
AgciQ  your  (uft,  a  Tide  wol  t  telle. 
Have  me  cxcufcd  if  I  fpcke  ami«  : 
My  willc  i»  ^ood ;  ^nd  lo,  my  Talc  ii  ehii. 


THE  SQITIERES  TALE*. 


I,  in  the  lond  of  Taitane, 
ielt  a  king  that  werrcied  RufTie, 
^feich  thrrdied  mauy  a  doughty  man, 
He  kirjg  was  clcped  Cambufcan, 
^  hsi  liitic  was  of  fo  grct  renoun, 
ir  D'a9  DO  whcr  in  no  rcgioun 


pfiff  ofXTate  fendhli  1«i  Cim  barman  K!n^  of  Sir- 
-  1  •  tmtn^i  t>r  rait  qutiUc:^  iiui  to  hi«  dJikuuN^'  r 
'    nfi  %  •»»*(&•  iiy    t*e  "nir'.ijc  where* ii  ihc  li^i* 
languace  Oi   Ji'l  'fiwles.      Mutli  m  tiiti- 
'  wr  Ckfe  never  fiCilbid  by   OIi;iucct. 


So  excellent  a  lorde  in  alle  thing ;  "* 

Him  lacked  nought  that  longcth  to  a  kiog, 

Aiol  the  kiMe  of  which  that  he  wasbortie^ 

He  kept  hi*  lay  to  which  he  wa»  yfworne. 

And  therto  he  was  hardyi-wift%  and  riche. 

And  pi  tons  and  juft,  and  alway  ylichc, 

Trewe  of  his  word,  hcnignc  and  honourable^ 

Of  his  corage  as  any  centre  ftabk\ 

Yong,  fjcfh,  and  Jtrong,  in  armcs de^OUl^ 

Aft  any  bachelcr  of  all  his  houi. 

A  fa  ire  perfoD  be  was  and  fortnnate, 

And  kept  ahvay  fo  TvcUcal  dUt, 


§A 

That  ther  n^aa  no  vrhcr  fwkhe  Another  man, 

Thii  noble  king;,  thii  Tartrc  Cimburcui, 
Hadde  two  foncs  by  Elf  eta  hii  wif, 
or  which  the  ddcft  font  hightc  Algarfif, 
That  other  wa»  ydcpcd  CiuubaUo. 

A  doughtcr  had  thi*  worthy  tiog  alTo^ 
That  yoDgcIl  was*  and  hightc  Canace  : 
But  for  to  tdlen  you  ^  hire  bcautrc 
It  Lith  not  JD  my  toogcneia  my  comniiijg ; 
I  dare  not  undertake  fo  high  a  thing  : 
^m  £:igliih  eke  is  infuflicient ; 
It  muilc  hen  a  rcthor  excellent, 
That  coude  hi*  colours  longing  for  that  art, 
l/hc  fliuld  hire  dcfcrivcn  pny  pwi : 
]  am  nou  fwiche  ;  I  mote  fpekc  a»  I  can. 

And  fo  bcfcl  that  whan  this  Cambufcan 
Hdth  twenty  winter  borne  his  diademc. 
As  he  was  wont  fro  ycr«  to  ycrc  I  dcmc, 
He  let  the  fc!k  of  hbnatiritec 
Dnii  cricn  thurj:;huut  Sarra  hi«  citee 
The  lafl  idu4  of  March  after  the  ycre. 

P'lebufc  the  fonnc  ful  jolif  wai  and  clcrc^ 
Fer  he  wa»  nigh  his  cxaltadoti 
^  In  Martes  fivcc,  and  in  hia  maniloD 
In  Aries,  the  colcrikc  hotc  figne : 
Tul  lulty  was  the  wether  and  benigne, 
For  which  the  foules  again  the  fgnnc  (hene^ 
"WUm  (or  the  feibn  and  the  yongc  grcnc 
Fid  lotidc  fotigcn  hlr  affcdioD^  ; 
Hem  femed  han  gcttcn  hem  protctfirons 
Ajjain  the  fwerd  of  winter  kene  and  cold, 

Tim  Cambufcan,  of  which  I  have  you  told, 
In  real  vcftimc»t»,  fit  on  hii  dci» 
With  diademe,  fid  high  in  p«kis. 
And  hott  his  fcfte  fo  fokmpEie  and  fo  riche. 
That  in  thii  world  nc  wai  thcr  non  it  lichc. 
Of  which  if  I  fliall  tcllcn  all  the  array. 
Than  wold  it  occupte  a  fomcrf  day; 
And  eke  it  nedeth  not  for  to  devife 
At  every  coar»  the  order  of  hir  fervicc  : 
I  wol  not  tellen  of  hir  Grange  fewei, 
Ke  of  hir  fwannes  nc  hir  hrronfewca ; 
Eke  in  that  lond,  ai  tcllcn  knightcs  old, 
Thcr  is  fom  mctc  that  i»  ful  dcintce  hold, 
1  hat  in  his  lond  men  rccchc  of  it  ful  fmal  i 
Thcr  n*i*no  man  that  may  rcporren  al* 
I  wol  not  tarien  you,  for  it  h  prime, 
And  for  it  is  no  fruit,  but  lofTc  of  time; 
Unto  my  purpos  I  wol  have  rccour*. 

And  fo  befelle,  that  alter  the  thridde  couri, 
I  While  thm  thi*  king  fit  thu»  in  hit  nobky, 
Hrrking  hit  miiuRrailcs  hir  thinget  p]cy, 
Bcfornc  him  at  hit  bord  dclitioufly. 
In  at  t>ic  haile  dorc  al  fodenly 
*Ther  came  a  knight  upoo  a  ftedc  of  braj. 
And  in  ht»  hond  a  brod  mit-rour  of  gUt  ^ 
Ppon  his  thombe  he  hid  of  gold  a  r'lnj^f 
^nd  by  his  lide  a  naked  fwerd  hanging ; 
And  UD  he  rideth  to  the  highc  hord* 
,  |n  all  the  hallc  nc  wai  thcr  fpokc  a  word 
^0T  mcmillc  of  liuA  knight ;  him  to  behold 
^ul  bcHly  they  wai  ten  yong  and  oUI* 

Thi*  ftrangc  knight  that  come  thij  fodc&lyy 
fiS  VTDcd  favc  hit  hed  ful  j:ic}}el^| 


THE  SQjniEtS  TALE, 


Salucth  king  and  qucnc,  snd  lordct  tU^ 
By  order  as  they  fatcn  in  the  hallc, 
With  fo  high  rcv^crcncc  and  obferTan^Cf 
A%  wei  in  ^cche  at  in  hi*  coincnancc, 
That  Gawain  with  hif  olde  curtefie, 
Though  he  were  come  agCQ  out  of  Faerie'^ 
Nc  coude  him  not  amende n  with  a  word  i 
And  after  thit  hefom  the  highc  bord 
He  with  a  manly  vois  fayd  nit  mcflagc. 
After  the  forme  ufcd  in  his  langage, 
Withouten  vice  of  fillabk  or  of  letter  : 
And  for  his  talc  ftiulde  feme  the  better. 
Accordant  to  his  wordei  wa*  hit  there, 
A*  tcchctb  9Jt  pf  fpcche  hem  that  it  Icre. 
Al  be  it  that  1  cannot  fpune  hit  ftik, 
Nc  cannot  cUmben  over  fo  high  a  ftik. 
Yet  lay  1  this,  as  to  comim  cntcnt, 
Thut  much  amount eth  all  that  ever  he  RKfiV 
If  it  fo  be  that  I  have  it  in  mind- 
He  fayd,  The  King  of  Arahie  and  of  lad^*' 
My  licge  Lord,  on  thit  folcmpnc  day, 
Salutth  you  as  he  bc(l  can  and  may. 
And  fcndcth  you,  in  hoDour  of  your  feftc. 
By  me,  th4t  am  al  rcdy  at  your  hdle. 
This  ftcdc  of  bras,  that  cfily  and  wcl 
Can  in  the  fpacc  of  a  day  narurct 
(This  it  to  fayn,  in  four-and-twcnty  hoopd) 
Whcr  fo  you  lifl,  in  drought  pr  elks  (hourci^ 
Bercn  your  body  into  every  place 
To  which  your  hcrte  willeth  for  to  pace, 
Withouten  wcmmc  of  you  thurgh  fouk  or  fi^ 
Or  if  you  lift  to  flecn  at  high  in  the  aire 
As  doth  an  cgk,  whan  him  11(1, 
This  fame  ftcdc  Ihal  here  you  eircnnarr, 
Withouten  harmc,  tHJ  ye  be  thcr  you  kH, 
(Though  that  ye  0epen  on  his  back  or  rdl) 
And  tume  again  with  writhing  of  a  pin ; 
He  that  it  wrought  he  coude  many  *  g^i 
He  waited  many  a  conflcllatioD 
Or  he  had  don  this  operation. 
And  knew  ful  many  a  fck  and  many  p 
This  niirrour  eke  that  1  Iiavc  tn  mis 
Hath  fwiche  a  might  that  men  may  ia  it  fe^ 
Whan  thcr  fhal  faUe  ony  advciiitce 
Unto  your  rcgnc  or  to  yourfelf  *lfo. 
And  openly  who  ii  your  friend  or  fo  f 
And  over  al)  this,  if  any  lady  bright 
Hath  fct  hire  hertc  on  any  mancr  wight, 
If  he  be  falfc,  fhe  (hall  hit  trcfon  fee. 
Hit  ncwc  loifL ,  and  all  hi*  ftibtiltec. 
So  openly,  that  thcr  flial  nothing  hide, 
Whcrforc  again  thit  lufty  fomcr  tide 
This  njirrour  and  this  ring,  that  ye  may  fc, 
He  hath  fcnt  to  my  J-ady  Canace, 
Your  cxccUcnte  doughtcr  that  i$  here* 

The  vertuc  of  tlii*  ring,  if  yc  wol  here^ 
h  thit,  that  if  hire  lifl  it  for  to  were 
Upon  hire  thombe,  or  in  hire  purfc  it  here, 
Ther  it  do  fouk  that  fleeth  luvkr  hcven 
That  flic  ne  fiial  wcl  undcrftood  hit  0«v<«i^ 
And  know  hii  men  in  g  openly  and  piainc. 
And  anfwere  him  in  hi  a  langage  |g>tn  ; 
And  every  gra*  that  growrth  upon  rote 
She  Ihil  ckc  know,  and  wbooi  it  irel  do  &g|f; 


THE  SQjnERlS  TALI. 


91 


i  vrooiuies  mwtr  to  def)c  and  wide. 
I  nalced  fwerd,  that  hangcth  by  my  tide, 

DC  ]Hlb»  thtt  whmt  mao  that  it  fmitt, 
I  lucarmitfr  it  wol  kcnre  «nd  biic, 
» thiicLc  at  i&  a  braupched  okc ; 

i  ib&t  it  svoundcd  with  the  ftrok« 
'  W  hole,  til  that  you  \i(i  of  gnce 
I  bixn  with  the  pUttc  m  thiike  pl&ce 
t  -  ch}«  if  M  much  ro  fun 
!         fwcrd  again 

1  uiid  it  Wf>l  doic, 
a  viJIioutcn  g;loft  i 
it  is  in  yovr  hold. 

irli^ ...ight  hath  thua  hi«  tale  toid 

I  out  <if  hailCf  and  doiin  ht  light. 
iedr»  wkich  that  ihone  is  fooiic  Drighc^ 
J-in  the  c«purt  aa  ftillc  at  may  (Ion. 
IkixSght  b  to  hif  chatubre  hddc  anoD* 
|k$  iin4J'ii»rd,  and  to  the  mctc  yiette. 
\  prefects  bcu  fttl  richclich  yfctte, 
ifatn,  the  fwcrd  and  the  mirrour^ 
:  anon  into  the  highc  tour 
[  <kiE£cr>  ordained  tfacrforc ; 
I  the  ring  it  bure 
fg  thct  Ibe  fat  at  the  tablt« 
jr«  withoutcfi  any  f^k, 
^€»f  brmt,  that  may  not  be  remticd, 
»it  were  to  tht^  pnmnd  yglircd  : 
kaacf  DO  man  out  «f  th«  pUcc  it  drive 
^iec  of  windjii^  ur  polivc  ; 
p  wHy»  i^r  they  t:oit  rot  the  craft, 

■ '-    ■  lianit  Uft 
be  K '  iictn  the  maaere 

I  fcui^»  -   .  -  lirrts    * 

I  tJat:  prrr  nicd  to  and  fra 

Oil  this  I'  rjdeth  foj 

t  f$  Ihi^K  witavaad  iu  brod  and  loag, 
tioatd  for  to  h:  llrong, 
:  were  a  ftcdc  of  Lumhardic, 
t  fo  horfly  and  fo  qufck  of  eye 
'3  coorter  were; 
pofl».  1  nnto  bis  ere 

!  u^   V4.  Ji'    voud  him  not  amend 
bAeyeC),  as  iiU  the  pepk  wcog}. 
trrcrmorc  hirniotle  wonder  wm 
t  that  it  coLide  gon  and  wat  of  braa ; 
t-mi  Faerie,  a^  th:  pqilc  fcmcd  i 
"»l|t  <li*ctfcly  ban  demcd  : 
.  asmiiny  witte»bcn. 

p  doth  n  fwarme  of  becn^ 
|sfter  hir  funtalleH 
t  poctricf, 
L  fkjd  it  wai  yiike  the  Pcgafec, 
f  bors  thur  hndde  win*-"  »"r  f*^  ^ce, 
m^  it  wat  the  GrcL  a, 

oghte  Troyc  to  i  1, 

t  m  thrfe  oldc  gtitca  rede, 
(qitod  f»c)  iji  evermore  in  drcdc ; 
I  fiii^ft  of  31  intt  ben  thtfiin, 

t  ihln  citcc  for  to  win  ; 
■'''''''         "IT  were  know. 

_M,  MX.  i.Li,.,  iui  *■■  I-  .*<i.. ,  Like 
|b|^paccsct  jmadc  by  iiHT.  c»gtk4^ 


As  jogelourt  plaieo  at  thiff  fcfttsgtetf. 
Of  fondry  doatea  thu»  they  jangle  %nd  trt$e. 
As  Icwcd  peple  dcincn  tomunlf 
I  Of  ihtnge*  that  ben  made  more  fubtilly 
Than  they  con  in  hir  Icwcdncffc  comprchoiidfl  | 
They  dcmcfl  gladly  to  the  badder  ende. 

And  fom  of  hem  wondred  on  the  nurrout 
That  bom  was  up  in  to  the  maifter  tour, 
How  men  mighte  in  it  fwicKc  c hinges  fc:e. 

Another  anfwered  and  fayd,  It  might  wd  be  ' 
NatureUy  by  compo&tiona 
Of  angles  and  flic  rcHcdiona; 
And  faide  that  in  Rome  wa«  fwiche  on. 
They  fpcke  of  Alh^ztn  and  Vjtclba» 
And  Artflotle,  that  writen  in  hir  livea 
Of  qucintc  mirrour*  and  of  profpedtiv««, 
An  knowcn  they  that  ban  hir  booke*  herd. 

And  other  folk  ban  wondred  on  tht:  fwcrd 
That  woldc  perecn  thiir^hnut  every  thing; 
And  fell  in  fpcchc  of  Ttlephtw  the  king* 
And  0/  Achillei*  for  hj»  qucinte  fpcre, 
For  he  coude  with  it  bothc  hcle  and  dcre, 
Right  in  fwichc  wife  a*  men  may  with  the  fwcr4 
Of  which  right  now  yc  hiive  yourfelvcn  kerd> 
They  fpckcn  of  fondry  hardingof  metall. 
And  fpckrn  of  medicinet  therwitball. 
And  bow  and  whnn  it  flitilU  yharded  be. 
Which  is  iinknow  alg^itea  unto  mc, 

Tho  fpckcn  they  of  Canacces  rijJg, 
And  faidcn  all  thit  fwich**  a  wvuder  thing 
Of  craft  of  ringes  herd  tlicy  ucver  non, 
Save  thnt  be*Muifcs  and  Kinjt  Salomon 
Hadden  a  name  of  conning  in  fwichc  art, 
Tlius  faln'ihe  p<'ple,  and  drawcn  h*rm  aynjrX* 

But  nutheU-:^  fom  frudcn  tlut  it  w»* 
M^ondf  r  to  nxakcn  of  feme  aHien  gUs 
And  yet  h  glas  Donght  like  afhcn  i/f  fvme  j 
But  (m  th«y  han  yknowen  it  fo  feme, 
Thcrforc  cefcth  hir  j^^nj^ling  and  hir  wonder,  j 

As  fort  wondreo  foni  on  caufe  oi  tlvondoTj, 
On  cbbc  and  floud,  on  goffomer  and  on  miil» 
And  nn  all  thing  til  that  the  caufc  is  wilt. 

Thus  ianglcn  tht7,  and  demcn  and  dcvifc. 
Til  tliat  the  king  gan  fro  his  bord  arife, 

Phehus  hath  left  the  angle  meridiuiial^ 
And  yet  af^ending  was  the  befte  real, 
The  g^ntiLLeon,  with  hi*  Aldriani 
Whan  that  thi«  Tartre  krng^  this  Cambufcai^ 
Rofc  froi'.  his  herd,  thcr  ■»  he  fat  fid  hie  : 
Jk'fome  him  goth  the  loude  mlndralcic, 
Til  he  come  lo  his  chambrc  of  pareoncnti, 
Thcr  as  thqr  fottcdcn  divers  inftrunicnti. 
That  it  is  like  an  hevcn  for  to  here. 

Now  dauncen  lufly  Venus  children  dercy 
Fur  in  tliL-  Flfh  hir  kdy  fat  ful  hie. 
And  lokith  on  hem  with  a  frcndly  eye. 

Thh  noble  kiag  is  fct  upon  his  trunc, 
This  ftraunge  knight  ts  fet  to  him  ful  fonc^: 
And  c^n  the  dauncc  he  goth  wjtJx  Canaccn.  \ 

Here  is  the  revell  and  the  jolitee 
That  is  not  able  a  dull  man  to  dcvife  t 
He  mufl  han  knowcu  Love  and  hia  f^TTif% 
And  ben  a  ftftlJrh  man,  as  freih  aa  May^ 
Thit  ihtitdr  jQu  ds?il>n  fwichc  aiTsiy, 


0 


THE   SQtJrERES  TALE. 


Who  ceude  ttWcn  you  tHe  forme  of  d^uocct 
So  uDcoutb^  and  fo  iVcfbt  con  ten  aim  ecu, 
Swichc  fubtil  kik'mg*  and  dilTimnlino^^ 
Per  drcd  of  jalousminnts  apptrrccivitsg*?  • 
No  man  but  Launalot, and  he  i»  dcd  ; 
Thcrforc  I  paflc  over  all  thii  laflyhcd; 
I  fay  no  more,  but  in  thh  jniificlTc 
I  Icic  hem  til  men  to  the  loapcr  hrm  drdTe. 

The  (icward  bJt  ther  fpia?  for  t^  hic^ 
And  ckc  the  win,  in  all  this  n> 
The  itfhrrs  and  the  fqaicric  h*  ■ 
The  fpici-iarid  the  win  is  coint  ufm,  : 
They  cte  and  driiike,  aitd  whan  thi»  h:td  an  end 
Unto  the  tcmplcy  ai  rcfon  Wii»,  ihcy  wciid  : 
The  fcrvicc  don^  they  foupen  all  by  day. 

What  nedcth  you  reherfcn  hir  array? 
P.che  man  wot  wel  th:it  at  s  kin}j;es  fell 
h  plcntcc  to  the  moli  and  to  the  left, 
And  dciistec^  mo  than  brii  in  my  knowing. 

At  after  foupcr  jroth  ibis  noble  king 
To  fccn  th?i  hfcr*  of  brii ,  with  all  a  route 
Of  lordc»  and  of  ladies  him  aboitte. 
Swkhe  wnndrinf^  wn*  ther  on  thin  hart  of  brav. 
That  fin  the  grct  afiVg^e  or  Troyc  wat 
Ther  a*  men  wotidred  on  an  bori  alfo, 
Ne  was  thrr  fwiche  a  wondring;  at  wan  tbctn, 
But,  finUly,  the  king  :i(keth  the  knight 
The  Tcrtue  of  ihU  courfcr  and  the  might, 
And  praicd  him  to  tell  hi»  govcmKunce* 

This  tior^anon  g^n  for  to  trip  and  daunce* 
Whan  that  the  knight  laid  bond  upon  hi»  rein. 
And  fiidc.  Sire,  thtr  o'ii  co  more  to  ftuti, 
But  whan  yoo  litt  to  ritlcn  any  where 
Ye  moten  tnll  a  pin  flant  in  lui  ere. 
Which  I  ibal  telicn  you  betwixt  «» two, 
Yemotcc  ncmpnc  him  to  what  place  alio. 
Or  to  uhat  con  tree  that  you  lift  to  ride. 

And  whim  ye  come  ihcr  as  yon  lift  abide. 
Bid  him  detcerad,  sivd  trill  another  pin, 
(For  therin  lieth  the  effect  of  all  ihc  gtn) 
And  he  wuli!  '  "    I  '  vourwiU, 

And  io  tiwit  \  ; 

Thijugh  all  iJi«.  rtuiit^  uau  u  c  Luiiif*«ry  fwore. 
He  lluil  tmt  thfTrmi  be  druwv  ni.'be  bore ; 
Ur  if  yott  iift  to  bid  him  rhcun  •.  gon» 
Trill c  this  pin,  aiid  he  wr  1  vuuJIh  inon 
Out  cf  the  llj^ht  of  every  nianer  wijrht, 
Andcnmc  3g:cn^  be  it  ly  day  or  night, 
Whtin  thit  you  lift  to  depen  him  A^iim 
In  fwiche  m  g^uife  S3  Z  £!tu)  to  ytm  fiiin 
Bf^twixcn  you  and  mc,  u:id  that  ful  fane. 
Jl;dc  whan  yoti  lift,  ther  ;  *  ;  -  to  done. 

Enfm^rmcd  wh^in  thr  the  knight, 

y^fl,?     jiirh     I  I  .Hi  ^  i<J.   ,^     111     '  f 

Tl  things 

Vui ,.,  ^,     V  king 

Rtputrcihi  tohu  rcvrl  «•  hciome, 
•J'he  bridel  it  in  to  the  tovr  yfcivrnc. 
And  krpt  among  hit  )ewel4  Icfi  and  dere  : 
The  hot*  vmiiht,  I  n*oi  in  what  m»ncrr» 
Out  of  !,         '  rcof  mc : 

But  th^  c 

ThiAC*lJ*;.'u,.-.i    n.,    1..   iwr^    i-iUyillg 

Til  ihat  wcJ  nigh  the  day  bc^  ;«  ipring. 


The  noricr  of  digeftion,  the  flepf, 
Gan  on  hcM  winkr,  and  bjid  luin  taken  kep^l 
That  niochtl  drit»kc  and  labour  wol  have  rdT 
Ard  with  ^  galpm^j  mouth  hem  all  he  kcft. 
And  faid,  that  It  was  time  to  lie  adoun. 
For  blood  was  in  hi*  domicitiouQ  ; 
Chertilicth  hloOd^  natures  frt<nd,  qvod  he. 

Thty  thanken  liim  galping,  by  two/ 
And  every  wight  pit*  dr  a*a  c  him  to  bi» 
As  Jlcpc  h«m  bade ;  th.y  (okc  it  for  the 

Hir  drtnus  (hil  not  now  be  lold  iur  mc  ; 
Ful  were  hir  hedes  of  lumofitce, 
1  hat  caiifcth  dreme,  of  which  ther  it  no 
Th*y  flepcn  till  that  it  wat  prime  large. 
The  moi>e  part,  but  it  were  Canice  ; 
Sl.e  wan  ful  mi^furable,  a*  women  be  % 
For  of  hire  farther  had  fhc  take  hire  lcv8 
To  goo  to  reft  focc  after  it  wat  <ve ; 
H-^rc  Ikllc  not  appalled  for  to  be. 
Nor  on  tjic  morwc  unfcftliche  for  to  fee, 
And  fltpt  hire  firfte  flcpe,  and  than  awoke  : 
For  fwiche  a  joy  flic  in  hire  hcrte  lokc 
Both  of  hire  qucinte  ring  and  of  hire  min 
That  twenty  time  (he  chaungcd  hire  colour. 
And  in  hire  fl?pc  right  for  the  imprcfliua 
Of  hire  mirrour  flic  had  a  vifion  ; 
Wherforc  or  that  the  fonne  gan  up  glide 
She  clcpt'th  upon  hire  maiftreiTe  hire  b<didc« 
Aj]d  faidc  th^  hire  luftc  for  to  anfc. 

Thifc  oldc  women  that  ben  gladly  wife. 
Aft  it  hire  maiftrefle,  anfw^rd  Lire  anon. 
And  faid,  Madam,  whider  wol  yt  ginn 
Thtti  erly  i  for  the  folk  ben  all  in  reft, 

I  wol,  quod  lhc,arifcn  (for  me  left 
No  longer  for  toftcpe)  and  walken  abouie. 

Hire  miiftrcflc  cicptth  women  a  grcs 
And  up  they  rifcn  wcl  a  ten  or  twelve; 
Up  rifeth  fnfhc  Conacc  hircfclve, 
A*  rody  and  bright  a^  th  ''  nne 

'1  iiat  in  the  R^m  is  fou 
No  higher  w»«  he  V*  ,  i.^  wa*! 

Aj:d  forth  flic  w.i  pnt, 

Arr.ycd  after  rhx  .      ^  .   luic 

Liglnely  for  to  pbye,  :ind  walken  on  fate^ 
Nought  but  with  five  or  fixe  cf  hire  tneinic 
Ar*d  in  a  trendu;  forth  in  the  park  got h  Ihr, 

The  va|>cur  which  that  fro  the  erthc  glod)«l( 
Maketh  the  fonue  to  fcm«.-  rody  and  btbck  ; 
But  nathelcs  it  wat  fo  fairt  s  f^ght 
That  it  made  all  hii  hcrte?  for  to  light, 
Wi'at  for  t].c  fdfon  and  the  morwenin;!^. 
And  for  the  fouler  that  flic  hcrde  fin^. 
For  right  anon  flu-  wiflt  what  they  ra- 
Right  by  hir  fong,  and  knew  al  hir  cot* 

The  knottc  why  that  every  tale  ti  tol^r^ 
If  it  be  taried  til  the  Luft  be  eolde 
Of  hem  that  ban  it  hcrkencd  after  yore. 
The  favoin-  paflcth  ever  Icnger  the  more 
For  ftilfntnnefrc  of  the  I     ' 
And  by  that  fame  relou 
1  fl^nld  unto  the  knottt  ^.^ri,^^,^^^^^^ 
And  icskcu  pf  h^rc  walking  fooe  tp. 


THE  SQUIERES  TALE- 


91 


i  a  ti^  ior-^,  u  white  u  chaUc, 
At  6^nce  «ras|ibTiDf  ia  hire  walk, 
l¥cr  £it  a  fkttcon  oTcr  turc  b«d  iul  hie 
^«:  with  a  pitoat  Toii  fo  gaa  to  crie, 
tta  4II  the  wood  rdbuDtd  of  hire  try, 
Afid  Wt£&  bad  hkpctcUi^  fitoufly 
Wiek  bodb  hire  wioges  til  the  rede  blood 
^  *  kKig  the  tree  ther  aa  (he  ftood  i 

01  OD  «lir3y  flie  cried  And  ihrighrp 
I  hire  bek  hircfdvcn  ihc  So  twi^ht, 
I  tbcr  o^a  ugrc  nc  no  cruel  be  ft 
Tbt  4wvt\cth  othejT  m  wood  or  10  foreft 
flat  n'oklic  h^o  wept,  if  that  he  wcpen  coudc, 
Iit6tfwr  tyf  hire,  fhc  fhnght  adway  fo  loudc. 

Hr  thcr  wa*  orvcr  yet  no  man  oq  liircj 
Ilfeif  he  coode  a  faucao  wel  dcfcrtve, 
'crde  ciiwichc  aoothcr  of  fayrencfTe 
I  of  plumage  ai  of  gentilcHe 

^  «if  all  that  might  yri^kcncd  be  : 
■inc  fcmcd  ftic 
J  azul  rver  as  fiie  flood 
c4  DOW  and  now  for  Uek  of  blood* 
_  I  tM  Che  fallcD  fro  th<£  tree, 
ifMre  kicig&s  doughtcr  Caaaccj 
o  hire  fiagcr  b^re  the  qucuit«  ring, 
I  whkh  fie  undcrftood  wd  crcry  thing 
1 97  fouk  may  in  his  kdcn  fain^ 

~  rcre  him  In  his  leden  again, 
idcn  what  thi»  faacoa  fcyd, 
t  fm^  tot  the  rcuthc  almoft  fhe  deyd  ; 
A^  to  the  tree  flic  goth  ful  hailily, 
i9J  on  thii  faucon  loketh  pitouHy, 
iM  l^ld  hire  Jap  abrode,  for  wel  Ihe  wifk 
1^  bacon  mtiAe  fallen  from  the  twill 
Vhtt  chat  Che  fwQoned  next,  for  fatite  of  blood, 
Al«fc  while  to  waiten  hire  (he  ftood« 
TiaihelaA  ^lc  fp^e  in  thi«  manerc 
*  c  hauk,  ai  ye  fhui  after  here  : 
t  k  th£  cauTe^  if  it  be  for  to  tcU, 
I  kfi  thU  fuxial  peine  of  heU  ? 
e  unto  this  hatik  above ; 
Cbcwc  of  detb  or  loflc  of  love  I 
tw«i  Itrow  thiie  be  the  caufea  two 
flmamitn  tnot(l  a  gentil  henc  wo. 
I  Ofukf  harcie  it  nedeth  not  to  fpekc, 
t  |oarfclf  upon  yourfelf  awreke, 
ipfcvcth  wel  that  other  ire  or  drede 
"  n  esuheibo  of  your  cruel  dede, 
I  1  le  non  other  wight  fou  chacc. 
rVrre  <4  God  as  doth  yourfelvcu  grace  ; 
ftt  may  be  yonr  helpe  f  for  well  nc  eft 
r  I  xiiCTct  er  now  00  brid  ne  heft 
fcrde  with  himiclf  fo  pitoudy* 
me  with  yoar  forwe  vcraiiy, 
t  of  you  fig  gret  compafTiouD. 
'  GodAm  love  come  fro  the  tree  adoun, 
I  a«  I  ajn  a  hinges  doughter  trewe^ 
lat  I  veraily  the  eatifet  kncwe 
i^  your  dilefe,  if  it  lay  in  my  might 
1  w«ild  aiiumi  it  or  that  it  were  nighe, 
At  wifly  Kelp  me  the  grct  God  of  kind  ; 
A*4  hefbc»  ibal  I  right  ynoogh  yfind 
To  hclcn  wi^hyonx  hurtei  hallily. 

Tho  Ihright  this  faucoo  yet  more  pitoufly 
TKiD  ev'cr  &«  did,  and  fell  to  ground  anon, 
^kad  lith  afwowc  u  fU4  M  Uth  a  ilon. 
Vol.  1. 


h«iWi 


rU  Canace  hath  In  hire  lappc  hire  take 
Unto  that  time  (he  gan  of  fwoune  awake« 
And  after  that  flic  out  of  fwoune  abraidc 
Right  ill  hire  haukct  Icden  thus  [he  faydc  t 

That  pitcc  renoctb  fonc  in  gentil  hertc 
(Fiftijig  hi*  (imilitudc  in  peine*  fmcrte) 
Js  proved  allc  day,  at  men  may  fee 
As  wel  by  werke  ai  by  au<^Dritce, 
For  gentil  hertc  kithcth  gentillcfle* 
I  fee  wel  that  ye  have  on  my  didrelTe 
CompaiFion,  my  fairc  Canace, 
Of  vcray  womanljr  bcnignitee 
That  Nature  in  your  principles  hath  fct* 
But  for  non  hope  for  to  fare  the  bet, 
But  for  to  obey  unto  your  hcrte  free. 
And  for  to  maken  other  ywarc  by  me. 
As  by  the  w helpe  chaflifed  is  the  lecn. 
Right  for  that  caufe  and  that  eonclufian. 
While  that  1  have  a  leifer  and  a  fpacc, 
Min  harme  I  wol  confelTen  cr  1  pace. 
And  ever  while  that  on  hire  forwe  told 
I'hat  other  wept  an  (he  to  water  wold, 
Til  tJiat  the  fjucon  bad  hire  to  be  llilJ, 
Aii'l  with  a  (ike  right  thus  (be  faid  hire  tilt ; 

Ther  I  was  bred  (alas  that  ilkc  day  !) 
And  foflfcd  in  a  roc  he  of  marble  gray 
80  tendrely,  that  nothing  ailed  me  i 
I  nc  wift  not  what  was  advcrfitce 
Til  !  coud  flee  full  high  under  the  flde, 

Tho  dwelled  a  tercclct  me  fafte  by 
That  fcnied  wclle  of  alle  gentillefTc, 
A I  were  he  ful  of  trcfon  and  falfcneflc* 
It  was  fo  wrapped  under  humble  chere. 
And  under  hew  of  truuth  in  fwiche  mancre. 
Under  pklancc,  and  under  befy  peine, 
That  no  wight  coud  have  wcml  be  coudc  fcine, 
So  depe  in  greyn  he  died  hi«  colourei. 
Right  as  a  ferpcnt  hideth  him  under  flouret. 
Til  he  may  fee  hi*  time  for  to  bite. 
Right  fo  this  god  of  Lovca  hypocrite 
Doth  fo  his  ceremonies  and  obcifancCn 
And  kepeth  in  fembUunt  allc  hi»  obfcrvancc 
That  founeth  unto  gentillcfle  of  love* 
As  on  a  tombc  it  all  the  fairc  abovf, 
And  under  i^  the  corpi,  fwiche  as  ye  wotc, 
Swichc  wa4  thi»  hypocrite  both  cold  and  hote. 
And  in  thi»  wife  he fcrved  his  cntcttt, 
That  fave  the  fend  non  wiflc  what  he  ment  f 
Til  he  fo  long  h^d  wcpcd  and  complained, 
Aivd  many  a  ycre  his  fervicc  to  me  iaincd. 
Til  that  min  hertc,  to  pitoua  and  to  nice, 
Al  innocent  of  his  crowned  malice, 
For-fercd  of  his  deth,  as  Uioughteroc, 
Upon  his  othes  and  his  fcurctec 
Grauntcd  him  love  on  this  conditioun^ 
That  evermo  tnin  honour  and  rcnuun 
Were  faved,  both  privee  and  apcrt ; 
This  is  to  lay,  that  after  hi>  dcfert 
!  yavc  him  all  min  hcrte  and  all  my  though U 
(God  wotc  and  he  that  other  wiyc«  nought) 
And  toke  his  hcrte  in  chaunge  of  min  for  ay. 
But  foth  is  faid,  gon  (ilhcn  is  many  a  day 
A  trcwe  wight  and  a  ihcef  thinkcn  not  on. 

And  whan  he  faw  the  thing  fo  fer  ygon, 
That  I  had  granted  him  fully  my  Iotc, 
*n  fwiche  a  g^C  »» 1  iw^  f*><l  aboT«> 


And  ycven  Kim  ut^^SHRffhtrtc  sa  free 
A»  he  fwore  that  he  yaf  his  hcrte  to  me. 
All  on  thi>  tigre,  ful  of  doubLcti«(rc« 
FcU  on  hh  kncc«  with  to  grct  humbic(l€f 
With  fo  high  rcvcixncc,  as  by  hit  chcre, 
Su  like  a  gcQtil  lover  of  inancrr. 
So  ravifhed,  as  it  femed,  for  the  pye. 
That  never  Jafon  nc  Parii  of  Troy<^ 
Jafont  ccrtcs  nc  never  other  man 
Sin  L»inech  was,  that  atderfird  began 
To  lovcn  two,  as  write n  folk  beforne, 
Nc  never  fitlicn  the  firfl  man  wa«  borne* 
Ke  coude  man  by  twenty  thoufand  part 
Conircfctc  the  fophimes  of  hiii  art, 
Ke  were  worthy  to  unbocic  hi*  galoc];ie« 
Ther  doubJcnclTc  of  falning  fttuld  approehei 
Nl  coude  fo  thanke  a  wight  ai  be  did  me.    . 
Hit  maner  wa>  an  hcven  for  tu  fee 
To  any  M^oman,  were  fhe  never  fo  wife, 
So  painted  he  and  kempt  at  point  dcvifc 
At  wcl  hit  wordes  a«  hii  contcnance  : 
And  t  fo  loved  him  for  his  obcifante, 
And  for  the  trouthe  1  demed  tn  hi*  hcrte, 
That  if  fo  were  thai  any  thing  him  fmcrtc, 
Al  were  it  never  fo  lite,  and  I  it  wift, 
Mc  thought  I  felt-  dcth  at  myn  hertc  twift. 
And,  (hortly,  fo  fcrforth  this  thing  is  went» 
I'hat  my  will  was  his  wiiles  inntrumcnci 
Thi«  ii  to  fay,  my  will  obcied  hi«  will 
In  alle  thing,  m  fer  a*  refon  fill, 
Keplng  the  bounder  of  my  worship  ever  : 
Nc  never  haH  I  thing  fo  kfc  ne  lever 
As  him,  God  wot,  nc  never  (hal  no  mo. 

Thi»  lailetb  lengcr  than  a  yere  or  two. 
That  I  fuppofed  of  him  nought  but  good  s 
But,  finally,  thus  at  the  Uft  it  noo<l» 
That  Fortune  wolde  that  he  muftc  twin 
Out  of  that  place  which  that  I  wat  in, 
Wber  me  was  wo  it  it  no  queftlon  ; 
1  cannot  make  of  it  dcfcription  : 
For  o  thing  dare  1  teUen  boldcly, 
1  know  what  is  the  peine  of  deth  ihcrby, 
Swichc  harmc  I  felt,  for  he  ne  might  bylcve* 

So  on  a  day  of  me  he  toke  h}«  lcvi| 
So  forwcful  eke,  iliat  I  wend  veraily 
*rhat  he  had  felt  as  mochcl  harme  a*  l> 
Whim  that  I  herd  hiiti  fpekc  and  f^w  his  hewc  t 
Eut  r  -^-'      '-'        "-'-  -   -rewe, 

Atii!  'J  in 

Witi :  iim. 

And  refon  wohl  l  go 

For  Kit  honour,  -  i**> 

That  1  made  venue  ol  occcBitec, 

And  tokc  it  wel  fin  that  it  mu0c  be. 

A%  I  beft  might  1  hid  fro  him  my  forwf , 

And  toke  him  by  the  hond,Seint  John  to  borwe, 

And  faid  him  thus^  Lo,  I  am  yourc9  all, 

Beth  fwicbc  an  1  have  ben  to  you  and  (ball. 

What  he  anfw'  *^''  i^  ■  -L  rh  not  reherfe; 
Who  c*n  fay  b^  -  ho  can  do  wcrfe  ? 

Whan  he  hatli  han  ?iath  he  done; 

Thrrfofc  t  fpone 

That  ihal  rrJ  I  fay, 

5<»  at  lb  ; 

Whan   for  iam  Icll. 

Whan  it  cwuc  Mjn  to  i*iiri%>ilgr  tg  fcU^*     u*  >m 


trow  that  he  had  tbtlke  Utt  to  mtnd. 
That  alle  thing  repairing  to  his  kind 
Gladeth  himfdf;  thus  fain  menaa  IftSe 
Men  lovcn  of  proprc  kiod  ncwcfangeJneffe, 
A»  briddes  don  that  mm  in  c^get  fede  ; 
For  though  thou  night  and  day  take  of  beiil 
And  ftrew  bir  cai^c  faire  and  fofi  ai  fiikc. 
And  givt  "        ^  '  ' 

Yetrigh'^ 

He  with  i*.-.  ictL  ^^.■i  i^uiu...  '-.-■. ..i  .A%  cop, 
And  to  the  wood  he  wol  and  worraef  cu> 
So  ncwcfangclben  they  ofhir  mete, 
And  lovcn  noveltee*  of  proprc  kind ; 
No  gentilkflhc  of  blood  ne  may  hem  bind. 

So  ferd  thi«  tercelct,  ala?  the  day  * 
Though  he  were  gen  til  borne,  and  frdb, 
And  goodly  for  tb  fecn,  and  humble,  and 
He  faw  upon  a  time  a  kite  flee. 
And  fodeiily  he  loved  this  kite  To 
That  all  his  love  U  clene  from  me  a^rs. 
And  hath  his  trouthe  failed  io  this  wif^* 
Thus  hath  the  kite  my  love  in  hire  fcrricfg 
And  1  am  lorn  withoutcn  remedy. 

And  with  that  wordthis  faucon  gm  to 
And  fwouneth  eft  in  Canacees  banaic. 
Gret  wa»  the  forwe  for  that  hauket  harme 
That  Canace  and  all  hirv  women  made  ; 
They  n'ifteahow  they  might  tlie  futicpn 
But  Canace  home  bereth  hire  in  hire  lap, 
And  foftcly  in  pbiftres  gan  hire  wrap 
Ther  a^  Jhc  with  hir  bek  had  hurt  htrrrd' 

Now  cannot  Canace  but  hcrbes  delve 
Out  of  the  ground,  and  maken  falves  aewr 
Of  hcrbcf  prcdous  and  fine  of  hcwc 
To  hclcn  with  this  hauk  :  fro  day  to  oij 
She  doth  hire  befincffc  and  al]  hire  miL 
And  by  birebeddes  bed  Ibc  made  a  mew^ 
And  covered  it  with  vdouettcsblevr. 
In  figne  of  trouth  that  i»  in  woman  fcne. 
And  all  without  the  mew  it  peinted  grcne, 
In  which  were  peinicd  aH  thife  falfe  fo^( 
As  ben  thife  tidifev  tcrcclcttcs,  and  t^wl 
And  pies,  on  hem  for  to  cry  and  chide. 
Right  for  dcfpit  were  pcintcd  hem  bc<id*r, 

I'hut  letc  1  Canace  hire  bauk  keping^ : 
I  wol  no  more  at  now  fpckc  of  hinc  ring. 
Til  it  come  eft  to  puq)04  for  to  fain. 
How  that  tbi»  faucon  gat  hire  lov^  tgail} 
Repentant,  as  the  fti>rY  t diet h  u% ' 
By  mediation  of  Camballus, 
The  kiogea  fotxe,  of  which  dial  I  you 
But  hennesforth  I  wol  my  proceffe  K 
To  fpeke  of  a  ventures  and  Of  Intsil) 
That  yet  was  never  herd  fo  grct  mci    

Firil  wol  1  tellea  you  of  a  Cambufciltt 
That  in  hi»  time  many  a  dtce  wan  5 
And  after  wol  1  fpeke  of  Aigai^, 
How  that  he  wuu  Theodora  to  hit 
For  whom  ful  oft  'm  gret  pf^r'i  b*^  ™ 
Ne  had  he  b<n  holpen  by  ? ' 
And  after  wol  1  Ipekc  of  C 
That  fought  inliuci  with  the  brcthmit 
For  Canace,  er  that  he  might  hire  wiojic. 
And  ther  t  left  I  wol  again  bcginoe. 


4 

J 

I 


THE   rRANKELElWES   ^ROiocOE 


THE   FRANKELEINES    PROLOGUE. 


,Si|ftt£r,  tliott  lad  thre  wt\  yqait. 


>  here 


I  fouthe 


f  thy  i 


4:n«)dc  cfaaace, 
.i.ce, 
/  fpckiiig  I  K*vc  ^rcL  dtmtce. 
L  C>Of  *  and  by  rhr  Tnuitcc 
:  me  fc'rcr  diiit  und  worth  lond, 

_  \  It  right  no\\  m  my  hond, 

»  dtyt  yr  Wn.  Fie  on  pcfffcirion 

rik«r«  my  :  fct  (hal, 

r  Kc  f  o  .  •  to  cnrcnd, 

«t  dJLa  ititi  to  dLfpeodf 
'  he  hath,  i»  hU  iifa^c  ; 
'  ta^lkcn  with  a  page 
ric  with  iny  pcntil  wight 
^    I  k<=rcn  ;,  -^^    irtght, 

§of^jourgcr,  ..1  irtir  Koftc. 

f  Frmnkclcifn,  juj .  .  ^.. . ,  wel  thou  woll 
Thm  ccKe  of  you  mote  tcllcn  at  the  left 
XTiIe  er  t^iro,  or  brckcn  hb  behrft. 
TWWrtT  I  wcl,  Sirr,  nuthi  the  Fnakdcia  : 
^F^fvo  havctli  me  Dot  in  difdaie 


L! 


1W  bx: 


^1 

cf 


Though  I  to  chii  fEun  f^eke  a  W<«rd  or  rwo. 

Tell  on  rjiy  Talc  w    "  - 

Gla^ily,  Sire  HoR 
Unto  your  wiM     '  ,  i  ,vy  : 

I  wol  you  not 
Aifer  91ft  that  u^   ■ 
\  pray  to  God  rhat  tt  may  picitn  you. 
Than  wot  I  wcl  that  c*  ijood  ynow. 

Thifc  oldc  gcntii  Breton*  m  hir  dftyet 
Of  divcrfc  aviintarc*  mtuitu  laVc* 
Rimcycd  in  hu  "         " 
Which  Uyt.  w  "T  fongf, 

Of    eUcft  redden    u;  in    Mji     mi     i^LiauL, 

And  on  of  hcJti  have  I  in  rcnwmbrince, 
Which  1  (hall  fayn  with  good  wilic  u  I  cin« 

But,  Sirc^  bc-caufe  I  am  a  borcl  mail. 
At  my  brginninf  firft  1  you  befcche 
Have  me  cicufcd  of  my  rude  fpechc  : 
I  lemed  never  rhctorike  certain  ; 
Thing  that  I  fpeke  if  mote  he  bare  and  plain  ; 
I  flept  never  on  the  Mount  of  Pernalb, 
Ne  Icmed  Marcus  TuUiiis  Cicero, 
Cotourt  ae  know  I  nun,  wtthoutcn  drede^ 
But  fwtchc  colours  aa  growcn  in  the  mede. 
Or  riles  fwiche  aa  men  die  with  or  peinte  | 
Cotourt  of  rhctorike  ben  to  me  qceinte  ; 
My  fpirit  felcth  not  of  fwichc  mate  re  : 
But  if  you  luH,  my  Ta)e  ihoi  yc  ben:. 


THE   FRANKELEINES   TALE* 


I  ",    'TV*. 


^\€ 


r  r  .k^,  fhat  called  is  Brctaigne, 
L«  J  l.ni:eht  that  loved  and  did  his  peine 
m  bta  bcfte  wife, 
uTj  mjny  a  gret  emprifc, 
...  ...J  wrought  or  (he  were  wonne, 

ifraa  oft  the  hurcA  under  foune, 


And  eke  therto  comco  of  fo  hijj^h  kinrede 

That  wcl  unncthes  durft  thiR  knight  for  drede  '^ 

Tell  hire  hi»  wo,  hi»  peine,  and  hi«  diikrcffe  t 

But  at  the  laft  Ihe  for  hit  worthiocfie. 

And  namely  for  hi*  mckc  obeyfance. 

Hath  fwichc  a  pitce  caught  of  his  penance,  i 

That  privcly  Ihe  fell  of  hii  accord 

To  take  him  for  hire  hufbond  and  hire  lor4, 

(Of  fwicbe  lordihtp  as  men  ban  over  hir  wivci) 

And, for  toledc  the  more  in  bUifc  bir  Uvei, 


lee 


THE   FRANKELEIHES  TALE. 


Of  hts  free  wiU  he  fwftre  hire  at  a  knighc 

That  never  in  all  hij  lif  he  day  nc  night 

Ne  fliuUJc  take  upou  him  ijo  maiilric 

Againi  hire  will,  nw  kihe  hir    ];iloufic. 

But  hire  obey,  and  folwe  hire  will  tiial| 

Ai  any  lover  to  bit  lady  fhal, 

6a  vr  that  the  n»mc  of  foyeratRetee, 

Th<it  wold  he  hiui  for  (hame  of  his  degree* 

She  chonkcd  him,  and  with  fut  grcc  humblciTe 

Ehc  faidcf  Sire,  fin  of  your  gentillefle 

Yc  pfofrcti  mc  to  have  fo  large  a  reitie, 

Ke  woldc  Gt»d  aevcr  bctwii  v»  iwcinc. 

At  in  my  gilt,  were  either  wcrre  or  ftrif  i 

Sire,  I  wol  be  your  humble  trewc  wif. 

Have  here  my  trouth,  till  that  myn  heitc  brcllc. 

Thus  ben  they  both  in  quiete  and  in  rcHtc. 

For  o  thing,  Sires,  faufiy  dare  I  fcie. 
That  frcndc»evcrich  other  mufl  obeic. 
If  they  vfo\  long  holdcn  compagnic ; 
Love  wol  not  be  conftrcined  by  maiftrie  : 
Whan  maiAric  comcth,  the  god  of  Love  acoa 
Bcteth  hit  wiogct,  and,  farfwct,  he  is  gon, 
Ix»vc  i>  a  thing  ai  any  fpiril  free. 
Women  of  kind  defiren  libtfiee^ 
And  not  to  be  cotiflrcined  aa  a  thr^l ; 
And  fo  don  mcti,  if  fothly  1  fay  fhaL 
hoh€f  wbo  that  j»  moft  patient  in  lo-rc 
He  if  at  hU  avantage  all  above. 
Patience  ii  aa  high  vertue  certain. 
For  it  venquifhctht  at  thife  derkc*  rain* 
Thingei  that  rigour  never  (huldc  atttine. 
For  every  word  men  may  not  chide  or  pleioe. 
JLemeth  to  fufTrcn,  or,  fo  mote  1  gon, 
Y<  (htl  It  Icmc  whether  ye  wol  or  non; 
For  in  ihu  >svorId  certain  no  wight  ther  ti 
That  he  ne  doth  or  txph  tttmumc  amii. 
Ire»  likncfTc,  or  conftellatioot 
WiOf  wo«  or  changing  of  coinpletiofip 
Caiifcth  ful  oft  10  don  amis  or  fpekco  : 
On  every  wrong  a  man  may  not  be  wrckco. 
After  the  time  mull  be  temperance 
To  every  wight  tliat  can  of  governance  • 
And  ihcrforc  hath  this  worthy  wife  knight 
(To  liven  in  eft-)  fuffrancc  hire  behighi, 
And  fhc  to  him  ful  wifly  gan  to  fwerc 
•J'hat  never  Ihuld  therbe  dcfautc  in  here. 

Here  may  men  fecn  an  humble  wife  accord ; 
Thu*  hath  flie  take  hire  fervanl  aod  hire  lord> 
Servant  in  love  and  lord  in  mariagr. 
Than  was  he  both  in  lordlhip  and  frrragc  ? 
8er^\igc !  nay,  but  in  lordfliip  al  above. 
Sin  he  hath  both  hi*  lady  and  hi)  love  ; 
Ht»  lady  cenc*.  and  hi»  wif  alfo, 
The  which  thai  law  of  loiv«  accor  Jrth  to. 
And  whan  he  was  in  thl*  prufjuTitec 
Home  with  his  wif  he  goth  to  hii  coniree, 
Not  fcr  fro  Pcnmark,  ther  hii  dwelling  Wa«, 
Whcf  ai  he  liveth  m  bhffc  and  m  foUi. 

"Who  eoudc  telle,  but  he  had  wedded  be, 
The  joyc,  the  cfc,  and  the  profpe ritce 
That  if  betwii  an  hufboud  and  hi'  wif  I 
A  yere  aiid  more  lafteth  thi*  bl  >ful  hf, 
Til  that  thi*  knight»  of  whkh  !  fpikc  of  thui, 
That  of  Cairrud  iru  cjcpcd  Arrtragn*, 


Shope  him  to  gon  and  dwellc  »  yere  or 
In  Englclond,that  ckped  wai  eke  Brcttignc, 
To  fcke  in  armc*  worfijip  and  honour, 
(For  all  hi«  lu(l  he  fct  in  fwiche  bboiir) 
And  dwehe  thcr  two  yere ;  the  book  faith 

Now  wol  I  ftint  of  thii  Arviragut, 
And  fpeke  1  woi  of  Dorigene  hi*  wif. 
That  lovcth  hire  hulbond  as  hire  hertc*  UL 
For  his  abfcnce  wepeth  flie  and  &kcth, 
Aa  don  thlfc  noble  wives  whan  hem  Uketh  t 
She  momcth,  waketh,  wailcth,  fallcth,  plcii 
DcfCr  of  his  prefcnce  hire  fo  difttaincth. 
That  all  this  wide  world  fl»e  fet  at  nought- 
Hire  frendea,  which  that  knew  hire  hevy 
Comforten  hire  in  all  that  ever  they  may ; 
<  hey  prechen  hire,  they  telle  hire  night 
That  caufclcs  Ihc  fleth  hirefclf,  aUs! 
And  every  comfort  pofliblc  in  this  cai 
Thry  don  to  hire  with  all  hire  befinefle, 
Al  for  to  make  hire  Icve  hire  hevinefle. 

By  proccfTc,  as  yc  knowen  everich  oo. 
Men  mowe  fo  longe  gravco  in  a  ftoa 
Til  fom  figure  therin  emprented  be  : 
So  long  ban  they  comfort e^l  hire  til  ihe 
Received  hath,  by  hope  and  by  refoo^ 
The  emprenting  of  hir  confolailon, 
rhiir^^h  which  hire  grete  forwe  gao  ilToa^ 
She  may  not  alway  duren  in  fwiche  rage. 
And  eke  Arvrragwn,  in  ait  this  care. 
Hath  fcnt  hh  lettrcs  home  of  his  welfare* 
And  that  he  wol  come  haflity  again. 
Or  elles  had  this  forwe  hire  hertc  flato. 

Hire  frendcs  faw  hire  forwe  gan  to  fl^fcc^ 
And  prciden  hire  on  knees,  for  Goddct  &kCf! 
To  come  and  romen  in  hir  compagnie. 
Away  to  driven  hire  darke  fantaftc  : 
And,  finally,  (he  granted  that  requcll; 
For  wel  (he  faw  thitt  it  was  for  the  be<l. 

Now  flood  hire  cartel  fafte  by  the  tit^ 
And  often  with  hire  frende*  walked 
Hire  to  difporten  on  the  bank  an  hie, 
Wheraiihc  many«  fbipand  barge  {te 
Sailing  hir  court  wher  as  hem  lift  to  go 
But  than  was  that  a  parcel  of  hire  wo. 
For  to  hirefeJf  ful  oft,  alas !  fa  id  flie, 
U  ther  no  Jhip,  of  fo  many  as  I  fee, 
Wol  br  in  gen  home  my  lord  ?  than  were  tny  hem 
Al  war iihcd  of  his  bitter  petnes  fmcrte. 

Another  Ltine  wold  (he  fit  and  thtflike. 
And  cafl  hire  ey en  dounward  fro  the  brinLc  ; 
But  whan  Jhe  faw  the  grifly  rockc*  blake, 
I  or  veray  fcrc  fo  wold  hire  bene  quake 
I'hat  un  hire  ftet  ike  might  hire  not  fuHene  ; 
Than  wold  Ibc  fit  adoun  upon  the  grtfic. 
And  pi  toil  fly  into  the  fee  behold, 
And  fay  ri^ht  thu»,  with  careful  fikes  coM ; 

Eterne  God!  that  thurgh  thy  purvcancc 
Lcdcft  this  world  by  certain  govcrnuice. 
In  idcl,  ab  men  fain,  ye  nothing  make  ; 
But,  Lord!  thife  grifly  feodly  rockeabUke« 
I'hat  (einen  rather  a  foule  confufion 
Of  wcrk  than  any  fmirt  crcaiion 
Of  fwiche  a  parfit  wife  God  and  fUbtt, 
Why  ban  yc  wrought  Uui  wtrk  BiirciiatfaUe  I 


■  TH£   FRAHKE 

ircrk  fiortli,  (both,  oc  wcfi,  ne  eft, 
oOtrtd  mac,  ac  brid,  ac  bctl : 
ot^  to  my  wit»  but  Anoycth. 
-^  ,-  — ^  X-orUJ  bow  iniukind  iC  dcftroycth  ? 
Sm  hmadrtd  thoul&ndl  bodic*  of  mankind 
Va  mckci  ilaio»  %1  be  they  not  in  mind, 
mtidl  BMnkind  it  Ai  f^rc  part  of  thy  wcrk« 
nmm  Mftdc  it  bkc  to  thyn  owcn  mcrk. 
Uku^  fieoicxli  it,  ye  hid  a  gret  cKcrtce 
T^rard  maiik  jod  i  but  hnw  tK»n  nuy  it  be 
tW  ye  fwtdic  mcnct  make  it  to  deftroyen, 
•  —     .   >    -"Q  no  ^ocud,  but  cTcr  anoycn  ? 

rkca  wol  fain  an  hem  lell» 

^il>  irgumcTitf,  th«t  all  ii  for  tbc  bed, 
TW^  I  »e  can  the  caufct  nought  yknow ; 
V  *htlkc  God  that  tn»dc  the  wind  to  blow 
[<  my  lord ;  this  it  my  condu&on ; 
.  :tkiC3t  ietc  I  all  diTputjfon : 
hx  voldc  God  that  aU  chifc  rockei  bbke 
Wa«  Siaakat  iotohcUe  for  hit  fake  : 
rocket  flee  min  hcrte  for  the  fere. 
wcid  flkcfay  with  many  a  pitous  tere« 
hxadf*  {aw  that  it  wai  no  dilport 
by  the  fee,  but  difcomfort^ 
lieitt  lor  to  platen  fomwher  cUet. 
I  hire  by  riven  and  by  wcllei, 
dk£  in  «ichcr  pUcc«  delitable ; 
Tlcy  daocea,  and  they  play  at  chei  and  ublct. 
It  «a  a  day,  right  in  the  morwe  tide, 
~       a  jg^ardio  that  wai  ther  bcfide, 

th^t  they  had  made  hxr  ordinaace 
asci  o£  other  purvcance, 
and  plaie  hem  all  the  ionge  day; 
tbia  wja  on  the  {ixtc  morwe  of  May, 
Vkadk  May  had  peintcd  with  hii  foftc  Ihouret 
tbii|ardefi  fui  ot  lcvc«  and  of  6ourc3 : 
itti  midt  of  Dtamict  hond  fo  curiouUy 
Jai^  bad  Uiit  gardm  trewcly, 
tW  ocier  was  thcr  gardin  of  fwiche  pii% 
laijl  were  the  veray  Faradit. 
l^aJaair  of  flour ef  and  the  fre0ie  ftght 
^Mli^  yaiaked  any  herte  light 
*"  iw^4  bom,  but  if  to  gret  &kcDclEe 

forwc  held  it  in  diftrcflc, 
-  ^  -1  wA*  of  beautee  and  plcfance. 

AfA  likcr  dinner  gonnen  they  to  dance 
4aifiiig  BLHb^&tif  JX>rigcne  alone^ 
W^Ji  tsxadle  aiway  hire  complaint  and  hire  moae, 
fw  ^e  oc  faw  him  on  the  d^iace  go 
rhat  waa  hire  Lufbond  and  hire  love  alTo  ; 
9k  itadittcs  ihc  muft  a  time  abide, 
Ami  with  good  hope  let  hire  forwe  Hide* 
Upoo  thia  daore,  amnngts  other  men, 
Haale^  a  fq^icr  before  Dorigca 
l%mt  frdbcr  wat  ^uui  j^licr  iif  array. 


LBINES  TALI. 


i^l 


Br  Ibci^tdai 

TUr 

i  r.  rh,  month  of  May. 
;  4ny  man 

world  began ; 

luld  liimdiicriTr, 

On. 

1  on  lire; 
.andrtciic,  and  wife. 

icM  in  grer  prifc. 

-    '■''*; 

ital, 

Thi*  lufty  fqtjier»  fcrvant  to  Vcnui^ 
Which  that  ycleped  was  Aureliut, 
Had  loved  hire  bed  of  any  creature 
Two  yerc  and  more»  a»  wa»  his  aventure. 
But  never  dorft  he  tell  hire  hi*  grevancc  t 
Without  en  cup  he  drankc  aU  his  penance. 
He  wa*  difpcircd  ;  nothing  dorft  be  fay, 
Sauf  in  his  fongcifomrwhat  wold  he  wray 
His  wo,  as  in  a  general  complaining; 
He  faid  he  loved  and  was  beloved  nothing. 
Of  fwiche  matere  made  he  many  Uyes 
Songct,  cuRiplaintes,  roundeh,  virclayetj 
How  that  he  dodile  not  his  forwe  telle. 
But  languiiheth  aa  doth  a  Purie  in  hcUc; 
And  die  he  muft,  be  faid,  a$  did  £^co 
For  Narcifl'us,  that  doril  not  tell  hire  wi», 

In  ochtr  manner  than  ye  here  me  fay 
Ne  dorll  he  nut  to  hire  his  wu  bewray, 
Saufthat  paraventurc  fonititncat  daoccfg 
Thcr  yonge  folk  kepen  hir  obfcrTanccs, 
It  may  welbe  he  lokcd  on  hire  face 
In  fwiche  a  wife  a*  man  that  axeth  grace ; 
But  nothing  wifte  (he  of  hii  en  tent. 
Nathctcfft  it  happened  or  they  thennes  wcntg 
Bccaufe  that  he  wai  hire  ncighebour. 
And  was  a  man  of  worship  and  hoiiour. 
And  had  yknowcn  him  of  time  yore. 
They  fell  in  fpcche,  and  forth  ay  more  and  more 
Unto  hifl  purpoa  drew  Aureliua, 
And  when  he  faw  liit  time  he  faide  thus : 
Madatne  quod  he,  by  d^  that  thi^  world  mdef « 
So  that  I  wift  lit  might  your  bertc  glade, 
I  wold  that  day  that  your  Arviragui 
Went  over  fee  that  I  Atircliui 
Had  went  thcr  i  fhuld  never  come  again. 
For  we  1 1  wot  my  fcrvice  i«  in  vain  ; 
My  guerdon  n'i*  but  brcftiog  of  min  herte. 
Madame,  ructh  upon  my  pcines  (jncrte. 
For  with  a  word  ye  may  me  flccn  or  favc. 
Here  at  your  feet  God  wold  that  I  were  grave. 
1  nc  have  as  now  no  Icifcr  more  to  fey  ; 
Have  mercy,  fwetc  1  or  ye  wol  do  me  dcy. 

She  gan  to  luke  upon  Aurelius: 
Ii  this  your  will,  (quod  fhe)  and  fay  yc  thu*  ? 
Never  crft  (quod  fhe)  nc  wift  ]  what  yc  mcntf    • 
Bnt  now,  Aurclie,  1  know  your  cntcnt. 
By  thilke  Gud  that  yaf  me  foulc  and  Iif 
Ne  fltall  never  ben  an  untrew  wif 
In  word  ne  werk,  c*  fcr  ai  I  have  wit  ;  i 

1  wol  ben  his  to  whom  that  1  am  luiit : 
Take  this  for  final  mnfwer  an  of  me. 
But  after  that  in  pby  thui  (aid  fhe  i 

Aurelie,  (quod  fhc)  by  high  God  abflftt 
Yet  wol  I  grantcn  you  to  ben  your  love, 
(Sin  I  you  fee  fo  pitoufly  compbine.) 
Loke,  what  day  tliat  endebng  Bretaigne 
Yc  rcmuc  all  die  rockes  fton  by  ftoo,  f  | 

That  they  nc  Ictten  ftiip  nc  bote  to  gon  ; 
1  fay,  whan  he  han  made  the  coll  fo  clcnc 
Of  rockcs  that  thcr  n*i»  no  (Ion  yfenc. 
Than  wol  1  love  you  bcA  of  any  man  ; 
Have  brrc  my  trouiii,  in  all  that  ever  I  can, 
For  wcl  1  wotc  that  it  Aial  never  betide.  \  \ 

Lit  fwichc  fi'lic  out  of  your  herte  glide  : 
C  ii] 


4o» 


THE   FRAKKELETME5  TALE. 


What  deintfe  flmld  »  mm  have  in  hU  lif 

Jor  to  go  love  another  maltncs  Vvd 

That  hath  hire  body  whan  that  ever  him  liketh  f 

Aurclius  fu]  often  fore  iikcth  t 
|»  ther  noil  other  grace  in  you  ?  quod  he. 

Not  by  that  Lord,  quod  Ihc,  thai  ttiikcd  me. 
Wo  wai  AuTclic  whan  ihat  he  thi»  licrd, 
And  with  a  fonvcful  hcrte  he  thua  anfwerd  ; 

Madame,  quod  he,  thi^  were  inipoiTibte ; 
Than  mofle  I  die  of  foden  deth  horrible. 
Aiid  with  that  word  the  turned  him  anon. 

Tho  come  hire  other  frciidcs  many  on, 
At>d  In  the  alley e^  romed  up  sind  doun. 
And  nothing  wift  of  thi*  conctutioun. 
But  fodcnly  begonnru  revel  newe. 
Til  that  the  bnghte  fonne  had  lofi  hit  hcwe, 
Vor  the  nrizont  hjtd  reft  the  fonnc  his  light, 
(Tl  ift  41  a  mucli  to  fayn  a^it  wa»  night) 
And  home  thty  gon  in  mirthe  and  in  foUs^ 
Sail!  only  wrcccbe  Aurcllus  al»»! 
Ht  to  hii  hdus  18  gon  wtdi  furweful  herte ; 
He  faith  he  may  not  from  ht»  dcth  &():erte  t 
Him  femeth  that  he  felr  hi^  herte  cold* 
Up  to  the  hcven  hi*  hondcs  gwi  he  hold, 
And  oa  rii  knce»  bare  he  fct  him  doun, 
Aud  in  his  raving  fj^id  his  orifoun. 
For  veray  wo  out  of  hi»  u^it  he  braide ; 
He  nSflc  what  he  ff  ake,  but  thu»  he  iaiJe ; 
With  pitou»  hercc  hi«  ;  bint  hatli  he  bcgounc 
Unto  the  goddei^aTid  Iifft  unto  ih*-  Sonne, 
He  fiiidi  A{HiUo !  god  tind  goverttour 
Of  every  f'Unte,  hrrbc,  tree»  and  flour, 
That  ycvcft  after  thy  declination 
To  eche  of  hem  hi«  time  and  hi«  fefon, 
A«  tlmt  thin  hcrbergh  changeth  low  and  hte, 
I«ord  Phebu&t  caft  thy  mcrcijblc  cie 
On  iftrccche  Aurelie,  which  that  am  hut  lornc  : 
Lo,  Lord  !  my  lady  hath  my  dcth  yfwomc 
WithoutengjU,  but  thy  bcnignitce 
Upon  tr^y  dcdiy  herte  have  fom  pitee  ; 
For  wcl  I  wot  Lord  Phcbu*,  if  you  left, 
Yc  may  me  he  I  pen  fauf  my  U^y  bcft. 
Now  vou^heti.  fauf  that  I  may  you  dcvifc 
How  thit  I  m-ty  be  hoipe,and  in  what  wife* 

Vour  bU»>lui  fui>'rr,  Lucin^t  the  Ihene, 
That  of  the  fee  is  chief  goddelTe  iud  quene,    * 
1  hough  Nfptunufhavc  dcitee  in  the  fee, 
Yet  cmpcrice  abovcn  him  ii  flic  ! 
Ye  knowc  we!,  I^rd,  that  right  ai  hire  dcfire 
I»  to  be  quicked  and  lighted  of  your  Ere, 
For  which  flic  folweth  you  fill  bclily, 
Right  fo  the  fee  defireih  naturclly 
To  folwcn  hire,  aa  (he  that  ii  goddcfle 
Both  in  ibtf  fee  and  rivers  more  ind  lefle  ! 
W>(^ .  ^      ^       1  Phcbui  !  thi»  ii  my  rcquolk, 
Do  r  ,  or  do  niin  herte  brefl. 

That  av,.    .  .     •   .^ih^-- -^.-, 

Which  in    f'   I    r:  Leon, 

Aspreyeth  iuic  ,o  :^}  ^>  bring. 

That  6vf  f^idome  at  the  irii  n  ovcrfpr  iiig 
The  highell  rut^k  in  Armonke  Bretaigiie, 
And  let  thi»  flood  cndurcn  yerci  twaiac; 
Thin  ccrtc*  to  my  lady  may  I  fey, 
Holdcth  your  hc0,  the  rocket  b«&  awsy* 


Lord  Pbcbu» !  chi«  miracle  doth  for  me, 
Prey  hire  fhc  go  no  fiQ-cr  cours  than  ye  i 
X  fay  ihit,  preyeth  your  fuflter  th^  {be  go  I 
No  failcr  count  than  yc  thife  ycre*  two. 
Than  (hal  fljc  bco  even  at  ful  aJway, 
And  fpring-Eood  Uileti  bothe  night  and  < 
And  but  Ihc  voucbefauf  to  fwichc  m»nere^ 
To  grauntcn  me  my  Ibvcraine  lady  deer, 
Proy  hire  to  dnken  every  rock  adoun 
Into  hire  owco  dcrke  regioun 
Under  the  ground,  thcr  Pluto  dw«lleth  i 
Or  nevtrmo  Jhal  I  my  iat!y  win. 

Thy  temple  in  Dctpho«  wol  I  bjtrefoot  I 
Lord  Plicbu» !  fee  the  teret  on  my  nhekc*  ^ 
And  on  my  peine  have  fom  compaflioun. 
And  with  th^t  word  in  forwc  he  fell  ad 
And  loagc  time  he  lay  forth  in  a  trance. 
His  brother,  which  that  knew  of  his  pcnad 
Up  caught  him,  and  to  bed  he  hath  him  t 
Difpcircd  in  this  turmcnt  and  ihi*  thoug 
Let  I  thi»  woful  creature  lie, 
Cht-fe  he  for  me  whether  he  wol  livtr  or  die, 

Arviragu»  with  hcle  aod  gret  honotir 
(Ashe  that  watofchcvalhe  the  Hour) 
1b  comen  home,  luid  other  worthy  n)en  s 
Of  bhiful  art  thou  now,  thou  Dongesi  ? 
1  h^it  haft  tliy  lufty  hulbond  in  thin  an 
The  frclhe  knight,  the  worthy  man  cfa 
That  tovcth  thcea&  hii  owen  herte«il£. 
Nothing  lift  him  to  be  imaginatif 
If  uny  Wight  had  fpokc  while  he  wat  o«t^l 
To  hire  of  love;  he  had  of  eJiat  no  doubce \ 
He  not  entcndcth  to  no  fwiche  marcrt. 
But  danccth,  juftcth^  and  mAeth  mery  < 
And  tliu»  iti  joyc  and  bhlfe  1  let  him  dm 
And  of  the  Qkc  Auretiu^  wol  [  tell* 

lu  iaLagour  and  in  tuntient  furiout 
Two  yere  and  more  lay  wrecchcd  AttfcfiB 
£r  any  foot  on  crthe  he  m^ghte  goxi ; 
Ne  comiort  in  this  time  nr  h«id  he  tioo 
Sauf  of  hi>  brother,  which  that  was  1 1 
He  knew  of  all  thii  wo  and  all  this  woki] 
For  to  non  other  creature  certain 
Of  thi»  materc  he  dorfte  no  wor«i 
Under  hisbrt*tt  he  bare  it  more  1 
Than  ever  did  Pamphiluf  for  G  ^ 
Hif  brcft  waa  hole  withouten  for 
But  in  his  bene  ly  wat  the  arwt  » ...^, 
And  wcl  yc  knowc  tha^t  of  a  furfanurc 
In  furgerie  i*  pcrilou*  the  cure. 
But  mdn  mi^ht  touch  the  trwc  or  comt  1 

His  brother  wepeth  and  wailcth  pTivtly]^ 
Til  at  the  laft  him  fell  in  rcmcmbraAcc 
Th^t  while  he  w  a»  at  Orleaanee  tn  Irifict^ 
As  ytuige  clcrkc*  that  ben  likeroa* 
Tu  red  en  artci  tliAt  ben  curiouji 
Sckcn  in  every  ha  Ike  and  every  hcriK 
Puticuler  fciences  for  to  Icrnc, 
He  him  remembred  that  upon  i  day 
At  Orleaunce  inftadie  a  b<>ok  lie  £sy 
Of  magike  ntturel,  whi.  h  hl*ifcUw 
That  wa»  that  time  i 
Al  were  he  thcr  lo  k 
Had  privcl J  upon  hia  dcik  yUlt ; 


THE   FRAN 
bfilfpaic  mochc  of  opcratioDi 


If  ir_ 


l-rwcnty  Diatifion* 
.and  fwiche  folic 
vonh  a  fiie  ^ 
no  our  l>clcv€| 
Ai  to  grcvc. 
^  m  Ktf  rcmembrmncc 
-^    -1  dincc. 


icivurr'*^  i^'tihrn  an  hiilc  large,. 
k  come  ID  a  w^tcr  and  a  barege, 
lehiille  rotvtn  up  and  doun  ; 
r  bad  fcmed  com  a  grim  tc<}Uti» 

llp/    fli.iirr"v   inrinn^-    1%    In    i    TTUcdC, 

brill  iikctii  voidcth  it  anpo  ; 
rh  it  to  circry  maoncf  fight. 
10  cotDclude  1  thiu  ;  If  that  1  might 
ace  fmti  oldc  fctaw  find 
tfaifr  txionci  matiijoiii  to  mmd, 
Itt&kc  future!  above, 
juiiake  my  brother  have  hit  love » 
HkarcDCf  a  clerk  majr  make, 
^bt,  that  all  the  rockc6  biake 
l^c  were  proidcdcverich  on, 
k  hj  the  brinke  comcn  and  goo, 
K'Ibrtne  ensure  a  day  or  two: 
^p  brother  warrfhed  of  his  wo^ 
Be  nedet  holdcn  hire  behelt, 
asa.1  fh&mc  hire  at  the  led. 
id  I  make  a  Icnger  Talc  of  this  f 
yth^T%  bed  he  comcn  it, 
comfort  he  yaf  him  for  to  goa 
:c^  that  be  up  ftert  anon, 
rsj  forth  ward  thaa  is  he  fare» 
o  ben  liiTcd  of  his  care. 
f  vrcrc  come  dmoft  to  that  cJtce, 
re  a  rwo  furlong  or  thrc<*, 
rk-  roniing  by  himfclf  they  mettc, 

IUatinc  thnf   '     '         ,,  rcttc  : 
h<  f»yd  :.  ig  ; 

ic,  the  Ciui-  ...  J  r^.  coming  I 
^CT  aay  footc  went 
I  thit  was  in  hir  cntccc. 
oil  clerk  him  aied  of  felawca 
hsc!  ykrnwtij  in  oldcdawet, 
a  they  dcdc  were, 
!  cQ  m:uiy  a  tcre. 
urciiusltgbt  anon, 
llttagidcn  it  goti 

d  made  h«:m  wcl  at  cfe  : 
taillc  that  might  hem  plefc. 

34  thcT  wai  on 
favr  never  non. 
J  or  they  went  to  foupere^ 
ful  of  wilde  dcfe  f 
;c»  with  hir  homes  hie, 
were  rf  ;r  km  with  cic : 


KELIMtES  TALC.  KQ 

I  He  faw  of  hem  an  hundred  flaio  witli  houndes 
And  fom  with  arwei  bledc  of  bitter  woundet ; 
He  faw  I  when  voided  were  the  wilde  dcrcj 
Thifc  fauconcr^  upon  a  faire  rivcre 
That  with  hir  h^tike^  ban  the  heron  flaio« 
Tho  faw  he  kil  '    u  ; 

And  after  thii  ht  c« 

That  he  him  tbeutiL  ^.^  lawj  ^i.  >»  ^^i^utc, 
On  which  hlmfclvcn  danced,  as  bird  thought# 
And  whan  thi&  mail^cr,  ihat  tlii*  maglke  wroughf| 
Saw  it  was  time,  he  clapped  hiiiiondei  two. 
And  fare  we  I,  al  the  revel  is  ago  ! 
And  yet  remucd  they  never  out  of  the  hous, 
While  they  faw  all  thifc  fightet  marvcUous^ 
But  in  hU  fLudic,  thcr  his  booket  be. 
They  fatcn  fliU,  and  no  wight  but  they  three. 

I'o  hjm  thii  niaiflcr  called  hit  fquicr. 
And  iayd  him  thus,  May  we  go  to  fuuper  t 
AlmoQ  an  hourc  it  is,  I  undertake. 
Sin  1  you  bade  our  fouper  for  to  make. 
Whan  that  thifc  worthy  men  wcnten  with  mc 
Into  my  fludic  ther  mj  bookes  be. 

Sire,  quod  this  fquier,  whan  it  liketh  you» 
it  it  al  rcdy,  though  ye  wol  right  now. 

Go  we  thafi  fonpe,  quod  he,  as  for  the  bell  ; 
Thifc  ;i  "   '     Ltiine  mofl  hanrcA. 

A^  icjiniretec 

What  iu..,*.iv  i.L^,^  ._...,  matAen guerdon  be 
To  rcmuc  all  the  rocket  of  Brct^iigne, 
And  ckc  from  Geroundc  to  the  mouth  of  Sainc« 
He  made  it  Grange,  and  fwore,  lb  God  htm 
favc, 
Lc/Te  than  a  thoufand  pound  he  wold  not  have, 
Nc  gbdly  for  that  fumme  he  wol  not  gon. 

Aurelius  with  bliisful  hertc  anon 
Anfwcrcd  thus;  Fie  on  a  thoufand  pound! 
This  wide  world,  which  that  men  fayn  is  round, 
I  wold  it  yevc,  if  I  were  lord  of  it. 
Thi«  bargaine  is  ful  drive,  for  we  ben  knit. 
Ye  Ihul  be  paicd  trcwely,  by  my  troiuth ; 
But  lokcth,  for  non  negligence  or  flouth 
Ye  taric  us  here  no  Icngcr  than  to  morwc. 
Nay,  quod  this  clerk,  have  here  my  faith  to  borwe* 
To  bed  ii  gon  Aureliu*  whan  him  left, 
I   And  wcl  nigh  all  that  night  he  lud  his  reft, 
Vii'hM  for  his  labour     -  ^  '     I  ,  ,pc  q|  bliflc 
Hi«  woful  hcrtc  oi  A  a  liiTc, 

UpoD  the  morwi-  — ...  .:.at  it  was  day 
To  Brctaignc  token  they  tlic  rightc  way, 
AurcIiCj,  and  this  magicien  him  bcfidc^ 
And  ben  defccnded  ther  they  wold  abide  : 
And  this  wa^  as  the  bookes  me  remember. 
The  coldc  frofty  Ccfon  of  December. 

Phcbns  waic  old  und  hewed  like  Laton, 
That  in  hi»  bote  declination 
Shone  as  the  burned  gold  with  flrcmcs  bright  j 
But  now  in  Capri cornc  adoua  he  hghc, 
Wher  as  he  (hunt:  ful  pale,  T  dare  wel  fain. 
The  hitter  frofte  with  the  fleet  snd  rain 
Dcflroycd  hath  the  grene  in  every  yerd ; 
Janus  fit  by  the  fire  with  dotible  herd. 
And  drinketh of  his  bugle  horn  the  wine; 
Beforn  hi^  ilaot  bntune  of  the  tufkcd  fwiae, 
G  iiij 


f04 


THE   FRAMRILllNM  TALE 


And  NcWel  crietli  ci^ry  lufty  man, 

AurcUui  in  *ll  that  ever  he  cao 
Doth  to  hii  maifler  cbere  and  reverence. 
And  praieth  hitn  to  don  hi*  diltgence 
To  bringen  him  oot  of  hh  peines  fmerte, 
Or  with  a  fwerd  that  be  wold  ilit  hit  heite* 

Thi» fotU clerk  fwichc  routh  htith  on  thi»  man, 
That  nij^ht  and  day  he  fpedcth  him  that  He  can 
To  wait  a  time  of  hit  condufion  ; 
Thi>  II  to  fayn,  to  make  illuiion. 
By  fwiche  An  apparent  e  or  joglcric, 
(I  can  no  termci  of  aRrologie) 
That  (be  and  every  wight  Ibwld  wcne  and  fay 
That  of  Bretaignc  the  rocket  were  away. 
Or  cllca  they  were  fonkcn  under  ground. 
So  at  the  U&  he  hath  hit  time  yfound 
To  make  hit  japes  and  hii  wretchcdnefTe 
uOi  fwiche  a  fuperditious  curfcdncHc. 
Ijiii  cables  Toletanet  forth  he  brought, 
Ijul  wel  corredcd,  that  ther  lacked  noughtf 
«  Luther  hii  collet  ne  hu  expani  yerei, 
Kothcr  hii  rolea  ne  hi«  other  geret, 
As  ben  hii  centrei  and  hi«  argumentef| 
bAi)d  hij  proportionel  conventcntei, 
ror  hii  equations  in  every  thing  : 
\ndby  hit  ejghtc  fperes  in  his  werking 
Ic  knew  fu]  wcl  how  fer  Ahiath  was  Siore 
iFro  the  bed  of  thiUte  fix  Arte 9  above 
iThat  in  thentnthe  fpcre  conGderedit; 
|7ul  fotiUy  he  calculed  all  thii. 
IHtrhAn  he  had  found  hi»  firlle  manfion 
iHc  knew  the  remenant  by  proportion, 
|And  knew  the  rtfing  of  hii  mone  wc), 
liUid  in  whot  face,  and  termc,  and  every  del  | 
I  And  knew  ful  wel  the  mone«  maafion 
1  Accordant  to  hit  operation ; 
And  knew  alfo  hit  other  obfervancet, 
For  fwichc  illufions  and  fwiche  mcfchancef 
A»  Hethen  folkc  ufed  in  thilkc  daicij 
I  For  which  no  lender  maketh  he  dclaies, 
But  thurgh  his  magike,  for  a  day  or  tway, 
It  feemed  ali  the  rockes  were  away. 
Aureliuif  which  that  defpcirtd  it 
Whether  he  ihal  han  hit  love  or  fare  anuig 
Awaitech  night  and  day  on  this  miracle; 
And  whan  he  knew  that  ther  was  non  obdacle, 
►  That  voided  were  thjfc  rockcs  cvcrich  on, 
f  X>oun  to  hiu  majftcres  feet  he  fell  anon, 
[  A«id  fa  yd,  I,  wofui  wretch  Aurelius, 
Thankc  you»  my  lord,  and  bdy  min  Vcnui, 
That  me  han  holpeo  fro  my  cares  cold 
And  to  the  tcmpk  hit  way  forth  hath  he  hold^ 
Thera*  he  knew  he  Ihuld  hi*  hdy  fee  ; 
And  whan  he  faw  hi*  time  anon  right  he 
With  dredful  herte  and  with  ful  hamblc  cherc 
r.^ocd  hath  hit  foveraine  bdy  dcre. 
f       My  nghtfuj  Lady,  qood  thii  wofuI  man, 
.  Whom  I  mod  dredc  and  love  a*  I  bell  can, 
A^dlothcft  wrre  of  all  thIi  world  difplefe, 
;  Ke'rc  it  that  1  for  you  have  fwiche  difcfc 
That  I  mujl  die  here  at  your  foot  anon, 
"  Hought  wold  I  tell  how  mc  is  wo  begoo  i 
But  Of  nc*  other  muil  t  die  or  pbioe  | 
Yeilc  mc  gilieka  tot  vcny  feiae ; 


But  of  my  deth  though  that  ye  Ktn'no  rotitllj 
Avifeth  you  or  that  you  breke  your  troutJi  ;  T 
Repcnteth  you,  for  thilkc  God  ahove^ 
Or  ye  mc  flc,  becaufc  that  I  you  love  : 
For,  Madame,  wel  ye  wote  what  ye  have  I 
Not  that  1  chalcnge  any  thing  of  nght 
Of  you  my  foveraine  Lady,  but  of  grace  ; 
But  in  a  garden  yond,  in  fwiche  a  place, 
Ye  wote  right  wtl  what  yc  behightcn  m^ 
And  in  mynhoud  your  trouthc  |ilighteii  ye  ' 
To  love  me  bell :  Qod  woic  ye  faicd  fo, 
AUhoughthat  I  unworthy  be  therto. 
Madame,  I  fpekc  it  for  the  honour  of  yott^ 
More  than  to  favc  my  bcrte*  lif  right  aoWp 
I  have  don  fo  ai  ye  commanded  me. 
And  if  ye  vouchcfauf  yc  may  z^  fee. 
Doth  as  you  lifl,  have  your  beheft  in  mlndn.  1 
For  quick  or  ded  right  ther  ye  (hul  me  find 
In  you  litb  all  to  do  me  live  or  dcy. 
But  wcl  I  wote  the  rockcs  ben  awey. 

He  taketh  hifr  leve,  and  fhc  ailonicd  Aood] 
In  all  hire  face  n'a»  o  drope  of  blond  : 
8hc  wened  never  han  come  in  fwiche  a  tnip 
Alai  \  quod  ihc,  that  ever  this  fbouid  haji 
Fur  wend  I  never  by  poffibilitee 
That  fwiche  a  mon^re  or  mcrvaillc  might  1 
It  i*  again  the  proccflc  of  Nature. 
And  homefbc  goth  a  forweful  creature | 
Fwr  vcriy  fere  unncthes  may  fhe  go. 
She  wtpcth,  u^eth,  all  a  day  or  two. 
And  fwouneih  that  it  routhc  wa*  to  Uc^ 
But  why  it  wa*  to  no  wight  toldc  ihc, 
For  out  of  toun  wai  gon  Arvingui  j 
But  to  hircfeif  Ihe  fpake,  and  faicd  thoi. 
With  face  pale,  and  with  ful  Tory  chcre. 
In  hire  complaint,  as  ye  fbul  after  here* 

Alas!  quod  ihe,  00  thee.  Fortune,  t  ph 
That  unaware  haft  me  wnipped  in  thy  d  * 
Ff o  which  to  efcapen  wote  1  no  ioccoiit 
Sauf  only  deth  or  clles  diChonour  : 
On  of  thtfe  two  behovcth  me  to  chefe** 
But  nathclc*,  yet  had  1  a  lever  lefc 
My  lif  than  of  my  body  have  a  flxame* 
Or  know  myfelven  falfe,  or  Icfc  my  baiim 
And  wirh  my  deth  [  may  be  quit  ym'n  x 
Hath  ther  not  many  a  noble  wif  or  ihi». 
And  many  a  maid,  yflalne  birefclf,  ala* ! 
Rather  than  with  hire  body  don  trcfpas  f 
Yc*  ccrtes ;  b,  thife  ilorles  here  wltneflc. 
Whan  thirty  tyrants  ful  of  cnrfedneiTc 
Had  flain  Phidon  in  Athens  at  the  fcft. 
They  commanded  his  dooghtren  for  to  i 
And  bringen  hem  befome  him  defpit 
Al  naked,  to  fulfil  hire  foulc  deJit  | 
And  in  hir  fadrcs  blood  they  made  hem  d&nct~ 
Upon  the  pavement,  God  ycvc  hem  mcfchancc  1 
For  which  thifc  woful  maidens,  ful  of  dietUy 
Rather  than  they  wold  Icfc  hir  maidcnhedcJl 
They  prively  hen  flcrt  into  a  wcJlc, 
And  dreint  hemJetvcn,  as  the  bookc*  telle. 

They  of  Melfcne  let  enquerc  and  fckc 
Of  Lacedomie  fifty  maidens  eke 
On  which  the  wolden  don  hit  Iccheric ; 
But  ihcr  wa*  Don  of  AllUxat  ctunpinic 


I^^^V 

■                       THE  FRANKELETMES   TAL«.                                     loj        | 

P^ni  lUioe,  and  with  a  glad  cntcnt 

No  Icngcr  woldc  fee  Utc  iftcr  his  day,                   ^^M 

ttker  for  fto  dicD  than  •JTeiit 

The  fame  of  noble  Portia  tell  I  may  i                    ^^H 

npyveflcdof  turcouidenhede. 
M  I  than  to  dein  ben  in  drcde  ? 

Withoutcn  Brutu»  coude  fhe  not  lire,                       ^^H 

To  whom  (he  had  all  whole  hire  herte  yerc           ^^H 

ke  the  tyrmot  Ariftociidei, 

The  parfit  wif  hood  of  ArtemiOe                           ^^H 

Honoured  is  tharghoitt  all  Barbaric.                        ^^H 

Awt  hire  imth^e  {bine  wi»  on  a  ni^fat. 

O  Tetita  qucnc  !  thy  wifly  chaihtcc                    ^^H 

Iocs  temple  g oth  ibe  right, 

To  aUc  wive4  may  a  mirrottr  be.                              ^^^| 

Ketbe  ■cisge  in  hire  handc»  two^ 

Thus  plained  Dorigcnc  a  day  or  twey,                 ^^^| 

kli  inage  wold  Ihc  never  go; 

Purpoling  ever  chat  (he  woldc  dcy ;                           ^^^| 

bt  Awrbandct  (ixight  it  of  it  arrace 

But  natheleit  upon  the  chridde  night                           ^^H 

wm  fiainc  right  in  the  feUc  pUce. 

Home  came  Arviragns,  the  worthy  knight,           ^^H 

'fia  tliai  mai^n»hadden  fwiche  defpit 

And  aicd  hire  why  that  (he  weep  fo  fore  I              ^^^M 

icfottkd  with  manner  foule  deUt» 

And  Ihc  gan  wcpen  ever  lenger  the  more.               ^^^| 

jlit  a  wif  rather  hirefclvco  lie                       ' 

Alas,  quod  the,  that  ever  1  was  ybonie  !                  ^^^| 

c  delouled,  kt  it  chinketh  me. 

Thus  have  1  faid,  (quod  fee)  thus  have  I  fwomci  ^^H 

1  fhal  I  ^n  of  Hafdruhilc*  wif, 

And  told  him  ail»  as  ye  have  herd  before  :             ^^H 

t  Cartftgc  beraft  hitcicU  hire  lif  ? 

It  nedcth  not  rcherfc  it  you  no  more,                     ^^^| 

Ha  Ibe  faw  tluit  iLoniain»wan  the  toun. 

This  hufeond  with  glad  chcre,  in  frcndly  wiXf^^^^f 

ektrc  cbildrtn  all,  and  ikiptadoiin 

Anfwerd  and  fayd  ai  1  feal  you  dcvife  ;                  ^^^| 

B  fire,  aJki  chee*  rather  to  die 

Is  ihcr  ought  eUe»,  Dorigrne,  but  this  ?                '  ^^^| 

Hj  fUxmaia  did  hire  valanie. 

Nay,  nay,  quod  (he,  Ood^  hclpe  me  fo,  ai  wis     ^^^B 

1  901  JLocrcce  fflainc  hircfclft  alaa  t 

This  is  to  much»  and  it  were  Goddes  will.              ^^H, 

be,  whan  tiiat  (he  opprefled  was 

Ye»  wif,  quod  he,  let  flepen  that  is  fkiU ;            ^^| 

r^Biiic  i  for  hire  thought  it  wai  a  Oiame 

it  may  be  wel  paraventure^yet  to-day.                 '  ^^^H 

a  wbem  Che  bidde  J  oft  hire  namc« 

Ye  feal  your  trouthe  hoi  den  by  my  fay  ;                 ^^^H 

feveb  maidem  of  MileUe  alfo 

For  God  fo  wifly  have  mercy  on  me,                     *  ^^H 

pine  iKSiXielf,  for  vcray  dredc  and  wo» 

I  had  wel  lever  Hiked  for  to  be,                                 ^^H 

thxa  folk  of  Gaule  hem  ihnld  opprtlTe. 

For  veray  love  which  that  1  to  you  have,                ^^H 

kbaa  a  thoofand  ftoricA,  at  1  gefTe, 

But  if  ye  feuld  your  trouthe  kepc  and  (rrc  :         ^^H 

Ibow  tell  a4  touching  thi*  maicre. 

Trouth  is  the  hiefl  thing  that  man  may  kepc*       .^^^| 

m  Alira4dAte  was  H&in,  hit  wif  fo  dero 

But  with  that  word  he  brafl  anon  to  wepc,            ^^^H 

Wtm  fl»w»  and  let  hire  blood  to  glide 

And  fayd  ;  I  you  forbede,  on  peine  of  deth,           ^^H 

vdMs*  vrouiide*  dcpe  and  wide, 
fd.  My  body  at  the  Icftc  way 

That  never  while  you  Uftcth  lif  or  breth               ^^H 

To  no  wight  tcfl  ye  this  mifavcnturc ;                    ^^^| 

p|  BO  Wight  defotileo  if  I  may. 

j  At  I  may  heft  1  wol  my  wo  endure  r                     ,  ^^^| 

tlbokl  1  mo  cniamplci  hereof  Jaia? 

Nc  make  no  contenance  of  hevtnefTe,                      ^^^1| 

t  §9  many  haa  hrntfetven  flain. 

Thjic  folk  of  you  may  demen  harme  or  gelTe.        ^^^| 

lief  than  they  wold  defoulcd  be. 

And  forth  he  cicped  a  fquier  and  a  maid.             '^^| 

HBftM*  that  it  t«  bet  for  me 

Goth  forth  idod  with  Dorigene,  he  faid,                ^^H 

«Dyfelf  than  be  defouled  thus : 

1  And  bringcth  hire  to  fwiche  a  place  anon.           *  ^^^| 

K  trcwre  unto  ArriragaSf 

They  take  hir  Icvc,  and  on  hir  way  they  gon  ;     ^^H 

l§e  myfclt  in  (bme  manere. 

But  thev  ne  wiften  why  fee  thidcr  went ;            ^^^H 

1  DenMKaoocs  doughter  dcre. 

She  n'olde  no  wight  teUen  hire  cntcnt.                ^^^| 

r  frr  wolde  not  defouled  be. 

This  fquier  which  that  highte  Aurcliui,          ^^^B 

iiaiin  t  it  i*  ful  grct  pi  tee 

On  Dorigene  that  was  fo  amorout,                       ^^^H 

m  liow  thy  doughtren  died,  alas  { 

Of  a  venture  happed  hire  Co  mete                           ^^H 

k«re  hemfelvcn  for  fwiche  mancr  caj. 

Amid  the  toun,  right  in  the  quickcl!  ftrcte,          ^^H 

^  m  pitec  was  it,  or  wel  more. 

As  fee  was  boun  to  go  the  way  forthright             ^^^^| 

lebao  maideo  that  for  Nichanare 

Toward  the  gardin,  the r  as  file  had  hight ;          ^^^H 

mm  flow  right  for  fwtche  mener«  wo. 

And  he  was  to  the  gardinward  alfo,                     ^^^H 

sr  Thehan  mayden  did  right  fo, 

For  wel  he  fpted  whan  fee  woldc  go                    ^^^| 

of  Mac cdotnc  had  hire  opprelTed ; 

Out  of  hire  hous  to  any  maner  place  :                  ^^^H 

di  bire  deth  hire  maideohed  rcdrefTed. 

But  thus  they  met  of  aventure  or  grace,                ^^H 

R  OmiI  I  fain  of  Kiceratcs  wif, 

And  he  falueth  hire  with  gbd  cntent,                     ^^^H 

pr  fwiche  cia  bereft  hircfclf  hire  lif  ? 

And  ajceth  of  hire  whiderward  fee  went.              ^^^| 

And  fee  anfwcred  half  as  fee  were  mad,           ^^^H 

fC^  thif  for  to  dicn  rather  thcet 

Unto  the  gardin,  as  myn  hufbond  bad|                  ^^^| 

^Ho  folfn:  his  body  onbtiried  be  ! 

My  trouthe  for  to  hold,  atos  !  alas  !                        ^^H 

^Jpcli  J  wif  was  Alccftc  eke  1  (quod  0ic) 

Aurt^liui  gan  wondrcn  on  this  cas,                       ^^^H 

H^i  Homrre  of  good  Penelope  * 

And  iu  hit  bene  bad  grct  compafBon                    ^^H 

^ce  kaoweth  of  hire  chaftttee. 

Of  hire,  and  of  hire  lamentationj                           ^^^H 

^^  i^odotnia  is  wrcttcn  thus. 

And  of  Arviragus,  the  worthy  knighf,                ^^^| 

^H«l  Troyt  was  fUin  ProthciUaat 

That  bad  birc  holden  iiU  that  fee  had  highr,        ^^M 

THE  FRAMKBIiEINES  TALB; 


So  loth  him  wii  hb  wif  ftiuld  brckc  hire  Lronehe  ; 

Aod  in  hjahertc  he  caught  of  it  grct  rouihc, 

CocGdcnng  the  bcft  on  every  fide, 

That  fro  hi*  luft  yet  were  him  lever  »bidc 

Than  do  io  high  a  cheriiih  wretchedoclTe 

A^in«  fratitirhife  and  alJe  grntiUeflc 

For  which  in  few  w'ordea  fayd  he  thus ; 

Madamr,  fay  to  your  L*ord  Aiviragus 
That  fin  1  fee  the  gncte  gcmitleffe 
Of  him,  aiiJckc  1  fee  wel  your  dtflrctfet 
That  him  were  lever  have  iharoc  (and  that  were 

routhe) 
Than  yc  to  me  fituld  brekco  thii»  yourtrouthe, 
I  hadde  wcl  lever  ever  to  fuHf  cu  wo 
Than  to  depart  the  love  bctwijt  you  two* 
1  jou  retefc,  Madame  j  into  your  hond 
Quit  every  feurenicnt  and  every  bond 
I'hat  yi-  han  made  to  me  as  hcrebcfome 
Sill  thilke  time  that  ye  were  ybonie. 
Have  Jierc  my  trouthc,  I  fliai  you  never  rcpfete 
Of  no  bchefl ;  and  here  1  take  my  Icve 
Af  of  the  trewcfL  and  the  beffcc  wif 
That  ever  yet  I  knew  in  all  my  lif. 
But  every  wif  beware  of  hire  behefl ; 
On  Dorigcne  renncmbreth  at  the  left. 
Thu>  cai}  a  fquier  don  a  gtntil  dedc 
As  wel  as  can  a  knight,  withouten  drede. 

She  thanketh  him  upon  hire  knees  bare. 
And  home  unto  hire  huibond  it  Qie  fare, 
And  told  him  all  «4  yc  han  herd  mc  fayd ; 
And^  truAeth  me,  he  wai  fo  wcl  apayd 
That  it  were  impcifhblt:  mc  to  write. 

^liat  fliald  1  lengcr  of  tht*  catcoditc? 
Anriraguiaod  Dorigcne  his  wif 
In  foveraine  bliile  led  en  forth  hir  lif, 
Never  eft  nc  was  ther  anger  hem  bctwcnc  f 
He  cherilhcd  hire  «  though  (he  were  a  quene. 
And  Jhc  was  to  him  irewc  for  evermore* 
Of  thife  two  folk  yc  get  of  mc  no  more* 

Aurcliu*.  that  his  cofl  hath  all  forloroe, 
C&rfcth  the  time  that  ever  he  was  borne. 
Alas  !  quod  he,  alas  that  I  be  high  t 
Of  pored  gold  a  tbeufand  poiind  of  wight 
Unto  this  philoftjphrc !  bow  Oial  t  do  f 
t  fee  no  more  but  that  I  am  fordo. 
Milt  heritage  n  I  -  fell, 

And  ben  a  bcr  ill  «ot  dwells 

And  (hamea  ^ii  '•>;  >.  oiviicin  thlsplace^ 
But  I  of  him  may  gcten  better  grace : 
But  nuthcles  1  wo!  of  him  affay 
At  certain  daici  ycre  by  ycrc  to  pay^ 
And  thauke  him  of  his  grcte  curtdie. 
My  UDuthc  wol  1  kepcy  I  woi  not  lie.    . 


With  herte  fore  hegoth  un^  Ut  caCre, 
Ajid  broughtc  gold  mtto  this  philf9|»hrc« 
The  value  of  five  hundred  poond  t  gcflcf 
And  him  bcfecheth  of  his  geotilldTe 
To  grauQt  him  d^ies  of  the  rcoicfiaoot^ 
And  fayde;  Maiiler,  I  dare  wel  malK  i 
I  failled  never  of  my  troUtheAs  yet; 
For  [ikerly  mydettc  fhai  be  be  <iuit 
Towardcs  you,  how  fo  tljat  ever  I  fife 
To  gon  a  btggirg  in  my  kirtlc  bare  : 
But  wold  yc  vouchen  fauf  upon  fciirtoe 
Two  ycre  or  three  for  to  refpiteD  me, 
I'han  %erc  I  wel,  for  cUes  mote  I  frU 
Min  heritage  •,  ther  is  no  more  to  tell. 

This  phiJofophrc  fobrdy  atifwerd. 
And  faicd  thus,  wlian  ht  thUe  wofdc*  I 
Have  I  not  holdcn  covenant  to  thcc  ? 

Yes,  ceftcj,  wcl  and  trcwel),  quod  Hf* 
Haft  thou  not  h^d  thy  lady  ^-^  thr^  'ikethl. 

No,  no,  quod  he,  atid  I  e  fih 

What  was  the  i:»ufc  f  tcii  i 

Aurciius  his  tale  anon  began. 
And  told  htm  all  as  ye  han  herd  before  ; 
It  ncdcth  not  reberfe  it  aoy  more. 
He  tayd,  Arviragus  of  gentiikfre 
Had  lever  die  in  forwc  and  in  diftreiTe 
Than  that  his  wif  were  of  hire  trovcfae  i 
The  forwc  of  Dorigcne  he  told  him  ali« 
Ho\y  loih  hire  wa-^  to  ben  a  wicked  wif. 
And  that  (he  lever  had  loft  that  liay  hire  I 
And  that  her  trouth  Cbe  fwore  thurgh  in 
She  never  crft  hadde  herd  fpeke  of  i 
That  t]ud«  me  han  of  hire  fogret  pitee» 
And  right  a«  freely  at  he  fent  hire  to  am 
As  freely  fent  1  hire  to  him  again. 
This  i*  all  and  fom ;  ther  n*Ls  no  more  till 

The  philofophre  anfwerd  ;  Leve  bfod 
Evcrich  of  you  did  gciitilly  to  other  ; 
Thuu  art  a  fquier,  and  he  is  a  knight. 
But  God  forbedc,  for  his  blif&ful  migfa^  < 
But  if  a  clerk  could  don  a  gelitil  dedt 
As  wel  as  any  of  yon,  it  is  no  drcdc 

Sire,  I  retefc  thee  thy  ihouJand  pouad^  i 
A*  thou  right  now  were  cro|>c  out  of  the  I 
Nc  never  cr  now  ne  haddeH  knowrji  me  ij 
For,  Sire,  I  wol  not  take  a  petiy  of  ibec  . 
For  all  my  craft,  nc  nought  for  my  tm 
Thou  haft  ypticd  wcl  for  my  vitaille. 
It  it  ynough,  andfarewcl,  have  good  dsy, ,] 
And  toke  his  hofi,  and  forth  he  i?utb  ht«  i 

Lordings,  this  qucftion  Wold  < 
Which  was  the  mofte  free,  as  th 
Now  tcUeth  mc  or  that  yc  further  uuidey  • 
I  can  no  more,  my  Tik  ii  %x  a&  csule^ 


^^^^^THE  DOCTOtntflVlCOLOOO^^^^^^^far^^^H 

^ff  DOCTOURES    PROLOGUE.                  1 

^^^n,  qood  cur  Ho(te.  at  now.                  It  fhsd  be  don,  if  that  yc  wol  it  hcfc«                                   ^M 

^^^Wiyiikie,  1  prey  you.                             Said  this  I>cidour,and  huTalc  bcg^n  AXion.                              ^H 

^^■ffDOL  hondl  nuccrc                           Now,  good  men,  <{uod  he,  hcrkcnctk  cvcrich  oo.                    ^| 

THE  DOCTOURES  TALE*.                        ^B 

^i»  ullctli  Titu»  LWlm, 

So  do  1  aU  min  other  creatures,                                          ^^^B 

Kb!  cttftd  wa*  Vtrginiua, 

What  coivur  that  they  haa  or  whai  (t^^res^                             ^H 

■  boxi              '  -  r  TtKincflc, 

Thus  kmcth  tne  that  Nature  woldc  fay,                                   ^M 

K  o(  :                     of  grct  richdTc, 

This  maid  of  age  twelf  ytic  was  and  tway                          ^K 

^^^a^^-^--  ■  iaddc  by  hii^if; 

In  which  thai  nature  hadde  fwicht:  delit ;                                 ^M 

^^Bd  he  tnii  in  %I1  hi»  lif. 

For  right  bs  (be  can  peint  a  Lily  whit                                        ^H 

HBSiaid  in  c£c  client  beau  tec 

And  red  a  rofc^ right  with  fwichc  pcinturc                             ^M 

Btry  wigbt  tJuit  man  may  fee. 

5hc  jveintcd  hath  this  noble  creature                                         ^B 

Khatit  with  fovcrajne  diligence 

Er  fhe  was  borne  upon  hire  limmet  fref ,                                   ^B 

Krc  in  Tu  ^rct  cxccUexice 

Whcra*  by  right  iwichc  colours  fhulden  bes                             ^B 

Whic  wolde  fayn,  Lo,  1  Nattirc , 

And  Phcbujb  died  hath  hire  crcilcs  grcte                                  ^B 

■  forn                   t  a  crcaturt, 

Like  to  the  (trcmqs  of  hit  bumed  hclc.                             ^^^1 

K  m*.                     ^n  mc  coutrcfctc? 

And  if  that  cxcclletit  were  hire  bcautec,                          ^^^B 

r»  -                        ay  forge  and  bete> 

A  thouland  fold  more  vertuoui  was  (he.                           ^^^^| 

[                             Jarc  wcl  faio 

III  hire  nc  lacked  no  conditiou                                           ^^^^| 

BL^,;^,  x. .           ^  cTche  in  vain 

That  ift  to  preire,aft  by  difcretion.                                       "^^^1 

^^^^  pcmtc,or  forge,  or  bete. 

As  wel  in  goil  a»  body  chaU  wa&  (he,                                      ^B 

^^Bo  »c  to  ruuntrcfcte  : 

For  which  Hic  floured  in  virgin itcc                                         ^B 

Kb  the  fomicr  |iniicipal 

With  all  humilitec  and  abHiacoce,                                             ^B 

Pitdinc  h  is  ¥1  cairt  gc  n  crd 

With  all  attcmperuacc  and  patience,                                          vB 

^^beintcti  earthly  creatures 

With  mcalurc  eke  of  Wring  and  amy.                                    " 

^^H;  and  ccbc  th^ng  in  my  cure  h 

Djrcrctc  fhc  wa»  inanfwcring  alway. 

^^K    '                         ^d  wue; 

Though  ihe  were  wife  a»  Pal  a*,  dare  1  fain. 

^^Kei                              wnl 

Hire  facoundc  ckc  ful  womanly  and  plain  : 

HRk.  X _-.  Td; 

No  cobiitrtfcted  tcrn]»  hadde  (he 

Be  to  tlie  worihjp  ©f  tay  lord. 

To  femcn  wile,  but  ;ifter  Iiirc  degree 

V 

She  f pake,  and  all  hire  wcrde»  more  and  Icflc                           i 

Bi  flifct^  l»ii  only  «1  Ui;lit?r  r itht f  t!ian  fte 
Bttf  ibilftdicrcwJudicAprttt*.  ff. 

Soiuiin^  in  vextuc  and  in  geDtlUclTc* 

4 

ic9 


THI   DOCTOTJ!tl§  TALI, 


Shunefaft  fhe  Wtti  In  fnaldens  (hamefailQciTct 
Conilant  in  facrte  out  of  idcl  bdincfTe 
To  drive  hire  out  of  idcl  ilogirdie. 
Bacchus  had  of  hire  mouth  right  oo  maiflrie^ 
For  mitkc  and  youthe  don  Vcnut  cncrcfc. 
At  men  in  fire  wol  cadcn  oile  and  grcfc. 
And  of  hire  owen  vertuc  unconftrcined 
She  hath  hirefclf  ful  often  fike  yfcincd^ 
For  that  flie  wotdc  flccn  the  compagnie 
Whcr  hkcly  wa»  totrctcn  of  folic, 
Afl  it  at  (cUct,  at  re  veil,  a:nd  at  daacct 
That  ben  occaJionA  of  daltancet. 
Swiche  thingcf  mdun  chiMren  for  to  he 
To  fonc  ripe  and  bold,  as  men  may  fee, 
Which  is  ful  pLTilous,  and  hath  ben  yore  ; 
For  a}  to  Tone  msty  fhe  Icrncn  Uirc 
€>r  boidneflc  whan  (he  woxen  i\  a  wif. 
And  ye  maLllre0cf  in  your  olde  Uf|, 
That  lordef  doughters  han  in  govcrnaace, 
Ne  takcth  of  my  wordei  difplcfancc  ; 
Thinktth  tha^t  ye  ben  fet  in  govemingci 
Of  tordet  doughters  only  fur  two  thiagcii 
Other  for  ye  haa  kept  your  honeilcc. 
Or  eJIet  for  yc  hao  fallen  in  freekee. 
And  koowen  wc\  ynough  the  olde  dance. 
And  han  forfakcn  fully  fwichc  mefchance 
Pot  cvermo  j  therefore  for  Chrific*  fake 
To  ttche  hem  »ertue  ioke  th»t  ye  nc  flake. 

A  tkcef  of  venifon,  that  hath  forlaft 
I£»  Lkerouineite  and  all  his  olde  crafty 
Can  kepc  a  foreft  befl  of  any  man  : 
Now  kepcth  hem  wcl,  for  if  ye  wol  ye  can* 
l.okc  wcl  that  unto  no  vice  afTent, 
1^  ye  be  damned  for  yotu*  wikkc  entcttC, 
For  who  fo  doth  a  tr^ytour  is  certain :  • 
And  takcth  kcpe  of  that  1  Ihdl  you  fain  ; 
CK  alk  trefon  fovcraine  pefkilcnce 
U  wbao  a  Wight  bctniyt  th  innocence. 
Yc  father*,  and  ye  mothcn  eke  alfo, 
Though  ye  han  children,  be  it  on  or  mo. 
Your  ur  the  charge  of  all  hrr  furveaace. 
While  that  they  ben  under  your  governance  : 
Beth  wajT  that  by  enlample  of  your  living* 
Or  by  yoor  negligence  in  chafliftDg, 
That  they  nc  pcrilh,  for  1  dare  wel  fiyc 
If  that  they  don  yc  Ihul  it  derc  abeye. 
Under  a  (hepherd  foft  and  negligent 
The  wolf  hath  many  a  fhepe  and  lamb  to-rent, 

SuSiceth  this  cnfamplc  now  a^  here. 
For  i  mote  tunte  agcn  to  my  matere. 

This  maid,  of  which  I  tell  my  Tale  eipreffe, 
She  kept  hircfclf^hire  neded  no  maifkrc0e. 
For  in  hire  living  maidens  mighten  rede, 
Aj  in  a  book,  every  good  word  and  dcdc 
That  longeth  to  a  maiden  vertuooi : 
She  waft  Jo  prudent  and  fo  bountcou*, 
For  which  the  fame  oat  fprong  on  every  ftde 
Both  of  hire  beautce  and  hire  bountce  wid'j. 
That  thurgh  the  lond  they  preifcd  Hire  cch  one 
That  loved  venue,  fauf  Enne  alone, 
lluit  fury  is  of  other  manne*  welc. 
And  gbd  t«  of  hi*  forwc  and  hi»  uiihele. 
The  Dolour  maketh  thi*  dcfcriptioun. 
Thift  maiden  on  a  day  went  m  ibc  toun 


Toward  a  temple,  with  hire  mother  derdt  I 
Ai  it  of  young  maidens  the  manere. 

Now  was  ther  than  a  jufUce  in  that  \ 
That  govemour  was  of  that  regioun  ; 
And  fo  befell  this  juge  hiieyen  cafl 
Upon  this  maid,  avifing  hire  ful  fall 
A»  Ihe  came  forth  by  ther  this  juge  f 
Anon  ht!i  hit  hcrtc  changed  and  his  i 
So  was  he  caught  with  beautee  of  this  i 
And  to  himfclf  ful  privcty  he  faid. 
This  maiden  (hal  be  min  for  any  man 

Anon  the  fend  into  his  hertc  ran. 
And  taught  him  fodenly  that  he  by  f 
This  maiden  to  his  purpos  wtnnen  i 
For  ccrtesby  no  force  ne  by  no  mede " 
Him  thought  the  was  not  able  for  to  fp 
For  ftic  was  ftrong  of  frendcs,  end  eke  f 
Confermcd  wasinfwiche  fovcraine  boil 
That  wcl  he  wift  he  might  hire  never  w^ 
As  for  to  make  hire  with  hire  body  finoel 
For  which  with  grct  dcLiberatioun 
He  fent  after  a  chcrl  was  in  the  toan. 
The  which  be  knew  for  fotit  and  for  1 
This  juge  unto  this  cherl  his  talc  hath  toW 
In  fccree  wife,  and  made  him  to  enfure 
He  ihulde  tell  it  to  no  creature. 
And  if  he  did  he  fliuldc  Icfc  his  hede. 
And  whan  affentcd  was  this  curfcd  rede. 
Glad  was  the  juge,  and  makcd  him  grct  i 
And  yaf  him  ycftcs  prccioua  and  dere 

Whan  (hapcn  waa  all  hir  confpiracic 
Fro  poitit  to  point,  how  that  his  Iccherie 
Parformed  (huldc  be  ful  lot  illy. 
Ah  ye  (hul  here  it  after  openly. 
Home  goth  this  cherl,  that  hightc  CUtt 
This  faife  jngc,  that  htghte  Appius^ 
(So  was  his  name,  for  it  is  no  fable. 
But  knowen  for  an  hil^tiat  thing  no 
The  fcntence  of  ii  fotb  is  out  of  douce) 
This  falfe  juge  goth  now  fafl  about« 
To  haflco  hi*  dclit  all  that  he  may. 
And  fo  befell,  fone  after  on  a  day 
This  falfc  juge,  as  telleth  us  the  ftort^« 
As  he  was  wont,  fat  in  his  conftllborie. 
And  yaf  his  domes  upon  fondry  cas. 
This  falfc  tbcrl  came  forth  a  ful  grct  paa. 
And  faidc  ;  Lord,  if  that  it  be  your  wiU| 
As  doth  me  right  upon  rhii  pitous  bill. 
Id  which  1  plainc  upon  Virginias; 
And  if  that  he  wol  fayn  it  is  not  thus, 
[  wol  it  preve,  and  linden  good  witnefTe 
That  foth  is  that  my  biUe  wol  cuprelTe. 

The  juge  anfwcrd,  Of  this  in  his  abfena 
I  may  not  ycvediffinitif  fentence. 
Let  don  him  call,  and  I  wol  gladly  here  : ' 
Thou  (bah  have  right  and  wron^  as  now  I 
Virgiiitus  cumc  to  wetc  the  j«<^et  wiM, 
Aim  ripht  anon  was  rod  this  cuifLd  bill  ij 
The  fctitcncc  of  it  was  as  vc  fTiuT  1i. 

To  you  my  Lord  Sire  !,rt 

Shewcih  your  pourc  fcrv  ^:  ^ 

How  that  a  knight  called  Va^iittu* 
Agein  the  bwe,  age  in  ail  equitce, 
Holdcthf  espTc^Te  agein  the  wiU  of  me^ 


t  IS  my  tbral  by  right, 
D  min  hoQs  wai  ftoleo  on  »  night 
Ac  wzi  ful  yong ;  1  wol  it  prevc 
S,  Lord,  fo  that  it  you  not  grc¥C  : 
k  dough tcr  nought,  what  fo  he  fay; 
to  yoo,  my  Lord  the  jugc,  I  pray; 
\f  timl,  if  that  it  be  your  wUL 
M  all  the  fentencc  of  hu  bUL 
»  gui  upon  the  cherl  behold  ; 
cr  he  tui  taU  told, 
b^a  prcved  it  at  (huld  »  knight, 
y  witQcfling  of  muiy  a  wight 
as  falTc  th^^t  faid  his  advcHary, 
i  jugc  woldc  nothing  tary, 
word  EDorc  of  Virginius, 
ki9|agetnent,  and  {aide  thus  ; 
uiQO  tJnb  cherl  hi&  fervant  havr ; 
I  DO  IcDgcr  in  thin  houA  hire  iavc  ; 
ire  forth,  and  put  hire  in  our  ward  : 
jhml  have  bis  ihral ;  thus  I  award* 
lan  this  worthy  knight  VJrginiuii 
Btence  of  thi»  juiUee  Appiut, 
fcMve  bit  derc  doughter  ycvcn 
fOgCi,  lu  lecherie  to  liven, 
tuD  home, and  fct  him  in  hit  hall, 
loQ  bift  dcrc  doughter  call ; 
a  face  ded  at  aiben  cold 
r  bamble  face  he  gan  behold, 
■opitee  ^king  thurgh  hiiherte, 
le  GrooD  h^  purpos  not  con  vert  e, 
tcr,  quod  he,  Virginia  by  thy  natne, 
two  fraicj,  other  dcth  or  dtrnme, 
u  naft  fuBrc,  alat  that  1  wat  bore  { 
r  ihou  dclcrTcdcft  i^hcrforc 
■rith  a  fwcrd  or  with  a  knif^ 
Mebter,ender  of  my  lifl 
|K  follred  up  with  fwiche  plefance 
^Bre  never  out  of  my  remembrance ; 
jvi  which  that  art  my  laftc  wo, 
lyUf  my  lalle  joyc  alTo  ; 
lof  ebaftitee  !  in  patience 
(•thy  dcth,  for  thit  it  mj  Centencc ; 
ttd  HOC  for  hate  thou  mud  be  dcdi 
01  bond  muft  fniiten  of  thin  bed. 
K  ercr  Appiui  thee  fay  1 
th  he  falfeiy  judged  thee  to-day. 
d  bite  all  the  cat,  at  ye  before 
sd(  it  needeth  not  to  teU  it  more. 
arcy,  dere  father !  (juod  tbii  maid. 
llLihat  word  (be  both  hire  armet  laid 
lil»eeeke,at  {he  was  wont  to  do^ 
Ul  of  fa**  cjreji  two} 


And  faid,  O  goodc  father  (bal  f  die  ? 
It  ther  no  graee  f  is  thcr  ho  rcmedic  ? 

No  ccrtct,  dere  doughter  min !  quod  he. 
Than  ycve  nic  Icifcr,  father  min  quod  fhe. 
My  dcth  for  to  complain c  a  litcl  fpacc  ; 
For  parde  Jepte  yave  his  doughter  grace 
For  to  compiaine  or  he  hire  flow,  aJat! 
And  God  it  wot  nothing  was  hire  trefp&v 
But  for  fhc  ran  hire  father  firft  to  fee. 
To  welcome  him  with  grct  folcmpnitcc. 
And  with  that  word  ihe  fell  alwoun  anon. 
And  after,  whan  hire  fwouning  was  agon. 
She  rifcth  up,  and  to  hire  father  faid ; 
BleXTcd  be  God  that  I  fhal  die  a  tnaidi 
Ycve  me  my  dcth  or  that  I  hare  a  {hame  : 
Doth  with  your  child  your  wiUc  a  Goddet  nafsc 
And  with  that  word  Ibe  praied  him  ful  oft 
That  with  hit  fwerd  he  wolde  fn>ite  hire  foft ; 
And  with  that  word  afwoitne  again  (he  fell. 
Hire  father,  with  ful  forweful  herte  and  wiB, 
Hire  bed  of  fmote,  and  by  the  top  it  hent« 
And  to  the  jugc  he  gan  it  to  prefect. 

At  he  fat  yet  in  dome  in  con^orie. 

And  wkm  the  jnge  it  faw,  at  faith  the  (kfie^ 

He  bad  to  take  him  ax>d  anhang  him  faft  : 

But  right  anon  a  thoufand  peple  in  thraft 

To  fave  the  knight  for  routh  and  for  pitec, 

For  knowen  wit  the  falfc  iniqahce. 

The  peple  anon  had  fafpc<5k  in  thit  things 

By  cnaner  of  the  cherlet  dialenging. 

That  it  was  by  the  a(rent  of  Appiut 

They  wiftcn  well  that  he  wit  kchcroui  2 

For  which  unto  thit  Appios  they  gon. 

And  caftc  him  in  a  prifon  right  anon, 

Whereat  he  flow  himfclf;  and  Claudiuj, 

That  fcrvant  was  unto  this  Appiut, 

Wat  denied  for  to  hang  upon  a  tree. 

But  that  Virginiut  of  his  pjtee 

So  prayed  for  him  that  be  w:k3  exiled. 

And  cllci  certes  had  he  ben  beguiled ; 

The  rcmcnant  were  anhanged,  more  and  IcfTei 

That  were  confentant  of  thii  curfcdneffe* 
Here  men  may  fee  how  fln  hath  hit  merite  ; 

Beth  were,  for  no  man  wot  whom  God  wol  fjltfl 

In  no  degree,  ne  in  which  maner  wife 

The  worrac  of  confciencc  may  agrifc 

Of  wicked  LLf,  though  it  fo  privce  be 

That  no  man  wotc  therof  fauf  God  and  He; 

For  be  he  lewed  man  or  eUc»  Icred  ^ 

He  n*ot  how  fonc  that  he  Ibal  ben  afered  S 

Therforc  I  rede  you  thit  confcil  take* 

Porfakcth  tone  er  fiwic  you  foifakc* 


fit 


THE  PAH.D0H1 


The  toly  wrk  take  I  to  my  witncflc 
That  luxuric  ii  in  wine  and  dronketicfn:. 

Lo,  how  that  dronkeo  Loth  utikiiidcly 
Lay  by  hit  daughtert  two  unwetingly  ; 
So  drotikc  he  wvt  he  ti*Ulc  what  he  wrought* 

H«rodc4,  who  Co  wel  the  (lories  fought, 
Whan  he  of  wine  rq>Iete  wa»  at  hi*  ftftcj 
Right  at  his  owcn  tabic  he  yavc  hj\  hcfkc 
To  flcen  the  Baptift  John  ful  giltclcs, 

Seneca  faith  3  good  word  doutiltfs; 
He  faith  he  c^m  no  dilTcrcDce  find 
Betwix  a  man  that  is  out  of  his  mind 
And  a  man  whiche  that  is  dronkclcw; 
But  that  woodndfe,  y fallen  in  a  (hrcw, 
Perfevcrcth  lenger  than  doth  drunkencfTe. 

O  glotonie!  fuil  of  curfcdJicffc^ 

0  caufc  &Hb  of  our  con fu Hon  ! 
[  O  original  of  our  damnation ! 

Til  Crid  hid  bought  us  with  hi*  blood  again  : 
I  l^oktth  how  dcre,  (hortly  for  to  faiDi 
r  Abo-ught  wat  thilke  curfcd  rilanie  : 
^Corrupt  was  all  thit  world  fur  glutontc. 

Adaxti  our  father,  a.nd  hii  wLf  alfo, 
[  %to  Paradis  to  labour  and  to  wo 
[  Were  driven  for  that  vice,  it  is  no  drcde; 
'  t^or  while  chat  Adam  faflcdf  u  I  rede, 
[  lie  wai  in  Paradts,  and  whan  that  he 

f,tc  of  the  fruit  defended  on  a  tree, 
f  Anon  he  was  out  call  to  wo  and  peine. 
\  0  glotonie !  on  chec  w^el  ought  us  plaine, 
O  !  wift  a  man  how  many^  maladia 

Volwen  of  csccfle  and  of  glotonict, 
t  He  woldc  hen  the  more  mefurable 
^  Of  his  diete,  fitting  at  hia  tabic. 

Alat !  the  ihorte  throtc^  the  tendre  mouth» 

I4akcth  that  eft  and  weft,  and  north  and  fouth» 
'  Id  crthe»  in  iir,  in  water,  men  to  fwlnke 

^o  gctc  a  glotcn  dcintcc  mete  and  drinke. 
^  Cf  5iiA  matere,  O  Poule  !  wet  ranft  thou  trcte  : 
I  Mete  unto  wombe,  and  wombe  ckc  unto  mete, 

§h%{  God  deftroien  bothe,  as  Paulus  faith. 

^ht !  1  foule  thing  11  it  by  my  faith, 
f  T"©  fay  thi»  word,  and  fouler  it  the  dcde, 

liHuu  man  fo  drinkcth  of  the  white  and  rede 

That  of  histhrotehe  makcth  htspriTce 

Thnrgh  thiike  curfcd  fuperfluitec. 
The  apoflle  faith  weping  ful  pitoufly, 

Thcr  walkcn  many  of  which  you  tolJ  bAVC  1 ; 

1  lay  it  now  weping  with  pitoui  vois 
That  they  ben  enemies  of  Criftes  croii, 

Cf  whiche  the  end  is  deth;  womb  b  hir  Co^  i 

O  wombe,  o  belly!  IlitTking  «•  thy  cod, 

fulfilled  of  don  g  and  tt  in; 

,  At  cither  end  of  thee  I  ■  •  »J  n , 

».9low  gret  Ubour  and  con  i^  t  ntc  to  find ! 

'Thife  coktf  how  they  {lamp,  and  (hrkie,  and  grind, 

And  turncn  fubtlance  Into  acdJeot, 

To  fulfill  all  thy  likerout  talent ! 

Out  of  the  hardy  bonet  knocken  they 
I. -The  mftiy,  for  tbry  caffcen  nonght  iwiy 
\  >T*bat  may  go  churgh  the  giiUet  foft  and  (ott : 

Of  fpicerir,  of  leef,  of  barke,  and  rote, 

8b»l  brn  hit  faufc  ymakedt  hy  del  it 

To  mitke  htm  jn  1  newer  appciil : 


But  certci  he  thit  haunteth  fwickc  delket 
h  dcd  whOe  that  he  Uvcth  in  iho  vkcv 

A  lecherous  thing  is  wine,  and  d 
It  ful  of  ftriring  and  of  wrctchcdnefle* 
Q  dronken  man!  ditEgured  ii  thy  face. 
Sour  is  thy  brcth,  foul  art  thou  to  enbraf  e« 
And  thurgh  thy  drotiken  nofe  fcmcth  the  (am 
A»  though  thou  laidclt  ay  Sampfount  Sampi 
And  J'et,  God  wot,  Sampfbun  dronk  never  aol 
Thou  faleft  as  it  were  a  ftikcd  fwine  4 
Thy  tongc  is  loft,  and  aU  thin  hooeik  cat^  ^ 
For  dronkeneflc  is  vcray  feputture 
Of  mannet  wit  and  his  difcrction. 
In  whom  that  drinke  hath  dotnioatioa 
He  can  no  confeil  kepe,  it  is  no  drede, 
Huw  kcpe  you  fro  the  white  and  fro  the  1 
And  namely  fro  the  white  wine  of  Lcpe, 
That  is  to  fell  in  Ftlhftretc  and  in  Chcpe, 
This  wine  of  Spat^nc  crepeth  fubtilly 
In  other  wine*  growing  faftc  by, 
Of  which  ther  rifeth  fpvtche  fumofitet^ 
That  whin  a  man  hath  dronken  draoffhcci  ^ 
And  wencth  that  he  be  at  home  in  Ch€p<p  { 
He  it  in  Spaigne,  right  at  the  toun  of  Lc] 
Not  at  the  Roche U,  nc  at  Burdeux  toun. 
And  thannc  wol  he  fay  Saoipfoun !  Sam 

But  hcrketVeth,  Lordmgs,  o  word,  I 
That  all  the  foveraine  adet,  dare  I  (aj,  ' 
Of  vidories  in  the  Oldc  Tcflament, 
Thurgh  veray  God  that  is  omnipotent. 
Were  dim  in  »b£linence  and  in  praycre  t 
Loketh  the  Bible,  and  there  ye  otiOW  li  I 

Loke,  Attila  the  grcte  conciuerour 
Died  in  his  Ocpc  with  fhamc  and  diihon 
Bieding  ay  at  his  nofe  in  dronkcnelTc : 
A  capttaxne  (huide  Live  in  fohreneile. 

And  over  all  thi»  avifcth  you  right  wcl 
What  was  commanded  unto  Lamuel  { 
Not  Samuel,  but  Lamuel,  fny  L 
Rcfkth  the  Bible,  and  find  it  ex| 
Of  wine  yeving  to  hem  thathavt 
No  more  of  this,  for  it  may  wel  fu|&cc* 

And  nnw  that  I  havejfpoke  •/  ^ktonk^ 
How  wolt  you  defendcn  hafardric. 
Hafiird  i»  Tcray  moder  of  lefingei.. 
And  of  dec  cite  and  cur  fled  fcrfwerin^c, 
Blafpheming  of  C rid,  nianilaughtcr,  Ba4  W^  1 
Of  catel,  and  of  time ;  and  forthcrmo 
It  i-  rcprcvc,  and  contrary  of  honour 
For  to  beb  hold  a  commun  kafarJour, 
And  ever  the  higher  he  i«  of  cfbt 
The  more  he  isholden  defokt. 
If  that  a  prince  ufeth  haiarderie, 
In  alle  governance  and  policic 
He  is,  aa  is  by  commun  opinion, 
Yhold  the  leflc  in  reputation, 

Stilboii,  thAt  was  a  wife  cmbaflsMlottl^ 
W^Ai  fent  to  Corinth  with  ful  gret  hoaouf 
Fro  Calidone,  to  makcn  hem  alliance  £ 
And  whan  he  eame  he  happed  him  /«r  ^Smu 
That  all  the  grrtcft  that  were  of  that  Innd 
Vplaying  attc  hazard  he  hem  fond ; 
For  which,  as  Cone  as  that  U  nughlc  be. 
He  ftak  him  hfitaa  »gcio  to  hi»  fieottce^ 


TrtE    PARDONERES    TaLe 


HI 


I  wol  DOC  Itit  my  name^ 
^  €»kc  «o  ioe  To  grct  drfame, 
|6  aUie  aoeo  doo  £ftfiirdoun : 

f  fJFQticlle  i»r  were  It^cr  di« 
to  tiaiW<ioiu-i  »ilk; 
§a  ^anoitt  in  hoticurti 
illif  ymm  to  boh  har^u-diiun, 
«rwv  Be.  as  by  my  trctee. 
;re  thtti  fafd  he, 
tP  iW  ILing  Dcmrmut 
hcs,  af  the  book  fiiyth  Uf| 
of  dii  of  gtitld  in  Uornc, 
hsi^^td  tht:rhc(ornc, 
licid  hU  ^*f*rf  uid  his  rcoouo 
or  ropttuniouii* 
6n4«n  otlhi^  mancr  play 
_    to  4rtve  the  d»T  *way. 
I  i^kr  cl  otiici  hUc  and  e;rete 
Ǥ  o)4c  bookci  trtne. 

gkofl  '^  '^  cHiii|£  abhommahle, 
I  fva^tag  U  yet  more  rr prevililc* 
i  M«ih«tr  i  but  iji  rpcct2j 
Ibytli  tlic  Itoly  Jcreniie, 
fWcre  fbcn  «hm  oth«»t  and  not  lie, 
K  ia  4titT  ':c  in  rightwi£iiefl<B> 

UTvcraps  ii^SUi> 

UMid  fbc  t»w£  ii(  luc  6rllc  uble 
b  O^HliIrt  btfflki  lionouriblc 

■        '        -^  hfl>  *''    '^1  ill  i*ihi#, 

iri 
1^  liar^cd^t  vcrmg 

or  mwiy  an  orh<.r  thing. 
%T  ©wire  t^Ti«  if  ftonrlrth, 

!•«  that  n»odeth 

Steond  !  it  ; 

T  H  j>l:it 

I  Qoi  hii  houi 

hiiQtie^ 
n  HaOcs, 
ink  and  treyc ; 

,, thtji  hotr  g«. 

.  of  the  bicchel  bonc^  twtf, 
fid^dle,  and  homiciJf . 
_  of  Crift,  that  for  ui  didc, 
benhe  gree  ^d  inulc. 


to  qI  bcm  fBD  CHUCQ  LO  low  klUTCt 

I,  ^nvi  be,  *ad  aic  rcdily  ^ 

[nnpt  a*  lii^  ^4t  piiUbch  Ikeic  forth  bfi 

I,  ^moA  thiaboy^  it  nedeth  nevrr  ^ddi 
i  OM  told  or  yc  cami:  bert  two  houPcts 

e  ••  old  fdaw  of  yourci, 
iy  h»  -Via  yflain  to^ai^ht, 

ilitlii  oa hii  bench  «f  light; 


Thcr  came  a  privec  thccf  moi  cU|»^  Dcth, 
That  in  thi»  contrtc  zl\  the  pcplc  Oci^h, 
AncJ  with  his  fpcrc  he  fmntc  bii  hcrtc  atwo, 
And  went  his  way  witnoutm  worded  tt>o. 
He  haih  attiouf4ind  Hain  tlxis  pcUikni^c; 
Andt  maiilcr,  or  ye  come  in  his  pr' icf^c 
Mc  tinakcth  that  it  were  (ul  ncccIT^ric 
For  ;o  bcwarc'of  fwiche  an  advcj  l.inc  ; 
B'.-ih  T'  '*•-  ^'"^  "-'  r-  rn^tr.  >i;.i-,  r^.-r  ..o|-e; 
Thi.  More* 

The  chiid  iiiyth  ibiii,  nac  he  h^th  iUin  this  ytit^ 

Hcn»  over  a  mile*  withui  a  gret  vilbge, 

Burh  m».n  iind  woman,  child,  and  hync  aod  page^ 

I  trowe  his  habitation  be  theic  ; 

To  ben  united  grct  wildom  rt  were 

Or  Ehitt  t>e  did  a  m^n  a  dilhonour. 

1«  it  i'wichc  per  I  } 

1  fhul  him  fckc  t  ,  ..jcic, 

ImAkcavowb,  mt«, 

Herkcncth,  fd  -  n  aUc  oact  j 

Let  oche  of  Qs  ;  hond  to  other. 

And  cchc  of  uk  1  ; hen  brother* 

And  we  wol  flcn  tha  iilic  tniitoiij-  Deth  £ 
Hl-  flul  be  ilaiiH  he  chat  fo  many  flcth. 
By  C'jddes  dipjitce,  or  it  be  niglit. 

To^edcr  hao  tliife  three  hir  uouthca  plight 
To  hvc  and  dicn  euhc  of  hem  for  othtr, 
A*  tlioughhe  were  bisowcn  borcn  brother. 
And  yp  thty  ftert  al  droiikco  in  thisra^c, 
And  forth  they  gon  towards  that  viI!;iiL;;c 
Of  wliich  the  tjivcrner  had  fpoke  bcfurn, 
And  many  a  frrifly  oth  than  bat^e  they  fwojii, 
And  Crif.es  bkfTed  body  thry  to-rt'nt, 
Dcth  ihiil  be  ded,  if  thiit  we  may  him  bent. 
Whan  they  hjui  gon  not  fully  half  a  mile. 
Right  as  they  wokl  ban  trodcn  oTcr  a  AjIc, 
An  oldc  man  and  a  pourc  with  hem  mcttc  ; 
Thiioidc  man  fid  m  '    '    '    -  -^  -% 
And  faydc  thuj ;  Nf  van  lee ! 

The  praadcft  of  tJ ,  .    .,,,.-.,  :lc 
Anfvvcidagtn;  What?  chcrl,  with  for  y  ^raw. 
Why  art  thuu  ;J1  farwni|ipcd  fave  thy  face  i     ' 
Why  hveft  thou  to  longe  in  fo  grrt  -Ajgc  i 
1  his  olde  man  gun  bike  in  his  yifage. 
And  £aydc  thus ;  For  1  ire  ca^nnot  £ndc 
A  maot  though  that  I  walkuxi  into  lnde« 
Neither  in  citce  nc  in  no  village, 
TtiAt  wolde  change  hit  yoiitke  for  ntin  age) 
And  Therefore  mote  I  hjui  nua  nge  Jiill 
A^  luHgo  time  ms  it  is  Qoddo  wilL 
Ne  Deth,  aiaa  !  ne  wU  not  ban  «iy  \i£ : 
Thus  waikc  I  like  a  rdteles  f lit  \i^ 
And  on  ^hc  ground,  u'hixih  is  my  modrosgitt| 
1  knudiLe  wiih  ray  llif  crbeh  and  bte, 
And  fay  to  hire,  Lcve  mother,  let  me  iii« 
La,  how  1  vanifti,  flefh«  «id  hbM»d,  andikin* 
Ala^!  whanfhulmy  btmeaboAat  re^f 
Muther,  with  yo^  woU  i  tbaag/tn  mf  obsfUf 
1  hai  kn  mj  cbonbtt  loop  linebaib iio, 
Yc,  ior  aa  faonm  doMt  «o  iNawp  iH  mo. 
But  yet  to  me  die  «p«d  04^  don  that  gia^. 
For  ^obidi  M  ^  iiiii  wclk44  ift  mf  iMi« 


Ii4 


THE  PAftDONERES  TALE. 


But,  Sife«,  to  you  It  U  do  curtcHc 
To  fjitlie  unto  an  oldc  iriEift  vitajiir. 
But  he  trcfpafe  in  word  or  rlk^  in  dcdc 
In  holy  writ  ye  moun  yourlckcn  ride 
'  Ascitis  aa  oldc  man  hore  upnnhishcdc 
[Yc  SUiild  arifc  :  therefore  1  ycvc  you  rede 
Kc  Qotli  irnto  %Q  oldc  m;Ln  non  harm  now. 
No  more  than  that  yc  wold  a.  niiin  did  you 
In  at»c,  if  thai  yc  may  fo  lonjj  abide  ; 
^\nd  Clod  be  with  you  where  you  go  or  ride  ; 
I  moftc  go  thider  »«!►  I  hurc  to  jfo, ' 

Nay,  oldc  fhcri,  by  God  thou  Ihateootfoy 
Saydc  thi«  other  hufardour  anon ; 
Thrtu  partcft  not  fo  lightly,  by  Scint  John. 
Thou  rpake  fight  uow  of  ihilWc  traitour  Dcth^ 
Tliat  in  thiscootrrc  ail  our  frcndc*  fleth; 
Have  here  my  trouth,  a§  thou  art  his  efpic, 
Tdl  whcr  he  i?,  or  thou  (halt  it  abrc 
Uy  God  and  by  the  holy  facrcmtnt, 
For  fothly  thoti  art  on  of  hin  alTent 
*1  o  flcn  us  yonge  folk,  thou  falfc  ihcfr. 

Now,  Sirci,  quod  he,  if  it  be  you  fo  lefc 
To  finden  Deth,  tounie  up  this  crokcd  way« 
For  hi  th»t  grove  1  left  him  by  my  fay 
^Under  a  tree,  and  ther  he  wol  abide, 
He  for  your  boft  he  wol  him  nnthiog;  hidff. 

yc  that  okc  ?  rij;ht  thcr  ye  (huiii  him  find* 
ao6  favc  you  t}»at  bought  agen  mankind, 
^And  you  amccde  !  Thoiiayd  thisolde  man. 

And  cvcrich  of  tliifc  riotourcs  ran 
Til  ihcy  came  to  the  trce^  and  thcr  they  found 
or  FlorcinB  fine  of  gold  y coined  round 
Wei  nigh  and  eightc  bunicK,  ai  hem  thought : 
~»Jo  Icnger  than  after  Dcthc  they  fought, 
But  eche  of  hein  fn  glad  wai  of  die  fight, 
\T       '        ■  c  Florcin*  ben  fo  fitirc  and  bright, 

^hry  kttc  hem  by  the  prcciou«  hord  : 
i;l   wt .  u<L  of  htm  he.  fpake  the  firdc  woni, 
BTtthrcr,  fjufid  he,  tuke  kepc  what  I  {hal  ftiy; 
,  jMy  tvit  i»>  '^T"t  t1  oinh  that  1  bourde  and  play. 
lii%  '  ;nc  unto  ut  yrren, 

mi  J  r  lif  to  liven, 

And  lightly  a»itc«nicih  fo  wol  we  fprnd. 
£y,  GoddCA  prtcioui  dignitec  !  who  wend 
j^o-cftny  thiLt  we  fhuld  hao  fo  f^trc  a  grace  ? 
ut  might  thii  gold  be  caried  fro  iht«  place 
fome  to  myn  hout,  or    "  yourc*,  , 

htir  wd  1  woU  that  r.!  >  ourc«) 

tbvitie  were  we  in  hii^**  .•...^.^.^; 
tttcwely  by  day  it  may  not  br, 
im  golden  fay  that  we  were  cheevei  ftrong, 
And  for  our  owen  trefour  don  us  hong. 
Thii  trefour  mu0  ycaried  be  by  night 
t  wifely  :ind  a«  firighly  as  it  might ; 
If  her  fore  1  rede  that  cut  imong  U4  aUe 
ITe  drawe,  and  let  fe>e  wher  the  cut  wol  fallc  | 
Knd  he  that  hath  the  cut,  with  bene  blith, 
rt  to  the  toun,  and  that  ful  fwith, 
[y^i  ,^  bred  and  win  ful  priTtlyi 

,.,  ;,   ....^i    Diftiai  kr^-n  inl.nll^^ 

ustrclourwd;  iD  i  ot  tarien, 

ban  it  t«  mght  wc  v. '  ui  caiiui 

%j  orf  affcnt  whcr  a$  ui  think  r         ;^ 
'Tli«t  mi  vf  hum  Um  cut  biu^^ia  o^  Ut  {e&. 


And  bad  him  drawe,  and  tokc  whcf  U  wot^fil 
And  it  fell  on  the  yongcfl  of  hem  a  Ik, 
And  forth  toward  the  toun  he  went  tnoD  ;J 
And  al  fo  fone  as  that  he  vras'agon 
{'hat  on  of  hem  fpake  thux  unto  that  othcrl 
Thou  wot  eft  wel  thou  art  my  fworen  broil 
Thy  prolitc  wol  1  tell  the  right  anon. 
Thou  woft  wcl  that  our  ft- law  if  agoii. 
And  here  is  gold,  and  that  ful  gret  plea 
That  fhal  departed  ben  among  us  three  j 
But  nathdles,  if  I  can  fliapc  it  fo 
Thai  it  departed  were  among  uj  tw  o. 
Had  I  not  don  a  frende*  turn  to  thee  f 

That  other  anfwcrd,  J  n*ot  how  that  mil 
He  wotc  wel  that  the  gold  is  with  ut  tv 
Whiit  fhuln  wc  don,  what  fhuln  wc  to  hit 
Shal  it  be  confcil  ?  fayde  the  firftc  Oirewr,  \ 
And  I  flial  tcllcn  thee  in  worde*  fcwc 
What  wc  (hul  don,  ajid  bring  it  wel  abo 

I  grantc,  quod  that  other,  out  of  doutrj 
That  by  my  troitth  I  wol  thcc  not  bewrcicj 

Now,  quod  the  firft,  thou  woft^  wtl 
And  tweic  of  ufifhal  ftrcnger  be  than  on,  I 
Loke,  whan  that  he  is  fet  thou  right  anoill 
Arifc,  as  though  thou  woldeft  with  him  [ ' 
And  I  fhal  nvc  him  thurgh  the  fide*  twray  ' 
While  that  thou  ftroglcft  with  him  oaio  j 
And  with  thy  dagger  lokc  thou  do  the  i 
And  than  flial  this  gold  departed  be. 
My  dcrc  frcnd  !  betwixen  thee  and  mc  ; 
Than  moun  wc  bo  the  our  luftes  al  fulfiile,  i 
Aud  play  at  dis  right  at  our  owen  wtUe. 
And  thus  accorded  ben  thifc  ihrewes  twcyd 
To  flcn  the  thridde,  3«  yc  han  hrrde  ine  f 

Till*  yongcft,  which  that  wente  tothet 
Ful  oft  tn  herte  he  rolteth  up  and  6ma 
The  beaut cc  of  thifc  Florctnt  n«w  a  _ 

O  Lord  I  qufjd  he,  if  fo  were  that  I  flUgj^Tj 
HjTvc  all  thi»trefuur  to  mjfclf  diOQei^ 
'I'hrr  ti'is  no  man  that  liveth  under  the  I 
Of  God  that  fliulde  live  fo  mery  j»  L 
And  at  the  l.ifl  the  fend  our  enemy 
Purtr  in  hi»  thought  that  he  Ihuld  poifiDil  t 
With  which  he  mightc  flen  his  fclAvr»  tn 
l^or  why  f  the  fend  fond  him  in  fwtehc  t 
That  he  had  levr  to  forwc  him  to  bring  ; 
For  thiii  wan  outrely  bis  ful  entente. 
To  Hen  hem  both  and  never  to  rcpmtc* 
And  forth  he  goth,  no  tcnger  wold  he  I 
Into  the  toun  imto  a  potctary. 
And  praicd  him  that  he  wolde  IcU 
Some  poilon,  that  he  might  his  rato«tii4 
And  eke  thcr  was  a  potkat  in  hFs  hawe 
That,  as  he  fayd,  his  capons  had  yUawe  t  < 
And  fayn  he  wolde  him  wrcken,  li  he  i 
Vi  vcnnino  that  dcftroied  bent  by  tiifht.^ 

The  pdtccary  anfwcrd,  Thou  flialt  bavei 
A  thing,  a«  ififly  God  my  foulefave. 
In  all  thii  world  thcr  n*is  no  creature 
That  etc  *^r  .!r.,nl.  hith  of  this  confeauri 
Not  but  4  i  c  of  a  com  I-  of 

T  hat  he  r '  it  anon  foflttc, 

Tc,  Acrvc  he  fuaif  and  that  tn  lefi'e  while  { 
Tlum  thou  wok  gan  a  pa*  tu#i  but  a  auk  t\ 


THE  PARDONERES  TALE. 


^IS 


kICbci  II  To  Aran{3^  and  violent.  ( 

I  rurfed  rzLUi  hath  ui  hb  hr>tid  yhcDC 
mfotk  in  a  box,  and  i'withe  he  nm 
|e  orzte  Hrctc  unto  a  man, 
Iirwe4  of  him  lar^c  botclict  thrve» 
llbe  rwo  the  pfjifrti  pntjrrd  he; 
indidc  he  ^  ii  drmke, 

1  th«  nigl  f  tu  fwinkc 

1  nSMUilitji  notour  with  lory  grace 

l.v^  wT-^i  xMii  }  *i  .-rctc  bottcilcs  three 
i  :h  he. 

( o  fcrmon  more  ? 
[  ,   htd  cail  his  dcth  before; 

f'  .tzt  him  Ilain,  aud  that  anon. 

rii  L..i^t  thi«  was  don,  thui  fpake  that  oo; 
tsA  fit  ^nd  iiritike,  and  make  m  muj. 
"  '    '  ^',  bcry, 

m  far  tat 

<!rmkc  alfo, 
/  ihc  two. 

I  luppoic  tliat  Aviccnnc 
in  no  canon  ne  in  no  fcnnc 
fignci  of  cmpfitfoninif 
tit  wrrtrbr%rwo  or  hlr  ending. 
1  cide*  two, 
I :f  alfo. 
cii?  oi   ail  carjetlncfTe  ; 
fiomicidc !  o  widccdneffc  ! 
liucitriei  and  hafardrie ! 
rphcmour  of  Crifl  with  vtlanie 
cr%  <?rL  te  of  ofagc  and  of  pride ! 
: ,  how  may  it  betide 
t  L  jtoor,  which  that  thee  wrought, 

mUu*  prceiouA  hcrte-blood  thcc  bought, 
■P^#&ir«f  «nd  h  unkind !  alas  ! 

^H  '  rijd  foryeve  you  yoor  trcfpas, 

rr  ^  Cnne  of  avaricf, 

f  pariitn  ni«y  you  all  waricc, 

R^Arc  noblca  or  ftarlingcs, 
rcr  brochcf,  fpon^s  ringe*. 
yootr  bed  tinder  thi-  holy  bulk, 
■p^  jc  wjve«,  ai]d  oflicth  of  your  wollc  j 
p»f»  1  cTitrc  here  in  my  roll  aiaon  ; 
bltlTc  of  hevcn  (hul  yc  gon  : 
dEatle  bf  ram  high  powcre, 

wilti  olTrc,  a»  clene  and  ckc  ^  clerc 
IT  borne,     Lo,  Sirct,  thui  I  prechc; 
c^  QnUt  tbat  ii  nur  ftiulcs  leche^ 
jmM  hi*  paidon  to  receive, 
•  bdl^  1  i»ol7«aiK>tdcceiTe. 


But,  Sire*,  o  word  fofgatel  in  my  Tide; 
I  have  retikes  and  pardon  in  my  male 
As  faire  as  any  tnan  tn  Engeltmd, 
Which  were  me  yevcn  by  the  Popes  hond« 
If  auyof  youwol  of  dcvf>tion 
OfTrcrtf  ^d  ban  my  ibfolution, 
Cometh  forth  aiioa«  and  kiielcth  here  adouit| 
And  mck-rly  recciveth  my  parjoiin  ; 
Dr  tllen  tiJtctli  pardon  as  ji  wciide, 
Al  new  and  frcfliif  at  every  toune*  cnde. 
So  that  yc  oflrcn  alway  newc  and  newe 
Noble*  or  pens  which  diiit  ben  good  and  CrcwCi 
It  i)  an  booour  to  evcrich  that  is  here 
That  ye  moun  hare  a  funtfant  PardoBcrc 
'Jo  jilloHcn  you  in  contrcc  as  yc  rrdc 
For  avcnturc*  which  that  moun  betide. 
Piravcnture  thcr  may  fulir  on  or  two 
Douo  of  his  hors,  and  brcke  hU  tfceke  atwo* 
Loke,  which  a  feurtee  ia  it  to  yuu  allc 
That  I  am  in  your  JTehwfbip  yfulk*, 
That  may  afToiIe  you  both  more  and  lefT^, 
Wljan  that  the  fwule  Ihal  fro  the  body  ir.iiTc. 
I  rede  that  our  Hofle  Oial  begin ne^ 
For  he  is  moil  etivolup(3d  in  riui.e. 
Come  forth,  Sir«  Hofte,  and  offre  firft  anon. 
And  rhou  (halt  kiife  thcrdikca  cvcnch  on, 
Ye  for  a  grote  ;  unbokel  anon  thy  purfe. 

Nay,  nay,  quod  he ;  than  have  V  Cri/lei  curlri 
Let  be,  qUod  he  ;  it  flial  nm  hi\  fo  the  tch. 
Thou  woldeft  make  me  kiffc  rhin  oldc  brcch. 
And  fwcre  it  were  a  reltkc  of  a  ft-intf 
Though  it  were  with  thy  foundemi^nt  dqieint ; 
But  by  the  crois  which  that  Scint  H.Icinc  fond 
I  wulde  1  had  thin  coilons  ia  min  bond 
Inftedc  of  relikes  or  of  feintuarie. 
Let  cut  hem  of,  T  wo!  thcc  help  hem  caric : 
I'hey  ibnl  be  Ihrincd  in  an  hoggcs  tord. 

This  Pardoner  anfwercd  not  a  word ; 
So  wroth  lie  wa*  no  worde  oc  wolde  he  fay. 

Now,  quod  our  Hoile,  I  wol  uo  kngcr  plajr 
With  thce»  ne  with  non  other  angry  man* 

But  right  anon  the  worthy  kniglit  bcgsn, 
(Whan  that  he  faw  that  all  the  pcplc  lough) 
No  more  of  this,  for  ii  is  right  ynough. 
Sire  Pardoner,  be  mcr)^  and  ghd  of  cherc 
And  yc,  iiirc  Hofte,  that  ben  to  me  fo  dcre, 
t  pray  }  ou  that  yc  kilTc  the  Pardoner ;  , 

And,  Pardfincr,  J  pray  thee  draw  thee  ner, 
And  as  we  didcn  let  us  laugh  tnd  play* 
Anon  they  kifled,  and  riden  forth  hij:  way, 

H   rj 


iii 


THE  SHrPMANMES    rROLOCUK. 


THE  SHIPMANNES  PROLOGUE. 


)uft  Hofte  trpon  hi»  Ctirropt  (lode  anon, 
^^nd  faide,  Good  men,  hcrlccmech  cvcrUb  cm, 
~Tii>  was  a  thrtfty  'J'ale  for  the  nonci. 
Sifc  Pirifh  Prccft,  quod  he,  for  Goddcnboijcft 
Tell  oi  a  Talc,  a*  wa*  thy  forwaf d  yore  j 
1  fee  wcl  that  ye  Icrncd  men  iti  lore 
Can  mochcl  good^  by  Goddct  dignftee. 
The  Pcrfon  him  anfvvcrd,  BenfdhtSt  f 
What  cilcth  the  man  fo  fiuluUy  to  fwcrc  ? 

Our  Hoftc  anfw^rd,  O  Jankin !  be  ye  there  f 
Now  good  men,  quod  our  Hofte^  hcrluicLh  to  mc? 
1  fmcll  a  Lollcr  In  tlie  wind,  jiuod  he  ; 
Abide ih  Tor  Goddcs  diji^jie  pafUoQ^ 
Tor  we  fhol  hiu  a  predtcaUdli  ^ 


TKu  LoUer  Here  woj  prccbeti  us  Tomwlisf^  I 

Nay»  by  my  fadicrs  reule*  that  AiaI  h«  t 
Saydc  the  Shipman  ;  here  ibal  he  n&t  ^ 
He  dial  uo  j^ofpcl  glofcn  here  ne  tcchc. 
We  Icvcn  ail  vn  tlie  ^rct  God,  ijuod  he  : 
He  woldc  fowcn  fom  difficulteCt 
Or  fpringen  cockle  in  our  clcne  conjc ; 
And  therefore  Hoftc,  1  waroe  tJiec  I 
My  Joly  body  fhai  a  Talc  telle. 
And  [  fhal  ctinkcn  you  fo  ntery  a  belle 
That  1  ftial  waken  all  ihi»  compAgnic  \ 
But  it  ihal  not  ben  of  phtlofopiuc, 
Ne  of  phyfikc,  nc  teftne*  queiote  tA  btv^^ 
Tber  is  but  Utcl  Latia  ia  my  mjiwiu 


THE  SHir^ANNES  TALE. 


A  Mafchaat  whilom  dwelled  at  Seint  Dcnife 
That  ritbc  wo*,  for  which  ni<ii  lidd  him  wife : 
A  wif  he  bad  of  cxcaiknc  beautee. 
And  compaj^nable  Ind  rcvelont  wit  (he, 
^^hich  ia  a  thing  that  caufcih  more  dirpence 
tohan  worth  16  all  the  cherc  aad  reverence 
h*hat  men  hem  don  at  feflci  and  at  dancea  : 
Bwiche  falutatiofi&  and  contcnancc» 
PafTen  a*  doth  a  fliadwc  upon  the  wal  \ 
But  wo  is  him  that  pay  en  mote  for  alL 
The  fcly  hufbond  algatc  he  mote  pay, 
life  mote  us  cloihe  and  he  mote  us  array 
All  for  hi*  owen  worChip  richcly. 
In  which  array  we  dancen  jolily  : 
And  if  that  he  may  not  paraventure« 
,6r  clles  luft  not  fwichc  difpcncc  cndufc, 

?ut  thmkcth  it  i«  waited  ^JiA  yloft, 
halt  moec  acotbei  p&ycn  for  oitr  coft. 


Or  lenc  a&  gold,  and  that  1$  fcriloiM. 

Thif  noble  marchant  hckl  a  v^ortbr  1 
For  which  he  had  all  day  fo  grct  rcpaire 
For  hift  largtlTc,  and  for  hit  wif  uai  fiireJj 
Thftl  wOAdcr  la.     But  hcrkencth  tu  my  T4 

AiDOOfea  all  thife  geftci  gret  and  imate  ' 
Ther  was  a  monk,  a  faire  man  and  a  bo 
f  trow  a  thritty  wiutet  he  was  old. 
That  eTer  In  on  was  drawing  to  that  pl&oe*l 
This  yonge  tnocik,  that  waj  ia  fiiirc  of  Uk 
Acquainted  wa«  fo  with  thn  goodc  man. 
Sit  hen  that  hire  firilc  knowjegc  begm. 
That  iu  his  houi  ai  fvxiilicr  waa  he 
Aa  it  poffibic  i»  any  frend  to  be. 
And  for  as  mochcl  us  thii  goode  min 
And  ekethlf  monk  of  which  that  \  be§aa 
Were  bothe  two  yborne  in  o  ntlagCt 
The  nurnk  him  claimcth  i»  for  cdmj^ 


THK  SHIPMANKES  TALE. 


«f 


IM  glad  thtioi  V  fook  of  (by, 

/  knit  with  cticrnc  *Uiaace, 
'  hem  gui  odicr  for  to  enWe 
~  irbilc  that  hir  lif  may  durCr 
ll>afi  Joim,  Atui  oamrly  of  difpencc, 
aod  foJ  of  diligence 
r»  vul  alio  gret  coftage  : 
*e  '^r  "     leftc  page 

r  degree 
^  lord.  ^»v  j^^'ivii  his  mcmce, 
|1^  ^me,  fom  maticr  hozied  thing, 
'  were  as  glnd  of  his  coiiiiii;f 
ya  wkia  thit  the  focne  up  nfech* 

shb  ai  now,  lor  it  fufHccth. 

>  bcfdi  thi»  msr chant  oo  a  day 
to  fiiakfn  re4y  hU  array 

Brugjc*  for  to  f^irc, 
<>o  of  ware, 
;  lie  uj^u  lit  P^urii  fcnt  anoo 
Wm  <fi<&  prated  hath  Dun  John 
'  1  come  to  Seine  Denis,  and  pkle 
1  with  hit  w if  a  day  or  tweic, 
^_     I  went,  in  aU  -w-ife. 
I  monk,  ttf  which  2  /ou  deviTe, 

i  Aib^oC  U  htm  iifl  lici:Qce» 

?%£  wa.4  a  mao  of  high  prudmcey 

an  oAicer  out  for  co  ride 
i  hir  gnyif  c«  and  hir  berries  wide} 
;  penis  he  comcth  anon. 
>  lb  wrkotnc  as  toy  Lord  Uan  Joha, 
"      ful  of  eurtcfic  ? 
:  brou|rht  a  juhbc  of  Xtatvefie, 
aoother  fui  of  fine  Vcmagc, 
bbtilr,  «a  ay  was  \na  uCage. 

[  I  let  hcjn  eu,  and  drinke,  and  pleyc» 
nt  and  this  ruoolt,  a  day  or  twcye. 
ide  day  lhi«  marchant  up  arlTcth, 
I  pcdi>ea  fadly  him  avifcth, 
I  ^ia  couuour  hoU£i  goth  he. 
Hth  himielven,  wel  may  be, 
;  how  that  it  with  him  (tood, 
St  he  dlfpcndcd  hsA  hii  good^ 
i  he  c&crefed  were  or  non. 
_j  sod  hi*  badges  Biany  on 
L  befont  him  on  hit  counting^ord* 
^  was  hi%  trrfour  and  his  hard, 
,  hi\  faf^c  hit  countour  dore  he^ihct, 
:  oroide  no  man  (hold  him  kc 
tci  for  the  mcne  time  ; 
itil  it  was  palTcd  prime. 
I  riftiti  in  the  morwe  alfo, 

I  hti  tl  tcifiy. 

a  vjprively 

\  Ihcr  he  w-Akfiih  foft, 
il«cth,  u  Ctic  hath  don  oft  : 
1  casic  in'hire  compagnie, 
I  tuft  (he  may  govcmc  and  gie, 
r  the  yet^^  was  the  nmdc. 
~  t  min  !  l>an  John,  (he  faldcj 
i  yott  lb  rathe  for  to  arifc  f 
I  he,  k  (m^ht  ]fQou£h  fufEH^ 


Five  hourei  for  to  flcpe  upon  i  night. 

But  it  were  for  an  cldc  appalled  wight, 

Ai  ben  thife  wedded  men,  that  lie  and  darCj 

Af  in  a  fourmc  (jtteth  a  wcry  hare 

Were  al  forHraught  with  houndcs  mtaodfmal^ 

But,  dtT*  nece !   why  be  ye  to  pale  f 

T  Trowe  ccrtcs  that  our  goodc  man 

H:ith  you  laboured  fiih  thi*  night  bcgao> 

That  you  were  nedc  to  rcilcn  hailily. 

And  with  that  word  he  lough  ful  merily. 

And  of  hisowen  thouehc  he  wcjce  all  red. 

This  fairc  wif  gan  wr  to  flialtc  hire  hti6. 
And  faied  thu^j  Ye,  God  wote  all,  quod  (Lc  : 
Nay,  cofm  min,  it  ftant  not  fo  with  mc ; 
For  by  that  God  that  yavc  me  foule  and  lif 
In  ali  the  reanic  of  Frauncc  is  ther  no  wif 
That  laiTe  luft  Uath  to  that  ftry  play, 
For  I  may  fmg  alas  and  wala  wa 
That  I  was  borne  I  but  to  co  wight  (quod  flic) 
D.krc  I  not  tdi  how  thai  it  flant  with  me ; 
Whcrforc  I  ihinkc  out  of  thi*  lond  to  wende, 
Or  dies  of  myfclf  to  make  an  ende, 
Su  ful  am  I  of  drcde  and  eke  of  care. 

This  monk  began  upon  tliis  wif  to  f^ire. 
And  fayd,  Alas  I  ray  nccx:,  God  forbcdc 
That  yc  for  any  forwc  or  auy  drcdc 
Fordo  yoiu^fclf :  but  telleth  mc  your  grcfe« 
P^rarenturc  I  may  in  your  itiifthcfe 
Confeilc  or  hclpc  i  and  thcxforc  tcllcth  mc 
All  your  anno)\  for  it  fhal  ben  fceree  ; 
For  on  my  porto*  here  I  niakc  an  oth 
That  never  in  my  lif,  for  kfc  m*  loch, 
Ne  fhal  1  of  no  conic il  you  b<wray. 

The  tunc  agcn  to  you,  quod  ihc,  I  fay^ 
By  God  and  by  this  porto*  I  yuu  fwcrc. 
Though  men  mc  woldui  all  in  pieces  tcre, 
Nc  fiiajl  I  never,  for  to  gon  to  hcUc, 
Bcwrcy  o  word  of  tixin^  that  ye  mc  tcUj 
Nought  for  no  cofinagc  ne  alliance. 
But  vcraily  for  k>vc  and  affiance 
Thus  be u  they  jwornc,  and  h(in:upon  they  kllt^ 
And  cchc  of  hem  tolJ  ether  what  hem  liflc, 

Cofm,  quod  flic,  if  that  I  had  a  fpace^ 
As  I  have  ncn,  ;ind  namely  in  this  place, 
Tlun  wold  I  tell  a  Ic^Jid  of  my  lif, 
WJiat  I  have  fuffred  fall  I  was  a  wif 
With  min  hufbond^al  he  he  your  cofln.  ^^^^ 

Nay,  quod  this  monk,  by  God  andScint  Martia 
He  n*js  no  more  colin  unto  mc 
Than  is  the  Jcef  that  hangcth  on  the  tree  ; 
I  clepe  him  fo,  by  Scint  Denis  of  France, 
Tn  han  the  more  caufc  of  acquaintai^c 
Of  you,  which  1  have  loved  fpccially 
Above D  alle  women  iikeriy  ; 
This  fwcrc  fyou  on  my  profrflioun. 
Telle  til  your  grcXc,  left  tl\ttt  he  come  adoun. 
And  haftcth  you,  and  goth  away  anon. 

My  dcre  love  \  quod  fhc,  o  my  Dan  John  l- 
Ful  Icfc  were  mc  tliis  confcil  for  to  hide. 
But  out  it  mole,  I  may  oo  Icnger  abide. 

Myn  hufbond  i»  to  mc  ilxe  werftc  man 
That  ever  was  fiththat  tlic  world  began  j 
But  fiih  I  am  a  wif,  it  fir  i»ot  me 
To  telicn  no  wight  of  our  privctCft 


THE  SHIPMANNES   TALI. 


NtJth^f  in  bed  oe  m  non  otlier  place  ; 

God  Hnldc  !  fholdc  it  tclien  for  \m  gmcc  : 

A  wif  ncfhal  not  hjn  of  hire  hulbood 

But  all  honour,  as  1  can  undcrftond ; 

Sai?c  unto  you  thus  moch  I  tdkn  flial : 

As  hclpc  mc  God  he  is  nought  worth  at  all, 

In  no  degree  the  value  of  a  flic. 

But  yet  mc^grcvcth  moA  hismgardle: 

And  wcl  ye  wot  that  women  naturally 

Dcilren  tliing^c*  fiic  as  well  as  I ; 

They  wolffra  that  hjr  hufbondrs  fhuldcn  be 

Hardy,  and  wifir,  and  richc,  and  thrrto  free, 

And  buxomc  to  his  wif,  and  frefh  a-bcddc.  ' 

Biit  iy  tW  tllcc  Lord  that  for  us  blcddc. 

For  hi*  honour  myfcivtn  for  to  array, 

A  Sondjy  fit. it  1  mudc  nedca  pay 

An  hutidrcu  frank*,  or  cllcs  am  1  lonur; 

Yet  v.tTt-  mc  k-vcr  that  I  were  unbomc 

Than  wer^  don  a  fclandrc  or  vilanic. 

And  if  min  hufbond  ckc  might  it  efpic 

1  a 'err  but  loft ;  and  thcrforc  T  you  prey 

X^tic  nit"  this  fumrnc,  or  elles  mote  1  dcy  ; 

Dan  Jrthi,  1  lay,  Icnc  mc  this  hundrrd  trankc*  j 

Pard'.'  I  Wol  not  faille  you  my  thankes. 

If  that  you  lif^todo  rhai  I  you  pray ; 

Fur  jtt  a  certain  Any  I  wol  you  pay, 

Aud  do  lb  you  wh.if  pkfanct       ! 

/rhaiT  I  may  doii^  right  a*  ynu  , 

And  but  r  do  God  u\lc  on  nu 

As  IfuiJ  a»  cvrr  had  Gcnclon  ^ 

Thifgcnril  inrinkanfwered  i_:  ..      .-:_rc; 
N«w  Uewcly*  mm  owcn  lady  dert  \ 
1  have  (t;ttod  he)  on  ypu  fo  jfretc  a  rout  he, 
Tluit  I  you  fwcrt,  and  plij»htc  you  ray  trouihr, 
*rhat  whnn  your  hun>oiui  h  to  Flandro  fare 
1  wol  dcfiver  you  out  of  this  care, 
Fc^r  I  wol  brinprn  you  an  hundred  franke«^ 
And  with  that  word  ht-  ciuj;ht  her  by  the  f!aixkeS| 
And  hirt  embraced  hard,  and  kiftt  hire  oft. 
Goth  DOW  yr'M  VI  ..    n.  .,,1  1.,^  i]  jiijjc  andfuftj 
And  Itt  un  ^i  ye  may. 

For  by  ray  k  ,      i  e  of  day  : 

Goth  nnw,«iid  htrth  cs  trewc  as  \  Diid  be. 
i^     Now  clki  Cod  forbcdc,  Sire*  quod  flic. 
And  fonh  dte  jcotJi  an  joly  a&  a  pie, 
And  bad  iht  c*'\e%  that  fhey  fhuUI  hem  hie» 
So  ihilt  I  ■    '  aiioij. 

UjJ  to  I 

Aud  ktro..  itriji  ar  i,Mj.iiL-ly. 

^ii  if  hf  qnod  i  am  I, 

Qr.^r-     Wt,  ♦,  Mgewolyefaft? 

\\  I  and  caik 

\"  >  and  your  thingcs ? 

Th»-  drvn  lii»ve  pin  of  all  iwtehr  rekcntngcil 
Ye  h^'i  )fT'>iiph  psr'-  of  Ht-^^dfi  fondc. 
C  :«r*ltoudc 

J  ri 

\\  ne  dine* 

J  divtjic 


fc.  . 


Cootinuclly,  laJling  unto  oure  ajjjc. 
We  moun  wel  makcn  chcrc  and  %otA  Yif»( 
And  driven  forth  the  world  ju  it  may  b«. 
And  kcpcn  oure  cftat  in  pHvetee 
Til  wc  he  dcd,  or  clle§  that  we  pUy 
A  pdgrimage.or  goo  out  of  the  way  - 
And  therforc  have  I  grct  necellJtcc 
Upon  tliie  cjutintr  world  to  avifcn  me  ; 
For  evermore  mote  wc  llond  in  drede 
Of  hap  and  fortune  in  our  chapmiznhedr* 

To  Flanders  wol  1  go  lo-morwe  at  day. 
And  come  ageio  as  foiie  as  ever  I  uxi^j^ 
For  whidi,  my  dcrc  wif !  \  thcc  bcfcke 
As  be  to  every  wight  buiani  and  mcke. 
And  for  to  kcpc  our  (food  be  curtou», 
And  hone  (11  y  govrrnc  wcl  our  hou*. 
Thou  hail  ynough  in  every  maner  wife 
That  to  a  ihrllty  houHiold  may  fuffice. 
TKl'c  lacketh  non  array  nc  no  vitaille  ; 
Of  filver  in  tliy  purfe  (halt  thou  not  faille. 
And  with  th.it  word  hit  coontour  dore  he  1 
And  doun  he  goth ;  no  Icngtr  wold  he  Ictteg 
And  ballily  a  msfTc  wasther  faide, 
Aitd  fpedily  the  tables  were  yhtd-. 
And  lo  ihe  dintr  fAflftthcy  t 
And  ticliely  thUmnnk  the  cr  \t^ 

And  afttr  difjtr  Dan  John  loijnjy 
This  thapniun  tokt  apart,  and  pri^xly 
Ik  fail]  him  thu6  ;  Cofin,  it  (lundeth  fo 
Thai  wtl  I  fee  to  Brugges  yc  wol  go » 
God  and  ^ciui  Auilin  fpcdc  you  ajidgldcl 
I  pray  you,  cofin»  wifely  thet  yc  ride  j 
tJovcrncth  you  aifo  of  your  diete 
Aitemjirdyi  and  namely  m  this  hetr, 
Bctwi^  Mh  two  ncdeth  no  (Irange  fire : 
Farcwcl,  cofm^  God  ihilde  you  fro  eaict 
If  any  thing  ihcr  be  by  day  or  night. 
If  it  lie  in  my  power  and  my  might. 
That  ye  me  wol  command  in  any  wiCr, 
It  Ihal  be  don  right  as  ye  wol  deviie. 

But  o  thing  or  yc  go,  if  it  m*y  bej 
1  woldc  praycn  you  for  to  Itne  nic 
An  hundred  frankcs  for  a  wcke  or  Cwcyt, 
For  Certain  belles  tliat  I  mufle  beye» 
To  llorcu  with  a  place  that  \s  ourea^ 
(God  help  me  fo  I  wold  that  it  were  yotirci 
I  (hal  not  fiTllc  furcly  of  my  day. 
Not  for  a  tl»oufand  fr*nkcs  a  mile  way. 

But  let  thi*  tiling  be  frrr       •      - - 

For  yet  to-night  thifc 

Aod  fare  now  wcl,  mk;  .  ......■,   ..         . .  ; 

Qr^nd  mtnj  of  yunr  caft  and  ol  your  chcre, 

Tltis  noble  marchiiit  gcniilly  anoci 
Aolwi  fd  And  faid»  O  coSn  miii,  Dan  John ! 
Now  fikcHy  this  is  i  fmal  nrqucflc ; 
My  gold  iiyuuiT^fwhan  that  it  you  leftf^ 
And  nut  only  my  gold  but  my  thttiHirc  t 
Take  what  you  icff,  God  ftjcl^      '  fii; 

But  o  t'unjj:  IB,  ye  know  it  w 
Ot  chipmcn  that  hir money  a^  ..,,  j  ►  ,>;h  : 
\\    niOL'n  cfcancrii  while  wc  ban  a  name,. 
But  good  Us  h>r  to  ben  tt  i»  no  g»me» 
Pay  it  a^'  n  whun  it  lith  in  your  cfv  : 
Aucr  my  might  lul  f^yu  ^xi\i  I  ^ou  plcf^ 


tHE  SHlPMANNtfl   TAL«* 


tif 


frtDkcs  fct  he  forth  anoD* 
prfTc*  heni  to  Daij  John ; 

tight  rtorld  will  of  this  biic 

1^  t}ii»  n^^^^ui  and  D4n  John  aloac. 
I  idncikr,  Atid  fpckc,  and  romi!  a  whik  jind 
hn  t^m  John  ridcih  to  bU  abbcyc        [}>!<:)£* 
he  c&fnr,&nd  forth  thi*  marchunt  rjtlcih 
fr^rd  ;  his  prentis  wd  hini  gidcth 

!i»maicJi£nt  fa^ite  and  bcfily 

"c,  and  bkth,  and  creauctlh  ; 
ptaydh  at  the  dis  nc  danceth, 
rJiaot,  (hortly  for  to  teli, 
tii  ;  and  thcr  I  let  him  dwell. 
7  next  titt  marchant  was  ttgoQ 
J>c«U9  f  comcn  h  Dan  Jfiha, 

Ati  :  '       '      'I  frcm  and  ncwe  yfhavc 
litfl  a  knave, 
it  cil.- ,  .;...  ..^  n'»4  ful  fain 
mj  l»cptd  Dan  John  Wa»  come  agaiii. 
tty  the  point  right  for  to  gon, 
1  th  with  Dan  John 
^d  fraakcs  he  (huuld  all  night 
ui  iu*  Aftnci  bolt  upright : 
orii  parfcrmcd  wa»  tti  dcde, 
flight  a  bcfy  lif  they  Icdc 
•  dAy,  that  Daii  Johti  ycdc  l«i  way, 
the  rocmic  ferewcj,h;ivc  gnod  day  ; 
ol  heni,  oc  no  wight  in  the  tt.un, 

f  ri-m    }tihn  riffht  HOfl  lili'pCi^tioim  ; 

liome  to  hi«  iibbcy, 
no  more  of  hira  t  fey, 
iuuit,  whan  that  ended  was  the  hlrCf 
s  hr  gan  for  to  repoire, 

maketh  fcfte  ind  chene, 
chaffare:  it  fo  dere 
wrfK  nc  make  a  chcvifance 
hutidi  In  a  rccogaifancc 
q^  .^_  „*..  .>    ..,  r.,.,  I  n,    1  J.     -.^nuj 

<»n 
--         -    :..  Madde 
Mid  franket^  and  lorn  with  him  he  ladde. 
^bo  that  he  wa.s  come  in  to  the  coun» 
fse  cliirrf ee  and  gret  aflfe^lionn 
Das  Ji:»l"ti  be  goih  him  firfl  to  piryc, 
m  to  -Lie  *>r  borwc  of  him  nioiicyc, 
irio  *»  ttc  and  ftcu  of  hi*  welfare, 
■r  to  tell-  ■-  *-"  ■-  ■  ■'  '    ■'    'V 

10  fere, 
ry  cLerCi 


dull 
■  tobn  lii^^  ^. 
rptm  toldc  a 

lie  hmA  w^t  vl 

4iax  he  r 


ufly 
hi«  marcJiandti^rf 
nij«n ere  wife 
-.>  for  hi*  hc&c, 
I'm  in  foye  atid  rclle. 


a1  ye  not  inilTei 


Your  wif,  at  home,  the  fame  goid  n^n 
Upun  your  bcitcJic ;  (hr  wotc  it  wclccrLain, 
By  certair*  tokened  that  1  cst\  hire  trll. 
Now  by  your  leve  1  may  uo  Icngcr  dwell ; 
Our  abbot  wol  out  of  thiii  touii  aitan. 
And  in  hi»  compagnie  I  muile  gon* 
Grctc  wclour  damciniin  owcn  ncce  fwctc  ! 
And  farcwcl.  dcre  ctifm  !  til  we  mete. 

This  marchafjt,  which  th^t  wms  ful  ware  and 
Crcaaced  hath^iind  paidc  eke  in  P^ris  [wi/e^ 

To  certuin  Lumbiirdet,  redy  in  hir  bond, 
the  fumme  of  gold,  and  gate  of  hem  hit  bond. 
And  hoa«  he  goth  mery  ai  a  popingay, 
For  wcl  he  kntrw  he  ftood  in  fwichc  array 
*rhat  ncdei  muftc  he  winnc  in  that  viagc 
A  thaufand  frankcs  above  all  his  coflagc. 

Hii  wif  ful  rcdy  metxc  him  at  the  gate, 
A*  flic  was  wont  of  old  ufage  algntc; 
And  all  that  night  in  mirthe  tbey  hen  fetie» 
F^r  he  was  ricbe,  and  clerely  out  of  dcttc. 
Whan  it  wat  day,  thi&marchant  gan  embraee 
Hi»  wif  all  newe,  and  kifle  hire  in  hire  fact-. 
And  up  he  goth«  and  maketh  it  ful  tough. 
No  more,  quod  fhc  ;  by  God  ye  have  yiiough  ; 
And  wantonly  agen  with  him  (he  plaidc. 
Til  at  the  lall  this  marchant  to  hire  iaide  : 

By  Cod,  quod  he,  I  am  a  litcl  wroihe 

With  you  my  wif,  althoti        *  ^ Inthe  ; 

And  wotc  yc  why  ?  by  i  I  g«fl& 

That  yc  ban  made  a  nwr;-.  ...,^l:uc([c 
fietwixen  me  and  my  coIin  Dan  Joho. 
Ye  fbuld  have  warned  me  or  I  had  gtili 
That  he  you  had  an  hundred  fratikc»  paide 
By  rcdy  token,  and  held  him  eviT  :tp:jtdc 
For  ihat  1  to  him  fpake  of  ch*  \ 
[Me  fcmed  fo  as  by  his  contc*: 
Bi»'  nathciesby  God  our  hrvcn  king 
I  thoughlc  not  to  axe  of  him  no  thing. 
I  pray  thee,  wif,  nc  do  thnu  no  morr  fo  : 
Tell  mr  ahvay,  cf  that  V  fro  thee  go. 
If  any  dettour  hath  tjj  min  abfcncc 
V|iaid  thee,  icfl  thurgh  thy  nci^Iigencc 
I  might  liim  axe  a  thing  thut  he  huth  piadc 

Thi}  wif  wa«  not  »fcrdc  nc  aifrarde. 
But  boldcly  Ihe  Ikid,  and  that  anon, 
Mary!  1  dcfic  that  fulfe  monk  Dan  John  ; 
1  kepe  not  of  hi*  lokcnc*  never  a  del : 
He  tokc  me  certain  gohl,  I  wtitc  it  \\'c\. 
What !  evil  thedome  on  hi«  monkey  fnoutci 
Fur  Cod  it  wot  I  wend  withoutcn  doutc 
That  he  had  ycvc  it  me  becjufe  of  you* 
To  don  iherwith  min  honour  and  my  prow 
Ff»r  cofinage  and  eke  for  ^//r  ebcre 
I'hiU  he  hath  Kiid  ful  often  timea  hcff : 
But  fith  I  fee  I  ftondc  in  fwichc  di^oint 
t  wol  an  (were  you  Ibortly  to  the  point. 

Yc  have  mc  Ibkkcdettoum  than  aro  1% 
For  I  wol  pay  you  wel  and  redity 
Fro  day  to  day ;  and  if  fo  bi  1  faUtc, 
I  am  your  wif»  fcore  it  upon  my  title. 
And  I  ihul  pay  a*  font-  as  ever  1  may  % 
For  by  my  trouth  I  have  on  min  array. 
And  not  in  wnftc,  bcftowed  it  every  dclf 
And  fvr  1  have  bcflowtd  tt  fo  wcl 


iza  THE  SHll'MAllKeS  TAt^S. 

For  your  honour,  for  God4ei  fake  f  fty 

As  beth  not  wrothe,  but  let  m  laugh  and  pity : 

Ye  flial  my  joly  body  han  to  wedde ; 

By  God  I  n'ill  not  pay  you  but  a-bedde  : 

Foryeve  it  me,  min  owen  fponfe  dere ! 

'^ume  hitherward,  and  maketh  better  chere. 

This  marchant  faw  thcr  was  no  remedy. 
And  fpr  to  chide  it  o'cre  but  a  foly^ 


Sith  that  the  thing  may  li6t  «neBdad  W. 
Now  wif,  he  faid,  and  I  foryerc  it  thee  s 
But  by  thy  lif  be  Be  no  more  to  large ; 
Kepe  bet  my  g6od;  this  ytrc  I  thee  in  eharge* 
Thus  endeth  now  my  Tale,  and  God  ua  (endo 
Talinr  ynough  vnto  our  (iTCf  cnde. 


THE    PRIORESSES   FR0i«O&UE. 


THE   PRIORESSES    PROLOGUE. 


I  Htl  Cud»  hff  ntfmt  Dfmim^  <}tiod  our  Hoftt ; 
I  VhiloQgc  tsote  Uum  f^co  fay  the  coftc, 
iHMrcftta  maillrr,  gentil  marincrt. 
**^Twe  tbe  moiikc  a  thoufa«d  Uft  quad  ye  re. 

I  fekwcj^  bctii  wart  of  fwichc  a  iapc. 

Hookc  put  in  the  mannft  hodc  m  ape* 
Eli  bis  wtfet  eke,  by  Sctnt  Aufhn. 

c^  DO  tfioolnn  more  mto  your  in* 

^ftow  pUIc  oTer,  aind  let  ui  feck  abopte 
r  tcUen  irft  o£  lU  this  romf 


Another  Tal<  :  ind  with  that  w«rd  he  fald^ 
Aj  curteiily  ■•  it  had  brca  a  maid  ; 

My  Lady  Prlorcffc,  by  youi  lerc^ 
So  tl^at  I  wift  I  fhuW  you  not  agrcve, 
1  wolde  dcmcn  that  ye  teUcn  (hold 
A  X=^*  ^^^"^i  *^  ^°  ^^'^  *^t  1^  wold, 
Now  wol  ye  vochefau/,  may  Lady  dcrc  ? 

Gladly « quod  ihc}  uid  fakic  as  ye  flid  hero* 


THE    PRIORESSES   TALE*. 


0  Ltsfil  o«r  I-ord  ?  thy  oime  how  menreillou* 
k  b  thit  lai*^  world  yfprad  !  (quod  (he) 
fv  Ml  al  only  thy  laude  preciotti 
Hjlwmcd  i&  by  fticn  of  dtgnitcc^ 
J^  ly  die  «n«ith  of  chUdreo  thy  bono  tee 
Ftskiatskcd  U,  for  on  the  brcfk  fouking 
L  fbewm  they  thin  herying, 
ioce  in  IsikU-,  ii  i  can  beft  aii4  naay, 
;  &nd  of  the  wKk«  lily  flour 
;  diat  thee  bare,  and  h  a  niatdc  alvv^^^y^ 
L  m  ftode  I  will  do  my  labour; 
■t  I  may  encrcrcn  hire  hioiour, 
r  ilichcrCieiven  i»  honour  and  rott: 
riMyttacec,next  hire  fotie,  and  foule«  bote* 

'  maide  I  o  maidc  and  mother  fre  1 
*  tmbrent  f  hrcnning  in  Moyfcs  light, 
r:irifhcdcft  doun  fro  tbe  dr itcc, 
rb  thin  hambicfTe,  the  goA  that  in  the  alight 
boa  Ycrtne,  whaa  he  thm  hertc  light, 
cdTcd  wai  the  lalhen  &pi«nce, 
tlel|ic  me  to  kU  it  in  thy  reverence. 

Lady  t  thy  bountee ,  th^  mag;niliccaccj 
Thy  vcrtue  «nd  thy  gret  hunilitec| 

„»*  mktdit  «r a  diritltn  child  mvi^cred  ^y  the  Jewi,  j 


Tber  may  no  tongue  cjrpreflc  in  no  ib' cncc ; 
For  jonitin  e,  Lady  \  or  men  pray  to  ihcc 
Thou  goJI  befom  of  thy  bcnignitee 
And  geteft  us  the  light  of  thy  praycre 
To  gidcD  Ufi  uii^o  thy  fotic  fo  dcrc. 

My  conning  is  fo  wckc,  o  blisfut  Qucne  I 
I  or  to  declare  thy  grc^c  worthincflc. 
That  T  nc  may  the  weigh tc  not  fuilcnc  ; 
But  a»  a  child  of  twdf  moncth  old  or  IciTe^ 
That  can  unnethci  any  word  ciprfflc^ 
Right  fb  fare  1,  and  therefore  I  you  pray 
Gidcih  my  fong  thai  I  fhal  of  yoo  fay. 

Thtr  waa  io  Afic,  in  agrct  citec, 
Amonges  Crillen  folk  a  jL'Wcne> 
Stiftencd  by  a  lord  of  that  contrcc. 
For  foulc  ufurc  and  lucre  of  vilanic 
Hateful  to  Crift  and  to  his  compagnie^ 
Andthurghthcflretcmcn  mighten  ride  and  wendei* 
For  it  wa»  free,  and  Gpcn  at  cythcr  code. 

A  litd  fcolc  of  Criflcn  folk  thcr  Hood 
Doun  at  the  ferther  chd,  in  which  ther  were 
Children  an  hcpc  comen  of  Cnfbsfi  blood. 
That  Icrncd  in  that  fcolc  ycrc  by  jcrc 
Swkhc  mo&crc  dodrijK  as  mea  uifipd  therci 


THE    PRIORESSES    TALE. 


I 


I 


This  U  to  fay,  to  ftflgcn  and  to  rcdc, 
As  fmale  children  don  in  htr  childhcde, 

AmoDg  thifc  children  wasa  widcwci  foncj 
A  Uicl  clef gion*  fcvcnc  ycrc  of  ajr, 
That  day  by  day  to  fcole  wan  hh  wonc. 
And  ckc  alfo,  whcras  lie  fq-  the  image 
Of  Criftcs  modcr,  had  he  in  ufage. 
An  him  was  taught,  to  knclc  aduuu,  and  fay 
Avt  Marie  as  he  goth  by  the  way, 

Thu»  hath  thi»  widcwe  hire  litcl  fonc  ytaught 
Our  bli«ful  Lady,  Criilcs  mother  dere, 
To  worlhip  ay,  and  he  forgate  it  naught. 
For  fely  childe  wol  away  fone  lore. 
But  aye  whan  1  rctnembrc  on  thit  maccre 
Scint  Nicholas  ftam  ever  in  my  prcfcncc, 
For  he  fo  yong  to  Crift  did  reverence, 

Thii  lirel  cluide  his  htcl  book  lemingg 
As  he  fit  in  the  fcole  at  hi&  primcrc, 
He  Aima  Rtikmptwis  herdc  fing, 
As  children  Icrcd  hir  antiphoDcre, 
And  as  he  dorft  he  drow  him  ncrc  and  ncre, 
And  hcrkencd  ay  the  word*  and  the  note. 
Til  He  the  firftc  vers  coudc  a!  by  rote. 

Niiught  wifl  he  what  this  Latin  wa«  to  fay. 
For  he  fo  yongc  and  tendrc  was  of  age ; 
But  on  a  day  hi»  febw  gan  he  pray 
To  cxpoutiden  him  this  fong  in  hu  language, 
Or  telle  him  why  this  Cong  was  in  ufage  ; 
This  praydc  he  him  to  conflruc  and  declare 
Ful  oft  rime  upon  his  knees  bare. 

His  fcluw,  which  that  elder  wa>  than  he, 
Aiifwered  him  thti*  ;  This  fong  t  have  herd  iky. 
Was  makcd  of  our  blisful  Laxly  frc, 
Hire  to  i^uc,  and  ckr  hire  for  to  prey 
*1  o  ben  our  help  and  focour  whau  we  dcy< 
1  caa  no  more  expound  in  thi«  matere  : 
1  len;e  fong  ;  I  can  but  fmal  gr^mmerc. 

And  is*  thit  fong  makcd  in  reverence 
Of  Crlllcs  moder  ?  laid  thi»  innocent  ; 
Kow  certeA  1  wol  don  my  diligence 
To  tonne  it  all  or  Criftemaffe  be  went. 
Though  that  I  for  my  primer  flial  be  (beof| 
And  ihal  be  beten  thries  in  an  houre. 
1  wol  it  conne  ourLadic  for  to  hououre. 

His  fclaw  taught  him  homeward  prively 
Fro  day  to  day  til  he  coudc  it  by  rote. 
And  than  he  fong  it  wel  and  holdely 
Fro  word  to  word  according  with  the  note  : 
Twics  a  day  it  pafTcd  thurgh  his  thmte. 
To  fcolcward  and  homei^^ard  whan  he  wcntc; 
On  Criftc*  modcr  fct  was  his  entente. 

As  I  have  faid,  thurghout  the  Jcwcric 
Thi»  litel  child,  as  he  came  to  and  fro, 
Ful  mcrily  than  wold  he  fing  and  eric 
0  At  ma  Rt  iff  mpUf  if !  ever  tno. 
The  fweicneflV  haih  hi*  hcrte  perfed  Hu 
Of  Criftes  niodcr,  that  tu  hire  to  prxy 
He  cannot  (lint  of  finding  by  the  way. 

Our  firftc  fo,  the  Icrpcnt  Sathanas, 
Thiit  hath  in  Jcwcs  hcrte  hi*  w^tfpc^  nrft. 
Up  fwale  atid  faid,  O  Ebraikc  pcplc,  aku  ! 
In  thii  to  you  a  thing  that  is  honeft. 
That  fwiehc  a  hoy  Su\  watken  as  him  lefte 
In  your  dcfpit,  and  fin ^  of  fwtchc  frtitcoce. 


From  thenncsforth  the  Jcwti  hjg  confptf  ei 
Thiit  innocent  out  of  tht»  world  to  chacc  ; 
And  homicide  thereto  han  they  hired. 
That  in  an  aJeyc  had  a  privce  place. 
And  as  the  child  gan  forthby  for  to  pace 
This  curfcd  Jew  him  hent  and  held  him  1 
And  cut  hi«  throte,  and  in  a  pit  hJm  caft. 

1  fay  that  In  a  wardrobe  they  him  tlircwftl 
When  as  thifc  Jcwe*  purgcn  hir  cniraiUc, 
O  curfcd  folk  !  of  Hcrodts  allc-ncwc. 
Wfiat  may  your  evil  entente  yon  a 
Mordrc  wol  out,  certein  it  wol  dot 
And  namely  »hcr  the  honour  of  Got!  Ili^i  faj 
The  blood  out  crieth  on  your  curfed  dcdc 

O  martyr  foudcd  in  virginitcc  ? 
Now  maill  thou  finge  and  fotwcn  ever  ia  i 
The  white  Lamb  cele flial.  quod  (he. 
Of  which  the  gret  evangcUft  Seint  John 
In  Pathmos  wrote,  which  fayth  that  ihcy  thi^ 
Beforn  this  Lamb,  and  fing  a  fong  al  nevrc. 
That  never  fleflily  woman  they  ne  knewe. 

Thispoure  widewe  awaiteth  al  that  nigliti 
After  hire  litel  childe,  and  he  came  n'>ught« 
For  which  as  fonc  a*  it  was  dnycs  li 
With  face  pale  of  drcde  and  bcfy  \ ! 
She  hath  at  fcole  and  dies  wher  him  icugnr^j 
Til  fmally  (He  gan  fo  fer  afpic 
That  he  bft  fccn  wms  ip  the  Jcwcne. 

With  modres  pitec  in  hire  brefl  euclofed 
She  goth,  as  (he  were  half  out  of  hinc  ] 
To  every  place  wher  flie  hath  fjppofed 
By  likelihcd  hire  Htcl  child  to  finde  ; 
And  ever  on  Criilcs  modcr  mcke  and  kinde 
She  cried,  and  at  the  laXle  tlius  Ihc  wrought. 
Among  the  curfcd  Jewcs  flic  him  foughe. 

She  frcyueth  and  (he  pnucth  pitouf y 
To  every  Jew  that  dwelled  in  thilke  place 
To  ttlle  hire  of  hire  child  went  ought  fidftfc  I 
They  faydcn  Nay  ;  but  Jcfu  of  his  grace 
Yave  in  hire  thought,  within  a  httle  ffpact. 
That  in  that  place  after  hire  fttnc  Ihc  aite 
Thcr  he  was  caiten  in  a  pit  bcftde. 

O  grcte  God,  that  parfomicft  tiiy  Lallde 
By  mouth  of  innocentes,  lo  here  thy  oijglit 
This  gem  of  chaftitec,  thi«emcraude, 
And  rkc  of'martirdwmc  the  rubie  bright^ 
Ther  he  with  throic  ycoi^cn  lay  upright 
He  Atma  ^r-  —  "    •■   -'"  ">  fingc 
So  Ioude,tli .  n  to  rifigc 

ThcCrilt    .  ^h  the  ftrrrc  we« 

In  coraen  for  to 'wiwndrc  upon  this  rl 
And  haflifiy  ihey  for  the  provofl  iV: 
He  came  anon  withoutcn  t»rying. 
And  hcrkth  Cni>,  that  is  of  hcvai  kinjf. 
And  ckc  his  moicr,  honour  of  mankind. 
And  urtcr  that  the  Jewei  let  he  bindc 

Thii  child  with  pilous  lamentatioa 
Waj*  t:ikcn  up»  Tinging  his  fong  alway, 
And  with  honour  and  gret  procelhon 
They  carien  him  unto  the  next  abbey  5 
His  modcr  fwouning  by  the  here  lay  ; 
Unncthiri  might  the  peplc  that  was  therm 
This  newe  Rachel  bringcn  fro  hisbcre* 

With  turment  and  with  fiiamcful  deth  ediCd 
This  provoH  doth  thifc  Jcwes  ht  to  flavc 


THE    PRIORESSES    TALE. 


X13 


of  this  moder  wifte,  and  that  anon  : 
i*olde  no  fwiche  curfedndTe  obferve  : 
fiui  he  hare  that  evil  wol  defcrve ; 
•for  -with  wild  hc.^  he  did  hem  drawe, 
afcer  that  he  heng  hem  by  the  lawe. 
poo  his  here  ay  lith  this  innocent 
m  the  auter  while  the  mafle  lad, 
after  that  the  abbot  with  his  covent 
fpedde  hem  for  to  bene  him  ful  faft  : 
whan  they  holy  water  on  him  call 
pake  thischild,  whan  fpreint  was  theholy  water, 
Cingy  0  Alma  Redemptwris  Mater  I 
his  abbot,  which  that  was  an  holy  man, 
Mokies  ben,  or  elles  ought  to  be, 
lyoDge  child  to  conjure  he  began, 
Ihid  ;  O  dere  child  !  I  haflc  thee, 
Btue  of  the  holy  trinitce, 
me  what  is  thy  caufe  for  to  fing, 
dut  thy  throte  is  cut  to  my  fcming. 
y  throte  is  cut  unto  my  nekke  bon, 
:  thiA  child,  and  as  by  way  of  kinde 
Id  have  deyd,  ye  longe  time  agon, 
[cfu  Crift,  as  ye  in  b^kes  finde, 
that  this  glory  laft  and  be  in  minde, 
for  the  worihip  of  his  moder  dere. 
nay  I  iing  0  Alma  loude  and  dere. 
kis  wclle  of  mcrcic,  Criftes  moder  fwctc, 
•A  alway,  as  after  my  conning ; 
whan  that  I  my  lif  ihulde  forlcte 
ic  ihe  came,  and  bad  me  for  to  iing 
aDtcxn  Tcraily  in  my  dying, 


As  yc  han  herde ;  and  whan  that  I  had  fonge 
Mc  thought  (he  laid  a  grain  ujvon  my  tonge. 

Whcrforc  I  fing,  and  fing  I  mote  certain. 
In  honour  of  that  blisful  maiden  free, 
Til  fro  my  tonge  of  taken  is  the  grain. 
And  after  that  thus  iaide  {he  to  me ; 
My  litcl  child,  than  wol  I  fetchen  thee. 
Whan  that  the  grain  is  fro  thy  tongue  ytake : 
Be  not  agafte,  I  wol  thee  not  forfakc. 

This  holy  monk,  this  abbot  him  mcne  I, 
His  tonge  out  caught,  and  toke  away  the  grain^ 
And  he  yave  up  the  goft  ful  foftely. 
And  whan  this  abbot  had  this  wonder  fein 
His  faltc  teres  trilled  adoun  as  reyne, 
And  groff  he  fell  al  plattc  upon  the  ground. 
And  ftill  he  lay  as  he  had  ben  ybound. 

The  covent  lay  eke  upon  the  pavement 
Weping  and  herying  Criftes  moder  dere ; 
And  after  that  they  rifen,  and  forth  ben  went. 
And  toke  away  this  martir  fro  his  here, 
And  in  a  tombe  of  marble  ftones  dere 
Enclofen  they  his  litel  body  fwete  : 
Ther  he  is  now  God  lenc  us  for  to  mete. 

O  young  Hew  of  Lincoln  !  flain  alio 
With  curfed  Jewes,  as  it  is  notable. 
For  it  n*is  but  a  litel  while  ago. 
Pray  eke  for  us,  we  finful  folk  unftable. 
That  of  his  mercie  God  fo  merciable 
On  us  his  grete  merdc  multiplie. 
For  reverence  of  his  moder  Marie* 


^^H^^^^*             PROLOGUE  TO 

SIRE  THOI>A&                 ^^^^1 

^^P    PROLOGUE  TO 

SIRE   THOPAS.       ■ 

^^^W^HAJI  iud  wi»  thi*  minde  rvefy  man 

He  femeth  elviQi  by  hi^  eome aance«              ^^| 

Ai  fober  wa»  thai  woodcr  wai  bu  t»e. 

Fnr  tiDto  no  wight  doth  he  daltaoce^              ^^^ 

I'll  that  ou.  Hofte  to  ppca  |j£  bog^n. 

1       Say  DOW  fomwhat.  fm  other  folk  haa  £«i4«^H 

And  than  at  €rft  hf  lokcd  upon  mc. 

Tell  uft  a  TaU  of  mirtltc,  and  that  anon.          ^H 

An4  fudc  tlui9{  What  man  «rt  ^nu  f  ^wd  he  t 

Hofte,  quod  I,  ne  be  not  evil  opAide«                ^H 

ThoQ  bkcft  u  ih&K  woldrfl  fivd  ^  iuu^c. 

For  other  Talc  certet  can  I  non                        ^H 

For  cTcr  opoa  tbc  grwiiid  1  fee  tli«e  ftitc 

But  of  a  rime  I  lerned  yore  agon*                    ^^| 

M            Approche  ncrr,  swd  Iftkc  «p  rrttrtlf  ♦ 

P       Kow  ware  ytm,  SLrc»,  ind  kt  thii  mstn  have  pUcc; 

Ye,  that  is  good,  iiuod  he  ;  we  jhullen  httt     ^H 

Som  deintee  tiling  oie  tixiiikcth  by  thy  chcr«k  ^H 

He  in  the  waftc  b  fliapcs  •■  *cl  as  C* 

'^^^ 

This  were  a  popet  ioL^a^mims  to  «iibr»ce                i 

^^^ 

■        For  any  woman,  fh)«|  and  lurt  «f  bee. 

1 

^^B     THE   RIME   OF 

SIRE  THOPAS*.    ^H 

LT»TENtTH,LordIngc»,ln  good  emeot» 

He  eoude  hunt  at  the  wtldc  dcre,     ^^^^^| 

And  I  wol  tcl  you  x*trammnt 

And  hde  on  hauking  for  the  rtvere  ^     ^^^^^H 

Of  mirthc  and  of  folas, 

With  grey  golhauk  on  honde ;                ^^^^H 

Al  of  a  knight  W3U  faire  and  gent 

Thcrto  he  was  a  good  archere  :               ^^^^H 

In  bataillc  and  in  turnamcnt, 

Of  wraftling  wa^i  tber  non  bis  pcre                 ^^H 

Hi!  name  was  Sire  Thopai. 

Ther  ony  ram  Ihuld  ilonde.                              ^^| 

Yborne  he  wai  in  fcr  con  tree. 

Ful  many  a  maide  bright  in  boor                 ^^^k 

In  Flandres,  al  beyondc  the  fee. 

They  mourned  for  him /ar  «#i««r                   ^^| 

At  Popering  in  the  place  : 

TMian  hem  were  bet  to  flepc ;                          ^^| 

Hii  lather  wa*  a  man  ful  free. 

But  he  was  chafle  and  no  lechour,                  ^^| 

And  lord  he  was  of  that  cootreo^ 

And  fwete  as  is  the  bramble  flour                    ^^| 

A»  it  was  Goddr»  grace. 

That  hcreth  the  red  hepe.                                 ^^| 

Sire  Thopai  wm  a  doughty  fwain. 

And  fo  it  fell  upon  a  day,                             ^^H 

White  wa»  hit  l*cc  at  paindcmaine, 

Forfothy  as  1  you  tellen  may,                            ^^| 

His  lippci  red  as  rofc  :                                              i 

Sire  Thopas  wold  out  ride  i                             ^^| 

-  Hi*niddc  »  like  fcarkt  in  grain. 

He  worth  upon  his  (Icdr  gray^                        ^^| 

Afld  1  you  tell  in  good  certain 

And  in  his  bond  a  launcegay,                           ^H 

■       He  had  a  fcmely  nofc. 
B           Hif  here,  hii  berde,  was  like  fafroitil. 
That  to  his  girdle  raught  adoun; 

A  long  fwerd  by  his  Gde,                                 ^^| 

He  priketh  thurgh  a  fatre  iattSt.                ^^H 
Thertn  is  many  a  wilde  beil,                    ^^^^^ 

Hii  ihoon  of  Qordewane ; 

Yc  both  buck  and  hare                              ^^^^| 

■       Of  Brngges  were  his  hofen  broun  ; 

And  ai  he  pricked  north  and  ejl,               ^^^^1 

■       His  robe  wa^  of  chekrhtoun. 

f  telle  it  you,  him  had  ahneilc                       ^^H 

1      That  coftc  many  a  Jane. 

Betiddc  a  Tory  care*                                           ^^| 

■•         •A  fionh«rn  Tik  of  an  otit1«Pi1t<h  Icn^cM,  pttrpor^tT 

^^H 

W       sttered hy  Chaocer  \n  a  r»*et  *n4  Hfte  ilJtfcrlnR  firom  the 
fw/i,  MM  tbmif^h  he  h»fnf4  M  ^cf e  n^t  tbe  author  tnit  ooly 

_^^^| 

Uitrcp^^nff  Qf  f -it;  v't/icr  Tiim*    Vrrjf. 

^^^^^^^^^H 

tHE   ftlME  OF 

SlRl  TH0PA5. 

t!^ 

«r  fpainf  ^  ^'  > '^  ^me  £ini  finak| 

Sire  ThopoA  drew  aUk  ftilM  f 

1 

UoorU  ar.                    Ur, 

Thii  gtaant  at  him  iioaci  caft 
Out  of  a  fcl  (la0c  Him: : 

■ 

■B&ir  a  c^                tc, 

^^^M 

Botemtigc  to  put  m  ak» 

But  fa 3 re  efcap«d  child  Thofifli^ 

^^^M 

Cto-  it  be  lAoift  or  lUle, 

And  all  it  wa*  ihurgh  Ooildet  f^neiv 

^^^^H 

tftaUlniacofrr, 

And  thttrgh  his  f^ro  barings 

^^^H 

le  tniddn  fio^n,  if  ii  fio  twf , 

Yet  Mcneth,  Lordiugi^p  •»  mtf  Tali, 

^^H 

*^luxik  iDd  ihc  |J«T»in^ay, 

Mcfier  than  the  ai^lniii^t. 

^^^H 

1  }«y«  it  wai  t*  h«re, 

For  ntjw  I  w©l  yo«  rmittt 

^^^H 

tbKkftel  CDk  made  tke  Kib  !if, 

How  Sire  Thopas  with  fidci  fcmle, 

^^^H 

vodc  do^  iip<^n  the  fpray 

Priking  over  hiJl  end  dale, 

^^^^ 

kng  fol  Icnuk  &&d  clere. 

Is  eomcn  agcin  to  touQC. 

,^^^H 

re  Tbo|»s  fell  io  Kjvc-!ongmg 

Hi4  tncry  men  commandcth  he 

^^^H 

ins  he  herd  the  throflel  ^g, 

To  makcn  him  hothe  game  and  gle, 

^^^^1 

^ked  u  he  were  wood  ; 

For  nedcs  muH  he  Jighlc 

^^^H 

kire  ilcdc  in  his  pr  Iking 

With  a  gcautit  with  hcdes  three 

^^^1 

btse  cbit  men  might  ium  wrioj^, 

For  paramour,  and  jolitec 

^^^1 

ides  were  al  blood. 

Of  on  that  (hone  ful  brightc. 

^^^M 

le  Thopsu  eke  fo  wcry  wai 

Do  come,  he  fayd,  my  mincftralei 

^^^M 

prtkiAs  oo  tht  fofte  gras,   ^ 

And  gcfloun  for  to  tclicn  talcs 

^^^M 

sri  WW  hj»  corag?. 

Anon  in  min  arming. 

^^^H 

doufk  he  Uid  him  in  that  pi»cc 

Of  romaunces  that  b<?n  rcalci. 

^^^H 

nkeo  his  dcdc  fom  foUcc, 

Of  pope*  and  of  cardinalct, 

^^^H 

yafliisi  gwjd  forage. 

And  eke  of  love-longing. 

^^^H 

.Seiotc  Mary,  htntSdtt  f 

They  £ct  him  firft  the  fwctc  wi% 

^^^H 

t  ttilcth  this  I,o?c  at  mc 

And  mcdc  ckc  ia  a  mafclin 

^^^H 

IbAc  mc  fo  fore  ? 

And  real  fpiccrie» 

^^^1 

Ircmcd  »11  thji  night  parde 

Of  ginger-bred  that  was  ful  fin^ 

^^^H 

If  queue  ftial  my  Icmman  be, 

And  licoris  and  ckc  comin, 

^^^H 

flefe  under  my  gore, 

1  elf  quesjc  wol  1  love  ywk, 

U'iih  f  jgar  that  is  trie. 

^^^1 

He  diddc  next  liis  white  Icrc 

^^^H 

CI  thii  world  no  woman  ii 

Of  doth  of  lake  fin  and  dcrc 

^^^H 

A  brcchc  and  eke  a  Ihcrtc, 

^^^H 

itiir  Women  [  forfakc, 

And  next  hii  flicrt  an  hake  ton  j 

^^^H 

to  so  elf  qaese  I  mc  tike 

And  over  that  an  habo-geoa 

^^^H 

Ale  and  eke  by  doiio. 

For  ptTcing  of  his  hertc ; 

^^^H 

to  hM  fxdcl  he  dombe  anon. 

And  over  tJut  a  fin  hauberk 

^^^H 

prikrd  over  llilc  andflon 

Wai  all  ywrcught  of  Jewcs  wcrit, 

'l^^^l 

•                 for  CO  cfpie. 

FuJ  ftrong  it  was  of  plitc» 

,^^^_ 

:  had  ride  n  and  gone 

And  over  that  his  cotcKirmourc, 

^^^H 

Ejae  ■•  "vi  in  ti  privet  wone 

As  white  as  is  the  lily  flourc, 

^^^H 

■^tr.r   <A  F^trie. 

1  lu  whid^  he  wold  debate. 

^^^H 

fciij  he  loughtc  north  and  fcuth^ 

His  flicld  wjis  all  of  gold  fo  red, 

'    ^^^1 

eft  he  fpicd  with  his  mouth 

And  thcrin  was  a  bores  bed, 

^^^H 

nay  a  fureit  wildc. 

A  charbouclc  befadc  ; 

^^^H 

ill  dut  contrcc  n'u  thcr  non 

And  ther  he  fwore  on  ale  and  bre<l 

^^^1 

t  to  hitn  doHt  ride  or  g<)D, 

How  that  the  gcaunt  QiuJd  be  dcd, 

^^^H 

rhcr  wtfnc  childc. 

Betide  what  fo  betide. 

^^^H 

\\  that  thrr  camr  a  ^et  gcatint. 

His  jambuix  were  of  cttirbottJy, 

^^^1 

1                            '"•■^  j-.aum, 

Hisfwerdes  Iheth  of  ivory, 

^^^H 

r 

Hishclmc  of  btoun  bright. 
Hit  fad  el  Mrat  of  rcwel  bone, 

^^^H 

!                      'i,  L»v    i  cniiaeaiinl 

^^^^H 

tt                    tkc  out  oi  nun  haunt 

His  bride  1  as  the  fonnc  flionc. 

^^^1 

Or  as  the  mone  light. 

^^^H 

fc  «  the  Qucnc  of  Faerie, 

Hi»  fperc  was  of  fin  cyprei^ 

^^^H 

th  harpc,  ai)d  pipc^  and  lini  phonic. 

That  bodcth  wcrrc  and  nothing  pee-. 

^^^1 

elli07  in  this  place* 

rhe  child  fayd.  Al  fo  mote  1  the 

The  bed  ful  fharpe  yground  : 

^^^^ 

His  ftcdc  wa»  all  dapple  gray. 

^^H 

voorwc  wol  I  meten  thee, 

It  goth  an  aumbk  in  the  way 

^^^1 

BUI  1  hiTC  tnin  arrootirc. 

Ful  foficly  and  round  tn  londe 

^^^1 

l^tt  Ihope^r-^t/jy 

JLo,  Lordr«4]                   a  ^t> 

^^^M 

IriiM}  Ai«k  with  tiit^  hwecnty 

ffyew^iorv 

^^^1 

Iftj^T  '  •  •           Uiytt«wc 

Tal«rieitvv 

^^^1 

11 1 V             *r. 

Ho^  hoi                      hp^wr  iUrket 

^^^H 

iibc...    ,      :c<i#Aed«y, 

•Btthc  kajghi ,  ir#, 

^^^H 

r  tot  ihga  dull  b?  ftnpre. 

d 

M 

ft6 


THE  RIME   OF   SIRE  1*H0PA5. 


And  hcrkcneth  to  my  fpcU ; 
Of  bataille  and  of  chevalrie, 
Of  ladies  love  and  druerie, 
Anon  I  wol  you  tell. 

Men  fpeken  of  romaunces  of  pris, 
Of  Hornchild  and  of  Ipotis, 
Of  Bevis  and  Sire  Guy, 
Of  Sire  1/ibcui  and  Plcindamour, 
But  Sire  Thopas  he  bcrcth  the  flour 
Of  real  chevalrie. 

His  goode  ftede  he  al  bcftrode. 
And  forth  upon  his  way  he  glode 


As  fparcle  out  of  bronde ; 
Upon  hi's  creft  he  bare  a  tour. 
And  therin  (liked  a  lily  flour; 
God  fliilde  his  corps  fro  flionde ! 

And  for  he  was  a  knight  auntroitf 
He  n*oIde  flepen  in  non  hous, 
But  liggen  in  his  hood ; 
His  bright  helm  was  his  wanger. 
And  by  him  baited  his  doflrer 
Of  herbes  fln  and  good. 

.  Himfclf  drank  water  of  the  well. 
As  did  the  knight  Sire  Pcrcivel 
So  worthy  under  wede. 
Til  on  a  day        >  ■ 


PROLOGUE   TO   MELIBEUS. 


HKraBpft^f  ^^^  t^^"*^  makrit  mc 
ptr^of  thy  vrray  IcwcdncfTc, 
■  ml  fo  wiXly  God  my  foule  blcfTc 

rcres  a.kcn  of  thy  draJty  fpcch<^. 

^  fwichc  a  rime  the  devil  I  bctcchc  ; 

\mmj  iK^el  htt  rime  d<igcr£l,  qaod  He 

^y  lb  f  quod  1 ;  why  wolt  thou  UctCO  me 

tof  my  Tate  than  an  other  man^ 
It  it  i>  the  beftc  rime  I  can  ? 
f  God,  quod  he,  for  plainly  at  o  word 
drmfty  liming  is  not  worth  i  tord  : 
U  duft  Doug^ht  elks  but  dirpcndcQ  time. 
^at.  o  word  thou  fhaJt  noknger  rune. 
ire  'vrher  thou  canll  tcllen  ought  in  gcftc, 
Ikllrsi  in  profc  fomwhat  at  the  Icflc 
fbich  ther  be  Tom  mirthc  or  fom  dodLrine. 
lidty,  quod  1 1  by  Godde»fwete  piuc 
i  yorti  telt  a  Utct  thing  in  profe 
I  ooghtc  likcD  you,  as  I  fuppofe, 
3k»  cnte?  ye  he  to  dangcroui, 
«  moHLl  Tdc  vcrttioui, 
k  it  told  fomtmic  in  fondry  wife 
la^nr  folk;  ai  I  ij^al  you  dcvif^* 


A*  thu*;  ye  wot  that  every  evangelist 
That  tctlcth  uA  the  peine  of  Jcfu  Crift 
Ne  fatth  not  uUc  thing  a^  hit  felaw  doth  ; 
But  oithcks  hir  fcntcnce  it  al  loth. 
And  allc  accordcn  as  in  hir  fenccnce, 
Albe  ther  in  hir  tclUng  difference  ; 
For  fom  of  hem  fjiy  more  and  fom  fay  Icflc 
Whan  they  hii  pitoua  pafTion  expreflc  . 
1  mcnc  of  Mark  and  Mathcw,  Luke  and  Johli, 
But  douttrles  hir  fcutcnce  i»  all  on. 
I'hcrforc,  Lordinj^eii  all,  1  you  hefeche^ 
If  I  hat  ye  tbinkc  I  vjury  in  my  fpcchc, 
An  thu»,  though  that  I  telle  fom  del  more 
Of  proverbes  than  ye  han  hcrdc  before 
Comprehended  in  thi*  litel  trctife  here. 
To  cnforten  with  the  cflcd  of  my  matcrcj 
And  though  1  not  the  Cmic  wordc*  fay 
A*  ye  han  hcrdc,  yet  to  yoo  allc  I  pray 
Blamcth  me  not,  for  as  in  my  fenttoce 
Shul  ye  nowher  finden  uo  difference 
Fro  the  fcntcnce  of  tiulke  tretifc  Jitc 
After  the  which  this  nicry  Talc  I  write ; 
And  tlicrforc  hcrkeneth  what  I  flial  fay^ 
And  kt  mc  tcUcti  idl  my  Talc  I  pray. 


TALE   OF   MELIBEUS*. 


A  yoHCE  iiun  called  Mcltbcus,  mighty  and 
richc,  hcgiU  upoii  hi»  wif  that  c^cd  ww  Pru- 
dence a  doughctr  which  that  called  was  Sophie. 

Upoo  a  day  befell  that  he  for  hi*  difport  «  went 
into  the  fcldfr*  him  to  pbvc.  Hn  wif  and  eke  hw 
dou^htcr  hath  ht  I^'ft  within  hi*  fi<ju«,  of  which  the 
dorc*  wcrcfl  hf\  j^hcttc.  Fourc  of  hb  otdc  fooi  htn 
it  efpicd,  .uid  fettcn  Uddcn  to  the  waJJci  of  h Js  hous, 
and  by  thr  windowei  ben  entned,  imd  bcten  hii 
wif,  And  wounded  his  dought^r  with  Brc  mortal 
wooudcs  in  ^vc  fondry  places ;  this  h  to  fay,  in 
hire  feet,  in  hire  honde*,  in  hire  crea,  in  hire  nofe, 
and  in  hire  mouth,  and  Icftcn  hire  for  dede,  and 
went  en  away. 

Whan  Melihcuft  reiorncd  was  into  hU  hmif,t(id 
fey  al  r' "  -v  '^ '  rf,  hflikc  a  madman  rending  his 
clothe^  ind  crie, 

PmUc,,.  :  .  .  .1,  as  fcr  forth  at  Ihc  dnrfte,  bc- 
foDji^ht  him  of  hit  wepinj^  for  to  ftint  :  but  nut 
fortby  he  g^i  to  eric  and  wepcn  ever  Icn^r  the 
more. 

This  noble  wif  Prudence  rcmcmbrcd  birf  upon 
the  fentcpcc  of  Ovide,  in  hi$  book  that  clcpcd  is 
The  Rcmcdic  of  Love,  ^heraj^  he  faith,  Jic  Ii  a 
fool  thaf  '  "  '  th  the  modcr  to  wepe  in  the 
dcth  ol  til  fhc  have  wept  hire  fille,  a» 

for  accruin  lun.  ;  and  than  fh a)  a  tn an  don  his  di- 
ligence with  amiable  wordct  hire  to  reconfortc, 
and  prcyc  hire  of  hire  wcping  fcr  to  ftintc.  For 
which  refon  this  noble  wif  Prudence  fuffrcd  hire 
hulbond  for  to  wcjie  and  crte  a»  for  a  certain  fpace, 
ind  whan  flic  faw  hire  time  flic  fayde  to  him  in 
thi»  wife  :  AU» !  my  Lord,  quod  flie,  why  make 
ye  yourfelf  for  to  be  like  a  fool  ?  forf^jthc  it  appcr- 
teineth  not  to  a  wife  man  to  maken  fwi.'hc  a  forwc, 
Voure  doughter  with  the  grac<  of  Gcd  flial  warilh 
and  cff  4pe*  And  a]  were  it  fo  that  the  right  now 
were  dede,  ye  nc  ought  not  at  for  hire  dcth  yourc- 
fcjf  to  dcftroye.  Senek  faith.  The  wife  man  flial 
not  lake  to  grct  difcomfort  for  tlie  dcth  of  hi»  chii- 
•Ircn,  b«t  certci  he  Ihuldc  Ibifren  it  in  patience,  as 
ivcl  AJi  he  abidcth  the  deth  of  hiiowen  proprc  per* 
fone. 


htr 


LMCi.-   43»;aiyni- 


Thi»  Melibeu^  anfwercd 
man  (quod  he)  (huldc  of  hii  wepxa 
hath  fo  grct  a  caufc  for  to  wepe  f  J« 
Lord  himfclf  wepcc  for  tt\e  d<th 
hii  frcnd.  Prudence  Htfwcfd  i  Ccfta 
attemprc  weptnf^  iaoothii^  d<i£All4cil 
forwefui  is  aaong  fot^  ia  f^tWKm  Nl 
gtaunted  liiiu  to  wcpe.  The  •f#ftl4 
the  Romaaneiwriteth,  Man  fliat  ia)#f 
that  makeit  joye,  and  wcpen  with  im 
wcpcn.  But  thoagh  attesjprr  ivrpin»^ 
outrageous  wej^ting  cw 
weping  flfcutdc  be  ci>i 
techtth  Ui  8cQck<.  Wh.in  tint  tty  J 
(quod  he)  let  not  thin  ey en  to  mot£c 
DC  to  muchc  drie  i  although  iltc  Mfi 
thiu  eyen  Jet  hon  not  fallc.  And  m^ 
forgon  thy  lrcs:id  do  diligence  cofataj 
frcad  I  and  thii  is  mnr'.'  wifdocn  that 
for  thy  Crcsde  which  that  ihpu  km 
»hcrin  is  no  bole.  And  therforc  If 
.you  by  fapicncc,  put  away  forw«  m 
hertc.  Remembretb  you  that  Jcfa&Si^ 
man  that  it  joyous  and  glad  in  bcr^ 
ferveth  floriflung  hi  kui  age ;  but  UtA 
ful  hcrtc  makoiK  hia  boQca  drie.  H 
thus,  that  furwe  in  hcrtc  rfeeth  ful  n 
Salomon  fayth,  that  right  ai  mouthes  \ 
Seek  anoicn  to  the  clothes,  and  the  fiae 
to  the  tree,  right  fo  anoieth  forwc  to 
man ;  whcrforc  us  ought  as  wcl  in 
cure  chiltirrn  a»  in  the  lofle  of  our  go 
rel  have  patience. 

Rcmembre  you  upon  the  patient 
he  hadde  loft  hi*  children  and  hit  te 
flauncc,  and  in  hii  body  endured  and  i 
many  a  grevous  tribulation,  yet  f«y( 
Oure  Lord  hath  yavc  it  to  me,  our 
bcralt  it  me  ;  ripht  as  ourc  Lord  hath 
fo  it  is  don ;  yblcflcd  be  the  name  of 
To  thife  forefaide  thingct  anfwcrvd  Mi 
his  wif  Prudence  :  All  thy  wordes  (qi 
irewt,  and  thcrto  profitable,  4iut  tr 
hcrte  is  troubled  witii  this  forwe  fo  gr« 
I  n'ot  what  to  don.  Let  callc  (quod 
hy  trcwc  freodc*  alle,  and  thy  Una 
that  ben  wife,  and  tellcth  to  hem  ^01 
hetkcneih  what  they  fayc  in  cocilctUaj 


THE   TALS  or   MELIBEUS. 


»• 


r«f»tcncc.     Salomon   faith, 
i  by  cotifciil  and  thou  ihalt  never 

f  hit  vrif  Prudence  thin  Meti* 

I  ©0fir--     ■'    -  ■    if  folk,  ;ib  fur- 
r  fcit  ,  antl  ftmi  ol 

,  jL^    .      ,  luT  iVmblant) 

tod  to  hU  |;r.ict ;  HJiil  ijarwrhai  iKcr 
t  «wf  hi*  Rogliclmure*  that  Men  hint 

»for  drrdc  ihun  for  luvc,  ua  ic  hAp- 
comrrt  -ilfo  ft*l  many  iubtii  thttcr- 
«MlTOv  M  the  Uwc* 

ia  thtk  T  aiV(*mhie(I  wcren^ 

HO  fcr  i:htiLU»^ 

Hitorc  ih4t  in 


en,  by  licence  anid 
,  up  rofe,  md  unto 

Iir)  >i4  to  It*  f<»r|^ti»  nppcrtcitieth 

bcftc  thttt  we  can, 

1  vDci  to  our  patten  I 

elam;agt^^  vMicrr'irc  it  happt'^tli  many 

tlkit  wh*,ti  twcy  men  h-ui  cvcrich 

ic  fur;gicti  hcktli  iicm  l>uth, 

it  h  not  pertinent  tn  noricc 

pportc  :  but  ccTtc%ii%  to  the 

dnughteri  mI  be  it  fo  tlittt  peri- 

ndcK  V e  rtiuln  do  io  entcnt  i[ 

^ ,  thsit  1^'ith  the  gnicc  of 

]  Idiiml  at  fone  a*i^  »«  pofli- 

li/ht  jnf[(ciainv  wife  il 

that  thfy  liidiii  i 

Rtahdic^   *  w>  (111 

iftl  mnn  w  \     His 

cnvic^  his  [ ....dt$  that 

i&d  hii  llattTtn,  niadtn  Icin- 
;,  *ud  cmpcircd  and  4gre^gcd  mu* 
in  prcyfmg  grtily  McUbec  of 
',  trf  fichc-flc,  and  t»f  frcndeag  dcf- 
T  of  hi»  iidverrori^Si  ^nd  fjidcrt 
anon  iKuld<;  wrckcn  him  on  liii 
icn  wcrre. 

in  an  ^dvocit  that  wa*  wife,  by 

rl  of  other  th^t  were  wife,  and 

»  the   ncdc?  fur  ihr  which  wc 

i!.i«  pliice  it  a  fxil  havit  fhinjj, 

aiiV    of  the    wrottg  and 

tiMh  be  dut),  and  eke  by 

:v'»  that  in  imie  coming 

ihA  fame  ciiufc,  and  eke 

t  rjchcfft  and  power  of  the 

11^  IV  hie h  rcfons  it  wcrf  a  fiil 

til-'  ■  -        -    ',       '     :r,Mc\l' 

te    you, 

•       p-      " *   ......  do  thy 

of  thy    pruprc   ptrfone   in 

il*c  want  lion  cfpienc  w4tche 

«Dd  aftei  thit  wc  €onf«;iUi: 

fottc  fuftifj^ut  gamifon,  fo 

i'l  cliy  body  asthy  hmn  de- 

t«  Qiccvcru  tvcirc,  uc  fodcnly 


H^ 


fi>f  to  do  rcni^eatmce,  we  moufl  not  demc  in  fo 
litej  tiuic  rh;At  it  were  proficAhlc  ;  whrrcfoftf  UC 
asten  lt:ikr  ajid  fp^ce  to  h:iVr  ti   iiithi* 

cas  tu  dfoit;  fi^r  the  rnniur*  ^khthut 

H    '*    ■  '  ^  -  "  ajid  ckrt 

r  ic  nndcr* 

i.' -,...,.  "   ^1   ht!  i« 

|o  liiui   ;J  tiifyinj;  bt    .  r  tQ 

r.|-r.  v.-  In   w  v^  >  .:.r  ,  ._  ■  ^    ijce 

ittt    and  rciririitldc  i  Aud 
i'  .         J   Tu  CriP.  by  cufample  ;  for 

w  Liii  iu4L  iLw  wwa;ui;  liiAt  W*L5  tak>  n  iti  adYiHitria 
was  hroujrht  in  his  pri'fencr,  to  knovven  what 
fliulJ  \         ,         '    '  :  bL-  it  thai  h« 

nc  yj''.  , .!»>...  I  i^..  ■  '  "  *•-  V  m!(1^ 

have    I  .  and   in    i!  ot^ 

tvvic*  :        .     ,     .ifc  taufe*  V. lun* 

Uiil  wc  Ihnhi  tinm  by  the  yn^ace  oi  Uod  cgnletlli 
the  thing  that  Aiul  be  piolltiiblc* 

TTp  fttTtc  thftn  the  yottj^c  lolk  »t  ftntd^  and  th« 
nmft  partic  of  that  compagnic  h^rt  fconu^d  tJu» 
olde  vv;r«  man^  and  bcgoniicn  to  tnukc  noife  and 
r;iidcni  Right  fA  a%  while  thcLt  i/en  i»  hot  meit 
Itiul  !(.*  fmitf,  right  fo  men  ihn^n  do  wrti^cn  hir 
wrcjng«  while  thwt  thty  brn  frethe  an  J  newc  I 
aiiul  wtih  lowdc  V*  v..  1 1  '..  .1  .1  w.-t.  '  "-rrel 
Up  rcff  tho  on  of  •<  rid 

made  countenanc  Ule 

and  yevr  him  audicace,  l.ordtngc*,  (quod  he) 
ther  if  ful  many  a  man  thet  cricth  Weirc  \  wcrrc  1 
that  vkot<r  fuUitel  what  wrrr*;  imtoimteih.  Wcrre 
at  hi*  bf-nimini^  h*th    fo  trrrt  t/n\  cntrhig  and  fo 

vhnnhimhketh^ 
vviiar  end  that 
iii.il  i.t,  j.i'.    iT    I  ''.  -."uw;  f*jr  fothJy^ 

ivhan  that  wcrrc  j  ;me  tJtcri:  is  ful  many 

;,  rl.it.i   .  r.lwjnjc  «  -    'er  that  (biil  ftcrve 

:c  of  thilkt'  rtrcrrc,  otLrr  eJlri,  live  iii 
t  ;  dicn  in  wretchedncfic  ;  anJ   tl  trforfi 

or  that  any  wcrpe  be  btgoime  n>cn  mni>  ftj,vc 
j^rct  confcil  aiid  grct  dchhiTatiun*  And  ivhAa 
thiA  rvlde  miiii  wrmtc  to  cnforcen  his  talc  by  rclons, 
wel  nlc  alle  at  oncii  bc^ojinc  they  to  rife  iar  t4> 
hrekcn  ht«  talc|  and  bid  '      '  i  rift  hii  ward^x 

for  to  uUrr^gc;  for  i'  j  priichcth    10 

hem  th^t  liilen  not  hti\n  nr  v,"iuf-$f  hi«  lermoti 
Item  anoieth ;  for  Jrfus  Sirak  f^yth  that  niullkc  in 
weptng  is  a  nc-it.ki^  f'l  *  r  '  th;a  i»  to  fnyn,  M 
mu^hcr  avaiUcth  \-  -n  folk  to  whieii  hi» 

fpcche  anoicth  atr  nc  him  that  wcpcili. 

And  wlwii  (his  wik  ui«u  faw  that  hira  Wiinted 
audience  al  fliamcfwft  he  fettc  him  doun  u^dn ; 
for  Salomon  laith,  Thcr  as  liiou  ne  ni.nyft  have 
non  audivifce  miforcc  thee  not  to  fpeke.  J  fee  wcl 
(quod  this  wift  man)  that  llie  comunc  provcrbc 
h  futh|  tliat  good  confcil  tivantcth  wh&n  it  Jimoft 
nede. 

Yd  had  this  Mi libcti*  in  hit  confeil  many  folk 
that  privvly  in  Ijis  crecoiifcdk*.  hijn  certain  thing-, 
and  confc'ilkd  htm  the  contrary  in  general  audi- 
ence, AVhtm  Mchbcus  had  herd  that  ihe  greteft 
party  of  his  eordVil  werr  accorded  that  lie  iKuldtf 
tn;ikc  wcrrcj  anon  he  conlcntcd  to  hire  confcilliog^ 
1 


t^&  THE   TALE   O 

iVid  fully  JtfffTmc4  Kir  fentcocc.  Than  Dame  Pro* 
dcricc,  ^^hm  thit  fhc  Lw  how  thit  hire  huHiondc 
hope  him  fcrt«4wrcWc  him  on  hisfoniit  ami  to  be- 
finnc  Hcrrc,  fhc  in  ful  humble  wife,  whan  (he  faw 
iircHnie,<4yrfr  him  thefc  wordcs:  MyLord,»(tjuoci 
I  yoii  hrfcchc,  a^  benly  a*  1  tiarc  and  can» 
(Ic  yi/ii  not  to  faftc,  and  for  allc  gucrdonds 
■1  ytvr  mc  audience;. for  Pierft  Alphonff  *  fayth^ 
M''ho  fo  that  doth  to  thcc  outher  good  or  hinhc 
huftc  thcc  not  to  quite  tt,  for  in  thi*  wife  thy 
>rnd  wol  abide,  and^hiu  tnemic  fhal  the  Icngcr 
live  in  drcde.  Ihc  pro^crbt  fayth.  He  haftcth 
wcl  Uiat  wiXcly  cina^de;  and  in  wikkcd  haft  is 

Thi*  McKhec  anfwcrcd  unto  hi%  wif  Prudtncc ; 

I  pisrpofc  not  (qiic^d  he)  lo  wcfkcti  by  thy  con* 

Lfeil  for  many  cauiet  and  i*eff»n»,  for  certcs  every 

Kriji^br  wolffr  hold  me  than  a  foci;  this  it  to  fayn, 

'  if  1  fcr  thy  conftiirmg  woldo  changi*  thingc*  that 

bed  ordaiued  and  aflirmcd  by  fo  many  wife  men, 

Secondly  I  1  fay  that  a  11^  women  ben  wicke,  and 

^.tion  froud  of  hrm  all;  for  of  a  thoufitnd  men^ faith 

lilaionion,  I  foitnd  o  good  man ;  btic  cercef  of  a  lie 

nen  good  found  I  nevr r.     And  alfo,  ccrtei  if 

^overncd  rae  by  thy  conicil  it  Ibuldc  fcnic  that 

I  Fad  yct»e  tHcc  over  mc  the  maiftrie ;  and  God 

orbcdt  thw  it  fo  were ;  for  Jcfu»  Sirak  fayth,  that 

f  the  vif  have  the  maiftrie  fhc  is  contrariotit  to 

lliir';  htifboud;  and  Salomon  fayth,  Kcvrr  in  thy 

I |if   to  thy  wif,  nc  to  thy  child,  nc  to  thy  freiid, 

[iHe  ynrc  nr^^prwer  over  thyfelf  j  for  better  it  were 

hilt  diy  children  axe  of  thcc  thinjcs  that  hem 

Fliedeth,  th:i3  ihmi  fee  thyftlf  in  thv*  handcs  of  thy 

hitdrcn.  And  alfu  if  I  wol  ^trc!ic  by  thy  con- 

ieilling^,  certpiitnuffl  be  fonitime  fccrec^til  it  were 

Jmc  ihftt    it  be  knowm,  and  thii  nc  may  not 

be  if  I  fbrilde  be  confeUtcd  by  thcc  [For  it  is 

^'ritcn  f  The  jsnglcrie  of  v^men  nc  can  no  thing 

hide  fave  that  which  they  wctc  ant  ?  after  the  phi- 

Kifnphre    Ccyth,    Tn  wikkcd  confcil  women  vrn- 

.    "  n  :    and  fur  thilc  rcfoni  1  nc  owe  uot 

tied  by  thee.] 

—    P      ^    -^  ^  r,,i  4  *  f^r^alrly,  and  with 
jrrct ;  :  hulbonde  liked 

fiT  :n  1-,,  v^_       -     .    -in  licence  for  to 

fjitki-,  and  faydc  tn  :hii  wife  :  My  lord,  (quod 
ihe)  xi  to  yt>ur  fiffl  reicn  it  may  lightly  ben  an- 
fwi  r J,  for  T  fay  that  it  ri  no  folic  to  ehaungc  con- 
Uii  wiiiuj  the  thing  i*  chmn^rtd,  or  cUci  whan  the 
ibingfemcth  othcrwifc  than  it  jcmcd  afore.  And 
morvover,  I  (ay,  though  (hat  yc  iuvc  fworac  htud 

•  He  cuff*  T4r«frjl<  P<"fn  A'fim^fi  1>  h^n  T>iikrat  r'ftr»-J 


-firv  ro  the 


« «««uKi*je  D«  lUita  ^'iht 


t  MELIBECS. 
bchight  to  pcrforme  your  cmprife,  afl 
lc»  ye  weive  to  pcrforme  thslkc  f^inc 
juft  caufe,  men  ihuld  not  fuy  thcrtor 
Iyer  ne  forfwoni;  fortbe  b6«jk  fayiK  li 
man  maketh  DO  Icfmg  whan  he  tometJ 
tiiT  the  better.  And  al  be  it  that  yoor 
cftablJfticd  and  ordeined  by  gret  mollil 
yet  thar  yon  not  accomptiib  ihitke  or( 
you  likethr  for  the  troutbc  of  thinmi 
fit  ben  rather  fotindcn  in  fewe  iulk  tk 
and  fw I  of  refon,  than  by  gret  multtti 
ihtT  every  mm  crycth  and  clatterctk 
liketh  ;  fothly  fwkhe  multitude  i«n»t 
to  the  fecond  refoo,  wheras  yc  fay  th^ 
ben  wickc;  favc  your  grace,  ocrte*  y^ 
women  in  this  wife,  and  he  that  aU  i 
fiith  the  book,  all  dcfplefeth.  And  \ 
that  who  fo  wol  have  fapWncc  fhall  I 
prei fc,  but  hcHial  gladly  uchc  the  fei« 
tin  without  prcfumption  or  pride» 
thingei  as  he  nought  can  He  (hal  not  b 
to  Icrc  hem,  and  to  eoqicrc  of  leffllf  foU 
frlf.  And»  Sire,  that  ther  hath  ben 
good  woman  may  lightly  be  prrrcd  $ 
Sire,  ou^  Lord  Jtfu  Criit  n'oldc  nrt^ 
cendcd  to  be  borne  of  a  womafl^  if  all 
be  wicked;  and  after  that,  f«ir  the  i 
that  it  in  women,  our  Lord  Jcfu  Cril 
wa»  nkn  from  deth  to  lif,  appeared  I 
woman  than  tohifapoillcs.  And  thm 
lonion  fayde  he  fminde  never  no  good 
fidweth  mt  thcrforc  that  ill  women  j 
for  though  that  he  nc  found  an  gfl 
certci  many  another  man  bath  foiri 
woman  ful  good  and  trcwe :  or  cllOip| 
the  eotcnt  of  Salomon  was  thi«,  tball 
bountee  he  found  no  woman  ;  thi*  Im 
ther  if  no  wight  that  hath  foveratel 
Gnd  alone,  an  he  hinifdf  recorddhMj 
lies;  for  tl>er  i»  no  crrature  fo  S^iil 
wiiitcth  fomwhii  of  the  perfedioi^l 
i*^  hit  maker.  Yourc  thriddr  rcfon  tij 
that  if  that  yc  govcrric  you  by  « 
Ihulde  feme  that  ye  had  ycvc  roc  tHcl 
the  brdOiip  of  your  peribn.  Sire»rs«i 
it  i»  nijt  fo;  for  if  fo  were  that  no  mil 
ronicilled  hot  only  of  hem  that  ban  I 
maiflric  of  hi«perfon,  men  n*oldenoe  | 
fo  often ;  for  fothly  thilkc  man  ih*l 
fell  of  a  purpos  yet  hath  he  free  dj 
he  wol  werkc  after  that  con&tl  or  t» 
to  your  fourth  rcfon,  ther  as  yc  fain  t| 
Ittie  of  women  an  hide  thioget  t^ 
not,  a*  who  fo  faiyth  thai  a  woman  €i 
that  Qic  wottf ;  Sire,  thife  worde^bcoij 
of  women  that  ben  jangkrcffet  9Bm 
whidi  wotfcn  men  fain  that  three  tf " 
a  man  out  of  his  hou&,that  i%  to  f»yt 
ping  of  raiiTC,  and  wicked  wivis; 
^vomen  Salomon  fayth,  that  a  on 
dwell  indef^rt  than  withaironiiafi 
and,  hire,  by  your  Icve,  »>at  mh  not 
ful  often  affaied  my  gret  ^Itnct  and  I 
tkncci  Uid  ckc  how  wd  thftt  I  cm  b| 


TrtE  TALE  OF  MKLIBEU6. 


I  fccrrtly  to  iildcn.   And 

ioJi*.  ^her^i  ye  by  th^t 

"  -d  tncn^  God 

J  ftcde  ;  for 

■  ,.  .,    ^  .    ,^.-,   .   ...wi  for   to  do 

utd  ;:f  jc  ivcJ  wcrkcn  wickednciTc,  j{ 

wiiu&mntiU  Thilkc  wickvilpurpoft,and  j 

:b  fou  by  rcfou  and  by  g^od  coafcU, 

If  T;f  cfsjht  mtKcr  to  be  prdfed  than  to 

Adc  yc  uDdcrilonde  the  philo* 

ill  wicked  coiifc II  women  vcu- 

,:b<<idcv   And  thcr  lu  you  bUmeo 

'  hir  Ttfoas,  I  fliii  Jbewc  you  by 

iln  thai  ft  ion  y  womtn  have  ben  fuj 

i>c:3,  and  hIr  conJeil  holefome  and 

(om  mcD  hjLD  luyd  th^t  the  confeil 

icr  to  dcrc  or  ellcs  to  liicl  ol  iris : 

that  ful  QiAHy  iL  woman  be  La  J,  and 

SbI  rile  lad  nought  worth,  ytt  hao  men 

fjil  nti'^y  1  good  woman*  and  dii-rrctc 

Lo  Jacob,  ihurgb  the 

r  Rebeck c,  wan  the  bc- 

iiia  the  lordibij^  over  ill  hia 

y  hire  jijocud  coufcil  dclivired 

c,  ID  which  fbe  dwelt,  out  of 

ro,  that  had  it  bdeg;fd,  and 

,e;  Abigail  delivered   N:ib^ 

i  >^vid  the  kjngt  ths^t  woldc  han 

'  -d  the  ire  ol*  the  king  b/  hire 

id  confcilling;  Hcftcr  by  hire 

,;rctly  the  peplc  of  God  in  the 

].c  king;  and  the  f^nic  bountcc 

'.f  many  a  good  woman  moUn 

And  further  more»  xrhtn  that 

>rcd  Adkm  ottrc  forme^  UtbcT 

I.  ...k;  It  IS  not  good  ro  be  a  man 
We  to  him  an  hcipe  ftmblable  to 
I  maun  yc  fee  that  if  thui  women 
d^Mtd  hir  confelt  good  and  pro£ca* 
God  of  hcTcn  woldc  neither  han 
bt  okihd  hem  he  I  tic  of  man*  but 
m  of  nun.    And  thcr  f^yd  a  clerk 
ircr*,    What  i»  better  tbm  gold^ 
Jk»ti>  better  thin  jafprc  ?  wifdum  j  and 
than  wifdom  ?  woman  ;  and  what 
4  good  womoLn  f  nothing.     And, 
othf  r  rt  fons  moiin  yc  Iccn  that 
ind  hir  confcil  good  and 
^Ui  • ,  Siic,  if  JC  woj  trofkc 

Bletl,  i  IhaJi  rvltore  you  yowr  doughtcr 
^nnod,  and  1  wol  don  to  ywu  fo  nnuchc 
min  ':    .    .  r  Ln  thise^ij. 

Ur '  rd  the  wordci  ot  his  wlf 

jheUva  !  !  thiit  the  word  of 

•  lbth,for  t  worde»  that  bcB 

Bcred-  *■  -  ...^v  ben  hQajccombcs, 

rtcr  .   to  liic  foulc  *nd  hoi- 

to  '  :ind,  wif,  becaufc  of  thy 

cue  for  I  have  preved  and  nU 
ncc  and  thy  grcte  trouthc^  t 
hy  confcil  in  alle  thing* 
1  Dame  Prudence)  and  fn 
ivernedbymy  coiifeil,  I 
-A  yc  Ihulo  grjVLTnc  yo:ir- 


in  allc  your  Mfftrkes  mckciy  beiechca  to  the  heij^-h 
God  that  he  wol  be  your  conUiilour,  and  fhapetJt 
you  to  fwicJic  entente  that  he  yeve  you  confetl 
and  eomforttt  aj  taught  Tobic  hit  fonc ;  At  a.Ue 
timet  thou  Ihalt  blctTc  God,  and  prcic  him  tu 
drcffe  thy  wayes;  and  tokc  that  allc  thy  confeibi 
ben  in  him  for  evermore,  Scint  Jjimiu  ckc  fayth^ 
If  any  of  you  have  acde  of  fapiencei  axe  it  of  Ood^ 
And  aftcrwarde  than  fhuUcn  yc  take  cnnfcil  in 
yourfclt,  and  ciiaminc  wel  your  oweo  thoughtci 
of  fwiche  thingei  aA  you  thinketh  that  bcu  belt 
for  your  projit ;  and  than  fhuln  yc  drive  frq  your 
hcrte  three  thin  get  that  ben  conirariotis  t4>  j^od 
confcil,  that  U  to  Iliyn,  ire, covci tile,  i    '  '     '      iTc* 

Firfl,  he  that  axeth  coulcil  of  hjn  he 

muft  be  withoutcn  ire  for  niany  c^l..  ,.  .  .,^  itrA 
•4  this;  he  that  hath  gret  ire  and  wrath  iu  him-* 
felf,  he  weneth  alway  that  he  may  do  thing  that 
he  may  not  do.  And,  fecoridlyi  he  that  i»  irout 
and  wroth  he  may  not  wcl  demc  ;  and  he  thai  ms/ 
not  wd  dcmc  may  not  wcl  confeille.  The  thridde 
lA  this  I  he  that  is  iroUf  and  wroth»  a»  fay tJi  Scnek* 
ne  may  not  fpekt  but  bluneful  thingc*,  and  witU 
hia  vicious  worded  he  ftiircih  other  folk  to  jmge^ 
and  to  ire.  And  eke^  Sire,  yc  muft  drive  covcitife 
out  ofyour  hertc  ;  for  tiie  apolllc  fayih,  that  co- 
vcitifc  is  the  rote  of  ail  barmcs  :  and  troilcth  wcl 
that  a,  covcitous  man  nc  can  noi  dcmc,  nc  thinJtc, 
but  only  to  fulfille  the  end  of  his  covcitife,  and 
certc^  iJat  nc  may  never  ben  accompUfed;  for 
ever  the  more  huboundance  that  he  hath  o£ 
richcfTe,  the  more  he  dcfircth.  Attd,  Sire,  ye 
mull  alfo  drive  ohi  of  youre  iiertc  haftint  Ifg ;  fo^ 
ccrtcs  yc  nc  moun  not  demc  for  the  bcilc  a  fodca 
thought  that  falicth  iu  yuuf  hertc,  but  yc  mult 
avife  you  on  it  ful  ofte ;  for,  ai  yc  Kavc  herde 
herebeforn,  the  commune  proveiba  is  tkii,  H< 
that  font  dtmcth  fouc  repcnicth* 

Sire,  yc  nc  be  not  alw*y  in  like  dlTpofttioti,  foif 
ccrtci  fom  thing  that  fomtimc  f.ireth  to  you  th-£ 
it  is  good  for  to  doi  aikjthcr  time  it  fcmeth  to  you 
the  contrarie. 

And  whan  ye  haft  taken  confcil  in  yourfdf^ 
and  haft  denied  by  grxjd  deliberation  fwichc  thing 
Hf  you  fenicth  bcftc,  th.tn  rcdc  I  you  ihatyc  kepe 
it  fecree*  Bcwrcyc  not  your  confeil  to  no  perfone, 
but  if  fo  be  that  ye  wcficn  ftkerly  that  thurgh. 
yourc  bcwrcying  youre  conditi&n  0ial  hen  to  you 
more  profitable  ;  for  Jcfu.  Sink  faith.  Neither  ut 
thy  fo6  DC  to  thy  freud  difcover  not  thy  fccrce,  ne 
thy  folic;  for  they  wolri  ycvc  you  audience  and 
loking,  and  iupportition^  in  your  prefcncc,  acd 
fcome  you  in  youre  abfence.  Another  dcrkiayth, 
that  fcartly  Ihalt  thou  finden  any  pcrfonc  that  may 
kcpc  thy  confeil  fccrdy.  The  book  faith^  Whild 
that  thou  kcp^ft  thy  confcil  in  thin  bene  thou 
kcpcft  it  in  thy  prifort,  aiid  whan  thou  bcwrcyelt 
thy  corifcilto  any  wight,  he  hoMeth  tbcc  In  hit 
fnare ;  swid  tlicrforc  you  is  better  lo  hide  youf 
confetl  In  your  hcrU'  than  to  prcy«  htm  to  whom 
ye  han  bcwrcycd  youre  confeil  that  he  wol  fcepc 
it  clcfc  ar.d  ftillc  ;  f<jr  Seneca  i;tyth,  tf  fo  be  tbac 
tliou  nc  mayft  not  thin  owcn  Lonttlk  hide,  how 
dardl  thou  prcycii  auy  other  wight  thy  confeil 
k:Tili  (Q  ie^c  I  But  ii«tlick>,  if  i^^m  wune  tkst^ 


*ji 


THE  TALE  OF  MELIBBU 


If  that  tliy  bc^Tcying  of  thy  confcil  to  a  pcrfone 
w^  maktf  thy  condition  to  ftondcn  in  the  better 
plight,  than  ihalt  thou  telle  him  thy  ccrafiril  in 
this  wife*  Ftrft,  thou  ihalt  make  no  fcmbUiit 
\yhcthcr  thcc  were  kvcr  fcc\  or  wcrrc,  or  this 
€r  that,  ne  ftiewe  him  not  thy  will  nc  thin  en- 
tente *,  for  troflc  vvcl  (hat  comtntinjy  thcfe  co%~ 
feillouri  hen  flttcrcr*,  namely  the  eofifctUciiirs  «f 
ffrete  lordes,  for  they  cnft>rcen  hem  ahv:iy  i;irlier 
tt>  fncken  |'!tfani  worde%  cnclming  to  the  lordev 
lailf  than  w'ordes  that  ben  trewc  or  profiuhle,  atid 
therforr  men  f^yn  that  the  riche  man  hath  lelde 
^od  conferl  bnt  if  be  halrc  »t  of  h'tmfelf.  And 
after  that  thou  fhah  conHder  thy  frmdc^  and 
thin  enemies.  And  z\  trmchiJif^  Lhy  frcndc?,  thou 
fhtilt  confidcr  v^^-  -^  * '  -  ^  -  v  fcithfwland 
ntoft  \TtlCi  3n1  ci\j  ift  ttm- 

feillinjf,  and  cl  ,,,  ;,  ,.._,.  :,^  ..  —  iliy  confcU  at 
the  cas  rctjuireth. 
1 1  far,thitt  firft  yc  fhuln  ckpc  to  yourc  confeil 
yourefrendt*  that  ben  trcw^j  ((*t  Salomtin  fiiifh, 
that  rij^ht  as  the  hcrtc  of  a  ffijin  delitetb  in  favour 
that  is  rjyotc,  right  fothe  conftil  of  rrcwe  frtndes 
]i*evctb  fwetencfrc  in  the  foutc  ;  hc  fayth  alfn, 
Ther  may  nothing  be  likened  to  ihe  trc"we  frcnd, 
for  certes  j^nld  ne  Ulvrr  hen  ndt  fo  rttiicb  \torth  a* 
the  good  wiU  ot  a  ircwc  fr  '  '  ■  "  '  ^-  '  ''  '  h, 
that  a  ttrwc  frcnd  i*  >  li 

that  it  findtftb,  certcs  h<:  ^  ^  i- 

yhzn  (huln  ye  tke  eonfidtf  if  that  your  rrrwc 
frcndci  ben  difcret;  and  wife;  fur  the  bunk  fiiith^ 
Axe  alway  thy  cortfeit  of  hem  that  ben  ^ifc^ 
And  by  this  fame  rcfun  fhutn  yc  o^fpon  to  yourc 
confeil  yoore  frcndcs  that  ben  cKc  l* 

han  feyn  and  ben  expert  in  j.  %  and 

ben  apprc  vcd  in  c c  n  f   '  1 1  >  >  k  la y th  > 

In  oldc  m-^n  is  al  t1i  longe  tinjc 

the  ^'-"'^^''r  :  AnU.  ;....,.,  ■,  .,...,  •''•■*'  --'■■■' 
th}i  ■■:)  not  ay  aixomplllcd 

flc  !  ;  die  ©f  body,  hut  by  gc; 

*u<^OTit^c  of  perfrtnei,  alid  by  fcicncc  ;  the  which 
three  ihmgc*  nc  ben  not  fehk  by  lige,  but  ccr- 
tcs  they  cmr^rcen  and  cncrcfen  d^y  by  tUiy*  And 
than  fhulti  ye  kepe  thU  fnr  a  ^fr-nenil  reuk;  firi>, 
yc   r  *  if  your 

hi  .  M  kny 

Hiec  on  to  be  ' 

fhoo  firll  ne  t:'...  ..... 

maycd  aftcrwardt  tell  it  ^ 

But  kike  atw.if  t^ml   thy  c 

rhrcc  conditiou*  that  I  have  Uyd  btlw  c  j  tiiat  i» 
trt  Uf^  that  they  be  trevt,  vvifc^  and  of  olJe  cx- 
pflricnce.  And  werkc  not  alw^^y  in  every  ncdc 
fpy  on  confeillotir  allonc,  for  fomiime  bchoveth  tt 
to  be  confcjllcd  by  many  ;  lor  S^iloinoa  fjirth, 
KaWatiori  of  thiagc»  is  wher  a»  thcr  ben  matiy 

>  It  I  have  told  yon  of  which  folk  ye 

fhi  -  lUed,  now  wol  I  tcchc  ycm  wliicli 

eri:i  iit  to  efchuc,    FIrft,  yc  Pauln  cfchiic 

t^r  J  «if  fooles;(or  SJoiiion  faythgTukc 

no  cuiif^il  i>i  4  fool^  for  he  r.c  cinnot  coufeillc  but 
•ftcr  his  owen  lull  and  ht»  a.Tcaion :  the  Ixwk 
iSr//A,  i*he  propCTtcr  of  a  fool  i%  thif,  he  ttowetb 
lightly  liMUic  of  every  Aiiiu,  and  lightly  trowciH 


tnaaui 
ythS 


r  tcllel 


all  bountee  in  himfcli,     Thoo  (baf! 
the  confcilHng  of  all  flatercr*,  fwnche  atj 
hem  rather  to  prciicn    jaurt   pctfasuef 
rie,  than   iot   to   tell    yoo    the   fof"" 

thinge*. 

Whcrfnre  TulHn*  f^ytb,  j^lmong 
1,^^,.-,,  th  ,t  k,-n  in  frcndl'^^  '^^  i 
ar  Li  it  more  r 

dr        :  i>  than  any  .    .  IL 

faith,   rhou  fhalt  rrtber  drcde  and  ike  jl 
fwete  wot  Jc»  of  flntrfing  pncifert  th*ii  £n 
cprt:  wordc*  of  thy  fyoid  that  faith  th  ~** 
Salomon  faith,  that  the  wordcs  of  t  " 
fnare  to  caccbea  innoccntc* :  he  U] 
that  fpckcch  to  his  frend  wopdn  ©f  (vmi 

and  of  pUfmncc,  h     --    -i t-  '  ---  %{ 

to  cacclicui  him  :  n  im 

dine  not  thin  em  u  *. 
of    wordei  i>f   llatenic : 
thcc  wcl,  and  efchiic  %v 
plefauDce.    And  eke  thi/u  iJiait  cfchwl 
feilling  of  thin  cldc  enemies  that  ben  i 
The  bdok  fayih,  that  no  wight  reionr 
into  the  ^rarc  of  hii  oldc  encmic: 
friyth,  >'  '  'to  which 

foratJT^i  ' »  ne  t 

thy  C01-. 
may  n-  r 

time  cii -^  ...  .  .        I 

of  iVarmneUc ;   aiid  ihctforc   J»tth 
chin  oldc  foo  troll  thou  never  i  for  fiJkc 
thiTi  cnemiebc  reconciled,  and  maketJi  1 
of  humlliree,  ynd  totitcth  to  thee  ' 
n.  ,  for  certc^  he  ; 

f  >rv  for  hi*  pn 

love  fiT  Tiiy  yLMonr,  b'        '     ^* 
have  viAorie  over  ihy  ; 

■■'-■-  ■'.  '-•  -rhich  v.^,....  .. 

And 
,  p  with 

if  thou  do  hem  btiuntcc  they  wo 
CO  wiekcdnL'lVr.    And  rkc  thou  i 
confeilUng  tf  hem  that  ben  thy 
bercn  th^*r  ^c\  reverence,  for  parivr 
feinit  ni 
Itiith  a 


more  luve  of  tlic 

alfo    efchuj   the 

dronkcUvic,  for  they  nc  t^ti 

5*tomon  fay'h/rhcr  n*?«i  nf* 

neth  dr 

the  cvi. 

t1 

!•. 


thing  openly,  niid  wer'i 

Thou  ihalt  alio  have  lu 

wicked  folk,  ff»r  t 

And  D«vfd  fiyl?;, 

not  fftltvcd  T ' 

alfo  efchiie  tl 

conreitting  ii  nbl  tipc»  as  ^^lonicn  liirii 


Pttcr  i 
thia  oil 


THE    TALE    OF    MELrSEUS. 


BUM  I 


i  dtoQ 


k^fimlkB  tjtitr  youre  confcil,  and  of  which 
uc  the  confeil,    now  wul  T 
la  cxumlne  your  confeil  iifcer 
iliut.     fn   trxuuhung  th;ui  of 
iIiuId  CO oO fire  miry  ihingc*.  I 
,  W«^  u»ju  Uiak  con&dre  thait  in  ihilkc  thing 
ptirpoiieil,  and  upon   wh.it  thin^  thut 
t  bvc  confcil,  thai  vcray  trouthc  he  r^id 
red;  this  it  to  fay,  telle  trcwcly  diy 
I  Ufth  fklfc  may  not  wcl  be  con- 
I  diat  ui  of  which  he  IktK,    And  AkcT 
I  ilk  rouBdrc  the  thirds  that  accordcn 
Bpurpofeft  for  to  do  by  thy  confdlJour% 
!  therto,  and  ckc  if  thy  mt^t  may 
nOf  and  if  the  more  part  and  tlie  bet- 
f  tKin  c»nirillours  accorden  therto  or 
u  ,\......   .  >nfidrc  what  thing  fhul 

,   u  hate,  pecit  wrrre, 

nd  many  other  thin^csj 

(halt   thcfe  the  bcile, 

gcs.     Than  ihalt  tbou 

u  rt^iic  *»  engcfidfcd  the  materc 

and  what  fruit  it  may  couctfire 

Thoit   AaU   eke  cuafidre    ilk 

*h<nnt»    tliey   ben   fiirongen, 

hzfi  examined   thy  confeil,  ai 

I  Ldf  lod  wkkh  partie  is  the  bcttiT  and 

**d  haft  apprcved  it  by  many 

,   than   fluJ'.   thou   cotilidrc 

rni'?   h   and  maken  of  it  a 

ji  wolnoi  that  any  man 

ii  if  he  mightc  performc 

.  no  wight  ihuldc  take  upon 

.  t  that  he  mi^ht  not  bcrco  it, 

i3«  uyth,  He  that  to  mochc  em- 

ilitci;  and  Citou  laith,  AfDiy 

-c  be- 

,  _     ;   ,^;     ; ,,.  ;,  '  ivnrc*. 

>u  be  in  doute  v.  j 

ng  or  oon,  cluj  ru 

b  gijjoe.      And  Peter  Alpiionfc 

llt!^Al  luit  might  t*>  don  a  thiiig  cf  whivK 

"*     icntc,  it  i*  better  nay  than  yaj  thi» 

t  thtc  h  bertrf  to  hc^ldc  thy  toris^c 

hofpcke.     T'  ■ 

;cr  rtfou^ 

ire   ih-O  hcgiiiuc. 

;....    cvff/   wigbt   to 

Itch  he  it  in  dotitc  i^Tuthcr 

[  or  noil,     Atid  after  wfian  yc 

•^  ^vut  confeil  ai  I  have  fjud  befornC| 

^f!  that  yc  ma^n  pfrforfiie  your 

:  than  fadly  td  it  he  at  aB  cnde> 

time  that  I  fhcwc  you  whan 

luuiJ^e  your  con- 

>  :  man  mjay  diangc 

'  .  ,  ,,  <..  . .  r...rh,  or 

M,that 

I  ncwc 

led  IS  comen 

thy  confal* 

/c  ihy    t^ualcil,   if  fo  be 

..(jurarby  <rJLcs  Qwkf 


harme  or  damage  may  bettdc  :  alTo  if  thy  eonfcil 
be  diihonefte,  other  elle»  come  of  diflioneOecaufc^ 
chaungc  thy  coofciJ ;  for  the  lawc*  fain  |.hat  all 
bcheucs  that  ben  diHiODcAc  ben  of  no  value  ;  and 
eke  if  fo  be  that  it  be  impoHiblei  or  may  nut 
goodly  be  performed  or  kept* 

And  take  thti  for  a  general  rcule,  that  evcrj 
can  fed  that  is  afLrmed  fo  flrongly  thut  it  may  not 
be  ehaunged  for  no  conditiun  that  m^y  betide,  I 
fay  that  ihilke  confeil  u  wicked, 

ThU  MrUbcu»|  whiin  he  had  herd  the  dcM^lrine 
of  his  wif  Dame  Prudence^  anfwered  in  tJiin 
wife  :  Dame,  quod  he»  a  a  yet  unto  this  ttmc  yc 
h^n  wel  and  covctubjy  taught  me,  a«  in  general, 
how  1  (hal  governc  me  in  the  cheling  and  in  the 
wi'hhylduit;  tti  my  confcillour^  \  but  now  wold  | 
fain  that  you  wold  coodciccnd  in  efpccial,  and 
uUe  me  how  likcth  you  or  what  fcmeth  you  by 
ourc  connfciliour*  tliat  wc  han  chofcn  in  cure  prtr^ 
fcnt  ncdc.  , 

&fy  Lord,  qtiod  (hr,  I  bcTechc  jmu  ia^Ue  htim* 
blcile  that  ye  wol  not  w  ilfully  replic  agein  my 
rcfon*,  ne  dilUmprc  your  bertc,  though  1  fpekc 
thing  that  you  difplefc,  for  God  wote  thai  as  in 
mm  entente  L  fpeke  it  for  yottr  bcfle,  for  youre 
honour  and  for  yourc  profit  eke,  and  fothly  I  hope 
that  yourc  bcnignitec  wol  taken  it  in  patience. 
And  troftcth  me  wel,  quod  Ihc,  that  yourc  con- 
feil as  in  this  ca^i  ne  Ihulde  not  (a^  to  fpekc  propic^ 
ly)  be  ciiUtd  a  eonfeiilirg,  but  a  motion  er  a* 
nieving  of  folle,  in  which  confial  ye  has  erred  ia 
many  a  fnndry  wife, 

Flrft  iind  forward,  ye  hati  erred  in  the  alTem- 
bling  of  youre  couivilluttni,  for  yc  fliokle  firli  liau 
cli"pi'd  a  fc we  folk  to  youre  confeil,  and  after  yc 
mightc  han  fliewcd  ii  to  iwo  folk  if  it  hadde  btt 
ncde;  but  certcn  yc  hiiii  fodcinly  cicped  to  your 
corfcfl  a  grct  mukiLiidc  of  pcplc,  fu!  chargcaut^ 
and  fuJ  anoyous  for  to  here.  Alfo  ye  ban  erred, 
for  ther  a^  yc  fhuldc  ban  only  depcd  to  yourc  cotw 
fcile  youre  tjcwc  frcL'dcs  «lclc  and  wife,  ye  haii 
clepcd  iii-aunge  folk,  yonge  folk,  falfe  flatcrer*, 
uftd  encmicj  rccoo^ik-d,  and  folk  that  don  you  re« 
vercncc  withoutco  love.  And  eke  yc  htin  erred, 
for  ye  ban  brought  with  you  to  yourc  confeil  ire, 
1;/,  and  hafliCncflc',  the  which  three  thinjfci 
M'arJ'  to  every  confeil  honeft  and  profitable, 
:.-  .  ..^li  three  thingc*  yc  ne  han  not  anicutiffcd 
or  drftriytd  neither  in  yourcfilf  ne  in  yourc  con- 
lei  llours  AS  yuu  ought.  Yc  han  erred  alfo,  for  yc 
han  Ihewud  to  yourc  tiicfcilluurt  youre  taicnt  and 
yourc  a^eeUonsto  make  werrc  mtion,,aud  for  ta 
do  vcngeauncc,  and  they  han  efpied  by  youro 
wordea  to  what  thing  ye  ben  enclined,  and  thcr-  ' 
fore  h;.n  they  coiifcillcd  you  rather  to  youro  ta^ 
lent  than  to  yourc  profile.  Ye  han  erred  alfo,  for 
it  femcth  that  you  fufficcth  to  han  ben  confcilkd 
by  tiiifc  confcilloufs  only,  and  with  litcl  avj*, 
whcrii  in  fo  high  and  fo  gret  a  nede  it  had  bcti 
riCcclTaric  mo  coukillours  and  more  deliberjilioa 
to  pcrformc  yourc  emiirife.  Yc  han  erred  alfo, 
for  yc  han  not  examined  your  confeil  in  the 
forc^'d  inaocre.  ne  in  due  mancre  as  the  caa 
rcquireth.  Yc  htin  erred  aUb,  for  ye  ban  makcd 
UQ  diviilon  bciwlx  vourc  cuafcIllQari ;  thii  h  t% 


4 


I 


I 


fayn,  betwlx  jcmrt  trcwc  frendc*  and  youre 
femed  confcillour*;  nc  yc  han  tint  koowe  the 
^iUt  of  yourt!  trc^ve  frcndcs  f^Ide  and  wife, 
but  ye  Had  caft  allc  hir  wordct  in  on  hochcpot, 
and  cncHned  yowr  hcrtc  to  the  more  part  and 
to  the  gTttcr  nombrr,  and  thcr  be  yc  con- 
dcfcrDdctT:  and  Oth  yc  wot  wcl  that  men  JliuJn 
fthray  findc  a  prct'-r  nonibre  of  foolcs  than 
of  wfc  men,  and  thcrforc  the  cnnftillings  that 
ben  at  congregation g  and  multitude^  of  folk,  cher 
umcn  takf  more  regard  to  the  nombrc  than  to 
thcfaplcncc  gf  pcrfonesyc  fcen  wcl  that  in  fwiche 
confeiUinp  foolcs  han  the  maidrlc.  Mdilreus 
anfwercd  acd  faid  agein ;  I  p-Jtintc  wcl  thut  I 
have  erred,  but  ther  as  thou  Juft  told  mc  hcrebe- 
fome  that  he  n'i*  not  to  hlamc  that  chaungcth 
hia  confcil  in  certain  ca*,  and  for  certain  and  jud 
ciufeSf  I  am  al  ready  to  chaungc  my  confcil  right 
l»  thou  wolt  devifc.  The  proverbc  fayili,  For  to 
don  finr.e  is  mannifh,  but  certes  for  to  pcrfcTprc 
In  finnc  i*  werltc  of  the  devil. 

To  this  fentcncc  anfwercd  anon  Dame  Pni- 
denee,  and  faidc;  Examineth  (quod  flic)  wcl  your 
confeii,  and  let  us  fee  the  which  of  hem  nan  fpukcn 
mod  rcibnably,  and  targht  you  belt  confcil :  and 
for  15  muche  an  the  examination  in  nirccfTirir,  let 
til  bcginnc  at  the  ftirgicr%  and  at  the  phyficicns 
that  firft  fpakcn  in  tlii<  mater.  1  fay  that  phyficrcns 
gnd  furgien*  han  fayde  yoii  in  yourc  confcil  dil'- 
cretJy  as  hem  oughte,  and  in  hir  fpcchc  i'aidcn  ful 
wifely  that  to  the  ofRcc  of  hem  apperteincth  to 
don  to  every  wight  honour  and  profitf*,  and  no 
wight  to  anoyc,  and  after  hir  cr.tft  to  don  gret 
diligence  unto  the  cure  of  hem  which  tlnat  they 
hfto  in  hir  govtrnaunce.  And,  Sire,  right  as  they 
ban  «nfwercd  wifely  and  difcrctly,  right  fo  rede 
1  that  they  be  highly  and  fovcralnly  gutrdoned 
for  hir  noble  fpcche,  and  eke  for  they  fhuldcn  do 
the  more  cntentif  bcfincffe  in  the  ciiration  of  thy 
dere  donghter :  for  al  be  it  fo  that  they  ben  youre 
frendes,  thcrfore  fhullen  yc  not  fuffren  that  they 
ferve  you  for  nought,  but  yc  oughtc  the  rather 
cuerdcnc  hem,  and  fhewc  hem  youre  largefTe* 
And  as  touching  the  propoCtion  ^hich  the  phy- 
ilcien»  entretcden  in  this  ca^  this  i*  to  fain, 
tliat  in  maladicft  thiit  a  contrarie  is  wurifhcd  by 
unother  contrarie,  1  wold  fain  knowe  how  yc  un- 
flerftondc  thilke  text,  and  what  h  your  fcntence, 
Certc«,  quod  Melibcitx,  I  undcrflond  it  in  this 
wife,  that  right  ai  they  han  don  me  a  contrarie, 
fighte  fo  ihulde  I  don  hem  another  ;  for  right  as 
thvy  han  vcnj^ed  htm  upon  me  and  don  me 
wrong,  right  fo  ibal  1  vcnge  me  upon  hem  and 
'  don  hem  wrong,  and  iJian  have  I  cured  a  contra^ 
rie  hy  arother. 

I^,  lo!  quod  Dime  Prudence,  how  lightly  i* 
fr»»rv  TT1  IT-  f-nrlined  to  hi*  owen  defirc  and  hi* 
c"  !  Ccrtcs  (qxted  Ac)  the  wordct  of 

fli^  '  ncfljuldrn  nothaobcnunGerftondcn 

in  thiit  wife,  for  certe*  vrickednefTe  ii  not  contn- 
tie  to  wirkrdnctfe,  ne  vcngearmce  to  vrnreauncr, 
me  wrong  to  wrong,  belt  they  t>cn  femM:\bIe»  and 
Vi^  rhcrforc  a  vcngra'tncc  it  not  wariHicd  Ivr-  ano- 
ther vtznge-unce,  ne  a  wrong  by  anntlier  wrong, 
hot  clench  of  hem  cncrrfcUi  and  ag^reg'/eth  o- 


fo  forth 


ther*  But  certes  the  wo 
(huidcn  ben  undcrflondc  in  ' 
and  wickcdnclTe  htn  two  contrari 
werre,  vengcauncc  and  fiifTn 
cord,  and  many  otlicr  thinf 
cdncfle  fhal  be  wariflicd  by 
accord,  wcrre  by  pees^aud  fo  f 
And  hereto  actordcth  Sciut  Pou 
many  place" ;  he  layth,  Nc  ye!di 
harmc,  ne  wicked  f|»cchc  for  wi< 
do  xvcl  to  him  tltat  doth  to  thee  h 
him  that  faith  to  thcc  harme  :  in 
pbcc^  he  araoneRcth  pce»  and  ac< 
wol  I  fpcke  to  yciu  of  l>ic  confeiJ 
ycven  to  you  by  the  men  of  Uw 
folk  and  old  foike,  tJiat  fayden  »Iii 
ye  han  [icrd  bcfomc,  that  over 
fliuln  do  yotfr  diligence  to  kepc  yi 
to  waroeftore  your  houfe  ;  and  fai 
ihi*  cas  yoti  nughtc  for  to  werchc; 
with  grct  deliberation.  And,  Sir 
point,  that  tourhcth  the  kcping  o1 
ye  fliuln  undcrf^ond  thst  he  that 
ever  more  devoutly  and  mekel| 
alle  thingc*  that  Jcfu  Crifl  of  hi* 
him  in  his  protcdion, 3^,1!  1„  n  Ki< 
i:ig  at  hi»  ncdc  ;  for  C' 
no  wight  that  may  be  cf  * 
withoute  the  kcping  of  ourc  l^on 
tliif  fcntence  accordeth  tlic  proph 
faytli.  If  God  nc  kepc  the  citcc  ia 
that  kcpeth  it.  Now,  Sire,  than  fli 
the  kcping  of  youre  pejfonc  toyofU 
th*-it  ben  upprcvcd  and  yknowc,  ■ 
ye  a  sen  helpc  yourc  pcrfonc  fw  ti 
ton  faith,  If  thou  Iiavc  ncdc  of  Hcl 
frende*,  for  ther  n*is  nn'^  ^'>  ^r.ri. 
thy  trcwc  frcnd,  AnC. 
kepc  you  fro  alle  flraur^ 
have  alway  in  fufpcA  hir  i 
Alphonfe  fa)ih,Ne  take  no  < 
of  a  ftraungc  man,  but  if 
knowcn  him  of  Icnger  time  I 
fa  tie  into  thy  compaignic  [ 
tliin  affent,  enqucrc  than  a*  i 
of  Jii?  convcrfation,  and  of 
fetnc  thy  way,  fiying  thou  wolt  | 
wolt  not  go  ;  and  if  he  here  a  fp< 
the  rij;ht  tide,  and  if  he  here  &  fw 
hi*  U-ft  fide.  And  afte'-  thii  i 
you  wifely  from  all  fwidi^ 
have  fayed  before,  and  hem  1 
And  after  this  than  fliula  ye 
manercthat  fcranyprcfumption  oi 
that  ye  ne  dcfpifc  not  i 
of  your  adverljry  fu  lit 

youre  perfone  for  your  pr. j-iiu 

man  dredeth  his  enemic  :  *nd 
Welful  tf^he  tliat  of  zllc  h^'.h  Jrcx 
that  timrgh  the  1:: 
rhchardincfreofh  ; 
him  fhal  evil  betide.  Than  Puuin  1 
trewaltc  eml>oyflemcrt«  and  aJJc^ 
nek  Ujthy  that  the  wife  ma 
eiehucth  harmci^  nc  he  uk  \ 


:c^  fw 

y^5 


THE    TALE    Of   M£LIBEUS, 


nj 


Aiidilbe  tt  To  that  it  feme  that 

N  ci  ihalt  thou  alway  do 

thy  pcrfouc  ;  this  is  lo 

rbctii.,  .,-^;,L,..-L  to  k<pc  thin  pcrfonc 

f&9thfgrcicl>  cBciiiy  biut  ^Uo  fro  thy 

fettmv,  S'.uik  fayth,  A  man  that   i*  wtl 

'    icrdc  encmic;  Ovidc  fayth, 

'*l  flee  the  grct  boU  and  the 

'k  fayih,  A  liul  ihornc 

^  1.  ;ci  ajid  alitd  Jiaitndwol 

^^■i^L  b'Tc.   But  nathclcs  I  fay  not  thtm 

( k  cwif.j  tJiat  tliou  doBtc  whcr  i&  is  no 

Lik  bftuk  JAidi  thai  •  Ibm  rocn  [haii  taught 

Idrcetfojir,  ior  they  has  to  much  drcdcd] 

i^j;  ,i     Vr-T  ihait  thou  drcdc  to  be  «ni- 

rc  ihAt  thou]  ki:pc  thcc  t>w 

oruLTs;  far  tlw  book  fayth, 

1  nc  tuakt  no  compa^ie,  but  flee  bir 

I  Tcnjjne. 

i*  tii  the  fccond  point,  wheras  yoarc  wife 
wicoiifcillcd  you  towamcftorcyour  houj 
f  datigtDcef  I  woidc  fain  knowc  how  tlLit 
thilke  wordc^  and  what  i&  your 

tnfcrercd  and  fai  Jt ;  Ctrrtci  I  andcr- 

thii  wife,  that  1  flial  wamcftorc  min 

:K  TGurti,fwichc  ashao  cailcllciand  othtT 

«4L6cc3i^  and  armurc,  and  artcbrici,   by 

tktR^cs  J  m^y  my  pcrfone  and  myn  hoiii 

m  tbd  dcfcndcn  that  min  eaeniics  IhuJn 

^Me  ©in  houj  fnr  to  approchc 

iJbi  icatescc  anfwcred  anon   Prudence  j 

rg  (quod  ihe)  of  hcighc  tourcs  aod 

e^Cf\  ii  wxjth  grctc  coll-ij^c*  and  with 

"'^Ik,  III 4  whan  that  the)'  bcu  acconn- 

bcn  tlicy  not  worth  *l  fire,  but  if  tftty 

*  ly  trcvse  fr tndes  that  bcrn  oldc  and 

And  under  ft  undr  wcl  ihjt  the    grcitAe 

Hlr   ;  -itfou  that  a  richi;  rran  raay 

1  hi*  pcrfonc  a«  his  goodtj,  i», 

V  ith  hj5  fub^cts  and  with  his 

i;  for  thus  fhyth  Tulliui,  thac  iher 

laroeron  that  uo  m^n  nuy  vcn^jiufh 

and  thit  i«  a  lord  to  be  beloved  of 

A»d  uf  hi  J  pcplc. 

,Vi.  >     . I      T,  -  r' Jc  poiiil.whcra*  youre 

•.  (aydcn   that  you  uc 

i-,flily  piroccdcn  in  thi^ 

luc  purvcytin  and  «pp*rci4cn 

grctdJIigJtfiicc  aud  ^tn^t  deli- 

J-Htiy  I  irawc  that  tbcy  fay  den  right 

f*i;rH»  forh ;  for  Tuillu*  fjyth.  In  every 

it  afiporcile  thee  with  grct 

1  tiiat  in  vcnjTaiipic  takm^  in 

V'uLl* 


that  longc  apparciling  to£ore  the  bataiUe  mAkrth 
ftiort  vidoric  ;  and  CaJCodorus  fayih.  The  garne* 
fon  i»  llrongcr  whan  it  is  long^e  time  avifcd. 

But  now  let  us  fpcken  of  the  confcil  that  wm 
accorded  by  yourc  nci^hcHourc*  fwichc  as  doa 
you  j-cvcrencc  withouten  lovc»  youxc  oldc  ene- 
mies rceoxicilcd,youi  iatcrereis  that  confeiUcd  you 
certain  thinges  prlvcly,  and  openly  confeiUcd  you 
thjc  contraric,  the  ynnge  folk  alfo,  that  confcillcd 
you  to  vcnge  you  and  to  make  wcrrc  anon.  Cer* 
tci,  Sire,  as  I  have  faydc  bcfomc,  ye  ban  g^etly 
eired  to  han  clcped  fwicht  mauer  folk  to  yourc 
eonfcil,  which  confeillourt  hen  ynouj^h  reproved 
by  the  refona  aforcfaid  ;  but  nnthdet,  let  u»  now 
dcfcende  to  the  fpcciaL  Ye  ihvJ  ftril  projrcdcn  af* 
ter  the  d«i(*irine  of  Tulllm,  Ccrtcs  the  trouthe 
of  this  materc  or  of  this  conCiil  ncdcth  not  diJU 
gently  to  enquire,  for  it  is  wd  wift  whith  they 
hen  that  ban  don  to  you  thi&  tretpas  and  vilanie, 
and  how  many  trefpifoun,  :ind  in  what  man  ere, 
they  han  don  to  you  all  this  wrv^jj;  and  ;iU  tliii 
viliusic  And  after  thi?.  than  {huinye  acamine  the 
fccond  condition  which  that  the  fame  Tulliui  ad- 
deth  in  Uiis  materc ;  for  TuUiua  puttcth  a  thing 
which  that  he  clcpeth  Conftating;  tJii*  to  fayn, 
who  ben  ihcy,and  w  htch  ben  tliey^  and  bow  many, 
that  confcntcn  to  iJiy  confcd  in  thy  wilfuliie/Tt.  to 
don  haftif  vengeaunce.  And  let  us  eoulidrc  alio 
who  ben  they,  and  how  many  bcu  they,  and  which 
ben  they,  that  confentcden  to  yourc  adveriaricv 
A*  to  the  firft  poictjit  ia  wcl  knowcn  which  folk 
they  be  that  confciitcdcn  to  yourc  wilfuLntlTc, 
for  trewely  ill  tho  that  c^nfcileden  you  to  makcn 
fodtin  werre  nc  bcu  not  youre  frcndta.  Let  Ui 
now  conCdre  which  ben  they  thcit  yc  hol>len  fft 
grttiy  youre  freudcs  as  to  youre  pcrfone,  for;il  be 
it  fo  that  ye  be  mighty  and  riclitf,  c^rtc*  ye  nc  ben 
but  aUone  j  for  certes  yc  nc  han  no  child  but  a 
dougbter,  ue  yc  nc  han  no  brctlircn,  ne  colini 
grrmains,  nc  non  other  nigh  kiurede,  whcrfor c 
that  your  enemies  for  drcdc  fliuldc  ilintr  to  plcdc 
with  you  or  to  dcftroyt  yoiire  pcrfonc.  Yc  know* 
en  aJfo  that  your  richcff,;*  moten  ben  difpcndcd 
in  divcrfc  parties,  and  whan  that  every  wi^^ht 
hath  hiii  part  they  nc  wolkn  taken  hot  litcl  regard 
lo  vf^r^e  youre  dcth.  But  thiu  encmiei  ben  three,  <• 
and  ihcy  h^n  m-my  brethren,  children,  cofini,  and 
other  nigh  kinredc;  and  though  fo  \verc  that 
thou  haJd^fl  (lain of  hem  two  or  three,  yet  dwtU 
lee  tbcr  ynow  to  wrckcn  hir  dcth,  and  to  flee  thy 
pcrfonc.  And  though  fo  be  tkjt  youre  Id  rede  be 
more  ftcddiift  atd  fikcr  than  the  kin  of  your  ad- 
virCiricvyct  uathchi  youre  kiarcde  is  but  a  fer 
kicredc  ;  they  btn  Ut  Jttcl  fibbc  to  you,  and  the 
kin  t»r  youic  enciiiit4  hen  nigh  iibbe  to  hem ;  and 
euric^  aA  in  that  hir  con dh  ion  i*  better  thnn 
yourcfr.  Than  let  us  ccnfidcrc  alfo  of  die  Gonfiil^ 
ling  of  hc:n  that  coofelUvrd  you  to  t<ikc  fodcin 
veuj^ciuitce;,  whtthcr  it  accotde  to  rcfon ;  fmd 
ccxtei  yc  Lnuwc  wcl  nay  ;  for 05 by  right  and  rc- 
fon thcr  may  no  nun  i^kcn  vengeaunce  on  no 
wiglit  but  the  jujcc  that  hath  the  jurifdidton  t>f 
it,  wi.  m  it  is  ygraunted  him  t(»  take  thilk«?  wn- 
gr^mct;  haftU.  afnttcmptcly  aithcldwcrciiuk*isiv 
I  itlj 


I 
i 


And  moiTOvrr  of  th tike  word  t hit  I  uUtciftckpcth 
Coftfemini^  rtiDU  (\:  '-     ,   -  '  ^  y  might  and 

fhy  1  owiT  rtuiy  ro  tci  thy  wtt- 

fi>].,,  n^  ^r,,i  fo  thy  cj  ,,....,  tciie4kthi>u 

fit;  '  tlmt  Nay;  for  fikcrly,  as  for  to 

iijL  ^      V,  wc  moun  do  noihit  t  Imt   i.nl],* 

iwkhe  tbing^  aa  wc  moun  don  rij, 
«ertic«  nglitfuily  yc  ric  raowt  lAc  nn  ^ 
a<  of  ynur  proprc  Audoritc.    Th^in  mowi.  yc  Uii 
thit  your  power  nc  conTcntcth  nut  nc  acr-nrdrfh 
n&t  In  yourwiKulncfle,     JSow  !■!  t  us 
thndde  point,  th.it  Tullmt  clepeth   ^ 
Thou  fluh  umk-rftondc  th.st  the  TCti^^t..  jn.i  in.it 
thoti  ykiirpofcJl  for  to  tiikc  h  the  cnnictiHciit,  ainl 
t*tcroffolwfihAisolhcrvc«i;jtAUncr,pcnl.and\vcnc, 
and  other  dama^t  withriit  tiortibrL*,  wf  which  we 
ben  not  wurc  ^s  ut  thbtititc.  And  a*  tuuchiiig  the 
ftiunht  point,  fhnt  TuUiu^  cirpt-tli  Enpiidtrtng, 
thoij  flialt  coufider  (h»t  lUi5  wrong  whkh  that  it 
<k»«  to  thcc  ij  cngntdrcd  of  the  hate  oi  thhi  cnt-- 
miei^  end  of  the  vcnfeinuncc   tAino:  ^ipon  that 
wr*  "  ■  '  '    jiuchtl 

{<r  rc, 

Caukf,  which  thut  is  the  1:^11  point,  ihm  fhuh  tin- 
<ferltr<ndc  thi^t  t)ie  wrong  that  thou  haft  received 
hath  ccriaiiic  cnuff*  wbtch  that  ckrkes  clepeti 
•rw«#  ^1^4  ffdenft  and  /j^/Ti  hajrhfwg,  aiid  f4«j/& 
^nptntfyaj  thin  ift  to  Ityn,  the  fer  c^^ufe  and  the 
High  csnlc.  The  fcr  caiifc  it  almighty  God,  tJut 
ii  caaf^  of  aUc  thiitgrs;  the  ner  CAufc  is  thin  three 
cnemlc;^;  tlic  c;iurc  ;4ccidcnljl  wus  hMc;  tlie  caufc 
ixi:tirrbl  ben  the  five  woundti  of  thy  doughtcr ; 
the  cauiV  fortnLkl  in  the  miner  "f  hir  wrrkittg^  that 
broughten  ladder*  ainf  ilomben  in  ac  thy  v>'in- 
dowct;  the  caufe  Himl  was  fur  m  fltx  thy  dough- 
fr;  it  ktted  not  in  a*  muchc  ai  in  hem  \vat. 
But  far  to  fychc  of  the  fcr  cuuir,  At  ti»  what  crrjr 
they  ilutld  come,  o(  what  fhal  5nally  hctide  rjf 
bcniln  thifr  ciis,  necan  I  not  drme  hut  by  conjt'^- 
ing  and  fujrpofiijg  j  for  wc  lhu!n  fuppcfe  that  they 
Jhuhi  come  to  ii  wirkcd  cnde,  bccaitft  thut  the 
book  of  Uecrees  f:iythi  Seldcn  or  with  ^^ct  pcruc 
bcB  caufes  ybroBght  to  ^  good  cndt  whao  they 
ben  badly  bcgonne. 

-  >:.,«  ,  r  ,  "  '  -^  ^^■.^\A  -*-.  fi  me  why  th:ii  Cod 
iv'  ic,  certc*  1  on  not 

«ru  lit;  for  the  apot*lc 

frtyth  that  tiik'  idarccs  and  the  juK^'nicnts  of  oure 
Lord  God  Almighty  hen  M  dcfe  ;  thi-r  miy  no 
man  comprehend  r  :- 

lhete»,  hv  (frtatn  j  I 

hcf,'         '  ^     ■     ,       ■  \  '.vhi.h  tiK.t   1^  hiL  ill  jiJ- 

tJ-  hatji  fuffc  red  thii  betide 

I  -Ijhcf «  tki»  h  to  f^yn^  a  man 

|h.-l 'r*,im   li^O   .IrniiLr'    fu    mLuhf 

hotiy  pl  t  1 

bottourt  '  d 

half  forgettcn  jtia  Ciilt  ti>y  c/catour  t  iliu\i  lac 
h^  nut  t'tTfj  fft  htm  Inirii--  ♦tr  trtn!?'  itr-H  fwerencc 

a* thee  I  •  ^rpc  to 

the  Hun  honey 

«f  i1  veil  line  that 

Ikf  IT  tlioii  hall 


fQitndeti  hony,  etc  of  St  ibw  fufSeeth: 

etc  nf  it  out  of  miifure  thou  fh  * 
ncdy  and  ponre.  And  pcu.. 
ihtc  in  dclpit^  and  V 
lace  and  his  cres  i 
fulTrcd  that  tliou  1  . 
thai  thou  haft  ytrclpaied,  i  hou  haft 
afjam  oiirc  Lord  Crift*  for  erne:*  the  ti 
mics  of  mankind,  that  i>  to  fayn,  the 
fend,  and  the  world,  ihoti  haft  fuifred  I 
into  thin  hcrtc  wdhiUy  by  the  windoiflf 
body,  and  huft  not  defended  thyfdf  | 
ajjcin  hir  afl^autrs  and  hir  tcmptatitil 
they  han  Wfiindtd  thy  fouJc  in  dvc  {lUoi 
to  favn,  the  dedly  ficne*  that  ben  a 
ihyn  htrtc  by  thy  five  wittea  :  aud  in 
manure  our  Lord  Cfili  hath  wold  M 
that  thy  three  encmic*  ben  entrcd  int»  \ 
by  tl\e  windowed,  and  han  ywovndcd  d 
tcr  in  the  forrfayd  mancre, 

Certes,  quod  McHbec,  I  fee  wd  ihit^ 
you  muchcl  by  wordcftoovtr^ 
manrre  that  1  ihA  not  vcn^c 
llirwing  mc  the  pt-riU  and  the  ...+, 
fallc  of  thii  vcngcauncc  ;  but  who 
drc  in  all  vcngeaunecs  the  pcriji 
mijihrcn  fue  of  ven^caunce  tiiking  a  nii 
%'cr  take  vcngeaunec,  and  that  were  hai 
the  Tengeauncc  taking  ben  the  wicked 
vcred  fro  the  goode  men,  and  they  ihj 
to  do  wickcdncfle  rettreinen  hir  wic' 
whan  they  len   the  punifhing  and  the 
•  of  the  trefpafouri.    [To  thii  anfwi 
Prudence  :  Ccnes,  c^uod  £he,  I  graunt 
of  \engea«nce  taking   comcth   m 
muche  good;  but  vcngeaunce  taku 
nut  to  cvcrkh  on,  but  only  to  jui 
that   ban  the  jurifdic^ion  over  the 
And  yrt  fay  t  morr,  thiiT  ri;»^ht  '<»  a 
i"  nc  finneih  in  tak 
rjjfht  fo  nnncth  th 
hem  that  it  han  dukrvni  ;  lor 
Thut    matler  (he    fayth)   ii 
Ihrewes ;  andCalEodurt  '    '\   \ 
do  <jutra*:cswli*«hcwt 
picfcth  to  the  juge*  and   i  ...  i,..ii^m 
fayth, The  juge  tljJt  drtdtih  to  du  rij 
mpn  fhrewes ;  :ind  Seim  PnuJe  the  ay 
in  hi^cpiflli:,  whiin  he  writcth  unto  the 
that  fbc  jugea  beren  not  the  fp  rr 
caufe,  but  they  beren  it  to  i 
and  niifdorr*,  and  for  tn  d'*r  > 
H  ye  wihithan  tak 
ye  fhfdn  retotmu 


i^dihing.    I  bcthiiik  me  npw  aud  taie 


♦  The  fWITovtlnf  niflJi-e^ 


THE  TALE   OF   MELIBEUS* 


\  IimK  nounfted  mc  from  my  child- 

e,  Mvd  Ik^tk  liolpca  me  in  pafTe  many  a  (Irorij^e 

oow^ol  f  mfTifen  hire, trowing  with  Goddes 

that  llie  Ihal  hdpc  me  my  Oiamu  for  to 


Cettts,  «|tiod  Prudence^  if  yc  wot  wcrkc  by  my 
•OBfihl  fcfhuln  not  affayr  Fortune  hy  no  way,  ne 
jt  B«  fil^ihi  iK)t  lenc  or  howe  unto  hire,  after  the 
lof  S«nck  ;  for  thingt*  th»t  ben  folily  doB» 
tbo  thai  btn  doo  m  hope  of  i-'ortunf,  ftiuin 
ccmc  to  gm>d  mde.  And  as  the  fame  Senek 
fftytii,  t  he  more  clcr«i  and  the  mere  Ihininj;  that 
fcrrwnc  i«»  the  more  broicl  and  the  foner  broke  (he 
isL  TruUcUi  not  iti  hire,  for  £hc  Xi'h  not  {Itdcfaft 
•c  ft^abtr,  for  whan  thou  trowtf      *  "^  fikcr 

9d  frurc  tii  hire  hetpe,  ihc  wol  ceive 

ihec       And   whcra*  ye  fuyn  tl:^     4..     harh 

iMrtihccI  yuti  fro  yourc  childhcHJc,  I  fay  cjra^t  in  fo 
»:^cl  yc  thuln  the  ItlTe  tniftc  In  hire  ;*nd  iit  hire 
•  i  ,  fcir  Senek  faith,  What  m^n  that  i»  noriihcd 
Fr-rttjuc:  fhc  maketh  him  a  gret  fnol.  Now 
j\  II-  yc  dcGre  and  aie  ven^c«uiiec;,  snd  the 
>j:_L  rice  that  i*  drvo  stftcr  the  JnMe  and  before 
»« ^ «.  nc  Itketh  younot^flLiid  the  vcnvcaunce 
♦  Jrtfi  in  hope  of  Fortune  \%  perilom  and  un- 
tkan  ha^e  ye  non  other  rcnicdit'  but  for 
■  J9iir  fccoura  unto  the  favcraiiic  jugc  that 
alle  vilantcs  and  vvrniir^«,  ^nd  he  {hai 
jtt  ;  afttr  that  himfclf  v.rttJclTeth  when* 
ii,  i«cT<th  tlie  vcDgc.au tue  10  ine,  and  1  (hal 

i4r!i!>r-tT<   ttnfwefcd.  If  I  ne  ven|re  mc  of  the 
han  don  to  me,  1  fnmp nr  v>f  warne 
fi  frt  me  vilanie,  uml  uUe  other,  to 
>F  •' ;  f«*f  it  if  written,  If  thou 

Calk;  f  f  all  oldc  vilany,  ihoti  fomp- 

mA  tl.#.)    1  i-*.ruiiLr  10  do  thee  a  tjewc  vihinie  : 
Midi  jdlci   ft>r  my  fuffraunce  meit  wolclcn  do  me 

t  Bffi -Kr'     V    1  .ni,       tli,f    i   might    r*  :tU     r   !,,  r.    jf     J^e 

'  "r  J    l    bell  ft  '  i  over 

^,  1  tin.  In  mij       '  ■   ■  '  ^  Z  ^^^ 

Sf  txiin^cs  Uiie  unto  tkcc  M^hich  thottJbalt  not 

nee,  r  gratinfe  you  wcl  thttt 
is  not  good,  hnt  yet  nc  foK- 

*  1!    Ti.  L    fh   :'.    \\\x\  cvtiv  I"  if^tric  to  whom 

I  d«n  vil^nic  iliulii  vk':  nt  Is  v,-aj^caunce,  for 

7      --'   r     '         M      "  th  iili  ot)ly  to  the  ju- 

c  Tihutiei  and  injuries  \ 

\\it^%  that  ye  han  fayd 

Jen  in  iKc  jugcs,  for 

Tichcl  the  wrooge»  and 

to    be    don    withoutcn  piiniftijng,   tlicy 

r  i^ert  1  min  r^U  only  for  to  do  newe  wrf*nge«, 

flri  lit;  ai  fo  asa  wife  man  fayth, 

ircd'th  not  the  (inner  com- 

'    jn  do   linne  t  and  the 

n  inhirlond  io  muche 

T  ...    .1.  .  *)    „  n,uid 

'.nof 

,  .:  purtc 

:  invcratne*  Irotn  hir  places, 

M  him  Icfc  hir  lordJhippes. 

dot  r#</^  ict  «*  futtcthat  yc  have  levcto  vcngc 

I ;  I  fay  yc  be  aot  cf  i3\ight  and  power  ai  ngw 


to  vcnge  yow ;  for  tfyc  wol  hiaken  eotn^tarifon  on- 
to the  tnighc  (if  youre  adverfaries,  ye  Ibidn  hadt 
in  many  tbinget  thai  t  havt  Ibewcd  you  er  tkii 
that  htr  cociditioa  is  better  than  yourca,  and  dicf^ 
fore  fay  J  that  it  i»  good  a&  now  that  yc  fuflrc  and 
be  pJticiJt. 

Forthcrmore,  yc  knowcu  wcl  that  after  tho 
commune  fkiw  it  is  a  woodnede  a  maa  to  (Irims 
with  ;i  l^rt>np;rr  or  a  more  mighty  man  than  he  ia 
hinik-K ;  and  for  to  Arivc  witfi  a  man  of  even 
(Vrengthr,  that  ii  to  lay,  wiiJi  aa  Rrong  a  man  at 
he  is,  it  if  peril ;  and  for  to  flrive  with  a  wekcr 
man  it  is  foUc  ;  and  therfore  (hulde  a  maa  fle« 
ftriving  at  muckel  aA  he  niighte;  for  SaJooioii 
fayth,  h  i»  a  '^ct  worlhip  to  a  man  to  kepe  hint 
fro  tioife  and  ifrif  And  if  it  fo  happi:  that  a  man 
of  gretrr  mighte  and  ftrcngthe  than  thou  art  da 
thee  ^evaunce,  Audie  and  beftc  thee  ratlicr  to 
ihlJr  fhf  fame  grL*vauncc  than  for  to  vcnge  thee; 
ff>r  Senck  Uyth,'rjhat  he  putterfihim  in  a  gretc  pe* 
ril  that  llriveth  with  a  greter  raao  than  he  is  him^ 
felf;  and  Caton  Liytli,  If  a  man  of  higher  elf  at  or 
degreei  or  moi'e  niighty  than  thou,  do  thee  anoyc 
or  greiimcr,  fuifre  him;  for  he  that  ocica  b^ith  gre- 
vcd  thee  may  another  time  rcleve  thee  and  kdpc 
thee.  Yet  fette  1  cbi  ye  have  bothc  might  and  li- 
cence for  to  vt  nge  you ;  I  f^y  that  ther  ben  ful  many 
chingej^  that  thuln  rcUreine  you  of  vengeaKiicc 
taking,  and  make  yon  for  to  encline  to  fuflrcftBd 
for  to  han  patience  in  the  wrongei  that  ban  ben 
don  to  you.  Firil  and  forward,  if  ye  wol  confi- 
dre  the  defautcit  th  /  ben  in  youre  owen  petfone, 
for  which  defautc'4  iJi)*X  hath  fulFrcd  you  have  thi* 
tj-ibuiationfas  t  have  fayd  to  you  herebefornet  for 
the  poctc  fayth,  that  wc  oughten  patiently  tak^a 
the  tribulntion^  that  comcn  to  ua,  whsn  that  we 
thinken  and  conlideren  that  wc  han  defer vcd  t<k 
ban  hem  ;  VkXvS  Stint  Gregoric  iiiyth,  that  whan  a 
man  confiiitreth  wel  the  nombre  of  his  def:.utei 
and  oi  \\i%  finne)!,  the  pcinrs  and  the  tribulatioRt 
that  he  rufTcieih  fcmen  the  lelTe  unto  Kim ;  and 
in  a»  murhe  a»him  tbinketh  Uia  ffOAcs  morchevy 
and  grevoiia,  in  fo  muthe  fenteth  fvi»  peine  the 
bghttr  and  the  cfier  unto  him.  AUo  yc  owcn  to 
enclinc  and  bowc  you  re  hrrte  to  take  the  patience 
ofourc  Lordjtfu  Cria.ii^fkiyth  Sclnt  Pctir  io  hit 
EpiUki.  JefuCrift  (he  fayth)  hath  fufff^d  for  us, 
and  yevtn  enfample  to  every  man  to  twJwc  and 
fue  him,  for  he  did  never  linne,  nc  never  came 
thcr  a  viiains  word  out  of  hi*  mouth.  Whan  men 
curfcd  him  he  curfed  hem  nought,  and  %*lian  men 
bcteu  him  he  manaced  hem  nought.  Alfo  the  grct 
patience  which  fcintes  that  ben  in  Paradis  han  had 
in  rribidatJon«i  that  tliey  han  fufired  withoutcn  hir 
defcrt  or  gilt,  oughtc  Biuehcl  ftlrrc  you  to  pa- 
tience, Forlhermore,  ye  Oiulde  enforce  you  to 
have  patience,  confidering  that  the  tribubtiouB  of 
ihin  world  but  litel  while  endure,  and  fonc  pafTcd 
ben  and  gon,  and  the  joye  that  a  man  fcktth  to 
han  by  paiience  in  tribulations  i*  perdunhlc  ;  af- 
ter that  the  apoftic  fayth  in  hit  epiftle,  The  joye 
of  God,  he  fayth,  is  perdurable,  that  h  to  fayn, 
evcrUfting.  Alfo  troweih  and  belcvctb  flcdfalUy 
that  he  n*i«*not  wcl  y noriihcd  nc  wcl  y taught 
that  counot  lave  paticiicci  or  woltioi  receive  pa^ 


THE   TALE  or   MELIBEUS. 


i 


bence ;  for  Salomon  Ciyth,  thit  the  dod^rine  ind 
wjt  of  a  nun  is  linowcn  by  patience  ;  and  in  an- 
other place  he  fayth,  that  he  that  h  patient  go-> 
*cmcth  him  by  grct  prudence  :  and  the  fame  Sa- 
lomon fayth,  The  an^ic  and  wrathful  man  mak- 
cth  nojfcs,  and  the  patient  man  attempteth  and 
ftiUeth  hem  :  he  faitb  alio.  It  is  more  worth  to  be 
paiiecit  than  to  be  right  ftrong^;  and  he  that  may 
lave  the  lordfhtpc  of  hU  owen  bcrtc  h  more  to 
prcife  thiui  he  that  by  hi»  force  or  (Ircngtiic  tak- 
eth  gret  citcc* :  and  therforc  iayth  Seint  Jame*  in 
his  epiille,  that  patience  is  a  grct  vcrtuc  of  pcrfcc- 
tioo. 

Ccrtes,  quod  Mclibce,  i  frranntc  you.  Dune 
Pmdcncc,  that  patience  is  a  grct  vcrtuc  of  perfec- 
tion, but  every  man  may  not  have  the  pcffc(^lion 
chat  jc  fekcn ;  ne  I  am  not  of  the  nombre  of  the 
right  parfit  men,  for  min  hcrte  may  never  be  m 
f>ccs  unto  the  time  it  be  vengcd  And  al  be  it  fo 
chat  it  was  ffret  peril  to  mm  cDcmiet  to  do  tiic  a 
viiiioic  in  taking  vcngeaunce  upon  roc,  yet  token 
they  non  hcde  of  tht  peril,  but  fulfiUeden  hir 
wicked  will  and  hir  corage;  and  thcitorc  me 
ihiokcth  men  oughten  not  repreve  me  though  I 
pot  roc  in  a  litel  peril  for  to  venge  me^  and  though 
t  do  a  gret  exccflle,  that  is  to  (kyrif  that  I  vetigc  on 
otitnige  by  another. 

A  !  quod  I>ame  Pnsdencc^ye  fayn  your  wiil  and 
BM  you  tiketh;  but  in  no  cas  of  the  world  a  mail 
/haldc  not  doti  otitrage  ne  ^xceflTc  for  to  veiigen 
Mm ;  for  CafTiodore  (ayth,  that  as  cvit  doth  he 
that  veogcth  him  by  oucrag^;  as  he  that  doth  the 
cucngc ;  and  thcrfore  yc  fiiuln  vcugt  you  afttr 
the  ordre  of  right,  thati^  to  T^yn,  by  the  lawe,  and 
not  by  eEcelfc  nc  by  outrage.  And  olfo  if  ye  wol 
vengc  yott  of  the  outrage  of  youre  advcrfartes  in 
ether  manere  than  right  commaondctb  yefinncn; 
and  therfore  fayth  Senek,  that  a  man  Ihal  never 
vcngc  (brcwednefie  by  {hrcwedneJTe.  And  if  yc 
lay  that  right  ajceth  a  man  to  defcnde  vioktice 
l»y  violence,  and  fighting  by  (ighting,  ccrlci  ye  fay 
ibtb,  whui  the  defence  is  don  withouten  inter- 
vallc,  or  witboQIjen  tarying  or  deby,  for  to  dc- 
laidchim,  and  not  for  to  vcnjs^c  z  and  it  bchovith 
chat  a  mac  putte  fwkhc  aiicmperaunce  in  liisde- 
itnoe  that  men  hiivc  no  caufc  tie  mator  to  rcprcvc 
him  tlut  defcfidcth  him  of  outrage  and  cxccITc, 
for  cilts  were  it  Againe  refon.  P^rde  yc  knowen 
«vel  that  ye  itukcn  no  defence  ai  now  for  to  de- 
feode  you,  but  ior  to  venge  you,  and  fo  fheweth 
ic  that  ye  l\«m  no  will  to  do  your  dcde  attempre- 
{y  ;  and  thcrfore  me  thitikcth  that  patience  it 
irood ;  for      '  Ki^-th,  that  he  that  ii  not  pa- 

ttmt  flial  I  -iimc 

C    r-    .  :---,• -'-   -r-    *-".'   ■-^■'.Tl 


fhfi,  tawc 

laiili                        ,  '  nicd- 
Jrtii  with  iwtd.c   thing  a*  ap^crteirKiUi  tiot  onto 

fira;  and  Salomon  faiiJi^  liat  hr  tSat  eritreoK:!- 

fth  of  Thenoife  or  ftrif  of  amni  iiWto 

\  tm  that  tiJcuU  a  Orange  h<iur.  ;  fm 

at  h<  ihat  taketh  a  (  >    the 

I  ttotli^  whik  kit  en  ..  '*t  in 


the  fame  wife  it  ii  refon  that  Ke  have  hsmit 
that  by  his  impatience  mcdleth  hiia  of  the  Qoife 
of  another  man,  whcras  it  appcrtcincth  itot  ionm 
him.  But  ye  knowc  wcl  tliat  thii  dcde,  that  i« 
to  fayn,  my  grecf  and  my  difefe,  touvhcth  me 
right  aigh ;  and  therforc  though  I  be  w  roth  and 
impaticju  it  h  no  mervaik:  and  (ia\jiig  youf 
grace)  I  cannot  ice  that  it  might  grctiy  lurmt  nt 
though  I  took  vcngcauncc,  for  1  am  ndicr  aa| 
more  mighty  than  min  cneitiicf  bca ;  and  wd 
knowe  ye  that  by  money  and  by  havi|i^  (rcfi^ 
pofTcOicins  bcii  allc  thinge^k  of  tlii^  world  gvvciiM 
cd  ;  and  Salomon  iayth  that  allc  thingct  mfc  Bt 
money. 

Whan  Pnidencc  had  herd  Ivirc  hufbnnd  3«i<^fi{« 
him  of  his  richeiTc  and  of  hit  mon-  '  -■* 

the  power  of  hi*  adverfaries,  (he  fpai  _   u 

this  wife:  Ccrtes,  derc  Sire !  Igrauutc  }    u    --: 
yc  ben  riche  and  mighty,  and  that  richcuL »  l.^ 
good  to  hem  that  lian  wel  ygcten  hem,  aj)d  ik& 
wcl  connc  uXcn  hem  ;  for  right  at  the  body  oC  t- 
man  may  not  liven  withouten  fou  1,  no  mti  t 
liven  withoutea  tcmporel  goode^,  and  by 
may  a  man  gete  him  gretc  frcndcj  ;  and 
fayth  Pamphilus,    If   a  ncchcrdcs  dou^ 
fayth)  be  riche^  (he  may  chcfc  of  a  thuui 
which  file  wol  take  to  hire  hufbond;   t 
thou^d  men  on  wol  not  forfaken  hire  u-. 
hire.     And  this  Pamphilus  faith  alfo,  Ij 
right  happy,  that  ii  to  fatyn,  if  thou    f 
ricbc,  thou  thalt  findc  a  grct  nombie  ct 
and  frcndes;  and  if  thy  fortune  chaiui 
thou  wcic  pourc,  farewd  (readdiif 
ihipe,  for  thou  fhak  be  al  allone   v  j 

compaigne,  but  if  it  be  the  compai;- 
folk.  Aud  yet  fayth  tbit  Pamphi^ 
that   they  that   ben  bond  and  thr^j  ^^ 

fhuhi  be  made  worthy  and  tiob4c  by  nchc^ci^ 
And  right  £b  as  by  richcJea  ther 


I 


goodcs,  right   fo  by  pover^    come  dKT  tttBT 

harmci  and  evile&,  for  grct  poverte  4nfi#reWt« 

a  man  to  do  many  cvLlea  ;  'jlqA  the:'  ^^ 

Calliodorc  poverte  the  modcrof  rui  \% 

fayn ,  the  modcr  of  overthrowing  or  r  j 

amd  ihcd'orc'  fayth  Piert  Alfonfe,  Ot  ■  i«    _. 

eft  advtrfilccs  of  tins  world  ii  wh.  -    ^l 

by  kindc,  or  of  birthc,  i»  conilrexni 

to  ctcn  the  almcfl'c  of  hi*  cncmie.     -*: 

fayih   Innocent  in  on  of  hit  bookcs :   I 

tliat  forwcfui  and  mtihappy  i»  the  cotidi! 

poure  bigger,  for  if  he  aac  not  \u%  mctc  h-    .  .  j. 

for  Lunger,  and   if  he  axe  he  dietb  f«r  i..^^nc  , 

and  algatci  ncccfTitce  cotlArcinrth  iiim  to  ajre  t 

and    iherfirc  fayth  Salomon,    that    belter  it  Ii 

to  die  than  for   to   have  fwiche   j-t  --  * 

as  tlie  fame  S4tomc}n  faytli,  Bettct 

bitter  dcth  tlati  far  to  liven  in  f*vi4.1_  .- 

VaUki  refon-i  that  I   liave  Uid  unto  you« 

many  other  refon»  that  1  cc^udc  Ciye,  I 

you  tliat  rtchtlTc*  ben  good  tu  hem  that  v. 

h«m,  and  to  hem  that  wci  uftn  tbo  ikWt 

titer ft^rc  wcl  I  ItHwc  yvu  huw  yc   IhAla  Ifciia^ 

you  iu  giiderti])^  of  your  richsCcs,  ao4  Ib  m^ 

twj^ti^  *^c  (buhl  ultft  Lou. 


THE    TAI.E    OF    MELIBEUS. 


tit' 


kulti  ipclrn  tern  withoutcn  grct  dc- 
eifer»  fokingl)%  and  not  over  ha(!ifly, 
i»  ro  dcfiring  to  get  richciTci  aban- 
firftc  tn  thcftc  and  to  alle  other 
Kcrforc  fiyth  Salomon^  He  that  haft- 
pfily  to  wcite  richc  he  Gial  be  non  in- 
lnyth  alfo,  that  the  rccKcnc  that  ha- 
to  a  man  fonc  and  lightly  gocth  and 
k  triati,  bat  that  richcfTc  that  com«th 
t'wrciceth  alw.iy  and  multtplicth.  And, 
I  gctc  richefl'es  by  yourc  wilt  and  by 
c,  unto  youre  profite,  and  that  with- 
Dg  or  hjumc  doin^  to  any  other  pcr- 
'  Ihe  lavrc  fayth,  Thcr  makcth  no  man 
E^c  if  he  do  harme  to  another  wii^ht; 
Wfff  tbj«t  Nature  defcndcth  and  forbcdcth 
Vmt  no  man  make  himfclf  rkhc  unto 
e  of  another  pcrfonc.  AndTulliu*  fayth^ 
ibrwe,  nc  no  dredc  of  dcih,  nc  nothing 
BdU  nnto  a  man,  is  fo  muchcl  tigeins 
^^lan  to  encrcfe  his  owcn  profitc  to 
^jiothcr  man-  And  thotrs^h  the  g^rctc 
the  mighty  men  gctcn  rtchcfle*  more 
ham  thou,  yet  fbalt  rhou  not  ben  tdcl  nc 
^Khy  profit*;,  for  then  rtialt  in  altc  wife 
Hr;  for  S:ilomon  fayth,  that  idlcneflc 
V  man  to  <io  mary  e-nles  :  and  the  fame 
ftyth*  that  he  that  travaiUeth  and  heli- 
to  tillrn  his  lend  ihal  etc  hred,  but  he 
lely  and  calleth  him  to  no  bcirnc^e  ne 
Ml,  fhal  fallc  into  povertr,  and  die  for 
Jind  he  that  is  idd  and  flow  can  never 

Pe  t^c  for  to  Jo  htjprofite ;  for  ther 
'  f*yth,  ibat  the  idrl  man  citajfcth 
ir  bccanfr  of  the  grete  cold,  und  in 
by  enchcfon  of  the  he tc.  For  thife 
Caton*  Walccth,  and  cnrlincth  you 
mvdicl  to  flcpe,  for  over  muchel  rede 
n»d  caufeth  many  vicr%;  end  thcrfore 
^nrrome,  Dccth  fom  good  t!rdet,  th^t 
^Hiich  is  ourc  enemic  nc  finde  you  not 
H[for  the  devil  he  rakerh  not  lightly 
^Hting  fwicKc  ai  he  findcth  occnficd 

ibo*  if)  gcting  rlchelTci  7-6  muRcn  flee 
lye  ihuln  ufcu  the  richcfTcj 
yourc  wit  and  by  yottrc 
h&ncrc  than  men  holde  yon 
ircc  nc  to  Iparing,  nc  fool-large,  that  i^ 
rrr  larg<  a  fpcndcr;  for  right  a»  men 
n  avriridous  man  bccaufc  of  his  fcardtcc 
iigric^n  the  fame  wife  is  he  to  blame  that 
br^h  ;  and  thcrfore  faith  Caton, 
t)  tht^  ncheffc^that  thcuhafl  ygetcn 
jirre  that  men  have  no  matcrc  nc 
:  thee  nothcr  wrctchc  nc  chince,  for 
ne  to  a  man  to  have  a  ponrc  hertc 
purfc:  he  fayth  alfo,  Tbe^o^c^  that 
I  nfe  hem  by  mefnrc,  that  h  to 
brably,  for  t)icy  ilat  foUly  wa- 
I  the  goode*  that  they  han  vi  ban 
itntc  ^prcprc  nf  hir  owen  that  they 
[to  rake  Htc  goodes  of  another  man, 
j^  ihala  flecjvincc,  irPjig  yourc 


ncbcHcs  in  fwiche  monere  tliat  men  fayn  not  that 
yourc  richeflcsbcn  ybcried,  but  that  ye  have  hen 
in  yourc  might  and  in  yourc  welding ;  for  a  wifJ 
man    rcprcvcth  the    avaricious  man,  'and  fiytH 
thu^  in  two  vers,  Wherto  and  why  bcricth  a  mail 
his  goodcs  by  his  grct  avarice,  and  knnweth  we' 
that  nedes  mufl  he  die,  for  di^th  ii  the  end 
every  man  as  in  this  prefcnt  lif  ?  and  for  wf' 
caufc  or  cnchefon  joineth  he  him,  or  knittcth 
him  fo  fad  unto  his  griodea,  that  allc  hi«  witte 
mown  not  diflcvcrcn  him  or  dcparten  him  fron 
his  goode*,  and  knowcth  wcl,  or  oughte  to  know^ 
that  whan  he  is  dcd  he  Ami  nothing  be  re  with 
him  out  of  this  world  ?  and  thcrfore  fayth  Srini 
Aoguflicn,  that  the  avaridouj  man  is  likened  unt<J 
hcllc,  that  the  more  it  fwalwetli  the  more  dcCir  i 
hath  to  fwalwc  and  dcvoure.     And  as  wcl  as  yd 
woldc  cfchue  to  he  called  an   avaridous  man  i 
chicchc,  as  wcl  fliuldc  ye  kepc  you  and  govern^ 
you  in  fwiche  a  wife  that  men  callc  you  not  fix>U 
large  •  thcrfore  faith  I'ulhut,  The  goodea  of  thin 
houft  ne  fliulde  not  ben  bid  nc  kept  fo  clofe  bul^ 
that  th<^   might  ben  opened  by  pitce  and  deboi^l 
nairctee,  that  :s  to  fayn,  to  ycvc  hem  part  thnrf 
han  grct  ncdc ;  nc  thy  j^oodts  fhuldcn  not  ben  foSl 
open  10  be  cvrry  manncsgocdcs.     Afterward,  irfj 
getting  of  yourc  richcfTca,  and  in  cfingof  hem,yq 
fbuln  olway  have  three  thinge*  in  yourc  hcrt^' 
that  is  tofay,  oiircLord  Godj,  confdcncc,  and  go 
name.     Fitifl,  yc  fhuln  have  God  in  yourc  hcrtfi 
and  for  no  richcflc  yc  fljuln  do  nothing  whicn 
may  in  any  mancrc  difplefeOod  that  it  yourc  crw 
tour  and  maker ;  for,  after  the  word  of  Salomon^ 
It  is  better  to  have  a  litel  good,  with  love  of  God/i 
than  to  have  muchet  good  and  Icfc  the  love  of  h 
Lord  Cod  :  and  the  propbctc  fuytli,  that  bcttc 
it  15  to  ben  a  good  m,-in  and  have  litcI  good  an4 
rrcfor  than  to  be  holden  a  (hrcwc  and  have  greti 
richeffci.     And  yet  !  fay  forthcnnore,  that 
Ihulden  alway  do  yourc  bcfineffc  to  gcte  you  ric 
ffTcs,  fo  that  yc  gctc  hem  with  good  confdcnce^l 
And  the  apoftle  fayth,  that  there  n*is  thing  in  tJiUF] 
world  of  which  wc  Oiuldcn  have  fo  grct  joyc  ; 
whan  ourc  confciencc  bcreth  us  good  witnefTc^l 
and  the  wife  man  fn}th,  The  fubftauncc  of  a  man 
is  ful  good  whan  finne  is  not  in  manner  confcicncef^ 
-Afterward,  in  getiog  of  youre  richeflcs  and  ii| 
iifing  of  hem,  yc  muft  have  grct  bcfmcffc  aodgrel 
diligence  that  yourc  good  name  be*  alway  kept  an#J 
confcrved;    for  Salomon  fayth,    that  bcter  it  i 
and  more  it  availeth  a  man  to  have  a  good  na 
than  for  to  have  gretc  rlcheifcs;  and  thcrfore  1 
fayth  in  another  place.  Do  grct  diligence   (faityi 
Salomon)  in  kcping  of  thy  frcndes  and   of  thy 
good  name,  for  it  fhal  Icnger  abide  with  the 
tlian  any  trcfor,  be  it  never  fo  precious ;  and  crr^cl 
tcs  he  Ihulde  not  be  called  a  Gcntilman  ihit  aftc 
God  and  good  confciencc  allc  tliingts  left  ncdo 
his  diltj^nce  and  befinefle  to  kcpen  his  good  nimc^ 
and  Caflicdore  fayth,  that  it  is  a  figoc  of  a  gcntil.l 
hcrtc  whan  a  man  loveth  and  dciircth  to  have  lil 
good  name ;  and  therefore  fayth  Seint  AugnlHm;!.] 
that  thcr  ben  two  t hinges  that  arn  right  nccenart3| 
and  ncdcfuly  lad  that  ii  gcod  coold^oce  Aiid^ood 


I*? 


THE    TALE    OF    MELIBEUS. 


I 


Wi  that  h  It  to  tAfti,  good  conrciencc  to  thia 
Qwvn  perfnnc  inwaxd,  and  good  Ioa  for  ihy  ncighc* 
bcNir  outwai-d.  Acid  he  tJiac  trotleili  him  Co 
mudiel  m  hh  good  ctmrcicticc  that  he  defpiCcth 
and  fcttcth  at  nought  hU  good  name  or  I0&,  and 
f]^ckcth  not  though  he  kcpe  not  hia  good  iiame^ 
li^U  hut  ii  cruel  dicrl* 

.  Sirc»  now  have  1  (hewed  you  how  yc  ihukko 
do  in  gciini;  ruhriTci,  and  how  ye  ihukn  ui^n 
bcni  i  Olid  1  kt  w<\  that  for  the  truH  ihst  ye  han 

ryourc  richcffcs,  yc  vtilo  mcvcwcrrc  andhataille, 
confiillt;  you  thit  yc  beginnc^  no  hatadlc  nc 
weiTc  in  trull  of  yourc  richtffci,  fur  tlity  nc  fuf* 
firm  not  wcrrt^  to  nijuntcine ;  and  t  her  fore  fayUi 
»  philofophrc,  Tlunt  man  that  delhetK  .uid  woi 
algutn  hari  wcJTc  flfld  never  have  faim^tiiice,  for 
the  richer  thit  he  h  the  gretcr  difpcnccj  rauft  he 
makit  if  iw  will  have  worfiiip  and  vitjloric ;  and 
$alomuii  ilitth,thdt  the  grcicr  richcffcs  th-tt  a  man 
bath  |he  mo  difpendours  he  hath.  And,  derc 
Sirt  i  al  he  it  fo  that  for  youre  richeHcA  ye  moun 
bavc  muchcl  folk,  yvit  behovcth  it  not  nc  k  is  not 
f;ood  to  beginuc  werre,  whcrasi  you  mouii  in 
other  manerc  have  pees  unto  youre  worlhip  and 
pro&te  t  for  the  vii^orie  of  bataillc*^  ilu-t  ben  in 
thii  world  iith  not  in  grtt  nombrc  or  multitude 
«£  peple,  nc  in  the  vcrtuc  of  man,  but  it  Iith  in 
the  will  and  in  the  houd  of  ourc  Lord  Cod  Al- 
Bilghr}' ;  and  therefore  Judits  Ma^hi^beui,  which 
wa»  Goddei  knight,  wh^n  he  fliuldc  fightc  again 
hii  adverfaric  that  liadde  a  grcter  non^brc  and  a 
grctcr  multitude  of  ^olk,  and  flrcngcr  than  wa* 
the  peple  of  thii  Macbabce,  yet  he  rccomfortcd 
hi%  llicl  compaigDi*.',  and  faydc  right  in  thia  wife  ; 
AJ  fo  Ughtly  (Uydc  be)  may  our  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty ycvc  MIOTIC  to  a  fcwc  folk  a*  to  many 
fulk,  for  the  vicloiie  of  a  batiillc  cumcth  not  by 
the  grct  nombrc  of  peple,  but  it  com4:th  froni 
ourt"  Lord  God  of  htvcn.  And,  d^-rc  Sire!  for 
«i  muchcl  as  thcr  iftjuo  nun  certainc  if  it  be 
'worthy  that  God  ycve  him  vidwric  or  not,  after 
that  Salomon  fayth,  Thcrforc  every  man  Ihuklc 
grclly  drcdc  wcrrci  to  beginne ;  and  becaufe  that 
in  batailk«  CalUu  many  pcriU,  and  it  happcth 
4}thcr  whik  th;it  as  Tone  i&  the  grct  man  Ham  a« 
the  litcl  man  ;  and,  a»  it  i«  ywrittcn  in  the  fetond 
boot  of  Kiogcii,  I'iic  dcdcs  vf  bat^Lillci  ben  avcn- 
turouf^  and  nothing  certain,  for  as  Lightly  is  on 
burt  with  a  fpcrc  as  anoth<:r  ;  and  for  ther  is  gret 
peril  in  wcrrc,  thcrforc  Ihulde  a  man  flee  and 
cfchac  wcrrc  in  as  muchcl  a*  a  man  may  goo*^ily ; 
Cor  Salomon  fcyth.  He  that  lovcth  peril  ihal  faljc 
in  peril. 

After  that  Dame  Pcudencc  had  fpolcen  in  this 
nujsfre,  Mciibee  aniwerd  and  faiJc  :  I  fee  wel, 
Pamc  Prudence,  tliat  by  yuurc  fjiLre  wordcA  and 
by  yourc  rcf^ns  that  yc  han  (hewed  nie  that  ihr 
vrcrrc  likeih  you  nothitjg;  hut  I  have  not  yet 
herd  your  cunh  d  how  I  Ihxl  do  in  thib  ncde. 

Certcs,  quod  ibc,  I  cuufi^iile  you  tlut  ye  ac- 
corde  with  yourc  adverfaries,  and  that  yc  have 
^»  vrith  hem;  for  Seiut]amc»  fayth  iu  hisepilUe 
thiit  by  cont:ufdc  »nd  neci  the  fmalu  ricbcffei 
WCSen  gretc,  and  by  debat  and  dtfcordc  grcte 
rkhdTc*  kllzn  douo :  ftnd  ye  kocwcn  wcl  that  on 


of  tlic  greted  and  moflc  foTcraine  (^*<o| 

thi«  world  is  unttee  and  peci ;  and  1 ' 
ourc  Lord  Jclu  Crifl  to  bis  apoflles  tn  i 
Wcl  happy  and  blcffcd  hen  they  that 
purchalen  peef,  for  they  hen  called  the  chifi 
of  God*  A  !  quod  Melibee,  now  fee  1  wclj 
yc  loven  not  min  honour  ne  my  worlhip 
knowcn  wcl  that  min  advcrfaries  haa 
this  debat  and  brige  by  hir  outra^,  1 
wcl  that  they  ne  rcquercn  nc  prayen  1 
pecs,  nc  ihcy  axen  not  to  be  re<onci**ei! 
than  that  1  go  and  meke  me  and  obcye  mc  toi 
and  eric  hem  mercic  f  forfuth  that  wccc  i 
worOiipc ;  for  ri^ht  as  men  fi&yn  ihjU 
homJinelle  engecdrctli  difpreifiDg,  fo  6iftll|l 
to  grct  hunilliccc  or  mekc iicITc* 

Than  began  Dame  Prudence  to  fiialu  , 
hlaunt  of  writKcf  and  fsiydc^CerteSt  Sire,  (£ 
grace)  I  love  yourc  honour  and  yourc  [ 
I  do  mine  owen,  and  ever  have  doo,  ye 
othtT  fcyn  never  the  contrury  ;  and  if  t  h«d^ 
that  yc  fbuld  han  purchafcd  t^ 
coociliatiou^  I  nc  haddcnotri> 
fayde  amis;  for  the  wife  niaii  *.iy . 
tion  heginncth  by  aoother  man,  and  th«  f e 
ing  biginncth  by  thyfelf  :  and  the  prophrtf  i 
FJcc  0irewedn  die  and  do  goodne^e  :  fcbe  j 
and  folwc  it,  in  a^  muchcl  » in  thee  it.  Y« 
1  nut  that  yc  fliuln  rather  purfuc  to  yotiiej 
farics  for  pec*  than  they  fiiuln  to  youg  fori  J 
wel  that  ye  ben  fo  hard-hcrtcd  that 
nothing  forme;  and  Salomon  fayth, ! 
over  hard  an  hcrtc  attc  fade  he  dial  j 
milVidu*. 

Whan  McUbee  had  herd  D^— 
fcmblaunt  of  wrath  he  fayd' 
I  pray  you  that  yc  he  not  du^ 
1  fay,  for  I  knowc  wcl  that  I  am  angry  1 

Aud  that  is  DO  wonder,  and  they  that  1 

wotcn  not  wcl  what  ih^y  dm}  nc  what  tbsfi 
thcrforc  the  prophttcfayih,  that  troubled* 
no  clcrc  tightc^    But  fayth  and  confciJf 
you  likcih,  for  1  am  rcdy  to  do  rigkt 
defifc  ;    and    if    yc   reprcvc    mc    of 
I   am    the    itiorc    holdcn   to  luve    ygn 
pretieycu;  for  S-t.^rr^-.M  rnirt,    t^.--   »^e,H 
pre  vet  h  him  thac 
grace  thsin   he  tl, 
wordci. 

Than  faydc  Dame  Prudcncc»  1  mtrlcc  uu  ] 
blaunt  of  wrath  nc  of  anger  but  i- 
prolitc ;    for  Salomon  f^th,  He  i 
that  reprcvcth  or  diideth  a  fo.  ' 
tng  him  fcmblaunt  of  wruthi  1 
eth  him  and  prcileth  h: 
laugheth  at  hi^  folic  ;  aj. 
afterward,  tliat  by  thi. 
til  at  iito  fayn,  by  die  I 
of  a  man,  the  fool  corrc 
fclf. 

Than  faid  Metihec,  1  fhal  not  cosae  1 
unto  fo  many  fairc  rcfoni  as  yc  puttcn  to  1 
Ihewen :    fayth  Shortly  yourc    will    and 
confciJ^  and  1  am  al  rcdy  to  pcrfmtDc  ni  1 
fUIeit. 


THE  TALE   OF    MELIBBITS. 


Ut 


ftah  Dime  PnifteTuct  tlifcovcrcd  a!l  hire  will 
tiin,  ifid  fiiJc,  I  conic  Hie  ymt,  quod  Ak*, 
r«Uc  tbVrgr*  that  yc  make  pecubetwenc  Ood 
iiird  be  rtftoniikd  unto  him  md  to  his 
I  frtr  ma  I  kar?  faplc  yon  hcrcbefftrcn,  G«d 
~  Hired  foo  to  hav<;  thli  triljulation  and 
(  far  T«:'iivi   ""  '      w:  do  as  I  fay  y*«j, 

oi  urm!  .  unti  yfni,   imd 

ih^m  fsijSv  -.  •  ^^  '^■^  ^^^  ycuix 

vill  iiMi    pmre  coi  iumon 

fcftll.  Whin  the  con  '  ,  ;it  and 

Htir .  1,  he  chaungcih  the  hcrtcsof  the 

9e^-i  vrieti,  and  conftrcineth  bim  to  bt> 

d^n  liim  oi  pees  and  of  gr^ce.  And  I  pruy 
jm  le«  m*^  f»>eltcwhh  yotir  a^-erfhries  in  prcvcc 
|k-,  .   (huln  not  knowc  that  it  be   of 

arc  aflcnt,  and  than  whan  I  knowc 
^,n  *nj  ciir  entcote  1  may  confeiilc  yoa  the 
r  fcUTthf, 
nc,  <|uod  Mclibeus  doth  vooix  wiU  and 
i  hkiag,  fcT  I  piittc  oic  wholly  in  youre  dif- 
Sen  aod  ordinance. 

6sn  I>2ine  Prwdcnce,  whan  (ht  fey  the  good 
[  oi  hsn  tiufbond,  dclihcrcd  unto  hirr,  and 
t  «tftf  in  hircfclf,  thinking  how  Ihc  might  bring 
>  Df^e  M-nto  gaodc  endc  ;  and  whii*  {he  fey  hire 
I  r  '  Tor  ihtfc  adverCiriei  to  come  onto 
|i:  :c  place,  and  Ihcwed  wifrly  unto 

I  til :  jjf  L  c  goodcfr  that  comcnof  pcei,  and  the 
Karmr^  and  periU  that  ben  in  wcrre  j  and 
iv^  *n  h-t->.    iri  n  trncxSiv  injintTe  how  that  hem 
Kjh  T,ce  of  the  injurit;^  aud 

11  don  to  Meiibcui  hire 
,  and  unto  hire  and  to  hire  doughter. 

i  whan  they  hcrdcti  the  goodly  wordes  of 

t  PrDdmcc  they  wcren  fo  furpifed  aod  ra- 

and    hidden   fo  gtct  joyc  of  hire,   that 

vaa  to   telle     A  Lady  t    quod  they,   yc 

tfcd   unto  ii»  the   blefltng  of  fwctcncQV, 

.•k_     ,   ..;-.,    „*   David   the    prophet;    for 

N  we  be  not  worthy  to  have 

.,<'  ought  en  rcqucrm  it  with 

humiliice,  ye  of  your  grete 

ritcd  xmio  us.     Now  fee  we 

iitc  and  comiirg  of  Salomon  ijiful 

ijith^  that  fwctc  wordc»  muUrplicn 

-^clVu  frcndf*,  acd  makcn  fiirewcs  to  be 

and  tntike. 

'    '      .we  putten  ourc  dcde  and  ^1 
j  hoUy  in  yovrc  goofl  will, 
■J)   iv  .     ye  unto  the  fpechc  and  com- 
cnt   oi   mjr   Lord  Melibcu^j  and  thcr- 
_  dm    Ahd  bcnignc  Lad)  1  wc  pr^ye  you  and 
mekely  as  we  connc  and  moun, 
lo  your  grcte  goodne/fc  to  fulfilk 
viodly  wordcs ;  for  wc  confidcrcn 
Ik  -n  that  wc  ban  olfendcd  and  grcv- 

Iftiy  Lord  MclibeuJ  out  of  mcfure,  fo  fcr  forth 
that  ve  ben  not  of  power  to  makcn  him 
isicikdc%  and  therfore  v/e  oblige  and  binde  u»  and 
mat  fretido  for  to  do  all  hia  will  and  hh  com* 
jii,,!."^  '-  '  »- ;  'vr  pcraventurc  he  hath  fwichc 
lie*.  wrath  to  lis  ward,  bectiufc 

.  he  ¥t9\  cnjoyntD  us  fwiche 


.WTxr^ 


a  peine  a^  we  mfjon  not  bere  ne  fufleint ;  and  theiv 
fore,  noble  Ladie !  we  befechc  you  re  woman  lytd 
pittec  to  take  fwiche  a  ▼ifcmcnt  in  this  ncde  that 
we  nc  ourc  frcndes  ben  not  difheritcd  and  de* 
ftroled  thurgh  ourc  folic. 

Cencs,  quod  Prudence,  it  is  an  hard  thing  aod 
right  perilous  tliat  a  man  puttc  hirn  all  *nitrcly  lA 
the  arbitmtion  and  JTJgement  and  in  the  might 
and  power  of  hii  cnemie ;  for  S»lomcm  faytli^ 
Levcth  me  and  yevcth  credence  to  that  ihait 
fhall  fay ;  To  thy  fone,  to  thy  wif,  to  thy  freiid, 
lie  to  thy  brother,  tic  ycve  thou  never  might  nfc 
maillrie  over  thy  body  while  thou  liveft.  Now 
lith  he  dcfctideth  that  a  man  (hulde  not  ycvc  u^ 
hit  brother  nc  to  hi*  frcud  tht  might  of  his  body, 
by  a  ftrcn ger  rcfon  he  defcndeth  and  forbedew 
a  man  to  ycTC  htmfclf  to  his  enemy.  And  nathe- 
le?i  I  eonfcillc  you  that  yc  mtflrttlie  not  my  kfxl, 
for  1  wot  wtl  and  know  Tcraily  that  he  t<  de- 
bonair e  and  mcke,  I^rge,  curteis  and  nothing  dt*- 
0rous  nc  covcitous  of  good  nc  richcflTe,  for  ther 
is  nothing  in  thJv  wtirid  that  hcdcfirrth  fave  otdT 
worfbipc  and  honour.  Forthermorc,  I  know  w« 
and  am  right  fure  that  he  Ihal  ncithin^  do  in  this 
nedic  withouten  my  confeil,  and  1  fhal  fo  wcrkell 
in  thif  cas  that  by  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Ood  yft 
fhuln  be  reconciled  unto  us* 

Than  fkuden  they  with  o  voi«,  Worflliipful  Lady  t 
we  put  ten  us  and  our  goodc6  al  fully  in  ytmre 
will  and  difpofition,  and  ben  redy  to  come  what 
day  that  it  like  unto  yourc  noblelTe  to  limiic  ftf  or 
alTignc  us  fur  to  make  ourc  obligation  and  boti9 
as  ftrong  as  it  Itketh  unto  you  re  gofld^teffe,  that 
wc  moun  fulfiUe  the  wiJl  of  you  and  of  my  Lor4 
KIcHbee, 

Whan  Dame  Prudence  had  herd  the  anfwer  of 
thife  men,  (he  had  hem  go  tigein  privtly,  and|flic 
rctourned  to  hire  Lord  Melibcir,  and  told  him 
how  (he  found  his  adverfjirics  ful  repentant 
knowlcching  ful  lowly  hir  finned  and  trcfpa^  **i 
how  they  wcren  rcdy  to  fuffren  all  peine,  rc^ 
quering  and  preying  him  of  mercy  and  pitee. 

Than  faidc  Mciibec,  He  h  wcl  worthy  to  liaire 
pardon  and  forjcvcncfTc  of  Ms  fmnc  that  excuTcth 
not  his  finnc,  but  kuowlechcth  and  rcpentclh 
him,  axing  indulgence;  for  Scuck  faith,  Ther  m 
the  remidinn  and  furycvcntffc  whrr  «  the  ton^ 
ft  Hion  is,  for  coofcflion  i»  neighcbour  to  inn  ores  ctt 
and  therefore  I  afTcntt?  and  confermc  me  to  haTc 
pees :  but  it  h  good  that  we  do  nought  withoutcD 
the  aflcnt  and  will  of  cure  frendes. 

Than  was  Prudence  right  glad  and  joycful,  and 
Aiidc^  Ccrtcs,  Sire,  yc  han  wel  and  goodly  m* 
fwered;  for  right  as  by  the  confeil,  alTcntp  and 
hclpe,  of  your  frende*  ye  han  be  ftired  to  vcnge 
you  and  make  wcrre,  right  fo  withouten  hir  con* 
i*cd  IHul  yc  not  accord  you  ne  have  pect  with 
youre  advcrfurics;  fortlic  bwc  faith,  Ther  is  no* 
thing  fo  good  by  way  of  kinde  aa  a  thing  to  be 
unbounde  by  him  that  it  was  ybounde. 

And  than  D.ime  Prudence,  withouten  delay  or 
tiirying,  fcnt  anon  hire  mcffageres  for  hir  kin  and 
for  hir  oldc  frende*  which  that  were  trcwc  aad 
wife,  and  told  hem  hj  ordre  in  the  prefeocc  of  M^U- 


14^ 


THE    TALE    OF  M£LIBEU8. 


I 


I 


bcc^U  the  iREtere  as  It  is  above  exprcifcd  and  dc- 
diLrcd,  and  prcicd  hcni  thu  they  wold  yevc  hir 
avis  and  cunfcil  what  were  bcH:  to  do  iuthiji  ncdc. 
Aiid  whan  Mclibeus  frendes  haddco  taken  }iir 
avis  and  deliberation  of  the  [orclkid  mati^rcr,  aod 
hftddeo  examined  it  by  grct  berinefTi:  and  grct 
diligence,  they  yavcn  fill  confcil  for  to  have  pect 
End  re0e,  and  that  MclJbee  Ihuldc  receive  with 
good  hcrte  his  advcriaries  to  foryevcneiTc  and 
mercy. 

And  whan  Dame  Prudence  had  herd  the  affent 
«f  hire  Lord  Melibcc^  and  the  confcil  of  hh 
ircodcs  accord  with  hire  will  «-ind  hire  entcntionj 
fhe  was  wonder  glad  in  hire  hcrtc,  and  faydc, 
Thcr  11  an  old  proverbc,  quod  fhc,  hyth^  that  the 
f  oodncfTe  that  thou  mailt  do  this  day  do  it,  and 
abide  not  nc  delay  it  not  till  to  morwc  :  and  thcre- 
Ibrc  t  coufdlk  that  ye  fcndc  yourc  mcflagercs^ 
fwicbc  as  ben  difcrct  and  wife,  unto  yourc  advcr- 
faricit»  telling  hem  on  youre  bchalfi  that  if  tiicy 
wol  trctc  of  pee*  and  of  accord,  that  they  fhapc 
licm  witliouten  dday  or  tarying  to  come  unto  U5. 
Which  thing  parfourmed  was  indcde.  And  whan 
ihife  trcfpafours  and  repenting  folk  of  hir  foiled, 
that  ii  to  fayn,  the  advcrfartes  of  Mclibce,  had- 
^cn  herd  what  thife  mcfl'agcrcs  faydcn  unto  hem 
they  wcrcn  right  gl^o  and  joycfuJ,  and  unfwcrden 
ful  mckcly  and  benignely,  yeldtng  graces  and 
thankinget  to  hir  Lord  Mclibce  and  to  aU  his 
comp-jgnic,  and  Ihopcn  hem  withoutcn  delay  to 
go  with  the  mcOagcrcs,  and  obcyc  to  the  com- 
xnandt-menc  of  hir  Loid  Mclibce. 

Ar^d  right  anon  they  token  hir  way  to  the  court 
mS  ^IcUbec,  and  token  with  hem  fom  of  hir  tiewc 
frcndei  to  make  fcith  for  hem  ^nd  for  to  ben 
liir  borwes.  And  whan  they  were  comcn  to  the 
prcfence  of  Mclibce  he  faide  htm  thife  wordc*. 
it  flint  thustjuod  Mcliber,  and  futh  it  is  that  ye 
cauTdes  and  with ou ten  fkill  aad  refon  han  don 
grctc  injuries  and  wronges  to  me  and  to  my  wif 
i^rudetice,  and  to  my  dotighter  alTo,  for  ye  han 
9ntcrcd  into  myn  hous  by  violence,  and  have  don 
fwiche  outrage  that  alle  men  knowen  wel  chat  ye 
lian  dcfcrved  the  deth ;  and  therefore  wol  I  know 
cmd  wete  of  you  whether  ye  wol  put  the  puni(h- 
|ng  and  chafliftng^  and  the  vengcncc,  of  this 
•utrage  in  the  wul  of  me  tod  ol  my  wif,  or  ye 
irol  not. 

Than  the  wifefl  of  hem  tJirce  anfwcrcd  f  or  hem 
alle,  snd  faide ;  Sire,  quod  he,  we  knowcn  vvtl 
that  we  ben  unworthy  to  come  to  the  court  of 
lb  grct  a  lord  and  fo  worthy  as  ye  ben,  for  we 
hiii  fo  grctly  midakcQ  uf,  and  han  offended  and 
•gike  in  fwiche  wife  agcin  your  high  lordihipe, 
that  trewcly  we  hao  dcfcrved  the  deth ;  but  yet 
fcr  the  grete  goodnefle  and  dobonairetcc  that  aU 
the  world  witnclfeth  of  yourc  perfone  we  fufe^ 
suLCen  Mi  to  the  eiccUcncc  and  benignitcc of  yourc 
^iT.cioUi  lordfhipc,  and  ben  redy  to  obcyc  lio  alle 
youre  comandcmeoLs  befeching  you  that  of  youre 
merciabk  pitce  ye  wol  conlidrrc  onrc  grctc  rc- 
jpc:itance  and  lowe  fubmii&on^  aud  grauntc  us  for^ 
jevrneiTc  of  uur  ouingious  trcfpas  and  cfTtnte; 
lor  wel  we  knowci:  tliat  youre  liberal  grace  and 
mfTcig  /2rcCtiteA  bvAi  forthrr  iiuo  goodncfTe  than 


don  ourc  outragtoux  gUtes  and  tttl 

cdncfle,  al  be  it  tliat  curfedly  and  dampnably  wc 

han  agike  again  youre  highc  lordihipe* 

1'hen  Mclibce  toke  hem  up  fro  the  grattod  M 
benignely,  and  rcckivcd  hir  obligations  jnd  Idr 
bondes  by  hir  othe«  upon  hir  plcggc»  and  borwe^ 
and  aJligned  hem  a  certain  diy  to  rctoume  mnto 
his  court  far  to  receive  and  accept  fentcocc  and 
jugemcnt  that  Mclibce  wolde  coRunandc  to  bo 
don  on  hem  by  the  caufes  aforciaid;  mhkk 
thiogct  ordetned  every  mau  rctuumed  b»  hii 
hous. 

And  whan  thai  Dame  Prudence  Taw  hire  tiiB* 
fhc  freincd»  and  axed  hire  Lord  Metibee  whii 
vcngancc  he  thoughts  to  taken  of  his  advcr* 
faric^  ? 

To  which  Melibee  anfwerd  and  faide;  CettO^ 
quod  he,  I  think  and  purpofe  mc  fuUy  to  di0&ierj||f 
hem  of  all  that  ever  they  han,  and  for  to  pvOI^ 
hem  in  exile  for  ever. 

Certes,  qaod  Dame  Prudence,  this  were  a  eroct 

fentence,  irtd  muchel  age  in  rtfon,  for  ye  ben  ridid 

ynough,  and  han  no  ncdc  of  other  mcnoes  gocdf 

and  yc   might  lightly  in    this  wife  gcie  yam  i 

covcitous  name,  which  Is  a  vicious  tbingf  taA 

oiighte  to  be  efchcwed  of  every  gt>od  nyo,  fotf 

after  the  fawe  of  i!ie  apoflle,  coveitife  U  TOte  tt 

alle  harmes ;  and  therefore  it  were  better  for  yoa 

to  lefc  muchel  good  of  your  owcn,than  for  to  es^ 

of  hir  good  in  this  manere  :  for  better  it  b  to  lefe 

good  with  worfliip  tlian  to   winne  good  with 

vilanieaiid  (lianie!  and  every  man  ought  to  do  ^1 

diligence  and  hl^  befinefTc  to  get  him  agood  nAme| 

and  yet  Ihal  he  not  only  befic  him  in  keepiog^bii 

good  name,  but  he  fhal  alfo  enforce!)  him  Biwwf 

to  do  foni  thing  hy  which  he  may  renO'Vfile  ki* 

good  name ;  for  it  is  written  that  the  oUie  f*od 

lot  or  good  name  of  a  man  is  fooe  gun  aod  pdhA 

whan  it  is  not  ncwed.     And  as  touchlrg  t^t  y« 

layn,  that   ye  wol  civile  your  advafxriev  ^^i*^ 

thinketh  me  muchel  agcin  refon  and  out  oC  me* 

fure,  considered  the  power  that  they  ha  fcMtm 

you   upon  hcmTelf;  and  it  is  written,  that  lie  b 

worthy   to   Itfc  his  privilege  that  ttiifitfeth  the 

might  and  the  power  that  is  yevco  hina.    Ao4 

I  fctte  cas  yc  might  enjoLoe  hem  that  peine  bf 

right  and  by  lawc,  (which  I  trowe  yc  mowe  oel 

do)  I  fay  yc  might  not  putte  it  to  execution  pcr« 

aventurc,  and  tlian  it  were  like  to  rctoumc  to  M 

wcrrc  as  it  was  bcforn  :  and  therefore  if  yoa  wd 

that  men  do  you  obcifancc  yc  mufl  dcme  iiit:f« 

corteifly,  that  is  to  fayn,  yc  muil  yerc  more  cfiff 

fentcaces  and  jugenumts;  for  it   is  vrrtttca,  hi 

that  moil  curtcLjUy  comniandeth  to  him  men  moll 

I  obcycn.     And   therefore  1  pray  you  thit  us  thii 

necclEtec  and  in  this  ncdc  yc  callc  you  to  oiref^ 

{  come  your  herte ;  for  Senek  fayth,  that  he  tlat 

I  overcomcth    his  hene  ovcrcomcth    iwics ;    a«| 

I  TuUius  fait|i,  Thcr  is  nothing  fa  comimenilime  M 

I  a  gi-et  lord  as  whan  he  Is  dcbonatre  Aisd  mcke,  t^L 

I  appcfeth  him  lightly.  And  i  pray  you  thic  ye  «A 

I  now  forbere  to  do  vengeauncc  in  fwjcJte  a  tsuoam 

:  that  your  good  nimc  may  be  km  and  cwiknrcd^ 

and  that   men   mown  have  caole  and  n«tefe  wm 

j  prcife   ygu  of  phcc  and  of  rncrcf ,  9Md  tMu 


TUB  TALE   OF    MELIBEUSw 


143 


Wfe  BO  casle  t«  rqientc  you  of  rhlng  that  yc  don; 
Jbr  Seneke  faieth,  He  over  com  cth  in  an  evil 
mastcre  ihxi  nrpcnt^th  of  hii  viftorie.  Whcrfore 
I  fncf  yo«  let  mercy  be  in  your  hcrte,  to  the 
dhoA  aad  cateot  that  God  Almighty  have  nicrcy 

I  yota  in  bis  Ud  jogcmeot;  for  Scint  James 
bi  Im  epiftle,  Jugcment   withouic   incrqr 

be  do  to  him   that  hath  no  mercy  of  an- 

I  MtfUbce  had  herd  the  grett  fkillcs  and 
I  of  Dame  Pmdcncc,  and  hire  wife  infonna- 
19S»  aoxd  techinge4,  his  herte  gan  encline  to  the 
vnll  9I  Ilia  wif,  coofiderJDg  hire  trewe  entente^ 
mimecd  luta  anoin,  and  alTenced  fully  to  werkcn 
lis  hire  confeil,  and  th;]Lnk?d  God,  of  whom 
■Kssdctli  all  goodneCTc  and  all  vcrtuc,  that  hini 
Ik  a  vrlf  of  To  g;rct  difcrction.  And  whan  the 
that  hi*  idvcrfaries  fhiilde  apperc  in  his 
e,  he  fpakc  to  hem  ful  goodly,  and  iaide 


in  this  wife  :  Al  he  it  fo  that  of  ymire  pride  aod 
high  prefumption  and  folic,  and  of  youre  ne- 
gligence and  unconning,  yc  have  mifborne  you 
and  trcfpafcd  unto  mc»  yet  for  aa  muchcl  as  I  fee 
and  behold  your  gretc  htimilitec.  and  that  yc  ben 
fory  and  repentant  of  youre  gilics,  it  condrcincth 
me  10  do  you  gra«e  and  mcrc^ ;  wherfor  1  receive 
you  into  my  grace,  and  foryevc  you  ouircly  allc 
the  offences,  tnjuriei,  and  wronger,  that  yet  have 
don  agein  me  and  mine,  tothi«  cffc^  and  to  thit 
ende,  that  God  of  his  cndelcs  mercie  wol  at  the 
time  of  OLire  dying  foryevc  a«  ourc  giltea  that  we 
han  trefpaJ'ed  to  htm  in  thij  wretched  world  ;  for 
douteles  if  we  be  Tory  and  repentant  of  the 
(inncsaDd  giltea  which  we  han  trefpafcd  in  the  Oght 
of  oure  Lord  God,  he  is  fo  free  and  fo  mcrciablc 
that  he  wot  foryevc n  u»  oure  gilteSf  and  bringCQ  o^ 
to  the  bliflc  that  never  hath  cade. 


THE   MONKES   PROLOGUE. 


Whan  tn^4  ww  the  Tale  of  Meiibce 
And  of  Prudence  and  hire  bcnipnitcc 
Our  HoUc  Hiidc,  As  I  am  f^itthfui  man^ 
And  by  i he  precious  rory^w*  Mattrian, 
I  haddc  lever  than  a  barcU  of  ale 
That  gnndc  Icftf  my  wif  had  hcrdc  thi^  Tak, 
For  fhc  Ti\%  no  thing  of  fwichc  patience 
A*  was  this  McHbfU^  wif  PrudeiKc. 

By  Goddc*.bonc>  wJian  1  bctc  my  Itnavo 
She  brincth  mc  the  grctc  clobb<rd  lUvc*, 
And  crycth,  Slcc  the  doggc*  cvcrich  on, 
And  broke  hem  bothe  bak  and  every  bun. 

And  if  that  any  nrlghcboiir  of  mine 
W«>1  not  in  chirchc  to  my  wtf  cncUnc, 
Or  be  fo  hardy  to  hire  to  trefpacc, 
Wlwn  fhc  comcth  home  fhe  rampeth  in  my  face, 
Acd  crycth,  Falfc  coward  1  wrckc  thy  wijr; 
By  e»rfyuf  Doahi  I  woi  have  thy  knif. 
And  thou  ihalt  have  my  difUf  and  go  fpinnc. 
Fro  day  tij  night  rij^ht  thus  (lie  wol  bcgiunc, 

AIas  !  fhc  faith,  that  ever  I  was  yfhape 
To  vrcd  a  milkfop  oi  a  coward  ape, 
That  wol  ben  overladitc  with  every  wt^ht : 
Thou  darfl  not  flonden  hy  the  wives  right- 

This  is  my  lif  but  if  thar  1  wol  fight. 
And  out  at  dnre  anon  I  mote  me  dight. 
Or  elles  1  »m  lo(l,  but  if  that  I 
Be  like  a  wilde  icon  fool-h^rdy* 

I  wotc  wcl  fhc  wol  do  me  flee  fom  day 
Som  neigh cbour,  and  thannc  go  my  way. 
For  I  am  in  perilous  with  knif  in  honde 
Al  be  it  that  I  dare  Rot  hire  withdonde, 
For  fhe  ts  bigge  in  armes  by  my  faith, 
That  (haJ  he  finde  that  hire  mifdoth  or  faith. 
But  let  u»  pa'Tc  away  fro  thiji  matcrc 

My  Lord  the  Mtink,  quod  he,  be  mcry  of  chcrc 
For  yc  fhul  rcUc  a  Talc  trcwciy. 
L/o  i  RouchcOer  fi^ondcth  here  fa  tic  by ; 
lUde  forth,  min  owen  Lord,  brekc  not  our  game* 
But  by  fny  trouthc  I  can  no  telle  y^ure  name ; 
"Whether  flial  I  call  you  my  Lord  Dan  Juliu. 
Or  Dan  Thomaft,  or  ellu  Dan  Alhon  f 
Of  what  hous  be  yc  by  your  fader  kin  i 
I  vow  to  God  thou  hafb  a  fut  fair-f  Hcin* 
It  it  a  gti^til  paflure  ther  thou  g^oH  ; 
Thou  art  fiot  like  a  pcnatmt  or  a  j;nf^. 
Upon  tny  f;ii«h  thou  art  fom  offitcr, 
ten  worthy  fcxtcin,  or  Ic^ni  c.lrr.T, 


For  by  my  fadrc*  foule,  as  to  mydomt^ 

Thou  art  ,i  maiflcr  whan  thou  art  home  * 
Nu  pi>tirc  cloiilcrer*  ne  cou  novice. 
But  a  g^ovcrnour  bothe  ware  and  wife, 
And  therwiihai  of  braann  and  of  boiicf 
A  rijrht  wcl  faring  pcrfonc  fur  the  iioact* 
I  pr^y  to  God  ycvc  him  confufion 
That  fidl  thee  brought  into  religion. 
Thou  woldefl  han  ben  a  tredc-foul  a  fight 
Haddcft  thou  ai  grcte  Icve  as  thou  ha*l  mar' 
To  parfournic  all  thy  luCt  ,  in  tRgendriiit 
Thiju  hadddl  bcgeten  many  a  creature. 
Alas  i  why  wcrcft  thou  (o  wide  a  cope  ? 
God  ycve  me  forwe  but  and  I  were  pofie 

Not  only  thou  but  every  mii:?"  - 

Though  he  Were  flinrc  fid  h 

Shuld  have  a  wif»  fural  this  \      .  _  .    . m. 

Religion  hath  take  up  all  the  com 

Of  trcding^  and  we  borcl  men  bco  (hrimptt^ 

Of  fcble  tree*  ihcr  comcn  wretched  impob 

This  maketh  that  mir  heires  ben  fa  rdcodrt 

Afid  feblc  that  they  monn  not  wcj  asfemhr; 

This  maketh  that  our  wives  wol  ailaye 

Rehgioo*  folk,  for  they  moun  bcttet  ^jt 

Of  Venus  payemcntsthan  mowcn  we; 

God  wotc  no  Lufheburgcc»  paycn  yc- 

But  be  not  wroth,  my  Lord,  though  that  T  pj 

(Pul  oft  in  game  a  fothe  have  I  herd  fay. 

This  worthy  Monke  tokc  aD  in  p^ie0c«| 
Aiid  Qiidr^  I  wol  don  ail  my  diligence. 
As  fcr  a»  f-juneth  into  honeftec, 
j  To  tcUen  you  a  TaJe,  or  two  or  threr  ; 
And  if  you  Uik  to  her  ken  bidcrward 
I  wol  you  fayn  fhc  lif  of  Seiot  Edward, 
Or  cllcs  tragedies  firll  [  wol  telle, 
Of  which  I  hsEve  an  hundred  in  my  ccik. 

Tragedic  is  to  faju  s  certain  florie, 
As  oUe  bookri  makcn  ui  manor  ie. 
Of  htm  that  (loodingret  profperitce. 
And  is  y  fail  en  out  of  hich  degree 
Into  mifcric,  and  cndew  wntchcdty ; 
And  they  ben  vcrfified  communty 
Of  ixx  feet,  which  men  cicpcn  Enmctroo  i 
In  profe  eke  ben  en  Jitcd  many  on. 
And  ekf  in  metre  tn  many  a  fondry  wife. 
La  thisdcclif  ""T  .  i. >>,#  .r.,...„>i  fufficc. 

Ntjw  herl;  ii  fur  to  bcrr* 

But  liift  1  yo  uterc. 


P  riic  m    wjiLi'-ir    limits 

h«9&  loin  bcfart  and  fbtn  bchiade, 


¥he  monkbs  prologue. 


^S 


As  Jt  now  Cometh  lAiiiy  remembrinef| 
Hjvc  me  cxcufed  of  mm  igooraiQce. 


THE   MONKES   TALE*. 


J  to  tnanfff  of  trajjctlic 
of  hcin  that  llodt  in  bi^h  dcgrcei 
U»  dbat  thcT  n^a»  ao  ix medic 

tlCSCi  out  of  hir  adverfitee ; 

ti  whan  th^t  Fomi&c  lift  to  flee 
no  rtian  of  hire  the  court  wlthholde  ; 

,n  truft  on  blinde  profpcritcc ; 

;  hj  xhi£c  cnfAmplcs  trcwe  and  olde. 

riirr,  tltougb  he  ao  angel  wer« 
''  him  1  wol  beginiie; 
may  non  angci  dere^ 
I  tj.-,^i'...  yet  fcllc  he  for  hi>  finnd 
b^tle,  whcn.5  he  yet  ia  ionc. 
!  bnghtcfl  of  angctsalkj 
hoa  Sa.ih^ii4»,  that  ni.LiU  not  twione 

Bi  in  which  that  thou  art  f^Jlc, 
us  the  feld  of  Damafcrjie 
MeJ  owcti  finger  wrought  wai  he, 
kmetca  of  nunne'  fpcrnvc  iwidcxie^ 
IaII  1*5.^1*115  favin^  o  tree, 

nance 

'      .      .    '^^^^ 
^  «ad  to  bcUc,  and  to  mefchancc 

Sam/fin, 

mtpiutif  which  that  was  annunclat 
\%tl  long  or  hi»  . 
toGcKiAlmtg' 

t  la  oohkiTe  whu.  ^iu  nu-litc  fet  : 
EV  fwiclic  another  as  wai  he, 
oT  Rreogth  an*j  iherto  hardlnel^ ; 
li#iTc»  ;oIdc  he  hrAfccree, 
which  he  llww  hmiftl/  foi  wrctchedncflc. 


tfleildMbinirre  of  oimny  wlin  bave  fitlen  flDm 


Sampfun,  this  nohle  and  mighty  champiolii 
Wlthouten  wcpcn  lave  his  haudet  tmcy 
He  0OW  and  all  tD-rciite  the  Icon, 
Toward  hli  wedding  walking  hy  the  wey. 
Hi-t  falfc  wif  coude  him  fo  plc/e  and  pray 
Til  fhc  hisconrcil  knewc,  and  (he  untrci^a 
Unto  his  fooft  his  consul  gan  l^wray, 
And  him  forfokcj,  afid  toke  another  newe« 

Three  hundred  foxc4  toke  Sanipfou  for  irej, 
And  all  hir  t;»yle«  he  togedcr  bond. 
And  fet  the  foicci  taylcs  all  on  fire, 
For  he  m  cvzij  tayl  had  knit  a  brond* 
And  they  brent  alJ  the  comes  in  that  lond, 
And  ail  hir  olivcre»and  vine*  eke, 
A  thoufand  men  he  flow  ek^  with  hit  hond, 
And  had  no  wcpcn  but  an  afle*  chcke. 

Whan  th^y  Were  flaib  (6  thurfted  him  th:ii  he 
Was  wtl  nic  lornc,  for  whLh  he  jran  to  preye 
That  Ood  wold  on  his  i    '      '       i   m  pitce. 
And  fcod  him  drinkc,  f  i-  he  dcyci 

^\nd  of  thisafles  eheke  i  ...i  hv  ,^  i^i  drtrye 
Out  of  a  wuig  torh  fprang  anon  a  wclle, 
Of  which  he  drank  ynough,  fliorfly  to  I'ye, 
Thus  halp  him  Ood,  a*  JwiTHum  cafl  tcUc. 

By  vcray  force  at  Gafa  on  4  night, 
Maugre  the  PhiKftin,'*  of  thnr  citcc. 
The  gate*  of  the  toun  he  hath  Up  pUg^^t, 
And  on  lii$  bak  y carried  hem  hath  he 
Higli  on  an  hill,  wher  as  men  might  bcm  fe, 
O  noble  mighty  Sampfon^  Icfe  and  dcre ! 
Haddtll  thmi  not  told  to  women  thy  fccrec, 
In  all  this  world  nc  had  ther  ben  thy  perc. 

rhIsSjmpfon  nevrr  fidtrdranke  nc  wInC| 
Nc  on  his  hed  came  rafour  non  he  flicrct 
By  precept  of  the  meflaj^er  divine^ 
Fof  all  hi«  ftrengthea  in  his  hcres  were  i 
And  fully  twenty  winter  yere  by  yerc 
He  haddc  of  rfracl  the  governance  j 
But  fonc  fhal  he  wepen  many  a  tere, 
For  women  IhaLn  him  brin^o  to  mefcbaticea 


^ 


TflE    MONKfiS    TAtn. 


Unto  Ills  lemman  t)sn^&  he  told 
That  in  his  h<;rc»  all  hi^  flrengtlic  Jay, 
And  faUclj  to  his  fomcn  (he  him  fold  ; 
And  flcplDg  in  Kire  barmc  tjpon  a  dif 
She  made  to  dtp  or  Airrc  his  here  a^af. 
And  made  hU  fomcn  al  hi*  craft  cfpien  ; 
And  whan  that  thc)|him  for.«4  in  thii  array 
Thry  bon'd  hiro  faft,  and  puttcii  out  hii  cycn. 

But  or  his  here  was  dipped  or  yihave, 
rThcr  wa»  no  bond  with  which  men  might  him 
But  now  is  he  in  prifon  in  a  cave,  [bind^ 

Vhcras  they  madi.  him  at  the  qucrne  grindc. 
O  noble  Sompfon,  ftrr  iigefl  of  mankind^, 

0  whilom  jof^c  in  glory  and  riehcfle  ! 

Now  mayeA  thou  wepen  with  thin  eyen  blind 
&ith  thou  fro  welc  art  falle  in  w retch tdncfFc, 

The  cnde  of  thii  caiti*'  wuas  I  fhal  feyc  : 
Hi»  fomcn  made  a  fefie  upon  a  day, 
And  made  him  a»  hir  fool  before  hem  pLcye, 
And  ihif  w  ai  in  a  temple  of  grtt  array ; 
But  ac  the  Ufl  he  made  a  fcrglc  aFrsy, 
For  he  two  pillert  fhokc  and  made  hem  fkHe, 
And  dotin  fell  temple  ard  all»  and  thcr  it  lay;^ 
And  flow  himfelf^  and  eke  hia  foraen  alte. 

This  is  lo  fayn,  the  princes  evcrich  on, 
^And  eke  three  ihotr^nd  liodit$,  were  ther  flam 
7lih  falling  of  the  gfet  temple  of  ft  on 
Of  Sampfon  now  wol  1  no  more  fain  : 
Beth  1^ Mirc  by  thi*  enfimple  old  and  plain 
That  no  men  tell  hir  confeil  to  hir  wives 
Of  fwiche  thing  fts  th(-y  wold  ban  fccrce  fkiB, 
If  thii(  it  touch  hir  hmmci  or  hirlivcs* 

Of  Hefctilef  the  fo^erainc  eonqucrftur 

Singen  hti  wcrkcs  l^tidif,  aDtl  high  rtnonn, 
,  Wot  in  hu  time  of  ftrength  he  wat  the  Hour. 
|He  flow  and  raft  the  fkinne  of  the  Icon  % 
I  tie  of  Ceouaret  hid  the  boft  adoun  ; 

He  Harpie«  flow,  the  cruel  briddca  fdle  ; 

He  golden  applet  raft  fro  the  dragon ; 

He  drow  out  Cerberos,  the  hound  of  helle. 
He  (low  the  crtid  lirant  Bufirus, 

And  made  hi«  hor»  to  frrt  him  fleih  and  boa ; 

He  flow  the  firy  ferpcnt  virnemous; 

Cf  Achdous  two  hornca  brake  he  on ; 
L  Aiid  he  flow  Caciift  in  a  cave  of  fton  ; 

He  flow  the  geatint  Anieot  the  f^rong  ; 

He  flow  the  grifely  bore^  and  that  anon  ; 

And  bare  the  heirene  on  his  nckke  long 

Wa»  never  wight  (ith  that  the  world  begalk 

That  flow  fo  many  mooflret  ba  did  he  ; 

Thiirgho  t  the  wide  world  hi4  name  ran, 

What  for  his  flrcngth  and  for  hit  high  boumcc  ; 

And  every  rename  went  he  for  to  fee. 

He  was  lo  flrong  that  no  man  niight  htm  let ; 

At  bothc  the  worldes  cndci,  faith  1  rophcc, 

1  Inftcde  of  bonodethc  a  pillcr  fct. 

A  Umman  had  thii  noble  champion 
That  htghte  Deianirc,  as  frcfh  a»  Maya 
And*  aathtfe  clerke«  maken  mention, 
ffcc  kath  hm  IcBt  a  fhcnc  frdb  and  g^y ; 


Alai  !  this  fliertr,  alas  and  W3dk#%l 
£nvenimed  wai  fotiUy  withaltf » 
That  or  that  he  had  were4  it  hall  a  isf 
It  madf  hi»  flefh  alUrtim  hi*  bone*  UUe«r 

But  nathdcs  fom  clerk c*  hire  eacuCen 
By  on  that  highte  NcfTuif  that  it  maked  ; 
Be  at  may  be,  1  wol  hire  not  accttfin  $ 
But  on  hit  bak  thit  fherte  he  wercd  al  1 
Til  ihit  Kii  flefh  wat  for  the  vcnim  bla 
And  vvhan  he  faw  non  other  remedie 
In  hott  cokt  he  hath  himfdvcn  raked,  ] 
For  with  no  venime  deigned  him  tc 

Thuf  ftarf  this  t^  orthy  mighty  HcrcttlSip^ 
Lo  !  who  may  truft  on  Fortune  any  throw 
For  him  that  folweth  all  thit  world  «f  ] 
Or  he  be  ware  ii  oft  ylaid  ful  lowc  : 
Ful  wife  i$  he  that  can  himfelven  koow^* 
Bith  ware,  for  whan  that  Fort  use  Ufl  tiO|^ 
1  han  waiteth  Ihe  hire  man  to  overthrowe 
By  fwichc  a  way  as  he  wold  kit  TuppoiE, 

The  mighty  tron«>  the  predoni  trefcnv 

The  gloni^u*  fctptre,  and  r     '  '     ,. 

1  hat  hadde  the  King  Nabu 

With  tongc  tinncthci  may  U^.^...^^  wv  ; 

He  twici  wan  Jcrufalem  the  cttec. 

The  vtfl"eU  of  the  temple  he  with  him  1 

At  Babilojne  wat  hi%  fovcraine  fee. 

In  which  hi  I  glorie  and  hit  delit  he  haddc. 

The  fayrciV  children  of  the  blood  real 
Of  tfrae)  he  did  do  gctde  anon. 
And  maked  eche  of  hem  to  bcD  Lii  ikral. 
Amongei  other  Daniel  wai  on. 
That  wa§  the  wifeft  child  of  evcriet  tm^ 
For  he  the  drcmc*  of  the  king  cxpotiQ«dl, 
Whcr  ai  in  Caldce  ckrk  ne  wa*  thtf  ttO« 
That  wifte  to  what  fin  hitdrcmct  (JBOOfd. 

This  prnudc  king  let  make  a  ftiwir  of  |«1A 
Siic'y  cubitc!!^  long  and  fevcn  in  brede. 
To  which  image  both  yongt:  aiid^ild 
Commaii  Jed  he  to  loutc  and  have  In  drtdcr 
Or  in  a  fourncit  ful  of  flamei  rede 
He  Ihukl  be  brent  that  wolde  not  eb<yc  ; 
But  never  wold  aflenteo  to  that  dcdc^ 
Daniel,  ne  hit  yonge  felawet  tweye, 

Thit  king  of  kinge^s  prood  was  and  ( 
He  wend  that  God  that  Ct  in  majeflee 
Nc  niight  him  nat  brrevc  of  his  citat  ; 
But  fudmly  he  k>A  hitdignitee. 
And  like  a  heft  hSm  fenaed  for  to  bc» 
And  ete  heye  at  an  oxe,  aitd  by  thcroot  I J 
In  rain  With  wilde  belles  walked  h« 
Til  certain  time  wai  ycome  about. 

And  like  an  egWs  fethcr*  wcx  hii  here*, 
Hifc  ncylet  like  a  briddct  clawe*  wcrc^ 
Til  God  relcfcd  him  at  certain  y^Tct, 
And  yaf  him  wit,  and  than  with  many  a  i 
He  thanked  God,  and  ever  lut  lif  in  Urt 
Was  he  to  don  amis,  or  more  trcfpicc  t 
And  til  that  time  he  laid  wa«  on  kit  bcf«  - 
He  knew  that  God  waiful  9f  ought  wd  ( 


TrtE    MONKES    TALI. 


B^thafttm 


fuBy,  wlijclt  that  highi^r  Baltkafkr^ 
Md  tlbe  rcgon  mfter  ht$  fadret  <laf, 
r  lua  foxier  coulde  not  bcwirc, 
^adr  he  w^t  of  herte  and  of  amji 
r  aii  ydohft-ff  wsis  he  jiy. 

i  bim  iu  pride  • 
t  !^  doiin  (»ftd  tfacr  he  l»y) 

f'liirnij-  fij*  ffgnegan  dnridc. 
lelke  be  made  unto  Kii  lordei  alle 
a  tozte,  and  made  hem  blithe  be, 

hi*  ofiieert  gan  he  cilk  ; 
biiageth  fortke  tbe  vcfTcb,  qaod  \\e^ 
tfut  my  hidtr  in  his  profpcritee 
the  temple  nf  Jcrtifaleni  beraft, 
our  highc  gofsddet  thAnkc  we 
,  that  ouf  eldrcf  with  ui  kft. 
iri|«  hb  lordctf  and  hit  contubiQCSt 
Dokca,  while  bir  appctitci  Uft, 
tfaifc  oabic  vrfTel*  fondry  winei. 
I  m  w^l  tJiif  king  bii  eyen  caft, 
^  g^  M  V  iri'i    rt^tlo  that  wrote  JFnl  faft, 
en  «^tiokc  and  fikcd  fore  i 

)Mk\S  r       !t.ilkr  fo  lore  agafi, 

Miame  i*dfti  Phat^i  and  no  more. 
ifj^at  !ond  magjcicti  was  non 

what  this  lettre  nieiit» 
I  it  atioti, 

-d,  t  >  K  ng  :  God  to  thy  fader  lent 
aa4  hooouT,  regoc,  trefour  and  rent, 
s  wai  proti4  and  nothing  God  nr  draddc, 
fcerforc  God  grct  v^Tcchc  upon  him  fcnCj 
ber»ff  ^^^f  r  MXTii-  thai  he  hadde. 
I  ooc  n  C9  compagnte* 

■Ha  was  r  ^M^-m^ 

hey  oA  a  beil  in  wcte  and  drie, 
ke  knew  by  graee  and  by  refon 
God  of  hcvea  hath  domination 
regne  and  every  crc»ture, 
IimI  God  of  him  compafIion« 
rell^red  hi*  regne  and  hit  figure. 
TO  that  art  hit  fone  art  proud  alfo 

eft  ail  thde  thinges  verally, 
r«bel  to  Gt>d  and  art  his  fo  ; 
^T^iJkc  eke  of  hU  veiTcLi  boldely^ 
.c  and  thy  wcnchci  fin  fully 
ibe  feme  vcflek  fondry  wine*, 
"  id£e  goddet  cnHedly, 
to  thee  yihapcn  ful  grct  pine  is. 
KaiKl  wa^  fcnt  ^ro  God  that  on  the  wall 
Mmjm  $t*iftl  Ptarfff  triilleth  mc. 

doD  I  thou  wayed  nought  at  all ; 
ia  thy  regne,  and  it  fhal  be 
and  to  I'erl'e*  ycircn,  quod  he* 
fame  night  thii  king  wa4  Hawe, 
itif  occupied  his  degree, 
^  lie  therto  had  neither  right  ne  lawe* 
hiiiij^ctv  enfample  hereby  moun  ye  take 
that  tff  Wdfhip  i*  no  fikernclTc, 
rl^i;  «4  a  man  forf^ke 

And  hiA  richcflV, 
Kj»  ir-rt  ocs  rKHtM:  more  and  Icfle  ; 

ut  hath  freiiilct  thurgh  Fortune 
wol  nuke  hem  enemies  1  gcfTe, 

ti  ful  A»Ui|  aLd/olc  commune. 


ZmOk. 


^nobia,  of  Palmerie  the  qoene, 
(As  writen  Perfieni  of  hire  nobicffe) 
So  worthy  waa  in  Anneii  and  To  kene, 
Titat  no  wight  paflcd  hire  in  hardinctfei, 
Ne  tn  Lincge,  nc  in  other  gentilleii'e. 
Of  kinges  blood  of  Perfe  i*  (he  dt^fccnded  ; 
1  fay  not  that  (he  haddc  moft  faireneffe, 
But  of  hire  (hapc  ftie  might  not  ben  amendedl 

From  hire^childhodc  1  finde  that  fhe  ficddo 
Ofhcc  of  woman  f  and  to  wode  fhe  went, 
And  many  a  wiide  hartc*  blood  fhe  fhedde 
With  arwes  hrode  that  Ihc  to  hem  fent; 
She  was  fo  fwift  that  file  anon  hem  hcnt : 
And  whan  that  (he  wat  elder  fhe  wotde  kilte 
Leons)  tepard,  and  beres  al  to-rent« 
And  in  hire  armcs  weld  hem  at  hire  willc. 

She  dorft  the  wilde  belles  dcnnef  frke, 
And  rennen  in  the  mountaignetall  the  nighty 
And  Depe  under  the  buHi ;  and  fhe  coudr  eke 
Wraftlen  by  vcray  force  and  vcray  might 
With  any  yong  man,  were  he  never  fo  wight  | 
Thcr  mtghte  nothing  in  hire  armei  ftonde  : 
(ihc  kept  hire  maideiihode  from  every  wight; 
To  no  man  deigned  hire  for  to  be  bonde. 

But  at  the  lafl  hire  frendct  ban  hire  maried 
To  Odenat,  a  prince  of  that  contree, 
Al  were  it  fo  that  fltc  hem  longe  tarted. 
And  ye  Hiul  andcrQonden  how  that  he 
Htidde  fwlchc  fantafics  aa  haddc  (he ; 
But  nathcles  whan  they  were  knit  in  fere 
They  lived  in  joyc  and  in  fclicitce, 
For  cchc  of  hem  had  other  lefe  and  derc  % 

Save  o  thing,  that  fhe  n*olde  never  afTente 
By  no  way  that  he  Ihulde  by  hire  He 
But  ones,  for  it  was  hire  plaiiie  entente 
To  have  a  childe  the  world  to  multiplie  ; 
And  al  fo  fone  as  that  fhe  might  efpie 
That  Ihe  wai  not  with  childe  with  that  dcde^ 
Than  wold  (he  fuffer  him  don  hiii  fantafie 
Eftfone,  and  not  but  ones  out  of  drede. 

And  if  Ihe  were  with  child  at  thilkc  calfc 
No  more  fhuld  he  playcn  thilkc  game 
Till  fuilcn  fourty  day*  wercn  pall. 
Than  wold  ftie  onc»  fuffre  him  do  the  fanrie» 
Al  were  tlii*  Odenutc  wild  or  lame 
He  gate  no  more  of  hirc^  for  thus  flic  fayde| 
It  waf  to  wive»  lecheric  *n^  (hame 
In  other  cat  if  that  men  with  hem  playde* 

Two  fonca  by  this  Odcnate  had  fhct 
The  which  flu  kept  fn  veriuc  and  Icttrure, 
But  now  unto  our  Talc  turnc  we. 
I  fay  fo  worihtpful  a  creature. 
And  wife  thcrwith,  and  large  with  mefuref 
So  penible  in  the  wcrre,and  curteit  eke, 
Nc  more  labour  might  in  wcrre  endure, 
Wd5  non«  though  all  this  world  men  (huldesfck^ 

Hire  ridhe  amy  ne  mtghte  not  be  toldj, 
A  J  wel  in  vefletl  aain  hire  clothing  j 
She  was  all  clad  in  pierric  and  in  gold; 
And  eke  fhe  kfte  not  for  con  hunting- 


THE   MONKES  TALK, 


To  have  of  fondrf  tong«s  ful  knowing, 
Whan  that  Ihe  leifcr  had,  and  for  to  cntcnd 
To  lerncn  bookci  ^as  all  hire  Ukmg, 
How  (he  in  vcrtue  might  hire  lif  ddpcnd* 

And  fhortly  of  this  ftorie  for  to  trctc. 
So  doughty  wsshirc  huibond|  and  rke  flic. 
That  they  conquered  many  regnci  grclc 
In  the  orient,  with  many  a  fiirc  cittrc 
^         Apptrrtcnaunt  unto  the  majeftec 
^^vOf  RriiK,  and  with  flrong  band  held  hem  ful  fall, 
^^^pic  never  nvght  hir  fonien  don  htm  Uce 
^^BAy  while  that  Odenates  daycs  lud. 
^^B    Hire  bataiUe*,  who  Co  till  hem  for  to  rcdCf 
^^B  Aptnc  Sapor  the  king,  and  other  mo, 
r        And  how  that  ail  this  proccflic  fell  in  dede, 
I         Why  flic  conquered,  and  what  title  iherto, 
I         And  after  of  hire  mifchcfe  and  htrc  wo, 
P         How  that  (he  was  befegcd  and  ytake» 
I  Let  hiro  unto  my  matAcr  Pctrark  go, 

I  *ll\it  writeth  ynoug^h  of  tins  I  undertake, 

I  W^an  Odcnatc  was  ded  ihc  mijrhtily 

I  The  regTici  held,  and  with  hire  proprc  hond 

^^^-^Agaitis  hir  foo&  £hc  fought  fo  cruelly 
I^^Hprhat  ther  n*a4  king  nc  prince  in  all  that  lotid 
^^KThat  he  n*a»  glad  if  he  that^gr«ee  fend 
^^^^^RThat  (he  ne  wolde  opon  hii  lond  wcrreye; 
'^^PWith  hire  they  tnadcu  atUaunce  by  bond 
^        To  ben  in  pcci  aad  let  hire  ride  and  plcye* 
1  he  Emperour  of  Rome  Claudjui| 
Ne  him  bcforn  the  Rpmain  Galtco, 
Ne  dorfle  never  be  fo  coraj^cous, 
Nc  DGD  Ermin  tic  non  £giptkii» 
Ne  Surricn  ne  non  Arabicn, 
Within  the  feld  ne  dorilc  with  hire  fighe, 
Left  that  ihc  wold  hem  with  hire  hnnJct  den. 
Or  with  hire  mcioic  putten  hem  t:  flight. 
In  kifiges  habite  wentc  hire  fones  two 
A»  heirc*  of  hir  fadrcs  rcgnei  mile. 
And  HcrcmanDo  and  Timolao 
Hir  names  were,  as  Perfieni  hem  caUe. 
But  ay  Fof  tune  hath  in  hire  bony  grilli  : 
This  tnighty  queue  may  no  while  i  r.iu^L  ; 
Fortune  out  of  htrt;  rcgne  made  hire  laik 
To  wretchedneUe  and  to  mifiivcnture. 
Aurelian,  whan  that  the  govcmaiKC 
Of  Rome  came  into  hi*  hondcf  twcy. 
He  (hope  upon  thiiqucne  lo  do  vengeance. 
And  with  hi*  legioni  he  toke  hi*  way 
Toward  Zenobic  ;  and,  fhort]/  for  to  fay, 
~"c  made  hire  flee,  and  attc  laft  hire  hetit, 
d  fettred  hire  and  eke  hire  children  iway, 
d  wao  the  load,  and  home  to  Rome  lie  went. 
Amongei  other  thingea  that  he  wan 
"■'    t^  ^'',  that  wan  with  gold  wrought  and  picrriCi 
Remain,  tliis  AurtUan, 
riim  lad  for  that  men  fhuld  ic  fee* 
hit  trittoiphe  walketh  (he» 
fikc  chainet  on  hire  necke  hdcging, 
ned  fhc  was,  a«  after  hire  degree, 
A  ful  of  pierrie  charged  hire  clothing. 
AIm,  Fortune  !  Che  that  whilom  waa 
f)redcful  ta  kiogef  and  toenipcrf^urcf, 
.J«!ow  ganreth  all  the  pcplc  on  hire,aU%  t 
'  &t  that  helmtd  was  ia  Aarkc  jlourci. 


And  wan  by  force  tounes  flronge  and  to 
Shml  on  hire  hcd  now  were  a  vitrciiiitc, 
And  fhc  that  bare  the  fccptrc  ful  of  fluurt* 
Shal  here  a  dIJM,  liirc  cod  for  to  ^oite* 

Alihoogh  that  Nero  were  as  Yiciotmi 

A&  any  feud  that  lieth  ful  low  adotui» 
Yet  he,  as  tcHeth  us  Suetonius, 
Thifwidc  world  had  in  fubjeAioun, 
Both  eft  and  wc(V,  fouth  and  fcptcntriowi. 
Of  rubitis,  faphires,  and  of  perlcs  whjte» 
Were  a  I  his  clothes  brouded  up  and  douti^ 
For  he  in  gcmmcs  gretJy  gan  dclite* 

More  delicat,  more  pompous  of  array. 
More  proude,  was  never  cmperour  than  he, 
1  hat  like  doth  that  he  had  wercd  o  day 
After  that  tin^c  he  n*olde  rt  never  fee  : 
Kettes  of  gold  thrcde  had  he  gret  plentec 
To  fifl]  in  Tiber  whan  him  lift  to  play  i 
His  luftcs  were  as  Uw  in  his  degree^ 
For  Fortune  as  his  frcnd  wold  him  obay. 

He  RjQme  brente  for  his  delicacie  ; 
The  Senatours  he  flow  upon  a  day 
To  hercn  how  that  men  wold  wepc  and  cnf| 
And  flow  his  brother,  and  by  his  fuflcr  laf* 
His  moder  msidc  he  in  pitous  array. 
For  he  hire  wombc  let  ilittcii,to  behold 
Whcr  he  conceived  was^fo  wala  wa  I 
I'hat  he  fo  litel  of  bis  moder  told. 

No  tcre  out  of  his  eycn  for  that  fi^t 
Ne  came,  but  fayd  a  faire  woman  waa  (he* 
Gret  wonder  U  how  that  be  coud  or  might 
Be  domefman  of  hire  dcdc  beautee. 
The  wine  to  bringen  him  commaaded  Ke^ 
And  dranke  anon  ;  no  other  wo  he 
Whan  might  is  joined  unto  crucltee, 
Alas !  to'depc  wol  the  vcnimc  wade* 

In  you  the  a  maiflcr  had  this  em[ 
To  techen  him  lettrurc  and  curtcGe  ; 
For  of  moralitce  he  was  the  flour. 
As  in  his  time,  but  if  bookrs  lie  ; 
And  while  this  maiAer  had  of  him  malAm 
He  makcd  him  fo  conning  and  fo  fouplc 
That  lunge  time  it  was  or  tynumic 
Or  any  vice  dorffc  in  him  uncouple. 

This  Sencka,  of  which  that  I  derife» 
Bccaufc  Nero  had  of  him  fwirhe  drede. 
For  he  fro  vices  wold  him  ay  chafliifc 
Difcrctly,  as  by  word  and  not  by  dcdc  ; 
Si  re  I  he  wold  fay,  an  cmperour  mote  neda 
Be  vertQOQs,  and  haten  tyrannic  ; 
For  which  he  made  him  in  a  bathe  to  hUdSj 
On  bothe  his  amies  till  he  mull  die. 

This  Nero  had  eke  of  a  cuftimiatuice 
tn  youth  age*ms  his  maifler  for  to  rife. 
Which  afterward  him  thought  a  grrt 
Thcrfore  he  made  him  dien  in  this  wife* 
But  nathelcs  this  Scneka  the  wife 
Checsi  in  a  bathe  to  die  in  thismanene 
Rather  than  han  mother  turmentifc: 
And  thus  hath  Nero  fiaia  hia  maiAer  dere. 


I 

1 


THE   MONKES   TALE. 


n^ 


New  fell  11  fo  th»t  Fortune  lift  no  ieaget 
I  kigbc  pride  of  Hero  to  chcrice, 
r  tho^^  tfait  he  were  ftrong  yet  waaflic  ftreng- 
&c  thoaghte  tJiua  :  bj  God  I  am  to  nice  [vr. 

""»  let  a  naa  that  is  fulfilled  of  vice 
t  high  degree,  tmd  Emperour  him  c^llc  : 
f  G«d  out  o€hn  fete  I  wot  htm  rricc  ; 
'  ITkin  he  ieft  wcneth  foBcft  (bal  he  falle. 
The  peplc  rofc  npcm  him  on  a  night 
'  lis  dcfiiifte,  ind  whan  he  tt  cfptcd 
1 9i  hh  dnm  anoo  he  hath  htm  dight 
lOf.aad  ther  he  wend  han  had  bcti  .ilUcd 
^  knocked  fail,  and  ajr  the  more  he  cried 
r  teller  flict ten  they  hlr  1 
WWUk  he  wei  he  had  hin  I, 

Iwent  his  way;  o*  len>;vi  .jn...,  .^^  calle. 
The  pcplc  cried  und  rombl 'd  up  and  doun, 
J  with  his  crc«  hefdhe  how  they  f^ydc, 
rr  h  thi»  fijfc  tyrant » thi»  Ncroun  f 
fkrc  ahnoil  out  of  hit  wit  he  bnydc, 
!  to^i  goddej  pitoully  he  prcide 
r  fioeoar,  but  it  tnig^htc  oot  betide  J 
r  drcd^  of  this  him  thoughtc  that  he  deide, 
dl  nn  imo  a  fprdtn  him  to  hidc» 
And  iti  th^s  gaxdin  fooii  he  chcrlei  tweyc 
That  Citcn  hfj  a  fire  grct  and  red, 
A£ji  to  thife  chcrlc&two  he  gaji  to  prtye 
To  iLea  lum,  and  to  girden  of  his  hed, 
[That  CO  Ills  body  whan  that  he  were  ded 
^  Bodefpit  ydon  for  hit  defame. 
"   f  lie  iIow»  he  coad  no  better  rede, 
f  wlitcJi  Fortune  lough  and  haddc  a  game* 


Jl^UfttMfJ^ 


Wu  I 


I  neftr  c^pltsune  under  a  Icing 
*  put  in  fubje>(!^ic>unt 
:  w&t  in  fc  id  of  alie  thing 
I  Ctme,r  oc  gr.'J'T  >->f'  rr^i  .-nun, 
Vt  acre  pompotis  in  n^Hioun, 

.  TW  Matofeme,  whi.  .une  ay  kiil 

I  ltlkroci0]r.  «nd  lad  ium  up  and  doun, 
}  ll^fiis  hod  was  of  or  chat  he  wifl* 
Ihmdj  that  this  world  had  him  in  awe 
^kiiig  of  nchrfTe  and  Itbcrtec, 
As  far  lude  every  man  rencte  hi»  Uwc 
dor  wai  God,  £iyd  he ; 

'  ,AA.^  '  nnoured  be. 

'J  wight  tr^rpace 
jtec, 

s  of  that  place, 
Ai  of  Hololcrse  : 
i  h*«  kud  he  (kookca  Lay  a  Dight 
I  iTiiiia  lu«  tcnce^  l->rge  «•  U  «  berne ; 
■  JedTCt  foraL^t  httpo:^  I  hi«  might 

l^^tk,  a  woman,  ai  li  it 

*"    "  fi  liii*  hcd  of  Ihiuri. ,  j.:iu  inj>  hti  tente 
flie  flalc  from  every  wight, 
I  wttli  hit  hed  unto  hire  toun  Ihc  wcnte. 

Whai  nedeth  it  of  King  Anttochut 
^To  teJi  hit  High  and  real  majeftce, 
*       rtti  piide,  and  hti  wcrkca  venimous  ? 
iniihc  kocthci  WM  ihcr  ma  i»  he :  . 


Redcth  what  that  he  wai  in  Machahc, 
And  redeth  the  proud  wordo  that  he  feid^ 
And  why  he  fell  from  hif  profpentce, 
And  in  an  hill  how  wretchedly  he  dcid, 

Fonanehim  hadenhaunfcd  fo  in  pride 
That  veraily  he  wend  he  might  attaint 
Unto  the  flerret  upon  every  fide* 
And  in  a  balaunce  weyen  cche  mountainep 
And  all  the  floodci  of  the  fee  rellfetne  : 
And  Goddet  peplc  had  he  moft  in  hate, 
Hem  wold  he  fleen  in  timncnt  and  to  peine, 
Weniii)(;  that  God  ne  might  his  pride  abate* 

And  fnr  that  Nichanor  and  Timothec 
Wi/hjewci  were  vcDquifbed  inight.ily. 
Unto  the  Jewe*  fwcichc  an  hate  had  he 
'I'hut  he  bad  greithe  his  char  ful  haflilyi 
And  fwore  and  f;iydc  ful  defpitoufly 
Unto  Jtrufalcm  he  wold  cftfone. 
To  wrtkc  his  ire  on  il  fot  ttlielly; 
But  of  hi«  purpos  was  he  let  fijl  fonc. 

Cod  for  his  manace  him  fo  fore  fmote 
With  invifiblc  wound,  ay  incurable. 
That  in  hi«  guttes  carfe  it  fo  and  bote 
Thjtte  his  peine*  wtren  importable  j 
And  certainly  the  wrcchc  wai  rcfonableg 
Fur  many  a  manner  guttes  did  be  peine; 
But  friim  hit  purp?«  curled  and  damnabiff 
For  all  bis  fnicrtc,hc  n*olde  him  not  reflreiAei 

Btit  bade  anon  apparailen  his  hoft. 
And  fodcnly,  or  he  wa*  of  it  ware, 
Cod  daunted  ail  hit  pride  and  all  hi»  bofl ; 
For  he  fo  fore  fell  out  of  hisehaec 
That  it  his  limnics  and  hi^  fktnnc  to-tarc. 
So  that  he  neithcrn.l  -  ride. 

But  in  a  chaiere  mci  bare, 

Alle  forbrufcd  both*-  u.«^  ^imj  iiJe, 

The  wrcchc  of  God  him  fmote  fo  cruelly 
That  thurgh  hii  body  wicked  worme*  crept, 
And  thervk'ithal  he  Hankc  fo  horribly 
That  non  of  all  hi&  metnic  that  him  kept. 
Whether  fo  that  he  woke  or  el  lew  flept, 
Nc  migbtc  not  of  him  the  ftinke  endure. 
{q  thi)i  milchicfe  he  wailed  and  rke  wept, 
And  knew  (iod  lord  of  every  creature. 

To  alt  ht«  hotl  and  to  himfclf  alio 
Ful  wlatfom  wai  the  (linkc  of  hii  careine  j 
No  man  ne  mightc  him  bercn  tone  fro; 
And  in  this  fttnkc  and  this  horrible  peine 
He  ftarf  ful  wrctdiedly  in  a  tnountiine. 
Thu»  hath  thi&  robbnur  and  thi*  homlciJef 
That  many  a  man  msuic  to  wcpc  and  picjnc, 
Swichc  gucrdoQ  a«  betongeth  tmco  pride. 

Alexander, 

The  ft  one  of  Alexandre  ii  fo  eommnne 
That  every  wight  ih:it  hath  difcrctiouo' 
Hath  herd  fomwhat  or  all  of  hi»  fortune. 
This  wide  world,  a*  in  conclufioun. 
He  wan  by  ilrength,  or  tor  his  hif^h  renouft 
They  wet  en  glad  for  pees  unto  him  fcnde. 
Tltc  pride  of  man  and  boll  he  byd  adouii, 
Whcr  fo  he  caniCt  tinto  the  worldes  ende. 
K  iij 


'i* 


THE   M0MKE8  TALC. 


I 


Comp^triron  migbt  neTcr  yet  be  miJud 
BctwH  him  and  another  conqucrotir^ 
For  al  this  world  for  drcdc  of  him  hath  i^uakcd  ; 
He  was  of  knighihodc  and  of  frcdomc  flour  ; 
Fortune  him  makcd  the  heir  of  hire  honour. 
Save  wine  and  women  nothing  mi^ht  aiTwage 
Hii  high  entente  in  arme^  and  iabouri 
^    was  he  fid  of  leunin  conig«. 

What  pri»wcre  ic  to  hiai  though  I  you  told 

f  Danu^  and  an  hundred  thoufand  mo 
Of  kinj^C!-,  priocc*,  dukc?^  rrlci  bold. 
Which  he  conqutTcd,  and  brought  hem  into  wo  I 
I  Cay  as  for  a*  nian  may  ride  or  go 
The  world  was  hi* ;  what  fhuld  I  more  deviTe  I 
For  though  f  wrote  or  told  you  ever  mo 
Of  hii  knigbthode  it  mightc  not  fufHce. 

Twclf  ycrc  he  rcgiied,  as  faith  Machabc  ; 
Philippus  fonc  of  Macedoine  h«  was, 
Tliat  iirll  was  king  in  Greece  the  cootrcc 
O  worthy  gcntil  Alexandre  !  alas 
That  cviT  fliuld  thee  tollcn  fwichc  a  cap ! 
Enpo Honed  of  ihyn  owen  folkc  thou  were  ; 
a  Thy  fis  Fortune  l^atb  turned  into  an  aa, 

■  And  yet  ior  tlice  nc  wept  ihc  never  a  tcfc, 

■  Whci  (bal  me  yeven  cere*  to  complainc 
H  The  dcth  of  gcntilitfle  and  of  fnninchife, 
H         9'hat  all  tiiifr  world  welded  in  his  dcniaine, 

■  And  yet  him  thought  it  mightc  not  iufilicc  } 
H         So  ful  wa^i,  his  eorage  of  high  cmprifc, 

■  Ala« !  wlko  ih;tl  me  hclpcn  to  eodite 

■  Folfe  Fortune,  jind  poifon  to  dd'pUe  t 
I         The  which  two  otf  aU  this  wo  [  wite. 

I 


ydSui  C^ar, 


By  wifdomci  maahode,  and  by  grtl  laboitr, 

'r^m  humhithcde  to  resil  msjeftee 
Up  rofchc  Juhun  the  conqucrour» 
That  W4J1  idl  the  Occident  by  Jond  and  fcQ 
By  lircngthe  of  ho*^d«  or  elle*  by  ireicc^ 
AJid  ujifo  Rome  made  hem  tributirie. 
And  fiLh  of  Rome  the  Erqperour  waa  be 
TiJ  f halt  Fortune  wenc  his  advcrfarie, 

O  mi    i  fv  (%  iV  !  that  in  Thcflalie 
Agcin  fatlxer  thin  in  lawe, 

That  <'  t  had  all  the  chiralric 

A»  fcr  as  til  at  tiic  day  btginneth  dawe^ 
Thou  thurgh  thy  knighthodc  haft  hem  take  and 
Save  few  jolk  that  with  PompciuB  fiedde»  [flawc, 
Thur^h  which  thou  put  ail  the  orient  in  awe, 
Thanitc  Foxtunc  th»t  fo  wcJ  thee  fpedde^ 

But  now  a  litel  while  I  wol  bcwatle 
This  Fotupeiut^,  thi*  noble  govern  our 
Of  Rome,  whidi  that  Bed  ai  thi«  b^iaille* 
I  fay  on  of  hW  meo,  a  fatfc  traitour» 
Hi*  hcd  of  (mote,  to  winoen  btm  favour 
Of  Jttliut^and  htm  the  hex!  he  brougbt : 
All*.  Pompcic  I  of  the  onfnt  conqu*.r*ttr, 
TliAt  For  time  imto  >  wtcbe  a  fin  thee  broogbt. 

To  RtHiie  again  rcpaireiK  Jubtia 
With  bit  iriiimphc  iaureat  fdi  hic^ 
But  on  a  time  Srucu^  and  Cailm», 
^  hat  ever  had  of  his  high  dUt  cDvie. 


Ful  pri vely  had  made  con/piraeic 
Agtin*  this  Juliu»in  fotil  wife. 
And  caR  the  place  in  which  he  Jbcdde  die 
Witli  bodckin»,  at  I  ihal  you  dcvije. 

This  Julius  to  the  Capatolic  weole 
Upon  a  day^  as  he  wa«  wont  to  gon^ 
And  in  the  Capitolte  anon  htm  hcsto 
1  hi«i  falfc  Brutus  and  hi«  other  foon^ 
And  fLikcd  him  with  bodekiiis  sctm 
With  many  %  woundi  ind  thus  they  let  him  Se  •" 
But  never  grout  he  at  no  firokc  but  on^ 
Or  elles  at  two»  but  if  hit  ftorie  lie. 

So  manly  wwt  this  Juhui  of  herte. 
And  fo  wci  loved  cftatiy  honeftee, 
I'hiit  though  hit  dedly  wi^undet  fore  fin 
Hi»  mantel  over  hit  hippet  cade  he. 
For  no  man  fhulde  fecn  his  privetee; 
And  at  he  lay  of  dyijig  tn  a  trance, 
.\nd  wiAc  veraily  that  dcd  wa«  he. 
Of  hone  (lee  yet  bad  he  remembrance 

Lucan,  to  thee  thif  floric  I  rccoitimeiide. 
And  to  Sucton  and  Valeric  alfo. 
That  of  thit  ftoric  writcn  word  and  code^ 
How  that  to  ihifc  gret  con^uerours  twft 
Fortune  was  firft  a  frend  and  iltb  m  5>» 
No  man  ne  trull  upon  hire  fnvour  loo^^ 
But  have  hire  in  await  for  cvcnno, 
WitnciTc  on  all  chife  coaqaerourea  itro^* 

Crtfiu» 

The  riche  Crefus,  whilom  King  of  Liie^ 
Of  whiche  Crcfu*  Cin^*  '^  --      "^  dr4dde. 
Yet  wa«  he  caught  »mi  p^'idr. 

And  to  be  brent  men  t'  iim  ladde. 

But  fwichc-  a  ram  doun  from  tiie  wdkieii 
That  flow  the  fire,  and  made  to  him  efcapf  | 
But  to  beware  no  grace  yet  he  hadnk 
I'il  Fortune  on  the  galwet  mi4le  faanga^* 

Whan  be  efcaped  wa*  he  can  m*t  ftiot 
For  to  begin nc  a  ncwc  wcrrc  again  t 
He  wcQcd  wcl  for  thiit  Fortune  him  Urnt 
Swiche  hap  that  he  efcaped  thurgh  the  niv 
Tliat  of  hi»  foos  he  mightc  not  be  ilaio  ; 
And  eke  a  fwevcn  upon  a  night  he  mette 
Of  which  he  was  fo  proud  and  eke  fo  faiii. 
That  in  vengeance  he  all  hit  heite  ^Btlc. 

Upon  a  tree  he  wat,  as  that  him  thai^1U^*j 
Ther  Jupiter  him  wctflie  both  bak  and  ijde» 
And  Phcbus  eke  a  f aire  Cowailhim  brought 
To  dric  him  with,  and  therfore  wcx  hit 
And  to  his  dougbter  that  flood  him  hcftt 
Which  that  he  knew  in  high  fcicnce 
He  bad  hire  tell  him  whit  it  fignified. 
And  fhe  hit  drcme  began  right  thiu  etpowid*' 

The  tree  (qood  (he)  tiic  gal  wet  it  to  nua^ 
And  Jopifer  bctokflacth  Ihow  and  rain. 
And  Fhebus  with  hit  to  wail  clcrc  and  clevc^ 
Tho  ben  the  fonnei  flremet,  foth  to  (\m  ; 
Thoo  (half  anhanged  bc»  fadr 
Rain  £hal  thee  waih^  and  fon  ^itm 

Thut  warned  him  ful  plot  anu  cue  tuj  pl^uo 
Hit  dough;er|  whkh  Oul  cadted  wm  PhatLk» 


H^^^P^ht  liim  not  iviiUc  ; 

PBttoSBOLhcar  OiAner  things 

I  itt  fiiiK^uij;  cnrn  ne  bewaije, 

r  A  J?  *^^   - '         3  U  d  jy  wol  affailk 

tn^  ^  ]£  xcgsM  that  Wn  fkr^ade  ; 

lum  I ,11  hire  chtn  wot  fhe  foiilct 

|«cr  litre  brigbt  face  with  a  doudc 

Peter  %f  Sfwme, 

Mtf  o  wiwihf »  Ptrtro,  ^lorie  of  Spftiae ! 
\  f^nuott  held,  fo  hif^k  m  m^jf  IW, 
jhicn  men  ihy  pitovts  dcth  compjaiac  : 
ifay  ioo^  thy  brother  made  thee  flce^ 
t.  a  le^  bf  (otiUce 
bctmed  and  lad  unto  his  tent, 
ht  «ith  hii  owem  hood  How  ihe«, 
g  in  thy  rtgne  and  in  thy  rent 
fcKl ol  Coo.*,  with  th'  cglc  oi  bljJt  tH«rin# 
with  the  limerod,  colouxcd  u  the  ^ledr, 
wed  this  cvrfedneire  and  all  ihu  fiume ; 
eked  f)«^iilK  w%s  wcrker  of  thcs  dedci 
1'  hat  Loke  ay  hedc 

;r,  but  of  AfTQoriLe 
Qii  y f^i » i. •  ■!  1  upC  for  mcde^ 
itte  this  wttffthy  king  in  £wichc  a  bfilu* 


THE  MONKEd  TALE. 


JF*«#rci  JC/ff^  <5^  Cyprt, 


noirthf  Fttro !  King  of  Cypre  alio, 

fklcxAadrie  wan  by  high  iualBltic, 

ury  »a  He  then  wroughted  thou  ful  wo, 

pdi  thin  oweo  liegc&  had  covie^ 

ir  BoOiiiig  but  for  thy  cbivah ic 

ia  dijr  bed  haa  ilatn  ihce  by  the  morwe* 

can  Fortune  hixe  whele  goYcmie  and  gi<;, 

IK  oi  joyc  bnngen  men  to  forwc. 

Ufihme  gme  Eimabo  Vifcoum, 
[ddit«  and  fcourge  of  I^umbarcUf, 
^old  I  not  thin  infonune  account^ 
ItA^t  thott  clombcn  were  To  high  t 
ioUicri  fune,  that  was  thy  double  allie, 
I  thy  nn^w  was  and  fooc  in  Uwc, 
I  %m  prifoQ  made  he  thee  to  diei 
1^  QC  bow  o*ot  1  that  thon  were  flawc* 

lie  Erl  Hu^^lin  of  Fife  the  Ungotir 
bftf  iu>  songc  tcllea  for  pitee. 
)A  «iM  of  PK^i:  '^t  ^  (our, 
ikhfi  ttour  ia  prifoo  ypue  wa*  be^ 


And  with  him  ben  hia  lltcl  children  thre€, 
The  clJeft  Icarfely  five  ycte  wai  of  age  : 
Ala» !  Forttinc,  it  was  grct  crtocltcc 
Swiche  bndden  for  to  put  in  fwiche  t  cage. 

Dampncd  was  he  t6  die  in  that  prifon. 
For  Ro^r  which  that  Biihop  wa»  of  I*i£c 
Had  on  him  mude  a  fallc  fuggeflion, 
Thurgh  which  the  pcple  gan  upon  him  rife, 
Af*d  put  him  in  a  prifon  in  fwiche  m  wife 
At  ye  han  herd ;  ^d  mete  and  drinke  he  ha& 
39  Xntalc,  that  wci  unsctbc  it  ou^  fufiife, 
And  thcrwithal  it  was  ful  poixrt  and  bad. 

And  on  a  day  befei!  that  in  that  houre 
WJi        "^      '  >  mete  wont  wa^tobe  brought 
Th  Lie  the  dores  of  x\^^  tourc ; 

hL  i,  . ^.  ,.  ^. vi,  but  he  fpake  right  nougbt  s 
And  in  hu  hcrte  anon  thcf  fell  a  thought 
'I  hat  they  ftpr  hunger  wolden  do  him  dicn  t 
All*  !  quod  he,  alas  that  1  wa»  wroughjll 
The r with  the  teres  feUcn  fro  Vaa  eyen. 

His  yongc  foDc,  that  three  y<fe  waa  o|  ikgc* 
Unto  hjta  faid^  Fiider,  why  do  ye  wepc  \ 
Wh;)n  will  the  gaUcr  briogca  our  poragc  I 
h  ther  no  morfei  Wed  that  yc  dn  kcpc  \ 
I  am  fo  hung:rj  that  t  may  not  Hrpe. 
Now  w(»id  Qod  that  {  mtght  flc^xji  ev0, 
Than  fliuld  not  hunger  id  my  wambe  crepe; 
Thcr  n'ii  no  thing  fauf  bred  ih**  mc  were  Ict 

Thus  day  by  d^iy  this  chdde  began  to  eric. 
Til  in.hi«  £adrc5  barmc  adoun  it  l<y» 
And  faidet  Farewcl,  fader,  I  mote  die; 
And  kid  hift  fader,  and  didc  the  Ikmc  day* 
And  whan  the  woful  fader  did  it  fey 
Fur  wo  hi^  acmes  two  he  gan  to  bite, 
And  faidr,  Ala«  1  Fortune,  aud  wak  Wft  \ 
Thy  falfc  whck  my  wo  all  may  I  witcw 

\i\r>  cluUlrcu  %y(.ndcn  that^r  hunger  it-Mi 
Thrit  he  hi*  arme&  gnowe,  and  not  for  wo. 
And  fisydcn.  Fader,  do  not  fo,  alail 
But  rather  c(e  the  ttclh  upan  ua  two  t 
Our  6cni  thou  yaf  ua,  take  our  flefh  ua  b-o. 
And  etc  ynough.  R^^ht  thus  they  to  him  £tide^ 
And  after  that,  within  a  day  or  two, 
They  bide  hem  in  his  lappe  adoun  ioddcidc^ 

Himfelf  difpdrrd  ckc  for  httnger  flarf. 
Thus  ended  t»  thi*  mighty  EtI  of  Pife  : 
From  high  cftat  Fortune  away  him  caif. 
Of  thit.  tragedie  it  ought  yoongh  fufbccj 
Who  fo  wol  hcje  it  in  a  longer  wife 
Redctli  the  grete  poete  of  ItatUe 
That  hightc  Dante,  for  he  can  it  devlfe 
frp  pc*iJi(  tp  Poiot ;  not  o  wprd  woi  he  flU|& 
Jtiiij 


f3# 


THE   NQNNES   PREESTES   PROLOCUr 


THE  NONNES  PREESTES  PROLOGUE. 


TliitV       ^-f.    '-■'      -r-    »,.     v,.„....K    ^^\i^ 

Am]  vSe 

1  fay  for  mc  ri  i*  m  grv  t  dilriir 

Whcras  fnrti  hfiv<»  !^fr  Ir  j^trt  x^-rnlth  am!  cf« 

V  JVnd  ibe  t- 

And  tlidiheth  t  :  unat, 

[  fiwi.  keth  m€, 

I  And  '  .  r:  for   tn  rrllc, 

Y^;  qwrtd  our  Holtc»  hy 

^  Ifi"  fiy  right  (cMh .  thl*  Moi  i  >ud«; 

He  fpukt  bow  Fortiifie  covt^reti  with  ^  tluudc 
1  wore  not  what,  nn J  itU  of  a  fravAlic 

;  Ki^\tX  now  ye  i^  ,0  remeiiie 

i  Iti*  for  to  bcv,\i 
I'^hit  ihat  ivdoti,  aim  utie, 

A*  yc  h:in  iaid,  to  he  ife. 

l*or  I  licf  iji  if  thcr  no  o  uir  ; 

Therlofc  Sure  Mork,  I  -y  ymir  namf, 

*  Wfft  ^kiuly  n'erc  of  your  hclk^ 


That  on  yoitr  bridcl  liiD^c  on  evny  fidc^ J 

By  heveh  kiiTjr,  that  for  u»  allc  didc, 

i  fliuld  cr  this  have  rtllem  dt^un  for  Orpc, 

AUhough  the  Hough  had  ben  ncvr  r  P-  Jl| 

Than  haddf  your  Tale  all  Hen  t« 

For  ccrtntrt!r,  a,**  ^>iat  t^ifr  d-rV 

UK 

N.I 

AUii  wi  1   I  \vr.r.C  Tt'c  I  ii ':■  1  tnrrcc  1«-  ill  n>c 

If  any  tKtnj*  fliai  wd  reported  be, 
Sifc^by  foniwhat  of  hunting  1  you  prar, 

Wif,  quod  this  Monk»  t  have  not  luS  t#  | 
Now  Irttc  afiothtT  telle  a*  I  have  mid 

Than  fpakcourHoffcwith  rude  fpechei 
And  f.»Vd  un»o  the  Nonn«  It*rcdl  ftnon\ 
Cnr  Prceft,comchithcr,thftii4 

Tt !  1  thing  a*  may  our  bcrici  i 

Be  bliihL  although  thou  ride  upon  mj 
What  thntigh  thifl  horfc  be  both  fo* 
If  he  wo!  fervc  thee  rcckc  ihcc  oot  a  f 
Lokc  that  thyn  hcrte  be  tncry  cy^rmo. 

Yfs,  Hofle,qtMitf  he,f6ir..»'  i  r-v  n^  j 
But  I  be  mcry  )t^u  1  woi 
And  right  *nan  hh  TaJc  I  -ncJi 

Ard  ihuihcfjiid  unro  ui 
Thi9  fwcic  Prteft,  this  gr> 


THE  NOMNES  PREESTES  TALE*. 


cotagc 

0  hi*  wiclrwe,  which  1  irU    eu  of  my  Tide, 
iB'm  (hilkc  day  th^!  Hit  tri<  lift  a  wi£ 

[ill  pan  it  rice  ltd  .'  !  'ifj 

1  For  litd  wai  hh  hire  rentf  ; 
By  hulbondry  of  Iwicrie  ^$  God  Lire  (cnte 

•  '"f  toMk  -i»d  A  H.fl  J    Ut  wrftl  whrrcc'i  J*  to  cm- 
kfsfe  mtt  irlcacU,  atid  to  beware  ai  ttattcrctA.    (f^/^fpr* 


She  found  hirefdf  and  eke  hire  don^htreii  i 

Three  large  lowc*  has!  (He,  and  no  itif», 

Tliree  kinc^  ?rd  fke  albert.  iIsjt  >  rhtf- 

fill  footy  was  hire  howtt .' 

In  which  fljecte  macy  a  Ji 

Of  poinant  fjince  ne  kne«  the  0£t«f  t  d^l 

No  ddntcc  morfcl  pafffd  thur^h  Wrr  tl 

rtire  djtte  wan  Jccorn' 

R:plcnon  ne  made  \ 

Attcin|»[c  diac  wai  >&i^  uhc  jj^iukc 


TKE  KONKES  FRERSTES  TALE, 


m 


hcitcs  fuffiTancc  i 
nothing  for  to  daoce^ 
not  hir^  bed ; 
tnudcc  (he  nyther  whiter  nc  redf^ 
^1  fervrd  mo(l  with  white  and  bbck» 
0d  broun  bred  I  tn  which  ibc  fond  bo  lack, 
bacon*  asd  fomtimean  eyt  or  twey, 
Ihc  w»s  a>  it  were  a  mancr  dcf  * 
.  yrrd  flu  hxd  eDctofed  all  about 

n,  xtid  it  dric  dichc  without, 
I  r  iht  hsd  1  cok  highte  Ch;iuDt«clere, 

I  ill  the  laud  of  crowing  n' as  his  pcrc  : 
voii  ir^t  mertcr  than  the  mery  or^^on 
f)o  m^c  daiest''^    '    '^     ^^  -  ^         n  : 
WdiikcTcrwa 

Tkaa  it  Jickdt  wi  -..;  - ^    ;.  ^, . 

Bf  fiatttre  tic  kncwc  echt  afccntictan 
€.'  t! -^  cquioodHsI  in  thiike  rouni, 

k|cruf  fiitoie  were  afoetided 
^  he  that  it  nhgbc  not  hen  tmeadad, 
.«^4{abe  mm  rodder  than  the  dn  corall, 
u  it  were  a  caftel  wall; 
S4  black,  and  %a  the  jet  it  Jhone^ 
were  his  k'gges  andhi»  tone, 
whiter  than  the  illy  flour, 
like  the  burned  gold  w^ii  his  colour. 
Thh  gv-ntil  cok  had  in  his  gnvemance 
bcjinca  for  to  doo  bU  hi)  plcXance, 
kkk  were  hit  fuflcrf  ind  hi4  paramourcsi 
Ler  like  eo  him  as  of  eoburei, 
the  ^rcft,  hewed  in  the  throte, 
at  cjepcdi  falre  Dan:  rdotc. 

C!«rtm  Qie  waA,  difc^  'onaire, 

Jlod  compcoftblc,  and  b^rc  mrclclf  fo  Uire, 
WAm  the  4ay  that  flie  was  fevcnr.ight  old, 
*l%m  irewttlich  ihe  hath  the  herte  in  hold 
Of  GknuiUclcrc,  lokcn  in  every  Uth  ; 
tk  tov^  hire  fo  that  we)  was  him  therwith  : 
iafwjchc  a  joye  it  was  lo  here  hern  fittj;, 
ISWi  that  tlie  brtfrhte  fonne  gun  to  fpring, 
lifirrte  accord.  My  Icfe  i»  farr  in  lond, 
t»  thilke  tvinc,  as  1  have  uodcr^mid, 
Mb  and  briddct  candcn  f^'tkc  and  iing. 
Ai»d  ft>  befell  that  in  a  dawcning 
JJliGhatjnt^''-"'  "'long  hii  wiw«i  iille 
OQ  hi  .3t  was  in  the  hillc, 

nemt  'i  fatce  Pcndotc, 

*nk£«  CHii  ui  j^onacn  in  his  throte 

Ajflsanit  rcmc  t>t drctchcd  fore; 

Ami  whaa  ih^i  l\f  tclotc  tha«  herd  him  rorc 
Bht!  w**  a«r»<^t  Bnd  iiidc^  Herte  dtrc  ! 
Wl..  outo  gronc  in  fhi»  mantTc  ? 

Ye  ':  ficpcrr,  ly  for  Oiiimc  ! 

Alia  nc  Antwcred  and faydc  thus;  Madame, 
I  pray  f  Ott  that  ye  take  it  ri*t  agrcfc ; 
f^-^  Ood  me  mete  f  was  in  fwiche  n^ifdiefe 

Ut  now,  tltat  yc  min  bcrte  is  lore  ainght. 
j^  ,'4  Ood  (ifuod  he)  my  fwcvcn  recchc  aright, 
jLod  kcpe  my  body  out  of  foulc  pnfoun; 
My  mvte  how  that  1  romed  tip  and  doua 
•  le,  whcr  aa  1  faw  a  bcilc 
nd,  and  wold  hin  made  urdXc 
L  pn  my  r>nny,  aod  ban  tad  me  dcd  : 
|lis  Kklojor  ynM  bctwii  yelwc  and  red,. 


And  tipped  was  hi*  ttil  and  both  hi«  fm 
With  bbckj,  unlike  the  renjcnant  of  bit  here*: 
His  (iiout  was  1^'    '    .'  ^^    : lowing  e)'cn  twc|  i 
Yet  for  his  !ok  t,.i>;  I  de)  ; 

This  caufcd  mt  ;  .,  ^   ..,.., ijjj  doutele*. 

Away,  quod  Ihr;  fy  on  yon  htn'Ic%! 
Ala*!  quod  flie,  for  by  that  Ood  above 
Now  ban  ye  loft  myn  bene  and  all  my  lofc  ; 
I  cannot  kve  a  coward  by  my  faith  ; 
For  ccrtc»,  what  ih  any  woman  faith. 
We  al  ddiren,  if  it  mightr  be, 
To  have  an  huibofid  hardy,  wife,  and  free. 
And  fccrei:,  and  non  niggard  ne  no  fool, 
Nc  him  that  ii  a^aft  of  t-vcry  ttxjl, 
Nc  non  avantoki*-  by  that  God  abtwc. 
How  doHlcn  ye  for  fhame  fay  to  your  love 
That  any  thing  might  maken  you  ifcrde  ? 
Han  yc  no  mannca  herte  and  ban  a  berdc ? 
Ala* !  and  con  ye  ben  igaft  of  fwcvcn i*  f 
Nothing  but  vanitec,  God  wotc,  in  fwcvcn  tc 

Swevcne*  engendrm  of  repletions 
And  oft  of  fume,  and  of  complexions, 
Whan  humours  ben  to  habuttdant  in  a  wight« 
Cv!rtL-i  thi*  drtmc  which  yc-  ban  mtt  to-mgh^ 
Cometh  of  the  grct  fuperfluicce 
Of  yoore  rede  itttr*  parde. 
Which  caufeth  folk  to  dredcn  in  htrdremes 
Of  arwe*,  and  of  fire  with  irdc  lemc<. 
Of  rede  beftes  that  they  wol  hem  bite. 
Of  conteke,  and  of  wafpes  gret  and  Htf, 
Riji^ht  as  the  humour  of  mekncolie 
Ciufcth  ful  many  a  man  in  Jlt-pc  to  crlc 
For  fere  of  holies  and  of  beres  hiakr. 
Or  elJes  that  blake  devils  wol  hem  t:ikc. 

Of  other  humours  coud  I  telle  alfo, 
Thjt  wtiken  many  a  man  in  flfpe  aad  wo  ; 
But  [  wol  pafle  an  lightly  as  I  ran. 

Lo  Caton,  which  that  was  fo  wife  a  man. 
Said  he  aot  thus  f  Ne  do  no  fnrce  of  drernc^ 

Now,  Sire^  quod  fhe, whan  we  Jlec  frothc  bemcs 
For  Guddc^  love  as  ti^kc  fom  laxatif ; 
Vp  peril  of  my  foul  srid  of  my  bf 
I  cotifeii  you  the  bell,  1  wol  not  lie, 
That  both  of  colcr  and  of  melancolic 
Yc  purge  you*,  and  for  ye  fhul  not  time, 
Thc'tjph  in  this  toun  b-c  non  apotecarie, 
I  flial  myfelf  two  herbcs  techen  you 
That  fhai  be  for  yonr  hele  and  for  your  prow. 
And  in  our  yerde  the  herbcu  fhul  I  findf. 
The  which  ban  of  hir  proprctec  by  kindc 
To  purgen  you  bcncthc  and  eke  above. 
Sire,  forgctc  not  this  for  Goddes  love ; 
Ye  ben  ful  colerike  of  complexion  ; 
Ware  that  the  fonne  in  hi*  afcention 
Nc  findc  you  not  replete  of  himiouri  bote ; 
And  if  it  do  1  dare  wcl  lay  a  grote 
That  yc  fiiul  ban  a  fever  tertiane^ 
Or  elies  an  ague,  that  may  be  your  bane. 
A  day  or  two  yc  Ibul  ban  degeftive* 
Of  wormes  or  yc  take  your  laxatives. 
Of  laureole,  centaurie,  and  fumetere. 
Or  tiles  of  cllebor  that  growcth  there. 
Of  tatapucc  or  of  gaitre  berics. 
Or  crbc  ivc  f^roffiaf^  m  our  ycrd  that  mcry  Sif 


Picke  hem  right  &&  ihty  prow,  and  ttc  hero  in. 
B^  ih  mery,  huAjond;  for  yowr  findcr  kin 
Dr  dcth  DO  drcmc:  I  can  fay  ycu  no  more. 

Madame,  quod  he,  granii  mercy  of  your  lore  I 
But  nathdei  w  touching  Diui  Cat  on, 
Tliit  hath  of  wifdomc  fwichc  a  gret  renoan« 
Though  that  be  bade  no  drcmct  for  to  drcde. 
By  God  men  moun  in  oldc  boukes  rod<; 
Of  many  a  man  raorc  of  audoritcc 
Than  ever  Caton  wa*,  fi>  mote  J  the. 
That  all  the  revcr*  fayn  of  his  Icfitcncc, 
And  ban  wcl  found  n  hy  cxpertcii«« 
That  drenies  ben  iignihcatiou* 
At  wcl  of  joyr  as  tribulations 
That  folk  enduirn  in  this  lif  prefect : 
Th  r  ucdeik  make  of  thi*  non  ari^ument  i 
The  veray  prevc  ihcweth  it  imledc* 

On  of  the  greteft  audtpuis  thai  n^n  rcde 
Fa'tth  tiiui,  that  whilom  twcy  fetawe*  wente 
On  pilgrimage  in  a  ful  good  entente, 
Ard  hipped  fo  they  came  into  a  toun 
WhLf  tier  was  fwiche  a  congt^gatiouo 
Of  peple,  and  ckc  fo  ftrcit  of  hcrbcrgagCi 
That  they  ne  founde  as  mochc  as  a  cota^e 
In  which  thty  buthc  might  ylogged  be, 
Vf'licifore  they  muflen  of  neceffiteef 
A«  for  that  night,  dcparten  compagnle. 
And  cche  of  bem  goth  to  hit  hoflelrie. 
And  tokt  his  Logging  u  it  wolde  fallc« 

That  on  of  heni  wa»  logged  in  «  ffcalle^ 
Ft  in  a  yard,  with  oicn  of  the  plough. 
That  other  oian  wat  logged  wcl  y  no  ugh, 
A%  waa  hU  aventurc  or  ht»  fortune. 
That  Uf  gorerncth  all,  a«  in  commune* 

And  fo  bcfcU  that  long  or  it  were  daf 
Thift  man  met  in  his  bed  diet  a*  be  lay 
How  that  hiA  fclaw  gan  upon  him  calle. 
Aid  faid,  Ala»!  for  in  an  oxes  flallc 
Thi*  night  Ihal  1  be  mordrcd  thcr  J  lici 
Now  help  me,  dcrc  brother!  or  t  die ; 
In  aUe  hafle  come  to  me,  he  faidc. 

l*his  man  out  of  hit  ilepe  for  fere  abraide^ 
But  whan  that  he  wai  waked  of  his  Ilepe 
\ic  turned  him,  and  toke  of  tht»  nokepc; 
Him  thought  hii  drome  wa»  but  a  vanitec. 
Thus  twie»  in  hi*  flcplng  dremed  he. 

And  at  the  thridde  time  yet  his  felaw 
Cam«,  as  him  thought,  and  laid,  1  now  am  flaw^ 
Behold  my  blodv  woundc«  depc  and  wide : 
A^%it  up  crly  in  the  morwe-tide, 
AD<f  at  the  weft  gate  of  the  toun  (quoil  he) 
A  carte  ful  of  doogc  ther  ihalt  thou  fee, 
In  which  my  body  if  kid  pnvelyi 
Do  thiikc  carte  arrcAcn  boldcly. 
fJij  gold  eaulcd  my  oinrdrt,  foth  to  faiti ; 
And  told  him  every  point  how  he  waa  (laia 
>Viih  a  ful  picoui  face,  pale  of  he  we; 
And  tniilcth  wcl  hii  drcme  he  found  ful  crewcs 
i^or  on  the  roorwc  fone  at  it  wai  day 
To  hif  fckwct  inne  he  toke  hia  way. 
And  whan  that  he  came  to  thi»ote6  ilallt 
After  hib  f4;Uw  he  tKrgan  fo  calk. 

The  hoilclei  anfwercd  him  anon, 
^lidi«tfC|  Sire,  y<»ur  f<kw  14  a|OR} 


A»  fone  a9  day  he  went  oat  of  tlie  laus*  •■ 

Tbi«  man  gan  fallen  in  fufpeciooo. 
Rem  em  bring  on  hi*  drenaea  that  be 
And  forth  ht  goth,  no  lenger  wold 
Unto  the  wed  gate  of  the  toun,  and  foi 
A  dong  carte  a^  it  went  for  to  dang  U>od« 
That  was  amied  in  the  fame  wife 
As  ye  han  hcrdc  the  dede  man  deviXe, 
Ax\6  with  an  barde  herte  he  gan  to  crio 
Vengeance  and  jufticc  of  this  felooic; 
My  felaw  mordrcd  i»thi»  fame  night, 
And  in  thii  carte  he  Uth  gaping  upj ' 
1  cnc  out  on  the  minifleri,  quod  he. 
That  fhuldcn  kcpe  andrculcn  thiacitcet 
Hiirow !  aias!  here  lith  my  fclaw  flain. 

What  fhuld  I  more  unto  this  tale  Cainf 
The  pcplc  out  ftert,  and  caft  the  cart  to 
And  in  the  middel  of  the  dong  they  foviid 
The  dcde  man  that  mordrcd  was  all  orwe. 

0  blisful  Gdd!  that  art  fo  good  and 
Lo,  how  that  thou  bcwreycft  raordre  oliva^ 
Mordrc  wol  out,  that  fee  wc  day, by  days 
Mordrc  it  fo  wlatfom  and  ahhcuninabls 
To  God,  tliat  ifl  fo  ju(l  and  refonable. 
That  he  ne  wol  not  fuflFrc  it  hylled  be : 
Though  it  abide  a  yere,  or  two  or  thf  ee, 
Mordrc  wol  out;  this  is  my  condttfioiui. 

And  right  anon  the  miniilnrs  of  the  toUft 
Han  hcnt  the  carur,  and  fo  fopc  him    * 
And  eke  the  holder  fo  fore  cngiflcd;, 
That  they  btknewe  hir  wickedne^ 
And  were  anhangcd  by  the  neckc  boo. 

Here  mouo  ye  fee  that  drevicalMii  %» 
And  certei  in  the  fame  book  I  rede, 
Higbt  in  the  next  chapitre  after  this, 
( I  gabbe  not,  fo  have  1  joye  and  blsa) 
Two  men  that  wold  ban  pai&d  ovcrUic  ft^ 
For  certain  caufe,  in  to  a  fcx  contrec. 
If  that  the  winde  ne  hadde  ben  contraries 
That  made  hem  in  a  citce  for  to  tarie 
Thiit  Hood  ful  mery  upon  a  haTeo  fide: 
But  on  a  day,  agein  the  even  tide. 
The  wind  gan  change,  and  blewrigfe-t 
Jolif  and  glad  they  wen  ten  to  hir  reft. 
And  cailen  hem  ful  crly  for  to  failc| 
But  to  that  o  man  fel  a  gret  memiJe* 

That  on  of  hem  in  0c{»tDg  at  he  laf 
He  mettc  a  wonder  drcme  ig«jn  the  4af  v 
Him  thought  a  mail  ftood  by  hi»  bc^Ue* 
And  him  commanded  that  he  (huld  afeiJc, 
And  faid  him  thus;  If  thou  to^morwe  wcodc 
Thou  flialt  be  dreint;  my  talc  is  at  an  cade. 

He  woke,  and  told  his  felaw  what  b« 
And  praied  him  his  Tiage  for  to  let; 
As  for  that  day  he  prayd  him  for  to  abid 

His  felaw,  that  lay  by  his  beddea  fid*, 
Gan  for  to  laugh,  and  fcoraed  him  ful 
No  dreme,  quod  he,  may  fo  my  hcnc 
That  I  wol  leten  for  to  do  my 
I  fcttc  not  a  0raw  by  thy  dremiogti^ 
For  fwevens  bco  but  vaniteea  and  japcif 
Men  dreme  al  day  of  oulea  and  of  apoi^ 
And  eke  of  many  a  male  thcrwitbai; 
Men  dreiQc  of  tlung  thai  ncfcr  wia  %%  flii^ 


A 


■                                      THE   NONNES  PREESTI3  T^LE-                                 tjf       J 

^|^U&  1  fee  iJbat  ihou  wol  there  ftbitlc^ 

of  0  thing  God  huh  fcnt  me  large  gnec,            ^m 

^^^BMum  Ibf^i^uthcA  wilfully  thj  tide, 

For  whan  1  fee  the  beautcc  of  your  face,                ^H 

KBBTfroc  it  rvwoh  met  utd  hAve  good  diy  t 

Yc  ben  fo  fcarlet  red  about  your  eycn,                   ^H 

1    Aftd  tlm»  he  toc4  1^»  Uvr,  and  went  his  way. 

It  raakcth  all  my  dredc  for  to  dien ;                       ^H 

^L^Bat  or  thai  he  bsd  half  hb  cour%  yfaikd* 

For  al  fo  Gkcr  as  /•  prhiipw                                  « ^H 

^BToc  I  oat  why  ne  whtt  mcfchancc  it  ailed. 

Afuihr  ff  UmUu  tw/^Jip,                                          t^H 

Bpst  caToelly  the  (Uippe*  boctom  rente. 

f  Madame,  the  feotence  of  dm  I^atine  it^             ^^H 

F  Aad  fliip  a.Qij  mui  under  the  water  wtnte 

Woman  i»  maniiei  joye  and  manoet  blis;)           •^H 

kJ^I^  (»( other  fcipncither  bclide 
■■■with  him  ikiled  tt  the  fame  tide. 

For  whan  1  fclc  a-oight  your  foite  {idc»                 ^H 

Al  be  It  that  I  may  not  on  you  ride                        ^H 

^^■■d  thet'lorc,  hire  Pertejotc  fo  drrc. 

For  that  our  pcrchc  h  made  fo  narwc,  ala»Y          ^^H 

^^mnriche  enlamplei  aide  m&id  thou  Icre 

I  am  fo  fill  of  joye  and  of  folas                              '  ^H 

^KhM  DO  mu)  (kiAde  be  to  rcecheki 

That  1  dcffiii  bothc  fwcvcn  and  drcmc.                  ^H 

^■f  aremes  for  I  ^^7  tbce  doutclca 

And  with  that  word  he  flew  doun  fro  the  bcm^lri 

^BWi  oi«ny  A  drcipe  ful  fore  is  far  to  drede. 

For  it  was  day,  and  eke  his  licnnei  alje, 

^■jLotin  the  Uf  ^'f  ^'-"^  Kmclnic  I  rede, 

And  with  a  chuk  he  gan  Ecm  for  to  caile, 

^■te  WflhS  Kimi'                     the  Dublc  King 

For  he  had  found  a  corn  lay  in  the  ycnL 

^■VMcjcciirikc,                   Im  metcc  si  thing. 

Real  he  was,  he  wa*  no  more  aferd  ;                      ^^j 

^RA  liul  1^  he  were  inordred  on  2  da^ 

He  fcthcrcd  Pertclote  twenty  time,                       ^H 

^p|li»  mortlre  in  hit  mviBdo  he  fay; 

And  trade  hire  eke  ai  oft,  er  it  wa;&  prime  \       *^H 

P^  R»  ooricc  him  ciipouticd  every  del 

He  lokcth  as  it  were  a  grim  leoun,                       '  ^^| 

1     H-^  twerctj,  And  bade  hun  for  to  kepe  him  wcl 

And  on  his  tooa  be  rometh  up  and  doun  ;            ^^^1 

1      ?r-rrcfo'^.'               '3*  but  ievcn  ycf  c  did. 

Him  deigned  not  to  fet  hi<i  feet  to  ground  t          ^^H 

1      A"  i  lL:  r                       II  hath  he  t^ild 

He  chukkeih,  whan  he  hath  a  corn  yfound,           ^H 

■^fag^  :                               "    '  hit  herte. 

And  to  him  rcnacn  than  his  wivct  allc.               ^^H 

^^^Kv                                       mj  {bene 

Thu5  real  as  a  prince  ii  in  ki»halb                   '^H 

^^^^^^^.,_   . .            .^,.:  J  u  have  I. 

Lcvc  \  this  Chauntcclerc  in  hii  pafturc,               *  ^^ 

^^^^^■^Krtelule*     lay  you  trewely, 

And  after  wol  I  till  hii  avcnturc. 

^^^■■B^  ihAf                   avifir^n 

Whan  that  the  month  in  which  the  world  b<^»^ 

^^^^^Kf ' 

That  hightc  March,  whan  God  firft  makcd  raan^ 

^^^k'                                       ^t  they  ben 

Was  complete,  and  ypafTtd  were  alio 

^^^^hili^  '                     '  !i j>i  :ucu lifter  feet}. 

Sitlien  Kfarch  ended  thriity  daycs  and  two,                    j 

^^^Bi  fc  rr                            {  pr^y  y«u  lokcfh  Wcl 

Btfell  tliat  Channicclere  in  all  his  pride,                        J 

^^^B    '                             of  DatijcI, 

His  fcvcn  wivci  walking  him  bcfide,                   ^^m 

^^^B  'i 

Caft  up  his  cycn  to  the  brightc  fonne,                  •^^H 

^^^B^                                "  Uher  fhuin  ye  fee 

That  in  the  fignc  of  Taurus  haddc  yronnc          ^^M 

^^^Hr                                            Uf  not  allc) 

Twenty  degrees  and  on,  and  fomwhat  more  f    ^^H 

^^^B                                      itln  ikiicr  fullc. 

He  knew  by  kind,  and  by  non  other  lore,            j^H 

^^^■^k                                    ,  D^Q  Pharao, 

That  it  was  prime,  and  crew  with  bli&ful  ilereil^^B 

^^■^ 

The  fonne,  he  faid,  is  dombcn  up  on  hevcn      ^^B 

Twenty  degrees  and  on,  and  more  ywis;             ^^| 

^^^B                             ^c«  of  foudry  remc& 

Madame  Pertclote,  my  worldes  blia,                      -^^^ 

^^^K                                      yaw  utider  thing. 

Herkenetli  thifc  blisful  briddes  how  thcyfing^      ^^ 
AxxA  fee  the  frclbe  flourcs  how  they  fpring;                  J 

^^^^t*                                   i^c   vv;i»of  J^yrjic  ktn^, 

^^^krr 

Ful  is  niin  bcrte  of  revel  and  of  fola»,                  ^^J 

^^^■h  itg  T                                       d  br. 

But  fodentyhim  fdla  forwefui  cas,                  ^^| 

^^Hhirc 

For  ever  the  btter  cnde  of  joye  is  wo  ;                ^^^ 

^H^T 

God  wote  that  worldly  joye  is  fone  ago$              ^^^ 

^^^^Hprcui  c  > ' 

Af'J  if  a  rethor  coude  faire  cndite                         ^^| 

^^^K^jbt  ii»c  Ul  of  Heaor^lhuld  be  ionic 

He  in  a  chronicle  might  it  faufly  write                ^^H 

^^^■ikc  d«y  he  weot  into  bataille ; 

Ai  for  a  foveraine  notabiHtee*                               ^^^ 

^^^^Lrar&cd  htm,  but  it  might  not  afVislle; 

Now  every  wiie  man  let  hiro  herken  tnc  f                \ 

^^^^bcfit  fortli  for  to  fivhtca  Dathdca, 

This  ftory  is  al  fo  trcwe,  I  undertake,                             J 

^■k  vns  \  V             1  oi  Achilles. 

As  ia  the  book  of  Launcclot  do  Lake,                 ^^H 

^m    But  thi                    i  to  long  to  telle. 

Th^t  women  holdc  in  ful  gret  reverence.           ^^| 

^VAod  eke  u  i.  ..<^..  w^y,  I  may  not  dwclLe, 

Now  wol  I  turnc  sgcn  to  my  fentencc.                ^^B 

^V^ortly  I  U}\  a«  lor  eonclulion, 

A  col  fojf,  fui  of  licigh  ini^uitcc,                        |^| 

^■^fttt  1  fhal  lunof  thit  avifioa 

That  in  the  grove  had  wonned  ycres  three,         ^^! 

^^^Mrfttee  ;  ackd  1  fay  fortheriEiOire, 

By  high  imagination  forccafl. 

^^^Bt  1  B«  ^<Ji  «f  boativci  DO  ilorc. 

The  lame  night  thurghout  the  hegges  brail          ^J 

^Pf^^fy  ben  vcnimous,  I  wot  it  wcl  ; 

fntu  the  yerd  ther  Chauntcclerc  the  fairc              j^| 

^K  )  hezB  deffief  t  love  heni  never  a  dd* 

Wo*  W0(nt,and  eke  hi«  wives,  to  repuire,              ^^| 

^B     Biit  let  ttt  ffeke  of  tiurtlie,  and  iUntc  aH  thit. 

And  in  a  beddc  of  wortes  fUtk  he  lay                   ^^| 

TUi  it  waafaflcd  Ufl^^rn  of  the  day,                   ^H 

IJ6 


THE   NOKNES  PREESTES  TAL^, 


Waitiinrhi*  time  on  Chauntcclcrc  tofallc, 
,A>g:bdly  don  thifc  hoinictdc»  allc 
That  in  iw^t  liggcn  to  mordrc  men, 

O  falfe  mordcrour!  lucking  in  thy  deo^ 
O  ncwc  Scariot,  ncwc  Gcndon! 

fiUTe  diHimulour,  o  Greek  Stnon! 

at  bruughteil  Troyc  al  utterly  to  torwe, 

0  Chatotcclet«!  accurfcd  be  the  morwc 
That  thou  into  thy  ycrd  flew  fro  the  hemes; 
Thou  were  fol  wcl  ^-warned  hy  thy  dttmct 
That  thilkc  day  wa$  pcritoiu  tQ  thcc; 

But  what  that  God  forcwote  moft  acdc«  be, 

After  the  opinion  of  certain  derkc*, 

WitneiTe  on  him  that  any  parJic  clerk  is. 

That  in  fcolc  it  gret  aitereation 

In  ihh  matere  and  gret  difpatifon, 

And  hath  ben  of  an  hundred  thoufand  tntn  : 

But  1  ne  cannot  bcult  it  to  the  bren. 

As  can  the  holy  Dolour  Ao^uftinf 

Or  Bocce,or  the  biihop  firadwnrdiD^ 

Whether  that  Goddci  worthy  foreweting 

Ctreineth  me  nedcly  for  to  don  a  thin|^, 

{Neddy  depe  1  fimple  neccflitcc) 

Or  ell^s  if  free  choi*  be  granted  me 

To  do  that  fame  thing  or  do  it  nought. 

Though  God  foi-cwot  it  or  that  it  waa  wroughc^ 

Or  if  hit  wcting  ftreincth  never  a  del 

Bat  hy  neceffitce  coudidoncL 

J  wol  not  han  to  don  of  fwicHc  matcre; 

My  Talc  ij  of  a  cok,  at  yc  tnay  here, 

*rhat  took  hisconfeii  of  his  wif  with  forwe 

To  wi^lkcn  in  the  yerd  upon  the  morwe 

That  he  luid  met  the  drcmc,  ax  t  you  told. 

Womennci  confcilcihcn  ful  often  cold; 

Womcnnc*  confeil  brought  ui^&rft  towo. 

And  made  Adam  fro  Paraditk  to  go^ 

Ther  a»  he  waa  ful  mery  and  wel  at  cfe  : 

But  for  1  nVt  to  *hom  I  might  difplcfc 

If  X  confeil  of  women  woldc  btamr, 

PafTe  over,  for  I  faid  it  in  my  game. 

^ede  au^our^  where  they  trctc  of  fwiche  matcrc. 

And  what  ihty  fa)-n  of  women  ye  mown  here 

Thifc  ben  the  Cokkes  wordes  and  not  mine ; 

1  can  non  harme  of  no  woman  dcTinc, 

Fairc  in  the  fond^  to  bath  hire  merily, 
L>\ih  Pertelote,  and  all  hire  fut^cri  by, 
Agcin  the  Tonne,  and  Chauiitcdcre  fo  free 
iSang  mcrf  ier  than  the  mermaid  in  the  Icci 
For  Ph>fiolog«3  faytli  (ikcrly 
How  that  tlicy  iing«n  wel  and  merijy. 

And  fo  hcfdl  that  aa  tie  cafk  hss  c)'c 
Amc^ng  the  worlCf  on  a  botcrflie 
He  wa<  wAfc  iti  ihis  fox  that  lay  ful  low : 
Nothing  nc  lill  him  thaune  for  to  crow, 
Biit  eric  J  anon  Cok,  cok,  and  up  he  flertc 
Ai  man  thiit  wan  aiTraied  in  his  hertc ; 
For  naturally  a  be  eft  dcfireih  flee 
Fro  hi*  cootraric  if  he  naay  it  fee, 
Though  he  never  erft  had  fceo  it  with  hi«  eye. 

Thik  Chauntcclere,  whao  he  gan  him  cfpie, 
T:  '  'la  fled,  but  that  the  fox  anon 

^  I  Sire,  alas!  what  wol  yc  don? 

liv  yc  aiii^idof  me  that  am  your  frcnd^ 
Now  ccrtet  I  were  lycrfc  Una  any  fcad 


If  i  to  you  wold  harme  or  vilanie. 
I  n*am  not  come  your  confcil  to  efpie^ 
But  trewely  the  caufe  of  my  coming 
Wii  only  for  tohcrken  how  ye  fin^. 
For  trewely  ye  ban  as  mery  a  (lerett 
A«  any  aogel  hath  that  it  in  hevett* 
Thcrwith  yc  ban  of  mulikc  more  feliftg 
Thau  had  Boece,  or  any  that  can  Cng, 
My  Lord,  your  fader  (God  hit  fouir  WclTe] 
And  eke  your  m<>der  of  hire  gent  if  ' 
Han  in  nvyn  hoD§  yben,  to  my  gr 
And  ccrtca.  Sire,  ful  fain  wold  I  yi.m  juc;?. 
But  for  men  fpcke  of  Ungcn,  I  wol  fey. 
So  mote  1  brouken  wcl  mrn  eyen  twcy. 
Save  you  nc  herd  I  never  man  fo  fing 
As  did  your  fader  in  thcmorwening  ; 
Ccrtcs  it  was  of  hertc  all  that  he  fong  : 
And  for  to  make  his  nois  the  more  (Iroilfg 
He  wold  fo  peine  him,  that  with  both  hat 
He  muilc  winke,  fo  loude  he  wtlde  crieo. 
And  don  den  on  hi&  tip  toon  thcrwitbaJ, 
And  jlretchcn  forth  his  nccke  long  mod 
And  ck£  be  was  of  fwiche  difcretion, 
That  ther  ii^a*  no  man  in  no  region 
That  him  in  fong  or  wifdom  miglue 
I  have  wel  red  in  Dan  Bamcl  the  af 
Among  his  vers*  how  that  ther  wit  a  cok 
That  for  a  pre  eft e«  fone  yave  him  a  knok 
Upon  hit  leg,  while  he  was  yongc  anU  nic* 
He  made  him  for  to  Icjic  hit  bencfiec  ; 
But  certain  ther  i»ao  comparifon 
Betwix  the  wifdom  and  difcrctloo 
Of  youi  fader  and  hisfubtilitLC. 
Now  fingcth,  Sire,  for  Scmt  Charhrc  j 
Let  fef,  can  ye  your  fader  coUDterfcte? 

'I'his  Chauntedcrc  hitwingc*  gan  to 
Ai  man  that  coud  not  hit  trefon  efpi^^ 
So  wai  he  nviJhed  with  hit  fiatcrie. 

Ala^  !  ye  lordct,  many  a  falfe  fiat 
Is  in  your  court,  and  many  a  lofengei 
That  plefeth  you  wel  more,  by  my  fall 
Than  he  that  fothfailncfTe  unto  you  fkit^ 
Redcth  Ecclefiail  of  flateric  : 
Beth  ware,  yc  Iorde»,  of  hire  trvchcrie* 

Thift  Chauntcclcrc  ftuod  high  upoa  I 
Strcching  liia  necke,  and  held  hiteycn 
And  gan  to  crowen  loude  for  the  norte 
And  Dan  RuOcI  the  fox  flcrt  up 
And  by  the  gargat  hentc  Chauru 
And  on  hit  back  toward  the  woi^4  liun  b< 
For  yet  nc  w^at  ther  no  man  that  him  fued*j 

O  deflinee  !  that  maift  not  ben  elchucd, 
AU»  that  Chauntcclcrc  flew  fro  the  bcmef 
Atas,  his  wif  nc  raughte  not  of  dremci ! 
And  on  a  Friday  fcl  all  thii  mefArhtticv. 

O  Vcnub  !  that  art  gC'ddefle  of  PleTajiee, 
Sin  that  thy  fervant  wat  thi%  ChauntecIcfV, 
And  in  thy  fervice  did  all  hit  powere, 
More  for  delit  than  world  to  multtplic. 
Why  wolt  thou  fuAr  him  on  thv  day  to 

O  Gaufride,dcre  maiflcr  ^ 
That  whan  thy  worthy  Ki.  vrat  1 

With  fhot  complaincdcft  hi<j  vi<  ir,  *kj  lut^^ 
Why  DC  had  I  ufiw  thy  fcicac^  and  thf  Ion. 


i 


THE   NONNES   PREESTES  TALE." 


W 


]iAmj  for  to  chidco  as  did  yc  f 
a  Friday  fotikly  flaiQ  was  he) 
&|il  I  (Kcw  you  how  that  t  coud  plaioe 

eckrt*  dred«  and  for  hii  paiue. 
Es  IWiche  cry  nc  Umc'ntatjr.o 
rcr  t>f  lidic*  madtr  wham  I  lion 

,  and  Pimw  with  ftrciu  fwerd, 

had  hca  King  Pri;im  by  the  Wrd 
in  kim,  (li  laith  ui  Emidotj 
lea  aO  the  keacrt  in  the  cloot 
iiey  had  fcco  c»f  Chauntcclcrc  the  fight; 

inly  Dame  Periciotc  (hright 
icr  than  did  HafdruhaUc&  la  it* 
hat  hire  boibond  hadde  yloft  hit  I  if, 
kt  the  Romaincs  haddm  brent  Cartage ; 
I  fp  fit!  of  turmciit  and  of  rage 
rilf%Hly  into  thi:  fire  ihc  ftertc, 

t  hire  ftlven  with  a  ftcdfaft  herte, 
iftt!  '  '     ;:ht  fo  criden  yc 

t^  :nte  the  citce 

cj+^.^  uiv  .'^.ustourci  wives 
It  Kir  huibonds  loftcn  allc  hir  llvci, 
(iJt  ihii  Nero  bath  hem  ilain* 
*  wol  1  tnme  unto  my  Tale  again. 
If  widkrwe  and  hire  dough  tren  two 
I  cbcfe  henne»  crie  and  niakcn  wo, 

at  thedoreft  Acrten  tJieyanon, 

the  (ai  toward  the  wode  ia>  gon^ 

:  upon  his  back  the  cok  a^^y  : 
ricdea  otit  Harow  and  wala  wa ! 
fea.  I  and  after  him  they  ran, 
te  with  ftaYct  many  an  otlicr  man ; 
uUe  our  dogge,  and  7'albot  and  Gcrlond, 
falkiti,  with  hire  diflaf  in  hire  hund  ; 

and  calf  i  and  ckc  the  vcray  hogges 
d  were  for  barking  of  the  doggei, 
tg  of  ihc  men  and  women  eke, 
fo  hem  thought  hir  hcrtc«  hreke  ; 
M  fcndci  don  in  hellc  ; 

s  dicden  ai  men  wold  hem  qucUc: 

far  fere  flcwcn  over  the  trcet, 
iil£  hive  came  ihc  fwarmc  of  bed, 

H|i,  ..  -   r  :\ ■     ri nf fc ,  a  bextdiiiU  / 

J  V  and  his  mcinie 

utos  half  fo  ihrille, 
|»t  ihey  t^ulden  any  Fleming  kille, 
e  iliy  wa»  made  npon  the  fox. 
tb«y  broughten  beemei  and  of  box» 
,  and  bone,  in  which  they  blew  and  panped, 
tfhal  they  (hrikcd  and  they  houped  j 
mm  that  tlie  heven  Ihulde  frill  e. 

luen,  1  pray  yon  hcikcneth  ille  : 
nirntth  fodcniy 
sod  pride  eke  of  hire  enemy  t 
E^  ikm.  Ii|  upon  the  foxes  bake, 
kii  drede  unto  the  foa  he  fpake, 
kyde  ;  Sire,  if  that  1  were  ai  ye 
»14  I  Ui0|  (af  wiily  Gpd  help  me) 


Turneth  agein,  yc  pronde  cberlcs  allf, 
A  very  peililence  upon  you  fa  lie  ; 
Now  1  am  come  unto  the  wode^  fide, 
Maugrc  your  hed  the  cok  flial  here  abide; 
1  wol  hinci  cte  in  faith,  and  that  anon. 

The  fox  anfwcred,  in  faith  it  fhal  be  don  ; 
And  u  he  fpake  the  word  ai  fodenly 
The  cok  brake  from  his  mouth  dcliverly, 
And  high  upon  a  tree  he  6ew  anon. 

And  whan  the  fox  faw  that  the  cok  wa«  goa^ 
A\iA !  quod  he,  o  Chaunteciere,  ab^  ! 
I  have  (quod  he)  ydoD  to  you  ttcfpai^ 
In  a«  moche  as  [  maked  you  aftrrd 
Whan  I  you  hcntc  and  brought  out  of  your  yerJ 
But,  Sire,  I  did  it  in  no  wikkc  entente  ; 
Come  doun»  and  I  flial  tell  you  what  1  mrntc  : 
]  fhal  fay  fothe  to  yon,  God  helpe  me  fo. 

Nay  than  quod  he,  I  flircwe  us  bothc  tWQ  ; 
Aod  drfl  I  fkrcwe  myCdf  bothc  blood  and  boi)c» 
If  thou  begilc  me  oftcner  than  onei : 
Thou  ibali  no  more  thurgh  thy  fiatcrie 
Do  me  to  tiog  and  winkcn  with  mine  c/e. 
For  he  that  winkcth  whan  h.€  ibulde  fee, 
AI  wilfully,  God  let  him  never  the- 

Nay,  quod  the  fox, but  God  ycve  him  ncichance 
That  is  fo  indifcrete  of  governance 
That  jangjeth  whan  that  he  fhuld  hold  hit  pecs. 

Lo,  which  it  it  for  to  be  recchelca 
And  negligent,  and  trud  on  flaterie. 
But  yc  diat  holdcn  thii  Tale  a  folic, 
Aa  of  a  fox,  or  of  a  cok  or  hen, 
Takcth  the  moralitec  thcrof,  good  men; 
For  Seint  Poulc  fayth,  that  all  that  writcn  Is 
To  oiir  dodrine  it  it  ywritcu  ywiii. 
Taketh  the  fruit,  and  let  the  chaf  be  flille. 

Now,  goodc  Ciod,  if  that  it  be  thy  wille. 
As  fayth  my  Lord,  fo  make  ut  all  good  mea. 
And  bring  us  to  thy  high  blifTc.  Amtm 

Sire  Nonoes  Prccil,  our  Hofle  fayd  anoo, 
YblciTcd  be  thy  bredic  and  every  flon ; 
Thii  was  a  mery  Tale  of  Chauntedere  : 
But  by  my  trouthc  if  thou  were  fccutere 
Thou  wolded  ben  a  tr<;dcfoLdc  a  right, 
For  if  thou  have  coragc  as  thou  hall  might 
Thee  were  nede  of  hemiUt  %» I  wenc. 
Ye  mo  than  fcvcn  times  (evcntene* 
Se  whidie  brauncs  hath  thisgentU  Prceft^ 
So  grct  a  neck,  and  fwichc  a  large  breed 
He  lokcth  as  a  fparhauk  with  hit  cyen  : 
Him  nt-dcth  not  hi*  colour  for  to  dico 
With  Brafil  nc  with  grain  of  Portingalc, 

But,  Sire,  f aire  falle  you  for  your  Talc, 
And  after  that  he  with  ful  mery  chcrc 
Sayd  to  acuther  ai  yc  (hulcn  here. 


The  second  nonnes  tale* 


r»i  mintftrc  tn<l  the  nonce  tinto  vicei, 
^'hich  that  men  cUf  c  in  Englifli  IdcIndnTei 
That  porter  it  the  |^tc  i»bf  Detkes, 
To  cfchuen,  and  by  hire  contrary  hire  opprefle,* 
Thut  U  to  fain,  by  Icfui  bc&nefle. 
Wcl  oughttf  wc  to  don  al  our  entente. 
Left  that  ihc  fend  thargh  idclneffe  tis  hente. 

For  he  that  ivith  hi»  thoufand  cordci  flic 
Continticlly  us  waitcth  to  be  dappCy 
Whan  he  may  man  in  idelneffc  efpie, 
He  can  fo  lig^htly  cacche  htm  in  his  trappci 
Til  that  a  man  be  hent  right  by  the  lappc 
He  n'ii  not  w«re  the  fend  hath  him  in  hond  i 
1^cl  ought  01  werche  and  idelnefTc  withftond. 

And  though  men  draddco  never  for  to  die. 
Yet  fee  men  wel  by  rcfon  donttlc* 
That  idebcflc  i«  rote  of  flogardie, 
Of  whirh  thcr  never  cometh  no  good  encreef. 
And  kc  that  flouth  holdeth  hem  in  a  Icea, 
Only  to  flcpc  and  for  to  cte  and  drinke. 
And  to  derouren  all  that  other  fwinke. 

And  for  to  pat  ui  from  fwicbc  Idelncirey 
That  caufc  u  of  gret  confufionf 
1  have  here  don  my  feithftil  befmeflc. 
After  the  legende,  in  tranflatioD 
Right  of  thy  glorious  lif  and  paflion. 
Thou  with  thy  gcrlond  wrought  of  rofe  ind  liUcp 
Thee  menc  !,  maid  and  mirtir,  »eintc  Cecilic, 

And  thou,  that  arte  fluure  of  YirgincsiU, 
Of  whom  that  Bernard  lift  fo  wel  to  write. 
To  thee  at  my  begiimiog  firft  1  cull, 
Thou  comfort  of  us  wictchei,  do  me  cnditc 
Thy  maiden*  deth,  that  win  thurgh  hire  merite 
The  eternal  lif,  and  over  the  fend  vi^loric, 
Af  man  may  after  redcn  in  hire  ftorie. 

Thou  maide  and  mother,  doughter  of  thy  foli» 
Thou  wel  of  mercy,  finftil  foolc*  cure, 
lo  whom  that  Ood  of  bountee  cheet  to  won; 
*!fhou  humble  and  high  over  every  creature. 
Thou  nobledeft  fo  fer  forth  our  nature, 
That  DO  difdaiiJC  the  maker  had  of  kinde 
His  fou  it)  blood  and  flcfli  to  clothe  and  winde« 

Witiiin  the  cloyftrc  hlisful  ol:  thy  fidci 
Tokc  maJi89t  fliapc  the  eternal  Lovt  and  PceS| 

;  •  The  Ufc  and  dcitli  of SftLot  Cecily.  Sp, 


That  of  the  trine  eompii  Lord  an4  guide  i 
Whom  enhc,  and  fee,  and  heven,  cot  off 
Ay  hcricn  ;  ami  thou  virgine  wemmeles 
Bare  of  thy  body  (and  dwcltcft  majdca  pen 
The  Crcatour  of  every  creature, 

AfTerobted  in  thee  magnificence 
With  mercy  goodneffc,  and  with  fwicKe  piti 
That  thon  that  art  the  fonne  of  exctUcncc^ 
Hot  only  helpcft  hem  that  praien  thec^ 
But  oftenttmc  of  thy  bctiiffnitec 
Ful  freely,  or  that  men  thin  hclpc  befedief 
Thou  gocft  befome  axid  art  hi r  live"  leehc. 

Now  htlpe,  thou  mcke  and  bli»fiil  fairet 
Me  fl:imcd  wretch,  in  this  dtfert  of  ^ lie  ; 
Thinke  on  the  woman  Canacce,  that  fmiAt 
That  whelpes  eten  fom  of  the  eromet  aJSe 
That  from  hir  lordr»  table  been  yfajl^  ; 
And  though  that  I,  unworthy  fonc  of  Etr, 
Be  finful,  yet  acccpteth  my  belcve. 

And  for  that  ftith  is  ded  withotttea  i 
So  for  to  werken  ye  re  me  wit  atjd  fp«ce 
That  1  be  t^uit  from  thennes  that  mo|l  dtffcel 
O  tliou  1  that  art  fo  faire  and  fnl  of  grace. 
Be  thou  mro  tdvocat  m  that  high  (>Uee, 
T her  as  withputen  endc  is  fonge  oifanar. 
Thou  Criftcs  mother,  doiighicT  drrc  of  AnQ£4 

And  tif  thy  light  my  fouie  in  prifaQ  Vi^^  ' 
Th;4t  troubled  is  by  the  conta;,  lon 
Of  my  body»  and  alfo  by  the  wight 
Of  crtbly  loft  and  falfe  afedion  : 
O  haven  of  refute  !   o  falvation 
Of  hem  that  ben  in  forwe  and  in  diftreflcl 
Kuw  help,  for  to  my  Werk  1  wol  me  drrfirJ 

Yet  pray  I  you  that  redcn  that  I  wricc 
Foryeve  me  that  I  do  no  diligeircc 
7  hii  like  ftorie  fubtilly  to  tndite ; 
For  both  hale  1  the  worde*  and  fcntcnce 
Of  him  that  at  the  feintrs  rtvcrmce 
The  ftorie  wrote,  ajid  folowed  hire  leg^nd^ 
And  pray  you  that  ye  wol  my  werk  imendiei^ 

Firft  wol  I  you  the  name  fjf  St  intc  Ceolk 
Expoune,  as  men  may  in  bin:  fione  fe?  j 
It  is  to  fayn  in  Englifh,  Hevcns  lilk. 
For  pure  chifttjcffc  of  virginitee. 
Or  fur  ftie  whitncife  had  of  hondleCf 
An  J  grcne  «f  confcience,aiid  of  good  tev 
The  fwgu  laroiir,  iiUc  waa  hire  I 


THE   SSCON0  NONNES  TALE. 


Ctfcile  h  to  fayn,  Ttte  way  to  L  \lnde, 
c  en&inple  wubf  pMtd  tcchzng, 

>ed  hj  a  tnaner  conjoining 
vco  *nd  Z.M,«nl  here  in  figttrin^ 
Hfrrn  is  (ei  for  thought  of  hoUncHe, 

for  hire  Uding  befincflc. 
idlie  mAif  eke  be  imfd  in  this  maDcrr, 
ttog  of  bliBdnrfe,  ^  hire  grcte  light 
BC^  ant'  i'"«-  hir-*  thr-tt^r- .  i  l.-ft ; 

iDtilSi 

Hand  /  :  by  right 

in«ght  hire  wd  the  i*evcn  ot  pcpk  calU, 
Uple  of  g'jMxl  and  wile  wcrkei  idle, 
r  l^mi  pcplc  in  EngliQi  it  to  tzf  i 
<rigbt  1*  men  mny  in  the  heven  fee 
Ebnoc  ^md  mont:,  ;unl  Hezrc^  every  way, 
t  Cb  men  goQl)",  in  thU  maiden  free 
I  of  fikirh  the  mkLgnanimitee, 
'he  the  clereneff^  hote  of  fapience, 
r^Dcirf  wcrkei  bright  of  excellence. 
d  rigitt  fo  IB  tblfe  pholofophres  write, 
bcmi  IS  fwift  and  roondf  and  eke  brctming, 
It  (o  was  bire  Cectlie  the  white 
Wift  and  bclf  in  every  good  werking, 
nrafid  an  i  hole  in  good  perftvering, 
l>remiiii|p  ever  in  charitice  fuJ  bright. 
'  '  '         !  what  ihe  hight* 

r  '  lie,  as  hire  life  faith, 

ks  .^ . '  M 1  ^  •  u  u  ^  ^i)d  nable  k i  nd , 

il  :  cradle  foflred  in  the  faith 

;,,,_, :  bare  hU  gofpel  in  hire  oiiod  ; 

Upperocfiedj  as  I  writen  find, 
he  prayere,  and  God  to  love  and  drede^ 
LhiDg  Kim  to  kepe  hire  nmidenhcde. 
kiwhaii  this  maiden  fliuM  until  a  man 
dded  be  that  wa»  ful  yqnge  of  age, 
tk  that  ydq^ed  was  VJeriaD, 
dw  w%a  comcn  of  hire  marriage, 
Uorvotit  and  humble  in  hire  corage, 
kr  hire  robr  of  gold,  that  fat  Fiil  fatre 
tiext  hire  flefh  yclad  hire  in  an  haire. 
Ill  while  that  the  organs  maden  nnelodic 
M  alcioe  thtu  in  hire  hert  fong  file  % 
Brd  I  vnj  foulc  and  eke  my  bodic  gie 
icmmed,  left  that  I  confounded  be, 
for  hb  loTe  that  died  upon  the  tree 
ry  fccond  of  thriddc  day  (he  faft, 
bidding  in  hire  orifon«  ful  faft. 
^e  night  came,  and  to  bed  mull  fhe  god 
Il  hire  hnlbondt  ai  it  ii  the  mancre, 
I  privcly  fhe  faid  to  him  anon  ; 
^cte  and  wel  beloved  fpoufc  dere ! 
^  is  a  confcilt  and  ye  wol  it  here, 
ish  that  right  fayn  I  wold  unto  you  faiCi 
h^t  je  fwerc  ye  wol  it  not  bewraie, 
Taloian  gao  faft  unto  hire  fvere 
It  for  no  cat  dc  thing  that  mightebe 
fhulde  nexcr  to  noD  bewraien  here  ; 
i  tha^  at  efh  thua  to  him  fiide  Ihe  ; 
rrc  an  angf  1  which  that  loveth  me, 
^  with  gret  iOTc  whcr  fo  J  wake  or  Qcpe 

pLrtv    iv    fiiT  hnrnr    (tirto  kcpe  I 

Ijn  out  of drede 
;..  :  ^    .        .    vcinvilaaici 


He  right  anon  wol  fleen  you  with  the  dede, 
Atid  in  your  you  the  that  ye  iholdcn  di«  ; 
And  il  that  ye  in  dene  lovcnse  gie. 
He  wol  you  loTC  a?  me  for  your  clcDencffe, 
Aiul  fliew  to  you  hii  joyc  and  hit  brightncflc* 

Thi»  Valerian,  corroded  a*  God  wold, 
Anfwered  again ;  If  I  ihal  truften  thee 
Let  me  that  angel  fccn  and  him  behold. 
And  if  that  it  a  vcray  angel  be. 
Than  wol  I  don  as  thou  haJl  prayed  Tne  ; 
And  if  thou  love  another  man,  forfothe 
Right  with  this  fwerd  then  wol  1  flee  you  bothc^ 

Cefile  anfwerd  anon  right  in  thia  wi/e  : 
If  that  you  lifl  the  angel  (hut  you  fee, 
So  that  ye  trowc  on  Crift,  and  you  baptile  : 
Go  forth  to  Via  Apia,  (quod  Ihc) 
That  fro  thit  roun  ne  ftant  but  mile?  three^ 
And  to  the  pourc  folkc6  that  ther  dwclkn 
Say  hem  right  thut  as  that  I  fhal  you  ti'llen* 

Tell  hem  that  I  Cecilc  you  to  hem  fctii 
To  Ihewct)  you  the  good  Urban  the  old. 
For  fccrec  nede*  and  for  good  en  tent ; 
And  whan  that  ye  Scint  Urban  )^  bcHold, 
Tell  him  the  wordes  wliche  I  to  you  told  t 
And  whan  that  he  hath  purged  you  fro  fmne 
Than  (hal  ye  fecn  that  angel  ere  yc  twiune. 

Valerian  ie  to  the  place  gon. 
And  right  a»  he  was  taught  by  hire  lerning 
He  fond  thi»  holy  old  Urban  anon 
Among  the  fcintes  buricls  loming; 
And  he  anon  withoutcn  tarying 
Did  hismeflfage,  and  whan  that  he  it  folde 
Urban  for  joyc  his  hondvi  gan  trphofdc* 

The  tere*  from  hi*  cyen  let  he  fallc ; 
Almighty  Lofd,o  Jcfu  Ctift  *  quod  he. 
Sower  of  chaft  confcil,  hicrde  of  us  alle. 
The  fruit  of  thilk  fcede  of  chafljtee 
That  thou  haft  fow  in  Cecilc  take  to  thee? 
Lo,  like  a  befy  bee  withouten  gite 
Thee  fervcth  ay  thin  owcn  thrsd  Cecilc. 

For  thiJk  fpoufc  that  Che  tokcbut  new^ 
Ful  like  a  fieri  Icon,  flic  fcndti^h  here 
At  meke  as  ever  wai  any  liunb  or  ewe. 
And  'Aith  that  word  anon  ther  gan  apere 
An  old  man  clad  in  white  clothes  dere^ 
I'ltat  had  a  book  with  letters  of  gold  in  hond, 
And  gan  bcfomc  Valerian  to  ftond. 

Valerian  as  ded  fell  doun  for  dtede 
Whan  he  him  faw,  and  he  up  bent  him  th?. 
And  on  hii  book  right  thus  he  gan  to  rutict 
On  Lord,  on  faith, on  God  withouten  mo. 
On  Criftendom,  and  fader  of  alt  &Ub 
Abovcn  all^  and  over  all  every  whcr. 
Thifc  wordciall  with  gold  y writen  were* 

Whan  this  wa«  red,  than  laid  thia  olde  man, 
Levcft  thou  this  thing  or  no  ?  fay  ye  or  nay, 
1  Icve  all  this  thing,  quoU  Valerian, 
For  fother  thing  than  this  I  dare  wcl  fay 
Under  the  heven  tio  wight  thinken  may. 
Tho  vanifhtd  the  f>lde  man  hi^  n'iftc  whcr, 
And  pope  Urban  him  criftcned  right  ther. 

Valerian  goth  home,  and  fint  Cedlie 
Within  hit  chamhre  with  an  angel  ftonde  : 
Thii  angel  had  of  rufcs  and  of  lilie 
Coroncii  two^  tic  whidi  he  bare  in  hondcj 
Aod  £rft  to  Ccciie,  u  I  ^^ad^i^qn^C) 


He  jftf  than  oo*  and  afttr  ^n  he  cake 
That  other  la  Vjtlcmu  hire  make, 

\^^th  body  cltrtjc  Antl  with  unwemmcd  thought 
Kepeth  ay  vrcl  thifc  coroncs  two,  quod  he, 
From  Parodis  to  viiu  I  hive  Ucm  brought, 
Nc  never  mo  qc  Ihul  they  ror^n  he, 
Ne  left-  hir  fwctc  Tavrtur,  trufteth  me, 
Kc  never  wight  Jhal  fccn  hem  with  hii  eye, 
But  he  he  chiillc  And  hate  Viliinic. 

And  thou.  Valerian,  tor  thou  fu  fonc 
AfTcntcdclV  to  j^ood  confeili  alfo 
iSay  what  thcc  lift  and  thou  Ihah  han  thy  bonr« 
f  have  a  brother,  quod  Valcriiui  tho, 
That  in  this  world  1  iovc  no  man  fo, 
I  pray  you  that  my  brother  may  have  prace 
To  know  the  trouth,  ai  I  do  in  this  place. 

The  angcl  fiiyd,  Gml  liketh  thy  rcqucft, 
Andbothe  with  the  pulmeof  marrirdomc 
Ye  fliuilcn  conic  untti  this  hlifsful  rull ; 
And  with  that  word  liburce  hi»  brother  cotnc. 
And  whaun  that  he  the  favour  uitdenu»mc, 
Which  th^t  the  rofc*  and  the  Hiiei*  C4ft, 
Within  hU  hcrtc  he  gatj  to  wonder  fill. 

And  laid ;  I  wonder  thi»  linic  of  the  ycrc 
WheDc*  that  fwctc  favour  eoraeih  fo 
Of  rofes  and  Ulici  that  t  fmelk  here. 
For  tliough  I  had  hem  min  hondcs  two 
The  favour  might  in  mc  no  dcpcr  go  ; 
The  fwcte  fin  el  that  in  min  hertc  I  iind 
H^th  chiin^cd  mc  all  in  another  kind* 

Valerinn  faid,  Two  coropcs  han  we 
Snow-white  and  rofc-rcd,  that  {hineu  clerc, 
W^hich  that  thin  cycn  ban  no  might  to  fee. 
And  as  thou  /mclleft  hem  thurgh  my  praierci 
So  ihali  thou  fcen  hem,  Icvc  hrothcr  dcrt, 
If  it  fobe  thou  wolt  withoutcn  fluuche 
Belcvc  arijjht,  and  know  the  vcray  trouth^. 

Tihurce  anfwcrcd ;  Saicfl  thou  thi&  to  me 
In  foihneflc,  or  in  drcmc  hcrken  I  thi*  ? 
tn  dremrsj  quod  Valerian,  ban  we  be 
Unto  thii  time,  brother  min,  y  wii ; 
But  now  at  erft  in  trout  he  our  dwellinfr  ii. 
How  wod  thou  thiji,  quod  Tihurce,  in  what  wife  I 
Quod  Valerian,  That  Ihal  I  thee  dcvifr. 

I'hc  angel  of  God  hath  me  the  trouth  y taught. 
Which  thou  flialt  fccn,  if  that  thou  wilt  rcocy 
The  idole*,  and  be  c\cnc^  and  clle*  naught. 
And  of  the  inirack  of  thife  corones  twcy 
Seiiir  Ambrofc  in  hii  preface  Uft  to  fey ; 
Solcmpncly  this  noble  doAour  derc 
Cominendeth  it,  and  faith  in  this  manere  : 

'I'hc  palmc  of  martirdome  for  to  receive 
Seint  CecIUe,  fulfilled  of  Goddei^ycft, 
The  world  and  eke  liirc  charobre  gaii  (he  WcivCi 
WttnejTe  Tiburcci  and  Cecikt  fhrift, 
To  which  God  of  hu  bountee  woldc  fhife 
Curottesi  two,  of  flounei  wel  fmclltng. 
And  tnadc  Jii*  angel  hew  the  corooe«  bring. 

The   maid  hath  brought  ihifc  men  to   bliffc 
above  ; 
TliC  world  hi:h  wtft  what  it  ii  worth  certain. 
Devotion  of  ch^ftitee  to  love. 
l*huU);h  flicwcd  him  Cecilc  all  opes  snd  plain 
TImii  ill  idelet  ii*ia  but  a  thing  in  vaiOt 


For  they  hen  doinbe,  and  th^rtti  they  &efi  4cf 
And  charg^ed  him  hii  idoiei  for  to  lr«e« 

Who  fo  that  truweth  not  this,  a  heft  lie  i 
fj^uod  this  Tihurce,  if  that  I  (hal  oot  He, 
Ar.d  fhc  gan  kifle  his  breil  whan  fhe  herd  1 
And  Mf^  ful  glad  he  coude  trouthe  eC|«Mj 
Thi^  day  1  take  thee  for  min  allic, 
Saidc  thi»  bIifisfuUair«!  maiden  dcre; 
A"d  after  that  fhe  laid  ju  ye  may  here  i 

Lo,  ri);ht  fo  at  the  love  of  CriA  (quod  I 
IVf  ide  mc  thy  hr(»tliers  wif,  right  in  that  wn£c 
Anon  for  min  alhc  here  take  I  thee, 
Sithen  that  tliou  wolt  thin  idoles  defpifn 
Coth  with  thy  brother  now  and  thee  baptji 
And  mnkc-  thcc  cleiif,  fo  that  thou  mttft  I 
The  .ingcls  face  of  which  thy  bruthcr  iM^, 

Tiburcc  anfwercd,  and  faidc,  Brotbei 
Firil  tell  mc  whitiitri  fhal,  and  to  wh 
To  whom,  r""  '  '^"-    C'^rr,,  \.,r  ».  jtb  j 
I  wnl  thcc  i 

To  Urban  t  ', 

Qijnd  tho  1  iburce,  wiit  thnu  mc  ihrdrr  le>dc  f 
Mc  ihinketh  that  it  were  a  wundcr  dcdt- 

Nc  mencft  tliou  not  Urban  (quod  he  th»X 
That  i^  fo  often  damned  to  he  dtd, 
And  woncth  in  halkes  alway  to  and  frOt 
And  dare  not  onei  putten  forth  Kif  hed^ 
Men  fho!d  him  brcnneu  in  a  fire  fo  rrd 
If  he  were  found,  or  that  men  mrn[ht  him  ifi 
Andwcalfo,  to  here  him  compaj^nic. 

And  while  we  fckcn  thiike  divinitec 
That  \h  yhid  in  hevcn  prively, 
Atgtttc  yhrcnt  in  thii  world  Ihuld  wc  he. 
To  whom  Cccilc  aniwcrcd  boldcl>  ; 
Men  mij^hten  dreden  wel  and  flcilfoUy 
This  Lif  to  Icfc,  min  owcn  dcrc  brothrr  J 
If  this  were  living;  only  and  non  other. 

But  thcT  is  better  lif  in  other  place 
That  never  Hial  b<  loft,  r-  ^-    '     •'  -- 
Which  Goddes  fone  u* 
That  fackci  fonc  which 
And  all  that  wrought  ii  witi  i  i  ^1 1 

The  goftihat  from  the  fader  .c 

Hath  fouled  hem  withouten  aiiy  drcik. 

By  word  and  by  miracle  he  Goddet  fomc^ 
Whaa  he  VTAt  in  tlii«  world,  declared  here 
1  iiat  iher  h  other  lif  ther  men  may  wooc 
To  whom  anfv^erd  Tiburcc  ;  O  fuAcr  derc  I  ] 
Ne  fatdefl  thou  ri^rht  now  in  tbi»  manerr, 
Ther  n* if  but  o  God  Lord  in  fbthfafltiefle^ 
And  now  of  three  how  maytt  thou  here  i 

Thatlhal  1  ttU,  quod  fhc,  or  that  I  go^ 
Right  a*  a  UJir*  hath  fapicuces  tliree^ 
Memorie,  engine,  and  infctilcd  alfo» 
So  in  o  beings  of  divinitee 
Three  perfonc^  mow  en  ther  rig:ht«  wel  hib 
Tho  g\n  fhc  biro  ful  hefily  to  preche 
Of  Crt(lc&  fonde,  and  of  his  peine*  teehry 

And  many  |kmdCcb  of  hi*  pafhon. 
How  Goddci  ionc  in  thit  woi Id  wa»  wid 
To  don  mankiode  plcin'  f-  n  ifr,..n. 
That  wa*ybound  ill  Ct:  colik 

AH  this  thing  (he  unto   i  .i'l« 


^burce  in  good  en  tent 
to  Pope  Urban  he  went. 

Cod,  and  vrith  glad  heite  and 


ted  G 


aod  made  him  in  that  place 
(f  Icming,  and  Goddes  knight : 
lid  Tiburcc  gat  fwichc  gmcc 
liay  he  faw  tn  time  and  fpacc 
f  Ood  and  e»cf7  maner  bone 
3  axed  it  wa»  fp<fd  ful  fone. 
il  hard  hf  ordre  for  to  fain 
wonden  Jefuf  for  hem  wrought : 
ily  to  (<.■!]€ n  fbort  and  plain, 
Bts  of  thc*toua  of  Rome  hem  fought, 
"^   r  Aim  ache  the  Prcfcd  brought, 

^ofcd,  and  knew  all  hir  entcnt, 
of  Jupiter  hem  fcnt. 

ifho  fo  wol  nought  do  facrifice 
thi»  it  my  fentcnce  here. 
9MrtjTt  that  ]  jou  dcTifc 
■y  that  wii  an  officere 
:<l%cs,  and  hii  Qornlculcre 

twhan  he  furth  the  fciJitei  bd 
t  for  pitee  that  he  had* 
ittf  had  herd  the  feiotes  lore 
tht  turmcntourcs  leve, 
hsthoui  withotttcn  more; 
r  prrching  cw  that  it  were  cvc 
D  fro  the  turmcntourtto  revc, 
xinic,  and  fro  his  folk  eche  on, 
rtb,  to  trovve  in  God  alontf. 
nej  whan  it  waa  waxen  night, 
m  that  hem  criflened  all  yfcrc ; 
f>d  whan  daj  waft  waxen  light 
faid  wnh  a  ful  fledfaft  cherc, 
m  owcc  knightcs  Icvc  aod  dcrc, 
Kthe  wtrrkcf  of  dcrkcncflc, 
^k  In  armcsof  brightndTc. 
Ryth  ydoD  a  g^rct  bataille ; 
i  «loo  ;  jour  faith  hath  y^u  conferved ; 
aptiDc  of  lif  that  may  no:  faille  t 
^■^,  which  that  y?  han  fzrvcd, 
■po,  a$  ye  han  it  deferred, 
hU  thing  wai  CalS  as  I  devi& 
iCBi  forth  to  don  the  facriiice. 

wcren  to  the  place  ybf ought, 
f  the  concluAoun, 

?  »c  facrtficc  right  rotighc, 
I  they  fctten  hem  adoun, 
teand  fad  devotiotm, 
Wth  hir  hed^s  in  the  pWe :      « 
reatcti  to  the  King  of  grac«« 
imoa,  that  faw  th  14  thing  be  tide, 
I  urcM  told  it  anon  right 
B|akti  faw  to  hevcn  glide 
Mai  of  ctcrcncile  and  of  light, 
n  word  cod  verted  cnany  a  wight, 
i]iiwchiu»  did  him  to^etc 
\  Ird  til  he  his  lif  gao  letc, 
Dkc  and  baricd  bun  an  to 
I  Valerian  foftcly, 
jiDg  place,  under  the  fton  ; 
lAlmschiui  hazily 

f  ei  fetchcn  openly 


Cecilc,  fo  that  flic  might  m  hli  prcfcncc 
Don  facrificc,  and  Jupiter  cocetife. 

But  thty»  converted  at  hire  wife  lore, 
Wcpten  ful  fore,  and  yaven  ful  credence 
Unto  hire  word,  and  cricdcn  more  and  more 
CrUl,,  Goddcs  fonc,  wichou ten  difference, 
U  vcray  God,  thi^  it  all  our  fentcnce. 
That  hath  fo  good  a  fcrvant  him  to  fcrvc  t 
Thu»  whh  o  rois  we  trowcn  though  wc  ftrnre. 

Almachiui,  that  herd  of  thii  doing, 
Bad  fctchen  Cecilc,  that  hv  might  hire  fee  : 
And  aldcrfirft,  lo,  this  was  hi»  aaing  j 
Whit  maner  woirjun  art  thou  I  quod  he. 
I  am  a  gentilwontan  borne,  quod  fhc 
I  axe  thfc,  quod  hc^  though  h  thee  grevc. 
Of  thy  religion  and  of  thy  btlcte* 

Why  than  began  yoor  queflion  foOIy, 
Quod  fhc,  thatwolded  twoanfwcr*  conclude 
!n  o  demand  ?  Yc  a-ccn  lewcdly, 
Almachc  anfwcred  to  that  fimilitude. 
Of  whcnnca  cometh  thin  anfwcring  fo  rude  * 
Of  whcnncs?  (quod  (h'-%  whan  that  (he  wa*  friened) 
Of  confciencc,  and  of  good  faith  unfeined. 

Almachius  fdd ;  ^^e  takeft  thou  non  hcde 
Of  my  power  ?  And  fhe  him  anfwtird  thii  j 
Your  might  (quod  flic)  ful  lilcl  is  to  dredc. 
For  every  mortal  m;mncs  powrr  11 'i^ 
But  like  a  bladder  lul  of  wind  Ywlt^ 
For  with  a  ncdlcs  point  whan  it  is  blow 
May  all  the  hqfl  of  it  be  laid  ful  bw. 

Ful  wrongfully  bcgonncft  thou,  (quod  he) 
And  yet  in  wrong  is  all  thy  pcrftvcrajicq  ; 
Woft  thou  not  how  our  mighty  princej  free 
HiiTC  thus  commanJ'^d  and  made  ordinance 
That  every  Criftcn  wight  thai  han  penance 
But  if  that  he  his  Crillcndomc  withfcye^ 
And  gon  al  quite  if  he  wol  it  rcncyc  ? 

Your  princes  errcn,  ai  your  nobley  doth, 
QuoH  tho  Cecile,  and  with  a  wo<id  fcateticc 
Yc  make  u»  gihy,  and  it  i*  not  fcth ; 
For  ye,  that  knowen  wcl  our  innocence, 
For  as  mochc  at  wc  don  ay  reverence 
To  Crift,  and  for  wc  here  a  Criflcn  r^'ne^ 
Ye  put  on  us  a  crime  and  eke  a  blame. 

But  we,  that  knowen  iluike  name  fo 
For  vcrtuoua,  wc  may  it  not  withlJcyc. 
Almache  pifwercd;  Chcfe  on  of  thife  ii«:o, 
Do  facrificc,  or  Criflcndoin  rcneyc, 
That  thou  mow  now  cfcapcn  by  that  wey. 
At  which  lliis  holy  blisful  fayrc  maid 
G^n  for  to  laughe^  and  to  tltcjugc  (aid; 

Ojugc!  confufe  in  thy  nicetec, 
Woldeft  thou  that  I  rcncyc  innocence  f 
To  makcn  mc  a  wickod  wight  (quod  (he) 
1,0,  he  diihmulclh  here  in  audience, 
He  flareth  and  wodcth  in  his  advcrtcficci 
To  whom  Almachluft  faid,  U u fc I y  wretch  T^ 
Nc  wofl  thou  not  how  far  my  might  may  ilrctch  I 

Han  not  our  mighty  princet  to  me  yevca 
Y-t  bothc  power  and  ckcaudorltee 
To  makco  folk  to  dcin  or  to  liven  f 
Why  fpekcffc  rhou  fo  proudly  thari  to  me  ? 
I  nc  fpcke  ngught  but  flcdf^IUj',  quod  flif. 


} 


THE    SECOND    KONKES   TALK. 


Not  proude!y,  for  1  fay,  a»  for  ray  fide 
Wc  hatcn  dcdly  thilkc  vjcc  of  pride. 

Aad  if  thou  drcdc  not  a  foth  for  to  here 
Than  wol  1  Ibtwc  al  openly  by  right 
That  thou  hail  made  a  ful  grtt  UCmg  here. 
Thou  faifl  ihypriticcs  hau  thee  ycvcn  might 
Both  for  to  flee  and  for  to  qukkto  a  wight. 
Thou  that  nc  maift  but  only  lif  bcrcvc 
Thou  hafl  non  other  power  ne  no  Icve. 

But  thou  maiilfayn  thy  prince*  han  thct  makcd 
Mini  {I  re  of  Deth,  for  if  chou  fpcke  of  mo 
Thou  lie  ft,  for  diy  power  is  ful  naked. 
Do  wty  thy  boldticHe)  faid  Almachius  tho, 
And  facrifice  to  our  goddes  cr  thou  go, 
I  recite  not  what  wrong  thut  thou  me  proffre^ 
For  I  can  fuflrc  it  as  a  philofophrc. 

But  thilkc  wroogcs  may  I  not  c&durc 
Tbut  tliou  fpcli(;£k  of  our  godde^i  here,  cj^uod  he. 
Cccilc  aiifn^  erd  \  O  nice  cn-uturc  ! 
Th'>u  faideft  no  word  fin  thou  fpake  to  mc 
'J'hat  I  ne  knew  thcrwith  thy  nicciee, 
Ard  that  tliou  w*erc  in  every  maner  wife 
A  k\^  cd  oflicer,  3  vain  jufliee. 

Ther  hckcth  nothing  to  thin  utter  eycn 
That  thou  n'art  blind  j  for  thing  that  wc  fecn  alk, 
That  is  a  fton»  that  men  may  we  I  cfpien, 
That  like  fton  a  god  thou  wolt  it  calle  ; 
1  rede  ihec  let  thin  bond  upon  it  fiUc, 
And  uH  it  welt  and  ilon  thou  ihalt  it  find, 
Sin  that  thoti  Iccil  rot  with  thin  t  yen  blind. 

It  is  A  fhame  that  the  peple  ftial 
So  fcorncn  thcCj  and  laugh  at  thy  folic. 
For  comunly  men  wot  it  wcl  o%'cr  al 
That  mighty  Cod  i*  in  hi*  hcvrn*  hie; 
And  thi!e  images,  wel  muii  thou  efpie. 
To  thee  nc  la  nemlclf  may  not  prufite. 
For  in  cflcd  they  be  not  worth  a  mite. 

Thife  and  ivs  khc  other  wordc*  did  flie. 
And  he  wcx  wrctb^  uud  bade  men  [bnldc  hire  kde 
J 


.teKaqfl 

chafl«H 

aoct  ^B 


Home  til  hire  houi,  and  in  hire  Hom  | 
Brcnnc  hire  right  in  a  bath  with  6amcs  rcdc- 
And  as  he  bade  right  fo  was  doo  the  dcde. 
For  in  a  bathe  they  gnnDe  hire  fa(U  fbettca* 
And  night  and  day  gret  £re  they  nndo'  bettiSB, 

The  longc  night,  and  ck«  a  day  aHb, 
For  all  the  §re,  and  eke  the  bathes  helc, 
She  fate  al  cold,  and  felt  of  it  no  wo ; 
It  made  hire  not  a  drope  for  to  fweie  ; 
But  in  that  bath  hire  lif  (he  muflc  Ictje, 
For  he  Almachc  with  a  ful  wicke  cntesit 
To  flcen  hire  In  the  bath  hit  fonde  fent. 

Three  AroVes  in  the  nrlkf  be  fmote  1 
The  tuTmcntour,  but  for  no  mantr  ch 
He  mighte  not  {mixe  all  hire  nckke  »rwo  ^ 
And  for  ther  was  that  time  an  ordinance 
That  no  man  flbulde  don  man  fwiche  i 
The  fourthe  Aroke  to  fmitcn  foft  or  tore, 
Thi»  turmentour  nc  dorfle  do  no  more  ;  . 

But  half  ded,  with  hire  nckkc  ycoprcii  did 
He  left  hire  lie,  and  on  hii  way  i%  went  :  j 
The  Crimen  folk  which  that  about  hise  Wi 
With  Ihcte^  han  the  blood  ful  faire  yheoti 
Three  daycs  lived  fhe  in  thtt  turment^ 
And  never  ccfcd  hem  the  faith  to  tc  ' 
That  fhc  had  foftred  hero  ftic  gan  t^ 

And  hem  fhe  yaf  hire  meb&s  a]s| 
And  to  the  Pope  Urban  betoke  hem  t 
And  faid|  I  aaed  this  of  hcven  King 
To  have  rcfpit  three  daye^andno  bm^ 
To  rccommtuid  to  you  or  that  I  go 
Thifc  fouks,  lo,  and  that  I  mi;-^  •  ^-  -- 
Here  of  min  houfe  perpetucll 

Scjtit  Urban  with  hit  dckect    , j 

1  he  body  fctte,  and  huricd  it  by  nighl 
Among  hii  other  feinte«  honcflly, 
Hire  hoiw  The  Chcrchc  of  Sc 
Siint  Urban  haJowcd  ii  as  he  v. 
In  which  ucto  this  day  in  noble  wIl 
Men  don  to  Cfiik  and  to  bh  jfintc  krtil 


■         T«E  CHANONES   YEMANNES   PROLOGUZ.                     lif       1 

L  c„.»».  v»»«».  „o.oo„.  J 

^Mriif  VIS  the  liTof  S^3;xic  cccur. 

And  ye  him  knew  al  fo  wcl  as  do  I                ^^^^B 

^^^B^follf  ^'^t:  mile. 

Yc  woldcrn  wondrc  how  wcl  and  craftily                ^H 

^HRiilrr-BIee  m  ^ti  atalu: 

He  coudc  werkc,  and  thae  in  fondry  wif^  i               ^| 

clothe il  win  in  cbthf*  hUkc, 

Kc  hath  take  on  him  many  a  ^ct  emprifc,               ^| 

nhe  he  vncred  a  white  Jarplii. 
^  whith  th«t  wai  al  pomdce  gri*, 

Which  were  ful  harde  for  any  that  14  bcr«       ^^^^H 

To  liring  about  but  they  of  him  it  l^^rc.         '^H^H 

n  tt  weodcr  wa*  to  ice; 

At  homely  as  he  ridcth  amou^iu  you             ^^^^^| 

It  badprikcd  mile*  three. 

If  yc  him  knew  it  wold  bo  fot  your  prow  1    ^^^^B 

« ifc.«  UU  Yenun  rode  upon 

Ye  woldtn  not  forgon  hiitccjUAintancc                   ^H 

nan                    ^u  he  goo  : 

FormochJgoodf  Idjr                *  il4ntc            ^^^^H 

ffrel                    omchilliic; 

All  that  I  have  b  my                                       .^^^^^ 

>r--                   .,  «,  ipic. 

He  is  a  man  of  hijfh  d....   -..                            ^^^^H 

•                    cropcrliy. 

1  warne  you  wcl  he  Ij  a  p^fling  min.                      ^^M 

t                  i  litcl  array; 

Wcl,  quod  our  Hoilc,  1  pray  thee  tell  mc  than     ^U 

ibmnicr  rode  ihi*  worthy  min* 

Is  he  a  ckrk  or  non  ?  Tell  what  tu  is,                      ^H 

fftc  wondren  I  begun 

Nay,  he  is  g^reter  than  a  clerk  ywis,                     ^| 

!  w*i,  til  thai  I  tmdcrilodc 

S;iide  this  Yemin,  and  in  wordcs  fcwc,                    ^M 

doke  was  Toxvcd  to  hia  hodf, 

Hofle,  of  hi^  craft  fomwbat  1  wol  you  flicwc.         ^M 

kivi  1  hid  lon^  avil^d  me 

J  fay  my  lord  can  fwiche  afultikeei                    ^H 

fomc  chaooD  for  to  be. 

(But  all  hi«  craft  yc  ni^oun  not  wrtc  of  me^              ^H 

at  hi*  back  doun  by  a  b;, 

1  Artd  fomwhat  help  I  yet  to  hii  wcrkin^)                ^H 

Men  more  O1.111  troi  or  pa* ; 

That  all  the  ground  on  which  we  hen  riding,         ^H 

iked  like  as  he  were  wode. 

Til  that  we  come  to  Canterbury  tuun,            ^^^H 

he  had  laid  under  his  hode 

He  coud  al  dene  turner  up  fo  doun,              ^^^^^| 

id  for  to  kep?  his  he  J  fro  hct : : 

And  pave  it  all  of  (liver  and  of  gold.              ^^^^^| 

re  for  to  fccn  him  fwctc  j 

And  whan  this  Ycman  had  thi*  tak  ytolJo          ^H 

iroppcd  as  a  ftili«oric 

ITnto  OUT  Hoftc,  he  faid  BmeJf^'irt                          ^H 

|»l»otainc  cr  <if  paritorie. 

Thi%  thing  i&  wonder  mervaillotis  to  me,                ^^| 

lat  he  was  come  he  gsui  to  crle» 

Stn  that  thy  lord  is  of  fo  ht^h  prudence,                ^^| 

g>d  he)  thi»  joly  compaj^'it' ! 

Bccanfe  of  which  men  ftiuldc  him  reverence,         ^^| 

rikcd  (quod  he)  for  your  lake^ 

That  of  his  worlhip  rckkctli  he  fo  lite ;                   ^^| 

1  w"^'i^^"''  ^*'ke. 

His  overcil  iloppe  it  i»  not  worth  a  mite,                ^^| 

ihit  !                    g«ic* 

A»  in  effbct,  to  him,  fo  mote  I  pf\                         ^^^ 

0  w-                   :  curiefir, 

It  ta  all  baudy  and  to-torc  ^Ifo.                         ^^^^^ 

jrcf,  now  III  the  inorwc  lide 

Why  IS  thy  lord  fo  fluttiHi  I  thee  p rcye,         ^^^^^ 

boftelrte  I  hw  you  ride, 

And  la  of  power  better  cloth  to  he  ye,              rVI^^I 

rwd  litre  ray  lord  and  fuverain, 

If  that  Ills  dedc  acorded  with  thy  fpechc  l       ^^^H 

hit  tu  ridco  with  you  ii  ful  f^u 

Telle  mc  that,  and  that  I  thee  befcrhe,                     ^| 

ijliaiicc. 

Why  ?  quod  this  Ycman,  whcrto  axe  yc  mc  ?      ^H 

ycvc  tlic  good  ch»ace. 

God  helpe  me  fo,  for  hc^lhal  never  the  i               ^^H 

,i.ain  it  woldefemc 

( But  I  wol  not  avowcn  that  1  fay,                  .,^^^^1 

d  To  I  nay  wcl  dcmc ; 

And  therforc  kepe  it  fecrec  I  you  pray)         J^^^^l 

J  trc  I  Icyc  J 

II:  15  to  wife  in  laith,  a»  I  helevc  :                  ^^^^^| 

i  1  d  nier/  talc  or  tweie. 

Thin^  th:it  is  ovcrdou  it  vtciI  oot  preve         ^^^^^| 

r'adcn  may  this  compagnic  ? 

Aright,  ub  clcrkc&  fain ;  it  ii  a  '^ice  ;                 ^^^^^| 

rd  ?  Ve^Sire,  withouten  lie, 

Whcrforc  in  that  I  held  him  Icwed  snd  nkc }          ^H 

iud  eke  uf  joUtec          ,^ 

For  whan  a  man  hath  over^rtt  a  wit                       ^H 

imqu^h ;  aifo,  Sire|  Ifnftcth  rac 

Ful  ojt  him  happcth  to  mifuijn  it :               l^^^^l 

1^4                     THE  CHANONES   YEMAKNES   PROLOGUE.                  ^J 

9    doth  my  lord,  and  that  mc  grevtih  fore : 

Which  this  Yeman  fpakc,  for  fufpcaon            ^H 

Gt'd  it  jmcndc  j  I  can  fay  oow  no  more 

Of  mennes  fpeche  ever  had  tbii  chanoo ;         ^H 

Thcrof  DO  force,  good  Venian^  qyod  our  Hoft  ; 

For  Caton  fayth,  that  he  that  gihy  ia               ^^ 

8!n  of  iht  couning  ot  thy  lord  thou  wo  ft 

Demeth  all  thing  be  fpokcn  of  him  ywi* : 

TcUe  how  he  doth,  1  pray  thcc  licrtily, 

1  hat  wai  the  caufc  he  gan  fo  nigh  him  drawe 

S>i  that  h€  i*  fo  crafty  and  To  fly. 

To  his  Ycman,  to  herkcn  all  his  f^wc  ; 

Whcr  dwcllcn  yc,  if  it  to  tellcn  be  ? 

And  thus  he  faide  unto  his  Ycmaio  tbo  : 

In  the  fuh»rb€t  of  a  toun,  qyod  he, 

Hold  thou  thy  pees,  and  fp<kc  do  wordc»  mo^ 

Lurking  in  hemes  and  in  Unc»  hljndc, 

For  if  thou  do  thou  fhalt  it  dcre  abi«  : 

"U' iiL'ras  thife  robboun  and  thife  iheves  by  kinde 

Thou  ftlaufidrcft  me  here  in  this  compagnie. 

Holdcn  hir  privec  fercful  rofidence, 

And  eke  difcovcreft  that  thou  fbuldcii  hide. 

Ah  thry  flxat  dare  no:  fticwcn  hir  prefcnce ) 

Ye,  quod  our  Hoffce,  tcH  on,  what  fo  be  tide  ; 

St*  lATcn  w:,  if  I  fhal  fay  tlic  fothc. 

Of  all  his  thrctening  rccke  not  a  mite. 

y«t,  quod  our  Hoftc,  let  me  talken  to  tKe ; 

tn  faith,  quod  he,  no  more  I  do  but  Uu,            ' 

Why  art  thou  fa  dxfcolourcd  of  thy  face  ? 

And  whan  this  chanon  faw  it  wold  not  be      ^H 

Peter,  quod  he,  God  ye^e  it  harde  grace  j 

But  his  Yeman  wold  tell  his  privetee,            ^H 

1  am  fo  ufed  the  bote  fire  to  Mow 

He  fled  away  for  vcray  forwe  and  ibame.       ^H 

*rbat  it  hath  changed  iny  colour  1  trow  i 

A !  quod  the  Yeman,  here  Ihal  rife  a  gaixie^H 

1  n*am  not  wont  in  no  mirrour  to  pric. 

All  that  1  can  anon  1  wol  you  telle,                 ^H 

But  fwinke  fort,  and  krnc  to  muhiplie. 

Sin  be  is  gon  :  the  fouk  fend  him  quelle,  ^H 
Frr  never  hcftafter  wol  1  with  Kim  m«tc        ^H 

Wt  hluJidrc'n  ever  aiid  poren  in  the  fire. 

Aud  for  all  that  wc  faille  of  our  deHrc; 

For  pcny  nc  for  pound,  1  you  bchctc*               ^^M 

For  ever  wc  lacken  our  cotjclujion. 

H:  that  me  bnoughte  firft  uoto  that  game,     ^H 

To  mochel  folk  wo  don  illufion, 

£r  chat  he  fiie  forwc  have  he  and  OlAme,       ^H 

And  borwe  gold  be  it  a  pound  or  two, 

For  it  is  cruel^  to  me  by  my  faith  i                 ^H 

Or  ten  or  twelve,  or  many  fomme*  mo. 

That  fele  i  wel,  what  that  any  man  faitb;     ^^M 

And  make  hem  wcnen  at  the  lefic  wcy 

And  yet  for  all  my  Imert  and  all  my  rricC,  ^^M 
¥r,r  al  1  my  forwe,  labou r,  an d  tnckbic^           ^^1 

Th^t  of  a  pound  we  connen  maken  twcy  ^ 

Yet  it  it  faUe ;  and  ay  wc  bac  good  hope 

I  roudc  never  leve  it  in  no  wife.                      ^^H 

It  for  to  don,  and  after  it  wc  grope  :      . 
But  that  fciencc  in  lo  fer  uj  bc£c»rne,      • 

Now  wolde  God  my  wit  mighte  fufic«           ^^M 

To  tcUrn  all  thar  loti^'c^Th  to  that  art ;             ^^M 

Wc  mo  wen  not,  althoug^h  we  bad  it  fwome, 

But  iiathclci  yet  w*»i  1  ttlltn  part  t                 ^^B 

It  ovcrtiikc,  it  nit  away  fo  fill ; 

Sin  that  my  lord  U  gon  1  wol  net  fparf  s               1 

It  wol  u»  maken  bcgger*  at  the  I»ft. 

Swichc  tliiug  as  th^t  J  know  I  wol  4cdare.       ^J 

While  thi»  Ycman  wa»  thua  in  his  talking            i 

^^P 

THi»  cb^non  dro«r  him  ucre  and  herd  all  thing 

4 

L„: 

fEMANNES  TALE*.         ■ 

W't«  ibi»  cbanon  I  dwelt  have  fcve^  ycrc, 

And  of  my  fwinke  yet  bfered  is  min  ey«  ;     ^^M 

And  of  b»i  fcienct  am  I  never  the  ncrc ; 

Lo  which  avantagc  is  to  muhiplie !                  ^^M 

A|lthut  1  hadt  have  yloA  thcrby. 

That  Hiding  fcrence  hath  mc  mide  fo  bare      ^^H 

And  God  wot  fo  bi»n  many  mo  than  t 

That  1  have  no  good  wher  that  ever  t  ftrt;  '^H 

Tbcr  I  wai  wont  to  be  right  frcfli  And  giy 

And  yet  1  am  cndcttcd  fo  i  her  by,                      ^^M 

Of  clothing,  and  of  other  goc»i  array, 

Of  gold  that  I  have  borwed  trewely,              ^^M 

Now  may  I  were  an  hofc  upon  min  hed ; 

That  while  1  live  t  flial  i(  quilen  firvcr  i          ^^M 

And  wher  nay  colour  wat  both  frefh  and  red 

L<^t  every  man  beware  by  me  fpr  ever*           ^^M 

Now  it  it  wan  and  of  a  ledcn  hcwc; 

What  man^^man  that  cafteth  him  tKer1%    ^^M 

(Who  fo  it  ufcth  fo  ibal  he  it  rcwc) 

tf  he  continue,  t  hold  his  thrift  ydo ;                ^^M 

So  hclp^;  me  God,  thcrby  (hal  he  nat  winae^^^H 

•  A  |»r»ei  firt4»B^a«.  »*««  "*vft  ot  ita^  wMfc,  W  *f* 
env«t  br  a  ehaswn  itofcttng  the  ail  t»f  fich,  .n|e,  ffttj^* 

Put  empte  hispuffc,  and  make  hit  wit  tea  tkii^H 

__! 

THB  CHAKONES 

YEMAKMES  TALE-                            i6j        j 

un  he  thnrgh  hi»  madnciTc  and  folic. 

Uaflckkcd  lime,  chalk,  and  glcire  of  an  cy,           ^^M 

fi  hisowen  good  thurgh  jupu-tie^ 

Poudrci  divert,  aflics,  dung,  pilfc,  and  clcy,           ^^H 

c  cKciteth  other  folk  thcjto. 

Sered  poketteft,  fat  peter,  and  vitriok,                     ^^^| 

hir  good  M  he  himfelf  haUi  do. 

,  And  diveri  fire*  made  of  wode  und  cole,               ^^| 

D  ikrcwcs  joye  It  U  and  cfe 

,  Sal  tartre,  alcaly,  and  fait  prtrp^irat,                         ^^H 

;  hir  febwes  in  peine  and  difcfc* 

And  combuH  materc*  and  coagulat,                                 ^ 

*U  I  one*  kmcd  of  a  clerk. 

Cky  made  with  hors  and  niannci  here,  and  oik              1 

Of  tartre,  alum,  gki,  berme,  wort,  and  argoik,               1 

re  be  ther  aa  we  ftiiiln  exercifc 

RofiUgar,  and  other  materes  enbibing,                             J 

ifll  craft  we  femen  wonder  wife. 

And  ck«  of  our  nutcres  encorporing,                      '^^M 

tnes  ben  fo  clcrgial  and  cjucintc. 

And  of  our  lilver  cltrtiiation,                                   ^^^| 

he  fire  tU  that  myn  herte  fcintc. 

Our  cementing  and  fermentation,                            ^^H 

m\d  1  tellcn  eche  proportion 

Our  mgottev,  leQes,  and  m^ny  thinges  mof           "^^1 

•c»  whicbe  that  u :  wcrchcn  upon, 

t  wgI  you  tell  a»  was  mc  taught  alfo                  *^^| 

ve  or  fa  uncet,  may  wcl  be, 

The  fourc  fpirjte*  md  the  bodiei  fevene                *^^M 

V  or  fom  other  quaotitee  f 

By  ofdri:,  as  oft  I  herd  my  lord  hem  ocvene*         J^^m 

k  me  to  teikn  you  the  Damet, 

The  ^the  fpirit  Qnickftlvcr  ckpcd  ii,                     '^^^l 

naif,  brent  bonci,  yren  ffjuame*, 

I  1  he  fecond  Orpiment,  the  thriddc  ywii                  ^^t 

o  poudrc  grotinden  ben  (ul  fmal  ? 

Sni  Armoniak,  and  the  Caurth  Brim  (Ion*                  ^^M 

tn  enhcn  pot  how  put  it  ai. 

The  bodies  fevcnc  ckc.  lo  hem  here  anon  :          ^^M 

ypot  iti  and  lifo  pepcre, 
hiic  poudrcf  ihat  I  ipeke  of  here. 

Sol  gold  i»,  and  Luna  (ilvcr  we  threpe,                     ^^M 

Mars  ircu,  Mercuric  quickfilvcr  we  ckpe,             •  ^^| 

1  y  rovered  with  a  Lmipe  of  glai  I 

S&turnus  led,  and  Jupittr  it  tin,                                  ^^M 

Rodic  other  thing  which  that  thcrwai? 

And  Venus  coper,  by  my  fader  kin.                          ^^M 

be  pottet  and  gl^c»  cngluting, 

Thii  curfed  craift  who  fo  wot  exercife                 \  ^^H 

ihc  aire  might  paffen  out  no  thing  t 

He  Ihalno  good  have  that  him  may  fudice,            ^^M 

be  cfy  fire,  and  fniert  alfo, 

For  ail  the  good  he  Ipcndcth  theraboote                   ^^M 

lat  was  made  ?  and  of  the  care  and  wo 

He  kfen  fhal,  therof  have  I  no  doutc*                      ^^| 

hmd  in  our  materu  fubUming, 

Who  fo  that  hileth  uttrcn  hij  folic                              ^H 

BDalgaming  and  cakening 

Let  him  come  forth  and  kmcn  multiplic ;                ^^M 

llt¥«r«  jekped  Mercuric  crude  f 

And  every  man  that  hath  ought  in  his  cofre           •  ^^U 

tir  Hdf^htei  we  can  not  conclude* 

Let  him  appcre  and  wcx  o  philofophre,                    ^^m 

■iCDC  uid  fublimed  mercurie, 

Alcaunce  that  craft  i»  fo  light  to  kre.                         ^^M 
U^Yf  nay,  God  wot  al  be  he  monk  or  Crere,            ^^| 

tiftden  litarge  eke  on  the  porphurie, 

af  thifc  of  unccs  a  certain 

Prcell  or  chanon,  or  any  other  wi^^t^                        ^^B 

ictb  u»  ;  our  Ubour  ii  ia  vain. 

Though  be  lit  at  his  book  both  f.hy  and  night          ^^| 

ber  our  tplrites  afcentioun. 

In  krning  of  chti  elvifh  nice  lore                              ^^M 

nateres  that  hen  &1  fix  adoun. 

AH  is  in  vain,  and  pardc  mochel  more                    .  ^^M 

1  tfur  wcrking  nothing  us  araiUci 

To  lerne  a  lewed  man  thif  fubtiltec  .                       ^^^H 

b  an  our  labour  and  travaiUe, 

Fie  J  rpcke  not  therof ,  for  it  wol  not  be  :                 ^^H 

the  eoH  a  twenty  devil  way 

And  conne  he  Ictterure,  or  conne  he  noxt                  ^^| 

b  which  we  upon  it  lay. 

As  in  eflea  he  (hul  findc  it  all  on,                               ^H 

is  alTo  ful  many  another  thing 

For  bothe  by  two  my  falvatiun                                     ^^M 

tato  our  craft  apperteining, 

Concludcn  in  multiplication                                        ^^M 

1  by  ordre  hem  nat  rcherfcn  can. 

Ylike  wcl  whan  they  have  al  ydo ;                             ^^M 

chat  liunh  Lewed  man, 

This  is  tofajn,  they  failk-ii  botlie  two*                      ^^^| 

1  telle  hero  a«  they  come  to  mindc, 

Yet  for  gate  1  to  maken  reherfaile                           ^^| 

I  oe  cannot  fct  hem  in  hir  kinde, 

Of  waters  corofif  and  of  tiin^k,                               ^^| 

iroDoniak,  verdegrcfe,  bonui. 

And  of  bodies  moHhcatioo,                                          ^^H 

And  alTo  of  hir  induration,                                         ^^M 

iski,  Uid  our  dcfcenforics, 

Oiic«,  iibluiiona,  metal  fufjbk?                                  ^^H 

illette*  and  fublimatoric*,                             i 

To  tellcn  ili  wold  fuiXko  any  Bible                          *  ^^M 

ea  and  alembikea  eke, 

That  0  wher  is ;  whcrforc  as  for  the  beft                   ^^H 

rr  fwiche  ger,  dere  ynough  a  leke, 

Of  all  thifc  names  now  wol  I  me  reit  j                       ^^M 

deth  it  for  to  reherfe  hem  alle  f 

For  as  1  trow  1  have  you  told  ynow                           ^H 

mbifying,  and  boUe«  galfe, 

To  reife  a  fetid,  aJ  lokc  he  never  fo  row.                   ^^M 

£al  annoniak,  and  brimHon, 

A !   nay,  kt  be  ;  the  philofophres  lion,                  ^^M 

bet  ooude  t  tell  eke  cnany  on, 

EliKcr  cleped,  we  kkeo  fail  cchc  on,                          ^^H 

rioine,  valerian,  and  lunarie, 

For  had  we  him  tlian  were  we  fikcr  ynow;               ^^H 

er  fwiche,  if  that  mc  lift  to  tarie, 

But  unto  God  of  heven  I  tnake  avow,                        ^H 

pe»  brcnning  bothe  nighi  and  day, 

For  ail  our  craft,  whan  wc  han  uU  ydo,                     ^^H 

r  about  our  craft  if  that  wc  may. 

And  aU  our  fleight,  he  wol  not  come  us  to  :             ^H 

neb  eke  of  CAlcination, 

^^H 

mcrctalbifi  cation, 

H 

THE  CHANONES  YEMANNES  TALE. 


He  liath  ymadc  us  fpcndeu  mochcl  good, 

For  Corwc  of  which  ;ilmoil  we  wait  en  wood, 

But  that  good  hojiiC  cr>.'pctli  m  our  hcrte, 

Suppoiing  ever,  though  wc  foic  fmcrtc, 

To  ben  rclcvcd  of  l»ini  iftcrward  ; 

fiwidic  fuppotiug  and  Uopi  h  Ihirp  and  hard  ; 

J  wanic  fou  wcl  it  j*  to  kkcn  ever ; 

That  future  /*jB^/bath  made  men  dlfTcver 

III  tiiifttbcrof  from  <ill  that  ever  they  had. 

Yet  of  that  art  they  conne  not  w^xen  lady 

Tcr  unto  hem  it  is  a  bitter  fwete  t 

So  fr.'nflh  it,  for  nc  had  they  but  a  {hete 

Which  that  they  might  wrappenhem  in  a-nlgbt. 

And  a  bratt  to  v^-alkcn  in  by  day-llghr, 

They  woid  hem  fell,  and  fpend  it  on  this  craft : 

They  connc  not  llinten  til  nothing  be  Uft ; 

And  evermore,  wherever  that  theygooi 

Men  may  hem  kennen  by  fmdl  of  briniflon  t 

For  all  ihc  world  they  flinkcn  Ba  a  gotc  j 

Hir  favour  ia  fo  rainmi/h  and  fo  bote 

That  though  a  man  a  mile  from  hem  be 

I'Jie  lavocr  wol  cnfcd  him,  truflcth  mc» 

Ln,  thns  by  fmclUng  and  thrcd-barc  array 
U  that  men  lirt  thi*  folk  they  kuowcnmay  ; 
And  if  a  man  wo^l  axe  hem  privcly 
Why  they  be  clothed  fo  unthriftily. 
They  right  wion  wol  rounen  in  his  ere. 
And  faicn.  if  that  they  efpicd  were 
Men  woldc  hem  He  bccatift  of  hir  fciencc* 
Lo,  thus  thifc  folk  bctraien  innocence. 

Fiffe  over  thh ;  t  go  m jr  Tile  unto* 
Er  that  the  pot  be  on  th^  fire  ydo. 
Of  mclalswhh  a  certain  q^uantitcc 
My  lord  hem  trmpcreth,  and  no  man  but  hCf 
(Now  he  U  gon  1  d«Lre  fay  boldely) 
Eor  a»  men  fain  he  can  don  craftily, 
Algatc  1  wote  wel  he  hath  fwichc  a  uamej 
And  yet  ful  oft  h«  renncth  in  a  blame ; 
And  wctc  ye  how  ?  ful  oft  it  falltth  fo 
The  pot  to-brckcth,  and  farewel  1  all  is  go* 
lliifc  nietiiles  ben  of  fo  grct  violence 
Our  walici  may  not  make  hem  refiHenee, 
But  if  thry  wcrcn  wrought  of  lime  and  Iloo  j 
They  pcrcen  fo  thit  thurgh  the  wall  they  gon, 
And  fom  of  hem  linke  doun  into  the  grotindi 
(Thus  have  wc  left  by  times  many  a  potmd). 
And  Com  arc  fcatercd  all  the  flore  aboutc, 
Som  tepefi  into  the  roof  withoutcn  t!oute. 
Though  that  theyfcrd  not  in  our  fight  him  flicwe 
t  trow  that  he  be  with  u»,  thilkc  (brewe 
In  belle,  wher  that  he  i&  lord  and  llrv, 
Ne  ii  thcr  no  mere,  rancour,  nc  trc. 
MTian  that  otir  pcTt  i«  broke,  as  1  have  fayde, 
E^cry  man  chit,  and  holt  him  evil  apayde  ; 
Som  hyd  ie  waa  long  on  the  Hrt:-making, 
Som  laytl  nay,  it  was  lonjj  on  the  bJowing ; 
(Than  wat  I  ferd,  for  that  was  toin  office) 
Straw !  quod  the  tKridde,  yc  ben  lewi:d  and  nice; 
It  wai  not  tcmpred  aa  it  oughtc  to  be  ; 
Kay,  quud  the  fourthe,  (lintc  and  herken  me  ; 
Kccaufc  our  Bru  wat  not  made  of  bcche 
That  it  the  caufc,  and  other  non,  fo  the  ichc 
I  can  not  tell  whcron  it  wa«  iJong^ 
But  wei  t  wot  grc:  fkr'd  h  ut  amoag. 


What?  quod  my  lord,  ihcfr  n'l*  no  inorc  to  < 
Oi  thife  peril*  1  wol  bewai  c  eftfoDC  j 
I  am  right  liker  that  the  pot  wa<  crafcd. 
Be  a  be  may  be  ye  no  thing  amafed ; 
A*  ufage  is  let  fwepc  tlic  fiorc  as  fwithe ; 
Pluckc  up  your  hcnes,  and  be  glad  and  blitl 

The  muUck  on  an  hef*e  yfweped  waa. 
And  on  the  Acre  ycail  a  cujevaa. 
And  all  this  mullok  in  a  five  ythrowc. 
And  fi/tcd,  and  ypicked  many  a  throwe. 

Pardc,  quod  on,  fomwbat  of  our  tnrtaO 
Yet  it  ther  here,  though  that  we  have  not  alli 
And  though  this  thing  roijhapcd  hath  as  &o«r 
Anotiicr  time  it  may  be  wel  ynow. 
Wc  moften  put  our  good  in  avcntnrc ; 
A  marchant  parde  may  not  ay  endure. 
Truftcth  me  wcl,  in  his  profperitec  ; 
Somtime  his  good  is  dricnchcd  in  the  fee, 
And  fomtime  cometh  it  fauf  unto  the  Jond, 

Pce«,  quod  my  lord,  the  neat  time  1  wol  I 
To  bring  our  cr^t  all  in  another  phte, 
And  but  I  do^  Sires,  let  me  have  the  witc  : 
Ther  was  defaute  in  fomcwhat  wcl  I  wote. 

Anodirrfayd  the  firt!  was  over  bote  : 
But  be  it  bote  or  cold  I  dare  fay  thia^ 
That  we  concluden  evermore  amis ; 
Wc  faille  alway  of  that  which  we  wold  him 
And  b  our  madnefTc  evermore  we  rave^ 
And  whan  we  be  together  cverichoa 
Every  man  femcth  a  Salomon, 
But  all  thing  which  that  {hincth  as  the  gold 
Nc  is  no  gold,  as  1  have  herd  it  told, 
Ne  every  apple  that  i*  f^iire  at  eye 
Ne  is  not  good,  wh*it  fo  men  dip  or  exic 
Right  fo,  lo,  farcth  it  amongcs  u» ; 
He  that  fcmeth  the  wikft,  by  Jefus 
U  moft  fool  whan  it  cometh  to  the  pr«lc« 
And  he  that  fcmeth  trurilis  a  thtfc  : 
That  ftialye  know  or  that  I  from  you  wctdi 
By  that  I  of  my  Tale  have  made  *n  ttuhm 

Ther  was  a  chaooci  of  rcli ;: ' 
Amonges  us  wold  cnkt^  all  ^ 
Though  it  as  grct  were  as  w-it  i^*.ii^., 
Rome,  Alifaundrc,  Troie,  or  other  ihrtf . 
Hi*  fleightcs  and  his  infinite  falfcncfl'c 
*rhcr  coudc  no  man  writen,  a*  I  gefTc, 
Though  that  he  migbtc  live  it  Lhuufind  ytre  ] 
In  all  this  world  of  fslfeac0c  n*is  I. 
For  in  his  termcs  he  wcl  him  fo  wsi      , 
And  fpckc  his  woide*  info  Oic  a  Idt*  Ic, 
Whan  he  comuncn  ihai  wifh  aiiy  wi^ht, 
Tb^t  he  wol  make  '    -     '  ^    t^  anonnght 
But  it  a  fend  be,  -  (s. 

Ful  many  a  man  h^;..  .._  .,^Jcder»h'« 
And  wol,  if  ihit  he  may  hve  any  v 
And  yet  men  gon  and  ridcn  man>  a  ' 
Him  for  to  feke,  and  havchi*  ?^  \::..  .ie-li 
Not  knowingof  hisfalfegovcrw  wi.*.  , 
And  if  you  kft  to  yeve  me  audience 
]  wol  it  tcUen  hcie  in  your  ptefcncc 

But,  worfliipful  fhaii  '        '*. 

Nc  demeth  not  that  I  f « 1  hous^ 

Although  that  my  Talc  i.»  -  v..^i..fa  be  ; 
Of  every  order  fom  flircw  is  pardc 


THE  CHANOKES  YEMANNES  TALE. 


cde  tian  ill  »  compagnle 
inguler  mannei  folic. 
3u  it  DO  thing  mtn  enteot, 

Etbat  it  mit  I  mtm. 
I  only  told  for  yaa 
mo  :  yc  wot  wcl  how 
}rifloi  apoQelci  twelve 
itotir  but  Jtidas  himfcWe; 
m1  the  rcmenani  hive  blame, 
^  c  ?  By  you  I  fay  the  fatnc ; 
-If  yc  vrcJ  hcrken  mc, 
your  covent  be 

iraei  1  you  redc» 

may  c^ufeo  any  drcdc  ; 

difplcfed  I  you  pray* 

L^rkcncth  what  t  fay. 

1  prccil,  an  annucUere  *, 
Ucd  haddc  many  i  ycre, 
lefant  and  fo  fcrvifablc 
thcr  as  he  wa*  at  tabic, 
i  fuScr  him  no  thing  to  pay 
idling,  went  he  never  fo  gay ; 
Ircr  had  he  right  ynow  ; 
;  t  wol  proceed  ai  now, 
h  my  Talc  of  the  chinon 
tlii&  prcefl  to  confuXion. 

ion  came  upon  a  day 
ie%  chambre  thcr  he  lay, 
to  lene  him  a  certain 
£  wold  quite  it  htm  again. 
rkC|  quod  he,  but  daye*  three, 
1  wol  it  quiten  thee ; 
that  thou  finde  me  falfe 
kng  mc  up  by  the  halfe. 
^m  tokc  a  markc,  and  that  as  fwith, 
IO  him  thanked  often  Cth, 
pvei  and  wcnte  forth  his  wcy ; 
idde  day  brought  hii  money, 
icft  be  toke  hit  gold  again, 
irecft  was  wonder  glad  and  faio, 
A  he,  nothing  anoietli  me 
a  noble,  or  two,  or  ihrce| 
Ig  were  in  my  pofTcflion, 

It  of  condition 
ie  he  brcken  wol  hi*  day  ; 

I  can  never  fay  nay. 
kl  this  chanon,  fhuld  I  be  untrcwe  ? 
PC  thing  fallen  al  of  the  ocwc  t 
bg  tliat  I  wol  ever  kcpc 
in  whid)  that  I  (hal  crepe 
Ip  andcllcs  Godforbcdti  1 
M  fiker  at  your  crcdc, 

-jd  time  be  it  fayde, 
yet  evil  apayde 
i,...:   ic  to  mc  lent, 
min  hertt  1  ment. 
he)  now  of  my  prlvetce, 
have  ben  unrn  rnc, 
fo  ^et  gtntilUiTi, 
itcn  with  your  kijiflrncffc 
e,  and  if  yu  liift  to  krc 
picinly  the  mancrc 

..  __  ......_.     _,„.  F..._  .i-.^^rTfce'V' 

I  mi  ir»««n 
»i>ri4vcf- 


ii 


Hovf  1  can  wcrken  in  philofophtc  ; 
Takcth  good  heed,  y«  (hub  welfcn  at  tjc 
That  I  wol  do  a  maiilrie  or  I  go, 

Yc,  quod  the  precft;  ye.  Sire,  and  wol  yc  i 
Mary,  thcrof  1  pray  you  hcrtJly. 

At  your  commandement.  Sir c,  trrwcty. 
Quod  the  chanon,  aodellct  God  forbede. 
Lo,  how  this  tlieiie  coude  hi»  fcrvicc  bedc 

Fd  foth  it  is  that  fwiche  profered  fervicc 
Stinkcih,  as  witncITen  thife  olde  wife, 
And  that  ful  fotie  I  wol  it  verifie 
In  this  chanon,  rote  of  all  trecheric, 
That  evermore  delight  hath  and  gladnelTe 
(Swichc  fcndly  thoughtcs  in  hi*  herieernprelTc) 
How  Criftcs  pcple  he  may  to  mcfchicf  bring  : 
Gnd  kcpc  us  from  hit  falfc  didiniuling ! 
Nought  wiftc  this  precft  with  whoui  that  he  dclt, 
Ne  of  hj»  harme  coming  nothing  he  felt* 

O  fely  prcefl !  o  fcly  innocent !  

With  covetlfe  anon  thou  fhalt  be  blent  ; 
O  gracelea  !  ful  blind  it  thy  conceite. 
For  nothing  art  ihou  ware  of  the  difceice 
Which  that  this  foa  yfliapcn  hath  to  thee  ; 
Hit  wily  wenches  thou  nc  mayfl  not  flee  • 
Whcrfore  to  go  to  the  conclufion. 
That  rcfcrrcth  to  thy  confufion^ 
Unhappy  man !  anon  I  wol  me  hie 
To  tcllcn  thin  unwit  and  thy  folic. 
And  eke  the  falfcncffc  of  that  other  wretch. 
As  fcrforth  as  that  my  conning  will  ilretch. 

This  chanon  was  my  lord,  yc  woldcn  went  } 
Sire  Hofie,  in  faith,  and  by  the  heven  quene, 
tt  was  another  chanon,  and  not  he 
That  can  an  hundred  part  more  fubtiltec  : 
He  hath  betraied  folkes  many  a  time ; 
Of  hi*  falfenefTe  it  dulkth  roe  to  rime  ; 
Ever  whan  that  1  fpcke  of  hij  falihcdr 
For  {hame  of  him  my  cheket  waacn  rede« 
Algate*  they  beginncn  for  to  gltm*c» 
For  rcdcneifc  have  t  non,  right  wcl  [  knowe» 
Jn  my  vifiige,  for  fumes  diverfc 
Of  metals  which  ye  have  herd  me  ncherfc 
Confumcd  han  and  waHcd  my  redncflc. 
Now  take  hede  of  this  ehanoni  curfednene. 

Sire,  quod  the  chanon,  let  your  ycxnan  goa 
For  quikfilver,  that  we  it  had  anon, 
And  let  him  bringcn  unccs  twrt  or  three. 
And  whan  he  com^thaii  failc  fhut  ye  fee 
A  wonder  thing,  which  yc  fiw  never  cr  tlill. 
Sire,  quod  the  preeft,  it  flwl  be  don  ywit. 
He  bad  his  fcrvant  fetchen  him  this  thing* 
And  he  al  rcdy  waj  at  his  biddiug, 
And  went  him  forth,  and  came  anon  again 
With  this  quikfilver,  fliortly  for  to  farn, 
And  take  thifc  unccs  three  to  the  chanoun. 
And  he  hem  laide  wet  and  faire  adoun. 
And  had  the  fcrvant  coles  for  to  bring, 
That  he  anon  might  go  to  hit  werkiOg. 

The  coles  right  anon  wet  en  yfct. 
And  ihit  chanon  toke  out  a  croflclet 
,  Of  his  bt?fomc,  and  fhewed  it  to  the  pr eefl, 
Thii  inflrument,  quod  he,  which  that  thoo  fecft 
Take  in  thyn  bond,  and  put  thyfclf  Uicrin 
Of  thii  quikfilver  an  unce,  at-d  h-.n.  !>rcia 
In  the  name  of  Crift  to  wcj  i 

^  Thcr  be  tut  fcwe  which  that  i  ^   ./fC 


i<S 


tllE   CHANONES  VEMA^Ji^ES  TALE 


m 


K 


To  flicwcn  hem  thui  muchc  of  my  fcicnce ; 
For  here  Ihul  yc  fee  by  ciperieocc 
Thit  thiiqtiikfilver  I  wo]  morttfic 
KigKt  in  your  fight  anon  withoutrn  lie, 
And  ni^e  tt  at  good  filvcr  ui4  sia  fine 
Ai  ther  U  »ny  in  your  purfe  or  mine 
Or  cUci  whtT,  and  make  it  malUable, 
And  dkn  hoUcth  mc  uUc  and  iinftble 
Amon^i  folk  for  ever  to  appcrc. 

t  have  a  prouder  here,  that  cofc  mc  dere, 
Shsl  nuke  alt  good,  for  it  ii  caufe  of  all 
My  conning  v  hich  that  1  you  llicwcn  {halt. 
Voidrth  yoiir  man,  and  let  him  be  thcrout, 
And  fhct  J  he  dorc,  whilt  we  ben  abuut 
Our  privitec,  that  no  man  us  efpic 
'\^''hilc  tiiat  we  werkc  in  this  philofophie, 

All  aft  he  bade  fuiiilled  was  in  dcdc : 
Thi»  ijkc  fcrvant  anon  right  out  ycdc, 
And  hi«  frtaiA<r  fbette  the  dorc  &aoo« 
And  to  fur  bbnur  fpcdily  they  gon» 

Thi»  precft  at  this  curfcd  ghanotii  bidding 
Upon  the  fire  anon  he  fet  thii  thing. 
And  llcw  the  fire,  »nd  befied  him  fuJ  fafl ; 
And  thli  cUanon  Into  the  croiTelct  caft 
A  poudcr,  n*ot  I  never  wherof  it  was 
If  made,  other  of  «halk,  other  of  ghii, 
Or  fomwhat  ellrs  was  not  worth  «  Eic» 
To  blinden  with  thij  prccfl,  and  bade  him  hie 
The  colet  for  to  couchcn  all  above 
The  croffclct,  for  in  tckcuing  1  thcc  love 
(Quod  thitchanon)  thine  owcnhondci  two 
"bhal  wtrkcn  all  thin^  which  that  here  ia  do. 

Gwemii  mtttjt  quod  the  prccfb,  aadwaj>lul  gUd, 
And  couched  the  coIck  ai  the  chanoo  bad  i 
And  while  he  bcfy  wa«  thi*  fcndly  wretch, 
Thif  falfc  chanon,  (the  foule  feud  him  ftuh) 
Out  of  hiibofom  tokc  a  hcchcn  cole, 
lu  wljch  ful  fubtiUy  was  made  tut  hole* 
And  therinput  wa»  of  filvcr  limaiJe 
An  uncc^  and  flopped  wa*  withoutcn  failc 
The  hole  with  wax  to  keep  the  timailc  in. 

And  undcrilandcth  that  thif  falJ'c  gin 
Wa» not  made  ihrr,  bur  it  wa*  made  before; 
And  other  thinge*  i  ihall  tell  you  more 
llercafttrward  which  that  he  with  him  brought; 
Er  he  came  thcr  him  to  bcgile  he  thought^ 
Andfo  he  did  or  that  they  went  atwin; 
i'il  he  had  torned  hitn  coud  he  not  blio. 
k  dulleih  mc  whan  that  I  of  him  fpckc ; 
f  )n  hi»  f4Lihede  fain  wohi  I  me  awreke 
If  I  will  how;  but  he  j«  here  and  thcr  : 
I  le  ii  fo  wiaunt  he  abit  no  whcr. 

Bur  taketh  hcde.  Sires,  now,  for  Ooddei  iovc. 
He  loke  hit  cole,  of  wJiich  I  Ip^ikc  abuvCi 
And  in  hi«  bond  he  bare  it  pr»?ely, 
And  whilct  the  preeft  couched  belli y 
The  cole*,  a»  I  tolde  you  cr  thia, 
Tlus  Chanon  fayde ;  Freud,  ye  don  ami*  i 
Thii  if  not  couched  at  it  ought  to  be. 
But  fooe  1  ft>*i  amenden  it,  quod  he. 
Now  let  me  meddle  therwith  but  a  whUCi 
For  of  yog  have  1  pitce  by  Scint  Gilc. 
Ye  ben  right  hot  j  I  fee  wel  how  yc  fwctc  | 
IUtc  here  a  cloth  and  wipe  away  the  weie, 
vli»J  whilei  that  the  precft  wiped  hi»  face 
7»i#  chmooa  tokc  bit  cole  with  fory  gncc. 


I 


And  laied  it  above  on  the  mid  ward 

Of  the  croifclet^and  blew  wcl  afterward, 

l*il  that  the  colei  goonen  fail  lo  bren. 

Now  ycve  ub  drinke,  %uod  Ihia  chanon,  tKeii4 
As  fwithe  all  fhall  be  wet  I  undertakie : 
Sitte  we  doun»  and  let  u>  mery  make* 
And  whannc  that  this  chanonci  bcchen  cole 
Wci  brent  all  the  hmaile  out  of  the  hole 
Intu  the  crofielct  anon  fell  adoun  ; 
And  fo  it  niullc  ncdc$  by  refoun, 
Sin  it  above  fo  even  couched  was. 
But  thercif  will  the  prcefl  nothing,  ilisl 
He  denied  all  tlie  coles  ylike  good. 
For  of  the  Oeight  he  nothing  uiidcrftood, 

And  whan  this  alkymiHrc  faw  htAtlme, 
Rifcth  up,  Sire  Precft,  quod  he,  and  ftoodeth  byai 
And  fur  1  wotc  wcl  ingot  have  ye  non, 
Goth,  walketh  forth,  and  bringcth  a  chalk  ft^ 
For  t  wol  make  it  of  the  fdme  (hap  ^M 

Th.it  is  an  ingot,  if  1  may  have  hap  ;  ^M 

Bring  eke  with  you  a  brJ)e  or  elles  a  panne 
Fut  of  water,  and  ye  fiiul  wcl  fee  tiiannc 
How  that  our  bcfinclTc  fhal  thrive  and  prrrr : 
And  yct»  for  yc  ihul  have  no  mifbeicre 
Ne  wrong  conceit  of  mc  in  your  ahfeooe^ 
1  nc  wc^l  not  ben  out  of  your  prefence^ 
But  go  witli  yoUf  and  come  with  you  again. 

The  diambrc  door,  fhortly  for  to  fain, 
They  opened  and  Ihci,  and  went  hir  wcy. 
And  forth  with  hem  tht-y  caricd  the  key. 
And  camcn  again  withouten  any  delay. 
What  fhuld  I  tarien  aU  the  longc  d4y  f 
He  toke  the  chalk,  and  (hope  it  in  the  wife 
Of  an  ingot,  a»l  ihal  you  dcvifc; 
I  fay  he  toke  out  of  his  owen  Oeve 
A  tciiic  of  iilvcr  (yvcl  mote  he  chcve) 
Which  that  ne  was  but  a  juft  unec  of  weigkt  * 
And  taketh  heed  now  of  hit  curfcd  Height ; 
He  ^op  hii  ingot  in  length  and  in  farede 
Ofthilke  teine,  witltoutcn  any  drcdc^ 
St»  flily  that  the  preeft  it  not  eipidc* 
And  in  hit  ft  eve  again  he  gan  it  hide* 
And  from  the  fire  he  toke  up  his  matcre. 
And  an  the  ingot  it  put  with  mery  cherc. 
And  in  the  water-vefTcl  he  it  call 
Whan  that  him  lift,  and  bad  the  preeft  as  i 
Loke  wh^t  thcr  it ;  put  in  thin  hood  and  | 
*rhou  ftialt  ther  fin  den  filver,  as  t  hope. 
What,  djvci  of  hcUc!  ftjuld  it  cllcs  bcf 
Shaving  of  filver,  filvcr  is  parde. 

He  put  his  hond  in  and  toke  up  a  tein 
Of  (Uvcr  fine,  and  glad  in  every  veme 
Was  thi»  prctft  wh*u  he  faw  that  it  viraafia» 
Goddcs  bleHlng,  arul  hi)  mother 'k  alfo. 
And  alle  Halwes,  have  ye,  Sire  ChanuO  1 
Sayde  this  preeft,  and  1  hir  malifoti, 
But  and  ye  vouchefauf  to  techen  me 
Thit  noble  craft  and  this  fubulitee 
1  wol  be  your  in  allc  that  ever  I  may. 

Quod  the  chaoon.  Yet  wot  1  make  i^f 
Thefecond  time,  that  yc  mo^  taken  hcdcg 
And  ben  expert  of  thit,  and  in  your  i 
Another  day  aftay  in  min  abfence 
This  difcipline  and  this  crafty  fcicnoc 
Let  take  another  unce,  quod  he  tho» 
Of  quiklUvcr,  without  en  wordci  md, 


I 


THE  CHANONES   YEMANNES  TALK. 


i«» 


StenrifK  asje  haTc  don  cr  thii 
:  irthcr  which  ihui  now  filvcr  ii. 
ceil  fatra  bdteth  all  that  ever  be  t2a 
I  thU  chanod,  diU  curftd  maUt 
kth  him,  and  failc  blewc  the  fcrc 
tie  to  the  cfll'd  of  hU  dcHrc ; 
chancn  ri^t  in  tht  inene  white 
raa  dut  pnrcH  eft  to  bcgjic, 
countensDcc  in  hu  bond  hare 
>  Aiklc,  (take  kepe  and  beware) 
ie  of  which  an  ance  and  Dbmor< 
naile  pot  wai,  as  bdbrc 
role, -and  flopped  with  wax  wcl 
t  in  hi«  limailc  every  del ; 
thill  preeft  waa  in  hi»  bcUDcfTe 
^oQ  witli  bit  Rikke  gan  him  dreiTe 
I,  aod  hU  poud^  call  in 
(the  devil  out  of  his  flcin 
to  Cod,  for  hii  falfticde, 
faUe  In  thought  and  dedc) 
above  the  crolTclet, 
liocd  with  that  falXc  get, 
the  coIe«  til  relentcn  gan 
ihe  fire,  as  every  man 
be  wote  wel  it  mote  ne^lei 
the  ilikke  was  out  yede, 
:clct  hailily  it  fell, 
c  Sires,  what  wol  ye  bet  than  wcl  ? 
ihi*  prccil  waft  thui  begilcd  again, 
rught  but  trouthe,  foth  to  fain, 
lad  l\\Al  I  can  not  cipreirc 
c  hi»  mirth  and  his  gbdneffe, 
chanon  he  pfufercd  eftfone 
imkL  Yc,  quod  thochaoon,  fooc, 
e  I  he,  crafty  thou  fhalt  me  6ndc  ; 
wel  ycl  I9  chcr  mor  bchinde^ 
ly  coper  here  within  ?  fayd  he  f 
lod  the  prceft«I  trow  thcrbc, 
bcie  ua  fom,  and  that  aj  fwithe. 
;  Sire,  go  forth  thy  way  and  h  «  thf . 
liiA  way,  and  with  the  coper  he  came 
kanofi  it  in  hit  hondca  name, 
coper  wcycd  out  an  uncc, 
>  my  tonge  to  pronounce, 
nf  my  wit,  the  doublcneffe 
rote  of  all  curfedncfle  : 
^tndly  to  hem  that  knew  him  nought, 
lendly  both  in  werk  and  thuught* 
;  to  tell  of  hii  fatfcnefle, 
yet  woj  I  it  clprcflTc, 
H  men  may  beware  thcrby, 
other  caufc  trewely« 
bia  coper  into  the  croflelet, 
Src  WA  fwithc  he  hath  itfct, 
l^roder,  and  made  the  preell  to  hloW| 
irerking  for  to  Ooupen  low 
ril,  and  all  n*aa  but  a  jape ; 
lift  the  prccft  he  made  hii  ape  ; 
'  in  the  tngot  he  it  cad, 
loe  put  it  at  the  kft 
id  in  he  put  hit  owcn  bond  : 

ye  bcforen  hond 
die,  he  bad  »  filvcr  teine ; 
it  otzt,  thi*  curfed  hfioc!. 


(Unwcting  thit  prccft  of  hi*  falfc  cr^ft) 
And  in  the  pannen  bottom  he  it  laft, 
And  in  the  water  rombleth  to  and  fro. 
And  wonder  prively  tokc  up  alfo 
The  coper  teine»  (nr>t  knowing  thilke  prcell) 
And  hid  it,  and  him  hcnte  by  the  brc(^, 
And  to  him  fpake,  and  thus  faid  in  hii  game  ; 
Stoupeth  adouo;  by  God  ye  be  to  blame; 
Hclpeth  me  no^,  ai  I  did  you  whilerc  ; 
Put  in  your  hond^and  loketh  ^hat  ia  there* 

This  prccft  tokc  up  thit  (iItct  celne  anon 
And  thanne  faid  the  chanonf  Let  ui  gon 
Wjtli  thtfe  three  teine*  which  that  we  han  wrottghl 
To  fum  goldfmith,  and  wete  if  they  ben  ought. 
For  by  my  faith  !  n'olde  for  my  hood 
But  if  they  wereo  filver  fine  and  good, 
And  that  as  fwithc  wel  prcvcd  (hai  it  be. 

Unto  the  goldfmith  with  thifc  teine*  three 
They  went  anon,  and  put  hem  tn  a  flay 
To  fire  and  hammer  :  might  no  man  fay  nay 
But  that  they  wcrcn  a*  hem  cHight  to  be, 

Thi«  fotcd  p«eft,  who  was  gladder  than  he  * 
Wai  never  brid  gbdder  agains  the  day, 
Ne  nightingale  in  the  fefon  of  May 
Wa*  never  non  that  lift  belter  to  fing^ 
Ke  Udy  lufticr  in  cvolHng, 
Or  for  to  fpeke  of  fove  and  womanhede, 
Nc  knight  in  armc«  don  a  hardy  dcde 
To  ftonden  in  grace  of  hii  bdy  dere. 
Than  haddc  thi«  prccft  thii  iraft  for  to  lerc 
And  to  the  chanon  thus  he  fpakc  and  fcid  ; 
Fur  the  lovt  of  God  that  for  us  alle  ddd. 
And  44 1  may  defervt  it  unco  yon. 
What  IhaJ  thi*  rcceit  ooft  f  tcllcth  me  now. 

By  onr  Lady,  quod  thi%  chanon,  it  if  dere. 
I  warnc  you  wel  that  fave  1  and  a  frere 
In  Englelond  thcr  can  no  man  it  make. 

No  force,  quod  he :  now,  Sire,  for  Ooddei  fjike 
What  Oiall  1  pay  ?  tellcth  mc  I  you  pray. 

Ywis,  qnod  he,  it  is  fvi  dere  I  fay» 
Sire,  at  o  word,  if  that  you  hSi  tt  have 
Ye  (hal  pay  forty  pound,  fo  God  me  fave; 
And  n*en;  the  frendftiip  that  ye  did  er  thia 
To  mc  ye  fliuldcn  paycn  more  ywis. 

Thit  prccft  the  ium  of  fourty  pound  anoQ 
Of  nobles  fet,  and  coke  hem  evcnch  on 
To  this  chanon  for  this  iike  reccit. 
All  bit  wcrking  n*a8  but  fraud  and  deceit. 

Stre  Preeft,  he  faid,  I  kepe  for  to  have  no  loot 
Of  my  craft,  for  I  wold  it  w^re  kept  cloot, 
And  ai  ye  love  mc  kepeth  it  fccree. 
For  if  men  knew  en  all  my  lubtittcc. 
By  God  they  woldeti  have  fo  gret  en  vie 
To  mc,  bccaufc  of  my  pi  tlofoj  hie, 
I  ihuld  be  dcd,  that  were  non  oturr  way. 

Qod  it  forbede,  quo<l  the  preeft,  what  yc  fay ; 
Yet  had  T  lever  fpcndcn  A\  the  good 
Which  that  I  have  (and  tlics  were  I  wood) 
Than  that  yc  fiiuld  fallen  in  fwiche  mifchefe. 

For  your  good  will,  Sirc,have  ye  right  good  preic. 
Quod  the  chanon  \  and  farcwcl,^ffW  mrrty. 
Be  went  hit  way,  and  never  the  prccft  him  f»ry 
After  that  day.  And  whan  that  thit  prccft  ftiold 
Maken  ufliy,  at  fwiche  time  at  he  wold, 


I 


ffd 


THE  CHANONES  YEMANNES   TALE. 


Of  thUrcceit,rarcwcl!  ic  n'old  not  be. 
I,o»  thui  bcjaped  and  begiled  wa*  he ; 
Thu»  miikcth  he  his  introdu^on 
To  brmgcn  folk  to  hir  dcftrudiou. 

Cotifidcrcth,  Sires,  how  that  in  echc  cftat 
Betwixen  men  and  gold  thcr  ii  debate 
60  fcrforth  that  unncthcs  i»  thcr  non. 
This  multiplying  fo  blint  many  on 
That  in  good  faith  f  trowe  that  it  be 
Xhe  caul'e  grcteft  of  Twichc  fcarfitcc- 
Thifc  philofophret  fpckc  fo  miftily 
In  thi»  craft  that  men  cannot  come  therby 
For  any  wit  that  men  have  now  adaycs  * 
Tbcy  mow  wel  chatcrcn  as  don  thifc  jayci, 
And  in  hir  tcrmcs  fct  hir  I  Ltd  and  peine « 
But  to  hir  purpo*  fhul  they  never  attcine. 
A  man  may  lightly  Icrne,  if  he  have  ought. 
To  multiplic  and  brln^  his  good  to  nought. 
L.O,  fwichc  a  lucre  i»  in  this  lufty  game 
A  mannes  minh  it  wol  tnrac  al  to  grame, 
And  cmptien  alfo  grct  and  hcvy  purfca, 
And  maken  folk  C»r  to  purchafen  curfes 
Of  hem  that  han  therto  hir  good  ylcnt. 
O,  fy  for  fhamc!  they  that  han  be  breot^ 
Alas!  can  they  not  flee  the  fire»  hctc  f 
Yc  that  it  ufe  1  rede  that  yc  it  Ictc, 
X»cft  yc  lefe  all;  for  bet  than  never  i»  late : 
Kcver  to  thriven  were  to  long  a  date  : 
Though  ye  proll  ay  yc  fliul  it  never  find  ; 
Ye  ben  as  bold  as  h  Bayard  the  blind. 
That  blondereth  forth,  and  peril  caffccth  non  ; 
He  is  as  bold  to  renne  agains  a  floa 
As  for  to  go  bcfidcs  in  the  way  ; 
So  farcn  yc  that  multiplien  I  fay. 
If  that  your  eyen  cannot  fccn  aright 
Lokcth  that  youre  mind  tackc  not  his  fight. 
For  though  ye  loke  never  fo  brode,  and  iizrc, 
Yc  fhuln  not  win  a  mite  on  that  chafikre, 
But  wa{lcn  all  that  yc  may  rape  and  renne. 
Withdraw  the  fire  left  it  to  fafte  brcnne ; 
Medlcth  no  more  with  that  art  1  mene. 
For  if  ye  doo  your  thrift  h  gon  fal  dene  : 
And  tight  as  (withe  I  wol  you  telten  here 
What  phUolophr«s  fain  in  this  matcrc 

Lo,thus  fAith  Amoldc  of  the  ncwc  toun. 
At  his  RuLrie  maketh  mentioun  i 
He  faith  right  thui,  withouten  any  liCp 
Thcr  may  no  man  Mercuric  mortiCe 
But  it  be  with  his  brothers  knowlething. 

lx>,  how  th4t  he  whiJi  firftc  faid  thij  thlig 


Of  philofophrc^  father  wa*»  Henticf  | 
He  faith  how  that  the  dragon  doutelci 
Ne  dicth  not  but  if  that  he  be  (lain 
With  his  brother ;  and  this  is  for  to  &in 
By  the  dragon  Mercury  and  non  other 
He  anderdood,  and  Brlmllone  by  hU  bn 
That  out  of  Sole  and  I^una  were  ydrawc. 

And  thcrfor,  faid  he,  Take  heed  to  my  tttrtl 
Let  no  man  befie  him  this  art  to  fechc 
But  if  that  he  the  ententionand  fpeche 
Of  philofophrcs  underflotiden  can. 
And  if  he  do  he  is  a  Icwcd  man ; 
For  thisfcience  and  this  conning  (quod  hi) 
U  of  the  fccrec  of  fccrccs  parde. 

Alfo  thcr  was  a  difciplc  of  Plato 
That  on  a  time  faid  his  maifter  to, 
Ai  hi*  book  Senior  wol  here  witncfle. 
And  this  was  his  demand  in  fothfailncfrc, 
Telle  me  the  name  of  thilke  privee  (Ion* 

And  Plato  anfwerd  unto  him  anon  i 
Take  the  flon  that  Titanos  men  naznv. 
Which  is  that  ?  quod  he,  Magnctia  is  the  i 
Saide  Plato*     Ye,  Sire,  and  is  it  thus  ? 
This  ts  i^ottim ptr  ignotitu^ 
M''hat  is  magnctia,  good  Sire,  T  pray  ? 

]r  is  a  water  tliat  is  made,  I  fay. 
Of  the  clcmcntesfoure,  quod  Plito. 
1>II  me  the  rote,  good  Sire,  quod  he  tho. 
Of  that  water,  if  that  ic  be  your  wilt 

Nay,  nay,  quod  Plato,  certain  that  f  n'lU  I  * 
The  philofophrcs  were  fwomc  evcrich  on 
That  they  ne  (huld  difcover  tt  unto  non, 
Nc  in  no  book  it  write  in  no  mancrt, 
For  unto  God  it  is  fo  lefe  and  dere 
That  he  wol  not  that  it  difcovered  be 
But  wher  it  Liketh  to  his  deitee 
Man  for  to  enrpirc,  and  eke  for  lo  dcfci 
Whom  that  him  liketh  ;  lo,  this  is  the  ende« 

Than  thut  conclude  \  \  fin  that  God  1 
Nc  wol  not  that  the  philofophrcs  nevcn  ^ 
Hqw  that  a  man  ihalcome  unto  this  000 ' 
I  rede  as  fur  the  beH  to  let  it  gon  ; 
For  who  fo  maketh  Cod  his  advcrfary, 
As  for  to  wcrkcn  any  thing  in  contrary 
Of  his  wiU,ccttcs  never  fhal  he  thrive. 
Though  that  he  multiply  terme  of  his  Uve. 
And  thcr  a  point,  for  ended  is  my  TaJe. 
Cod  fend  cvzr>'  g^ood  raai:  bote  of  Hi  bale  • 


THE  MANCIPLES  PROLOGUE. 


fc  not  whcr  ftondcth  i  litcl  toun 
that  ycleped  it  Bob-up-and-doun, 
tli«  Blee  in  Canterbury  way  I 
■a  our  hoftc  to  j»pc  and  to  pUj, 
fdc ;  Sirctk,  what  ?  Dun  is  in  the  cure  ; 
ao  cnaa  for  praicrc  ne  for  hire 
ol  awaken  our  fcUw  behind  ? 
lum  might  fut  Lightly  rob  and  bind  : 
r  he  nappcth,  fee,  for  cockes  bones, 
voM  mien  from  his  hori  atonct. 
a  coke  of  London,  with  mefchancc  ? 
I  ceme  fomli,  he  knowcth  hi*  penance, 
(ttzi  teU  a  Tale  by  my  fey, 
^  it  be  not  worth  a  hotel  hcy» 

okCf  quod  he ;  God  ycvc  the  forwc, 
■Tt  to  flcpen  by  the  morwe  I 
vau  ii^u  lleeo  al  night ,  or  an  thou  dronke  f 
||i!lM>ii  with  fom  qucne  al  night  yfwonke 
tkou  mnyik  not  hot  den  up  thin  hcd  f 
coke,  that  was  ful  pale  and  nothing  red, 
I  *i«u  Hoflc  ;  So  God  my  foulc  blcHc, 
im  iallc  on  me  fwiche  hevincfle, 
tat  nthy,  that  n^e  were  lever  lo  flepc 
iic  bc(fc  gallon  wine  that  it  in  Chcpe. 
qttod  the  Manciple,  if  it  may  don  efe 
r^  Sire  Coke,  kod  to  no  wight  difplcle 
that  hire  ridtth  in  thii  compagnie, 
i.t  our  Hoilc  wol  of  hii  curte&c  ; 
i  flow  CY€ufe  thee  of  thy  Tale, 
grood  faith  thy  vif^gc  is  ful  pale  : 
red  dafcn,  fothly  as  me  thinkcth, 
'  I  wot  thy  brcth  ful  foure  ftinkcth, 
wel  thou  art  not  wcl  difpoft  J  : 
thou  ftialt  not  ben  yglofed, 
th,  lo,  this  dronkeo  v^     *  - 
Id  u»  fwalow  anon  ri 
fnouth»  man,  by  thy  f^ilii^i  kus , 
he  lie  fet  his  foot  thcrin, 
brcth  rnfefien  wol  ui  alle  ; 
lluDg  fwtnc  ?  fy.  foul  mote  thee  bafailc  1 
tfiMh  hced,Sircvof  thii  iufly  man. 
fmeU  Sire  I  wot  ye  juft  at  the  fao  I 
I  JBC  tbinketh  yc  be  wcl  ylhapc  : 
'  tikat  yc  have  drotikco  win  of  ape, 
i^whan  men  playcn  with  a  ilraw. 

rpecbe  ihc  coke  waxed  all  wraw, 
"iple  he  g^in  not  fikfl 
J  and  douu  hii  hori  him  cail, 


Wher  u  be  ky  tU  that  metv  him  up  toke  f 
Thijt  was  a  faire  chivachee  of  a  cuke  : 
Alai  that  he  nc  had  hold  him  by  his  ladel  I 
And  er  that  he  agen  were  in  the  f;4dcl 
I'hcr  was  grct  flioviog  bothe  to  and  fro 
To  tift  him  up,  and  mochel  care  and  wa^ 
So  unwddy  was  this  fely  palled  go  A  { 
And  to  the  Manciple  then  fpakc  our  HolL 
fircaufe  that  drinke  hath  domination 
Upon  this  man,  by  my  falvation 
t  trowe  he  lewedly  wol  tell  his  Tale  ; 
for  wer  ft  win  or  old  or  moilJy  ale 
That  he  hath  dronke  he  fpeketh  in  hii  nofe. 
And  fncfcth  faft,  and  eke  he  hath  the  pofe  ; 
He  alfu  hath  to  don  more  than  ynough 
To  keep  him  on  his  cape)  out  of  the  flough 
And  if  he  felle  frnm  of  hii  capel  tftfone 
Than  lliul  wc  allc  have  ynough  to  done 
In  lifting  up  hi*  hcvy  dronken  cors. 
Tell  on  thy  Talc,  of  him  make  I  no  force. 

But  yet,  M^incjple,  in  faith  thou  art  to  nice 
Thu4  openly  to  rcprcvc  him  of  his  vice  ; 
Another  day  he  wol  para¥cnturc 
Rccleimen  thee,  and  bring  thee  to  the  lure  i 
I  mene  he  fpeken  wol  of  fmale  thingci, 
Aa  for  to  pinchcn  at  thy  rekenlnge&. 
That  were  not  honcfl  if  it  came  to  prefc. 

Quod  the  Manciple,  that  were  agrctraefcbcfcs 
So  might  he  lightly  bring  me  in  the  Chare  j 
Yet  had  I  lever  paycn  for  the  mare 
Wliich  he  writ  on  than  he  ihuld  with  me  (bive  : 
I  wol  not  wrathcn  bim,  fo  mote  1  thrive  : 
That  that  I  fpake  I  fayd  it  iii  my  bourd 
And  wetc  yc  what  ?  I  have  here  in  my  gourd 
A  draught  of  win,  ye  of  a  ripe  grape, 
And  right  anon  yc  fhul  fcen  a  good  jape  ; 
This  coke  Ibai  drinke  therof  if  that  I  may  | 
Up  peine  of  my  lif  he  wol  not  fiy  nay. 

And  certainly,  to  tellcn  a«  it  wai^ 
Of  this  vefTeli  the  coke  dranke  fall,  (alas ! 
What  oedrth  it  ?  he  dranke  ynough  beforne) 
And  whan  he  hadde  poupcd  lO  his  home 
To  the  Manciple  he  toke  the  gourd  again  ; 
And  of  that  drinke  the  coke  was  wonder  fajo. 
And  thonked  him  in  fwiche  wife  as  he  coude. 

Than  g.-in  our  Hofte  to  taughen  wonder  loude 
And  fayd;  I  fee  wel  it  is  nccc/fary 
Whcr  that  wc  gon  good  driukc  witli  us  to  cary. 


"ly»  THE   MANCIPLES    PROLOGUE. 

For  that  wol  turncn  rancour  aad  difcfc  j  Worfhip  uid  thonkt  b*  to  thy  deitee. 

To  accord  and  love,  and  many  a  wrong  apcfc  f  Of  that  matcrc  yc  gtt  no  more  of  mc, 

O  Bacchut,  Bacchus  1  btcflld  be  thy  name,  Talc  on  thy  Talc,  Manciple,  I  thee  pray. 

That  fo  caaft  tumtn  cmcil  into  game  ;  I      Wcl,  Sire^  quod  he,  now  hcrkencth  what  I J 


THE  MANCIPLES  TALE*. 


Wmak  Phebui  dwelled  here  in  erth  ^ocm, 

As  olde  bookeimakcn  mcDtloun, 

He  wai  the  moftc  I  ally  bachcler 

Of  all  thii  world,  and  eke  the  be  A  trchcr  : 

He  Uqw  Phiton  the  ferpcnC  as  he  by 

Sleping  agalnA  the  funne  upon  a  day, 

And  many  another  noble  worthy  de dc 

He  with  hU  bow  wrought,  a»  men  mowen  rede. 

Playcn  be  coude  on  every  minftraicic, 
And  Cngen  chat  it  was  a  melodic 
To  hcren  of  his  dcrc  toi*  the  foun  ! 
Ccrtcs  the  King  of  Thebes  AmphiouQp 
That  with  hii  Snging  walled  the  citce, 
Coud  never  fiDEcn  half  fc  wcl  a«  hc« 
Thcrto  he  was  the  femelicHe  man 
That  i&  or  was  fithen  the  world  began. 
What  nedeth  it  his  fcturt  to  dcfchvc  f 
Tot  io  this  world  u'is  non  fo  fairc  on  live ; 
He  was  iherwith  fulfilled  of  gtntilkflc, 
Of  honour^  and  of  parfite  wortliioeffe. 

Thi»  Phebus,  d^t  was  floure  of  bachelerie. 
As  wtl  in  fredom  as  in  cbivalrie. 
For  his  difport,  m  lignc  eke  of  vidorie 
Of  Phiton,  (o  at  tellcth  us  the  ftoric, 
Was  wont  to  beren  in  his  bond  a  bowc. 
Now  had  this  Phebus  in  hts  hous  a  crowe* 
Which  in  a  cage  he  foflred  many  a  day, 
And  uught  it  fpckcc,  as  men  techc  a  jay, 
Whit  was  this  crowe,  as  is  a  fnow-whil  Cwao, 
And  contrtfctc  the  fpeche  of  every  man 
He  coude  whan  he  fliulde  tell  a  taJe  : 
Thcrwith  in  alt  this  world  no  nightingale 
Ne  coude  by  an  hundred  choufaod  d^l 
Stngen  fo  wonder  mcrily  and  weL 

Now  had  this  Phebus  in  hi*  hous  a  wif 
Which  that  he  loved  more  than  his  Uf, 
And  night  and  day  did  ever  his  diligence 
Hire  for  to  pkfs  and  don  hire  reverence ; 
Save  only,  if  that  I  the  foth  jhal  fain, 
Jdous  be  wu^  and  world  have  kept  hire  fain, 

•  l»t»c*but  kevtth  a  white  crow  whkh  can  fpesk  tt  i  jsy. 
The  crow  iccufcih  hb  ¥»*»e»  o«  whiim  h<  wm  tociiealuure, 
tu  luve  piMycii  lalfc  in  W»  ibfence  i  hereupon  wlthsa 
arrow  he  ftiyCT>«>t«  v»ite  bui  a»Tcr  rcpentlnit  uf  ItU  r»Oi- 
ecft  he  isa^ui  revenge  of  the  (;row.    £Vr/, 


For  him  were  loth  yjaped  for  to  be. 
And  fo  is  every  wight  in  fwiche  degree  J 
But  all  for  nought^  for  it  availeth  nought. 
A  good  wif,  that  is  dene  of  werk  and  thoog 
Shutd  not  be  kept  in  oon  await  certain  ; 
And  trewety  the  labour  is  in  vain 
To  kcpe  a  (Hrcwc,  for  it  wol  not  be- 
Thii  hold  I  for  a  vcray  nicetcc 
Tofpillcn  labour  for  to  kcpcn  wives; 
Thus  writcn  olde  clerkcs  in  hir  livesi. 

But  now  to  purpo*  as  1  firft  bcgatu 
This  worthy  Phebus  doth  all  that  he  cm 
To  plefen  hire,  wrning  thurgh  fwiche  pill 
And  for  his  manhood  and  hit  governance. 
That  no  man  fhitlde  put  him  from  hire  gra«e^ 
But  God  it  wote  iher  may  no  man  embnce 
As  todeflreine  a  thing  which  that  Nature 
Hath  nature II y  fct  in  a  creature. 

Take  any  brid  and  put  it  in  a  cage. 
And  do  all  tJiin  entente  and  thy  corage 
To  foUer  it  tcndrely  with  mete  and  djiaJB 
Of  alle  deintees  that  thou  canfl  1 
And  kepe  it  al  To  ctencly  as  thou  may. 
Although  the  cage  of  gold  be  never  fogif^ 
Yet  had  this  brid  by  twenty  thoufand  fold 
L^ver  in  a  forett  that  is  wilde  and  cold 
God  eten  wormes  and  fwiche  wrctchedadb  t  * 
For  ever  this  brid  will  don  his  belin«€c 
To  efcape  out  of  his  cage  whan  that  he  suj : 
His  libcrtce  the  brid  defireth  ay. 

Let  take  a  cat,  and  fofler  hire  with  mtlke 
And  Ccndre  fleOi,  and  make  hire  couche  of  I 
And  let  hire  fee  a  mous  go  by  the  wall. 
Anon  fhe  weiveth  milke  and  flcfh  and  all, 
And  every  deintee  that  is  in  thiit  hous, 
Swiche  appetit  hath  (be  to  etc  the  mows. 
Lo,  here  hath  kind  hire  dominauon. 
And  appetit  flcmeth  difcretion. 

A  (he-wolf  hath  alio  a  vilains  kind  i 
Tlie  lewedefle  wotf  that  ihe  may  find. 
Or  left  of  reputation,  wol  Jhc  take 
In  time  whan  hire  loft  to  have  a  make* 

All  thife  enfamplcs  fpcke  1  by  thije  tmen 
That  ben  untrewe,  and  nothing  by  i 


THE   MANCIPLES  TALI. 


t73 


'.  ewet  a  lilLeroui  ftppetit 
'c^thing  to  pLrforme  hir  ddit 
m  hir  wiYes,  be  they  never  fo  faire, 
rcr  Co  trewCf  ne  (o  dcbonaire. 
1  fo  newc^glc,  with  mcfchance, 
re  ne  coo  in  nothing  have  plcfaoce 
raneth  unto  vertue  any  while, 
i  PhebtUy  which  that  thought  upon  ao  gile, 
red  wu  ior  all  his  jolitce, 
ider  him  another  haddc  Ihc, 
L  of  litel  repuution^ 
i^t  worth  t6  PKcbnt  in  comparifon  ; 
ore  harme  is  :  it  happeth  often  fo> 
lieh  tjier  cometh  mocfacl  h^rmc  and  wo. 
I  £»  befcU  whan  Phebus  wia  abfenc 
if  anoo  hath  fur  hire  temman  Tent. 
rmmao  ?  ccrtei  that  ii  a  knaviCh  fpeche  ;. 
re  It  me,  and  that  I  you  befeehe  ; 

wife  Pbto  fayth,  a»  ye  mow  rede, 
ord  mod  ncdc  accordcn  wtt  the  dcde  t 

Ibiii  tel]cti  prop  rely  a  thing 
Md  mull  coHn  be  to  the  werking. 
hmQutKu  man,  right  thus  fay  I ; 
» no  difference  trcwtly 
t  a  w if  that  b  of  high  degree 
lire  Wdy  difhonefl  (he  be) 
sj  potire  wencbe,  other  than  thia, 
b  be  they  werkcn  both  amis) 
'  the  gcDtii  it  in  edat  abo^ 
il  be  deped  hii  Lady  and  bi»  Love, 
r  lli4t  other  ii  a  poure  woman 
at  be  ctepcd  Kit  Wenche  and  hit  LemtEun ; 
iod  it  wote^  mine  owen  dere  brother  \ 
If  aa  lf>w  that  on  ax  lith  that  other. 
fit  fo  bctwiit  atitlclet  tiraunt 
D  oatLawe,or  elJesa  thefe  erraunCi 
mc  t  lay;  ther  is  aodifcrcnce, 
Jexajider  told  was  thit  fentenee) 
'  ihc  tyrant  ii  of  gretcr  might 
:e  of  mcine  for  to  fie  doun  right, 
rcofien  houi  and  horn,  and  make  all  plain, 
rriorc  it  he  clepcd  a  Capltain ; 
W  theootlawe  hath  but  fmale  meine, 
Lsj  not  do  fo  gret  an  harnie  at  he, 
Dg^  a  contree  to  fo  gret  mefchiefe. 
rlepen  him  an  Outkwe  or  a  Tliefe. 
for  t  am  a  man  not  textuel 
lot  tellof  tcxtei  never  a  del ; 
go  f  o  my  Tale  at  1  began. 
IB  Fhcbu9  wif  had  fcnt  for  hire  leifUEian 
chc7  wroughteo  all  hir  lull  voUge. 
rhitc  crowe»  that  hcng  ay  in  the  cage, 
1  hir  werke,  aod  fayde  never  a  word ; 
rban  thit  home  wai  come  Phebui  the  lord 
r<>we  fong  Ctickow,  cuckow,  cuckow  ! 
tl  brid^quod  Phebut,  what  fong  Ungeflthou 
3T  thou  wont  fo  merily  to  ilog,         [now  i 
lo  my  hcrte  it  was  a  rejoyfing 
re  thy  wou  ^  Alas  !  whst  fong  it  thii  f 
Qiod,  qood  he,  I  finge  not  amis. 
la,  (quod  he)  for  all  thy  worthinelTe^ 
1  thy  bcautee  and  all  thy  gentillcflc, 
I  thy  fong  and  all  thy  minftralcie, 
I  thy  watting,  blcrtd  U  thin  eye 


With  on  of  Utel  reputation, 

Not  worth  to  thee  at  in  comparifon 

The  mountancc  of  a  gnat,  fo  mote  1  thnYe, 

For  on  thy  bcddc  thy  wif  1  faw  him  fwive. 

What  wot  you  more  f  the  crowe  anon  him  tott 
By  fade  tokenet  and  by  wordct  bold. 
How  that  hit  wif  had  don  hire  Iccherie 
Him  to  gret  ibanie  and  to  gret  vi^ie. 
And  told  him  ofk  he  fa  we  it  witlHii^  cyen. 

Thii  Phcbuigan  awayward^for  to  wrien  : 
Htm  thought  hit  woful  hcrte  braifc  atwo ; 
His  bo  we  he  bent,  and  fet  thcrin  a  flo. 
And  in  his  ire  he  hath  hit  wif  yflain  ! 
This  it  the  cfiedl,  ther  it  no  more  to  fain ; 
For  forwe  of  which  he  brake  hit  minftralcie. 
Both  harpe  and  lute,  gitcrne  and  fautrie, 
And  eke  he  brake  his  arwct  and  hit  bowe. 
And  after  that  thut  fpake  he  to  the  crowe  r 

Traitour,  quod  he,  with  tonge  of  fcorpion 
I'hou  hafk  me  brought  to  my  confufion  : 
Alai  that  1  was  wrought  *  why  n*ere  I  dcde ! 

O  dcrc  wif,  o  gcmmc  of  iuflyhede  !  , 

That  were  to  mc  fo  fade  and  ckc  fo  trewe, 
Now  lied  thon  dcd,  with  face  pale  of  hewc. 
Fill  gittelet,  that  durft  I  fwcrc  ywii. 

O  rakcl  bond  I  \o  do  fo  foule  amit ; 
0  troubled  wit,  o  irc  recchclet ! 
That  unadvifcd  fmitcfl  gliteles  : 

0  wautriifL !  ful  of  falfe  fufpecion^ 
Wher  wai  thy  wit  and!  thy  difcrctjon  ? 

O  !  every  man  beware  of  rakcbitiTe, 
Nc  trowc  DO  thing  without  en  ilrong  witocfTc  i 
Smite  not  to  fonc  cr  that  ye  weicn  why, 
And  bcth  itvifed  wcl  and  Hktrly 
Or  ye  do  any  execution 
Upon  your  ire  for  fufpeclon, 
Alat !  a  thonfand  folk  hath  raVcl  ire 
FuUy  fordoo,  and  brought  hem  in  the  mire. 
Alat  ?  for  forwe  I  wol  myfclven  flc. 

And  to  the  crowe,  O  falfc  thefe  !  faid  he, 

1  wol  thee  quite  anon  il»y  falfc  tulc ; 
Thou  fong  whilom  like  any  nightingale. 
Now  Ihalt  thou,  falfc  thefe,  thy  fong  forgon, 
And  ckc  thy  white  fethert  cverich  on, 

Nc  never  tn  all  thy  lif  ne  (halt  thou  fpele ; 
Thu£  (hul  men  on  a  trattour  ben  awreke. 
Thou  and  thin  oiftpring  ever  fhui  be  btake, 
Nc  never  fwete  noifc  fhul  ye  make, 
But  ever  eric  agcina  tempeft  and  rain. 
In  token  that  thurgh  thee  my  wif  it  flat n> 

And  to  the  crowe  he  ftcrt,  and  that  anon. 
And  pulled  hit  white  fclhers  evcrii:h  on, 
And  made  him  blak,  and  raft  him  all  bit  long 
And  eke  hit  fpeche,  and  out  at  dorc  him  flong 
Unto  the  devil,  which  f  him  betake; 
And  for  thit  caufe  ben  alle  crowei  blakc. 

Lordingt,  by  this  enfample  I  you  pray 
Beth  ware,  and  taketh  kepc  what  that  ye  fay, 
Nc  tcUcih  never  man  in  all  your  lif 
How  that  another  man  hath  dight  hit  wif; 
He  wol  you  haten  monally  certain. 
DiO  Salomon,  aa  wife  clerkct  lain, 
Tccheth  a  man  to  kepc  hit  tonge  wcl; 
But,  ai  t  fayd,  I  am  no  tcitncJ; 


?74 


^THE   MANCIPLES    TAX& 


But  nathcles  thus  taughte  me  my  dame ; 
My  fone,  thlnke  on  the  crowe  a  Goddcs  name : 
My  fone,  kepe  wel  thy  tonge,  and  kepe  thy  frend ; 
A  wicked  tonge  is  worfe  than  a  fena  : 
My  fone,  from  a  fende  men  may  hem  bkile.; 
'  My  fone,  God  of  his  ende^es  goodnefle 
Walled  a  tonge  with  teeth,  and  llppes  eke. 
For  man  fhuld  him  avifen  \^hat  he  fpckc  : . 
My  fone,  fill  pften  for  to  mochel  fpeche 
Hat^  many  a  man  ben  fpilt,  as  derkes  teche. 
But  for  a  litcl  fpeche  avifedly 
Is  no  man  flient,  to  fpeken  generally : 
My  fone,  thy  tonge  fhuldefl  thou  refireine 
At  alle  time,  but  whan  thou  doft  thy  peine 
To  fpekc  of  God  in  honour  and  prayere  : 
The  firftevertue,  fone,  if  thou  wolt  lefe. 
Is  to  reilraine  and  kepen  wcl  thy  tonge ; 
Thus  leren  children  whan  that  theybeyonge : 
My  fone,  of  mochel  fpeking  evil  avifed, 
Ther  leffe  fpeking  had  ynough  fuffifed^ 
Cometh  mochel  harme  :  thus  was  me  tisld  and 
In  mochel  fpeche  Cnne  wanteth  naught,   [taught, 
Woil  thou  wherof  a  rakel  tonge  ferveth  ? 
jRight  as  9>  fwcrd  forcutteth  and  forkeryetli 


An  arme  atwo,  my  dere  font !  pght  ft 
A  tonge  cutteth  frendihjp  all  atwo  : 
A  jangler  is  to  God  abhominable; 
Rede  Salomon,  fo  wiie  and  bononraUey 
Rede  Pavid  in  his  Pialmet,  rede  Senek. 
My  fone,  (jpcke  not  but  with  thyn  hed  thoo  bed 
Diifimule  as  thou  were  defe  if  that  thou  bene 
Ajanglour  fpeke  of  perilous  matere. 
The  Flemmg  fay th,  and  leme  if  that  thee  kfl^ 
That  litel  jangling  caufeth  mochel  relL 
My  fone,  if  thou  no  wicked  word  baft  iaid 
Thee  thar  not  dreden  for  to  be  bewraid ; 
3ut  he  that  hath  miifayd,  I  dare  wcl  faio, 
He  may  by  no  way  depe  his  word  again. 
Thing  that  it  fayd  is  fayd,  and  forth  it  goth; 
Though  him  repent,  or  be  him  never  tq  kth, 
He  is  his  thral  to  whom  that  he  hath  fayd 
A  tale  of  which  he  is  now  evil  apaid. 
My  fone,  beware,  and  be  non  andour  uem 
Of  tidings  whether  they  ben  fsHe  or  trcwc : 
Wher  fa  thou  come,  amonges  high  or  bmc, 
Kepe  wel  thy  tonge,  and  thinkr  upon  iht  Off^ 


THS  PERSOMES  PROLOGU|^ 


THE    PERSONES   PROLOGUE. 


Bt  tku  th«  Maadple  Kad  Kit  ule  ended 
The  fonnir  (lo  the  fouth  line  wis.  defceodcd 
Solowc,  tkit  it  ac  wai  not  to  my  fight 
|>r^recft  ninc-aud-rvircniy  at  of  hjght. 
Fwtfc  oC  tlic  dolt  it  w*»  tho,  n  I  gcfTe^ 
Tor  enleven  foot,  ^  Htd  more  or  lelTc, 
My  IhAdow  W3»  zi  thilke  lime  lu  there^ 
'  Of  fwiche  fctt  u  my  Irng^the  parted  were 
to  fim  feet  equal  oi  proportion ; 
Thenvkh  the  mono  exaltation  ^ 
'  1  BKoe  Libra^  a.lw%y  gin  »fccitdc 
I  Ai  we  were  cctring  at  the  thorpei  cnde ; 
r  which  our  Hoftc^  as  he  wa*  wont  to  gic 
in  thii  csw  our  jolly  compagnJe, 
Im  thi»  wife;  Lordingi  ercrich  on, 
'  tackcth  us  no  Tolci  mo  than  on : 
icd  11  tny  fentcncc  and  my  decree ; 
f  trowe  that  we  han  herd  ot  cchc  degree  : 
Alsnod  fulfilled  in  myn  ordinance  ; 
J  pray  to  God  £b  yevc  him  right  good  chance 
TThai  f^Ucth  us  ihi»  Talc  luftilj. 

Sire  Prccft»  quod  be,  art  thou  a  vlcary, 
Or  art  thou  a  Perfon  ?  fay  foth  by  thy  fay. 
^-Jfe  what  thou  be  oebrcke  thou  not  our  pUy» 
I^BFor  e^ery  man  faTt  thou  hath  told  his  T<ile. 
^HJobtikcl  and  (hew  ms  ^  hat  is  ip  thy  male  i 
^B«r  trcwely  me  thinkcth  by  thy  chcrc 
^piioa  ihuldcj)  knittc  up  wel  a  gret  matcrc. 
■    Tdl  u%  a  fable  anon,  for  cocket  bones* 
This  Pcribn  him  aofwerd  al  at  ones ; 
Thou  gctcfl  fable  non  ytold  for  mc. 
For  Poulc,  that  writcth  unto  Timothc, 
Re^cYeth  hem  that  wciven  fothfaftncfle^ 
Am  telUo  &blet  and  fwiche  ¥rretchcdaefle« 
^  Wbx  fhuld  I  fowcn  draf  out  of  my  fift 
|BlinK3fi  1  may  fowrn  whcte  if  that  me  Kfl  f 
B  ^or  which  E  fay,  if  that  you  lift  to  here 
'      Idvnlitcc  and  vcrtuoui  inatcrC| 


And  than  that  ye  wnt  ye^e  me  sudience* 

I  wold  ful  fain  at  Criftcs  reverence 

Don  you  plcfancc  leful,  as  I  can ; 

But  trufteth  wel  1  am  a  fothcmc  man  ; 

I  cannot  gefte^rom,  ram,  ruf,  by  my  letter. 

And,  God  wotc,  rime  hold  I  but  titcl  better  : 

And  therfore  if  you  lift,  ]  wol  not  gloTe, 

1  wol  you  tell  a  litel  Talc  in  profe 

To  knitte  up  aU  thiifefte  and  make  an  cndc; 

And  Jefu  for  hi*  grace  wit  mc  feadc 

To  ftiewen  you  the  way  in  thit  viagc 

Of  thilke  parfit  glorioni  pilgrimage 

That  hight  Jerufalem  eeleftial ; 

And  if  ye  Youchefauf  anon  1  fbal 

Bcginne  upon  my  Talc,  for  which  I  jttuf 

Tell  your  ari»  t  I  can  no  better  &y« 

But  nathelet  this  mcditatioo. 
I  put  it  ay  under  corre^on 
Of  clcrkcijfor  1  am  not  teatuel  i 
I  take  but  the  fcntcncc,  trufteth  me  wd; 
Therfore  1  make  a  protcftatlon 
That  I  wol  ftanden  to  corredion* 

Upon  this  word  we  ban  aflTented  fonc; 
For  11  u«  femed  it  was  for  to  done. 
To  cndcn  in  fom  vcrtuoui  fentcncc. 
And  for  to  yeve  him  fpaee  and  audience* 
And  bade  our  Hofte  he  ihulde  to  him  fay 
That  »lle  we  to  tell  his  I'ale  him  pray. 

Our  Hofte  had  the  wordei  for  us  allc  : 
Sire  Preeft,  quod  he,  now  fairc  you  hefalle  ; 
Say  what  you  lift,  and  we  fliul  gladly  here. 
And  with  that  word  he  faid  in  this  man  ere  ; 
Telleih,  quod  he,  your  meditation, 
Btit  haftcth  you,  the  fonne  wol  adoun  t 
Beth  fruduou»,  and  that  in  titel  fpace^ 
Aod  to  do  wd  God  fpode  you  hit  grace^^ 


THE   PER80NES   TALE^ 


THE   PERSONES  TALE*. 


Oct  fwetc  Lord  God  of  hevcn,  that  no  man  wol 
p«rifh,  but  wol  thai  wc  comcn  all  to  the  know* 
leching  of  him,  sind  to  the:  bljsi^ul  lil  that  i^  par- 
^Inrable,  zmoneflicth  ut  by  th«  prophet  Jcremic, 
that  fayth  In  thii  wife,  StooUeth  upon  the  wE^e&, 
and  fecth,  and  aieth  oi  ihc  oWe  pathcs,  that  it  to 
iky,  o{  oldc  rentences,  which  i»  the  good  wuf,  and 
Wilkcth  in  that  way,aiui  yc  (hul  finde  rcfrdhing 
for  year  foulct.  Many  bco  the  wayci  fpiritucl  that 
Icden  folk  to  our  Lord  Jcfu  Crifl,  and  cothctci^c 
of  glory;  o£  which  mzyc^  thcr  ii  a  f ul  poblc  way, 
uid  wel  covcn»ble,  which  may  not  failk  to  man, 
ne  to  woman  that  thUrgh  fmnc  hath  mifgon  fro 
the  right  way  of  Jrrufalem  cclcilia.1,  and  thU  way 
itdeped  Penance^of  which  man  ChiUd  gladly  her- 
ken  and  en^uercn  with  all  hu  hcrte,  to  wetc  whit 
it  penance,  and  wbeitnct  it  ii  depcd  penance,  and 
Kow  many  maDcresben  of  a^ioni  or  werkingi  of 
pcnmncr,  and  how  many  fpices  the*"  ben  of  pc* 
nance,  mlid  which  thingei  apperteinen  ami  beho- 
ircn  to  penance,  and  which  thinges  diilroubkn 
penance. 

Seint  Ambrofc  fayth,thae  penance  ii  the  plain* 
iDg  of  man  for  the  giit  that  he  hath  doa,  and  no 
more  to  do  any  thing  for  which  him  ought  to 
y>lainc;  and  fom  dodtour  fajnh,  Pcni^nce  it  the 
waymenting  of  man  that  forweih  for  hit  finnc^ 
and  pcineth  himfclf  for  he  hath  mifdon.  Penance 
with  certain  circuraftancet  i»  vcray  repentance  of 
man^that  holdeth  himfclf  in  forwc  and  other  peine 
for  hifi  giltcs;  and  for  he  fhal  be  vcray  penitent  he 
fhal  fir&  bcwailcn  the  fin  net  that  he  hath  don,  and 
Itedfaflly  purpofen  in  hit  hcrte  to  have  (hrift  of 
jrouth,aiid  to  doo  fatiAfa^iuo,  and  never  to  don 
thing  for  which  him  ought  more  to  bewayle  or 
complaint,  and  to  continue  in  go^d  yrerket,  or 
ellca  hit  repentance  may  not  availe  :  for,  at  Seint 
iiidor  fayth,  He  it  a  japer  and  a  gabber,  and  not 
veray  repentant,  that  eftfonet  doth  thing  for 
which  him  oweth  to  repent.  Weping,  and  not  for 
to  flint  to  do  finne,  may  not  availe.  But  nathclet 
men  fhuld  hope  that  at  every  time  that  man  fal* 
Jeth,  he  it  never  fo  oft,  that  he  may  arife  thurgh 
penance,  if  he  have  grace ;  but  certain  it  it  gret 
doute  ;  fciTi  at  faith  Seint  Gregorie,  Unnethct  »- 

•  ftrtm,  ti.  t  ••  State  fiuper  via*,  rt  vM^-Tie^  et  Nrerrn- 
**  ftle  Uc /CfViifif  afi^.tqiik,  qiite  tit  t1«  Ikhu,  et  smbu-^ 
**  Ute  iA  ea  :  ctliiveujcU»fclil|(Cfiu[Q  arttuubui  vctt^u**' 


rlfeth  he  out  of  Anne  that  i«  charged  wtth  Ae« 
charge  of  evilufagc  :  and  thcrforc  repentant  foOk^ 
that  Hriat  for  to  jinne,  and  forlece  dnne  or  that 
finnc  forlcte  hem»  holy  chlrchc  holdeth  hero  ukaf 
of  hir  falvation  :  and  he  that  fmncth  and  vcraily 
repcntcth  him  in  hit  laA  day,  holy  chirche  yet  hiv 
peth  hit  falvation,  by  the  gretc  mercy  of  our  Lotd 
Jcfu  CrlA,  for  hit  repentance  :  hut  take  ye  tki 
Oktrr  and  certain  way. 

And  now,  Gth  I  have  declared  yo«i  what  thi^ 
if  penance;  now  ye  fiiul  underftond  that  thcr  bfo 
three  aAiont  of  penance.  The  firCk  it«  that  a  maa 
be  baptifed  after  that  he  hath  finned.  Sctnt  A»> 
gudtne  fayth.  But  he  be  penitent  for  hit  old  finM 
Bf,  he  may  not  bcginne  the  newe  clene  lif ;  for 
certcf,  if  be  be  baptifed  without  penitence  of  bii 
old  gilt,  he  rcceiveth  the  marke  of  b^tifhie.  bat 
not  the  grace,  dc  the  remiffion  of  hit  uxioe««  til  W 
have  very  repentance.  Another  defaut  la,  thai  ma 
doo  dedlyfintie  after  that  they  have  received  bi^ 
tifme.  The  thridde  defaute  it,  that  men  fallm  w> 
niaJ  finnet  after  hir  baptiimc  fro  day  to  day : 
therof  fayth  Seint  Auguilin,  that  penance  of  good 
and  huniblc  folk  ii  the  penance  of  every  dsy^ 

The  fpicct  of  penance  ben  three,  TkK  oftlC 
hem  It  folcmpQc,  another  it  commune^  wai  te 
thridde  privee.  Thilke  penance  that  ia  Hfr?'^ 
it  in  two  manercs,  at  to  be  put  out  of  holy  chtrtke 
in  Icotoa,  for  llaughter  of  children,  and  fvidle 
mancr  thing  :  another  it,  whan  a  man  hath  fin- 
ned openly,  of  which  finne  the  fame  is  opefiJy 
rpoken  in  the  contrec,  and  than  holy  chix^  ^ 
jugcment  di^reyncth  him  for  to  do  open  pcoaacct 
commun  penance  ia  that  preefbe«  enjoineo  mca  la 
certain  cat^  at  for  to  go  para  venture  naked  on  pal* 
grimage  or  bare  foot :  ptivce  penance  ia  tJiUkt 
that  men  don  all  day  fo?  privce  finoea,  of  whadl 
we  ihrive  u!  privcly^aDd  receive  pnvee  pmaocib 

Now  (halt  thou  underfloud  what  u  PeAotdbi 
and  necefTary  to  every  par^t  penance ;  and  tida 
dont  on  three  thinget,  contrition  of  hcrte«  oooiEC^ 
fion  of  mouth,  and  fati^fadion ;  for  which  favJi 
Seint  John  Chrtfoftome,  Penance  diftr. 
man  to  accept  benignely  every  peine  thai 
enjoined  with  contrition  of  hcrte,  and  flui£t  u£ 
mouth,  with  fati»fa4%ion,  and  wet  king  td  all  auMV 
humilitee.  And  thit  it  fruitful  penance  ayenft  tJut 
three  thinget  in  which  we  wrathen  our  Lord  Jefa 
Crill  I  thii  is  to  fay,  by  dclit  in  ;hiiiktiig,  Vy  s^sh^ 


cVtnj;,  iiiJ^y  wicked  finful  wcrking : 
wicked  gtltca  U  peaancc,  thit 
ned  unto  i  tree. 
:  iluitrt«  tt  contritlofi,  Ihat  hideth 
;  lirrtc  of  hun  th*t  t*  veray  repentant, 
tilc  rote  of  the  tree  htdrth  him  in  the 

H  tiuii  rote  of  contricioD  fp-* '^  t  flaike 

'rtli  Iknnchn  and  kves    i  ,  and 

ftriaflAlon  ;  of  which  t:    :   i  m  hb  I 

Docli  ye  digue  fruit  of  pentt^ncef  for  by 

^wnofw  men  vnderftondi'  and  knowe  this 

by  the  rote  thai  it  hid  in  the  herte 

I  by  the  br»nche*»  ne  the  teve«  of  con- 

•fore  our  Lord  Jcfu  Crill  fj.iih 

of  hem  fhal  ye  knowe   hem. 

fprinjrcih  a  feed  of  ^race,  which 

iikerticlTe,  and  thii  fced  ia  ej:^er 

ace  of  thi*  feed  fpringeth  of  God, 

rcCTiembrAncc  on  the  day  of  dome  and  on 

I  €>f  hcWe,    Of  ihii  materc  feyth  Salo- 

i  the  drede  of  God  man  forlctleth  his 

^Itestc  of  this  ftdc  is  the  Jove  o(  God, 

of  the  joye  perdurable.     This 

*  herte  of  man  to  God,  and  doth 

Ine;  for  foihly   ther  i^  nothing 

fbtc  to  a  child  a*  the  niiike  of 

*o  him  more  abhomtna* 

t   it  tncdled  with  other 

I  msti  chat   loveth  hi« 

I  that  It  is  tu  him  mod  fwete  of 

i  that  time  that  he  loveth  f^ly 

Itanddefircth  the  lifpcrdur^blc, 

^iKMKiiifr  more  abhominahle;  for 

of  God  i»  the  love  of  God  :  for 

c  prophet  faytb,  I  have  loved  thy 

-      '  -•'    ff?  :  he  that  loveth  God 

rd,     Thifttrcc  faw  the 

^         upon  tlic  vifmn  nf  N»- 

r,  whan  he  confeilled  him  to  do  pi> 

nee  ii  the  tree  of  lif  to  hem  that  it 

ndhe  that  hoMcth  himin  vcray  penance 

iiljrr  the  frmtcncc  of  Salomon. 

iuon,  man  ihal  unrter- 

to  fay,  what  i*  contri* 

itiic  ^aufesthat  moven  a  man 

he  Ihuld  be  contrite,  and 

fh  tn  tlsr-  fotikv    1  han  i*  it 

Torwc  thflt  a  man 

it-f,  with  fad  pur- 

t  hftn^^nd  tit  do  penance,  and  never 

ilDne.     And  this  forwe  fhal  be  in 

fayth  Seint  Bernard;  it  fhal  ben 

evout,  and  ful  fharp  aod  poinant  in 

fj^  iin  hath  agiltcd  hts  J^rd  unJ 

re  fharpc  and  poinant,  for  he 

*-.iher  celcftia!,  and  ytt    more 

Rt,for  he  hath  wrarhcd  and  agilt- 

hic  him,  that  with  hi»  precious 

rdelivered  Dt  fro  the  bondes  of  ftnne, 

t  c/ucitce  of  the  devil,  and  &o  the  peines 

i  that  oaght  to  mevc  a  man  to  coo> 

I  file.   FiriK  i  tnzn  (hsi\  rcmembrc  hitn 

;  but  loke  that  that  remembrance  nc 

>  dclit  by  no  way,  but  grt^tc  fliamc  and 

his  llnac»;  Cor  Job  faytb.  Sinful  men 


NES   TALI,  X?? 

don  wiirkcs  worthy  of  confefllon;  ar.d  thcrcfoi 
fiyth  E/rchici,  I  wol  remembre  me  all  the  yi 
of  my  lif  in  the  bittemeflc  of  my  herte :  and  G< 
fayth  is  the  Apocalipfe,  Remembre  you  fro  whei 
that  ye  ben  fall»  for  before  the  time  that  ye  finf*^ 
yc  wercn  children  of  God,  and  limmcH  of  tl 
regne  of  Ood ;  but  for  your  finne  ye  ben  wa» 
thntl,  and  foulc  membrcs  of  the  fende^  hate 
angel*,  fclnunder  of  holychirchc,  and  fodcof  tl 
falfe  ferpcnt^perpetuclmiifcre  of  the  fire  ofhdl 
and  yet  more  foule  and  abhomimihtc  for  ye  tr* 
pafft  n  fo  oft  time*  as  doth  the  hound  that  torric 
a^n  to  etc  hi*  own  fpewiiijir,  and  yet  toulor  f 
your  lung  continuing  in  finne,  and  yciit  ftnful 
fage,  for  which  ye  be  rftten  in  your  fame*  &% 
hscii   In  hU   dong^e.     Swichc   maiierc   though! 
make  a  man  to  have  Ihame  of  his  finne  ;tnd 
dtlit,  ju  Cod  fayth  by  the  prophet  EauchJcl, 
fbul  remembre  you  of  your  wayc*,  and  they  (hi 
difplcfe    yoti.    Sothly  &i  nef  bco  the  walca  tl 
lede  folk  to  hclh 

The  fecond  caufc  that  ought  to  make  «  mun 
have  difdcgnc  of  finne  i»  fhi*»  that,  a&  faith  Si 
Peter,  Who  fo  doth  finne  it  tbral  to  fiane,  ai 
fmr  'a  man  in  g^ret  thrsldom,  tind  th( 

for  prophet  Excchict,  1  wci.t  iorwefi 

and  .-  .V  ,..L...  dunc  of  .  *  IriC  Cene*  wcl  otighi 
man  have  ditdcignc  of  fini>C|  »nd  witbds-aw  h] 
fro  that  thrnldom  and  vtlany.  Aiid  lo,  whiit  faj 
Senckc  in  thi»  matter  ?  He  faitl*  tliu»,  Thougl 
will  that  neitlicr  God  nc  m^n  fhuld  never  kn* 
it,  yet  wold  1  have  difdeigne  for  to  do  finl 
And  the  fame  Senekc  alfo  faytb,  1  am  borne 
gjTter  thingcs  than  to  he  thral  to  my  body,  or 
to  m;ikc  of  my  body  a  thr»L  Nc  a  fouler  tfc 
may  no  man  nc  woman  mak^^  of  hi§  body  than 
to  ycve  hij^  body  to  finne:  alwere  it  the  foul  elk 
chnrle  or  the  foulrSl  woman  that  livcih,  and  left 
of  vnlue,  yet  is  he  than  more  foulo  and  more  ia 
fervitudc.  Ever  fro  the  higbrr  degree  that  maji 
fuilcth,  the  more  ift  he  thrul,  and  more  to  God 
and  to  the  world  vile  and  abhominable.  O  good 
God  !  wel  ought  a  man  have  difdcignc  of  linne, 
lith  that  thurgh  linnc  ther  he  was  free  he  is  mad«; 
bond:  and  rh  -  '  '-  '^  —  >  -  'line.  If 
thou  haft  difi  !-'nd  or 

llnne,  have  tht  „  ,    ....  — — -,,—  --  —  »-     -  Uiy  f< 
Ihuldell:  do  finne.  lake    reward  of  their  O' 
value   that   thoti  ne  be  to  foulc  to  thyfelf, 
h%\  wcl   nughtcn  they  thui  have   difdeigne 


be  fcrvanti  and  thrallcs  to  liiinr,  and  fore  to 
a.f1iamtd  of  hcmfclf,  that  God  of  hi«endlctgi 
nclTe  hath  Lite  in  hij.;h  cft«t,  or  ycve  hem  wii 
IhcRjjth  of  body,   hele,  bcatttee,  or  profpeflti 
and  bought   hem    fro  the  doth  with   his    herte 
blood,  ihat  they  fo  unkmdly  ajsfains  hrs  gcatij 
lefi'e  qui  ten  him  fo  vi  lain  fly »  to  fiaughter  of  *" 
owcn  foules,  O  good  God  5  yc  women  that 
of  gret  bcautee,   rtmcmbreth  you  on   the   pro* 
vcrbe  of  Salomon,  tj^at  likcneth  a  faire  woroiA 
that  ii  a  fool  of  hire  body,  to  i  rmg  of  gold  l\ai 
h  wornc  in  the  ^roinc  of  a  fowc ;  for  right 
fowe  wrotctli  '       ,  To  wroteth  Cbc 

bcautee  in  fll'  ;inr. 

The  thilddv  ^-.u^.  l,...  .-u^J,c  tomeve  «rman 
contrition,  is  dtcdc  oi  tUc  da^  ol  4<itt\t  ^^tx^  ^il  ^^ 


mui 

I 


JiorriUe  pcmeiof  hcrik;  for,asSeint  Jerome  faytb^ 
At  every  time  tlut  mc  rtmcmliretli  ft^  the  clay  of 
(Itjjnc  1  quitke;  fur  wh&ti  1  itc  or  ilnnkc,  or  do 
whaC  So  I  dO|  ever  fQineih  rn<;  thiit  1)1 1:  tronipc 
XbiMieUi  m  min  €ri:i»»  RiRtb  ye  up  th;it  ben  dcd, 
.^d  cuflucch  to  the  jugcmenc.  O  good  God  J 
mcMilic  QQgh*.  a  nmn  to  drudc  fwiche  a  ju^cBicnt, 
thc:r  fta  ^e  JbtiJ  Ir-  alle,  ai  3eint  Poule  foyih,  U* 
Core  tlir  ftrcU  jugcment  of  uure  irurd  jcAi  CrilV, 
wWras  he  fh»l  msike  a  genera]  congT<egatioti» 
ivbcra.e  do  m:m  may  be  abfcnt  j  for  ccrtc*,  tUtT 
av.-vikih  non  efloinc,  oe  non  exvufation ;  »nd  not 
onlv  rn  ,P  .„>r .:.  r.vt,-^  iv,,.f  1,  :..«,  .i  i>ut  ckc  Uut 
»K  11.    AntI,  a* 

^'j  ,  ,  luting  av:ulf*t 

.lie  tio  iki^bt ;  we  thai  jfitc  rckcmng  of  tvcrich 
idle  tt^nrd  :  ther  ifaal  wc  Kftve  a  jugc  that  may 
■'um  be  tkccivcd,  nc  corrupt :  and  why  ?  for  ccrtca 
all  our  thoLiglittftbcniUrcovcrcd  as  to  him  :  nefor 
prayrr,  nc  for  mcdc  he  ^vl]  net  be  con  apt;  ajid 
.therfoTc  faith  K.il»n;t»nt  The  \rtu\h  of  Cod  ne  wol 
f^y  r     ,>  „,  .. :  .t,.  f.p  ^— ..,.„    ..,-  f  ..  ,.,f^j  „|^^j 

tl*«  ^ipc  to 

zT.  .■  .     .....  :     _.  ,  ,     Vu] 

'  folk  havt  I 
^  •  vroih  ju; 

P«i«  diiJ  uuuiJtr  itiiu  ihc  JU'triblc  plti^  of  hiik 
b»  Ld  1! 'I'foyf  hifn  thut  woWf  not  h<  kftOWcil 

ly  be  flicwed 
re  I  and  011 

for 

«#f  ?  ..,.  ;.,..  ...  ,,.. 

hiv  forth  (hA  be  ihc 

vi"  n*jii  the  wrctch- 

uiy  not  hide 

;  fur  cert  «,as 

ro\i:  of  it, JLJUS 

I'ul  cf  thon- 


»^y  tlfe_ 


ihall  brcooe  AiaU  torue  hem  all  to  peine  tkit  he 
in  hclle,  for  It  fliewcth  hem  the  horrible  divtk 
that  htm  lonoeizUin  covered  wjth  the  dcrkcfiejie 
of  dcth;  that  it  to  fay,  thai  he  th^t  It  sn  hclk 
flial  have  defuoce  of  the  fight  0/  c  ^€M 

the  fight  of  God  H  the  lif  p^srdnrahi  U 

ncile  of  dcUi  bcJH  the  finiict  t}\Ai  tlw  w^rci«ix4 
man  hath  don,  lihichthat  diilrooblcji  htm  to  i«c 
the  face  of  God,  right  as  a  derke  doud  ketweor 
as  and  tke  fonnc  :  it  h  londe  ckf  nufefc,  h^cmffi 
that  ther  ben ''  'cfattte*  *yflafi  tlvtl 

thiuge^  thai  '  hao  in  tbia  §Olf^t 

hf,  that  I*  to  i .; .  ^,..,  ^elite^  and  HolidUl. 

Aydnd  honour  Jave  they  in  hetlc  0iamr  nd  «0i^ 
fufjon,  for  wtl  yc  wrtie  that  men  ckpea  ko> 
aour  the  icvcrince  thit  man  doch  to  man,  k«l 
in  helk*  i<i  uvn  honour^  iie  reverenec,  for  e<ntt 
no  more  reverence  Oul  be  don  ther  to  a  kittf 
than  10  a  knave;  for  which  God  Ciith 
prophet  Jcrcmic,  The  folk  that 
Hial  he  in  dclpite.  Htiflour  1$  %h 
lordcihip  i  tJ*cT  (\m\  00  w»jjhtrerifirti  . 
harmc  and  turment  Honour  i*  alfo  i 
JItTnirLi  iinil  lui  lincfTc;  but  in  bclte  ihft 

rtU :  a»  God  faytiv  '"ke  I 
li  *r>d  c<ittie«  fcpoo  the  J 
iUir^tucd  Mk  i  Mid  thj«^  ill  for  aa  mc«he  ti  fi^ 
higher  that  they  verc  in  thi«  prrf^n?  lif  !hcf 
ftiul  they  be  abated  and  a 
the  richcfTe  af  thi»  worl- 


hntc  to  trcfojtr  v' 

fleping  of  dclh,  kir 

hir  hf>tide4  of  all  hir  trclwnr. 

miftfe  of  he! If  fhdl  he  m  d 

drink;  for  G 

be  toflrd  v.r 


vaik.ajid  hflwepe  or  1  j;o  widiowt  rc- 
^  the  dtrkc  loud   ytuvuvd  wjth  ilic 

.^leriQCttdre  of  deth  to  tiie  h^nd  «t  tiufeiw  and  of 
iJerVmffn?^  v/K<r#*t«  the  fiirtfl-5%^  c^fd^  th,  wj^^^'ra? 

%\. 

€^  < 
Cot 


winch  they  I 

ihul  thty  Ic  > 

tliit  u  thi'  chiEJiJing  *jf  tlifc  ii^uic.     V, 

iJie^siV  robes^tbc  foft  fb^'tcx,  ^M  t| 

jt  fayth  tioii  of  ] 

>  .t  tinditr  hem  On. 


ipt*y   to  God  lu  yt  \ 


r  wiJi  dcdi)  hj^ir.     i  he  fennet  Hii 

jliTtl  reV*-!  Ay f  nit  fafher  and  msrflM^i 


I   I  ih:it  whilom  ,  evtrich  of  ban 

.  ,  ^./  .-.,'.,■■  ,,  ,         :       ,.  :..ulif?i«- 

^^idgp^c  cAtan  ijuti come oi^t  ct  tkn  itreikat  crcr  ^  truftc  v:ci  iur  Acfii ly  1« ve  iva>  dedly Jktcc ; 


THE   PERSON5S  TALE, 


IHtM,  Who  fo  that  lovrth  wtA- 
ateth  his  awcn  fouk,  and  w^ho  fo  h.i- 
own  foulc  ccftcs  he  may  love  non  other 
'  rhcfrcforc    in  hclk  h 
but   tnrcr   ihc   more 
^iu.i.j^:.  L,  *,  ....  the  more  curling, th':: 

chiding,  :i  r:  dcdly  hare,  thcr  i* 

imofig  hem.     A  r  oyer,  thcr  they  {hul 

^ta»f  dc€iiifc  of  all  inancr  de]ttC9,  for  cfrrcid.*litr* 
I  :fter  fh-:?  :ippct:tr's  r'f  tht  five  tnrtcs,  aifightt 

;?,    But  ia 
iTe  and  of 


nnglhalbe 

_  ._  :  ^  bodyfhall 

rirc  that  never  ftiai  qucochc,  and 

it  aevcr  fhal  die,  as  God  fayth  by 

iV,  And  fora»  raochc  a*  they  fhul 

it!y  mow  dien  for  peine,  and  by 

ic,  that  mow  ihey  unrtcfrftonde  in 

.  that  faythT,  Th^rr  ii  the  fbntlow 

'  ti  1  ihadowc  hath  hkenefr*?  of  the  thing 

]»  Ihadowed,  but  fhadowc  U  ndt  t^ic 

^■  v^Xich  it  Ii  fhadovred  i  right  fo 

r>f  hcUe ;  it  i»  like  detb  for  the 

. J  ;  and  why?  for  it  pcineth  hem 

rrer**  iriough  they  fhnld  die  anonj  but  ccrtes 

diry  ftiui  nr^^  dtm;  for,  as  fayth  Scint  Gregory, 

T«  wr€tc!T  rill  be  deth  wifhoutcn  deth, 

xaAcitde  V  ie,  and  defaute  wichoutcn 

ft^  r  'bal  never 

It.  I 

&».    ^,   :-.-.,:-:- 

Cr\a  hLm,  And  ckc  Job  iaith,  that  in  heik  in  nop 
«4ir  of  ruk^  And  a  I  be  it  to  that  God  h«*Ji 
iar*f^  ad  thing  in  right  ordre,  and  nothing  with* 
mta  orftre,  but  all  thlngcs  ben  ordred  and  nom- 
M,  !ej  they  that  hen  dampLfd  ben 

mtiiai  .  ,  nc  hold  non  ordre  ;  for  the  erth 

L^ll^rc  -:-j:i  no  fruit::  '    '^        -      '  "^  Da 

^^  Cftycth,  God  (hal  d  vrth  | 

^SCrfi  hem)  nc  vf^trr  liure, 

K  the    Auc  no  no  light: 

(br,  a.^   Ti    'b    "  .  iig  of  the 

Ire  o  in  belle  to  herri 

1^  L  *Dd  the  clerc- 

^p  gj^]  he  jcvc  ill  hcvcn  to  lis  children,  right 
n  the  ^ood  man  y^veth  flclh  to  his  thildr^n 
%si  \  *       '         '         And  for  they  ihul 

^£  ,  ..;,  th  Job  at  laflf  that 

likr  iIHj    ii«.-iii    Hi  *i  1-.  ;;i.;  drede  dwcllcn  wlth- 
mLcSk  emk.    Horrour  i»  alway  drrdc  of  harme 
A'j>  ..  r.,  I     n  ^  i*!.u  t!iis  drcde  Ihul  alway  dwelin 
ben   dimpa^d  ;  and  thcr- 
Mr  hope  for  feven  fjufc*  : 
^c,  Ihnl  be  withouten 
iV  not  pltfc  him  ne 
*      -for 
•  to 

ntTrt^P:  lIKf    nv-/   run    ulc  ii>  |lii»v,  Tt^    *  rn.  _.    r^aVC 

tti  {oojf^^flc  m  heni  th«t  th^y  mAy  Hiew  to  ddi' 


vcr  hem  *fro  peine  ;  and  therfore  fayth  Salomofl 
The  wickrd  man  dieth,  and  whan  hs  b  ded 
fhal  have  non  hope  to  cfcape  fro  peine.     Who 
thanwoMwc!  i     '    ''      'theft  pcirs  *  * 

rhiuke  him  wl  h  dcfijrye  3  •§  I 

for  hii  finucs,  c;  ^  -  .. .  x..uldc  have  u....  ,...-,itJ 
to  fighcn  and  to  w^pc  than  for  to  Imge  and  p]ayc|  J 
for,  a&  fayth  SaliL-mon,  Who  fo  that  had  the  fcicpe 
TO  know  the  pfincs  that  ben  efta1>hlhed  an  J  oi^ 
detncd  for  firm,  lie  wotd  for fikc  tinnc  :  Thlt  fcj 
ence,  fayth  Sciut  Aufliii,  mak^th  a  man  to  waii 
tnentcn  in  his  hertc. 

'^ "     "rrthe  point  t'  *   .  make  a  man  hav 

IS  the  for vv  ranee  of  the  goo 

1^.  .L.^  L.iAt  be  hath  Itli.  .^i  w^^  here  in  erthc,  ;ifi| 
alfo  the  good  thut  he  hathlome.  Sothly  the  goo 
werkes  that  he  hath  Icfte,  cither  they  be  the  goo 
wcrkcs  that  he  wrought  er  he  fell   into  dcdtl 
finne,  or  elles  the  good  werkes  that  he  wroug" 
while  he  lay  in  finne,     Sothly  the  eood  werkd, 
that  he  did  before  that  he  fcU  in  dedly  fmne  heill 
all  mortified,  aftoned,  and  dulled,  by  the  eft  fin 
ning  J  the  other  werkes  that  he  wrought  while  I 
lay  in  fmDC  they  ben  utterly  dcd  as  to  the  llf  peri 
durable  in  hcven.     Than  thilkc  good  werkf  s  th;| 
ben  mortified  by  eft  finning,  which  he  did  whih 
he  was  in  charitce,   moun   never  quicken    ayd 
without  vcfa)r  penitence  :  and  therof  fayth 
by  the  mouth  of  Exechiel,  If  the  rightful  ma; 
retorne  aj^aln  fro  hi*  rightwifneffc  and  do  wick 
cdueflr  fnal  he   liven  \    nay ;    for   all  the    go 
workci  that  he  hiih  wrought  (hul  never  be  in  ret 
membrance,  for  he  ih^  die  in  his  finne*     An4 
upon  thUke  ch^pitrc  fayth  Seint  Gregrtrie  thu 
that  we  fhal  underflondc   this  principally,  thsil 
when  we  don  dcdly  finne  it  is  for  nought  than  td 
remr»bre  or   drawe    into   mcmorie    the   goo" 
werkes  ih:it  we  have  wrought  befom,  for  ccrta 
in  tlic  werking  of  dedly  firnie  thcr  i^  no  tru(i  id 
no  good  wcrk  tl\at  we  have  don  befons ;  that  iJ 
to  fay,  as  for  Vi  have  thcrby  the  lif  perdurable 
in  hcven.     But  nathcles  the  good  werkes  fjuicke* 
again  and  cnmcn  again,  and  hclpe  and  availe  i 
have  the  \\{  pcrdurnble  in  hcven,  whan  we  hav 
contrition  \  but  fothly  the  good  werkes  that  mc 
don  while  they  ben  in  dcdly  fiune,  for  as  mochd 
as  they  were  don  In  dedly  (\nw^\  they  may  nc' 
vtT  quicken;  for  ccrtes  ti  lug  that  never  hid  Hf,mi|i 
never  quicken  j  and  oathrlc^  al  be  it  fo  that  tliej^ 
jtvailen  not  to  have  the  Ml  perdurable,  yet  :lvitla  ' 
they  to  abreggen  the  peine  of  heUc,  or  elles  I 
get  temporal  richrflVs,  or  elles  that  God  wol  th 
rather  cnlumlne  or  light   the  hertc  of  the  ilnfui 
ma^  to  have  repentance ;  and  eke  they  availen  fa 
to  ufcn  a  man  to  do  good  werkes  that  the  fendd 
have  the  IcfTr  power  of  his  foule      And  tlius  th^ 
ccrteis  Lord  Ji.fu  Crifi  ne  WdH  that  no  good  wcrlj 
that  men  don  be  loftc,  for  in  forawhat  it  flial  : 
vaile»    But  for  as  mothc  as  the  good  werkes  tlu 
men  don  wliilc  ihey  ben  In  good  lif  Ltn  all  imor 
tifod  by  finnc  fdowing,  and  eke  filhall  the  goo' 
wcrkcs  that  men  don  while  they  ben  in  ' 
hen  utterly  dcd,  as  for  to  have  the  lif 
wcl  may  that  naan  that  no  good  fvu..   ^^ 
M  \\ 


iHo 


tHE    PERSOHES   TAL't 


I 
I 


I 

I 

I 
I 


£Rg  thtlkc  newe^renJhe  fong,  J'  ^y  uut/tadu  mstt 
ttmft  tt  mm  ia£§yr;  for  ccrtc*  fiunc  bcrcvcth  a 
min  both  goodncfTc  of  nature  and  eke  tlic  gooil* 
ncflc  of  grace ;  for  fochly  the  gr^ici!  of  the  Holy 
Goft  furcth  like  fire  that  may  not  ben  ldlc»  for  fire 
fiiilcth  anon  a«Ji  forlcttctli^hjswcrking.and  right  To 
grace  f^lcth  anon  a«  \t  forktt,cthhUwcf king.  Fhan 
lefcth  the  finful  man  the  goodiienc  of  gloric,  that 
only  is  hight  to  good  men  that  labourcn  arid  wcr- 
ken  weL  Wcl  may  he  be  fory  than  that  owcth  all 
kis  Uf  to  God  as  long  as  he  hach  lived,  and  alfo  at 
long  ;is  he  fhal  live,  that  no  goodnciTc  ne  hath  to 
DiiiQ  with  hifi  dcttc  to  God,  to  whom  he  owcth  all 
lii»tif;  for  tniil  wel  he  fhal  ycve  accompte^  a^ 
fayth  Seint  Bernard,  of  all  the  goodes  that  han 
ben  ycven  him  in  this  prcfcnt  lifp  and  how  he 
l>ath  htm  difpcndcd,  in  fo  mochc  that  thcr  fliikl 
not  peri  file  an  here  of  hi$  hed,  ne  a  momrnt  of 
an  hourc  ne  fhal  not  pcrifiic  of  hi^  time  tlutt  bo 
he  Ihal  ycvc  therof  a  rvlten irg. 

The  fifthe  thing  that  ought  to  mcve  a  man  to 
contrition  is  remembrance  of  the  padion  that  our 
Lord  Jtfu  CnH  fuffercd  for  our  fmncs;  for,  aa 
f&yth  Scint  Seruard,  While  that  1  live  1 1hat  have 
remembrance  of  the  iravailc*  that  our  Ixjrd  Jcfu 
CriJll  fuffercd  in  prcching,  his  wcrincffe  in  travel- 
ings his  temptations  whan  he  filled*  liislongwak- 
ingc*  whan  lie  prayed^  Uh  tere&  whan  he  wept  for 
pi  tee  of  good  pcplc,  the  wo,  and  tJie  {hanie,  and 
the  filthe,  that  men  fay  den  to  him^  of  the  foulc 
fpitting  tliat  met  fpittcn  In  hi&  face,  of  the  buf- 
Icttes  that  men  yavc  him,  of  the  foulc  mouthea 
and  of  the  foulc  repreve&  that  men  faiden  to  htm« 
of  the  nayles  with  which  he  w^  nailed  to  the 
crofle^  and  of  all  the  rtmcnant  of  his  paffion  that 
he  fulffcd  for  mannes  finnc,  and  nothing  for  hi$ 
riltc.  And  here  ye^iulundcrfland  that  in  manner 
uiuie  i»  every  mancr  order  or  ordinance  toumed 
up  fo  (joun  ;  i'or  it  i«  foth  that  God  and  tcfon,  and 
fenfualitee,  and  the  body  vf  man,  ben  ordained 
that  CTcrich  of  thifc  foure  thingfs  (huld  have 
lordfhip  over  that  other,  Hi  tlim  ;  God  iliuld  have 
lordfhip  over  rcfon,  and  refon  over  fcnfualitcc, 
^nd  f^nfuulitec  over  the  body  of  man*  But  foth- 
iy  wh&n  man  GnncLh  al  this  ordrc  or  ordinance  ii 
turned  up  fo  doun;  and  therforc  than,  for  a« 
moche  as  rcfofi  of  man  ne  wol  not  be  fubgct  ne 
obeifant  to  God,  that  i*  hi*  Lord,  by  right  thcr- 
fore  lefcth  it  the  lordfhip  that  -  <^" -^  '  vc  over 
fcnfualitcc,  and  ckc  over  the  1  :  and 

why?  for  fcnfualltce  rcbelleih  ^  ^         refon, 

«nd  by  th*t  way  Icfeth  rcfon  the  lordihip  over 
fenfualitrc  and  over  the  tody ;  for  right  af  refon 
ictebcl  to  God,  right  fo  it  fenfualitcc  rebei  lo  re- 
fon and  the  body  alfo  ^Vnd  ccrte»  thi<^  dlfordi- 
ttance  and  tKi*  rebellion  our  Lord  Jcfu  Crtft  a- 
bought  upon  his  prc<.itjus  body  ful  dcrc  :  and 
bcrkcneth  in  whicbc  wife ;  for  as  moche  ai  refon 
b  rebel  to  God,  cherfore  is  man  worthj  to  have 
forwe,  and  tf»  be  ded  :  tlii»  fuffrcd  our  Lord  Jcfu 
Crift  for  man  aftcrthaihc  had  be  betraicdof  hib>dif- 
fciplc,  and  diflffcined  and  boimdc,  fo  that  hl«  blood 
hfftft  out  at  every  nail  of  hi^hondes,  a»  faith  Seint 
And  fcrtJicrzncic,  for  at  mo  die  as  rc- 


fon of  man  wol  not  daunt  feufamlitec 

may,  thcrfore  U  man  worthy  to  have  fliame ;  i 

thl*  fuffred  our  Lord  Jcfu  C;  ill  for 

they  (pitten  in  his  vifage^   And  ferthcrpvff. 

a»  mo^he  as  the  caitlf  body  of  mao  i^  rcWl 

to  refon  aad  to  fenfualitcc,  therforc  tt  i*  worthy 

tlic  deth  ;  and  ihi»  fuilrrd  our  Lurd  Jcfu  Cnu 

upon  die  croiTc,  whcra«  thcr  was  no  pan  of  hit 

body  free  witijout  gretc  peine  and  bitter  paSioai 

and  all  this  fuffrcd  ciur  Ijord  Jcfu  Crift  that  never 

forfaited  :   and  thus  layd  he ;    To  mochcl  ate  I 

pcincd  ffir  thinge*  that  1  iicver  defervcd,  and  to 

mochc  dcfoulcd  for  fbendlbip  tliat  man  t\  wQrih| 

to  have :  and  therforc  may  the  Unful  rain  wel 

fay,  as  fayth  Stint  Bernard,  Accurfcd  be  t^r  Vit- 

tcrncflc  of   njy  finne^  for  whiche  iKcr  '■ 

fuficrcd  fo  moche  bittcrneflc  :  for  certes 

divert  difcorduiee  of   cur    v'" 

p;i(Iioo  of  Jcfu  Crifl  Ofdcined 

ihui;  ccrtcsfinful  mannes  fou; 

divcl  by  covcitife   of   tempct 

fcorncd  by  difccltc  whan  he  cb' 

and  yet  it  i&  turioentcd  by  impatience  •>; 

fitee,    and  befpct    by  fervage  and   fubj.  ^  

fmnc,  and  at  the  Ufl  it  is  flain  finally.     Fmc  j 
difcordance  of  fijuful  man  was  Jcfu  Grid  irftj 
traied,  and   after  that  was  he  boundc  lK*t 
for  lo  unbjiidc  U6  »f  linoe  and  of  peine  ;  (Kaa  j 
he  bcfcorncd  that  only  Hiuld  havebco  ha 
allc  thingcsand  of  alle  thingci ;  than 
fagCy  that  ought  to  be  dcflred  to  he 
mankind  (in  which  vlfagc  tngeU  ddiren  to^ 
vilainHy  befpct ;  than  was  he  fcourg 
thing  had  trcfp^JTcd ;  and,  finally, 
crucified  and  flain  :  than  were  ^cc«^mpS 
wordcs  of  Efaic,  He  was  wou: 
dcdcs,  and  dcfoukd  for  our  1 
that  Jcfu  Crifl  tokc  on  }-■-■' 
our  wickedncCTr*,  mocht 
and  to  bcwailc  that  for  i...  ..  ..  > 

hcvcn  fhuld  all  tliis  peine  endure. 

The  fiitc  thing  tbat  {huld  move  a  mjn  fu  i 
tritiob  is  the  hope  of  three  thtnge^ ;  4 

forycvcncfTc  of  finnc,  uid  the  ycft  o  cf 

do  wel,  and   the  gloric  of  hcven,  wiiL   ^hji 
God  Ihal  guc;rdon  man  for  bis  gr*od  dcde^: 
for  as  moche  as  Jcfu  Crifl  yevcth  u» 
of  his  brgcneffe  and  of   \m  fovcraiit< 
therforc  is  he  clepcd  yr/u,    '^  m^artnu^  Rri     ^ 
erttm,   Jcfusift  for  to  fay  Saviour  or  Satvatto«t,J 
whom  men  Jbul   hopcn  to  have  forv  veq   " 
finnes,  which  that  i»  pruprtlN 
and  therforc  fayd  the  angtl  it- 
cltpc  his  uahic  JefuA  tJut  fh;d  f^v^ 
hir  finncs.     And  hereof  faith  S^Int  Pcto^,  ' 
is  non  other  name  under  hcvcn,  that  U  vcvo 
any  raan»  by  whicli  a  man  may  be  favcd  but  i 
Jcfus.     NaiarenU5  is  as  r     -i-     *- 
rifhing,  in  which  a  man 
ycvcth  him  remiOTiofi  of  L  . 
grace  wcl  for  to  do;  for  in  the  i' 
in  time  coming,  ^nd  in  forycvi : 
of  grace  wcl  to  do,     T  was  ai  lUc  dufc    ol 
hiHc,  ftyth  Jvfus,  ind  dcpcth  fut  ta  cut«r;1 


'^f\h  to  mc  fhal  ha^c  forycvcneiTc  of  his 
od  I  woJ  enter  ioto  him  by  my  gr;4cc,  :uid 

ith  him  by  the  good  werkc*  that  he  flial 
ucb  wcrkc*  ben  tJic  food  of  God,  and  he 
^Wtth  me  by  the  grct  joyc  that  I  fh^l 
KThus  (Kal  main  hope  that  for  his  wcrke« 
ftt  God  jhal  ycve  him  his  regrie^  as  he  be- 
^  in  the  Gofpcl 

1  man  nndcf  flandc  in  which  mancr  thai 
tioru     I  fay  that  it  fllal  be  univerfal 
^this  is  to  fay  J  a  man  fhal  be  veray  re-* 
Tor  an  hii  (inn en  that  he  hath  doo  in  dclite 
houghe«  for  delitc  is  pcriloui :    lor  ther 

mirier  of  confcntiogeji;  that  on  of  hem 
I  CoaTcottng  of  AfTcdiony  whan  a  man 
1  to  do  ilnne,  and  than  dditcih  htm  longc 
ioke  on  that  Cnne,  and  hi%  refon  apper- 
h  w^l  thai  it  is  finnc  ayenft  the  bwe  of 
d  yet  his  rcfon  rcfraincth  not  his  foule 
'  talent  though  he  fee  wcl  apcrtly  that  it  h 
he  reverence  of  God ;  although  his  rtfon 
DOt  to  do  that  iinne  ind^de,  yet  fayn  fom 
>  tliat  fwichc  dclitc  that  dwcllcth  ionge  it 
ooa,  aJ  be  it  never  Co  lite  ;  and  alfo  a  man 
rrow,  namely  for  all  that  ever  lit  hath  dc<> 
ndk  the  lawc  of  God,  with  parfitc  con- 
oi  his  rcfoiT,  for  thcrof  is  no  duute  that 
Ij  (iniic  in  coufcnting ;  for  cencs  ther  is 

finne  byt  that  it  Is  fir^  in  manncs  thought, 
r  that  in  his  delite,  and  fo  forth  into  con* 
lod  into  dedc ;  whcrfote  1  fay  that  tnany 

rcfpcnt  hem  never  of  fwichc  tboughtes 
tes,  nc  never  Ihrivcn  hem  of  it,  but  only 
lede  of  gret  finnes  outward ;  whcrforc  I 

fwtche  wicked  dclitcs  ben  fubtil  begilcri 

that  fliiil  be  daxnpned.  Moreover,  man 
0  forwcn  for  hi^*  %vicked  Wiirdcs  as  wcl  as 
nrickcd  dcdcs,  for  ccrtes  repentance  of  a 

fmnr,  and  not  repentant  of  all  his  other 

El  repenting  him  of  all  his^tber  fmnes 
fuiguler  fmnc,  may  not  nvailc  ;  for 
Llmighty  is  all  good,  and  therforc 
cveth  ail,  or  cllcs  right  nought  j  and 
£ayth  Semt  Auguflm,  I  wotc  certainly 
[  ii  enemy  to  every  finncr :  and  how  than  ? 
D>bienreth  on  finnc  Iha!  he  hav<i  forycvc- 
^B  rcmenant  of  his  other  CnnL^5  ?  nay. 
^herovcr,  contrition  (huld  be  wonder 
^■id  angoilhous,  and  therforc  ycveth 
^Binly  his  mcrcie  ;  and  dierfor:  whan 
^^M  angnilhoua,  and  forwcful  within 
«  had  I  remembrance  of  God  th^t  my 
ight  come  to  him,  Ftirthcruver,  contri- 
l\c  be  cantintiel,  and  that  man  have  fted- 
•ofe  to  fhrive  him  and  to  amend  him  of  his 
fuihly  while  contrition  laftc'th  man  may 
►e  to  have  foryevenefTe  :  and  of  this  com- 
of  fianc,  that  dcftroycth  fmnc  hot  he  in 
and  eke  in  other  folk  at  his  power;  for 
tfth  David,  They  that  love  God  hale 
eflc  I  for  to  love  God  is  for  to  love  that 
tk|  and  hate  that  he  hatcth. 
^  thing  that  men  ihull  nnderfland  in 
I  thbf  wbcTof  availcttt  cootritioa.     I 


fay  that  contrition  fomtime  <l^^^^^Hfe  ^fo 

Qnne;  of  which  David  fakh,  IwlH^^B^vid) 
I  purpofcd  fermcly  to  flirivc  me,  and  thoti  Lord 
rclcfcdcft  my  £nne.  And  right  fo  as  contrition 
availcth  not  without  fad  purpos  of  (hrift  and  fa- 
tisfa*flion,  right  folitcl  worth  is  ihrift  or  fatl^fac- 
tion  withoutcn  contrition.  And  moreover,  con- 
trition dcftfoycth  the  prifon  of  hcUc,  and  makcth 
wcke  and  fcbic  a!l  the  f^rengthcs  of  the  devils,  and 
reftorcth  the  ycftes  of  the  Holy  Goft  and  of  alt 
good  vertuei,  and  it  clenfeth  the  foule  of  ftnnc, 
and  delivereth  it  fro  the  peine  of  helle,  and  fro 
the  compagnie  of  the  devil,  and  fro  the  fcrvage 
of  finnc,  and  reftorcth  it  to  all  goodcs  fpiritucL 
and  to  the  comp^gnte  and  communion  of  holj< 
chirche*  And  furtherover,  it  maketh  him  thfti 
whilora  was  fonc  of  ire  to  be  the  fonc  of  grace  a 
and  all  tl^efc  thingcs  ben  prevcd  by  holy  writ  | 
xnd  therforc  he  that  wold  fet  his  cntent  to  thifS 
thinges  he  were  ful  vrifc  ;  for  fothly  he  ne  Ihul^ 
have  than  in  all  his  lif  coragc  to  finne,  but  yevtf 
his  bcrte  and  body  to  the  fcrvicc  of  Jcfu  CriftJ 
and  therof  do  him  lipmagc;  for  ccrtes  our  Lori 
Jcfu  Crift  hath  fparcd  us  fo  bcnigncly  in  our  fo- 
llet,  that  if  he  had  ne  pitcc  on  manneaCoulc  a  fory' 
fong  might  wc  alle  Gnge. 

MxfflLit  prima  pars  ffnitaUi^f  et  iMfipit  pan  ficumd^t 

The  fccond  part  of  penitence  ii  confcflion,  and 
that  is  fignc  of  contrition.  Now  Ihol  yc  imdcr- 
flonde  what  is  confcOion,  and  whether  it  ought 
ncdes  to  be  don  or  non,  and  which  thingea  bcft 
convcnablc  to  veray  confcHion, 

Firft  fhak  thou  underltande  that  confcfTicin  \% 
veray  Shewing  of  finncs  to  the  pr*?cft ;  this  Is  tu 
faie  veray,  for  he  muft  confcfrc  him  of  all  the 
conditions  that  bclongen  to  hU  finnc  ai  f»:rforth 
as  he  can  :  all  mull  be  fayd,  and  nothing  cxcufcd, 
ne  hid,  ne  forwrapped,  and  not  avaunt  him  of  bin 
good  werkcs  r  alfo  it  is  neccfTaric  to  underftande 
whenncs  that  fmnes  fpringcn,  and  how  they  cn- 
crcfcn,  and  which  they  ben. 

Of  fpringing  of  finncs  faith  Scint  Poulc  in  thiM 
wife ;  that  right  as  by  on  man  finne  entrcd  firfl 
into  this  world,  and  thurgh  fmne  dcth,  right  fj 
dcth  cntrcth  into  alle  men  rhat  finncn  ;  and  thi«| 
mart  was  Ad;im,  by  whom  finnc  cntrcd  into  ( 
world  whan  he  brake  the  commandcmcnt  of  Godd 
and  therforc  he  that  firft  was  fo  mighty  that  he  n^ 
fliuld  have  died,  became  fwichc  on  that  he  mufl 
nedcs  die  whether  he  wold  or  no ;  and  all  his  pro 
genie   in  thi^  th^t  in   thilkc  cnancr  finnen  diciia 
Loke  that  in  the  cflntc  of  innocence,  whan  Adan 
and  Eve  wcrcn  naked  in  Paradife,  and  no  thin^l 
tic  haJden  Hiamc  of  hir  nakedneflcj  how  that  thflj 
ferpcnt,  that  was  moft  wily  of  all  other  bedcs  thatf 
God  had  made,  fuyd  to  the  woman,  WTiy  coni^'J 
manded  God  you  that  yc  fhuld  not  etc  of  cverf^ 
tree  in  Paradife  ?  I'hc  woman  anfwcrcd,  Of  th^ 
fruit,  fayd  Che,  of  the  trees  of  Paradife  wc  fcdcn 
us,  but  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree  that  is  in  the  mid-' 
del  of  Paradife,  God  forbodc  u*  for  to  cten,  nfl 
to  touche  it,  left  wc  flxuld  die.     The  ferpcnt  fayd 
to  the  woman,  Nay,  nay,  ye  fhul  cot  dicti  of  derfj 
M  iij 


jU 


THS   P£aSDN£^  TALS. 


for  foth  God  ^otc  that  what  day  that  yc  cte  ihcr- 
of  your  cycn  fhul  upcu,  and  ye  ftiul  Lc  a«  ^i^odiks^ 
l^oowing  good  and  hamie.    Thr  woman  faw  that 

fctTCC  vvafcgood  to  fcding,  and  f^iirc  lo  the  cycn, 
dekdable  to  the  fightj  {he  tokc  of  ihe  fruit  of 
Ihe  tree  and  did  ete,  and  yaire  to  hire  huH^ond,  and 
he  ece;  and  anon  the  cycn  of  hem  both  optucd  ; 
and  whan  they  kncwc  that  they  were  naked,  they 
fowed  of  a  fig-tree  Icvet  in  mancr  of  bicchc*  to 
bidcn  hir  member*.  Here  mow  ye  fecn  that 
dedly  finne  hath  Grft  fuggtftion  of  the  ftnde,  as 
ftcweth  here  by  the  adder,  and  afterward  the  dc- 
Ut  of  the  flefh,  as  flvcwcih  here  by  Eve,  and  after 
ihit  the  confcntingof  rcron,aa  fhcvicth  by  Adam; 
for  truft  wel  though  fp  it  were  that  the  fende 
tempted  Eve,  that  is  to  fay,  the  fie jh, and  the  ficfli 
had  dcllt  in  the  bcautec  of  the  fruit  defended,  yet 
ccrte^  til  thai  refon,  that  is  to  fay  Adaru,  confer  led 
to  the  ctJng  c»f  the  fruit,  yet  ftode  he  in  tfic  flatc  oi 
ionoccucc.  Of  thiikc  Adam  toke  we  thilke  finne 
crijfiiuil  i  from  him  flelhly  defccndcd  be  we  all, 
and  eiigcndred  of  vLlc  .ind  corrupt  mater;  and 
lit  hail  the  foule  i»  put  in  our  bcdie»,  right  anon  is 
contraii^  original  unne,  and  that  that  wa&  erft  but 
only  peine, of  eoocupifccnce  is  afterward  both 
peine  and  finne  j  and  therfore  we  ben  all  ybome 
ibnesofwnith  and  of  dampilation  perdurable,  if  ne 
were  baptifme  that  wc  receive,  which  bcrimeth 
111  the  etilpc  :  but  forfoth  the  peine  dwclli^th  with 
lit  an  to  tcrnptation,  which  peine  htght  ccncupiT- 
cenee.  This  concupifccntc,  whan  it  ifi  wrorgiuJIy 
difptifcd  or  ordeined  in  man*  it  makcib  liim  co- 
vcjt,  by  ceveitifc  of  0c(h,  fiejhiy  Cnnc  by  fight  of 
hh  ejci3|  as  to  erthjy  thinge&,  and  alio  covcitiTe  of 
tughne0c  by  pride  of  hcrte. 

Now,  at  to  Jpeke  of  the  {nfk  coveilifc,  thftt  Is^ 
coficupi fence,  after  the  lawc  of  om  uiembrcs  that 
were  lawfully  ymaked,  and  by  right fitl  jugement 
<»f  God„  I  fay^  for  aa  mrocbe  ai  a  man  i»  not  obei- 
Ciat  to  Gc*d  that  is  his  Lord,  therfore  is  his  hertc 
to  him  difobcifarit  thurgh  concupifccnctr,  which  is 
called  notirifbing  of  hnnc,  and  occafion  of  finne  ; 
therfore  all  the  while  that  a  man  haih  within  him 
the  peine  of  conctpiftncc  it  is  inipofTble  lut  he 
be  templed  fomtime,  and  moved  in  his  Heih  to 
llnne.  And  this  thing  may  not  faile  as  tong  as  he 
iJTcth;  It  may  wd  waxe  fcHc  by  vertuc  of  bap* 
tiline,  and  by  the  grace  of  Cod  thurgh  peiiitcnce, 
Imt  fully  DC  fhal  it  never  <)uenche«  that  he  oe  ihal 
fomtimc  be  mcvcd  in  hiir.felfc  but  if  he  were  re- 
frctncd  by  fikcncfl'e.rr  malcfice  of  forcerie,crcolJ 
drinkts.  For  lo,  what  fuyth  Seini  Poule  ?  The 
ficfb  cuveitrth  aytnfl  the  fpirit,  and  the  fpirit 
ayenH  the  flc(h  ;  they  b<n  fo  contraiie  and  lo  Un* 
Ten  that  a  mau  may  not  a  (way  do  as  he  wold, 
Tlic  fame  Scint  Poule,  after  hij  gret  pcttnnce  in 
water  and  in  lond  ;  in  water  by  pight  and  by  <ky 
in  jfTrt  peril  and  in  grct  peine,  in  \vrA  in  gretc 
famine  and  thruA,  cold  and  cloililrf,  and  ones 
Honed  alm^d  to  dcth,  yet  fayd  he,  Ak* !  1  cait;f 

ff^    ..     ...I...  n.  J   J.,i;._-j.^jj,^  fro, V- . -:--...    -,.-,,,,,--:_ 

Ill  t  Jcionr,  . 

hjd  ^.:-.:-  ,  -^  .-,icii,  whcra.^  L.  , ,  _  „^  .  .,.^.  ^^ 
tut  but  Qi  wildc  bejl<»«  whcra^  lie  had  no  mctc 


butherbcs,  and  w"' 

the  naked  trth,  v, ' 

Ethiopian  for  hciL^-..^j  *.^-  ^^ 

£ityd  he  that  the  brenring  of  1 

hii  body  :  whcrforc  I  wot  w 

be  deceived  that  fay  they  be  not  t^o^iptcd 

bodies ;  witneiH;  Scint  Jame^  th;M  faid  tliat  < 

wight  is  templed  in  his  owcR  confcicocc  ; 

to  fay,  that  oche  of  tit  hMh  mater  and  occ^iig 

be  tcmpttrd  of  the  nourifirTtg  of  iioQc 

hi*  body;  and  therfore  fayth  Scint  John  1 

pdifl.  If  wc  fay  that  wc  ben  without  Cnn 

ccivc  ourfcir,  ^ind  trntli  is  not  in  us, 

Nuw  (hul  ye  undcrflonde  in  what  roanrr  1 
wcxcLh  and  cncrclcth  tn  man.     The  firfl  thiq 
that  iiourifliing  of  finne  of  which  I  fpake  bcl 
that  id,  conciipifcfmcc ;  and  after  that  cooicdi  I 
geflimi  of  th«  devil,  (hi|  is  to  fay,  the  diirclil 
lous,  wiih  wliick  he  bloweth  in  ruun  the  fin 
concupiicencc  ;  and  after  that  a  niun  bethia 
him  xyhether  he  \\v\  do  or  no  that  thing  ( 
he  i*  tempted  ;  and  ibfUi  if  a  man  with 
weivc  the  firll  cntifmg  of  bis  Uefli  and  of 
than  it  is  no  Unne  i  aud  if  fo  be  he  do  not,  i 
feleth  he  anon  a  fjaineof  delit^and  than  it  ii  I 
to  beware  and  kcpe  him  wel,  or  elles  he  wti|] 
anon  to  confcntmg  of  finne,  and  than  wol  hw 
it  if  he  may  have  time  and  place.     And  of  < 
mater  farth  Moyfeb  by  the  dtvil  in  thlt  mac 
The  ft    "  "     '  ,  I  vrol  cliace  and  furfuc  i 
\s  ickv  .  and  I  wul  hent  him  by  mq 

and  fui  xu-  X',  tj.jic,  and  I  wol  depart  m 
my  prey  by  deliberation,  and  my  hill  fl 
rmpliicd  in  dtiit ;  I  wol  draw  my  fw< 
fen  ting ;  (for  ccrtcs  right  as  a  fwerd  dc 
thing  in  two  ptrccs,  right  fo  confcnting  < 
God  fro  man)  and  than  wol  I  fle  him 
bond  in  dcde  tjf  fmcc.    Thus  tiyth  the  fo 
certes  than  it  a  niaif  al  ded  in  foule  ;  ^dA 
finne  aecoirfUied  by  temptation^  by  deliti^i 
confenting,  and  than  is  the  finne  a^ucl, 

horfoth  finne  is  in  t^o  macet^;  tidier  it  i^ 
nial  or  df.|ly  llnne,     Sothly  whan  a  man  Ifl 
any  creature  more  than  Jtfu  Criil  our 
than  it  iitdedly  finne;  and  venial  &nne  it  i*j 
man  lovr  Jcfu  Crift  leffe  than  him  ougkti 
fcth  the  didc  of  this  venial  finne  is  ful  _ 

for  it  atuenufeth  the  love  that  man  (hitld  have  I 
Cod  mere  and  more ;  and  tlicrforc  if  a  i 
hrmfclfwiih  many  fwiehe  menial  finne s,cc 
li  fo  b;  that  he  fomtime  difcharge  him  of  I 
ih J  ifu  Ihcy  niay  wel  lightly  amcnufe  in  him  a 
Il>vc  tiiJt  he  hatli  to  jcfu  Crift,    And  in  this  wiie' 
ikippeth  vecial  tiiuc  into  dcdiy  fviv-  :  fm 
the  more  that  a  man  chargeth  hi^ 
riaJ  fiuncs,  the  more  he  h  encUue*!  t 
ly  finne ;  and  therfotr  let  us  not  be  nvgii^c^ 
dlfcharp^e   us  cf  venial  lirin?**  %  for  the  i 
I  '  :my  fniil  n    ' 

] L :  a  g/el    • 
h  fo  gret  a  ^  ..imuii^. 
d  the  fame  ham^e  do  feu 

,„  o.    ,,,i  of  Wiiter  that  tnicrcn  iUuw\^  ^^ 

crcvtf  in  the  thitxroky  and  in  the  boitoBLtf  ttf ' 


THE  PERSONES   TALE.. 


neo  htn  fo  negligent  that  they  difchar^c 

by  time  ;  anJ  tht  rforc  although  thcr  be 
c  bctwii  thifc  two  c^ufci  of  drctichingil' 
c  (hip  ii  drcint.  Right  fo  Urcth  it  fom- 
icdly  finiic  and  of  anoioutt  venial  fiDuci, 
pUt  in  man  fo  gretly  that  (hilke 
that  he  laveth^  thurgli  which  he 
rciually,  »  4j  grct  in  his  hcrtc  as  the  love 
or  more  ;  and  thcrfcre  the  love  of  every 
»t  15  not  heftt  in  God»  nc  don  priiKipdly 
let  Cikc,  although  that  a  nun  love  it  Icffc 
d«  yet  it  U  veiual  ficnc  ;  and  df dly  iinoe: 

the  love  of  any  thing  wcighcth  in  the 
'  man  as  moche  a»  the  love  of  God,  or 
Dcdiy  {Lnne»  as  fayth  Seine  Au^fline,  it 
man  totimeth  lii«  hcrtc  fro  Gc>d,  which c 
fcray  fovcraine  bouatce,  that  may  not 
,  and  ycvcth  hi*  Kcrte  to  thing  that  may 
aad  Bitte ;;  and  ccrtei  that  is  every  thing 
d  cf  heven  :  for  foth  u  that  if  a  man  ycvc 

which  that  he  oweth  to  God  with  iill  hi« 
pto  a  creature*  ccrtes  a-i  mochc  of  hi*  love 

cth  to  the  fame  creature,  fo  mochc  he  be- 

md  thcrforc  doth  he  linne  ;  for 

jf  to  God  nc  yeldcth  not  to  God 

kite,  that  it  to  layn,  all  the  love  of  lut 

Cth  man  ondcrdondeth  generally  which 
finne,  than  ii  it  conveniible  to  ttl]  fpcci- 
Ittici  whiche  that  many  a  man  pcravcn- 
Hth  bem  no  Cones  and  fhrivtth  him  nu 
mc,  and  yet  natkcUs  they  be  Onucs  foih!y, 
derkcs  writen  i  this  i»  to  fay,  at  every 
It  man  cteth  ai^d  drinkcth  mure  than  fuf* 
the  fufteoaoce  of  hh  body,  in  certain  he 
le  I  eke  whan  he  fpekeih  more  than  it 
he  doth  (Innc;  eke  whan  he  hcrkcnetb 
gocly  the  corophiint  of  the  p&urc :  ckc 
:  ii  in  hcle  of  body « and  wol  nut  fall  whan 
k^ft,  without  caufe  icf^^tiaivJc ;  ckc  whan 
h  more  tJian  ncdcth,  or  whan  be  comcth 
rncbcfon  to  late  to  ehirchc,  or  to  other 
»f  cbaritce;  eke  whan  he  u£cth  hit  wif 
KQ  (bveraine  deHre  of  engendrurt|  to  the 
»f  Cod^or  for  the  cntcnt  to  ycld  his  wif 
of  hi»  body  ;  eke  whan  he  wul  not  viOtc 
pr  the  prifoncr  if  he  may ;  ckc  if  he  love 
!d1d,  or  other  worldly  thinj:,  mere  than 
{uircth ;  ckc  tf  Ke  fiater  or  hiacdifc  more 
I  ought e  for  any  nc  c  '^ '  if  he  amc- 

irithdrawe  the  ahr. .  uure;  ckc 

tin,!,,    ^.ii   iT,>  f,    rirr  thin  IlCdc 

ckc  if  he 
t  sfcrvicCj 
^  be  a  takr  oi  jui=  wuruc^  of  folic  or  vi- 
rluflul  yeld  accomptt;^  of  it  at  the  day 
;  eke  whan  he  bchigktcth  or  afTurcih  to 
(ges  tltat  he  inay  not  pcrfourrjc ;  eke 
Ibt  t     *  '  -  of  fnty  snJllMtth  t.r 

hi  whin  he  luih  ony 

W^  ■'-'— '  -  ■ 


man  may  efchcwe  al  Tcnial  fion^i,  yet  may  he  re- 
frcinc  him  by  the  brcnning  U»vc  that  he  h-iih  to 
our  Lord  Jcfu  Criit,  and  by  prayer  and  ctMitcf- 
fion,  and  other  good  vvcrkcs,  fo  that  it  ftiAl  but  li- 
tcl  grieve  :  for,  as  fayih  Scint  Augtiftinc,  Tf  a 
man  love  God  in  fwiche  maoer  that  all  that  ever 
he  doth  i»  in  the  love  of  Gad,  or  for  the  love  of 
God  vcraily,  for  he  brcnscih  in  the  love  of  God, 
loke  how  mochc  that  o  drofc  of  water  which  fal- 
leth  into  a  fourneia  fiil  of  fire  aooicth  or  grevcth 
the  brcnnirjg  of  the  fire,  iu  like  maner  anoieth  or 
grevcth  a  venial  (muc  unto  that  man  wbichc  is 
ikdfaft  and  parfitc  in  the  love  of  our  Saviour  Jc- 
fu Crill,  Furthermore,  men  may  aho  rcfrcir.c  and 
put  away  venial  dnuc  by  receiving  worthily  the 
precious  body  of  Jcfu  CrUl,  by  receiving  eke  of 
haly  watcr^by  almcs  dcde,by  gcueraLconfcnion  of 
c^H^ieor  at  mairc,and  at  prime,  and  at  complin,  and 
by  blcfllng  of  bifboppcs  atid  prcedcj,  and  by  other 
good  "wcrkcs* 

I>e  SepUm  FttMlh  Mwiatihu. 

Now  it  is  bcbovdy  to  tdlcn  whiche  ben  dcd!y 
finnes,  that  i&  to  fay,  cliicfeLiines  of  finnes,  for  ai 
mochc  a&  all  they  rcn  in  o  Ices,  but  in  divers  ma* 
Dcrs.  Now  ben  they  clcpcd  chicfetaioe^  for  at 
mochc  a«  they  be  chicfc,  and  of  hem  fpringrn  all 
other  dnncs.  The  rote  of  thife  (iiuics  than  U 
pride,  the  general  rote  of  all  harmcs,  for  of  ihii 
rote  fprlngen  certain  braunches,  as  ire,  envic,  ac« 
cidc  or  fluuihc,  avarifc  or  covcitifc,  (to  commnti 
underloading)  glotoair,  and  lechcric;  and  cchc 
of  thife  chi%:f  iljinc^  hatii  bis  braunches  and  hi« 
twigges,  as  ihal  be  declared  iu  hir  cliapiues  fol* 
lowing. 

And  though  fo  be  that  no  man  knowcth  u£eci> 

[y  th^  nombre  of  the  tw  iggcs  and  of  the  harmet 

tha^comcn  of  pride,  yet  wol  I  jhcw  a  partie  of 

hem  24  ye  ibul  under,  o^id,     'I'hcr  l&  inobcdicncci 

avaunting,  ipocrifie,  dei[ni,arrogjnce,  impudences 

fwelling  of  hertc,  infulencc,  cbtiou,  impatience, 

ilrif,  contuinacic,  prcfmnptian,  irreverence,  pcrii^ 

naciCt  rainc  glorie,  and  ataoy  other  twi|C^es  tlia^ 

1  cantiot  dccbrc,    Inobedicnt  is  be  that  dUobcyeth 

for  dcfpit  to  die   commandemtiitt  of  God,  and 

to  his  fovcralncs,  and  to  his  goilly  fader  ;  avaun* 

tour  i^  he  iliat  bofLtth  af  th<  harmc  or  of  tfic  bounr* 

tee  that  He  hath  don  ;  ipocrite  u  be  that  hidcth  to 

ibcw  liim  fwiclic  a»  he  is,  and  flicwctb  him  ta  feme 

\  fwiche  as  he  is  not  \  dcfpitoiis  is  he  that  hath  dif- 

,  daiu  of  his  ncigbeboiu",  that  is  to  fayn,  of  his  even 

I  Criilen,  or  hatli  dclpit  to  do  that  him  ought  to  dti; 

I  arrogsnt  is  he  that  tbinkcth  that  he  hath  tholc 

I  bctmtec^  in  him  that  he  hath  not,  or  wencth  tla^ 

I  he  Ihuldc  huvc  bctit  by  hii  dcfcrving,  or  cllcstliat 

I  d^nictli  that  he  be  i;iiat  he  h  nut ;  impudent  ia  be 

]  ih^t  fur  hii  priJe  h^lh  no  thoim;  cf  his  fiunc^; 


&I  hi«  Taiuf »  «t  ius  coiuvng,  oi  hii  ipckinjE,  wd  «t 
Mii.j 


I 


I 


I 


I 
I 


Ills  bcj  ing  ;  elation  h  whan  he  nc  may  neither  fuf- 
frc  to  have  n>iiflrc  ue  fclawe  ;  impatient  is  he  tliat 
Wol  not  lie  tauglit  nc  undcrnomc  of  hi*  vice,  and 
liy  ftrlf  wcrrii'th  iryih  wctingly,  and  dcfcndeth 
liisfoly ;  ^t/niwrn^x  hhe  that  thurgh  hbindi^natibn 
is  ay t nit  cvet7  uudcaitoc  or  power  of  hem  that 
ben  his  fover&ines ;  prefuniptioD  is  whan  a  man 
Ti»jdcrt4kcth  an  ciiiprilc  thai  him  oughi  not  lo  do, 
€jf  clle»  that  he  may  not  do,  and  thit  is  called  fur^ 
<}uidric  \  irreverence  is  whan  maji  doth  not  honour 
ihcr  a^  him  ought  to  do,  and  waittrth  to  be  revc- 
Tcnccd  ;  pertinatie  is  whan  man  defendeth  h»fo- 
Jy,  and  trufteth  to  moche  in  his  owcn  wit ;  vaine- 
^lorie  is  for  to  have  pompe  and  dcUt  in  his  tempo- 
re! highncffe,and  gloryc  him  in  hi&  worldly  cflate  j 
Jangling  is  whan  man  fpeketh  to  morhe  btTore 
lolkp  and  clappeth  u  a  mille,  ind  taketh  no  kepc 
what  he  faytL 

And  yet  ther  is  a  privce  fpicc  of  pride  that 
waitcth  firft  to  be  faJewed  or  he  wol  falew,  all 
be  he  Icffe  worthy  than  that  other  is ;  and  eke  he 
i^aiteth  to  fit  or  to  go  above  him  in  the  way,  or 
kiffe  the  pax,  or  ben  encenfcd  or  gon  to  offering 
before  hia  neighbour,  andrwiehercmblable  thingcs, 
ayenft  his  deutec  peravcnture,  but  that  he  hath 
hiihcrte  and  his  entente  infwithca  proudc  de&rc 
to  be  magnified  and  honoured  bcForn  the  pcple. 

Now  ben  thcr  two  maner  of  prides ;  that  on  of 
licm  15  within  the  hertc  of  a  man,  and  that  other 
i^  without ;  of  whiche  fothJy  ihife  forefayd  thingt*s, 
uad  mo  than  I  ha^e  fayd,  appcrtcinen  to  pride 
that  ih  within  the  hertc  of  man  ;  and  thcr  be  other, 
fpite*  of  pride  that  ben  withoutcnj  but  nathclefs 
that  on  of  thifc  fptces  of  pride  isfigne  of  that  other, 
right  as  they  g;ay  Levcrcllat  the  taveme  is  figne  of 
the  win  that  is  in  the  cellcr.  And  thi&  is  in  many 
thingcs  as  in  fpechc  and  contcnance,  and  out- 
Tagious  array  of  clothing ;  for  ccrtes  if  there  had 
ben  no  fiunc  iu  clothing  Crift  wold  not  fo  fone 
have  nottd  r^nd  fpoken  of  the  clothing  of  tl^ilke 
rich  man  in  the  Golpel ;  and,  as  StJiiit  Gregory 
layth,  that  prcciocs  clothing  is  culpable  for  the 
dcrth  of  it,  and  for  his  fofineffc,  and  for  his 
itrangenelTe  and  difguifing,  and  for  the  fuper- 
flaitee  or  for  the  inordinate fcantueflc  of  it.  Alas ! 
may  not  a  man  fee  as  in  our  dates  the  (inneftil 
toltlcwe  array  of  elotlting,  and  namely  in  to  moche 
j'liperflultee,  orejlcsm  todifordinatc  ftantnctTc. 

An  to  the  firft  finne,  in  fuperfluitee,  of  clothing, 
whiche  that  makcth  it  fo  dcrcjto  the  harm  of  I  he 
peple«  not  only  the  code  of  the  eobrouding,  the  ' 
.  <lifgii{ing,  endcnting  or  barring,  ounding,  paling,  | 
wintiing,  or  bendiog,  and  femblaMc  wall  of  eloth  ' 
In  vanitee  but  ther  is  atlb  the  coillcwe  furring  in 
htr  gounes,  fo  tnuche  pounfoning  of  chefcl  to 
makcn  holes,  fo  moche  dagging  of  ftiercs,  with  , 
the  fiiperfluitce  in  length  of  the  forcfaide  gouncs,  i 
trailing  in  the  dong  and  in  the  myre,  on  horsand 
vkc  on  foot,  at  %cl  of  man  aiiof  woman,  that  all  ' 
thilke  trailing  is  veraijy    (as  in  cflcd)    wilUd,  ' 
cifiilumeUfthxedbare,  and  rotten  with  dong,  rather 
than  it  i»  ycvcn  lo  the  pmre,  to  get  damagr  of  the 
foicfayd  poure  folk,  an*:  that  in  fondry  wtfc ;  th;f 
itti>  fayn,  the  more  that  cloth  i»  wdlcdtne  more 


muft  it  eoft  the  pour  p"  ' 
and  funhcrovtr,  if  fo  I 
fwichc  pounfoncd  and  u^ila; 
pouic  pcplc  it  is  nor^con lenient  to 
eftatc»  nc  fuffifaut  to  bote  bit  neceflitee, 
henifrothc  dillemperancc  o(  theftrmtmea 
that  other  fide,  to  fpekc  of  the  horhble  ( 
fcantnelTc  of  clothing,  ai  ben  thife  cvtu 
or  hanfelines,  that  thurgb  hie  ittortni 
not  the  fhameful  members  of  man  U 
entente:  alast  fom  of  hem  flicw«a»thcl 

the  fhapc  of  the  horrible  fwo!I  -  ^ 

femcn  like  to  the  maladie  of  M  h 

picgof  hir  hofen,  and  ckc  the  __  ^„  j 
behinde,  that  faren  as  it  were  the  hmck 
a  Ihc  ape  in  the  ful  of  the  mone.  Ai 
over,  the  wretched  fwolten  memben  f 
fliew  thurgh  difgutfmg,  m  departing  of  I 
in  white  and  rede,  fetncth  char  hall  hiri 
privee  mcmbres  were  flame;  and  iS  Sa 
they  departe  hir  hofen  in    of'  '   i 

white  and  blcwr,  or  white  <  < 

and  rede,  and  Ibforth^  than  ftr,.. .,.  ..,  ^ 
ancc  of  colour,  that  the  half  pan  of  h 
members  ben  corrupt  by  tlie  fire  of  Seint  i 
or  by  cancrCf  or  other  fwiche  mifchancc^ 
hinder  part  of  hir  buitokket  it  is  ful  hoi 
to  fee,  for  ccrtes  in  that  panic  of  hir  I 
as  they  purgcn  hir  ftinkaig  ordure^  ti 
partic  ftitwc  they  to  thepeplc  proudely  i 
of  honcltec,  whiche  honeilcc  Vt\;it  Jtiu  ( 
his  frcndcs  obfcrved  to  flicwe  in  hir  lif, 
to  the  outragious  array  of  womciif  God  1 
though  the  vifagcsof  fume  of  hem  i  emeu  I 
and  dcbonaire,  yet  notifien  they  in  fur. 
attire  likeroufncfTc  and  pride.  J  fay 
honeftcc  in  clothing  of  man  or  woman 
vcnable,  but  ccrtes  the  fuperfluhee  or  d 
fcarcitcc  of  clothing  is  reprt  vablc*  AlTolf 
of  ornament  or  of  apparaile  is  to  thing«i 
perteine  to  riding,  as  in  to  many  delicit 
ben  holdenfordelit,  that  ben  fafatre,fa£t^ 
lewc ;  and  ajfo  in  many  a  viciouskna  vc  thai 
cd  becaufe  of  hem  ;  in  curious  hcmeis^aa 
cropers,  peitrcN,  and  bridles,  covered  wttl 
eloth  and  rich,  bnrred  and  pUted  ofgohU 
for  which  God  fayth  by  Zaeharic  tbe 
f  wol  confound e  the  riders  of  fwiche  ktm 
folke  taken  lite!  regard  to  the  nding  d 
fone  of  hevcn,  and  of  hi&  harneit^  whal 
upon  the  aiTct  and  had  none  other  Kamd 
poure  clothes  of  his  difciplcs,  ne  we  rtd« 
ever  he  rode  on  ony  other  bcftc.  1  fpckl 
the  finne  of  fupcrfluitee,  and  not  for 
whan  rcafon  it  recjuireth.  And  mofo^ 
pride  it  grctly  notified  in  holding  of  M 
whan  they  ben  of  lit  el  profit  e  or  of  i 
prufitr,  and  namdy  ^han  that  meinie  ii 
and  damage  out  to  the  pcple  by  bardmc^ 
tordcfhip,  or  by  way  of  office  ;  for  ccfW 
lordes  Icli  than  hir  lordcfliip  to  tK(t  dcTl 
whan  th  y  fufteinc  the  wiekcdnefTrof  hil 
or  c  vt  hail  thifc  folk  of  low  de^^rec, 
ihtt  b^ldcD  hoflelriciy  luilcioca 


THE   PERSONES   TALE 


tttn  nun;  miintr  ot  (leccitcs; 
I  ijaoffolkhen    the  fliet  that  folowcn 

J  j  iritually 

f  .    -,..,....     .,«r  ,,*...  D.ivid  the 

K-j  r  1  drth    mot    come    unto    cblJke 

f-^-  -mJ  ycvc  that  ihcy  mot  defcend 

iii  doun,  for  in  hir  houfet  ii  tniquttce 

r    vudneflc,  and  not   God  of  hcvcn:   and 

Uut  k{  they  don  amcndemt^nt,  right  as  God 

hii  bcnifon  to  hahan  by  the  fcrvicc  of  Jacub^ 

i,^»3  to  Phanw  by  the  fervke  of  JofcpH,  right  fo 

Gtid  wol  ycve  his  maJifon  to  fwichc  lortljilhipe^s 

m  fuilcine   the  wickedncfffc  of  hir  fervant^,  but 

tkcy  cooie  to  amcndemcnt.     Pride  of  the  tabk 

tffertth  ckc  ful  oft,  for  certearichc  men  be  dcp- 

t&  to  (cCicu  and  poure  folk  he  put  away  and 

fluked;  and  aifo  m  excefTc  of  dtvcn  tnctet  and 

4hnkcs  and   namely  fwichc  mancr  bake  inctc* 

ird  dJhc  Tncic^  brcnning  of  wQde  fire,  and  pcint- 

r£  itiii  r4  Oct  led  with   paper,  and  fcmblablc  wall:, 

fcthat  it  1^  abufton  to  thinke;  and  eke  in  to  grct 

cwiiTj'cfTc  or  Tcifen,  and  curiofitcc  of  minftraU 

by  wh(*  h  a  man  h  fiirrcd  more  to  the  dtlitcs  nf 

;iifi«,  tf  f o  be  that  he  fctte  hii  hcrtc  the  Icfft 

oitre  Lord  Jefti   Criil.,  it  i&  a   done;  and 

ily  the  ^elite»  might  ben  fo  grct  In  this  cas 

a  mall  might  lightly  fall  by  hem  into  dcdly  \ 

:t.     The  fpicei  that  foardcn  of  pride,  fothly  I 

I  ourden   of  malice   imagined,  arifcd,  ! 

c,  or  elk K  of  ufagc,  ben  dediy   £inne4  i 

BO  doute  ;  and  uhao  they  fourden  by  frccltec 

fbdenlyi  and  fodenly  withdrawn  again, 

Ihry  grevuu*  finnes  1  gc0c  that  they  he  not 

iiow   might  men  jflcc  whcrof  that  pride 

'faerdeth  ajid   fpringcth  *  I  fay  that  fomtimc    it 

^isgftb  of  the  goodes  of  nature,  fomtimc  of  the 

fiodea  of  forttinc,  and  fomtimc  of  the  goodcs  of 

ptcc.     Certc*  the  goodcA  of  nature  ilondcn  only 

■  the  goc»dc»  of  the  body  or  of  the  foul ;  ccrtet  the 

■isde*  of   the  body  ben  hcle  of  body,  flrcngtb, 

tiiremeCre»     bcautee,    gentn'e,    franchifc ;    the 

gfcjri  of  natvire  of  the  foufc  ben  good  wit,  (harpe 

MAerilooding,  fubtil  engine,  vertue  naturcl,  good 

feoneric  :   go^ides  of  fortune  ben  riches,  high  de- 

^cc  of  lorUlhipcji*  and  preifinges  of  the  peple; 

foode*  of  j^r  jcc  ben  fcience,  power  to  fuffrc  fpi- 

titDcltravaik,  benignitce,vcnuou4  contemplation, 

»t»h^r,nt!  mj;  eft  en  iptition,  and  fcmblablc  thingcf  J 

!  goodn  certea  it  is  a  grct  folic 

min  onyof  hemilL  Nowasforto 

ip<ie-iigc">tic^  at  nature,  God  wot  that  fomtimc  we 

ufc  hcxn  in  nature  asmoche  to  our  damage  as  to 

•wiir^*'*'-     ^ "  ^'^^  to  fpckc  of  hclc  of  body,  trcwcly 

itpftlfc  itly,  and  alfo  it   i%  ful  ofte  en- 

.  of  the  foule,  for  God  wote  the 

a  £Tct  enemy  to  the  foulc^  and  therforc 

c  that  the  body  it  hole  the  more  be  we  in 


1  to  f^Uc;  eke  for  to  pridcn  him  in  his  Arcngth 
[  body  it  ifl  a  grcte   folic,   for  ccrtet  the  ficlh 
'lie  fpiritc,  and  ever  the  more 
ill  is  ihc  foritr  may  the  foute  be  ; 
l;^vti   4  1,     >'-i  ftrength  of  body  and  worldly 
lAidmcik  oufcth  fiU  of  16  many  man  peril  and 


mifchanct ;  aifo  tohavcpridc  ofgentric  ii  right  grct 
folic,  for  oft  time  the  gcntric  of  the  body  bcnim* 
ethihegentric  of  the  foulc :  and  alfo  wc  ben  all  of  o 
fadcrrandof  o  modcr,andallwcbcn  of  o  nature,  rot« 
ten  and  corrnpt,  bothe  richc  and  pourc.  Forfotho 
m^ncr  gcntrieii  fortopreifc,that  appareiUcth  man- 
ner CO  rage  with  vcrtues  and  moratitcci^,  and  makcth 
htm  Criues  child,  for  UuDeth  wel  that  over  what 
man  that  finne  hath  maiflrie  he  is  a  vcray  cherl 
to  fmne. 

Now  ben  thcr  general  Ggnes  of  gentilnefle,  as 
cfchcwing  of  vice  and  ribaudrie^  and  fervagc  of 
finne  in  word,  and  in  werk  and  contenancc,  and 
uQng  vertue,  ^h  courtefic  and  cIcncnciTc,  and  to  be 
liberal,  that  it  to  fay,  large  by  mcafurc,  for  thilke 
that  paffcth  mefure  ift  folic  and  fiunc ;  another 
i*  to  remember  him  of  bountce  that  he  of  other 
folk  hath  received ;  another  ii  to  be  bcnignc  to 
hi»  fubgettci;  wherfor  faith  Senek<f»  Thcr  t» 
nothing  more  covcnabic  to  a  man  of  high  cilate 
than  dobonairtee  and  pitce;  and  therforc  thifc 
iic*  that  men  clcpen  Bee*,  whan  they  make  hir 
king  thcv  chcfen  on  that  hath  no  pHckc  whcrwith 
he  may  fUng.  Another  is,  man  to  have  a  noble 
hcrtc  and  a  diligent,  to  attcme  to  high  vcrtuous 
thinges  :  now,  ccrtes  a  man  to  pridcn  him  in  the 
goodts  of  grace  h  eke  an  outrageous  folic,  for 
thilke  yeftcs  of  grace  that  fliuld  have  toumed  him 
to  goodnelTe  and  to  medicine  tourncth  him  to 
vcnimc  and  confufion,  a.^  fnyth  Scint  Gregorie. 
Certci  alfo,  who  fo  prldcth  him  in  the  goodnclTc 
of  Fortune  he  h  a  grct  fool,  for  fomtimc  is  a  man 
a  grct  lord  by  the  morwc  that  i*  a  cattife  and  a 
wretch  or  it  be  mghi:  and  fomctimethcrichncnc 
of  a  man  is  caufc  of  his  dcth^  and  fomtimc  the 
dclitcs  of  a  man  ben  caufc  of  grevoua  maladJe 
thurgh  which  he  dieth,  Ccrtcs  the  (^ommcnda- 
fion  of  the  pcpk  i*ful  Lalfc  and  brotcl  for  to  truft ; 
thi»  day  they  prcifc,  to-morwc  they  blame.  God 
wotc  dc&rc  to  have  commendation  of  the  pcple 
hath  caufcd  dcth  to  many  a  bcly  man. 

Memeiium  Suptrti^. 

Now  fith  that  fo  it  is  that  yc  have  nndcrflond 
what  ti  pride,  and  which  be  the  fpi cc&  of  it^  and 
how  mcnnc*  pride  fourdeth  and  fpringcth,  now 
ye  (hul  uudernond  which  is  the  rcmcdlc  aycnft 
it,  Humihtce  or  mckcntlTc  is  the  remedy  ayen{t 
pride ;  that  is  a  vcrtuc  thurgh  which  a  man  hath 
vcray  knowledge  of  himfclf,  and  holdcth  of  him- 
felf  no  deintcc  nc  no  pris,  as  in  regard  of  hi«t 
dcfcrtcs,  confidcring  tvcr  his  frccltec.  Now  ben 
thcr  thiec  maner  of  humilitcc.i,  a*  humilitcc  in 
hertc,  and  another  in  the  mouth,  and  the  thriddc 
in  wcrkca.  The  humilitcc  in  hcrtc  is  in  fourc 
manercs  j  that  on  is  whan  a  man  holdeth  himfcif 
as  nought  worth  before  God  of  hcvcn  ;  the  fccond 
is  whan  he  dcfpifcth  non  other  man  ;  the  thrrddc 
is  whan  he  ne  reckcth  nat  though  men  holdehim 
nought  worth ;  and  the  fourth  is  whan  he  is  not 
fory  of  hlft  humilitatiun,  Alfo  the  humilitcc  of 
mouth  is  in  four  thmgrs;  in  atumperatc  fpcchc; 
112  humiiitce  of  fpcchc^  and  whan  he  confdTcth 


^ 


*HE   PER80NH&  TALE. 


» 


I 


with  hh  owen  mouth  'th^  he  is  fwicKe  as  he  thiak- 
eih  that  he  b  mhcttc  ;  another  h  whaft  he  prcif- 
cctk  the  bouncee  of  another  man,  and  nottiiag 
llkerof  amenu&th.  HumUjtee  eke  in  wcrkt*«  ii 
Jsj  foufc  maners :  the  firft  in  whan  he  put  tech 
other  men  before  him  ;  the  (ccond  is  to  chcfc  the 
EuweiV  pbcc  of  all ;  the  thridde  m  gladly  to  aflcnt 
lo  good  coafcil;  the  foarth  U  tw  ftond  gbdly 
to  fh'?  .^ward  of  hU  fovcrcignc,  or  of  hem  that  is 
iligtier  m  ditgree  -,  certain  thi»  is  a  gret  wcrk  of 
l^umUuee. 

De  Invidiam 

After  pride  wol  1  fpckc  of  the  foule  fin  tic  ol 
m^ie,  which  that  is,  after  the  word  of  the  philo- 
iopher,  forwc  of  other  meiinc*  profpcritcc  ;  and 
-atRer  the  word  of  Seint  Augudine  it  is  forwe  of 
«thcr  mennes  welc^  and  joy  of  other  mcnn<« 
Barnie*  ThU  foule  finne  is  pTatly  aycn(l  the 
Haly  Gq%.  :  al  he  it  fo  that  every  ikinc  is  ayt;n£t 
cfcc  HoTf  God,  yet  narhele»  for  as  mochc  at 
fcomiree  appcrteineth  properly  to  the  Holy  Goft, 
ausd  efivie  eometh  properly  of  mattce,  tberfore  it 
ii  properly  aycnft  the  bountee  of  the  Holy  Gofl, 
J7ow  hath  malice  two  fpices  that  i»  to  fay,  hardi^ 
ceCTe  of  hertc  in  wickedocfle,  or  cHet  the  flelh  of 
itiAn  li  fo  blind  that  he  con0dereth  not  that  he  is 
in  finne,  or  recketh  not  that  he  is  in  £nne,  which 
-B  the  h^dineCTe  of  the  divcl,  That  other  fpicc  of 
onric  W  whan  that  a  man  wcrricth  troutli  whan 
Itc  wot  that  it  \%  trouth,  and  alfo  whan  he  wer- 
rJcth  the  grace  of  God  that  God  hath  ycvc  to 
hit  neighbour ;  imd  all  this  i«  by  cavic) 
ccitei  than  s*  cnvic  the  werfl  finne  that  is,  for 
fochly  all  other  Gnaei  he  fometime  only  ayenfl  on 
fpccial  vertue^  but  certci  cnvic  if  ayenil  al  mantr 
verttte5  and  alle  goodncflV,  for  it  is  fory  of  atl 
Iiouotce  of  his  neighbour  :  and  in  this  mancr  it  is 
divers  from  mil  other  finne?,  for  wel  uonethc  ti 
ther  any  finne  that  it  ne  hath  fom  delit  in  him- 
iJelf  favc  only  cnvie  that  ever  hath  in  himfctf 
angnifh  and  forwc.  The  fptces  of  cnvic 
ben  thefe ;  ther  is  firfl  forwe  of  other  raeiui cs 
S^odncffc  and  of  hir  profpcritec,  and  profperitcc 
oaght  to  be  kindly  mater  of  joye;  than  is  cnvic 
a  ttnae  ay  en  (I  kinde.  The  feconde  fpice  of  cuvie 
is  joye  of  other  menncs  harmc»  and  that  is  properly 
like  to  thedivel,  that  cYcrrejoyfethhitnof  matines 
harme.  Of  thiic  two  fpectcs,  cometh  backbiting ; 
and  this  fmne  of  backbiting  or  dctraditig  h^ch 
certain  fpiccSy  as  thus  i  fom  man  prcilcth  his 
neighbour  by  a  wicked  entente,  fur  he  m:iketh 
ztway  ■  wicked  knottc  at  the  lafle  cnde  ;  alway  he 
maketb  a  Aw/  at  the  lafl  endct  that  is  dignc  of  more 
Ulamc  than  is  'v^orth  all  the  preiCng  :  the  fecond 
fpice  Is,  th4t  if  a  man  he  good,  or  doth  or  iayth 
a  thing  good  entente,  the  b:ickbitcr  wol  tiimc  all 
that  gootfr^"!"'  "•;  »'•..■<.... -^  1...  v;.  fKf>^-J.-^  "^^'catc  ; 
thcthrid'  icieb- 

Ikmr :  tht  ,  ^  ,  that 

U  men  (peke  goodneOc  of  i^man  than  wol  the 
tiackbiter  fay,  Parfay  fwichc  a  &ian  is  yet  better 
"^     1^  ia  dif|>rajiP^  of  him  that  men  prcifc  ; 


the  5fth  ff  ice  is  thi&,  for  to  conf^Dt  ^^V 
ken  the  harmc  that  men  fpekc  of  other  f< 
finne  is  ful  gret,  and  ay  encrufeth  after  t%n 
entcnt  of  the  backbiter  :  after  backbiting 
grutching  or  murmoranec,  and  fom< 
fpringeth  of  impatience  ayeuH  G<td,  and 
ayenu  man :  ayenft  God  it  i*  whan 
grutcheth  ayenft  the  peine  of  lirllc,  o( 
povertc>  or  lolTc  of  catd,  or  ay  en  ft  rain 
peft,  or  cllcs  grutchtth  that  fhrcwc*  ha 
iperitee,  or  cll««  that  g«>od  men  haTt  a4f 
and  all  thife  thingcs  fhuld  men  fuifrc  | 
for  they  comen  by  die  ri^htfol  jugim 
crdinatice  of  God,  Somtime  eomctb  grul 
avarice,  as  Judas  grutched  aycnll  the  Mi| 
whan  (he  anointed  the  hcd  of  our  Lord 
with  hire  precinos  oynemem  :  this 
muring  Is  fwjche  as  whan  man  | 
goodncfle  that  hlmfclf  dolh  or  that 
don  of  hir  owen  catcL  Samtiaic  com* 
mur  of  pride,  as  whan  Simon  the 
grutched  ayenft  the  Magdeleinc  whan 
proched  to  Jcfu  CriA  and  wept  at  his  €ecli 
finne* :  and  fomtimc  it  fourdcth  a  ' 
whan  men  difcover  a  maimcs  hamie  i 
privcej  or  bereth  him  on  bond  thing 
Murmur  alfo  is  oft  amoog  fervmnts^  1 
whan  hir  fovctaincs  bidden  hem  ' 
and  for  af  moche  a*  they  dare  s 
the  conimaun dement  of  hir  f 
they  fay  hurme  and  grutchc  and  murmure  pi 
for  veray  dcfpit,  which  wnrdes  they  oJ 
divcls  Fulcr  fujftr^  though  fo  bc  that  t!ie  <"  " 
never  P^er  nojltr^  but  that  lewcd  fofk 
fwichc  a  name-  Somtime  it  cometh 
privce  hatff,  that  norifhcth  rancour  in 
at  afterward  I  ihal  deelarc,  Th-in  eta 
bittcrntiTc  of  hertc,  thurgh  whith 
very  good  dede  of  his  nelghboor  fcJ 
bitter  and  unf^vor)'.  Than  con 
that  unbindcth  aU  maner  of  frc 
cometh  fcorning  of  his  neighbour,  al  dft^ 
fo  wcl :  than  coni'^th  accufing^  as  whan  1 
keth  occafion  to  annoyen  his  neighbovrJ 
is  like  the  craft  of  the  divcl,  tliat  wa' 
day  and  night  to  accufcn  ui  all  :  ihan^ 
mali^itcei  thurgh  which  a  man  ana 
neighbour  prively  if  he  may,  and  if  he 
algate  hi^  wicked  wtll  Hial  not  let  as  for  t^ 
hi*  hous  pri^  el  ,  or  cnpoifea  him,  or  f  ^  '~ 
and  fembkh  c  hiigos. 

Jt  pttJimm  Invidlr, 

Now  wol  I  (J>ekc  of  the  feme 
fouie  fiiioe  of  cnvic.     Firflc  is  the  I 
principally^  and  loving  of  his  nci^^J 
klf>  for  lothly  th*t  ou  nc  may  ootj 
that  other;  and  rni<l  wci  thai  int' 
neighbour  thoa  ih4.It  tsndirfluuk 
thy  brother,  lor  terics  all  we  lwv«  < 
ty  and  on  modcr,  i\\ix  ts  to  &y,  Adim  ^ 
and  alfo  on  fndcr  fr»ir)tael,  thai  b  to  iay^ 
hevcj].    Th|  ceighlottc  an  thou  "^ 


THE   PERSONES  TALB. 


187 


I  wili  him  all  goodncfTt*,  ^'  ^  ♦'■  'fore 
I,  Love  thy  neighbour  a^  '  i-.  n 

»   falvalioo    both  of  lit  a  jiid 

.  thou  (halt  Tovc  him  in  word,  and  in 
tmuncAing  znd  diaflifing,  aiul  comrort 
♦  uiojct,  jio<i  pniyc  For  liim  with  all  iHy 
i4  in  dcUc  thou  ih^dc  )ovc  fiini  in  Twjchc 
thoM  fh^t  do  to  him  in  chariicc  u«  tbou 
lat  it  Mfcrc  don  to  thie  owcn  pcrlon,  and 
hgm  IK  Sh^lt  do  him  nn  dam^A^t:  in  wick 
Hkhairme  in  h'u  bod)',  nc  in  hi-*  catcl, 
Hg|r  r V  rriuung  of  wttKcd  calample  ; 
K>t  vvif,  nt  noti  of  his  tbingcs. 

K  ^  the  nimt  of  Nti^hbour  \ 

hcDtkd  luv  rJictoy;  ccrtcswiiu  (hd  lov* 
'  for  the  cumm^ndc'infiit  of  God,  4ud 
'  frifnd  tbuu  fhalt  love  in  God ;  I  fay 
if  fiudt  th£(U  tovc  for  Godd<rsfiik:c  by  his 
\cmK^tf  for  1/  it  were  rc£bn  that  nijin 
^e  hU  cQ^tny  forfoth  God  n'oldc  not  tc- 
9  ki«  loTc  tlj4t  be«i  hU  cDcrmci*  A'ycnft 
icr  of  wrongcf  thAt  hi*  ttxemy  doih  to 
>I  do  three  thiom,  u  thui  j  ayenll  bate 
lur  of  bene  he  mal  love  bini  in  turrtc; 
kdiog  3.nd  wicked  ivordci  he  fhikl^ray 
:mf  ;  ;iyciiil:  the  wicked  drdc  of  his  cno 
it  do  him  boutitce ;  for  Crifi  fayih,  Lore 
mica,  and  prayeth  for  hem  that  fpekc 
«,  aind  for  htiu  that  ch^^n  znd  purfucn 
do  boUAtec  to  hem  th;kt  hatcn  yuu  Lti, 
DAndctli  ui  our  Lord  Jcfu  Criil  to  do  Co 
ic«b  Forfoth  nature  drivt^ih  u»  to  love 
e%  and  pnrf^y  our  cziemict  have  more 
|rtw  (bail  our  fresidc»,  and  they  th^ic  more 
i  ccnet  to  hem  (bal  men  do  goodncile ; 
I  in  thilkc  dcde  have  we  rer:ienibr2acc 
99  <if  Jcfu  Crifl  tb*t  died  for  hi»  cne- 
i  in  a*  moche  sm  thiike  love  i«  more 
K>  pctSormCj  fo  moche  is  more  grci  the 
Eld  therforc  the  lovitig  of  our  enemy 
fottodcd  the  vcoime  of  the  divel;  for 
the  direl  is  confounded  by  humilitce, 
I  he  wounded  to  the  dv-rh  by  love  of  our 
ccrtes  than  i»  love  ibc  medicine  tlut 
ki  the  venimc  of  cnvie  fro  munca  bcrte. 

Iwol  1  declare  of  the  fliitie  of  Ire, 
So  baih  envy  upon  hi»  neighbour 
iflHtnly  wol  finde  him  mater  of  wnith  in 
ill  dedc  ayenft  him  to  whom  he  hath  en* 
am  wel  cometh  ire  of  pride  u  of  envii, 
f  he  that  tft  proude  or  eavioui  i»  lightly 

one  of  tre»  &ftrr  the  diicriving  of  Sdot 
I  it  wicked  wili  to  be  avenged  by  word 
ki  ire,  after  the  pHilofophrc*  \a  the  fcr- 

k'  '         .  ihufgh 

■  th;  lor 
C  'It 

tlMit  iffc  la  »  Vmo  ittJficri|  th^  un  of 


Di  Ira. 


hem  i«  good,  and  that  other  it  wicked.  The  good 
ire  11  by  jalouCe  of  goodncflc,  thurgh  the  which 
man  h  wroth  with  wickednefle,  and  again  wick- 
cdnclTct  aiul  tbtrfore  faith  the  wife  tnan  thac  irc 
i»  ticttcr  limn  play.  This  irc  is  with  deboniirta^ 
and  u  h  wrotbc  without  bittei  neflc;  not  %vrothc 
ayenll  the  man,  but  wrothc  with  the  mifdtde  of 
the  man  ;  a&  faith  the  prophet  David^  irufdminf^ 
H  imUtt  ^tti  rr.  Now  underilofid  that  wicked  irc 
is  in  two  maners,  that  it  to  fay,  fodtin  irc  or  hafly 
ire,  without  avdVmirnt  and  coii/cuting  of  refon; 
t>«:  meaning  and  the  fen  ft  of  th;*  ii,  that  the  re- 
fun  of  a  man  nr  confentcth  not  to  that  fodcri  ire,  and 
than  tt  lit  veoial.  Another  iie  is  that  isful  wick- 
ed, that  cometh  of  felonic  of  hertc,  arifcd  and 
call  before,  with  Wrickcd  will  to  do  vengeance, 
and  ihcrto  his  refon  confcnteth ;  and  iothly  this 
is  dedly  Unne.  This  irc  is  fo  difptefant  to  God 
that  it  trcmbleth  his  hou*,  and  chafcth  the  Holy 
Goft  init  of  manner  foulc,  and  waftcth  and  dc- 
ftroycth  the  likenclTc  of  God,  that  is  to  fay,  the 
vcrtuc  that  is  in  manncs  foiitc^  and  putteth  in  him 
the  UkenciTc  of  the  devil,  and  beninieththe  man 
fro  God  that  is  hii  rightful  Lord^  This  ire  is  a 
ful  grcc  plcfance  to  the  devil,  for  it  is  the  devUs 
fomcis  that  he  enchaufctb  with  the  fire  of  hclle  ; 
for  ccrtes  right  fo  as  fire  it  more  mighty  to  dc- 
flroic  erthiy  thinges  than  any  other  element,  ri^^ 
fo  ire  ia  mighty  to  dcftrorc  all  fpirituel  thingCA. 
Lokc  how  that  Urc  of  fmal  gkdc«,  thai  ben  almoft 
dcd  under  aihcn,  wol  quicken  ayca  whan  th<y 
ben  touched  with  brimftone;  right  fo  irc  wol 
evermore  quicken  ayen  whan  it  is  touched  with 
pride  that  is  covered  in  maunes  herte ;  for  ccrtes 
fire  zve  may  not  come  out  of  nothing,  but  if  it 
were  firfl  in  the  fame  thing  naturclly,  a*  fire  is 
drawn  out  of  Bintes  with  Jlcle ;  and  right  fo  aa 
pride  is  many  times  mater  of  ire,  right  fo  is  ran- 
cour noricc  and  keper  of  irc.  Ther  11  a  tnaner 
tree,  as  fayth  Seint  I^dore,  that  whan  men  make 
a  fire  of  the  faidc  tree,  and  cover  the  coles  of  it 
with  alhcn,  fothiy  the  fire  thcrof  wol  laA  all  a 
yere  or  more  ;  and  right  fo  farcth  it  of  rancour 
whan  it  is  ones  conceived  in  the  hcrte  of  fom 
men ;  certct  it  wol  laflcn  pcraventurc  from  oq 
Cailcmc  day  until  another  Eafternc  day,  or  more  ; 
but  certes  the  fame  man  is  ful  £er  from  the  mcr- 
cie  of  God  all  thilkc  while. 

In  this  forcfaid  devih  forneis  ther  forgen  three 
fhrewcj^  Pride,  that  ay  blowcth  and  encrcfeth  the 
fire  by  chiding  and  wicked  wordcs ;  than  Uondetli 
En  vie,  and  holdcth  the  hot  yrcn  upon  the  herte 
of  man  with  a  piiir  of  longc  tonges  of  longer 
rancour ;  and  than  iWdcth  the  finnc  of  contu- 
mdic,  or  ftrif  and  chcile,  and  battereth  and  forg- 
ctb  by  vibiim  rcprcvingcs.  Ccrtes  this  cnrfcd  finne 
annoyeth  botii  to  the  man  htmfclf  and  eke  hi» 
neighbour,  for  fothiy  almofl  all  the  harme  or  da- 
*•  '  'th  to  his  neighbour  cometh 

itmgcous  wrathc  doth,  all 
r  ».,.  v.^,  I  .  ^^^v^  i'iaic  willctli  cr  conmiandcth 
him  ;  for  he  nc  fpatcth  ncythcr  for  our  Lord  Jc- 
fu Criil  nc  hii  fwctc  modcr;  and  in  hts  outrage- 
au»  anger  &i;d  ifc,  Aks  \  ala4 1  fid  Biaay  on  at  that 


n% 


THE    PERSONES  TALE. 


time  fdcth  m  KIiTic?!cIun?itkcdIy  both  of  Crift 
and  alfo  of  all  hit  ^halwes.  Is  not  this  a  carlcd 
▼ice?  yci,  ccrtcf.  Alas!  it  bcnimmcth  fro  man 
_ii»iprittc  and  hii  rcfon,  and  all  his  dcbonairc  [if 
IpiritQcl,  that  fhuld  kepc  hi»  foulc  :  ccrtc&  it  be- 
ntrmncth  alfo  Goddc*  due  lordlhip  (a.nd  that  is 
tiunnci  foule)  and  the  love  of  his  neighbours  j 
it  flriTcth  alfo  all  d-iy  aycnll  trouth ;  it  revtth 
liim  the  quiet  of  hU  hcnc,  tnd  fubvcrteth  his 
luulc. 

Of  ire  comta  thJfc  ftinking  cngendrurcs ;  fidl 
ic,  that  h  olde  wrath  i  difcord,  thurgh  v^hich 
man  forfiiketh  his  olde  frcnd  diat  he  hath  loved 
1  bug ;  and  than  corocth  wcrrc,  and  every  m*- 
r  of  wrong  that  a  man  doth  to  hia  neighbour  m 
i«dy  or  in  catcl.  Of  this  curfed  Onnc  of  ire 
.eth  ck^  manCavghter.  And  underflondeth 
•cl  that  horaidde  (that  it  maiiflaughtcr)  is  in  di- 
n  wife.  Som  raancr  of  homicide  is  fpirituet, 
,d  Pom  i»  botiily.  Sptritucl  manflaughtcr  is  in 
'f\t  thrngca.  Firft,  by  hate,  as  fayth  Seint  Jnhn, 
He  that  hateth  his  brother  is  an  homicide.  Ho* 
micldc  is  alfo  by  backbiting,  of  which  backbi- 
tours  fayth  Salomon,  that  they  have  two  fwcrdcs 
with  which  they  fiay  hir  neighbours;  for  fothly 
aA  wicked  it  is  to  benime  of  him  his  good  name 
»  his  lif.  Homicide  is  alfo  in  yeving  of  wicked 
confcll  by  fraude,  as  for  to  ycve  confeil  to  arcife 
wrongful  cuftomes  and  takges,  of  which  fayth 
Salomon,  A  lion  roriiJg,  and  a  bare  hungric,  bea 
liVc  to  cruel  lordes  in  withholding  or  a  brcgging 
of  the  hire  or  of  the  wages  of  fcivaotes,  or  cUct 
in  ufurie,  or  in  withdrawing  of  the  almcffc  of 
poure  folk  ;  for  which  the  wife  man  fayth,  Fcdeth 
him  that  almoft  dieth  for  hongcr,  for  fothly  but 
if  thou  fcde  him  thou  flceft  him  :  and  all  thifc 
hen  dedly  finncs.  Bodily  manflaughter  is  whan 
ihou  flccft  him  with  thy  tonge  in  other  maiier,  as 
whan  thou  commax)deft  to  flc  a  man,  or  elles 
yevcft  confeil  to  He  a  man«  Manflaughtcr  in  dcdc 
It  in  fourc  maucn.  That  on  is  by  hwc»  right  as 
a  jiifllcc  dampncth  him  that  is  culpable  to  the 
dcth ;  but  let  tlic  juilicc  beware  that  he  do  it 
rightfully,  and  that  he  do  it  not  for  dclit  to^Q)itl 
blood,  but  for  kcping  of  rightwUcnenc,  Another 
homicide  is  don  for  ncccflitcc,  as  whan  a  man 
ilctth  another  in  his  defence,  and  that  he  ne  may 
rion  other  wife  cfcaptn  fro  his  owcn  deth;  but 
certain  and  he  may  efcapc  withoutcn  flaoghter  of 
hi*  advcrfaric  he  doth  fuine,  and  he  flial  here  pe- 
nance as  for  dedly  finnc.  Alfo  if  a  man  by  cas 
avtnturc  fhcte  an  arowe  or  caft  a  ftont  with 
'hich  he  lleeth  a  man,  he  is  an  homicide.  And 
a  womjin  by  negligence  overly ctb  hire  child 
In  hire  (Icpc,  it  is  homicidr  and  dedly  finne,  Al- 
fo whan  a  man  diflurbleth  conception  of  a  childe, 
and  maketh  a  woman  barein  by  drinkes  of 
vcnimous  herbcs  thurgh  which  ihe  may  not  con- 
ceive, or  tleeth  hire  child  by  drinkcs,  or  clle«  put- 
feth  certain  material  thing  in  hire  fecret  place  to 
flee  hire  child,  or  ellct  doth  unkinde  Tmnc,  by 
which  man  or  woman  fhedeth  his  nature  in  yUcc 
thcf  as  a  childe  m*y  not  be  conceived  ;  or  cUes  if 
ji   w^maa   haih  coocdvcd  and  huneth  hlrefclf^ 


I 


and  by  that  milhappe  the  childe  if 

homicide.     What  fay  wc  eke  of  w 

murdercn  hir  children  for  dredc  of  worloiy  la-imcf 

ccrtes  it  is  an  horrible  homicide.     Eke  if  j 

approche  to  a  woman  by  defir  of  lechcn*-  t^ 

which  the  childe  is  pcrUhed,  or  die* 

woman  wctlngly,  thurgh  which  (he   I 

child,  all  thife  ben  homicides,  and  honible 

finncA.     Yet  comen  thcr  ire  many  mo  linnev 

wcl  in  worde  as  in  thought  and  tu  dede ;  «i 

that  arret tcth  upon  Cod,  or  blameth  Ood  of 

thing  of  which  he  is  hitnfelf  gilty,  or  defpiCcth 

and  aU  his  halwcs,  at  don  th'ifc  curfed  haCsr<* 

in  divers  contreeiL     This  curfed  Unnc  don 

whan  they  felen  in  hir  hcrte  ful  wickedly  of 

and  of  his  halwes :  alfo  whan  they  trrtcll 

vercntly  tlic  facranicnt  of  the  auter,  thifke 

is  lo  grct  that  unncth  it  may  be  reldfed,  bat 

the  mercy  of  God  pafTeth  all  his  werke«^  s£ 

gref,  and  he  fo  benigne*  Than  comcth  alfo 

attry  anger,  whan  a  man  is  iharpcly  mtn 

his  Ihrift  to  leve  his  finnc  ;  than  wol  he  be 

and  anfwcrc  hokcrly  and  angc-rly,  lo    ''' 

cacufen  hts  (Inne  by  un/kedfaftDeife   ot 

or  ellcs  he  did  it  for  to  hold  compi^r, 

felawes ;  or  dies  he  fayeth  the  ft 

or  dies  he  did  it  for  his  youthe  ;  • 

plexion  b  fo  coragcous  that  he  may  nut  turbcf«  J 

or  dies  it  i«  bis  dcftinee,  he  fayth,  unto  *  «r^>&l 

age ;  or  dies  he  fayth  it  cometh  hira  of 

of  his  aunceHres,  and  fcmblable  thingck 

mancf  of  folkc  fo  wrapper  hem  in 

that  they  ne  wol  not  ddiver  hcnifclf^ 

no  wight  that  exrufcih  himfelf    v   i 

finnc  may  not  be  delivered  of  his 

mckdy  beknoweth   his  Gnne. 

comcth  fwering,  that  is  oiprdtc 

mandement  of  God;  and  that   h 

anger  and  of  ire  :    God  fayth,    I 

iSkc  the  name  of  thy  Lord  God  n 

I^rd  Jcfu  Cri/l  fayth  by  the  word  ot 

thew,  Ne  fhal  ye  not  fwcfc  in  all   ni 

ther  by  hevcn,  for  it  is  Ooddrs   trui 

erthe,  for  it  ib  the  bcnchc  of  his  feet,  rc 

rufalcm,  for  it  is  the  ciiec  of  a  grct  king, 

thin  hed,  for  thou  oe  mayfl  not   make 

white  ne  black;  but  he  fayth,  Be  your  w< 

ye,  nay,  nay  ;  and  what  that^ij  more  it  ts 

Thus  fayth  Crifl,  for  Criftcs  fake  fwer* 

finncfully,    in  difmcmbrinjfr  of  Cri0,   by 

herte,  bones,  and  body  ;  for  ccrtes  it  fcsrn 

ye  thinken  that  the  curfid  Jewes  difmensi 

not  ynough.  but  ye  difmembrc  him  ini 

if  fo  be  that  the  lawc  compel  I  you  to  f 

reulcth  you  after  the  lawt  of  God  in 

ing,  as  fayth  Jcremic,  Thou  (halt  kept 

ditions;  thou  (halt  fwere  in  trouth,  in  •        ,  -    i 

in  rightwifcndFe  i  this  is  to  fay,  thou  l>i . 

foth,  for  every  Icfmg  is  ayenfl  Crill,  f 

veray  trputh  ;  and  thinke  wd  this,  i 

grei  fwcrcr,  not  compclkd  UwfuUy  to 

plage  ftial  not  depart  fro  hi*  hnus  wh  ! 

unleful  (wtr'wg*     Thou  Oialt  fwcrc  alio  m  u^..  /, 

wiian  thou  art  conllrcincd  by  the  domcfiiuo  t« 


THE   PERS0NE8  TALE. 


•«» 


{ AMb  tliou  (hak  not  Twcre  for 

I  h^tmr  n^  u.r  nn  -Ic,  buc  only 
wl£cii€Kc,  And  f  l:  of  troutlitf 

Qoyr    iDii^'-rl^  I,  and   to  the 

.  en   Criften  :    and 
a  Ooddc»  name  in 
'_h  wr.h  hii  mouths  or  cHca 
amc  of  Citll,  to  be  called  a 
'^     lend  Criftc^  living  nnd 
Godd«:j  name  in  idcL 
I J  Frtcr,      ftut$m  iv,  jV«mi 
':.. ;  Tiler  is  uon  other 
:  .S :  und«r  hevcn  ycven  to 

fai  wiiiih  they  msiy  be  lavcd^  that  !»  to  fay, 
^fht  rtzme  of  Jcfu  Criil.  Tjkke  kepc  ckc 
p  rs  the  aaame  of  Jdu  Criilj  ii&  f»yth 

b'  PLilipcnftrt  ii,    //i  na/nim  ^tjtiy   \lfi.  ; 

jii   t'lc  rj^mc  of  JdTu  cv£ry  knee  of  hcvcnly 
Tc,  or  crthly,   or  of  holle,   fhuld   bowcn  ; 
-d  wnr/hipful  that  the  curfcd 
rcmble  for  to  here  it  named. 
< :  men  th^t  iVcre  fo  horribly 
Ea  blctled   aiime,  that  they  dcfpife  it  mor« 
r  than    did   the  cm  fed  Jeweiy  orcUes  the 
~  h  whan  he  hcrcth  his  name. 

af  fworing  (but  if  it  be  Uw- 
"  fended,  mochc  work  i» 
aJ  f.L  n(:<de]et, 

•hit  drelitcn  hem  in 
or  manly  d^dc  to 

_  i  htm  that  of  veiay 

I  ne  ce  fc  not  to  t  were  grct  othes  al  be  the  caufe 
Ilrawc  ?  ccrte*  thii  is  horrible  Unnc  : 
Ij  without  avtfcnioit  itilfo  a  grct 
t  u*  go  DOW  to  that  horrible  fwc- 
djurauon  and  conjuriition,  as  don  thife 
Dur&  a&d    nigromanccrs    in  bafins 
er«  Of  JD  4  bright  fvirvrdc,  in  a  Circle, 
I  a  fire,  or  in  a  fh older  bone   ul   a  ihtpc  :  t 
\  fay  D  but  that  they  da  curf^dly  and  dam- 
ftTctifk   Crjfl,  aii^   ^  t^M   i*ith   of  hoiy 

:  iay  twc  of  hem  that  bekvcn  on  diviualcs 
liLigiiC  or  by  noife  cf  briddr»  or  of  bciles,  or 
ol  geoniancie,  by  drcme>,  by  chirking 
or  crackinjc;  of  houfca,  by  gnawing  of 

1  fto'i  '  -  '     :;;cfirc  ?  C«:rte« 

A   and  holy 
rifclMLii  LMwjf  uvji  -.C-.  utiuvi,  Liil  thcy'comc 
emciit,  that  on   Iwuhc   fihh  ftt  hix  be- 
I  for  woticdes  <^  i^^  maladiti  of 
^4it  oi  bcilc*,  if  they  take  any  cffc^  it  may  be 
turc  that  Gad  luftcth  it  for  folk  ihuld 
:  the  more  feith  and  reverence  to  hh  name, 
vol  I  ipckc  of  k linger,  which  generally  ii 
Bce  at  word,  in  cntetit  to  dccciTe  his 
Some  Iditig  u  of  which  ihcr  com- 
TaTsfitage  to  no  wight ;  and  fom  Icfiog 
i  ta  die  pro£te  and  cfc  of  a  man,  siud  to  j 
other  nijm  \  Aut-i^'mr   1.  f'uM.   i^  , 
or  hr.    ca" 
^i  t  IJ  ,  in  \vj 

pg  I  't  it  witii  ■iiikiri.umiiuii-    j 

^  .^1  the  uk.  ii  f^fc  i  fomc  ! 


leGng  Cometh  for  he  wtA  fuilein  hi»  word;  and 
iom  leling  comctli  of  recchclefnelFc  withouum 
avifement,  and  fcmblable  thingr*. 

Let  ua  now  touche  the  vice  of  flaterie,  which  ne 
comcth  not  gladly,  but  for  drcde  or  for  cpvctife* 
FUterie  is  generally  wrongful  prd^ng  :  flatcrcrt 
btn  the  devili  nouriccs,  that  nouriih  his  chiidren 
with  milke  of  loiengoric.  Forfuth  Salomon  faylh 
that  ilatcric  i»  wcrfc  than  dctrai5tion»  for  fonitime 
detra<^ion  makcth  an  hautfin  nran  be  the  more 
htimbk,  for  he  drcdcth  dcimt^inn  luii  ct  rtcs  fla- 
tciic  maketh  a  man  to  ctihauu'  and  hit 

contenance.  FJaterera  ben  the  u  iutour»» 

for  they  mjakeu  a  man  to  weueo  iiunlelf  Ik  like 
that  he  i«  not  like  ;  they  be  like  to  Judius  that  be* 
trayed  God  )  iiad  thtfe  flatcrcrs  bctraycn  man  ii» 
fellc  him  to  hi*  tncmy,  tliai  U  tl»c  devil,  Flitc- 
rers  ben  the  t;       '      '  '  '    ^         ~  ''       a 

PiaccU,    1  ra  k 

time  if  a  ma^i  L.^  ,,.,..,  ....,.-.,....,  ^ ,.  .  he 

ilater  fom  wight  ta  fudcuu:  him  in  hia  q^uar- 
rcL 

Spcke  we  »ow  of  fwiche  ctirCog  ai  comcth  of 
iroui  herte,  ^lahfon  geaejnUly  may  br  faifl  t  very 
mancr  power  of  harmc  :  fwiche  cui  f  ih 

man  the  rcgnc  of  God,  as  Xayth  S^ir  id 

oft  time  f\v7chc  curEngwi        '  '  ,ia 

to  him  that  curfcth,  as  ,  to 

his  owcn   ncft  :   and  ovr.i    ..^   i  mi.j  at 

cfchcw  to  ciirfc  hir  children,  and  i  he 

devil    hir    Cni^r-tnlrun-^   jw  ft-r    KirtSi  :>  i 

ccrtc»  it  is  a  v  , 

Let   Dfi  tit.  g^ 

which  ben  fuigrt-ic  wuuiivlvt  i  i^r 

they   u&fow  tjkc  feamc*  of  Ji  ^ 

hertr ;  for  certca  uncicthc,  nuy 
accofdcd  with  him  that  be  ). 
rcprcvcd,  and  difclaund:    ' 
fifinc,  as  Ciift  fayth  in  t 
kepc  now^  that  he  that  r^^  < 
either  he  rtprcvcth  him  by  .  ne 

that  he  luith  upon  \n5-  bodic,  :i  r- 

lot,  or  by  fom  ftnnc  that  he  doth  ; 
prevc  hmi  by  harm<f  of  p^-ine,  than  i 
prcvc  to  Jcfu  Criil  i  fijr  j 
wife  .oodc  of  God,  and  ' 
felric,  or  maimc,  or  niiiUdic  ;  ,j:iI  \\  i, 
him  uncharitably  of  ltunc»  a%  thou  boh 
dronkticwc  harlot,  and  fo  forth,  iJ""  >  i- 

Lth  that  to  the  ftjujcinj^  of  tliG  dcvi  .c-X 

hath  juyc  that  men  don  tinne.  And  v.  ,  _  .  iug 
may  not  come  but  out  of  a  vil.iin*  hertc*  lor  aftc^ 
the  haboutidance  of  the  hertt  fpckcth  tiic  moutli 
ful  nft.  And  ye  fhul  undciHotid  that  lukc  by  ^Jay 
way  whan  ony  man  chaf^ifef  h  another  thai  he  b«* 
ware  fro  chiding  or  y  but  h4 

be  ware  he  may  fu  S  r  j  of  an-, 

gcr  and  of  wrath,  vv  jiicn  nc  in 
aveuture  flcth  hun  that  he  r 
hi  lijui.jtee  ;  for,  a^  r.vtU  s,i  ,^^^ 

;^  the  tree  *  ri- 

^i  d  fothly  a  irpB 

vf  tutu  that  reprevctli,  ajid  ai  ia 

rcprtvcd.    Lo»  v  hit  fuyth  Sui  ic^ 


I 


I 

1 


f90 


THE   PCRSOlffES  TALE. 


ja  nothing  To  Irke  the  devils  chilj  a«  he  which  oft 
chidcth  ;  a  feriram  oF  God  behovcth  no:  to  chide ; 
and  though  that  chiding  ht  a  rilaini  thing;  betwix 
all  mancr  folVt  yet  it  ts  cartes  moft  uiirovenabic 
bctwctic  a  man  and  hi>  wif,  for  thcr  is  never  reft; 
and  therforc  fayth  Silomon,  An  houi  that  h  »jneo- 
vered  in  rayn  and  dropp'tnj^  and  a  t  hi  ding  wit  ben 
like ;  a  man  wbteh  i%^  in  a  dropping  hf>us  in  many 

J-         t        I   j^p  cfchcw  the  dropping^  in  o  pine 
It  .  I  him  in  another  place;  fo  fareth   ; 

h)  -  .  ,.  ,.  ^  *vif,  if  fhe  chide  him  not  in  o  plac*. 
Ihc  wol  chide  him  in  another ;  and  therfore  letter 
is  a  morfcl  of  bred  whh  joyc  than  an  boa?  filled 
fill  of  d dices  with  chiding,  fayth  Salcrmon  :  and 
Scint  Poult  fayth*  O  ye  women  1  bcth  yc  fiVjrrtte* 
to  yonr  hufbcmds  a^  you  behoveth  in  God ;  and 
yc  men  lovetli  your  wires. 

Afterward  fpcke   we  of  fcnr.  '  '  ".H  i»  a 

Tricked  (innc»  vind   namely   wh  leth  a 


man  for  I 
ner»  far 
dure  rn 

it  t'. 

Wi' 
far 

tii.v 

vj. 
etf- 
Wi 

the 

tei 
he 

ftv 


lov 

he-: 

Unltcc ;  the  if u  re   b  •: 

Ihat  eVe'r  is  about  to 

W  1: 


a.  nt '  I  ^ 

the  (laniAgc  :  v* 
folic,  for  he  t: 
than  he  i> 
Mel  wor  ! 


,  for  tt^i  1.^  ir>..^iic  fcor 
*'>de,  tiittt  Thay  not  en- 

■•oui   (.if  in  '  vifiit*  whan 
folttw^ 

;v  dcTtl 

;  iivcy  btti  adver- 
!*  that  He  loreth, 

-nfttl,  for  he  that 


And  men  inn  I  under- 

'-hr  »tiv  r-^rtfcH  of  falfc 

k.nroTfoIk 

%  Ttc  of  to 

TTtmiiy    in    confcilin^  of 


ley  to 
,  i  r  God 
:  r.ojj  «^e*  Jfolk  thiD 
that  he  yavf  for 
nrd  to  the  dcTil, 
r-d, 
I  i_  .. fwJchc 

nd,  or 

-     -   ".  -ylpakc 

in  game  and  play,  and 


t.-,  that  iij  ia  open 
he  thtcteth  more 


rekenmg  of  htm  before  Go^.    Now  i 
ling,  that  may  not  come  withoutco  i 
fayth  Salomon,  ft  >•  a  figne  of  ap 
therfore  a  phitufophre  fayd,  vrliati  i 
how  that  he  (hutd  pide  the  pq>le«< 
Do  many  good  werke*,  md  fpfeke  Cdl  ^^ 
Alter  Kii»  cemcth  tJic  Gnoe  of  j*p<SJl 
'  the  devils  apt^,  for  they  make  folk  t*  U^ 
,  a»  fotk  don   at  the  gaud«t  «(  I 
\pn  dcfndetli  Scim  Pmilc. 
...-V    ...tuou«  wordet  and  holy 
that  travail leo  in  the  fcrvjc*  of  Crill» 
forten  the  vibin!.  word«  an4  the  I 
pcres  hrtn  that  rra-vaiUen  tn  the  fervkr  < 
yil.  Thife  ben  the  finrte*  of  the  longc,  I 
of  iro,  tnd  other  'finn^  many  mo, 

Jfemf£mM  /jr*. 

*fu.,  ,^^  .A      ,,,..,n   :...  ,    _  ,..^ 
M 

lb    r  :       ^      :.^.„    :'. 

raunce. 

Dchowiirtcc  withdrarwctK  Mid  rtfrviaedl 
flirrtng^  aitd  mevings  of  fhannei  eora|e  i^ 
herte  in  fw^T^h  maner  thttt  xhtj  nc  (kip  ftot  oi 
J«iger  ftr  ifv^  fuflhminee  fnifereth  fn-ctdy  iH 
annoyance  and  the  Iwtoce:  that  is  fiim  \u 
"■-'^•^-"1  Setm  Jcr '-■'■"'  '■  ''  4  dihca 
it  dofh  nri.  y^x  npfil 

,    l,4r,r,,.    tl  ^      r..    r^fl 

a  ' ,  ,  by  nature  deixmairr*  and  pel 

to  ;  but  whan  debonairtcc  i*  4 

of  giacc,  diiu  it  is  the  more  worth. 

Patience  t^  another  reni«fy  ayenft  WfA 
reitut  tl.  " 

nefle,  an 

'^'^  *"""  i,»yiii     txiat  1 

■hoTrnkly  al  i 
sckedword*,' 

maketh  m  min  like  to  God,  and 
Of>ilt!e^  rrwcn  fhitdc,  a^  fayth  Grid  i 
dJ!  n  enemies  J  an4  therfoFPl 

w;!  i  riu  wok  vanquilh  thJn^ 

thou  bi:  f  uicnt.     And  thou  fliak  i     ^ 
a  man  fnffereth  foure  mancr  df  ^ 
ward  ihinge^,  aycnft  the  which  fourel 
foure  maner  of  patiences. 


Tn<- 


hi:. 

Other  gi 
eatel;  th 


is  of  wicked  i 
lu  CriiV,  without 
■  ')  the  Jcwei  de 
f  ul  oft  I   ftiffer  thou' 
wife  man  fiith^  If  th« 
'  the  foole  he  wroth*  < 
fhn\i    (halt  have    iro 


TH-E   PERSO 

lat  fntk  that  make  hir  Tervams  to  tm- 

mtiy^  tvr  out  of  tiinr,  a»  in  ho!y  dayes, 

fja  gret  fmnc  :    htTcayciift  faffcrcd 

,  ^tnl  ti' -^'t  US  patience,  whan 
'  Urs  the  croffe  upon 
t-  drfh      Fl^rr  may 

lur 

I    tIi:"U  I-   j'.r.JurjLilCf   but 
Iff  .  iliar  ntvcr    were   chrlf- 

PMiu«.,r«^uvi*  -tuid  ufeden   the   vcrtuc  of 

)»T>fMi'!>ric  Hpon  3  time  that  wold  have  l>e- 
r  hit  gret  tr<;rpa»,  for  which  he 
.,  ifid  brought  a  ycrdc  to  bctc  the 
Hi  J  ttiiiii  this  child  fawc  the  ytrdc  hf  fa  yd 
aidfT,  UT^at  thlnk;^  yc  to  do  ?  I  wol  bctc 
■  '  iflcr,  for  thy  corrctStion,     "For-  i 

1  Ic,  yc  ought  6rfl:  corrc A  your-  j 
''       ur  patience  for  the  oLcncc  I 
>i  the  malftcr,  all  wrping,  i 
thou  the  ycrdcj  my  dcrc  ( 
for  min  impatience.     Of 
nee,  thurgh  which  a  man 
it:»  and  to  all  hem  to  which  he  i 
'  tif  in  Cril^.     And  undcrfland  | 
rfite  whan  thai  a  man  doth 
I  good  hcrte  entirely,  all 
iij^»tciiencc  ^reneiTillv,  ii^  to  ptr- 
loiSfrine  of  God  and  of  lus  fovc- 
^  him  ought  to  be  obcifaat  iii  all 


NES  TALR 

thinges  is  accidie  encmie  and  contrary,  for  h« 
lovcch  no  bcfincflc  at  all.  Now  certis  thi«  fmUe 
finne  of  accidie  ii  dte  a  ful  gret  cjiemfc  to  the  bYa» 
lode  of  the  body,  for  it  Dc  hath  no  putveanntc 
aycnil  tcmporel  ncorfiitcc,  for  it  forficutheth,  for- 
flu^gcth,  and  deilroittfa  all  gtiodcs  icrnporcl  by 
rccchcltlbdffc- 

l^he  fourth  thing  le  that  accidie  ii  like  hem  that 
V  '     I'dne  of  hcllc  beaiufc  of  Itlr^uuthcanA 

icffc;  for  they  that  be  damned  hen  fo 
Ik  >..,  .  ..ac  they  may  nt-ythcr  do  wel  nr  think 
wel.  Of  accidie  comcth  firft  that  a  man  u  auttoi- 
ed  and  aciiombred  to  do  any  goctdncfTe.  and  th^ 
maktich  that  God  hath  abhomitialio&of  fwichei 
cidle,  ai  faych  Sciut  John. 

N6w  cometh  ilciUihc,  that  tvoI  not  fuffirc  no 
hardnclTe  nc  no  pt  nonce ;  for  fothly  flouthe  ii  fo 
teudrc  and  fo  delicat,  aii  feytli  Salomon » that  he 
wol  fufffc  non  hardn efTc  ne  p«nancc,aiid  rhcrfon? 
he  Jhmdcth  all  tV  ■  '  '  'h.  Ayetill  this  rotca 
Cnnc   of  acddii  ■■:  (huld  men  excrcifc 

hemfelf,  and  uf<  do  good  werkcs  and 

wianly  and  vttti  rn  corage  wel  to  do, 

thinking  that  our  u  Crift  quitcth  tifcry  , 

good  deed,  ht  It  ucvuf  W  i'tc-  fJfagc  of  labour  is 
a  grct  thing*  for  it  m^erti,  a^  fayrh  Setnt  Ber- 
nard, the  Ubcjurer  W  I  -  and  hartl 
lincwe^,  and  Houthe  r,  iid  tcndrc- 


mfk. 


Di  jiuiMd. 


the  (Snivc  of  wrath  now  wo]  I  (pcke  nf  the 

aceidir  or  nadth ;  fnr  envtc  blindcth  the 

i  man,  and  ac- 

1,  and  wnwc. 

f.  nuuc  i:i  hcrte,  which 

iccfdic,  and  bcnimcth  him 

J  than  is  accidie  the  an- 

c  :   aud  Stint  Auguftine 

^  ^  goodjicirc  and  annoyc  of 

^blCi  tlu»  ie»  a  damnabk  Hnne,  im  it 

Kto  Jcfu  Cnft,  in  aa  moche  as  it  bcni-- 

iwrVicc  that  men  Ihulde  dy  to  Crift  with 

met,  a*  iayih  Silomcn ;  but  accidie  doth 

"  "'  ■       with  an- 

I  cxcufa- 

M  .    -i.u   I.U....L  ,    MN     wluch  tht 

Ted  be  he  tljat  doth  the  fcrvicc 

ly.   Than  is  accidit  enemy  to 

u  ;  for  certci  the  ellate  of  man 

Cither  It  i&  the  cflate  of  itinD* 

hitc  of  Adam  before  that  he  fell 

h  cftite  he  was  huld'.'n  to  werk, 

•foring  of  God.  Another  fflatc 

(111  men,  m   v^hich  ctlate  men 

:a    lo    Ubotir   in. praying   to    God  for 

liftt  of  hir  CnniBj  and  that    he  wold 


grcTous  and  lb  ci  Ififc 

not  undertake  tu  I.  ^  i  lyth 

\  Seiat  Gregoric.       , 

Now  Cometh  wilnhoj>e,'thar  It  dd'jfb^lr  of  the 

'  mercy  of  Go4,  that  comcth  fomtime  of  to  mofhe 
outrageous  forwc»  and  Tomtinic  of  to  mofhc 
drcde,  im:ir    --  ^^    ^     '     *     '     '  '     '^r 

that  it  wgI 

,pcnt  himuL„ .,  ...  ,^ ....^  .._ 

or  dredc  he  abandoneth  all  his  hcrte  to  every  ma^ 
ncr  finne,  as  Cayth  Seint  Auguftin'C;  which  damp- 
nabie  iinne,if  it  continue  ucio  his  end,  it  h  clep^d 
the  finne  of  the  Holy  Coft,  This  horrible  fmnc  is 
fo  periIoa»  that  he  that  \i  ddpcired  thcr  n*ia  no 
fclonic,  ne  no  finne  that  he  douteth  for  to  do,  as 
Ihcwcd  wcl  by  Judas.     Ccrs       '  lU  finncs 

than  i»  thi*  fmnc  mod  dif;  ;   mofl  ad- 

vcrfarie  to  Crift.  Sothly  he  .ii..i  ^.^.i^u  irethliiin 
is  like  to  the  coward  champion  retrcant  that 
flteth  withoutcn  ncdc.  Ala^i !  ahu  ^  n  IlIl:>  U 
he  recreant  and  neddei  dcfpcircd,  ( 
mercy  of  God  is  ever  rcdy  to  the  pc- 
fon,  flnd  is  abnvc  all  his  wcrkcs.  Maa  !  t.»n- 
not  a  man  bediinke  him  on  the  G^pcJ  of  Seiflt 
Luke,  chap»  XV,;  wUeras  Crifl  fayrh,  tbat  as  weJ 
ihal  ther  be  joyc  in  hevcn,  upon  a  {Inful  man  thit 
<i    '         ;  >i  upon  nIr->  '  '  ^  ' 

n*j  ptniicii 


not  remcmbre  hem  alfo  (a>  fayth  Scint  l^ukc,  ch. 
x«iH.)  how  that  the  tltcfc  that  vm  honged  bc^de 
Jcfii  Criil  fayd.  Lord,  rcmembre  on  rac  whan 
thou  comcft  in  thy  regne  ?  Forfoth,  faid  Crift,  I 
fay  to  thcc  to-day  (hak  thou  b<:  with  me  in  Pard- 
dis.  Ccrteit  tlicr  is  non  fo  horrible  finne  of  man 
that  nc  mny  in  his  I  if  be  dcftroycd  by  penitence 
thtirgh  virtue  of  the  palTion  and  of  the  dcth  of 
Crift*  Alas!  wh^it  ticdcth  man  than  to  be  def* 
pcircd,  lith  that  his  mercy  h  fo  rcdy  and  large  ? 
Axe  and  have,  TJian  comcth  fompnolcnce^  that 
i»,  fiuggy  ilumbring,  which  miiktth  a  man  hevy 
and  dull  in  budy  and  in  foulc,  and  this  fimic  co- 
mcth of  flouthc  ;  and  certcs  the  time  that  by  way 
o(  rcfon  man  fhuld  not  fltpe  is  by  the  morwe.but 
if  ther  were  caufe  refonablc ;  for  fothly  in  the 
niorwc  tide  is  raoft  coveitahlc  tq  a  man  to  fay 
his  prayeri,  and  for  to  think  on  God,  a4id  to  ho- 
nour Godf  and  to  ycvc  almclTc  to  the  pourc  that 
comcn  firil  in  the  name  of  Tcfu  Crift.  Lo*  what 
fayth  Sak>mon?  Who  fo  wol  by  the  tnorxvc  aw  alec 
to  itke  mc  he  fhal  find  juc.  Than  comcth  ocgli- 
gencc  Qr  rccchclcfut-'fic,  that  rcckrth  cf  nothing; 
And  though  that  ignoiancebc  npoihcr  of  all  harmes 
ccrtt*  negligcnct:  is  the  porkc  ;  negligence  ne 
doth  DO  force  whan  he  (hal  do  a  thin^  whether 
jic  do  it  \vr'  --  l':""y» 

The  ft  I  ic  two  finncs  i«,  as  fayth  the 

wife  mar»  i  it  dfcdclh  Cod  fparcth  not 

to  do  that  him  ought  to  do ;  and  he  that  lovtth 
"Cod  he  wol  do  diligence  to  plcfc  God  by  hi* 
wcrkcs,  and  ab^uidon  himfclf  with  all  his  might 
wcl  for  to  do;  Than  cometh  iddnclTc,  that  is  the 
yaic  of  «dl  harmc«.  An  tdcl  man  is  like  to  a  place 
that  hath  oo  w«Hc4,  thcra*  dcviles  may  enter  on 
every  fide,  or  fhoot  at  him  at  difcovcrte  by  tcmp- 
tstion  on  every  lide  :  this  tdclntfTe  inthe  thurrok 
f%f  ZiU  vvirktdand  vilalni  thoughtca,  and  of  all  jan- 
4,  and  all  ordure :  cencs  hcven  is  ycvcn 
It  will  labour,  and  not  to  idcl  folk:  alfo 
Davtd  f.iyth,  They  nc  be  not  in  the  labour  of  men, 
ijc  they  (hul  not  ken  whipped  with  men,  that  »*  to 
fay,  hi  PurgatoHe :  cvrtci  than  fcmcth  it  they  (hul 
lien  tormented'^itli  the  devil  in  hcUc  but  if  they 
do  penance. 

Than  cotncth  thcCnne  that  men  clepea  TarJilau 
iLA  whan  a  man  i»  late  red  or  taryed  or  he  wol 
tourne  to  God  ;  and  ccrtes  tliat  ji  a  grct  folic  :  he 
is  like  him  th;it  fallcth  in  the  dichc  and  wol  not 
arife.  And  this  vice  comcth  of  falfc  hope,  that 
fhinketh  that  lie  (hal  live  long ;  but  that  hope 
Eulleth  fiil  oft. 

Than  cometh  LachclTe,  that  i»  he  that  whin  he 

Kcjjitiueth  jny  good  wcrk,  anon  he  wol  for) etc  it 

arm  (lint,  .\%  don  thty  that  have  any  Wight  to  go- 

vcrnc>  and  "    •  ^  -     '  ^'  —  ^  -   ^-"rc  kcfc,  anon  as 

ihey  find  loy,     Thife  ben 

ihc  ncwc  ii    ,  r   Qiepc  wttingly 

«  rennc  tojhc  -  volf  that  is  in  thcbrcresi  and  do  no 

force  of  htr  owen  governance.     Of  this  cometh 

J  f  deflnn^ ion  both  uf  fpirituel  and  tcm- 

-•  t :  than  comcih  a  mancr  coldncflc  that 

'    rte  of  man ;  than  cometh  imdevo- 

Mch  »  nun  is  To  blont,  a«  fayth 


lUC  wv 

[eiujl 


v4| 


Scint  Bernard,  and  hath  fwi^ 
fouk%  that  he  may  neytKcr 
chirche,  ne  here  nc  thinke  of  J 
vailc  with  his  honde*  in  no  j^ 
tu  him  unfavory  and  all  appaUe 
nuggiHi  and  flombry,  and  fonc  \ 
and  (one  is  he  inclined  to  hate  i 
cometh  the  finnc  of  worldly  I 
clcped  Tnjiita^  that  flcth  a 
Poule;  for  ccrten  fwichc  forwc  v 
dcth  of  the  fouU-  and  body  alfo,  foi 
that  a  man  is  annoird  of  hit  owct 
fwichc  forwc  fliortcth  the  lif  of  n 
chat  his  timt  i»  come  by  way  of  kiJ 

Rtmtiium  AcciSm 

Ayenfl  this  horrible  finne  of  ai 
braunchcs  of  he  fame,  ther  i*  a  vc 
led  Itrtitudo  or  Strength,  that  ii 
thurgh  which  a  man  dcfpLfeth  ii 
This  vertuc  i»  fo  mighty  and  fo  vi 
dare  withdond  mightily,  and  ^r* 
aflautei  of  the  devil,  and  wifely  k< 
periled  that  ben  wicked,  for  tt  cnlu 
forceth  the  fowlc,  right  as  accidi 
maketh  it  fcble;  for  tliis  yai- 
wttli  long  fuffcraace  the  travai 
nablc. 

This  vcrtue  hath  matny  fpices  r  tf 
Magnanimitee,  that  is  to  fay^  g\ 
certcs  ther  bchovcth  grct  corage 
lefl  that  it  fwalowc  the  foule  by  the 
or  deilroy  it  with  wanhope.  Ca 
maketh  folk  to  undertake  haird 
thingea  by  hit  owcn  will  wifely 
And  for  ai  moche  at  the  dcril  ; 
man  more  by  queinteJfe  and  fl< 
ftrcngth,  thcrforcihal  a  man withih 
by  rcfon»  and  by  difcrction.  Thai 
vcrtues  of  feith,  and  hope  in  God  m 
to  acbcven  and  accomplice  the  goo 
which  he  purpofcth  fermely  to  co 
comcth  fcurctcc  or  fikemefTc^  and 
man  ne  douteth  no  travaik  in  timt 
good  werkes  that  he  hath  bcgon&6 
magnificence,  that  U  to  fay,  wh^n  a 
pcrformcth  grct  werkcs  of  goodncl 
begonnc,  and  that  is  the  end  why 
do  good  wcrkes,  for  in  the  accomp 
werke^Hctli  the  grct  guerdon  :  iiw 
dance,  that  ii  ftablcncfTc  of  corage, 
be  in  hertc  by  ftcdfaft  feith,  and  in 
bening,  in  cherc  and  in  dcdc,  ^ 
fpccial  remedies  aycnfi  accidie,^ 
and  in  confidcration  of  the  pein 
the  joyci  of  heven,aiid  in  trudi 
Holy  Goft*  that  will  yrvc  f 
his  good  cntcnt. 

After  accidie  wo!  1  fpeke  of  i 
life ;  of  which  Cnac  Scini  Pduk  f 


THE   PEtlSONES  TALK. 


"-'"-'  frjf  fothljr  whan  the 
( mta  A 1  M  irfclf  and  troublc<l, 

tdtefodik  :,-  :iie  comfort  of  God, 

btfi  he  II)  i<kl  fol^ii  of  worldly  thingc». 
rke^  ifT:f  rh#f   dtfcnptioii  of  Sciiil  Auglif- 
»  rn  htrtc  to  have  crthly 

^  Ufa  ihftt  arajicc  i*  for  ta 
i  Buaj  ctjijly  thinges,  3ud  nothing  to 
hem  tin:  han  ncdc.  And  undcrftond  wd 
^ti  '■  -  '  "  ;^ot  only  in  land  ne  cAtc!, 
ind  ID  gloric,  and  in  cvc- 
,-j,^u^.  iliing,  19  avaf ice  :  and  the 
wctic  araricc  and  covcttifc  i«  thit ; 
for  to  CuVcU  fwichc  thingc*  aft  thou 
ii  tVirice  i»  to  withhold e  and  kcpc 
)K^*)««thou  haft  without  rightful  ncde« 
inrice  Itn  (innc  thiit  i«  ful  d.tmpnablc, 
'^rit  cuffctti  It,  and  fpckcth  aycnft  it, 
*frong  to  Jrfu  Crifk,  for  it  bcrcvcth 
fediit  men  tohimowen,  and  tonrncth 
layenft  all  rcfon,  and  m*kctb  that  the 
h*D  hath  more  hope  in  his  catcl  than 
It.aad  doth  moreobrervancc  in  kcping 
"f  ihio  h^  doth  in  the  fcrvicc  of  Jcfu 
Ihcrfore  fiyth  Seint  Poulc,  that  an  a- 
ii  the  thraldome  of  idolatne. 

ti  ther  betwiE  an  idol&ilrc  and 
!•  min,  hut  that  an  idobftre  pcravcn- 
'  Qot  but  o  inaumct  or  two,  and  ilic  a- 
*i  hath  mtny  f  for  ccrtci  every  flurcin 
>ft  hut  maumet :  and  ccrtes  the  finnc 
c  it  the  lirft  that  Ood  defended  in  the 
tiinfutv  **  bcreth  witneffc,  £*«?.  ch. 
**il£  haire  no  falfc  g^oddc*  before  mc, 
^tt  niakc  to  thee  no  graven  thing.  Thu» 
"**>ii»  Biaii  that  loveth  his  trcfour  before 
And  thurgh  this  curfed  ilnne 
COTeitife   conneth   thife  hard  lord* 
mm  ben  diflrctned  by  talla- 
caruges,  mnre  than  hir  dutce 
eke  take  they  of  Kir  bondmen 
lich  might  more  refotiably  be 
han  amercementc*;  of  which 
>  or  ranromitig   of  bondmen,  fom 
4n  fiy  that   it  is  rightful;  for  ai 
cherl  hath  no  tcmporcl  thing  that  tt 
'  \  ai  they  fay.    But  certes  thifc  lord- 
wrong,  that  bercven  bir  bondmen 
they  nevrr  yavc  hem.     A*igmfli)mt  ii 
ithwn  >x.   Soth  i5  that  the  condition  of 
the  firft  caufe  of  thraldom  was  for 

r  ye  fee  that  the  gilt  defervcd  thral* 
nature  ;  wh  erf  ore   thifc  lorden  ne 
mochc  glortfic  hem  in  hir  lordlhiprs, 
/  by  njtuftl  condition  ben  not  iordei 
»,  but  that  thraldom  csuwe  firft  by  the 
nDe%     And  furthcrover,  thcr  a*  the 
lat  tern  pore  I  goodefi  of  bond  folk  brn 
Ivf  hir  lord,  yc,  that  is  for  t*  under- 
let the  emperoiir,  to  defend  hem 
"^"^       to  fobbc   hem  nc  to  reve 

^  Sen<^-a,     f  hr   nrn.l,  fif    fliuIJ 

rncl)  with  the  thral,  the  peft 

If*  hctk  Godd«^ft  pcpie  \  im  1 1  ;    ..  ben 


Cn.Lc*  frendLo;  tliey  ben  contuhcmiil  with  the 
Lord  thy  king, 

Thinke  alfo  that   of  fwidjc   feed   at  cherlet 
fpringen,  of  fwiche  feed  fprlngvn  lorde*  j  ai  wcl  j 
may  the  cherl  be  favcd  ;iii  tin:  lord*     'Ilie   fame  1 
dcth  that  taketh  the  ch«rri  fwiche  dctli  tnkcth  th«  , 
lord ;  whcrfnre  I  rede  do  fight  fo  with  thy  cherl  ^ 
as  thou  woldcA  that  thy  lord  did  with  thee  if  thott 
were  m  hra  plight.  Every  fijiful  man  \%  a  chcrl  to  , 
ftnue,    I  rede  thre,  thou  V-^^A^  ibat  thou  reule  ihce 
in  fwichc  Wifr  th.it   thy  ehcrkii  rather  love  tiiee^ 
than  drcdc  thee,  [  wote  wel  that   thcr  is  dcgrea  ] 
above  degree,  34  rrfbn  is,  and  (kill  in,  that  men 
do  htr  devoir  thcr  a«  it  ii  due ;  but  ccrtv*  exior*  j 
tion  and  defpit  of  your  undcrlingc*  t  j  damptialde*  j 
Atid  iurthermorr,  utiden>ond  wcl  that  rhifc  con*  1 
qucroure*  or  lyrantci  midf-n  ful  oft   ihrjlc*  i>f  J 
hem  thiit  ben  borne  of  a*  royal  blood  as  ben  tTiejf  f 
tbat  Kern  conquercn.      This  name  of  Titr.iKlon»  I 
wat  never  crft  coutbe  til  that  Noc  fayd  dial  hip  J 
fone  Cham  ihuld  be  thrall  to  hia  brethren  for  hif  | 
finne.     What  fay  wl-  than  of  htm  that  pilk  and  i 
don  extonions  to  holy  chlrche  ?  Ccrtci  the  fwcrtl  j 
that  men  ycvcn  firll  to  a  knight  whan  he  is  ncw6  i 
dubbed  fignifieth  that  he  Ihuld  defend  holy  chirchc,  1 
and  not  rohbe  it  ne  pille  it;  and  who  fo  doth  iil 
traitonr  to  Grift  :  as  faith  Scinr  Augufline,  Th^ 
ben  the  dcvili  wolves  that  llrangekn  the  (hcpc  o% 
Jcfu  Criil,  and  don  worfc  than  wolves ;  for  foUilf  I 
whan  the  wolf  hath  fuU  hit  wombc  he  (b'ntct&l 
to  ftrangic  fhcpc,  but  fothly  the  plllour^  and  dc-1 
ftroicn  of  holy'chirchcs  goodes  tic  do  nnt  fo,  fof  ' 
they  nc  Hint  never  to  pille.     Now,  ^^  I  have  fxyd, 
fith  fo  is  that  Cnne  w:i«   firft   catij'e  of  thraldom, 
than  is  it  thus,  that  at  the  time  th;it  all  this  world 
was  in  finnc,  than  was  all  tlus  world  in  thraldom 
and  in  fubjc(9:i*n  :    but  ccrtei  fith  the  time  of 
grace  came,  God  ordcincd  that  fom  folk  fhuld  be 
more  high  in  cftate  and  in  degree,  and  fom  folk 
more  lowe,  and  that  evcrich    fbuJd    he   fcrvcd 
in  his  eiUte  and  his  degree  :  an*^  thtrforc  in  fo.n 
contrce*  tiicr  as  they  ben  ihrallcs  whan  tbcy  have 
tourned  hem  tn  the  feitJi  they  mukc  hir  thrallei 
free  out  of  thraldom;  and  iherforc  certes  the  lord 
I  oweth  to  his  man  that  the  man  owcth  to  the  lord. 
I    I  he  Pope  clcpcth  himfelf  Servant  oi  the  icrvami 
I  of  God ;  but  for  as  moche  a*  the  cftate  of  holy 
I  chjrchc  nc  might  not  have  ben,  ne  the  commun 
I  profite  might  not  have  be  kept,  nc  pees  nc  rcll 
,  in  crthe,  but  if  God  had  ordr  incd  that  fom  men 
\  have  higher  degree  and  fom  men  lower,  therfore 
was  fovcraintcc  ordeincd  to  kcpc  and  maintcine, 
and  defend,  hire  undcrling^es  or  hire  fubjccics  in 
rcfon,  a«  frrforth  as  it  lieth  m  hire  power,  and 
not  to  d.  (troy  hem  nc  cun found;  wherfore  1  fay 
that  thilkc  lordes  tliat  ben  like  wolves,  that  de- 
▼oure  the  poffeHions  or  the  rate  I  of  pourc  folk 
^  wrongfully,  wiihoutcn  mrrwy  or  mtfure,  they  fhul 
I  receive  by  the  fame  mcfure  that  ihcy  have  mc- 
]  fured  to  poure  folk  the  mercy  of  Jelu  Crid,  but 
they   it  amende.     N  w   Cometh    deceit    betwixt 
marchant  nnd  marchiint.     And  thou  fhalt  under- 
ftond   rhiit  marchaiklifc  is  in  two  miners,  that 
on  iff  bodily,  ;ind  that  other  i*  goftly ;  that  on  it 
honell  and  idul,  and  th.it  other  is  diihoncft  3ij(< 


iff 

ttnlcfui  TTic  TioJitf  nnrchandifc,  that  is  k-ful 
tfid  buncCb,  ii  thix,  thm  thcrr  as  G^ni  bith  ordcm- 
f  d  tli-it  a  rcgrte  or  a  lontrce  b  (u^fant  to  hiiiifdf, 
Uian  it  ii  laouril  and  li  fii)  fhoi  of  the  habouiiJincc 
«rilu5  <oiiu\«  luffl  hc\[yc  inothrr  contrcc  that  i« 
»C(iy ;  and  thctfttrc  Uwf  mnfl  be  merchant*  to 
brittle  ho  OQ  contrc  to  auotiitr  hlr  marchaadife* 
ll)at  other  xn^n  ft  udAic  that  tncn  haunuii  with 
fraudri  itfltl  fff  thcric,  axiJ  d<  ccit,  with  kHuges 
and  ffiliV  oihii-s,  i«  tight  curfcd  and  dampna^lc. 
SpiritutL  marchattdlfe  h  proprcly  ilmomir,^  that  is, 
cotcntU  defttc  to  buy  tbiiig  fplritUf  1^  i}fi,t  i»,  thin^ 
wliich  apportciiKLh  (o  the  fcintti^ine  of  Goil,  and 
to  the  cure  of  iHl  foule.  This  defirc,  if  Co  be  that 
a  man  di>  Im  diligence  to  perform c  it,  al  be  it  thut 
ki«  dtffirc  ne  t.ik<:  not]  cfFLif^,  yet  it  Is  to  him  a 
dtdiy  finnc^  and  if  he  be  ordered  he  is  irregular. 
CVrtci  limouic  is  doped  of  Simon  Magu*,  that 
wold  have  bought  for  tcmporcl  Citel  the  ycfic 
thar  Gi?d  had  yevcn  by  the  Holy  Gcll  to  iiiint 
Peter  and  to  the  apoftlcs;  and  thtrforc  undcr- 
ftond  ye,  that  both  he  that  ielkih  aivd  he  that  by- 
Ctli  thiri^ea  fpintuel  bcii  called  Simoniackcji,  be  it 
by  carcl»  be  it  by  procuring,  or  by  ficihiy  praicr 
^f  hiv  freodt:*,  flclbly  freude*  or  fplritocl  freii^-ks 
firfbly  in  two  iruuier*,  as  by  ktnrcdc  or  other 
(rciidc!! ;  frtthty  if  ihoy  pray  far  him  that  l^  not 
wrtlif  nfcitd  able  it  is  Dmome,if  he  take  the  bene- 
6c c,  and  d  he  be  worthy  and  nJbhe  ther  i&  nuu* 
'rh4t  other  mjiUcr  is  whun  maa  or  woman  pray- 
etb  for  folk  to  advr»neen  hem  only  f^r  wicked 
iltfLIy  a/fi-4iLion,  which  they  hare  uuto  the  per- 
fdUfti  and  th.it  is  foulc  ilmone ;  but  ccrte^  in  fer* 
ticc,  for  whiciv  nurn  ycveti  thlnget  fpirjtuel  unto 
Iiir  fervantJt  it  muft  be  nnderflondc  that  the  il:r- 
▼ice  mufl  be  huncli  or  eUc*  not,  und  alfo  that  it 
he  wiihour  b^r^;uning,  and  tl^at  the  perfon  be 
able;  far  (as  fujih  Scmi  Damafcca;  All  the  On- 
Uea  of  the  worlij^  at  regard  of  this  finne,  ben  a» 
thing  lit  n<  II'  I  '  Nir  it  i*  the  giettcfl  fmne  that 
tiiay  be  0  .  cf  Lucifer  and  of  Anticr ift ; 

fur  by  t\:  :  furlefcth  the  ehlrdie  and  tl>c 

(titdTf  which  he  oou^ht  witli  his  precious  blood,  by 
liciii  thttf  yr'VfTj  rhir  hc*tr>  hem  thatbcanot  di^nc. 


TffE  PERSONES   TAL«- 


ttv 
fWi 

lb.-  : 
ijroif,  wi 
they  nc\ 

is,  in  t'tiL  .  s.  Q, 

Vith   hi  itc-v 

Vrhit'h  cijnurli   tir  tctt,  f;.! 
aTl  r^Kinjf,  bJaf^hcminfr, 
hut        "-     -      -    - 
rf  I 

it  v.; 

and 
br 


j  Lhcfoiihs  of  Jcfu 
riTc*     Bv  fwiche 
'      luhirc 


111  p  and  til  r  re  hire 
paflureof  Itmbc 

New  lOUltt 
U<  t<«h;c*  ;r 


ihall 

that 


IB  word  and  in  dedc ;  In  word, 
neighbours  go^id  name  by  th) 
bercYC  hitn  his  ca^  or  his  heiiUg 
witntfliujf,  whan  thou  fc*r  ire,  or  ItM 
cnvic,  bereft  f jJCc  witctfle^  or  atcii£ 
cufelt  ihyfcU  fyllcly.  Ware,  ye  qucfln 
notaries !  certcb  for  falXe  wttntfling  wruS 
ful  gree  focwc  and  purine,  and  many  i 
The  finne  of  theft  it  alio  cxpre&  aye 
heft,  and  that  in  two  tnanert,  temp 
citueh     The  tcmporel  theft  u  as  for  t^m 
neighbours  catel  ayenii  hii  wiLU  be  it  by 
by  llctghtf  be  It  in  mctitig  or  ntcime,  1 
by  falfc  enditements  upon  him,  and  ia 
of  diy  neighbours  catel  in  enicnt  never  1 
ayen«  and  fei»b!able  iiiii}gc».     Spirituci^ 
latnkgc,  that  i*  to  fay,  h-rtiog  of  holy  I 
cr  of  t hinges  facrcd  to  Crlft,  in  iwo  i 
rcfou  of  the  holy  plaL-e,  as  chirdiei 
hawcb;  (for  cvcty  vilains  (ior«  that  i 
iVichc  places  may  be  called  ftenlejje, 
vicikrncc  in  fennblable  pjacr»)  alfo  they  i' 
drawe  f.dfely  tl-^  rentes  ^nd  rigktesclMli 
Jioly  chirchc;  aud  phlnly  and  generaUfpi 
U  m  rcve  holy  thing  fro  holy  place,  i 
ehiiig  out  of  holy  plucc^  or  holy  thing  i 
holy  place. 

Nnw  (hul  ye  undfrftond  iTiii  t-Xt? 
rice  it  mlTerieorde  and  p- 
men  might  ax«  why  th 
are  rclcving  of  r^v  i^»  ihc 

man  ihcwcth  tio  p  i^^rdc  t*i 

ful  mau,  far  he  dt  i^  the  J 

trciuur,  and  not  in  ..ag 

Ills  even  Crifken  :  ^t.^i  tncTiorc  * 
niifcricorde^     Than  it  miicrtCODle  i 
philofophre}  n  vt  m  .*  ^^v  v.  h,  h  tVu. 
is  ftirred  by  l' 
pc»n  which  n^i 
min^and  ful: 
helping  and  < 

certcs  this  mevctii  ;v  ju-a   i^s  aii 
Crifl,  that  he  )8Vt  hiniiclf  for 
fuffred  M  ' 

riginal  i 

,S  1,,.  !1 


^ordc  hcu  fur  to  kuc,  ati 
ttj  fnr.T%t:  5nd  rc!cfr,   ,:, 


iic  h^ih,  U%e  KivAj  thai  iniiHii  he 
in  gQod  w«tL;«. 


¥Hi  PERSONES  TALt; 


t9i 


ilKoclLe  at  torn  folk  ben  uomefurablc, 
1  for  to  avoid  and  cfchuc  fooUlirgclTf , 
'  en  depeti  Wiftr.     CrrteA  he  tliat  is 
ycvrth  not  tii»  c;iul,  bui  he  Icf-  th  his 
^ywhue  thing  that  he  ye¥tihfor?amc 
ItfiHrals,  and  to  folk  that  here  his  re* 
f,  .md  ruiti 
icfckcih 
..■V,  I.',.  i«c  I  he  Is 

lickcih  nit  ]  dtoYy  or 

for  to  J  ...    r  of  the 

iuJ  for  as  moclu:  a»  tliTy  ytrvtu  ther 
M  flat  ycvcn,  to  hem  »pj>crrajocth 
ilifon  that  Ciift  Jhal  ycvc  iit  ihc  cl*y  of 
icm  tLa.1  ihul  be  daiU|>D(ui. 

nx\c%  ccmeth  glolooki  which  h  cxpTcfTc 

' '  "-•  ^ndcmcnt  i*f  God.     Glotonie  xs 

it  to  etc  or  to  Jriakc:^  or  eUtra 

the  uiuncruiMhk  iippcthe  and 

fc  to  etc  or  dfinke.    Tlu^i  Hnnc 

r   world,  as  i»  Wil  fhcWed  in  ihu 

Uj.ni  iiid  of  £vc»     Loke  atfo  i^hat  fayth 

ilc  uf  ghiionie  :  M^Lsy  (fayth  he)  gf»u,, 

'  '  he  faid  to  you,  and  now  I  Uy 

y  bcii  die  tricmies  of  the  trnfTc 

"  "iii  Ji    the  irtl  i»  dcth,   nBd  of  wliirjjj 

k  i*htr  God  aj<d  hir  gloric,  in  cViiiiulicin 

'uf  r*  E  rvcn  trthly  thinge*.     He  that 

is  finivc  of  glotonk»  he  nc  may 

111,  he  inuft  be  in  fcir-age  of  aU 

it  i»  Uj€  devila  horde  ther  he  hidcth  him 

bv    This  CtiDC  hath  m:iny  fpicct:  tlu: 

nncflV,  that  U  the  horrible  fcpulturc 

tfon,  u\d  thcrforc  whan  a  man  n 

ith  InH:  hU  rcfon ;  and  thU  Is  dedly 

khly  wh:\n  thit  a  man  U  not  woju 

filke»|  and  jicravctiturc    ne  knoweih 

bg(h  of  the  diihkt,  or  h>>Lh  khlt- 

hcdf    or    tiath    traVaillcd,     tUurgh 

nkrth  the    more^  al   be   ho  fod*  nly 

drjrJce,    k    t»    no   dcdely     fiiiiic 

[The  fccocid  fpicc  ef  glotonie  \s  that 

[ft  nia«  wcJtttli  ddl  tfOublc  fur  djunk- 

rcvcth  a  man  the  difcrciion  nf  hk>> 

hitddc  ff'ke  uf'glotonic   U  wlian  a 

his  mete,  aud  hath   not  ti^^htful 

ting.    The  fourthc  15,  ^han  thurgh 

;  of  hi&nvcre  the  humours  in  lits 

red.     Ihe  fifthc  is  foiy  tful- 

Idiinking^,  ftjf  whicli  fomctimca 

\  tiy  iht  morwc  wluii  hedidoM'cr  eve. 

tier  ben  dilljnd  the  fpifit*  of  gloi- 

liiu  Giftgorie.     The  litll  \i  for  toele 

I  the  fecoud  If  whan  a  niaj^i  gctetli 

Ite  mete  or  drinke;  the  thriddc  U 

^kro  to  mofihe  over  mefurc ;    (he 

fitc^    —   *^  — *   -  ntcnt  to  maken 

is  for  to  cic 

,  ij  of  the  di;viU 

i  he  drawciii  toik  w  ihc  iittst«. 


Ji/mk^itm  Gu!tt* 


Ayenfl  glntomc  the  remtdie  lit  ibfltneoce,  ftf 
fayth  Oalicn ;  but  that  t  holdc  not  mftitorie*  tf 
he  do  ft  only  for  the  htle  f}f  his  bodf.  Seine 
AuguAinc  wrl  that  ;ibAjticnce  be  don  for 
\crtui»^  and  wiiii  patience.  AbHIncnce  (fayth 
Fk)  i»  litcl  worth  but  if  a  man  have  good  will 
thciio,  and  hut  i^  be  enforced  by  patience  and 
churjtce,  And  that  men  don  it  for  Goddci  fakc^ 
and  in  hope  in  have  tbc  bliffc  in  hcvcn. 

The  fclavvct  of  abftinence  ben  attcmperaoceg 
that  hildcth  the  mctic  in  alle  thingcs;  iiUo  (hamc, 
that  efchewcth  all  diihoncflcc;  futTtfiincc,  that 
fckcth  no  richc  mctc»ne  drlnkt>,  nc  doth  no  force 
of  Don  outrageous  appareilllng  of  mete ;  mcfure 
alfo,  that  fertrcinttti  by  re^fon  tJi*  mim.  '  '  '  : 
appctit  of  eting ;  fLiberncITe  :iIfo,  that  r 
tlie  oiitrtgc  of  drinke  ;  fparin^  aifo,  iI^ul  .  wi  .  .--* 
cth  the  dclicat  eft  to  Qt  King  at  mctc»  whcrfcrd^ 
fotn  folk  tl^ndcn  of  hIr  owen  will  wIiah  they  ett^  I 
bccsttfc  they  wol  etc  at  k0c  kiftir. 

After  glotonie  cotneth  Ictheric,  for  thir»s 
ilnne«  ben  fo  nigh  cofm*  that  oft  time  thry  wol 
not  depart.     God  wotc  this  finne  h  ftil  difplrUnC;  i 
to  God,  for  he  faid  hlmfelf.  Do  no  Itchcrie ;  an<l 
therfore  ht  puttcth  jrr.  ^   rr.n,  aycnll  this  f:tlQt  # 
for  ill  the  old  lawc  if  ii  II  were  taktn  ill 

thi^finnCjilicfhnldbc!  ^  j%ci  torbc  dcth.  ' 

aodif  fhewcrc  agcntiiwoniauibcihuldhenain  with 
flon^?*,  and  if  flic  were  a  bi(hn]>pca  dought'jr  (htf  I 
ill u Id  be  brent  by  God  I'Llcmcnt.  More* 

over,  for  the  finnc  of  :  J  dreint  aU  the  ^ 

world,  and  ^ftcr  that  n.    [n^ui  five  citie*  lvit2i« 
thondef  ai]diighinii»g,ajidfankchcnidouniniohclW  J 

Kuw  Itt  u»*pcke  than  of  the  frtid  ftinking  Unnc  I 
of  lecheric.  that  men  cKptn  Avontrie,  that  h  of  J 
wedded  UAkf  that  ii  to  fay,  if  that  on  of  hem  ha  1 
wedded  or  dies  both*  Scint  John  fayth»  thac^ 
avoutcrer^  (hul  ben  io  helle  in  a  (lacke  brcnnin^  i 
of  fire  Mudof  brimHooc;  Id  fire  forhcrlccbmc.ia  f 
brimAr»nc  for  t!ie  Jlcnchc  of  hir  ordure.  Certet 4 
the  brckiag  of  this  facranient  h  an  hurrible  thini;  9  I 
it  was  made  of  d^d  himfelf  In  Pamdls,  and  ^ 
confirmed  by  Jtfu  Crift,  as  witncCfetli  Seine  Ma- 
thew  in  the  Gfifj^M:! ;  A  man  (hal  let  fader  auj  j 
moder^  and  take  him  to  hijs  wif,  and  they  fhal  h($\ 
twain  on  ileih*  Thii  (jicrament  betokrncth  th«| 
knitting  tugctiicr  of  CjUL  and  holy  chirchc  Aa4  1 
not  ordy  that  God  forbade  avoutrI«  in  dede,  btii  \ 
aUo  he  commanded  that  thon  ihuldeft  net  coveic  i 
thy  neighbours  wif  In  this  hufte  (fayth  ScInt  * 
Au^uftiuc)  i»  forhodcn  all  titaner  covcitife  to  dm  ] 
Iccherie.  Lo,  \rhae  f^rytlTSLiat  M^ihcw  ift  th«  1 
Gofptl,  that  who  fo  toeth  a  woman  to  coveitjfe  j 
of  hii  lull,  he  hath  don  lecheric  with  hire  in  iiif  \ 
htrtf.  Here  may  ye  fee  that  not  only  the  d-idc  I 
of  thl»  ^uac  ti  forbouen,  but  ckc  the  detiie  to  don  ( 
that  Umiev    This  curfed  fione^  iiuio/€tk|^revoviiy  I 


ip^ 


THE  PARSONfiS   TALfe* 


hem  that  It  hiunt  t  and  (ird  to  ihc  foulr,  for  he 
obligeth  it  to  fmnc  aod  to  pcme  ol  dcth,  which 
h  pcrdumbic ;  aiid  to  the  body  annoycth  it 
grcvoufly  al^o,  for  it  dricth  him  and  waUcth  and 
incnt  him,  aod  of  his  blood  be  makcth  facrificc  to 
the  fiend  of  hdlc :  it  wallcth  <kc  hU  catcj  and 
hi*  ftibft^ncc ;  aod  ccrtei  if  it  be  a  fuidc  thing 
a  man  lo  wallc  his  catcl  on  women,  yet  ii  it  a 
fouler  thing  whan  that  for  fwichc  ordure  wonicn 
difpendtn  upon  men  hlr  caid  ajid  hir  fubftan«, 
Thii  fujnc,  as  faytl^  the  prophtt,  btfcvcth  man 
i^nd  womun  hir  good  faiue  and  all  hir  honour, 
and  it  i»  fui  plcfant  to  I  he  devil,  for  thcrhy  wm- 
hf th  he  rhe  mode  partic  of  thU  wretched  world  : 
and  right  as  a  marchant  dcliteth  him  mod  in  that 
chajfarc  which  he  hath  bioH  avanta^^c  and  pro^ 
lite  of,  right  to  delitedi  the  fend  in  thii  ordure 

Thia  is  that  other  bond  of  the  devil,  with  fivr 
lingers^  to  ca:clic  the  pcplc  to  hi*  vilinjL-.  The 
firft  fin^rc  h  thr  foole  loking  of  the  foolc  woman 
...  1  .'  .1^^  f^^i^,  ,yi;in^  that  fleth  right  as  the 
ikth  folk  by  vcnlmc  of  hifc  fight,  for  the 
1  the  cycn  faloweth  the  covciiifc  of  the 
hcrie.  The  fcCond  fingrc  is  ihe  tilains  touching 
in  wicked  maner;  and  tiierforc  fayth  Salomon, 
th4t  whofo  toucheth  and  haf  dlcth  a  wonnan  he 
fareth  a^  the  man  that  handltth  the  fcorpion. 
Which  (lingeth  and  fodcnly  flcth  thurgh  h'n  cn> 
Tt-nhning,  or  ai  who  fo  iJiiit  toucheth  warmc 
jiirch  it  iiicndcth  his  fingcri.  The  thridd«j  is  fouk 
wordcs»  whichc  farrth  like  fire,  which  right 
ancti  brcnncth  the  hcrtc.  The  fourth  finger  ii 
Itininp^,  and  trcwt  ly  he  wert  a  grct  fook  that 
wold  kifle  the  roooithc  of  a  brtnning  oven  or  of 
31  fourncii;  aod  more  foole*  ben  they  that  kilTcn 
in  vilainic,  for  that  mouth  i»  the  moUth  of  hdkj 
knd  namely  thifc  oldc  doiardc*  holoure«,  vrlilch 
wol  kiflV  and  flickr^,  and  bcfie  hcrafclf  though 
they  may  nought  do:  ccrtc$  they  beJi  hk^;  to 
liounde^  for  an  hound  whan  he  comctli  by  the 
ttofer  or  by  other  buflio,  though  fo  be  that 
he  may  not  piHe,  yet  wol  he  hcvc  up  hia  leg 
aid  make  a  contcnance  to  pifTe.  And  for  that 
many  men  weneth  that  he  may  not  fixiac  for 
ho  liVeroufncfTc  thst  be  doth  with  hi»  wif,  trcwe- 
ly  that  opinion  if  f^lfe;  God  wot  a  man  may 
ficc  htmfclf  wirh  ht*  own  knifnttd  mske  him* 
fclf  dronken  <^i  He  it 

tiif,  be  it  chil  4l  he 

loveth  before  t>j,  it  i  ' 

»n  idobftrr.    A  mun    On 
crcr--    r:.\.^.u.  _.!  -,,.   . 

as  1 1 

the-:  .  .  ^  •_    ,, 

Trewciy  the  five  fingcm  of  glotonic  the  icnd 
teitttcth  In  the  Wombc  of  a  man,  and  with  his 
«ve  finger*  rj  lecherie  he  ^iperh  htm  b^  the 
I'cincs  for  to  ehrowc  bun  into  ihr  foumcii  of  helle, 
ther  19  they  fhul  have  th 
)  that  ever  ihul  laflen,  and 

^.,d  f^-—  y-'-  —  --^  '^ 

dtv. 


ben  not  maricd,   and  is  <^f-^^*r   <^""-, 

nature*     All  that    li  cm 

nature  ii  ay  end  naturf,  P^^   , 

eke  telieth  him  wrl  that  it  i»  dcdy  1 

moche  as  Ood  forbad  lecherie;  and 

yeveth  hem  the  rcguc  thit  n"i»  devte  to 

but  to  hem  thit  don  d«:dcly  ftnne.    Aisol 

of  lecherie  i<,  to  bcre»en  a  maid  of  hi 

for  he   that  ff»  doth,  rcftcs  he 

out  of  t!      *     »         '  L  , 

liT,  and 

the  boo  !vv  -^ -. -. .   ., 

fay  it  non  other  wife  in  Enj;lilh»  hut    in 

higbt  Cenfe/imkt  jfrnS^t,    Ccrtc»  h  '  ^*» -t 

the  eaufe  of  many  damages  an  J 

any  man  can  rcken  i  right  a*  1; 

of  all  damage*  i-hat  belle ■    du   m    the 

brckcth  the  hedg^c  of  the  clofure,  thorgh 

dtftroyci!  not  be  rcft< 

no  more  ;  hcd  be  rcflorcd 

that  \%  lii.iL    ij  L[M  ihc   body  nuy 

and  wext  :  fTie  ni4y  have  mercy, 

if  that  fhe  h^v^v  wll!  \c,  .To  r nuf, 

flial  It  be  but  r 

fo  that  I  havi 

good  to  Ihe  we  the  prrtk*  ih^i  lungen  ta 

ft>r   to  cfchewe    thst  f^nj'   finti^,      A^ 

Latinc,  i)  for  to  far' 

nca  bcdde^  thurgh  \s  V 

on  ilcfbe   abondonr  rur  d  .ji- 

Of  thii  fmne,  a^  fayth  the  wife  marti 

harmcs  :  fidtr  ^'    -  "■•  -r  ' '^»«     -   - 

ii  the  key  of  t. 

broken  and  k  i  ^ 

llont  Vainc  and  without  fruit. 

theft,  for  theft  genet  ally  is  to 

thingcs  ayenfl  hi*  will.     Certe*  th  .  * 

theft  that  may  Ke  whan  rhit  a  w.-m^i 

body  from  hefhufbond, and  yc\ 

to  drfoulc  it,  and  fttleth  hire  ' 

y^.^.   .f.   ..    .1      1       [ :  thi^  i»  afouur  rn*:tiet 

to  ind  dele  away  t]|<  | 

fo'  t».l-.M>        ,■  --^ 

fp. 

t!i.      . 

ftroy  jjfiii,  »  iayth   Scint   Pnwic.      S 

theft  doiit 'd  frttlv  Jofcph,  whan   il, 

wJi  .  ,  nh*n   h, 

ttiy  hath  tike 


yloundc  \     J  ti 
which  They  hrcL 
foule  the  auter  tU  i 
certe»  info  mochr  a^ 


.foil 


>  ff^H 


and  thcr' 


:i 


THE  PERSONES   TALB. 


m 


I  of  the  rtgne  cf  hcvcn,  that  is  heritage  to  good  f 
Of  tbti  brckiUg  Cometh  ckc  oft  time  that  i" 
QQW^re    wcddc   or   finnc   with    hir   owca 
irok  ;  an  J  &;micly  thiic  harlot  tc$th  at  h^untcn 
»of  thifi;  foul  women  that  may  hcUkcacd  \ 

nuac  gong  whtnraa  men  purge  hir  ordure 
ay  wt   alfo   of  piitours,  that   live  hj  the 
He  iiniic  of  putcnt,   and  tonftrcin  women 
I  jdJc  h^m  X  cert  am  rent  of  her  bodHy  putric, 
^ibmutnc  his  owcn  wil   or  his  childt,  as  don 
bftuckif    Ccncs   thJe   ben   curf-cd    iiuofs. 
(|fln.^    |i;^  thiit  avoujric  is  fct  in  ilic  ten  com- 
nc  tht'ft  and  manflaughtcr,  for 
eft  that  tiiay  bc»  lor  it  i*  theft  of 
r  Vld«^i  louic  1  mnd  it !!» like  to  homicide,  fnr  it 
latv^oand  brckdh   atwo   hem  that   firil 
dc  on  flcflj ;  and  thcrforc  by  the  old  lawc 
[they  ihuld  be  flaine,  but  nathekffe  by  the 
t  Jtfu  Criil,  thit  u  the  hwe  of  piuc,  whiui 
(j^vd  io  the  woman  tliac  was  found  Iti  avoutric, 
\hA)fe  be  flain with  llont*, after  the  will 
(  wa4  hir  Uwc,  Go,  faid  Jefii  Crill, 
more  wIU  to  do  finne,     Suthly  the 
ncc  of  avoutrie  is  awarded  to  the  peine  of 
,  bo(    if  To  be    that   it   be  difcombered  by 
Bce,     Yet  ben  ther  mo  fpiccii  of  thih  curfed 
s*  wh:&n   that  on  of  hem  it  religious,  or 
I  of  folk  that  b<.n  entered  into  ordcrc, 
\    dekcn,  or  prccil,  or  bofpitalcr^; 
T  ir.c  higher  that  he  i»  in  ordrc  the  gretcr 
;  flunc.     The  thinge»  that  grttcly  agrege  hir 
IB  .he  brcking  uf  hir  avow  of  chalUtcc 
I  they  rtccired    the  ordrc.     And  moreover, 
i&  xh;M  holy  ordrc  h  chcfc  of  all  the  trcforie 
[Ck»d,  and   is   a  fpect^i   Hgnc   and   marke  of 
lilcc,    to    fhew    that    they    ben    joined    to 
txtce,  which  it  the  moflc  precious  tlf  that  ii, 
1  ihiXc  ordered  folk  ben  fpeciaUy  titled  to  God, 
t  «f  tiic  fpccial  mcinie  of  God,  for  which  whan 
,doti  dcdly  tane  they  ben  the  fpeeial  trai- 
T  Cod  ftud  of  his  pcplci  for  tfity  live  by 
i<t  to  praye  for  Hic  pcplc,  and  whiles  thty 
cKc  traitottrs  hir  pniyerca  availc  not  to  the 
Pnrefte*  bcii  as  angels  as  by  the  myilcrie 
.dbgnitec;  but  forloth   Seint   Poule   faith 
lli&nAo  transfourmcth  him  in   an  angel  of 
_    Sothly    the    precH   th»t    h^mnteth    dediy 
i  he  may  be  hkencd  to  an  angel  of  drrkneffe 
ilourmcd  into  an  angel  of  Isght ;  he  femcth 
lingel  of  light,  bnt  for  foth  he  is  ftn  angel  of 
rksi£0e.     Swichc  precftes  be  the  fonei  of  Hely, 
litfhrH'^cd   in  the  Book   of  Kingcs  that, they 
the   fotmcs   of    Belial,    that   is  the   divcL 
T  f*  t.,  fiy  wjtliotJten  juge,  and  fo  farcn  they  j 
rh  that  ihcy  be  free,  ind  have  no  jugc« 
sn  hath  a  free  boll,  that  taketh  which 
r  I  hat  him  likcth  inthcioon-  So  farenthcyby 
a,  for  right  a«  on   free  boll    is  ynough  for 
I  a  toun,  right  fo  is  a  wicked  precfl  corruptioa 
ugh  for  all  a  partfh  orfor  all  a  countrec.  Thlfc 
*itc3,  fti  iiyih  the  book,  nc  cannot  minillcr  the 
|Q:eri£  of  prccflhood  to  the  pcplc,  ncthcy  knowe 
'    "  hold  htm  not  apiicd,  as  faith 
n  flcih  that  was  lo  hem  ofl'rcd, 
-j  lurcc  th(  fl^^  tbdt U  ra\Y«  Ccrtt^ 


right  fothifcJhrewci  ne  hold  hem  not  apaiedofrof)- 
cddeOi'.uid  (oddcnwithwhiLh  the  pcplc  fcdcnhcm 
in  ^;ret  revcrcncej  but  they"  wal  have  raw  flcQi, 
a*  folkcu  wives  and  hir  doughtcr*.     And  ccrtca 
thifc  women  that  confcntcn  to  hir  harlotric  don 
gret  wrong  to  Crilt  and  to  holy  chircbc,  and  to 
all  halowes  and  to  all  foulcf,  for  they  bercvcn  all 
thifc  hem  that   ihuld   worfliip.Crtft    and   holy^ 
chirchc,  and  pray  for  Criltcn  Toulc»;  and  tht:rforc 
han  fwichc  prcefl«»  and  hir  knmians  uUb  thut 
confcmci)  to  hir  Lchcric,  tlic  uiolifon  of  tl^  court 
Criftcn    til   th<ry   come    to    amcndcnicnt*     The 
thridde  fpice  of  iivoutric  is  fomtiiuc  betwixt  A  ««aii 
and  hi*  wif,  and  ih;it  is  whan  tJicy  take  oo  regard 
in  liir  affcmbitng  but   only  to  hir  flclhly  dclit,  a* 
fftith  Scint  Jerome,  and  nc  rcekcn  of  nothing  byt 
that  they  bcu  affembled  becaufe  ihcy  ben  marled: 
all  is  good  ynough,  as  thinkcth  to  hem.     But  in 
fwiche  folk  hath  the  divcl -power,  as  faid  tlic  angil 
Raphael  to  Tobie,   for  in  hir  affcmbling   they 
puttcn   Jefu   Critl  out   of  hir  hcrtc,   andyevcn 
thcmfcU  to  all  ordure.  The  fourth  fpice  h  of  hem 
that  ailemblc   with  hir  kindredc,  or   with   hem 
that  ben  of  an  ailinitee,  or  clk%  with  hem  with 
which  hir  father*  or  hir  kinrcd  have  deled  in  the 
ftnne  of  kcheric  :  tbii  fume  raakcth  hem  like  ta 
houndc^   that   taken  no  kcpe  of  kindredc.     And 
ceric*  parcntclc  is  in  two  maner*,  cythcr  goflly 
or  ficftily  ;  goflly  is  for  to  delcn  witii  hir  guc'- 
fibbcs;  for  right  fo  as  he  that  cngcndr  eth  a  chid 
h  hi*  flclhly  father,   right  fo  ii  his  godfather  \  u 
father  fpirituel,  for  which  a  woman   may  hi  no 
IcIIc  fiunc  afi^emblc  wnth  hire  godfib   than  wUh 
hire  owen  flclhly  brodcr.  The  ftfthc  fpicc  is  that 
abhominablc   finnc  of  which  abhontinabk  Cone 
no    man    uniictb    ought    to    fpekc    nc    writ^^ 
natiiclc*    it    i«   openly    rchcrfed    in   holy  writ. 
1  hi»    curfcdneffc    don    men     and    women    in 
divcrfe  cntcnt  and  Siivcrfc  mancr:  but  though, 
that  holy  writ  fpekc  of  horrible  fmne,  ctu  tcs  holy 
writ  may  not   be  dcfouled,   no  more    than  the 
fonnc  that  Ihineth  on  the  myxcnc.   Anotlier  flnne 
apptrteiueth  to  lechcnu  daai  comcth  lu  fleping, 
iiod   this  iinne   coinetI\   often  to  hem  that  bai 
maidens,   and   eke  to  hem  that  ben  corrupt   and 
this  finnc   men    call  Pollution,  that    conicth  of 
four  maners :  fomtimc  it  conicth  of  languilhitig^ 
of  the  body,  for  the  humours  ben  to  nmkc  and 
haboundant  in  the  body  of  man ;  fomtime  of  in- 
firmittc,  for  fcblencflc  of  the  virtue  rctentif,  ;s 
phifike  makcth  mention  ;  fomtimc  of  furfct   of 
met  and  drinke  ;  and  fomtime  of  vilaina  thoughtcs 
that   ben   cnclolcd  ia  manncs  mlnde  whao  he 
goth  to  flcpe,  wliifh  may  not  be  withoutco  Cmnc^ 
for  whichc  men  muft  kt^pc  hcra  wifely,  or  tUci* 
may  they  finfic  ful  grcvouily. 

Now  Cometh  the  rcnicdy  aycnfl  lechcrk,  and 
that  ii  generally  chaflttee  and  continence;  that" 
rellraincth  all  diTordinatc  mcving*  that  comcn  of 
flcfldy  ulents,  and  ever  the  grctcr  merite  fhal  he 
have  that  mwft  rcilraineth  thy  wicked  <nchaufing 


M 


TWE  PERSOtlES  TALB. 


• 


I 


I 


or  ftrJqre  of  tluf  Citine;  an<1  tltii  U  m  u^o  nuncn*  | 
that  is  to  iift  ch.illiit'c  114  mari4jfc  ami  chjillitt  c  I 
in  wiJc^hood.  Now  Quit  thou  utid'jrnopdc  that 
timtrimon}' U kfiil  dflTcmblln};  uf  man  iind  '*ott 
thai  rcccivcQ  by  vcriuc  ol  diis  ficrrincnr  t 
bfinde  ihurgb  whicht-  the)'  mj>y  Dot  l»c  dcparttu  m 
|iU  hir  lif,  thai  is  t^  fu)^,  whijc  tJiat  they  live 
lif^tLe,  This  a*  fi^ith  tJie  boiik,  i-i  ,i  (ul  gret  f*- 
crenjcnt ;  Qod  tuAdc  tt  (a*  !  have  fiiid)  in  Para- 
di»,  and  wold  hiinfclf  he  borne  in  nurLigc  ;  an4 
for  to  halowc  niartagc  he  wa*  at  a  wedding  wher- 
as  he  tocrncd  wjter  into  wiitr ,  whichc  was  the 
firfl  miracle  that  he  wrou^h^  ju  the  crihc  bcforv 
fljj  difciplcs.  The  trcwc  if^fl  of  iiiuf  iage  ck-nf- 
ctVi  '^  '  ifi,  and  rcplcnilhtih  lioly  chirchc  oi 

g  \  for  that  ji  the  cr.de  of  mar  lag--,  and 

di,.  .,  .,  ..  u.dly  fin nc  into  venial  Imnp'  bctwenc 
Kem  tJ»at  ben  wcd^-d,  aul  m  Jtcth  ih«;  hcrtc*  all 
<pfi  of  hem  that  hen  ywfMci  :<i  ns  wcl  at  the  bodic«. 
ThJ»  U  ver-iy  mariajjc  that  «%w  eftiblifhed  by  Cfcsti 
€T  that  finnc  bcgjji^  whau  rnturd  lawe  wa^  in 
hh  fight  point  In  Paradis;  and  it  wa*  ordtincd 
ihiit  o  ntati  fhuld  havc^but  o  wocuan,  and  o  W€»^ 
man  hut  o  man,  i«  fayth  Seint  Augulliiic,  by 
many  reforif. 

FiriT»  f*M  inarlige  ii  fibred  betwix  Crift  and 
lioly  c?iirdir ;  aud  anotJicr  ii,  for  a  nun  i^  hed  of 
the  woman.  (ilgTitt.  by  ordinance  it  Ihuld  be  fo) 
for  jf  a  wc^m^n  had  mo  mru  than  on  th&n  Oiuld 
Ihc  halve  mo  hcd«A.than  oo,  and  that  were  an  ho- 
Tiblc  tlinj^  htfarc  God  I  aiulalfo  a  wontin  mirhtr 
Tirt  pkfe  many  folk  at  cnw ;  4nd  alfo  thcr  fbidd 
never  be  ptt^t  ric  reft  aniiTn{j  hcm»  for  cvcrich  of 
hem  wold  ate  h}«  nwcn  right.  And  furihcrmort, 
no  man  fhuUe  knowc  hii  owcn  rngtindrurc,  re 
%hf(  fliuld  have  hi*  her  It  j^;*  ,  jlJ  the  Woniin  fliuld 
he  the  JlCTc  bcluvid  lor  the  tirac  that  Ihc  were 
conjundl  to  many  mcrn. 

Now  Cometh  b^^w  thof  a  man  (huld  here  hiro 
with  hi*  wif,  aod  namely  in  two  thin^i^,  that  is 
to  f«y,  in  fufTrancc  gnd  in  rcvercncr»  and  thij 
ffvcwcd  Ciill  whan  he  ftd  made  woman  ;  tor  he 
ne  mide  hire  of  the  lied  c»f  Adim,  fcr  (he  fbuld 
not  ebtmetogret  Ijrdfhtppc,  for  thcr  as  ihe  wo* 
man  hath  the  m:\illrie  /lie  D*^<keih  to  mochc  dif* 
af  '  "  '       "  '     ,  the  ei- 

1  yncugh 

iu.:.:.  .  ..,..  .u.^v.-  v'.T.  ..V  M.  ...1,.  J,,..,  vvujnan  cf 
ific  foot  of  Adam,  fer  Jhc  fhuld  net  Ire  holdcn  to 
lowf.  for  Hii  iMCrt  raiit.tlv  fnfler ;  lut  God 
^'  -,  for  woman 

*^'  1   uld  here  him 

to  hii  vtjI  111  t^iiit,^  ill  tftiULh,  and  in  love,  a* 
fa^ih  S'-int  I*oulc,  that  a  man  fhuld  kvc  hif  wj/ 
05  '  '  J  holy  chirche,  that  loved  it  fo  wcl 
t>  ^  r  if  !  fo  fhuld  A  man  for  hii  wif,  if 

ir 

hat  1  woman  Ihidd  he  foh^et  to  hire 


firft  in  ott 
A  wo« 


Lnitcflce,  and  hen  attcmfr^  of  hirf  sfrsy.  T  w^ 
wci  tliat  they  fbuld  ft 
htifltnndi,  but  not  by  qit 


f  k?.th  prccioutar 

be  honoured  tlic  m. 

Mie  a  wamao  to  have  a  fair 

hirrn.'lf  to  ht  foulc  inward, 

mcfurablc  in  loking,  in  herjn^^,  aj^d  la  1 

and  difcrctc  in  ^llhlr*-  word^^  sind  hii 

and  above  ull  worl 

bwlbocdewith  al!  i 

o/  hire  bt^dy  ;  fo  fHui  i  rvci  y  r.u.r.-i 

to  his  wil ;  for  fitJi  thjt  alt  the  body  ijj 

bonde>  lu  (htild  hir-   '    -      ^-      t'  v 

bet  wil  hem  two, 

Than  fhiil  m<:n  ir 

u  man  and  hiii  wif! 

for  the  cut  cot  of  > 

fcrvicc  of  God,  tiii  >i^.tu>  iUiii  i*  ' 

"f  mairimonJc  ;  another  canfe  it  t 

hrm  toother  the  dvtto  of  III! 

of   hem  hith  power   of  h 

thnddc  is  for  to  cH  "^  -  '  ^    -      .... 

fourth  is  fpr   fof!  ♦     A 

it  is  mf riloric  ;  tlu  .  -  .     u  '  " 

drcree,  Site  hnth  mente  of  i 

to  hire  hufbond  the  dctte  of  h 

it  he  ayenll  hire  lJkin|t  and  ih<:  Ui\  vi  ha«  ! 

Thi!  thriddc  maoer  i»  vcntnl    ftnt^?.     "* 

fcari^cly  may  any  of  ihifc  be  \ 

fur  (he  i.orruption  ixid  for  the 

fourth  miliar  i*  for  to  under  1- 

iijdy  ft^T  aniourous  Love  aud 

iajd  caufcs,  tut  for  to  accon  j  m.u    .m^ 

dtUt,  they  reckc  cot  how  oft,  fochly 

fmnc;  and  ytt  with  fonvc  fom   folk' 

hcitj  mt^rc  to  do  thiui  to    hir  ftppc  * 

Tlie  fcccpd  mautr  of  chaftitec  %•  Ut  ^ 
ckne  widcw,  and  rfditi*  the  embracing  oft  ««§, 
and  dc/Lre  the  embracing  of  Jcfu  CfiO.  Tlali 
bcJi  tho  that  have  ben  wive*,  uud  have  forgos  lif 
huibondcs  and  ckc  women  ih*t  have  ifipn  IrAi  I 


IM^V    J.  Ut«- MiJiJt     J'.'    ('n,i       W'V     J'. 

oLc^r^u  that  he  agilttd,  it 

vii-^ilitee,  mtjft  be  den: 
arid  la  though r.  .^td  ^ 
contenaoce, 

the  UjJiie  ol  fhv 
kth  holv  chirchc 


here  w 

:^4t  is  hire 


f  £  fct  by  rcioti :  Cut  (huidc  aUo  f^rvc  ium  iti  lol  i  k^^ikii* 


THE    PZRSONES    TALI, 


Aoptt^icr  retnedic  agniift  lechcrk  h  (pc^My  to 
■"^  *  »w<  fwichc  thingc*  a»  ycvcn  occafiou  to 
ir*t]«mei  ZM  cfc,  ctmg,  and  dnrking;  for  cer- 
he  pot  botleth  ftrongly  the  bcft  rcnsedic 
Irawc  the  fire.     Slewing  long  ia  grct 
^- ..  .r  -,*u  a  grcc  couricc  to  Icchcnc. 

Aaotiitrr  rctt'.«rdic  aj'cDft  Icchcric  is,  that  a,  man 

m  J   vv  jnrii    'f.  hcwc  the   conij:t4gnic   q(  lictn  by 

.H  to  b<?  templed;  for  ftll  be  it  Co 

Uc  wUhftoodetij  yet  ii  thcr  grct 

.,    Sixthly  a  white  wAi,  although  it  ce 

fnlTy  with  ftickicg  of  a  canJIc,  yci  i* 

Ltk:  f  liw  Icyte.     Ful  oft  time  I  rcdc 

ItiaT  Ai'ni  hi«  owcn  pA-fc^ltQo  liut  he 

'^^  "pfoa,  or  ifculier  thaa  David, 

■  n. 

vc  declared  yon  at  I  can  of 

'4,  &nd  foin  of  hir  braunches 

It  thly  if  J  cottdc  I  wold  tcil 

tbe  tea  cconniiLudciiientf ;  but  to  hi^b  doc- 

c  t  !ctc  to  divincj :  nathclcf  I  hope  to  God 

tiicbcd  in  thU  trctUe  cvcrtch  of  hcmallc. 

r  as  moch^'  aj  the  feccmd  part  of  fcni- 

QiK  in  coofcQrnn  of  mouth,  as  l  btgdci  in 

cha^kref   I  f-ty  Scint  Augiiftinc    i.v.ih^ 

:  it  every  word  arid  every  dede,  and  all  thjt 

I  covcteiii,  ayeufl  the  bw  of  JeXu  Criii ;  and 

U  ft\r  to   fume  to  hcrte.  In  muuth«  and  w 

Kf  hy  the  five  wittcj,  which  ben  %ht,  her- 

X">   tiftirg  or  favouring,   2ud  icling. 

:  to  undcr&ond  tlic  ctraimftanccs 

uchc  cVt-ry  ftrtne.    Thou  ihalt  coB- 

dwaart  '  j  iljinc,  whether 

£BM>le  or  fcm.  r  olde,  gcntU  or 

or  fike,  wedded  cr 

d|  wife  or  fociie,  clerk 

IK.    ,.  rrr-d  bodily  or  goftly 

any  of  thy  kj        i   .  vt-  jjiincd  yiiih  lure 

a.r.J  r\iir,y  mo  Ui!;  -  :., 

umftaacc  is  this,  wheliier  it  be  don 
--  in  advo«tric  or  no,  in  maner  of 
^Moucia^:  ar  i^oo,  a  horrible  ^et  fmne  or  fma], 
i^iiow  \qx\%  thou  haft  continued  in  fuinc.  The 
Arid^c  cirf-ciiinilanct  is  the  place  tbcr  thou  hail 
Jrs  r.nri*  r:;],  tji  r  in  other  racancs  hnufc»  or 
'^,  in  cltijrcht%  or  in  d'tirdi- 
dkatc  or  noji  J  for  if  tlic 
and  m;m  or  woman  fpillc 
r  phcc,  by  fray  of  fjnnc  or 
n,ihc  chirchc  were  cnterdi- 
r  prrrr  reconciled  hy  the  bilhop ;  and  if 
^fTr-(V  *hM  HII  fwrrKe  vilajric,thc  tcrme 
n  '  '^1^  ux^iffe;  and  if 

{  every  lime  tliat 
j,Tiii;-.\     Ih.  '  iimtlance  is 

\  mrdiatom  v  =**  -,  ^^  ^^r  en* 

;-     '   *  '     *'-    "  M.  le  conip.ijjnic 

§^  'chL'  fr^r  t*i  bctt" 

h-Wxi  J  ^'Jcrfci-'i: 
fifuic  bc^ 
.it|iijn!lf'n  of 


■  ^  %i  iuiU  !J:,*i,  [wi  iic  Lliai  uiw  uUiUi 


in  finne  he  defplfetb  the  mercy  of  Gad»  uid 
crefeth  his  flnac,  and  is  unkind  to  Crxft,  aod 
waxeth  the  more  feblc  to  witliltand  finoe, 
Unncth  the  mare  lightly,  and  the  later  aril 
aod  it  more  Qow  to  ftirivc  him,  and  namely 
him  that  hath  bco  his  confir/Four;  for  whtth  tJiat' 
folk,  whan  they  fall  a^en  to  bir  old  folje^»  other 
they  forlctcn  hir  old  confcffour  al  utterly,  or  eUfci 
tJveydcpartcn  hir  ihrift  in  diven  place*;  but  fnthly 
fwiche  departed  ihrift  dcfervah  no  merde  of  Gojl 
for  hir  fmnes^  7'he  futte  eircoinftancc  it,  why 
that  a  man  llnneth,  as  by  what  temp  tat  irtn,  ^nA 
if  himfclf  procure  th»l)te  temp ta! ion,  or  by  ejecting 
of  other  folk,  or  if  he  iinne  with  a  woai;in  by 
force  or  by  hire  owea  alTcnt,  or  if  the  wuri.Jii 
miiigre  hire  bed  have  ben  enforced  or  noii ;  thia 
fhal  flic  tt%  and  wbcder  it  were  for  covcitifc  of 
povcrtc,  uid  if  it  were  by  hire  procuring  or  non^ 
and  fwiche  other  thinge*,  The  icvcnih  cirtum- 
ftance  i»,  in  what  auncr  lie  hath  don  his  lintic,  oc 
how  that  file  hath  fnffcrcd  that  folk  ha¥c  Aon  to 
hire  :  and  the  fame  fljal  the  mati  tell  plainly,  with 
all  the  circum/lanccs,  and  wheder  he  hath  tinned 
with  commun  bordel  women  or  non,  or  dun  hit 
fiunc  in  holy  ttmts  or  con,  in  failing  times  or  non, 
tJT  before  hi*  fhrift,  or  after  his  later  ftuift,  and 
hith  pcravcnture  broken  dierby  hi»  penance  en* 
joined,  by  whos  hclpc  or  whoa  confcil,  by  forccri^ 
orcrufie;  &U  mti£l  be  told.  All  thifc  thiiiges 
after  that  they  ben  grct  or  fmalc,  eng;reggcn  th« 
conTcicocc  of  man  or  woman.  And  ckc  the 
precfl  that  is  thy  jugc  may  the  better  be  avifcd 
of  his  jijgcmcnt  iu  ycving  of  penance,  and  th^it 
ihal  be  after  thy  contrition  :  for  imdcrftond  wcl 
that  after  the  time  that  a  m.in  hjth  dcfoiikd  hit 
baptiiineby  finne,  if  he  wol  come  to  fjlvation,  ther 
Is  r.on  other  way  but  by  pcnaiue,  and  ibriftc,and 
l^ilt*fadHoji ;  and  namely  by  tho  two,  if  ther  be  a 
confelTonr  to  whom  he  may  flirive  him,  and  that 
he  firil  be  vcray  contrite  and  repentant,  ai}4  Ui« 
ihriddc  if  be  have  lift©  pcrfornic  it, 

Tlian  fhal  a  man  lokc  and  confidcr  that  if  he 
wol  niake  a  trewe  and  a  pro&tablc  corLfcTjion  tlier 
mull  be  fmirc  condition*.  Firll,  it  mtill  he  in 
forowful  bittcmclTc  of  hcrtc,  as  fayth  the  Rin^ 
Eacchiel  to  God»  I  wol  remember  all  the  ycrcs  of 
my  llf  in  the  bitteruedc  of  my  hcrte.  This  con- 
dition of  Ii  ir.  in  ,;r*  hath  flvc  (J^tic* ;  thc  fjrll  is 
that  cupl  lie  ihamefjil;,  not  for  to  co- 

vcrn  nc  i  L.but  for  he  hath  a^JUcd 

God  and  Uiiouled  his  foule  :  and  hereof  fa* 
Stint  Augiifttn,  Thc  hrrte  ttavailrth  for  fliamr  _ 
hi*  flnnc,  and  for  he  hath  grct fhajiicfartncfle he  If 
dij^ue  tu  have  jjrct  mcrcjn^  of  Cod.     Swirhe  wai 


CO- 


thc  coJifcflloun  of  the  PuM 
up  hi*  eyf  u  to  hevcn,  fos 
hcvco,  fur  which  fli-  -  ' 
mercy  of  iJod;  an  . 
tine,  ihatfsvicHc  Ih  • 
Rc\U  and  mercy, 
confcrinn, fd  whici'' 


V,  tild  noi  lieTC 

ntkd  Gr^d  of 

nv  \i%k\  jnori  the 
f.iith  S'-int  Aujjul^ 
heti  next  fiTycve- 
le  in  humilitrr  in 
If  Pclcr-Humbl'rH 


you  under  the  tui^ht  t-i  tioUj  ihe  hond  of  GoUit 

mighty  to  conlclbnc,  ff*r  thcrby  God   f^ryi'veih 

}^\^c  \hj  Hqucii  isi}^  he  alone  hstU  thc  ^tiwct,  AJid 

N  iiij 


ooo 


THE   PERSONES  TALE. 


thit  hoiTiUitee  fHat  %t  in  berte  and  id  ft^e  out- 
i^arde;  for  nj^ht  a»  be  hath  huirjihtrc  to  Gu6  in 
his  h«tr,  right  f"  f1\uM  he  humblr  his  hody  t>ut- 
VTATii  to  the  precii  that  fuielh  in  Godde*  place  ; 
t  i^  which  in  no  mancr,  GthtJiatCrilt  it  foveraine, 
^IU)d  the  prc/ft  mencand  n>  Jiatour  betwixt  Crill 
and  ilic:  fiiincr,  and  the  finnLT  is  laJl  by  w^f  «)f 
refofT,  ihnn  (UuU  not  tbr  finncr  fittc  ai  high  as 
Tiis  confcfTour,  hot  knric  htfore  bim  or  at  liisfcet, 
bin  if  mabdic  dtflrooMc  it;  for  he  Ihal  not  take 
Itie|Te  M  ho  fitte^h  ther,liat  in  w  hos  place  he  lltteth. 
A  mail  that  hath  trcfjufled  to  a  lord,  aiid  comcth 
for  to  BXe  mcrcic  and  miikcti  hit  accordt:^,  and  fct- 
tcth  hiiy  doun  anon  by  the  Inrd,  men  woMc  holdc 
Mm  outraj:einij^  and  not  worthy  to  fonc  for  to 
kavc  rcminion  nr  mercy.  The  thriddc  fignc  ii, 
that  the  ihrift  fhuld  bcful  of  ten  a,  if  men  moweo 
Wcpe,  and  if  they  mowe  rot  wepe  witli  hir  bodily 
eycn,  than  let  hem  wept  in  hir  hertc  :  fwichc  was 
the  confelTion  of  Seint  Peter,  for  after  ihot  be 
had  forfake  Jcfu  Crift  he  went  out  and  wept  ful 
bitterly.  The  founh  figne  is  that  he  nc  lete  not 
for  Ihamc  to  thrive  him  and  Ihcwc  his  toofeflion  ; 
fwich«  was  the  confcfiion  of  Magdclcinc,  that  uc 
fpartd  for  no  fhnme  of  hem  that  wcren  at  thir 
feftc  to  go  to  our  Lord  Jcfu  Crift,  and  beknowe 
to  him  hire  fmnei.  The  fifihe  fignc  h,  that  a 
man  or  a  woman  be  obeifant  to  receive  the  penance 
that  hem  it  enjoined,  for  ccrtcs  Jcfu  Crift  for  the 
gilt  of  man  wa3  obedient  to  the  dcth 

The  fecond  condition  of  vcray  coiifcfTion  is,  that 
it  be  haRily  don ;  for  certei  if  a  man  haddc  a  dcdly 
\i70undt  ever  the  lengcr  that  he  tnried  to  Wiinfhe 
Kimfclf  the  mf>re  wold  it  corrupt  and  ballc  him 
to  his  deth,  and  alfo  iht  wound  wrA  be  the  werfc 
for  to  hcle.  And  right  fo  farcth  fiunc  that  long 
time  i»  in  a  man  nnihcwed  :  cencs  a  man  ought 
hai^ily  to  (hewc  his  fintic  fur  many  caufc%;  as  for 
drede  of  d«:tb,  that  comcth  oft  fodcnly,  und  i*  in  no 
certain  whar  time  it  (hal  be,  ne  in  what  place ;  and 
eke  the  drenching  of  o  linne  drawcth  in  another  ; 
and  ilfo  the  lengcr  that  he  tarieth,  ihc  ftithtr  is  he 
ho  Crift  ;  and  if  he  abide  to  hi»  latt  day  fcarrcly 
way  he  ftirire  him,  or  rcraembre  hiTi  of  hi)  fin  res. 
Of  repent  him  for  the  grevoua  maladic  of  his 
df  th.  And  for  a»  tnocht  at  he  nc  hath  in  hit  lif 
herkerjpd  Tef«  Crift  whiin  he  hath  fpoken  unto 
him,  he  ftal  cr>  unto  our  Lord  at  his  laft  day, 
and  fcarccly  wol  he  hcrken  t  im.  And  undcr- 
Aonde  that  thr-  condition  mnfle  have  fotire 
thingcsi  firft  that  the  JKrift  be  purveyid  afore, 
aodavifed,  for  v»icJtrd  haft  drth  not  profile  ;  and 
that  a  man  con  (hrive  him  of  hif  (InneSf  be  it  of 
|iride,  or  en  vie,  and  fu  forrh,  with  the  Ipicen  and 
circtimftanccs  and  that  he  have  comprehended  in 
hii  minde  ihc  nombrc  and  tlvc'  grctncflc  of  hn 
lmne«,  and  how  longc  he  haih  lien  in  Cnnc^  and 
tkc  that  he  be  contrite  for  his  fmne*,  and  be  in 
ftedfaft  purpofe  (by  the  grace  of  God)  nevtr  efic 
to  fail  ioto  fume  \  and  nlfo  that  he  dredc  and 
count  rewaite  him  felt  that  be  fiec  the  occafions  of 
lione  to  which  he  is  inclined ;  alfo  rhou  fhalt  ftirive 
iJi^  of  all  iby  ftnne*  tn  o  man,  and  not  parcclmcJc 
Co  o  man  and  parcclmek  to  another  j  that  ii  to 


undcrftonde,  in  entent  to  dcpirt  thy  confdEo 
Jhamt  or  drede,  for  ft  is  but  ftrangling  of  ] 
foule  ;  for  ccrtcs  Jefu  Crift  is  cntierly  all 
in  him  it  non  imperfe<flion»  and  thtrf-- ■  -"i 
foryevcth  all  parfitly  or  clle»  never 
that  if  thou  be  afligned  to  tliy  pctii' 
tain  fmnc  that  tl^oy  art  boundc  to  fljcwc  hm 
the  remenant  of  thy  Qnnes  of  wluche  thjiMi  1 
ben  Chrivcn  of  thy  curat  but  if  it  like  tbcc  of  if 
humdttce  5  tin*  n  no  departing  of  Ihrift : 
not.ther  asl  (pckc  of  divifion  of  confcffioo,tl( 
thou  have  licence  to  ftirivc  thee  to  a  difcrettj 
Rn  honeft  prce(^,  and  whcr  thcc  ttketh,  1 
licence  of  thy  curat, that  thou  ne  mayefti 
dice  to  him  of  all  thy  finncs :  but  Icte  i^ 
behind ;  let  no  Cnne  be  untolde  as  fer  1 
remtfinbrance.     And  whan  thou  Ihalt  1 
of  thy  curat  tell  liim  eke  all  the  Gnnes  thitl 
haJl  don  lith  thou  were  laftc  flirivcn  ! 
wicked  entente  of  divifion  of  flirlft. 

Alfo  the  vcray  fhrift  aicth  ccrtatn  < 
FirO,  that  thou  fhrivc  thcc  by  tl 
conftrcined.ne  for  ftiame  of  folk 
or  fwiche  other  thinge^for  it  if  rtivn  » 
trcfpaft"L'th  by  hi^  free  will,  that  by  hisf 
confcffc  his  trefpas^  and  that  Don  otlu 
his  finne  but  himfclf ;    ne   he  (Hal  not 
deny  hii  finnc,  ne  wrath  hina  aycnft  the  pre^ 
amonefting  him  to  lete  his  fmne.     The  f 
condition  is,  that  thy  Ihrift  be  lawful,  that  Is  C 
that  thou  that  (hriveft  thee,  and  eke  the  prcd 
hercfh  thy  conf<(Don»  be  vcr^lly  in  the  feith  i 
ly  chirchc,  nrd  that  a  man  ne  be  not  difpeil 
the  metcic  of  Jtfu  Crift^  a*  Cain  and  Judaa' 
And  eke  a  man  mufte  accufc  himfclf  of  hk  j 
titfpas,  arid  not  another;  but  he  fhal  1 
witc  liimfclfe  of  hi>i  owcn  malice  and  of  hii  J 
and  non  other  :  but  nathclcs  if  that  a  no 
he  cnchtftin  or  enticer  of  hi»  finne,  or  the  « 
the  perfun  be  fwiche  by  which  hi&  hnne  i$i 
grd,  or  clIcB  that  he  may  not  plainly 
but  he  tcH  the  perfon  with  ^hichc  hc% 
than  may  he  tell,  fo  that  his  eotcnt  , 
backbite  the  perfon,  but  onljr  to  dec 
fcflion,  ' 

Thou  nc  (hall  not  alfo  mal^'-  "^  t.y;.. 
confeflion   for  humihtee,  pt 
thou   baft  committed   and  ti 
which  that  thou  ne  were  never  jrilty  j  for 
AiigiifUne  fayth*  If  that  thou,  becaulc  of  thi 
militec,  makcft  a  Itfing  or  thyftti,  ihougM 
were  not  in  fmne  before  %*«t  artt  rhun  that*  i 
thtirgh  thy  leGng.  The 
by  thy  proprc  mouth,  I 

by  DO  letter ;  tor  thou  thoM 

flialt  have  the  fb;iire  0'  (lta]| 

not  ckc  peint  thy  coixl...:.    _,     .uht^ 

wordc  ,  to  cover  the  more  thy  finne,  for  than  l^ 
gileft  tliou  thyfclf  and  not  the  prrrft  *   thoo  \ 
telle  it  plainly,  be  it  never  fo  foale  ne  fo  hci 
Thou  fljalt  fke  Ihrivc  thee  to  a  pret-ft  that  j 
Crete  to  confeillc  thcc  ;  and  ekt 
fljrivc  th(  c  for  vaine  glorie,  ne  for  r  fol 

no  caufc^  but  ooi/ for  the  douu  »t  juu  wot  mi 


;«  .v^, 


for  ^1 

th«| 

(lta]| 
thati  ho' 

^00  ail 


THE   PERSONES    TALE, 


aoi 


;  hele  of  thy  foale.  Thou  (hair  not  eke  renne  to  / 
:  prceil  il  fodcnly  to  tell  him  lightly  thy  finne,  I 
>  who  tclJcih  i  iipe  or  a  talc,  but  avifcdly  and  | 
good  devotion  ;  and  jft^nc rally  (hriTc  thcc 
lllte :  ii  t^ou  o  tc  hH^  oftc  arife  by  confelBon.  And 
|l)Me^  itou  thrive  thcc  ofter  iIaq  ones  of  (innc  i 
l^itch  thotj  hall  be  ihrivcn  of  it  is  more  raeritc ;  ' 
B^  iS  Ckfth  Scint  Augu {line,  Thou  (halt  have  f he  | 
I  rt  J'phf  ly  irlcfe  and  grtiicc  of  God  both  of  finnc 
L .  Ard  certc*  cnca  a  ycre  at  the  left     ay 
to  be  houfelcd,  for  lothcly  onc%  a  ycre 
f^'^  crthc  renovclcD* 

fan  pmiitntixt  etjifttitur  tcrila  pat  #. 

How  1i2ve  1  told  you  of  verty  ronfeflion,  that  is 

'  \  ftouadc  part  yi  penitence  ^thc  thridde  part  i»  I 

■CiSioiit  md  that  Aont  luoll  generally  in  al-  \ 

Jc  dedc  And  in  bodily  peine.     Now  ben  ther 

[ifcftc  wancr  of  almcffc  ;  c -ntriiion  of  hcrtc,  whci 

n  offrcth  humfclf  ^o  G^d  ;  another  ii  tu  h;ivc 

of  th<  dcfaute  of  his  neighbour;  and  the 

*  I  i*  in  ytving  of  good  confcil  godly  and 

}  wiier  as  men  have  nedc,  and  namely  in  fuf- 

\  of  gnanue*  food>     And  take  kepe  that  a 

Bth  fjcde  of  thifc  thingc*  gentrally;  he  hath 

\  food«  »f  clothing,  and  of  terberow,  he  hath 

ritable  corifcilling  at\d  vifiting  in  prifon 

die,  and  fcpulturc  of  his  dcd  body.  And 

iir;i  vifitc  the  «cdcful  in  prifon  in 

hem  with  thy  melTage  and  thy 

^-li  generally  the  alincflcs  *ird  wcrkcs 

rit^f  of  hem  hat  have  temporcl  richcffcs  or 

EioQ  in  crnfciUing.     Of  thlfc  livcrkcs  fhalt 

I  hcrtn  at  the  day  of  dome, 

Thi*  ilmtifc  fliuldeft  thoo  do  of  thy  proprc 

'd  haflily  and  privcly,  if  thou  nnaycfl  j 

*  if  thou  maycft  not  do  it  prively  thoti 

.  rbcrctodo  almcfle  though  men  fee  It, 

not  don  for  thankc  of  the  world,  but 

^  -,  '-mkc  o^  Jtfu  Griil ;  fttr,  ^i  wjtnef- 

W  yvt^chap.  V,    A  fitce  may  mt  be 

lilsi™.  .-  ..  ^.w  *.n  a  mcun*aine,ncmcn  lij^ht  not  a 

DC  TopucittindexabufhLlitbutfeUcn  it  upoo 

I  ODdlrflickc,  to  Lighten  the  men  in  the  ho«s : 

bl^  fo  fhal  your  light  lighten  before  men,  that 

ll'dey  mo  we  fee   your  good  wcrkcs,  and  gtorifie 

Vpaa  fader  thjt  is  in  heven. 

New  a»  for  to  fpckc  of  bodily  pcmf ,  it  ftont  in 
fai.r*,  in  v^akii  g,  in  faOing,  and  in  vertuous 
erhtijg*     Of  orifon*  yc  fhul  undcrflond,  thai  ori- 

lieflif^ T*;  to  fay  a  pitou*  wiU  uf  hcrie,that 

llctt'  ' ,  acdciprefletit  it  by  word  outward 

c*,  and  to  have  tfiinges  fplritutl 
[xfid  :  and  fomtimc  temporcl  thingcs; 

[•fvii'  %  ccrtta  in  the  orifon  of  the  Pjtir 

[  ■jf' '  Crift  cnclofed  moft  thmges ;  ccrrct 

I  it  is  [  r  three  thingea  in  hit  dignitcc,  for 

1  •hichc  It  1-.  incic  digne  tJian  any  other  prayer, 
f  for  that  Jefu  Crifl  himfclf  made  it ;  and  it  is  fiiort, 
I  ist  ic  Qkvid  be  covide  the  more  h'ghrly,  and  to  hold 
I  it  the  more  eCe  m  bene,  and  hclpe  himfdf  the 
frfief  with  ihiionfooi  and  for  a  man  (buM  be  the 
Idk  wcry  co  £iy  it,  and  for  a  man  may  not  excuse 


him  to  Icrnc  i%  it  ij  fo  flirirtc  and  fo  ^c^  and  for  £  ^ 
comprchcxidcih  in  himfclf  all  good  prayers.  Th 
expofiiion  of  this  holy  prayer,  that  is  fo  cxccUcii 
and  fo  digne,  I  betake  to  themaiftcrsof  theologic 
favc  thu»  mochc  wol  I  fay,  thar  whan  thou  prayed 
that  God  ihuld  forycvc  thee  thy  gilt£:>  as  thou  for^ 
ycvcft  htm  that  have  agihcd  thee,  be  wcl  wan 
that  thou  be  not  out  of  charitte.  This  holy  orifmi 
amenufeth  ek.-  venial  finne,  and  thcrforc  tt  appcn 
tcineth  fpcciaily  to  penitence. 

This  prayer  muH  be  trcwcly  fayd,and  in  perfc^ 
feith,  and  that  men  praycn  to  Goddrdinatcty,dil 
crctely,  and  devoutly  :  and  alway  a  man  Di;*l  pu 
his  will  to  be  fubgettc  to  the  will  of  God.     Th 
orifuD  muft  eke  be  fayd  with  grct  humbleflc,  ; 
ful  pure  and  honeftly,  and  not  to  the  annoyance  ( 
any  man  or  woman  :  u  muil  ckc  be  continued  wit! 
wcrkcs  of  charitce  :  it  availcth  ckc  ay  end  the  viJ 
cts.  of  the  ftmlc ;  fo^,  as  fayth  Scint  Jerome,  By  ' 
failing  ben  favcd  the  vicc«  of  the  flclli,  and  by 
prayer  the  vices  of  the  foulc. 

After  thii  thou  ihalt  underftonde  that  bodil^ 
peine  ftont  in  waking;  for  Jcfu  Crift  fayth,  Wak 
yc  andpray  ycthat  ycnc  ciktcr  into  wicked  temp 
tation.  Yc  Jhul  undcrflond  aifo  that  faftin 
ftont' in  tlirec  thingcs,  in  forbcring  of  bodily  mcft 
and  driikc,  in  forbcring  of  worldly  joHtcc,  aai 
in  forbermg  of  dcdiy  firne;  this  is  to  fay,  thati 
man  fliall  kcpc  him  fro  dcdly  finuc  with  all  [  '* 
might, 

.  tnd  thou  OiaU  undcrftond  alfo  that   God 
daincd  falling,  and  to  fafliug  appcrtaincrh  fou 
thingcs ;  largcncffe   to  pourc    folk,  gladncflc 
hertc  fpiritucl,  not  to  be  angry  nc  ajinoicd,  nel 
gmtch  for  he  faftetb,  and  alfo  refonablc  hourc 
lor  to  etc  by  mcfurc,  that  is  to  fay,   a  man    fhol 
not  etc  in  untime,  nc  fit  the  longer  at  the  tabic 
for  be  fallcth. 

Than  Ihalt  thou  undcrftondc  that  bodUf 
peine  ftont  in  difciptine,  or  tcching  by  word  or 
by  writing,  or  by  cnlample,  alfo  in  wtring  of  here 
or  of  (lanun,  or  uf  habergeon*,  on  hir  naked  flcfh 
for  Grilles  fake.  But  ware  thee  wcl  that  fwiche 
tnancr  penance-  nc  make  not  thin  hertc  bitter  or 
angry,  nc  annoicd  of  thyfcif,  for  better  is  to  caft 
away  thin  here,  than  to  call  away  the  fwctncITe  of 
J  our  Lord  Jcfu  Cnll;  and  therfore  fayth  Seine 
Poult,  Clotl^c  you  as  they  that  bcnchofcn  of  God  in 
hertc,  of  mifcricordc,  dcbonairtcc,  fuflrance,  and 
fwiche  mancr  of  clothing,  of  which  Tcfii  Crift  is 
more  plcfed  than  with  the  hcrcs  or  habergeoni, 
I  Than  is  difcipHnc  ckc  in  knocking  of  thy  brcft, 
in  fcourging  with  ycrdcs,  in  knellng,  in  tiibaja- 
lion,  in  fuffring  patiently  wrongei  that  ben  doa 
to  thet,and  ckc  inpatient  fuffring  of  maladies,  or 
lefing  of  worldly  cat  tic  J  or  wif,  or  child,  or  other 
fricndet. 
I  Than  ihalt  thou  undcrftond  which  thiagci 
.  diftourben  penance,  and  this  is  in  foure  mancrs, 
;  that  is,  dredc,  ftianie,  hope,  and  wanhope,  that  is^ 
dcfpcration*  And  for  to  fpckc  fir  ft  of  dredc; 
for  which  he  wcneth  that  he  may  fuflVr  no  pen- 
ance, ther  aycnft  it  rcmcdic  for  to  thinkc  that 
bodily  paiancc  is  but  ihoHi  and  litcl  at  regard  of 


«#% 


THE  FERSONES  TALE. 


the  peine  of  helky  tliat  t«  To  cniel  and  fo  long,  tliat 
it  Uftflli  withouten  cndc. 

Now  aycud  the  fiiamc  that  a  tnaui  hath  to  thrive 
him,  and  oomc^ly  thirc  ipocrltc^,  that  wold  he 
holtlcu  fu  p^iiTfit  that  they  hrivc  nn  ncdc  to  fhrivc 
hcaiy  ayenft  t>at  fhamt:  (hulJ  a  oijlh  thinkc^  thjt 
by  waj*  of  rcfon  htr  that  hath  not  ben  afhamcd  to 
do  fotilc  thlngi^s,  ccrcci  htm  ought  not  he  ^ftiiimed 
lo  do  fiirc  tlunj^t^5,:ind  that  ts  coafefliou^  Amau 
Ihtitd  nTfo  th<nk  Uut  Gad  fccth  and  koowcth  al 
hi'i  '  ,  '^»d  al  hiH  wtikrjLf  aad  Co  lilm  may 

*»(>  J  nc  covered.     Men  fhidd  ckc  rc<- 

fnemb]..  tcu\  of  the  Ik^mie  that  i)»to  eome  at  the 
da)'  of  dome  to  hem  that  ben  notpcnctcnc  in  this 
,|>rcfcal  lif;  for  all  the  creature*  in  hcvcn  and  In 
#rthe,  aud  in  hellc,  fltul  fee  apcrtly  all  that  tlicy 
liidep  tJi  thi«  world. 

Now  for  to  fpcke  of  the  hope  of  hem  that  ben 
fo  neglijjcut  aad  flowc  to  fhrive  hem,  thAt  (lond- 
<di  lu  twQ  manrrs;  th%t  on  i^  that  he  hopeth 
for  to  live  loiig^,  and  for  to  purchafe  mochc  rich- 
tSc  tor  hir  dcHt,  and  than  he  wol  (hrivc  lum»and, 
M  he  fayth,  he  may,  aa  hini  fcmtth,  than  timely 
ynongh  come  to  fiirifi;  another  ii  the  furqucdrie 
that  he  hath  in  Criftei  incrcic,  Ayenll  the  fird 
^ice  he  (Ual  thinke  that  our  lif  is  in  no  fikcrneiTc, 
and  eke  that  all  the  richeJTe  in  thU  iy«irld  hen  in 
avcntujre,  and  paCTcn  as  a  ibadowe  on  a  wall ;  and 
msfaythScmt  Crcgorie,  that  it  appcrtamcth  to 
the  gfct  rightwifncffc  of  Gcd  that  never  ftial 
th:  peine  (liatc  of  hem  that  never  wold  wit  IwJra  we 
hem  from  Gnne,  hir  thaukc&,  but  ever  continue  in 
{inne.  For  tbilke  perpetual  will  to  don  liiuie 
ib^ilt  they  have  perpetual  peine, 
»  Wanhope  is  in  two  maners ;  the  firfl  waohope 
is  in  the  mercic  of  God  ;  that  other  i&  that  tlicy 
think  that  they  ne  might  not  long  pfrfcvcre  in 
goodneffe.  1  he  firft  wanhope  comcth  of  that,  he 
dem- tK  tf.  :*  he  kaih  fiuncd  fo  i:;rctly  and  f*>  oft, 
anl  in  finue,  that  he  ih,il  not  be  favcd, 

C' r  that  eurfcd    wanhope    (hulde    he 

thifikc  tiiat  the  paflion  of  Jcfu  Crill  is  more 
Hfongc  fur  to  imhtnde  than  iiunc  it  fUon^  for  to 
binde.  Aycnft  the  fccotid  wanhope  he  Jh;d 
fhinki?  iStJit  a^  often  as  1m:  falleth  he  may  arifen 
'  "         fi  he  n^vcr  Iblongc 

of  Crid  i?  alway 


re 

ir,      :,    -. 
the  devil  jo«y 

him;  .ir*1 1\< 
cf  1 


♦  ■■  fir,  Ajenfl  that 
J  (J* u i d  n o 1 1 ong  j'C rfc  ver 
t,  th;it  the  fchlcucflc  of 
I  but  it  men  wol  fulTre 
•  ftrcngtb  of  the  bclpc 
hirdic,  %od  of  the 

i-  the  frtut  of 
If  J  Criil  it  h 


trariofitcc  of  wo  n<  ^T^uee;  ther  lU  VantM^ 
benps-fTcdof  thit  prcieiU  Uf :  thtr  as  1%  QktrmSt 
from  the  peincs  of  helle ;  thcr  at  it  the  bHifjsl 
cotnpgnic  tliat  rcjoycen  hv'm  ever  ino  ev  '  ' 
otlvcrsjoyc  i  thcr  u  the  hndj  of  man,  thj.i: 
wa»foulc  and  ierke,  is  more  clcrc  than  iL'.  .  .,.« 
ther  as  the  body  that  whdoni  wa»  like  aod  httsk^ 
ft-ble  and  mortal,  i»  immortal,  aud  fo  Hron/  ^rd^ 
hole,  that  thcr  ne  may  nothing  apf  < 
is  neither  hunger,  ne  thurflc,  nc  cc«i 
foulc  repkniih^fdiAiith  the  E^gia  of  ih 
ing  of  God.  Thi*  bliaftd  re^ne  m 
chafe  by  povcrte  fpirituel,  an.! 
iineflf,  the  plrutec  of  joyc  by 
and  the  reilc  by  travaik,  and  uu  m  :•>)-  i 
mortJ5«:ation  of  fiiinc :  lo  which  life  he 
that  bought  tis  with  hi*  precious  blo"'^  ' 

Now  pre  ye  I  to  hem  alle  that  h- 
trctiCL'  or  redcn  it,  thit  if  ther  be  - 
that  likcth  hem  that  thcrof  they 
Lord  Jcfu  Cf  ifU  of  whom  proccd^ 
and  all  g^odeocffc  ;  ^iid  if  ther  be  inj  iluitg  \ 
difplefeth  hem,  I  prcye  hem  alio  that  ihcy  i 
it  to  the  dcfaut;;  of  niyn  uiik 
my  wiU^«  that  wold   fayn  h>i^ 
hxddc  hid  koning  ;  for  oun:  bo^l.  k^j^i., 
i»  written  it  written  for  oure  d*Jiflrinc«  And  1 
j*  myn  entente  ;  whcrforc  I  befckc  vi 
for   the  mercic  of  God,  that  ye  pr< 
Criil  have  mercic  of   me  and  fr: 
gilies,  [and  namely  of  nijTi  TranQ 
ditingcftuf  worldly  vanttce«,  the  v 
in  my  retraxSlion*;  a*  The  Ikikeoi 
Boke  alfo  of  l*ame,  The  B*»k^*  of   i 
twenty  Ladies  The  Boke  of  7" 
Boke  of  Seint  VaJentinci  Day 
Eriddes,  The  Talc'i  of  Cantt.,.  , 
founea  unto  finoc^  The  Poke  of  ti 
many  an  other  |loke«.  if  th  v   u 
uicmbratince,  luid  many  i* 

ruu*  L4y»  Crift  of  hi«i  v  ^^m 

the  finne !    but  of  The  trai^iiutiua  c^i    ^<m  ^ 
Corifttlatnin,  and  tnhrr    BoVr*  of    l^^^f*^  wi 
Sjintt,  uud  t]f  Qin 
tion,  tliat  tbante  I 
biifsFaJ  :      ^       ,  ,u  u<:>  czi^ 

fcLing  ^'h    unto 

and  to  Qodieu  to  the  L\  y  Cba 

graimtc  nte  j^raec,  uf  v      ^    ^         ue^   co 
aud  fifcti^faf^ion  to  don  in  ti^jt  prefcnt  lif,  th 
the  benigijr  p^tc  rf  him  that  it  Kin^  of  k 
and  Fr  'i^t  bought  ei  ^ 

the  ptL  ic,  fa  mat  1  I 

ben  on  ui  bv-ni  itu   i]ic  Uitc  day  of  Aome 
lliulten  be  f-ived;  iJU*  (mm  I>fv/^:/ea  Sf*r%tmJ^^ 


THE  COKE'S  TALE  OP  OAMEiyjl, 


THE   COKE'S  TALE  OF  GAMELYN. 


W  Itihm  anil  Itftmith,  aod 
*  *i  50U  ariglit, 
bIIii)  bcj-i  me  tell 
oughti  knight. 
I  of  Boundis  dcpad  vai 
Q«];ht'i»  name; 
he     '  ae. 

^•ir""^  ^  '    -.' fc*4£  had,  and  with 

|o£  he  them  wan  ; 

llddl  wa»  a  motile  llircv, 

loDe  he  bcgan^ 

^^oihcrin  lov*d  thir  /3dir« 

Kftun  ^cre  a^A  ; 

Hp  dcfcrv*d  \m  fadir't  cnrf^^i 

|9it  at  theki^. 

t  godi  knight  his  fadir  did 

'"'-■-    T^dyore, 

lomen  him  unto, 
I — .....  ...;n  full  fore. 

r^ttde  knight  ycaiidmodi, 
kc  iher  a,<i  he  Jay, 
thae  his  chillier  in  {huldd 
aftfr  hii  day. 
S  n  wide  where,  \mi 

[  he  was  I 
u  iijnjc  which  th«  he  had 
Tcray  purchaft; 
*""  '^  *"-  ' '    that  it  were 

---^  .        ;..  .ji  hftd  hi&  part 
|ii|rhu  befJI, 
lirot  he  into  the  contr^ 
fife  knightis, 
jpcQ  dele  hr»  londis,  and 
them  to  rightiA. 
cBt  them  word  by  lettertt 
Uf  fliulde  hji  blyve 
Ihef  wqI  fpckcn  with  him 

i  on  live* 

Qightis  herdca  ho^ 

» jiianitir  teft 
lor  day 

i^n  ooto  hiiQt 

eforto 


Thus  then  faidin  the  god^  knight^ 
Sck    ther  as  he  lay, 
Lordis,  I  warnc  you  foffothe, 
Wjthotitin  any  niy, 

J  may  not  Icng^ir  Irven  hcr3 
In  this  forrowful  ftound. 
For  thorough  Godd'is  will  fiiprcnw 
Dethe  drawiih  me  to  ground. 

Thcr  ne  was  no  one  ©f  them  allc, 
That  herdin  him  aright. 
That  thei  ne  hadde  mochU  rotttU 
Upon  that  ilkc  knight  j 

And  fcide.  Sir,  for  Oodd*tsloTfl 
Nc  difniayen  you  noug^ht, 
God  may  don  bote  oJ  hmli 
Which  tliat  it  now  ywrought. 

Then  anfwcrid  them  the  gode  knight. 
Sikc  there  as  he  lay, 
Bote  of  bale  God  may  fcjid» 
1  wote  it  IS  00  nay. 

But  I  hcfekc  you  knighUi, 
A!  for  the  love  of  me, 
Grtith  and  drefljth  my  londii 
Among  my  fonis  thre. 

Aiid,  frcndif,  /or  the  love  of  Ood 
Ddith  them  nat  amys, 
Atid  forgcttith  not  Gtmi^jn^ 
My  yongd  fon  that  is.  * 

Takjth  hcdc  unto  that  Ofi« 
As  wel  19  to  that  other ; 
Scldome  ycfeinc  any  heif 
That  helpc  woU  his  brother. 

The  Icttin  they  the  knighte  UgF^ 
Which  that  waa  not  in  hcle, 
And  in  thei  wcniio  to  couoikilo 
His  londii  for  to  dele  ; 

For  to  delin  thcmal  too  on 
That  vras  ther  only  thought. 
And  for  that  Gam^lyn  yongill  Wf 
yic  Ihaldf  havin  nought. 

A I  the  lond^  which  that  thcp  wij 
They  dclten  it  in  two, 
And  lete  GamHyn  the  yoirgv 
Withoutcn  londr  go. 

And  evc^rich  of  them  fdd«Cl 
Til  othir  fulie  londe, 
His  brdffterU3  mowe  pve  him  load* 
Whan  that  h-^godiikyudc. 


^^5                            TH£    COKE'S   TALE   OF   GAMELY n/ ^^^^^H 

^^       Whio  ihey  had  dclid  the  londi* 

Gamelyn  (lode  upon  a  dsf              ^^^H 

^H  After  their  owne  wtll. 

In  hi»  brother*!!  yet^e,                          ^^^| 

^H  Tho  camin  they  unto  the  knight 

And  he  began  ivuh  bit  bondd             ^^^H 

^m  Ther  as  he  by  rull  Oill, 

To  handilin  his  bcrdc.                           ^^^M 

^^m      Aittl  toMin  unto  him  anoo 

He  thoughtin  upun  hit  loadiV        ^^^| 

^H  M<»w  that  th«y  hj^clil  ywMHigkt, 

That  Uyin  l^agc  uufawe,                     ^^^H 

^M  And  the  knight  there  as  he  Jicke  Ut 

iVnd  aUo  of  hib  hue  cki»«                    ^^^| 

^1  Viikidit       - 

That  doune  were  ydrawe*                       ^^^H 

^H      Then  \i                  ^^ht  angrily^ 

His  parkis  ^-erin  al  hrokin,                     ^t 

^^B  Ifwarcby  c^.iui    M.trlyn 

And  al  hi^  dcir  rcvcd ;                            ^^^| 

^H  Fur  ail  tt^t  w^^c]\^  y«  h»V6  jdotie 

Oi  alic  hiA  gode  ileu.i  noon                 ^^H 

^B  Yet  U  tit  lonie  luyii^   i 

\^^ii  there  with  him  betcvcd  ;              ^^H 

^H      For  Godd*ii  love»  my  ocighboarii^ 

Hii  houfi*  werein  unhelid                         V 

^H  Sundcith  ye  ^11^  ftiU, 

And  iMH  cvilly  dight  i                                  B 

^H  And  I  woU  dcUn  my  kmdft 

Tho  tlioughi  thii  yong>;  Gamclyn               1 

^^1  After  niyn  oWnc  wili. 

It  wcnic  not  iri^hu                               ^^B 

^H        Joh;m  my  11  cklifl  lose  Ihlll 

After  came  bis  brnthir  in                 ^^H 

^^B   Thave  plowiii  Hve, 

Ywalk^-ng  flatelich  thare^                      ^^^| 

^B  Thiit  n  ai  my  fadir*f  UeriiJ^^ 

And  feidc  mut>                                      ^^H 

^H  While  thai  he  was  on  live  j 

What                                                       ^^^1 

^H       And  miiidiUill  imi  fhaU 

Tho  Cam  J,                   '  hym^          ^^B 

^^K  Five  plowik  luvc  of  Utid 

And  fviort  b)  u        '•.  1    4tc,                         B 

^H  That  t  holpc  Cor  to  geitm 

Thou  Dialt  y  ^o  L.kc,  iuLc»  tiiy  felf;         B 

^H  With  myn  cwn  right c  hood; 

I  wol  not  be  thy  coke.                                B 

^H       And  alJ  myn  pthir  purdidl» 

How,  brotliir  Gamclyn^  quod  be,          B 

^K  Of  Undi»  and  of  kdes. 

Thus  anTwcrtft  mc  thou  f                          B 

J^  That  I  hcquct^  Cam*ly% 

'lliou  fpakiH  nevir  fochc  a  word                  B 

B           And  alle  my  godc  ficdc^                                            1 

Yet  as  thuu  doi(^  now.                                B 

Atid  t  hefcke  you,  godc  tiicsi» 

By  my  fairh,  /cid.  Gamelyo,                  B 

ThAt  U\vi*con  of  U>nd, 

Now  me  it  thJnkith  nede ;                  ^^^1 

Jor  Ga^yn'is  love  th« 

Of  all  the  hartnii  tliat  I  lt«V«.           ^^H 

^_   Thu»  my  bcqucft  may  ftond. 

I  ccvir  yit  coke  hcdt.                         ^^^m 

^B       Thiu  df  lid  hath  tht  godc  kaight^ 

My  parkis  ben  y  brokiit,  and  ^^^H 
My  dcir  ben  yreved  ;                          ^^^H 

^m    His  lonJd  he  his  dal. 

^H   Hight  upon  hts  dcth^lA  bcddj, 

Of  myn  hami   and  my  flcdii            ^^^| 

^B    ^oi'c^  ^^^^  ther  a<$  he  lay  ; 

Noght  iBtiiere  me  belc?cd.                 *^^^| 

P               And  fone  aftirwei4i&he 

Al  that  my  fadir  me  bcqvcthe        ^^^| 

1 l*a7  as  a  ftonL-  ftil!. 

Al  goith  now  tu  thame,                      ^^| 

^H   And  dyid  y^isin  rbc  iyi;pe  cudc. 

And  therefore  liave  thou  Godd*ift  ^^>k^^^| 

^H   A»it  wiu»  Crifi'ii  wilL 

Brothir  John  by  thy  name.                 ^^^M 

^H       Anon  aftir  thai  hj»  was  dcde, 

Than  thus  bdpakin  hU  brotblr,  ^^B 
That  rape  was  df  vcel,                        ^^B 

^^1    And  lindir  graf^  ygr;xvc« 

^H  Tho  Ton:  the  cUir  brudiii- 

Stondith  ^>  '  -            '-''nng,            ^^B 

^H  Begylld  the  ynngi?  kriave. 

Andhrl                                                ^^B 

^H        He  tokin  into  hi&  houdU 

Thou  1                          -n  to  hate  ^^^H 

^H    His  londis  and  hi^  lede* 

Thy  roctd  and  thy  wcdc.                          B 

^V    And  aJfo  Gmayn  hixnfclf 

What  fpekift  thou,  thou  gadiling,             fli 

f           To  dothin  and  to  fedc 

Of  lond  othir  of  Lcdc  f                     .^^H 

L               He  clothid  lim  md  fcdd^  him 

Then  feide  to  him  Gam^lyn^         ^^H 

^K    ZtiI  and  eke  wroth. 

The  childc  that  was  ytnge,                ^^^B 

^H    And  Utin  hi«  lotidt^for  fare» 

Chrtil'is  eurfe  mote  he  havia             a^^B 

^^     And  al^  hi*  houfii  both ; 

rhit  clcpith  mc  Cadlyng.                  ^^B 

1                 Hi-t  parkis  t)^,  tnd  hu  wodi», 

1  am  no  won  gadlying  thu  thf ,          B 

An.i.^' '.!■•-  r..,.*i.„..„  wtl. 

Pardc  nc  no  wort  weight,                   i^^H 

Aji.1                           ight^ 

But  bom  I  wai  of  a  Ivly^                  J^^|' 

On  f'    .        .        ,,.:. 

And  gotttn  of  a  knyght.                  ^^^| 

So  bage  tyme  xvu  Camdyn 

Nc  durll  he  not  to  Gamilyn          ^^^| 

1            In  hi*  brother*!  Hall, 

Not  oo  fote  ferthir  go,                       ^^^^ 

^^    For  the  ftrcngifl  otrgpdi  wiU 

But  depid  to  him  hi»  nicinf ,              ^^^1 

^f    They  duutidm  him  sit. 

And  feid^'  to  thrm  tho  ;                      ^^^^^| 

^^         There  ne  wi»  hdii«  wighi  io  that  pUce, 

Goith  and  betiih  \vcle  thUlKiy,    ^^H 

Kothir  yonge  nc  oldc. 

And  ravith  him  hts  wit,                   ^^^| 

ThAt  woldc  wrathin  Gamelya      " 

1  And  let  him  lerc  another  time          ^^^| 

WcxchcocTif  foboid. 

1  To  mfwcring  me  bctu                    ^^B 

THE  COKEYS   TALE    OF   GAM£I,YN. 


tol 


r^.rn  fcld  the  chyld^  yon;?  Gim  lyn^ 


I  curf    mote  tj^ou  havjn 
ttirothcr  tn  thou  myu* 
[  !f  thai  J  Qx%\  kigati* 
,  be  anon, 
rctiT^  mote  ihoti  havia 
t  thou  be  that  one 
right  Lu«n  his  brothir  did, 
I  gret   hctc, 
t  mcin    Cett  flans, 
I  to  bete. 

ch  df  them  had  a  fhiT 
.  nomin, 
I  wa*  twar:  thif, 
1  comin. 
^  <  agh  them  comin 

F  wu  wart  of  a  pcftil 
'1  imdir  the  wall. 

I  Oam  lyn  wit  fuUy  h'ght» 
i  thidir  gan  he  lepc, 
IdrofTe  all  hii  brothtr'»inrn 
I  fofic  on  an  hepc. 
"lid  like  a  wild  lion, 
1  on  gode  wonc ; 
k  .  ''^'-■fhir  fey'  thaf 

fJC- 

,,       .       'iUaloft^ 
t  the  dor    fdCt  : 

lyn  with  hiipedd 
-  them  aU  agift 


jdc  GajnHynt  bnjchir, 

contck 

'  rothir  tho 

L^t  holokjd  out 
,■,  e. 
i"?  Gam  lyn. 


tyii 

•"^hi-  he  ' 


Tide 
no  »er%,. 
s*ty||  tiifikln  the  pcce, 

ho, 

!•  lyn, 

•lifl  make  thy  men 


e  bwi  1  liaddin  inryn  and  might, 
kjn  ewnt  twey  annc*, 
Ihare  y  pulhm  th^m  ho  mt 

f  vovldhive  d«fic  iqc  iiannut 


Id 


To  Gamelyn  tho  fcidin  hi* 
Brothir;  Be  tl-iounot  *'n.*fK\ 
For  to  fcin  the  haviti  hiiuic 
Me  wcriii  rigl^te  lothe, 

I  nc  did  jt  not.  my  brothir, 
But  right  /or  a  iohdin^, 
Tor  to  lakln  if  thon  wirre  fkrong^ 
And  an  fo  very  yirJg. 

CckHiL'  iidoun  then  to  trte^  q^uod  lie^ 
And  graunt  !■  mc  my  bcflc. 
Of  DO  thing  1  wol  dkin  ihtf , 
Atid  we  fhul  CiLi^t^  font, 

Adoun  then  camin  hi»brotJiir, 
Thatfikill  wa»ajid  fell," 
And  WIS  fwitliv  right  lore  a^hafl 
Of  that  like  pcflil. 

Hcfcid^j  BrnthirGam^lyf!; 
Aflct  mc  now  th|  boDe, 
And  loke  that  you  mc  Ulame^  but 
I  graunt  it  full  lone* 

Thoferdcn  }onge  Oaftitlyni 
Brothir  myn  ,  I  wifi 
Arid  if  wc  (hutlc  ben  a*     m 
Thou  inuftmcgraunt 
Al  that  my  6idir  m<. 
While  that  he  wajtm  live. 
Thcu  miift^  df)  mc  it  to  hj^Ve, 
If  that  wc  Ihul  not  ftme. 

That  thou  fhalt  hzv^  Gami^I^Q, 
I  fwcrc  by  Crlll/is'ort . 
M  tlvat  thy  fadir 
Thnugh  iJiou  woi 

Thy  lond^,  that  now  lyuh  Uc^ 
Full  wcU  it  (hall  be  fowe, 
And  thync  houfis  yraI5d  wp 
That  now  hen  layd  fulllowe. 


ih 

But*: 

And  '■ 
As  hi 

Tl. 
But  Ganr  iyn  on 
And  went  and  ki: 
And  then  they  wtfi  at  *H>n. 

A  la  t  fri  r  y  n  n  p  I  Ga  nit  lyii  ? 


hf  to  Gamdyn, 

n  on  trtifon, 

fiir. 


Holil,  ,.  .,,..^ 

Ani  ungc  talking 

Of  (-         ,  ^      ^^,. 

There  happtd  to  be  there  beCdc 
Trjid  a  tvTaflUiog, 
And  therefore  there  wis  ^itia 
A  rani  and  ah  a  ring. 

And  Gamely  a  wat  im  will 
To  wcnde  thereunto^ 
For  to  previn  hi*  mightc^  4t)d  fe 
What  that  he  cduthc  do. 

Now  brothir  mync,  <|Uod  Gantej yn 
By  holit  Scliit  Richtrc  * 

Thou  ipuftc  ncdis  k-nc  to  night 
Mc  a  litll  courfere, 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^F 

^H 

^^H                       THE'  dOKt'S  rAtt   OF   gAMKL                          ^| 

^^^^^ut  h  frcflic  tn  tho  Ij^oril, 

And  hclpc  my  man  Jlo  to  Iccj  c   ^  ^^H 

Upon  hira  for  to  ride  j 

My  cloth ii  and  my  ilcdr,                              fl 

I  tnuflin  on  an  errand  go 

And  1  wolt  into  the  place  gikO          ^^^ 

A  litil  here  bciidc. 

And  loke  how  I  may  fpcdc.                ^^^H 

Be  God,  fcidL'  Jiisbrothir  tho,                              ' 

By  God.  kidi  the  fnukclyft,        ^^H 

Of  ftcdis  in  my  ftall 

It  Jhall  right  fo  be  don,                     ,  ^^H 

Goith  and  choCth  the  tlic  bcft» 

1  woll  my  ijifin  be  ihy  man               ^^H 

>          And  fparith  none  of  allc. 

To  draw  in  of  thy  ihone,                            V 

Of  ftediior  of  coarferl*. 

And  wcndi.'  you  into  tbc  plAOC*             ■ 

That  ftondith  'hem  befidc, 

Swcte  Jcf»  Crill  the  fpcdc,                        ■ 

And  tclHth  rae,  my  ^odc  brotlitr. 

And  drtdc  not  of  tJiy  dctbiA                    fl 

Whithur  thou  wilti  ride. 

Nor  of  thy  god^  0cdc,                              ■ 

Heft  bcfidis,  brothir,  is 

Barefote  anil  ungcrt  Gamclyo               H 

Y  cry  id  a  wmftling^. 

Into  the  ringe  came,                           ^^^M 

And  therefore  fliafftf  titD  y  fctr 

Allf  that  wcrin  in  the  place               ^^^H 

Antmiinduh  a  rin|;,  - 

Hcdin  of  him  the  name,                    ^^^H 

Mochc  woHhip  it  Were  foihly, 

How  he  durfktn  aTcntore  hint       ^^^^| 

Brrtthir,  unto  us  41 

On  him  to  don  his  might                    ^^^| 

Might  I  the  am  ind  aU  the  rlnj 

I'hat  tvas  To  donghti  a  ckampioB       ^^^| 

Bringln  home  to  th^  Hall. 

In  wmflling  and  in  fight,                   *^^| 

f                A  ftcd^  there  wa\  raditlcT, 

UpHcrtt^  tho  the  chatnpsoo             ^^^| 

Smarth  was  it  and  eke  Arte ; 

Ful  rapcly  right  anon,                        ^^^H 

Game lyn  diddin  a  pcirc  of 

Towardis  yongc  Gani^lyn                ^^^H 

Sporin  fa  ft  on  his  fete. 

He  tho  began  to  gon,                         ^^^H 

1                He  Ut  hi«  foi4  in  the  ilirTOp, 

Ai]d  fddjf  Who  J*  thy  ^dlff        ^^^^ 

'            The  ftcdii  he  beftrode, 

And  who  is  eke  thj  0re  f                    ^^^H 

1            And  towardii  the  wfaftilling 

Forfothc  thou  art  ^  grtt  fole              ^^^| 

1           The  yongc  childe  fodc. 

For  that  thou  cam  id  hire*                  ^^^| 

1                Tho  Gam^lyfi  tftc  y-ong^  wat 

Anon  Gamclyn  anfwtrid               ^^^| 

\           Riddin  out  at  the  gate. 

The  ilout  champion  tho,                     ^^H 

The  falfe  knight  hii  own  brolhir 

Thou  knewifl  fitll  wetc  my  fadif      ^^H 

Lokkid  it  aftir  thatc. 

While  that  he  couthc  go ;                  ^^^| 

1               And  he  befou^tiri  Jcfu  Crift» 

Whilis  tliat  he  w^a«  on  Hre^  '         ^^^| 

I           That  i*  of  hcvin  king, 

I  fwere  by  Seint  Martyn,                    ^^^1 

lliat  he  might e  hrckin  hlBfldb 

Sir  John  of  Boundi»  w»]iii  uaoiCf  ^M 
And  T  am  Gami  lyn.                           '^^H 

Id  that  ilk  wrjiftiliiig. 

(                Aflbnc  as  GamcTyn  cam  there 

Fclawc^  feide  the  daampton^          ^^H 

j           The  wraftljng  pbcc  wa* 

So  evir  mote  t  thrive^                          ^^^| 

He  Hghtid  down  of  the  (Ecdc 

t  knew  right  wcle  thy  fadir                        V 

Attd  tludin  on  the  gn*. 

While  that  he  was  on  live  ;                          1 

And  thcr  he  herd  a  Irankefyil 

And  thy  fclfin,  yoiige  Ganiclyo,  M 
1  will  that  thou  it  here,                               H 

WeJo^vay  for  to  fmg. 

And  bcgjinin  all  hittirlf 

Whiles  thou  wcrt  9  yongc-  bo|           ^^^^ 

His  handis  for  to  wring.                                            ' 

A  mochc  Ihrcw  thou  were.                  ^^H 

1               God^man,  fcidir  GanKMyn,             ^                    ' 

'I'hcn  fcid:  yongi  Gam£lyn«          ^^H 

!            Why  makift  thou  thii  f^re  f 

And  fwore  bi  CrifF'is  ore,                    ^^H 

1            U  thcr  no  raau  that  may  you  help 

Now  am  I  oldii  woa  thou  fluk           ^^H 

\            Out  of  this  nlc^  care  ? 

Y  find  in  me  a  more«                          ^^^| 

Alas  !  feidc  thi»  fraiik^yn, 

1           That  evir  I  wa»  bore  I 

Welcome  mote  thou  be  i                  ^^^M 

For  iwclc  Hal  wort  hv^  fonit 

Come  thou  onys  la  myhoadc           ^^^M 

*           1  wenc  I  h:ivc  forlorc. 

Shalt  in  thou  ncvir  tfie,                         ^^^B 

'                Achi^rnpioii  ifh\  the  place 

It  wa«  weU  wiihin  the  oight«               1 

1            That  hab              '              "  row,                                   ' 

And  bright  the  mone  fhone^                       H 

For  be  h                             U>nh 

Wli&jt  Gam  ^  1  yn  and  tho  chuM^ko ;          fl 

1           JBntif  tk.L  ..'-.-  ..,....-  ...,itMW* 

Togidjr^^         - '^                             ^^^1 

I  woldO  givin  ten  ponndU, 

rhe  K                   \ii  tomif            ^^^H 

\           Be  Jtfu  Cnlt,  and  mr>re> 

To  Gaui                    .t)  pfcfl^             ^^^H 

With  the  ntiiiii  1  fond  a  man 

And  Gameiyu  ^odm  ftiUw^               ^^M 

To  b«idilin  him  fore. 

And  bad  him  doo  his  beft.                ^^^H 

Godt  niaii*  feidd  Gam  IftJ, 

Then  fciden  yoagc  0«uii  Iy9        ^^^| 

Wilt  thou  thi*  vvclc  dotic  f 

Unto  thp  champion,                            ^^^| 

Kold:  my  hor*  while  ih^t  my  matt 

N^w  ttvit  t  have  fuUy  provid           ^^^| 

I            Vdr^wilh  yf  my  Iht  ne. 

,  Many  corni»  ui  Uune^                    ^^^1 

THE    COKE'S    TALE    OF    GAMELVN* 

W        1 

nolU&»  feldr  Gim  lyn, 

1  hrt  fcidc  to  him  th<  fraoL^lyn, 

1 

%rja  or  two  of  myn* 

That  wa»  in  tiit>chUl  care. 

1 

t^ro  to  the  chiuupiuo 

FcILw^  he  f^iidi:,  whi  lakkiil 

^^H 

nacrtilj  aikHi, 

Thou  fo  modic  ul  hii  ware  f 

I^H 

L.  .._„:.  ihitije  cou(Jc 

Be  Scint  Jamc,  that  in  Calf  41^ 

j^^H 

:  utoQc ; 

Thac  many  man  ha*  Jmight, 

^^^M 

un  ih£  Uftl  M,6 

Yet  it  ii  modic  tt^godt  chepc 

,^^^1 

lie  libbis  to  bmk. 

Thuttbou  haden  ybou^ht. 

^^1 

crcuflto  his  left  ami'). 

Thp  that  the  warJioi*  werin 

^^^H 

»f  a  grcttc  crak* 

Of  that  ilk  wi  ijliliug 

^^^H 

A  fcid.  yonge  Ginadyo 

Ciiinin  forth,  and  brought  GaoniljA 

^^H 

p  to  him  won* 

The  ram  and  als  the  ring. 

^^H 

be  holdln  for  a  caLlly     . 

Add  thuawann  yonge  Gam^Iyii 

^^1 

go  for  none  ? 

The  ram  ;md  eke  the  ring» 

^^H 

•<^«  fridc  the  chimpios^ 

1  And  wcntd  forth  with  mochil  joy 

^^H 

-■•...'■..  it  br. 

Homeward  id  the  morning. 

^^H 

ith  iDthrn  hand 

tiii  broihir  fe  w  here  th^t  lie  cotot 

^^^M 

•-hr. 

With  aD  the  grettc  rout, 

^^^M 

fiankayn,  that 

And  bad  the  porter  fliutc  the  fat<^ 

^^^H 

'  hid  lore, 

And  holdiO  him  without^ 

^^^1 

fbc  tiiua,  yoDg!  GamclyD^ 

The  porter  of  hi&  Jord'ii  word 

i^H 

rcf  thou  were  bore  • 

Was  {if  right  fore  agaft. 

^^H 

DOW  unto  the  champion 

\nd  ftert  ajion  unto  the  gate 

^^H 

i^t  I  foi  to  fcic. 

.\ad  lokkiditfullfaft. 

^^H 

Gointljn 

Now  iithinirh  and  lefUnub 

^^^t 

t:  pkie. 

Bothc  yongc  and  old. 

^^H 

♦  u,-  HminpioQ^ 

And  yc  fhuilin  hcr^'  gamiu 

^^^1 

il, 

Of  Gam.lyn  the  bold. 

^^^1 

1                                  r^  3iid 

G;imclyn  cometh  thcrunto 

^^K 

u;  i*  right  i*  it. 

For  tv  have  comen  in; 

n  that  1  vrriftilia  firit 

B«t  all  in  vaine;  the  dorc  then  wa» 

on  full  yore» 

Y  ftiitt  fait  with  a  pyn. 

ras^neirir  ui  my  life 

1  ban  fcide  yonge  Gatntlyn, 

d  fo  before. 

Porter,  undo  the  yate. 

^  Otmelyti  fiode  in  the  |ilace 

Fcr  many  a  godc  mami'ij 

wrYthottten  fcrk, 

Sonne  flondlth  tbcreai. 

idCf,  H  there  be  any  mo 

Then  anfwtTiJ  him  the  porter^ 

HI  c9mi  to  wf  rlL 

And  fworc  by  Godd'ij  berde. 

:luunpion  whtch  that  pamii 

Thou  nc  ftiah,  frendc  Gan»dlyn» 

weirkio  fo  for«rt 

Comin  into  this  yerde. 

b  by  his  eoiiniiiiAtiiioe 

Thou  lyift,  fcidc  Gamilyn, 

rwillr  Qo  more. 

So  broukin  I  my  chyi^e  : 

Uyn  in  the  pUci  dode 

He  fraotc  tlic  wikii  with  hi»  fote* 

1  any  doae 

And  brak  away  the  pyn. 

The  porter  {Ireightwcy  faugb^  ih^ 

ihidin  «rriftiltng^> 

re  ycomjth  none. 

h  might  no  bcttir  be. 

e  ne  wu  none  yivlth  Gam^lfO 

He  feitc  fote  on  erthcS  and 

olde  wreftie  more. 

Fall  he  began  to  flc. 

bandUId  the  chanipiao 

Bi  my  faith,  feidc  Oamnyn^ 

derouHy  fore. 

That  travail c  if  ylorc. 

geittiLnteii)^  that  owned  the  place 

For  1  am  on  fote  as  light  ai 

BGamelyn,  God  ge^c  ihcm  £i4ccl 

rhow,  though  thow  had  yfwore, 

d^  to  him,  Have  done  m 

Gamclyn  ovirtokc  the  porter. 

viboo^i 

And  hi i  tecne  ywrak. 

me  all 

And  gert  htm  full  upon  the  lie k. 

K-:  i:  H  yd«|ie. 

That  he  the  hon  to  brak ; 

fcid:  to  them  Gamcfy^i 

And  toke  hin  by  that  oon  iroi^,^ 

^ 

:  I  iPPcB  yfare. 

And  threw  him  in  a  well ; 

loe  yet  halvindck 

Seven  hundriJ  fadom  it  wa*  dtfC^ 

■U  my  vare. 

Aa  I  have  herd*:  telle. 

feide  the  champion  fo  ^jok^ 

Whan  Gani-lyn  the  yonge  thu& 

wck  (mnt 

Hid  yplaicd  his  pby. 

|kthat  therof  bieth^ 

aUc  that  in  the  ycrdi  west 

^P  it  t9  dcxc* 

^«o^^^                  THE  COKEYS  TALE  OF   CAMELVH.    ^^^^^B 

^_       That  drcdin  him  full  foH  for 

Now  liihinlth  and  Uilinithf               ^^^H 

^HA*he  wfcke  tU^t  he  wrought. 

*And  holdith  you  your  tonge,                ^^^^| 

^H^j^nd  for  the  fayir  cumpan^ 

And  ye  fbuUin  htT-  gamin                    ^^^H 

^HThat  he  hjul  thtther  broughr. 

Of  Gam  !yn  the  yongr.                                 ^M 

^^P     Yoijg  GamJlyji  yidc  to  rhc  gate 

Hcrkinith,  Lordilingii,  snd                ^^^B 

'         And  ict:  it  up  widr, 

LfHintth  you  anght^'                               ^^^H 

He  Ictin  in  a  IK  the  rout 

Whan  all  the  geili»  wcrtn  gon              ^^^| 

■^Tbat  gon  wold  in  or  ride; 

How  Gam  lyn  w?»  dlght.                     ^^^| 

^H^  And  fcid'},  Yc  ben  y welcome 

All  the  while  that  G^melyn           ^^H 

^^■WitJi^>utiii  any  grrve, 

Hid  hold  hit  mangcric                           ^^H 

^Hf  or  we  wcl  ben  maiilcns  here, 

His  brothir  thought  on  him  bcwreke         ^1 

^BAnd  a(kt  no  man  tere. 

With  hia  falfe  trccherie  ;                                 ^t 

^K      [t  n'l^s  but  yeAerd^  I  Ufc, 

Tho  whan  that  Gam^'lyn^ia  geftcs            ^H 

^H  Saidc  yoiig*  Gam^lyn, 

Y  ridin  were  and  gon                             ^^^H 

In  my  brother* U  felerii 

Gam  lyn  (lode  anon  alone,                     J^^^l 

Five  toun  of  right  godc  wyne. 

Frend.  tho  had  he  none.                          ^^^M 

1  willc  not  this  cumpany 

Tho  aftir  thi»  full  fonc  it  fcU,            ^^H 

Partyn  with  mf  on  twyn. 

Within  a  littil  Hound,                            ^^^^ 

'        And  i(  yc  wiJl  don  aftir  mc. 

That  Game  lyn  waji  takin,  and 

Whil  any  fope  ii  inn : 

Full  hardly  was  he  bound. 

And  if  my  brothir  gmtchith  u^ 

Than  forth  comith  the  falfc  knighf 

Or  makith  it  foult^  chcre, 

Out  of  the  foler:}. 

Oihir  for  fpencc  of  mete  and  drink 

And  to  Gam  lyn  hit  brothir 

That  wc  Ihull  fpcndin  here,      • 

H:  goith  full-  nerc; 

1  am  the  ovircaterir. 

And  feiden  unto  Ganaclyii| 

And  bcrc  our  alt  hi  r  purfe. 

Who  mede  the  fo  bold 

1       He  fhsdlc  have  for  his  grutcbtn^ 

For  to  deftroyin  and  wafte 

■^^4/fii  A\{<Jriat  curfc. 

The  ftore  of  my  koofliold  f 

^^f      My  brothir  is  but  a  nigon. 

Brothir,  anfwcred  Gam  lyUt 

^Bi  fwrrt  by  CriftMs  ore. 

Now  wrathc  the  right  noght. 

HULnd  we  wo  I!  Ipend  •  largily 

For  it  i»  many* day  agon 

^"^hrti  he  harh  fparid  yore. 

Sithins  it  was  ybought  ; 

And  whofo  that  makith  gmtching 

For,  brothir,  thou  hallin  hadd^. 

Thut  wc  do  here  yd  well, 

I  fwere  by  Scint  Richerc, 

He  111  all  go  unto  the  porter                                     i 

Of  fiftcne  plowis  of  londe                      jj^^l 

Into  the  draw^  well. 

This  full  fjxteh^  yere;                          ^^^1 

Sevin  J:iyi»  and  fcvin  nightet 

And  of  all    the  brili»  which              ^^^1 

Gamely  n  he  id  hi»  fcft, 

Thou  hall-  forth  ybredd,                      ^^^B 

Wirh  mochc  folace  that  there  wa«| 

That  my  fadir  to  me  bequcthe             ^^^H 

{        Afid  ckc  no  mannir  hefte. 

Upon  ht«  dcth'ili  bedd  :                        ^^^^| 

Allin  a  htil  torrithii 

or  all   thii  full  fixtcne  yerc              ^^^| 

!        Brothir  byde  yftcic, 

1  gcvr'  the  the  prow,                                ^^^H 

And  faugh  him  waflin  hit  godtf. 

For  tlic  met:  ars^  f^^'-  'irlntc^                 ^^^H 

But  durft .  not  to  fpcke. 

Thatwehavol,                                        ^^^| 

^xyht  .  ri,  In  a  morrowftlng, 

Than  thus  ft*                    knight,      ^^^H 

Upon  ;                  l.-jy, 
L     Tht  ^  L  -             '»  Gamtlyn, 

(Full  cvtl  mote  he  the;                          ^^^^ 

Hrrkinitb,hrolhif  Gamelyn.                ^^H 

■HAnd  Widd '  gon  thir  way. 
^     Lordi«,  tho  fcidc  G&m  lyn. 

What  I  woll  gcvin  the  •,                          ^^H 
For  of  my  body,  hrothir,  htit                  M 

r      And  wollin  yc  fo  hh  ? 

Y  gcttin  have  1  none*;                                 ^M 

L       All  the  wyn  i*  not  yet  dronk» 

I  woll   makin  the  my  heir,                          ^M 

^^8o  broukin  1  mttie  eyt. 

I  fwer  by  Scint  John.                                  ■ 

^H^  Yongc  Gam  lyti  in  hisheiti 
^^rW^i  forovwfuU  and  wo 

Parnnfay^ieid-  Camclyn,                      ^M 

Andifthat'it  fo  b«,                                     H 

^■Whan  that  hi*  gcfUs  tokc  their  Icve 
^^And  fro  him  '^»^"i''    ""^ 

And  thou  thinkefl  aa  thoo  feyUt,                 ^1 
May  God  yeldin  it  the  !                                ^H 

[             He  wold                     haddwclli4 

Nothing  wilt;  yong  Gamclyn                 ^M 

t-rn-TSr,  aii.l                      Nay, 

Of  bin  brothcr'is  gile, .                           ^^^B 

r                                        i&  Cod, 

And  therefore  he  him  bcgiUd              ^^^| 

•Jc  dai. 

In  vcrry  littil  while.                               I^^^| 

Ihui  mad:  G.,ii,  lyn  hi< felke, 

Gam  lyn,  fcidcn  he,  o  thing               ^^^H 

And  brought  it  well  to  end, 
'         And  aftirward  hii  geftij  tokc 

1  nedii  muil  eke  tctl,                                    ^M 
Tho  whan  thou  threw;  my  ^ftfT      _^^^H 

U?c  Uicif  w»y  tQ  weed. 

Into  the  draw<i  welV                          ^^H 

tHB  COKE'S    TALE   OF  OAMELYN. 

P^      1 

rmW,  sod 

And  if  I  lhoId«^  Ictin  you 

1 

lOtC, 

To  ^n  out  of  hi*  bourc 

J 

ybondi  be 

He  wo  1  din  afttrwirdis  feyc 

I^H 

X  futc  J 

j  That  I  were  a  tra)tour. 

^^H 

befedu^  the. 

Adam»  anfweryd  Gamdlyn, 

^^H 

lyn. 

So  broukiri  I  myii  hali. 

i^^^l 

me  he  forfworn, 

Thou  Ihaite  findin  my  brothir 

^^^1 

1  mtnc ; 

At  the  laltng:ht    faU; 

^^H 

^indin  the 

And  therefore,  brothir  Adam,  oifl 

^^H 

L«  fotC, 

Lofd  out  of  my  bonds, 

'-^^H 

nync  «voogh| 

And  1  wolk  dcpartiii  with 

*'^^H 

»te. 

The  of  myn  own  frc  londs. 

^^H 

e  Gun^lyii» 

Upon  fo  gode  a  foreward^ 
Saidin  Adani,  I  wis 

,^| 

Q  ferfworiii 

1, 

1  woUe  doin  thereunto 
Alle  that  in  me  is. 

^1 

this  GamHfii 

Adam,  tho  fcid^  Gamc!yn, 

^^1 

jioi  fland, 

A»  fo  mowin  1  the. 

^^H 

[Kindm  hud 

I  woll  hold^  the  cov^naunt, 

^^H 

ijiad. 

Au  thou  tQowoUe  mc. 

i^^l 

hbliroihiroC 

Anon  as  Adam  hisiord^ 

^^H 

\, 

To  facdde  was  ygowc, 

*^^^H 

»rii 

Adam  tokc  the  kaic^  aLud  lat 

^^H 

t 

Gamilyn  out  anon. 

^^H 

lldingii 

He  unlokid  yongc  Gamelyn 

^^1 

ftodc, 

Both  hondti  and  ckc  fete, 

^^H 

u  comin  in 

On  hope  of  the  avaunc^mcnt 

^^^1 

kwodc. 

Which  that  he  him  bchetc. 

^^^^ 

0  a  poft 

Then  feidd  yongd  Gamclyn, 

^^H 

tn. 

Thankid  be  Godd'i*  fonde. 

^^^^ 

foomui  in 

For  now  that  I  am  yjofid 

^^^1 

L 

Both  fotc  and  alfo  hond  1 

^^H 

Gun^lyn 

> 

Had  1  but  ctiii  a  litil. 
And  thereto  dronk  aright, 

H 

t  ne  had  he  none 

There  is  tioa  in  thishouIS  thit 

^^H 

ni^ht. 

Shuld  bind.^  mc  this  night. 

^^^1 

^  CamcljTi, 

Tho  Adam  toke  Oamdyn, 

^^^1 

J  hall 

As  ftill  a*  any  ftoQc, 

^^^1 

Efpyld  that 

And  bad  din  lilm  into  the  fpencc 

^^H 

Is, 

Right  rapily  anon; 

j^^^ 

that  trdba 

And  fcttin  him  to  his  fouperc 

^^H 

^food 

Right  in  a  privic  (Icde, 

,^^^1 

mfirokii 

And  badin  hym  do  gladily. 

•^^H 

Qd, 

And  Gamclyn  fo  dcdc. 

i^^H 

ivtlicmdiii 

Anon  aflonc  ai  Gomel yti 

^^H 

^. 

Had  rtin  wcl  and  fine, 

^^^1 

,00  Aighcb, 

And  thereunto  had  ydrankin 

^^1 

30BC, 

Well  of  the  rcdc  wyne, 

^^^1 

^  thift  G«m^l)n^ 

Adam,  fcidc  yong^  Gam&Iyn, 

^^H 

ftrong, 

Tell  what  is  now  thy  rede  ; 

^^^1 

thiukith  chat 

For  mc  to  go  to  my  brothir, 
And  gcrdin  of  his  hedc  ? 

^1 

%  je  Dirpcticeri 

No,  Gamelyn,  feidin  Adim^ 
It  fhaUe  not  be  To, 

^1 

with  which 

Bot  I  can  tcllf  the  a  rede 
That  is  yworth  the  too. 

S 

Ktheluief^ 

1  wotc  wcle  foffoth:  that 
(And  this  it  is  uonay) 

B 

departin 

W^c  fhulUn  have  a  mangcrie 

^^^1 

.  lond. 

Rightc  upon  Sonday ; 

^^^1 

rnd  thif  Adam. 

1       Of  abbotii  and  priouri* 

^^H 

ffi^ccr, 

Ful!  many  here  Qial  be, 

And  oihir  men  of  holiti  cherchj 

^1 

■   ^                                 A 

A»  I  CJU)  K^t  the  : 

^^^^ 

LJ 

ft 

J 

^                            THE  COKES  TALE   OF  GAMELYR               ^B 

^^^TTiou  fhahc  ftond  up  Vy  the  poft. 

It  nc  h  not  wetc  ylervidt                |^^| 

As  thou  were  honde  f^ft. 

Be  Gud  that  alle  made,                       ^^H 

And  1  fhall  ihem  Icve  unlok,  that 

That  1  Ihoid  filtin  here  failing           ^^^ 

Away  thou  may  them  calt : 

And  othir  men  make  ghdc^                         1 

^^         And  whan  that  they  have  y  ctin; 

The  falft  knighir  hii  bi othifi         ^^J 

^H  And  walhin  have  their  hondes, 

Tkcrcas  that  he  yftode,                        ^^| 

^r   Tho  thou  fhali  hefpekm  them  ill 

Toldin  to  all^  hii  getlii                       ^^^ 

To  bring  the  out  of  boiidcs ; 

That  Gamelyn  wal  wodc.                          fl 

And  if  that  they  wili  borrow  the 

And  Gamilyn  there  &o6i  lUU,             M 

^L  That  wefin  ■  godc  game. 

And  anfwcrid  right  noght,                         M 

^m  Than  we  no  thou  out  of  prifon 

But  of  Adtm*is  wordis  he                          M 

^^    And  I  all  out  of  blame ; 

Hcld<J  rViU  in  his  thought.                          M 

But  if  that  evcrich  of  them 

Tho  Gamelyn  began  to  fpckc,              m 

Sayc  unto  us  Nay, 

Right  doulcfully  witlialJ,                    ^^M 

1  fhullc  don  anothir  thing. 

Unto  the  grctte  lordii  tbac                ^^H 

I  fwcrc  by  this  day. 

Y  fatyn  lu  the  Hall :                          ^H 

Thou  fhttU;  have  agodc  ftaffe. 

My  Lordings  tho  fcidcD  be*         ^^H 

And  I  vvoll  h«YC  mother. 

For  Crifk*i9  paflion                               ^^^| 

Aiid  Cnft*ii  curfc  have  that  ooo 

Hrlpm  to  bringe  Gamelyn                 ^^^| 

That  faiU  ftiall  that  othir. 

Out  of  thilk^  prifon.                            ^^H 

Yct  for  God,  feidc  Gamely o» 

Than  feide  to  him  an  abbot,          ^^H 

1  fay  ii  right  for  mc 

*  (Sorow  upon  hii  cheke  !)                     ^^| 

^H    If  that  i  fatHn  on  my  fide 

He  Ihallin  have  Crilfc*i&  cuifc              ^^H 

^K  "i  hao  evil  mot«  1  the. 

And  Scint^  Maries  eke,                             1 

^H       ff  that  vrc  (hoUJn  slgacts 

That  Ihall  the  out  of  this  ptiS^a           M 

^B  Afloilc  them  of  thirc  f)  iinc ; 

Beggin  owthir  borow,                               M 

^r  M^arnith  mc.  my  brothir  Adam, 

But  cvir  worthe  hyra  full  wclc            ,^^B 

Whan  that  we  (hall  bcgymi. 

That  doth  the  mykil  forow.              ^^H 

Now  Gamelyn,  feidcu  AjAmn, 

And  anon  afiir  that  abbot             ^^H 

Ey  Scim^  Char  it  ^ 

Than  fpakiu  anothir,                           ^^H 

]  woll:  warn.'  the  bcforti 

1  woldi^  that  thyn  hcde  were  of         ^^H 

Wiian  that  the  time  (hall  he. 

Though  thou  were  my  brothir.         ^^^| 

Whan  that  I  twinkin  upon  tlvc 

AU^  that  the  (hall  borrowin          ^^H 

J.okffor  to  be  gon. 

Mot<^  them  foiiltf  faU  ;                        ^H 

And  caft  away  the  fettcrii. 

And  thus  yfeiden  alH  they                 ^^^| 

^_     And  come  to  mc  anon* 

7  hat  werin  in  the  Hall*                      ^^H 

^H        Adam,  feid^  yong  (iam  lyii. 

Than  fcid}  to  him  a  priour,        i^^l 
Evil  mowin  he  thrive  i                       ^^^| 

■   YbUifid  be  thy  bones! 

^m   That  is  a  rightc  godc  counfaile 

It  is  grctt^  forow  and  care,                ^^^| 

^f    y  gcvin  for  the  nones. 

Boy,  that  thou  art  on  live.                ^^H 

1^         Ifthat  thcyfhullin  wcrnc  me 

On,  on,  fcjd^  yongt  Gamelyn^             V 

To  bring  the  otiiolhendcs 

So  brouktn  I  my  bone,                              m 

1  wollc  fettin  godc  ftrokis 

Now  that  1  ha"? in  cfpjrid                            1 

TuU  right  upon  their  Icndes. 

That  frcudis  have  I  none.                          H 

Tho  the  Sondy  wa»  ycomio. 

A  curftd  mot  he  worthe  br^           ^^H 

And  thcfc  folk  to  the  fcflc  ; 

Bothd  geOid  and  blrtdc,                       ^^1 

^_     Faire  they  wcrcin  ywftromtd 

That  evir  doth  to  priottrii                4^^^| 

^m    Bothe  thclrUe  and  mzHc, 

Or  abbote»  any  godc.                         ^^^| 

^m       jVnd  cYit  as  they  At  the  H»Xk 

Anon  Adam  the  Difpeoccr            ^^H 

^M  Hori  were  comin  in 

Takin  up  hath  the  cloth,                          S 

^V  Tlu.y  evench  caflin  an  cie 

And  lukid  unto  Gamilyn,                         fl 

^M   Onyong.  Gani^lyn. 

And  faugh  that  he  was  wr«th*                  ■ 

^H       The  Cdfc  knight  hit  owtibfothu. 

Adam  of  the  pintrie  at  thilk               M 

^^     So  full  of  trcchcric,                                                          i 

Time  litil  he  thought.                        ^^^^ 

Al!c  tht  gcilct  that  there  wcrc 

And  too  godi^  flavis  unt6                   ^^H 

At  that  ilk  mangeric 

The  Hall^  do  re  he  brought,              ^^H 

Of  Gamelyn  hi«  own  bt^othir 

Adam  lokld  on  Gamelyn,            ^^H 

He  toldin  them  with  mouth 

And  ho  wai  war  anon,                    ^^^^H 

Alii  the  hanmi  and  the  tfanme 

And  cafl  awaie  the  fetterit|              ^^H 

That  c'ere  he  telle  couth. 

And  began  for  to  gon«                       ^^^| 
Tho  he  camin  unto  Adltn,           ^^H 

Tho  they  wercin  yfcnrid  flreit 

Of  mefli*  too  or  thrc  ; 

He  tokc  to  the  one  llaff^                  ^^H 

Than  fcid'  j^ngl  Oimltyn^ 

And  beginning  to  werk^  wek^        ^^H 

How  do  ye  icrirc  mc  i 

And  godc  ftrokii  he  galT.                ^^H 

H             tHE   COKE'S  TALE 

OF    OAMELYN, 

F1 

ill 

!9^  ctmc  toco  the  Kall^ 

While*  Gam  !yn  made  ordcrii 

lun  Spencer  both. 

Of  monkis  and  of  frcrc 

Lid  them  all  alioutifi 

Evlr  Rod-  hi*  brothir  ftilU, 

Kadd;;  ben  wroth. 

And  mad    fool   chere. 

flfn  fprcnitli  holi  witit 

Tho  Gamrlyn  up  with  his  flaff, 

h  an  okin  fpirc. 

That  he  ful  wcl   kiicw, 

rtle  of  them  that  ftodc  upright 

And  grcttifi  him  upon  the  nek, 

ito  the  fine. 

Th;*t  Ike  him  ovcrthrewc, 

e  wat  DO  manair  lewde  mam 

A  litU  above  the  girdil* 

thrHalJ'ftodc 

The  riggin  bone  to  hnH, 

otd    doin  Gim-ljn 

And  fctt  him  in  the  fctterif 

Ojf .  hut  godc. 

There  m  he  fat  tin  arft* 

hei  ftod<-  bc6dia,  uid 

Sittith  thou  thtrc,  my  brothir  John, 

em  bothr  werch. 

Tho  fgid-  Gam:- lyn, 

DC  hadd:  oo  rcmth^ 

For  to  coUn  thy  hottc  bodie, 

of  holi  cherch. 

Am  I  did  col-  myn. 

ibot  or  of  prior,  or 

And  fwithc  as  I  hey  yhaddc  wclc 

I  or  of  canon, 

Wrokcn  them  on  their  fonc, 

lOiclTn  hath  ofcrtoke, 

They  aflcid  for  the  wattr,and 

ej  yedin  doua. 

They  wiihin  them  anon. 

:  nc  wai  nanc  of  them  alld 

What  fomc  of  them  foa  their  lov?. 

th  his  ftuflTymette 

And  fomi-  for  their  awe. 

oitde  thrm  oTcrthrowe, 

Allr  the  fervaunti*  fervid 

flic  them  his  dette. 

Them  of  the  bcftc  Jaw. 

3amclyn,  fetd^  Adun, 

The  (hereff  was  thennis  away    ' 

t>  Charice 

But  about  a  five  myle, 

I  pray*  S^^  Hw^ray, 
the  Itnrc  of  me  ; 

And  ^l  wastolflin  unto  him 

Within  a  Uttlc  whylc. 

wolU  kepiu  the  dorc  j 

How  Garoclyn  and  Adam  had 

lerc  t  maffc 

Ydon  a  forry  res. 

hey  hen  afToilf  id 

Boundin  and  woundin  many  men 

XU  nooo  yrpalTe. 

Agcn  iheiLing'iipece. 

the  tioght,foide  Gam^ljn, 

Eftfonis  tho  begannin  Tone 

lat  we  ben  in  fere  ; 

Striffc  forte  awake. 

-    ^^^M 

i  ihoti  wcic  the  dorc 

And  the  ^ircgercve  abotit  did 

^^^M 

'oH  wtrkinherc; 

Ca/lGamlyn  to  take. 

'    ^^^M 

Tith  the,  gode  Adam,  and 

Now  U  thin  ith  aud  leilioitb, 

^^^t 

h  none  yflc, 

So  God  geve  you  godc  fine. 

^^H 

ftiall  tcUc  Urgtly 

And  ye  Ihuil  hcrin  a  godc  game 

^^^1 

iny  here  there  be. 

Of  yong^  Gam  lyn. 

^^H 

irnrlfn  feidcn  Adam, 

Now  fouf-ajid-twcnty  yonge  men, 

^^^t 

rm  all  but  £ixle,                                             i 
KJM  men  otholi  cherch  ; 
IPtliem  Dr»  blode  ; 

Tliat  holdin  them  full  bolde. 

f^^l 

Comin  unto  the  fliircgercvc, 

^^^t 

And  feid:'  that  they  wold 

^^H 

right  wcJc  the  coronne. 

Both  Gamvljrn  and  ckc  Adait 

^^M 

h  them  no  harmcs. 

Y  fette  be  the  way; 

^^H 

ith  bothe  their  leggif. 

The  Ihiregcrevc  gafft  them  lerc 

^^H 

in  here  thir  armei. 

'II10  foth  as  I  you  fay. 

^^H 

Gam  Ijrn  and  Adam  hath 

Thes  ycng^  mcin  -  hi  den  them 

^^H 

htia  rightc  faft. 

Fall,  wold    they  not  lynnc 

^^H 

dio  with  the  monkiet  tho, 

Tyll  that  they  comiii  to  the  gate 

^^^1 

B  them  agaft. 

There  Gam-lyn  was  inne. 

^^H 

^idir  tWy  come  riding 

Thy  knokidin  upon  the  gtt#. 

^^H 

f  With  fwaincs. 

1  he  porter  tho  wa»  nye. 

^^H 

e  tgen  they  werin  leddc 

Andlokid  forth  out  at  an  hole, 

^^H 

sod  in  watne&. 

Aa  man  that  wa*  full  flye 

^^^1 

1  ihcy  haddin  aH  y done 

The  portci  had  beholdiii  them 

^^H 

fin  a  gray  frerc. 

But  for  a  litil  while. 

^^^1 

t  !  my  Lord  Abh<^T, 

He  lovid  weL  Gamelyn, 

^^H 

I4i  we  now  here  ? 

AiidwaA  adrad  ofgilc, 

^^^1 

^  we  hither  did  ycome 

And  forthi  let :  tlic  wikee 

^^H 

ciolde  rcdei 

Yftondin  full    fliU, 

^^^1 

fcr  better  bio  at  homf 

And  aflcid  them  that  ftant  withou'. 

^^^H 

Biraodwithbrcde. 

What  ywai  their  will  ? 

^^1 

#•4 

m 

1       Aft                                 THE    COK£*S  tXtE    (TV   GAMELrN;             ^^| 

'             Foralltf  thegret  cumpany 

-     Kai,  nai !  by  God,  fdd^  they  A*^              ^ 

1          Than  fpakc  hot  one  alDtit, 

Thy  drink  t*  nothing  godc,                           ^ 

Undo  the  gatU,  porter,  ailtt 

It  wold(i  makin  mann'i*  brmyne           ^^^| 

Latd  us  in  ygune. 

To  lyin  in  hii  hode.                                ^^^H 

Then  feidi  to  ihcm  the  porter. 

Yong  Gamelyn  tko  ftodi  ftill,            ^^M 

So  broukin  1  my  chynnf 

And  lokid  him  about.                                     ^M 

Ye  ihull   fay  in  your  errand 

And  faide.Tkc  Ihiregcrcve  comkU       .^^M 

1          Cr  that  ye  comin  innc. 

M'ith  a  full  gretta  root.                       ^^^H 

Say  to  Gamclyn  and  Adam, 

Adam  Spenc^,  Jbd  Gamelyn,          ]^^H 

IT  that  thcr  wtlk  it  he,                                                i 

My  rede  it  is  now  thit,                           ^^^1 

Wc  wolL  fpckin  here  with  theti» 

Abidtn  we  not  lengir  here                      ^^^| 

Two  wordis  oihir  thrc. 

Left  we  fario  amyi*                                 ^^^| 

1              FdUw,  fewk  the  porter  tho^ 

I  rede  that  we  to  wode  XS^iu»         '^^l 

Stondith  thou  thcr  yftill. 

Er  that  we  be  y found;                         ^^^^| 

And  I  woll  wend  ro  G^mcljii 

Betir  is  there  lofe  fof  to  goiui              ^^^^| 

\         To  wetin  of  his  wilk. 

Than  tn  the  touae  ybound.                 ^^^| 

'             And  in  wcntc  the  porter  iko' 

Adam  ihcm  toke  by  the  bond         '^^^| 

•          To  Gamelyn  anon, 

Thin  yonge  Garni* lyn.                            ^^^^| 

And  fcide,5ire,  1  wameyou' 

And  cche  of  them  to  the  otbir             ^^^^ 

That  here  be  come  your  fonc  ; 

Drankin  a  draft  of  wyne                       ^l^^| 

For  lo  !  the  fliiregercv'ii  mca 

And  afttrwardt»tokc  thciFcourfe,,        ^^H 

'          Now  ben  all  at  the  gate 

And  wcnt^  fh-eight  their  way  ;                    ^H 

J^or  to  ytckiti  you  botH^  ; 

Tho  fond  the  IhircgcrcTc  the  nefk«               ^H 

Shall^  yc  not  efcapc. 

But  in  it  wai  none  ay.                                  ^M 

Porter,  iho  fcidc  Camclyfl, 

The  fbircgcreve  lij^brid  adoune^             ^M 

Eo  mote  I  wcU  the, 

And  went  into  the  Hall,                               9 

1  woH  allowe  the  thy  wonJc*                                    * 

And  fond  the  lord  yfcttcrid                          ^ 

Whan  I  my  tim^i  fc. 

Full  faftc  thercwithati.                                   S 

Go  agcyn,  port  or,  to  the  gatCr 

The  ftiircvc  tho  unfcitcrii^                      ^M 

And  dwell  with  them  a  wbilc. 

Him  right   fonc  anon,                                  W 

Awaitin,  and  thou  (haltc  £ifr 

And  fcntin  aftir  a  godc  l^he                       ^ 

Right  fone,  porter,  a  gile. 

To  hck  hi  J  rigg^  ben.                                   9 

Adanif  tho  fdd^  Gamelyn, 

Lct^  we  now  this  faHe  knight.                fl 

l.okc  the  to  be  gon, 

I  Ac  m  his  mochitl  care,                        ^^^M 

Wc  have  foomcn  at  rhe  gatci 

And  telle  wc  of  GajTrdyo,                  "^^^1 

And  frcndi$  ncvir  one. 

And  lokc  how  he  fare.                          ^^^H 

It  ben  the  (bircgercv'W  men 

Gamely □  into  the  wild  wode           ^^^1 

That  hithir  ben  comin, 

Yftalkid  is  fuU  {lillc,                             ^^M 

1          *l'hey  ben  yfworc  togidcris, 

And  Adam  Ic  Difpenccr  i»                   ^^^| 

•I'hat  wc  (hull  be  nomin. 

Yhkid  but  right  ille.                              ^^^| 

1             To  Gionclyn  fcid^  Adam, 

llio  Adam  fworc  to  Gamelyn «       ^^^H 

Hi^  the  righte  bclyvc. 

And  that  be  Scint  Richcre,                   ^^^H 

Andiflfaild  thctlrisday 

Nnw  1  fay  that  it  i«  nicry                      ^^^H 

1          Than  evil  mote  1  thryvc. 

To  ben  a  difpenccr                                ^^^| 

Andwefliullin  (b  welcome 

That  mac  he  lev  ire  me  werin           ^^^H 

i          The  fliircgercv'i*  men, 

The  kayis  for  to  bcre,                          ^^^| 

"          That  f omc  of  them  1  trow  (hall  tnaks 

Than  waUtin  in  this  wiide  wodi          |^^H 

Their  beddi»  in  the  fen. 

My  clothi&  all  to  terc.                           ^^^| 

Then  thorough  the  poftcme gate 

Adam,  fcide  yong  Gamelyn^           ^^^| 

Yong  Gamelyn  out  wcnt» 

Difmaye  the  right  noght,                      ^^^H 

jVnd  a  gode  flurdie  cane  VuSc 

For  many  a  gode  manH^is  child            ^^^^B 

.         In  hii  hondc  he  hcnt. 

In  car^  i«  ybrought.                                 ^^^| 

1              Aud  Adam  Spencer  Kcqt^  fonc 

Anothir  grcttc  ilafl' 

Tulkingboth  in  fere,                          ^^^H 

For  to  hdpe  young  Gamt'lyn, 

Adam  hcrde  Ulkmg  of  meii^              ^^^H 

1          And  godc  fVrokii  he  gaffe 

And  aigh  them  thought  they  were.    ^^^H 

Adam  yfelUdhaLh  hi»twcya^ 

Tho  Gamelyn  undirthc  wild           ^^^| 

And  Gamctyn  felled  thre. 

Wod<!  lokid  alight,                               ^^H 

,         The  lothir  fett^  on  ertti» 
And  fail  began  to  flc* 

Full  fcvtn  fcore  of  yong^  men            i^^^l 

He  faugh  right  wcJ  ydight  ;               ^^^H 

1               IMiat  i  fcidin  Adam  SpcDCer  thoy 

Allc  were  fatt^  at  th«tr  me^       ;  ^^^B 

;           8o  erir  hire  I  raaflc 

I  have  fight  gode  rcddc  wjoe. 

In  a  compa«  about                                ^^^H 

Adam,  tho  fcid^  Gamelyn.                  ^^^H 

Fray  drinkith  Cf  yc  paffe^ 

1                                                                                     * 

Now  havin  yc  oo  doutc»                    ^^^| 

^^TilE  <:OKE'S  TALE   OF   CAMELYN.                                        -^a       | 

Bl»ai^  comith  botr. 

And  if  that  he  hcfld^,  md                                        | 

[ll  Godd'is  grcie  might ; 

Coniin  of  gentU  blode, 

lith  of  Kictc  and  of  drink 

He  woll  gtrvc  u9  both  mete  and  drink. 

BTID  I  flgbt. 

And  doin  u*  forae  goodc^ 

Je  Difpcnccr  bkid                                         , 

By  SeintJ  Jamcfeide  Adam  iho^ 

lir  wodc  bowc, 

Whit  harnic  fo  that  I  grcte 

to  that  he  the  mete  fau^b 

I  will  AdTcnturc  me  to  the 

wu  gbii  inowc; 

DoT^  that  1  had  mete. 

Mr  he  hopid  uqco  God 

Tho  Gamclyn  and  Adana  both 

kTin  Kbdele, 

y  wenti  forth  in  fcrc, 

pra»  fill  fore  abagid 

And  ihtfy  both  grcl^  the  maifti  r 

fodt  melc. 

m*hich  that  they  fond^  there. 

M  he  fcidc  tlut  word 

Than  feid^  to  them  the  malflir,                                  [ 

the  mALflir  ^utlawe 

That  King  was  of  Outlawc*. 

iamel]rn  and  Adsou  both 

What  do  ye  fckc,  ye  joo^  mcn^ 

ht  wod^  Ihaw, 

Undir  the  wod^  fhawei  > 

ungc  men,  feide  the  malftir 

Yon^  Gamelyn  anfwerid  tho 

by  the  gwJc  rode 

The  King  with  hit  coroune,  "                                          • 

ire  of  lome  gefliiw 

He  roull^  nedii  walk  in  wodei 

d  feodio  us  godc ! 

That  may  not  walk  in  loune. 

!  fondiriic  ewayongt  mea 

Sire,  wc  walWaothcrcinwodci 

n  right  wcl  bdight, 

Noo  hirm^  for  to  do, 

dventure  they  bca  mo. 

But  if  paradventurc  wc  mete 

oktd  aright. 

A  dcrc  to  flierte  thereto. 

h  up  quick  j«»ge  meii, 

Asmetne  that  htn  right  hungry » 

i<  them  to  me. 

And  mow  no  mete  fynd, 

godc  that  we  weciti 

And  very  hard^  hen  belUd 

"  r     *^^t  they  be. 

Undir  the  wod^  lynd. 

•{uik  It  chat  word. 

Of  Oani^lyn'it  wordi*  tho 

:.  -  .  .iiucrc, 

The  maiftcf  haddc  routhe, 

f  mcttm  with  Garni  lyn 

And  feid<?  to  them.  Ye  ihall  havt 

asn  Difpeoccrc. 

fnow,  heve  God  r»y  trouthe. 

K»t  thcf  wcrio  ney  to  tbcni 
^thu»  that  one, 

Anon  he  badd^  them  fitiin 

Dounc  /or  to  tak^  reft, 

irp  (0  Of,  joti^c  meo 

And  badd^  them  etin  and  drink,                     ^^^^M 

orti  and  your  flone. 

And  tliat  too  of  the  beO.                                 ^^^H 

fcidc  to  thctn  G^imelyn, 

A«rhey  were  ctiag  and  drinking               ^^^^| 

Bfpt  wai  of  elde, 

Of  the  heft  wdc  and  Hne.                               ^^^M 

ik  forowmoie  they  have 

Than  feide  the  ton  to  the  tothir                     ^^^M 

to  you  ftiall  )  clde  : 

This  rs  yonje^e  Gamelyn.                                         '^^^| 

woU  nofv;  othir  wight 

Tho  was  the  maiftcr  of  outlawc*                    •     ^H 

tmine  own^fclrc 

Into  confaik  nomtn,                                                ^^| 

»y  fcttin  unto  you 

And  told  how  it  wa«  Gam^yn                             'J^H 

idtUzn  be  ye  twelve. 

That  thither  was  com  in.                                        f^H 

lerdin  by  Jii»  wordi*  that 

Anon  as  he  had  herdin  aU                                   ^H 

ht  wa*  in  his  armc, 

How  that  it  wai  befall,                                            ^H 

hi  there  wa»  non  of  them 

He  made  Gamejyn  maiiltr                                       "^1 

Ide  don  him  harme, 

Undir  him  o'rc  them  all.                                          *  "^ 

dm  utitoGam^lyn 

W'thin  the  third  wckcaftirthi* 

ildily  and  ftiU, 

To  him  eomith  tiding, 

ifohn  our  maifljr. 

To  the  nuillir  of  outtawif, 

to  Uitn  thy  wiil. 

Which  that  ncrw  was  their  king. 

f  nun,  feid^  Gam^(yn» 

That  he  fliuld^  y  com  in  home,                                     < 

«ir  Icaute 

For  that  hij  pcca  was  made  ;                                             , 

rhat  man  your  maiftcr  it 

And  of  that  joyfull  tiding  he 

bat  ye  with  ybe. 

Was  wonderoufly  glade. 

lid  they  infweiid  him     ' 

Tho  fetdc  he  to  his  yongc  men^ 

without  Icfmg, 

The  fothefor  to  tell.                                                        , 

ftr-  '"  '    '  '-  '  nid 

To  mc  be  com  in  tidingia 

Wi                          '.T. 

I  may  no  Icngir  dwelL 

,  i.            ^    Gamclyn, 

Tho  wasyong  Gamclyn  anoOt 

iCnli'it  niitne, 

Withnutin  tarying,                                                            . 

ooihix  mete  noiliriAk 

Made  miifllr  of  outtawiv  and 

ii9  for  jhamei 

Y  coroundld  thcii  king  ; 



^^i                 ^^^^ 

tH                              THE    COKE'S   TALE   OF    GAiMELYK.                   ^| 

Tho  wai  yongOatn^lyn  c  roan  id 

This  Gamclyn  harh  a  brothir         "^^H 

Tbc  King  of  tlieOurlawts 

That  clcped  wa»  Sir  Ot«  ;                           V 

And  among  them  walkid  a  whik 

As  godc  and  hend  m  knight  he  WM     ^^M 

UncJjr  the  wodc  ftiawc»« 

As  mightin  gon  on  fotc                     ^^^M 

The  fAlic  knight  fii^  brothir  now 

Right  anon  yede  a  meflkgrr          ^^^B 

Was  ihirrgcreTe  and  Sire, 

Unto  that  gode  knight,                        ^^^H 

Aiid  Ictc  hii  brothir  be  cnditc                            ^ 

Andtoldinhimaho^  rlitr                    ^^^H 

For  hate  and  for  ire. 

How  Gatn^lyn  wa^  digla.                    ^^^H 

Tho  wcrin  oU  hi*  bondmcin^ 

Anon  a^  Sir  Oct  hcrdin  hid            ^^^| 

Sory  and  nothing  glad 

How  Gam<^l)^n  was  dight,                   ^^^H 

Whan  that  Gamdiyn  their  lordd 

He  was  right  piifHtig  fory  tho|            ^^H 

Wolvei  Hed^  was  crycd  and  made. 

Ne  he  was  nothing  Tight  :                     ^^^| 

And  ftrttin  oui*  hit  inrin* 

And  kte  faddlc  him  a  jVed^,                  V 

Where  tJiey  mightin  him  fj-nd, 

And  Jlrcit  the  wcic  he  name,                      fl 

f  1  r  to  fckin  ycnpe  G^tntlyn 

And  onto  hi*  twcie  brethertn                     fl 

XJndir  the  Wf)d^  lynd, 

Right  fonc  there  he  came.                          ^^ 

To  tcll^  lo  him  Hdipgis 

Sir»  Teide  this  Sir  Ote  unto              ^^^| 

The  vt'indt  was  ywent. 

The  Hiiregcrcve  tho,                           ^^^H 

And  alie  his  gode  revied  wa». 
And  all  hh  men  yflient. 

Wc  ben  but  only  thre  brethren,          ^^^H 

Shall  we  be  ncvir  mo,                                 ^ 

Whan  vhat  cttey  hadd^  hym  foundti^ 

And  thus  haft  thou  vprifoviiid         ^^^ 

On  kncya  they  them  fcttc, 

Thcbefltiofu^all:                             ^H 

1          And  adouii  with  thdr  hod*,  and 

Soche  anothir  broihtf  ai  thoQ            ^^^| 

Gani^l)'n  their  lord  grcttc. 

Evil  mrie  him  befall  I                          ^^H 

They  fcidcn.  Sire, »  ow  wrath*  not 

^ir  Ote,  feide  the  hUi  knight,        ^^M 

You  for  the  god^  rpde, 

Now  tct*  be  thycJn;                            ^^^| 

For  we  have  hroughf  y.  u  tidlogit^ 

By  God  f^r  thefe  thi  wofdis  he         ^l^^l 

But  they  be  nothing  godc. 

Shalle  farin  the  wori,                            ^^H 

'               Now  iii  thy  brotbjr  ftii^gereve, 

Nr.w  to  the  ki^g*is  prifpun  be               V 

And  he  hath  tlie  baijtie, 

li  IciuUy  ynome,                                           jfl 

And  thereto  hath  rnditid  rhc^ 

And  ther  he  fhuit  abidtit                             B 

Aiid  WoWta  Hedc  doth  the  me. 

Untill  the  jufticc  come.                        ^^H 

Alia*  f  iho  fcide  Onmelyn, 

But  parde,  feid^  Sir  Ote  tho.         ^IH 

Tliat  e'rc  I  was  fo  flak. 

Eettir  it  fhaU  ybe                                  ^^^H 

That  ]  nc  hadd  brokin  hi>  ock 

Ibiddin  him  unto  mftynprife             ^^^| 

Whan  I  hi»  rigg^  brak. 

And  that  thou  graum^  me,                V^^| 

Goith^and  grerith  you  wel4 

V  ntill  the  next*  fitting  ihill             ^^H 

My  hou(bondii  an  wif, 

Come  of  dclivcraunce,                                 ^M 

I  wolle  ben  at  the  next  fliire, 

And  than  kte  Gsmrlyn  faire>y          ^^^| 

So  have  God  my  lif» 

YAondin  to  hitchaunce.                     ^^^H 

Cancel yn  cami  well  tcdy 

Brothir^  in  ibchc  a  forewanU         ^^^H 

Untn  the  oettf  (hire, 

1  takin  him  to  the,                               ^^^| 

And  there  the  falfe  knight  hts  bfOthlr 

And  by  thy  fadir'ii  fonJ^,                  ^^M 

Was  botKp  Lord  and  Si/c, 

That  the  begat  and  me,                     ^^^| 

,               Oam^lyn  cam^  boldilkh 

U  that  he  be  not  right  redj          ^^H 

Into  the  Moi:  Hall. 

Whan  that  the  juftice  fiitc,                  ^^H 

And  put  adoun  his  hode  among 

Thou  Hi  ait  c  bcrin  the  judgement^             H 

The  lordilingii  all- 

^or  all  thy  grctt*^  wit.                                   ^ 

God  favc  yoi,  Lordilmgis  1 

I  grauiitin  it  wele,  fddc  fiir  Ote,           H 

Which  that  now  here  be ; 

Thar  it  fliall  fo  ybe  ;                           *  ^^H 

But  as  for  the,  brokebak  Biertwt, 

Letith  dclivir  him  anoo,                    ^^^H 

^        '  Evil  mot*  thou  the  S 

And  takin  him  to  me.                         ^^^H 

1              Why  haile  thou  doin  to  ipc 

T3  0  Gamelyn  wat  d^linred          ^^^| 

That  (hame  and  viUonie 

To  Sir  Otc  his  brothir,                          ^^^^ 

,          For  to  latin  endite  mc. 

And  that  night  ydwellid  in  fere         ^^H 

And  Wolf*i»  Hcde  me  eric  I 

The  ton  with  the  tothir.                    '^^^| 

Tho  thought  ttic  blie  knight  on  hlni 
For  to  have  ben  avvrcjce, 

On  the  morow  feide  G«in^lyn       ^^^| 

Unto  Sir  Ote  the  hend,                       ^^^^ 

And  let*  takin  GameJyn  ; 

My  brotJ»ir,he  feid^,  forfotbe            ^^B 

Mi'fl  he  no  more  yfpckc. 

I  mot*  from  the  wend,                              B 

Mighie  there  be  no  nwnnir  grace. 

To  lokin  how  my  yonge  men                U 

But  Gamejyn  at  U(t 

In  wodc  ledin  their  li'f,                                S 

Wa*  into  priforn  tciAia, 
Andfcttcn4iitl)iaa. 

And  whethir  that  thcviivcn  noi»       ^^U 

In  j^  or  eUci  in  ftrifl                      ^^H 

^^^           THE   COKEYS  TALE   OF   GAMELYR                   ^ 

■ 

lod,  fho  anfwerid  Sir  Ote^ 

He  thoughtin  wdd  that  he  wohk. 

.] 

m  colde  rede. 

Withouttn  more  delay. 

^^^t 

fc  that  aile  th«  cvk 

Ycomin  afore  the  juHice 

^^H, 

dlin  on  my  hc<ic ; 

For  to  kcpin  his  day ; 

^^^li 

whan  that  thcjuAice  Httitht 

And  feidci  to  his  yong^  men, 

^^H 

too  be  not  yfounH 

Now  dighiith  you  full  yar^. 

''^^^1 

mon  be  laJtin.  and 

for  whan  that  tJ^e  juAiee  fitlith 

i^^^H 

ftcdc  be  ybound. 

We  mote  nedit  be  tlicre ; 

^^^1 

hir,  tho  (tidt  Oamclyn, 

For  I  am  undir  a  bof  ow 

^^H 

r*  the  right  noghl. 

1  Until  that  1  comin, 

I^^H 

SdQte  Jamc  m  Galii, 

And  my  broth ir  inilede  of  ai« 

^^^■' 

naisj  man  hath  fooght, 

To  prifon  fhal  be  nomin. 

'^^^1 

that  God  Almighty  bold 

Be  Seint  Jamc.feide  hit  yong^  mctt, 

^^H 

r  Uf  and  my  wit 

And  that  thou  rede  thereto, 

^^^m 

ben  there  nght  rcdy 

Ordcinith  how  it  fhall^  be, 

^^H 

ihjt  the  jufticc  fit. 

And  it  fhall  fo  be  do. 

^^^1 

n  feidc  Sir  Ot€  to  G»m«lyn, 

While  Gam^lyn  wa*ycoming 

^^H 

cide  the  fro  ihamc  ! 

There  that  the  juflicc  fatt 

^^^1 

I  whan  that  thou  fcift  tymc, 

The  fair^  knight  lus  own  brothir 

!^^l 

ing  u<.  out  of  blame. 

Forgattin  he  not  that, 

'^^^1 

r  lithir.ith  and  leftinithl 

To  hire  the  meine  on  his  queft 

^^H 

ildith  you  right  ft  ill, 

To  hangin  hit  brothir, 

^^^1 

:  fliuUc  hcrin  how  that 

And  tliough  thei  haddJ  not  that  oon 

^^^li 

fD  hdd  hit  wi]h 

He  woldc  han  that  othir. 

^^^1' 

a  Gam^lyn  wendn  his 

Tho  comiih  yong^  Gamely d 

^^1 

4lir  the  wodc  rife, 

From  undir  the  wodc  rife, 

'^^Hi 

:  yfonde  there  playing 

And  he  broiightin  along  with  him 

r^^l 

ngc  men  of  prife. 

Hi&  yongi*  men  of  prife. 

l^Hi 

was  this  yoflgc  Gamely B 

1  fe  wcle,  fcidi  Gamclyn, 

j^^H 

right  glad  inow 

The  juflicc  i^yfettc  j 

^^^1 

that  he  fond  hts  yongi  men 

Go  thou  aforn  ub,  Adam,  and 

j^^l 

Lhe  wode  bow 

Lok^  how  that  it  fpette. 

t^^Hi 

lelyn  andhiayopgi^  men 

Adam  wcnte  into  the  Hall, 

^^|i 

lin  in  fere, 

And  lokid  all  about, 

'^^1 

ey  all  hadd^  rfght  gode  game 

And  he  faugh  there  yftond^  tho 

■  ^H 

Enaillir  for  to  here. 

Lordingis  grcuc  and  flout. 

*'^^l 

men  lold  him  of  ai^entnret 

And  Sir  Ore,  Gamelyn*i»brothjr. 

^^H 

that  they  bad  y found. 

Yfcrterid  wcle  fail ; 

T^^^^i 

am  lyn  told  them  agcn 

Tho  wen  tin  Adam*  out  of  Hall 

^^^1 

e  w at  fail  ybound. 

As  he  wcrin  a  gait. 

^^^1 

he  while  that  Camelya  wis 

'       Adam  fcidc  to  Gam^lyni 

^^H 

r  had  he  no  cars :                                            , 

And  to  his  fclawct  all. 

/^^H 

nc  wai  no  man  that  for  hkn 

Sir  Otc  yftondith  fctterid 

*^^H, 

otight  tl^e  wort. 

Within  the  Motel  Hall 

'^^H. 

ibbotit  and  priooris. 

Seide  Gamelyn,  If  God  geve  ut 

^^B 

ookit,  and  chanon ; 

Grac^  wcl  for  to  do 

r^^H 

a  forfothc  nc  laft  he  noght 

He  Ihallin  it  abeggc  anon 

^^^H 

er  he  might  them  nom. 

That  him  brought  in  thereto. 

^^H 

Ic  Gam^lyn^and  hii  yoog  men 

Then  feidin  Adam  Difpeneeri 

^^1 

mirthii  ryvc,                                                1 

That  kkki^  hadditi  kore, 

^^1 

li?  knight  his  own  brothlr. 

Chrift'is  curfc  mot<^  he  havin 

• ^^^^H 

ot^  he  thryrcl 

That  boundin  him  fo  fore. 

^^Hi 

ill  this  while  he  waft  abotit^ 

And  if  thou  wik^,  Gam^n, 

^^1'^ 

[ie  day  and  othir, 

Doin  aftir  my  rede, 

.  ^^|, 

pofc  for  to  hire  the  qtieft 

There  i»  none  in  the  Hall<?  that 

^^1'' 

i«n  his  brothir, 
Syn  ftodin  on  a  day. 

Shall  here  aweic  hi*  hcde. 

'.  ^^H' 

Adam,  tho  fcidi  Gam^lyn. 

^^ll 

^tmd  him  he  beheld 

We  W€j11^  not  do  fo; 

^^1 

tld  wodis  and  the  fhawii 

We  woll  flc  only  the  giltif, 

^^1 

itbcwiJd^fcld; 

And  bt  the  othir  go. 

^^1 

bough  tin  upon  his  broihir, 

I  will  my  fclvc  into  the  HaU^ 

^^1 

bat  he  hi  m  bchete 

And  hire  the  Juftice  fpckc, 

^^H 

e  yworldin  be  redy 

And  on  all  them  that  ben  gilriC 

^^Hi 

tluKtbejaiUcefcUl 

1 

J 

1      ^m 

wtK^r 

^pfg                               THE   COKE»S  TALE   OF   GAMELYN, 

^m     Lat  nooe  efapin  «t  the  doic ; 

And  Sir  Ote  by  him  he  Xatie, 

^M  •Take,  yong«^  mcint ,  ycmc. 

And  Adam  at  hi*  fete. 

^H  For  1  woUe  ben  the  jullicc 

And  whan  Gim  Jyn  the  yong  WiT 

Thit  day  domi«  to  dcmc. 

Satie  in  the  jufticc  fete. 

Pray  God  fpcde  me  this  ilk  dai 

He  ktc  fctt :  the  juaicc 

At  thi»  my  ncwe  w«rkc ! 

And  hrs  falfc  brothir, 

And  Adatn,  comith  thou  with  mc. 

And  kte  tht.-m  come  to  the  barre 

For  thtHi  fljalt  be  my  clcrkc* 

The  ton  with  that  othir. 

His  meliit;  iU  a«fwcrid  hini. 

Whan  Gamclyn  had  thus  y done 

And  had  hym  don  his  heft. 

Haddin  he  tho  no  reft 

^K  And  if  thou  to  us  have  oede 

Till  tliat  he  had  cntjucrid  who 

^B  Thou  {halt  fyndin  tXK  prcft  ; 

Wcrin  upon  thequed* 

^H       For  we  woU«l'  floudin  with  the 

For  to  demm  hikbratliir  dcrc. 

^H  Whilisthar  wc  may  dure, 

Sir  Ote,for  to  be  honge. 

^1  And  but  that  wc  werkin  manly 

Er  that  he  wifte  which  ihcy  were^ 

^1  Payith  us  then  (lo  hurr. 

It  tbowgbte  liim  full  longe. 

^H       Yong>  men,  feide  Gamelyn, 

But  al  to  fonc  as  Gamclyn 

^m  Bo  mot  t  wclc  y  the. 

Wifle  where  that  tlici  were 

^r  As  yc  a  right  trufty  maiftir 

He  diddc  them  cverichonc 

ShuU<^  findin  of  me. 

Fcttcnn  faft  in  fere. 

And  right-  tht»eat  the  jaftice 

And  bringc  them  unto  the  bame. 

Yfatiin  in  the  Halle, 

And  fetic  them  tn  vcwc  : 

In  wcjitc  tho  yong  Gamelyn 

By  my  faith,  fcid^i  the  jufHce, 

Boldly  amongcf  them  all. 

The  JberiiT  u  a  flirewc. 

Oamclyo  Icte  unfct^ir 

Than  ft  id'.-  yongc  Gamelyo 

^-    Hitbrothir  cut  of  bend ; 

B   Thj*n  fcidc  to  him  Sir  Otis,                                       j 

^m   His  brothir  that  was  hende, 

Unto  the  falfc  juftiee,                              0 

Thou  hafte  gcv^  thy  domift 

Alof  thcworft  airifc; 

Thou  haddift  almofl,  Gam^Iyii, 

And  the  twelve  fifouris  that 

1          DwcUid  away  to  long, 

Werin  of  the  inqucfl 

^K   For  the  queft-^  is  ygon  out 

They  ftiulle  ben  hongid  this  day. 

^B  On  mc  that  I  fbuldc  honge. 

So  God  gcvc  mc  godc  reft. 

^       Brothir,  tho  fcidt}  Gamelyn, 

Than  fcidc  the  Chcfjff  pitoufly 

God  gerc  mc  godc  reft, 

To  yongc  Gamdyn, 

^m    This  gode  day  they  Ihull  ben  hongid 

My  Lord,  1  eric  the  mercie,                     4j 

^m    That  ben  upon  ihc  qucft  ; 

Brodur  arti*  thou  myn.                               J 

^^        And  thereto  the  jnfticc  boihe, 

Therefore,  fcidc  yongc  Gametyv^  '^^i 

Thai  i%  the  juggc  man, 

4iave  you  Cnft's  curfc,                       ^^H 

And  eke  the  fheriff  our  broUiirj 

For  if  thou  wcrin  matilir  yet             ^^H 

Uk    For  through  him  it  began. 
^P        Th&n  feida  yongd  Gomtlyn 

Shuldin  1  fari  worfc.                                  1 

But  for  to  make  fhort  my  Talc>             J 

tJnto  the  falfcjullice. 

And  not  to  tary  longe,                        ^^M 

Kow  ii  thi  powir  at  an  end. 

Hr  ordeynid  bim  there  a  qocCL         ^^M 

Vou  muft  ncdis  irife. 

Of  his  own  men  fo  flrong,                  ^^H 

Thou  haft  y^^cvin  doniia  that 

The  fatfe  juftice  and  the  ih«nff  ^^1 

B<n  evil  alle  dight; 

Bothl  were  hongid  hie,                     ^^W 

1  woll^  feitin  in  thi  fete, 

To  weyvin  there  with  the  ropis^               fl 

And  drcJIiD  them  aright. 

And  with  the  winde  dric*                  ^^« 

But  the  jufticc  fattin  OSXH^ 

And  als  the  twelve  ftfourit^        ^^H 

And  roofc  not  anon, 

Sorow  have  that  rekk,                      ^^H 

And  Camelyn  with  hi»  fwerdd 

AUc  they  werin  yhongid                     ^^H 

Clevid  hi*  chckt  bone. 

Full  fafte  by  tlie  nckk.                         ^^M 

Yongc  Gamclyn  toke  him  i&  hh 

Thus  cndid  hath  th^fall'c  knight  ^^m 

Armift,  and  no  more  fpak, 

With  all  hi»  trtchcric,                               1 

But  threw  him  o\\t  the  barrt, 

That  evir  haddc  lad  hi*  life                        J 

And  hi^  amic  to  brak. 

la  faUVn^ift  and  folic,                                  1 

Durft  no  one  unto  Gamclya 

He  wa*  hongid  up  by  the  nek,              3 

6ayd  nothing  hut  gode, 

And  nought  by  the  purfe,                          M 

For  fffc  of  5ie  gret  company 

That  withautin  yftodc. 

From  hif  fadir'tt  curfe.                       ^^^| 

Gamclyn  fatt^.  him  adofun 

Sir  Otc  was  the  cldift  tho»           ^^H 

In  the  juiUc'jn  ftcdr. 

And  Gamclyn  was  yonge,                ^^H 

(Hcrkrnith  now  of  tfecbooTd;i 

T  hey  wcriiin  with  vliclr  ittadk^^^^^M 

That  Gamelyn  tho  dcdi) 

• 

Fafbdifi  to  the  ki/ig                       ^^H 

THE  COKE'S  Tale  of  gamelyn. 


^n  pecc  with  the  kingi 

g  lovid  Sir  Ot*  wcle, 
it  him  a  juftice. 
the  kin^madc  Gam^l)"]!, 
I.  eft  iitid  wcA^ 
fe  juJlicc  and  ndcre  of 
fi-c  for  eft. 

lis  wivht  jon^e  itieo  the  king 
I  them  their  g^tlt, 
kfli  in  godc  o^ce  the  king 
i  them  ypi)t. 
haj  won  yongc!'  Camflyn 
1?  and  ht&  ledc, 
akc  of  him  his  enemies, 
them  their  mcde. 


And  Sir  Ott,  hisbroihlr  icrc^ 
Yniadc  him  hath  his  heir. 
And  fifhiti  wcddid  Gam^lyu 
A  wife  both  gode  and  fairc. 

They  lividin  togidir  wclc 
Wlijij*  that  Chrifte  woldc, 
Aud  fjthin  that  was  G^melyit 
Ygravin  undir  moldc  : 

And  fo  fhall^  wc  allc  here; 
May  there  no  man  yflc 
Godbrinj^in  ih  untn  the  joic 
*rhat  evir  fliuU  yhc  [ 


i 


TTitit  indUii  the  h^md  0/  Gamefrn,  uiltci  Tin  Ct>i<*t  TjU, 


HERE   BEGiNNETK 


THE   PLOWMAN'S   PROLOGUE. 


Tut  Plowman  pluclccd  up  hh  plowc 
Wlian  midfomcr  moae  wns  cornea  in. 
And  faietl  his  bcftc*  Diould  etc  inowc» 
And  ligr  in  g;rafrc  up  to  the  chin  : 
1*hei  ben  fcbic:  both  oxe  and  cowe^ 
Of  *h«m  n*i&tcft  but  bone  and  flcinne; 
He  fliokc  of  ibrrc,  and  coulter'  off  drowc^ 
And  hongcd  his  hamift  on  a  pinne. 

He  tokc  hi  I  tsibardc  and  ftalTc  eke» 
And  on  hii  hcdde  he  fct  his  hat. 
And  faicd  he  would  Saintft:  Thomas  feke. 
On  pilgrimage  he  goth  forth  plat ; 
in  fcrippc  he  bare  liothc  bred  lekcs ; 
He  w&i  foLTwonkc  and  all  forfwat  : 
Men  might  have  fenc  through  bnth  his  chckes^ 
And  every  wang  tothc  where  it  fat. 

Our  Hnftc  bchcldc  well  all  about. 
And  fa  we  thi$  man  vtrm  funne  i  brent ; 
Kc  knewc  well  by  hi*  Gngid  fnout. 
And  by  hi*  clothes,  that  were  to  fcot. 
He  wai  A  man  wont  walkc  about. 
He  n*M  not  aye  in  clotfter  pent, 
Nc  couth e  religiouilicJie  lout. 
And  therefore  wai  he  full  ill  fhcnt. 

Our  Kofte  him  aied.  What  man  art  thou  ? 
Sire  Hoftc,  (quod  he)  I  am  an  hint. 
For  I  ^m  wont  to  go  to  plow. 
And  cme  my  mete  yet  iim  t  diqc  : 


To  fwcttc  and  fwinke  1  mak«  avowe, 
My  wift:  und  babe*  therewith  to  fiadc, 
And  lervin  God  and  1  wift  how. 
But  we  leode  men  yUcn  fall  bUnde  j 

For  clerkes  faic  wc  fhullin  he  fain 
For  thtr  livelod  to  fwcttc  md  fwinke^ 
And  thei  rigbt  nought  us  i^ive  atgmin 
Ketther  to  etc  ne  yet  to  drinkc  ; 
Thei  mo  we  by  bwe,  as  that  thei  l!iin» 
U»  curfe  and  dampne  to  heiris  brinkc; 
And  thus  thei  pur  tin  m  to  pain 
With  candU»  quient  and  beU'is  dinke. 

Thei  make  w*  thrallit  at  their  iuft. 
And  fain  wc  mowc  not  eli  be  favcd  ; 
Thei  have  the  corne  and  we  the  duft  ; 
Who  gal(i(aye&  then  thcv  faye  he  raved. 
What,  man  !  (quod  our  Ho  Ac)  canft  thou  | 
Come  nere  and  tcl  fomc  holy  thing. 
Sir,  quod  he»  1  herd  onii  icche 
A  preeft  in  pulpit  godc  prcdiing, 

Saic  on  quod  he,  I  the  befeche. 
Sir,  1  am  rcdy  at  yoar  bidding. 
I  praic  that  no  man  me  reprochc 
While  that  l  am  my  Tale  telling. 


HERE  FOLOWETH 


THE  FIRST  PART  OF  THE  TALE*. 


I  ftricf  ti  ftirrid  cicwei 
r  ftedis  in  a  Aoundc, 
Iry  fedis  that  ben  fcwc  ; 
h  tlut  fcuiic  ben  unfoonde, 
le  oe  grcK  gTDwin  on  groundc, 
en  founk^  imiplt  and  fmaii : 
r  irf  'hem  is  faliir  fuundc 
It  /oulc  mote  him  bifall. 
Ofic  fide  is  tK^  I  of  tell 
^ardinali,  and  prebues, 

monkiSj  and  freris  fell, 

abbotcs,  of  gretc  cftates ; 
:n  ind  hell  thci  kq>e  the  ycates, 
t«r'*focceffburs  ben  all, 
i  u  demid  by  old  dates ; 
ted  fock  mo:c  it  befall. 
tliir  Ude  ben  pore  and  pale, 
lie  yput  out  of  prcfc, 
lio  caiti^et  fore  a  cale, 
ID  ©nc  without  encKfc 
J0lAcis>  and  Londlefc ; 
Keth  on  *hcni  thei  ben  iincall ; 
I  ariyid  all  for  pece, 
td  foulc  mote  it  befall 

m  counrrey  haTc  I  fought 

re  ihe  falfirof  thcfe  two, 

my  tmvailc  was  for  nought 

rre  a«  I  have  ygo, 

wandrid  in  a  wro, 

I  wode  bdide  a  wall, 

ISi  fawe  r  fitting  tho» 

r  foule  mote  him  behll. 

me  did  pJcre  on  the  Popc*i  lide, 

D  of  a  grinune  ftarure ; 

mc  withoutin  pride 

Lollcrs  yJaied  bit  Inrc; 
d  hit  mattir  in  mcfure 
[aUe,  Chrifl  ay  gon  he  call ; 
I  (hewed  as  Ikarpc  as  fire, 
Dole  mote  it  bd^lL 


ic  »od  c«»ctoafncf*  of  the 
: ,  fayx  the  edlitvr  of Cluu- 


The  Pcllicane  began  to  preche 
Bothc  of  mercic  and  of  mekcneife. 
And  faied  that  Chrift  fo  gan  u»  leche, 
And  m eke  and  mcrciable  gan  bleffc  i 
The'  Etrangcly  benth  witocffc 
A  lambe  he  likeneth  Chrift  ovrc'  all. 
In  tokening  that  he  mekifl  wai 
Sjih  pride  was  out  of  hcvin  fall. 

And  fo  fhould  every  Criftencd  be, 
PricftiB  and  Peter's  fucccifour*, 
Beth  lowlichc  and  of  lowe  dcgre^ 
And  ufin  none  ycrthly  honours, 
Nc  crounc  nc  curious  cove rf  ours, 
Ne  pilloiire  ne  other  proude  pall, 
Ne  to  cofrin  up  grctc  trefours, 
For  fallhcd  foulc  mote  it  bcfalL 

Pricftis  fliould  for  no  catttll  plcdc. 
But  chaftcn  *hcm  in  charitc, 
Nc  to  nobattaik  ihouldmcn  Icdc 
Forinhaunfing  ther  ownc  degre, 
Nat  willirt  Cttinges  in  hie  fc. 
No  fovcraiotc  in  hnui  ne  hall, 
Worldly  worfhip  dcfic  and  fle ; 
Who  willcth  highneji  fbulc  fhall  fall. 

ALi> !  who  maic  Xochc  faincfii*  call 
That  wilnith  wc4dc  yerthly  honour  ? 
JLowc  as  Lucifcrc  fochc  fhall  fall, 
In  balcfull  bbckneiTe  build  thcr  bourc 
That  cggith  peple  to  errourc, 
And  makith  them  unto  'hem  ihrall ; 
To  Crifl  I  holde  fochc  one  traitour  ;  f 
htmc:  as  Lucifer  fochc  fhall  fall, 

That  willith  to  be  kingit  pcrei. 
And  higher  than  the  Eniperour, 
And  fome  that  wcrin  but  pore  frcrc» 
Now  wollin  waic  a  warriour  ; 
Gnd  nc  h  not  thcr  gOTcrnour 
That  hoJdith  none  his  permagall. 
While  coTc'tiff  is  ther  confailour; 
All  foche  fallhcde  mote  nedis  fall. 

That  hie  on  horfe  willith  to  ride 
In  glitterandc  goldc  of  grcte  araie. 
Painted  and  portr id  allc  in  pride. 
No  common  knjghl  maic  go  fo  gale. 


I        «»>                                           THE     PLOWMAN  S    TALE-                          ^^| 

,          Chating^c  of  ctotlitng  every  dale, 

Al  Holica  they  clcpe  thcr  hed«             ^^^M 

I         With  goldin  girdili  grctc  and  dnal). 

That  of  thcr  rule  i«  full  regaO  ;            ^^^H 

^         Ai  Ijoiftom  at  it  bcrc  at  baic; 

Alai  that  cvtr  thci  etc  bred  !                  ^^^^| 

All  foche  falflicdc  mote  ncdi*  fall. 

For  ai  fueh  falfhcd  wol  foule  fall.           ^^H 

Witli  pride  ponifhith  thci  the  pore. 

Thcr  hcd  covitith  al  hunour,                      ^M 

And  fomc  one  thci  fuftain  with  falc. 

To  be  worfhipped  in  worde  and  dcde #           ^^ 

Of  hoHc  churchc  makith  an  hore, 

Kingismotc  to  him  knelc  and  coure,            ^H 

And  iill thcr  wombe  with  wine  and  ales 

To  tlic'  apofllc*  that  Chrift  forbcdc  :           'H 

j         With  money  fille  ihei  many  a  male, 

Trt  Popi*  hcllc  fuch  take  more  hedc              ^M 

And  chalTrin  chuichii  when  thci  fall. 

Atid  telle  the  pcple  a  leudc  tale ; 

Of  gold  and  tiWir  ben  thcr  wc4e,                 ^M 

So  die  falfc  faitoura  foulc  'hem  bcfulL 

Thci  holdc  him  hole  omnipotent.                 ^H 

Thci  fcde  of  many  manir  m«c«, 

He  ordamelh  by  his  ordinauoce        ^^^H 

'         With  foiig  and  folas  fitting  lnng» 

To  parifbe  pricf^ii  a  powere»                  ^^^H 

And  fillcth  thcr  wombe,  and  laflc  frctct, 

To'  anothir  a  gretir  avauncc,                 ^^^^ 

And  from  the  mctc  unto  the  gong. 

A  gretir  point  to  his  mlilcre  ;                  ^^^^ 

And  iitir  mete  with  harpe  and  Umg, 

BiH  for  he*  U  hightfl  in  cnh  hert           ^^^^ 

And  echc  man  mote  'hem  Lordi»  call. 

To  him  rcfcrvcth  he  many'  a  point,        ^^^B 

And  hotc  fpicis  cvir  cmong ; 

But  unto  Chrifl,  that  hath  no  pcrc,              ^M 

Sochc  falfc  faitours  foulc  *hcm  befall. 

Ri'firvith  he  no  pin  no  joyut.                  ^^^H 

1              Miters  thci  werin  mo  than  two 

So  fcmith  he  abovin  all,                      ^^^^H 

Ipcrlid  &§  the  qucn'is  hsdde,                                       ' 

And  Chrifl  abovin  him  norhinge,          ^^^^| 

A  ftaffe  of  golde,  and  pirric  lo  ! 

Whan  that  he  littith  in  his  Rail              ^^H 

A4  hcvie  a»*  it  were  made  of  Icdde  j                         i 

Dampnith  and  favith  as  him  thinke  ;     ^^^H 

With  clothe  of  gold  bothc  new  and  rcddc»              ' 

Suchc  pride  taforc  hie  God  doth  fttnkc^^^H 

With  glittcrandc  gold  as  grenc  as  gall, 

An  angel  bttd  John  to*  him  not  knclc,  ^^^H 

By  dome  thci  dampnc  men  to  be  dcddc; 

Only  to  God  to  6n  his  bowmge ;             ^^^H 

1        All  fochc  fai tours  foulc  'hem  befall.                          | 

Sochc  worfliip-willcri  mote  ill  fcic,         ^^^^| 

!             And  Crjft'i*  pcplc  proudly  curfe 

Thci  nc  cUpe  Chrift  but  Samirmt  i>^»»>^^H 

1         With  brtjdc  bokc  and  braying  bvll^                           i 

Atid  clepc  tlicr  hcd  SaH^ffiwtvji                    ^H 

I        And  to  put  pcunici  in  thcr  purfc 

All  they  that  fudic  a  fe^r  fcwis             ^^^H 

*   Thci  wi'li  fell  boihc  htvta  and  hclj  : 

I  trowc  thci  taken  *hcm  amiOc  :            ^^^^| 

1         In  thcr  fcntciice  aad  thou  wilt  dwell 

la  crth  htrc  they  havin  thcr  blifle,         ^^W 

1         Thei  wilhn  gciTc  in  thcr  gaic  hall,                             ' 

Thcr  hie  maflir  is  Bellall ;                             ^^k 

And  tlioogh  the  foth  thou  of  'hem  tell 

Chrift  his  pore  peplc  from  *hem  wiflV,          ^| 

In  the  grcte  curfing  {halt  thou  fall. 

For  at  fucbc  f^lfc  will  foule  1>rfill                    ■ 

That  is  ybldHd  that  thei  blclTe,                              ' 

They  mow  in  both  ybinde  and  lofr,            ^| 

And  curfid  that  thei  eurfin  woll. 

And  all  is  for  thcr  holy  life  ;                            ^| 

And  thus  the  pcplc  thci  oppreflc.                               ! 

To  favc  or  dampnc  they  mo  wen  chofes        ^| 

And  have  thcr  lordihippis  at  Ml : 

Betwene  'hem  now  is  a  grcte  iUifc ;             ^^k 

And  many  be  mi-Tchauntc*  of  woll. 

Many'  a  man  is  killed  with  a  knife                ^^ 

And  to  pun  pennie*  woll  come  rhrall^ 

To  wetc  which  havin  lordlhip  fhall ;             ^B 

The  port  prplc  thci  al  to  pull; 

For  fuchc  Chrift  fuffnd  woundit  five,             V 

lluch  falfc  fai  tour*  foulc  'hem  befall,                         , 

For  all  fuchc  faJihed  will  foule  fall.        ^^^H 

Lordii*  Alfo  mote  to  'hem  loute. 

Chrift  faid,  J^i^itf^tf/^cwfrif,            ^^^H 
With fwcrde  fuirly  he  fhall  die ;              ^^^H 

0!»eyfaunt  to  thcr  brodc  blcCing, 

Thci  ridin  with  thcr  royal  route 

He  bad  hiftpricftis  pccc  and  grith,                '^H 

1         On  a  courfir  at*  it  were  a  king. 

And  bad  'hem  nr»t  dredc  for  to  die,               ^H 

'         With  fadlc  of  golde  glittering. 

And  bad  them  be  both  fimplc*  and  flk,         ^B 

With  curious  harneis  quaintly  craUit, 

And  carkc  not  for  no  ctttc  1,                           ^| 

Srircippi&  gdie  of  gold^  majliin^ ; 

And  truftc  on  God  thit  Cttith  on  hie,           ^ 

All  fuchc  falfhtxl  foule  may  bcial  it. 

For  al  falfc  Ihal  full  foale  befall.                      fl 

Ou ifle»  MiniAcrs  cltpid  thd'bcue^ 
And  rulin  al  in  robbcrie, 

rhcfc  wollin  make  men  to  fwere       ^^^H 

Ayend  ChriH'i**  conimaundiment,          ^^^^| 

Put  Aniichrittcihct  ftrvin  clcnc. 

And  Chrift  %&  members  al  to  tere,           j^^^l 

Attlrid  aj  in  tirannic. 

On  n>dc  a^  he  were  new  yrcnt              ^^^H 

Witneflc  of  John  hi*  prophcclc  j 

Suchc  tawcs  thci  maken  by  tfleoc,        9^^^H 

Antichrijle  ii  thcr  admirall, 

F.che  on  it  trowith  a»  a  bdl,                  ^.^^^1 

Tiffcleri  attired  in  tfcchcric  j 

And  thus  the  pore  be  fntly  ihenC|           ^^^H 

Al  fuche  faitoum  foulc  'hem  befall. 

But  faUhed  fotile  \i  fhiillc  bc^lt,            ^^M 

Who  faith  that  fomc  of  *hcm  may  finnr 

Nc  ufin  thci  no  (imonie,                     ^^^^1 

He  ihil  he  domid  r    "       '    ' 

0Lt  fdlc  churchis  and  priories,               ^^^^| 

Sume  of  *hem\\c                      vinnc 

Nc  tliey  uHn  to  none  cnvic^                    ^^^H 

'       Al  »)cufi  that  wLv ..  ^  ^^  .. . Ud. 

But  curfio  sd  'bcm  coutimri^«,                 ^^^H 

■              ■              TKE    PLOWMAN'S    TALK. 

in      ■ 

Pmeti  hy  (ki«i  and  yere« 

And  at]  to  holdin  grct  arraif , 

^J 

Dgth  to  hold  'hem  in  thcr  (bit, 

To  muhiplic  *bem  more  mctail. 

^^H 

!  til  thcradviTfarrcs, 

They  drcdc  Ful  litd  dom'is  day. 

^^^^^M 

tilfljcd  fonlc  thou  them  fall. 

Whan  al  fuchc  falfhcd  thai  (oiilc  fall 

^^^^^M 

m(c  they  purchafc  pcrfonage. 

Suchc  harlottc»  ibul  men  difclaundrr^ 

^^^H 

Klhci  payin  *hem  to  plede. 

Fur  that  they  fhullin  roakt  thcra  gre» 

^^^^^1 

(1  want  thci  wollin  wage 

And  ben  as  proud  as  Alexander, 

^^^^^1 

tiler  enemies  to  dcde, 

And  fain  to  the  pore  >j'o  be  ye  ! 

J^^^^l 

a  U^U  ihey  wol  ledc, 

By  ycrc  eche  pried  (hal  paic  his  fc 

^^^^1 

kil  take,  and  give  but  fmall. 

For  to  CDcrcfe  hi»  kmman^  call ; 

^^^^H 

,  fo  get  from  it  ftjal  Oicdc, 

Suchc  hcrdis  Jhul  wcl  ivil  the. 

^^1 

c  fuche  falfc  nght  foule  yfall* 

And  al  fuche  falfc  ibal  foule  befalL 

^^^^H 

lalowe  Qoching  but  for  hire, 

And  if  a  man  be  fajfely  famed, 

J^^^H 

lie,  ne  foot,  nc  ve (lime tit. 

And  wol  ymakc  purgacioun, 

^^^^1 

e  orders  in  every  (hire. 

Than  wol  the'  officers  be  agramcd. 

^H 

m  pay  for  the  parchment ; 

And  afljgn  him  fro  toun  to  toun  ; 

"^^1 

Bth«7  t^iken  rent. 

So  nedc  he  mutk  payin  rauufome. 

.^^t 

Bry  fmcre  the  (h(;pM»  fkall. 

Though  he  be  clene  a  ti  chrifluU,, 

^^M 

W»rrhe^  b«i  fufpcnt; 

And  than  have  an  abfolution  ; 

^H 

B£hcd  loule  it  befaU. 

But  al  futhc  falfc  (hal  foule  bcfalL 

^^t 

mth  not  in  Iccheric, 

Though  he  be  giltie  of  the  didc. 

^^^^H 

te  wenchis  widowi,  and  wrrci. 

And  that  he  m^y  the  money  pale. 

fl^^H 

Ih  the  pore  for  ptJtrc, 

Al  the  while  his  purfc  wol  ybledt 

^^^^H 

:  it  ufcLh  al  ther  Ifvci  ; 

He  may  ufc  it  fro  day  to  day. 

^^^1 

^an  to  thexn  him  (h rivet 

1  The  bifliopes  officers  gone  gay. 

^^^^M 

bnc  he  nevir  (haU, 

And  this  game  they  ufe  ovir  all. 

^^^^^t 

BprfjQ  aa  be  catives; 

The  pore  to  pil  is  al  their  pray  ; 

■  ^^^^^M 

^bine  that  he  fhal  fall. 

But  al  fuchc  falfc  fliul  foule  bcfaU. 

^^^^^M 

^feore  mercy*  in  Maximinc, 

Alas!  God  ordained  no  Fuchc  kwc^ 

^^^^H 

1,  that  never  wat  gode, 

Nc  no  fuchc  craft e  of  covctii«. 

^^^^^^ 

re  it  now  in  Ibmc  of  thf  na 

But  he  forbad  it  by  hi*  lawc  ; 

^^^^^1 

|ph  on  his  furrid  hode ; 

Suche  rulers  raowcn  of  God  agrlfc. 

^^^^M 

m  Chrift  iliat  tlicdc  hi»  blode 

For  al  hif  ruli»  ben  rlghtwifc  ; 

^^^^^1 

Pit  bucket  to  the  waJL; 

Thcfc  newe  pointis  ben  pure  papall> 

'^^^^1 

cdiis  yben  ^orfe  than  wodff 

And  Godd'ts  bwe  they  all  dilpicc, 

^^^^^1 

chc  fiitour^  foule  'hem  ft&U. 

And  al  fuchc  fai Lour*  ihul  foule  fall. 

il^^^^^l 

ive  ihcr  aim  is  to  the  richc^ 

They  fainc  that  Peter  bad  the  key 

^^^^1 

ryoour&  and  men  of  lai^e. 

Of  hevcn  and  hei,  to  have  and  hoUe; 

^^^^^1 

dU  they  wolbe  lithe, 

1  trowc  Peter  tokc  no  money 

^^^^B 

»t4  fonne  not  worthc  an  hawc  ; 

For  no  linnis  that  he  yfoldc  : 

^H 

I!l-  a  He  fuchc  ban  Cawc ; 

Suche  fuccclTouri  yben  to  boUle, 

^H 

nbe  thcr  crockcttes  with  criftall. 

In  winning  all  thcr  wittc  tliey  wral, 

^^1 

c  of  God  they  have  dcrune  drawc  i 

Thcr  confctencc  is  waxin  coldc. 

^M^^l 

liitoors  foule  'htm  befall. 

And  al  fuch  faitours  foul  'hem  fall. 

^^^^H 

Like  parfons  for  tlie  pcnuic, 

Peter  was  ncr  fo  grt-'lc  a  folc 

^^^^^1 

nf  and  their  cardinals  ; 

To  Uvc  hi^  key  with  fuchc  a  lorcll> 

^^^^^1 

ktnongft  'hem  al  iit  any 

1  Or  take  fuche  curfid  foe  or  tole. 

^^^^H 

Itk  glofcd  the  gofpcl  falf. 

He  waa  advlfid  nothing  well ; 

^^1 

t  mAde  ncr  no  cathedraU, 

1  1  trowc  they  have  tLc  key  of  hcll^ 

^^^^M 

lim  wa*  no  cardinall 

Their  maiftir  i^of  that  marfhall, 

,^^^^H 

Wc  hatte,  uufc  minftrais; 

For  there  thci  dreffin  *hcm  to  dwells 

^^^^^^M 

d  fouk  mote  it  befill. 

And  with  falfe  Lucifer  to  fail. 

'^^^^^M 

thing  and  tJier  ofi&ing  bothe 

Thd  ben  sla  proudc  as  Lacifarrr, 

^^^^M 

tuth  by  pofTcflion, 

As  angry  and  as  envious ; 

^^^^^M 

n'ii  they  none  forgo. 

From  a  god^  faith  tlicy  ben  ful  farrc  i- 

^^^^^M 

1  men  a«  a  r^^uiifomc  : 

In  covc'tifc  they  ben  curious ; 

^^^^^M 

[g  of  tmr/te  Ivrrum 

To  catche  catil  a*  covitous 

i^^^^H 

c  maiflcr^is  vcmall ; 

A»  hounde  thtit  For  huagrc  wol  yalj, 

^^^^^1 

>f  bribry  and  larfon 

Ungodlv  and  ungracious; 

^^^^^1 

'.  faJfhcd  full  foule  to  MI, 

And  nedely  fuchc  falfe  Ihal  foule  fall. 

^^^^^1 

kin  to  fermc  thcr  fontpfiottr» 

The  Pope,  and  he  wcri:  Jeter's  hcirc^ 

. ^^^^^1 

the  pt'ple  what  they  may, 

Me  thinkc  he  crrith  in  this  calc. 

^^^^^1 

len  *Rd  falfe  faitours 

Whan  cholfc  of  bifhop's  in  difpairc 

^^^^^1 

tier  fclci  I  dare  well  fay, 

To  choCn  'hirin  ia  diver*  place, 

1 

tit 

A  lordc  fiial  Write  to  Kim  for  grace, 
For  hi»  clcrke  anoDc  praye  he  (hAil, 
So  ihal  he  fpedin  his  purchafe; 
And  al  fuchc  fadfc  foulc  'hem  befall. 

Althoygh  he  caa  nc  manir  godc 
A  lord'ii  praf  ir  flial  be  fpedde, 
Though  he  be  wildc  of  wil  or  wodc, 
Nat  undcrflanding  what  men  rcddc^ 
A  Icydc  boftir,  that  God  forbedde. 
As  godc  a  bifhoppe'  is  my  horfc  Bail; 
Suchc  a  pope  is  fuU  foule  beftcdc, 
And  at  the  Ufte  wol  foulc  yfaU. 

Hcmakith  prieftesfor  crthly  thanke, 
And  not  at  all  for  ChriA'ti  faltc ; 
t  iCuchc  that  yb«n  lul  jat  and  ranke, 
To  fotjl'is  heic  none  hcde  they  take; 
Al  iivvcl  done  what  cr  they  make. 
For  they  flial  anTwcrc  oiiet  for  all ; 
For  world*i$  thank  fuch  worch  and  wakCi 
And  al  fudic  falfe  flial  foule  befall. 

Suchc  that  can  nat  yfay  ihcr  credc 
With  pray  if  ihu]  be  made  prelatetp 
Kothir  caji  thei  the  gofpell  rede, 
[  6uche  fliul  now  wcldtn  hic  cftates  f 
The  hie  jjodes  frendfhip  *hem  makes, 
Thci  totith  on  iher  fumme  total! ; 
Suchebcre  the  keyci  of  hciria  yatei, 
And  all  fuehe  falfe  flial  fmile  bcfaU. 

Thci  foffakin  for  Chrift'i>  love 
Travalle,  and  hungre,  thurfte,  and  coldc  j 
They  ben  ordrtd  or  al  above 
^Oui  of  youthed  til  they  ben  oldc; 
|By  the*  doic  they  go  nat  to  the  foldc, 
'  "To  helpe  ther  fliepc  they  nought  cravali 
For  hi  rid  men  al  fnchc  I  holde» 
And  al  fuche  falft  fowlc  'htm  befall. 

For  Chrid  oar  King  thci  wol  forfake* 
'And  knowc  him  nought  for  hi»  povcrte^ 
For  CKri(l'ij.IoTe  thcyrolawakci 
And  driiike  picmcnt  al  aperte  ; 
Of  God  they  feme  nothing  a£rrdc, 
A*  htily  live  i»  i.aniual. 
And  drive  ther  fhcpc  into  defert ; 
Al  fuchc  falfe  fJtouri  (hul  foulc  fal. 
Chrift  yhad  twelve  apoftle*  here, 
ffowc  fay  they  Ther  may  be  but  one 
l^hat  may  not  arc  in  no  manerf, 
ll^'^ho  levc  not  thi*  ben  loft  echonc  : 
peter  etrid,  fo  did  not  John  j 
Why  i»  he  cleped  thf  Principall  ? 
Chriftc  cleped  him  Peter,  cot  the  Stone  ; 
Al  falfe  faitour*  fodlc  *hcm  hcfiil. 

Why  curlin  they  the  croifcry 
Chrifl'ii  Chriftian  creturi*  ? 
Forbyrwenc  them  is  now  enry 
To  be  cnhaunild  in  hooouriv  | 
Chriilin  liven  wtth  ther  labottrit 
For  ihey  levin  on  no  mortal, 
Ben  do  to  dcth  with  diihonour*. 
And  al  fuchc  falfe  foulc  *hcm  he  fat. 

What  knoweth  a  tilloure  at  the  ploWe 
The  Pop 'it  name,  and  what  he  Kate  ? 
Hit  credc  fufSfcth  to*  him  inowc, 
Aad  kfiowsth  a  csudi'aol  by  hit  batte. 


THE   PLOWMAN^S  TALE. 


Rough  it  the  pore  unrightly  Iitte» 
That  koowith  Chrift  his  God  royaJ ; 
Suche  maters  be  not  worth  a  gnatcc, 
But  fuche  falfe  faitours  foule  *beiD  faJL 

A  king  Ihal  knele  and  kiffc  hi*  fliowca 
Chrilt  let  a  Gnful  kiiTe  hit  fete, 
Me  thinkc  he  holdcth  him  hic  inowe. 
So  Lucifer  did,  that  hie  fet : 
Sudic  one  mc  thinkc  himfclfc  foryetf 
Or  to  the  trouth  he  wat  nat  cal ; 
Chrille  that  fuiiirid  wottndi»  wete. 
Shall  make  all  fuche  falihcd  foule  £ilL 

They  layith  out  ther  larg:  octtca 
For  to  takm  filrir  and  golde, 
Thei  £llin  coifcn^  and  facket  fettcs 
Ther  ai  they  fouUt  catchin  ihokk  ; 
Ther  fcrvauRtc»  be  to  them  tmholdcb 
But  they  can  doublin  ther  rentall ; 
To  bigge  *hem  caftlesbigge  'h«:m  holde; 
And  ai  fuche  falfe  foule  *heiii  bcfalL 


fttametb  tbt feande ^ti€* 


To  accords  what  this  wor^^  hM 
No  more  EngHlhe  ne  can  1  fiude^ 
Shewing  anothir  uowc  \  (hallf 
For  1  have  mochc  to  faye  bcKiod^p 
How  pricjlis  han  the  peple  pinde, 
A»  curteifl  Chrifte  yh&th  mc  kinde^ 
And  put  thsi  matter  in  my  minde^ 
To  make  thii  manir  men  amende. 

Shortcly  to  {hende  *hem,  and  (hewe  na 
How  wrongfully  they  wercbe  and  waikc, 
Of  hie  God  nothing  iell»  ne  howe. 
But  in  Goddcs  wordc  tell  many  a  balke. 
In  harniii  hotdc  'hem  and  in  halke. 
And  pre  Jien*  of  tithi»  and  oflrcnde^ 
And  untrurly  of  the  golpH  talke; 
For  hii»  mercy  God  it  amende  ! 

What  cli  is  Astichrifte  to  fate 
But  cvtn  Chrifl'is  advcrfarie  f 
Suche  hath  now  ben  many  a  daic 
To  Chrift'i*  bidding  ful  contrarie. 
That  from  the  trouthe  clenc  y warry  % 
Out  of  the  way  they  ben  yweode^ 
And  Chrid'ik  pepk  uotruely  cary  ; 
God  for  his  pitie  it  amende ! 

They  live  contrary  to  Chriftct  life. 
In  hie  pride  agaiiifl  mek  nc0e, 
Againft  fuflraunce  tlicy  u6d  ftrlfe. 
And  angre  ay  en  ft  fobrcnclTe, 
Aycnift  wifcdom  wilfulncfle; 
To  Ciirill*U  talis  litil  tcndc, 
Againfl  mefurc  outrigioufnefle; 
Bill  whan  God  wol  it  ttviy  amende* 

Lordely  life  ay  en  ft  lowHnclfe, 
Anddcmin  al  without  mercy. 
And  covetifc  ayculU  largc0e| 
Aycnllk  UQuUie  trcchery, 


THE  PLOWMAK^S  TALR                              ^^i»^| 

Eoift  ilmcffit  covy ; 

Me  thiukc  fuche  Ihiphcrdcsbcn  tn  wife               '.^M 

ChrLiI  they  Cfimprchcndc ; 

Who*  aycn  rhcr  Ihtpc  witli  fwcrde  contcnde ;         ^^M 

[tile  nuJntciiie  kcheVy ; 

They  drive  thtr  ihepe  with  grctc  dcfpite ;              ^^t 

Idsftau  thw  z^mcndc ! 

Bur  itt  this  God  m;ij  well  amende.                           ^H 

[kll  peniUDce  thci  ii/c  deUg;htefa 

Peter*!  fucceiTuurcLi  be  thci  nought                     ^H 

fttfeiuiicc  fborig  ucfcncc. 

Whom  Chrifl  ymude  hi*  ehck  pailoure  i               ^^| 

God  they  tilifl  JU  nghici. 

A  fwcrde  jio  jhcphcrde  uiiu  ought                         i^H 
But  he  would  ilc  as  ^  bochoure  :                            ^^^| 

pit.t  punirhmcato. 

^li  jy  lilt  cvntiocncc; 

Who  fo  were  Petcr'f  fucccfiourc                              ^^M 

t..ksd  wjfjuing  worfc  difpcnde, 

Should  be  re  his  fhepc  til  hU  backc  b^nde.             l^^l 

dc  icxte  ia  to  di< pence  ; 

/^ndlhadowc  *hcm  from  c wry  fliuurc  ;    ■             ^^^| 

h..  .^^^,.,..ri..  it  Amende  J 

And  al  this  God  may  wel  ^^codc^                          ^^H 

Ay"  his  po were, 

Succeilours  to  Peter  ben  theic                               ^^| 

dhUhcftcs?^                          ' 

In  that,  that  Pcttr  Chriile  krloke,                         |^H 

ipg  tolowc  ihci  nought  hcrei 

That  levir  bad  God'i  love  to  Icfe                           ^^| 

In  wcrtic  ihao  witicfTc  bcftei  i 

Than  ihephcrde  hid  to  kfe  his  hoke  $                    ^^| 

Kind  Idbe  tHey  lovm  (dka  i 

He  cuUeth  the  Ihcpe  at  doth  tix  coke  ;                   ^^M 

Iftbei  hm  hrodc  Oiecde  ; 

Of  'em  tnkin  they  wotl  luttrendc,                           ^^H 

■Mbporcthei  hMm  g«ftcs; 

And  fiilfL  ly  glofe  the  Gofpeli  boke ;                       ^H 

Bb  mercy  thU  amende  ! 

Gud  for  his  mercy  them  amende  I                           ^^H 

nKvcft  fuche  ihal  have  Lhcrdomc* 

Whan  Chrift  hadtidte  Peter  the  kiy                  l^B 

IDethuL  the)'  be  Chrift*is  frcndc*. 

Chrift  faidc  he  muil  ydie  for  man  £                          "^H 

mofh  ^^.    a.  rKey  fllould  dolK, 

That  Peter  to  Chrift  gan  withfay,                          .^H 

»h^                    ri  bt'ti  ft'Qdci  : 

CKrille  bad  him  Go  behinde,  Sathan  )                     ^^M 

pepi               V  luchc  beodd 

Suche  cotmfailoursmany' of  ihefch^ai,                  ,^^H 

1  in  crth  they  hau  ofTcodc ; 

For  world'it  welc  God  to  ofTcnde  ;                         ^|^H 

r  for  fuch  Chriftc  now  fcod  u«, 

Pctcr*i»  fmccc£our5  they  ben  than                          j^^M 

r  his  mercy  thi*  suncndc  ! 

But  ai  fuche  God  may  wel  amcjidc.                        ^^^H 

iken*  of  ADikhriA  cbcy  be ; 

For  Smthan  is  to  fay  no  more                                ^iV 

Kcka  hcD  now  widt  Ucnowe, 

But  he  that  contrary  to  Ciirift  is,                            ~ 

^d  lo  prcchc  (hal  no  m no  be 

Iif  this  they  Icrnln  PeicrS  lore, 

Bt  tokin  of  hiin  i  irowe  ; 

They  ftwin  him  whan  ht  did  miflc  i 

;hi.*liD  prieft  to  prcchin  owe. 

They  folcwc  him  forfoth  in  this 

^od  above  the!  ben  yicnde 

That  Chriii  would  Peter  rtprch.ciide. 

s  *.vor«l  to  &I  folkc  for  to  fcowCg 

But  nat  th:it  longith  to*  hevjn  bliflcj 

iful  m^  for  to  amende* 

God  for  hi*  nicrcic  *bcm  amende  ! 

iQ.  fent  the  pore  for  tu  prcche* 

Thci  ncnc  apoftle  frvren,  m  cafe 

(yil  richc  hi  did  cot  [o^ 

Of  ought  tJiat  1  am  undcrftoudc, 

;arr  no  pore  the  prplc  tcchc. 

But  him  that  betraicth  Chriil,  Judaf ; 

iCichrtJl  u  al  ther  foe ; 

That  bare  the  purfe  in  every  londe^ 

Mhc  p^e  he  mote  go« 

And  a!  that  he  might  fette  onhondc 

■^dm  al  fuche  fufpcnde. 

He  hiddc  and  ftalc,  and  it  mifpcndc  : 

■m  he  hcnt,  and  thinketli  yet  mo  \ 

His  rule  ihefc  traitours  han  in  bonde ; 

thif  God  rtiay  wel  amende. 

Almighty  God  al!  fuche  amende  1 

ho  that  haa  the  worlde  forfake. 

And  at  the  laft  his  lordc  ^tn  tny 

vin  lowiy,  as  Goi  badde, 

Curfidly  tl»rough  falfc  covctifc, 

ler  prifoD  fhuUc  be  taikr. 

9o  would  thefc  traine  Kim  for  ninocy 

md  boundin,  and  fortb  Indde  : 

And  they  ywiftin  in  what  wiici 

r  I  rrde  no  man  be  drulde. 

They  be  filtrc'  of  the  fcle  cnlife. 

(ud  ikxt  hu  ihouid  be  yihcudc  ; 

From  adl  fothntfle  they  ben  yfrcnde. 

tun  ought  hereof  to  be^^iaddt^ 

And  covctifc  chaungc  with  quetitifc  ; 

od  ful  wd  it  woL  anieode. 

Almighty  Cod  al  fudic  amoidc ! 

ry  take  oo  *hem  royall  powcT| 

Were  Chrift  ujioo  erth,  here  cftc  fonf  > 

ly  they  ha^in  fwerdis  two, 

Thcfe  would  in  d^mpne  him  to  die  i 

arfe  to  he],  oncfle  men  here  : 

All  his  hcftia  they  han  fordone. 

caking  Chrift lad  no  mo. 

And  fame  his  fawes  ben  hcrefic ; 

dtr  bid  but  one  of  tlio, 

Ayenft  his  comm^undemente*  they  crie, 

JhnQ.  to  him  fmltc  g«n  deftndc, 

And  dampnia  all  his  to  he  ^>r.  jhU-. 

dto  the*  Jheth  badde  piit  it  tho  i 

For  thei  ne  like  fuche  iofer 

I  fwche  mTfcheve*  God  amende  ! 

God  Almighty  allfuchc  aril 

ThcJe  han  morcmigliC  in  luj^jkndc  here 

It  I 

Than  hath  the  bng  and  ^li  hi:*  lawe, 

C    U  no  tOl"   M  LEU  UKpe  lo  it-pr^ 

They  han  purchafid  fuche  powcre 

ihfphcrdci  t,*i*t  /ht^pc  wol  bite  ; 

To  «;ikixj  'hem  v.  bom  lift  not  kaiHvvf » 

ftM 


THE   PLOWMAN  S  TAtt. 


And  fay  that  hcrcfie'  U  ther  fawe. 
And  ih  TO  prifon  wol  'hrm  icnde ; 
It  was  not  fo  by  cldir  dawc ; 
God  for  his  mercy  it  amende  ! 

The  king* is  Uwe  wol  ao  man  deme 
Anj^riichc  wlthoutin  arfwcre, 
But  11  amy  man  thefe  mifquemc 
He  fliuU  be  bai^htid  a§  a  berc. 
And  yet  wel  worfe  they  wol  him  terc. 
And  iu  prifon  wollin  him  pendc 
la  giuis,  Ind  in  otiiir  gere  ; 
Whan  that  God  woll  it  may  amende. 

The  king  nc  toxith  nat  hi»  men 
But  by  afltnt  of  the  commi'naltc. 
But  thcfc  eche  ycrc  wol  rauniom  'hero 
Maiflirfully,  more  than  dothe  he  : 
Thcr  ftli*  by  ycre  bettir  be 
Than  is  the  king*i«  in  extcnde, 
Ther  ofhrcrshan  gretir  fe; 
But  allc  thi»  mifchcfe  God  amende! 

Who  fo  wol  prove  a  ttfhiment 
That  18  nat  al  worth  tenne  potinde, 
He  fhal  paye  for  the  parchemcnt 
The  thirtlc  of  the  money  all  ro unde  ; 
Thui  the  pore  pepic  i:*  ranfounde. 
They  fay  fuchc  parte  i>m  Ihould  apende^ 
There  as  they  gripen*  it  goeth  to  groundc ; 
God  for  his  tneicy  it  amende  ! 

A  fimplc  fornication 
Twenty  fhiilingi>  he  fliatl  pay, 
And  tban  have  abfolucion 
And  al  Lhc  ycrc  ufc  it  he  may  : 
Thui  thci  lettin  "hem  go  aftray  ; 
Thet  rcckc  nat  though  the  fuulc  bcbrcnde^ 
Thefc  kcpin  cviU  PetcrS  kay ; 
And  al  fuchc  Qiephcrdec  God  amende  I 

Wondir  ii«  that  the  parliaments. 
And  all  the  lordi»  of  thiK  loodc. 
Here  to  takin  fo  lite  entente 
To  hclpe  the  peplc'  out  of  thcr  hondf. 
For  thci  ben  hardir  in  ther  bonde, 
Warfc  bete,  and  crucUir  ybrcndc, 
Than  to  the  king  is  underftand  ; 
Cod  him  hclpc  this  for  to  ameiidc  \ 

Wliat  biihoppcs,what  rciigionH 
Han  in  thi»  lande  a»  muchc  lay  fc» 
l^rdcibippift  and  poiTtfTionj, 
Alorc  than  lordit  it  ftrmith  me; 
That  makith  'hem  IcXc  chat itc  : 
They  mowin  not  to  God  attende, 
In  crththci  have  fohighc  dcgrc; 
God  for  his  meicy  it  amende! 

The  Empc^our  yatc  the  Pope  fomtime 
So  bighe  iordrfhip  him  about, 
That  at  tJic  lafl  the  fely  kimc 
The  pruutlc  Pope  yput  him  out. 
So  of  ihh  relme  t»  m  gretc  dout ; 
But,  Lordcs,  beware,  and  them  dcfrode* 
For  nowc  thcfc  folke  be  wondir  floutc  ; 
The  king  and  lord»  now  chit  amende. 


JVlorsrs  I  awe  forbodc  it  tho 

That  pre  ft  is  fhould  no  lordthippei  wdde^p 

Chrill'it  gofpcll  biddith  alfo 

Th.»t  they  (hould  wo  tordfluppi»  helde  \ 

Chritles  apoftcl*  were  ncr  fo  faolde. 

No  fuchi:  lordihippci  to  *hcm  embrace. 

But  fktere  thcr  fhepe  and  kepc  thcrfoldc; 

May  God  amende  'hem  for  his  grace  1 

For  thci  ne  ben  but  counterfetc. 
Men  may  ytnow  *hem  by  thcr  frutte, 
Thcr  gretcnelTc  maketh  'hem  God  foryeU, 
And  take  his  mckcncffc  in  drfpiic ; 
And  thci  were  pore  and  had  but  lite 
Thci  u*old  nal  dcmcn'  aftir  the  face, 
Norilhe  thcr  ihcpc,  and  'hcra  nat  bite  ; 
May  God  amende  *hcm  for  hi*  grace ! 

Griffon, 
What  canO  thou  prcchc  aycnfi  ciisnoi 
That  men  yckpin  Seculerc  ^ 

Thci  ben  curate*  of  many  tounct. 
On  yerth  they  havin  gretc  powcrc. 
They  have  gtcteprcbendi*  and  dcre^ 
Some  two  or  thrc,  and  fume  have  mo, 
A  parlonage  to  ben  playing  fere. 
And  yet  thei  fcrvc  the  king  alfo. 

And  let  to-fermc*  all  that  fare 
To  whom  that  wol  moftc  give  therfcirejr 
Some  wbllin  ipcndc,  and  Tome  woll  fpate. 
And  iome  wol  Uyc  it  up  in  ftorc ; 
A  cure  of  foule  they  care  not  fore, 
&»  that  they  mowin  money  take; 
Whtithir  thcr  foule*  be  wonnc  or  lore! 
Thcr  profites  they  woll  not  forfake» 

They  have  a  gcdcring  procuratoor. 
That  can  the  pore  peplr  cnpledc. 
And  roble  'hent  as  a  ravinoor. 
And  to  hift  lordc  the  mony  Icdc, 
And  catche  of  quickc  and  eke  of  dede. 
And  richin  hira  and  hit  lordc  eke. 
And  lorcbbe  the  pore  give  gtjdc  rede: 
Of  oldc  and  yongc,  of  hole  and  fickc. 

Thtrwith  they  purchafc  "hem  lay  fc 
In  londe,  there  at  *hem  likith  bcft. 
And  buildiii  brode  as  a  tite 
Botli  in  the  eft  md  in  the  weft  ; 
To  purchalc  thus  they  ben  ful  prrft. 
But  on  the  pore  they  woll  nought  fpcndc, 
Nc  no  gode  give  to  Godd'it  geft, 
Nc  fende  him  fomethat  all  hath  fender 

By  ther  fcnicc  fochc  wollin  life, 
And  truft  that  othir  to  trcjure ; 
Though  all  ther  parifhc  die  unOiriirc 
Thci  w  oil  nut  givin  a  rofc  fiourc  ; 
Thcr  life  Ihould  l>c  as  a  mirrour 
Both  to  lerid  and  Icudc  alfo, 
And  tcchc  the  folkc  tlitr  lelc  tabovr  ;  ' 
Sochc  miiftcr  men  ben  all  mifgo. 

Some  of  'hem  ybeo  full  harde  i 
And  fomc  of  *hcTii  ben  proudc  andf 
Some  fpcndin  ther  fcodc  upon  giggCH  "" 
And  fiiidia  'hctn  of  gretc  arwc^ 


^^                      THE  PLOWHtAN^S   TALI?.                                         ib| 

R|,;.a.rK.r.«,.^  ro  faic 

Who  fayiih  fothe  h<?  fhill  he  Ihcntt 

m                            ;nde> 

Of  fpcketh  ay  en  ft  thcr  falfc  living, 

B  (                           -^  d*ic 

Who  fo  well  liirith  fhallbc  brent. 

tchi»  111411  be  worlc  than  wodc 

For  fochc  ben  grctir  than  the  king. 

itr  chufthi*  ncvif  ne  lie, 

Popl^  bifhops,  and  cardinids. 

pcuic  thidii  fcndc; 

Chanons,  and  parfon&«aod  vicarc. 

tutl  the  pore  fur  hungir  die,                * 

In  Godde*  fenrice  I  trowc  ben  fall 

^^cm  wilJ  thei  not  fpcnde  : 

That  facramentisfciJin  herc» 

Having  of  the  rente 

And  hen  3l>  proudc  a»  Lucifcre  I                                       i 

Rerof '^ „  'lunt; 

Eche  man  lokc  whtthir  that  (  lie  y 

.drvill  1                      m  blcntcj 

Who  fo  fpckjfh  ^yrnft  thcr  powtrc 

ttSaiii'ii                    -!jnr. 

It  fhalJ  be  hoi  din  hcrcric. 

r  horedo!                         r  i >  , 

Lokith  how  maiif  order*  takt 

tifc^anU  ;          _           ,  :.  [>rja^>, 

Oncly  of  Chh(i  for  hit  ftrvicc. 

e,and  wr*thc»  ^nd  ckc  cnvic^ 

Thut  the  worKi'i*  godii  forfake  ; 

I  finncbf  evft7  fide; 

^Vho  fo  take  oidirt  othir  wife 

ere  thinkiu  fochc  t*  abide  ? 

I  tn>i,*e  that  thci  ftiall  fore  agrift.'» 

1  thci  thcr  accomptii  ycld  ? 

For  all  the  glofc  that  thci  connc, 

God  thci  mowe  'hem  nof  hide  ; 

All  nc  fcwin  not  this  afiife  j 

ci*  wittc*  if  not  worth  a  Oflde. 

In  evill  rime  thci  thu%  begonnc. 

n  (o  rotid  in  riwhcflc 

I.oke  huw  many  cmong  hem  alt 

iVi%  poTcrt  lAfnrycti 

Nc  holdia^not  this  hi }  waic 

ith  fo  many  meffc 

With  Antichrift  ihei  ihuUin  fal!^ 

JM  tliat  manna  is  no  mete  ; 

For  that  thci  woUin  OoJ  betraic  : 

c  thai  thci  niowin  gete ; 

God  amende  *hcm,  that  heft  yiiiAJc  t 

e  ro  livjji  evlrmorc  ; 

For  many  men  ihei  makin  fticudc  ; 

ehat  God  at  dome  is  fcie 

Thci  WLtin  well  the  fothe  I  faie. 

rjur  i»  a  fcbic  ft  ore. 

But  the  devill  haih  f9yle  hem  blende. 

i»mntc  ihci  mating  faic 

Sora  of  *hcni^on  iher  chitrchi*  dwell 

....  ,^.  J  t  ^     urrholding^ 

Appitraiilcd  porcly ;  proude  of  porte  ; 

,.itC, 

The  fcvcii  fticramcntcs  thci  docnfcUi 

-j  noticing  I 

In  cat  tell  catching'  is  the  r  comfort : 

Itffvc  bothc  crie  aad  king 

Ofechc  mattir  thei  woUin  mell; 

kding  and  for  hiife, 

To  docn  *htm  wrong  it  thcr  difport ; 

his  tithing  and  ofiriogi 

Toafraic  th-  peplc  thci  ben  fcJi, 

cblc  charite. 

And  hold  'hem  lower  than  docth  the  Jorde* 

hel  ben  proudc  or  c<i?e*tous, 

And  for  the  tithing:  of  *  dackc, 

e«  ben  hard  or  hnngrie. 

Or  of  an  apple  or  an  aicf 

m  UbeVall  or  lechcrom. 

Thci  make  men  Iwerc  upon  %  bokc  ; 

lUers  with  marchaaJrie, 

I.o  1  thii!.  thci  foulixi  Chrift'i$  due  i 
Stic  he  berin  evill  hevin  kaic  j 

T»ofmeii  with  maiilrie. 

dcs,  couutour*,  or  pledours, 

Thti  mowin  afloile,  tli/ci  moweJhrive, 

;  God  in  ypocrific  ; 

With  mcimis  wivU  flrong^iy  plaic,                                        I 

:fti*bcn  Chriil€»Xalfe  tmiinurs* 

And  with  true  tiltcr*,  fturte  and  ftrivcj 

m  £alfe,thci  hen  vcn^cable. 

At  the  wrciliing  and  at  the  wake. 

^brn  in  Chnll*u  n^mc  ; 

And  the  chief  chauniour*  at  the  nalc. 

■hrdlaA  and  uiiflablcf ; 

Market  bctcrs,  and  medling  make, 

BvLordc  *ht'm  thinXe  no  &anic  | 

Hoppcn'  and  houtin  with  hcvc  and  hak  i 

God  thci  hen  fuU  lame  j 

At  fijre  frcfhc,  and  at  win^  ilak', 

._*.:.    ,.-j  *■ ,  \i  .r.-  .i-^.r. 

Thci  dine  and  drinke,  and  make  debate, 

ume  J 

The  fevcn  facramentes fct  a  fade; 

.       -.-  ■■    -.- .dc. 

Kepc  fochc  the  kaics  of  hcviti  gate  ? 

nit  tbclc  prieUis  icrvc  alt, 

Mcimis  wivis  thci  woliinhoid. 

E  who  maic  fnyin  Naic  ? 

And  thoogh  lb  at  tfici  ben  right  lory, 

rift  focheihuUiu  tall. 

To  fpekc  thci  fliuJl  not  be  fo  bold, 

hrm  in  dcdc  %ad  hie\ 

For  fonipoing  to*  the  conrtftory. 

il                .  araie, 

And  make  'hem  iaie  with  mouthc  1  lie ;                           i 

ir                 Jfclyfaini 

Thou^  U  thci  it  fdwin  with  iher  eytf                                   i 

rL-::iuu  a.-.m*ia  daie 

Hislemman  holdin  opiniy 

:  lolowc  him  to  p.vin  ? 

No  man  fo  hardc  to  alkc  why.                                          1 

u-H,  'h.Tr  i,iMit:,t  theidocn  lU 

He  woll  have  titliing  and  dfring                                  . 

y                      Mcnt, 

Miugre  whofoevir  it  grtrtchc. 

•     ,.                   ,:l, 

And  twifc  on  the  date  h;  wn^^  fing  i 

hau  bj  qhc  ajJciit« 

Godd'ii  prieiUs  nc  were  ntmi  f«:iic  j 

THE  PLtVr%iAH'S  rAt% 


He  mote  go  hunlc  wk!i  t!tig*c  and  bich«, 
I  And  hlowcn  hk  home  mid  crytn  Hcyi 
'And  forccnc  ufcn  aa  a  witchc  ; 
Soche  kfipin  cviH  Peter's  key. 

Yet  thci  mote  hterc  fomc  ftixltc  or  (tone 
Gaily  p^intid  and  proud fy  dight. 
To  makin  men  livm  upon, 
And  fain  that  it  U  fii!l  of  nnght, 
I  AlKtut  fache  men  Tct  up  gfctc  light, 
tOthcr  f<fiche  ffockes  fhall  ftande  thcjby 
I  A&  darkc  as  if  it  were  midni|^lit, 
^For  it  maic  makin  no  maflf ic. 

That  it  the  Icudc  pepte  ft:  niowe, 
[Thou  Mx^ry.thtiu  worchcftwondir  thin^s^ 
I  About  that  thail  men  oftrin  to 
^Honjjtn  brochif,  ouchis,  and  ringri; 
The  pritft  pirchafith  the  ofTnii^tn^ 
But  he  n'ill  olfir  t^'  noi>e  imaf  e  : 
Wo  in  tbc  fouk-  that  he  forCnge* 
That  prcchilh  for  foche  pilcrrima^ ! 
To  nicn  -nd  women  that  ben  pore, 
l^liich  tliat  ben  Chrift'b  ownc  likcncCre^ 
!  J*f en  fliulten  offir  at  ther  dorc. 
That  fuFrc  htingir  and  diftrcfCr, 
And  to  fochc  image  oSr  Icffe, 
I  That  mo  we  riot  fclc  ne  thirllent  eold; 
FThc  pore  in  fpirite  gan  Chrift  bl^JTc, 
Thcrfore  offrith  to  feblc'  an^J  old. 

Buckiiers  brodc  and  fwerdis  lon^, 
Baudrtke,  with  h   '  V    '     ';  nc, 
[•fSochc  tolcH  abevi  thei  hong  : 

|%Vith  Antirhrift  i  v.v  ^ .  wUs  ten; 
iVpon  ther  dtdes  it  ia  well  feac 
""Whom  rhci  ftrvin,  whom  thei  hnnouren ; 
Antichrift'ii  thd  ben  oil  cicnc, 
And  GoddUs  godes  falfly  dcvouren. 
Of  fcarlct  and  grcne  ^ii  gonnes. 
That  mote  be  Ihaptn  for  the  newc, 
To  clippin  andkifltn  in  tounes 
f  The  damordci  that  to  thedauncc  f«rwc, 
Cuttid  clothe*  to  fcwe  ther  hcwe, 
With  long"  pik«  on  ther  fhone  : 
Our  GcMid'ia  gofpell  is  not  true ; 
jEithcf  thei  fcrrc  the  dcvtll  or  none. 

Now  ben  the  pricftis  pokca  fo  wide 
2^Ico  mu'l  enlarge  the  veftimcnt, 
*rhc  holy  gofpell  they  docn  hide 
'  IFor  the  contrarien  in  raiment ; 
ffiuch  priftes  of  Lucifer  ben  fent : 
Make  conqncrours  thei  ben  araicd, 
I  The  proude  pcadauntc*  at  ther  tm  pcnt^ 
^ralfciy  the  irueth  thei  hAn  bctraied. 

Slirift  filvir  foche  wolHn  aflccii, 
rAod'W'oitin  nreu  crepe  to  thccrouchc; 
Kone  of  the  facramente*  (avc  aflcii 
Withoutcn  moede  (hall  no  man  touchc  ; 
On  ther  biflitjp  ther  warant  vouche, 
That  i»  a  law  of  the  decrc  : 
^^ith  mcdc  and  money  thus  thei  mouchc. 
And  thu»  thei  fain  it  charitc. 

Within  the  middf«  of  ther  ma/Tc 
Thei  n'ill  have  no  man  hnt  fr>r  birr, 
And  full  (htjrtJy  let  forth  ypiffc  -» 
Suvhc  ihuU  m«Q  imEo  In  cch^  9xm 


That  parfonagci  for  galoc  dcttrP 
Tu  live  ill  liking  and  in  lu{lc%; 
t  dare  not  f ^in  Jams  «/*jr9  dire 
That  foche  ben  Anticlirift'is  pricilm 

Or  thei  ycf  the  bifivippi*  why^ 
Or  ihct  mote  ben  in  bi^  fervice, 
And  holdin  foTth  ther  harlottric, 
Socbe  prcbteb  beii  of  f  jbl^*  i-mprifi;  ; 
Of  Godd'is  granve  foche  men  agrlTe, 
For  foche  mattir^that  takin  mcde. 
How  thei'  escufe  hcni,  and  in  what  wifi^ 
Mcthiuketh  thei  otij^ht  gretely  cfr-  ^ 

Thei  fain  that  it  to  no  man  ir> 
Tu  rrprove  them  th^ju^fh  that  »]. 
But  fuUly  Godd'i*  gcdcs  tbcifongcm. 
And  thcrwitfa  mairKein  wo  and  werre; 
Thtr  dedci  (hould  be  a*bri^t  a*llcrrf| 
Ther  living  lend    maon'is  light  : 
Thei  Wic  f  be  Pope  ne  maic  not  crrc  ; 
Ncde  muft  thai  ynilTin  mann'ts  might. 

Though*  A  pricil  lie  wrth  hit  Icmnun* 
And  telien  hit  fclawc  and  he  him. 
He  gMth  to  malTc  ant^n  J^ght^ 
And  faicth  he  fingtfth  out  of  Hunt  j 
Hill  birdc  abideth  him  at  hi«  imi?» 
And  dighteth  his  diner  the  menc  wliilr. 
He  finjrctli  his  maiTe  for  he  would  wiooie^ 
And  fo  he  wcnith  G^jd  bcgile, 

Uiem  thinktth  long  till  thd  be  met 
And  that  thei  xiic  fotth  it]  the  ycrc; 
Emong  the  fulkc  whan  he  i«  fct 


perc  : 


He  buhljrh  no  i 

Of  the  biOiop  I. 

To  fuiJc  men,  <  t  n  trrre^ 

His  abfolucion  raJirth  ihcro  flrere  ; 

Wo  is  the  foulc  that  he  {ingcth  for ! 

The  Oi  iflbn  began  fur  to  tlircte, 
And  (aicd|  Of  motikis  canft  rhou  ought  ♦ 
The  PcUiVan  f*id,  Tliei  I 
And  in  thia  world  moche  \ 
Saiaia  Benct,  that  th^r  or-i 
Ne  made  'hem  net  in  foeh 
I  trowe  it  came  ncr  in  his  ...  .^^.,, 
That  thd  fliould  tJfe  fo  gtrie  powtre. 

That  3  man  Ihould  a  mon!ic  I.ordc  ci?,' 
Ne  fcrvc  him  on  knee»  a;*  ?. 
He  ii  at  proude  as  prinrc  i 
In  mete  and  drinke,  and  in  ail  liA^^  : 
Some  wcrcn  a  miter  and  ring, 
\rith  double  worilid  well  idtght. 
With  roiall  mete  and  riche  drlnfce. 
And  ride  on  courfer  as  a  knight. 

With  haukit  and  with  hoatjdi<  fke. 
With  broche  or  ouchi)  cm  his  hodc  ;, 
Some  faic  no  maffe  in  all  a  wel^i 
Of  deimeei  it  ther  moll^fade 
W^jtli  lordiliippi^  and  with  hoadsatn  % 
'1  hi)  is  a  roiall  regroun ; 
Sa  nd  Bnet  made  ner  non  of  "hem 
Tci  have  lordfhip  of  nun  trc  totmr. 

Now  thei  ben  qneint  and  nrrioaa, 
Wiih  fine  cloth*-  chd  md  fcrridclc: 
Prouici  and  an^^ic,  and  eurioti^ 
Malice  it  mad:il  Uat  thei  meiie  ; 


THE    PLOWMaN'5   tali 


in  in  y 

to  Brilrt"«  living, 
n  clfrrkr^,  mA  cotirt*  dTtf  fe, 
T  lly  thti  flitc; 

ir  ■!!«: 

^  ■■  'te  : 

r  r/verttf, 

:.,  Jitc; 

ir  liite, 

ben  comen 

-  icn  : 

fete, 

ci  etc, 

.1  . 

■  v.^\n  and  wcte, 
l,ur{^r,^nd  cold, 
vcs  hin  forfak^ 
-liii^l  Bcnete, 
hem  betake  | 

ioo  ts  iij  Dciite  : 

^n  cnii  of  ^rct  rdiglan 
have  bwn^i.1  at  the  plow?, 

md  diked  fro  tounf  to  coone^ 

:  ii  *    Ifc  mowt- 

►c  s  AUforfak^t 

V  hem  ma.kC]!' 

icj 
to, 

.■Ak  m^uif  li^L  lind  ^A^ 

fcf  uinfk  Bcnct, 

Lb'  \o]y  curfc; 

ncm  ttfrcT  met 
i  :  to  fobbc  his  purfe, 

h-  tc.re» 

i.  hen, 

lis  treitirc  and  his  ftare ; 
f^idie  crthtr  counterfaitourt,* 

^cm»,  and  foch^  diigi fed, 
cncTn1c^a^d  traltuurs, 
m  tun  foulc  dtfpifed  j 
■rii  I  hrrc  before 

rfe  and  more, 

>u..-  .. .  it  trifcde, 

godencfi  no  roan  tell  mijrht, 
,_jpeke,  nc  thltike  in  ihought, 
\§ktd  and  rbcr  ucrigbt 
i««  t<ll  that  ere  God  wroiugbt, 
ikicd^  Thou  canft  no  godc, 
r  of  no  ^cntill  Idndc  | 
'    '^    ;odc 


ret  of  d 
cm  to  f 


F.hc  man  fball  live  by  hi*  ^^'^1:'^lf-»  - 
Who  UdldoithlhaJl  have 
With  flrcngth  it'  mna  the  i  ilc 

%Viih  flrcngth  men  mull  dcfcudc  her  ncde. 

And  if  the  Pone  were  purely  pore 
And  ncdy,  and  nothing  nc  had. 
He  fhuld  be  drive  from  dorc  to  dort  • 
The  wickJd  of  hitti  n'olde  not  drad  r 
Of  f'jcJi«?  un  hedde  men  would  be  fisde, 
And  ftnfully  liven'  -'    »»  ^n  inil  * 
With  llrcngth  a  be  made. 

With  weptu  wi>l'  ii  pc  be  wxilf. 

If  ih&t  the  Pope  and  prcrbte^  tvouU 
So  bcggc  and  bid,  howe  and  bon«t^  e. 
Holy  church e  fliould  yftmdc  lull  ctdd, 
Her  fcrvauntcs  Gt  and  foupc  forowe  j 
And  thci  were  nougblte.foulc,  and  honf#ef 
To  worfliip  Go4  men  wotild  wUtc 
Both  on  evin  and  on  morowe  : 
Soch^  h:irlotnc  nufi  would  hjtc» 

And  therfore  m^'n  of  holy  churchc 
Shouldin  be  honeftc  in  all  thing, 
And  uorniifvfidl  Ood*s  worki*  wef lihe ; 
So  fcineth  it  to  (ct^c  Chrift  thcr  king 
In  honefl  ahd  in  clen^  «1trFliJi)|if, 
With  vclTela  of  g<.ld  and  tlothcfu  rtthc 
To  God  hnncftly  to"  mjike  ufTriug, 
Tor  to  his  lardfiiip  none  h  Hche. 

The  Pcllican  cuH  an  houge  trie, 
And  faicdi  Alas!  why  faieft  thou  fo  f 
Chrifi  i«  our  hcde  t)mt  fitteth  on  hicj 
Hcddi*  nc  ought  wd  have  no  mo  j 
We  ben  his  membrc*  bothc  alfo, 
Fathir  he  taught  us  call  htm  nh, 
M^iftcr*  to  call  forbad  he  tho : 
All  ntiiilem  b«0  wi(kid  and  t,ih 

That  ukith  maiflrit  in  his  tuLoK 
ChoHly,  artd  to  win  yerthly  gode; 
Kingij  and  lord<s  fhould  lordfliip  hSve^ 
And  ride  the  ptplc  with  mildtf  mr.rJc. 
But  Chriil,  for  Qs  th»t  Ihed  his  Mode, 
Bad  hii  prieflft  no  nKuRfrfbip  have, 
Nc  carke  not  for  clothis  nc  tode; 
From  all  mifchtcf  he  tvoll  *hcm  fav^. 

Thcr  richc  clothe*  (hEll  be  rightwilheffe^ 
Thcr  trcfare  a  true  life  fhall  S<, 
Charitc  fhal  be  thef  tiehefle^ 
Ther  Loidlhip  fhall  be  unite, 
And  hope  in  God  ther  horiefle, 
Thcr  vefTcll  a  clcnc  coufcicncci 
Pore  in  fpritc,  and  humifite, 
fihall  be  holy  church*i«  defence* 

What  J  faicd  the  Griffon,  niaic  the  greY9 
That  othir  folkid  faren  wclc  f 
What  hail  thou  to  doin  with  ther  live? 
"i'hy  fallhcd  every  man  rauie  frle. 
For  thou  ne  cinft  no  cattell  gtftc, 
But  livcfl  in  loudc  IS  a  loreTl, 
With  glofinggettift  thou  thy  m^te; 
So  farith  the  devil  in  hell. 

He  would  that  -  '  -  "•  n  tlicrc  Ihotild  dWfit), 
For  he  Uvith  in  . 

So  with  the  taK>  iocfl  tell 

Thou  wouldeft  otiur  peplc  dc^nt 
Pij 


9%l 


THE    PLOWMAN'S  TAL*«. 


With  your  glofe  and  your  herdfic. 
For  yc  can  live  no  bcttir  life 
But  clcne  in  fait  hypocrifie. 
And  bring i ft  the  in  wo  and  flrifc. 
And  thtrwith  have  yc  not  docn, 
'Pot  yc  nc  havin  here  nc  cure  ; 
Yc  icrvc  the  devil  1,  not  God  nc  man. 
And  he  fliafl  payin  you  your  hire  ; 
For  yc  wol  fdrin  wcl  at  fcflc«» 
And  be  warm  cbthid  for  the  cold,, 
"I'hcrfore  ye  glofto  Godd'ii  heftcs. 
And  bcgile  |)Cplc  yong  and  oW. 
And  all  the  ievin  facnimcnte» 
Yc  fpckc  ayenft  as  yc  were  flic. 
Tithing^,  offringti,  with  your  ententes^' 
And  on  your  Lord^Js  body  Ik  : 
All  this  yc  docn  to  live  in  c£o» 
As  who  fayith  iher  ben  none  fnchc. 
And  f.iTn  The  Pope*  h  not  worth  a  pcfe. 
To  make  the  pcpic'  aycn  him  ^roclic. 

And  thi*  ycomimth  in  by  fcndcs 
To  bring  fhe  Chriftin  in  diitaunce, 
YoT  thci  woujd  that  no  man  were  frcndea. 
Ltvith  thy  chattring  with  mifchauncc  ! 
If  tliou  Uve  wcH  what  wilt  thou  more  t 
i.ct  othif  men  hvc  ai»  'hem  lifl, 
Spendin  thcr  godc  or  kfpc  in  iore  ; 
Othir  mcnnci  conTdencc?  ocr  thou  n'ifl. 

Ye  han  no  cure  to  anfwere  furc  ; 
"What  meddle*  yc  that  han  not  to  docn  ? 
Let  men  live  ai  thci  han  dotn  yore. 
For  thou  flialt  anfwcrc  for  no  man% 
The  PclKcan  fayid.Sir,  naie,. 
1  nc  difpifid  not  the  Pope 
Nc  no  facrament,  fothc  to  faie. 
But  fpcke  in  charitc*  and  gode  hope  : 

But  I  difpifr  thcr  hie  pride, 
Ther  wchhc  that  fhould  be  pore  in  fprite^ 
Thcr  wickidncffe  i«  know*  fo  wide,. 
Thci  fcrvin  God  Is  hUc  habitc, 
And  toumin  mekeiic0c  into  pride. 
And  lowlineflc  into'  hie  dcgre. 
And  Godd'is  wordis  toumc  and  hidc> 
'  An<l  I  am  moved  by  charitc 
To  Icttin  men  to  llvin  fo 
With  all  my  conning  and  my  mighty 
And  to  wamin  men  of  ther  wo. 
And  to  tdlin  'hem  trouth  and  right. 
The  facramcnics  be  fouri*  hck 
If  the i  bra  ufid  in  godc  ufc ; 
Ay  en  ft  that  fpcke  1  ner  a  dele, 
For  than  nc  were  I  nothing  wife  ; 

But  thei  thu  ufc  'hem  in  mUTe  lAuierf, 
Or  fct  *hem  up  to  any  fale, 
I  trowc  thei  Oiall  abic  *hem  dcr« ; 
This  is  my  rcfon,  tbi»  my  talc  : 
Who  fo  taketh  hem  unrightfulHchc 
Aycnfl  the  ten  commtndcnientc*. 
Or  cUcj  by  glofe  wocchiJlichc 
Scllcth  any  of  the  facramantci, 

I  trowc  thci  doc  the  dcvill  homage^ 
In  that  the!  wetin  thci  doc  wrong, 
And  therto  1  dare  well  to  wage 
Thci  fervc  Sathan  for  all  their  ^ng« 


To  tithen'  and  offrc*  iii  huHumc  hfe^ 
So  it  be  docn  in  due  mane  re, 
A  man  to  houfeUn  and  to  ihrivc. 
Wedding,  and  all  othir  in  fcrc- 

So  it  be  nothcr  foldc  nc  bought. 
Nc  tat^  ue  give  for  covctife, 
And  it  be  fo  taken*  it  it  nought; 
Who  fcUcth  him  fo  miic  fore  agrifc  ; 
On  our  Lordc*  b«dy'  1  dot  not  lie, 
1  faic  the  fothc  thorough  true  rcdc^ 
Hi»  ficflie  and  blodc^  through  ht»  miilc 
li  there  all  in  the  iarmc  of  brcdc 

How  it  is  there  It  ncdcth  not  Urivc^ 
Whcthre'  it  be  fubget  or  acddcnt, 
But  as  Chrift  waj»  whan  he*  was  on  live 
So  is  he  ther^  iu  veramenCp 
If  Pope  or  cardi'uall  live  gode  U»c, 
As  Chrift  ua  bad  in  his  gefpcll, 
Aycnft  that  nc  i^oU  I  not  ftrivc. 
But  mc  thinkith  thei  live  not  well ; 

For  if  the  Pope  lived  as  God  bcdde. 
Pride  and  highncffe  lie  fhould  difpife, 
Richcflc,  covctife,  and  croanc  on  hcdde;,  i 
MtkcnelTe  and  povertc*  he  Ihcruld  ufc. 
The  Griffon  faicd  he  fiiould  aboic, 
1  hou  (halt  be  brent  in  bakfull  firc» 
And  all  thy  fca  I  ihail  diftric ; 
Yc  fliall  be  hangid  by  the  fwirc, 

Yc  fhulle  be  hanged  and  to  drawc  7 
Whogivith  you  Icvc  for  to  prcchc. 
Of  fpt-kin  ayenft  Godd'is  la  we. 
And  the  pcplc  thus  falfdy  tcchc  ? 
Thuu  fhait  be  curfcd  with  boke  and  bcll» 
And  diffcvcred  from  hoHc  dhuxche^ 
And  clene  idanipnid  into  belt, 
Othirwife  but  yc  woUin  worche. 

The  PclU'can  faied,That  I  nc  drtde; 
Vnur  curfing  is  of  lite  value  ; 
Of  God  I  hope  to  have  my  rnedc^ 
For  it  is  fjlOtcd  that  yc  flicwe. 
For  yc  ben  out  of  charitc. 
And  wilnc  vengeauncc,  aj  did  Nero  : 
To  fuifrin  1  wol  rcdy  be; 
I  dredc  not  all  that  thou  can  ft  do. 

Chrift  bad  ones  fuifrc  for  hii  loYe» 
And  fo  he  taught  all  Kii  fervaunttJ, 
But  thoa*  amende  for  his  fake  above  ; 

I  dredc  not  all  thy  n^^-  •   - - 

For  if  1  drcde  the  v 

'  Mc  thinkith  I  were  1      :    ^ 

I  dredc  nothing  your  hie  eftate, 
Ne  I  nc  dredc  not  ycur  difcfe, 

WoUin  ye  toumc  and  Icvc  your  pride^ 
And  your  hie  porte  and  your  ricKeflc^ 
Your  cuf  (Ing  fhould  not  go  fo  wide  ; 
God  bring  you  into  right  wifenrffc  ! 
For  I  dredc  not  your  titannic. 
For  nothing  that  yc  can  ydocn  $ 
To  fuffVc  I  am  all  redie, 
Sikir  i  rcckc  ncvir  how  font. 

The  Griffon  grinned  at  be  mtte  wojr. 
And  lokid  lovely  as  an  owle, 
And  fworc  by  cock*i»  hcrtc  and  Vlodfi 
He  wold  him  iqtc  every  doute; 


THE  PLOW 

fSie  dum  difdautxlrjft  foulc ; 
eche  1  woU  the  to  race, 
:  fhy  flefti  ta  rote  and  moulc ; 
lu  Qkdt  hnyt  hardiJ  grace. 
iffoo  flcwe  forth  oq  his  wiic, 
:aj3  did  (it  and  wcpe, 
ni'eif  be  gan  to  (vt, 
d  that  my  of  Chriftes  fhcpc 
ia.  and  ttakcn  krpc 
3ird  chat  here  Ciyid  was 
Id  tt  write  and  well  ikcpc  ; 
4  it  were  ail  for  his  grace ! 

nidy  and  £ued  f  would^ 
tniaik  one  would  pcy. 

PcUicatt* 
d  yet;  thefe  ther  God  han  fold, 
oa  grete  (lore  of  money. 

,  Tell  me  and  thou  maie, 
ill  thou  mcimUs  trefpacc  f 

I,  To'  arocnde  htm  in  gode  fay, 
oil  give  me  any  grace ; 
\riSt  hiinTelf  1%  liken  to  me, 
btt  pcple  died  «n  rode ; 

rigDc  Co  farith  he, 
I  Ms  hirdes  with  hi*^  hlode : 
\  dofn  evifl  aycnft  Godc, 

lil»  foen  andir  frcndcs  face ; 
?iii  how  thcr  living  {lode, 
i  amende  *bcm  for  his  grace  ! 

PhvrmMn. 
ailith  Che  Grififiin,  tell  why 
loldith  on  the'  othir  fide^ 
rwo  yben  hkily 
^  kisdis  yrobio  wide. 

Pimc*m. 
itd^  betokinitb  pride, 

that  high  tkwc  wai, 
he  did  him  in  ill  hide, 
^hcd  Godd'j*  grace, 
de  flyith  up  in  the  aire, 
ih  by  birdet  that  ben  meke, 
ben  flowe  up  in  difpoirc, 
sdin  itly  foulift  eke ; 
t»  that  ben  iii  finnei  eke 
\h  *hem;  knele  thcrforc^  adasl 
■ic  Oodd'is  forbodc  brckc ; 

amende  it  for  ht»  grace ! 

bder  parte  k  a  loun, 

r  and  a  ravin  er, 

►belli  the  peple  in  yertb  doane, 

erth  holdith  none  his  perc  : 
this  foale  both  fcrre  and  ncre, 
npo*rel  fbrength  the  pcplc  chafe 
proudcin  ycrth  here ; 

d  amende  'hcmfnr  hi^  grace! 


MAN^S    TALE. 

PfUysn. 

He  flewe  forth  with  hii  winps  twaim 
All  drouping  and  dafid^and  dull, 
But  fore  th;.-  Griffon  came  ag4ing 
Of  Ills  fuulis  the  ycrth  was  full; 
The  PctU'can  he  had  caft  to  poll, 
.So  grcte  nombre  net  fcnc  thcr  was. 
What  iiianir  of  foulcs  telle  I  woil. 
If  God  Vk^\  give  mc  of  ki*  grace. 

With  the  Griffon  come  louU»  fcic, 
RiiviuK,  roki»,  crowit,  add  pic^ 

I  And  graic  fouli»,  agadrid  wclc, 
Igurde  above  they  wouldin  hie, 
Gl^rdts  aadbofacdcswrren'hcm  by. 
White  mollc«  and  pnttockes  tokc  ther  place« 
And  lapwings,  that  wel  conith  lie; 
Thi*  company'  h:in  forlete  thcr  grace. 
Long  while  the  Pcilican  Wat  ouie* 
But  at  lafl  h«  commith  againe^ 
And  brought  with  him  the  plicnix  (lotite; 
The  Griffon  would  have  flow  ful  faine, 
Hi&  fouUs  flcwcn  as  thickc  as  rAine» 
The  phenix  tho  began  'hem  chacc; 
To  flie  from  him  it  was  in  valne» 
For  he  did  vcngeauncc  and  no  grace. 

He  flcwc  *hcm  doune  wttheut  mercy ; 
There  cftirtc  neither  Ire  nc  thrall ; 
On  him  thvy  call  a  rufuU  eric 
Whstn  that  the  Griffon  doua  was  fall ; 
Be  bete  him  not,  but  Ocwc  hem  all : 
Where  he  *hcm  drove  no  man  moy  trace  * 
Under  the  erth  methought  they  yall ; 
Ala*,  they  had  a  feble  grace  \ 

The  PcUii'an  then  aaid  right 
For  my  writing  if  I  have  bUme 
Who  then  wol  for  me  fight  of  tlight  ?  ^ 

Who  {liiilUn  fheldc  mt:  from  (banie  I 
He  that  yhad  a  maide  to  dame. 
And  the  Lamb«!  that  llaine  ywas, 
Shal  fhcldin  mc  from  goilly  blanie* 
For  crthcly  harmc  is  Godd'is  grace. 

Thi:rforc  I  pray  every  man 
Of  my  writing  have  mc  excufcj, 
Tliis  writing  %vritt:th  the  Ptllican, 
That  thcttlicfe  peplc  hathdifpifed; 
For  I  am  frethc  fuUy  advifed 
1  n'ili  not  maintenc  his  menace. 
For  the  devill  is  oftc  difguifed 
To  bring  a  man  to  evil  grace. 

Witith  the  PclU'can  and  not  me. 
For  herof  1  o*il  not  avowe 
In  hie  nc  lowc,  nc  no  degre. 
But  ^^  fable  take  it  ye  mowc. 
To  holy  churchc  T  will  mc  bowe ; 
Eche  man  to'  amende  him  CUrifte  fende  fp^Ctf! 
And  for  my  writing  mc  aLowc 
He  that*  it  almighty  for  his  grace. 

Hen  eidtth  tht  PlnismmCt  T^* 


m 


«>>« 


THE    PARDONSHI    AND    TAWBTEK^. 


T  H  E    PHQLOGUEj 


Or,  7>&r  mcty  adventure  <^  ibf  ParJonen  and  Tapjlerc  at  the  Inn  at  Canta 


Wu2N  all  this  frdh  felc&ip  woro  coia«  to  Caor 

tirbury. 
As  yc  haye  hcrde  to  fore,  with  Talys  glad  and 

merry, 
Som  rf  fotill  fentcnce  of  vertue  and  of  lore, 
And  fom  of  othir  mirthis,  for  them  that  hold  no 
Of  wifdom,  Rc  of  holynes,  ne  of  chiralry,  [ftore 
Ncthir  of  vertuoufc  matcre,  but  to  foly 
Lcyd  wit  and  Ittftif  all  to  fuch  japif 
As  hurlcwayncs  mcyne  in  ^vcry  hegg  that  rapes 
Thorough  unftabill  mynde,   ryp[h(  at   the  Icvls 

grcnc 
Stondewn  ageyn  the  wedir,  rygfat  fo  by  them  I 

mcnr  :  , 

But  no  more  hereof  nowc  at  this  ilche  tyme, 
111  fdving  of  my  icateacc,  ray  Frolog,  and  my 

rymc. 
Thty  toke  thcr  in,  and  Ipggit  them  at  mydmo- 

rowc  I  trowc, 
Allc  dicker  of  the  hope  that  mapy  a  man  doth 

knowc ; 
Their  Hooft  of  Southworke,  that  with  them  went, 

as  yc  have  herde  to  fore, 
That  wa«  rcwlcr  of  them  al,  of  las  and  eke  of 

more, 
OrJcyned  their  dyner  wifely  or  they  to  chirch 

went, 
Sueh  vitaii!is  as  he  fonde  in  town,  and  for  noon 

othir  fcnt. 
The  Pardoncrc  beheUc  the  befynes,  how  ftatis 

wer  ilcrvid, 
Dlikcnnynj:  hyip  al  prlvcly,  and  a  fyde  IWervid  : 
The  hoflelcre  was  fo  halouid  fro  o  plafc  to  an- 
other, 
He  toke  hi*  rtaffc  to  the  Tapftcrc  ;  Wclcom  myn 

own  brother, 
Qnod  flic,  with  a  frendly  loke,  al  rcdy  for  to  kys  ; 
And  lie,  as  a  man  i  lerncd  of  fuch  kyndnes, 
}3iacyd  hir  by  the  myddyll,  and  made  hir  gladly 


chcrc. 


As  thoughe  he  had  iknovco  bir  al  tk 

yfccr : 
She  halid  hym  into  the  tapdry  there  |ur  I 

was  makid ; 
Lo,  here  I  ligg,  (quod  flie)  myfetf  al  i 

nakid , 
Without  manny*s  company  fyn  my  Ipve  v 
Jenkyn  Harpour,  yf  yc  hym  kncwe  :  h 

to  the  hede 
Was  not  a  luHier  perfon^  to  dsinnce  ne  to 
Then  he  was,  thoughe  I  it  fey  :  and  ther 

wcpe 
She  made,  and  with  hir  napron  feir  an 

ywaih 
She  wypid  foft  hir  eyen  for  teris  that  (he  < 
As  grete  as  any  niylAone  :    upward   p 

flert 
For  love  of  her  fwctyng,  that  fiit  To  oi 

hert  ; 
She  wept  and  waylid,  and  wrong  her  boo 

made  much  to  done, 
For  they  that  loveQ  fo  paflyngly  fuch  troa 

have  echon  : 
She  fnyfTith,  fighith»  and  (hoke  hire  ke 

made  rouful  cbcr  : 
B.nedicite  !  quod  the  Pardooere,  ud  toke 

the  fwwc, 
Yce  make  forwc    iflowgK,   quod  he,  yi 

tiiough  yq  (hukl  loft. 
It  is  no  wondir,  quod  ihc  than ;  and  then 

gan  to  fnefe. 
Aha  !  al  hoje,  quod  the  Pardonci'e;  yoarp 

is  fomewhat  paflid. 
God  forbedc  it  eU  !  quod  (be,  hot  it  wd 

tvhat  IaITkI  ; 
I  might  nat  lyvc  ela,  thowe  wotift,  aad 

long  endure ; 
Now  bleflid  be  God  of  mcndcmcntc  of  h 

eke  of  cure ! 


1    PARDONER 

re  tho  aaoon,  &Qd  tokc  hir  by 

WATtiif  tho ;  Aiss  that  love 

^  ■•  je  be  ooD,  and  lb  trcw  of 
f 

t  confcience  jit  for  yewe  I  fmrrte, 
Miflli  htttiStcT^  for  your  foden 

hysi  yc  lo^d  fo  he  cood  ytsti 

loo  shook  thar  trrwc  h*  fhuld  ytwt 

9  j&tt  dede  ii  prnie  in  ycur  mynd. 
lory  nuo;  1  drcd  ye  wold  have 

L  geBtil  Sir,  ijuod  (be,  thzt  ye  uik 

bman,  iblcfild  mut  ycc  he  : 
\u\  drynk.     Kay  l  win  (<}uod  he) 
l|»  myQc  own  hett*j%rote. 
iUf«  -  quod  £hc ;  thcrof  I  cmn  godc 

ttte  town  and  fct  a  py  a\  hole, 

^  the  Pardoacre ;  Jcnkcn,  1  wccti 

m  I  pm  prey,    1  wis,  myn  own 


of  them  that  did  me  follir. 
qrowTs?  Kitt,  iwia;  fo  clcpcd  nic 

be, 

idling  have  thmr,  Kitt ;  now  broke 

fmmti 

Bnl^iid  hit  both  cycti  hddei, 
the  vifiige  paramour  and  amyddis, 
c  with  A  licil  time  that  ihc  it  here 

rn  and  feyn  thit  fong,  Nwwj  i*Wj 

brrr»  quod  (he;  why  breke yc  nowt 

lefhip  it  were  hot  work  in  wailc. 
§a  duU  cherc  }  for  your  love  at 

I  rmjne  own  hen^  it  it  for  you  alooo. 
Ivhat  fey  ye?  that  werafimplcprcy, 
Huod  the  l^^rdoncre,  it  i4i»  t  ycwe 
» 
Wth  mcry ;  we  wol  fpekc  thcrof 

iSti  /^t  /  it  !■  tnery  to  be  a  loan  \ 

iftdy  Miiry,  that  bare  Jcfui   on  hir 
ttve  yit  but  it  did  mc  harm,      [^rrh^ 
ptancrc  hath  he  to  love  ovirtnuch, 
1^  quod  the  Pardoncrc,  go  with 

riowdls  worchyn  cch  man  to  mete 

kitsl  CriOtan,  I  ufe  the  fame  each, 
any  a  ycr :  I  may  it  nat  forbcrc^ 
lA^'/  ///    <>«/-  tbcii^h  mca  ihc  con- 


AND    TAPSTIRE, 

And  therwith  he  ftert  up  fmcrtly  anil  caA  down 

m  grote. 
What  (hal  this  do,  gcntil  Sir  ?  Kay,  Sir,  for  my 
I  n'old  yc  payd  a  pciiy  her  and  fb  Tone  pas.    [cote 
The  Pardoner  fworc  hi>  grcttc  othc  lie  wold  i  uy 

no  laa, 
f  wi»»  Sir,  ft  is  ovir  do,  hat  ilth  tc  if  yowr  will 
I  well  putt  it  in  my  purfclcft  yce  it  take  in  ill 
To  rcfufe  your  curttify  :  and  therwith  ihc  gun  to 

howc» 
New  trcwly,  qtiod  the  Pardoner,  yeuf  inaner* 

been  to  lowe, 
for  had  yccGuntid(lrcytly,and  nothing  left  behind, 
I  might  have  welc  ydcmcd  that  yc  be  unkind, 
And  ckc  untrcwc  of  hcrt,  and  fminer  mu  for^ctc, 
But  yc  lift  be  my  ireforer,  for  we  Jhali  ofiter  mete. 
Now  ccrten,  quod  the  Tapfter,  yc  have  a  rede  ful 

even, 
A-*  wold  to  God  ye  couth  as  wchr  undo  my  fvrcvcti 
That  1  my  fc:if  did  mctcthi^  nyght  that  h  ypaflld. 
How  I  \va»  in  a  chirch  when  it  wa.%  all  y-maUid, 
And  was  in  ray  dervocioune  tyl  fervice  wa*  at  doon, 
Tyl  the  prctft  and  the  clerk  boyftly  bad  mc  goon. 
And  put  mc  out  of  the  chirch  wiili  tm  rgir  mode 
Now  Scynt  Daniel,  quod  the   I'ardoncrc,   your 

fwevyn  turn  to  gode, 
And  I  woll  halfow  it  to  tli£  befi,  have  it  in  ycur 

mynd. 
For  comyngly  of  theft*  fwnvyogi  the  contrary  meii 

fhtrl  fynd, 
Yf  hav€  be  a  lover  gUd,  ami  Util  joy  yhad  ; 
Flick  up  a  lufty  hcrt,  and  be  nicry  and  glad. 
For  yc  fliul  havu  an  hu/bood  that  IhaU  ytf*rc  wc4 

•    to  wyve. 
That  (hal  love  ycwe  as  hertly  a»  hi«  own  lyve. 
Ihc  prctft  that  put  yew  out  of  chirch  Ihaii  lede 

you  in  agrynr, 
And  hclpe  to  ycur  mariag^;  witli  al  his  might  and 

Thi»  h  the  fwevcn  al  and  fom  KJi  j  how  hkith  the? 
BcmytrowithwondJrwelCjbleflidmut  tliou  webe  f 
1  hen  toke  be  kve  at  that  tyme,  lyll  he  come  cflt* 

fonf, 
And  went  tohia  fclcfliip  (as  it  was  to  dofiii) 
Thoughe  it  be  no  grcte  holynes  to  prcch  this  ilk 

materc, 
And  that  fom  liH  to  her  it,  yit,  Sh-f|  ner  the  littct 
Endunth  for  a  while  and  fultrith  them  that  woll. 
And  yc  fliuU  her  how  the  Tapiltr  made  the  Par- 
doner pull 
Oarlik  all  the  long  nyghte  ti!  it  wai  ner  end  day ; 
For  the  more   chire  Bie  made  of  love  the  faliir 

was  her  lay : 
But  litil  charge  gaff  the  therof,  tho  ihe  acquit  hti 

while, 
For  cthir  it  thowght  and  tent  wai  othir  to  hegile, 
As  yc  ihbl  here  hcrc^tir,  when  tymc  comith  ahd 

fpalc 
To  mevf  fuch  martre, — But  now  a  Htil  fpafe 
I  \\o\  return  mc  ;»gcyn  to  the  conipany^ 
live  Knyghte  and  at  tliclelc^fp,  and  nothing  for 

to  ly. 


I3> 


THE    PARDONERE    AND    TAP3TERB. 


^¥h%a  they  ^et  ?1  yloggit,  as  ikil  wold  and  rrfan, 
Evtrich  aftir  hi*  de^rc,  to  chirch  tlicn  was  felon 
To  pas  and  to  weed  to  maker  tliar  olfringt*, 
Righte  as  their  dcvociotme  was,  of  HlvcT  broch 

ami  r)  ugcs ; 
Then  at  chirch  dorr  the  curttfy  gan  to  ryfc 
Tyl  ihc  Kuy;;ht,  of  gtntilncs  that  kiicwc  right 

wclc  tJtc  guyfcj 
Put  forth  the  picUii^,  the  Parfon,  and  hu  fcrtfi 
A  Monk  that  took  thiilpryrjriUwith  a  manly  cherc, 
Atid  did  as  the  tnaticrc  is,  moiljd  ai  their  patis 
Evcrich  aftir  othir,  ri^lttc  aMJicy  were  of  ftatis  : 
fhc  Frcr  ftynyd  fctoufly  the  fpryngill  for  to  hold 
To  fpryiig  ttppon  the  rcmnautit,  that  for  his  cope 

he  u'old 
Have  laft  that  occitpftcinune  in  tliat  holy  ptafc, 
9e  longid  his  holy  cotifcicnce^  to  fe  the  Nonn -i^  fafc. 
The  Kiiyght  wctit  with  his  compers  toward  the 

holy  fhrync 
*fo  do  that  they  wcr  com  for,  and  aftir  for  to 

Syne  i 
phc  I'^doncr  and  the  Miller,  afHl  othir  tcwde 

foies, 

Sought  *hcm  fdf  in  the  chirch  right  aa  lewd  gotcs, 
I^yrid  fafl  and  pourid  high  t;pcm  the  glafe, 
CotJiittrfciyng  gcDtilmcn  the  armies  for  to  blafc, 
Dtikyntring  faS  the  pcyntur,  and  for  the  Itjry 

mournid, 
4Mid  :»  red  al  fo  right  at  rammys  homyd. 
He  bcrith  a  balfta^,  quod  the  toon*  and  els  a  ra- 

kid  end  t  ' 

ThoT^  liilefl,  quod  the  Miller,  tlww  haft  nat  wcl 

thy  mynd ; 
It  1*  a  fptrc,  jf  thow  cunft  fc,  %*iUi  a  prik  tefone, 
To  pufh  A  down  hiscnmyt  apd  through  the  Oipul- 

dcr  borc» 
Pcfc,  qood  thr  Hooft  of  Sot^thwork ;  let  ftond  the 

W):rdow  gUfid  ^ 
oitli  up  and  doith  yift^r  offcryngc;  yc  fcmitli 

hjilf  ntiiafid  : 
Bith  ye  be  in  company  of  honefl  men  and  good 
Wordiith  Tom  what  aftir  ihem,  and  let  the  kynd 

of  hrt>dc 
Pfli  for  a  tyntc  j  I  hold  it  for  the  bcft, 
l?or  yfho  doith  aftir  company  may  live  the  bet  iQ 

reft. 
Then  p4ni4  they  forth  boyftly  gogling  wkh  their 

hcdit, 
Knelifl  akdowii  to  fore  the  (hrine,  and  henltth  their 

bedti 
They  prey^l  to  Sciqt  Thopiai  in  fuche  wyle  9$  they 

cpoth  ; 
And  fith  the  holy  relikes  ech  man  with  his  mowlth 
Jiiftidf   %9  :^  goodly  n\opk    the  names   tuid  aiid 

taught. 
And  fitb  to  othir  pUf^cn  of  bolynes  they  raugbt, 
^d  wcr  in  iljcir  dcvociounc  tyl  fervicc  wer  al 

doon, 
And  (idi  they  drowgh  to  dyncrward  as  it  drew  to 

noon^ 
Theo,  as  mancrc  aq^<^  c^ftoin  is,  dgnes  there  thqr 

bought. 
For  m^  of  pontic  fliuld  know  whomc  they  had 
'  fought. 


Eche  man  fct  hi$  filver  in  fuch  thinjr  4*  they 
And  in  the  mecn  while  the  Miller  had  f|  " 
His  bufom  ful  of  iignys  til  CAiintcrborf 
Though  the  Pardoner  and  be  pryvcly  in  Kir  po*« 

chis, 
They  put  them  afterwards,  that  nooA  of  them  k 

wift, 
Save  the  Sompncr  feid  fomwhat,  atiil  i«yd  tt  k 

lift 
Halif  part,   quod  be,  privtly  pawnro^  «io  iNi 

ere; 
Hulht !  pees,  quod  the  Miller,  fcift  thovsislk 

I'rert, 
How  he  lowrith  imdir  hit  hood  with  a  dog)^ 

eye  ? 
Hit  ft) u Id  be  a  privy  thing  that  he  coutl  nat  ifp; ; 
Of  every  crafc  he  can  fomwhat  our  1  ady  pm 

hym  for<>wc  ! 
Amen,  tho  quod  the  Sompnrr,  on  rte  and  dt 

on  morowc  ; 
So  curfid  a  Tale  he  told  of  me  the  dcrill  of  kl 

hem  fpcdc. 
And  mr,  hut  yf  I  pay  him  wcle  and  qvyte  will 

hi!)  mede. 
Yf  it  hap  hum  ward  that  cch  man  trU  his  Takv 
As  we  did  hidcrward^  though  we  ftiuld  tct  m^ 
All  the  ftirewdnes  ihat  I  can,  I  woli  hym  ia«cft^ 

fpare, 
Tliat  T  n*oI  *Piich  his  takerd  fom-what  of  \m  cam. 
Tbcy  fct  thiir  fignys  Uf>on  their  hcdts*  vgd  lem 

oppon  their  c^pp, 
Aj)d  fillt  to  the  dyncrward  thc7  gsn  for  to  ftspf. 
Every  man  in  hiidigrc  wifii  and  tokc  hisfci^i 
As  they  were  wont  to  dcon  at  fop.r  and  ii  twi^ 
And  wer  in  filcnee  fot  a  tyme  tjFt  gcxtd  ak^gM 

arifc. 
And  then,  as  nature  asith,  a%  ihcfc  old  wife 
Kaowen  wck,  when  vcynp  been  fomwhat 

plcte, 
The  fptrtti  wol  fterf,  and  aHb  mcti%fwttc 
Caufen  oft  myrthis  for  to  be  ymcvid. 
And  eke  it  wax  no  tyme  tho  for  to  be  ygmnd 
Every  noan  in  hif  wyfc  made  hcrtly  choc, 
Telling  hi*  fclowc  of  fporty*  and  of  choK^ 
And  of  othir  mirthis  that  fcliya  by  the  wey# 
As  cuftom  is  of  pylgryms,  and  hath  boea  raaoj  • 

dcy. 
The  Hooft  teid  to  his  ere,  of  Southwotle  u  Jt 

knowc^ 

And  thenkid  al  the  company  both  high  and  Xnmt^ 
So  wck  kcpeing  the  covenauat  in  South  work  t^l 

vras  made. 
That  every  man  Ihuld  by  the  wey  wttlia'M 

glade 
All  tbc  whole  company  in  fliorting  c£  the  ivry; 
And  al  is  wck  performed  :  but  than  now  thv*  t 

fcy, 

That  we  muft  fo  homeward  eche  man  tci  aooibir* 
1  hus  we  wcr  accordit^  and  I  Ihuld  be  A  rsthir 
To  fet  yewc  in  governauocc  by  right  Ctd  im^ 

mcnt, 
Trewly  Hooft,  quod  the  Frcr,  that  yn%  aB 

affient. 


mv.    PA^riO'RtiLE    ANt>    TArSTERE. 


With  s  lltil  more  that  I  Ihall  fry  thcrto  : 
j      \ec  graiintcd  of  ycur  turtcfy  iHut  wc  fhuld  alfo 
b^  the  hole  company  fupe  wrth  ycwe  at  oyght  ? 
HflTbtt*  I  trowc  th«L  it  was  ;  what  ley  yoti,   Sir 
H  KujgKt? 

I^'    It  (bal  t»at  flcde,  quod  the  Hooft,  to  axe  no  wit* 

rccofd  ri  good  I  nowe ;  and  of  yeur  gcn- 
tiliies 
fit  1  f  fty  y<w  dTt  agcyn  ;  for  by  Scynt  Thomas 

flirync 
Ind  yc  woU  hold  covrn aunt  I  woll  hold  mync< 
'  trcwely  H^joft,  quod  the  Kuyght,  yc  have 

right  wd  yfcyd ; 
I  a«tawching  my  pcrfone  I  hold  me  payde  ; 
I  fo  I  trowc  th:it  al  doiih  :  Sir^^  what  fey  ytc  ? 
:  Monk  Afid  eke  the  Marchaunte  and  al  feid  Ye. 
i  al  thi»  aftir-mcte,  1  hold  it  for  the  bcft; 
af]port  and   pley  us,  quod  thcHooft,  eche  man 
ac  hym  letl, 
I  go  by  tymc  to  fopcf  and  to  bed  alfo, 
Bto(»«re  we  erly  ryfeo  our  jorney  for  to  do, 
"  cKnyght  arofc  dicrwith4l)aDdcafl  on  afiefhtr 

Ibis  fonc  aaothir,  to  walk  in  the  town, 
fb  dtd  oil  the  remoaunt  that  were  of  that 


m«i 


aray. 


had  their  rhaungi»  with  them,  they  made 
them  frcfh  and  gny, 
llanid  them  trtgidir ,  right  a$  their  luftis  lay, 
I  Jk»  they  were  more  uHd  trivcllingby  the  wuy. 

yght  with  hij»  meyne  went  to  fee  the  walle 
ward*  of  the  town,  as  to  a  knyght  befall, 
g  cntcntiflich  tlie  ftreng^thJs  al  about, 
'And  ipointld  CO  hi«  fotic  the  pereli  and  ihcdout 
f«r  Ihot  of  arbldll  and  of  bowc,  at)d  ckc  for  (hot 

of  gonne, 
Vnto  the  wairdij  of  the  town,  and  how  it  might 

be  wone ; 
A«da]  defence  ther  ageyn  afttr  hiBtntetit 
He  dcvUrid  cunipcndiouny,  and  al  thtiit  cvir  he 

ment 
He  fone  pf rrey%*id  every  poynt^  as  he  was  ful  abil. 
To  amies  jind  to  iravaiU  and  pirfone  covenabill 
He  wasof  all  fa<*lur  nhir  lourm  of  kynd, 
JLod  for  tu  (iLfiic  his  govcrnaunce  it  femcd   that 
hismynd 
much  in  hi*  Udy  that  he  lovid  bell, 
made  hytn  ofFt  to  wuke  vt  hen  he  fhuld  hare 
bis  red. 
iTlic  Clerk  ikxz  was  of  Oxcnforth  onto  the  Somp 

-  1,  .J . 

'  t 

I  Me  rL-te  dcrge  that  thow  art  amaydc, 

'  For  tj        ^  on  the  Frer  in  maner  of  repreff, 

That  be  knowcih  fallhedc,  Tice,  and  eke  a  thcfl"; 
And  1  it  hold  vcituoufe  and  right  commendabill 
.  T*  have  very  knowlech  of  thmgci  reprovabill ; 
1  far  *ho  to  may  cfchew  if,  and  let  it  pas  by, 

!  misfit  fall  theron  unward  and  fodenly. 
he  tlic  fret  told  a  laic  of  a  Somp- 

|Tlif«  or  to  take  It  for  no  dlJhonour, 

Foj  L. . 3  and  of  cchc  dc^c 

Tbcjr  bf  npe  al  perigee,  but  (bm  nyce  be. 


I^  1  what  i%  worthy,  fcyd  the  Knighr,  fur  to  bo 

a  clerk ; 

To  fommoa  among  ns  them  this  moeiount  wa<i  ful 
I  comtnd  his  wittis  and  ek^  hi»  clergc,       [dirrke  I 
For  of  ether  part  he  faveth  htint-ne. 
The  Monk  toke  the  Parfonc  then  and  the  grey 

FrtT, 
And  prcyd  them  for  curtefy  for  to  go  in  fere  : 
I  have  thpcr  ocquaintannce  that  al  this  yeres  thrc     - 
Hath  preyd  hym  by  his  kttris  that  1  hym  wo!d  fe; 
And  ye  my  brothir  in  habit  and  in  poiTeflioune, 
And  now  I  am  here  mcthinketh  it  i?  to  doon, 
To  prcve  it  in  dede  what  cherc  he  wold  rac  make. 
And  to  yew  my  frendc  alfo  for  my  Lk  ♦  ' 

They  went  forth  logidir  talking  of  holy  matcre, 
But  woot  ye  welc  in  ccrteyn  they  had  no  nvind  on 

watt-re 
To  drynk  at  that  tyme,when  they  wcr  met  in  fert, 
Forol  the  beflthat  niyght  be  founde,  and  there- 
with mcry  chcrc, 
They  had,  it  is  no  douhtc  j  for  fpycy*  and  ckc  wine 
Wi  ct  round  about  the  gaftoyn  and  ckc  the  ruyne. 
The  Wyfc  of  Batli  was  fo  wcry,  flic  had  no  wyl  to 

walk, 
She  toke  the  Priorci  by  the  honde ;  Madam,  wol 

ye  ftalk, 
Pryvcly  into  the  garden  to  fe  the  herbcs  growe. 
And  aftir  with  our  hofl'is  wife  in  hjr  parlour 

rowe? 
I  wol  g)'ve  yewe  the  wyne  and  ye  fliul  me  :ilfo^ 
For  tyl  we  go  to  foptr  wc  have  naughs  ellis  to  do. 
The  Prforcs.ai  woman  taught  of  gcntil  blood  and 

hend, 
AflVntidto  hir  cnunfel,  and  forth  gon  they  wend, 
Paflyng  forth  foftly  into  the  hcrbcry, 
For  many  a  herb  grewc  for  fewc  and  furgery, 
And  all  the  aleya  fclr,  and  parid,  and  raylid,  and 

ymakiri, 
The  favlgc  and  the  jfopc  yfrethid  and  yftakld, 
And  othir  beddii^by  and  by  fre(h  ydight. 
For  comer*  to  the  hooflc  righte  a  fportful  fight* 
The  Marchaunt  and  the  Mancipill,  theMilkrand 

the  Rcve, 
And  the  Clerk  of  Oienforth,  to  town  ward  gao 

they  mcvc. 
And  al  the  othir  nicyne,  and  laffi  noon  at  home 
Save  the  Pardoner,  that  pryvclich  when  ai  they 

wcr  goon 
Kralkjd  into  the  tapftry  ;  for  nothing  wold  he  leve 
To  make  his  covcnauntc  in  certcyn  that  fame  eve  ; 
He  v%'old  be  loggit  with  hir,  that  was  his  hole  en- 

tentioune. 
But  hap  and  eke  Fortune,  and  all  the  conltdlaci* 

ounc, 
Was  clcre  hym  ageyni,  a«  ye  Ihul  a/iir  here ; 
For  hym  had  better  be  yloggit  al  nyght  in  a  myere 
Thru  he  \\a«  the  fame  nyght  or  the  fun  wa«  up; 
For  fuch  was  hi*  fortune  he  drank  without  the 

cupp ; 
But  thcrtot  wift  he  no  delay  j  nc  No  man  eftuath 
Iviay  t'i\re  thai  /'f-A  fon^yng  h  In'^^v  ^vf^ai  Ji>:tff  If/Utl, 
Hf  rtappid  into  llu-  taprtry  wondir  pryvcly, 
And  fond  liir  ligging  llrylong  v.'itU  half  fiopy 
eye, .  . 


n4 


nm   FARDONERE    AHJ 


kPSTERB. 


I 


I 
I 


PouthI  fcllich  midLr  fiir  hooU,  uiJ  fawc  all  his 

comyng, 
And  lay  iiy  ftiU,  as  naught  fbt;  kncwc,  but  Ujn'A 

fair  flcpynf . 
He  put  hi»  hQQd  to  hir  breft  ;  Awake,  quod  he, 

A,  Unedidu  I  Sir,  who  wtil  few  her  ?  out  tho  I 

myght  bcuke 
^rifonrr/  quod  the  Tapftcrc,  being  al  aloon  ; 
And  thcrwith  brcyd  up  in  a  fritc,  and  bcgiio  to 

groon. 
Now  lith  y«  b«  my  prifoner  ycld  yew  now»quod  he. 
I  tSkvJk  Dcdis,  quod  (he,  [  may  nothyng  Be  ; 
And  eke  I  have  no  llrengitii,  and  am  bwt  yong  of 
And  al£»  h  U  n^  ma^ry  to  <mb  a  monji  m  « tag*  [^g^* 
Tiuxl  may  M  ^ffhcrtjlen  Mr^,  kii  fUjid  w«mJir/a/i  ; 
Andckc^  Sir,  1  tell  yew  though  I  had  grctc  haft 
Tc  (buld  have  couched  when  ye  com.    Wbcr  km 

you  curtcfy  I 
Nowtrcwlich  I  muft  chide,  for*of  right  pryvcty 
Woanea  hen  f*>m  tyme  of  day  when  ihcy  be  nloon. 
*Wher  cotid  I  yew  prey  when  yc  com  eiTtCoQc  I 
>lowe  mercy,  d«rc  fwetyng  1  1  w«l  do  fo  no  niore; 
I  thank  you  an  hundrit  Ikhic;  and  alTo  by  your 

iare 
T  wol  do  bereaftir  in  what  plafc  that  f  com  : 
Eut  kver»,  Kat,  ben  evil  avyiid  Ml  oft,  and  to 

lorn; 
Wlierforc  I  prey  yon  hcrtlich  hold  me  cxeofed, 
Aud  I  bchott:  yew  trewly  it  (hall  no  more  be  uTkL 
But  now  to  our  purpofc  :  how  have  yc  fare 
$;th  1  was  wy th  you  lad  I  that  i»  my  moil  care  i 
For  yf  yce  cylid  eny  thing  otbir  wife  then  good* 
Trewly  it  w«ld  chaimgv  my  dure  and  my  blood. 
I  hare  farid  the  wcri  Cor  yewe^  quod  Kltt ;  do  ye 

no  drcde 
Cod  that  vk  nbovc  t  and  eke  ye  had  no  ocde 
Tor  to  congir  mc,  God  woot,  wyth  your  nygro- 

maucy. 
That  h;ivc  no  more  to  vaunte  me  but  oonly  my 
And  yf  it  were  diileyntd  then  wcr  \  oodo  i  [body, 
I  wi»  I  trowe,  Jcnkyn,  ye  be  nat  to  trull  to  ; 
For  CTtr  more  yc  clerki%  con  fo  much  in  book 
Vce  wot  wytm  a  woman  at  firil  lof>k. 
Thought  the  Pardonerci  thitgoth  wele,aiid  made 

hit  beter  chcre. 
And  aiiid  of  hir  Coftiy^  l^ovc !   who  fiiall  Ugg  here 
Thi4  nyght  that  is  to  ccmyng  ?  I  prey  yewe  tell 
1  wU  it  i*  grete  nede  to  tell  yewe,  quod  ftic  ;  [mc 
Make  it  nat  overqucynt  though  you  be  a  clerk  \ 
Ifi:  knowe  wclc  inough  iwia  by  lokc»  by  word,  by 

work- 
Shal  I  com  than,  Griftian,  and  hU  awey  the  cat  ? 
£hal    yc   cum  ?  fer  UMtiiiciu  t    what    qucftion  is 

thAtf 
Wherfor  I  prey  you  hertly  to  be  roy  counfail  ? 
0»-     "  fiat  late,  and  for  nothing  faill ; 

Tl.  iEoad  that  upi  ptii  it  from  you  foft, 

But  i".   >v.  M  j,vj^fid  yc  wake  nat  them  on  lofiTt, 
Care  yc  n>U.  quod  JcnkiA,  I  can  thcfon  at  beft  ; 
6hai  no  man  for  my  fhrpynK  be  wakid  of  hi»  reft 
Anon  they  dronfc  the  bvireragc,  and  were  of  oone 

accord, 
4i  it  lemtd  bj  their  ckcrc  and  alfo  l|  their  word; 


And  al  a  flaunce  jhe   lovsd  hym  wele,  fii€  tdkt 

hjTin  by  the  fwere. 
At  though  he  ha4  krnyd   cury  Livtl  of  (am  oAA 

frere. 
The  Pardoner  plukkid  out  of  hti  pios  |  trow  the 

dowry. 
And  tokc  it  Kitt  in  hir  hotid,  and  bad  herjiryYc^f 
To  orden  a  rcre  fopor  for  theu  bath  l*»  [•!£% 
A  cawdell  ymaJe  with  fwcte  wyne  and  ivUK  fofif 
For  trewly  I  have  no  taicm  to  etr  •«  your  ahfime^ 
So  longtth  my  hert  toward  yew  to  b«   JB   fcwt 

prcfence* 
tic  toke  hj«  leve,and  went  hii  wey  m  liio«fliM* 

thlDg  WCT, 

And  met  wyth  al  the  felflup ;  but  in  what  plifc 

nc  whcr 
H«  fpake  no  word  therof,  but  held  hyrn  clo(c  all 

ftyli. 

As  be  that  hopid  fikirlich  to  have  bad  al  hi*  wylV 
And  thought  many  a  nicry  thought  by  hym^ 

alnoii : 
I  am  a  Joggit,  thought  he  beA,  how  fo  enir  i 

goon; 
And  thoughe  it  have  coftid  tne»  yit  wol  t  do  nty 

peyn. 
For  to  pike  hijr  piirs.  to  oyghte  and  wia  my  mI 

ageyn* 
Now  Icve  I  the  Pardoncrr  tyU  that  it  be  rm^ 
Andwolrctume  mc  a^cyn  righte,  thev  a«  1  did  km 
Whaji  Vkt  wer  com  togider  iu  their  herbetg^ 
The  HooJl  of  Sourhwork,  a«yc  knowe,  tlMiiM 

no  rpice  of  rage. 
But  al  thing  wrought  prudcndalV  <•  Ibbir  Wttt 

and  wife; 
Now  wol  we  to  the  fbop,  Sir  Knyghc,  (bth  ycnr 

a*7fc. 
Quod  the  Hooft  ful  curtcyrty,  anrJ  in  the  fam    i.  ' 
Tn^  Kuyght  anJ  wcr'd  him  w%tyn,  Siriu  j 
I  muft  obey,  yc  wool  wclc  ;  but  yf  1  ianU  P17M 
Then  takith  t^icfe  prelaii*  to  fcwe,  moA  w«Ajcb 

andgoGt; 
For  I  wotl  be  ycwr  Marchall  and  term  fev^:,  :  » 

one. 
And  then  the  officers  and  I  to  fopcr  Chall  we  gooi^ 
They  wjfli»  and  fctt  right  a»  he  bad,  cchc  mil 

wyth  hift  Cere, 
And  bcgonne  to  talk  of  fportts  a«d  of  chcre 
That  they  had  the  aftir-mel«  whiles  they  weroiK; 
For  otbii  occupacioune  tyU  tliey  wer  Icrvid  ahoK 
They  had  nat  at  tliat  tyme,  but  cxcry  tw^  kitt  a 

loff; 
But  the  Pardoner  kept  bym  clofe,  and  to\d  eo* 

thiog  of 
The  myrth  and  hope  that  he  had«  but  kept  ti  lot 

hymfelf;  *^ 

And  thoughe  he  did  H  b  no  Cota,  for  h^  had  wtk 

to  folvc 
Long  or  it  were  mydnyghl,  as  ye  IKul  her  foMV 
For  he  met  with  his  love  to  crokdogof  tKvMMib 
They  w  cr  yferyyd  honcllly,  and  cthe  mm  tM 

Kym  paydr^ 
For  of  o  mancre  ol  tcrvicc  their  foper  w«  armidli 
As  Ikill  wold  aud  idon,  lith  the  left  cf  all 
l^ayid  jlik;  iwichjfor  g^wiii|^.of  this  j^  ; 


THE    fARDONEUE   AKP   TAPSTERK. 


a3i 


pru  cunf  fy  ajcith,  tKough  ie  were  focn  dele 

ftltii  thu  were  above  had  of  tlic  feyrcfl  en- 
Jrcytc  J 
VTWrfor  th<7  did  their  gcntilDeiigcyn  to  all  the 

Tkey  dtonkcti  vrjiic  at  their  coA  onys  round 

Mow  palk  t  Jiis^ljF  avir.  When  they  foupid  had 
Tltf  th*t  were  <»f  govcmaunce,  %&  wtie  men  and 

^mt  ta  their  rtfl',  aad  made  no  tn«re  to  doon, 
iJNtMiUcr  ami  the  C<akc  dronken  by  the  moon 
'""     X4  tn  eche  othir  in  the  repcnyng  ;       [to  fing 
whnv  thfl  i^rdoRer  thtm  efpy'd  anoon  hegan 
4tl  -xf  ilu  ItQtvrdem,  chokelyDg  in  hU  ihrote, 
IW  '1  QiuM  here  of  his  rncry  note  ; 

ti«  *^^  .1  the  Sompnouff  thai  was  hit  own 

^Tli  TcQum  and  the  Rcvc,ond  the  MancipiU, 
Asd  flcNten  fo  holowynf  \  for  nothing  wvJd  they 
Tlltll«  tynac  that  it  >va»  well  within  eve,     [levc 
Tie  Hooft   of  South  work  herd  them  wele,  and 

tlid  M;irchauni  both. 
At  liiey  wcr  at  a  countis,  and  wcxcn  Ibmewhat 

wroth, 
^t  yet  they  prcyd  them  curteyfly  to  reft  for  to 

wcnd» 
Aod  fo  they  did  alJ  the  rout;  they  droak  itid  tnadc 

an  end. 
Asd  eche  man  droiighe  to  c^jky,  to  firpe  and  take 

hi.  red 
Save  the  Firdoner,  that  drew  apan,  and  weytid 

by  a  chcOe 
for  to  hide  hymfcif  tyi  the  capdill  wer  out : 
MtA  in  the  mcen  while,  h^ve  yc  no  dc»tite, 
*rke  Tapftet  and  hir  paramour,  and  the  hoftekr 

of  the  houfe^ 

r  pryvclich^and  of  the  hefb  ^tiTc 
J  futtiid  ui  tQwn  and  yfirt  at  fale 
i  ijtj  I  ji!  there  of  fuficiaunt,  and  drock  but  litill 

Ale; 
Aad  6t  aad  etc  the  eawdetl  for  the  P^deticr  that 

was  made, 
With  fiijfir  and  with  fwetc  wync,  rieht  as  hym- 

Icllbadej 
fc  he  tJiat  payd  fr>r  all  in  fccr  had  not  a  twynt, 
Firofft  ii  more  better  yraerkid  then  ymynt ; 
■  sd  III  fmrid  he  rui  H^ht  ai  ye  have  yherd, 

iC  l¥i»f  if  ti^  m  vism^m  t«uJ  mt  maie  J^h  ^cW^ 
And  fhc  %vcr  them  bout,  and  fet  htr  wytt  therto  ? 
Vc  wool  wek  I  ly  cat,  and  whcr  1  do  or  no 
I  woi  oat  here  terroyn  it,  left  ladiet  ihtnd  in  plafe 
Ot  eU  £cisti]  womm,  for  IcHng  of  my  g^rao- 
pf  ^liiiaace  and  of  fponi«  and  of  goodly  chrre; 
for  anenfl  their  cftatis  T  wol  in  no  niAuerc 
Dnne  ne  dcCermyfi,  but  of  lewd  kitti, 

I  As  i»p(}ir*,and  othir  fuch  that  hath  wyTy  wytts, 
pTo  pike mcntiyt  purfii,  and  eke  »o  Ijkr  their  eye; 
bo  weje  thty  make  feme  foih  when  they  falfeft 
L      ^^* 
P^ow  of  Kftt  Tapfter,  and  of  hir  porBinemr, 
J^  the  KoOelrr  of  the  hmilipj  thai  fit  in  Kitti? 


,       I  wol  I 

^Rlirrfi 

I      t% 


When  they  had  ct«  and  dronk  right  tn  the  Iknis 

pbfc, 
Kitt  l>egan  to  remlir  out  all  thin^  a»  it  wai ; 
1  he  wowing  of  the  Pardoners  and  tu» coft' aLfiD, 
Aud  how  he  hop  id  for  to  lygg  al  oyght  vrylh  hif, 

alio; 
But  therof  he  fhaU  be  Ckir  as  of  Gcid'ifi  cope; 
Aod  foJenly  kiUid  her  p;iramour,  andlryd.  We 

fhul  fckpe 
Tt>gidir  hul  by  hul,  as  we  hare  many  a  nyght. 
And  yf  he  com  and  make  noyfe,  I  prey  y 

dub  hym  Knyght. 
Yti,  Datnc,quod  hir  paramour, be  thou  not  ajji 
'iJiis  is   bis  own  fl^ff  thou  fcyft,  therof  he  (hi 

atall. 
Now  trcwly,  quod  the  hofUer,  and  he  com  by 

toe 
He  IkuU  drink  for  Rittla  loTe  wy  thottt  Clip  or  p 
Aod  he  be  fo  hardy  to  wake  eny  gift  [inifti 

I  niukc  a  vowcirtthepecock  there  fhal  wake  afoi 
And  41  oft  up  therewiihal  and  toke  hi«  levc  anoon: 
h  was  a  ftirtwid  company;  they  had  fervid  fo 

many  oon. 
Withfuchmancrcoffclcihip  nek«jiclnevrr  tod< 
tit  no  man  that  lov^ith  hi&  worlbip  and  hia  heb. 
Quod  Kitt  to  hir  paramour.  Ye  mufL  wtkc 

whylc, 
For  trewhch  I  am  fikir  that  within  thi«  mylc 
The  Pardoner  wol  be  comyng,  hia  hete  toafw; 
But  lokc  ye  pay  hym  redelich  to  kcle  hiscorage 
And  tkerfor,  Idw,  difdianccycwc  not  tyllthis 
Nfj,  for  God,  Kitt,  that  wol  I  no,  [be  do. 

Then  Kitt  went  to   bed,  smd  blewe  out  all  tkt 

|ii?ht. 
And  by  that  tyme  it  wai  ncr  bond  quarter  nyghl 
Whun  all  w;ii9  ililt^  the  Fanioncr  gan  to  walk. 
As  glad  84  eny  ^oldfyndi  that  1^  herd  no 

talk. 
And  dorwghc  to  Kittkdroward  to  herkcn  and  to 

m. 

And  went  to  have  fond  the  dor  up ;  but  the  haljp 

and  ckc  the  twift 
Held  hym  ovt  a  whiln,  auti  the  lok  alfo ; 
Yit  trowid  he  na^lc,  hue  went  ncr  lo, 
Aud  fcrapid  the  dorr  wclplich,  aod  wynyd  w; 

his  mo  with 
After  a  dogjia  lyden,as  norc  as  He  conith* 
Awey,  dog^  with  eviil  deth  •  quod  he  that 

within. 
And  made  hym  all  rcdy  the  dorr  to  unpin, 
A  !  thought  the  Pardoner,  tfio  1  trow  my  herd  ha 

made ; 
The  Tapiler  hath  a  parajnotir^  lyjjd  hath  mads 

them  ghdc 
With  the  cawdeij  that  T  ordr}'i>ed  for  mt,  aa  I 

Now  the  devil!  hir  fpedc,  fuch  otm  a»  flic  it. 
She  fcid  I  had  ycongcrid  hirj  our  Lady  gyve 

forowe ; 
Kow  wu\d  to  God  flic  wer  in  flolds  tyl  T  fliuld 

borowe^ 
For  flic  is  the  falfeft  that  cvlr  yit  I  knirwe; 
To  pik  the  tnoay  outol  my  pltr*,  Loid!  ilie  m9l0 

liir  irt>7c. 


e  Qo.        1 
Itkt 


^^R^i 


For  who  have  love  longing,  and  jsof  corage  hote, 
He    hath  ful  many  a  myry  thought  tofore  hit 

dcly  tt ; 
And  right  fo  bad  the  Pardoner,  and  wa»  in  cril 

phght; 
For  Cayling;  of  hie  purpofc  he  was  nothing  in  cfc, 
Whcrfor  he  fill  lodcnlich  into  a  wood  refe, 
Entryng  wondir  faft  into  a  frrnfy 
For  pur  very  angir  and  for  jeloufy  ;  [wood. 

For  when  he  herd  a  man  within,  he  wa§  almofl 
And  becaufe  the  coft  wat  his  no  mcrvel  cho  the 

moud 
Wer  turned  into  vcngaiince,  of  It  myght  be  t 
But  thiB  wai  the  myfchicf*.  all  fo  iktong  as  he 
Was  he  that  was  within,  and  lighter  man  alfoi 
As  provid  wele  the  bataile  betwenc  them  both  to* 
The  PirdoncTc  fcrapid  cflt  agcyn  j  for  nothyng 

wold  he  blyn. 
So   feyn  he  wold  have  herd  more  of  hym  that 

wa»  within, 
at  dog  i«  that  ?  quod  the  paramour ;  Kit,  woft 

thou  cr«  ? 

Have  God  my  crowith,  quod  ihe^  it  is  the  Pardonere. 
The  Pardoner,  with  mylchefi^  God  gyve  hym  ertl 

prefl  ! 
Sir,  Ihe  feid;  by  .aj  trowith  he  it  the  fatnc  theff. 
Thcrof  thou  iieft,  quod  tlic  Pardoner,  and  might 

nat  lonjj  forberc* 
A  tby  fal»  body  !  quod  he  ;  the  devil  of  bcU  the 

tcrc  I 
For  by  my  trowith  a  faUfher  fnwe  I  nevir  noon, 
And  ncmpnid  hir  namys  many  mo  then  oon, 
Though  to  rcch  hir  veer  noon  honeftc 
Among  men  of  good  worJhip  and  dcgre 
But,  fhortly  to  conclude  ;  when  he  had  chid  inowc 
He  axid  hi»  HalTfpitouIlich,  with  wordii  iharp  and 

rowc. 
ISo  to  bed,  quod  he  wltliin ;  no  more  noFyfe  thow 

m.ikc  i 
Thy  ftaiTlhal  be  rcdy  to  morowe  I  undcrtalc". 
In  foth,  qtiod  he,  I  wol  nat  fro  the  dorr  wend 
•J'yl  I  have  my  ftaff.  I'how  bribuur,  then  h»vcthe 

todir  rnd. 
Quod  lie  that  wji  within  ;  and  leyd  it  on  hi*  back, 
Right  in  the  Cime  plofe  as  chapmen  berith  their 
And  fo  he  did  to  mo,  as  he  coud  a  rede,        [pak  ; 
Grafpy  ing  aftir  with  the  tUff  in  lengith  and  ckc  in 

brcdc  ; 
And  fond  hym  othir  whylc  redlich  inoughe 
With  the  ftaffys  end  high  upon  the  browc. 
The  hofttrler  l|^y  oppoa  hit  bed  and  herd  of  this 

afioy, 
Aikd  Hert  hym  up  lightlich^  mod  thought  he  wold 

aCiy ; 
He  toke  a  (lafT  in  hi*  hoadf  and  higher!  woodir 

blyvc 
TyJ  he  wer  with  the  fclcDiip  that  ihuld  nevir 

thryve. 
What  be  ycc  ?  ijuod  the  hoftelcr ;  and  knew  thtm 

b<»{b  wejc* 
Hyuft  I  pe fc,  *imd  the  paramour :  Jak,  thow  muft 


Thcr  is  a  thcff,  t  tell  the,  within  ihii  hall  < 
A  thcfT?  quotl  Jak  ;  thi*  i»  a  nobill  clirrc 
That  thou  hym  had  yfound,  yf  wee  hym  i 

each. 

YlS)  yi«,  care  the  nought ;  with  hym  we  fiiitl  bucI 
Wclc  inowc  or  he  be  go,  yf  fo  wehadlighte. 
For  we  to  be  (Irong  inowc  with  a  man  for  K 

fightf. 
The  devil  of  hell,  quod  Jak  brdcc  tlut  tbevii 

bonis  { 
The  key  of  tlje  kitchen,  as  it  wer  for  the  oooy^ 
U  above  with  our  dame  ;  and  (he  hath  fucK  q6|C. 
And  fhe  he  wake  of  her  fiepe,  flic  fallith  to  ladlt 

rage 
That  a1  the  wcke  aftir  there  may  no  man  hir  pkfe, 
So  fhe  flcrith  aboucc  this  boufe  in  a  wood  rde. 
Btit  now  1  am  avifid  but  how  we  fhul  bav€  lyte| 
1  have  too  gi£li&  within  that  thit  fame  oygbt 
Supid  in  the  halte,  and  had  a  litill  fcir:         [pirr, 
Go    tip,   quod  Jak,  and  loke,  and    in  th£  alAMi 
And  1  wol  kepe  the  dorr;  he  (hall  not  (lertc 
Nay,  for  God  thdt  wot  I  nat,  left  I  each  ■  < ' 
Seid  the  todir  to  Jak,  for  thon  know!  iV  K-t  * 
All  the  eftris  of  this  houfc;  go  up  tpy, 

Nay,  for  fotji,  quod  Jak,  that  wcrv  n^bei 

To  avcntur  oppon  a  man  that  with  hym  did  PflC 

*^        fightc : 
Sithcns  thou  haft  hym  bctr  and  with  thy  fiaff^ 
Me  thitikith  it  wer  no  rcfbn  ihiit  1  Ihuld  I 

gilt ; 
For  by  the  blyfyng  of  the  cote  he  myght  U  | 

hcde, 
And  lightly  lene  me  foch  i  itroke  my  I 

dcdc. 
Then  wol  we  do  by  common  liTcnt  Cech  byoBi 

about ; 
Who  that  mctith  hym  fir  ft  pay  him  OQ  theliiottt 
For  methought  1  herd  hym  htrc  bJk  among  dNt 

panjiyi. 
Kcpe  thou  the  toder  fide,  hut  ware  the 

atnnjTi, 
And  if  he  be  herein  ryghtfonc  we  fliuUhymf] 
And  we  to  be  Hrong  inow^ghe  o  thcftc  for  to  I 
Aha  ha !  thought  the  Pardoner,   bcth  the  p4iinj-i 

aryn  ? 
And  drowhe  oppon  that  Ude,  and  thought  < 

a  gynnc; 
So  at  lad  he  food  oon,  and  fet  it  on  his  hedc, 
For  as  the  cafe  was  fall  thcr*  to  be  had  grctc  oedt*^ 
But  yit  he  griLfpit   ferthirmortf  to  have  fa 

in  hondc, 
And  fond  a  grctc  lad  ill  right  a*  he  wa«  ^ 
And  thought  for  to  Hertc  out  betwenc  then  I 

to 
And  way t id  welc  the  paramour  that  had  j 

hym  woo, 
And  fct  him  with  the  Udill  on  the  gmXciU  i 

nofc, 
That  all  the  week  after  he  had  fuch  a  pofe, 
Tiiat  both  his  ey  in  waterid  triichby  the  moil 
But  ftic  th.vt  was  the  caufc  of  it  had  thec'd 

forowc. 
But  npw  to  the  Pardoner,  A»  he  wold  ftcrt  i 
The  hoftclcrmet  with  hym,  butoothyn^coh 


rm  didpflC 

rfia(« 
IdbcH 


*sardiiaer  ran  fo  Twith  the  pan  fill  him  fro, 
iJihoflcJcr  aftir  hym  a*  hly ve  ashcmyghtgn, 
Upiii  oppou  a  brondcol  unwarc,       [u^fwarc, 
liyin   had  bin    bctcr   to  have  goon  more 
•c  r^  of  ihe  pann  met  with  hi>  Ihyune, 
.ai'S'siCOo  a  Tcyn  and  the  next  fyn  : 
hiU  that  it  vvasgrcnc  he  thought  ILtil  on, 
ktn  I  he  grcncucii  was  apaH  the  grcff  fat  ucr 

thc,boUe  ; 
k  Icyd  to  hU  bond  to  grope  whcT  it  fctc, 
rhea  he  fond  he  was  yhiut  the  Pardoner  he 

gan  to  thrctCf 
wore  by  Scynt  Amyai  that  he  (htild  abigg 
ftr«Ju  hard  and  lore  even  oppou  the  rigg ; 
bym  myght  fyud  he  nothyng  would  hym 

Iparc: 
icrd  the  Pardoaer  wele,and  bddbym  bcttir 

m  fqnare, 

loughe  that  he  had  fbrokls  ryght  inotigh. 
!»  on  hi*  armis,  his  back,  and  his  browc. 
lea,  qood  the  paramour,  where  is  the  thcff 

,  quod  tho  Jak ;  right  now  he  lept  mc  fro, 
>ift*iii  curs  go  with  hym,  for  I  have  harm 

and  rpitc  : 

trow ith  and  TaJfo  andhegoJthnat  alquyte: 
d  we  myghihym  fynd  wc  wold  aray  him  lb 
i:  ih  uld  have  f  egg  nc  foot  to  morrowc  onto  go. 
iW  fhull  wc  hym  fynd  f  the  moon  in  adown, 
ate  was  for  the  Pardoner)  and  eke  when 

ihey  did  renn 
d  them  eirir  wcl  inowe,  and  we  at  the  more 

afydc* 
-cw  him  ever  bakward^  and  let  the  fb'okis 

glide. 

lod  the  paramour,  I  hold  it  for  the  be  ft, 
c  moon  ii  down,  for  to  go  to  r?ft,  * 

ake  the  gatis  fafl ;  he  may  oot  iJicn  aftert, 
te  of  his  own  RtuS  he  beritli  a  rcdy  mark, 
J  thou  mayefl  him  knowc  among  all  the 
route, 

on  ber  a  rcdy  cy,  and  wcyt  wele  aboute 
^owe  when  they  (hul  wend ;  this  ia  the  beil 
Tcdc : 

»t  feyfl  thou  therto  ?  ti  this  weic  yfcyd  ? 
t  U  dcTCt  ({Qod  Jak  ;   thy  wit  niut  itodls  i 
Hond. 

(    .1,..  „,.^ftf^.  ^jij^f  J,  jju  more  todoon. 
'  'de  afide,  hit  ehcki^  ton  und  bled, 
,       I  ^'51  at  efe  al  nyght  In  his  hcdc  : 
I  ot  lorci-  Ijge  lyke  a  colyn  fwcrd,     [herd; 
nertd  him  wondir  fore  for  making  of  hii 
d  U  full  thcr*fof  c  though  a  wcmans  art 
ne  »nd  eke  for  cawdiU,  ind  had  thcr'of  no 
part: 

■Tor  prcyd  Stryn  Jalianei  at  ye  roowc  on- 
do^onde, 

'CdeTitl  her  (hulde  fpede  on  watir  and  on 
londc, 

iTeive  a  travelJyng  man  of  his  hrrbergage, 
id  nor  ell  fave  curs  his  angir  to  afwagc; 
la  diftrad  of  his  wit,  and  in  grcte  dcfpayr 
\g  hit  hete  he  caught  a  cold  through  the 
riaeyr^ 


But  a^  he  fought  hii  loggyng  he  happid  oppon  i, 

whelp 
That  ley  undtr  a  fleyir,  a  greteWalsih  dog^ 
That  bare  about  his  neck  a  grcte  huge  clog  ; 
BiTcaufe  that  he  \\n$  fpctoiife,  and  wold  fgnc  hht^ 
The  dog  washongit  about  his  nek,  for  men  fliuld 

uat  vvite 
Nothyng  dogg'is  maifteryf  he  did  enyharm. 
So  for  to  excufc  them  both  ic  was  a  wyly  charm, 
'I'hc  Pardoner  wold   ha\c  kggit  hym  ihcf>  aud 

lay  fomwhat  nigh, 
The  warrok  wu*  awakid  and  caught  hynf  by  ihe 

thigh, 
And  bote  hym  wondir  fpctoufly,  defending  wtic 

his  couch. 
That  the  P.U- doner  myght  cat  nchym  ncihcrtond 
But  hdd  hym  a  fquarc  by  that  othir  fide, 
As  holfomwasat  that  tyme  for  tereingof  hibhydc  : 
He  coud  noon  odiir  help,  but  leyd  adown  his  hedc 
In  the  dogg'islittir,  and  wlsihtd  aftir  brcdc 
Many  a  tiiue  and  offt,  the  dog  for  to  plcfc, 
1*0  have  ylc  yniore  ncre  for  his  own  cfc : 
.  But  wiih  what  he  wold,  hii  fortune  fcyd  Key  ; 
So  trcwiy  for  the  Pardoner  it  was  a  difmal  dcy, 
TJic  do^  ky  evirgrownyng^  redy  for  to  0iachc* 
Whcr*ftir  the  Pardoner  duttt  nat  with  hym  macb€; 
But  ky  as  ft  ill  a^  eny  ft  one,  rcmembtinghisfoly. 
That  he  wold  truft  a  Tapftcr  of  a  eommon  holby  J 
For  cornxnonly  tor  llic  mod  part  they  ben  wyly 

cchoD. 
But  now  to  alle  the  company  a  morrow  whan 

they  fhuld  gon 
Was  noon  of  all  the  fclelbip  half  fo  lone  ydight , 
Aswa&thcgcntil  Pardoner;  foraltymeot  the  nyghi 
Hl-  was  arcdy  in  his  aray,  and  had  nothing  to  doo^ 
Sjifc  f!.akc  alite  his  ens,  aud  tru*  and  be  goonc,  ^ 
Yet  or  he  cam  in  company  he  wii$(h  away  the  blood,'! 
And  bond  the  forys  to  his  hcdc  witli  the  typct  oi 

hit  hood, 
And  madt'  tightfom  chere  for  men  fl\uld  nat  fpy 
NiJthyng  of  his  curmctrt  nc  of  his  luxury ;      [pry* 
And  the  bolltkr  uf  ih^  houlc,  for  nothing  he  coud 
He  eoud  nat  kuowc  tlic  Parduucr  among  the  com-* 

pany 
A  morowc  when  ihcy  fhuld  wend,  for  ought  that 

I  hey  coud  pour, 
Sowyfvly  went  the  Pardoner  out  of  the  dogg'ia 

hour, 
And  blynchcd  from  the  hoftelcr,  and  turned  o0t 

about. 
And  cvirmore  beheld  hym  amydward  of  tJic  rout^ 
And  was  cvir  fycgyng  tw  make  al  thyng  good  j 
But  yit  hi»notis  wcr  itmwhatlow  forakuigoihia 
So  at  that  tymj  he  had  no  more  gramc,    [hedc  ; 
But  held  hym  to  his  happyncs  to  fcape  fhame. 

I'hcKnyghtaRdaUthc  iclcfliip  forward  gon  they 
Paifyng  ioith  mertly  to  the  toua*  yscnd;  [wend^ 
And  by  that  tyme  they  wete  thcr  the  day  begun  to  J 
And  the  Ion  merely  upward  gan  he  pike,  [rypcj 
Plcying  under  the  cgge  of  the  firmamcni. 
Now,  quod  the  Hooll  of  South  work,  and  to  th^ 
Iclcfliip  bent. 


ni 


THE   PARDONERE   AND    TApSTURI 


I 


I 


I 


Wlio  fiiwc  cvir  fo  feyl^  or  fo  gbd  a  day, 
And  how  fotc  ihis  ftfoa  is  cnr ring  into  May  ? 
The  thi-udclh  and  die  thrusfhl%  ia  thU  glad  inor> 

The  ruddok  and  the  goldfvnch  j  but  the  nyghtin- 

Hii  amerouji  uotU  !o  how  he  twynith  finall ! 

Lo  how  the  uccsgreiiyth  that  nakid  wer,  ajid  no^ 

thing 
Bire  this  month  afore  but  their  fommcr  clothmg ! 
Lo  how  Nature  m%kkh  for  them  cvcrichonc  ! 
And  as  many  as  thcr  be  he  forge tt it h  noooe  i 
ho  how  the  fcfon  of  the  ycrc  and  AvcrcH  niouris 
Boith  the  bu»Chti  burgyn  awt  bloiTom*  and  ilouri* ! 
Lo  the  prymcrofis  how  frcOj  they  ben  to  fenc ! 
And  many  othir  flouris  among  the  grafis  grc nc, 
J*o  how  ihey  fpryng,  and  fprcde,and  of  divers  hue  ! 
Beholdkh,  und  feith  both  rede,  white  and  blue! 
That  lufly  liinand  comfortabiU  for  mann'ys  fight ! 
Por  I  fey  for  myfelf  It  niiikith  my  hcrt  to  light. 
Now  fith  Almighty  Sovcryn  Kaih  Tent  fo  feir  adiry 
l^et  fc  now,a»  covenant  it,  in  (hohingof  thewey. 
Who  ihall  be  the  firfl  that  fliall  unlace  hii  male 
In  comfort  of  us  al,  and  gyn  fomv  mcry  Talc; 
For  and  we  IhulJ  now  begyn  to  draw  lot 
Feravcnture  it  might  fal  thcr  it  ought  not» 
On  fom  unluily  pcrfone  that  wcr  not  wclc  awakid, 
Or  fcmybou ry  o\ryr  eve,  and  had  yfbiig  and  crikid 
Somwhat  ovir  much :  how  fliuld  he  tluui  do  ; 


And  eke  Torn  men  failyng  Hcth  gldwid  ind  yboind 
In  their  tongi$;  and  fom  faily  ag  bc:h  oothyng  |». 

cound; 
And  fom  men  in  the  momirig  thcr  (iMnchii  bcth 

adoun  ; 
Tyll  that  they  be  charmyd  their  Wordii  wall  not 

foun. 
So  thys  is  my  conclufioanc  and  my  laft  kuot, 
ft  wcr  grctc  gcntibcs  to  tell  without  lot. 
By  the  rood  of  Brnmhfdm,qwod  the  ^laxehint  Iht^ 
A»  fcr  an  I  have  failed,  ridcn  and  ygo» 
Sawc  I  nevir  man  yet  t  of  ore  thi*  llh  i^it 
So  wclc  coud  rule  a  company  as  out 
His  \vordis  beti  fo  comfortabiU,  and 

fefon, 
That  my  wit  is  ovircome  to  make  eny  refon 
Contrary  to  ht*  coiiufailt  at  nryn  yn^ 
Wher'for  I  Wfjll  tell  a  Tale  to  yov.r 
In  enfampill  no  yowe  that  whcu  that  1  i^avc  ^^  i 
Anothir  be  right  rcdy  then  for  to  tcU,  iTghi  fo 
To  fulf)'U  our  Hooft"ia  wyll  and  hi*  ordinmuftc^. 
There  fliall  no  fawtc  be  foujid  in  mcs  yode  wfl 

Ihal  be  my  chjunee  : 
With  this  t  be  encufid  erf  my  ni dines, 
Akho'  1  cannot  prynt  my  Tale,  but  icH  It  ?-f  it  ii^ 
L,epyng  ovir  no  fentence,  it  ferforth  a*  1  mi 
But  teJi  ycwc  the  yolkc  and  put  the  white 


THE    MERCHANT'S   SECOND  TALE; 


THE  HISTORY 


fM»tf  ytTts  pnfTcd  in  die  old  dawit  [bwitt 
I  rightfullich  by  nfon  govemyd  wcr  the 
^ryuctpiUy  in  the  ccte  of  Rome,  th^t  wa«  fo 

rich, 
, — V     n.  V  '  •   daycs,  and  coon  to  liim  tllch 

Ic,  nc  of  govcruauncc, 
.  .  .^Ltncd  thcr*  of  had  dociuoce, 
^lUauns,  of  what  fcitli  thty  wcrci 
vcrour  was  hok,  and  in  his  palc)  » 
ntejniii  ia  honour;  suid  in  Pop 'is  fc      [there 
e  wms  then  olii^led  of  all  Cnfliante. 
ir  farith  thcr*byas  it  doith  by  othir  thiiigis  j 
hough  ncthir  cctc,  rcgiounc,  nc  tyngiii, 
oat  tjowc  fo  worthy  ai  wcr  by  oldc  tynie, 
rt  fynd  in  romaonccs,  in  gcfti*,  and  m  rymc, 
itf  t^mg*  Jttkl  Vfajf  an  J  tie  muMyi  lyff 
^r#^^«r«np  iktn  it  veaj  j  and  our  witti*  fyvc 
fz  nait  eoanprchrnde  now  in  our  dictici 
>m  tymc  reiyght  thcfk  old  wife  poctci. 
Ith  that  terrene  thinges  hen  nat  ijcrdurahill, 
fterTftile  it  though  Rome  he  fomwhat  variahill 
honour  and  fr6  wcic  Cth  his  frcndt!^  pafljd  ; 
lijiy  auothir  town  i»  payrid  and  ybflid 
)ia  ihcfc  few  ycrii,a»  we  mowc  fc  at  eye  | 
Sin,  here  faft  by  Wynchclfc  and  Ry. 
^it  the  name  Is  evir  oon  of  Rome  as  it  wa* 

groundit 
f  JUmms  \^  JtcmulvM^  that  firft  that  cctc  fotindit, 
t  brethren  wcrcn  both  to,  a«  old  hukii  wriieuj 
bf  Uier  Irf  and  govemaunce  I  wol  not  now 

cnditen* 
of  oihir  marer  that  fallith  to  my  mynd; 
rr*for,  ^ntiU  Sim,  yc  that  bcth  behind 
M-Tc  th-kker  to  a  roitt, 

V  founctocchc  man  about. 
ivii  ii;riv  w^v.j  t.icthrcn  Romuhi&aud  Remm 
|i  Cstfar  was  EmpcrouTi  that  rightfui  was  of 


\  ceie  he  governed  nobilieh  weic, 
ic9m]ucred  miny  a  rcglounCf  a<;romcun  doth 
,     w  Wjif ; 

& 


For,  ftiortly  to  conclude,  tl  tho  wcr  adYerfaryc f  J 
To  Rome  in  his  diiyt*hc  made  them  tributaric«|J 
So  had  he  in  fubjct^ioune  both  fren#  and  foon. 
Of  which  I  tell  yew  trewcly  Englond  wa*  oon, 
Yit  aftir  Julivw  Ca:far,and  ilth  that  Crift  w«  bo 
Rome  wa«govurncd  as  wclc  as  it  wa*  before, 
And  oamelich  in  that  tymc  and  in  the  fame  yeri* 
When  it  wa*  governed  by  the  Dafcperi»; 
A*  femcth  wele  by  refon,  who  fo  can  cnteod. 
That  0  mann'jj  uyt  mr  'wyii  may  itst  lon^rthind 
*riv  hwtchijf  tmd  tht  m^ib^^  m  may  maity  kedif  r  _ 
Ther'for  ther  operacioun^,  thcr  dom&i,  uid  ther 

dedee, 
Werefo  egallich  ydoon;  for  in  al)  Criftcn  londit 
Was  noon  that  they  fpi.rid  for  to  mend  wron^f. 
Then  Conllantyne  the  Third,  aftir  thcfc  Dofipcrj^ 
Was  Emperour  of  Rome,  and  re^nyd  many  yen*. 
So,  ihortly  to  pas  ovir,  after  Conltantyn*sdayis 
Phu3  Augii(ltnu8,  iu  fangen  Is  tn  byes, 
Th*t  Conflantyti*yi  fon,  and  of  pkner  age, 
Was  Empcrou%ychofc,  a*  fill  by  heritage, 
In  whofe  tymc  fikerlich  thcfcven  Sages  were 
III  Rome  > dwelling  decently; and  yf  yce  luft  to  krc 
How  they  were  yclcpid,  or  I  tertlicr  goon, 
I  woU  lelJ  you  the  names  of  them  cverithone, 
And  declare  ycu  the  taufc  why  they  thcr  namyt 
The  firft  wa*  yckpcd  Sillier  Legifecr,  [hcrc- 

Thi^is  thus  much  for  lo  fey,  as  man  Urmg  tlteia-w«r 
And  fo  he  did  tr.wly;  for  lever  he  had  be  IcUwc 
Then  do  or  fey  criy  thing  that  fbwncd  out  of  refoiii. 
So  dccn  was  hj«  coofcicro^  yfct  la  tro^iih  ^d 

refon. 
Marcu»  Stoyinj^  the  feeond,  fo  pq^ill  hym  kigUtc, 
That  ti  to  mcnc  in  our  confttirt,  «  tif^r  t/th^  ri^lft  i 
And  fa  he  did  full  trewc;  Cmt  the  rccoid  aad  th« 

plcen  [feet 

He  wrote  them  evir  trcwly^  and  look  noon  oUmt 
But  fuch  a»  wu  ordynid  to  take  by  the  ytrci 
Kow,  Lord  Cod  I  m  Criftciidaia  I  wt»ld  li  were  h 


I 

I 


M 


THE    MERCHANT'S    SECOKI>   TALE,    l^.-. 

This  was  their  moll  bcffncs,  and  »IL  othlr  4d^i^ 


I 


I 


The  third  CraiTus  Afulus  amongf  men  clcpidw-aa. 
An  hw/i  ofr^,  andtft^  and  iMtnfaH^  in  ev^ry  eafr  : 
For  to  otifJcrftoud  thiit  wa«  hi«  name  full  right, 
l^or  cvinnorc  the  counfaiU  he  hdpid  wyth  al  hli 
Aittoamsj  Jadmi  the  fcrth  was  yclfpid,     [myght 
Thiit  wai  asmiith  to  mtcn,  aswck  mc  myght  have 
A*  any  pofcd  of  all  the  long  ycrc,  [clcpid 

That  myght  have  made  hym  fory  or  chongit  ooys 

cherc, 
But  cvirmorc  rcjoycing,  whnc  that  cvir  bctidi 
F.  r  his  hcrt  was  cvir  mery^  rij^ht  a«  the  lomcr 
Summus  Philopater  was  the  filfi*i&  oamc,  [hndd. 
Thai  thought  men  wold  flee  hym,  or  do  hym  at 

the  flianie, 
Angtr,  or  difcfl!,  ^  evil  as  mtn  couth r, 
Yet  wold  he  love  them  ncvir  the  wers  in  hcrt  tic 

in  niowjth. 
Hk  will  wa*  clecn  undir  hit  foot,  and  Dothing 

hym  abuvc, 
Thcr'fore  he  wa*  clepid  Fatl>ir  o/fvrfitf  fove. 
The  fixth  and  the  fcvinih  of  tlicfc  Sevin  Saget 
Was  Stypto  and  Sithero,  as  the*  word  Aftrolagc^ 
Was  iiruaaic  to  them  both  aftir  their  fcienccs  j 
For  of  Ji(^ronomy  fikcrlich  the  conn  and  all  the 

fences 
Bothe  they  knowhic  wclc  inoughe,  and  wcr  right 

fotil  of  art. 
But  now  to  othir  purpofe,  for  her  t  woU  depart 
A6  lightly  as  I  can,  and  draw  to  my  matcrc. 
In  that  fame  tymt  tliat  ihcfc  8age*  wcte 
I>wellyng  thus  in  Room, a  litill  without  the  walk" s, 
lu  the  fubarbU  of  the  town,  of  chambri*  and  of 

hallis. 
And  all  other  howfemg  that  to  a  lord  belongit^ 
Was  noon  wy thyn  die  cetc,  oe  iu>on  fo  welc  be^ 

hoogit 
With  docer*  of  hlghe  pr)'re,nc  vralHd  fo  aboute, 
As  was  a  Sctiatours  houswyibyu  and  ckc  %vit.hoiitc, 
Favinus  was  hi*  name,  a  worthe  maii  and  rich; 
And,  for  to  fey  (hortlych,  in  Room  was  noou  hym 

lyche. 
Hi*  porti*  and  hi«  cftri*  were  full  cvenauntc 
Of  trefoor  and  of  lord  (hyp;  alfo  the  moft  vailant 
He  was,  and  ckc  ycom  of  high  lyn%e  : 
And  atlaft  he  tokc  awyff  like  to  hi»  peerage; 
For  Nvrittire  amtit9nffy>*g\  he^vU  and  panntyne, 
WfT  ibo  (tumtlJ  mort  vanrth  tltam  goiJur  fytvir /ylUm 
But  now  it  i*  al  othir  in  many  mann'ys  thought. 
For   ,  ^uk  yt  ntt^P  ymarrieJ^  and  t*frtit/et  at  tifif*^hi 
Fawnn*  and  his  worthy  wyff  wcr  to  gidir  aloon 
Fyrcitrenc  wynttr  fulliche,  and  iffu  had  they  noon, 
Whtr*for  thcr  joyi*  wer  not  lialf  parflte. 
For  uttirlich  to  have  a  child  was  al  iher  delite, 
That  myght  enjoy  thcr  heritage  and  Wtld  their 

honour. 
And  eke  when  they  were  fcbiU  to  their  trcw  fo- 

courc. 
Their  fiftyng  and  their  prayir,  and  all  that  evtr 

they  wrought, 
Al  pilgrimage  and  almfded,  ever  they  bcfmight 
That  Gt*d  would  of  his  goodnes  fom  fruyie  bc- 

iwcne  them  fend  i 
Fro  ^nnyng  of  their  fpoufaHl,  the  myddili  oad 

the  end, 


And  ckc  this  world 'i»  rychi*,  they  fct  at  Util  prka. 
So  at  lafl,  as  God  wold,  it  ntl  oppoo  a  dcy. 
As  this  lady  fro  chircbward  went  in  the  wey, 
A  child  gan  flcrc  in  her  womb,  a&  GoJd'Jtwiflw^i; 
Whcr'uf  (he  gan  to  mcrvill,  and  made  fh>- 
Wyth  colour  pale  and  eke  waanc,  and  1 1^ 

▼yncs. 
For  (be  had  nevir  tofore  that  day  fuch  nastat 

fekcncs* 
The  wymmtt!  that  with  hir  were  gon  to  befkotd 
The  lady  and  her  ch^rc,  but  nothing  they  toM. 
Bur  fcir  and  foft  wyth  cfe  homi^rard  they  bm 

led  J 
For  lA  fodcn  fetenci  ful  fore  they  were  ^       ' 
For  Ihc  wa*  inlith  gcntil,  kynd  and  amj^ 
And  ckc  trcwc  of  hcrt,  and  nothyng  variahiii. 
She  luvid  God  above  all  thing,  aitd  drtd  fyn  lol 

Jham^, 
And  Agea  fikcrly  was  her  rightful!  name. 
S«  aftir,  in   brcflT  tymc,  when  it  wa*  parfcyveJ 
I'hat  fhe  had  done  a  woniana  dcdc,  aod  had  a 

child  confeyvyd. 
The  jcrj'  that  Ihe  made  thcr  may  no  tuftg  lel]; 
And  al  fo  much,  or  more,  yf  I  nc  ly  flieU, 
Faviniismade  in  hts  behalf  for  this  glad  tydSaf^ 
That  1  trowe  I  Icvc  the  cmpcrour  nc  the  kynj 
Made  no  bettir  chcr  to  wyff,  ne  no  more  m; 
Then  Fa%vnus  to  Agea,    A  nd  when  the  t; 

birth 
Nyghid  ncr  and   ncr,  aftir  cour^  of  kyitd, 
Wctith  wclc  in  certcn  that  all  the  wyt  aa4 
Of  Fawntf!!  was  continuell  of  fctr  dcly veraunee 
Betwcnc  Agca  and  hi*  child,  and  made  gmc 

denounce 
Ageyii  the  tymc  it  fliuld  be  bofre,  as  it  wsi 

to  doun. 
So  aa  Ood  wold  whan  tyinc  earn  Ages  ln4  ^< 

fon  ; 
But  joy  that  Fas^Tius  made  wa*  dobil  tho  to  ft 
When  that  he  knew  in  certcn  ihe  hjd  a  tim  jhoOf. 
And  feoi  anoon  for  nuHls  four,  and  no  IdV 
To  rrulc  this  child.  Afterward  as  ycris  did  pcH 
The  child  waa  kept  fc*  tenderly  th^  it  throrf«t:' 

the  bet, 
For  what  the  noriflici  atit  anooti  It  was  yfelt 
In  hU  chambir  it  norifhcd  wai;  to  town  it 

nat  go :  « 

Fawnus  lovld  it  fo  chtrcly  hit  myght  nat 

hym  (to. 
It  wa»  fo  fcyr  a  creature  ai  myght  He  on  V 
Of  lymya    and    of   fetours  and   ^owc    i 

blyve. 
Thti  child  that  I  of  tell,  Bcriniii  wia  hh 
Waa  ovir  much  cherisQied,  which  turned  hym 

gramc, 
As  ycc  (hull  hcnc  aftir^  when  time  comyth 

fptfc  \ 
For  A/it'r  fweii  the  /eurw  nmyth  full  eft  im 
For   as   foiie   a*   he  coud  go  and  alfo  frekc 
All  that  he  fet  hi»  cy  on,  or  aftir  lift  to  heVe, 
Anoon  he  Ihuld  it  baYC,  for  no  man  hym 

nyd.  (nyd 

Bui  it  had  be  wcl  bcttir  lit  had  be  w«W  ykr- 


THE   M£RChAnT*3   SECOND  TALE,  ?2f#. 


Huid  gtntitncs,  ftnd  had  yhad  fome  hey, 
EU  fo  aftir  w-yth  what  child  he  did  plcy 
t  pley  oc  Ultid  hym  ht  wold  brcke  his 

hcde, 
fih  a.kny/r  hytn  hurt  ryght  nygh  head  to  be 

ir  nil»  kny^ht  nc  fquyer  in  his  fudirs  hoafe, 
liought  hisowDc  pcrfanc  moile  corajoiife, 
lid  or  fcyd  c»y  ihii^  B^rinut  to  difplcfe 
lie  ii*old  fpctoufly  axioon  oppon  him  rcfc  j 
tdfhU  fadiT  had  joy  and  his  modir  alfo  : 
Crmith  to  many  a  man  it  was  nat  wifely  do. 
I  Bexyn  pafTcd  was  fcv^n  yere,  and  grew  iJi 
,^  more  ag«, 

NHight  fui  many  an  evil  chek ;  for  fuch  was 
hi»  ccurai^    * 

fkrre  he  wtH:  or  might  do  eny  evill  dcde 
lid  tteirir  fcCc  for  ought  that  mrn  him  fdd, 
brc  maay  a  pore  man  ful  oft  was  agrcvid ; 
Kpnutafid  Agea  ful  light  theroo  belcvid  : 
kaa^he  meo  wold  pk^yoe  ful  fhort  it  (huld 

|WRtt9   was    fo  myghtyp  and   chtff  of  all 
cnunr^iU 
iu^Hyti  the  Empcrour,  that  all  men  hym 

,d«a, 

||e  p«M  ovir  mifdxfe  and  harmys  that  they 

p.  lerthcrmore  Icnrid  well   ihe    dife; 

It  IQ  pley  at  hazard,  and  held  thcr*  of  grecc 

othir  gamyii  that   lofcry  was  in, 
he  loft,  and  wcvir  myght  wyn, 
I  at  hazard  many  a  ny^ht  he  wakid, 
i  ryuie  It  fill  fo  that  h^  cam  horn  al  nakid  : 
sail  hi^  joy,  for  right  wele  he  knew 

i  hU  mr>dii  wold  clorh  hym  ncwc. 

Qut  lyvid,  as  \  have  told  to  fore, 
e  was  of  the  age  of  eighteae  yere  ur  more. 
|drwhyU  amoQgU  for  pleyntis  that  were 
hprtte 

paisde  attiendii*  and  put  them  in  quiete  : 
\  rK,-  *7,Air  eaufc  the  fonc  was  fo  wyld  ; 
y  mo  fuch  of  his  own  child 
1  ndoyog,  al  wc  mo  we  fe  al  day  % 

\imytaie  ii  bard  to  fmt  av-'ty, 
mm  twr  tf0UUt  trewlich  I  yew  telle, 
I  i^rd  l9  maAe  hym  aftir  to  amifilt  xveiir  .' 
jfc*  by  Belyn ;  when  he  had  his  lull  and  W7II 

iwhen  he  was  lite 
i  be  hevy  afterward  to  reve  his  old  dcUtc, 
.^  *„k.  j.^  of  Fortune,  that  no  man  may 

.  I  ly vc  thcr'on  he  is  gond ; 

i  bjikwardj'righte  at  high  ooone, 
t  -,  as  ye  Ihull  here  fone, 

EUnpdif  IlU  in  grete  fikcnes, 
tiltir  hufbnud  wyth  wordis  hire  to  lis, 
Ibe  woid  tell  hym  hir  hole  hrrt'i»  wyll 
It  ci  the  world  partid,  as  it  was  right  and 

I^Awnuswas  ycome,  and  £iw  fo  rodylcfc 

at  .1  Jt.  To  dcxcj  that  for  love  he  thcfe. 


Ko  mervell  though  his  hcrt  wer  ui  grele  mom" 

For  he  purfeyvyd  fnlHch  ihe  drewe  to  hir  endyng  i 
Yk  made  he  othir  chcrc  then  m  hU  hert  wa^ 
To  put  awcy  difcomfort,  JiJlimilying  wyth 

fafc 
Thc  hcvyncs  of  his  hcrt :  wyth  chcrc  he  did 

clofe. 
For  fuch  a  manner  craft  thcr  is  wyth  them  cai 

glofc ; 
Save  tliai  toumytli  alt  to  cautelc  :  but  Fawau 

did  nat  fo, 
For  wctith  wcic  in  ccrtcyn  his  hcrt  was  full  of  v 
For  his  wtIF  Agca ;  and  yit  for  craft  he  couth 
The  tcrisfro  his  cyin  ran  doun  by  hismowith  t 
When  he  faw  the  pangi*  of  deth  comyng  fo   alt 
Oppon  his  wyff  Agea  almofl  hii  hcrt  to  brail. 
Agea  lyfft  up  hir  cycii,  and  beheld  the  chcrc 
Of  fair  hufbond  Fawnus  that  wasfo  trcw  a  fer«t 
And  feyd.  Sir,  why  do  ye  thus  f  tliis  is  an  dying 

fare 

In  comfort  of  us  both^  yf  yee  might  fpare 
And  put  awty  thys  hevyues  whyle  that  yee  and  I 
Myght    fpcke    of  othir    thyngis,  for  I>cth    mc 

nyghith  oygh, 
For  to  body  nc  to  ttjulc  thin  vailyth  nat  a  karJe^ 
Now  tellyth  on,  quod  Fawnus,  and  I  wol  Icte  1 
For  the  time  of  talkying  as  wele  as  1  may    [p 
But  out  of  my  rcmcoibraunce  onto  my  cadyng 

day 
Ycur  deth  wotl  nevir,  I  woot  it  wclc,  but  cvir  be 

in  my  mynd« 
Tlien,  ^ood   Sir,  quod  Agca,  bcth  to  my  foide 

kynd 
When  my  body  is  out  of  Gght,  for  therto  have  I 

ncde, 
For  truer  make  then  yee  be  in  word  nc  id  dedc 
Had  nevir  woman,  ne  more  kyndnes 
H<ith  Ihewcd  unto  his  toakc,  I  know  right  wele 

iwis  : 
Mow  wold  ye  fo  her  after  in  hcrt  be  as  trewci 
to  lyvc  wythout  make,  and  on  yeur  fonc  rcwe. 
That  litili  hath  ylcrnid  fithens  he  was  bore  : 
Let  hym  have  no  ftepmodir,  for  children  have 

toforc 
COmclich  tlicy  lOvith  nat :  wherfore  wyth  hert  I 

prey 
Have  chcre  onto  yeur  fonc  aftir  my  cndyng  days 
Fur  fo  God  me  help  and  I  lalTt  yew  bchynd 
Shuld  nevir  man  on  lyvc  bryng  it  in  my  mynd 
To  be  no  moreyweddit,  but  lyvc  foulc  aloon. 
Now  yee  know  all  my   wyll,    good    Sir,   thinlc , 

ther'on, 
Ccrtisi  quod  FawDus,  whlls  I  have  wyttts  fyve 
1  think  nevir  aftir  yew  to  have  another  wyfT. 
The  prctft  was  com  thcnvythall  for  to  do  hie 

righti^ ; 
Fawcos  Coke  his  leve,  and  all  the  othir  knyghtit| 
Hir  kyndrid  and  frcndia  kiifed  hir  cchonc  : 
It  is  no  ncdc  to  axe  whcr  thcr  was  dole  or  noon* 
Agea  call  her  ey  up,  and  lokid  aU  aboutc. 
And  wold  have  kiOtd  Beryn,  but  then  was  h^l 

wythtiutCj 


fkyJng  eo  tlie  Tiarard^  as  b«  was  wont  to  dcKm, 
For  a  fonc  ^  he  had  ttc  he  wokl  ren  out  anoon ; 
And  when  fli€  faw  he  was  not  thcr  that  (he  thought 

mofl;  on 
Hire  fclcencs  and  hire  mouriTf  ng  herd  her  bcrt 

anoon. 
A  dam  fell  toforc  that  was  roo  into  the  tonne 
For  to  fcchc  Bcryn,  that  pleycd  for  hi»  gownc, 
And  had  atmoft  loft  tt,  right  as  the  danifeil  cam, 
And  fworc  and  ftarid  as  he  was  wixid,  aa  longit 

to  the  game. 
Thr  damfcll  feyd  to  Beryn,  Sir,  je  muH  com 

For  but  yc  hygh  %lyve  that  yec  wcr  yxomc 
Ycur  mothtr  woll  be  dedc  ;  fhe  is  yft  qn  lyvc  : 
Vf  yc  ^tol  ft»ckc  T^TTth  her  yec  muft  hygh  blyve. 
Who  Vad  w,  lewd  Kitt  ?  Yoor  fadlr.  Sir,  quod 

lite. 
Go  home,  tewd  ▼ifcna^i  that  c^'il  mut  thow  the  ^ 
^od  Beryne  to  ihi  dimfcli,  ai:d  gan  her  fray  and 

fcer. 
And  bad  the  detill  of  hell  hir  fhould  to  tere. 
Had   thow  ought   eh  to  do  bat  let  me  of  my 

game  ? 
Now  by  God  in  hcvin,  by  Peter,  atrd  by  Jime, 
Quoth  Beryn  in  grete  sagif}  and  Iwbr^  be  bdolt 

and  bcllf 
Reherfying  many  nomyj  mo  than  me  lyfl  to  teU, 
N*cr  thow  my  fadirs  mcfTcDgcr  wcr  them  flluldiil 

ncvir  etc  brcdc  : 
!  \uA  levir  my  modir  and  a!fo  thou  wer  dede 
Then  I  (huld  icfc  the  game  that  I  atti  tiowgh  in ; 
And  fraotc  the  damfeU  undir  the  ere,  the  wcet 

gon  upward  fpyn  ; 
•Jlic  death  of  Agea  he  fet  at  UtifT  pryfe  j 
J»o  irt  that  wrath  frolick  iJeryn  threw  the  dyfe. 
And  \oQ.  wyth  that  faiRc  caft  al  was  leyde  aiidown, 
Aud  i\eTt  up  m  a  wood  rage,  and  ballid  oo  hif 

crowD, 
id  fo  he  did  Uie  rcmoaunt^  as  many  ai  woM 

ahydc ; 
But  IvT  drcdc  of  Fawnui  his  fclawis  gau  tohydr, 
And  cevir  had  wyll,  tic  lift,  wyth  Beryn  for  to 

But   cvir    icdy    to   ptcy   and  wyn   wh^it  they 

myght. 
The  dcth  of  Agca  fprang  about  the  towne, 
And  every  man  that  herd  the  bell  for  hrr  fowiie 
Bciiiojiy'd   her  full  fore ;   faff  Btrya  tokc  oquc 

hede. 
But  fbtight  anothir  felefhip,  asd  qiiylHch  to  them 

yedc, 
Ta  fuch  manner  company  as  fhtilH  nrr^r  thryve, 
For  futh  he  torid  bcttlr  then  his  n^idir's  lyve; 
Aiid  evittrtot-e  It  Jhuld  be  nyghl  or  he  woMhome 

drawt, 
Tor  of  hit  fad^r  in  ccrtcjn  h  *  had  no  oiartn^r  awe ; 
>or  erir  in  hli  yowith  Re  had  al  his  wrl!, 
And  was  ypalLd  chafliliJig  but  tneti  wold  hym 

kyll. 

auncc  for  hir  burying, 
**    .  I   i>rccftis,  tnd o[  all  uthir  thyng. 

At  tbvir^bc  uw  iiad  be  a  wytf  of  2  woitiiy  kiog 


U  myght  nae  hairc  be  meiidit ;  ffldl 

tiljiet. 
For  al  hir  tnteryng  was  tnany  a  worthy  ssdtf. 
For  four  wcik*  fu]|^  or  he  did  her  mterr, 
She  ley  in  Icdc  wythyn  his  henUe ;  but  Btryt  j 

not  there, 
Nartielich  into  the  place  where  kit  niodif  I 
Nc  onys  wold  he  a  F^fr  n^Jffr  for  hir  fo«k  i 
His  thought  was   all   in  unthiyfi,  lee' 


Efr,  I 

tBcrytjn 


And  drawyng  all  to  foly,  for  TwvtM  h 
Mm/  ther  it  h  rff reined  mtdkjibfim  m^tture  tji : 
And  ther' fore  methinkith  that  !  may  wek  fey 
A  man  ypaflid  yownth,  ;\nd  is  wythout  lor<. 
May  be  wele  ylik^rncd  to  a  t*c  wythout  moff, 
That  may  nat  buwc  ae  berc  fru^rtc^  but  root  uU 

ever  wail  t 
Ryght  fo  by  yowith  furith  thai  tie  mui  Bi  W 

chaft. 
This  mo  we  we  know  Terely  by  ciyalcavc, 
1  IvAt  Tiri makUb  vrtiu  altd  htnvmvtimt 
in  cbttJhtJt/ar  to  grove,  as  proTith  fma^ynaeioodr : 
A  plant  whils  it  i§  grtot^  or  it  hare  dotting 

Cfounc, 
A  man  may  wyth  his  fyngerf  ply  it  wher  hyit 

And  midte  thereof  a  AakiUi  a  WitK,  or  a  l^iA) 
But  let  the  plant  ftond,  and  yeri^  oirirgrowe, 
Meo  IhuU  not  wyth  both  hi*  tH»iidi»  uiunethis 

it  bowc  ! 
No  more  cnyght  Fjwt»u»  make  his  foite  Bfl 
When  he  grew  in  age,  to  lift  lore  cndyi 
For  c^-ery  day  when  Beryn  rofe  lUtwiA  he' 

dyne. 
And  draw  hym  to  his  fckibi'p  ai  e^*l  a*  a 
And  then  com  home  and  cte^and  Coof, 

at  t^yght : 
This  was  al  hit  befynei  bnt  yf  that  he  M 
l^Tierfor  ht*  fidir's  h«rt  Fawnua  gan  fof  to 
That  of  his  modir  that  ley  at  hoai«  he  t< 

mure  hcdc  : 
.'Ind  fo  did  uH  the  pepill  that  dwellid  io 
Of  Bcryn's  wildnes  gon  fpekc  and  eke  roiti 
Fawnui  oppon  a  dey,  when  Beryn  earn  at 
Wjs  fct  cKppon  a  purpofc  to  itulte  has  tec 
All  his  fhrewd  taichis  wyth  goodnea  if  he 
And  taught  hym  fcir  and  foft,  but  Bcry« 

light. 
And  cotmtid  at  Ktill  pryfe  al  hi*  Cwlir*i 
Fawn  J  s  faw  it  wold  fut;  with  colcmr  Wta 
He  p^nld  from  his  fon?,  and  wyth  « 

hcrt. 
1  ne  can  %vritc  luifyndele  how  fore  he  hid 
The  dtfobeying  of  his  Tone  and  hii  wyf *«* 
That,  as  tlic  book  tellith,  he  wiihed  that  hb 
Had  ybecn  aboTe  the  ferkill  celeftyfie; 
So  fcTVcnt  Wat  hi*  foroiwc,Kis»i3gir,alidhi 
So,  ihortly  to  conclude,  Agea  wju  laterid^ 
And  F.iwnu5  li?id  wyfles  thtCiC  yete  ^ 
Wher*cfthtT  was  grcte  fpeche  for  hii  I 
Tyll  ;ir  Iji^  word  earn  onto  the  £m|teto«c 
That  Fjwnus  was  without  wyfle,  and  lelA 

eounde, 

But  mQum/og  for  Agci  ihu  he  wu  to 


THE   MfiRCMAKT'S 

f^A  ^'  ^n  hermytt,  foule  and  dcllicuce, 
»ut  cooloUciouDc,  pcnfyfToft  and  mute  : 
Tor  Atiguftinuft,  of  Rome  the  Btnperour, 
IWirdUch  fery,  and  m  gret«  do  bur « 
tint  the  Ccven  Sigis  and  S^natouris  all 
aJTembUd,  to  difcryvc:  what  ihuld  thcr*of 

yth  feyd  (hortly,  For  a  molcftaUoune 

rat  no«D  othir  remedy  but  a  confolactoune  | 

^h^  m-zr  iii  wry  *ifwi|'  <&fptrfidtt  ^gftwd 

f  s  Hit  ii>*Mg  t^U  he  remfvld. 

fhtn  the  Emperour  knew  aU  their  detefnu- 

Biciouae, 
Uch  in  hi»  mytid  he  had  ImagtQacioUne 
FtWtUU  for  A|ca  was  in  high  diAre^, 
Koft  ycurid  be  itrjih  paQyrij^  gentlncs 
H  Inily  lady,  that  of  pukhritudt 

csccUent  al  othif :    fa,    fhortty  to  con- 

Impcrour  had  a  love  tofore  he  bad  t  wyf 
He  lovid  as  hertlkh  n  his  own  lyf^ 
s  »  feir  a  creature  a&  fane  myg^ht  befhyne  ; 
teHent  of  bcwte  that  *he  myght  be  (hryne 
othit  wymmen  that  wcr  tho  lyvaiid  ; 
rtbe  Emperour  had  a  wyf  ye  fliul  Wele  oo* 

liefftond 
Bi  mt  JQ  hit  company  to  hSTe  hi*  delite  ; 
Jritt&tdomc  and  confciencc  was  tho  naorc 

fxrfitc 

It  ii  DOW  adayia,  yf  I  durft  tell  s 
wol  Icvc  at  tbii  tyme*    Than  Fawnu*  al 

fo  y/rvJi 
fcir  fern  ill  hdkf  of  feknet  to  be  ctiryd ; 
bsi  for  drcde  and  eUii  they  wcr  both  en- 

faryd 
feaee  of  the  Empcrotir.  Co  Fawnus  myght 

nat  flee ; 
Ii   the    Emperoure  wyll,   it  myghi  noon 

^thir  be. 
ythin  a  tymc  Agei   «ri»  for^c, 
awnos  thought  Htill  on  that  be  hir  behight: 
I  Che  fevcn  Sagis  bad  afore  declarid 
1  a|]  to  pnrpot;  For  Fawnus  litil  carid 
Of  tbiog  at  all  fave  his  wyfT  to  plcfe, 
Rmme  was  yc!epid  t  for  rcll  ncthir  cfe 
«•  ocvir  had  bnt  of  her  prcfcncc  : 
at  his  hcrt  on  ber  yfct  that  he  coud  no 

defencr, 
rvirmorc  be  wyth  htr,  and   ftarc  on  hir 

▼iiape, 
cbc  moft  part  of  Room  held  it  for  dotage, 
had  modi  manrcU  of  his  vartauncc  : 
Vkmi  it  Amt  Fvthme  camat  pul  in  chamtt  f 
besr  n*a»  man  on  lyvc  on  woman  more  bc^ 

OO'tld 

wat  in  Eame,  nc  half  fo  much 


;  had  knowlech  that  FawniHi  was 
yfm[yt 
I  tils  dart  of  Love :  ye  mowe  fyght  wcle 

it  wyt 
ftQ  tbit  etir  (he  cond  caft  err  ythynck 
alt  >gqrs  BcfTiitts^  for  maflj  i  CotUI  wrench 


SECOND  TALE,   tf..  U% 

She  thought  and  wrought  day  by  ^y,  as  meny 

wtmen  doo»| 
TyU  they  have  of  their  dcfirc  the  fuU  conck- 

^oune  : 
for  the  m^rc  that  Fawnu*  of  Rwnc  did  made 
The  more  daogcroua  wa»  Rame   and  of  chcre 

fade, 
And  kept  wcle  hir  purpofc  undir  covirture 
She  wai  the  tas  to  blame ;  it  grew  of  nature. 
But  though  that  Rame  ¥vrought  fo,  0\iA  forbei 

that  alle 
Wcf  of  that  condicionne.    Yet  touch  Qo  man  tl 

gaiJ, 
Ii  is  my  plein  counfcH,  but  doith  as  othir  doith  : 
Take  ycur  part  as  tl  comlth  of  roughe  and  eke  of 

fmoothe. 
Yit  noritur»  wit  and  gentilnet,  refon  and  perfite 

mynde, 
Doth  all  thele  woftny  women  td  wotch  a^enyi 

kyndcj 
That  thoughe  they  be  agrcvid  they  fuffir  and 

endure, 
And  paflith  ovir  for  the  ht%  andfolowith  nothing 

nature^ 
But  now  to  Rjimc*s  purpofe,  and  what  was  hit 

dclirc, 
Shortly  to  conclude,  to  make  debate  and  ire 
Bctwcnc  the  fadlr  and  the  Tone,  ai  it  was  likely 

thn; 
What  itit  his  condiciouncf  and  what  for  love  alfo 
That  Fawttus  owt  to  hi*  t^yff,  the  rathir  he  mutt 

htrleve, 
And  grant  for  to  mend,  yf  ought  hir  did  gtcrc* 
Bcrinus  evir  wrought  right  a»  he  did  before. 
And  Rame  made  hym  chere  of  love,  ihtt  myght 

no  woman  more* 
And  gaff  hym  ^old  and  clothing  cvir  as  he  <lid 

icfe. 
Of  the  be(i  that  he  coud  oright  wher  in  town 

chcfe, 
And  fpekc  ftiH  fclr  wyth  hym,  to  make  al  thyng 

dude; 
Yit  wold  ihe  have  yctc  his  hcrt  wythout  fait  or 

bredc; 
She  hid  fo  Iiir  felony,  and  fpak  fo  in  covert. 
That  Bcryn  tnyght  nat  fpy  it  but  lite  of  Ram'yi 

hcrt. 
So,  fhoftly  to  pas  ovir,  it  fill  oppo^  a  nyghte, 
wild)  Fawiiui  and  hii  frefii  yfyi  wer  to  bed 

ydight, 
He  toke  hir  io  his  armp  and  made  hir  he^tty 

chcte, 
Thct  myght  no  man  betir  make  to  hi*  fcre^ 
And  fcyd.Myn  crtly  joy^myn  hcrtis  full  plefaunce^ 
My  wcle,  my  wxjo,  my  paradife,  my  lyv'is  fti^tc* 

naunce ! 
Why  nc  be  ye  raery,  why  be  ye  fo  duD, 
Sjth  ye  know  f  am  ycur  own  right  as  yeOr  b^rc 

wolH 
Now  tcH  on  love,  myn  own  hen  \  yf  ye  eylitli 

ought. 
For  and  it  be  in  my  power  juaooit  It  ihall  be 

I^TOBght. 


t 


iu 


THE   MERCHAMT'9   SECOND  TALE,   tfc. 


I 


» 


Rjuac  wyth  that  gnu  fjglic,  and  wyth  a  wcpcing 

chert 
Uodid  the  bagrg  of  trcchciy,  and  feldi:  in  this 

mancrc  : 
No  niervell  though  myn  hert  be  fore  and  f«ll  of 

dele, 
for  when  I  to  yew  wcddit  wai  wrong  went  mj 

whcle. 
But  who  may  be  ageyiu  hap  and  aventure  ? 
Thcrfor  sa  wcIc  at  I  may  myne  J  mot  endure* 
\Vyth  many  Iharp  wordis  fhc  fct  hh  hert  on  ft-lr 
To  purchafc  with  hir  praitik  that  £hc  did  dcfire  : 
Bat  hoolich  all  hir  wordis  f  cannot  wcle  rcbcrfc, 
Nc  write  nc  cndiic  how  fhc  did  pcrcc 
Through  FawnyV  hert  and  hit  fcuU  alfo ; 
For  more  pctouic  complcynt  of  forowc  and  of  woo, 
Made  ncvir  woman,  nc  more  pctouOy, 
Then  Rarae  made    to    Fawny  5 ;   fhc  fmotc  full 

bitterly 
Into  the  veyn,  and  through  hts  h<^rt  blood; 
She  bloderit  fo  and  wept,  and  was  To  high  on 

mode, 
That  unneth  (be  myght  fpeke  but  othir  while 

among 
"Wordis  of  difcomfort,  and  hir  hondis  wrong* 
For  alas  and  woo  the  tjrmc  that  flic  wcddit  wai  f 
Was  cvir  more  the  frcfreit  when  (he  myght  have 

fpaie. 
I  am  yweddjt ;  ye,  God  woot  be{l  in  what  mancr 

and  how  1 
^Of  yf  it  wer  fo  fall  I  had  a  child  by  you, 
X#ord  !    how  fbuld  he  lyve,  how   fbutd  he  com 

awey? 
8iih  Beryn  if  yeur  firil  fone,  and  heir  afur  yeur 

But  yf  that  he  had  in^ce  to  tcoole  for  to  goo, 
Tu   hare   Torn   miEier   conning  that  he  myght 

tmft  to. 
For  a*  it  now  (londcth  it  were  the  bcfl  rede, 
t*nr,  fo  God  me  help,  I  had  Icvir  he  wer  dcdc 
Than  wer  of  fuch  cundiciounc  or  of  Cue h  l«re 
A9  Beryn  yeur  fone  is^  it  werbett  he  wer  unbore, 
ior  he  doith  nat  cUis  favc  at  hazard  pley. 
And  comyth  home  al  iiakid  ech  othir  dcy; 
For  within  this  month  that  I  have  wylli  yea  be 

fikcnc  fithif,  for  vcrr)-  gtctc  pitc 
have  yciothid  hym  ai  new  when  he  waato  tore. 
For  cvirmore  he  Icyde  the  old  were  ylore- 
>low  and  be  wer  my  fooc  1  had  kvir  he  were  yfod, 
J^or  and  he  pley  fo  lonjj  half  our  lyvckxic 
"Wold  fcarily  fjflifc  hyrafclf  oon. 
And  nViv  yec  wold  ne  grevid,  I  fwcre  be  Seynt 

John 
He  Ihiild  aftix  thii  dcy  he  cloihtd  no  more  for  me. 
But  he   wold  kepe   them   bettir  and  draw  fro 

nyctte. 
Kow  gcutiU  wyflf,  gramcy  of  yeur  wife  talc, 
t  thynk  wfrl  the  mori:  that  t  fey  no  falc ; 
Tor  towchyng  my  grcvauocc,  that  Beryn  goith 

al  tiakid, 
Treulich  that  grcvaunec  h  fomwhat  afclakid  : 
L«t  hym  aloon,  I  prey  jtm^  and  I  woU  con  yew 

thank, 
Ftf  iaiuch  Ufery  he  hdd^^loit  many  a  Crank. 


I  au  tne 

I 

ntn.        J 
n  to^^H 


The  devil  hym  fpcde  thai  rech  ff  be  be  Co 
And  he  ufc  it  heteafcir  a»  he  hath  doon  to 
Ei-ryn  arofe  a  morowe,  and  cried  wondir  h.tk» 
And  axid  aftir  cloihb,  but  it  was  altin  wafl ; 
Ther  wa»  no  man  tcndant  for  hym  in  all  the 

houfe; 
The  whele  was  ychaongit  into  anothir  eeurt. 
FttwnuA  herd  hi*  fbiac  weic  how  he  began 
And  rofc  up  auuon  and  to  hym  did  high. 
And  had  foreetc  nothyng  tJiat  Rame  had 
For  he  boiilrd  To  hii  hert  he  wa»  nal  well 
He  went  into  the  chombir  thcr  hi«  fone  ky. 
And  fet  hym  down  in  a  chair,  and  thu*  he  gta  ta 

fey: 
My  gcntil  fone  Beryn,  mrw  feir  I  wol  ye  lethe ; 
Rcw  oppon  thy  fcif,  and  be  thync  own  Icche. 
Manhodc  ia  ycom  now,  myne  own  derc  fone, 
(t  i»  t)me  thow  be  aweynydof  thyu  old  wooc : 
And  thow  art   10  wyntera^  and  naught  haA  of 

dodryne; 
Yit  woldill  thow  draw  topcrfitcthe  worflupnall 

be  thync. 
To  norjtur  and  goodfhip,  and  al  hoticfl  thing, 
Thcr  myght  com  ti»  myn  hert  110  naore  gUd  If* 

ding, 
Lcve  now  al  thy  foly  and  thy  rtbawdry, 
Al  tabHs  and  nierTelliii,  and  the  hazardry, 
And  draw  the  to  the  company  of  honc^  meo 

good, 
£U  lcve  thow  nic  as  wcLc  as  CriHe  died  on  ibe 

rode; 
And  for  al   m^nkynd   hit  ghoft  paa  ktt^ 
Thow  fhak  for  me  heraftir  flond  on  thyo  own  kK^ 
For  1  woll  no  longir  fufhr  thh  aray 
ro  cltjthe  the  al  new  echc  othir  dcy. 
Yf  thow  wolt  draw  the  to  wit,  and 

withdraw, 
Of  fuch  good  as  God  have  ieot  yn  part  have 

thuw  : 
And  if  thow  wolt  nat,  my  Jbne,do  aa  I  the  ti 
Of  me  dial t  thow  nought  have,  truft  mc  riftht 
WenyH  thow  wyth  thy  dife-pkrytng  h«ld  fli|a< 

noure 
Aftir  my  dcth  dcy  I  Then  Beryn  gan  to  lo« 
And  fcidc,  U  thisa  Ccrmon  or  a  prechcmentl 
Ye  wtrc!  nat  wont  herto  ;  bow  ii  this  ywcxnf 
Sendith  fur  fomc  clothing  tJiat  I  wer  ago; 
My  fciawislnkith  afrir  me,  I  woot  wdi  theydoi 
t  woll  nat  Icvt  my  folcfhip  ne  my  rekda^aii 
Nc  my  difc-pk)  iiig,  for  all  yeur  heretage«  1 
Doith  yew  bdi  wj  th  them  by  yeur  Iff  day. 
For  when  they  fall  to  me  1  wol  do  a«  I  may. 
Btttcdidu  !  fadir,  who  hath  cnformyd  you, 
And  fct  you  into  ire,  to  make  me  chcrc  niwf  ? 
But  I  know  wcle  inough  whcns  thin  couniaalUas  i 
Trcwlich  of  yeur  own  wyfc,  that  txiX  dasK : 
Com  oppon  hir  bmly  that  faU  putaignc. 
For  trcwlich,  fadir,  yec  dote  on  hir,  and  £0  aU  meil 

feync. 
AUt  ihH  ruir  a  mamJkmU^  thai  k  ^%i  *mi0^ 
Sti  aU  hh  ti'i/Jtm  oh  hu  tt^'s  tail*  / 

Yec  tovith  hir  £0  much  Ibe  hath  hcaooit  fcii 

wyt. 
And  t  nuy  cur»  Che  tymc  lh«t  evir  yc  wtf  ykojv 


i 


THE  MERCHANT-S   SECOND  TALE.    t/.. 


a4i 


Fnr  DOW  1  am  In  crntn  I  have  a  (lepmodlr  : 
They  b«n  Ihj-ciA  i&,  torn  thcr  beco^  but  few,  othir* 
^^el  Fikil  FUptaU,  fuch  ooa  ai  ilic  ys, 
Blor  all  my  plcyin^  at  difc  yit  do  ycc  more  amyi : 
Tfce  haire  yloll  ycur  uamc,  year   worlhip,  and 

ycur  fcith. 
So  dole  ye  od  bir,  aod  IcruJi  all  {he  fayttli* 
Fawnui  wyth  the  fanic  word  gaff  tlic  chayir  a  but, 
Aod  Upc  out  of  the  chambir,  as  who  feyd  Cut, 
And  fworc  ia  Tcrrcy  woodn«  be  God  omnipo- 
tent 
That  Bcryn  of  his  wordit  (huld  for«  repent. 
Boyn  ftt  Dought  thcr*of,  with  a  proode  bcrt 
Aj:iwcrd  his  fadir,  atid  axid  a  new  fiicrt. 
He  grnpjd  aI  about  to  have  found  oon. 
At  he  wa«  wont  to  fore,  but  thcr  was  noon. 
Then  tok£  he  fuch  wilokls  a6  he  fond  ther, 
Aod  bchdd  hymfclf  what  man  he  wer ; 
for  when  he  wa»  mrayde  thca  gan  he  Bifit  be 
I  wrothe, 

1      Far  hii  womb  lokid  out  and  his  rlgg  both. 
L     He  ftcrt  aftir  hif  fadir,  and  he  began  to  crjv 
m  For  fcih  myn  array,  for  the  villany 
B  T»  aj  wcle  ycim  as  it  i$  mync* 
■     Ti«-oa«  let  him  datir  and  cry  wel  and  fync, 
And  palHd  forth  dill  and  Ipak  nat  a  word. 
Then  Bcrryn  g&n  to  think  it  was  nat  al  bord 
Tkat  hii  fadir  fcydc  when  he  wyth  hym  was. 
And  gan  to  think  all  about^  and  thtirwyth  feid 
AMkl 
I  Now  know  I  wdc  forfoth  that  my  modir  ii  dedc; 
I'for  tho  gan  he  to  glow  firfl  a  fory  mann'yis  hedc. 
[  Kow  kcpe  thy  cut,  Bcr^n,  for  thou  thalt  have  a 
I  Scmwhat  of  the  world  to  kxn  bctir  wit ;  [iit 

\f<jf  and  tbow  wift  fikerly  what  y»  f^i  to  com 

woidiil  wi«th  aftir  thy  dcth  full  oft  and 
ytone ; 
Tktr  m\i  btfjing  Utf /&  fire  tvyth  fiaff  luibir 
Ei^  ««•  A>  i«  ^U  with  bii  rwH  yrd*  \^fwerd 

rke  pyry  U  yblowc,  hop,  Beryn,  hop, 
'^Tat  ripe  wol  hcraftir  aod  on  thyn  hcde  drop  : 
boo  lokifL  noon  hcde  whtU  it  fhoou  hoot, 
r  f«f  wyntcr  the  n  j*ghith  afay  by  thy  cote. 
iBcryn  ibr  ibamc  to  town  durft  he  nat  go, 
'*;  tdke  his  we)-  to  churchward;  hi»  frcnd  was 

xnade  hij»  foo, 
I  lor  angir,  forowc,  and  (hame,  and  hevynes,  that 
I  he  had, 

It^nnetli  he  might  Tpeke,  but  ilodc  half  as  mad. 
[d  aiiil  ijtiod  Beryn.  what  wyt  had  t 
rTbat  coud  nat  toforc  this  dey  know  fikerly 
[  TW  my  modir  dedc  wa»?  but  now  1  know  to  fore, 
I  Aad  dr^dc  more  that  cchc  day  here  aftir  more  and 


il  (hill  koow  and  fele  that  my  modir  Is  dcde. 
I  ASatl  I  feiofe  the  mcffangere,  and  toke  of  hir  noon 
hcde; 
a!  I  am  right  pore;  alas!  that  I  am  nakid  : 
Alto*  t  fckpt  to  faft»  tyl  forowc  now  hath  me 
wakid  ; 
I  Alai  ♦  1  hanger  fore;  alai  \  (qt  Hole  and  peyn, 
"  r  cchc  mall  me  fcith  h-ith  mc  iu  difdcyu. 
I  was  aU  hi*  mirth  to  the  churchward 
t  <jf  hii  ftioilr  Agca  he  :okc  To  litill  r e^N^rd, 


When  Beryn  was  within  the  chirch  dien  gan  ke 

wcT»  fray ; 

As  fone  as  he  faw  the  tomb  where  his  motlir  \z% 
His  colour  gan  to  chaunge  into  a  dcdely  hew  :    , 
Abs,  gcntill  modir  1  fo  kynd  you  wer  and  trcw^ 
It  is  no  mcrvell  for  thy  deth  though  i  fore  fmcTt*'4 
But  therwythal  the  ftirowc  fo  fervent  fin otc  hi* hcttf 
That  fodcnly  he  111  down  ftan  dcdc  in  fwowe  : 
Ihat  he  had  part  of  forowe  niethynkith   tli^tl 

myght  I  avowe 
Beryn  lay  ic^  long  or  he  myght  awake, 
for  al  hy*  fyvc  wittis  had  cltrnc  hym  for  fake, 
Wcl  myght  be  by  hymfclf,  when  refon  ycom  wcrc» 
Undirflond  that  Fortune  had  a  iharp  fpere. 
And  eke  grctc  power  among  high  and  lowc, 
Som  Co  avamicc  and  fom  to  ovirthrowc. 
So  at  kit  whan  Beryn  a  Utill  wakid  were 
He  trampclid  fall  with  his  fete,  and  al  to  tcrc  hit  I 
And  his  vifagc  both,  right  as  a  wodcman,       [ere  j 
With  many  a  bitir  tcrc  that  from  his  eycn  ran. 
And  Jighid  many  a  fore  iigh,  and  had  much  hevf  i 

ncs. 
And  evirmorc  he  curfid  his  grete  unkyndncs 
To  forcyit  his  modir  whih  ihc  was  aly  ve. 
And  !cnyd  to  hir  tombc  open  bjs  tore  fclyve. 
And  wisihid  a  thowfand  iithisi  he  had  ybc  liir  by. 
And  beheld  hir  torn  be  with  a  pctoufe  eye. 
Now,  glorious  God!  quod  Beryn,  that  al  thing  J 

madijl  of  nought, 
Hevcn  and  erth,  man  aod  be(le,  lith  I  am  my 

wrought 

Of  yewc  I  axe  mercy,  rocour,and  help,  and  ^rac^ 
Ftw  mymyidtdt  and  foly.unthryffe  andtrefpafcl 
Set  my  forowc  and  pcyn  fomwhat  In  mcfure 
Fro  difpcir  and  myfditff  as  I  may  endure* 
Lord  of  all  lordibf  though  Fortune  be  my  (bo 
Yit  k  thy  myght  above  to  turn  hyra  to  and  fro. ' 
Firft  my  modirs  lyfc  Fortune  hath  mc  berevid. 
And  fiih  my  fadirs  love,  and  nakid  al/o  mc  Icvii  _ 
What  may  he  do  more  f  Yis,  take  awcy  my  lyfd  j 
But  for  that  wer  myn  efc,  and  end  of  al  Aryfe, 
Thcr'for  he  duith  mc  ly^o  for  ray  wers  I  fey. 
That  1  Ihuld  evirmorc  lyvc  and  ncvic  for  to  dey* 
Now  kvc  1  Beryn  wyth  hy»  m4}dir  t^l  I  com  aye. 
And  wol  return  me  to  Rame,  that  ot  hir  fotiJtc 
Bctlioughttf  h;r  al  abonte,  when  Beryn  was  agoon 
That  it  fliuld  be  wiltid  hir,  whcr'lor  fhc  anuon 
In  thi>wilc  fcyd  to  Fawmts:  Sir,  what  have  ycda| 
Althtfughc  1  fpcke  a  mery  word,  to  fuflir  your  fon 
Nakid  into  the  town?  it  was  nat  my  counfailL  [g 
What  wol  be  feyd  thereof  f  flkir  without  fiilc, 
For  I  am  his  flepmodir,  that  1  am  caufc  of  alle 
The  violence,  the  wrath,  the  angir,  and  the  gall,^ 
That  is  bctwcnc  yew  both^it  wol  be  wit  mc; 
Whur'for  1  prey  you  hcrtly  doitl*  Jiym  com  ]\o\ 

aye. 
Nay,  by  trowith,  quod  Fawnus,  for  mc  comyth  I 
Si  the  he  of  my  word  is  fo  Ulil  prife  fct      [nat  yit  | 
As  litil  ihall  I  charge  his  cllate  alfo  : 
Sorowe  have  that  rechith  though  he  nakid  go. 
For  every  nian  knowith  that  he  is  nat  wife  ; 
Whcr^for  may  be  fuppofid  his  pleying  at  dife 
U  caufe  of  his  aray,  and  nothing  yee,  my  wyfT, 
Ycft,  iwis,  tjuod  Kame,  the  talc  woU  he  ryfl 


THH   MEitCHAKT'S   SECOND  TALE,  t^». 


I  me  vdA  of  noon  othir,  I  know  rtg^ht  wcl  afyoc ; 
Wher*for  1  prey  you»  grntil  Sir.ind  foi  love  myn, 
That  he  wcr  yfct  horn,  and  th«  in  ^te  hafl, 
And  itt  aXay  offt  tj^ein  with  fcirnes  hjtn  to  chmAe  ; 
And  fendBeryn  clothi*  and  a  new  (here ;  fhcrt. 
And  made  al  wcle  in  eche  fide,  and  kept  clofe  her 
Now  fith  k  ii  your  wyll)  qued  Fawnm  thoanoonf 

I       That  Beryn  fhall  home  com,  for  yeor  &ke  aloon 
I  woil  be  rhe  mcflagcr  to  put  your  hen  in  cfc; 
And  «!«,  fo  God  me  help,  wer  it  nat  yew  to  plcfc 
The  graa  fhuld  grow  on  pameitt  or  I  hym  home 
hryng. 
Yet  nethirks  fpf  th  he  went,  wyth  too  or  thfc 
riding^. 
From  o  ftrete  to  anothir,  enqneryng  to  and  Fro 
Aftir  Dcryn  in  every  pUfc  wher  he  was  wont  to 
Seclung  eviry  hillt  howri*  two  or  thre,  [go, 

With  huzardours,  and  othir  fuch,  thcr  a»  he  wai 

I  wont  to  be. 

And  fond  hym  oot  ther ;  but  to  cbirche  went 
cchone, 
And  «  dorr  they  ftode  a  wbilc  ftRd  herd  Bcryn 
niade  hU  mone  : 
Thry  lierd  aD  his  com plcynl,  thai  petOttJc  wii  to 
here. 
Fawntis  into  the  ehirch  pryveUch  gan  pire, 
But  &I  fo  fcne  as  he  beheld  ^hcr  Agca  tay 
Hit  tcf  it  nn  down  be  his  chcki*,  and  thus  he  gaa 
to  fey  ; 
A,  Ageal  myn  old  love,  and  my  new  lUol 
AiaSi  that  evir  our  hertr»  fhuld  dcpa^rc  atoo  ! 
for  in  your  g^racioufc  dayi*.  of  hcrt'iatrobilnci 
I  had  ncvir  knowlech,  but  of  all  gladnci ; 

»flemembryrg  in  hii  hcrt,  and  evir  gan  renewe 
The  goodnei  betweiie  them  b^,  :uid  hlr  hert 
trcwe. 
And  drew  hym  tier  to  leryn  ivith  an  hevy  mode. 
Bat  at  fene  at  Beryn  Vnew  and  ondirflode 
1  hat  it  ^ii  hjt  fadtr,  he  wold  no  longir  abide, 
Bur  atiooo  he  voidit  by  the  todir  fide. 
And  I'd w not  hym  cncountrid,  and  fcyd,  Wc  liavc 

the  fooghi 
Tbrough  the  town,  my  geotil  fone,  and  ther*fiir 

void  the  nought. 
Thovgh  I  fcyd  a  word  or  two,  as  me  thooght  for 

the  beft 
fw  thyne  erudicionne,  to  drawe  the  onto  lyfc  ho- 

Ocft, 
Thou  fhuldlft  oat  fo  fervently  bavc  take  it  to  thyn 

hert ; 
Ifot  (ith  I  know  my  wordi*  doitb  the  foforc  fmert 
fihull  no  more  herea^ir;  and  echt  dcy  our  dirtc 
Shall  be  mery  and  fobfe,  and  this  (bill  be  for gc:c; 
For  weielwooi  for  tby  modtrthat  thou  art  to  tore, 
Aifo  thou  haft  grete  forowe,  but  onyi  Qedith>aoa 

no  more  : 
And  ther* for,  ff  oe,  on  niy  blefling  to  pnt  forowe 

away  ; 
Dnwf  the  nowc  heraftir  to  honlft  myrth  and  pky> 
I.o  iher  it  clothing'  tot  ycwe,  and  ytruT  hon  ydight 
With  harncyn  all  frcihc  new ;  and  if  ytrc  lift  be 

knyght 
f  (HmM  fit  nr  eve  that  brrgeyn  tindirtaltc,  [make  j 
Tb»t  the  Linpcroux  for  my  love  a  knyght  Ihall  ycni 


And  what  that  evir  ye  oede  anc^oa  tt  ffiaii  be 

bought, 
For  whilt  that  I  have  eny  thing  ye  fluU  lak  aa&g^ 
Graunc  mercy  !  quod  Bcryn  with  an  hcTf  cki& 
Of  yeur  worftiipfuU  pro&r  that  yo  hmvt  prdaii 

me  here : 
But  ordtr  of  knyghthode  to  take  J>  nat  my  likiBg i 
And  fithyeur  will  i»for  to  do  fomwhat  my  pl'.'firtjf, 
Ye  h-ive  a  W)fe  ye  love  wcle,  and  fn  irtiJcfiirK, 
That  and  fbc  h-ivc  children  1  knov*  :  Jj 

All  tliat  fhc  can  dcvyfc  both  be  p> 
Shall  be  to  mukc  her  chiidryn  hui^  vi  tujL  &C 

may, 
And  eke  fo  wc  fcdit  of  mfclicite, 
Whcr'of  wold  growe  devyfioune  betwcne  jemt 

and  me  ; 
For  yf  ye  fpcnd  on  me  yeor  good,  ar  '  icl( 

J.cvith  wcle,  In  ccrten  yeur  wyfc  v.  a 

Eche  dey  for  angir  her  tufkit  whetHi 
And  to  fmyte  wilb  her  tunge,fOur  bcrt  m  wrfti 

to  fct* 
Toward  mc  from  dcy  to  dry,  but  ye  wold  iply 
Somwhat  to  hir  purpofc  and  aftrr  It*-  i -i^  ..vv. 
She  wold  wex  fo  ovirtwart  and  of 
And  evir  lour  undit  her  hood  a  red  j 
She  wold  be  (borfyng  of  year  lyfc^and  that  ddut 

I  naught : 
Whcr'for  to  plcfc  all  about,  my  purpofc  and  nf 

thouglit 
Ts  for  to  be  a  March*unte,a«(I  Icve  myn  hcrifa|;i| 
And  relellc  it  for  eviiv  for  Ihypoyt  fyve  of  ftage 
Full  of  marchaundifc  the  bcf^  of  all  thi«  loode : 
And  yf  ye  woll  fo,  fadyr,quy-k  let  tnake  tbe  boodf* 
Fawnna  wa^  right  well  apafd  that  uk  word  out* 

ftert^ 
^ut  yit  he  fcyd  to  Beryn,  I  mervtU  hi  mya  heft 
Wher  baddiH  thuj  this  co\in£uIie  to  l<vc  t^jac 

honour. 
An  J  lyve  in  grete  a  venture  and  tn  grete  bboiri 
And  rid  lo  fi>rth  ta11;yng  a  foft  cfy  fiSc 
Homward  to  hi*  pLfc  ther  that  Ramc  Wiik 
And  as  fonc  a%  Fawnus  was  jiight  adowii| 
And  liigiiid  f^  to  Im  wyfe,  and  witll  W  m 

to  rown. 
And  told  htr  iU  the  purpoTe,  and  made  fnnm 

cbtre. 
She  did  hym  nat  balf  fo  mueb  the  tyme  fbe  wii 

hh  frre. 
She  balUd  hym,  vnd  moUid  byin»  asd  toke  bjH 

about  the  acLk, 
And  went  low  for  the  kite,and  made  manja  belk; 
And  feyd,  Sii,by  ycur  fpcch  now  right  well  I  bere 
That  yf  yc  lift  yc  mowc  do  thing  t£at  t  moft  de» 

fire; 
And  that  is  thi»,yrur  heritage  there  yru  hdk  likid 
That  yr  myght  gyve  :  and  evir  among  the  bruft 

awcy  (he  ptLid 
From  hir  clotht^  Here  and  tberei  and  Gghid  tbcf* 

witbalL 
F^iwnvi  of  his  gentling  by  hir  myddil  6xmh 
Hrnlich  hir  bracyd*  and  leyd.  ^   ■    "  -  :  Uve, 
1  fuyr  yew  n:y  trowsih  that  oi^  Ltr 

That  I  flyan  do  my  devoir  witi-^       .>  i;.:; 
Fof  t«  ptcfe  your  h'rrt  fulMcb  ic  ^  1>|U. 


THE   MERCHANT'S  BECOND   TALE,   Vt. 


*l*f 


tlUfCf !  isjn  own  fov^rcnc,  quod  Racne 

tho  mekelf , 

i^  proeeltAtioaac  that  fyt  (huld  Hkerlf 

!  dayia  of  hir  lyfc  be  to  hyro  a»  hcndc 

r  wonua  w»«  to  nuo,  u  fcrforth  as  J^ 

mjxiil 

it  Kir  voU  fenre,  and  nuade  grete  othe. 

I  bood  DO  loogir,  but  fortb  tberwith  be 

^ciaa»  God  in  heren,  Kyng  of  inajc^lc  ( 

tivoufic  tbu  world  is  of  Loiquitc  ! 

U  ^nffrii  that  trervilh  ii  Smtgli  aJgtvm 

rttbtwj  mmifaljhedi  $n  feU  an  J  tie  m  I^umi  f 

w  to  Ftwniii  And  bit  cntent.  When  be  bis 

(one  mtt 

e  hjra  to[i  bf  the  bond  i  hit  tung  he  gm 

to  vbet, 

to  eogyne  him.     Ftrft  he  g^n  to  preehc, 

ij  foly,  my  dere  Tone,  and  do  at  I  the  Ccche  : 

cni  haft  wit  and  rcfoiii  and  aj  t  of  oianQ'ys 

•^, 

ncduh  the  be  Marchaunt  and  Ihall  ba-ve 

hcritmge  f 

1  thy  good  WCT  yloil  the  forowe  wold  be 

mfnc, 

the  fotb,  fighi  ni^^h  pcrcgall  to  thjnc ; 

I  ilbt  1  were  dedc  whilA  thow  wer  oute 

lad  rcDi,  and  all  mj  good,  have  thou  no 

I  be  pluikid  from  the;  thy  part  wold  be 
16  fcrthcrmorc,  I  make  oon  bchccll,  [left  : 
trowc  my  moblt*  wol  cat  fudife 
rge  fyve  Qiippis  ful  of  marchandife 
I  Icyd  in  mortgage  mj  loud  and  ckc  my 
fteatf 

at  I  leve  be  nat  thy  wyll  tie  thya  cntent : 
lur)e«  ff  thy  bert  be  fo  inly  let 
be  a  Mirchaunt,  for  nothing  woll  I  let 
n'yl  do  thy  plcf^uncc  as  fcr^rth  as  I  mey 
ryght  nygh  myn  own  elhte,  bat  icvir  I 
had  nay. 

irordii  nc  their  dedif,  ne  matteri  them  be- 
twene, 

I9at  t^ry  now  thereon  tny  perehemen  to 
fpenc  : 

MtUich,  to  the  end  of  ibrir  accord^ment* 
I  had  fo  goon  about,  yturncd  and  ywcnt, 
e  had  browghi  bis  fotie  toforc  the  J^mpe- 
ie  hii  heritage  and  al  his  honouff      [rour, 
cibiild  )ia?c  aftir  hjs  dty,  for  ihippi^  fyre, 
and  full 

nnari'h'jnn/]ifr- of  li'^run  irii-l!  '"if  wOol 

iicm  to 
c  Kmp<:roTir,iii  opyii  ^nd  iiorown, 
'*  Ct^atf^fj  and  rlJeft  tf  the  town» 
•  '1  fyde  bondc 
in^ndfl 
I, fid  were 
\  crc, 
uu^  i.u^ouu.  i  and  to  hi«  wyff 


¥rmt 


ftW,  niv  IiLrt\v  fAvi'- '   J I  rh  n  hole 


Y»  utiiriich  pcrfourmyd;  n*  likkith  aow  no  moi« 
fiut  marchaundifc  and  thfppis,  ai  1  told  tofore. 
That  ih^U  not  faill,  quod  Rame,  and  began  U 

daunce. 
And  aftirward  t^icy  fpekcn  of  the  purveaunce* 

Alaj  f  this  f Alt  xv^tid^  fif/mlo/  ttechtrTf  T 

im  tifh^mfitdd  thefrnt  hfiMf  trttfl  and /$itk  JUtrly 

Jf  ku  fsJir  fisylU  hym  f  ^ohctLer  myght  h(g9 

ftr  t9/jmdt>j$iirjrmd  that  he  my^  trufi  to  / 

So  when  tbdc  five  fliippla  wer  ray  id  and  dight 

Fawaus  and  bis  fonc  to  the  Empcrour  ful  right 

They  weT;t«  and  many  a  grcte  man  for  the  lame 

cafe. 

To  (ce  both  in  pofTclTioDne,  at  ther  covenaunte 
Bcryt)  fit  (I  wat  fcfid  in  the  lhippi»  iysc^        [wa 
And  Fa\%-nas  had  the  rdefe,  and  bare  it  to 

And  eche  held  them  payde,  and  Rame  beft  of  ad^J 
For  Jhc  bad  conqucrij  thing  that  cauHd  moH  b^J 

gaU. 
Now  leve  I  Fawny*  and  hiA  wyif,  and  of  tlie  gQ« 

vcmaunce 
Of  Beryn  I  wol  fpcke,  and  alfo  of  hU  chaance. 
When  iodifnten  and  marynerit  in  al  thing  redy 

was 
This  Bcryn  into  Alifaiu^dcr,  yf  God  wold  fend 

hym  grace 
That  wynde  hym  wold  ferve,  be  wold:  fo  on  a  day 
The  wynd  w9t  good,  and  they  fey pd  on  ther  wcy 
Too  dayis  fuUich^ and  a nyght  thcrwythal, 
Arid  had  wcdir  at  wyll,  %j\\  at  laA  gao  fall 
5uth  a  my  ft  among  thcni  that  no  uian  myght  £e 

othir, 
Th4t  wclc  was  hym  that  had  ther  the  blcfllng  oC 

hit  iDodtr* 
For  thre  day  it  inceitantly   the   derknet  among 

thorn  was, 
That  no  fbipp  myght  fe  othir ;  wberibr  full 

AluJ 
They  fcydp  and  to  the  high  God  they  ma4e  their 

prcyere, 
Tlwt  he  wold  of  his  grace  thcni  govern  and  ftcre 
So  that  their  lyviA  myght  fayid  be. 
For  they  were   ck^cn   in  difpeyr,  bccaitfe    they 

myght  nat  fe 
The  loder,  whetby  thcfc  ibipmen  ther  court  tok« 

cch  one. 
So  at  UH^the  ferth  day,  making  thu&hir  mone, 
The  dcy  gnn  dere  ;  and  then  fuch  wynd  arofc 
I'hat  blew  their  {hippie  ell'ewberc  then  wai  their 

firft  purpofc. 
The  tcmpcH  wa*  f"  huge  and  io  ftrong  alfo. 
That  wclc  wai  hym  rhat  coudc  byndc  or  ondo 
Any  rope  within  the  fhipp  that  longit  to  the  craft| 
Every  man  Oiewed  hit  connyng  to  fore  the  ihapi^ 

and  bafFt. 
TTie  wynd  si  wook  the  fee  to  bmft,  it  blew  fo 

grefly  fore. 
That  Beryn  and  all  his  company  of  fynnfs  las  anl 

more 
Eche  man  round  about  fbroff  hymfcU  to  otHir» 
And  put  in  Godd'is  gowtrnauncG  X^U  Ihippi  aov 


'^i 


nr^j:hir: 


gowt 
<i^iiij 


^flll 


THE   MERCHAKT»S  SECOND  TALB.  tS'f, 


I  ^or  tli€f  was  flifppi*  mcync,  for  owght  they  ctud 

hale, 
^^That  my^ht  abate  of  the  fliipp  the  thiknei  of  a 

fcalc  : 
The  wedir  was  fo  icnrent  of  wynd  and  ckc  of 

thundir 
Thaf  CTerjr  Ihtpp  froitti  othir  was  blowe  of  fight 

aJondir, 
And  durid  lo  al  day  and  nyght,  tyll  on  the  morowc 
I  trow  it  wa*  no  quefiltioune  whcr  they  had  joy  or 

fofowc. 
So  aftirward,  as  God  wold,  the  wynd  was  fom* 

what  foft, 
Berync  clcpid  a  maryncr,  and  bad  hym  {{y  on  loft, 
And  weytc  aftir  our  four  Ihippis  aftir  us  dotth 

dryve, 
For  it  li  but  grace  of  God  yf  they  be  alyve, 
A  maryncr  anoon  vyth  that|  rij^ht  as  Bcryti  bad, 
Scycd  into  the  top  cailcU,  and  brought  hym  cy- 

dingp  glad : 
Sir,  he  fcith,  bcth  tnery  ;yetir  fhippli  comithechone 
S^IT  and  found  iailing,  a<i  yc  Ihul  fc  anoon ; 
And  tkc.  Sir,  ferthcrinorc,  lond  alfo  1  ligh, 
Xet  draw  our  cors  eflward,  tbys  tyde  woU  hryitg 

us  ny. 
BleHcd  he  God!  quod  Beryn,  then  wcr  our  fhippis 

com, 
We  have  no  ncdc  to  dout  werr  nc  moleflatioune, 
For  ther  n*ys  wythin  our  (hippie  no  ihyng  of  fpo- 

Itatioune^ 

But  al  trewnurchaundifc;  whcrcfor  for  todifman 
Btere  ony»  into  the  cuftia  as  wcU  <i»  thou  tan  ; 
IVhcn  our  fhippis  be  ycom,  that  wc  mowc  pas  m 

fere. 
Lace  CO  a  bonnet  or  tweyn,  that  wc  mowc  faile 

ncrc. 
And  when  they  wer  the  codis  oygh  wai  noon  of 

them  mile 
That  wift  what  lond  it  was ;  then  Beryn  gan  to 

callc 
)i't  of  every  (hip  anoon  a  marj^ner  or  tweync 
r  to  take  counleil,  and  thu^  he  ]^3n  to  fcyne  : 
^Thc  frounti^  of  thU  ilk  town  been  wondir  fetr 

wythall, 
Methinkcth  it  ii  the  bcfl  rede,  what  that  cvir  be- 
fall, 
That  I  tny  felf  alfwin  wnlk  into  the  towne. 
And  here  and  (e  both  her  and  ther,  upward  and 

downe. 
And  enqucrc  fuUich  of  their  govemaunce. 
What  fey  yc  Sir*?  wall  yc  fcni  to  ihiii  ordcoaunce  f 
ri^U  they  accordit  well  thrrto  and  held  it  for  the 

heft,  [reft. 

For  thu»  yf  it  be  profit^ibill  we  mowe  abide  and 
nd  yf  it  be  othjr^  ife  the  rathir  jhall  wc  go, 
l^i^r  aftir  that  the  fpcdo  wc  woLl  work  and  do. 
"ut  nowe  tn6we  ye  h«r  rijEjht  a  wr*ndir  thing  t 
I  all  the  world  wydr  Jo  fiUoI  their  lyTyng 
Vmm  no\it\  V  nc,  ne  none  io  diffeyvabill, 

\%  w*s  tht  _  •.  town,  nc  nio'e  uiilUbill« 

iLtKl  had  a  Lttijt  <i  u  .,j^«j  offotill  yni-    ■       ■  ■  :  ts 
rhtt  yf  fower  the  Ihippiiol  *\ny  ftr  ne 

Vcrctom  intothf  port,anooDthcy  V.    -  .1..^.:.  jidc 
fb''ithiii  their  ow&  howfi^  and  oo  maa  go  ae  ryde 


In  no  ftpcte  of  alle  the  town  ;  afcauoce  1 

wcr  Icwdc, 
And  eoud  no  fkiW  of  marehandife,  a  iktll  it 

fhrcwde^ 

Al  ye  fhull  here  afttrof  their  wron^and  faJJbedr; 
But  ytt  it  fill,  asworthy  was,  oppon  th«r  own  bed*, 
Beryn  arayd  hym  freslhiy,  ai  to   a  Bdarduad 

tongith. 
And  fet  hym  on  a  palfrey  wel  be  fey  and  l:««i|itp 
And  a  page  rcnnyng  by  his  hors  fetcT 
He  rode  endlong  the  town,  but  no  man  cood  Ik 

meet; 
The  dorry*  wcr  ycIoAd  in  hoth  too  Cdii,      * 
\rherof  he  had  mervell  :  yet  ferthermore  Beri&i 
And  waytid  on  his  right  bond  a  manciptl*a  pU& 
All  freCh  and  new,  and  thidir  gan  he  pafc  : 
The  gaiiswcr  wyde  up,  and  thidir  gan  hcgo. 
For  throoghout  the  long  town  he  found  f^  do  raik 
Therin  dwellid  a  burgeyle  the  moft  ielipcr  ma 
Of  all  the  town  throaghotit,  and  what  fo  He  mK 
With  trcchery  and  gilc,  as  doith  fom  freris^ 
Right  fo  muft  he  part  with  his  eomperis. 
Beryn  light  down  on  hii  hon,  aod  inward  |ia 

he  dres. 
And  fond  the  good  man  of  the  houfc  pkyiog  it 

chefi 
With  hys  neyghbonr,  as  trewe  at  he,  flat  4*dfi| 

hym  fall  by. 
But  as  fonc  as  this  burgeyfe  on  Beryo  eaft  hw  tff 
Siidcnly  he  ftert  up,  and  put  the  chefi  hym  (n. 
And  toke  Beryn  by  the  hond,4nd  feyd  thc£e  wtfw 

die  tbo ; 
Bint£dte :  what  mancre  wynd  hath  ybroogbt  m 

here? 
Now  wold  to  God  I  had  wberof,  or  cotid  ottU 

yew  cherc  ! 
But  ye  IhuU  fowc  my  good  wyll,  and  take  fncbn 

ther  is^ 
And  of  yetir  gcntil  pacient  fuflir  that  is  amy*. 
For  well  he  will  by  his  aray  aod  by  his  coiotfr 

naunce 
That  of  the  fhtppis  that  wer  ycom  he  hid  (am  ^ 

vemiiuncc, 
^^^lCTfo^  he  made  hym  chere  femyng  amtyhiQ, 
fcolcrid  all  with  c:iutcliii,and  wondir  diifeyvthill} 
He  bracyd  hym  by  the  myddil,  axid  prcyd  hynfi^ 

adoun, 
And  lowly  with  much  worflttpp  drr 
Lmd  G<»df  feyd  this  burgeyfe,  I  ih 
Thdt  I  fhuld  fee  yew  hole  and  founU  htrc  m  "I 

con  tray ; 
And  yf  ye  lift  to  tell  the  caufe  of  yrwr  '-^ — 
And  yf  yc  have  nedc  to  any  inanerc  t) 
^Ind  it  be  In  my  power,  and  though c  i  :. 

fech, 
It  (huld  go  right  wonder  ftrcyte,  I  Try  te*  ^iVft* 
But  yee  it  had  in  hafte,  therwith  r 
For  no  w  I  fee  yew  in  my  houfe  my  h  r , 
The  todirhurgcyie  rofc  hym  up  for  t  j  : 
And  axid  «f  his  felaw,  that  lord  was  oi 
Whens  t»  thii  worlhipfull  man  f  with  woraiiau'^ 

and  low, 
For  it  fenvith  by  the  maQcrc  Uut  ye  kjm  jhoM 

knowe, 


THE  MERCHANT'S 

9t  fey  Htjii  toforc  this  tyme.  I  have  fene, 

I  an  loo  fithtij  and  right  aj  to  my  brodir 

*  h)fm  plcfauncc  in  ul  ihat  evir  1  can, 

irlich  m  his  conimy  he  i*  a  worftiipful  man ; 

I  Sir,  and  for  four  love,  a  thoufaod  in  thii 

town 

^^KapoHhip,  and  be  ri^ht  feyn«  and 

K^^and  avail  to  have  thnnk  of  y«u  : 
ff«lc,  Gud  ihcm  jckl,  fo  have  they  oft  cr 

DOWC. 

>fc  up  thcmntha!!,  and  with  hh  fclaw  fpak 

in  an  ere  matrr  that  fiylid  iirvir  vf  lakk. 
1  their  confeUl  wasydo  this  bur^yjc  preyd 
^is  fere 

down  be  Bcryn,  and  do  hym  fport  and 
the  vrhilc  I  wol  fc  to  hi»  hors  [chcre, 

ry  gentil  hen,  »forc  his  own  cor» 

that  lus  riding  bcft  fervid  and  ydlght 
than  hymfeif;  whcrfcrr  wyth  all  my  myglit 
ave  an  eye  thcrto;  and  fich  parte  wy)  n 
nme  or  pipe  ii  bcft  and  moft  fyne- 
rai  all  sbafhid  of  Hj*  fodcn  chere» 
fitr1c»thc  burircyfc  fat  hym  fomwhat  ncfc, 
rydhym  nrshh  name  for  to  tell, 

trey  and  1  andbcanfwer*dIhciJ, 

\  I  am  yn;iciiid,  and  iu  Rome  yborc, 
te  fyvc  fhippi*  of  myn  own,  Us  and  more, 
atljrchaiuidifc,  liggtng  tufore  the  town ; 
di  inanraille  have  I  the  good  man  is  fo  boun 
e  mc  and  pkfe,  and  how  it  miglit  be. 
I  ihc  burgcyfc,  no  mtTvellc  it  is  to  mc, 
aja  tyme  and  oft,  I  cannot  fey  how  lome, 
I  ve  In  yottr  march! »;  atkd  as  t  trow  in  Room 
'was  ybore,  yf  [  ne  !y  (halL 
I  ft»,  quod  Beryn,  no  mcrvcUc  it  ii  at  all 
\e  tic  way  have  yfey»  and  cJtc  hi*  gcntill 
chcrc 

ii  all  opynly ;  but  be  hym  tliat  bought  me 
ikre 

hereof  no  ttnowlech,  ai  I  am  now  avyfid, 
k^cam  in  the  good  man  with  countcnauncc 
difgiltd, 

I  cnque/yd  of  the  child  that  with  Beryo  cam 
kOTsg  to  the  endyng,  and  told  hi&  maClris 


J^gn  hit  modtr,  and  all  thing  a«  it  was, 
hroogh  he  was  ful  pcrfite  to  anfwere  to  e* 
vciy  ca» ;  * 

pg  into  the  hall  the  burgeyt  fpak  anoon, 
(Cntilt  Bcryn,  alas!  that  under  ftonne 
vn  hert  Age.,  thy  modir  lelTanddcrel 
od  aflbyl  Hir  fouk,for  nevir  bettir  chcrc 
if  frcnd  wom^,  ne  nevir  half  fo  good. 
ki  1  Marehauiit  comyng  ovir  flood  ! 
Brill  yew  in  this  purpot,  and  betii  your 
Kiheir? 

^V  crew  confdcnce  ryght  nygh  in  difpcyr 
Hl»ur  fake,  for  now  frendlele 
^irele  fey  that  ye  been;  but  yit  for  nc- 
thirlei 

dure  fortune  and  hcvynes  pat  awcy ; 

I  othu  wifdoni,    Alfo  year  fli»ppis  gey, 

3 


That  been  f com  in  fivete,  oughx  to  amend  yeur  | 

mode. 
The  wich  when  wc  have  dyncd,  I  fwcrc  forby  the 

rood, 

We  wol  fe  ihcm  trewly  within  and  eke  without. 
And  have  wync  wyth  ui«  and  drynh  al  about, 
rbcy  fet  and  wisib,  and  fed  tlicm,  and  had  whef<» 

of  plcnte ; 
The  burgeyfe  woji  a  AuSid  man,  therlakkid  noon  ^ 

deyntc*  "^  ' 

So  when  they  had  ydiaed  JJic  cToth  was  op  ytake,  ] 
A  chefe  ther  was  ybrought  forth,  but  tho  gan  fo- 
re wc  to  wulce. 
The  ches  was  all  of  ivory,  the  meyne  fresJh  and 

new, 
I  pidsihid  and  ypikid  of  white,  afure,  and  bl?w. 
Beryn  beheld  the  chcker,  it  femed  paiTyng  feir; 
Sir,  quod  the  burgeyfe,  yr  fhul  fynd  her  a  payr 
That  woll  mate  yew  trrwly  m  las  th:in  hilf  a  mykf  i 
And  was  yfeyd  of  fotfltc  Bcryn  to  begilc 
Now  in  foth,  quod  Bcryn,  it  my^ht  wcl  hap  nay. 
And  ne'er  I  muft  my  Ihippif  fc  cU  I  wold  alTay. 
M^nat  nedith  that,  quod  the  burgeyfe?  trcwlich  |  i 

wol  nat  glofe^ 
They  been  oai  yit  yfctelid  ne  fixid  in  the  wofc;^  | 
For  1  have  fent  thrics  fith  ye  hither  cam 
To  WiLit  oppon  thcirgovcrnaunwc;  whcr*for  let  fc^j 

o  game, 
And  I  fh all  be  the  firfl  that  Ihatl  yew  itaH. 
The  mt  ync  wer  yfct  tip,  and  gon  to  picy  faft. 
Bcryn  wan  the  firtl,  the  CLCond,  and  the  third. 
And  at  fourth  game*  in  the  ches  amyd 
The  burgeyfe  wa*  ymatid;  hut  that  luft  him  wflc; 
And  all  was  doon  to  bryng  hym  yn,  a^  ye  Ihul 

her  fneh 
Sir,  then,  fcyd  Beryn,  ye  woot  well  how  it  isj 
M^  lift  no  more  to  plcy,  for  yce  know  this, 
Wjitr  Is  noon  companfoun,  of  what  thing  fo  it  be. 
Lull  and  liking  fallith  ther ;  as  it  femeth  me 
A>  pt^rth  it  nat  c&mmtHdahiU  tifttt  *ij*u  hy  o^df^ 
But  ft  reboitttJ  t9  the  toibir ;  if,  hcrforc  rymc  is  to  rydc; 
And  35  many  thonkis  as  I  can  or  may 
Of  my  fport  and  chere,  and  alfo  of  ycur  pley. 
Nay  iwts^  gentlU  Bcryn,  I  woot  yc  wol  nat  go. 
For  noritur  wol  it  nat  for  to  part  fo^ 
And  ckc  my  condicioune  ;  but  ]  Iry  fomcthing 
l»  no  more  to  pley  then  who  fo  (bokc  a  ryng 
Ther  no  man  is  wythyn  the  ryngyng  to  anfwere  ; 
To  fliete  a  fethirles  bolt  almofl  as  good  mc  were  : 
But  and  yc  wold  this  next  gjmc  foni  manir  wager 

And  let  the  tr owith  cm  both  (idisbe  morgageand 

That  whofo  be  ymatld  graunt  and  aflent 
To  do  the  todira  bidding,  and  whofo  do  repeat 
Drynk  all  the  watir  that  fait  is  of  the  fee. 
Bcrj'n  bclcvid  that  he  coud  pleybctir  than  he, 
And  fodinly  aflentid,  with  bond  in  bond  alTundi 
Men  that  ftodc  be  fides,  ycappid  and  yhurid. 
Wtft  wclc  that  Beryn  fhuld  have  the  wer-%  mes. 
For  the  burgeyfe  was  the  bcft  pleyer  at  che^ 
Of  all  the  wydc  marchiv  or  mnr»y  a  mylc  about; 
But  that  nc  wyli  Berj'n  of,  nc  cjH  thcr'of  no 
douce; 


«5<l 


THE  MERCHAITt's 


I 


H?  fet  the  mcync  cfft  ^gcjrn,  and  tokt  bctir  hcdc 

ThcQ  he  did  tofore;  and  fo  he  had  ncdc. 

The    bwrgcyfc  tokc   avifement  long  on   cveiy 

draught. 
So  wph  9U  hdur  or  two  fiery n  he  had  y caught 
Somwhatoppon  the  htpp,  that  Jkryn  had  thcwerv* 
And  alhctt  his  raynd  and  wyll  wai  for  to  curs, 
Yit  muA  he  dure  bi&  fortune  when  he  was  fo  £cr 

For  Who  is  t&at  {bat  Portum  may  alway  tuute  / 

And  n^mclich  ftout  even  in  cdie  Hdc 

Oi  f/9  and  fMirjt;  but  God  help  down  woll  he 

jjiidc 
Buc  tiow  ft  word  of  philofophy  that  fallith  to  mj 

itiynd; 
HH^  tskt  kedi  tftBe  hfgymnyng  iviatf^fiaU  ofiUtmi 
Me  leyth  ahujh  io/ore  the  gap  tbtr  Farht^e  •wald  iRrydit 
But  corny  nil  ch  yowith  forgctith  that  throughout 

the  world  wyde. 
Eight  fo  ht  Beryn  I  may  wcle  fey  that  coofkUIis 

in  rakid, 
l.ikly  to  Mt  hit  marchaofidifc,  and  go  hymfclf  al 

a&kid. 
Beryn  ftudicd  in  the  che«,  Although  it  nought 

avaiiid ; 
The  burgtyfc  in  the  meoc  while  with  other  men 

coofaiUid 
To  fech  the  fergauntii  in  the  town  for  thing  he 

bad  ado. 
5o  when  they  come  were,  they  wolkid  to  and  fro 
Up  and  down  in  the  hall,  u  fkauncc  they  kfi^w 

nought ; 
And  yit  of  all  the  purpofe,  wit,  and  mynd,  2nd 

thought. 
Of  the  untf  ew  burgcyfc,  by  hi*  mefletigeris 
They  wcr  ful  cnformyd :  wberfor  with  eye,  and 

erii^  and  hc{l. 
They  by  await  full  doggidly  Ikryn  to  arcil, 
Norther  "for  they  wcr  aftir  fent,  and  wa»  their 


X'Ord!  huw  &uld  o  fcly  lomh  among  wolvis  wcld» 
And  fcape  unyharmyd  }  it  hath  been  fcyn  fdd* 
Kepc  thy  cut  now,  Bcryn,  for  thow  art  in  the  cafe. 
The  hall  was  fuD  of  pepill,  the  fierJAuntis  Acwid 

their  mafc ; 
Beryn  kafl  up  hi«  hede,  and  was  ful  fore  aniayid. 
For  then  he  waj  ia  certcn  the  burgcyfc  had  hyni 

bctrayde. 
Draw  on^  feyd  the  burgcyfc;  Beryn,  ye  hate  the 

wcr»; 
And  every  nun  toothir  the  covcnaunt  gan  reherfc, 
The  burgey«,%vhil»  that  Beryn  wa«in  bevy  thought, 
^rhe  next  draught  aftir  he  tokc  a  rook  for  nought. 
Beryn  fwat  for  angtr,  and  wa&  in  hevy  plight. 
And  drede  full  fore  in  hcrt ;  for  wcle  he  wiil  a1  quyt 
He  fhuld  nat  cicapc,  and  was  in  high  diHrcfs  ; 
And  pryvclich  in  hi»  hcrt  that  ever  he  'j.w  the  che* 
Mc  cur^d  the  day  and  tymc  ;  but  what  avaylid 
For  wclc  he wiil  then  that  he  jhuld  b:  nutc :  [th^t  f 
He  g«n  to  chaongc  hi$co!oiir  both  pale  and  wan* 
Tlic hiizKTc  V ft  filthj Corayih  ncre, yc ihulfc  ihi&man 
lit  ^'f-  matid  with  vrhat  man  m£  liH^ 

lit         _        nd  fcyd,  Chck  mate*  The  fcrjaundi 

wtf  iuU  prcll| 


;ONO  TALE,  ^i. 

And  fcfid  Beryn  by  the  (tJcirc,  atid  fcyd»  Sin* 

think  yc  for^todo,  {Jot 

Quod  Beryn  to  the  Jeriauntis,  that  ye  me  honduk 
Or  what  have  1  oScndit?  or  what  bi^e  1  feidcf 
Trewlich,  quod  the  ferjauntii,  it  TsyliUi  sat  li 

breydc ; 
Wyth  u«  ye  muft  a  while  whcr  yc  wol  or  no 
Toforc  the  fteward  of  thii  town;  aryfe»  vui 

aud  go; 
And  thcr  it  (hal  he  openyd  how  viCcly  ibow 

wrought : 
This  b  the  end  of  our  tale,  make  it  ncvir  ibtoi 
Sire,  farlth  fdr,  yc  have  no  nede  to  h&le. 
Pag  forth,  quod  the  fcrjauntiA,  we  wol  nat 
yis.  Sir*,  of  ycur  curtefy  I  prey  yew  of  o  woc^ 
Although  my  gcutill  hooll  hath  pleyed  with  me  ia 

bor4e, 
And  ywon  a  wager,  ye  have  naught  to  doon: 
*rhat  U  betwccif  hyni  and  onci  ye  have  natbyn^ 

to  doon. 
The  hood  made  an  hidoufs  cry,  in  gcfolrcut  die 

haut. 
And  fet  his  hand  in  kenebowc,  he  lakkid  oevir  i 

faute* 
Wcy  nil  thow,  feid  he  to  BcfyQ»  for  to  fcornt  aef 
What  evir  thow  fpeke,  or  £b-ome»  ceries  it  wofl 

nat  be. 
Of  me  fhalt  thou  hive  no  wrong:  pas  f&rth  a btfir 

pafc ; 
In  prefencc  of  our  fleward  I  woll  tell  my 
Why,  hood,  £jy  yec  this  in  cmeCL  or  in  game!^ 
Yc  know  my  con  tray,  and  my  modir,  raj  Ij 

and  my  nanie  i 
And  thus  ye  have  yfcyd  me  X  Jith  on  thit  d-r, 
Yc,  wh»t  though  1  feyd  fo  ?  1  know  wclc  < 
Thcr  lyih  no  more  tbcr'to.  But  anothir  t 
1.CYC  lue  fo  much  the  Ic*  when  thow  cotncit  tiyrnc; 
For  all  that  rvjr  I  fcyd  was  to  bryng  ll|c  in  care. 
And  now  1  have  my  purpofe  t  woD  nothjtig  ttM 

fpare. 
Thus  jangling  to  cch  othir,  endenting  ercry  pole, 
They  cntrid  both  into  the  hall  thcr  the  Acwewri 

was : 
Evandir  was  hi)  mme ,  that  (btiU  waft,  and  fo  fcUa 
tie  mufk  be  well  aviled  toforc  hy m  fhuld  icli. 
Anotljir  burgcyfc  wyth  hym  wa^  provo^  of  tli 
That  Hanybald  was  yckpid,but  of  Ibtilte    [crti. 
He  pafhd  many  anothir,  as  ye  (hul  here  foor* 
Bcrjnui  hood  gun  to  tcU  al  thyng  a  it  wi4  doeil 
Fro  gynnyng  to  the  endyng,  the  wordia  wfth  d^ 

dedc. 
And  how  tlicy  made  their  covenaunt^  and  ^f9ipf 

how  they  Icyd* 
Now  Beryn,  quod  the  ftcwmrd,  ihoa  hall  |kail 

this  talc. 
How  and  in  what  mancre  thott  an  jhronffti  io 

bale  ; 
Thow  mud  do  his  byddyng,  thow  nuift  ys  fl# 

wyfe  flee. 
Or  dr)'nk  all  the  watir  that  fait  i»  la  the  fee  : 
Of  thcfc  too  thingis  thow  tunH  chcfe  the  teen  |. 
Now  be  well  avyfid,  and  fey  ihcy  will  anoo:T« 
Tu  do  yce  both  law  1  m^y  no  betir 


For  tlww  ibalt  hare  qo  wfo^gi  aj> 


fc,, 


Uttam 


THE   MERCHANT'S   SECONl 


Ir**. 


%ii 


lie  fieU  Tig^  u  the  Uil,  aid  wit  thou  no* 

thing  mc 

p  thovf  chcfc  the  wen  and  l^t  the  t^ftir  be* 
flodc  ailonyd,  and  no  mtrv&UI  wt»,   [cafe ; 
ttjd  the  (Icrward  of  a  de j  to  anfwerc  to  the 
night  lightBch  ill  fom  word  be  ycaught, 
kc  ii  is  right  herd  to  chcfc  of  to  that  bcth 

rigbt  paught ; 

d  it  wer  yeur  Uifug  to  gratint  mc  day  tjl 

to  moTOwc 

9iifwer  throDzh  Godd*ishcIp,   Then  muH 

thow  fynd  a  borowe, 

ie  ilcnurd  to  Beryo,  aqd  ylt  it  b  of  erace. 
rrith  tn&,(}uod  Hanybaid,  1  preyalltil  fpafe : 
h  Are  ihippis  ondlt  the  tovrn,  lyg^gyng  on 

the-  ftron^, 
Lch  been  UfEciant  ffefid  in  our  hood, 

that  am  yrur  provofl  ro  execote  the  bw, 
ft  aiTcnt.  Quod  ETandcr,  Let  m  ony%  here 

hit  r«w. 

ic  wdCf  qnod  Bsryn,  fith  it  may  be  noon 

otbir, 
Ka4iybaU  arofe  hym  up  Co  Icfc  both  {hlf 

Vid  ftrothif^  [wey» 

the  Bcryn  wyth  hym :  fo  taUcyng  pn  the 

^nod  Hanybald,  I  fuyr  the  be  my  fey 
^ow  art  rouc;h  yb^und  to  me  this  IJIt  dcy, 
"^  -  •     ^rndit  Py  mejatidckeof  fych  *  wey 
y  caufc,  yf  thow  wplt  do  by  rede, 
^^i  ,  -  ^^ht  by  tny  counl^iill  ooght  the  to 

PHVele  to  mpTowe  the  dey  of  pk  ii  {c% 
fc  mmt  ncdl«  infwere,  or  cl»  wythout  Ictt 
,yeld  thcni  ycur  fliippU;  1  may  in  no  wyfc 

ll  tmdef  take ;  but  the  mcrchanndife  wythm 
p  my  charge,  ye  knowc  as  wtle  a»  1» 
KCther'ofno  lyvcry:  whcrTor  now  wyfcly 
t  and  do  aftir  rcdc:  Ui  all  your  rncrdimnn- 

Et  of  yeor  (hippi^  and  at  Wcfl  prifc    [difc 
re  it  every  dele  in  covcn^Mnt;  yf  yc  lift 
^yne  honlc  here  onys  tofoi-c,  I  hold  it  for 

"^^bU  fc  of  dtvcnlondi^,  hotifo«  to  or  thre 
aundlfc,  that  through  this  gretc  ccts 
rin  prcve,  I  may  right  well  avowc, 
i  he  have  aD  fcyn,  and  T  have  yeur  alfo, 
r  ^---  -  be  ymade  bctwen^  us  both  too. 
:  Ir,  quod  Bcryn,  ycur  profit  Ii  Icir 

wqI$  I  do  thcr*4ftir  yf  I  ondirflood 
ft  wythont  blame  of  brckin^  of  arcil* 
wi  Himybild,  &t  my  pcrcU  me  truft, 
^aoybald'i  houfe  togidir  both  they  rode, 
Ifcdt  a«  Hanrbald  had  yfeyd,  an  h«uge  houfe, 
long  and  brode, 

>  marchaun4Lle  a»  nch  at  it  m^y  be,  [cete. 
g  an  the  marchantis  that  dwdlid  in  that 
^hcn  ^1  wa«  ihcwid  they  dronk  and  toke 
their  Icvc, 

i"!i3rnk  JO  haA  they  gou  to  meve* 

Id  was  &vyAd  what  charge 

[acre 

i<i^  in  hii  wyfc  Afcaaoce,  he  rought 


Whethzr  be  bargenynd  or  no,  and  tcyd  thtti :  B#f  , 

ryn,  freod. 
Your  marchjiundire  is  feir  and  good,  now  Ut  mM 

make  an  end 
Ifyee  lifl ;  1  can  no  more;  je  knowith  how  tt  iju 
Conn,  of  0ion  let  tuk  them  yn,  methinklth  )  femj 

nat  mp,  .f 

And  then  ycur  meyne  and  ye,  and  I,  to  my  houjj* 

ihalJ  wc  go. 
And  of  the  marchaundife  I  faw  1  wol  not  par^ 
Chefe  of  the  bell  of  that  ye  find  thcrL-      [therfrotl 
Throughout  the  long  houfe,  ther  ihiil  no  man  yof  1 

dcre*  I 

And  therwjth  ihall  yeur  fhtppisbe  filled  all  fytetl 
I  can  fey  no  bctir  :  yf  ye  lUt  to  dry vc         [men  J 
Thii  bargen,  to  the  end  counfclLkh  with  yeu^i 
1  m*y  nat  lone  tary,  1  muft  ncdi*  hen* 
Beryn  dcpid  hii  racyne  counfcU  for  to  take ; 
But  hit  firft  mocloune  was  of  the  woo  and  w^ake^ 
And  all  the  tribulacioune,  for  pteying  at  chc»t 
That  he  had,  every  dete  his  fhame  and  hll  durct 
Fro  poynt  to  poynt,  and  how  it  ftodc,  he  told  hon 

it  was, 
And  then  he  s^xid  counfjuJI  what  bcH  wat  %n  the 

cafe^ 
To  chaungc  with  the  burgeyfc  or  els  for  to  lcvc|_ 
Eche  man  ie yd  his  avife ;  but  al  that  they  did  mcv 
It  wer  to  long  a  talc  for  to  trll  it  here  : 
But  fynally,  at  end,  they  corJit  al  in  fere 
Th.it  the  chaunge  fliuld  ilond,  for  at  the  cafe  wii-^ 

fall 
They  held  it  ckridy  for  the  bcil,  and  went  forth 

wythall 
The  next  wcy  that  they  couth  to  HanybaM^liplafe. 
But  now  (hull  yc  here  the  moft  fotill  fallacc 
That  ever  inan  wrought  till  oihir,  and  higheft 

trechcrvj 
Wich  Han yb aid  had  wrought  hymfclf  to  this  com* 

pany. 
Go  in,  quod  Hanybald,  and  chefe,  it  thy  c&v^ 

naunt  is. 
In  goon  thcfe  Romeynt  cch  oon,  and  fond  a  myt ; 
For  there  was  nothing  that  euy  man  might  fe 
SaH*  the  wall  and  tylc  ftunyi,  an4  tymblr  mzdt  of 

tre; 
For  Hknybald  had  do  void  it  of  ali  thing  that  wai 

tlicre; 
Whri»  he  wai  at  the  Ihippis  hi»  men  away  it  here. 
When  Bcryn  faw  the  houfc  Itrthat  ful  wa^ther'to* 

fore 
Of  richc  fnarchaundifc,  alai!  thought  he,  I  am  lore^ 
I  aw  in  thia  world;  and  wittith  well  ha  hert 
Was  pat  al  in  likcing;  and  outward  gan  he  (tcrt 
Like  half  a  wodrman,  and  bete  both  his  bppis. 
And  gan  to  hafl  hH  tovvardi  hit  own  fhippi«. 
To  kcpe  his  good  within  wyth  al  that  evir  he 

myght. 
That  it  were  nat  difchargit,as  hym  thought  vtrrey 

right. 
But  al  for  naught  waahii  haft,  for  joc  inco. 
As  fail  as  they  myght,  they  hare  the  good  then. 
Through  ordcnaui^ce  of  Hanybald,  that  pryvchcli 

to£or« 
Had  furpoiJd  and  ycaft  fhuld  be  out  yborc* 


I 


I 


jSi  mt  MEHCHAMrS 

Berfn  mdide  a  fwyfi*  p&fc;  ther  m^rght  no  mio  hf m 

let; 
Bui  Hanybald  was  ware  inough,  and  with  Bcryn 

met ; 
AUfor  nought ;  Beryn,  thou  knowcdweU  and  fyac 
The  {hippit  ben  areiilid,  and  rbc  good  is  m^fne* 
What  woldcft  thow  do    thcrf  thow  hail  ther 

nowgbt  to  do; 
I  wol  hold  thy  covcnaunt  and  thow  myn  slTo, 
For  yit  faw  I  ncvir  man  thit  was  of  ihy  manere; 
Somctymt  thou  wUt   avaunte,  and  fomc  tymc 

arcrc ; 
Kow  tbow  wih,  and  now  thow  n'olt.  Whcr  fhijl 

men  the  fynd  I 
^ow  fey  ooni  and  fith  anothir.  So  variant  of  mjnd 
Saw  t  ncvir  toforc  this  dcy  man  fo  variabUl. 
Sith  1  the  fynd  in  fuch  plytc,  our  bargcn  for  to 

ilabiU, 
Wc  woU  tofore  the  fteward,  ther  wc  both  ihiiil 

have  right. 
Nay,  forfoth,  quod  Bcryn.  Yii  trcnlich  the  titc, 
<Jnod  HanybaM,  whcr  thou  wolt  or  no ,  &nd  fo 

t  \he  charge 
A»  provoll ;  know  that  yf  roc  lift  my  warant  is  fa 

large. 
And  tbow  make  any  diffcncc.  to  bynym  thy  lyffc. 
Tjikc  thyn  hors;  it  gaynyth  nat  for  to  make  ftryflc. 
So  wyth  forowfull  hcrt  Bcryn  toke  hit  hors, 
Andfaftty  fcyd  lohjsmcn,  Of  me,  quod  he,  no  for*, 
But  wend  to  ycur  (hippis;  I  wol  corn  when  I  may ; 
Ye  fetli  wtti  evcrichoac  1  may  no  bet  awcy. 
Now  here  by  this  fame  Tale  both  frc  and  bond 
Mow  fcJc  in  their  wittis }  and  eke  ondirftoode 
That  LitUl  ^ttitstb  %tfj^morgijg«v<fma¥n(i 
TdKr  Fwtmne  rv;r  fBtrtieth .  ^mi  tkt  Http  amd  Chaamu , 
Or  %tf^t  axmiieth  iotinU   irtvlf^  w  rUiu, 
Frendfiip^  orfatdtt^  *f  *//  bar  Jinn  ^ 
4j«iJf  goody  er  caUU^  «7'»  or  ^  h"^S** 
JsOtdi  «t  hrdij  fervut,  <r  fit  l^igh  pffrage  f 
JVlat  $a«y  aii  this  a^ayU  iter  Fttfitme  U  m/oo  f 
I  tvit  rijlflaW^  or  ntvir  a  dth  :  full  ttfi  Uf^tUitbfp, 
So,  fliortly  to  pas  ovir,  they  Gil  to  fuch  an  end 
That  Bcryn  fliuld  have  <Uy  agcyn  a  moro  wc,  and 

fo  to  Wf  od 
He  fct  hym  in  ful  purpofe  to  hii  (hippii  ward : 
Bat  yit  or  he  cam  thcr  he  fond  the  paflagc  hard  ; 
For  how  he  wa*  bcgiled  throughout  all  the  towne 
Ther  and  thcr  a  couplll  gao  to  fpeke  and  to  rounc} 
And  every  man  his  purpofe  wai  to  have  parte 
With  falfncH,  and  with  fotiltcei ;  they  coud  noon 

othtr  art, 
Beryn  rode  forth  in  his  wcy,  hi»  page  ran  hym  by. 
Full  fore  adr cd  in  hcrt,  and  call  about  h  is  eye 
Up  and  down,  even  long  the  llretc,  and  for  angir 

fwct; 
And  er  he  had  riden  m  ftoneV  ca(i,  a  Myml  man 

with  him  met, 
Aod  fpak  no  word,  hut  fcfid  hym  fidl  by  the  lap, 
And  cried  out  and  harrowc,  and  nere  hym  gan  to 

ftap. 
Ajl  for  nought,  quod  thU  biynd ;  what  !  wenyft 

thow  for  lo  Ikape  \ 
pcsyti  had  thought  to  prik  forth,  and  thought  it 
had  be  jape. 


feyd^ 


SECOND  TALE,   fef/. 

The  blynd  man  caft  awey  hi»  llaff,  and  Cct  on  boo 

his  hondis ; 
Nay,  thow  Qialt  nat  void,  qtiod  he,  Ibr  all  tJiy  n& 

londiif 
Tyll  t  of  the  have  rcfon,  lawe,  lod  eke  rights, 
For  trewlzch  1  may  wit  it  the  tiat  1  bsve  loQi  mf 

fight. 
So  for  ought  that  Bcryn  coud  ocKIr  fpeke  or  prry 
He  rayght  in  no  wyfc  pas  j  ful  fore  he  gan  to  may. 
And  namelich  for  the  pepiU  throng  hym  fo  abuo. 
And  echc  man  gan  hym  bond,  and  ftryd*  Wltfaoiit 

do\ite 
Ye  muft  nedei  (lond,  and  reft,  and  bide  the  bwg, 
Be  ye  nevir  fo  grcte  a  man.  So  wold  1  wonder  bm% 
Quod  Bcryn,  yf  ycc  had  caufe,  but  I  know  noo©. 
No,  thou  Qialt  know  or  thaw  g^  thow  biH  on 

al  ydoon. 
The  blynd  man  feyd  to  Beryn.    TcU  oo  tbfl% 

quod  he. 
Here  is  no  place  to  plcte,  the  blynd  maa  feyd 
Alfo  wc  have  no  jugc  here  of  autorite ; 
But  Evandir  the  ilcward  fhaU  deroe  both 
When  I  my  tale  have  told,  imd  thow  hafi 

anfwcrc, 
By  that  tymc  men  (hull  know  how  thoweanft  tkt 

clcrc 
Now,  foveren  God  !  I  thank  the  of  thia  ilk  der ; 
Then  I  may  preve  the,  be  iny  lyve,  of  ward  tfi 

eke  of  fay 
Fals,  and  eke  untrewe  of  covenattnt  thow  kit 

ym^iktd. 
But  lit  ill  is  thy  chaiigc  now  thougli  that  I  gonikid 
That  fomctymc  wer  partinere,ancl  rckoiydft  BcWl 

yit; 
But  thou  Ibalt  here  or  we  depart   thcr*  of  a  lit^ 
For  aftir  coroyn  feyng,  Evir  arte  code  [wist. 

The  trowith  woll  be  prcvid  how  fo  men  evir  trend* 
Thus  they  talkid  to  eche  othir  tyl  they  com  tSM 

the  plafe. 
And  wcr  ycntrid  in  the  hall  thcr  the  ftrwardwik 
The  blynd  man  firll  gan  to  fpakc  :  Sir  Scewirdt 

for  Godd'i*  fikc, 
Hcriih  mc  a  litiU  while,  for  here  I  bam  ytakc 
He  that  hath  do  me  wrong  moll  of  man  of  moU; 
Be  my  help,  as  law  woll,  for  hym  that  Juda*  iold. 
Ye  know   wcle   that  oft  tjiite  I  have  to  fr« 

ypleynid 
Mow  I  was  betrayed,  and  how  I  was  ypcnidf 
And  how  a  man  fome  tymc  and  1  our  yen  did 

chaunge  : 
This  is  the  f^une  pcrfone,  though  that  he  BuIk  k 

ftraunge ; 
1  toke  them  hyn%  but  for  a  tjnie^  mod  w^f^ 

trewly 
Myne  toh^ve  that  y  had  ageyn ;  and  fobodihrtfdl 
Were  enftired  uttirlich,  and  wai  our  hoth  wiQ; 
But  for  mync  the  bcttlr  were  wrongfullkk  lai 

tile 
He  hath  them  kept  hidirto,  wyih  muehfbrowt  asl 

pync 
To  mc,  as  ye  wclc  kflowjth  ;  becatife  1  hate  ■* 

mync 
I  may  nat  fe  with  his ;  whrrfor  me  t*  fitl  woo: 
And  cvinnorc  yefeyd  thit  ye  myghc  oodun;  d| 


J 


THE  MERCHANT'S   SECOND  TALE,  Vlu  ' 


«iJ 


fRfSsice  of  the  man  that  wrought  me 

\  be  is  tofore  you  now  \&\  bym  lutt  aften ; 
f  tjinc  And  oft  ycc  behetc  me 
ny^ht  be  tike  ht:  {hidd  do  me  |^. 
if  hym  be  JeM,  howcvir  fo  ye  u^c, 
,  oevir  pas  tjl  I  myn  yen  have 
[ttod  Evaodir,  bcnft  thow  oar  ihcy  ieWe 
illy  he  plcttth,  and  ware  by  cchc  halve  ? 
mIc  all  mucft,  and  no  word  fac  fpakc ; 
^  waa  tbo  his  gnce  ;  ful  Tone  he  had  be 
ake 

hdMl  myfTeyd  ony s,  or  cla  yfcyd  nay ; 
1  be  had  been  negatyflT,  and  undo  for  ay  % 
were gretc5eTiLioiKis,aadu fid  probat  law, 
cvirmore  affirmatyf  fliuld  prcve  hia  owti 
«w : 

•re  they  were  fo  quereloufe  of  all  myght 
pom  to  myndy 

sc  wer  nevir  in  dcde  ydo  ;  Cuch  materc 
they  wold  fyod 

SI  a  manhi^  good  through  rommanirglle; 
ynd  man  wiH  right  wck  he  Ihuld  have 
oft  hit  whyle 

e  hia  pleyiit  on  Beryii,  and  fuyd  oppon  hit 
food» 

pin  and  eke  marchanndiie  in  a  balaunce 
lodei 

r  he  made  hlschalengc  hit  yen  for  to  have, 
c  (hvld  for  them  fync  yf  he  wold  tbeni 
iaTC» 

\  for  them  in  hoftage  ty!l  thefynauocc  cam ; 
IS  all  the  fortkc  of  the  bl>  od  man. 
ode  all  muct,  and  no  word  he  fpak* 
|Uod  Evandcr,  left  thow  be  ytake 
teof  anfwere  thou  myghtill  be  condemp- 

t  urcle  aryfid,  fith  thou  art  examtnyd. 
1  Bcryn.  it  wold  litill  availe 
'ere  thui  aloon  without  good  cottnfaill ; 
a  furthermore,  full  litill  1  fliuld  be  lev  id, 
if  J  anfweredf  thuf  ilonydand  reprevid; 
[  my  wit  doith  faille ;  and  no  wondir  it; 
IT  I  wold  prey  yew,  of  ycwr  gciitilno, 
lot  me  dcy  tyll  to  morowe  1  tnight  be 
mryiide 

rtn  forth,  wythothir  that  on  mc  been 
nrmyfid. 

ns!  <{uod  thcficward,  I  graunt  wcl  itbc  fo. 
ike  his  teve^  and  hop  id  to  pas  and  go : 
MIC  as  Bcryn  was  oij  hi^  hor*  ry  ding 
a  woman  and  a  child  wyth  fad  cbere 

HM  bysi  by  the  reyn*  and  held  hym  wondir 

ly  Sir,  Toidith  nat  yit^'vailtth  nat  to  hafle; 
r  in  no  wyfc  fcape;  ye  muft  nedis  abyde; 
igh  ye  hd  to  ktiow  me  nat,  yit  lien  by 
rcur  fide 

ul  many  a  tyme,  I  can  nat  tell  yew  lome. 
»fore  the  iLt:ward»  thcr  Hiall  yc  here  ycur 
lone 

r  that  I  ihall  put  on  yew,  and  no  word  for 
ll^Oi  aioon  it  is  ycur  vijlany.      [to  ly ; 


Alas  the  day  and  tyrnc  that  evir  I  W3s  yenr  make 
Muclt  have  I  endured  tluscoo  ycre  frtr  yeur  lake  I  < 
But  uuw  it  jhall  be  know  who  is  in  the  wrofijrc. 
Bcryn  was  all  abHfhid,  the  pepill  fo  thik  thronge  t  i 
About  him  in  ecUc  fide  :  ior  ought  that  he  couth 

pe^n 
He  muil  to  the  ftcward  of  fyne  fors  ageyn. 
Now  Ihuil  yc  here  how  fotilich  tliis  woman  gan 

hir  tale  , 

It*  prcfcncc  of  the  lleward^    With  colour  wan  and 

pale 
Pctoully  Ihe  gan  to  tell ;  and  fcid,  Slir,  to  yew 
Full  oft  T  have  compleynyd  in  what  manere  and 
My  childlis  fadir  left  mc%by  myfcU  aloon,    [How 
Without  hctp  or  comfortc,  ai  grctc  zt  I  my^hfi 

goon, 
Wyth  my  fun  here  and  his  ^^^  fhame  it  h  to  teU 
The  penury  that  L  have  yhad,  tliat  afora  fell  i  ^ 

I  mull  nedi«  myne  aray«  whcr  mc  lifl  or  lothe^ 
Or  els  1  mi#  have  bcggit  for  to  fynd  us  bothc; 
For  there  was  nevir  woman  I  It  vc,  as  1  ges> 
For  lak  of  hede  of  lyvclodc  that  lyvid  in  mora* 

didrca  { ] 

Then  1  my  fcLf  for  oft  tymc  for  lake  of  mete  and 

drink ;  • 

Andyitltrow  no  creature  was  feyner  forto  fwinke* 
My  lylfto  fuUcne :  but  as  I  mut  ncde 
Above  all  othir  thingi^  to  his  child  uke  hede. 
That  wondir  is  and  mcrvaik  that  1  am  alyve ; 
For  the  fokyng  of  hii  right  as  it  were  a  knyvc 
tt  ran  into  my  hert ;  fo  low  I  was  of  mode 
That  well  I  woot  in  cortcn  witii  pcrcell  of  mj 

blodc 
His  child  I  have  ynorifhld;  and  that  i^by  mefeen^ 
For  my  rede  colour  is  turnid  into  grene  : 
And  he  that  caufe  is  of  all  here  he  {U>ndith  by  me  ; 
To  pay  for  the  fodcryng  mcthinkith  it  is  tyme. 
And  dth  he  is  my  hufbood^  and  hath  on  me  oa 

row  lib. 
Let  hym  make  amcndis  in  faving  of  his  trowith. 
And  yf  he  to  any  word  onys  can  fay  nay 
Lo  I  here  my  gage,  ai  redy  to  prcvc  all  that  I  fey. 
The  llewardc  tokc  the  g^gc.aiid  fp^kin  lk»ft  wyfe; 
Of  this  pcroufc  complcynt  a  maiiu'ys  hert  may 

grilc. 
For  I  know  in  percell  hir  tale  is  nat  all  Icfe, 
For  many  a  time  and  oft  this  woman  that  here  if 
Hath  ybc  toforc  mc,  and  plcynid  of  hir  grcffe^ 
But  without  a  party  hir  caufc  myght  nat  prcfTc. 
Now  thou  art  here  prefcnt  that  (he  plcnyth  on. 
Make  thy  defence  now,  Bcryn,  as  wele  as  thow 
Beryu  flode  all  muct,and  no  word  he  fpak.  [con, 
Bcryn,  quod   the  fkward,   doill  diow  filepe  or 
Scy  onys  oon  or  otKir  !  is  it  fnth  or  nay.  [wake  ^ 
As  Ihc  hath  dedarid?  tcU  on  fkunce  dcby. 
Lord  God  !  quod  Bcryn,  what  (huld  it  mc  availe 
Among  fo  mmy  wife«  without  ri^ht  good  coua* 

laiU. 
To  tell  cny  tale  ?  full  Util  a*  I  gnct : 
Wher'for  I  wold  prey  you  of  your  gcntitnei. 
Graimt  mc  day  tyl  to  murrowe  to  aafwer  fortli 

with  othir. 
I  ^unt  wele,j|uud  theflcward,  biit  for  fadir  and 

modir, 


tn 


THE  MERCHANT'S   SECOND  TALE    Bf^. 


I 

I 


Thow  ^tift  no  kngcr  tymc  pleynly  1  the  lell. 
Beiyn  tokc  hU  Icvc ;  hU  hcrt  gm  to  fwcH 
For  pure  vrrrcf  an^ysfli ;  and  no  mcrvaill  wis ; 
And  who  if  that  that  n'ald  and  he  wcr  in  iuch 

For  al  hb  trift  smd  hope  in  cny  worldich  thing 
Wat  clccn  from  hym  paffld^  fave  torawt  aAd  thy- 

flyltyng ; 
For  body,  good,  and  citcU,  and  lylT,  he  fct  at 

nought, 

8ow2s  hi*  hcrt  ywoundit  for  angir  and  for  thought* 
Bcryli  pafTyd  foftly,  and  to  hiahort  gun  go; 
And  wb<ifi  he  wai  Without  the  galls,  he  lokid  to 

atid  fro. 
And  coud  noon  othir  cotintenaunce  i  hut  to  hit 

page  he  fcyd, 
Precioufc  Ood  in  hcvcn  ?  how  falfly  am  !  betrayd ! 
I  trow  no  man  alyvc  ftont  it  wtfa  plight. 
And  aU  it  for  my  fynne,  and  for  toy  wng  delite ; 
And  pryncipally  above  lil  thyog  M  grete  un* 

kyndnei 
That  I  did  to  my  modir ;  for  littil  hcdc  Iwti 
1  tokeof  hir,  this  know  I  wele,  while  (ht*  wa&alyvc, 
Thcrfor  al  this  tiirment  Ufcntto  mc  foryvc  : 
For  thcr  was  nevir  womon  kyndcr  to  hir  child 
Than  fht  Was ;  and  thcr  agcyns  ncvir  thing  fo 
Kc  fo  evil  thcwid  as  !  was  my  fclf,  [wyld 

Thcr*for  forowc  and  happi  enTlron  mc  by  cche 

hdYC, 

That  T  n'ote  whidcrryde  eicihir  up  tie  down, 
Thcr  ben  fo  many  dcvilUs  dwctlyng  tn  this  town, 
And  (b  ful  tf  gilc  and  trcthcry  alfb. 
That  well  T  woot  in  certcyn  they  woll  me  ondo. 
Now  wold  to  God  ia  hcvyn  what  it  my  beft  rcdcl 
He  tokc  ht»  hors  to  his  page,  and  ihuj  to  hym  he 

fayd, 
XiCde  my  hors  to  fliipward,  and  take  it  to  fomc 
And  1  woU  go  on  foot  as  pryvely  as  T  cin,  [tnaxi, 
And  aflay  yf  I  may  in  eny  manerc  wife 
Xfcape  nnarrcfted  more  in  fuch  manner  wife. 
The  childtokchismaLilir's  hors,  and  lafthym  theft 

aloon, 
Vklking  forth  on  foot,  making  oft  his  moon  i 
And  in  hh  moft  mufing,  I  can  nat  fey  how  lome, 
He  wo^lhid  nakid  as  he  was  bore  he  had  be  ia 

K.o0m, 
And  no  mcrvaill  was  it  as  the  cafe  ftode. 
For  he  drad  more  to  Icfe  his  ryen  than  he  did  liii 

fliippii  or  hti  good* 
Now  ye  tliat  llilith  to  dwell  and  here  of  aTenttirej 
How  petouOy  Dame  Fortune,  Beryn  to  inure, 
Tiimyth  hir  whelc  about  in  the  wcrs  fide; 
^ith  hap  of  lorowc  and  anguysfh  (he  gyoy th  for 

to  ride, 
BerynpiOid  toward  the fErondthcrhisfhippis  were, 
Butyce  mow  ondirftond  hi*  hen  was  full  of  fcrc; 
Y«  ncthirjci  he  fat  hym  down  foftly  on  a  ftaU, 
Semy'ryfc  for  forowc,  and  Icnyd  to  the  wall 
For  tutmcntthat  he  had,  fo  wcry  he  wasandf^n  t 
Asd  to  Cod  above  thus  he  marjr  hii  plcynt  t 
Olortuoi  Ood  in  hevtn  f  that  al  t!iing  maldfi  of 

nought, 
Wly  fuffcntt  thow  thefe  carfid  Tntu  to  ftrey  tnc 

I  ■ 


And  knowcft  well  myti  toooceitc,  ihit  I  hti* 
Of  al  that  they  purfu  mc  or  on  me  ia  pill  i      [j^ 
And  in  the  me Jn  whilt  that  Beryn  tJungan  plcyi 
A  cachepoU  flode  bcfidii,  hi«  name  waa  Macliii|i^ 
And  herd  alJ  the  wordi»,  and  knew  olfb  Mbfc 
How   Seryn  was  turmenttfd  both  with  lai  mi 

more  : 
It  was  yfprong  through  the  tcrwn ;  k  wu  he  tat 

cnfcnfid 
How  he  hym  would  cogyv«  aa  he  had  pfpiat^ 
And  had  araid  hym  rocxUich  a*  nun  «tf  cobud* 

placioune, 
Ina  manteU  wyththc  lift, with  hh  diJBimilii^Wfc 
And  a  (tairinhiihondc«asthotighe  hf  Iflillvfei^ 
And  drow  hym  toward  Bcryn,  aod  fciil  lAtiyfatf 

ncre  r 
The  high  God  of  heven,  that  al  thittg  aiidcfl 

nought, 
BIcs  yew.  gcntil  Sir,  for  many  an  bevy  tliocffat 
Me  thinktth  that  ye  have,  and  no  womllr  kt 
But,  good  i>ir,  djiinay  yew  tiat^  but  levidiyfvr 

hcvinca, 
And  yf  ye  lift  to  tell  mc  fomwhat  of  jtm 
I  hope  to  God  Almighty  in  party  h  redrei  [oflb 
Through  my  pore  counfiiU,  and  fo  I  have  ntiflf 
For  1  have  pete  on  yew  be  God  and  by  Seint  Joai 
And  eke  pfyvy  he  vines  doith  echc  man  apdr 
Sodcnly  or  he  be  %vare,  and  fail  in  difpcir ; 
And  who  be  in  that  pUgue  that  man  ia  & 
For  confequent  comyth  aftir  ickenea 
And  thcr'for,  Sir,  diikcverith  yewe,  AQtd  b«  9^ 

thing  adrad« 
Graum  mercy  !  Sir,  quodBeryo,  ye  icmctrtm 

fad; 
But  0  thing  lyith  in  royn  hcrt,  t  ti'otc  to 

truft. 
For  tho  th^t  dyncd  mc  to  dey  ordeyocd  mc  ^ 

ai^rt, 
A  Sir !  be  yew  that  ittaB  }  of  yew  I  have  yKexd. 
Gentill  Sir,  douttth  nat,fic  be  nodtiftg  aferd 
Of  me,  for  I  (hall  coonfeli  y«w  a«  wdl  is  I  can, 
For  trcwlidi  in  the  ccte  dwclBth  nuny  a  hU  oae, 
And  itfyn  litil  els  bnt  falihode,  wrongs  and  wyle. 
And  bow  they  might  ftraungcta  with  trcdkry 

begik  ! 
But  ye  Ihul  do  right  wifely  fomewkat  be  of 

eouofail. 
Spekc  with   the  ileward;  that  mtf  you  mtM 

avmill; 
For  ther  it  a  cotnyn  byword,  yf  ye  it  herd  hnv^ 
fVtU/ftiik  It  hit  ptmy  fb*t  tbt  ^tf«//«Wl^. 
The  flewtrd  is  a  covetoufc  man,  that  toOf  Itfi 

did  rid 
A  knyff  I  have  io  keeping,  whefy/^th  his  hot  1 

wirid  ; 
Shall  be  yew  to  hclp^  io  covenatmlfe  tliai  yt* 
3hall  give  me  five  mark  yeur  trco  frend  io  be 
The  kn;  IT  is  fcir,  I  tell  yew  $.yct  fladr  ufon  ^ 

day 
Myght  the  fteward  have  it  fbr  aught  he  crnidyfcyr 
The  wich  ye  fljald  gyve  hym,  the  bctif  fef  <» 

fpcdc. 
And  behothc  hym  40  f.  to  bdj  ycW  111  J^ 


THK    MERCHANT'S  SECOND  TALE    t^.. 


«5f| 


I  fnnntith,  tmiUtli  wcle  yc  ftood  in 

1  plight ; 

SiexL  lefe  all  the  lit  the  more  <|Qyt. 
IjH  pi  wjth  yew  llraight  to  hi»  pUfc, 
ie  dolit  and  fpckc  brli  to  amtad  ycwr 

Ik  be  my  coGn  ;  the  bctlr  ye  fbti]  fpedc ; 
tiat  1  have  «11  ytald  the  hu^fff  to  hjAi 
rce  bede. 

(inkid  bytnKcrlUck,  ajid&nhym  gantruft, 
nd  in  hond  cnfurid,  and  ail  for  the  bell ; 
Mnghe  noon  othtr,  al  that  tt  oOxir  was. 
m  hym  comfprtid,  ulkyng  of  their  c^e, 
lid  forth  ftyUy  toward  the  ftcwird  bly  vc 
idMadmtgH ;  but  Beryn  bare  the  kny^V 
Ek  much  in  his  fcLawe  to  have  fom  help  : 
i€y  departed  were  they  hadnocaufctoyclp 
iwskir  comfort,  a*  ye  ihull  here  anoon  ; 
loe  as  Machaigae  toforc  the  fteward  com 
)tat  to  the  cnh  :  i  grevcma  plynt  aod  an 

e%  aod  feyd.  Sir  Steward,  now  be  a  trcw 

tntft  CUatrvytODr  that  (kondith  me  befydc; 

^ofbym  goodhcdc,  els  he  woil  nat  abide. 

Ircy  gode  Steward,  for  yce  hare  herd  me 

rore 

ftdir  Melan  pleyn  to  you  fu!  fore, 

itli  lievtn  dromedarys,  as  1  hare  told  yew 

»chandifc  chargit  went  toward  Rome, 
\$  fevcn  yerc  ago  and  a  litiLl  more 
or  of  hii  goodift  that  I  herd  Ics  or  more ; 
1  have  enquered  ai  by  ely  as  I  couthc, 
t  nevir  man  yit  that  mc  coud  teU  with 
rnowth 

liiig  of  hym  onto  this  fame  day ; 
r  I  know  too  much,  alas!  1  may  wel  fey, 
icrytt  herd  theft  wordia  he  kiifc  down  hii 
licde; 

K  thought  in  hert>a1as  I  what  is  my  redef 
raid  £ayo  hive  voadlt  and  outward  gan  to 

chaigne  arofe  and  fefid  by  the  bpp  : 
uw  Sialt  thot  void,  he  fcidj  my  talc  ii  nat 

fdo; 

tvwith  of  my  body  yf  thou  ftapidill  fo 
Dc^r  have  mcry  whili  I  wcr  on  ly  ve , 
bond  fafl  on  Beryn^s  othir  fcUvc, 
d,  Gt>od  Sir  Steward,  my  tale  to  the  end 
e  wold  here,  for  wend  how  men  wend 
fSfj  DO  mto  hele  murdJLr,  but  it  will  Out  at 
laft :  [paft 

le  knylT  tny  fadir  bere  when  he  of  con  ere 
th  wcle  thia  faloa,  ther  ye  (hul  hym  find  ; 
the  knyff  wclcioough,  it  it  nat  out  of  my 
mynd  : 

[dcrt  dwdlith  In  thift  totifl  that  made  the 
hiae  knyflV 

r  10  pr«ve  the  trowith  be  fbali  be  here  as 
Blf^e. 

Wit  for  angir.  hi*  hert  was  fdl  of  fertf ; 
I  the  kfiyf  V6  the  ftcward  or  he  ferdiid 


The  Acward  onto  B4:ryn,  My  frcnd,  lo?  quad  he/ 
And  thow  think  the  wcU  about  this  is  foule  plee  t  i 
1  can  know  noon  othir  but  thow  mull  or  thow  ^fjf 
Yeld  the  body  of  Melan  and  his  good  ilfo. 
Now  be  well  avj'fid  ageync  to  morowe  day^ 
Then  Ihalt  thou  have  thy  jugcmcnt;  tber  ii  no 

mure  to  fay. 
When  Bcryn  fro  the  fleward  thus  departid  wai. 
And  was  without  the  gatc^he  lokid  opponthe  plafCf 
And  curfid  it  wondir  bitterly  in  a  fervent  ire. 
And  wtsfhid  many  tymcs  it  had  been  a  Arc ; 
For  1  trowc  that  man  of  lyvc  was  nevct  wtifibc^ 

trayid 
Then  I  am;  and  therwithall  my  hcrt  ti cleen  dif^ 

-  mayid, 
For  here  I  have  no  freudthip,  but  am  all  conlifcUef, 
And  they  ben  falsfbcr  th«n  Judas,  and  eke  mer^ 

cylci* 
A,  Lord  God  In  hcvyn!  that  my  hert  h  woo ; 
And  yit  fuyrly  I  mcrvcl  nat  though  that  it  be  ftj, 
For  yit  in  all  my  lyve  fithe  I  ought  undirHond 
Had  I  ocvir  wyl  for  to  krn  good  ; 
Foly  I  hauntid  it  ever,  ther  myght  no  mat*  me  ]tt. 
And  now  he  hath  ypaid  me,  he  la  cleen  out  of  iHf 

dett; 
For  whili  J   had  tyme,  wifdom  I  myght   have 

Irrnyd, 
But !  drow  mc  to  foly,  and  wold  nat  be  gOT^cmed, 
But  had  al  mync  own  wyll,  and  of  no  mau  afcrd. 
For  1  was  ncvir  chiftifid;  but  now  mync  own  ycrd 
Betith  me  to  fore  f  the  ftrckis  been  too  hard ; 
bor  thcfe  deviilis  of  thii  town  taki th  but  littxl 

reward 
To  fdec  my  body  to  have  my  good.    The  day  19 

fet  to  morowe  ; 
Now  wold  to  Ood  1  wore  in  grave,  for  it  wer  end 

of  forowe* 
1  was  iwii  to  much  a  folc;  for  hate  I  had  to  Rame 
1  wold  fbrfake  myn  heritage,  ther  Tor  forowe  and 

(hame 
U  oppon  me  fail^  and  right  wele  defervid, 
j  For  1  toke  none  maner  hedo  when  my  modif 
ftervid,  ^ 

And  difobcyid  my  fadir,  and  fet  hym  at  naught 

alfo; 
What  wondir  it  it  than  though  that  I  have  woo  f 
Fortune  and  eke  Wifdom  have  werrid  with  me 

evir, 
And  I  with  them  in  all  my  lyf^  f^  Fortune  wti 

me  levir 
Then  cny  wit  or  govemaunce,  for  them  too  1  6i4 

hate; 
And  though  t  wold  be  at  oon  now  it  i§  too  late, 
O  myghtfull  God  in  heven  I  v.  her  was  evir  man 
That  wrought  hymfclf  more  foly  than  1  my  fel£ 

did  than  f 
A  curfid  be  the  tymc  that  I  out  of  Rome  went  I 
That  was  my  fadlr's  right  heir  of  lyvclode  and  of 

rent. 
And  a!  the  rial  lordfhip  that  he  hath  in  the  town. 
tiad  I  had  wit  and  grace,  and  hold  me  low  and 

boun. 
It  wer  my  kynd  now  among  my  baronage 
To  hauk  a^d  to  hujK|  and  eke  to  pley  and  rage 


The  merchant's  second  tale,  ^c. 


I 


I 


Wlh  feirrrfnie*bdie&,'aiid  daunce  whm  mc  lift  ; 
But  now  it  1«  to  laic  to  fpcke  of  Had  I  wtfl. 
But  I  fife  Jike  the  man  that  for  lo  fwelc  hit  flye* 
He  ftrrt  into  the  hern,  and  aftir  drc  he  hici. 
And  goith  about  the  wallit  with  a  hncnnyng  waTe, 
Tyll  it  wai  at  Uft  that  the  Iccmand  bUfe 
Entrid  into  the  chyny^  where  the  ivheatc  Was^ 
And  kiffid  fo  the  cvcic-that  brent  wi»  aU  the  plafe  ; 
But  firfl  in  the  bej^yiinyng,  tyll  fetr  fmote  in  tlie 

raftrif. 
He  tokc  no  mancre  kepe,  and  thought  of  nothing 

aftir 
What  pcrell  there  niyght  fall :    nc  more  did  1 

ywi», 
That  woW  forfake  rmyxx  htmoiar  l^for  the  unkynd- 

nes 
OX  Ramc,  that  was  my  (tepmodir ;  for  yf  I  (hall 

nat  ly 
They  bctli  fourc ;  wfccrforc  the  more  wifely 
I  ihuld  have  wrought,  had  I  had  wit,  and  fuFrid 

for  a  tyinc. 
And  aftir  com  to  purpos  wcl  iiiowghe  of  myoe; 
Bur  evil  aveng^it  he  ia  deol  that  for  a  litit  mode 
And  angir  to  his  neybourfcllith  awcy  hia  good. 
And  goith  hynifclf   a  bcggyng  :    aftir  in  brcff 

tyme 
He  mut  be  countid  a  lewd  man  in  all  manere 

rytnc. 
So  have  I  wrought  and  wcrv,  ibr  I  doni  of  my 

lyvc. 
How  that  it  (hal  (lond,  for  plukking  of  my  fdevc 
The  knyff  that  was  mc  take,  a«  ye  have  herd  to- 

forc; 
Aiidyit  it  ^evith  mine  hert  alfo  much  more^ 
OPipyn  own  pcpill,  that  no  difcfc  afervid. 
1  wotc  wcle  afiir  pkdiog  f  yght  nought  woU  .be 

rcfervyd 
To  fuftcne  their  lyvis  :  T  trow  ryght  nought  or  lite. 
And  pcravcntur  lightly  ftond  in  wor*  plight. 
Of  mc  it  i*  no  fori  though  I  be  thtis  araycd. 
But  it  is  dole  and  pete  that  they  ihull  br  betrayid 
That  hath  nought  afcrvid  but  for  my  gilt  aloon. 
And  when  that  Bcryn  in  thii  wife  had  ymadc  his 

monc 
A  ct-epill  he  faw  comyng  with  grctc  fpedc  and 

hafte 
Oppon  a  ililt  ondjr  hi*  knt  bound  wondir  faft. 
And  a  crouch  undir  hi»  army%  with  hondi4»  al  for- 

ficramyd; 
Afcis !  quod  this  Beryn,  ftiall  1  be  more  cxamcnyd  ? 
Apd  gan  to  turn  afidc  onto  the  fee  rtrondc, 
And  the  crippilt  aftir,  and  w  an  oppon  hym  londe. 
Tho  began  Bcryii  to  drcde  inwardlich  fore, 
And  thought  thut  in  hi*  hen,  (hall  I  be  eumberid 

more  f 
And  It  wer  Godd*is  wyll  my  forowc  for  to  ccfe 
Metlkinkich  1  have  inowghe.    The  cripiU  began 

to  preche, 
And  had  yraught  nere  bond  Beryn  by  the  fclcYC ; 
Bcryn  turnyd  ai  an  hare,  and  gan  to  ren  blyv^  ; 
B(|t  the  crip  ill  knew  bctir  the  pathi«  jmale  and 

grcte 
Then  Beryn,  fo  to  fere  bytn  he  was^  and  gAn  byni 
luete. 


UT\cn  Borya  faw  it  vaylld  naoght  te  fennenttrf 

Irpe, 
Whaf  for  dole  and  anguy^ni  no  %ord  Bitgkt  ht 
'  .    fpcke, 

Biit  f^ode  llill  amafid,  tod  (Urid  £aft  about ; 
Thccrcpill  btga.n  to  fpcke;  Sir^  to  drcdff  or  tor 

dout 
Of  me  wold  ye  right  light,  3nd  ye  knew  mfoe 
I  hert. 

I  5a  where  yc  like  well  of  ill  fro  mc  IhalJ  ye  tiaC 
\  p«rt 

Tyl  I  haw  uretid  wtlh  yew,  and  ye  with  me  alfey 
Of  all  yeiff  foden  happt»,  year  inyfciic^  and  ynr 

uo; 
For  by  the  tyme  that  1  hare  k&owledi  of  yeaf 

cafe, 
Ycur  rcnnyng,  and  yc«r  trotfi^  ■ '"*       -  -'   ---. 
1  fliall  turn  or  that  we  twyn,  < 
Woil  do,  and  i*  I  rede  yew  ;  l.  .  ;  ~-  v,^    ^  ... 
When  ye  cam  firft  alotide,  ye  had  mrt  v,tth  me, 
For  1  wold  have  ctifcnlid  yew  all  the  uticiutfe 
Of  thes  fals  marvhauntes  that  dwclkn  ia  liui 

town, 
And  outid  all  yoar  chxilafc  without  grtich  cr 

groufi ; 
For  had  ye  dwellid  withjQ  yctix  £hjppi»,  and  aiC 

go  them  among. 
Then  had  ye  been  uttdaungerld,  a»d  qiiyt  of  att 

their  wrpug 
On  yew  that  been  furmyCd  through  hh  fugged 

iif^Qc. 
Beryn  gan  to  figh,  wineth  he  might  fbuae 
Saf  o  word  or  twcyn,  and  Mercy  wat  the  6fl1, 
Preying  with  all  hh  hert  tiiat  he  mjght  hav^-  hi# 

reft, 
And  be  no  more  enpledit,  but  pas  fro  hym  *juyte. 
Good  Sir,  fjuod  B<37ii,  doith  mc  no  more  dt^ 

pite, 
And  fufer  mc  to  pas  and  have  on  me  roothe, 
Atid  I  fuyr  yew  fcithfuUy,  have  here  n>y  tr&with«^ 
To  morowe  when  I  have  plcdit,  and  eny  f^iiflf 

be  laft 
Of  (hip  or  ma rchaundife,  afore  the  (hip  Of  bait, 
I  woll  (hew  yei*^  all  iferc,  and  opyn  every  chcil. 
And  put  it  in  ycwr  g^ace  to  do  Vdhat  ye  I*  l>, 
And  in  the  mcen  while  that  Beryn  gan  to  claop 
The  crypiU  nyghid  hym  ncr^  and  iicre»  and  MT 

hym  by  the  bp ; 
And  u  fone  as  Bcryn  knew  that  he  wia  tn 
He  nnlacyd  hii  maiiteU  for  drede  of  fome 

maodf 
And  pryvclicK  orlf  hta  fbnldrii  let  hym  ^wa 

glide. 
And  had  levit  Irfe  hu  mantetl  ihcft  abide. 
The  crepiil  all  pcrceyvid,  and  hcnt  hym  by  tlbt 

fclcve 
Of  his  ncthir  furcotc-    Alas!  now  mui  I  ftrive, 
1  bought  B^ryii  by  himlllf,  tittw  1  am  yheni^ 
I'hcrc  hclpith  naught  favc  llrengith;    tbcnrtth 

the  fckve  to  rent 
Beryn  gati ;  to  rcapj»e  he  fparid  f^r  n«  e*>ft. 
Alaik!  thought  t bit cripi}l,iiti»  n  c- toUy 

And  be  ondofpr  cyit,  but  he  c-  ; 

JwiithLaghc  he  belcwdcmy  contrkouau  u|  fiWj 


ny  b^finn  do  vmd  ptjn  that  ?  miy, 
^  RfMNDt  for  tftat  I*  my  eotitnfy. 
\  rtTa*  nn  ^stn.Ti  ;r  yrrc  full  rtf  agr, 
1  J  irc\^  v?fege 
rti  J  If  war*  Ht, 

J^Wrtj  wa»  hi*  n<me  ykrKJi^  ni  iftat  confri. 
thought  llii*  GciTrcy,  this  ntxn  hath  grcte 

drcdc 
K  Oiar  !i^  niy  p<ni^er,woW  hdp'hym  m  fcj 

fic  nycf,  untaught  and  imTwirc, 

kpt   jcfrtr  BtfrjTT,  attd  that   in  tlgfvt  good 

was  fo  fore  ajaft  he  tokc  no  maner  hcde 
>k  <myi  bttlrwaffd  tyW  he  id  the  vfatircant, 
loUd  ht  behind  arid  faw  Sir  CleJtam 
Liundwofidlr  fail  with  ftaff  and  WitH  hii  flilt. 
'   '     "      r-  I  now  am  yfpHt| 

ut  J  wnld  mc  droune, 

:  w  1 .  n  >v  ,  or  go  a^cyn  to  lounc. 

y  was  To  p  T  Brryn  myght  nat  flc : 

SJr.  oil... I  -  - , ,  why  d&  fee  void  me  ? 

I  hat  bare  Crift  in  hir  barmc, 

if  f  \VoU  ycW  no  more  harrtic, 

df9wu  hKT^t  by  me  ufpon  thi*  fee  flronde, 
ff  fc  drcde  any  thing  clcpe  yewr  nicn  to 

londe, 

^t  thciti  be  hcrerwi(3i  Us  all'otir  fpcche  tyWie, 
If  oil  tiat  feyn  oon  wi>rJ,  ay"  makers  dodti'  Co 

ryme, 
Wnfdl  ycw  as  pnidtndy  ai  OoJ  woll  fend 

me  grace  : 

eon^fbrr  to  yei*,  ttid  hefk  a  lltlll  fpafi?. 
ibeo  that  B<»-jn  had  ybctdr  hu  foUk  to  the 

aid, 
kow  goodly  as  Oeffrcy  fpaki  as  he  were  hit 

Frende, 

iMatTt  hh  drede,  yet  part  nf  fapicncc 
^diiitohh  hcrt  for  hi>  eloquence, 
lyd  J  0«?d  r  "  -   -   <■   ji  for  hh  high  mercy ! 
a»c  herd  ?  j  men  as  fotilJy 

■fid  of  rcui  .    .;.._.  I,  and  in  fach  manere, 
l^kete  me  fre«il!hip  outward  hy  (htir  chere, 
irafd  it  was  conimry  their  intcIIcAtoune, 
br  cheblixneh  ks,  though  I  fufj^jediounc 
»f  ycwr  wordis  Jcft  otbirbe  yewrentcnt, 
fotK  whom  to  trud  by  God  omnipotent ; 
>hirki  yf  your  wiU  h  to  com  into  the  ftiJp 
witlir  nJc 
Ibinwhst  do  by  yeur  rede  how  fo  it  crir 

he. 

quod  Geffrey,  if  it  te  fo  tllat  I  in  ycwr 

powtpc 

lito  your  Jhippit,  and  yew  help  Ih  yfcwr  my- 

*  agnm  ycwr  advcrlnryes  fliuD  have  the  bd- 

rre  yow  foch  counfcll  to  bate  do#a  their 

pride, 

«  ytc  Wynne  in  crtfy  pleynt,  al  fo  mtidi 

OT  more 

r  porpofc  to  fiavtf  of  yew ;  yf  they  be  dowa 

I 


A:id  ye  h^c  alrtt^Jit  fdtf  fhd>  iftJquite, 
And  I  yti^  bring  to  thrs  cndywhat  fliall  my  guer- 
don bef 
In  vcrrey  foth,  quod  B*ryn^  yff  yew  may  tnift 
f  yif<i\l  ^\^ic  yew  trewly,  f  make  yeW  behcft. 
lit  fetth  then,  quod  Geffrey,-  I  wdl   With  yeiT 

wende. 
What  ra  yewi*   mntrc,    fo^  Btryn,   thougli  my 
frcndc  ? 
'  Oefferey,  he  fcid;  But  m  theft;  marcHta  I  wat  ilat 

bote, 
But  I  have  dwelKd  in  this  cete  yeeris  hcrctofiJre 
Fill  snan^^  and  turmented  wers  then  wcr  yee. 
And  endurid  for  my  trowith  niuch  adverlite. 
For  t  wold  in  no  Wife  fuB,r  their  falfliedet, 
Foi'  in  al)  the  world  fb  corrupt  of  their  dedi« 
Been  noon  men  alyvc,  I  myght  ryght  well  avow. 
For  they  fct  all  thfir  wittij  in  wrong  all  that  thiry 

mowe-; 
WhcrTor  fuil  many  a  tynie  the  gfcttid?  of  th«in 

ai}d  I 
H:i\c  ftondcn  in  alttrcatioune  for  their  trechcry  ; 
For  I  had  in  vilew  In  trew  marchaundife 
A  M,  /,  all  have  they  take  in  fuch  meaner  wi(c  : 
So  fcrforth  to  f»vc  tiy  blodc  no  longer  myght  I 

dryvc  dure; 
For  drcd:;  of  wors  thus  thought  T  myfclf  to  diifi- 

^'■^*  .... 

And  have  among  them  J%  yere  go  right  m  thia 

plighte, 
And  evir  have  had  in  memory  how  I  myght  theiJt 

quyte ; 
And  fo  1  hope  now,  as  fotill  as  they  be, 
With   my  wit  etiginc  them  and  help  yew  and 

me. 
My  lynics  hero  H^th  ht>lb  and  found,  mc  neditii 

flilt  nc  crouch* 
Ffe  eaft  afyHe  rht-rtt  both,  and  kpc  opp6n  an  htiche 
And  adfiv  ,  and  walkid  to  and  fro, 

Up  ajul  in  the  ihip,  and  fticwid  hia 

Strctvhltig  forth  Ijjs  fingri-i  in  fight  and  a!l  abouK 
WIthriiJt  knot  or  knor,  or  cny  fi^  of  goutcr, 
And  dyght  them  cflt  3gL7n5  right  diRfetirly, 
9om  to  ride  cch  othir,  atid  fom  awc^ard  wry. 
Geffrey  wai  right  myghty,  and  wclc  his  age  did 

horie, 
For  natur  Wat  more  fubftantiall  when  tho  dayii 

wer 
Then  now  in  oUr  tymc ;  for  all  thing  doith  ^-aflc 
Salfvilc  andcurfid  lyving,thii  grovvith  all  tofalte, 
Wliut  fhiild   F  ttH  mere?    Biit  Gcflrcy  fat  hym 

do%^Ti, 
And  Beryn  hyni  bcfydis ;  the  Homcyas  gan  ta 

rown, 
And  mcrtcllcd  much  in  Geffrey  of  hi«  df%ifcnc^ 
And  Bcryn  had^anolhir  thonght^aiid'fpak  of  r 

dtftrcs. 
Now  GrffVey,  f«*id  thh  Bitja,  aMd  I  dtiril  tTufti 


Thai  and  yc  kncwc  rny  m:in  that  is  alyve  onowe 
That  had  of  difcrcciouuc  h  miich  infltifrcc 
To  make  my  party  good  to  uiorowe-ia  mf  dfl^ 
f»or. 


i1» 


THE  MERCHANT'S   SECOND  TALC,    CT/. 


And  d^Iivtf  mc  of  Forowe,  asyc  bchote  have, 

J  Viuid  become  hit  legcniiLii,  a&  Godmy  fouk  finvc* 

That  vfcr  to  much,  quod  OclTerey  |  that   woU  1 

yew  rcltifc ; 
But  I  defire  of  othir  thing  to  have  jewr  prome&, 
That    and    I    brytig  yewr    enmycft  into  fuch  a 

tmuiicc 
To  miLkc  for  yewr  wrong  is  to  yoti  right  high  fc- 

Aodrodcchcrc  for  you  that  with  you  pas  fuch  dome. 
That  yce  oppou  your  feith  brytig  mc  at  Rome, 
XfC^d  woifcnd  yew  wcdirand  grace  to  repale. 
Quod  Beryfi,  But  t  gr«tit  yew  I  wcr  tewder  then 

an  a0e. 
But  or  1  fuUich  trufl  yew  holdith  cne  eicuHd ; 
1  woU  go  couoicU  with  my  men  kft  they  it  re* 

Beryii  drew  aTydey^nd  fpak  with  his  meynCt 
And  expreflid  every  word  iu  what  plight  and 

degrc 
That  he  flode  from  poynt  to  poynt,  and  of  hif 

fals  afLllis  : 
HiA  oaeync  were  aAonyd,  and  llarid  forth  an  he(li». 
Spekith  Torn  word,  quod  Beryn,  lith  1  am  becrayd; 
Ycc  have  yhcrd  what  Geffrey  to  mc  hath  fayd* 
Thcfe  Romcyns  Hudc  alie  ftiU ;  o  wwrd  nc  cowd 

thry  mrvc  • 
And  ckc  it  paflid  their  wittJs.     Then  Beryo  gan 

rekvc. 
And  to  Geffrey  eft  agcyn,  and  mercy  hym  bc- 

fought. 
Help  mc,  Sir,  quod  Beryn,  for  his  love  that  its 

bought 
Z)yir>g  on  the  rood,  and  wept  full  tendirly ; 
For  but  yd  help,  quod  Bcryn,  ther  i»  oo  remedy, 
^OT  comfort  ncthtr  counlaill  of  my  men  have  1 

noon  : 
Jiclp  mt,  a»  God  yew  help,  and  cl«  I  am  undoon. 
tVhen  GifTrcy  faw  this  B^t)  n  To  diftradl  and  wept. 
Fire  into  cchc  vcyn  of  his  hcrt  crept. 
A)b» !  qund  Geffrey,  I  might  nit  do  a  more  fyn- 

ful  dcde, 
I  Uv€  by  my  irowith,  then  fayl  yew  in  thi«oede; 
Fail  I  roe  God  in  hcven  yf  that  I  yew  faill! 
That  1  {k*\l  do  my  befinct,  my  pcyo,  and  my  tn^ 

vailc. 
To  help  yew  be  nay  power  1 1  may  nolerther  goo, 
Yis,  yee  bchctc  me  more,  fcidBeryn,  tho, 
That  ycc  wold  help  mc  at  all  thut  I  fhuld  flond 
Bcryn  gan  to  wcpe  atidmuke  wcrt  there,  [ckr, 
Stillith  yew,  quod  Geffrey,  for  bow  fo  cvir  yc 
^orc  tljan  my  power  ye  ought  nat  dcftre,  [tire 
Por  thorough  the  gniccof  Gc^d  ycfhul  be  hclpweic; 
J  have  tIicr*of  no  dout;  but  trcwhch  I  you  ide 
That  yc  woU  hold  me  ibvcnauntc  uud  t  woll  yew 

ftlfo. 
To  hryog  mc  at  Rome  when  it  it  sdl  ydo, 
fii  fjgne  of  trowkh  of  both  fidi*  of  our  acofdinent 
Kchc  of  un  ky*  othir  of  our  comyn  aittnt ; 
And  all  was  do.  And  aftirward  Bcryn  commsitm- 

dit  wync; 
They  dronk.  and  then  Geffrey  feid ;  Sir  Berync, 
Vce  mut  declare  ^'ciir  maters  to  mync  intelUgtuce, 
That  I  may  ihc  bet  pcrfvy^c  all  incpav^aicc. 


Dout,  pro,  contra,  and  ambigtatr. 
Thorough  your  dedaratioune,  and  enrormydSej 
And  with  the  help  of  out  Sovcren  Lord  ceicfiide 
They  {hall  be  bchynd,  and  we  fhull  have  the  ball. 
For  now  the  time  approcbith  for  tbcir  curtidnc* 
To  be  fomwhat  rcwardit;    and  c^uic  of   yewr 

d  Hires 
Hath  my  hcrt  yfttlid  and  ftxid  them  a  oye. 
As  trowiih  woU  and  refon,  for  their  trechery: 
For  many  a  m^u  tofore  thi&  day  they  have  do  wd 

of  ddw, 
Diflroid  and  turmentid  thorough  their  Cilt  law; 
For  they  think  Utill  clUs,  and  aii  their  w)  ttii  fyvt. 
Save  to  have  a  mano ^^  good  and  to  benym  ki| 

lyvc  ; 
And  hatii  a  curfid  cuftom«  all  2gryiu  feCuy 
That  what  nua  they  empcchc  ch^ey  hMWt 

euchefon 
Thoughc  it  be  a»  faUi^  a  thing  aa  God  Kyi 

trcwc : 
And  it  tnuche  a  flraunger  that  i»  com  of 
Attc  fidt  mociounc  that  be  begyuncth  to 
Ther  flondith  up  an  hundrit  hym  to  rc|i 
The  bwe»  uf  the  ccte  rtont  in  probacy  ; 
They  ufen  noon  enqucfljt  the  wrong ia  fof 
Arid  yf  rhow   haddill  cny  wrong, 

pkyo  the. 
And  were  »» trew*c  a  caufe  as  eny  myj 
TKow  Oiuldift  nar  find  o  man  u>  here 
Though  every  man  in  the  town  knew 

Us; 
So  biirith  thty  togldlr,.  and  hoUUtk 

othir,  . 
That  a«  to  counterplcde  thein^  though  ye 

broth tr,  • 

f  wold  g)^e  yew  no  counfaill^  ne  their  cnpeth*" 
mcni^  ^ 

In  no  word  lo  deny,  for  that  wer  comlMrvisiES 
For  (hen  wcr  lUcf  in  the  afiinnatyf,  and  iwll 

prcvc  anoan. 
And  to  yew  ih»t  wcr  ncgatyff  the  law  wold 

anoun  : 
So  for  I o  pJcde  agcyn  ihem  it  woU  UuU  v 
And  yit  to  every  niiatm'y»  wit  it  ought  be 

mervaik, 
For  their  lawes  been  fo  ffrryt,  and  pcynooi 

Hviunce 
U  flail  id  for  their  faUhedc;  for  thia  ia 

ntiuiict. 
To  Icfc  their  iyff  for  kitng,  and  ISoft 

knov.e, 
That  lord  is  rial!  of  the  town^  sad  holdidfe 

fo  lowc, 
Wherfor  ihey  have  a  cuHoxn  a  Ihrewid  hf 

nonys, 
Yf  eny  of  them  fey  a  thing  they  cry  ill  it 
And  ferm  it  for  a  loth,  and  it  bcrc  i4iy 
Thus  of  the  diingrr  of  Ifope  tbcy  kcpe 

at  lurgi-; 
And  thcrftjr  wifdom  weer,  wbofo  might 
Ncvir  to  dele  with  them ;  £or  wo^  it  mi 

trcwc  * 

U  fhuld  Htill  aynill  ??«v*  •  t  .sit; £dfiifd^ 
Fot  they  bccQ  acurfid,  and  lo  been  tMr 


THE   MERCHANT'S   SECOND   T ALt, 


^Wktrfore  wc  mud,  with  all  our  wit  rcnflhin, 
B^ich  mniwtTi  us  purvey  that  they  been  inftilibill, 
^tfo  morowc  at  our  ap^fikuaccyaiid  (hall  be  refpon* 

Hfor  of  wele  2iui  cUji  it  li  xhf  day  fynall. 
^Kow  Soverta  Lord  ccklliaic  t  with  many  forow- 
ful  figh«, 
Srpd  Bcryii  to  Gtffrry,  ymmcmoi^at  of  lyes, 
Oniuu  mt  grace  ta  morowe^  fo  that  Cod  be 
pUfid 
:  fo  mytic  tnTwere,  and  T  fomwhat  y-cfid 
e  (hat  art  my  counfalll,  for  othir  help  Is  iioon. 
cc  mc  then,  quod  Gcfixcy,  the  cattJIi  of  thy 
fooQ 
l^iro  pojitt  to  poynt,  al  in  fere,  on  the  is  furmyfid, 
f  WhcTthorough  I  myght  to  morowc  the  bciir  be 

aviGd. 
[Kowia  foth,  quodB<frfn,  thotighe  I  fliuld  dy 
llcantiat  tcU  the  ttnyth  part  oF  iheir  trcchcr^ , 
T  What  for  forowc  and  an gp^r  that  thty  to  me  have 
wrought ; 
So  Stood  I  cleae  dcfperat  But  yc  con  help  ought. 
Dirptrdcui !  fcid  Ct  fFrey,  and  I  the  woil  not  fail], 
Stth  t  Have  cnfurid  the  to  be  of  thy  coUnfaill; 
lAtid  Co  muizh  the  more  that  thou  art  nat  wife, 
liUdcanft  nat  mc  cnform  of  do  maucravifr; 
[Hrr«thrr*forca  while,  and  tend  wel  to  my  lore. 
;  lord  that  dwcUith  in  Uiis  towDt  whofc  natiie 

1  told  to  fore, 
»e,  tnt  rehtrCd,  in  fo  inly  wife 
[  DO  tmu  alyvc  can  hi«  pan  dcvife, 

aire  ;  and  yit  tt  ftondiih  fo 
^     r>i»  wit,  and  wildoHi,  and  his  go* 
Tcrnauucc, 
l¥bo  makith  a  fray  ef,  or  fbyvith  aught,  oi  md 
to  much  or  praunce, 
ti  the  lame  cctc,  that  he  n*y«  take  anoon» 
.  hath  his  pconauDCc  forthwith^  for  pardon 
ufith  he  noon : 
r  thcr  n'yi  porcnc  richc,  nc  what  ftatc  he  be. 
Kit  he  ny's  undirfotc  for  hisiniquitc; 
I  n  be  prcvid  on  hym  thcr  (haU  no  gold  hym 

bt  a«  the  forfttc  axirh  moch  or  lite, 
r  ^eyni  hi»  commtundmcnt  la  noon  fo  hardy 

fl^ek, 

'  th  he  hi*  fote  in  cv^et7  mann's  nek  ; 

iVy  aitd  lltrrii  (hl^day  is  nof>D  alyvc 

.>An\  amend  hym  in  o  poynt,  al  thing  to  di« 

;  fe^cn  Sagci  6f  Rome,  though  al  ageyn  hym 

wcrc» 
I  (huid  be  ijifufficicnt  to  make  hi*  anfwcre, 
[tm  he  can  all  langagis^  Greek,  Hebrew,   and 

L.ityni", 
^C^dry,  Frensfh,  and  Lombard,  yc  kn6w  wcUfync, 
I  And  al  m^f%rf  that  men  ia  Uokis  write ; 
1»  J"  I  ilofophic  alfo  he  can  endite  i 

Cevi  une,  and  »il  mancr  lawi&, 

Wncca  iiu  -.yurik*  and  SaJamon*ys  lawys, 
Aiiii  the  fcvcti  fcjcnce*,  and  eke  lawc  of  armys, 
ixperimentit  atiJ  poniprey,  aod  all  nmncr  char- 


I 


hcit^ 

"I 


I  A*  ye  fhul  here  aftir  er  that  I  departV 
'  Of  hii  imaginaciounB  and  of  hi>  fotill  att ; 
'   For  he  is  of  age  joo  yere  and  more, 
Whcrfor  of  aU  fcienccs  he  hath  the  more  lore. 
In  Denmark  he  was  gotten  and  ybore  alfo> 
And  in  Grecc  ynoriihed  tyl  he  coud  fjrck  and  go  } 
Ther  was  he  put  to  (cole,  and  Icmyd  \vandir  bft, 
Forfuth  wa*  his  grace  that  ult  othir  he  naft  5 
But  fir II  in  hi-t  begynnyiig  litji  good  he  had, 
But  lemyd  cvir  paffyngiy,  and  was  wife  and  fad* 
Of  ftuturc  dnd  of  feturc  ther  wa&  noon  hym  lik* 
Thorough  the  lond  «*f  Orcce  though  men  wold 

hym  fekc. 
A  kyng  tiicr  was  in  tho  yeri*  that  had  noon  hcitL| 

male 
Saff  a  duughtcr,  that  he  lovid  a«  hit  own  faa! ; 
[fope  was  hii  fervannt,  and  did  hym  fuch  pi 

faunce 
That  he  made  h/m  his  heir,  and  did  hym  H*' 

avAutice 
To  wed  his  doughtcr^   and  aftir  hym  to  here 

crowoe^ 
Thorough  prowc*  and  hi*  port  fo  low  he  was  and 

boun; 
So  as  Fcriuuc  wold,  that  wa»  Jfop'is  frcnd, 
Thi«  worthy  king  that  fame  ycrc  m^de  hi* 

end. 
That  twenty-fcvcn  yerc  is  paffid  that  Ifopc 

hath  reigned. 
And  yit  was  thcr  nevir  for  wrong  on  hym 

plcyncd 
For  no  jugcmcnt  that  he  galT;  yit  fom  agcyn  hyn? 

wylid 
A  griic  part  of  his  pepU,  and  wold  have  hyi 

cxilid  ; 
But  his  gretc  wifdom,  and  his  manfulnes. 
His  govcrnaunce^  with  his  bounte  and  his  rigl 

fulnes. 
Hath  cvir  yit  prcfervcd  hym  unto  this  ilk  day, 
Aud  woll  whylc  that  he  ly  vith  for  aught  that  nn 

can  fay  : 
Fnr  who  hath  ciiy  quarrel  or  caufe  for  to  wond^ 
M^lthiu  thi4  fame  ceic,  quickhch  woU  he  fond, 
And  it  be  fotill  matir,  to  Ifupe  fur  to  fare, 
For  gynnyng  to  the  end  liis  quarrel!  to  dtcbfe  5 
And  eTe  alore,  as  cullom  is,  peplc  fhali  be  on 

morowc ; 
But  whofo  ly  he  fcapith  nat  wythout  fliame  or 

rowc. 
Bcryn,  thou  muft  go  thidir,  whcr  thyn  empecho* 

mcnt 

Shtill  be  ymcTid,  and  therfor  pas  nat  thcns         ,^H 
Tyll  thou  have  herd  them  aUc,  and  report  thei^H 

weJe  ^^ 

To  me,  that  am  thy  counfcU,  and  rcpetr  facie. 
But  fo  rial  niancioune  a%  Ifope  dwcUith  in 
Thcr  is  noon  in  the  world,  nc  fo  queynt  of 
Wherfure  be  well  avifid  how  I  enform  the 
Of  tl^e  wondir  wayi»  and  of  the  pryvytc 
That  been  wythyn  his  paleyfe,  tliat  thou  m tilt  pa* 

byr 
And  when  thow  approchHl,  and  art  the  caflell 

nygb, 

Rtj 


'c;^^ 

1 


cle. 


Blench  fro  the  brodc  gate,  aiid  cJittr  thoW  nal 

there. 
For  ther  bccii  men  tg  keep  jt  j  yjt  hav«  thow  oo 

fcra; 
Pa»  doi^n  oD  the  right  hand  hj  the  cartel]  walle 
'tjU  thovf  fyiid  a  windovi'f  and  what  Fd  the  by- 
fall 
Zntlr  thrr  yf  ihow  may,  and  be  nothyiig  agaft, 
But  Wiilk  Turth  in  that  entrc ;  thtu  flialt  thuw  fee 

m  hallc 
A  f  oftcolyfc  the  tnforc  ;-  pas  In  boldly 
Tfyll  thow  com  to  an  hall  titt  fcyrift  undir  fky  r 
The  wajiii  hc?n  of  marhill,  yjoynid   and  )  ciofidi, 
And  the  pilotir»  of  eryftall,  grctc  and  \tclc  pro- 

popd  ; 
The  keveryag  of  bovc  is  of  fiflotidyn, 
And  the  pamcRt  beiicth  af  gold  and  afarc  fyric. 
But  whofo  paihth  thorough  t".  &  hall  hath  ncdc  to 

Ttrn  bly>e, 
Or  cliche  niyg;Ut  he  difware  of  his  own  tyve, 
Fbr  thc-r  wythia  liith  a^  iloc»n   that  Is  (6  hdtc  of 

kynd 
That  what  thing  com  for  by  aooon  k  iroU  atetid, 
As  bt7ghr  as  cny    kaaddl  IcezDr  and  coEifumc 

BJtoon  ; 
id  lb  wcrld  the  hall  alfo  n^er  coldnet  of  a  floon 
at  ifc  ycJepid  Diouyfir,  that  fct  i*  hyni  agcyn  5 
9o  and  mow  lepc  lightly  thou  (halt  have  na  pqii, 
For  cihirftojiein  kynJ  proportioned  they  he, 
OF  hctc  and  ckc  of  coldnc*  of  oco  ei^Uilke, 
Thow  tnuil  pai  thoreoj^h  the  haU,  but  tary  oat  1 

itde, 
Por  thou  Auk  fyttd  a  dor  up  ligBi  ^re  thyn 

hcde : 
Whtnihow'.»rt  tnrfld  the-,  and  the  dorc  apaft, 
Wh*  tfo  thow  fc  Itggor  iivnd  be  thow  nat  agalF  ; 
Aod  yf  thow  dfeJe  eny  thing  do  no  mott  taS 

Uowe, 
But  yit  1  rede  the  beware  that  it  be  fomwhat 

lowc : 
Ther  been  to  libardu  loo4  and  untyed, 
U  that  thy  blowing  «f  that  othir  in  i;ny  tiling  be 

fpied 
Anoon  he  rakiih  en  the  to  fefc  the  by  thy  pate,^ 
Kor  tlier  u*y&  thia%  iu  trth  that  he  fo  much  dovh 

bate, 
Asbreth  of  maorr^y*  mowith;  #hcr*fbrc  refrcyn- 

thee. 
And  blow  buifairand  foft,  and  when  that  ne'le  be» 
tVhen  thow  art  pallid  this  hall  anoon  theii  {halt 

thow  corn 
Inroth.   '        '^      rdon  that  is  in  GhrifVcndom, 
•fhd  VH  -h  hr»  clergy  !»  made  of  (hch 

That  a  man  fhatlw^n  he  ii  in  l*aradI5r, 
At  hi»  till  comyng  lb,  for  nn  lody  ami  fong^, 
And  othir  gloriou*  thicge»and  ddeiflabill  among, 
The  wit^i*hril?Trte\i-,  rhzt  fm^.tyme  P^ynyni  was, 
That«^  >u  and  cafe, 

l&ldiT  lontiynjr, 

lliatthcr  n'yv  tvii  -.if  .  n.:i  r  .  .'      ■    ''irg 

Thai  he  n'y*  there  iti  fipir  in  r;c, 

And  mow,  as  they  vtr  ^v>' ^  ,^....rv  l^..  ^vEiil 
cngync. 


In  mydward  of  tills  gardyn  ftnnt  a  felMff- 
Of  ai  maoer  Icvis  that  uudir  flcy  be^ 
Yforg-it  and  yfourmiit  cchc  in  hii  drgre 
Of  fylvir  asd  of  gold  fync  that  luily  been  ! 
This  gardeyn  is  evir  grcAc^  and  full  o{ 

floWTJ% 

Of  rede,  white,  and  bltWj  and  vHiit  frdb  c»  , 

loUris 
The  wich  been  fo  redolent,  and  fentyn  to  abdH^ 
That  he  muft  be  tl^ht  Icwde  thctin  ftiuld  route 
rhefe  monftrefull  thingjs  f  devlfe  to  the 
Bccaufc  thow  flutldifl  nat  of  them  aba&0iid  be. 
When  that  Ihow  comyfl  thcr^,  io  thow  bt  dStHf  1 

in  thought,  { 

And  do  he  my  counlVH,  drtde  the  right  ooofht. 
Fur  ther  beih  eight  trcgetonrs  that  ibi« 

kcpith. 
Four  of  them  doith  Waak  nrhili  the  four  i 
The  wich  been  f"^  perfitc  of  nygratjiacee, 
And  of  tfte  art  of  apparene  and  of  trajg^ttt^ 
That  thty  make  femtn  a«to  a  m:,      '       '    ' 
AbominablU  wormy  s  that  fore  * 
The  hcrtitft  man  on  crth,  but  he  w^...;«  -c 
Of  the  grifly  fightis  that  he  fhutd  fee  thefts  j 
Among  all  othir  there  It  a  lyon  white 
That  and  he  be  a  ftraungii-  he  rampitb  fof  I 
And  hath  lofoic  this  tyme  500  mtn  and  MO  ' 
DcTourid  and  yete,  that  thercforth  have  yg 
Yit  fliaJt  ttiow  pai  fuyrly  fo  thnw  do  2J  1  tell 
The  tre  1  told  toforc,  r'  '  a»  eny  I 

Bcrith  bow  and  braunc  1  .^  to  the  | 

And  thow  touch  oou  01  uum  u.ow  art  1 

fonnd ; 
The  tre  hath  fucH  veitu  there  fiiall  nod 

derc; 
Loke  that  be  the  (irg  wheft  thow  ctimyfl 
Then  fhalt  thow  fc  an  entrc  by  the  frr 
Thanghe  it  be  ftrcytt  lofore,  LnntT  larg 
It  growith  more  and  more^   aiNt  aft  i  1 

wryith  ^ 
Yk  woU  that  wey  the  brying  tlierv  tint  ] 

hith,  ' 

Into  the  Jcyrift  chjunblr  that  cnl  man 

Whrn  thoVv  art  there  wyihyn  goVcrti  lb*  1 
for  there  fhah  thow  here  al  thyn  ccAJkcIm 
Opynly  decfarld  in  tJop*i»  prdcnt. 
Repon  them  wcic  and  kepe  ihem  »n  thy  r 
And  aftir  thy  relaciounc  \ve  JhaU  fo  tu 

wend, 
Thorough  help  of  Cod  ibov«^  fadi  h^  I 

make 
That  they  Eiultbe  acombrit,  and  we  Hgbt  1 

fcapc. 
Now  in  fatK,  quod  ictyn,  a  manci*)*  hat  £Jf^ 

gnfc 
Of  fueh  woedlr  wry  is,  for  al  my  fiurds&AdlA 
I  hftd  kvir  Itfc  tlicm  Ppnon  nit  T^Vr 
Such  a  wey  to  pxi,      1  ' 
I  woLl  my  felf,  outtd  (' 
Tv  help  the  Viith  my  poAcr  Uii^w  ikait  ck  as)- 

rid 
A)  forforlh  as  I  may  ;  tl^t  I  ^otl  do  my  p^ys 
Tobryng  yow  plgXau:it  t jdiag,4Xid  ctUF^fl  *g*Itii 


Tut    MCRCH.VNT*5    SECOKD    TALt.   tft. 


«b 


or  l^ie  to\.  crow ;  and  ther'fgr  let  mc  fe 
WhiU  I  am  out  how  mcry  ye  can  be. 
OtfTrcy  tokc  His  Icve ;  hut  who  was  fory  tho 
•Btit  Bcij-n  aJid  his  company  f  for  when  he  was  go 
Thci  haJ  no  mancr  joy,  butdcut  and  hcvynes, 
~     of  hifl  T^peyryog  th«i  had  no  fikcrnci ; 
circry  man  to  othir  jnadc  his  compleynt, 
'viibtd  that  of  fclooy  they  had  been  acteynt^ 
lb  them  Lhou^ht  betir  to  end  hevyncs 
every  day  to  Uk  bredc^tte  mH  mcs; 
wheo  our  good  is  go  what  fhaHfu]  of  u»? 
be  tlicir  thraUis,  and  ^eraventwc  wcr«, 
our  1)  f  aftjr  yf  wc  difplefc  them  ought. 
^cfirey  went  thi»  was  all  their  thought 
ighout  rhc  nyght  tyl  cokki«  gan  to  ^n^i 
then  eoc^reCd  aaguiihe  ;  their  hoodie  gao  to 
wiyng, 
4Dd  curlid  wyi>d  and  watir  ihat  them  brought 

thcr, 
iLtd  wikihkd  manj  tym^i  ihax  he  bad  been  ia 

bcre:, 
Jbd  were  apaHId  and  cnirid  into  difpcyr, 
4l »  mticli  a«  Geifrey  did  nat  rcpdr  : 

BtAO  ieyd  to  oihir  it  myj^ht  oat  be  ynayid 
GcfTrvy  had  uttirUch  falily  them  bstr^yid 
Tboroughout  aU  tlie  lotig  nyght. 


Tbo  vent  they  to  coutifeU  a  litill  toforc  the  day, 

And  were  2II  scordit  for  to  fayl  diwcy  ; 

Mi  To  them  thought  bctlr,  and  Icve  cbcir  good 

thcr, 
7b«a  abydc  thcwppon,  and  have  more  fere 
Tbey  made  their  takclyng  rcdy,  aod  wend  the 

fiii  acros, 

§tf  to  fave  dieir  lyri-s  and  let  nat  of  their  los; 
ia  fore  tJicy  wcr  adred  to  be  tn  ffirvitutc^ 
hid  hopid  God  above  wold  fend  them  fom  refute 
If  fom  othir  cofUt  thcr  wynd  thi-m  wold  bryng  : 
^  thcrwithaU  cam  Geffrey  on  his  fttk  Icpciug, 
And  cried  woodir  faA  by  the  watir  fyde. 
WbcB  Berya  herd  Geffrey  he  bid  hi*  men  abydf  ^ 
And  to  taundh  out  a  bote  and  brjrng  Gcflrcy  in^ 
lor  be  may  more  avayl  me  now  then  al  my  kyOj 
Anl  be  be  trew  and  tmfty,  as  myn  hope  h; 
htt  yii  thereof  ]i^  fieryo  00  full  (iketned. 
\hisic  Romeyo^  fist  m   C«&ey  with  aii  hevy 

there. 
For  they  had  Icvk  faill  fortli  ihcB  put  them  in 

wecr 
Both  Ijvc  aod  goodie  :  and  evill  fufpicionnc 
Ibfy   had  of  tlus  Geffrey ;  whcrforc  they  gon 

rouoe^ 
Tilkyog  to  cchc  othir.  This  man  woU  us  bttray. 
Mtny  wift  well  inowghc  he  was  Mt  to  their 

Atd  fipf  uiry  angir  he  threw  ioro  the  fee 

Both  Hilt  axid  cLe  bis  ci-oueb,  tlL»t  mad^  w«r  of 

And  gui   them  to  comfort^  and  fcid  in  this  mft" 

'    ncrr  i 
in/^tLf  Bciyni  why  makf  re  fucb  cbtre  ? 


For  and  yce  wcx  hcvy  what  fball  y€wr  meti  do 
But  take  cDfampiO  of  ycv^'  f  and  have  uocauTe  to^ 
Fur  yit  or  it  be  eve  ycwr  adverfarycs  til 
I  ill  a!  I  make  them  fpum  and  have  a  fore  fall, 
And  yce  go  quyte^  and  all  yewr  good»  and  hawe 

of  tbciri  too. 
And  they  to  be  right  feign  for  to  fcapc  fa 
Wythout  more  daungit,  and  yewr  wyl  bc| 
For  of  the  hwys  hct  liich  isthc  equytc 
That  fVltofiur/it  wiliir  anJ b'u ^lejmt  he  %tfr9i^ 
llejhaltmait  amtnJu  ie  le  neviw/^Jfrtmg  ; 
Right  as  fliold  the  t'odir  yf  he  cjndjrapned  wert 
Right  fo  ihal!  the  pleyntiff"  right  as  J  yew  Icrt-  ; 
And  that  (bail  preve  by  tlicm,  have  yc  00  dout^ 
Yet  or  it  be  eve  right  low  to  yew  to  loute, 
And  fubmit  them  to  yew,  and  put  them  in  ycwr 

grace 
By  that  tymc  I  have  ymade  all  my  wmlafc; 
And  in  hope  to  fpedc  wel  let  fhape  us  for  to  dyn^ 
Gc/Trcy  ajcid  watir,  and  fith  bredc  aud  wyne, 
And  fcit,  It  isholfom  to  brckc  our  faftbetyme. 
For  the  llcward  woll  to  the  court  at  hour  of  prymc^ 
The  fpnnc  g%nto  fhyne  and  Uiopc  a'fcir  dry  ; 
But  for  aught  that  GcfiVey  cotiddo  or  ky 
Thefc  Ronieyns  fpekyu  fsdl  all  the  dyncr  while, 
Thiit  Geffrey  with  hi*  fotiU  wordi*  wold  them 

bec;ilc. 
fio  when  they  had  ydyned  they  ryfcn  np  ediooni^ 
And  drew  thrmto  cuucifelJ  what  was  bell  todooo;; 
Som  feyd  the  heft  rede  that  we  do  may, 
To  tlirow  Geffrey  ovir  Uve  bocd,  and  Icyli  fojTtk 

our  way  * 
But  for  drcdc  of  Bcryn  fom  wold  nit  iS>» 
Yit  the  mofc  party  aflcntid  wdc  therto, 
GcflFrcy  and  Beryn.and  worthy  Roincyns  tweyn. 
Stood  a  part  within  ibe  fhip,   fo  GctFrcy  gaa  %m 

fcyn, 
BcrjTi^bcth  avifjdi  your  mcnbetli  in  diffanncc  : 
Srth  yc  been  her  foveren  put  thcuji  in  g«vtTnatw:c  ; 
For  met  h  ink  it  h  they  bcfidif  h  contrary  opynyoune. 
And  CracfJlrj^UtL  ^ttrrynliclr  ^her  u  divi^ouue. 
In  the  mccn  whylc  tliat  they  gan  tJius  to  llryvc 
I  (any  bald  was  up«  and  ycom  as  bly  ve 
To  the  bdigg  of  the  towu  thcr  the  Ihippis  rood^ 
And  herd  much  noyfe ;  but  titH  while  he  bood. 
For  when  he  faw  tlie  fay  Us  flood  lU  acro5, 
Alas !  (}uod  thid  lianybald,  here  growitli  a  fmcrt 

lu» 
To  me  that  am  provofl,  and  have  In  charge  and 

heft 
Ajl  thcfe  fy  ve  fhippis  undir  myn  arcft  : 
And  nin  into  the  toivn,  and  made  an  hidonfe  cry. 
And  chargii  all  the  cctezini  to  arm ys for  to  hy 
From  oflrctc  tyl  ancihir,  andrcrid  up  althc  town^ 
And    made  the  troaipis  blowc  up  and  tl;ic  bellis 

foun, 
And  fey  that  the  Romeyni  wer  in  poynt  to  pas, 
Tyl  thcr  wcr  a  thoufand,  rathir  mo  then  Ivb^ 
Men  y-armyd  cktn,  walkyng  to  the  flrontlc 
When  Btryu  them  aipicd  ;  Now,  Geifrey,  in  thf 

hond^: 
Stont  lyf  and  goodis  ;  doth  with  us  what  the  UA 
For  all  opr  hope  ia  on  the,  coxofort,  help,  and  trift; 
R  iij 


THE    MERCHANT'S   SECOND    TALE,    t:f 


For  we  mtjfl  bide  avcDcurc^  fuch  as  God  wol 

ftiape. 
For  now  1  ain  in  certcn  wc  mow  in  no  wife  fcapc. 
Have  no  doubt,  quud  GcfTrcyjbcth  mcry  ;  let  p\c 

aloon ; 
Gctith  a  ptir  fifourSj  fherich  my  bcrd  anoon. 
And  aftirwcrd   Ictc  top  my  hcdc   haftylich  and 

Som  went  to  with  fcfourii,fom  wj^th  a  knyffc, 
6a  what  for  forowe  and  haft,  and  for  lewd  tolc, 
Thcr  wa»  no  man  a!yi?c  hct  like  to  a  fole 
Then  GelfrLy  watby  that  tymc  they  had  al  ydo. 
HaiJjfbaldckpid  oiitDcryn,  to  Mote  Hailfor  to  go, 
And  llodc  ujron  the  brigjj;  with  an  huge  route. 
Gf  fl"rcy  was  the  fir  ft  to  Hanyhald  j^an  to  buic 
Atiii  lolid  out  a  foic  fliip  :   God  bk*  yew  !  Sir, 

quod  he, 
Wher  art  thow  now,  Bcryn?  com  forth,  behold 
Hct  h  an  huge  pepill  yrayd  and  ydight ;  [and  fc^ 
All   thcfe  been  my  children  that  been  in  armys 
Yiftirdty  I  gat  fhem  ;  is  nat  mtrvalll,      [hryght; 
That  they  been  htdirycom  tobc  of  ourcuur^raill. 
And  to  (ioTid  up  by  us,  and  help  u^  in  our  pic  ? 
A !  raync  own  childryn,  bleHid  mut  yc  be ! 
Quod  Gejfrcy,  with  an  high  votfc,  and  had  a  nyce 

vifage, 
And  gan  to  dan  nee  for  joy  in  the  fore  ftagc. 
}-)anybald  lok'd  on  GclTrcy  as  he  wcr  amafid, 
And  beheld  his  comucnaunce,  ajid  how  he  was 

yrafid, 
But  evirmorc  he  Thoujrlii  that  he  was  a  folc 
Naturell  of  kynde,  and  had  noon  othir  tool, 
A*  femed  by  his  wortlia  and  hU  vifagc  both, 
And  thought  it  had  been  foly  to  wcx  with  hyro 

wroth. 
And  gan  to  bord  ageyn,  and  axid  hym  in  game, 
Sith  ihou  art  oxir  fadir  who  it  then  our  dame? 
And  how  and  in  what  pbfc  wrre  we  begttc  ? 
Yiftirday,  quod  Geffrey,  pleyng  in  the  ftrctc 
At  ii  gentil  game  that  clepid  is  the  Quck, 
A  long  peny  halter  wai  raA  about  my  neky 
And  yknet  fall  with  a  riding  knot. 
And  call  over  a  perch,  and  hale  along  my  throtc- 
Wa«  that  a  game,  quod  Hany bald,  for  to  hang  thy 

f{  Ivc  ? 
Sothtyfeyd  about  me,  a  thoufand  echc  by  hymfclf. 
How  fcapiddift  thow,  quod  Han y bald,  that  thou 

^vcrnat  dedc  ? 
Thcrtocan  I  answer  without  any  rcdc  ; 
1  bare  thre  dife  in  myn  own  purs, 
For  fgo  ncvir  without,  fare  1  betir  orwcrs; 
I  kid  them  fonh  all  thre,  and  too  fill  am*ys. 
But  here  now  what  fill  aftir,  right  a.  cncrvcloufc 

cafe  i 
The r  cam  a  mowfe  lep  forth,  and  etc  the  third  boon, 
Thatp«ffidoui  l^erfkyn  a^grctea^fhcmyj^htgoon; 
And  111  «hi>  maner  wife  of  the  mowfc  and  mc 
Ail  ye  be  ycom  nty  children  fair  and  frc  ; 
And  yit  pr  it  bfcve  fall  woll  fuch  a  chaunec 
To  ftond  in  my  power  yew  all  to  avaunce. 
For  and  wc  plede  well  to  day  wc  JhaU  be  richc 

inowghc. 
pan y bald  of  hi»  i¥Ordi*  hentich  loughf , 


And  fodid  all  that  herd  hym,  a»  they  mygStirSJ 
And  had  grcte  joy  wyth  hym  for  to  tell. 
For  they  knew  hym  n*Ton  othir  but  a  fuk  of  kyod 
And  all  thi»  wa»  hi«  difcrccioune,  and  that  prrrti 

the  end, 
Thus  whiU  Geffrey  japid  to  make  their  hertii 

light 
Beryo  and  hifr  company  were  rayid  and  ydi^t. 
And  londid  tli«n  in  hot  is,  fcref^dl  how  to  fj 
For  all  their  tlioughtis  in  balance  (lode 

hopt  and  drede : 
But  yet  they  did  their  peyn  to  make  ligl 

chcre. 
As  Geffrey  them  had  cnfourmcd,  of  port 

mancfc 
Of  their  governaunce  all  the  long  day 
Tyll  their  plec  wcr  cndit ;  fo  went  theip forth 
To  ihe  court  with  Hanybtld.  Then  Bcryn 

What  nedith  thls,SirHanybald,to  make  ftjck 
Sith  we  been  pefc-marchaotif,  amd  ufe  noff 

cioune  ? 
For  foth,  Sir,  quod  Hanyhald^  to  me  wa 

relactounc 
Yce  wcr  in  poyni  to  void  ;  and  ycf  yc  Had 
Ycc  had  loft  ycwr  ly vis»  without  wofdii  ttU 
Btryn  held  hym  (bylL  Geffrey  fpak  inooo ; 
No  Ics  wed  them  ly  vi^  ?  Whi  fo,  good  Sir  Ja 
That  wcr  foniwhat  to  much  as  it  femcth  iiie(| 
But  yc  be  ovirwife  that  dwell  id  thi*  cete  j 
Fur  yc  havcbcKonnc  a  thing  makithyouri]^ 
And  yit  or  it  be  eve  aji  folis  fhull  yee  be  hold; 
And  eke  ye  devyne  forlhipmanny**  craft. 
And  wotirh  litill  what  loogith  to  afore  the  jh^ 

and  bafft, 
And  namcHch  in  the  dawnyng  when  Oiipmcfi 

arife. 
My  good  frcnd,  quod  Hanybald,  in  m 

wife, 
Yee  niuft  onys  cofourm  me  thorough  jmn 

crecioune, 
But  firft  yee  muil  anfwer  to  i  queiUoune ; 
Why  make  men  crof<fail  in  myddis  of  the 
for  U  Uhtif  thtjhip  ondfech  m^rt  UaJI, 
Why  goon  the  yemcn  to  bote  attlun  to  hale  f 
fpr  to  makt  them  redy  to  xcaii  t«  the  altt 
\Vi\y  hale  they  up  ftonyi  by  the  crane  lyne  I 
Ttf  malt  tie  timfifji  ftfe  mmd  ihtjmntjkymt 
Why  dofe  tlit-y  the  port  with  the  fee  bontf 
ft't  thi  m.ipirfiuU  aiuske  ai^rfl  vnftd. 
Thou  art  a  rvdy  rtve,  quod  Hanybald,iii  hf* 
Ycc,  Sir,  trcwly,  for  fothe  is  that  yc  yew  fcyi 
Geffrey  cvir  clappid  as  doith  a  watir  mjlU 
And  made  Hanybald  to  laugh  al  his  hert  fylL 
Btryn^quod  thi»  Geffrey,  retoom  thymrntgcpi( 
What  fhtdl  they  do  with  the  at  court  ?  fto  — '^ 

them  picyn. 
Plcdc   thy   cafe   thy  fclvc   right  aa   thow 

y wrought  j 
To  bide  with  the  fhippis  mypurpofe  hand 
Nay,  forfoth,  quod  Hanybald,  thow  fluJi 

on  lond^ 
W'cc  haTc  no  foli*  bvt  the  |  and  toke  hfm  by 
boud, 


THS   MEHCHANT'S    SECOND   TALE,  ^f^i 


ow  trt  wile  ill  Uw  to  pkdc  dl  the  cafe. 
:an  I  bcttr,  quod  Gcflircjr,  then  cnj  m^n  in 
ikh  pUfc. 

fcyft  thow  ttierto,  Beryn  }  ihall  I  tell  thy 

Ulef 
bald  liiid  hi*  wordift  wele,  and  forward  gan 

hfm  hale* 
.  made  him  anpy,  aod  Gghid  wondir  fore, 
•cflrejrhym  had  cnfourinid  o(  every  poynt  to 

fere, 
be  hyra  fliuld  govern  all  the  Jong  day. 
!y  chadd  hytn  ag^yn  ;  Sey  mc  ye  or  nay  ; 
'cfwc  nat  here  fpckc  fome  inancr  word  ? 
thy  blab,  lewd  folc»  mc  likah  iiat  thy  bord  : 
I  ttoothir  thoug^ht^  quod  Beryn,  wherof  thow 
*  cxriH  Ute. 
\R  thow  tne  a  Fole,  quod  Geffrey  ?  al   that 

1  may  the  wite  i 
rft  when  wc  out  of  Romcfaillid  both  in  fere 

fia&  thy  fdiwc  and  thy  parti nerc, 
otke  marchandifc  wa»more  thun  half  royne, 
kh  that  thow  com  hidir  thow  takift  all  for 

thync, 
t  or  k  be  eve  I  wol  make  oon  bcheft, 
Miw  have  my  help  thy  part  {ha\\  be  left, 
■hb  <lood  Bcryn;   Icwde  ftle,  thow  art 
Htav  then  mufld;, 
Se  CO   the    Ihippia  ward  with  thy  crown 

yrafid, 

ayghtrievir  fparc  the  bet ;  tnii  and  be  agoo, 
go  with  the,  quod  Geffrey,  whcr  thow  wojt 

or  nu, 

srn  topiedeUw  to  wyn  both  h owfe and  lond, 
MP  (halt,  quod  Hanybald,  and  led  hym  by 

the  hond^ 
7d  hi«  hosd  oppoo  his  nek :  but  and  he 

had  y  know 
,  be  had  led,  in  fikcmcs  he  had  well  tevtr  Iti 

(howc 
WTtlkid  iL  mylc,  and  rathir  then  fail  more; 

wtalhid  that  Geffrey  had  ybc  unbore 
"t  tyme  in  that  day  or  the  pic  wcr  do, 
►  did  all  that  wrought  Beryn  fhamandwoo. 
ee  that  lift  abide  and  here  of  fotlltc 

kjldw  bow  that  Bcryn  fped  in  hi$  pie, 

I  what  oray  to  tlic  court  he  went, 

9W  Hanybald  led  Geffrey,  diiware  of  his 

cntect ; 
*t  he  axid  of  Geffrey,  What  is  thy  name 

I  pray  t 

bet,  quod  Gc/frey,  men  clepid  toe  yiftirday. 
I^wcer  thow  ybore  f  I  n*oTe  1  make  a  vow, 
leffrcy  to  this  Hanybald,  I  axe  that  of  yew, 
an  tell  no  more  but  here  I  ftond  nowc. 
Aid  of  hts  wordis  hertlich  lowghc, 
dd  hym  for  apaffyng  fole  to  I'crvc  eny  lord, 
!jey  romyd  janglyng  into  the  court  ward, 
they  com  ther  the  Hewaid  was  yfet, 
c  grcttift  of  the  towu  a  canipatiy  ymer, 
m  to  ftiTve  fall  who  (htild  have  the  good 
MB  was  t*-'^  "  -  "  nvir  the  (ah  Bood* 
yd  oon  ai'  ,  anoihir; 

'      avc  ,      ,  the  parcll,  and  the 

^9 


Som  his  cycn,  fom  hh  lyf  wold  have,  ind  no  let. 
Or  eU  he  fliuld  for  them  fync  or  he  did  pas; 
And  io  the  mcne  whih  they  wer  in  this  afray 
Bcryn  and  thcfc  Romcyns  wcr  com^  in  good  aray 
As  rayght  be  made  uf  woll^  aiidofcolourgraynyd  ; 
They  toke  a  fyde  bench  that  for  them  was  or-- 

deynyd« 
When  all  was  huftit  and  ftiU  Beryn  arofc  anoon, 
And  (lode  in  the  myddi&of  the  hall  toforc  them 

evcrichnne, 
And  feyd.  Sir  Steward,  in  me  (ha!l  be  no  let ; 
I  am  ycom  to  anfwcr  a«  my  day  it  fet  : 
Do  me  ryght  and  rcfon  ;  I  axe  yew  no  more. 
So  fliall  I,  quod  the  Reward,  tor   thereto  ]  am 

fworc- 
Hc  (hall  have  right,  quod  Geffrey,  wher  thow 

wolt  or  no, 
For  and  thow  mys  onys  thy  jugement  ondo« 
I  woll  to  the  EmpcMJur  of  Rome  my  cofyn, 
For  of  o  cup  he  and  I  full  oft  have  droiik  thcwyne, 
Aud  yit  wc  fiiull  hcraftir  aii  oft  as  wc  mete, 
FurJic  islongihe  gladder w hen  HVnd  hym  to  grcte, 
Thi*  Geffrey  Hod c  upona  fourm.for  he  wold  be  fey 
Above  all  ottiir  the  fliouldris  aud  the  cry, 
And  ftarid  al  about  witli  his  lewd  herd. 
And  was  yhold  a  very  foic  ol  cch  man  hym  herd. 
The  ilcward,  and  the  oOiccri,  and  the  burgeyOs 

Laughid  at  hym  hertlich  ;  the  criour  gan  to  call 
rhc  burgcyfe  that  had  pleyd  with  Beryn  at  che*. 
And  he  arofc  quiklich,  and  gan  hym  for  to  drct 
A  lore  the  ftcwaxd  at  barXi  as  the  mancr  is; 
He  gan  to  tell  his  talc  wy th  grete  redines : 
Here  me,  Sir  Steward,  thi*  day  is  mc  fct 
To  have  right  and  rcfun  j  I  axe  yew  no  bet, 
Of  Btryn  that  here /hoodith,  that  with  mc  yiilirday 
Made  a  ccrten  covenauut,  and  at  chcs  wc  didplcy^ 
That  whofo  were  ymatid  of  m  both  too 
Shuld  do  the  todlr'abidding,  andyf  he  wold  nat  fo 
He  muft  drink  all  the  watir  that  fait  wcr  in  the  fc; 
Thus  I  to  hym  furid  and  he  alfo  to  mc. 
To  prcve  my  tulc  trew  1  am  nat  all  aloon  ; 
Up  rok'tcn  burgcyfisquyktich  anoon, 
And  alTermyd  eviry  word  of  hi*  talc  foth, 
And  made  them  allredy  for  to  do  their  othe, 
Evandcr  the  ftcward,  Btry,  now,  quod  be, 
I'how  moft  anfwcrc  nedc  ;  it  woll  noon  othir  be  ; 
Take  thy  counfcll  to  tlic  :  fpcdc  on;  1  have  dooiu 
Beryn  held  hym  ftyll :  Geffrey,  fpak  anoon  ; 
Now  be  my  trowith,quod  Geffrey,  1  mervcUmuch 

of  yew 
To  bid  us  go  to  counfcll,  and  knowith  me  wif« 

inowghe. 
And  evir  ful  avilid,  in  twynkelyng  of  an  eye. 
To  make  a  Ihort  aufwcr  but  yf  my  mowith  be  dry, 
Shuld  we  go  to  counfcll  for  o  word  or  tweyn  ? 
Be  ipy  trowith  wc  n'yll ;  let  fe  mo  that  plcyn  j 
And  but  he  be  yanlwcr^d,  and  that  right  anoon, 
I  gcvc  yew  Icve  to  rife  and  walk  out  every  ch( 
And  afpyd  redlly  yf  ye  fynd  mc  there. 
In  tine  niecn  whib  I  woU  abyde  here^ 
Nay,  I  tell  trewly,  I  am  wifer  than  ye  ween. 
Fur  thcr  n'yis  noon  of  you  wout  jrcd  iy  v-hM  I 

meest. 


r 


THE    MERCHANT'S     f.^COND    TALE,    ^., 


I 


Byc|7  010  gsm  Uu^he  ail  hU  hen  fill 
Of  Gc^rey  and  hit^  wordi^;  but  ^exyo  hcM  %ip 
Aiid^trasdccnadonyd;  b^t  yitocr  ^hciattu*  [tldji^ 
He  held  it  Q^t  al  foly  that  Gi:i!rcy  did  ciutir. 
But  wifely  hym  govcrfiyd,  a»  QcfiVcy  hym  t^tught. 
For  pcrccU  of  hi^  wifdom  he  had  tofort:  l^i^u^l^^. 
Sir  Steward,  quod  Beryn,  I  undirlb'uafj  i^cle 
The  tile  of  thisburgcyl'cjnow  let  an^lhir  tclJ, 
That  I  may  tajcc  couuiell  a?jd  ajjfwcr  iill  ai  ouys, 
I  graunt,  quod  the  ftcward ;  thcu  aijng  fpr  the 

nonys, 
Sith  thow  wold  be  rewUd  liy  the  foD*  rpdc, 
For  he  is  right  a  wife  nj^Q  to  help  the  i*i  thy  ncdc, 
Up  aroi  th*;  accufo^rj  qucyntjich  angon; 
Hanybald  wa,^  the  firft  of  them  evcrtchoop. 
And  gap  to  tell  hjs  tale  with  a  proud  \herf:. 
yi(lirdav>  Sovcrens,  when  I  was  here 
Bcryn  aod  thes  burgcyXc  gon  to  plcdc  faft 
For  plcying  at  cht  s ;  fo  fcrtorth  ai  bft, 
Thorough  vertut'l  LIU  »  office,  that  1  had  in  charge 
Beryn's  fyvc  flttppis  for  to  go  at  Urge, 
And  to  bt  in  aufwtr  her  ihi*  time  diy ; 
£p  walltyng  to  the  flroudti'ard  we  b^geynyd  by 

the  wcy 
That  I  fhuld  have  the  marclundife  that  B<^ryii 

with  hym  brought, 
'WHcrpf  1  am  fefid,  a^  tul  fold  aod  bought. 
In  covctuuiitc  that  \  fhuld  hi&  fhippis  fill  ageyn 
Of  my  niarchandilc,  fuch  as  be  tcfore  had  feyn 

n  myn  ov  n  plafc,  howlU  fo  or  thre, 
Full  of  marthajidifc  aa  they  jnyght  be  j 
Aiid  I  am  cvirrcdy,  whcofocvcr  lie  woU, 
Irft  hyiu  go  or  fcnde,  and  chafgc  hi*  fhippiafull 
Of  fuch  raarchnndifc  as  he  findith  thcre| 
For  in  fuch  wordij  we  acordit  were. 
Up  rofc  X  burgcyfift,  not  tho  that  rofc  toforc. 
But  othir,  %Dd  made  chem  redy  tu  hive  fworc 
That  every  word  of  Hanybald|  from  the  begyu- 

nyng  to  the  end, 
Was  foib  and  cice  trcwe,  and  with  their  mende 
Full  prcll  they  wer  to  prcve  ;  and  fcyd  tiury  wer 

prtfcnt 
At  covcnaunc  making  » by  God  pmntpoucr, 
It  thai  nat  nedc,  quod  Qeffreyi  w*hils  that  I  here 

fiond, 
For  T  wgllprcvc  it  my  fclf  with  my  right  hondc, 
For  I  have  been  in  four  balcllift  heretofore, 
And  this  fhall  be  the  fift^  and  thcjrfor  I  am  fworc. 
Lchuldithi  and  feith,  and  tnmyd  hyn?  al>out  j 
The  t>eward  and  the  burgryfe  gamyd  all  nbont ; 
1  he  Rofpcyns  held  them  fliil,  ^nd  lawhghid  but 

» lite. 
Wyth  that  cam  the  blynd  man  ht»  talc  to  endite, 
That  God  hym  grant  wynuyng  right  at  he  hath' 

afcnrid. 
Bcryn  and  hii  company  ftond  all  aftryiiyd 
Bctwcnc  h«pc  and  drede,  right  in  high  dillrefj 
For  of  wtlc  or  of  woo  they  had  no  likerQe*. 
Bcryn,  quo<l  thi*  blyndp  thoLghe  I  may  nat  fee 
Stond  ncrc  yjt  the  harr,  my  com  yog  i*  for  the, 
'J'hat  wrongfulllch  ihow  witholdili  my  both  to 

fyerl. 
ffhe  wteh  1  ioVt.  the  for  a  tyme,  and  ijuyltllch  to 

|»e  hijcii. 


E>C£t. 

1 


And  take  iKui^  oie  dgcyn^  at  our  cot^u^uli  mttt 

Bcry^i  1  La^  fio  reward  of  ochir  n. 

But  oonllch  of  myn  oon  i  th^t  ftoik  aja 

Now  bleilid  be  God  in  hcTen  thai  br^ug^  the  (• 

^li  loud! 
For  fiih  cur  hiA  parting  many  hetir  |en# 
H.ive  I  lete  f^r  thy  love,  tliat  fbm  tymc  p 
Of  w>'nanyg  juid  wf  kfmg  ^en  )f^%*^  ftle. 
And  evir  1  fond  the  ticwc,  tyl  ar  the  Ufi  thow 

didil  Mc 
Awcy  wyth  my  too  cycu  that  I  tf>kc  to  the 
To  fe  the  tregc'tours  pJcy  and  their  fotdtc^ 
M  yiilirday  Lerc  in  thU  fame  plai« 
Tof<^f«^  yewiSir  3teyvard,  rehcriid  m  it  wu* 
Full  trew  is  that  byword,.!  «V'3m  t^firt^ni^ 

Bcryn,   hf  the    I    mcen,   thuugh   thoir  iwikc  ft 

Srau-ngc, 
F&r  thiiw  ktiowitt  trcwly  thai  1  nude  pochAooge 
Of  my  good  cyen  for  tliyn  thai  baddcr  were* 
Therwith  ft</dc  up  bgrgcyft  four  wiit)C»  to  bc«, 
B.ryn  liddhym  Ayll^  actd  Gufircy  fp*k  UK>oo^ 
Now  pf  thy   kwd  coniplejrnti  a^d  thy 

njopj>, 
By  my  trowiA,  qwod  Geffrey,  I  kavc  gteu 

vaill, 
For  though  thow  haddid  eyeo-5gKt  it  ihiild 

availc ; 
Thow  iliuliiil  ncvir  fire  tlK  bet,  but  tbc  woct^ 

in  fiiy^ 
For  al  thing  may  be  fUU  now  for  the  in  hoitfe«Di 

way. 
And  yf  thow  haddill  thyn  eyca  thciu  wolU  oo 

eoimfell  h^lc; 
I  know  wcle  by  thy  fifnamy  thy  kynd  wer  tailckt 
Ana  rke  it  is  thy  pntfitc  and  thyn  efe  alio 
To  be  biyud  a^  thow  art  \  for  m>w  miicdb  ^dm€ 

go 
Thow  haft  thy  J)"flode  whi}s  thow  ait  alyirr, 
And  yf  thow  myghtill  ft  thow  Outldift  oeiir 

ihryvc. 
Al  the  houic  throughout  fairc  Bcryn  and  hi*  {xm 
Lawghid  of  Gcfeey,  that  watir  on  their  ktii 
Ran  down  from  thdr  cycn  for  hi«  ma  fid  mtil 
Wythat  cam  the  woman,  hir  tung  wa»  oat  jkl^^ 
Wyth  15  burgcyfiA,  and  women  ilfu  ftlc. 
Her  quarel  for  to  prcve,  and  Bcryn  to  apcW* 
With  afcir  knave  child  ylokc  wythiu  ihur  acnji, 
And  ];>aii  to  tel  her  tale  of  wroRgi»  snd  of  karBiy«| 
And  eke  of  unkyndnc),  uutrowiih,  and  M<hcde, 
That  Beryn  had  yutought  to  hir,  tluit  |i>|9ll»ell 

from  hir  ytde 
Anoon  oppon  her  wedding,  when  be  hlswflbif 

dciiD, 
And  brought  hir  wyth  difld,  aiut  kte  fair  % 

ali>o<i 
Wythout  help  and  comfort  £rom  tkac  day,  tid 

no  with 
He  proferid  me  nat  to  kyi  onyt  with  hit  monriifcf 
A»  yiflirday,  Sir  Stcsrard,  aforr  yew  cc^c  w«ri 
Wa«  rehcriJd  here,  my  pi-  ytit  i«  of  rcrt^rd. 
And  this  dry  t»  me  fct  for  to  have  rtibn. 
Let  hym  make  ^incudii,  or  ds  tcU  cQ(hcfon 


THE   MERCHANT'S  SECOND  TALE,    Wc. 


liicnc  b  I  ,  k  Ikh  U  fp  bly  V  c, 

^1^  W)i.^  ,      ,c  by  hir  thcr, 

■£  eY€r|^  U'or4  that  the  wr  ' 

[w,  and  eke  Eery  a  hiulbu 

ivc  God  my  trowith  the  dayU  of  my  lyf 
;ii£k  the  iX\t  \ci  ihow  tcliiiil  mc  nae  to  forc 
;  pT  thy  H'ccidiog  aiifl  d'  thy  iuuu  yborc. 
uu)  kyt  tbeiu  bpth,  ihf  wyf  Abd  ckc  tbyit 
bctr  t 

imyd,  for  they  both  be  fey  r. 

j^  ri^ht  privy,  but  [  HiaU  make  it 

iL>»  it  ftfipitli  crape  Qdt  of  thy 

1^  pfthf  condiciouoe  both  foft  lod  fonir. 
n  I  ?l»d  tbf  n  hcif  ihaU  with  u«  to  Rpmci 
hdlTtc^che  hym^  as  1  caji,  wbili  th»t  be  it 

)>y  the  Ara?  to  ^dir  houndts  durig 
libiil  of  pt^utyfe  to  crAfc  of  T<iver/s<r 


nor? 


ir  I  IhaU  tcche  hym  far  to  caiche  ti  fiyi 

^  ^    *       when  they  been  to  tore, 

Lio  whan  he  is  elder  rnofc  ; 
j^..  to  pipp  u  doJLh  a  mowic 
r,  apd  ^r  to  pike  a  Ihayl  out  of 
■  "■» 

I  ticrk  ai  dpith  an  hound,  and  fey  Baw, 

m  rouiid  about  ^  a  cat  doith  wyth  « 

Oraw, 

iM|c  at  dotth  a  (hcpf,  and  acy  a«  doith  an 

Wir  «9  doith  a  cow ;  acd  a*  royn  own 
corpi 

chrriafh  hym  every  day  for  hb  modtrs 
Ue: 

II  lo  JUppC  ner  the  child,  to  have  ytake, 
scd    by    his    coutitcnauDpe,  although   he 
ihonght  nat  fo: 

idir  wai  «vir  ware,  aad  btcachid  to  and 

^, 

^  hir  hood  bctwcoe,  atid  lokid  fomwhat 

wroth, 

cArey  in  pur  wrath  bcihrewid  them  all 

both; 

my  trowith,  quod  Gefircy,wel  tooiifi  ii  thy 

pan, 

oil  tcchc  thy  fone  the  craftif  that  t  can, 

p  in  tyaie  to  come  myght  win  his  lyr- 

bde, 

i  tbcsfor  apgry  thow  art  verry  wood. 

iaild».W]rffj  and  fone,  by  the  Tryoytc 

■rich  is  the  wilcil  of  them  all  thrc. 

bly,  quod  the  fttward ;  it  liith  aU  in  thy 

iioll 

it  and  wyfdcnn,  and  prcvith  by  thy  poll : 

b^  that  Geffrey  wordit  fotilly, 

wildltid  dx  burgeyib  held  it  for  foly 


All  thai  evir  he  fcyd,  and  toke  it  for  gtfod  gaoic, 
Alid  hM  fuU  1^1^  knowlcch  (le  was  Geilrey  th«e 

Umc. 
Bcryo  a|id  hi«  copipany  C^dc  AiU  aj  (lone 
Bctwcnc  hope  aud  drcdc,  diiwarc  how  it  Ihuld 

gr>oii, 
Saff  Btfr>n  trift  in  party  that  Geffrey  wold  hyai 

help, 
But  ytt  into  that  hour  he  had  no  caufc  to  yelp  ; 
Whc'ifor  they  i^aJc  muth  forowe,  that  dole  wai 

and  pete. 
Gv^rey  herd  hym  figh  fore  :  What  devil  la  yew  I 

quod  he : 
What  nede  yew  be  fory  whllt  I  ftond  here  ? 
tiavc  I  nat  enfounuid  yew  bow  and  in  what  hmf 

ncrc 
That  I  yew  wold  help,  and  bryng  c]tcm  in  thi 

fnare  ? 
Yf  yc  coud  pjtdc  as  well  ai  I,  full  litill  wold  ye 

carf. 
Pluk  up  thy  hrrt,  quod  GdTfey,  Beryu,]  fpckc  t9 

the. 
Lcvc  thy  blab  lewd,  quod  Bcryn  to  hym  age ; 
It  doith  no  thing  aval^  that  forowe  com  oa  thf 

hedc; 
It  Is  nat  worth  i  fiy  al  that  thow  hail  (eydc 
Have  wf  nat  ch  tiow  for  to  think  oppon 
Saff  h-rre  to  jangill  ?  Machyn  rofe  anoon, 
And  went  to  the  barr,  and  gan  to  tcU  his  talc  i 
\^c  was  a»  faU  as  Jufla^,  that  fct  CriHc  at  falc. 
Sir  Steward,  quod  this  Machyn,  and  the  burgey- 

fts  al, 
Knowith  wtle  how  Mdan  with  putpill  and  with 

pall.  ^ 

And  olhir  march ^mdife,  fcven  yere  ago 
Went  toward  Rome,  aud  how  that  J  alfo 
Have  cnqucrcd  fith,  asrefon  woll  and  kynd^i 
Sit|i  he  was  my  fadir,  to  know  of  his  ende  ; 
For  yit  ftth  his  departing  tyl  it  was  yiClirday 
Met  I  ncvir  creature  that  mc  coud  wisfh  or  fay 
R(:cdyne»  of  my  fadir,  dcde  othir  alyve  ; 
But,  bleOid  be  God  in  heven  1  in  this  thev*tf 

fclyvc 
The  knyffl  gaff  my  fadir  was  y  idir  day  y  found; 
Sith  1  hym  apele  let  hym  be  fall  y hound. 
The  knyf  I  liJiow  weJ  inuwc  \  aLfo  the  man  fto&t 

here. 
And  dwellith  in  this  town,  and  is  a  cotclerc, 
I'hiLt  nmde  the  fame  knyf  wytli  his  too  hondii. 
That  wdc  I  woot  there  is  noon  like  to  fcch  al 

Criilcn  londis ; 
For  three  prccioufc  ftonys  becnwythin  the  haft 
Pirrfcdlich  ycouchit,  and  fotUUch  by  eraft 
Hndcndit  in  the  haft, and  that  right  coriou^y, 
A  faphir,and  a  (alidone,  and  a  rich  ruby. 
The  cotelcre  cam  Icpeing  forth  with  a  bold  chcrc 
And  feyd  to  the  Reward  that  Machyn  told  now 

here 
Every  word  is  trcw,  fo  bcth  the  flonysfet ; 
1  made  the  knyf  my  fclf,  who  myght  know  It 

bet? 
And  toke  the  knyff  to  Machyn,  and  be  8i«  pay*4 

wele ; 
So  is  this  fcloQ  gilty ;  thdc  ii  BO  mofttotelL 


tU 


THE   MERCHANT'S   SECOND  TALE,  ts'^^/ 


I 


» 


i 


Up  arofc  burgeyfis  by  two  by  tlircc  by  four. 
And  fcyM  they  wet  prcfcnt  the  fame  tyroc  and 

hour 
When  Machyn  wept  fore,  and  brought  hii  hdxr*9 

gnwnd, 
Aud  ^af  hym  the  fame  knyfToppon  the  fee  ftrond, 
Beth  thcr  cny  mo  pleyntifs  of  record  ? 
Quod   Geffrey  to  the  Qcward:  and  he  ageyo- 

waid; 
How  fcmcth    the,   Gylhochet,    bcth    ther    nat 

inowjjhe  ? 
Make  thyn  anfwer,  Bcryn,  cafe  that  thow  mowe. 
For  oon  or  othir  thow  mufk  fey,  although  it  cat 

availle. 
And  but  thow  lefe  or  thow  go  methlnkith  grctc 

mervailL 
Beryn  goith  to  counfcTI  and  his  company. 
And  Geffrey  bode  bchindc  to  her  more  and  fc. 
And  to  (hew  the  bwr^  fc  fomewhat  of  hJishert; 
And  feyd,  But  I  make  iht.  plGyntif*  for  to  fmert, 
And  allc  that  them  meyntcn'tth^  for  aught  that  is 

yfeytl, 
I  woll  grant  yew  to  kut  the  eri»  fro  my  hede. 
My  mafter  n  at  couDfcU,  but  counfcli  hath  he 

noon 
For  bat  I  hym  help  he  it  clecn  undoon  ; 
But  1  wolJ  help  hym  A  that  1  can,  and  meyntenc 

hym  alfo 
By  my  power  and  connyng,  fo  I  am  bound  ther'to ; 
For  I  durft  wage  batteU  wyth  yew,  though  yee  be 

ftrong. 
That  my  maiUcr  U  in  the  trowith  and  ye  be  in 

the  wrong ; 
For  and  we  have  lawcl  nehold  yew  but  diflrolcd 
In  yewr  own  falflicde*  fo  be  yee  now  afpicd ; 
Wherfor  yit  or  ctc  I  Ihal  abate  yewr  pride, 
That  fom  of  yew  fbaU  be  right  feyn  to  flynk  away 

and  hide. 
The  burgcyfcs  gon  to  lawgh,  and  fcornyd  hym 

thcr*to. 
Cylhochct,  quod  Evandcr,  and  thow  cowdill  fo 
Bryng  it  thus  about,  it  were  a  rcdy  wcy. 
He  i»  a  good  fool,  quod  Hanybald,  in  fay. 
To  put  hymfclf  aloon  in  ftrengith  and  eke  in  wit 
A^cyns  all  the  burgcyfis  that  on  this  bench  lit. 
What  clatir  is  thi«,  quod  Machyo,  al  day  with  a 

fole  ? 
Tyme  ii  tiowto  worch  with  fom  othir  tole, 
For  I  am  ccrtcyn  of  their  anfwer  that  they  wol  fail, 
And  lyf  for  lyf  of  my  fadir  what  may  that  avail  ? 
Wher'for  bcth  avifid,  for  I  am  in  no  doutc 
The  goodift  been  fufficient  to  part  al  aboute. 
So  may  every  prty  pleyntif  have  his  part. 
That  it  refon,  quod  the  blind ;  a  tr cw  man  thow 

art; 
And  eke  it  were  untrowlth  and  eke  grete  fyn 
But  echc  of  u*  that  plcynith  myght  fom  what  wyn. 
Hanybald  bote   hi»  lippis,  and  herd  them   bo  Lb 

wclc; 
Towching  the  marchandifc  o  talc  I  fliall  yew  tcU, 
And  eke  make  a  vow,  and  hold  my  bchefl. 
That  of  the  marrhaodifc  yewr  p^rt  fhali  be  left ; 
For  I  have  made  a  bargeyn  that  may  nat  be  undo ; 
I  WQU  bold  bis  covcsaunt  and  be  ^aL  cayzi  aifot 


Up  roo5  quicklich  the  burgcyfe  Syrophinef : 
Hanybald,  quod  he,  the  lawgojth  by  no  lany 
But  hold  ferth  tbc  ftrryt  wey^crenas  doith  a  Iji 
For  yiftirday  when  Beryn  with  me  did  dyne 
I  was  the  firft  pcrfon  that  put  htm  in  ardlj 
And  for  he  wold  go  large  thow  had^iiftriji  duffe 

and  heft 
To  fefe  both  fhip  and  goodis  tfl  I  were  t&fi>«rid{  J 
Then  mtift  1  &rd  be  fervid,  thia  knowtth  al  i 

ylerid. 
The  woman  Jlode  befidis,  and  cried  woodir  i 
Ful  foth  is  that  byword,  To  ^  roU  etmjihi^ 
Ht  fv^rfi  is  fervid  :  and  fb  it  fanth  by  me  : 
Vit  nethirlcA,  Sir  Steward,  I  trufb  to  yewr  I 
That  koowith  bcfl  my  caofe  and  my  trew  e 
I  ajtc  yew  no  more  but  rightful  \vkgtmttii : 
Let  me  have  part  with  othir  fith  he  my  hnfbondii 
Good  Sir,  bcth  avifid;  1  axe  yew  oat  amyi. 
Thus  they  gon  to  ftryve,  and  wer  of  high  mode 
For  to  depart  emong  them  othir  fncnny*  goo4» 
Whcr  they  toforc  had  nevir  propertc, 
Nf  ncvjr  fhuid  thcraftir  by  doom  of  cquyte ; 
But  they  had  othir  caufe  then  they  bad  tbo. 
Bcryn  was  at  counfcU,  his  hert  was  full  woo. 
And  hifr  meyny  fory,  diftrakt,  and  al  amayide^ 
For  cho  they  Icvid  noon  othir  but  Gcflrey  I|i4l 

frayide ; 
Bccaufc  he  was  fo  long  they  coud  no  manef  i 
But  everich  by  hymfelf  wisihid  he  had  be  do 

0  myghtful  God  \  they  fcyd,  I  trow  toforc  thii4 
Was  nevir  grcttcr  trefon,  fere,  nc  afiray. 
Wrought  onto  mankind  then  now  is  toust 
And  namebch  by  thi*  Geffrey  with  hii  fottl  c 
So  fcithful  he  made  it  he  wold  u»  help  echontik  J 
And  now  we  be  ymyryd  he  lettth  us  Ht  alo 
Of  GclTrcy,  quod  Bcryn,  be  a»  it  be  may  j 
We  raut  anfwer  nede,  ther  is  noon  othir  way  d 
And  ther' for  let  mc  know  your  wit 

counfaile. 
They  wept,  and  wrong  their  hondis,  aad  gaa  i« 

waillc  [lywij 

The  tyme  that  they  were  bore,  and  iHonly  of  iftii 
They  wisihid  that  they  wer.  With  that  canur  Oi^l 

frey  blive, 
Fafling  them  towards,  and  began  to  fmylr. 
Bcryn  axid  Geffrey  whcr  he  had  be  al  the  whi 
Have  mercy  oppon  us  vid  help  xi^  a»  tliow  bii 

1  woll  help  yow  right  wclc  through 

Godd'is  might; 
And  I  can  tell  yow  tiding  of  their  goTerDava 
I'hey  ftondin  altcrcatioune  and  flryf  in  pojQCl 

prauncc 
To  depart  your  goodii,  and  Icvith  verily 
That  it  wer  trnpoflibil  yew  to  remedy ; 
But  their  high  pride  and  their  prefumpaoaoc 
Shal  be  yit  or  eve  their  confufioune; 
And  to  make  amcndis  ccli  man  for  his  plrynt*  J 
Let  fc  ther' for  your  good  avife  how  they  i 

be  ateynt. 
The  Romcynt  flode  ftiU^  aa  who  bad  ibor  I 

hede. 
In  fcitb,  quod  Beryn,  we  can  no  mane?  redCa 
But  in  God  and  yew  we  fubmit  ui  all. 
Body,  1)  f^  and  goodis,  to  Itood  ur  to  US^ 


THE   MERCHANT'S  SECONti  TALE,   t/.. 


•■  0  word  thai  thow  fcyft  ; 
I*  welc  a«  thou  m^yft. 
..  xu^y,  and  I  wo II  Jo  my  pcyn 
•i  tonifiyT)^  wo!Jl  ftrcch  andatcyn, 
ut  ta  burr,  and  Geffrey  iltofore 
tc  countviiAnc^,  bare  fotc,  \XTni  to  tore, 
illi  »  ycfd  hr  b&rc  m  hh  hondc^ 
'Mr  wiftlytig  at  every  piifc  comaund?, 
r4  ^nd  f  he  Hnrgvyns  had  g^Jiic  inowghc 
r  g,  and  hcrtlich  lowghc  ; 
Ihochct,  com  ntre  j; 
ri^jiii  wviLfinsc,  for  thow  maklft  uschcfc. 
wcltom,  quod  G^rffrcy^that  ycc  woil  uii 
I  yewr  hcdi«,  I  pray  to  God,  and  wcr». 
iym  for  a  vary  fojc,  but  he  held  them 
I  mure; 

I  made  them  in  hrcff  tymc,  .11  though 
if  w«-  oal  ihore, 
ow,  qood  Geffrey,  and  let  mate  pcfe; 

I  and  of  japis  tymc  h  now  to  ccfir, 

i  of  athtr  tmatcr  that  wc  have  to  doon, 

e  hew  ainys  cny  miner  (lone 

wcle  ID  ccrtcyn  what  pardon  we  (bul 

re; 

ta  our  ncdc  ui  to  defend  and  favc, 

'  hadi  be  at  counfcljf  and  ful  avifid  is 

U  ha^c  the  word  is,  i'pckc  I  %vclc  or  my»; 

Sir  Steward,  and  yc  biirgtyfu  all, 

ight,  asdwrittith  nat,  for  avcnturis  that 

■bne  nntrewely,  or  do  us  eny  wrong, 
Rerourmyd,  be  ye  ncvir  fo  llroii^, 
loynt  and  injisry,  and  that  in  ^Tcte  hafte^ 
nc  urknowc  to  ufr  that  may  yow  challc: 
i  the  nght  wcy,  and  by  no  fide  Unys, 

"  ng  the  firft  pleymif  Syrephiinc*, 
"imymaftcf  yitUrday  at  chc«, 

iKCTteyn  covcoauiitr*  who  that  had 

Bc,  al  thoughc  1  ^cr  nat  there, 
!  fodir^i  biddtngTf  whatfoevertc  wcr^ 
a.11  the  watir  that  fait  wer  in  the  fee  j 
Me,  Sir  Steward,  y-  woll  record  the  plc> 
Wm  ymiJEd  in  lettir  or  in  word 
(fcl  1  be  rewjid  aftir  ycwr  record  ; 
ful  ttvifid  in  this  wife  to  anfwerc. 
nc  ilcward,  and  aj  men  that  wer  there, 

II  much  of  Geffrey,  that  fpak  fu  redely, 
rdit  tof ore  femjrd  al  fol?, 

^kyed  cleeo,  and  gan  for  to  dredc, 
^■D  tyt  othir  lenyd  with  hi)  hcde, 
H^portcd  the  ale  right  formally; 
^■c  in  cert  en,  but  wife,  ware,  and  fcly, 
flhii  yjapid  us  and  fcomyd  heretofore, 
kavc  hold  hyni  a  fole,  but  wc  be  wcl 

died  on  Geffrey,  and  laughed  tho 

ught. 
iliad  afpied  they  wer  In  fuch  thought, 
til  trobchd,  pcnfyf,  and  anoyed, 
yvc  in  bet  the  oayl,  till  they  were 
yid. 

he  feyd«  firh  that  it  fo  it 
vning  of  00  J-  f  Ic  yc  fynd  oathirg  amyii 


As  provith  wele  yowr  fcilencc,  eke  yc  withfeyth; 
O  word  of  our  talc,  hut  ckne  without  fpot,  [nat 
Then  to  our  anfwcr  1  pnry  yow  take  hcde. 
For  wc  wol  feyal  the  trowith  right  as  it  is  in  dcde{ 
For  this  i«  foth  and  ccrteu,  it  may  nat  be  with  ' 

ftyd. 

That  Beryn  that  here  ftondith  was  thtis  ovirplcid 
In  the  laft  game,  when  wagir  was  opo9i 
Buc  that  was  hls^uiferauncr,  ait  yc  (hull  hcreanoon^ 
For  in  all  this  cctc  tlier  n'ys  no  mancr  man 
Can  picy  betir  at  chei  then  my  ma^ir  can  ; 
Ne  bet  then  I, though  I  it  fey, can  nat  half  fo  much; 
Now  how  be  loft  it  by  hts  wyll  the  caufc  I  woll 

tcche ; 
For  yc  wend  and  ween  that  he  had  hyni  engyned. 
But  ye  fliul  fcle  in  every  vcyn  that  yc  be  undir* 

mined. 
And  ybrouglit  at  ground,  and  eke  ovirmufuL 
And  agenH  the  6rff  that  fieryn  lAaccufid 
Hcrith  now  cntcntyfiich.  Whrn  wc  wer  on  the  fee 
Such  a  tempeil  tin  us  fill  th^t  noon  myght  othir  fe 
Of  tliundir,  wynd,  and  lighttnyng,  ajid  fformyt 

ther  among. 
Fiftcnc  day  is  during  the  tcmpcfl:  was  fo  ftrtkng 
That  cchc  man  till  otliir  began  hym  fot  to  ihryve. 
And  made  their  avowiif  yf  they  myght  have  the 

lyve, 
Bom  to  fe  the  fepulkir,  and  fom  to  othir  plafe. 
To  fcch  holy  feyntii  for  help  and  for  grace ; 
Som  to  faff  and  do  pcnnauncc,  and  torn  do  ahny^ 

dcdc; 
Tyl  at  bft,  as  God  wold,  a  votfe  to  ui  feyd. 
In  our  mod  turnicot,  and  dcfpctal  of  mynd. 
That  yf  we  wold  be  favid  my  maiflcr  muft  hym 

bynd 
Be  feith  and  eke  be  vow,  when  he  cam  to  lond. 
To  drink  al  the  fait  waiir  within  the  fee  ffrond. 
Without  drinking  cny  fopc  of  the  freafti  watir; 
And  taught  hym  al  the  fotiltc  how  and  in  what 

manere 
That  he  fhuld  wirch  by  engyne  aiid  by  a  fotlll 

charm,  [harm,  * 

To  drink  all  the  fait  watir  and  have  hymfclf  no 
But  ft  op  the  frclh  rivers  by  every  coft  fide. 
That  they  enter  nat  in  the  fc  thorough  the  world 

wydc. 
The  voifc  wc  herd  but  naught  we  faw  j  fo  wer  our 

Witts  ravid. 
Far  this  was  end  fynally,  yf  we  luil  be  favid. 
Whcr'for  my  mailer  Beryn,  when  he  cam  to  t3u» 

port, 
To  Wn  avow  and  promyi  he  made  hit  firff  retort^ 
Or  that  he  wold  brrgeyn  cny  marth^udife. 
And  right  doith  thefe  marchandis  in  the  fame  wife 
1  hat  makcn  their  avow  is  in  faving  of  their  lyv'is. 
They  completyn  their  pdgrcmagi*  or  they  fc  their 

wyvis. 
So  mowc  yc  ondirAond  that  my  maffcr  Beryn 
Of  frc  wiU  was  ymatid,  a»  he  that  was  a  pilgrym, 
And  myght  nat  perfoumi  by  many  thowfand  part 
His  avow  and  his  hcfl  wythout  right  fotil  art. 
Without   help    and   ftrengtl)    of    many   mennya 
myght.  [rj-ht 

Sir  Steward,  and  Sir  Bnigeyfci  If  wc  Ihul  Lavq 


'I 

4 


4 


aft 


THE  MERCHANT'S  SECOND  TALE.   WV. 


I 
I 

I 

I 

I 

I 


^iiophiuics  muA  do  coll  and  avcnturc, 
To  ilop  al  th£  frpfli  r>  vers  into  die  fee  that  ectir, 
For  Bcryn  ii  rcdy  in  il  thing  hym  to  quytc, 
So  lie  be  ia  lUfoutc  muA  pay  for  the  wite. 
^Lth  jc  becQ  wiQ:  al  what  ticdc  h  much  cbtir  ? 
Thcr  was  no  covcnauntc  them  hetwcoc  to  drink 

frdh  watir. 
When  Sirgphancs  had  yhcrd  al  GtfFrcy's  t^c^ 
fie  ilode  &[  abaihjd,  with  colour  wan  and  pale, 
Aiid  lakid  oppon  the  fleward  Tvith  a  rcwful  chcrc, 
And  on  othir  (rcndJhip  and  i}eyhbour«  he  bad 

there, 
And  prcyd  them  of  counfcll  the  acfwcre  to  reply, 
Tht'fe  Romeyns,  quod  the  ftcward,  been  wondir 
And  eke  right  y mniagytyf^  and  of  fotil  art,    [fdy , 
That  J  aai  in  grctc  dowte  howe  yee  (ktii  depart 
Without  harm  in  oon  iide  :  our  iawi^  vdl  thow 

^  to  pay  diunagiF,  and  ckc  alfo  the  cod. 

Of  every  party  pl^ntyf  tJiat  faUith  m  hit  plefQt ! 

l*ct  hyni  go  qtiyt   1  couufcil,  yf  it  may  fo  be 

qucynt- 
1  meTTciJ,  quod  Slrophanej,  of  their  fotUte, 
But  fith  that  It  fo  JloiiditlL,3Dd  may  tioou  «thirbe, 
1  do  well  be  counrdl,  and  grauiutd  Bcryn  quyte. 
But  Gcdrcy  thought  anothir,  and  vvitUout  rcrpice. 
Sirs,  he  feyd,  me  wctith  wdc  tliat  yc  «v<ul  do  us 

tight. 
And  fo  ye  muft  nedi$^  smd  fo  y«  bav€  ot  highte  ; 
And  therefore,  Sir  Stcwi^rd,  ye  occupy  our  plafe, 
And  ye  know  wclc  what  law  wol  in  this  ca  c; 
My  mafLtr  i^  rcdy  to  pcrfourme  hi»  avow- 
J3ut  JiaUii;icri,  quod  the  Aeward,  I  cannat  wetc 

how 
To  flop  aU  the  fre(h  watir  were  pofTibllitc. 
If  is,  in  fQth,qood  Gctfrcyy  who  had  of  gold  plcnte 
As  man  cuud  wifb  and  it  myght  well  be  do  : 
But  that  U  nat  our  defaatc,  he  hath  no  trefourto* 
i.ct  hym  go  to  in  haftc,  or  find  u»  fucrtc 
To  make  amcndi»  to  Bcryn  for  hi»  iniquite. 
Wrong,  and  harm,  and  trefpai,  and  undcwc  wcx- 

aciounc, 
Loft  of  falc,  and  marcJiandife,  difefe,  and  tribuU- 

laciouttc. 
That  wc  have  fuftenyd  thorough  bii  iniquite* 
What  vaylith  it  to  tary  ut  *  for  though  ye  fotil  pry 
We  0iul  have  re  (on  whcr  ye  wol  or  no. 
So  woU  we  that  ye  knowe  what  that  we  well  do; 
In  certco  full  avifid  to  tfope  for  to  pafe. 
And  declare  every  poyot«  them  ore  and  oke  the 

lafe. 
That  of  ycur  opyn  crrour*  hath  plcync  corrcc- 

tioune^ 
A-id  ageiiy«  hi«  jugement  ii  noon  protedioune : 
jbic  i$  y<iifr  lof  d  hall,  and  fovcxcn  jugge  and  lele, 
^hu  and  ye  work  ia  coy  poynt  to  hym  liith  our 

apelc. 
So  wbca  the  iUwaid  had  yhcrd,  and  the  burgeyQ& 

allc. 
How  Gcfirey  bad  yftcryd,  that  went  fo  nigbe  the 

Whstt  for  (hame,  ind  drcdc  of  more  harm,  and  rc- 

picffe, 
Jhsj  made  Siiophaiicsy  wccr  bym  looth  ox  Icflc, 


To  take  Beryn  gage,  and  plegg  find  air>, 

To  hydc  the  ward  and  jugement  of  UiAt  be  M 

myfdo. 
Now  fcrthcrforc,  qtiod  Ccflbey,  fitli  that  it  fo  li 
That  of  the  firfbpicotyf  wc  have  fdtrmc:*. 
Now  to  the  Marchant  wc  rnuft  ncdi«  3< 
That  bergeyncd  with  B^ryn  at  thit  i 

here, 
In  covenaunte  that  he  fbt<ld  hU  fhippis  U'l       }^ 
Of  othir  march  and  ifc  that  he  toforc  liad  kju 
In  HanybalJ'is  pUfe,  howCt  to  or  ihre, 
Full  of  itiaxchandifc  ^  they  might  be ; 
X.ct  us  pas  ihidir,  yf  CDy  tiling  be  there 
At  our  luft  and  liking,  a&  they  accordit  wcrt. 
I  graunt  wclc|  quod  Haoybald,  tbow  asift  bit 

rightc; 
Up  arofc  thefe  burgcyfk,  Thow  wifl  but  Hgbx, 
The  Hcward  and  hii  compcris   cnuid  fiHl  tke 

howfc. 
And  faw  nothing  witliin,  fVraw,ne  hft^  ne 
Save  tymbir,  and  the  tylc  flony»,  and  the 

white, 
t  trow,  quod  the  ftoward,  the  wynsyof  woll 

but  lite 
TTiat  Bcryn  woll  now  get  in  Hanybakl*  is  pi 
For  I  can  fc  ntx'n  oihir  but  they  uwoll  he  at 
And  clenid  them  in  echone.  and  went  out 

iclvc.  IJ 

Ai  fotic  as  they  wotc  entrid  they  iaw  BO 
For  furjA  of  their  hert,  but,  as  tofore  ii  (cyd^ 
The  howfe  wais  cken  yfwept;  then  <3<fljr«| 

they  preyde. 
To  help  yf  he  coud.  Let  me  aloon*  quod  he, 
Yit  ihul  Uicy  have  tlic  wer »  a*  fotil  as  they  be, 
Kvandcr  the  fleward  in  (he  menc  while 
Spak  to  the  burgeyfe,  and  began  to  fmylc  i 
Though  Siropliane»  be  yhuki  the^  Ruinrjrai  fiari 

curs, 
Yit  I  trow  tJiat  Haoybatd  woU  put  Kyui  tti 

wcrt. 
For  J  am  fuyr  and  certryn  within  they  flial  | 

fynd?  ' 

What  fcT  ye  be  my  pleynt^  Sin,  qvod  thtUfM 
for  (  make  a  vow  i  well  ncvir  ccfc 
Tyl  Syroptianes  have  of  Bcryn  «  pkyn  rcMe« 
And  to  make  hym  quyte  of  Kie  f^bniiHiottoe, 
EU  wol  I  have  tie  pete  of  hi»contmiQutit« 
But  folow  hym  al  fo  ferAy  m  1  can  or  auf 
Tyl)  I  have  his  cycn  both  to  away. 
Kow  in  leith,  quod  Machyn,  and  1  wol  hlfC  I 

For  though  he  fcapc  yew  all,  with  me  woR  be  I 

flryifc. 
But  be  right  feyn  tn  hert  all  bit  good  fbn'Af 
For  to  fcape  wyth  hyk  lyf,  and  tu  me  it  f .  L 
Beryn  and  hia  fcjefhip  wcr  within  the  h^    i  t 
And  fpekcn  of  tlwir  aofwefi  and  eude  hm  BJ$ 

roufc, 
But  evir  prcyd  Qrfircy  to  help  yf  he  ccod  atq^ 
1  woll  nat  faill,  quod  GeJTrcy,  and  wia  tgforcvi 

thought 
Of  too  botirfliiv,  as  white  ai  eny  fbowc; 
He  ktc  them  J3ee  widiin  the  ho«^<r|  tiut  i^  flt 

the  wwwc 


THE  ME!tCHAKT*S 

rtrondir  hd,  u  their  kynd  woll, 
y  had  ficw  to  reft  snothtr  pull 
iffrcyf»wthc  botcrfliif  cleving  on  tlifi  Trail 
ard  tud  the  burgcf  fc  in  he  g^n  caU; 
he  fkfdf  whofo  evir  rcptht, 
thofc  marchandifc  moft  to  fvur  tajent 
fjTid  herein.  Behold,  Sir  Hjnybal, 
Ik  hotirflii*  that  rUrvich  oft  the  trail ; 
ft  mufl  fill  oar  fhippin  alt  fyYr. 
thf  hcrt  B€ryn»  for  thow  moTt  ncdii 
nyvc; 

I  we  out  of  Rome  In  Murchantfarc  went, 
afe  bofiirjliijs  w  as  cur  moft  cntcnt ; 
I  t^ll  the  caufe  er{»ectal  and  why  r 
&  kche  in  Room  that  h:ith  ymadc  a  cry 
arroyntemL-nt  to  cure  all  tho  ben  blyndc, 
luier  infirmytcet  that  growith  in  man- 
imdr,  [ye  mtit  hy. 

i^  fliortj  the  work  U  long:  Sir  Hanyb^, 
inybald  herd  this  tak*  he  feyd  pryycl^ 
U  to  the  llcwatd;  In  fotb  I  have  the  wcrs, 
fikir  by  this  plc)Tit  that  ihall  I  litilpurs, 
n^th,quod  the  fteward,  forin  the  world 
(undc 

bodt/lHs  wold  nat  be  founde 
Jtip  to  charge;  wher'for  me  thinkith  btH 
have  his  good  ageyn,  and  be  in  pcle  and 
ft. 

i  an  ajr^to^  and  thow  ibape  f& 
Haunt  to  rdefe  without  mote  ado^ 
cyfi*  cvcrichone*  that  were  of  that  cetc, 
iBd  fcre  whtn  they  herd  of  lhi»  p!:?f  ; 
Jpl  hU  wifdom  held  them  ha^  and 

t  were  ftcwnbrit  in  their  owu  dJftrcyte, 
MyhaJd  with  his  kendii  had  fpoke  of 
h  matcrc  [manerr; 

w  them  totrarth  Beryn,  and  fcjd  in  thi» 
botirfliis  ye  com  fro  \  our  centre  , 
rau  tell  in  fikirnca  and  opci)  our  fey, 
liiny  botirilyt-s  wc  fbu!  nevir  gctc, 
c  we  be  avlfid  othirwife  to  treU'j 
It  bald  thai  rclcfc  hl»  covcnaunt  that  is 
tki^  [ranfakid. 

wet  the  good  ag<:yn  that  from  you  waj 
rh,  cjaod  GciTrey,  us  nedifh  no  rclcT'' ; 
bold  our  covenaunt  and  wc  Ihall  '  etiri 
uU  have  refon  wher  yc  woU  or  no  [iLfOj. 
pe  i«  afyvc;  t  am  nothyng  afcrd, 
wipe  all  this  pIcc  cleen  tram  \  cut  herd, 
lench  onyi  out  of  the  hi'gh  wcy.  (dcley, 
crid  hym  plegg  and  gage  without  more 
!kirtnore»  tjood  Geffrey,  us  ought  to  pro- 
ilv,  [nedc  ; 

i  blynd  mann'  .*  pdynt  we  mufl  atifwffr 
fo  tt]l  rrowith,  he  lyvltb  all  to  long 

jnd  hi^own  vrrong 

furmyfid,  a*  prcvith  by  his  plc«, 
yc  Cnill  opynlich  know  welc  and  fee; 
ndiiflndc  hym  he  fcyd  that  felt  yeris 
*,t  here  ftondUh,  and  he  were  prrtyntjris 
yiig  au4  of  Iclyng,  u  men  it  ufc  and 
tth^ 
tfiejr  cLauDgit  eyen,  and  y  itthU  if  fothc ; 


SHCONU  Tale,  t^.  ^s^ 

But  the  caufe  of  chaunging  yit  i*  to  yow  onknmv, 
Whcr'fure  I  woll  decbrc  it  both  to  high  and  lowe« 
In  that  fame  tyme  that  this  burge  fc  blynd, 
Andmymancr  Beryn, as  faft  a.fcyth  myght  bynd^ 
Were  marchiundi*  iti  comyn  of  al  rhiU  theymyght 
Saff  vf  \yt  and  lym,  and  of  dcdel    fyn^         [^ 7"^ 
Thtr  fill  in  tho  niarchtsof  al  thing  fnch  a  dtfth 
That  joy,  comfort,  and  folas,  and  a4  ttiaQ<rr  niyith; 
Wail  exilid  cleen^  fa/T  oonly  mnIcfladounC| 
l*hiit  abood  coniinucl— <k(peratioune  : 
So  wJicTi  that  the  pepil  vvtfr  in  ttiofl:  rayfcheflfc 
Gndibat  it  aboTe,  that  al  thing  d«th  releve^ 
Sent  them  fuch  plentc  of  mony^  fruytc,  and  conr, 
Wicli  turnid  al  to  joy  their  mouruyng  nl  to  forn  ; 
Then  gaf  ihey  them  to  mirch,  revel,  plcy,  and 
And  thank  id  God  above  cvir  more  among  [fong^ 
Of  their  rtlcraeiounc  from  woe  into  gUdnei^ 
For  A/iir/avr  jtttit/xvtU  h  'Cttm  it  it  a^Ufaiti  mer^ 
So  in  the  mccn  while  of  this  prftfpente  , 

Ther  cam  fuch  a  pleycr  into  the  fame  eontre  1 

That  ncvir  fhertoforc  wa*  fcyn  fuch  anothir,, 
That  welc  was  the  crctu/e  that  born  was  6f  ft^ 

modir 
That  myght  fe  the  mirthi*  of  this  Jogelou#e, 
For  of  the  world  wide  tho  dayis  he  bii*c  theflourr^ 
For  there  n'as  man  ne  woman  m  that  rcgibund 
That  fet  of  hymfelf  the  florc  of  a  boton 
Yf  he  had  not  fey  hb  mynhrs  and  hit  game. 
So  oppon  a  tyme  this  plcyer  did  prodai>tic 
Thill  al  manerc  of  pcpiH  his  pleyi«  wold  fc 
Shuld  com  oppon  a  certen  A&f  to  the  greie  c€ttt 
Then  among  orhir  my  mailer  htrf,  Beryn ^ 
And  thi»  fame  blynd,  that  pledith  now  with  hyntg 
Made  a  certen  corvenaTjnt  that  they  Wold  fe 
The  mcrvcUi*  of  this  pleyer  and  hi»  f«til4e  : 
So  what  for  beta  of  fomer,  age,  and  febiltie*^ 
And  ckc  alfo  tht  loag  way,  «hw  kl yHd  fof  tret  \ 

PilTflat  adown  td  tht  frth;  o  fote  nt  ntyght  he  go? 
Whcr'for  my  mailer  Bcryn  in  hcrt  wa^  full  woo^ 
And  feyd,  My  frend,how  now?  mow  ye  uo  fer- 

ther  piib  ? 
No,  he  fayd,  by  hym  that  firft  made  mas; 
And  yit  1  had  levir,  as  GoJ  /iiy  foulc  fave, 
Sc  thc4  woiidir  plcyis  then  all  the  good  t  have. 
1  cannat  els,  quod  Bcryn,  but  yf  it  may  Oftt  be 
But  that  ye  and  I  tnut  reeoorti  age 
Aftir  yc  b«  refrelhid  of  your  wcrynei*. 
For  to  leve  yew  in  thi»  plite  it  wer  no  gcntibe% 
Then  fcyd  this  blynd,  I  am  *vind  bet ; 
Bcryn,  ye  fliuJl  wend  thidir  without  cny  let. 
And  have  myn  cyen  with  yew  that  tJicy  tkepfey 

mow  fe, 
And  I  woll  have  yewrityHyccorac  age. 
Thus  was  their  covenaunt  made,  as  Ito  yowrcporf. 
For  tfe  of  this  blynd,  and  moll  fof  hi»  comlore. 
Bnt  wotith  Mfc\t  the  whde  fitietice  di  ail  fufw 

gcry 
Was  nnytl  or  the  chaimge  was  made  of  both  eye 
With  many  fotiU  enchmutourE  and  >^kc  nygraman^ 

ctrs, 
Tliat  fent  wcte  for  thonotiys  maftri«  and  fcolcrit, 
S6  when  all  wa*cofliplefe  ttiy  mallrr  wen*  hi»  sftf 
Vrilh  thii  jOi.um'yi  eycii  and  faw  all  th«  jicy^ 


THE   MERCHANT'S   SECOND  TALE,   fsfr. 


And  haftly  retourntd  inta  that  plafe  mge, 

Aud  food  this  blynd  fcchiug  on  hoadii  and  on 

koc, 
GraTping  all  abcmtcto  fnd  that  he  had  hrc, 
Bcryn  hit  both  cyc-n  that  he  had  tafurc. 
But  si9  Tone  a«  Bcr.n  had  plcyti  kuowleche 
That  hi&  eycQ  were    yloU,    unneth    he    cuy^ht 

aicchc 
O  word,  far  pure  angu\  fh  that  lit  tnkc  fodcnly, 
And  from  that  day  till  nowe  nc  ni|^ht  he  nevk 

This  man  in  no  pliilc  thcr  law  was  vmcWd  | 
But  now  in  his  prcfcncc  the  foth  is  full  yprcvid. 
That  he  fhall  m;ikc  ajnendis  or  he  henii  pa& 
Right  as  the  lawe  wol  deme,  ethir  more  or  las  i 
For  my  maftir*i*  cycn  were  betir  and  more  cltrc 
'^ht:n  tht<c  that  he  hath  now  to  fc  both  fer  and 

ncrc ; 
So  wokl  he  have  his  own>  that  proper  were  of 

kynd, 
For  he  is  cvir  rcdy  to  take  to  the  blyndc  ' 

The  cyen  that  he  had  ot  hym,  as  covcnaunt  was. 
So  he  woU  do  the  fame.     Now,  Sovcrens,  in  thii 
■Ife  mut  take  hcdc  for  to  dcme  right,  [cafe 

For  it  wer  no  refon  my  maUnr  fhuld  lefc  his  ligbt 
l^^or  his  trcw  hcrt  and  hi*  gcntilnes. 
Beryn,  quod  tJie  blind,  tho  I  wrjll  the  relcfc 
My  quarcU  and  my  cauCc,  and  fall  fro  mv  picynt, 
Thow  mut  ncdc,   <iuod  GefiVcy,   lor  thow  art 

atcynt, 
$0  mut  thow  profir  ^g*,  and  borowis  fyud  alfo, 
For  to  make  amendla,  as  othir  have  ydo. 
kfir  Steward,  do  us  law,  fuh  wu  dcGre  but  right  : 
As  we  been  pcfe  marthaudis  us  longith  itat  to 

fight. 
But  pleyn  us  to  the  law*  yf  f«  wc  be  agrcvid. 
Anoon  opon  that  GcfTrey  Uic£c  wordis  had  ymc- 

vid 
The  blynd  nun  fond  borowis  for  all  his  maleta- 
~  lent, 

"And  were  ycnirid  ui  th^  court  to  bydc  the  jugc- 

iticnt ; 
For  thoughe  ihaC  he  blyndc  were  ytt  had  he  good 

plentt. 
And  nurc  wold  have   wonne  through  his  ini- 
quity 
Now  heriih,  Sirs,  quod  Geffrey ;  ihre  plcyntifs 

been  afiurid; 
And  at  ancnll  tlw  fcrth  this  woman  hath  arerid. 
That  pleynith  here  on  Bcryn,  and  fcyth  fhc  is  his 

wyfc, 
And  that  (he  hath  many  a  dey  led  a  pcynous  Jyfe, 
And  much  forow  endurid  his  child  to  fuflcnc, 
And  al  is  foih  and  trcw.     Now  rightfuliich  to 

demc 
Whether  of  them  both  (hall  othir  obey. 
And  folowe  will  and  ludis.  Sir  Steward,  yc  mat 

fey. 
fsAtid  therwith  Geffrey  lokid  afide  on  thi^  woman 
^iow  fhe  chaungit  colours,  pale  and  tke  wan. 
""AU  for  nought,  quod  Geffrey,  for  yc  mut  with 

Bigo, 
And  endure  witJi  your  hufbond  both  wcle  and 

«oos 


And  wold  have  tike  her  by  the  hond,  ^ 

awry  did  brcyde, 
And  witli  grtte  Hghing  thcfe  wovdis  the  ft] 
That  ageyn*  Bcryn  fbc  wold  plrdc  no  mo 
But  gagid  with  too  boiowiA,  a^s  othir  kid  i 

fore. 
The  fleward  f^t  as  ftill  as  who  had  Qior  It 
And  rpccially  the  plryntifs  were  in  much  < 
GeJTrey  fet  his  wordis  in  fuch  miuier  witc 
That  wcle  they  wiik  tliey  inyght  oai  (ci\ 

wife 

Without  lots  of  go<  dis  for  damage  and  lof\ 
For  fuch  vfcT  their  la  wis  whcr  plcymis  we*  ] 
GciTrc ,  had  full  pericyte  of  their  cacombiris 
And  eke  he  was  in  certcn  that  the  jug^mei  ' 
Shuid  pas  with  Iiis  maflir  ;  whcrfor  he  auo 
Sovcm  Sirs,  he  fcyd,  yit  muft  we  fcrth^r  \ 
And  anfwcre  to  tliis  Machyn,  tliat  fcith  i 

is  his 
That  found  v/as  on  Bcryn ;  ther'of  lie 

amy*  ; 
And  for  more  prcfe  he  Cckh  in  tHs  m* 
J  hat  here  jloudith  prcfcnt  the  fame  aiick 
That  the  kny fo  mudc,  and  the  precitia 
Widim  the  haft  been  couch »d,  that  itil 
Thoughe  mrn  wold  of  purpoie  make 

fcchc, 
Men  fhuld  nat  fyud  in  at  thing  a  knyftd  { 

h  lichc  i 
And  more  opyn  prtfc  than  m^un'y^  own  1 

Icchc 
Men  of  law  ne  clcrkis  con  nat  (ell  ne  | 
Now  fith  wc  be  in  this  m^ietc  thus  fcrfaci 
Then  were  fpcdfull  for  to  kttow  how  ] 

firft  to 
Have  poffcffiuune  of  the  kn^  fc  that  Machy 

ishi< : 
To  yew  unknownc  I  fliall  cnfoyrm  the  t 

it  is. 

Now  fcven  ycre  and  paf^d,  opoa  a  Tuyfdi^ 
In  the  PAllioun-wcck,  when  men  Icvcn  pU 
And  ufe  mote  dcvoeioune,  faflyng»  and  [ 
Then  in  othir  tyme  cirfeft^n  of  fhc  ycrc, 
1  his  Beryn's  fadir  crlich  wold  arifr. 
And  barcfotL*  go  to  chirch  to  Godd*U  fci 
And  lay  hymfelf  aloon  from  his  own  iwyffJ 
In  reverence  of  the  tynic,  and  mcodiof  T 

lyfe !  ^ 

So  on  the  fame  Tuyfda  -  that  I  cofore  i 
This  Bcryn  rofc  and  nyn  b)  m,  and  to  ihej 

went, 
And  mcrvclid  in  his  hcrt  hijfadir  wm  nit 
And  homward  went  ageya  with  drcxir  i 

fere. 
Into  his  fadir'a  chambirfodeidich  he  rakid«  ■ 
And  fond  hym  ligg  flan  dede  oppon  the  i 

nakid. 
And  the  e  lot  his  ^alid  from  else  bed  Kver. 
Ou^,  alas  !  quod  Hcryn,  that  evir  I  faw 
They  mcyne  herd  the  noifc,  how  Bcr  n  md 
And  cam  into  the  chambir  al  that  therein  ^ 
But  the  dole,  and  the  iorowe,  &nd  aogoyl^ 

was  there 
It  Taj  Uth  flat  at  this  i^wc  lo  dc^lirc  is  he 


ya  litd  moft  of  all,  have  yc  no  dootc  i 

3on  thcj  fertliid  Lhc  body  al  aboutc, 

^d  thit  I'iAic  koyfc,  thepoyiit  right  at  hk 

Kit 

i»*i  fadir,  whofe  tcret  gan  otitftert 

le  drowtb  out  the  knylc  o(   his  Cadir^s 

lyoutid ; 

sind^de  \  £iaw  hym  fall  down  to  the  ground 

i  of  the    mofl  part  that  bcth  wiih   hym 

ftow  hrre, 

:  I  aifcrmyd  it  for  Aftb,  aa  Gcffrc/  did  them 

lerc  : 

h^  I  nevir  rufpecloun  tnaa  that  day  tyll 
oowcth 

:d  that  curfcd  dede,  tyll  MachjO  with  his 
tUDWcth 

rw  hath  knowlechid   that  the  knyfe  is 

he  nedi&  anfwcr  for  hi*i  dcth  ywii. 
^lacyhn  had  yherd  ali  GcS'rcyHs  talc 

of  bench  fodenly  with  cotuur  wan  and 
pale. 

rd  OQto  Bcryn,  Sir,  igcja  the 
»lctc  DO  more,  for  tt  wcr  grct  pete 
lb  if  %cw  whh  adiuus  that  bciii  of  nabiH 
kyade. 

mercy  I  Sit,  ^uod  Gcflrey  ;  but  yit  ye 
(hull  fynde 

I  or  ii  e  pa%  amend U  for  to  make 
r   uodtrwc   vcxacioonc,  aod  gage  alfo  tia 
take 

of  fubmyfliouDe  for  your  injury, 
woll  and  refon,  for  we  woU  uttirly 
!  tyll  wc  have  jugcmcnt  finall ; 
cT^for,  Sir  Steward,  what  that  cvir  fall 
u  no  lougcr  but  gs  ve  ui  jugcmcnt, 
bth  1  e  noQU  othir  but  we  be  fullich  bent 
le  for  to  wend,  and  in  his  high  prcfcncc 
t  al  our  picet,  and  have  hii  lenience  i 
inU    c  make  fynyi,  and  highikh  be  agre* 

v«d, 

Ibne  at  tbe  Reward  herd  the*  wordii  me- 
irid, 

ryght,  and  law,  feyd  the  fteward  tho, 
:  iicdi»  have  whcr  I  woll  or  no ; 
prcve  my  full  wyll,  or  we  fcrlher  goon, 
;ch  he  conimaundir,  and  fparid  oevir  oon^ 
;cyfi«  in  law  befl  ylcrid, 
mg  them  the  plect,  aud  how  Gefirey  an- 
fwcrid, 

I  lyf  and  lym,  and  forfetur  of  good, 
they  woM  nat  Icfe  the  ball  within  their 
hood, 

w  a-pan  togidir,  and  by  their  all  aflent 
ko  man  on  iy  vc  to  gyve  rrew  jugemcnt. 
heo  ihcs  34  burgcyfit  had  yherd 
arge  of  the  He  ward,  right  fore  they  wer 
afcrd 

thtf  f.wn  lyvii  but  they  dcincd  trowith  ; 
ncybour*  tht7  had  grctc  rowith, 
;  vidclcrehch  in  the  pJcc  through- 

out 
raidjV  bad  the  won  fide,  thereof  they  had 


And  yf  wc  dcme  ircwly  they  woll  be  tare  anoyid, 
VU  it  is  bctir  then  wc  be  (hamyd  and  diftroyid. 
And  anooD  they  were  accordit,   and  ft  yd  wil 

Bcryn, 

And  dcmcd  every  pleyntif  to  make  a  grete  fyoe 
With  Beryn,  and  hym  fubmyt  hoo>tch  to  his  grace 
Body,  goud,  and  catcU,  fur  wrong  and  their  uel- 

pafc ; 
So  fcrforth,  tyll  at  laft  it  wa*  fo  bout  ybore 
That  Bcryn  had  the  doubill  good  that  he  had  to- 
fore. 
And  wytb  joy  and  myrth,  wyth  all  his  company. 
He  df  tiughe  hym  to  his  fhippis  ward  wyth  fong 

and  melody. 
llic  ftcward  and  the  burgcyfc  from  the  court  bent 
Into  their  own  placi^  and  cvir  a&  tlicy  went 
They  talkid  of  the  Romcyns,  how  fotilL  the 
To  aray  hym  like  a  fole  tlia.1  for  theui  Ihuld 

fvver. 
What  vylith  it,  quod  Hanybald,  to  anglr  or  t 

curs? 
And  yit  1  am  in  ccrtcn  1  fhall  fare  the  wen 
AU  the  dayis  of  my  lyfc  for  this  day*ii  pleding. 
And  fo  Htal  al  the  remnauat ;  aad  thctx  hondta 

wtyng, 
EotJi  Syrophanes,  and  the  biynd,  the  womaHi 

Machyn, 
And  be  bet  avi&d  er  they  eftfon  »  ple^ne. 
And  ol  othir  perfonys  wyth\u  thi*  tcte 
Mell  the  ks  wyth  Rome  n»  whih  they  here  be  3 
For  fuch  anothir  foIc  wa*  nevir  yit  ybom. 
For  he  did  naught  ellis  but  cvir  with  us  fituna 
'J  yli  he  had  us  caught  even  by  the  Ihyn 
With  his  fotill  wittis  in  our  own  grcnew 
Kow  woll  I  retourn  to  £cryn  agcyn. 
That  of  his  grctc  lukir  in  hcrt  was  right  feync 
And  fo  was  all  his  mcync,  as  tJiem  ought  wde. 
That  thcv  wer  fo  dcty  vcrM  from  turment  like  t» 

hell. 
And  graciufly  rclevid  out  of  thcr  gretc  myfchef. 
And  }fet  above  in  comfort  and  bouchcf. 
Nuw  in  foth,  quod  Bcryn,  it  ma)  nat  be  denied 
N'ad  GefTrey  aad  hi»  witt  be  we  had  be  dtflro^  id  ; 
khanked  be  Almyghty  God  omnipotent 
That  for  our  confolacioune  Geffrey  to  us  fent  f 
And  in  protcfl  op^  nly,  here  among  yew  alle. 
Half  m     good,  whila  that  1  lyvc,  whatevir  me 

befall, 
I  graunt  it  here  to  GeflVcy,  to  gyve  or  to  fcU, 
And  nevir  to  part  from  me,  yf  it  wer  hii  wyl. 
And  fare  a*  well  as  I  a  morrow  and  ckc  on  eve. 
And  nevir  for  a  man  on  lyvc  his  company  for  im 

Icve. 
Graunt  mercy  !  Sir,  quod  Gefircy,  yewr  profir  i« 

fcir  and  grete. 
But  I  defire  no  more  but  as  yc  me  behete. 
To  bryng  me  at  Room«  for  this  is  covenaunte. 
It  Ihall  be  do,  quod  Beryn,  and  all    tbe  rem* 

naunt. 
I>cperdcux  I  quod  Geffrey,  thcr*of  wc  (hull  wck 

do. 
lie  rayid  hym  othtrwifc;  and  witJiout  wordism* 
They  went  to  the  dyncr  the  hole  company, 
With  pipit  aad  w^th  tiumpi»|  and  othir  melody  s 


^ 


tr* 


THE   MIRCHAKT  S   SECOKD  TALE,    «if., 


Aftd  in  ttie  myddi*  of  their  mete  gentil  women 

Tyre, 
MiicJen*  frcfti  atlrid  as  myght  be  on  lyVe, 
Cora  from  the  Duke  Ifopt,  lord  of  thj«  rigloune, 
Evcrich  wyth  i  prcknt,  and  that  of  gtttt  ft* 

The  firft  bare  a  cup  of  gold,  and  of  sfiire  ffnf , 
So  coroufc  and  fo  oobill  that  I  cmi  ffat  dc'vyne; 
The   fecond   brought   «  fwerd    yfliethid,    wjlh 

feyntuf 
Ifretid   all  with  pcrclis  orient  and   prafc  ; 
The  third  had  a  mantdl  of  Itifty  frefli  colour. 
The  ifttir  part  of  purpiUi  yfurrid  with  pelour; 
The  fcrth  a  cloth  of  gold,  i  worthy  and  a  richc, 
That  nevir  man  tofcre  faw  cloith  it  Ikhe; 
The  fift  bare  a  paltne  that  ftodc  tofore  the  deyfc 
In  tokyn  and  fij^n  of  trowith  and  pefc» 
For  that  was  the  ctiftora   through  all  the  ct)n^ 

tray; 
The  moffage  was  the  Icvir  zndmorc  plcfant  to 

The  eup   WIS  tmcovcrid,    the   fwcrd   ^ru  OTit 

y bray  id, 
The  mantel!  wis  imfold,  the  cloth  along;  ylayid; 
They  knclid  adown  echoric  right  lofore  Bcryn ; 
The  fifft  did  the  meflage,  that  tatight  ^as  wcl 

and  fync  : 
Ifope,  fte  feyd,  Sir  Ecryn,  that  is  otir  Iwd  rkH, 
Aiid  grctith  yew,  and  fcndith  yew  thcfe  prcfcnti* 

And  joy  h^h  of  ycwt  wifdomft  and  of  ytwr  go- 

temaimce. 
And  pre  yd  yoa  to  com  atd  kiTt  with  hytil  ple- 

faunce 
To  morowc,  and  ^e  hit  psftayfe,  and  to  iport  you 

there, 
Yee  and  all  yonr company.  Bcryn  made  ik«>b  an- 

fvrcre. 
But  ^i  ftyU,  and  beheld  the  women  and  the  fon- 

dfsf ; 
And  aftirward  avrfeJy  the  fwerd  firft  he  hondr? 
And  coaamatrndit  therewith  ail  the  wytitmen  wasfti 

and  fit. 
And  pryydfch  chifgit  oflkcw  that  with  al  then- 
wit 
To  ferve  ehena  of  the  beft,  and  aaake  thctn  heitly 

cherc 
Rcffcrying  al  the  prefenti*  in  worfhJpful  manere. 
I  cmmt  wde  ctpreft  the  py  ihkt  they  bud. 
Bet  I  fbppofe  toforc  that  day  thai  they  were  nai 

fo  glad 
That  they  w^  fo  afcaphl  forttme  and  myfchefe. 
And  thaukidOod  abox'e  that  al  thin^  datth  rdcfc ; 
For  Jl^ir  Hf^^  chadSi  tbtt  etmitB  a  cftt  fvntne, 

tSo  a/iir  baii  (9myib  htte^  whofar  bydc  conne. 
The  joy  and  oobley  tliaii  tftty  had  wbils  they  wcr 

at  mete, 
I^  fii\  lith  nat  at  tbrt  tymc  tfter'of  fenfj-  to  trete  : 
But  Geffrey  fjti  with  Bcryn,  ai  he  had  fcrdd  wele; 
Their  hedi*  tliev  Iryd  tigidtr,  and  begon  to  tetl 
In  what  nunfr  thr  wymcn  fhuld  be  anlWcrcd. 
Ceffre    eriT  arifid  Eeryn  t1^CT*of  he  Jeryd, 
i\Dd  ef  othit  thmget  how  ht  hym  flvnid  govern; 
fiar^  »£rreHi£  wtk  <barMi|  amifiitl  b(5  g;w  to  lerd, 


'J 


I 


When  al  wer  up  the  wymmen  cam  %a  take  tb«S 

leve ; 
^ryn^  aji  fat  hym  wele  of  blodtf  theifi  towatd  pi 

releve. 
And  ^fey*d  fh*m  hfftly  hyr*  i&  Hc^mtm^f^A 
Unto  the  Worthy  Wdfliip  of  Ift»pe<ti»-L 
To  mc  that  am  un worth  \\f;ivc  of  hi^  g 
And  thank  h',  m  of  his  gyftii  ^  yt  can  nrn,  tni 

fcy, 

To  mo  row  I  woU  be  rrdy  hi«  h^  fo  fblfill, 
With  ihif  I  hare  fh^t  ewmlit  I  mwy  com  hym  ryff, 
For  mc  and  al  my  fclefhip  fafl"  to  com  and  go, 
Trafting  in  hii  difcreciomie  thrt  thotigfie  I  ah 
He  wol  nat  be  difpLcfLd;  for  in  m/  contray 
\i  htth  eTir  be  the  coffom,  ixtA  h  imo  this  dr-. 
That  yf  a  lord  riall  dcfirith  for  to  fee 
Erty  mwjcr  perfone  that  h  of  Jaf  degre, 
Er  he  approche  his  prcfcncc  he  wol  lirrc 

honde 
A  faff  condit  enfclid,  or  cU  fom  othJf  b««d^ 
Th^it  he  may  torn  and  p39  With«rat  difhrflfiK 
Throughout  all  our  marchiii  it  h  the  obfenrauaoc, 
Thes  wymmcn  toke  their  lere  wHbotit  wordii^ 
RepcyHiTg  onto  Ifope,  aird  a]  as  tt  was  do 
They  rehcrfid  redely,  and  fayKd  nnrir  a  wofyj, 
To  Ifopc  with  hi 9  baronage  thcT  he  fat  at  hi»  bofdi^ 
Tafltytig  faft  of  Rodizyniy  ami  of  iheir  h?^  pf^ 

dcnce. 
That  in  fo  mafly  datingerf  made  Hi  u*ifc  dlcfcoo& 
But  a»  fone  a*  ffope  had  pfeynlrch  yherd 
Of  BcrjTiVi  govcmauncc,  that  fjrll  fcfid  the  fwtil 
Afore  alothir  prcfcmis,  he  dcmrfl  =  i  '-^  ^  -^iTtiif 
That  B^ryn  was  ycom  oi  fom  no' 
The  nyghf  w»  f^ik ;  the  inoro%*  <         ^      ;:  Ml 

nat  forgcte ; 
Hi  chargtt  barons  r#cff  with  Beryti  for  oo 
Ta  Cond  hyin  faff  and  Itis  mcyne;  and  il 

myd  w^s. 
Thre  day  is  ther  they  fporf  Id  hytli  ifl  fb] 

fotet, 
That  tliroughe  the  wife  mflxui^ouiie'  ol 

nyght  and  dry 
Bcryn  ptefid  Ifope  with  wordis  al  to  pay, 
Aod  had  hym  fo  in  prirt  and  in  gnvcnuutice 
Of  all  hontft  myrthii  and  witty  daHauncc, 
That  Ifope  caft  his  cherc  to  Beryn  to  groi 
That  at  hift  ther  was  no  man  with  tfope  (<i  _ 
Rcforting  to  his  ihippi*,  comvng  to  and  fro^ 
Thofotfghc  the  smx  of  Gtttrcy,  that  echc  dw 

filfo 
That  Hope  coudfe  at>  wber  chert  when  Bajn 

ahfcnt ; 
So  Bcryn  muft  nedii  echc  day  be  aftSr  fcotf 
ADd   chefe  he   was  of  couo^ll  withta  tin 

yere, 
Thoroughc  the  Wic  of  Geffrey,  th^  ech< 

hym  Icre. 
This  Ifope  had  a  doughtir  betweoe  hjm 

wyfe 
That  was  as  feir  a  creature  aa  mygKi  here 
Wyfe,  and  eke  bountcvoufe,  and  bcnying 

aU, 
That  heir  fhuld  be  aftir  hit  dey  of  hia 
allc;  9 


TrfE  MERCHANT'S   SECOND   TALE,    t^c.  a;^ 

(Ttly  to  conclude,  the  mariage  was  made       .  Thus  Geffrey  made  Beryn  his  enemyes  to  ovir^ 
ne  hir  and  Beryn,  many  a  man  to  glade,      i  com, 

le  burgcyfu  of  the  town,  of  falihede  that     And  brought  hym   to   worihip   thoroughe   hit 
were  rote  :  wyldom 


ey  wcr  evir  hold  fo  low  ondir  fote 
they  might  oat  regne,  but  at  lafl  fowe 
re  their  condidoune  and  their  fals  lawe. 
and  Geffrey  made  them  fo  tame 
they  amcndit  eche  dey,  and  gat  a  betir 


Now   God   us   graunt   grace   to   fynde  fuch  a 

frcnde 
When   we   have   nede  !    and  thus   I  make  aft 

ende. 


8 


ret.  I. 


THE  ROMAUNT  OF  THE   ROSE* 


'W 


Mak^t  mennc  fame  that  m  fWereningci    " 
Thcr  n*ii  hut  fables  and  Icfmgcs, 
But  yet  IT  cone  maic  fome  fwcdin  fcoc 
Whiche  hardily  that  falfe  ne  beQe» 
But  iftirwarde  hert  apparent, 
This  maitr  T  dra^m  to  wanntrat, 

Ao  author  thai  hi^ht  Matrohet, 
That  hallc  not  drcmin  falfc  ne  leic, 
But  UDdoch  UB  the  aviHoun 
That  whilom  mette  Ring  Cipjonn. 

And  who  faith  and  wcncth  k  be 
A  jape  or  tU  a  nicete 
To  wene  that  drrmts  aftir  fal. 
Let  who  fo  ii^c  a  fole  tnc  ntl ; 
lor  thiitrowc  r,  and  fu'  for  otc^ 
That  drt-mii  figtiifiauncc  be 
Of  gude  ar;d  harme  to  macv  wipjhtei 
That  drerain  in  ther  i)epe  i  Dightes 
Full  iTjny  xhingi^covirtly 
Tb»t  f&Uin  Afcir  «ptijlj, 

if    '.  ■  \ 


rill 


ti'.  ij 

he  t 


Within  iny  twenty  yerc  of  age. 
Whan  that  Love  taltith  his  coragc 
Of  yongc  folkc,  1  wcntd  fooc 
To  bed,  31  [  wa>  woot  to  done, 
And  faile  1  fieptc^andui  fleeing 
Mc  mctt^  fuchc  a  fwevimcg 
That  likid  me  woodirous  wele^ 
But  in  that  fwevin'  it  ner  a  ddrt 
That  it  n^ia  aftirwarde  hcfal» 
Right  a»  tliis  dreine  wol  tctl  ui  a]. 

Now  thii  drone  wol  I  rime  a  rigbt 
To  make  your  hcrttt  gay  and  light ; 
fur  Love  it  prayith,  and  alfo 
Commaiuidttb  me,  that  it  be  fo. 

And  if  there  any  aflafi  me 
Whether  that  it  be  he  or  ftic» 
And  how  this  bckc  whiche  ii  here 
Shal  hatc\  which  that  I  rede  you  hcrr, 
It  i»  The  Romaunt  of  the  Rofc, 
In  which  all  The*  Arte  of  Love  1  doftu 

The  maitr  fairc  is  of  to  make, 
God  graunt  in  gre  that  (he  it  tako 
For  whom  that  it  begoosin  i»  [ 
And  that  n  fhe  that  hath  iwis 
So  mokil  priXc,  and  thcrto  ibe 
So  worthy  t*  beloved  to  be 
That  flie  wcl  ought  of  pri^  and  right 
Be  clepid  Rofe  of  every  wight.  » 

That  it  wai  Mcy  mc  thougktin  ibo^ 
It  is  five  ycre  or  more  ago. 
That  it  was  Mey  thui  dremiil  net 
In  time  of  love  and  jolite. 
That  al  thing  ginnkh  waiin  gvy^ 
For  there  is  oeithir  bti(ke  nor  hay 
)n  Mey  that  it  n*ili  fftroudid  beor, 
As4  it  wiUi  Dcwt  k^  voukc  % 


^^^      f He  romaunt 

OF    THE    HOSE. 

w  ^^ 

rdiieike  recovcrcii  grcoc 

The  wattr  that  fo  weic  hkcJ  me, 

J 

in  yitmicT  bcu  Co  fcnc, 

And  wondir  glad  wa*  I  to  ^c 

t^^B 

tth  wnitb  proud  witbaU 

That  iufty  place  and  tlwt  rivere  : 

^^M 

le«ri»  ihjit  on  it  fatJ, 

With  that  waiir  that  nm  fo  clcrc 

.^^1 

jovir  cftatc  farg^ctte 

My  face  1  wifhc,  tho  fawe  J  wclc 

'^^M 

;  that  winter  hid  it  fcite^ 

I'hc  botomc  ipavid  evcridcle 

'"^^^1 

become  th  ihc  grcujide  fo  proude 

With  gravel!,  ful  of  flonis  (bene. 

4^^H 

ol  hare  a  ncwc-  ihroude, 

The  aiedowli  foflc/ote,  and  gretie. 

^^1 

e  fo  qucint  hii  robe  and  tAjrc, 

Beet  right  upon  the  watir  fide  ; 

'  ^^1 

id  heiRfei  an  huodrid  pay  re       ,  L'^^ 

ful  dere  wa»  tlian  tlic  ninrowc  tide. 

^^1 

aiid  floiim  Indc  aad  Pcri^  ,  fV  %           ^.v 

And  ful  attempre  out  of  drcdc  ; 

^^M 

ir  bcwU  full  3rveri,                    ^^'^ 

*rho  gan  i  walkin  throwe  the  tncde« 

^H 

ke  robe  I  mcnc  iwii 

Downwarde  evirin  my  pbying 

^^1 

whichc  the  gtciund  to  praifin  !$• 

Nigh  to  the  river**  jlde  coaHing, 

^^M 

idis  that  ban  left  thcr  fod^e 

And  whaj^  I  had  a  while  \gone 

^H 

j  fan  ru0rid  coldc  ful  ftrooge 

1  fawc  a  gardin  right  anone 

,  ^^M 

1  grille  and  dcrke  to  Qght^ 

Full  long  and  hrodc,  and  everidcle 

^^M 

cf  for  the  funiie  bright 

Enclofid  waf  and  waliid  wcje 

t^^M 

lat  ihey  Ihcwe  in  finging                           ^ 

With  hie  waliacnbatailiJ, 

Lcr  hcirt  it  fuchc  liking 

portrayed  withotit,  and  well  cntaylid 

'*^^^^i 

mote  iiQgm  and  ben  light ; 

With  many  full  ficbeporticitures. 

^^|. 

ic  the  oighcin^le  her  might    .^-r>         i 

And  both  the'  imagis  and  peiBture* 

^H' 

Boik  and  fmgen  blithe,          '     ^  >  '    " 

Gan  I  beholdin  befily  ; 

^^m 

iC«f ol  mviy  a  fithc,               .  v 

And  I  wi>l  tcl  you  rcdily 

^^ll 

itflre'  and  the  popingaj^   ^ 

Of  thilke  imagitthe  fcmblaunce. 

^^^^' 

g€  ftilkc  cntciidin  aye 

A»  f<;rrc  as  I  have  remcmbraunce^ 

^^^ 

I  ^c  and  amopoua, 

Amiddis  fawc  I  Hale  yftondc. 

^H 

ii  thou  fo  ravorous. 

That  for  bcr  wr^^Kr  ^md ire,  and  ondc. 

^^1 

•  his  hcne  thae  lovirh  nought 

Scmidtobi 

'  ^^1 

rban  H  this  minb  i«  wrought^ 

An  angry  t.                    i^refle. 

i  n^H 

Oiay  OTi  thefc  braunchis  here 

And  fill  oi^iic  tuxd  icli  corage 

^^^1 

•birdii  fingi ng  clerc                                   , 
uB  fwete  fong  pilous  ;                          (1 

By  fcmbbunt  iva^  that  ilke  im»ge. 

•  ^H 

And  (he  v?a»  nothing  wcie  arr*idc,! 

•  ^^1 

is  felon  dcUtous, 

But  like  a  wode  woman  aiVaidi! ; 

^^1 

e  affirmith  allc  thing. 

Ytrouncid  foulc  wai  her  viJjige, 

'  ^^M 

bt  one  night,  io  my  ilepitig, 

And  grinning  for  dilpitou*  tigc  ; 

•^1 

ny  bed  ful  redUy 

Her  nofc  yfnurctd  up  lor  tene, 

^^^M 

idby  the'  niorowc  erly» 

Ful  liidou*  wai  (i)e  lor  to  fene ; 

■  '^^l 

rofc  «nd  gun  rue  clothe ; 

Ful  foulc  and  rufty  was  ihe  this  i 

^^^1 

itbe  mine  hondi«bothej 

Her  hcd  iwrjthln,wa»  iwia 

^^H 

^1  forth  1  drowt 

Ful  grimly  with  a  grete  towaile* 

<^^H 

liler  qucint  iuowe, 

An  image  of  anothre*  cntaile 

I^^^H 

ihil  nidill  thredc  anone. 

A  lifte  halfe  wao  her  fall  yby  ; 

''"^^1 

'  tonne  me  lift  to  gone 

Her  name  above  her  bed  fawc  1« 

-^^^ 

i  «f  brtddfs  foe  to  here 

And  flie  was  callid  Felony. 

^^M 

be  boikif  (login  clere^ 

Anothrc*  image,  that  Villany 

^^1 

;te  fdbo  that  lefe  is. 

Yclcpid  was,  fawc  1  and  foude 

^^1 

ntd  baOiog  my  flfcTiij 

Upon  the  wall  on  her  right  honde  : 

^H 

em  in  my  ^tUyingt 

This  Vilbny  was  like  funsdclc 

^^1 

faulit  funge  bcrkeoiiig. 

Thill  othrc'  image,  and  tniituh  wcl^ 

^^m 

td'hem  fal  mcoy*  t  pairc 

She  femid  a  wick  id  cretore ; 

^^M 

II  bowit  btnlfotaed  fatrc  | 

By  counceuaunce  in  portreiture 

^^M 

gtie,  full  of  gludncfle. 

$he  femid  be  ful  difpitous, 

^H 

1  river  pui  mc  drcfle, 

And  eke  fulproude  and  ouiragt4nis« 

^^^M 

It  1  hcrdr  rcuoc  Tafke  bfi 

Wei  coudc  he  f  aim^  1  itndcrtakcg 

*^^M 

fibyiD  noo  Cuiffb  I 

Thatfuch  an  inuge  coudc  ini  Jce  j 

^^M 

Ful  foule  and  choriich  femid  flic. 

^^H 

IB  1                           re  ntrt 

And  eke  viUcinous  fvr  to  be. 

^^1 

«'              ....  i-..  ..Uleandbokl^ 

And  litil  couW  of  noriturc 

^H 

r,  and  as  cold 

To  worlhlppc  ioijf  cteaiure- 

^^M 

lie  to  fasne, 

A«d  Rcste  wat  p*iotid  Covetlie, 

^^t 

eir  iaiie  it  was  than  Sainc, 

That  e^gitli  folkc  in  many*  a  gife 

*^^M 

(Irailirf  wclc  away. 

To  take  4ud  yeve  right  ooughi  ag&u^ 

^^H 

iau^  1  or  iM  clui 

And  gteu  treij^ttf la  6|»  to  UtaA* 

J 

I 


y 


^ji  THE    RO 

And  tBat  li  flic  tfi3t  for  Dfure 
2«enith  to  many  a  crcture 
The  lalTc  for  the  more  winning, 
So  covitoii*  is  her  brcnning  f 
And  that  U  the  for  pcnnin  (c\c 
That  tcchith  for  to  rnthc  and  ftrle 
I'hefc  ihc*i5  and  tkcfc  fmale  harfotet^ 
And  that*i&  roothc,  for  hy  thcr  throtet 
Ful  nsany  cne  hongith  at  laft ; 
She  nrakith  folke  compafTe  and  ca& 
*I'o  lakin  othir  folkii  i^ing 
Thronjfh  robbory'  or  mifcoTctinjj ; 
And  that  I*  {he  that  makith  trcchour*^ 
And  rtic  that  makiih  falfe  plcdouni, 
That  with  thcr  tf  rmi«  and  thcr  domci 
]bo  maiding,  childHn,  and  cke^ocnef, 
Thcr  heritage,  aids  !  forgo ; 
Tul  crokid  tv'cre  her  lioiidls  two, 
VoT  Ccvctife  ia  cvir  wodc 
To  gripiu  othir  folkii  go^e  ; 

For  Co-vctift:  for  her  winning 
Ful  tefe  bath  othtr  mennis  thing* 

Another  image  fet  faugh  I 
Neitt  »nto  Covctifc  faft  hy. 
And  fhc  waA  clcpid  Avarice  : 
Ful  foulc  in  painring  wai  that  vice, 
Ful  fiid  and  cajtifc  was  ihe  ckc, 
And  atfo  grcHc  at  any  Icke  ; 
So  evil  hewed  wa*  her  colours 
Her  fcmed  to*  have  livid  in  langourc  ; 
She  was  like  thing  for  hungir  ded, 
That  lad  her  lifo  ooely  hy  bred 
Kncdin  with  cifel  flrong  and  cgre, 
And  therro  {he  waf  Icnc  and  meg  re  ;, 
And  ftie  was  clad  fulpovirly 
Al  in  an  oM^  lorac  courtpyc 
A*  Ihe  were  all  with  doggis  tome. 
And  bothe  behinde  and  eke  beforoe 
"Vcloutid  wii  fhc  beggtrly, 

A  inantil  hongc  h*.T  full-  by 
Upon  a  bcnchc  bi^ih  weke  an<l  fmale ; 
A  bumcltc  cote  hongc  there  withal, 
Yfurrid  with  no  memverc^ 
But  with  a  furr :  rough  of  here 
Of  lamhe  Ocynny*  hevy  and  bUkev 
It  watfuMoWc  I  undirtake, 
For  Avarice  to  clothe  her  wclc 
Kc  hftftith  her  ncvir  adcle, 
Ftfr  certainly  it  were  her  lothe 
To  wcrin  of  thatilk^flothe. 
And  if  it  were  forwcrid  fhe 
'W^'ould  havin  fwll  grct  nicete 
O*'  clothing  cr  Ihe  bought  her  newej 
Al  were  it  bad  <Jf  wol  and  hewe, 

Thii  Avaricf  heldc  in  hrr  hande 
A  purfc  which  that  hongc  I»y  a  baoJe, 
Aryd  that  (he  hid  and  bonde  fo  ftronge 
^cn  niuft  abidm  wondhr  hnge 
Out  oUhe  ptirfe  er  there  come  oughtp 
Far  that  nc  coroith  in  her  thought ; 
Ic  wa-  not  cenaine  her  entcnt 
l"h.it  fro  that  purfc  a  pcny  went* 

And  by  ihAi  image  utgh  iiiough 
ffw  pajlktcii  £a vy,  Umc  oat  luugb^ 


MAUNT    OF    THE    ROSf. 

Nor  nevir  wcl  in  hrr  hert  ferdlff 

But  if  Jhe  cither  fa'^re  ot  hcrde 

Some  gretc  mifchauneeor  gretc  difefe; 

Notliing  ne  may  fo  much  her  plclir 

At  mifchefe  and  mifaventure ; 

Or  whan  fhe  fecth  difcomfiture 

Upon  any  worthy  man  fall. 

Than  likiih  her  right  wcU  wichall ; 

She  h  ful  ^lid  in  her  corage 

Yf  fhc  fc  any  gretc  linage 

Be  brought  to  naught  in  (hamfttl  wife; 

And  if  a  man  in  honour  tnfc 

Or  by  his  wit  or  his  prowcflc. 

Of  that  (he  hath  gret  hevinefle. 

For  trudith  wele  £hc  goeth  nic  wodc 

Whan  any  chauncc  yhapith  godc. 

Envy  t!  of  fuche  crueltc 

That  faith  nc  trouth  ne  hofdith  &c 

To  frcnde  nc  felawe  hadde  or  gode; 

Ne  fhc  hath  kinnc  none  of  her  blodc 

That  Ihc  n'i»  ful  thcr  enemy  ; 

She  n'^ulde,  f  dare  faine  hardily, 

I'hat  het  own  faihir  farid  wek  : 

And  fore  abieth  Oic  every  dele 

Her  malice  and  her  male  talent. 

For  fhc  is  in  fo  grrte  torment 

And  ^ate  fuche  whan  that  folfte  doth  gode 

That  nigh  fhe  meltith  for  pure  wode  : 

Her  hcrt  fo  kervifh  and  fo  brtketh 

That  God  the  peple  wcl  a  wrckcth. 

Envy  f  wi9  0ia>l  nevir  let 
Some  blame  upon  the  folkc  to  fet : 
I  trowc  that  if  Envy  i-wis 
Ykncw  the  hcfii  man  that  i* 
On  this  fide  or  Wyo«d  the  fe. 
Yet  fomwhat  bckin  him  wold  fhe  ; 
And  if  he  were  fo  hcndc  and  wife 
That  fhc  nc  mij;bt  abate  hi*  prifr. 
Yet  would  fhe  blame  hi*  worthjndCr^ 
Or  by  her  wordi» stake  it  lefTe, 
1  hwc  Envy  in  that  painting 
Yhad  a  wondirful  loking, 
For  fhe  nc  lokid  bnt  awrie 
Or  ovirthwartc,  all  baggingly  ; 
Anrl  fhc  had  a  full  foule  ufage. 
She  mightin  lokc  in  no  viiigt 
Of  man  ne  woman  forth  right  piling 
But  fhettc  her  one  eye  for  difdaiae ; 
So  for  en  vie  yhrcnnid  Ihe 
Whan  fhe  might  any  man  yfe 
That  fairc  or  worthy  were  or  wlfr^ 
Or  ell  it  flode  in  folkti  prifc* 

Sot  owe  was  puiihtid  neat  Envic 
TTpon  that  wal  of  mafonric  ; 
Eui  we  I  wa»  fcno  in  her  colour 
That  fhe  had  livid  in  laogonr; 
Her  femid  to  have  thejauodiee^ 
Not  halfc  fo  pale  wa4  Avarice, 
Nc  nothiug  alike  of  lenell«« 
Ff^r  fornwe,  thought,  and  grcte  diflrciTe, 
Th«it  (he  had  fuffrid  day  and  nt{;ht, 
Kfadc  hcryelowe,  and  noihiu)*  bright  1 
Ful  fade,  pale«  and  megre,  alf»« 
Wm  ocvir  wightc  )*oi  h&U«  i^  m% 


for  to  be, 
id  with  yrc  as  fhe ; 
pD  wight  might  her  plcfe, 
jlhiDg  that  niig^ht  her  cr£c ; 
ipDuld  her  lorowc  Hake, 
[none  unto  her  take, 
to  her  wo  bcgouDC, 
Ificrt  in  angrc  romie* 

ng  wcl  renud  Die; 

thipg  Hoytc  jfbc 
all  her  face, 

t  in  many  pUce 
ivrid  for  to  tcre  hrr  fwirc, 
ni  fulfiiled  of  LTc  ; 
Ifnc  ]atf!  ckc    her  here 
inickrs  here  and  there, 
|»d  it  all  to  rent 
id  for  male  talent* 
I  tcU  you  certainly 
e  wept  fuil  tcndirly  : 
!■  wight  fo  hard  of  herte, 
jpe  her  forowes  fmerte, 
kavc  had  of  her  pite, 
ks  fSiixig  was  Oie. 
pe  her  ftlf  for  wo, 
^idir  bcr  hondc*  two ; 
Vis  fkc  full  cntentife» 
fcchilefTc  caitife» 
flittle  of  pLajingt 
jf  or  of  kifling, 
lErowfuJl  »  in  hcrtci 
lot  to  plaie  oe  Utrtt^ 
loncin  ne  to  &ag^ 
licrtc  in  temper  bring 
oa  even  or  mufowc, 

rary  to  forowc. 

intid  aftcT  thii, 
fotc  i-wi« 
_  ^  ont  in  her  yonghede  $ 
lelf  fhe  might  yf^de  :, 
to  ol6$  wa»  Oie 
au  all  her  beaute ; 
Im  wtMcn  her  colour  \ 
r  bore  waft  ^hite  as  £our  : 
pdme  nc  were  it  none, 
Mtigh  her  life  were  gone. 
^11  h^'f  ki,av*  unweide, 
3  1  fur  eldc: 

ft  I  _;  was  ihe, 

round  and  foft  had  be  : 

:n  fad  witiiaU, 
leddc  they  wouldln  fali ; 

cid  and  forpiticd, 

hondii  lortie  fordwiued  : 

that  flic  DC  went 
were  by  potent. 

pal&th  night  and  daie» 
traviilith  aie, 
im  us  privily^ 

iih  iikirly 

poind  dwcUith  ever, 
rcUith  never, 

(I  and  paiiith  aie 

man  tlutt  ihuikin  maie 


OF    THI    ROSE. 

WTnat  time  chat  now  prcfent  if^ 

Alkith  at  thcfc  grete  clerkis  tK« ; 

For  men  thinkin  it  rcdtly 

Thrc  tintis  ben  ypajfid  by 

The  time  that  maie  not  fojoume^  * 

But  goth  and  maie  never  rctoume. 

Aft  watir  that  doune  ninnith  aie,  * 

But  nevir  droppc  return^  maie« 

There  maic  nothing  as  time  endure, 

Nc  metall  nor  ycrthly  creture. 

For  alW  thing  is  frctte  and  IKalf, 

The  lime  ckc  that  ychaungttli  aH, 

And  all  doeth  waxc  and  follrid  be. 

And  ailc  thing  dillroyith  he; 

The  time  that  eldith  our  aunceflourt ' 

And  cJdith  kinges  and  empcroura^ 

And  that  us  all  fhall  ovLrcomen, 

£r  that  deth  us  iiiall  have  nommen, 

1'he  tim^  that  hath  all  in  wcldc 

To  eldeo  foike  had  made  her  cldc 

So  iiily,  that  to  ray  wcting 

She  nughtln  helpc  her  felf  nothing. 

But  tuumed  tjtn  unto  childhedc  : 

She  had  nothing  her  fclf  to  Icde, 

Nc  wictc  ne  pithe  within  her  hold» 

More  than  a  cliijd  of  two  yerc  old- 

But  nathoJefrc  I  trowc  that  Ihe 

Was  faire  fomtime  and  Crcihc  to  fc 

Whan  Ihe  was  in  her  rigbtfuU  age, 

But  Ihe  waspafl  all  that  pailage. 

And  was  a  doted  thing  becomcn  : 

A  fun-id  cappe  on  had  iltc  nommen  * 

WcJI  bid  flic  cladde  her  fclf  aijd  warme. 

For  cold  might  clsdoin  her  harmc  : 

Thefe  old  foikc  havin  alwaxc  cold, 

Ther  kinde  is  foche  whan  thei  ben  otd> 

Aa  othir  thing  was  down  there  write 

7  hat  liemid  like  an  ipocrite* 

And  it  waft  dcpid  Papebrdic ; 

That  iMtc  ti  the  that  privilie 

Ne  fparith  ner  a  wicked  deHe 

Whan  men  of  her  takin  none  hcde, 

Aud  makith  hi:fr  outward  precious 

With  pidc  vilagc  and  pitous. 

And  iemith  a  iiniplc  creture> 

But  there  n*if  no  nufuvcnturc! 

T'hat  (he  nc  thinkcth  in  her  enrage  : 

Full  like  to  her  was  ihilkc  imrigc 

That  niakid  was  like  her  fcmbjuunce, 

She  was  full  iimplc'  of  countenaunce  ^ 

And  ihe  was  clotiud  and  eke  Ihod 

A$  fhe  were  for  the  love  oi  God^ 

Vliotdin  to  religioa, 

Sochc  fcmid  her  dcvocion, 

A  fpaltir  heldc  (he  fall  in  honde. 
And  buliiy  (he  gan  to  fonde 
To  m^c  many  a  faint  praiere 
lo  God  and  to  his  faindis  dere  ! 
Nc  Oie  was  gaie,  frcfhe^  nejolife, 
But  femcd  to  be  fuJl  ententife 
To  goilc  wcrkis  and  to  fairt% 
And  thtrto  ihe  had  on  an  haire. 

Nc  cert  is  Ihe  wus  tiitte  nothsng*! 
But  fcniid  wcric  for  fmfting : 


'%7^ 


THE    ROMAUNT    OF    THI    ROSt 


|0 


Of  colour  palf  and  dtde  was  flic ; 

From  b«T  tlic  gates  aic  warnid  be 

Of  Paradifc,  that  blifsfuH  place. 

For  fochc  folkc  inakiii  Wne  thcr  grace, 

As  Chrtil  f^iethm  h\$  Evangilp, 

To  get  'hem  prifc  in  foutic  »  wtiile. 

And  for  a  little  glory  veij^ne 

Thri  leifiti  God  and  eke  his  rrigiie. 
And  aldir  Uft  of  ci^crichonc 

Was  painted  Povcrtc'  ail  alone. 

That  not  a  penny  had  in  hold, 

Althougb  that  0ic  her  ckirhn  fold. 

And  though  flic  (hold  an  tinned  be, 

For  naktd  as  a  woicne  wni  fbe^ 

And  if  the  wether  ftormy  weie 

For  cold  (he  (hold  have  dy^ir^   rUr-t-^ 
She  Rc*  had  en  but  a  (Ir  > , 

And  many*  a  cloutc  on  it  t^  ; 

Thii  Will  hor  cote  »nd  her  muntcic  i 

Ko  mure  wj»  there  ncvir  a  dele 

To  clothe  her  with  ;  I  undinake 

Crete  leOr  haddc  (he  to  <|mk< ; 
^  And  (he  -w  a^  put  thait  1  of  talkc  V>^ 

Fcrrc  fro  tl^cfe  othre,  up  in  *Ln  balke  ;  C5 

There  Jurkid  and  there  courid  rtic. 

For  povir  thinjt*  where  fu  it  be, 

It  fliaji\erj.n:  and  difpiiid  aic  i 

A  curfid  maie^  wcU  be  that  6mjs 

That  povir  man  caticeiv^d  is 

For  God  wotc  all  to  lelde  »*wit 

Is  any  pore  man  well  ifcd. 

Or  well  (iirayid  or  ided. 

Or  well  t>ek)vid«  in  fochc  wife 

In  honour  thjtt  he  maie  arifc. 
Allr  thcfc  thingii  well  avifed, 

A&  I  have  you  cr  this  dcTJfed, 

With  gold  a.nd  afurc  ovir  all 
'  Depaiotid  were  upon  the  wail : 

Square  was  the  wiU,  and  high  fomdek^ 

Bnclofid  and  ibarrid  wele  S 

In  ftedc  of  begpe  wai  that  ^rdln» 

C^nie  ncvir  np  fhephcrd  thereta  ; 
,  Into  that  |2^arJin  well  ywronght 

Wh"  fo  ih4t  nij;  coud  have  ybrouf  bt 

By  ladders  or  eh  by  dcgre, 

It  wouMe  well  have  tikid  mci 

For  iochc  fokce,  foche  joie  and  ple!c, 

I  trowL-  that  nevir  man  nc  fete 

A«  wa5  in  that  place  deliciotu  i 

Thc^irdiri  ^a*  not  diitm^crons 

To  herb  Of  owe  birdn  tnany  one  ( 

So  richc  a  yere  wrat  nerir  none 

Of  birdis  fon^^  and  braanch's  gteat, 

Therrn  %vire  birdi*  mo  1  wcoe 

Than  ben  m  all  Ihc  rcStiie  of  Fraaikce  ; 

Full  blififull  wai  thr  Kcordasnco 
•  Of  the  fwrte  pctoui  (00 f  ih*i  made, 

Ff»r  a!i  thi^  vM'Tlift  \:  01   hr  roi^Iaie. 
And  I  r 

That  fur  «ii  h'jiidiid  pounde  would  I, 

If  tbar  the  paflagcapdnl/ 
^.H^dJin  y^c  unto  ntc  fre, 
I  Tto  I  n'oMc  couin  for  to  ft 


Th'  aflemble  (God  kepe  it  £ro  care! 
Of  Urdu  whlchc  that  thcreiii  w»re, 
^  That  fon  jrn  through  ihcr  raery  1 
Danncis  oC  love  and  mcry  nc»tev 

Wli.m  t  thus  herd  the  foaLi»  ing, 
I  fell  faft  in  a  wainneminj^ 
By  whiche  art  or  by  what  cnf  tn 
I  might  com  into  that  rardtn  ; 
But  waie  I  couthe  nc  findin  none 
Into  that  gardin  for  to  ffOQC, 
Ne  nought  wift  I  if  that  thetc  were 
Etthir  a  hole  or  a  pU<:c  where 
By  whiche  I  mightin  have  cntrc  ; 
Ne  tliere  wa»  none  to  techin  me. 
For  1  was  all  alone  i-wii. 
For  wo  Aud  fr4'  angp^iflie  of  this. 
Till  at  the  lafle  bethought  I  me 
That  by  no  waie  ac  might  it  be. 
There  u\%  ladder  tie  waie  to  pace. 
Or  bolet  into  fo  Eaire  &  plac<  ; 
1  ho  gnn  t  go  a  full  gt<;tc  pace 
Environ,,  cviu  it>  coflnpas. 
The  clolitij;  i"f  the  fttuar^  wall, 
TilJ  that  I  foundc  a  wicket  ImaO 
So  (hct*c  that  I  nc  might  m  f  one^ 
And  othir  entnr  wat  there  none. 

Upon  tbi*  dorc  I  gan  t«fmi(e 
That  was  fo  fetis  and  to  lite. 
For  othir  waie  coud  1  not  feke.' 
Full  Jong  I  fhofe  and  kiMxkid  eke. 
And  0ode  full  lonj;  all  herklnixi^ 
If  I  herd  any  w5ght  coming. 
Till  that  the  dorc  of  thilkc  cntr« 
A  maidio  corteis  opened  mc  : 
Her  here  was  a»  yelowc  of  hcwc 
As  any  bafin  fcourid  newe  ; 
Her  fleflie  tendir  as  i»  a  chike, 
With  bent  browift  both  (mothc  andHikeil 
And  thereto  by  mefurc  large  were  1 

The  opening  of  her  cycti  clcre  ; 
Her  nofe  of  gode  proporcioti ; 
Her  eyen  graie  as  is  a  favcon ; 
With  fwctc  bffth  ind  wel  favonnedj' 
Her  bed  white  and  well  colotiffed  ; 
With  little  mfiuthe  led  roDod  to  fe  % 
A  cIoTut  duDDd  eke  bad  flie; 
HcT  necke  was  of  gode  fefliion. 
In  length  and  gretnciTc  by  rcTon, 
Withtutio  bfeine,  or  fcabbe,  or  roisei 
Fro  filer  ufaltm*  to  Durgotne 
There  n'ii  a  fsiirer  necke  i-wj» 
To  fclc  how  fmotbe  and  foft  it  w  i 
Her  ihrotc  alfo  fo  white  of  he  we 
A.S  fnowe  on  bmunchc  yfnowid  newc  ^ 
Of  body  full  \M.l\  wrought  waa  fhe^ 
Men  ncdin  not  in  no  couxure 
A  fuircr  boilie  for  tofeke; 
And  of  fine  orfnis  had  (he  eke 
A  chapilct,  fo  fcmciy  &n 
Sc  newir  wend  maidc  upotf  | 
And  faire  iabo;re  that  chapilct 
A  rofe  garlaiftdc  bad  Jhe  yfet ; 
She  hadaUb  a  gaie  nurroor; 
/Vod  with  a^^m^  Eoldc  uciow 


^^          THE    ROMA0NT 

OF    THK    ROSf.           ^•^^^^^H 

mu  tfcflid  fall  quciodx  j 

Than  faicd  I  to  Dime  Idiln^fle,                                   ^M 

fowcdfctoufly ; 

Now  allfo  wifely  God  m<  bleife,                               H 

kicpe  her  hondii  hin 

Sith  Minhc,  that  ii  fo  ftiirc  and  trt,                      ^^H 

whne  Qie  hid  a  pAUY  ; 

h  in  this  yerd  with  hit  mctne,                          fl^^l 

id  CKD  2  cote  of  grcne 

Fro  thilkc  alTemblc  if  1  maie                           ^^^^B 

f  Gaunt  Withoatin  wtnc  : 

Stiall  no  man  wemc  mc  to  d&ie,                       ^^^^| 

I  by  her  apar^iUe 

That  1  thi»  night  ne  more  it  fr,                        ^^^H 

«  w-ni  to  grcttf  iravafic. 

For  well  wenc  I  tiure  with  him  be                 ^^^^| 

Ibe  kempt  wa*  fctcouUjr, 

A  faifc  and  joHc  c<Kiifsanic                              *^^^^| 

nt'lfA  nn4   rirhijy. 

FuiaiUd  of  all  curtilie.                                     ^^^H 

rU'                     ,t  joume. 

And  forth  wtthoutio  wordis  mo                      ^^^^H 

in                    oti  wufbc. 

In  at  the  wickit  went  \  tho                             ^^^^| 

a  loibc  ii/e  irt  Mate  ; 

TJiat  lililncAc  Iiad  opened  me                          ^^^^| 

>  thought  by  night  tic  dam 

Into  that  gardin  faire  to  fc  ;                            ^^^^M 

5  but  tl  were  oocly 

And  whdji  th^t  [  was  in  i-wis                          ^^^^H 

her  well  and  tiiKOttthlf. 

Mine  hcne  W4«  full  gUd  of  thil,  ^^^^| 
For  well  wemle  I  full  fikirty                           ^^^H 

ihii  dorc  had  opcDcd  me 

II  fcmcly  f©r  to  fc. 

Havc  ben  in  Paradiie  ycrthly,                       '^^^^f 

icr  as  t  beft  mi^t. 

So  fAtfc  it  was  that  trulUth  well                  ^^^^^| 

htr  how  that  Ihe  hight. 

Jt  femcd  a  place  dpiritucll ;                              ^^^^H 

Ihcwtol  ilkcdckcf 

For  cenis  ti  tt  my  devife                               '^^^^| 

>  me  wms  nought  tiiGDckc^ 

There  is  no  pl^e  in  P^adtfe                           ^^^^H 

tnfwtre  dauniifcnous 

So  gode  in  fur  to  dw«.il  or  be                          ^^^^H 

iBfwcr^c,  andfayid  thu»r 

A»  in  that  gsrdin  thoughtin  mrt                   ^^^^H 

tdf  tame  it  ItiiiiielTc,                / 

For  tlicfc  wiu  many'  a  hirde  Hflgioff^           ^K^^| 

ncn  mc  more  «od  JdTc  f 

Thoroughout  the  ycrdt  alt  thringiug,  fH 
la  many  pta4:i&  cigKtingileH                             ,'    /^| 

ic  znA  ful  riche  'sm  I, 

>f  ome  thing,  immily, 

And  aipc%  and  finchc^^  and  wodcwalcfi,         ^Si^l 

Ddiag  to  so  diiiig 

That  in  ther  fweu^  fong  dcliuii                     '  B^^H 

kae  and  my  pl&ytn|-. 

In  thilkc  pUccs  ai  thci  habitcn.                      ^^^^| 

There  mightin  men  fc  many  flockc*          ^^^^| 

d  am  i  and  prire 

Of  turtuli  and  of  hvero<kef,                           ^^^^| 

ihe,  the  lordfi  of  thia  gardia, 

Chalaut]dri»  feje  yfawc  I  thLfi*^                       ^^^^^ 

he*  londe  of  Akiandriaq 

That  very  nigh  ibrronghi  wert*^                    '^^^^1 

ipibitlitrbefet 

And  thruliil%  lerins,  and  mavi(^                   ^^^^^| 

Inirdin  ben  ifet  ; 

That  foDgia  for  to  winne  'hem  prife^           ^^^^^| 

|fte  tfet^  were  wove  oo  hight 

And  ckc  to  furmount  iu  thcr  fang                   ^^^^H 

Hl»t  iV-mt  here  in  tfaj  ftght^ 

That  othir  birdij  *hem  cmong  i                     ^^^^H 

feendorm  ill  abooi; 

By  not^  ymaditi  fjire  i^^ift                         ^^^^M 

ttnfl^t  aU  wtthouc 

Thcfe  hirdi«  that  t  you  devifc ;                        ^^^^| 

m  bo  the  rnt^ile  ttnd  pAiac 

Thei  iong  their  fong  a§  fairc  *uul  wtk          ^^^^^ 

kcr  hen  jolife  nc  qitaiot. 

AsangcUdoenc  fpirStaeU  9                             ^^^^M 

p  full  of  forftwe  and  wo. 

Aud  tnilbeh  me  whan  1  *hem  herde             ^^^H 

mk  fene  a  while  m^. 

Full  ludic  and  full  welt  I  ftrdc^                     ^^^M 

For  nevir  yet  foche  melodie                             ^^^^H 

Wat  hf  rd  of  man  that  mightin  Ait^              ^^^^M 

^  him  CO  fialftce 

Sochc  fwetc  toD^  as  wa*^hem  cmong,            ^^^^| 

Hpniith  tAto  thl»  placr. 

That  mc  thought  it  no  bird'i^  fong,               ^^^^| 

Kh  him  opmc  hi»  mcinc, 

But  it  wa«  wondir  like  to  be                           ^^^^| 

m^ii  -' ' 

Song  of  mcrem4iden»  of  the  fe,                       ^^^^B 

^^Htt                   tij  here 

7*hat  for  her  fingjng  in  fo  clerc ;                               ^M 

^■j^^  ..^  dctt:^ 

Though  wtt  Mcrcmaidcm  clepe  'hem  here    _^^^| 

In  Engliihe,  a$  i»our  lifancr,                          ^^^^t 

^^BHmlei 

Men  clcpin  'hem  Stmn»  in  Fraiincc.           ^^^^H 

^^■lUi  t6  ftibce 

^^^^H 

^^H^,fur  lurottir  pl\ce 

^^^H 

^^^Bliue  ttm  ftitde 

Ententife  wcrin  for  tn  Ang                             ^^^H 

^^^Mlt  one  ic  till  lode; 

Ihcfc  birdis, Huit  not  unktiunin;^                   ^^^^| 

^HT^ "-  ^ 

Wc                       ikand  a  pfcci  i(V,                   ^^^^| 

^^Bl                        odcylte 

Btir                       .11  and  ekr  \siU-                     ^^^^H 

^^^   >kr 

An^]..,  ..  .,,                           ■                       ^^^M 

^^^Bl  iiiv* 

And  fuuc  ihc  )                                                      ^^^^H 

HiKh.iii 

In  htf 1 1  wext  fj                                           ^^^^^1 

Krkcncd  weU  x*wis 

1  hat  I  w«s  ncvif  cr  that  44^                       ^^^^M 

^^^M 

^^m                              THE  ROMAUNT 

OF  ThS^I,                    ^^H 

So  joli/c  nor  To  well  bigo^ 

For  Hie  wa^  wontc  in  ei^ery  phc«               ^| 

Nc  mcry*  iii  htftC  a* !  waa  tho; 

To  fiogin  6rA  folke  to  folace,                      ^M 

And  thjn  w^ft  I  and  fuwc  full  wcH 

For  finging  moftc  fhc  gave  htr  to  ;     ^_^H 

That  IdiliKlTc  roc  fcrfid  wcU, 

No  crafts  bad  (be  fo  Jefe  to  doc.           ^^^H 

1  liat  me  pur  in  rochc  jolite  ; 

^^^^H 

^m  Htfr  frciuic  well  ought  £  fi>r  to  be 

^^^^^ 

^^H  Siihc  llic  the  dore  <it  tJiat  gardin 

Tho  might!  ft  thou  karoUis  fcne,          ^^^H 

^^"  Hj.d  opmid  and  let  iiic  iu. 

And  folk*  daunce  and  mcrie  ljcn»         ^^^H 

■              From  hetini&-forthe  how  that  I  wrought 

And  made  many  a  faire  toummg               ^H 

m          I  fhnll  you  tcllcn  a.a  me  thought. 

Upon  the  greni*  grafle  fpringing  :               ^H 

1          Firil  whcrcol  Mirthe  y fervid  there, 

1  here  mighlilt  thou  f^  thcfc  flutoun,         ^H 

^^   And  eke  what  folke  there  vtith  liim  were, 

Minflrallis  aud  eke  jng^lour»,                       ^H 

^^^  Wkliout  fable  t  wpU  difcrivc^ 

That  wcl  to  fin  gin  Ad  thcr  paiae  :             ^H 

^^f  ^^Anri  allc  t|iat  ^rdin  eki:  ai  blive ; 

Slime  fongio  fongii  of  Loraine,             ^^^H 

^^^    1  woll  you  telkn  aftir  this 

For  in  Loraine  ther  ootit  be  1  ^^^H 
Full  fwetir  than  in  this  contre.     j        ^^^^| 

1           The  faire  faflion  all  i-wi» 

ft          That  well  y  wrought  wa*  for  the  nones; 

1  here  was  many  a  timbctterr^              ^^^H 

m          I  mid  not  tell  you  all  at  ones. 

And  failour«,  th^t  ]  dare  w<*l  fwcre           ^M 

1           But  as  !  cnai  and  can  I  (hall 

Ycothc  thcr  craft  full  pirfitlyj             ^^^H 

1           By  Older  tcUin  you  it  all. 

The  timbrit  up  full  fubtilJy                 ^^^H 

^^^        Full  fairc  fcrvice,  and  ckc  full  fwcte,                   ' 

1  hci  caflin,  and  bent  ckcm  fall  oSt      ^^^M 

^^K  Thefe  hirdi«  madin  »»  thei  fete  ; 

Upon  a  ^ngir  faire  and  fofr,              '^^^| 

^^K  loiyis  of  love  full  well  founing 

That  thei  ne  fallid  nevir  mo.              ^^^H 

^^H  Th^i  fong'm  in  thcr  jarganirig ; 

Full  fetis  damofeilift  two,                            ^H 

^^V^Some  hie  |knd  fome  eke  lowc  yfong 

Right  yong,  and  full  of  fcmelybede^           ^H 

^^H  Upon  the  braunchl»  grene  ifprong  ; 

In  kirtils  and  none  othir  wedc  ;                  ^H 

^^H  The  Iwctcficflc  of  thcr  mcjodic 

And  faire  ytrcJTid  every  treffc                       ^H 

^"   ^tidc  all  mine  hcrte  in  rcvdrie. 

Had  Mirthe  ydocn  for  hit  nobleflc              ^| 

And  whan  that  I  had  herd  I  trow<| 

Amiddc  the  carok  for  to  daunce.                 ^M 

Thcfc  birdis  finging  on  a  rowe, 

But  hereof  Uetb  no  remembraunce               ^M 

Th»n  inighi  i  not  withhold  in  mc 

How  that  thei  dtunfid  queintly,                    ^H 

That  I  nc  went  In  for  to  fc 

That  one  would  come  all  priTily                   ^M 

Sir  Mirthe,  (or  all  my  dcfiring 

A)  en  th^t  othrc%  and  whan  tbei  were         ^H 

Was  hira  to  fcac  ovir  all  thiOf ; 

Togitbrc*  almoile  thti  thrcwc  ifcrc             ^^ 

Hia  countcnauDCc  and  hit  manere 

1  her  mouthi*  fo,  that  through  ther  plaic    ^M 

That  Gght  wa&  ^oto  me  full  dere. 

ft  fern  id  a»  tbei  kift  alwaie  :                          ^H 

To  dannccn  well  couche  thei  the  gifc;        ^H 

WTiat  Ibuuld  1  more  to  you  dcTi^  f           ^H 

^H    Tho  wentc  I  forthc  on  my  right  honde, 

Ne  bode  I  nevir  tbcnnis  go                         ^B 

^^B    Doune  by  a  Uttie  p;ithe  I  fundc 

Whiles  that  1  f;iwt;  *hcm  danncta  £b^         ^H 

^^  Of  mintja  full  jind  fcncll  grcne  ; 

Upon  the  karoll  wondir  fad                        ^H 

As  failc  by  withou(tu  wene 

I  gan  bcholdc,  till  at  the  Ia&                      iH 

Sir  Mirthe  I  founde,  and  right  looa 

A  ladic  gan  me  for  to*  efpie,  ft  ^| 
And  flic  wa*  cicpid  Curteiic,                 ^ 

Unto  Sir  Mirthe  gan  I  to  goo. 

Ihcr  as  he  wa*  him  to  fobcc; 

The  worlhipftin,  the  dcbonaire;                        , 

And  with  hnn  in  that  lullii:  place 

I  praje  to  God  ir  fall  her  faire  !          ^^^H 

So  faire  folkc  and  fo  freftic  h;id  he 

huW  curnily  (be  callid  me,                  ^^^H 

That  whin  I  fawc  1  wood  rid  mc 

What  do  you  there,  Bc»u  Sire  ?  ((jnortl^^^ 

Fro  whtnois  foche  foJkc  mightin  come» 

ComiLh,  and  if  it  likith  you 

So  hue  thei  wcrin  all  and  fome. 

To  dauntin,  datmfith  with  ut  now,            ^_ 

For  thei  weren  Like,  3j»  lo  my  fight. 

And  1  withoutin  larying                             ^M 

To  angeU  that  ben  fcthcrcd  hnght. 

Ywcni  into  ibc  caroling  ;                    ^^^H 

Thefe  folke,  of  whicbc  I  cell  you  fo. 

I  was  abafhid  nfr  a  dele,                      ^^^H 

Upon  a  karole  wcntin  tho  ; 

But  it  to  mc  bkid  right  wrle              ^^^^| 

A  ladic  karoUd  'hem  that  hight 

1  bat  Curtetic  me  rlepld  fo,                ^^^^1 

^.        Gladnt flc,  the  bliffifull  and  ihc  light  ; 

And  bade  roe  on  the  daunce  yge^      ^^^^1 

Weli  could  (be  fing  and  luftily. 

For  if  1  hadde  durd  certain                ^^^H 

None  halfe  fo  wtll  and  fcmily, 

1  would  have  karoUid  right  Jain,      ^^^H 

And  cothc  make  in  fong  focbc  refraining 

As  man  that  was  to  daunce  right  hHw^^^l 

*           It  f*te  htr  wondir  well  to  fjng  : 

Than  gan  1  lokin  oft^  fithe                        ^U 

Htt  voice  full  ckre  waP  and  full  fwcte; 

The  fliape»  the  bodict,  arH  ♦>-  -»^-r-n,       ^H 

$he  vroM  not  rude  nt  yet  unmetc, 

The  couiktcnaunce,  and  tJ                             ^H 

But  coo  the  itiengbc  for  focht  doing 

Of  all  the  (olke  that  dauix                     ^^^^ 

Ai  longtth  imto  l^oUing, 

And  1  ibali  tdUo  whi^t  thei  wrrc«     ^^^H 

M            THE   ROMAUNT 

OF  THE   HOSE.                 ^^^^« 

iWffirth,  full  longc  ajjd  high. 

'  nd  many  folkia  prid^  fnllcn, 

I  iicTtr  figh  r 

And  he  cua  wtll  thcfc  lord  is  thrallca^ 

ipk  WM  bin  face, 

And  ladies  put  at  lowc  degic,                        ^^J 

M  white  in  every  place  4 

When  he  mate  'hem  to  proudc  yfc.                ^^H 

ttndwtU  belcic, 

Thi»  god  of  Lave  of  lii^  fafcion                   j^^l 

muuthc,  and  cyin  grcic; 

Wa&  like  no  knave  ne  no  quiflroa  :               ^^^| 

icfurc  wrought  lull  ngltt ; 

His  beutie  grelejy  was  to  prUfj                      ^^H 

■  btTt:,  and  *kc  fuU  bright ; 

But  of  hi&  Tobii  to  dtrvife                                 ^^H 

of  large  brciJc, 

1  drede  encombrid  lor  to  br«                          ^^H 

iml                uJcs 

Far  not  icUddc  1x1  filk  was  he,                        ^^H 

:>{ 

But  all  in  dcnrit  and  flourcttcs*                     ^^U 

WZi^  i-'.  i...-.  it-i.  lire. 

Ipk;tntcd  ail  With  amnrcttci^                            ^^H 

be*,  aiid  Co  ft  tile, 

And  with  lofingis  and  fcochons,                    ^^U 

wtuughi  at  poind  dcvifc, 

Wiih  b^rdiii,  Ubcrdo^and  Han^                     ^^H 

tc,  aiid  of  gfcttf  nvighf. 

And  oti\Ir  bcftis  wrought  full  welc;             ^^H 

OPVir  man  fo  hr<ht ; 

Hj*  ^^armcxit  was  every  dele                          ^^| 

ctli  had  be  notbing, 

Ipurtraicd  and  iwrouglit  with  fiooces,           '^^l 

the  firil^  fprinjr- 

By  diver»  meddling  oi  cotourcs;                     ^^H 

WW,  and  nicnc*  of  thoughr. 

Fiouria  then:  were  of  many  gifc                     ^^M 

tc  with  bfrdJ»  wrought ; 

llct  by  com  pace  in  a  fife ;                                ^^| 

Idc  btie  full  fctoufly 

I  here  be  kid  no  ofiare  to  my  domc»              ^^f 

«  clad  full  hchcly; 

Nc  not  fo  much  a»  Hourt?  c^f  bronw.              ^^H 

1  hii  Tohc  in  tlratingf  gifc. 

Nt;  violet,  nc  eke  prrvinkc,                             ^^H 

ttcrcd  for  qucintifc 

Nc  floure  iionc  that  m«n  can  on  tbinke ;         ^^M 

kcr,  ioVfC  and  hie  ; 

And  many  a  rcfe  Icfc  full  long                       ^^M 

wa*  with  grctt  miiidne 

Wa*  ttitcrmcrdlid  ibcrc  cnmng  i                     ^^M 

ccopid,  and  with  late, 

And  alio  on  hit  hcddc  %vas  i'^t                         ^^H 

i  eke  hy  foiacc; 

Of  rcfeti  rcddc  a  chapilcf.  '                            >  ^^H 

111  thnpilcc 

But  ntghtingiiks  a  full  gn^te  rout,           '    ^^| 

)d  cm  his  hedde  it  fct. 

Tiiat  Aien  ovir  hi»  hcddc  about,                       ^^H 

ye  who  was  his  Urfc  ? 

The  Icvit  fcldin  i»  thct  flicn,                          ^^^H 

frc  there  wai  hijii  fo  Irfc, 

And  be  was  aU  with  birdii  v;rin«                ^^^H 

f*j  y,cl\  with  glad  corage^ 

With  popingaic,\vith  ni;;htitignlc,                 ^  ^^| 

c  wat  twelve  ycre  of  age 

With  chala^iiiidrt  and  with  wmicxvali?,            ^^B 

Pe  graunt  to  him  made  ; 

With  finch<,  with  larkc.andwuharclijngel;           1 

IT  by  the  fingir  hade 

He  femid  u-,  he  were  an  angcll                        -^^J 

Uid  ihe  him  iiifo  J 

That  doun  were  come  fro  hc'to  cUrc           ^^Hj 

m  was  a  twijt  'hem  two  * 

Love  had  with  him  a  hachilcrc                  ^^H 

bei  Ciirc  and  bright  of  hewc; 

T3ut  he  made  alwaiest  with  him  br«              ^^U 

t  M  roi^  ncwc 

A,id  Swcte  Loking  ckped  wa^  he,                 ^^H 

id  hti  fleihe  fo  tender. 

I  hit  bachlk^^J  fludt:  bcliolding                        ]^^t 

jrcrt  fuiale  and  tender 

The  ibujice,  and  in  hi»  hundc  hoMm^            ^^H 

I  ckvc,  I  dare  wtll  {msi  5 

Turkc  bowci  two,  well  devifcd,  had  tic  ;       ^^M 

frouncilei  all  plain ; 

That  one  ol  'hem  wa^ofa  trc                         ^^H 

cr  <yc-browia  two ; 

I'hiit  bcri(T)  (r\ilA  of  favour  wicLr:  i               t^^M 

vt,  and  glad  alfo, 

Full  crokjd  was  that  foulc  ftickc,                  i^^M 

D  Bic  in  Her  fetnblaune 

And  knot  tic  here  and  there  alf^»                     ^^M 

MOcKc  by  covcniunt  j 

And  black c  as  bcric'  or  any  llo,                     ^^H 

C  hernorc  difcrivc, 

1  hat  otliir  bowc  wa»  of  a  plant                  ^^H 

00  woman  alive; 

Without  in  w«:itimc  I  dare  Wdirajit                   ^^M 

ycjowc',  and  clcrc  dining; 

Full  even*  and  by  propordoti                           ^^M 

fo  liking* 

V reel  15  and  long,  and  of  godc  facion,              ^^H 

frcChe  wai  her  garbnde  j 

And  it  wxi  paintid  well  and  thwiitcn,          |^^| 

\  fene  have  a  thouiaude, 

And  i*Tc  all  diaprid  and  written                     ^^H 

li  no  garUndc  yet 

Wi:h  bdies  and  with  bachilcr&i                      ^^H 

light  of  ftlke  as  it; 

Full  iiglitfonae  mnd  full  glad  of  chrrci.          ^^B 

ir  gilt  famitc 

Thefc  bowjstwo  held  Swetc  LoktRg,            .^^H 

ra*  by  grctc  delite, 

I'hat  J3C  fcmid  like  nu  gadliug,                        ^^H 

t  lefc  a  robe  ywcrde; 

And  ten  brode  arowvi*  held  he  there^            ^^H 

le  in  Keite  fcrdc. 

Of  whichc  five  in  his  hond-fc  wrrr,                  ^^H 

em,  on  hot  othlr  fldt, 

Gut  thci  were  Qi^vin  well  and  dight«              ^^| 

ove»  tha^t  can  rfcvidc 

N'»ckid  aud  fethcrid  a  right.                             ^^H 

him  iiketh  it  be  | 

And  alt  thci  wcrv  i^ith  gi>ld'^  hcgoo,              ^^H 

crlii  d^untiQ.  hcj 

And  Urung  yppmdtd  cvcndtoua                   ^^| 

THE   ROMAUNT   OF  THE  ROSJ?'. 


Aiid  Hiarpc  for  to  ykfrvin  web. 
But  iron  ww  there  notK  nc  ftelc, 
Wot  all  wa*  golde,  men  mlgbtt  k  fc. 
Out  take:  the  fcther»  And  the  trc. 


The  fwiFtcft  of  tbcfir  arcvwes  five 

Out  of  a  bowc  for  to  drivc^ 
And  ihc  Hctl  fcihcrcd  for  to  flie. 
Ami  faircft  ckc,  wa*  dcpcd  Bcutir. 

Th^t  othir  arciwc,  that  huricth  IcfTe, 
Wa*  ctepid  (a»  I  trowe)  SimplcHc. 

The  thirdc  yclcpid  was  Frauncbife, 
Tliat  fcthcrcd  was  in  nobk  wife 
With  valour  and  with  curtiiic. 

The  fowcrth  was  clepid  Compaok^ 
That  hcvic  for  to  (hotin  in, 
But  who  fo  ihotjth  right  Uwit 
Maie  thcrwith  doen  grctc  harme  and  wo. 

The  lift  of  tht'fe,  and  hiic  i\h, 
Fsiire  SembUunt  nvcn  that  arowe  call; 
*Tis  ihc  ieftc  girvou*  of  *hcm  all. 
Yet  can  it  make  a  full  prtc  woundc, 
3ut  he  maie  hope  hit  foris  foundc 
'That  hurtc  is  with  that  arowe*  i-wui 

wo  ibc  btrtte  beQowId  is 
^Wot  he  tnaie  foncr  have  g^ladnefTe  { 
Hii  lioguor  ought  to  be  the  IclTe* 


I  Tivc  ar owes  were  of  othir  gife 

^^  That  ben  full  £oalc  for  to  dcvife, 
^H[^or  {haft  atid  endr^  fothe  for  to  tcll^ 
^^VWcrc  all  fo  bbcke  as  fcnde  in  hell, 
^■^  The  firft  of  *hem  i»  cajlid  Pride ; 
^^PThat  othrc*  arowe  next  him  bciuie 
I  It  was  yclcpid  Vtlanic  ; 

That  arrowe  was  with  felonie 
^^V  £nvcntmcd,  and  with  fpitons  blame : 
^^■Thc  third  of  'henn  wai  clepid  Shame  i 
^^"  The  fowcrth  Wanhopc  ydepid  h ; 
The  fift  the  Ncwc  Thought  iwis, 
Thcfc  arowcstha.t  1  fpcke  of  here 
k^crin  all  five  on  one  man  ere, 
ind  all  were  thei  reftmblablc ; 
To  them  was  well  fitting  and  able 
he  foxil^  crokid  bo  we  hidout 
Put  knottie  wat  and  all  roitioai ; 
:  bowe  yfcnud  well  to  Oiete 
-i  arowcs  five  that  ben  unmete 
od  contrary  to  that  othir  fire ; 
'^But  though  1  tellin  not  a&  blivc 
Of  ihcr  powir  nc  of  thtr  might, 
Hcrcaftir  Ihall  I  tcUin  right 
The  fothe  and  eke  fignifiaunce, 
A*  ferre  as  t  have  remembrauu&e 
ill  ftall  be  faied  1  undirtake 
|Sr  of  this  boke  an  cnde  I  niako* 
Now  come  I  to  my  talc  againe  ; 
But  aldirfirft  I  woU  you  fainc 
he  fafkion  and  the  cciuntcnauncet 
I'alle  the  folks  that  on  the  <Iaunee  if. 
The  god  of  l^ove,  jolife  and  Ught, 
* :  on  his  honde  a  lad  if  bright) 
% 


Of  high  pnfc  and  of  grete  dcgnr. 

This  ladic  callid  wat  Beutie ; 

And  an  i4ro.vc  of  whiche  !  toldc 

Full  well  ythcwid  wxt  flic  holde ; 

Nc  Hic  waa  ucrki!  nc  brounc,  but  bright 

And  ckfc  a&  U  the  moo:  light,  ~ 

Again  whom  all  the  llerrii  fcmeo 

But  fmull  candelii  as  we  dcmrn  ; 

Her  flcfhe  wa*  tcndrc'  a^  dewe  of  flcnire; 

Herchcre  wa'  fimple*  ai  biide  in  boutc. 

As  white  as  lilic*  or  roJe  in  riic; 

Her  face  vna  ge^ntill  and  Crctiic  | 

Fcti»  (he  was  and  fmale  to  fe ; 

No  wiutrid  brow  if  hadd^  fiie^ 

Ne  popped  here,  for  it  nediJ  oooghf 

To  windir  her  or  to  paint  oaght ; 

Her  txcfll*  Yelowe,and  long  (Irauj^hten, 

Unto  her  hclcs  doune  thci  ranghten; 

Hlt  iiofr,  her  mouthe^and  eye,  and  chekfv 

Well  wrought,  and  all  the  rcmnauntc  ckej  ( 

A  full  gretc  favour  and  a  fote 

Me  thoughtin  in  mine  hcrtc  rote, 

As  hclpc  me  God,  whan  1  rctnembcr 

Of  the  fajlion  of  every  member  : 

In  worldc  is  none  (o  faire  a  wjgbr. 

For  yong  iher  was.  and  hew  id  bright 

Sore  plcdtifit,  ana  felts  with  all. 

And  gent  and  in  her  middle  fmaQ. 

Befidc  Beute  ycdc  Rjcbefre, 
And  hight  ladic  of  grete  noble £e, 
And  grctc  of  price  in  every  place  5 
But  who  fo  durfk  to  her  trcfpace. 
Or  till  her  fotke,  in  werke  or  dcde^ 
He  were  ful  hardic  ont  of  drede. 
For  buthe  Jhe  he]pe  and  hindir  male  ; 
And  that  it  not  of  yeilerdate 
That  riche  folke  havin  full  grctc  might 
I'o  hclpe  and  eke  to  grevc  a  wijgbt. 

The  bed  and  gretiti  of  valour 
Diddin  RichclTc  full  gpct«  honour. 
And  bulic  wcrin  her  to  fervc. 
For  that  thei  would  her  lotrc  dcCrrvej 
Thci  deped  her  Ladie  grete  and  fmaji| 
This  widf^  worlde  her  dre<tith  all. 
This  worldc  is  all  in  her  daungere  ; 
Her  courtc  hath  many*  a  lofingerc. 
And  many'  m  trmitour  envious^ 
That  ben  full  bufie*  and  curiotta 
For  to  difprcifin  and  to  blame 
That  bell  dcfcrvin  love  and  name  ; 
To  fomc  the  folke  'hem  to  begilcn 
Thefe  lofcngcours  "hem  prifc  and  ftutl«D* 
And  thus  the  worldc  with  wordeacH»iiiSCfl| 
Hot  aftirward  thei  prill  and  potnAea 
The  folke  right  to  the  bari  booc 
Bchinde  ther  backc  whan  thei  ben  gone, 
And  foule  abatin  folkis  prite  : 
Full  many'  a  wortliic  man  and  wife 
Han  hindrid  and  idocn  to  die 
1  bcfc  lofiPj^cours  with  ihcr  flatt'e 
And  makiih  fulke  full  ftraaag^  be 
There  as  'hem  ought  to  ben  priw  ; 
Well  evil  I  mot    il^ei  thrive. 
And  cviU  arivcd  mote  thei  ht^ 


^^^    THE  R0MAUNT  OF  THB  ROSf.                                flj  J 

WKfvM  of  en  Tie; 

In  clothing  was  he  full  fetife,                                     1 

i  lortth  thcr  comptnic 

And  loved  well  to  have  hor;*  of  prife;                       1 

rob<  of  jrorpk*  oo  had. 

He  wcndc  to  haTe  reprovid  h€                         ^^^1 

:  that  1  Uc  or  mad, 

or  theft  or  murder  if  that  he                           ^^^|i 

orld  i»  none  it  lichc. 

Hnd  in  his  ilablc  an  hackenaie,                       ^^^1 

Ijixnk  dele  fo  richt. 

And  therforc  he  deJiind  ale                               ^^^M 

m^t  fw  it  full  wcle 

To  ben  aquetntid  with  Richefic,                     ^^^| 

Bp  was  every  dcte. 

For  all  his  purpofe,  at  I  geiTe,                          ^^^H 

P|^4)ie  ribtningcs 

Was  for  to  makin  grete  difpence                     ]^^^| 

It  aiMl  of  ktngn. 

Wltltoutin  warning  or  defence*                         ^^^H 

knd  cjf  golde  t2iilecf» 

And  Rkhcfl^.*  might  it  well  fullajQ,                 ^^^H 

fiiic  of  golde  smikd  s 

And  htrr  difpcnces  wcle  maintain^                    ^^^H 

dtc  of  gentle*  enuik 

And  him  alv^'nie  foche  plentie  fendd                *^^^B 

/ich}  chevcfailc. 

Of  goide  and  liivir  for  to  fpendc                       ^^^H 

ETC  w  14  full  ^ete  p)eet« 

Withoutin  lacking  or  daungere                       ^^^H 

fi  «nd  faiie  to  fc. 

Ai  it  weie  pourdc  in  a  garncre.                       ^^^B 

|irdle  had  ii|M)ti, 

And  aftir  on  the  daunce  went                      ^^H 

it  .was  of  ilon 

LargefTe,  that  fet  all  her  entent                         ^^^| 

te  ADd  mokil  mTght| 

For  to  ben  hooDiirable'  and  fre  :                     ^^^| 

ire  the  JVonc  fo  bright 

Of  Alexander'^  kinne  was  (he;                         ^^^1 

{I  him  Dothing  dotibt 

Her  mofte  joie  it  was  t-w»                              ^^1 

(lone  had  hmi  about; 

Whan  that  (he  yKfe,  and  faied,  Hive  thti  :               J 

p  gfetcly  for  to  love, 

Not  Avarice,  the  foule  taitife,                          ^^J 

Was  halfc  to  gripe  fo  eotcntifc                          ^^H 

1  golde  tD  Rome  and  Friffc  | 

As  LargciTe  is  to  yrve  and  fpende,                   ^^H 

nt,  wrought  m  noble  gifc^ 

And  Cod  alwaic  inowe  her  fendc  !                  ^^^^i 

e  full  precious. 

So  that  the  more  fhe  yaire  awmk                       ^^^H 

Use  and  Tertuout 

The  more  i-wi»  ihc  hJd  alwatc.                                M 

manircowh  yraake 

Crete  loos  hath  LargeHc,  and  gretc  prift,         J 

of  the  t^thc  akf , 

For  bothe  the  wife  foUtc  and  unwife                 ^^H 

lone  bad  foche  a  grace 

Were  wholy  to  her  bandon  brought,                ^^^| 

Ikre'  in  every  pbce 

So  well  with  yeftis  hath  fhe  wrought.             ^^H 

i  not  blinde  to  bca 

And  if  (lie  had  an  enemic                             ^^^| 

night  that  ftone  fent ; 

1  trowe  that  Ihc  couth  craftily                         ^^H 

tre  of  gold  foil  fine^ 

Make  him  full  fone  her  frende  to  be,             ^^^H 

of  fatio ; 

So  large  of  yeftes  and  wife  wb»  ihe;               ^^^| 

nc,  and  nothing  Hghf^ 

Therforc  Ibe  Hodc  in  love  and  grace                ^^H 

m  a  befaune  wi^t. 

Of  riche  and  pore  to  every  place.                     ^^^| 

refill  of  Richc'fc 

A  full  grete  fole  is  he  i^wit                          ^^^| 

\t  of  noblifTc 

That  riche,  and  pfife,  and  nigard  a.                 ^^H 

de,  that  fvd  ligKt  yflionc, 

A  lorde  maic  have  no  maair  vice                   *^^^| 

i  I  was  ncvir  none  : 

That  grevith  more  than  art^rice ;                     ^^^| 

Eonjiinj;  for  the  nonet 

For  nigardc  oer  with  ftrcngth  of  hatide            ^^^ 

ttfin  all  the  ftonrt 

Maic  winnc  him  grete  lordlhipe  or  Uadc^               M 

;irclc  Ihewin  cleic ; 

For  frendis all  to  fewc  hath  he                          *^^fl 

thing  to  here. 

To  docn  his  will  performid  be ;                        ^^^H 

tjuld  or  prcife  or  gcfTc 

And  whofo  woll  have  Erendif  here                   ^^^1 

[alue  or  richeffe  t 

He  maic  not  holde  his  trefoor  dere  ;                 ^^^| 

pferc,  taphirs,  ngoiineea. 

For  by^  enfarople  tell  1  this,                               ^^^B 

la,  more  than  two  onceSy 

Right  as  an  adamant  i>wit                                ^^^| 

full  fubtilly 

Can  drawin  to  him  fubtilly                               ^^^1 

tie  fct  fawc  U 

Hie  iron  that  U  laied  therby,                           ^^^| 

jUtfe  was  and  fo  bright^ 

So  drawirh  folkis  hcrtes  i-wtt                             ^^^|' 

le  at  h  wm»  night 

Silvir  and  golde  that  yevin  ii,                           ^^^H 

fcnc  to  go  for  ncde 

Large [fc  had  on  a  rob^  frcihe                       ^^^| 

fin  length  and  hrede  ; 

Of  rkhe  purpure  farlinifhe  :                             -^^^^ 

pr^ng  out  of  the  (torn; 

Well  formid  waa  her  face  and  dere^                ^^H 

wondir  bright  yfhone 

And  opened  had  Ihe  her  colere,                        ^^H 

kedde  and  all  her  face^ 

For  ihc  right  thefc  had  m  prcfcnt                  "^^^1 

k  her  all  the  place. 

Unto  a  lady  made  prefenc                                  ^^^^ 

0e  on  licivho!idc  gao  Icde 

Of  a  gold  broche  fuJ  wel  ywToitghe«                  ^^^H 

vl  of  fcmt-Iyhcde 

And  certis  it  mi/fate  her  nought^                        S^H 

loved  of  itif  tljing; 

For  t hrough  her  fmockcy  wrought  with fi Ike        ^^% 

mhe  m  houJhoiding ; 

llic  fieihc  waa  fene  as  white  as  milke.                     M 

r 


^ 


I.trp:rfk',  that  worlliy  was  and  wife, 
HilSe  by  the  hontit?  a  knight  of  prifc 
V^as  fibbe  to  Artbour  of  Bretcij^e, 
And  that  wa*  he  that  bare  the*  enfcignc 
Of  worihip  and  the  g^oafannouD  ; 
And  yet  he  is  of  fuche  rcnouD 
Tkat  mrwie  of  him  fay  faire  thingc^ 
Before  baroD<,  and  cries,  and  kitigct. 

This  knight  waa  comiri  al  iiciwly 
Pro  tourneying  thtrc  faftc  by, 
Vhcre  he  had  done  gretc  chivalry 
Through  his  venue  and  hit  maidrte, 
Jlnd  for  the  love  of  his  IcmmaQ 
Be  cade  doune  many  a  doughty  man. 

And  next  him  daunctd  Dune  Fradchiic, 
Afjyid  in  ful  noble  gifc  : 
Sic  u' as  not  brounc  nc  donne  of  hewe» 
But  \^hite  IS  fnowc  ifallin  newc ; 
Ilrr  nofe  wa*  wrought  at  point  devifc, 
F<r  It  wa»  j^ntill  and  trctifc; 
With  cyJn  glad,  and  hrowi*  bent ; 
H«r  here  donne  to  her  hclis  went ; 
A&d  fhe  wail  Umple*  as  dove  on  uc ; 
Fu\  dcbonaifc  of  hcrt  wait  (he. 

She  durllc  neither  fay  ne  do 
But  that  tluit  hir  bclocgtth  to ; 
An^  if  a  mannc  were  in  diflreCTe, 
And  for  her  lore  in  hevinefTe, 
Her  hcrt  would  have  fuil  grete  pite, 
£he  was  fo  amiable  and  fre ; 
^or  were  a  mannc  for  her  bcfladdc 
ihe  would<^  bcQ  right  fore  a  dnuUte 

hit  (he  did  ovir  grct  outrage ; 
But  flic  him  holpc  his  hamnc  t*afwige 
Hc4  thought  it  all  a  vilanic : 
Atii  ihe  h-id  on  a  fuckiny 
*r^t  not  of  hcmpL  hcrdis  wa^ 
So  faire  was  con  in  all  Arraa; 
^^fydc  !  it  was  riddelcd  fetiHy  ; 
|[Tltrc  ne  was  not  a  point  truely 

kai  it  n'as  in  his  right  afTifc  : 
'ul  wel  idothid  wa*  Fraunchife, 
Tor  there  n'i»  no  clothe  fittcth  bette 
On  daniofcll  than  doth  rokette; 
A  womin  wcl  more  fttife  is 
In  rokcttc  than  in  cote  i-wis; 
The  white  rokcttc  riddilid  faire 
Bctokenith  that  full  deboBaire 
And  fwcte  was  flic  that  it  ybere. 

By  her  dauncid  a  hachelerc, 
1  can  not  tcU  you  what  he  hight. 
But  faire  he  was  and  of  godc  hight| 
Al  had  he  ben,  f  faic  no  more. 
The  lord'if  fonnc  of  Wind^:fore* 

And  ncict  that  dauncid  Curtify, 
That  prctfcd  was  of  lowe  and  hie, 
Tor  ncttur  proude  nc  fole  was  (he  ; 
5he  for  to  daunce  callidmc; 
I  praic  God  give  to  her  g<>de  grace  1 
For  whan  I  come  firft  to  the  place 
he  n*a»  not  nice  nc  outrageoua, 
ut  wife  and  wmre,  and  vertuoui. 
Of  ^rc  fpeche,  and  of  faire  anfwcrc  » 
^V^  ncvir  «righc  miilkidc  of  here  ; 


She  bare  no  rancour  to  no  wl^ht  t 
Clerc  broune  file  waa,  and  thcrto  brigbt 
Of  faccj  and  body  avcnaum  j 
I  wotlc  no  lady  fo  plcfaunt  : 
She  wcrin  worthy  for  to  bene 
An  cmpcrcflc  or  crountd  qucnc. 

Aird  by  her  went  a  knight  dauncio^ 
That  worthy  was  and  wcl  fpekiog^ 
And  ful  wcl  coude  he  don  honour  : 
The  knight  was  faire  and  IHffe  in  ftoar. 
And  in  armurc  a  fcmcly  man, 
And  wel  beloved  of  hi»  lemman. 

Faire  IdilnciTc  than  nextc  faugh  f. 
That  alway  was  me  fafti  by  J 
Of  her  have  1  withoutin  faile 
Toldc  you  the  ibapc  and  appareilc« 
For,  (as  1  faid)  lo!  that  was  (he 
That  did  to  me  fo  grctc  b«unte  ; 
She  mc  the  gate  of  that  gardin 
Undid,  and  let  me  paiTm  in. 
And  aftir  dauncid,  as  I  geffc. 

And  fhe  fulfilled  of  lullineiT^ 
That  n*as  not  yet  twelve  ycrt  of  age. 
With  hcrtt  wildc  and  tliought  volage  : 
Nice  £hc  ywas,  but  flie  nc  mente 
None  hirmc  ne  fleight  in  her  entente. 
But  oncly  lullc  and  jolite, 
(For  yonge  folkc,  wcl  wetin  ye. 
Have  littil  thought  but  on  tber  pUy  ;) 
Her  kmman  wa*  bcGde  alway 
In  fuchc  a  gife  that  he  her  kiie 
At  ailc  timis  that  him  liHc, 
That  al  the  daunc:  might  it  fc  } 
They  make  no  force  of  privite, 
For  who  fpake  of  *hcin  Al  or  wcle 
Thd  were  aft  amid  nere  a  delc» 
But  men  might  fcnc  *hcm  kifTe  there 
A&  though  it  two  yonge  do  vis  were  ; 
For  yongc  was  ihilkd  bachikre. 
Of  brute  wot  I  non  his  perc. 
And  he  was  right  of  fuche  an  age 
As  youthc  his  Icfe,  and  fuche  corage. 

The  Jufty  folkc  that  dauncid  thcTf, 
And  alTo'  othir  that  with  *hcm  went, 
1  hat  wcrin  all  of  thcr  mcine, 
Ful  hcnd«^  folkc,  both  wife  and  fre. 
And  folkc  of  laire  portc  tnicly. 
There  wcrin  all;  comlnly. 

Whan  I  had  fene  the  cotintenanftoe* 
Of  til  em  that  laddin  thus  thcic  dau 
Than  had  I  will  to  go  and  fe 
The  gardin  that  fo  Lkid  me. 
And  lokin  on  thcfc  faire  Uureret, 
On  pine  trees,  ccrfres,  oUvcrcs, 
The  dauncis  than  cndid  )"werc. 
For  many*  of 'hem  that  dauncid  there 
Were  with  thcr  lovis  went  away» 
Undir  tlie  trees  to  have  thcr  plat* 


A  lorde  thei  Uvid  tufUly  ! 

A  grcte  fole  were  he  Ckirly 

J  hat  n'olde  his  thankcs  fuche  lile  to! 

Fo^  this  dare  I  faine  out  of  drtde| 


^^^^     THE    ROMAUNT 

OF    THE   ROSE.                  ^^^C^^ 

ilHi|lit  fo  w^rll  yfare 

Fine  ewe,  popler,  and  lindis  faJrc,                         .^J 

r  life  durft  him  not  care, 

And  othir  trees  full  many'  a  paire.                          ^^M 

r  n'h  (o  godc  panidife 

What  Qiould  I  tell  you  more  of  it  f             ^^^M 

Km  love  ac  his  drvife* 

There  werin  fo  many  trees  yet                        ^^^^^M 

jP)|»bcc  went  I  tho. 

That  1  Hiould  al  encombrid  be                        ^^^^H 

Er  gardin  gan  1  go, 

£r  1  had  rckenid  every  tre,                               ^^^^H 

iloDr  fall  mcrity. 
HlrfLoTcfuUhaftJIf 

Thefc  treei  were  fet^  that  I  devi^,             ^^^^H 

One  from  an  othIr  in  aJTii^.*                               ^^^^^| 

I  S«*ctc  looking  yclept ; 

Five  fadome  or  fixe,  f  trowe  fo;                    ^^^^H 

r  would  he  that  flic  kept 

But  they  were  hie  and  gret  alfo^                   ^^^^H 

i  of  gold  that  flione  fo  bright :                    I 

And  for  to  kepe  out  wcl  the  funne               ^^^^^H 

n  him  b«ot  anoo  right. 

The  croppii  were  fo  thickc  ironne,                ^^^^^H 

itU  foij#  fct  in  ende. 

And  every  braunche  in  othir  knittc,             ^^^^^H 

bnide  he  gan  it  bende. 

And  ful  of  grcne  levis  Gtte,                              ^^^^^| 

9  him  of  his  arowcs  five 

That  funud  might  there  none  difcende           ^^^^^| 

€  and  rcdf  far  to  drive. 

Lcil  that  the  tcndlr  grafljs  fhende*                  ^^^^H 

fod  that  fitteth  in  majefte 

There  might  men  does  and  roct  ife,              ^^^^H 

'  woundi*  he  kcpc  mc 

And  of  fquireb  ful  grete  plente                     ^^^^H 

liat  he  had  me  fljetc» 

From  bow  to  bow  alwaic  Irping;                   ^^^^H 

VJth  hit  arowc  mete 

CoDiiis  there  were  alfo  playing,                             ^^H 

c  grevid  fore  i-wit- 

That  comin  out  of  ther  chpcrs,                      i^^^^l 

It  nothing  wift  of  this, 

Of  fondry  ccilourt  and  mancrs,                        l^^^^f 

mod  dotmc  ftit  many*  a  waiC| 

1  And  madin  many*  a  tourneying                      ^^^^^M 

ne  folowed  fjift  alwuic ; 

1  Upon  the  fre£h£  grafTe  fpringing.                    ^^^^H 

ihtre  would  I  rcft^  mc 

In  placis  fawc  I  wdtiA  there                        ^^^^H 

■l  all  (he  gardin  be. 

In  whicha  there  no  fro^^gis  were,                    ^^^^H 

P 

And  faire  in  jbadowc  was  eche  wel  ;            ^^^^^| 

But  1  nc  can  the  n ombre  tel                             ^^^^^B 

linwaibymeforing 

Of  flreiuis  fmal  that  by  devife                        i^^^^l 

m*  and  fquarc  in  compafling ; 

Mirth  had  done  come  thorough  condiie,        ^^^^^B 

^  wat  aa  it  wai  large ; 

Of  whiche  the  watir  in  rcnoing                             ^^H 

bad  every  tre  hit  charge 

Can  maldn  a  noife  ful  liking.                             ^^^^H 

tre  any  hidoai  tre,    ■ 

About  the  brinkis  of  thefe  wclliv              ^^^^H 

«  there  werin  two  or  thre* 

And  by  the  flremcft  ovir  al  cUi^,                    ^^^^H 

were  (and  that  wotc  1  full  wcic) 

Sprange  up  the  graffe,  s»  thickc  ifet             ^^^^H 

nnetts  a  full  grcte  dele. 

1  And  foft  eke  as  any  velvet,                             ^^^^^| 

frutc  ful  wcl  to  like, 

On  which  men  might  his  ktiimen  lay^^          ^^^^^H 

0  folkc  mhan  thei  ben  fike ; 

As  on  a  fethirbcd  to  pley,                               ^^^^^^1 

f  there  werin  grttc  foifon 

For  the  crth  was  ful  foftc  and  fwetc  ;             '^^^^H 

is  niittes  in  ther  frfon. 

Thorough  the  moifturc  of  the  wcl  wetc               ^^M 

mmne  Nutcmiggia  ycall, 

Sprong  up  the  fot^  grenc  gras                        ^^^^^^ 

t  of  favour  ben  withall. 

At  faire^  aa  thickc^  as  tmilrr  was  ;                ^^^^^M 

(mandril  grcte  plentc. 

But  moche  amended  it  the  place                    ^^^^^| 

sd  many  a  date  tre. 

That  the  erth  was  of  fuchc  a  grace               ^^^^H 

crio,  if  that  menne  had  nede, 

That  it  of  flourts  hath  plente                        ^^^^^1 

the  gardja  in  length  and  hredc 

That  both  in  fomre'a  nd  wmtir  be.                ^^^^H 

wai  eke  welting  many*  a  fpicc, 

There  fprangethe  violet  al  newe»              ^^^^H 

,  gilofrc,  and  licorice, 

And  frcflic  pervink'r  ridie  of  hewe,              ^^^^H 

»  ftod  grcin  dc  Parit, 

And  Eouris  yelowc,  white,  and  rede;          '^^^^| 

Od  fcttwulc  of  pri8, 

Suche  plcntc  grcwc  there  act  ia  mcde  :        I  ^^^^H 

\f  a  fptcc  deliuWc 

Ful  gate  was  al  the  ground c  and  queint,                ^H 

vhan  men  rife  fro  tabic. 

And  poudrid  as  men  had  it  peint,                 i^^^^^l 

lany  homely  trees  there  were 

With  many*  a  frcjhe  and  foudry  fioure.         ^^^^B 

ke»,  coinci,  and  apples,  here. 

That  caflin  up  ful  gode  favour.                       ^^^^^| 

plommm,  peri*,  chefteini*. 

I  wol  not  longc  hold  you  in  fable               ^^^^H 

of  whicfae  many  one  faioe  i$, 

Of  al  this  gardtn  dile^able;                           ^^^^H 

tdaleia,  and  bobf, 

f  mote  my  tongd  flinten  ncde,                        ^^^^^| 

to  fene  it  was  (Ms, 

Fur  1  He  m^ie  withoutin  dredc                        ^^^^^1 

ny  high  laorer  and  pine. 

Naught  tcllLn  yon  tlie  beutie  alT,                     ^^^^| 

rid  cleue  all  that  gardioe 

Ke  halfc  the  bourne,  there  withall.               ^^^^H 

-     -  '  witholivcrit, 

]  M-ent  on  right  honde  and  on  Icfte            ^^^^H 

h  no  plenty  here  1st 

About  the  place;  it  was  notleftc                   ^^^^^| 

'     i-        uijgrerc  md  flrong, 

Till  1  had  «l1I  tlie  ganiin  bene                          ^^^^H 

Ijl  okC|  WJ^f  pJaois  i^jngi 

lu  Lhc  diiii  chat  mcB  ttiiglit  fcjte.                «^^^H 

ate 


THE  ROMAUNT  OF  THE  ROSE, 


And  tliDs  white  I  went  isi  my  pbjre 
The  god  of  Love  mc  folowcd  aye. 
Right  as  an  hunter  can  abide 
The  belte  till  he  feith  bis  tide 
To  {bote  at  godcneflc  to  the  dcrc. 
Whan  that  him  ncdith  go  no  ntre. 

And  fo  bcfii  I  rcftid  me 
Befidc4  a  wcl  undlr  a  tre, 
Whiche  tre  in  Frauncc  men  cat  a  PWf 
Bot  fioce  the  time  of  Kinjr  Peplne 
Vt  grcwc  there  tre  in  mann'ii  light 
So  Ikire,  ne  fo  wet  woie  in  hig^it ; 
In  all  that  yardc  fo  high  was  none  ; 
And  fpringing  in  a  marbk  (lone 
H^  nature  fct,  the  roibe  to  tdl. 
Under  that  pine  tre  a  well. 
And  on  the  bordir  ai  without 
Was  written  in  the  Hone  about 
Letter  is  fmal,  that  faidiD  thus, 
Here  whilomc  (larfe  faire  Narci/Tuj, 

Nirciirns  was  a  bachilcrt  r 

Tliat  Love  had  caught  in  his  4fli>Qgere, 
And  in  his  nctte  ^^sm  him  fo  ftraine^ 
And  did  him  fo  to  wepe  and  nliinc, 
That  ncdc  him  mud  bis  life  largo 
For  a  fair  tady  bight  Echo 
Ilim  loved  over  any  creture, 
And  gan  for  him  fuchc  pj.inc  endttrti 
That  on  a  tima  fhc  hinj  toldc 
That  if  he  her  nc  lovin  wolde 
Thskt  her  bchovid  nedis  die ; 
There  laic  none  othlr  reinedte« 

But  nath^lcffe  for  biftt>eame 
So  fcirs  and  dangerous  was  he. 
That  he  n*olde  grauntin  her  aikin^ 
JFor  wcping  ne  tor  faire  prajring. 

And  when  ibe  hcrde  him  wdiie  her  fb 
She  had  in  hcrt  fo  grtt^  wo, 
And  toke  it  in  fo  grete  difpite. 
That  Ihe  witboutin  more  refpite 
Was  dede  anon  ;  but  ere  {he  diede 
Ful  piteonJly  to  God  fhe  preidc 
That  the  proude  heitid  NarciiTuif 
That  was  in  love  fo  daungcroos. 
Might  on  a  day  ben  hampered  fo 
For  love,  and  bene  fo  bote  for  wOf 
That  ner  he  might  to  joie  attaint, 
Than  (hould  he  fek  in  every  vaine 
What  forow  true  loveris  maken 
That  ben  vUlainouOy  forfukrn. 


Till*  praylr  waahut  refonable^ 
The r fore  God  helde  it  fernic  and  lUbte, 
For  N^irciHuft,  fhortly  to  tcJl, 
By  a  venture  came  to  that  ^cU 
To  reft  him  in  the  fh^owing 
O  d;iy  when  he  can^c  from  hunting, 
Thia  Narcifl'ut  had  fulTrid  paine«y 
Fur  renning  all  day  in  the  pUint». 
And  waifur  thuril  in  grcaic  diilrcfiTd 
Of  hcrte,  and  of  hi»  wcnncfl'e, 
Thiit  had  his  brcthc  almall  bcriomcn^ 
Whwhe  WAi  to  xhMl  wci  kootcst 


That  (had owed  was  with  braacchis  grcoe^ 

He  thought  of  thilke  watir  fbene 

To  drinke,  and  ireflic  him  wtlc  witball. 

And  dounc  on  knees  1^  '^H, 

And  forth  hi»  ncckc  u  ilraug;bt| 

To  drinkin  of  that  Wtji  ^  uj^ught; 

And  in  the  watre*  anooe  wa*  fene 

His  nofe,  his  mouth e,  hiseyin,  Ihcne^ 

And  he  therof  was  all  abafbed. 

His  ownc  Jhadowc  had  bira  betnlhcd, 

For  wel  wendc  he  the  forme  to  fc 

Of  a  childe  of  full  grcte  beante  : 

Full  weU  couth  Love  him  wickc  th^ 

Of  daungir  and  of  pride  alfo 

That  NarcilTus  fomtime  him  here ; 

He  quite  him  well  bis  guerdon  tbere^ 

For  he  mufid  fo  in  t}\c  well 

That  (horttl/,  the  (othe  to  tell^ 

He  lovid  his  owne  fhadowe  fo 

That  at  the  laA  he  ftaric  for  wo; 

For  whan  be  fa  we  that  he  his  will 

Might  in  no  manir  way  fulfill. 

And  that  he  was  to  fafti  caught 

That  he  him  coutlie  comfort  ijaughi, 

He  loft  his  wJtte  right  in  tJiat  place. 

And  dcide  within  a  titillfjmce; 

And  thus  hi!>  warifon  he  tokc 

For  the  lady  that  he  forfoke. 

Ladicj,  1  praie  cnfaQ]|>le  takjCJ^b^ 
Ye  that  ayenft  your  love  miCUketb; 
If  of  thcr  dcth  you  be  to  wJtc 
Good  can  ful  wel  your  wiU  quite. 

Whan  this  letter^  of  whicbc  I  tell. 
Had  taught  me  that  k  was  the  weU 
or  Narcijlus  in  his  bcante, 
I  gan  an  oil  withdraw  £  me 
When  it  fclHn  my  remcmbnunce 
That  Kith  %tid«:  facbe  a  nufcluuacc  j 
But  at  the  Uftc  than  thoughtiu  J 
That  fcathdcire  fuU  fickJrly 
1  might  unto  the  welle  go, 
WherofftiuU  labaftiinfo? 
Unto  the  welle  than  went  I  mCi 
And  doune  1  loutid  for  to  fe 
The  clere  watir  in  the  (tone^        • 
And  eke  the  gravel,  which c  that  ibo 
Dounc  in  th*  ootom  ai  Glvir  fine. 
For  of  the  wcllc  this  is  the  fmc, 
fn  world  is  none  fo  clere  of  hcwe^ 
The  watre  i^  ever  frefli  and  orwr. 
That  wclmith  *ip  with  wavii  bright 
The  mountcnaunce  of  two  fingir  bights 
About  it  i»  the  graiTe  fpringing 
For  moiftefo  i£acke  and  wciliikiag 
1  hat  it  DC  may  in  wiuiir  die 
No  more  than  inay  the  ficc  b^  dric. 


Donne  at  the  botomc  fet  fawe  t 

Two  crillal  ftoniscnfuly, 

in  thilke  freihe  ai)d  faire  well  | 

But  y  thtnge  foihly  diire  J  ull 

1  hat  ye  wolt  holdc  a  grclc  mcrvailc 

WiiAD  it  if  coldc^withgutia  (^c. 


^^         THE    ROMAUNT 

OF    THE    ROSlf.                                  aer^ 

Hbe  funiil  clcrc  in  fi^ht 

Alway  me  likid  for  to  dwell                                      . 

mt  welk  hii  bcniif  bjrighr. 

To  fcne  the  chxiftali  in  tiie  welJt                             ^H 

C  the  hctc  dcfccndid  is. 

1  hat  fhewid  me  ful  opiniy                                        ^^H 

teth  the  criftall  llonc  i-wU 

A  thoufande  thlngls  fallc  by ;                        ^^^^H 

.he  Taiine  an  hundrid  hc%\  is. 

But  t  may  faie  in  fory  houre                          ^^^^^H 

.  1  .XV,  r.^^thal  frcfli  and  new  is. 

Stodc  I  to  lokin  or  to  poure,                           4^^^^^H 

rvailouserUlail 

For  Htbin  1  fore  have  yfikid                             ^^^^H 

—        fijit  the  place  ovif  aU, 
le  and  tft,aiid  Icria  gjcne. 

That  mJrrour  hath  me  now  entrikcd  j          ^^^^^M 

But  had  1  £irQ  knowcn  in  my  wit                  ^^^^^| 

tfac  ycrdc.  In  it  IS  firnc  : 

The  vertu  and  ilrcngthia  of  it,                       »^^^^^l 

to  don  you  to*  Qcdirftondc 

I  n*old^  not  have  mufid  there;                         ^^^^^M 

r  enfaniplc  v/o\  1  fonde  ; 

Me  had  bettir  ben  cUift-where,                      ^^^^H 

a  mirrour  opinly 

For  in  the  fnare  I  fell  anone                           ^^^^^H 

al  Uiing^  that  ilondcth  thereby, 

That  had  bitrelhid  many  one.                        ^^^^^| 

like  coiuur  as  figure^ 

In  thilkc  mirrour  fa  we  I  thOi                       ^^^^^| 

in  aiiy  covirture, 

Among  a  ihoulbndc  thlngj^  mo,                      ^^^^^| 

the  criftall  Hone  fiilnixi^, 

A  rufir  cliargid  ful  of  rods,                                ^^^^^| 

in  «»y  difceving. 

Ihit  with  an  hedge  aboute  enclofcd  U;         ^^^^H 

eu  of  the  ycrde  accurcth 

Tho  had  I  fuche  lud  and  envie,                       ^^^^^| 

that  in  the  watir  mufeth, 

That  for  Paris  ne  for  Pavic                              ^^^^| 

ia  which  c  haifc  ye  be 

N'olde  1  have  left  to  gone  and  fe                    ^^^^^| 

Kk  halfe  the  gardiue  fe« 

There  gretijl  hcpe  of  rolls  be.                           ^^^^| 

Komc  ye  may  Hghcwclc 

Whan  1  wiA  with  thi&  mgc  yheotf ,                 ^^^^^| 

ncrn  naimt  every  dcic. 

That  caught  hath  many'  a  man  and  flicnte,      ^^^^H 

t  b  none  fo  litil  thing 

Towards  the  roHr  gan  I  go,                                      ^^H 

t  clofin  with  Oiuing 

And  whan  I  was  not  ferre  there  fro              ^^^^^M 

i'x»  fenc,  a*  though  it  were 
In  the  criftall  rhcrc. 

The  favour  of  the  rofis  fote                               ^^^^^H 

Me  fmotc  right  to  the  hcrte  rotc^                  ^^^^H 

»c  mirrouf  pcriiluu 

As  I  had  all  euhaumid  me  i                              ^^^^^M 

c  the  protidc  Niu-cifTm 

And  if  t  n*ad  endoutid  me                                 ^^^^^| 

I  Cuii  face  fo  bright 

To  Tavc  bee  hatid  or  afTuiJcd                            ^^^^H 

le  hira  iitli  to  lie  upright^ 

My  thankis  wol  i  not  have  failed                   ^^^^^M 

fb  loke  in  that  mirrgur 

To  ptill  a  Rofe  of  aft  that  route                      ^^^^H 

Vf  nothing  ben  his  focauf 

Vo  bcrin  in  mine  honde  aboute,                      ^^^^H 

pe  Ihal  there  fc  fo milling 

And  fmellin  to  it  where  I  went  -,                     ^^^^H 

him  Icde  into  laughing  : 

But  c;  1  drcdde  me  to  repent^       i                  ^^^^H 

r'a  worthy  trtaii  hath  it 

And  hllc  it  grcvid  or  forthought                     ^^^^H 

ar  folkc  of  gf ctiit  wit 

1  he  lorde  that  thilkc  gardin  wrought.           ^^^^H 

ycaoght  here  ajid  y  watted  ; 

Of  ro1i»  there  wcrin  grete  wone,                    ^^^^H 

m  Tcfpitc  ben  they  baited  : 

So  f^ire  werin  nevir  in  Rone ;                          ^^^^^ 

uth  tu  folkc  of  ncwc  rage. 

Of  knoppis  clofe  fume  fawe  1  ebf^rc,                 ^^^^H 

UDgith  tnany  wight  curagc. 

And  fome  wel  bcciir  woxin  were,                   ^^^^H 

e  no  rede  nc  wittc  iherto. 

And  fame  there  ben  of  otliir  motfon^              ^^^^H 

isliuine.  Dan  Cupido, 
ria  tlicre  of  tove  the  fede. 

That  drowt  nigh  to  thcr  fcfon,                       ^^^^H 

And  fptddc  'hem  faftci  for  to  fprcdde  i          ^^^^H 

m  »e  lithe  there  non  ne  rtdc* 

I  iovc'  wel  fuche  rofis  rcddc,                           ^^^^H 

k  itthc  wellc  about  J 

For  brode  rofis  and  open*  alfo                         ^^^^H 

l^lth  he  fet  without. 

Ben  paiTid  in  a  daic  or  two,                             ^^^^^H 

K  catchc  in  bii  pantcr» 

But  kiioppis  woUin  frcfhe  be                            ^^^^H 

WcU  and  bochikn; 

Two  daicit  at  M  or  elliA  thrc                         ^^^^H 

►aone  othir  birdis  citclK 

I'he  knoppis  grctcly  likid  me,                         ^^^^H 

le  fet  Citbir  nette  or  krchc  ^ 

For  fairir  maie  there  no  man  (c  ;                    ^^^^H 

be  fede  that  here  waifowen 

Wlio  io  mi^ht  hjLvin  otic  of  all                          ^^^^^| 

f  isclcped*  u  wcU  is  knowcc^ 

It  ought  him  ben  ful  lefc  witJialJ  :                   ^^^^^| 

^fii  Lowf  of  very  right. 

Might  1  garbnde  of  *hem  getten                    ^^^^H 

■brrc  bcth  fut  tmhy  wight 

For  no  richeJle  I  wolde  it  let  ten.                       ^^^^H 

miidivcrfcly; 

Amonges  the  knoppis  1  chcfe  one                ^^^^| 

ml  tiit  So  verily 

So  faire,  that  of  the  rcmeii«iuiit  none             <^^^^| 

a  of  the  welJc  here. 

Ne  prcife  1  halfe  fo  wcl  ajv  it                           ^^^^H 

c  foche  of  this  njiitere. 

Mklian  I  avifin  in  my  %vit ;                                ^^^^H 

Utfban  1  have  undo 

Hbtt  ba«  b«ii}ii£iUi  it.            ^ 

\^'ith  colour  red,  a*  well  £imd                      ^^^^H 

ttt                                THE   ROMAtJNT  0^^  THE   ROSE                         ^^| 

A»  Nature  couth  \t  makln  fairc. 

For  neither  tfvorough  gralTc  ne  rote       ^^^H 

And  it  hath  levis  wcl  fourc  patrc» 

Ne  had  1  helpe  of  hope  nc  bote,              ^^^H 

Thai  Kind  harh  fet  Througrh  hi«  knowing  5 

But  to  the  bothum  evir  mo                      ^^^^| 

Ahoute  the  rcdde  rofls  fpringing 

Mine  hcrte  drewe,  fc»r  all  ray  wo                    ^H 

The  flaDte  ywa  a*  rifhe  right, 

My  thought  was  in  none  othir  things            ^H 

And  fhcron  ftode  the  knnppc  iiprijfht. 

For  had  it  ben  in  my  keping  ^H 
!t  would  hsvc  brought  my  life  agiiii,            ^M 

That  it  nt  bowtd  upon  no  fide  ; 

The  fotc  fmcll  yfprong  fo  wide 

For  crrti*  evenly,  T  dare  fain,                 .^^^1 

That  it  tlicd  A  the  place  aboute  r 

The  light  nnely  and  the  favour               ^^^^| 

"Whan  1  h:id  im tiled  the  favour  fote 

Alcggid  n\odie  of  my  languor.               ^^^^| 

Ho  will  Lad  1  fro  thence  yet  go. 

*rhan  gan  I  for  to  drawe  mc                ^^^^^ 

JJut  forndiilc  nere  It  went  t  iho 

Toward  the  boihum  faire  to  fe,              ^^^^| 

To  take  it^  but  mine  honde  fordrede 

And  Love  had  gette  him  in  this  throwt        ^H 

Ke  duHl  I  10  the  Rofc  bcdc 

An  othir  arowc  into'  hi*  bowc,                ^^^H 

For  thillclcR  fliarpe  of  many  mancrt. 

And  for  to  Ihotin  gan  him  dreffe ;           ^^^H 

Ncilis  thomii,  and  Kokid  bl^e^^ 

The  arowcs  tiamc  wa*  SimplencJTc  :       ^^^| 

For  mucht:  they  dilloorblid  me. 

And  whan  that  Love  gan  nigh  mc  oetc'^^^H 

For  fore  I  draddc  to  hannid  be. 

He  drowc  it  upwithootin  were,                    ^M 

An  >  fhotc  at  mc  with  anhi«  itught,               ^M 

So  that  this  arowc  anone  right                         ^M 

[        The  (^od  of  I^vc,  with  bo  we  ybcnt. 

Throughout  mine  crgh,  a?,  it  was  foundc,       ^H 

That  al  daie  fct  had  his  taient 

To  purfuc  and  to  fpyin  mc, 

Than  1  anone  did  all  my  craft                 .^^^B 

Was  ftondin  by  a  figge  trr. 

For  to  ydrawin  out  tlie  HiMJt,                   ^^^^t 

And  whan  he  fawc  how  that  I 

And  therewithall  I  fighid  eft ;                 ^^^| 

Ha^d  choGn  fo  cnteritifcly 

But  in  mine  hcrt  the  hcddc  was  left,       ^^^H 

The  bothnm  more  unto  my  pay 

Whichc  aie  cncrefid  my  defire ;                      *|H 

Thun  any  otiur  Uiat  I  fay» 

Unto  the  bothum  drewe  I  ncrc,             ^^^^M 

He  tokc  an  arowc  ftiarptly  whcttc» 

And  evirmo  that  me  was  wo                 ^^^| 

And  in  hit  bowc  when  it  wa»  fettc 

The  more  defirc  had  1  to  go                     ^^^^B 

He  flrtight  up  to  bis  ere  ydrough 

Unto  the  nrfir,  where  that  grcwe                 ^^M 

The  ftrpnge  bowc  that  was  fo  tough,                       , 

'IIjc  frcflic  hot  horn  fo  bright  of  hcw«  :    ^^^H 

Atid  (hotte  at  mc  fo  woudlr  fmerte 

Bcttir  mc  were  to'  have  leitin  be,         ^^^H 

That  thronj^h  mine  eye  unto  mine  hcrtc 

But  it  behuvid  nedis  me                           ^^^H 

Tlic  takil  fniote,and  dcpe  it  wente. 

To  doen  right  as  mine  hert*^  badde,  ^^^H 
For  er  the  body  mufl  be  ladde                ^^^H 

And  therwith  al  fucb  coJde  mc  hcntc 

That  uodir  clothi*  wamic  and  fofte 

Aftir  the  herte  in  wele  and  wo,              ^^^| 

Sin  that  day  F  ka^c  chivercd  oftc. 

Of  force  togithir  tfiei  mu(l  go ;  ^^^H 
But  nevir  this  archir  would  Ine              ^^^H 

*  \Vhtm  I  wa»  hurtc  thus  irt  ftoundc 

I  fell  dounc  plat  unto  the  groundc,                           , 

To  (bote  at  me  with  all  ht^  pine,            ^^^^H 

Mine  hcrte  faiUtl  and  faintid  aie. 

And  for  to  make  roe  to  him  mete,          ^^^H 

And  long^*  time  in  fwounc  1  laic; 

The  ihirdc  arowc  he  gan  to  OietCg             ^H 

But  whan  1  came  out  of  fwounmg'. 

Whan  beft  his  time  he  might  efpac,         ^^^M 

And  haddc  my  wittc  and  my  feling,                         , 

The  whtche  was  nam  id  ConiCc,             ^^^H 

I  was  all  mate,  and  wendc  full  wele 

Into  mine  hcrte  he  did  avale  :                   ^^^^| 

Of  h\odc  t'  have  lorne  a  full  grctc  dde^ 

A  fwotmc  1  fell  bothe  dedde  jnd  pale      ^^^B 

But  tcrtcs  th*  arowc  that  in  me  (lode 

Long  time  I  laic,  and  ftirtd  nought                  ^H 

Of  mc  nc  drcwc  no  droppc  of  blodc; 

Till  I  abraicU  out  of  my  thought*           ,^^^| 

For  why  ?  1  founde  my  woundei  all  drie. 

And  failc  than  I  avifid  mc                        ^^^H 

Than  toke  1  with  nunc  hondis  twcic 

To  drawin  out  the  Ihnft  of  trf ;                ^^^H 

The  *arowe,  and  full  fall  it  out  plitjht. 

But  aye  the  hedde  wa-i  leftc  bchtndc             ^M 

And  in  the  pulling  fVire  1  fight ; 

For  ought  {  couthe  pull  orwfndc;           ^^^H 

So  at  the  lafl  the  (haft  of  tre 

So  fore  it  flicked  whin  I  was  hit            ^^^H 

1  droogh  out  with  the  fcthira  thre^ 

That  by  no  craft  e  1  mrght  it  flit,            '^^^l 

But  yet  the  hckid  hedde  i-wis. 

But  anguiflvous  and  full  of  thought                 ^H 

•file  whichc  Beaiite  ycalUd  it. 

I  felt  fochc  wo  my  wounde  aie  wTOBghf^jr^^H 

dm  {0  dcpe  to  mine  hert*  pace 

That  fomoned  me  alwaie  to  go                !!^^^^| 

That  1  it  oe  might  not  arace. 

Toward  the  Rofe  that  plefed  mc  fo;       ^^^H 

■  But  in  mine  hcrt-  ft  ill  it  ftode* 

■  Aft  bkddc  I  not  a  droppe  of  blodc  : 

■  \w^%  hothc  anguiftiou*  and  trooble 

But     ne  durft  tn  »                                    ^^^H 

Bee aufc  the  arch ir                                         ^^^^| 

For  evirmorc  glau*j  ,  - .  j  rede,             ^^^H 

For  the  periLl  that  I  fawc  double  j 

Brent  child  of  fire  hath  morhil  dtcde  j            ^H 

I  DC  witl  what  to  faie  or  doc, 

And  certis  yit  for  all  my  pcin                   ^^^H 

Ke  ga  » lecbc  my  wtvoQdii  to. 

Though  chat  1  iigh,  yet  arowb  rciii,       ^^H 

m^f              THE   ROMAUMT  OF   THE  HOSC.                                  at^ 

onJ  ijtiarrlis  (harpeof  ftdo,' 

To  cutte  and  kcnfin'  at  the  pouldt, 

O  pOiQ  that  1  miglit  (cit, 

The  god  of  Love  it  had  anoint                                           , 

hi  1  not  my  fell  with  hold 

With  a  full  prccioui  ojQtmeAt,                        ^^^^H 
Some  dele  to  ycve  elegdmein                         '^^^^H 

(fewfir  tu  be  hold, 

^  me  yavc  foche  hardimcnt 

Upon  the  woundis  that  he  hade                        ^^^^B 

illiU  liw  commaun dement ; 

Thorough  the  eye  in  my  hertc  mEdc,                    I^H 

f  Itic  i  rofc  up  thaii 

Ta  hclpc  her  ioHft  and  to  cure,                        ^.^^^^^1 

&  fonvoun<3cd  man. 

And  that  tiiei  niaie  the  bcttcf  In  dure  ;            ^^^^^1 

be  tu  goti  my  miglu  1  fct, 

But  yet  thii  irowo  without  more                    ^^^^^| 

U'jc  archir  n'oldc  f  kt  : 

Made  in  mine  hcrtea  large  fore,                               *^^| 

the  rofif  fiXl  I  dtowc, 

That  iti  full  pretc  pain  I  abode,                                '  ^U 

dU  iharpc  mo  than  Incrw 
tre,  and  alfothifttlcf  thicke. 

Eut  ale  the  ointment  went  abrode  f                                     ^ 

Throughout  my  woundin  large  and  wid« 

riibrunmi  for  to  prickc. 

It  fpredc  about  in  e?cfy  fide. 

e  Botght  y^ctt  in  grade 

rhorouj^h  wh^fjfc  vertoe  auid  whofe  mighc 

the  rough  ihorni^  for  to  pace 

Mine  hcrtc  joifull  was  and  11  ^hc ; 

the  fofjs  frdhc  of  hewc  | 

1  had  ben  dcddc  and  all  to  Hi  en  t 

lide  though  it  me  rewe  i 

But  for  the  jvccious  ointment* 

je  about  fb  thickc  Was, 

The  (baft  1  drowc  out  of  the  itrowc. 

kd  the  rofi»  in  tompa*. 

Roking  for  wo  right  Wondh-  naiawe. 

thing  likid  me  right  wcic, 

But  the  hcddc,  whiche  that  made  mc  fmcrtc,                      ' 

nigh  that  I  might  ft^lc 

1  left  behind^  in  mine  hcrtc 

athocn  tht  fgit  odour, 

With  othir  fower,  1  dare  well  fair. 

fe  the  frdhc  Colourc< 

l*hat  ncvir  woU  he  tokc  awaic ;                                        . 

I  ri^lu  givtrly  likid  mc 

But  tlic  oiiitmcnt  halpiS  me  wclc,                                      ^ 

»  Dcre  mightin  It  fc  ; 

/Vnd  yet  fochc  foroWc  did  I  fclc, 

t  man  thereof  had  I 

That  allc  daie  i  chaungid  h(:\f  e                      .  <^^^^^ 

irgatc  my  malady ; 

Of  my  Wuundis  fo  frcihe  and  newrr,                 <^^^^^| 

it  I  had  foe  he  dcHtc 

As  men  might  fc  in  my  vifage  :                      i|^^^^H 

Lod  acgrc'  1  wat  all  quit^. 

'I  he  arowcfe  were  (o  lull  of  rage,                     ^^^^^^| 

ay  wouodes  that  1  had  chore, 

So  variaunt  of  dtvcrfite,                                   '^^^^1 

ing  likio  me  might  more 

That  men  in  cv^richc  might  i'c                             ^^^B 

relUn  by  the  roftr  aie. 

Both  grctc  auoic  and  eke  IwctoclTr  f                  _J^^B 

K»  nevir  to  paffc  awaic  : 

And  jojc  ymcint  with  bittintclTe  t                    4i^^^| 

urn  while  1  had  be  thare 

Now  were  thci  cfy  and  now  wo<i                     ^^^^H 

of  l^vc,  whiche  all  to  (hare 

In  them  1  flit  hr>the  harmc  and  gouc;,             .^^^^H 

ne  with  his  arowit  kciit\ 

Now  fore  without  alkggcment^                     I^^^^H 

um  to  ycvc  mc  wt'undii  grccc  ; 

Now  fofti rung  with  the  oiiirn<-rir                        ^^^^^1 

at  mc  full  haftily 

h  foftcnid hue  and  prickiii                                 i^^^^H 

tftamid  Com  panic, 

Ihuficfc  and  angir  were  yr.     ^                        ^^^^^| 

m  t^ikil  i»  full  able 

^^^^^M 

Itic  ladies  merdablc ; 

^^^^^1 

Oen  gaa  chatmgin  hcwe 

The  god  of  Love  drliwly                                ^^^^f 

auncc  of  my  woiriidc  ncwc. 

Came  Icpandc  to  mc  haHily,                            '.^^^^1 

jgrnkn  fell  la  iMrcuning^ 

And  f^yid  to  mc  In  gr«:te  japr,                      ^^^^H 

id  fore  in  com  plain  mg. 

Vclde  thcf  ior  thoti  mate  n^t  cfcTpf  |              i^^^^^| 

ciwnplamcd  that  my  fore 

Maic  no  dcfLiice  availc  the  here,                      .^^^^^| 

in  grcvin  more  and  more  • 

Thcrforc  1  rcdr  rii.kke  no  daungcrc  :                ^^^^^H 

ae  hope  of  allcgtancc. 

If  thou  wolt  yelde  the  haflily                            ^^^^H 

I  drowc  to  difpcrauaec  ; 

Thou  Ihatt  the  raihlr  have  mcrci<  ,                  ^^^^| 

rttofdeth  nc  of  life. 

He  is  a  fok  tn  fikcmcffu                                    ^^^^| 

|pt  Love  ywould  me  drift ; 

That  with  daurtgif  or  wtth  ftoutneOc            >^^^^H 

^Ktr  wold  be  make 

Rcbc tilth  there  that  he  Ihould  plcfe  ;             i^^^^H 

hh  powir  uot  forfakc  : 

In  fochc  folic  h  litrk  ei'e;                                ^^^^H 

Ic  for  angir  thus  I  woke 

Be  mcke  where  thoit  mull  n«di«  bo  we  ,        .  ^^^^H 

^J^ye  and  n 

1 0  fhive  aycn  is  not  thy  provvc  :                    ^^^^^| 

U^  Wi%  and  i 

Come  at  oni«,  aud  have  idoi|                            ^^^^^| 

KaUidFaifc  ., , 

For  1  wollt^  th^t  it  be  fo                                   "^^^^H 

ne  lit  no  wife  would  coufctif 

Than  ycldc  the  hcTc  debonairly.                    ^^^^H 

^gfct  him  r«pcnt 

And  1  sufwcrid  full  humbly,                            ^^^^H 

Httoirc  with  herte  and  ^11 

All  gladly,  $ir«  at  your  bidding                      ^^^^H 

^Bl  that  maie  fall : 

t  woll  me  ycldc  in  atlc  thing  ;                         ^^^^| 

^Mhu  aiowe  wa§  kcfic  grouri'Jc 

To  your  fcrvice  I  woll  mc  take,                           ^^^B 

B  tiac  l3  fcnnd; 

For  Ggd  dti.i.i':  ih«    fhoold  tAc                     '  ^| 

■'* 

I                                             ^ 

THE    KOMAXjm    OF   THE    ROSE 


Jijtn  your  bi^f- 
I  woll  rot  clocK 
For  if  I  did  it  w 


-f^r. 


ticCf 


-11; 


Yc  maie  do  tvith  me  Vfh»t  yc  wiU, 
Or  [axe  or  fpill,  and  alfo  do  ; 
'    Ircj  you  ia  no  wife  may  Igo; 
My  life,  my;,  detfi,  is  in  your  hotidc, 
f  maic  not  la^c  out  of  your  bo^^ide  ; 
p]*inc  4t  your  It  He  1  yeldc  vnc, 

!  Hoping  in  hert  tliat  fomtime  yc 
Comfortc  Hid  cftf  Hiuld  to  mc  (ctidc^ 
Or  f  U  Ihortly,  tlixn  h  the  cnde, 
Withoutin  hclth  I  mote  aic  dure  , 
But  ff  ye  take  mc  to  your  cure  i 
Comforte  oi'hcUh  how  fliuld  I  hive^ 
Bithc  ye  mc  hurtc,  hut  yc  m^y  favc  ? 
The  hclth  of  Love  mote  be  yfoandc 
A^'iicrt:  as  tlici  tolc'm  firft  tHe  woufldc  ; 
And  if  yc  lifte.of  me  to  make 
Your  prifcmcr,  I  woU  tt  take 
Of  hcrt<;and  will  fully  at  grc  :^ 
Wholy  and  pbinc  J  yrld -  me 
'^^'^ithoutin  ftfinipg  or  fdntifr. 
To  be  governed  by  you  emprifc  r 
Of  you  r  here  (o  i^iochjl  pf  ife 
j  1  woi  ben  whole  at  your  dcyiCc 

'  For  to  ful&ll  Al  your  Ukiu^, 

An8  to  rf  pcntip  for  nothing* 
k  Hoping  to  have  yet  m  ibme  lidc 

^V   Mercy  of  that  thai  1,  ohidti  ; 
^^B  And  with  that  covenaunt  yetde  I  me, 
^B  Anon  doune  kn; '--,       ~v  knc, 
^H  Fl'ofiring  for  t> 
^^  Suf  fornoth'fi;?  !.-       .-• .  ^ic  ittc  ; 

Acid  f^id,  I  bi^c  the  botJi  and  preifc^ 
Sens  t^iat  thicc  anfwerc  doih  mc  cic, 

yFor  thou  anfwcred  fo  curtillyt 
Fornowe  f  wott:  wdl  uctiily  * 
That  thou  art  gcntil  by  thy  fpcthc, 
For  though  3  man  iern:  would':  fedicy 
\  He  fliould  not  fiodin  in  certsiinc 
No  fuclic  anfwere  of  no  vihine, 
For  fuch  a  wordc  ne  mights  n'oizght 
Iffue  out  o(  a  vilaincs  thowght  ; 
^^  Thou  ftisk  not  Itfio^of  thy  i(H:che» 
^M  For  thy  hclpinjr  willin  i  echo 
^V  And  eke  encrcfiu  that  t  msiic  ( 
But  firfl  1  woU  that  thou  obaic 
Ftilly  for  thine  own  .ivaisntage 

I  A  none  to  do  me  here  haniagc^ 
And  fithJA  kiile  thou  {halt  my  mouthe^ 
^'hichc  to  no  vil    r                -      uihc 
For  to'aprochc  ,t  ; 

For  faufc  of  ch::;,     ;  .,     .... 

1[*hat  ihei  ihal  ncvir  neigh  it  nerc  ; 
^^   For  curtois  and  of  faifc  manerc, 
^^  Wei  taught  an  J  lul  of  jrenttlne^Te, 
^B  He  mirfl  ]rben  that  ihall  fnekilTc, 
^BAnd  atlo  of  ful  highe  fraunchife 
^BThat  fh^l  attcinc  to  that  cmprifL:. 
^^      And  firlk  of  O  thing  warnc  I  the, 
I         Thait  painc  and  grct  advcrfitc 
'  fie  mote  cndtJir']|  and  eke  travailc, 

'         Th*t  l&ml  mc  fcrvc  wiUwutiu  Uilc ; 


But  there  againfttht  to  cotiDuiter 

And  with  thy  f^*r\ifc  todifporte*. 

Thou  moift  fut^t  -1    ^'^  inviii;i  h- 

So  gode  a  xua 

And  lordi?  oi  i  . 

1  here  of  Love  the  ^oufcvouii. 

And  of  CuriiCc  the  bantre, 

For  f  am  of  fcUc  th^*  mancre, 

GcRtill  and  curtdf,  mrkc  and  fre^ 

That  whu  cvir  ententtfe  be 

Me  to  hoHfmr,  re-doute,  and  fcrr^,. 

And  alfo  that  he  him  obfcrve 

Fro  ircfpacc  ajid  fro  vilUnle^ 

And  him  govcrne  in  c  rtifie, 

,  With  will  and  with  enSencion  ; 
For  when  lie  firft  in  my  prlfon 
U    auj^ht,  than  mtill  be  uidrtf 
Fro  thi'nnis-forth  fuJ  beitly 
Vcnfl  him  gcntill  hi  ta  be, 
Yf  liu-  deCre  hi  Ipc  of  nfe. 

Ancnc  withoutiti  more  delaiCr 
Without  in  daunjrir  or  aflVaic^ 
i  becr-me  hi*  vafliiJ  anonc» 

*  And  gave  him  thanjbes  macy  a  one^ 
And  kneHd  doune  with  hondis  joint. 
And  made  it  in  my  portc  lull  queint  r 
The  joye  vvcnt  to  my  hcrt*i5  rote 
Whan  1  had  kfffcd  hiiJ'mouthe  fojbu 
l  had  fuchc  mirth  and  fuch  liking 
It  curid  me  of  bnguKhing. 
I^c  aiked  of  nic  tfa^ui  koflag«ft ; 
I  havif  tikin  fchr  honwgci 
Oi  *jnc  and  othir  where  V  have  hcDCr 
Dxftrcinid  oftf  wkhoufin  wcne  i 
Thefc  fdcma  fui  of  faifitc 
Havi!  many  fitbcs  bcgilid  me^ 
And  through  falfhcd  thcr  hii,  achiTC^* 
Whcrof  1  repent  and  am  grevcd  ; 
And  I  'hem  gcttce  in  my  daungcte 
Th -r  faifheed  fhul  thci  hie  ful  derc; 
But  for  I  love  the'  I  fale  the  plaiae 
I  wnl!  of  the  be  more  certainc, 
F.^r  tht!  fore  I  will  now  yUindc 
Tlk^t  iln>u  aw»y  nc  (hall  not  wtade 
For  to  dcnien  thy  covenant 
Or  done  thiit  it  not  avcnamit ; 
That  thou  were  falfe  it  wcr  ::?;r:te  ratk^ 
Si  the  thou  ftmiil  fo  f 
Sir,  if  theliiVeto  u 
I  mervcile  the'  aflcii  aadc  s~ 

Fr»r  why  or  wherfori 
Hoft  i|fc  or  borcwc^  iixtc  oi  mc^ 
Or  .yiy  othir  rikimcffc, 
Sithfn  ye  wotc  in  r-.rlif'.'^n/'flc 
Thit  yc  mc  hi  t\>, 

A]  d  whole  mji  .n  mc  firo, 

That  it  wo(l  doc  iur  mc  nothing 
But  if  it  be  at  your  bidding  ? 
Mlpe  hcrtityouri,  and  mine  right  n»  ^ 
A",  it  bthovcth,  in  dedc  and  thoaghtf  ' 
Kr  il)  ni  all  to  worchc  your  M'ill, 
^^'lkahir  To  toumc  to  g«dc  or  illj 
>u  lore  it  tu£Lith  you  to  pJcfc 
No  man  thcrof  male  you  di£d^ 


* 


tHE  IIOMA0NT 

OF    THE    ROSE:                                  fl^i 

!  thrroti  fct  foche  jufticc 

Ah  Sir !  for  Godd'ij  love  (faied  I)                      ifll 

it  wrrried  id  tmfif  yvife ; 

Kr  ye  pafTe  hcni  entent»fely                           ^^^^^1 

re  doubt  in  ii*oide  obaic 

Your  commaundemearc»  to  me  faie^          ^^^^H 

*  chrrof  do  mtkc  a  kaie 

And  I  fhail  kepe  'hem  if  1  mair,                 ^^^^H 

Id  it  with  yon  for  hoftjgc. 

For  them  to  kepen*»  all  my  thotight  {      ^^^^^| 

,  cmis  xhh  H  none  ourragtc; 

And  if  fo  be  1  wotc^hem  nought                 ^^^^| 

Love)  ind  fully  I  accorde^                 . 
rlic  bftdy*  he  is  full  Iwtlc                    / 

1  Than  male  I  errc  unwittrngly ;                   ^^^^H 

Wherefor  1  praie  you  entirly                      *^^^^| 

thche  iuxt:  in  hit  trefore; 

With  all  mine  herte  me  for  to  lere,            ^^^^^ 

e  it  were  to  aibfi  nmre; 

That  1  trefpace  in  no  manere.                    ^^^^^ 

The  gad  of  Lnve  thati  ehargid  nic         ^^^^H 

Anon,  31  ye  fiiill  here  and  fe                        ^^^^| 

Word^  by  worde,  hy  rtRht  emiArlfe,           ^^^^1 

kcicfr. 

So  as  The  Romauiit  fhiiU  devifc.                 ]^^^^| 

wii  cjj  , 

The  maillir  Icfith  time  to  lere                ^^^^1 

id  to  ni<:»  Wnh  thiv  jtcie  hrrc 

Wha4)  the  diiciple  woH  not  hrrc  ;              ^^^^| 

«rtc  to  mc  now  woll !  (bet, 

It  h  but  vain  on  him  tn  f\rliike                  ^^^^H 

thy  joifuU  loke  uid  knct 

That  on  hin  Icrninjf  woM  not  thinke  t         ^^i^B 

irodir  ihi*  lifrlc  keic, 

Who  fo  lull  love  let  him  intendc,                         ^^| 

►  wight  marc  eary  awai>. 

For  now  The  Romance  j2:iuncth  to*  amende»         ^H 

kdeii  full  of  grcto  poft*. 

Nnw  i»  gode  to  herin  in  faic,                            ^H 

lUciiF  anon^'  h^  fouclud  me 

If  Any  be  that  can  it  fale»                                        ^H 

^  fid. 

And  poina  it  as  the  refon  it                                ^H 

fmme  i.                   ly 

Ylct,  for  othir  gate  i-wi*                               ^^^^B 

t  any  dou^c  hau.  fo  fpered 

It  iliall  oat  well  in  all  thing                      ^^^H 

:t  right  nought  ti  hath  mr  dcrisd^ 

Be  brought  to  gode  tmderttafidtn^;           ^^^^H 

n  he  had  doki  hifi  wilt  ;lU  out, 

For  a  redcr  that  potn^ith  ill                       ^^^^^| 

lad  fut  him  out  of  doul, 

A  gode  fen  ten  ce  maic  o  tin  (\  1!L                 ^^^^^| 

icd,  I  have  right  ja^ctc  will 

The  bokc  is  gode  at  the  ending,                  ^^^^B 

eft  and  plt'fure  to  fultill, 

Vniode  of  newc  and  tuflic  things                       ^^B 

my  fcrvicc  take  at  ^ 

For  who  fo  woll  the  ending  here                         ^H 

^laitb  yc  owe  to  mc ; 

The  craft  of  J-ovc  he  fliaU  now  Icrc,                   ^U 

Ig^ht  for  fecreaiiDdife« 

If  that  he  woU  fo  long  abide                                ^H 

i|ht  douhc  of  your  ferric*. 

Till  1  this  Romauncc  male  unhide^                      ^H 

|l»  firr vaunt  travaiJeth  io  vaud 

And  undoe  the  figniEaunce                                    ^H 

ihc  fcrvin  docth  his  pain 

Of  this  dr«m^  mto  Romaunce  ;                           ^H 

t  lordc  w*hich  in  no  wife 

The  fotlifaftaefTe  that  new  U  hid                          ^M 

p  oi^^hanke  for  his  ferrice. 

Without  covenure  ihall  be  kid                            ^^ 

■ 

Whan  I  undoen  have  this  drtmifijj,                     .    | 

w 

Wherein  no  wurdc  is  of  Icluig. 

yid  tho^  Dirnaie  the  nooght  | 

lou  for  fuccoor  haft  mc  foaght 

ke  ihy  fcrvicc  woll  I  take. 

Villanic  at  the  beginning 

jh  »f  defre  woll  the  mak 

I  woil^  faied  Love,  ovtr  alt  thing 

^cdncffc  nc  hindir  the. 

Thou  leve,  if  that  ihoo  wok  ybe 

t  hope)  r<  fliaU  noughi  be; 

Falfe,  and  trefpace  aycnift  mc  t 

•fliip  m          '         '  .1  venture 

I  ctirfc  and  blame  generally 

wne  bi  '                    n  endure* 

All  them  that  lovia  villanie. 

*and  liiiic  u.)  MiilrefTc 

For  villanic  makith  villaine, 

mitU  now  ;  it  ftiall  be  icflc  : 

And  by  his  dcdcs  a  chorlc  is  fcinc* 

Ey  ff  If  what  maie  the  fave. 

Thefc  villaini  arne  without  pite» 

nrdictnc  thou  wouldlA  have. 

Frendfhip  and  Jove,  and  all  bountc  : 

if  thy  tritth  to  me  thou  kepe 

1  n*iil  receive  to  my  fcxvice 

li|D  tkroe  helj^in^  ekr. 

Them  that  ben  vilains6f  emprife. 

n|iy  woimdeiand  make 'hem  dene, 

But  undidlonde  in  thine  enteaC 

B^that  rhn  be  old  or  grcnc; 

That  this  is  not  mine  entendement 

b  be  ht>lpcn',mtwordiifcw, 

To  depin  no  wighr  in  no  age 

fcly  th<m  Oiait  well  fhcwc 

Ouely  gemill  for  his  linage. 

Kt  thuu  fervid  with  gode  will. 

But  who  fo  that  is  vcrtuou*. 

Kinpliihe  and  fulfiU 

And  in  his  port  not  outrjgious  r 

KftUINlementi%dAie  and  night, 

Whan  foche  one  thou  fcctl  the  beromt^ 

^b|^vir>  yc vc  of  rigHc, 

Ihoujjh  he  be  nor  gen  till  ybomc. 

■■ 

TJj 

Thou  mayiA  well  fetnc  thit  in  foch 
)  'J'hat  he  i»  ^eiitiU,  bicauTe  h«  doth 
I  An  lon]j;iEh  ta  n  gcntil  man; 
Of  ihcm  none  othir  dcmc  I  can. 
For  ccrtaiuly  witboutcn  drcdc 
A  chorlc  if  dtniiU  by  hi*  dcdc 
Or  hie  or  lowe,  as  ye  maic  ft*^ 
Or  of  what  kinrid  that  ht:  be  ; 
Kc  faie  nougfit  for  noo  cvill  will 
Thing  which  that  it  to  huldin  (UU  : 
Tt  »  no  worjQup  tomifTckr 
Thou  miiicli  eofattiplc  take  of  fCcic, 
Thut  w,i*  fomtime  for  tniflayiiig 
Yhatid  bothe  of  oM  and  you^  : 
As  fcrrc  a*  Gaweiii  the  worthic 
Was  prjifid  for  hh  turtific 
Kaic  wa»  hat  id,  for  he  wa»  fell. 
Of  wordc  difpicousi  <Lnd  crucU  ; 
Wherefore  be  wife  and  ;iqueititfiblc. 
Code  lie  of  worde,  and  rchjnablc, 
Both^  to  leO*c  ami  ckc  to  mare  : 
And  whan  thou  cdmift  there  iwco  art 
Loke  that  thou  have  iu  cuftomc  aie 
iirft  to  faluc  'hum  if  thou  maie; 
And  if  it  UW  that  of  *hem  fomme 
Silue  the  ftift»  be  thou  not  doniinc^ 
But  quite  him  turtilly  auon. 
Without  abidingf,  cr  thci  goji. 

For  nothing  eke  thy  toujf  applic 
To  fpekin  wordc*  of  ribaudrie  :- 
To  vilainc  fpechc  ift  no  dcj^rc 
I^tc  not  thy  lippc  fUibouDdin  he^ 
Tor  I  nought  holde  him  tu  godc  faitT^ 
Curtcis  that  foull-  wordi&raiih 
jVnd  alL*  women  fervc  and  prcife. 
And  to  thy  power  there  honour  rcifc  ; 
j\nd  if  that  any  miffayrre 
DilVife  women  that  thou  maifl  here, 
Bl.une  him,  and  bidde  him  holdc  him  ftill ; 
And  feite  thy  might  and  al  thy  will 
Women  and  ladicj*  for  to  plefc, 
And  to  do  thiuif  that  may  "hem  efc, 
Tbit  thci  evir  fpekc  gode  of  ihc^ 
For  fo  thou  inaift  b«A  prailid  hti, 

Loke  that  fro  pride  thou  kcpc  the  wde. 
For  thou  maift  both  pcrecive  and  fcic 
That  pride  i*  both  foly  and  finnc ; 
And  he  that  pride  hath  him  withia 
Ne  may  hi»  hcrtc  in  t»o  wife 
Mekin,  uc  fouplin  to  fcrvice, 
For  pride  ii  foondc  in  <v€ry  partc^ 
Contrarie  unto  Lov"**  ant  ; 
And  he  that  lovith  truify 

r  Should  him  contcine  jolily 
Withouten  pride  in  f*mdry  wife. 
And  him  dififuifm  in  queimicc  ; 
For  quelntc  aray,  withoutin  dred<r, 
f«  norhiti  proudc,whcJ  takith  hcdc, 
Far  Freihc  aray,a*  olen  inay  fe> 
Wtthoutcn  pride  may  of  tin  be. 

Muiutainc  thy  fclfc  aftir  thy  Tcul 
Of  rob    and  eke  of  garment. 
For  many  a  fithe  falre  clothln;^ 
A  man  uacudiUi  i^  Qiucji^  tiuagt. 


pi 


...  -..xUTc: 


And  loke  alway  that  tlid  be  Ihafe 
(What  garment  that  thou  Ihalt  (he  malir> 
Of  him  that  can  the  bed  ydo, 
\V''ith  al  that  parfeiuith  iJtcrio, 
Pointis  and  fleYc*  be  wel  hitande 
Ful  right  and  flreight  irpoo  the  halutel 
Of  flione  and  botu  ne\tc  and  fame 
Loke  at  titc  left  tho«  have  a  pairc. 
And  that  thei  fitte  fo  fetoully 
That  thcfc  rude  men  nimy  uttirly 
Mcrvailc,  fith  that  thei  Ijitc  fo  plainer, 
How  thci  come  on  or  of  againc  : 
Were  ftrcightc  g>ovt.%  with  i 
Of  filkc  :  and  alway  wifh  '^r 
Thou  ycvc,  if  that  (hon  h, 
Atid  if  thovi  have  nought  iy^.,. 
.■y  way  he  mcry  if  thou  maie, 
But  waftc  not  tJiy  god  alwate  ; 
l^iive  hitte  of  fiourii  fnlKe  »»  May, 
Chapck  t  of  rofid  of  WhiUnndaie. 
For  foclic  araie  coftnith  hut  lite  ; 
Thine  homliiwaOic^thy  tethc  tsakc  white. 
And  let  no  filthc  upon  the  be  : 
Thy  naiUbljckc  if  thou  maicd  fe 
Voide  it  awaicdcliviry ; 
And  kcmbe  ihmt:  heddc  ri^Kt  jolily: 
Farce  not  thy  vifaj^e  in  no  wife. 
For  that  of  Love  i*  nut  tli*  cmprire. 
For  Love  doetb  hatin^  a«  I  fiude^ 
A  bcaudtf  that  comcth  nat  o(  kindc  t 
Alwaie  in  hcrte  1  teds:  the 
Ful  glad  and  mcry  fur  to  be. 
And  be  a»  joyfull  at  thou  can  ; 
Love  hath  no  jolc  of  jWowfuU  man. 
That  ill  is  full  ofcurtifie. 
That  kt^owith  tu  bi^  nrdadie 
For  evir  of  love  the  tickenelfe 
If  meint  vfixk  fwctcand  bittirncdc. 
The  fore  uf  love  is  mcrvailou% 
Fur  now  the  lovir  is  joioui. 
Now  caa  he  plain,  now  can  be  gronc, 
Now  can  he  fiuge,  now  inakin  uionc  ^ 
To  daie  he  pbineth  for  hevintlTe, 
To  morue*  he  plaincth  for  jolineiTe. 
The  life  of  love  i*  full  contrarie, 
Whiche  ftounde  mele  am  oftjtt  varie^ 
But  if  thou  canijl  mirthiK  make 
That  men  in  gre  woU  gladly  take 
Do  it  godcly,  I  commaunde  the  ; 
For  men  (huid,  where  fo  er  thei  be» 
Doe  thing  that  'hem  bcfiuing  i»^ 
For  therof  comcth  godc  looft  and  pfU| 
Vrlicrcof  that  tboa  be  vertuoiM 
Ne  be  nat  ftrair  -  -  '  nxsgitfooa; 
For  if  that  th-  be 

Prickle  glidy  il  _,   ,..  ae  the  fc  : 

tn  armit  alfn  ifthoucunue 

Purfuc  till  thuu  a  tunic  haft  womie  ; 

And  if  thy  voice  be  fairc  and  cler« 

rhou  (Halt  m:ikiii  nt^ipictc  daungcrc^ 

Whan  rjie  tn  dog  tlici  t;f>dcly  pr«ie 

It  is  thy  worfhip  lor  to'  obak  i 

Alio  to  you  it  lungilh  aic 

To  hax}>^'  snd  j{itcruC|  dauficc  ifiJ  pUte; 


^^^ 

^^^^mX^^^r              ^^^^^1 

■ 

^^^^^IHIE  HO^AUNT 

OF  THE  ROSB, 

^!^n 

WP^^*^*  nnd  datincc 

That  j^iftv'  nought  lo  praifin  is 

lirii                      aval  met- , 

That  a  man  gevith  mai  grc  hij^. 

fee  t                  it  fdkc 

Whan  thou  haft  ycven  thine  hcrt  (as  I 

id  compiamtct  that  thru  make, 

Have  faid  the  here  all  opinly) 

j 

woil  nvcvin  in  kcr  hcrtc 

'I'han  arenturi*  ihuU  the  fall 

B|ii«i  redin  of  ch/  fmcrte  i 
^0  man  for  Tcarce  die  hrAde, 
maic  grtvc  the  nuinifoldc  ; 

Whichc  hard  and  hevy  ben  with  all; 

JSg^M 

For  ofte  whan  thou  bethinkril  the 

^^1 

Of  thy  loving,  where  fo  thou  be. 

^H 

J  Li  that  A  lovir  be 

Fro  folkc  thou  niuft  depart  in  hio, 

IM 

ftw  more  lar^c  and  (re 

Th:vt  none  perceive  thy  maJadic, 

»U*  that  ben  not  of  bving ; 

But  hide  thine  hanne  thou  mull  ainne 

ihcmf  can  any  thing 

And  go  forth  fole  iind  make  thy  moac. 

be  lefc  3ue  for  to  ycvtf» 

Thou  Ihalt  no  while  be  in  o  flate, 

kfciT  wJlo  fo  woBld  kve. 

But  whilom  coldc  and  whilom  hate. 

ut  through  a  fodiin  U^t 

Now  red  a»  rofe,  now  yclowc*  and  fa<lc  : 

klfl^£^g  anoii  right. 

Such  forow^  I  trow  thou  ncr  had; 

olc  hi^  hcrt<  id  will  and  thollgh^, 

CotidicD  nc  the  quartdnc 

' 

imfclf  kepith  right  nought. 

It  it  not  half  fo  lull  of  peine; 

>  fwift  giit  'ti»  but  rcafou 

For  oftin  tinii%  it  fhal  faj 

j 

hit  godc  too  in  a  bandou, 

1 

In  lovc.anrusng  thy  paiuis  al, 
That  thou  ihy  fei^a  all  wholly 
Foryetii n  fhal t  fo  u t  ti rl y                  ^ 

J 

■■Jfaorttr  here  rchtrcc 

That  many  timh  thou  Jhalt  he 

<^^| 

liiYC  yfaicd  bi  vcrcc 

Still  as  an  image  made  of  tre. 

T^H 

fcntirncc  by  ami  by 

Dommc  as  a  flone,  without  fteriiig 

^(^^^ 

p  fewc  corapcudioufly. 

Of  fotc  or  hondc,  without  fpeking. 

J^H^I 

a  the  bet  maied  on  *hcm  thmkji 

And  than  fone  aftir  al  thy  painc 

^^^^^1 

it  be  thou  wake  or  wiukc. 

To  mcmoVie  fhalt  thou  come  againe. 

^^^^^1 

worda  do  iitilc  grcvc 

A  man  abalhid  wojjclirfore, 

^^^^^H 

cikepc  whao  thci  be  breve. 

And  aftir  fighin  more  and  more  ; 

^^^^^1 

b  with  Love  woH  goo  or  ride 

For  wit  thou  wele  withoutin  wcnc 

^^H 

be  cortci*»  Toidc  uf  pride, 

In  fuchc  a  ft  ate  fut  oftc  have  beiiL^ 

^^^^H 

Eld  full  of  joljtc. 

That  havf  the'  evtll  of  love  Bifaide, 

^^^^^1 

krgedjr  a  lotid  be. 

^^'hcrc  thorough  Oiou  art  fo  difmatdc* 

^^^^H 

joigne  the  here  in  pcniutice 

^^^^^H 

r  without  rcpentaujicc                                  ' 

^^^^^1 

thy  thought  in  rhy  Loving 

Alc*r  a  thought  ftvU  take  the  io 

^^^^B 

vithoutin  repenting. 

That  thy  love  it  to  feire  the  fro» 

^^H 

ik  Upon  thy  mirthis  fwete 

l^hou  Ihalt  fa  (God)  what  may  this  be 

^^^^^H 

H  foluc*  afrir  ¥thnn  ye  mete. 

That  I  nc  may  my  lady  fc  ? 

J^^^^^l 

Vt  thou  tn»e  to  l.ove  Ihalt  be 

Mine  hert  alone  is  to  her  go, 

^^^^^1 

d^kc  comjjiaundi  the 

And  ]  abide  si  fulc  in  wo. 

^^^^^1 

c*Dc  place  tiiou  fet  all  whole    1 

JJepartid  fro  mine  ownc  thought. 

^^^^H 

?rtc,  wirhoutin  hdfin  doU, 

And  with  mine  cyin  fc  ri;^ht  nought. 

^^^^^H 

leric  and  ILkirncfle, 

Aim !  mine  eicji  fenc  1  nc  may 

^^^^^H 

l^cvir  double^ efle* 

My  carefuU  bcrtt:  to  convay  j 

^^^^B 

■pb  berte  that  woll  depart 

Mine  hert***  guide  but  thei  be 

•^^1 

T&ll  have  but  little  pjrt, 

I  praifc  nothing  what  cr  thci  fe ; 

^^^^^1 

tm  dredc  I  me  right  nought 

i'hul  thei  abidiii  than  ?  why,  nay. 

4^^^^| 

one  pUce  fcttitli  hii  thought  ; 

But  gone  and  fc  without  delay 

^^^^^H 

T  in  o  place  thou  it  fel. 

That  whichc  tnlrie  hert  dcfirith  fo, 

•^^H 

rtocvir  fhcnniafiet. 

For  certainly  b^t  if  thci  go 

^^^^^1 

DU  jtvcft  it  in  leoing 

I  folc  my  fclfc  I  may  v?cll  holde 

^^^^^1 

:  but  a  wretchid  tbin|^; 

Whan  I  ne  fc  what  mine  hert  wolde 

^^^^^^k 

i  jeviih  it  whole  and  quite, 

Whcrforc  I  wol  gooc  her  to  fenc, 

]^^^^H 

1  fbalt  have  the  more  mcrite  : 

Or  cfid  ihalJ  1  ncvir  bene 

^^^^^1 

mt  than  aftir  foen 

But  that  I  have  fome  toklning. 

^^^^^B 

ote  and  the  thanke  ti  doeu  ; 

Than  goft  thou  forth  without  dwelling 

«^^l 

rre  a  frc  ycvin  thing 

But  oftc  thou  faileft  of  thy  dtfirc 

.-^^^^H 

i|,l  grrte  guerdoning. 
JI^MMfcaU  quite  fuFly, 

F.r  thou  maicft  come  her  any  ncre. 

^^^^^1 

And  waiftift  In  vainc  thy  pafragc  ; 

^^^^^1 

^^H|^  debonairly. 

1  han  falift  thou  in  a  newc  rage ; 

^^H 

^B^Aholdin  morcderc 

For  want  of  fight  thou  ginnift  mume. 

«^H 

^E  wkh  gladfomc  cberc          \ 

And  homwardc  penfifc  doft  rcttu^C 
T  Hi 

"^-  ^ 

«H 


THE  ROMAt/NT   OV  THU  KCJf«, 


F 

i .  a 


In  gretc  mifchcfc  fhan  fcalt  thou  be, 
For  th4D  ugdinc  fhal  come  to  iKc 
SighiA  and  pUintis^  with  newc  wo, 
That  no  itching  prickith  the  fo ; 
Wlio  wotc  it  nought  he  male  go  Icrc 
Of  them  that  buyiB  love  fo  dcrc. 

No  thing  thme  hert  appcfin  m:iie, 
That  oft  thou  woh  gone  &nd  aflaic 
Hthou  maifl  fcne  by  averture 
Thy  liv':*  joyt',  thine  hcrt'ij  ctire  ; 
So  that  by  grace  if  that  thou  mighc 
AM^itic  <ii  her  to  have  a  fight 
1  had  £haJt  thou  done  non  othirdede 
Eqt  with  that  fight  thine  cyin  fed^ 
,That  fair   frcftic  Ti^han  thou  muift  fe 
j'hinc  hr^t  ihal  fo  ravithid  he 
'i'hat  ner  thou  woldedthy  thanlds  Icte, 
Ne  remove  for  to  fe  that  fwetc  : 
Tlic  moretl.oufet'ftjinfothfailnefle,     * 
Tlic  more  thou  coviteft  that  fwclcDcflc  j 
The  more  thine  herte  brtnntih  in  fire 
he  nmrc  tJiinc  hertc  is  in  dcfirc, 
'or  wlio  conlidritn  every  dele, 
It  may  be  likened  wondirwclc 
The  piiiiic  of  love  unto  a  fere, 
Far  tvirmorc  thoa  ncighift  nerc 
In  thought,  vr  how  lo  th^it  it  be, 
(For  vtry  foihc  I  tcl  it  the) 
The  hotter  cvir  (halt  thou  brennc, 
A»  cxpcritiicc  fliall  ihc  keiine  5 
"Wht  re  fo  cotnift  in  ar+y  coftc 
\V'ho  u  next  fire  he  bretmith  mofie  » 
id  yet  forfothe  for  al  thine  hctc, 
hough  thou  Tor  lov£  fwcltc  and  fwetc. 
c  for  no  thing  thou  fclm  may, 
"iou  fliait  not  wille  to  paffe  aw^y ; 
id  though  thou  go,  yet  muil  the  nedc 
hinlun  al  day  on  her  faire  hcde 
(Tinm  thou  bchelde  with  fo  godc  will. 
And  bUde  thy  fclfe  begiltd  ill 
h^t  thou  ne  haddeO  none  hardiment 
o  fhcwe  her  aught  of  thine  cntcnt  | 
hjne  hert  fuj  fore  thou  wnlt  dlfpifc, 
.nd  fke  reprcve  of  coward  ife, 
hat  thou  fo  dull  in  every  thing 
'ere  dommc  for  dredc  without  fpeking. 
'iliou  (hah  eke  thinkc  thpp  diddcft  folj^ 
bit  ihou  were  her  fo  faftj  bic 
nd  durrt  not  venture  the  to  fay 
:>me  thing  er  that  thou  came  away^ 
^^'or  thou  haddift  no  morJ:  wonne 
^o  fpckc  of  her  whan  thou  bcgonne  ^ 
But  yti  if  fhe  v^ouldfor  thy  f^kc 
In  armisgodcly  the  have  take, 

jhgtild  iiave  be  more  worthc  to  the 
"ban  of  trcfour  a  grctc  plente. 
Thufflialt  thou  tnonie  and  eke  ccmpUinc, 
nd  get  cnchefon  t'o  gon  agalne 
nto  thy  walkc  or  to  thy  plate 
ilietc  tiioo  behcldc  her  flcfhiy  face; 
And  nVre  for  faMf  fufpcttion 
Thou  wolJifl  findc  occafiun 
For  to  gone  in  unto  her  houfc  i 
Thou  am^  than  to  de(uD^« 
3 


A  f;ght  of  her  btit  for  ttj  have, 

If  thou  thine  hoDourtnightift  fano. 

Or  any  erandc  might ift  nuke, 

Thidtr  for  thy  lov*l*  fake, 

Ful  taine  thou  woldift,  but  for  dre<l« 

Thou  goeft  not,  left  that  men  take  hcde; 

Whcrforc  I  rede  in  thy  going. 

And  alfo"  in  tha«e  again  comming^, 

Thou  be  wcl  ware  that  men  ne  wit ; 

Feine  the  othir  caufe  ^han  it 

To  go  that  wiie,firfaft^  bicj 

To  hclin  wel  i}  no  folic; 

And  if  fo  be  it  happ^  the 

Thyt  thou  thy  love  ihcne  matfUe  yfe. 

In  fikir  wife  thon  her  fa!ewe» 

WhtTwith  tliy  coloure  well  cranfmcwc. 

And  cJLc  thy  bloud  fhal  al  to  quake. 

Thy  hewe  eke  chaungin  for  her  fake. 

But  wordcr  and  wit,  with  chcre  ful  pak« 

Shul  want  for  to  leliin  thy  tale ; 

And  if  thou  maift  fo  fcrforth  winne 

I'hai  thou  to  rclon  durft  beginne. 

And  woldill  faine  thre  thin^i  or  mo. 

Thou  fhalt  ful  fcarfly  fainc  the  two; 

ThotJgh  thou  bethinke  the  nrr  fo  wck 

Thou  ihalt  foryetin  yet  foniddc. 


But  if  thoti  dele  with  trechtff^ 
For  falfc  lovirs  mowc  all  fully 
Sain  what  'hem  luft  wirhoutin  drcd, 
Thei  be  lo  double*  ia  ther  falfljcd, 
For  thci  in  hert  can  thinkeo  thing 
And  fainc  an  othre'  in  ther  fpeking  : 
And  whan  thy  fpcchc  is  endid  all 
Right  thus  to  the  it  ihal  befall ; 
ir  any  wordc  than  come  to  miode 
That  thou  to  fay  haft  left  bchijide. 
Than  thou  flialt  brenne  iti  gretc  mirttK, 
Ft>r  thou  fiiah  brenne  as  any  fire  : 
This  if  the  ftrife  and  ckc  the*  affraie. 
And  the  batitl,  that  laftitb  ale  ; 
This  bargain c  ende  may  nevir  tike 
But  if  that  (he  thy  pecc  wil  make. 

And  whan  the  night  is  come  anon, 
A  thoufo^ndc  angrcs  fhal  come  on  J 
To  bed  a§  faft  thou  woke  the  dight* 
Where  thou  ihalt  have  but  fmal  deligh^ 
Fur  whan  thou  wcnift  for  to  flepc 
Soful  of  painc  Ihalt  t!,  — 

IStcrtc  in  thy  bed  abu 
Andturneful  oftc  on  tvciy  u<.i^^ 
Now  dounward  groufc,  and  now  tiprtgllL 
And  walow  in  wo  the  \orig  night : 
Thine  annis  ihalt  thou  fprcde  a  brcd6 
A*  man  in  warrc  were  forwerede; 
Than  fhal  the  come  a  remembrauncfi 
Of  her  ihapc  and  of  her  fcmblauncc, 
^licrtc  none  othir  may  be  pere  : 
And  wete  thuu  we  J  withoutin  were 
That  the  (ha)  fc  fotntlme  that  night 
ITiat  thou  haft  hex  that  h  fo  bright 
Nakid  bitwene  thiiu!  armu  there, 
Al  fothMcdTc  u  though  it  tfcrt  ^ 


^^^^        THE  UDMAUKT 

OF  'flTR  ^DS«.                    ^^^'^B 

HMH&  caftcUthan  in  Spainc, 

For  were  it  dayc  I  w^ttjld  up  rlf- :                       t^H 

e«c  of  joy  al  but  in  vainc, 

Ah  flow;   fonnc^  ^ht we  thine  en   m!                        bH 

c  delitin  of  ri|rht  nought 

Sprdc  the  10  fpxede  thy  henils  br.;!  **                     ^W 

tban  fo  liombrift  in  thit  thoaght 

And  chace  the  derknelle  nf  the  ni^ht, 

lb  fwcle  and  dcliabk. 

To  put  awiiy  the  ftoundi*  llfong 

tkhe  ui  fothc  n*js  but  1  fubb. 

Whichc  in  mc  laflin  «1  to  long* 

le  (hall  no  while  laft  .* 

The  tiight  fliaU  thou  continue  fo 

lilt  thou  fighc  Mrd  wq>c  fuft, 

Withoutin  reft,  in  paiiie  find  wa; 

ff  Dere  Go4 !  what  thing  is  this  f 

f f  cr  thou  knew  of  love  dilhcfle' 

me  w  tumid  al  ami* 

Thou  mowc  lerne  it  in  that  filtencire ; 

f  wiJ»  ful  fwc!c  »ftii  apparent, 

And  thus  enduring  {halt  thou  lic% 

IT  1  Wiike  it  IS  ill  Ihrnt ; 

And  riic  on  morow  tip  ct'ly 

Nle  this  mcry  thought  away ; 

Out  of  thy  bed,  and  harnct-.  t'ne 

r  timis  upui  »  day 

Et  cvlr  dawning  thou  m;\ift  iii : 

I  diU  thoup^ht  TTould  come  againc, 

Al  privily  than  flialt  tho«  gone, 

Jegith  wcl  my  painc  ; 

Whjit  wcthrc*  it  be,  iliy  fclfc  alone, 

ith  me  ful  of  joy  full  thought ; 

For  reinc  or  hafle,  for  fnowc  for  flcte. 

1  mc  that  it  lalLitii  oought ; 

Thidir  ibc  dwelleth  that  is  fo  fwete, 

dt !  whi  n*ii  yc  me  focoure  ? 

The  w  hie  ho  maic  fal  a  ficpe  he, 

And  thinkith  but  lite  upon  the  t                                     j 

|rc  1  trowc  that  I  langourc, 

th  I  wowid  me  fhouldi:  flo 

Than  flialt  thou  go,  ful  fook  afcrdc, 

i  lie  in  her  armis  frrpo  : 

Loke  if  the  gat^  be  unfperdc. 

laimc  isbwrdcwUhmitin  wcttc, 

And  waite  without  in  woe  itnd  painc^ 

:t  uncfc  fill  oltc  1  mcuc. 

Full  ill  a  eolda  in  winde  and  r:iiac : 

Than  flialt  thou  go  the  dort  bcf^fc. 

l(  thou  maiilc  findiu  any  (bore. 

laldd  L<rfc  do  fo  1  might 

Or  hole,  or  rcftc,  what  ere  k  were ; 

tSkf  joye  of  her  fo  brt;;ht 

Than  Ihalt  thoti  Ooupe  aiid  lay  to  crc 

intwerc  quittc  tnc  rkhily* 

If  they  within  a  flcpe  be, 
1  n-ene  al  fave  thy  lady  fre, 

6#  gret  a  thing  afke  1  * 
t  toly*  iod  wrong  weiiing 

Whooi  waking  if  thou  mM  afpic 

5  fo  ootragcous  a  thing, 

Go  put  thy  fcifc  in  jupardie, 

bo  fo  aiktth  folijy 

To  aJkin  grace  and  the  bimciK, 

te  be  wamid^afiily ; 

That  (he  maJL*  wete  withoutin  wene                              1 
That  thcju  all  night  no  reft  hafl  hod. 

1^  WCrtc  1^  hat !  may  fay, 

ferrcotiiofthc  way. 

So  fore  for  her  tboi*  were  beftrtd.                                       j 

rould  have  fill  grcte  liking 

Women  wd  ought  pitc  to  take                                 3 

1  grctc  joy  of  hlT^  thing ; 

Oftkcm  that  foroweo  for  iher  fake  ;                              \ 

uid  fhc  of  her  gcotllticffe 

And  loke  for  love  of  that  i  elikc                     a^^^Hi 

Ltin  more  me  ouh  kcffe,          ; 

That  thou  think^^  none  othtr  like,                .^^^^B 

t«  mc  a  gretc  guerdon, 

For  whan  thou  Ka0  fo  grec  auney                !^^^^| 

of  all  my  paffion  : 

Shall  kiife  the  er  thou  go  awey,                   ^^^^| 

1  bardc  to  come  thcrto  i 

And  hold  that  in  fu]  grete  dclntc  i               ^^^^^1 

It  foly  that  I  do ; 

And  for  that  no  man  Ihal  the  ic                    ^^^^^1 

be  I  have  mine  hertd  fcttc 

Before  the  houfe  ne  in  the  way,                    ^^^^^H 

that  I  may  bo  comfort  gette  t 

Lokc:  thou  be  gr>n  agaitic  cr  6^.^                     ^^^^1 

whcr  I  fay  well  or  nought, 

Stieli^  comming  aod  fuehe  goiii!                      ^9^^H 

ftl  wotc  well  in  my  thought, 

Siiche  bcvincffe  and  fuche  walking,                      ^^^1 

,  were  bctte  of  her  ,ilooc 

Mjikith  lovirs)  withoutin  wene                              ^^^H 

[Lin tin  my  wo  and  monc  : 

Uiidlr  ther  clothi»  pale  ami  lene.                  '^g^^M 

on  lier  1  caft  j^odcly 

Love  ne  levcth  cotourc  nc  dcreneffe  ;          ^^^^^| 

L   -                  i    .    ..'\.. 

Who  loviih  trewc  h?*^  -  ^  -^JTc.               ^^^H 

ay. 

rhoU  (halt  wel  by  ^                                                 ^^M 

.4,                              ic  the  day 

That  thou  muft  ncd : _  be,                           ^^ 

re  ^'                       l:-c  ? 

For  racn  that  fhape  *hem  othir  way 

ttl:                              crlc. 

Falfely  tiier  Ifdici  to  betqjy 

d!  vfimti  thai  the  dauning  fprin^c  ? 

No  woodir  is  thoogh  thei  be  fatte,                              J 

rifl  thu«ta  iingry  thing; 

With  falfc  othi$  thcr  lo*ea  thei  gatt«,                          J 

no  joy  thu?.  here  to  lie                                     • 

For  oftc  I  fc  hichc  lofmgtfoun                      ^^^^^M 

ihAi  my  loTc  i<  nor  mc  hie  ; 

Fattir  than  abetter  or  priours.                      ^^^^^H 

0!'  ■ 

Yil  with  o  tiling  f  Wf41e  tlic  eharge^        *^^^^B 

w 

That  is  to  fay,tliat  thou  be  large                            ^H 

^  du*.v,i^  .i:ru    v,-LrL:   Iiuvr    flay,                                  | 

lUilo  the  maide  thtt  her  doth  icrvt;                     ^H 

at  the  ni^hi  wcrt  went  away,   ', 

So  bcft  h<;r  thankc  thtm  fhtltc  dcfcn't  t            \^M 

Tiiij                             -^B 

'       i^                                  THE   ROMAUI^T   Of   TiiE   ROS£.                 ^^^J 

Yt-vc  ficr  gcftif ,  afid-gct  her  gracr. 

With  allc  iliit  yet  can  he  live.               ^^^| 

For  fo  thou  may  thank^  purthuce, 

Gt)dc  hope  fuche  comfort  haith  lum  yer^       fl 

'I'hat  flic  the  worthy  hoMc  *ad  frt. 

Whicbr  makith  wenc  that  he  fii4l  be            J 

*f'hc  lady'  and  al  tlkHt  tjnay  the  fc  : 

Rclcftrd  apd  coinc  to  Ubcitc  ;                 ,^^^H 

Aint^her  fcrvauntt^  worlhip  aii, 

In  Fortune  i«  fully  lu!»trufl                    ^^^H 

And  plcfiii  as  mtkhc  as  thou  male ; 

Although  be  li«  in  I^raw^  or  du0  ;      ^^^H 

Gretf  ^ode  througli  them  may  como  to  the, 

In  hope  is  al  lij»  fnllaining  t                    ^^^H 

Bicjiufc  with  her  diei  btn  pfivc  j 

So farclovir^  io  thcr  wcni^ing                ^^^H 

Thci  ihal  her  tell  how  thci  the  Aindc 

WTiichc  Love  hath  (hittc  in  hi»  pnfoun,      ^ 

Curtcis  and  wife,  ;i|»d  wel  doandc. 

Godc  hope  is  thcr  falvacioun  ;                         M 

And  ftic  Ihai  pr#ifc  the  wel  tlic  more : 

pode  hope  (how  fore  that  thci  fmenc)         S 

Lnkt  out  of  loudc  thou  be  not  fore. 

Ycvith  'hem  bothc  will  and  hcrtc          ^^H 

And  if  fiichc  cauXc  thou  hate  that  the 

"^J'*  oflfrc  tber  body  to  martyre,               J^^H 

Behoveth  to  gone  out  of  eountre. 

For  hope  To  fore  doth  'Item  dcGre         ^^^H 

Leave  wholcly  thmc  hert  in  holtagc 

To  fuffre'  eche  harme  thut  men  devUc^^^H 

Til  thnu  agaitv  make  tj^y  pfTagc : 

For  joyc  that  aftirwardc  ihall  rife,      ^^^H 

'J  hi  like  lon|[c  to  f*f  the  iwcic  thing 

^^^^M 

*i  hat  hath  thine  hcrt  in  her  kcping. 

^^^^M 

Now  luvc  i  told  the  in  w  hat  wik  ^ 

Hope  in  dcfire  catchc  vi^oi7,             ^^S 

A  lovir  (hal  do  mc  fcmec; 

In  hope  of  Love*  is  al  the  glory »                     S 

Do  it  than  if  that  thou  wolt  have 

For  hope  is  all  chat  Lote  maic  jtwt  g            1 

I'hc  mcdc  that  thou  doft  aftir  crave. 

N'crc  hope  there  fbould  no  Icngir  hvc  f        1 

^ 

Blcflld  be  hope!  whiche  with  deiirc        ^_J 

Avauuccth  lovir&  in  fuch  manire*         ^^^H 

Whan  Love  al  thithAdbodin  ice 

Godc  hope  a  curtcifc  for  to  plcfe»        ^^^^ 

I  faid  him,  Sir,  how  may  it  be 

To  kepc  lovirs  from  all  difcfc  :              ^^H 

That  iovif*  may  in  fuclic  muntrc 

Hope  kcpcth  his  londc,  and  woU  abide         ■ 

Endure  the  paioc  ye  have  f»id  here  ? 

For  any  peril  maic  bcti<j,c,                       ^^H 

1  marvaillin  mc  wondir  f;ifte 

For  hope  to  lovirs,  a*  m<^il  chrfc,           ^^^| 

>Iow  any  man  may  livcorlaAc 

Doth  'hem  endurin  all  mifchvfe ;           ^^^1 

In  fuche  painc  and  in  fuch  brcnmnp. 

In  fori! c' 'and  iliought,  and  fochc  filching, 

And  1  l^.al  ycvc  the  ckc  i^wit                 ^^H 

Jiic  unrdefid  vto  to  make 

Thrc  othir  thingcs  that  gret  folace        ^^H 

"Whtr  fo  it  be  thci  flcpc  or  wake. 

Doth  to  them  that  be  in  my  bee.           ^^^H 

J  n  f u ch c  ano  y  contin u clly ; 

The  firft  gnde  that  may  be  yfoundt  ^^B 

As  helpc  mc  God  this  mervailc  I 

To  them  that  in  my  lace  be  l>f>un4(^               fl 

How  man,  but  he  were  made  of  ftde. 

If  fwete  thought^  fof  to  rccnrdc                   ^^ 

flight  live  a  n^omhc  fuch  paiucs  to  fele. 

Thingc  wherwltii  thou  cani>  accorde          ^M 

Befl  in  thine  hcrte,  whcthir  ihc  be       ^^^| 

f         The  gcd  of  J,ove  than  iud  to  me, 

Thinking  in  ah  fence  godc  to  the.         ^^^H 

Whan  any  lovir  doth  complaioe,          ^^^| 

Frendc.by  the  feith  I  owe  to  the 

And  livith  in  diArclTc  and  paine,                  ^M 

May  no  niaii  l^avc  godc  but  he*  it  hie  : 

Than  fwct^  thought  fhal  come  as  blive  ■ 
Awaie  hii  angre  lor  to  drive ;                       S 

.V  man  lovith  more  tendirlic 

The  thing  that  he  hath  bought  moft  dcrc  j 

It  makith  lovirs  have  remcmbraunce            fl 

>V  r  wetc  thou  well  w^thoutin  were 
j         In  thanke  that  thing  i»  tokin  more 

Of  comforte  and  of  highc  plcfaunct              J 

That  hoyt  bath  hight  him  foi  to  winnc^     fl 

For  which  a  mart  hat Ji  fiitfrid  fore  ; 

For  thought  aoonc  than  (hali  bcgiiu^c^         fl 

Ccrtiarno  wo  nc  may  atiiinc 

Af  fcrrt  God  wotc  as  he  cao  il&dc^              fl 

I'nto  the  fore  of  iov*i»  painc, 

I'o  make  a  mirtour  of  hi^  minde,          ^^fl 

Konc  cvi  I  thcrto  may  amouiuc. 

Fcr  to  bcholde  he  wol  not  let»              ^^H 

No  more  than  a  man  m*j  couf^tc 

Her  peHbn  he  Ihal  force  him  fct,         J^^^| 

The  droppcA  that  of  the  watir  be^ 

Hrr  aijghing  eicn  perfaunt  and  ckn%^^^| 
Her  fhape,  hfT  forme,  her  godely  chcf^^^H 

y\tT  drie  as  we  J  the  grctc  fc 

1         Thou  mightiA  a»  the  harm i*  tell 

Her  mou the,  that  11  fo  gracioui,          '^^^^| 

'          Of  all  them  that  with  i-ove  ydwtU 
[         Tn  fervicc,  for  peine  thtm  fleeih,    ' 

So  fwctc^  and  ckc  fo  f^vitous                ^^^| 

Of  yl  hrr  fctip  fhal  take  hcdc,               ^^H 

9ind  that  ccLc  wcwild^  flc  the  dcetb, 

Hi*  eytn  with  all  her  limmis  fcde.              ^H 

1         And  trtwc  ihei  fhould  ncvii  cfcapc. 

'Thus  fwete  thinking  ihal  afwage             ^M 

^e  were  ih;it  hope  ye ouih  'hem  Jiiakp 

The  painc  of  lovir*  and  thcr  rage ;               ^M 

J         r-hd  ai  a  man  in  prifon  fef: 

Thy  joyc  ilial  double  without  gcffr              ^M 

And  maic  not  gcttin  for  to  cte 

Whan  thou  thtnkiA  on  her  fcnielinellc,        H 

But  barllc  bfcd  aiid  watir  purC| 

Or  of  htr  laughing  or  her  chere,            ^^H 

And  It  rtli  ^n  vcnnia  acd  e:durc  : 

,      ■   ■ 

That  to  the  made  thy  hJy  dcre  (         ^^H 

^^               THE    ROM  AUNT 

OF    THE   ROSB.                                   HggB 

ioR  wqI  I  that  thou  take, 

In  flkir  wife  ye  every  other                                    |^| 

m  nextc  ^lou  woU  torlakc, 

Sh.il  helpin  an  hi«  own^  brother                              ^| 

Ulut  Udii  f<^virous. 

In  irouthc  withoutin  doublendk,                         ^^| 

mUa  OQt  ben  to  (Uunelj'(}ii&. 

And  kcpin  clpfe  in  nkimefTc ;                         ^^^^1 

1 

For  it  it  nobk  thing  in  fay                             ^^^^1 

1 

To  have  a  man  thou  darHe  fay                       ^^^H 

d  ihil  be  Cm  etc  fpcchp. 

Thy  privy  counfaile  every  dele,                      ^^^H 

to  many  ooe  be  kchc. 

For  that  wnll  comfnrtc  the  n^lit  wtk  ;         ^^^^| 

bcm  cut  of  wo  :injd  vncfc, 

And  thou  (halt  holde  the  wcl  apaicd              ^^^H 

many  a  bachilcre. 

Ulian  fuche  a  frcnde  tliou  h«ifi  afTaJcd.         ^^^H 

*  a  lady  fcnt  f<Kour^ 

^^^H 

Movid  paramoarc. 

^^^^1 

nem&g  (whin  thei  might  hcrt') 

The  third'-'  j^ode  of  grctc  comfoit,               ^^^^| 

Billtolhcmfo  tWc; 

[hut  yevtch  lovirs  moll  difport,                      ^^^^| 

TOidith  al  ther  fmcrtc 

Comirh  of  figlit  and  behulHinj^,                     ^^^^H 

he  i%  clolid  in  thtr  hcite  ; 

1'hat  h  ydcpid  Swctc  Joking,                       ^^^H 

maktth  'hem  glad  and  light. 

The  wbiche  may  none  tfe  ydo                        ^^^^H 

han  rhci  mowc  not  bavin  light; 

Whan  tliou  art  fcrrc  thy  Udf  hn,                  ^^^^H 

brc  Dowc  it  comcth  to  miiuic 

Whrrfore  thou  plefe  ahvay  to  be                     ^^^^| 

kis  written  that  her  knewe 

In  place  where  thou  maiil  ht^r  f:,                   ^^^^H 

Fur  it  h  thiug  moil  amirout                           ^^^^H 

i«  a  Udy  frc/hc  of  hcwc 

MoAe  deli  (able"  and  favirous,                       ^^^^1 

if  her  love  raadin  a  fong, 

For  to  afTwagc  a  man n' it  forow                     ^^^^1 

pr  to  rcinjimbrc'  among, 

To  fcnc  his  ^dy  by  the  morow  ;                   ^^^^| 

fihc  fald,  Whan  that  1  herp 

For  it  Is  a  ful  noble  thing                               ^^^^| 

^m  that  is  fo  dcre 

Wh«tn  tbat  thine  eyin  have  meting              ^^^^1 

ioidith  ajlc  fmicrtc ; 

With  that  relikc  fo  precious                          ^^^^1 

ith  To  ncrc  myn  bcrtc. 

Whercijf  tliet  be  fo  defirnu.^                           ^^^^H 

f  him  at  cvc  or  aiorowe 

But  a]  daie  aftir  fotlie  it  is                         ^^^H 

DC  of  al  my  forowc  ; 

1  hei  have  no  drcde  to  faren  anus  |                ^^^H 

notic  To  high  picfautkce 

Thei  d  red  in  neither  wiode  nc  nunc,             ^^^H 

perfon  d^liauncc. 

Ne  non  othir  ni:inir  of  ]t»aio€  ;                       ^^^^1 

il  wclc  that  fwctc  fpcking 

For  whtin  thine  cycn  were  ihui  in  bliiTt       ^^^B 

bl  in  io\  mochil  thing ; 

Vet  of  ther  curtilic  iwifc                                           •^H 

be  had  full  well  afT^idv, 

Alone  thei  can  not  have  ther  joye,               ^^^H 

t  wai  ful  wcl  apaidc ; 

But  to  the  herte  thei  couvoye                         ^^^^H 

■f  him  her  joyc  was  ki  ! 

Parte  of  ther  btinc,  to  liim  thou  fende         ^^^H 

U  rcdc  iKc  that  thcu  get 

Of  nil  tliis  harme  to  make  amende,               ^^^^H 

pat  can  wcl  conccle 

The  eye  h  a  godc  mcfliingcre,                   ^^^^H 

thy  counfaiic,  and  wellc  hclc» 

Which  can  to  the*  hert  in  fuch  mancte                ^H 

^go  Oicwc  wholly  thine  htrtc. 

Tidingis  fendc,  that  he  hath  fcnc                   ^j^B 

»nd  woe,  and  joyc  and  fmcrtc  ; 

To  voidc  him  of  hi«  patnl^  ckne,                   ^^^^H 

nfoTtc  to  hinn  thou  go, 

Wheroftlie  hcrtrejoylith  fo                          ,^^^^H 

y  bitwcne  you  twp 

That  a  grete  purtie  of  his  wo                       ^^^^1 

tkc  of  that  godcly  thing 

b  voided,  and  put  away  to  Sight;                 ^^^^H 

A  thine  heft  in  her  kcping, 

Right  a&  the  dcrkcnclTc  of  the  night             ^^^^1 

mtc  and  her  femblauncc, 

Ja  chafed  with  clcreUi  He  of  the  pione^           ^^^^1 

:godcty  continuancr ; 

Right  fo  ifi  al  hi»  wo  ful  Tone                         ^^^H 

Ute  thou  Ibait  him  faic, 

Devoidid  clcne  uhan  that  the  Hght              ^^^H 

im  counjailc  how  thow  maie 

Br  holdin  may  that  fi  cftii  wi^bt                     ^^^H 

ilig  that  maic  her  picfc. 

Whiche  that  the  hrrt  dcfinth  io^                   ^^^^| 

be  Oial  do  grct  cfo. 

That  al  hi^  dcrkencflc  is  ago,                          ^^^^1 

liac  wetc  thou  tnift  him  fa 

For  than  the  htrtc  is  all  at  cfc                         ^^^H 

f  wtlc  and  of  thy  wo  ^ 

Wicn  thei  fcne  that  that  maic  'hcmplcff-     ^^^H 

\hcne  CO  loTC  be  fctic 

Now  have  1  declared  the  al  nut                  i^^^H 

pie  ift  mochc  Uic  bcttc. 

Of  that  tliim  were  in  drcde  and  doute,         ^^^^| 

irol  he  ihfwc  to  tht 

For  1  have  tolde  the  faithfully                        ^^^^H 

lib  privite, 

What  the  may  curin  uttirly,                           ^^^^R 

fhe  i&  he  lovith  h 

And  all  lovir;.  that  Wollin  b«                           ^^^^| 

inly  he  ihal  undo, 

Faithful  and  of  llabilitc ;                                 *^^^B 

pdredc  of  arry  Ihatne 

Code  Hope  alway  kepc  by  thy  (idc,            ^^^^| 

kr  rcDomc  and  her  name  ; 

And  Swete  Tliought  make  ekt-  abid^,          ^^^^1 

be  forthir  ferrc  and  ncrc, 

Swetr  Loking  and  ;Swcte  Soechc,                  ^^^^| 
Of  al  thine  hartfies  thei  Jbai  be  kehc ;        ^^^H 

mr  to  thy  Udj  dcrc 

M 

or  bale  thou  flult  hare  f^ctc  plcfaunce 
Yf  thou  can  ft  bide  in  fuffirauncc, 
Aini  fcTvin  wcic  withcnjt  fcinitre; 
Thou  ftialt  be  quite  of  thine  cmprifc 
Wiih  more  g^ucrdoun  if  that  thau  Iitc, 
But  al  (his  time  this  I  the  ye>re« 


The  god  of  Lore,  wlian  al  the  day 
lie'  had  taught  me  an  ye  have  herd  fiij, 
And  enformid  compendloully, 
lie  Ysntlhed  al  fodainly. 
And  I  alone  yltftc  al  fole. 
So  full  of  complaint  and  of  dote, 
Tor  I  fawe  no  man  there  me  Vy. 
My  woundcs  mc  grevid  wondirfly  ; 
Me  for  to  cure  oothifij^  1  knewc 
Save  the  bothum  fo  bright  of  hcwc, 
Whtron  wa*  fettc  wholly  my  ihuught ; 
Of  othir  comfortc  kntwe  1  noug^ht. 
But  it  were  through  the  god  of  Love ; 
I  knew  nat  clfc  to  my  behove 
1'lut  might  mc  cCc  or  comfort  gctw 
But  if  he  would  him  cntcrmcuc. 
The  roOr  was  withoutin  doute 
Yclofid  with  ao  hedge  without, 
A*  ye  to  foroc  have  herde  me  foii^^, 
And  faft  I  bcfied  and  would  faiiic 
Have  paffid  the  hay,  if  I  might 
Have  gettin  in  by  any  fleight, 
To  the  bothum  fo  fairc  to  £Cf 
But  evir  T  dradde  blamed  to  be 
Yf  men  i^ould  have  fufpcdlion 
That  1  would  of  cntcncion 
Have  ftolc  the  rofi«  that  there  wert, 

'  Therefore  lo  cntre*  J  was  in  fcrc ; 

f  3ut  at  the  lafte,  3a  1  hetliought 

I  ^hcthir  1  fhuld*  paffe  or  nought, 
I  fawc  cotnc^  with  a  gLdde  chcre, 
To  me  a  lufty  bachIL:rc 
Of  godc  (taturc  and  of  godc  height, 
And  Blalacuil  forfoth  he  height  t 
&t*nn<?  he  wtB  to  Curtifie, 
And  he  me  grauniid  ful  gladlle 
The  paCTngr  of  the  uttir  hay, 
And  faidi.  Sir,  how  that  ye  may 
PafFe,  if  that  it  your  wiUc  ybe, 
I'hc  frcih^  roiir  fpr  to  fe. 
And  yc  the  fwttd  favour  fcle, 
Yotir  warrant  I  may  be  right  virele; 

^  Bo  thou  the  kepin  fro  folic 
3hal  no  man  do  the  vilanie ; 
Yf  I  mai  help  in  you  m  ought 
1  (hall  not  faine,  drcdiih  right  oougfit, 
Fur  I  ara  boundc  to  your  fcrvicc 
Fully  dcvoidc  of  all  fcintifc. 
Than  unto  Btalacoil  faidc  f , 
I  th»njc  you»  Sir,  ful  hertily* 
And  your  bchcfll  I  tukc  at  grc 
That  yc  fo  godclv  profir  me  j 
Tt)  you  it  cometh  of  gretc  fraunchjf 
That  ye  we  profir  your  fcrvifc. 

Than  aftir  ful  dclivirly 
Tlirotijh  the  brfri*  mvac  wtat  i 


THE   ROMAUNT   OF  THE   ROSE. 


WTicrof  cncorobrid  waithe  hiie? 
1  was  well  picfed,  the  fothe  to  (aie^ 
To  fc  the  bothum  fairc  and  fote 
So  frcihc  yfprung  oute  of  the  rote. 


And  Blalacoil  mc  fervid  weJe 
Whan  1  ib  mgh  mc  mighiio  fcle 
Of  the  boihum  the  fwcte  odoure. 
And  fo  luily  hewed  of  coloure  ; 
But  tlian  a  chorle,  foule  him  betide  t 
Beljdc  the  roGs  gan  him  hide. 
To  kcpe  the  rofif  of  that  rofere. 
Of  whom  the  name  was  DauDg^re. 
This  chorlc  was  hid  there  io  the  grefe% 
Ycovirid  with  gr^c  ami  leves^ 
To  fpie  and  take  whom  that  he  1 
Unto  that  rofir  put  an  honde. 

He  was  not  folc,  for  there  wm  mo,'^ 
For  wit)i  him  wcrin  othir  two 
Of  vvitkid  manirs  and  t\\  fame  • 
That  one  was  clcpid  by  his  n^ime 
Wickid  Tonge,  God  yeve  him  forowe! 
For  neither  at  eve  ne  at  morowe 
He  can  of  no  man  godc  yipeke; 
On  many*  a  juOc  man  doth  he  wrekfj 

There  was  a  woman  that  eke  his; 
Shame,  that  who  can  rckin  right 
Trcfpacc  ywashcr  fathir's  name. 
Hcr  moth  if  Rcfon  ;  thus  vmt  t>^me 
Ybrought  forth  of  tbefe  ilk;  two, 
.  And  yet  had  1  rcfpacc  pcrc  adoc 
With  Rcfon,  ne  nerc  lei c  her  by, 
»Hc  was  ki^lous  and  fo  ugly ; 
I  menc  this,  that  Trefpace  hi^ht. 
But  Rcfon  conceveth  of  a  (i^\n 
That  Shame  of  %vhich  I  fpuke  afome  ; 
^nd  whan  that  hiiame  was  thus  y borne 
It  was  ordained  that  Chaflitc 
Should  of  the  rofir  lady  be, 
Whichc  of  the  borhuma  raorc  an^  ht% 
With  foodrie  folke  a0ailid  was, 
Tkat  fhc  ne  wiftc  what  to  doe, 
For  Venus  her  alTailith  fo 
1'hat  night  and  daie  fro  her  (be  ftall  < 
Bothoms  and  rofisovir  aU  ; 
To  Rcfon  than  praicth  ChaHitc, 
Whom  Venus  hath  flemcd  ore  the  fe,  j 
That  ihe  her  doughter  would  her  ku 
To  kepc  the  rofir  frcfhe  and  grene. 

Anon  Rciijn  to  Chi^nite 
I*  fully'  ajTtntid  that  it  be. 
And  grauntid  her  at  her  rwjueft 
That  Shame,  bjcaufe  fhe  is  lioneil. 
Shall  kepir  of  the  rofir  be ; 
And  thus  to  kepe  tt  there  wert  thrc. 
That  none  ibotild  birdie  be  nc  bolide 
(Were  he  yone^  or  were  he  olde) 
Again  her  %%'ilT  awal^  to  bctr: 
Bothoms  nerofis  that  there  wtft; 
I  had  wcU  fped  hid  1  nat  ben 
Awaitid  with  thtfe  thre  atid  fer.c, 
Fijr  Bialatoil,  that  wa»  fo  fjiir.- 
So  gnicioui  and  dcbovtixf  e, 


THE    RQMAUNT    Of    THl^'Tofl                                   ^^f        1 

iSfn  te  me  ful  cunifly, 

Out  of  the  place  where  he  wa»  hld^e  •                   ^l 

*  to  pldiu  bekldc  that  1 

Hi>v  D^alice  in  his  cherc  wan  kiddr  :                        ^^| 

tli*'.v  :  to  thtf  tiothom  cere ; 

Fidl  gretc  he  wa»,  and  blacke  of  hcwc,                 ^^| 

to  touclttn  thr  roferr 

Sttirdic  and  hidous,  who  fo*  him  kncwc  ;              ^^M 

bare  ihc  rofe  he  yafe  me  Icvc ; 

Like  fliarpe  urchons  his  hrre  \ras  growc,             .^^| 

aunt  lie  mtyht  but  litill  grcve; 

Hh  eyc»  rcd-lparcltng  as  fire  gtowc  i                    ^^^m 

he  fjwc  It  rkid  me 

His  tiofc  frnuncid  full  kirkid  (lodc;                       ^^| 

^  the  bothom  puiUd  he 

lit-  come  cfianilf  as  he  were  ^ode,                       ^^| 

Bgrcnc,  and  y»vc  mc  that. 

Aud  fuitd,  Bialacotl,  tcl  me  why                            ^^H 

Me  full  nigh  the  bothom  fat ; 

Thuu  bringifl  hidir  fo  boldely                               ^^H 

df  that  lefc  foil  qudm^ 

Him  that  lo  nii^h  to  the  roferc  i                            ^^H 

tan  ]  ich  I  wai  aqueintc 

Thou  worchift  in  a  wrong  manercj                       ^^H 

ialacoil,  and  fo  privc, 

He  tlnnkith  to  dilhonour  the;                                  ^^H 

'.  all  my  '^  ill  had  ybe, 

Thou  art  well  v^orthy  to  'have  maJgre                  ^^| 

rest  1  hardic  tor  to  tell 

To  let  him  of  the  rofcre  wiite  ;                              ^^| 

iftcoil  how  mcbffcli 

Who  ftrvith  Fellonc  is  ill  qiiitte.                            j^H 

fc  that  tokc  and  woiiTidid  roc. 

1  hou  woldifl  have  doen  grctc  hounte,              ^^| 

rid.  Sir,  fomoTc  Ithc, 

And  he  with  Ihame  would  quit    the.                    '^^I 

tojojc  hiTTc  in  im  wUc 

Flic  hens,  ftrlowe  ;  I  tcdc  the  go;                            ^^^^| 

■pdr,  but  tt  arife 

It  wantith  Utc  he  wol  the  Ho,                                '^^^ 

l(if  1  (hall  not  fame) 

For  BiiiUcoil  nc  knc%ve  the  nought                       1^1 

E  !  havr  had  fo  ^icte  paine^ 
f  afjoie»  and  ft»db«  affraie, 

Whan  the  to  fcrvc  he  fct  hit  thought,                   ^^| 

For  thou  wolt  ihame  him  if  thou  mi^h^                 ^^M 

fir  woitt  v#hat  I  Ihall  ikit  ; 

fiotlic  ujrain  re  fun  and  'gainU  rigUt ;                      ^^M 

your  wrothc  to  dcfVrve  ; 

I  woll  no  more  in  the  aflie                                         ^^t 

nc  were  that  kfiiviskcrvc 

That  comcft  fo  f  ightly  for  t*  cfpic,                         ^^^H 

itc  Ihudd  in  pcti*  J  mall 

For  it  proviih  woudirly  wcle                                   ^^M 

1  atiy  'iv  ifc  it  fhoitld  falJ 

Thy  Height  and  ircfon  cv^y  dele.                           ^^M 

r  wroihid  Oiould  ben  with  tne« 

1  durit  no  more  make  there  abode                     ^^1 

lu.ii.Fv  ihy  will,  (quod  he) 

For  the  chorL,  he  wa&  fo  wode  ;                           l^^l 

^  if  that  1  inaie, 

So  gan  he  thretttn  and  ma;tace,                             ^^| 

^  thoo  ihak  to  mc  faie. 

And  through  the  haie  he  did  mc  chace,                ?^^| 

For  ft  re  ol  him  I  trembled  and  ijuokc,                 ^^M 

So  chi^rlilhtly  hta  hcddc  he  (hokc,                             ^^| 

aied  F,  Sir,  not  you  difplefc 

And  faicd,  If  eft  he  might  me  cake                       ^^H 

wis  of  my  g-rrtc  utidir. 

E  Ihould  nat  from  his  hondis  fcapCp                        ^^H 

h  <mh  Love  halh  njc  bruught, 

1  lian  BialacotI  ii  ficd  and  mate,                             ^^M 

Dif  %Tctty  difcff,  ard  thougbtj 

And  1  all  folc  dtfcon folate                                       ^^H 

c  to  daie  it  dotth  mc  dnc ; 

Wi*  Uti  alone  in  pain  and  thmight;                      '^^M 

th  not,  Str»  that  I  lie; 

Fro  fliamc  to  dcth  I  wan  nigh  biouglit  j               .^^| 

ire  woondis  did  he  make. 

Than  thought  I  on  my  high  folic,                         jj^^H 

•e  fif  t^hicbe  Ihall  nevir  flakp 

Hdw  that  my  bodic  uttirtie                                    ^^H 

the  bothom  gfivunt^  mc 

1  it  mod  pai]crauot  of  bcaute, 

Wus  ycTc  to  paine  and  to  martirc,                         ^^| 

And  therto  had  1  fu  grcte  ire,                                 ^^| 

',  my  dcth,  and  my  martyrOi 

1  hat  I  ne  durft  the  hayis  pafle  ;                             ^^^| 

rfoiir  that  !  moftc  ddirc. 

There  was  no  hope,  thcic  waj  no  grace  ;             ^^| 

lialacoiJ,  afRrayid  ;ill. 

I  trowc  nevir  man  wiflc  of  pain                             ^^| 

Sir,  It  niaie  not  befall 

But  he  were  laced  in  I.ov^4  chafti,                         i^^l 

I  defire  ;  It  maie  not  rife; 

Ne  no  man  will,  (and  foth  it  is)                           i^^l 

would  yc  fliende  me  in  this  wife  f 

But  if  he  tove,  what  angir  it.                               ^^^| 

it]  fo\i  than  I  were 

Love  holdctb  hit  hefte  ti)  mc  right  ^•rclc|             J^H 

Frid  you'  awasV  to  here 

Whan  pain  (he  fay  id)  I  ihould  felc                        ^^M 

ihe  bothom  fo  fwire  of  Hght, 

No  hcrte  maie  tl^inke  no  tong^  faia                      'l^^l 

ircrc  ijcithir  flcJH  ne  rjj;ht 

A  quartrr  of  my  wo  and  pain  ;                               ^^| 

rofir  yc  brck'-  the  rlnde. 

1  might  not  with  the  angir  lafl;                              ^^| 

:  the  Rofe  afornc  his  kitidc : 

Mine  hertc  in  poind  was  for  to  bra{l                     ^^| 

not  curids  to  afltc  it ; 

Whan  1  thought  on  the  Rofe,  that  fo                    f^^i 

liU  OD  the  rofir  fit ; 

Was  thorough  Daungtr  tail  mc  fro,                      ^^| 

jrowc  till  it*  amctidld  be, 

A  long  while  ft  ode  1  in  that  £latc,                             ^H 

ffitly  Clime  to  beatjtc  ; 

Till  that  me  fawe  fo  maddc  and  mate                      ^H 

•  ijo^  *'^''  '*■  '*  '-■t''i"'^  ^'•cre 

1  he  kdie  of  the  high^  w^rd,                                ^^| 

to*.                           re, 

Whichc  from  her  tourc  lokid  thidirw»r4v            ^^H 

it  IS 

Rcfon  men  eltfpin  that  ludy,                               ^^| 

Wbichc  frtjra  her  louf^  Axlsrulj                      ^^M 

^^iao                                 THE    ROMAUNT    OF    THE    ROSF,                   ^^ 

Came  douoe  to  mc  \vitboutiii  more ; 

A  I  Wickid  Tong  jb  with  ihcfe  tw<s    ^^J 

^^^ut  Die  wi«  neither  yong  ne  hnr<.\ 

That  fuiTrith  no  mao  thidtr  go^           i^^^l 

^^BNc  high  nc  lowe,  nc  tzttc  nc  Irnc, 

For  cr  a  thijig  be  doc  he  OiaJl,               ^^H 

^^'But  bcCl,  SK  it  were  in  a  mrnt  : 

Where  that  he  comith  ovir  all,              ^^^H 

Her  tyin  two  were  clcrc  z^d  light 

In  fourtic  plad<,  if  it  he  fought,                 ^M 

As  a  candill  diat  brennith  bright ; 

Saif  thin^that  nerc  wa*  don  nc  wrought,  ^M 

And  on  her  hcddc  {he  had  a  croimc  ; 

So  mochc  traifnn  Li  in  hii  niaJe,                     S 

Her  femid  well  an  high  pcrfounc. 

Of  falfcfienc  for  tofainc  a  tale.              ,^^H 

For  round  environ  her  crouncC 

Thou  delcll  with  angric  folkc  i-wis,  ^^^^M 

WaifuU  of  richc  ftonis  afret; 

Wherefore  to  the  bettir  i^                     ^^^^| 

1         Her  godely  fembbunt  by  dcviSc 

From  thefc  folkis  awaic  t»  fare,             ^^^B 

]  trowc  was  made  in  Paradifc, 

For  thei  woll  makjr  the  live  in  care;           ^M 

For  Nature  had  ncvir  (bchc  grace 

Thift  is  the  ill  that  Love  thei  cdJ,         ^^^^ 

To  forge  a  -workc  of  fochc  cnmpacc; 

Whercio  there  ii  but  fohe  all,                ^^^^ 

For  certain,  hut  if  the*  lettir  lie. 

For  love  i*  folic  every  dell ;                    ^^^H 

<^rctc  God  himftlf,  that  is  fo  htc. 

Who  lovetl^  m  no  wife  mate  doe  wet  I.       ^M 

Porniid  her  aftir  hi*  image. 

Ne  fee  his  thought  on  no  godc  wcrkc ;        S 

And  yafc  her  (iihe  fochc  avaunugc 

Hi»  fchole  he  lekth  if  he  be  ckrke^             M 

1          rh»t  ftic  hath  might  and  fcignoric 

Or  othir  craft  if  that  he  he                           S 

To  kepi  men  from  all  folic  : 

He  (Hall  not  thrive  therein.  Cor  be               ^M 

M^ho  ff»  wo  11  frowe  wclc  her  lore 

In  Invc  ilial  have  more  palBoun                       9 

Nc  maic  offcndln  nevinnorc. 

Thau  rrwnkc,  or  hcrmitc,  or  chanouiu        X 

And  white  I  Aodc  thus  derke  md  pale 

Thii  pain  i»  herd  out  of  mefure  ;                 ^M 

Tlefon  began  to  mc  her  talc  ; 

7'hc  joie  maie  no  while  endure  |            «J^^| 

She  Cited,  Al  haile,  my  fwete  frende ! 

And  ekt  in  the  pofTcflion                       l^^H 

Folie  and  childhod  woll  the  fliendc. 

Ismochil  iribubcioun  ;                         J^^^| 

Whiehc  the  have  put  in  grete  afmic  j 

I'he  joic  it  ii  fo  fbcrt  lafling,               ^^^H 

TJiow  baft  bought  dcrc  the  time  of  Maie, 

And  but  in  hapc  is  the  gettrng  ;          ^^^| 

That  niide  tbin  hcrte  mcric  w  be  ; 

I  fc  there  many  in  travmile                     ^^^| 

In  cTiU  time  thou  wenrell  to  fc 

That  at  the  UA  fhall  fouly  failcj          ^^H 

Tiir  gardin  whereof  Idilocflc 

1  wan  nothing  thy  counfajler,                 ^^^H 

Yljirc  the  kcic  and  was  maiflrefle. 

Whan  thou  were  made  the  homager     ^^^| 

'U^han  that  tlvou  ycdift  in  the  daunce 

Of  god  of  Love  to  hallily,                   ^^H 

With  her,  and  haddin  acc|uaiatauncej 

M'herc  wa»  no  wifcdomc  but  folie ;         V^| 

Her  acqualntauncif  is  pcrillou*. 

Thine  hartc  was  joli«  but  not  fagc          ^^B 

FM  foil,  au<i  aftif  full  noigu^; 

Whan  thou  were  brought  in  fochc  a  raft     H 

^^-^r  hath  the  tralhid  without  wene; 

I'o  ycldc  liic  up  fo  redily                               H 

^H^ie  god  nf  Love  h;id  the  nn.t  fcuc. 

To  LoTC  of  hU  grcte  maiftiry.                     B 

^^Kc  had  IdiJnefTe  the  convcidc                                      . 

w^^^M 

^^n^^ithin  the  verge  %\  here  Mirthc  hiiaplddc ; 

^^^M 

^^Bf  Foiie  have  lurprtlid  the 

I  rede  the  Love  awatc  to  drivf »          ^^^H 

^Hboe  fo  th:it  it  recovered  be. 

That  maketh  the  rechc  not  of  thy  liift^^^B 

^Biitd  be  well  ware  to  take  uo  more 

The  folie  more  fro  dai  to  daic                       ^ 

^^KouafaiJe  that  grevuh  aftir  fore  : 

Shall  growc  but  tliou  it  put  awaic  ;              H 
Take  with  thy  tethe  the  bhdill  faOc             B 

^■Bc'  i«  wife  that  woU  himfclf  chafHTc;, 

^•^     Though  a  yong  man  in  sny  wife 

To  daunt  thy  herte,  and  rkc  thrc  a(^c»        ^M 

Trcibsfle  emong  end  doc  folie. 

If  tliat  thou  maicA ,  to  get  defence               S 

Let  mm  nai  dwclle,  bat  haftUic 

For  to  redrcCTe  thy  firil  offence  ;                    S 

Let  him  amende  what  fo  be  raii; 

Who  fo  his  hertc  alwaie  woil  Icvc                 B 

A»d  eke  \  counfailc  the  i-wii 

Shall  finde  emong  that  Ihail  him  grev&^^^| 

The  godgof  Love  wholly  forycte. 

Whan  1  her  herd  thus  me  challiic     ^^^H 

That  hath  the  in  ibche  pain  yfetc. 

I  anfwcrde  in  full  angric  wUc,             ^^^| 

And  the  in  hcrte  tourmcotid  fo  ; 

1  prayid  her  ceiTe  of  her  fpcche             ^^^^ 

I  can  not  fcnc  how  thou  niaicft  go 

£ithir  to  chaflife  me  or  techc^              .j^^H 

Othir  waici  the  to  garifoun. 

To  bidd^  mc  my  thought  refrcin,         ^T^H 

For  Daungcrvy  that  ia  fo  fcioi^n. 

Whiche  Love  hath  caught  in  hit  dcmuA  I  ^H 

Fcllie  purpofeth  the  to  wcrreie. 

What  wcnin  ye  Love  woU  coafcot        ^^^^ 

Whiche  is  lullc  crudl,  fothc  to  fcie. 

(That  me  alTcyith  with  bowe  hem)       ^^^M 

To  drawe  mme  hcrte  out  of  hit  baod€|^^^| 

Whiche  h  fo  qutekly  in  his  bond«  I      ^^^| 

And  y^t  of  Dautigcre  eootrth  no  blimc; 

That  yc  counJaile  maic  Dcvir  be,          ^^^B 

In  reward  of  my  daughtir  Shame, 
Wliichc  hath  the  roU»  m  her  warde. 

For  whan  he  firil  arcHid  mc                         B 

He  toke  mine  herte  fo  fure  him  tiQ               ^t 

At  ihc  that  roaie  be  oo  mularde, 

That  it  is  oothingat  jny  wiU  -,              ^^B 

H        THE    RQMAl/HT 

OF    THE     ROSE.                                     S^C  1 

lb  him  for  to*  obcic 

Of  hcrtc  pralc  him  fp<5cially                                       1 

ifrid  with  a  k«i«* 

Of  thy  trcfpacc  to  have  mercle,                                1 

rinicbcaUftiil, 

Atid  hutm  him  well  here  to  plcic,                   ^^h 

ircll,  if  thai  yc  will. 

1'hut  tKou  {hdh  utiF  more  him  diiplcfc  :           ^^^| 

wafte  in  iaiUicilc, 

Who  i\-ui  hcik  icttc  of  ilatiry                            ^^^| 

» itboiitin  fl^cGt:, 

ShuU  plcfe  Daun^irmol)  uttirly*                       ^^^| 

tine  i*  but  lit  VMR  I 

My  frcnde  hath  faird  to  mc  fo  wdi}            ^^H 

k  die  m  the  pain 

That  he  mr  cfid  hath  fouicdcie,                        .^^H 

9  mcward  ihould  arcttc. 

And  ckc  aljrggcd  of  my  toormcnt,                 ^^^H 

refon  on  mc  fcttc  ; 

For  thruDj^h  him  had  1  hardimeut                   ^^^| 

tUB  pris  or  blame. 

Again  to  Daungtr  for  Co  go,                              ^^H 

e  far  to  favc  my  oome  i 

To  prcTc  if  1  might  make  hitti  fo.                 ^^H 

U&th  I  Kim  hate. 

^^^M 

irde  Rcfoo  went  her  gate, 

^^H 

re  for  no  fc rmoning 

To  Ddimgir  cam  I  atl  oihamed,                      ^^^| 

5  fro  my  folic  bring  : 

The  whiche  afome  me  had  yblamed,             ^^^^| 

d  I  left  aU  Tok, 

Dcfirin^  for  t*  apcfc  my  wo^                            ^^^H 

r-wandrect,  m  a  fole, 

But  oviT  hed}f;c*  durfl  1  nat  go,                          ^^^^ 
for  he  forbodc  mc  the  pailage  :                      ^^^B 

ire  no  cheri&unce  : 

}  mj  rcnciembrauivcc 

I  futinde  him  cruill  in  his  rage,                       ^^^^ 

laddi:  mc  to  purvcic 

And  in  his  honde  a  grete  bonrdoun  :              ^^^| 

rhora  I  might  fcie 

To  him  1  knelid  lowc  adoun,                            ^^^| 

and  my  privitc. 

Full  mckc  of  purt  and  Gmpte'  of  chert,         ^^H 

Id  moche  aYaiiin  me. 

And  faied^  Sir,  1  am  com  in  here                      ^^^H 

bethought  1  mc  thai  1 

Only  to  alk  of  you  mcrdc  ;                                ^^^| 

(s^hr 

ft  grcvith  mc  full  gretily                                    ^^^H 

r,  curieU  and  hcnde. 

I'hat  cvir  f  have  wrathid  you,                         ^^^| 

1  was  by  name  a  Prendc ; 

But  for  to'  amende  1  am  come  now,                        1 

wt  WM  no  where  none* 

With  all  my  might  bothe  loudc  4rid  iliU          ^^M 

It  t  went  anone, 

To  dotn  right  at  your  own  will,                     ^^^H 

ill  my  wo  I  told, 

ti^or  Love  madin  mc  for  to  do                          ^^^| 

t  noujcht  1  wGuJ  J  witbotJ, 

That  I  have  trcfpaflcd  htdirta,                           ^^^ 

D  withoutin  were, 

Fro  whomc  I  oe  maie  drawe  mine  hcrtc,               *l 

f  coniplcint  on  Daungcre^ 

Vet  fhail  I  ncrc  for  joie  ne  fmerte                    ^^M 

!te  he  wot  hkloui, 

(What  fo  bcf;ill  mc,  gode  or  ill)                     ^^M 

ird  con»>^^'^i'"(-, 

OfTcnJin  more  ajjuin  your  will ;                        ^^^B 

fcroi'v                ':c 

Levir  f  have  endure  difcfe                                           ■ 

ItoJ.                d  mc. 

ThAU  doc  tlwt  whiche  ihould  you  difpld*»     .^^M 

il  whan  he  mc  fci<: 

^^^H 

ftrdin  waJkc  and  plcid 

^^^M 

ide  him  for  to  go^ 

f  you  require  and  pnic  that  yc                      ^^H 

alone  in  wo ; 

Of  me  have  mcrcic  and  pite,                           ^^^| 

(fir  with  him  fpcke, 

To  (lint  your  ire  that  grcvith  (o,                    ^^^M 

died  he  would  be  wrcke 

Thnt  [  woll  fwcre  fur  evtrino                          ^^H 

t  fa  we  how  that  I  went                       , 

To  be  rcdrcUcd  at  your  liking                          ^^^| 

►rhom  for  to  hent, 

tf  I  trclp^cc  in  any  thing,                                ^^H 

die  to  come  ncrc 

Save  that  (1  praic  the)  graunt^  mc                  ^^H 

uie  and  »b«  rofcrr. 

A  thing  that  maie  nat  warnid  be,                    ^^H 

6,  whan  he  wift  of  my  thought, 

1  Thjit  1  miie  love  all  oni!y,                               ^^^H 

lid  mc  right  nought  * 

None  othir  thing  of  you  aflcc  1  ;                      ^^^^H 

bwe,  be  nat  fo  tnaddc. 

1  {hall  doin  aH  wcU  i-wi%                              ^^^| 

nor  bcftAddd  ; 

Jf  of  your  grace  you  graunt  mc  tl,                    ^^M 

©we  full  well  Daungcrc, 

And  that  y«  male  nat  let  tin  mc,                        ^^M 

1  be  id  tlcn  oi  diere, 

For  Vicil  wote  yc  tJtat  luvc  i*  fre,                     ^^H 

Pj  Love  to  maiiacc  » 

And  1    (hall  lovcn  fochc  ttut  1  wilJ,                ^^H 

e  bco  lu  hiicvfc; 

M^ho  evir  like  it  well  or  ill,                              ^^H 

though  that  he  bc» 

And  yet  ne  would  1  for  all  FrauH'                       ^^H 

lit  him  louple  fc  : 

Do4  thing  Co  doc  you  difptclaunce,                     ^^^| 

1 1  knew  c  him  wck  ; 

Than  Uaungir  £11  in  his  entcot                   ^^^H 

It  thoo^b  men  him  fcle 

For  £0  forycvc  hi»  male  tulcnr,                          ^^H 

t  aftre'  in  Uh  baring 

But  all  hi>  wrathc  yet  at  the  Uil                      ^^H 

ir  and  i4}ci{u«g : 

He  hath  relefed,  I  praied  io  fiil^.                      ^^H 

[what  thou  ihalt  dcO| 

Shortly,  (he  fay  id)  thy  rcqucfl                       ^^H 

Is  oat  Cg  mobU  diihoacH,                              ^^H 

^1 

3^ 


THE    ROMAUNT    OF    THE    ROSS. 


Nc  I  woll  nat  wernin  it  the, 

For  yet  notixing  enj^rcviih  tnc; 

For  though  tlwii  love  thui  cvirmore 

To  rac  IS  ncithir  foft  nc  fore  : 

I40VC  whcrt  the  lift,  what  rcchith  mc  ? 

So  fcrrc  thou  fro  my  roGsb^; 

Truft  not  on  mc  for  none  afTaie 

lo  any  time  to  paAc  the  hiie. 

Thus  hath  ht  grauntid  my  pmicre  t 
Than  went  I  forth*  without  in  were 
Unto  my  frcnde,  and  told  him  all 
Whichtf  was  right  joifuU  of  mj^  tale. 
(He  faied)  Now  gocth  well  thine  oflaire^ 
He  fliall  to  the  be  dcbonaire  i 
Thnugh  he  afome  wm  dirpitoni 
He  (hall  hereafdr  be  grmciou* ; 
If  he  were  touched  on  foroc  godcTeta 
He  fhould  yet  rcwin  on  thy  pein  ; 
Suffir,  I  rede,  and  00  bode  make 
Till  thou  at  godc  mc«  mait  fl  htm  tahts 

By  fufiraunec  and  by  wordift  loft 
A  man  maie  ovircomin  oft 
Him  that  aforne  he  had  tn  drcde, 
In  bokis  fothly  m  T  rede. 
Thus  hath  my  frendc  with  grete  cotnfott 
Avauneid  mc  with  high  difport, 
Whichc  would  me  gode  as  moche  ai  1 1 
And  than  anon  full  fodainly 
I  toke  my  Icve,  and  ftreight  I  went 
Utuo  the  haie,  for  grctc  talent 
I  had  to  fcni:  the  freflic  bothom 
Wher-In  laic  my  falracTon, 
And  Oaungir  toke  kepc  if  that  I 
Kcpe  him  covinaunt  truily  i 
So  [ore  t  drcdc  hit  manafmg 
1  durft  not  brekin  his  bidding. 
For  left  that  I  were  of  him  iheni 
t  brake  not  his  commaundiment^ 
For  to  purchafm  his  godc  will 
It  was  for  to  comin  there  till; 
Hit  merciewas  to  ferre  bchindt 
Tkept,  for  I  nc  might  it  findc  s 
1  complaiuid  and  lighid  fore. 
And  lattgtiifhid  cvir  the  more, 
Ftnr  I  ne  durft  nat  ovir  go 
Unto  the  Rofc  1  lovid  fo, 
Throughout  my  demfng  uftirfy 
That  he  had  kuowlcpe  certainly  ; 
Than  Love  mc  Uddc  in  foe  hi  wifa 
That  in  mc  there  wat  nn  feintife 
Nc  fiilfhcdde,  ne  no  trcchcric. 
And  yet  he  full  of  villanir, 
And  of  difcia.ine  and  rruUtCt 
On  me  ne  would  have  no  pite 
His  cmiU  will  fwr  to  refrain, 
TTio  I  wept  aic  and  me  complain. 


And  while  I  wii§  in  this  turment 
Were  come  of  Ki*ee,  by  Gr>d  ffent,! 
I>)tme  Fraunchife,  iiid  with  her  Pite, 
Fulfilde  the  bothom  of  bounte  : 
Thci  go  to  Daungir  titon  right 
To  fcrUdr  mc  with  ^  thtr  m^ght^ 


And  helpe  me  in  worde  »fid  lA  ieiet 

For  well  thei  fawe  that  it  wi»  ortSe. 

Firft  of  her  grac^  Dame  Fraanchifc 

Ytakin  harh  of  thi«  eoipnfe  ; 

She  faied  Daun^r,  grete  wrong  ft  dot 

To  worth  tlus  man  To  mocfiil  uroc. 

Or  pinin  him  fo  angtrlie, 

ft  is  to  you  gretc  vilafiic  ; 

1  can  not  fe  ne  whyne  how 

That  he  hath  trefpaffcd  aj^min  you, 

Save  t Hat  he  lovcth,  wh*Tcfortr  ye  (holif 

*rhe  more  In  charitc*  of  him  hoM 

Tlic  force  of  Love  makcth  hint  do  thi»| 

Who  would  him  hlumtc  he  dtd  ami*  t 

He  levith  tuorc  than  he  maie  doej 

His  pain  i?  hardc  ye  mate  fe  lo  * 

And  Love  in  no  wife  would  coofcnc 

That  he  have  powir  to  repent, 

For  though  that  quickc  ye  would  him  llv 

Fro  Love  his  hcrtc  ne  male  nat  go. 

Now,  fwct '  Sir,  it  i^  your  cfit 
Him  for  to  angir  or  difeA;. 
AU>i !  what  may  it  you  ivaiiocc 
To  docn  to  him  fo  grete  grevaiunce  ? 
What  woffhip  is'  it  again  him  take. 
Or  on  your  man  a  wcrrd  make, 
Siihc  he  fo  lowlie  every  wife 
Is  rcdy  as  ye  lufte  dcvife  f 
If  Love  have  caught  him  in  hii  bieti 
You  for  t'  obaic  in  every  caee, 
And  ben  your  fuLjedl  at  your  will. 
Should  yc  theVfore  wilHti  Him  jH  ? 
Ve  (hottld  him  fparin  mure  all  nut 
Than  him  that  i«  botl  '     md  ftoat  I 

Curtcfie  would  that 

Them  that  bcti  mekc  unair  jour  tun  i 
H'u  ttrrif  h  i'Jr/j/Mtt  rvt/i  mtl  mrir 
Wbam  mm  tj"  mtl^Jft  him  ktftht^ 


This  11  certain,  foyid  Pitc, 
We  fe  oft  that  hum  life 
Brttlie  ire  and  atff»  fclonic 
Vcnquifh'tth,  and  ulfo*  mefftiKotieg 
To  Hondin  fnrthe  in  foch*  durclTe 
Thii  cruilte  and  wickedntfle  5 
Wherefore  1  praic  yoti,  Sir  DiBP^ef%  - 
For  to  maintcLn  no  lengir  here 
Sochc  cruill  werre  again  your  nuUI 
A*  wholly  your'*'  ts  er  he  can, 
Kor  ehat  yc  worehin  00  more  wo 
On  this  caitife  langtiifhing  fo, 
Whiche  wttll  no  more  to  yott  trefpace# 
But  put  him  whoUy  in  ynur  grace  i 
And  hi^  ofTenee  ne  wij  but  IH«  ; 
The  god  of  Love  it  was  tn 
That  he  your  thrall  fo  gr>. 

If  yc  him  harmc  ye  docn  ^ , ., 

For  he  htth  had  full  hard  peoattifce 
Stth  that  ye  reft  him  th*  •qQttni:auoc< 
Of  Bialacoil,  hi«  mofl   joir, 
Whiche  all  hi%  pa in«  might  acait  i 
He  wa»  before  annyid  fore. 
But  than  yc  doublid  him  well  itk«rev 


4 

i 


blifTc  bath  ben  ful  bane 

coil  wai  fro  him  fire  : 

h  to  him  done  gretc  diilrelTcy 

0  nede  of  more  durefle  : 
om  him  yoor  ire  I  reUc ; 
iot  wianiJi  in  thty  dcde  : 
iajacoii  rcp^irc  sgiiH 

:h  pitc  on  Kia  pain, 
^chffe  wolt,  ind  I  Pitc^ 
CifuU  to  bim  jc  be ; 
thii  {be  »tid  I  »ccotde 
Ulim  mtfcricorde, 
Biuic,  aud  ckc  mondle, 
ftrfufin  our  rcqucAc, 
baird  and  fell  of  thought, 
it  two  woU  doe  right  nought. 
C  might  CO  more  cadurc, 

1  bim  unto  mefurc« 

n  no  wife,  faicth  Daungcrc, 
i  yc  have  aflcid  here» 
I  grctc  uncurtific ; 
bmvc  the  cooifkamci 
oilf  as  ft  deviie  ; 
A  krtio  io  do  wife. 
oil  than  went  in  hie 
l»  andfaicd  full  curtiflie, 
!i>  long  ybcn  dcfgnou* 
lovir  and  dxungc*roos, 
;o  witbdnwc  jom  prefcncc, 
sth  doe  to  him  grete  offcoce, 
loi  woald  upon  him  fc, 
ft  forowfuU  man  is  he  ? 
Kpaie  him  and  to  plcfe, 
Bjf  f€  woll  have  cfc  i 
Ml) :  fich  that  f  e  knowc 
Filiuiitid  and  brought  1q%vc 
JheJpc  of  mc  and  of  Pitc 
no  more  afcrdc  to  be 
doin  right  as  je  wUI« 
llacoii,  for  k  ii  fkill^ 
igir  -woll  that  it  fo  be  ; 
apdiifc  hath  him  fuit  to  mt « 


I 


the  beginning 
t  ill  his  commiiig  ; 
mtneSe  was  in  him  froe 
than  he  nc^  had  wrstthid  hen; 
rtnbltUDt  than  {hewed  he  mc, 
rly,  hi  afome  did  he, 
kke  hoade  wit  ho  tit  in  doubt 

^baic  right  all  about 
rrith  a  right  godc  cbcre, 
on  on  the  tergere 
mfftrc  had  me  chaCd  £ro* 
vi  levc  ovre'  aU  to  go. 
naifcd  at  my  dcviiie 
B  tin  to  paradife. 
bcoil  of  gencilciefle 
tain  and  btrSneiTe 
me  onelj  of  g/^ce 
the  lov^  plate. 
Rofe,  whan  I  wu  nigh, 
'OqUA  and  matxL  high. 


OF    THE    ROSE 

Frcfhc  and  roddy,  and  f^ife  of  Ueire, 

Of  colour  cvir  illiche  newc  ; 

And  whan  I  had  it  longc  fene 

i  fawc  that  through  the  Icvts  gncnc 

The  Rofe  fprcd  to  fpanniihing. 

To  fcne  it  was  a  g^dcly  thing. 

But  it  ne  was  fo  iprede  on  brede 

That  tnen  within  might  knowe  the  fede^ 

For  it  covert  ywas  and  dofc 

Eothc  with  the  Icvca  and  with  the  Roie| 

The  Aalk;:  was  even'  and  grene  upright, 

k  was  thcrton  a  godcly  fight, 

And  wcU  the  bcttir  without  wene 

For  that  the  fcdc  was  not  yfene  i 

Full  faire  it  fprad,  the  god  of  BldFe, 

For  fochc  an  othir  as  I  gcSe 

Aforne  ne  wa*,  ne  more  vemnailei 

T  was  abnwcd  for  marvcile. 

For  cr  the  fairir  that  it  was 

The  more  I'ani  boundin  in  Loire's  laaj, 

Lon^  I  abode  there,  futhc  to  fiit^ 

Til  Bialacoil  I  gan  to  praie. 

Whan  that  I  fawc  him  in  no  wife 

To  mc  to  wamin  his  fervid c. 

That  he  to  me  would  gniunt  a  thin^ 

Whiche  to  rcmcmbre*  it  well  fitting, 

*rhi^  is  to  fulne,  that  of  his  gtacc 

He  would  mc  yt-?e  Icifar  and  fpaoe. 

To  me  that  was  fo  dc firou* 

To  have  a  killing  preciooa 

Of  the  fo  godcly  frclh^  rofc 

That  fo  fwctcly  fmclkth  in  my  Dofe» 

For  if  it  you  difplcGd  nought 

I  woU  gbdiy,  a*  I  hare  fought^ 

Bavin  a  kiffc  iherof  frclf 

Of  youi^  ycft^i  for  certainly 

I  woll  none  have  but  by  your  ter^. 

So  lothe  me  wcrrc  you  for  to  grevii 


He  fayid,  ^rcnde,  fd  God  mc  fpede* 
Of  Chaftitc  1  have  foche  drcdc. 
Thou  nioiiliicft  not  wdrnid  be  i<n  mt^ 
But  I  dare  not  ff>r  Chaftitc  i 
Again  hcf  dare  I  not  miidoc^ 
For  alwaie  biddlth  fVc  m«  fo 
To  ycvc  no  tovir  kvc  tp  kiSe, 
For  who  thereto  may  winncfi,  t-wiifc 
He  of  the  furphis  of  the  praie 
May  livr  in  hope  to  get  fume  dak  ; 
For  who  fo  kifljng  maie  attain 
Of  lov'iipain  hn:h  (foth  to  fain) 
The  IkH  and  the  moflc  avinaunf, 
And  err  ell  of  the  reirinauat* 
Of  hii  anfwcrc  I  fjghid  fof«, 
I  durftc  aflaie  him  tho  no  more, 
1  had  fuchc  drede  to  ^revc  him  ale ; 
A  man  Ihould  not  to  muchc*  aflaie 
To  chafe  his  frtride  out  of  mefurei 
Nor  put  hi\  life  in  avinturc ; 
Fnr  no  man  at  the  5rft  0roke 
Nc  may  not  fel  adoune  an  oke. 
Nor  of  the  reifin*  have  the  wine 
Till  grapes  be  fipe  and  well  a^&ae|. 


^        |C4                                  n^l.  ROMAUNT   aP   THE  ROSr                 ^^^^ 

Be  fnre  cmprtfffcd,  I  yoo  enfurc,                               i 

Had  Blalacoi]  with  hih  1                      ^^^^^| 

1        And  drAunii  out  of  the  prcffure  :                              , 

An  one  he  bade  me  ww                       ^^^^^^| 

^^£iJt  I.  f'jr(>^imd  wondtr  ftrong;, 

And  graujuidmcthcR...        ---^^^^^B 

^HpTht  ught>   thiit  I  abode  right  long 

Th^in  iif  my  paine  I  g^anoe  to  UHV,          ^^^| 

^^bltlr  the  I  life  in  pjitic  aud  wo, 

And  to  the  Rofc  anon  wept  1,                 ^^^H 

^^feth  f  to  kiife  dcfirid  fo; 

And  kiihd  it  ful  {aithfally,                       ^^H 

^^frlll  th]it  rewiTii^  oD  my  dtflrdfd 

Ncde  no  man  atkc  if  i  was  bHth            ^^^1 

^^Hhere  comin  Venus  the  goddcITi.', 

Whan  the  favour  fo  ioftc  and  lith             ^^M 

^^nVluchc  aic  wcryith  Chaftittf) 

Stroke  to  mine  hen  wtthoutiiimofr,             J 

^^Eiimc  of  her  grace  to  focour  me. 

And  me  alleggid  of  my  fore,                   ^^^| 

^^HThofe  might  i»  knowia  fcrre  and  wide^ 

So  wai  1  ful  of  joyc  and  hlille;                ^^^| 

^^■^or  (he  ii  moihir  of  Cupidc, 

h  is  faire  fuchc  a  floure  to  kjfle  ;            ^^^H 

'I  hij  god  of  Love,  ii&  blLndc  as  (lone. 

It  was  to  fote  and  favirous                       ^^^H 

■'I  hit  hclpith  lovir*  many  one. 

I  might  not  be  fo  anguilbous                 ^^^^ 

'Ihiifr  lad)  brought  in  her  right  hiiadc 

Thut  I  mote  glad  and  joly  be  i              ^^^M 

Of  brcnning  fire  a  blafing  brondc,                            | 

Whan  that  1  do  remcmbre  me               ^^^H 

Whereof  the  lUmc  and  hot :  fire 

YcL  cvrc'  amoi^  (futWy  to  faine)                 V 
1  iuSic  aoic  and  tnoi-htl  pame.            \J  ^      H 

Hatli  nmoy*  a  lady  in  dclire 

Of  lovt  ybrought,  and  fore  yhctte. 

^  m 

And  in  her  fervicc  her  hcrtf  fcttc. 

L^g'hii  lady  was  of  gode  entaUc, 

The  fe  may  nevir  be  fo  {itll                    ^^^t 

^^Kight  woodirful  of  apparaile ; 

But  with  a  litillwinde  at  will                ^^^H 

^^By  her  atire  fo  bright  andlhene 

May  ovirwhelmc  and  toume  tilfo          ^^^H 

^Hblcn  might  pcrcdvin  well  imd  fcnc 

A«  it  were  woJe  in  wa^ris  go ;               ^^^H 

^Bshe  wa»  not  of  rcligioun; 

Aftir  the  calme  the  trouble  fouc             ^^^B 

Nt>r  1  n'il  makin  mcndoun 

Mote  folow^  and  chaunge  a»  the  mone.        ^M 

Nor  of  her  robe  nor  of  trefoil r. 

Right  fo  fare  I  h  Love,  that  fcld;  in  one      H 

Of  brochc  ne  of  her  richc  attour. 

Holdcthhis  ancre,lur  right  aj^unc                fl 

1 Nc  of  her  girdle'  about  her  flde. 

Wliaii  thct  in  efe  wcnc  lM;tl  to  live               ^M 

^^^ur  tliat  1  n*Ll  tiot  long  abide; 

They  ben  with  tempell  all  fordrive.       ^^^H 

^^But  knowith  well  that  certainly 

Who  fervith  Love  can  till  of  wo             ^^^H 

^Hhe  was  trrayid  richily ; 

The  ftoundmclc  jcryc  mote  ovirgo ;        ^^^B 

^^^Toide  of  pride  certainc  fhc  was; 
^^^o  Bialacod  (he  went  a  paa«, 

Now  he  hurtitb  and  now  he  curcth,              ^ 

For  fclde  in  o  poincc  l^vc  eiidurcth.            ^^ 

^^K^nd  to  him  (hortcly  in  a  claufc 

Now  it  h  right  mc  to  prorede                     ^M 

^VShe  fayid,  Sir«  what  ia  the  caufc 

How  Shame  g:an  medic  and  rake  hedr,         ^| 

Ye  hen  of  porte  fo  daungiroos 

Through  whom  fel  angirt  1  hsvc  haJr,         H 

Unto  this  lovij  and  daiooo*, 

And  how  tlic  Llronge  wall  was  made,            H 

To  graunt  him  nothing  but  a  kilTe  I 

And  the  callcU  of  brede  and  lengthy             H 

Tft  wamc  it  him  ye  done  amiflc. 

That  god  of  Love  wan  with  hi&  drength ;    H 

Sitht  well  yc  wotiii  how  that  hc 

Al  this  in  Romauucc  wiil  I  fel,                     fl 

I*  LtivcS  fervaunt,  as  ye  nuiy  le. 

And  for  no  thing  nc  will  t  let,                      H 

And  hatli  beautc,  wher  through  h«  it 

So  that  it  liking  to  her  be                      ^^H 

Worthy  of  love  to  have  the  blis. 

T!tat  is  the  floure  of  all  beaute,             ^^^1 

Hfjw  ht*  bfcmcly  bcholde  aodfc. 

For  the  may  befl  my  labour  quite          ^^^H 

Mow  he  is  fairc,  low  he  ii  fre. 

That  I  for  bcr  love  Ihal  codite.                     ^m 

How  he  ii  foie  aud  dchooairCft 

Wlckid  Tongc,  w  hirhe  that  th  e  coviae     H 

Of  ag^  yoDge,  Itdly  and  fairc  : 

Of  every  Jovir  can  devine                              H 

There  ti^no  lady  fo  hautcine. 

Worlle,  and  uc  additb  niore  romdde,          H 

Duch^'fle,  couatefTc,  ne  ehaHcUiney 

(For  wickid  tongc  laith  nevir  welc)             S 

That  I  n*oldc  her  ungodely 

'  To  mcwirde  bare  he  right  grete  hate,          H 

For  to  rcfufe  hJm  uttirly. 

^fpying  me  erly  and  late,                      ^^^| 

His  brcthc  is  aifo  gixle  and  fwetr. 

Til  he  hath  fenc  the  grctd  chere          "^^^^ 

Auii  hi',  iippcs  roddy ;  arc  thei  mnte 

Of  Bialacoil  and  me  iferc  ;                    ^^^B 

Only  tti  pUinc  and  not  to  ktffe  ? 

He  ne  might  not  hia  tooge  wtthilondc        ^M 

Griiimt  him  a  kUIe  of  gcntibcfTe. 

Worfc  to  reportin  than  he  fonde,                  fl 

Hi^i  teth  ame  alio  white  and  clcnet 

He  was  fo  ful  of  curiid  rage  ;                         fl 

Mt  thinkith  vwrong  withoutin  wcuc 

It  fat  him  welc  of  hi*  linage,                          fl 

ir  ye  ROW  wariic  him,  truftith  mc. 

For  him  an  IriJbe  wotaan  bare  :                    B 

L        To  gTJunti  that  a  kilTc  have  he  ; 

Hi*  tongc  wa»  fiUd  fliarpe  and  ftjuart^^^^H 

^^Thc  hare  jrc  htlpe  him  that  ye  hafte. 

And  right  poignaunetind  right  kcrvifl^^^H 

^^blnd  the  aiorc  timdihu]  yc  -n-afle. 

And  wondir  bittir  in  fpekingi          ^^^^^1 

^H^Whaa  the  flame  of  the  very  bronde 

Fur  whati  that  be  me  gxa  efpic            ^^^^| 

^Hpuii  Vc&ui  bfiugbt  in  ha  right  fcoadc 

He  fworc  ('li^iuing  Iikirl;}                ^^H 

^1                     tlHB   RORfAUKT  OF  THl  ROSR            ^^^^iB 

^pttiTrL(-ir]1  VinA  m^ 

This  fjc  ijiiur  the  fidl^  daJe,                        ...^^^1 

m                            I'tvrtt 

For  WiLkid  Tonge  hath  cuflome  ale           )^^^| 

m^'  ' 

The  yotigv  folkU  to  bewric,                        j^^^^| 

br-^id  J  clou  1 

And  falfc  Icdjigis  on  *hem  licw                     ^^^^H 

Bair^rcd  in  '  ■    ri'-r.  ■-. 

Yet  net  e- the  dTc  1  fe  imoa^                  ^^^^H 

Witt.  >                        .Lnv:^ 

That  the  roign*^  it  it  (a  lonj^                         ^^^^^H 

Bo  a>  ' 

Of  Biitbcuil^  hertii  to  lure                            ^^^^^| 

Ebil  there  Ui                    . 

In  Lov'i^  fervlcc  for  to*  endure ,                    ^^^^H 

had  Icvir  ia  t! 

Y drawing  fuchi  folke  him  to                          ^^^^^ 

||:ir  '^--'^.  -       ':-,..:, 

That  he  hiith  nothing  with  toilu,                  ^^^^^H 

r 

But  JO  fothncJTt  I  uow^  nuu^^ht                    ^^^^H 

Wtm -  , 

That  Bialacoil  had  er  tn  thuu^Ji!                   ^^^^| 

hua  thou  bet. 

To  du  trefpace  or  viyanie,                                ^^^^H 

pitifWhin  I  V 

But  for  his  mot  hi r  Ciirtilie                            ^^^H 

rirglrhcrc  Icitc  m                     ^ 

Hath  taught  him  evir  for  to  be                      ^^^^^ 

i  thou  i\add»ft  iM  T< 

Godc  of  aquciutauncc  and  privc,                   ^^^^H 

(toui.             '   u) 

For  he  lovidi  none  hcvineffe,                        ^^^^H 

».to  V                     tinn 

But  Mrth  and  play,  and  ill  ^bdncH'v  ;  ^^^^| 
He  hatith  eke  ail^  trcchour»|                       ^^^^^t 

ij:'                           itnfulc. 

I                            Jc: 

And  fokuie  folkc  and  enviuus,                    ^^^^^1 

L.,  J.-  .,,w  i    v^  jiavc  I  founded 

For  ye  welc  wctlii  how  that  he                   ^^^^B 

aeon  thou  (halt  be  ^oiHiUc, 

Wul  cvir  gUd  and  |oytuI  be                         ^^^^^| 

i  bckm  iA  s  Courd, 

HonclUy  with  foILC-  to  pky  ;                       ^^^^^| 

■niito  or  Icieaitfc 

I  have  be  negligent  in  fcf                            '^^^^M 

To  challife  him,  therfore  now  f                    ^^^^| 

Of  hcrte  ycric  you  here  iiiercy«                    ^^^^| 

le  to  lon^  hith  be  die  {i^  3 

That  I  have  ben  fo  rechilcii                            ^^^^^ 

on^  Ihc  wAt  ago ; 

To  Umiin  him  withoiitcn  Icci;                     ^^^^^ 

thou  iiaft  loft  boch  drede  aod  fere 

Of  my  fo!y  1  me  repent ;                              ^^^^| 

jiwcli  ihc  was  not  here, 

Now  wol  I  \vhoIe  fct  mine  cmcnt  ^^^^M 
To  kcpio  bnth^  low  and  aili                        ^^^B 

n^^  bcfy  in  no  wife 

jm  ihe  and  to  chailicc« 

Bialawoil  to  do  your  Vk  iU.                              ^^^^| 

IT  to  hclpti)  Chailue 

0  Shan^  !  0  Shanie  !  f^ide  Jcfrvufie,           ^^^^^| 

M  the  rcifir,  aa  iMnketh  me. 

To  be  bitrafhcd  g^rcte  dredc  have  1  ,             ^^^^B 

an  thi*  bote  knave  fo  boldlf 

'  I.cchcric  hath  yclumbefo  hie,                        ^^^^B 

Mild    tiat  have  be  hardy, 

,  That  almoft  hlfffld  h  ininc  eie  :                    ^^^^| 

Ua  vcrgir  bad  J  ache  ^'imc. 

No  wondir  ti  if  dredc  have  f,                         ^^^^B 

K«v  mc  toumith  to  grete  ihamcj* 

Ovir  all  reignilh  Lechery,                             ^^^^| 

w 

Witofe  might  ygrowith  night  and  dcy          ^^^^B 

1 

But  ID  cloidrc  and  in  abbey  {                        ^^^^B 

mii  W:.  . 

1  Chaditc*  i&wcrricd  ovirallj                           ^^^^B 

Bewcu                    I  awaici 

Thcrcfuri:  1  wollwitli  fikir  wrJt                    ^^^^^ 

live  h;,-i                 'har  he 

Clufc  both  the  roHs  iihdnderc;                      ^^^^B 

Mf  to!                      aic ; 

1  {lave  id  loug  iti  this  mancrc                        ^^^^H 

yal  (iv.-               Mifo 

Leftc  *hcni  unclofid  wilfutly,                       ^^^^1 

Wke  MMkm  D£  two, 

Wherfore  I  anir  right  inwardly                     ^^^^B 

^■d,  aud  kl^ewc  tin  rede^ 

Surowfull,  and  rcpcnti^  mc  ;                         ^^^^B 

■Away  fur  very  drcde« 

But  now  thri  ihall  no  len<^r  be                   ^^^^B 

Bsmr  came -forth  ful  fimpHly; 

UiicloGd  ;  and  yet  I  dredc  lore                   ^^^^B 

pi                                      _tciy, 

1  (hall  rtpent:  fcrtbirmere,                          ^^^^B 

fc                                    It  funptc, 

Fur  the  game  goith  all  amii ;                       ^^^^B 

^^^^iL                      '.  uu|>ic, 

Counfailc  I  mulle  nevvc  i-wn  ;                •  ^^^^B 

^^Bi. 

1  ha¥e  to  lon^  ytrulUd'the,                         ^^^^1 

HMRt  V,.. .'^rjLj 

But  now  It  (hal  no  Im   ir                            ^^^^| 

KtfcVc  with  1x3  a  throve 

For  he  may  bell  in                                        •  ^^^^| 

IB  ngbt  wondtr  Icrwe, 

Deccvin  thaK  men                                         ^^^^M 

If  hi*  grace  <l*c  hire  bcf<»tight, 

V  fe  well  that  I  am  ntgh  ihcat                    ^^^^B 

i^Sir«  nc  levith  nrrttjrhe 

But  if  I  fct  my  fuU  cntent                           ^^^^B 

mcgi^t  ^^i  ^ 

Some  remedie  for  :o  purvcie,                       ^^^H 

fc^MtoL 

Wherfore  clotln  1  fhall  the  wry                    ^^^H 

^■^Bde  vhroii^h  l!;aiiriiig 

From  tJiem  tlut  woU  the  Rnfc  clpik              ^^^^B 

^^m^h^gi 

And  come  to  wuke  me  rilonic;                    ^^^^| 

^Hffcot  nowc  a  ncwc, 

Fit  nfiw  n  |;buc  litth  and  in  troutiv           ^^^^B 

Ke  that  Ik.^  knewe  3 

i  wol  uot  i£tpxi  for  no  Vrmth^                     ^^^^1 

sol 


THE   ROMAUNT  OF  THE  ROSE. 


To  live  the  more  in  fikcrncffc. 

Do  make  an  ot>  a  fort  ire  He, 

Than  clofc  the  rofw  of  god<  ravour; 

In  middi»  {h;kl  I  make  a  tour 

To  put  Bulacoil  in  prUbn, 

For  cvtr  I  drcdc  mc  of  trcfan  : 

1  trow  t  fhal  him  kep^  Co 

Thai  he  (hal  have  do  mig^ht  to  go 

About  to  makin  com  panic 

To  them  that  thiukc  of  vilanic, 

Nc  to  no  fuche  as  hath  btn  here 

Afornc»  and  found  in  hira  godc  cherc, 

Whichc  han  alTailid  him  to  IhiCDde, 

And  with  ther  towandife  to  blcode  : 

A  fole  is  eith  to  bcgile ; 

But  may  I  live  a  Util  while 

He  Ihal  forthlnke  hi«faire  femblaunt; 

And  with  that  wordc  came  Drcdc  Avaint, 
Which  wu  abafhcd,  and  in  grctc  fere 
Whin  he  wi(l  JclouCe  was^ there; 
He  was  for  drcdc  in  fuche  alTray 
That  not  a  wordc  durftc  he  fay. 
But  quaking  [lode  ful  (iil  alouc, 
(Til  Jeloufte  his  way  was  gone) 
Save  Shame,  that  him  not  forfoke  ; 
Both  Drc'dr  and  (he  ful  for^  quoke. 
That  ai  the  laft^  Drede  abraide. 
And  to  his  cofin  Shame  faide  : 

Shame,  (he  faid)  in  fothfaftncffc 
To  me  it  i$  prct  hcvincflc 
That  the  noifc  is  fo  fcrrc  ygo. 
And  cfce  the  fclaundir,  of  us  two  ; 
Bur  Qthin  that  it  it  befall. 
We  mate  it  not  agaln^  call 
Whan  <mli  fp^ongin  is  a  fame  ; 
For  many'  a  yerc  withoutio  blame 
"We  have  ben,  and  many  a  day, 
For  many'  an  April),  many*  a  May, 
We  han  ypaflld  nothing  fiiamcd^ 
Til  Jctoufic  hath  us  yblatned 
Of  miftruft  and  fufpcdlion 
CauiVLcflLV  without  cache foQ  : 
Go  wc  to  Djungir  haliily. 
And  let  us  (licwe  himopinly 
That  he  hath  not  arig^ht  ywf  ought 
Whan  thai  he  fette  sot  hii>  thought 
To  kepin  bcttir  the  purprife  ; 
In  his  domg  he  is  tiot  wife  ; 
He  hath  to  o*  do  ^ci^  wrong. 
That  hath  fuiiirid  now  fo  long 
l]iiatacoi1  to  h^vc  hi<  Vfilt 
A\U  his  lufti*  to  fuUill : 
He  mufl  ametidc  ituttirly. 
Or  cU  (hal  he  vilainoufly 
l^iilid  be  out  of  this  londe  ; 
For  he  the  wcrremaic  not  wuhilosule 
Of  Jehufic,  nor  here  the  grcfcp 
Si  the  Bialacoik  it  at  miXehefe, 


To  Ditjngir,  Shame  and  Drede  aooti 
The  right<:  way  ben  both  ygon  ; 
The  thorle  thci  fausdin  'hcra  aforce 
Ligging  undir  an  l^wcihoru«  ^ 


Undir  his  hcdc  no  pilowe  WU 

But  in  the  (ledc  a  tru0e  of  gr&i; 

He'  flombrid,  and  a  knappe  be  t6k£^ 

Til  Sham^  pitoufly  him  flioke. 

And  grcce  manace  on  him  gan  make* 

Why  Hcpifl  tliou  whan  thou  flionld  mlKt 

(Quod  Shame)  thou  doeft  tuvibnie 

Wlio  truftith  the  he  doth  folic 

To  kept-  roOs  or  bothoros 

Whan  thci  ben  faire  in  ther  fciont  t 

Thou  arte  woicto  familiere 

Wher  thou  fliould  be  ftraynge  of  c 

Stoutc  of  thy  porte,  rcdy  to  grerc  s 

*rhou  do€Sk  gret  folic  for  to  kve 

Bialacoil  here  inne  tf»call 

The  yongir  man  to  Oiendeii  lu  all : 

Though  that  thou  fiepe  we  mowio  here 

Of  Jeloufie  grete  noilJ  here  : 

Art  thou  now  la  c  ?  rife  up  an  luc» 

And  ftoppe  fonc  and  delivirly 

Atl^  the  gappift  of  the  hay  i 

Do  no  favour  I  do  the  pray  : 

It  fallith  nothing  to  thy  name 

To*  make  fayr  c  fcmblaimt  where  t 


If  Bialacoil  be  fwete  and  fre, 

Doggid  and  fel  thou  Ihouldifl  be. 

Forward  and  ontragious  t-wii ; 

A  chnrlc  chaungith  that  curteii  ia  : 

This  have  I  hcrdc  oft  la  faying, 

That  man  nc  maic  for  no  daunting 

Make  a  fperhauke  of  a  bofarde  : 

At  men  wol  hold  the  for  mufardc 

That  debooaire  have  foundln  the  t 

It  fitteth  the  nought  cttneit  to  be  ; 

To  do  men  ptefsunce  or  fenrili 

In  the  it  is  recrcaundife  : 

Let  thy  werkis  fcrr-  and  nere 

Be  like  thy  name,  whichc  it  Daung«re, 

Than  ala  abalbid  in  (hewing 
AsotD  fpake  Drede,  right  thtu  faftiig» 
And  fayid,Daiingir,1  drede  mc 
That  thou  ne  wohi  bcfy  be 
To  kepin  that  thou  haft  to  kepe  : 
Whan  thou  (kouldeft  wake  thou  art  >>dlff 
Thou  fhAt  be  grcvid  certainly 
If  the  afpyin  Jcloulie, 
Or  if  he  findt  the  in  blame  ; 
He  hath  to  day  aflaiUd  Shame, 
And  chafed  away  with  grctc  m;^ 
Bialacoil  out  of  this  place, 
And  fwcrith  ihortly  that  he  ihall 
Enclofe  him  in  a  fturdy  wajl ; 
And  al  U  for  thy  wickidncflc. 
For  that  the  failith  fbrauog^Drflc  i 
Thine  he rt  1  trowe  be  failid  all ; 
Thou  ihalt  repent  in  fpeciall. 
If  JclouPc  thv  r    "  '         vc. 
Thou  (h.ilr  fur:  ^r^  rewe» 

W   --   .  .  r,.-I.bbegoc 


y^^ 


Au. 


For  jm  he  brcait  iii  hia  vt£i(c ; 


ragt; 


^^P               THE   HOMAIjKT   01?   tH£  ROSE. 

3^^ 

Hlhclicfde  him  bUniid  h 

That  onis  1  toueh?  maie  and  kiffe 

JH 

,  Out  of  my  wtt  I  go» 

1  trow  my  paine  Qial  ucvir  llffc  J 

^^M 

iitotrifitc  l"  hivc  gr«c  mroag  | 

1  heron  i*  all  my  covctife, 

^H 

have  now  lived  to  lon^ 

Whiche  brdnt  my  hart  in  any  wife ; 

^^H 

uaf  ^ot  thi*  clofir  kcpe  : 

Nowfhalrcpafre  agstine  fightiiKi 

^H 

|ic  1  would  dr  dolvin  depe 

Loti^  wale  be  on  hightcs,  and  nu  (Icping^ 

^^1 

Tiau  Chall  more  rcptt)Te 

Thought  In  wiihing,  turmcnt,  and  wo, 

^^1 

din  forfoule  orfayrct 

With  many*  a  tourning  to  and  fro, 

^H 

:rt  for  ire  goith  a-fci^ 

That  Jialfe  my  paine  I  cannot  teU, 

^^M 

ct  aoy  emrc  here : 

For  r  am  fall  in  into  hell 

^^H 

p  IWy  DOW  1  fc. 

From  paradife  and  wclthr ;  the  more 

^^^ 

r  11  ihal  iniendcd  be  : 

My  turraent  gTcirith»  more  and  more 

^^1 

:thh  fotc  here  any  more 

Anoyith  now  the  bittimcffc 

^^1 

:  fliaU  repeat  it  fore, 

That  1  to  forac  have  fclte  fwetncfle  : 

^^H 

nao  more  into  thii  pUce 

And  Wickid  Tongc  throughc  his  f^lflicd^ 

^^H 

>  cntrc  (hall  have  grace  ; 

VcauGth  all  my  wo  anddrcde; 

^^^ 

had  wilh  fwcrdi*  twainc 

On  me  he  Heth  a  pitous  charge, 

^^^ 

bout  niiiit  hcrt  iti  every  ▼aioei 

BicauTchis  tonge  was  to  large* 

'^^M 

e»  be  with  many*  a  woundc 

Now  i*it  liinc  (boftly  that  I 

^^H 

>iithd  fliould  in  me  be  fouode  t 

Tel  youfomthing  of  Jcloufy, 

^^H 

nnijfonh  by  night  or  6ef 

That  was  in  gretc  fufpcaiooi 

*^^| 

dendc  it  if  I  may 

About  him  Icfte  he  no  mafon 

^^1 

in  my  cxcepcton 

That  {lone  could  bic,  nc  noqucnronr^ 

'^^1 

mftiiir  coodldon. 

He  Kirid  *hcm  to  make  a  tour  ; 

^^1 

1  it  mny  man  grauntc 

And  firft  the  rofii  for  to  kepe 

^H 

oldith  me  for  rocreauate* 

About  'hem  mede  he  a  dichc  dcpc* 
Right  woiidir  brge,  and  alfo  brodC| 
Upon  the  which^  aif«  ft  ode 

:■ 

unagir  on  his  fete  gan  flonde 
H  m  burdon  in  his  hondc ; 

Of  ft] u arid  ftone  a  fturdy  wall, 

^^1 

Whiche  on  a  craggc  wa^  foimdin  all^ 

^^H 

■  bit  ire  oe  left  be  oought, 

And  right  gretc  thickneffc  ckc  it  bare  , 

^H 

mgh  the  vergir  he  hatb  fought 

About  it  was  yfoucdid  fquare 

^^M 

ghe  findin  hole  or  trace 

An  hundrid  fadome*  on  every  fide; 

'^^1 

through  that  me  mote  forth  by  pace. 

It  was  al  Uche  both  long  aud  wide  : 

^^1 

pppe,hedid  it  cJofe; 

Left  any  time  it  were  affailcd 

^^^ 

nun  might  toQchin  a  Rofe 

Ful  wel  about  it  was  batailcd. 

^^H 

ofir  till  about. 

And  rounde  environ  eke  were  fct 

^^H 

iih  every  man  without,                               i 

Ful  many  a  richc  and  fairc  louruct : 

^^1 

day  by  day  Daongir  ii  wcr», 

At  every  comir  of  this  wall 

^^1 

ondirfull  and  more  divcra, 

Was  fct  a  tour  fuU  principall. 

1^^^ 

ireke  than  evrc"  he  was^ 

And  everichc  bad  without  fable 

J^^H 

fal  oft  1  iinge  alat! 

A  portcolifc  dcfenfablc. 

l^^l 

may  nooght  through  hia  Ire 

To  kepe  of  endemics,  and  to  grct€ 

^^1 

that  I  rooftc  deHre  j 

I  hat  there  thcrforc^  would  yprave* 

^^H 

M^  aU$  \  wol  breft  a-two, 

And  ckc  amidd-  thU  purprifc 

^^H 

a(oU  1  wrathid  fo  j 

Wai  made  a  tour  of  gretc  maiftrtfc, 

^^1 

itniy  in  every  mcmbre                             , 

A  fairir  faugh  no  man  with  ftghr, 

'^^1 

frban  that  I  me  rcmcmbrc 

Large  and  wide,  and  of  grate  might  t 

^^^M 

H^im  whiche  that  I  woldc 

Thel  dradde  nought  nond  aifaut 

^^^1 

^W  fiena  and  beholde ; 

Of  ^nn  or  gonn,  nor  of  flcaffaut : 

^^H 

^■fhilrke  upon  the  kifTe, 

The  lempereirc  of  the  morterc 

^^^1 

^Bbthjoie  and  how  mucbblUq 

Was  made  of  lycourc  wondir  derc. 

^^H 

^fcttgh  the  favour  fwctc. 

Of  quicklime  perlaunt  and  cgTc, 

^^H 

il^it  1  groiK  andgrctc  : 

Which  temprid  wai  with  vincgrc* 

^^1 

ikeih  I  fcTe  yet  in  my  nofc 

The  ftone  was  hardc  of  adamaunt 

^^H 

i  Smvout  of  the  Roft, 

Whcrof  thci  made  the  found^maunt  { 

^^1 

IT  1  wotc  that  1  mote  go 

The  tour  wa*  rounde  made  in  compaij 

^^^1 

l^iH^  flouritfro, 

In  al  tJiit  world  no  riehir  was. 

^^H 

^^^bte  were  the  dcthe, 

Nc  bcttir  ordained  thcrcwithall  t 

'1^^^ 

^HBnUfi  I  me  flcthe  ; 

About  the  tour  was  made  a  wail. 

^^H 

»w!ih  tHii  Rofe,  aUi ! 

So  that  betwixt  that  and  the  tourc 

^^H 

Bn^«  <n<^  mo u the,  and  tut. 

RoHswert;  fctof  fwetc  lavoure» 

^^H 

rtlie  deth  1  mud  abide  : 

With  many  rofii  that  thei  here  3 

^^H 

1^  cpt^t  ifi  i»thir  lidc 

And  ckc  within  the  caftil  were 

J 

r            $at                                THE    ROMADNT    OF    THE    ROSE.       ^^^^ 

Sptingttldis,  gonnfB,  baw&s  an  J  archcfsL, 

In  tloitismado  hcd''    --^---^i'^  ^..^^^1 

And  fkc  about  at  the  comers 

And  in  h).s  munke,                    "^'^'^^^^l 

Men  fcinin  ovir  the  wall  ilotidc 

He  would^  feine  u.  .i  ^^^.  u^««  ^^^H 

Grct  cngins,  which  ywcrc  ncrc  honde, 

That  be  ne  fondc  no  vraman  crew^^^^H 

And  in  the  kernils  here  and  there 

Nc  that  he  Cawe  nere  in  Kta  l«f^     ^^^H 

Of  3fbUflir$  gretc  plcntic  were; 

Unto  her  huibondc  a  trcwe  wife^           ^M 

None  armour  nughu'  ther  Uroke  witlill«odc» 

Nc  none  lo  ful  of  hoocftc                          ^M 

Ir  were  foljr  to  prefe  to  bonde ; 

That  flie  rril  laugh  and  nacry  im             ■ 

Without  the  diche  were  liftii  made 

Whan  that  (he  hcretb  or  may  eJ'pte         H 

With  wal  batailid  Urge  andbr»dt.\ 

A  man  fpckln  of  kdieiic  ;                        ^M 

For  men  and  hoifc  ihoutd  not  attain e 

Everichc  of  'bem  hath  iatot  vwt  ;        '  ^H 

To  oi^h  the  didtc  ovir  th^  pkine. 

One  1.1  difhoQcfl^  t'other  nice;         ^^H 

Thus  JcloCc  luth  cqhIvob 

Yf  one  be  ful  of  vtjank,                   ^^^H 

Yfett  about  his  gurnifoa 

Alt  othf r  hath  i  llco'roat  de  ;         ^^^H 

With  walji«  rounde  and  dkhr  dcfc* 

li  one  be  ful  of  wantpocie,              ^^^1 

Olid"  the  rolir  fo^  to  kepc, 

Anorhir  ii  a  chidirdTr.                     ^"^^4^1 

f              And  Daungir  hot  he  crly  and  lafi* 

ThiB  Wickid  ronre^  God  ycT«  ItlnUB 
Can  put  'hem  ererithane  in  hhamc          S 

The  keys  kept  of  the  uetir  ffjitc. 

The  whichc  opened  towarde  the  eft. 

Without  dcfert,  and  caaHkflc  :                 fl 

And  he  had  with  him  at  the  kft 

He  lieth  tbdugli  tliei  ben  gitcikfle  :        ■ 

Thurty  fcrvauntcs  cchianc  by  same. 

1  have  pity  to  fear  the  forowe        ^^^H 

That  othir  gate  wat  kept  by  Shame », 

That  wakith  bothe  cvin  ani  Bi«ra^^^H 

Whithc  opinjd,  a«  it  waa  couthc, 

To  innoccntei  do  tit  fuche  gn^i  ""]^^^^B 

Towardi§  the  parte  of  the  fouthe. 

1  pray  God  yevc  himevU  dwDQce  I^^^H 

Sergcanntca  af&gnid  were  here  to 

That  he  cvir  fo  befy  b                       ^^^^1 

Full  many,  her  will  fftr  to  do  : 

Of  any  woman  to'  Icitte  univ                 ^H 

Thau  Drcdc  had  in  her  baillic 

Eke  JelouCc  may  God  confounde  !       H 

^H      The  kcping  of  (he  confbible'rie 
^^f     Towardc  tlie  north  t  nndcrAocide, 

That  hath  makid  a  tourc  fo  rotmdc»       H 

And  made  about  a  gariioDy                        ^M 

That  opened  Opon  the  kftc  honde,                          ' 

To  fette  Biabcoil  ta  pfftfiBni«                      S 

The  whiche  for  nothin|2^  may  be  furc 

The  whiche  h  jbette  ifavK  in  the  tanr,    fl 

But  if  flic  do  her  bcfy  cure 

Erly  on  mor'wc'.aiid  alfo  latc^ 

There  for  to  livin  ta  pcoauose;              ^M 

Strongly  lo  (helte  and  b-rre  ihc  gate* 

And  for  to  dc  htm  more  grcrasilCi^^^^^ 

Of  CTcry  tbing  that  Ibe  may  fc 

WJiichc  hath  ordainid  JdooGrp      ^^^| 

Drcde  i«  afcrde  where  fo  (he  be. 

An  oldr  vceke  for  ho  dfpie               ^^^H 

For  with  a  puffrof  iitiil  windc 

The  mamr  of  his  goverr  junce^                ^H 

Drcde  h  aftonicd  in  her  minde^                               1 

The  whiche  devil  ia  Iter infaiuxfle             ^M 

»             llierforc  for  ftcling  of  the  Rofc 

Had  lemid  aJ]  of  Lovln  aitr,                    ^M 

'             1  rede  her  nat  the  yatc  onclDfe  ; 

And  of  his  plcyi*  mke  hrr  parte  I             ^M 

1              A  fourU  flight  would  make  her  flc^ 

She  wai  expert  in  V-                                      H 

And  eke  a  ^ado^C)  if  ihc'  it  fe. 

She  kneweechc  w                    '  rtrf  0»  fl 

1 

Of  L.OVL*,  and  every                                       ^| 

It  wii*  right  hardc                                       ^M 

Than  Wickid  Touge,  full  of  envy. 

Of  Bialacoil  flir  u  -.    ....  ....ic,               B 

With  foudiferft  of  Mormandy, 

That  cr  he  liveth  in  wo  and  drede           ^M 

As  he  t}iiit  cauGlh  all  debate, 

Hektptc  him  coye  and  eke  pfive»     ^^^B 

Was  kcpir  of  the  foortbc  gatc» 

^  Left  that  in  him  file  haddt  k            '^^^M 

And  ulfo  to  the  tothir  tlire 

^  Any  lite  foly  co«min:nmcr»              ^^^^H 

He  went  ful  oft :  for  to  fe. 

For  ihc  knew  nil  (!                   -'•^«t4^^H 

Whan  his  lottc  wa>  to  walke  a  night 

Andaftirthi^Av!                           ^^^^^| 

Hi>  inftmmcnti*  would  be  di^rht 

Had  Bi^Woil                                    ^^^| 

For  to  b  Jo  win  and  makin  foune 

And  lhet[  •  hint  up                       frc»^^^| 

^m      ©fttrthan  he  hath  ei  -*-  '-  - 

For  fur.     -        ^                            ^^^H 

^^P  '  Andwalkin  oh  upo 

He  in^i                                               ^^^H 

^"       Gomiri  and  wickitt^ , 

Th.  '>'                                   .^Ur^^B 

Fnl  narowc  fcrchiQ  and  eipic  : 

■ 

Though  be  nought  foade  ycc  would  he  lie 

^i-^                                        ^^B 

Difcordaunt  cr  fro  armotuc. 

1  he  roh«  wcrrn  aihuiii  aii,              ^^^^1 

And  diffonid  fro  mdodie ; 

Dtiencid  with  the  fkTOf*$^  urall  7     ^^^H 

^K     Cof  trove  he  would,  ami  foul^  faile 

Now  Jcloufie  full  mtii  may  be             ^^H 

^H     With  bornpipli  of.  Corn . wa^lc ; 

P     ' 

Of  drc.dc  di:void«  la  bb«ttc  ;                     fl 

THB    ROMAUNT  OF   THE   ROSE-          ^^^^^^^J 

he  or  flcpc  or  wulm 

Of  !li£f  p^inis  th  Lt  1  cfiauTi!^                                 '^^^^| 

Ijr  noQc  b<  t4kc. 

Nor  of  my  cniill  avmturc                              ^^^^| 

DOW  monie  iliall 

Ah,  Biaiacoil,  mine  own  ticrel                         '^^^^^l 

witLout  the  Willi ; 

Though  ihou  be  £io«ir  &  |u^ilbiietr,                     ^^^^| 

It  and  mooc  1 4Miidc  ; 

K^pah  at  Idl  thino  hcxt«  to  mci                      ^^^^1 

|iA  wM  wo  1  hud 

SufHr  not  that  it  dauutid  he,                             ^^^^H 

l^d  have  had  pile ; 

Ne  if  t  not  Jcloufk^  in  hit  mgi:                          ^^^^^H 

■jji^ifbldt  mvr; 

Puttia  tJiiiic  hcrte  is  no  ftrvage  ;                     ^^^^H 

^^Hp  love  hid  1 

Alrfiotjoh  he  chuHicc  the  -wUhuut,                    ^^^^H 

VV^ttctatly, 

Aiid  mnke  thy  bodic  to  htm  iouty                      ^^^^H 

E^^h  dublmg  of  mf  pftiiic 

Have  li<jru  as  hardc  asdiamuunt,                      ^^^^H 

Rfcll  again. 

^tcdlafl  and  flout,  and  nuuv hi  [tli.iunt  !            '^^^^| 

lie  birgam  Ure^ 

In  prtfon  though  thy  br                                      ^^^^H 

HI  out  the  mom  U  dctc 

Ai  large  kcpe  thicr  herr                                      J^^^^l 

WOvix  I  have  [<^tnc         % 

A  trcw^  hert  neaviU  not  pbc                          '^^^^1 

1  nevir  afoflic  : 

For  no  manace  that  it  maic  dric:                      '^^^^1 

I  fuU  like  in  disdc 

If  Jcloiific  doith  the  pain                                  l^^^^^H 

caftc  ip  jenh  hi«  lolc. 

Qiiitc  him  hin  wile  tJioa again,                         "t^^^^H 

•  of  the  ncwc  fprip^ing 

1  o  \  cngc  the  at  Idl  in  tJiottght,                       *^^^^l 

feh  ia  the  ^'lining. 

If  othir  waic  thoa  raayiit  nought,                      ^^^^H 

^^^^efllc  ai  Boure,      . 

And  in  thi^  wife  full  i'ubtiUie"                          ^^^^^| 

^^■Ofodburc, 

NVorchIn  and  wiunc  the  maidiiy.                    ^^^^H 

^^Es&ere 

But  y? t  t  ^9m  in  grrtc  ailraio                              ^^^^| 

thJr  that  ihall  it  derc. 

Left  thou  iholdeil  nat  d^e  »  I  faic;                  ^^^H 

It  to  fade  and  fall 

1  drcdc  thou  canil  tojc  ^cte  maugre                 ^^^^H 

he  grtine,  aud  fli^urU  Jill, 

That  thon  cnprifoned  art  for  mc,                      ^^^^H 

.illcr  Ufordocti, 

But  yet  right  nought  for  my  trcfpaa,                 ^^^H 

^ad  conccvcd  to  fiwic. 

For  through  mc  nerc  difcovcred  wai                  ^^^^M 

be  th»t  Co  fare  1, 

Vet  thing  that  ought  to  be  fccrc  i                     i^^^^f 

^^Mttlc  Okiriy 

Well  more  aonoie  is  in  mc                               ^^^H 

^^Hbkh  1  ftormc 

Than  ii  in  the  of  cJur  mjfchauiice,                    '^^^^J 

j^HKn  of  my  con)C« 

Fori  endure  more  hard  penaunce                      ^^^^| 
I'han  any  man  can  lainc  or  thtitkc,                    '^^^H 

mfo  avauncid  oic. 

^my  priTitc 

1  hit  (qt  the  forowc'  ajmoilc  1  linkc  ;               ^^^H 

U£orcotcli, 

Whan  I  rcmembir  mc*  of  my  wo                        ^^^^H 

■nude  fro  ward  ne  felt. 

FuU  tiigh  out  of  my  witte  1  go.                        ^^^^| 

l^iUiwhok  my  plaic; 

Inward  mine  hcfrte  I  fek  bicde,                      ^^^^^1 

■  frt  harde  alTaic, 

For  coniTortlcfre  the  dech  1  drcdr  :                   ^^^^M 

p'                 ■  mc 

Owi:  1  n^it  well  to  have  diilrcflu                          ^^^^| 

k                  to*  have  be. 

Whati  f:ihc  through  tlicr  wickidociu:,               ^^^^1 

Im^f  *' 

And  traitnUTB,  that  arne  rtivinus,                       ^^^^H 

bh,  . 

To  noicu  me  be  fo  coragiout  f                           ^^^^H 

^^Bu  ^ 

1      AIn  Biiilacotl !  full  well  t  fe                           <^^H 

^^^ban  othir  while; 

That  thci  'han  ihapc  to  decevc  the,                   ^^^^H 

^^H  thou  ihalt  Uer  fcle» 

To  make  the  bujiuna  to  thcr  lawe,                     ^^^H 

^^^■Itth  her  whe)(*. 

And  with  ther  cordr  th<*  to  drawc                    ^^^H 

HHwr  hcddc  nwiic ; 

1  Whert:  fo  Vm  lul^,  right  at  thcr  will ;             ^^^^| 

Hpfeufher  pluc. 

I  drede  thei  have  the  brought  there  till  *           ^^^^H 

Hp^  dotth  luourne. 

Withoutin  comfort  thought  ine  flacth  i               ^^^^| 

^^^j'                  rnc 

'I'his  game  wodd  bring  me  to  my  dctb,            ^^^^H 

^^Ki 

For  if  that  I  your  godc  will  lefe                           ^^^^| 

^^^ttl^     M'.i 

I  mote  be  dedde,  I  mate  not  chele,                    ^^^^^f 

^^Hj^mc  dounc 

And  if  that  thou  forycte  mc                               ^^^^| 

BHSd  reTglucjoun ; 

Mine  hi^rte  fhall  nerc  in  liking  be,                    ^^^^H 

Bfcotc  fro  ttjc  twin. 

Nor  iltifwhcrc  findin  lolace  :                               ^^^^H 

■rifoo  yondc  withio, 

in  be  pvt  out  of  your  grace,                              '^^^^1 

kiioc  hrrtc  1  fclc. 

As  it  ibalUievir  ben  1  hope,                               ^^^^M 

»nd  all  miac  hele 

ihiti  jhuldin  1  fall  in  wanhnpe.                          ^^^^| 

Bbd  in  the  Rofc, 

Abs  111  waiihope  \  naie,  p^de^                     *^^^H 

ftdUwhichc^im  doeUi  ckiV, 

'  For  1  woU  ncLe  difpcirid  be  :                              ^^^^| 

■  miic  him  fc. 

tr  Ho\^c  me  faile,  than|aUe  am  I                          ^^^H 

ttfaatlcurldbe 

Ufl^aciou»  aad  unworthy  :                                ^^^H 

^^^L 

^^H 

In  Hop*  ^  ^**'^  rtimCortid  be, 
For  l.uvc,  whan  h«r  hifaiight  her  inc, 
S.>yid  tVjat  Hope  where  lo  T  go 
Sliouid  aic  be  relcf'.  to  my  wo. 

But  >ft'h.it  and  (htf  my  balls  bete, 
Aittl  be  to  me  cortcU  afid  fwctc  i 
Shr  U  tn  nothing  full  certain; 
Lovir*  fhc  put  in  full  prctc  fi*m» 
And  1113 kith  'hem  with  wo  tu  dek  \ 
Her  fairt  bcbcftc  deccvith  fck. 
For  file  vitiW  be  bote  fikirly 
Alidfailln  aftir  uttirly* 

Ah!  that  U  a  full  noiouii  thing. 
For  niooy'  a  Jovir  in  loving 
Hangcth  upon  her,  aiid  trufiitb  faflf. 
Which*?  Irfcthcr  travailcat  the  latl* 

Ol  thing  to  commc  Ihrwotc  right  nought, 
Therefore  if  it  be  wifely  fought 
H.rcounfaile  fobc  is  to  take  ; 
For  many  time*  whaii  ihc  wtdl  make 
A  full  gtjdc  fyllo^ifmc,  I  drcdc 
*l'hat  aftirwardv  there  fliall  in  dcdc 
Folowe  an  ill  conclufTon  ; 
Thiiput  me  in  xonfufion, 
For  man?  ihiies  I  have  it  fcoe 
That  many  have  be  gill  d  bene 
For  truft  thai  thci  have  fet  in  Hnpe, 
Whtche  fcU  'hemaftirward  »-ilopr. 


But  nnh*lcfs  yet  gladly  Jbe  wold 

Th»t  he  that  woU  him  with  her  hold 

Ffad  all  timishcr  purpofe  clcic 

Withoutin  dcccipt  any  whero; 

That  flic  dflkith  fikirly; 

Whan  I  her  blamed  I  did  foly. 

But  what  availiih  her  goi!c  will 

Whan  fhe  nc  male  (launchc  tny  ftound  ill  i 

That  hclpith  lite  that  fhe  male  doc. 

Out  take  bcheAc  unto  my  wO| 

And  hcfl^  certain  in  no  wife 

V^irhout  ifctc  ii  not  to  prcife. 

Whan  belle  and  dcdc  a  ibndir  rary 
Thci  doin  a  gret^  eontrary  : 
Thun  am  I  poffid  up  and  doune 
With  dole,  tl\pughtf  and  confuQounc  t 
Of  my  difcfe  there  i*  no  nombcr, 
D:itti)gir  and  9ham^  me  encomber, 
Drcde  alfo  and  Jelofie, 
And  Wickid  Tong,  full  of  CDvic, 
Of  whiche  the  fharpc  and  cruill  ire 
Full  oft  n^c  put  in  grtrtc  martirc : 
Thci  have  my  joie  fully  let, 
Sith  Btatacoil  |^ei  h.^ve  bclhct 
Fro  me  in  prifon  wickidty. 
Whom  I  lovcfbcoticrly, 
1'hat  it  woliiii  my  bane!  be 
But  I  the  ionir  niiic  him  fc. 

And  yet  morcovir,  worft  of  all, 
Thcic*  19  fet  to  kgpc,  foulc  her  befall  \ 
A  rinipltd  veck^  frrre  rounc  in  agc^ 
Frouniog  and  ycFwc*  in  her  viLij^Cj 


THE    ROMAUNT  OP  TUB    ROSE* 


Whtchc  in  awaite  lieth  daie  and  uigh 
Tliat  none  of  him  mak  have  m  iigbU 


Jlow  mote  my  forow*  enforced  he 
Ful  fothe  it  it  thar  Uove  yafc  mc 

Thrc  wotidtr  ytftts  of  hit  grace,         

Wbichc  I  have  lomc  now  in  thi*  plaee^ 
Sit  he  thci  ne  maic  withoutm  dredc 
Hclpin  but  lite  who  takith  hede. 
For  here  availiDi  no  Swete  Thouj;hl, 
And  Swctc  Spcchc  I  '      '        Kt  tsottghe^ 
The  thirde  was  call^  ^^^gt 

That  now  i& tornc  wu...^.  .v.,,.g. 

Ycftis  wtre  faire,  but  nat  for  thy 
Thci  bclpin  n»e  but  flmpilly 
But  Bialaodtl  Ififid  be 
To  gone  at  I'^rgc  and  to  be  fre ; 
For  htm  my  hfc  Iteth  all  in  dout 
But  if  he  come  the  rathir  out, 

Alas !  I  trowe  it  w  oil  nat  bcn^ 
For  how  ftiould  I  ere  more  him  fcne  t 
He  maic  nni  aut,  »t»d  that  1%  wrong, 
Bic.iulc  the  lourc  i%  fii  IVrong  : 
How  fhould  he'  out,  or  by  whofe  prowcffe- 
Out  of  fo  flrongaforttreflc? 

By  mc  certain  tt  n'ill  be  doe, 
Gf)d  wotic  I  have  no  witte  thcrto^ 
Bui  well  1  wote  I  wa»  in  rag« 
Whan  \  to  Love  did  my  homage  ; 
Who  wa«  thr  caufc  (in  fothfaftodTc) 
Hut  her  ff  If  Dame  jdilnetfe, 
Whtchc  mc  convcide  througlt  t^re  \ 
1  o*  entir  Into  that  faire  vergeic  f 
She  waft  to  blamJ  mc  to  kve. 
The  whiche  now  doeth  mcTor^  ^rciv  t 
A  foris  wordc  ii  nought  to  tiowci 
Ne  worthc  an  appk  tor  tn  love  ; 
Mtn  Ihould  him  fnibbe  bittirlie 
At  prime  temp*  of  lii*  folic  : 
I  was  a  folc,  Mnd  fbe  mc  teve4» 
Through  whom  1  am  right  nought  fdc 
She  accomplithid  aH  my  'will 
That  now  me  grcYith  wi>ndir  ilL 


Refon  me  fay  id.  What  fltonld  UU 
A  folc  my  felf  I  maic  well  <»U, 
That  l.ovc  jfidc  I  had  not  lalcd. 
And  trowid  that  Dame  Refon  Cu^e 
Rchm  had  hot  he  fkill  and  right 
Whan  flie  me  blamed  with  :5l  her  miglft  * 
To  mcdle'  of  Lovi » that  hath  me  dieat, 
fiut  certain  now  1  woU  rcpeot* 


And  fhould  I  repent  ?  iuie,parde, 
A  falfe  traitouf  than  (hould  !  be  i 
The  devil's  engitu  would  me  ukd 
If  evir  I  Love  would  foriiike. 
Or  BiaUcoil  fallly  hctrak. 
Should  1  at  mlklWf  hate  him  i  fluk, 


^^              THE  ROMATJNT 

OF  THE  ROSE.                                jtF 

Mm  for  hit  omiiie 

CmKmt  Haifim  vtait*  Vammt. 

■1  of  Jeloa£e; 

Thus  a»  1  madin  my  pafiT^gc 

kiin  did  he  me 

In  compleint  and  in  cruill  t^^c^ 

■Hk  oot  yoldio  be  : 

And  1  n'ot  where  lo  find  a  Icche 

^^Hk  paC&n  tue  letc 

That  couthe  unto  mint  htlping  cche. 

^RSfir  ^rc  and  fwcte 

Sodaiuly  again  comin  doun 

Kerefore  coone  hira  maugrc  ? 

Out  of  her  to ure  I  (awe  Refovn, 

Knly,  It  Diall  oat  be, 

Difcretc  and  wife,  and  fuU  plefivat. 

■lall  Dcvir.  fjive  gode  will. 

And  of  ha  pone  fuU  avcDitint  i    ' 

Is  ne  throujEh  worde  or  will 

The  right  waie  ftie  tokc  unto  me. 

BMBpUmt  tnorc  or  lefle 

Whiehc  ftode  in  grcte  perp!eiatc. 

B%e  nor  JdlcaeiTe  ; 

That  wa»  poihid  io  every  fide, 

That  t  n'ift  where  I  might  abide. 

m  for  thcf  cuftjflc. 

Till  ihe,  demurely  faddc  of  there. 

n  cJi  but  rMflVc'  and  thinke. 

Sayid  to  me  a»  Ihc  came  ncre ; 

1  whin  t  £hould»-  winkc, 

Mine  owne  frendc,  art  thou  agrevcd  f 

bp«  (ill  Love  through  chatmce 

Haw  i»  this  quarell  yet  achcvcd 

bccjour  or  alkgauncc. 

Of  Lov'ii  fide  }  anon  me  telJ 

I  ate  till  t  miiie  mete 

Haft  thou  not  yet  of  lovt  thy  ftll  * 

^^cie  of  thiij  fwcie. 

Art  thou  nat  werie*  of  thy  fervicc 

1  thinke  Uov.  Love  to  mc 

That  the  hath  grevid  in  fochc  wife  ? 

be  would  take  at  gre 

WhiU  joie  hallc  thou  in  thy  toviug  I 

!  if  unpacteoce 

!*  it  a  fwcte  or  bittir  thing  ? 

to  docn  offence ; 

Canlt  thou  yet  chcfin,  let  me  fe, 

1  tbanke  t  Hull  it  r»ke. 

What  bcU  tiy  fuccour  mightin  be  ? 

liaiflir  rkc  Lhcy  make, 

1  bou  fcrvlA  a  full  noble  lurde. 

eiTc  !K-  r.  vt  it  the, 

That  m:dccth  the  thrall  for  thy  rcwaj-dej 

trovt  liut  (biill  nat  be. 

Whiche  ajc  rcneweth  thy  toum;cnt, 

(  hi*  ^^ordii  by  and  by, 

With  folic  fo  he  hath  the  blent : 

1  tovid  iiiL  truciy. 

Thoti  fell  in  mifchjef  thdke  dale 

here  oot  but  fervc  him  wcic 

Whan  thoo  diddift,  the  fotlie  to  faie^ 

tskc  hit  thanke  to  fcJc  ; 

To  him  obcifauncc  and  homage  :                    ^^^— 

Dine  1                     whole  ii]  mc. 

Thou  wroDghtiil  nothing  as  the  iA^           ^^^^H 
Whan  thou  became  his  lieg^  man  ;                ^^^^H 

Bern                    c, 

©vc  U'   ,  .iLd  itcvirmui; 

Thou  diddill  a  grete  folie  than  :                    ^^^^| 

|l,  .  ,  ][..  1.  ncdii  thao» 

Thou  wittiR  nat  what  fell  therto,                 ^^^^| 

btdc,  be  touudc  in  me. 

With  what  lordc  thou  haddifl  t«  doe  ;           ^^^^1 

^  coiticth  1  can  uot  fc» 

If  that  thou  haddiA  him  well  knuwc            ^^^H 

■||^l»  it  male  go. 

Thou  haddtll  nought  Tie  brought  fo  lowc^    ^^^H 

^^HjUoccour  me  or  flo. 

For  if  that  thou  wifte  what  u  were                      ^^H 

HBpotly  ou  me  his  wiili 

Thou  n'oldift  fervc  him  halfe  a  ycre,            ^^^| 

K  yboumlc  him  till 

Ko,  oat  a  wekc  nor  haJfc  a  dale.                  ^^^H 

bvicc  I  maic  not  flene. 

Ne  yet  an  hourc  without  dcbic  t                   ^^^H 

H  deth  wicboutin  wcne                          • 

Ne  nevir  I  lovid  paramour*,                            ^^^^| 

Ekie;  1  maje  nat  chcfe  j 

Hia  lordihip  it  fo  full  of  fluMirt :                   ^^^H 

p'                           inc^ajidlel'c  ; 

Knowifl  him  ought  I —                                   ^^^H 

Bi                           cicgtcve. 

L'aw*ifttit,  Ye,  Dame,  pardew^                      ^^^^| 

fcj[  nc  wc'Uko  dchcve. 

Maifium,  Naic,  naie,'— /.'jwhj/a/,  Yc*  Ij—       ^^^^B 

B  godftlf  to  be. 

Haffcuft    Wiiercfore,  let  fe, —                                  ^U 

Krcc  what  fcil  on  mcs 

JJammnaU     Of  that  he  fay  id  1  (hould  be                ^M 

^  t  die,  a»  1  mote  ncd^ 

ftlad  to  have  fochc  a  lordc  as  he,                         ^H 

I¥C  of  hi»  godelihcdc 

And  malAtr  of  fo^c  fcignorie.—                  ^^^^1 

;ail  doe  gcmilndTc, 

itaifmm.     KoowiH  him  no  more  ?— •            ^^^^| 

n  1  life  in  fochc  diftrcffc 

Vamawnt,     Naie,  certit,  1,                             ^^^^H 

oee  dyin  for  pen  a  u  nee  : 

^ave  that  he  yafjc  rae  ruli«  there,                   ^^^B 

vithoutin  re(>etit3unee 

And  went  hit  waie  1  nc  wiH  where,            ^^^H 

:coiifefIe  in  gonlc  ci.tcnr, 

And  1  abode  boundc  in  balauncc  i               ^^^^1 

c  in  hafle  my  t?  lUui!  :  '^ 

Lo»  there  a  nobk  cognilaunce !                    ^^^^1 

doin  that  fchii  fiiKru, 

JiaifcuH.                         ^^H 

toil  leve  I  mine  hcric 

But  I  woll  that  thou  knowe  him  now          ^^^^| 

e,  wjthouiin  departing 

Giiming  and  code,  Hthin  that  tho;A              ^^^^1 

eoeflc  or  re^iiung« 

^^                                THE   ROMAUNT 

DF    THE   ItOSB,                       ^^| 

Art  fo  aogutfhotii  aod  fo  mate. 

A  fm  that  parOonc  hatli  wkKiWift,      ^^^H 

Di«n^urtcl  out  of  alUtc, 

And  p4rdonc  tpnttid  willtoift  (ino«v           ^M 

Thrrc  tnaie  no  wrixhc  haxc  more  of  wo. 

A  paipe  alfo  ir  i*  ^o»nif«j                               ^H 

Nc  catifc  Don  cndurtn  fo  ; 

Aud  felon;                                             ^^^^1 

It  were  to  every  i^nan  fittinj^ 

Alfoapl                            iMe.           1^^|| 

Of  hiilortlc  tuhavc  knowkgin^. 

^^ndfte^l                                                 ^^H 

For  if  thoti  kncwc  him  out  of  tJotit                          i 

A  flrcnpi                                      ■gbt,        ^H 

Lightly  ihoii  fliauMift  Icsiynx  om 

Andafrl                             ^,..                   ■ 

Of  ihy  prifon  ttac  raarriih  the. 

Wittc  un                                                           Hj 

VamtmmK 

Aful  joi(  >                            'f\tt                       ^M 

Yc,  Dame,  fithin  my  lordc  is  Kc, 

A  laughtir  it  i«  wc^iing  aie,                            ^M 

And  I  his  man  mudt  with  mine  bondo 

Reft  that  travailitlV  ntgbt  atid  dak>             M 

I  wouldc  right  fainc  undirfloti<!e 

Alfo  3  fwete  hell  it  is,                                S 

To  kfjowin  of  what  kitide  lie  be, 

And  a  forowfuU  paradtt,                              H 

If  any  would  cnformc  mc. 

A  plcfauntgaa!          *     ^    prifoun,                *^B 

RaifcM^ 

And  full  of  Ir                      f*!inn»                ^m 

1  would  (fiyid  Rcfon)  the  lere, 

Vrmv  tetup*  ij|i'.i   iiuiUi  wlritt",                ^H 

Sithe  tliou  to  Icmc  haft  fochc  dciirf, 

And  JVtriic  devoidc  of  all  delitc,                  ^M 

And  fhcwin  the  without  In  IaIAc. 

With  fcTc  braunchit  btoiTofm  Dngreiie»      ^^i 

A  thing  iliat  Ji  not  d 

Thon  fllalt  knowc  wiu                  .icc 

And  ncwe  fruid  filled  with  wiourtcnef  ^M 

h  is  a  flowe  maie  not  forb«re,                   ^M 

^          And  \^'iihomifi  crpericoct 

Ragges  ribanid  with  goW  to  were,            ^M 

The  thing  that  maie  not  Icnowltt  bc^ 

For  all  fo  well  woll  Love  be  fettc      __^m 

Ne  wif>  nc  ihcwcd  in  no  degrc, 

Undir  raggif  a«  riche  rotcheiee^          ^^^M 

Tlioo  maicA  thiplbthc  of  it  not  wittcit 

And  eke  a^  well  by  amoretfei            ^^^H 

Although  in  the  it  were  ywrittcn  j 

In  mourning  hlacke  «  bright  bunscllV^^H 

Thou  flialf  not  knoirin  thcrof  more 

For  none  i&  of  fo  mokiU  prife^ 

"VVhilc  thou  arf  rulid  by  hi*  lore. 

Nc  no  man  foundin  it  fo  wi/c. 

But  unto  him  that  Love  will  flie 

Ne  no  man  fo  high  of  parage ^ 

The  knotty  maie  undotid  be 

Ne  no  man  fotindc  of  witte  fo  figt, 

Wliiche  hatb  to  the,  a*  it  U  fuuude. 

No  man  fo  bardie  nc  fo  wight. 

)i<oloDge  to  knittcandnot  uttboiirMic  : 

Nc  no  man  of  fo  mokiU  might. 

>lovr  fet  well  tliinc  cntrucion 

None  fo  fullfjJlid  of  bountey 

To  here  of  love  the  tlcfcripdon. 

Tliat  he  with  love  maie  dauntid  he% 

All  the  worldc  holdith  thif  waie. 

Love  makith  all  to  gone  mifwaic 

Love  it  is  an  hatc(ul  yrfc^ 

But  if  it  be  theiof  evill  life. 

A  frc'  actjuitance  without  rclefc. 

Whom  Genius  curfid,  man  and  wife. 

And  throiigh  the  fret  full  of  lalJbed^ 

That  wrongly  wcrke  again  Natwrc  y 

A  fikcmeJTcall  fct  in  drcdc; 

None  frjchc  I  love,  nc  have  no  cure 

In  hcrtc  is  a  dtijpcring  hope, 

Of  foche  as  Lov*i»  fcrvauntcsben. 

And  full  of  hope  it  u  wanhope  t 

And  woll  nat  by  my  counfaile  lleto. 

A  wife  wodnefTc,  and  void  niuti^ 

For  I  nc  preiGn  that  loving 

A  fvvft    peril]  in  to  droun, 

Where  through  man  at  the  hft  endii^g-  * 

Aikd  hevic  burthin  light  to  here, 

^haU  call  *hcm  wretchis  full  of  wo. 

A  wickid  wawc  awaie  to  were  j 

Lovegrcvith  *hem  and  fhcnditb  fo; 

It  IB  Charybdi*  perilous^ 

But  if  thou  wolt  well  Love  cfchcwc 

Ujfagn'nbkajid  gracioui; 

For  to  efcapc  out  of  his  mewe. 

It'  is  difcordauncc  that  can  acordo. 

And  make  all  whole  the  forowc  flake. 

And  accnr^auiJtc  unto  difccr^  ; 

No  bettir  counfailc  maicft  thou  take 

It  i*  conning  without  (Science, 

Than  thinkc  to  fldo  wel  i-wis. 

And  wifcdome  without  Capiencc, 

Maie  nought  helpc  clt,  for  wit  tliou  tbiti 

"Wiltc  withoutin  difcrecion, 

If  thou  flie  it  ftjall  flie  the, 

Havoirc  without  pofTcflion  j 

Folowc"  it  and  folowcn  ihall  it  the,    ^^ 

It  is  like  hole  and  whok  llckcncnc^ 

J,^amnimtt            ^^^H 

A  trufl  drounidand  dronkiocflr, 

A -d  hclth  all  fuU  of  maladic. 

Whan  I  had  herid  Refon  fktn,            ^^H 

And  charttc  full  of  envic, 

WTiichc  had  yfplk  her  fpechc  in  ▼aXo,       H 

And  angrc  full  of  abonndaLunce^ 

Dame,  (fayid  I)  1  dare  well  faic               ^H 

*AncI  a  fitll  gri^ic  Kiffifauncc^ 

Of  this  avaunt  me  well  1  maie,                 ^M 

Dclitf  right  fttU  of  hcirsncire. 

1  hat  from  your  fcolc  fo  devbunt             ^H 

And  drerincf*-fuU  of  gbdncfJa» 

I  am,  that  cere  the  inore  avaunt             ^M 

Bittir  fwetenclTc  and  fwctc  crroor. 

Right  nought  t  am  through  your  dol^S/^M 

i^f  ht  cvill  iivouicd  goik  ftvour^ 

1  diiUc  tindir  your  difciplme  |          ^^^H 

IZ    ROMAUNT    OF    TUB   ROSE, 


lorc  Han  1  wiftc  erer, 

ccmtraric  and  fo  fc^r 

iigthi^c  yc  mc  Icrc, 

UUi  it  All  by  parti vcrc ; 

I  forycteth  thereof  right  nought ; 

ttin  ill  my  thoughe.     . 

^ravin  it  i^  fn  tender, 

inc  htrtc  1  tin  it  rcudcr, 

:  oYir  commuDclyt 

kli  IcwtUd  am  [. 


botfie  tW0| 

li-ttCT, 

pon  ttthe  better, 
'  Curd  here, 
^  lit  brc. — 

Sfcrchid  well  and  fought, 
oeflc  of  the  thought* 
d  l(0edde  betwixt  twcint, 
e  m&  female  with  o  eh  cine, 
dethf  thdt  thei  n'ill  cwintic 

Kthei  lelcor  winoc  ; 
Ipth  thrMigh  hote  brcnning 
inatc  deCnng 
Q  and  to  embrace, 
r  !uft  ihcm  to  fokicc ; 
ing  Lo¥e  retchtth  nought, 
tbcf  hcttc  and  all  thtr  thought 
ler  dele^aciouQ 
rocrracioim. 
ui^  by  d^ndmre, 
e  f%  God  is  nat  plcforc, 

WMie  Ihude  to  ^ct 
ui  Jbree,  thei  are  ia  kt 
I  to  pUic  in  fere ; 
Arc  alfo  thi*  mancre 
lem  for  love  fcke ; 
I  prcfc  not  at  a  Icke, 
an  thei  do  but  faine, 
idy  thei  difdainc ; 
bdies  traitourfly, 

ptm  othia  uttirly, 

bleHngr,  many*  a  fabJc, 

Jbdia  difc livable. 

Ilhei  han  thcr  lull  ygetten 
Itbeiall  €ory*:tten; 
gie4)yin  full  fore ; 
inkin  evimiorc, 
nnc  i%  fo  mote  I  the, 

Elhan  difceivid  be, 
here  thei  oc  maie 
bir  tncne  ne  ware, 
ireli  in  fothfaflcrfTe, 
Sbeth  now  hii  bufiociTe 
roman  for  to  dele 
>  that  he  maic  fclc, 
for  en^ndrure 
efpaile  I  you  enfurc, 
Id  fettin  all  hie  will 
likdf  thing  him  tiU, 


p^  if  chat  he  mighty 
'  'i  by  kitid*i»  r^bt 


His  Dwtu  lik^iieire  and  fcmhh^blet 
For  blcdufc  air  iscormmpalilt, 
And  fatlin  (houUJ  fucceiiiiauti, 
Nc  wtre  the  gcneracfouc, 
Our  fc'd.*is  ilrcnc  (^r  to  fave. 
Whan  fadrc'  or  momir  arne  in  jc^vc 
ThcrMiildrin  fljuldc  whan  they  ben  dedc 
Poll  dUigcnt  ben  in  thcr  ftede 
To  life  that  worke  on  fochc  a  wife 
That  one  maie  through  an  othir  rife; 
Therefore  fct  kindc  therein  dclitc, 
For  men  therein  {hould/hem  dLhtc'» 
And  of  that  dcd^  be  not  crkc, 
But  oftc  fithis  haunt  that  wcrkc. 
For  none  would  drawc  thereii  a  dr;iMght 
Nc  were  deiitc  whi(;hc  hath  him  cAu^ht ; 
This  had  fubtiil  Dame  Nature, 
i\<v  none  guc'th  rigJit  I  the  cnl'ure, 
Nc  hath  eultcn  whole  nc  parfite. 
For  thcr  dciirc  1%  for  delite, 
The  whiche  fortenid  crcfc^  and  eke 
The  piaie  of  love,  for  oft  ihci  fcjcc 
And  thrall  'hem  fclf,  thei  be  fu  nice. 
Unto  the  prince  of  every  vice. 
For  of  cche  fmnc  it  i?  the  role 
UnlcfuJl  lull,  though  it  be  fotc. 
And  of  all  cviJl  the  ratine. 
As  TuJIjus  can  determine, 
Whichc  tn  hi*  time  vi^as  full  f^ge, 
In  a  bokc  whiche  he  made  of  a^>% 
Where  that  more  he  ypraiiiil;  Lid*, 
Though  he  be  crokid  and  utnvtidc, 
And  niordh|t  comn^cndacioun 
Than  youtn  ui  hi«  difcripcioim  ; 
For  youth  fct  both?  man  and  wife 
(n  all  perill  of  foulc  and  life. 
And  perill  ii,  but  men  liavc  grace, 
rhc  perill  of  youth  for  to  pace 
Without  any  dtth  or  diflrcue. 
It  is  fo  full  of  wilJaicflc, 
So  oft  it  doeth  fhamc  and  domage 
To  him  or  unto  his  litiagt;. 
It  ledith  man  now  up  now  doun, 
In  mokill  dinblucioun. 
And  maketh  him  love  ill  companie, 
^nd  kdc  his  life  difrtilJlie, 
And  haltc  him  paicd  with  none  cHaCe ; 
Within  liinifclf  is  fochc  debate 
He  chaungith  purpofe  and  catent, 
And  yaltc  into  fome  covctjt. 
To  livin  attir  thcr  emprife. 
And  Iciith  frcdome  and  fraunchlie 
That  Nature  in  him  had  yftt. 
The  whichc  again  he  male  not  get, 
If  there  he  make  his  maiifioiJ, 
For  to  abide  profcflion  ; 
Thotijjh  for  a  time  hi»  hcrtc  abfent 
It  miiie  not  failc  he  fhalt  repent, 
At)d  eke  abidin  thilke  daie 
To  Ic^^fi*  hii  abite  and  gon  hi*  waie, 
AndlcfLth  hii  worlhip  and  bi<  name. 
And  dare  not  come  agiiin  for  fliame. 
But  all  his  life  he  doeth  fo  mouruc, 
Sicaufc  he  dare  not  home  retouroe^ 


^Br                               THE    ROMAUNT   OF   THE   ROSE.    ^^^^^H 

JFrccfome  of  kiniie  fo  loft  hath  he 

Ai  longe  as  Youthc  i%  in  fefoif             ^^^^H 

That  ncTir  male  rccorid  bc^ 

Thei  dwellin  in  one  manfion  :               ^^^| 

Bat  thmt  if  God  him  grauntin  grace 

Delite  of  Youth  woU  have  ferricc        ^^^H 

1         That  he  ma.tc ,  cr  he  htnnh  pace. 

To  do  what  fo  he  woU  devife,              ,^^^^| 

1         Coniein  undir  obedience. 

And  youth  i*  t  edy  evirmore                 ^^^^1 

'        Through  the  vcrtuc  of  pacIcnA  j 

For  to  obey  for  fmcnc  or  fore              ^^^^B 

For  youth  fct  man  in  all  folic, 

Unto  Dilite,  and  him  to  jere                      ^U 

Id  octhriJt  aod  in  ribaudrie,                                  ^ 

HcT  fcrvice  while  that  ibc  maie  live*           ^| 

Id  Icchtfic  and  tn  outrage. 

Where  Elde  abitcc  1  wot  the  teU               ■ 

So  oft  it  ciiaungith  of  cor-igc  ; 

Shortily,  and  no  while  ydwcUc,             ^^^M 

Vaath  ginnith  oft  fipche  a  bargain 

For  thidir  behoTcth  the  to  go,               ^^^| 

Th;iC  maie  not  end  withotiitu  pain  : 

Yf  Deth  in  yotithe  the  not  Uo ;             ^^H 

In  grttc  per  ill  Is  Youth-hedc, 

Of  this  journey  thou  maifle  not  hOc     ^^^| 

DeUte  fo  docth  his  bridilJ  Icdc  : 

With  her  Labour  and  ckc  Trafailc              ^M 

1         Delitr  tlm  hangith,  dredc  the  norught. 

Ludgid  hen,  with  Sorow  and  Wo,               ^M 

Bothe  uiaim*i$  bodie  and  his  thoug  it  i 

That  ncvir  out  of  her  court  go,                   ^H 

Oaily  through  yomh*^i»  chanibtrcj 

iJNifie  and  Diilreffe,  SickenciTc  and  IjBT,      ^M 

That  to  docn  ill  is  cuUpmere, 

And  Mclan*coIy,  that  angry  fire,      "        ^H 

And  of  naught  cllii  takith  hcd« 

Ben  of  her  paleij  fenatoui »,                           ^H 

Bot  onrly  £alki«  for  to  Jc4c 

Groning  and  grutching  her  herbcge^uii :    ^| 

Into  difpori  andwildendTe 

1  he  day  and  night  her  to  tourmc^ii             ^H 

Se»  froward  i&  it  from  fadndTe, 

With  cruill  Deth  thei  her  prcfent,  Z            H 

But  cldc  ydrawith  *hcm  therfro  j 

And  telUn  her  erlichc  and  Uie                     ^M 

Who  wott:  it  not  he  maic  well  go. 

That  Death  flondeth  armid  at  her  gat|^^^| 

!         Aivd  mo  of  *hcni  that  now  arnc  old, 

Than  brin^  thei  to  her  rcmcmbrauno^^^^^ 
The  foly  dedet  of  her  cnfannce,           ^9^H 

That  whilom  youth  yhad  in  hold , 

Whichc  yet  rcmcrabrc*  of  tendir  age 

Whiche  caufin  her  to  mourae  in  wo       ^^H 

How  it  'hem  brooght  in  many'  a  rage. 

That  youth  hath  her  bcgilid  fo,                     ^M 

1,        Add  many'  a  folie  iherin  wrought. 

Whichc  fodainly  awaie  h  haftcd  ;                 H 

1         But  now  that  cldc  hath  *hcm  through  fought 

1         Thei  repent  *hcm  of  thcr  folic 

Complain bg  of  the  preftrftte                     'H 

That  youth  *hem  put  in  jcopardic. 

And  the  prcfent,  that  nat  atitte,           ^^B 

Id  pcriQ  and  in  mokill  woe» 

And  of  her  olde  vaajte,       ff              ^^^H 

1         And  made  'hem  ofc  ajniffe  to  doe. 

1  hat  but  afornc  her  Ihc  maie  le       ^  ^^^H 

And  fcwin  evill  componic 

In  the  future  fome  fmale  focoore           ^^^H 

Afid  riot  and  advoutcric* 

To  leggin  her  of  her  doloure,               ^^^H 

To  graunt  her  time  of  repentaunce,  ^^^H 
For  her  finnis  to  do  penauncc,                     ^H 

Bnt  Eld^  gan  againc  reftrainc 

And  at  the  tall  fo  her  goveme,                     ^M 

From  fuche  faly  and  rcfrainc. 

To  wituie  the  joye  that  ii  cteroe,                  M 

And  fci  men  by  her  ordinauncc 

Fro  whiche  go  backirarde  youth  her  l^^^l 

In  g*dc  rule  and  in  go¥eniauncc  j 

In  vanitc  to  drowoc  and  wade ;           ^^^H 

But  ill  ftc  fpcndith  her  fcrrifc. 

For  prefent  time  abldiih  nought,         ^^^H 

For  no  man  woi  her  love  nc  preilc; 

k  i»  more  fwifte  than  any  thoyght^     ^^^B 

She  is  hatid,  this  wot  I  welc. 

So  iitill  while  it  doth  endure^  ^M 
That  there  if  nc  compte  ne  mdure.            ^M 

Her  acqneintauncc  would  no  man  £ele» 

Ke  ban  of  Elde  companie. 

But  how  ^at  cvir  the  game  go,              ^M 

Men  hale  to  be  of  her  alic. 

Who  lifl  love  joye  and  tnirth  aJiio                ^M 

For  DO  mm  wold  bccomin  oldc. 

Of  love,  be  it  he  or  fhe,                               H 

He  die  whan  he  f*  yongt  and  bolde  ; 

Or  hie  or  lowe,  who  fo  it  hr,                      ^M 

And  Elde  mcrvailith  right  grctely 

In  frutc  thci  Ihouldin  *hem  delite,               ^M 

KThan  thci  fcmcrobre  *hcm  inwardly 

Thcr  parte  thd  maie  not  cUii  ^uitc,    ^^^^B 

Of  maify*  a  pcrillous  cmprifc 

To  (avc  'hem  fdf  in  hoodie;              ^^^^| 

Whichc  that  ihci  wrought  in  fondry  wife, 

And  yet  full  many  #i}e  1  fe                  ^^^M 

Kow  e»ir  thd  might  without  blame 

Of  women,  fothly  for  to  foine,           ^^^| 

Ffcapc  awaie  withoulin  fliamc. 

Thuf  di  firin  and  wuuldin  faiue            ^^^^| 

In  youth  without  any  dumagc, 

The  pUii:  of  l«vc»  thci  be  fo  wilde.    ^^^H 

,         "Without  reprcfe  of  thcr  linage. 

And  not  covcite  to  go  with  duldc  ;             ^| 

l.efTe  of  mcmbre,  fheding  of  blodc^ 

And  tf  wuK  chijdc  il^-i  '"  ...  r.h  .......        V 

Pcnll  of  d^:th,  or  loffc  of  gode. 

Thci  \vo\  it  Kolde  ■  ;.                                        ■ 

Wotift  thoi*  oat  where  Youth  abit. 

But  wliat  fo  cvir  Wo  t                                ^^^H 

That  men  fo  pfcirm  in  ther  wit  ? 

Thci  wed  on t  pldinin,  but  concdc,       ^^^^H 

With  Eklite  (he  yhalte  fojotir,. 

Qut  it  be  any  tule  or  nice,                    ^^^^H 

Fvrboih  thci  dwcllin  m  o  tour  i 

In  whumi  thdt  flume  hjith  no  i«i|lIoe;^^H 

THE    ROMAUNT    OF    THE    ROSE- 


t  tchtint  thci  drawe 
khb  wurk?,  both  hie  »tid  Izwe^ 
Sfaat  ^rtit  worth  right  nought, 
Ipnty  wol  be  ybought ; 
I  prctUn  in  no  wife 
givcQ  far  covtufe  % 
Iromai],  though  fhc'*  ii  wodr, 
|l  her  feife  for  ioy  gode^ 
)nild  a  man  > telle 
I  wil  her  body  fcllc, 
lidc  or  be  (he  wife, 
c  wul  fillc  her  by  her  life, 
c!  vcr  (he  mikfi 

|C[         I       i.Tiake 
.  he  oiH ,  for  fwetc  or  foure^ 
hitn  called  bcr  pamnoure, 
tb  Oil  him,  and  maketh  him  fed, 
f  BO  fuchc  heft 
is  nut  worthy, 
»  Qiune  of  Drory ; 
d  her  plefe^  but  be  wer  wode, 
tfpotlc  him  of  hi&  gode  : 
>fi'e  I  wol  not  (sdt 

folacc  aod  for  pkie 
il  or  othtr  thmg 
lovU%  itc  ycvingt 
aikc  it  m  no  ytiCc 
if  Ihamc  or  co¥ctife ; 
fiCT%  Kiaic  him  cen^iiie 
—  --—line, 
■,r  To 

.,_.-  Aio: 
vr^Ahn  *hcm  twinnc 
there  is  no  imoc  i 
ha.  togidir  go, 
il  that  thei  hm  ado, 
i)uld  and  dchonaire, 

love  bcr  in  'hern  fa  ire, 
Tice,  both  he  and  flic, 
sue  in  hontlle 
we  to  kcpc  *hem  clerc, 
litb  heriis  With  hii  fere, 
iher  love  in  any  wife 
of  i]\  covctilc. 
fliould  cQgendrid  he 
belt,  juilc  and  fccre, 
\  fochr  a*  fet  thcr  thought 
lb  i  ellis  nought, 

bLov'is  Uce 
iry  loiace ; 
ifjft  pre  fen  t 
fet  al  thine  eatent 
more,  what  fhould  I  gtofc  I 
tin  and  have  the  R&fe, 
ikJth  the  fo  mate  and  wode 
defircO  none  other  gode  : 
^  not  an  incbe  the  ncrre, 
ibidell  in  farroue'  and  Werrc, 
face  it  if  yfeoe  ; 
|he  hot  be  pile  and  lene  ; 

t    -'  -•  ■ -/:-)rh<:awaic, 

til 

; .— L jrtc  inne, 

Lo\c  wrhku  thau  let  sQue  i 


Whcrfore  1  rede  thou  ihctte  him  outc, 

Or  he  (hal  grcvc  the  out  of  doute^ 

For  to  thy  profile  it  wol  turne. 

If  he  no  more  with  the  fojounie. 

In  grctc  mJchcfc  aud  forow  fonken 

Ben  hertii  that  of  love  arnc  dronken^ 

A*  thou  peraventure  knowrn  (hall 

Whan  thou  haft  loft  thy  time  all. 

And  fpent  thy  thought  in  idilnefle. 

In  waOCf  and  woful  lufUnefTe. 

Yf  thou  maifl  live  the  time  to  £b 

Of  love  for  to  delivered  be 

Thy  lime  thou  fhalt  bcwepi"  fore. 

The  whiche  ncvir  thou  maifl  rxStoTt, 

For  time  ylofl,  a»  mcii  may  fc. 

For  nothing  may  recovered  be  : 

And  if  thou  fcapc  yet  at  the  laAe 

Fro  Love  that  hath  the  fo  h(tt 

Yknittc  and  boundia  in  his  lace, 

Ccrtainc  Iholde  it  but  a  grace; 

For  many  one,  as  it  h  fcioe. 

Have  Mc  and  fpciit  alfo  in  ▼cine 

In  his  fervice  withoot  focour 

Body  and  foulc,  gode  and  trefour, 

And  witte  and  ftrength,  and  eke  richeflTi 

Of  wbiche  thei  bad  ncvir  redrtflc. 

Thus  taught  and  prechid  hatli  Rcroa, 
But  Love  yfpilte  hath  her  fermon. 
That  was  fo  Impid  iJi  my  thought 
That  herdo<5brinc  1  fet  at  DOU{;ht« 
And  yet  ne  faide  Ihe  nevte*  ft  dele 
That  I  nc  ondcrflode  it  wclc 
Word>  by  worde  thosmatir  ill ; 
But  unto  Love  I  was  fo  thrall, 
Whiche  callith  ovirall  bin  pntc. 
He  chaCth  fo  my  thoitghtit  ate, 
And  holdeth  min  herrtc  undir  his  fcfe 
A*  tnifty  and  t  re  we  as  any  flcle^ 
So  that  I  no  dcvocion 
Nc  badd8  in  the  wife  fermon 
Of  Dame  Refon,  ne  of  her  rede 
I  tokc  no  fojour  in  mine  hede^ 
For  alle  ycde  out  at  one  ere 
That  in  that  othir  fhe  did  Icre; 
Fully  on  mc  fhe  loft  her  lore  ; 
Her  fpeche  me  grevid  wuadir  fore. 

That  unto  bcr  for  ire  I  faJde, 
For  angir  as  t  did  abraide. 
Dame,  and  as  it  your  will  algate 
That  1  not  love  but  that  I  hate 
All  men,  a^  ye  me  now  do  tcche  I 
For  if  I  do  aftir  your  fpccKe, 
Sith  that  you  feine  love  h  not  gode, 
I'han  muft  1  ncdis  fay  with  mode^ 
Yf  I  it  levc,  in  hatrid  aie 
Livin,  and  votdm  love  awaic 
Fcrr^  from  mc  a  iinfuJ  wrctche, 
Yhatid  of  allc  that  tctche, 
I  may  not  go  none  othir  gate* 
For  either  muft  1  love  or  hiite| 
And  if  I  hatin  men  of  newe 
More  thaj]  love  it  wol  me  rcwe^ 


^^^F                             THE   ROMAUNT   OF   THE   ROSI,               ^^^^ 

As  by  foUr  prcchiog  fetnith  oie. 

,   Of  la«  helping  doth  him  feqmr?,          ^^^^| 

For  Love  nuihing  nc  prailith  tJu: : 

For  j^ttde  dcdc  done  r'                    ipr€  ^^^B 

Yc  ycve  godc  cotinfailc  fikirly 

li  foldc  and  bought  i                                   ^^^B 

That  prtchith  mc  al  day  that  I 

Tohcrtthiit  of  grcte  VdJuic                 ^^^H 

Nc  Ihould  cot  Lov*i*  lore  aiowe; 

For  heft  fulfilled  of  gcntilndTe             ^^^H 

He  were  a  fole  wouid^  you  af>t  trowcf 

Can  cviJ  dcmcnc  hi^  dillreife  ;               ^^^H 

In  rpcchc  alfo  yc  han  mc  taught 

And  man  that  worthy  i»  of  nam*          ^^^^| 

Anothlr  love  that  knowen  is  naught » 

To  afkin  oftin  hath  grctc  fhame.          ^^^H 

Whichc  T  have  herds  you  ogt  rcprevc  ;          , 

A  god«  man  brennith  in  hn  thon^^tm^^^^ 

To  loifc  eche  othir,  by  your  Icvc, 

For  fhame  whan  that  he  aflcrth  ought  |^^^^| 

If  yc  wotild  dcfuiio  it  jnc^ 

He  hath  grctc  thought,  and  drcditJU  ft»0     ^H 

1  wotildin  gladly  here,  to  fc 

For  hl&  difefc  whan  he  ftiit  praic              ^^^| 

At  the  left  if  I  nujwin  Icte 

Hli  frende  left  that  he  waruid  be          ^^^| 

Of  loniiry  lovi*  the  mancre* 

Till  he  preve  his  ftabilite ;                       ^^^^| 

Raifon, 

But  wh^n  that  he  hath  foundia  one     ^^^^| 

Ccrtia,  frcndc,  a  grctc  folc  art  thou^ 

That  truily  \h  and  trewc  as  CUiiic»        ^^^^| 

Whan  that  thou  nothing  wok  alow 

And  luth  dlayid  bim  at  all»                   ^^^B 

'U'hithc  that  I  lor  thy  prgfitc  fuic  ; 

And  founde  liim  ftcdfaft  a<  a  wall.                ^H 

Yet  wol  1  faic  the  more  in  faie^ 

And  of  hii  frcndftuppc  be  ccrtaine,             ^| 
He  fhal  hini  fhewc  bothc  joic  and  paine,      ^| 

For  I  am  rcdy  at  the  left 

To  accomplifliin  thy  rcqucft  ; 

And  all  th^t  he  dare  thinke  or  (ait:,               H 

But  1  n*ot  where  it  woiaircilc- 

Withoutin  fliamc,  a*  he  well  maic,               ^| 

1q  vaine  pcrav'cnturc  I  travailc. 

For  how  ihould  he  afttamid  be   '  i               ^H 

l.o*e  there  ia  in  foudric  wife, 

Qf  fuche  an  one  as  1  totdc  the  f                     ^U 

Right  as  I  (hall  rhchcrc  dcvifc. 

For  whan  he  wot  htji  fccret  thought             ^H 

For  fomc  love  leful  i*  ind  godr. 

The  third  (hall  know  thcrof  right  tioughc^  ^H 
For  twey  in  nonibre*  i«  bet  thaji  thrc            ^U 

1  menc  not  that  whichc  mikctb  the  wocTc, 

Aodbriugith  the  in  many'  a  fittc. 
And  ravifticth  fro  the  al  thy  witcc, 

In  every  counfailc  and  fccrc  :                           ^M 

Rcprcvc  h^  dredith  nevrc*  a  dele                    ^M 

It  is  To  marvcLloui  and  queiDt ; 

Who  that  befet  hii  wordit  wcle,                      ^M 

With  fuche  love  be  no  more  aqueiftt. 

For  cveiy  wife  man  out  of  dredc                   ^M 

C^mmettt  Jiai/liM  tiiffimjfi  Aunfiif^ 

Can  kepe  hh  tong  till  he  fe  nede.                  ^M 

Love  of  frendfhippc  alfo  there  it 

And  folit  can  not  hnldc  thertongc;           ^M 

'Whiche  makith  no  ma^odon  amis* 

A  fol'ii  bcHc  i«  fonc  yrongc;                         ^M 

Of  will  ykitittc  bctwixio  two,                                 , 

Yet  (hall  a  ire  we  frende  doin  more               ^M 

That  wol  uot  brckc  for  wclc  oc  wo, 

To  helpe  hii  fclowc  of  hii  fore,                     ^H 

Whichc  longc  it  likely  to  contunci                            , 

And  focGUr  htm  whan  he  hath  nedc      |^^^| 

Whan  wil  audgodc«>  hen  ia  commune. 

In  all  that  he  may  done  in  dede,            ^^^^| 

Groundid  by  Godd'i^  ordinaunce, 

And  gladdir  that  he  him  pleHtli             ^^^^B 

All  whole  withoutin  difcordaunce, 

Than  his  frlowc  that  he  cfith  ;                      ^H 

With  them  y holding  comma unce* 

And  if  he  do  nat  bis  ret|ucft                             ^| 

Of  al  thcr  godc  in  charitc. 

He  fhal  as  mocbil  him  molcft                         ^M 

That  there  be  none  cxcqptioun* 

As  his  felowe,bicaufie  that  he                         ^M 

Through  chaunging  of  entcntiouti, 

Mate  not  fulfill  his  votuntc                             ^M 

That  cche  hclpc  othir  at  iher  nc4e. 

All  fully  as  he  hath  requtt^L                          ^M 

And  wifely  hele  both  wordc  and  dedc^ 

U  both  the  hertis  Love  hath  fired                    ^M 

Trcwc  of  mcning,  dcvoidc  of  flouthe^ 

Botbt  joyc  and  wo  thei  fhadl  dqatttc^            ^U 

For  wit  is  nought  withouti*  trouthc. 

And  take  evinly  cche  hit  parte,                      ^H 

So  that  the  i'  one  dare  all  hi«  thought 

Kalfc  hisanoye  he  Ihal  have  aie,                    ^H 

Saiue  to  his  frende,  and  fpftrtn  nought^                   , 

And  comfnrte  him  what  that  be  iaai<»  ^^^H 

As  to  hira  fclfc,  without  tJreding 

And  of  hi«  hli(r<:  parte  fbaj  hr,                ^^^| 

To  be  difcovcred  bv  wr  vinii.                                   \ 

If  love  wollin  dcpartid  be.                       ^^^H 

For  glad  i«  that  c^ji 

^^^^H 

Whan  there  is  noD                     n 

^^^^1 

Betwixio  'hem  whomc  tUi  woIJ  proire. 

And  whjTom  of  this  unite                         ^^^^| 

That  trcwc  and  parfitc  wereo  in  lore  ; 

Spake  Tulliui  m  a  dite,                           ^^^H 

For  no  man  may  be  amiable 

A  man  fhould  makin  thi«  requeft            ^^^^| 

But  if  he  be  fo  fcrmc  and  ftablc 

Unto  hi^  frendc  that  is  honcft^                       ^H 

That  Fortune  chaunge  him  not  ne  blinde. 

And  he  godcly  (hould  it  fulfil^                 ^^^^t 

But  that  hi*  frendc  a  I  way  him  findc 

J5ut  it  the  more  were  out  of  (kill,             ^^^H 

Bothc  pore  and  richc  in  one  cftatc. 

And  othcrwife  not  graunt  thcxto,           ^^^^| 

For  if  his  frendc  throuijh  any  gate 

Except  only  in  caufii  two.                               ^H 
Yf  tnrn  his  frendc  to  drth  wcajd  dH^J^^^I 

Wol  complainc  of  hi*<  povcrtc 

\j^  ihould  m\  h\d%  (o  l^g  til  lie 

• 

Let  bim  be  bcfy  to*  fnc bitlitib            H^l 

^H            THE    ROMAUNT 

OF    THE    ROSE. 

■ 

^BHIollca  him  air^ne. 

And  whan  it  failith  he  wolfll?. 

(fl 

mbp  to  make  him  iaik. 

An<1  &a  ibc  grcvith  fa  grcvlth  it. 

^H 

m  \um  of  his  rroouu, 

Of  this  love  hcf  ith  what  1  faic  : 

^^^H 

kh  ful  cntmcioon 

The  richc  men  arc  yiovid  aie. 

^^^^M 

toe  ia  cctie  degre. 

And  namely  the  that  fparandc  bene, 
That  wol  not  waQi^  ther  herti*  clcnc 

^^^^m 

tedw'  ne  ihanud  be. 

^^^^1 

«ro  cafis  with  hit  might. 

Of  the  filthc  Dor  of  the  vice 

^^^^1 

kepe  to  (klU  nor  right. 

Of  grcdy  brennrng  jvaricc. 

^^^H 

love  may  him  encuic. 

The  richc  man  ful  fond  ii  i-wtt. 

^H 

tto  nuin  for  to  rcfule. 

That  wenith  that  he  loi^id  is; 

'^^^H 

\  that  1  haTc  told  to  the 

If  that  hia  hcrt  it  unJirftodc 

^^^^1 

DiJU^ic  to  nac ; 

It  is  not  be ;  it  if  his  gode  r 

^^^^1 

bat  thpu  fdlowe  welc» 

He  may  wel  wetin  in  his  thought 

^H 

ei'othirt^ery  dele; 

Hi* gode  is  loved  and  be  right  nought; 

^^^H 

i  vcrtuc  1  cDicfideth, 

For  if  he  be  a  nlgarde  ckc 

^^^^H 

felia  hkm  and  Oieodcth. 

Mtn  wol  not  fct  by  him  a  Iclte, 

^^^^H 

Jove  alfo  there  it 

But  hatin  him,  this  is  the  ibthe« 

^^^^1 

trary  unto  this. 

Lti  what  profitc  his  catil  dothe  1 

^^^H 

PC  i»  fo  cooflrainid 

Of  every  man  that  may  him  fc 

^^^^H 

h  but  will  faiiiid; 

It  gctttth  him  nought  but  euniite. 

^^^^H 

^outh  it  dotli  ffj  ttaric 

But  he  amende  hiar  of  that  vice» 

^^^^H 

ie  Tovc  it  i»  cciatrarie. 

And  know  himfclfc  he  is  not  wifc- 

^^^^H 

lath  ia  m&ny  wijc 

Ccrtis  he  Ihould  aic  frendly  bt 

^^^H 

irith  cc^cttfc; 

To  get  him  love,  i.lfo  ben  fine. 

^^1 

bg  and  in  profitc 

Or  eU  he  it  not  wife  nc  lagc. 

^^^H' 

icCtidi  hk  delicc : 

No  more  than  is  a  gotc  ranmger 

^^^^1 

be  his  hope  perchauQCe 

That  he  not  lovtth  his  dcdc  provcth. 

i^^^^l 

Whan  he  his  richcfTc  fo  wcU  lovcih 

^^^^H 

fcke*  ia  fci  upon 

That  he  wol  hide  it  aic  and  fptfc. 

^^^^H 

■  aod  quench  iinon» 

His  pore  frendis  fcnc  forfve. 

^^^H 

Imaie  be  amoroui. 

To  kepin  aie  his  ill  purpofe. 

^^^^H 

irfr.nr    Yrrt^,fy^^^ 

,  Till  That  for  dredc  his  cyin  clofc. 

^^^^1 

D^                       n  OKhIc 

Ami  til  a  wickid  dith  him  take 

^^^^H 

ki               inforchcrgode;                  1 

Him  had  lerir  a  fondrc  (hake. 

^^^^^ 

kt  prodtc  doth  abide 

And  let  al*  his  limmcs  a  fondrc  rift. 

^^^^H 

Ibidith  Dot  i^  tide: 

Than  Icvc  his ricbciT.-  in  lus  live; 

r^^^^^P 

poraith  of  DiJtic  Fortune, 

He  thtnkcth  to  part  it  with  re?  tn&n  ; 

^^^^H 

bile  woll  contitnc. 

Certain  no  Ujvc  is  in  him  thun, 

^^^^1' 

luungin  wondir  ^>nc. 

For  how  fliould  love  witJiin  him  he 

^^^H 

^ps  as  doth  the  moae, 

Whao  In  his  hcrt  ii  no  pitc? 

^^^^H 

Ibc  is  from  ut  ylet 

That  he  trcfpafith  well  1  wutc. 

^^^^1 

Ih,  that  betwiLin  is  fct 

For  echc  man  knowith  his  clLtte, 

^^^^H 

Od  her,  a&  it  may  fall, 

For  wcl  him  ought  t©  btj  rq>rovcd 

^^^H 

b  or  in  ali  : 

That  lovith  nought  nc  i*  not  loved. 

^^^^1 

z  makith  her  hemes  merte. 

But  fithc  wc  arnc  to  Fort^ine  comcD, 

^^^^H 

rcii  to  ihewin  dcrkc 

And  hath  our  fcrmon  cfu^r  nomcn. 

^^^^H 

rhcre  (he  hath  Joil  her  U^U 

A  wondir  will  I  tell  tJie  now. 

^^^^H 

uUy  and  the  iighr. 

Thou  hcrdift  ncrc  fuche  one  1  crow^ 

^^^^^ 

be  fliadowe'  i"t  ovir  pafie 

1  n'ot  where  thou  me  Icvm  ihall| 

^J^^^H 

imincd  ageiiMis  UiXt 

Although  fothfaftcneffc  it  be  all, 

^^^B 

he  brightnc*  of  the  foTioc  bemc.<, 

A»  it  h  writtin,  and  is  fothe. 

^H 

1  to'  her  again  her  iem« : 

Th4t  onto  men  more  r"  '^^       "^^^ 

^H 

1  ri^ht  of  fuch  niturCj 

T h c  fro V.  arde  fort uii                     iirc 

^H 

Ire  and  now  obkure< 

Than  doth  the  foce  ai;        . liv^  j 

"^^^H 

p  now  cliffy  of  minLTc, 

And  if  the  thinkc  it  ii  douiable. 

^^^H 

D  dimmc  and  wliiloni  clere. 

U  is  through  argument  provable. 

^^^1 

»vertc  ^innitjt  ukt, 

For  Fortune  dcbonaire  and  foftc 

^^^^1 

land  w«th^"ii'.  biake 

Yfa^lfith  and  begiliih  oftc» 

J^^^^H 

»v     -' 

For  lichc  a  motliir  ihc  can  chcri(hc| 

^^^H 

|i,  .                      ^iy, 

And  milkin  as  doth  a  norice. 

' ^^^^H 

Ita^^aai' 

Anil  ct  her  gode  to  him  yddCf^ 

^^^^1 

^■■Hdowi*  fine. 

And  ycvcth  'hem  parte  of  her  jcwckSj 

^^^H 

■i^HIRRft  (lunnh  bright 

With  grctc  rich  is  and  dignite. 

^^^^H 

Ertthayenhifllj^htj 

And  'hem  ihc  fcoJcth  ftabilits 

M 

THE  ROMAUHT  6?  THE  ftOS*. 


Onil 


In  a  flate  tHat  if  nothing  ila^ilc, 
But  i:haurit:>:irig  aie  and  Tmriablc, 
Aud  fcdiih  him  with  glory  vcinc. 
And  worldcly  bliffe  nothinj^t  err* cine  i 
"WhaJi  file  'hem  fettith  on  her  whtlc 
Than  wcnin  thd  to  bcrighf  welt. 
And  Tu  To  {lable  ftatc  withaj] 

new  thci  wcnc  for  to  fill ; 
If)  whan  thd  fctte  fo  high  to  be 
•jThci  wcnc  to  have  in  ccrtaintc 
Of  hcrtly  frendaa  to  g+ctt^  notnbre, 
Th^t  nothidg  might  their  flatc  eoc^mbre; 
he:  tnift  *hcm  fo  on  cirery  fide, 
filing  <*rith  *hcm  thci  wocld  abide 
every  pcrill  .inri  milchai^ore 
ithotittn  chauncc  or  v^jdiaunee 
Ei'>Lhr  of  catil  and  ofgodc, 
Aiid  iUb  for  to  fpende  ther  blode^ 
And  al  thcr  mcrobrii  for  to  fpill, 
Onily  tofulfiUftherwiU: 
[Thei  iiukcn  it  whole  in  many  wife, 
[      ,d  hotio  *hcm  their  full  fervicc, 
How  fore  fo  that  It  do  *hem  finertc 
Into  tkcr  very  tiakid  flieftc; 
Hcrtc  and  handc  alfo  whole  thci  give, 
Por  at  the  time  that  thci  may  live, 
So  that  with  this  thcr  flatiry 
Thei  makin  folii  glnrific 
Oncly  of  thcr  wordis  fprklng. 
And  hati  ehcrc  of  a  rcjoyfing^ 
And  trow  'hem  as  the  EvangOel 
And  it  Is  al  falfhedc  and  gile, 
'_  '  i  thci  fhal  aftcrwardl*  fc  ; 
Whan  thei  arne  fal  in  povcrtc. 
And  ben  of  gode  and  catil  bare. 
Than  (hould  thci  fene  who  frendit  warc^ 
For  of  an  hundrid  certainly, 
Kor  of  a  thaufandc  full  fcarfly, 
Ke  fliall  thei  fitlde  unnethi«  oQd 
IVhan  povcrte  is  eomcn  upon. 

For  thu»  Fortune  that  I  of  cell, 
With  men  whan  that  her  lull  to  dwells 
IVliketh  'hem^  to  Icfe  ther  canifaunce, 

I  And  nori/hcth  'hem  in  ignoraunce. 

II  Bat  frowardc  Fortune  and  pcrvcffe. 
Whan  high  eflatcA  flic  doth  reverfc, 
And  niakith  'hem  to  toumble  dounc 

I  Of  htr  whclcwith  a  fodaine  toumc^ 

I And  from  ther  richeffc  dothc  "hem  flr, 

^^^LAnd  plongith  *hem  in  povertc, 
^^^HA«  a  ilcpmothir  enviom, 
^^^KAnd  laicth  a  plaiiHr  dolorout 
HjBUnto  ther  hertis  woundid  cgre, 
^^'^'hichc  is  not  tempered  with  vinegrc, 
[         But  with  povrrtc*  and  indigcncCj 
I  Far  to  (hcwc  by  eipericnce 

That  (he  i»  Fortune  verilie. 
In  whom  no  man  nc  (hoold  alfie» 
Nor  in  her  ycfiia  have  fiaunee. 
She  h  fo  ful  of  variaunce. 

Thus  can  (he  makin  hie  and  towe, 
Whin  tliei  from  richcfl'e  arnc  thrown. 
Fully  to  know  in  without  were 
Trvndc  of  aflViSif  and  If  cnde  of  cbere, 


An 


And  whJchc  in  love  wcnm  tfc^  ttwl  I 

And  whichc  alfo  wcrcn  variable, 

Afiir  Fortune  thcr  goddefle* 

In  povcrte*,  cither  in  richelTc, 

For  all  that  ycveth  here  out  of  6ttdt 

Unhappy  ybcrith  it  in  dede. 

For  Inforiun*^  ktte  not  one 

Of  frcndii  whan  Fortune  is  gone, 

I  nienc  tho  frrodis  thai  wotl  fle 

Anonc  as  cnrrith  pc-vcrtc; 

And  yet  thei  wt>l  cr.t  leve  'hem  fo. 

But  in  eche  place  where  that  thci  fjt> 

Thci  callju  *hcm  wrctche,  fcome,  and  blaoi^ 

And  of  thcr  mifhappc  'hem  diffamc. 

And  namely  f&che  as  in  richt*flc 

Prctcndith  mofte  of  ftablencffc, 

Uliao  that  they  fawc  *hcm  fct  on  1o 

And  wcrin  of  hem  fuc cured  ofte. 

And  moft  iholpc  in  al  ther  nede^ 

But  now  thei  take  no  mancr  hedr^ 

But  fcidc  in  voice  of  fiatirie 

That  now  appcrcih  ther  folic 

Ovir  al  whcr  fo  thai  thci  fare. 

And  Cnge,  Go,  farewel,  Feldefart, 

AW^  fuchc  frendii  1  bclhrrwe. 
For  of  trewc  frcndia  thcr  be  to  fcwci 
^  But  fothfaR  fretides^  what  fo  betide, 
In  every  fortune  wollcn  sbide  ; 
Thei  han  their  hcrtes  in  foch  ifoblei 
That  thei  n'il  love  for  no  richeflc. 
Nor  for  thai  Fortune  may  'hem  fend« 
Thci  wolkn  'hem  Ibcour  and  dcfcivdc< 
And  chaujigin  for  foftc  nc  for  fore; 
For  who  hi*  freiide  loveth  evirroonr, 
rhough  men  dnwt  fweidit  him  to  I 
Thci  may  not  hewe  ther  love  a  twi>| 
But  if  in  cafe  that  I  fliall  fay» 
For  pride  and  ire  kfe  it  he  xnayi^ 
And  for  reprove  by  niteie, 
And  difcovering  of  privitc 
With  tonge  wounding,  a»  felon. 
Through  venemoiii  detraccion. 

Frcndc  in  thi»  cafe  wol  gon  his  wty^ 
For  nothing  greve  him  more  nc  nityg 
And  for  noUght  e Ui»  wol  he  fie 
if  he  love  in  flahilitc  t 
And  certaiac  be  is  wcU  begone 
Among  a  thoufande  that  iindcth  ooei 
For  there  ne  may  be  no  richcflc, 
Aycnft  frcndfliip  of  wbrthlnelTc, 
Far  it  ne  may  io  high  attaine 
At  may  the  vnloure^  fothe  to  faine^ 
Of  him  that  lovith  trcwe  and  weU  I 
Frcndfhipii  more  than  itcatelli^ 
For  frcndc  in  cotirte  aie  bcttlr  li 
Than  pcnyitin  purfe  ccnii. 
And  than  h  Fortune  niifb apings 
Whan  upon  men  ihe  \i  fablaag 
Thorough  nuHnrnlng  of  her  chAttfle<^ 
And  ca&th  'hem  out  of  balanoce. 

She  makcth  through  her  advcrilttf 
Men  ful  and  clcfly  fur  to  fe 
Him  I  hat  is  Ircnde  in  ctiiUiice 
Froai  liitti  tjiat  ii  Ky  apparciicCg 


THE   ROMAUNT 

OF   THE    ROSE.                                    fa 

tuAe  mikith  anone 

To  put  him  out  of  all  diungerei 

nhy  (rcndi*  fro  thy  fone 

That  he  of  mete  hath  no  miflcre» '  •                                   ' 

•ence  right  m  k  is,                                     ' 

Or  that  he  maic  with  little  ckc 

ebe  is  more  to  praifc  i-wii 

Be  foundin  while  that  he  i*  fcke,                                        ' 

muchc  richrffc  and  trcfour, 

Or  that  men  fhall  him  bernc  in  haile 

I  4cpe  pro6tc  and  valour 

To  live  till  his  fickncffc  be  paflc 

f  and  fucbc  ^verfite 

Unto  Ibmc  maifondcwc  bcfide  : 

bto  docth  profpcritr. 

He  cafte  nought  what  fhalt  him  bettdc  j 

one  ycvcth  conirauncc. 

He  thinkith  nought  that  cvrc*  he  Qiait 

liir  gcvith  igncrauncc.                                  ' 

Into  aoy  fickeiicfre  yfalL 

tiQi  tn  povertc'  u  in  dcde 

dccbrid  fro  fallhcdc,                                     ' 

frendis  it  woi  declare. 

And  though  it  fall,  a»  it  male  be> 

re  alfo,  what  way  they  fere; 

That  all  bctimc  fparin  (hall  he 

B  be  was  in  his  ruJiciTc 

A*  mokill  as  (hall  to*  him  fuffice 

endi*  hi]  of  dotiblcndTe* 

While  he  is  ficke  in  any  wife,                                          , 

tm  to  many  wife 

He  doith  for  that  he  woU  be 

tc  and  lK>dy,  atid  fcrvice. 

Contcntid  with  his  poverte 

m\d  he  then  have  you  to  'have  brought 

Withoutcin  nede  of  any  man  ; 

in  opinly  thcr  thought, 

So  moche  in  little  have  he  can 

DOW  hath  fo  dcrely  fenc  ? 

He  iaapaide  with  hit  fortune. 

1  bepkd  be  fliould  have  bene 

And  for  he  Q*ill  be  importune                                       1 

Hd&an  ptrcevidit, 

Unto  DO  wight  nc  onerous. 

idTe  n'oldc  not  let  him  wit ; 

Nor  of  thcr  godcni  covetooi. 

K  mvaumage  docth  him  than. 

Th  erf  ore  he  fpareth,  tt  mai  wcU  bcn| 

mt  makith  htm  a  wife  man» 

His  pore  cilate  for  to  faiicn«.                                        ' 

■idfchcfc  that  he  pcrccveth 

K  richcffc,  that  him  deccvcth  ; 

ipflfc  luftc  not  for  to  fpare. 

rkhc  DC  ymakith  nought 

Z  OD  trefouT  fet  hi»  thought. 

j^^Mnth  forthe  as  nat  yet  ware, 

tSe  ikontc  in  fufETaunce, 

j^NSe  it  happcncth,  as  it  nmc^ 

hing  ftontc  in  haboundauoce,                      | 

All  rigMttnto  hi»hafl^  daie,                                           i 

faunce  all  ontly 

And  ulMk  worlde  as  it  would  be  ; 

mokne  to  Uve  richily. 

For  evir  ilStrte  thinkith  he 

m 

The  fonir  that  Deth  him  yflci 

■ 

To  paradifc  the  fonir  go 

Ett  hath  hut  mitchis  tweine. 

He  (hall,  there  for  to  Uve  m  bliffe 

e  in  his  whole  demcine^ 

U^erc  that  he  fhall  no  godis  miffc  ; 

Dorc  at  cfc,  and  more  19  richer 

Thidir  he  hopcth  God  (hail  him  fcnde 

lith  he  w  hie  he  that  is  chiche. 

Aftir  this  wretchid  liv*ii  cndc. 

\ih  barcc  hath,  foth  to  faine. 

Pythagoras  himfclf  rchcrfes, 

iljd  mavit  of  whcte  grAinc, 

In  a  bokc  that  The  Goldin  Verft» 

he  he  chapman  ormarchaant. 

Is  clcpcd,  for  the  nobiiite 

re  of  golde  many  be  faun  t. 

Of  the  honomblc  ditc. 

be  getting  he  'hath  fuchc  wo. 

Than  whan  thou  gocft  thy  body  (hs 

^e  kcping  dredc  alfo. 

Pre  in  the  ay  re  thou  (halt  »p  go. 

X  c/c  more  hit  bcfincflc 

And  levin  all  humanite. 

ncTcfc  and  oat  to  IcfTc, 

And  purely  live  in  dietc.                       > 

ugraent  and  multiply ; 

He  is  a  fole  withoutin  were 

ugh  on  hcpe*  that  Uc  him  by. 

That  trowith  have  his  countrcy  here- 

ir (hall  make  hi*  Hchcffc 

in  ycrth  is  not  our  countcrc, 

into  his  gredinefle ; 

That  maie  thefe  clerkis  feine  and  fe                                ' 

pore  man  that  rctchith  nought 
hu  li velode  in  hii  thought. 

loBoece  of  Confolaeion, 
Where  it  is  makid  mencion 

that  he  gctteth  with  his  travaile, 
lith  nought  that  it  (hall  failc. 

Of  our  contrc  plainc  at  the  eye 

Byfcching  of  philofophie. 

he  have  UttJc  world 'U  goUc, 

Where  leudc  men  mightin  Icrin  wit, 

id  drinke,  and  efic  fodc^ 

Who  fo  that  would  tranflatin  it* 

it  tcrraile  and  living, 

If  he  be  fuchc  that  can  well  live 

b  fnffi^uDt  dothiii?, 
fickt^nefTc  that  he  ull. 

Afrir  his  rente  maic  him  yevc. 

And  not  dciiriih  more  to  have 

he  mctc  and  drinkc  withatt. 

Than  maic  fro  povntc  him  Civc. 

^  be  have  not  his  mete  to  bm;. 

A  wifcman  faicd,  at  wc  maie  Jtne, 

IbahiiikebimluUxl/ 

U  DO  man  wretched  hut  he  it  weD«, 

^    ^^                                   THE  ROMAUNT  OF   THE  ROSfi.                   ^^| 

f           Be  he  a  kinj*.  knjjfht,  or  rlbaudc  : 

Thci  woU  not  wnrLhln  in  laOHiif^f       ^M 

'     ,       MiTiy*  H  nb;tud';  ib  merle*  and  baudc 

But  for  lucre  i                                                 ^M 

.            Tlmt  fwinketh  and  bcrith  daic  and  night 

For  ph>  fickc                      by  (fhi)      -^M 

M.iny  a  burthin  of  ^pctc  might. 

Thcphificicn                                       '^^^^1 

The  wlifchc  doiih  him  USc  offence 

And  fithcn  it                   ue  to  Be     ^^^B 

For  lie  thit  fufTrith  tn  pactcncc  : 

To  Lruft  on  'hem  n  in  muc*                  ^^^H 

Thtx  irfugh  and  dauncc,  thci  trlppc  and  fing, 

For  tliei  n'il  in  no  manir  gfe             ^^^H 

And  laic  Doaj^ht  up  for  thcr  UTingj 

Doin  right  nor M^^r        .-Ji-,rTFc.          ^^^H 

But  in  the  tavernc  all  difp-.-ndcth 

Ekcintfacfaji                                      ^^^| 

The  winning  whichc  that  God  •hcmrcndeih  ; 

All  tho  that  pi                                      ^^^1 

Than  gocth  he  fardiU  tor  to  bcrc 

Worlh ips,  and  hon  •                    1  u- fle  ;       ^H 

Wit},  ai  got:;  there  as  he  did  crc  : 

Thcr  hcrtis  arne  ui                    .tJc       ^^^ 

.  To  Jwinkc  and  travailc'  he  notfalnith, 

Thnt  folkc  livin  not  hoJily,                ^^^H 

Tor  to  robbin  he  djidainifh. 

But  abovin  all  fpccially                      .^^^| 

1           But  iight  anon  after  his  f^inkc 

Soche  as  vprechin  vcinglorif ,               ^^H 

H-  gocth  to  tavernc  for  to  drinke< 

And  towardc  Godhcve  fio  memWicj       ^m 

Aii  thcfc  arc  richc  in  habouDdmincc 

But  forthe  a»  ipocritis  traee^                ^^^B 

That  can  thns  havin  fnffifiinncc 

And  to  thcr  foulit  deth  ]rar<hdce,      ^^^H 

Well  more  than  can  ao  ufcrcrc. 

And  outward  (hewing  hoUodTc^        ^^^B 

•           A*  God  well  knowith,  without  i^cfC^ 

Though  thd  be  full  of  ccrfidncOe  ;           V 

^          For  'an  ufurerc,  fo  Ood  roc  fe» 

Nat  Uchc  to  the  apoilli«  twelve^                 ^H 

Shall  ticvir  for  richclTc  richc  he, 

Thei  deceive  othir  tod  *hcin  Ccbft  s          .S 

1          But  er  more  pore  and  indigent^ 

Begilid  it  the  gilir  than                        ^^H 

"          Scarce^  ^tnd  grcdy  in  his  cntent. 

For  prerhing  of  a  citrfid  maa  :           ^^^M 

For  lothe  it  k^  whom  it  difplefe. 

Thouf^h  it  to  othir  ffiaie  ptolite         ^^^H 

Til  crc  maic  no  marchauDt  live  atefe. 

Himfclf  it  availeth  Doc  a  mite*           ^^^H 

His  hcrtc  in  fochc  a  where  is  fet 

For  oft  godc  predicacioun                   ^^^| 

That  it  qokkc  brennith  for  to  get,          ^^^^k 

>  Cometh  of  eviU  entencioun  :               ^^^H 

.          Kc  ncvir  {ball  though  he  htth  g«tcen, jJ^^^^H 

To  hitn  oat  availeiii  hi*  prcching,             ^M 

Though  he  have  golde  in  o^mlr*!  yetliQP^^^V 

All  hclpc  he  othir  with  hi»  tcchinif,           ^M 

1          For  to  be  ncdy  he  dr                                  "^^^ 

For  where  thei  godc  example  take             ^B 

1          Whcrtforetogcttin  nv             ;  i<  re         ^ 
He  fcl  his  herte  and  hi4  deiirc  :          ^ 
So  hotc  he  brennith  in  the  fire                                   , 

Thcrt  is  he  with  VeingtoHc  ftiaku,       ^^B 

But  let  ui  leven  thcTc  prechoiin^   ^^^H 

And  fpcke  of  'hern  that  m  their  tootl^^H 

Of  cuvcEife,  that  maketh  him  wodc 

Hcpc  up  thcr  golde  and  foil  yfhet,     ^^^H 

To  purchace  othir  mcnni&  godc> 

And  fore  thereon  thcr  hertiaiiet  ;               ^| 

He  iindirfopgith  a  grcte  pain 

Thci  neither  lovin  Ood  se  drc<le;              ^M 

That  undcrtakcth  to  drinke  ttp  Sain, 

Thci  kepin  more  than  it  ii  ncde,                  ^H 

For  the  more  that  he  drinkith  aic 

And  in  thcr  haggis  fore  it  biude                 H 

The  more  he  Icvith,  fothe  to  faic. 

Out  of  die  funntj  and  of  the  wiadc;           H 

Thui  i*  the  thru  ft  of  falfc  getting. 

Thei  puttin  up  more  than  oedc  ware         ^H 

TIat  laftc  cvir  in  corhing, 

Whan  thci  fene  povir  folk  /orfare,              fl 

,         And  the  anguiihe  and  the  tf  ftrcffe^ 

For  hungrc  £c,  and  for  cold  quake;           S 

With  the  M  of  grcdincflc  ; 

God  can  well  vengesunce  thereof  take  f     ■ 

She  fightith  With  hirat  ale  and  ftiivetb. 

1  he  gretc  mifchivis  'hem  «flaileth.              S 

Sf>  that  his  hcrtc  a  fondir  rivcth : 

And  thus  in  gadrinr  aie  tfav^ilcih  -            fl 
Wi th  mochil  pain  the i  wi one  tni cik ,        H 

Sochc  grcdincfTc  him  affailith 

That  whan*  he  mode  hath  mode  he  failitb. 

And  drede  'hem  holdith  in  diftreik    ^^^H 

PhiiivicBs  and  advocate! 

To  kirpin  that  thei  gathir  £ifl  :           ^^^| 

Coin  rizht  by  the  fame  yates  ; 
Tbti  IrTl  thcr  fcicncc  for  winning. 

With  forowc  <hei  leve  it  at  laft,          ^^^B 

With  furowe  thei  bodie  die  and  li^          ^M 

1         And  hiuntc  thcr  crafte  for  grctc  getting :               , 

That  unto  richeflTc  ther  hertci  ycvc,    ^^^B 

Tfriti  winning  h  of  ftchc  fwcieoeie 

And  in  defautc  of  bve  it  i^                 ^^^^| 

That  If  a  man  fall  in  fiokeocfle 

Ai  it  fliewith  full  wdl  t^Wis,                ^^H 

Thei  are  full  glad  for  cher  encrece, 

For  if  thefc  gredy.  fothe  to  iainet       ^^^| 

For  by  thcr  wtU  withontin  lefc 

Lovidin  and  were  loved  tgainc,         "^^^1 

£▼•  richc  man  fhouldin  be  fcke; 

And  godc  Jove  rcignld  ovir  all,            ^^^| 

Though  thci  die  thet  fct  not  a  leke; 

Sochc  wickidncHc  tic  ftiouid  yUW^       ^^^H 

il          Aftir  whan  thci  the  golde  hwc  take 

But  he  (hould  yeve  that  tMtU  fode  kt^^^H 

Full  little  care  for  liira  thci  make  : 

To  'hem  that  wcrcn  in  oede  bdladi           ^ 

Thci  would  fowcrtic  were  fickc  at  oiies^ 

And  live  withoutin  fktf^  t6we^           ^^^H 

Yc»  twohi..  drn',  in  fidhe  and  honcs^ 

For  charite  ful  clcne  aQ4  pure  ^          ^^^H 

And  yet  t^vo  thuui.inde,  as  1  gefle^ 

If  thci  *hem  ycTc  unto  ^enelle^       ^^^H 

For  to  cncrclio  thcr  ricbc£«» 

Def coding  'hem  fn>m  idaladlie^           ^^H 

THB    ROMAUNT    OF    THE    k03E. 


!  tbiii  povir  none 
kide  f  trowe  not  one, 
►  ihi»  worldc  tinfhib!^) 

OTir  all  vendablc : 

no  man  lovitb  now 

wiTuiing  and  for  prowe  ; 

I  thrallid  in  fcnrage 

^d  for  aTanQtagc ; 

Itool  ihcr  bodies  fell : 

IgoUh  to  the  devill  of  hrlL 

ove  had  tolde  *hein  hit  cbtenc 

ige  to  counfaile  went* 

ntcocii  thd  fill, 

iy  thd  faM  ther  will ; 

fcorde  tbet  accorded, 

*corde  to  Lo^c  recorded  r 

hd^wcben  at  one, 

;ordc  of  evcrichone, 

ichcfle  all  onily, 

id  hath  full  hautcmly 

le  caftill  o'ill  afT^le, 

ftroke  in  thti  hattailc 

I  ne  mace,  DC  fpcrt,  nc  knife, 

it  fpekcth  or  bcrctb  |ife| 

tfetyour  cmprtfc  iwi^ 

rhofle  departid  is, 
as  in  thh  plite, 
LtAif  man  In  difpicr ; 
b)  he  oe  loired  her  uevcTt 
Wtt  flic  woU  hate  him  ever ; 
I  gathir  no  treforc 
K  wrathe  for  cvlrmore ; 

ticre  in  othir  cafe, 
illy  hii  trclpiiu ! 
that  this  otlitr  daie 
ST  levc  to  floo  the  waie 
jiid  to  moche  ycvtng, 
full  faire  in  his  prayin^r, 
ac  praicd  her  poo  re  wa»  he. 
Die  warned  him  the  entrc, 
,c  not  til ri  Tin  fo 

1  pcnic  or  two 
ownc  in  holde  : 
EUchclTc  us  all  ytolde» 
RichdTe  ns  this  recorded 
ber  wc  ben  acorded* 
foide  in  our  accordaiincc 
£embiant  and  Abllinauncc, 
le  folkc  of  thcr  battaik", 
rMndir  gate  a0ailc 
idTong  hath  in  kcptng, 
'otmani  foU  of  jangling^ 
him  Curtefie  and  L.argefle, 
fi  Ihewe  ther  hardinefl'e 
Ife  that  kept  fo  hard 
eg  within  her  ward, 
pd  Well-tkling 
itn  to  bring 

11  -J; 

11 . 

neffc* 

t  thcr  leding, 
;  whait  wu  flaying. 


FrauntKife  (hall  fight  and  eke  VlU 
With  DaiuRgir  fnJ  of  cmiltc, 
Thus  h  your  hofte  ordainid  wclc  ; 
DoQOc  {hall  the  caflill  every  dele 
If  cvcrichc  doc  his  entente 
So  that  Venn*  ybc  prcfcnt. 
Your  mothir,  full  of  vefTcb^ir, 
That  can  inough  of  foche  ufaj^c ; 
Withoutin  her  maie  no  wight  fpcde 
Thi*  vrerkc  ncritheV  for  wordc  he  dcde, 
1  herArc  is  };;ode  ye  for  her  fcndc, 
Fur  through  her  maic  this  workc  amendc« 


Lordingc*,  my  mothir  the  goddcs, 

That  is  my  ladie  and  maidrcii 

Ne  is  nat  all  at  my  willingi 

Nc  doeth  nat  all  my  deiiring ; 

Vet  can  fhc  fometimc  docn  labour 

Whan  that  her  lu0c  in  my  fovour, 

Ai  my  ncde  is  (or  to  atckevc, 

But  now  I  thinkc  her  nat  to  grcvc  : 

My  mothir  is  flic*,  and  of  childhcdc 

J  both  worlhip  her  and  e|^  dicdc. 

For  who  that  drcdcth  iireiic  dame 

Shall  it  abic  in  bodic'  or  name : 

And  nathr  Ir-fic  yn  conn3  wc 

6:t  '^*    I  ■"  hft  if  ncde  ybc, 

/'  :  nigh  Ihe  ccmmin  wold  5 

I  L_ :':...'..  nothing  might  lier  hold. 

My  mnthi/  is  of  grctc  prdwciTc, 
Sht  hath  tane  many  a  fortreflla 
I  hat  cofl  hath  many'  a  pound  cr  thj^ 
There  1  n 'as  not  pr efcnt  iwi&. 
And  yet  men  faied  it  wai  my  dede  : 
But  I  come  nevir  in  that  (Icde, 
Ke  me  nc  likcth,  fo  moie  1  the. 
That  foche  tours  ben  ytake  wuh  me; 
Fur  why  ?  me  thJokith  that  in  no  wife 
U  male  be  clepeff  ut  MarchaundUe« 


Go  huie  a  courCr  blacke  or  white, 
And  paie  therefore t  than  an  thou  (juite  : 
The  marchaunt  owith  the  right  nought 
Nc  thou  him  whan  thou  hafl  it  buvtgbtr 
I  woUnot  felling  clepe  Yeving, 
For  felling  aflteth  no  guerdoning ; 
Here  lithe  no  ihanke  ne  no  merttc. 
That  one  goth  from  that  othre*  all  qtiite; 
But  this  felling  t«  not  rcmblabtc  ; 

For  whan  his  horfc  is  in  the  Ikable 
He  male  it  fcU  again  parde. 
And  ^'inacn  on  it,  fowhe  happc  male  bc^ 
All  maie  the  mannc  nat  lefe  iwit. 
For  at  the  Icfl  the  (kinne  is  hii  j 

Or  elliijif  it  fo  betide 
That  he  woll  kepe  his  horfe  to  ride, 
Yet  i»  he  lordc  aie  of  his  horfc; 
Bill  thflhc  chafare  is  well  worfc 
There  Venus  cntrcmetith  ought, 
For  who  fo  foche  chaffarc  hath  bought 
He  Ihall  not  worchin  fo  wifely 
That  he  ne  Ikall  lefe  uttfrly 
X 


iii  THE    ROM  AUNT 

botlie  hu  money  ^^^  ^>t  diaflarc  | 

But  tlv£  feller  of  tliilkt'  ware 
Tht  prifc  and  profjtc  havin  fliall ; 
Ccriaiiic  the  butcr  Ihall  UTuall, 
For  ht  nc  can  fo  dci  e  it  huit 
Tp  Jiavc  lr^^Jfhip  and  fall  majflriCf 
Nc  havin  power  tu  mlkc  letting; 
Nritlicr  for  ycftc  n«;  for  prcchiti^, 
*rhut  ofliU  chiinarc  mau]^rehis 
An  other  ihall  have  as  moche^  li^'isi 
If  he  wo II  ycvc  as  niochc  af  hc» 
i)l  what  couiitrcy  fa  that  he  he. 
Or  for  fight  nought,  fo  happc  ymak, 
If  he  cm  llattir  her  to'  her  paic. 

And  ben  than  fochc  martliaunli*  wife  f 
No,  but  foil*  in  every  wife  : 
Whan  thci  buie  fochc  thing  wilflilly 
There  thci  kfc  thcr  gcxlc  folily  ; 
But  nithcleflc  this  dare  I  f;ik , 
My  niotkir  li  not  wont  to  pale^ 
For  llic'  i»  neither  fo  folc  ne  nic§ 
To  entrcnncte  her  of  fochc  vice  ; 
But  truillth  well  he  fliall  paiL-  all 
That  rt'pcntc  of  his  bargaiue  ^U, 
Whan  Povcrtc*  put  hj'i$  in  diflrcfle, 
All  wcic  he  fchoUr  to  RichefTe, 
■^rhat  is.  for  ttie  iu  gretc  yemlng: 
Whan  Ihc  affcnuth  to  my  willing* 


But  by  mymothlr  Saltufl  Vtnui, 
And  by  her  fathir  Sat  urn  us, 
That  her  cngendrid  by  his  life. 
But  nat  upoi)  hi*  wcddld  wife, 
Yet  woll  I  more  unto  you  fwcrc, 
To  makin  this  thing  the  forefc. 

Now  by  that  faithe  a.nd  tliat  Iwiautc 
Tliat  I  owe  to'  all  niy  brtthrin  fre, 
Of  whichc  tber  n'is  wight  undir  hcven 
I'hat  cant  her  fadir*&  nanus  uc^^ 
So  diver u  and  many  there  l)c 
That  ivith  my  mothrc'  hate  be  prirc,  * 
Yet  woll  I  fwcrc  for  fikirocffc 
'I'hc  pole  of  belle  to  my  witDclTe, 
Now  drink  I  noi  this  yerc  clarrc 
If  that  I  lie  or  foffworne  be. 
For  of  the'  gcKldcs  the  ufagc  i« 
That  who  fo  him  forfwcrith  aniJs 
Shall  tliat  yere  drinkin  no  elarre. 

Now  have  I  fwornc  inough  patdcj 
If  I  forfwcrc  than  am  1  Jomc ; 
But  T  woll  ncvir  be  forfworne, 
Jiithe  Richefle  hath  me  failid  here 
She  fliall  abic  that  trcfpas  derc 
At  kftc  waic  but  t  her  harmc 
W^irh  fwcrde,  or  fparth,  or  with  gifarme. 

For  ccrtii  fithe  0ie  lovctli  not  mt. 
Fro  thilkc  lime  that  (he  maie  fc 
The  callill  and  the  tourc  to  (hake, 
In  fo^c  time  ihc  fhaM  awjkkc  i 
If  I  niaie  gripe  a  richJ  man 
I  (Hall  fo  pttllc  him  if  I  ean, 
That  he  fhall  kl  a  few  iloundis 
I.c£c  all  his  markka  and  liis  pomuiii. 


OF    THE    ROSH. 

I  fhall  him  make  hi«  pent  out  ftiti^ 
But  that  thci  in  his  gamir  fprinf ; 
Our  maidins  Jball  eke  pbcke  \um  f 
That  him  ihall  ncdiu  fethJr*  mo. 
And  make  him  fell  hh  londc  to  fpcade 
But  he  the  bet  coaoe  Kim  defcnde. 


Pore  men  ban  made  thcr  tordc  of  me  ; 
Although  thci  nat  fo  mightie  be 
rhat  thci  truie  fede  me  in  dclitc 
I  woll  not  have  *hem  in  diipitc  : 
No  godc  maji  hatcth  'hem  a*  I  gclTe, 
For  chinchc  and  fcloun  i^  RkhetTc, 
That  fo  can  chafe  *bcm  ani  dcfpitc^ 
And  'hem  dcfoulc  in  foiidr ic  wife  ; 
Thri  loven  ftill  bcttCj  fo  God  « 
'I  han  doith  the  riche  chinchy  ^ 
And  ben  (in  c'ode  faith)  more  ftab 
And  tmir  aaH  more  ferviable. 
And  ^hcrcfnrc  it  fuffiilth  me 
Thcr  gode  hertii  uid  thcr  beautc  i 
Thei  hati  on  me  fct  all  their  tho^gfa 
And  thrriforc  I  foryete  *hcm  i 

1  woll  *hetil  brftg  in  gretc  aobli 
If  that  I  were  go<t  of  Ridicffc, 
As  1  am  god  of  lyJTC  fothcly, 
Soche  ruthc  upon  ther  plaint  have  1 1 
71lere[ore  I  niuil  hii  fuccour  be  '• 

I'hat  paiaith  him  to  fcrvin  mc. 
For  if  he  ddcd  for  love  of  thl» 
Than  fcmlth  in  me  no  love  there  nu 

Sir,  faicd  tlici,  fothc  !»  every  dele 
I'hat  ye  rchcrcc,  and  wc  wotc  wclc 
Thilke  othe  to  hulde  is  refonable, 
?or  it  is  gode  and  eovenablft, 
That  ye  on  riehe  men  h^r- 
For,  Sir,  this  wote  we  y> . 
If  riche  men  doln  yoti  hor     ^. 
*rhat  h  as  foli^  docn  outrage; 
But  ye  ihuU  not  forfworne  yln  , 
Nc  Ift^htrcTore  to  drinke  cUtiK, 
Or  pMkiit  makid  frcihe  and  tivwc  : 
Ladi«i  fhull  *hem  fochc  pepir  brv^e 
If  thaHthei  fall  into  their  laas 
That  thci  for  wo  mowe  £uuc  AU»  I 
Ladies  nuitlcn  eri:  fo  curtcis  be 
That  Uiei  (h^U  quite  your  othe  all  fref 
Nc  fckcth  ilevii  othir  vic^irc. 
For  thci  fhali  fpckc  with  'hem  fo  (Art 
l*hat  ye  Ihall  htdde  you  p^cd  full  we|c^  | 
Though  ye  you  medic  ncre  a  ddc. 
Let  Lidie^  worchin  with  ther  thtagop 
I'hei  fhatl  'hem  telJ  fo  fclc  tidingev 
And  move  fu  many  requ elUs, 
By  flatterie,  that  not  hoocll  in, 
And  thereto  ycve  'hctn  fochc  tl^aQkiQg|C%  ] 
What  with kifiing  and  with  ulluugc*, 
rhat  ccrtis  if  t||ct  trow  id  be 
Shall  ncvir  levc  *hcm  loiidg  nefc 
That  it  n'tU  u  the  tnoeblc  (sre. 
Of  whichc  thci  fir  ft  delivered  arr. 
Now  tnaic  you  tcU  u»  all  your  wil/^ 
And  we  yQur  hciU»  Dull  ful^. 


^             THE    ROMAUNT 

OF    THE    ROSE.                                    t%S 

SfltiWant  dart  not  for  ilrcdd 

That  mc'  cngctidrid  and  fzvt  foftring*                               . 

acde, 

Thei  made  a  full  godc  cngendring. 

, 

(Qjiod  Love)  for  who  fo  fothiy  tell 

yc                           iijrp  wo  1 

Thci  cngcndiid  the  divcll  of  hell. 

c  1*                     41,  beau  Si rc^ 

^But  nedciy,  howfocrc  it  be, 

^rytT.  ......  i.  -vv  your  ire, 

tQtiodLovc)lwillaniif     '   -  i^*- 

he  nxaic  dwell  a>  |our  m,in 

To  tell  anon  thy  wonu 

uicn^G  hU  dci4.'  tcmin^i : 

Hcting  cchc  wight  that  :           ^       _  if, 

Lccorde  and  our  wLU  nbw. 

And  what  life  tivou  livift  alio, 

r^icd  Lovc,  1  i^rAimt  it  y^m 

Hi(ic  it  no  kn^'ir  liow ;  wherto  ? 

\i  holdc  him  for  mj'  mln ; 

Thou  njuil  dikorrc'  all  thy  worthing. 

ijin  come  :  and  he  fonJi«:  nn, 

How  thou  fcrvift»  and  of  what  tjiing. 

joihhmtf  (quod  Love)  in  tJtm  wife 

Though  that  thou  ihouldell  for  thy  Ibth-r^w                ^H 

h€r«  w  my  fcrvicc, 

\  Ikn  dl]  to-bitin  and  to-drawei                                        ^H 

I  oar  frcfi^     '    '-      Iwaic, 

And  ytft  urt  thou  not  wofiC  parde  ;                                 ^^M 

re  *hcm  f                       fw  diie, 

But  nathclciTc  though  thotl  bet  in  be                             ^^| 

T^^ini^ht   < —  :^  i^cve, 

Thou  Ihalt  not  be  the  tLfii  that  fo                                  ^H 

mr  cn'mk&  that  thou  grevc  : 

Hath  for  fothfawe  yfuffiridwo.                                      ^^M 

thi»  might;   1  grauac  a  the  , 

Sir,  (Ithe  thutt  it  niaic  Ukin  yoUi                                 ^^H 

oi  Harbtc*  fhjlt  tkou  Ut  a 

Though  that  I  Qiould  be  fliMji  right  now,                           1 

hat  thou  have  foche  hurK)ur  i 

I  ftialldoen  your.  Comma undcraeiit,                                      1 

toa  art  a  LiUe  cnutour, 

for  tlicrcto  have  1  grctc  biknt.                                               j 

1  thief;  fiihc  thou  wvrc  borti« 

Withoutin  woidi*  mo,  right  than                            ,^^M 

de  time»  ilwu  art  furf iconic  i 

Falfe  SrmbUnc  hii  fermon  brgaa«                                 ^^^^ 

Icffc  in  our  htruig. 

And  falffd  'hem  thus  in  attdie:ice  i                              99 

'  *  'k-  r  at  of  doubting. 

Barons,  take  hcdc  of  r,'-        -  -  *  r,                             49R 

cn,wofl  thou  how? 

That  wight  that  lill  to  '                    ig                                   | 

,  .        .  .ign<  now, 

Of  FalTc  ScmbUnt,  full  e. ^', 

Ucc  thou  (hili  fouiuHa  b« 

He  mud  in  worldly  fc-lke  him  Ickti 

iSi  h^d  mtilir  of  the, 

And  ccTtiA  tu  the  i^loiflirs  eke ; 

men  (hall  tlie  hdk  efpic. 

I  won  no  where  but  in  'hem  twoiCf                               ^^fl 

1  koowe  i»  grctc  majflrc  : 

But  not  like  evJn,  fothc  to  faic  t                                  ^H 

Kat  pbcc  i»  chuic  hiuoting* 

Shortly,  I  woll  hcrbcrowe  me                                       ^H 

avc  fully  diven  wonoiug 

There  1  hope  bcil  to  hulArid  be;                                  ^H 

pe  not  rchtriid  he. 

And  ccrtatnly  fikcrctl  hiding                                           ^H 

i  would  refpitin  mc, 

la  undinieth  humbUO.  ctuthi^ig.                                      ^^M 

t  I  tell  you  tte  fothc 

RchglouA  fulkc  beu  full  covert*                                 ^H 

vc  Lu  mc  and  Oiamt  bothc? 

Sccukr  folkc  hen  more  appert ;                                     ^^M 

f  fcb^cb  wiHiii  it 

But  nathdelTc  t  ^^oU  not  bliime                                  ^^M 

[houM'mme  he  qttitp 

Religious  folkc,  ne  *hcm  djifiune,                               ^^H 

DC  thfi  would  hate  me 

In  what  habitc  that  er  tlici  go  ;                                   ^^^H 

:we  ther  crueUc, 

Religion  humble'  aod  tru«r  ilit*                                  ^^^M 

ifould  ore  all  hold  *hcm  (Ixll 

Wull  f  not  blamin  ne  diipifc^                                            ^^B 

thafe  Is  again  thcr  will  t 

But  1  i/ill  love  it  in  uo  wUe|                                        ^^M 

»  kep'm  thei  not  here ; 

I  mtne  of  lalfe  religious,                                                  ^^m 

'tfone  buie  It  full  dcr< 

That  flout  ben  and  mulicious,                                       ^^M 

»f 'hem  a«y  thing 

Thut  woUin  in  an  habitc  go                                        ^^M 

IcCth  to  ther  herjng. 

.\nd  fettio  not  ther  herte  thereto.                               ^^M 

word  that  'hem  prickft^h  or  bitcth 

^^H 

orde  Hon  of  hem  delitetJi, 

^^1 

it  gofptll  the'  EvaJigilc, 

RcHgioUt  foike  ben  all  pltou*,                                      ^^M 

lid  reprove  'hcni  of  ther  gilcj 

I'hou  (halt  tiot  Icac  one  difpitoOB;                                 ^^M 

tt  cruiU  and  hautun ; 

Thci  loviQ  DO  pride  nc  no  itrife,                                  ^^M 

tluDg  wotc  I  well  tcrtaii^ 

But  humbly  thci  woll  iede  ther  life,                           ^^M 

ought  to  pairc  or  loos 

With  wlichc  folke  woll  1  ncvir  bs:,                            *^H 

rte  flwll  not  to  well  be  aoo« 

And  if  I  dwell  1  fainc  me                                              ^^M 

ne  (hall  witc  it  At  UH  : 

I  maie  well  ihcir  h^bite  go;                                          ^^^ 

nen  am  t  uought  agaH, 

Bui  me  were  lever  my  ticckc  a  two                              ^^M 

^qU  taken  on  'htui  nothing 

1  hen  lit  a  purpofe  that  I  take,                                      ^^| 

It  thci  knowe  all  my  meriiug, 

What  covcuatmt  tliat  er  I  mak(.*«                                    ^^M 

At  woU  it  on  Lim  tike 

i  dwell  witli  'Iicrn  that  proude  yhe,                         ^H 

bimfelf  fufpccioui  make 

And  full  of  wxlc!»  and  fubtittc,                                        ^H 

)ij  life  let  covirtly 

That  wor(hip  of  this  worldc  coveiten^                          ^^| 

kd  io  Ypocri£c| 

And  grctd  ac4c  cosuiio  expleitcn.                              ^^H 

^^^fc    < 

^M 

And  gon  and  gadrin  %Ccic  pltanncct, 
I  And  purchafe  *hrm  the  acqticitauncet 

I  Of  mm  thftt  mightie  life  m&iiE  hden« 

I  And  faine  'hem  pore,  imd  'hem  fell  feden 

I  Witli  godc  morcils  drliciout, 

^^H_  Anddrinkin  gode  wtnc  predoUKf 
^^m  And  prechc  tu  povert  and  diftreffef 
I^V  And  6 {bin  "hem  fclf  grete  richeffe 
^         With  wUy  nctti*  that  ihei  call : 
It  vfoM  come  foule  out  at  the  UA. 

Thei  beo  fro  dene  religion  went  j 
Thci  make  the  wGrldc  an  argument 
^hac  h»th  %  foul  coDclafion  : 
1  haTC  2  robe  of  religion, 
^han  im  I  all  relij^ious  : 
Thii  vgxmient  i«  all  rnignoast 
!t  i«  not  worth  a  crokid  brere  % 
Habile  ne  loakith  monke  oc  frer?. 
But  clcne  life  and  devocion 
Makith  gode  men  of  religion. 

NatheLefTc  there  can  none  anfwere^ 
'  How  high  that  er  his  hedde  he  flicre 

With  rafonr  whcttid  ncre  fo  kcne, 
p  That  gik  inbraunchitcuttc  thurtcnCt 

i  There  can  no  wight  dxAind  it  fo 

\  1  hat  he  dare  ^c  a  word  tbcrto. 

But  what  hcrb'row  that  ere  I  tak«> 
Or  wh»t  ftmblaunt  that  er  I  makci 
I  menc  bwt  gile,  and  folowe  that. 
For  right  no  more  than  Gibbc  our  cal 
(That  awaiteth  mice  and  ratte*  to  kiUeo) 
Nc  entendc  I  but  to  begilcn  : 
Ke  no  wight  maie  by  my  clothing 
Wete  with  what  folke  \%  my  dwcllkig» 
He  \yy  my  wordU  yfC  parde, 
Uo  \oh  and  fo  plel'aunt  thei  be* 
Beholde  the  dedi»that  !  doe^ 
But  thuu  be  blinde  thou  oughti^lt  (o. 
For  varic  thcr  wordet  fro  ther  dcde 
Thei  thinke  ongtlc  wlthoutin  drede, 
Wiat  manir  clothiog  that  thei  were, 
Or  whttt  eUate  that  ere  thei  here, 
I  Let  id  or  leude,  lorde  or  ladie, 

^^L     Kri^^ht,  fquier,  burgcis,  or  biiHe. 
^^m         Right  thuA  vthile  Faife  Semblaot  fermoneth 
^^      Eft  fonis  Love  him  n  '^ 

I        ^    And  brake  his  talc  V  ^ 

As  though  he  hadh^..  ....-^  .  *'"ff 

And  faid.  What  devill  ia  that  1  here  ? 
What  folke  hatlL  thou  u«  ncmpnid  here  ? 
Maie  fiicn  hndin  reljgicrua 
!n  worldly  habit acioun  i 
Ye,  Sir,  it  folowclh  nat  that  thci 
Should  Icde  a  wickid  life  pirfri, 
Kc  not  therefore  thcr  fpiili4  kfc 
That  *h«;m  to  worldly  cluthis  chefir^ 
For  ccrtitit  were  grrte  pite  ; 
Men  maie  in  feculcr  clothes  fe 
Flctfiibin  holy  rcligioun 
Ful  many'  a  faind  in  feldc  and  tomn, 
With  many'  a  lirg ine  glorloos 
l^voute  Aad  full  religious 
Han  died  tlwt  cotnm»a  clothe  aie  beren^ 
Yet  CiuiiliA  ocrthdtiTc  thci  weren  t 
9 


THEHOMAUNT    tt    THfi    ROSfi. 


T  could  recktn  yon  many  ai  t€o^ 
Ye,  webigh  all  thcfe  bolfwomcn 
That  men  in  churchi^  berry*  and  fcke, 
Bothe  maid  inland  thefc  wirii  eke. 
That  bare  ful  many*  a  faire  chiide  hcPt, 
Wcrid  alway  clothi«  fcciilerc> 
And  in  the  fame  clothct  didin  they 
That  faint  is  wenen  and  ben  alway. 
The  ix  thouJandc  maidini$dere« 
That  bcrcn  in  hcven  ther  cierps  clcrr, 
Of  whiche  men  redetn  chnrche  and  lingt 
Were  take  in  fecnier  clothing. 
Whan  thei  reeevid  marttrdome. 
And  wonnin  hcvcrt  unto  thcr  home, 
I  Gode  hcrt  ymaklth  the  godc  thoaght» 
The  clothing  ycTcth  ne  nrvith  nought : 
The  gode  thought  and  the  gode  wort 
That  makcth  the  religion  flouring  ; 
There  licth  the  gode  rcHgioun 
Aftir  the  righte  entencioun, 

Whofo  ytoke  a  wethir's  fkione. 
And  wrapped  a  gpcdy  woulfc  therinOj 
For  he  fhould  gO'  with  lambii  white, 
Wenift  thou  not  he  would  *hcm  bite  } 
Yes;  nerthclefFc  ai  he  were  wode 
He  would  'hem  wirry\  and  dnnkt  the  blodi 
And  wel  the  nthir  'hem  difccre, 
For  fithin  thei  coude  nat  pcroeve 
Hii  tregctte  and  his  cruilte 
The!  would  him  lolow  tho  he  flk» 


1 


If  there  be  wolri*  of  fuche  hewe 

Amongit  thcfe  ipodus  ncwe» 

Thmi,  holy  churchc,  thou  mAiile  be  wjJIetfi 

Sithe  (hat  ihy  cite  i»  adailed 

Through  knighti*  of  thine  own*  table 

God  wot  thy  lordibip  it  doncabJe  t 

If  thci  cnforcin  it  to  win  • 

That  ihould  defend  it  fro  withm 

Who  might  defence  aywift  'hem  make  ? 

Withoutin  ftroke  it  mote  be  take 

Of  trt-pegct  or  mangooelt. 

Without  difplaying  of  peofell ; 

And  if  God  nM  done  it  fncour. 

But  let  remain  in  t!  '        ' 

Thou  niuft  thy  he  I 

Than  is  there  noogi.*  .-^ 

Of  yCTc  *hcm  iribnte  doittileft, 

And  holdc  it  of  'hem  to  have  pea 

But  gretir  hnrmc  bctidith  the 

That  thci  all  maiflir  of  tt  be  : 

Wcl  con  thci  fcomin  the  withalla 

By  day  yftuflia  thei  the  wmll. 

And  al  the  night  thei  minin  there 

Kay,  thou  pbntin  mnft  ellii  wher« 

Thine  impi»  if  thou  wolt  frutehavr;;^ 

Abide  not  there  thy  fell  to  fare* 


But  now  pcce  i  here  I  fume  agaloe; 
I  wol  no  more  of  iht?  thing  laioeB 
Yf  1  may  paiflin  mc  hereby. 
For  I  might  makta  yoo  wety^ 


ihCH 


k 


^■^THE  ROMA0KT 

OF   THE    ROSE.                                 |*| 

mjSi  alwaj 

That  ben  ia  Cliriftendomc  I  live. 

Mrcndis  wJut  1  m*^, 

1  may  alToile  and  I  may  fliriye. 

1  my  company. 

That  no  prelate  may  Icttin  me, 

tent  iLl  utdrlyi 

All  folkc  where  cvir  thei  foutid  be  • 

i that  1  be 

1  n*ol  no  prelate  maie  don  fo                                .^^^^M 

^  and  thcj  wuh  mc, 

But  it  the  Pope  b«,  and  no  mo.                         ^^^^^H 

fcnuTJan  mote  thci  ferve. 

That  n\adin  thiike  eflabUfhInng  :                      ^^^^^| 

boc  thy  love  defcrvc 

Now  is  not  this  a  proprc  thing  f                                ^M 

But  were  by  iligbti*  apercevcd                            ^^^B 

1^  for  a  ihcfc  trechour  i 

^^^^M 

ten,  but  wel  nigb  nocc 

*           *           .           .            *           .            .            .           .•*.•..           A^^^^l 

illc  ci)  it  be  done* 

''^^^H 

Ee  hath  many*  one  dcth  rcccvcd 

As  1  was  wont,  and  woft  thou  why  I                         ^^B 

It  ncr  aperccved, 

For  1  did  "hem  a  tregetr}' ;                                  ^^^^H 

teth,  and  ihal  rccevc. 

£ut  Llierof  yeve  1*  a  litii  tale»                             ^^^H 

eflc  fti3d  ncrc  pcrccve  j 

1  have  the  filviraod  the  mate.                            J^^^H 

th,  ti  he  wife  be. 

So  have  1  prechld  and  ake  fhriven,                   *^^^^| 

fodc  bcw-JTC  of  me ; 

So  h»ve  1  rake,  fo  have  I  yeven,                         ^^^^H 

i  the  perceiving. 

Through  ther  foly  hufbonde  ;u)d  wife^              ^^^H 

ft  eooiith  knuwing, 

That  1  Jerie  right  a  joly  life  ;                                ^^^H 

chat  eoude  him  chaunge. 

Through  Ample flc  of  the  prelacte                     ^^^^| 

►pe  homely  and  Iftmungc, 

Thei  know  not  all  my  trcgcttrie.                      j^^^H 

fochc  gilc  nc  trcfounc 

^^^^H 

me  ncrc  in  toune 

^^^^H 

ighf  yknowin  be 

But  for  at  moche  as  man  and  wife                    ^^^^| 

&c  both  might  here  ind  fee; 

Shuld  fhcw  therpariih  pricil  tlMirlife               ^^^^| 

|«ny  cloihiichaungc. 

Oni«  a  yere,  aa  fdth  the  boke,  -                         ^^^^1 

d  make  an  othir  firaunge  ; 

£r  any  wight  his  boufil  toke,                            ^^^^| 

light,  new  ehaftelainc, 

Then  have  I  privilcgia  large                               ^^^^| 

i«Dd  no  we  chape  lain  c. 

That  maie  of  mochil  thing  difcharge,              ^^^^| 

pi9W  clerke,  and  now  foftere. 

For  he  may  fay  right  thu»  parde :                      ^^^H 

IliHr,  now  fcholere, 

Sir  Pricil,  in  Oirtft  I  tel  it  the,                       ^^^H 

faow  chanon,  now  baily ; 

That  he  to  whom  that  I  am  (hrivcn                 ]^^^H 

Pir  tttanne  am  1. 

Harli  ma  anbilid^  und  me  yevcn                          ^^^^H 

©rinccj  now  am  t  page, 

ert  ev'ry  laoguage  ;                             ' 

Penauucc  l^^thly  for  allc  my  (in                          ^^^H 

1^'hiche  that  [  founde  me  giltie  in ;                    ^^^H 

1  here  and  olde» 

Ke  !  ne*  have  nevir  entencioo                             ^^^H 

lg>  and  ftout,  and  boMc,                     ' 

To  moke  double  confctlion,                                 ^^^^| 

ben,  now  Robin, 

Nc  rcherce  efte  my  Ihrift  to  the ;                                 H 

Inor,  now  Jj^cobin  : 

O  fhfiftc  it  right  enough  to  me;                         _^^B 

fbloweth  my  lotcby 

Thii  ought  the  to  fuffiiin  wcle,                          Jl^^l 

itwct  and  comp*any, 

Ne  be  not  rebcU  nerc  a  dele^                              ^^^H 

imc  Abflinencc,  and  raigned 

For  cert  is  though  thou  had^jed  it  fwonie»         ^^^H 

lint  arraic  faincd ; 

1  wore  no  pridl  ne  prelate  borne                      ^^^H 

immeth  to  her  liking 

That  maie  to  fhrift  efc  me  confh^inc,               ^^^^m 

fe  defiring, 

fwomtn**  clothe  take  I, 

And  if  thei  done  f  wol  me  plaine,  ^^^^| 
Far  t  woce  where  to  plainin  welc  :                   ^^^H 

jaide,  no^  lady  t 

Thou  {halt  not  llreinin  me  a  dele,                     ^^^^H 

un  religioof. 

Ne  enforce  mc  ne  not  me  trouble                      ^^^^m 

mkir  in  an  hout  3 

To  makin  my  confeHion  double  :                      i^^^^f 

n  I  a  priorefle, 

Ne  1  have  none  affed ion                                   *j^^^^| 

linnc,  and  now  abbeffe. 

To*  have  double  abfolucion ;                               ^^^^H 

Ugh  all  rtrgiounes 

The  firil  is  right  ioough  to  me;                        ^^^^1 

ilgjoune». 

This  Icttrc'  affoiUng  quite  (  the  :                      ^^^^H 

1  ordir  ehat  l*  zm  fwomc 

1  am  unbounJc;  what  maiil  ehounde                ^^^^| 

twc  and  bete  the  come  : 

More  of  my  ftnnc«  me  to  unhindc,                   ^^^^H 

t  cnhabite 

Tor  he  that  might  hash  in  hiik  bonds                '^^^^1 

fe  but  thcr  babite* 

Of  all  my  linni^  me  unbounde  }                         ^^^^| 

ft  more  ?  in  every  wife 

And  if  thou  wolt  me  thus  conAraine^               ^^^H 

mSk  1  me  djfgife. 

That  me  mofw*  nedis  on  the  pkinc,  *^^^^H 
There  fiiall  no  Joge  iropcrtajj,                                      ^| 

mctc  mt  ufidir  wede, 

Rordc  tamydede. 

Nc  bilhop  nc  offieiall^                                                    H 

finto  my  trapped  fall 

Done  judg<?nirnt  on  me,  for  I                                        H 

mu^h  my  priv*ile^s  aU 

Shal  gone  and  pUinc^me  opiolv                                   H 

|ft^  THE   ROMAU 

Anon  to  my  llvriftfatlui  i>cwe, 

Whiirlii:  )thit  htplit  F>cre  Wolfe  tintrcwei 

^nd  he  ftial  chuHii  him  for  tnt. 

For  I  irowc  he  dyn  hampir  the  j 

put  JLord  ]  he  ^vouUl  be  wrotlic  withall 

Vf  tntft  wowld  him  Frcrc  Wulfc  >cali, 

For  lie  would  hivc  no  pacicocc. 

But  dont  all  cruiU  vcngicnfc  ; 

He  would  hu  nu^hc  doue  at  the  leff. 

Than  nothing  fpare  for  Godd'iihcfl  i 

And  God  fu  wife;  be  my  focour 

l3ut  tht]>u  yeve  me  Diy  Jiiaviour 

/\t  tlflir,  whap  it  likith  me, 

Wilhoutin  prcfing  more  on  |ht| 

t  wol  fofth  and  to  him  ygone;^ 

Aud  hf  jhal  houfd  tne  aiiofic. 

For  1  am  out  of  thy  grutching ; 

I  kcpp  not  dele  with  the  nottting^ 

Thuj  m^y  he  Oitivc  him  that  forfuketli 
Hti  parlfh  pried  and  ip  tnc  takcth, 
And  if  the  prie0  >vol  hipi  rcfule 
I  un  full  rcdy  hi|n  to*  accufc, 
And  him  punifh  and  hampir  fo 
^liat  he  hjs  churchc  ftal  forgo. 

But  who  fa  hath  in  his  fclinff 
The  coufccjucnceof  fuchc  fhriving 
Shal  ftnc  that  pricft  niaic  nerc  have  might  , 
To  know  the  confqcpf  c  aright 
Of  hint  that  h  luidir  \m  cure  j 
And  thi*  i»  ^ ycnil  holy'  fcripiurc, 
Tbot  t}iddith  eyery  hcrdc  honcfl 
Have  very  knowing  of  his  b^ll } 
But  povir  fot^c,  that  goti  by  ftrcrc, 
Th*t  have  no  goldc  nc  fuirnpi*  grctc, 
Them  would  I  let  to  ther  prelates 
Or  let  thcr  prieflis  know  thcr  ftalct, 
^'cr  10  nic  right  nought  ycfin  thci, 
And  why  it  is,  for  tnei  nc  nuy. 

Thci  ben  fo  t^are  1  take  no  kepe, 
But  1  woil  havin  the  f^t  fbepc  ; 
X.ct  parjlli  prkdJa  have  t^c  lenc; 
I  yevc  not  of  thcr  harme  a  bene  : 
And  if  that  prclati^  gnitdic  it, 
T|iat  opghtiti  wroth  be  in  tiler  wit 
*f  o  ieCn  ther  fat  Wftji  fo, 
I  &al  yeve  'hem  a  firokc  or  two, 
^  that  thei  fhaJ  IcILo  with  forte 
Vf,  both  ther  mitre  and  ther  croce. 

I'hns  jape  V  hem,  and  have  do  kog«, 
^ly  privilcgis  ben  fo  flrong. 

FaUe  Scmblant  would  have  (Uqtid  herCi 
But  Love  ne  made  him  no  fuchc  chefc^ 
1'hat  he  wa»  wcry  of  hi  a  fawc. 
But  forlo  niitke  him  glad  and  fawc 
He  faid,  Tel|  ^n  more  fpeetally 
How  that  thou  fcrvift  untruly  : 

Ttl  forth«  and  (haou  the  nerc  a  dule, 
far  as  th.nc  habit  Ai^wiih  wclc, 
Th^U  Icrvctl  an  holy  heriimitCt 

(iothc  ii  but  V  am  but  an  ipocrit^ 
Thou  gocft  and  pre  eh  ill  povcrtc. 

Ye,  Sir,  but  RichtfTc  hath  poill, 
%li9yi  prechifl  abiiUiKuec  aifo. 

^^  I  woU  fiUtt;^  fu  mute  1  go, 


NT   OF  THE   r5sC. 

My  paunche  of  godc  mete  and  god<  wiae, 
Aslhould  a  nui^ir  of  diviite, 
Fcr  hf»w  that  I  tnc  povtr  faine 
Yet  al  poTir  fo^kc  I  dtfdaine. 


I  love  faettir  the  acqudntaiuice 
Ten  timiti  of  the  King  of  Fraunce 

Thati  of  a  pore  man  of  milde  mode 

Though  that  hh  foulc  be  all  fo  godCf 

For  whan  1  fe  bcggirs  quaking, 

Nakid  on  mix  in  5  all  fl  inking, 

For  hungrc  crie  and  ckc  fur  cajrc^ 

I  entremt*nt  not  of  iJicr  fai:^  ; 

Thci  ben  fo  pore  and  ful  of  pioC| 

Thci  might  i;ot  oua  yeve  me  a  dine. 

For  ihci  have  nothing  but  ther  life ; 

M^tJhouU  Lf^rfK  thai  iuiiit  Lu  katft  / 

\X  tftbut  foly  to*  entrcmctc 

To  fekc  in  hounde'is  ncfl  fat  tncte  : 

Let  bcre  hitn  to  the  fpittlc*  aaQCie» 

Bui  fgr  mc  camfon  fet  thci  nunc  : 

But  a  full  richc  ficke  ufurctc 

Would  i  vjfitin  and  drawe  nere| 

Him  would  I  comfortc  and  rebfCtc;, 

For  I  hope  of  hit  goldr  CQ  gcte  | 

j^nd  if  mat  wickid  Dcth  him  havct 

1  woll  go  with  him  in  hi^  grave  : 

And  if  tlicrc  ajiy  reprove  pjc 

Why  that  I  kt  the  povir  be, 

Wofl  thou  how  1  know  how  Co''  afcape  I 

1  fay  and  fwcrin  him  full  rape 

That  richc  men  hao  more  tctchlt 

Of  dnnc  than  han  thcfe  pore  wfctehli. 

And  han  of  couofaile  more  mi  Acre, 

And  therforc  I  would  draw  e  *hem  O^e  : 

But  a»  grct  h|^,  it  male  fp  be. 

Hath  Joule  |u  right  gretc  pc venc. 

At  foute  in  grete  richcfTc  forfbthci 

At  be  it  that  thci  hiutin  bothe^ 

For  richeile  and  mcndicitect 

Bene  clcpid  two  cj^uemUec% 

The  m^ne  is  clepid  SuMfaunce, 

There  lieth  of  vcrtuethc'  aboundattACC» 

For  Salomon,  ftU  wel  1  wote, 
In  hij»  wife  Parablii  ns  wrote, 
As  it  is  knowen  ol  many'  a  wight, 
In  his  thirtieth  chapitir  right, 
God  thou  me  kepc  for  thj  poQe 
Fro  richcife  anil  mcndicite. 
For  if  a  richc  man  him  drelTc 
To  thinkin  to  mochc  on  richciTe 
Hi*  hcrt  on  that  fo  ferre  ii  fette 
That  he'  his  Creatour  doth  foryette, 
And  him  (hat  beggith  wo][l  aie  grvve  i 
How  Ihould  I  by  his  worde  him  ktf 
Un|}okh  that  h^  P^i«  %  micher 
^iirfwort^f .  or  elt  Godd'i^  licr  I 
Thus  fayith  ^omon'is  lawes, 

Ne  we  fip4  wriwip  iq  m  ^^f^H 
And  namely  in  our  Chriftin  Uiir, 
Who  fo  faith  ye  I  dare  iay  naic. 
That  ChriA  nc  hii  apoJUU  dere 
Whik  that  Oifi  waikid  ia  cnU  Ml|(j 


THE   ROMAUNT 

OF    THE    ROSE                                    ^^^B 

ir  fciK  hcrbrid  bc(j^n^» 

So  m;iy  they  ckc  thcr  praicrc  bllnnc                   ^^H 

ri'oldc  bcggiu  for  oothicj^. 

While  that  tlict  werke  thcr  mctc  to  wimie;           ^^| 

l^htthtu  were  men  woDttQ  tcclic. 

Scint  Auftin  wol  thcrfo  accorde                      ,  ^^^^^| 

lU  Wife  wouldio  it  prccbe 

In  thilkc  bokc  that  J  rccordc.                          ^^^^^H 

Un  of  dl vinitc 

Juiliiiian  ckcf  that  made  tawcs,                  .^^^^^1 

an  2^ii  the  cite* 

Hath  ihui  fbrbodin  by  oldc  fawcs,                ^^^^^^| 

'       No  man,  up  paine  for  tu  be  dcd,                 ^^^^^1 

Mighty'  of  body,  to  begge  hii  bred                "^^^^B 

eii  would  there  gainc  appufe 

Yf  he  may  fwinkc  it  fur  lo  gete  ;                            f^H 

1  tcxtcandlitUtfglofe, 

Men  Ihould  him  rathir  maimc  or  bete,                   ^^H 

1  folic  ;iiro{!id  be, 

Or  dtjne  of  hitn  apertc  juJlice,                                           1 

aiay  wcl  the  fothc  yfe. 

I'hau  fuifria  him  in  fuche  malice.                                       ' 

lie  ihc'i  nii^bt  a  Dec  a  thing 

Tlkcidonc  not  wel,  fo  mote  I  go. 

rth  withoutin  begging, 

Whiche  that  takin  fuchc  almeCc  ib. 

wercti  Godd'I*  hcrdis  dcre^ 

But  if  ihei  have  fome  privilege 

of  fouliM  haikiin  here. 

That  of  the  painc  'hem  woU  alegc. 

reldc  nothing  beggc  ther  fode. 

But  how  that  is  can  1  not  fc 

ChnA  was  duae  ou  rode 

But  if  the  prince  difcevid  br; 

r  propir  hondit  thet  wrought^ 

He  I  nc  wcDc  not  Ckirly 

travdlc,  and  cilisnought. 

That  thci  maie  have  it  rightfully. 

[fiin  al  their  fuftinaunce, 

But  yet  I  wol  not  dvicrroicc 

in  forth  itt  ther  pcaauace. 

Of  princi*  powlrnc  define, 

enicnjunt  pkf  awaie 

Nc  by  my  wordc  coniprc'hcndc  iwb. 

*  aiwaic 

Vf  it  fo  fcrre  may  flrrtche  in  ihii  ^ 

1         :idin  lourc  oe  hall. 

J  wol  nat  entrcractc  a  dele                                ^^^^j 

ii  houiiA  fhial  with  alle. 

But  1  trowe  th^t  the  boke  faith  we!e»             ^^^^M 

itj  |na|»,  chat  can  and  tnalf , 

Who  that  taketh  alnic(ri&  that  be                     ^^^^H 

ith  his  honde  and  body'  alwaic* 

Dewc  to  folkc  that  men  may  yfc                     ^^^^^1 

(It  his  fode  in  labour  Lug, 

Laiuc  and  feble,  wcry  and  bare,                      ^^^^^| 

huve  rent  or  Tuchc  a  thing: 

Povir,  or  in  fuchc  manir  care,                            ^^^^^ 

I  he  be  religious. 

That  con  winnln  'hem  nevir  mo^ 

IQ  fcrrin  curio»4% 

For  thci  h*viii  no  power  thcrto, 

m  he  donc^r  do  trdpai, 

He  etith  hit  ownii  dampmng» 

le  in  ccrraiite  caus 

But  If  he  lie  that  made  al  tluDg ; 

la  f cllc  if  ikuAir  be 

And  if  ye  fuche  a  truaunt  fiiide,                                          i 

1  whan  that  the  ttmc  1  fe. 

Chadifc  him  wel  if  ye  be  kitulc} 

le  boke  of  Sainae  Auguftine, 

But  thei  would  hatin  you  parcaat 

•pir  or  perchcmcnc. 

If  that  ye  £]lifi  in  thcr  laas. 

be  writtc  of  thefc  worclimgts. 

Thci  would  cfttbniji  do  you  fcatlie, 

it  fetic  that  none  cxcutiiigc* 

If  that  thci  mighiin,  late  or  rathe. 

toaii  ne  (hould  yf^^c 

For  thci  be  not  ful  j>acrtnt                                                  | 

1  nc  by  dcdi»  tke, 

Thsit  lian  the  worlde  ihu»  foulr  yblent  i 

1  he  be  religious 

And  wetJth  wel  th*t  God  ybad 

to  ftrvin  curious 

'I'he  godc  man  fell  al  that  he  h4d 

DC  Olid  fo  mute  I  go, 

And  folowc*  hint,  and  to  pore  it  ycve  s 

i|»ir  hoodcs  and  body*  alTo 

He  would  not  thcrforc  that  he  live 

fbde  in  laboring. 

To  fcrvin  him  in  mcndicuce,                                             1 

have  propcrtc  of  thing. 

For  it  was  nevir  hi*  fciitcncc. 

d  he  fel  all  hit  fubllaunce^ 

But  he  bud  werkc  whan  tjiat  ncdc  i». 

k  hit  fwitike  have  fuftinauiice, 

And  fidowe  him  in  gudc  dcdii. 

lariite  in  bounte  j 

Saint  Poulc,  that  loved  aj  holy  church. 

the  bokJs  toldc  me  { 

He  b^dc  ih'  apoftiU  for  to  wurch. 

■1  wol  gone  idilly, 

And  w  inoe  thcr  Uvelode  in  that  wife. 

i  It  tie  bcfily 

And  "hem  dcfendid  truandifc, 

in  othir  mcnn^i-*  table. 

And  fayid,  Werkith  with  your  honden; 

echour  full  of  fable. 

Thus  fhould  die  thing  be  undcrAondcn. 

maie  by  godc  refbn 

He  n'olde  iwit  have  bid  'hem  begging. 

m  by  hit  <*rifon, 

Nc  fellin  gofpell  ne  prcching. 

behovtih  in  fome  gife 

Lf  11  thci  bcrafte  with  ihci  alking                                      , 
Folko  of  thcr  cattle  or  of  ther  thing. 

tme  out  of  God* »  fcrvife. 

ad  purchaHn  tlitT  ncie. 

For  in  this  world  u  many*  a  man 

kOCc  e tin,  that  i»  no  drede, 

That  ycreth  hit  g.idc,  for  he  nc  caa 

^pd  ckc  do  othif  thing, 

Werne  it  for  fhamc,  oc  clU»  he 

EiMi^  thei  Icve  praying. 

Would  9l  tht'  aikir  dti^%fcd  be, 
1                                    ^  '^^                                                \ 

^3t«                                 THE   aOMAUNT 

OF  THE  ROSI.                       ^^M 

1        And  for  Kc  hi'm  cnconibnib  ft. 

Or  if  he  have  of  craftc  coonijljgt          ^^^H 

^         He  ytvfih  Ltmg^de  to  Itt  him  go  j 

And  flrcngtli  alfb  and  ddiring              ^^^H 

'         But  it  can  him  iKJthing  profile ; 

For  to  worchin,  as  he  had  what»          ^^^H 

Thci  Icfc  thcycftt  and  the  mcritc. 

But  he  &ndc  ncithir  thit  ne  that,          ^^^^| 

I'hc  godc  folkc  that  St  Poulc  to  prechc^ 

Than  may  he  be^gin  til  that  he            ^^^H 

Ffofrid  him  oftc,  whan  he  'hem  tcchcdp 

Have  gettin  hm  iicceftitc  :                      ^^^H 

Some  cif  thrr  godc  in  chorite. 

Or  if  his  wmnirig  be  foltte               ^^^H 

Jiut  therof  right  nothing  lokc  he. 

That  hit  labour  will  not  qutte                ^^^^ 

But  of  his  houdis  would  he  gcttc 

Sufliciauntly  al  hi^  living,                       ^^^H 

C^othis  iv  wrme  him,  and  mi  mete. 

Yet  may  he  go  hi»  brc4c  begging,        ^^^^ 

Fro  dorc  to  dorc  he  may  go  itace               ^H 

TiU  he  the  rcmnauni  may  purchafc  t     ^^^H 

Tel  mc  than  how  a  man  may  liven 

Or  if  a  man  would  undirt^ike            ^^^H 

That  al  hi»  gt^dc  to  pore  hath  yevcn,                        1 

Any  emprife  for  to  ymake                     ^^^H 

And  wol  but  oncly  hidde  his  bcdc% 

In  the  refcQU»  of  our  lay,                        ^^^H 

/aid  tier  with  hondcs  labour  hj»  ncdcs. 

And  it  defend  in  a«  be  may,                   ,^^^H 

May  be  do  fo  ?  Ye,  Sir.   And  howc  ? 

Be  it  with  armis  or  letirurtt                ^^^^| 

Sir^  I  wojl  gladly  tclliu  you. 

Or  oihir  convcnable  cure,                     ^^^^| 

Saint  Aullin  faith,  A  man  may  be 

ir  it  be  fo  that  he  pore  be,                    ^^^H 

In  houGa  that  ban  propcrtu, 

Than  may  he  bcg^gin  til  thrxt  he                     ^K 

^5  Tcm piers  ar.d  Hofpitclcrs, 

MaJe  find  in  in  trouth  for  to  fwinkp*  ^^^H 

And  aa  thefc  Chanons  Eegulcr*,                                ' 

And  get  him  ctotiiia,  mete,  and  druaJM^^^H 

Or  thefc  White  Monkis,  or  thcfc  Dlakc, 

Swifike  he  with  hi>  bonder  corpord»^^^^| 

I  wol  no  mo  enfamplis  make. 

And  not  with  hondes  cfpiritueL         ^^^H 

And  take  thereof  his  fufleining,                                , 

^^^H 

1           For  thcrin  lyith  no  begging, 

^^^^1 

But  otbirwayis  not  iwin,                                             ' 

In  rtll  tliU  cafe,  and  in  femblabJet,  ^    ^^^H 

1          Yet  Auftin  gabbith  not  of  th«S                                 ' 

If  that  there  bcu  mo  refoaablct,    *    <^^^H 

Anil  yet  ful'many*  a  monkc  labourcth 

He  mate  bcgge  at  I  tell  you  here,       ^^^H 

1^         That  God  in  holy  chiirthc  honoureth, 

And  cllisnot  in  no  mancre,                 ^^^^B 

For  whan  thcr  fwinking  j6  agon 

Aa  William  Saint  Amour  would  prtcfce^    ^B 
And  oftin  would  difpute  and  icche      ^^H 

^          Thci  rede  and  fmg  in  church  anone. 

And  for  there  hath  ben  grcte  difcordc 
^*  many*  a  wight  may  here  rccordc, 

Of  this  matir  al  opjnly                         ^^^^| 

At  Pari«  fully*  and  folemply  |^          ^^^H 

Upon  the'  eftatc  of  mcndicicntc. 

And  all  fo  God  my  foule  blcCe            ^^^^| 

1  wol  fbortcly  in  your  prcfcncc 

A»  be  had  in  this  fledfaflncflc             ^^^H 

'         Tt  1  how  a  man  maic  bcggc  at  nedc, 

The'  acorde  of  the'  UnivcHitc,              ^^H 

That  hath  not  wberwith  him  to  fcde, 

And  of  the  pep!c\  as  femith  me.                  H 

JVlaugrc  his  fclowis  jangliiiges, 

No  godc  man  ought  it  to  refufr,             ^M 

F'Tfothfullnci  wol  none  hidinges, 

Nc  ought  him  tlicreof  to  eacufc,                  H 

And  yet  pcrtalc  I  may  obc^-, 

Be  wrothc  or  blithe,  who  fo  thon  be,         ^M 

,         That  1  to  you  fotWy  ibuB  ley. 

For  1  wol  fpek*  and  tell  it  the                      ^M 

All  Hiould  I  die  and  be  put  doon,         ^^^H 

As  was  Saint  Potde,  in  dcrkc  pnA>uii^^^^| 

l-o,  hnt  the  cafe  efpcciall : 

Or  be  cxilid  in  this  caav                     ^^^^1 

If  ii  man  be  fo  beftiall 

With  wrong,  as  Maiftir  William  wa*,  ^^H 

*Jliit  be  of  no  cniftc  hath  fcIcBce, 

That  my  mothir  Hypocrlfie                        ^M 

And  nought  defirith  ignorcnce. 

Banilbtd  for  her  grct  en  vie.                          ^M 

Than  may  he  go  a  begging  ycmc 

My  mothir  flcnicd  him  Siint  Amour:   fl 

Till  he  fomc  othif  cmftc  can  I  erne, 

T\ih  noble  man  did  fuche  bbour                ^| 

Throogh  whkhc  withoutin  trtianding 

To  fullclne  cr  die  lolaltc,                           ^M 

He  may  in  trourhe  have  hs  living  : 
Or  if  be  may  done  no  labour 

That  he  to  mucbc  agiltc  me  ;              ^^^t 

He  made  a  bokc  and  let  it  write,         ^^^| 

For  eldc.or  jjckcntfTe,  or  liuigour, 

Wherin  bi«  life  he  did  all  dite^           ^^H 

Or  for  his  tcndir  age  alfo. 

And  would  that  ccbe  renicd  begging,       ^M 

Than  m*y  he  yei  a  begging  go  : 

And  livin  by  my  travelling,                       H 

Or  if  he  '                   niture 

If  I  nc'  had  nut  nc  othir  godc;                    ^M 

I          Through  1    ,                  loniurc 

What !  wcnith  be  that  1  were  vodc?         H 

I/ivtd  ovii 

For  Lbour  might  me  ocvir  plcfc,              ^M 

Thancup'r                    Ike  eominly 

I  have  more  will  to  ben  at  tic,                   ^U 

!           Han  of  h».   ., .^  ..  ;.  ...me  pJte, 

'  And  have  wcl!  Icvir,  fotbe  to  (aie,              ^B 

And  fiiffhn  him  alfo  iftat  he 

Before  the  pcpte  pattre'  and  praie,               ^M 

^          M^y  e^'ri  abtnit  4tid  Ueggc  Ills  bred 
That  be  be  not  for  hoogir  ded  ; 

And  wrjc  me  in  my  foxcric                ^^^^B 

Uddir  a  cope  of  papckrdie                 ^^^| 

THE  ROMAUNT    OF  THE  ROSE. 


b]  WYwt  diYel  ii  this  I  here  I 

fcliill  ehoo  lue  hctc  f 

I  Tc  that  apcrt  ii. 

t  '1*  No,  ccrtui 

ftic  tJiMiu;  jhal  he  rpedc 

chiit  Gud  wol  ydrcjc, 

t  'hcra  10  vtrrtue  ycvcD| 

i  ther  ovkne  liven, 

{godencfTe  aie  cootcnte, 

ai  thnfti:  ifttiU  ; 

drmkin  grctc  mifefes 

Diy  me  Devir  pkie., 

I  goidc  hsn  ufirrcniy 

f,  in  tber  garncrt ! 

4  thcfe  immiotiri, 

Uf  pr<rvofte»,  contourt, 

fell  oigb  by  nrvmc ; 

pk  'htm  mote  end  me, 

folvUwd  *hcm  ctcn  i 

Itr  folkc  thd  get  en 

tlhiit  thci  fpcnde  or  kep«; 

|kem  that  tttei  o*il  ilrcpe, 

ma  fclvm  well  a.t  full ; 

tldifig  thei  'hem  pull ; 

le  fcblc  ovjrgothc, 

jTc  my  Cm  pic  clothe 

the  robb:d  Aod  robboUfl, 

|iUd  and  giloun; 

n  githrt*  and  ihrcJlc 

lour  jpto  my  cheflc, 

th  mc  fo  Uiic  yboundt ; 

ill  paleU  do  t  founde, 

Mm*  1  fulfill 

fr   •  vwill, 

buT  cic  •iiui  pce», 
goldc  to  ipcndc  alibp 

If  I  .  .l|MCS  i 

t  »lw3uc  mine  enccnt  i 
I*  it  bcttir  than  my  rrot} 
kitt  t  flioiild  be  tin  be 
fcxnct  mc  i 

IC  maie  no  wiglit  dure ; 
b  for  to  cure  : 
^Id  the  cure  have  I 
;ckc  in  length  ;  boldly 
^cche  and  eke  cotifir>uIcD : 
,voI  t  ii(Hlrav3tlen; 
9ft  I  have  the  b««U ; 
It  my  wtttb  dull  i 
Utin  to  my  \i^e     < 
jgurii  for  to  ilirite, 
fkea.  and  lordU  prete^ 
H       '         •     T  '   ■,    . 
I. 

il  r  men  I 

IS...      -      -c  an  hen* 

Idi  tliou'  a  Ai^'iRkiT  of  labour 

:  hiifonf-  floLfc  J 


Thcfc  abbeflii  and  eke  bJgini, 

And  thetc  grctc  ladict  palafint, 

1  hcfc  joly  knightii  and  batUveis 

Thcfc  nonnU  and  thcC:  burgctf  wlvcs^ 

That  fit  he  yben  and  eke  plcdng, 

And  thtfc  maidinii  wclfartng, 

Witcre  fo  thci  clad<or  nakid  be« 

Uncounfailcd  goeth  there  none  £ro  mc; 

And  for  ther  foulitfavitc 

At  brdc  and  lady*,  and  thcr  mcinc, 

1  afke,  whan  thei  *bcm  to  mc  flirivc^ 

The  propcrtie  of  al  ihcr  Uvc^ 

And  make  *hcm  trowc,  both  moftc  and  IcH, 

Ther  parifh  priefl  it  but  a  bcft 

Ay  cos  mc  and  my  company, 

That  lbrewi«  ben  as  gret  ail. 

Fro  which c  1  wol  .>  tf  hide  in  boldc 

No  prhite  tliat  mc  it  tolde. 

That  1  by  wordc  or  fignc  iwia 

Ke  wol  make  'hem  know  what  it  if» 

And  thci  wolicn  alfo  tcUin  mc 

Thci  hclc  fro  mc  no  privitc  ; 

And  for  to  make  you  them  pcrceiYCft 

Thiit  ufin  folkc  thus  to  dcceivcn, 

I  wol  you  fainc  wilhcjutin  dfcde 

What  m«lt  maic  in  the  Oofpell  rcdc 

Of  8ain<a  Mathcwc  the  gofpcllcrc, 

lliat  faicth  a«  1  fiiaU  you  iaic  here. 


Upon  the  diilH  of  Mofea 

1  hut  it  if  gtofid  doucikfa, 

(That  it,  The  Old*  Tcftunent* 

For  thereby  h  the  chaird  mcnt) 

Sitt'ti  Scribij  and  Pharifcn, 

That  is  to  fainc,  the  curCd  men, 

Wtiichc  that  wc  Ipocritit  call  j 

iJocth  that  the!  prechc  1  rcdc  you  all ; 

But  doeth  not  aithci  docn  a  dele 

1  h^t  ben  not  weric  to  faic  wele, 

But  thct  doe  well  no  will  have  thei. 

And  thci  would  bindc  on  folkc  alwaic. 

That  ben  to  be  bcgilid  able, 

Burdtms  that  ben  importable ; 

On  folkif  fhouidirs  thinges  thei  couchen. 

That  thci  n*il!  with  thcr  fingin  touchcn; 

And  why  woll  thci  not  touch  it  ?  why  ! 

For  I  hem  nc  tillc  nat  fikirly, 

^or  the  faddc  burdens  that  men  taken 

Ymakiii  folkis  Oiouldin  aken* 

And  if  thei  doc  ought  that  gode  be 
That  is  fur  folke  it  £oukUn  £e ; 
--    Ther  burdon*  largir  makin  thci, 
And  makin  ther  hemmes  wide  alwJUfg 
And  lo  vin  feti»  at  the  table 
The  firfl  and  the  mofte  honourable s 
And  for  to  ban  the  firft  chairis 
In  Onagoggei  to  *hcm  full  derc  ii, 
Andwillen  that  folkc  'hem  louteaod  grete 
Whan  that  thei  palUn  through  die  ftrctCt 
And  woIlcn  be  clepcd  Maiilir  alfo  | 
But  thei  ne  fhould  not  wiljin  fo^ 
rhe  Gofpcir  is  ilicrc  ayenll  I  geflc, 
1  hat  fhcwith  well  thcr  wickiducHe. 


^  SSO                               THE   ROMAUNT 

'  OF  THE    ROSE*                ^^^H 

An  othir  cuftome  ufm  'wc ; 

But  who  fo  wol  cbaflife  me               ^^^^ 

Of  *htm  that  woll  aycnft  tis  be 

Anonc  my  love  yktllc  hath  he,             ^^^M 

Wc  h^ite  him  dc-dly  evcrychonc, 

For  1  love  no  man  in  no  gife                <^^^| 

And  wc  woil  vicsTcy  him  ai  one  ; 

That  woll  mc  reprove  or  chaAife,        ^^^H 

Him  that  one  hatith  hate  w€  all, 

But  t  woll  all  folkc  undirtakc,              *^^V 

And  conjcdc  how  to  docn  him  fall ; 

And  of  no  wight  no  teching  takc{               ^| 

\         And  if  wc  fcnc  him  winoc  honour. 

For  t  tlut  othS- folkc  chalUe                   ^^M 

RJchefTe  or  pr«ifc,  throngh  his  valowf. 

WuU  not  be  uught  fro  my  folic.         ^|^^H 

Provcndc  or  rent,  or  di^itc,                                      i 

^^^^1 

I'ull  f^Ucjwis  compaffin  wc 

^^^H 

By  what  liddre"  he  i&  clombin  fo ; 

1  ne  lo7e  none  hermiUgc  txtorei           ^^^| 

Aiid  for  to  make  him  dounc  to  go 

Al  defcrtis  and  holtii  horc.                    ^^^H 

With  traifoD  wc  woU  him  defame^ 

And  ^rete  wodis  everichonc                 (^^^H 

And  docn  him  Icfm  his  godc  name. 

I  kt  *hcm  to  the  Baptift  John;             ^^^| 

1  hus  from  his  laddir  wc  him  takr. 

1  qucth  him  quite*  and  him  rcldCc,      ^^H 

And  thui  his  frcndia  foe*  we  maVr, 

Of  Egypt  all  the  wildimeifc  :              ^^H 

But  worde  De  wetin  fhall  he  t-jnc 

To  fcrrc  were  all  my  manfiouns           ^^^| 

Till  al  his  frendi*  ben  his  fonc  j 

Fro  «lte  citcca  andgode  touns*             ^^^^| 

For  if  wc  did  it  opinlf              " 

My  paleis  and  mine  houfe  make  t     ^^H 

Wc  mightin  have  biame  rcdiljr,                                 ' 

There  men  maie  rennc  in  opioly           •  ^  ^M 

For  had  he  wiftc  of  our  malice 

And  faie  that  1  the  worldc  forfake  ;           ^H 

He  had  him  kept  but  he  were  nice 

But  all  amidde  1  builde  and  make               ^H 

An  othir*  is  dii*,  that  if  fo  faU 

My  houfc,  and  fwtmme  and  plaic  theaj^^| 

1         That  there  be  one  cmong  u»  all 

Bcttc  than  a  Olhc  doth  with  hiafillfic^^^H 

)         That  docth  a  godc  tournc,  out  ot  drcdc 

^^^H 

Wc  faine  it  it  our  aldir  dedc. 

^^^H 

Ye,  fikirlj  though  he  it  faincd, 

Of  Anttchrtll*is  men  am  I                   .^^^H 

Or  that  him  lii£  or  that  him  datned 

Of  whichc  that  Chrift  faietk^inly           ]^| 

A  man  through  him  avauncid  b^ 

Thei  have  habite  of  holindjTc,                  -^H 

Thereof  all  partLneres  be  we. 

And  Uvin  foche  wickidnene.    '              ^^^| 

And  tellin  folkc  where  fo  we  go     ' 

AV  outward  lambin  femin  wt,         ^^^| 

That  man  through  us  is  fprongin  fo. 

Ftill  of  godenefTe  and  of  pite,             ^^^^ 

And  for  to  have  of  men  praifing 

And  inwarde  we  withoutin  fable       ^^^^M 

Wc  purchacc  through  our  flattering 

Ben  gredy  wol  vis  ravi  fable.                  *^^^^B 

Of  riche  men  of  p^rctc  poftc 

Wc  enviroun  boihc  bndc  aod  k  I           ^M 

j         l«ttir»  to  w  itncfle  our  bourne,^ 

With  all  the  worlde  wcrryin  wc  s         ^^H 

So  that  man  weneth  that  maie  ot  fc                   ^ 

We  woU  ordain  of  all^  thing,             ^^M 

That  all^  vf  itne  in  us  be. 

Of  folkis  gode  and  tber  liviiig.          "^^^1 

And  aiwaic  povir  wc  ui  fain, 

If  there  be  cadill  or  cite                   ^^H 

Bat  how  fo  chat  we  begge  or  plain 

Within  Chat  any  bougerons  be,            ^^^H 

Wc  ben  the  foike  without  IcGng, 

Although  that  thei  of  MUlaine  were,  ^^H 

Tint  alt  tbimg  6ave  %pitheut  haifimg. 

For  thtfrof  ben  thei  blamid  there  i              ^M 

Thui  be  draddc  of  the  peplc'  iwis, 

Or  if  a  wight  out  of  mefure                 ^^^H 

And  giadly  my  purpofc  it  thi*  : 

Would  lenc  ther  gold  and  take  ttfux««^^^| 

[  delin  with  no  wight  but  he 

For  that  he  it  fo  covetous,                     ^^^H 

Have  golde  and  trcfour  grete  pkote  ; 

Or  if  he  be  to  lechirous,                        ^^^^H 

Thcr  acquainuunce  well  lovin  1 : 

Or  thefc  that  hauntin  Hmonie,             ^^^| 

This  moche  is  my  defirc  fhortJy  j 

Or  provofl  full  of  trccJurie,                   ^^^| 

I  cntremete  me  d  brocagct. 

Or  prelate  living  JolLlie,                        ^^^^ 

I  makin  pece  and  mariagci^ 

Or  priefl  that  halt  his  quein  him  by,     ^^H 

I  am  gUdly  cxeciitaur» 

Or  oldd  whorif  hoflilen,                              ^M 

And  many  times  a  precttratour. 

Or  othir  baudes  or  bordillera,                        W 

I  am  fomttimc  a  mefragcrc» 

Or  clhs  blamed  of  any  vice,                           fl 

That  fallith  not  to  my  mifterc. 

Of  w  hie  he  men  (houldiit  docn  juibcc  ;         U 

And  many  timis  I  make  enqudl* 

By  all  the  fain^ii  that  we  prcic,              fl 

For  mc  that  office  it  nat  honcft  ; 

But  thei  defcndc  them  with  lamp»i%^  ^^^^ 

To  dele  with  othir  mcnnii  thing 

With  luce,  with  cli»,  with  lanuMi^     ^^^| 

That  is  to  mc  a  grete  liking  ; 

With  tendir  gees  and  with  capont,     ^^^H 

And  if  that  yc  have  ought  to  doe 

With  tartis  or  with  cheffis  fat,                    V 

In  place  that  I  repairin  to, 

1  ftiaii  it  fpcdio  through  my  wittc 

Wiih  dcintc  flauni*  brodc  and  flat,       ^^^B 

With  calrweis  or  with  puUaik,           ^^^M 

As  fonc  ai  yc  have  toid  mc  it : 

With  coainges  or  with  fiii«  vttaife,     ^^^H 

So  that  ye  fcnrtn  me  to  paic 

That  wc  undir  our  dothit  wide          ^^^H 

My  fcrvicc  Qud  be  your»  alwsw. 

^^^1 

^^HB     THE   ROMAtTNT  OF  THE  ROSE.                                    331 

SRoTcSmc  In  haihe 

To'  the  copic  if  him  talent  tokc                               ^1 

jhnkc  i«  |j»aic» 

Of  die  Evungclifl'is  bokc,                                         ^M 

fcair     ' 

There  might  he  fc  by  j^ete  traifoun                          H 

to!  . 

Full  many'  a  falle  comparifoun.                                  ^M 

BmcTi  i..^..  X.... ,.  undkde 

As  mochc  as  thorouf^h  his  grcte  might,               ^| 

nm  for  his  fuifull  dcdc. 

Be  it  of  hctc  he  it  of  iij^ht;                                          ^M 

lull  here  him  trie  and  rorc 

The  funnt-  yfurmoiiniith  the  mone,                 j^^^B 

it  about  and  moic. 

That  troubltr  if,  aiid  chaungith  fotie,            ^^^^H 

lU  in  prifon  die 

And  the  nutte  kerncill  dothc  the  fheU,           ^^^^| 

ft'oli  Kb  frtndlhip  buic. 

1  (korne  nat  that  I  you  tt  tel!,                          ^^^^| 

1  that  that  he  hath  due 

Right  fo  withoutin  any  gile                        ^^H^H 

lii  gilt  iunountith  10. 

Surmouiitith  thi*  noble' Evangilc                     ^^^H 

kc  couthe  thorough  hts  fleight 

The  worde  of  any'  cvangclift,                                  ^M 

up  a  toure  of  height. 

And  to  cher  title  thci  tokc  Chnll.                    ^1^1 

^ht  I  vfher  of  ftooe  or  tree. 

And  many  foche  conipariibun,                         ^^^^1 

turvji,  though  it  be. 

Of  whiche  I  iraV-   «..  >  "rrioun,                    ^^^^^| 

Iif«rc  of  no  wutid^  Itonc     ■ 

Might  in  men  in                     uidc,                       ^^^^| 

riih  fqtiarc  and  fcantilotic. 

Whofocoudof    I                u  minde«               'V^^^^^ 

fftur*  were  ftuffid  well 

The*  Uni'vcrfite,  that  was  a  flepe^                    '  ^M 

ichis  tcmporcU ; 

Can  for  to  braicd,  and  takin  k^c,                   :-^^B 

fhit  he  would  him  up  drcflc 

And  At  the  uoife  the  hedde  up  ciifl,               l^^^l 

kid  more  ^dldTc, 

Nc  ncvir  fitlicu  fiept  it  faO,                            ^^^| 

m  by  every  fide. 

But  up  it  ftert,  and  armi^  tokc 

Igode  nmm^  wide. 

Ayentt  tliis  falT^  horribie  boke. 

j^htii  1  ftiulliu  you  ye  VCR, 

Ail  rtdy  battaile  for  to  make, 

irioe  by  Gxc  or  feven, 

And  to  the  judge  the  bokc  th^J  take. 

lacki*grctc  plente, 

But  tiici  thdt  broughtin  the  bukc  there 

llough  tone  delivered  be  ; 

Hcnt  jt  anone  awaie  for  fere  ; 

Iftve  00  fuchc  pitCDCti 

*rhci  11 'old  Ihcwe  it  no  more  a  dele. 

iltc*  LD  equipolenccs. 

But  than  it  kept,  and  kcpin  wclc. 

ie«  pLod  faibces^ 

Till  lutiic  a  time  that  thci  maic  fc 

louid  dcfervc  our  graeei. 

That  thci  fti  fitrong  ywoxin  be 

l^c  him  fochc  wicncffe 

That  no  Wight  niai^  'hem  well  withftoode. 

KMiu  wretchiduclTe, 

For  bjf  tliat  bokc  thei  durft  not  ftondc  : 

^^^Ib  wid£  renne, 

Awaic  thci  j^onnc  it  for  to  here, 

HNPlvt  QiouUin  him  brenoe, 

Flit  thei  nc  dudlin  not  anlwerc                      *^^9 

!?e  hem  foche  penauDcc 

By  capoilcion  ne  glofc                                   '^^^^l 

1  worfe  than  the  pitauticc. 

To  that  that  clcrkit  woll  oppofe                      *^^^^| 

fbalt  nevtr  for  nothing 

Aycnll  the  curfidnclTc  iwi»                                       ^M 

1  aright  by  thcr  clothing 
lifuUof  trcch^Jrie 

That  in  that  bokc  ywrittin  it,                                    H 
Now  wctte  1  nat  ne  can  nat  fc                              fl 

What  manir  end*  tbat  there  fliaU  be                         fl 

ltd  the  gode  kepuig  be 

Of  iJl  this  whiche  that  thei  yhidc,                           S 

tfie*  Univcrlite, 

Bui  yet  algatc  thci  fliall  abide                                   ■ 

k  the  kei  of  Chfiftendomc, 

Till  that  thei  maie  it  bcttc  defende;               .^^^1 

1  totirmentid  all  and  fbmc. 

This  trowc  1  befl  woll  be  thcr  ende,              ^I^H 

\  the  (kiaking  Frophctit; 

This  Antichrift  abidin  we.                           ^^^^H 

df  'hem  that  gode  proplkece  k, 

For  we  ben  all  of  hi*  tneine,                           ^^^^| 

f  the*  incarsacioa 

And  what  man  that  woU  not  be  fo                  ^^^^H 

Right  foDc  he  fhali  hii  life  forgo  :                  '^^^l 

t  and  two  buodnd  yere 

Wc  woU  a  peple'  on  him  arcife^                     -^^^^^ 

te,  ferther  nc  ncrt, 

And  through  our  pile  doin  him  ceife^              ^^^^B 

.boke  with  foriegrace, 

And  him  on  fhcrji  fperii  rive,                                   ^M 

llample  in  cwromon  pUee, 

Or  othir  waict  bring  him  fro  live. 

iklia,  though  it  were  Uble. 

But  if  that  he  woU  folowc'  iwia 

4>eli  fardunO^Ie 

Thai  in  our  bokc  ywrittin  it. 

iHolieGhoftiifcnt: 

' 

1  worthy  to  be  ybrcQU 

1  in  foche  mincre 

Thus  mochc  woll  our  bokc  fignifie. 

I  whiche  1  tell  here. 

That  while  Pcicr  liad  maiflric 

p  wight  10  al  Pari* 

Miiic  lie V if  John  fkewc  well  his  might. 

Xadic  at  parvii 

Now  have  1  you  decUrid  right 

»  might  the  boke  by  1 

The  mcning  of  the  barke  and  rindc 

f  pl^cd  *Um  wcU  trucif . 

1  hat  tuikith  the  ciitcaclou«  bliiuk  i 

3^4  THE  ROMAU 

iput  now  it  erft  I  woll  begin 
To  expoonc  you  the  pithe  within, 
And  the  fcaikrscomprchcndc 
That  Chriil^ii  la  we  wollin  defend  c> 
Wind  HiouU  it  kcpen  and  maintcncu 
Aycnift  them  that  all  foflcnen. 
And  falfly  to  the  peple  techcn 
That  John  betokencth  *hcin  to  prcctieo 
That  there  Q*i»  lawc  covcnablc 
But  thilkc  Gofpcll  pardurabU 
That  fro  the  Holy  Ghoft  waa  feat 
To  tcjurnin  folke  that  ben  mifwcnt. 

The  ftrcngtli  of  John  thci  undirftondc 
The  grace  in  whiche  »hti  fiiic  thci  ftondc^ 
That  docth  the  fmfuU  foLkc  convert^ 
And  *hem  to  Jcfu  Chrift  revert ; 
Full  many*  an  othre'  horribictc 
14  o win  men  in  that  boke  fc. 
That  ben  conimatindid  doutilef« 
Aycnft  the  lawc  of  Rome  cxprclTc, 
And  ail  with  AotichnCt  thci  holden^ 
Aa  men  miie  in  the  buke  beholden. 

And  than  commanndin  thci  to  flcai 
All  tho  that  with  Peter  yben  ; 
But  thci  fhall  ncvir  hare  that  might. 
And  God  to  fnrme,  for  ftricf  to  fight. 
That  thci  ne  (hall  ynough  yfindc 
That  Peter's  lawc  ihall  have  in  tninde^ 
And  evir  holde  and  fo  maintcue. 
That  at  the  Uft  it  Oiall  be  Jeae 
That  thei  fhaU  all  com  in  therto 
For  aught  that  thci  can  fpcke  or  do. 

And  thiike  Uwc  nc  Ihall  not  (bondc 
That  thci  by  John  Ixavc  undirAonde, 
But  maugtc  them  it  (hail  adoun, 
'  And  ben  brought  to  confufion* 

But  1  woll  ftint  of  this  materc. 
For  it  b  woodjT  long  to  here  ; 
But  had  that  ilhi  boke  endured 
of  bettre*  cfltatc  I  were  ciirured^ 
And  f rendu  have  1  yet  parde 
That  ban  mc  fvt  in  grctc  dcgrc« 


Of  aB  thif  worlde  it  emp«rour 
Gtle  my  fathir,  the  falfe  trechour^ 
And  cmpcreflc  my  mothir  ii, 
Maugre  the  Holie  GboUc  iwis. 
Our  mightle  linage  and  our  rout 
Heignith  in  every  reigne  about. 
And  weir  i$  worthy  ynft  oiinl^Aers  be. 
For  all  this  worlds  govcrne  we, 
And  can  the  folkc  fo  well  decevc 
That  none  our  gilis  can  perceive. 
And  though  thci  doen  thci  dare  not  laic  ; 
I'hi  fothc  dare  no  wight  bcwraic. 

But  he  in  Chrifl*i5  wrathe  him  tedcth 
.That  moie  thanChrift  my  brcthrin  dri^ethf 
He  o'b  DO  fuU  gcde  champton 
That  drcdeth  foe  he  fimilacion, 
Xor  that  for  pain  woll  refufm 
Us  to  corredc  and  acctifin 
He  woU  not  cntrcmcte  by  right| 
^Q  havin  God  in  his  eyca  Cght, 


NT  OF  THE   R08R 

And  therefore  God  IhaU  Lim  punitTC  s 

But  me  ne  rckith  of  no  vice 

Sithcn  men  us  i^jvcn  comimi&aliy<v 

And  holdin  u*  for  lb  worthie. 

1  hat  we  maic  folkc  repreve  echone. 

And  wc  nMl  have  reprcfe  of  nose  : 

Whom  fhouldin  folk<  worlhipin  i\» 

But  n»  that  iliD tin  neytfuio 

I'o  patriu  while  that  fbl^  male*  at  1^ 

lliough  it  aot  fo  bchiode  'hem  Im;  I 


And  where  h  there  more  wodr  folle 
l'h:in  to  cnhatincin  cturalrtc. 
And  lovui  noVle  men  and  gale. 
That  jolic  clothii  wcrcn  alwaie  f 
If  thci  be  fbche  folke  as  thci  fenien, 
So  dene  at  men  thcr  dothis  demcn. 
And  that  thcr  wordes  folowe  thcr  < 
tt  i$  grctc  pitc  out  of  dredc 
For  thci  woll  b«  none  hypocritis  j 
Of  'hem  mc  thinkith  grete  fpitc  b : 
1  cin  not  lovft  'hem  on  no  fide  : 

But  bt^gitf  with  thcfc  KodisKTuk^J 
With  fldgh  and  oali^  faci*  Icne^  * 

And  with^raic  cjotbi*  oat  full  daWgi  | 
But  fjcitid  full  of  tatnr  ^^jjjt^h 
And  high  Ihcwis  kor':  ia 

That  frouncln  like  a  ,  , 

Or  botis  rivcling  a*  agipc  ; 

To  foe  he  folkc,  at  1  you  derife. 
Should  princii  and  thdJe  lor ' 
Take  <ill  i\icr  landia  and  cli 
Bothc  warrc  and  pcce  in  go..i...i.^;. 
To  fochc  folkc  fhould  a  pnnce  hirn  yen 
That  would  hts  life  in  honour  Ure* 

And  if  thci  be  ntt  as  the  feme. 
That  iitrviii  thua  the  worMc  to  que 
There  would  I  dw^Uin  to  dccdvc 
The  folkc,  for  thci  ihall  tut  perccve* 

But  I  nc  fpcke  in  no  foche  wife 
That  men  ftould  humble*  habitc  difptfti 
So  that  no  prid-  -^  'r        dir  be 
tio  man  (houl  I  nkjtb  liie» 

Tiic  povir  ma.1;  ...  ,. —  .lythio^j 
But  God  DC  preiith  him  nothing 
That  faicth  he  hiitli  the  worlde  forfake. 
And  hath  to  worldly  glory  *hij&  ttkc« 
At?d  woll  of  foche  delicis  u(e; 
Who  maie  that  beggir  well  cxcufe  ? 

That  papeUrdc  that  hiro  ycldiih  fo> 
And  woll  to  worldly  ^t  ygt>. 
And  laicih  that  he  the  worTdje  katli  I 
And  gredJiy  it  r--  -i  i^    '• 
He  is  the  houu  IV  CO  lain. 

That  to  h4*caU:..^  o,  -    ■  ^^«*i* 


But  unto  you  dare  I  ^ 

But  nught  1  felin  or  i 

That  yc  perceived  it  iJ&thi 

Ye  fhottldin  hivc  a  ftarkc  L 

Right  in  your  honde  thm  to  bc^iiii>^ 

1  nc  woldk  i%  l^^iot  no  flim^.  , 


i  at  the  wondsr  t\u 

ght  ^o  Iftuf^h  alCoi 

U>,  here  m  man  n^ht' 

pie  to'  every  wi^ht ! 


kit,  (t^tiod  f  ^ve)  fik  to  me, 

^e  avaundd  the^ 

c»«rt  i^  thy  dwelling, 

tudft  iKait  be  my  ktn^, 

(fell  holdin  my  forward^s? 

Hiod  he,  Voiw  h*ti8  forwarder 

IT  f&tkir  ^5cre  hcfornc 

tfvie  ftthe  be  wa»  borne* 

ifi  all  nature. 

Ibu  in  rhit  avintorc, 

ft  boffowet  tzH  «l  inc 

ftilU  fe  fieiPif  be 

me  fikirticffe 

hr  to  here  'wiuicCa  : 

W  to  recordf  here 

I  maie  in  no  martere 

We  mtt  cf  hU  hide 

ro  bothe  backe  andi{i<fet 
Kiin  bcte^nd  all  defile  : 
W  ye  that  I  wall  begile  * 
dot  hid  mckily, 
|P  h  ail  my  frcchtry  ; 
jtllaungith  ncrvir  the  tijo 
\  ^ich  I  ^o  : 

"  ftrnplcnclTe^ 
udndte : 

flrajnid  Abftcnatiiicet 
my  punfciattnce, 

ong  igo  be  de<Jde  »- 

f  counfaile  and  niy  redde : 
JTi  and  ynu  and  me. 
^anlwerid,  t  tmft  the 
fDwe,  fer  I  wot!  aone. 
I  S^xpblant  the  thde  anooe 
It  tkc  fame  place, 
f  trf  f<ni  all  hi*  face 
c  within  afid  whttc  wtthotit, 
im  gau  on  bit  kneci  lout. 
»eher  nought  hut  everj-  man 
jgp  thitt  Tallin  cint 
^and  th«t  full  hardily  : 
Ithd  hem  eomir^ly 
piouraa  e«  *hemfril. 
were  arm  id  Tiers  and  ftll,, 
tiem  forthe  all  in  a  rout 
jfeftl^i^aU  about; 
H  awate  for  no  drfrde 
Ibat  chei  ben  deUe, 
have  the  cadiU  aakc. 
ftcellif  g»n  tbei  makr, 
^ctn  illlotire  anone, 
Icre  waie,  and  forthe  thct  gone 
ptU  far  to  afTaitei 
Khe  keptri  troll  not  feilc, 
I  Beithir  lirke  nc  dede, 
'»tke»  and  ftrong  in  dt-de. 
r  the  conncenance 
ElAd  Ab£UfillUlce, 


That  ben  to  Wickid  Ton^  jwent  • 
But  fird  tbei  hctdc  iher  jiarlinictic 
\^'hrthtr  it  to  be  doin  were 
To  msVrn  *hcm  be  knowin  there 
Or  ellis  walkin  fonhe  difgifed ; 
But  at  the  lafti  thci  devifed 
That  the  I  would  gone  in  t3Lp»nag^e» 
At  it  were  in  a  pilgrimage, 
Like  godc  and  holic  fojke  ucfeinedt 
And  anon  Dame  Abf\inence  fbcined 
Tokc  on  3  Tobc  of  came  line 
And  gan  Yc^  gratche  as  a  bJgine* 

A  larg^  covcrcbief  of  thredc 
She  wrappid  all  about  her  hede; 
Bat  flic  for]ptc  not  her  pfajtcre, 

A  paire  of  bwli«  eke  (he  lierc 
Upon  a  b(^e  allof  white  threde. 
On  whichc  Ehat  fhc  her  bcdis  bede ; 
But  fbe  ne  boufht  *hein  ncvrt'  a  dcl^' 
For  thei  were  given  her,  1  wotc  wcle, 
God  wotc  of  4  full  holie  frerc. 
That  faicd  he  was  her  fathir  dcf  c, 
To  whom  flic  had  oflincr  went 
Than  any  frere  of  bis  covcnt ; 

And  he  vifitid  her  alfo. 
And  m,iny'  a  fermone  faicd  her  to  ; 
He  n*olde  let  for  no  man  on  live 
That  he  ne  wotild  bf  r  oftin  flirivr. 
And  with  fo  grttc  d^vocion 
1  hci  madin  her  cniifeflion 
Tliat  thei  had  oftio  forthe  nonet 
Two  hcddi*  in  one  hodc  at  ones. 

Of  fairc  fbapc  I  devifed  her  the. 
But  pale  nf  face  fometime  wasfhe; 
That  fjilfS  traitourelTc  untrewe 
Was  like  that  falowe  horfe  of  hcwe 
That  in  the*  Apoealypia  is  fliewcd. 
That  fjgnliicth  tho  folke  beflirewed 
That  bin  all  full  of  trcchcrte^ 
And  palf  ^horouph  hypocrific  ; 
For  on  tJiat  horfe  rm  colour  h 
But  onrly  deddt  and  pale  iwt*  t 
Of.  foche  a  colour  enlangoured 
Was  Abftinence  iwit  colmired  ; 
Of  her  eftatc  flie  her  repented 
Ri^ht  as  her  vifagc  rcprcfcnted. 

She  had  a  burdoane  all  of  thef^ 
That  Gile  hid  yevc  her  of  hw  ycft. 
And  a  Ikrippc  of  faint  dtflrelTe, 
Thai  full  wa5  of  clengvnc (Te, 
And  forthe  Ihf  walk  id  fobirlie. 
And  Falfc  Scmbbnt  faint,  Je  vcui  dif^ 
And  as  it  were  for  foche  mifterc 
Doin  on  the  cope  of  a  frc re. 
With  chcre  Cmple  and  fall  pitoitl 
His  lokJng  was  not  difdeinous 
Ne  proude,  but  mekc  and  ful  peCble. 

About  his  neckc  he  bari:  a  Bible » 
And  fqtiyirly  forthe  gan  he  gon. 
And  for  to  rcfl  hit  limmes  upon 
jVLt  had  of  trefon  a  potent ; 
».»  he  were  frblc'  hrs  Waic  he  went* 

But  in  his  fleve  he  g^ti  to  thritjjg 
A  rafovr  fliai*^  and  well  bitiiij^ 


f       114                                   THE   ROM  AUNT   OF  TH£    ROS&                       ^^| 

That  was  yforgid  in  a  forge 

^M  Whlchc  that  men  clcpin  Coupe  Gorge. 

We  for  to  drria  our  peiiaunc«              ^^^H 

^HF     So  long  forth  thcr-waic  thti  oomin 

With  hcrtis  pitoui  and  devout               ^^^^ 

^"TiU  thci  ro  Wickid  Tong  comin, 

Arc  conimen  a*  pilgnmci  gon  about;  ^^^B 

[         That  at  his  gate  ywas  fitting. 

Well  nigh  on  fotc  3 waic  we  go ;                  ^H 

^^And  fawc  folkc  in  the  waic  pafTing. 

Full  doughtie  ben  our  belis  two,                    H 

^^k^Thc  pilgrimiifawc  he  fall  by 

And  thu)  bothe  we  ben  yfcin                          fl 

^Vt^t  berin  *hcm  full  tnekily, 

Throughout  the  worldo  that  k  mifwcnt       fl 

"        And  humbly  thci  with  him  ymcttc  ; 

To  yeve  cufample'  and  preche  alli»i              ^k 

1         Dame  Abftixjcjice  firfl  him  ygretrc < 

To  Sfhin  fmfuU  men  we  go,                    ^_^B 

'         And  lithe  him  Falfc  Semblant  falvcd, 

For  othir  lilhing  nc  filhe  wc  :                ^^^| 

And  he  *hcm,  but  he  not  rctnevedi 

And,  levc  Sir,  for  that  charite.             ^^^H 

I          Fof  he  DC  drede  him  not  a  dele, 

As  we  be  wont,  crbo'                   nicj  ^^^B 

For  whan  he  fawe  thcr  facis  w<lc 

Your  life  to  amcnnc  ^                  vc,              ^H 

Alwaic  in  hcrtc  him  thought  fo 

And  fo  it  fhouM  you  i^^.>\  ^...| ...'.            ^^^H 

He  fhould  knowin  'hem  bothe  two»                         \ 

We  wouldin,  if  it  were  yourcfc,           fl|^H 

1         For  well  he  kncwc  Dame  Abllinanncc, 

A  fhort  fermoR  unto  ^on  Ciin*               .^H^ 

But  he  kncwc  not  ConHrcinauticc ; 

As\A  Wickid  Tong  anfwcrcd  agaiis»                fl 

j         He  knewc  nat  that  ihe  was  canlkrainedi 

The  houfc  (quod  ht)  fochc  at  ye  k           J 

1          Ne  of  her  thev'i*  life  yfained^ 

Shall  Oit  be  watnid  you  fur  mc  :           ^^^| 

But  wcndc  (he  come  of  will  ail  fr^ 

Saic  what  you  lift  and  1  wo)l  here.       '^^H 

But  Oic  come  in  othir  degree. 

Oraunt  mercic  !  tho  f                 Ire,       ^^H 

And  if  of  lode  wiU  Ihc  begaa 

Quod  aldtrfiril  Dame                                      ^H 

That  will  Ywai  faiiid  her  t^- 

And  thu» began  fli«  htt  lc^                     ^^H 

1 

Sir,  the  Bril  vcitoc  for  c                      ^^H 

The  grctifl  and  mod  fov^  r^ :  .                ^^^H 

1         And  Falfc  Scmhbnt  had  he  fainc  alfe, 

Thatmaicbcfoundc  in  ar                      ^^^^| 

But  he  kncwc  nat  that  he  wa»  ikUc  ; 

f^or  having  or  for  wit  Ijc                         ^^^^I 

Yet  falfc  waft  ^c,  but  his  [ikiincSc 

That  it  hia  tong  for  to  rvlraia ;                    ^^k 

1         Nc  coud  he  nat  cfpic  nor  gclTci 

Thcrto  ought  ever/  wjght  him  pau^f            ^H 

For  Semblant  was  foil  ie  y  wrought 

For  it  is  bettir  ft  ill  to  be                                  H 

That  falfcncflc  he  nc  cfpicd  nought ;                           i 

Than  for  to  fpckm  harme  paffe,             ^^B 

But  haddcft  thou  knowin  him  bcfome 

And  he  that  harkeneth  it  gladly         '-^^^| 

Thou  woldill  on  a  boke  have  fwome, 

He  is  no  godc  man  (iktrly,                     ^^^^| 

Whan  thou  him  fawc  in  thilke  araie, 

And|  Sir,  abovin  all  oih  -    ^^^H 

1        That  he  that  whilom  was  fo  gaicj 

In  that  att  thou  moil  gillie                         ^^^H 

And  of  the  daunce  Jolie  Robin, 

Thoufpakcajape  ii*>:  l«in^^  -                   ^^^H 

Waj  tho  become  a  Jacobin  : 

And,  Sir,  that  wa-  r  ,  J;         :i  due-          ^S 

But  fothly  what  fo  men  him  caU 

Of  a  yong  man  that  hue  fij    11  cd,         ^4^B 

1       Frcrc  prcchouris  ben  godc  men  all ; 

Andnevir  yet  thii  place  apair' r!,           ^^^H 

f      Thcr  odir  wickidly  thci  bcrca 

Thou  faidefl  he  awaitid  cotUiug            ^^^H 

1       Sochc  minilrcUi*  if  that  thci  wercs* 

But  to  difccve  Faire  Welcoming  :         ,^^^H 

F           So  ben  Augtiftin*  and  CordUcrct, 

Yc  faidin  nothing  fothc  of  that>            ^^^| 

F        And  Carmia,  and  ckc  fackid  frcrcs^ 

But,  Sir,  yc  lie,  \  tell  you  plat  x           ^^M 

1        And  all  the  frerli  {bode  and  bar*. 

He  Cometh  oa  more  nc  goeth  pard«f            fl 

f        Though  fomc  of  *hcm  ben  gnetc  and  fijuarc, 

I  trowe  ye  Ihal  him  nevir  fe  ;                         ^| 

1         Full  holy  men  at  I  'hero  deme  ; 

Fairc  Wckomking  in  prifon  it            '            S 

£venchc  of  hem  would  godc  sian  fane  ; 

That  «ftc  hath  plaicd  with  you  er  thia  ,^^^H 

AaJUii  A^  titw  of  ap^rtma 

The  fairift  gamit  that  he  coudc              ^^^H 

Stim  gmdude  £oJt  iw/efiunit 

Withoutin  filth,  or  ILil  or  londc  ;           ^^^| 

Jm  ii«v  atgumcni  f«ri/« 

Now  dare  he  not  himfclfc  1                      ^^^H 

If  cxiilcniaUfailidi*; 

Yc  han  alfo  the  man  do  ch^                     ^^^H 

1         For  men  male  finde  alwaic  fophemc 

That  he  dare  nekhcr  come  nc  go  i       ^^^^1 

The  confcc|ucnce  to  cnvcnemc. 

What  mcvitb  you  to  hate  him  fo          ^^^H 

Who  U  hath  had  the  fubtiltc 

But  propirly  your  wickid  thought,       ^^^B 

The  double  fcntciicc  for  to  fc- 

That  many  a  falfc  Icfthg  hath  thouglif,        ^ 

1             Whal)  the  pilgrimi»  comin  were 

That  mevith  your  funic  cloqiubcc,        ^^^| 

^       To  Wickid  Tong  that  dwcllid  ihtrc. 

That  jauglith  evrc'  in  audience,          ^^^^| 

Thcr  hamics  nigh  *hem  wa^  algate ; 

And  on  the  folkc  ariiith  blanie,           ^^^^1 

By  Wickid  Tong  adounc  thei  late. 

And  doeth  *hcm  dilhonour  atui  flam«^^^^| 

1        That  baddc  *hem  ncr«  him  for  to  come. 

For  thing  cJiAt  maie  have  o^prtvtsg  ^^^H 

And  of  ttdingis  tell  him  fome»                              ^ 

But  hkeliocllt:  and  contri^nng  1             ^^^H 

And  fated  *hem.  What  cafe  makith  ywi 

^or  f  dare  Line  that  Rdba  deSftCtlk^^^H 

Tq  comiQ  into  tbU  pUcc  oow  I      ^ 

^B 

^^^^^1 

^^               THE  ROMAUNT 

OF   THE   ROSE                                   S$^ 

piofie  for  to  controve 

Lay  no  dcfc  ere  io  ray  fpcking^ 

Bg  that  i«  to  reprove  ; 

1  fwcre  you,  Sir,  it  is  gabbing                                 ^H 

lie  yc  wclc,and  Sir,  therefore 

J  trow  ye  wote  well  certainly                               ^^H 

to  btaine  mochil  the  morei 

That  no  man  lovith  him  tcndtrl^                 ^^^^^t 

h^IcfTc  he  rcckith  lite 

That  fiiiih  him  harme,  if  he  wote  it,             ^^^^^M 

;th  not  now  thereof  a  mite. 

AU  be  he  ner  lb  pore  of  wit  i                        ^^^^^| 

;  thoughtin  harmc,  pariaic 

And  fothc  is  alTo  fikirly,                                *^^^^| 

Id  ycome  ^nd  gone  all  daie  ; 

Thii  know  ye,  Srr^  ax  well  as  I,                    ^^^^M 

cmdc  not  himielf  abflcoc ; 

That  lovirs  gladly  wol  vifltcn                       ^^^^| 

meth  he  not»  and  that  u  reDC* 

The  placid  there  thex  Ioav«  habiten :            ^^^^| 

»e  tftketh  of  it  no  cim. 

This  man  you  lovcth  and  ckc  hooourcth,     ^^^H 

be  throtigh  avintare, 

This  man  to  fcrvin  you  labourcth,                 ^^^H 

c  th^n  othir  folk?  algatc. 

And  ctepitJi  you  hi«  frcnde  fo  dere,               ^^^^M 

'Ugh  here  watch ift  at  the  gilc 

And  thiB  man  makith  you  gode  chcre,          ^^^^^ 

ETC  in  thine  areft  alwaic^ 

And  every  where  that  he  you  mctcth           ^^^^^ 

lufe  muTarde  all  the  longe  daie ; 

He  you  fJcweth  and  he  you  grctcth  ;           ^^^^| 

ikift  DJghc  and  daie  for  thought; 

He  prcCth  not  fo  oftc  that  yc                       ^^^^H 

iravcHc  i*  for  nought. 

Oi^i^c  of  hit  coming  cncombrid  be  ;          ^^^^H 

Milie  without  in  falk 

There  pre  fin  othir  foTkc  oA  you                    ^^^^| 

fir  quite  the  thy  tiavcile ; 

Ful  oftir  tlianhe  doith  now;                         ^^^^^| 

the  i*  that  ISf^rc  Weicooiiog,                  t 

And  if  hi&  hert  him  flraiuld  fo                     ^^^^| 

in  any  trcfpafling, 

UotD  the  Rof^  Ur  to  go,                                  ^^^^^ 

►ogfuliy  in  prilbn  be. 

Ye  fhuuld  him  fene  fo  oftin  nede                   ^^^^H 

"epith  and  lan^ifhith  he  ; 

That  ye  Ihould  take  him  with  the  dedc;       "^^^B 

ugh  tliou  nevir  yet  iwis 

He  coude  hh  codltoiing  not  forbere,                         ^H 

inan  no  more  but  this 

Though  ye  him  thrillid  with  a  fpcie  ;           ^^^^^| 

tm  grcfe,it  were  worthy 

Tt  n*ere  not  than  ai  it  is  now ;                        ^^^^^M 

Jie  out  of  thift  baily. 

But  truBith  well,  1  fwcre  it  you,                   ^^^^^H 

rwarde  in  prifon  lie, 

That  it  ii  clcne  out  of  his  thought.                 ^^^^^ 

rid  the  till  that  diou  die  ; 

Sir,  certij  he  nc  thinkith  tt  nought,         ^^^^M 

■kit  for  thii  fmnd  dwcllc 
^  deviPf  arfe  of  hellc 

No  more  ne  doth  Faire  Welcoming,             ^^^^^| 

That  fore  abyith  al  thit  thing.                       ^^^^| 

■t  thou  repent^  the. 

And  if  thei  were  of  one  a0ent»                      ^^^^^ 

tlMmUeilfiilfcly(quDdhe.) 

Full  foae  ywcrc  the  Rofc  ybent,                    ^^^H 

t  welcome  with  niifchauncc  now  ! 

I'ho  the  malgre  your's  would  ybe.                 ^^^^H 

^erefore  hcrberid  you 

Audf  ^ir,  of  o  thing  herkt-ncth  mc  ;            ^^^^H 

Sitbe  fr  this  man  that  lovcth  you                   ^^^^H 

•ic  happc  to  your  behove  ?          ^ 
>  day  your  herbegcre  f                 ^ 

H^  faide  fuch  harme  and  Oiime  now^          ^^^^H 

Wittith  well  if  he  geflid  it                              ^^^H 

Lr  you  di  where  than  here                          ^ 

1  Ye  mate  well  dcmin  in  your  wit                    ^^^^^| 

1  a  lier  callid  me. 

He  nc  woldc  nothing  love  you  (o,                 ^^^^^1 

gctours  arte  thou  and  he. 

Ne  cadlin  you  hia  frcnde  alfo,                          ^^^^^| 

mine  hous  do  me  tliis  Ihamc, 

But  flight  and  daie  he  woUin  wake               ^^^^H 

my  fothefawe  yc  mc  blame. 

ifl'he  cdlill  to  diflroie  and  t^e,                     ^^^^| 
I'f  it  were  fothe  as  ye  devife  ;               ^       ^^^^^ 
Or  fome  man  in  fomc  manir  wife         ^       ^^^^^ 

e  fermon  that  ye  mc  make  ? 

c  divik  1  me  take. 

3od  thou  mc  confounde. 

Might  it  warnin  him  every  dele,                    ^^^^| 

mm  diddio  this  cafljll  foundc 

Or  by  himfclfe  perccvtx^Vek,                          ^^^^| 

M  ten  daiet  or  twelve 

For  fithe  he  might  not  come  and  gone,           ^^^^| 
As  he  was  wMlom  wontc  to  done,                 ^^^^^ 

VtoJdc  right  to  my  felve. 

hei  faide  right  fo  tolde  1 ; 

He  might  x:  fonc  wite  and  fe,                       ^^^^^| 

the  Rofe  niivtly ; 

ic  1  now,lod  have  faid  yore 

Bu^fiDW  all  othirwtfe  wote  he.                     ^^^^^| 
Than  have  we.  Sir,  all  uttirly                 ,  ^^^^^ 

lere  he  did  any  more  : 

Defer vid   hell,  and  jolily                                  ^^^^H 

JjM  men  fkie  mc  fuche  a  thing 

The  detfa  of  helle  doutilelTtfi                             ^^^H 

Hkd  yben  gabbing  ? 

That  thr^ilin  folkc  fo  giitilcfTe.                        B^^H 

Side  [,  and  woil  faltf  yet, 

Falfe  Scmblant  fo  provith  this  thii^           ^^^^B 

lyid  not  of  it; 

That  he  ne  can  none  anfwering,                                ^H 

ti  my  bcmi»  I  woll  blowc 

And  fceth  alwaie  fochc  app^irauncc                 ^^^^B 

betghbounAfDwe                            V 
httb  botnr  coznin  and  goae^         ^  * 

That  nigh  he  fell u  repenuunce,                    m^^^M 
And  faid4iim  ;  Sir,  it  maie  w«ll  be;               ^^^^| 

ttk«  Fal(e  SembUut  right  anone, 

Scmblant,  a  gode  man  fcmin  ye,                    ^^^^| 

fgoTpelltJdlit  of  duute                   "^l 

And  Absence,  ful  wife  mTeniv  ,                ^^^^| 
Of  o  talent  jou  bothc  I  doSe  ;                     ^^^H 

l^ioe  in  (he  touuc  aboutc  ; 

H 

33< 


THE    ROMAUNT    OF    THB    ROSE. 


What  connfafle  wol  re  to  me  ycvcn  ? 

Right  here  anon  thou  (halt  be  IhriTcn,- 
And  fay  thy  linne  withoutin  more ; 
Of  this  (halt  thou  repent  the  fore, ' 
For  1  am  prieft,  and  have  pofte 
To  fhriye  folk  of  moft  dignite 
That  ben  as  wide  as  world  maie  dure ; 
Of  al  this  world  I  have  the  cure, 
And  that  had  nevir  yet  perfoun 
Ne  vicaric*  of"  no  manir  toun. 

And  God  it  wot  I  have  of  the 
A  thoulandc  tlmis  more  pite 


Than  hath  thy  prieft  parochiall. 
Though  he  thy  frende  be  fpeciall. 

I  have  avantage  in  o  wife. 
That  your  prelates  ben  not  fo  wife 
Ne  halfe  fo  lettrid  as  am  I ; 
I  am  licenfid  boldily 
In  divinite  for  to  rede. 
And  to  confeffion  out  of  drede 

Yf  that  ye  wol  you  now  coofeiTe, 
And  leve  your  finni^^iore  and  lefle. 
Without  abode  knell^doune'inon 
And  you  flial  have  abiblncion* 


9 


TROILUS  9§  CRESEIDM*. 


IN   FIVl  BOKES. 


SOKE     I. 


:  forow  of  Troflus  to  telle, 
c  King  Priamus  foone  of  Trojr, 
w  hu  a  Venturis  felle 
weic,  and  aftir  out  of  joy, 
19  er  that  I  part^  f^oly, 
)hone !  thou  helpe  me  t*eiulite 
rerfe,  that  wepin  at  I  write, 
riepe,  thou  goddelTe  of  tourraent, 
nght,  fbrowing  ay  in  paioe  ! 
It  am  the  -ivofull  inflrument 
lorin  as  I  can  complaine ; 
r,  the  fothc  for  to  ikinef 
;ht  to  have  a  drery  fere, 
owfull  tale  a  fory  chere. 
\  god  of  JLov^is  fervauntes  fcnre, 
ovc  for  mine  unlikelincfTe, 
>ede,  al  (boald  I  therfore  fterve^ 
I  fro  his  helpe  in  derkcnefle; 
fe  if  this  may  done  eladneffe 
,  and  his  caufe  aveS^ 
tbanke  and  mine  hi  the  travelle. 


ke  b  fliewoi  the  ferveat  lore  of  Trollui  to 
n  he  enjoyed  ter  a  time,  and  her  grete  on- 
ifiinc  in  givine  her  fclf  to  Oforoedct.  who 
b  cafi  her  off  that  (he  came  to  grete  lotfery. 
Durfc  Chaucer  liberally  ucutb  oi  cUc  w»'mt 


Bat  ye  lovirs  that  balhin  m  gladnelTfi 
Yf  any  drope  of  pite  in  you  he, 
Renxmhrith  you  of  polfid  hevineiCs 
That  ye  have  feke,  aivi  on  the'  adveriltc 
Of  othir  folke,  aipd  thinkitb  how  that  ye 
Han  lelte  that  JLoW  duril  you  to  difplele 
Or  ye  han  won  him  with  to  gret  an  tic 

And  prayith  for  *hem  that  ben  in  the  ca^ 
Of  TroiluB,  as  ye  may  aftir  here 
That  Love  'hem  bring  in  hevin  to  folace ; 
And  eke  for  me  prayith  to  God  fo  dere. 
That  I  have  might  to  (hew  in  fome  manere 
Suche  paine  and  wo  as  Liov*!*  £olke  endure 
In  Trbilus  unfely  avinturc. 

And  biddith  d^e  for  them  that  ben  difpeir« 
In  love,  that  nevir  will  recovered  be. 
And  eke  for  them  that  falfcly  ben  apeired 
Through  wickid  tongis,  be  it  he  or  ihe^ 
And  biddith  God  for  his  beaignite 
So  graunt  'hem  fone  out  of  this  world  to  pace 
That  ben  difpoirid  out  of  Xiov'is  grace. 

And  biddith  eke  for  them  that  ben  at  efe 
That  God  'hem  graunt  in  love  perfeverauocei 
And  fcnde  'hem  grace  ther  lovislbr  to  pleiie. 
That  it  to  love  be  worihip  and  plefaunce  ; 
For  fo  hope  I  my  fclfe  beft  toAvaunce 
To  pray  for  them  that  Lov'is  fcrvauntes  bC| 
Aatl  write  thcr  wo.  and  live  io  chuitt* ; 
Y 


IJt 


TROILUS    AND    CRESEIDB, 


And  For  to  have  of  them  compafiioun, 
A*  Though  1  were  thcr  own«?  broth ir  dcrc. 
Now  hcrkcnith  with  a  godc  entenctoun. 
For  now  wol  I  go  ftrcight  to  my  matcre, 
in  whichc  yc  may  the  double  forowet  here 
Of  Troilu*  in  loving  of  Crefcidc, 
And  how  £bc  forfokc  him  er  that  (he  deide. 

;  is  wel  wift  how  that  the  Grckit  (Vrong 
Yfi  armia  with  a  thousand  thippis  went 
To  Troi€'  wardii,  and  the  cite  long 
Bcficgedin,  nigh  ten  yere^rre  thci  fVcnt, 
And  how  in  divers  wife  and  one  cntent, 
The  ravifhing  to  wreke  of  Qudnc  Hclcine, 
By  Paris  don*  thci  wronghtin  all  their  f  cine. 
Now  ff I}  it  fo  thw  in  the  tounc  there  wai 
Dwelling  a  lord'pf  ^ret  axithoHte, 
Agret  divine,  that  clcpid  \va»  Cdlcaf, 
That  in  that  fclencc  fo*  cirpcrtc  wai  that  he 
Knew  wcl  thjit  Troii:  fhould  dtflroyid  be. 
By  anfwcre  of  his  god,  that  hight  wai  thoa 
Dan  Plicbus  or  Apollo  Delphicus. 

So  whan  this  Calcas  knew  by  cakuling, 
And  eke  by  the*  anfwere  of  (hit  god  Apollo^ 
That  Grckas  fhouldin  f«che  a  peple  bring 
horow  the  whichc  that  Troy  muft  be  fordo, 
J  caflc  anoneout  of  the  totinc  lo  go, 
For  wel  he  wift  by  forte  that  Troic  fholdc 
piOroyid  be,  ye,  would  who  fo  or  n*oldei 

Whcrfore  for  to  dcpartin  foftily 
Toke  purpofc  ful  this  wight,  furknowing,  wifC| 
And  to  the  Grekls  hoft  ful  privily 
He  flale  anoDC,and  thei  in  curteis  wife 
X>idin  to  him  both  worlhip  and  fcrvice. 
In  iruft  that  he  hath  conning  *hcm  to  rcdc 
Id  every  peril  which  that  was  to  drede. 

Grcte  rumour  rofc  whan  it  was  firft  efpic4 
In  al  the  toune,  and  opinly  was  fpoken 
That  Colca*  trjiitour  fled  was,  and  ailed 
To  them  of  Gre**c  ;  and  cH\c  w us  to  be  wrokcil 
On  him  that  falfly  hath  his  faith  to  broken, 
And  faid  that  he  and  al  hxs  kinne  atone* 
Were  worthy  to  be  brent  both  fell  and  boBtMi. 

Now  had  this  Calcas  Icfte  iii  thi»  mifchauncc. 
Unknowing  of  this  lalfc  and  wicked  dede, 
A  doiightir  whiche  that  was  In  grete  penaunce. 
And  of  her  life  fhe  was  full  fore  in  drcdc, 
I  ^nd  nc  wift  nevir  what  bcfl  wa*  to  rede; 
I  And  as  y.  widowe  was  fhe  and  alone, 
^  Atid  nMl  to  whom  flic  might  ymake  her  moine. 
Crcfeidc  ywas  this  ladies  name  aright ; 
A^  t«  my  dome  in  aT  Troy'ia  cite 
p^ofl  fiiirill  lady,  pafling  every  wighi  ; 
80  angelikc  (hone  her  natifc  bc;iute 
That  like  t  thing  immortal  fcmid  fhe^ 
And  thcrwith  was  (he  fo  partite  a  cretnre 
A*  fhe  h^d  be  made  in  fcorning  of  Nature. 
IN  This  lady,  whiche  that  alday  herdc  at  ere 
Her  fathir*t  <hame,  hi*  falfbed,  and  traifoun, 
[  Jul,  nigh  out  of  her  wjt  for  forow*  and  fere, 
» la  widowe's  habit  large  of  famite  broun, 
Before  Hcftor  on  kneel  fhe  fill  adoua, 
Hi*  merry  bad,  her  fclfin  eicufing 
V^th  fitoQ»  TaicCi  And  tcndirly  wrptng. 


Now  wa«  this  Hedor  pitous  of  (Wt^re^ 
And  faw  that  fhe  was  forow  ful  bcggoc. 
And  that  flic  was  fo  f iii  re  a  trefure» 
Of  htsgodenelfc  hcgladid  her  aitonr^ 
And  faide,  Let  your  faihlr's  traifon  gone        ^ 
Forth  with  mifchauncc,and  ye  your  lelf  iiijoyf 
DwellJth  with  us  whilis  you  lift  mTioyeH* 

And  jJ  the  honour  men  M         ' 
As  ferforih  as  though  your 
Ye  fliiil  have,  and  your  bod 
A\  fcr  as  1  may  ought  cnqn 
And  (he  him  thankid  with  \  the 

And  oftir  wolde  itid  it  had  been  his  will. 
And  tokc  hrr  Icve,  went  home,  and  Mde  h 

And  in  her  houfe  ihc'  ilwdc  with  fuch  1 
AK.til  her  honour  nciic  was  for  to  huUe; 
And  while  fhe  was  dwelling  w  that  cite 
She  kepte  her  eftate,and  of  yong  and  olde 
Ful  wel  beloved,  and  wel  men  of  her  toMc; 
But  w V-thir  that  flic  chUdrio  had  or  none 
I  rcdc  it  nat,  thcrforc  1  let  it  gone. 

The  thingis  fellin  as  thci  done  of  wcfft 
^ctwixin  'licmof  Troie  and  Grckis  of<c» 
For  fomc  day  bought  in  thei  of  Troie  it  dare, 
And  eft  the  Grekis  foundin  nothing  fofi 
The  folk  of  Troie  :  and  thus  fortune  afoft 
And  undir  cfte  gan  'hem  ta  whelminbotbe, 
Aftir  her  courfe,  ale  while  that  thci  wcl"  irrocli 

But  how  this  tounc  came  to  diftruccioo 
Nc  fallith  not  to  parpofc  me  to  tcl ; 
For  why?  it  were  a  long  digreffion 
Fro  my  matir,  and  you  to  long  to  dwd ; 
But  the  Troyan  jcftis,  all  as  thci  fd 
lo  Omcr,  or  in  Dares,  or  itt  Dite, 
Wlio  fo  that  can  may  rede  *hem  at  thei  1 

But  though  the  Grekis  thcmofTnoiciii 
And  ther  cite  bcfcgid  al  aboucc,* 
Ther  olde  ufagis  n*i>ldia  thei  not  letteo^ 
As  to  honourcn  ther  goddls  ful  devoutc, 
But  aldirnioJl  in  htniowr  out  of  doute 
Thci  had  a  reiickc  hf;  1^  J^  t'  -    - 
1  hat  was  ther  truft 

And  fo  befcl,  wb:ir  nmc 

Of  Apprllis,  whan  clochid  is  the  mc4e 
Wlrhticwc  grcnc,  of  lufly  Vcr  the  iiriaK*  _ 
And  witl)  fweic  ImcUing  flauris  wnite  mi  I 
In  fondrie  wife  fhewid,  a?  I  you  rcd<» 
I'hc  folke  of  Troic  ther  obfcrvancc*  oI4c^ 
PaUadion  'is  fefl,  went  for  ta  holdc* 

Unto  the  tempfc  in  ^U  (her  bcfl  wife 
In  general  went  every  manir  wight 
To  herkin  of  Palladioo's  fcrvitc,       * 
And  namily  many  a  lufly  knight^ 
And  many*  a  lady  frclh  and  tnaidlli  bdg^ 
FuJ  well  bcfcyn  the  moil  mcjui  ^nd  ki 
Botli  for  tlic  fcfon  and  for  the  hie  fcft. 

Aniong  Lht-le  othir  foUtc  was  Creiddi. 
tn  widdowe's  hahitc  blake ;  but  oath^kii 
Right  n%  our  firft  Icttir  is  now  an  A, 
In  beautc  firit  fo  A  ode  Ihc  mak^les  ; 
Her  godciv  t  t  i.,„  "1-iddtdail  the  pre*; 
N'aa  nevt.  to  be  praif^d  (o  dcm 

Nor  uudu ale  fo  bright  4  f 


c»  thci  faidin  evcrlchonc 
r  bchcldin  in  her  bbkc  wcdr  i 

flic  flcuk  fill  lovi  e  and  fLil  aione, 

aU  ochir  folke,  in  Util  brcde, 

tbe  dorc,  aye  undir  fhamNft  drcdc , 

ti  itire,  and  dcbooaire  of  chcre, 

Uaffarid  lokisg  and  maiicrc. 

*roiiuf,  u  he  wia  wont  to  gidc 

^  kcightis,  Udde  ^hem  up  and  douQ« 

:  large  temple  oq  evc^iy  Cdc, 

ig  ale  the  ladies  o£  the  toune 

'ttnow  there,  for  no  deYoctoune 

to  none  to  revin  him  his  reft, 

to  praifc  and  lackin  ishom  he  left* 

n  hi»  walk  ful  faftc  he  gan  to  watten 

it  or  ft^uyir  of  hit  company 

to  like,  or  let  hi&  cyirt  biiiieQ 

MfomaD  that  he  could  efpic, 

t  would  fmilc,  and  hold  it  a  folic, 

htm  tbia ;  O  Lord  !  (he  (lepith  Tofte. 

of  the,  whan  thou  tnrnlft  fuloftc. 
S  herde  tcl  pardietuc  of  your  Living, 
$,  and  of  your  ktidc  oblcrvauncc, 
ithe  JL  Ubour  foike  have  m  winning 
and  in  the  keping  whiche  doutaunce, 
•n  your  pray  h  loH  wo  and  penaunco. 
roLt«!  bLiode  and  nice  be  ye, 
not  ooc  can  ware  by  othtr  be, 
with  that  worde  he  gan  cajil  «p  hiibrowc 
■Id  i  is  this  not  wifely  ifpoken  i 
^Mhe  god  of  Love  gan  Inkin  rowe 
VOifptU,  and  ihope  him  to  be  wmkeA  | 
teanoD  hit  bowe  was  not  to  broken, 
kinly  he  hittc  him  at  the  full, 
laaproude  a  ptrcockc  can  be  ptil. 
h.t^  %x ivrldc  1  a  bKnde  ('ntcncioun ! 
'i  al  th*  effctftc  contraire 
'  id  foulc  prclumpcioo  ? 
ght  lA  proude  and  caught  u  debonalre  | 
oilu«  is  dotnbin  on  the  lluire^ 
[  wrnith  that  he  mote  difcende  ; 
ly  failith  thing  that  fuli$wendc. 
oudc  Bayard  begin nith  for  to  flcippc 
iie  way  (fo  prickith  him  hi*  c^mc) 
( tftlhe  have  of  the  long^  whippc, 
iiokicb  he  though  I  prauncc  bU  bcfornc 
^e  traifc,  full  f^itc  and  ncwc  iftiornc, 
I  but  an  horfe,  and  hors  *i$  lawe 
|dtirc,  and  with  my  fcf  ii  drawc  ? 
Hit  by  this  fiert  aftd  proude  knight ; 
Hm  worthy  king'is  fonnc  wcre^ 
Old  that  nothing  had  had  fuch  might 
lis  Wil  that  fhould  his  hertl'  ftere, 
h  a  loke  hi*  hcrt  ywoxe  on  fire, 

that  now  wai  mtjft  in  pride  abotc 
Klainly  moftc  fubjcdt  unto  love 
ly  cnlamplc  takJih  of  ihi>  man 
,  proude,  and  worthy  foiki*  all, 
aiii  Love,  whichc  that  fo  fon^  can 
llanie  of  your  hertis  to  him  thral; 
p»  and  evir  Diall  bcfal 
|U  he  thskt  al  tliingls  may  binde, 
I  ouue  fordo  the  law  o(  kiude 
$ 


CRESEIDI. 

That  this  be  r»the  hath  previd  and  doth  yet. 
For  this  (trowe  I)  yc  knowin  al  and  fome. 
Men  rcdin  nat  that  folke  han  gretir  wit 
Than  thci  that  ban  hen  moft  with  love  inomei 
And  ftrcngift  folke  ben  thcrwith.ovircomc. 
The  worthyiil  and  grctift  of  dcgrc ; 
This  was  and  n,  and  yet  man  ftial  it  fe» 

And  tmilichc  it  fittc  wcU  to  be  fo^ 
For  aldirwiiift  han  thcrwith  ben  plcfed. 
And  thci  that  han  ben  aldirmolte  \n  wo 
With  love  han  ben  ccmfortid  fnoft  and  efed^ 
And  oft  it  httth  the  cruili  herte  apffH, 
And  worthy  folke  made  worthyir  of  name. 
And  cauftth  moll  to  drcdin  vice  and  flurnc. 

Now  fith  it  may  nat  godely  be  withfloudc. 
And  is  a  thing  fo  vertiaous  tn  kinde, 
Ne  grodgith  nought  to  Love  for  to  ben  bonde, 
Sithe  a4  him  fclvin  li£l  he  may  you  binde ; 
*ri<e  ftrd^  ii  ttUt  that  i^toin  taol  and  'windc 
T/v«  thai  ih^t  kr*fl  t  and  therfore  I  you  rcdi: 
Folowith  him  that  fo  well  can  you  Icdc, 

But  for  to  tcUin  forth  in  fpcciall 
As  of  this  king  'is  focnc  of  whiche  I  tolde^ 
And  levin  othir  thing  coJIatttall, 
Of  him  thinkc  I  my  tjiIc  forth  toholde, 
Bothc  of  his  joyc  and  of  hi«  c ari-i  colde, 
And  all  hi*  werkc  as  touching  this  materc, 
For  I  it  gan,  I  woi  therto  rcfcrc. 

Within  the  temple  wcnte  him  forth  playing 
This  Troilua  with  every  wighi  about. 
On  thi»  lady  and  now  on  that  toking, 
Whcrcfo  Ihe  were  of  toune  or  of  without ; 
And  upon  cafe  bcHl  that  through  a  rout 
Hi  a  eye  ypcrcid,  and  fo  dcpc  it  went 
Til  on  Crtfcide  it  fmote^  and  there  it  dent. 

And  lodainly  for  wondir  went  aftoncd. 
And  gan  her  bet  hchohlc  in  thrifty  wife; 
Q  mercy,God !  thought  he,  wherehad  thou  wonnc4 
That  arte  fo  faire  and  godely  to  dcvife  f 
Thcrwith  hla  hcrt  began  lo  fpredc  and  rife, 
And  foftc  be  ftghid,  kft  men  might  him  here. 
And  c*iught  aycn  hi*  focmir  playing  chcre. 

She  n'ai  nat  with  the  Icftc  of  her  flat ure^ 
But  al  her  limniisfowcl  anfweriug 
Werin  to  womanhode,  that  creature 
Waf  nevir  lalTc  mannifhc  in  fcming, 
AmA  tfcc  the  pure  wife  of  her  meniog 
She  lliewid  Wtfl,  that  men  might  m  her  gefle 
Houour»  tllatc,  and  womanly  noblclte, 

Tho  Troilus  right  wondir  wcl  witluill 
Gan  for  to  like  her  mcnin  and  her  chert, 
Whiciie  fomdcle  deignou^wasfor  Ihe  let  fal 
Her  loko  a  lite  a  fide,  in  fuche  manere 
Afcauncis,  what  may  I  nat  ftondin  here  ? 
And  aftir  that  her  lokmg  gan  ihe  Ught. 
That  never  thought  him  fcnc  fo  godc  a  Gght 

And  of  her  loke  in  him  there  gan  to  <}uick6li 
5o  grctc  dcfirc  aud  fuche  afll'd^ioun. 
That  inlii*  hert  *j$  bottom  gan  to  lUckca 
Of  her  his  fise  and  depe  imprcirioun ; 
And  though  he  crOt  had  porid  up  and  doun 
Than  wan  he  glade  hi&  hornis  in  to  (hrinke| 
UoACthia  win  he  isow  to  loke  or  wii^kc* 
Yij 


TUplLUS    AKD    CRCSEIDE* 


he  feltcdicn 


#40 

J^  t  he  thit  Ictt  Kim  fclv 
And  fcornid  'hem  that  lov'^ 

WiiA  ful  Uliv^^r      j\iT  I  nvt    ] 

'ilhin  tht 

Light  with  her  bke  the  Ipiritc  in  hibhcrtc:; 
Blcflid  be  Lovtv  that  thu»  can  folltc  convene  I 

She  thus  tu  hljikx  loKing  Ut  Troitus 
Ovfr  al  thing  he  Ihidc  for  to  behoWe, 
'  3iit  hh  dcOrc,  ne  wherefore  he  ftodi?  thus, 

ic  nctrhir  dberc  mnde  nc  worde  thr.Mcnf  toIde« 
*  But  from  afcrrc,  hi*  maufr  for  ti»  holdc. 
Oil  oihir  thing  romtinic  hi»  ioke  he  caft, 
Aiid  efte  on  hit,  while  thitt  the  fcrvicc  1^, 

And  %ftir  this,  not  fully  &11 3^  hxpcd, 
Out  of  the  temple  chUchc  he  weiite, 
"ilcpctiting  him  thatcvtr  he  had  japed 
^f  Lov*i»  folkc,  left  fully  the  difccnte 
yi  (come  £11  on  him  IsH;  but  what  he  incnte 
cflc  it  were  vrtfte  nn  any  nianir  fide 
It  A  wo  he  g;Ln  diAimulin  and  hide, 
Wh.m  he  wau  fro  ^hh  temple  thus  departed 
[He  rtiL'if.ht  anorr »•"♦..  J :.  rv,i .;.. tv,rt.  .|^. 
IKight  ^vith  her  i  d  darted, 

W  fntii;ith  he  ill  i  '«, 

t  all  htfr  chrre  and  Ipecite  alio  he  abnormcth. 
I  sit  cf  t.ov'ii  ftn?nunrei  every  while, 
Himfclfc  to  wric,  zi  *hcm  he  ^n  to  fnnle. 

And  Oiyd«  Ah»  l^ord  I  To  ye  live  all  in  luft, 
Ye  lovir*,  fi»r  the  coniunffifl  of  you. 
That  fervilh  mufl  eiitcntilclichc  and  bcQ, 
llim  tite  ik&oftin  hirmi:  thcmf  a^  prowe; 
|rV«>^r  hire  i*  quite  aycn,  yr»  God  wote  howe^ 
Kot  T/vcl  for>^ele,  but  ikorne  for  godg  fcrvifc  j 
In  faithe  your  ordir  is  ruled  m  gr>dc  wife. 
In  no  icrtoine  ben  your  ohfLrvuunco^ 
But  it  in  a  few  tcly  polnti^  be, 
Nc  nothing  afkcth  fo  gret  ^ttendauncei 
1*  doth  ytiur  laie,  ind  that  knowin  al  ye; 
0ut  that  i%  mit  the  worfl,  as  mote  I  the. 
Bat  toldc  1  which  were  the  word  point,  I  Icve, 
"  1  faid€  1  fothc,  yt  wold  in  at  me  grcvc, 

jj^,^  f  .1,..  *k;.  .  *j,  w  ..,-,  icvirsoftc  dcbewe, 
[Jrtl]  ucion, 

ulcl:    L   ^      .^  ;:  milTcconilrewey 

ind  dcmr  it  harme  in  her  opinion, 
1  yet  if  fhe  for  othir  enehelon 
i  wroth,  then  fhaJt  thoa  have  a  groin  anone  : 
orde  I  wel  ii  him  that  may  bene  of  y«»u  one! 
But  for  al  thi^,  whan  that  he  feetli  hi&  time. 
He  held  hi*  pee*,  non  i^thir  bote  him  gained, 
For  Love  Li  '      ^         -         -     I  rnc, 

rh4t  wel  «  liincd 

r*rhat  odrirL  .,  .  .,.. ,  ...i^d  : 

So  wo  was  hmi  that  what  to  done  he  n'iff. 
But  lad  hU  foljtc  to  gone  where  as  *hen\  lift. 

And  whan  that  he  in  ehumbrc  was  alone 
lie  doune  upon  hit  bi^dd'is  fete  him  fette, 
Ind  firft  he  ^o  to  fike  and  efte  to  gronc, 
\;;d  thonrht  aie  on  hcrfo  wttlmutin  ktte, 
fT'  '     '  '        "     '  ^  fpirite  mciEC 

I'J  ',  jiidali  rht  wife 


Urt 


-irrdr^ 


.,U- 


*I'V,  -  ^     make  a  mirr  ■  - 

In  V  unrhiiil  vv-h. 

It  \\  viature 

1*0  I  .  did  hi*  cu«_ 

To  ftrvin  her  yet  might  hcitim  ( 
Or  rlr.  ff^r  nuc  of  her  fcrvauoiea  pacel^ 

Ik  I  it  ne  travaik  nor  i 

JJc  I  g^odely  an  ane  be  lurfiCf '^^ 

A^  ftje  rit  Jim  lor  bis  dcfire  no  fhvae^ 
A\  wtTc  it  ^viitc,  hot  in  pnfcand  iipbariie 
Of  alii  lo¥ir»»  wel  more  dian  bcforAC. 
ThuA  argunicntid  he  in  ki»  ^rming, 
Ful  unavilld  of  hi«  woconmiio^. 

Thus  lokc  he  purpolie  Lov'it  craftc  I 
And  thought  that  he  wuisld  w^ofkin  | 
Firlk  for  to  hide  all  Id*  dcfire  in  mcwe. 
From  every  wight  ibome  alt  uttirly, 
But  he  might  ought  recoveied  bes  dwrbfp  i 
Remembriu^  him  that  L^w  U  tptde  iiitrtm 
Telt  Liitir/rvte,  miiJtmigi* /kvtte/ede  krj^utt. 

And  ore  al  this  hd  mukU  moix  he  thottf^lit 
What  for  to  fpekc  aiid  what  to  holdiS  iuoc. 
And  what  to  artin  her  to  love  he  foughl, 
And  on  a  fonge  anone  right  to  bcgiottr^ 
And  gan  loude  on  hi»  foruwe  fer  f«  wmnef 
Fur  with  godc  hope  be  ^aa  folly  sfientc 
Crefcida  tor  to  love,  and  nou^  rtfttiU* 

And  of  hi*^  fonge  not  ondy  hi»  ka/banttf 
(As  write  mine  au6our,  cahid  Lollus) 
But  plalndyt  fave  our  ton^'is  difference^ 
J  dtrc  w*cl  Uy  in  al  that  Irmlna 
Snied  in  hi*  frn^e,  b  t  every  wc»ri  rifbt  thai 
A.s  I  flia]  fainc,  and  who  lib  lift  it  hefe 
Lo !  next  tlm  vcrfe  he  may  it  iiJidici  hoe. 
Th^/ii^r  ^  'TttiAwM  tut  ffFamrJk* 

If  no  love  IS,  o  God,  what  felc  1  fb! 
And  if  love  is,  what  thing  and  wlitdic  it  t 
Tf  lovt:  be  gode  from  whence  eofizith  my  wof 
If  it  be  wicke  a  wottdir  thinkixli  me. 
Whan  every  turmeAt  axid  adverfitc 
That  Cometh  of  him  may  to  tne  lairery  thiaWt 
Fur  aye  tnorc;  thurA  I  the  metre  th*t  I  dfili& 

And  if  tl'^t  at  mine  owa^  lull  1  bnoniMi 
From  whence  comiih  my  wadsag  And  iBy| 
If  harme  agrc  mc  whcrto  pbinel  fhm 
\  n*ot  nerc  why  unwery  ^^  I  Iwiite. 
O  tjaiekc  deth  I  o  fwete  harme  fo  qtictQCC  t 
How  may  I  fc  in  me  fochc  quantiie 
But  if  chat  1  confcDtc  that  it  fo  be  f 

And  if  that  1  con&otc  I  wrosgfulV 
Complain e  iwis.  Thus  polEd  to  and  tta^ 
M  flcrclefs  wif  ht  is  in  a  bote,  im  t, 
Amiddc  thi-  JTc  atwixtn  windittwa 
That  in  cortrarie  Hondin  evirmo. 
Alas  I  what  is  this  wondir  maladie  } 
For  hete  C'f  coldc,  fdr  coldfof  hetc,  t  dicw 

And  to  the  god  of  Love  thus  fay  id  ^ 
With  pttous  vnice ;  O  Lordc !  now  ya 
My  fpirite,  whtchc  that  oughtin  \ 
You  thonke  I,Lord^that  han  me  \ 
But  whcthir  goddclTc  or  womin  twU 
She  be  t  o'ot  wldchc,  th»t  ye  do  mefoic^ 
But  a»  her  S'.SkU  1  wol  aic  live  smd  ^cnrc* 


1  iH  her  eyis  mik^iily, 

1 1  if  my  fcrvlcr  or  I 

kC  eftatc  r  e 

r  liaodcf  aaa  w  ,  ,]r  ch^r: 

D  se  floigtif  d  to  f^^ano  blodc  ro^all 
i  etlovzt  wbere&o  loay  God  mc  bk iTc  ! 
Cbrbare  in  no  dc^gre  for  lU 
nc  or  bis  crccUrTit  proweflTifi, 

^>wc  in  difbcfllv 


it!  wife  aicn«we, 
lie  hit  b«wc. 

is  ownc  thought 

6  lo  nx.f  uun  ij 

rcskbtoehsrd. 

'ul  (Tiftln.  Ilk  K, 

'  rncrcffC, 

the  ucrc  he  vMi»*  like  more  he  breikk  j 
ic  tlic  mirc  thi!  fire  the  bottir  isg 
^J)  ktiBnuiihai  thiACosipsury  i 
i  fcfre  or  nc^rc  t  dare  iaac  thk, 
"  I  for  wife* ionif  or  folic, 
Ft*i4t  ishJibrciVii  eye, 
■-  -  V    ■  ^'^  fcnc 

If.  .     _  . ^ .:  in  houre 

UtafcU  a  llioiUxEkk  tiiite<»  h<:  faide* 
'^c\Xr  to  wKooi  I  Urvc  and  lobouro 
-.'r  would  to  God,  Crcfcidr, 
iC  SMC  cr  tkie  1  ilicd<  ; 
.*&  ;  mine  Julc,  and  my  liewc» 
hut  f^  wuli  ou  nic  rcwc. 
!U:r  jr^fiii  wtrin  fr^^ni  Uim  fit:ddc 
'  th'  alTregc  %Dd  liit  ralvacioii, 

c  hcrm^n  while  h«  maicdure  ; 
£,  and  from  hi%  dcih  liis  care. 
'i»  f«il  nf  armi^  pre  ire 
h  f  tKir  hrcthrin  did'i<n 
c  onU  mervc, 
n  went  or  ridden* 
Like  i.cii^  auii  irivgiil  time  abidc^a 
TwoA,  uidirkc  did  fachc  travsiii 
f  lii  iVc  it  wa*  mcrvaili:. 
.  to  the  Grckifthuda 
uf  the  totin, 
e  him  thus  in  arnii*  for  to  mad* 
ly  lo  !  (ot  tliiA  coa£luiioia« 
I  bcr  the  btt  for  his  n rtniij  : 
^  Ui  Aide  ill  at  mil  fo  he  fpcddc 

I  Grckis  a»  tlkc  dcth  him  dredde. 
hi»torthtrlho  left  him  Iotc  his  llepc, 
:  bUfoe,  and  eke  hit  forov« 
L  who  fo  toke  kcpc 

;  both  dfcti*  and  morow 
t  gao  lum  to  borowc 
^k^  mcro  of  lum  wendo 
E  Oit  cruill  lute  him  brcnde  % 


And  Ciicd  he  hy  i  finrir  &fed  ttnii  3 
But  lujw  it  waji  ccrtjiin  I  omuut  fay. 
If  tlmt  hw  ladic  t»otlcrftf>de itat  this. 
Or  fain  id  het  Ihc  ti'ii\,  one  of  the  twric  ; 
But  well  rcdc  1  Hwt  by  no  miuir  wcic 
Nt*  1cm id  it  Aji  if  Iht  on  him  roiijijht. 
Or  of  hi:s  poijjr,  what  io  cvir  he  f  !:r>ught« 

But  thas'     '^-'*  •'■     rr  .  I-    *  .  he  wo 
That  He  V.  r  ate  hi*  drcdfi 

Wi^this'  V       ^^djovidfo 

That  ncr  of  hun  tbe  would  han  takin  hede, 
Fnr  whiche  him  thought  he  felt  his  hert^  bl^k; 
Nc  of  his  wo  nc  durft  he  m}(ig)tA.be^n 
To  tcllin  her  for  alJ  th«  world c  to  wh>. 

But  when  he  had  a  fpacc  left  fnmt  Ms  care. 
Thus  to  hi^nfclf  full  oft  he  gan  to  phiin  ; 
He  fjLtcd,  O  fole!  now  art  thou  in  thcfnaic 
That  whiiom  f^pcdifl  at  1ov*ispain; 
Now  art  thuu  betsi,  now  ft^naw  (hm  own^  chaini 
rliou  wcrt  ait  woncd  cchc  lovir  rcprchcndc 
Of  thing  fro  which  thou  canll  ntt  the  defende* 

What  woH  now  wctj  lovir  faiiic  of  the 
If  this  be  will  ?  but  er  w  thine  abfence 
Laiighin  in  fconic,  aud  fain,  Lo  !  there  gotlt  he; 
That  is  tfic  man  of  fo  j^cte  fapience. 
That  hcldc  as  lovirs  kite  in  rcvcrcocc  : 
Nnw  thankq^i  he  God  he  maic  gon  on  the  daunce 
Of  *hcm  ihat  Love  lillc  feWy  to  avauncc  : 

But  o  tjiou  woful  iVoilus  !  God  wtruld 
CSifhc  tkou  muit  Ittvia  thfoU|^h  thy  dtrtmc) 
rhat  thmi  IjcCet  wcT  c\f  fochc  one  that  flwuld 
Know  all  thy  wo»aU  iackid  her  pitc  J 
But  aU  focoJdc  is  love  towardiisthe 
Thy  ladit}  ti  u  froft  in  ii  intir  monf , 
And  chon  fnrdon  as  Aiowr  id  ftrc  is  Tone, 

God  would  i  were  arivid  in  rhe  poit 
Of  dcth,  to  which  my  forowc  woU  me  Icde! 
Ah»  Lord«!  to  me  it  Wc'c  i  jr^-tc  comfort. 
Than  were  !  quite  of  bnj^uiihing  in  drede. 
For  hy  my  hidde  forowe  ihlowc  io  brcde 
1  iiiAi  bejapid  ben  a  tboufoode  time 
More  thun  that  folc  of  whc^  foly  men  rime- 
But  now  iurlpcGod,  »nd  ye  my  fwcte,  for  whom 
1  plajjie;  icought  ye  nerirwij^ht  fo  fall  : 

0  racrcie,  my  dcrt  hrrte  !  aod  helpe  me  from 
The  deth»  for  I  while  that  my  life  maio  lali 
More  fhaii  my  life  woU  love  you  to  my  bft; 
And  witli  fomc  frcndly  lokc  gladith  mc,  fwceei 

1  hough  aevir  notJiiug  more  ye  me  bchctc. 

Thfffc  wofdi«  and  tull  muDy'  an  othir  mo 
He  fpakc,  Mnd  call  id  cvir  in  hia  pleintc 
Her  name,  to  teUio  unto  her  his  wo, 
TiU  sigh  that  he  tn  falte  terii  waidreinte  : 
All  WAS  for  nought ;  ihc  herd  nat  his  compIiuiit<3| 
And  whu.n  that  he  bethought  on  that  fohe 
A  thnufand  folde  hit  wo  pun  muUplic, 
Bewailing  m  his  ehambir  thus  aJotie 
A  frecdc  of  hi*,  th*it  caUid  was  {*andare. 
Came  oni«  Io  uowarci  iad  herd  him  grone," 
And  fftw  hi»  frend  in  foche  diftreO'e  and  care  ; 
Ahfi  t  (qaod  he)  who  cau£th  all  thi^  fare  f 
O  mcrcic  God!  what  unhap  niaie  thi«  mece  ? 
.  Hai3  n^fiw  khui  fouc  the  Grekii  made  yau  kM 
Yiij 


Or  haft  thou  fome  ttmcrcc  of  confdencc  ? 
And  an  now  fadl  infomc  dcvocioun, 
And  wiUiik  for  thy  fiime  and  thine  olTcnce, 
And  hafl  for  fcrdc  ycought  contricioua  ? 
CQd  favc  *Kcm  th^t  beGcgid  ban  our  toun> 
That  fo  can  laic  our  jolitc  on  prcfle, 
And  bring  our  luilic  folkc  to  holincfle  '. 

Thtfe  word  is  faicd  he  for  the  nonig  all. 
That  with  fuchc  thinghe might  him  angry  makeup 
And  with  his  angre  dorn  bis  forowe  fall 
As  for  a  time,  and  his  corage  awaken  ; 
But  well  win  he,  as  ferrc  as  totigii  fptkcn^ 
There  n'aa  a  man  of  grctir  hardincfle 
Than  he,  nc  more  dd^rid  worth inelTc, 

What  ca*  (quod  Troihis)  or  what  avmCure 
Hath  gidid  the  to  fenc  mc  languilhing, 
That  am  refufc  of  cvrry  crcturc  ? 
But  for  the  love  of  God,  at  my  prayings 
Oo  hence  awaic,for  ccrtl*  my  dying 
WoU  ihc  difcfe,  and  I  mote  nedi*  dcie, 
Tbcrfore  vo  waic ;  there  n*is  no  more  to  fcie. 
But  if  thou  wene  I  be  thus  fickc  for  drede. 
It  li  nat  fo,  and  therefore  fcoroe  me  nought; 
Therv  is  an  othir  thing  1  take  of  hedc 
Wei  more  than  ought  the  Grekis  han  yet  wrought. 
Which  caufe  is  of  mydeth  forforow  and  thought, 
Sut  though  that  I  now  trU  it  the  ne  lede 
Be  thou  nat  wrothc  ;  1  hide  it  for  the  belle. 

Thit  Pandare,  th«it  nigh  malt  for  wo  and  rotith 
Ful  oftin  iaied,  Ala»  !  what  maie  thii  ht  * 
Nowi  frendCf  (quod  he)  if  cvir  love  or  trouth 
Hath  ben  tr  this  bctwixin  the  and  mc 
IJe  do  thou  nevir  fochc  a  cruikc 
To  hidin  fro  thy  fiendc  fo  grete  a  care; 
Wod  thjou  net  well  that  it  am  I  Pandare  ? 
I  woll  partake  with  the  of  all  thy  paine; 
If  it  fo  be  I  doc  the  no  comfort, 
A»  it  i»  frend*i»  right,  fo  the  for  to  ftiincj 
To  cntcrpartin  wo  as  glad  difport 
1  have  and  ihall;  for  true  or  falfe  report, 
In  wrong  and  Tights  iloved  the  alt  my  live; 
Hide  not  thy  wo  from  me^btit  tcU  it  bUve« 
,    Than  gan  thisforowfull  Troilus  to  fike. 
And  faied  him  thus;  Gad  leve  it  be  my  beft 
To  tdhn  the,  for  fit  he  it  maie  the  like 
Yet  woll  I  tell  it  the  thoogh  my  hcrte  breft, 
And  well  wott  I  thou  maidl  do  me  no  red, 
]m  lc!l  thou  demc  that  I  truft  nat  to  the  : 
Now  hcrkin  frcndc,  for  tbui  it  flaijt  with  mc. 

Love,  aye nft  the  whichc  whofo  drfendlth 
Him  fclvtn  mofte  him  aldirlcfl  avaikth, 
With  difpeire  fo  fordy  mc  offendith 
That  ftreight  unto  the  dcth  mine  hert  yfaileth, 
^Thcrto  dclire  fo  brenningiy  me'  afTailcth 
That  to  ben  flain  it  were  a  gretir  joie 
To  mt  than  king  of  Crece  to  be  and  Troic. 

SuflilUh  this,  my  fully  frcnde  Pandare, 
That  I  have  faicd,  for  now  wotcft  thoo  my  wo. 
And  for  the  love  of  God  my  cold^  care 
So  hide  it  well,  I  toldc  it  ni:r  to  mo, 
For  harm  is  niightin  folowen  mo  than  two 
If  it  were  will ;  but  be  thou  m  gladnc/Te, 
Ar4Ut  mc  Aer%e  tmknowc  of  my  diAfciTc, 


How  hail  thou  thu«  unldndciy  a^tt  ^^ 
Hid  this  fro  me,  thou  fole  ?  (quci  Ptodims) 
Paraventurc  thou  maieft  for  fothc  one  loog 
That  mine  avife  anonc  maie  help  in  us. 
Thii  were  a  woodir  thing,  (quod  Truilu^) 
Thou  couldlfl  ncr  in  love  thy  felfin  wiiTc, 
How  devill  niiAidl  thou  bringin  me  to  blilTe 

Ye,  Troilus,  now  herkin,  (quod  PiDdare.) 
Though  I  be  nice,  it  happith  oftin  fo. 
That  one  that  ot  axis  docth  full  ill  lare 
By  godc  counfaile  can  kepc  hii  frcnd 
I  have  my  fclf  yfcinc  a  blinde  man  50 
There  as  he  fell  which  that  could  lokia  widei 

A  whetftonc  is  no.kcrving  inflnimaiCi 
But  yet  it  makith  ftiarpe  kcrring  toU»; 
And  if  thoo  woft  that  I  have  aught  mirwcnti 
Efchuc  thou  that,  for  fochc  thingto  fchok' 
Thus  oftin  wife  men  ben  warin  by  folii ; 
If  thou  fo  do  thy  wit  iA  well  bewared; 
My  bit  contrMry*  is  fvery  tkijr^  dtctsrtd^ 

For  how  might  cvir  fwetncffc  have  be 
To  him  that  nevir  tafkid  bittimelTe  f 
No  man  ne  wot  what  glAdnefTe  is  I  trowe 
That  nevir  was  in  foroWe  or  fome  diftrefle 
Eke  white  by  black,  by  flume  eke  worthinet] 
Eche  fet  by  othir  more  for  Othir  femeth. 
As  men  maie  fcne,and  fo  the  wife  it  dcmi 

Sithe  thus  of  tw^o  contrwica  is  o  lore, 
\  that  in  love  fo  oftin  have  BfTayed 
Grcvatincis  ought  to  ccmnio  well  the  miore 
Counlailin  the  of  that  th«e  «n  difmaied. 
And  eke  the  ne  ought  not  ben  ill  aptied. 
Though  I  deCrin  with  the  for  to  bete 
Thine  hevie  charge  ;  it  fhatl  thehfle  the 

I  wotc  well  that  it  fmrid  thtis  by  ne 
As  to  my  broth ir  Paris  an  hdrdefle 
Whichc  that  yclcpid  wa*  Oenone 
Wrote  in  a  complaint  of  her  hcvinefle; 
Ye  faw  the  Icttir  that  flic  wrote  I  geflc, 
Naic,  nevir  yet  iwis  (cjuod  Troilus,) 
Now  (quod  Pandare)  hcrkinith,  it  was  tbi 

Phcrbus,  tliat  firjl  found  art  of  medicine* 
(Quod  ihe)  ind  coud  in  every  wigttt*bc«i 
Remedy*  and  rcdc  by  herhis  he  knew  fine, 
Yet  10  hlmfelf  his  conning  was  full 
Forl«vc  had  him  fo  boon  din  in  a  fi 
All  for  the  doughter  of  the  King  Adi 
That  aU  his  craft  ne  coud  his  forowc  bctC* 

Right  fo  fare  I ;  unhappily  for  me 
I  love  one  be(l,  and  that  me  fmertith  fcrc« 
AjJd  yet  paravinture  I  can  rede  the 
And  nat  ray  felf ;  rcprtvc  thou  me  no 
I  have  no  caufe  1  wotc  wdl  for  to  fore 
A*  docth  an  battkc  that  liftith  for  to  plait, 
But  to  thine  hclpe  yet  fomwhat  can  !  faie^ 

And  of  o  thing  right  (ikir  maieft  thou  " 
That  certain  for  to  dyin  in  the  pain 
That  I  (hall  nevir  mo  di/covirthe, 
Nc  by  my  trouth  I  kepc  nat  to  rcftnin 
The  fro  thy  love,  although  it  were  Hi 
Tliat  t»  ihy  hrritbiT*8  wife,  if  I  it  wift. 


4 


THOILUS   AND   CRESEIDK. 


S4i 


cfore  15  rrendfuUkhe  in  mc  affure, 

I  mc  pUtte  what  is  thine  cnchefon 

iUl  ciiuCe  of  wo  that  ye  endure, 

huth  nothing  mine  entencion 

t  to  you  of  reprchcnfion 

£  &»  now,  for  no  wight  maie  birev^ 

to  idvc  till  tliat  him  lift  to  levc. 

hercfore  wetith  wd  th;it  both  ben  ▼id*, 

im  >ill  or  cUu  ill  beleve  ; 

1  I  wr»tc  the  mcnc  of  it  no  victf  is, 

0  traftin  fomt  wight  it  a  prcvc 
thf  and  forthy  woul^l  I  fain  remcre 

ttDg  contcipt,  and  do  the  fotiic  wight  thuR, 

1  to  tell,  and  tell  mc  if  the  luft. 
nrlCe  faicth,  Wo  is  him  that  t«  alonei 
i  ll£  bll  he  hath  none  helpc  to  rife; 
lie  thoti  haft  a  felowc  tell  thy  moncj 
oe  it  nought  certain  the  next  wife 
nia  lovr,  at  tech  in  us  ^^c  wife, 

Ic  and  wrpc  a«  Niobc  the  quene, 
tcrii  yet  in  marble  ben  ifcne. 
«  thy  wtping  and  thy  drerincfltf, 
ua  Icflin  wo  with  othir  fpechct 
I  tliy  wofiill  time  femin  the  IcJTe* 
.  Dotkght  in  wo  thy  wo  to  fecht:, 
itbefe  folk  that  ther  forowcs  cche 
irowe  whan  thei  han  mifavinturcj 
^tin  nought  to  fec^hin  othir  cure, 

(aiQc,  7«  xvreUtt  u  tCnftJaiUM 
an  othir  ydott't  in  ku  fiaitrei 
ight  well  to  ben  our  opinion, 
bochc  thou  and  I  of  love  do  plain  ; 
of  forowe  am  I,  fothe  to  faine, 
Ttaioly  as  now  no  more  hard  grace 
r  on  me ;  for  why  ?  there  it  no  fpacc. 
od  wol  thou  art  nought  agall  of  mc 
roold  of  thy  lady  the  bcgilt ; 
fnfk  thy  fclf  whom  that  I  love  parde^ 
ft  can,  gon  fithin  longe  while, 
it  thon  woft  1  do  it  for  no  wile, 
be  I  am  he  that  thou  truflith  mod, 
fomwhat,  fens  al  my  wo  thou  woHlv; 
rroHus  forai  this  no  Wordc  faidc, 
g  he  laic  as  ftill  as  he  dcd  were, 
tir  this  with  fikinghe  abraidc, 
Pandarui  voice  he  lent  his  ere, 
I  hi«  eien  call  he  ;  and  than  in  fete 
,ndarui  Icftc  that  in  a  frenfeye 
lid  yfal,  or  cilis  fon^deyc ; 
laid » Awake,  full  wonder Uche  and  fharpe 
jOfti brill  thou  as  in  a  lethargy  I 
thoti  like  an  alTe  unto  the  harpe^> 
srith  foun,  whan  men  the  Rringia  |fly, 
hi*  mind  of  that  no  melodic 
tikia  him  to  gladjn»  for  tharhc 
it  in  his  befljaljtc  f 

with  ihii  Pandare  of  his  wordit  flenti 
aiiua  to  him  no  thing  anfwerde; 
y  ?  to  CeUin  wat  nought  his  entent 
no  man  for  whom  that  he  fo  ferde| 
s  &id,  M^  mahn  tfU  a  yrde 
fhkk  tht  maiif  it  i^iw^et/e  ibHin 

lie  nui^j  as  thcfe  wife  mco  u-etcti. 


And  nam^tiche  in  hJi  couojarle  fetling 
That  touchith  love,  that  ought  to  ben  fccrc, 
For  of  himfelfe  it  woll  inough  out  fpring. 
But  if  that  it  the  bet  govcmid  be  ; 
tk'j  Tomttmc  it  is  craftc  to  ftmt  to  fle 
Fro  thing  which  in  cffcckc  men  huntin  falle  : 
Al  thi»  gan  Troilu*  in  his  hcrtc  caftc. 

But  nath^lclfc  whan  he  had  bcrdc  him  crie 
Awake,  he  gan  to  fiki  wondir  fore, 
And  l.iyd,  My  frendci  although  that  ftil!  I  lie 
I  n'ani  not  defe ;  now  pece,  and  ctle  no  morCf 
For  I  hivt:  herdc  thy  wordit  and  thy  lore. 
But  fuffir  me  my  fortune  to  bcwailcn, 
For  thy  prove rbis  may  nought  mc  availen  • 

Nor  othir  cure  ne  canft  thou  none  for  mc^ 
Eke  t  n*il  not  ben  curid  ;  I  woll  die  ; 
What  knowin  [  of  the  Qwcnc  Niobe  f 
Let  be  (htneolde  tufamplit, !  the  prey. 
No,  ftrnde,  (quod  l*andaru»)  thcrforc  I  fey 
Kuchc  i:i  deiitc  of  fotit  to  bewcpe 
I'hcr  wo,  but  to  fekin  bote  thei  ne  kepc. 

Now  know  I  that  there  refnn  in  the  faileth| 
But  tclliih  mc,  if  I  wiftc  what  fliC  were 
For  whomc  that  the  al  mifavimuri?  ailcth 
Dtjrflc  thou  trull  that  I  tolde  it  in  her  ere 
Thy  wr>,  fith  thou  darft  not  thy  fdfc  for  fc«. 
And  her  befought  on  the  to  han  fomc  routhe  ? 
Why  nay,  (quod  he)  by  God  and  by  my  trouthe  { 

Wlut !  not  as  bclily  (quod  Pandarus) 
As  though  mine  own^  liifc  lay  in  this  ncdc  ? 
Why  flu,  parde,  tSir,  f  quod  thia  Troitus.) 
And  why  ?  For  that  thou  (houldifl  ncvir  fpede* 
Woit  thou  that  well  ?  Ytr,  that  h  out  of  drcdc, 
(Quod  Troilu?)  for  all  that  er  ye  conne 
She  wol  to  no  fache  wrctchc  as  I  be  wonnc. 

(Quod  Pandarus)  Alaa!  what  may  this  be 
That  ihou  difpairid  irt  thus  c:tufilede  ? 
What  I  livcth  nat  thy  lady  ?  SfntdUtt?  / 
How  Woil  thou  fo  that  thou  art  gracilefTe  I 
Suchc  evil  it  not  alwaie  bot^Icflc ; 
Why  put  not  thus  impolliblc  thy  cure, 
Sithc  thing  to  come  it  ofte  in  avinturc  ? 

I  prjuntin  well  that  thou  cndurift  wo 
A^  fharpc  as  doth  he  Tityut  in  hell, 
Whofc  (lomakc  fouUs  tirin  cvir  mo 
That  hightin  Vulturis,  as  bokit  tell; 
But  I  may  not  endurin  that  thon  dwell 
In  fo  unikilful  an  opinion 
That  of  thy  won^is  nccuracion; 

But  onU  n'ilt  thou  for  thy  cowarde  hertCi 
Add  for  thine  ire  and  folifh  wnfuineflfe. 
For  waniruil  tellin  of  thy  forowe*  fmerte, 
Ne  to  thine  own^  hclpc  do  befiHefle 
Ai  moche  as  fpcke  a  wordc  yc  more  or  leflc, 
But  licit  as  he  that  of  life  nothing  rctchc  : 
What  woman  living  coude  love  tuchc  a  wrctchc  f 

What  may  (he  demin  othir  of  thy  detbe, 
Yf  thou  thus  die,  and  Ihc  n*ot  why  it  ii. 
But  tlut  for  fere  ityoldin  up  thy  brcthe 
For  Grtkis  han  bcliegid  Ui  iwis  ? 
Lord  I  which  a  thaiike  Ihalt  thon  have  than  of  t 
Thus  wol  (he  faine,and  althe  toune  atones. 
The  wretch  it  dedf  the  divcl  Y^^xt  ht4  kd&iH 
Y  iiij 


TRdri.trS    AND    dRESEIDf. 


I 
I 


I 

» 

I 
I 

I 


Thou  nialAc  slonc  her  wcpc,  and  crie,  and  knele, 
And  love  ii  wvniiin  that  flic  woic  it  nought'. 
And  flic  wol  cjuitc  it  that  thou  flult  not  fcic, 
Uiiknuw  iiiikift»aod  loft  that  is  rnifought. 
What  f  many  a  man  hath  love  fiil  dcte  ahought 
Twenty  wintir  that  hi<liidy  nc  witk, 
*i'hat  nd'vcr  yet  his  ladtc's  motithc  he  kiHr. 

What!  fhouid  he  thcHbrc  fallin  in  dilpiiirc. 
Or  be  ffcrLauntfi  for  Kit  own**  tcnc» 
Or  Qain  himfeL^i  all  be  hh  ladie  Taire  f 
Kate^oaic  ;  htit  er  in  ont;  be  Crcfti  and  grene. 
To  ftTvc  and  love  ay  his  dcre  heft'i*  quriicj 
And  thinfcc  tt  h  a.gucrioticher  to  fervc 
A  thoufandc  folde  more  than  he  can  defcrvc^ 

And  of  chal  word^  toke  hcde  '|'roihis 
And  thought  anfltie  what  folic  he  Was  m^ 
And  hr>w  that  fothe  him  fayid  Paodanw, 
That  for  to  flaea  himfcymight  he  not  win. 
But  horhc  to  docn  immanhodc  and  a  Hunt, 
And  of  his  dcth  hit  kidie  notight  to  wite, 
l?or  of  his  wo  God  wot  fKe  knewc  full  lite. 

Asd  with  that  thought  he  gan  ful  fore  to  {ikc. 
And  faicd,  Alas !  what  is  mc  bdl  to  doe  ? 
To  whom  Puidare  anlwerid.  If  the  like 
The  bed  ra  that  thoa  tell  me  all  thy  wo, 
And  hav«  my  trotith  but  if  thou  find  it  £» 
I  be  thy  bote  or  that  it  ben  full  long 
T^  pccid  doc  mc  drawe  and  Othin  hoog. 

Ye,  fy  faiefl.  thou,  (cjuod  Trotlus)  alat  ! 
But  God  wot  it  is  naught,  the  ruthir  fo 
Full  hsrdc-  It  were  to  hclpin  in  thii  c&afy 
For  weli  fiadc  I  that  f  urtune  is  my  foy 
Neall  the  men  that  ridin  con  or  go 
Maie  of  her  cniill  whtlc  the  harmc  withHond, 
For  af  her  lift  (he  plaieth  with  fre  and  bond. 

(C^ckd  Pai]daru«)  Than  blaiiiift  thou  FortttDc 
For  thou  art  wroth  ye  now  at  erfl  I  fc ; 
Woft  thou  not  wel  that  Fortune  i«  commube 
To  every  mactr  wight  in  fome  degrc  f 
And  yet  thou  haft  thia  comfort,  lo  !  pardc. 
That  as  her  joyia  motin  oyirgonc 
fio  mote  her  forowes  pafPin  cvcrichofit. 

For  if  her  whcle  ftiiit  any  thing  to  toume 
Than  ccflith  fhe  rortunc  auonc  tube; 
Jiow  fith  her  whelc  by  no  waic  maie  fojoum 
What  woft  thou  of  her  mutaln^te  i 
lUght  a*  thy  fclf  loft  (he  WoU  done  by  the. 
Or  that  (he  be  nought  fcrrefro  thine  helpings 
Jpinvintwre  thou  h»|l  caufe  For  to  (Inf. 

And  Uierforc  woll  tliou  what  f  the  hefechc  i 
Let  he  thy  w^o  and  tourniug  to  the  grottt>de. 
For  who  to  li{le  hare  heling  of  his  lechc 

?o  hi*n  bihoviih  fiHi  uiiwric  his  wouxkdc ; 
o  Ccrhcms  in  hcU  aic  be  1  l^und, 
W^cfc  It  ck,«  for  my  fuftir  all  thy  Cbrowe, 
^  lAff  ode  will  £be  fhottld  be  thine  to  morowc, 

Lokc  pp  t  ^^i<^t  luid  tcU  tnc  what  Ihe  i« 
Auone,  that  I  maic  gone  about  thy  ntde. 
Know  I  her  aught  ?  for  my  love  tell  lue  thii. 
Than  would  I  hope  the  r  ?"      '         Ipedc. 
Tfco  gwa  the  ■wine  of  Ti .  ., 

For  he  ir»»  h>t,Aiulwoxc  ^ii  u  uuc  ior  Ihamc 
Aha  1  {i^uoi  pindvt}  here  bi^imtith  guoc 


And  with  that  wordc  h^  g^  Kim  for  to  fiukr. 
And  faicfihim  ihusThcfc^thou  ihalthcr  tiameuki 
But  tho  g^n  (ely  Troilui  for  to  quake, 
A 9  though  men  Diould  han  had  him  into  bcl| 
And  faictl,  Alas  !  of  aU  my  wo  the  wcU 
Than  i»  my  fwete  foe  caiUd  Crefcide  ; 
And  wcU  nigh  with  that  word  for  fere  he  « 

And  whan  tJiat  Pliodarehfrd  her  i 
Lorde  1  he  w^s  gtad,  and  fayid,  Frend  fo  dcf^ 
Now  fare  a  right,  for  Jov^ii  name  io  licvcn 
Love  hath  bcfct  the  well :  be  of  gode  chcrc, 
Ftir  of  gude  name^  and  wifodom,  and  ntaacrV'-i 
She  hath  iiiough,  and  eke  of  gentifinefie  : 
ff  flic  be  fiairc  ihou  wolt  thy  fclf  I  gc0e. 

Kc  ncvir  feie  i  a  m^rc  bottntcoos 
Of  hrr  c0ate,  nc  gUddir,  nc  of  fycthe 
A  frcndlicr,  DC  none  miJre  gradoui 
For  to  doc  well,  nc  lafTe  had  nedc  to  feditf 
What  for  to  docjt,  and  aU  this  bet  to  eche 
In  honour  (o  at  trrre  as  Ihe  may  ibrctche  ; 
A  king  ji  htrtc  femith  bjr  lier's  a  wrvtchc. 

And  forthy  ioke  of  gode  comXorte  thou  he^ 
For  certainly  the  firilc  poAite  i«  thi« 
Of  noble  coragCj  and  wclc  ordAine  the 
A  man  to  have  pece  with  hinifclfc  iwit; 
5k>  otightift  thou,  for  nought  bm  gode  tt  li 
To  luvin  wel  a:ul  in  a  worthy  place  g 
The  ought  not  to  clcpio  it  hap{>c  but  gracf^ 

And  oifo  thmke,audchcrwitJ)  gladdsatli^| 
That  fith  thy  lady  vertvonsiftaJi, 
So  fcrhiwcth  it  that  there  i*  £umc  pite 
Ainon^ifs  all  thcfc  othir  in  geacraU, 
And  for  thei  fe  tliat  thou  in  i)>ecuill 
ftcqutrift  nought  tfkut  t»  ayen  her  crtimf. 
For  Vcrtuc  fhrcuhstk  BtH  htmfclfc  to  ikamc* 

But  wel  ift  me  that  evir  I  wa*  borne 
That  thou  bcfct  art  in  fb  gode  a  p!fteev 
For  by  my  trouth  in  lovm  t  duri^  bftVf  fi 
The  Hioutd  ncvir  have  ddde  fo  fMrc  at  gnee; 
And  woft  you  why  ?  f«r  tliou  were  went  to 
At  Love  in  fcomcand  ibr  dilpite  haaa  adi 
Saint  Idiotc,  lord  of  thck  folia  all. 

Hnw  oftin  ^ft  chon  madin  tkf  nksjqpcil 
And  faied  t li^t  Lov'it  fenrmufttei  cverkhant 
Of  nicete  ben  very  go^k  apes 
And  fome  of  them  wooU  mcnchetiier  «Kti  ilo*e 
l'^:-:i::ir'K  ^  bedde,  add  mak?  ilcni  for  to  gryi?«c, 
An  A  imnt:  thfm  fatdift  had  abU«lclie  fievrre. 
And  pruidiil  0<»<1  thei  fliouid  nrvir  kc^erf : 

And  foToe  of  *hcm  toke  on  "hecib  for  riic  c4d 
More  tiiun  inovgh  ;  £^  faidift  thoo  Ml  «||* 
And  fume  bioi  hhtiiA  afeiii  eame^  oMl  iKil^a 
How  that  diet  waki«  whan  thei  llcfnii  M» 
And  thu^  thei  wouM  have  Hot  Htem  1leHMt4 
And  riath'  leflhc  were  itnJir  at  the  laltci  , 
Thus  fa^jtlift  thou,  iOc 

Yet  faidift  th6L 
Thcfc  lovirs  wotil 

^\nd  thoughdn  tl:  ^f% 

For  failing  for  to*  aflayin  omt  •]!  . 
Now  maic  t  jape  of  tlic  if  that  I  ihatlj 
ButnathslelTc  although  tkail  f 
Thou  auiKioc  of  t^o  I  dare  wcU  i 


TRO1L05    AND    CKtS^WIu 


bete  thy  bred,  and  Ikie  to  god  of  Lovt, 
^,  o  Lordl  for  now  I  me  repent 
|;aki:,  for  now  my  UU  I  loTt ; 
k  with  all  thine  hcrt  in  godc  estent. 
Proilu^}  Ah,  JLorde  T I  mc  confcot^ 
lie  to  the  rny  j.ipis  thou  forycre, 
i«  more  vrtU  jipc  while  that  I  live, 
frkft  w«U^(c|uodPatida.rt:)and  now  I  hope 
ou  the  go^'i*  writh  b%l^  xl  &pcfcd; 
tin  Ummi  htA  wrptin  many'  a  drope, 
d  Juob  thtfif  wherwith  thy  god  i$  plcfed, 
Mild  Oo4  nevir  but  that  thou  were  clcd» 
nke  wcU  Che  of  whom  rtril  all  thy  wo 
Ir  maic  f hy  <xnnfort  ben  aUb. 
Will  *    -lat  brrith  the  wcdii  wickc 

ek-:  lome  hcrbis  a,^  foU  oft, 

tteto  ijj;^  iuuic  oettic  rough  und  thkkc 
h  ywcxith  fotc,  and  fmotJic,  and  foft, 
ct  the  valcy  is  the  hifj  ajoft, 
(T  the  derk^  night  ii  the  glad  morowe, 
>]iuc  IK  next  the  fine  of  forowc. 
lokc  that  i^*cll  attcmprc  be  thy  bridell, 
the  bcft  aie  fufTrc  to  the  tide, 
iHl  OUT  labour  is  on  idcM  : 
i>  tvr//  iktt  v-^i/ttj  tan  eLitt^, 
ent  and  fmc,  and  ale  well  hide  : 
tjire  ;  peffever  infervife, 
b  well  if  thou  wcrkc  in  thia  wife  : 
le  that  partid  is  in  every  place 
ere  whole,  as  writin  cicrkis  wife  ; 
mdir  i«  if  foche  one  have  no  grace  ? 
I  thoD  how  it  fareth  of  ram*  fcrvife  I 
tm  tTc  or  herbc  in  fondric  wife, 
ihe  moftiwc  poll  it  up  as  hlive, 
dir  is  though  it  maic  ncvir  thrive, 
lih  the  god  of  Love  hath  the  belkowcd 
digne  unto  thy  worthinciTe, 
all,  for  to  a  gode  port  haft  thou  rowed, 
Lby  fclf  for  any  bcvine/fe 
wajc  well;  for  but  if  drcrinefTe 
\:kSt  doe  our  bothc  hbour  fhcnde 
f  this  to  makin  a^ode  ende, 
Iroft  thou  why  }  1  am  the  lafTc  afercd 
natter  with  my  nccc  for  to  trcte, 
have  Iherd  faie  of  wile  and  hrtd, 
rfr  man  or  woman  yet  bcyetc 
«  onapt  to  fuffrc  lov'i*  bete 
I;  or  clU»  love  of  kinde ; 
bme  grace  1  hope  in  her  to  fiode. 
Cir  CO  fpcke  of  her  in  fpeciall, 
ate  to  Lcthinkin  and  her  youthcj 
nought  lo  ben  celcHiall 
hough  thai  her  both^  lift  nnd  kouthc; 
bijr  it  (it  her  well  right  nouihc 
■ftfiight  to  loviii  and  cherice, 
^Bdoe  J  holdc  it  for  a  vice. 
^B 1  tm  and  woU  be  aie  redy 
Ipe  fo  do  you  tlm  fervice, 
ptf  yoftt  to  plelin  ;  thin  hope  I 
fWirdis,  for  ye  ben  bothc  wife, 
«incounfaj]e  kcpe  in  foche  a  wife 
f  man  fliall  the  ^ifir  of  it  be  ; 
imjuc  bcii  gbddiO  ^M  thrp. 


And  by  my  trouth  I  haT«  right  now  of  the 
A  gode  concett  in  my  wit  as  I  gefiic. 
And  what  it  ti  I  woll  now  th^t  thou  fc  ; 
1  think  that  fithin  Love  of  hi»  godenefCb 
H.ith  the  convcrtid  out  of  widtidfirfle 
1  hat  thou  (halt  ben  the  bcftf  pod  I  Icve 
Of  at]  hi^  bit,  andinoflch'i»  (oin  gteve, 

£nfaiktplc  why,  fe  now  thefc  grrte  clcrkjfA, 
Tfiat  errin  aldin|;oAe  aycnrall  I  awe. 
And  ben  coovtrtid  from  thcT  wl^d  werket 
Throiigli  grtice  of  dad,  that  IdtlienitohimdrMrrg 
Than  arnc  thci  folk  that  han  mcift  OoiX  m  awe^ 
And  £lrcngifl  fsithid  ben  1  Badirftondc, 
And  con  itn  ertour  aldtrbell  withAonde. 

WhanTfoilus  had  herdc  Pandare  aHcnteJ^ 
To  ben  his  hclpc  in  b\4ng  of  Crefeide 
He  wtit  of  wo,  at  who  faith  uiitnrnicnred, 
Btit  hottijr  west  his  love ;  and  than  he  faJdc 
With  fobre  cliiere,  aa  though  hi*  berte  yplaiJr/ 
Nnw  blisfuU  Venus!  hclpc  er  that  I  flervc. 
Of  the,  Pandare,  I  now  fom«  thanke  deferve. 

But,  dcre  frcndc,  how  flial  my  wo  be  IcITc 
Till  this  be  done  ?  and,  gode  now,  tell  mc  thif. 
How  wolt  thou  fiinc  of  me  and  my  diflrvflc. 
Left  lb  I-  be  wroth  ?  this  drcdc  i  moft  iwl*. 
Or  wol  not  herin  al  bow  that  it  i^ : 
Al  this  drede  I,  and  eke  for  the  maaere 
Of  the  her  eme  fbe  n*il  no  fuchc  thing  h^re. 

CQond  Pandanis)  Thou  hai)  a  fiiigrcte  care 
I>cfl  that  the  chorle  may  fii  out  of  the  mone. 
Why,  Lordc!  I  hate  of  the  the  nice  fare; 
Why  cntrcmctc  of  that  thou  haft  to  done  ? 
For  Godd'ift  love  I  bide  the  a  bone  ; 
So  let  mc*  alone,  and  it  ihal  be  thy  bcfl. 
Why ,frendc,  (quod  he)  than  done  right  an  the  left  i 

But  herke,  Faudarc,  o  worde,  for  1  nc  woldc 
That  thoa  in  mc  wcndift  ia  gretc  folic 
That  to  my  lady  I  dclirin  fhoide 
That  tcuchith  hannc  or  any  vihnte. 
For  drcdilcffe  me  were  Icvir  to  die 
Than  fhc  of  mc  aught  ellii  undcrftodc 
But  that  might  yfawnin  into  gode. 

Tho  lough  Piindare,  and  anon  anfwcrdf. 
And  J  thy  borow'  ?  lie  !  no  wight  doth  but  fijj 
I  ne  raught  not  although  Ihc  Aode  and  herde 
How  that  thoD  faidl :  but  (arcwcU  I  wol  go  ; 
Adieu  ;  be  glad  :  Cod  fpcde  u«  both^  two  ! 
Yevc  mc  thii  labour  andthitbufincfle 
And  of  my  fpcdc  be  thine  al  tlK  fwctnc». 

Tho  'f>uilus  on  knees  gan  doune  to  fall,. 
(And  Pandare  in  hi»anni»  hcntc  him  faili^ 
And  faide,  Nowc  iie  upon  the  Grekis  all  I 
Yet  parde  God  fhal  hclpm  at  the  lad. 
And  drcdilcfle  if  that  my  life  may  lall. 
And  Ood  tofornc,  to  \  fome  ol  'hem  (hal  fhjerfp; 
And  yet  mc  athinkcth  that  this  avaunt  m'aflertc* 

And  now,  Pandare,  I  can  no  more  Wy^ 
But  thou  wife,  thou  woft  thou  nanill  t  thou  art  a]; 
My  lift',  my  dcth,  hole  in  thine  honde  I  by, 
Heipe  me  (tjuod  he.)  Yes,  by  my  trouth  1  fijal, 
God  yeldc  the,  frmidc,  and  tliis  In  fpcciiii, 
(QuodTroilui  that  thou  mc  rccommaunde 
To  her  that  may  mc  ta  the  dcth  €oittmawtti>» 


346 


TROILUS   AND   CRESEIDE, 


ThiiPsmdanw  tho,  dcfiroui  to  fcrrc 
Hi»  fill  frctida,  tho  faidc  in  this  manerc ; 
Farwcl,  and  tbinkc  I  wol  thy  thanke  dcfcrvc, 
Have  here  my  trouth,  and  that  thou  (halt  well  here; 
And  went  his  way  thinking  on  this  tnaterc, 
And  how  be  bed  might  her  befeche  of  gracCj 
And  find  a  kfurc  thcrto  and  a  pbce. 

For  every  wight  that  hath  a  houfe  to  found 
He  rencith  nat  the  wcrke  for  to  bcginne 
With  raktl  hondc,  but  he  wol  bide  a  ftouodi 
And  fcude  hit  hert*it  liiie  out  fro  within, 
Thu«  aldirfirft  his  purpoTe  for  to  witine, 
As  this  Pandanu  in  his  hcrt'is  thought 
Did  ca(l  hit  werke  full  wifely  cr  he  wrought* 

But  Troiluft  lay  tho  no  lengir  doun, 
But  up  anon  gat  upon  his  fkede  baie» 
And  Id  the  feldc  he  playid  the  Houn; 
Wo  was  that  Grcke  that  with  him  met  that  daic : 
Aad  in  the  lounc  hu  manir  tho  forthe  aae 


So  gtidcly  was,  and  gat  hjm  fo  in  gncte«' 

Tint  cchc  him  loved  that  tokid  in  his  face. 

For  he  becamin  the  moftfrcndly  wight. 
The  gcntilii^,  and  ckc  the  mode  frt. 
The  truIbyiH,  and  one  the  befte  knighl, 
That  in  his  time  was  or  elJis  might  be  t 
Ded  were  his  j apis  and  his  cmijce, 
Dcd  hts  higli  porte  ajid  all  his  manir  itraun|e, 
And  echc  of  *hem  gan  for  a  vertuc  chauogc* 

Now  let  us  (Hot  of  Troihis  a  Aoundc, 
That  fcrith  like  a  man  that  hurt  is  fore. 
And  is  fomdele  of  aking  of  his  wounde 
YlelTid  wcl,  but  helid  no  dele  more. 
And  as  an  ely  pacieot  the  lore 
Abite  of  him  thatgoth  about  hi*  cure. 
And  thus  he  drivith  forth  hU  svinture. 


TROILUS  ^  CRESEIDE. 


^mct^  blacke  wawis  let  vs  falle, 
^  o  windc !  the  wcdir  giiiDith  ckrt| 
le  fe  U»  bote  hath  fuchc  tmvaile 
SjQOniiig  that  uDntth  I  it  Acre  : 
^kpe  1  the  tcmpciloQs  matere 
dilpatre  that  Troilu*  w%«  in ; 
'  of  hdp«  the  kalcndift  bcgio. 
p  nuDc,  that  calHd  vt  Clio ! 
tmy  fpedc  fro  thU  forthc,  and  my  Mufe^ 
wcl  tlus  fiokc  til  1  have  do; 
th  here  DODc  othir  art  to  ufe ; 
'  f  to  every  lovir  I  me*  excuTe 
HO  fentlmciit  1  this  endttc, 
of  Latin  in  my  tongue  it  write, 
fore  I  n'il  have  ocithir  thaiikc  oe  blame 
lit  Worke,  but  praic  you  mckily 
ith  me  if  any  wordc  be  lame, 
Line  au^our  fayid  fo  fay  I ; 
igh  I  fpeke  of  love  anfclingly 
lir  i»,  for  it  nothinge  of  ncwc  i»  i 
ip«jt  CMt  not  juJ^ift  ttWifl  hrwh^ 
r  cike  that  ith  fonne  of  fpcche  ii  ch&ungc 
\  thoufande  ycre,  and  wordis  tho 
Llin  priic  now  wondir  nice  aud  fh-aungc 
'hoDy  and  yet  thei  fpake  *hcm  fo, 
|«i  wd  ia  love  ai  mco  qow  do  \ 


PROCEMIUM 


LIBRI  SECUNDI. 


'  £ke  for  to  winatn  lore  to  fondry  age» 
In  foa dry  londia  fondry  ben  ufages* 

And  forthy  if  it  happe  in  any  wife 
That  here  be  any  lovir  in  thii  place 
That  herkeneth,  as  the  ilory  wol  dcvije. 
How  Troilits  came  to  his  ladie*^  grace, 
And  thlnkith  fo  n*olde  I  not  love  purchacef 
Or  wondrith  on  hi&  fpcche  or  Kx%  doyog, 
I  n'ot,  but  It  is  to  me  no  wondring : 

For  every  wjght  whichc  that  to  Rome  ywcDl 
Halt  nat  o  pathe  ne  alway  o  mancrc  ; 
Eke  in  fomc  londe  were  al  the  game  yfbent 
Yf  that  men  farde  in  love  as  men  don  here, 
Asthuf,  in  opin  doyng  or  in  chere, 
In  viGting,  in  forme,  or  faid  our  fa  wed ; 
For  thiw  men  faine,  Ecbe  c&rnnin  6alh  bij  lawti. 

Eke  karcety  ben  there  in  this  place  thrc 
That  haire  in  love  faid  like  and  don  in  aj^ 
For  to  this  purpofc  this  maie  likin  the. 
And  the  right  nought,  yet  al  is  done  or  £hal; 
£kc  omc  men  grave  in  tre,  fame  in  (taae  wal, 
As  it  betide  ;  but  fiihe  I  have  bt-^onne, 
Mine  authouf  ihall  I  folow  a^  f  konne. 


3it 


TROILUS    AND    CRESEIDi:- 


LIBER  SECUNDUS. 


I 
I 


I 


Tn  May,  that  mothir  U  of  monethls  gladf. 
That  the  (rcflic  flouris  all,  blcw»  \^liitc,  and  rcdc, 
Ben  quicke  aycn  that  wintir  dcd  hatl  ciade, 
And  full  of  baumc  b  fleting  every  tticdc, 
Whan  that  Phoebus  doth  hh  bright  hcnni«  fpred 
Right  in  the  white  Bole,  right  fo  it  hctiddc, 
As  T  {hal  ftngc,  on  May  is  day  tile  tKrtddc^ 

That  Pattdarus,  for'afl  hi*  -wife  J\»cchc, 
Fcltc  ckc  hh  parte  of  Lov'ii  (bottis  kcnc, 
That  coudc  he  ncr  fo  well  of  loving  prcchc 
It  made  his  hcwc  al  daie  ful  oftin  grene  ; 
So  (hope  it  that  him  fill  that  day  a  tcne 
Id  love  for  whichc  in  wo  to  bedde  he  went. 
And  made  cr  it  were  day  full  many'  a  went. 

The  fwalow  Prognc  with  a  forowful  lay, 
Wiian  mnrow  cocne,  gan  Eiskc  hcf  waimcntiiig 
Why  flic  forfhapin  was  i  acd  evtrlay 
Pandarc  abed  halle  in  a  {lombcring'i 
Til  flic  fo  nigh  him  made  her  waimcnting. 
How  Tcrcii*  gaii  forth  her  fuRir  take. 
That  with  the  no  I  r      '  '       ■  .  j^an  awake. 

Art  J  to  calif  anl  ii  up  to  rifcj 

Renicmbf  ing  hiai  i  -sai  to  done 

From  I'roilus,  an.l  >  te  eniprtG;, 

An-l  r^a    unA  lrr,r  ^.[Ltc  wis  thc  nUJiic 

T  way  fuU  func 

V  ^  "idcr 

Now  jaimt^  ^od  of  £ntrc,  tiiou  Kim  gidc  ! 

Whan  he  was  come  unto  his  ncc*is  place, 
Where  is  my  lady,  to  her  foikc  (tjuod  he  ?) 
And  thci  hini  lotde,  and  he  fortiic  in  ^^  p^^» 
And  foundc  twuothir  ladies  fit  and  (Kc 
'U^tthin  a  pavLd  parlour,  ^od  thci  thfc 
Hcrdin  a  maidin  'h        '    '■    ■*     -^c 
Of  thc  ficgc  of  Tt  >  Icfte. 

M«danie«  <juod  i ,  ^  ..  ;  .u  favcaad  fc. 

With  a1  your  boke  and  ai  the  compiirdc  ! 
Eiglie  !  undle  mine,  welcome  iwis,  (quod  flic) 
Atid  up  (be  rofc,  and  hj  thc  honde  in  hie 
JShc  tokc  hini  fuft,  and  fayid,  Tbje  mght  thrye, 
To  godc  mote  it  yturne,  of  you  I  nicue ; 
And  with  that  word  {he  doun  on  bench  him  fet. 

Ye,  ficce,  ye  fliuUin  f;irlu  wcl  the  bet, 
Tf  God  w*d,  al  thi»  ycrc,  (quod  Piudam?) 
£ut  t  cm  fory  that  J  have  you  Ux 


j  To  hcrkin  of  your  hokc  ye  praifin 
For  GoJdMs  love  what  faith  it  ?  t. 
K  it  of  love^?  lome  godc  ye  ^^  ■' 
Uncle,  (quod^c)  your  m*^' 

With  thut  tlici  gonni"  luu^    , 
This  romauncc  i*  of  Thchis  that  we  icde. 
And  we  hare  hrrd  hinr  that  King  l^auis  JeidlJ 
Through  Ocdipws  his  fonoc,  and  all  the  ded£| 
And  here  we  ftindn  at  thefc  Utters  rcdc 
How  thc  bifhop,  as  thc  boke  can  yrcU, 
Ampliiorai,  fill  through  thc  i;roundc  to  KelL  ; 

(Qijod  Pane  r-us)  AH  *'      '      ^  I  my  felt*,'' 
And  A  th*  afiicgc  of  'i  <c  care. 

For  hcrt»f  ben  th^e  m-l.. ,.  iwcltif  j 

But  let  be  this,  and  leJi  me  how  ye  f4r«  j 
Do*  way  your  barb«,  and  Hicu  vojf  tu' ' 
Do' wjy  yourhokc:  n  tj( 

And  Iti  us  done  lo  M^  _ 

Eighe !  Cod  forbid  !  (^uod  iL.)  Wtat  *  \ 
mad  I 
Is  tliat  a  widowc'*  UTe,  to  C    " 
Parde  you  nUkiii  we  right  l- 
Ye  bene  fo  wildc  it  fcin    '^  -> 

It  fat  mc  wtl  bcttir  ik 
To  bide,  and  rede  «  -^  i  ' r 

Let  maidit]!  gun  : 

As  evir  thrive  ^ 
Yet  couidc  r  tel  A 
Now  unck  dcr^  ['  . 
For  Godd'is  love 
I  am  of  Greki*  fr 
Nay,  nar,  T* 
It  15*  a  thinji: 

Ye,  holy  •: 
Whit!  beir 


My  wit  lifor  to 
Ashclpc  me  n<^d 

Ahd  I  yc 
This  thing  1 
And  why  U 
By  God  (qu 
For  proiidir  »  - ..- 1 


he  tiiunc  of  TroK  t 

h  flic  to  wmBdriB  oicirc  tliaii  bcfcjine 
^  foUc,  and  douBc  her  eyhi  cdb^ 
.,-,^  »ir  ,f  (^f.  ^a*  bore 

,  it  the  laft, 
pi  0*11  yiou  not  difplcfe, 
i  may  do  you  dtfdr. 
thii  wfth  n«my  wt>rdii  'gUde 
illy  i7i!i»,  and  w>rh  mfTy  chcr*-, 
11.I  r  i  wade 

n  -  :tcrc, 

arj  Tficj  r»cri  niict  ticrg, 

t  how  Hedtor  fcnk, 


acfoldc  a 

K 


fln4     t  '.rf  f^r-i  m 


•He, 


fif¥try  V- 
pitbc  and  alic 


'uodc, 

'mundr. 


nd  worthincfle. 
cntCf  (quad  ihe)  that  likifh  mc 
Giid  lAVe  'hcai  both^  rwo  t 
I  bolde  it  a  grcte  dclLtc 
i«  in  arnus'W«t  to  do, 
le  ctmdidcmt  then  a, 
'  and  nviral  vtrttic  here 
unc  pcrfoiie  iferr. 
4J11C  if  f*>th&,  ^<;|tiod  Pandnrufi} 
itKe  kiog  hath  fcn^nl*  tM»cy, 
or  and  Troilus, 
h  that  f  fhoiflH  ydey 
vicif,  dtrc  1  Ity^ 
ir  foar.c  5 
ftnd  what  thd  conRC. 


:  of  venue  hath  th&n  fnighfi 
fjtii  BJtfty*  a  wife  and  wortliy  kiiight  : 
t  of  TroiJui  I  fey  : 
I  koowc  not  fuchc  twcy. 
Mcdor  that  i»  fothe, 
1  thing^  truwc  !, 
-'  -f  he  doibe 

..     .gently 

;  ai  ftxU  lath  he 

«9c  krift  ptniCid  be, 

iTibAe  iwit,  (tjood  Pandanit) 

»  fo  hud  «r'ith  Kim  be  a 

'  t  thickc  a  fwijine  of  been 
t^fth  from  hiai  gatYoin  Accii, 
gh  4bc  foldc  in  crery  wight'h  ere 
I  no  cri^  ^   •  'v^^.i,..  \f  ihcrc] 
PC  mm  r  rid  'hem  fo  faft 

1  fell!  <";  .,tid  Tr«ilyj; 

and  ktm  aJ  ilottti  he  csf( ; 
.11  tt  «n»«rrayid  thus  : 
u  dieti»|  Aod  fluJdc  ^d  life  for  qp, 


That  a»  that  d»y  thcr  durft  him  nnne  withftmide 
WfiHe  tiatlirlMMe  lut  hloily  fwrrde  in  honde. 

Tbcrto  he ii  fhc  frcndiJyift  man 
Of  grct  eftate  th«  cr  I  fawc  my  live^ 
And  where  him  Kfte  the  Iwrft  fclowfhip  caa 
To  fucht  as  him  thinkiih  abk  to  ttirive. 
And  with  thiC  wondtfao  Pandafus  •«  bUv4 
He  tcfet  Jiitlaice,  and  faid  I  Wol  g^on  heti 
Nay,  blame  h*Fe  I,  mync  itnelr,  (^od  (he)  I 

What  rihth  yon  to  be  thus  wcry  fonej 
And  njnuijicrhc  of  women  wol  ye  f6  ? 
Naie,  ittirhdotine;  iiarUe  I  have  to  done 
With  you  to  fpcke  of  wifdame  er  ye  go; 
And  every  wi^ht  that  wa*  about  *hrm  thd 
That  hrrdc  that  jgan  ferrt  awaic  to  (londe. 
\\  hric  ihci  rwr*  had  sJ  that  '>"''"  '  f^-  *>n  hotide. 

Wliaij  that  her  t&lc  ai  hr*  >  au  ende 

or  her  ctUtc  and  nl  hrr  g-^  ♦ 

(Quod  Pandomi)  Now  time  i*  that  I  wcode. 
But  yet  I  fay  Artrith*  let  us  duunce 
And  c»ifte  your  widt>wc*»  habite  to  mlfchairnoc  j 
Whtt  lifte  yo4t  ttiiH  y«uf  f^'lfr  Tf>  dT«f!p;Tire, 
8ithe  you  i 

But  wtfl  '  qood  (he J 

Shal  I  nat  w  ,  ;ii  v.  n  >;  ^ 

No,  this  xh\r.^  alkith  1 

•  And  eke  it  mc  W4»i)Ul  L ..,,   b-    ■-  A^w^i* 

If  I  it  tolde  and  ye  it  tokc  ^Uiiijj 

Yet  ^erc  h  bette  trjy  tr\xi^c  to  h^Idin  ftil 

Than  fay  a  fothe  that  were  ayetfH:  your  wiL 

For*  ncce  mync,  by  the  ^oddeifc  Minerre, 
And  Jupiter,  th»t  makiih  the  thonde'fJng^ 
And  by  t\\<:  \AU^}  Vmm  that  \  fcrvc, 
Yc  Utn  the  1  I  (htR  world  Jiving, 

Witlioutin  1  ,  m  my  wctinjf, 

That  T  beii  a^v  ,  '  '>  am  to  fx^^v. 

And  that  ye  vrv:  fclfc  I  leve* 

Iwis,  mine  uik..,     j 1  Ihe)  ^raunt  mercy! 

Ycur  frcndfhip  KaTe  I  roundm  evir  yet  j 
i  am  to  no  man  b^rhHdm  trewly 
So  muche  ajt  you,  and  ha^c  fo  litil  quit ; 
And  wltli  the  f^acc  of  God  cmforth  my  wit 
As  in  my  gihc  1  ftial  yo«  ncr  offendc 
And  if  I  hiive  er  (fiiB  I  wol  amet^dc. 

But  for  the  Invt  of  G«d  1  yon  bcfeche, 
A*  ye  be  he  that  I  love  moll  and  triile, 
Letbctome  your  fremid  manir  fpechf , 
And  faic  to  mc  yoor  nece  what  fo  you  Jif!. 
And  with  th  It  w^.r.^r'  her  uncle*  anon  hcrkifli. 
And  fayid,  v  We  nee*  fo  dcrc  I 

Take  it  for  1  iha!  fay  yrju  here. 

With  that  ihe  g«n  her  eyin  doune  to  cafte, 
Atid  Pandaru^  to  coojfhc  began  a  lite, 
And  ftiyid,  Neee,  alway,  lo !  to  the  lafte. 
How  [n  it  he  that  fome  *tncn  hetn  i4eUt£ 
Wirh  fubtil  art  ther  tali^  for  t'  enditt, 
Yt-'t  for  a!  that  in  thnr  cntcncion 
Iher  ulc  is  all  for  fome  condttGon, 

And  fiihe  the  end  it  every  taPh  Rrcogtt, 
And  thtamatTria  fo  behovi!y, 
Whll  ihouW  I  paint  or  drawin  k  on  length 
fo  yen  ttittben  my  frcnde  fo  fa'rth^ViUy  f 
And  with  tliat  worde  Jic  g4fi  rigiit  imwtffy 


350 


TROILUS  AND    CRESEIDE- 


Jtlc/I 


I 


BehoHtn  ber,  six)  lokin  in  hcr'face, 

And  faidf  ,Odi  fuche  a  mirrour  muche  gode  grace ! 

Than  thought  he  thuj,  if  1  my  talc  cnditc 
Ought  hardc  or  make  a  procelTc  any  while. 
She  fhal  no  favour  have  theriu  but  lite, 
And  trowc  I  wouid  her  in  my  wil  begile. 
For  tcfidir  wittis  wcnin  al  be  wile 
Wher  as  thei  con  nat  plaiatiche  undlrftotud; 
fbrchy  her  wit  to  founin  wol  I  fondc  ; 

And  lokid  on  hir  in  a  bcfy  wife, 
And  (he  wa*  ware  that  he  behcldc  her  fo  t 
Ah,  Lordc  1  (quod  Ihe)  fo  faftc  yc  mc  avifc^ 
Sawc  yc  mc  ncr  cr  now  ?  what^  fay  yc  no  ? 
Yes,  yfSj  (qood  he)  and  bet  wol  cr  I  go; 
Biu  by  my  iroutli  I  thoughtin  nowe  if  yc 
Bc^rtunalc,  for  now  men  (hall  it  fe. 

for  every  "wighl  Ibmc  godejy  avinturc 
Somttme  h  fiiape»  if  he  it  can  receive^ 
But  if  that  be  n'il  take  of  it  no  cure 
When  that  it  comcth,  but  wilfully  it  weive» 
I«CK  neither  cafe  nor  Fortune  him  deceive, 
But  right  hi*  ownt  flouth  and  wretchidneffe  ^ 
And  fuche  a  wight  i a  for  to  blame  1  geiTe* 

Code  avinturc,  o  bcU^  nece  !  have  yc 
Jul!  lightly  foundin,  and  ye  conae  it  take ; 
And  for  the  love  of  God  and  eke  of  mc 
Catchf  it  anone,  left  avinturc  yflakt: : 
What  fhould  I  Icugir  proccffc  of  it  make  ? 
Yevemc  your  bond,  for  in  this  world  isDonc, 
If  that  you  lift,  a  wight  fo  wcU  begon. 

And  Othe  I  fpeke  of  gode  entenciount 
A*  I  (o  you  have  toldc  vi?el  here  beforne. 
And  love  as  wel  your  honour  and  reoouu 
As  any  crcturc  in  the  worldc  ibonic. 
By  al  the  othi^  that  1  have  you  fwornc 
And  yc  be  wroihc  thcrforc,  or  wcnc  I  lie, 
Kc  Hial  I  never  fcnc  you  cftc  with  cic, 

fieth  nat  agafte,  ne  quakcth  nat ;  wherto  ? 
Kc  chaungTth  nat  for  fere  fo  your  hewe. 
For  hardily  the  woril  of  thi»  i»  do  ; 
And  though  my  talc  ai  now  be  to  you  newe, 
Yet  truft  alwmtc  yc  flial  me  findin  trewc ; 
And  were  it  thing  that  me  thought  unfitting 
To  yoa  ne  would  1  no  fuch  talis  bring. 

Nowc,  my  godc  cme,  for  Godd'ta  love  I  pray 
{Quod  ftie)  come  of  and  fA  mc  what  it  is, 
For  bothc  1  am  agaft  what  yc  wol  fay. 
And  eke  me  longith  it  to  wit  iwii. 
For  vhethir  it  be  wcl  or  be  amis 
Say  on  j  let  me  not  in  this  fere  ydweL 
So  wol  1  done  :  now  herkcnith  I  fhal  tel. 

Now  occc  mine,  the  king' is  owne  dere  fonne. 
The  godt»  the  wife,  the  worthy,  frtih  and  frc, 
Whichc  alway  for  to  done  wcl  t4  hi*  woone. 
The  noble  Troilus,  fo  iovith  the 
That  but  yc  hclpe  it  wol  hi*  banc  ybe. 
Lo !  here  ia  al :  what  fhould  in  I  more  fey  t 
Doth  what  you  lift  to  make  him  Urc  or  dey. 

But  if  ye  let  him  dye  I  wol  ftcrvin. 
Have  here  my  trouihe,  nece,  I  n'il  not  licn» 
Al  ihovld  t  with  thii  knife  my  throte  kcrvin  : 
With  that  the  tcri*  burft  out  of  his  cycn. 
And  Cuck,  U  thftt  7c  done  m  hoih  to  dko 


Thus  giUilcfTc,  than  have  y^  fiftiid  faire ; 
What  mcndcth  it  you  though  that  wcboth  ffgm^ 

Alas !  he  whiche  that  ii  my  lorde  fo  dere 
That  trcw^  man,  that  noble  gmtle  knight. 
That  naught  dcfirith  but  your  freodly  char, 
I  fc  him  dyin,  there  he  goth  upright. 
And  hafttCh  him  withal  hitftdie  might 
For  to  b^  flajne,  if  hi»  fortune  aileate  : 
Alas  that  God  you  fuche  a  beaute  (csttei 

If  it  be  fo  that  yc  fo  cmil  be 
That  of  bit  deth  yoo  liftiih  nought  to  neidi. 
That  is  fo  trewc  and  worthy  as  we  fc, 
No  njorc  than  of  a  japir  or  a  wretch. 
If  yc  be  fuche,  your  bcauce  may  nat  ftrctch 
To  make  amendcs  of  fo  cruill  a  dcdc  l 
AviitjHfHt  u  gode  before  the  nede* 

Wo  worthe  the  faire  genmie  that  bvcniileie! 
Wo  worthe  that  herbc  alfo  that  dothe  no  boCf ! 
Wo  worth  the  beaute  that  it  routhrlefre  ! 
Wo  wor^h  that  wight  that  trcdc  echc  undir  fcfit! 
And  y^  that  ben  of  beaute  croppe  and  rote. 
If  thcrwtthal  in  yoa  ne  be  no  routhe. 
Than  is  it  harme  yc  livin,  by  my  troothe* 

And  zlfo  thinke  wcl  that  this  is  no  gaiide, 
Fnr  me  were  levir  thou,  and  I,  and  he. 
Were  hongid  than  that  1  fliould  ben  hij  bHirfi^ 
As  high  as  men  might  on  ub  al  ife  : 
1  am  thine  cmc ;  thefhame  were  unto  roe 
As  wel  as  the  if  that  I  fhould  aflcnt 
Through  mine  abet  that  he  thine  honour  tel 
^     Mow  nndJrftoode,  for  I  you  nought  reiser; 
To  bindc  you  to  him  thorough  no  behc^ 
Save  one,  thatyc  makin  him  bcttir  chfre 
Than  yc  ban  don  cr  this  and  more  fcllc, 
Sii  that  \\i,  life  be  favid  at  the  Urftc 
This  al  and  fome  ia  plainly  our  entente  ; 
G«d  helpe  mc  fo  I  nevir  othir  meote. 

Lo  !  this  requeft  ii  nought  but  ikil  iwii, 
Ne  doute  of  refon  parde  is  there  none  : 
t  fct  the  word  that  ye  dredin  ;  this  is 
Men  would  wondir  to  fene  him  come  and  goflc  ^ 
Thcr  aytnift  anfwerc  I  thus  anonc. 
That  ervcry  wight,  but  he  be  fole  of  kindi, 
Wol  dcmc  it  love  of  frcndfhip  lO  hit  miode. 

What !  who  wol  demin  thoogk  hr  (e  a  mil 
To  temple  gon  that  he  lb*  imaeuetcth  * 
lliinkc  eke  howc  wcl  and  wifely  that  he  can 
Govcmc  hinifclfc  that  lie  nothing  foryctcth,        { 
Tliat  whtrr  he  comcth  he  pris  and  thonk  Im 
And  ckc  thcrto  he  fhal  come  here  fo  felde  (fcwtJ*  t 
What  force  were  it  though  all  the  touxi  beheld ' 

6uche  love  of  frendes reignith  ia  al  thiitOQit 
And  wrie  yon  in  that  mantil  eviimo  | 
And  God  fo  wis  be  my  £dvacioiut 
As  1  have  faide  your  heft  ia  to  do  fJB. 
But,  gode  nece,  alway  for  to  ftiot  hli  «« 
So  let  your  daungir  fugrid  ben  ilite* 
That  of  Ins  deth  ye  be  not  al  to  wite. 

Crcfcid^,  which  that  herdc  him  ia  thtt  «ifii| 
Thought  1  fhal  fete  what  he  menith  twia. 
Now  cmc,  (quod  fhe)  what  wtjuldiii  yc  dictik* 
What  IB  yourc  rede  that  I  fhould  doa  of  ihii? 
That  if  W€l  faid,  ^uo4  ^ :  ccitiiM  Mt  b 


I  loving, 
bve  h  ikilful  guerdoning. 

how  cliit  w^ifbith  every  hour 
ou  a  p;trt  of  your  bcdurc, 
er  that  ige  doth  ttic  devour 
nidt  thrrcr  woU  do  wight  lov«;  the* 
wtrhe  a  lore*  unto  you  be, 

*itb  danitpr  at  tU  injle. 

'U  fule  lb  wont  eo  crie  aloude, 
c  think eth  a  woman  bcreth  her  hie, 
;«  ye  livln,  and  all  proude, 
:ic  growtn  undir  your  cic, 
9U  than  a  niirrom"  in  to  pnc 
t  yc  may  fc  your  lace  a  tnorrowe  : 
liim  wiOun  you  no  more  forowe. 
he  llinte,  and  ca(l  adoune  the  hed, 

CO  brcft  and  wcpc  anone, 
lilaA  for  wo  !  why  u'crc  I  ded  I 
^orld  the  faith  is  al  agone  : 
Ihuldin  iVraungc  unto  me  done 
It  for  my  bede  frende  1  wcode 
ve  who  fhuldc  it  mc  defcnde  i 
foM  have  trudid  doutilcs 
1  through  my  difivinture 
Ithlr  him  or  Achillc<», 
iny  othii  nvanir  creture, 

had  no  mercy  ne  mefttre 
ftlwaie  had  mc  in  r^^prcTc  ; 
brlde^  alas  !  who  may  it  le^e  f 
\Mi  al  the  joy  and  al  the  fcil  i 
rede  ?  w  this  my  bliisful  cui  ? 
cry  mcdc  of  your  bchdl  ? 
btid  protrcflc  faid  (ab*  !) 
lis  fine  ?  O  hdy  mine  Pallas, 
t  drcdeful  cafe  for  me  purvey^ 
led  am  1  that  I  dey. 
t  ihe  gin  ful  forow fully  to  ftkc  ; 
be  no  bet  ?  (Quod  Pandarui) 
dl  DO  more  come  here  this  wrke, 
-forne,  that  am  miflr^dld  thus; 
'  ye  fettin  lite  of  us 
ttb,  alas!  I,  woful  wretche, 

live  of  me  were  nought  to  retche« 
^  of  Deth,  difpitous  Martci 
c  of  hell  on  you  I  eric, 
T  out  of  this  houfe  departs 
ent  or  harme  or  vdanle ; 
tc  my  lordc  mote  nedii  die, 
him,  here  I  mc  Arrive,  and  fey, 
Hy  ye  dooe  us  bothe  to  dry. 
it  liJdth  you  that  1  be  dcd, 
i»,  that  god  is  of  the  Sc, 
Ithc  fhal  I  nevir  etin  bred 

own  hert*if  blodc  male  fe, 
t  wol  die  ai  fone  as  he  : 
jtcfte,  and  on  his  wajr  he  raught, 
'  i«  him  by  the  lappc  y caught, 
which  that  wcl  nigh  flarfc  for  fere, 
I  aye  the  mofl  fercfuU  wight 
D  itf  and  berde  eke  with  her  ere, 
«  forowfttl  cincft  of  the  knight, 
fnjk  hwc  ckc  oon  tmright. 


might  fallin  mora^ 
She  gan  to  re  we,  and  drcddc  her  wondir  fore  i  • 
And  thui  (he  thought ;  unhappLs  faUin  thkke 
Al  day  for  love,  and  in  fuchc  manir  caai 
As  men  hen  cruiil  in  *htm  fclfc  and  wickc; 
And  if  this  m^n  ile  here  hemfelfc,  alaat 
In  my  prefencc,  it  n*il  be  no  Iblas  : 
What  men  would  of  tt  dcme  i  can  oat  fay ; 
It  ncdiih  mc  full  (Ughly  for  to  play. 

And  with  a  forowful  fighe  Ihe  faidc  thrie. 
Ah,  Lordc  !  me  it  bctidde  a  fory  chaunce, 
for  mine  cftatc  licth  in  a  jcopardic, 
And  pkc  mint:  cm'is  life  lieth  in  balanncei 
But  nathcicfTe  with  Godd'is  goyimaunce 
I  fhal  fo  done  mine  honour  fbal  1  kepc, 
And  tke  his  life,  and  l^intin  for  to  wcpc, 

0/  bar  mi!  t-WP  ihe  Itjjfe  it  fir  tc  >  ///s  ; 
Yet  had  i  levir  makin  him  godc  cHlTc 
In  honour  than  mine  cm'is  liJe  to  Icfc ; 
Ye  faine  ye  nothing  ellis  me  requcre. 
No,  wis,  (quod  he)  mine  ownc  nccc  fo  derc  P 
Now  wel,  (quod  fbc)  and  1  wol  don  my  p«ine; 
I  Ihal  mine  hertc  ay  en  my  lufl  ct3nllrainc.^ 

But  that  1  n'il  oat  holdin  him  hondc, 
Ne  love  a  man,  thitt  can  1  naught  nc  may. 
Aye  nil  my  wil,  but  ellis  wol  I  fonde. 
Mine  honour  fave,  pltfe  him  fro  day  to  days 
Thcrto  u'otde  I  not  onis  have  faide  na^ 
But  that  I  dredde  as  in  my  fantafic  i 
But  Cejfe  fjtuje  ahJau  irjfitb  mMUditm 
But  here  I  make  a  proteftacion 
That  in  tliis  proceiTc  if  yc  depir  go 
That  certainly  for  do  falvacioa 
Of  you,  though  that  yc  (lervin  bothe  two. 
Though  al  the  world*  on  o  dni'  be  my  fo, 
Nc  (hal  I  ncr  on  him  have  otiiir  routhe. 
I  graunt  it  wcl  (quod  Fandoic)  by  my  trouthe*  - 

But  maie  I  truftin  well  to  you  (quod  he) 
That  of  this  thing  that  ye  han  bight  me  here     1 
Ye  >voll  it  holdin  truely  unto  mc  ? 
Ye,  doubtiltfi,  quod  {he,  mync  uncle  derc  I 
Nc  that  I  Oialj  have  cauTe  in  this  matere 
(Quod  he)  to  plain  or  aftir  you  to  prcche  ? 
Why  no,  pardc  ;  what  nedlth  more  fpeche  f 

Tho  fcllin  thci  in  othir  talis  glade. 
Till  at  the  laft,  O  gode  erne  !  (quod  flic  tho) 
For  love  of  God,  whiche  that  us  bothe  ymade. 
Tell  mc  how  firft  ye  wiftio  of  his  wo ; 
Wot  non  of  it  but  ye  ?  He  fay  id  No. 
Can  he  well  fpcke  of  love,  (quod  ihe)  I  prcic  ? 
Tell  me,  for  I  the  bet  (hall  me  purveici 

Tho  Pandarus  a  litil  gan  to  Imile, 
And  fayid,  By  my  trouth  I  (hall  now  tell: 
This  othir  dale,  nat  gon  full  longc  while, 
Within  the  palci*  gardin  by  a  well 
Gan  he  and  I  well  halfe  a  daie  to  dwell. 
Right  for  to  fpckin  of  an  ordinaunce 
How  wc  the  Grekis  might! n  dUavaiuice  s 

Sonc  after  that  begone  we  for  to  Icpc 
And  caiUo  with  our  dartis  to  and  fro, 
Till  at  the  lall  he  fayid  he  would  llepe, 
And  on  tbcgrafre  adoune  he  taicd  him  tho£ 
And  1  altir  j^au  lunua  to  and  fro, 


' 


I 

r 


TROTLUS    AND    CRESE^IlDC. 


MUiir. 


I 


Till  thit  !  henl,  as  !        '  ^    lone, 
How  fee  began  ful  Tooc. 

Tbo  gaii  i  llalkf  ^"^•'  ^  •••  Jotily  bchindr, 
Aod  fiktrif ,  tlie  feth^  for  to  f^kinrt 
As  I  can  clepe  ayeo  now  to  my  mitidf , 
Right  thutto  Love  hr  gnn  him  for  to  plain  i 
He  fayidf  Lorde,  luvc  routh  uptm  my  paui; 
Alt  luve  J  ben  rebcll  m  mine  ciitt^nt. 
Now  t^mta  €ulp&}  Lorde,  I  nie  repent. 

O  God  \  chat  at  thy  difpoficioii 
LedtA:  forth  the  fine  by  jnft  jturvciaulicc 
Of  every  wight^  my  lowc  confeffion 
Accept  in  gre,  and  fende  me  foelie  pennmnec 
At  likith  the;  put  from  me  difpenunee. 
That  maie  my  ghoft  departs  alwaic  fro  the  1 
Thou  be  my  fhilde  for  thy  benig^itc. 

For  certlSf  Lorde,  fo  fore  hath  Ihc  me  wounded 
*t\i\t  ft  ode  iti  blacke  with  loking  of  hcf  cyen, 
That  to  mine  bcrt*is  botome  tt  is  founded, 
Through  which  I  woe  that  I  muf^  nedi«  dien  ; 
ThUi*  the  word,  I  dare  mc  nf^wght  bewritD| 
Ajid  well  the  hotir  ben  the  gle«ii^  rede 
That  nvcn  *hem  wrien  withiafhJD  pale  and  dcd. 

With  that  he  fmote  his  hedde  kdotine  anoue^ 
And  gan  to  muttrc  I  nst  what  truety. 
And  1  with  that  gan  ftill  awaieto  g«n«, 
And  letc  thrreot  as  nothing  ik  tft  had  1, 
And  come  fli^In  anon  and  ftode  him  by^ 
And  faicdp  Awake,  ye  fleptn  all  to  lon^ ; 
}X  fcmith  mc  nought  that  Lore  doth  youwtx>ng 

That  flepio  fo  that  no  man  maic  you  wake  ; 
Who  feie  cvir  er  tht«  fo  dull  a  m%n  \ 
Yc,  frcnde,  (quod  he)  d<v  ye  your  hcdd^isakc 
For  love,  and  let  me  Uvin  a»  I  can ; 
But  thnujph  that  he  for  wo  wai  pale  and  wan 
Yet  made  he  iho  ai  frcfhe  i  eo'Mirr  i.  .n^,^,- 
Ae  thottgh  ht  fhould  have  led  luncc* 

Th IP  paflkd  forth  till  now  th  - 

It  fell  that  1  come  roming;  alt  alone 
Into  hU  chambre,  and  found c  how  that  he  late 
Upon  hi*  hedde ;  but  man  fo  fore  gmne 
Nc  herd  I  nevlr;  and  what  wa^  hi»  mont; 
Ne  will  I  nought »  f  '  i't»g 

All  fodainly  he  left  < 

Of  wlu<:hc  I  tok  lutj.cdion, 

And  nerc  I  come,  .  him  wej>^  Ibrt; 

And  God  fo  wife  he  i.._,  .  . .  .  :t>n 
As  I  had  ncvtr  rout  he  of  nothmg  more. 
For  ncithtr  with  engiflc  nc  with  no  lore 
UfifMiyami^hc  I  fro  tlie  drth  him  kepe. 
That  yet  ftile  I  mine  herto  for  him  wepe» 

And  God  wot  ne^ir  fith  that  I  wa«  borne 
Wa»l  (b  blifle  w:»  man  ff>r  to  preche, 
Nc  nevirwai  to  wlghc  fu  depe  yfwome, 
£r  he  me  told  who  mt^ht  ybea  hts  lechc ; 
But  not  to  fou  reherfm  at  his  fpcche^ 
Or  all  hia  wofntl  wordis  for  to  fowne, 
Uc  bid  rne  nought,  but  yc  woll  fc  me  fwonc  j 

But  for  cv  favc  his  life,  and  ellis  nought, 
Atsd  to  Don  harm  of  you,  thu«  am  1  driven  ; 
And  for  the  Inve  of  God  that  us  hath  wrought 
Soche  chcre  him  doth  th^  he  and  I  maie  liven. 
2>fow  have  I  plat  to  70U  mine  bcrte  y(hrivcn| 


And  Cth  yc  wotc  that  mine  cntrnt  t^  cicnc 
Take  hcdc  thereof,  for  none  cviM  1  sieoe. 

And  right  godc  thrift  I  pray  to  God  hafC  jO 
That  han  fodie  one  icaught  withoutin  net} 
And  be  yc  wife,  as  yc  be  faire  to  fc  j 
Well  fn  the  ring  than  ii  the  mbic  fkt  I 
There  wcrin  nevir  two  fo  well  imct 
Whan  yc  hen  his  all  whole  as  he  i«  yotir  ; 
The  mighty  G<iA  u*  grant  to  fc  that  hour! 

Kale,  thereof  fpake  V  nat.     A  ha  !  (^UEid  AkI 
A*  hclpc  mc  Cod  yc  fhcndin  crery  Jclr, 
A,  mcfcie,  dere  nccc!  anon  (»ju«>d  he) 
What  fo  I  fpakc  I  mcnt  it  nought  hut  wclc, 
By  Mars  the  god  that  hehnid  (s  of  ftcle  ; 
Now  hcth  not  wroth»  my  blode,  my  ncce  dott 
Now  well  (qnod  fhe)  foryrrio  be  it  hcte. 

With  this  he  tokc  his  Icve,  and  honie  he  went  i 
Ye,  I^rde,  how  he  was  glad  and  wetl  bi^onl 
Crcfeide  aroH:,  no  len^tr  fhe  ne  fictlty 
But  ftreight  into  her  cTofft  went  an^m. 
And  fct  herdounc  aailil' 
And  every  wurde  gan  u  nie 

That  he  had  faicd  av  it  c.in-c  i  ^, 

And  woxefomedtle  a/Looi'  >)tfgj^ 

Right  for  the  new6  cafe  ;  hut  Tnc 

Wa&  full  avifid,  tho  found  fb  :Ht 

Of  pcrill  why  that  (he  ought  ., 

For  man  maie  love  of  pombilitc 
A  woman  fo  that  hi*  hertc  maic  to  hf  cil 
And  ihc  nat  love  aycn  but  if  her  Idi, 

But  a)  (he  fat  alone  and  thoujfht<>  thut, 
la  field  arofc  a  flcinnifh  ill  ta    ' 
And  men  cried  in  the  ftrete, 
Hath  right  now  pof  to  flight  l 
With  tliat  ponnc  all  her  mcin«  T 

A !  go  we  fe  ;  caft  up  the  gatii  v,  'A^^ 
For  through  thb  (Irete  he  mote  to  paictarid^ 

For  othir  waic  U  fro  the  yati^  none 
Of  Dardanu*,  there  opin  is  the  ch 
With  that  come  be  and  all  hit  folk 
And  ct"  ng  in  routii  twciocj 

Right  :  daic  wa*  (fothe  to  fcinc) 

Forwh  ■    :     *    uot  dlHouHud  W 

That  f 

I  hi  &    I  v^n'Wi   \^\  <  M  I    1 1 1  k   LJ 1I 1  r  Ixcdc 

All  armtd  fare  his  hcdde  full  rlchily. 

And  woundtd  was  hts  horfc,  and  gan  t^  blc^Jf, 

On  whichc  he  rode  a  pace  full  foftily  ; 

But  fochc  a  knightly  tight>  lo*  tr|iil/ 

A»  wat  on  him  wai  nat  withoutin  [ 

To  loke  on  Mars^  that  god  11  of  B 

So  like  a  man  of  arrni*  and 
He  was  to  fcne,  fulfilled  of  h 
For  bothc  he  had  a  bodic  ano 
To  dueti  thjt  thing  aa  well  a^ 
And  eke  to  fcoe  him  in  hit  gti^  u.  ^  i*.. , 
Sii  frdhe,  fo  fotig,  fo  wcldy,  fenud  hc^ 
It  was  an  hevro  on  him  for  to  fc 

His  hctme  to  hewin  was  io  tweatk  dIuc^ 
That  by  atin\ic  h^.n^  his  hacke  bohindr* 
HiilheldetM  h  fwerd^t  and  with  maf^ 

In  whiche  ni  lany  an  arowf  find* 

That  thirild  iud  buLh  ^oroe,  ifid  ocrfe,  ^^t^% 


\ 


i  peylt  cried,  Here  comnh  our  joic, 
xt  his  brothir  holdtr  up  of  Troie  ! 
nrhich  he  wcxt  a  little  redde  for  fbame 
ie  To  herd  the  peple  on  him  encn, 
I  behoide  it  w^ls  &  noble  gune 
birliche  ne  caft  adounc  his  eyen, 
t  anon  gan  all  his  cherc  efpien, 

it  in  her  hcrtc  fo  foftly  fmkc 
t  her  ftU  (he  fayed,  Ho  1  ^iv«  me  drinke. 
>f  her  ownc  thought  (he  woxc  al  redde,       | 
ihrlug  her  itght  thus,  lo  !  this  is  he  i 

!  thai  mine  uiadc  fwcrcth  he  mote  be  deddc 
n  him  have  mcrcic  and  pitc  ;  | 

th  that  like  ihouj^ht  (or  pure  (hatne  (ht 
her  hcdde  to  pull,  and  that  as  hdt^ 
le  and  all  tlic  ptple  forth  by  pad  : 
gan  to  cafl  and  roll  in  up  and  dooii 

her  thought  hi*  excellent  prowcflc, 
I  e^te,  andalTo  hi>rcnouu, 
:te,  his  (h.ipe,  and  rkchisgentilneflc; 
flc  her  favour  was,  for  his  diflrcffe 

for  her,  and  thought  it  were  arouth    > 
n  foche  one,  if  that  he  mentr!,  trouth. 

dight  fome  envious  wight  janglin  tliit$i 
It  a  fodaio  love ;  how  might  it  be 
le  fo  lightly  lovid  Troilus, 
it  the  nrd  fight  of  him  ?  Yea,  parde^ 
faofb  faicd  fo  mote  he  nerir  the, 
xy  thing  a  ginning  hath  it  cede 
K  wrought  withoutio  any  drcde. 
I  Jkfc  nat  that  fhe  fo  fodeuly 
mher  ]ovc^  but  that  Ihe  gan  enclinc 
aa*  him  tho,  and  J  have  told  you  why  | 
tir  that  his  manhode  and  his  pine 
ove  within  her  herte  for  to  mine, 
tiche  by  procciTe  and  by  godc  fcrvice 
nut  her  tove,  and  in  no  fodain  wile* 
alio  bli»ful  Venus  wele  arayed 
I  htr  fevinth  houfe  of  bevin  tho 
d  wdCi  and  wjth  afpedb  payed^ 
)iii  fdy  Troyhis  of  his  wo; 
Dthe  to  fayne,  Ihe  n*a9  oat  ail  a  foe 
lyius  in  hp  natyvytc, 
Dtethat  wclc  the  lonir  fpedin  he. 

kt  Uf  Ainte  of  Troilus  a  throwe, 
«lith  forth,  and  let  ustf>nroc  fad 
arefeide,  that  heng  her  hedde  full  low« 
If  fhe  fatte  alone,  attd  gan  to  cail 
u  flie  would  apoind  her  at  the  lafl, 

were  her  emi  ne  would  yccflc 
oil  us  upon  her  (or  to  preOc. 
,  Lordc  1  fo  (he  gan  in  her  thought  argvc 
matter  of  «'hjche  I  have  you  told, 
hat  '-  ''  ^  ^  were,  an  J  what  cfchue^ 
hit  r  in  many  fold; 

rat  L^.  ...:..  V*  aimc,  now  was  it  cold  ; 
bat  IIm  thought  of  foniwhat  fhil  1  write 
«  iodlirkur  tjfiith  to  mc  t*  crniite. 
thvuglu  wele  firA  thatTroilus  perfoii 
rwe  by  figlit,  and  tkc  his  gerttUiicHc, 
lus  (kf  fatd.  All  were  it  nought  to  doen 
unt  him  Itivc,  yet  for  his  worthincffc 
iMWcrr  with  plate  and  witli  gUduc ITe 


In  honcfte  with  <uch . „„ 

For  mine  cflate  and  aIIo  tor  hii  hele. 

Eke  well  wutc  1  my  kliig*i  fonne  is  he, 
And  fith  he  hath  to  fe  mcfocbe  delite. 
If  I  would  uttcrlichc  his  fight  yflie, 
Prti'avcnturt  he  might  have  mc  in  difpite, 
Thotough  whiche  I  might  flondin  in  worfepUte; 
Now  were  I  not  wife  mc  hate  to  purchace, 
Withcutin  nede,  there  1  maie  (land  in  grace* 

In  every  thing  I  wot  there  lietb  tncfure ; 
For  though  a  man  forbidith  dronkinelTe, 
He  nought  forbiddjth  that  every  crcturc 
Be  drinkilefle  for  alwaie,  as  [  gcfle  ; 
£kc  fitlic  1  wot  for  mc  is  his  dtflrefle 
I  nc  ought  not  for  that  thing  him  difpife, 
Sith  it  is  fo  he  menith  in  gode  wife* 

And  eke  I  knowe  of  long^  tjmc  agooc 
His  thewis  gode,  and  that  he  n'is  not  nice, 
No  vauntour  faine  tnen  certain  he  is  none. 
To  wife  is  he  to  doen  fo  grete  a  vicei 
Nc  ats  ]  n'ill  him  nevir  lo  cite  rice 
That  he  (hall  make  a  vaunt  by  juH^  caufei 
He  fhall  mc  ncvir  binde  in  fochc  a  clatife* 

Now  fct  R  cafe,  the  hardiil  a  iwls, 
Men  mightin  dcmin  that  he  iovith  me  ; 
What  diibonour  were  it  unto  mc  this  f 
Maic  1  htm  let  of  that  ?  why  niic,  parde  j 
1  knowe  alfo,  and  alwaic  here  and  ic, 
Muu  lovin  women  al  this  tounc  about ; 
Be  thei  the  wers  I  why  naie,  withoutin  dDub^ 

I  thinke  eke  how  he  worthy  is  to  have 
Of  all  this  noble  tounc  the  thrifty  ill 
That  woman  is,  if  Ihe  her  honour  favc. 
For  out  and  out  he  is  the  worthyift 
S^ve  only  Hcdtor,  whiche  that  is  the  beft; 
And  yet  hii*  life  Ucth  all  new  in  my  cure  i 
But  ft^che  is  love,  and  eke  mintt  avinture. 

Ne  mc  to  love  a  wondir  is  it  nought, 
For  ^cll  woic  I  my  fclf,  fo  God  mc  fpede, 
All  woU  1  that  no  man  wtfl  of  this  though t« 
1  am  one  of  the  fairifl  otitof  drcdci 
And  godclyiH,  who  fc  that  takith  hede^ 
And  fo  men  fame,  in  all  the  toune  of  Troie  { 
What  wondir  is  though  he  of  mc  have  joie  t 

I  am  mine  owne  woman,  Well  tt  cfe, 
I  thanke  it  God,  as  aitir  mine  efltatc, 
Right  yong,  and  ilond  untied  in  luflie  tcfe, 
Withoutin  jelouiie,  and  fochc  debate ; 
Shall  no  huibonde  faine  onto  roe  Checke  tnate^ 
For  cither  chei  ben  full  of  jeloufie, 
Or  maidtirfuU,  or  lovin  novclric 

What  (hill  [  docn  ?  to  what  fine  litre  I  thiu  I 
Shall  I  not  love  in  cafe  if  that  mc  left  i 
What  P  pardieux  F  am  not  tcligioai  ] 
And  though  that  i  mine  hcrt<:  fcr  at  reil 
Upon  this  knight,  that  is  the  worthicfl, 
Aud  kcpe  alwaic  mine  honor  and  my  nam«| 
By  all  right  it  maie  doe  to  me  no  fhame. 

But  right  as  whan  the  funne  fhinith  bright 
In  March,  that  chaungitb  oftinttme  his  face. 
And  that  a  ctotul  is  put  with  wtnde  to  Sight 
Whithc  ovirfpr»it  the  funne  as  for  a  fpace, 
A  cloudy  thgught  gan  through  her  foul^  pue 
Z 


4 


j;* 


TROtLDB    ASID   caESElDS. 


t 


I 


I 


I 


I 


That  ovfrfprniiSe  her  brighte  thoughti*  alJ, 

So  that  for  fcrc  a  molle  Hkc-  ^an  to  U\L 

Thiit  thou);ht  w&6  this  ;  Alsis  t  Gth  I  un  frc 

Should  I  now  bve  and  pui  ia  jeopudie 

My  fikirucflc,  ^tid  ihmiiiQ  liUcrte  f 

Alat !  how  dtirfl  t  tbuikin  rh^t  folic  I 

Mftje  I  not  well  in  othir  folkc  afpie 

ThcrdrcdfuU  Joie,  thcr  cotiilreint  and  ther  p^  ? 

Tb€f  lovith  non  that  nc  hath  why  to  plaio  ? 
For  love  u  yet  the  moiU  ftonnic  life 

lUgKt  of  himlclf  thar  cvir  waa  begotmei 

For  ever  fomc  miltmft  or  fomc  nice  ftrife 

There  it  in  lovt^fomc  doud  ofvir  the  fimoe; 

Thereto  vrc  wretchid  wfln^n  DothiDf  conne 

Whan  m  i»  wo  but  wcpe»  and  fit,  a&d  thinkc  i 

Our  wrctchc  ii  this,  our  ownfe  wo  to  drinkc. 
Aifo  thf fe  wickid  tonguit  ben  io  preik 

To  fpcktf  tts  harn^e,  eke  mdn  bcJS  fo  untrue. 

That  right  anon  «•  ceSid  ta  thcr  left 

So  cedith  love,  and  forth  to  love  anvwc  : 

But  Har/rre  ad&e  b  thtm^  tjuhtjo  it  tm  ; 

For  though  thcfc  n\cn  for  love  'hem  firfl  tDTtflde^ 

FuUJ^arp  hrgin»*fg  hrekith  ^fu  ai  tn^e* 
How  oft  in  time  hath  it  yknowio  ben 

The  trcfon  that  to  women  hath  be  doc  1 

To  what  fine  i*  fxrhe  love  I  cam  not  fene^^ 

Or  whcrt  bccomith  it  whan  it  is  go 

There  i$  no  wight  that  wote  [  trow^  fo  ; 

Wherit  btcomcth  lo  do  wight  on  it  fpometH; 

That  f  rft  was  nothing  into  nothing  turoeth* 
How  httfic  (if  I  lov(?)  eke  muft  I  be 

To  picCn  *hcni  that  jangk*  of  love  and  deme^ 

And  coyen  *hcm  that  thci  faic  no  hann  of  mc  ! 
For  though  there  be  nocaulc  yet  *hcm  may  feme 
Al  be  for  hatmc  that  foLke  thcr  frcndis  queme  ; 
And  wh^  maie  llopptn  every  wickid  tong 
Or  Toune  of  bcUift  while  that  thci  bca  roog  f 

And  after  that  htr  thought  gan  for  to  clcrc, 
And  faied.  Hi  whitht  tlst  Mtiing  unJlH^Jkti 
JS^ctLing^^miemih^  ke  Itim  latit  nr  dtrt ; 
And  with  an  uihii  thought  her  hcrt  yquakcth  ; 
Than  flcptth  hope,  and  aftir  drcde  awuketh ; 
Now  hotc  now  cold  t  but  thub  bctwlxm  twey 
6bc  nil  her  tip  and  went  Iicr  for  to  plcy. 

Adoune^thc  flaircanon  right  tho  fh«  went 
Ehto  her  gardinr,  With  her  ncds  thre. 
And  up  alid  doun  thci  madin  many'  a  w«nt 
Flexippe*  and  ^e,  Tarbc'  and  Aaiigoac^ 
To  ul«yin,that  it  joit  wn  to  ie. 
And  othir  of  her  women  a  gvcte  rout 
Her  folowed  in  the  gardine  all  kbout* 

Thiayorde  waa  large,  and  railed  al  the  oleyer^ 
And  fhadowcd  wtJ  with  hio«*oiny  bowi»  grcne. 
And  bcnchid  ncwe,  and  fondid  all  the  wcyea, 
la  whiche  fhe  walkuharlnc  in  arnae  bclweiie, 
Till  at  the  Uft  Antigone  the  (hcue 
Can  oo  a  Trojaa  foug  to  fijigin  tie  re. 
That  it  an  hcYin  wai  her  voice  to  here. 

She  faied,  O  Love !  to  whom  I  have  and  (hal 
Ben  humble  fubjcd,  true  in  mine  cntent, 
A)  I  beA  can  tv  you^  Lordc,  yeve  E  all 
For  cvitmorc  nunc  hort*ii  love  to  rent, 
F«f  ocvif  fti  th|  gr»cc  f  tM  wight  TcAt 
3 


So  btififail  caufe  *s  me,  my  Ufe  to  lede 

In  allc  joie  and  lurctic  out  o£  drcde. 

Thabliiifttl  God  luith  mc  fo  well  bcict 
In  love  iwiSt  that  all  that  beiith  life 
Imaginin  ne  cottld  how  to  be  bet ; 
For,  Lorde,  without  in  jcloufic  or  lln'° 
I  love  one  whiche  that  mojie  ia  enit 
To  fcrvin  well,  unwcrdy'  or  anfainedf 
That  crvir  wa*,  and  left  with  harme 

Aa  he  that  ii  the  wcU  of  worthinc^ 
Of  trouth  the  gtound,  mirrour  of  godcUheddTi 
Of  wit  A{>ol]o,  Hone  of  fikiracflc, 
Of  virtue  rote,  of  luflc  hndir  and  hcddt* 
ThoroBgh  whiche  is  all  forowc  fro  me  deddei 
lwj»  I  love  him  btdt,  fb  dneth  he  mc ; 
Now  gode  thrift  have  he  where  fo  cr  he  be ; 

Whom  fhould  1  thankin  but  you,  god  of  Ufae, 
Of  all  thia  bliAe  in  whicha  to  bathe  I  g««>c  t 
And  thankid  be  ye,  Lorde,  for  that  I  \(^r\  ; 
This  iathe  vighli  Life  that  I  am  inne, 
To  flctnin  all  manir  of  vice  and  fume  | 
Thi«  d<»cth  me  fo  to  vertue  for  t«'  enteflde 
That  daic  by  daic  I  in  my  will  amende. 

And  who  that  faiech  that  foa  i«  love  la  Ttei 
Or  thraldomc,  though  he  fcle  ia  it  Aftcdlei 
He  either  is  cnvioQi^  or  right  nice. 
Or  it  uamigbtie  fuf  hia  fhretKUndTe 
To  ipvin  I  for  fbche  manir  lolke  I  geffe 
Difiamin  Love  a»  nothing  of  Kan  knowc  - 
Thty  fpcke  of  Love,  but  nevir  bent  hia  Uwv. 

What  h  the  funne  worfe  of  Ida  Idndc  ngU.      | 
Though  that  a  fn^  for  fcbtefle  of  his  cfcn 
Maic  not  endure  no  it  to  fa  fdr  hright  f  ' 
Or  love  the  worfe  that  wre»ehit«b  i«  cnen  f 
No  wcle  is  worth  that  maie  no  forowa  dries; 
And  forthy^lTA*  tMui  ^m^  m  iitMt  /^cvtv 

But  I  witli  a)  mine  herte  and  all  my  aiiglfff 

A»  I  have  faicd,woU  U  ^  v  la4(& 

My  ownr  dere  hcrte,  i:  '  wq^  kaV^ 

In  whiche  mine  hi  "  fAJl, 

And  his  in  nnc,t!i 

AUdidldrcd  al  i..,.  ..  .   ,.  - 

Now  wotc  I  well  there  it  ne  f 

And  of  her  fong  right  wiih  i;i»t  V*     j.  :   -Jr!? 
And  thcrcwitluill,  N<»w  ne<^  {V^  Crctfcidi) 
Whd  made  this  fortg  now  with  fo  godc  cnMlt 
Antigone  anfwerdc  auon,  and  fnlde, 
Mad^imc,  iwii>it  wa«  the  i^adelyrfV  majdv. 
Of  grete  ellate,  in  rTroie, 

Who  led  her  life  ^tl4)iMp 

Forfothc  f    ' 
Quod  rho  C 

And  fayid,  L..,  V .     ..^  ..  .-^^ 

Thcfc  lovjrs,  as  thci  i^in  io  faire  e»d«t«  f 
Yc,  w^UTe,  quud  frclhe  Antigone  the  ialdft« 
For  all  the  folkc  ih^t  have  or  beii  cm  Itv^ 
Nc  couldin  well  the  blifle  of  love  diicrtf^ 

But  wenin  ye  ihwt  every  wrctchc  w«*tir 
The  parfitc  bliflc  of  lovf  ?  why  nalc,  iwii; 
The!  wcttin  all  In  '  *     h<n.t.  \ 

Do*  waie,  do'  w.i  'ilijg  ^Fthii.^ 

Men  mot;;  aO^in  oi  i^uiv^iv  u  n  u 


taOlLUS   AHD  CRiSElDE* 


I  why  f  for  thei  am  ilU  ; 
I  fniik  in  hrll  > 

.  ....   jf  her  hrrdc 
I  priniiti  Jii  hcf  hcrte  tAtic, 
iji  Uivc  heir  Ufie  for  to  ag^^fbe 
l*d  irrt,  »nd  linkin  in  her  htrttr, 
fc'TUt  Iwnwhint  Jiblc  to  convcrtc. 

T«r  and  tijc  hcTrn'b  eye* 
,  J II  this  clcpe  I  the  fonnr, 
r.ktr,  4nd  dounwArd  for  to  wric, 
111  h If  diy*ii  CQiirlc  iconor^ 

"iwoxjzi  a!l  diinmc  and  donne 
Land  llicrm  for  to  apcrcj, 
:  folkc  in  wtt)t  ifere- 
I'li^d  her  to  gon  to  re  fie, 
erio  thci  chat  irotdin  ought, 
t  to  (Irpin  well  her  Idle  ; 
|4bne  uuio  her  btddc  her  t?rDt}ght  r 
1  huih'c,fhan  Uic  (be  (lil  and  thought 
'lig  the  inanir  ind  the  wife  | 
"i  n«>t|  for  yc  ben  wlJe. 
5  upon  i  ecdrc  grcnc 
bir  wilII  there  ai  fbc  lai^ 
rig  3 yen  the  monc  fticne^  [ 

[  in  ht«  bird'is  wife  a  laic 
:  nude  her  herte  fee  (he  and  ^c  | 
tnid  file  Co  Inng  tn  gode  en  tent 
Ittl  the  dcdde  flepc  her  hent. 
(lie  ilcpt  anftu  right  tho  her  met  | 

I  eglr,  fcthtrred  white  as  bunCg  | 

^l  bi»l«>nge  cliwis  fc't,  I 

l^fle  he  rent,  aud  that  anon, 
ertc  into  her  brcft  to  jr*>n, 

|ht  aprofc  Jic  nothing  fmcrt, 
*i  v/irh  hcrtc  Uh  fur  hcrt. 
„  4ud  wc  our  tali«  holde 
:  k  to  paleii  ridden 
iiHie  of  the  whiche  I  have  toldd, 
bir  fate  and  h«th  abiddeii 
f  hii  mefTangtrt  ycdcn 
I  fcifghtjn  turn  fiiU  fall 
\  and  brought  him  at  the  la{l« 
k^came  leping  in  at  ones, 
chuf,  Who  hath  ben  well  ih^te 
I  til  fwerdisand  wjth  i\mi^<i  Hones 
i»,tKat  htith  caught  him  an  hcl':  f 
lipc,  and  faied,  LariJc  how  yc  fwete ! 
let  ui  foiipe  and  go  to  relie  : 
fcrJc  him,  lyoe  we  a?  the  Icftc, 
thei  mi^jht 
And  to  bcdd<r, 
m  dighi, 
cfpcd, 

dr  ^, 

iil  ■  ■  ■    f<r  fiflg  ? 

C    1  :pc, 

,1.  ^         -  ybe» 

t  wolt  img,  or  duunce,  or  Jepo  i 
is,  thon  (halt  trowe  all  by  me, 
:  woU  tl<}in  w«ll  by  lUo, 


And  Iqve  the  heft,  by  God  abd  by  my  trothe. 
But  lacke  of  purfute  nvurrn  it  in  thy  llathc. 

FciT  thu»  fcrfcrth  i  h^vc  thy  wt^rkc  bcgon 
Fro  Hate  to  daic,  tiU  ihi*  d^iic  by  inL  morovi 
Her  iaveof  t'rcmlo.L;.  k  .v.-  [  t,..  ^k^  won, 
And  thcrto  h4th  lo  borowj 

Atgute  o  fotc  h  I  :   rowe  : 

Wrut  fbouid  1  Icngir  fcrman  ol  it  holdc  f 
As  yc  h^vc  herd  before  ali  he  hiiu  toldc 

But  ri^rht  a«  flouris  through  the  cold  of  nlghi 
iLloQd  fL  oil  pin  in  th<r  flalkw  ]owc» 
Rcilrcfiin  'licm  ay  en  the  funne  bright. 
And  fpjredin  in  ther  kinde  coiirfe  by  ruwe. 
Right  to  gan  tho  his  ryin  up  to  thruwc 
This  JVailus,  and  faied,  O  Venus  derc  ! 
"J'hy  Qiij^htp  thy  grace,  ihcried  be  a  hiLire, 

And  to  P4ndarc  he  htid  up  b<ith  hi^  hoode«» 
iknd  fayid,  Lorde,  all  thine  be  that  ]  have. 
For  1  am  whole,  and  bfoAinbcn  my  botjdcsi 
A  thou^dc  I'royift  vi  ho  io  th^t  me  yavc 
lichc  aftir  ofcliir,  God  fo  wi»  nie  fave» 
Ne  might  npt  me  fo  gladin  i  Lo !  niine  hert 
It  fprcdjth  fo  for  joicir  wutl  to  (iLrtc, 

hut,  Lordc,  how  ihali  I  docn  ?  how  ihajl  I  Uwii  i  I 
Whan  (hall  I  next  my  6wn  dcrc  hcrtc  yfc  i 
How  ^L\ll  this  longe  time  awaic  be  driven 
T^I  rhjt  thou  be  aycn  at  her  fro  ine  ? 
Thrai  m^iAcil  anfwcrCfAbide,  abide;  but  Mf 
71m  LiH^ifi  hy  iht  f^At^  the  fothe  to  iaiuc^ 
Ih  gT^e  JiJ^t  mhiiikh  far  tht  paiwu 

Aii  efily  oow»  lor  the  loVe  of  Mtrtr, 
(Quod  Pandarus)  for  every  thing  h^^h  tiioe^ 
Bo  long  abide  till  that  the  night  d«pArtc, 
For  all-  fo  fikir  a«  thou  licft  here  by'  mr. 
And  Gud  coforne,  1  woU  be  there  at  prime, 
And  tur  thy  wcrke  fomwhat  as  1  ihail  faic. 
Or  on  fume  othir  wight  thi»  chut g?  laic* 

For  pardc  God  wot  1  have  evir  yet 
nBeD  redy  the  to  f«rve,and  to  ihi»  night 
Have  I  n  Jt  faimd^  but  em  for  the  my  wit 
Doen  all  thy  lull,  and  fbal  with  al  my  might  \ 
Doc  now  ai  J  fhall  fainc,  aod  fare  aright ; 
And  if  thou  n'ilte,  witc  all  thy  fel(<:  the  care  i 
Uji  mc  i»nough:  ^ong  thine  cvill  fart, 

1  ivotc  well  :hat  thou  wifir  art  thiin  f 
A  thouJ^indc  folde  ;  but  if  1  were  ai  thvu, 
God  helpe  mcfo,a»  I  would  uttiily 
Right  of  mine  owne  horde  write  to  her  now^ 
A  Icttifi  in  whiche  I  would  telle  her  how 
I  fiaxJe  amilTc,  and  her  beteche  of  routh  : 
Now  hL*lpc  thy  fcU  and'leve  it  for  no  flontb. 

And  [  my  fclf  ihallther^'ith  to  hcrgoti, 
And  whan  thou  woQ  that  I  am  with  her  there 
Worthe  thou  up  oti  a  courOr  riglit  anon, 
Yc  hardily,  and{:hat  in  thy  bed  gcrc, 
And  ride  forth  by  the  place  a»  naught  ne  wefCi 
And  thou  ihalt  fixide  u&  (if  I  male)  fitting 
At  fome  windowe  into  the  liircte  bking. 

And  if  the  lifl  than  maieil  thou  tis  f:ilur, 
And  upon  me  make  thou  tliy  coiuitctuuncc. 
But  by  thy  life  beware,  and  fad  cfchue 
To  tarico  ought ;  Ood  ibild  u^  fro  aiifvliannce ! 
Ride  forth  thy  waie  and  hold  thy  govimittncci 
Zij 


6hc  (Hal  rtat  pml  k  out  ih\s  vtt\^  wike ; 
G«>dl  lindc  her  nio  fuch  tbornin  on  to  |'tk'  ! 

Faodiirii*',  r  ' '  "^     -^    -  '*    ^t  her  fail c  by, 
Fche  (ron  h'  to  ftnUe, 

And  fcidc,  N       . .  ,  .  hcrtilic 

Tel  mc  that  t  A\al  ^Iktn  you  alite ; 
A  woiftidu  tluat  wire  of  hit  dbth  to  wite„ 
Withoutcn'  his  gitl,  l»«t  fpr  Her  bckc  r»f  routh. 
Were  it  wel  6«nti  (<ftiod  ffic/  Nuir,by  itiy  rroutii- 

God  help  mr  fo.  (quod  he)  J^c  f*y  ilie  (otlie, 
Yc  felin  wel  your  folic  th^it  ]  nmighc  Itt. 
Lo !  yonrlc  Ijc  hde'b,  (qfkod  flic)  yt*  fo  Kc  doth«. 
Wel»  quod  P*nd»rc,  li  I  llivi  coMe  you  thrit\ 
Let  be  youf  niceie  and  ^''^'"^  *'-^' 
And  fpekc  withKitii  in  hrrfc  : 

^ct  nicttc  nat  do  yoij  b oi         .  .  i     = 

But  tbcr'>ii  wji^  to  hcviti  ami  to  dooe^ 
Cotifidirmg  a\  thiDi^  it  timit  ^4t  be. 
And  iwhy  ^  fr^  fh»mc ;  tdud  tt  were  eke  to  fotie 
To  grauntln  liim  fd  grrt  n  libcrte^ 
For  pkinly  her  enteiic  (as  fkyid  (he) 
Was  fwr  to  Idvc  him  unwill  il  flic  might. 
And  ^tid^ia  him  with  nothing  but  vvith  TighL 

But  Piiudaru»  thoughe  tc  fb^  okc  belu  ; 
If  that  I  maiethi*  r  "^^   ««^»<  ^m 
t»h*l  oat  ben  hoidn  ^twoj 

What  (bnultl  I  tnuk  ]ongc  fermon  ? 

He  muA  aiT«nt  on  thai  corclullon 
Aj  for  tl>c  time,  and  ivhap  that  if  waa  eve. 
And  jlI  wiihi  wel,  he  rofc  Ami  tnke  h»  leve« 

And  on  hix  %Vay  (ult  fa.il  homewardc  he  fpedde, 
And  right  for  joy  he  iVltc  hi^  hcrt  lo  dfcancc. 
And  Troilui  he  foundc  alone  abcdde, 
That  laic  as  done  *^    '    '  traiince, 

Bet wiiin  hope  ar  ncc ; 

But  PandjLrav  tig---  •'   ■  '^t 

He  (ongt  a*  wl'io  laith,  l.o^  j.r   v  :       i   iring; 

And  Uide,  Who  ti  in  hi%  Wij  1    i  ;  i   ur 
Ybuticd  thii*l  U  «iti  I,  frttide^  <«iuofl  he.) 
Who  ?  Troilui !  n^-c.  hrjpr  me  lo  the  ifinre, 
(Qaod  pAndarus.)  •'up  rife  oM  iic 

A  c^iarmt'  that  w  i  .k  now?  mthe, 

Theif^f, 
If  thou 

Ye»  '  -iiiij     i  ruiin-j.; 

AndP-  l;c, 

^Hdfai.v.. ,,    .,,;!UJi: 

Have  here  a  liji^ht,  .ind  lokc  on  ill  thtfe  blakc 
Bur  mi  ft  in  g«n  the  Ittrt  to  glad  an^i  quake 
Of  1  roilus  while  he  it  gun  to  rede, 
$0  ai  the  wordiA  yave  hrm  hope  or  dredtt. 

But,  finally,  he  toke  ti  for  the  be  fie 
That  Qic  him  wrute,  for  fomi?vhat  he  behelde 
On-vrM  '  "  '  •    •      ■       ;  rcft^ 

Ai  cov 

Thustt^  i..v  .1  .i.ldc, 

Thaiiyhirf.  V:heftc 

Hi*  gfcte  wo  3 

But  as  wt  maie  ai  da  fe 

Thi6ii|rh  more  wode  or  »  ■ ;  t  he  more  fire, 

Rij^ht  1V>  cncrefe  of  Hope,  of  wl>at  it  be, 
^rherwrith  fol  oft  cocrcikth  ckc  ddinr, 
Or  ai  IS  bke  comidi  of  a  litil  Ipiiv, 


i  did  hi 


..3.1 


"•hi. 

Jhet:  ]..  .. 

To  pre fm  on,  u^  t 

And  writin  to  li  i  r  * 

J  n»  dny  t»>  dbiy :  htr  Id  •«  tJ' 

1  hui  by  Ptoddftif  he  I'bmwh^ 

And  did  3bU'»  hii  othir  abkrvauuc^A 
Thar  till  a  lovtr  Wn^ith  in  this  caa,s 
Ami  a.ttr  tlmt  hili  dioc  Uirnldon  chJu()c«| 
So  WAB  he  ^thir  glud,  or  faidc  Alaa ! 
And  hddnf'-rt-     -  u  -     -  *' "-inv 
And  after  f  <}dk 

So  wcrln  hi    . i  ^     ^dt, 

B4JC  to  Pjindart  sd^ay  wai  tits  rr^ci« 
And  pknuily  gpji  aie  lohim  to  pltinr^ 
And  him  be  fought  of  rtdn  add  fome  foeotft; 
And  Paudtrn^,  thiit  fe^'e  hi«wod^  ptioc* 
Wert  well 
And  bcfcty 
Some  of  hij  wo  Ti-i  iJtcn,  j.na  ujaT  a*  jr.irc  j 

And  rAfdr^  Lorde^and  frcodc,  aitd  broihjrdoH  | 
God  wot  that  thy  diiV(    '..i<>»inr  ^,^  ^.to. 
But  wolt  thou  ftintin  .  chert, 

And  by  my  trouib  er  i  ,      ( ^to, 

And  God  tofome»  yet  ft-d  1  iliap^'  it  (o 
That  thou  fhait  cdtne  into  a  c crtiunc  fUet 
There  as  thou  maidl  thy  (dk  prjiicii  her  «f  |f«a^ 

And  Cf  rt^inly  I  n*c»t  if  thow  it  wo<i«^ 
Bat  th<n  tJiat  ben 
it  ift  one  of  theft 

A  man  to  hart  a  inir  lor  ro  pr^tc. 
And  fikii-  f4ace  his  w*  for  to  bcwmir, 
1  or  In  )M»de  hir»  ■*  '^^ -tr  (..tne  routh  iolflvA^ 
J  '.  hut  Lind  K  (  n  dillrtffe. 

i*ar*avciiturc  i:  j  though  it  Wl* 

That  Kinde  won  Id  her  ydunc  for  to  bcfittM 
Jo  hare  a  mantr  routb  wp^^u  my  wo, 
Saith  Daungir  Nay,  tii'iu  flmlt  njc  ncirir«JB| 
So  rulirh  flic  her  hcn*i»  j;f»fte  within 


h  (lie  bend! 
rd  ii>  ihti  I 


for  the  nofici, 


On  V.I,'   :.  n -  •    ',.'  .  M^- 
Reccvi.'  h-ft.  ' '      ■'    ■  ' 

Ihc  gTCtCl^ 

Ai  done  th 

For  fwiftit  couric  comtth  thing  th«t  tai 

Wha?i  itdifccndithvthaa  done  ihan^f 

But  rede  that  bo  with  dounc  for  c^afl 
Ful  lightly  ceJfitb  wiadcit  wol  arile« 
But  fo  n^il  not  an  oke  whaii  it  i«  caft. 
It  ncdith  mc  nought  longc  the  for  do*  vifir; 
Men  Aall  lejoyTin  of  m  grrtc  emprife 
AtLhcvid  wcl,afld  ftout  withoutin  dout, 
Al  have  n\cn  ben  the  loigir  there  al*oui. 

But,  Troiluf,  now  tcl  mc  if  the  hit 
A  thing  whiche  that  1  fhal  aitin  of  ibc; 
Whicbc  il  thy  broilur  thot  thou  lovifi  brft 
A»  in  thy  very  hcTt'i*  privite  f 
Iwis  my  broibk  Odphufatts,  (quod  li^) 


to  lord 


ivjxi  a:*  I  tn&]f« 

cnt  he  tbo, 
1  rend  bctt  Aic ; 


bo  ina'  lu  : 

pus)  i  pray  3^ou  tkat  yc  be 
Bute  whichc  that  ytouchith  me. 
[  (quod  Dciphobac)  tpvelthou  yf^ti 
I  may,  *nd  God  tofore, 
jl  for  the  man  1  love  maft:, 
r^oilus',  but  fay  whcrfore 

the  diAy  that  I  vras  bore 

V  more  to  ben  I  thinkr, 

I  (bit  mightm  the  forthtnke. 

ID  him  thinkc,  and  to  tkim  fcidc, 
flte  «  hJy  in  thit  tonne 
^ce,no4  Cftllid  it  Crefeidet 

Eic  men  wouUl  dnne  oppreHioutir 
y  h>ire  her  poficflioim, 

I  yottf  lordfbip  you  bcfccbe 
Btnde  wiihotrtia  more  fpecbe. 
Uiim  anrwcidc,  O !  it  tiax  this 
pkiil  of  to  ine  thus  ftra,tin|^ely 
Nlreodc  ?  Pandirut  faid  hi  in  Yei, 
■  qjttod  Deiphobua)  hardtly 

pifl^  for  trullith  wel  that  I 
lb:«>nipioa  with  fpcre  and  ycrdr ; 
pi  though  all  her  foc«  it  henlc. 

r,  thou  th^t  woll  all  th»  inatcre, 
bell  iiv^iUn  now  ?  let  fe. 
^nw)  If  yc,  my  lordc  fo  dcrc, 
Itar  4o  ihii  hunour  to  me 
W^  morowct  lo^  that  flie 
|pi4ier  pluntJt  to  dcviie 
Hcs  would  of  it  agrifc* 
pore  durlk  pTAyioyou  as  now, 
lyoM  to  have  fo  grctc  tnivaile, 
i  of  your  brcthiin  here  with  you, 
||  ro  her  t-aufc  bcrtir  availc ; 
Uwd  (be  tnightin  nerirf^iilc 
Upm,  Wfhflt  at  your  inftaunce, 
fccr  othir  frcndii  govirtiauocc* 
%,  -r '  •  '     that  comin  was  of  kinde 

II  *e  to  confcntc. 

It :.._,  __  il-Uie;  and  \  nn  finde 
Ipe  to  thu  in  mine  entente  : 
thou  feline  1(  for  Helen  1  fent 
III  ?  t  iroiive  it  be  the  bcH, 
lin  Pvit  a«  her  lefl. 
!>,  which  that  h  my  lord  my  brother, 
I  to  pffaicd  kLiii  h'cndc  to  be, 
a     '    '  -time  and  eke  other, 

Ir  ic  honour  that  he 

|u  „.  > .  M.cli  hap  to  hiiB  hath  (he 
jIhiftbdpU  more  to  crave; 
bcbc  rieht  as  we  wol  htm  bavc» 
^4  Ufo  u>  TroiJus 

%i  L  die  him  with  ui  dine. 

Ifti  be  done,  fquod  Pandaru») 
Icve,  and  nevir  g-an  to  iinc^ 
ic'ii  boiifc  V  fl.rc^ht  at  Use 


He  came,  aad  foand  hfr  fro  the  mete  trife, 
An*!  fet  him  doun,  and  fpakc  right  in  c^iifwife^' 

He  laidc,  O  very  God  Ut  have  I  ronnc, 
Lo  *  ncc^  mine,  fc  ye  nat  how  1  fwctc  f 
1  u'ot  whcthir  ye  the  more  thanke  mc  connc ; 
Be  ye  not  ware  how  that  falfc  Poliphetc 
U  now  about  eftfimit  for  to  plete. 
And  bringin  on  you  advocaciet  newe  f 
i  I  no,  (quod  fbcj  and  chaiingid  itl  hcrhewe. 

What  I  is  he  more  about  me  for  to  dreti^h 
And  done  me  wrong  f  what  Hial  1  don  *  ftlat] 
Yet  of  him  fclfin  notliinf  would  I  retche, 
N'crc  it  for  Antenor  and  iEneai, 
That  ben  htKirendit  in  iuch  manir  can»; 
But  for  the  love  of  God,  mine  uncle  derc  \ 
No  force  of  that,  let  hini  have  al  ifere, 
Withiiutin  that  1  have  inough  for  o». 
Nay,  (quod  l^odsrc)  it  ftitll  nothin|f  be  Ib^ 
1  or  I  have  ben  right  now  at  Detphobw, 
At  Hc^or,  and  mine  othir  lordis  mo^ 
And  fljortly  maki^l  echf  of  *hem  hi«  fo, 
That  by  my  dihfie  \^e  Ihal  it  nevir  winne 
For  aught  he  can,  whan  fo  that  he  be^nne* 
And  as  thei  c^if^in  what  was  bed  to  done 
Dciphobufl,  of  hii  ownc  curtifie, 
Cjimc  her  to  prayc  in  his  propir  perfone 
To  holde  him  cm  the  morowe  com  panic 
At  dinir,  whichc  ihe  nc  wolde  not  denic, 
But  ifodely  ^n  to  hh  praycrc  obryc  : 
He  thonkid  her,  and  went  upon  his  wey. 

Whftn  thi«  was  don  thi«  Fandints  anone, 
(To  teUin  in  fhorte)  forth  he  gnn  to  wende 
i'o  Trothis  :iK  ftil  a*  any  ftone. 
And  al  this  thing  he  tolde  hirn  orde  and  end 
And  how  that  he  Deiphobus  pn.n  to  U!cndr, 
And  faidc  bim,  Now  is  time  ol  that  ye  conn 
*l'o  here  the  belle  to  m«row\  and  all  is  ATonne. 

Now  fpeke,  now  pray,  now  pitoufly  ccimphinc,  J 
l^ct  nat  for  nicf  fharat%  for  dredc  or  llouth ; 
Somtimc  a  m^in  Tiidte  i9i  hit  own^  paine; 
Bclevc  it,  and  flic  wol  have  cm  the  routh* 
Thou  ihak  ben  favid  by  thy  faith  nnd  trouth  : 
But  well  wot  1  thou  now  art  tn  a  dredc, 
And  what  it  i*  I  by  I  can  arcdc  i 

Thou  thJnkill  now  how  (hould  I  don  nl  thii 
For  by  my  cheriii  moJlin  folkc  cfpic 
That  for  her  Love  i«that  1  fare  amtf. 
Yet  had  1  Icvre*  unwift  for  forow  die  t 
Nowc  tbinke  nut  t'Oj  for  thou  do^  gret  folie^ 
For  I  ttg^i  »ow  have  foundln  a  mancrc 
Of  fl«ight  for  to  c^verin  a!  thy  there. 

Thou  flialr  gon  ovtrrtight,and  that  as  bjive, 
Unto  Deiphoi»U5  houfc  as  tke  to  plaie. 
Thy  malady  awaic  the  bcttcto  drive; 
For  why  ?  thou  femlft  tike^  the  fothc  to  fale  ; 
Sone  after  that  dounc  in  thy  bcddc  the  laie. 
And  f4Jc  thou  miift  no Icpgir  np endure, 
And  lie  right  there  and  bide  thine  avint:.rc. 

Say  that  the  fcvir  is  wont  the  to  take 
Tli«  fame  time,  and  bfttn  tiil  a  morowe  ; 
And  let  fc  now  how  well  thon  canfk  it  makf , 
For  parde  fikc  i^  he  that  it  in  ibrowe  : 
Go  uow,  £u'c#e),  and  Vcniit  here  to  borowc 
Z  itij 


36© 


TROILUS   AND   CRESEIDE. 


I  hope  md  thou  thJi  purpofe  holdc  Icrmc 
Thy  gTAce  (he  (hal  the  fully  there  ccuikrmc, 

(<3^od  TroUus)  Iwii  thou  alk  ticdckCTc 
ConfziiUil  me  that  fikcliche  1  me  tmiCt 
For  I  Jim  fike  in  erne  ft  doutcL^efle, 
So  that  wel  nigh  I  ftcrvlo  for  the  painc* 
(Quod  Pandaru-)  Thou  fhaft  the  hcttcr  phmc» 
And  haft  the  IciTc  nede  for  to  ccmnttrfctc. 
For  JJim  mffi  drntin  hctt  ttfat  mcft  ft /vctr* 

ho  I  holde  the  at  thy  tnOc  tlofe^  and  \ 
Shal  wel  the  dccre  unto  thy  l>owc  ^'drivc  i 
Thcrwirh  he  took  his  Icvc  all  foftily. 
And  Troilus  to  hi«  palcis  went  blive. 
So  glad  nc  wai  he  ncr  in  all  hid  live. 
And  to  Pundnrus  rede  gan  al  aflcnt, 
And  to  Dciphobuft  houfc  at  nijjht  be  went. 

What  nedith  it  to  tellio  all  the  chcrc 
That  peiphobus  unto  hit  brothir  made. 
Or  his  axii»  or  hi&  Ekcttche  naa nere 
How  men  gwi  hitn  with  cJothia  for  to  bdc 
When  he  waa  laid,  and  how  men  would  hinn  g^Iade  * 
But  all  for  nought  ^  he  hcldc  forth  aic  tlie  wife 
That  yc  han  herdc  Pjindare  err  this  dcvifc. 

But  certaine  it  cr  Troiluj  him  Icidc, 
Dciphobui  had  praied  him  ovirni«;ht 
To  ben  a  frcode  and  helping  to  Crcfcidc  ; 
God  wot  that  he  that  grauutid  anon  right 
To  ben  her  full»;  frend  with  all  his  might  ; 
But  Tuch  a  nede  was  it  to  prairii  \\\n\  theuue 
As  for  to  hiddin  v^  wodc  niAn  to  rcnne. 

The  morowe  came,  and  nighin  jjan  the  time 
Of  me^ttdcp  whan  thftt  the  faire  C^cne  Hclcu 
Shope  her  to  ben  ao  hour  afttr  the  prime 
With  Deiphobus,  to  whom  fhe  n'olde  faitte. 
But  at  hiA  fuilir  homely^  fothe  to  faine. 
She  came  to  dinir  in  her  pUine  entent. 
But  God  and  Pandare  wift  al  wh^it  thii  meitt. 

Came  eke  CrefeiJc  all  innocent  of  thi^ 
Antij^one  her  necc  and  Tarbt*  alfo  : 
But  flie  we  now  prolixitoi^fl  i». 
For  loTC  of  God,  ani^i^sfaf^  ygo 
Right  to  the'  ciTede  withoutin  tali»  mo. 
Why  al  this  folke  aiTemblid  in  ihift  place, 
And  let  u>  uf  thcrfalulngiipsce. 

Gret  honour  did  'hem  Detphobus  certaine, 
And  feddc  him  wel  with  all  that  m'fght  'i)cmlike» 
But  cvirmOi  alat!  wat  hii  rcfraiiic. 
My  god^  brothir,  Troilus  the  fikt% 
Lithe  yet ;  and  therwithal  he  gin  to  fike. 
And  after  that  he  p<»tnid  him  to  g tad c 
Hem  ai  he  might,  and  chcre  gode  he  made. 

CompUinid  eke  Helen  of  hit  GkenelH;: 
So  faithfully,  that  pity  was  to  here. 
And  evcty  wight  gan  wcxin  for  mcf 
A  lechc  anon,  and  faidc,  In  this  manerc 
M|p  curin  folkc,  thii  charme  I  wol  the  Icre  ; 
But  there  fat  one,  »1  ll£l  her  nat  to  teche, 
Thiit  thought,  yet  befl  couldin  I  ben  hit  lecbc. 

A/tfr  comprint  h: *'    ■  rn  prcifc, 

A»  folkc  doo  yet  w !  vjxh  hcg<yn 

7*0  prcifc  a  man,  ;i  him  rcifc 

A  ihoufandc  1  ic  Ion; 

He  i;^  he  cai^ ,  .^  ilo^i  ; 


Arid  Pandarotof  that  ihei  wror.M  afrrwc 
He  nought  foripate  ih<  0  caoCrfi 

Hod*  all  tki*  thinj/  .  i<k  we4 1 

And  every  wordc  gan  iur  lo  ijuitiie. 
For  wbichc  with  fobre  rberc  her  bcrtc  I 
For  who  11  that  nc  w»'  '  nfi* 

I'o  mowin  fuche  a  kn  •<  «^  4ii 

But  al  paHe  I,  leU  yc  lu  . -n^r^  >Uwcllt 
But  for  o  fine  U  al  that  er  I  tdh 

Tlie  time  tame  iro  din.r  f^r  to  rifr, 
And  as  *hem  ought  aril  ne. 

And  gon  \  while  of  tkir  ;  ^Irrifci 

But  Pnndaru*  brake  al  tlii»  fpcchc  4000, 
And  fiiid  to  Dciphobui,  Wol  ye  gon. 
If  it  your  will  be,  aa  I  erJl  yoo  prayiib. 
To  fpckin  of  the  nedi»  of  CreOridc  f 

Hetcn*  whtth  t'       '       '     hondi  her  I 
Tokc  firil  the  tal  ,  Go  we  bJif*  j 

And  godely  on  Ci*  .^.-.-  ...^  behclde. 
And  fayid,  Jovi«,  let  him  ncvir  thriire 
That  doth  you  harm,  and  rcvc  him  fooc  ^^ 
And  yevc  me  forowe  hut  he  flial  ttn 
If  that  I  may,  and  alk  folke  be  tme* 

Tel  thou  thy  oeC'iatiafc,  (qucK)  Dc^phoV 
To  Pandanif)  for  thou  canft  b«ft  it  t<Ii. 
My  Lordi»  and  my»  i^iec,  it  flam  tltli«  % 
What  (hould  I  lengir  (quod  he)  do  yMi  T 
He  rongc  *hcm  ci  *         ' 

Upon  her  foe,  t-h 
So  heinous  that  n,..,  ....^.,...,  ^.. 

A«f«  erde  of  thi*  ethc  wotfc  of 
And  Pol)^hetc  thci  goooin  thut  to 
And  houged  he  fuche  one  were  he  my  bn 
And  fo  he  fhal,  far  it  ne  maic  nought  Til 
What  fliould  I  lengir  in  thi»  caJe  tarien  I 
Platnliche  al  at  onis  thci  her  higbten 
I'd  ben  her  frende  in  all  that  er  Uiei  mig 

Spake  than  Helen,  and  fitid  to  Pandartit, 

Wot  aug^ht  my  lord  my  ^ "   -    f  thi*i 

I  mcne  Hedor,  or  wor 

He  fa  id  c  her  Ye;  but  u    .  j  ■«*  Hfifl 

Me  thin keth  thwi,  fith  that   1  -f««f 

It  were  gode  if  that  ye  Wf^n 

She  tolde  him  her  felfe  al  thu 

For  he  wol  ha  ire  the  mort  .'  ;  t»ntt 

Bicaufe  lo,  flie  a  worthy  lady  4*, 
And  by  your  wil  1  wol  hut  in  rt^fhr  ftcttc^ 
And  do  you  wete,  and   ' 
If  that  he  llcpc  or  wol 
And  in  he  lept,  and  f  -^^ 

God  have  thy  foult:  \  f  ::»rc  1  i%kafc  ' 

To  fmilin  of  ihi»  gun 
And  Pandanu  withoutm  rck 
Out  went  to  Helen  and  Deip; 
And  (aid  'hem,  So  there  be  no  titryiitg, 
Nc  morr  prefc,  he  wol  well  thai  yc  breag* 
Crefcide  my  lady  that  U  now  here 
Arid  aihc  marc  cnduren  he  wol  her  here. 

But  WL'l  ye  wo^            '    — '        ^  bm  life. 
And  fe^vc  folkc  n                             .r  wwinc ; 
Now  li-'*M'K  \-v    I,                              ,  Wile, 
lo  hr                                                   nhimk^tmei 
Of  Ian  .  ^  - 


tight«8»l 


:  (be  abide  till  eftfonit 
I  ye,  that  Vauwui  what  to  don  ii, 

me  bed  b,  a&  I  cin  knowc, 
ighi  in  nc  wend'!  but  yc  twcy^ 
;  I,  fur  I  can  ia  a  thiowc 
r  cafe  unlike  that  Ihc  can  fey, 
bii  ibc  may  onii  him  prey 
ie  Jordc  in  fhort,  and  take  her  Icve; 
aot  mokUl  of  his  cCc  him  rcve. 

for  flic  is  ilraunge  he  woU  forber< 
\dchc  that  him  dartn  nat  for  you  j 
lung  that  touchjth  nat  to  her 
td,  I  wotc  it  wcli  right  now, 
eit,  and  for  the  ti)wn*i&  prow  : 
diat  knew  nothii^g  of  hti  entente, 
,orc  to'  rrt>ittis  in  thci  wenic. 
Ill  all  her  godely  foftly  wife 
lac  and  wotnanly  to  plaie, 
Bri*  yc  mote  algate  arifc  ; 
■rothiTi  he  all  wl  ole  1  praie; 
Ble  riifht  over'  his  ftiuldir  laie^ 
irith  all  her  wit  to  reccmfort ; 

could  fhe  pLU  him  to  diJport. 
this  (quod  fhr)  Wc  you  bcfcke, 
"othirt  DLiphobus  and  I, 

God,  and  fo  docth  Pandarc  eke, 
k  lordc  and  ftcndc  right  hcrtily 
Afe,  whicbe  that  certainly 
piDg,  ai  wot  well  here  Pandarc, 
frcafc  well  bet  than  I  declare, 
itlanif  g^n  nev^c  hit  tong  affile, 
^   .   bercc,  and  that  anonc  : 
fonc  afrir  in  a  while 
i.u-. ,  .*?.  fone  as  I  muie  gone 
t  fain  with  all  my  might  bco  one, 
my  trouth,  her  caulc  for  to  fuftcinc  ; 
thrift  have  yc  (quod  Helen  the  Quenc, 
taikdarus)  And  it  your  will  ybc 
laie  take  her  kvc  cr  that  (he  go. 
d  forbid  it  !  (tho  qufxl  he) 
vouchfafin  for  to  doc  To. 
hat  wordc  (quod  TroiJus)  Yc  two, 
sad  my  fuficr  Icf^  and  dere, 
PC  1  to  fpckc  of  a  matcrc, 
ivifidby  your  rede  the  better; 

(aft  hap  wa^]  at  hit  bcdd'is  hcdde 
ti  a  trcrtfc  and  a  letter 
Mad  him  lent  to  alkin  rcdde 
■a  wai  worthy  to  ben  dedde  ? 
fht  who,  but  in  a  gr ifly  wife 
'hem  anone  on  it  avrfe. 
U  gon  thi»  letter  for  to*  unfolde 
rete,  fo  did  Helen  the  Qucnc, 
litwarde  fad  it  gopoc  beholde. 


Douiiward  a  ftcire^  into  an  hcibcr  grenc  ; 
1  hi»  like  thing  tiici  rcddin  'hem  bctwcnc. 
And  largily  the  mountenauncc  of  an  houre     < 
I'hci  gonnc  on  it  to  rcdin  and  to  pourc. 

Now  let  *bcm  rede,  and  toumc  wc  anone  f 
To  Pandarus,  that  gan  full  faftc  pric 
That  all  wat  well^  and  out  he  gan  to  gone 
Into  the  grcte  chambir,  and  that  in  hie^ 
And  fayid,  God  faTc  all  this  cnmpanic  I 
Come,  ncc(*  mine,  my  ladic  Qucne  Helcn^ 
AbJdith  you,  and  eke  my  lordis  twenc. 

Rife,  take  w^th  you  your  nect  Antigone, 
Or  whom  you  lift,  or  no  force  hardily; 
The  lalTc  prrfTc  the  betiir  :  come  forth  with  mf| 
And  lokith  that  yc  thpnkln  humbily 
Them  all  thrc,  and  whan  yc  maic  godily 
.Your  time  ifcc  takith  of  them  your  lew. 
Left  we  to  long  his  reili*  him  bit  eve. 

AJl  innocent  of  Pandarus  cntcnt, 
Quod  tho  Crcfcide,  Go  wc,  uncle  dere ! 
And  armc  in  arrae  inward  with  him  fbc  wcnt^ 
Avifing  well  her  wordii  and  her  chcre ; 
And  PandariiS  in  crneflfuU  man  ere 
Sayid,  All  folkc,  for  GoSd*i»  love  !  praie, 
Stintith  right  here,  and  foftily  you  plaic* 

AvICtb  you  what  folkc  ben  here  within^ 
And  in  what  pllte  one  is,  God  him  amende! 
And  inward  thus  full  foftily  begin ; 
Nccc,  1  conjure  and  highly  you  defende. 
On  hi«  behalfe  whichc  that  foulc  ua  all  fcnde. 
And  in  the  vertue  of  corounis  twainc, 
Slca  pat  this  man  that  hath  for  you  this  paine. 

Fie  on  the  dcvill  I  thinkc  wbichc  one  he  i«y 
And  in  wh»t  plitc  he  Ueth  ;  come  of  anone  ; 
Thinkc  all  fochc  taricd  tide  but  loH  it  »*is. 
That  woll  yc  botlx  fainc  whan  yc  ben  one  j 
And  fccondly,  there  yet  dcvioith  none 
Upon  you  two,  come  of  now  if  yc  conne 
While  foUtc  i»b!cnt,  lot  all  the  time  iswonop* 

In  titiring^  and  purfute,  and  dclaics, 
The  folkc  dcvine  at  wcgging  of  a  ftre. 
And  though  yc  would  ban  aftir  mcric  daiit 
Than  dare  ye  nat ;  and  why  ?  for  {he  and  ihc 
.Spake  fochc  a  worde  ;  thus  lokid  he  and  he  ; 
Lcil  time  be  loftc  I  dare  nat  with  you  dele. 
Come  of  ihcrfore,  and  bringith  him  to  hcle. 

But  now  to  you,  yc  lovirs  that  ben  hcrc» 
Was  Troilu«  nat  in  a  cankc^rt, 
That  iaic  and  might  the  whifpring  of  'hem  hcrC| 
And  thought,  o  Lorde  !  right  now  rcnnith  my  for| 
Fully  to  die  or  have  anone  comfort. 
And  wa»  the  firft  time  that  he  Qiould  her  praie 
Of  love  i  Q  migbtk  Cpd !  wl^at  fbaU  he  faic  t 


TROILUS 


CRESEIDE. 


PROCEMIUM   LIBRI  TERTII. 


O  Et  '    >t  *  cif  which?  thf  hcmU  cifre 

AJor'  rhircJ  hfan  faire, 

Pkrauncc  of  !m*c  "  t>  godely  tldjonairc  ! 
,  In  gct>tk  hcTttt  nk  redy  torrpairc, 
[  O  vtry  ca\ile«f  hclc  %\A  of  jfladftdfe, 

•ifver  1  rhe  fajt  fc» 

rfek  thr  I  !€Tri>e, 

A»  rr  he,  hfrljc,  and  ^avt  tic. 

The?  t-apotjr  ctemc : 

Cod:  '          "    :iughttt^mc; 

Yc<  Jovis,  fii*ft  to  ihtllcr  : 
,  Thrcuyh  w4i!che  thut  thin^;  :  .  ..    aui  ?jc, 

L  Commcndidin  and  amoroos  hrm  made: 
On  wntireuU  thihg,  and  asyc  iift  tic  yc 
YevL*  "Wm  iti  love  tffc  or  adTcrCte, 
Ari.1  in  a  ihoiifandt  formts  dccme  hnm  fciic 
For  krvc  in  ycrth,  mid  Trhonr  ymi  lift  he  hcnt- 

W  fitrri  XIbtSj  iperm  of  h\\  ire. 
And  A*  yen  lift  yc  makin  tiertc»  digoc, 
Alj^atb  thccn  that  yc  wo II  fet  a  Ere 
Thcl  drcdin  fliunc,  and  vicU  thci  refigne ; 
Yc  doai  *hcmk-tcii  be,  frclhc,  aod  bcntgne^ 


And  hic  or  lowc  xftfr 
rhf  joyi»  that  he  hat  I 

Yt  holdiu  rcif^Qc  .iiM*  II. 
Yc  fothfAfl  caufc  of  frvndfl 

Vc  knuwin  all  tliilkccovrrcL.  ^ 

Of  thing  is  whichc  tJ)ar  folkt:  on  wondrus  1 
Whan  rhci  c;in  nat  cftnftnic  !ujw  tt  mai«  j 
^he  lovdth  him,  or  %vhy  he  lovidi  htrr, 
A&  why  thisfiflie  uat  ihAt  conuthto  wer 

Yc  fo Ike  ^  bwc  lave  fci  in  mitvcfic^  > 

AnS  thii  Vnciwc  1  by  them  tlvat  loYjr*  be, 
Thdtwh.    "    '^         '         '  '      '    ?^«ti(ei 

Now  laJ 

A*  n-vcr-.i... •-  VI  ujvi 
'r^  li  ill.;  ^  li.vkcl  am,  [ 
S'jji':':  j-'iL  of  that  19  t'-, .  s..  :.-. 

Yc  ux  my  nakid  hert'ts  fcntimcnt 
Inhilde,  and  doc  me  ihewe  of  thy  fweuod 
Ciliopc  Jl^hy  voice  be  now  prcUat, 
For  now  ii  ncde ;  fccll  thou  nat  myd^dSi 
How  \  mote  tcil  anon  nght  tlic  gUdj^iTc 
OfTroaluito  Vcnui  hcrying? 
To  #hlche{UdDeJrevirhoBc4eliatliG9dt 


EffdSi 
Jc  ^ 

SbjJl 


INCieiT   LIBKR  TERTIUS, 


aefic  t*hil^  ihh  fid  Troiltfi 

Icfibn  in  thU  miner*, 
^t  he,  ihuii  vfoW  \  (slIc  ind  thui, 
lain  unto  my  h^'tt  dot, 
» godc,  utd  this  Hiatl  be  mf  chere^ 
k  foi^ctin  in  no  wife  r 
IM'crkiu  &i  he  can  drvirc, 

!  fo  thftc  hb  hcrte  begaii  to  qtiappe 
Itu^  and  (liort  gati  for  to  Oke  ; 
U,  thai  led  her  by  the  bppe, 
idg^n  in  3C  the  curtcin  pHce, 
id  doc  bote  on  all  ttut  arc  dkd  I 

yott  comin  to  vifitcj 

tluit  h  your  dcth  to  wite, 

fcmid  ai  he  wept  atnioUe, 

>nu»t  fo  routhfully, 
o  o  mightic  God !  thou  wofte  : 
pe  i  fc  nat  trwily. 
iTcldc)  it  is  Paodare  and  I. 

i^ala&il  mait  nat  rife  \ 

lo  your  honour  in  ibme  wifir* 
hun  upward;  and  (he  rJ^ht  tho 
iondis  foft  upon  him  kie. 
i  of  God  doc  yc  Dot  fo 

fhc,)  By,  what  Is  xhh  to  fei ! 

I  tu  you  for  cauCs  twcic, 
jnlte,  and  of  your  lordOiipc  ckc 
I  wouldc  you  bcfckc. 

tkat  herd  his  Iodic  praie 
|r  wox  ncithir  ^ulck  uc  dcdde, 
Drdc  for  fhamc  untu  it  faie, 

(ho^ldin  fmitin  of  hit  hedde, 
^he  woze  fodainhche  allc  redde  ; 
tflbii  that  he  weod3  conne 
15  through  his  wit  ironae. 
ihii  cfpyid  well  inough, 
fc,and  loved  him  ncr  the  lelte, 

all  apartc,  or  made  it  tough, 
t  to  fing  a  foKin  miffc ; 
iwm£  bcgian  fomwbai  to  f^JTe 
1  mate  my  rimiA  hoide, 

s  tediin  bokii  oldc. 
ypicc,  right  for  bis  very  drede, 
\c  ^uoke,  and  iherto  hii  maocre 

and  now  his  hewi^  rede 

Crcfcidc  hit  bdie  dcrc, 

:  cafL  and  humble  yoldia  chcre, 
k  worde  that  him  aftcrtc 
irciC|  m^ue,  my  dcrc  hcrtc! 


And  ft  tin  ft  wh^e,  and  i^an  he  mi^t  otii  brlpg 
The  neit^  word,  was  r;    '  "  i  I  have 

A*  faitlifuHy  ai  1  have  I 
Ben  your*!*  all,  God  ic  i  .  >  i  -« i    i.ive, 
And  ftiali,  till  rhat  I  wofull  Wight  be  grave, 
And  though  I  dare  nu  can  unto  you  plain 
Iwis  I  fiiflir  not  the  lafliJ  pain. 

Thus  mochcai  now,  ah  womanlichc  wife  t 
I  maic  out  bring,  and  if  this  you  difpl efc 
That  fliall  I  wrckc  upon  mine  ownt  life 
Right  fune  I  irowe,  and  doc  your  hcrtc  an  cft^," 
If  with  my  dcth  your  hcrt  f  jnaic  af  cfc  , 
But  fens  that  yc  han  herd  me  fomwfiat  fey 
Now  rutche  I  nevir  how  fonc  that  I  deic, 
T*herwith  hi»  manly  for  ow*^  »-  t„i,.iJj, 
It  niight  have  made  an  hcTti  retr. 

And  Pandarc  wept  as  he  to  v.  .^J, 

And  pokid  cvirhiitiecc  newe  antt  ncwe, 
And  fay  id.  Wo  bcgon  btn  hertis  true  ; 
For  love  of  God  make  of  t hit  thinjj  an  cndc. 
Or  flea  us  hothc  at  oncn  tt  that  yc  Wendc. 

I,  what  ?  (quod  Ihe,)  By  God  ^nd  by  my  tfblith 
I  n'ot  nevir  what  ye  wilce  thn  1  fcle, 
file  !  what  ?  (quod  he)  that  yc  have  on  him  rout^ 
1  or  Good 'in  love,  and  doeth  him  nat  to  dcic. 
Now  than  thus,  (quod  flit)  I  wullin  hiin  ptcie 
To  tellin  me  the  fine  of  hi*  entente  ; 
Yet  wift  I  nevir  well  what  that  ho:  mentc. 

What  thiit  I  mciie,  o  my  fwetc  hcit*  dcret 
(CJuodTroilus)  o  fodtly  fitflic  and  frc  } 
rhaf  with  the  {iTemts  of  your  cyifi  cLtc 
Vc  wouldin  fomtimc  frendly  on  me  fc, 
And  than  agrein  that  I  male  ben  he 
Withotrtin  braunchc  of  vice  on  any  wTfc 
In  trootht  alwaic  to  do  you  my  fervile , 

As  lo  my  laJie  right,  and  ckviii  re  fort. 
With  all  my  witte  and  all  my  diligence. 
And  I  to  have  right  ai  you  lift  comfort. 
Under  your  yerde  egall  to  mine  offence, 
Ai  deth,  if  that  I  brekin  your  defence. 
And  that  yc  digne  me  fo  mochil  honour 
Me  to  commaundin  aught  in  anv  hour. 

And  I  to  ben  your  very  humble,  true. 
Secrete,  and  in  my  paints  pacient. 
And  cvir  ft>  dcfirln  frcfbly  ncw« 
To  fenrint  and  ben  aie  like  diligent. 
And  with  godc  hcrtc  all  wholly  your  taletit 
Reccvio,  in  gre,  how  fore  that  me  finertc  : 
Lo,  ^bi$  mcnc  I,  o  mine  owuc  fwetc  hcrtc  f 


TROrLCS   AND  CRESEIDE. 


n^m 


I 


I 


I 


(Quod  Pandarus)  Lo !  here  an  hard  tcqucil, 
^nd  rcfo*nable  a  ladic  for  lo  wcrnc; 
Now  ncc^  minci  by  Natall  Jov'ia  fcft. 
Were  I  ft  god  yc  fhouldin  itcrve  as  ycrne, 
That  hcrin  well  thU  man  wol  nothing  yrme 
But  your  honor^  and  fenc  hitn  almofle  (lerve^ 
And  hcD  fo  lot  he  to  fuffrc'  him  you  to  itrt^* 

With  that  fhc  gan  her  cyln  on  him  caft 
Full  cfjJy  and. full  debonairly, 
Avifing  ho",  and  hied  her  not  to  faft 
With  ncr  aworde,  but  faicd  him  foftil/^ 
Jl/tioc  honour  fafc  L  woU  wcil  truilf , 
And  in  foctt  fcrmc  as  yc  can  now  dcTifc, 
Rccevin  him  fully  to  my  fcrvifc ; 

Bcfcchtng  hinif  for  Godd'is  love,  that  he 
^^ould  in  honour  of  trouth  and  gentiUncflc, 
A»  1  "well  mcnc,  ckc  mcnic  well  to  rac 
And  mine  honour  with  wit  and  bufincflc 
Aie  kcpe  ;  and  if  I  male  doen  him  dadneffe 
From  hetmafcxthc  iwit  J  n*il]  not  faioc  : 
Now  hcthc  all  whole,  no  ]cng;ir  yc  ne  plain. 

But  nuthtlcfTc  thi$  warnc  1  you,  (quod  fljc) 
A  king'Ii  fonnc  although  yc  be  iwii, 
Yet  yc  ihall  no  more  have  (ovcraintc 
Of  me  in  love  than  right  in  that  cafe  is 
Ne  n'ill  I  foibcrc  if  ye  doto  anai» 
To  wrath  in  you,  and  while  that  ye  me  fcpre 
Cherilhc  you  right  aftir  that  yc  dcfcrvc. 

And  (bortUyi  dirre  hcrte,  and  all  my  knight  1 
Beth  glad,  and  drmwUh  you  to  Iuflinr(rc, 
And  1  fhaU  truely,  with  alJ  my  fuU  might. 
Your  bittir  tourin  all  to  fwctincITe, 
If  I  be  flic  that  maic  do  you  gbdneffc 
Far  every  wo  ye  fball  rccovir  blifTe, 
And  him  in  armii  toke,  and  gan  him  kifiT^k 

Fill  Pandarus  on  knecf,  and  up  his  cycn 
To  hevin  thjewe^  and  heldc  hii  hondishie; 
Immortali  god !  (quod  he)  that  maieft  cot  dico 
Cupide,  of  this  thou  maiH  the  glorifie. 
And  Veiiu&»  thou  maift  makin  melodic  ; 
Withoutin  horsde  me  fexnith  that  io  loune 
For  thi*  miracle  1  here  cche  bell  foune. 

But  ho  !  no  more  oow  of  this  ilkc  matere  i 
For  why  I  thi»  folkc  woll  comin  up  anonc 
That  have  the  Icttir  rcddc  :  lo  I  Them  here; 
But  I  conjure  the  Crcfcidc  anone, 
And  thou  to  Troilus,  whan  thou  maift  gone. 
That  at  mine  houfc  yc  ben  at  my  w^iming. 
For  I  full  well  fliall  fli;ipin  your  comraing  ; 

And  cCth  there  yourhcrtis  tight  inough, 
Aitd  let  fc  whichc  of  you  fhall  here  the  bcU 
To  fpckc  of  love,  and  right  therwith  he  lough. 
For  there  have  ye  a  Itifir  for  to  tclL 
KQuodTr-  f-    "   -  T  "'  '^-  n  Ihcrcdwcn 
Er  this  1  in  thou  maicHrife 

Thi*  thi:  ^         :         ^  ,    i  lift  dcvife. 

With  that  Hden  and  ailo  Deiphobus 
Tbo  comm  upwiri!,  r'^^ht  at  the  ftairc**  cndc, 
And,  Lordcir  rooinTroilmk 

Hi»  brothir  ^  lot  to  Wendc. 

(Quod  Pandarui;  k  lync  Uthat  we  wendf ; 
t5^c,  ntc^  mine,  your  Icve  at  them  all  thre, 
Aad  let  'hem  fpdtCj  and  comlth  fcirih  wich  me. 


She  toke  her  lere  at  *hein  full  thriftiJy, 
At  ihe  well  could,  and  thei  her  rcTcrcace 

Unco  the  full  ydiddin  hertily. 
And  wondir  well  fpekin  in  her  ahfefloe 
Of  |Hir,  in  praifiDg  of  her  cxceUoice:, 
Her  govimaaace,  her  wit,  and  her  manefe 
Commendidin,  th^t  Jt  joic  wa»  to  hext. 

Now  let  her  wende  unto  her  own^  flscCy 
And  tournin  wc  to  Troll ui  agivtne. 
That  gan  full  lightly  of  the  kttir  pace 
That  Dciphobui  had  in  the  gardine  faine, 
And  of  Helen  and  of  him  he  would  feioe 
DcUvirid  ben,  and  faied  that  him  led 
To  Qepe,and  aftir  tali*  have  a  reft. 

Helen  him  kifl,  and  toke  her  levt  ii  bltve, 
Deiphobus  eke,  and  home  went  crcry  wight. 
And  Pandarui  aa  fade  a«  ht  m^ic  drive 
To  TroiJuf  jho  came  as  litj^  right, 
And  on  a  ptUlet  all  that  gladt  nlghc. 
By  Troilus  he  laic  with  merie  chcre. 
And  well  wai  them  that  thei  werein  yCcre- 

Whan  every  wight  was  voided  but  thei  iwifj 
And  all  the  doris  werin  faft  ilhct. 
To  tell  in  fhort,  without  in  wordis  mo, 
Thif  Pandarut  wtthoutin  any  let 
Up  rofe,  and  on  hit  bedd^ii  Ode  liim  fet. 
And  gao  to  fpekin  in  a  fobir  wife 
To  Troilus  a^*  I  fiiatl  you  dcvife. 

Mine  aldirlcvift  Lorde,  and  brotliir  drre ' 
God  wot  and  thou  that  it  fate  mc  fo  fore 
Whim  1  the  fawe  fo  languiflilng  to  ye  re 
tFor  love,  of  whichc  thy  wo  woic  alwaie  tnoft, 
I'hat  I  wif  h  ail  my  might  and  all  my  lore 
Mave  ever  fitfiin  doen  my  buCncflc 
*To  briogm  the  to  joie  out  of  dillrefle ; 

And  hiivc  it  brought  to  fochc  plite  a«  thoo  wtl, 
So  that  through  tpc  thou  llondift  now  in  wiie 
To  farin  well,  1  faic  it  for  no  bofl ; 
And  w<j(i  thou  why  ?  but  (hame  it  ii  to  Catr, 
For  fhc  have  I  begon  a  g:kmc  to  pliie 
Wiiiche  that  1  nevir  doen  fliall  eft  for  othff, 
AUho  he  were  a  thoufandc  Ibid  my  brother; 

That  is  to  faic,  for  the  am  I  become, 
Bctwixin  gan|c  and  emeft,  focbc  a  men« 
As  makin  women  unto  men  to  come. 
All  faie  I  ftat,  thou  wo  ft  well  what  I  meflCi 
For  the  have  I  my  necc,  of  viri*  clcne^ 
So  fully  made  iby  gcntiUneffx:  to  trift 
Tl;at  all  fhall  ben  right  as  thy  fclfin  lift. 

But  GbA,  that  all  woitcth,  take  !  to  nitoeff^ 
That  ncvtr  tliis  for  covctifc  I  wrougrhr. 
But  on  ^     -  ■       '        •       ^   '      - 

For  ^ ! 

But,  I,.  .-..,.,,.  .,... 

For  O  and  kej>e  1 

Sin^  tl  ■:....,  and  favc  / 

Fnjr  wci  thou  woftc  the  ru 
BmotTgca  the  peple'  an  (who  \ 
For  that  man  is  utiborr?.  1  dare  wdl  iwt*^, 
That  ever  wift  thjf  ihr  yr^t  did  smt»  t 
But  wo  if  me  th II  '  '  'Mt 

Mnie  thinkin  that  ' -rt^ 

And  1  her  tme;,  ind  unaa^ur  ea.e  i^txt^ 


"^rllk  that  1  throui^h  mine  eogisc 
Vtcc  iput  this  fantifie 
luft,  and  wholly  to  be  thine, 
iworldc  wouldin  upon  it  trie, 
m  I  the  worft  trcchcrie 
Uc  that  evir  was  bcgon, 
bn,  and  thoj  right  nought  iwoD, 

er  1  woll  fcnhir  gone  or  paw 
^befeche  and  fully  faie 
rao  with  us  in  this  caas, 
foe,  that  thou  ui  never  wraie; 
irrothe  though  I  the  oftin  praic 
ere  foche  an  high  matter, 
if  thou  woftc  well,  my  praicr, 
r  what  wo  there  hath  betid  cr  tKk 
H  av^untlsi  ae  men  rede, 

xhauncc  in  this  v?0Tldc  yet  there  it 

lie  right  for  that  ^ckid  dcdc^ 
hcfc  wile  clcrkis  that  ben  dedc 

I  provcrbid  to  as  young, 

vtrtme  u  to  kept  the  iontig, 
k  that  I  wilnc  as  now  abredgc 

Rhechc,  1  could  almoflc 
Id^  (loriet  the  alcdgr: 

tc  throug^h  falfc  and  follt  hoilc  ; 

\  thy  fclf  inow^  and  woftc 
tice  ior  to  beo  a  bhbbe 

fothe,  aj  often  as  thei  gabbc. 
'kHs  \  fo  oftin  here  before 
Idc  many  a  hdie  bright  of  hewc 

aic  the  daic  that  1  wa*  bore  ! 

mAidins  forrowc  for  to  ncwc ; 

tore  parte  all  i«  but  untrue 
ydpe  and  it  wer  brought  to  prcvc ; 
t  avauntour  is  to  IcjjjflL     ^ 

and  a  licr  all  is  on'^^F     W^ 
b>|Hifc  a  woman  graunt  me 
D  faieth  that  othir  woll  fhc  none, 
^nc  to  holdin  it  fccrc, 
w:  tell  it  two  or  thre ; 
luntonr  at  the  left, 

for  t  brckc  my  bcheft,     ^ 

i  than  if  thci  be  not  to  bliftie 
!fclk#  what  (hal  I  ckpe  *hcm,  what  I 
litint  of  women,  and  by  name, 
(ght  *hcm  ncvir  thi*  ne  that, 

m  no  more  than  mine  oldc  hat : 
Ii  fo  God  mc  fcndin  bele, 

rn  c^cdin  with  us  men  to  dcle» 

ts  for  no  mi(lni{t  of  you, 
Ific  men,  but  for  foU^  nice, 

rme  that  in  the  worlde  is  now 
»Iie  oft  as  for  malice, 
I  that  in  wife  folk  that  Tice 

kt,  if  fhc  be  wcU  avifed, 
\him  lyfwiir  harmt  chupft4, 
^  purpofe,  Icv^  brothir  defe  ! 
Ihtni^  that  I  have  fulcd  in  minde, 
■  ]  be  now  of  gode  cherci 
It  mc  true  ylinde; 
.  .  lij  focht  a  kinde, 
e,  that  it  flialltbc  fuffile, 

right  a«  thou  woU  dcvift;. 


For  well  I  wotc  thots  mtnlft  well  parde, 
Therefore  I  dare  this  fully  undirtake ; 
Thou  woft  etc  what  thy  ladle  grauntid  the. 
And  daic  is  fct  the  chartcris  to  make  : 
Hjvc  now  gode  night,  I  mate  no  Icngir  wake. 
And  bid  for  mc,  fith  thou  art  now  in  blilTe^ 
That  God  mc  fcnd^  deth  or  fon:  liflfc. 

Who  might  ytellin  halfc  the  joie  or  fcfte 
Whiche  that  the  foule  of  TroUus  tho  fcltc  f 
Hcring  the*  cffctli  of  Pandanis  bcheftc 
Hii  oldc  wo,  that  made  his  herte  to  fwclt, 
Gao  tho  for  joie  to  waftio  and  to  melt, 
And  all  the  rcheting  of  hii  fikes  fore 
At  onis  flcdj  he  felt  of  *hcm  do  more; 

Bnt  right  fo  as  thefe  holtcs  and  thefe  hayls 
That  Han  in  wintir  dcdde  yben  and  dric 
Rcvcllin  'hem  in  grtnc  whan  that  Majc  ij, 
Whwi  every  luftic  belle  Uftith  to  pleic, 
Right  in  that  fclfin  wife,  fothe  for  Xq  fete, 
Woxe  fodainly  hii  hcrt^  full  of  joir. 
That  gladdir  was  there  ncvir  man  in  Trolc  A 

And  gan  his  lokc  on  Pandanis  up  call 
Full  fobirly,  and  frcndly  on  to  fe. 
And  fayid,  Frcnde,  in  Aprilii  the  Uft, 
As  well  thou  woft,  if  it  rcmcmbir  the. 
How  nigh  the  deth  for  wo  thou  foundc  nuc, 
And  how  thou  diddifl  all  thy  bufintiTc 
To  knowc  of  mc  the  caufc  of  my  diflrcHe  ; 

7  hoti  wofl  how  long  \  it  forbare  to  fale 
To  the  that  art  the  man  that  I  be  ft  trift^ 
Atid  perill  none  was  to  the  to  bewraie, 
That  will  I  well;  but  tell  me  if  the  lift, 
Sith  I  fo  lothc  was  that  thy  fclf  it  will, 
Howduril  1  mo  tcUin  of  this  matere 
That  quake  now  tho  no  wight  maic  us  here  f " 

But  nathclefle,  by  that  God  1  the  fwcre, 
That  as  him  lifl  male  all  this  world  giYVcrne^ 
And  if  I  lie  Achillis  with  his  fperc 
Mine  herte  cleve,  all  were  my  life  etcrne. 
As  I  am  mortal),  if  I  late  or  yernc 
Would  it  bewraie,  or  durft,  or  fhoutd,  or  connti^ 
For  all  the  gode  that  God  made  undir  fonnc  \ 

That  rathir  die  I  would  and  determine. 
As  thinkith  me  now,  ftockid  in  prifoun. 
In  wrctchidnefie,  in  fikhe,  and  in  verminc, 
Caplifc  to  cruill  King  Agamcmaoun ; 
And  this  in  all  the  tcmplis  of  this  toun, 
Upon  the  goddis  all,  I  woll  the  fwere, 
i'o  morowc  daie,  if  that  the  tikith  here- 

And  that  thou  hafl  fo  raoche  idocn  for  m& 
That  I  ncmaie  it  nevirmorc  dcfcrve 
This  knowe  I  well,  all  might  I  now  for  the 
A  ihoyfandc  timis  on  a  morowe  flerve ; 
I  can  no  more  but  that  1  woll  the  ferve 
Right  as  thloe  own  flave,  whithir  fo  thou  wendCi 
For  evirmorc  unto  my  liv*i5  endc. 

But  here  with  al  mine  herte  I  the  befechc 
That  new  in  me  thou  dcmc  foche  folic, 
As  I  (hall  fain  >  me  thought  by  thy  fpechc. 
That  this  whiche  thou  mc  docll  for  compnntc 
I  (houhi  wcnin  it  were  *  Ivm.i,  rw»* 
I  am  not  wodc  all  if  1  : 
It  is  nai  lo,  that  wotc  i 


But  he  that  goeth  for  gold  or  for  richcffe 
Oit  fcKhe  mcKiigiit  all  him  what  yc  lif^, 
And  thift  that  thou  doc  A,  call  it  gcntjlnciTc, 
CompalDon,  asd  fclowCblp,  and  trill, 
lie  part  in  it  fo,  for  wide  where  i»  wid 
How  that  there  is  diverDtc  rcquercd 
Betwiiciii  thingU  like,  as  I  have  Icred* 

Anff  that  thou  ktiowc  I  nc  thinkc  ooi  nc  wenc 
That  this  fcrwice  a  (hamc  be  or  a  jape, 
]  have  my  falre  fuftir  Polyxene, 
Caflandra*,  Helen,  or  any  of  tlie  frape,( 
Be  fhe  never  fo  faire  or  weU  IHiape, 
Tell  me  whiche  thou  will  of  evericbone 
I'o  haver  for  thine,  and  let  me  than  alone. 

But  Hth  that  thou  hall  doen  mc  thi»  iervice 
My  life  to  fave^and  for  non  hope  of  medc». 
So  for  the  love  of  God  this  gretc  emprtfo 
Performe  it  out,  for  now  h  the  moUc  nedc ; 
For  high  and  lowe,  withoutto  any  drcdc, 
1  woll  alwaie  thine  he(lii  alle  kcpe  : 
Have  now  ^odc  night,  and  let  ut  bothc  flcpe. 

Thui  held  'hem  eche  of  othir  wcU  apaicd. 
That  all  the  worlde  oc  might  it  bet  amende. 
And  on  the  morowe,  whan  thei  were  araicd 
£che  to  hi«  own^  nedii  gan  cntende; 
But  Troilui,  though  as  the  fire  he  brcnde 
Por  fharpc  deHreof  hope  and  of  plcfaunce* 
He  not  forgate  hisgode  wife  govirnaunce; 

But  in  himfelf  with  manhode  gao  rcilraiD 
Eche  rakill  drde  and  ci^he  unbridJttd  cherc. 
That  all  tho  that  Iivin,  fothc  for  to  fainc, 
Kc  ihould  have  wifke  by  worde  or  by  manere 
What  that  he  ment  as  touching  this  matcre, 
From  every  wight  as  fcrrc  as  is  the  cloud. 
He  waifo  wife,  and  well  diflimu'len  coud. 

And  all  the  while  whiche  tbat  I  now  dcviib 
This  waji  his  Jtfc,  with  all  his  full^  tnight, 
By  daie  he  was  in  Mart'is  high  fcrvicc. 
That  tf  to  fain,  in  armii  as  a  knight. 
And  fore  the  more  part  all  the  longc  night 
He  lay  and  thaughc  how  that  be  might  yferre 
Hisladie  befk,  her  ihankc  for  todeferve* 

N'ill  I  not  fwcrin,  altbougk  he  laic  foft. 
That  in  his  thought  he  n'as  fomwhat  difcled, 
Nc  thathc  toumid  on  his  pillowei  oft. 
And  would  of  that  him  miffid  have  ben  efe4; 
But  in  fochc  caie  men  be  nat  alwaie  plelc4 
For  aught  I  woti,  no  more  than  wa*  he, 
That  can  I  deme  of  poSbilite. 

But  certain  is,  to  purpofe  for  to  go^ 
That  in  this  while,  a<  written  is  in  gcBfi, 
He  fa  we  his  ladie  fotntime,  and  alfo 
2>he  with  him  fpake  when  that  Ihe  durll  and  kfte. 
And  by  thcr  both  aviic,  ai  was  the  bcftc, 
Appoint  idin  full  warely  la  this  nedc, 
So  ai  thei  durft,  how  they  wouldin  procedc* 

But  it  wai  fpokin  in  fo  fliort  a  wife, 
In  fochc  awaitc  alwaie,  and  in  foclie  fere, 
JLcil  any  wight  divinin  or  divife 
Wouki  of  'hem  two,  or  to  it  laie  an  ere, 
That  all  this  worlde  fo  lefc  to  *heni  nc  were 
As  that  Cupido  would  *hcm  Im  graceCcodc 
Tu  makia  of  ther  purpofe  right  aa  end?. 


TROILUS   AND   CRESEIDE, 


Rut  thilkc  UtiU  tJut  tlif  i  rpflUtt  or 
HU  VfiQ  ghode  toke  air  0/  all  fodie  bede, 
U  fcmid  l^  he  wifti  what  fh«  thougUt 
Withoutia  wordc,  fo  ihac  it  was  no  ticdc 
To  bid  him  aught  to  doen  or  atight  f»rb«d£. 
For  which  0-    •'    .,^i;.  *\m  |ovb,  alcume  ct ' 
Of  alle  \an  h^r  tht  jMt** 

And  ihor:.^       -'.--.  frQcefle  £ot  to  pacitf 
So  well  his  werke  and  wordis  he  brf^nt 
That  he  fo  full  Ho^c  m  hi*  Udic*s  grace 
That  twentie  thouCandc  timii  cr  flic  let 
She  thonkjd  Ood  Die  cvir  with  Kim  met; 
So  cohld  he  him  governs  in  foche  Ccrrioc 
l'h:it  all  the  worlde  cc  might  it  bet  dcvife  I 

for  why  f  fhe  fuunde  him  to  dt/crcu  ^ 
Hn  fccrttc,  ^nd  eke  of  foch  obetfamice. 
That  well  flic  felt  he  was  to  h^^  •  '-  •» 
Of  ftcele,  and  flielde  from  <  ; 

That  to  yben  in  his  godc  g- v 
So  wife  he  %aS|  fhe  was  no  more  « 
[  mcne  as  fere  ai  it  ought  ben  rc4 

And  Pandaras  to  quicb;  alwaie  the  &t< 
Wascvir  ilikc  prefl  and  diligent; 
To  cfe  hiifraide  wasfet  al  hit  dcllre  ; 
He  fhove  aie  on ;  he  to  and  fro  wa«  fbnt* 
He  Icttirsbarc  whan  Troilus  wa«  abicat. 
That  ncvir  man  a*  iu  his  frcnd'is  ncdc 
Nc  bare  him  bet  than  he  witliwuiin  drode. 

But  now  para*vcniure  fom;c  man  wairin 
That  every  wordc  or  fonde,  or  lake  or 
Of  TroilustKat  1  rehcrcio  fliokl. 
In  al  tiiia  while  unto  his  Udy  dcrc, 
I  trowc  it  were  a  long  thing  for  to  htre, 
Orof  what^ght  that  ftonte  in  fuchc  ^LSbau 
Hif  wonliii  4  «  every  iokc  ro  polntt , 

Foriripie  §mic  not  herde  it  dcmc  er  thia 
In  (lorie  none,  ne  no  man  here  I  wcnci 
And  though  I  would  yet  I  couU  not  iwlv 
For  there  wa$  fome  cpiHel  'h*-'^^  K*f%urM^ 
That  would  (as  faith  mi»  am  ntciv 

Niehalfe  thisbokc,  of  whitli  ^t 

How  ihnuld  I  than  a-line  of  it  cndicc  i 

But  to  d»e  gret  eiiei^c  than  faic  I  tKtif> 
That  ilonding  in  cancorde  and  in  t|utet6 
This  ilkc  two,  Crefcideand  Tmilus, 
As  I  have  tolde,  and  in  this  t 
Save  ODcJy  oftc  mightin  tht 
Nc  Icifir  have  thcr  fp«chis  to  luisn:, 
That  it  bcfil  right  a«  I  ftial  you  tell. 

That  Pandarust  j^t  cvir  did  hii  might 
Right  for  the  fine  flha*  1  flial  fpekc  of  hrrc, 
As  for  to  bringin  to  his  houfc  foMc  eig^l 
His  fair^  necc  and  Troilua  ilcre, 
Wlierc  a«  at  Ictfir  al  this  high  marcr« 
Touching  her  love  were  at  the  ftU  up  bai 
Had  out  of  doote  a  tijoe  to  it  yfoiuid«  i 

For  he  with  gnrte  dclibcracioo. 
Had  every  thing  that  therto  mig^  airaik 
Foroe  cafi,  and  put  in  execucioD, 
And  ocithir  Icftc  for  coftc  nc  for  rravallp; 
Come  if  'hem  liflc  'hem  fliouldc  aothtfig 
And  for  to  ben  in  aught  efpyid  tkera 
That  Hf  iHc  he  wd  an  impoHilik  were 


i 


TROILUS  AKD    CRESEIDE. 


tedScOe  It  cUre  wu  im  th«  wkide 
f  ^e  and  every  IrtgnaAe, 

Itwcl,  for  aL  the  world  iftl4iiid< 
Mitir  both^  frcmLd  isui  tame  ^ 
iImt  is  il  redy  up  to  hmnc ; 
\gh  ouiglit  but  thai  wc  wettn  wokl 
ine  houipe  ia  whkhe  fhc  comin  fbold, 
fNaltti,  ihftt  ^\  this  purvelaiince 
t  tlie  fill,  and  wailed  on  it  aie, 
vespiMi  eke  m»de  ^jet  ordinaunce^ 
ind*  lli»  dfofe  and  tberwitti  hU  any, 
he  wtH  Tmiffid  ni^ht  or  day, 
rluk  be  wu  sbouiin  thit  fenrice, 
:  waa^^oQ  to  dan  his  iarrifiecy 
muiU  at  fuche  »  tcm[}te  alone  wake, 
id  of  Apolio  for  to  be, 
I  to  fetii  the  holy  laurir  quake 
Ap*Uo  l^e  out  of  the  ire, 
abim  whan  Grekii  next  iKoulJ  He;^ 
thy  kt  him  no' man,  God  forbedi  t 
if  AfM>U<»  hclpin  in  dik  nc^de. 
lalMBte  litill  mort  for  to  be  done 
idare  i^»  %nd,  fhortly  for  to  r.ime, 
me  upon  the  chaun^n^of  the  moner 
gbdefTc  11  the  world  a  night  or  twaioc^ 
t  the  wdkin  (hope  him  fof  to  raiiie, 
|ht  amorowe  unto  his  ne<!c  went, 
wcL  herdc  the  fine  of  hi4  entente, 

I  be  wftf  coinen*  he  g-ati  anon  to  plaie, 
mm  woat,  and  of  himfelfe  to  jape^ 

eily  he  fwore,  ^o4  gan  her  fakie 
and  that,  Ihe  Ihonld  him  not  efcape, 
ir  dont  htm  afttr  her  to  cape, 
ainly  that  fljc  mnll,  by  her  leTe, 
mpia  in  his  houfe  with  hin\  at  eve^ 
[licb  Ihe  lough,  and  gan  her  firfl  evcuTe,, 
f^  Itrainjth,  lu  !  how  (houH  I  gone  f 
(i|tKkI  he)  ae  f^onde  not  thu?  to  mufe ; 
►te  be  don,  ye  ftial  come  thcic  anonc, 
e  tail  hcrof  thei  fel  at  one, 
folt  he  fwore  her  in  her  ere 
ie  nevir  cumin  there  (ht;  were. 
iftir  thU  flic  unto  him  gan  rownc, 
Si  him  if  Troilui  were  there  ? 
•'e  her  Nay,  for  he  was  out  of  towne, 
I,  What,  necc,  I  pftfc  that  he  were  there*. 
'ft  ncvir  thereof  hive  the  more  fere  t 
itrthan  men  might  hltn  there  afpic 
rwrre  a  thou  land  c  foldc  to  die, 
ht  lift  mine  au^our  folly  to  declare 
I  Ike  thou|(ht  wkan  that  he  faid  her  fo, 
"|if  VTM  out  ol  toune  ifare, 
i  thecof  ibth  or  bo» 
:  awaite  with  him  to  go 
I  him,  fiihe  he  her  that  befought^ 
cccobeyid  as  her  ooght. 
"*  vet  gan  fhe  him  bcftche, 
I  to  ^onc  it  was  no  fere, 
■^  pli-i  fpcchc; 
tmi:  that  ncvir  were, 

II  av... ,.„..,  he  brought  there; 

I  him,  Erne,  fens  I  muil  on  you  trill 

t  do  COW  21  yott  li^. 


He  fwore  her  iKit  by  (lockU  and  by  (bnu^ 
And  by  the  goddi«  that  in  heviu  dwell. 
Or  ellis  were  him  Levir  foulc  and  bono* 
With  Plato  King  as  depe  ben  in  heU 
As  ranuluf  :  whic  fhouldin  I  more  tell  f 
Whan  al  was  wcl  Uc  rofe  and  toke  his  kve. 
And  (he  to  foupir  came  whan  It  was  eve. 

With  a  cenaine  numbre  of  her  owae  men, 
And  with  her  fayir  ncce  Antigone, 
And  othir  of  her  women  nine  or  ten  ; 
But  who  waa  glad  nowe,  who,  as  trowyia  y«  f 
But  Troiluf,  that  ftode  and  might  it  iie 
Throughout  a  litil  window  in  a  ftewe, 
Ther  he  bcfliet  till  midnight  wa»  in  mcwe, 

vUnwift  of  every  wight  but  of  Paodare, 
But  to  thi!  point.    Now  whan  that  (he  waa  comn 
With  al  joie,  and  all  her  frendii  in  fare. 
Her  cme  anone  in  armii  hath  her  nome. 
And  aftir  to  the  foupir  al  and  fame. 
Whan  as  time  w^  fnl  foftc  thei  *hem  yftt* 
God  wot  there  was  no  deinte  ferrc  to  fct« 

And  aftir  foupir  gotuiia  thei  to  rife. 
At  efc  wel»  with  hcrtis  fall  freth  and  glade^ 
And  wel  was  him  that  coudi  beft  dcvife 
To  likin  her,  or  that  her  langhin  made : 
He  fonge^  fhc  plaide ;  he  tolde  a  tale  of  Wade; 
But  at  the  lall,  as  every  thing  hath  ende. 
She  tokc  her  leve,  and  nedis  would  theni»  weade« 

But,  o  Fortune  !  executric^of  wierdcs., 

0  influencis  of  thefe  hevins  hie  ! 
Soih  is  that  undir  God  ye  ben  our  hierdcs. 
Though  to  ui  bedis  ben  the  caulii  wrte; 
Thii  mcne  1  now,  for  ftic  gan  honiwardhie;. 
But  execute  waaal  bcUde  her  leve 
The  goddis  wil,  for  whiche  IHe  mud  bxleve. 

The  bente  mont'  with  her  horniei  all  pale» 
Saturn  and  Jove,  in  Cancro  joynid  werc^ 
Tliut  fuche  a  rainc  from  hevin  gan  availe 
That  every  manir  woman  that  was  there 
Had  of  that  (rnoky  rainc  a  very  ferc^ 
At  the  which  Pandaretho  lough,  and  faid  themscj 
Now  were  it  time  a  lady  to  gone  he  one  ? 

But,  godc  nece,  if  that  1  might  evir  plefc 
You  any  thing,  than  pray  I  you  (quod  he) 
To  dan  mine  hcrt  as  now  (b  grct  an  efe 
As  for  to  dwell  here  a  1  this  night  with  mc| 
For  why  ?  this  if  your  own^  houle  pardc. 
For  by  my  uouthe,  1  fay  it  nat  in  g^ime. 
To  wcnde  as  nowe  it  were;  to  me  a  fhame* 

Crefcide,  which  that  could  u*  mokil  ^Cfihi 
Aa  halfe  a  world,  toke  hedc  o*  his  praycrc. 
And  icn*  it  rained,  and  al  was  in  a  tlode. 
She  thought  a«  godc  chepc  may  I  dwellin  hetr^ 
And  graunt  it  gladly  with  a  frcad'is  chcre. 
And  have  a  thofike,  at  grutche  and  than  abide. 
For  home  to  gon  it  may  nat  well  betide. 

I  w»t,  (quod  Iht)  mine  uncle  Icfc  and  dere! 
Sens  that  you  liA ;  it  Ikil  is  to  be  fo  ; 

1  am  right  ghd  with  you  to  dwellin  here  ; 
I  fcidf?  but  in  game  that  I  wolde  goe. 
Iwis  graunt  mercy!  necc,  (quod  he)  tho; 
Were  it  a  game  or  do,  the  forhe  to  t«U, 

[  lift  t9  4w«iL 


TROILUS   AND   CRESElDR 


Thui  a1  IS  wel ;  hnt  tho  htpin  aright 
The  ncwe  joy,  and  al  the  feft  againc ; 
But  Pandanifl,  if  godcly  had  he  mij^ht, 
Ht'  would  have  hyid  her  to  beddc  full  fainc, 
And  faid,  O  Lordc  :  this  is  an  huge  mine, 
Thii  were  a  wtthir  for  to  flepin  in, 
And  thae  I  rede  us  fond  tojieg^in  : 

And,  nec*^  wot  yc  where  1  wol  voa  laic  ? 
For  that  we  (hul  nat  ligf^in  fcrrc  afonder, 
And  for  ye  neithir  ihullin,  dare  1  faic, 
Hertn  ihc  noifc  of  rainis  nc  of  thoirdcr. 
By  God  right  in  my  litil  cloict  yonder, 
And  I  wol  in  that  uttir  houfe  alone 
Ben  wardain  of  your  women  cvcrichonc ; 

And  in  this  middle  chambrc  that  yc  fc 
Shal  all  your  Women  ilepin  wcl  and  foftc. 
And  there*  1  fayid  (Hal  your  f«;lvin  be. 
And  if  yc  lif  i^tn  wcl  to  night  come  ofte^ 
And  car ith  not  what  wcthir  U  aloftc 
Goth  io  anone,  and  whan  fo  that  yc  Idt 
Co  wc  to  ilcpe^  1  trowe  it  be  the  heft. 

There  n'i»  no  more,  but  here  aftir  fone 
*rhe]  drank,  void td»  and  cortinsdrcw  anonc; 
Gan  every  wi((ht  that  hadde  nought  to  done 
More  in  the  place  otit  of  the  chambre  go&e ; 
And  CTir  more  fo  ftcrnclichr  it  rone. 
And  blcwc  therwith  fo  wonderltchfi!  lotide. 
That  wcl  nigh  no  man  facrin  othir  coudc, 

Tho  Pandarui  hcl^cmCf  right  aa  him  ought. 
With  Women  fuche  as  were  her  moft  aboute, 
J^ll  glad  an  to  her  bcdd'i»  ilde  her  brought. 
And  toke  hit  levc,  and  gan  ful  lowe  to  loute, 
And  fatdi  Here  at  thii  clofet  dorc  wtthoutc 
Right  ovirthwart  yonr  women  liggin  all. 
That  whom  ye  liO:  ef  'hem  ye  mate  Tone  call. 

So  whan  that  (he  wa5  tn  the  clofet  laidc. 
And  al  her  women  forth  by  ordmaunce 
A  bcddc  werin,  there  as  I  have  yfaidc. 
There  n*i5  no  more  to  (kippin  nor  to  praunce 
But  bodin  go  to  bcdde  with  mifchaunce, 
tf  any  wight  ftcring  were  any  when?, 
And  let  'hem  Hcpin  that  abcddc  ywerei 

But  Pandarus,  that  wd  couthe  cche  adele 
The  oldc  daunce,  and  cv^ry  point  thcrin, 
"^^Tian  that  he  wift^  that  all  thing  was  wcle, 
He  thought  he  wolde  upon  hi»  wcrke  begin. 
And  gan  the  ft  ewe  dorc  all  fbft  on  pin 
As  nil  as  ftonc,  withoutin  lengir  Jt^tte  { 
By  Troilui  adoun  right  he  him  fettc. 

And*  fbortly  to  the  pointc  right  for  to  gone, 
Of  al  this  wcrkc  he  told  him  ordc  and  cndc. 
And  fay  id,  Make  the  redy  right  anone. 
For  thou  (halt  into  hcvin  bliflTe  ywendc. 
Now  blif&ful  Venus!  thoti  me  grace  yfcnde^ 
(Quod  Troilus)  for  ne^ir  yet  no  ncde 
Had  I  er  now,  ne  halhndele  the  dxrde. 

(Qnod  Pandarns)  Ne  drcdc  the  ncr  a  dclc^ 
For  it  ihat  be  right  at  thou  woU  defire; 
So  thrive  I  this  night  fiial  1  make  it  wele, 
Or  caftin  all  the  gruil  in  tht  fire. 
Yet,  blifs*ul  Vcnu»  I  thi»  night  thou  rat*  eafpirc, 
(Qiiod  Tiotlus)  as  wi*  a*  I  tlic  fcrvc, 
/Uid  £vif  bet  iod  b«t  ihil  itl  I  Acnrc« 


-  Oawti 


And  if  T  had,  o  Venus  ful  of  mitlhc  t 
Afpcdtis  baddc  of  Mars  or  of  SaCume, 
Or  thou  Combuftc,  or  let  were  in  my  birtli^ 
Thy  father  pray  1  *1  thiike  harme  diftnnie 
Of  grace,  and  that  J  glad  iten  maic  tome. 
For  love  of  him  thou  iovidcll:  in  the  ihawe, 
1  mene  Ad  on,  that  with  the  bore  was  i 

O  Jove  1  ck*'  for  the  lore  of  f*ire  Europ 
The  which  in  form  of  buUc  awaie  thou  fct; 
Now  hclp<:,  o  Mars !  that  with  thy  bla 
For  love  of  Cypria,  thou  n^ic  nought  i 
O  Phoebus     thinkc  when  Daphne  her  j 
Undfr  ^he  barke,  and  laurir  woxe  far  i 
Yet  for  her  love  o  helpe  me  at  this  oede  1 

O  Mercuric  1  for  the  love  of  her  eke 
For  which  Pallas  was  with  Agbnros  wrotlM 
Now  hL'lpe :  and  eke  Diaac  !  I  the  befeke 
That  thik  viuge  ne  be  natto  the  lothc| 

0  Fatall  Sul>rin  I  whiche  or  any  clothe 
Mc  (h^pin  wa*  my  dcftine  mc  fpori  . 
So  hclpith  tothi»  wtrke  that  i«b^g.:*Mt ' 

(Qnod  PandarUi)  "Ihou  wrctchid  mo«c*ii| 
Art  thou  ag.Ul  fo  that  fte  wvl  the  bite  ? 
Why,  do  on  this  furred  cloke  upon  thy  ihc 
And  folowc  me,  for  i  wol  hare  the  witc^ 
But  bide,  and  let  me  gon  before  lUte  | 
And  with  that  wordc  he  gan  aodoae  a  1 
And  Troilus  he  brought  in  by  the  lappe. 

The  ftcm^  wmde  io  loude  iHigan  to  rod 
That  no  wight  other 'is  nolle  tnii^ht  yhcnc^ 
And  thci  thlt  lay  in  at  the  dore  wttkovt 
Full  iikirly  thci  Hcptin  all  iferc ; 
And  Pandarui  with  a  ful  fobre  chcre 
Goth  to  the  dore  anon  withoutin  lette 
There  as  thei  lay,  and  fuftily  it  ftietiet 

And  as  he  came  ayruwarde  privily 
Hisnccc  awoke,  and  alkith,  Who gocth  tbcffff 
Mine  ownt:  derc  necc  !  (quod  he)  it  Am  I, 
Kc  wondrikh  not,  ^c  have  of  it  no  fcrc ; 
And  ncre  he  cunc,  and  faid  her  to  her  ere^  i 
No  wordc  for  love  of  God  1  youbefccbe. 
Let  no  wight  rife  and  hcrin  of  our  fpcchf« 

What '  whiche  waic  be  ye  coraen  f  iXrw  _ 
((^ud  (her)  and  how  thus  unwifte  of  'hen  iUI 
HtrL'  at  this  fccret  trappe  dore  (^aod  hc<) 
(Quod  Lht»  Crefcidc)  Let  mc  foni<:  wight  calL 
Eigh  ;   God  t  orb  id  that  it  ihould  fo  befall 
(Q«od  Pandaruf)  that  yc  fudic  foly  wrought! 
Thci  might  dcmin  thing  that  thei  ncvir  tho«|hL 

/  if  mtat  £td£  aj^fitig  bmmdi  io  xvcii. 
Ne  yeve  a  wight  a  cauk  for  to  divine  | 
Your  women  flepin  al  I  undirtakc. 
So  that  for  them  the  houfe  men  mightiii  i 
And  flepin  woUcn  till  the  funn-  flixne^ 
And  when  my  uUc  ybrought  is  to<«n  cadM 
Unwift  right  a*  I  came  fo  wal  1  wende, 

Now^  lie*.  *     '         "         "      '■-i;\*lr, 

(quod  h*;, 
That  for  to  »  ..  ,  ...  ..  , .   .  .......  ...  .««,»]<, 

And  him  her  kl'c  and  her  dcrc  hcrt  to  ail^ 
And  ma  km  him  a^  how  above  a  c«ll, 

1  mcne,  a»  Lvc  iu\  oilur  in  menc  whi1c« 
She  do(h  her  fclic  a  flume  aod  him  a  (d«# 


.■II 


|tTitt  I  tcllio  ymi  al  thii 

nir  lovc&l  fiil;  i  43 

tlu*  i»  tbcwr  It 

plight, 
olde 

|it  (hut,  t\tax.  ftth  I  fro  you  meat 
•;ht  platly  for  to  fcinc, 
liuir  by  a  pf  ivy  went 
ire  come  in  al  this  rdae, 

lir  wijght  ccrtjunc 
l^il  wifdy  haTc  1  joi^, 
'i  I  owe  Priam  of  Troic  : 
come  m  fuchc  p^e  and  dlilrcfTc 
:  all  fully  wodc  by  thi« 
ite  f«iU  into  wodcceffc 

and  the  caufc  why  is  thii# 
bid  »  of  a  frcodc  of  his 
bould  love  one  that  hight  Horaft, 
fehich  this  night  fha]  be  hh  laft. 
wchc  that  aL  this  woudir  hcrde, 
Mboute  her  hcrt  to  coJdc« 
Qfb  Ihe  forow fully  anTwefdi 
df  whoCbere  talis  coldc, 
^bcrti^  erne,  would  me  nat  hoJdc 
mm  I  aUi '  cooccitis  wrong 
thti  done  (  for  now  live  1  to  long, 
la« !  and  falfm  Troib* 
I  sot,  God  helpc  me  fo  I  (quod  Ate.) 
Idckid  fpirite  toldc  him  tliot  ? 
B^t  to  morow*  and  1  htm  Ic 
BfiUl  escufio  me 
voroan,  if  that  him  like, 
ftt  wordc  (he  gan  full  fore  to  fike. 
quod  fhe)  fo  worldly  felintfle, 
ii»  caUin  falfe  fclicitc, 
I  many' a  bittemcfle 
\  that  is,  God  wotc,  (quod  the) 
sine  profperite, 
Icomln  nat  ifcre^ 
lit  hath  'hem  alwaie  heie. 
r  of  mann^ij  joie  unClable  ! 
fight  fo  thou  be,  or  how  thou  pbye, 
!  that  tliiju  joie  art  mutable, 
C|  it  mote  bcco  one  of  twaie  t 
;  it  nat  how  maic  |^c  faie 

'  joie  and  filincffe 
Aunce  aie  in  darkenclfe  ? 
^e  that  jo  J  14  tranHtoryt 
Tof  worldly  thing  mote  flie) 
ilme  he  thitt  hath  in  memory 
tieiing  makith  him  that  he 
;  fikernelTe  ybe, 
V  joie  be  fee  a  mite 
^that  joy  16  worth  ful  lite, 
irol  define  in  thit  roatere, 
liught  I  can  efpte 
r  welc  in  thit  world  here; 
bid  ficrpent  Jealoufie  I 
\  cnvioQi  fulie, 
rrpiia*  made  me  to  nntrift, 
}  hiiti  thic  1  wiile  I 


(Qxiod  Paodarus)  Thnfi  fallln  if  thia  cia$* 
Why,  uoclc  mine,  (tjuod  flic)  who  toldc  hixu  thw  ? 
And  why  doih  my  derc  hcric  thui  ala*  '. 
Ye  w«tr,  yc,  nccc  mio,  (quod  he)  what  it  i«i 
f  hope  al  ^lat  be  wet  that  h  amis, 
For  ye  naaic  qucnchc  al  thi&  )f  that  you  lefl^ 
And  docth  rijflit  ft*;  1  holde  it  for  the  bcft, 

Hit  rtial  f  do  to  morow*,  iwi^,  (quod  fhc) 
And  God  toforne,  fo  that  it  fhil  fuiEtc, 
To  morow,  sla^t  that  were  f*ire  (quod  he,) 
Nay,  nay,  it  maic  nat  flood! n  in  thi»  wife. 
For,  ntcb  mine,  thui  writin  clerki*  wiil&, 
Xhat  Feriiii  vfiih  dreULing  mi  ydratv/  j 
Kay,  fuche  abodiJi  ben  nat  worthc  an  hawc* 

NecCf  all^  thing  hath  time,  I  dare  avowe, 
For  whan  a  clumbrc'  a  fire  i»  or  an  haU| 
Wcl  more  ncdc  ic  it  fodainly  rcfcowc 
Than  to  difpuce  and  aflcc  among! i  all 
How  iji  this  caodil  in  the  llrmwe  yfall  f 
Ah,  hnfdiiiu  /  for  al  among  that  fare 
The  hamic  ia  done^  and  farwci  fcJdifare* 

And,  nec^  mine,  ne  take  it  nat  agrcfc 
If  that  ye  futFrc*  him  al  night  in  this  wo; 
God  helpc  me  fo  yc  had  him  nevir  lc£e ; 
What  dare  f  fain,  now  there  ib  but  we  two. 
But  wel  1  wote  that  yc  wol  nat  fo  dO| 
Yc  ben  to  wife  to  don  fo  grei  folic. 
To  put  his  life  al  nijfht  in  jcop^rdie. 

Had  I  him  nevir  lefe  ?  by  God  I  wene 
Ye  nc  had  nevir  thing  fo  Icfe,  (quod  (he.) 
Now  by  my  thrifte  (quod  he)  that  Ihallbe  feiie. 
For  fuhe  ye  make  this  enfampte  of  mc^ 
If  J  al  night  would  him  in  forowe  £e 
For  al  the  trefour  in  the  totinc  of  Troic, 
I  biddc  God  that  I  nevir  mote  have  joie. 

Now  lokd  than  if  ye  that  ben  hii  love 
Should  put  hi*  life  all  night  tn  jeopardy 
For  thing  of  nought :  nou^  by  that  God  ahoTft 
Nat  oncly  thii  debue  comcth  of  folic 
But  of  malice,  if  that  t  Ibould  nat  lie  : 
What :  platly  and  ye  fulTrc*  him  in  difb-cHe 
Yc  neithir  bountc  done  ne  gentilnefTc. 

(Quod  tho  Crefeidc)  Wol  ye  done  o  thing, 
And  ye  therwith  fhal  flinte  al  hti  difcfe, 
1  lave  here  and  berith  him  this  blewc  ring, 
For  there  is  nothing  might  him  betiir  plcfc 
Save  1  myfelfc,  nc  more  hi*  hcrt  apefc ; 
And  fiiic,  my  dcri  htrtc  !  that  hislbrowe 
Is  cauf elefle,  that  ibal  he  fcnc  to  morowe. 

A  ringc  !  (quod  he)  yc  hafiiwodij  fhakcn  ! 
Yc,  ncc^  mine,  that  ring  mult  have  a  done, 
A  flone  which  that  might  ded  men  abve  makcn. 
And  fuche  a  ring  trowe  1  that  yc  have  none : 
Difcrecion  out  of  your  hed  ti  gonc|^ 
That  fcle  1  now,  (quod  he)  and  that  U  routhe  : 
O  time  ilott,  wcl  maiflt  thou  curGn  Clouthe  \ 

Wote  ye  not  wel  that  noble  and  hie  corage 
Ne  foroweth  oat,  nc  flintith  ckc  for  litCt 
But  if  a  folc  were  in  a  jelouf  rage 
t  n*oldc  fcttin  at  hi»  forowe  a  mite. 
But  fcfle  him  with  a  few  word  it  white 
An  fjthir  deie,  whan  th«it  t  might  him  finde ; 
But  thi»  thing  fUnt  al  in  anothir  klndc; 
Aa 


i7i 


tROILUS  AND  CRESEI0E. 


I 


ThU  is  fo  gentle'  and  fo  tendir  of  hcne 
l*hac  with  his  dcth  he  woJ  his  forowes  wrcke. 
For  truft  it  wd  how  fore  fo  that  him  fmcitc 
Vie  wol  to  you  no  jclou*  wordis  fpckc  ; 
And  forth)-,  oece,  cr  ihat  hi*  hcrt  ta  bulc, 
So  fpcke  your  fcUc  to  him  of  this  matcrc. 
For  with  1  wnrde  yc  miic  his^  hcrt^  ftcrc. 
Now  have  I  toidc  what  peril  he  is  in, 
And  his  coming  unwift  to  every  wight, 
Nc  pafrde  harmc  ma ie  there  be  none  nc  Bxtf 
I  wol  my  feif  be  with  you  al  thjsoJg:ht; 
Yc  know  ckc  how  it  is  your  ownc  tuiighc. 
And  by  that  right  ye  muft  upon  him  triftc, 
And  1  al  preft  to  fctchc  him  when  you  lifte. 

Thh?  atcident  fo  pitout  was  to  here. 
And  eke  fo  like  a  fothc,  at  prim^*  facc^ 
And  Troilus  her  knt^ht,  to  her  fo  Jcre, 
Hi»  privc  coraming,  and  the  {lkirpkice» 
That  though  (he  thought  flic  did  him  than  3  grace, 
Confidirid  aU  ihingis  as  thrf  ftodc, 
No  wondir  is,  fens  he  did  al  for  gode, 

Crcfcidt  anf werde, 'A*  wifciy  God  at  reft 
My  foul^  bring  as  mc  it  for  him  wo, 
And,  cmc,  iwi*  fainc  would  I  don  the  bcft, 
U  thai  f  a  grace  htd  for  to  do  fo ; 
But  whethif  that  ye  dwc!  or  for  him  go 
1  am»  til  God  me  bettir  mindd  fende, 
At  Dulcamony  right  at  my  witt*i«cnde. 

(Quod  Pandaiu^)  Yc,  ncce,  wol  yc  here, 
Dttkamon  clcpid  is  flcming  of-wrrtchcs, 
Iffemith  hard,  for  wrctchi*  wol  nought  Icrc 
For  tcry  flouthe,  or  othtr  wilfull  tetchcs, 
This  fiid  is  by  thetn  that  ben't  wonh  two  fctchc4; 
But  ye  ben  wife,  and  that  yc  hart  on  honde 
N*i«  ocitbrr  hardc  nc  ikilful  to  witbftonde. 

Than,  erne,  (quod  fhc)  docih  hereof  as  you  lift, 
But  er  he  come  I  wol  up  fir  ft  a  rife. 
Anil  for  the  love  of  Gc»d,  fcnstil  my  trrft 
li  on  you  two,  and  ye  bcth  both^  wife. 
So  werkith  now,  in  fo  difcrete  a  wife, 
That  I  honour  maie  have  and  he  plefauncc^^ 
For  I  urn  here  al  in  your  goTimaunce 

That  is  wel  fald,  (quod  he)  my  ncce  derc  ? 
There  gode  thriftc  on  that  wife  gentil)  hcric; 
Bvtt  liggith  IHll,  and  ulcith  him  right  here. 
It  nidith  nat  no  ferthir  for  him  ftcrte ; 
And  fche  uf  you  efc  othir  furowers  fmcrt, 
lor  loveof  Ood  and  V^cnus  T  the  hcric, 
For  fone  hope  1  that  we  fhuUin  hen  mcrie. 

ThisTroitu»  fdM  font  on  knees  hhn  fcttc 
Ful  fobrcly  right  by  her  bedd'is  bed. 
And  in  hii  bcltr  wife  his  lady  grcitc; 
But  Lf»fd  ;  fo  fhe  woxc  fodainliche  al}  red^ 
And  thought  anone  how  that  iKe  ihalde  be  dedde ; 
She  coukU  nat  o  worde  aright  out  bringr, 
Sio  fodainly  for  hi»  fodiinc  e*5nvin^e. 

But  Panda ru»,  that  fo  wel  eoulJ  fcic 
In  every  *h*r  j^,  to  plaie  anon  began, 
And  fiiyid,  Ncce,  fe  how  this  lord  gan  kncic. 
Now  for  your  trotithr  fr  thif  gciuil  man; 
And  with  that  worde  he  for  a  quifhin  ran. 
Arid,  faid,  Knclith  now  whili*  that  thou  Icfte, 
'J  here  God  your  bcitift  bring  fon^  lo  rcftc. 


Can  I  naught  (ain,  for  Ibe  bad  hun  ita£  1 
If  forowc*  it  put  out  of  her  remembraiiacc. 
Or  cUis  that  (be  toke  it  in  tlic  wife 
Of  dutftie  at  for  his  obfcrvauoce  ;     » 
But  well  (indc  I  flic  did  him  this  plefaunce, 
That  (he  him  kid,  although  flic  fikid  fort. 
And  bad  him  frt  adoun  witboutin  more. 

(QunJ  Paindarui)  Now  wol  ye  well  hc{io» 
Now  doth  him  fittin  doane,  gode  ncdt  dg»t  | 
Upon  your  bcdd'is  fide,  al  there  within^ 
That  cchc  of  you  the  bet  maic  othir  here  ; 
And  with  that  worde  he  drew  him  to  the  I 
And  tnVi  a  light,  and  found  his  coontioia 
As  frir  to  loke  upon  an  old  romauoce« 

CrrfciJc,  that^was  Troilos  lady  right,  ' 
And  clcre  Hode  in  a  grounde  of  fikimefiie,! 
All  thought  flic  that  her  fenraunt  and  hcrl 
Ne  fliitldc  of  trouthcnone  unnght  of  her  f 
Yet  nathelrffc,  conQdrid  his  diflreflfe. 
And  that  love  is  in  catife  of  fuche  fblir, 
Thujt  to  him  fpakc  (he  of  bin  jeloufie  : 

Lo,  herti  niine!  as  would  the  cicc"* 
Of  love,  ajcoft  the  whichc  that  no  inai 
Ne  ot;ght  eke  godcly  makin  refKUsce, 
And  eke  bicaule  I  fclte  wel  and  file 
Your  gretc  trouth  and  fcrvicc  every  daie,  ' 
And  that  your  hert  al  mine  wa*,  foth  tot 
Thii  drore  me  for  to  rcwc  upi> 

And  yoor  godcnes  have  I  foii 
Of  whiche  my  derc  hert,  and  a]  my  k&i|(lti 
I  thankc  it  you,  as  fcrre  as  1  have  wtt, 
Al  can  {  nat  as  much  as  it  were  pight; 
And  I  emforth  my  conning  and  my  might  1 
Have,  and  aie  (bal,  how  fore  fo  that  me  f 
Ben  to  you  trcwe  and  wkole  with  all  mill 

And  drcdilcJTc  tliat  flinl  be  foundeat  ] 
But,  bene  mine '.  what  al  this  if  to  (aiae  | 
S))al  welt  be  told,  fo  that  ye  nought  you  ] 
Though  t  lo  you  right  on  your  felf  comp 
For  c  here  with  meuc  f  finally  the  paiuc 
That  halt  your  hert  and  mine  in  hevincJfe  ' 
Futly  to  n&ine,  and  every  wrong  redreJe-J 

My  godc  hert  mine !  n*oi  1  for  why  ail 
That  Jcloufy,  atai !  that  wicked  wivcif. 

Thus  cauftklTr  -- into  you. 

The  harmc  ol  .odd  fala  Mm 

AU«'  thai  he  - -    r  ..f  Kir«  (listen 

Should  have  his  refute  im  pLuef 

Than  Jove  him  fane  out  *  '  ^  .  te  i 

But  o  thou  Jove !  o  audoor  ol  naiUC 
U  thi^  an  honour  to  thy  dtgnite 
That  folke  ungilty  fulTrin  here  iaJBiTt 
nAnd  who  thj*t  f^ilty  ii  al  quite  gorth  hef  ^ 
O  were  ]-"''"'      r       '  "         ;*    ■ 
That  ur. 
Of  that  I  «u..  ^ijj  C1U-, 

Eke  aJ  my  %  .\ht  now| 

To  fainc  right  ,    ■    , Jie  in  laTt,  ' 

And  would  a  hulhtl  ot  veuiiti  rxoden. 
For  \  hat  a  graiic  of  Invr  i%  on  it  iWte, 
But  that  wotc  high  J.ve  ihat  fittta  J 
If  it  be  Itkir  love,  or  hate,  or  gnAte» 
And  aftii  thai  it  ou^ht  to  h^v  ^04 


Tamt  miQir  jclouitc 
le  more  than  fomc  iwis^ 
cauTc  i^  a£id  fome  fuche  faiiunc, 
that  To  wel  cxprcflid  is 
Jirthi5  docth  or  faith  amii, 
f  drinkith  up  i\  his  diftreflc, 
cxcuAr  I  for  the  gcntilncffc. 
SIC  fo  ful  of  fury 'is  and  difpite 
rmouotith  hh  rcprrlTioD ; 
nunc  !  ye  be  nat  m  (hat  pirte, 
ike  1  God,  for  whiche  your  paflion 
cal  it  hut  Mlafion 
kdaiuice  of  loirc  and  bcfy  cure, 
I  your  hcrt^  this  difcfc  eodure ; 
Ji  I  am  right  fory  but  nat  wrothe, 
f  devoir  and  your  hcrt'is  rcfte. 
you  lift,  by  ordaj  or  by  othtv 
or  in  what  wife  fo  that  you  Icftc, 
f  God  let  prevc  it  for  the  hcftc, 
It  I  be  gilty  do  me  die ; 
K  niight  I  more  or  done  or  feie  ? 
>  with  that  a  fcwc  bright  teris  newe 
'  cfin  fcl,  and  thus  fhe  fetde  ; 
thou  woU  in  thought  ne  dcde  untre^^ 
I  WSJ  ncvir  yet  Crcfeide ; 
Ber  hed  dotm  in  the  bed  (he  leide, 
the  {hete  it  wrie,  and  fighid  fore, 
ber  pccc ;  oat  a  word  fpakc  flic  more, 
r  hclpe  God  to  quench  al  thij  forow, 
thai  he  Chal,  for  he  belle  may, 
/ifK  itf  a/al  mijiy  Mcm9 
\  aft  a  mtriifttmir^fday^ 
wniirjofo'tt'etir  grcne  May  } 
all  da) ,  and  redio  eke  in  Aoncs, 
*JkaTpfJi<Htrii  bin  */V?crw- 
oilas,  >thcn  he  her  wordis  hcrde, 
o  care  him  lifi^  nat  to  flepe, 
ight  him  no  fh-oki^  of  a  yerdc 
r  fc  Crcfeide  hi*  lady  tvcpe, 
felte  about  his  hrrti  crepe, 
%Xt  whichc  that  Crefeide  aftertc, 
■  of  deth  to  ftr^iinc  him  by  the  herte. 
^mixidc  he  gan  the  time  acctirfe 
ime  tbcrc,  and  that  he  wai  yborae, 
is  wickc  ytournid  into  worfc, 
at  labour  he  hath  doen  befornc 
it  loft,  he  thought  it  n'as  but  lome  : 
w  \  thought  he,  aia* !  thy  wile 
nou'ght,  fo  welawaie  the  while  ' 
"^fith  alJ  he  hing  adoune  his  hcdde, 

nces  and  forowfuUy  fight : 
fhe  fain  ?  he  felt  he  n'as  bat  dedde, 
I  ihc  that  (hould  hi$  forowei  light; 

:  whan  that  he  fpckin  might, 
Tlhus;  God  wotc  ihai  of  this  game 

rift  than  am  1  nat  to  blame, 

he  forowe  in  herl  fo  (hct 

I  e)in  fell  there  nat  a  tcre, 
^rtte  Ills  vigcur  in  knct, 
1  and  opprcflid  were; 
[his  forowe  or  hi*  fere, 

JUs,  flcddc  were  out  of  toune  ; 

I  all  fodainly  in  fwounc, 


Thiiwasuo  little  forowe  for  to  fe. 
But  all  was  hufh't,  and  Pandarc  up  aj  fmft  ; 
O  necc  f  pece,  or  we  be  loft  (quod  he  j) 
Bf^ihe  nat  ag*fti  but  certain  at  the  lafl 
For  ihisortliat  he  into  bcddc  him  call, 
And  faidc.O  ihefc  !  is  this  a  mann'it  hcrtc  ? 
And  of  he  rent  all  to  his  bar^  flierte, 

And  fayid,  Nece»  but  and  ye  hclpc  u«  now, 
AIh*  !  your  ownc  Trotlus  15  lorne. 
]wi«  To  would  If  and  1  wiftt  how, 
Full  Fain,  (quod  ftic,)  Alas  that  T  was  borne! 
Ye,  ncc^,  woll  ye  pullin  out  the  thornc 
That  ftiketh  in  hi»  hertc  (quod  Pandare  ?) 
Saic  all  foryeve,  and  ftint  it  all  thi»  fare. 

Ye,  that  to  me  (quod  (he)  full  levir  were] 
Than  all  the  gtidc  the  funne  about  ygoeth; 
And  there  wit  hall  fh«  fworc  him  in  his  ere, 
lwi»,  my  dcrr  herte  !  I  am  not  wrothe, 
Have  here  my  trouth,  and  many'  an  othir  othe. 
Now  fpeke  to  me,  for  it  am  I  Crcfeide  : 
But  all  for  naaght  *  yet  might  he  not  abrcide, 

Therwith  hii  poulce  and  paumi5  of  his  hondcs 
Thcigan  to  frott,  and  wcie  hfs  temp  lit  twain, 
And  todclivir  him  fro  btttir  bondci 
She  oft  him  kift;  and,  fhortly  for  to  fain. 
Him  to  rewakin  (he  did  all  her  pain  ; 
And  at  the  laft  he  gan  his  breth  todrawe. 
And  of  his  fwough  fonc  aftir  that  adawe, 
,  And  gan  bet  minde  and  refon  to  him  take| 
But  wondir  fore  he  wba  iibafhed  iwis. 
And  with  a  figh  %vhan  he  gan  bet  awake 
He  faied,  O  mercie,  God  •  what  thing  is  thi»Z 
Why  doe  ye  with  your  felvin  thus  amis  \ 
(Quod  tho  Crefeide)  t»  this  a  mano'is  game  ? 
What,  Troilus  !  woU  ye  do  thus  for  fhamc  ? 

And  therwitliall  her  arme  ovrc'  him  (he  Uide^ 
And  all  foryave,  and  oftin  time  him  kcft  : 
He  thonkid  her,  and  to  her  fpake  and  faied 
As  fill  to  purpofc  fur  his  hcrt*is  reft  ; 
And  file  to  that  anfwerde  him  as  her  leH, 
And  with  her  godelie  woidis  him  difport 
She  gan,  and  oft  his  forowei  to  comfort. 

(Quod  Pandanis)  For  aught  I  can  ;ifpieii 
This  light  nor  I  ne  ierving  here  of  naught, 
Light  is  nat  gode  for  fik^-  folkis  eycn  ; 
But  for  the  love  of  God,fenj»  ye  ben  brought' 
In  this  godc  plite,  let  now  Don  bevy  thought 
Bco  hangid  in  the  hertiA  of  you  twey  ; 
And  bare  the  candle  towardes  the  chimney. 

Sooe  after  tliit,  though  it  no  nede  ywere, 
Whan  file  fochc  othis  a^i  ber  lift  devifc 
Had  of  him  takin,  her  thought  tho  no  fere 
Ne  caufc  eke  none  to  bid  him  thennisrife  : 
Vet  leffc  thing  than  othis  maic  fuffice 
In  many'  a  cafe,  for  every  wight  I  geflfc 
That  loYith  well  menith  but  gcntjlncfTe, 

But  in  effe^  fhe  would  y  wctc  anon 
Of  what  man,  and  eke  where,  and  alfowhy. 
He  jelous  wtw,  fens  there  was  caufi  non, 
And  eke  the  (igne  whiche  that  he  toke  tt  by, 
She  bade  him  tliat  to  tell  her  bufily. 
Or  cUis  certain  flic  bare  hjm  on  honde 
I1ui  Uui  wi(  do<n  of  malice,  her  t«  £tnd<; 
4  »  ii 


TROILUS    AND    tViZStWt. 


AkTTf. 


I 


I 


I 


» 


» 


I 


With ou tin  m-^re,  fhonly  for  to  fain, 
He  mufl  titicie  unto  his  ladie*3  heft, 
And  for  the  Uffe  harnic  he  mu{l  fotnwhat  Ikia  j 
He  faied  htr,  Whan  fhe  was  at  fnchc  i  ftfl 
She  might  nn  him  have  lokid  at  the  left; 
N*ot  I  nftt  what  (all  dcre  innugh  a  rifhe) 
A^  ht  rh,ir  ner^i*  muft  a  caufc  out  fiftic* 

And  (be  anfwerdc,  Swctc  hcrt  I  all  wrrc  h  (*\ 
What  harmc  watithat,fitire  I  noo  cvilJ  uienc  f 
For  by  that  God  that  wrought  ua  bath^  two 
In  all  nunir  ihin^  h  mine  entent  cknc  ; 
Srrchc  argiimentc*  nc  be  nat  worthc  a  ficnc  * 
WoU  ye  the  child i|li  jjeiouu  countcrfctt  ? 
Now  were  it  wi^nhjT  that  ye  were  ibtte. 

Tho  Troilus  ^n  forowfully  fike, 
I^efl  fhe  he  w  rot  he  him  thought  hit  herti  deide. 
And  faied,  Alas !  open  my  forowe^R  fikc 
Have  merrfc,  o  fwctc  hertc  mine,  Crcfeidc  f 
And  if  that  u\  tho  wordi*  that  I  fciJc 
Be  any  wrong:,  I  wnlJ  no  more  trcfpace  ; 
Doeth  what  you  lil^  ;  t  am  all  in  your  grace* 

And  (he  anfwerde»  Of  j;ik  mifcr icorde^ 
That  i»  to  faine,  that  f  foryevc  all  thia. 
And  cvirmore  on  this  night  you  rccorde. 
And  be  the  well  ware  ye  doc  no  more  anib. 
Naie,  dcrc  hcrt  mine  1  no  mm-e  (quod  he)  iwit. 
And  now  (quod  ihc)  that  I  have  you  doe  fmcrtc 
Jorycvc  it  to  mc,  mine  ownc  fwctc  hertc  I 

This  Troilus  with  blilTe  of  thatfupprifed 
Put  all  in  Gkidd*i»  hande,  as  he  that  meat 
Nothing  but  well,  and  fodainly  avifcd 
He  her  in  hit  aniiia  fail  to  him  hmn  j 
And  Pandants  with  a  fall  godc  cntent 
Laied  him  to  flcpe,  and  faicd,  tf  yc  be  wife 
Sowntrh  not  now,  left  more  folke  arife. 

What  might  or  maie  the  fcly  Urk^  faie 
When  that  the  fparhaukc  hath  him  in  ki»  fotc? 
1  can  no  more  but  of  the fe  ilk^  twaie, 
(To  whom  this  tale  fugrc  he  or  fotc) 
Though  1  tary  aycrc,  fmwtimc  I  mote 
After  mine  an dl hour  tcHin  thcr  gladne(fc. 
As  well  as  I  have  toldc  ther  hevincflc. 

Creiridc,  whichc  that  Celt  her  thus  itakcf 
(A*  writin  clcrki»in  thcr  bokis  old) 
Rijfht  as  an  afpln  Icfc  (he  gan  Ut  quake 
Whan  fhc  him  felt  her  in  hia  artni«  fold; 
But  Troilua  ill  whole  of  iari»  ci>ld 
Can  thankin  tho  the  blisfull  goddia  fcvrn. 
Thut  $»ftdryfaif$u  kringin  f^ik  t*  i/rvr». 

This  Trotiut  in  armis  gan  her  (Irainei^ 
Ahd  fayid,  Swete !  at  cvir  mote  1  gone 
Jiow  he  ye  caught ;  now  here  i»  but  wc  twaiiic  i 
llow  ycldith  you,  for  othir  bote  U  none* 
To  that  Crcftjde  anfwcrid  thus  anone, 
Ne  had  I  cr  now,  ray  fwete  hcrt^  dcre  ! 
Ben  yoldin*  twit  I  were  now  nut  here. 

O  folh  ii  faied,  that  helid  for  to  be 
Of  a  fevir  or  othir  gretc  fiknefTe 
Men  mud  drinkin,  as  wc  may  oftin  fe, 
Fit II  bittir  drinke,  and  fur  to  have  gladnriTc 
Men  drinkin  oft  in  pain  and  in  diHrclTc ; 
t  menc  it  here,  at  for  this  avlnture. 
That  Uirough  a  y^u  hath  foundin  al  hi«  cure* 


And  now  f wet  ndTc  yfcmith  fcirc  more  fwcu 
Th&t  bittirncffc  aflayid  wa»  biforne. 
For  out  of  wo  in  Mi(re  now  thci  Arte  ; 
Kon  fochc  thci  ft:Itjn  fithin*thci  were  boroc  |  ^ 
Now  k  thii  bcttirthao  brjthe  two  be  lome  t 
Por  love  of  Ood  take  every  woman  hedc 
To  werKin  thus  if  it  come  to  the  nede. 

Crefeide  all  quite  from  cvtry  d^cdc  and  tcner  ' 
An  fhc  that  ]^Xiii  caufc  had  hini  to  trill, 
Made  him  fochc  fcA  it  joic  was  for  to  fcne, 
\^'han  Oic  histrouih  and  clcnc  cnt^t  yviilf 
And  2%  about  a  tre  with  many'  a  twill 
Bit  rent  and  v/r^nijn  h  the  fwctc  wodbiitdc 
Gail  cche  of  *htm  in  arrni^  othir  windc^ 

And  ai  the  nowe  abafliid  nightingaicy 
That  fllntith  firll,  whan  (he  begioniih  Hog^ 
\Vhan  that  Ihc  hcrlth  any  lierd  is  taJ*, 
Or  tn  the  hedgi«  any  wight  ftcring. 
And  aftir  fikir  docth  her  voice  out  ring'. 
Right  fo  Crefeide,  whan  that  her  dredc  dcsCf 
Opened  her  hcrt,  and  told  him  her  cntrtif. 

And  right  aj&  he  that  fceth  hls^  deth  ilhaoifl^ 
And  Jyin  mote,  in  aught  that  he  maie  gcltt. 
And  foiainty  refcoua  docth  him  cfcapco* 
And  from  hh  deth  ia  brought  in  GklrudSk, 
For  al  this  wurldc  in  fochc  prcfcnt  giadoe^C 
Was  Troilus  and  h^th  his  lady  fwete  ; 
With  no  worfe  hap  God  let  tt*ncvir  mete! 

Her  armifrfmall,  her  back  botl\  itrcight  and  i 
Her  lidi* long. and  flcdi,    '"        '  '      ' 

He  gan  to  (trt>ke^  and  ^ 
Her  fnow^whitc  throcc,  111.  u,..i..v^  n.ui  .^  ^.^ii 
Thus  in  thi$  hcvcn'  he  gan  him  to  delite, 
f  And  therwjthall  a  thouj^nde  time*  her  kidt 
I  That  what  to  docn  for  joic  uanrth  be  wift< 

Than  faied  he  thus,  0  Loire  :  o  Chariu^ 
'  Thy  mothir  eke,  Cithcrea  the  fwctc  I 
Aftir  thy  felf  Dent  heryid  be  flje, 
1  Venus  I  menc,  the  weilwilly  pUmcte, 
!  And  nett  that  Hymenxiu  f  f  the  grctr, 
*  For  nevir  man  wat  to  you  goddia  hold 
A*  J.whiche  ye  have  brought  fro  c;in^coll. 

Bcnignc  Love  !  thou  Imly  bond  of  thingf% 
Who  fo  woU  grace,  atid  ll(l  the  not  hoooiuVf 
Lo!  hi*  dcfire  woU  flic  withoutia  wiDget. 
Forn'oldiil  thou  of  Itountie  Tvem  focciufe 
That  ftrvin  bed,  and  moIVc  alwaie  Ubottrc« 
Yet  were  all  lofl,  that  dare  I  well  fain  ccsv^ 
But  if  thy  grace  yp4nid  our  defcnei. 

And  for  thou  mc,  tJiat  kft  thonke  coudddS^ 
Of  them  that  nombred  hen  umo  thy  ginor^ 
Had  holpin  there  \  likely  wa»  to  derve. 
And  me  bedowid  in  fo  high  a  place 
That  thilk^  boundii  maJe  nn  hlifTe  furrace* 
f  can  DO  more,  hut  Uu4e  and  rcvcreoce 
Be  to  thy  bounte  and  tliine  excellence. 

And  thcrwitkaU  Crcfeidc  anon  he  ki(k. 
Of  whiche  cenain  die  ne  felt  tio  difcfc, 
,  And  thusfaicd  he*  N<«v  wold  to  G<j»!  I  wiit. 
Mine  hcrt^  fwete  !  how  I  you  lied  might  pklfc 
Vhat  man  (quod  )  '       ..i  'cfc 

A\  I,  on  whiche  tl  • 

That  cr  I  feic  dciMa*'  •-m  .iv»^  wjit-j*,  i 


TROII.U6    ANp    CRESEIBE. 


v»W 


ic  nutic  ye  fene  ihu  mcrcic  paOith  r!g)it, 
fzpcfii'ncc  of  that  itldt  in  nic, 
im  UBWoithy  to  fo  fwete  a  u  ight  ^ 
utcminc  1  ©f  your  bcnignlic 
nkifchi  that  thoagh  I  ijlq worthy  he 
iOte  I  iitdc  anicndiii  in  feme  wife 
throu^  the  vertueoT  your  hit:  fcrvice. 
i  far  the  love  of  God,  niy  bul  j  derc; 
c  hath  wrought  mc  for  1  fhal  you  (crve, 
itlmeoc,  that  ycw*i^  ^     "^^  *  re 
me  live,  if  that  yau  ,  c ; 

hith  mc  how  that  1  n 
honke^ro  tb&t  1  through  mm  igiioraunce 
ff  nothing  th»t  you  be  difpklauacc  : 
ctriitt  frcihe  aad  woiuiDUche  wife  ! 
[arc  I  faic,  that  trouih  and  dihgencc> 
IhtU  ye  fi&difi  in  jmcall  my  life, 
voW  not  orrtatn  brrke  your  defence, 
'  1  doc,  prefcnl  or  in  ahfcoce, 
ve  of  God  kt  Hea  mc  iv  idi  the  dcde, 
W  liv.  unto  your  womanKcde. 

ilsc)  mine  owne  htrtc*ii  ink ! 
cfe, and  sd  mine  hcrtc  derc! 
u  n^croc  1  for  on  that  is  all  my  truA  ; 
t  ut  fall  awaie  fro  thl^  matiere^ 
fuffilith  th*«  that  laid  U  here, 
I  p  worde,  wiihoutiD  repentaunce, 
>mc  my  kni^^ht,  my  pece,  my  fuffiiauiicc  1 
ther  delitc  or  joici  one  of  the  kfl 
JBDSonible  to  my  wit  to  faic, 
id^th  x<;  that  have  ben  at  the  fcft 
:he  gkdftcflV,  if  that  him  lift  to  piaie, 
no  Kiorc  but  thus,  thcfe  ilke  twaic 
niirht.Letwixin  drcdeand  fikirticiTc, 
*!vc  g;retiil  worihinciTc, 
^ht !  of  them  in  Wngifowght, 
to  *hcm  btjthi  two  liiou  were  ! 
:  fochc  fcft  with  my  lo«k  ibought| 
r  but  iJiL-  left  joic  which  that  wa*  thtrc  i 
t  fhou  fouk  duuttgirand  thou  fere! 
—  "K.r,,  ,n  this  hcvin  blifTc  yd  well, 
I  that  all  tie  can  I  telK 
,  though  I  can  not  tellli^  all, 
n  iiune  atidlhour  of  his  excclknce^ 
ftve  i  laicd,  and  Ood  toforne  Ihall, 
srj  tlMUgaU  wholly  Iiit  fcntcncc, 
if  tl^e  1  t%  |.ov*ii  reverence 
jOy  tvorde  in  echid  fur  the  heft, 
I  cKcrwithall  right  a*  your  fd^  iu  left ; 
r  ^l  my  wordi*  here,  and  every  part, 
)M  *|tem  All  imdir  corre^lon 
ittihai  filing  have  in  lov'JBart, 
pot  it  bII  io  your  difcTccion, 
lerefc  or  make  dimiDJcioa 
f  bngtgCt  and  that  1  -^u  berc4:he  e 
lavr  tovurpofe  of  my  rathir  fpeche» 
flfe  iiki  twuj  that  ben  in  armU  lafli 
eI|£  to  *hcm  afondir  gon  it  were, 
cchc  from  othir  wen  din  ben  birafc, 
lit,  So )  tht»  wa»  thcr  mofte  fere, 
-1  ,»,♦*  iV.inr  i^yt  nice  drtmit  were, 

the  of  *hcra  faid,  O  fwctc  t 
^    ^_  ,  "f  cl*  dpc  J  it  mctcf 


And,  Lorde  !  fo  he  gac  gidelie  0Dj)cr/e,.- 
That  ucvir  hi»  loke  lie  blent  from  her  face. 
And  faied,  O  my  dere  hcrt^  \  maic  it  be 
That  it  be  foihe  chat  yc  bco  in  thii  place  t 
Vc,  hcrtt;  mine  !  God  thanke  1  of  hi»  &'^^ft 
(Quod  tho  Crefcidr)  and  therwithall  \um  kift, , 
That  where  here  fpiritc  was  for  joic  ftic  n^iil,  r 

7  hifr  I  roilu»  full  oft  her  cyln  two 
Gan  for  to  kifte,  and  faied,  O  eymdcre  ! 
It  wcrin  yc  that  wrought  me  Tijchd  wo. 
Ye  humble  nctti*  uf  my  bdy  derc. 
Though  there  be  mcrcic  writtin  in  your  dierc,^ 
Gud  wotc  the  text  full  hardc  is  for  to  finile  ; 
How  co«ildin  ye  withoutin  boudc  vam  bint^le  f 

Therwith  began  hcrf^  in  armi^itiike. 
And  well  an  hundrid  tinu£  gan  he  like. 
Not  fothe  forowfull  lighii  a*  men  make 
For  wo,  or  elli^  whan  that  I  dike  be*  fike. 
But  ciie  flghi^  fochc  ai  ben  to  like, 
7  hat  Qiewid  hi^  a  fie  dl  ion  witJiijD  % 
Of  fochc  manjr  (ivrhi*  „-,,ul.l  \^^  ii,,r  }  l.„. 

Sonc  ttftir  t  ■  c  ihiujpt^  ' 

A*  lilJ  to  putj 

And  playin  emcrdiauiigidju  tiicr  ringes, 
Of  whichc  I  can  not  ttTlin  iio  ficiipture, 
But  well  wot  a  faroclic  of  gjd  and  azure, 
*n  whiche  a  rubic  let  wa»  like  aa  hcrt, 
Crcfeide  hlra  yave,  and  ^aekc  it  on  his  Hicm- 

Lorde  1  trowe  yc  tL.it  a  coveitout  wrctchc. 
That  blamith  love,  and  h.dic  i>f  it  difpite, 
That  of  tho  pens  that  he  can  muckrc'  and  kelcl 
Wi&  cvir  yet  ycve  to  him  fodic  delite, 
Ail  i6  in  lave  in  o  poiiiiilt  in  ^omc  plitc  I 
Naie,  douhLilelTe,  for  all  io  God  me  fave 
So  par  Gee  ]oie  ne  maie  no  nigard  have* 

Thci  woU  faie  Yei,  but  Lorde  that  A>  thci  J 
Tho  bufie  wrctchji  full  of  wo  znd  drcdc 
That  calltn  love  a  wodcnefle  or  foiie; 
But  it  lliall  fall  ^htm  as  1  ftiall  you  reik, 
7  hei  fliiill  forgon  the  white  and  eke  the  rcdci  * 
And  live  in  wo,  there  Ocd  ycve  %cta,  mifchauQ 
And  ever)'  lovir  in  IJi  trouUie  avaunce. 

As  would  to  God  tho  wretchii  ihat  dilpifc 
Service  of  love  had  cri&  ail  fo  long 
A«  had  Midas,  all  full  of  covetife, 
And  tlicrto  df  ookm  had  as  hottc  and  ftrong 
A»  Cyrus  did  for  hifi  ail'eciis  wrong, 
To  tcehin  7icni  that  thci  ben  in  the  vice. 
And  lovirs  not,  although  thei  hold  'hem  nice.  \ 

7  hefe  ilke  two  of  whom  that  1  you  ikie. 
Whan  that  ther  hcrtis  well  ailurid  were, 
Th"  gotmin  thci  to  fpckin  and  to  plajc. 
And  eke  re  here  in  how,  and  whan,  and  wher^, 
7'hei  knewin  Hrft,  and  every  wo  or  fere 
7  hat  paJTid  was ;  but  all  fochc  hevinciTc, 
Ithonk'd  Cod,  waj  tournid  to  gladncfte. 

And  cvirmore  whan  th^t  'hem  fell  to  fpeki 
or  any  thing  of  foche  a  time  agtme 
With  killing  all  that  tale  Hiould  ybrcke. 
And  fallin  into  a  ncwc  joic  anonr. 
And  diddin  all  iher  might,  fena  thci  were  one|^ 
For  to  rccovcren  blifte  ynd  ben  it  cfc. 
And  |)aiiid  wo  vn  Ith  ym>  coujucipid'c« 


Rcfoli  well  not  that  1  fpcktn  of  flcpe. 
For  it  accoidith  not  to  my  matters; 
God  wotc  thei  toke  of  it  full  little  kcpe, 
But  Icfl  ihi«  night  that  was  to  *hcni  fo  d^rc 
Nr  fhouTd  in  vaine  cfcapc  in  no  niancrc 
It  wjis  blfct  in  joic  and  butntfTc 
Of  all  that  founiih  into  gcntilncffc. 

But  whan  the  cockc,  ctinmitne  aftrolc^cr, 
Gan  on  hi*  brtft  to  bete  and  aftir  truwt-, 
And  Luciferj  the  day 'is  mtffaogcr, 
Can  for  to  rif<r»  and  out  hisbemis  throwc, 
And cftTnard  rcjfr,  to  him  thai  could  it  know, 
fortttfta  Major,  than  anonc  Cti;fcide 
With  ficrtc  foic  to  Troilusthus  fddc  : 

Mine  hert'i<  ltfc»  my  trutt,  al  my  plcfaunce  I 
That  I  was  botnc,  alat !  that  me  H  wo, 
That  daitf  nfuamotc  make  difccverauncej 
For  timt?  if  fs  to  rife  and  hcnnis  go, 
OrcUia  t  ani  lort  for  evirmo. 
O  Night !  alai  !  why  n'ilt  thou  ore  ui  hove 
A«  long  25  whan  Alcmena  iaie  by  Jove  ? 

O  falacke-  Night !  as  folke  in  boki*  rede, 
That  fhapin  art  by  Gt>d  this  worlde  to  hide 
At  certain  tfmis  with  thy  derke  wrde. 
That  undir  that  men  mig^ht  in  reft  abrde, 
Wdoughtin  bcftc*  to  pluin  *nd  f<  Ike  to  chide. 
That  therciis  daie  with  labor  would  ua  brcft. 
Thai  thou  «b  flieft  and  deinift  us  not  refl. 

Thou  dot  ll,  alas '  fu  fhorf  ly  thine  office. 
Thou  raklc  Night,  that  God  makir  nf  kinJc 
The  for  thine  haft,  and  thine  nnktndd  vice 
So  fall  aie  to  our  hcmlfphere  binde^ 
That  ncvirmorc  undir  the  grnund  thou  winde. 
For  through  thy  rakle  hying  out  of  Troic 
Havt  I  forgone  thus  hskflilj  my  joie. 

Thii  1  roilui,  th5t  with  tho  wordi*  felt» 
A*  (liougfit  him  tho,  for  piteous  dJUrelTe 
The  blodtc  tens  from  hi^  hertv  melt, 
As  hd  thnt  yet  nrvir  fochc  hcvinelte 
Afi'ayid  had  oot  of  fo  grctc  gUdnelTe, 
Can  therewithal!  Crefcidc  his  lady  derc 
In  armift  (Ira in,  and  faid  in  this  manerc  : 

OcruillD^iic!  accufer  of  thejoie 
That  Night  and  LoTe  hath  ftole  and  fjfl  iwrie, 
Accurfid  be  thy  comming  into  Troie  1 
For  c%cry  bowrc  hath  one  of  thy  bright  qrcn  : 
F.nviott5  Dale  !  what  lift  the  fo  to  fpicn  ? 
What  httO  thou  loft  ?  why  fckift  thou  this  place  ? 
There  God  thy  light  fo  qucnchf  for  his  grace  1 

Alu*  *  what  have  thcfc  lovir^  the  agilt  ? 
Difpitoiis  Dale!  thine  be  the  paine  of  bdj, 
For  nuny'  a  lovirhaft  thou  flain  and  wiltj 
Thy  poring  in  woU  no  where  let  'hem  dwell : 
What  !  profiift  thnu  ihy  light  here  for  to  fcl  f 
Go,  fell  it  them  tlrat  fmal^i  ftlls  gnivc;  ^ 
Wc  woU  the  not  I  us  nedith  no  dare  have. 

And  eke  the  fonne  Tit^n  gaii  he  chid< ,    . 
And  faid,  O  fble  !  well  maic  men  the  diipife, 
Th:    '    '^    '1  night  the  Dauntng  by  thy  fide, 
jii  r  fo  fonc  lip  fro  the  rife, 

Fm  I"      '  '"■  ^i^  lnvir*in  thli  wife  ; 
Whji !  hold  your  bed  the r*!  thou  and  thy  Morow ; 
I  bjildc  God  fo  ycvc  you  Ijoth  forowc. 


Therwith  full  fore  he  fighed,  and  thuthc  ^ 
My  lady  bright  and  of  my  welc  or  wo 
The  well  and  rote  I  o  godeJy  mine,  Crefe^« 
And  Ihail  I  rife,  alas !  and  ihall  I  goe  ? 
Nnw  fclc  I  that  mine  hertc  mote  a  two| 
And  how  (houid  t  my  life  an  houre  Cave' 
Stn«  that  with  you  i»  all  the  life  I  havef 

What  fhail  I  docn  ?  for  ccrtii  I  ft'ot  howJI{ 
Ne  whan,  aU>!  t  Ihalthe  tim    fe 
I  hat  in  thi»  plitc  I  maic  ben  eft  with  yoa, 
And  of  my  lift  God  wotc  bow  fliall  that  be. 
Sens  that  defirc  right  now  fo  bitith  mc 
Thsit  I  am  dede  annn  but  I  rctoumc  i 
How  ftould  T  long,  alas '  fro  you  fojoume  :  j 

Put  nath^icfle^  mine  own*  ladie  brigktt 
Yet  were  it  fo  that  I  wtft  ultirfy 
That  1  your  humble  fervaunt  and  your  1 
Were  in  your  hertc  t(ct  fo  fcrmily 
A*  ye  in  mine,  the  whiche  thing  truilf 
Me  levir  were  than  have  thefr  worldt«  i 
Yet  fhould  1  bet  cndurin  all  my  pain. 

To  that  Crcfcide  anfwerid  right  anon. 
And  with  a  figh  ftic  faicd,  O  hertc  dere  ! 
The  giime  iwi&  fo  fcrforth  now  t«  gon 
rhi*t  firil  Oiall  Phirbtw  fallin  from  the  fphfir, 
Atid  cvcriche  eglc  ben  the  dov*t»  fere. 
And  every  rockc  out  of  his  place  aficrte, 
ErTroilus  go  out  of  Cr  '^    '  '    '    rtc 

Ye  ben  fo  dcpc  with  r-^r  ygr^va^ 

That  tho  i  would  it  tui  :  ii  y  though 

An  wifely  very  God  my  1   j      ivc, 
To  dyin  in  the  pain  I  co.ill     ntught^ 
And  far  the  love  of  God«  that  us  h^h  wroagbti 
Let  in  your  brain  none  othir  fantalie  '_ 

do  crcptn«  that  it  caufd  me  W  dli«* 

And  tliat  ye  me  wotdt^  have  at  fafl  lo  mioi 
Ai  1  have  yoit,  that  would  I  you  bc-fechc, 
And  if  I  wift  fothily  that  to  finde , 
God  might  not  o  ;  ^-  ct^hw^ 

But,  hert<?  mine  1  ]«h 

Bcthe  to  mc  true,  u.  .  ,,.    .    ,.  ,;  ^uutl 
For  1  am  'thtne,  by  God  and  by  my  tronihc 

Bethcglad  fort hy,  and  live  in  nklriiiife. 
Thus  faicd  1  ner  er  this,  ne  V 
And  if  to  you  it  were  a  grti 
To  tournc  ayen  fone  aftir  that  yc  go. 
As  faioc  would  I  as  ye  that  it  were  fo^ 
As  wifely  God  mine  herte  bring  to  re 
And  Kim  in  armls  toke,  and  ofte  kefle. 

Ayenft  his  will,  Cthc  it  mote  nedis  ht^' 
Thi^  Troiius  up  rofe,  and  faft  him  cirdi 
And  in  his  amiiR  tokc  hi*  lady  fte 
An  hundrid  times,  and  on  hii  waic  him  fpedi 
And  with  foe  he  wordis  as  hii  hcfte  ybled 
He  fcide,  Farith  wel*  tpy  derr  herte  fwrte ! 
That  God  ut  graunr^  found  and  fone  to  mete. 

To  whiche  uo  wordc  for  r€>rowc  Aie  aofwtsu, 
So  fore  gan  his  parting  her  to  di(traki« 
And  Troilus  untohi^  pai-ia  ferd, 
A*  wo  bigon  as  (be  was^  (othc  to  fainCf 
So  harde  him  wrong  of  (haqvr  -V  ■  i-*'  rj^.c  piai 
For  to  ben  cftc  there  he  wa^ 
Thai  it  may  ncrt  oot  of  his  i.  w 


iniitl  t<»  tus  rotftO  polcis  fonc 
imto  bu  bedde  gan  for  to  {hnnke» 
^  long,  as  he  wu  wont  to  doen ; 
For  OAijghi;  he  maic  wcl  Iigge  and  winkc, 
c  maic  there  none  in  hU  hcrte  OnJtc, 
g  how  Ihc,  for  whom  dcfire  him  brcode, 
Uc  was  worth  more  than  he  wcjide, 
a  his  thought  gan  up  and  dounc  to  wendc 
rdis  all,  and  every  cuotinauncc, 
mi\f  impreOio  hi  hh  niindc 
e  poiode  that  to  him  wai  pltfaunce, 
ily  of  thilkt:  rcmcmhrauucc 
i  sewe  him  brcnde,  and  luft  to  brede 
re  than  crft,  and  jct  tokc  he  dod  bcdc, 
Idc  alfo  right  in  tlic  fam^  wife 
m  gan  in  her  henc  (kct, 
ttuoe/Te,  his  lufl,  hi»  dcdu  wife, 
dAnefTc,  and  how  (he  with  him  met, 
ig  Love  that  he  fo  well  hex  befct. 
oft  to  hayc  her  herte  derc 
m  place  as  ihc  dur0  make  him  chere, 
ve  a  morowc  wtiich  thai  commio  waa 
I  need  gan  her  fairc  to  grete^ 
id.  All  this  night  To  rained  it  alat  I 
my  drede  h  that  ye,  nec^  fwctc ! 
lie  kiJlr  had  to  llcpe  and  mete  : 
\t  (quod  he)  hath  rain  fo  do  me  waVc 
Qe  of  U4  1  trowe  tbcr  heddis  akc. 
Ekcie  he  came,  and  faid.  How  ft  ant  it  now, 
irie  mo  row  e  ?  nccc,  how  can  ye  fare  ? 
i  AnTwerde,  Ncvir  the  bet  for  you. 
It  ye  bcn^  God  yevc  your  hcrte  care  i 
fc  me  fo  ye  caufid  all  this  fare, 
f,  (qvod  fhc)  for  all  your  wordi&  white  i 
ip  feeth  you  knowith  you  full  htc  ! 
Mm  ihe  began  her  face  for  to  wrie 
IPfcetd,  and  woxe  for  fhame  all  rcdde^ 
D^arot  ga.n  undir  for  to  pric, 
d,  Nece,  if  that  I  fhall  ben  de4dc 
tt  a  fwerde  ajnd  fmitJih  of  ray  bedde  : 
Ml  hif  arme  all  l'o<iainly  he  thriAe 
cr  nccke,  and  ai  the  la  I)  her  kille. 
c  al  that,  which  chargjth  naught  to  fay  i 
Cod  foryave  his  dcch,  and  fhc  alTo 
j,  and  with  her  uncle  gan  to  plaiei 
r  nufe  ne  was  there  none  than  fo  : 
hit  thing  right  to  th*  effc^^  to  go, 
imc  ywa»  home  to  he?  hotife  (he  wcut| 
iidatui  haih  fuily  hit  en  tent, 
toorne  we  a  yen  to  TroiluA, 
ft^le0e  full  Icng  a  bcddc  ylaie, 
vily  fent  aftir  P^ndanift, 
to  come  ki  all  the  hail  he  maic  ; 
e  aoon,aot  on  is  fuied  he  naie, 
oiluf  full  fubif  1/  he  gretc, 
JDC  upon  the  bedd*i«  fide  him  fete. 
Troilu^  with  all  tli*  alTctiUoiui 
Jly  love  tluit  licPt^  maic  derifc 
dai>u$  on  kncin  fill  tdoune, 
that  he  would  ff  the  place  arife 
hira  tliankln  on  his  bcfle  wife; 
drid  time  he  gan  the  timd  hlclTc 
f  wst  tornC|  to  briMg  him  fro  diflrciTe* 


He  f;4id,  O  frend  of  frcndcs!  the  aldrrbefl 
That  cvir  was,  the  fothe  for  to  tcHt 
Thou  hall  in  hcvcn  ibrought  my  foule  at  rcfl 
^ro  Plegethon,  the  liric  fiodc  of  hell. 
That  though  t  might  a  thoufande  timii  Tel 
Upon  a  dale  my  life  in  thy  fcrvice. 
It  nc  might  not  a  mote  in  that  fufiice. 

The  fonn^,  whichc  that  al  the  woride  maic  fc, 
Sawc  ncvir  yet  (my  life  that  dare  I  Icie) 
S*i  joily,  fairc,  and  godcly,  as  i$  {he 
Whofe  I  im  all,  and  ftiall  till  that  I  deie ; 
And  that  I  thus  am  hcr\  dare  1  wel  fcic. 
That  thankid  be  the  highi  wofthincflc 
Of  Love,  and  eke  thy  kindc  bufinefle* 

Thu*  hall  thou  me  no  little  thing  iyeve; 
Fctf  why  ?  to  the  obligid  be  for  aic 
My  Iffe ;  and  why?  for  through  thine  hclpe  I  live. 
Or  c\%  deddc  had  1  bi-ii  majiy  a  daie : 
And  with  that  worde  douo  in  hia  bed  he  late^ 
And  Pandarui  full  fobirly  him  herde 
Till  all  was  faid,  and  than  he  him  anfwcrdc  : 

My  derc  freiidc  I  if  I  have  docn  for  the 
In  any  cafe,  God  wotc  it  ii  mc  Icfe, 
And  am  as  glad  ai  man  mate  of  it  be, 
God  hclpc  mc  fo  ;  but  take  now  not  agrt/S 
That  I  fhall  fainc ;  beware  of  this  mifchefe, 
That  there  as  now  thou  brought  art  to  thy  bliJTe 
That  thou  thy  felf  ne  caufc  it  not  to  miffc ; 

For  of  Fortuu'is  Iharpe  advcrfite 
The  worflf  kindc  of  infortuftc  is  this, 
A  man  to  have  ben  in  profpcrltc. 
And  it  remcmhir  whan  it  pallid  is ; 
Thou*  art  wifeinough,  forthy  doe  nat  amii; 
But  not  to  raktll  t^ough  thi>u  fitte  warmc. 
For  U  thou  be  qertain  it  woll  the  hartne. 

Thou  art  at  cfc,  and  hold  the  well  theri^ 
For  all  fo  furc  as  redde  is  every  fire 
Af  grete  a  trufte  it  U  if^e  KvttI  at  wnng  j 
BrU/e  atvMitr  tby  J^tch  amJ  thy  Jifin^ 
For  WcrUljjpte  b^iddh  rt^  kut  ly  a.  tvtrg^ 
That  previth  welt,  it  brcft  al  daie  fo  ofte, 
Forthy  nede  is  to  werkin  with  it  foftc. 

(QuodTroilus)  thopc,  and  Qod  toforne^ 
My  derc  frcodc  f   that  I  (hall  fo  me  here 
That  in  my  gilt  there  HiaLl  Dothing  ben  lome^ 
Ne  I  n'ill  raklc  for  to  grevin  her  ; 
It  ficdeth  not  this  mattir  oft  to  tcre. 
For  wifliU  thou  mine  hcrti  wel,  Paadare, 
Cod  wote  of  tliu  thou  wouldifl  litil  care. 

Tho  gao  he  tell  him  of  his  glad^  night, 
And  whereof  6rft  his  hen  ydraddc  and  hoW, 
And  fayidf  Frcnde,  as  1  ann  a  true  knight. 
And  by  that  faithe  t  owe  to  God  and  youg 
1  had  it  nrvir  half  fo  hot  as  now, 
And  cvir  the  more  that  dcfire  me  bitcth 
To  love  her  bed  the  more  it  mc  dcliteth. 

I  n*ot  my  felf  not  wiftly  what  it  is. 
But  ROW  I  felin  a  new  qualitc, 
Yc,  all  anothir  than  I  did  cr  this, 
Pandare  anfwerid  and  faied  thus,  that  h^ 
That  onis  maic  in  hcvin  bliflTe  ybc 
He  fcliih  othir  wayis,  dare  t  faie. 
Than  ilifke  tinic  he  firfl  herd  g fit  fai^. 
A  a  w] 


4 


Thi*  1%  ^  wcidc  for  al,  that  Troifiii 
Wai  pcvir  ful  to  fpcke  of  tbi*  imatcrc, 
And  for  to  pntifm  unto  Paodarus 
7*hc  bonnte  of  hjft  bright  Jady  io  dcrt!. 
And  Pandarusto  ihankcand  maktn  cbfrc  : 
This  talc  wan  aie  fpan  newc  to  btgitmt; 
1'ill  that  the  night  departrd  *hcm  at  wince. 

Sonc  aftir  th/s,  for  that  Fortune  it  wotiJd, 
Icnmin  %vas  the  bhfsruT  tJm!  fwetc 
That  Troilui  was  warn  id  thAt  he  Ihould 
There  he  ^vis  eift  Crtfcide  h*»  lat^y  tnclt^ 
For  whiche  Itc  ftltc  his  hertc  in  ioic  ftttc. 
And  faithfully  gan  nil  the  p^ddiis  hcry ; 
And  let  fc  now  if  ihat  he  c^rn  be  mcry. 

And  he  Id  ill  was  the  forme  ard  al  the  glTc 
Of  her  conin:lng,  iind  tkc  •  f  hii  alfo. 
Aft  it  wai  cri^t  whichr  n<?dith  nought  dcvifc; 
But  pbiiily  to  tb'  cfCtdt  right  for  to  go, 
Iri  joir  iind  furctc  Paadaru* *hri«  two 
A  bcdtlc  ybrought  wbao  that  'hem  bctlic  lift,       | 
And  ihns  ibti  ben  in  quletc  and  in  rtJl.  | 

Naught  ntdith  it  to  you.fitlic  tliei  ben  met, 
To  aCcc  at  me  if  that  ihcl  blithe  ywere  i 
Fqf  if  'r       '  "    '  ^  it  bet 

A  tliot  1  not  tnqueic  ; 

A^jo vv«      t.    .  ,^  -  ^^Tr, 

And  bpthc  ivvu  i!  ci  wende, 

A^  mochil  joie  a^  1  j  rcbciidc. 

Thii  d'jh  no  litil  thing  of  ivr  to  fey. 
This  paflitb  cv^ry  wit  for  to  dc^fifc, 
For  echc  of  'licm  gan  <.tiiir'>bifk  obey  ; 
Fclicitc,  w hichc  thui  thcleclcTliJi  wife 
Ciimn.ciKlm  fo,  ne  may  not  here  fuffife ; 
Thhjoye  oe  maic  net  v-ritiln  be  with  itikc; 
1'his  pafTith  al  that  any  hcrt  maic  ihinke. 
B:n  rrull  day,  fo  welaway  the  iUuurdc  I 
Can  fcr.tu*  aprpehej  a6  ihel  by  fignis  kncwe, 
For  which e 'hem  thought  thci  filin  dcth'iswounde: 
fcjo  wo  was  'hem  tliat  chaunglti  cm  thcrhcwc, 
Ai:d  day  thei  gonuin  to  dlfpife  al  rcwe, 
Calling  it  traltour,  enviou*.  and  worfe, 
And  bittirly  (he  day ^s  light  ihci  corfc. 

(Qjifid  i  roilus)  Alss!  now  ym  1  ware 
T*      '  ,  andtho  f.    "     '    '    if  re 

^  T  ydrawip  urTii*i«  chare 

luMi  j;.  i.  lumcbvfiaibc  m  ui.ji  ..  uf  me. 
And  maklth  it  (o  fonc  day  to  be, 
And  for  the  S6nne  blm  halllth  thu»  to  tlfc 
fie  (hall  I  nevirdcn  blm  ficrifife. 

But  nedi*  r.aic  dtpartin  'hcjii  ninil  foDC ; 
|And  whan  ther  fpethc  don  wa*  and  thrr  there 
pl'hei  twin  anon,  a*  thti  were  wort  to  done, 
1  feJtin  time  of  meting  cftc  ifcre, 
I  many'  a  night  thei  n roight  in  this  tniDcrc  : 
'Aod  ihui  Fortune  a  limeyladdu  injolc 
Crcftit'c  and  eke  this  kir^'i?  fun  of  1  role. 
In  ftifTifaunce,  In  bllfTcand  In  rmginget,^ 
This  Troilu*  gan  al  ftis  Hfe  to  Icdc  j 
He  fpendith,  juflith.  and  makith  fcfllnget; 
Flc  gcvith  frdy  ofic,  and  chuungith  wcde  ; 
He  helde  abr^ut  him  alwaie  nut  of  drede 
^  worldc  of  folkci  ai  come  Mrn  well  of  kinde. 
The  frcfhijl  md  the  b^ft  that  he  could  £ndc. 


That  ftiche  a  Yojcc  wai  olhJm  tnd  i  ftrrcn 
Throughout  the  world  of  honour  and  largcffc 
Thut  ii  up  tongc  ujifo  tht  yate  of  he'reii  j 
And  as  in  love  he  was  in  fuche  gbJoefTc 
That  in  his  hf  n  he  dt-mid  as  I  geflc 
That  there  u*i*  Jovir  in  thii  world  at  efc 
So  vvcl  as  he,  and  thus  gan  love  him  pkfe. 
The  gtidchhrdc  or  bcaute  whiche  that 
In  any  othir  lady  had  ifetic 
Can  not  the  mountenaunce  of  a  g;Qftt  unbtni 
About  hts  hert  of  al  CrefeidMs  nettc; 
He  was  fo  narowc*  imalkid  and  iknctfc 
I'hai  i*  undon  in  any  manir  fide 
That  n'il  nat  b^.n  for  anght  that  maJc  bctid^^^ 

And  by  the  hondc  ful  oftin  he  wacrhl 
This  Pindarup,  and  into  gardin  ledc. 
And  flu  lie  a  U  ({  and  fuche  n  irr  c-irt 
Him  ,:indof  her  L 

And  *  re,  that  witj  di 

U  w  as  aji  hevcn  hi»  wordiii  for  to  here. 
And  than  he  wouldc  fing  in  this  mzurre  r 

Lovc,  that  of  erthe  and  fe  hath  govthittERfi^ 
Love,  that  his  heftj*  harh  in  hcvin  Hie, 
Love,  that  with  a  right  wholfcimc  alia imce 
HalH  pcptc  jnynid  as  hjm  liftc  'hcni  g^je, 
Lovr,   '  "  O   Muith  lawc  and  ccmpaurc, 
Ant!  in  vtrtuc  fur  to  dwcl. 

Bin. I  Jc  that  1  have  toldf  and  td. 

*l  hai  thai  the  world  with  fetch,  urhiche  tim  'i 
Diverfith  fo  hi*  ftounrfir  icci^T^'m^^  [ fttHf, 

That  elcmcnth  that  br 
HohUfl  a  bonde  pcrtn 
That  Pharbns  mote  h  i 
And  that  the  mone  h 
Al  this  doeth  Love;    air  i:rrica  be  nji  I 

That  that  the  fe,  that  grcdy  h  to  fl- 
CohftrainUh  to  acertame  eode  fo 
His  flcdJs,  that  fo  ficrfiy  thei  nc  growcii 
To  drcmhin  ctthe  and  al  for  evirmo. 
And  if  that  Love  au^ht  let  hi*  bridil  ^d 
Al  rhal  tlow  loTith  afondir  (bould  I  p^* 
And  loft  were  al  thai  L<rvc  hah  now  m  ' 

So  would  to  God,  that  author  it  of 
That  with  his  bonde  Love  of  hii  rertnc  litl 
To  ferchin  hcrtit  al,  and  faft  to  bin<!e» 
Thut  from  his  bonde  no  wght  tV-  ■   —  "' 
And  henis  coldc  them  wold  I  tii 

To  make  *  hem  lore,  and  that  hit  

On  hcrtis  fore,  and  kcpc  hem  that  ben  tttm^ 

In  all^  ncdis  forfhetounHswcrre 
He  was,  and  ate  the  6f  ft  in  armis  dight, 
And  certainly*  but  if  that  bokit  trre. 
Save  Hcflor  oioft  idraddc  oPany  Wight; 
And  this  cncTcfe  of  han^jneffe  dfid  migbc 
Come  him  of  Ir-      "      '    'n  « (hvokc  lo  mfl^ 
That  altirtd  hi^  uhin, 

la  time  oftru I^ing  woukl 

Or  ellis  hunt  the  bore,  beai'c,or  K< 
1  he  fmolt-  beftt&  kt  he  gon  belide ; 
And  whan  that  he  come  ridirg  into*  ch<^ 
Ful  oft  hif  lady  {rom  her  window  dwn^ 
Ai  frcfh  w»  faneon  comin  o tit  of  ttttie, 
ful  redy  wa»him  godcly  iol*lyc^ 


tel" 


4 


moft  of  lore  and  re rttie  was  his  fpedie, 
4}  J  pile  h^d  be  al  wrecchidncfic; 
uticfTi^nt}  ncAt  w%»  him  to  hcfccbe 
ourin  ihem  tbat  h:id  vrcrthincjITc, 
n  *Uvm  ih*l  TVfiiii  in  diiltc-fTe  ; 
ad  WAS  he  if  any  wjght  wcl  ferdc 
ivir  Wiut  whan  he  it  will  or  hcrde. 
£c»tii  10  fainc,  he  loft  hcldc  every  wight 
he  were  irt  Lov'ii  high  fervice, 
folke  that  jiuj^ht  it  ben  of  light ; 

JIQftit,  JiHil  ill  iu  uiitoutJic  wife 
array,  f>  ugh^ 

I  w«*  Wl  i  or  wrought- 

ifioogli  thj.!  lit  r>cc-*tnc  i>i  htodereyAl, 
ft  of  pride  ut  no  wight  for  to  chaec  ; 
-  '      '    )    TO  cchc  in  general, 

ire  him  ihanke  in  every  place  : 
_l4^    ^  ,  V  f ,  Ui  er  i  c  d  b  e  his  ^pra  tic  • 


That  pride  and  ire,  oiTte  and  airartce. 
He  gan  to  flic,  and  every  oihir  vice. 

'I'hnu  lady  bright  (  the  doughtir  of  Dione ! 
Thy  blindc  and  wingid  foune  eke,  Dan  Cupidc! 
Ye  Sullrin  Nine  eke  1  that  by  Hclicone 
In  hil  ParnalTo  liftin  for  to*  abide, 
That  ye  thus  fcne  itui  deinid  me  to  gidc 
I  can  no  more,  but  fen»  thai  ye  wol  wtndc 
Yc  beried  ben  for  aic  withoutin  cndc  I 

Through  you  have  I  faid  fully  in  my  foog 
Tb'  eflciite  and  joie  of  Troilu*  fcrvite, 
Al  be  that  there  wai  fomc  dilcfe  among, 
Ai  mine  iu^uur  to4i(titji  todevife  : 
My  rhirde  Bnke  now  ende  I  io  this  wife, 
A  nd  I'rolltis  in  la^c  tad  in  qutete 
U  with  Crcfcidc,  his  ownc  ladic  fwctc. 


PROCEMIUM  LIBRI QUARTI. 


BvT  all  to  litill,  webway  the  while  ! 

LjLftith  fuchc  joie,  ithonkid  be  Fortune, 

That  fcmith  trcwift  whan  (he  woll  bcgilei 

Aiifl  can  to  foils  fo  her  fongc  cntune 

*rhat  (he  *hcfn  hentand  blent,  traitour  commyne, 

Add  whan  a  wight  is  from  her  whclc  ithrowc 

Than  latighith  the,  and  makjth  him  the  mowe. 

Frpm  Troilus  (he  gan  her  bright^  face 
Away  to  writhe,  and  tote  of  him  non  hcdc. 
And  callc  him  cicnc  out  of  his  ladieS  grace, 
And  on  her  wbtlc  (he  fet  up  Dtomcde, 
^or  which  mln  hcrt  right  now  gionith  to  blcde  ; 
And  now  my  pen,  alas !  with  which  1  write, 
^akith  lor  drcdc  of  that  1  mufl  cnditc  : 


For  how  Crefctd^  Troilns  (brfoke, 
Or  at  the  left  how  that  (he  wai  unkiode. 
Mote  hcnnisforth  ben  matir  of  my  B<»kr» 
At  writtn  folkc  through  which  it  t»  ill  ounde : 
Abs  f  that  thei  (hould  evir  caufe  finde 
To  fpcke  her  harmc  !  and  if  thei  on  her  lift 
I  wis  them  felfc  (hould  have  the  viUol^. 

O  ye  Erinnyci!  Night'is  doughtirt  thic, 
That  cndcleiTe  complain  e  rrir  in  p4ioc, 
Mega-m,  Alcdo,  and  T)-fiphonc, 
Thou  cnii!  Mart  ckc  !  fathir  of  <^irtn«9 
This  ilkc  Fourth  Bokc  hclpith  me  for  co  ( 
So  that  the  loos  of  love  and  Ijfe  ifere 
Of  TroUm  be  fully  ihcwi4  Kcre. 


TaOILUS    AND    CRSSEIDE. 


INCIPIT   LIBER   QUARTUS. 


hholk,  as  I  have  faick  er  ihlt^ 
19  ftrcmg  ^boutiB  Troit  toune, 
^hdO  that  Phorbus  fhining  1$ 
brcfle  nf  Hercules  Lioua 
ja  with  many  a  bold  boroup 
Me  with  Grckta  for  to  Bght, 
Bpnt,  to  grevc  *Kcm  whjit  he  loIgHt* 
Hp  long  or  Ibort  it  waa  bitwcac 
Kund  thst  day  thci  fi^r  tin  mcnte  ^ 
Wk  wcl  arinjd  bright  ajid  (bene 
i  many'  a  worthy  knij^ht  out  wcntc 
;  in  hondc,  and  with  bigjcc  bowls b&l^te, 
;  bcrde,  withoutiii  Icogir  If  tie, 
^  in  the  feldc  anon  'hem  mcttc. 
bday  with  i^tris  (harpe  igrounde, 
^clartift,  iwcrdcs  Anii  mac  it*  fei| 
ad  bring} »  horfc  and  man  to  grouodc, 
r  azia  out  the  br^n jh  qiu.1 ; 
!  fhoure,  the  loihc  im  to  ttl, 
frotc   hem  felvm  /o  miflcdcn 

r  fiiojir  hr^mcward  tiiei  fledco* 
\  nun  Of, 

pcduOf  FoiyUctior, 
I  Trojan,  pdn  Ruphc», 
fe  folk,  ai  Ph^bufcf, 

ne  (but  daic  the  foUce  at  Troie 
I  i  grctc  parte  of  thcr  joic. 
tnut  was  yevCfSt  Grckci  requcilj 
truce,  and  tho  thei  ^onnjn  irctc 
Dcri  to  chaungin  moil  and  Je{l, 
uf  furpJus  ycviu  fommis  grcte  ; 
;  anon  was^  couth e  in  every  flretc, 
b*  adlrgCi  in  toiuii  and  every  whcrC| 
;  fiHl  it  caimr  to  Calchaa  ere. 
ba«  knrw  this  tretlfe  Ihould  f  holde» 
l^unongc  the  Grck.i&  iboc, 

:  forthe  with  the  lordts  olde, 
:  ai  he  was  wont  to  done, 
a  chauDgid  £ace  'hem  bade  a  hone, 
i  Qtid^  to  done  that  reverence 
noi£c^  and  yeve  him  audience, 
kid  he  thus,  Lo  !  Lordis  iiiinri  I  wai 
«  it  is  know  in  out  of  drede, 
it  yea  r^membrc'  I  am  Cakhas, 
•Mi  yavc  comfort  lo  your  ncdc, 
\  wd  howc  that  you  iildiu  fpcdcj 


For  drcd^lcffe  through  you  {hal  in  a  Aoundc 
Ben  Trnic  ibrent,  and  bf  tin  doun  to  grouiideu 

Abd  in  what  furnie  or  in  what  manir  wift^ 
This  toon  to  Ihende,  and  al  your  luft  atcbeve, 
Yc  havic  cr  this  wd  herdc  me  you  dcvifc; 
Thi$knowio  yc»  nr,  Lordis,  a*  V  Icvc, 
And  (or  the  Grckis  wcrin  mc  fo  Icvc, 
t  canic  my  lllfe  in  my  propir  perfonc 
To  techc  in  this  hf)w  you  wai  bcft  to  done, 

paving  unto  my  trcrour  nc  my  rent 
Ri^bt  DO  rcgarde  in  refpcdc  of  your  dc, 
ThuA  al  my  godc  J  Icftc  and  to  you  went, 
Wtiniiig  in  this  you,  Lardi»,  for  to  pkfc  ; 
But  al  that  IcfTc  Dc  doth  mc  no  dU'cfc; 
\  vouchlafe  do,  a&  wifely  have  t  pi| 
for  you  to  lelc  al  that  I  have  in  Troie, 

Save  of  a  dou^htir  that  I  Icfte,  alai ! 
Siupiiig  at  h<^ic  when  out  of  Troie  I  flert  : 
O  iicrucf  o  Cruil  fathir  that  t  was  ! 
Howe  might  1  have  in  that  fo  bard' an  hen{ 
Alas  dittt  i  nc*  had  brought  bur  my  Ihcrt  J 
For  forow*  of  whl^h  I  wol  nai  live  to  moroff 
But  if  ycy  Lordia,  re  we  upon  my  forow. 

For  btcaufc  that  1  la  we  no  time  er  now 
Her  to  deljvre'  J  Koldin  have  my  pees. 
But  now  or  oevir,  if  that  it  like  you, 
)  may  her  have  right  lone  uowe  doubtlces : 

0  hElpe  and  grace  amongi^  al  this  preci  ! 
Rewc  on  this  olde  caitilc  in  diftrefle, 
btth  I  through  yoo  have  all  this  hevinelTc. 

Vc  have  now  -caught  and  fcttrid  in  prifon 
Troyans  inowe,  and  if  your  wiUis  be 
My  childc  with  one  may  have  rcdcmptioii ; 
Now  for  the  love  of  God  and  of  bounte 
One  of  fo  fde,  alas  !  tn  ycfc  him  mc  : 
^Vlult  oedc  were  it  this  prayir  for  to  weme, 
Sith  ye  ihul  have  both  foLke  and  toun  aa  yem  I 

On  peril  of  my  life  I  flial  nat  lie, 
Apollo  baih  me  toidc  fuf  faithfully ; 

1  have  eke  foundiu  by  allronomyt 
By  fort,  end  ckc  by  augury,  trcwelv. 
And  dare  wul  faie  the  tin**^  is  failfc  by 

That  tire  and  Qambc  on  al  the  toun  thai  fpred^^ 
And  thus  fiial  Troie  yturne  to  aihin  dede,^ 

For  ccrtaiae  Ph<rbus  and  Ncptunus  bothe. 
That  makidin  the  wallis  of  the  toun, 
Bvn  witli  ihc  f-jikc  of  I'roic  alwuic  fo  wrotl 


nt> 


TROILUS   AND    CRZfElDft 


That  tjjci  wol  bring  it  to  confiifioun ; 
Right  m  dtfptte  of  King  Laonicdoun, 
Bicaufc  he  n*olde  pnyin  *hcm  ther  hire. 
The  touc  of  Troi^  (hat  ben  fct  on  fire. 
TelUng  his  ts.lc  alwiy  thii  oldt-  grcf, 
Humble  in  fpcchc  and  in  hift  loking  eke, 
1 5  he  falte  tcrris  from  his  eyin  twey 
I^u!  fall  yroonin  doun  by  eiihir  chctc; 
So  long  he  g*n  of  focour  'hem  bcfeke 
T  bat  for  to  hcic  hlra  of  hi»  for  owes  fore 
'J'hei  gave  him  An  tenor  wi  thou  tin  more. 

Btit  who  was  glad  inough  but  Calcha»  tlio  ? 
And  of  thif  thing  ful  fone  his  ucdi*  leidc 
On  them  that  ihouldin  for  the  trttifc  go. 
And  them  for  Ante  nor  ful  oftc  preidc 
To  bringiQ  home  King  Thoab  and  Crcfcidc; 
And  whan  Prium  liis  i'jic  condud  fent» 
Tb*  cmbalTndours  td  Troie  (Ircight  they  went, 
'l^c  caufc  i-^oMe  of  thcr  comtning,  the  oldc 
Prisim  the  King  ful  lone  in  gencrall 
Gan  heretipuD  his  ptirUment  to  holdc« 
Of.whiche  th*  cfleac  rchcrcin  you  I  fhfttl : 
Th*  embalTadours  ben  anfwerdc  for  fiiniU 
,The  cfcbaunge  of  prifoner*  and  al  this  neJc 
l*Hcni  likith  wel,  and  forth  iti  thei  protede, 
T!ii»  Troiliis  wa*  prcfcnt  in  the  phct: 
Whaa  afkid  was  for  Antenor  Crcfdde, 
For  whtche  ful  fonc  to  chaungin  gan  hii  fafe, 
As  he  that  with  tho  wordlt  wel  cigh  deide  f 
But  nath^teflfe  be  no  wortfp  to  5i  f^ide* 
Left  men  fbould  his  afi  i  * 

With  man  11*14  hcrt  he  ;_  MiWe*  ^rie» 

And  ful  of  anguilh  and  of  grcfly  dredc 
l/kbedc  what  othir  lordcs  would  to  if  f^% 
And  if  that  thei  would  grannt,  p^  dc  ! 

Th*  <fchaungc  of  her;  then  thi  'ig«» 

JFirft  how  to  five  Her  honor,  and  wmt  wcy  [twey 
iHcmlght-^  befl  th'  cfchaunge  of  her  withflondc  j 
^  Ful  f^ft  he  caft  how  all<J  this  might  ilonde. 
I.ove  him  mitde  alie  prcfl  to  done  her  bide, 
And  raihir  dyio  than  that  !bc  Oiould  go, 
But  Retfon  fatd  him  on  that  othir  Gde 
Without  in  afFenC  of  her  do  uaf  fo» 
Left  for  thy  werkd  (be  would  be  thy  fi*e, 
And  fain,  thai  throngh  tbymcildling  h  iblowc 
Your  both^  lovt  r'  ..  trft  not  ktiowc. 

For  wbichc  he  ren  for  the  brlfr. 

And  though  the  iorui^  ^vnuidin  that  flte  wtnt 
He  9Nli>td^  fuffir  them  graunt  what  'htm  left. 
And  te!  hi»  lady  firfl  what  that  thei  mcnt  \ 
And  When  that  fbe  had  fnid  him  her  eittcnt, 
Thcraftir  would  he  werkin  all  fo  blivc  ' 
Tho  a  I  the  world  ayeii  it  would  yflrivfi. 

Hd^or  with  that  ftiU  wel  the  Grekb  h^i<de 
tV^t  AitteDor  how  thei  would  have  Crefeide, 
l^an  it  withAonde,  and  fohirl?  aafwerde  i 
Ifiirs,  fhe  nc  it  no  prifoner  (Y. 
ISQ*ot  CD  you  who  that  thi«  >, 

'But  on  my  parte  yt  tt'^  •    '  jcnt  leU 

We  ufi  B  hereno  wonu 

♦  Thcnoifc  of  peplc  u;..  :  ...  }]  atonei 
/in  brimme  anblafc  of  Itrawe  ifet  oo  fire, 
f  Of  infortasc  it  would:  fer  the  tiooc^ 


Thei  fhouldin  ther  conRilion  dcflre, 
He<Sor,  (quod  thei)  what  gofL  may  yon  dffVD 
This  woman  thuj  to  (hilde,  and  done  t»  Me 
Dan  Antenor  ?  a  wrong  waie  now  y«  chdfe 

That  is  fo  wife,  and  eke  fo  bolde  baraoa. 
And  we  have  necle  of  fotkc,  zi  meomay  Ce; 
He  i*  one  of  the  grctiA  of  thia  toon  : 
O  Hedor  !  leltc  fuche  thy  fantadct  be ; 
O  King  Priam !  (quod  thei)  thut  fe^gk  wt. 
That  ail  our  voice  is  to  forgone  Crefeide, 
And  to  delivir  Antenor  thei  preidc. 

O  Juvenal,  Lorde  !  trewe  ii  thy  fcni 
That  liiilwenin  folkc  what  ii  to  yeme. 
That  thei  tie  findin'  in  ther  defire  offence^ 
For  eloude  of  errour  ne  lettc  *hctn  difc( 
What  befl  is ;  and  lo  !  here  enfample' 
Thefc  fojke  defirin  now  deli virau nee 
Of  Antenor*  that  brought  *hen.  to  mifehansutl 

Ft^ir  Jic  w»  aftir  traitOur  tr>  the  rouse 
Of  Tray,  alas  !  thei  qiiitte  him  out  tofubei 

0  nice  world,  lo  thy  difcrecion  1 
Crcfcidc,  which  that  ncvir  iiid  'brm  fcadse, 
Shal  nowc  no  lengir  in  her  biilfe  hathe> 
But  Antenor  he  Ibal  eome  home  tJ>  touse. 
And  (be  dial  out ;  thu»  faid  both  hf«TC 

For  whith  delibered  wa»  by  p>«rhmcXt 
For  Antenor  to  yildin  out  Cte^de, 
And  it  pronouT!^  ^  '  "  •!'■  i--  i^^--* 
/Mthoirgh  thai  I 

And  filially,  ^^l  _.       ^ 

It  wat  for  naught  ;;  it  nvutl  yUcn  ai 
For  fubfbnnee  of  the  parliment  ii 

Departid  o«t  o'  th*  parttmrnt  cfhofiTt 
Thii  Troih!",  wtilwiirtn  wordit  mr*, 
VaUi  hi* 
But  if  ii 
ThL-      ' 
BJi 

And  Hi  in  wintir  levi«  ben  btrafce 
Echc  aftir  othir  til  the  tree*  be  bare, 
So  that  there  n*i»  but  barkc  and  brauodav 
Lithe  Troilus  biraft  of  eche  welfare,    ' 
Iboundin  in  the  blacks  barke  of  cire« 
DrfpoUd  wode  out  of  hiawitte  t<»Weidty 
tjo  fore  Inin  fate  the  chaunging  o(  Ct€M4i 

He  rift  hirn  up  ard  every  dore  hcihrtie 
And  window  ekr,  and  tho  thi»wofulIs» 
Upon  hik  bedd'i«  fide  adoune  him  fettr, 
Ful  likt  a  ded  image,  both  pale  and  w$3h  '- 
And  in  his  brcf^  the  hc-piJ  wo  begin 
Out  bruil,  and  be  to  worktn  in  thit  MUif 
In  ha  wodcnelTe,  aa  I  fbal  you  devijr* 

Rij^t  a«tl^e  wild^^  bulle  bcginntib  %n>C 
Now  here  now  there,  idartid  toihehotlv 
And  of  hitdcth  mrith  in  compfainini^ 
^  Right  fo  gau  he  about  the  chaitibre  ittw^ 
^  Smiting  hi  I  brefl  aie  with  hit  iiibi  Imcttff 
Hi»  bed  to  the*  wall,  hi»  body  to  ik% 
Ful  ofte  he  fwapte,  him  felvin  to 

Hi«  cytn  two  for  pite  of  hiaherte 
Out  llrcmidin  as  hvifbe  M  weUia  tvcy  v 

1  be  bighe  fobbit  «f  la»  fonrwoiscitfr 


U, 


TtOILUS   ANt>    CkESElDI. 


L  refie ;  mnnethis  might  he  hj 
aks  \  why  n*iU  thou  do  mc  dey  .' 
itL*t  day  which  th^t  N:iturc 
^3  liv'ia  crcturc ! 
]  the  fury'  and  al  the  rage 
fSw  Ivcrte  twUl  and  faft^  thrcd 
ll  of  timi  fomcwhat  gAU  afwage, 
tbeddc  he  la^dc  him  doun  to  reft  ^ 
jitgon  hif  let  a  more  out  ro  breft, 
udir  i«  the  body  inaic  fuffifc 
thi»  wo  which  that  I  you  devifc 
lAuk  he  ihu*;  Fortune,  alai  the  while  ! 
tt  I  dooc  ?  what  have  1  tlic  agilt  ? 
ihtid  thou  fdr  touthc  thai  rac  bcgilc  ? 

10  grace  i  and  (hal  I  thus  he  fpilt? 

,  Cfefcide  away  for  that  thou  wilt  ? 
fW  mightifl  tf\ou  in  thine  htrt  fiiidc 
ptnc  thus  cruii  and  i4nkindc  ? 
I  the  nat  honourid  al  ray  tiye« 
well  w.pteil,  above  the  goddii  all  ? 
Ithou  then  of  thlijoic  vac  deprive  ? 
ta  !  what  may  men  uow  the  call 
;che  of  wrctchis,  out  of  honour  fai 
I'ry  I  in  whiche  J  wot  bcwaik 
,  alas  I  tli  that  the  b  re  the  mc  failc. 
Fortune  !  if  that  my  life  in  joic 
I  had  unto  thy  foulc  en  vie, 
haddifl  thou  my  fathir  King  of  Troy 
icUfe,  or  done  my  brcdirin  «tie, 
^jr  felfe,  that  thus  complaine  and  cri^  f 
■Krld  that  mate  of  no  tiling  ferve, 
Hb  an*i  never  fully  (lcrvc» 
t  Crvfdde  alone  werin  me  laftc 
nuf  ht  t  whidir  thou  woldlil  me  Hcre^ 
^  aUs  *  than  hall  thou  me  biraftc  ; 
narcj  lo  !  this  it  thy  manerc, 
a  might  that  moftc  is  t*  him  derc, 
t  in  that  thy  gicrfuU  violence; 
i  1  loil,  there  helpith  do  defence, 
Y  L-ordc  !  o  Love,  o  god  !  aU«  ! 
owiil  be  ft  min  hcrt  and  A  my  thought, 
ai  my  foroufuU  life  done  in  this  caas 
a  that  I  fo  dcrc  have  bought  ? 
Ccefcidf  and  me  h^vc  fuUy  brought 
r  grace,  and  both  our  hcrtia  felcd, 
lie  yc  fufFrt',  iklat  1  it  he  rcpclcd  ? 
I  may  done  E  (hal,  while  I  may  dure 
'  iit  and  in  crulU  p^ine; 
d  this  diiavinturc 
,  *  "^^   -ornc  I  wol  compUine, 
r  woJ  I  fenc  it  fhine  or  nine, 
;  I  wol  as  Edippe  in  dcskncSc 
uU  life*  and  dying  in  dilh-efTc. 
T  gl^^^ '   that  errifl  to  and  fro. 
It  thou  die n  cut  of  the  wolulleiV 

11  cvif  might  on  groundc  ygo  ? 
lurking  in  this  woful  neftc, 

h  aijoi:,  and  do  mine  hcrtc  to  brdlc, 
wc  Crcfeidi?  thy  hdy  dcrc  ; 
It  place  is  uo  Itngir  to  hen  here. 
*  L^wo  !  fens  your  difporte 
rfcid*s  cyin  bright, 

vkitm^  dilcomforte 


Stnndin  for  naught  and  wepb  OHi  your  C^Uc, 
Sens  fhc  is  queJnt  tl\at  wont  was  you  to  light  I 
In  TcitJC  from  thU  forth  have  I  cyin  twey 
Iformid,  fen*  your  vcrtue  is  awey, 

O  my  Crefeide  !  o  lady  fovcralnc  I 
Of  this  forowfull  foule  that  thus  cricth 
Who  fhalJ  now  yevin  comfort  to  thy  painc  ? 
Alas !  no  wight;  but  whan  mine  hcrt  ydieth 
My  fpiritc,  whiche  that  fo  unto  you  hicth, 
RcccYf  in  grc,  for  that  fhall  aic  you  ftrrc  ; 
Forthy  no  force  is  tho  the  body  ftcrve. 

O  yc  lovirs !  that  high  upoa  the  whcle 
Ben  fctte  of  Fortune,  in  godc  avinturc 
God  lenc  that  yc  aic  findin  love  of  flclc. 
And  longe  mote  your  life  in  joy  endure. 
But  when  yc  comin  by  my  fcpuhurc 
Rcmembrith  that  your  fclowc  rcftith  there. 
For  I  lovid  eke,  though  I  unworthy  were. 

O  oldc  unwholfome  and  mifUvid  mjm, 
Cakhas  I  mene  !  alai  I  what  cilid  the 
To  hen  a  Grckc  fens  thou  art  borne  Trojan  ? 
O  Calchiil  whiche  that  wok  my  banc  be. 
In  curiid  tim^  was  thou  borne  for  mc ; 
As  wbtddc  bliftfuU  Jove  for  his  Joyc 
That  I  the  had  where  that  I  would  tn  Trolc ! 

A  thoufande  fighishottlr  than  U>c  glcde 
Out  of  his  brcft  cche  aftir  othir  wcutc, 
Medlid  with  plaintis  ncwc.  his  wo  to  fcdc. 
For  whiche  hii  woful  tcris  nevir  fLentc ; 
And,  fbortly,  fo  hl^  forowcs  him  to  rente* 
He  wojrt  fomate  that  nc  joy  norpenauncc 
He  fclith  none,  but  lytth  in  a  trauncc. 

Pandarus,  whiche  that  in  the  parlimcnt 
Had  herdc  what  every  lord  andhuxgciifeid. 
And  how  ful  grauntid  wai  by  one  afTcnc 
For  Antcnor  to  ycldtn  out  Crefeide, 
G4rt  wcl  nigh  wodc  out  of  hk  wit  to  brctdc, 
So  th*t  for  wo  he  ne  will  what  he  mente. 
But  Id  a  rage  to  Trollus  he  wente. 

A  ccrtainc  knight  thnt  for  the  time  kcpt6 
The  chambrc  dorc  undid  it  him  anone. 
And  PandaruB,  that  ful  tcndirly  wcptc. 
Into  the  dcrkc  chambrc  a%  flil  ^  ftonc 
l*owardc  the  bcddc  gan  foftly  for  to  gone. 
So  confufe  that  he  nc  wift  what  to  fay; 
For  very  wo  his  witte  was  nigh  away. 

And  with  his  chcrc  and  loking  al  to  torae 
For  wo  of  this,  and  with  his  armi*  foldcn. 
He  ftodc  this  wuful  Troihis  bcfomc. 
And  on  his  pitous  face  he  gan  beholden  ; 
But  Lord!  fo  oftin  gan  hi*  hcrt  to  colden,^ 
Scying  hia  frcndc  in  wo,  whofc  bcvineffc 
Hia  htrti  Hough,  a%  tlio tight  him,  for  diftreflc. 

This  woful  wight,  this  Troilus,  that  fcUc 
His  frcndc  Pandare  icomin  him  to  fc, 
Gan  as  the  foow  aycnfl  the  funnc  to  mclte. 
For  whiche  this  woful  Pandorc  of  pltc 
Gan  for  to  wcpe  as  tcndirly  as  he  ; 
And  fpcchdcfTc  thus  beo  thcfc  ilke  twcy, 
That  ncithir  might  for  forow  o  wordc  fey. 

But  at  the  Ia4  tliiii  wo  ful  I  Ttoilus, 
Nigh  did  for  fmert,  pan  breftin  out  to  rare. 
And  with  u  ''ifowLi^iiolfehe  fkid  tlua« 


ift 


TROTLtjS    ANb   (?R^SEilifi. 


Amofi^i  his  fobfel?  and  hh  fighi%  fore ; 
'Lo  I  Pjuidiircj  I  ain  ded,  withoutm  rtiorc; 
Halt  ihon  n^it  herde  at  parlimcnt,  he  fcidc, 
'  "Tpr  ^knoenor  how  loftc  in  m^  Cr^fcidc  ? 

Tliw  FandaLniiT,  ful  dcd  and  pale  of  he  we, 
Fyl  piloufly  aufwcrid,  and  fatdc  Yes, 
As  wifely  were  it  falfc  as  it  is  trcwc 
That  J  have  herdc,  and  wotc  all  how  it  i*  ! 
O  mercy,  God!  Who  would  have  trowid  this? 
Wha  wt>Qld  have  wende  that  in  fo  lite  a  throw 
Fortune  our  joye  would  havin  ovtrthrow  f 

For  o'  In  thia  world  there  i>ino  crcture. 
As  to  my  dome,  that  evir  fawc  ruinc 
Strautigir  then  this  through  cafe  or  avinttire; 
Bat  who  may  a1  cfchtit  or  al  devine  ? 
Sachc  if  till  ft  world.     Forthy  I  thus  define, 
^e  truilith  no  wight  to  finde  in  Fortune 
Aic  propertie;  herycfti*  ben  commune. 

But  tcl  mc  tbi.s  why  thou  art  now  fo  mad* 
*ro  forowcn  thus  why  hftcr  thou  ill  this  wife; 
Sens  thy  dcfirc  al  wholly  haft  thou  hiid, 
So  that  by  right  it  ought  inough  fufficc  ? 
3Sut  1,  that  ncvir  fclit  in  niy  fervicc 
A  frcndly  chcre  or  loking  of  an  eye, 
hct  mc  thoj  wepe  and  wailin  til  I  dye. 

And  ore  al  this,  a»  thou  wel  wnft  thy  fclvc. 
This  tounc  h  ful  of  ladles  al  aboute, 
And  to  my  doncie  fairir  than  fuche  twelve 
As  er  ftic  waft  fhatl  I  Bnde  in  a  route, 
Ye,  one  or  twcy ,  withouiln  any  doute  ; 
Forthy  bt  glade,  ir.inc  owne  Icr^  brother! 
If  ftic  be  loft  wc  fcal  recovrt'  an  other* 

What  t  God  forbid  ilway  that  cchc  plefatince 
In  o  thing  were,  and  in  non  othir  wight ; 
If  one  can  fingc,  anothir  can  wd  daunce, 
If  this  be  godcly  fiic  ii  glad  and  light, 
And  ihifi  ii  faire  and  that  can  godc  aright  | 
£che  for  hii  vertue  holdin  i»  full  dere 
Bothe  herooer  and  faucon  for  rtvcrc. 

And  eke,  as  writ  Zanlie,  that  wajs  full  wife^ 
The  newe  love  out  cha0th  ofc  the  old, 
And  upon  newc  cafe  lyith  ncwe  avifc  ; 
Thinkc  ckc  thy  fclf  to  favin  thou  an  hold  ; 
Soche  fire  by  procelfe  lb  all  of  kinde  cold, 
,  For  fens  it  is  but  cafucll  plcfauncc 
Some  cafe  ftial  put  it  out  of  remcEnbrauncc* 

For  all  fo  fure  as  dale  cometh  aftir  night 
The  ncwe  love,  labour,  or  othir  wo, 
Oc  cUif  fclde  feing  of  a  wight, 
l>oeD  old  alfet^lons  all  ovir  go ; 
And  for  thy  pirtihou  flialt  have  oneoftho 
To  abrcdge  with  thy  bittir  paims  fmcrtc; 
Abfencc  of  her  fhall  drive  her  out  of  herte. 

Thefe  wordis  faJcd,  he  for  the  nonb  all 
To  hrlpc  hU  frcndt,  lti\  he  for  forowe  delde. 
For  doubtclcflc  to  docn  his  wo  to  fall 
He  hf  raught  oat  what  unthrift  that  he  fcidc ; 
But  Troiiuf,  that  nigh  for  forowe  dcidc, 
Tokc  little  bcde  of  all  that  crt  he  ment ; 
One  ere  it  herd,  at  the*  othir  out  it  went. 

But  at  the  UH  he  acfwertie,  and  faid,  Freed, 
Thit  lechtraft,  or  yhclid  thus  to  be, 
W^c  well  fitting  if  that  1  ^frc  a  feDd| 


To  traifin  her  that  true  is  unto  mc ; 
I  praie  God  let  this  counfail  nevir  tiie^ 
But  doc  mc  rathir  ftervc  anon  right  here 
£r  i  thus  docn  as  thou  roc  wouIdiH  Icre. 

She  that  I  fenrc  iwis  what  fo  thou  ffie«  \ 
To  whom  mine  herte  cnhabite  it  by  Hghe 
Shall  have  mc  wholly  hcr's  till  that  I  d;ief_ 
For,  Pandarii*,  (tns  I  have  trouth  her  hijltt," 
I  woll  nat  ben  untrue  fo'^  any  wight. 
But  a&  her  waji  I  woll  aie  live  and  fterte. 
And  ncvir  woUe  non  othir  trettur  fcnre. 

And  there  thou  falefl  thou  Ihah  as£aire] 
Ai  fhe,  let  be ;  make  no  comparifon 
To  a  crcturc  Iformid  here  by  Kinde; 

0  le vc,  Pandarus  \  thy  concluiioo ; 
f  woUnat  beh  of  thine  opinion 

*'ouchidg  all  this,  for  whichc  t  the  bcfffhcl 
So  holdc  thy  pccc ;  thou  ilaeft  me  With  thjf 

Thou  biddift  me  that  I  (houtd  love  i 
All  frcftily  newc,  and  let  Crcfeid^  gp  ; 
It  lifhc  nat  in  my  powir,  lev^  brother, 
And  though  1  might  yet  would  I  mx  4oe  I 
But  canft  thou  plajin  ralte»  to  and  fro, 
Nc  tic*  in  Dock^  out,  now  this  now  that,f 
Now  foul^  (all  her  for  thy  wo  that  care  \ 

Thou  fafift  ckc  by  rae,  thou  Pandarus^ 
As  he  that  whan  a  wight  is  wo  higon 
He  cbmcth  to  him  apace  and  faith  ritht  \ 

1  hinke  not  on  fmcrt  and  thou  (hall  fcl  fl 
Thou  maieft  nie  firft  tranfmewin  in  a  fio 
And  rcTc  me  of  my  palTionis  all. 
Or  thou  fo  ligbt'y  do  my  wo  to  fill- 

The  deth  mzic  well  out  of  my  birft  dcj 
rhe  life,  fo  long  maie  kft  this  fofowc  mloe^  ■ 
But  fro  my  foul^  ftall  Crcfeid*is  dart 
Out  nevirmort,  but  dounc  with  Ptofcrpinft 
Whan  I  am  deddc,  I  woll  go  Wot»  tn  pint, 
And  there  I  woll  ctcrrtaUy  complain 
My  wo,  and  how  that  twimjid  be  we  twaiii. 

Thou  haft  here  made  an  argtjmenc  fell  fidCi 
How  th»t  it  fhouldtn  laffc  pain  ybe 
Crcfctd^i  to  forgon,  for  flie  was  mine, 
And  lived  in  cfc  and  in  felicite  : 
Why  g^bbiflthou,  that  faidillcrft  torn 
That  him  is  wors  that  is  fro  wele  tthrowe 
Than  he  had  eril  none  of  that  wclc  ikn<nrc| 

But  tel  me  now,  fens  that  the  thtfsketh  1 
To  chaungin  fo  in  love  aie  to  and  fro, 
Why  haft  thou  nat  docn  bufdy  thy  might 
To  chaungin  her  that  doeth  the  al  thy  wi  f 
Why  n'ili  thou  let  her  fro  thine  hcric  go  I 
Why  n*iit  thou  love  anothir  lady  fwctc, 
That  maie  thine  hen.  fcrtin  in  (jujcte* 

If  tliou  haft  hid  in  love  aic  yet  mifchatti 
And  tanll  it  not  out  of  thirc  hcrt^  drive, 
1  that  have  lived  in  Uift  and  in  plcf^uoce 
With  her,  asmoche  as  any  wight  on  h^, 
H  )W  ftiould  I  that  foryct,  and  thit  fo  bUvel 
O  !  where  haft  thou  ben  I  - 
That  canft  fo  well  and  fori 

Naic,  r  thyj 

hv:  douf 


t  eodir  art  of  r<7rowes  aU, 
ym,  liBOt  I  fo  oft  aft  ir  the  ciU, 
is  that  deth,  foth  for  to  bin, 
L  idepid  comcth  and  endith  pain, 
wote  If  while  my  life  was  !□  quicte> 
me  flue  I  would  have  yerin  hire, 
r  thy  coimning  b  to  me  fo  Cwetc 
tllis  worlde  1  oothing  fo  deiirc  : 
!  feo^  with  thif  forowL'  V  am  afire, 
thiT  doe  mc*  anon  in  teris  dreoche 
thj  cold^  ilrokc  mine  hert^  qUcnche. 
h»t  Uioti  llaefb  fo  fck  in  foodry  wife 
Lber  wiU»  un  pray  Id,  daie  and  night, 
at  my  requeft^  this  fenrlcc, 
DOW  the  worlde,  fo  doeft  thoa  right, 
hax,  am  the  forowfulUfl  wight 
fcr  was,  for  time  is  that  I  ftcrve 
lits  world  of  right  naught  do  I  fervc* 
rroitttjr  in  tcria  gan  diflill, 
r  out  of  a  limbeck  full  fail, 
idarus  gan  holde  hit  tonge  dill, 
the  ground  hU  cyln  dounc  he  call, 
lilciSe  that  thought  he  at  the  lad; 
iKirde  rathir  than  my  felowc  deic 
1 1  fomwhat  more  unto  Kim  fcie* 
kjid,  Frcndi  fens  thou  haft  fochc  diftrcfic, 
a  the  lift  mine  argumentis  blame, 
It  thou  thy  feKin  hclpc  docn  rcdrelTc, 
Ji  thy  mauhode  kttin  all  thijt  game  I 
ibe  her,  nc  tanft  thou  not  for  fhame  ? 
lir  let  her  out  of  toun^  fare 
her  ftill,  and  leve  thy  aic£  fare, 
tiou  in  Troie  and  haft  non  hardimcnt 
a  woman  whiche  that  lovitb  the, 
old  htr  fclvin  ben  of  thine  alTent  I 
oat  thb  a  nic^  vanite  ? 
■non  and  let  this  weptng  be, 
h  thou  art  a  man,  for  in  this  hour 
SB  dedde  or  Jhc  (hall  bein  our. 
Iiaiirwcrde  him  Troilus  full  foft, 
^  Iwisj  my  leve  brothir  dere  ! 
lUTc  I  my  fclf  yet  thought  full  oft, 
te  thiogis  than  thou  d*rviCft  here, 
rtfalf  thing  LI  laft  thou  (halt  well  here, 
lU  thou  haft  mc  yevin  audience 
ir  maicft  thou  tell  all  thy  fentencc. 
io  thoQ  woft  thi»  toun  hath  all  tliii  wcrrc 
JlliD|r  nf  women  fo  by  might, 

I  not  ben  yfuffrid  mc  to  crre, 

•It  BOW,  DC  docn  fo  gretc  unright ; 
bftTe  alfb  blame  of  every  wigL  t 
tir'a  graunt  if  that  I  fo  withltodc, 
k  channgid  for  the  toun'i«  gode« 
;  eke  thought,  fo  it  were  her  ailcnt, 
htx  of  my  fathir  of  his  grace, 
linke  I  thii  were  her  accufcmcnt, 

II  I  wot  I  raaie  her  not  purchacc; 
\  my  hithir  in  fo  high  a  place 
iment  hath  her  efchaungc  cofclcd 

for  mc  hi«  lettirbe  rcpcled. 
Iiede  I  moftc  her  hert^  to  perturbc 
iolencfv  if  I  doc  foche  a  game, 
vm^  It  gpiuly  difturbc 


It  muft  be  difclaundrc  unto  her  name ^ 
And  me  were  Icvlr  die  than  her  difTame, 
As  n'olde  God,  but  if  that  1  fhould  have 
Her  honour  Icjrir  than  my  life  to  favct 

Thui  am  I  loft,  for  aught  that  I  can  fe. 
For  certain  is  that  Cith  1  am  her  knight 
I  muH  her  honour  Icvir  have  than  me 
In  every  cafe,  as  lovir  pught  of  right : 
Thus  am  I  with  dcfirc  and  rcfon  twight, 
Dellre  for  to  diftourbin  her  me  redelh, 
And  refon  n^ill  not,  fo  mine  hertc  dredeth. 

Thus  wcping^  that  he  ne  could  ncvir  ccfcg 
He  faid,  Alas !  how  fhall  I  wretch^  fare  I 
Far  well  fclc  I  alwaic  my  love  encrcfc. 
And  hope  ti  lafte  and  lafle  alway,  Pajidare ; 
Encrcfin  ckc  the  cauft^  of  my  care  ; 
So  wclawaie  !  why  n'ill  mine  hertc  brcft  ? 
For  why  ?  in  love  there  is  but  little  reft. 

Pander c  anfwerid,  Frcnd,  thou  maicft  for  nic 
Doen  at  the  lift,  but  had  I  it  fo  hote. 
And  thine  cftate,  flie  Ihould  ygo  with  mc ; 
Tho  a>l  this  toun  cried  on  thii  thing  by  note, 
T  n*oM^  fct  all  that  noife  at  a  grote. 
For  whan  men  have  well  cried  thin  woll  thei  rouft 
Eke  wondir  laft  but  ix  daies  ncre  in  toun. 

Dcvinith  not  in  rcfon  aic  fo  depe, 
Nc  curttfty,  but  hclpc  thy  fclfanon; 
Bet  ia  that  othir  than  thy  fclvtn  wepc. 
And  namily  fens  ye  two  ben  all  one  : 
Rife  up,  for  by  mine  hedde  flic  fliall  not  goncj 
And  rathir  ben  in  blame  a  little  found 
Than  fterve  here  a&  a  goat  withoutin  wound. 

It  is  no  fltame  unto  you  ne  no  vice 
Her  to  witholdin  that  the  lovith  mofte  t 
Paravinture  ftic  might  holde  the  for  nice 
To  lettc  her  go  thui  lo  the  Grckis  hofte  r 
Thinkc  ckc  Forlum^  aj  well  thy  fclvin  wofte» 
HeipUb  tte  hardie  man  it  his  tmprifi. 
And  weivlth  wretchii  for  ther  cowardifc. 

And  though  thy  lady  would  alitc  her  grcvcj 
Thou  (hak  thy  felf  thy  pccc  hcrcaftir  make  ; 
But  as  to  mc  certain  1  can  not  leve 
That  fhc  would  it  as  now  for  cvill  take. 
Why  fliould^  than  for  fere  thine  hertc  quake  ? 
Thinkc  how  that  Pari*  hath,  that  is  thy  brother, 
A  tove,  and  why  £hal  thou  not  have  another  I 

And,  Troilufl,  o  thing  I  dare  the  fwerc, 
That  if  Crcfcidc,  whiche  that  is  thy  lefc. 
Now  Lovith  the  as  well  as  thou  docft  here, 
God  hctpe  me  fo,  (he  n'ill  not  take  agi efc 
Though  thou  do  bote  anon  in  this  mtfchcfe; 
And  if  ftie  wilnith  fro  the  for  to  paJTe 
Than  is  fhe  filfc^  fo  love  her  well  the  lafle* 

Furthy  take  hert^  and  thinkc  right  as  a  knight 
Through  love  ii  brokin  al  daic  every  bwc ; 
Kith  now  fomwhat  thy  coragc  and  thy  might; 
Have  mcrcic  on  thy  felf  ;  for  any  awe 
Let  not  this  wretchid  wo  thine  hcrt  ygnawe, 
But  miinly  fct  the  worlde  on  fixe  and  feven» 
/\iid  if  thou  die  a  martyr  go  to  hcven. 

t  woll  my  felf  ben  with  the  at  thitdede, 
Though  I  and  all  my  kin  upon  a  ftound 
Should  in  a  ftrctc  as  doggis  tig^in  tlcdt^i 


t  R  O  J  L  fj  5 

Throogh-girt  with  many  a  wide  b Iodic  woUlid ; 
la  every  cifc  I  woll  a  frend  be  found ; 
And  if  ihc  liftc  htre  ftci  vin  as  a  wretchc 
AdicUf  the  dcviU  fpedc  him  fliat  retchc  * 

Thift  Troilos  gg^a  with  tho  wordis  qulcke, 
Andf^yidi  Prcnd,  graun:  ihcrcic  1  1  afrimt, 
Bui  certainly  thoa  maicft  nat  fo  me  pricke, 
Nc  f:iint  none  nemaie  mc  fo  lourrtiMit, 
That  for  no  cafe,  it  is  not  mine  rnccnt. 
At  (horl  wordi«,  though  that  I  dyin  fhould, 
To  ravifh  her  but  if  her  ftlf  It  wodd. 

Why,  fo  mciic  I  (qund  t*3ii '  '    '"-day; 

But  tell  mc  than^hnfl  thon  hr  1 

That  forowcft  thus?  and  he  ^i...-^,  .^  ,.im  Naic. 
'V\''hercof  art  thou  (quod  Pandarc)  than  difinai^d, 
*Thiit  n'oQc  not  that  fhc  wol  bcti  ij  apiicd 
To  ravtfhc  hcr»  fttns  thou  haft  not  ben  there, 
But  if  thai  Jove  the  toldc  it  in  thine  ere  ? 

Forthy  rife  up,  z&  naught  ne  were,  anon, 
And  w&ibc  thy  face,  &nd  to  the  king  thou  wend^ 
Or  he  nmic  wondr in  whidir  thon  art  gon ; 
Thou  muft  with  wifedomc  ham  and  othir  blend, 
Or  upon  cafe  he  maic  aftir  the  fend 
Or  thou  be  ware  :  and,  (hortly*  brothir  d^re  ! 
Be  glad,  and  let  me  werkc  in  this  mattcre  ; 

For  I  (hali  fhapc  it  fo  that  fikir ly 
Th<iu  fhalt  thi»  night  fomiimc  tn  fomc  manerti 
Come  fpckin  with  thy  ladic  pririly. 
And  by  her  wordit,  eke  as  by  her  chcfc, 
Thou  flialt  full  fonc  aperceve  and  well  herd 
Of  her  entcni,  and  in  this  cafe  tht  bcil ; 
And  f^rc  now  well,  for  in  this  poinfi  1  reft* 

The  fwifte  Famd,  wKichc  that  fals  thingiS 
Equall  rcportith  like  the  thingis  true, 
Was  throughout  Troie  iflcd  with  preft  wingis 
Fro  mau  to  ncisn^  and  made  his  taJc  all  ncwe. 
How  Cjkhas  doughtir  with  her  bright^  hcwc 
At  parlimcnt,  wtthoutin  wordts  more, 
Igrauntid  was  in  chaunge  of  Antcnorc. 

The  whichc  talc  anon  right  as  Crefeldc 
Had  herd,  (h^^  whichc  that  of  her  farhJrrought 
(A*  ittthia  cafe)  right  naught,  ne  whan  be  dcid>% 
FnU^ufily  to  Jupiter  befought 
Yevc  hira  mifchaunc^  tliat  tliis  tretis  brought : 
But,  Hi  or  1 1  y,  left  thefe  tali*  foth^  were 
She  durft  at  no  wight  afkin  it  for  fcrc. 

As  Ibe  that  had  her  hcrt  and  all  her'mmdc 
OnTroUtt*  ifci  fo  wondir  fail 
That  all  this  world  ne  might  her  love  unbind, 
Kc  Troilus  out  of  her  hert^  caft, 
She  would  ben  his  while  that  her  life  male  laft ; 
And  (he  thui  brennith  bothc  in  love  and  dredc 
So  that  fhe  ne  wift  what  was  bcft  to  rede. 

But  a&  men  fenc  in  tounc  and  alt  abouCf 
That  women  ufc  ther  frcndi*  to  viOte, 
So  to  Crcfcide  of  women  came  a  rout 
For  pitou*  joie,  and  wcndin  her  delite. 
And  with  thcr  talis  dere  inough  a  mite, 
Thefe  women,  whiche  that  in  the  cite  dwell, 
Thci  fct  *hcni  doune,  and  faicd  as  I  fhali  tell. 

(Quod  firft  that  onr)  I  am  glad  trnily 
Bicauic  of  yon,  that  fliall  your  fathir  fc. 
^othlr  faicd,  Iwif  fo  am  not  1, 


ctiEstrfyf. 


MA  If 


For  all  to  little  h  ^    "  *       * 

(Quod  tho  the  t!^ 
Shall  bringin  us  rl.    i 
That  whan  Ihe  jjoth  A 

Tho  wordis  and  tho 
tShe  herd  *hcm  right  as  thoi} 
For  Gad  it  wotc  her  herte  oi. 
Althoug:^!  the  body  fat  ?mong  'htra  tl«ii€ 
Her  advertence  h  alwaie  elH*  wlfT*  % 
For  Troilui  fuH  fall  her  foul 
Withoutin  wordcon  him  al\.  M2fl4«1 

Thefe  women  that  thu^  \»  p^d' 

Ahoutin  naught  gon  all  thtr 
Sochc  vanite  nc  can  d*en  hti  i.  ,.^  -  .-, 
As  (he  that  all  this  racn^  whiU  breode 
Of  othir  pafljon  than  thei  ywende, 
So  that  Ihc  fclic  almofle  her  hert^  4U 
For  wOi  and  wcrie  of  that  com  panic. 

For  whiche  miKbt  ri»e  no  Icngir  rcjlraid 
Her  tcrif,  thci  ganln  fo  up  to  well, 
That  gavin  fignis  of  her  biriirpaio 
In  whiche  her  fplritc  wa«  and  muft  ydwdlt 
Rcmembring  her  from  ^       -     -m  which  \ 
She  falltn  was  fen*  flic  i  _  ht 

Of  Troilus, aiid  f- *'    vi  i  , i. 

And  thilke  fol;  t 

Wendin  that  fhc  '  -tiid  fore^ 

Bicaufe  that  flie  ftiouidin  out  ol  the  rout 
Departtn, and  nevir  plate  with  *hcm  more; 
And  thei  that  haJdin  knowin  her  of  fott 
Sc  her  fo  wepe,  and  thought  it  was  kindnefErt 
And  cche  of  *hem  wept  ckt  f      ' 

And  btifilic  thei  gonnin  h 
On  fhing God  wot  on  which  liir-  hli.m.  thi 
And  with  thcr  tali*  wendin  her  difporte. 
And  to  he  glad  thci  oftin  her  bcfough*  ; 
But  fochc  an  efc  therwith  thci  in  her  wi 
Right  as  a  man  U  efid  for  to  fele 
For  ache  of  hedde  to  clawen*  Jam  an  Ut  bdc 

But  aftir  all  this  nic^  vanite 
Thei  toke  ther  levc,  and  home  thei  weotill 
Crefeide,  full  of  forowful  pite, 
Into  her  chambrc'  npv  '^  the  hall. 

And  on  her  beddc  ftie  ;  i«  to  faU^ 

In  purpofc  ncvlr  thenn.- 1   r    ..  ,,i^, 
And  thus  Hie  wrought,  as  f  ihalt  ftm  d^G% 

Hcr  owndid  hecr,  that  fomiirhc  vfjii  of' 
She  rent,  and  eke  hex  f  -.r 

She  wrong  ful  oft,  anJ  '  f  i^. 

And  with  the  death  to  di^e  biitc  tm  licr  h^le ; 
Her  hcwf,  whilom  bright,  that  tho  WMpal^ 
Bare  witncl!e  of  her  wo  and  her  conil 
And  thui  Ihe  fpake,  fobbing  in  her  coi 

Alii* !  (quod  fhe)  out  of  this  regiiM 
Ij  wofulJ  wretche  and  infonunid  wigl 
^And  home  in  turfid  cnr*>  n  >  -.- 
Mote  gofi,  and  ihu»  6t ,  ,ghii 

Wo  worthc,  alfts !  tha*  ^   : 

On  which  I  (awe  him  firll  with  eym  nraia 
That  caufithmc  and  1  him  all  this  pam* 

ThcriA^th  the  teri»  f  r 
Dounc  fell  HA  HiowrU  i 
Her  \*  hit^  brcft  jfac  bet,  ^nd  k:  lU  ^  »• 


I 


I  (he  crie^  a  thotiftinde  fithe^ 
i»t  wout  her  wo  was  for  to  Uth 
fofgon,  for  whiche  dilavintuTtf 
lier  feJfm  a  forbft  crcetire. 
nd,  Kow  fliall  he  docn  <nd  I  aKo ! 
rid  I  live  if  thii  I  frcim  him  twin  ! 
rtc  ckcj  th&t  I  love  lb, 
chat  Ibrowe  ilaea  ihflc  yc  ben  Li  1 
I,  fichir !  thtbe  be  all  thii  fic  ! 
miar^  that  c\ep\d  wcr«  Arrive, 
I  that  daie  that  thou  me  bare  on  live  ! 
It  ine  Oioutd  \  livt  aod  fr^ruwcn  thiu  t 
Id  a  fiAie  withoatin  watif  dure  I 
rcTcidc  wonh  from  rroLlui  ? 
Ida  pbnt  or'  any  orhir  crccure 
lottce  hU  kindly  norirure  f 
e  full  oft  a  byword  here  I  fcic, 
flcfi  mote  grene  medj«  fonc  dcyc, 
oen  thui,  ^n«  ncithfr  f^crd  sic  dut 
je  handle  far  the  cruilte, 
lak  that  I  fro  you  dtpart, 
of  that  n'ill  nat  tny  banc  be, 
i  no  mete  ne  drinkc  ycome  in  me 
foule  out  of  my  breft  unfheth, 
my  fchrin  woU  I  doen  co  dcth. 
)riilu«>  my  dolhi«  cvericbonc 
k-s  bcfi,  in  tokining,  herte  fwete  ! 
aa  out  of  this  worlde  ^^qc  ^ 
:  ywat  you  to  fct  in  quicte, 
ine  ordir  aic,  till  dcth  me  mete, 
ratmce  cvir  iti  your  abfcncc 
wc  bCD,  complaint  and  abftintnce. 
crte,  and  eke  the  wofuU  ghofl  therein^ 
with  your  fpiiitc  toxomplain 
Sw  thei  fhall  nevir  twin ; 
h  inuyerth  ytwiantd  be  we  twaio, 
pite,  out  of  pain, 
a,  we  (hall  ben  yfere, 
Li  a.iid  Iiurydice  hi»  fere, 
.etic  mine  !  for  Antenor,  alai! 
i  be  ychaiingidf  as  I  wcnc  ; 
bttU  ye  doen  in  this  wofull  caan } 
your  tciidir  hen-  thui  ftiftein  ? 
■  mine  !  fonet  thi»  forowe,  and  teoef 
Ifb ;  for,  fochly  for  to  fci<, 
fare  I  retehc  not  for  to  deie* 
(gbt  it  evir  rcdde  ben  or  ifong 
is  that  (he  made  in  her  diHrcCe  f 
as  for  mt,  my  little  toag, 
fan  would  her  hevincfTei 
make  her  forowc  ianc  leffc 
it  wat,  and  childllhly  dcfjce 
npkinr,  and  thcrfore  1  it  pace. 
la,  whiehe  that  fcnt  frum  Troilui 
dbidei  at  y«  have  herd  det;fO| 
ic  bed  it  wai  accord  id  tbi&«, 
U  glad  to  docn  him  that  fcrriee 
tide  in  a  lull  fctrete  wife, 
kc  laie  in  tourmecit  and  in  nige , 
m  tdl  all  tt  holly  his  mcHiirr ; 
V   *      "     '        '  .i  to  tr«l« 


*4»VV  tV«»Ui»U    TW 


*w  i»^»  W^Ut 


Her  mightic  trcflh  of  Her  fonnifhe  herci 
Uiibroidin  haugtn  all  ab-iut  her  crcs 
Whichc  ya^in  hint  very  fignall  mattirc 
Of  dcth,  wlijchc  that  ht;r  hcrte  gan  dctire^ 

WMrt  (he  him  fawt:  jhe  gan  lur  forowc'  < 
Her  tcry  face  atwiat  her  armi*  hide* 
For  whiche  thLi  Fandare  is  fo  wo  brgan 
'Ihit  in  the  bout  he  might  unticth  abide; 
As  he  that  ftlt  forowc  on  every  fide, 
For  if  CriTcjtlc  had  er^  camptimid  fore 
*rha  gan  ihc  pbin  a  thoofande  tim«*  nmrci, 

And  in  Iter  ufpre  pUinte  thus  fhc  ftidc  | 
Pindarc,  my  emc,  of  joyii  mo  than  rwo 
Wa'%  caule,  caufmg  firll  to  me  Crcfride, 
1  hat  n^w  tranfniutid  bin  in  cruU  wo, 
Whcr'  Ihall  I  faie  to  you  wekonie  or  nO| 
That  aidirfirll  me  brought  unto  fcrvife 
Of  love,  alas  !  that  endith  in  loche  wifef 

Bndtth  than  lovc^  in  wo  ?  yr^  or  men  lieth| 
And  every  worldly  blilfe,  aa  tbinkith  mc  i 
The  cndc  of  bhflc  ate  forowc  occupiedi ; 
And  who  fo  trowith  not  that  it  fo  be 
l^t  hini  upon  me  wofull  wretch^  fe. 
That  my  iclF  hate^  and  aic  my  birth  •  curfe« 
Fcling  ftlwaic  fro  wicke  I  go  to  worfe, 

Whofo  mc  fcctj)  fceth  furowe  all  atonta, 
Paine,  turmcnt,  wo,  and  plaint,  and  eke  diftrefl 
Oni  of  my  wofuli  bodie  harme  there  none  if, 
A-s  tangour,  angutfhc^  cruill  bittu'ncire„ 
Aniioie^  fmarte,  drede,  futie^  and  ckc  GkxkcSc  9 
I  rrowc  iwi*  from  hevin  tcris  rain 
Forpite  of  my  afprc*  and  cruill  ptixi. 

O  thou  my  fuflir  !  full  of  difcrim£ait| 
(Quod  p4ndani&)  what  thinJtUl  thou  to  doe  ? 
Why  nc*  haft  thou  to  thy  fclvin  fome  refport  f 
VVJiy  wilt  thou  thus  thy  felf.  alaa  !  fordo  f 
l.evc  all  this  werke,  and  take  now  hede  to 
That  t  Ihallfatn,  nad  herken' oJ^  godeeDCcnc 
7*yB  that  by  me  thy  Troilut  the  djot* 

Touniid  her  tho  Crefeide  a  wo  making 
So  j^cic,  that  it  a  dith  was  for  to  fc  : 
Alai!   (quod  ftic)  what  wordis  male  ye  brings 
What  wulL  my  dere  henc  fen  din  unto  mvi 
Wliichc  that  1  drede  ntvtr  more  to  i'tj  f 
WoU  he  have  plaint  or  terii^erc  I  wcAd«  f 
I  have  inough  if  he  theraftir  fcnde« 

She  wa«  right  fochc  to  feue  in  her  vifage 
As  h  that  wight  thut  n\eo  on  here  ybiudi, 
Her  face,  like  of  pa^adi*  the  image 
Was  all  ichaungid  in  anoehii  kinde  j 
The  plate,  thelaugbtir,  men  wcr  wont  to  find 
In  hcr»  and«kehcj  joyis  evrichonc, 
Ben  flcdde  ;  uud  thus  lirth  Crefeide  alone. 

About  her  cyin  two  a  purpre  ting 
Bitreiit,  in  fothfaft  tokening  of  her  pmiiip 
Th^jt  to  behold  it  was  a  dedly  rhing, 
For  whiche  Pandartia  ne  mi^ht  nat  rcfiriill 
The  tcris  from  his  eyin  for  io  rain; 
Bnt  aathclelTe  as  he  be  ft  might  he  feide 
From  Troilus  thefe  wordfs  to  Crtfcidc  : 

Lo  I  licce^  I  trowe  well  ye  ban  herd  all  how 
The  King,  with  othir  lordis,  for  the  oeft 
Hath  made  €(«haunge  of  AtiMapr  m^  j9%, 
U  b 


TROfLtJS   AND   CRESEfDE. 


That  caoffe  isot  thUfurowc  and  unr^ft 
Bui  how  ihi*  cafe  dothTroilus  infjkfk 
This  maic  none  ycrthly  mano'ia  toiig  yhic  ; 
For  very  wo  his  wit  ia  all  awaic  : 

.F«r  whiche^vc  limve  fo  fonm'cd  he  and  I, 
That  itit'i  Utile  a  had  bnthc  o»  (lawc, 
But  thrijugh  my  r&unHiik  this  due,  finally^ 
Hl  fomwhat  hath  fro  wcping  him  withdr-jwc. 
And  fcmith  nie  that  he  dcliritJi  fawc 
With  ytm  to  ben  ail  nighr,  for  lodcvifc 
Re  me  die'  of  thi*,  if  there  were  any  wife, 

Thiis^  Hiort  amdplainf  th'  cffcdt  of  my  metfage, 
Ai  ferfortbe  a*  any  wn  can  comprehended 
For  ye  th^it  bcri  of  toiurment  iti  ibche  rage 
Maie  to  no  long;  prolngiie  a*  oow  cntcndc. 
And  hcrctipon  yc  ma^e  anfwere  htm  fcndc  ; 
And  for  the  love  of  God,  my  ncc*:  dcrc  \ 
So  Icve  thj*  wo  or  I  roihi*  h«  here, 

Qfett  i>  nry  wo,  (quod  flic)  and  fi^hid  fore, 
As  ftie  ihii  foiith  ticdh  fharpc  diflrclR% 
But  yet  to  me  his  forowc'  i»  niokill  more. 
Thai  love  him  hct  than  hf  himfclf  1  ^rflc, 
Alas !  foi  mc  hath  he  focht  heviocfTc  ? 
Cun  be  for  mc  fo  pitojiily  compUin? 
twib  thtfi  forawcdouhtith  all  my  pain, 

Grcvcus  to  mc,"  God  wot,  it  is  to  twid, 
iQuad  ihe)  but  yet  it  hardir  it  to  mc 
To  fent  Uiiit  forovvc  which  that  he  i»  in, 
Tor  well  wot  i  it  well  my  banc  be. 
And  dit:  !  woRin  certain  tho  (quod  ihe  :) 
Birt  bid  him  come  crDcth  thar  thu*  me   :hrctcth 
Dfivw-  out  that  ghoft  which  in  min  hcrt  ylwteih. 

rh^fc  wordii  faicd,  the  on  her  armi*  two 
Pill  jgfrulfc,  and  gan  to  wepin  pitoufly. 
^f Qjod  Piindfcru*)  Alas  1  why  doe  yc  fo, 
^  ye  well  wolc  the  time  it  faftV  by 
TLac  he  ihali  come  f  ari£cr  up  hailily, 
That  he  you  nac  bswopin  thus  y6nde, 
But  yc  wol  h        '  ■      V  ode  out  of  hi*  minde  ; 
For  wilt  I  jrde  in  thismaiicrc 

He  would  h'. ....i;  and  if  I  wcndc 

To  hiivc  thii  fare  he  Ihonid  not  com  in  here 
For  all  the  godc  that  Friim  maie  difpcnde. 
For  to  what  hnc  he  would  anon  prctcodc> 
That  knpw  &  well  •,  and  forthy  yet  1  fcie 
So  Uve  ihl»  forowe*,  or  plainly,  he  woll  dcic  ; 
And  (ha pith  vuti  ki«  foruwe  for  to*  abrcd^ie 

ttid  lit'  "       ncci  fwctc ! 

cihc  r  (:  of  pkf  than  cdge^ 

,.  [  ,  .^  i..   r-r„wcs  b^tc  J 

\  LtC, 

V.    ...  -/..,-     -    ,.  ':iciat? 

If  ft  h  ^  tmk  fi/  mr*  Mk  tJfar*  9/  pi^tnt. 

I  mcH'^;  tlmt,  whan  i  htm  Inthir  l»nnir, 
Scrns  ye  be  wife,  and  b&thc  rrf  one  ;^ir-  nr, 
80  fhapith  how  to  diftoiirbe  yotn*  j'/'i";^'t 
Or  cofii'  :'  ■■    iif.  : 

Wom  If; 

And  it:  I'  »  vvn  KUMi  iK'W  Avalle, 

And  what  f  iclp  it  (halt  ttal  f^ile. 

r.rt    ^111,  jr..l,  undo,  tniily 

1  io  reftraiu 

ir,  _  ^  .     .     ijJbuiiiy 


Him  for  to  ^lad  1  iball  dbcn  ill  my  pftln. 
And  in  my  htTti  fckin  cvrry  rain  : 
If  tothiiforc  there  maie  ben  fuuodin  fairt 
k  Ihall  not  lacke  certainr  on  rninc  behalvcw 

Goth  Paddaruft,  and  Troilui  he  fooghCp 
Till  in  ;i  temple*  he  found  him  aJJ  ikicie, 
As  he  that  of  his  life  no  lengir  rou|^ht, 
But  to  the  pitoQB  goddia  eveiichonc 
Full  tendiriy  he  |iraJL'd  and  made  hi&monf, 
To  docii  him  fone  out  of  tlitf.  woiMe  tof 
Pur  wel  lie  thought  thetc  was  noti  othiXgnab 

And,  Shortly,  allthefoth    for  to  feie. 
He  was  fo  faUin  in  difpaire  tliat  dai« 
1  hat  uitirly  he  fhojie  him  for  to  drt> : 
For  right«thtt»  wa»his  argument 
He  faicd  he  nV*  but  loriii^t  wcL 
For  all  that  cometh  comrth  by  act xtUte, 
rhus  tu  ben  lnri»c  it  is  a»y  deftinc  : 

Fur  certainly  thit  wotr  1  wcLl,  be  UaAt 
That,  fore  fight  of  the  divme  purTciaunc* 
Had  fene  lilwaic  me  to  forgon  Crefcidt, 
Sens  God  feeth  every  thing  out  of  doma^taori 
And  them  dUpofirh  thcough  hia  urdiiiiLUucc 
In  hi»  mchti*  fotliiy  for  to  be 
A*  thci  Ihuil  ton.in  by  predcltine- 

But  uuthclenc,  ala'  !  whom  (ball  T  lettf  ' 
For  there  ben  ^ete  derki»  many  one 
That  dtftioc  ihru^gh   I  , 

And  lorn  I-  yfuin  th^^t  o^ 

But  that  f fc  choice  i*  ^ .. . v  i.    ^    .  w . ,  ^ui^ie^ 
O  weliw,  Liic  \  fo  fltgh  mrnc  cUrk}«  old 
'i  h^t  I  n*ut  whofe  opinion  1  maie  holtl. 

For  fome  men  hm  that  God  feeth  al  bi:(«n^^ 
Ne  Gud  maie  nat  dectvid  ben  parde  ; 
Than  mote  it  fallin,  thoQgb  men  had  it  fm 
That  punrciaunce  hath  fcnc  bcfonic  to  be  i  J 
Wherefore  I  faic  that  from  etemc  if  he 
Hath  wiil  befurn  our  thought  eke  at  our^ 
Wr  have  no  frt     ! 

For  othir  tho 
Might  ncvir  b<^:.  .^  jaoc,  < 

Whichc  ia;)"t  cot  bcji  r  ,^, 

Hath  fclcd  biforne  %>*•  ncc; 

For  if  there  might  ybcn  a  vanaunee 
To  writhin  out  frt?  Gi-^dtri-s  purveying 


*rhcrc  n'crc  no  i 

I  iJjijig  cQcnai 

But  it  were  : 

rilon 

Uncertain. 

And  cert 

That  Gna  ►  ..  u,-  ,u^^ 

t  jrrc  wri 

More  than  wc  men. 

*ubtoii*  1 

But  fochc  an  rrrour  u. 

w  gcffe 

Were  falfc  slid  fotde,  and  wtcJtid  cttrMckcir.  ' 

Ekf  thiAr  ift  an  opinion  of  r»niie 
Thar  have  thcf  top  1  '  iaj 

Thei  fain  right  tlm*,  1^  nat  toe 

For  that  ih«  prefcieji 
That  it  fhaJl  come,  K 
1  hat  tt  fli.  '  iu«i 

Wore  it  I 

Aod  in 

Retoumi'^  '  w^g^Mt 

For  nc(i^;i'ij  ^ 


ihltk^  ihmp%  falKn  in  certauic 
ben  purveyed,  but  nciiefu!ly',  as  thei  fainc, 
■jUi  it  thai  thingi*  which  that  fall 
Mb  in  certaioc  ben  purvey  id  all : 
^b  as  though  I  Uhntircd  mc  In  thil 
fjuirc  "Which  thing  ciulc  of  which  thing  be, 
lethir  that  the  prcfcicncc  of  God  ii 
eminc  caufc  o(  the  nccclTitc 
ingii  that  to  comin  be  pard*, 
oecellite  of  thing  comin«^ 
t  caufe  ccrtiine  of  the  purvcyinjf. 
Howe  nc*  enforce  I  me  not  in  fhcwin^ 
the'  ordir  of  theeauGik  ftant,  but  wot  I 
it  b<^ovith  that  the  bcNling 
ingis  wifti  before  certainly 
rcJlAne,  al  fcn:e  it  not  thtfhy 
^cfcicuce  put  falling^  nccclTayrc 
lag  to  come^  2 1  faJ  it  foulc  or  falre  : 
n  therr  fit  a  man  yondc  on  a  fc, 
by  Deceflrtc  bchuvith  it 
xrtis  thine  opinrnn  fothe  be 
irenifl  or  conjedift  tiwt  he  (It; 
imhfrovir  now  aymwardc  hit, 
ight  fo  is  it  on  the  part  contraric, 
is;  now  hcrkin,  for  I  wol  nat  tarie  2 
f  that  if  the  opinion  of  the 
be  for  thif  he  fitj  than  fay  I  this, 
lie  mote  fittin  by  nceeffite, 
bus  ncccffite  in  cithir  h  ; 
him  ncdc  of  fitting  h  iwis, 
\  the  nedc  of  fotht  j  and  thntJ  forfbthe 
mote  neccflitc  btn  in  you  bothc, 
thou  maift  fainc»  the  man  fit  nat  cherfore 
Lhinc  opinion  of  hi*  fitting  foth  is, 
thir  for  the  min  fate  there  before, 
yrc  is  thine  opinion  fothe  iwii : 
lay,  though  the  cuufc  of  fothe  14  this 
Jx  of  his  fitting,  yet  ncceflite 
Tchaungid  boihc  in  him  and  the; 
ti  in  the  fame  wife  out  of  doutance 
wd  makin,  a»  it  fcmith  me, 
Toning  of  Qodd*i>  purYcyauncc^ 
tf  the  thingit  that  to  comin  bc| 
licbe  refon  men  maic  wcl  ifc 
:hilt!  thiogis  that  In  en  he  befall 
>yneceflitc  thci  cumin  all ; 
atthdugh  that  thii  thing  Ihall  come  iwi»i 
3ie  h  it  purveyid  certaiiily, 
lat  it  Cometh  for  it  purveyid  ia ; 
'  "  '^   behoTCih  it  ncdcfully 

omt  be  purveyid  trewcly 
'^^^^  purveyid  be 
nccclFite, 
I  right  inough  certainc 
ojc  our  fre  ehoife  evcrydcU  j 

I  this  abufin  to  faine 
J  of  the  thin^i'i  icmporeil 

'  Oodd'ts  pfcfdence  cicmcll  j 
Inly  that  h  a  f-ilfr  fcrtence 
hing  to  coftie  fliould  caufc  his  prefticnci« 
at  might  1  wencand  I  had  fuchc  a  thoughtj 
at  God  purveieth  thing  that  is  to  cotoc 

L  ia  W  comei  utd  cilis  nought  i 


So  might  I  wene  that  thlil^^i  all  and  fome 
That  whilom  ben  bifall  .lud  fmr»:omc 
Ben  eaufe  of  thilk<?  fi>vcniinc  purveiauncc 
That  forwotc  al  withoiitift  ignorauocc. 

And  ore  al  this  yet  fay  f  mt»fc  tbeno* 
That  right  as  whan  1  wote  there  h  t  thing 
Iwis  that  thing  mme  ncdefuily  be  fo, 
£kc  right  fo  whun  \  xvdtt  a  thing  comingg 
So  mote  it  come  ;  and  thus  the  befalling 
Of  thingisihat  ben  wiftc  before  the  tide 
Tht:f  mote  not  ben  efchewid  on  no  fide, 

"^rhan  fttid  he  thu*,  Almighty  Jnve  in  tfone  ; 
That  wottctl  of  all  thi«  thing  the  fothn^ilneflc, 
Rewe  on  my  forowe,  and  do  me  dirn  Jbne, 
Or  bring  Crcfcide  and  me  fro  ihif  diitrcffe. 
And  while  he  w&i  in  all  thi>  hevinrffe, 
Difpuring  with  hlmfetfc  in  this  matcrc, 
Caniit  Pandare  in,  and  feide  ai  ye  maic  here  t 

O  mighty  Ood  (qitod  Rmdaru*)  in  tronc ! 
Eigh  I  who  faw  cr  a  wife  man  farin  fo  ? 
Why,   rroihi*i!  what  thinktft  thou  to  doncj 
Hjtit  thonfuch  hill  to  ben  thine  ownj  foe? 
What !  piirdc  yet  i^  not  Cnfcidc  ago  ? 
Why  lift  the  fo  thy  felfc  ford<:>n  for  drcde 
That  in  thine  bedrhine  eyin  feinin  dede« 

Haft  thoi»  nat  livid  many'  a  ycrc  bcfornc 
Withoutin  hcr^  and  fardc  M  wcl  at  cfc  ? 
Art  thoii  for  her  and  for  none  othir  borne  P 
Hath  Kindc  the  wrought  al  only  her  to  plcfc  t 
Let  be,  and  thinke  right  thus  in  thy  difcfe. 
That  in  the  dice  right  as  there  fallin  chaimeej, 
Right  fo  in  love  there  come  and  gon  plcfauaceib 

And  yet  this  is  a  wondir  moft  of  al 
Why  thou  thus  foroweft,  feth  thou  woft  nat  yit 
Touching  her  goyng  how  that  it  fhal  faJ, 
Ne  if  fhe  can  bet  fclfe  dilloUrbin  it ; 
Thou  haft  not  yet  alfayid  al  her  wit  j 
A  ttian  m^ie  al  betimc  hi»n««cke  bede 
Whan  it  fbal  uf,  and  fnrowen  at  the  nedc* 

Furthy  lake  hcde  of  al  that  I  ibal  fay  ; 
t  h»«e  with  her  ifpoke  and  longc  ibe,  . 
So  a«  a<cordid  wa*  hetwlxc  Uf.  twey, 
And  evirmtiie  me  ihinkith  thus*  that  (tke 
Hath  fomwhat  in  her  hert*is  privite 
Whcrwith  ftic  caO|  if  I  (hal  ariglit  PCde» 
Dill nrbc  al  thi^  of  whiche  thou  art  tn  drectr^ 

For  which  my  counfe!  i*,  wlian  it  is  oigbt 
Thfm  to  her  go,  and  make  of  thit  an  ende. 
And  bli^ful  Juno^  through  her  grct^  might, 
Shal  (a§  I  hope)  her  grace  unto  us  fcndc; 
Mine  hett  fcith  ccrtainc  that  (He  Hial  nat  wcndei 
And  forthy  put  thine  hcrt  a  while  in  reft. 
And  holde  thy  purpofe^  for  it  i»  the  beft. 

This  Troilui  anfwcrde,  and  fighid  fore, 
Thou  faift  right  wel,  and  1  wd  do  right  fo, 
And  what  him  lift  he  faid  unto  him  more  i 
And  whan  that  it  wat  tim^  for  to  go 
Ful  privily  bimfelfe  withoutin  mo 
Unto  her  canae,  as  he  was  wont  to  done. 
And  how  thei  wrought  I  fhal  you  tcllin  fonp. 

80th  t%^  that  when  thei  gonnin  firft  to  meCC 
Sf)  gan  the  painc  thcr  hertin  for  to  twifte 
Ihat  nrithif  of  'hUn  ptlut  raiglite  grific, 
M  bi] 


TROILtJS  AND  CRfeSElDt. 


But  'hem  lo  2rmU  toks  and  mRir  ki^k  ; 
The  laifr  wofuU  of  *hcm  bothc  ec  wiftc 
Whcr  th»t  h£  was,  oc  might  o  word  out  bring, 
At  I  fa  id  crtt,  for  wo  aiid  for  fobbing. 

The'  fvgfal  leris  thiK  thei  ktin  fai 
As  biwir  wcrin,  out  of  tcrii  kindc, 
for  .painCf  »i  ii  li^e  aloei  or  ga] ; 
So  bit^ir  tcrifi  wept  nat,  ss  t  findf , 
I'hc  wofull  Myrrha  tbrongh  the  b^rke  and  riiidc, 
ITiat  in  thiis  world  Hier  ii'n  fo  hard  an  hcrt 
1  hat  n*old  have  rcwid  oa  tbcr  painji  fmcrt* 

fiut  whan  ihcr  woful)  wcry  fjollis  twatne 
l^etumid  heu  there  as  'htm  otj|rht  to  dwell. 
And  that  frmiwhut  to  wckin  gan  the  paiuc 
By  tcngfb  of  pUitDtc,  and  cbbtn  gun  the  ^ei 
Of  thcT  fait  ttrris,  and  tJic  hcrt  unfwel» 
With  broken  toicc^  all  horfe  for  fbrigJit,  Crcfeidc 
T<|  'IVoilus  thefe  ilkc  wordia  feide  ; 

Q  Joire  !  I  die,  and  mercy  the  befcche; 
Hclpc,  Troilos :  and  thcrwitli»l  her  f*icc 
Upon  hi*  brcfl  fhe  hid,  and  lod  her  fpcche. 
Her  wofuil  fpirtte  from  his  propir  place 
Right  With  the  wordc  away  in  point  to  pace: 
And  thus  fhe  litJi  with  bcwis  pale  ajid  grenc 
1'hat  wbiiom  frefh  and  fairift  was  to  fene. 

Thii  Troilw  that  on  her  gan  bcholdc^ 
Clepin^  her  nafne^and  fhe  lay  as  for  ded, 
V.^  .  ifwcic,  and  fcke  her  liiamcs  coldc, 

I  "Will  upwardc  to  her  bed, 

'i  >...n  .,  LX'u.uiLinaa  can  now  doq  othir  rede. 
But  oftto  time  her  cold^-  mo u the  he  kiflt: : 
WhoT  Jiim  wif  wo  Gt»d  and  himfclf  it  wifte. 

Hi'  rifuh  upland  longfLraJte  he  her  leidcy 
Mvt  isgac  oi  life  fur  aught  he  can  or  may 
Can  he  none  finde  in  nothing  of  Crcfetde, 
For  wliiche  Kit  Tonge  ful  o[t  it  Webway  * 
But  whan  he  fawe  that  fpedieieffe  fbe  lay, 
Vith  foroufal  voi<:e,  and  hert  of  blifEe  all  bafc^ 
He  Ikiid  how  fhc  was  fro  thi»  world  ifare. 

So  afdr  that  lie  long  had  her  cumpbiued. 
His  hondi^  wrongc,  and  faid  that  was  to  l>y. 
And  with  bia  tt  ns  l"»Ii  her  brr-ft  beraincd^ 
He  gan  tho  tcris  wipin  ot  fulJ  drey. 
And  pitoufly  gan  for  thr  foul?  prey. 
And  favd^  O  Lord  t  that  fi;t  arnin  thy  tron«,. 
Kewc  eke  on  me,  for  I  (hul  foJow^  Her  Tone. 

She  eoldcwaAfOnd  widioutin  fentemcnt, 
For  ought  he  wote>  for  brethc  yet  fclte  he  nonC| 
And  fbit  wai  him  a  preij^nmnt  atgument 
'J*hat  fhe  wn?  ^  ''^'    -^     '  •^•'■-  *     ■    '     :  -nne  ; 
vAnd  vrhen  b  ^   nnc 

He  gyiu  her  i;i  ., . —  -   ._      — :c 

Ai  men  don  them  thai  iM;»ii  bon  iaidc  on  bcre. 

And  a^cir  thi»  witli  ilcrnc  and  cruiU  herte 
HIa  fwerd  anon  out  of  Wis  fln^th  he  twight« 
HlmficUe  to  fleen,  how  fore  fo  that  him  fmenc, 
So  that  hi^fouje  her  fonle  folowin  might 
Theraithe  dome  of  Miuo*  woukl  it  dtgh% 
Sith  hove  and  cniil  Fortune  it  nc  would 
That  in  thii  world  ke  Icngir  Itvin  Oiould. 

Tha2i  faid  he  tbu^,  ful^idc  of  high  difdalne ; 

0  eruil  Jove  !  and  thou  Fortune  adverfc ! 

1  hb  a.1  and  lomc  i*,  fdicly  blvc  yc  ilaifl« 


il 


Crcfcide,  and  6ih  ft  may  do  me  DO  wctCc, 
Fie  on  yo^r  might  and  wcrki*  fo  dlverfe !! 
Thus  cDWardcly  yc  Ihul  mc  ncvir  winnc ; 
Thire  Hia]  no  deth  me  fro  my  lady  twicnc. 

For  1  thii  world,  fith  yc  )uve  ibln  bcr  I ' 
Wol  Ict^  and  foltow'  her  fpint  lowe  «r  hk} 
Shal  ncvir  lovir  fatnc  that  Troilus 
Date  nat  for  fere  witli  y    '    '      'ic. 
For  ccrtaine  I  wol  bci  ^nie  ; 

But  fitbc  ye  wol  nat  tiui..._  ^.^  .lvuj  hexe^ 
Yet  fuffritl!  that  oyr  foulii  ben  ifere. 

And  thi^Uf  Cite  !  tn  whiclHr  I  live  in  wo. 
And  thou,  Vriani  *  and  brcthrin  al  iicre ! 
And  thou,  my  mothir  -  farwe^  for  I 
And  Atropo^!  make  redy^  thou  my  ' 
And  thou,Crelcid^  !  o  fwcte  hertc 
Receive  thou  now  my  fpirite,  would 
With  fwcrde  at  hcrt,al  redy  for  to  <kv. 

But  as  God  would  of  fwcu-'   ^     -^  - 
And  gan  to  fighe,  suid  Troi  1  i  ■ ; 

And  he  anfwerid,  Lady  mn 
Livin  yc  yet?  andict  ill    i    ^rl        ii       i. 
Ye,  herte  mine  1  that  th:;.nk]d  be  i  up.drj 
(Quod  (he)  and  therwitbal  Qic  fore  light, 
Aud  be  began  to  glade  her  »  he  might; 

Tokc  her  in  anni»  two^  and  kiflc  h«r«ite^  1 
A  A  her  to  glad  he  did  al  hi*  entenv 
Fur  whichc  her  ^ofl,  that  flickered  ait  alofcf,  ^ 
Into  her  wofuil  hett  aicn  it  went  i 
But  at  the  laAt,  a^  that  her  ryin  gknt 
Afide,  anon  the  gan  h'n  (wctdc  aipie 
Ai  it  by  bare,  and  gan  for  fere  to  crie« 

And  ajkid  him  why  he  had  it  out  dxawef 
And  Troilui  anon  the  caufe  her  tolde, 
And  how  himfelf  therwith  he  would  h*ve  itiWi 
For  whiche  Crefeide  open  him  gan  bcbokkn 
And  gan  him  in  her  armii  fafl  to  fokle. 
And  faide,0  mercy,  God  I  \o  whiehe  a  < 
Ab'  I  how  njghewe  werin  bothe  <kdc  ! 

Than  if  I  nc  hadde  fpokio,  as  grace  w«», 
Ye  would  have  llainc  y«ur  kUc  anon  ?  %ii«d  ^ 
Ye,  doutilc0c.  And  flte  aii^weffde,Aiaai 
For  by  that  ilkO  Lordc  that  mad.*  mt 
[  n'uldc  a  forlong  waic  on  live  haTne  be, 
Afcir  your  dcth, to  have  ben  crotuiid  q« 
Of  al  the  londe  the  fuooe  on  flvinith  (hau ; 

But  with  thii  fclve  fwerdc  which  that  1 
My  fclfin  r  wouli^ "  n    (ijuod  fhe)  tho*^ 

But  ho  !  for  we  !  nough  of  ihi»| 

And  let  turije  aiiu  u-  nu  t^  bc4d^  fi^. 
And  there  let  t»  yrpekio  of  our  way 
For  by  tiut  morctr  whichc  chat  I  Ut 
Know  1  ful  well  that  day  ia  mt  Ikt  hcsncp 

Whan  thci  wer  in  ther  kedde  ifl  «nmia 
Naught  was  it  like  tho  nightit  here  MafOfi* 
For  pctoufly  eehc  othir  ^;tn  beholdc. 
As  thei  that  haddin  a]  ther  hUfle  iiotnCf 
Bcwalliitg  at  (be  dajc  that  thci  were  horaif 
Till  at  the  bil  this  wofuH  wight  Crcfdde 
To  Troilui  thdc  ilke  wcrdii  Lridc ; 

La,  herti  mine  !  wel  '>    '  -    *^  i%  (^pad  fce} 
Thatif  a  wightalwaie  pf 

And  fckith  nat  how  Iv,^,  . be^ 


lAveiuvfi 

.olde,^ 


V 

kraiof   ^J 


J 


bile  tnd  mcrfcf  of  painc  ; 
( tfeat  here  alTcmbhd-bc  wc  tw^tnc 
ibote  of  wo  that  wc  ben  in, 
El  time  Pght  fonc  for  to  btgio, 

am  iviiid  fodamhr» 
tcl  it  you  whik  it  t«  bottc  : 
tith  thm,  thai  ncithir  yc  «ot  I 
life  ihia  ISO  tomakin  fltilfnUy, 
» ii  art  incmgh  for  to  rcdrcffc 
istnifTc,  an  J  flcen  this  hcvinclTc. 
i«»  the  wo  the  whichc  that  we  bee  Innf , 
t  I  write,  for  nothing  cUis  » 
\c  catife  that  we  fhouJd  ytwiDi^; 
tl  there  n'ls  n*  more  amis  : 
t  it  than  a  remedy*  unto  thU 
we  fbapc  us  fonc  for  to  mete  f 
id  fome  i»,  n?y  dcrc  hcrte  fwete ! 
bat  1  fhal  wel  brinf  in  it  aboutc 
I'ayen  fonc  aftirthat  I  go 
d  I  no  manir  thing  in  doute, 
ilcfic  within  a  wekc  or  two 
here;  and  that  it  may  be  To 
ght^and  that  in  wurdit  fcw^ 
wd  aa  hcpc  of  wayis  fhewc ; 
idle  t  wo  El  nat  tnakin  longc  furmon, 
iloftc  may  not  recovered  be, 
go  to  my  condufion^ 
e  bcAc  in  aught  that  I  cm  fc ; 
he  Itfvc  of  God  forgive    it  mc 
Soght  aicuft  your  hcrt'ii  reftc, 
ly  I  fpckc  it  for  the  belle ; 
r  tlway  a  protefiacion, 
ife^  tkia  th'mg  that  f  (hall  fay 

0  fhcw  in  you  my  mocioa 
into  out  hclpc  the  befte  way, 
h.  it  noue  othirwife  I  pray  ; 
y.what  fo  ye  me  commannde 

1  r«  '.-  f-  .t|:it  h  no  dcmaunde* 

Irk  Yc  have  well  undcrflond 

rg:-  .  by  parlimcm, 

I  that  tt  may  not  ben  withflond 
I  world,  as  by  my  ju^Cmcfit; 
there  helpith  none  avif«?ment 
it,  lette  it  pj^fTe  oat  of  mind, 
I  fha|^e  a  bettir  waie  to  6nde, 
lie  b  iKIb;  the  twinning  of  us  iWainjC 
fcCt  and  cruilly  anoie^^ 
ehovitJi  fbmtimc  havin  painc 
^Lovc,  if  that  he  wol  have  jole  ; 
Hal  no  farthirfUQt  of  Troic 
mk  ride  aicn  on  halfe  a  morowe 
he  hSe  catitlA  os  for  to  forowe  i 
Kal  nat  now  ben  hid  in  me  we, 
by  day,  mm  owni  hcrti  dcre  ! 
[£  wote  thai  it  is  nowe  a  trcwe, 
t1  al  mine  eftatc  yhcre, 
Itrucc  ii  done  I  fhal  ben  here ; 
^both  Ante  nor  iwonnc 
:  glad  now  if  yc  conne. 
ght  thu^,Crcfctdc  is  now  sgrn, 
(c  fhal  come  h:rftily  aytn  : 
[^TOo<\i  lo,  nght  anon, 


£r  day  Is  ten,  this  dare  1  fafety  faine^ 
And  than  m  erfle  fbalj  we  be  both^  falbe, 
So  as  we  ihall  togtthcrs  evir  dwell, 
That  al  thii  worlde  Qc  might  oui-  bb'lTc  tell, 
I  fc  thflt  oft  time,  there  at  we  ben  nowc. 
That  for  the  bcfte,  our  counfaile  for  to  kidc, 
Yc  fpek^  nat  with  mc  nor  I  with  you 
In  fourtdnight,  nc  fe  you  go  nc  ride  ; 
And  may  yc  nat  ten  day  is  than  abide, 
tor  mine  Hooour,  in  fuchc  an  avincure  f 
I  wis  ye  mowe,  or  eljis  lite  endure. 

Yc  knowc  eke  howe  that  all  my  kin  ii  btte 
But  if  that  oncly  it  my  fathir  be, 
And  eke  mine  othir  thingis  al  iferf« 
And  namiiy  my  dcr^  herte  ye. 
Whom  that  I  n'olde  levin  for  to  fc 
For  al  this  worlde,  as  wide  at  it  hath  fpace. 
Or  dii*  fc  I  nevir  Jov'is  face* 

Why  trowin  ye  tny  fathir  in  this  wife 
Covctith  fo  to  fe  me,  but  for  drede 
Lcftc  in  this  tonne  that  folkis  mc  difpifc 
Bicaufe  of  him  for  his  uuh^ppy  dcdc  ? 
What  wotc  my  fathir  what  life  that  I  Icdc  ? 
For  if  he  wift  in  Trok  how  wel  1  fiirc 
Uinedid  for  my  wending  nat  to  care. 

Ye  lenc  that  every  day  eke  more  and  m< 
Men  tretc  of  pcee,  andit  ftippoftd  i% 
That  nieu  the  Qntnc  Helena  Ihall  rcftorc. 
And  Grckis  us  re^lorc  that  is  amis; 
So  though  there  nc  were  comfort  none  biit  tbif» 
That  men  purpofm  pecc  on  every  fide. 
Ye  may  the  bctt  at  cfc  of  hertc  abide  ; 

For  if  that  it  be  |)tcc,  mine  hcrt  -  drrc ! 
The  nature  of  the  pccc  mote  ncdis  drive 
That  men  muft  cntrccommunin  ifcrc, 
And  to  and  fro  eke  ride  and  gone  as  bllve 
Al  da    a$  thicke  as  been  flien  from  an  hive^ 
And  every  wight  have  liberty  to  bjcve 
Where  as  him  lift  the  bet  withoutin  Icve, 

And  though  fo  be  that  prcc  thcr  male  be  noae. 
Yet  hither,  though  thcr  nrvir  peeenc  werc^ 
I  mull  ycomc,  for  whidir  Oiould  1  gone. 
Or  how,  mifchauncd  1  fliould  I  dwcllin  there 
Among  tho  men  of  armii  cvrc*  in  fere  ? 
For  whichc,  as  wifely  Ood  my  foulc  rcdc, 
1  con  nat  fcnc  whcrof  yc  {houldin  dredc. 

Have  here  anothir  way,  if  it  £b  be 
That  at  this  tiling  nc  mate  you  not  fufficc]^ 
My  fathir,  as  ycknowin  welcparde, 
Isholdin  ojdc  and  fid:  of  covitifc. 
And  I  right  no  we  have  foundin  al  the  gifc 
Withoutin  ncttc  whcrwith  I  (haj  himhcDt, 
And  hurkcnitb  now  if  that  ye  wot  aifcnt* 
Lo  !  Troiius,  men  fainc  full  hardc  it  ii 
The  wolfc  fill  and  the  wcdir  whotc  to  have  ; 
This  is  to  faioe,  that  men  full  oft  iwis 
Mote  fpcndifl  parte  the  remnant  ibr  to  fives 
For  aic  with  gol4c  men  maic  the  hcrt  ygra^ 
Of  him  that  la  fct  upon  covitifc ; 
And  ho%v  1  mcnc  t  (hat  it  you  devifc. 

The  movable  whichc  I  have  in  thia  uauof 
Unto  my  fathir  {hal  I  take,  and  fate. 
That  ri^bt  kf  tr«fl  cud  for  falvacioun 


i 


3f*  TROILUS   AND 

It  fcnt  15  from  9  frende  of  hi*  or  twtiic. 
The  whicji  frctidia  do  fervently  him  praic 
To  fcDdln  aftir  more,  and  thit  in  hie, 
While  that  thistouo  flant  thus  in  jcopardic  ; 

And  that  (hal  be  of  goldc  huge  quiiiuitc ; 
Thm  fulfil  I  fkin,  bvt  tell  falke  it  afpide 
This  m:ne  be  fcnt  \iy  np  wight  but  by  mc ; 
!  (hil  ckc  Ihewiu  him,  if  pccc  betide. 
What  frcndi^that  I  have  00  cvcT%i^dc 
To  doc  the  wtathe  of  Prlamus  to  p4ce 
Towttrdi»  him,  and  don  him  ftiud  in  gra:c. 

So  what  for  o  thing  und  for  othJr,  Iwetcf  I 
1  (bdl  him  fo  enchauntiu  with  my  fawcs 
That  right  in  tjevin  hh  foule  (hini  he  mete; 
For  aJ  Apollo  or  his  clcrl^i*  la\%;i:s. 
Or  cakulin^,  atailith  nattiirc  hawci; 
Defire  of  goldc  fbal  lo  hia  fouh:  blende 
That  as  nic  iiflc  1  Ih all  wcl  make  an  cndc. 

And  if  Ijc  would  ^ught  by  bin  fort  it  preve 
If  that  1  lie,  in  certaine  1  fhal  fundc 
Diflurbin  himi  and  p^ucke  him  by  the  ticvc, 
Makin  his  forte,  and  bcrin  Uim  on  hondc, 
ric  hathnac  wcl  the  goddis  undirllondcp 
For  goddis  fpckc  in  amphibologies, 
And  for  o  fnthc  thei  tcllio  twenty  lies  1 

Fkf  drcdc  fond  iirfl  goddis  I  fuppofe, 
ThuK  fhnl  I  faine,  «nd  that  his  cowardc  he^q 
Made  him  ^mis  the  goddis  text  to  glofe 
Whan  he  far  fcrd^  out  of  Troic  flcptci 
Aiij^I^  but  I  nigkln  him  Tone  to  convertc. 
And  done  my  rede  within  a  day  or  twcy, 
1  wol  to  yon  oblig»^  mc  to  dcy. 

Andtfi:wily,a*  writtLn  wel  i  finde, 
That  aI  thi»  thing  wa*  faid  of  godc  eutcnt. 
And  that  herhcrtc  trewd  was  and  kindc 
Towardia  hitn,  nnd  tpakc  right  as  fhc  mcnc, 
And  that  fhe  ftarfc  for  wo  nigh  when  flit  went. 
And  wa-s  in  purpot'e  evir  to  be  trewe, 
Thii  writin  ihci  thatof  htr  werki*  kncwc* 

This  Troilus,  with  hcrt  and  eris  fprad^ 
Herdc  al  this»  thing  dcvifid  vo  and  fro, 
And  verily  it  (emid  ihat  he  had 
The  fclvin  wittc,  bui  yet  to  kt  her  gQ 
Hit  hcrtc  misforyavc  him  cvirmo  j 
But  finally  hp  gan  hishert'  wreil 
To  truftm  hefi  and  toke  it  fi^r  the  beft  ; 

For  which  the  gretc  fury  of  hit  pcHiiuncc 
Was  qucnt  with  hupe,andthcrwith  *hembiiwcnc 
Began  for  joyc  the  atnnrpus  dauncc ; 
And  as  the  bird i»  when  the  fu|iiic  flicnc 
DcJittn  in  thtr  fonge  in  Icvii  grenCi 
Right  fo  the  wotdis  thai  thd  fpakc  ifcre 
Dclitin  ihem,  and  ma Jc  ther  herti»  chcre. 

But  nath-kflV:,  the  wcadin  of  Ccfcidc 
For  aJ  this  workl  may  nat  out  of  hl^minde^ 
For  whichc  ful  oft  lie  petoufly  her  prcide 
That  of  her  haftc  he  might  her  tr ewe  yftudc. 
And  fiJLide  her,  Certis  if  ytr  be  unktnde. 
And  Sut  y^  tome  at  daic  fet  into  Troie, 
Ne  fljal  I  Rcrc  have  hclc,  honor,  ne  joic  : 

For  all  fo  fothe  a  funne  uprill  to  morow. 
And  Ood  fo  wifely  thou  me  woftiU  wrttchc 
To  reft  ybripg  out  of  thii  crail  fotofr. 


CRESEIDE. 

1  wol  my  fclvin  flc  if  that  ft  dretchf. 
But  of  my  deth  though  titti  l>c  ro  fcedk," 
Yet  er  that  ye  mc  caufin  fo  to  fmeru 
Dwcl  rathir  here  mine  owni  dert  fwe(«l 

For  trcwjly,  mine  owne  lady  ^n  \ 
The  flcigbti*  yet  that  I  have  herd  youften 
Ful  ftiapcly  ben  to  falUn  al  ifcr<. 
For  thus  men  (Uith,  Thai  mti*  thMUi^  Me  ler*. 

Your  Cire  ii  wife,  and  {Hd  U  oOKkf  drciii 
Afen  may  the  ^np  outrimtu  mnd  mM  ^tOrtii, 

It  i&  Cull  Lirdclo  haltin  unefpie^ 
Before  a  trepil^  for  he  can  th 
Your  fathir  i*  in  flcight  a*  .'. 
For  alhe*  r  that  bi>  movljl*. 
His  old .  flcijj^ht  is  yet  fo  w»i 
Yc  fhal  not  blende  liitti  for  ) 
Nc  4jiiuc  alight,  and  thut  i«  :il  my  drede. 

I  n'ot  if  pcce  fhail  evirmo  betide. 
But  pcec  or  no^  for  crnefl  ne  for  game, 
I  wotc  Ath  Cakhas  on  the  CrekU  U'^t. 
Hnth  onis  ben,  and  lofl  Xo  foule  hi»  i&txoe^ 
He  daxe  no  more  come  here  ayen  for  Oiai 
For  whichc  that  we,  for  ought  I  can  cfpf » 
To  truftin  on  n'is  but  a  fantafie. 

Yc  ihal  eke  fene  your  fatliir  (hall  you  | 
To  ben  a  wife,  and,  a»  he  can  wel  prccb<. 
He  ftiaJ  fomc  Grcke  fo  prefc  and  wel  alfiic,  ^ 
That  ravifhin  he  fhal  you  with  hi*  fpeche, 
Or  do  you  done  by  force,  as  he  fliai  tcchc. 
And  Troiluni^on  whom  you  nM  have  rottU 
Shal  caiif^fcflc  fo  lUrvin  in  this  irouth. 

And  oti        '  ^    '      "  .1  difpife 

Us  al,  and  me. 

And  that   tJi    j   il;ji;  Ut  vit    11. 

For  whv  ?  the  Gtekts  have  :, 

Til  v/ebcn  flainc  and  doun     ,--         ..^lun 
And  thu&  he  ii\d  you  with  hi«  wordii  f<fc*j| 
That  aie  drcde  1  that  yc  wol  blcvin  ihcf*. 

Ye  fhall  eke  fene  fo  many'  a  iuAy  kaigfat] 
Among  the  Grekis,  ful  of  worthinefic. 
And  echc  of  'hem  with  bene,  wit,  and  1 
To  plcfin  you  done  al  hii  bufincne» 
That  yc  fhujh'uilin  of  the  rudinefl'e 
Of  u»  the  fcly  Irojan*,  but  if  routhe 
Romordin  yoii  orvertucof  r^  ■-  -'  ■  ^Ve, 

Awd  ti  1^  to  mc  fo  grcvoi  ,ik£ 

That  fro  my  brcfl  it  wol  n^  .. .  _      _  'C, 
Ne  dreJcklle  in  me  thtre  may  itat  imkjt 
O  godc  opinion  if  chat  yc  wcndc } 
For  why  r  your  fAthir'i  fleightie  wol  ui  fbci 
And  if  yc  gone,  as  (  have  toldt  ycru  yore, 
So  thinkc  |  n'am  but  ded  wahomin  ttiorc; 

For  wl\ich  with  humbk^  trur^  and  pitou 
A  thoufaride  timi^m^rcic  1  you  prjiie, 
So  rrwith  on  niine  aipre  paioiii  Imtn, 
And  dotli  fomwhat  as  that  \  ''    1  ^"•■»  fiir, 
And  let  u»  ftcle  away  betv. 
And  thinkc  tliat  foly'  is  wl  aie  ( 

For  accident  his  fubflaunce  for  to  icir. 

I  men^  thus,  that  fens  we  mown-  frdai^ 
Well  lick  awaic.  and 
What  Wit  wac  it  to  \ 


honldln  to  your  fathir  go) 
Qt|;bt;a  come  aitu  cr  no  ? 
•Xt€  U  ^h'll  it  were  a  ^ctc  folic 

luncc, 

■■Jive  in  hciDour  aud  itlcifdunce 
^pm^  rhat  we  ihall  bin  dctlc, 
»  wc  may  efchewtn  all  this  drc4c  ; 
y  oihir  waic  yc  can  recbrcic 
rt  iwi*  maic  ihcrvirith  oat  acorde. 
lardily  nr  drcdith  no  povertc, 
▼c  kiD  and  frciulis  clli»  where 
}ugh  wc  comin  io  our  hiAtf  ihcttt 
I  ocvir  lackc  nc  goldc  ne  Kcrc, 
houottrid  while  we  dwi^ltin  Uierei 
wc*  atione,  for  a»  in  mine  rntcxit 
he  bcft,  if  that  yc  wol  affcut. 
id^  with  a  n^rhe  right  in  thi&  wife 
id  him  ;  I  wiis  n;y  dcrc  bicrt  trcwc  1 
S  well  Adc  away  as  yc  dcvife, 
lip  fiithe  uothriftf  way  it  r.uwc^ 
'wmrdc  ful  fore  it  wol  us  rcwc ; 
pe  mc  God  fo  at  my  mollc  ncdc 
IcCTr  yc  fiiffrin  al  thiA  drtdc  ; 
liSke  day  that  t  for  cherifliin|r 
:  of  fathir^  or  for  othir  wight, 
fbu,  delite,  or  for  weding, 
to  you,  my  Troiliu^  my  knight  ? 
i  dr  ughtir  Judo,  through  her  mightp 
',  at  Atalaota  do  mc  dwell 
y  in  Styx,  the  pit  of  hell. 
hi»  on  circry  ^od  cclctliijll 
It  you,  and  eke  on  echc  gr>tld<:flC) 
y  nymph  aod  dettc  iDfcriialt, 
ryi»  and  Faunys  more  and  Icife, 
Wl  goddiihtn  of  wildirtefTe  ; 
ropoft  my  thred  of  hfe  to  brcfl 
alfe.Now  trowc  mc  if  yoo  left, 
[hou,  Simois,  that  m  an  arowc  clerc 
fi  Trdc  rcnnift  aic  doll n ward  to  the  fc, 
rJTc  ofthii  wordc  th^t  fuld  i»hcre| 
Ike  day  that  I  untrew  *  be 
i«S  mine  o^vtjc  htnc  frc  ! 
ju  retumtf  hacjicwarde  unto  thy  well, 
rith  body  and  fouk  finkc  to  htlL 
lAt  ye  fpckc  ^waie  thut>  for  to  go, 
I  al  your  frtndi*.  God  forbede 
nan  that  ye  Ihouldin  fo! 

ffcn»Troie  harh  now  luch  ncdc 

1  eke  of  o  thing  takith  hccic, 
Iwiite,  my  life  laic  in  balauncc 

DRor,  God  (hildc  ui  fro  mifchaunce  f 
I  be  that  pccchcreafiir  take, 

ftpplth  aftirni>grc  game, 

p }  the  forow*  and  wo  yc  woldin  ihake 

iurk  comin  aycti  for  Hiame  i 

ye  jeopard: n  fo  your  name 
ally  in  thishoti^  fare, 
*f  man  nc  wantith  nevir  care, 
i  trowc  yc  the  peplc  ckc  all  aboutc 
af  it  fay  ?  it  i*  fuUight  to*  a  rede  -, 
SJdill  fay )  aod  fwci  (;  i(  out  of  doute. 


That  love  ne  drave  you  nst  to  don  tVi»  dcdc, 
But  lul^e  voluptuous  and  cowurdc  drcdc  : 
Thus  were  ai  loftc  iwiA  rniue  hcrt^'  dcrcl 
Your  honour,  mhiche  that  now  fo  iKinuh  cltre. 

And  iiifo  thinkirlk  on  mine  honcOc, 
That  llourith  yet,  how  tuulc  I  iluiuld  it  (hend^- 
Atid  witji  what  £Uh  it  fpoitid  IbouMi:^  be 
If  in  tliifcfanne  I  /huuldr  with  you  wendc: 
Nc  thuugh  I  lived  unto  the  worldis  cndc 
My  nftmc  Ihould  I  ncvir  aycnward  winnc  : 
1  hoK  were  I  loflf  and  that  were  rouih  and  fii 

And  lorthy  lie  with  rcfon  al  thi»  hcic  ; 
Men  lainc,  TLtfi'frattHt  ^Vftcamcib  patJf^ 
li.kc  WAo  ^  xi.%1  ifii^fff  i.Ji  »K>ie  leU  * 
Thus  mikith  vcrtuc  of  ntceflitc 
By  ]»acit;nce,  and  tliitikc  that  Inrde  is  be 
Of  Fortune  aic  that  naught  woU  of  her  rctch^ 
And  flic  ned^untiih  no  wigh'  huta  wretch. 

And  trulliih  thL»,  that  ctrtis,  hcrtc  l¥\ctt ! 
Or  Phoi'bus  ftiilir,  Lucina  the  fhcne^ 
The  Tiou  pallith  out  of  xhh  Aritc 
I  wuil  bcti  here  wirhouiin  any  wcfte; 
1  mcne,  a&  hdpc  nic  Juno,  hcvin**  qucne» 
The  (eiuh  daie,  but  if  that  dctli  nic  aHadci 
i  woU  you  feuc  without  in  any  failc. 

And  now,  fo  ih\k  be  fi:>the  (quoil  Troilus} 
T  Iball  vveU  fu/Trc  Jinio  the  tenth  dair, 
Sena  tliat  I  fc  that  ncdc  it  more  ben  thus; 
But  for  the  love  of  God,  if  it  be  maiC| 
So  kr  UK  ftclin  privily  awaie. 
For  cvrc*  tn  one  a*  for  tu  live  in  reft, 
Mine  hcrtv  fajcth  that  k  woU  be  ihf  heft. 

O  n:crcic,  God  \  what  life  h  this  i  (i^uud  (t* 
Alas    yc  flea  mc  thu*  for  very  tcnc  ; 
1  fe  well  now^  that  yc  miftruft  n  mc. 
For  by  your  wordis  it  is  wc  I  ifcnc  . 
Now  for  the  love  of  Cynthia  the  Ihcnc 
Miftrufl  nu"  nat  thus  caufckflc  for  rouih, 
iitiis  to  be  true  1  have  you  plight  my  trcuth. 

And  thijikith  wcl  that  fomtimc  it  is  wit 
To  fpendin  a  time  a  lime  for  to  win  ; 
Nc  parde  lornc  am  I  nat  fio  you  yet, 
Though  tiat  we  ben  a  daic  or  two  at  win  : 
Drive  out  tho  fantaHes  you  have  within, 
And  trullith  mc,  and  kviih  ckc  your  forow, 
Or  here  my  trouth,  I  wol  nat  live  til  morow  t 

for  if  yu'  wift  how  fore  tt  docih  rocfmcrte 
Vc  wmilde  cclTc  of  tliis:  for  God  thou  woft 
The  ptircfpihte  ywcpith  in  raim'hertc 
Tofcnc  you  w<pin  whichc  that  1  love  moil. 
And  that  I  nunt  gon  totlic  Grckt*  hoft:cj 
Ye,  n'crc  it  that  I  wift  a  remcdie 
To  come  aycn  right  here  I  wttuUr  die. 

but  ccrtii  1  am  not  fo  nice  a  wight 
That  I  ne  tan  imiiginin  a  waic 
To  come  aycr.  tliat  tlaic  that  I  have  hight. 
For  w ho  tn»Jc  holtien'  a  thing  tLat  w ol  ^iwai^ 
My  falliir  naught  for  all  his  queintc  plait- ; 
And  by  my  thrift  my  wending  out  of  1  roic 
Anoihir  date  fl:ia|l[onrne  us  all  to  joic 

For  thy  with  all  mine  hcrtc  I  yuu  befckc^ 
U  that  you  lift  docn  ought  for  my  praicrc, 
Aijd  for  the  \oyc  w  hichc  that  t  love  you  ckf 


That  er  that  1  dcpartin  fro  you  here 
That  of  fo  godc  a  comfort  and  a  chcrc 
J  maic  you  fcnc  that  yc  uiaic  bring  at  reft 
Mine  hcrtc,  whichc  is  at  the  poind  to  brcfl, 

And  ore  al  this  I  prAJe  you,  qtiod  flic  thO| 
Mine  ownc  hcrf 'U  fothfjft  faffifaunce  ( 
Sith  I  am  thtr:e  all  whole  withoutin  ino, 
111  at  white  that  I  am  abifn^  no  plefaunce 
Of  othir  iloc  mc  fro  your  r«nicmbratince, 
For  I  am  cr  agaft ;  for  why  ?  men  rede 
That  love  i%  thinjj  aic  fwU  of  bufic  drede. 

For  in  this  worldc  there  Vtvlth  Udic  none^ 
If  that  yc  were  umre,  a*  God  dcfcndc  ! 
Tliat  fo  betrayid  were  or  wo  bcgtm 
As  T»  rhat  alle  troothc  in  you  entendc ; 
And  tlout.  icJs  if  that  othir  wendc 
I  nVrc  but  dc dde,  and  cr  ye  caafe  yfinde 
For  Godd'i&  love  fo  beth  me  naught  unkinde* 

To  ihi*  anfwtrid  Troilu?^  and  fciilc, 
K«w  God,  t*i  whom  there  n'i«  no  caufe  iwne, 
Mc  glad,  as  wis  T  nevir  to  Crcfctde, 
Siihe  thilkc  daie  I  faw  her  firft  with  eye, 
Was  fAlfe,  ne  ncvir  (ball  tUl  that  1  die  : 
At  fhort  wordis,  well  yc  maie  nsc  b'leve; 
1  can  no  mo*c  j  it  iball  be  founde  at  prevc, 

Graiint  mercy,  gode  hcrt  mine  I  iwii,  (quodflie} 
And»  blif-ful  Venuiv !  let  mc  nevir  ftf  rvc 
Er  I  maie  flonde  of  ptiffaunce  in  dcjjjrc 
To  quire  him  well  that  fo  well  can  dcrtrve. 
And  while  that  God  my  wit  will  mc  confcrve 
}  (hall  fo  dnen,  fo  true  I  have  you  found» 
That  aic  honour  to  mc  ward  (hall  rehounde  r 

For  truftith  well  that  your  eftnre  rpiull, 
IJc  ycinf  «Uliec,  nor  oncly  worthinclTc 


Ot  yoQ  in  ware  or  nirtiaie  tfiircUlI, 
Nc  pompc,  arraie,  noblcy,  or  eke  ritMXe^ 
Ne  madin  me  to  rue  o«j  your  di0reJ|«y 
But  morall  Tcrtue,  g^ottndid  upon  trt>iithi 
That  was  the  caufc  J  firlt  hid  on  y*ii  routh  j 

Fke  gentle  hert,  and  manhode  thai  ye  had. 
And  that  ye  had  (as  me  thoug^fit)  in  diipite 
Every  thinjr  that  fowmd  into  biij^ 
As  rudeflelTe,  and  peplKhe  appetite. 
And  that  your  rcfon  brtdlid  your  dclite ; 
This  made  abovin  eWry  ereturc 
That  I  wat  yourt,  and  Ihall  while  I  miie  di 

And  thij  may  length  of  yerit  nat  fordoe, 
Nc  rcmuable  Fortuni?  deface. 
But  Jupiter,  that  ot  hi»  might  male  doe 
The  forowfull  be  p:bd^  fo  yv«  uft  gfac« 
Er  nightit  tenne  to  mctin  in  thii  place. 
So  that  it  maic  your  herte  and  mine  fiiffifir : 
And  fare  now  well,  for  time  i»  that  yc  rik. 

And  aftir  that  thei  long  iplanid  h»d. 
And  oft  ikift,  and  firaite  in  zrmln  foide^ 
The  daie  gan  rife,  and  Troilus  him  clad. 
And  rufuily  hi»  Udic  gan  behold, 
As  he  that  felt  of  deth^is  cari«  cold. 
And  to  her  grace  he  gan  him  recommaande;' 
W"hcie  he  was  wo  thi»  holde  f  no  demauadi 

For  raann^i^hedde  imaginin  ne  can, 
Nc*  cntenddment  confidir,  ne  tongue  tcllt 
The  cruill  painis  of  thi«  w«/ull  man. 
That  pallin  every  tourment  dounc  in  hell  i 
For  whan  be  fawe  that  Ihc  ne  might  ydwcU^! 
W'^hichc  that  hi*  foulc  out  of  hi«  b^dy  rent, 
Wiihoutin  inure  out  of  cHc  chambfe*  he 


I 


JNCIPIT    LIBER   QJJINTUS, 


pHiM  gsji  tbc  hull  dedine 
bvis  bftth  ID  difpnnciuun, 
lyouaD^c  PafLX)  TuAria  thrCf 
ittiLh  to  Joen  cxcc\jci<:>un, 
liche  Crcfcide  mull  out  of  the  toun, 
'roiliu  Hiall  dwelliti  forth  in  pine 
icbefis  hh  thrcdc  no  kn^ir  iwinc. 
gold  in  trcfud  Phocbut  Iiigh  on  loft 
had  ail^  with  his  bcmii  clcre 
OWLS  moItCf  and  Zcphini^  at  oft 
ht  ayen  the  tcndir  Ic^is  j^ene, 
M  the  fonne  of  Hecuba  she  Quene 
to  love  ber  firQ,  for  whom  his  forowc 
t  that  (He  departin  ftiould  amorowc 
redf  Wft4  31  prime  Diomede 
le  unta  the  Grekit  hoftc  to  kde, 
owe'  of  whiche  ihc  felt  her  bcrt^  blede, 
ibatoe  wi&  what  wai  beft  lo  rcilc  ; 
uUf,  as  men  in  bokis  rede, 
fifti  nevir  woman  have  the  care, 
I  fQ  )mht  out  of  a  tonnr  to  fare. 
iTroUus  wjthoutin  rede  or  lore, 
n  that  hath  hi*  joyis  eke  forlorc, 
ratling  un  his  Udic  evirmDrc, 
that  WW  the  futhfill  croppe  and  more 
hi*  lull  or  joyi«  heretofore  ; 
nihu^  now^Arcwc'll  all  diy  joie  ! 

vir  fttic  her  cfc  m  Troic. 


Soth  Up  that  while  he  bode  in  thii  mascf^ 
He  gan  his  wo  full  manly  for  to  hide, 
That  well  unncth  it  fenc  wat  in  hU  chere^ 
But  at  the  yate  there  flie  fhould  out  ride 
With  certain  folke  he  hovid  her  to'  abides 
So  wo  bigon,  aJl  would  he  not  him  plain. 
That  on  his  hors  unneth  he  fate  for  pain. 

Fnr  ire  he  quoke,  fa  gun  his  hc^rtc  gtiawc^ 
Whan  Diomede  on  htir&gan  him  to  drefle. 
And  faicd  unto  himfclf  tliis  ilkc  fawe  ; 
Alas !  (cjuod  he)  this  fouk  o  wretcKidncflc 
Why  fuiTrc*  1  it  ?  why  n'ill  I  it  redrcflc  f 
Were  it  nat  bet  at  onit  for  to  die 
1  han  evirmorc  in  langt>ur  thus  to  dric  ? 

Why  n'ilt  I  make  at  onis  riche  and  pate 
To  hafc  inough  to  docn  cr  that  (ht  go  ? 
Why  n  ill  I  bring  all  Troic  upon  a  rorcf 
Why  n'iU  I  Ilacn  this  Diomede  alfo  ? 
Why  n'ili  1  nthir  with  a  man  or  two 
Stele  her  awaie  ?  Why  woll  1  this  endure  ? 
Why  n'ill  1  hctpin  to  mine  own^  cure  ? 

But  why  he  n'oldc  doen  fo  fella  dede 
That  ftiall  I  fain,  and  why  Jum  lift  it  fparc  r 
He  had  in  hcrte  alwaie  a  nianir  drede 
Left  that  Crefeidc,  in  mmour  of  this  fare. 
Should  have  bc<i  ilain  :  lo  I  this  was  al  his  cVv 
And  eJlid  certain,  as  I  fayidyore»  m 

He  ha4  it  docu  witboutin  wordi*  outr^j 


S9% 


TROILUS    AND    CRESEIDE- 


Crtfcid^,  whRti  ftic  rcdy  was  to  ndc^ 
Full  forowfuUy  fighcd,  2nd  faied  Alas  1 
But  forthc  fhe  mate  for  aught  dtat  iiiaie  betide, 
And  forrhc  (he  ritte  a  full  fobirly  pafe  ; 
There  ii  none  otliir  remedy*  in  thh  cafe  : 
What  MTondir  is  thotJgh  that  hcT  fore  fmert 
Whan  the  torgoith  Krr  owne  fwcie  htrte  f 

This  TroUcs  in  gifc  of  curtifie. 
With  haukti  on  hoiidf  and  with  an  hag*^  rout 
Of  T^nijjhns  rode  and  did  her  companic, 
TpafiTjng  all  the  valcy  ferre  without. 
And  Rrtiur  i^ouLd  have  ridJin  out  of  doubl 
Ftill  ralnc,  and  wo  wa»  him  to  gone  fo  fone, 
But  toume  he  mtHl^  7sn4  it  was^  eke  fo  docn. 
And  right  with  Thar  wxs  Antcnor  icomc 
Our  of  t1>c  GrekiA  hollc,  <tad  every  wight 
Was  of  him  glad,  and  faied  he  was  wckomc  ; 
And  Troilus,  itll  n'trc  hi^  hcrt^  J'ght, 
He'  pained  him  with  all  his  tulle  might 
"Hsm  to  withholdc  of  we  ping  at  the  Icfl, 
Ajid  Antenor  he  kid,  aiid  made  grctc  fcft. 
And  therwithall  he  muf^  his  Icve  ytake» 
And  oil  hjs  eye  upon  her  pitotifly, 
And  ncre  he  rode,  his  caufc  for  to  make. 
To  takr  her  by  the  hoodc  ftll  fiHiirlrc  ; 
And  Lorde  ,  fo  (hr  gatrwfpin  rtndirli^. 
And  he  full  foft  and  flighly  gan  her  fete, 
JiiTW  holde  your  daic,  and  doe  mc  not  to  ddc. 

With  that  his  courfir  tournid  he  about 
With  face  full  pale,  and  unto  Diomtxle 
No  wcrdc  he  fpake,  nc  none  of  all  his  rout* 
Cf  whichc  the  fonne  of  Tydeus  tokc  hcdc> 
As  he  that  knuthc  more  than  the  credc 
In  fod^c  a  craft,  and  by  the  rain  her  hctit* 
And  T«oilui  toTroie  homwaidis  went. 

This  I>iomcde,  that  lad  her  by  the  bride U, 
W^han  that  he  fawe  the  folkc  of  Troic  awaic. 
Thought  all  my  labor  (haD  not  ben  on  idcU^ 
If  that  I  maic,  for  fomwhat  iKatl  I  faie, 
For  at  the  w^rft  rt  fhortta  mjiie  our  waic  ^ 
I  havrJicrd  faic  ckc  limH  twtl^  twelve 
He  is  a  folr  that  woll  foryctc  him  fclvc. 

But  nath  IclTc  thi»  thought  he  well  inough. 
That  certainly  I  am  aboutio  naught 
If  that  I  fprkr  of  love  or  make  it  loaghr, 
Fordoutild"'  if  flic  have  in  her  thought 
Him  that  I  gcffc  he  maic  not  ben  ibiought 
So  feme  awaie ;  but  I  fhall  findc  a  menc 
That  (he  n  at  yet  i»  etc  lb  a  11  what  that  I  mcne. 

This  Diomede,  as  he  that  cnuld  hii  gode, 
Wban  thit  wai  doen  gan  fallin  fcrth  in  fpethe 
Of  thi*  jind  that,  and  afkin  why  (he  ftodc 
If}  foeh*  difefe  ?  and  gan  her  ckc  bcfeche. 
That  if  that  he  encrefm  might  or  cchc 
Wi'h  any  thing  her  tfc  that  fhe  fhould 
Commatmde  h  him,  and  faidhe  doen  it  would  : 

For  truily  he  fworc  her  w$  a  knfght  [pl^c 

That  tbcr  n'at  thing  with  whkh   he  might  her 
Thar  he  n'olde  doen  hi»  p^in  and  al  his  might 
To  doen  it,  for  10  dcnn  her  henc  an  efc, 
And  pray  id  her  Ihe  would  her  for  owe*  apcfe, 
Afi  d  faicd,  twii  wc  Grekis  can  have  Joie 
To  honourc  you  35  wtU  u  folkv  cf  Troic^ 


He  faide  ekethoi»I  wnt  ytva  thtnlctl&J 
No  wondir  is,  for  it  i«  to  |oO  newt, 
Th'  acf]ueifttauncc  of  thefr THffeiu  for  60  c      ___ 
For  folkc  of  Grcce,  which  that  ye  nevir  ksevet^ 
But  would^  ncTHf  God  hut  if  M  Ithc 
A  Grcke  ye  (bnuld  emong  u*  all  vlinilc 
As  any  Trojan  it,  *nd  eke  at  kinde. 

And  by  the  caufc  1  fworc  you,  io'   right  t 
To  ben  your  frende,  and  help  you  to  m^  1 
And  for  that  more  aci|uciut;itifif     rVt   n{  1 
Have  1  had  than  Pinothir  ftrj 
So  fro  ihu  forth  1  prthic  you  o-  i:^hk 

Comm?.undiih  me,  h*iw  fore  lo  Uiat  mc  I 
To  doen  all  that  maie  like  ttitto  yo^n  lirrte : 

And  ibtt  ye  me  wold  a*  your  brothlr  1 
And  takilh  not  nty  frcndlhip  tii  difpite  % 
And  though  your  forowe^  ben  for  thingit  | 
N'ot  1  nat-why,  but  out  of  more  rclpite 
Mrne  hcrt  kt^th  for  to'  ---"'•  ^^  ^ficddhc; 
•  And  if  Imait  your  h.nr  reif? 

I  am  right  forie  for  yor  r  r  ; 

For  though  je  Trojans  with  us  GrcVJ*  1 
Have  many'  a  d^ie  ben,  alwaie  yet  parde 

0  god  of  Love  in  fothe  wc  frt^in  bathe : 
And  for  the  love  o£  God,  my  Luiie  fre. 
Whom  fo  ye  hate  asbeth  not  wroth  with  I 
For  truily  there  can  no  wight  you  frrvc 
That  halfe  fo  loth  your  w rathe  w.-- '  ^    ■  " 

And  nVrc  it  thai  wc,ben  fo  nctr 
Of  Cakhas,  whichc  that  fcnc  u»  h^...     .,., 

1  would  of  this  yoo  tell  aii  nunc  cmcot; 
But  this  enfetid  till  inothir  dait : 
Ycvc  me  your  hondfi;  I  am  and  fhall  b<r  mJ 
God  help  me  fo,  white  that  my  life  mjiie  t' 
Your  ownc  abovin  every  crcturc. 

Thu%  faid  1  nere  cr  now  19  woman  1 
For  God  mine  hertc  a5  wifely  gUde  fo 
1  lovid  nevir  woman  here  befornc 
As  paramours,  lie  ncvir  (hall  no  nio ; 
And  for  the  love  of  Cod  be  not  my  f  >, 
All  can  I  not  to  you,  my  ladic  dcre  ? 
Complain  aright,  for  I  am  yet  to  lere* 

And  wondrith  nought,  min  ownc  Udyl 
Though  that  1  fpekc  of  Jove  to  you  fhu»  blK 
For  I  have  herd  ot  this  of  many*  a  wight 
That  lovid  thing  he  ncre  faw  in  his  Umc; 
Eke  1  am  not  of  power  for  to  ftrive 
Aycnft  the  god  of  Love,  b<M  *    ic 

I  woU  alwaic,  and  mcrcic  I  a 

Thcr  beth  fo  worth  y  i  -  ^  ^ 

And  yc  fo  faire,  that  >■ 

Woll  painin  him  tofitj .    ^.    ..  ^     .    , 

But  might  fo  me  fu  faire  a  grace  beUtli 

*1  hat  yc  me  for  your  frrvannt  would^  clU,  ' 

So  lowly  ne  fo  irtiily  you  fcrve 

N'ill  none  of  'hem  as  I  fhiU  ^tll  1  (hrpe. 

Crefcide  unto  that  ^  >rtf«rrde«  ' 

As  flic  that  was  with  1  .  rrfftd  fo 

That  in  cfftd  (be  naugnt  his  T:^a«  hrrdc, 
But  here  and  thtre  now  here  a  wot^ot  fw»; 
Her  thought  her  lorow'-'i  k.  ■-*-.  Vnift  »two  | 
For  whan  the  gan  ht  r 


Well  nigb  doutsc  cf  ti. 


cfp« 
r^a  to  6r*  , 


kf[e  (ht  thonkUh  Dtomede 

l^vtiik  unU  hi*  godc  chcrc, 
{A\  Wn  frctulfhip  to  her  bc4e, 
aicccpttth  it  in  gode  mancrc» 
I  do  i*iti  thui  II  him  lefc  and  dcre, 
tin  hini  ihc  would,  and  well  (he  niighli  I 
flic,  and  frawi  her  hor»  flic'  alight.  j 

thir  haih  her  in  his  arinU  ncimc, 
ntic  times  he  kiH:  his  duughiir  fwctc^ 
iy  O  der,,  doiightlr  miDi' !  weko^ie.  | 

eke  fhc  w^'^  hin  with  him  to  tnctc^ 
e  forth  Aill,  mild,  mtict,  and  maofuetc*  ' 
I  Icvc  her  with  her  fathir  dwell, 
lie  I  wrtlJ  of  Troilus  you  tclK 
otc  tfr  came  thi*  wofull  Troilus 
e  abovin  all  forowca  ioicri, 
3Q  lake  and  with  face  difpiious 
ijijy  doQoe  from  hts  hort  he  Ucrr, 
»ugh  hif  palcyfc  with  a  fwollinhtcrt 
fair  w^ent ;  of  nothing  tokc  he  hcde, 
to  him  dare  fpeke  o  wordc  for  drcdc, 
icrc  hii  forowc&  that  he  fparid  had 
an  iSnt  lar^,  and  Dcth  he  cridc, 
lis  rhrowis  frcnctikc  aiid  mad 
h  Jove,  Apollo,  and  Cupidc, 
h  Bachuf»  Ceres,  and  Cypridc, 
c,  himftU",  hi»  fate,  and  ckc  Nature, 
his  ladic  every  crcture. 
d  he  goth,  and  wcUith  there  and  turneth 
IS  doeth  Ixion  in  hell, 
hiia  wife  he  nigh  till  daie  fojoumelh, 
bcgiui  his  hcrte  alitc  unfwcQ 
I  tcrif  which  that  gonnin  up  to  wcl, 
»oAy  he  cried  upon  Crcfcidc, 
limfelf  right  thus  he  fpake  and  feide  : 
!!  it  nunc  uwne  Udic  Icfe  and  derc  f 
I  her  white  brell  I  where  is  it  ?  where  ? 
eiiher  armi^and  hercyin  clere 
Wdaie  this  time  with  me  were  * 
ie  I  Vfc^  alone  many  a  tere, 
jpe  about  1  maic,  but  in  thj&  place 
ilowc  I  And  naught  to  embrace, 
hall  1  doen  f  whan  Hiall  ihc  come  again  f 
Ai^  ^  Wliy  let  I  her  fo  go? 
de  Gad  f  had  a»  tho  be  flain! 
cninc,  Crcfdd^  !  o  iwcti  fo  ! 
nine  I  that  I  love  and  no  mo, 
n  for  CTfinno  mine  hertc  1  vowe, 
I  tiic;  ye  n*Ill  me  not  refcowe  ! 
eith  you  now,  ray  right  lod-Jftcrrc  ? 
trh  now  or  ftant  in  your  prcicuce  ? 
\  eonifortin  now  your  hert'is  wcrre, 
mgon  whom  yc  ycve  audience  f 
1^1  lor  me  now  in  my  abfence  t 
^Hght,  and  that  ii  all  my  care, 
Htc  1  ax  ill  01 1  ye  fare, 
hould  [  tku»  ten  dayis  full  endure 
ht  firrt  night  havin  all  this  tcnc  i 
'  .'  eke,  forowfuU  creture, 
iw  Ihall  (he  thifi  fullene 
•  1' r  mt  t  o  !  pitous  pale,  and  grcnc, 
%m  ben  her  Crcflic  wofiianly  face 
>ur  er  (he  totunc  unto  diis  {tl&ce» 


And  whan  he  fill  in  any  ITombringis 
Anim  begin  ht  fhouldil  for  togronc, 
And  drcmin  of  the  drcdfulllil  thingia 
That  might  ^bcci,  as  mete  he  were  alone 
In  place  horrible,  making  aie  hi&  mone^ 
Or  metin  that  he  was  emongis  all 
Hit  encniic»,  and  in  their  hondjs  fall. 

And  there withali  his  bodi?  Oioulde  fkcrtc. 
Arid  w^ith  the  ftarte  all  fodainly  awake, 
And  foche  a  tremour  fcic  about  hin  hcrte. 
That  of  the  fere  hi^  bodic  Ihould    quake. 
And  therewithall  he  Ihould  a  noifc  yriialce, 
And  fcmin  a^  though  he  fhould  f.tUin  dcf  *, 
From  high  aloft,  and  than  he  would,  wepe; 

And  rcwin  on  himfeU  fo  pitouily 
Thai  woudir  was  to  here  his  fantaiic  ; 
.•Vnothir  time" he  (hould^  mightily 
Comfort  himfelf,  and  fain  it  wa&  folic 
So  cauf  (eite  foche  drcde  and  wo  to  dnc, 
And  eft  begin  his  afpre  forowcs  newe, 
That  every  man  might  on  hii  paint*  rewe. 

Who  could  tell  all  aright,  or  full  difcrive 
His  wo,  his  plimt,  hi>  targour,  and  his  pmc  ? 
Nat  all  the  men  that  ban  or  ben  on  live  : 
Thou,  Rcdir,  maieit  thy  felf  full  well  dcvinc 
That  foche  a  wo  my  wit  can  not  define; 
On  idcll  for  to  write  it  Ihould  1  fwtnkc 
Whan  that  my  wit  ii  werie  it  to  thiake. 

On  hevin  yet  the  fteri*  werin  fenc, 
Ahhough  full  pale  iwoxin  was  the  monCf 
And  whitin  began  the  horizon  (henc 
All  cRwardi),  as  it  is  wont  to  doen, 
And  Pburbua  with  hit  rofie  carte  fonc 
Gan  aftir  that  to  dreflr  him  up  to  {atc 
Whan  froilus  huth  Tent  altir  Pandare. 

This  Pandaro,  that  of  all  the  daie  bcfome 
Ne  might  have  com  in  TroUus  to  le. 
Although  that  he  on  hiA  hcddc  it  l\ad  fwomc. 
For  with  the  King  Priam  al  daie  was  Ue, 
So  iivAi  it  laie  nat  in  Kis  libcrtc 
No  where  to  gon,  but  on  the  morowc'  he  went 
To  Troilus,  whan  that  he  for  him  fent ; 

For  in  his  hcrte  he  could^  well  devinc 
That  Troilus  all  night  for  forowc  woke. 
And  that  he  wouhL  tell  him  of  his  pine  ; 
Thiii  knewc  he  well  Inough  withoutin  bokc; 
For  which  to  chambir  llrcight  t!»c  way  he  tokf. 
And  Troilub  tho  foKtrly  be  grettc. 
And  on  the  brdde  full  fonc  he  g^an  him  fcttc. 

My  PandaruA  !  (quod  Troilu*)  the  forowc 
Whiche  that  1  dric  I  male  uut  loiig  endure; 
1  trowc  I  fhall  not  livin  till  to  morowe ; 
For  whithe  t  would  alwaieson  avinture 
To  the  dcvilin  of  my  ftpoukurc 
The  forme,  and  bf  my  movble  thou  difpoae 
Right  a&  the  femith  bcft  is  for  to  doen  ; 

But  of  the  6rc  and  flamb^  funcrall 
in  whichc  my  body  brcnnin  jhjll  lo  gledc, 
And  of  the  fed  and  playis  Palellrall 
At  my  vigile  J  praie  the  lake  godc  hcde 
That  that  be  well,  and  ofhr  Man  my  ftcde, 
M)  l\vtrdc,mine  helme,  and,  lev^  hrothir  acreii] 
My  Ihcldc  to  Pallas  ycvc  that  ihioith  elerc 


«« 


TROILUS  AKD   CRESEJDE, 


r«ifi 


I 

I 


» 


I 


The  poudre*  In  which  mine  hcrt  tbrend  fhaJl 
Thzt  praic  I  the  ibou  take,  and  it  confcTvc    [turn 
In  a  vcffelJ  that  men  depith  an  Umc, 
Of  goldc,  and  to  my  lidjr  that  I  fcr^e. 
For  love  of  whmn  thus  pitouOy  I  fterve. 
So  ycvc  it  her,  and  doe  me  this  picfaunce 
To  praic  her  krpc  it  for  a  remcmbrauncc : 

For  well  !  hlln  by  my  maladie, 
And  by  fny  dremiii  now  and  yore  ago, 
All  certainly  that  I  mote  nedi*  die  ; 
The  otilc  ckc  whiche  that  higkt  Afcalapho 
Hath  ajftir  mc  fhright  ai!  thcfc  nightts  two  ; 
And  god  Mcrc'orie,  now  of  mc  woful  wrttch 
The  fcul^  giiide,  and  whan  the  lifl  it  fetche. 

Pandare  aofwcrid  a^od  faied,  IVoiIus^ 
My  derf  frende !  as  I  have  told  the  yore 
That  it  15  folic  for  to  forowcn  thus, 
And  caufclefTc,  for  whiche  I  can  no  more. 
But  who  lb  woll  not  trowin  rede  ne  lore 
1  can  not  Icnc  in  him  no  remedit. 
But  let  him  worchin  with  hii  fantafie. 

But,  Troilus,  I  praic  the  tell  mc  now 
If  that  thou  trowc  er  tKi*  that  any  wight 
Haith  lovid  paramours  as  well  a 9  thou  ?, 
Ye,  God  wot»  and  fro  many'  a  wortJiic  knight 
Hath  hia  ladie  forgon  a  fourtentght 
And  he  uit  yet  made  halrindele  the  fare; 
What  nede  is  the  to  mzkin  all  this  care  f 

Sens  daic  by  dale  than  maiefl  thy  felvin  fe. 
That  from  his  love  or  cilia  from  his  wife 
A  man  mote  twinnin  of  neccfTitc, 
Ye,  though  he  love  her  as  his  own*^  life, 
Yet  n*ill  he  with  himfcif  thus  makin  ftrtfc  ; 
For  well  thon  woll,  my  Icvc  brothir  derc! 
That  alwaic  frendis  maic  not  hen  ifere. 

How  docn  this  foike  that  fcne  thcr  tovis wedded 
By  frcndi*  might,  a«  it  bitidith  oft. 
And  ftne  'hem  in  thcr  fpoufis  bcdde  ibedded  ? 
God  wote  thei  take  it  wifely  fairc  and  foft ; 
For  why  ?  godc  hope  halt  up  thcr  hcrte  aloft. 
And  for  thei  can  a  time  of  forowe*  endnrt; 
Ai  time  *hcm  hurtiiJi  a  time  doeth  *hcm  cure* 

So  fbottldift  thou  endure,  and  lettin  Aide 
The  time, and  fonditf  to  ben  glad  and  light; 
Tenne  day  is  n'is  not  fo  long  to  abide  ; 
And  fens  the  to  comin  the  hath  behight 
She  n*iU  her  heft  brekin  for  any  wight. 
For  drede  the  nat  that  the  n'ill  findc  a  wale 
To  come  aycn,  my  life  that  darfl  I  hie. 

Thy  fivcvinef  eke,  and  all  fochc  fantafie, 
^ive  out,  and  let  *hem  farin  to  mifchannoe, 
For  thei  precede  of  thy  melancolie. 
That  doeth  the  fcle  in  flcpc  all  this  penaunce  t 
A  ftrawc  for  all  fwcvenii  (ignrfiaupce ! 
God  hclpe  mc  fo  !  I  couropt  *hcm  not  a  bene  ; 
There  wot  no  man  anght  what  dremii  mene. 

For  preftis  of  the  temple  teUin  this, 
That  dremisben  the  revclacions 
df  goddii,  and  als  well  thei  tell  iwii 
That  thei  ben  infernallc  illuiions, 
Aod  U^chli  fainc  that  of  compjediooi 
^rtjtcdfn  thei,  of  fifl  or  i^loTonie  : 
^JTIro  wot  is  Iblhc  ihaa  t\  hat  tlici  frgolfic  ? 


Eke  othir  fain  that  through  imprdETtODS 
As  if  a  wight  hath  fall  a  thing  in  minde. 
That  thereof  comith  foche  ivififMii; 
And  othir  fain,  bm  thei  in  bokis  fiBde, 
That  afttr  timts  of  the  yere  by  kinde 
Men  dreme,  and  that  th'  died  goch  by  tiM  f 
But  leve  no  drcme,  for  it  is  nat  to  does. 

Well  worth  of  dremii  aie  thefe  oldc  wife»; 
And  truly  eke  augtirie  of  thefe  Jttujtt, 
For  fere  ftf  wbich  men  wenin  lefc  tbcr  livesi, 
As  ravines  qualm,  or  fchrichmg  of  thefe  odi^ 
To  trowin  on  it  both^  falf?  and  foule  b  ; 
Atas!  alas  \  that  fo  noble'  a  creture 
As  is  a  man  fltould  d  re  din  foche  ordure  ! 

For  whiche  with  all  mine  hcrt  f  the  1 
Unto  thy  fclf  that  all  this  thou  foryevc; 
And  rife  ne^w  up,withoatin  mor?  fpcche. 
And  let  us  call  how  foith  maic  htd  be  drhre 
The  time,  sod  eke  how  frcfhly  we  maic  live 
Whan  (he  cofnith,  the  which  fliaH  be  righc  toot^ 
God  hclpe  me  fo  the  bcft  is  t^*-  ''"  '-^-i. 

Rife,  let  us  fpcke  of  luilk  <•: 

That  wc  have  lad,  and  forth  1  Iritt^ 

And  eke  of  dm:'  comnng  as  rejore. 
That  bringin  ihall  our  bUlTc  now  fo  btlvc^ 
And  lanpour  of  thcfc  twif^  dayit  Gtc 
Wc  ftiall  therwitli  fo  foryet  or  opprefle 
That  wcU  unneth  it  doen  flijll  us  dvrrfic* 

Tbistoune  it  full  of  lord!*  ill  about. 
And  truls  laflitli  all  this  mcnc  while ; 
Go  we  playin  us  in  fame  luftie  rout» 
To  SDrprdnn,  not  hennis  btit  a  mile, 
And  thus  thou  (halt  the  trm.  well  bifgile^ 
And  drive  it  forth  unto  that  blifsfoll  muiuim 
That  thou  her  fe  that  caufe  i»  of  thy  (onmtm^ 

Now  rife,  my  derc  brothir  TmiiB*  I 
For  cert  14  it  non  honour  is  to  the 
To  wcpe,  and  tn  thy  bedde  to  roukio  thm^ 
For  truily  of  o  thing  tnift  to  me. 
If  thou  t^s  liggc  a  dale,  or  two,  or  ihre. 
The  folke  wol  wene  that  thou  for  cowardife 
The  fainift  fick,  und  that  thoti  darft  not  rife. 

This  Troilus  anfwcrdc,  O  hmthir  At'rtl 
This  knowin  folke  that  haT,-  iz, 

Th»t  though  he  wcpe  and  ft'  all  ck 

That  felif h  harmc  and  fmcrte  tn  every  Tiia 
No  wondir  is ;  and  though  I  evir  fUia 
Or  atwaie  wepe  I  am  nothing  to  blame. 
Sens  1  have  lofl  the  canfc  of  at  tny  game. 

But  liihins  of  (ine  force  I  mote  arijie 
1  (ha!  arifc  as  fooc  ai  cr  I  male. 
And  God,  to  whom  mine  hertc  1  facrifie^ 
So  fcndc  us  haOily  the  tennith  date. 
For  was  there  ncvir  fouk  fo  fainc  of  Mait 
As  I  (hall  ben  whan  fhe  comith  in  1'rote 
That  caufe  11  of  nry  tounnrnt  and  my  jmCm 

But  whidir  is  thy  rede,  (<}uod  Tronoi) 
That  wc  maie  plaie  m  bcO  w  *M  thtt  tottH  f 
By  God  my  counfailc  i  ndsnn) 

To  ride  and  plaic  us  v 
So  long  tif  thrs  thei  fprkm  iip  jTi*i  i 
Till  Troiloi^an  at  the  M  iSaxi 
To  rife,  ami  forth  ty  Sn^xm  tjtd 


It  ho&oufzbk 
,  and  fun  of  hie  proweiTey 
i  might  ifcrvid  bco  on  tabic 
ntc  wnf,  all  coUe  it  gretc  rtcheilir, 
t  'hem  daie  by  d^r,  that  foclic  iiobklTc, 
n  botJie  the  mofle  and  eke  the  1<^, 
e  cr  ihit  daic  wifle  kt  &ay  fed  ; 
I  tbU  woridc  there  i»  none  mllrumcnl 
iib]X)Ugh  winde  or  touch  on  corde, 
assay  wight  tuitb  er  jwent, 
i|^  td)  or  hcrte  itmk  rtcorde 
mi  iefl  it  wa*  well  herd  afordc, 
4ies  eke  fo  faire  a  companie 
ce  CI  tho  wa*  never  feoe  with  eye* 
hat  aTailitb  thin  to  Troilui| 

his  forowc  nothing  of  it  ro^ight;^ 
m  one  hit  hcrt^  pitou» 
ly  Crefeidc  hi»  Ladle  fought  i 
iva*  cvit  ill  that  his  hertc  thought^ 
I  now  chat  fo  foil  itiiagining 
ilia  iwis  can  him  no  fcHiog. 
ladies  tke  that  at  this  fc^  bene, 
E  he  fitwc  hi»  ladic  wat  awaie, 
aibrowe  on  *hem  for  to  fejic» 
k  here  on  iniLnmicntis  plaie ; 
hat  of  hii  hcrt  bcrith  the  k^ijc 
9D£,  la  t  chii  wu  hli.  faritiiric, 
wight  Qaould^  mskin  mclodie  : 
J^erc  o*u  hoar  ixt  all  the  dale  ornjgkt, 
t  fr^  there  ai  no  mafi  aiight  him  here^ 
M  lajcd,  O  lovffomc  ladic  bright ! 
re  yc  farin  fiiu  that  ye  were  thcxe  f 
i  twiH  mine  owfie  ladle  dcre  f 
iwaic  !  all  this  a*ai  but  a  ma£e  ; 
his  love  cntcndtd  but  to  glofe. 
ruirs  eke  that  fhc  of  oldi  time 
i  iient  be  would  alooc  ircde 
rid  fithe  atwlxtin  none  and  prime, 
1^  her  0iape  and  woraanhedc 
lis  hcrt,  and  every  wotde  and  dedc 
[id  wss ;  and  thu&  he  drove  to'  aa  ende 
tie  day,  and  thennis  wolde  he  wcnde  j 
ujde:^  here  brothlr  Pindaru&  1 

thou  that  we  dull  here  bylcve 
:don  wol  forth  convey  in  us  ? 
f  it  fair  I  r  that  we  loke  our  Icre ; 

»k>ve  let  ui  now  fone  at  eve 
f,  and  hojiiwarde  let  us  touroe, 
1  n*il  nat  thn*  fojourne. 
tt  anfwcridi  Be  we  comio  bitlier 
io  fire  and  rennin  home  again  i 
\c  me  fo  I  can  nat  teUin  whither 
itia  gnnct  if  I  (hall  fotUy  faioei 
ly  wight  11  of  us  mofi^  faine 
rpcdDti  I  and  if  we  hennis  hie 
i^ililf  1  iiplde  it  vilaoie; 
lac  we  fejdin  we  wouldia  bykve 
n  a  ircke,  and  now  thui  fodsiniy 
tie  day  to  take  of  him  our  levc, 
di  wondrin  on  it  trewely  i 
Ms  forth  OBT  puq^oic  fexznely, 
k  Uist  ye  behightin  him  to'  abide 
wmu4^  aoWf  sad  sfUc  kt  ui  rids. 


Thi»  Pandarufl  with  mcchil  pine  snd  wo 
.  Made  him  to  dwcl;  ^nd  at  the  wek'is  ende 
Of  Sarprdon  thei  tokc  ther  Icve  to  go. 
And  on  ther  way  they  fpedia  hem  to  wccdc 
( Q^od  Troilus)  Now,  Lorde,  mc  grace  fends 
That  t  male  fiodin  at  mine  htimc-conmujig 
Crcicidc  comin,  and  tlu:nrith  gan  he  img* 

Yc  halif  wrid^  thought  ywi»  Paodace!« 
And  u>  him  fejfe  ful  foftily  he  fcide^ 
God  wote  refroidin  may  tliia  Imttc  fare 
£r  Caicas  fcnde  Troilui  Crefeidc  : 
But  neiLcLclTe  he  japid  thus,  and  fdde. 
And  fworc  iwit,  hii  hert  him  wd  behighc 
She  wouldin  come  as  fone  ai  cr  fhc  migJii* 

Whan  the!  unto  the  palcit  were  icomen 
Of  Troilus  thei  doiai  of  hojfe  slight* 
And  to  the  chambrc  ther  waie  have  thd  nomnkea, 
And  unto  time  that  it  gso  to  night 
Thei  fpckin  of  Crcicidc  the  lady  bright. 
And  aft  if  thi»,  wh^n  that  'hem  hothc  Idlc^ 
Thcl  fpcdc  'hero  fro  the  fuppir  unto  reft. 

On  morow'  ai  fone  a$  day  began  to  ckfo 
ThU  Troilusgan  of  hit  flcpc  to'  abreide. 
And  to  Pan  dams  hit  ownc  brothir  done, 
fur  love  nf  Ood,  ful  pitouily  he  ft-rde, 
A*  go  wc  li:nc  the  palci*  of  Crcfcidc, 
For  fens  wc  yet  maic  have  cone  othk-  feft 
So  kt  ni  fcac  her  palciii  at  the  le0  f 

And  thct  withal  hit  meinc  for  to  blcndo 
A  caiife  he  fondc  into  the  toun  to  go. 
And  to  Crefeid*tf  pale  it  they  gone  wends; 
But  Lor^e  !  this  fdy  Troiiui  wai  wa, 
Him  thought  hitforouful  hcrt  braA  atwo^ 
For  when  he  faw  her  dori&  fperrid  all 
Wei  nigh  for  forow'  adoun  he  gan  to  fidi* 

Thcrwith  wiu;n  be  wai  ware*  and  gan  behoM 
How  ihct  wat  every  window  of  the  place, 
A*  frofl  him  thought  hi»  hert  began  to  cold» 
For  whichc  with  chauagid  dedly  pali  fcicc 
Wi  thou  tin  wordc  he  forth  by  giui  to  pace. 
And  as  God  would  he  gsn  fo  fail  lo  ride 
That  no  wight  of  hi*  coantiiiaunee  afpidei. 

Than  faide  he  thiu;  O  paleis  desolate! 
O  hoiif«  «f  houfti  whilom  iye^L  ydigfat ! 
O  paki«  empty  and  fl  '  f 

O  thou  lantemc,  of  ^s  is  the  light | 

O  pikiv whilom  Jay,  l^^,  i..-.*  ^zi  ai^ht! 
Wl!  ought! ft  thou  to  fal  and  I  to  die 
S<!c%  Ihe  i*^  went  that  wont  was  u%  to  gie. 

O  pAlei*  whilom  croune  of  boufis  al ', 
Enluminid  with  fuane  of  ail*:-  bltile, 
O  ring,  of  whiche  the  rsbie  Ib  out  faU  .' 
O  caufe  of  wo  that  caufc  had  ben  of  bl liTe* 
Yet  fens  I  may  no  bet  lainc  wt>uU  1  kiife 
Thy  cold^  dori»,  dujrfl  I  f^r  thii  route ; 
And  farwel  fhrine  of  wluchc  the  laint  it  oat ! 

Thcrwith  he  call  on  Pandarusbisetc 
With  chaungid  fice,  aad  pitoui  to  bcholde^ 
And  whan  he  might  bis  time  aright  afpic 
Ale  at  he  rode  to  Piandaru*  he  loldo 
His  ncwc  forow,  snd  ekiC  hit  joyis  oldc. 
So  pit^uJly,  and  with  fo  dcd  an  hewe» 
That  every  wight  might  on  kk  foc^w  r«wc.. 


39« 


tiOTLUS   AND  CRESETdE. 


Fro thniniRfordt  he riilith  up  and dounc, 
And  fVtry  thinj^  cmnc  Kim  to  rcmcmbraunce 
As  he  lodc  [orth  by  placis  ol  the  totmc 
)  In  whkhc  he  whilom  had  all  hi^pkfawncc; 
l^n  !  yondir  faw  f  mine  ownc  lady  dauncc, 
And  in  that  temple  with  her  eyin  deir 
Mc*  captive  caught  firft  my  fight  lady  dcrc  : 

And  yondJr  have  I  lierdc  ful  luilily 
My  rff^rt  hcrt  Crcfeidc  lauj^h,  and  yondir  plate 
Sawc  I  her  onift  rkc  ful  bliafully, 
Atid  yondir  onis  to  me  gan  (he  faic. 
Now,  godc  fwcte!  Jovith  mc  wci  1  yoo  prayc; 
A^id  yondc  fo  godcly  gan  flic  mc  beholde 
That  to  the  dcth  mine  hcrt  is  to  hcrholdc  : 

And  at  the  cornir  in  the  yondir  houfc 
Hcrdc  1  mine  aldirlcvift  lady  dcre 
60  wonuuily  with  voice  melodioufc 
Singin  fo  wet,  fo  godely  and  fo  clerf « 
.That  in  my  foulc  yet  mc  thmkith  I  here 
Thr  bli^ful  fowoc,  and  in  that  yondir  place 
JAy  l*dy  firft  me  tokc  unto  her  grace. 

Than  tJioughi  he  thus,  O  bltsfuil  Lordc  Cnpide  I 
Whun  I  ehc  proccfTc  have  in  memorie 
f  How  thou  me  haft  weried  on  every  fide 
JArn  might  a  bokc  mnkeof  it  like  a  (Inricj 
What  ncdc  i*  the  to  fckc  on  me  vj^oric 
Sens  1  am  thine  and  wholly  at  thy  will  ? 
What  joy  hat>  ihou  thine  own^  folkc  to  fpill  ? 

Wclhnft  thon,  l.orde,  iwrokeon  mc  thine  ire, 
Thou  mighty  Gud,  and  drcdful  for  to  greve; 
Now  mercy,  L^nrdc !  thou  wnft  wel  I  dcfir^; 
Thy  gr.Lce  mofte  of  all':  luftia  Icvc, 
And  live  and  die  I  wol  in  thy  brieve, 
For  \;  hichc  I  ne*  a(kc  in  guerdon  btit  a  bone. 
That  thou  Crefude  aten  mc  fcnde  font. 
Diftrainin  her  hcrt  as  faft  to  rtturne 
As  ihou  doc  ft  mine  to  longin  her  to  fe. 
Than  wote  I  wel  that  flic  nSl  nae  fojournc  ; 
Now  blisful  Lorde  !  fo  cruil  thoti  nc  be 
Unto  the  blode  of  Troie,  I  prai^  the. 
At  Juno  was  unto  the  blodc  Thcbtuie, 
For  whichc  the  folkc  of  Thcbis  <:aughr  iher  banc. 

And  aftir  thi^i  he  to  the  yatis  wenic 
Ther  sa  Crcfcidc  out  rode  a  full  godt  paai. 
And  up  ;nid  dotin  there  made  he  muny*  a  wcotc, 
Aid  to  Itim  fclfe  ful  oft  he  faid*  AU^ ! 
Fro  heunis  rode  my  blifTc  and  my  tolas  i 
As  would^  bli»ful  Ood  now  for  hi«  joie 
I  might  her  fcne  aycn  comin  to  Troic  I 
And  to  the  yondir  hil  I  giin  her  gidc, 
Alas  '  and  there  I  tokc  of  her  my  Icve, 
And  yondc  I  faw  her  to  her  fathir  rtdci 
For  Ibrow  of  wltJche  mine  heit  (hal  to  clefc, 
And  hithir  home  I  came  whan  it  was  eve, 
Aijd  here  I  dwel,  out  call  from  allr  joic. 
And  Oiatt  til  I  male  fcnc  her  cftc  in  Troic. 

And  of  him  Iclfe  imaginld  he  nftc 
To  bfn  defaitid, pale, and  woitnlcffe 
Than  he  was  wontc»  and  that  men  faidin  foftc 
WHat  may  it  be  ?  who  can  rfacfothe  gtlTc 
Why  Troiluf  hath  al  thi*  hcvincffc  ? 
And  al  thi»  n'ai  l%ii  hii  melancoiic, 
IliM  he  bad  of  him  fcUe  fvchc  fistsfic* 


Aaothir  time  imaginin  he  would 
Th^t  every  fi  iglit  that  went  by  thr  vrcf 
Had  of  him  routhe,  and  that  thci  fato^  f 
I  iim  right  for/TriMlu*  wol  dey : 
And  thus  he  drove  :\  '1  ''■  *  »  f^*-*' 
A*  ye  have  herdc  :  1 
As  he  that  ftodcbctv 

For  whitrh  hmi  likid  in 
Th*  Ltichcfoh  of  his  wo  as  :  ,;ht| 

And  made  a  fongo  of  wordi*  but  a  I'cwc, 
Somwhat  hi<  wolull  hcrttf  for  to  light. 
And  whan  he  was  from  every  mantils  t 
With  fott    voice  he  of  his  lujy  dcrc. 
That  ahfcnt  wn*,  gan  fing  1^  yc  r-    - 

0  ftcrri:!  of  which  1  loft  ha\ 
With  hcrti  fore  wel  ought.!  to  I 
That  cvir  dcrke  in  turmcnt,  nij;' 
Towardc  my  dcth  with  wtnde  I  . 
for  whiche  the  tennith  oight  if  thai  I  Ltle 
The  giding  of  thy  bemit  bright  an  hourc 
My  fliip  and  mc  Carybdis  woU  divc^urt. 

This  fonge  when  he  thus  foiigin  lud  foS* 
He  ^  aicB  into  litis  Cghis  olde, 
And  every  night,  as  wa«  his  wont  to  d0OC| 
He  ftod^  the  bright  mon^  to  beh^He, 
And  ai  his  forowc  he  to  the  monc  tolde. 
And  faid»  Iwin  whan  thotj  art  bornid  pcwc 
f  flml  be  gUd  if  al  the  world  be  trcwc. 

1  fdW  thine  homi<i  olde  elke  V^y  fhnt  mmHW 
Whjin  hennis  rode  my  brJ , 
riiat  caufe  u  of  my  turm^ 
For  wTiich'*,  0  !       '     ^ 
For  love  of  Gi  u-fc. 
For  what  thtnc  im  ffi^ 
Than  Ihal  ihe  lomt* 

Thc  daic  i«  tarTTc 
Than  thci  ben  woni 
And  th:it  the  funne  v 
By  lengir  wiie  than  it  was  wonu  te  g^ 
And  faid»  Iwis  I  drcdc  mr  evrrmrt 
The  funiv*!*  fotitie  P^ 
And  that  hti  fathir^ 

Upon  '!  " 

And  on 

And  to  hi      .  1.,   .  ,j 

Lo  !  yondir  i*  mint  re, 

Or  cllis  yondir  flier 
And  thence  cdmiththis  i 
That  in  my  foiilc  1  fcle  it 

And  hardily  thi*  *■ 
Thus  ftoundtmel** 
U  of  my  ladic- 
I  prcvc  ttthiJ', 
Of  al  thii  toun.  1  ivc 
Fefe  I  no  winde  ih^  [4 

It  faith  Alas  !  why  ' 

Thii  longe  time  \i 
Til  fully  pafhd  was  r 
And  aic  befidc  him  waa  t  h 
That  bcCly  did  allc  hi^  ft;i 
Him  to  comfort  anri 
Ycving  him  hope  al 
That  Qk  ihAl  ctimea  sua  luaun  a|  tm  t£r:^« 


nm^'n  f*:v^<  atiicip^  the  Oreki*  ftrong^, 
fi  a  day  AUf  [  fhc  feidr, 
"  I  wcl  fnaic  ntmc  hcrt*  long 
jf  atii,  itir  now  life  I  to  long  j 
Ii4  I  n£  may  it  not  ainend«f 
f  li  worfc  tKtn  evir  y<rt  1  wcndr. 
■feber  n*il  for  nnthiwg  do  me  grace 
e  nyca  for  At]gh(  I  can  him  qocmc. 
To  be  that  1  my  fcrmL  pace 
jrlrt*^  alris!  fKal  in  hisKcrt  deme 

and  fo  it  maie  wcl  feme  ; 
unthonkf  on  trvery  fide  : 
At-  l>orTic  fo  wclaway  the  ride  ! 
Lfthar  I  mc  pot  in  j*'>)pardte 
awaic  Uj  itigint,  ar.d  it  bcfal 
bt  caught  I  (hal  b<  holde  a  (pic, 
,  1i» :   «lti>  drcde  I  tnoll  of  al, 
:  hondU  fif  fomc  wrriche  f  fai 
but  loft,  al  be  mmt*  hcrte  trcwc  : 
ightj  C*^'d  thd*  on  fiiy  forow  rcwe  I 
wU  iwojcin  wa«  her  bright^  face, 
imtn  lene,  a£  (hc!  thut  ul  tiic  diiit; 
fhio  ihc  duril,  and  lulttd  on  the  j^hct 
bK  V.      '  '  "  !  dwrUid  aycj 

^k  line  bit ; 

E' 

■rr  >  urc. 

Kft  r  dtftrclTe, 

her  iclfi*  iht  went  aic  purt raying 
iln-^  the  ^et<^  worthincflc, 

\y  wvrdi^  r<ecordii>g 
ic  her  loirc  b^-gan  to  fpring; 
c  htr  wofullhert  afire 
hrauccc  of  that  Ibr  gan  dcfirc, 
I  ini-.  world  there  n'ii  lb  cruil  hcrt 
ir  had  herd  complainin  in  her  forow 
'«ld  have  w«rpiti  for  her  painit  fmert ; 
lirly  Ihc  wept  both  eve  and  morow 
"  1  not  no  fete*  for  to  borow  j 
at  yet  the  woril  of  Ai  her  paine, 
I  wight  to  whom  (he  durfl  coinptainc. 
'ftfUy  fhc  iok'id  upon  i'roie, 
e  ttte  touriii  high  and  eke  the  halUs; 
(qu-   '  "        '     plcfauncc  and  the  joic, 
bicf  al  turned  into  ga.1  is, 

htti   M  it!  vtiihin  yondirwaliis! 
Atti:    what  doeft  thou  now?  fhc  fctde  ; 
prhethir  thou  yet  think  tipon  Crcfcide  1 
i!  that  I  nc*iiad  trowed  on  your  lute, 
cut  with  you,  a*  ye  mc  leddc  cr  this* 
^^  I  now  not  fij^hid  halfe  fo  fore : 
nifiht  have  raid  chat  1  had  don  amis 
^~    aie  with  fuchc  one  a»  he  ii  I 
iic  oomirh  the  kduarie 
i  the  corfc  unto  the  gravid  carie* 
j^ii  now  to  fpekc  of  that  matere ; 
'^•-  of  thine  eytn  thre 
ii.it  1  came  here, 
rl  rcmctnbnd  me, 
Ment  time  eke  could  t  wel  yfe, 
twre  time,  er  I  was  in  the  fnarc, 
1  Dot  k^y  tbiit  c»uliib  iMW  my  C2re« 


But  nath"  leiTc,  bctidf  wbat  may  betide, 
I  thai  ct>  morow^  at  night,  by  eft  or  weft. 
Out  of  tliis  hofte  ftek  on  fome  tnanix  Mc, 
And  gon  with  froilus  wtierc  an  hini  Jd>; 
This  purpofe  wol  I  Im' '  '  ^hh  itUcft  j 
No  force  of  wickid  s  He, 

For  er  on  love  havt:  v.    .: id  envic  r 

Fit  who  fo  woi  of  every  worde  tukc  hcd^ 
Or  rulin  him  by  every  wt|rht'ii  wit, 
Nc  fha^l  he  nevlr  tKrivin  out  of  drede^ 
For  tlut  that  fome  men  blumin  cYer  yet 
L'»  ofhir  manir  folkc  commenditi  it; 
And  as  for  me^  for  al  fuche  variaunce 
Fclicitc  ckpc  I  my  fufRfaunre. 

For  whichc,  withoutin  any  wordri  mOp 
To  li  file  I  wol,  a-5  for  concttifumn. 
Bat  God  it  wotc  cr  fully  tnonihia  two 
She  wii!  fiilf<Trcfro  that  entrnciouD, 
For  bothc  Troilu*  and  Troi    toun 
Shall  knotclelTi;  throughout  htxhrrt^  Hide, 
For  fhc  wol  take  a  piirpofe  for  to'  abide. 

rhi%  Diomede  of  whom  !  you  tcl  jpan, 
Goth  liow  within  hioifelfe  a*e  arj^titn^. 
With  ill  ihc  flcij^ht  and  »1  that  et  he  cao^ 
How  he  mate  bcft  with  (bortift  tarying 
Into  his  nettc  Crefeid*ii  hert'  bring; 
To  thi»  cmemc  he  couth-  ncvir  fine  j 
To  !l(hin  her  he  !aidc  out  hoke  and  line. 

But  n:;thelefle  wel  in  brvhtTt  he  tbomght 
That  fhc  n*a*  nat  without  a  lf>ve  in  Troie, 
For  ncvir  fithin  he  her  thcnntjj  brought 
Nc  couthc  he  fene  her  laugh  or  makin  j<ue; 
He  n*ifi  how  befit  her  bf-rt  for  to  aroic. 
But  far  t*  alTf  \  '  -rcveth. 

For  Ht4tai  «,j  -Wt* 

Yctfiiidhctr'  ihiu  irii,..  '.:, 

Now  am  f  nat  a  fole  that  we 

Her  woe  is  for  love  of  a.uoi.  ..   ..  .^..: 

And  hemp  on  tagon  alTaie  her  nowc  ? 
I  niaie  well  wctc  it  n*il  nat  ben  my  prowe. 
For  wife  folkc  inbokiiit  exprelTo, 
Af^/t^al  Mat  t^-wc  a  -wight  in  lnvitteffr. 

But  who  fo  might  ywinnin  fodvc  a  flourr 
Fro  him  for  whom  flie  mournith  nJjht  and  daie 
He  iiiigbt  wel  Ijine  he  were  a  conquer  ourc  ; 
And  right  anone,  as  he  that  bold  was  aie. 
Thought  in  his  hcrt,  happin  what  h^tppin  may. 
At  (hould  I  die  1  wol  her  hertc  fcche, 
t  ibal  no  mor    Iclln  but  my  fpcche. 

This  Diomcdc,  as  boki»  ut  dee'are^ 
Was  in  his  nedis  prcft  and  coragiLou»| 
With  ftcrn    voice,  and  mighty  limmts  fquarCi 
Hardy  and  tcdifc^  ftrong  and  c.hcvaku4i», 
Of  didis  hkc  hi»  fathir  TydtUi; 
And  fome  men  fainc  he  wat  of  tongi  l^RC, 
And  heire  he  vra«  of  Caledr^n  and  Argc. 

Crcfeid*!  incne  ywa»  of  her  ftaturc, 
Therto  of  (hape,  of  face,  and  ckc  of  cbcre» 
There  nc  mightinbcn  nofairircrcturc; 
And  oftin  timisihitwaa  her  mancrc 
To  gone  itrcffid  with  her  heris  dcre 
Dn«n  by  her  colcrc,  at  her  backa  b^hlndc. 
Which  with  a  thrctk  of  ^old  ike  wo»l4  bu»4c* 


And  favc  her  bowla  joynedin  ifcrcr 
There  n*as  no  lackc  in  aught  1  caji  cfpica; 
J  But  for  to  fpckin  of  her  cyin  clcrc, 
W*%Ai  1  truUy  thei  writtln  tluic  her  feien 
[That  paradii  ftode  formed  in  her  cicn, 

And  with  her  richj  beauty  evLrmore 
t  Strove  love  in  her  aie  whkh  of  'hem  wav  more* 

She  fobre  was,  Qmpk,  and  wifl  withall, 
k  The  bell  inoriihid  eltc  that  might  be, 
[And  godcly  of  hct  fpcchc  in  gencraU, 
VCharitAblc,  cft^tcly,  lufty*,  ajid  frfi, 
i'Kc  ncvirmore  oc  UckiJ  her  pite, 
(Tcndrt'henid,  andfliding  rf  cortgc, 
y  But  traily  I  can  nat  tcl  her  age. 

And  Troilus  wcl  woiin  wat  in  highr, 
L  And  complete,  formid  by  proporciourt 
^  80  wcl,  that  KInde  it  naught  amendin  might, 
t  Yong,  frcfh,  and  ftrong^,  and  hardy  ai  lioua, 
L  And  trcwe  as  dele  in  cche  condiciouii, 
[  One  of  the  bed  eDtet<:hid  creattue 
[  That  is  or  flial  while  that  the  world  maic  dure. 

And  certainly  in  f^ory  it  is  fonde 
[That  Troilus  was  nevir  to  no  wighc^ 
[As  in  his  timep  in  no  degre  feconde 
I  In  dnring  do  that  longith  to  a  knigUt ; 
■At  might  a  giaunt  pdlin  him  of  might 
'  His  hert  ale  wit^i  the  firtl  and  with  the  bell 
Stode  peregall  to  dare  done  what  Jitm  left. 

But  for  to  tcUtfl  forthe  of  Dioitiede 
It  &lf  that  aftir  on  the  tennith  daic 
rBcus  that  Crefcidc  out  of  the  dec  yede 
iThia  Diomcdcj  as  frtfti  as  btaunchc  in  Maie» 
|Camc  to  the  tent^  (here  a»  Citchuj  l^ic. 
And  fainid  him  with  Calcha«  have  todone» 
But  whut  he  mcute  I  ihal  you  tellin  (uac, 
Crcfcidtf,  at  (hortc  wordis  for  to  tcl, 
■Wclcofuid  him,  and  doun  him  by  her  frtte, 

~  nd  he  wascthe  inough  to  makin  dwvl ; 
I  And  aftir  thi&«  wtthoutin  longt^  lette, 
iThe  fpids  and  the  wine  men  forth  'hem  fctte» 
nd  forthe  thei  fpeke  of  thi^  and  thai  ifere, 
ks  frcndiK  done,  of  whichc  fume  (halJ  ye  hcre« 
He  gan  firil  fall  in  of  the  warre  i4i  fpeche 
Bctwjxiu  them  and  the  fulke  of  Troie  toun» 
And  of  tir  aiTit^gc  he  gan  ckc  her  befeche 
To  tellin  hiim  what  wa^  her  opininun; 
ft^  that  denuiuadc  he  fo  difceadlth  doun 
To  aJkin  her  if  that  her  ftrauog^  thought 
The  Grckisgifc  and  werkisthat  thei  wrought. 

And  why  her  ^thir  tarylch  fa  long 
To  weddin  her  unto  fomc  worthy  wight  ? 
Cr^i«ide,  that  was  in  her  paini*  (Lrong 
For  love  of  Trollui  her  ownc  knight, 
ik)  ferforth  a%  (he  conning  had  «r  might 
Anfwcrdc  him  thoi  but  a&  of  hi*  entence 
It  femid  that  fhene  wiil  what  be  mentc. 

But  naLhiftelTe  tlii*  ilke  Diotnede 
Gan  00  him  felfc  aflure»  and  thu»  he  feide  ; 
I  If  I  aright  hare  taken  on  you  hcde 
•  %/lc  thinkith  thus  «>  1*^7  ™*°«  Crefcidc  1 
That  fcni  1  firft  bond  on  your  bitdil  Icide, 
When  I  out  camt  oi  Troif:  by  liie  mofow, 
i^eimgJbtltievirXciu;  yooUiiiQ  forow. 


1  can  nat  fain  what  male  'M'  -'"i*-  No, 
But  ii"  for  love  of  fomc  1>  r, 

The  whi;;he  right  fore  wlh  kin 

I'hat  yc  for  any  wight  chat  dweilith  tJs^*e 
Shulden  yfpil  a  quartir  of  a  tcre^ 
Or  pitoufly  your  felvin  So  bcgile» 
For  drcdcleJJie  It  i»  nat  worthe  the  while* 
'  The  folkc  o|  Troie,  a»  who  f^ith  tl 
In  prifon  ben,  a»  you  your  T^Ivin  fe. 

Fro  thennl*  fhaj  nar  one  en  '       ^ 

For  al  the  g«>|dx  atwixiu  ii. 
Truflirb  wcl  thii,  j^nd  and  1  e. 

There  ih^l  n.\t  iHic  to  mwt  'ii«, 

Al  were  he  lord  of  worlds 

Such  wrcch  <m  tJ#m  for  icitmag  oi 
There  flial  be  take,  cr  thsit  wc  bcncki* 
I'hat  Manet,  whiche  thftt  goddi»  btOkj 
Shal  bco  agafl  that  Qr«ki»  wul  *hf>m 
And  men  Ihal  drede  1 
From  hcnnis  lorrhc  t  >e^ 

So  cttiil  (hal  or    ■■■-  nr* 

And  but  if  C  e**! 

That  i*to  fainc,        ..  -   -  - .        -iic, 

Suche  at  men  ckpen  a  word  With  two 
Vis  Chi«l  wel  know  In  that  I  do  nat  Mc, 
And  a  I  ^hi*  thing  right  fcnc  it  a 
And  that  anon,  yc  n'il  nat  trowc 
Now  takith  hcde,  fur  ti  is  for  10  doxu . 

What !  wenin  ye  that  your  wife  fathit 
Have  yevin  Antcnur  for  you  amiD 
If  he  ne  willc  that  the  cite  ihould 
DiHroyid  ben  ?  Why,  nay  i  Co  mole  f 
He  kiiew  ful  wel  there  Hial  oat  fufttll  OM 
That  I'rojan  ih,  and  for  the  grct^  fei^ 
He  durft  nat  that  yc  dwtUidTcngtr  there. 

What  wol  yc  more,  o  lo¥efaaie  l^df 
Let  Troic  and  Trojani  fro  your  bjerte  ptticj 
Drive  out  the  bittir  hope,  and  make  ^odc 
And  depc  a.yen  the  beaute  of  your  face« 
That  yc  with  fjike  terit  fo  de£ace. 
For  Trmc  h  brought  in  fache  a  jeop«rdje 
That  it  to  favc  it  now  00  remedie. 

And  thinkith  wel  yc  ikA  m  Grcku  fioil 
A  lovf  more  parjite,  er  that  it  be  nigittt 
Than  any  Trojan  if,  and  more  kinde. 
And  bet  to  fervin  you  wol  doa  hit  mig^; 
And  if  that  yc  vouchfafc,  my  lady  bright  f 
I  wol  ben  he  to  fcrvin  you  my  fclve. 
Ye,  Icvir  than  be  lordc  of  Greets  twrlre. 

j\hd  with  that  wc»rd  he  gati  to  vi^io  fafc' 
And  ii)  his  fpcchc  a  Util  while  he  quoke. 
And  caft  afide  &  litil  witli  his  heA, 
And  (Linte  a  while,  and  afttrwarde  be  wvk^ 
And  fob  rely  on  hrr  he  threwc  hta  tuk>e. 
And  faidf  I  am,  al  be'  it  to  yoti  oo  |oi€| 
A«  gentk'  a  man  a»  any  wight  in  Triic  f 

For  if  my  f^thir  Tydcu»,  he  feade^ 
llivtd  had,  Lho  1  had  ben  ex  ibt* 
Of  CulJdony'  «nd  Argo  a  king,  Oefci^ 
And  fo  hope  I  th«t  I  ihiil  yet  iwii. 
But  he  wii  fial:i       '     '    '  r    hares  i% 

Unhappily  ai  i 
Poly  sicca  aJid  nj^.i;  ' 


) 


< 


mine!  fithe  that  1  am  your  man, 
the  firft  of  whom  I  fcche  ^ace, 
u  hertcly  as  1  can, 
la]  while  1  to  live  have  fpice, 

I  depart  out  of  thit  place 
grauntiu  that  1  may  eo  morow 

uiir  leil  you  of  my  forow. 

ould  I  tell  hi»  wordis  that  he  feidc  ? 

lough  for  o  dale  at  the  m  eft ; 

wpl  he  f^Jikc  fo  that  Crefeidc 

II  the  morow  at  hit  re(|uc(l 
jKlctn  with  him  at  the  trflr« 
n*oldc  fpckin  of  fuche  mate  re, 

le  to  him  faid,  as  ye  mowe  hcrC| 
bat  had  her  hert  on  Troiliu 
that  none  might  it  arace, 
gely  fhc  fpakc,  and  feidc  ibo*: 
; !  I  loTC  that  like  place 
a  borne,  and  Jovit  of  thy  grace 
fboe  of  al  that  doth  it  care  : 
f  might  fo  levc  it  wcl  to  fare! 
skit  wold  thcr  wrath  on  Troy^  wrcke, 
might,  I  know  it  wcl  iwii; 
naught  befaUin  as  yc  fpcke, 
ofomc ;  and  farthir  ovlr  thii 
^thir  wife  and  rcdy  it, 
e  me  hath  bought,  at  ye  me  tolde, 
m  to  him  the  more  yholde. 
skit  ben  of  high  condictoun 
well,  but  certainc  men  fhidl  finde 
folk 3  within  Troic  touu, 
,  ai  parfitCi  and  eke  as  klndc, 
iviiin  Orcadci  andfndc; 
^couldin  wel  your  lady  fcrwc 

Wcl,  her  thonkc  for  lo  dcfcrvc. 

^kc  of  love,  iwii,  flic  fcide, 

[to  whom  1  wcddid  wat, 

vine  bcrt  wat  al  til  that  he  dctdCi 

pc,  as  hclpc  me  now  Pailat, 

|e  hert  ne  ia  ne  nevir  wa*  ; 

ten  of  noble'  and  hi^h  kinrede 

erde  it  tellin  out  of  drcde. 

^oth  me  to  have  fo  jrrete  a  wonder 
il  rcornin  any  woman  to ; 
fflte  Love  and  I  ben  fcr  afooder ; 
bet,  fo  mote  1  go, 

Il  to  plaine  and  makia  wo; 

iftir  done  I  can  nat  faie^ 

Ket  nvc  lifte  nat  plaic. 
t  DOW  in  tribulacioun, 
iftit  bcfy  dale  by  daie  ; 
len  ye  wonnin  have  the  toim 
ian  to  it  happin  mate 
,ic  that  t  ocvir  ere  faie 
rerke  that  I  ncvir  ere  wrought  j 
I  you  inough  fufiifm  ought. 
ieke  wol  1  fpcke  with  yoti  faine, 
bchin  nought  of  this  matcre, 
you  lift  yc  maic  come  here  againe  i 
^on  thua  muche  I  faie  you  here, 
llai  wi:h  her  hcrt»  clere, 
of  any  Grekehave  routhc 
ijouf  fclvin  by  my  frovitbe* 


[  faie  nat  therfore  that  I  wnl  ytku  love» 
Ne  faie  nat  naie,  but»  in  conclufioun, 

men    wet,  by  God  that  fir  above : 
And  therwithal  fhc  caft  her  cyin  doun, 
A^ndgan  to  figh,and  faidc,  O  Troyt  tounc! 
Ycf  bidde  I  God  in  quiet  and  in  reft 
I  maic  the  fcne,  or  do  mine  hcrt^  brcIL 

But  in  cffe^ilc,  and  (hortcly  for  to  faie, 
This  Diomede  al  frcftily  ncwc  a^aine 
Garj  prcafin  on,  and  faft  her  mercy  praic  ; 
And  aftir  this?,  the  fotSK  for  to  fainc. 
Her  glove  he  tokc,  of  which  he  wa«  ful  filne^ 
And,^  finally,  whan  it  wa*  woxin  cv<f, 
And  al  was  well,  he  rofc  and  rokc  hi*  leve. 

The  bright  Venu»  fotowid  and  aie  taught 
The  waie  there  brodc  Phoebus  dounc  alight 
And  CjrthcTca  her  charc-borfc  o'r  raught 
To  whirtc  into  the  Lioun  if  fhc  might, 
And  Signifcr  hii  candils  Ihcwith  bright, 
Whan  that  Crefeid:  unto  her  bed  wcntc 
Within  herfathir'isfaircbrighte  tentc, 

Retourning  in  her  foulc  aie  up  and  douQ 
The  wordis  of  this  fodaine  Diomede, 
Hii  gret  cftatc,  arid  peril  of  the  t  un, 
And  that  (he  wan  alone,  and  haddJ  ncde 
Of  frcndift  heipe«  and  thu»  began  to  drede 
The  caufis  why,  the  foihc  for  to  tell, 
That  fhc  toke  fully  purpofe  for  to  dwclU 

The  morow  came,  and,  goftty  for  to  fpckc^ 
This  Diometi^  is  come  unto  Crefeidc  ; 
And,  fhortly^lcft  that  yc  my  talf  brekc, 
So  wcl  he  for  hijnfclfin  fpakc  and  feidc 
That  al  her  fjghis  fore  adoun  he  leidc; 
And|  finally,  the  foth^  for  to  fainc. 
He  reft  her  of  the  grctc  of  allc  her  pain. 

And  aftir  this  the  ftory  teUith  ut 
That  ftic  unto  him  yavc  the  fairc  baie  ftcd^ 
The  whiche  fhc  onts  wan  of  Troilujj, 
And  eke  a  brochc  (and  that  was  titll  nede) 
That  Trotlus  wat,  (he  yave  this  Diomede, 
And  ckc  the  bet  from  forowe*  him  to  rcleve 
She  made  hinj  were  a  penccll  "f  her  flevc, 

I  finde  eke  in  the  ftory  eltis  where. 
Whan  through  the  body  hurt  wa&  DiomedCi 
Of  Troiius  tho  weptc  (he  many*  a  tcre, 
Whin  that  fhc  faw  his  wid    wottndis  blcde, 
And  that  fhe  toke  to  keptn  him  gode  hcde» 
And  for  to  helin  him  qf  his  woundis  fmcrte  t 
Men  fainc,  I  n*ot,  that  Ihe  ycvc  him  her  hercsa 

But  trully  the  ftory  tcllith  u» 
There  mad  in  ncvrr  woman  mor)  wo 
Than  ftie  whan  that  (he  falfid  Troiius; 
She  faidc  Alas  !  for  now  is  clenc  ago 
My  name  in  troothe  of  love  for  evirmo. 
For  I  have  falfid  one  the  gcntiUcft 
Th^c  ever  was,  and  one  the  worthteft* 

Alas  !  of  me  unto  the  world*is  ende 

Shall  neithirben  iwrittin  or  ifong  

No  gode  word e,  for  thefc  bokiswoU  me  fliendtf 
Irolltd  (ball  1  ben  on  many*  a  tong, 
Throughout  the  world  my  bell  fhall  be  yrongi 
And  women  moftc  woll  hatin  me  of  all; 
Alas  ihat  iQcUc  a  caM  me  ftiould  bef^  I 


pj^^^                    yftOf^^^fD  CRMIldfl^^                      ^^n 

■       Thei  wtM  C.xu\.  In  ii  nwid^'a*  in  me  ii 

Pa^ftdace  ani;w<i:d,it  nafy-iwl  fwa  oefttls        ^J 

Ihavc  'h.                              I,  wai*v4ic! 

And  fortbyli:t.u&  dilic*I  the  bcledte«                  ^H 

AUIh-I  n^                              1  ^mfi. 

And  aftir  none  th»a  nmik  tJi&u  coiw  «f«iB  ;        VH 

What  litliuiK  li                           '  '^mfi  awaic^ 

And  home  t)^  gp  /i^ttiii>mJillittOfe  Ipecbc,            '    1 

HutfcrsHcih                             -uc. 

And  coniin  aycn ;  hut-  knj?  iw«*e  tJieifocllv             J 

K    Andlhattolat                                u  rut. 

Er  that  thgi  fii                                     10;               ^H 

B   ToDiomcdc  1  ^                              t:* 

Fortune  'hen-                                          jif*.           ^H 

But,  Ti     '                                iiijle. 

(qupdTfi                                   ui.aiW            -^ 

ATkdfcm                                       =id  I, 

h  taryid  wit[; 

g^    Y:t  praic  I  L^„v.  .  .  ^                          L  gude  daif. 

That  tr  fht!>                               wi  be; 

■    Asfor  the  gcmilLLft  ^                   y 

Come  forthc  J                                      <», 

W    ThatcrJfiiWctijr'                       7, 

Thtfc  portir^ 

Andb'cfteanaJ                               ur  l^pc^ 

And  I  wolj  tlutai   h*m  1 

(Audwithlhpi                              Anont&wqiqJ        1 

A*naudM  lie  w«C|  *lthi 

The  daic  ^^  M  *  aj  1 1 1                    ^  aau  c«r. 

Arid  t-t  -;                   luiUL  IlwU  I  iitycf. 

Alid  frcij                       It  ftiall  yc  hayc  aimc. 

And  yet  came  not  to  Tn                     Ic; 

And  my  ;                      ^    ^^      '  n  \[v\u  cvct| 

He  Icrkitli.  f^^r '    '      '     '                                  vc^ 

And  tru  : 

And  ferrc  hr                                                     , 

For  to  ft;: 

And  at  the  1 

And  gilt  1                             1  )Mjukvc; 

By  God  I  wv- 

And  ail  l!                              i  t  ikc  I  my  JcfCi 

Almuflt  it»*i^ 

But  in                                                  c 

Now,.dt»hi  1 

That  flic  :                                              c                    1 

1  wotc  fhc  coi 

There  19  nufic                               l  J  wcnc. 

I  common di a 4itir  \                     Jumchitdei^ 

TiUtccTcry.il- :  w  htdc 

She  woll  n:u  ti:a^M                     ly 

He  fhall  no  tcrni^  imdm  vvi  t-i  drcdc, 

Gaure  on  her  whi;                                       If 

For  though  that  he  hcgan  to  wowe  her  fane^          1 

Ey  Qi^tiotQ  the  E 

Er  he  her        -  ^^           ^    -    r-ore  to  done. 

Andjdcre  bi'  r-                v^  «ai  lung  loatiidek 

Nc  m.                                       n  chide 

We  have  i                      fey  ro^OEO^visi 

Fenhii  ih-.. '^' viic; 

^Ind  P^daffu., .    ..  •  i  f  ''• '"— ^mtne. 

Htr  name, alas  t  a  \ 

Have  here  mj  trouth  1  1                      i  (he  k: 

That  for  her  gilt  it  ^    ^              ^        ihlir  j 

Hcve  up  thiivctyiit  nu                       .hi  ii*t  It? 

And  ii  I  might  cxcuic  her  in  iumc  wiTc^ 

Pandare  anfwirid                                                           ] 

For  Ihc  fo  fofic  was  lor  her  umromh^* 

All  wrong  by  Gt-^'                                         ^^  :           J 

L      Jwis  I  would  <xcufch«r  yet  iot  routhf.^ 

Ihatlfcyo!                      »•  but  A  tajrt*.                     1 

B          Thii.  Tfoiius  a»  1  hJure  have  told. 

Ala*!  ihuii                    f.*h*,  (fimMLTmiM     J 

Thurdrivith  i      "            Ua  he  hath  migtt. 

But  hardily  It  u!j<                                                 ^fl 

B -t  oftin  wa^                      tc  and  cold. 

That  [njSniiit  h<ri                              l.vs^            ^^| 

■  '     And  narr  '-                         ^  he  night 

Itjsaycntlibn^g,                             "g^         ^H 

B      Whichc                                I'tc  hid  him  bchi^t 

N*ot  I  n:it  hoiVyi>vi                             vvroitxbt      ^^H 

B      To  com'.                                 TnJ!  Ilitlc  relt 

He  felt  I  r>«he  a  c                                               M 

I     H:ui  he  T                                              h.m  left. 

She  cDmeth  ta  v'^:,                                        >  by.  ^^H 

B          The  i                                                  ibetfi 

PaniJUr«  ii\C,mi<                                   '"^l^^^l 

B      Caninhiaipol                                        lgi 

And  helde  with  him  o^«i^  tliat  cr  he  i4i^flB^^| 

1      Towarmeof                                         c. 

But  in  hi^berte  ho  thtiughl,  an4  tuH  ^«i8|^^| 

And  to  himltlf  full  (obirjy  he  faitd*.         ^^^H 

Whan  "i 

From  haatw94dQ,  there  juiy  K4bia  lOak^,     ^H 

And  on  it  c  v.                                        '     ' :, 

Shall  come  all  th.'                    aMiftJl«a^^^^| 

To  loKc  if  th. 

Ve,  farwtll  all  t}                      Icrn^  r«f^^^^| 

TfllTt  wa*  :                              .  ....w 

The  wardein  £?i                      ■-  *-  r-'^^^^^^^B 

%Vho  that  tht:                               y  manir  wigl^t 

The  folke  which  ^                                         "'^^^f^l 

1*    That  cimc  fiv                              -rwi^lht:. 

And  badd^-hctn  1                                             ^^| 

Till  that  fhe>                                           -ht: 

Or  all  the  ni^ht  1 1                                                ^^M 

Now  was  hii                                          g^t; 

^ud  fcrre  widiin  t                                       *  ^d^^f 

And  ihti 

Thi»  Troilus  gan  Ufun W4ril  lf>ff  to  ti>:   .             ^^M 

About  ri                                               ifC^. 

For  well  he  kn\\  it  hdpith  nai  to"  "  s  ^  .  ^^^H 

To  Panda.                                         eg 

But                                                       '-^^^^l 

For  aupht  1  %\ 

j^^H 

Julr   -*     -  '-  -'■                                            '      VMvi.Je» 

,  ^^^H 

St.                                            Iv 

^^^^1 

To  ....,„,„  ;.....  ..>.    .„                    irowe  I  ? 

shcf^u,,   „ ..                   '-^^M 

Hcrolde  fathir  woU  yet                       nc 

Er  that  the  moue,  i*  m  .                                        ^H 

Kr  that  (be  go;  Gt>d]rcv.                  p  ix  1 

B                  ^ 

Tht  Lion  pallc  out  of  ti                                  ^^| 

TROlLtJS  AND   ckistrDH. 


Iilclir  f>ii-  maic  yet  hold  all  her  bchcfl; 

wc  to  the  yatc  he  went, 

u:,  by  weft  and  <kc  by  cd, 
B  wiJUs  nuide  hii  rhiny'  a  wciu  j 
ff  naught ;  hj&  hope  ulwny  him  btenf, 
:h  uc  tifght  in  forow  and  fishes  fore 
him  home  witlnptin  aiiy  more, 
*'    '        vit  of  his  hcrt£  flcddc» 
vv  I^iigir  for  to  hong, 
-'^■t  hit  hcrte  bitdd, 

1  wondir  ftrong, 
-iz'odcfo  long 
lit  what  he  judgin  of  it  mig^ht, 
hn:fi  fcrokip  thai  flic  him  bchtcht. 

fouxth,  the  fiftc,  andvthc  firt,  daic 

:  imc  of  wrhichc  I  told, 
lioj  c  ;uid  dredc  his  hcrtd  laic, 
ivhat  rruiling  on  her  heftis  old ; 
n  he  fuwe  (he  n*oIde  her  tcmiis  faold 
OW  fcnc  Done  othir  rcmcdie 
ilfiapin  him  fonc  for  to  die, 
rith  the  wickid  fpint,  God  us  blcflc  ! 
hat  men  clcpin  the  wodc  jAloufic, 
im  crcpc  In  all  thii  hcvmefTef 
rlip  hicaufc  he  wouldm  fon^  die 
ne  drofikc  for  his  mebircoHc, 
from  every  compaole  he  flcdde  j 
I  the  life  that  all  thii  time  he  leddc 
dtfaiie  waithat  nomanir  man 
k  him  might  knowin  there  he  went, 
c  IcDc  iijid  therto  p:kle  and  wan» 
'.t!::tr  hr  waikiih  by  potent, 

]it  thuft  himftllin  fJicnt ; 

r<jm  whcrof  him  Ihicrtc, 
his  harmc  was  all  about  his  hcixe, 
full  oft,  and  eke  his  noothir  dcrc, 
ttifee  ^nd  hii  fullrin,  gan  him  frain 
^■wifull  was  in  allliis  chire, 
^Kiig  was  the  eaufe  o/al  hie  pain  ? 
Hpught  i  he  n'oide  hU  cauf^  plaio^ 
^R  felt  a  grcvons  maladic 
ijhertc,  and  fain  he  wouldc  die. 
I  Julc  lie  bic  him  douneto  llt-pc, 

.it  in  (Icpe  him  thotight 

111  he  walked  to  wcpc 
oi  Let  that  him  thclc  paiiii&  wrought, 
►nd  doiine  as  lie  that  forrft  fuught 

;  bore  with  luCki*  grctc 
the  bright  funn'is  hetc; 
y  fj..>  i«  J  re,  fail  in  her  aj-niisfold, 
ng  aie  hi»  ladic  bright  Creftidc, 
A  r'  *,f  whiche,  wlian  he  it  gan  behold, 
It  of  hi»lli?pc  he  breide, 

cd  on  Pand.4m.%and  fcide, 
ru»i  now  knowc  I  crop  and  rute 
•^r  d^^tde  ;  there  n'ii  none  othir  bote. 

•  %  Crefcide,  hath  me  bctraide, 
mojfte  of  any  wipht ; 
,   '      {  .      ■.*,',• 

might 

my  dr emc  Crtkidc  have  1  bcholde, 
I  thing  to  Fandarui  bc*loidc* 


O  my  Crefelde  !  alas  !  what  fubtnte^ 
What  ncwc  luft,  what  beaute,  what  fcicnce. 
What  wrarhe  of  jufte  caufe  have  yc  unto  me  t 
Wli^tgilt  of  me,  whatfctl  cxpcrienre^ 
Hath  fro  me  raftc,  aliJt  \  thine  adverttucc  ? 

0  tniR  !  o  fatthc  '  quod  he',o  depe  afTurauoce ! 
Who  hath  me  rafte  Crefetde,  all  my  plefiunce? 

Alas  I  why  let  I  her  from  hennis  go  ? 
For  whichc  well  nigb  out  of  my  wit  I  brcidc  j 
Who  (hall  now  tro\s'f  ^"  ^^'     *'ns  mo  ? 
God  wore  I  wcudc*  o  .  Crtfcide ! 

That  every  wi-rdc  wu  ;,^    i    ..  -^at  yc  fctdc  ; 
But  who  maic  bet  bcgitc  if  that  him  lift^ 
Than  he  on  whom  men  wenin  bell  to  criH  f 

What  (hnll  t  doen,my  Pandaru^  f  alas! 

1  fclin  now  fo  (harpe  a  newc^  pain, 

Seas  that  there  ti  no  remedy'  in  this  eaas. 
That  bet  were  it  I  with  mine  hondis  twfkiii 
My  I'd V in  flowc  than  alwalc  thus  to  plain. 


Far  through  the  deth  my  wo  fliuld  have  an  codf^ 

Temv  fclf 

Piindarc  aufwcrde  and  faid,  Alas  the  while 


There  every  daic  with  life  my  fclf  1  fhcndiN 


That  1  was  borne  [  Have  1  nat  faicd  vr  thia 
That  dremtA  many*  a  manir  man  begiic  f 
And  why  ?  for  folkc  cxpoandiQ  'herii  amis  r 
How  darf!  thou  fain  thM  falTc  thy  ladie  is 
For  any  dremc  ?  right  for  thine  own<*  drede 
Let  be  this  thought ;  thou  eanft  no  drcmis  rtde^ 

Pariviiiture  there  thou  dreraed  of  thitfi^re 
It  maie  fo  be  that  it  maic  fign^ie  * 

Her  fathir,  whichc  that  old  i»  and  eke  hore« 
Aycn  the  lunnc  lylth  on  poiji<^  to  die. 
And  111,-'  fur  ritirovvc  ginnith  wepe  and  cric. 
And  LifUth  him,  there  he  Hcth  on  the  grouirdg 
Thus  {huldill  thou  thy  dreme  aright  expound. 

How  might  1  than  dom  (quod  Troijus) 
To  ktiowe  of  thi»|  yea,  were ncvir  fo  lite  ? 
Now  faicfl  thou  wifely,  (quod  thii  Pandarusi) 
My  rcdy  is  this,  frtti  thou  canft  well  endite. 
That  haftily  a  lc(tir  thou  her  write, 
Thorough  which  thou  (hajt  wcl  bring  in  about 
Tukuowc  a  loth  uf  that  tiiouart  in  dout* 

And  fc  nuw  why;  for  this  1  dare  well  faia. 
That  if  fo  istliat  (nc  untrue  ybc 
1  can  not  trowe  that  fhe  woll  write  again; 
And  if  fhe  write  thou  flialt  full  foQC  lie 
As  whcthir  Hie  hath  any  libcrte 
*Vo  eome  ayen,  or  ellis  in  fome  claufc 
If  Ihe  be  let  fiie  wol  afTigne  a  caufe* 

Thuu  hal  not  wrtttin  to  her  fens  (he  wentg 
Nor  flic  to  the ;  und  thi*;  1  durft  welc  laic, 
There  maic  fochc  cauf^  ben  in  her  cnteot 
That  hardily  thou  v.olt  thy  fcl^Ln  faic 
That  her  abode  tlie  bed  is  for  you  twaic  : 
Now  writf  her  than^  and  thou  (halt  fietc  fon^ 
A  foth  of  all ;  there  is  no  more  to  done 

Acofdid  ben  to  thli  coneluftoun. 
And  that  anon,  thclc  ilkc  lordi*  two» 
And  ha  Oily  fat  Trollus  adoun, 
And  rotlith  In  hi§  hertd  to  and  ho 
How  he  maie  bcft  difcrivin  her  hi*  wo, 
And  to  Crcfcidc  his  ownc  ladic  dcrc 
He  wrote  right  thus,  and  faid  af  ye  maie  hno^ 
(f-^  i| 


TROILUS  AKD   CRESEIDE. 


MAK 


I 


I 


I 


I 


Rii 
■      De 

>     An 

m 


7U  cc^e  eftU  letitr* 

Right  frefli  flour,  whofe  t  have  af  e  ben  antj  (hallf 
Withoutin  part  of  ellifw^icrc  fervifc, 
With  hcrtc  and  bodit,  life,  luft,  thought,  and  all, 
1  wofuU  wight » in  every  humble  wile 
That  tong  can  teU  or  hcrte  maic  dcvifc. 
At  oft  a&  mattir  occupyith  place. 
Me  rccocnmaunde  tuito  your  nablc  grace. 

Likith  it  you  to  wctin,  fwct^  hcrtc  ! 
As  ye  well  knowin,  how  long  time  agon 
That  jc  mc  left  in  afprc  paints  fnuTte, 
Whan  that  ye  wentin,  of  whtchc  yet  bote  noo 
Have  I  non  had,  but  cvir  worfcbigoR 
Fro  daie  to  daie  am  I,  and  fo  mote  dwell 
'While  it  you  liA«  of  wcic  and  wo  my  well. 

For  whiche  to  you  with  drcdcfull  herte  true 
1  writc^ai  he  that  forowc  drivcth  to  write. 
My  woi  that  tifcry  hourc  cncrciith  ncwc, 
Complaining  at  1  dare  or  can  ciidite  ; 
And  that  dcfacid  is  that  maie  ye  wire 
The  tcrii  which  that  from  mine  eyio  rain. 
That  wuldin  fpeke  if  that  thci  duHl  and  pluxu 

You  firfl  bcfeche  I  that  your  cyin  clerc 
To  lok£  on  this  dtfoulid  yc  nat  hold. 
And  ore  all  thi!»  that  ye  my  ladic  dere 
WoU  Youchfafin  this  Icttir  to  behold. 
And  by  the  caufe  ckc  of  my  caris  cold. 
That  Haeth  my  wit,  if  aught  amis  mc  flcrtc 
Forycvith  it  mc,  mine  ownc  fwct^  hcrtc  ! 

If  any  fervaunt  dortl  or  ought  of  right 
Upon  hi&  ladie  pitouQy  complain, 
Than  wcne  I  that  1  ou^ht  to  be  that  wight, 
Coafidrid  thii>  that  yc  thcfe  monthit  twaia 
Have  taricd  there  yc  faldin,  fothc  to  fain, 
But  tcnnc  dayit  ye  n'ulde  in  hofle  fojoume, 
But  in  two  monethia  yet  yc  not  rctoumc. 

But  for  a*  mochc  a%  mc  mote  ncdi^  like 
AU  that  yoti  lift  I  dare  oat  planin  more. 
But  humbly  with  forowfoll  Oghis  fikc 
Vou  write  I  mine  unredic  forriwcs  fore, 
r'ro  daic  to  daie  de firing  cvirmorc 
To  knowin  fully,  if  your  wiU  it  were. 
How  ye  have  fared  and  don  while  yc  be  there  ; 

The  whofe  welfare  and  hele  eke  God  cncrcCc 
In  honour  fochr,  that  upward  in  dcgre 
It  growe  alwaic,  fo  that  it  ncvir  cefe ; 
Right  at  your  hcrtc  aic  can,  my  ladte  fw, 
Dcvifc,  I  pralc  to  God  fo  mote  it  be. 
And  jgnutit  it  that  yc  fone  upon  mc  rcwc» 
"^1  Wifely  a»  In  all  Tarn  to  yon  true. 

And  if  you  likith  knewiu  of  the  fare 

r  mc,  whofe  wo  there  ijiaie  no  wtght  difcrivc, 
I  can  nn  more*  but  chefl  of  cir<:ry  care. 
At  wtnUing  of  rhi«  Icttir  I' am  on  live, 
All  rcdy  out  of  my  wofujlj^holl  to  drivr, 
Whiche  T  dcl.iic  and  htttdc  him  yt^  in  honde 
V\\oXi  the  n^ht  of  mattir  of  yuur  fonde. 

Mine  eyij;  two,  in  vain  with  whiche  I  fc. 
Of  furowfutl  tores  fah  ^r^  voiin  wcllis. 
My  fung  in  plaint  of  mine  bdverficc. 
My  gode  in  harmc,  mine  ct:t  t-k:  w*oiin  hcl  it, 
My  joie  Ui  ,wd  %  I  tioi  fey  now  uui^ht  ctU» 


a 


But  tournid  is,  for  whiche  mj  life  1  wiric^ 
Every  joie  or  cfe  in  hia  contiarie  ; 

Which  with  your  coming  home  ty  en  to  Trvy 
Ye  male  rcdrcUe,  and  more  a  tboofjJldc  iitbt 
Than  er  1  had  en  ere  (fin  in  me  joic, 
F*  r  was  tlicre  nevir  hcrt    yet  fo  blythe 
To  have  hi*  life  as  1  (hali  ben  av  fwithe 
A*  J  you  fe,  and  though  no  manir  routbe 
Can  mcvin  you,  yet  thiukith  on  yo«r  tront&e. 

And  if  fo  be  my  gilt  hath  deth  dcfcxred. 
Or  if  you  lifl  no  more  upon  me  fe^ 
In  guerdon  yet  of  that  I  have  you  (crvcd 
Bclcchc  1  you,  mine  owni  Ladic  fre 
That  hereupon  you  wouldio  write  to  nic 
For  love  of  Jovif ,  my  right  lode  (Lerre, 
That  deth  maic  make  an  end  of  al  my  wcrrc 

If  othir  caufc  aught  docth  you  for  to  dwd* 
That  with  your  kttir  yc  me  rccomfori. 
For  though  to  mc  your  abfence  is  an  hell. 
With  pacicxure  I  woli  my  wo  contfort. 
And  with  your  letter*  of  hope  I  wolt  difport 
Now  writith,  fwete  f  and  let  me  thu*  tilt 
With  hope  or  deth  delivereth  mc  fro  p«itt. 

Iwi%  mine  owue  dcre  herte  true! 
I  wot  that  whan  ye  neit  upon  racfc. 
So  loft  have  I  mine  hclc  acd  ckc  miac  hemt^ 
Crcftide  Oiall  not  connc  tho  knowin 
Iwis,  mine  hcrt'it  daie,  my  tadie  fre  ! 
So  thurftith  aic  mine  hert^  to  behold 
Your  bcaute  thiit  unncth  my  life  1  hold, 

I  faie  no  more,  all  have  1  for  to  fey 
To  you  well  more  than  that  I  tcUin  maie ; 
But  whctliir  that  ye  doe  me  live  ordey 
Yet  praic  I  God  fo  yeve  you  right  gode  dak : 
And  farith  well,   thou  godely  faire  frrfte  Mli«7 
A^  ye  that  life  or  deth  mc  maie  commaundc, 
And  to  your  trouth  aic  I  me  recomniatuide. 

With  hclc  foche,  that  but  ye  yevin  me 
The  famio  hclc  1  fliall  non  helc  yhave  t 
In  you  lieth,  whan  you  lift  that  it  fo  be. 
The  daie  in  whiche  mc  cluthio  ftiall  my  gfWfeii 
And  in  you  my  life*  in  you  might  to  Ctvc 
Mc  fro  difefe  of  all  my  paints  fnicite  : 
And  farith  now  wcte,  myne  owe  dcre  fwetc 


This  fcttlr  forthe  wai  font  unto  Cncfcidcc 
Of  whiche  her  anfwere  in  eifc*fi  was  thijj 
Full  pitoufly  ihc  wrote  aycn,  and  fcide, 
l'h.it  all  fo  fane  a*  (he  n^ight  iwi* 
She  would  come,  and  amende  that  waaaau* 
And,  finally,  flic  wrote  and  fa)^d  then 
She  would  ycome,  ye,  but  fhc  n*itl  not  wl«a. 

But  in  her  Icttir  madiji  fhc  I'    '      '    ' 
Thaf  wontlir  wa*,  and  fwort  im  beA, 

Olvhiclit  he  found  but  boto»kiu>  ^.ir,T»i^*. 
Biit\  Troilus  thou  maicft  now  caft  aad  w^ 
Pipe  in  an  iviv  Itfc  if  that  the  left  : 
Tbu&  goth  the  ivnrld ;  Gud  fhtld  us  fro  imfchid 
And  every  wight  that  menith  trouth  avaafi^l 

Kncrefin  gan  tli*  wo  fro  daic  to  night 
Of  Tr6iluft  Fci-  taiTing  of  Crcfcidc, 


TUOILUS    AND    CRESEIDE. 


hii  h<tpe  uid  ek  his  nughr, 
al  doun  he  in  hiibcddc  him  Icidc; 
troiike,  nc  flcpi,  dc  worde  icide» 
le  ihxt  fhc  WAS  uokicdc, 
^cli  otghbe  wert  out  of  hi«  inin4» 
nc  af  whichc  1  rold  haw  ckc  befornc 
come  out  of  hU  rtmcoibrsixnic  i 
aie  welt  he  had  his  ladic  lorn, 
ivis  of  his  hie  purvtiauncc 
1  had  in  flcpe  the  ll^nifiauace 
3adi  ftnd  his  di&Timurc, 
e  bore  wa&  (hewed  htm  in  6gure| 
he  he  for  Sjbf  lie  hi*  fuftir  fcut, 
,wa*  Callwjdrc'  eke  all  abimt> 
Idrrme  he  told  her  cr  he  flent, 
hughi  a0biUn  him  the  douht 
■  bore  with  all  hi»tulkU  ftout; 
^irithtn  a  Util  floundc 
tti  gall  thu»  hii  dreme  expound, 
rft  fmilc,  afid  faid,  O  brothir  dcre  I 
the  of  thi«  deOrell  to  knowe 
a  fewc  of  old^  flories  here, 
how  that  Fortune  ovirthrrtvrc 
old,  through  which  wiihin  a  throw 
bore  well  know,  uid  of  what  kiode 
in  bokis  fittde. 

!he  that  wrothc  was  and  in  ire, 

"idc  doin  her  Cicrificc, 
Ihcr  altar  fci  on  fire, 

frekii  ^n  her  fu  difpifo 
awondir  cruill  wtfc, 
e  as  grete  as  oie  in  Aall 

/rcte  ther  cnrne  and  vinis  all, 

Bl»ore  was  all  tkc  countnc  rcifed, 
the  there  came  thi*  bore  to  fc 
^  this  wrrldt  the  bfft  ipraifcd; 
r,  lorde  of  that  couotre, 
u»  frclh^  maid  in  fre, 
nranhodc  er  he  would^  ftent 
loitgh,  and  her  the  lied  he  fcnt, 
Rs  ifldi  bokii  tcMin  ua, 
ubontcke  and  a  grctc  cnvi<; 
fcf '     '  "     '  t  Tydcu* 
ti:  li%lie; 

,.-.  ipian  to  die, 
mothir,  wt4i  I  you  not  tcH, 
it  wtTin  fur  to  dwell. 
■  how  TydeUA  er  fhc  (Icttt, 
Ige  cite  of  Thebei 
ngdome  of  the  cite)  went 
Dan  P«>lyi»iec-iij 
brofUirP  *  > 

lyofThcl  Irength; 

by  pUHTciic  a)!  Li;,   .ciij^th, 

ht>w  Hcmnudts,  iifleric 

K]0tJjHifiir..-1:.n   .1,.;      ItlUtCj 

ftll  u  i  •jric, 

I  {c\u.  I  r  rout 

t  dte  all  aboutc, 
lie  ferp<'nt,ftnd  the^dl, 
^  ■]!. 


4«i 


^grtut  l^tt  Xeges  imtuniit  prsVia/epttm^ 

O'Rs'0* iMtiiJt  Tydftit,//^tfVii4  J^tUJ^um, 

Fui^niitt  pmvffu^  idtidm0  CapaMem/ufrrMvr^ 

UndtcLm^ftfe  p€rimiu4  per  ^vUtraJratrtf^ 

Ar^ivmjltntem  mmrrMt  dtunitHMt^  X^  iyntm. 

Of  Arcamoric's burying  and  the  plalcs, 
And  how  ^iphiaraufr  hli  through  tlie  grouodei 
Huw  rydeu»  w%s  flain,  Lord  of  Argeieik, 
And  how  HipomeMon  in  a  litil  ftounde 
Was  drcint,  and  dedde  Parthenopc  of  wound. 
And  alfo  how  Capancut  the  proudc 
With  thonder  dint  was  fiain.  tlut  cryd  loudc* 

She  gan  eke  tell  him  how  that  cithlrbrotheri 
£teocles  and  Polynicc  aUo, 
At  a  fcaxmifhe  eche  of  *hcni  ilough  the  Other, 
And  of  Argivii  weping  and  thcr  mo,  , 

And  how  the  toun  was  brent  (he  told  ckc  I 
And  tho  difccndid  doune  from  jcl^it  old 
Tu  Diomede,  and  thus  Hie  fpakc  and  told: 

Thj»  ilkf^  bore  bciokcnith  Diomcde* 
Tydcu*  fonne,  that  doone  diTcrndid  it 
Fro  Mclc*ager»  that  made  the  bore  to  blede, 
And  thy  ladie,  where  fo  (he  be  iwi«, 
i  his  Diomcdc  her  hcrte  hath  and  fhc  his : 
Wepc  if  thou  wolt  or  Icve,  for  out  of  dout 
1  hi£  Piomedc  is  in  and  thou  art  out. 

rhuu  faicft  nat  fothc,  (quod  lie)  thou  rorcercfle, 
With  all  thyfalft  ghoft  of  prophecie; 
Thou  wcDitl  ben  a  grctc  dcvincreffc. 
Now  fceft  thou  nat  this  folc  of  fanuQe 
Pmin  her  upon  ladic^  for  to  lie  : 
Awaie,  (quod  he)  there  Jovisycvc  the  forowc  ! 
Thou  Ihalt  be  fals  para'vcnturc  cr  to  niorow. 

A«  well  thou  mightid  lien  on  gode  Alceilcp 
Tliat  wa»  of  all  crcturii  (but  men  lie) 
ThEit  cvtr  wcrin  kindill  and  the  beftc, 
For  whan  her  hufbonde  wai  in  Jeopai di« 
To  die  himrdf,  but  if  fhc  wouldc  die. 
She  chcfe  for  him  to  die  and  gon  to  heU, 
And  ftarfc  anon,  as  us  the  bokisiclh 

Caffandre  gocth ;  and  he  with  cruill  hertc 
Foryatc  hi»  wo  for  angrc  of  her  fpechc. 
And  fro  hia  bcdde  all  fodainly  he  ilcrte^ 
As  though  all  whole  him  had  Iniade  a  kche. 
And  daic  by  duie  he  gan  enquire  and  fcthe 
A  fothc  of  this  with  all  bU  brfy  cure  ; 
And  thus  he  drivith  fonhe  hU  aTinturc. 

Fov  ■'  '  he  that  the  pcrmutacjon 

Of  all  n,  as  it  if  her  commtticd 

Throu-ii  jiiit  ¥L  irfiiLice  and  dirpoAcion 
Of  high  Jove,  as  re  ignis  fliuU  ben  ytlittcd 
Fto  folk  lo  folV.,  or  whan  rhci  fhal  ben  fmittedi 
Gao  pull  awaic  the  fcthir*  bright  of  Trojc 
Fro  daic  to  date,  till  thci  bc«  bare  of  joic, 

EmoDg  all  thi^  the  fine  of  the*  jcopardic 
Of  Hfdlor  gan  approi^htn  wondir  blivi.'« 
The  Fati&  would  his  foule  Oioutd  u»bodiC| 
And  fhap in  had  a  mcnc  it  nut  to  drive, 
AycQil  ijfhithe  fitc  him  helpith  not  tu  flriTf| 
C  c    irj 


But  on  ^  dxie  to  fightlu  p^n  he  wcndc, 
At  whichc,  alas  t  tic  caught  his  iU*i*  cndc  : 

For  wKiche  mc  thliiklth  circry  uianJr  wight 
*rhj,t  hauntiih  aTTnii  onghttn  to  bewallc 
The  detb  of  him  that  was  To  noble*  a  knight, 
por  as  he  drongh  a  Vmg  by  th*  avcnfallc, 
ILJnware  af  this  Achilles  tliiough  the  mailc 
And  ihroiigh  the  ^    '  -     "-^  him  for  to  rivc. 
And  thcs  ihc  vnr'  was  reft  of  live  ( 

For  whom,  as  uiv    ullin  un, 

Wai  mtdc  loch  wo  that  tofiz  it  maie  nat  tel, 
Jiiid  namily  the  forowc*  of  T roiltts, 
That  next  biniwa&of  woathitJcffe  the  wtil, 
And  in  tide  wo  gan  Trojlua  to  dwell, 
ThM  what  for  foruwc,  love,  atid  for  unrcft, 
Full  oft  a  daie  he  had  Ju*  hcrtc  brtft» 

But  natiiclcfTi:  though  he  gon  him  difpairc, 
And  dreJe  air  that  hi*  lafTie  was  UDtrue, 
I  Yet  aicon  h' '  'm^  f  *  r*  -  .^^n  rcp:iirc, 
ind»  as  the  fought  ixxt  ncwc 

To  get  aycii  *  „   '  ofhcwc, 

"  nd  ill  hl«  hcric  be  went  her  exciiGng, 
hat  Cslchas  cauiM  ail  her  tarying. 
And  oftin  time  he  was  in  purpofc  grctc 
lim  fclviJl  like  1  pilgrim  to  difgtfe 
To  fen c  her ;  but  he  htaie  not  countf  rfctc 
To  ben  unknowcn  of  fulke  that  wcr'rn  wife, 
4c  findc  cxqifc  aright  that  maic  fuflice, 
If  he  among  the  Grcki^knowin  were, 
Por  whithc  he  wept  ftill  oft  many  a  tcrc. 

To  her  he  wrote  yet  oftin  tinae  all  newc 
full  pitouf^y.hc  left  it  nat  forllouthc, 
|Befeching  ber,  ftthitu  that  he  wa*  truc» 
^hat  (he  would  come  ay  en  aitd  hold  her  irouth  ; 
For  wbichc  Crefeidc  upon  a  daie  for  routh, 
1  take  it  To^  touching  all  this  matter e 
Trot  I   '  ,  and  faicd  as  ye  maie  here  : 

Cui  ,  mfamplc*  of  godttihede, 

I  Jk\L  'l-^^.n!f^.roursof  r""*'^^-^^-! 

iow  turmcnt  ai  , 

^nd  I'  .  ^  im  aft  ytt  g\  ■■'■  ■  ..l  r 

|1  hcrtileffc,  t  iicke.  1  in  diftrctTt, 

ens  yc  with  mc  nor  I  with  you  male  dcl^ 
Tou  neithir  fendc  I  maic  nt  hcrtc  nc  hctc. 
Your  lettirs  full  the  papir  all  ipUimcd 
.Conmicvid  harin  myoe  hcrt'i*  pite  ; 
m%  have  eke  fcnc  with  tcrj$  all  depainted 
^Tour  Icttir,  and  how  ye  requirin  mc 
^  To  come  aycn,  whichc  yet  nc  maie  not  he, 
TBut  why,  left  dat  this  Icttir  foundin  were, 
>Jo  mcncioun  nc  make  (  now  fotfcrc, 

Grcvotii  to  mc  (God  wote)  1*  your  unrcft, 
Yotr  haft,  and  that  the  goddis  ordinacncc 
It  fcmJch  nat  ye  take  ii  for  the  heft, 
'  Kor  othir  thing  n*is  In  yoyr  remcnibrauncc 
rA*  thinkith  mc,  but  onely  your  plefaunec ; 
r^tbeth  tjat  wroth,  und  thit  1  y^ou  bcftche, 
l^or  Uvat  I  tatic*  U  all  forVichld  fpcrbc  : 

For  I  have  herd  vfi'\^  ♦^  -  ■    ^'  m   t  -  .-nd 
I^Touchmg  u4two  how  ,|J^ 

*'WhichcT  fhaU  with  dji  ^  ,; 

And  beth  not  wroth.  I  have  rke  unctirllond 
How  yc  nc  doc  but  Uoldin  mc  in^ionde  ; 


I 


But  now  no  force  ;  1  can  nat  in  rmi  rcSe 
But  all^  trouthe  and  alW  gcv 

Comin  I  woll,  hot  yet  in  i  irte 

1  flond  a»  DOW,  that  what  ycrc  or  what  im 
That  i\\h  (hall  fce  that  can  1  nat  apointc ;' 
But  in  cfTcfl  1  praic  you  as  J  maic 
Of  your  gode  wordc  and  of  your  frrnd{hi|»  aitf 
For  truily  while  that  my  life  mate    t'ure 
As  for  a  frcndc  yc  himie  la  mc  affure. 

Yet  praic tynii  on  cviil  ^c  r.-.  cikr- 
That  it  is  fhort  whici  ^  rite 

1  dare  cat  there  1  am  .- , 

Nc  ncvir  yet  ne  could  I  wUl  aiditc  j' 
Eke  gt  etc  cffc^  men  writ  in  in  plaf<  liui 
Th*  cnt^nt  i*  all,  and  nat  the  Wttin  ft 
And  faHth  well ;  God  have  you  in  hit 

Thlft  Trollns  UiO'  gbt  this  Ictilr  al  Ctiisii 

HUi 
Bur,  1 
That  ftic  1 
For  with  I 
Ihat  lovt 

But  n^Ei 
For  any  tturg  men  i 

And  fucbc  a  cafo  bci.  ft, 

That  Troilus  yft\  uuiici  ui»[iuc  iu..f  luc 
N'a*  nat  fo  Xlndc  as  that  her  oo^ht  tobe|  j 
And,  Hnally,  bcwotc  mw  i^ur  n\  A,,ut 
That  al  is  loft  that  h 

Stodc  on  a  daie  in  i 
This  Troilus,  and  in  fuljxdivuo 
Of  her  for  wbom  he  wcnid  for  to  die. 
And  fo  htGJ  that  throughout  Troic  toaTT| 
As  wa*  the  gifc,  ihomc  waa  op  and  donll 
A  manir  cotearmoure,  as  r.    '      '      "^  «rjf^ 
Bcforn  Dciphobe,  In  C^c  -  ;  ic  I 

The  whichi  cote,  a^  tel 
Dciphobe  it  had  yrtnic  fn 
Thii  fam^  daie  ;  and  wbeu    1  ui 

It  fawc  be  giD  totakin  of  it  hcde, 
Aviling  bf  the  length  and  of  the  brcde, 
^nd  al  the  werkc,  but  as  he  gan  behold^ 
Fiil  fodainly  his  hertc  began  to  coldc. 

As  he  that  on  the  colcr  tondc  whhin 
A  broAc  that  he  Crcfcidcyave  at  moroiv  I 
That  Ihc  from  Trojc  '  '       ' 

In  rcmcmbrauncc  of 

And  fhc  him  bide  a)\.. i 

To  kcpe  it  aic ;  but  oow  ful  wd  he  «tl| 
His  lady  n'as  no  longlron  tu  trifT. 

He  goeth  him  home,  ai, 
For  Pandarus,  and  al  tlii*  t 
And  of  this  broch  he  toldc  Liin  orde  iadJ  { 
Complaining  of  her  hcrt'ii  varJauncc, 
Hi«  h'hg^  love,  his  trouth,  and  hit  pecitt 
And  aftirDctb,  witboutin  wordi^mort, 
fnl  fafl  he  cried,  hi*  reft  hini  to  rtflore. 

Than  fpakc  he  thus ;  O  lady  mme,  Crrfeaiji 
Where  is  your  faiib,  and  where  is  yo«f  kj 
Where  i«  your  love  f  wbetc  b  your 
feldc; 


'rlibi'LtJS' liit  fcREsttb*.' 


*r 


;ft» 


y.  .. 

'-.ndc 

hm  n\\ 

londc* 

ml  ntm  T 

^o? 

Bvirwotild  h: 

t>rfcidc,  ct.i 

^idfo. 

tid  sgihc  and  Uoit  aaii» ; 

"^ 

r^ndt  I  m^  your  hetic  Iv^U 

■  :  uthe. 

>  bi ......  wfrte 

»i  fcr  a  rerii  f  mc  ? 

rrcaufir,  aJitii '  m  yc 

fpitc,  ind  tkc  f'lr  that  ye  mente 

f  to  fticwln  your  entente  : 

^  vliich  I  fc  liiat  dtiit  out  of  Wiir 

nc  caft,  and  I  ne  can  fl6r  inaic    (fniodt; 

I  in  mine  htrttf  fifide 

rfJr  of  d  date  J 

'-^ilc! 

r'  1  endure 


ori  r^uod  he)  me : 
tie  triL-ttxi  'With  thi^  : 
n  h:iv«  might  ^Fid  ip^cce 


^cgrJict 


'then  UfTi  ,1   ,  -  ? 

bnu!  that  :; 

idhail,  and  v^cu..  u^v  ^i.  u^ ,  ^   ..^^ , 
ft  UiOM  fcnc  thy  fc'.fc,  if  that  the  lift, 
wt  h  now  thy  nccc  bright  Crcfcidc  : 

form  is,  (God  U  v/Dic)  }ic  fckie, 
tai  Aicwm  both^  joic  and  tcnc 
nd  by  my  drcmc  it  i«  now  fcnc. 
rrtaiiily,  ^ithoutln  Dior^fpechtf, 
mi*  forthe,  at  fcrforthc  as  1  maiei 
Rc  dcih  ill  armU  wol  I  f^chc, 
fcc  oat  hcnv  fon^  be  the  di^lt ; 
ily,  Crei'cidc-.fwctc  Maie ! 
Ivavc  ay  with  al  my  might  ifcnred, 
:hii6  done  I  have  It  lat  dcfcf  vcd. 
mod^iruK,  tliat  al  thcfc:  thingi«  hcrdtr, 
Emtl  chat  he  faid  a  foihc  uf  this, 
Btorde  aycn  t(>  Jiim  anfwcrde, 
M  h5«  frfnd*L»  Jbrow*  he  is, 
lid  for  hb  nccc  hath  dune  aniii, 
le  aflouicrd  of  thcfc  eaufis  twaie 

fiooe ;  o  wordv'  ne  couldc  he  fate. 

the  laft  thus  Jie  yfiiake  and  feide  : 
Kir  dere !  I  may  do  the  no  more ; 

|]d  I  fame  ?  I  hate  iwis  Crefeidc, 
rote  I  woj  hate  her  er-morc ; 
ott  mc  bcfoitghtift  don  of  yore, 
I  tniac  honour  ne  my  rede 
^4rde,  1  did  al  that  ihc  Icflc. 
I  atit^br  which  that  might  Hl^n  the 
fcfe,  and  of  this  trefbn  now 

||)i»c  It  a  forow  h  to  mC} 


And  drcdckftc,Dbflfcft  is  ele  of  yo^^ 
Ri^ht  fjiific  1  would  nmende  tt  will  Itiovir, 
And  f-  ''  ■  -■  '  '  '■■■'  '  ■  n  ul  I  praic, 
Doll  fnc. 

Cii^«.   -...'  -.  ofl'roUui^ 

But  fr*rthe  her  c  gnn  to  h'blil^^^ 

Crete  t Ac  loirith  r  :  ii*. 

And  TroiluS  inote  wept  in  caris  colfk  : 
Such  is  thii  worldi;,  who  t^t  it  can  benordc  ; 
In  cche  cllate  ii  iltiU  fccrt*i»  rcl|tci 
Gud  lcv€  tis  to  takiri  it  Ibf  tJic  fcejle* 

In  Inany  crull  '        V  '  "iLdc, 

Of  TroitUs  tViH  , 

(A^  mtii  m-iic  u  rede) 

Wai  fefic  hi*  k.j  .  rcte  iiiigV^ 

And  dre.i  I'jfTc  I  igTil 

Ful  ::t, 

Anii  .  fn^Vght. 

And  ufijii  tiir 
With  himty  fin 
A^d  '  ■ 

And'  \ctc^ 

C»afi    I  mnv  Ml  MJi  nil  in:ii',-'- 

But  natHltflTc  Fortune  it  fi  aJJ 

Of  cithir:i1v>Tidt-  tt;,:,i  ,  it):i'  ..  ...d. 

And  irr  had  ' 

The  arnir<?  f.r  rl  d, 

Than  wo.;'  1iU-| 

But  for  th  11 

Ofhii^•^  u 

His  won!  hem  Here,  , 

He.:    *^  ere. 

i;  ihcwc^ 

Al  be  it  thai  Crcfeld  wc, 

'I'hat  for  that  gih  ye  b  th  with  mCi 

Yc  maie  hergihc  in  othir  hokn  fc ; 
And  gladdir  I  w<iuld  writio  if  you  If  ftc 
Of  Peiitl«pe*t  trouth  and  code  Alccflc, 

Ne  faie  I  nat  this  all  only  fi>r  men, 
Dut  mod  for  w  omen  that  Ictrayid  he 
Through  fals  foIke^Gcd  ycvc  *hcm  forrow,  Amtnt 
That  with  thcf  grctz  witte  and  fubtlltc 
B'-'trayin  yoa,  and  this  commcvith  mc 
T*i  fpckc ;  and  in  elVe<fle  you  al  I  praie 
Beth  ware  of  mtn,  and  herkcnith  what  I  ttXt  \ 

Go»  litil  boke>  go  Ijtill  trtigcdie, 
There  God  my  raakir  yet  cr  that  \  die 
6o  fcnde  me  might  to  make  fome  corned ic  | 
But,  lit  ill  boke,  make  thou  the  none  cnvM 
But  fubjc<5^  ben  unto  al  poeQc| 
And  kiffe  th^fteppc*  wncr  a»thou  firift  pace' 
Of  Virgil,  O vide,  Homer.  Lucan,  Stace, 

And  for  there  ia  fa  grete  dircriltc 
In  EngliOi,  and  in  »  riting  of  our  tonge, 
So  praie  1  to  God  that  none  mifwrite  the, 
Nc  the  miffc-metrc  for  defaute  of  tongc ; 
And  rcddc  where  fo  thou  he  or  ellis  Tonga 
Tliat  thoD  be  undirflondc  God  I  hffcchcg 
But  yet  to  purpofe  of  my  rathtr  fpechc* 

The  wrathe,  as  I  began  yon  for  to  fciC| 
Of  Troilus  the  Greki»  Iwuijrbtin  dcre. 
For  thoiifandis  his  hondis  midin  deyr^ 


{ 

i 


As  he  that  wai  withoutui  wiy  pcrc, 
Save  in  hii  tiwr  Htfdor,  ai  I  can  here ; 
But  webwaue  '  {hvc  oncly  Godd*is  wil) 
DtTpitoufly  him  flough  the  Bcrit  AchiL 

And  whaD  that  her  was  Hain  id  LhiB  mancFC, 
His  Ughte  goftc  ful  blisfuUy  ia  went 
Up  to  the*  nolowncffc  of  the  fcvcmh  fpherc. 
In  hU  place  leting  cvcrichc  element, 
And  there  he  fawc^wUh  ful  avifemcjit. 
The  nratjkc  flcrrci,  herkcning  harmoBic> 
With  fownis  full  of  hevini  melodic* 

And  doun  from  thennis  fail  he  gan  aviic 
Thi*  JittI  fpotte  of  erth  that  with  the  fe  * 
Emliradd  iA,  and  fully  gan  difpifc 
This  wretch  id  world,  and  helde  al  vanite 
In  rcfpc^e  of  the  plain c  fclicitc 
That  is  in  hcvco  »bove,acid  at  the  laft 
There  he  was  flainc  hi»  loking  doun  he  caft* 

And  iti  him  felfc  he  lough  right  at  the  wq 
Of  them  that  wept  In  for  his  dethe  fo  faft, 
And  dampnid  all  otir  werkcd^  that  folowcth  fo 
Thebtindc  luft  whiche  that  ne  may  oat  laft, 
And4hilldin  al  our  hcrtc  on  hcvin  caft  ; 
And  forihe  he  went,  ftionlly  for  to  tell. 
There  at  Mercury  fortid  him  to  dwcU 

Bnche  fine  hath,  lo!  this  Troilusfor  Iotc> 
fine  hath  all  hi>  grei^  worth incffc, 
€uc^c  fine  hath  hi*  eflate  royal  above, 
Suchi  fine  hi»  luft,  fuchc  fine  hath  hjf*  nobleflV^ 
"8uche  fine  hath  this  falfe  worldls  brotilneflc  ! 
And  thu^i  began  hi*  loving  of  Crcfcide 
Aa  I  have  tolde,  and  in  ttji«  wife  he  dcidc> 

O  yongc  and  firefh^  folkis,  he  or  flic  I 
In  whiche  that  love  up  grow  it  h  with  your  age, 
Repairicli  home  £rom  worldely  viuuu. 


7i 


And  of  your  herte»  up  caiHtti  cbc  viligc 

To  thi  Ike  God  that  aftir  hi*  image 

Yon  made,  and  thinkith  al  i3''it  bat  afaiFc, 

Thii  world  that  paflith  fone,  ai  fioorif  fiire: 

And  lovith  him  the  whiche  that  right  iut 
Upon  a  croiTe^  our  foutl^  for  to  bey, 
FiHl  ilarfe  and  rofc,  and  (It  In  hcveti  ihoit» 
For  he  n*il  falfin  no  wight,  dare  I  (eyt 
That  wol  his  hcrt  al  wholly  on  him  (ey; 
And  fens  he  bed  to  love  is  and  moft  m< ' 
What  nedith  fainid  lovit  for  to  fcke  f 

Lo !  here  of  Painims  curfid  olde  rites  f 
Lo !  here  what  al  ther  goddit  maie  ariikl 
Lo  !  here  this  wretchid  worId*i»  appeiitol 
Lo  ;  here  the  fine  acd  guerdon  for  travailc 
Ot  Jove,  Apollo,  Mars,  »od  fuch  ra&aiJe  f 
Lo !  here  the  forme  of  old^  derkis  fpcdbe 
In  poetric,  if  ye  ther  bokis  fcchcJ 

O,  mora)  Gowcr  1  this  Bokc  I  dlrt^e 
To  the  and  to  the  phtlofophicajl  Strode* 
To  vouchfafe  there  nede  if  for  to  corretfle 
Of  your  benignities  and  zc\k  godc  j 
And  to  the  fothfall  Chrift,  that  ttike  ee 
Wirh  »]  mioe  hcrt  of  mercy  cr  I  prtie, 
And  to  the  Lorde  right  thiu  I  ipckc  and 

Thou  One,  and  Two,  and  Thre!  etcriM 
That  raJgniJl:  aic  In  Thre,  and  Two,  and 
Uncircumfcript,  and  atl  mail^  circuiuiaivf. 
From  vifiblc  and  invinble  fone 
Dcfcndc  us  in  thy  mercy  cvtrichotic  ' 
So  make  us  Jcfus  to  thy  mttcy  digpe* 
For  love  of  maidc  and  molhir  tbisc  bcsiftef 


k 


TESTAMENT  OF  FAIRE  CRESEIDE*. 


b 


,t  fefon  till  a  carcfuU  dkt 
correfpondc  and  be  equivalent ; 
b  Jc  waa  whaji  1  began  to  write 
kgedy,  the  wcder  right  fervent, 
^ricft  m  middis  of  the  Lent 
I  of  haile  gan  fro  the  north  difcende, 
antly  fro  the  cold  I  niight  me  dcfcnde* 
icrtbeleflTc  wtthin  mine  orature 
whan  Titan  h^d  his  bcmis  bright 
awin  douD,  and  fcylid  undir  cure, 
tt  Vefiut  the  iK-autc  of  the  night, 
t  ind  feue  unto  the  wcfle  ful  right 
ma,  face,  la  oppofitioun 
Phabus,  dircdle  difcending  doun. 
Ughout  tKe  glafTc  htr  bcmis  brail  fo  £iirc 
ttiight  fc  on  cvuy  fide  mc  by, 
thrin  w.nde  hath  puriBcd  tiic  aire, 
dde  hi&  rniHy  cloudis  fro  the  Ikiei 
\c  frefid,  the  blaAii  bitciri| 
r  Ajtilte  came  whiflcing  loud  and  fhill, 
iid  mc  remove  aycnft  my  will : 
tmHid  that  Venas,  LoVit  qacnc, 
Ti  fomtime  I  hight  ol^edience, 
d  hen  of  love  the  would  make  greoe, 
JTUpon  with  humble  reverence 
t  to  praie  her  hie  magnificence^ 
gTctc  colde  at  than  1  lettid  wat, 
ay  chambrt  to  the  fire  gan  pas* 
^h  loire  be  bote,  yet  in  a  man  of  age 
\h  cat  fo  fonc  as  in  youthcd. 

Author  of  The  T^ttimenc  ot  Crcfcldc,  vr^cH 

Hi  for    The  firth  N^ok  ofifils  fl^rv.  t  !*3(vr  txrcn 

W  5(1     ■        .',.'--:       ■      '>'    'V        ,   ,.,t  di, 

tnt\'  I  I,  > 

tkciT.  ^vt'P^i^ted 

tirs  lanciJ^  ihc 

»hii „      .  Hi    rr*l- 

•de   n'>  focfttMti  .  he 

Akt^  upon  liim,  < ^• 

unUbment  ittd  <.i  titit 

Ml  conmoolr  tctiauutc)  m  ci^ucmt  aiUciy. 


Of  whom  the  blodc  id  flowing  io  a  ragti 
And-  in  the  olde  the  corage  dul  and  dcd. 
Of  whichc  the  fire  outwardc  in  bcft  remed : 
To  hclpc  by  phifike  whcr  that  nature  failed: 
1  am  cxpertc,  for  bothc  I  have  aflailcd. 

I  made  the  fire  and  bekid  mc  aboute. 
Than  toke  I  drinkc  my  lpixite$  to  com  forte, 
And  armid  mc  wel  fro  the  coldc  theroute  ; 
To  cuttc  the  wintir  night  and  make  it  ihorta 

^  I  tokc  a  qucre,  and  Jeftc  al  othir  fportc, 
Wrttin  by  worthy  Chaucer  gtonous 
Of  fairc  Crcfeide  and  lufty  Troilu*  : 

And  there  t  founde  aftir  that  Diomedc 
Rcccvid  had  that  lady  bright  of  hcwc 
How  Troilu 5  ncrc  out  of  his  wittc  abrede. 
And  wept  full  fore,  with  vtfage  pale  of  hewc 
For  which  wanhope  his  teris  gan  rcncwe 
While  fifperus  rejoyfid  him  ugaine  ; 
Thut  while  in  joie  he  lived  and  while  in  piiQe. 

Ol  her  beheft  he  had  grcte  comforting^ 
Truffing  to  Troic  that  (he  wold  make  rctour, 
Whichc  he  defired  mod  of  al  crlhly  thing. 
For  why     (he  wat  hit  onely  paramour ; 
But  whan  he  fawc  paflid  both  day  and  hour 
Of  hor  gaincome,  in  forowc  gan  opprefTe 
Hi-s  woful  hcrte  in  care  and  hcvinefTe. 

Of  his  diftrcCTc  mc  nedith  nat  rehcrfe. 
For  i^onhy  Chaucer  in  that  fame  boke 
fn  godcly  termij  and  in  joly  vcrfc 

Compilid  hath  his  caris^  who  will  Joke  ; 

To  break  my  llcpc  anothir  qacrc  J  toke. 

In  which  I  founde  the  fatal  delliny 

Of  faifc  Crefctdc,  which  cndid  wretchidly. 
Who  wotc  if  all  that  Chaucer  wrate  w»«  tncwt  | 

Ntj  I  wotc  nat  if  this  nar radon 

Be 'author ifedf  or  forgid  of  the  ncwe 

Of  fome  pocic  by  hi»  invencion, 

Made  to  rcporte  the  lament<4cion 

And  wofull  cndcoftlvis  lufty  Crefeide, 

Aod  wJut  diflrcilc  fbc  was  m  or  flic  dcide. 


%iSTAMCNT   OW  C1l€SHf)% 


Whzr.  Dtom^cfe  had  al  hit  appetite 
Atid  more  fulfilled  of  this  fairc  lady 
Upon  anothir  fctcc  was  bis  delitc, 
And  fendc  to  her  a  lihcl  rcpudy. 
And  her  excluded  fro  his  company  S 
LThan  defoUtc  0ic  walkld  up  and  doun, 

I  feme  men  faine  in  the  courte  as  commune. 
O  hkjtCidtidc  '  the  JlpiLr;  iLPd  j»  djcjt  tc 
lOfTroic  and  Grccc»  how  were  thou  fortuinatc 
To  chaunge  in  filthe  al  thy  feminite. 
And  be  with  flefhly  luft  fo  maculate^ 
And  go  among  the  Grckcs  erly  and  late 
So  giglntUk(f,  taking  thy  foulc  plefauncel 
I  have  pite  the  fhcuUI  fall  fuche  mtrchauncc. 
Yet  ncrthelcfTc,  what  er  men  dcnic  or  fay 
In  fcornfuH  Uog^^ec  of  vhy  brutUi)eire, 
I  (Hall  exctifc  A^fcrTorth  a»  1  may 
"^hy  wonianhcd,  thy  wifedomc,  and  fairnefTei 
The  which  Fortune  hath  put  to  fuche  diflrcflc, 
\s  her  plrfid,  and  nothing  tht oughc  the  giltc 
X  the  through  wickid  I-uigagc  to  be  fpilte 

This  fairc  lady,  on  this  wife  dcllitutc 
Of  al  com  forte  apd  cc^pl^iotyi, 
Righr  1  !^hi}Ut£e)o'wlVtp  or  c^utC) 

pi  the  V  out  of  the  touli 


;  caufe  he  ^n  <^n.«jui^c 

.0  more. 

u  na4  thtrhr^i 


I. 

lOfhi: 

ic  w 

avintarc  alcc.  .   : 

iTclcoq^;  tonric  thuu  4itiU  Jvr<:  4gcQ* 
This  oKk  CalcKai,  aftir  the  lawc  w^  tjio, 
fnhmigQi  the  tcmi^l  'i: 

i  fjmi§Vcnu4i  and  1  i pida 

To  which  C  tdti|bri?^ 

With!  voujt  In  tlKmukficff  ; 

But  %jL^(:v^.v^'l<^*  hcvy  m  her  intqnt. 
Into  rh^sl^ch  would  uat  hcrlvU  pr«fcQt| 

Forgivmg  <-♦  -'■■    7     '  '    '  —  n|j 

Of  her  cxpii-  i\g| 

Hat  pajfii^  ,...v- --  -...,---, 

kiflTherc  ihermfif^  yfc^hcf  v^mU  deHiay ; 
^«hindc.^h^  iix.\<  ffec  clnf:d  Uii  ihc  dw*, 

^  onj^  '  uu  in  hie;; 

Jpon  \a)K  gitly 

f5hc  cr  V  i  in  this  wilf, 

^4%  ^  ufacrifiic* 

Ye  ^avc  mi.  c.i  ''  '!: 

That  I  fhot44be  rolci 

f4owAm  I  m--*'  ..*.^, 

|And  a)  in  t  .  : 

t^ho  fiijil  )i  Tji-w  Lonvolci 

6ithc  r 


O  falfe  Cupide !  ncne  it  to  wice  liot  tliatt 
And  the  mothir  of  Love,  that  htinde  goddioe; 
Yc  caufed  me  uodirllande  ajwaie  And  tfcnr 
The  fedc  of  tove  was  fowin  on  my  faoe» 
And  aie  grewe  grene  thorough  yonr  fopk  'gnui 
But  now,  alas  <  that  fedc  with  froft  14  iUIoc^ 
And  t  fro  lovir«  leftc  and  ill  forlainr* 

Whau  thU  w^  *  ^  ''^  ^'"'^  to  an  ^^^» 
Ravinicd  in  fpir  i  me  (he  fcl. 

And  by  apparaur  ^  here  flie  did  Ik 

Cupide  the  King  tinging  a  filvir  bcl. 
Which  men  might  here  fro  hcvin  iQtohdt 
At  whofe  fount^c  before  Cupido  ^peres 
The  fcvcn  plaoctH  difcending  fro  the  fphfre% 

Whichc  hath  powir  of  al  thing  gcne'rablc^ 
To  7u)e  an 4  tUre  by  their  gret  ioBurHre 
Wcdir  and  winde,  and  courfe  variable; 
And  fird  of  al  Satume  gave  his  fentciKie, 
Whichc  gave  to  Cupide  litil  revereocc, 
But  as  a  boiftous  chorlc  in  hi*  mmncrc 
Came  crabbidly  with  au^iae  loke  ind  cliera, 

Hii>  face  frounli J,  his  lere  was  like  the  ledir. 
His  tcthc  chftttrid,  atid  fhivercd  with  tJt«  cWb^. 
His  cyin  droupid,  wh*  i  ii  hit  hetle* 

Out  at  his  noJe  the  m  m  rio. 

With  lippis  blew,  atiu  *  tlihv 

The  jfeickils  that  £ro  1  tiff 

Was  wondijr  grete,  itis!,  .-  1  ly.,^  «>  ^^iJgf  5 

Attour  htii  Dcltc  bisTi^rt  lot  kt^^  die 
Fcltrld  unfaifCj  Or  ftct  with  ffni^\\hore. 
Hit  garnicjit  and  hi?  ;  -ic, 

Hi»  widrid  wcdc  fro  h 
A  bouftpus  bowe  within  fu  Sottg 

Undii  his  pirdle"  a  faflic  ot  » 

Fcdrid  with  ifc  and  hedid  witU  holt^xiap^ 

I'han  Jupiter  right  fhJrx!  and  am^^bl^ 

God    >■''     '  '  V  Mlt, 

An.1 

Fro  i.<.  ...  itt. 

With  hurl)  ht  ncrdbrfVCi 

Upon  hh  I  ^itc 

II  leifi. 

As  ^  vrai  h|i  hcrr, 

Hi^  A  ^ic  of  gf^nc, 

WiL3.  ^   --rrtf 

A  hi  he  bffffv 

Of}:  bcnr. 

K  god 

Of  ii  rTin^ 

To.'  ,^  ^ 

Ira  hiTklc  h.«rticf!e  hrwtnoudc  itnd 
Andf»n  hh  haunch  a  rt'uity  fd  ft«dioiiiit 
'^  handc  be  liAd  a  rciufty  lw^t^<* 
,  fiis  flee,  with  nmiiy  angry  woi^l 

»fLJking  htobCiindc  ' 
With  rci\  vifagc  ^ml 
Aod  at  his  nuruth  i  1^...^^ 
I^ike  to  a  bore  wltrtticig  h* 
Right  tullurdikr,  but  llim, 
An  borne  he  blewe  \« 
WhichcaithJfWorid\^  J 


TfSTAMENT 

n  faifc  PhcchaskmirDc  and  lampe  of  light, 


n  ar  - 
'  Hi'- 

lBucocc  life  in 
ut  comfortc  ci 


nag, 
krcc  to  Dowgbt 
ro  d|in  all  th;ie  thi»  vrorld  hath  wrought. 

nicd  ULiri]irhc, 
it  wa-s  have 
fight, 

ht 

.^■C 

*  drew. 
..,*,..  ^-  .cd  a&  rofc, 

iy  nc; 

lird  nt ; 

iig^th  wab  bUk,  ^lU  t>Dc; 

k  roliith  Phcrbua  dt  n  jc. 

■   '*  I",  tnat  gr^ido  gay, 
ndr,  aod  make 
r..i  ,  ^i,»ide  in  a  dIcc  aray, 

B^  }  th'  othir  halfc  fable  Make, 

'.he:       ^    -  ,  kcmhit  and  (bcdc  abakc, 
I  her  face  Icmid  grctc  variaunce, 
s  ^arfif  c  truth  and  whi1i<»  inconftaimce. 

1^  flic  wa$  diUjmulatc, 

:  ih  blinkis  amorou^i 
udi Lilly  chiungid  and  altcrate, 
f  as  any  fcrptnt  Vcnoinous, 
puogitivc  with  wnrdi?i  odloui; 
Hrariaunt  (he  was  who  lift  take  kcp*, 
one  eye  laugh  arid  with  the  othtr  wcptf, 
'jokcning  that  al  f!c?fhcrly  paramour^ 
1  Venuf  hath  in  rule  and  govimaunccp 
It  time  fwcte,  fomettmc  btttir  aod  four, 
uuflablc,  auid  ful  of  varianncc, 

Rlirith  careful  j(j)*e  and  falfc  pleTaance, 
;tc,  now  coldt)  now  blith,  now  fiil  of  wo, 
^oe  ai  Icfe,  Qow  widrtd  and  ago. 
th  boke  in  hand  than  come  McrcuriouS| 
eloquent  and  ful  of  rcthoric, 
poliic  termi»  and  deliriauK, 
pciuic  and  inkc  to  rcporte  al  rcdie^^ 
^tangh  and  ilnging  merily, 
Dde  was  red  hedid  attour  hi»  croanj 
til  a  pocf  c  of  the  oldc  fafioun. 
ti9  hr  hare  with  fin**  elr<fluarci 


^r^  '-  <'-  •■■■-^-  ti>I>tft, 

01  41  hI  oat  a  worde  couth  tie* 

1?  mc  Lady  Cynthia 

,  and  fwiftifl  in  her  fphere, 

t,  btifkld  with  hornLs  twa, 

^  ti^  (^^ght  Ihc  liftith  i^cd  C  aperc, 

^lA  the  Ici'd,  of  colour  nothing  clcrC| 

'.'  '     '     T^orrowclh  at  her  brother 

^.  fh<;  hath  uon  othcr« 


Of   CRESEIDI. 

Her  sUe  was  gray  and  fuT  of 
And  on  rn-rbrcfla  diorlc  parnttdlRtleYCll, 
Bering  a  buflic  of  ihornis  on  liis  bake, 
Whichc  for  hi^  f^  '^  "  •  -1  *  dliwc  no  ner  thchcvc 
Thui  wbcD  tl  re  tbc  goddi»  fcyctt  ' 

Mcrcuriuij  tht  1  th  one  afTcnt 

To  l)c  forc-fpi?kir  in  the  purlimcnt. 

Who  bad  ben  there  2^nd  liking  for  to  here 
His  facondc  t«  rmis  cacjuiCte, 

Of  rethorikc  ti  lie  might  Icrc, 

In  brcft  fcrmoti  u  j  rtignunt  fentencc  writc> 
Before  Cupidjc,  valing  Jus  cappc  a  lite, 
Speristhc  c»rf^   --^  '^    "   '  "cacioun, 
And  he  anon  f!  ntencioun, 

Lo,  quod  Ci-i    ,. ,     ..     'Ol  blafphcme  the  name 
Of  hit  owncgod  either  in  wordc  or  dcde 
To  al  goddiJ*  be  dqcth  b^thc  lolfc  and  fhamc. 
And  Ihould  have  Mttir  pninis  to  hii  mc4<:i  Lmm 

1  faie  thii>  by  yondir  wrct^'hc  Crrrddc,  ^^M 

The  whichc  through  nic  wn*  fumf  tine  flour  of  lofei^i 
Me'  and  my  mothir  flu-  ftatcly  can  reprove^ 

Saying  of  her  grct  infclichc 
I  was  the  caufe,  and  my  mothir  Vcna»  i 

She  called  a  bUndc  -^  '  ^  -     -H  rnight  nat  fc, 
Witb  fcUurulir  and  nous; 

Thus  her  living  und  hi**«u5 

She  would  rctortc  oq  mc  and  my  mother. 
To  whom  1  fhewdc  my  grace  above  al  other* 

And  lithe  yc  arc  al  fcvin  deficit c 
Participant  of  divine  fapjcDCCp 
Tr '  our  high  eflatc 

M  ill  uld  mak  c  rccompci^ce  i 

Wa.>  U':y  U>  y,'  ■'"-  ^'    ^   "KC  ; 

A&  wel  for  y  , 

Th-^l'■-'^.   -"  :uc. 

A :  c>    -  ^^^^^  y^ 

Rckrrc  you  to  the  hy'il  pianct  bcrc, 
And  t^dtc  to  him  the  kwift  of  dc^rc. 
The  painc  of  Crcftidi:  for  to  modiiic,  . 

Al  God  Saturuc  with  bim  take  Cyothi^ 
I  am  content  (quod  he)  to  take  thci  twa*         ,* 
Than  thus  procejiil  Sxturnc  and  the  Mo^^ ' 
Whan  thci  thic  matir  ripely  had  digcft. 
For  the  difpitc  to  Cupidc  that  Ihc*  had  done. 
And  to  Vcnuft  opin  and  man  ill- ^, 
111  al  her  life  with  pain  to  be  oprcft. 
And  turmcjit  fore,  with  filiinrJIc  incvraJbl^^ 


■:  toke  b  h»p4Cf 
Crcfeidc  la^^ 
y  wandc. 


.^ic. 


And  to  al  lov 

Tliiidolefu 
And  pifUd  doua  w : 
And  t>n  her  bed  be 
Than  bufuUy  on  tl 
Thy  grete  fairncB^^ 
Thy  wanton  Mode,  -.. .  ^«..  l,*^  ^..... 
Here  I  ci^cJude  fro  the  for  evLrancrc  : 

I  chaungc  thy  mirtlic  Into  mdancoly, 
Whichc  i»  the  mothir  of  fTc, 

Thy  moifbr  and  thy  hett  »  jd  dry^ 

1  hJnc  infolcncc,  thy  ptaic  and  lAiioionncO^ 
To  grctc  difcfe,  thy  pompe  and  thy  richclK' 
Into  morul  ocdc  and  grctc  p^nuric ; 
Thou  fu^c  ihalfj  and  a  a  bc^gir  dic^ 


^41^ 


TESTAMENT   OF   CRESEIDE 


y 


O  cniil  Satume  *  froward  aad  ingHc, 
Harde  U  thy  dome  and  to  maUcinus, 
Of  fajrc  Ctrfcidc  why  haft  thou  no  mcrcic^ 
Whichc  was  fo  fwetc,  gcntJ!J»and  «imuroui  ? 
Wltbdrawe  thy  fcntrncr  and  be  ^aclou*, 
As  you  were  ncr,  fo  fhcwith  through  thy  dcde 
A  WTckcful  fcntcntc  gi^in  on  Crercjde. 

Th^n  Cynthia,  whan  Saturnc  paft  aw^e^ 
Out  of  bcrfccc  dir«^'cndid  doune  bltv<rf 
And  red  a  bill  on  Crcfcide  where  fhc  lale, 
Containing  thisfentcncc  dtflinttive, 
fro  hclc  of  body  here  1  the  deprive. 
And  to  thy  Okcncfle  fhal  be  no  recure. 
But  in  doloor  thy  dayis  to  endure ; 

Thy  criUal  eycn  mcng^id  with  hi  ode  I  make. 
Thy  voice  fo  clcrc  unpUfaunt  here  ^aad  hacc, 
Thy  loflic  lerc  orfprcd  with  fpotti«  bbke. 
And  lumpis  hawc  appertnf  in  thy  face, 
WbcVe  thou  comift  cchc  man  (hall  flic  the  place  ; 
Thu*  (halt  thou  go  begging  fro  hotis  to  houi 
With  ^uppe  and  clappir,  Lke  a  Lazaious. 

Thif  dctUe  drerae,  this  ugly  Tifiount 
Brought  till  an  ende,  Crefcide  fro  It  awoke^ 
And  all  that  courte  and  convocaciouii 
Vanifhcd  3w;tJe;  than  rofe  (he  up  and  toke 
A  poltfbed  gtaffe,  and  her  fhadowc  couth  loke. 
And  whin  fhe  fawe'  her  vifagc  fo  dcformate 
If  the  in  hcrte  were  wo  I  n*ote,  God  wate. 

Wcpiiig  ful  fore,  Lo  I  what  it  t»  (quod  (he) 
With  froward  Ungagc  for  to  move  and  fterc 

ur  craLbid  goddei!  and  fo'  li  fenc  on  me; 
~'y  bUfpheouDg  now  have  I  bought  fut  dere^ 
Ail  ycnhly  joie  and  mirthe  I  fet  arcre ; 
AU«  this  daie^  alas  this  woful  tide, 
Whan  I  began  with  my  goddi&to  chide  I 

By  this  was  faied  a  chitdc  came  fro  the  hal 
To  warne  Crcfeidcthe  fuppir  was  rcdic, 
FirJl  knockid  at  the  dore,  and  eft  couth  call, 
Madame,  your  fathir  bidilith  you  cum  in  hie. 
He  hath  manrcile  fo  long  on  grofe  ye  lie, 
Aiul  laith  your  bedis  beth  to  long  fomdele, 
The  goddi»  wotc  all  your  cntcnt  full  wele. 

Q«od  (he,  Faire  child,  go  to  my  fathir  derc, 
And  praie  him  come  to  ^tke  with  me  unon ; 
And  fo  he  did,  and  faled,  Doughtir,  what  chete  ? 
Ab«!  (<juodlhc)  fathir,  my  mirthe  is  gone. 
How  (o  ?  (<luod  he )  und  Ibc  g:\n  all  cxpone 
A>  I  have  told,  the  vengcaunce  and  tlie  wnkc 
For  her  ttcfpai  Cupidt-  on  her  couth  take* 

He  lokid  on  her  ugly  lepir*s  face, 
The  whiche  before  was  white  a»  lily  flour, 
Wringing  his  handen  oftimif  faicd  Alace 
I'hac  he  had  lived  to  fc  that  wofull  hour  ' 
For  he  knewc  well  that  there  was  no  foconr 
To  her  fiknefTc,  and  that  doublid  hin  pain  : 
Thus  wai  there  care  inow  betwixt  *hcm  twain* 

Whaft  thei  togidir^jnournid  had  full  lang, 
Qood  Crefetde,  Fathrr,  I  wi^uld  n:tr  hr  kcnde, 
'Iiierforc  in  fecrete  wife  ye  let  me  gangc 
To  yon  hofpiull  at  the  toun'ii  cnde. 
And  thidir  fome  mete  for  chariTc  me  fende 
To  live  upon,  for  all  mirth  in  thi^  ytrth 
1*  frv  QIC  gooe,  fuchc  u  tny  w  kkid  wcrth. 


H 


Whan  in  a  mantill  and  a  brvlr  hm^ 
With  cuppe  and  ctappfr,  wondir  pntilf 
He'  opened  a  fecrete  gate,  and  out  thcfst 
CouYcyid  her  that  no  man  (hould  efp ie. 
There  to  a  village  halfc  a  miletherebie 
Delivered  her  in  at  the  fpittill  hou% 
And  daily  fente  her  part  of  his  almout. 

Sum  knew  her  weU,  and  fura  had  no ' 
or  her,  bicauTc  (he  wa»  fo  deformate. 
With  bilisblake  orfprcd  to  hervifagr. 
And  her  fatre  colour  fadid  and  attVrate ; 
Yet  thei  prcfumid  for  her  hie  regratc 
And  Uill  mourning  (he  waaof  noble  kiti. 
With  biitir  will  there  thei  tokin  her  in. 

The  daie  padid,  and  PhoEbus  went 
The  cloudi«»  bhke  orwhclid  all  the  ' 
God  wotc  if  Crcfcide  were  a  forowfnl! 
Seiiig  that  uncnuth  fare  and  herbodc ; 
But  mete  or  drjnkc  (he  drcIFtd  her  Co  lie 
In  a  darke  coratr  of  the  hou»  alone. 
And  on  this  wife  weping  (he  made  he:r 

O  foppe  of  forowe  fonkin  into  care  \ 

0  caitife  Crefcide  now  and  evirmarc  f 
Gon  is  thy  joie  and  al  iliy  mirthe  in  yenh; 
Of  all  bVIthnclTc  now  arc  thou  blakc  and  ~ 
There  i*  no  falvc  that  help  in  maie  thy  fafc^ 
Fell  IS  thy  fortune,  wickid  is  thy  wenbe. 
Thy  blifTe  ii  baniftied,  and  thy  bale  unbcfde; 
Undir  the  gretc  God  if  I  gravln  ware 
WHier  men  of  Grecc  nc  yet  of  Troie  might  herit 

WTierc  is  thy  chambir  wantonly  bcfene. 
With  burly  bed  and  hlankit^  brood  id  bcJic« 
Spicift  and  wine  to  thy  colatioun. 
The  cuppit  ill  of  gold  and  filver  fliene, 
I1>y  fwete  metii  fervid  in  pUtis  clenc. 
With  favcre  fauce  of  a  gudc  fa(hioun« 
Thy  gaie  gamientes  with  many  godrly  _ 

1  hy  plcfaunt  kunr  pinnid  with  gotdla  |«iie  f 
AH  \%  arcre  thy  gretc  roiall  rcnoon. 

Where  i»  thy  gardein  with  thy  Grccia  ^i 
And  frcflid  flouri*,  which  the  quenc  Flot^ 
H^d  paintid  picfauntly  in  every  paine. 
Where  thou  were  wont  full  mcrily  in  HkIajc 
To  walke,  and  take  the  dcwe  by  it  wa»  daiC| 
And  hete  the  merle  and  mavifc  many  ooc, 
With  ladies  faire  in  carolling  to  g^mr, 
And  fe  ther  roiall  renkit  in  thcr  raie  \ 

Til  it  lepir  logc  take  for  thy  godcly  boufe^ 
And  for  thy  bed  take  now  a  bounche  of  ftre^ 
For  wailid  wine  and  metis  thou  ha4  tKft 
Take  raoulid  bred,  pirate  and  fidir  foorv. 
But  cuppe  and  clappir  it  aJl  now  ago. 

My  clere  voice  and  my  courtly  caroinitg 
ts  nuike  as  rokr,  fvllhidoui  here  aadba^i , 
Deformid  ii  the  figure  of  my  face. 
To  loke  on  it  no  pcpk  haih  tlkin^, 
So  fpcd  in  fight,  I  faic  with  for*  (ightsg 
Lying  emonjr  the  lepir  folke,  Ala»! 

O  ladies  fsire  of  Troic  and  Grece !  atlcnde 
My  frcilc  fortune,  mine  infe licit e. 
My  grtte  mifihcfe  which  no  man  can  aseii^ 
And  in  your  minde  a  mirrottr  aaak«  «/  pu. 


4 


"% 


TESTAMENT  OF  CRESEIDE* 


DGW|»»nrrlDtiire  that  yc, 
kur  might,  may  come  to  ihc  fame  cod^ 
vorfc,  if  any  worfe  male  be  ; 
fchcrtforc,  appruchlth  ocre  your  code* 
bt  11  your  faimcfle  but  a  fading  floure. 
It  your  famout  laude  and  hie  honour 
it  inflate  in  ochir  mcnois  eret, 
iDf  redde  to  rodng  Ihall  retoure, 
Ineiake  of  mc  in  your  memourc, 
if  fqchc  thiogj*  woftill  witoes  bcrci, 

I  io  ycnh  ai  wind  awaic  ii  wcrcs ; 
^erforc,  approchith  ncre  your  hour, 
thiding  with  her  dreric  <kltjti€ 

(he  wukc  the  night  fro  code  to  cndc ; 

a  vain  ;  her  dole,  her  careful!  crie, 

Dt  rcmede,  nc  yet  her  mourniDg  mend  ; 

»die  rofc  and  to  her  wcnde, 

d.  Why  fpurniil  thou  again  the  Wall 

y  Celf,  and  mende  nothing  at  all  f 

lAt  thy  wepiflg  but  doublith  thy  wo, 

le  the  make  Ycrtue  of  a  nede, 

lo  cUppe  thy  clappir  to  and  fro, 

c  aftir  ihe  lawc  of  lepcri  ledc, 

II  no  bote,  but  forthwith  than  fhc  ycde 
I  to  place,  while  cold  and  hungir  i«rc 

d  her  to  be  a  rankc  beggore. 
km^  time  of  Troie  the  garnilbun, 
lad  the  cheftain  worthy  Troilui 
jeopcrdy  of  warre  had  llrikin  dona 
of  Grece  in  nombir  marvtilout, 
^^Iriumphe  and  laude  Ti^onous 
Hfoic  right  roially  thci  rode 
Witr  Crcfcldc  with  the  lepir  ftode. 
Ihc  companie  come  witH  o  ft  even 
e  m  cnc,  and  fhoke  cuppii^  Code  fpede, 
lordii !  for  Godd*is>  love  of  he ven 
irs  part  of  yonr  almofc  dede  l 
icr  crie  noble  Troilut  tokc  hcde, 
ite,  ncrc  by  the  place  gan  pas 
rcJeidc  fat,  nat  wctfng  wh;it  fhc  wat. 
pon  him  ihc  kefl  up  boihe  her  cyen, 
a  blinke  it  come  in  till  his  thought 
matimc  her  face  before  had  fcin, 
as  in  foche  plight  he  knew  her  nought, 
tier  lokc  into  hit  mindc  he  brought, 
!  Ttfagc  and  amoroui  blenking 
rcieide,  fomiime  hii  own  dcrlingi. 
tdtr  WW  fitppofe  in  mind  that  he 
firnre  lb  fone ;  and  lo  !  now  why 
oT  a  thing  io  cafe  maie  be 
iprmtid  In  the  fantafie 
ludith  the  wittes  outwardly, 
pereth  in  forme  and  hke  eftate 
c  mittdc  a*  it  wai  figuratc. 
c  of  love  than  til  hit  hert  couth  fpiing, 
lid  hi»  body  in  a  fire 
:  fevir,  in  fwctte,  and  trembiling 
while  he  wai  rcdie  to  cxfpirc ; 
is  fhildc  his  brell  begon  to  tire, 
vhilc  he  chaungtd  many*  a  hewe, 
^Iri  tt^t  one  anothir  knewe, 
;;htly  plte  and  mcmoriell 
rrfcidc  a  girdill  gan  he  tttke, 
f«4dr|  vid  many*  a  gaie  jcwclli 


And  in  the  fkirte  of  Crefeule  doun  gan  (hake. 
Than  rode  awaie,  and  nat  a  worde  he  fpake, 
Pcnlife  in  hcrte,  while  he  came  to  the  toune, 
And  for  greie  care  oft  fith  ahnoAe  fell  doone. 

I'he  lepre  folke  to  Crcfeide  then  couili  drawg 
To  fe  the  equall  diftribucioun 
Of  the  almofe;  hut  whan  the  golde  they  fawe 
£che  one  to  othir  privily  gin  roun, 
An4  faicd,  Yon  lorde  hath  more  affcdioun, 
Howcr  it  be,  unto  yon  Lazarous 
Than  to  us  all,  we  knewe  by  his  atmons. 

What  tordc  is  yon,  (<iuod  ihc)  have  ycnofclci 
That  doeth  to  u»  fo  grctc  humanite  ? 
Ye*,  q^uod  a  It  pre  man,  I  knowe  him  wcle^ 
Troilut  ic  is^  a  knight  gentle  and  fre. 
Whan  Crefeide  undiHlode  that  it  was  he 
Sdllir  than  ilclc  there  fterte  a  bittir  Aound 
Throughout  her  hert,  and  fill  dounc  to  the  gromL 

Whaa  Qie,  orcomc  with  ^ghing  fore  and  (id^ 
With  many*  a  careful!  crie  uod  cold  atone, 
Now  i^  my  breft  with  flormic  fioundis  flad« 
Wrappid  tn  wo,  oh  wrctchfull  will  of  one! 
Than  fell  in  fwoun  ful  oft  or  flie  would  fonc. 
And  cvir  in  her  fwouning  cried  (he  thus, 

0  falfc  Crefeide,  and  true  knight  Troilus! 
I'hy  love,  thy  laude,  and  all  thy  gentiliic^i 

1  comptid  fmall  in  my  profpcxlte, 
So  efflatid  I  was  in  wantonnelTe, 

And  cbmbe  upon  the  fickle  whele  fo  hici 
All  faithc  and  love  1  promittid  to  the 
Was  in  thy  fclf  fikill  and  furious; 

0  fallc  Crefeide,  and  true  knight  Troilusj 
For  love  of  me  thou  kept  thy  countinaunce 

Honed  and  chad  in  converfacion ; 

Of  all  women  protc<!^our  and  dcfcnci! 

Thou  were,  and  helpid  thcr  opinion  : 

My  minde  on  flefhiy  foulc  afiec^oa 

Was  enclinid  to  luflit  lecherous ; 

Fie,  falfc  Crcfcidc  !  o  true  knight  Troiloi? 

J^ovirs,  beware,  and  take  godc  hcde  abouc 
Whom  that  ye  love,  for  whan  ye  fuflre  paitt 

1  let  you  wit  there  it  right  fcwe  throughout 
Whom  ye  maictnift  to  have  true  love  again; 
Prove  whan  you  woll*  your  labour  Is  in  vain; 
Therforc  I  rede  ye  take  them  as  ye  finde, 

For  thci  arc  fad  a*  wcdircockc  in  winde 

BJcatife  1  kuuwe  the  grctc  unOablenelTe, 
Brittle  a6  gUITe,  unto  my  fclfc  I  faje, 
Tru fling  in  othir  as  grctc  brutilnclle. 
As  incontlaunt,  and  as  untrue  of  faie; 
Though  fome  be  true  1  wot  right  few  ar  thci  J 
Who  findtth  tru^he  let  him  his  Udy  rufc ; 
None  but  my  feif  as  now  I  woll  accufc. 

Whan  this  was  faid,  with  papir  fhc  fat  douBi 
And  in  thi*  manir  made  her  Tcftamcnt  j 
Here  t  bcqueth  my  corfc  and  carioun 
With  wormif  and  with  todis  to  be  rent. 
My  CUppe,  my  clappir,  and  mine  ornament. 
And  all  my  gold,  thcfe  leprc  folke  fliall  have. 
Whan  I  am  dcdde  to  burie  me  in  grave. 

This  roiall  ring,  fct  with  this  rubtc  reddCi 
Whiche  Troilu*  in  dowric  to  me  fende. 
To  him  again  1  kvc  it  whan  1  am  dcdde, 


4U 


T^srTmtitr  of  creseide. 


1*0  ih?ilt€  my  careful  dcth  vhio  him  kcndc  . 
Thui  I  coniludc  Jliortly  anJ  inalti.'  ^n  cndc; 
My  IJj'nt  [  IcTc  to  Diane,  whf  re  (he  dwcUcs, 
To  walkc  with  hrr  in  wafl  wodis  and  wclit^. 

O  Diomcdc  !  tliou  hafl  boilie  bcoche  aiid  bcltc 
Whichc  TroiJu*  gtitc  imc  in  lotinintr 
Of  his  true  love;  an4  with  that  wordc  Hiefwclt. 
And  fonc  d  lepinria.u  toKc  off  the  nng, 
Than  buried  hcf  withouiin  tarymg; 
To  Troilu*  Ruth  with  rhc  ring  he  bare. 
And  of  Crcfcidg  the  dcthJic  giti  di^clare, 

Wbun  be  had  herd  her  grctc  luHrmitc, 
Her  Icg^icic^  and  bnicntactoitn, 
And  ho'tk  (he  czidid  in  fuch  povertc. 
He  fwehc  for  wo,  and  rell  doiint  in  a  fwotiTi, 
For  foiowc  hU  hcrtc  to  brail  wa5>  bouc. 


Sighin^-  I'uM  r,,l!v  fiied  I  ctn  no  tw^rt. 
She  w  L^d  «fo  h  me  thcrfi^kre 

S^ii'  madei  torabc  of  ifLiHl>l<f  <^ 

And  wrote  her  aamc  and  ftiperfcripcloup^ 
-Ajid  laid  it  oh  her  grave  whcrr-»i  n^  Iiie, 
III  golden  lettjr*,  coot  1  ; 

Lo!  faire  bdie*,  Cftl  % 

So' mime  t'Mr      ;  *   '  I, 

Undir  this.  ]  ! 

Now  Woe L J. J  >^.M,r.,i,  It.  LiM.  Li»i..i..-  ihortpj 
Midc  for  your  worHiip  a4id  inHrtKitioci, 
Of  chiriic  \  monifhe  an4  cifiorr'-. 
Minge  nat  y^ur  love  with  fa!  r 

Bl'a.'  ill  your  tiiindc  thu  fur- 
Of  (n'nc  Crclcitk-  a*  1  have  1 
Sich  tkc  U  dcdde  I (pclic  u(  I- 


1^.0KirDI   OT*  OO'OD   WOK'ES. 


TO 


E  LEGEKDE  OF   GOOD  WOMEN^l 


lAlrv  iJmif  I  Ka^e  hfcfd  meti  teH 
1 4#  joie  in  bt  yen  and  pain  in  helf , 
ird  It  VI tit  th«t  It  ii  fo, 
licflc  jrt  wttt  1  wclc-  alfo 
'c  n^rnon  dwclllog  in  ihJa  coiintrc 
rr  hath  if?  herea  or  hdl  ihe,     - 
if  it  noire  othir  waies  wittiu 
♦ifird  faied  or  found  it  i^Tittin, 
fate  there  itrak  no  man  it  prcve. 
d^arbcde  bnt  that  men  ih^idin  leve 
« thing  than  thei  han  feen  with  eye  I 
i'ftfte  wmm  every  thing  a  lie 
rifclf  it  feeth  of  els  it  docth, 
wrote  thinp  is  ncrir  the  leifc  foth 
vttrf  wight  nc  mnJe  it  not  ifc. 
de  the  monke  ne  faugh  not  «11  pardcg' 
\h  we  to  boktvthat  we  finde, 
I  which  the  oldt^  thingi*  hen  id  Ttiindc) 
kC  do^ine  of  thcfc  oUle  wife, 
lencc  in  ev^r^  Act  I  full  viie, 
is  of  ^hefc  old  apprevid  ftorJcr ' 
I,,  of  reignit,  of  ▼i^Orie*, 
>(  hate,  and  othir  fondrte  thlngei, 
e  I  maic  notmakin  rchcrfinge*; 
■t  tjldi'  boki*  were  awaie 
ere  oi  alll  rcmembrauncc  the  kzie, 
tight  u$  than  honounn  andbclere 
kb  there  we  hin  none  othir  prcvc. 
i^br  me,  though  that  J  can  but  iite^ 
fof  tofcde  \  niedelite, 
Mtn  -yere  1  fatthe  and  ful  credence, 
line  hertc  have  'hem  in  reverence 
f^  that  there  is  game  none  j 

my  hoki*  makith  me  to  gone, 
feldomCtOu  the  holic  diuc, 
siinly  whan  rhat  the  month  of  Mtie 
and  I  here  the  fooli*  Oiig, 
the  flouxts  gi nnin  for  to  fpring, 


MmOik^ 


V 


\ft  l?te  er»tirt  fT>rtk  «fl*ne*  n^  Ch*iie«r*i 


k|  «(!£(  A  4C  k^vH^k  i^i  U^  ^^}y 


Farewell  my  bok«  am!  nty  deroftni?/. 

Now  hafe  I  thaa  eke  ihw  c' 
That  above  all  the  flmiris  in  [ 
Than  love  I  mr>f!;thcfe  flouni*  white  and  reifl^ 
Sochc  that  men  calHn  Daifica  in  ouriotm; 
To  them  have  I  fo  gretc  affeftioun. 
As  I  faied  efft»  whan  comin  is  the  Maie^ 
That  in  my  bedde  there  dawith  mc  no  date " 
That  I  fi'am  up  and  walking  in  the  mcfde " 
To  fene  this  flonrc  ayenft  tlie  fonn^  fpp^de  ' 
Whan  it  uprifiih  erly  by  the  morowe ; 
That  bliufbil  fight  foftimth  all  my  forow^  j 
So  glad  am  I  when  that  !  have  prdeocc 
Of  it  to  doln  tt  all  reverence. 
As  (he  that  li  of  all  flouris  the  fl<3Ure, 
Fnlfitlid  of  all  vertuc  and  hontiure, 
Atjd  cvir  iltkc  faire  and  frcihc  of  hewC 
As  wel  in  wintiras  in  fumittirtiew^; 
This  love  !  cvrc*,and  fliiU  until  1  die. 
All  fwcrc  I  ndt  of  this,  1  woll  w^l  lie* 

There  lovid  no  wight  hottir  In  bis  life; 
And  whan  that  U  is  ere  I  rciin*  blithe. 
As  fonc  as  cvir  the  funiic  ginntth  weft. 
To  fcnc  thii  fldbrc  how  it  ^oll  go  to  reft  • 
For  fcrc  of  night,  fo  hatiih  flic  dcrkncffci 
Her  clteTe  is  plainly  fprcd  In  the  bnghtnrfTi 
Of  the  fimnr,  for  there  it  woll  unclofc  : 
Ah*  that  I  nc'had  Englifr  -  nni-,  orprofe, 
.SufliJ'aiuit  thia  flour^  to  ;  it! 

But  helpithyc  that  han  ud  mlght| 

Ye  lovir!,that  can  m^kc  ol  fcntjmcm  ; 
In  this  cafe  ought  yc  to  be  diligent 
To  forthrin  me  fonrwhat  in  my  labour, 
Whether  yc  hen  with  the  Lcfc  or  the  Flour, 
For  well  I  \^         '         _  han  here  befornc 
Of  making  i  i  awaie  the  cornr-j 

And  1  come  ^,  .i  }.i.inrLjhcrc  and  thcrc-^ 
And  ain  full  glad  if  I  maic  findc  an  crc 
Of  any  godtly  worde  that  yc  han  Icftc ; 
Aiid  though  :t  happe  mc  to  rcherfin  eft 
That  yc  han  in  your  frcibe  fongij  fated 
Porbcrith  me,  anU  beth  not  HI  apakd, 
Sith  that  yc  fc  1  doc  it  in  the'  honour 
Qi  LoTC|  amd  eke  in  ^Errice  of  the  fiotir^ 


\ 


LEGEKBE    OP   GOOD  WOMEN* 


Whom  that  1  Tcrvc  as  !  have  wit  or  might ; 

iShe  IS  the  dercneilc  and  the  very  light 
That  in  this  derke  world  mc  windith  and  ledeth  ; 
The  hcrt  withia  my  wofull  brcft  you  dredeth 
And  loveth  (o  fore,  that  yc  ben  verily 
The  maifkrii  of  my  wit  and  nothing  I ; 
My  worde,  my  workc9,  i«  knir  fo  iti  your  bondc. 
That  a&  an  harpe  obeyith  to  the  hondc. 
And  makith  foune  aftir  hi&  Engihiig, 
Right  fo  mo  we  ye  out  of  mine  hertc  bring 
Soch  voice  right  as  you  lift  to  laugh  or  pain ; 
Be  ye  my  guide  and  ladic  fovcraln  ; 
A*  to  mine  ycrthly  god  to  you  I  call 
Bothe  in  this  wcrke  and  my  forowis  all. 
But  whet  fore  that  I  fpake  to  yeve  credence 
To  old  ftoric*,  and  docn  *hcni  reverence, 
And  that  men  mufliu  mor6  dung  bilevc 
Than  men  may  fene  at  eye  or  ellia  prcvc. 
That  Ihall  1  fein  whan  that  ]  fe  my  time ; 
I  mate  not  all  at  onii  fpekc  in  rime ; 
My  bufie  ghoft,  that  thnrilith  alwaie  ntwe 
To  fene  this  flour  To  yong,  fo  frefhc  of  he  we, 
Conflrainid  me  with  fo  grociic  dtrfirc 
That  in  mine  hertc  I  felin  yet  the  fire 
That  made  mc  to  rife  er  it  were  daic, 
I  And  this  wat  now  the  firfl  morowe  of  Male, 
I   With  dicdfkill  hcrte  and  glad  devocion 
I   For  to  ben  at  thif  refurrc&on 
(    Of  this  flonr^»  whan  that  it  fhould  noclofe 
Again  the  funnr,that  rofc  a&  rcddc  as  rofc. 
That  tn  the  brcll  was  of  the  bcft  that  daie 

iThat  Agcnor'is  doughtir  bddt  awaie  ; 
And  dounc  on  knees  anon  right  1  mc  fctte. 
And  at  1  could  thii  frclhc  flourc  1  grcttc, 
fXaeting  alwaie  till  it  unci  olid  was 
I    Upoo  the  fmaU,  and  faft,  and  fwct^  grat, 
Y  That  wa§  with  flouri«  fwctc  embroudid  al. 
Of  focbc  fwetneffe  and  (bchc  odour  ocr  all 
That  for  to  fpekin  of  gomme,  hcrbc,  or  trc, 
Comparifon  mate  none  imakid  be, 
For  it  furmountith  plainly  all  odoures^ 
And  of  riche  beaute  the  mofl  gaye  of  floum* 
Forgottin  had  the  ycrth  his  pore  eft  ate 
Of  wintir,  that  him  nakid  made  and  mate. 
And  with  his  fwordc  of  coldc  fo  for    grcvcd ; 
Kow  hath  the'  atcmpre  fonne  al  that  rcleved 
That  oakid  was,  and  clad  it  ncwe  again  ; 
The  (hiaU^  foulis,  of  the  fefon  fain, 
That  of  the  panter  and  the  net  ben  fcaped, 
Vpon  the  foulir  that  *btni  made  awhapcd 
Td  wintir,  and  d^royid  had  thcr  brodc, 
1.Q  his  difpite  them  thought  it  did  *hem  gode 
1  *o  fing  of  him,  and  in  thcr  fung  difpifc 
The  foiili  cbork  that  for  his  cuvitifc 
1  kid  *hcm  betrayid  wirh  hi^  fophidric  : 
1  bis  wa*  thcr  fong ;  1  he  foulir  \kc  dcfie, 
A  pd  all  his  craftc  ;  and  Tonic  yfongin  clcre 
l.iyit  of  love,  that  joic  it  was  to  here, 
I9  worihippiog  and  praiiing  of  her  make, 
Ai)d  for  the  ncwe  bltkfull  forntr's  fake; 
Vfim  the  braunchi:^  full  of  blofniis  foft 
I'  1  ther  dclite  thei  toiira id  *hcir,  lull  oft, 
>jid  fongin,  BHfEd  bo  Sain^  V'ukntine ! 
I  vr  oti  his  daif  I  chefc  you  to  h%  uuik. 


Without  in  rcpcDtiDg,  mine  hcrti  fincce  f 
And  thcrwithaU  their  beckts  gonnio  meUf 
Yelding  honour  and  humble  obclfauace 
To  Love,  and  didden  ther  othir  obfervaiinc9 
That  iongith  unto  love  and  to  narurc ; 
Conllrewc  that  ^s  you  lifl;  I  doc  no  core  I 
And  tho  that  had  doin  unkindeneire, 
\9  doeth  the  tidifc  for  tiewefingelndCe, 
Bcfoughtin  mcrcic  of  ther  trefpaliog. 
And  humilly  fongin  ther  repenting. 
And  fworin  on  the  bloJjnis  to  be  truc^. 
So  that  ther  makis  wciuld  upon  'hem  me 
And  at  the  lail  thei  madin  ther  acorde. 
All  found  thei  Daungir  for  the  time  a  I 
Yet  Pite  thorough  his  ftroRg  Mitill  magkt 
Foryave,  and  made  mercy  paflin  right 
Through  Innocence  and  mUd  Curtdic; 
Bnt  I  nc  cicpe  nat  innocence  folic, 
Nc  fiilfc  pitc,  for  vertuc  it  the  meoe. 
As  Ethickefaieth,  in  (bche  manir  I  meM  S 
And  thus  thefc  foulis  voidc  of  all  malice^ 
Accordidin  to  love,  and  laftin  vice 
Of  hate,  and  fongin  all  of  one  acorde. 
Welcome  Summir,  our  governour  and  I 
And  Zcph.rusand  Flora  gen  til  ly 
Yave  to  tlic  flouris  foft  and  tendirly 
Thcr  fote  breth,  and  made  'hem  for  to  I  _ 
As  god  and  goddcfTe  of  the  flour ic  medc. 
In  whichc  me  thought  I  might  daic  by  i' 
DwcUin  alwaie  the  joly  monthe  oj  Mate 
Withoutin  Ocpe,  withoutin  mete  ordhaki 
Adounc  full  foftily  I  gao  to  finke. 
And  Icning  on  my  clbowe  and  my  Bde 
The  longc  daie  I  fhope  me  for  to'  abuley 
For  nothing  cllis,  and  I  {h^  nat  lie» 
But  for  to  lokio  upon  the  Daifie, 
That  well  by  refon  men  it  calle  maie 
The  DaiCe,  or  cl*  the  eye  of  the  daie« 
The  emprifc,  and  the  floure  of  fioiirti  all  •^ 
f  praic  to  God  that  fairc  mote  jhe  fail. 
And  all  that  lovin  flouris  for  her  fake  ! 
But  oatheleire  ae  wene  nat  that  1  make 
In  prai fm  of  the  Floure  again  the  Lefe 
No  more  than  of  the  cornc  again  the  (beie»  , 
For  as  to  me  n'it  Icvir  none  nc  lothcr ; 
f  n*am  witlioldin  yet  with  nctthir  nother* 
Nc*  I  n'oi  who  fcrvith  Lcfe  oe  who  the  T 
Well  broukin  thei  thcr  fcrvice  or  Ubourci 
For  this  thing  is  all  of  anothir  tomve. 
Of  old  florie,  er  foche  thing  waa  bcggoac* 
Whan  that  the  funnc  out  of  the  foutn  gaa  ll 
And  that  this  floure  gan  cloft^  andgofl  tor  ' 
For  dcrkncs  of  the  night  the  whichc  fhe  di 
Home  CO  mine  houfc  full  fwiftly  I  tsi€  fpeik 
To  gone  to  reft,  and  crly  for  to  rific 
To  fene  this  floure  to  fprede  as  I  dcvik; 
And  u  a  little  herbir  that  1  havc» 
Thai  benchid  was  of  turvis  frefh  igTave« 
I  bad  men  Ihouldin  me  my  couch<i:  rtn^ 
For  deinte  of  the  newe  fommirV  lake 
I  bad  'hem  ftrawio  flou ri«  on  my  brdd 
Whan  I  was  taicd  and  had  mine  ejiri  hMt 
1  fell  afleoe,  and  llcpt  an  houre  orcwe^ 
Mc  mzt  how  I  laic  in  the  mldoivif  lb» 


ifloure  that  t  love  fo  and  drcde, 
afcrre  came  >V3tlking  in  the  me  tie 
f  Love,  and  in  hii  hande  a  qucae^ 
11  cbd  in  roUU  habitc  grenc, 
nidi  fliebad  next  her  here, 
lli;ic  •  whtcc  coroune  fhc  bcre 
cmnis  fmall,  and,  T  fhall  iiat  lie, 
worldiJ  right  as  a  Dailic 
,  with  whjte  Icvis  lite, 
€  florotink  of  her  croun^  white, 
{fK-  fine  orictttall 
oerroune  was  inukid  all, 
the  white  cortiimc  above  i^t  grene 
lik«  a  Daific  for  to  ft:ne, 
^  her  fret  of  gold  abuvc; 
»  this  might ic  god  of  Love 
bfoidid,full  of  ^enc  jrrcvcs, 
there  wa»  a  fret  uf  red  rofe  JcTei, 
i  fcDS  the  worldi'  W3.«  tint  bigon  ; 
re  was  ycroutiid  with  a  fon 
gold^  for  hevincde  and  weight, 
ne  thought  htsf^tcc  (hone  fo  br^ht 
innethjs  might  I  him  behold, 
hand  me  thought  I  fawc  him  hold 
Urtls  as  (he  glcdi*  rede, 
ke  hii  wing  Is  fa  we  I  I  p  rede ; 
that  men  fain  that  blitide  ii  he 
thought  that  he  might  wele  fe, 
f  on  mc  he  gan  bahoid, 
loking  docth  min  hi;rtc  cold; 
handc  he  hclde  this  nohlc  qucne, 
ith  white,  and  clothid  al  in  gicnc, 
f,  fo  bcnignc,  and  fo  mclte» 
S  worlde  though  that  men  woldio  fcke 
»caiite  ne  {houldin  thci  nat  finde 
that  yformtd  in  by  Kindc, 
re  maie  f  fain,  as  thinkith  mc, 
n  praifuig  of  thij  ladtc  £rc  i 
»Jo1qd,  thy  gilte  treflis  clrrc, 
thou  thy  mckenelfe  all  udoun^ 
tbas,  all  thy  frendly  mancre, 
Lod  M.«rcia  Catoun, 
3iir  wifchodc  no  compaTifoun, 
ur  beautief  Ifouile  and  HcJein, 
ocncth,  that  all^hia  maic  diliain, 
thodtc  ne  let  it  not  appere 
I  thou  Lucrece  of  Rome  toun, 
pae,  that  boughtin  love  fo  dere, 
fttra,  with  all  thy  palTiaun, 
or  troathe  of  love  and  your  renoun, 
rhifbe,  that  had  of  love  foche  pain, 
DRieth,  that  all  thif  maie  diftaiu. 
.diO^  Laodamiii',  ilfre, 
j^aogtug  for  Demophooo, 
Bffpyid  by  thy  chcre, 
pSirayid  by  Jafoa, 
jour  crouth  neiihir  bofhe  ne  foutif 
'rancftra*  or  Ariadne,  ye  twainc, 
omctb,  that  all  this  maie  dilHin* 
ide  m»ie  full  well  ifongin  be^ 
aid  erfl ,  by  my  bdie  f re, 
ly  all  ihefc  mowe  not  luffice 
vith  my  ladic  in  no  wifei^ 


For  as  the  funnd  woU  the  fire  dtfbalfi, 
St)  palTith  all  my  ladic  fovcrain, 
That  is  lo  |;odc,  fo  fairc.lo  dcbonaire, 
1  praic  to  God  thatevir  fall  hcrfairc! 
Ftn  ne  had  ctjmtort  hcouf  her  prcfcnce 
1  had  ben  drddc  without  any  defence 
For  drcde  of  Lov*i»  wordis  and  hii  cherC| 
As  whan  rime  is  hcrcaftir  ye  0)ull  here. 

Bt'hinde  this  god  of  Love  upou  the  grcop 
1  fuvvc  coming  afUdyii ninctctiCi 
In  roial  habit,  d.  full  tQc  pace. 
And  afiir  riicm  of  women  fo<hc  a  trace 
I  hat  fens  that  God  Adjun  had  made  ufyertltl 
The  litirde  part  pf  mankir.de,  or  the  fcrth, 
Ne  wende  t  nat  by  poilibilite 
Had  cvir  in  thii  widi:  wortdc  Ibe, 
Aiui  true  qS  love  thtfe  women  were  echon  r 
Now  whether  w:is  that  a  woudir  thing  or  noD| 
7  hat  right  anotj  as  that  thci  gonne  efpic 
This  lltmrc  whichc  that  I  dcpc  the  Daific, 
Full  fodnnly  thci  ftititin  all  at  ones 
And  knelid  doune  as  it  were  for  the  nonet, 
And  foogin  with  o  voice,  HeU  at*d  htmrnr 
^To  trouth  •/  ^tftmanhft/ct  and  tu  thit  Jhur^ 
Timt  berith  Mr  aiJir  prift  inji^r'tn^^ 
Her  %tfhite  cptpune  tfetith  lie  ivitnf^tnjf  f 
And  with  that  wordc  a  compas  enviroun 
Thel  Hitin  *hem  full  foftily  adoun  : 
Firft  fat  the  god  of  Love,  and  fith  his  quene ^ 
With  the  white  coroune,  y clad  all  in  grcnc. 
And  fithin  all  the  rcmnaiuu  by  and  by. 
As  thci  were  of  cilatc,  full  curt  id  y ; 
Ne  nat  a  worde  was  fpokin  tn  the  place 
The  mountenance  of  a  furlong  waic  of  fpace* 

I  kneltng  by  this  floure  in  godc  cntcnt 
Abode  to  knowin  what  this  pepte  menc 
As  dill  at  any  (lone,  tiUat  the  lafl 
This  god  of  1.0VC  ou  me  his  eyin  cafl^ 
And  faid,  Who  kncLith  there  ?  and  1  anXwc 
Unto  his  afking  whan  that  I  it  herde. 
And  fujcd.  Sir,  tt  am  I  and  come  him  nere, 
Andfalucd  him.  (Quod  he)  What  d(*cll  thouher« 
So  nigh  mine  ownc  Hourc  fo  boldily  ? 
It  wcrin  bcttir  worthy  truily 
A  worme  to  nightn  ncre  my  flour  than  thou. 

And  why^Sir,  (quod  1)  and  it  likith  you  t 
For  thou  (<iuod  he)  art  therto  nothing  able ; 
It  i«  my  rcltkc  dignc  and  dclitabic. 
And  thou  my  fo,  and  all  my  f,  ike  wcrneil. 
And  of  mine  old  fervauntis  tbou  mifraicli^ 
And  bindrill  'hem  with  thy  tianOacion, 
And  lettill  folke  from  ther  dcvo;ioa 
Ta  ftJTvin  nic.  and  holditl  it  folic 
To  fcrvin  Love ;  ihou  aiaicil  u  nat  dcnJe, 
Fur  in  plain  ttxi,  withoutin  nedc  of  glofe, 
Tb'iu'  haik  ttanfUbd  Ihe  fUmaunt  of  the  IU>f«, 
Th;it  i&nn  hercfic  ajfcnid  my  bwe, 
And  maklll  wik  folke  fro  nic  to  withdrawe  | 
AnJ  of  Crcf<;ide  thru  hall  faidc  as  the  lilt. 
That  makiih  mfn  to  women  IciTc  to  trilllc. 
That  hen  »  trewc  aii  ec  wai  any  fkclc  : 
Of  thine  anlwcrc  avifin  the  right  wele, 
For  though  that  thou  rcnyid  hail  my  lawe 
At  othif  wtetcins  have  dune  many'  a  dait, 


4lf» 


LEG£Nt>£   OF   COOD  WORTEK; 


[y  ScJnt  Venus,  v  '     *     V  lothiris, 

"  tliat  thou  liYc  '  iti  ihis 

cruiily  that  it  i.....  -. .  w.  .v.... 
Tho  rpakc  thii  lady,  clothid  aJl  in  grcnc, 
nd  fay  id,  God,  right  of  your  cartifie 
c  mote  hcrkin  if  that  he  can  rcpUe 

^Aycoft  ttl  this  that  ye  have  to  him  mcvcd  ; 

A  God  nc  thouldc  natfbc  thusag;rcvecL, 

fJut  of  *ii  d>uc  ht  (hall  be  (UbJc, 
nd  thcrto  jjracigus  aod  mr rciablc, 
nd  if  yc  n'cre  i  god  thkit  knowin  all 
bin  niij^hi  it  be^jw  I  you  tcUin  (hall, 
hill  man  to  ynu  maie  t.xircly  hen  accufrd, 
hat  as  by  right  him  nu.-,-^tir,  h.-ty  -rxcufcd, 
'or  it;  your  court  i«  m  -cour, 

.at  tabouren  in  y<Ttireri«(maTiy'  ^fouti 

iyht  alter  thcf  imaj^inttcioun 

o  have  your  daliaunce,  and  for  cnyy ; 

iThdc  bcti  the  caufi»t  and,  1  Ihal  nat  lie, 

Knvic  i*  bve'odir  of  (h  .'-^  jic, 

For  fh*;  nr  parttili  neit!  d;iie 

Out  of  the  hoofcof  Ca:ui;,  inut  uith  Dmty 

["^'ho  lb  that  gocthaljnitc  fhc  wolnat  want. 

And  eke  pcraiinfr  r  »V  r  rlki*  ^jan  it  nice 
He  mjghtin  doii  no  nialice, 

Btit  for  he  ofith  r  to  make 

Him  reckiih  noujjkt  ot  wh4t  matir  he  take. 
Or  htm  wai  bodiii  nn^iii  thiUie  rvvcy 
Of  fomc  pcrfonc,  and  durft  it  nu  withfcy^ 
Or  him  npeutith  uttirly  of  tbis. 
He  lie*  hath  nat  done  fo  prcVoufly  ami» 
To  tranll.irin  dut  oldc  ckrkis  wntcn, 

CA»  though  that  he  of  r-"              '^  ...  j:*.^ 
Difpitc  of  Love, and  I 
This  fhoukl  a  rightwik  . ... 
And  nat  be  like  ttr&umes  ot  l^mbard 
That  han  no  irwardc  but  at  tirannic; 
For  he  that  Un^  or  lorde  it  natural. 
Him  otight  not  be  a  liraunt  nc  cruel 
Ai  n  fcrmour,  to  done  the  harme  he  can, 
iie  rnull  thinkin  it  h  his  licjr^  man, 
A»  ifr  his  trcfour,  ani'  ^          '  '  '  r, 

Thii  is  the  fcntcnce  r  i  ; 

A  kingc  tokepc  hit  lii^.-.  .^     ....r.^, 
l\'^jthoutin  doxiit  that  is  hi*  offipc, 
Al  wol  he  kcpc  hU  lorde*  in  thcr  dejfre. 
As  it  i«  right  and  flcil  ^at  thd  ihouldc  be 
Enhauniid  and  honourid,  and  moll  dere, 
For  thei  ben  halfegoddis  in  thi»  world  here, 
Yctmote  he  done  both  right  to  pote  aiid  rtche, 
Al  be  that  thcr  eftatc  be  nath  both  lichc, 
And  have  of  povir  folke  compAflion ; 
For  lo  the  ^ntil  kinde  of  the  lion  I 
For  whan  a  iUc  ofltndith  him  or  hiietli 
He  nvith  hi*  tailc  awaie  the  Hie  yfmttcth 
Al  cfily,  for  of  hi*  gpcnteric 
Hits  deinith  nat  to  wruke  him  on  a  nic^ 
As  docih  a  «:ujTe  or  el»  anothir  bed  ; 
In  noble  corage  ou^hr  to  ben  areft, 
And  way  in  every  ihinge  by  cquite, 
And  have  regardr  unto  hi«  ownc  dejj^e ; 
For»  Sir*  it  i»  no  maiftrie  fcr  a  lordc 
To  dimpw  a  njan  without  unfwcrc  of  wnr J 


ht. 


And  for  a  lorde  thjt  i*  ful  f     ' 

And  it  fo  be  he  maic  him  n 

But  alkith  mercy  wttN     ■ 

And  profirith  him  tip 

To  ben  right  at  your 

Than  ought  a  jjod  by  ftiort  aviJ  imrni 

Confidre^  hh  owne  honour  and  hm  tref pacf »  .-^ 

For  fith  no  caofc  of  dcth  licth  iti  l^  i%  cafe    ^~ 

You  ought  to  ben  the  H^htiier  me»ciiilkk  i  i 

LcLLith  yo*ir  ire,  ano  ' 

Thv  man  hath  frrvi'l  fifpoWl 

And  forthrid  %vcU  y. 

Al  be  it  that  he  can 

Vet  hath  he  madia  I 

To  ftrvin  yf>\if  in  pr 

He  made  The  hoke  th 

And  ckc  The  Deth  of  UJaunche  the  Daciic^ 

And  The*  P^irlJammt  of  Knulii,  a$  I  j 

And  al  The  Love  of  PaUmon  and  , 

Of  Thchis  liiotirh  the  florie  ii  Urn* 

Atii"  '   '    li 

Th. 

He  hath  in  prof  tr  i 

And  made  The  Lift  „.. .  ...  .^  .,.  C   ... 

He  madtn  alfo,  ^m  i»  a  j^rrcate  whilc^ 
Origin^  sup^m  the  MaudelainCp 
Him  ou^htm  now  to  have  the  left-  i 

He  hath  made  many*  a  ley  andrajfi  

Mow  at  yc  be  »  gT>d  and  eke  a  kiiijp, 
t  your  Akcile,  whilom  Quenc  of  Tliracc^ 
1  aflte  yotj  thifi  man  ri^ht  of  your  ^rmct 
TUm  ye  him  nevirhurfc  in  al  hi«  Itvc, 
And  he  Ihal  fwcrinrr       -    —  ^  rhii  bfiv 
He  ilial  ner  more  ag  >  wife. 

But  fh*l  makiii  as  vt        .....  Jevifc 
Of  womjai  trn^e  in  lovin^i^  al  theii'  IHr, 
Where  io  yc  wol  of  moid  in  or  of  wife. 
And  forthrin  you  ai  modic  as  he  tntflVidrl 
Or  in  The  Rofe,  or  r!!ir  rn  Of  fride. 


Thcjijodof  l^vc 

f  thf«  aiH 

MatUmc,  (quod  ht 

7t  a^QQ 

That  1  you  kxi 

t^ 

That  ccvir  yt ' 

3 

Vo  mc  nc  four,,,    j 

'  '•*'^'  T^r 

If  that  I  wtil  yUvrh 

I  may  nor  wol  mu  ^ 

r'-tirftj 

Allieth  in  yo- 

Uld 

I  al  forycvc  v 

Fof  whu  fo  ycvtth  .. 

Do  it  betimr,  hii  th 

.iXrf* 

And  dcmith  ys  what  he  : 

:4a 

Co,  thankith  now  my  1 

4 

I  rofe,  and  down  1  f r 

And  fayid  thtu  ;  M 

..bi^ 

Fcrych^  —  'i-- 

v€ 

Hjive  m. 

'^ 

And  giv* 

.  i" 

rhatlmajc  it: 

That  have  mt 

But  trcwjiy  I  wtu^iv  4t  ii 

Nought  have  a/jhc  oc  dt 

rH'j 

For  why  ?  a  txcwemun  v 

':* 

Hath  oat  to  parlin  with 

I  » 

'  oi\ghl  me  not  to  bl.»mc 
jhat  I  fpckc  d.  f.ilfc  Iwvir  (oiii?*  11\anie» 
htin  niihcr  with  mc  for  to  fkoWc 
I  of  Crefcid^  wrote  or  tolite, 
Rofe  ♦  wh'At  (o  mine  authtir  ment 
roil  wutc  it  W.19  mifif  cotent 
Wi  trottth  til  Ihtc,  and  It  chrricr^ 
ni  Wife  fro  falfcncffe  antl  fra  vicf, 
iccnr^njplc  ihiiwaji  my  menin;;. 
■Mfw^rJCi  Let  be  thine  argiung', 
H|^tirol  not  cnuntirpletid  be 
Hm>n^,  and  Icroc  thai  ofnie  t 
^gf  gf'icc,  anj  hoIJc  the  rJ^ht  t^crto  ; 
IPmitie  whnt  pcnaun.c  thou  fliiU  Ju 
refpjice  :  Un«irrllaticiith  it  here 
It  while  that  thou  litiil  ycfic  by  ycrfl 
^  pjktUc  of  thj'  timf  fpcrivlc 
5  of  4  glorious  Leg^rnde 
Women,  buth  maidinii  and  wiveSn 
in  trcwc  in  loving  all  tbcr  Iivca, 
tl  of  falfc  men  thit  'hem  h?traicn, 
ber  lifr  ne  do  nat  but  affaien 
ly  women  thci  maie  done  a  Oiantc, 
or  world  that  is  nat  hoi Jc:  a  g^mc  f 

ft  that  ihe  like  nat  a  lorir  be 
of  lo¥c,  thiA  penauncc  ycirc  I  the, 
iM  god  of  J<ove  1  Oial  fo  praic 
bd  charge  his  fervaotet  by*  any  wafc 
in  the,  and  wel  thy  lab(>ur  quite ; 
by  %raic,  thi&  penauncc  t^  but  Vitci 
^  thi»  bokc  h  made  ycvc  it  the  Qvicn<: 
hajfff,  at  Eltliam  or  at  Shoic. 
sf  l^vt?  gan  fmilc,  and  thwn  he  feidc  J 
,  '  ,,,..^  hr)  whcrthiJfbc  wife  or  tisiiJc, 
iVe,  or  of  what  degrc, 
pc'tuuncc  3^cvin  the, 
vid  foncly  for  tQ  fmcrtc  ? 
biih  fonc  in  gentk  htrtCi 
rtfkoii  icne  ;  Hic  kithith  what  flic  is. 
lafwcrdc,  Naie,  Sir,  fo  have  I  biis 
but  tha^  1  ic  wet  fhe  ii  godt'* 
[^ttcvtt  talt  hy  mine  hodc 
""'  --'-'"'  -'       1- no  wilt  wd  pardc, 

..-.  ...  - :  .  .    :„  V  .>  chcfte 
(  godroenc  of  the  Q^cnc  Alceftc, 
tid  was  into  a  Daifie^ 
[brtier  hiifbond^  chelc  to  die, 
10  gone  to  hell  rathir  than  he^ 
zu\c9  cvfcnid  hrr  pardc, 
^ht  b*r  out  of  hel  ajraine  ro  bli»  ? 

W  i  .\Jcefte, 

11**  tn  ijcfi  li  rcftc  * 
i  fodenc(f«*  of  thit  wife , 
'•  drfh  and  in  htr  life 

I  bountc  dnublith  hi  r  r<!noiJii, 

fee  i|a}t  me  mine  aflcdioun 


i- 


DOOD   WOMIKI 

That  I  have  to  her  flour    ^;    ■       uc  ; 
No  wondir  is  though  J  iific, 

A";  trllith  AjC'iton^  f<jr  !i.     ^     .       !l«\ 
Her  white  curowtic  bcrith  ol  it  witncfTc, 
For  all  fii  rnatty  vlrnti^  h.id  Use 
A«i  final  rtoiuimi*  In  h'  ; 

In  Ttmt'nT^nsuncc  t»f  h  .  iimit* 

C)'billa  m  idc  the  l)ai<;ric,  uud  LJic  fluur 
Icrowntd  all  with  T^hite,  at  men  maif  i   , 


1  ii-  ■  ^  ;i  11    i  iM-»  'fLli'.   \\"\'     (  -  (I  im    1.1,1  ;;ii:  aht6 

Wltjn  fhr  wns  praifid  fo  in  htrr  prr fence. 

iriadc 

T[uit  1:11011  tofgttte  hrr  »ti  \Uy  i\iaig^  tn  (etlt| 

Si*:*  thjt  th<^M  ?rx  (o  g^rctlyin  hcrdcue, 

Atnl  worijt  TfVil  that  kalcnder  i*  fli«^' 

T"  fkiiy  utuuaa  that  wol  l*ivir  be. 

For  flic  t;iii^!jt  ^\i  tht*  t-   *        '        r  e  loving', 

And  namily  of  wifeho. 

And  all  the  hondisihal  ....         ...  to  ktpr  : 

Thy  litil  wittc  was  thilk'   tin»c  m(1*j»c; 
But  now  J  churc^^  the  iipoii  rhv  liT^ 
rhzuiu  thy  li'-j^fti'Sct'  vv  r.% 

Whan  thou  haik  othir  l  ■ , 

And  fare  now  Wd,  I  chv.ij;.'  the  no  nior^ » 
Out  fr  1  *Z'^  thN  muclu-  T  wd  the  td^ 
Nefir'!  ■'     -  "  ;.   1, 

Btrn  ir»  r"y  ii.u.io" .  li  t;ii>ii  rurur    hem  knnwe, 

\nt\  in  ihy  bukis  al  thou  Oult  *hem  fmdc> 

Have  'bcai  now  in  thy  L-gendeal  in  mhijcj 

I  mene  pf  iJjcm  that  ben  in  thy  knowiiii;, 

For  here  hen  twenty  thmifande  mofuimg 

Than  that  thou  knowilfc,  and  ^odc  women  al» 

And  trcwc  of  love,  for  ought  ihat  miiu  befal; 

Makith  the  mctfit  of  *bcm  a^  tJic  leftc, 

i  mwc  gone  hrtmc,  rhc  ft»Tin<*  df?.wlib  weftc. 

To  Paradt*,  wirh  al  tlii  , 

And  fiTvin  alwajeihc  '^ 

At  Clcc^^tr**  I  wnlthat  i.i  hj  r»r.- pnne. 

And  fo  fartJi  •,  aml.my  love  fo  ftitilt  thou  wIudcI 

For  let  fe  now  what  ntiin  ih  \t  lovir  bo 

Wol  done  fi  ftfonjj  a  pain  '  lor  love  at  ibc, 

I  wotc  wel  that  thou  mi^icfll  not  al  it  rime 

Th«  fuche  lovirit  diddin  in  tlirr  timfe ; 

It  were  to  lon^c  to  vafttj  and  tO  here  ; 

SuffiUth  mc  thou  make  in  tl\h  mincre^ 

That  thou  reherce  of  al  ther  life  the  ^ete, 

Aftir  thcfe  olde  authors  Ulle  for  to  trclc; 

For  who  io  Ihal  fo  many'  a  ftoric  tel 

Sry  (liortily,  or  he  (hal  to  longc  dwell. 

And  with  that  wordc  my  bokis  gan  I  tnk?, 

And  ri^ht  thus  un  my  Lc^jcn Jc  gin  I  make. 

Dd  u 


^^  4M                          LEGENDE  OF  CLEOPATRA,  QUfiNE  OF  ECYPJK.           ^^H 

^^^K                                                              BEGINMETH                                       H 

B^              THE  LEGENDE  OF  CLEOPATRA,          | 

^    .  e. 

1 

U*^H,jLSy        QJ^^*^^    °'    EGYPT E.                                     ^H 

>/;?: 

*^H 

A  >Tf  It  the  df the  of  Ptolemy  tKc  King,               ^ 

Of  thing  that  berith  more  effcAe  tad  dufjvj 

That  all  Egypt  hid  in  hu  fovcrning, 

For  men  maie  orirlade  *  fhippc  or  barge  §  w^k 

Rejgnid  hit  I'uiiir  Quenc  Cleopatra*, 
TiJ  on  a  time  bUel  tKcre  fuche  a  cast 

And  fortfiy  to  effede  than  wol  I  fkippe,    ^H 

And  al  thf  rcmnaunt  1  wol  let  it  H^pe,     ^W 

That  out  of  Rome  was  fcnt  »  fcnatour 

OdaviaOt  that  wode  was  of  this  dcde,        T 

*Jo  conquerin  relmii,  and  bf  in^  honour 

Shope  him  an  hoflc  on  Antony  to  Icde,     ^M 

Unto  the  touDC  of  Rome,  as  wai  ufaiince, 

Ai  uttirly  fbr  his  diArudion,                      ^H 

To  haTc  the  worldc  at  htr  obtifauncc, 

With  Houtc  Romitinis,  cruil  is  U  -o  :          ^H 

And,fothe  to  faic,  Antonius  wa*  hii  name. 

To  (hip  thci  went ;  and  thus  1  let  VmlaSe*^ 

So  fil  it,  ai  Fortune  him  ought  a  {h^nc, 

Antonius  wa*  ware,  and  wol  not  faile      ^L 

Whan  he  wi»  taliin  in  profpcritc 

To  metin  with  thcfc  Romaincs  if  he  inair,^H 

RebeJ  unto  the  touhc  of  Rome  16  hc^ 

Tokt;  eke  his  rtde.  and  b<rth  upon  a  ^^ ^^k 

And  or  al  ihii  the  fudir  of  Carfare 

His  wife  nnd  he,  and  al  his  holl,  forth  *«*^r 

He  left  her  falfely,  er  that  (he  \\^\  warC| 

To  flilp  anone,  no  lengir  ihei  ne  ftcnt,          J 

And  would  algati*  hin  anothir  wife, 

And  in  the  fc  it  happid  'hem  t*  mete;  ^^ft 

For  which e  he  toke  with  Rome  *nd  C«far  flrifc. 

Up  goeih  the  trnmpc,  and  for  to  (booSe  ^^^^k 

NathelclTc,  fof  fothc  thii  ilkc  fenatonr 

And  painin  *hem  lO  fet  on  with  the  ^**>^^^H 

Wa»  a  fill  worthy  gentil  wcrriour, 

With  j;ri fly  fbunc  out  goith  the  p^eU  fM^H 

And  of  his  dcth  it  was  ful  grctc  damage  ; 

And  hertily  thd  hurtUn  al  at  ooea,        ^^H 

^^^    But  Love  had  brought  tliis  man  ift  fudi  a  'age^ 

And  fro  the  top  doune  comiih  the  gt«icl|^^| 

^^f    And  bim  fo  iiarow  boundia  in  hi&  liuu. 

In  goth  the  grapinel  fo  ful  ol  crakes          ^^| 

^^^      And  al  for  the  love  of  Cleoptras, 

Among  the  ropis  rtn  the  fhcring  hokc«»     ^H 

■            That  a]  the  world  he  fet  at  no  value ; 

(n  With  the  polaxe  prcfith  he  and  be,             1 

B            Him  thought  there  was  nothing  to  him  fo  doc 

Bchinde  the  made  beginmth  he  to  fie,            1 

I            A»  ClcopaLriA  for  to  love  and  fcrvc  j 

And  out  againe,  and  dririth  him  or  horde,      1 

■            Him  roughtc  aat  in  armii  for  to  llervc 

He  Oickith  him  upon  his  fpcrSi  orde,           1 

H            In  the  defence  of  her  and  of  her  right. 

He  rctit  the  failc  with  hokis  like  a  lithe,        ■ 

1                 This  noble  Qucnc  eke  lovid  fu  this  knight 

He  brirgeth  the  cuppe^an<lbiddith  'hcjnkljB 

■            Through  his  dciertc  *jid  for  his  chivalrie, 

He  poiirith  prtffen  upon  the  batthi*  flidn^^H 

^^^     As  ccrtainlic,  but  if  that  bokii  lie. 

Wit  1  pottis  ful  <vf  hmc  thei  gon  togidff*^^H 

^^K     He  was  of  pcrfon  and  of  grntilnefTe, 

And  thus  the  Jonge  daie  in  Itghi  ihcilf^^H 

^^f     And  of  difcretion  and  of  hiirdincCV, 

Til  at  the  laA,  as  every  tiling  h*th  esdfi    ^H 

^^       Worthy  to  any  wight  that  livin  maie. 

AntuniuH  is  flient  and  put  to  flight,               1 

1              And  flje  wa»  faire  as  is  the  rofc  in  Maic  J 

And  al  his  folki-  to  go  that  beit  g©  ""^^^ 
Flecili  ckc  the  C^cnc,  with  al  het  purpk  Jj 
Fnr  flrokit  whicUe  that  went  as  thfcd<»^* 

K             And,  for  to  makin  (hortc  is  the  bcfl. 

I             She  woxc  his  wife,  and  had  him  as  her  kfL 

I                  The  wedding  and  the  fcftO  to  dcvife, 

No  wondir  w;-   «>^.   iv.  ^ht  it  n*t  eiidarti 

■             To  Bic  that  have  ttakin  fpchc  empriic 

And  whan  ^x                    that  iirintuft, 

■             Of  fo  many  a  ftorie  for  to  make, 

Alai  (quod  h,  ^                  thai  I  ^a*l»i»«* 

■            It  iter€  to  iQUge,  IcA  that  I  fhoiUde  flake 

My  T^orihip  ia  thia  dak  thiu  hate  I  bit*'f 

LEGENbB  OF  eLBOPATRA,  QUENE  OF  EGTPTE. 

laire  out  of  idt  witte  he  fterte, 
mfelfe  anon  throughout  the  herte 
erthir  went  out  of  the  place  : 
at  could  of  Csfar  have  no  grace, 
ed  for  drede  and  for  diftrefle  ; 


*«.. 


eh,  ye  that  fpekin  of  kindenefle. 
hat  falfeljr  fwerin  many'  an  othe 
I  die  if  that  yourvlovc  be  wrothe, 
e  (cne  of  women  fuch  a  trouth 
Cieopatre*  had  made  fuche  routh 
i*is  toBg^  none  that  maie  it  tel, 
morowe  fhe  wol  no  lengir  dwel, 
it  fubtil  weikmen  make  a  ihrine 
>ie8  and  the  flonis  fine 
which  that  (he  coulde  eipie, 
:  ful  the  ihrine. of  fpic^rie, 
te  corfe  enbaume,  and  forth  fhe  fette 
'fe,  and  (he  in  the  (hrine  is  (hette ; 
e  (hrine  a  pit  than  <Ioih  (he  gn^e^ 
'erpentis  that  ihe  might  have 
a  in  that  grave,  and  thus  (he  feide ; 
>  whom  my  forowful  hert  obcide 
%  that  fro  that  blisful  hour 
were  to  ben  al  Irely  your. 


I  mene  you,  Antonius,  my  knight, 
That  nevir  waking  in  the  d^e  or  night 
Ye'n*ere  out  of  mine  hert'is  remembraunce, 
For  wele  or  wo,  for  carole  or  for  daunce. 
And  in  my  felfe  thi«  covenant  made  I  tho. 
That  right  fuche  as  ye  feltin,  wele  or  wo, 
As'ferforth  as  it  in  my  power  laie, 
Unrep rovable*  onto  my  wifehode  «ie, 
The  fame  would  I  felin  in  life  or  dethe, 
And  thilk^  covenaunt  while  me  laitith  brethp 
I  wol  fulfil,  and  that  (hal  wel  be  fene, 
Wasner  unto  her  love  a  trewir  quene ; 
And  with  thSit  word  nakid,  with  fill  gode  hert, 
Among  the  ferpentes  an  the  pitte  (he  (lert. 
And  t&tt  fhe  ^efe  to  have  her  burying : 
Anone  the  nedirsgonne  her  for  to  iUng, 
And  (he  her  deth  rccevith  with  god  there. 
For  love  of  Antdhy  that  was  her  dere  ; 
And  this  is  (lorial  fothe,  i|  ii  no  fable. 
Now  er  I  finde  a  man  thus  trewe  and  (tabic, 
And  wol  for  tove  his  deth  fo  frely  take, 
I  praie  Cod  let  our  hedis  nevir  ake  1 


•«<> 


tSGENDE  OF  THfStE  Of  BAIVLOHR. 


"^t^&llf-A^ 


HIiRB   FOLOWETH 


"THE  LEGENDE  OF  THISBE 

.•.-..>      .1)  -   ■-.  -■  •■  .    • 

.  .;!  ■■  dr,:     .... 

OF   BABVLONE. 


A  T  Babylone  whilom  fil  it  thus. 

The  whichc  toun  the  Quene  Simiramus 

Lit  dichin  al  about,  aAd  wallis  make 

>ull  hie  of  hurde  tilis  ^vcl  ibakc  : 

'i'l}ere  werin  dwellin);  iu  this  nublc  toun 

*i'wo  lordis  which  that  were  of  grctc  renoun, 

^Vnd  wonidin  fo  nigh  upon  a  grcnc 

That  there  n'asbut  a  Hone  wal  *heni  bitwcne. 

As  oftin  in  grctc  touni©  is  the  wonnc, 

And,  fothe  to  iuine,  that  one  man  had  a  fonnc 

Of  al  that  londc  one  of  the  luflyill, 

Th:it  othir  hud  a  doughtirthc  fairift 

That  dlward  in  the  world  was  tho  dwellinj^; 

1  he  name  of  cvctichc  gan  to  othir  fpring, 

Vy  women  that  were  neighbouii.s  aboutc, 

For  in  that  countrcyet  withoutin  doutc 

MaidiiTih  ben  ikcptc  for  jcloufie 

Tul  llraitely,  left  lliei  diddin  lonie  folic. 

This  yn\mj>^i'.  man  was  depid  Py ramus. 
And  Thifbc  hight  tlic  maidc  (Nalo  faith  thu?) 
Ard  thus  by  rcporte  wai  thtr  name  ilhove,' 
That  as  tbei  woxf  in  ap;e  fo  woxc  thtr  love  ; 
And  ccrtalne,  aj>  by  rtf«.]i  cf  tin  rage, 
Ther might  ba\e  ben  betwixt  'hem  mariage, 
But  that  ther  faibirs  n'clde  ir  nat  affcnt ; 
And  thci  in  love  yiikc  fore  lot  he  Irer.t 
That  rcr.c  of  al  ihtr  fre:uiis  mii;ht  it  Icttc, 
But  privily  fon'.timi/ yet  thci  r.icltc 
By  Ccigbi,  and  fpakin  feme  of  ihcr  defirc. 
As  wric  the  r;!tde  and  hcttir  is  the  fire; 
J>rbid  a  loye  and  it'  is  ten  times  fo  wodc. 

This  wal  which  that  betwixt  'hem  both  y  ft  ode 
Was  cloven  atwo  rif.ht  fro  the  top  adoun 
Of  oldc  time  of  his  fcuridacioun, 
But  yet  this  cliftc  was  fo  narow  and  lite 
It  watnat  fcnc,  (dcrcinoogha  mite) 


But  vrhat  is  that  that  love  can  not  efpie? 
Ye  lovirs  two,  if  that  I  fhal  nat  lie^ 
Ye  foundin  firil  this  lltle  narowe  cliftc, 
And  with  a  fuunde  as  foftc  as  any  Ihriftf 
Thci  let  ther  wordis  through  the  cltftepo^ 
And  toldin,  while  that  thei  ftoden  in  the  fbl 
Al  ther  complaint  of  love  and  al  ther  ««, 
At  every  time  whan  tlici  durfiinfo. 

Upon  that  one  fide  of  the  wal  ftodefct, 
And  on  that  other  fide  flode  Thilbe, 
The  fwetc  foune  of  othir  to  reccTc, 
And  thus  ther  wardcins  wouldin  thei  diicH 
And  every  dale  this  wal  thci  wouldin  dutl^ 
And  wiih  to  God  that  it  were  doun  ibete; 
Thus  would  thci  fainc,  Alas!  thcu  wididi 
Thorough  thine  en  vie  thoa  us  lettifi  al; 
"Why  n*ilt  thou  elcve  or  Callin  al  atwo  I 
Or  at  the  lefte,  but  thou  wouldift  (b. 
Yet  wouldift  tiiou  but  onis  let  us  mete, 
Or  onib  that  we  nvghtin  kiflin  fwcte. 
Than  were  we  curid  of  ourcariscolde; 
But  nathelefle  yet  be  wc  to  the  holdc, 
In  as  much   a^  thou  fufirlft  for  to  gone 
Our  wordis  through  thy  lime  andc^tbyii 
Yet  oughtin  wc  with  the  ben  wel  avaide. 

And  whan  thefc  idil  wordis  wciioiiu^ 
l^he  colde  wal  thci  woldxn  kiife  of  fifloe, 
And  take  ther  Icve,  and  forth  thci  woUilp 
And  this  was  gladly  in  the  evintide. 
Or  wondir  crly,  left  men  it  djpidc : 
And  long^  time  thei  wrougbtin  tkisBOifl^ 
Til  on  a  dale,  whan  Phoebus  gan  to  dot, 
Aurora  with  the  ftremis  of  her  hcte 
Had  dry  id  up  the  dewe  of  herbu  wrtc^ 
Unto  this  clifte,  as  it  was  wonte  to  he. 
Come  PjTumus,  acd  afiir  come  Tliibct 


bouth  rigHt  fuily  in  rhcr  falc, 
f  nt}^Kt  to  llclc  awnic, 

\oi  the  cite  for  ttr  gone; 
lid  IS  ben  fo  brodc  and  ¥^itle 
(b  o  place  a*  ■<  f"^^ 
kkesihcr  I  .ul  !h- 

pms,  that  idoiiiB  hciH-Jf 

feldis  to  bcri  bcricd; 

|1»  grave  was  a  wcl, 

itf  this  tAtc  for  to  tcl, 

II  w;t^  ai!irnud  wondirf&ft, 

in  thoughun  that  the  fonni^  kft, 

^oue  utidir  the  fc  adouiu 

I  hath  fo  gixtc  ^fTcttioun, 

ttkltig  PynmiUB  to  fc, 

fe  fdkwe  htr  liiiK*  might  ybc 

pic  awaie  ful  privily, 

MWimpUd  full  fubtiUy, 

pdla  f  for  to  lave  her  trouthc) 

|fce,  alai !  ^nd  thai  U  routhc, 

jHftn  wtjuld  ybc  fo  trewc 

Ift  but  ilic  the  bet  him  knewc  ; 

jj^  ihc  gocth  a  (ul  godc  pucc, 

I  her  fo  hardy  iit  thii  citfe, 

die  adoun  Ciw  p^n  her  drdTc. 

mitli  a  wikic  lioncffc 

$e,  withoutin  more  arcfV, 

juihe  of  flrangling  of  u  bcil^ 

ihc  wcl  there  a*  Ihcfat; 

m  VhilLc  had  efpyid  thai 

►  wjfh  a  ful  drery  hcrte^ 

[with  drcd ful  fotc  ihc  ftcrtc, 

&e  (he  fawc  it  wcl  withnll, 

\  her  wimple  let  fbc  fall, 

B  hctlc,  lo  fore  (he  was  jwhaped^ 

fcd  (or  that  Cie  wa->  cfc^iptd ; 

kl  and  lurkith  wondtr  IhlL 

I  liouclTe  hath  dronkc  her  fill 

jcK  gan  (he  for  to  wtnde, 

|]  tlic  wimple  gMi  fhc  fiodc, 

blody  mouthc  tt  alto  rente; 

ft  done  no  Icn^Jr  fhc  nc  Ucntc, 

dc  her  way  than  hath  Oic  iiomc. 

lafl:  thii  Pyramua  is  ccmc, 

t,  ata» !  at  home  wu  he  ; 

le,  men  nugjuiii  wcl  ife  ^ 

ic,  a«  that  he  come  ful  fad, 

e  groondc  adouu  he  cafl, 

Ide,  as  he  bdtelde  adouu, 

tppid  brodc  ofalioun, 

rt  he  foJ^iinly  agrofc* 

rext€,  thcrwuli  hi*  hert  arofc, 

imci  and  founde  tJic  wiiMplc  tornc ; 

)  the  daic  that  t  was  borne ! 

rol  both  us  loving  ilc ; 

!aikin  mercy  of  Thifbc 

f  that  have  ynu  llaiuc  ?  ah*  I 

;h  you  llainc  in  this  ciia«  ; 

B  a  wofnan  gone  by  night 

aiperill  faUin  might, 
:  aLs!>*  I  nc  had  be 

net  a  {urlongc  waic  cr  yc- 


Now  what  lioun  thai  it  iD-^hift  fofeft 

3^Iy  body  n^ote  he  rcntin^  or  what  l>rft  4* 

1  hit  wilJo  i*,  gnawm  mote  he  now  mine  h«r|^ 

And  with  tJiat  vvordt  he  to  the  wimple  iicnc,  " 

A  ad  kill:c  it  oite,  and  wt^-ptc  on  it  ful  furc. 

Aiul  laid,  Wnnplt',   -i  •-'   t^fn-  !  =  ',<  ,:,-.  Miorc, 

But  thou  fhidt  k  1 

M  thoU  halt  fcltr 

And  with  that  w  •  .j  him  to  ihv  hrrtt. 

The  blidt;  4?«t  ot  t  ^^  *iry<W  alUitc  ,. 

A*  watir,  whan  the  tcuivluitc  brokin  i». 

Now  Thiil>c,  which  that  nc  wiit  not  of  tliii. 
But  fitting  ill  her  dredc  Ihethoughii!  thus, 
Vf  It  fo  f^lUn  that  my  Pyran;u» 
Be  comcn  hithir»  and  may  mc  nat  iflndc^ 
He  niaic  me  holdin  faHc  and  eke  unkinde* 
And  out  (he  cometh,  and  aftir  hint  gau  fpien 
Both  with  her  hert^  and  eke  with  her  cien. 
And  thought  1  wol  him  tclUn  of  my  dredc 
Both  of  the  lioncffc  and  of  my  dedc  j 
And  at  the  lail  her  love  than  haih  (he  founds. 
Yhcting  with  hi**  hcli»  on  the  gronndc 
Al  blody  %  and  thci  withal  abackc  flic  flertc, 
^Vnd  like  the  wawis  qusppc  began  her  hcrtc, 
And  pale  a^  boxc  Ihc  woxe,  and  in  a  tlirowc 
Aviiid  her,  ujid gan  him  wcl  to  know., 
That  It  waa  Pyramui,  her  hcrtc  dcrc  : 
0 1  who  could  writin  whiche  a  de<lly  chcrc 
Hath  Thifbc  now  !  and  how  her  here  Ihc  r«nt. 
And  how  (he  gan  her  fclfin  lo  turmcnt, 
And  how  flic  licth  and  fwounith  on  the  ground. 
And  how  fl»e  wcpr  of  tcri*ful  his  w*oundi , 
How  medltth  Hie  hi&  Ulodc  with  her  complaint. 
How  with  her  blod  her  felvtn  gan  flu'  p«unt. 
How  clippiih  ftic  the  red  dcd  corfc,  ahiA  ! 
How  doth  this  woful  Thifbc  in  this  cais, 
How  kifliih  (he  hi*  frofty  mouthc  fo  coUc  ! 
Who  hath  don  lhi»?  and  who  hath  bai  (o  bolde 
'I'o  flccn  my  life  ?  o  !  fpckc  my  Pyramu^, 
1  »m  thy  Tliifbe  that  the  calliih  thn^ ; 
And  thcrwithal  ihc  liftitb  up  lushed. 

This  wofuU  man,  that  was  nat  Inlly  dcd^ 
Whan  that  he  hcrdc  the  nam<f  of  Thilbc  tricn. 
On  her  he  call  hislicvy  dedly  cycn» 
And  dotm  aga.inci  and  ycldjth  up  the  goft, 

Thifbc  rift  up  withoutin  noife  or  boll, 
And  faw  her  wimple  and  hi>  empty  Ihcth, 
Ajid  eke  hi^  fwerde,  that  him  hatli  don  to  deth* 
Thitn  fpake  fhe  thus;  My  woful  hande  (quod  fhe) 
U  (^Tongc  iuough  in  fuchc  a  werkc  to  me, 
l*of  love  (hal  yeve  mc  ftrcngth  and  httrdineffc 
To  make  my  woundt;  large  inou«r|)  I  gclTc ; 
I  wol  the  folowcn  dcd,  and  \  wol  l»c 
hrlawc  and  caufc  eke  of  thy  deth,  (quod  fhc) 
And  though  that  nothing  favc  the  deth  only 
Mi^rht  the  fro  mc  depart  in  rrcwily, 
Thctu  ftialt  no  mt^rc  dcpartin  now  fro  mc 
riian  Jro  the  deth,  for  I  wol  go  with  the. 

And  now,  yc  wrctihid  jcloufe  fathirs  our,  ' 
Wc  that  ywertn  whilont  chitdrin  your, 
Wc  prayin  you  withoutin  more  cnvic 
That  m  o  grave  wc  both  motin  lie, 
Hcn^  love  hath  brought  u&  t6  thia  pttous  ende  £ 
And  righuvilc  God  to  every  lovir  fcndc, 

D  d  iii  j 


4H 


UtGEKDE  OF  THTSBB  OP  BABTLONE. 


Th»t  lovith  trrwly,  more  profperitc 

Than  evir  had  Pyramus  aiid  ThiA)e, 

And  let  no  gentil  woman  her  alTure 

To  puttin  her  in  fuche  an  avinture  3 

But  God  forbid  but  that  a  woman  can 

Ben  88  true  and  as  loving  at  a  man. 

And  for  my  part  I  (hal  anon  it  kith ; 

And  with  that  >vord  his  fwerd  fhe  tokd  fwith. 

That  warme  was  of  hei  lov*is  blode  and  hote» 

And  to  tbe^ert^  ihe  her  fdvin  fmqte. 


And  thos  are  Thiibc*  and  Fyramns  ngvi 
Of  trewe  meiy  I  findin  but  fewe  mo 
In  al  my  bokis  (ave  this  Pyramot, 
And  therfore  have  I  fpokin  of  him  thtis^ 
For  it  is  deinte  to  ns  men  to  findo 
A  man  that  can  in  love  be  trrwc  and  kindc» 

Here  maie  ye  fene,  what  kvir  fo  hebe, 
A  woman  dare  and  can  as  wcl  at  he. 


HERE    FOLOWETH 


THE   LEGENDE   OF    DIDO 


QUEJJE   OF   CARTHAGE* 


md  honour,  Virglle  Kfatitusfty 
ipiue,  and  I  OiaJ  a»  1  can 
f  jkntf  rue  »&  thou  gocH  befornc, 
"M  to  Dido  wa*  forfworne 
Lncidc,  Jind  Nafo  wol  I  cake 
r  and  the  grct  tffeB^n  make. 
cc  ybrought  wu&  to  rlillnit^ioct 
ilcight,  and  namely  by  Sinon 
rhorCc  offirid  unco  Mmi-rve, 
hich  that  many  a  7  rojan  muA  ftcnre, 
cur  had  tftir  his  deth  apcrcd, 
p  wode  tJiat  k  might  nat  ben  ftered, 
fible  tourc  of  lUron, 
^fe  waa  Uic  chefc  dongeon* 
countrc  wai  fo  Jowc  ihrought, 
lut  the  king  fordone  and  noiight« 
«  wai  chargid  by  Vcuus 
iraiCf  be  toke  Alcanius, 
lis  fon,  in  hiA  right  handc  and  fledde, 
I  biickc  he  hare  and  with  him  kddc 
ihir  dcpid  AnchiftA, 

Ic  hii  wife  Crcufii  he  Jcfc ; 

ovr  had  he  in  hi^  mindc 

Id  hU  fcliiwfliip  yfinde, 

,,  wban  he  had  *hcm  yfouodc, 
rcJy  in  a  cettauie  ftoiinde| 

ful  fail  he  giin  hixn  hie, 

rth  with  al  hi&  conipanic 

,  as  wold  Dcdinc  ; 

iturif  in  the  k 
pwrpofc  for  lo  fpekc  of  here, 
"dhb  nalto  my  mitere; 
d,  of  Kim  and  of  Dido 
tale  til  chat  f  have  do* 
in  the  falc<»  £$ 
letKaniYidhc 


With  fhlf pis  fevifl,  an4  co  more  ttavlc^ 
And  jjiad  he  wa*  tti  londi  for  to  h*c, 
Bq  w:m  he  with  the  tempcfl  al  to  fhake; 
And  -whan  tiat  he  the  havin  had  itake 
He  htd  a  knight  w js  caUid  Achates, 
And  him  of  all  his  fclowihrp  he  chcfc 
To  gon  with  him  the  conntre  for  t*cfpie, 
He  nc  toke  with  him  no  more  companiep 
But  forthc  thci  gon,and  left  his  ihfppi*ridc, 
His  fere  and  he,  withotitin  any  guide. 

So  long  he  walkJth  in  thi*  wddimeflc  ; 
Till  at  the  lift  he  met  an  huntirdTe  j 
A  bowe  in  hondc  and  arowti  had  /he. 
Her  clothtt  cuttid  were  unt^  the  knc. 
But  (he  wat  yet  the  fairifl  creature 
1  hat  evij-  wa*  iformid  by  Nature, 
And  .^Jieas  and  Achates  (he  grette. 
And  thus  flie  to  *hrm  fpake  whan  Che  *hem  mett 

Saw  ye,  (quod  ihe)  as  yc  h;*n  walkid  wide. 
Any  of  my  fuftrin  walke  you  befide 
M^ith  any  wilde  bore  or  othir  bed. 
That  thci  have  huntidco  in  thi»  forcft, 
Ituekid  up,  with  arowes  in  thcr  caa»  ? 

Naie^  fothly,  ladic,  (quod  ihif  .^aeta) 
But  by  thy  be  ante,  aa  J  c  thinkith  roe. 
Thou  mightiil  ncvir  yerthly  woman  be. 
But  Phabui  fuUir  art  thou  as  I  gcffc. 
And  if  fu  be  that  thou  be  a  goddelTe 
Have  mcrcie  on  our  labour  and  our  wo. 

I  n'am  no  goddtfic  fochjy,  quod  flic  tho, 
For  maidini  walkin  in  thii  countrc  here 
With  arowes  and  with  bow  In  thii  manere; 
This  it  the  rdme  of  Libyc  there  ye  bea, 
Of  whiche  thai  Dido  ladie  if  and  qoenc; 
And  fhortly  toldc  all  the  occafion 
Why  Dido  came  into  that  region^ 


*  I^Et^Ek&E  OF  DIDO  Ql'£Meir>r<rAkTHAGt. 


Of  wltlche  Hi  flow  me  liftith  um  to  rhmie  ; 

It  ncdkh  nat  i  it  n'crc  but  lofTc  of  ttrac ; 

For  tlt'is  it  sU  und  fomc^  it  wu  Venui, 

His  owiie  mothir,  that  fpakc  vtiih  him  tlius: 

Aud  In  Carthage  (he  hade  he  Ihocid  him  Jight, 

AuU  v:  r    -    '       --'  cut  of  hU  ^iiht. 

I  couUi  t  dc  for  wordt  Virg^ilc, 

But  it  V,  ....  i    ../-.ii  all  to  \ongi  wKlic, 

This  tioblc  Qucne,  that  ckpid  was  Dido, 
Thut  wKiloru  was  the  wife  of  Sicbxo, 
M'Jiaj  fairif  was  by  fcrr  than  the  bright  fonne^ 
Thjitjobk  tojne  of  C'arthiigc  hath  hcgonnc. 
In  whichc  fhc  rcignith  in  (o  gictc  l^pfipuf    /       .  • 
That  flic  wat  holdij]  of  all  qucnis  flour 
Of  gcnijlleircj  of  frcdomc,and  bcautc. 
That  wtU  wa*  him  that  might  her  ouk  fc. 
Of  kin^rii  and  of  k-^   +-  '-red,   ;:  tjy        ;    - 
That  all  the  worn  ut  ha€  infid,  " 

She  llodc  lb  well  iu ,      -^ht*is  grace. 

Whan  JEi\cih  wtts  come  unto  the  place, 
Unto  the  tnaillirtcmple'  of  all  the  toun,. 
There  Dido  was  in  her  dcYoctoai),  ^ 
Full  privily  hi»  wnie  thiii  hath  he  Home  : 
'Whan  he  was  into  the  large  tcnoplc  come 
1  can  not  Cdnc  if  that  it  he  pofTiblc, 

But  Vo.,   '..:'-,     ''■:    ■"'-, 

Thut  1.  Id^t   .  *,  ,„ 

Anti  'it"'  .in  ales' 

Haddiii  ^a  ovirali. 

Than  i^--.  — .  _-,  -.^nLld  oti  a  v^  jII 

liow  7'rgie  and  ail  the  lande 

Ala*  that  I  <va*  borne  1  i<iiioil  . 

*l*horough  the  world  pur  fhauic  %%  kid  io  yflde^     ' 

Now  it  h  jraintid  upon  every  iidc  : 

All  we  that  ,wcrln  in  proijpLritc 

Ben  Aow  d'tfdaiinJr id,  And  m  fjchc  degrc, 

Ko  Icngir  for  to  \}viu  I  lie  kept ; 

Aud  wi\h  that  \\9td  he  brafl  out  for  to  wcpc 

So  tcndidy  th^t  roiith  it  was  to  fene. 

This  frcfti.^  l*dic,  of  the  cittc  Qucnc, 
Stode  in  the  t*  tml.  Iji  her  .  ^,j,tc  roiall, 
»So  richlly  ar  tliall, 

i?ii  vofii^  fo  ]  yxn  ghdc, 

'I  God  tijjt  htvia  aud  yerth  made 

"W  a  love,  for  beaute  and  ^odi:t  cffc, 

Aiid  uum^ihcdw,  aud  tToiith  .  Hife^ 

Whom  fhoidd  he  K>vin  but  tl  c  ^ 

There  o'lA  uo  Wutiian  to  hini  ' 
Forttine,  thnt  hjih  the  ^^iirld  ric^\ 

Hath  fi  f    •   '     !  -'  ■ijjht  in  fo  iu>it  .;,  .^..^ncc 
Thi»r  1 1  ic  js^t  fo  freniid  a  c*iaj, 

Vnr  allf    -  .  •    ofiLsicas, 

Which  lliat  v  ,vc  loroc  in  the  fc^ 

Arivid  is  mm  iro  that  cltc^ 

For  whichc  the  ^iUn  of  hi*  lordii  fomc. 
33y  avinturc  b«i  to  the  cite  u:ime» 
Unto  that  A^v:  u>r  to  ftkc 

The  Q«cne» ,  fi»cuur  htr  bcftke, 

ijocKc  r  '  *  '        , 

AniJ  li. 

And  SJi  ^j.ti  "  "ti  «iii-i  ii»u^*  (.iwvj 

Unto  theQj  5  ^nca&. 

And  opinly  L    ,i  jt  it  wait  he  ; 

Who  hkddiu  joit:  than  but  hit  mcinc, 


TJi.if  haddiri  fontid  thtr  tr»rL!r,  ♦jirrffiowirfio 

The  Qmciic  fkwthar  u  ibclw  J 

And  had  herd  oft  of  /.  ,  i, 

And  in  her  hcru  iliv  had  routh-j  and  wo 
']  hat  evtr  foche  a  noble  uuti  si  he 
t'    "  !    -  i^ilhcritid  in  f    '      '         , 

I  he  man  Ih  i  r  a  koix 

And  like  to  ben  a  very 
And  well  hi*  wordis  It  i^ 

And  hiid  a  noble  vifage  for  the  nones. 
And  formid  well  of  brawue  and  eke  of  1 
^id  afcir  V^u«  had  fothc  faixcncDc 
Thit  no  ruan  might  be  h^Ife  fo  faitc  1  gfSe^ 
And  well  a  lordc  him  fcniid  for  to  be  ; 
And  for  he  wav  a  ftraun j^ir,  fomwhat  &c 

/.. .  -..-  .-.--.    ;-.:.-  ut  hi*  wo. 

And  with  that  pitc  lovu  ycame  aifo ; 
And  thus  for  pitc  and  for  gf  nttlncffe 
RcfTtthid  mtiit  h*  ben  of  hti  dtf^rrfTc 

She  f;»yid  ccrtii  that  fhc  foric  was 
That  he  hath  had  foche  perill  and  foeh  eui, 
And  in  her  freridly  fpcchc'in  thii  mAncit 
She  to  hini  :     '  *  faicd  a*  ye  maic  here  J 

Be  ye  r...:  -nc  and  Anfl^fji  * 

tngt  '  — -  .-n,:„-.j ,^    » 

Thai  jWJ 

Vour  r- 

Aad  till  word t  .tuc^ 

And  id  her  mcil 

The  f-iji I.  d'lic  ^^Mthontin  ar 
Hi*  ihrrpis  for  to  ffkr*  tind  ' 
hill!  '-.i'rrr'  :ilcV  ■       ' 

And  ' 
An.t 

Wi,..,    ,:...u,;,    > 

He  ncvir  het  at  t 

l-ullx%.-fl.'  F.  P  ■ 

Ofip:  ilr, 

-\ndf:'  .,fc. 

ThisiL 
Out  of  thr 
Renv 
To  .' 
Ofn 
Ihi^ 

And  c  i..  ,;..-, 

And  I  ,^oa, 

Unreal..    .  M 

To  tak(f  hi 
With  all  \u 

Then:  nc  wi.  xae, 

Nc  ftcd^  for  ih< 

Nc  j'-  u 

Neiacfc:i?i  f  ^ 

Ne  rubic  n  - .  '-^fiff 

Nc  g**utiU  i.--  , 

N^  hounde  for  h  nc,  ordfWf 

Nc  cuppe  of  golc!,  new*  tl****! 

That  in  the  b&dc  oi  i^b jc  maic  bcs  g<ti^ 


I   fyctit, 
.fti^  call, 


►  • 


rmi  i:m.,l  I'l'iv-  nniriv;' nun  knt^ 
Toiitcc  knvf  fhar  he  fhbuKl  vmaLc 


\  it  wa*.  fr- 

elTe  vl  the  cfuldc  itakc, 
[«<nr  tnamatiict!  tor  to  make 


...  ..^.:.  —jtle  fi>ch  chcre 
bi  <  ndir  wa*  to  hcfc-> 

ter  his  [sthir  ffnt 

Ihini  imii  oft  in  gode  enternt* 
iQueDe  iu  plefuQnce  and  in  jote 
Be  new^  iuftic  foikc  cf  Troir, 
Bedi^  hath  Ote  nj«tc  tncj^ucrcJ 
■1  '  Itted 

||r  ie  thci  twaic 

.mu  to  pltlTt, 

!i  to  bred  in  for  he  a  firf, 
rh  now  fochc  dc&re 
Btr  Bcwc  ^cll  to  dck 
loft  her  hewc  and  clt«  her  helc- 
cflV^,  itow  to  the  fruilr,  of  ail 
lid  thi»  Hortc*  mid  cell  in  ih&lt 
hnc*  It  fell  upon  a  nightj 
i«  monc  upreiQd  had  her  light, 
wnc  tin  to  htr  reft  ywcut, 
^  snd  j^one  her  felf  tourment^ 

cth,  and  made  many  brAicdj^ 
,  as  I  have  herd  faieO, 
hcT  fuftir  Anne 
monc,  ntid  right.thui  fpakef^c  than : 
fuftit  mme  !  ^%hat  niiic  it  hv 
ith  in  my  drcmc  ?  (quod  Ihv) 
r  Trt^^^n  is  To  in  my  thought, 
'  ir  fo  wej I  i wrw i^  j;;  ht , 
li  ben  a  man, 

thi:i  "    cdtf  he  can* 

|ovt  .  h  in  hU  eurei 

herd  l(a,.L  i.w  .liaavinttire  ? 
I,  Anne,  if  that  yc  rede  me, 
i  to  him  iweddid  be  : 
fed  ;  what  ihoold  I  more  feint  t 
ill  to  doc  me  live  or  deiiie. 
Aimc,  aa  ihc  that  coud  her  godc, 

tight,  and  fomdclc  it  withllodc  ; 
f^ia  long  a  fer molting 
5  to  makin  rcherfing ; 
mmie  not  be  withilundc, 
iTC^  forcQ  wight  \Yvll  it  yrondej 


The  dawning  tipirifl  oi*  *■*  *'      *   '^     '*-  . 
Ihi*  :uMoroif»  C^cne 

I'he  ncttis  drcfie,  and ',  '  ]  ..jj 

An  huntinjT  uoll  thi«  lultie  trelhL*  t^enc, 
So  prikith  her  this  tJcWr  \nl\r  wo; 
To  horfe  is  ull  her  iui  , 

Unto  t1t%r  Cfjwrt  iJic  h;  ltf^^f»h|, 

Anu  ,/ir  fwriil  u^  i■^  -     ;  i 

Iki  itis  hcvin  i 

And  oi  JK  J  "     V  ^» 

Upon  a  tb 
With  fadkl  1^, 

OfgolJcti 

•Sate  l.iido,  fi^ 

And  fljc  is  i;iirc  we 

'1  hsLt  helith  fick  I,  ,. -, 

Upon  a  (jdifiriir  daftliM  ^i»  liic  iuc, 

Men  ml^kiin  lowrnf  htm  with  w  hrtk  vvtttr* 

Isl:  "-.. .     ■;:.    ^"'    ■  .  ■ 

So  \. 

The  ;  ;  I. 

Gov  Id; 

On  y  hct  lidc. 

Th<!  :  :.irt, 

With  Hey  g\j  bctjprtckc  thmj,  let  gon,  let  goti  i 

Why  n*il  the  lii>n  com  in  or  the  In- re, 

That  I  might  him  oii^  Tn^rc  ? 

1  husf^n  thi»  5'tmp^c  ^  kill 

The   V---     ■         •    ^    ^     ■  :    v.ill. 

1  ht 

l)otM  r  fo  (ail. 

With  :., ,   ,  „ .ft 

This  noble  Qwenc  and  atfo  I 

That  cchc  oi  *hem,  wa^  gL  o  flc ; 

And,  Cionly ,  fro  the  tempelt  licr  loij^vc 

She  fled  her  lelf  into  a  little  cave, 

And  with  her  went  this  iEuess  alf**, 

1  tfot  %viih  'hem  if  ihcr  went  siay  mo. 

The  audour  makith  of  it  no  menciou; 

And  here  began  the  depe  aflcdioti 

Bctwiat  'hem two;  t^^'  -v     -'  Mlrfte  monnire 

Of  her  gladocffc  and  ^  '  t  forowc, 

For  there  Kath  /Encji-  ..,: , 

And  toide  her  all  hit  hert  and  uU  ht«  wo, 

And  fwornc  fo  depe  to  her  to  be  tfuc 

ior  well  or  wo,  and  chaunj^n  for  no  nrwe, 

And  a«  s  falfc  lovir  fo  well  can  plain, 

That  fclic  Dido  rewid  on  hi*  pain, 

Tokehim  for  htifbond,  and  becxmc  Kin  wife 

For  cvIrmofX",  v :   '      ■        '        '  "    -    '      ;  f^  • 

Atid  aftir  thi«,  v 

WitlMnirt^-"^  it  I  went  4^ 

The  wick 

How  J^tJr  s 

Into  the  tave, ^nd  demid  .-:  ; 

And  wfian  the  King  (that  '.  it)  it  iiiil, 

As  he  that  had  tier  loved  cvu  hii  Ijie,  J 

And  wowid  her  to  havtn  to  hi*  wife,  ^ 

bothe  forow*  a»  he  hath  makid  and  focke  chere 
It  it  a  routhc  and  pity  for  to  here  ; 
But  as  in  love  all  due  it  hitppithfo 
Ihat  PQC  fhsll  laughin  at  an  otlut's  wo, 


4tl 


LfiGENDE    OF  DIDO  QTTENl  OF  CAftTHAGE. 


>Iow!a.tighith  JEtie^s^  and  U  in  joie 
Jknd  more  richeflc  than  cvir  wmi  in  Troic. 

O  fdic  vromAn,iiiii  o^  innocence. 
Full  of  pile,  of  tnichCf  and  continence ! 
What  makid  you  to  men  to  tniitin  fo  ? 
Have  yc  T  che  routhe  upon  ther  fatnid  wo 
And  have  foche  old  enfamplif  yoa  befornc  f 
5c  yc  nat  all  how  that  thci  ben  forfwornc  f 
\ithcTt  fc  yc  one  tliat  he  nc'  hath  laftc  hi*  kfc, 
Or  ben  nnktnde,  or  docn  her  fome  niifdiefb. 
Or  piilid  her,  or  botlid  of  his  dcde  ? 
Yc  mate  a«  well  it  fenc  as  yc  m.uc  rede, 
Takith  hcdc  now  of  thit  grcte  gcfntitman, 
Thi»  Trojan,  that  fo  well  her  plcfin  can. 
That  famithhim  foirite  and  obeifingj 
So  gcntill  and  fo  privie'  of  his  doing^« 
And  can  fo  well  docn  all  his  obcifauncCi 
And  nyaiuth  her  at  fcQts  and  at  dauncc. 
And  whan  Jbe  g^oeth  to  temple*  and  home  again^ 
^nd  faflin  till  he  hath  hit  Udie  fan. 
And  bcfhi  in  his  dcvlUi  for  her  fake 
N*ot  I  nat  whatf  and  fongi^  would  he  makdi 
Juft  ii,aRd  docn  of  armiimany  thinges, 
Sende  her  lettin,  tokfn»,  brochb,  and  ringci* 

Kow  hcrkcnith  how  be  (hal  his  lady  fcrvc  ; 
There  ai  he  was  in  peri  11  for  to  dcrve 
For  hnnglr  and  for  mifchefe  in  the  fc. 
And  defolatc,  and  Hcdde  fro  hti  countre. 
And  all  hi»  folke  with  tempefl  all  to  driven, 
Sihc  hath  her  body  and  eke  her  rclmc  ycvea 
Into  hi*  honde,  there  as  the  might  have  ben 
of  othir  land  thin  of  Carthage  a  qucnc. 
And  lived  in  joy  inough  ;  what  would  yc  tnorc  ? 

This  .£ncaji,  that  hath  thui  dcpc  ifwore. 
It  werie  of  his  craft  within  a  throwe^ 
And  the  hote  emefL  it  all  ovirblowe. 
And  privily  he  docth  hit  (hippis  dight. 
And  fhapith  him  to  Aele  awaic  by  night, 

Thiji  Didu  hath  fufpedton  of  this, 
And  though ctQ  well  that  it  waa  all  amis, 
For  io  hi*  bcddc  he  lieth  anight  and  fikcth  r 
She  aikith  him  anon,  What  the  miflikcth, 
My  dcre  hcrtc  i  whichc  that  \  lovin  moftc  ? 

Ccrtit  (qimd  be)  thi^ntght  my  fathir*»  ghofle 
Hath  in  my  (Icpc  me  fo  forely  tourmemcd. 
And  eke  Mercuric*!  hit  racflagc  hath  prcfcotcdj 
That  nedis  to  the  conquefl  of  luiic 
My  dcfltnic  is  fone  for  to  failc. 
For  which  nic  thinkith  broftin  it  mine  hcri ; 
I'hcrwith  his  faU'e  tcris  out  thei  ilert. 
And  takith  her  within  his  armit  two. 

h  that  in  cmefl ,'  (quod  (he)  woU  yc  fo  f 
Have  ye  no  fwome  to  wife  me  for  to  take  i 
Alat  I  whit  woman  woD  y^f  me  make  i 
^  am  a  gentiil  wiman  and  a  f^ueiie, 
Yc  woU  not  fro  your  wife  thu*  foul  yEenc  ? 
Thttt  I  w««  borne  alas  !  what  (hall  T  do  f 

To  tcUc  in  ihort»  this  noble  C^nc  Dido 


She  fckith  halowo  and  doeth  facriiSce, 
She  knelith,  cricth^  that  rooth  is  to  dcv  Je, 
Conjurith  him, and  profeVith  him  to  be 
His  thndl,  hi*  fcrvaunt,  in  the  bcft  dcgre. 
She  fallith  him  to  fote,and  fownjth  there, 
Difchevilid  with  her  bright  gildid  here, 
And  faicth,  Have  mercy !  let  me  with  you  rii 
I'hefc  lordis  whiche  that  wonnin  me  bcfide 
Woll  mc  dcflrayin  only  for  your  f*ke  ; 
And  if  yc  wolie  mc  now  to  wife  ytakc 
As  ye  have  fwome,  than  woU  1  yeve  you  Icve 
Tc  flacn  me  with  your  fwcrde  now  £bn  H  eve, 
For  than  yet  Ihali  I  dyin  at  your  wife  ; 
I  am  with  childe,  and  yemc  my  chiide  hit  lifit ; 

0  mercic,  l^rde  1  have  pite  in  your  thoaght* 
But  all  this  thing  availith  her  right  nought. 
For  on  a  night  he  lleping  let  her  lie. 

And  ilolc  awayc  into  his  company. 
And  as  a  tmitour  forthc  he  gan  to  falle 
Tovrardii  the  large  countre  of  ttaile  : 
And  thu»  hath  he  left  Dido*  in  wo  and  pine. 
And  wed  did  there  a  ladte  hight  Lravtne. 
A  clothe  he  Uft,  and  eke  his  fworde  ftjndiog. 
Whan  he  fro  Dido  flak  in  her  ilrping. 
Right  at  her  bcdd'Ls  hedde,  fo  gan  he  hie 
Whan  that  be  flalc  awaie  to  his  navie. 

Which  cloth  whan  felle  Dido  gan  awake 
She  hath  it  kiHe  ful  of  tin  for  his  fake, 
And  faid,  Swctc  cloth  !  whde  Jupiter  it  IcH 
Take  my  foule^nnhinde  mc  of  this  anreU, 
t  have  fMlJiUed  of  Fortune  all  the  courfc : 
And  thus,  alas !  withoutin  bit  ttK<nirit 
Twcntic  timit  ifwounid  hcth  (he  than. 
And  whan  that  (he  unto  her  fiiftir  Anne 
Cumplaintd  had  of  which  I  maie  not  wrilCf 
So  grcte  routh  I  have  it  for  to  endice, 
And  bad  her  norice  and  her  fullrin  gon 
To  fetchin  fire  and  othir  thinges  anoa. 
And  fjyid  that  fbe  woulde  facritic  ; 
And  whan  fhe  might  her  time  well  afpie 
Upon  the  fire  of  facrificc  fhe  fterte, 
And  with  his  fworde  fhe  rofe  her  to  the  herti 
Bu|  at  mine  audour  faith  yet  this  flie 
Or  flic  wat  hurtin,  befornc  or  (he  deidc, 
She  wrote  a  Icttf  e*  anon,  and  thui  b«L 

Right  fb  (quod  ike)  as  thcmdkwhtt^  tmif^ 
Ayenft  his  dcth  beginnith  for  to  fing» 
Right  fo  to  you  i  ma]^  my  complaining, 
Not  that  1  trowe  to  gettin  you  agiin. 
For  well  I  ^otc  that  it  is  al  in  vain. 
Sens  that  the  goddes  ben  contrartout  to  me^ 
But  fin  my  name  is  loil  through  you  (quod  tkt] 

1  maic  well  lefe  a  worde  on  you  or  letter^ 
All  be  it  1  (hall  be  nevir  the  better. 
For  thilke  wind  that  blcwe  your  Oiip  awaie . 
The  fam^  windc  hath  blowc  awaie  )  our  ^e : 
But  who  To  wol  a!  this  Icttre*  have  in  mind« 
Rcdc  OvidCj  aod  in  him  he  Iball  It  find^ 


4 

1 


HE  LEGENDE  OF  HYPSIPYLE  AND  MEDEA. 


otc  of  ^Ife  loTirJi,  Duke  JafoD, 
cri  dcvoarirf  and  confufiont 
111  women,  gent il  creature*, 
■4tll  thy  rcclajtmng  and  thy  Jtircf 
»  of  thy  fcjithUche  apamunc^, 
hy  word  is  farfid  iwith  pUfauncc, 
thy  fainid  trouth  and  thy  mancre, 
ice  obciiauncc  andhuitihkchcre, 
:h  thtnc  countcrfcitJd  pain  and  wo, 
hit  falJlii  one  thou  falfid  t^o, 
i  iytoTc  thoa  that  thou  wolditl  die 
whan  thou  ne  fehifl  cnabdic 
ik  delitc,  whlchr  that  thou  calUft  lov«  : 
live  thy  n^mc  ftiall  be  yihovc 
Ihti  that  thy  deccipc  fhall  be  Icnowc  : 
ibc,  Jafon;  now  ihin  horn  ti  blow. 
ii  it  h  hothe  routh  and  wn 
\yc  with  fa  fc  loTir»  wcrkith  fo, 
Oial  b;ive  well  bcttir  love  and  chere 
that  haih  aboaghtm  love  full  dcrc, 
n  arm  is  many*  a  bloodic  boxe, 
A  tcnJrc*  a  crap«n  cteth  the  fox, 
be  be  fal»,  and  liath  tlic  fouie  betraied) 
the  gode  man  that  thcrtfon:  hatK  pascd; 
h  he  have  to  the'  capon  flcill  and  right 
e  foxc  woU  have  hibpart  at  night: 
n  this  cnfamplt*  is  well  iXcne 
Kipylc'  and  Medea  the  qucne, 
cflaHc,ai  Ovide  telHth  u?^ 
rftft  a  knight  that  hightin  Petui^ 
d  a  btcthjr  whichc  that  hight  JEiov.i 
ao  for  age  he  might  unnethi«  gon 
f  to  Pelcus  the  goviroing 
b  reigne,  and  made  him  lorde  and  Icing; 
be  JtSoTt  thts  Jafon  gettin  was^ 
hiitime  in  all  that  Und  there  ii'm 
le  a  famoui  itnight  of  gcntillclTe, 
,  of  ibengthcy  and  of  lufliocllb* 


Aftir  his  fi^tbir'i  detli  be  bare  Kim  fo 
That  there  n'ai  none  that  litt  to  bcu  hii  foe, 
But  did  him  alt  honour  and  companie, 
Of  whiche  this  Pcleus  hath  gretc  cnvic. 
Imagining  that  Jafon  mi^t  >  be 
Enhaunfid  fo,and  put  in  fnchc  drgrc, 
With  love  of  lordiA  of  hi»  rcgioun. 
That  from  his  teigoe  he  majc  be  put  sulo 
And  in  his  wit  anight  conipaiTid  he 
How  this  Jafon  might  beft  diflroykt  be, 
Withoufin  fclaundir  of  hi*  compafmcfit; 
And  at  the  lift  he  CokcstvifcntcEit 
That  to  fendc  hini  into  fonic  fcrre  co^ntr**! 
Thcra*  ihi$  Jafon  maic  diftroyid  be  j 
Thii  was  hi*  wit,  all  made  he  to  Jaloii 
Grctc  cherc  of  lokc  and  of  .UFcdion, 
For  dredc  left  that  Kis  iordi«  it  cfpide* 
^Vnd  fo  bjfell  it,  ai  fame  roonith  wide. 
There  was  fochc  tiding  or  uli^  and  fothc  tooa. 
That  iti  au  lile  that  «;ailid  was  Colchoi^ 
That  llonte  beyondc  Troic  efiward  in  the  ft. 
There  was  a  Ram  which  that  men  miy^iitin  fc 
That  had  a  Fleet  of  Golde  that  Ihont  lo  bright 
I'hat  no  where  wai  there  iochc  an  othir  ligjit ; 
But  it  wa5  kept  alwaic  widi  i  droi^^un. 
And  many  oilur  marvailcs  up  and  doun» 
And  with  twobullii  makiH  ailofbiat, 
1  hat  /pittin  6rc,  and  mochil  thing  ther  wan 
Bu(  this  wai  eke  the  tal   uath^let,  j 

That  who  ib  would  ywirmtA  tlulk^  F]ct%    ^ 
hjc  mufl  bofhe,  or  tha.t  he  it  winnin  migh^, 
Wi'uh  ih'j  bulii>  and  with  the  dragon  ^]^]iU 

And  King  U<rrU4  loidc  s  '       ilc. 

This  Peleus  bethought  uf  i 
That  he  hif  ncvcwc  J^'^  n. 

T9  failin  to  thst  loi 
And  f^yj^  Ncvcwc,  .1 
That  focb^  4  woHhi^izught  bclAilib  th« 


my^ 


'  tECENDE  OF  HVP$IPYLE  AND  |^m>^A. 


That  tho^i  tm?  i^nious  trcfurc  mightifl  WiU, 

And  bring!  n  it  my  region  within, 

h  were  to  nie  grc tc  plcfatincc  and  honour. 

Than  were  I  holdui  to  quite  thy  fihour, 

And  all  'hy  coflia  I  woU  my  fclf  make. 

And  chcfith  what  folkc  thou  wolt  with  the  take 

Let  fc  now,  darftc  thou  takin  this  voiagc  ? 

Jafcm  wa»  yoimg,  and  luftic  o£  contge , 

And  undirtokc  to  doen  this  ilke  f  mprife ; 

Anon  Argos  hi«  fhippix  jran  dcvife. 

With  Jjfon  went  the  ilrcJng  flout  Hercules, 
And  many'  an  othir  that  he  with  him  chci  j 
But  who  fo  afltith  who  is  with  him  gon 
l^ct  him  rede  tht  boke  Argooauticon, 
For  he  wol  tel  a  tale  long  inough, 
Philocrete*  anon  the  faile  up  droughp 
Whan  that  the  winde  was  gode,  and  gan  him  hie 
Out  of  hii  countre  callid  ThclTaHc, 
So  long  thci  failid  in  the  fait,  fc 
Till  ill  the  ilc  of  Lcmnoi  arived  he, 
All  be  thisnat  rchcrfidof  Guido, 
Yet  faieth  Ovide  in  hi*  EpiClli*  fo  ; 
And  of  this  ilcland  bdic  was  and  qucnc 
The  fairc  and  yonge  Hypfipyle  the  fhene. 
That  whilom  Thoas  doughter  was,  the  ktifg, 

Hypfipyle  waa  gon  in  her  play  tug. 
And  foming  on  the  clevi*  by  the  f« ; 
Undir  ahankc  anonc  cfpyid  fhe 
Where  laie  the  (hippe  that  Jafon  gon  arivc ; 
Of  her  godencife  adounc  fhc  fendith  hlivc 
To  wctin  if  that  any  ftraung^  wight 
With  tempcft  thidir  were  iblowe  anight. 
To  docn  *kem  focour,  as  wai  her  ufauncc 
To  furth*rin  cirery  wight,  and  don  plefkuocc 
Of  very  bminte  and  of  curtific. 

This  meflangir  adoune  him  gan  to  hic» 
And  foundc  Jafon  and  Hercules  alfo. 
That  in  a  cogge  to  lo^dc  werin  igo 
'Hem  to  rcfreftiin  and  to  take  the  aire. 
The  morowning  attcmpre  was  and  faire. 
And  in  iher  waic  this  tnefTangir  *hem  mettc ; 
Full  conninglf  fhcfc  lardis  two  he  grctte, 
And  did  bi»  melTage,  afking  'hem  anon 
If  ihei  werbrokin  or  ought  wo  bigoo. 
Or  had  nede  of  lodefmen  or  of  vitaile  ? 
For  of  fuceoor  they  fhouldin  nothing  fatlc, 
For  it  wftf  ottirly  the  Quen*U  wilK 

Jafon  tnfwcrid  mekely  and  ftUl, 
My  ladic  (quod  he)  thanfcc  I  hcrtilf 
Of  her  godcneffc  :  •  u!»  ncdith  truily 
Nothing  at  now,  but  that  we  wenc  be, 
And  com  in  for  to  plaic  out  of  the  fc 
Till  that  the  winde  be  bettir  in  our  wafc. 

Thii  bilic  romith  by  the  cliflTc  to  plaie. 
With  htr  mcin^, endlong  upon  the  ^VQinirt 
And  findith  Jifon  ami  thi»  othir  ttundc 
In  Ipcking  of  f  his  thing,  ai  I  you  told. 

This  Hercules  and  Jafon  gan  behold 
How  that  the  Qnenc  it  was,  and  hire  hcrgrctc, 
Anon  right  as  thci  with  this  ladic  mete. 
And  Ihc  toke  hcde,  and  kncwe  by  thcr  mallCTCa 
By  ther  araie,  by  wnrdi-i,  and  by  chcrc. 
That  it  wetv  -  .^f  etetc  dfgre, 

And  t&  the  ;.  ^r  fciitt  (he 


Thcfc  ftrn-  ''^''  *  .;-  f|p| 

Andafkin  ;  .r 

That  thei  1     _  i .  .  .     ..  ...,.     .    , 

So  that  within  a  daie,  oriwo  or  thrTi 

She  kncwc  by  the'  folke  that  in  his  Ctip^jsW 

That  it  was  Jafon,  full  of  rcnome, 

And  HcTcule*,  tJjat  had  tht  grcte  locwi. 

That  foughttn  the  aTcoiure^  dF  CaleJiot, 

And  did  'hem  houaur  more  than  before, 

And  with  'hem  dc\cd  erir! 

For  thei  ben  \vorthy  folkc  ' 

And  namely  mofte  (he  fpalir  ,.  nn  Hrr^nJic, 

To  him  her  hcrte  Jhc  bare,  an  he  ihould  be 

Suddc,  wife,  and  tiue,  of  wordi)  avifd^. 

Wit  hoc  E in  any  <jtliir  affe<3ion 

Of  love,  or  oihu:  imagioacion. 

Thi»  Hercules  hath  this  Jafon  fo  preifedi 
That  to  the  funne  he  hath  hrm  up  rcifed. 
That  halfc  fa  (roe  a  itam  there  n'atof  Uyft 
Undir  tl^e  cope  of  hevcn  that  is  above. 
And  he  was  wife,  bardie,  fccrcte.and  hrhe, 
Ofthcfe  iii  polntis  there  n^a^  non  himlicLt, 
Of  fredome  pa0id  he  and  luftic  hc»!de 
All  tho  that  livin  and  all  tho  ben  dcdJe, 
Thereto  fo  grctc  a  gentillman  wa»  he, 
And  of  Theffalic  likely  king  to  be; 
There  n'as  no  Uckc  Vi:?  that  he  w.i%  a^iJk 
To  love,  Bod  for 
Him  hiui  levir  h 
Than  that  men  ihobia  a  U. 
Ai  woldf*  God  above  that  I 
My  blgde  and  fi'  '  '  ve 

With  the  honcj,  - 
For  hi"  -  *  •'  ■    ' 

She  i^  ^it: 

And.     L  ,  .^^ 

BetWLjun  j<iibn  and  tli 
Of  both  ihefc  two  her-  ud^  Idle, 

To  come  to  houfe  upon  an  innocent. 
For  to  bcdote  this  Quene  w&stiitr  ctltgitf. 
And  Jafon  is  as  coic  a%  ii  a  maidf  % 
He  lokitli  pitoufly,  but  naught  he  (kkd; 
But  Irely  yavc  he  to  her  counTatlerv 
Veftis  full  grete  and  to  her  oiFiccrt, 
As  would  God  that  I  kfir  had  an4  ti 
By  proceHc  ail  his  woeing  for  la  rii 
But  in  this  houfc  if  afalfc  luvir  he 
Right  as  himfdf  now  <:' 
With  faining  and  witi 
Ye  get  no  more  of  me  hut  yc  wuU  ii^w 
Th*  origina]],  thattellith  &il  rhc  ewa*. 

The  fothc  is  thii,  tL  wn 

Unto  this  Quene,  and  uvcc, 

Wliat  fohim  lifl  i^  utc 

Aod  upon  her  be  ^wo. 

And  drough  his  i^..,  .^.^  ..  ,.  ,^-^i  Ui 
A  lettir  fent  the  ttoto  Him  ccrtaili* 
Which  were  to  long  to  w^tttn  lad  to  CiAi 
And  him  reprovith  of  his  gretir  uatlWillk 
And  prayirb  him  on  her  to  have  faote  iwrtl^ 
And  on  hi«  childha  two  ;  fne  faid  him  tkiff 
That  thcf  be  like  ai  idle  thing  iwja 
To  Jafon,  fave  that  thei  couth  Md 
AnJ  f  raytd  Cod  cr  it  wera  loagi 


Sat  liad  his  hertc  ircft  hct  fro 
lin  him  untrue  and  falfe  alio, 
(he  mULTLe  both  hcrchildria  fpill, 
hn  that  fulTrith  him  hh  wUL 
to  Jafon  W3«  Ihc  a]l  her  life, 
kept  her  chatle  a*  for  hi*  wife, 
fud  £hc  joi.:  At  her  hcrte, 
'jot  hi*  love  ©f  forowei  tnertc. 
chis  comin  is  thi*  Duke  Jiifon, 
love  devout  ir  and  drag  on  ^ 
appetitith  forme  alwaie, 
forme  intd  forme  it  paHiti  matte i 
rile  that  were  botomks ; 
an  falfj  Jafon  have  no  pees 
irin  through  his  appetite 
vith  grutillwoman  hi*  delitc  j 
ft  luRc  and  his  felicitc. 

i^  Jafonicos, 

line  of  ali  Colchoi^ 

itolde  the  caufe  of  his  coming 
ta,  of  that  coontre  king, 
im  that  he  juu(i  docn  his  alTatc 
;hc  FJcce  of  Goldc  if  that  he  mnie, 
:  the  King  affcniith  to  hi*  boTit\ 
him  honour  3&  it  is  to  donc^ 
I  tliat  hi*  doughtir  and  his  hclrc 
biche  that  wa*  fo  wife  and  f.iirc, 
rlawc  there  nevir  man  with  eye, 
icr  docn  to  Jafon  companic 
md  (Itcin  by  him  in  the  hal), 
IS  Jafon  a  fcmcly  man  withal!, 
I  brde»  and  had  a  grctc  renoun, 
i  lo3te  roiidlai  n  Ituun, 
ie  of  his  fpcche  and  familierc, 
of  love  the  craft  and  art  plenere 

boke>  with  ev  eric  he  obfcrvauncc  ; 
rtune  her  ought  a  Joule  mifchaunce 
tnamqrid  upjn  ihi&jDian. 
quod  fhc)  f '  r  oug^it  I  fe  or  can 
thing  the  whichc  ye  ben  about, 
tir  felTye  put  in  mochil  doubly 
D  wo  11  thi»  avinture  atcheve 
lat  wele  ^eitin  &»  t  leve 

dcth,  but  I  his  hclp<i  be; 
Ici  it  i»  my  will  (quod  ihcy 

R'ou  fo  that  ye  iball  nat  die, 
tinde  home  to  yourThclTalie* 
W  lady  !  (quod  this  Jafon  tho) 
avt  of  my  deth  or  of  my  wo 
J      rinH  .f,,,i,  itic  this  honour, 
hi  nc  my  labour 
y  J|v*iB  daic; 
I  there  i  nc  caQ  «€  fn^*e ; 


ri»5lPYLE  AND  MEDEA- 

Your  man  am  !,  and  lowely  you  brfccjie 
To  ben  my  belpe  withrutin  rnor  fpechc 
But  cdTtlh  for  my  deth  (hal  1  not  fparc. 

TIio  fr:m  thii  Medea  to  him  declare 
The  peril  of  this  eafc  fro  pt Tint  to  y^inr^. 
Of  his  biityle,  and  ckc  in  what  di  i    .  r 
He  mot    flondin,  of  wnichr-  -  - 
Save  oxdcy  (he*  nc  might  b-  : 

Aiid  ftionly,  right  to  the  p'^  ^     ;     j  g-o, 
l*hcy  ben  accordid  full  betwyxe  'bcm  two 
Thit  J.iron  ihaJl  her  wcHde  as  her  true  knight^ 
And  tcrmc  yftt  to  comin  Tone  at  night 
Unto  her  thambrc,  aiid  maku  thTc  hibothe 
Upon  tin-  godUcs,  that  he  (or  kfe  or  lothc 
He  iholdc  her  ncVir  falUn  nyght  ne  dayc 
To  ben  her  hufbondc  whyk  he  lyvin  may«. 
As  Ihc  that  from  hh  deth  him  favid  here ; 
And  hereupon  at  night  they  mete  yfere» 
Artd  doth  his  othe,  and  gofh  with  her  to  bcdde; 
And  en  the  mortwe  upr  arde  he  him  fpedde. 
For  ffic  hath  taught  him  how  he  Hial  nat  faylc 
The  Flee*  to  wynnc  and  (lintin  lil»  bai^b. 
And  fiivid  hym  bin  life  and  his  honour, 
And  gate  him  a  name  w  a  ccnqtierour, 
Rtght  though  the  flcight  of  her  enchant^menu 
Ntuv  hath  Jafon  the  Flefe,  and  home  14  went 
Wi  t  k  Med  ca ,  Bnd  trefou  rs  f i  ! '  .  ■  rm  t: : 

But  iiavvyftc  of  her  fathir  T 
ToTheffalye  with  Duke  Jai.-i.   >.*  iviu, 
Th.it  nftirwurde  hath  brought  her  to  mifehefc, 
liur  41  a  trftytour  he  is  from  hrr  go, 
And  with  her  leftri  yongni  childrin  two, 
Andi  falfely  hath  bctrayid  her,  ala§  I 
And  er  in  love  a  chtfc  tniytour  he  wa% 
And  weddid  yet  the  thirdewyfc  anon, 
1  hat  %*  as  the  doughctr  of  the  Kyng  Crecn. 

Thi^  is  the  mcdc  of  lovyng  and  guerdon 
That  Medea  rcccvcd  of  Duke  Jalbn 
Right  for  her  ti-uth  and  for  her  kyndincfle, 
That  loved  him  bettir  than  her  felf  f  gelTc, 
And  Itfte  her  fathir  and  her  hcryiage  : 
/Vnd  of  Jafon  thi*  i-ithevafl4lage. 
That  in  hi*  dayes  n*as  nevtr  non  yfotindc 
So  falie  a  lovir  goyng  on  the  gromide  ; 
And  therefore  in  her  let  tir  thus  flie  fayd, 
Firft  whan  fee  of  hia  falfnelVc  him  upbrsyd. 
Why  lykld  mc  thy  yclowe  here  to  fe 
More  than  the  bonndis  of  myn  honcfte? 
Wliy  lykid  mc  thy  youth  and  thy  f^yrneffe. 
And  of  thy  tonge  the'  infynitc  gracyoufneflc  ? 

O  !  h.idJeft  thou  in  thy  corqueft  dcd  ybc 
Ful  mikil  untrotith  hftd  ther  dyed  with  the, 
Wcl  can  Ovidc  her  lettre*  in  veffe  cndytc^ 
Which  were  si  now  to  loftge  ft»r  to  wrki^ 


NowR  mote  t  fain  th*  nilyng  of  kyngis 
Of  Roiiie  for  ther  horible  doyngii. 
Of  the  latle  kynge  Scxtiu  Tarquiaiu», 
As  faith  Qvid  aud  Ticuj  Lyyiiii; 
Bur  for  that  caiifc  tcl  !  Q%t  thii  ftoryc, 
But  for  to  prayfc  and  dramT  in  tncmoryc 
The  vcr    wyfc.  the  very  true  Lucrefle, 
That  for  her  wift-hodc  and  her  llcdfftflnejTi^ 
Nat  ancly  that  thefc  Panymes  her  commcnde. 
But  that  yclepld  is  in  our  Legunde 
The  grct  Aullyn,  that  Hath  conipainoun 
Of  ihU  Lucrece  rhat  llaiTc  in  Rome  toun. 
And  in  what  wife  I  woU  but  fhorlly  trctc, 
And  of  thii  thing  I  touch  not  but  thegrctc. 

Whan  Ardca  beOegid  was  aboutc 
"With  Romayns  that  ful  ftcrne  wcrin  and  (tout, 
Ful  long:  lay  the  Ccjre,  and  litil  wroujfJifcn, 
So  that  ihey  wcr  haJfc  ydii  as  *hcm  thoughten^ 
And  in  hii  play  Farquinius  the  yongc 
Can  for  to  jape,  for  he  was  tyght  of  tonge. 
And  fayid  that  it  was  an  ydle  lyfe, 
No  man  d  d  there  no  more  thao  did  hi«  wife. 
And  let  us  fpckc  of  wivis,  that  is  bcfl, 
Prajfc  ev^rie  man  hii  own  as  him  Iell« 
And  with  our  fpechis  let  us  efc  our  hcrte* 

A  kntght  (yclcpid  Colatin)  up  flcrtc. 
And  fayid  thus  Nay,  Sir,  it  is  no  nede 
To  trowin  on  the  wordc  but  on  the  diide; 
1  bave  a  wife  (quod  he)  that  to  I  trowc 
I*  hcldingodc  of  al  that  cr  her  knowe, 
€Jo  we  to  Rome  to  nyght  and  we  fhnl  fc. 

Tarquinius  anfwcrde,  That  lykith  mc. 
To  Rome  they  be  comin,  and  fail  'hem  dighte 
To  Cobtvn*is  houfc,  and  downe  they  light, 
Tarquitriu*  ^nd  eke  thi*  Colatine  ; 
THe  hufbonde  kncwe  the  eftirs  wel  and  fyne^ 
And  ful  pnvcly  into  the  houfc  thei  gone  : 

Nor  at  the  gate  nc  portir  w^as  there  nonep 
And  at  the  chambrcdore  they  abydc 
TLii  BobJe  wife  iiite  by  ber  beddUi  fydc 


DifchfTeled,  for  no  malycc  (he  oe  tKottghti 
And  foft  woK  faith  I.ivy,  that  flie  wrought 
Tu  kcpin  her  from  flouch  ami  ydllncfie^ 
And  bad  her  fcrvauntcsdonc  thcr  b«(u)efrf» 
And  aikith  'hem,  What  tidingc*  hcrtn  ye  * 
How  faicth  men  of  the  fiegc»  howe  (hal  it  fcc  J 
Uod  woldc  the  wallis  were  fallin  adowne  I 
Myn  huibond  is  to  long  out  of  this  towne. 
For  whichc  drcdc  doth  me  forrly  to  fmertti 
Right  as  a  fwordc  it  ftyngith  ff.  mr     Krn 
Whan  I  thinkiu  on  thii  or  i 
God  favc  my  lordc^  1  pray  K 
And  thcrwithal  fo  tendirly  gan  wcpc. 
And  of  her  werke  flie  toke  no  tnorc  kcj  -, 
But  mckily  (he  let  her  eyin  fal. 
And  t  hi  Ike  fcmblaftt  fate  her  wcl  witkilf 
And  eke  her  tcris,  ful  of  honcftd 
Rmbclifiid  her  wifcSy  chaflitc; 
Her  couniinaunce  it  to  her  herte  digo^ 
For  thei  accordidin  in  dede  and  ligtie. 
And  w  ith  that  wordc  her  htifb<Midc  CotstiOt 
Or  ftic  of  him  was  ware,  came  llertling  ia. 
And  fayid,  Drede  the  oat  for  I  am  here; 
And  flae  anonc  up  rofe  with  blififul  cberc. 
And  kyfTcd  him,  a«  of  wivit  is  the  wonix* 

1  arquinius,  tlus  proude  ktog*it  fonXLe, 
Concevid  hath  her  beautie  and  her  chcre» 
Her  yelowe  here,  her  bount ic\  and  her  taatst^ 
Her  hcwe,  her  wordis*  that  (he  batli  ctmiplnndii 
And  by  no  craft  hex  beautie  **  *    *-*  ^med, 
And  caught  unto  thl«  lady  i 
That  in  hi$  hert  he  brent  as 
So  wodcly,  that  his  witte  \\  uci« 

For  wel  thought  hclhe  (byl  tcfti 

And  aye  the  more  thai  he  waj  io  diipaiie 
The  more  he  covetith  and  thought  hcrfauri 
Hit  blinds  lufle  was  al  hii  eoveuj)^. 
On  morcwc,  whan  the  btrde  began  t*/jffi|t 
Uuto  the  fiege  he  cometh  ful  itrirdjr, 
Aad  by  lumftUe  he  w  aikith  f«biily, 


\ 


LIGENDE   OF  LtJCRECE    OF  ROME. 


*3i 


fhcrrcconiing  alway  nrwc, 
TCf  and  thttf  frcfh  was  her  hew, 
I  thus  fhc  fpakf,  thifi  wa*  her  chcrC| 
ic  wa«,  and  thit  was  her  niincrc  : 
rite  his  hcrtc  h^th  newc  ytakc, 
kwith  tempcfl  al  to  (hake, 
I  the  ftomic  »  al  a^o 
Rtir  quappe  a  daic  or  two, 
f  h  that  htr  farme  were  abfent 
'.  of  her  fof  mc  waus  prcfcnt ; 
e  nai  pltfiUince  but  delitc^ 
Itfuitaknt  with  difpitc, 
her  (he  fhul  my  leniman  be, 
iardjjf  mam  atway^  (quod  he ;) 
hat  I  make  iX  flial  be  fo, 
im  with  his  fwordc  and  gsLti  to  go  : 
1  ritt  til  he  to  Rome  is  come, 
KU  way  that  he  bath  nome 
ide  of  CoUtiti  ful  light ; 
le  ftaxme,  tmd  day  hath  loft  his  iyghc ; 
itne  onto  a  privic  halkr, 
light  ful  thcfdy  ^n  he  ftaike, 
wight  wai  to  his  reft  ybrati^ht, 
had  of  trdon  fochc  a  t  bought , 
wijjdowe  nr  by  oihir  gin  ; 
[■drawc  (hortly  he  comith  in 
|ky*  thl»  noble  wife  Lucrece, 
rokc  her  beddc  (he  feltin  pre  fie  : 
that  (quod  (be)  that  wayith  tKii»  f 
Jng'is  fonnc  Farqulniun, 
ut  and  tliou  eric  or  ooifc  ymake, 
ly  creature  awake, 
>d  that  formid  mu^u  of  lyve 
ough  thyt^c  hertc  ihal  I  ryvc  j 
I  unto  her  thrutc  he  Itcrte, 
lerde  al  fharpc  upon  her  herte. 

file  hath  no  might  therto ; 
unc/  her  witre  i»al  ago, 
]ic  lifidjf  h  a  lambe  alone ; 
|]  (he  tnmplaiiie  or  m;dce  her  mnoe  ? 
*^-  h  H  tjii  with  an  hardie knight ? 
'  .1  woman  hath  no  might ; 
^  L.  .,  ur  how  Ihal  (he  aftcrte, 
by  the  throte  with  f wcrdc  at  hcrte  ? 
V,  and  faid  al  that  fhe  can. 

1  nat  tho  I  (quod  tbii  cruil  man} 
Iter  my  fnuk  fave 
K  ftable  He  thy  knave, 
I  thy  beddr,  and  joude  crie 
ttn  in  lochc  avoutrir; 
|ftiiilt  be  tl^d^  and  alio  Itfc 
\  (hat  thuu  fhair  x^onc  othir  chcfe. 
rivei  lovidin  lo  thtr  name 
I  and  drcdtdin  fo  the  (hame, 
ntt.  of  fkundrc'  and  drcd  of  dctb 
^boeh  her  wit  and  breth, 
th  ilic  J.iy,  and  woze  To  ded 
[UilQ  (>f  her  armc  or  hed^ 
'  foule  ne  feyrc. 
Lakiog*i*heyre, 
nagc  and  by  nght 
f  and  ai  a  very  kntght, 

r  diJpitc  to  chivalryc  I 
ac  tty  i^J  viHliic  i 


Alas     of  the  this  was  a  Tila'inoui  dede. 

Btit  nowc  to  the*  purpofc.  In  the  llory'  I  rede 

Whna  he  was  gonne,  and  this  mifchauncc  is  fal, 

Thi^  lady  fent  aftir  her  frcndis  al, 

Fathir,  moihir,  and  hufbonde,  al  yfere, 

And  difchevilid  with  her  her*  clerc, 

hi  habyt  foche  as  women  ufid  tho 

Unto  the  buryeng  of  ther  frendis  go, 

She  fate  in  bal  with  a  forowful  fyght : 

Her  frcndif  a(kin  what  her  ayUti  myghf. 

And  who  was  ded  ?  and  Oie  fate  uye  wepyng, 

A  worde  for  fbame  ne  may  (he  forth  out  bring. 

Ne  upon  thciti  Che  durRe  nat  behold ; 

But  at  the  Utle  of  Tarquin  (he  'hem  tolde 

This  ruful  cafe,  and  al  this  thyng  horible  : 

The  wo  to  tcUin  were  inipoflQblc 

That  do  and  all  her  frendis  m;ikc  at  onci; 

Al  hftddin  iolkif  hertls  ben  of  lloact 

Ir  might  have  makid  'hem  upon  her  r«we. 

Her  htrt  ywas  fo  wifely  and  fo  ticwe* 

She  faid  that  for  her  gihe  ne  for  her  blame 

Her  hufbonde  (iiulde  nat  have  the  foul^  name; 

That  wojdi  (he  nat  fulfrin  by  no  wayc. 

And  they  anfwerid  al  unto  her  fayc 

That  they  foryave  it  her,  for  it  was  right, 

ft  waii  no  gylte,  it  lay  nat  in  her  mvght. 

And  dydia  her  cnfamplis  many  one  : 

But  a)  for  naught,  for  thus  (he  faid  anoiic, 

Be  a*  be  may  (quod  (he)  of  forgivyng» 

I  will  nat  have  no  forgiftc  for  nothing  : 

But  privily  fhe  coughtin  forth  a  knife, 

And  thcr  withal  (he  raftc  her  ft  lie  her  life. 

And  a**  fhe  fel  adownc  (he  call  her  loke. 

And  of  her  cK>thi*  yet  godc  hede  (he  loke. 

For  in  her  fallyng  yet  the  had  a  care 

X^ede  that  her  fete  or  forhc  thingiik  lay  bare» 

So  wel  (he  lovid  clenneflfc  and  eke  tromhe. 

Of  her  had  all  the  townc  of  Rom:  routhe. 

And  Bniuis  hath  by  her  chifte  blodc  yfwotc 

That  Tirquin  ihuldc  ybanifhed  be  therforc 

And  al  hi<  kinne,  and  let  the  peptc  cal, 

And  npinly  the  tile  he  tolde  *hrm  al, 

And  opinly  let  cary'  her  on  a  here 

I'hrough  a)  the  towne,  that  men  may  fc  and  bcift:. 

The*  horible  dcJc  of  her  opprtfitouii ; 

Nc  nevir  was  there  kyng  m  Rnmc  tcun 

Sens  thyike  day  ;  and  (he  wa^  hoWin  there 

A  faynt,  and  cvrc' her  d 

As  ID  tlier  lawct    And  tL 

The  rnble  wyfe,  Titus  hcr»ui  v mii  u.. 

I  tcl  it  ti^r  ftic  vi'as  of  love  fo  trcwe* 

Ne  in  her  wil  (he  cKaungid  ii^tt  no  newe, 

And  in  her  flablc  herti  fuddc  aiid  kindc, 

TIiiAt  in  thefc  women  mm  miiy  kI  day  fiti-  • 

1'herc  as  they  caft  rher  hert  there  it  dwellith} 

1  or  wd  I  wotc  that  ChriQ  himfelfa  icUith 

Thar  in  Ifraelf  ns  wide  as  %%  ihn  londe, 

Wc  fo  gtc^te  f^ith  in  al  the  londr  tie  fondc 

A»  in  a  woman,  ^\M^  this  is  no  lie  : 

And  :u  for  men,  lokc  yc  ftKhc  tyninnie 

Thci  done  a  I  daii ,  aflay  'hem  who  lo  lifte, 

The  trewii^  >s  ful  brotil  for  to  trillc^ 


THE   LEGENDE   OF   ARIADNE. 


OF     ATHENS. 


Miiros,  Infernal  T«dg«,  of  Crete  the  Kjrigf 
Niw  comcth  thy  lotte;  thou  comiflL  on  the  ryng  ; 
Nit  for  thy  fake  alooc  writcn  i>  thi*  ftorye, 
But  for  to  clcpc  ayen  unto  mcTnoric 
Of  Thcfcut  the  gret  uotrouthe  of  Iovc» 
For  whichc  the  goddia  of  hevin  above 
Bcu  wToth,  and  wrath  have  talcin  for  thy  fynne  : 
Be  red  for  (hamCf  nowe  J  thy  lyfe  bcginne. 

Minoi,  that  wai  the  mighty  King  of  Crete, 
Thdit  had  an  hundt-id  cttict  ftrong  and  grete. 
To  icholt  hath  fcnt  hii  foone  Androgeui 
To  Athene$,  oi"  the  whichc  it  happid  thus. 
That  he  wai  flayne,  leming  philofo|>hie 
Kif^ht  in  that  eyte,  nat  but  for  cnvie. 

The  grete  Mino«,  of  the  whiche  that  I  fpcke, 
HiB  fonnis  deth  is  comin  for  lowrckt. 
AlcAth*^*  he  bclicgid  harde  and  longe. 
But  nathekt  the  wallis  be  fo  ftronge. 
And  Nifut  that  waakyng  of  that  cite 
So  chivalrous  ^hat  litil  dredith  he  ; 
Of  Miiioi  or  hit  hoUe  toke  lie  no  cure 
Tyl  on  a  daie  befil  an  ivtnture 
That  Nifo»  doughrir  ft  ode  upon  the  wal. 
And  of  the  Oegc  beheldc  the  manir  al ; 
5o  happid  it  that  at  a  fcarmifhing 
She  calle  hrrhert  upon  Mipoa  the  king. 
For  bu  beautic  aniL  for  hit  chivalrye. 
So  foreliy  that  Jhe  wen  id  for  to  die  ; 
And  fljortly  of  ihi;  proceffc  for  to  pace^ 
She  mad«  Minot  to  winnin  thtlk^  pkce, 
So  that  the  cite  was  al  at  his  wyl 
To  favin  whom  him  |iilc  or  elli*  fpill  { 
But  wkkidly  he  quit  her  kyndenrtTe, 
And  let  her  drenche  in  forowr  and  diflreifey 
^Vre  that  the  goddit  hid  of  her  pile  : 
Sut  thit  talc  were  to  loitg#  at  oowc  for  mc. 


Atheni<  wai  thit  King  Mlno*  aUbt 
As  Alcatiioe*  and  othir  lowiii*  m&^ 
Andthi*  th*  elTea*  that  Mmo*  hathfo^ 
Them  of  Athcnis  that  thei  mote  him  ] 
Fro  ycrc  to  ycre  ther  owne  chiMrtn  dcft 
For  to  be  flaine»  ai  ye  thai  aftir  Kefe. 
Thii  Minos  bath  a  mouftre',  a  wiekid  Wl, 
1  hat  wa»  fo  cruil,  that  without  areil 
Whan  that  a  man  was  brought  iiico*  hb  ] 
He  woldc  him  etc;  there  hclpith  notf 
And  cv^ry  thirde  ycrc  without  in  doote 
Thei  caflidin  lone  as  it  tame  aboat« 
On  riche  and  pore,  he  muft  his  fomic  ! 
And  nf  his  diilde  he  muHt  a  prefente  titi 
To  Minot,  for  to  fave  htm  or  to  fptU, 
Or  let  hif  bdft  devour  him  at  hti  will : 
And  this,  hath  Minos  dou  right  in  difpitcf 
To  wrekc  hi*  foooc  wa»  fct  aj  hit  detyte,  < 
And  makin  *hem  of  Athenii  hy«  thral, 
Fro  yerc  to  ycre  while  that  he  bvin  OkalH 
And  hom  he  failith  whan  thia  toud  b  1 
This  wickid  cuftome  ii  fo  long  yron 
Till  that  the  King  of  Atheoet,  .fif^ro^ 
Mote  fcfjdin  his  owac  fonnf  Thttcmt 
Sens  that  the  lotic  it  fallin  him  upon. 
To  ben  devouridi  for  grace  is  there  Mfti 
And  forth  tt  ladde  this  woful  yorng!^  I 
Unto  the  countre*  of  Mtnoi  ful  ol  nif 
And  in  a  prifon  fettrid  fall  it  he 
Tyl  that  ilke  time  he  fliislde  ylrctifi  \ 
Wei  maift  thou  wept,  o  wofui  11 
That  art  a  bugUt  foiuie  and  damnidiJiliI 
Mc  thinkith  this,  that  thou  in  diqir  |^ 
To  whom  that  favid  the  Iro  carit  coldii 
And  nowe  yf  my  woman  helpe  ihe 

Wtl  oughtijft  thoa  her  kmmi  fyt  w  k| 


LECENDB  OF  ARIADNE  OF  ATHENE 


4$3 


'cwc  loTir  )  ere  by  ycrc. 

»me  aien  to  my  matcre, 
there  thi«  TKcfeu*  is  thro  we  i 

bottom  derkc  and  wondir  low**, 

the  wal  of  a  foreinc 
wa«  tirito  the  doug^htrin  twcine 
iche  that  in  ther  clmmbrii  grcte 
"  toward  the  maiftirflrctc 

tc  in  joy  ar.d  in  folas  ; 

r,  it  happrnfd  per  cas, 

Tiplainid  him  hj  night, 
bughtir  that  Ariadne  hight, 
iUOir  Ph<rdra,  herd  in  al 

at  the!  tlodin  on  the  wuLl 
opon  the  hfighte  mone, 
t  to  ^n  to  bedde  fo  fone, 

thci  had  compafTion  ; 
e  lo  be  in  fochc  prifon, 
llrcd,  thought  *hcm  frcte  pitc  : 
fpukc  to'  her  fuihr  frc, 
tdra^  nray  lefe  fiiftir  dere  I 
d*i&  fonne  n»aie  ye  nat  here 

he  cumphinith  hiiilunnc, 
tft  eftatc  that  he  is  inne, 
f  certi*  nowc  it  is  routhc, 
affencin,  by  my  trouthe 
EKlpin,  howe  fo  chat  we  do, 
twerd?!  Ywis  me  is  as  wo 
^I  was  for  any  man, 
t^e  the  bed  rede  that  I  can 

the  gwiiiT  privily 
Ipekin  with  us  hatiijy^ 
Wbiul  man  with  him  to  come, 

thit  monlhr  ovtrcomc 
quite,  there  is  non  other  bote  : 
c  him  at  hi*  hert'i*  rote, 
|hat  he  a  wcpon  have, 
»darc,  his  life  to  kepe  and  fare. 
Ills  fcndCf  aisd  hlmft'If  defende, 
bti  there  he  Jhal  difcende  : 
kst  the  bcft  is  in  a  place 
'ke,  and  hath  roume  and  eke  fpace 
Be,  or  fwerdr^  a  ftaffe,  or  knife, 
iktth  he  Ihulde  fave  hiA  life  9 

man  he  fhal  do  fo  * 
Uke  him  balJi»  eke  alfo 
>we,  that  whan  he  g::)pith  fafl 
'  throte  he  fhal  *hem  caftc 
Ingir  and  cncombrv*  hj-i  tcihe, 
I  wJian  that  Thcfcin  fcthc 
lid  he  ftul  on  him  lepc 
they  com  in  more  to  hepe  ; 

I  tht  g^ilir  or  tlTSt  tydc 

lin  the  prifon  hyde  r 
Iftfe  it  crenclid  to  and  fro, 

einti*  wayi*  for  to  go, 

jLs  the  mafe  is  wrought, 
i  Ttmcdy*  in  my  thought, 
of  twyne  11  he  hath  gon 
^he  may  reritrne  anon» 

-  dc  aa  he  hath  comc  ; 
il  hath  ovircomc 

,  out  of  thisftcdc, 

m»y  be  with  him  Icdc, 


.iiid  him  avauncc  at  home  id  hiscountrc, 
Sen^  that  fo  gret  a  lord'iR  fonnc  ii  he* 

This  i*  my  rede,  if  that  ye  dare  it  take. 
What  (hulde  I  Icngir  fermon  of  it  make  f 
The  gailir  comcth»  and  with  him  Thcfcui; 
And  whan  thefc  thingis  brn  arcordid  ihuj, 

Adownc  fate  Thcfcus  upon  his  koe  ; 

0  the  right  lady  of  my  life !  (^nod  he) 

1  forowfuU  man,  ydamnid  to  tlie  dethc. 
Pro  you  whirls  that  me  ylallith  brethe 
I  wo  I  nat  twinne  aftir  this  aviuture, 
But. in  your  fervice  thus  1  wol  endure, 
That  as  a  wretch  on  know  I  wed  you  fervfi 
For  cvirmore  tyl  that  niin  herte  ftcrvt ; 
Forfake  I  wol  at  home  miii  heritage, 
And  as  I  faicd  ben  of  your  tourtc  a  page. 
If  that  ye  vouchfafm  that  in  thii  place 
Vc  grauntin  rac  to  havin  fochc  a  grace 
I  hat  I  may  have  nat  but  my  mete  and  drmket" 
And  for  my  fuflinauncc  yet  wol  I  fwinke 
Right  4,1  you  Uft,  that  Mino*  ne  no  wight 

Siitii  that  he  faw  me  ncvir  with  eyeniijjht, 

Ne  no  man  eJlis,  (hal  me  nat  efpye. 
So  fljily  and  fo  wcl  I  ihal  me  gyc, 
And  me  fo  wcl  dufigurc  and  fo  lowe. 

That  in  this  world  tifiere  fhal  no  man  me  knowf. 
To  have  my  lyfe  and  to  have  the  prefencc 
Of  you,  diat  done  to  me  this  exeetlcnee  ; 
And  to  my  fathir  Iha!  t  fendin  here 

rhia  worthy  man,  which  that  is  your  gaylcr«g 

And  him  fo  guerdon  that  he  flial  wcl  be 

One  of  the  grctift  men  of  my  countre : 

Ar*d  if  I  durfle  fayne,  my  lady  bright  I 

I  am  a  king^ifi  foane  and  eke  a  knight, 

A&  woldi  God  if  that  it  mighte  ybc 

Ye  wcrin  in  my  co«ntrc  nllc  thrc. 

And  J  with  you  to  here  you  companyc, 

Thau  fhuld  you  fcne  if  that  1  therof  lye. 

And  if  1  profir  you  in  lowe  manere 

To  ben  your  page,  and  fervin  you  right  here. 

But  I  you  fervc  at  lowJy  in  that  pbcc 

Yj  ny  to  Mars  to  ycve  mc  foche  grace 

1  ii.kt  ihamVis  deth  on  me  there  motd  fafl. 

And  Jcth  and  povcrtc  to  my  frcndiiall, 

And  that  my  fpritt  by  ntghi  moi^  go 

Afnr  my  dcth  and  walkm  to  and  fro, 

That  I  mote  of  foiilc  iraiiour  have  a  name. 

Fur  whtche  myJprit  mote  go,  to  do  ne  ikfune^ 

And  if  t  clayme  evir  othir  degre, 

But  ye  vouchfafin  to  grauntin  it  me. 

As  I  have  faid,  of  fliam*is  deth  t  dcy, 

And  mercy, lady!  1  cim  naught  cl»fcy. 

A  fcmely  knight  was  this  Thcfcus  to  fe, 
Ard  yong^,  but  of  twenty  ycre  and  thre. 
But  wboTo  had  yfcnc  hi^  countinaunce 
He  wow  Id  have  wept  for  routh  of  his  penaunce^ 
lor  which  tliis  Ariadne*  in  this  manere  4 

Anfwerde  to  his  profre  and  to  his  chere  : 

A  k\ng*is  fonne  and  tkc  a  knight  (quod  (he) 
To  ben  my  fervaunt  in  fo  tow  degre 
God  fliuLd  it!  for  the  (hame  of  women  al, 
And  lene  metievir  foche  a  cafe  befal. 
And  fcnde  you  gr*ice  and  Oeight  of  hert  alfu 
You  to  dcfcndc  luid  kxiightty  llccii  youi  foe, 
£  ii  ij 


%3^ 


tEGEKDE   OF  ARIABNF    OF  ATHENS, 


And  Urn  here  aftir  that  I  may  you  finck 

To  mr  an<j  to  mr  luftir  here  fo  kynde 

"lliat  I  oc  tcp*:nt  nat  to  jev^  ypo  iyfc ; 

Yet  were  ft  jjcttir  that  I  were  your  wife. 

Sit  he  that  yc  be  a  af  ^entil  bome  a»  I, 

Aod  have  a  rclmc  nat  ferrc  but  fafte  fcy» 

1  halt  I  f  iffrid  your  (^ntilkfle  to  ftcrve. 

Or  thAt  I  l<;t  you  a§  a  pa^  to  fenre ; 

It  i&  no  profile  unto  your  kinredc, 

But  what  i^that  that  men  n'ill  do  for  dredt 

And  to  my  fuftir,  fyth  that  it  »  fo 

That  file  mote  gone  with  me  if  that  I  go. 

Or  clltft  fulTre  dtth  i»  wcl  ai  I, 

That  ye  unto  your  fonae  as  trewily 

I>otic  her  be  weddld  at  your  home  comming ; 

*l\iin  h  llu  fyoal  cnde  of  al  this  things 

Yc  fwcre  if  here  on  ail  that  may  he  fwnme. 

Vc,  lady  myn,  (t^uod  he)  or  cii  to  tornc 
Mote  i  be  with  the  Minotaure  to  mor<'>we. 
And  h:4vitb  here  of  mm  hert  htud  to  horowci 
If  fhw  ye  ifrol,  if  I  had  knife  or  fperc 
I  wolde  a  lettia  out  a^d  tbcreoti  fwcre, 
JTor  than  at  crflc  I  wot  yc  would  me  Ictc, 
Uy  Mar*,  that  [*,  thechicfe  of  my  bdevCj 
~  >  thit  I  miphtin  lyvin  and  tiat  PaiJe 
*i'o  morowe  lor  to  taktn  my  batailc 
1  T\f  wolJc  nevir  fro  this  place  flye 
Tyl  that  yc  Qitildc  the  very  profc  yfc; 
For  now,  if  ejrat  the  fotb  I  Ihall  you  fay, 
1  h&ivc  tovtd  you  ful  many  a  daie, 
ThoujL'^h  yc  ne  wifl  it  nat^  in  my  countre, 
_  Atid  nkldinnolle  dcfyrid  you  to  it 
5f  any  earthly  Hvirg  crciturt:; 
Jpoo  my  ttt>uthe  I  fwere  and  you  alTare, 
Thi»fe%Mn  ycrc  1  have  your  fervatint  be; 
Nowf  have  I  you,  and  alio  have  ye  me, 
^ly  dcrc  htrrt     of  Atheni*  Duch'-fTe. 

This  lady  fmilith  at  hii  iKilfatineflV, 
And  at  hishertcly  woide*,  and  at  bis  chore. 
And  to  her  fulUr  fa  yd  in  thin  manere  ; 

And  fbthcly^  leve  aU  iudlr  myo,  (quod  flic) 
fivvfc  he  we  «itiche|Ii»  bt»ih  I  and  yc, 
And  flkcrdc  to  tht  reg^U  of  Athene*, 
And  boihc  htrcaftir  likely  to  be  quenet, 
Ai^d  favid  fnj  hU  detii  a  kjng'it  fonne, 
A*  er  of  ^cnLilwcmcn  i»  the  wonnc 
To  fave  a  j^cntitn^in  cnforth  tber  might. 
In  hontfl  caufe,  and  namely  in  hia  rtght, 
Mc  ihtnLitb  no  wight  ought  «»  hereof  bUtde^ 
Nc  brriji  ustbcrfore  an  evil  name. 
And  thortly  of  this  matir  for  to  make, 
ThJi  rhefenv  of  her  hath  levc  ytake. 
And  ei^ety  point  wis  perfdrtntd  in  dede 
A»  yc  h*ve  in  thiscovcnaunt  htrdeme  rede  ; 
Hid  wepeii^bift  c]twe,hi»  things  that  t  have  faid, 
Was  by  the  gailir  in  the  houle  ylatd, 
There  as  the  Mynotaure  bath  bit  dwdlyng, 
KigSr  faitc  by  the  dorr  at  hU  entring, 
And  Thefcu*  i»  U'i    i  ro  J,  ..  .1.  dir  - 
And  forth  «nt«>  '  jcihcj 

And  by  Ihe  teclii  i  -; 

He  ovircame  thii  bell  iiiid  wa*  hut  bane ; 
And  dut  he  ciniith  by  the  cUwe  Qgair>e 
Ful  privUy  wbao  he  thii  btit  hiib  i\»mt^ 


Ani\  by  thr  gaiUr  gmiin  hath  abartpf. 
And  of  hit  wiv'ii  trcfure  gan  it  cl  ' 
A'ld  toke  hik  wiie  indekc  ber  fult  r 
And  eke  thcgailir,  and  with  *hem  «!  tbra 
U  ihdc  away  out  of  the  londc  by  nifht. 
And  to  the  c^untre"  of  Enoi  "  \ 

Tftereas  be  had  a  frcnde  ot 
There  fcftin  thei.  there  dau 
And  in  his  armi»  hath  tbia 

That  of  the  bcft  hath  kept  h.: ..., 

And  get  him  tiicrc  a  nobje  barge  anoiie, 
And  of  hi«  countrc  folke  a  ful  gret  w«iic. 
And  takcth  bi»  leve,  and  homwardc  failuh  btt 
And  in  an  yle  amiddit  the  wildc  fe, 
Thrreai  there  dwellid  ncvir  crcturc  nr-rc 
Save  wild  betli9,aiid  that  ful  many  om. 
He  made  hU  n>ippe  ilonde  for  to  fctte, 
And  in  that  yk  halfe  a  date  he  lette. 
And  fayd,  that  on  the  londe  he  mull  Kim  tuu^ 
Hii  mariners  have  done  right  a»  him  leite  : 
And  for  to  tell  in  fliortly  in  tbii  cafe> 
Whan  Ariadne  hb  wife  aflepe  waa, 
For  tba.1  her  fuftir  fayhr  wai  than  Ibe:, 
He  takcth  Ivcr  in  hi*  bondc,  and  forth  gotbl 
Ti>  ibyppe,  and  a»  a  traiiour  llak  away 
V^'hik  that  tbtt  Ariadne  aflepe  lay, 
And  rohi^cotintre  warde  be  faihth  bUvt;^ 
A  twtniy  dyvll  way  th    -  ■"  ^-  ^  -     -"riTf, 
And  found  his  f:itbir 

Mc  lyftetjo  more  tol^^..    _ f_..ie; 

Thric  falf^  lovirt  poilon  be  rher  bane  1 

Dut  1  wol  tame  againe  tu  Adriane, 
Thar  ii  with  (Icpr  f<)r  wenneffc  ytoke, 
Ful  forowfuUy  her  hert  may  awake. 

iVla*:  for  tbcmync  h<Tte  h»tb  grc 
Riyht  tn  the  (Liwrnnif  awakith  flie, 
Ant!    .,,:''■'         --      '    \ 

j\ 
laiH  ,.v.„ 
And  t-  tl 
.Vnd  tryiJ, 

Where  be  yc,  diat  1  may  r- 
And  might  thui  with  the  U 

The  haluwe  rocku  anfwcidc  Wf  agaiarj 
Ko  mill  the  fawe»  and  yet  ylbone  the  muoe; 
And  hye  upon  a  lovk  ' 
And  Ciw^  hik  barge  ) 
C>>ldc  W'lte  hf  r  hert,  «ie  j  i 

Mrlvir  i)iiJi  Tc  fnidc  I  ti. 
H  ith  he  nat  fynr.e  ilur  },, 
She  cried,  O  tu 
*rhy  barge  OC  I  ' 

Her  cuuvcrchdt  uq  ^  u^ic  ilykediht 
Afcaunce  tlut  he  (htildc  it  w*fJr  yf«-. 
And  him  rcntembrc  that  f(^  nie, 

And  tuffic  aga^inc,  and  on  :  ^n  ( 

But  all  lor  ruught  ,  If.   '  t^ne^ 

And  downc  flic  fela  f  v,  ,-,       ,     .    ,  ^  \\gac^  ^ 
And  up  ihc  fill'    "f^^  '  ^  :a/f 

The  iUppis  of  I 
And  lit  her  bed  i  ^  ,  rhtt: 

Thou  bed,  (<lui>d  ihc  j  that  b«||  rccrrkJ  t 
Thou  (halt  anfwerc  of  two  and  tto«  of  oif  j  i 
Where  u  ibe  gtrtcr  pcnc  ttray  |Qoe  J 


HERE     POLOWETH 


THE  LEGENDE  OF  PHILOMELA. 


i  Hou  ycyir  of  the  farmli  that  hail  ysranght 
The  tayr<?  worUl,  and  We  it  m  ihy  thought 

Eternillf  rr  thou  thy  wcrkc  Wgan, 

Why  madiil  thou  to  the  flaundir  of  man  f 

Or  allbc  that  it  was  not  thy  doycg:. 

An  for  that  cnde  to  making  fochc  a  thing. 

Why  fuffrcdf  (I  thou  that  Tereus  wat  borty 

Thit  U  iii  love  fo  falic  and  fo  forfworc. 

That  fro  thii  world  np  to  the  firft  hcvin 

Corrtuupith  whan  that  fnlke  Kii»  name  Hcrin  f 

And  as  to  me,  fo  grHly  was  his  dcdc, 

That  whan  that  I  thi*  fouL  ftoric  rcde 

Mync  f yin  wcxin  foule  and  fofc  alfo, 

Yet  lafleth  the  vcnymc  offo  long  ago 

That  it  cnfedith  him  that  wolde  bchold« 

Tlie  doric  of  Tcreuiof  which  I  tolde. 

Of  Thrace  wa*  he  the  liirde,  an^  kyn  to  Martc, 

The  cruil  god  that  ftamc  witli  hlody  dartc  ; 

And  wcddid  had  he  widi  fuilljIiJsrul  chcrc 

Kinj;  Pandion'i*  fair^  dooghtir  dere 

That  hight  Progne,  the  flourc  of  her  coutmr, 

*rhougli  Juno  iiiic  not  at  the  fcil  to  he 

Nc  Hymen,  that  the  god  of  Wcddyng  it. 

But  at  the  fcflercdy  hen  iwis 

The  Fam  three,  with  all  thcr  mortalt  bronde. 

The  oiiie  all  night  above  the  balkts  wonde. 

That  prophctc  is  of  wo  and  of  mifchauncc, 

T^^il  rcvill,  full  of  fong  and  full  of  daunce, 

Jelled  a  foil rte night  or  little  lafle  ; 

But  fhorilie  of  thi«  ftorle  for  to  pafiTe^ 

(For  t  am  wcrie  of  hym  for  to  tell) 

Five  ycfe  his  wife  and  he  togithir  dwell. 

Till  on  a  daic  Ihe  gan  fo  fore  to  long 

To  fene  her  fuftir^  that  ihc  fawe  not  long, 

That  for  defire  (he  ne  wifl  what  to  faie. 

Bst  to  hqx  hulboade  gan  (he  for  to  praic* 


for  Godd'ij  love,  that  (he  mnie  oola  g^og 
To  fciic  her  fuflre\  and  conae  if  en 
Or  elU*  but  the  mot't  to  her  wcnde 
She  praicd  him  that  he  would  afiir  ber 
And  thit  wai  diiie  By  daie  all  h^r  pnicfVa 
With  all  humblefic  of  wif^-ho.!^,  wnrde, 

This  Tcreu*  let  make  I  ^rc. 

And  into  Grccc  hymfelf  j%  ,:  : 

Unto  hii  fathir  in  lawe  gan  iic  praic 
To  vouchrfa&n  that  for  a  moneto  or  twaic 
That  Philomela  his  wive'*  fuftir  might 
On  Prognc'  hi«  wife  hut  onis  hav£  a  figkt. 
And  Hie  Ihall  come  to  you  again  aoon^ 
My  £clf  with  her  f  will  bothe  come  attdt  gO% 
And  as  my  hcrt'*  life  1  will  her  krpc 

l^his  oldc  Paodion,  this  kyug,  gaii  to  wrft 
For  tendirnefifc  of  herto  for  to  Icvc 
HU  dough tir  gon,  and  for  to  ycte  hrr  fc^ 
Of  all  this  worlde  he  Jovid  oothyng  fa; 
But  at  the  laftc  leve  hath  (he  to  go. 
Tor  Philomela  with  fait  tcna  eke 
Gan  of  her  fathir  hi*  grace  to  hcfckc 
To  fene  her  fuAir,  that  her  longtth  h^ 
And  hym  enbracith  with  her  armti  two? 
And  therewithal  fo  yongc  and  faire  wai  &«« 
That  when  that  Tcreut  £twe  her  bcaiice. 
And  of  arraie  tliat  there  wat  notie  her  lidiCt 
And  yet  of  beaatc  wa*  Ihe  to  fo  riehe. 
He  call  his  ficrie  hcne  upon  her  fa 
That  he  woll  have  her  how  fo  that  it  gc^ 
And  with  his  wilia  kneUd  and  lb  praira 
Till  at  the  laft  Pandioa  thusyfaied : 

Now  fonne,  (quod  he)  that  art toine ib  Jef^ 
1  the  betiike  my  fonge  doughiir  here* 
I'hat  bcrcih  thekeie  of  all  mrnehrrt^lif^ 
And  gretc  mc  well  my  doofhcir  §ni  tiif  "^ 
5 


i 


1.EGENDE  OF    PBtLOMELA. 


flxri  fomtytnc  fof  to  plcie, 
ic  fe  me  onuor  I  dcic. 
ic  hath  made  hym  richi  fcft, 
like  the  mofie  and  eke  the  leflt 
im  came,  and  favc  hijn  yeftin  greCC| 
iveyith  through  the  maJlirflrete 
,nd  to  the  fc  hyra  brought, 
I  home,  no  malice  he  ne  thoaght. 
lith  forth  thcvtlTilfaa, 
race  arrivith  at  the  lall, 
a  fnreft  he  her  led, 
c  fuit  privily  hym  fpedi 
larkc  cave,  if  that  her  left 
ight,  he  bad  her  for  to  reft, 
:r  hcrteagrofc.  aud  fay  id  thui ! 
ny  fuftifj  brothir  Tcrcus  f 
ttbilli  ftie  wept  full  tendirlie, 
or  fere  all  pale  and  pituouHie, 
Uinbe  chat  of  th«  woIfc  i*  bicteni 
ver  that  of  the*  egle  it  fmittcOy 
f  hiicUwii  forthc  efcaped, 
zicrde  and  fore  awhapcd, 
nt  cftfonis ;  fo  fate  (he  : 
kjiuie  none  oihir  be, 
mJlthh  traitour  ydoen  a  dede 
rreft  her  of  her  maidinhcdc 
bed,  by  ftrcngth  and  by  bi»  itughc. 

dede  of  mcn»  aod  that  aright  1 
iftir  wiih  full  loud    ftevcn, 
kre  !  o  hclpc  mc  God  in  herco  ! 
tot :  and  yet  thii  UUi  thefe 
it  lady  yet  a  more  mifchefe, 
Lhat  fhr  fhould  hii  ihamc  crir, 
n  oplnlic  a  viUnic, 
i  fwerd  her  ton^  of  kcrSth  b<> 
till  made  her  for  to  be 
ji  prifone  evirmore, 
r  CO  his  ufagc  and  hii  ftore, 
e  might  ncvir  more  aftcrte.  ^ 

binela  '   wo*  in  thine  he rtc,  > 

,y  forowi*.  and  woadir  fmerte  j       J 
bcf  and  fcndc  the  thy  bone ! 
ne  I  make  an  endr  fonc. 
Si  t«  tn  hit  wife  icome, 
|^i»  hath  hti  wife  inome, 
^he  wept,  and  ftiokc  his  bedde^ 
lerrhat  he  found  her  fuflir  dedde, 
{hitfelie  Prognc  h«th  fachc  wa 

*  forowfuU  h^ne  bnke  aiw«  i 


<jf 


And  thus  in  teria  let  I  Progtic  dwell. 
And  of  herfuftirforthe  i  woll  you  tcl. 

This  wofuU  ladiclernid  had  in  youth 
So  that  (he  workin  and  en  brand  in  couth, 
And  we  via  in  her  dole  the  radihrorc, 
Aa  it  of  women  hath  ben  wovid  yore  ; 
And,  foihly  for  to  fain?,  ftvc  hath  her  fill 
Of  mete  and  drinke,  of  cioching  at  her  will, 
And  couth  eke  rede  well  inough  and  endite, 
But  with  a  pennc  fhcne  could  not  write. 
But  lettir*  can  Ihe  wevin  to  and  fro, 
So  thu  by  that  the  yere  was  all  ago 
She  had  ywovin  in  a  ftamen  large 
How  fhc  wa*  brought  fro  Athens  in  a  barge, 
And  in  a  civc  how  that  fhe  was  ybrought. 
And  all  the  thyng  that  Tereas  ywrought 
She  wave  it  wcl,  and  wrote  the  ftorie'  above 
How  fhc  was  fervid  for  her  fuftir*s  love ; 
And  to  a  knave  a  ring  jhe  yave  anon, 
And  prayid  hixn  by  fignid  for  to  gon 
Unio  the  Quene,  and  berin  her  that  clothe, 
And  by  (ignis  fwore  him  many  an  othc 
She  fhould  him  ycvin  what  flic  gcttin  mjg:ht. 

This  luiavc  anon  unto  the  Quene  him  dight, 
And  toke  it  her,  and  all  the  manir  totde  ; 
And  when  that  Progne  hath  this  thing  behold 
No  worde  (he  ipake  for  forowe  and  for  rage, 
But  fain  id  her  to  gon  on  pilgrimage 
To  Bacchu»  temple* ;  and  in  a  little  ftounde 
Her  dombe  fuftir  yfittynghatli  (he  foundc, 
Wcping  in  the  cailiLl  her  fclf  alone ; 
Alas  the  wo,  the  condnint,  and  the  mone. 
That  Progne  upon  her  dombe  fuflir  maketh  I 
In  arniis  everiche  of  'hem  othir  takitrth  : 
And  thus  1  let  *hem  in  tfaer  forowe  dweU« 
The  remcnaunt  is  no  charge  for  to  tell. 
For  this  is  all  and  fomc,  thus  was  Ihe  ferved 
That  ncvir  ought  agdtid  tic  deferred 
Unto  thia  cruill  man  that  (he  of  wifte« 
Ye  male  beware  of  men  if  that  yuu  Ufte, 
For  all  be  that  he  woll  not  for  hii  (haine 
Doin  a4  Tcreui  to  Icfe  his  name, 
Ne  ferve  you  as  a  murthercr  or  a  knave, 
Full  little  while  fhullin  yc  trcwc  him  have. 
That  woll  I  fain,  al  wcr  he  now  my  brother. 
But  it  fo  be  that  be  maie  have  nooe  other, 

£  e  iiij 


p 


B^  prove  a*  -well  as  tiy  autfiliorite 

That  wickid  fruidc  commeth  of  »  wicked  trc 

That  maic  yc  <md  if  thut  it  likith  you; 

But  for  this  cndc  F  fpekc  thiii  21  now, 

I'o  tcllin  you  of  falfe  Dfmophoon ; 

In  love  a  falfir  hrrd  f  nrrir  non 

Bui  it  wtrin  hi»fathir  Thcfeuy; 

God  for  his  gjace  fro  foche  one  tepift  m  f 

Thui  thcfc  womefi  yprayin  that  it  here  ; 

Now  the'  cflMtf  toumc  J  of  my  matere. 

Deflroyid  h  of  Troii  the  cite  i 
Thin  fJemophon  came  failyng  in  the  fc 
Toward  Athciiif,  to  hii  paleit  large  ; 
With  him  ctmc  many  a  fliip  and  in  any'  a  hargc 
All  full  of  folkc,  of  whichc  full  many  one 
1b  wounded  fore,  and  Ckc,  and  wo  begone, 
And  thci  have  at  the  fieg^c  loni^  ifeine  ; 
Behind  him  came  a  windc  and  eke  a  rainc 
That  fhofc  fo  fore  hi*  failc  ne  might  not  fEondci 
Hym  were  Icvirthcn  all  the  woi*ide  a  londe; 
So  huifrith  hym  th^trmpcft  to  ami  fro, 
Sn  dark  it  wafehe  could  Do  where  ago. 
And  with  a  wave  tobruftin  was  hi*  Ocrc  ; 
His  (hip  wa»  rent  fo  lowc  in  foche  mancrc 
*I'hat  carpenter  nc  couldc  it  not  amende ; 
The  fe  by  night  as  any  torche  brcndc 
For  wodr,  and  poflith  him  up  and  doun, 
Till  Ntptuiic  hath  of  hym  compafTioun, 
And  Th<;ti»,  Chorus,  Triton,  and  thti  all, 
And  madin  him  open  a  londe  to  fall 
Whereof  that  Phyllii  lady  \^a«  and  qitene^ 
Lycurjfus  doughtir,  l^jrir  unto  fenc 
Then  it  the  flourc  again  the  brighte  fonne  ; 
llnncth  i«Demphonto  ^onde  iwonne, 
Weke  and  eke  werie,  ami  hi>  folkc  forpined 
Of  werincflf,Mid  alfo  cnfamincd, 
And  to  the  dcth  he  wat  almofte  idrivcn  ; 
Hii  wiCi^  tolkc  couofailc  have  him  ycvcu 


lUOi^ 


To  fekinheipe  and  fuccour  of  the  Qfrfrf, 
And  loktn  what  hh  grace  mighcin  bm 
And  makio  in  that  landc  fomc  diev*tsi  -  c  , 
And  kepin  htm  fro  wo  and  fro  mtfchaunce, 
For  iike  he  wat  and  dmoftc  at  the  dctH» 
Unnethit  might  he  fpcrkc  or  drawin  brctki 
And  liech  in  Rhodop<ia  hjm  to  irllt. 
When  he  may  walkin  him  thooghc  it  imkk 
Unto   the  courtc  to  fcktn  for  fuccottr ; 
Men  kficwe  him  wcle,  and  diddtn  hytn 
For  at  Athenisdukrand  loide  was  be. 
As  Thefcu*  hi.<  lathir  hath  ibc, 
I'hat  in  hi»  tym*  wa«  of  grete 
No  man  fo  gretc  in  all  hi*  refioun^ 
And  like  hii  fathre'  of  l\ice  and  1- 
And  falfe  of  love,  it  c^me  hym  <'i 
A%  docth  the  foxe  Rt 
Of  kinde  he  coukl  h 
Withoutiu  lure^itA  cjin  a  t. 
When  it  i»  caught  and  air 
'l'hi« honourable  Phyllis  ilu...  ...... 

Her  hkith  well  hi»  porte  and  hi* 
But  t  am  all  agrotid  here  bcfome 
To  write  of  'bein  that  ia  love  bca 
And  eke  tt»  haftin  me  in  my  I.egcndc, 
Whiche  10  perform^  God  me  j^race  yfcfldc, 
Therefore  I  paflin  fbortly  io  ihLi  wife 
Yc  have  wrH  herd  of  Thefcu*  the  gifis 
In  the  betraying;  of  fairc  Adriane, 
Thit  of  her  pite  kepi  him  fro  hit  hane; 
At  jfhort  wurdis,  right  fo  Dcmoplieoii 
The  fame  w^ic  And  ihefjame  pitbe  faitbg*B 
That  did  his  falfe  fjihir  Thciciis, 
For  unto  Phylli*  hath  he  fwomj  thiw, 
To  wcddin  her,  and  her  h'i»  troutb  j^f^f 
Ani'  pikid  of  her  all  the  gode  he  lujf  fat. 
Whan  he  was  whole  and  ronndc,  *ndb*JA*» 
And  docth  with  PhllUa  what  (c  tha;  hun  dt 
4 


tEOENDE   OF   PHYLLIS, 


I  could,  if  tltat  me  Uftc  fo, 

>f  i\[  hi»  doying  to  and  fro. 

lied  that  to  hUcountirc  mote  hytii  faile, 

re  he  would  her  wcddyng  appaiaile 

0  her  hooour  and  his  .iLfo  : 
inly  he  toke  his  lev c-  th< « 

her  fworc  th»t  he  would  not  fojournc, 

1  moDcth  again  he  would  retoume, 
that  londc  let  make  hit  ordinauoce 
r  lordc,  and  toke  the  obcifauoce 

id  humbly,  and  his  (bippis  ydighr, 

me  he  goith  the  next  waic  he  might, 

0  Phylli«  again  came  he  nought, 

it  hath  Qic  io  hardeand  fore  ibought, 

s  the  Aorie  doeth  us  rccorde, 

ic  wai  her  ownc  dcth  right  with  a  corde, 

Jut  ftic  faw  tliat  Dcmophon  hci  trait«d; 

i  wrote  Ihr  to  him,  and  fift  him  praid 

lid  come  and  dcUvir  her  of  pain,    * 

icrfm  0ull  a  worde  or  twain; 

not  to  vcuchlafe  on  him  to  fwinke^ 
^ixi  ou  him  a  pcnQc  full  of  ynke* 
r  jQ  love  waj  he,  right  as  hit  fire, 
vil  fet  thcr  fuuli»botU  on  fire  ! 
the  let trc*  of  Phylli*  woll  I  write 
'-  --  '  V  J  in^  although  it  he  but  lite. 

k,  (quod  ihe)  o  Dcmophoon  I 
^-.    ,    Jjtch  that  i»fo  wo  begun, 
dopric  upon  you  mote  complain, 
6  tcrmc  \fit  betwixt  us  twain 
E  DC  hold  in  forwarde  a»  ye  faicd  j 
icrr,  whiche  yc  in  our  iitvin  laird, 
If  that  ye  would  coniin  (i;i^t  of  doubt 
the  mon^  oDis  went  about,  i 

ii*fowcr  ibc  M  '     '    '    '  *    r  face 

iXkik  diie  yc  v.  rc 

pri-  '-^--  '■•■'■•  .  „^.iiii 

•al;  ,  fain 

h  t-  .  -int  ybronghc 

jhcnisthc  Ihip,  yet  came  it  nought^ 
that  yc  the  tcruie  rckin  would 
othir  true  lorirt  doc  (Kould, 
ti  not  (God  wot)  before  my  daic* 
her  kttir  writiu  I  ne  maic 
,r,for  it  were  to  mc  a  charge; 
' ;  was  right  long,  and  thereto  large. 


But  here  and  there  in  rhlme  I  ha.'Vt  it  bled 
There  ai  mc  thought  tliat  fhc  hath  wcl  yjaled« 

S}icfaicd»Thcf4ili»comith  not  agjin^ 
Nc  to  the  worde  there  n'ii  no  fey  certain; 
But  I  wot  why  ye  comin  not,  {tjirod  flic) 
For  I  wa*  of  my  love  to  you  fo  fre ; 
And  oi  the  goddi*  that  yc  have  yfwore 
If  that  thcr  Tcngcauncc  fall  on  jott  therefore 
Yc  be  not  fuflilaunt  to  bcre  the  p^in  ; 
To  muchil  truUid  l^  wcU  maic  I  fijn,  _ 

Upon  your  linage  and  your  fair^  tung. 
And  on  your  tcri$  fafly  out  ywrmig  : 
How  coud  yc  wrpin  fo  Vy  craft  ?  (quod  flie) 
Maic  There  foch  tcri»  cvlr  fainid  be  ? 

Now  ccni»  if  yc  wouM  1  mor 

It  oughthi  be  to  you  but  n 
To  have  a  fclic  maidiri  thi..  ^u..  -..^  J  ; 
To  God  (quod  fhc)  pr^kic  I.  .Vrid  oft  have  pnled^l 
'VhAi  it  bt  now  the  grctifl  uricr  oi  Al 
And  m^ilc  honour  that  Lf  fall; 

And  when  thine  old  aun^  J  be, 

In  whichc  men  mate  iher  worthiiifclle  yiir. 
Then  praie  I  Cud  thou  paintid  he  alio, 
that  f  dkc  maie  rcdin  forthcby  la  thctgo, 

Lo !  thi^  i»  he  that  with  hik  flattiry 
Betray  id  hath  and  doen  her  -    V  r  - 
rhat  was  his  true  love  in  ;  d  dcdc ! 

Bui  iothly  of  o  poind  yli    u  ..  ..,^i  rcdc^ 
Thlt  yc  ben  like  your  fathjr  ai  in  thti,^ 
For  he  bcgijitl  Aiindrn*iwis 
With  fuchc  an  arte    •  '  -! 

A*  t]<o^  thy  fclvin  li 

A»  in  that  p^und.aJihgw^U  it  he  not  fare, 
*rhuu  f6lnwlft  certain,  ana  art  hi»  heirc  : 
But  rcii^thdd  fjnfully  yc  mc  bcgllc 
My  bodis  raoic  yc  fenc  within  a  while 
Right  in  the  haven  of  Athcnts  flctyng 
Wiihoutin  fepulturc  and  burying. 
Though  yc  ben  hardir  then  It  any  flonc. 

And  when  tht&  Icttirwax  forth  lent  jiaant^ 
And  knewc  how  brotil]  and  how*  faU  he  was. 
She  for  djlj^irc  forbid  her  felf,  aU»? 
Suchcforowe'  hath  flic  for  flic  bcfet  herfo. 
Beware  ye  women  of  your  fublill  fo, 
Scn<  yet  thia  dale  men  m^c  enfampte  fe, 
j\nd  truftith  now  in  love  no  miUi  but  mt. 


THE  LEGENDE  OF  HYPERMNESTRA. 


IN  Grecc  whilom  \V?,rc  dwclUn^  l>rcthrcnc  two, 
Of  whichc  that  otic  ^^^  ciilliU  Dinao, 
That  many*  a  fonnc  harh  of  hh  hotlic  wonne, 
Av  fochc  lilfc  lovirit  ofEitniiconnc^ 

Btuangit  l^if  fotinis  all  there  was  one 
*rhat  aldirniollt:  he  loved  of  cvrrycljone, 
And  when  this  chijd  wa§  borne  thU  D^uap 
Shope  him  t  name,  ^nd  callld  hym  Lina ; 
•Thill  othir  brothir  caltid  was  E.<ilW, 
That  was  of  love  t*  falie  as  cr  him  lifte ; 
And  many*  a  daughfir  g^atc  he  in  hii  life. 
Of  whiche  he  gate  (ipon  his  right'^  wife 
A  dough rir  derCi  and  did  her  for  to  c.ill 
Hvpcrmncftra»  the  youngifl  of  'hem  all, 
The  which^  ch'ldi-  of  her  nit'vlte 
To  allc  gode  the  win  yhomc  wa«  flie, 
A*  likid  to  (he  goddcs  or  fhc  wa*  borne 
Th  tt  of  the  (hcfc  (he  Hioold  be  the  come  ; 
The  werdi*  that  wc  ckpin  Dtftifle 
Math  fhapin  h?r  that  fhc  mufl  ncdi»  be 
Pitoui,  and  fad,  and  wife,  and  true  as  fteic  ; 
And  to  this  woman  it  accordith  wcle. 
For  rhough  that  Vcnu»  yavc  her  grctc  beute 
Wirh  Jupiter  eompownid  fo  was  fhe 
That  confciencc  and  trouthe,  and  drcdc  of  fbamc. 
And  of  her  wifehodc  for  to  kepe  her  name, 
Thii  thought  her  was  feiicite  is  here  : 
And  Red  Mars  was  at  that  tyme  of  the  jert 
So  feble  that  hit  malice  is  him  rafte, 
Rcpreflid  hath  Venus  hii  cruill  crafte, 
And  what  with  Venut  and  othir  opprcflton 
Of  hniifu  Man  hi»  vcnimc  is  adon, 
That  Hypem^neftra  dare  o<>t  handle*  a  knife 
Id  malice,  though  fhe  Ihouldin  left  her  life; 
But  naihtlelTc  a«*  hcvin  gan  tho  tume. 
Two  bad  afpe»ai»  hath  flic  of  Sjturne, 
Thai  made  ►er  f  r  to  dyin  in  phfon ; 
And  I  ihail  aftir  makio  mcncioD 


Of  Dinio  and  Epftif  atfo, 

And  th  ni^  fo  be  that  thei  were  %f^ethrrs  liW^ 

For  thilke  tymc  n'  !      ^  linage, 

ft  likid  'hem  lo  n»  t 

Bw'twixt Hypcrmritiij  j  .tu,.  kun  Lino, 

And  caftin  in  fochc  a  daic  k  fhall  be  fo, 

And  full  accordid  was  it  uitlHy, 

The*  araic  is  wrought,  the  tjme  is  f 

And  thus  Lino  hath  of  his  f^lhir's  br 

The  doughtlr  wedded,  and  ech  of  *hcm  h»tTT»»tkr* 

The  tordiis  brcanin  and  the  lampi*  hnghr. 

The  facrificiaben  fuU  redydight, 

Th'  cnfcncc  out  of  the  fire  out  rckiih  foCCt 

The  floure  the  lefc,  is  rent  up  by  the  rote 

To  makin  garlandlitnd  crouni*  hie; 

Full  is  the  place  of  found  of  mindrttdep 

Of  fongis  ^raourou*  of  mariagr. 

As  thjlki  Tyml  was  the  plain  ufagc  j 

And  this  was  in  the  palcis  of  Egitt?, 

That  in  his  houa  was  lord  ri^ht  ai  him  llAci 

And  thui  that  daic  thet  drivm  to  an  ende, 

"Hie  frcndls  lakin  \cye,  and  home  tlici  weni* 

The  night  is  come,  the  bride  (hall  go  ta  b«d| 

Egiflis  to  his  chamber  faft  him  fped. 

And  privily  he  let  his  doughtlr  call 

When  that  the  hou»  voidiJ  was  of  *hem  alt; 

Hi  lokith  on  his  doughtir  wirh  glade  chcrct 

And  to  her  fpake  as  ye  Hi  all  aftir  here  : 

My  right  doughtir,  the  triTour  ci  mioelM^ 
Sens  firft  that  daic  that  (ha pin  wa«  my  f    ^~ 
Or  by  the  Fatall  Suftir  had  my  domet 
So  nyc  iiiync  hertd  nevir  thing  ne  come. 
At  tliou  my  HypermneAra,  doughtir  dcft' 
l^ake  hede  what  thy  fathir  fayith  the  hetCf 
And  wcrke  aftir  thy  wifir  evir mo. 
For  aldirftrfl  doughtir  1  love  the  fo 
That  all  the  worlde  to  mc  n'is  halfe  Hd  Icf'i 
Ne  1  n*olde  rede  the  to  ihy  mifchefc 


LEGENDE   OF  HYPER  MNESTR  A. 


e  godc  undir  the  cnld^  monc  ; 
:  t  mcnc  it  fhd  be  fjiid  right  fonc, 
leftacion,  ai  fainc  thcfe  wife, 
thou  dot  a»  I  (hftU  the  dcviJe 
[  be  clcdf  by  him  that  al  hath  wrought  t 
wordii,  tliou  nc  fcapUl  nought 
f  palcjftor  that  thou  be  dcdc 
confcnt  and  wcrkc  aftir  my  rede; 
to  the  for  full  conclufioun* 
crmneftra  caft  her  cyin  doun, 
^e  At  doeth  the  Icfc  of  afpiit  grcoc, 
her  hew,  and  like  ifhin  to  (cnc, 
t;  Lnrde  and  fathir*  all  your  wiil, 
might,  God  wote  I  (hall  fulfill, 
3  me  no  coiifuiion. 
(jtiod  he)  have  non  exception, 
\e  caught  a  Itnlfc  a»  raf  ur  kenc ; 
(quod  he)  that  it  be  nat  tfene, 
1  thine  hufbonde  b  to  bed  ygo, 
,t  he  i1q>ith  cut  hifi  chrote  atwo, 
'  drcme  it  ii  y warnid  tnc 
my  ncTcm-c  Ihall  my  bancyhc, 
►c  I  o'ot,  wherefore  I  woll  be  Hker ; 
c  naic  we  two  {hall  have  a  biker, 
f»jed,  by  him  that  I  have  fwornc, 
rrmnefl/a*  hath  atgh  her  wit  forloro» 
>  pafTc  hannelelTe  out  of  that  pbcc 
tidhiin,  there  waa  tion  othir  grace. 
irithail  a  coflrill  takith  he, 
p  Hereof  a  draught  or  two,  or  thrc, 
to  drinke  nrheo  he  goiih  to  reAe, 
all  flepe  u  long  ai  cr  the  lefle^ 
tikes  and  apics  ben  fo  ftrung, 
y  waic,  left  that  him  thitike  to  long. 
:h  the  bride,  and  with  full  fobrc  chcrc, 
laidini  oft  in  the  manere, 
lir brought  with  levil  and  with  fong: 
lie,  lellc  this  tal^  be  to  long, 
and  fhe  bcth  bin  brought  to  bed, 
r  wight  out  at  the  dore  him  fped* 
is  waHid)  and  he  fell  aJIepe; 
dy  bcginrith  (he  to  wcpc ; 
T  ur»,  and  dredcfuUf  ihe  <juaketh, 
the  braunch  that  2cphyru5  yjhakethj 


And  hurtjt  were  all  in  Aragonc  that  eltc  ; 
As  colde  as  any  fmftc  now  wcxith  Ihe, 
For  pitc  by  the  hertc  flraimd  her  fo, 
And  drede  of  deth  doith  her  fo  morhe  wo» 
T  .at  thryis  doitne  flic  fill  j  in  fochc  a  were 
She  rifle  her  up,  and  ftckereth  here  and  there. 
And  on  her  hand  is  fall^  lokjth  fhe  ; 
AUi  *,  (juod  (he,  fhall  mync  handci  blodic  he  f 
I  am  a  maidin,  and  hy  my  nature, 
And  by  my  fcmblauot,  and  by  my  ▼cflure, 
Myne  haundi»hcn  not  {haptn  for  a  knife, 
A«  for  to  revin  no  man  fro  hti  life  ; 
What  devil  I  have  I  with  the  knife  to  do  f 
And  fliall  f  have  my  throtc  ycorvc  atwo  f 
Then  (hall  ]  hlcde,  al^ '  apd  be  yfliende  : 
Uid  nedis  of  this  thing  mote  have  an  code  ; 
Or  he  or  I  mote  ncdi»  lefe  our  life  : 
Now  certi»  (quod  (he)  fens  I  am  his  wife. 
And  hath  my  fctthe,  yet  is  it  hette  for  me 
For  to  be  dedde  in  wifely  honefle 
Then  he  a  traitour  living  in  my  Chame  : 
Be  as  be  maie,  for  erncll  or  for  game. 
He  fliatl  awake,  and  rife  and  go  his  Vfaie 
Oat  at  this  guttir  er  that  it  be  daJe ; 
And  wept  full  tcndirlic  upon  hit  face. 
And  in  her  armisgan  him  to  embrace. 
And  him  Ihc  roggith  and  awakith  lb  ft; 
And  at  the  windowc  Icpc  he  fro  the  lofc 
When  {he  hath  waroid  him  and  doen  him  bote. 
This  Lino  fwift  ywas  and  light  of  fote. 
And  from  his  wife  he  ran  a  full  gode  pace  ; 
This  fclic  woman  is  fo  wckc,  aUs  I 
And  helplefTe,  fo  that  er  (he  ferr^  went 
HercruUl  fathir  did  her  for  to  hem. 
Ala«,  Lino!   why  art  thou  fo  unkindc  ? 
Why  ne  hall  thou  remembrid  Ln  thy  minde 
And  takin  her  and  led  her  forthe  with  the  I 
far  ^«hen  fhe  fa  we  that  gone  awate  wa»  he^ 
And  that  ftic  nc  might  not  fo  fafl  ygo, 
Nc  folowin  him,  (he  fate  dounc  right  tho 
Til  (he  wafl  caught  and  fettrid  ui  prifon  ; 
This  Tak  u  faicd  hi  ^bii  concluBon* 


A   PRAISE   OF  WOMEN. 


A  t  tho  that  lyfte  of  women  ill  to  fpelce, 
And  fayiti  of  •hcra  worfc  than  they  dcfcrve, 
I  pray  to  God  that  thcr  neckit  to  hrekc^ 
^  on  fomc  yll  dethe  mote  iho  janglir*  ftcrvc, 
"br  every  man  were  holdin  'hem  to  fcrvc, 

nd  do  *hcnx  worfhip,  honour,  and  ferrifc, 

every  manir  they  bcft  coudc  devife. 

For  wc  ought  firft  to  think  on  what  man  ere 
'h^i  bring  U5  forth^  and  what  pain  thei  endure 
TirH  m  ourbyrth,  and  fith  fro  ycre  to  yerc 
How  bitljly  they  done  thcr  bufy  cure 
To  kcpe  u»  fro  every  myfavlnturc 
In  our  youthhcd,  whan  that  wc  have  do  mrght 
Oup  fcHc  to  kepe  ncythir  by  day  nor  night, 

Alai!  howc  may  wc  fay  on  *hcm  but  weic 
Of  whom  wc  were  yfoftrcd  and  ybore, 
And  bcyi  all  our  focourc,  and  trewc  as  llele. 
And  for  our  fake  ful  ofte  they  fuffrr  fore  ? 
yithout  women  were  al  our  Joyc  ylore, 
JWhcrforc  wc  ought  al  women  to  obey 
Id  al  godencffe  j  I  can  no  more  yfay. 

Thi*  U  wel  know  In,  and  hath  ben  or  thf», 
That  women  ben  the  caufc  of  al  lightncfTc, 
Kiiightliodc,  nortmc,  cfchewing  al  malU, 
Enircfe  of  woHhip  and  of  worthincfTe, 
Thcrto  curteys  mekc,  groundc  of  allc  godenefTc, 
Qiad  and  mcry,  and  trewe  in  every  wife 
That  any  frtntlc*  hcrt  can  thinke  or  devife. 

And  ihoujrh  any  would  trull  to  your  untruth. 
And  to  your  fairc  wordis  would  aught  affent, 
In  godc  faith  methinkith  it  wer  grcte  ruth 
That  othrc*  women  Oiould  for  ther  gilt  be  fheal 
That  ner  knew  tic  will  nought  of  ther  cntcnt, 
^e  lift  not  to  here  the  faire  wordc*  ye  write, 
^~  iche  ye  you  paine  fro  daie  to  daic  i'  endite. 

But  who  maic  bcwart  of  your  tales  untrue 
That  ye  fo  buQlie  painte  and  endite  f 
for  ye  will  fwerin  that  ye  nevir  knewe 
Nc  fawc  the  woman  neither  moche  nc  lltc, 
Save  onJy  her  to  whom  yr  had  dclite 
As  (or  to  ferve  of  all  that  er  yc  f<^| 
' "  od  for  her  love  muft  ye  ncdt*  dey. 

Then  wil  yc  fwere  that  ye  knew  ner  before 
"What  Love  wai,  ne  hi*  dredful  obfcrvaunce» 
But  now  ye  felin  that  he  can  wounde  fore, 
WJitixeforc  je  put  you'  mto  ber  giiviru^uoce 


Whom  Love  hath  ordcmcd  yoa  to  Uwt:  anud 

fauncc 
With  al  your  might  your  Utyl  liv*i«  fp 
Whiche  endithfone  but  if  fbe  doe  you  I 

And  then  to  bcddc  will  ye  you  iatie\ 
And  fone  ytJur  fclvi»  fickc  yc  will  then  I 
And  fwerin  fall  your  ladie  hath  you  il«we« 
And  brought  you  fodainly  in  fo  high  pain 
Th^t  fro  yuar  deth  male  no  man  you  refi 
With  adanngerous  loke  of  her  cyin  two. 
That  to  your  detht':  mufl  yc  nedi*  go. 

Thus  will  yc  momc,  thuaWill  y^  ^— ^^" 
As  though  your  hcrt  toon  in  two 
And  fwerin  faft  that  yc  maie  live  \ 
Myne  owne  ladie,  that  might  if  yc  lit 
Bryngin  mjne  herte  fomc  dele  inta  rcii. 
As  if  you  lift  mercic  on  me  to  have, 
Thu*  your  nntrouth  «'ill  cvir  merc'if  <Fivt. 

Thu4  woll  yc  plainin  tho  y 
Thefc  innocent  crcturea  for  ' 
And  fwcrr,  to  'hcmfo  woutiJia  i>  )aiir  hfffte] 
For  love  of  riicni  that  ye  maic  live  no  while, 
ScarOie  fo  long  as  one  might  go  a  mile; 
Sa  hyith  Dcth  to  bryng  you  to  an  endc 
But  it  your  foverain  lady  liCl  yoa*  amendi. 

And  if  (he  comfort  you  in  any  wife 
For  routfie  for  pitc'  of  your  falfc  othi*  ferci 
So  that  flie  wcneth  it  be  at  you  dtvifc, 
And  wcniih  your  herte  be  a»  ihc  maie  hclt» 
Thut  to  comfort  and  fomwhat  do  you  chcr^  1 
Then  woU  thtfc  janglin  dcnie  of  her  full  iHi 
And  falne  ye  have  h^r  fully  at  your  wilt. 

Lof  how  rt'die  thtr  tongis  ben  aad  preft 
To  fpekin  harme  of  women  caufile£e  * 
Alas !  why  might  ye  not  a»  well  faic  th<  Wl 
As  for  to  demin  ^hem  thus  giltilefle  f 
In  your  herte  iwi«  there*  i«  no  gentHneffe 
That  of  your  own  gilt  lifle  thus  wocnco  famt  • 
Now  by  my  irouth  me  thinke  yt  be  to  hUai, 

For  of  women  comith  this  worldly  weir* 
Wherefore  wc  ought  worfhip  *hem  crirmoit^ 
And  though  it  mifliap  one  we  ought  to  bck^ 
For  it  ii  all  thorough  onr  falfe  lore^ 
That  daie  and  night  we  pain  aacitmoet 
With  many'  an  othe  thefe  womoi  »  b^fik 
With  falfc  lalii  and  mjtnf  »  wicM  will. 


A   PRAISE   OF  WOMEN.. 


^  falDicdc  Aiould  be  reckoned  and  told 
II  womf  rt  iwU  full  troiuh  were 
I  men  i»  by  a,  thoufandc  fold, 
ici«  iwts  tlici  ihjidin  cicre, 
^ing  that  «r  I  could  of  here, 
lifyDg  of  chtle  men  it  maket 
m  to  flattcrcn  connin  ncvir  ilake. 
id  fiiiD  wete  where  evir  ye  coud  here 
ii)€iit  tiBng  womea  did  jimi»; 
J  gel  *hem  yc  lie  fro  ycre  to  ycre, 
iy*  a  gabbyog  re  make  to'  *hein  iwit, 
Aid  ncvir  here  ne  knowen  er  this 
irif  je  coudc  findc  in  any  pbcc 
r  women  befooght  you  of  grace. 
ye  you  pxinin  with  al  your  full  might, 
your  hcrtc  and  all  your  buijncfl"c, 
I  'hem  aye  both  by  d;j,ie  and  night, 
'hem  of  ther  grace  and  genti> ladle 
pke  upon  your  grete  dttlrrffe, 
:  thci  woldin  oo  your  pain  have  routh, 
foil  Dot,  fithin  ye  mene  but  trouih. 
tnaiefein  that  thci  ben  futlLfic, 
oeeiic  to  all  your  wcrkis  flie; 
your  craftifr  that  touch  in  falfncffe 
amt  'hem  not,  nc  maie  *hcm  not  cfpic ; 
Q  ye  that  yc  mull  ncdi»  die 
tei  wouldin  of  thcr  womanhedde 
^ar  trouth  rcwc  cr  that  yc  be  dedde. 
hen  your  Udy  and  your  hcrt'is  qucnc 
I  *hem,  ard  therewith  yc  figh  fure, 
t.  My  ladie*,  I  irowe  that  it  be  fcnc 
plite  that  1  have  livid  full  yore, 
r  1  hope  that  yc  wollin  no  more 
paint  fuffre  me  for  to  dw(  11, 
fl  giidencffc  iwit  yc  be  the*  well, 
rhiche  a  paintitl  proceffe  can  yc  make 
innletTc  creiuris  for  to  begilc  ! 
en  thci  ilepc  yc  painin  you  to  wake, 
bethinke  you*  on  many*  a  widcid  wile; 
hal  (c  the  dsde  that  ye  fhall  curfe  the  wliilc 
^bufdy  did  your  entent 
'lie  that  fallhcd  ncvir  ment. 


For  this  ye  know  we  I,  though  !  wouldln  He, 
In  women  is  all  trouth  and  fledfaflncde. 
For  in  godc  faithe  I  ncvir  of  'hem  fie 
But  mochc  wodhip,  bounte,  and  gcntilneffe^ 
Right  commyng,  laire,  and  full  of  mckenclTc, 
Code  and  gUd,  ^nd  lowllc  I  you  ciifuxe, 
Is  thi*  godelic  and  angelikc  crcturc. 
And  if  it  happc  a  man  be  in  difefc 
She  docth  her  bufinefTe  and  her  full  paine 
With  al  her  might  him  to  com.fon  and  pldc| 
If  fro  his  difefc  fhe  might  hym  rcArain  : 
In  worde  nc  dcdciwii  fhc  wotl  not  faine; 
With  al  her  might  fhc  doth  her  bufmelFe 
To  bryngin  hym  out  of  his  hevincITe, 

Lo,  here  what  gcntillcflc  thcfc  women  have! 
If  wc  could  knowc  it  for  our  rudeoclTc 
How  bufie  thei  be  us  to  kepc  and  favc 
Bothe  in  helc  and  alTo  in  Uck^uefTc, 
Andalwaie  right  foric  for  our  difh-vCre; 
In  every  manir  thusfticwc  thci  routhc. 
That  in  'hem  it  all  godenefTe  and  all  trouthe. 

And  fith  we  find  in  'hem  gcntilncfl"cj  trouth, 
Worfliipt  bountc.and  kindiiene,  evirmorc, 
Let  ncvir  this  gcntilk  (Ft  through  your  Houth 
In  thcr  kiude  tro6th  be  cvir  aught  forlore 
That  in  women  ii  and  hath  ben  full  yore. 
For  in  reverence  of  heven'is  queue 
Wc  ought  to  worfliip  all  women  that  bene  ; 

For  of  all  creturcs  that  were  get  and  home 
This  wotc  ye  well  a  woman  wai  the  bcft ; 
By  her  was  recovered  the  blis  %vc'  had  lome. 
And  through  that  woman  Ilia II  wc  come  to  reft 
And  ben  ifavid,  if  that  our  fclf  left  ; 
Wherefore  me  thtnkith  if  that  wc  had  grace 
Wc  oughten  honour  women  id  every  place. 

Thcfcforc  I  rede  that  to  our  Iiv*ift  cnde, 
Fro  thh  time  forth  while  that  wc  haviu  Ipacct 
That  wc  have  trefpaccd  purfuc  to  aniende» 
Fraying  our  I.adic,the  wcUc  of  all  grace, 
To  bryngin  us  unto  that  blibfull  place 
There  a»  flic*  and  all  gode  women  (hall be"  In  tcTt^ 
la  hcvin  ;ibovc,  cmutig  tbe  angib  clcrc« 


LA   B2XLE   DAME   SANS  MBRCr. 


LA  BELLE  DAME  SANS  MERCY. 


M,  Ahyn^  Sfcrelafy  to  ihe  Kin^  of  France^  formed  this  ditthgue  hetVHen  a  gMuL 
and  a  gentlewoman^  who  finding  no  mercy  at  her  band^  dyetb  for  forrvw^ 


r1  ALf  E  In  a  drcme,  not  fully  well  awalced. 
The  goidin  Slcpc  mc  wrapped  undir  lii*  wyng, 
Yet  not  forth y  I  rofc,  and  well  oigH  tiiiked, 
A\  iodainly  my  fclf  rerocmWryDg 
Of  a  matlir,  Jcvyng  all  othir  ihyng. 
Which  I  muft  doe  wttlioutin  more  delate 
For  them  whinhc  1  nc  dnrft  not  difobuie. 

My  charge  was  this,  to  traxiflate  by  and  by, 
(All  thyng  Forgive)  as  parte  of  my  pcDauncc, 
A  bokc  callid  La  hrt  Damffan*  Mtrcy^ 
"Whichc  Maiftir  Alcmc  made  of  rcmcmtiraunct^ 
Chief  Secrctaric  with  the  Kyng  of  Frauncc; 
And  hereupon  a  while  I  ftode  mufyng, 
Jid  in  my  fclf  greatly  imaginyng 

What  wife  I  ihould  perform  the  faid  procelfe 
"Confidiryng  by  gode  advifemcnt 
My  uncotinyng  and  my  grctc  (inipicnffle, 
And  aycnward  the  ftraitc  commaundL  raent 
Whiche  that  I  had;  and  tliu*  in  mync  entcnt 
1  was  Tcrid  and  toumid  up  and  doune. 
And  y«t  at  laft,  a»  in  tondufioun, 

I  c^^  my  ctothif  on,  and  went  ray  waie, 
rhik  ftrcfaid  charge  haTing  in  remcmbrauncc, 
Till  I  came  to  a  luflie  grcne  valaic 
'Tult  of  flouris,  to  fc  a  grcte  plcfaimc«, 
And  jo  boi Jly,  with  thcr  bcnigtic  luiFrannce 
Which  red  in  thi»  bokr,  toychiiig  thi*  matcre 
Thus  I  began,  if  it  plcfc  you  to  here, 

Kot  long  ago,  ridyng  an  efic  paai, 
t  fell  in  ihoTigh''  of  joyful  dcfpcraite, 
W«th  grrte  difefe  and  pain,  fo  that  (  wia 
Of  all  lovir«  the  mofi  tinft  rtunate, 
Sirh  b^  hi»  dartc  mo  Ac  cruill  full  of  hate 
The  Dclh  hath  take  my  ladic  and  maiftrcfle. 
And  left  mc  folc,  tiius  difcomfite  and  matCj 
j$orc  langniOivng  and  in  wiic  of  diHrcOc* 


I        Then  faid  T  thns.  It  faTlithine  to  c^Qc 
*     Eithir  to  rime  or  ditees  for  to  make. 
And  furely  to  maldn  a  full  promefTe 
To  laugh  no  more,  but  wepc  in  clothi*  Uiks 
My  joyfull  tyme  (aU» !)  now  doeth  it  flakcg 
For  in  my  fclf  I  fclc  no  manir  cfe, 
Let  it  be  written,  fochc  fortune  (14  I  take) 
Which  ncithir  me  nor  non  othtr  dotkpteiie* 

If  it  were  fo  my  wyll  or  mync  entent 
ConHrainid  were  a  joyfutl  thing  10  write. 
My  penne  coud  nrvir  know  in  what  it  mcBCf. 
To  fpeke  thereof  my  tongue  bath  no  deCtt* 
Tho  with  my  mouthe  1  laugh  nioclnil  ot  hit 
Mine  cyin  Ihculd  maLc  a  c-i, 
My  hcrtc  alfo  would  have  i ! 
The  wcpyngteri*  hafc  fo  lai)^t  i»tur, 

Thcfr  fickc  lovir«  t  Icre  that  to  ^hcsi 
Which  lede  thcr  hfc  in  hope  of  ekgemooe, 
Thi»  it  to  faie,  to  make  balade«  sod  fbnges 
Every  of  'hem  ai  thci  fcic  thcr  greraunc^ 
For  (he  tba»  wa*  my  joyc  and  my  plefauncr, 
Whofe  foulc  I  praic  God  of  his  mercie  fire! 
She  hjith  my  will,  myne  hcn*ia  ordin jounce, 
Whith  lyilh  here  within  thit  tombe  igrurf* 

For  thii  tyme  forthc  tyme  i*  to  hold  my  prt«{ 
It  wericth  mc  thismattlr  fr>r  to  trcsc  ; 
Let  othir  loTfir»  put  *hem  it\i'  »"  f^-  ^ 
Their  fcfon  i»,  tny  lytne  ia  r 
Fortune  by  ilrcnglh  the  for^  ri? 

Wherein  wai  fperdc  all  my  worldly  rKhcfl?» 
And  all  the  godit  which  that  1  hive  get« 
Id  my  bell  tyme  of  youth  and  loilincle. 

Love  hath  me  kept  undjr  hii  govixnntixt  | 
If  1  niifdid  Go<i  gray  lit  me  forpvc«dle* 
If  1  did  \i'cU  yet  felt  t  no  pkbuoce, 
li  caufid  neichir  joyc  nor  bcTindTei 


lA   BELLH    DAME    SAKS    MERCY- 


If  (fyidtliat  was  mj  maLHrca 
ax  ih/'ii  ym&de  the  fame  purchafc ; 
i  Hath  (bctte  my  bondii  of  witneflVt 
T  Dothing  mync  hcrt  (hal  oevir  pifc, 
grtte  thought  forcr  troubltd  iti  my  mit^d, 
u  rode  1  all  the  morrow  tide, 
e  ha  it  happid  me  to  finde 
e  wherein  I  caft  me  to  abide 
it  I  had  no  furthir  for  to  ride, 
went  my  lodgyng  to  pttrvaie 
te  1  herd  a  little  me  bcfide, 
in,  where  miaHrclt  g^an  to  pUie  : 
hmt  anone  I  went  me  backir  more, 
nd  Ij  me  thought  we  were  mow, 
ne  that  wcr  my  Trend  i»  here  be/ore 
efpied,  and  yet  I  woic  not  how 
ke  for  me ;  awaicwarde  I  me  drowe, 
by  force,  fomwhat  by  thcr  requcil, 

10  wife  I  coud  my  fclf  rcfcowc, 
^  I  muft  comt  In  and  fc  the  fcft. 

commyng  the  ladies  cverichonc 
relcomef  God  wote  fo  ^^cntiljie, 
(e  mc  chcre  every  onr  by  one 
leic  bcttir  than  I  wat  worthie, 
bcr  gtacc  (hewed  me  grcte  cortifie 
le  difport,  bicaufe  t  (hbuld  not  moumc  : 
i  I  bt^dc  flill  in  ther  rompanic, 
MM  to  me  a  gradou§  fojournc. 
irdis  were  fprcd  in  right  lltyl  fpace, 
Si  fat  Cthc  a»  &c  fcrmid  bcfl; 
;rc  no  dedly  fcr  vaunted  in  the  place, 

11  men,  right  of  the  godclycft, 

c  ihei  e  wer,  pcraventure  ntoft  freAieft, 
in  ther  judgis  right  full  demure, 
fcrmblaunt  cithirto  moAe  t>r  leA, 
PpKlyng  tliei  had  Micni  undijr  cure* 
^all  otiur  one  I  gan  cfpic 
greic  thought  ful  oftin  came  and  went, 
at  had  ben  ravilhed  uturly, 
gtiagc  not  gretly  diligirnt ; 
rmaurifc  he  kept  with  gretc  turment, 
efirc  farrc  paflid  his  refon, 
I  eye  went  aftir  hit  tnteot 
y*  a  tymc  when  it  wa»  no  fefon, 
kin  chcr*  forcly  hymfclf  he  pained, 
rardty  he  fainid  grete  giadnefTc  ; 
Ifo  by  force  he  was  con  drained, 
c^nce  but  veric  ihamefaftoefle, 
Qinplatnte  of  his  moUe  hevIadTe 
lift  voice  alwaic  without  re<jucft, 
ie  Svunc  of  birdit  doethciprcfle 
!i  Ciig  loude  in  frithe  or  in  forcft. 
here  were  that  fervid  in  the  hall, 
like  hym,  as  aftir  mync  advife, 
M  pale,  and  fomwhat  lene  with  all, 
e  ajfo  tremblid  in  ferfuU  wife, 
bne  but  when  he  did  fervife ; 
E  he  were,  and  no  devife  but  plain ; 
phi  by  him.  a*  my  wittc  coud  fuffifc, 
!  was  noihyng  tn  hi&  ownc  demain* 
*brm  ail  he  did  his  dlHgencc, 
he  coud,  right  as  it  femid  me, 
tore  when  he  waa  in  prefence 
wa»  doeo,  ic  &'oMe  none  otMr^e; 


His  fcholemaiftir  had  fochc  aiiAhorite 
That  ill  the  tvhilc  he  bode  ftill  in  that  place 
SpeVe  C'  uM  he  not,  bnt  upon  her  bcautc 
He  lokid  ftill  with  a  right  pitoui  face. 

With  that  hii  hedde  he  touroid  at  tlic  Uft 
For  to  bcbotdc  the  ladici  evcnchone. 
But  cr  in  one  he  fet  his  ey«9  ftedfaiV 
On  her  whichc  that  his  thought  was  moAc  upon* 
For  of  hit  eyen  the  (hot  I  knewc  aiinrie» 
Whith  fcrfuU  wa%  with  right  humble  rc<jutfUa; 
Then  to  my  fdf  \  faied,  by  God  alone 
Sochc  one  waa  I  or  that  I  fawe  ihrfc  jeHct* 

Out  of  the  prefe  he  went  full  cfdy 
To  make  ftablc  hia  hcvie  countinaunce. 
And  wote  ye  wtll  he  fighid  wond»rly 
For  hit  forowesaiid  woiull  rcmcmhrance. 
Then  tn  hymfelf  he  made  his  ordinance, 
And  forth witnul!  came  to  brfng  in  the  mefli:^ 
But  for  to  judge  hii  mode  wofull  penance 
Cod  wote  it  wai  a  pitoua  entrefnclTc. 

Aftir  dinir  anone  thei  'hem  avaunccd 
Tn  daimce  above  the  folk  cv  rychone, 
And  forthwithal  this  hcvie  man  he  daunced 
Somtime  with  twalne  and  fomtimtf  with  one; 
Unto  *hem  all  hi»  cherc  wu  aftir  one. 
Now  here,  now  there,  at  fell  by  arinture. 
Bur  er  emong  he  drcwc  to  her  alone 
WTiichc  that  he  mofte  drcdc  of  livyng  creturc. 

To  mine  advifc  godc  wa«  hit  purveiaunce 
When  he  her  chofe  to  hi*  maillreOTe  alone. 
If  that  her  hcrte  were  fet  to  his  ptcfaunce 
A*  mochc  a»  wa»  her  beauteous  perfonc, 
For  who  fo  evir  fetteth  his  irull  upon 
The  report  of  the  eyen  wiihoutin  more 
He  might  be  dedde  and  gravin  tindir  £lon« 
Or  he  fhould  hit  heri'ii  cfc  rcftorc. 

In  her  failid  nothyng  that  1  coud  gcflie 
One  wife  nor  othir,  privie  nor  aperte  ; 
A  garifon  (he  wa»  of  godelinclTe, 
To  nuke  1  frontier  fot  a  lovir*  hcrte ; 
Rtght  rong  and  fre Ihe.  a  woman  full  coverte, 
Affurid  wt!c  of  portc  and  eke  of  cherc, 
Wcl  at  her  efe,  widioutin  wo  or  fmcrtc, 
AD  imdemcth  the  ftandcrde  of  Dangere. 

To  fe  thcfcfl  it  wcried  me  full  fore. 
For  hevic  joyc  doeth  fore  the  herte  travail e* 
Out  of  the  prefe  I  mc  withdrawc  thcrfore. 
And  fet  me  doune  alone  behiadea  trailc 
Full  of  kvi«,  to  fe  a  grcte  mervailc, 
With  grenc  wrethr*  tboundin  wondirly. 
The  Icvii  were  (o  thicke  wiihoutin  faile 
Ihat  thoroughout  no  man  might  mc  cfpie. 

To  this  Udie  he  came  fitU  curtifly 
When  he  thought  time  to  dauncc  with  her  a  tracc^l 
Set  in  an  hcrbir  made  full  plcfantly, 
Thei  reft  id  *hem  fro  theoi  but  Utyl  fpacc, 
Nigh  'hern  were  none  of  a  certain  cotnpace» 
But  onely  thei,  as  farre  aa  I  eaud  fc  ; 
Save  the  traile  there  1  had  ychufc  my  place 
Thcr  was  no  more  betwenc  *hcm  two  and  me* 

I  herd  the  lovir  fighyng  wondir  forc^ 
For  aie  the  marc  the  forir  it  hym  fought. 
Hit  inward  paine  he  coud  not  kepe  in  ftore^ 
Hor  fbr  to  fjaeke  fo  hardie  vm  he  oottg^  i 


LA   %EtLE    DAME   SAKS    MERCY. 


Hill  Icche  wa*  nf rCi  the  ^ctir  was  hh  thought : 
He  mufid  fore  to  conqucrc  hi»  defire. 
For  no  ipnn  maie  to  more  penannce  be  brought 
Then  iti  hit  hctc  to  hrp\g  hym  to  ihe  fire. 

The  hcrte  began  to  fwell  within  h)«  chcft, 
So  fori?  f^miniii  for  angoifhc  and  for  piin, 
Thit  all  to  pccif  almolle  it  to  brcft, 
Whcti  both  at  one*  fo  fore  it  did  conftrain. 
Dcfsxc  wai  bolde,  but  (hamc  it  gan  refrain, 
•ITtat  one  was  large,  the  othir  was  full  clofc; 
Nt)  little  charge  was  liicd  on  hym  certain 
To  kcpc  fochc  wcrre  and  have  fo  many  fofe. 

Fulloftin  time*  tofpekc  himfclf  he  pained. 
But  IhamcfaftncfTc  and  drcdc  faicd  rrir  naic. 
Yet  iit  the  laft  fo  fore  he  waa  con^rained^ 
When  he  full  long  had  put  it  in  debie, 
To  thi*  ladle  right  ^lui  then  gan  he  faic, 
IVifch  tlrcdcfull  voice,  wcpyog,  halfe  in  a  rage ; 
For  rnc  wa*  purveied  an  unhappie  date 
When  I  firfl  had  a  (ight  of  your  vifage  : 

I  fuffre  pain,  God  wotc,  full  hotc  brenning, 
To  catifc  my  deth,  all  for  my  true  fervifc. 
And  I  fe  well  yc  rcckc  thereof  nothing, 
^orcake  no  hcdc  of  it  in  uo  kindc  wife. 
But  when  1  fpcke  aftir  my  beft  advifc 
Yc  reke  it  nought,  but  make  thereof  a  game, 
And  though  I  fcwc  fo  grete  in  entiq>rifc 
Yet  pcirith  not  your  woffhip  nor  your  fame. 

Alaf !  what  Hiotild  it  be  to*  you  prejudice 
If  that  a  man  doe  love  you  faiihfully  f 
To  your  woHhip  cfchert  yng  every  vice. 
So  1  am  your),  and  will  be  verily ; 
I  chalenge  nought  of  right,  aad  rcfon  whj, 
For  \  am  whole  fubmit  to  your  fervice  ; 
Right  M  you  lilt  it  be  right  fo  will  I, 
Tubiiidc  my  fclf  wher<r  1  was  i A  fraunchifc. 


K? 


Though  It  be  fo  that  T  can  not  defervc 
ffo  hive  your  grace,  but  alwuie  live  in  drede, 
>t  fuffre  me  you  for  to  love  and  ferve 
Ithout  nuugrc  of  your  moftc  goJclihede  ; 
th  faith  and  troutb  1  give  your  womaohcdc 
And  my  fcrvice  without  any  callyng; 
L,oVc  hith  me  bouinl  withoutin  wage  or  mede 
Tu  be  your  man  and  kvc  all  othir  chyng. 
£0  Dam*. 
Whtn  this  ladie  had  herd  al  this  language 
She  g^Jitc  anfwerc  full  foft  and  demurely, 
Without  chaungyng  of  colour  or  ctiragc, 
^  olhynj*  in  hufl,  but  full  racfurahly; 

thinkich.  Sir,  your  thought  is  grete  foJy  ; 
urpofc  ye  nought  your  labour  for  to  cefC) 
r  tliinkith  not  whilit  yc  live  and  I 
clii*  mattir  to  let  youc  hcru  is  pdc 

Thcr  maic  none  make  the  pccc  but  oncly  ye» 
Which  are  the  ground  and  caulc  ol  all  thii  war. 
For  With  your  even  tlic  Icitiriwrittin  be 
By  whifhe  I  am  dtficd  a.nd  put  »f^rre; 

y.M-  T,i  <  .„.r,f  i.-.irr-  -riv  vtTy  loiI . UaTTe, 
"V  htlke  fiime  dehuunce 

>  ■  ■  ^  '  mc  for  to  barre 

y  i^cMuU  crulk  iUid  all  myue  affyauncc. 


To  live  In  wo  he  I  i^'afiflj 

And  of  hii  hert  alfo  bi-    ^  ,        ;  itde, 
That  onely  for  beholdyng  ot  an  rye 
Can  not  abide  in  perc,  a»  rrfon  woldle  ; 
Other  or  me  if  ye  Hfl  ye  maie  bcholde  ; 
Our  cyen  are  made  to  Joke,  why  IhouM  wci| 
I  take  no  kepc  neichir  of  yf*ng  nc  ol  Je ; 
Who  fcUth  fmart  l  eounfaik  h^m  beware 
Z,*amami, 

If  tt  be  fo  one  hurte  on  othir  fore 
In  his  defaute  tliat  fehih  the  grevaunce. 
Of  very  right  a  man  miy  do  no  morc« 
Yet  rrfon  would  it  wcte  m  rcmrmbrauace,  . 
And  tith  Fi  nunc  onily  by  her  <haunce 
Hith  catifid  me  to  fuflfrc  all  thi«  pain 
By  yotir  heautie,  with  all  the  circiiniilxunf^ 
Why  Ufl  yc  h^vc  me  in  fo  gictcdi/dain  f 

To  your  perfone  nc  have  1  00  difdata. 
Nor  Oevir  had  truetie,  nc  ttot/j^ht  wilt  havf^J 
Nor  right  grete  luve  nor  batifd  in  certain^ 
Nor  your  counlMk  to  ktjowe  fo  God  mc  £■«! 
If  that  fochc  hive  b:  in  your  minde  igravr. 
That  lityl  thyn^  maic  doe  you  difplciau 
You  to  beetle  or  make  you  for  to  rave, 
]  will  not  cauim  uo  fochc  cniOfubrautiue. 

L*mma^>f* 

What  cr  tt  be  that  me  liath  thu«  pti 
Wciiyng  h<4th  not  dccfvid  me  crrtain. 
But  fervent  loVc  fo  fore  hath  me  nhiJiA 
That  I  unwarc  am  caf^tn  in  your 
And  fith  fo  is,  fti  Fortune  hi\  ori- 
All  my  welfare  is  tn  your  hao(!k  i 
In  efchewyng  of  more  mifchevou 
Wha  fomil  dicih  hit  care  U  tcfl  ol  all. 

7hi»  ^rcknclfe  ii  ngbt  cfic  to  endure, 
fi<  t  fcwc  nrplc  it  caufuh  for  fO  dif, 
Biu  i^.-*r  thcf  mcne  I  Wmmw-t  i»  vr»v  fni^^ 
Of  more  comfort  to  dr 
Soche  be  there  now  y\ 

That  fele,  Godwnte.nm  si  un  ; 

And  if  fo  be  love  hurte  fo  ^^ 
Ldlc  harmett  wer  one  forowUt  tUcu  tittam. 


Ala* !  Madame,  if  th^t  it  mi);ht  yoa  ptefri 
Mochc  Het  it  were  by  waic  of  genttloelSe 
Of  one  forte  to  uuke  twain  well  at  ric 
I'hf  n  hym  to  dellrolc  th.*t  liveth  ifi  ditbdlCi 
For  my  defire  lincirhir  mor    n-ir  ItTr 
But  my  fcrvicc  to  doc  for  y 
In  efchewyng  all  mantr  d«i 
To  make  two  joici  in  (lede  td  {Mc^vum^t. 

t^   llamt. 
^     Of  love  Ifckc  r 

N«>r  have  I  thcr< 
1  hough  ye  be  I 
AUo  [  tike  no  I 
Chcfe  who  fo  V 
Free  am  I  now 
To  bcruhd  by  1. 
For  ycrthly  gi^dc  hmh^  tkai  I  ^tm « 


tivh  that  Joy  and  forow  doth  dqart\ 
c  ladict  out  of  all  ftTvng;i% 
diKth  gmunt  *hcin  (vr  ther  part 
id  rule  of  every  mancr  of  ag'c ; 
rvaunt  nougbr  harh  of  avant^tge 
:  male  get  oncly  by  purchcflc, 
rdtict  to  Love  ddcth  hb  homage 
'lue^dcfc  bought  is  the  richcfl'c. 

tZ.»  Dame. 
not  fbfimple,  thus  t  mcne, 
rittc,  fo  tottid  in  Folic, 
)rdis  which  faldb^:  of  ihc  fplerle, 
ruage  paiutid  full  plefaitntLie, 
md  mo  holdc  Icholis  of  dailie, 
cm  all  grctc:  ^^ondirs  to  fuppofc, 
ri  can  awitic  thci^  heddia  wric, 
efpcche  lightly  thcr  crisdufc, 

ft  Vitmiutt* 

10  man  th^T  jangtith  biifdif, 
his  herte  and  ad  hi»  tnlnde  Lherfore^ 
90  tnaic  plain  To  pitotiHtc 
hath  moihe  hcvincfTc  in  (lore; 
Ic  t«  whole  and  fateth  that  it  is  fore 
hcrt  ii  hvdc  eo  kcpc  ifi  me  we, 
t,  whiche  ii  unfainid  evirmore, 
previtb  a»  the  wordii  ihcwe. 

Ld  Dame. 
abriU,  and  hath  a  gretc  awaitr, 
irking,  in  gabbing  gr<^te  plcfaunce, 
in  vtrngc  of  fochc  as  by  difccite 
and  knuwc  hjffccrctc  govirniuncc, 
1  *hem  to*  obeic  hia  nrdu:aunce 
1  walev,  19  in  'hem  is  fuppofedf 
bci  failiA  into  rej^cntatince 
2ge  tbcr  counfaile  it  difdofedi 

rtetJcJtc  as  God  and  ckc  Nature 
icid  lovctofo  hicdegrc, 
ft  is  the  poind,  thus  am  I  right  fttfc,, 
]rit>re  tlie  faute,  where  er  it  be; 
r  cwtde  ^ heit  huth  n^i  de'ititc  ; 
klhat  othir  afkid  is  oprcfTc ; 
boce  knowith  none  ccrtatntc 
bin  thought  and  hevioeiTc. 

I  La  Damt, 

efjftince,  it  h  not  a!w3it  one, 
uok  fwete  f  think  it  bittir  pain  ; 
t  mc  conftram,  nor  yet  right  none^ 
\m&c  to  love  *  that  is  b«t  vairr; 
c  love  by  right  w*t  nevir  fcin, 
dTeutf  before  bonde  and  proniife, 
b  and  force  ne  maic  not  cr  aftai^ 
;  llandcth  cofcffid  lu  fiandhiic. 

kL*amantt 
Uide !  Cod  fnofe  1  titrth  plefc 
lite  oihir  right  io  thU  cafe 
fbewe  you  pl^iinly  my  difcfc, 
""irde  to*  »^idc  sud  eke  your  griQCl 


If  I  parpofc  your  honour  to  dcFArc, 
Or  cvir  did,  Ihyd  and  fortune  me  ftiendej 
And  that  I  ocr  imrij^htfuily  purchacc 
Ooc  oaelie  joye  unco  my  Vi^*i*  code* 

Ls  Ddnu, 

Ye  and  dthlr  that  fwcrd  fdchc  othls  faftc. 
And  fn  condcmpiTc  aod  curfin  to  and  fro, 
¥u\\  ntirlj  yc  %tctie  your  othis  hftfe 
Nu  kfigir  then  the  wordis  ben  ago. 
And  Gad  and  eke  his  laiuAiliis  laugh  alTo; 
In  fochc  fwi^rycg  there  ts  no  ftedfallncfle, 
And  thtfe  wrcichis  that  have  ful  iruft  thereto 
Aftit  thci  wcpc  and  wallin  ill  dldrcflc. 

I/amant, 

He  hath  no  courage  of  a  m^n  truclic 
That  fechith  plcDuUce  worfbip  to  difpife. 
Nor  to  be  tfiUid,  for  he'  i*  notworthic 
The  yenh  to  touch,  the  aite  itt  no  kind  wiic, 
A  truHie  herie,  a  mouthe  withuut  fcrntifc. 
Thus  by  the  ftrength  of  every  mantr  name. 
And  who  that  Itiicih  hi^  With  fur  little  pnle 
He  le&th  both  hii  worihip  ^d  hit  I'amc; 

La  Dam** 

A  curfid  berte,  a  moathe  that  is  curtclfe, 
FtjlJ  well  yc  wotc  thfti  be  not  ■ccordyug. 
Yet  fiinid  chere  right  fone  maic  *bcro  ipcifep 
Where  of  malice  is  fct  all  tT^er  workyng^, 
Full  falfc  lembbunt  thci  here  and  true  femyng^, 
Thcr  name,  thcr  fame, ihcr  tongui > ,bcn  bat  faiiied^ 
WorfHip  in  'hern  1$  put  In  forgettyng, 
Nought  repemid,  nor  in  no  wife  cumplaincd^ 

Who  thlnjcith  til  no  godc  ratit  him  b^faU^ 
God  6f  hiH  gmcc  graunt  eche  man  hit  defert  I 
But  for  his  love  cmong  your  thoughti*  all 
Ai  ihinke  upon  my  wolull  foriiwcs  fmcft, 
i-or  of  my  painc  whcthir  yuvr  tcndir  htrt 
Of  fwetc  piiic  be  not  therewith  agrc/edn, 
And  of  your  grace  to  mc  were  dilcovert, 
That  by  your  mene  fone  fhould  1  be  releYed4 

La  Dame* 

A  h'ghtTomt  hcrtc,  a  foJte  of  plcfaifnce. 
Are  moche  bettir  the  leffc  while  thci  abides 
Thci  make  you  think  and  bring  yiiu  in  a  trauircCi 
But  that  fikenciTc  wtll  fone  be  remcdide  j 
Rtfpiic  Jour  thought,  and  put  all  thh  afidt; 
Full  godc  difportc  ywericth  me  all  daic; 
To  htipc  nor  hutte  my  ^\\\  is  not  aplidc  i 
Who  trowctb  me  not  I  let  b}*m  pauc  aw^e« 

L'ananU 
Who'  hailt  a  birde,  a  faucon^  or  a  hoimde^ 
Thai  folowcth  hym  for  love  in  every  fbcp» 
Hj  cherlfhtth  him  and  kepith  bUn  fui  fouudg 
Cut  of  hii  C^ht  he  will  not  hymenthAcc, 
And  I,  that  fet  my  \vi,t(!tsin  \.h\%  cacc 
On  ynu  alone^  wiihontin  iny  chaumge. 
Am  put  undir,  moche  farthjr  out  of  grace, 
And  le^c  fet  byi  then  othir  thxl  be  ftrauA^«| 


Lit  Dame 
ThofigH  f  make  chcre  to  every  man  a^out 
For  my  wurlhip  ^ind  lor  mync  own  frmckllt, 
To  yen  ]  n'ill  doe  (o  wrtlioutiii  doubc^ 
In  efchewyng  ill  munir  prcjutlift, 
For  wotc  yc  wlII  1  ,t>ipc  ii  fn  little  wifc^ 
And  in  bikve  f^  U^htly  wili  he  brtmght, 
1  hat  tic  takith  ail  ti  hia  ownc  dcviic 
Of  thing  Ood  wotc  that  fervitli  him  of  tioughc. 

II  I  by  lotc  nnd  hy  my  true  fcnrife 
Lrfc  the  gode  rhtrc  that  {Iraungir*  hive  alwa.Ie 
^  htfenf  fhali  ferTcmy  trouihc  in  any  wife 
l^ciTc  thcij  to  Hm  that  Cometh  and  goeth  al  daic» 
Whichc  huldeib  of  you  nothyngt  thcut  i«  uo  oaicf 
AUo  )D  you  i»  loit,  a»  to"  my  fcmyng, 
All  cartific<»  wlJchc  ofrtfun  will  faic 
That  Lot'i/tr  lovf  IV  ere  law  full  «k  fir  yog, 

f'  JLa  Dime. 

Cvrttfie  is  alytd  wondir  nerc 
To  woHhip,  whichc  hym  lovith  tcndifly, 
And  he  "Will  not  beboundc  for  no  praierc. 
Nor  for  uo'giftcs,  1  fair  yen  verily. 
But  hifcgode  chcre  dcpait  full  hrgily 
Where  hym  lykith»  ai  his  conccipt  will  fall ; 
<^ncrdon  c«nOraiiiedf  a  gift  doej]  thankfully, 
k         Thcfe  twain  can  ucr  accord,  ner  nevir  lliaL 

^  1  'mmaat, 

^^L^  A*  for  guerdon,  I  fi;kc  iioae  in  tliit  cace» 
^^B^^^r  thait  deferte  to  mc  it  li  to  hie, 
^^■Wherforc  I  alkc  your  pardnn  and  your  grace, 
^BSSith  me  bchovith  dcth  or  your  mcrcie ; 
1^^  To  give  the  gode  whtrc  it  wantlth  truly 
That  were  rcfon  and  s  curtife  mancrc| 
And  to  you^ot^'n  mot  he  hcrtir  ^p^erc  wuithf 
U'hcn  to  Uraungir)  to  ibew  'hem  lovely  chere. 

X«  Damr. 
WhdC  cal  yt  godc  t  f»in  would  I  that  I  wlfl ; 
Tliat  plefith  one  an  othir  fmcititb  fore. 
But  of  hi*  ownc  to  l^rgc  is  he  that  lift 
(iivc  moche  and  Icfm  hl%  godc  name  tlicrforc ; 
i)ne  fhould  not  mjike  a  graunt,  little  nemore, 
But  the  rctjucft  were  right  well  accordyng : 
If  worrtiip  be  nor  kept  and  fet  belorc 
All  that  i»  leftc  is  but  a  bttlc  ihyng. 


r 


Inlo^thU  worlde  was  foundin  ijcvlr  Qooe, 
Kor  undir  Ivcvin  creature  iborc. 
Nor  ncvtr  fhall,  fsvc  onely  your  perfone. 
To  whom  your  worfhip  touchith  halfc  fo  fore 
But  rac,  whichc  hare  no  fcfon  Icfic  ncniorc 
)Of  youth  ne  age  but  Aill  in  your  lervicc ; 
1  have  no  eyenj  oo  wit,  nor  motjthc,  in  (Lore, 
But  all  be  givia  to  the  fame  office. 

Z«  Damt* 

A  ful  gre tc  charge  hath  he  wiUicutlfi  fatle 
That  hisworlbipkcptth  in  fikiruefTc, 
But  in  danngir  he  fettitl^is travail 
That  fci^ih  it  wiih  oUudbuilncire  i 
3 


To  hym  tliat  longxth  honouf  aid  nob 
Upon  I  one  oihif  Ihotild  not  be  await«p 
For  of  his  owne  fu  moche  hath  lie  the  kJ« 
That  of  otUir  mochc  folowvtb  the  coiudie. 

Your  eycn  hath  (et  the  print  which  tlui  ^H 
Within  my  hcrtc,  that  whire  ib  er  1  go       ^^ 
if  I  doe  thyng  that  founith  uWo  wcle 
Ncdc^muft  it  cum  from  you  a,r.d  fro  no  m^i 
Fortune  will  this,  thai  I  far  wcic  or  wo 
My  Ufc  endure,  your  mercy  abidyng* 
And  vcric  right  will  that  1  ibinkc  aJu 
Of  your  woriliip  above  all  othir  thyi-g. 

To  yow  woflhip  fc  weU^  ^t^r  tha 
That  yc  fpende  not  your  k  i 
A*  touchyng  mync  1  rede  } 
By  your  folUc  to  put  your  fciic  m  p*ju  ; 
To  *  vircome  isgc^dc  and  to  rcftr^n 
An  hcric  which  wdece\ id  folUlie« 
For  /*''tr/f  it  it  /»  irfi*  lUn  imtt  tfrtaim  t 
Brtttr  itf  k/Mt  thtn  t^  fisi>  ^mmty* 

Kow,  fairc  Udic  t  chinke  fith  ii  firll  1 
That  Love  hath  fet  mine  hcrJe  undir  hial 
It  ntvir  might,  nc  truclic  I  nc  K^n^ 
None  rithir  fenre  while  I  Iball  here  cndaic« 
In  moA  Ire  wife  thereof  [  make  you  forer 
Which  raaie  not  be  withdraw,  thjt  'i%  no  b 
1  ntufl  abide  all  manir  adviniure, 
For  I  ne  male  put  to  nor  take  awak. 

Xa  Domr* 

I  holJe  it  ftif  no  gift  in  rothfafljseffe 
■fhal  one  ofFirith  where  it  i»fcjrfak<>. 
For  foche  i  gifrc*  i*  abandonyng  cxpreiTrt 
That  with  worfhip  ayto  mai<  not  be  take;  | 
He  hath  an  herf  c  full  fell  that  tifl  to  nuke 
A  gift  lightlic  that  put  is  to/cfufc, 
fitJt  lu:  i«  wife  that  fo<:he  concejpc  wiU  JUl^a 
So  tiat  hym  ncdc  neithir  ihwlie  nc  mnfie. 

He  Ihould  not  mafc  that  hith  hU  fcnkc  J 
On  hcf  whicbe  i»  a  ladic  honourabk« 
And  if  I  fpende  my  time  to  that  ejitcnt 
Vet  at  the  left  1  am  not  rcprovable 
Of  f*inid  hartc,  to  thinke  I  am  unaWc, 
Or  I  mifloke  when  1  made  thii  reqacik, 
By  whiche  Luvc  hath  of  ctiterphfe  no^ihlc  i 
So  many  hcrtli  gottin  by  cQn<|ociL 

ttt  Bam. 
If  that  ye  lifte  doe  aftir  mT  . utinfiile 
Scche  a  fairir  andof  mofv  I 
Uliiche  in  fervice  pf  JriTC  v 
Aftir  your  thought,  atrcr  ! 
He  liurtith  hothe  hU  v,  ■  r 
That  follily  for  i  r 
And  he  alfolefir 
That  furcly  c^oi  riot  ici  w*  jotuoii 


»iile. 


1  u^c^blc, 


i 


LA  BELLE  DAME   SANS  MERCY* 


ur  counfiili:,  by  oogfit  that  I  can  f«, 

id  th^n  docn,  tu  mync  advifc, 

brieve  it  not  forgive  it  mc : 

e  U  fochc,  fo  iK'liok  without  feint  iff, 

niaic  give  creJcncc  in  no  wife 

whichc  \s  not  foutif  «g  untt>  tntth  J 

isdlc  I  fc'  if  buc  fantafife 

ir  grace  to  fhcwc  pitic  mnd  ruth* 

Z«  Dmme. 

Wffti  wife  t^at  workith  no  folie» 
hyTTi  lift  can  Icve  atnd  part  therfro, 
nyo^  he  ii  tn  Itrnc  true  lie 
Id  hitnTclf  conduite  and  can  not  fo  \ 
^l  will  ROC  aftir  counfailc  doe 

t  ym  to 

I  1  ftitwe  this  matiir  fatthfuUie 
tvc,  -what  cvir  be  my  chaunce, 
lap  thftt  in  Tiiy  truth c  I  die 
Ihatl  doc  to  mc  no  difptrfaunce, 
that  I  by  your  hard  rufTcraiinte 
D  true,  and  with  fo  g^^rcic  a  ptiin, 
t  doe  mc  tnoche  the  IcflTc  grevaunce 
o  lire  a  falfe  lovir  ccrtaiu. 

;et  jt  risht  noght,  thU  tt  no  fable, 
on  be  ticithir  hard  nor  (Iraitc, 
win  not  no  ninn  cullomabte 
v^  r>u,utd  be  fure  of  my  concchc ; 
Lit  be  tU  rtt^titti 

.n  1  not  fele  nor  fc, 
Icrac  I  call  me  rot  to*  awaite, 
;iliff«of  let  him  aiTaic  for  me. 

B  it  be  aJTaied,  that  is  no  n&Ie, 
Ba  be  of  rcputaeioOf 
Bove  the  right  honour  ro  pue 
It  got  tin  by  due  raunfbme, 
holdith  thi«  opinion, 
frctc  durcfie  ond  difcomfortc 
heite  in  fo  ftraiie  tt  prifon 

Iit  one  bodie  for  l\iji  difporte. 
La  Dam*, 
b  many  cauds  manrciloui 
Hedc  of  rcfon  ihinkc  certain 
re  ii  woodir  perilous, 
cil  more  the  coming  backc  agaiO| 
liip  thereof  U  feldomc  fcnc, 
rill  make  any  foche  ar.tie, 
).  »plefiiince  butbaraine 
~  (b  derc  the  firfl  alTaie. 


That  t  have  made  aprifc  in^Very  wife. 

By  whiche  my  trurht;  Ihcwcth  opm evidence; 
My  long  Abidyng  and  my  true  fcrvicc 
Male  wdl  be  knowcn  by  pUlti  cjcpcnoKC* 

La  Dami. 

Of  venc  right  he  male  he  callid  true. 
And  fo  muft  he  be  lake  in  every  place, 
That  ean  difccrnc  and  let  ai  he  ne  kncwc. 
And  kcpc  the  godc  if  he  it  mate  purchafc; 
For  who  that  praicih  or  fwereih  in  any  cafe 
Rij^ht  well  yc  woie  in  that  no  tfriutK  ia  proved  ; 
Soch  haih  there  ben  and  are  that  gcttiti  grace. 
And  Mc  it  Tone  when  thd  have  it  achevcd. 

Vamani, 

If  truthc  mc  caufc,  by  vcrtuc  fovr  rain, 
To  fhcvve  godc  love  and  alwaie  find  contmrie. 
And  chcriflic  the  whiche  fleeth  itw  with  the  paloi 
This  i*  to  mc  a  lovely  advcrfarie. 
When  that  Pitic,  whiche  long  on  flepe  doih  taiie ^ J 
Hdth  fct  Che  fine  of  all  my  hevtne^r. 
Yet  her  comfon,  to  me  mol%e  necetLirief 
Shall  fet  my  will  more  Tunc  ia  flablcncfle. 

The  wofal  wight  what  maie  he  think  or  fay, 
The  cQQtrarie  of  all  joye  and  gladnelTe, 
A  fickc:  bodie,  hit  thought  it  fcrre  alwaie 
From  *hem  that  fclin  wo  fore  nor  fickeudfe; 
Thus  hurt! I  ben  of  divers  biifinrlTc, 
Whiche  love  hath  putt  unto  grcte  hiad^ratwjct^ 
And  truthc  ilfo  put  in  forgetfulnefTc, 
When  thei  full  fore  bcg'in  to  figb  nJkaunce. 

Now  God  defendc  hut  he  be  harm^leflc 
Of  all  worlh-p  or  gode  that  nuic  befall 
Tha.t  to  werft  tournitli  by  his  Irudl^neiTe 
A  gift  of  grace  or  any  thyng  at  all 
That  his  Udic  vouchfafe  upon  hym  call. 
Or  cherii^hym  in  hohoiirabtc  wife; 
In  that  defautc  what  rr  he  be  that  fall 
Dw-fervith  more  than  deth  to  fuffrc  iwlfc* 

la  Ditmt. 

There  is  no  judge  ifet  on  foclic  trefpgicc. 
By  whiche  of  right  lave  mate  recovered  be. 
One  curQth  fall,  an  othir  doth  mauiice. 
Yet  dyith  none,  at  farre  tt»  Lean  fe. 
But  kepe  ther  courfe  alwaie  in  one  degre« 
And  cvirmorc  thcrlibour  doeth  cocrcfit 
To  bryng  ladies,  by  thcr  gretc  fubtiltc. 
For  othirs  gilce,  in  fbrowe  and  difcfc 

All  be  it  fo  one  doeth  fo  grete  offence 
And  15  ciot  deddc  nor  put  to  no  juAice, 
Right  well  I  wote  hym  gainith  no  dcfcnc<!# 
fiiit  he  niLiU  ende  in  full  mifchcvoij»  wife. 
And  all  ercr  faicd  God  will  hym  difpifr, 
For  filfhed  i»  :iU  full  ofcurfidneire, 
That  his  worfhip  may  ner  hate  cntirprife 
Where  it  rtignith  and  hath  rhe  wilfidueflV. 

r  f  ij 


of  tliat  have  the!  no  grrte  Uvc  now  a  diiCc^ 
Soche  39  will  Cmc  and  mamtain  it  thereto, 
That  lledfAll  truthc  nothyng  for  to  praifc 
In  *hcm  that  ktrpc  it  long  m  wcic  or  wo, 
Their  bufic  hcniftpBiTm  to  And  fro, 
Thei  be  fo  wellrcclaimid  to  the  lure, 
So  well  Ic mid  'hem  to  w.thboldc  alfo, 
And  al  to  chaungc  when  love  IhouMbe^  endure. 

When  one  hath  fee  hU  hertc  in  HMc  wife 
In  6iche  a  place  at  is  bothc*  gode  and  true 
He  Ihould  net  flk*  bur  doe  foithc  hi*  rcr^icc 
Alwaie  without  in  c  bounce  of  any  ncwc  : 
As  fonc  a»  love  bcginnith  to  rcmcwc 
1  All  plefaunce  gocth  jnonc  i^i  lityt  fpacc; 

Vs  for  my  partle  that  /haJI  I  cfcbue 
|WhIlc  that  the  huh  ibidifb  iti  hia  place. 

To  loTe  troely  there  a*  it  ought  of  right 
Yc  maie  not  be  miflakm  doubttlclTc, 
But  yc  be  foulc  difccvid  in  your  fight 
iBy  your  light  undcrflaudyng  a»  I  gefTe, 
Tct  maic  we  well  rcpf  Ic  your  bufiiiefle. 
And  unto  rcfon  Jratc  fomc  aLtcndauiicc^ 
I  Mochc  bcttir  than  to*  ah  id*,  by  fimplenca 

I         'i  he  fcbfe  foccom-is  of  dtfpcrauncc. 

I  Refon,  cotmfaile,  wifedfimc,  and  godca4yife» 

^^.  B<Q  undir  love  urreftidevfiichoiie, 
^^■To  whiche  I  can  accocdc  in  every  wife. 
^^Kfor  thei  ben  not  rcbcU  but  Oill  iu  Ilonc  ; 
^^■^'her  mil  ar.d  myne  be  mcdHd  ail  in  one, 
^^P'And  tiicrwtth  bocndiA  with  h  llron^  a  chain^ 
■        That  as  in  *heni  dcpartyng;  Oiall  be  iiune. 
But  pitic  brckc  the  nughtie  bonUc  atwain. 

Yc  loTC  not  yortr  felf,  what  evir  yc  |||L 
That  in  love  flandc  fuiycdt  in  every  pllRf, 
And  of  your  wo  if  yc  have  no  pite 
Othir*  pi'tc  bilcve  not  topurchace, 
But  be  fiiDie  afTured,  aiiQ  thi»  cacc^ 
I  am  alw^ie  undir  one  ordinautKe  ; 
To  havin  bcttir  truA  not  aftir  grace. 
And  atl  that  Icvitlt  take  u  your  plcfatmcc. 


T  have  my  hope  fo  fftrc  and  fo  (fcdfaft 
'Tlaat  fochf  a  ladie  fhould  notlackc  pitic. 
But  iio*'V,  aiasl  it  is  (hit  up  fo  fall 
Thai:  Daungir  flicwrth  on  me  ht»  cmejtic, 
Atid  if  the  fc  the  virtue  faiic  in  mc 
Of  true  fervicc,  though  Ihc  doc  faitc  alfo 
No  wonder  were ;  bat  ihii  i%  my  furetc, 
I  mitH  fuffro  whichc  waie  thii  cr  it  go, 

Levc  thii  ptirpofc,  I  rede  you  for  the  bcA» 
for  the  lengw  ye  kepc  it  is  m  vain, 
'  The  IdTe  yc  get  a%  of  your  hcrt'is  rcft^, 
l^d  10  rf Joyce  ::  i!ull  ycu  ^z-:  it:am ; 


When  ye  abide  godc  hope  to  fnalccyoa  feiff] 
Yc  fhall  be  foundc  afottid  in  dotage , 
And  in  tne  cndc  ye  (ball  knowe  for  certats 
I'hat  hope  ibaii  pate  the  wretclii*  fur  tbcr  i 

Yc  fak  i»  fallith  mode  for  your  pleCtascf, 
And  your  powir  is  gretc,  all  thii  1  le. 
But  hope  tbalt  ner  out  of  my  rememhraufice, 
By  whichc  I  fc!e  fo  grete  adverCie, 
For  wh^n  Nature  hath  fct  in  you  plente 
Of  all  godeoeflfi,  by  vcrtue  and  by  grace^ 
He  ncr  alTcmblid  'hem,  ai  fcmid  me. 
To  put  Pitic  out  of  hu  dtvdlyng  pUoc* 

Pitie  of  nghl  ou^t  to  be  refonablet 
And  to  no  wight  do  grete  difavauntag 
There  zs  is  nedc  it  (hould  be  proiitabli 
And  to  the  pitous  (bcwyng  no  doiiMgel 
If  a  ladie  will  doe  fo  grete  outrage 
Tn  fbcwc  pitic  and  caufe  her  owoe  deK 
Of  focbe  pitic  comith  dilpttoui  rage. 
And  of  fochc  love  alfo  right  dpdly  hue. 

To  comfort  licm  that  five  all  comfod 
'lliat  is  no  harmc,  but  conifort  to  your  i 
But  ye  that  have  a  herte  of  foche  dureife. 
And  a  faire  ladle',  I  rauft  affirmc  the  fame. 
If  I  durft  faic,  ye  winae  all  tht*  df  fame 
By  crutUiCf  whiche  fittith  you  full  lil, 
But  if  pitict  whichc  maie  all  tiil»  attain* 
In  your  high  bene  mate  rcfland  tarj  ftiQ| 

Zta  Damt* 
What  cr  he  be  that  laicth  he  lorithiBe^ 
And  paraveuture  1  Icvc  well  i:  be  U^ 
Ought  he  be  wrothe,  or  fhould  1  bUmtd  be^ 
Thougli  1  did  not  as  he  would  have  me  doc' 
If  1  mcdlid  wijh  fochc  or  oihir  moc 
It  mtght  be  calhd  pitic  mercilefijp. 
And  aftjrward  \i  t  fliuuld  live  in  wo 
Then  to  icpcut  it  were  to  ia:e  V  gefic* 

O  marble  herte!  and  yet  more  hardepir^i 
Whichc  mcrcie  niaie  not  pirrce  for  no  bJ><>ur» 
Mure  llroo^  to  bowc  then  iia  mighty  tff» 
Wiuit  availtth  you  to  Jhcwc  fogrciL*  ngtMirf 
Plcllth  it  you  more  to  fc  n    ^     *■      hma 
Before  y<)ur  cycn,  for  your  phicv 

Tiitn  for  to  flicwc  fomc  cti:.,^. .  _„,  *  icowir 
To  rcfpitc  Jcth,  whiche  dulith  mc  alwikl 

Of  your  diCafc  ye  may  Have  aUcfCiVft^i 
And  ^  for  myne  I  let  it  anr  (Uie^ 
Alio  ve  Oil  11  (»ot  die  for  my  pi'  ftttpirf. 
Nor  for  your  htlc  1  r- 
1  will  not  hurte  my  > 

Wcpc  thei,  iai    '     '  :     i  ^^j-*- 

For  thii  matJ  r  K'l 

That  AOQC  of  *i.w -..  ^  ,-u  ,,,cidini^ 


LA 

L*amiint, 

\  ikill  oriovc  by  God  alocci 
r  c»ufc  to  wepe  in  your  prcftnce, 
ic  wotc  ivQuntour  im  I  noue, 
lly  I  love  bettir  filcncc  r 
d  not  !ovc  by  his  bcrt*is  credence, 
ire  fuic  to  kepc  it  fccrctlie, 
Itour  it  of  ati  revJrciJce 
ih^  tooguc  i$  hif  molU  cacmic* 

[  LaDsme. 

ml  in  court  h;nh  grcte  commaun^^ment« 
lludiclK  tofaic  the  woHl  be  male, 
\  Jovin  in  ibi«  tymc  now  prefent 
p  bcft  lo  jangle  as  a  jaic ; 
^fecrctc  iwi»  yet  fomc  men  faic 
yUruftid  a  in  ibmepartife, 
^  Udics  when  men  fpckc  or  &ie 
be  bilevid  in  do  wife. 


r 


L\ 


fmnd  ill  disXX  be  and  ii  alwaie, 

I  if  foche  ;    Thf  yrth  h  mot  al  fiLaim  s 

tjfodc  the  profc  fticweth  every  daic, 
lie  p-cte  villonie  certain ; 
tfou  though  one  Lis  ton^e  diflaia 
Irpeche  to  doe  hymfclf  a  fhamc 
iicfuce  fboald  wrongfully  reinam 
fDdc  r  coo  mid  in  ther  fame.  . 

le  nought,  w!;ei  thcj  here  tidmgpiiisw 

krefpat  (h^ll  ligfitly  have  pardon, 

ikLrftiln  to  be  gode  and  true 

thy  none  ill  difpofjuun, 

e'  m  cYtry  gode  condicton 

«e  frrft  that  fall  in  in  domAgCj 

Kly  the  hertti  habandon 

llbe  with  foft  and  faire  language. 

Vjmjtmt, 
>we  !  well  of  vtric  certain te 
pnclic  yet  (hall  be  be  fhcnte« 
air  of  juflicc  and  pite 
out  of  a  bdtri  entente  ; 
but  all  ss  at  one  {lente, 
!hc  ill»  the  vice,  and  ckc  ikc  virtue ; 
rode  fochc  have  the  pnnilhmr^ite 
pace  of  *hcni  that  live  iiatrue. 

fmwir  you  to  do  grcvauncc, 
&ic  mnc  othir  creature, 
ewin  the  morcencoinbraunce, 
fcom  you  all  I  ho!d  it  fiirc, 
mhUuiftt  bath  a  faig/nll  dtmhrt^ 
ratchc  thrfc  ladic*  in  a  waitr, 
irc  iiiurt,  it  wc  will  hire  nidurc, 
godc  wutch  :  lo  !  thia  i»  my  cuncettc 

Df  gocc  a  gwdcjy  worde  not  one 
^  had,  but  al^^  u<c  kept  irt  llorc, 
tiod,  for  h^^niaie  htrc  itiy  mi*iu*^ 
|e  \>hich  •jrvvjth  mi  f«i  lore. 


And  of  pite  I  cotnplaine  furthinnor^, 
M'hiche  he  forgatc  in  all  hit  ordinaunce. 
Or  cla  my  life  to  have  endid  before, 
Whichc  fo  lone  am  put  out  of  remembraujice^ 

Ls  Dame„ 

My  heite  Ror  1  have  do«n  yoy  no  forfeite 
By  whiche  ye  fhoutd  compiaine  in  .tny  ktnde; 
Nothyng  huftith  yoti  but  your  own  cottceite; 
Be  judge  your  fclf,  for  fo  ye  [hall  it  finde  : 
Thus  alwaiejct  thii  0hk^  luio  your  mi*:de 
That  yourdcfire  fhall  ncr  recovered  be  ; 
Vc  no  ye  me  fore  in  wailyng  all  thia  winde^ 
For  {  have  faied  iiioogh,  as  fcmtih  me. 

This  woftill  man  rofe  up  in  all  hi«  painc. 
And  departid  with  w;:pyng  countinauncc» 
Hii  wofull  hertc  almoftc  to  brafte  in  twainep 
Full  like  to  die,  walkyng  forthein  a  traunce, 
And  fayid,  Deth^  come  forthc,  thy  felf  avaunce^ 
Or  that  myoc  hcrte  forgn  his  properties 
And  make  ihorcir  all  this  wofuU  peoauncc 
Of  my  pore  life,  full  of  advcrljtie 

Fro  thcnt  he  went,  hut  whithir  wift  1  nouglit, 
Kor  to  what  part  he  drewc  in  fothfaftncffe. 
But  he  no  more  waa  in  hii  ladie*t  thought, 
For  to  the  danncc  anonc  (he  gan  her  drefle; 
And  aft ir ward  oae  tolde  me  thus  crprefTc, 
He  re^nt  his  hcer  for  anguiChc  and  for  pain, 
Aiitl  in  hym£df  toke  ia  grttc  hcvineflc 
i'bat  he  wai  dedde  withiQ  a  daic  or  twain. 


The  true  loivirs  ihui  I  befcche  yoti  all 
fiQcheftdvinmrci  flic  'hem  in  every  wife. 
And  at  peple  def:ujiid  yc  *hcm  cnll» 
For  thci  truclic  do  you  grete  i^rqndiec 
Hif  caftcllca  flrong  ftuffid  w.th  ordinaunce. 
For  thci  have  had  Jong  tymc  by  iht  tr  rifiicc 
The  whole  couotrcy  of  Love  in  obLifauncc, 

And  ye  Ldic«>,  or  what  cfeitt  yc  be, 
Of  whom  Worihip  hath  chtiifc  hii  d  w til yng place, 
For  G^dd'iklovc  doeoufoche  cruiliie. 
Nor  in  no  wiie  ac  folowe  nof  the  tiaee 
Of  her  that  here  it  namid  fight  wifely, 
Whichc  by  rcfon  mc  fcmith  in  this  race 
Mait  be  cailid  La  irtl^-  Dame /ens  Jkltrty^ 

G*\  lityl  Bokc,  God  fcnde  the  godc  palTigc  ! 

Chefc  wcU  thy  wair,  be  fimple  of  n^ancre, 

Lokc  thy  clothyng  be  like  thy  pilgrimage. 

And  fpeciaily  kt  tlu\  be  thy  praiere 

Unto  *hem  all  that  the  will  rede  or  here, 

WhiTc  thou  art  wrong  after  thcr  hclpc  to  call 

Tlu'  to  corrcifte  in  any  parte  or  all. 

Fraic  'hem  aHo  witii  ttiine  humble  fervifc 

Thy  bold.ndfc  to  p4rdon  in  this  cace. 

For  tls  rht^u  vt  not  able  in  no  wife 

To  i!i4ki;  thy  fcif  apperc  in  any  plac^; 

And  funhitiii<7re  hrfechc  *hcm  of  ther  gract 

By  ther  favour  atid  fupporucion« 

To  take  in  gre  this  rude  Tianflacion, 

The  which  God  wote  (lindith  full  dcflituce 

Oi;  eloquence,  of  metre,  and  colour*. 

Like  as  a  bell  njkid  without  refute 
¥  (  iii 


I 


c454 


Upon  ft  plain  to  abide  all  manir  ihowerst 
I  can  no  more  but  afke  of  *hem  focours 
At  whofe  requeft  thou  wer  made  io  this  wilie, 
Commaandyo^jne.with  body  and  DBtviTe. 

Riglit  thus  I  make  an  ende  of  this  proiTeSy 
Bcfccbyog  bym  that  ail  haih.in  balaunce 


LA  BELLE  PAME  SANS  MERCY. 

That  no  true  man  be  vexid  cacf^leffe 
As  this  man  was,  whiche  is  of  remembrKsccj 
And.  all  that  docn  thcr  faithfnll  obferraooce, 
And  in  thcr  tro^th  purpofe  *hem  Co  endure 
I  praie  God  fcnde  *|)em  bcttir  aTlacure. 


^ 


THE    ASSEMBLE    OF   LADIES. 


Ufff  drHimtth  that  Jhe feetb  a  gnafe  number  of  Lidiei put  9ff*  ihetr  itlltk  i 
mpUint  ifcfore  ajuJge^  who  promifcth  /»  re/irv    th  ir  urilv/i»ref» 


\  at  the  fallingc  of  the  iefe, 
Ui  was  sikogitlir  Jiioc, 
^e  was  gathirid  the  fheic, 
boutc  twaync  afttr  none, 
lies  walking,  a&  wa»  tJicr  vrcMf^ 
hrc,  as  to  my  mindc  doth  r:dj, 
[c,  the  fimplift  of  *hcm  aL 
ibcD  f«iire  there  were  aU'u 
|u  cTTcriche  aftir  her  glff, 
ir»Ikin^  by  two  and  two, 
ke.  aftir  thcr  fantifici ; 
[  wc  were  in  divcrfc  wife, 
iuthc  we  were  n^t  al  alotif, 
^ghtcs  and  rquiiia  many  one* 
(ervcd  f  ont:  of 'hem  aflud  lac  : 

I  ic  fcl  in  ttiy  though!* 
Bcc  iViC  mafe  in  certain tc, 
Iroman  that  nothing  rougUt* 
^yen  whom  tliat  I  fought, 
put  why  1  wa*  fo  pale  ? 

fl  1)  and  thcrby  lithe  a  talc 

{Rc  wct€.  (quod  he)  and  that  anone  ; 

^nd  make  no  tarying, 

II  yc  ben  a  haftie  one  ;  * 
^it  i«  no  lityl  thing, 

It  yc  have  a  grctc  longing 

^hii  pfocf  lie  for  to  here 

ihe  plainc  of  this  niatere, 

^ua'  that  in  an  aftirnone 

^nd  t  by  ooeaffctit, 

f  bcfuie0i&  were  done, 

tinnc  into  tbla  mafc  wc  went, 

(waici  cche  aftir  our  cntent, 

iward  and  went  they  had  gon  out, 

b  the  xi^d  iin  1  I  tike  d  all  abuut. 


And,  foth  to  Tikff  fotne  were  fol  ferrc  bchlode. 
And  right  anon  a^  fcrfoVthe  a>  the  bcR, 
Othir  ihcr  wcrefb  mafid  in  ther  mutde 
Al  Wiiics  were  godc  for  "hem  both  til  and  ^ 
Thus  went  they  forth  and  had  but  lityl  reft. 
And  Tome  thcr  courage  dyd  *hem  forca/r.ule,  , 
For  very  wrathc  they  dyd  ftcp  o*^  tlie  ratle; 

And  a!i  they  fought  "hem  fclvin  to  and  ftu, 
]  gate  my  fdf  a  lityl  avauntage, 
Al  fofwericd  I  might  no/iu-thir  go^ 
Though  I  had  won  right  gf  ct<  for  my  viage. 
So  came  1  forthc  into  a  Hrartc  paflagc, 
Which  brought  mc  to  an  hcrhir  fijrr  and  greae,^ , 
Vma<ic  with  benclus  fal  crafty  and  clenc;  Jl 

That  as  me  thoughrin  there  might  no  creturc 
Dcvife  a  bettc  by  dcwc  proporciouii, 
Sife  tt  wa?  clofid  wcl  I  you  tnfurc. 
With  m&fnnryc  of  c/^m^ct  cnvirouii, 
Ful  fetrctly  with  ftairi«  goyng  down  _ 

In  mydde»t!ic  place  with  turning  whcle  ctrtijn, 
And  upon  that  a  pottc  of  niargelainc^ 

With  margerettcs  grow  in  gp  in  onlinaunce 
To  ihtwe  'hem  f?ilfc  as  fulkc  went  to  and  fro. 

That  to  bcholde  it  wai  z -'  fiunce. 

And  how  they  were  a*  ithmo, 

Nc  momblifncfTi:  and  lo: ju. 

The  poufc  pcnfii  were  not  dillogid  there, 
Ne,  God  wotc  ther  place  wascvt'ry  whtre* 

The  flore  and  bench  was  pavid  faireand  fmotb'^ 
With  ftonis  fquarc  of  many  divers  hcwe, 
S^j  wvljoynid  that  for  to  t^y  the  foth 
Ai  feniid  one,  that  no  one  othi^  knewe. 
And  unuirntth  the  flremii  newt  and  acwc, 
An  filvir  bright,  fpringing  in  fochc  a  wjfc% 
That  whence  it  caJiic  yc  toudc  it  not  fls\i[c^  » 

F  f  iii/ 


4li 


THE   ASSEMBLE    OF   LADIES. 


A  lityl  while  y\ras  1  al  a!onc 
Behulding  wcl  this  delegable  pLicc, 
Mjr  fdawJhlp  were  coming  cvc:  rich  one, 
S>g  muilc  wc  ncdU  nbyde  for  a  t'pdcc, 
RemcmbirJn^  of  many  divcn  cace 
Of  tymc  ypaiiid  yore  with  fighi*  dc-pe, 
I  fct  mc  down**,  and  there  I  fel  iiflepc. 

^n4  At  1  fltpt  mc  thought  this^  c<mw  %o  mc 
A  gcntyiwoman  merely  of  iLuurc, 
Of  grctc  v^orlhip  ftc  femtd  for  to  bf , 
Atyrid  wcl.  not  high,  but  by  nicfurC| 
Her  count  in  iiuiice  full  fad  was  and  demure* 
Her  colaurt  bUwc  al  iha^t  Che  had  upon ; 
TJicrnc  came  no  mo  but  hi-T  fclft  alone. 

Htfr  gowflc  wej  was  cqihraiidrid  ccrt^ly 
With  ftonis  fctte  aftir  her  ow  m-  dcvifc 
In  her  pujfilli*,  her  worJc  by  aad  by 
Mien  iff  Layaltmmt^  ai  I  coudt  dv'vife  ^ 
Than  pr^ldc  1  her  in  any  nianir  wife 
That  of  her  name  I  might  have  rcmcmhrauncc  j 
She  fatdHio  waj  cajlid  F e rfe vera ii ncr. 

So  funhirniorc  to  fpckm  wa^  I  boMc, 
Where  (he  dvreilid  I  prayed  her  for  to  fay  \ 
And  flic  a^ipc  ful  turtifly  mc  tolde, 
My  dwelling  is  andEath  be  tiwny*  a  day 
With  a  hdy.  What  lady  ?  I  you  pray. 
Of  gret  cft;;tt,  thus  warnc  I  you  (quod  flic,) 
What  cal  yc  her  ?  Her  name  is  Loyalte. 

^i  what  office  flondc  ye  iir  what  dc^rc  } 
(Qttod  1  Xi4  her)  that  woufd  I  were  rij;ht  fainc. 
1  am,  (qued  ihe)  rmwofthy  though  I  be, 
Of  hcrchambre  her  iilhir  in  Cfrtnice, 
This  ruddt  I  here  a»  fur  a  toktn  f  i4ino, 
Lykc  as  y<  knowc  the  nik  in  Jochc  fervicc 
Apcriacining  a  to  the  iiwnc  nffice. 

She  ch;Afg»4  nic  by  her  comipflund^ment 
To  warn?;  you  and  your  fdawetcverichonc 
That  yt  flntldc  CQiTie  there  a?,  (ke  U  prdcnt 
For  a  crTinfiiilc  whjchc  ih^^ll  be  nowc  Hrtoiif, 
Or  fcvin  d.iyis  be  comm  and  gone; 
j'Vpd  funhiriiiorc,  Ihc  had  that  1  lUuld«  fay 
Eicufia  there  might  be  lionc  nor  delay, 

Anothir  thin^  was  nof  forget  bchindc, 
Whichr  in  QQ  wife  I  woldi:  Hut  rhat  yc  kncwe: 
RcniembK  weland  b<re  it  in  your  mm  do 
Al  your  fi:la?/ei  and  ye  muil  coir.c  in  bicwe 
Evifrlyche,  yottr  mmtiri  k>t  to  fcwr, 
'W^ithinor^^whirhe  I  pray  you  to  thiJike  Upon, 
Your  wordii  aa  your  felvi*  e verychont 

And  be  not  aba(h«ci  in  r >  -vrfc, 

As  nuiiy  bej»,  in  fochc  tii  ;cc  - 

^akey-"-     '-^^   -   -  .fe. 

And  fl^c  — 

7heri-j  <? 

Wherin  yc  fcic  that  your  hcrtc  i»  lUfpiftd 
But  with  her  help  right  f  »ijr  ye  ih^i  be  ek  J. 

lam  right  glad  (qycd  1)  yc  t»l  me  thi^» 
But  thrr  p  non  of  usthat  kr-ov^oth  the  \s::\i. 
As  of  your  way  (quod  ^t)  ye  fr.ii  not  nii*, 
Yc  flial  hayt'  one  to  ^dc  ynt  day  by  day 
Of  myfdawei,  I  cii>  ■  -    -  ^  '^  Uy, 
Suche  lint*  zi  fli:U  t^  y  hd  right, 

And  Dihijcacc  ^ii£  ^  «^u  hight, 


A  woman  <^f  n^;ht  f;.iraou«  -"v**''*'*  -" 
And  wtl  chci  ilhtd,  1  tcl  you 
licr  fcb.ulhtp  Jhal  do  you  gt :      , 
Her  jfortc  \\  foch»  her  iiumin  tit:we  and  pkifl 
She  with  glad  chcrr  wold  da  her  befy  f^mt 
To  bring  you  ihercr.  Now  farvwcl ;  I  hare  i 
Abydc,  laid  I,  yc  niay  not  go  fu  tVine , 

Why  fof  (quod  ihe)  aud  1  "  t^S^I 

To  ycvc  warning  in  mmy   '. 
To  your  fclawesand  fo  to  ot4ut  t  i,  , 
And  Well  ye  wote  I  have  but  lytil  f^  ace. 
Now  yet,  (quod  I)  yc  oiuil  tcl  nie  chiscacc,, 
If  ye  Ihal  any  fncii  nnto  Uf  cil. 
Nut  oivz  (qiiod  flic)  may  come  *mcjis£e4  t&u  ilL 

Not  one,  thaii  ?  ikid  1 ;  cigh,  S* 
What  have  I  done  ?  I  pray  you  Iti 
Nowe  by  my  lyfe  t  tr^wc  but  wet,  (kj^uod  flic) 
But  er  1  can  hylcve  there  1%  foniwhac, 
And  for  tofaye  you  troutlie  more  can  I  o^t; 
to  quefHous  I  nmy  nothing  he  to  brgc  ; 
I  meddle  mujl  no  Itinliir  then  my  «har^. 

Than  thu5,  (^quod  I)  do  mc  to  uudifWaiiiJe 
Whut  place  ii  there  thiiiady  i»  dwcUrng? 
Forlbfhc  (quod  (he)  and  uue  fought  al  thii  ladb 
Fairir  is  none, though  it  were  for  a  kiiig^ 
l>cirilld  wcl.  and  th:tc  in  evtry  ihtrtgi 
The  tourishie  ful  pk-faunt  (lial  yo  finJe, 
With  phxnis  frtfh  turning  with  cvi.ry  wyn<ie| 

The  clmmbri^  und  the  parlir*  of  a  forte. 
With  bay  windoM         -^  l    .i    j.^i,. 

Aa  for  daiinlln^  i. 

Thcgatrric*  he  -Ii  .,,  ..    ,...  , ^..,, 

*rhajt  wcl  1  wotf  il  ycweic  thyWrr  brouj^p 
\nd  take  gode  hede  thcrof  in  every  wifc, 
Vi  wol  it  thitike  a  vrry  paradJfc. 

What  hrghl  the  pliicc  ?  1  quod  I )  now  fiiy  sne  f^^. 
PUiaunt  R>;jrart!c,  (qUiKl  flic)  to  Vt\\  yor, 
Of  very  tri»ut)i,  fquod  J)  and  wote  yc  %*: 
It  uu/  '  '         '  '  : 

iit»t  fu 
Whtu  I 
AiA  a: 

There  flial  ye  finUe^  her  name  it  Couiitiijnttooe, 

U  ye  fo  hap  ye  en  me  eily  or  late 

Oi  her  wer  ^Ic  fo  have  fume  scquamtjancr,^ 

Site  can  ycm  trl  howe  ye  fliaf  ^^t  i^^ifiirt. 

And  hnwc  lo  Com*  to  liL 

To  her  wordi«  1  rede  y* 

Nowii  ifctimt  that  I 
For  iu  g^mtc  faithe  1  ha v 
I  wcte  righ*  \\t\  (oih-.-i  • 
And  1  th_nkc  you 
Your  ft>mfortt  h^i' 
"rhatnowc  I  thai  L 
To  do*  afuf  ynur  ^ 

Thu^pa^tKlfllc,  liiid  I  ut^ 

Witn  that  I  fawc  {«•  t  b  ) 

A  woman  come,  averi* 
Aad  fuctb  wirhfii  as  I  b  . 
Me  thought  aunne  '*  *^  ,.^., 

A*id  of  her  name  .  i .  t 

Ful  w^iiaaaly  ihe  ;. .  re  , 


THE   ASSEMBLE   OF   LADIES. 


*iV 


fBf9&fhz)  tot  a  fimplc  cjettirc, 

ihc  ccurtc,  my  nwue  i»  Diligence ; 
1 1  myght  come,  I  you  cftfurc, 
ot  aftir  I  h»d  Ucciicc  : 
e  diac  I  urn  come  lo^four  pre  fence, 
ll  fervicc  I  ciin  you  do  or  may 
idich  mf;  I  c:m  nofurthir  friy. 
,id  her,  nnd  prayed  her  to  conic  ncrc, 

wotildc  fc  how  fhc  was  ar-aidc ; 
1  was  blew,  dreffid  in  godc  tnanerL', 
ftcvifc,  her  worde  »lfo,  that  faidc 
f/v/j,  and  I  was  wci  apatde ; 
yiiSt  T,  withouiin  any  niortr. 

irtwre  that  I  had  hcrdc  bcTorc 
1  wc  tokc  nowc  before  a  lit  11  fp;ice 
il  godc  (tiiiod  Ihc)  OS  1  coudc  ge/Tc. 
re  (qaod  I)  have  we  unto  the  pUcc  ? 
fonmcy,  (quod  !hc)  but  litii  icffe ; 

1  rede  thiit  now  we  outwardc  drejTc 

ofe  onr  fcbwfhlp  h  paft, 
'fingc  I  woldc  not  we  were  the*  kfl. 
itid  wc'  3t  fprb^n^  of  the  daye, 
Rrc  wcnic  a  loftc  :Uid  eiyp^tcc, 
I  wc  were  on  our  joiirncy 
jdc  that  wc  might  fc  the  place ; 
us  rcfl  (quod  I)  a  li til  fpacc, 
re  as  devoutly  as  wc  can 
mUr  for  Saint  Julian, 
(l  my  Ucrtc ;  I  uir\:nt  with  godt  wil ; 
tir  ihal  we  fpedc  whan  wc  have  done, 
cd  wt  Aud  faid  it  every  dyl ; 
R  the  day  was  pafl  f:irrcihjr  none 
I  place,  and  thidir  came  wc  fonc, 
oundc  aboutc  was  cluGd  with  a  wal, 

0  me  full  like  an  hofpitalL 

hmd  I  one  had  brought  J I  min  aray, 
^nman  of  mine  acquaiutaunce) 
^Kltc  (qwod  I)  what  manir  way 
iowlegeof  al  thlsordinauncc. 
(quod  fhc)  1  hcrdc  Pcrfcvcrauncc 
Tftamid  her  fclawcs  cyerichonc, 
taray  yc  (houldin  have  upon, 
or  my  love  (quod  I)  this  I  you  praye, 
(Ve  rake  upon  you  allihcpaine, 
voldc  hclpc  mc  on  with  mine  amyc, 
e  wcl  I  woldc  be  gone  right  fainc, 
'  r  OS  ncdith  not  certainc, 

ne ;)  come  of,  and  h ye  you  fonc, 
?  «nonc  it  (ball  be  done. 
It  Tdoutc  mc  ifrcily,  wotc  ye  what  ? 
fclawei  be  paffid  by  and  gone, 
on  (quod  (he)  that  are  they  nat, 
they  fhall  aifemble  cvcrichonc» 
kltrdingc  ]  counfailc  you  anonc 

1  nrdy,  and  tary  you  no  more, 
^        *        ^  TC  be  there  before. 

in  mincaraye^ 
..  .,  it  were  wcl  or  no? 
sll  (4U0J  ihc)  unto  my  pay, 
arc  to  what  J>!acc  er  ye  go  : 
tthat  fhc  and  1  dcbatid  fo 
lice  dnd  fawc  mc  al  in  bicwe ; 
lit)  right  wcl  broke  yt  your  ocwc ! 


DiJcredoH  Pur^ftattr,. 

Than  wentc  we  forth  and  met  an  aVfuturct 
A  yongc  woman,  an  officir  fcmin^c  ; 
What  is  your  numc  ?  (quod  I)  tcil,  godc  crcturci 
Djfcrccion,  (quod  (he)  without  Icfingt. 
And  where  (quod  I)  t*  your  mofk  abidingt  ? 
I  luvc  (quod  Ihc)  this  office  of  purcha4:c, 
Chcfc  Piirvcyo'ur  that  longiih  to  thisplicc, 
AiquayntauHce  Hi'rhyger, 

Fair  love  I  (quod  1)  in  all  your  ordinatince 
What  is  her  name  that  is  the  herbigcref 
Forfothc  (quod  ihc)  her  name  is  Ac  quaint  auacc, 
A  woman  of  right  gracious  manerc. 
Then  thus,  (quod  I)  what  ftraungiTf  have  yc  here? 
But  fcwe  (quod  ihc)  of  high  dcgrc  ne  lowe^ 
Yc  be  the  firlt,  as  fcrforth  a*  I  knowe. 
C«u§ftmsnnc4  J^nrUr. 

Thns  with  ralis  wc  can:c  {Iretght  to  the  yate. 
This  yongc  woman  dcpartid  was  and  gone. 
Came  Biligjcncc,  and  knockid  faft  thereat. 
Who  is  without  ?  (quod  Countinauncc  anone,) 
Truly,  (quod  I)  fayrc  fiilir,  here  is  one* 
Which  one ,'  (quod  fhc)  and  thcrcwitlul  ihc  lougI% 
1  Uiligcncc  i  ycknowt  mc  wcl  ynuughc. 

Than  opened  fhc  the  gate,  and  in  wc  go; 
With  wordis  fairc  ihcfaidc  full  gcntilly, 
Ye  arc  welcome  ywi*;  arc  yo  no  mo  ? 
Nat  one  (quod  fhc)  five  thii  woman  and  U 
Now  than  (quod  ihc)  1  pray  you  hertily 
Takith  my  chaumbre  for  a  while  to  reft 
Til  your  fclawis  come ;  \  holdc  it  bcil. 

1  thanked  her,  and  forth  wc  go  evcrichone 
Til  her  chambrc  withoutin  wordi«  mo, 
Come  Diligcuce and  trkc  her  levc  anone. 
Where  eryc  lyft  (quod  1)  nowc  may  yc  gO| 
And  I  thankc  you  tight  hcrtily  alfo 
Of  your  labour,  for  whichc  God  do  you  mcde; 
I  can  no  more»but  Jcfu  be  your  fpcdc^ 

Than  Countinauncc  thus  afkid  mc  anone. 
Your  felaulhip  where  be  they  all  ?  (quod  fhc.) 
For  lothe  (quod  \)  they*  arc  conitnge  cvcrichoac. 
But  where  they  are  I  knowe  no  ccrtainte. 
Without  I  may  'hem  at  his  windowc  fc ; 
Here  wil  I  ftandc  a  waitlngc  here  amonge. 
For  wcl  I  wote  they  wil  not  kencc  be  iongc. 

Thus  as  1  ftode  mnfing  ful  buiily, 
I  thought  to  take  godc  hedc  of  her  aray; 
Her  gownc  was  blcwe,  this  wote  I  vcrUy, 
Of  godc  facyon,  and  furrid  wcl  with  gray, 
I'pon  her  flevc  her  wordc,  this  ia  no  nay, 
Whichc  faid  tbns,  as  my  peon-  can  cndiic» 
A  wwy,  qui  try ^  writin  with  lettir*  white. 

Then  forth  withal  ihc  came  flreight  unto  xttt^ 
Vour  wordcs  (quod  (he)  fain  wold  I  that  I  knewL*. 
ForiVchc  (quod  I)  yc  fhal  wcl  knowc  andfe. 
And  for  my  worde  I  have  none,  ihi*  is  trcw  \ 
it  is  ynough  that  my  clothing  be  blewe. 
As  here  before  I  had  commaundement, 
And  fo  to  do  I  ani  right  well  content. 

But  tell  me  this  I  pray  you  hcrtilyc^ 
The  ftcwnrd  here,  fay  mc  what  ii  her  naniM 
She  hight  Lar^efle,  1  fay  yon  furily» 
A  fairc  lady,  ind  of  right  coble  fdiaCj 


icr  tg  byd  you  welcome  al 
i'l.....  .    .,  !  1  '-    --ftaUf  the  hiL 

Now  al  i!  t  yc  bcrc  tiry  llUI 

r'ourownii  <)' wrd  fajivc  inmindj 

But  Ul  me  tiii»«  have  yc  brought  wiy  bill  f 
Ve,  ye,  (ouod  [)  and  cU  1  were  bchindc ; 
Whcfe  is  there  one,  u\  mc,  tiiat  I  m:iy  find« 
*Vo  'whom  that  I  may  fhcwe  my  nutlf.  pUIne  ? 
£)Urfly  {quod  (he)  unto  the  cftambirbiue. 
I^emfwSraidiiit  CL j mil rt nine. 

The  cHanibkUinc,  (cjuod  I)  and  fay  yc  trcwe  1 
Yi,  verily,  (faid  fbc  ;)  by  mync  adviic 
Jkn  oat  al'crdc;  unto  bcr  lowJyc  fcwc. 
!t  flial  he  done  (quod  I)  a*  yc  devyfc, 
But  I  mu(l  knovvc  her  oainc  m  any  wife. 
Trcwly  '  quod  fhc)  to  fticwc  you  In  fubllaunce, 
AVithoutcn  fainyngjhcr  ndmc  Is  RcuicmbraQncc. 

The  fccreurje  may  not  be  forget, 
For  flit  dofhc  right  mochc  in  cviiry  thingc» 
Vhcrfore  t  rede  when  ye  have  with  her  mete 
Your  mattre  whole  ic\  hcrr  wiihgut  fkuoin^e  ; 
Yc  flial  her  fyudc  f-  ^  -    '  ■    '-^  t"  ^  i   ...... 

TTel  me  her  njnio 

By  m»/ glide  foihc  ^  ^  ,    .     ..    

TUki  nanve  (i]uod  I }  lor  her  is  palhn^  godr, 
For  every  hyl  and  fchcdidc  fhe  muft  (c. 
>fowcffode»  (quod  1)  come  £t4nde  tl^re  »« 1  {lade| 
Wy  fcUwcfi  he  coniingc ;  yoodir  tlicy  be. 
li  it  i«  japp,or  f;Ay  yc  fothc  ?  (quod  fhc) 
In  jape!  nay,  luiy,  I  fay  you  for  ccrtayne ; 
Sc  how  thei  come  togkhir  tvvatji  and  twaiae. 

Yc  fay  ful  fothe,  ((juod  llic)  that  is  no  nay, 
I  fc  corr!'"-  -  -•■  •'■  ■-  ^--VT:|.:aiiy. 
Thcyl  od  J)  dare  I  lo  fky^ 

Thut  iy  h  it  vtirily^ 

And  for  my  love  L|)ray  yea  f&yih fully 
At  any  tyme  whan  they  upon  you  tall 
Th>ic  yc  woll  be  £ode  frcrujc  unto  *hem  d(L 

Ol  my  frendfliip  (quodflie )  they  flial'  not  mijTc, 
A'  "■•''■  '  "  ■■  I'.unt. 

i  YOU  ihti, 

Ho\N'.'  t'lai  w    miuvv  wipi  i».  i  rjc  v, jiaiubirliync  * 
That  (hill  yc  wcl  know  by  her  word  tcrtaitur. 
What  i»hcr  wordc,  fyftir.'  I  pray  you  fay. 
/*/jw  rtepurroyf^  thu*  writuh  fbc  alwaye. 

Thui  a»  wc  ilolc  togydtr  fbc  and  f. 
Even  Jit  the  )ate  roy  ielawe*  were  cchonc, 
fio  met  I  *hcm  (as  me  thought  wa*  godd;) 
And  bade  Ticm  welcome  al  by  one  aj3d  one  ; 
Thcti  cantr  forth  Countinaunce  to  u^  anontr, 
Ful  htitily,  Piir  Qilin  al,  (quod  flie) 
Yc  be  right  welcome  into  tJvii  countrc, 

I  counftiylt:  you  to  laV       i  ►  i  -  <> 
|h  m\  «.hanTibfc,  if  it  bv  ;;cc; 

W'l.  ti  vl  Id  There  met'.  hcbcH 

n  and  cal  Perfcvcnuncc, 

]'■  ii,  one  of  your  acquarutauncc, 

And  ibc  •ITu  wil  icl  you  cvcrj  tliingc 
Howe  yc  ftial  be  nUvr  of  yourconnngc. 

My  fcUwcs  al  and  J,  by  one  ad  vile, 
iTcfc  %vcJ  agreed  to  do  lykc  si  the  fayde; 

hin  we  began  todrcfTc  ut  in  ourgifc, 

■  at  foike  (bouldc  fiy  wc  were  not  unpunrcidc, 
^^lodgodc  w^iglis  among  ui  there  we  laidc 


And  of  u»  al  whichc  fbuldt 

The  portir  came  and  brou-.*L  i    i.vsc 
She  wclcomid  us  in  cur ccis  manerc  ; 
ThJnke  not  long  (quod  ihc)  of  your  sttctid 

wil  go  fpcke  unto  the  hcrbigcrc» 
That  file  may  purvey  for  your  lodgiog  ho 
Than  wil  I  go  unto  the  chambirlaitic 
To'fpckc  for  you,  and  corocanooe  ag4ine« 

And  whan  that  fhc  departid  wm  sod  |^ 
Wc  fawc  folkis  coming  without  the  ir*J, 
So  gret  pcplc,  that  aombrc  coudc  wc  nooe, 
Larli<^s  they  were,  and  gentil  womcii  il, 
Ciothid  iQ  blewe,  cchonc  her  worde  nHtliiJ^  . 
But  for  to  knowrc  her  worde  or  her  dcvde 
They  came  fo  thickc  I  oc  nnisrlit  in  tm  wffc  ' 

With  that  anoQc  caoic  in  '  ncc» 

And  where  i  ftodc  flie  cam 
Yc  b«n  (quod  fhc)  of  min  oldc  aj^quainatli 
You  to  cnqucrc  the  botdir  wolde  I  be 
What  worde  they  here  eche  aftir  her  degtt{  ' 
I  you  pray  tel  it  mc  in  fccrct  wife. 
And  1  fhall  kepc  it  tlofc  on  warr-'**  '- 

Wc  beu  five  ladiei  (quod  \)  al  ; 
And  gcDtil  women  four  La  comp=^-  :, 
Whert  they  begin  to  opin  ihcr  materc 
Than  fhal  yc  knowc  thcr  wurdit  by  and  f 
But  as  for  mc  I  have  none  vctily. 
And  fo  I  toldc  Cuuntifuuiicr  hcrr  before; 
Al  min  aray  is  bkwc,  what  rcf 

Nowc  then  (quod  flic)  1  v"  -  »gi 

That  yc  may  have  knowiegc  wtut  .c  ihajd^ 
In  fotli  (quc>d  i)  if  ye  woIdc  ttke  thle  fdl 
Yc  dyd  right  mochc  for  u«  if  yedyd  fd. 
The  rathir  fj-'cdc  the  fonir  may  wc  go; 
Gretc  colic  alway  there  i»  in  taryinge. 
And  longe  to  fewc  It  is  a  wery  t hinge. 

Then  parLid  fhc  and  came  againc  anoDC;J 
Ye  muft  (quod  flie)  come  to  the  chambii*  ' 
Wc  be  nowc  icdy  (quod  I)  c  vcryf  hyoc 
To  folowc  you  whan  cr  ye  lift  cenaine ; 
Wc  have  none  eloquence,  to  tcl  you  puiiir,^ 
Bcfcching  you  wc  m^y  be  fo  -       '    ' 
Our  trcwc  meaning  that  it  -d* 

1  hen  went  we  forth  aftir  .m*! 

To  St  the  precs  it  W2«  a  woi 
Tlierc  for  to  paJTe  it  mat  a  g 
The  pcple  (lode  fo  thicke  in  every  pk^e  i 
Nowt:  fUnde  ye  Ail  (quod  iHe)  a  litii  i 
.^Vndfor  your  efe  fomwhat  1  fhal  aiTiy 
Yf  1  can  make  you  any  bettir  way. 

And  forth  flic        ' 
Making  a  way  i ' 
More  at  our  cfc,  *».... 

She  beckcndc  u%  to  c<  wMtJ 

So  aftir  her  wc  folow  o 
She  brought  us  llrcight  untir  the  ^ 
There  Icftc  fhc  us,  and  than  fbf  v. 

We  falued  her,  as  rcfon  wouldc  a  k», 
Fu!  humble  bcfcching  her  »r^  ^odcsncS* 
In  our  mattiri  thii  w^.  ^  do 

That  (he  wolde  be  go<!  Yt^ifirdT^ 

Yc  be  welcome,  (qu^  lur    trt  loth 
And  fc,  what  1  can  do  you  for  to  pidc 
t  fun  rcdy,  that  may  be  to  jo^t  c1c# 


IHOil  flic)  com*  ye  in  ^f^ir  mc  ; 
•y<  wcl  rhtrc  '  [flcrc 

lyift  tbit  any  v  (V; 

.blrr-    :      -'■     ■  ■  'vv« 

wa^  > ^.  vl^al, 

^n  jnriu  graver  i  ui)  one 

m  Phyliif,  of  vv  ,  ^     '., 

««uflf  («rlave  ui  UcG»4^pbone, 
twuAe  i>6ry  of  rhi(bci 
dt  She  0«wc  her  felfe  uit^tir  ^  ttti 
•  I  luorCf  hcKWt  in  rij^hr  pitoua  cam 

umil'o  AjiiicUda  the  Q«t^ji<f, 
Ttitc  kowcforc  flic  did  conipLinc  I 
QoncM  were  gr^v^^^  tbcne  ccrttiinc, 
Mno  tl«ui  I  rtherCt  yoa  here  ; 
Dgt*  to  tel  you  al  in  fcne. 
cfc  that  the  waiJis  Omnc  fo  bright 
Dpic  the 7  were  al  oYJr  I^nuJ^ 
:  lotke  ihulde  not  hurtc  fibef  Tvgiit* 
|h  it  the  iloricv  rni^^hi  be  cidd«  ; 

ore  i  went  *&  I  wui.  Ud, 
fovfz  withoiitii]  anyfailc 
t  with  ful  Tichc  apaniilc  j 

(i%  it  was  Ut  iro  the  groundc^ 
^fuj  ciirioufly  wrought, 
jt  pomellc*  of  goidf',  and  v«ry  routuki 
fAphirt  atg^de  ucoude  far  tbouglu, 
i  ye  what?  i(  it  wcr  thorough  fbugiit 
lo(e  fro  tbit  countic  to  Indc 
mehe  It  wrc  right  hardc  tu  fiade  ; 
lie  ye  wei  1  wa^  right  ncre  to  that* 
tirAt  beholding  by  atid  by, 
Vtc  was  a  ridac  ciatiic  lI'  cftate 
k^with  the  cedk  ful  {IraungcJy, 
iKlhereon,  and  thui  it  faid  tniely^ 
f^  to  tel  yoo  ja  wordii  fcwc. 
lelcttirti  the  bettir  I  'hcmkncwe. 
4we  {k>de  a  dorc  opened  anone^ 
liitiun  Umrly  of  flaturr, 
tnacc,  came  out  her  ictlc  alone, 
nr  thought  her  a  godcly  crcturc ; 
s  Boihin^e  to  Jowdc,  I  you  cufure^ 
ly^but  with  godcly  waininjc 
be,  C^uod  ihc>  my  lady  i«  coojinge;. 
Int  auione  1  fawe  Perfcvcraunce 
t  kelde  up  the  rapet  in  her  handr« 
b  ia  gt»de1f  ordiuaunce  • 

hif  within  the  tapet  lUnde, 

Krarde  1  wol  ye  ttndirilande, 
*  noble  cam  pan  y, 
I  the  DOtnbrc  fikirly, 
roartii  I  wolde  nothing  enquere, 
mri  irt.-hi- 11  we  woldc  Icwe  unto, 
ic  was  the  chaunccllerc, 
ihcly  her  name  waft  fa, 
ditb  with  her  have  moehc  to  do 
lttir«v  and  alway  more  and  more ; 
^  t  to  teilia  you  f urUurmorc 


Of  hrr  bcfctttft  ki  diAirlrt 

My,  t  f  J  limpk  teriiy^ 

For  tjcsir  ytt  vhc  dAyii*  oi  my  hvc 
So  inljf  falrc  I  have  feoe  n*^iic  trcwiy, 
111  her  eiUtc  tfiTunJ  lUtir Ly  ; 
1  here  witntid  nought,  I  dare  yau  weil  jdTurtt 
That  tu»){;>d  to  amAjflgod<'lv  .  fi  «r- 

And  furthirmoxe,  tofptk 
I  fhal  tt:l  you  tbi'  itunir  of  ii 
Of  cloche  of  golde  fui  richer  it  is  ti«  liuyt 
'rf\ecok**JF  bkwc,  of  right  goHcly  iity^tin. 
In  tab'erdc  wi|c,  the  flevcs  h,,  \yn. 

And  what  j>ur0l  ihctc  wm^  .:  wife. 

Ho  at  I  cati  I  Ihul  it  y' 
^    Aft »'  fc  forte  Oit  to [ .  ..  r>  tt^, 

Lykc  i»arnv-'-  '^  ^-  iJI**! 

Withgrtt  rir» 

1  hey  were  _     rtorching^, 

Witi^  diainondti  in  ilcde  of  powiiiriu^;^ 
The  flcvb  and  the  purliU  of  d^ifc, 
They  wcrin  made  alike  in  every  wife* 

Aboiite  her  necke  a  fo^tr  of  faiire  rubyeii, 
In  white  flnurit  o£ri;:.'l!r  railr^ 

Upon  her  bed  let  in  t:  i< 

A  iircle  of  grctc  bal.u*  vi  mune^ 
I'hat  ill  erneft,  to  fpcke  witfioutia  faiJe, 
For  yongc  *ind  oldc  andcvct^  i..  .^.-V  .-.-. 
It  waf  a  worlds  to  hk^n  on 

Thiis  cooling  forth  to  iii '  .   -  ^ 

In  her  prcfencc  we  kneled^bwo  evcrychonc, 
Prcfcnting  our  byUi»;  aD<Sote  ye  whati 
Ful  humbly  fbe  toke  'hctn  by  one  atid  one  ; 
Whan  we  had  done  than  came  ihey  a!  aiione 
And  did  the  fjime  echeaftir  her  mancre^ 
dueling  at  ones  and  riijng  al  in  fen:. 

Wl:  -"  "^  ■   ":?.!,  doni  and  fhc  id  inherpltit^ 
The  'Z  Hie  dnl  uuto  hercal, 

Aijd  U  -  ^ ,  coming  to  brr  apatr* 

Of  btr  cntcot  ki^ owing  notlung  at  aj, 
Voydc  backe  the  prcfc  (cjuod  (he)  up  to  thcival. 
Make  large  romt,  but  loke  that  ycdo  noe  tary. 
And  take  thcfc  bylli*  to  the  fccrutary. 

The  chambirlaine  did  her  commaund^eQt, 
And  came  againc  aa  Ihe  wa*  byd  to  do. 
The  fccrctary  there  beyng  prcfent 
Hic  byJli»werc  dclivcrtd  hrndfo, 
Not  onciy  ouri  but  many  cthir  nto, 
Than  thp  lady  with  godc  aivifr  agiinc 
Amine  with  al  callid  her  chambii  Uiac. 

Wis  wol  (quod  Ihe^  the  firfV  thing  that  ye  da 
The  fccrctary  ye  make  come  anonc 
Witii  ther  bilit,  and  thus  we  wjI  aUb 
In  our  prdence  Ihe  rede  *hcm  cvcrycbou. 
That  we  may  taktn  godc  advife  thcron 
Of  the  tad  in  that  ben  of  our  eoutifailc  ; 
I.oke  thh  be  done  withoutin  amy  failc, 

Whafl  the  chambirlaine  wiilc  of  her  cnccnt 
Anone  flic  did  the  fccrctaryc  call ; 
Let  your  hilliJ  (quod  Ihe)  btf  here  prefem, 
My  lady*  it  wll.  Madame  (quod  Ihc)  1  IhaL 
And  in  prefeocc  (he  wil  that  yc  'hem  call. 
With  right  godc  wil  I  am  rcdy  (quod  fliej 
Ac  her  ptcfurc^  ^hafi  fl^  commaijfidith  mo* 


46o 


THE  ASSEMBLE  OF  LADIES- 


And  npofl  thu  Vfu  tnxdc  an  ordloaunce 
They  that  came  firft  thcr  byllis  Jhuldc  be  red, 
I  Ful  gcntiUy  than  faid  Pcrfcvcrauficc, 

lefoD  it  w'll  that  they  were  fcmlU  fptdde  j 
fAnonc  withal,  upon  a  tapct  fprcddc, 
Th«  fccrctarye  byde  •hem  dowtic  echone; 
Our  by  till  irft  flie  redde  tho  one  by  one. 

The  firft  lady  bcring  in  her  dcvifc 
Sam  ^uejama^t^  thus  WTOtc  fhc  on  her  by!. 
Complaining  fore,  and  in  ful  |)/tout  wiTe, 
Of  pramifTe  made  with  faitbfui  hert  and  wyll, 
j(\nd  fo  brokic  ayenft  <i{  manir  iki}, 
Without  defer  be  atvb'aies  on  her  pard^ 
In  this  matir  dcfiring  remedye. 

Her  next  foi' owing  her  word  was  tfl  diis  wife^ 
Vnfant  cbai^erj  aod  thiu  ftie  did  camplaine, 
Though  ihc  had  be  guerdoned  fot  her  fervicc 
Yet  nothing  like  uike  that  toke  the  paiac^ 
Whcrforclhc  coude  in  no  wife  her  reftraiibej 
But  in  this  cafe  fefwe  until  her  prefcnce, 
r  Aa  refon  wolde,  to  havin  reconrpcnce* 

Solurthirmorc,  lo  fpckc  of  othir  cwainc, 
^ne  of  'hein  wrote  aftir  her  iinixiy 
OofUH  pau  Itver^  and  for  to  tcl  yoQ  ptaine, 
"icr  complaint  was  ful  pitouit  verily, 
IVor,  ai>  ihe  fa&d,  rhere  vra$  grete  refon  why  : 
PAs  I  can  rcmembre  m  thi«  matci^c 
I  ibd  you  tcil  the  procefTc  al  in  fcrc 

Her  byl  was  made  complaining  in  hergfte^ 
That  of  her  joye,  he^omfortCj  and  giadneiTcy 
Wm  no  fnr6tie,  for  IBto  mantr  wKie 
,  fihc  faid  therin  no  point  of  ftabkodTe; 
f  Kow  yl,  now  we Icout  cfal  rtkirReiTey 
l^ul  humbly  dcAring  of  her  high  graoc 
5one  to  ihcwc  her  remedy  in  thiscafe. 

^er  felawe  made  her  bit,  and  thus  fbe  Caid, 
In  plaining  wife.  There  ai  flie  lovid  beft, 
Whcthir  that  fbe  were  wrothe  «r  weie  apaide^ 
|S5hc  mifcht  not  fc  whan  that  (he  wok  faineft, 
nd  fullc  wTOthc  ihc  was  in  vtry  crtiett; 
To  tel  ber  wordc,  a»  fcrforth  at  I  wotc^ 
Sntfcrmcni  «^r,  right  thu«  fhe  wrote. 

Acd  upon  that  fhe  made  a  grete  requeft 
With  hrrt  and  wll,  and  al  thskt  might  be  done, 
I  ^5  until  her  that  might  rcdrcffe  it  bel>. 
Tor  in  her  minde  there  might  fhe  fuide  it  ibnc 
The  remedy  >of  that  whichc  wjt  hec  bone, 
leherfing^hatthat  flie  had  (aide  before, 
icfec hinge  her  it  might  be  fo  no  fttore, 
.And  in  like  wifc^  a«  they  had  done  before 
The  gtntylwon^ett  of  our  company 
I^ut  thcr  byllis;  and  fnr  to  tell  you  more, 
<i&c  of  'hem  wrote  Ctffmnt  dire  verily, 
.  Jind  her  matcrc  whoJy  to  fpeafy 
b^ithin  her  byl  (be  put  it  in  wriungr. 
And  what  it  f^tid  ycihall  yhave  knowinge. 
fl  faid,  God  wotc^  and  that  ful  piiouily, 
Lyke  as  {he  was  difpo&d  in  her  herte. 
No  mififontinc  that  fbc  tokc  grcvoufly, 
Al  ODC  to  her  was  the  joy  and  the  ikierte, 
I  ^oTnctime  no  thanke  for  al  her  godt.  drfcrte, 

~3thir  comfarte  Qic  waniid  none  comii;g| 
^  And  fo  sM  it  ^n:vid  licrnothitig  i 


Deflying  her  and  lowly  bderKl 
That  Oit'  wtijde  for  her  ftkc  a  bettir  way^ 
A^  Ihc  that  had  yben  her  dates  ty vmg 
S  edfail  and  trewe,  and  wilbc  jo^lv^ay  : 
Of  her  feUwe  fomwkat  I  Qtal  you  (ay, 
Whofc  byi  waa  red  ike  ncxtd  fonhc  wirikalv 
And  what  it  tnent  rehertin  you  t  AaL 

£x  £>trti  tfl  ike  wrote  in  her  dcvife. 
And  thus  (he  faid  withoutin  any  faile, 
Her  trouthe  ne  might  be  cakin  in  no  w'tie^ 
l.ikc  as  Ine  thought,  wheffor  (be  had  ^itrradi^ 
For  trontk  fomtyme  was  wont  to  t«ke  availe 
In  every  mftMerc,biit  al  that*  itagoi^ 
The  more  pyte  that  it  it  fufErid  £0.  {||a^ 

Moche  more  there  was,  whcrof  itkt  ftoli  fiu» 
But  fbe  thought  it  to  grct  an  enoombrsuiicc 
So  mochc  to  write,  and  therforc  in  ccrtaia 
In  God  and  her  (he  put  aU  her  affiauoce, 
A3  in  her  worde  is  cude  a  remczabnxtaet^ 
&<ffcching  her  that  Ihe  wolde  in  thiscaicc 
Shewc  unto  her  the  favour  of  hcrgraec* 

The  thinJe  (he  wrote  rcJicrfing  her  _ 
Yci  wotc  ye  what  a  pitous  thing  to  hetti 
F«r  as  me  thought  Jbe  felt  grcte  difpAef 
One  .might  ryght  wel  pcrceve  it  hy  her 
And  no  >ivondir,it  Out  her  palTyng  ncttf 
Yet  lothc  (he  was4«  put  it  in  writiagr. 
But  Nidi  ivil  ^a«i«  t9i»rfe  w  "^^  tSti^* 

Stjfi  afurtfihii  was  her  word  certaio. 
And  thus  ibe  wrote  within  a  litij  l]Boe| 
There  ihe  tovid  her  Labor  was  ia  yiinr. 
For  he  was  fct  alin  anothir  place, 
Ful  humilly  dc&rtng  in  ^hat  tzace 
Some  gode  coniorte  her  fonjwc  to  appeCe, 
That  ^e  might  Uvia  more  at  hen^it,  Bie, 

Tl^  fam^th  iundy  me  thought  Oic  tiJud 
As  in  her  portc  aod  m  her  behaving. 
And  BitH  mntwfiit  M  ferre  as  I  ooudc  Me, 
That  was  her  worde,  tyl  her  bdofifisg^ 
iVherfore  «o  her  (he  fiaied  above  aJ  ihi»g 
Fut  hcrrily^  to   ay  yoo  in  fv 
That  ihe  wold  fendin  her  ;^  -i3tr«'f. 

Yc  h^ve  reherfid  me  thtit  uyu\,  oji. 
But  nuwe  let  fc  fomwhat  of  yoitr  ctttcots 
U  may  li#  hap  paravuiture  yc  jhal ; 
Nowc  J  pray  you  ivhik  i  am  btrc  preicct 
Ye  Ibaj  have  knowlcge  parde  what  I  triicm. 
But  thus  I  l^ir  10  troucb,  mnd  maks  oa  lahkn. 
The  cace  it  fd£e  it  laly  kjncotahtef 

And  wel  I  wote  that  yc  wo4  thynks  tk«  km 
Lyke  as  I  fay,  whan  ye  have  herde  my  h^\ 
Kow  gode,tet  on;  [hate  you  by S«xDt  JaBH | 
Abyde  a  while,  ii  is  not  yet  my  wil. 
Yet  mull  ye  wcte  by  r-  !•  -^  -^^  ^  hy  |lf|i 
Sith  ye*  have  knowlc:  ,.4« 

And  thus  it  is  laid,  wi  rlis 

Nothing  fo  Icfe  a#  dcth  10  ct^me  lo  tnc» 
Fnr  (iual  c«ide  of  my  forowei  aod  ftkim  \ 
What  Ihuld  1  moic  ddiiea*  femitti  ye  * 
And  yc  knew*  al  o^rttt  it  iar  eernur»e 
I  wotc  yc  Wuldi  ,  .y  flijiic^ 

Without  her  h-  u^ifc  me 

I  can  lilt  thinks  it^^.^  i^  ui^j  i^m:^  cuiter. 


THE  ASSEMBLE   OF   LADTES, 


%r  my  tromK  It  hath  %t  pravld  wtle, 
the  fothe,aQd  I  can  iay  no  more, 
ongc  tymc,  and  ftifTrld  every  dck 
•ncc,  and  ktpc  It  all  in  Ilorc, 
^oden cCTc  bwftxhing  her  thcrforc 
might  have  my  thonke  in  loche  a  wife 
defcrt«  yfcnriih  of  jufttfc. 
a  thcfe  billis  were  nd  everycbonc 
lie  tokc  a  god«  &dvU^nicnt« 
cm  to  uifwcrin  by  one  ind  one 
pughi  it  wa»  to  moche  in  her  cntf  nt, 
>re  Ihc  yavc  to  *hcm  comm^und^mcilf 
pre  fence  to  come  boch  one  and  al 
c  *hetn  her  anfwcre  in  generalU 
t  dyd  Ihc  than  fuppojc  yc  verily  ? 
ke  her  Iclfc,  and  faid  in  thii  manerc  ; 
re  wd  fene  your  bylli^  by  ^md  by« 
roe  of  *hem  be  pitousfor  to  hcre» 
il  therefore  yc  knowe  al  this  in  fere^ 
Qio;te  tyme  our  court  of  parlimcnt 
Lai  be  hoJde  id  our  pahys  prefente, 
in  a|  thii  wherin  you  find  you  grcved 
ibdll  yc  finde  an  opin  remedy, 
c  ft  wife  »  ye  fliaL  be  releved 
Eiatye  rehedln  here  thoroughly; 
the  date,  yc  £h:il  knowe  verily 
€  may  have  a  fpacc  in  your  coinisgt 
ligescc  ikal  cd  you  by  wniin^ 


We  thankid  her  tn  our  moA  bumble  wife 
Our  fclawfhtp  echc  one  by  one  a0cnt, 
SiibmxttJnge  xis  lowly  til  her  fervice, 
For  as  we  thought  wc  had  otir  travaik  fptot 
In  foche  wile  at  wc  heldin  at  content ; 
Than  cche  of  ub  toke  ovhij-  by  the  fleve. 
And  forth  withal  as  wc  fhuldc  take  our  kvc, 

Al  fodainly  the  wattr  fpeangc  an  one 
In  my  vjf.tge,  and  thrrwithal  1  woke  t 
Where  am  I  now  ?  thought  1 ;  al  this  is  gocf, 
Al  amaHd^and  up  i  begui  to  loke: 
With  that  a^non  I  went  and  mode  this  Boke, 
Thui  iimpilly  rchci£ng  the  rubftaunce, 
Bicaufe  it  Ibukle  not  be'  out  of  rcmtimbniaiictiw 

Kow  verily  yomr  Jrcmc  is  pt fling  gode. 
And  worthy  to  be  had  in  remembraunce. 
For  though  I  Hand  here  ai  longe  as  I  llode 
it  fhuldc  not  to  me  be  none  encombratmcc^ 
I  toke  therin  ib  inly  grcte  plcfaunce  ; 
But  tclme  nowe  wha^  ye  the  boke  docal, 
For  I  muftc  wetc.  Wyth  right  godc  wyi  yc  iha^ 

As  for  this  boke,  to  fay  you  very  right. 
And  of  the  name  to  tel  you*  in  cerLuai;e« 
.  \Jftmklede  Damtj,  thus  it  htght. 
How  tbinkin  yc  I  That  name  ti  godc  pard^ 
Wowc  go;  farewcli  for  they  cal  aftir  me 
^y  fclawes  al,  and  1  muA  aftir  fone  : 
fitode  wcl  my  drcmc,  for  sow  my  t«k  ^  <btit* 


CHAUCER'S    DREAM  K*. 


Kevrr  ^rfore  th§  yean  '^g'^  f^finltd :  thai  which  lureiofor^  Barb  gone  ttndtr 
bis  Dreatne^  h  The  Book  of  the  DuchcJJe^  or  The  Deafb  of  Btnnch^  Dutk^ 


\ViitN  Flora,  the  qii^np  of  Pk-tiuncc, 
Hid  whole  achicvid  tJi*  obcylauiitc 
Of  the  frcft  and  the  new  fcfon 
Thorow  out  every  region, 
And  with  her  mantle  whole  covert 
That  wintir  made  had  difcovert. 
Of  avinturc  wi  thou  tin  light 
In  M^y  I  lay  upon  a  in'ght 
A  Ion**,  ind  on  my  bdy  thought» 
And  how  liit  Lord  that  her  ywroiight 
Couth  well  entaylc  in  imagtry, 
Ar\A  (hcvvid  had  grttc  miiikiry, 
When  he  in  fo  litil  a  fpacc 
Made  fuch  a  body  and  a  face, 
ho  grcte  bcautie  with  fwich  fcturef. 
More  than  in  othir  crtatures; 
And  in  my  thoug^hti*  *5  I  lay 
^S^tlhin  a  lodge  out  of  thcWiiy, 
Br-fidc  a  well  in  a  forcil. 
Where  aftir  hunting  I  toke  rc(V, 
Nature  and  kind  fo  in  me  wrought 
That  halfe  on  flcpe  they  mc  ybrought, 
And  gan  to  drcmc  to  my  thinking 
With  mind  of  knoA'lichc  Uke  making. 


•  TW*  Drcamc,  deflfcd  hv  Ch-iHTffr*  femeth  to  be  a  en* 
▼crt  rep'^rMif  the  mirrli,  't  '  -rGaunt^  thr  klnj!*» 
fonnc,  v*itliBt.Tinch,thi  nry,  r>oltc  of  Lan 

'z  timt  whcrot  tl>c 
lie  cnJ  bv  confer  r 
f"  rd  brjnpnjrin  her 
lyfctca^ne.    Here 
.:   i  ccrttin  pcnTlew.i' 

■if  tire  La^vBIJtficli  iRtl  licr  lort3» 

manage  bciwr^eu  li^ottt  CTr r/* 


cafrer,  whoa'rrr  tofif  I 
poet  fa  I  net  J^  *'    -"'  *"  '^*' 
orrrknd^li 


For  what  I  dremid.  as  me  thooght« 

1  faw  it,  and  I  Oepiin  nought. 

Wherefore  h  yet  my  full  bckvc 

That  fame  godc  fpirit  that  ilkc  ctc, 

By  mcncoffomc  curious  port, 

Bare  me  where  \  law  payne  and  fport; 

But  whcthci  it  were  t  woke  or  flcpc 

Well  wot  t  oft  1  lough  and  wept ; 

Wherefore  I  woll  in  remembraunce 

Put  whole  the  paync  and  the  plefauDer, 

Which  was  to  me  asin  and  htle  \ 

Would  Crod  ye  wift  it  everyddc. 

Or  at  the  lefl  ye  might  o  night 

Of  fuch  an  othir  have  a  fight 

Although  it  were  to  you  a  payac, 

YeE  on  the  mo'jow  yc  won'  '  '^ '  "^ 

And  wiHi  that  it  might  1> 

Then  might  yc  fay  ^c  h-i^l  ^,         .     vV 

For  he  that  drem^*  and  wenca  be  Ic 

Mocisil  the  bcttir  yet  maie  he 

Ywit  what,  and  uf  whom,  and  where. 

And  eke  the  lafie  it  woll  Uind^crc 

To  thitike  I  Ic  tlVis  with  mjoe  t.'cfte» 

Iwie*  this  may  not  dreme  kenc. 

But  figpeor  a  f  ^  ' 

Of  haity  thing 

For  oti  tiiii  wji    .^ 

A>  ye  hiivc  licrd^  w  r,  1 

Not  ail  waltyng  »c  i\ 

About  fuch  huur  at  ic*vut 

And  erie  aitir  ther  ladies  :; 

Befell  mc  tiiitthi*  wondir  c;**^. 

Which  yc  fhall  herC)  and  all  iJUc  wiXc^ 

So  wholly  ai  1  can  dcvlfe  : 


^^F                    CHAUCER'S    DREAMEt                 WPP           4^  J 

Engllfli  CTJll  writtio. 

Befell  me  fo,  when  f  ;mkk                                '  ^^| 

wriiir,  well  ye  w!tttn» 

Vhad  the  yle  that  me  fuAired,                           ^I^^M 

Lho;igh  he  Jo  mis 

And  whole  th*  dhice  ev^y  whcrtf                   ^^^^H 

I  one  whuii&c  that  waking  b, 

That  In  the  lufty  yle  vr«f  there,                      ^^^^H 

c  hcrr  of  your  geotiloefle 

Which  was  more  wandir  to  de\\£e                   ^^^^^^M 

i|re  my  boiltoufiaetfe 

Than  i»  the  joy  out  parad^fe,                              ^^^^^| 

patifc  a*  thitig^  rude. 

1  djLTc  well  ijy»  for  flourc  netre,                      ^^^^^^ 

h  what  I  woli  conclude. 

Nc  thing  wherein  plefiunce  might  be,             ^^^^^M 

ic*  endiiyng  tokcth  no  hcde. 

There  faylid  none,  for  every  wtght,                  ^^^^^| 

teritje*,  lo  God  yoii  fpcde. 

Had  they  drfirld  day  and  night                         ^^^^H 

I  paflc  a*  nothing  were. 

Rtchi%  and  hcle,  beauty  and  efe,                       ^^^^^B 

icicUf  a»  you  fliaU  here. 

With  every  thing  that  them  mtghr  pk-fe,       ^^^^^| 

aa  yic  metliought  I  wa* 

But  thinkc  and  iuve»  it  coil  no  more                 ^^^^^| 

ill  ^^nd  yate  wu  aU  of  glaflr^ 

III  fuch  s  country  there  Before                         ^^^^H 

at  clofid  round  about 

H^d  I  not  ben  nc  hcrdin  cell                             ^^^^H 

leflc  none  conic  m  ne  out, 

Th»t  Uirit  creature  might  dwelL                     J^^^^M 

U3d  (Iraunge  to  behold, 

And  when  1  had  thus  alt  about                       *^^^^^| 

y2U  of  fine  gold                  • 

'  The  yte  avifid  thoroughpnt                                ^^^^^M 

id  fan  is  aie  turning 

The  (late,  and  how  they  were  arayc^,             ^^^^^H 

lad,  and  briddcs  fingtog 

1  In  my  hert  1  wexe  well  appaycd*                      ^^^^^^| 

id  on  echc  fane  a  poire 

And  in  my  felfe  J  me  ^fTurcd                          \^^^^^M 

11  month  again  thtf  aire  ; 

I'hat  in  my  body'  1  wm  well  ured»                 ^^^^^H 

futc  were  all  the  tourci. 

Sithiu  I  might  have  fuch  a  grace                      ^^^^^| 

rviij  aftir  floor c», 

To  fc  the  ladicj  and  the  pluce,                          ^^^^^^ 

th  colour*  during  aye, 

Which  were  To  /airr,  i  you  en  pare,                  ^^^^^| 

ir  ben  none  fene  in  May, 

That  to  my  dome  though  that  Nature             ^^^^^| 

ly  SI  fmall  turret  Kie ; 

Would  cvir  ftrive  and  do  her  paine                 ^^^^H 

Ml  live  could  1  non  £e« 

She  fhouid  not  con  ne  mow  attaine                  ^^^^^| 

ii,favcladic»play» 

The  left  fcturc  for  to  amend,                           ^^^^H 

crin  fuch  of  ther  array 

Though  (he  would  all  her  conning  fpcnilc,     ^*^^H 

rtae  thought  of  godclihcd 

That  unto  bcautte  might  arailc,                       ^^^^^M 

fcdoi  all  iSid  wooianhed, 

[t  were  hm  pain c  and  lofl  travail e,                  ^^^^H 

hold  th£m  dauncc  and  fifrg 

Such  part  in  thcr  natmtic                               ^^^^H 

like  none  crthly  thing, 

Was  then  alat  gid  of  beautif  ;                          ]^^^^^| 

ther  yncouth  count tnaunce 

And  ckc  they  had  a  things  notible                   ^^^^^H 

>Uj  oi  right  ufaunctf, 

Unto  thcr  dc?th  ay  durable,                                ^^^^^| 

ic  ageevtrichone 

And  wai,  that  ther  beauty  (Konld  dun-.           ^^^^U 

ud  all  b,re  oncly  one, 

Which  wa«  nevtr  fene  in  cr etu re,                      ^^^^H 

id  of  yeri»  fuffifaunce. 

Save  onily  there  (as  I  trow)                               ^^^^^ 

light  neythir  fing  ne  daunce. 

tr  ne  hath  not  be  wift  ne  know,                        ^^^^^| 

er  couotcnaunce  wa*  fo  glad, 

Wherefore  I  praiie  with  thcr  conning            ^^^^H 

b  fewe  yisfii  had  had 

That  during  heauCie,  rich^  thing*                    ^^^^^| 

die  that  wa*  there, 

H:iJ  they  ben  of  thcr  lives  certainc                j^^^^^l 

til  it  did  her  derc 

They  had  ben  quite  of  every  paine,                 !^^^^^l 

^  to  laugh  and  tale 

And  when  1  wend  thus  all  hare  fene            ^^^^^H 

d  TuU  auffid  a  male 

The  ftatc,  the  riches,  that  might  bcnfi          ^^^^^H 

ti»  and  new  pbyis; 

That  me  thought  imfiojTible  were                   ^^^^^H 

1  Jhc  ben  ill  her  dayJ§, 

To  fc  one  thing  more  than  wa4  there              ^^^^^| 

IrcITe  fcmid  well  to  be 

That  to  beautie  or  g|ad  conning                      ^^^^H 
Serve  or  avail e  might  any  thin^,                     ^^^^H 

it  luAy  companic, 

tc  might,  1  you  enfure, 

All  fodainly  a*  I  there  ilode                              ^^^^| 

he  conning] (I  crcture 

This  lady,  that  couth  fo  much  gode»                '  ^|^^| 

and  fo  faidevirichonr, 

Unto  me  came  with  fhiiUng  chcrc,                 ^^V^^B 

icr  kncw^  there  tjiiid  none. 

And  faid,  BtntJuiu  f  this  ycrc                                   .  ^H 

t^A^  fobcr,  and  well  avifcd. 

,Sa%v  I  ncvir  man  here  but  you ;                                 ^H 

icvLry  fault  difguifcd. 

Tell  me  how  ye  come  hidir  now,                               ^H 

ling  ufcd  but  faith  and  truth ; 

And  your  name,  and  where  that  yc  dwell,     jmm^^^ 

ll*i*  young  it  wasgrete  ruth. 

And  whom  ye  fekc  eke  mote  ye  tcU,             J^^^H 

f  where  and  in  cch  pbcc 

And  how  yc  come  be  to  thifc  place  ;                ^^^^H 

Did  her,  that  in  grace 

The  foth  well  told  my  caufe  you  grace,                   ^H 

dwmy  with  pore  and  richf, 

And  clHi  yc  mot:  prilbner  be  '                                  ^^ 

ord  wa«  none  her  liche, 

UiJto  the  ladica  here  and  me. 

fo*  able  muAreCi  to  be 

That  have  the  govemauncc  of  ihit  yle; 

I  lu^j  covipaiuc. 

And  with  that  word  Jbe  gaa  to  fixiile. 

4«4                                            CHAUCER' 

S    DREAME.                               ^^H 

And  fo  dill  all  the  lufty  rout 

U,  and  may  be  to  u»  Ji  t^Ugt              ^^^H 

Of  ladic*  that  ftodc  her  about. 

If  wc  Ir.  t  goe  you  here  at  l^g^,          ^^^^^ 

Madame,  (quod  1)  this  night  ypaft 

For  whichv*  cjxik  the  more  wc  doubt  ^^^H 

t^dgid  I  wa*  and  flcptc  fafk 

To  doc  a  fault  while  flic  is  out,            ^^^H 

In  a  forcft  bcfidc  a  well. 

Or  fuHir  th;it  may  be  noyfaccc            ^^^H 

And  now  am  here,  how  {houhl  I  tell  ?                      | 

AgaJne  our  old  accuitonuncc.               ^^^^| 

Wot  1  ttift  hf  whofc  ordinance. 

And  when  1  had  thefe  caufis  twaioe       ^H 

But  oncly  Fortune's  purtciancc. 

Vbcrd.  0  God  !  what  raochU  fuoc             ^M 

Wbich  puttith  many,  as  I  g^ffcf 

All  fodainly  abont  mine  hert                       ^| 

To  tnifailc,  paine,  and  burmcflc. 

There  came  at  dnis,  and  how  fmert  f           ^M 

And  Icttith  nothing  for  thcr  truths 

In  crt-ping  fcift  as  who  fliould  ftcic                 ^M 

But  fomc  fleet  h  eke,  an  J  that  i*  nithj 

Or  doc  mc  robbc  of  all  mine  h?Ict               ^M 

'          Wherefore  I  doubt  her  hrJttilna, 

And  made  mc  in  my  tbmight  fo  aijnii        ^M 

Her  variance  and  unftcdfallnci, 

That  in  courage  I  ftodc  dilmaid  ;                  ^M 

So  that  1  am  as  yet  afraid. 

And  {l;iudinj;  thus,  as  was  my  grace,          ^M 

And  of  my  bcyng  here  amald. 

A  lady  came  more  than  aptcc,                     ^H 

For  wondir  thitig  it  femith  mc 

With  a  huge  preifc  her  about,                     ^M 

Thus  many  frcOi  ladies  to  fc 

And  told  bow  that  the  qucne  witlioiil        ^M 

So  fairc,  fo  cunning*  and  fo  yon^, 

Was  nrivid^  and  would  come  in  ;                ^| 

And  no  man  dwelling  them  among } 

Well  were  ihcy  that  hidir  might  twin  j      ^M 

K*ot  I  not  how  1  hidir  come, 

They  hied  fo  diey  would  not  abide              ^M 

Madame,  (<juod  I)  this  all  and  fomc; 

The  bridiling  thcr  horfc  to  ride,                 ^M 

What  ibould  I  faioc  a  long  proccflc 

By  five,  by  fixe,  by  two, by  thrc  ;                ^H 

^^^jTo  you,  that  feme  fuch  a  princelfc  ? 

There  was  not  inie  abode  with  mc ;            ^U 

^^K^What  plc0th  you  commaund  or  £aj. 

The  queue  to  mctc  everichouc                      ^^ 

^H  Here  I  am  rcdy  to  obay 

They  went,  and  bode  witi\  me  not  ooc ;     ^M 

To  my  powir,  and  all  fulfill,                                     ' 

And  I  went  aftir  a  foft  pafe,                          ^M 

And  prifonir  bide  at  your  will, 

tmigining  how  to  purchale                          ^M 

Till  you  duly  enformid  he 

Grace  of  the  queue  there  to  abide               ^H 

Of  every  thing  ye  alkc  me. 

Till  gode  fortune  fome  happy  gmd^           ^M 

ThU  lady  there  right  well  apaJt! 

Me  fcndin  might,  that  would  nic  brieg     ^M 

Me  by  the  handc  ytokc,and  faid, 

Where  I  was  borne,  to  my  wonning*          ^M 

Welcome^  prifoner  ad  vcn turns. 

For  way  nc  fotc  nc  knew  I  none,              ^M 

Right  glad  am  1  yc  have  faid  thus. 

Ne  whrthirward  1  n*tftto  gone,                   ^M 

And  for  ye  doubt  mc  to  difplcfc 

For  all  Wat  fc  about  the  ylc  ;                         ^M 

1  wili  aJfay  to  do  you  cfc  i        ^                               ' 

N*o  wondir  though  mc  Uft  not  fmlle*         ^M 

And  witk  that  word,  ye,  right  anon, 

Seing  the  cafe  uncouth  md  llmui;gc  |        ^M 

^^L  She  and  rhc  ladies  evcrichon 

And  fo  in  like  a  pertlotts  diaungc,              ^M 

^^P  Alfanblid,  and  to  counfailc  went. 

Imagi'ning  thus  walking  alone             ^^^H 

And  aftir  that  fonc  for  mc  fent. 

I  faw  the  ladies  cvcrichoae,                  ^^^^M 

And  10  me  faid  on  this  manerc* 

So  that  I  might  fom what  o^er,           ^^^^| 

All  word  for  word,  ai  yc  fhall  here  : 

Sonc  aftir  that  I  drew  me  ncic,                  ^^B 

To  fe  you  here  ua  thinke  marvailc,                      ' 

And  tho  1  was  ware  of  the  qiicn                      H 

And  how  withouiin  bote  or  failc> 

And  how  the  hdieson  thcr  kncn*:                ^H 

By  any  fubtiky  or  wyle. 

With  joyous  words  gladly  advifed               ^M 

Ye  get  have  cat  re  in  this  ylc» 

Her  welcomed  fo  that  it  fuSifcd                 ^H 

But  not  for  that  yet  (hall  yc  fe 

7'hough  fhe  the  princes  whole  Ka^l  bp        ^M 

That  we  gcntill  women  ybe> 

Of  all  c  :i  viron  cd  is  with  fc  ;                   ^^^H 

Loth  to  difplcfin  any  wighc^ 

And  thus  avtfing  with  chcrc  f^          ^^^^^ 

Notwithftanding  our  gret<}  right ; 

All  fodainly  1  wa»  right  glad,               ^^^^| 

And  for  ye  iball  well  undirftond 

That  gretir  }oy,  as  mote  t  thrive  ,                ^H 

The  old:  cuftomc  of  thii  lond, 

I  trow  had  oevir  man  on  live                         H 

yrhicb  hath  continued  many  ycre. 

Than  1  tho,  ne  an  h.f  t  mere  light,                ^M 

Yc  ihali  well  wcte  that  with  us  here 

When  of  my  lady  I  had  fi^ht,                       ^M 

^^    Yc  may  not  bide,  for  caufii  twainc 

Which  with  the  qmr  -  -— *-  ^iitber«^  ^^ 

^^h  Which  we  be  purpofcd  you  to  fai«c» 

And  in  one  clothing                     ere ;         ^M 

^»        The  one  it  thi* ;  our  ordinance. 

A  knight  alfo  there                                        ^M 

Which  ti  of  long  continuance. 

I  faw  that  come  was  with  the  qucse,         ^M 

Nc  woll  not,  fothly  we  you  tell. 

or  wham  the  ladies  of  that  yle             ^^^f 

That  no  man  here  among  u&  dwctl» 

Had  hug    wondir  a  long  while,         ^^^^| 

Wherefore  ye  motcncdis  tctoumc; 

Tilt  at  the  tail  right  fi>buly                -^^^^f 

hi  no  Wife  may  you  here  fojoumc. 

The  qucnc  her  fdf  full  cuoniitglr^      ^^^H 

The  othir  is  tkc,  that  ourqucnc 

With  loft^  wordtf  in  gode  wife,  *               ^H 

Qmt  gf  the  fdme,  as  yc  mai<  fcne, 

3aid  to  the  ladl^  yoog  and  iiMe»        ^^^| 

r                             CHAUCER'S    DR£AMR 

/S^] 

1^0^  uhwhbcfrtH 

And  as  1  ftode  her  to  behold. 

^J 

e  know  it  gnc  and  all 

Thinking  how  myjoyis  were  coM 

^H 

oag  time  here  liuvc  1  lieoe 

Slih  1  thofc  applia  havens  tnight, 

^^M 

ihi*  yk  bidiug  %t  queue. 

Evin  With  that  fo  came  thi*  knight. 

^H 

C  •&,  that  ncvir  wight 

And  in  his  amnei  of  me  aware 

^^1 

f  fit  joy  Ittviii  nc  might. 

Mc  toke,  and  lo  his  fhip  me  bare, 

^^1 

'ou  bcri  of  .^ovimaiicc 

And  faid,  though  him  1  ner  had  fene 
Yet  had  I  lonj^  hi»  hdy  hen, 

^^1 

ou  found  m  \C!iolc  pkCmcc, 

^^M 

thing  AAyc  know 

'  VVhercrorc  I  ihculd  with  him  ywcod, 

^^1 

■  cuflomc  3Dd  our  low. 

And  he  would  to  hi»  liv'ia  end 

^^1 

ow  rhfv  firft  jfoundin  w-tc 

My  ferv.int  be,  and  gan  to  fing 

^H 

:  wotc  i»ll  tltc  m.uicrc ; 

As  one  that  hsd  woime  a  rich  thing  t 

^^1 

1 J  he  qucnc  13  of  this  ylc. 

Tho  were  my  fpirlts  fro  me  gone 

/  ^H 

c  b«n  this  iongs!  wJiUc^ 

So  hid  a  inly  cv  richom: 

:» ycr«  cjott  of  ufugc 

1  hat  in  me  appcrid  but  dci!% 

^H 

b evenly  wmitagc 

For  I  fell  neithir  life  nehreth. 

^^1 

R  a  rock  Co  high  yllands, 

Nf  ^r.de  nc  har^nc  none  I  kncwe ; 

^H 

^  fe  out  from  :ill  bndt, 

The  fodaiiic  paine  m£  was  fo  nevi% 

^H 

naktn  ilr     '             - 

That  h*d  not  t!ie  hafty  grace  be 

^^1 

•  longr                     :, 

Of  ihL  lid) ,  that  fro  t!ic  tec 

^H 

t  wind  be  »...  ,     ,.  iicnd 

Of  hiT  gcnriliieflc  f»>  hyid 

^H 

ncy  dnrii  to  the  end 

M^  to  comfort  I  had  dyid. 

^H 

Itkichc  that  it  midirtake* ; 

And  of  her  thre  appli^  ftic  one 

^H 

tf  thotifand  one  noilcapci ; 

Into  mioe  hand  there  put  anone, 

^H 

ikh  rock  ^jr^with  a  trc 

Which  brou^Ljht  agatnc  my  mind  *ind  hti 

^H 

rainc  ycrci  Keres  %ppU$  thrc^ 

And  me  recovered  from  the  dtth  ;' 

^^1 

ire  applia  who  fo  msy  hd.fc 

Wlicfeforc  to  her  fo  am  T  hold 

^^1 

all  difplefauncc  yfavc 

That  for  her  all  things  do  I  wold. 

^H 

ihc  fcvin  yerc  may  fall. 

For  the  wa»  leth  of  all  my  fmert, 

^H 

c  yc  well  bothc  one  and  all, 

And  from  grctc  painc  to  quite  mine  her 

^H 

irfl  jpptc  sud  the  hexc 

And, :»  God  w«te,  right  i">  yc  litre 

^H 

jrowith  umo  you  next 

Me  lo  comfort  wirh  frendly  there 

^^1 

re  ▼crtuc*  notable. 

She  did  litr  prowcfle  and  her  might ; 

^^M 

ith  youtli  aic  durable, 

And  truly  eke  fo  did  this  k nigh t 

^^m 

Eld  lokc  cviT  in  one,                 * 

In  that  he  coulh,  and  o(tin  fiid 

^^M 

le  bcft  in  evcridione* 

Thut  of  my  wo  he  w«  ill  p^id» 

^H 

cond  apple  red  and  ^cne, 

And  curled  the  fhip  that  tliemthcrt' 

^H 

fh  lokis  of  your  ycnc 

The  maft,  the  raallir  iLti  ti  wroD 

^H 

iikh  in  grctc  ptcfauncc 

And  as  cch  thing  mct^  '                   l. 

^H 

fi  partridge  or  fcfauncc, 
1  evcty  iiY'is  wight 

Aly  fiilir  here,  your  hi 

^^M 

Con  with  her  words  Jo  ..^..i....,J . 

^^M 

onely  with  the  fight. 

Thii  knight  entrctc  ajid  conniugly, 

^^M 

le  third  apple  of  the  thrci 

For  mine  honour  and  hisalfu. 

^^M 

owith  iowift  on  the  trc. 

And  faid  that  with  ber  we  Iliould  go 

^^M 

erls  nc  may  not  faile 

Both  in  hrr  fhip,  where  (he  waa  brought, 

^^M 

lis  plefiancc  may  availc, 

I  Which  wafc  fo  wondirfully  wrough!. 

^^M 

Icfure  arid  beauty  rich 

So  dene,  fo  rich,  and  fo  araid, 

^^M 

ing  youth  evir  yllchc. 

That  wc  were  both  content  and  paid ; 

^^M 

it,  your  cunnings  and  your  wclc. 

And  me  to  comfort  aiid^  lo  plefe. 

^H 

flourid,  and  your  godc  hclc. 

And  miiie  here  for  to  put  at  cfe. 

^^H 

fictncs  or  difplcf^unce, 

She  toke  grete  painc  in  lifll  wlule. 

^^1 

thzt  to  you  was  noyfamicc, 

And  thus  hath  brought  us  to  thii  yfe, 

^^^H 

m  have  as  goddclTt* 

As  yc  may  fc  ;  wh  erf  ore  cchonc 

^^M 

lire  all  prince ffes  ; 

1  pray  you  thanke  her  one  and  one 

^^M 

cfall,  as  ye  may  fc, 

As  hertly  a»  yc  cau  Jcvifc 

^H 

'  tiufe  faid  applifi  thyc. 

Or  iraaglne  in  any  wife. 

^^1 

:  failed  again e  the  d;iy 

At  once  there  tho  men  mighlin  fccn 

^^1 

V^is  to  take  the  way, 

A  world  of  ladies  fall  on  kncen 

^^1 

»  f^de  aa  I  h;id  nft ; 

'Fore  my  lady,  (liat  there  about 

^^1 

1 1  £onnc  t  find  aloft 

Was  left  none  Handing  in  the  rout, 

^^1 

which  that  hercyftandi. 

But  altogithcr  tJiey  went  at  one* 

^^1 

lofe  appli*  in  her  hand*. 

To  knclc;  they  Iparcdnoi  for  the  flon' 

^H 

Itffi},  and  nothing  faid. 

Ne  foi  cftatc,  nc  for  »hcr  blodc ; 

^^1 

a» ike  were  weU paid; 

Well  fhrwid  there  thfy  coutli  much  ffr»fc  , 

J 

^4^^^^^^^           CHAUCER'S    D  R  fi  A  Hff^^^^^^^^J 

^H    To  my  hdy  they  made  fiich  fed, 

That  1  cr  to  fe  Indure  that  f^n^       ^^" 

^B    And  ^v itli  luch  wordh, that  the  k-ft 

Here  we  all  fay  unto  yoo  pl-iine 

^V    So  £rt:ridly  and  fo  faithfully 

Right  on  your  fclfc  yt  d>d  amiHb, 

^B    Yfaid  wa»  and  fo  cunningly, 

Scjng  how  Ric  a  princci  is. 

^V    That  wondir  wa»,  fciog  dicr  youth, 

'Fhi»  knight,  the  wtiich  ycowth  hit  gadcg 

r          To  here  the  language  that  they  couth. 

Right  of  his  truth  mcvid  fua  blbdc, 

1           And  wholly  how  they  govetncJ  were 

Thar  pale  he  woic  ;i9  siny  Ud, 

In  thanking  of  my  lady  thcrv. 

A!id  lok't  as  tho  he  wold  be  detf ; 

And  faid  by  will  and  niaundt'mcnt 

Blode  was  there  none  in  nothir  chelae. 

l*hcy  wcicat  hec  conimaundemcQt, 

VV'ordhflc  he  was, and  femid  iieke^ 

Which  was  to  mc  as  grctc  a  ]oy 

And  fo  it  pro  rid  well  he  wan. 

Ai  winning  of  the  toune  ofTroy 

For  without  moving  any  paay,           ^^ 

Was  lo  the  hardy  Gickis  ftmug 

All  fodainly  as  thing  dyiug,                ^^^| 

^^    When  they  it  wan  with  Cvtg^  li>ng», 

He  fell  at  on  is  dowiic  fowning ;           ^H 

^^m  To  fc  my  lady'  in  fach  a  place. 

That  for  hit  wo  this  Wy  fraid 

^^g.  And  fo  rcccvid  aji  Hie  wa*. 

Unto  the  cjuenc  her  hyed^ind  (ilrf. 

P          And  xihtn  they  lalkid  had  a  while 

Cometh  on  anon;  as  hate  you  Mifle^ 

Of  ihia  3Bd  that^  and  of  the  ylc,                                   ^ 

But  ye  be  wife ;  tttmg  ti  amiffe; 

My  lady  and  the  laJict  there. 

Ihis  knight  \s  dcd  or  wiH  be  foO€, 

Altogithir  is  they  y  were. 

Lo !  where  he  lyilJi  in  a  fwonc 

^K    The  quctie  her  flU  hcgau  to  play. 

Withoutin  word'oraufwiring^ 

^H   And  to  the  agid  Ldy  fay, 

To  that  1  have  faid  any  thing  ; 

^™    Now  fcmith  you  not  godc  it  were. 

Wherefore  I  doubt  mm^ht  that  Ae  blime 

tilth  wc  be  akt>githir  here. 

Might  be  hindiring  to  your  name. 

To  ordai'nc  and  dcTit'  the  bcfl 

Wliich  Buorid  hath  fo  many  ycrt. 

To  let  thi*  knight  and  nic  at  n:fl» 

So  longc  that  for  nothing  here 

For  Wtmam  it  a  febU  %itglk 

\  would  tn  no  wife  that  he  dyed. 

5*  rrrr  m.  ^vatrt  a^ain&  a  knight i 

Wherefore  it  godc  were  that  yc  h]fe^ 

And  (ith  he  here  is  m  thii  placc^ . 

His  life  to  favm  at  the  left  j 

At  my  Icit  in  dangir  or  grace. 

And  aft  it  ihftt  his  wo  be  ce  ft 

It  were  to  mc  grcte  villaiiy 

Conimaundifh  him  to  vtifde  or  d%vcU» 

To  do  him  any  tiratuiy; 

For  in  no  wife  darr  I  more  mcU       ^™ 

But  f.iine  1  would,  now  wiU  ye  hcx«^ 

or  thing  wherein  fuch  perill  is           ^^^| 

^^    In  hts  ijw^nc  country  that  he  were, 

As  like  is  now  to  fall  of  tJiis.              ^H 

^^b  ^Vnd  r  in  pccc  and  he  at  eie ; 

I'his  qucnc  right  tho,  full  of  grete  fcrc^  ' 

^H  This  were  a  way  us  both  to  ^^tU  \ 

With  all  the  ladies  prcfent  there. 

^H  If  it  might  be  I  you  bcTrchc 

Unto  the  knight  came  where  he  lay. 

^^B  With  hmi  hereof  you  fall  in  fpeche. 

And  made  a  lady  to  him  fay, 

^^B  This  lady  tho  began  to  fmile. 

Ko!  here  the  quene;  awake,  for  fhame  ? 

^^B  Aviling  her  a  litJLwHilc, 

What  will  yon  dt>e  ?  is  this  giKle  garnet 

^^K  And  with  glad  abcr^e  £bc  Qiid  anonr,. 

Why  lye  yoti  here  ?  what  iy  your  nuad  f 

^^p  Mtdamgl  wili'anto  him  gone, 

Now  u  well  fenc  your  wit  i»  blind. 

^H  And  with  him  fpcke,  and  nftin  fcle 

To  fe  fo  many  ladie*hcrc 

^^K  What  he  deilrU  every  dele  : 

And  ye  to  make  none  othir  chere  \ 

^^1  And  foblrty  thi^  lady  tho 

But  -lyc  fet  thcni  all  at  nought 
Arif<rioc  hislovt  that  you  bonghc 

^H  Her  felfc,  and  othir  bdics  two 

^K  8h«  ttikc  with  her,  and  with  fad  chcrc 

But  what  fti«  faid  a  word  not  oivr 

^H  8aid  to  the  kntght  ou  this  mancie  ; 

H: fpake, nc anfwefe gaVe  fier  none. 

^H  :sir,  the  grcte  princes  of  thia  >fc. 

*rhe  queue  of  vcr^'  pitiy  tbo» 

^K  Whum  for  your  plefancg  many  a  milt 

Her  wurihipand  his  life  alfa 

^^P  Ye  fought  have*  a«  I  undTAciiid, 

To  favm,  thtre  the  did  her  pairte. 

^^  Till  at  the  lail  ye  have  her  fuml 

Atidquoke  fftrfcre,  t  •   -  -  *n  iiine. 

Mc  fcrit  hath  here,  and  ladica  twaim?. 

For  woe,  ata^l  wb-i 

^^    To  htrin  all  tlung  tliat  yc  laitic  j 

What  IhalU  fay  If, 

^B    And  for  what  caule  ye  have  her  fought 

II  he  die  here  lod  i^                            .J^^H 

^^m  Fane  would  ftiQ  write, and  whole  your  thought. 

How  fbal  !  pby  tin                   i^'^i^^^^H 

^^K  And  why  you  du  her*i!l  thi»  wo. 

If  any  thing  be  here  *itiiJfe            ^^^^1 

^^t  And  for  wh;^t  caufe  you  be  her  To, 

li  fhall  be  iliid  It  rijrour  !*,                  ^^^1 

^^p  And  why  of  every  wight  unwarc 

Whereby  my  i                                             ^W 

^K  J3y  force  ye  to  your  fhip  her  bare. 

And  like  to  *:■                                               I 

^B  *lhat  (he  fo  nigh  ywa>  agunc 

And  with  that  >M.iru  mr  [ijiiti  ne  ii:ia     ^| 

^H  That  mind  ne  ij  jcb  ne  ha*l  fhc  notic, 

Upon  his  breft,  aad  lo  liiin  faid,               fl 

^^    But  as  a  painfull  creature 

Awake,  my  knight  *.  lo !  it  am  I                 V 

1           ^ying  abode  her  advbtur/, 

Ihat  to  you  fpckc  :  now  icU  mc  mVj     S 

^         ChAUCER'S    DkEAME.                                            4^7      J 

^  thit  falae  eddurc. 

And  I  thereof  h;\d  fo  grete  ferf                                  H 

p  country  furc. 

That  mc  rrprnt  rhat  I  come  thertf,                                 H 

tend*  f  hat  would  ymt  hclc, 

Which  haa  1  imw  gati  her  d^fpkfe,                     ^^H 

b  ckc  and  yaur  wi'lc  ? 

And  11  the  cuufc  of  my  difefc                              ^^^^| 

lltat  you  UiighE  cfc. 

Aud  with  that  word  he  gan  to  cry^                       ^^^^ 

Hiiig  iJrut  you  might  plefcj 

Ni»vr  Dcth,  Deth,  fomc,  twyji  or  tlu                      ^^^H 

Ihould  not  fiilc 

Arui  mr^uid  I  n'oi  what  of  (Inurh  t                       ^^^H 

Wc  you  might  availc  ; 

And  even  with  ihat  the  f^dene  of  routh              ^^^^M 

ii  .ill  my  hcit  I  pray 

Him  m  her  armi»  toVe,  and  fafd,                          |^^^H 

||  UK  u\\ic  znd  ptay ; 

Now, mine  owne  knight!  be*  not  iJlapayd        ^^^^| 

(fctiv  Udi^  here 

1  h;it  t  a  lady  to  you  Tent                                         i]^^^| 

l^       '         ^r  chert! 

To  have  ku-  wh-d^  of  your  cf»tenr,                   -^^^1 

It                   11  39  ftone 

For  tn  godfr  fuich  1  men*t  but  well,                    ^^^^B 

wm  uv  iji  :*<■  he  nrttict 

And  would  ye  \vj{l  tt  every  dele;                        ^^^^^H 

^lorhc  might  braid  J 

Not  will  Lot  do  to  you  ywis ;                              ^^^^^| 

the  quenc  had  Taid 

And  with  that  word  Ihe  »an  him  fcifr<*,              ^^^^H 

rd;  hut  at  ihc  laft 

And  prayed  him  rife,  and  faid  (lie  would           il^^^H 

t  he  cryid  f:»ll. 

Hi-  wclbre  by  her  truth,  afid  told                     "^^^^B 

ihri  voice  to  htrc, 

Hiin  how  Ihc  w at  for  his  difefe                                     V 

«  paincfull  there. 

Rii,fht  I'jn,',  and  faine  ivoidd  him  f>kfe|                           ■ 

',  idticd  waa  well  to  fdn 

His  lyt\:  tii  favc.  Thcfc  v                                                   ■ 

Igc  and  his  cfn, 

6h^  faid  to  him,  and  m:it.                                                ■ 

mtnt  at  once  he  caft, 
ISc  would  to  brart, 
^c  he  (hrlght  lb 

In  eomfortiiig,  for  from  the  p  t.r  -                                    1 

Nhc  would  He  were  dcliv<irrd  faiiie.                               ■ 

The  ktii^fht  tho  up  ycaft  his  ccn,                           i^i^J 

|as  tti  fe  hii  wo, 

[  And  whco  he  faw  it  was  the  q\ienc                    fl^H 

ayne  wan  firft  named 

Thzit  to  him  had  thtfc  wordi^  faid,                     |^^^H 

Wofull  payoe  attained, 

Riglit  in  his  wo  hejfan  to  brald»                        '^^^^| 

rdid  hcgan  to  p'tfnc. 

Aud  him  up  dreOjs  for  to  knele,                          ^^^^^| 

e  thefc  wordi§l.iinc; 

1  he  qitenc  ayifin^  wondir  wcle;                        ^^^^^| 

ifull  of  mil u re. 

But  aa  he  rofe  he  oVirtRrcw,                                 "^^^H 

Bded,aiidyet  1  dure, 

U'lureforc  the  queneyct  tTtanetv                      'i^^^l 

ly  palnc  or  dcth 

Him  in  her  armi^Ancme  ttihc»                              ^^^H 

U  t  fc!e  my  breih  t 

And  pitoully  gan  on  him  hike*                           '^^^H 

id,  fit! I  I  tic  fervc, 

But  for  all  that  rothyng  Iheliyd,                       '^^^H 

iay  will  mc  (Icrvc  ' 

Nc  fpake  nt't  like  (he  wet e  well  paydj                 '^^^^| 

n,  Ueth  >  an  ihou  agsift  ? 

Ne  no  cherc  made  tior  fad  nt  tt^ht,                     ^^^^H 

Bctc  yet  at  the  liift 

But  all  in  one  to  tytfrf  wi^ht                              ^^^^H 

he  hide  ic  is  fnr  nought, 

Three  was  fcnc  conning  with  «{late                  ^^^^^^ 

1  d*»e1ft  thou  ihalt  be  fought : 

In  her  without  noyfc  or  debate^                         '^^^^| 

bull  double  face 

For  favc  onely  «  l^^lte  pttcou>                               '^^^^| 

1  right  in  thi*  place. 

Ot  womenlu'd  utidtfpiteous,                                 ^^^^| 

«jf  and  thyn  cfe 

Th^f  (he  ihowid  hu                                               !^^^^| 

ii(*ivigh[  topkfe  : 

F.ir  fc;aud  hrr  licrt                      iTcej                      ^^^^1 

t,  iith  1  the  fcche. 

And  not  furUut  (h.  ^,..                                        -^^^^M 

fmy  paine  to  eche  ? 

Him  to  recovir  from  the                                      ^^^^H 

thou  I  will  not  livtf 

And  Uh  liert  tor  to  put  ..r           ^                           ^^^H 

i  all  thi»  world  here  give, 

For  her  en  ten!  was  to  hi&  hargc                             ^^^^| 

i  my  cowardife 

Him  for  to  hrynfr  vLgnynii  the  ere«                    J^^^l 

rle,and  my  fercife, 

With  ccrteinc  htltes,  and  cake  Icvc^                    ^^^^1 

ibverii^nc  lady  fo 

And  pray  him  of  hi^  cenrilnefTc                        /^^^H 

J  live*  1  trnw  my  fo 

lofuHirhtT                                                      ^^^^| 

r  to  her  end  t 

Asothir  prit«'                                                          j^^^H 

Bithef  joy  nc  frcnd- 

And  from  ll:                         l^ minre                      i^^^l 

ftthir  haft  or  Hoth 

She  would  h;                    i:i  all  wile                     '^^^1 

a  now  hy  my  troth, 

1  hat  gc-iitiln    ..                                                  -^^^^ 

iiuge  Full  hie, 

And  paync?  her  Wi                                                    ^^^^H 

r  firft  with  myne  eye, 

In  honour  hit  plei':                                             '^^^1 

►  aiofc, 

And  during  thus  thiji  koightis  WOg                     j^^^H 

pac^  fmall  and  foft* 

P re  fen  t  t  h e  q u c ne  an d  othir  mo.                        ^^^^1 

Iie9  I  had  her  fa(l. 

Kly  bdy'  and  riiftny*  an  othir  AVfgbt,                  ^^^^H 

1  bare  at  the  laft, 

Ten  thoufand  Ihippisat  a  frghl                             '^^^H 

>  diTplefid  fo 

1  faw  conic  o?sr  the  itavy  flttde                            *^^^| 

jrc  fcmid  her  wo, 

With  fayU  and  or?,  fh«t  a«  1  ao^t                    "^^H 

^^^^H 

^H 

¥ 


4kwe 

Them  to  behold  I  gan  rfurvaile 
From  whom  might  come  fo  many*  a  lailcf 
Forfitb  the  tymcthat  I  was  bore 
Such  II  navic  there  n*c.Tc  before 
Had  r  not  fcnc,  nc  fc  ar^ycd, 
That  for  the  fight  my  hcrt  yplaycd 
Aye  to  and  fro  within  my  breft 
For  joy  ;  long  wat  or  it  would  rcHj 
For  there  was  faylit  full  of  flourci, 
Aftir  caiUU  with  huge  tourcJ, 
YfcmJng  full  of  armis  bright 
That  wondtr  lufty  was  the  fight. 
With  large  toppU  and  mafli*  long, 
llichly  dcpcint,  and  rcarc  amon^ 
At  ccrraliic  limit  gm  repay fc 
Smalc  birdis  dounc  from  the  aire, 
And  on  the  fhippt&  bounds  about 
Yfatc  an^  fong  with  voycc  full  out 
Ballades  and  laycf  right  joy ou fly. 
As  they  cowth  in  thcr  harmnny, 
That  you  to  write  that  I  there  fc 
Mine  eicufc  i*  it  may  not  be  ; 
for  why?  the  niattirwere  to  long 
To  name  the  birds  and  write  thcr  foogjj 
"Whereof  anon  the  tydings  there 
Unto  the  quenc  fonc  brought  ywcre. 
With  many'  ala»a(ld  many,  a  doubt. 
Shewing  the  Ihlppis  there  without ; 
Tho  gan  iht  agid  lady  wcpc, 
And  faid,  Alas!  our  joy  on  flcpe 
Sonc  Aval  be  brought,  ye,  long  or  nighli 
For  we  difcried  ben  by  |hi»  knight , 
For  ccrtci  it  may  none  othir  be 
But  he  is  of  yond  companie. 
And  they  be  come  him  here  to  fee  he} 
And  with  that  word  her  fay  lid  fpcdie# 
Without  re me'dy  wc  be  deilroidy 
Fid  oft  laid  all,  andgan  conclude 
Wholy  at  oni*  at  the  lafl 
That  bcft  waa  ihit  thcr  yatis  fid, 
And  armc  them  all  in  gode  laiigagCt 
Afl  they  had  done  of  obi  ufage, 
And  of  fay  re  word  is  make  tla-r  (hot ; 
This  wa»  ther  cauniaile  and  the  knot, 
And  othir  purpofc  tokc  they  none. 
But  armid  thu!^  forth  thry  all  gone 
Toward  the  walli&of  thi:  ylc; 
But  or  ihey  comin  tbcie  long  while 
They  mcttin  the  gretc  lord  of  bovc 
That  c;llUd  ti  the  god  oi  Lovc» 
Thar  them  avifid  with  fuch  chcrc. 
Right  as  he  with  them  angry  were  : 
Avaylcd  them  not  ther  waU  oi  glaflc; 
This  mighty  Iprd  let  not  to  paffc 
The  Ihuttyng  of  ther  yati>  fail ; 
Ail  they  liad  ordained  was  but  wa(l ; 
For  when  ht^ihips  had  foiindin  Lind 
Thi*  lord  anon,  w  ith  bow  in  hand, 
Into  this  ylc  with  huge  prcfc 
Yhyid  faft^and  would  not  ccft 
Till  he  came  there  the  kuightylay  : 
Of  i^ocnc  Mc  lady  by  the  way 


CHAUC£R*S    DREAME. 


And  when  he  c^mc  where  laj  the  Iroig^ 
Well  fhewid  he  he  had  grete  might. 
And  forth  the  quene  c^dlid  anotie 
And  all  the  ladici  evcricboiie. 
And  to  them  faid,  U  not  thi»  rottthf 
To  fc  my  fcrvaunt  for  bis  rrouth 
Thn»  Icne,  thus  fickc,  and  in  thi»  pape« 
And  wot  not  unto  whom  to  pUyne» 
SjiVe  oncly  one  withoutin  mio. 
Which  might  him  hcle,  and  h  ht»  fo  * 
And  with  that  word  hi»  hcvy  brow 
He  Ihcwid  the  qucne,  and  lokid  row, 
This  mighty  lord  forth  tho  anonc 
With  0  ioke  her  fanltit^ethonc 
He  can  her  fhew  in  Ittil  fpech, 
Commaunding  hef  to  be  hit  ledi, 
Withoutin  more,  fliortly  to  fay. 
He  thought  the  quenc  fonc  jhould  obifc  , 
And  in  his  bond  he  Jhoke  hts  bow. 
And  faid  right  fone  he  would  be  knowt 
And  for  fhe  had  fo  long  rd^ofed 
His  fcrvice^  and  his  lawc«  not  ufed. 
He  let  her  wit  that  he  wa*  wroth^ 
And  bent  hi»  bow,  and  forth  he  goth 
A  pace  or  two,  and  evin  there 
A  large  draught  up  to  hi«  ere 
He  drew,  and  with  an  arrow  grottod 
Both  fharpe  and  newe  the  qncne  A  ^ 
He  gave  that  p  #^d  unto  the  hcrt. 
Which  aftirward  full  fore  gan  (r,\rr% 
And  wa>  nin  xvhoic  of  many  ;, 
And  even  with  that  Be  of  godr 
My  knight,  quod  he;  T  will  the  Wie, 
And  the  rcftore  to  paiGtc  wcle, 
And  for  ech  paync  thou  hail  codnrrd 
To  have  two  jniei  thon  art  enured : 
And  forth  he  paflid  by  the  ruut» 
With  fobir  chcre  walking  about ^ 
And  what  he  faid  1  thought  to  here  i 
Well  will  he  whichc  hli  fcrruaot^  wa< 
And  a*>.  he  paHid  anon  he  fond 
My  lady*,  and  her  tokc  by  the  hood. 
And  made  her  chert  a»  a  x^^ddet^ 
And  of  Bcaure  cilled  hur  Prin^CA, 
Of  Bounty  ckc  give  her  the  DMiie, 
And  fayd  there  wan  nothyng  |o  '«,! 
In  her^butfhe  wai  vcrtuou^. 
Saving  Ibc  would  no  pity  ufe> 
Wfiich  wat  the  cauf«'  ti^at  he  her  fougki 
To  put  thar  ►nr  -um  <.f  ).rr  rh.Mi|jht; 
And  fit h in  lii  liv 

Ofwomanhc,;  :  , 

He  faid  it  was  ninhJJ^|;  ifttJOg 
To  void  Pity  hj^ownr  Irg^yftg; 


^^m                      C  H  A  U  C  E  R  • 

S    DREAMB. 

^f\ 

fRftcnii  pofTefFion , 

Nc  callid  furety  in  no  wife 

^^^H 

trt  long  in  proccflion 

Amopgfl  them  that  c^Uid  bea  wife  t 

pace  arme  undir  other 

Thus  was  I  in  a  joyous  dout. 

^^1 

tc,  and  fo  did  with  none  other  r 

Sure  and  unfurift  of  that  rout : 

^^1 

It  he  would  commaund  or  lay 

Right  as  mine  hert  ythcught  it  were 

^H 

Dcdis  all  muft  ohay, 

So  more  or  Itflc  wcxin  my  fere, 

^^1 

at  he  d«?Crcd  ai  the  left 

That  if  one  thought  ymade  it  wclc 

^^1 

idy  wa*  by  rcqucft  ; 

Anothir  (hcut  it  eveiydtlc, 

^^^ 

en  they  Iflng  together  had  bene 

Till  at  rhc  Jai^  1  couth  no  more. 

.    ^^1 

ghe  my  lady  to  the  quene. 

But  purpofcd  as  1  did  before 

^^1 

icrUid»  So  God  you  fpcdc 

To  fcrvc  truly  my  lyv'i*  fpace. 

.    ^^1 

ICC  and  content,  thai  is  ncdc. 

Awaiting  cr  the  ycrc  of  grace, 

^^1 

iKo  fuU  conuingly, 

Whith  may  yf:tll  yet  or  I  ftervc. 

^^^ 

ell  avifed  and  womanly, 

If  that  it  pkfe  her  that  I  ferve. 

^^1 

jan  to  kncle  upon  thr  flouro                       , 

And  fervid  have,  and  woil  do  ever, 

"^^1 

Iprill  nourifhcd  had  wiih  fliourcs, 

For  thy  ng  is  none  that  nvj  i*  lever 

^^H 

his  mighty  lord  jran  fay» 

Than  j*  her  ,crvice,  whofc  prefencc 

^^H 

fith  you  I  woll  obay, 

Mine  hevcti  is  whole,  and  her  abfcnce 

^^1 

rcilrainc  from  othir  thought ; 

An  ht'lt  all  full  of  divers  paines. 

^^1 

oil  al  thyng  fbat^  be  wrought  j 

M^'hych  to  the  dctji  full  oft  me  ftrainev 

^^^ 

b  that  word  kneTing  ftie  quoke. 

Thus  In  my  thoughtii  as  1  ilodc. 

^^^ 

rhty  lord  in  armcs  her  tokc, 

That  unneth  fe]t  1  harmc  nc  gode. 

^^H 

,  Yoo  have  a  fervnunt,  one 

1  faw  tKc  qucnc  a  litjl  paas 

^^^ 

lir  liTing  is  thcr  none, 

C<>mc  where  this  mighty  lord  yn^at. 

^^1 

re  godc  werc»  fetng  his  irouth. 

And  knclid  downc  m  prcfence- there 

t^^^H 

hi*  painis  yt  had  rouih, 

Of  all  the  ladies  that  there  were, 

'  ^^H 

pofe  you  to  here  his  fpcch, 
ifid  him  to  leth» 

With  fobir  continaunce  avifed. 

^^H 

In  few  wordis  that  well  fuffifcd. 

^^1 

ic  thyng  ye  may  be  fttre, 

And  to  iliis  lord  anon  prefent 

^^1 

be  youn  while  he  may  dure. 

A  bill,  wherein  whole  her  cntent 

^^B 

h  that  word  right  on  his  game 

Was  writtip,  and  |iow  flie  befougkr, 

^H 

ght  he  lough,  and  toid  my  name. 

As  he  knew  every  will  and  thought^ 

.  ^^^ 

ra«  to  me  marvailc  and  fere^ 

'i'hat  of  his  r^odhcd  and  his  grace 

^^^ 

at  to  do  1  nc  wiil  there, 

He  would  f  tj^yvc  all  old  trcfjjace. 

,^^^ 

hir  was  me  hct  or  none 

And  undilplcfid  be  of  time  paift. 

^^^ 

»  abide  or  thu«  to  gone. 

For  (he  would  cvir  be  ftedfail. 

^^H 

wcDd  I  my  Udy  wold 

And  in  his  fervicc  to  the  dcth 

^^1 

IT  deme  t  had  told 

Ufc  every  thought  while  (he  hsid  hreth, 

^^1 

iCiik  whole,  or  made  complaint 

And  fight  and  wept,  and  faid  no  more, 

^^1 

It  lord,  that  mighty  faint, 

Within  was  writtin  all  the  fore  : 

^^1 

<cli  thing  unfought 

At  whyche  bill  the  lord  gan  fmyle. 

^H 

u  he  liad  known  c  my  thought. 

And  faid  he  wculd  within  that  ylc 

^^H 

:  my  irouth  and  mine  uncfe 

Be  lord  and  fyrc  both  til  and  weft, 

.  ^^1 

I  couth  have  for  mine  efe. 

Aiid  call'd  it  there  his  new  conqucft. 

.  ^^H 

1  had  ftudied  all  a  wckc  : 

And  in  grete  counccU  toke  rhc  qucn«i 

^^H 

^  that  lord  thnt  1  wi»  fcke, 

I>oog  were  the  talis  ihcm  betwenc  : 

^^^ 

lid  be  lechid  wondir  (ainc ; 

And  ovir  her  bill  he  red  thrifc, 

1  ^^H 

me  blame,  mine  was  the  palnc. 

And  wondir  gladly  gan  devtfe 

.  ^^H 

in  this  lord  had  all  yfaid. 

Her  fctures  fairc  and  bervifagc, 

'  ^^H 

I  while  with  my  lady  pUid, 

And  bad  gode  tlirift  on  that  image. 

,  ^^1 

to  fmilc  with  fpirit  gjade  ; 

And  faicd  he  trowid  her  compleint 
fihould  aftir  caufc  her  be  corfctnti 

^^1 

■  the  anfwcrc  that  fhc  made. 

^^H 

lUt  me  there  in  double  peine. 

And  in  hisflevc  he  pot  the  bill, 

^^^ 

At  to  do  ne  what  to  feine 

Was  there  none  that  ykncw  hi*  wUl, 

^^^ 

ot,  nc  what  was  the  bcft; 

And  fort  he  he  walkc  apace  about. 

,  ^^^ 

IS  my  hert  then  fro  his  reft, 

Beholding  all  the  lufly  rout. 

^^^ 

thought  that  fmiling  figne 

HiUc  in  a  thought  witli  iriiding  chnr^ 

^  ^H 

in  that  the  hert  cnclinc 

Till  at  the  kft,  as  ye  (hall  here, 

^^H 

o  requejlitrefonable. 

He  turned  unto  the  qucnc  agtinc. 

,  ^^1 

SmiUmg  itf4Wiraltte 

And  faid.  To  mornc  here  in  this  plcinc 

^^^ 

iMtf^  ih^Jhail  tbrivf^ 

I  woll  that  yc  be  and  all  yotirs, 

^^1 

jhtin  I  tho  anon  blive 

That  purpolid  ben  to  Wi^rc  fiourS| 

'.  ^^1 

wrMrJe  amftene  i*  no  ipun 

Or  of  my  lully  colour  ufe, 

*  ^^1 

It  ciay  Roi  be  to  you  cxcwfe. 

'  ^H 

^^^ 

Ggii] 

J 

k 


fie  fo  none  of  ^^HTKrtb  Twifc, 
Thai  ,'hlf  he  to  my  ftTAiTc; 
For  a-s  1  faid  hiivc  here  before 

will  Itc  lonl  for  -^Tirmnre 
Of  you,  and  of  thi*  ylc,  and  aJI, 
And  of  all  your<»  that  havui  fhuU 
Joy    p^k'c,  or  cfe,  or  in  picfauncc 
Your  Jtvis  ufe  without  noyl'auncei 
If  fre  wili  I  in  (laie  be  yfcne, 
Afid  turned  his  vifapeto  the  quine, 
And  j'ou  give  knowledge  of  my  vriUj 
And  a  full  onfwerc  of  your  bill. 
Was  there  no  nay,  nc  worjdis  none. 
But  very'  obtifiiunt  femcd  echone; 
The  qucnc  andl  nthir  that  wete  there 
Well  fcmtd  it  they  had  gretc  fere, 
And  there  tokc  lodging  every  kziigbt, 
Wa*  none  dcpartid  of  that  nighr, 
And  fomc  to  rrdc  old  romance* 
Them  occufi^d  for  thcr  plefanees, 
Some  TO  make  ver'  laiesand  laiei. 
And  fomc  to  oihir  divtrfe  plaics, 
Atid  T  to  mc  a  romance  tokc, 
And  x^*  I  ridding  was  iht  bokc; 
Methought  the  rphcic  had  fo  rua 
That  it  was  rifing  of  the  fun. 
And  fiich  a  prcs  into  the  plaine 
A-Tcmble  g^^nr,  that  with  grete  pmne 
One  might  for  cthir  go  nc  Hand, 
Nc  none  take  othir  by  the  hand» 
\nihoufin  they  diHoiirbid  wcfc» 
So  huge  and  grct  the  pics  'rt'as  there 

And  aftir  that  within  two  hourci 
Thi&  mighty  lofd  cUd  a'llo flouret 
Of  divcr»  co!ourf  many*  a  patre 
In  Y.U  cAate  up  in  tJic  aire 
Well  nigh  two  futhom,  as  his  hight. 
He  fet  hir^t  there  in  all  thcr  fight, 
^     '  for  i}|C  qorne  and  for  the  knight, 

fur  my  lady'  and  every  wight. 
In  hafi  he  Tent,  fo  tbat  ncr  one 
Was  there  &bfcm,  but  coaie  cchone  ; 
And  when  they  thus'afVcmbUd  vecrc, 
A*  ye  have  herd  me  fay  you  here, 
M^ithout  more  tarrying  on  highe. 
There  to  be  fenc  of  cviry  wight, 
Up  ftodc  among  the  pre*  above 
A  counf.iylir,  fcrvauniof  Love, 
>VhJch  fenvid  weU  of  grct  eftate, 
And  Ihewid  there  how  no  debate 
Othir  then  godeiy  might  be  tifcd 
tn  g^niilncfle  and  be  cicufed, 
Wherefore  he  fai4  his'lord'ii  will 
Wai  every  x*  ight  there  fhould  be  Hlill 
And  in  peet,  and  of  one  accord^ 
And  tfiu»  conimaundid  at  a  word. 
And  can  hi$  tongue  to  fWichc  Unguagc 
To  turnc,  that  vet  in  all  mine  age 
Herd  I  nrvir  fo  conningly 
^lan  fpckr,  nc  halfc  fo  faitbfutlyp 
For  ev  ry  thing  he  faid  thcrt; 
Scmid  an  it  infelid  were. 
Or  apprckvid  for  very  irew  : 
Swiche  wat  hit  cUAoiog  language  ntvrc^ 


And  well  according  to  i-o  thrcr^ 

Tl  at  where  I  be  mc  thinkc  I  hctm 

Him  yet  alway,  when  I  mine  i 

In  any  plafc  may  be  alone : 

Firft  coo  he  of  il»e  lufly  yUt 

AU  the  eftate  in  lityl  whyle 

Rcherfe,  and  wholly  every  thmg       _ 

That  caufid  there  hi*  lord  «  comnuDg, 

And  every  ^clc  and  every  wo, 

And  for  what  caufe  eche  thing  was  io 

WclJ  ihcwcd  he  there  in  efic  ipcch. 

And  how  the  d^kc  hnd  nede  of  kch; 

And  that  i*hichc  whole  wa»  and  in  grace 

He  told  plainly  why  cch  thing  w»h 

And  at  the  Itil  he  con  i^otutude, 

Voidid  every  language  rude. 

And  faid,  That  prince,  that  mighty  kr^ 

Or  hii  departing  would  accord 

All  the  panic*  were  there  prcfcm^ 

And  was  the  ftne  of  Hi*  cntcnt, 

Wimeffe  hi»  prefencc  in  your  fij^ht, 

Which  fits  among  you  in  hii  jtii^i'bi:; 

And  knchd  downc  without  in  mor^^ 

And  not  o  word  yfpakc  he  more, 

Tho  ga^  this  mighty  lord  him  drtlE^ 
Wirh  chere  avifed,  to  do  UrgelTc, 
An^-i  faid  unto  this  knight  aod  tne, 
Ye  (hall  to  joy  rcflofid  be, 
And  for  ye  have  ben  true  ye  twttitte 
1  graunt  you  here  for  every  painc 
A  thoufand  joic»  c\*-ry  wcke. 
And  loj^c  yc  be  no  Icngir  ftke, 
And  both  your  1»dic»,  In  'htm  bexe  ! 
fake  eeh  his  o^vn ;  hcth  of  gode  cheff,^ 
Your  huppic  (lay  i«  new  begun 
Siih  it  wa^rifing  c^f  the  fun. 
And  to  all  othir  in  tbi^  place 
1  graont  wholly  to  (land  m  gmrc 
That  ftryith  truely  without  Houih, 
And  to  avjuncid  be  by  ifouth, 
Tho  gan  thi«  knight  and  1  downc  kudc^  i 
Wrning  to  doin  wondir  wclc, 
Scing,  O  lord!  your  grete  mercy 
Lh  hath  enriched  fo  opinly 
That  we  defer vc  may  ncvir  more 
The  Itfte  part,  but  cvimiore 
Wiih  foulc  and  body  titicly  fervc 
Ynu  and  yours  till  that  we  ylliertpc  s 
And  t«  titer  ladic*  there  they  llwk 
1  !ii»  ki2     '         '  '     .  miiUgmJ^^ 

Ywcnt  i  J 

Joyoma;..  ^.^^  „  *' 

And  al  fo  rKh  tn  t^ 

Ai  he  that  a)l  hath  l  ^      no 

And  them  be  fought  tn  humbk  %vifc 

U«  to  accept  1,0  ihcr  fcrvic<» 

And  fhcw  ub  o(thcrfrendlT  cUere*^ 

W^hich  in  thcr  trefurc  many  y*-rfi» 

They  Leptin  had,  i  ^    - 

And  told  how  the: 

We  were,  would  1  ,i  cy^ 

And  to  the  dcth  c}i  iwe 

Nc  doc  oflcnce,  nc  \: .,_  ifl^ 

But  fill  ibcr  m-dinauQce  lod  |il2i^ 


otbis  frefhe  and  new, 
fenricefot  to  rencWi 
oliy  iher'ifor  evirmorc 
e  become ;  what  nii^Iit  we  more  j* 
U  awaking  thac  io  ilouth 
IcTio  r^iiU  ne  lu  our  trouth, 
ghe  not  ik\  1  you  enfure, 
r  will,  whilin  wc  may  Jure, 
icfon  pad,  agaioc  un  eve 
d  of  the  queue  toke  hit  Icvc, 
i  he  would  haftcly  rettirnc, 
jodc  kilurc  rhcrc  fnjitufnf, 
'  his  honour  and  hii  cfe, 
mding  fafl  the  knight  to  plefe^ 
t  hit  llat4itc»  in  papin, 
ertt  divers  oficin, 
tkto  fiirp  the  fani^  ni^ht 
t,  and  foDC  wa»  out  of  light, 
the  morowc  whtMi  the  aire 
'id  wai  and  wondir  fiiirci 
riling  of  the  fun, 
e  night  &way  win  run, 
^  usan  ihcrivage, 
r  fpakc  of  her  voy»gc» 
iibe  madin  fmall  joumiev 
d  her  ia  Ilraunge  couaterie&, 
ibwith  to  the  qucnc  went, 
wed  bcr  wholly  her  ententi 
«  her  levc  with  chcrc  wcpingi 
y  wai  to  fc  that  partings 
ht  queue  it  wat  a  painc, 
martyr  new  yflaiiie^ 
•  her  woe,  aud  fSc  fo  tender^ 
!pc  oft  when  1  remember  ; 
rid  there  to  refigne 
ady  c^bt  times  or  nine 
Cr,  the  ylc,  (honJy  to  tell, 
lit  plcfc  hcf  there  to  dwell, 
I,  for  evir  her  linage 
9  my  lady  doc  hom^tge, 
s  be  whole  withoutin  more, 
aU  fhcrs  for  evirmorc. 
)d  forbid!  my  Udy  eft, 
my  cimniag  word  and  foft, 
if  cvir  fuch  u  thing  Ihould  bcttc 
on fc lit  Cbould  that  a  quenc 
cH^rr,  aud  fo  well  named, 
^       i<i  be  ;itliimcd, 

;)t-  with  all  my  hert, 
u'.v.u  <>t  how  me  fiucrt, 
thing  that  you  might  pkfc 
(Tjic  or  be  your  cfe, 
kl  Uicrc  and  bad  godc  night, 
ch  leve  wept  many  a  wight. 
u^  incu  here!  my  lady  praiiird, 
b  «  name  of  her  araifcd, 
cunning  and  frcndUnciTe, 
'  beauiy  with  gen tilneflc, 

'  J  J  atul  Ircfidly  cherei 
ill  her  y erf s, 
,..,j,,.  ^^•hcre  every  wight 
veil  bow  they  diil  tber  mighCi 
h  a  prcs  upua  the  morow 
im  iroughf  1  and  what  a  forow 


They  mndc  when  Ihc  fliauld  undir  failr. 
That  ;ind  ytf  wilt  yc  wauld  mt^rvaile. 
Forth  gocih  the  (hip,  out  gocth  the  fdnd| 
And  I  a&  a  wode  m:jn  unbond» 
For  doubt  to  be  left  behind  there* 
Into  the  fc  withoutin  /ere 
Aiion  I  ran,  till  with  a  waw 
All  iodtnly  I  was  oertliraw. 
And  with  the  watir  to  and  fro 
Backward  and  forward  travailed  fo 
I'hat  mind  andbrah  nfgh  was  yg*nf. 
For  godc  nc  harmc  ne  kacw  1  none, 
Til  at  the  laft  with  hoki»  twcinc 
,    Men  of  the  Ihip  with  mckil  peine 
To  favc  my  life  did  fuch  travailc 
That  and  ye  wift  ye  would  mcrvaile, 
And  in  the  ftiip  mc  drcwe  on  hie. 
And  faidin  all  that  I  would  die. 
And  hi^l  mc  long  downc  by  the  saxSk^ 
And  of  ther  chjthi«  on  me  call ; 
And  tlictc  J  made  my  teflament. 
And  will  my  fcU'e  not  what  I  men^ 
But  when  1  laid  had  what  i  would. 
And  to  the  maft  my  wo  all  told. 
And  fane  my  Jcvc^f  every  wighr. 
And  dofed  mine  cyc-n  and  lofl  my  fighl^ 
Avifcd  to  die  without  more  fpcch. 
Or  any  remedy  to  fccb 
Or  grac^-  new,  a&  waa  grctc  ocde. 
My  lady  of  my  painetukc  hede. 
And  her  bethought liow  that  for  trouth 
To  fe  mc  die  it  were  gretc  routh, 
And  to  mc  cam«  in  fobir  wife. 
And  Ibftiy  faid,  I jiray  you  rife; 
Come  on  with  mt ;  let  be  this  f^re^ 
All  fhall  be  wel ;  have  yc  dio  care; 
I  will  obey  ye  and  fuliiU 
Wholly  in  al  that  lordii  will 
That  you  and  mc  not  long  ago 
Aftir  his  Eft  comm^ndid  fo, 
1  hat  there  4gaiuc  no  refillencc 
May  be  withoutin  grtt  offence, 
And  therefore  now  lokc  what  I  fay, 
I  am  and  will  be  frendiy  aye ; 
Rife  up,  behold  this  avauntage^ 
I  grauntin  you  in  heritage 
All  peccably  withoutin  itrivc 
During  the  dayi^  of  y«ur  hvc  % 
And  of  her  appli&  in  my  fleve 
One  Die  yput,  and  toke  her  lere 
In  wordiffew,  and  faid,  God  hcle 
He  that  all  made  you  fend,  and  welc ! 
Wherewith  my  paint  all  at  onci 
Tokin  fuch  leve,  that  all  my  booeif 
For  the  new  durcnfe  ptcfauoce. 
So  as  they  couth  dcfired  to  ditunce. 
And  I  a«  whole  as  any  wiglu 
Up  rofc  with  joyous  hen  and  light. 
Whole  and  unfickc,  right  >yclc  alcfe, 
And  all  forget  had  my  difefc. 
And  to  my  lady  where  flie  plaid 
I  went  anone,  and  to  her  faid; 
He  th&iall  joies  perioiis  to  plcfc 
Firfk  otdainid  with  parjite  efc, 
O  g  iiij 


CHAUCER'S    DREAM  E, 


I 


» 


And  every  plefurc  can  depurtt 
Scud  you.  Madame,  kuUrgr  apart. 
And  of  ht<  %o6\i  fuch  plenty^ 
>Vs  he  has  done  yuu  of  bcuuiy, 
With  hcle,  and  *\\  that  mny  be  thoujfht, 
He  knd  you  all  ii»  be  all  wrought. 
Madame,  (quod  I)  your fcrvaunt  trc<v 
Have  i  ben  long,  and  yet  will  new, 
Withoutin  chaungc  or  repcntaunce 
III  any  wife  or  v^riauncc, 
And  To  will  do,  as  thrive  I  ever, 
For  thing  is  none  that  me  ia  fever 
Than  you  to  plcfc  how  er  t  fwre. 
Mine  hcrt's  lady  and  my  wtJftirc, 
My  life,  mine  hcle,  my  Icch  ulfo 
Of  every  thing  rhat  doth  me  wo, 
My  hdpc  at  ncdc,  and  my  furete 
Of  every  joy  that  long^  lo  me. 
My  fuccoui*  whole  in  alle  wife 
That  may  be  thouj^bt  or  man  dcvife, 
Yotir  grace,  Madame,  fuch  have  I  fount)* 
How  in  my  ncde,  that !  am  bnund 
To  you  for  er^  fo  Chrifl  me  favc, 
For  hcle  and  live  of  you  1  have. 
Wherefore  U  rcfoun  1  you  fervc 
With  due  obeifaunce  till  I  fterre, 
And  dcd  and  quicke  be  evir  yourt, 
X^atc,  erly,  and  at  alk  hours. 
Tho  came  my  lady  fmall  alite, 
And  io  pUine  Englifti  con  confite. 
In  wordis  few  wbok  her  ctitcnt 
She  ihcwcd  mc  thcrc»  sind  how  fiie  mcnt 
To  mc  ward  in  every  wife, 
^^Tiolly  (he  cime  at  t her  devifc, 
M'itbout  proctffTc  o- 1,  og  travelT, 
Charging  me  to  kepm  c^unfcll, 
A«  I  would  to  her  grace  attaine, 
-Ol  which  commaundcmcn(  I  wa§  faine  ; 
WKfreforc  I  puffe  oer  nt  thin  time. 
For  cotinrell  cordis  not  well  in  riftie, 
Aj.d  eke  the  oth  that  t  have  1  wore 
To  brckc  mc  were  betttr  unbore  ; 
Why  f  for  untrue  for  cvirmorc 
1  fhauldbe  hold,  thjr  nfvirmorc 
Of  mt  in  place  fbould  be  report 
Thing  thai  avaife  might,  or  comfort 
7  o mewardif  in  any  wife. 
And  echc  wight  would  in  me  difpifc 
In  that  they  coutfi,  andmc  repreve, 
Whirh  were  a  thrng  fore  for  togrcvr, 
Wherefore  hereof  more  nierjri<in 
MiVe  I  not  now  ne  long  frnnoii. 
But  fliortly  thu*  I  me  tjccufc, 
To  rime  a  counfell  I  re  fufe, 
Sailing  thui  two  d^yisor  thre 
My  l^dy  towards  her  cotintre, 
Ovir  the  wivii  high  and  grene^ 
Which  werin  large  and  depe  bttwcne. 
Upon  a  time  me  called  and  fatd, 
Th  It  of  my  helc  fhc  wa»  wrtl  paid, 
And  of  the  qxienf  and  of  the  yie 
She  t;klkid  with  mc  a  Wfr  w  hiltf» 
And  of  all  that  Oit  therr  had  fent, 
^d  of  ih'  cftatc  and  of  the  qacne. 


And  of  the  ladiei  name  by 
Two  hourcf  or  nio  tliii  wa*  her  jl 
Till  ut  the  laft  the  wind  can  rifc. 
And  hlcw  fo  1  id  and  in  fucK  wife' 
The  fhip,  that  every  wigbc  can  lay 
Mftdame,  cr  cte  be  of  thi)  day, 
And  G«d  to  I  ore,  ye  (kill  be  thM^e 
A»  ye  would  fainift  that  ye  ' 
And  douhtith  not  within  fi^c  hound 
Ye  fliall  be  there  as  all  U  your*  i 
At  which  vvordi»(he  gun  to  fmile^ 
And  fa  id  that  wai  no  long^  wHik 
That  they  her  fet ;  and  up  (be  rafe. 
And  all  about  the  (hip  (he  gofe. 
And  made  godc  chcrc  to  every  wigbt. 
Till  of  the  land  fhe  had  a  ftght. 
Of  whiche  fight  glad,  God  it  wot, 
She  waj  abaihii!  and  abote, 
And  forth  gotth,  fliortly  you  to  tell. 
Where  fhe  accullcTmcd  wa«  to  dwctL| 
And  recevld  wa»,  a$  godc  rifht^ 
With  joyous  chexc  arid  hert'is  Itght^ 
And  as  a  glad  new  aviatnrc 
PlefauQt  to  every  creture  ; 

With  which  latidiog  tho  I  awrik#,    

And  found  my  chambir  full  oti 
Mj  chekis  eke  unto  the  cret, 
And  ail  my  body,  wet  witK  1 
Atid  alt  fo  fcbic'  and  in  fueb  wUe 
I  was»  that  unneth  might  I  rife. 
So  far  travail  id  and  fo  faiit. 
That  ncithir  knew  t  kirkc  ne  Umu 
Nc  what  wa*  what  ne  who  wa»  who, 
Nc  avifcd  what  way  I  would  go; 
But  by  an  adventurous  graoe 
1  rife  and  walkt,  fought  pace  and  pa« 
Till  I  a  winding  (Uire  ytottiid. 
And  held  the  vice  lye  in  my  bond. 
And  upward  fnfily  fo  can  crep« 
Till  I  came  \%hcre  1  thought  to  0epc 
More  at  mine  de,  -  -  '  ■■  *   -f  ptfcr. 
At  my  godc  leifur  w% 

Till  fumwhat  1  r  •  re 

Of  thetravii;  -    :  rr 

Thai  I  cndiif,  f  , 

This  wa*  my  iliotight  vrtthoutin  inert; 

And  as  a  wighi  witktTe  and  faint,        ' 

Without  more  in  a  ehambir  [ 

Full  of  Aories  old  and  divers. 

More  tlian  I  can  ai  now  reberfei 

Unto  a  bed  full  fobirr- , 

So  as  t  mtghtini  full  foiithly, 

Face  aftir  other,  and  notbing  faidt 

1  ill  at  the  kit  dowtre  I  me  laid. 

And  as  my  mii»d  would  give  mc  Itft 

All  that  1  drcmid  bad  that  eve 

Bclore  that  all  I  can  reberfr, 

Right  a»  a  chiid  at  fcholc  his  verfe 

Doth  aftir  that  he  tkinketb  to  tbrtic, 

Bight  fo  did  I  for  all  my  live, 

f  tho  fight  to  havr  in  rcmeinlwmce 

Both  the  paine  and  c4e  dieiikfciinf*. 

The  liremc  whole  at  ti  me  Well, 

Wbicb  wat ««  y*e  bcrin  m?  Ull : 


1^^^^    C  H  A  U  C  E  R'S  DREAM  E.                                  ^  ^^^1 

wfjhh  ns  I  lay 

And  fo  recevid  ihei  thcr  kin^                                      1 

unhappy  day, 

That  forgijitiii  y  waft  no  thing                                       1 

Co  have  {  hUmt, 

*rhat  ought  to  be  done  ne  might  plefe,               ^^J 

kh  Ihtilde  be  the  name, 

Ne  f her  f«vcraine  lord  do  efe ;                            li^| 

«t  there  a  thought 

And  with  them  fo,  ftiortly  to  ^y,                       ^^H 

w  on  flcpe  mc  brought. 

As  they  of  cnftome  had  done  aye,                      ^^H 

D«d  fo  in  a  while 

For  fcvm  ycrc  paA  wai  and  more«                      ^^H 

ie  within  the  yie 

1'hc  father,  the  old,  wife,  and  hore,                    J^H 

wa«,  where  <if  the  knight 

King  ol  the  land,  ytoke  hii  lc7e                           ^^H 

[a  1  had  fight, 

Of  all  hi«  barons  on  an  ere,                                   ^^^M 

iit>lid  on  a  grenc, 

And  told  them  how  hisdayis  pad                       ^^^| 

ktid  lady  with  the  qucne. 

'  Were  all,  and  comin  wa«tbe  lafl,                       ^^^1 

»bly  there  wa»  raid 

1  And  hart'ily  pmyed  *hem  to  remember             '^^^l 

'  all  content  and  paid 

His  fonnc,  which  yong  wa«  aiid  tender,             ^^^| 

is  in  that  thing 

That  borne  ywas  ther  prince  to  be,                     ^^^H 

a  there  (hould  be  the  king. 

If  he  rctnrnc  to  that  cwuntre                                ^^^ 

Id  all  (or  fure  witncflo 

Might  by  adventure  or  by  grace                         ^^H 

tth  more  and  leflc^ 

Witliin  any  fhortc  time  or  fpace,                        '^^^1 

see,  withoutin  more. 

And  to  be  true  and  frendly  aye,                          ^^^| 

cot  for  evirmore, 

An  they  to  htm  had  ben  alway  :                            ^^^| 

udid  that  the  knight 

Thu»  he  them  prayd  withoutin  more^                ^^H 

1  thcfam^  night. 

And  toke  his  levc  for  cvinnore.                          ^^^| 

there  toke  hi*  voiagc 

Knowin  woji  how  tsndir  in  age                          ^^H 

*  hi«  mirriagc. 

This  yonge  prince  a  grete  viage                           ^^H 

With  fuch  an  hoa 

Uncouth  and  (taraungc,  honoun  to  feche^             ^^B 

night  be  lefl  and  mofl : 

Ytoke  in  bond  with  lityt  fpeche,                           ^^H 

ludcd,  written  and  fclcd. 

W^ich  was  to  fckin  a  princes                               ^^H 

^bt  not  be  rcpelcd 

That  he  dedred  more  than  riches,                       ^^^1 

I  continue  firme, 

For  her  grete  name  that  flour  id  fo                      ^^H 

be  within  a  tcfme, 

That  in  that  time  there  wag  no  mo                    ^^H 

etctlfatiof), 

Of  her  cikite,  ne  fo  well  named,                         ^^H 

©ronation. 

For  borne  wu*  none  that  cr  her  blamed,            ^^M 

hicb  had  thereof  the  charge, 

Of  which  princet  fomwhat  before                       ^^^| 

ttle  barge 

Here  have  f  fpoke,  and  fome  will  more,            ^^^| 

late  againft  an  eve, 

So  thus  befell  as  yc  HiaU  here ;                              ^^M 

e  ytokc  his  Icve, 

Unto  thcr  lord  |hcy  made  fuch  cherc                  ^^M 

nt  at  a  man* is  thought 

That  joy  wa?  there  to  be  prcfcnt                        ^^H 

■e  to  him  broughr, 

To  Ce  iher  troth  and  how  they  meot ;                *^^^| 

fclfe  accuftomcd  aye 

So  verv  glad  they  were  ech  one                         ^^M 
1  That  them  among  there  was  no  one                    ^^M 

pgc  oft  for  to  pky. 

ir  tfiaft  nc  rothir. 

Whiche  that  defirid  more  riches                           ^^H 

d  of  fuch  another, 

Than  for  thcr  lord  fnch  a  princes                        ^^^| 

the  govirnaunce. 

That  they  might  plefe,  and  that  were  fairCi        ^^^| 

lought  and  plefaimce, 

For  fail  delirid  they  an  hcirc,                            ^^| 

>ur  eft  and  weft. 

And  faid  grete  furety  were  y  wit.                       ^^H 

time  or  tempcft. 

And  as  they  were  fpekin  of  this                         ^^H 

th  at  hii  requcft, 

The  prince  himfelfin  him  avifed,                        ^^H 

rll  praied  to  the  fcft. 

And  in  plain e  EngUfh  undifgutfcd                     ^^H 

into  his  countrc, 

Them  fhewid  wholy  bis  journey,                        ^^^| 

the  wary  fe. 

And  of  thcr  counfell  can  them  prey,                   ^^H 

the  depc  and  large 

And  rold  how  he  enfurtd  was,                            ^^^ 

t  and  noble  barge, 

And  how  his  day  be  might  not  pafle                   ^^H 

rrt,  fliortjy  to  tell, 

Withoutin  diffame  and  grete  blam^,                  ^^^| 

e  he  was  wont  to  dwell. 
id,  u  godc  right,          V 

And  to  him  for  evir  a  fhanie  ;                              ^^H 

And  of  the r  counfell  and  BTife                            ^^^| 

ibp  a  worthy  knight, 

There  he  prayith  ibem  once  or  twife,               ^^H 

ids  of  the  lond, 

And  that  they  would  within  ten  daics                ^^H 

loo  at  hU  firfl  fond, 

Avife  and  ordaine  him  fuch  waics,                     ^^^| 

iti>  full  of  tpouth, 

So  that  it  were  no  difplefaunce,                          ^^^| 

k,  or  with  a  flouth 

Ne  to  this  relme  oer  grete  grcivattnce,               ^^H 

II  any  wife. 

And  that  he  might  have  to  his  fell                    ^^H 

\»  thcr  old  fcrvife, 

Sixty  thoufand  gefles  at  the  lefl,                         ^^H 

sw  had  ben  yfond 

For  hi$  intent  within  fhort  while                      ^^H 

it  Wii  the  load; 

Was  to  rcturac  un|o  tbls^yla                          -^^H 

^4?i                                            CHAUCER'S   D  R  E  A  M  E.                                ^1 

1        Th«t  he  tumt  fro,  and  kepc  his  day ; 

And  when  this  prince,  this  luftic  knigktf       M 

^H^or  nothing  would  he  be  away. 

With  his  pcple  in  armis  bright                         1 

^H To  counfai  c  tho  the  lords  anoa 

Was  comin  where  he  thought  to  pss,            M 

^Blnto  a  chambir  cvcrychone 

A«d  knew  well  none  abiding  wa»                 M 

^»Togithir  went,  them  to  dcvife 

Behind,  but  all  were  there  prefcnt,               M 

^^How  they  might  beft  and  in  what  wife 

Forthwith  anon  all  his  intent                         9 

Purvey  for  their  iord*is  plefauncc, 

He  told  them  thcre^  and  made  hu  crict        J 

^^And  the  rclm^is  conttoaunce 

ThoruU};h  his  hofte  that  day  twifc,         ^^^t 

^Hof  honor,  which  in  it  before 

Comjoaunding  every  iivis  wight           ~^^| 

^M  Had  continuid  cvirmore  : 

There  being  prefect  in  his  fight             ^^^H 

So  at  the  hit  they  found  ihc  waict. 

To  be  the*  morow  on  the  rivage,           ^^^| 

How  that  within  the  ntit  ten  daici 

Where  he  begin  would  his  riage.           ^^H 

All  might  with  paine  and  diligence 

The  morow  come,  the  cry  was  kept,            V 

Be  done,  ^nd  caft  what  the  dtfpcncc 

But  few  was  there  that  night  that  fif  pr,        1 

Might  draw,  and,  in  concluGon, 

But  truJTed  and  purveid  for  the  moruw,         M 

Made  for  cch  thing  proviiion. 

For  fjult  of  flitps  was  all  thcr  forrow,            1 

When  this  was  done,  wholly  tofore 

For  favc  the  barge  atul  othtr  two          ^^^^ 

The  prince  the  lordi*  all  before 

Of  Ihippis  thcr  law  I  no  mo  :                  ^^^| 

Come,  and  Jhcwid  what  they  had  dpne, 

Thus  in  Thcr  doubtis  as  they  ftodc,        ^^B 

And  how  they  couth  by  no  refon 

Wdxing  the  fc,  comming  the  flode,              ^ 

Fiiidln  that  within  the  ten  date* 

Was  cried,  To  fhip  goe  every  wight*      -^^U 

He  might  depanin  by  no  wai«. 

Then  wa&  but  hie  that  hie  htm  mtglit|^^^| 

But  would  be  fiftcnc  at  the  left 

And  to  the  barge  mc  thought  echooc  ^^^H 

Or  he  returne  might  to  his  fell : 

They  went,  without  was  left  not  one,           S 

And  Ihc  wed  him  every  rcfon  why 

Ne  horfc  ne  male,  tniJTt  ne  baggage,             ■ 

It  might  not  be  fo  hallily 

Salad  ne  fpere,  gardbrace  ne  page,                 M 

A»  he  dcfirid,  ne  his  day 

But  was  todgid,  and  rome  ynough;                fl 

He  might  not  kep*  by  no  way, 

At  which  {hippixig  me  thought  1  lougi^^^| 

lor  divers caufw  wondir  grctc ; 

And  gan  to  marvailc  in  my  thought     ^^^H 

Which  when  be  herd  in  fuch  an  hctc 

How  evir  luch  a  fliip  was  wrought^      ^^^H 

He  fell  for  forow,  and  was  fekc^ 

For  what  peple  that  can  cncrefc,                   S 

Still  in  hit  bed  whole  that  wckc, 

Ne  ner  fo  thickc  might  be  the  prcfc,      ^^^B 

And  nigh  the  tothir  for  the  fliamc. 

But  all  had  rumc  at  ther  will,                ^^^B 

And  for  the  doubt  and  for  the  blame 

There  was  not  one  was  lodgid  ill ;         ^^^B 

That  mighiin  on  hiiti  be  aret> 

For  us  1  trowe  my  felfe  the  Uft               ^^H 

And  oft  upon  hi;*  breft  he  bet. 

Wa«  one,  and  lodgid  by  the  mad,          ^^H 

And  faid,  Alaa !  mine  honour  for  aye 

And  where  1  tokcd  I  faw  fuch  rame    ^^^| 

Have  1  here  loft  clenely  this  day  ; 

At  all  were  lodgid  in  a  towne.              ^^^H 

Dcd  would  1  be;  aba!  my  name 

Forth  goth  the  Ihip,  Uid  was  the  crtde^^^^H 

Shall  nye  be  more  henceforth  in  fhame^ 

And  on  thcr  knee*  f^T  ther  godc  Xpcde          B 

And  I  diftioQourcd  and  rcprcvcd, 

Downc  knclid  every  wight  a  ivhilc,         ,^^B 

And  ncvir  more  Ihall  be  bclcved  : 

And  pray  id  faQ  that  to  the  ylc                ^^H 

And  made  fwich  forow,  that  in  trouth 

They  mightin  comin  in  faf«:ty,               ^^^| 

Him  to  behold  it  was  grete  routh; 

The  prince  and  all  the  company,                  V 

And  fo  endured  the  dayctfiitcne. 

With  worlhip  and  withoutin  bbrae,       ^^B 

Till  that  the  lords  oa  an  even 

Of  dtfclaundir  of  hi*  godc  name,            -^^^1 

Him  come  and  rold  they  rcdy  were. 

Of  the  promife  he  ihould  retournc,        ^^^^ 

And  flicwid  m  few  wordis  there 

Within  the  time  he  did  fojourne^             ^^^B 

How  and  what  wife  they  had  purvry'd 

In  his  iondc  biding  hit  hull,                             B 

For  his  eftate,  and  to  him  laid 

This  was  tiler  prayir  left  and  moft  :              B 

That  twenty  thoufind  knights  of  name. 

To  kcpc  the  day  it  might  not  ben                  M 

And  fourty  thoufand  without  bl*mc. 

That  he*  appointid  had  with  the  qucqe  ^^B 

All  come  of  noble  ligioc, 

To  returnin  withoutiu  Houth,                ^^^M 

Togidir  in  a  compane. 

And  fo  afTurid  had  his  trouth,                ^^^B 

Wcfc  lodgid  on  a  river's  fide. 

For  which  default  this  prince,  thi*  kfligt^t^^^^ 

Hiin  and  his  picfure  there  t^abide* 

During  the  time  ilcpt  not  a  night,                 B 

1*hc  prince  tho  for  ]oy  nparofe. 

Such  wa*^  his  wo  and  his  difcfe,                       fl 

And  wUktc  they  lodgid  were  he  goe» 

For  doubt  he  Ihould  the  que  ne  difplcfifc          fl 

Withoutjn  more  that  fame  nig) it. 

Forth  goith  the  f^^  -  -     -  '  kK  fj-cde               1 

And  thcfe  bis  fuppir  made  to  dight, 

Right  aa  the  prir                        icttocde              B 

^^/ind  with  them  bode  till  it  wa»dcy. 

Dclirin  would  aj:                   ^iht,              .^^B 

^KAnd  forthwith  to  take  his  journey. 

Tilt  it  unto  the  yie  him  brought,            ^^^B 

^^^ving  the  llreight,  holding  the  large, 

^^1icre  all  in  hafl  upon  the  faod            ^^^| 

Till  he  cunc  to  bis  opbk  btrgc : 

He  and  his  pcplc  tvlit  th<  lia4            '^^| 

^                       CHAUCER? 

\   D  R  E  A  M  E,                        ^^^^^^ 

p  gUd  acd  cherc  light, 

In  ek hewing  talis  and  fonff. 

1 1>t:  in  hcvcn  that  night ; 

1  hat  by  thtm  m^kin  would  ill  tongs,                    ^ 

1  paflid  hid  u  while, 

And  fey  tlcy  wiTt;  lightly  cotujucft,               ^^^B 

Ignyrdu  that  yk, 

And  pniyid  to  a  pore  fell,                              ^^^H 

PidE<;,  with  chcre  pitcou^ 

And  fouly  had  thtrr  worfbip  weved,            ^^^H 

nch  ncr  dirpitc<iu« 

When  fo  unwjftly  they  conceived                i-^^^l 

^1  her  life  toforc 

l*hcr  richf.  trefour  anti  iher  helc,                  ^^^^| 

rhcrr  urid  hcri  to  tore 

Thtr  fzimoiis  name  and  ther  wcic                 ^^^^ 

irircc  where  he  gan  ride 
i  raid,  Abidr,  abide. 

To  put  in  luch  an  avmturc,                           ^^^^1 

Of  which  (he  fclaundir  cvcir  dure                ^^^M 

BO  batl|  but  laft  rctuurnc, 

Was  Ukr,  without  hdpc  of  app<le,                ^^^H 

1  yc  here  fojournc. 

Wherefore  they  ntde  had  of  counfeltp          ^^^| 

ntruth  hath  us  difcncd; 

For  every  wight  of  them  would  iaya            ^^^H 

ihc  time  we  u&  allitd 

Ther  cloCd  yk  an  opin  way                           ^^^^H 

ithat  arc  fo  font  untrcw; 

Waft  become  to  every  wight,                        ^^^H 

ly  that  wc  you  knew  '. 

And  well  apprevid  by  a  knight,                    ^^^H 

lie  i^at  yc  w^crc  bote  ! 

W^hich  he^  uUs !  without  piyfaunce               ^^^1 

flond  by  you  h  lore; 

Had  fone  achcvid  th'  *  bcifance  :                   ^^^| 

^  he  yon  hidir  brought ! 

Altthi^  waft  moved  at  counfell  thrife,          ^^^H 

f  joy  is  lurnd  to  nought ; 

Ajid  was  concludid  daily  twife,                    ^^^^| 

Mntancc  we  may  convplainc. 

That  bet  was  die  withoutin  blannt                ^^^^| 

Ic  cauft^  of  all  our  paine. 

!  1  ban  lofc  the  riches  of  ther  name|              ^^^^| 

tame,  quod  tho  ihi*  knight. 

Wherefore  the  deth\s  acquaintance               1^^^| 

ihat  frpfii  his  horfc  he  light, 

They  chefe,  :md  left  have  ther  plcfaimcc^             ^ 

ir  pale  and  chtkis  Icnc, 

;  For  doubt  to  liv'm  at  rtprcved,                               ^  J 

ll  11  this  for  to  mcne  ? 

In  that  they  you  fo  fonc  beUved,                    ^fll 

1  yc  faid  ?  why  be  yc  wroth  ? 

And  made  ther  othet  with  one  accordi          ^^^| 

^kfc  I  would  be  loth  : 

That  etc  nt  drinke,  ne  fpeke  o  word.            ^^^H 

not  futi  well  the  promcfle 

They  (hould  ncvir,  but  er  wcpiiig               ^^^| 

Ipdc  Imvc  to  your  pnucefTc, 

Btdt!  in  a  place  without  parting,                  ^^^^1 

perfourmc  is  mine  intcjit. 

And  ufc  rher  dayis  in  penautue,                    ^^^H 

ipcde  a*  I  have  mcnt, 

Without  dt fire  oiallegeauncc,                        ^HH 

tn  her  very  trcw, 

Of  which  the  trutl*  anoij  con  prcve ;                   ^B 

chaagc  or  ihoughtis  new, 
iilly  her  fcrvand 

For  why  ?  the  queoe  forthwith  her  Icvo        ^^^ 

1  oke  at  them  all  that  were  prcfcm.              ^^^| 

$  or  man  Uvand 

Ofhcrdefautsi  fully  repent.                            ^^^H 

Jady  or  princefle, 

Be  hcvcn  and  whole  richelTc 

And dytd  there  v^ithoutin  mnre»                  ^^^H 

Thu»  are  vve  luft  for  cviroiore ;                     ^^^H 

ilady  of  Aline  liclc. 

What  fhould  I  more  hereof  reherfc  f           ^^^^| 

il  joy  and  all  my  we!c. 

Com  in  wiiliin,  come  fe  her  herfc                  ^^^^1 

eKis  be,  whence  corns  ibia  fpcch  I 
bdatiic,  I  you  bcfech. 

Where  yc  Hiull  fe  the  piteous  fight                ^^^H 

Thar  er  yet  wa-i  ftiewin  to  knight,              ^^^H 

i  fif  ft  of  my  living 
IrefiJil  of  nothing 

Fur  ye  ftull  fcin  ladies  ftond                         ♦^^^l 

£ch  with  a  grcte  rod  in  her  bond,                ^^^H 

W  to  here  you  fpekr, 

I  fele  mine  htrt  to  brcke  s 

Yflad  in  black  with  vifagc  whitc^                 ^^^H 

Rcdy  eih  othir  for  to  fnute;                         ^^^H 

[dame,  tell  me  your  will ; 

(f  any  be  that  will  not  wcpe,                        ^^^H 

lint  ii  k  godc  or  ill  ? 

Or  who  that  makes  counte'uance  to  ilepe^   ^^^B 

iihe^  thai  yc  were  bore! 

They  he  fo  bet,  that  all  fo  blew                             J 

Ir  love  thi^  land  is  lore ; 

They  be  as  clcth  that  died  is  new,                 ^^^ 

f&dcd,  and  that  in  ruth. 

Such  bdicrpntiitc  repentance,                     ^^^| 

rf  your  grct  untruth  ; 

And  thus  they  kcpe  ther  ordinance,             ^^^| 

fccf  of  the  lufty  rout 

And  will  do  evir  to  the  dcthi                           ^^^H 

Bt  were  there  about, 

WLitc  them  cndiirisaoy  brcth.                       ^^^H 

jufcrin  to  talk  and  play, 

M'his  knight  tho  in  his  armi;  (waitic         ^^^| 

ei  dcd  and  cknc  away. 

This  lady  toke,  and  gan  her  fainc,                 ^^^H 

fearthtanc  lodging  ricwc; 

Abi  my  bisth  '  wa  worth  my  life  t               r^^^f 

r  yc  were  untrew  ! 

And  cvcti  with  that  he  drew  a  knife,          •^^^l 

lie  time  ye  fet  wa*  yzd 

And  thorough  gown,  doublet,  and  fhert,       ^^^^H 

loke  counfaiic  fone  in  haft 

He  made  the  blodc  come  from  hi*  hcrt,                 ■ 

0  due,  and  faid  Greic  blame 

And  fet  him  dounc  upon  the  grcne,              ^^J 

bit auiice  ctufe  would  and  fhMnc, 

And  full  repent  clofid  hi»ct!c,                       ^^^| 

lie^of  theravifc 

And  fave  tliat  ones  he  drew  his  brctli         ^^^^| 

ucdc  w^  to  be  vt'dcj 

Without  mozc  thu»  be  tokc  hii  dctli  |           ^^^M 

^^5»                                              CHAUCER'S    DREAMS.                         ^^^^| 

^^  ^OT  vrhkht  caufc  the  lufty  ho  ft, 

AUc  the  ladies  one  and  one                     ^^H 

^■,;WUicb  in  a  batuik*  on  the  coft 

By  companies  were  brought  edwoe^           ^B 

^r  At  once  for  forrow  fuch  a  erf 

And  pa  it  the  fc  and  tokc  the  bnd^         ^^B 

'        Gnn  rcrc  throw  the  company. 

And  in  new  herfis  on  a  tattd,                 ^^^| 

.         That  to  the  hcvcn  herd  wa«  the  fowne^ 

Put  and  brought  wehn  alt  anon           ^^H 

^m  And  unclir  th'  e.nh  aU  fer  adowoc, 

Unto  a  city  cbfed  with  ftonc,              ^^H 

^P  That  wildt  bcftii  for  tic  fcrc 

Where  it  yhad  ben  uCd  aye                 <^^H 

^"   So  fodatnly  afrayid  were. 

The  kingis  of  the  land  to  lay,                 ^^^B 

That  for  the  doubt  whtlc  they  might  dure              , 

After  ihry  raignid  in  hoiK*ur*,                      V 

They  ran,  as  of  their  lives  unforc 

And  writ  was  which  wcrr  conquerc^ttr^^^H 

yroni  the  wodii  unto  thir  pUinCp 

In  an  abbey  of  nunnisblake,                  ^^^| 

And  from  vallcyti  the  high  moonuinc 

Which  accuftomid  were  to  wake,         ^^H 

They  fowght,  and  ran  as  bcdis  blind 

And  of  ufage  rife  ech  a  night                 ^^H 

That  ckne  forgottin  had  thcr  kind. 

Topniy  for  ever)' tivti  wight  :                ^^^| 

This  wo  not  cefcd^to  counfaile  went 

And  fo  befelU  ^^  i^  the  guifr,                ^^^| 

Thcfc  lordij,  and  for  that  lady  fent^ 

Ordeint  and  faid  was  the  fennT«            ^^H 

And  of  avifc  what  was  to  done 

or  the  prince  and  ckc  of  the  queue      ^^H 

They  her  btfoughtftic  lay  would  fone. 

So  devoutly  a»  might  yben,                    ^^^H 

Wepjng  full  fore,  aU  dad  tn  bUke, 

And  aftir  that  about  the  herfes            ^^H 

This  lady  foftly  to  them  fpakc, 

Full  many  orifons  and  verfei                ^^^| 

And  fajd.  My  Lordia,  by  my  trouth 

Withourin  note  ful  hcrtily                   ^^^B 

Thia  mifchcfe  it  ii  of  your  fJouth, 

Said  were,  and  that  full  foftily               ^^H 

And  if  ye  had  that  judge  would  right 

That  all  the  night  till  it  wi^  day          ^^H 

A  prince  that  were  a  very  knight, 

The  pcple  in  the  church  con  pray          ^^B 

Ye  that  ben  of  cftatc  echonc 

Unto  the  holy  Trinitie                                  fl 

Die  for  his  fauh  fhould  one  and  one; 

Of  thofc  foulis  to  have  pitic,                          I 

And  if  he  hold  had  the  prr  mcfle. 

And  when  the  night  ypaft  and  rontic        M 

•         And  AuTic  that  lonpes  to  gentilncffe. 

Was,  and  the  newc  day  begonne,          ^^fl 

And  fulflltd  the  princes  bchcft^ 

The  yong  morow  with  jayLs  red,         J^^H 

f         This  haJtie  farm  a  had  ben  a  fcft^ 

Which  from  thcfonnc  tfcrall  coo  rprcoP^I 

And  now  is  unrecoverable. 

Atcmpirid  clere  was  and  fairC|                     ^ 

And  U4  a  flaundir  aye  durable. 

And  made  a  tymc  of  wholfomc  aire,            fl 

Wherefore  1  fay.  at  of  counfailc 

Befell  a  woodir  cafe  and  firangc                    M 

In  me  is  none  that  may  avatle, 

Among  the  peplc,  and  gan  change         ^^H 

But  if  ye  Ufl  forrcniembraunce 

Sooe  the  word  and  every  wo                 ^^^t 

Purvey  and  tnake  fuch  ordinauncc 

Unto  a  joy,  and  fome  to  two;                ^^^| 

That  the  qucnc  whichc  that  was  fo  mtkc. 

A  bird  all  fedrid  blew  and  grene,          ^^H 

With  all  htr  women  dcdc  or  fcke. 

With  bright  rayis  like  gold  bctwenc,           ■ 

Might  in  your  Und  a  chappill  have, 

As  fmall  thrcd  ovir  every  joynt,                   fl 

Wtth  fomc  rcmcmbraunce  of  her  grave. 

ASl  full  of  colour  ft  range  and  coiot^             fl 

Shewing  her  end  with  the  pity 

Uncouth,  and  wondirfuU  to  fight,                 V 

1         In  fome  uotabk  old  city. 

Upon  the  quen'is  herfc  con  light,                  ■ 

And  nigh  unto  an  high  •  way. 

And  fong  tull  low  and  foftily                      J 

Where  every  wight  might  for  her  pray, 

Thre  fongis  in  her  harmony,                ^^^H 

And  for  ail  her*  that  have  been  trcw  : 

IJnlettid  of  every  wight,                       ^^^^ 

And  even  with  that  fhc  changid  hew, 

Til  at  the  laft  an  agid  knight,               ^^H 

And  twifc  wifhid  alter  the  dcih, 

Which  femid  a  man  in  grete  tKooghfy^^H 

And  fight,  and  thu*  pafFid  her  breth* 

Like  af  he  fct  all  thing  at  nought,       ^^^H 

Tficn  faid  the  lordis  of  the  hoft. 

With  vifagc  and  ctn  al  jbrwept,           ^^^| 

And  fo  condudid  left  and  moll. 

And  pale,  as  a  man  long  unftept;          ^^H 

That  they  would  in  houfi*  of  rhacke 

By  the  heriJs  as  he  yflodc                        ^^^| 

ThiT  livi*  Icdc,  and  were  but  blaeke. 

\Vith  haily  hondling  of  his  hode            ^^H 

And  forfakc  all  ther  plefaunccs. 

Unto  a  prince  that  by  him  paA                   V 

And  titrnc  all  joy  to  pcnauncet, 

Ymade  liic  briddc  fomwhat  agaA,         ^^H 

Ajid  I  ETC  the  dcd  prince  to  the  barge. 

Wherefore  (he  rofe  and  left  her  foo^i  ^^M 

And  namid  them  flionld  have  the  diarge  ; 

And  departed  from  us  atoong,              ^^H 

And  to  the  herfc  where  lay  the  quenc 

And  fpred  her  wmgis  for  to  p/Tc         ^^B 

'          The  rcmnaunt  went  and  dounc  on  knene, 

By  the  place  where  he  cntrid  wav               ■ 

Holding  ther  bonds,  on  high  con  eric, 

And  in  ht«  haft,  Oiortly  to  tell,                     S 

1          Mercy,  mercy  '  evcrich  thric. 

Him  hurt,  that  backeward  downc  lie  feU     ■ 

1          And  curfed  the  time  that  cvir  flouth 

From  a  window  richly  ypeint                      '■ 

Should  Uve  fochc  maftirdomc  of  trouth, 

With  lives  of  many  diver*  feint,                   fl 

^^  And  to  the  barge  a  iongc  mile 

And  bet  hii  wingis  and  bled  faft,         ^^^B 

t""-" 

And  of  the  hart  thg?  died  ud  pdl,     ^^H 

CHAUCER  S 

D  R  E  A  M  E.                                        ^<5f^ 

icre  9it\i  ift  hour  and  more, 

bft  of  briddu's  a  fcarc 

Unto  them  was  fuch  difplcfa«incc                             ^H 

alTcmblid  at  the  place 

ThiU  for  to  live  they  called  a  palac,                  .__^B 

!  window  ybrokin  wai> 

So  were  they  very  true  and  pUinc,                 ^^^H 

fwichc  wamentacioun 

And  after  tliiii  the  gode  abbelfc                        ^^^^| 

wmi  to  here  ihc  fouii, 

Of  the  ^aine  }^n  to  chefe  and  drefTc              i^^^l 

rarLlii  of  thcr  throtis 

Thrc«  wiih  her  fingtr&  clcnc  and  fmalc,          f^^^l 

ompUint  of  thcr  woiit. 

And  in  I  he  rjucoUs  mouth  by  taJc                    ^^^B 

m  joy  cicnc  ywas  revcrfcd  ; 

One  aftir  othir  cfily                                                     ^M 

an  one  the  gl«  fonc  pcrfcd. 

She  put  'hcni  and  full  connlngly,                     ^^^^H 

1  boke  of  colours  nine 

1  Which  fhewid  fon^  fucb  vertue                       «^B^^I 

he  brmight  flourclcfle,  all  grcnc , 

That  prcvtd  was  the  medi'cinc  true,              ^^^^^1 

fmall  Icvi*  and  pUine, 

For  wiih  a  fmililig  cour.ttnaunce                      ^^^^1 

i  long  with  many  a  vaioc. 

The  qucne  uprofe,  and  of  ufaimce,                   ^^^H 

c  hia  fellow  by  this  dfdc 

A*  ihc  wa>  wont  to  every  wight,  ^^^B 
She  made  jfodc  chere,  for  whiche  fight                     H 

:  he  down  laid  by  hia  hcdc, 

d  it  full  foftily. 

Tlte/Kfiia  indtn^  on  ihf  fiontt                                                  H 

hli  htd  and  (lode  thereby. 

thought  ihty  w  hrvtn  ix'tn  foutt  and  hems  ;                        ^| 

b  in  icfic  than  half  on  huurc 

And  to  the  prince  where  he  yUy                              H 

11  knit,  and  aftir  B  :iirc 

Thty  went  to  make  the  lame  aiOiy,                          H 

ind  ytcx'm  ripe  the  fcdc. 

And  when  the  quenc  it  uodirftode»                 «^^^B 

at  one  anothir  fcdc 

And  how  the  me||kine  was  gode.  ,  ]^^^H 
She  preyid  Ihc  mignt  have  the  graines            ^^^^^l 

hii  hckc  he  lokc  the  grains, 

i  fcllowei  bckc  ccrtaioc 

To  rclcvin  him  from  the  piines                        ^^^B 

1  thus  within  the  third 

Which  llic  and  he  had  both  endured,                  ^     ^^ 

LOd  prunid  hini  the  bird 

And  to  him  went  and  fo  httn  cured,             -^H^^l 

d  had  be  in  all  our  fight. 

That  l^reight  within  a  Iitil  fpace                     ^^^^^1 

tojjrirhir  forth  thtr  Eight 

I.uAy  and  frdhe  on  live  he  wa^,                   -^^^^H 

fmg  from  us,  and  thcr  Icve 

And  in  gode  hdc,  and  whole  of  fpeeh,         ,  ^^^^| 

dtllurb  *hcm  would  ne  grcvc. 

And  lough,  and  faid»  Gramercy,  lech  !           ^^^^| 

1  they  pariid  were  and  gone 

For  which  the  joy  throughout  the  town      .  ^^^^| 

fe  the  fedi*  fonc  cchooc 

Su  gret  wa«  that  the  belli i  fowu                    i^^^^l 

tad « and  in  her  hand 

Afraied  the  peple  a  journay                           ^^^^^ 

;  fbc  tokc,  well  avifand 

About  the  citie  every  way»                             ^^^^^| 

the  fcde,  the  ftalkc,  the  flonrc. 

And  come  and  aflcid  caufc  and  whj               ^^^H 

it  had  a  godc  favour. 

They  rongin  were  io  ftauly  f                                     H 

no  common  herb  to  find, 

And  aftir  th»t  the  qucne  th'  abbefle,                         ^| 

approved  of  uncouth  kind. 

Made  diligence  or  they  would  ccfle,                         H 

othir  more  vcrtuoufc ; 

Such  that  of  ]adic»  fonc  a  rout                                    ^| 

avc  it  nught  for  to  ufc 

Sewing  the  qucnc  was  all  uboiit,                                H 

c  flow  re,  or  left;,  or  grainc, 

And  called  by  name  echone  and  told,                       H 

tie  might  ybe  ccrtaine  ; 

Wai  none  forgettin  young  nc  old ;                            H 

it  downe  upon  the  herfc 

There  mightin  men  fe  joyii  new                      .^.;2H 

r  the  guene,  and  gan  rcherfe 

When  the  medicine  fine  and  trew                   ^^^^| 

i'  othir  that  they  had  fenc; 

Thufi  reflorid  had  every  wight*                     ^^^^H 

g  thai  the  fcdc  wcx  >jrenc. 

So  well  the  quen^as  the  knight,                      ^^^^B 

le  drie  hcrfe  gan  to  fpring. 

Unto  ftall  ptrfit  joy  and  helc,                                  L^B 

:  thought  was  a  wondrous  thhigf 

That  Acting  they  were  in  fuch  wc^-                ^tf^l 

chat  6ourc  and  new  fcdc» 

As  folkc  that  wouldin  in  no  wife                      ^H^| 

the  pcpU  :ill  toke  hcdc, 

Dcfirc  more  psrfit  paradifc,                             ^^^^H 

it  wa»fomc  grcte  mimdep 

And  thus  when  paiTed  was  the  forow,            ^^^^| 

ine  fine  more  than  triable, 

With  mikil  joye  lone  on  the  morow              ^^^^| 

:  well  done  there  to  aflay 

The  king,  the  quene,  and  every  lord,             ^^^^| 

,t  efc  in  any  way 

Wirh  all  the  ladie«,  by'  one  accord                 ^^^^^H 

i,  which  with  torch ^  light 

Hcldc  a  gcncrall  aiTcnjbly  ;                              ^^^^^B 

id  had  there  all  thai  night : 

Gret  ety  was  made  though  the  country,             ,  H 

he  brdis  their  conftnt, 

The  which  aftir  as  thcr  intent                        ^^fl^l 

ic  pcpic'  thereto  content 

Wa«  tnrnid  to  a  jiarliamcnt^  ^^^^1 
Where  was  ordainid  and  avifed                       ^^^^1 

words  and  iitil  fare, 

!  the  quen'is  vilhgc  bare, 

Every  thing  and  wel  dcvifed                            ^^^^H 

iwid  was  10  all  ulout» 

That  plcfin  might  to  moft  and  lell,               ^^^^m 

c  in  fwonc  fell  whole  the  rent, 

And  there  concludid  was  the  feft                   ^^^H 

i  (o  fory  mod  and  led 

Within  the  yle  for  to  behold  ^  ^^^H 
With  fuU  coQfenc  of  yoting  and  old.             i^^^H 

Mfwrping  they  Dot  e«0, 

^4^                                      C  H  A  U  C  E  R*S 

DREAMS.                                  ^^m 

All  In  the  fame  wife  a» before, 

And  lough  and  fmllcd,and  faid^YiH*   ^^M 

A»  thing  fhould  be  wtthoutin  more. 

I'hat  was  in  doubt  in  fufety  U  ;              ^^^H 

*        And  thci  fhtppid  and  thiihirwcnt, 

And  commaundjd  doddigcnce,             ^^^H 

And  into  Uraung^  relmts  fcnt, 

And  fpare  for  neithir  gold  ne  fpence,           H 

*        To  kingis,  qucne*,  and  duchdlV*, 

But  make  redy.for  on  the  roorow                 V 

To  divers  princes  and  princcflTcs 

Ywcddld,  with  Siiint  John  to  bo  row,          ■ 

Of  ihcr  linage,  and  can  ihem  pny 

He  would  ybc  withoutin  more,                    ^H 

That  it  might  like  them  at  that  day 

And  let  them  wite  ihi^  Icfe  and  more^  ^^^M 

Of  niari«ge,  forther  difport. 

The  morow  come,  and  the  fervjc«       ^^^H 

^_Comc  fe  the  ylc  and  them  difport. 

Of  manage  in  fuch  a  wife                      ^^^| 

^■f^'^hcrc  Ihould  be  joufti*  and  turnaici, 

Yfald  was  that  with  more  honotir        ^^^| 

^K  And  arm  is  dotir  in  othir  waics, 

Wa-*  ncvir  prinec  nc  conqucrour           ^^^| 

Signifying"  ocr  all  the  day 

Ywcdde,  nc  with  fueh  coaipiny            ^^^H 

AftirAprilis  Within  Ma>% 

Of  geniiincnV  in  chivalry,                      ^^^| 

And  was  avifcd  that  lidics  twciflc, 

Ke  of  ladteA  fo  grete  toul^t                     ^^^H 

Of  g^odc  clUtc  and  well  befcine, 

Nc  fo  bcfcen  as  all  alx^utt                        ^^H 

With  certainc  knight i*  and  fijuierst 

They  wcrin  there,  1  cert i fie                   ^^^| 

Add  of  the  qutn'is  officer*, 

You  on  my  lift,  withoutin  fie.                 ^^^| 

In  mannir  of  uncmbafTade, 

And  tiie  fell  hold  wa«  in  teDtIJ»         ^^^| 

With  certain  Icftirs  clofcd  and  made, 

As  to  tcU  you  mine  entcnt  ia,               ^^^| 

Should  take  the  barge  and  depj^t. 
And  fckc  my  lady  every  part  Ip 

In  a  rome  in  a  large  plaine,                   ^^^| 

Undir  a  wodc  in  a  champaineg              ]|^^^| 

Till  they  her  fonnd  for  any  thing 

Betwixt  a  Hvir  and  a  well,                    ^^^H 

^^>BDtK  chargid  have  the  qucne  and  king. 

Where  nevir  had  abbay  nc  fell              '  ^^H 

^^And  as  ther  lady  and  maiflres 

Vben,  ne  kirkc,  houfc,  tie  vilhg«v          ^^^H 

Her  to  befokeof  gcniilncj 
At  rhc  day  there  for  to  yben, 

In  time  of  any  uTaiJ*ii  a^,                       "^^B 

And  durid  thre  moniths  the  fed              ^^^B 

And  oftherrccoinmaund  the  quere. 

In  one  cftatc,  and  ncvir  ct;(l                   J^H 

And  prayii  for  all  love*  to  h  jft, 

From  crly  rifing  of  the  Tonne                 ^^^H 

For  but  fhc  cnrne  all  wall  be  vtiaSt^ 

Till  the  ilay  fpcnt  wa*  jri.l  .rnrs^,^          ^^^H 

And  the  fcft  but  a  baCucfTe 

In  jiilHng,  dauncing,  1                              ^^^| 

Withoutin  joy  or  Ujllincffc, 

And  alt  that  fowncd  r                                ^i^| 

And  toke  them  tokint,  and  godc  fpedc 

And  a»  me  thought  the  fcmntl  inwroWi^B 

Praid  God  fend  *hvm  aftir  thcr  nc<k. 

Whan  end  id  was  all  old-  faroWi           ^^^H 

Forth  went  the  ladies  and  the  knights. 

And  in  furrty  ev'ry  wight                      ^^^H 

And  were  out  fourtcnc  daic*  and  night*. 

Hid  with  his  lady  Dept  a  night,             ^^| 

And  brought  my  bdy  in  thcr  birgt^ 

Ihc  prince,  the  qucnc,  and  all  the  rdl^'^^H 

And  had  well  fpcd  and  done  rher  charge; 

Unto  my  lady  made  rcqueft,                        ^B 

Whereof  the  qucne  fo  hcrti'Iy  gbd 

And  her  befought  ofrin  and  praied       ^^^| 

Was»  that  in  foth  fuch  joy  (he  had 

'Jo  m«.wardi-s  to  be  wAi  apaied,           ^^^H 

Whtn  that  the  fhip  approchtd  lond 

x\nd  confidir  mine  oldrtmuth,            ^^^M 

That  (tic  my  lady  on  the  fond 

And  an  my  paTni>havin  routb,            ^^^H 

Met, and  in  armi*  fo  conflrainc. 

And  me  accept  to  Iter  fervifc                 k^^^I 

That  wondir  was  behold  them  twalne, 

In  Juch  form^  and  In  fuch  wife              t^^^B 

Which  to  my  dome  durtJig  twelve  hourea 

That  we  both  might  in  be  a^  on?  ;         9||^| 

Ncithir  for  hctc  ne  watfy  fcourei 

Thu*  praied  rhc  qucne  and  cvL'tich<jnc  f^^^H 

Departid  not  no  company 

And  for  there  (hould  ne  be  no  uay              M 

Saving  ihemfelfc.but  none  them  by, 

They  ftintln  juOing  all  a  day                ^jl^l 

But  gave  them  layfour  at  thcr  cfc 

To  pray  my  Udy,  and  requerc              4^^^| 

To  rchcrfm  joy  and  difcfc 

To  he  content  otld  out  cif  ft:rc,              ^^^H 

Aftir  the  plefure  and  couragis 

And  wlthgode  hert  make  frcndly  chtrr^    ^M 

Of  thcr  young  and  tcndir  agis  ; 

And  faid  it  w^5  a  happy  ycrc ;                      V 

And  aftir  with  many  a  knight 

At  which  fht:  fmllcd,  and  faid,  YwU            fl 

Brought  thei  wtre  where  a«  for  that  night 

1  trow  well  he  my  Icrvauot  i».                       H 

They  partid  not,  for  to  plcfauncc 

And  would  my  welfare,  a*  I  trifl',                 V 

Con&cnt  was  hcrt  and  countiniuncc 

So  would  I  hii,  and  would  he  wift              ^B 

1         Both  of  the  quenc  and  my  maiftrefTe, 

How  ami  I  knewd  thai  hii  truuih        ^^^H 

This  wa»  that  night  thcr  burinclTe  ; 

Continue  would  withoutin  floutfi,       ^^^H 

And  oil  the  moroW  with  huge  rowt 

And  be  in:  ^'   -    -     ^-    -   -^rt,               ^^^H 

Thit  prince  of  lordis  him  about 

Rcllrainii                                id  fpoft^            J 

Come,  and  uirto  my  lady  faid, 

f  couth  ct ..                          luell              ,^^B 

Of  her  commlcg  glad  and  well  paid 

To  be  3rnamid  of  your  fclV»                   ^^^^| 

He  was,  and  fuil  right  conningly 

And  doin  aftir  your  ufaunce                 ^^^^| 

H«r  thankid  tad  full  hcrtily, 

lu  obeying  of  ^our  plefauncc  :            '^^^H 

Si  ihu  I  content, 
in  your  etitcnt, 
fovcr^ine  above, 

hath  me  for  to  love, 
bthir  him  prefer, 
|ch  prince  may  be  no  wcr, 
ir  ovir  all  rai^jncth, 
irotiid  for  noughi  him  paineth  ; 
mill  and  yours  is  one 
tnc  Oia.li  be  none  : 
>thoughtiii)  the  promcife 
)  before  the  me  fe 
pf  every  wl^ht 
|theunie  night, 
1^  all  ruanlr  doubti 
Rht  thcrciibouti ; 
Bo  :  and  on  the  morow, 
r  thought  and  every  forrow 
k»  out  of  mini:  hert, 
mo  and  every  ftnert, 
|irince  ;ind  princes 
i  brought  me  and  my  maHlref, 
\  wcrin  at  full  age 
Delude  our  marriage, 
knightif,  and  fquiers^ 
koR  of  nimidcrs, 
|ient»  itnd  founef  diTtrfCi 
^erin  here  to  reh;rfe; 
tiviis  church  patochiid], 
^  In  cfpeciaU 
•nd  for  the  facre, 
iifhop  and  archdiacre 

out  the  fervifc 
iomc  and  the  guifc 
iiirch*i»  ordinauncc  : 
to  dine  and  daunce 
we,  and  to  divert  pi  ales, 

fpede  cch  v^i^rht  praics, 

jLi  both  moll  and  Icll, 

ndid  wms  the  fed, 
ht  glad  lady  and  lord 

,gc  and  th*  accord, 
as  hert*U  plefauncc, 
tic  continuaunce, 
Ininllrili  made  requeft 
■cling  of  the  fell 
In  touehin  ther  cordis, 
me  new  joyeux  accordls 
feple  to  gladneffc, 

of  ;i!l  geuttlncfTc 
III  hem  for  the  day 

cunning ^nd  his  play: 

Bwiii*  fifcrvrlous, 

hacctjrd>]o)oi)"», 

I  and  in  all  the  tentf, 

ndijof  LnflrumcntP^ 

%kight  to  dauncc  ihcm  pained  ; 

f  v.4*tione  that  fuyned; 

le  me  rroubtid  in  my  flepc, 

'  bed  ^none  I  !epe, 

pve  be  at  the  ftft, 

yrokc  ail  was  yfcH, 

^  lady  ne  creture, 

\  Vf'Jkh  nld  poftraiieur 

haukii,  ;ind  houndit, 
^c  all  fuM  of  inFoundii» 


Some  likebittin,  P^mc  hurt  w4th  fhot. 
And  aa  my  drcme  ftmed  that  was  not. 
And  when  I  wake  and  knew  the  uouth. 
And  ye  had  fecn»  of  very  routh 
1  I  row  ye  would  have  wept  a  wckc^ 
For  ncvir  man  yet  halfc  fo  fckc 
Iwcnt  cfcapid  with  the  life, 
And  was  for  fault  that  ^word  nc  knife 
I  firtd  nc  might  my  life  t'  abridge, 
Nl'  thing  that  kcrvid  ne  had  edge. 
Wherewith  I  might  my  wofull  paitw 
Hive  voidid  with  bleding  of  vains. 
1*0,  here  my  blilfc  I  lo,  here  my  painc  I 
Which  to  my  kiy'  I  do  complaine, 
And  grace  and  mercy  her  rcqucre 
Ta  end  my  wo  and  bufie  fere. 
And  me  accept  lo  her  Icrvife, 
And  to  her  fervice  in  fuch  wife, 
TJut  of  my  Drcme  the  fubftaunce 
Might  turnin  once  to  cognifauncey 
And  cognlfauncc  to  very  prcve, 
By  full  confent  and  hy  godc  Icvc  ; 
Or  cU  withoutiu  more  1  pray 
That  this  fame  night  or  it  be  day 
I  mote  unto  my  Drcme  retoumc. 
And  flcping  fo  forthc  ale  fnjourno 
Aboutin  the  ylc  of  pU-fauncc 
Undir  my  ladie^  obeifaunce, 
In  her  Rrvice,  and  in  fuch  wife 
Ai  it  plefc  her  may  to  devifc. 
And  grace  oni«to  be  accept 
Like  M  I  di  emid  when  I  flept, 
And  dure  a  thoufand  yerc  and  ten 
In  her  godc  wdl.  Amen,  Amen ! 


Fairlil  of  fulre,  and  godclyift  on  live! 
All  my  fccre  to  you  1  pUinc  and  thrive. 
Requiring  grace,  and  of  my  fore  complaint 
To  be  be  htlid  or  marttrid  a*  a  faint, 
hoT  by  my  t routh  I  fwcre,  and  by  this  boke, 
Yc  may  both  hclc  and  flc  mc  with  a  loke . 

Go  forth,  mine  owoc  trt;~  ^  ■"*    ";   -cent. 
And  with  humbicneflc  do  1 '  >  juacc, 

Aad  to  thy  lady  on  ihy  kis       ,     i  . 
Thy  fervice  new,  and  think  howgrcte  pkfauncg 
It  is  to  live  undir  tl>c  obcifaunec 
Of  her  which  that  may  witli  her  lokis  Tofc 
Give  the  rhc  bliffc  that  thou  deflrift  oft. 

Be  diligent,  awake,  obey,  and  drcde. 
And  be  noL  wild  of  thy  coutiunvunce. 
But  niekc  and  gUd,  and  tJiy  natute  yfcdc 
Tn  do  cch  thing  that  may  her  dot:  piciaancc  ; 
When  thou  Ihalt  flcpr  l'^      '    "^  '  ■-    n^bryunce 
Th*  inwge  of  her  whi  .  toit 

Give  the  theblifTc  th.r 

And  if  fn  he  tliat  thou  her  name  tind 
WritEin  in  b»kc^  or  clli*  upon  wall,  _ 

Loke  that  thou  do,  a^  fervaunt  true  aD<l  kitldt 
Thine  obcifaunce  as  fhc  were  thcrewithall  ; 
Fayning  in  love  it  bredini?  of  a  f.'Ui 
From  the  grac^  of  her  whofe  lokis  foft 
May  give  the  blifTe  that  ttmu  dcUriil  ofr. 

Ye  which  that  tltisbsHadtt  yrcditi  Ihill 
I  pray  you  that  you  kcpe  you  fro  *hc  loiL 


THE  DREME   OF   CHAUCER*. 


T  HAVE  grett  wonder,  by  this  light, 
How  that  I  lyvct  for  day  nc  night 
I  mayc  not  llcpin  wclny  nought ; 
I  have  fo  nuny'  aa  ydlc  thought. 
Purely  for  the  dcfautc  of  flcpc, 
That  by  my  trouth  I  take  no  kcpc 
Of  nothing  howc  it  comcth  or  gothe, 
Kc  mc  n'ys  nothing  Icfc  nor  lome ; 
Al  is  iliche  god^  to  me 
Joyc  or  forowc  where  fa  it  be, 
For  I  have  fctinge  in  nothing, 
But  as  it  were  »  mafid  thing 
Al  day  in  pGioee  to  M  »doun. 
For  fofowful  ymaginacioun 
I«  Alway  wholy  in  my  niiodc. 

Attd  welt  ye  wote  that  againfle  kinde 
It  were  to  lirin  in  this  wife, 
For  nature  ne  wolde  not  fuflife 
Unto  ix>ne  crthy  crelrure 
Not  long^  tymd  to  endure 
Withoutin  ilcpe  and  be  in  forowe, 
And  [  ne  may  ne  night  nc  morowe 
£»tcpin,  and  thi»  melancolye 
And  drede  I  havin  for  to  die ; 
Bcfaute  of  flepc  add  Kevin efle 
Hath  Haine  my  fpirite  of  quicknefle, 
That  I  hav«loftRlluflihed; 
Soche  fjnitafief  ben  in  mine  hed 
So  I  n'ot  what  is  bcft  to  do  : 
JBut  men  might  afkin  me  whi  Tq 
1  may  not  flepe,  and  what  me  h  F 

But  nathclcs  who  alkith  thp 
Lefeth  his  aik jng  trcwily  ; 
My  felvin  can  not  telling  why 
The  fothe,  but  trcwiy,  as  t  geiTe^ 
I  hQlde  it  be  a  iik^efre 


Br  *he  perfrin  of  a  moumfng:  kntf  lit  fittinf  uoder 
i«lE»  K  ntcAiit  loha   of  Gtunt,  Duke  of  Lanc^UlcT* 


grcatif  lairemiDft  tbc  detli  of  out  wliom  he  entirely  la* 
>edi  fupporodta  be  BUntb  tlie  DutcbcCi,  r^r;. 


That  I  have  fuffrid  this  eyght  ycre, 

And  yet  my  bote  it  ncr  tbi  ncrc. 

For  there  is  pbifj«.icn  but  one 

That  ouy  mc  hclt ;  but  that  is  done  i 

|*alfin  wc  ovir  until  cftc ; 

That  wil  not  be  mote  nedes  be  Icfte  : 

Our  6rft  mattr  is  gode  to  kcpe. 

So  whan  fawc  I  might  not  (lepe 
Til  now  of  late  this  otliir  night 
Upon  my  beddc  t  fate  upright. 
And  bade  one  rcchhi  me  a  boke* 
A  romaunc^  and  it  mc  tokc 
To  rede,  apd  drive  the  night  away ; 
For  why  ?  mc  tJiought  it  bctir  pUy 
Than  play  either  at  chcffic  or  tables. 

And  in  this  bokc  were  writtia  fabks 
That  clcrkii  had  in  oldc  time 
And  other  poetes  put  im  rhiine 
To  rede^  atid  for  to  be  in  mi  tide. 
While  men  lovid  t  He  lawc  of  kinde  : 
This  bokc  nc  fpakc  bttt  of  focbc  \ 
Of  qucnis  tivis  and  of  kinges. 
And  many  othir  thingis  fmale  ; 
Amonge  al  this  f  fond  a  tale 
Whiche  that  mc  thought  a  wondir  thing* 

This  was  the  tale.  There  was  a  kiog 
That  hight  Ceix^and  had  a  wife 
The  bcft  that  mightin  berin  lyfc. 
And  this  qurnc  hight  Alcyoac  ; 
So  it  bcfiJ  thercafiir  fooc 
This  king  wol  wccdio  cvir  fe  j 
To  tellin  (hortly  whan  that  he 
Was  in  the  fc  thus  in  tlii«  wife 
Sodhc  a  temp  eft  began  to  ryfc 
That  brake  thcr  miile  and  made  it  UXg 
And  dcfte  ther  (hip  and  drcint  'bets  I 
That  ncvir  w^s  foundc,  as  it  tcltct, 
Nc  borde  nc  man,  ne  nothing  eUes } 
Right  thus  this  king  yloilc  his  life. 

Now*  (or  to  fpckia  of  bis  wife. 


TrtSTjfeElVtE   or    CHAUCER.                                      ^ 

that  wu  kfte  «t  home 

And  bid  him  that  on  all^  thin^e 

Itr  thar  the  k»ng<  nc  come 

lie  take  up  Ceil  body  the  kinge, 

it  wa»  a  Kitigi.^  tcmie; 

That  lieih  iul  pale  iind  notlungc  rcniy ; 

bcrtc  began  to  yr  mc. 

Byd  hiro  crrpin  into  the  body. 

AC  hcT  thought  rvirmo 

And  do  it  gone  to  Alcyone 

tiTic,  her  thou^htin  fo. 

The  quenc,  there  ihc  lyithadone. 

foaftir  the  king, 

And  ihcwc  her  fhortcly'  it  u  no  nay 

lit  were  a  pitoui  thiiif 

Howe  it  wii  drcint  thi»  othir  day, 

•  hcrtcly  forowfui  lyfe 

And  do  the  body  fpcke  rij^^ht  fo 

It  (h«  hati  thi*  noble  wife, 

Rtglit  ai  it  wai  wonnld  to  do 

e  lovid  uUlirheft ; 

The  whili«  that  it  wai  alyvc  : 

em  both  ea  and  weft 

Goith  nowc  fall,  and  hye  the  blive* 

m  but  they  fomide  him  nought. 

Thij  meffanger  tokc  le¥e  and  went 

,od  Ihe)  that  i  wa«  wrought  f 

Upon  hi»  way,  and  ncirrc'  he  ftentc 

r  my  Idrde  my  love  be  dcd 

T)  1  he  came  to  the  darke  valcf 

f\  ncvir  etc  bftd,      , 

That  llante  betwixt  in  roki*  twey, 

owe  to  my  GoH  here, 

There  ncvir  yet  grewe  come  nc  gra*, 

c  of  my  lordi  here. 

Ne  trr,  nc  nothing  that  ought  w»i, 

owe  thi*  lady  to  her  toke» 

Ne  bed  nc  man,  ne  nothing  dies* 

J  l»  that  made  thi*  bokc, 

Save  that  tl;cr{;*wcrin  a  fewe  wcJlet     ' 

:  pitc  aad  fochc  rnuthc 

Came  rennirj^frn  *'  •  '-^'  •"   ■     ^n^.  n'- 

:r  forowc,  that  by  my  tromhc 

That  madr  a  dcil! 

WOffc  al  the  morowc 

And  rcnnin  down                ^ 

likin  on  her  forowe. 

That  %vat  undir  a  rockc  y^rawc 

that  ihe  cowdc  here  no  worvU 

Amyd  the  vaky  wimdir  dcpc 

in  myg^htjn  fiude  her  lordc 

There  a*  ihcfc  goddii  by  aflepfg 

!  fwouncd,  and  [ai»ic  At)i»  ! 

Morpheus  and  F.clympaftcyrt, 

rul  nigh  wode  £he  wi», 

That  wau  the  god  of  Slcp'ii  heire. 

roude  DO  rede  hut  one. 

That  flcpte  and  did  none  otliir  wwk?. 

cm  knee*  fbe  (ate  anoiic 

l'hi%  cave  yxvat  alio  a»  derke 

cbtt  pttic  wa*  to  here. 

'  As  hd  pirtc  ;  ovir  all  aboutc 

ry,  my  fwete  lady  derc ! 

They  had  godc  ley  fire  for  to  route 

O  Juno,  her  j*odtlefl>. 

To  vye  %vho  mighfin  flrpc  beil; 

t  ouiofthisdiftrclTe, 

Some  hinge  thcr  chince  npon  thcrbrcfi,                            ' 

tie  gmcc  my  lordc  to  fc 

And  flcpte  upright  thrr  hedyh'*J, 

Wfic  whcfe  fo  he  be. 

And  fomeby  nakid  in  therhed. 

6  farctb,  or  in  wlut  wi£e. 

And  llcptin  whiles  their  dayii  laft. 

mike  you  fjerifice. 

TUh  mciraungT  come  renninj^fa^. 

f  yourt  bceome  I  Ihil, 

Ai»d  Cficd.Ho,  hoUw  t                                                           1 

wil,  body,  bene,  and  al  j 

It  was  for  naught ;  the  J 

an  wolte  f  hit,  lady  fwete 

Awake,  (quod  he)  wh"  ,   ,  .,. ; 

gT%<rc  to  ilcpc,  nrid  mcic 

And  blcwr  hm  home  riejiu  in  ther  ere. 

fomc  ccri^inc  Iwcvlti 

And  cried  Awykilh'  %v*ifidir  hie- 

Wffh  iJiat  1  may  knowc  evio 
J  Torde  be  quit  ke  or  dcd 

This  god  ot  Slepe  with  hit  one  eye   . 

C ail  up,  and  aJkcd  Who  cUpitli  there  t 

t  wordc  Ihe  hinge  down  the  bed. 

It  am  1,  (quod  ihit  raeiTingcre) 

»  fwftnne  at  coldc  as  ftonc ; 

Juno  ba^dc  that  thou  ihooidtil  gone. 

I  caught  her  up  anone, 

And  tuldin  him  what  he  fliould  done 

btin  her  in  bed  al  naked, 

A*  I  have  tolde  you  here  before, 

wepid  and  forwakcd 

It  i*  no  ncde  rehcrfe  it  more. 

and  thtti  the  dcd  flepe 

And  wente  hi»  way  whan  he  had  Jiide. 

or  fbetokckepe, 

Anont-  thi»  god  of  Slcpe  abraidc                            .  , 

mo  that  had  herde  her  bone, 

Out  of  his  ilepe  and  gan  to  go. 

1  bef  to  IJrp^  foot ; 

And  did  a^  he  had  biddc  him  do  i 

^ide  right  to  was  don 

He  toke  up  the  dcd  body  lone, 

'Juou  right  anon 

And  bare  it  fonhe  to  Alcyone 

■  her  mcflArij^crc 

Hi*  wife,  the  qucnc,  tb^teia  fhc  by, 

ermunde,  and  he  come  nere : 

Right  even  a  quart ir  brfore  diy. 

at  come  flic  bad  him  thu^; 

Andftode  ri   '          V      '     '  "     *       , 

piod  Juno)  to  Morpheus 

Andcailid  1 

eft  him  wel,  the  gnd  of  3lepc  ; 

By  namc.an^  ,..k^  ,  .■.,_.  ,^,^:^  v».i^ 

Ijlande  wri,  tnd  tak?  kepe» 

Awake,  kt  be  your  iorowful  lyfc, 

K|  behalfc,  that  he 

For  in  your  roro%*  there  lyih  no  rede, 

mm  ffet:  fe, 

Fuf  ccrtca,  fweu  Io»c  I  1  am  bu  dcd-  ;                          , 

f 

Kh 

^ 


mn  DREME    ©F   tnAvCBft. 


Yc  fliair  mc  ncr  ofs-lyre  yfc  : 

But,  g6dc  fwete  hcnc  !  I  prayc  chM  jc 

Bury  my  body;  fochc  a  tide 

Ye  niowc  it  ftnde  the  fc  beiidc  : 

And  farcwd  fwct^  I  my  worJd'it blL0e^ 

Ppr&y  that  God  your  forowe  lyiTc : 

To  lytLl  while  ©iiT-bliffc  ykftsth. 

WitJi  that  brr  eyin  up  flit  c^ct!<, 
And  faw<  niught.  AU<'  for  forowe 
She  died  withm  the  thirdc  morowe, 

But  what  flic  r^iidniorc  mi  tb^t  fwowc 
T  may  nat  tcUin  you  »9  nowe  ; 
It  were  to  Icagi  Scr  t*  dw«i  ^ 
My  firll  Qiitcre  !■  wII-tou  tcJ 
Whetfort  I  have  ytoldc  this  ihinge 
©f  AlcyoDc  And  G'i*  the  kiugc. 

For  thinnothc  dare  I  fayin  wellr 
I  had  be  doli^in  cvetidel, 
And  ded,  right  through  defaute  of  Hepe^ 
Yf  I  oe  bid  red  and  take  kcpe. 
or  this  like  tilt  Acst  before!, 
And  t  wil  telllii  you  whcrfore,. 
F»r  I  nc  might  ior  bot&  nc  bale 
Slc|)in  or  I  had  reddc  thi»  talc 
or  this  rdrcktc  Ccii  the  hinge,. 
And  nf  the  goddi*.  cf  Sl&pinge, 

Whta  I  had  red  tbit  t;iU  wclc^ 
And  ovirlokfd  it  evcridcle. 
Ale  thought  ivondir  if  it  -were  (o^,. 
Tot  I  had  ncr  htrdc  fp«kc  nr  iho 
Of  no  goddif  that  coid^ii^^^e 
Alcn  for  to  Cepenefcrto  wnlne,. 
And  I  nc  kocwc  oer  God  but  one,. 
And  in  my»  ^tne  I  faid  anone, 
( And  jn  me  lyll  right  ii  to  pU-y) 
HUther  than  that  I  (huldin  dcy 
*rhftr<*vigh  defjiMC  of  flrpirge  thu» 
t  woldtn  py>atithilke  Morpheus 
Or  that  gnddeiTc  liight  Dainr  ]iiao^ 
Dffomc  wight  els,  Lne  roj^ht  who. 
To  make  me  flepc  iod  hjwc  feme  rtft. 
I  \vill  pivc  Kinvthe  .lUhir  bell 
Ycftc  that  cr  he  :ibf>da  hi«  ly%€ 
And  hcrc-onwxrde  fight  now  a»  biy ve^^* 
If  he  wdH  iU''<c  nir  flrpc  a  liiCp 
Of  dawnc  of  pur^  dovi^  xirhnt 
1  wol  ycvr  hirn  a  fcthic  bed- 
Ujyid  with  j^ld^  uiuUigbt  wf I  d^A 
In  Uuc  blaikc  fAtiin  dburrcmere, 
At  til  inany*  a  pilnwc',  and  every  hfre 
t^i  ch»ihc  of-Sfciine*  te  fcpc  on  lofrc, 
Him  thare  not  ricdc  to  tttnun  oftc; 
And  I  wol  yeve  hiui  a1  diat  fjJIo 
*1  o  bii  chamhrc  3«wd  to  hisluIKe/ 
Twol  do  paintc  *hem  wiih  pure  gc4df. 
And  tapite  *hrm  fvsl  many  foik  v 
t^(  one  futc  tijis.fhal  bt  yhavc» 
t  i  that  t  wiftc  wh«TC  wew  hi*  cave^ 
K  he  rstn  make  luc  flrpin  ibne. 
As  did  the  goddi^fTc  Quenc  Akyo»a;. 
And  thtii  thi^  yike  g(>d  MorphfUi 
May  wmnin  of  me  mo  fees  thu* 
Thaq  crhc  wanne;and  to  Juno 
flut  'i»  his  ^dddl'c  t'ihBll  To  dO}. 


I 


I  irowc  that  (he  ihal  holde  hcf  fAtdr 

1  had  unnetk  that  wordc  ifude^ 
Right  thus  ait  f  have  toldio  yott. 
Than  foddatyj  nc  wifle  howcp 
Sochc  »  lu(U:  anoDc  mc  ytoke 
I'o  n<7pc,  that  right  upon  raf  bokc 
I  fcl  aQcpc,  aod  therwith  even 
Me  mctte  fo  inly  fochc  a  fwcvcq» 
Si  wondirfullf  th»i  ncvir  yet 
I  tre>wc  no  mao  ne  bad  the  wit 
To  connin  wel  my  fwflvia  rede, 

Ni>,  nought  Jofeph  wtthoutin  c 
Of  Egypt),  hct  whidv  ihat  rad  fa 
The  kirtg*ii  metingje  Pharao, 
No  more  thin  coude  the  tt6eofu% 

Nc  nat  fcarily  Macrobcm, 
He  that  wrote  aJ  the*  avificn 
Whicl^e  that  he  met  Kingc  Scipion, 
The  Doble  maii^  the  AiFrican, 
SoJic  mervaiUi>£&riunjd  th4n 
I  trowc^  arcde  my  dremis  cvm  ; 
Lo  f  thus  it  WM,  tht*  was  my  fweTen  ; 

Mc  tboughtin  thus  (hat  it  wa^  Klay 
And  in  the  dawning  there  V\mj 
Me  met  ci)u«  in  my  bed  al  naked. 
And  iokid  fof^he^  for  I  wa»  w»ked 
With  fmab  Codita  grct  hcpe. 
That  had  afraicd  mc*  out  o£  ray  flepe 
Through  tioiftand  fwetnciTc  of  thcr  foQgtll 
And  asmc  met- they  Catc  amonge 
Upon  my  chambrc  rof«  without^ 
Ufion  the  tyles  mrc*  al  about*. 
And  cvcrichc  fongc  in  hi*  wife 
The  mode  fwctc  atid  folcmpne  terftSk 
By  aote  that  cvir  man  I  trowc 
Had  hcrde,  for  fome  of  'hem  fonge  lovCp 
Some  htgh,  and  ^\  of  asc  accBr£  ; 
To  tellin  (hortly,  at  o  wordej 
Was  nevir  hcrdi*  fr  f  "  .  v«o^ 

Bui  it  had  be  i-*h:: 
Su  mcric*  a  r*>\vtjc,  i^  .^^^^  ,  lUine*, 
That  ctrti*  for  ttic  lownc  of  Tcwtie^ 
]  n*oJdcbut  I  had  lieidc  *htni  fiagc. 
For  a  I  my  chambrc  gati  tu  riftge 
I'hror.gh  llngitt^  of  thrr  hiirmouy. 
For  iufli  imcnt  nor  melody 
\Va'.  no  wlurc  herdc  yet  halfc  So  fwctt^ 
Nrtf  of  acord«*  hajfe  fo  me Se» 
For  thcrt  wm  wonc  of  'hem  thit  fbintd 
To  fingr,  for  ccha  of  'hem  him  paiuvd 
To  Hndc  out  ni:«ay  cnlv^  uoiv^ 
Ihcy  DC  yfparid  nat  ther  throtr%; 
And,  foth  U»  luinc,  ray  chambrtwa* 
}  vA  wcl  dcpainiiJ.  and  wirh;jb% 
WtTC  aj  iht  wiudowe^wei  jjlV^ 
Pal  dere,  ^nd  nat  an  bole  ycra^d^ 
That  to  bcholde  it  w«grru  joy. 
For  whol!}-  al  iIk  Hury"  of  Trof 
Vk'd^  in  ihf  ^aiCing«ywroD2hl  liiiti. 
Of  Ilcdor  uitd  Kinge  J^riamuByr 
AchUlr^  mud  Kinge  l-amcdon. 
And  ckc  M'^dcaatid  JaXon, 
Of  Far  is,  Ht  kine  ood  l.Avlne ; 
Aod  all  the  srallci  with  coloun  imt 


THE   DUEME 

OF    CHAUCER.                                        4*5 

,  both^  trrfc  and  glof<r, 
IDhiauntcof  ihcRofc  : 

An  I  folowcd  and  it  forth  went,                                   h 

Downe  by  ^  floury  |rrcne  it  went                                    U 

itwcrlii  fhH  cch  one, 

1  Ful  thick  of  jcraflc  ful  fofte  and  »wetc,               ^^^^H 

the  gblfe  the  funna  yflionc 

With  flouds  fcle  fare  undir  fete,                          ^^^H 

furith  bright  bcmis, 
i^d  giidy  ftrtmis ; 

And  lytil  tifed^  h  lemid  thti»i                              ^^^H 

For  bothe  Flora  and  Zcpbyru-s                           ^^^^| 

jgteikm  wa«  fo  fairc. 

They  two  that  mskin  flouris  growc*                  ^^^^t 

j>  and  dcrc,  y  vras  the  lyre; 

Had  m.ide  ther  dwelling  there  1  tfowCi             ^^^^| 

rtprc*^  in  Tothc  it  ww, 
ftit:  nc  hotc  h  n*.!!, 

For  it  waa  on  for  to  behoidc                                ^^^H 

Ah  tliough  the  crthe  there  envye  woldc             ^^^H 

Welkin  w^  no  clowdc. 

To  be  gayir  than  is  the  heven,                            ^^^H 

if  thu%  wondir  lowdc 

To  havin  mo  ftouris  foche  fcvcn                         *^^^H 

Ihcrde  sa  bitntir  blowe 

As  in  the  welkin  flerrii  be,                                 ^^^H 

ict  hornei  and  to  knowe 

It  had  forget  the  povirtc                                       ^^^^| 

ms  clere  orhorfe  of  fowae| 

Of  Wincir,  through  his  cotdd  morow«4              '  ^^^H 

e  goyngc  up  and  downe 

That  made  it  fulfre,  and  his  foroifrei                    ^^^^| 

©undcs  and  otJiir  thinge, 

AU  wzs  forieten,  atfd  that  wa«  feoc,                    ^^^H 

pekin  of  hunttnge« 

For  all  the  wode  wai  woiitt  geoie,                     ^^^H 

pc  fJc  thchartcjwtth  ftruiffth. 

SwetneOc  of  dewc  h^d  made  it  w^e.               I^^^l 

luirte  had  Upon  lenj^h 

It  11  no  nedc  eke  for  to  ue                               ^^^H 

efcd,  I  n'ot  Rowc  iwhat, 
iwhan  1  hcrdin  that» 

Where  there  were  many  grcne  grcre»i              ^^^H 

Or  thicke  of  itca  fo  ful  of  levc^,                       ^^^H 

f  woldc  on  huntitigc  gone, 

And  every  tree  flode  by  him  felv«                    ^^^H 

id,  and  up  iinonc 

Fro  othir  wel  ten  fote  or  twelve,                       ^^^H 

1^,  »nd  forth  I  wcntc 

^  So  grete  ireei  ajsd  fo  huge  of  &rengtli,              ^^^H 

re  1  1  ntvir  ftentt 

Of  fourty'  or  6fehy  fadome  length,                     ^^^^ 

\  the  fcldc  without. 

Atl  clene  with o^ tin  bowe  or  litckr,                    ^^^H 

BE  I  a  grctc  rout 

With  croppii  brode,  and  eke  as  thickr;              ^^^H 

|offurefter&, 

They  wenn  not  an  ynchc  blonder,                    ^^^H 

iici  and  IJmers. 

That  it  waj  fifadde  ovtr  all  under;                     ^^^^| 

pa  to  the  forcft  faft, 
em  :  fo  at  the  hk 

And  m^ny"  in  hart  and  many'  an  hindo             ^^^^| 

Wis  both  bcfcn-e  mc  md  bchindc^                     ^^^H 

fc,  a  lymcrc, 

or  f^wnit.  fowlrs,  bucki%  doev                           ^^^| 

rho  flial  huiitin  here  ? 

Waii  iul  the  vodde,  and  msny  toe«,                   ^^^M 

,lic  anfwcrtd  aycn, 

And  many  fquirrilii,  that  fete                              ^^^^| 

tour  Odotiycn, 

Ful  high  upon  the  trees  and  etc,                         ^^^H 

aheishcrcfatUhy. 

And  in  thcr  manir  madin  feUes ;                       !^^^| 

Hire,  in  godc  tynic,  (f[ii(id  I) 

Shortly,  it  was  fo  fui  of  brdci                            ^^^H 

^,  am)  gan  to  ride  : 

1  hat  though  Argus  the  ncble  cvtittoVT             ^^^| 

le  to  the  fore  ft  lidc 
^d  rirht  ifjtic 

Yr«te  to  rcki^  in  bit  coJctoari                            ^^^H 

And  rckin  with  hi#  fibres  ten,                            ^^^H 

Ice  Ui  to  done, 
hunt*  anonc  fotc  Ijc*E5 

For  by  tho  figures  ncwc  s\  ktn                            ^^^M 

If  they  hi  or^ty,  reken  and  nombrf,                  ^^^M 

f  home  ybkwr  thrCmotc 

And  tcl  of  every  thing  the  rrombrc,                   ^^^| 

lingc  of  hi&  hound i*. 
§  the  hartc  founde  u ; 

Yet  fhuld  J  he  failc  to  rektn  even                        ^^^H 

The  wonders  mc  met  in  my  fweven  i                ^^^H 

Ircchafidfaa 

But  ionbc  I  rom4?d  right  wondir  Ude               ^^^H 

\  and  lo  at  the  h(k 

Downe  through  the  wode ;  fo  at  the  lade          ^^^| 

Sd  and  ftafc  away 

1  was  ware  «f  i  mmo  in  blacks,                           ^^^M 

9dc>  a  privy  way. 

1'hat  fate,  and  bad  yttimed  hit  bicke                 ^^^| 

|i  bad  ovirthoL  him  aH, 

Unto  an  coke  &nd  hug<^  ere ;                              ^^^H 

,  dcfaulte  yfal. 

lord :  tho  thought  f ,  who  may  thai  be  ?          ^^^| 

lioni  fttU  wondit  £aft 

1  WhaeeyLth  him  to  ftttiif  herrf                          ^^^H 

lyn  at  ihc  Ihfte  : 

And  anon  r^ht  I  went  him  ncrc;                      ^^^H 

i  fio  my  ire. 

Than  founde  I  fitte  ^vm  upright                         <^^^B 

pbere  came  by  mp                              i 

A  wondir  fairc  welfaiing  kn  i%(U,                        ^^^M 

i  fawned  mc  a&  1  floJer,                      ' 

By  the  mamr  ms  thoughtin  Jb                           ^^^H 

red  and  coude  no  gode ; 

Of  godc  moki],  right  yonge  therto,                    ^^^H 

teptc  to  mc  aa  lowc. 

Of  rhc'  a^c  of  Coure-and-rwemy  yer^f               ^^^^| 

1  me  wcW  ykfjfiwe, 

Upon  hl»  herd:  but  titil  here,                             ^^^| 

If  li<?d  and  joyned  hiii  erci^ 

And  he  was  cl.thid  al  in  bhcke  ;                       ^^^H 

^othe  iiluvvnt'  his  here*. 
e  csngkt  it  up  ationc  i 

1  Aalkid  cv«n  unto  hi»  backe ;                             ^^^^B 

And  there  ]  Hode  as  aa  as  ought,                     ^^^M 

U  ho  m^,  ygQOc  ; 

The  fothe  tofxy  he  faw  mc  nought]                 ^^^| 

1 

^^1 

^E?^                                      THE    DREM1! 

CHATJCEie.                ^^^H 

^™  For  why  ?  he  hinge  hn  hcd  adownc. 

Forievc  me  if  I  have  my^etakc          "^^^B 

And  with  a  dcdly  forowfiil  fownc 

Yes,  I  he  amendtis  it  light  to  make,         V 

He  made  of  rime  ten  vcrfcs  or  twelve 

{ qiiod  he)  for  there  lithe  son  tfccno  ;        ■ 

Of  a  complainte  unto  himfelvc. 

"1  htrc  is  nothing  mifTaide  nor  dow               H 

The  moile  pitc  and  the  moft  routhc 

Lo  howc  godely  yfpake  thii  knight^       ^ 

That  cvir  1  hcrdc,  for  by  trouthe 

As  it  had  be  anothir  wight,                       -  V 

It  wa«  ^rcte  wotidir  that  Nature 

And  made  it  ncithir  tough  ne  qnrint  * ^ 

Might  fufl>c  any  creature 

And  1  fawc  that,  and  gan  me'  aqticia^^^H 

To  have  fochc  forow*  and  he  not  dcd ; 

With  htm,  and  foundc  him  fo  iretablij^^H 

Ful  pitouapaJc.aod  nothing  red, 

Right  wotidir  (kylful  and  t  cib'iJiihle,  ^^H 

He  iaid  a  by,  a  manir  fongi:. 

As  mc  thoughiin,  for  all  hit  hmle>               M 

Withoutin  note,  witboutin  fonge, 

Anon  right  1  gan  firde  a  nlc               ^^^B 

And  was  this,  for  ful  wcl  1  can 

To  him,  to  lokc  where  1  might  otiglit^^^^ 

Reht rfc  it ;  right  thus  it  began  : 

Have  morcknowleging  of  his  tlion^i^^^H 

1  have  of  forrowc  lb  gictc  wonc. 

Sir,  (quod  I)  this  game  h  ydone,^^^^^ 

That  Joyc  ne  get  1  ncvir  none. 

I  holdc  that  this  hart  be  ygone,          ^^^H 

Nowt  that  1  fe  my  lady  bright. 

Thcfc  huntii  can  him  no  where  fe.      ^^^H 

Which  1  have  loved  with  all  my  might. 

I  do  no  force  therof,  (quod  be)               H 

Is  fro  me  dcd,  and  is  agone, 

My  thought  ii  iheron  neradele.                 ^ 

And  thui  in  forowe'  Icftc  me  alone  ; 

By'  our  Lorde  (quod  1)  1  trowe  you  wtk. 

Alas  t  o  Deihe  !  what  eyiith  the 

Right  fo  mc  think  it  h  by  your  dtctx  ; 

That  thou  n'oldift  have  takin  mc 

But,  Sir,  o  thing  wollin  ye  here  ? 

^^    Whan  that  thou  toke  ray  lady  f^yetc  I 

Mc  thinketh  in  grct  foroMrc*  I  you  fc» 

^K  Of  all  godencs  fhe  had  nunc  mete. 

But  certis,  Sir»  and  if  that  yc 

^V   That  was  fo  fairc,  fo  frclhc,  fo  frc. 

Woldc  aught  difcuvir  mc  your  wo 

■          So  gode,  that  men  may  wcl  yfc. 

I  woldc,  a*  wife  God  helpe  me  fo. 

1               Whan  he  had  made  thus  hit  complainte 

Amende  it  if  1  cia  or  may. 

His  forowfui  hert  gan  fail  faintc, 

Vc  ntowin  pTovcit  byafl'ay, 

And  his  ipirititwcxin  dedc. 

For  by  my  trouthe,  to  make  you  wholtf 

The  blodc  was  jledde  for  pure  drcde 

1  wol  do  al  my  powir  whole  ; 

Downe  to  hh  hcrte  to  makin  him  warme^ 

And  ttllcth  nie  of  your  forowe*  fmert. 

For  wcl  it  fclcd  the  hcrtc  had  harmc. 

Parjuntcr  it  may  cfc  your  hcrtc. 

To  wctc  ckc  why  tt  was  adraddc. 

That  fcmeth  ful  Ijkc  undir  yourCde. 

By  kinde,  and  for  to  make  it  gladdc, 

With  that  he  luked  on  mc  a£de. 

For  it  is  mcmbrc  principal 

As  who  faithc  nay,  that  n'yl  not  be. 

Of  tlic  body,  and  that  made  al 

Graujjt  mercy,  my  godc  fjcnde!  (qttadbt)r 

His  hcwc  ychaunge,  and  wcxin  grcnc 

1  thankc  the  that  ihuu  woldift  fo. 

And  pale  for  there  no  blode  14  fcnc 

But  it  may  ncr  the  rather  b;  do ; 

Within  no  manirJymme  of  hi«. 

No  man  ne  may  my  forowe  gbdjf , 

Anon  thtrwith,  whan  1  fawc  thit. 

That  mskcth  nijr  hewe  to  tal  and  fadr^ 

He  farde  thus  y  vil  tlicre  he  fete. 

And  hatli  myn  under lUodm;*  lt»mc, 

1  went  and  ftodc  right  at  hif  fttc. 

That  mc  is  wo  thtit  1  wa*  boi  uc  : 

And  grettc  him,  but  he  fpake  right  nought 

Muy  nought  make  n:y  forowif  flydc, 

But  arguid  with  his  ownc  thought. 

Not  all  the  rem'edie^  of  Ovide, 

And  til  hiswirte  difputid  failc 

Ne  Orphcut,  god  of  Melodic, 

Bothc  why  and  howc  his  lyfe  might  laflc. 

^€  Dadalui,  with  hi*  pUyc*  flye. 

Him  thought  his  forowci  were  fo  Imcrtc, 

Nc  hclc  mc  may  no  phyluien. 

-'\nd  by  fo  coldc  upon  hi»  hcrtc. 

Nought  Hipporratci  nc  Galen  j 

Su  thrcujfh  hi&  forowe'  and  holy  thought 

Me*  is  wo  that  1  hvc  houris  twdve; 

Made  him  that  he  nc  hcrdc  mc  nought, 

But  whofo  Will  aJTayc  him  felve 

I  or  he  had  wdnye  loft  his  mindc. 

Whether  hiv  hcrt  tau  have  pitc 

^1  hough  Pan,  that  men  clqjc  god  of  Kiodc 

Of  nny  forowr  let  bi^.  <-   ".- 

Were  for  his  forowe*  ncr  fo  wrothe. 

I  Wfclciar,  that  dtf.'                        ]<ral  ftlk«& 

But  at  the  laA,  to  lainc  ri«ht  fothc, 

Of  al  tbcbliffc  tb.i                       ...t. 

He  was  v  are  of  me  howe  1  ftode 

1  wrothe,  the  werftc  of  *i 

Bcfoie  him  and  did  of  my  hode. 

That  h;itc  my  d:tyiB  st»d  r 

And  had  gfct  him  as  1  bell  coude 

My  lyfe,  my  luflm  bt  n>                     ^^^M 

Debonairly  and  nothing  loude; 

Kor  all '  fare  and  1  b*  wn                       ^^^H 

He  faid,  I  pray  the  brnnt  wrodie, 

The  f lire  dcti                                          ^^B 

1  bcidt  the  not,  to  fainc  the  fothc, 
Nc  1  fawc  the  not,Sir,trucly. 

1  hat  I  wold.                                                  ■ 

lor  whan  t  1                              ,  r^               M 

Ah,  godc  Sir  !  tho  no  force  (<iuod  I) 

1  wold  have  t:                                               ^M 

I  am  light  fory'  if  1  have  ought 

Aiidtbi*  is  p.i,.  -If,               ■( 

Diftroubhd  you  out  of  your  thought ; 

Alway  Jyingcaad  be  not  dedc^ 

^^"                    THE   DREME 

OF    CHAUCER. 

^•i" 

3hui  tkit  iycth  ;a  hcl 

With  her  falfc  d ran thtis  ful  diy Cf > 
Shv*  Hale  on  me,  ancf  tokc  my  fen; 

(jot  of  niorc  CiiTQWC  t^ ; 

To  wilVc  al.  by  my  trouthc, 

And  whan  1  fawc  tny  fcr^  away, 

oTWC,but  be  lutldc  routhc 

aUs  !  1  couth  no  Icnglr  play, 

of  my  forowcH  imcrtc 

But  fayid,  Farcwcl  fwctt !  ywlt. 

jhaih  3  fcnddy  bene, 

And  f crewel  al  that  er  there  b ; 

^^^^_ 

fcceh  lue  lirll  *ju  morowc 

Therw*ith  Fonunc  yfuyid  Chcjic  Ket-c, 

'^^^^^^1 

t  that  be  hath  mtt  with  Sor ovvr, 

And  mate  inthc'mydpo)-ntof  thLMiccTcerc 

''^^^^H 

Sorowc*,  mid  Sorowc'  u  J, 

With  a  paun*  errant.  Ala*  ' 

^^^^^1 

1  I  wyi  tei  the  why»        ♦ 

Kul  crafiyir  to  play  fjie  was 

''^^^H 

c'  is  toumid  to  pl4ynyi»g. 

Than  Athalus,  that  made  tjiti  gan, 

^^^^^ 

r  laughtir  to  wtpiug^ 

Firft  of  the  chelTc,  fo  wui  hi*  lum 

""^^^^l 

Plough  tt»  to  bcfincffe, 

But  God  woldc  t  had  onei  or  tWJi 

\^^^^H 

1  U  myn  ydkiiclTc, 

Iconde  and  knowe  the  jcopcrdift 

^^^^H 

iyrcft^my  iwck  h  wo. 

That  coude  the  Grtkc  Pjtlu   - 

^^^^1 

»  hannci  aaid  cvirmo 

I  Oiulde  have  piaide  the, bet 

'^^^^H 

if  toumid  niy  pbyniug, 

And  kept  my  fcfs  tbu*  bet  rl 

"^^^H 

«litc  in  ftjroA^ing,               ^^ 

And  though  whcrto?  for  t 

^^^^1 

U  turned  Into  liJkcncfie, 

I  hildc  that  wtfhe  no:  wori. 

^^^^1 

Umy  fyckcriic^c, 

It  had  be  net  the  bet  for  nic , 

^^^1 

jtturmdal  my  lyght. 

For  Fortune  can  fo  many'  a  >\  jl: 

^^^^H 

h  foly,  my  day  night. 

Thcr  be  but  fewc  can  her  W^ik, 

Jm^^M 

1  hate,  mv  flcpc  .vakyig. 

And  rkc  fhc  ii  the  bflc  to  bhnic. 

T^^^^H 

and  metis  is  {ailing, 

M)  fcHc  1  woldr  ' 

'^^^^1 

naiiuce  is  niccte, 

B^fort:  God,  ha^! 

',^^^^H 

iwed  where  lb  I  be, 

iibv  ought  the  n^u4L  ^  v.u4ii>  wu  , 

i^^^^^^H 

i  plcding,  and  in  wcrrt. 

For  thss  !  (ay  yet  more  thcna. 

.IT^I 

t  might  J  fare  in  werrc ! 

H.id  1  be  God,  and  mi;  Lr  ^:.v.  ^U 

[leticlTc  h  turniJ  to  (hiunc, 

My  wyl,  wh»n  flic  n. 

^1 

ortune  haih  played  a  game 

I  woldc  have  drawcn 

^^^^H 

with  ro«,  alas  the  whil.  !                            , 

For  al  fu  wife  C: 

j^^^^M 

rrcflc  hik  and  ful  of  ^yU, 

1  dure  wel  fwcTL 

"^^^^H 

botcth  ind nothing  h^iic, 

But  through c  that  dt. 

*^^l 

uprijrhl  iind  y*^t  i}-\<:  fuiltt, 

Myblyfrc,J«that  1 

f  ^^H 

:'rh  bule  and  b>kjth  layr*;> 

For  cvirmotc  I  it                    , 

ous  jnd  debonairc^ 

For  III  my  wll, «                    oly 

Is  tunic,  but  wui-  jv  ,Ti4,.L  t\f  done? 

*L^^^^| 

lilTr   i'^'  '""    '  ■  '-  ♦'"--•  1 

or 

By'  our  Lordc  it  i»  to  dyin  fonc, 

«s^^^l 

th     .■  ■              ,■.,-11; 

Foniothingc  1  nc  Icvc  it  noutrl  t 

t^^^^l 

moniirr*  bed  ywrycn. 

ButJyveandd)                                 gJ^i ; 

l^^^^l 

ovir  yftrowcd  i»ifith  flourcs. 

There  n'y&  plar. 

^^^^^1 

•  wor(hip,and  her  flourc*. 

Nc'  in  aire  nc' 

l^^^^H 

or  that  t>  her  uattirci 

That  they  ncyt 
Of  wcpycg  \vh.! 

^^^^^M 

I  fmith,  Uwc,  or  tikcfurc. 

"^^^^^1 

l^aadcv^ir  taujo^bing 

lor  whan  that!                    .  Jc, 

t ^^^^^^^^H 

eye,  aiul    '    -      '  r  wcping, 

And  bethinkc  ni 

^^^^^1 

ough.tui                   lowiit  i 

Mow  that  there                     lalngc 

>  ^^^^^^^H 

to  the  ' 

In  my  forowis  foi  .. 

'^^^^H 

falfc  ail.                    heft, 

And  howc  there  hvitl 

^^^^^H 

sis  bed  i                   lift,                              , 

^tay  gliddin  me  of  n 

1 ^^^^^^1 
1  ^^^^^^1 

yd  lii»  flwinngc 

I  And  howc  1  ha V 

ailc  he  wil  forciy  ftyngc, 

And  thcrto  1  k. 

fS^^I 

filni,  and  £u  w\\  Ihc  ;                                * 

Than  may  I  fay 

vuTH 

cflviousCharite, 

Aud  whan  ai  tl;                                         r, 

c  falfc  and  fern  it  h  wck, 

AUi!  than  ^m  i  ^^vjr.onjii, 

^^H 

,  fbc  her  U\[^  whrk 

For  that  is  done  thii  not  to  comt  ; 

^^ 

ork  i^nodiing  liable, 

I  have  more  forottc  th  "   r— •  ' 

^_^^H 

tht  fyrc  no  we  at  the  tahk ; 

And  whan  1  Jierdt 

.^^^^H 

'one  hath  ffi-   tliu^ybiciit; 

rhuspitouilv  as  1  VM 

i^^^^l 

reofcti                    t. 

Unnethi*  r.                          df, 

4^^^^l 

itfa<UlC^^                     I,.; 

It  did  myn                               1  wo. 

^^^^^M 

tfccfc  wbiit  hath  ibc  do 

A,  godc  'mi  I  i^i^iiud  ij  iay  nat  fo, 

'i^^^^l 

hou  f  by'  our  Lordc  I  wU  the  fiiy. 

Have  fomc  pit<^  on  yoiit  J^iit^re, 

^^^^^1 

■bh  Aic  ^  gan  to  f  Uy.;  • 

That  fccrmid  you  to  a  €Wuxc^ 
Hh  iij 

1 

» 


ft 


lUmcmBrith  jtu  of  Socratti» 
For  be  ne  countlth  not  thre  fU cc» 
Of  nought  chiit  Fcrrtunc  coxide  ydo. 

No,  (quod  he)  I  nc  can  Dot  (o, 
Whjr*  godc  Sir,  ytspardc,  (<juod  I) 
Nc  fiiy  not  foj  for  tl"uily 
Though  yc  had  loft  the  fcrfia  twelve. 
And  for  forowc  murdrid  your  fclvt, 
Yc  {hulde  be  dampnid  in  this  cafe. 
By  a$  i^ode  right  as  Medea  wa«. 
That  floogh  her  childrin  for  JafoD, 
And  PhylifA  for  tleaiopho^n. 
That  hing  her  fclf,  fo  wcliway  ' 
For  he  liad  brokln  hi^  teime  day 
To  come  to  her.  AAOthir  rage 
Had  Didoj  the  Qucnc  of  Carthage, 
That  (JoMgh  her  klf  for  Mneza 
Was  falfc,  for  whichc  a  fo!e  (he  was ; 
And  Echo  dyed  for  Narci^us 
Nc  wolde  nat  love  her;  and  right  thns 
Haih  many'  an  othlr  foly  done, 
And  for  Dalila  died  Sarnpfone, 
That  floughc  him  fclfe  with  a  pilcrc  j 
But  there  ii  no  man  aliTC  htrc 
Wclde  for  thcr  fcris  make  this  w«- 

Why  fb  ?  (quod  he)  it  i»  iiot  fo. 
Thou  woicft  ful  lytil  what  thou  mcncft. 
For  I  have  loftc  more  than  thou  wcndl. 
And  howc  may  that  ybc  ?  (quod  I) 
Code  Sir,  telUth  mc  al  wholly 
In  wh^t  wik,  ho  we,  why,  and  wherforr> 
That  yc  hav«^  thus  your  blifle  ylore. 

Bljtbdy^  (qu<?<l  he;)  come,  fittihe  doun; 
]  tcl  the  on  conditioim 
Thou  fhJtc  wholly  with  alJ  thy  wit 
Do  thync  entente  to  herklo  it, 

Vcs,  Sir.  I'han  fwcre  thy  Uouthc  thcrto, 
Cladly  to  hcldin  thi;  hereto* 
]  {hal  right  biithe«  fo  God  me  favc, 
"Wholly  with  all  the  wittc  I  hare 
Here  you  »s  wel  m  cr  I  can, 
A  Godde's  halfe,  (guod  he)  and  beg^an- 

Sir,  (quod  be)  Othint  firfle  j  coutiic 
Have  any  manir  wittc  fro  jouthc. 
Or  kindily  untlcrllandingc 
To  comprehcndc  in  any  thin;^ 
What  lovc  W2S  in  mine  ownt  wit> 
DredilciTc  I  have  cvir  yet 
Bt  tributary  and  yeve  rente 
To  l#ovc  wholly,  wirh  godc  cntf  nte, 
Aad  thrqugh  pitfkuncc  become  his  thraj 
With  godc  wil,  body,  bene,  and  at  ; 
Ai  thii  I  put  in  hii  ferva^e 
As  to  my  tordc,  and  djcf  homage ; 
And  full  devouLtly*  I  praidt  hym  tho 
He  fUuldc  bcfet  myne  he rt^  fo 
That  itplefaonce  onto  him  Wcrc 
And  worfhI)p  to  nvy  hdy  dere* 

And  this  was  Iqog  and  many'  a  ycf  e  / 

(Er  that  min  bcrt  was  (et  o  where) 
^  haf  I  dyd  thw»,  and  nc  will  why, 
t  tfowc  it  came  me  kindtly  ; 
P^raunter  1  wat  thereto  moU  abJf 
A*  1  white  w^  Of  a  tftble^ 
% 


For  h'  a  rcdy  to  catclic  and  Hloe 
Al  thai  men  wolKfi  thcrin  iR«kc» 
M^hethir  mco  will  portrcy  or  painte 
Be  the  wciki«  nevir  fo  qnainte. 

And  thilkc  tpne  I  farid  nght  {9, 
]  wus  Mc  to*  have  Icmid  tho. 
And  to  have  conde  ^9  wcl  or  better 
Paraunf  ir  cithir  arte  or  Itttif , 
But  for  lovc  came  firft  in  my  tbou|1tt 
Thcrforc  1  nc  forgatc  it  nf*ught ; 
I  ^hccs  lovc  to  be  my  firft  cr^ftc. 
And  thcrfore  it  i&wtth  mc  lafte; 
For  why  ?  I  tokc^it  of  fo  yongc  •( 
That  malice  ne  had  my  comge^ 
Not  that  time  tumid  to  nothing 
Thorough  to  niokil  knowlcging. 
For  that  tyme  Votttlt  my  mi^ircfSc' 
Govcrnid  mc  in  ydilncfle, 
Fur  it  wa*  in  my  firfte  youth. 
And  though  ful  litil  godc  1  coutbr, 
l-or  al  my  WLrkiswcte  (littyng 
That  time,  and  al  my  thought  varjrta^ 
A I  thingc-t  were  to  me  ylichc  gode. 
That  knewe  1  tho,  but  thu^  it  fUKie: 

It  hjppcd  that  I  came  on  »  day 
In  to  a  pUce  there  that  1  fvy 
Trcwly  the  fairtft  companic 
Of  bdic*  that  er  man  with  eye 
Had  feuc  togithe^rs  in  o  place ; 
Sb,il  I  clepc  It  happe  cithir  grace 
I'hat  bronght  me  there  ?  nought  ba! 
That  i»  to  lyin  ful  comune, 
.  The  falfc  traitrrefTc  pervcfic, 
God  wolde  that  I  coutde  depe  her 
For  now  Qie  worcbith  mic  fal  wo, 
And  1  wol  tcl  the  focte  why  fo. 

Amongci  thcfc  ladles  thus 
The  fothc  to  fayin,  1  fawc  one 
That  nc  was  lykc  none  of  the  ftmfe^l 
For  I  dare  fwcre,  wjthoutin  doute. 
That  a*  the  fommer's  fonc^  brij»ht 
h  Fairer,  derer,  and  hmth  more  lygHt, 
Than  any  other  planet  in  hevcn^ 
The  moR^  or  the  fterris  fcvcn. 
For  al  the  wo  ride  right  fo  had  flie, 
Surmountin  'hcmal  of  bcaute. 
Of  manir,  and  of  comlyneflc 
Of  ftaturc,  and  wcl  fct  gladncffc. 
Of  godclyhcdc,  and  fo  wcl  bcfey, 
Shortly,  what  Slml  I  more  yfey  i 
By  God,  and  by  his  holowcs  twcltr, 
ft  waa  my  fwt tc  right  al  her  fclve ; 
♦^hc  had  So  Ikdfift  count^naftoce^ 
So  noble  pone  and  maint^nauncr, 
And  Xxive,  that  wcl  ybcfdc  my ' 
\had  efpy id  itic  tboffone 
That  fhc  611  fone  ill  my  thcaght ; 
As  helpe  me  God  £0  wat  I  c ought 
So  fodainly,  that  I  ae  toke 
No  maner  counfa^ile  but  at  her  lokv 
And  at  min  Lertc^  for  why?  her 
Sr>  ghdly  I  trowe  myn  bene  jcyoe. 
That  pyrcly  tho  mia  own^  thoqflit 
S4m2  It  were  bttt  tjerro  k^  f«r 


TFI  BREME   OF   CHAUCIU. 

■1 

■lA  inotihjr  to  be  wclc  ; 

To  make  that  faire,  that  ttrwly  (he 

^J 

tm  fothc,  for  every  dele 

Was  her  chcfc  patron  of  beaute. 

'^^1 

one  riglit  icl  the  why  t 

And  chefc  enfample*  of  al  her  werkc 

'-^^m 

e  her  dauncc  f«  comily. 

And  nonftrc,  for  be*  it  ner  fo  deike 

^^H 

id  Qug  fo  fvkttily, 

Mv  thinketh  1  ft  her  cTinno; 

rl^l 

gh  aad  phy  fo  womanly. 

And  yet  nioreovir^  though  ad  tho 

'^H 

Ljn  fo  debonairly. 

That  cvct  lived  were  now  a  lyvc 

^^1 

\f  fpeke  Bind  fo  frcnddr,                                 i 

Nc  wtilde  thei  have  founds  to  difairc 

,^H 

rtci  I  trowc  thai  cvirmore 

In  al  her  £icc  a  wickid  figtic. 

^^1 

ic  fo  bikfui  u  treforc ; 

For  it  Wis  f^id,  firaple*,  and  bentgne* 

^^^ 

ry  kerc  on  her  hed. 

And  fochc  a  godely  fwet^  fpcchc 

"^^1 

he  to  fay,  it  wai  not  rod. 

Yhai  that  fwete»  jny  fyv'ts  leche 

'^^H 

hir  jrctewe  nr  browoe  h  n*a%                        ' 

So  frccdciy,  and  to  well  ygroundcd, 

'.^^H 

aght  raottc  Hfcc  to  ^oldc  it  wai;                  ; 

Upou  rcfon  fo  wcl  ifounded, 

^^H 

liche  eyin  my  iady  had. 

And  fo  trctabk  to  al  gode, 
That  1  dare  fwerc  welby  the n>d« 

**^^H 

ise,  ^de,  and  ^lad,  snd  iad,                           ^ 

^"^^1 

,  of  gode  mokil,  nt»t  to  ^idc;                        , 

Of  oJoqutncc  waa  neTir  fondc 

'^^H 

hci  Ifflcc  o*a»  not  ttfide. 

So  fwctc  a  fowoing  and  faoonde, 

^^H 

thwart,  but  bcfct  fo  welc                                * 

Nc  trcwir  toogcd/nc  fcofuid  lalTc, 

^^^1 

:  and  tokc  ^jp  every  dele                                 1 

Nc  bet  coude  helc,-eh«  by  the  maCe 

f^^^^M 

ihc  that  on  her  gm  behaldr;                        [ 

1  durflc  fwerc,  th  ugh  t^  Pope  it  fong^. 

D  fcmcd  anone  (he  woIJe                              ' 

That  thcr  wai  ner  yet  through  her  tojjge 

ifiixy.  Folly  wendm  fo,                                  , 

Mmi  ne  woman  Jg^rctly  harmid. 

rai  cer  tlic  Taihrr  do^                                    i 

As  for  her  wic  ;fci  harmc  yhid. 

j^^^ 

lo  counter  fetid  thingc, 

Nc  laffe  flattrin^  in  her  worde. 

i^^l 

cr  awikc  pure  lokin  j,                                   , 

That  p*ircly^her  fimplc  rccof  de 

i^^l 

ibat  the  goddcfle  Diuac  Nature                  jj 

Was  founde  as  trcwc  as  atiy  Ijgndc 

^^^1 

ide  *hcm  op  in  by  mefure                               ■ 

Or  tr Withe  of  any  man*is  honde. 

^^H 

.fe,  for  were  ftc  ner  fo  glad                            j 
:isig  was  not  fdliihe  Iprad 
lily  thou^  that  (he  plaide. 

Ne  chide  fhe  couMc  neVu  a  dcle^ 

'  ^^1 

That  knowiih  al  €ac  worlde  ful  wrle* 

^^^H 

But  fochc  a  faircnt^e  of  ancckc 

t^^^l 

tie  thought  her  eyin  faide 

Yhad  tliatfvvcte,  that  bone  aor  brcckc 

l^^l 

■By  wr»the  ii  al  forieve; 

N'a»  there  none  Vein  that  mincf:jttc, 

^^H 

tbberiiacfo  we)!  to  live 

Ir  wa^  white,  fniothe, freight,  and  pure  fiatt^      ^^^ 

uloefle  was  of  her  adrad^ 

WithotJtin  hole  or  cane  I  boot, 

^^H 

I  wfobreBetoffladi                                    . 
hln^s  more  mclurc                                       * 

And  by  fcming  Ihc  ne  had  nwne. 

r^^l 

Htir  throtc,  AS  1  havenowe  mcmoTf, 

'j^H 

ncvir  i  trowe  erettire ;                                   \ 

iSemcd  as  a  rounde  tour  of  y  voire, 

^^1 

ny'  Arte  Tftth  her  loke  ftc  herte. 

Of  godc  grctncife,  and  mi  to  gttt<  ; 

^^H 

it  fate  her  f till  lyte  at  hcrtc, 

And  Faire  Whiteywat  flicYieic, 

'^^M 

kifewe  rothin^c  of  thcr  thougtit; 

l*hat  was  my  ladies  nam^  right. 

^^H 

itr  Jhc  kocwc  or  fcncwe  it  ooiight                  • 

And  fcc  wa»  thcrto  fa  ire  and  brighi ; 

"^^1 

0aene'  roughl  of*bem  a  ftrc; 

She  n<r  had  notliar  ttam^  wrnngc  » 

^^H 

her  love  fto  nere  o'a»  he 

Right  faire  fiioldJri  and  body  longc 

^^H 

©ocd  «  home  than  he  in  indei 

She  iicd,  and  armis  cvir  lith, 

^^H 

iBiA  wa»  ilway  bchmde; 

Futtifhc,  flcfliVj  nat  grctc  thcr  with  ; 

^^1 

le  lolke  oTir  al  othir 

Right  white  handrs,  and  o  ail  is  rede; 

^^H 

ed  3*  man  may  hh  brothir. 

JLoundchrcftT^;  :iud  of  a  |*odc  brcde 

^^H 

the  love  (he  was  wnudlr  l-.irge 

Her  hippis  were  ;  a  ftrei^lit  flatte  lia^e, 

j^^H 

111  placU  ^hat  here  charge ; 

I  kncwc  on  her  none  o^tr  hckc. 

^^H 

iche  a  vif-tgr  had  (he  thertol 

That  al  her  limmii  nVrc  jiurc  fcwing. 

^^H 

ny  hcrte  «  wondrr  wo 

Inti  fcrrc  a*  [  had  knowing : 

^^H 

DC  can  difcrivin  ift. 

Thcrto  Ihe  coaldc  fo  wel  yj*l4f c 

^^H 

uth  b«thc  Euglilhf  vad  ^mt 

Whtit  tint  her  lylbi,  that!  d;tre  f^yc 

^^1 

ttiido  it  at  the  ful. 

7  but  (he  wa<lyketo  tftrdu*  bright. 

^^^1 

v  my  fy'ititci  ben  fo  dull 

Tlut  every  man  may  :ake  of  light 

^^1 

a  thinge  for  to  devifc; 

Vtjough,  andU  hath  ner  the  Icfle 

i^^l 

wo  vtyt  ttiat  wn  fuifyft 

Of  manir  and  nf  cdntlyntfTc, 

^^M 

E^f bcndiw  h*rr  brctutc  ; 

Right  fo  farid  my  tudy  dcro. 

^^m 

t%  picvchc  1  d;irc  f.iine,  rhat  ftie 

For  every  wight  ofhcmuncre 

^^M 

bite,  rody,  freibc,  lifeU  hcwci. 

Moght  cat;:hc  yn^nigh  if  that  he  wolJe, 

^^H 

rery  day  her  bcaittf  ntwcd; 
i^be  lirr  hicc  wa»  aldirbefte, 
lif^titrc  hill  fochc  Icllt 

Yf  h:  had  eycn  hcf  to  bcholdr, 

^^H 

lor  1  dare  fwepe  wcl  if  that  ih< 

^^H 

Had  amonge  tmne  thoufande  ybc 

^^H 

H  J*  iuj 

J 

4B9                                        THE   DREME 

Of    CHAlTfER.                 ^^^^ 

She  woldifi  havebt  «  the  Utik 

For  ccrtis  fhc  was  that  fwclc  IfW^      '•^M 

A  chcfc  myroure  of  4  the  fcfl.:. 

My  fuflifauncc,  my  lafle,  my  ]l£e.  ^H^l 

Tboiigli  they  had  ftoiidiii  in  ri  ruwc 

Min  hope,  min  hele«  andal  m^Kkd^^^l 

To  mtniiis  eyui  that  cauldc  have  kfiowc ; 

My  \vorIJc*»  vvcifire  aud  aiy  goddej^^^^^ 

FtTvljcrc  i'o  men  h:idpljidc  or  waked 

And  I  wholly'  hen,  uid  every  dck.         ^M 

Me  thou^^ht  the  fciowfliippc  a*  naked 

By*  our  Lordc  !  (quod  I)  1  trowe  T^^^| 

WithoutiiJ  her  rhat  I  Uwc  ones 

Haidly  your  love  waj*  wcl  befct,               ^M 

An  a  cnrowoc  wuhuutiti  iloncs ; 

I  n'ot  howctt  might  have  d-t  bet,        ^^H 

Trcwily  ihc  wa*  to  mia  eye     . 

Bettir  1  nc  not  fo  wcl  (qi                      ^^H 

1          The'  folein  phocnu;  of  Aribye, 

I  (rowc  it,  Sir,  (quod  1;  \                   ^^^H 

^K    for  there  livith  iicvir  but  one, 

Nay  kve  it  wel.  Sir,  I'o  du  i ;       "^^^1 

^H    Nc  futhc  as  flic  ne  knowc  1  none  : 

I  Icve  you  wel  th^t  trcwily                ^^^H 

^^k  *|*(B  fpckcofgodeucITc,  trcwly  Die 

You  thcught  that  fV.               '     Wfl,  ^^B 

^^B|||d  a^  mochil  dcbonairce 

Andtobeholde  the                                      S 

^*^  As  er  bad  Hcflcr  in  the  Bible* 

Who  fu  had  loked  hu4  wkh  ^uureycu.    ^M 

r           And  more,  if  more  were  polTiblc  i 

With  niyn^  n^y,  ai  whichc  that  her  fc^B 

j           And,  fothc  to  lay  in,  tlierv^ithal 

Sayid  and  fwcrc  that  it  was  f<>,                 ^B 

1            She  hadde  a  wittc  To  gcncfiil, 

And  though  they  nc  hod  I  woldt  tho        fl 

L           J>o  whole  enclinid  to  al  godc« 

Have  iovid  belt  my  l^dy  £rc                .^jB 

That  ai  her  wiitc  was  Icttc  by  the*  rode 

I'bough  1  had  had  al  the  beautc       ^^^H 

Without  jQiaJycc,  Upon  gUduefle  j 

lliat  er  had'Aldbiadcs,                     jm^B 

And  thcrto*  I  favrc  ner  yet  a  Icflc 

And  al  the  flrengtJi  of  Herculcii^       ^^^B 

Harmful  Than  (he  was  In  doing ; 

And  thereto  Jud  the  worthiucfle              ^M 

I  fay  not  that  (he  n*  haddc  knowyng 

Of  Aiifaundfc',  and  al  the'  richelHi         ^ 

What  harme  ywa*,  or  eUis  flic 

That  evir  was  in  Babyloinc,                     J 

Had  couldc  no  godc,  fo  tjiinkith  mc  ; 

In  Carthage  or  in  Maccdoiue,          ^^1 

And  trcwly  for  to  fpeke  of  tfouthc. 

Or  in  Rome  or  in  Nincve^               .  ^^^H, 

But  Ihe  had  had  it  had  be  routhe. 

And  t^icrto  al  fr>  hardy  he              .  !^^^H 

1  hcrof  (he  had  fo  mochc  hci  dele, 

As  wa^  Htd^or*  ib  h&vc  1  jojCft        ^^^H 

And  I  daf  e  f»Inc  and  fwcrc  it  wcle, 

i  h  a  t  A  ehjiki  y n  ough  at  Troy c,       ^^^H 

That  I'routhc  liim  fclfc  over  nl  and  al 

And  therefore  \^%  lie  ilaytu:  alfa     ^^^B 

Had  chofc  hh  manor  prindpal 

In  a  temple,  for  hothd  two               ^^^B 

In  her,  that  vrai  hi*  re fting  place  ; 

Were  flaine,  he'  and  Ani  >                ^^^| 

TIu'rt4f  fhc  had  the  moft:  grace 

And  tq  faithe  Darius  Frc                     ^^^^i 

Toliavctlcdufte  pcrfeveraunce. 

For  tfic  love  of  Pt^lyncna,                  ^^^H| 

And  cfy'  attcmprc  govlrnauncL', 

Or  ben  ai  wife  a$  Mincn'a,              '^^^^1 

That  cvir  I  kncwe  cr  wiflc  yet, 

\  wolde  evir  withounn  drede             ^^^H 

So  pure  fuflferaunt  was  her  wit ; 

Have  lovid  her,  fur  I  muil  ncde,             ^| 

k          And  refon  gladly  fhc'  undcrflode, 

Nedt!  nay,  trcwly  I  gibb«  ouw^ ^^^« 

^K    It  folowid  wcl  fhe  couldc  godc; 

Nought  ticde,  and  t  wol  tellin  liowc^^^H 

^P    She  ufid  gladly  to  do  wcle  ; 

For  of  goldc  wil  min  hcnc  it  wohU^^^H 

Thcfc  were  her  manlni  cvt 

.\ud  tkir  to  love  her  1  wa»  hulde,      <^^^| 

Thcrwith  Ihc  lovid  fo  v. . 

Al  for  the  fAtrift  ^nd  the  bcCic ;         ^^^H 

She  wrpcige  do  wouldin  to  r.o  wtg.! ; 

Shcwa^'                                                 ^^^1 

Ko  wight  ne  might  do  her  ny  (hamc. 

As  was                                                    ^^^H 

She  lovid  fo  wel  hcrowut  n*mc» 

Ora&thtiivi                     r-jce,             ^^^B 

Hcf  luft  to  hclde  no  wight  ia  hortlc. 

That  was  the                      llith  thu^           ^U 

Nc  he  thou  Ckir  £he  wwlde  not  fondc 

The  Roman  I  —  J S 

To  holdiD  no  wight  »n  baUuncc 

She  watas  gode,  and  nothing  Uk«,           B 

By  halfc  wordc  nc  by  CDunnniunce,                       i 

Though  ihcr  ftorics  be  jutcniJlic.        ^^^B 

Eutifmen  woklcwpf :                                               ' 

Algatc  fhe  wai  an  trt:wc  ;                      ^^^| 

Nc  fendc  men  into  \V. 

But  wherforethat  1  tt...  .                 ^^H 

To  Pruife  ;^d  to  Tajtaia, 

VVIiaii  that  I  firll  my  bdy  ky               ^^M 

1  o  Ah^undfic  nc  Turkyc» 

1  waA  fight  yoogc,  the  fothc  to  fey^         fl 

And  biddc  him  faft  anon  that  he 

And  ful  gretc  Qedc  1  had  to  kmt^            V 

Go  hodelefTc  into  the  drie  l]r, 

Whan  that  myn  hcnd  woldin  ycroc  i        fl 

And  come  home  by  the  Carrenare ; 

To  love  It  wa»  a  grct  emprife^                   S 

And,  Sir,  be  ye  nowc  full  ryght  ware 

But  a&  my  wiie  wolde  bcftc  fuffifc  j           H 

That  I  may  of  y-u  here  men  fainc 

Aftir  my  yonge  end  chiidely  wit       ,^^^M 

"\yuHliippe  or  that  ye  come  a^ame. 

Withoutmdtedc  1  bcfctii                  ^^^| 

bhe  ue  ufcd  no  fochc  kiucki-.  froalc  : 

To  lovm  her  in  my  bcfte  wife,          ^^^^ 

But  therfore  that  \  tel  ^ly  talc, 

To  do*  her  wurfliip  and  r! 

Uight  tin  thiAfame,  as  1  have  fa'.dc» 

Whichc  that  1  coudc  tho,                   ;;*Jif,  _- 

Wai  wholly  ai  my  lov«  yUudc, 

Wiihoutiii  faining  ciihir  Uutuh? ,               ^ 

HB                  THE  DREME  OF   CHAUCER.                   ^^^^M 

1 

BrBlgMr»1i^    bcr  in; 

Upon  his  acvclt  up  aud  dtiwnc 

ill  k  amctsdid  mc. 

Therof  he  tokc  the  firfte  1 

^■^H 

hanJ  £iU'c  her  a  niorowc 

Bu:  Orcke<  faine  of  Pyr                             j 

^^^H 

ari(hed  oi  al  mj  forowc 

Thai  he  the  firft  fjudir  yw.i^                          , 

^^^H 

ly  aftir  tcf  it  were  cvc ; 

Of  the*  artc^  Aurora  tctlithfo;                     , 

^^^H 

ugbiin  uothingc  might  mc  ^levc 

But  the r of  no  force  of  lieni  tw*> ;                 ^ 

^^^H 

iiy  fyroTKCfc  ccvir  to  fmcrtc. 

Algatit  foup5  thu«  1  mutlc                             , 

^^^1 

t  ibc-fyt  fo  m  miti  hcttc 

Of  my  fclyng,  min  hcrtc  to  gladf »              i 

^^^H 

f  nif  ttouthc  \  o'uMc  nought 

And  Jo  !  thi*  WiA»  the  ahh^r  firft,                 < 

^^^H 

hit  worlde  out  of  my  thought 

I  n'ot  whethir  it  were  the  worft  : 

j^^^l 

ly  hdy ;  no  trcwly. 

Lorde  I  it  makith  min  hcrtc  liglvt 

^^1 

by  my  trouthc»  Sir,  (qaod  I) 

Whan  that  I  thinkc  oq  that  fweu?  y^igUt 

^^1 

\knh  you  have  ft>uhc  ;i  thauwcc 

That  ii  fo  fcmcly  on  to  fc,                             4^ 

^^^1 

'ic  withotit  in  rqjeutaunfrc^ 

And  wifhc  to  God  it  might  fo  he                 ^ 

^^^H 

utauDce   luy,  nay  ^  fyc  :  (quoil  he) 

That  ihe  woldc  holde  meior  her  knJ:<lK, 

^^^H 

1  nowe  rtpcntUi  mc 

My  lady ,  that'  i*  fo  fuire  anii  bright,              j 

j^^l 

?  uay,  ccjWA,  than  were  I  wcl 

Nuwt  have  I  tohlc  the,  fotli  tu  fa> , 

'^^1 

.hau  y  was  Achitophel 

My  Crfte  fuage.     Upon  a  day 

J 

en  or,  fo  h*ivc  1  joyc. 

1  1  bethought  me  wh^t  mochil  wo 

titour  that  bctrayid  Troyc, 

And  lorowc  that  I  fuffrid  tho                      ^ 

rf^^^l 

f  cr  htr,  and  yet  flic  wilke  u  nought ;        -^ 

^^^H 

Ufiurcbmd  the  tratifon 
ifinkie  and  of  Oliver c  : 

Nc  tcl  her  durft  I  not  my  thought  : 

^^^H 

Alas  !  thaught  I,  I  can  no  rctit.-. 

^1 

Ikjk  that  t  2m  alive  h^frc 

1  And  but  I  tcl  her^  1  am  but  dedj, 

^1 

>riei  her  ncvirmo. 

j  Aud  if  1  icl  her,  to  fay  ioiht 

c,  godc  Sir,  quod  T  to  htm  tho, 

I  am  adradde  flie  wol  be  wrotrie  : 

B  wel  toldc  mc  here  before. 

Ahis  *  what  Ihal  I  than  ydo  i 

>  ncdc  to  rehcrfc  it  more, 

In  this  debate  r  vvn*  To  wo 

:hat  yc  £awc  her  iirft,  and  where, 

Me  thought  mync  hettt  braftatwairic, 

Ide  y't  tcl  mc  the  maneie 

So  at  the  lafV,  futhe  for  to  faimr, 

whjche  was  your  firftc  fpcche^ 

1  bcthoujiht  mc  that  Dame  Waicrc 

I  woldc  jou  bclcchc. 

Nc  form  id  ncvirin  creture 

mvc  that  <!ic  knewc  firft  your  thought. 

io  mochil  beauty  trcwily 

X  ye  lovid  her  or  nought, 

And  bounti«  withoatiu  niercy. 

. 

llcth  mc  ckc  what  yc  have  lore ; 

In  hope  of  that  my  tale  1  towh                ^ 

^^^H 

you  tcUin  here  before, 

With  forowe,  &h  that  1  ncr  ftioidft               M 

I^^^H 

c  thoti  n'otift  what  thou  mcjieft. 

For  ncdis,  and  maugre  mpic  hcsi 

^^^1 

aye  loftc  more  than  thou  w  cue  HI 

1  mull  have  toldehcror  he  ded. 

^^H 

hat  loffe  h  that?  (quod  1  tho  \) 

1  n*ot  wel  ho  we  thatlkjgan. 

^H 

!  not  love  you  i  U  it  fo  f 

Fulyvil  rchc^cit  Icmo, 

^^1 

in  yc  ought  done  ainiji. 

And  ckc,  as  hcl;  c  mc  Cod  withal. 

.^^1 

le  b«ih  left  you .'  ii  it  thU  ? 

I  trowc  it  was  in  tUc  difotiil. 

'^^1 

dd'ii  love  icllcth  me  aJ. 

That  was  the  ten  woundesof  Egyps«, 

^^^M 

re  God  (quod  Oic)  and  I  fbal* 

For  many  a  worde  I  ovirikipto                     ^ 

I^^H 

g;hl  as  I  have  yfaide,               ,.^    _   - 

In  tclUng  my  talc,  for  pur*  fcrc                  >^ 

^^^H 

was  almy  love  yUide, 

Left  I  hat  my  wo;dt$  myffdct  were  j 

^^^H 

it  flie  n*illd  it  ncr  a  dele 

With  forowfulhert  and  wattndca  dcde, 

^^H 

ir*  tyme,  Icvith  it  wclc. 

Softcly,  and  qualdnj^  ^         ^                        ,     - 

•^^H 

^i:^t  fylir  I  duri^  itoQght 

And  fban.e,  and  fli                                        'fl 

^^^H 

l\^ii  workie  i«l  her  my  though f. 

For  fcrdc,  and  niiu  h_,..  ^...  ,.-<_               m 

^^^H 

c  wrathid  h«r  trcwiy  ; 

ful  ofte  f  wcxtc  bothe  pic  and  red.          J 

^^^H 

why?  (Iw  was  lady 

Bowing  to  her  I  hinge  the  lied  ;                  *¥ 

^^^1 

httdy  Uiut  had  tbejicrtey 

1  durft  notonis  bkchcroA, 

^^M 

bolb*  ha4h  that  may  not  aikrtc. 

For  wit,  manir.ind  al,  waa  gonr*  1 

^^M 

for  to  kepe  mc  fro*  ydlciiElTc 

I  faidc,  Mercy,  fwete!  and  no  tnorc  :         ^ 

M^^H 

r  t  dyd  my  bufinelTe 

It  n'as  no  game  ;  it  fate  me  fore.             ^ 

i^^l 

V  ^    -•          ■            T    1      ,-.              1. 

5o  at  the  lafle,  the  ibth«  to  fjanc, 

^^^H 

'''"f 

\Mian  that  mync  herte  wa<  coniL  aj^ainc. 

^^1 

■    . .         '  • 

To  tcJlin  fhortiy  al  my  fp^che. 

•^H 

gh  1  coK                      ia  wtic 

With  whole  heiie  1  gan  her  befeche 

^^1 

nc  kucv^                   lo  *1, 

That  the  woldc  he  my  lady  fwete,               ^ 

^^^H 

ie  Lamck  i%  lotie  l*ubal. 

And  fwcrc  and  hcridy  gan  her  bete         m 

^^^H 

wodc  out  jjrde  the  arte  of  fongr, 

Evir  to  be  flcdfaUc  ajid  iirwe,                    im 

^^^H 

■  Vothlf  *>  iainin  r«nge 

Ard  loTi  her  alway  freHtly  aewci            1I 

1 

THE  BRIME  Of  CHAtJCril. 


And  nevif  otliir  bdf  hAYc, 
And  al  her  worfliip  for  to  fiire 
At  i  hcSie  coude,  I  fwcre  her  thii^ 
For  jcnirs  it  il  that  cr  thcr  hj 
For  evirrac^c,  mystc  hcnc  fwtte! 
And  OCT  tofalfc  ycm  but  1  raetc 
I  »*yl,  at  wife  God  hclpe  mc  Co* 

Aud  whan  t  had  my  talc  ydo 
God  wotc  (h*i*  acomptid  not  a  ftir 
Of  al  my  talc,  fo  thooghdn  me  t 
To  tcl  ihortly,  tight  &&  it  ii, 
Trewiy  her  anfwcrc  k  wai  thi«; 
I  c»n  not  nowc  wcl  conirefetc 
Her  wordis  but  thi»  wa*  the  ^rcte 
Of  her  anfwcre  ;  fhe  fai'id  Nay 
All  nttcrly.  Alai  that  day 
The  forowe'  I  fuifrid  and  the  wo  I 
Tha.t  trcwly  C  iflindrA,  that  £b 
Be  way  lid  the  difiruccioo 
Of  TroyC*  and  of  llioo 
Had  tier  fodic  foro%vc  at  I  tho| 
I  durftin  no  more  fay  thcrto 
For  pure  fere,  but  yftalc  away,  1 
And  thus  T  lyvtd  ful  jnanjr  a  dxf 
'J*hat  trcvrily  I  had  ao  ncdc 
Ferthir  than  at  my  bcdd'is  hcde 
Kevir  a  day  to  fcchiii  forowe, 
I  foundc  it  redy  every  niorowe  ; 
For  why  i  I  Uved  her  in  no  gcrc« 

So  it  befcU  an  othir  ycre 
1  thought  oni&i  wouldio  fonde 
To  doe  her  kaowc  and  nndtrilondc 
^ly  wo  ;  and  fiie  well  nndir^rde 
That  I  nc  wiloid  thyng  but  godc 
And  worHiip,  and  to  kcpc  her  name 
Ovir  aU  thynget,  aid  drcde  her  ihaiAe^ 
And  wntfo  balle  hcsrto  fervc^ 
And  pitic  were  I  Qiouldin  ftcrve» 
Sithc  thai  I  wilncd  none  barme  iwii. 

So  when  my  Udie  kncwc  all  thii^ 
^ly  ladic  yavc  me  all  wholiic 
The  noble  ycft  of  her  mercie, 
Savyng  her  woiOup  by  al  waics; 
DrcdclefTc  I  mcnc  none  othir  waiet. 
And  therewith  fhe  yavc  me  a  ryng, 
1  trowi?  it  was  the  firUe  thypg  : 
Bit  if  myiic  hcrtc  wai  iwuic 
dad  that  it  Is  no  ncde  to  axe. 

As  helpe  mc  God  l  was  at  blivc 
YraiCd  a*  fro  detb  to  live. 
Of  all  happiii  the  aldirbcO, 
*rhc  gbddift  and  the  moac  it  reft 
For  tmilic  that  fwetc  wight, 
W*hcn  I  had  wrong  and  (he  the  right, 
Slicwouldin  aJwiiic  fo  godelte 
VnrycTc  me  fo  dcbonatrlie  ; 
In  iiUe  my  youth,  in  all^^  channcip, 
hhe  toke  me  in  her  goviinatince; 
U^herewith  fhe  wai  alwaic  fo  true. 
Our  joyc  waicyir  ilicbc  ncwe ; 
Our  hertij  wcme  fo  even  a  pairet 
That  ncvir  a'as  that  ooe  ectfltmiie 
Unto  that  othir  for  no  wo. 
For  foihc  ilich^  ihei  fu^ld  tho. 


Obliffe,  and  eke  o  forowcbo^c! 
Ilichc  thei  were  bothe  glad  and  wro ' 

All  wa»  us  one  withoutm  were; 
And  thn.s  we  lived  foil  many'  a  yesc 
So  well  I  can  not  tclLn  bow. 

Sir,  (quodi)  and  where  i»  ftir  nowfi 
NjwI  quod  he,  and  yf^inte  anove, 
I'hcrcwjth  he  woxe  as  deddcaj  floiie* 
And  faicd,  Ala*  that  I  was  bore  1 
Ihat  was  the loffc  that  here  bcfoiv 
I  tolde  the  that  I  had  ylome. 

Bethink e  fhe  how  1  f^cd  befome 
Thou  wofte  ftri  iityl  what  thou  mm  eft, 
For  I  have  loftt  mote  then  thon  wendU 

God  wot,  -mUa  :  right  tjut  was  flie, 
Alas,  Sir !  howf  what  maie  that  b<,  f 
She  i»  dcddcl  Naic!  Teh  by  my  trouthr. 

Is  that  your  loffe  f  by  God  it*  if  nrathe* 

And  with  that  wordc  right  anoiie 
Thei  gan  to  flmlLc  forth c ;  all  wa$  dost 
J    For  that  tymc  the  ban  httntyng. 

With  chat  me  thoughtm  that  tfait  fcyng 
Beg^n  homcwardis  for  to  ride 
Unto  a  place  was  there  bclide, 
Whiche  that  was  from  us  but  a  Ijcc^ 
A  long  caftitl  writh  wallis  white. 
By  SainA  John,  on  a  richc  hJU, 
As  mc  mcttc ;  but  rhiia  itMiJI ; 

Right  tliusmc  meitc,  a«1  you  teflp 
That  in  the  caftell  there  was  a  f>cH^ 
As  it  had  fmittin  houris  twelve;. 
And  ihercwitlt  I  awoke  my  felvc. 
And  Found  me  tying  in  my  bedde. 
And  the  boke  whiche  that  X  had  rcddc 
Of  AKyyBe  aird  Ceii  the  kyng, 
And  of  the  goddisofSlcpyng, 
I  found  it  in  -myne  bond  fxfl  cvin; 
Thought  1  rht*  «  fo  qocint  a  fwevia 
That  I  woold  hy  procdli:  of  tymc 
Fonde  to  put  this  fwcvin  io  rime 
As  1  can  belt,  and  that  anon  : 
This  was  my  fwevin,  now  it*  i»  doeo* 


Mr  maftcr,  t5*.%  \Mien  ofChrift  oDrVtng 
Was  afltid.  What  is  trothc  or  fotbfaftBdffe, 
He  not  a  wosde  anfwerde  to  that  alkyeg, 
Ak  who  (aieth,  im»  manne  is  all  une  I  ^Ce[ 
And  therefore  though  I  flight  for  to  eiprcf: 
The  forowe*  and  wo  that  ti  tn  mBrf:^^ 
I  dare  not  writcn  of  ttno  v 
Left  I  my  felf  fall  eft  in  fo 

I  wull  not  fjic  how  that  nc 

Of  Sathanas  ou  whiche  he  f. 

But  Idiirc  lainc  were  he  out  ^<i  i>t«  p^ue 
As  by  hii  will  he  w^mld  be  bo%iiid<»  never; 
But  thilkedotid  ioJc  that  eft  V.wth  \r^tf 
Uhainid  be  tlun  out  of  j>rt: 
God  let  hytp  nevir  fro  his  ii^  , 

Ne  no  man  hjni  trcwftiUa  ib#i*g^  h*  •«/«. 


THB  DUEMB  OF  CHAUCXR. 


yet  lefle  thou  do  worletakith  a  wife ; 
•  ^jotddt  tbam  hrtmnm  in  XMrfe  wfe  ; 
nn  (Kale  have  forowe  on  thy  fleflie  thr  life, 
:n  thy  wiv*u  thralk»  as  faine  thefe  wife; 
that  holy  writte  male  not  fuffife, 
ence  ihall  the  teche,  fo  male  happe : 
he  waie  lent  tp  be  taken  in  Frife 
ft  to  fall  ef  wcddyng  in  tl^e  trappe. 


This  lityl  writte,  proveibis  or  figQrr» 
I  fend  you,  takith  kepe  of  it  1  rede ; 
Uwvfift  is  bt  that  can  »o  xotU  tmditre  s 
JftUm  heJUtirput  the  mat  in  drede. 
The  Wife  of  Bathe  I  praie  yon  that  ye  rede 
Of  this  matter  whiche  that  we  have  on  hoBd^f- 
God  grauntin  yon  your  life  firely  to  led« 
In  f^edotne,  fcr  fotde  is  it  to  be  bondct 


THE   ASSEMBLE   OF   FOULES. 


All  Fowkr  are  gathered  before  Nature  an  Si*  Vakn tineas  Day  to  tbufe  tbeit  i 
Jorrna/  eag/e  heins(  Moved  of  three  tercels  requiretb  a  year*  4  reflate  io  mah  htri 
upon  this  tria//f  Qui  btcn  aime  tard  oublie,  he  that  iovetb  we//  ifjiow  iofirgti 


Tut  life  fo  fhort,  the  craft  fo  long  to  !crnc, 
'I'ht  aflHyc  fo  hard,  fo  (harp  the  conqucryng, 
The  drctlcfull  joy»  alwaie  that  flit  fo  ycrnc, 
All  this  maic  I  by  Lovc»  that  my  fclyng 
Aftonjcth  with  lui  wondtrfuU  wcrkyng 
So  for«  iwj%  that  when  I  on  him  thiukt: 
Nought  wctc  I  ivcll  whether  I  fletc  or  fink. 

For  nil  be  that  1  knowe  not  Love  io  Jedc, 
Nc  wot  hovf  thAt  he  quitith  folkc  tbtr  hire. 
Yet  happiih  me  full  ofte  in  hokis  rede 
Of  hlft  mirddis  and  hi^  cruill  irt, 
There  rcdc  1  well  he  woU  he  lordc  and  fire  : 
T  dure  not  faic  Im  UrokU  be  fo  fore. 
But  Gix!  favc  fochc  a  lordc     I  can  no  more* 

Of  tifagc,  what  for  hift  and  what  for  lore. 
On  bokis  icdc  I  oft,  as  !  you  tokie. 
But  iwhcrfore  Th;tt  t  fpekcall  this,  naught  jore 
Agon  It  happid  me  for  to  bcholdc 
Upon  a  boktj  iwrittc  with  lettira  old, 
And  thereupon  a  rcrtain  thing  to  Icrnc, 
The  lonj^v  daic  full  fail  J  radde  and  y erne; 
«       For  out  of  the  old  feldin,  aj^men  faicth, 
Comithall  thi*  ncwc  cornc  fro  ycre  toycre. 
And  out  of  olde  bokis,  in  godc  faicth, 
Coniiih  all  thi»  ncwc  fcicncc  that  men  Icrc  : 
But  now  to  purpofc  ;  a*  of  thia  mattere 
To  redin  forthe,  it  gan  me  fo  dcHtc 
That  all  the  daie  me  thoL'^grht  it  but  ii  lite. 

Thi»  hokc  of  which  i  niakin  menciou 
Kntitlid  wa»dight  thus,  as  I  Oiall  tell, 
Tulhui  of  the  Dramc  of  Scipion ; 
Chapitrn  fcven  it  had  of  hcvcn  and  hell. 
And  ytrth«  and  fcailis  that  therein  do  dwell, 
Of  whichc,  as  (horiiy  a*  I  can  it  trctc. 
Of  ihii  fcaioicc  !  ayoIJ  you  iaioc  the  gretc. 


Firfl  telllth  it  whca  Scipion  w: 
In  i'Urrikc  how  he  metith  MallinifTe, 
That  hym  for  joie  in  armis  hath  iconic  ; 
Then  teliirh  he  her  fpechc  and  all  the  blilTcJ 
That  wa$  betwixt  'hem  till  the  daic  g»n  i 
And  how  his  auncefter  AfTrikan  fodete 
Gan  tn  ht»  (lepc  that  night  till  hym  appoc ! 

Then  tcUtth  it  that  from  a  flarrie  place  , 
How  Aflfrikan  hath  hym  Ciirthagc  yiamei^ 
And  wamid  hym  befomc  of  all  his  grace,  ' 
And  faied  hym.  What  man,  lerid  eithir  teui 
That  lovith  common  profitc  well  tthcDdei  ^ 
He  fliould  into  a  bhsfull  place  ywcndc. 
There  a?  joyc  i«  that  Uft  without  to  cnAt: 

Then  alkid  he  if  folkc  that  here  be o  de^ 
'  Have  life  and  dwcUyrg  in  an  othir  place  I  I 
And  AfTrikan  faied  Ve,  without  in  drede, 
And  how  our  prefent  worly  liv^i«  tpaie 
N*is  but  a  manir  dcih,  what  waic  wet 
And  righifuUfoIke  fhull  gon  aftir  tlid  dsc  ' 
To  hcven,  and  (hewid  hym  the  Galajcie  t 

Then  fhcwcd  he  him  tht  little  yerth  t 
To  rcgarde  of  the  hcvin*«  quaatitr, 
And  after  (hcwid  he  hym  the  nine  fpeni^ 
And  oftir  that  the  melodic  herd  be 
That  comith  of  thy  Ike  fperis  thryif  thre,  ^ 
That  wcllcs  of  mufikc  b«n  and  melodic  U 
In  this  worlde  here  and  caiifc  of  banno«i»e :  V 

Then  faid  he  him.  Sens  that  yertK  was  k  H^ 
And  full  of  totirment  and  of  harde  grace, 
That  He  nc  fhuld  hym  in  this  worlde  dtfjteej 
Then  told  he  him  in  certain  yeri*  fpace 
That  every  (lerrc  (ho  :  ' 
There  it  was  fir  ft,  au 
Thii  in  thii  world  u  .     .    .     i    ^    -  %jTjd  I 


ied  hyw  Scipton  to  tell  hym  all 
JtcQmc  into  that  hcvin  bliflc  ; 
*4|  Vltil  kiiowc  thyfclf  imtnurtall, 
lie  bufcly  that  thou  wcrthcand  wifTc 
Ml  profits,  and  thou  flialt  not  nuSc 
wifily  unto  that  pUc<*  dtre 
i  hlifTc  i%  ^id  of  ibulisclcrc. 
kirsot*  the  lawe,  rhc  fothc  to  faiaCp 
>Ui  folkc  aftir  that  thei  ben  dede, 
tc  about  the  wo  ride  alwaic  in  pun 

z  vrorldc  be  padid,  out  of  drede^ 
forycvin  all  thcr  wickid  dcdc; 
to,  ihci  come  to  that  btisfuli  place^ 
;  to  comiD  God  renditi  the  grace, 
e  gun  failin;  and  the  darkd  uight, 
h  befti*  from  their  buJinclle, 
:  my  bokc  for  lackc  of  light, 
f  beddt  I  g;in  mc  for  to  drcJTe, 
f  thought  and  bufie  htviiieiFe, 

1  had  thyng  whiche  that  t  ne  woldci, 

DC  had  that  thyng  that  I  wolde. 
ally,  my  fpiri'c  at  the  bfle, 
of  my  labour  alt  that  dale, 

that  madju  mt  to  Aepin  fade, 
r  ilepe  I  met  u  thai  1  laie 
tkan,  right  in  the  felf  araie 
ion  hym  fawe  before  that  tide, 
»  and  ftodc  %ht  at  my  bcdd^ii  fide, 
rie  huntjr  Oepyng  in  his  bcdde 
le  aycn  hia  mindc  goith  anonc, 
:  ydremith  Jiow  hi^pleesbe  fpcddc, 
:drcniiih  hi  w  ^  '    — "   rinnc, 
|f  gold,  the  I  with  hi«  fonc, 

■ymettc  hctlri..„..i.  ,-  iJtc  tonnf, 
mrtte  he  hath  hitbdie  tvomv 
Ot  fAinc  it  that  the  cAufe  }  wiic 
radde  of  Alfricau  bcforue 
in  me  to  mete  diat  he  11  ode  there, 
aid  he ;  1  h  ju  hall  the  fo  wel  botne 

of  mync  oKlc  bokc  all  to  torhe, 
niu{;ht  not  a  lite, 
Hour  would  I  quite* 
.1....'.  .,  L  ii  lull  hUtr  (wete! 
I  thy  fire  hrond  d^untift  when  the  left, 
id  mc  ilii»  Iwcviii  tot  to  mete, 
vy  hcipc  in  this,  for  thou  maift  bcft, 

iii  [  t-.ijfh  the  north  northwcll 
i5y  fwevin  fcr  to  wntc, 
'  to  rime  It  and  cndite. 
tpiaid  Affnkan  mc  hcnt  anotic, 
Kivkh  hym  unto  a  gate  ybrought 
i  I     '  Hid  with  pTcnc  ftooc, 

tJ  t  leitirs  large  ywrought 

U^^»"  •.  .;ttiD,a»me  thought, 
■■■■f  full  ^retc  diilc rente, 
pP^B^youfaic!  the  plain  llmcnce. 
^  me  men  gon  into  that  biishil  pltcc 
liek  and  dcdiy  wuundis  cnrc, 
tne  men  gone  into  the  well  of  ^j^cc^ 
ne  ajid  lulbc  Muc  fhall  cr  endure ; 
:  ivaic  to  ull  godc  avinture  i 
buu  reader,  tndthy  fotowe*  of  cafl, 
1 1  i  paiTc  in»  and  Jpcdc  the  fail. 


Through^-  -"^'-'-  *^-v  '^■-\c  thaioihjf  fult-. 
Unto  the  1  re^ 

Of  whiche  I  .— ^  - ^  -  i^  the  gide, 

There  ncvir  trc  ftail  iruid  ne  Jcvis  here; 
This  ftrcmc  you  Udiih  to  the  forowfull  were 
There  a*  tlic  filhc  in  prii'on  tialL  drte ; 
Th'  cfchcwyng  i*  onely  the  rcmcdie* 

The  fc  verfi$  of  gold  and  afuxc  writtc  were, 
Of  whiche  I  gan  ailonied  to  beholdc. 
For  with  that  one  cncrefid  all  my  fere. 
And  with  that  othir  gan  my  bene  tobolde; 
That  one  mc  het,  tkat  otbir  did  me  coldc  ^ 
No  wit  J>ad  I  for  crrour  {or  to  diL'fc 
To  cntrc'  or  flie,  or  me  to  iavc  or  Icfe. 

Right  as  hctwtxin  adamatms  two 
Of  cvin  weight  a  pccc  of  yron  fct 
Ne  hath  no  might  to  movin  to  ne  fro, 
Far  what  chat  one  maie  hule  that  otbir  let ; 
So  f^ircd  I,  that  I  ti*ift  where  mc  wai  bet 
To  entre'  or  Icve,  til  AflVicati  my  gidf 
Me  hent,  and  Ihove  in  at  the  gatis  wide. 

And  faicd,  It  flandich  writ  tin  iathy  face 
Thync  crrour,  thouj^h  f  h-  '  '^5i  i^  n.h  t^  mc* 
But  dred  the  not  to  ct 
Forthsi  writyngiAnct       ^.  -^te, 

Keby  none  but  he  Lov'i*  fcr  vaunt  be. 
For  thuu  of  love  had  tofl  thy  ta(l  I  gefTe, 
As  fickc  mail  lath  offwcte  and  bittirnefle. 
But  natbek'i,  although  that  thou  be  dull, 
That  which  thou  caiill  not  doe  yctiuatcft  rholiCc, 
For  many  a  man  that  maie  not  tlaudc  a  pull 
Yet  likcth  it  hym  at  wrclllyng  for  to  be, 
And  dcmith  whethir  he  doc  bet  or  he  ; 
And  if  thou  hadiUfl  cor.nyng  for  t'  end  ice 
1  ihill  the  fbewin  mattir  of  to  write. 

With  that  my  hand  id  hi&  be  toke  anon, 
Of  whiche  1  comfort  cauj^ht,  and  went  in  lafl  i 
Dut  Lordc '  fo  I  was  gbd  ziud  well  bcgon  1 
h\,r  ovir  all  where  I  myne  eyin  call 
Were  trci»  clad  withlcves  that  aic  fhallail, 
£che  in  hi&  kiudc,  with  colour  frcQic  and  grcne 
A^  emeraude^  that  jote  it  w^is  to  fene. 

The  bildir  oke,  and  eke  the  hardtc  asihe, 
rbc  piUir  clme,  the  coflir  unto  caramc. 
The  bole  pipctre,  the  holme  to  whippi&  lasjhr. 
The  (ailing  lirrc,  the  cypres  dtth  to  plaine, 
The  fhotir  ewe,  the  aipc  for  lhafti»  plainc. 
The*  olive  of  pccc,  and  tke  the  dronkin  vine. 
The  vidor  palme,  the  laurir  to  divine. 

A  gmrdein  fawc  I  fuU  of  blofomed  bo  wit 
Upon  a  rivtr  in  a  grcne  mcdc 
There  aft  fwctenciTc  cvirmore  Inni^hU. 
With  flouris  white  and  blcwc,  yciow.:  and  rcde^.*  | 

Andcoldc  and  dcre  wellefir :  "hvng  dcdc/ 

That  fwommia  full  of  fmal;  [ , 

With  hnnisrcdcand  fcalislu ...  ^^ 

On  every  bough  the  birdi&  herd  I  lyng 
With  voice  of  angell  in  their  harmonic^ 
That  buficd  'hem  thcr  birdis  Corthe  to  br 
1  he  little  prctic  conies  to  ther  plaic  gan  hicj 
And  furthir  all  abont  I  gan  cfpiu 
f  he  drcdfuU  roc,  the  buck,  the  hart,  and  hind, 
Sc|uiiil5,  and  bcitis  fmali  of  gemlc  kind* 


,    Of  indtutneRH  of  {kringii  in  itconle 
Herd  I  fo  pL&ie  a  ravifhyng  rwetnefTe 
Thit  God»  that  makir  ia  of  all  and  lotde, 
Ne  herd  ncvir  a  bettir,  as  I  gefTe, 
Therewith  a  winde^  unneth  it  might  be  leiTcj 
Made  ia  the  levis  grcnc  a  noift  foft 
Accordant  to  th<;  Fonli*  fong  on  loft. 

The  aire  of  the  place  fo  attcmprc  wa! 
ThatDcr  wMthcr  grcvauncc  of  hot  nc  cold. 
There  was  ckc  every  wholfomc  fpicc  and  gra«, 
Ke  DO  man  maie  there  waxin  filtc  nc  old  ; 
Yet  was  there  more  joie  a  thoufandc  fold 
Then  I  can  tcU,  or  cvir  could  or  might ; 
There  tt  evir  clere  daic  and  ncvir  night. 

Uadir  a  tre  be  fide  a  well  1  feye 
Cupidc  oiiT  lordc  his  arrowri  forge  jmd  file. 
And  at  his  fete  hi«  bowe  idl  redie  layc. 
And  wcli  his  donghtir  temprid  all  the  while 
The  heddii  in  the  well,  and  with  her  wile 
She  couchid  'hem  aftir  ai  ihei  ihould  fervc. 
Some  for  to  flea,  and  fomc  to  wound  and  carvt. 

Tho  was  I  ware  of  Plefancc  anon  right. 
And  of  Arrai,  Luftc,  Beautc',  and  Curttfie, 
And  of  the  craft  that  can  yhavc  the  might 
To  doen  by  force  a  wight  to  docn  folic, 
Pibfigitrid  was  fhe,  I  will  not  lie, 
And  by  hinafelf^  uiidiran  oak  I  gclfe, 
Sawe  1  delitc.that  (lode  with  GentilncfTe  : 

Then  fawe  I  Bcautie  with  a  nice  atire^ 
And  Youth,  all  full  of  game  and  jolite, 
Folc  Hardtneflfe,  Flattiric,  and  Defirc, 
MclTagMic,  and  Mede,  and  0th ir  thfc, 
Thcr  namis  (hall  not  here  be  tolde  for  me, 
And  upoo  piUars  grcte  of  jafpir  long 
"  fawe  a  temple*  of  briflc  ifoundid  ilrong  : 

And  about  the  temple  dauncid  alwaie 
Women  inow,  of  which  fame  there  ywerc 
Fiure  of  'hcmfclf,  and  fome  of  *hem  were  gaic ; 
In  kirtih  all  diihevckd  went  thei  thcrci 
*rhat  was  thcr  office  cr  fro  yere  to  ycrc ; 
And  on  the  temple  fawe  I  white  and  laire 
Qf  dovii  Cttyog  many*  a  thoufandc  paire. 

Before  the  tcmpk  dore  full  fobirlie 
Dame  Pece  yfat^  a  curtaine  to  her  ho&de, 
And  her  bcfidis  wondir  difcretlie 
Dame  Pacicnce  yfirtyng  there  i  fonde^ 
With  fac^  pale,  upon  an  hiUc  of  fondc^ 
And  althir  Dcxte,  within  and  eke  without, 
Bched  and  Arte,  and  «f  thet  folke  a  rout. 
U'ithin  the  temple*  offighishotc  a*  lire 
I  herd  a  fwough  that  gan  about  to  ren, 
Whichc  fighis  were  engcndrid  with  dcfire 
That  madin  every  herte  for  to  hrcn 
Of  ntrwi  Eattibe ;  and  well  efpicd  1  then 
Thit  all  the  caufe  of  farowet  that  thet  dtie 
Come  of  the  bittir  gocidiv  Jeloufie. 

TIic  Jfod  PriapuR  Uvrc  I  as  1  went 
Within  the  icmjdc'  in  foveraine  place  y^flemde 
In  foclic  arraic  as  when  the  afle  iiym  Ibent 
With  erie  by  night,  and  with  fceptrc  in  houdc; 
Full  bufilie  men  bin  aflaie  and  fonde 
Upon  hi«  hedde  to  fet  of  fondric  hcwc 
Cuilandis  full  of  frcihc  dourii  ucwc  ; 


And  in  a  pnTie  corner  tfl  di(por? 
Found  1  Venus  and  her  portir  RiebeCe, 
That  wa»  full  noble*  and  hautin  of  her  pert( 
Darke  was  that  place,  but  altirwarde  li^htadflp 
I  fawe  a  lite,  nnnethca  it  might  be  USc^ 
And  on  a  bed  ol  golde  (he  Ime  to  rcfle 
1  ill  that  the  bote  fonne  began  to  wcttt* 
Her  gildid  heriswith  agi>idlo  thredc 
fhotindiii  were,  untreftid  as  Hve  buc^ 
And  nakid  from  the  brcU  unto  the  bede 
Men  ought  her  fe,  and,  fothty  for  to  fakt 
The  rcn^naunt  covired  well  to  my  paac 
Right  with  a  lityl  kerchcfe  of  Valoice ; 
There  n'as  no  thiekir  clothe  (rf  no  dcfencf. 

Thd  place  gave  a  thoufande  £iTiMirt  fotie. 
And  Bacchus,  god  of  Wine,  fate  her  bcfidc^ 
And  Ceres  ncTt,  that  docth  of  hunger  boce« 
And,  as  I  faied,  amiddis  laie  Cypride, 
To  whom  on  kneis  the  y6ng  folkit  cridc 
To  be  thcr  helpc :  but  thus  t  let  her  Ue« 
And  farthir  in  the  temple*  I  gan  efpic,         ^ 

That  in  difpite  of  Diana  the  chaAe  ^m 

Full  many  a  bowe  ibroke  hing  on  the  wall  H 
Of  maidins,  fache  as  gont  ther  tymi*  wiAe 
In  her  fcrvicc,  and  p^inttd  oirir  ^1 
Of  many'  a  ftorie*,  of  whiche  I  toudiin 
A  fcwc,  as  of  Califio*  and  Atalante, 
And  many*  a  maide  of  wlmh  the  name  1 

Semeramit,  Can  dace*,  and  Hercules, 
Bibli^,  Diio,'rhifbc,aud  Pyrtmuv 
Triftram,  Ifoudc,  Pari*,  and  Achiilct, 
Hclainc,  Cleopatra,  and  Tr-  lus, 
Scylla,  and  ckc  the  mother  of  Romulus; 
All  thofc  were  paint  id  on  that  othir  fide. 
And  all  ther  love,  and  in  what  plite  thei 

When  f  was  comen  ayeo  into  the  plMi 
That  I  of  fpake,  that  was  fote  and  gt 
Forthc  walked  I  tho  my  fclvin  to  fol; 
Tbo  was  I  ware  where  there  yfate  a  qistt^ 
That  as  Of  light  the  fommtr  fannc  fhcne 
Pafljth  the  fterre,  right  fo  of  ir  nnefurc 
Sht  fnihr  was  then  any  other  crctute. 

And  in  a  launde,  upon  a  hill  «if  flotuYs, 
Was  fet  thi*  ^uene,  this  noble  goddcfft  Ns 
Of  braunchis  were  her  hall  is  and  her  ticntfra^ 
1  wrought  after  bcr  croft  and  her  mefurt ; 
Neither  n*as  Foulc  that  conieth  of  engciM 
That  there  ne  were  yprcft  in  her  prefea^ 
To  take  her  dome  and  yeve  her  audieftcirf 

For  this  was  on  SaJnfi  Valem in'is  daiv. 
When  every  Fouic  comifh  to  chcfc  her 
Of  every  kindc  thM  men  ythinkin  m&aie. 
And  that  fo  huge  a  noife  g^n  thei  to  fiwikc 
I'hc  yenh,  the  Ie,and  trc,  ami  every  lake. 
So  full  was^  that  uttnethti  th«re  wit  fpKe 
For  me  to  (lande,  lo  fuM  was  all  thr  plaer. 

And  rif^ht  as  Alaiiie  in  The  Pkrnt  of  KIj 
Dcvif'cth  Nature  of  foche  araie  and  fjicc, 
In  fuchc  araic  men  mtf^htiu  her  there  £odf, 
rhis  noble  emprefic,  full  of  alh-  gracv, 
Uadt^vcry  I  '    r   her  owne  pl»re 

A'*  thei  *»vi  a  aic  fro  yere  to  fcff 

0;t  Samel  ^  ^...  ....^^  daic  %q  p*^^**  tkdc : 


r.       r 

1 


THE  ASSEMBLE  OF   FOULES 


495 


I  &ic,  tlic  Foulis  of  nvine 
;))iIL  fct,  and  then  the  Foulis  fma-le, 
I  IS  them  N:Lturc  would  encLinc^ 
e  or  thing,  of  which  I  tdl  no  t^ilc, 
cfbulc  fate  lowifl  in  the  dale, 
let  that  livcth  by  fcdc  fat  on  the  grcnC| 

£o  fclc  that  wondir  wai  to  fcnc. 
mightiomcn  the  mall  egk  Gnde^ 
b  bi«^  ikiu^^  lolte  per  11th  the  iun^ 
r  cglt*  of  a  lowjr  kindc, 
e  chat  cVerki*  well  deTilin  con; 
lithe  tirant  with  his  fttliirt  don 
m^  I  mene  the  gofhaukc,  that  doth  pine 
I  for  his  outragtoua  ravine ; 
:]itle  faucon,  tliat  with  his  fete  diftreiDcth 
^*ii  hand,  the  hardtc  fperhaukc  cke« 
'it  foe,  the  mcrlion,  that  peincth 
full  oft,  the  larke  for  to  fcke, 
ftft  the  dove,  wiih  her  eyin  fo  meke, 
litfwaD,aycnfl  bit  deth  that  Ungeth, 
I  eke,  that  of  detk  the  bode  ybnngcth; 
awe,  the  gcant,  with  hia  t^Dnllp'i^  foiitie, 
f  the  chough^  and  eke  the  chattring  pie» 
Ujng  pic,  the  clc's  foe  the  hcrouoc, 
'  lapwing,  aile  full  of  trechiric, 
itig,  that  the  couniaile  con  bewrie, 
t  ruddocke,  and  the  ccwarde  kite, 
ue,  that  horiloge  i&  of  thropts  lite  ; 
fuowt  Venus  fon,  the  nlghtingulci 
pith  fonhc  the  frcfh^  Icvi*  newe, 
iowc,  murdrer  of  the  bcis  fuiale, 
ken  honie  of  fiourii  frdhe  of  hcwc,. 
did  tuttcll  wiih  hit  hcrtc  true, 
icke  with  hift  aagcU  fethirr  bright, 
iDt,  fcoroir  of  the  cocke  by  night; 
rmkcr  gofc,  the  cuckowc,  er  unkinde, 
lageic,  full  of  dcUcaiie, 
EC,  deftroyir  of  hifr  ownc  kinde, 
kc,  the  wrekir  of  advoateric, 
i  cormcraunt,  full  of  gbtonie, 
io  wife,  the  crowc,  with  voice  of  care, 
kAiU  olde,  and  froilie  feldcfare. 
fiiould  1  faie  ?  of  Fuules  of  every  kind 
thi»  world  have  fechirs  and  feature 
fiitin  in  that  place  allemblid  flndc 
\iM!t  noble  goddcfie  of  nature, 
«  of  them  ydid  hii  buHc  cuce 
lie  to  thtic  or  for  to  take 
iccocde  hit  fonneU  or  hit  make. 
>  the  poin^.  Nat  tire  held  on  her  ho&d 
rll  egle',  of  fhape  the  gentillelt 
ir  fhe  emong  her  workis  fonde^, 
[le  benigne  and  ckc  the  godclicft  i 
ra»  every  vcrtue  at  his  rcH 
rthe,  that  Nature  her  fielf  bad  blilTc 
on  ber,  and  oft  her  bccke  to  kifle. 
*,  the  vicarc  of  the*  alinightie  I^orde, 
Be  aod  coldc,  hcvie,  light,  moifte,.  and  drie» 
lit  by  cvin  nombir  ot  accorde, 
otce  began  to  ipcke  and  faie, 
ake  bcdeof  my  £eatence  I  prate, 

your  efc,  in  fc^rdring  of  your  ncde> 


Ye  know  well  how  on  S,  Valentine's  dale. 
By  my  fl^itutc  and  through  my  govirnauncc, 
\c  chefe  your  makes,  atid  aftir  tlie  awaie 
With  ^hem  a^'l  doc  pricke  you  with  plcfauncei 
But  nathelc0ie,  as  by  dghtfull  ordmaunee, 
Maic  1  not  let,  for  all  tlm  worldc  to  win. 
But  h&  rhat  tnoilc  worthicfl  is  Chall  begin. 

The  tcrcell  cglc,,a4  jc  knuwe  full  welc. 
The  Foule  roiall,  above  you'  all  in  degrc. 
The  wile  and  w^rthie,  fecict,  true  as  llelc, 
'J 'he  whiche  I  liave  fonnid,  as  ye  niaie  fc» 
In  every  parte  at  it  bcft  likith  me. 
It  nedilh  not  bis  fiiapc  you  to  dcvife. 
He  fhall  ^Ik  chtfc  ajid  fp«kjn  in  his  gije* 

And  after  hym  by  ordir  Ihall  ye  cbcfc 
Aftir  your  kindc,  evcrichc  ai  you  likith. 
And  as  your  hap  h  (hall  ye  win  or  Icfe, 
"  But  which  of  you  that  love  raoft  entrikith 
God  I'ende  hym  her  that  forcH  for  hym  fikith  f 
And  therwtdhallthe  tercell  gan  (he  call. 
And  faied,  My  (onne,  the  choiie  h  to  the  fali 

But  nathclclTc  in  duft  condicion 
Muft:c  be  the  choice  of  everichc  that  li  hcre» 
That  (he  agre  to  his  cleccion. 
Who  fo  he  be,  that  fhftuld  yben  her  fere  j 
Thit  is  our  ufagc  aye  fro  ycre  toycrc. 
And  who  fo  maic  at  tht«  time  have  his  grace 
In  blisfull  tyme  he  came  into  this  place. 

With  bed  cnclined  and  with  full  humble  chcte 
This  roiall  tcrcell  fpuke,  and  taricd  nought. 
Unto  my  foveraine  ladic%and  not  my  fere, 
I  chofc  and  chefe  with  will,  and  licrt,  and  thought^ 
T  he  forirtell  on  your  hand  fo  well  i wrought, 
Whofc  1  am  all,  and  cvir  will  her  fervc. 
Doc  what  her  luftc  to  doe  nic  live  or  ftcrvc 

Bcfcchyng  her  of  mercie  and  of  grace. 
At  Ihc  that  is  my  tadie  Ibverain, 
Or  lot  me  die  here  prcfeot  in  this  pbce. 
For  certislong  maie  I  not  liv<  in  pain. 
For  in  ray  hcrte  is  corvin  every  vain, 
Havyng  rcgaidc  onily  to  my  trouthe  : 
My  dcrc  herte!  havith  on  my  wofomc  rouihcv 

And  if  that  I  be  fottndc  to  her  untrue, 
Difnbcifauntjor  wtlfoll  negligent. 
Avail ntoup,  or  in  procefle  love  anewe, 
1  praic  to  you  this  be  my  judgement^ 
That  with  thefe  Foulis  i  be  all  to  rent 
That  ilk^  daie  that  fhe  me  cvir  finde 
To  her  untrue  or  in  my  gilee  uokindc. 

And  Hdi  none  lovith  her  fo  well  as  !» 
Although  (he  nevir  of  loive  me  behct. 
Then  ought  (he  to  be  mine  through  her  mercICi 
For  othir  bonde  can  I  none  on  hci  knee. 
For  for  weic  nor  wo  nevir  (ball  I  let 
To  fcrvin  her,  how  far  fo  tijat  (he  wende  t 
Saie  what  you  liftc,  my  talc  is  at  in  cnde. 

Full  right  as  the  foic  and  frelhc  reddc  rofc  ntwt 
Againft  the  fommir  funnc  ycoioured  li,. 
Right  fo  for  fhame  all  waxin  ^aa  tjie  he  we 
Of  this  formcll  when  that  (be  he td  all  this; 
Neithir  (be  anfwerde  well  fie  faied  amii, 
So  fore  abftihei  was  fhc,  till  that  Nature 


^ 


THfi   ASSEMBLE    OF    PObttlS.' 


And  othir  teu^T]  t%\c  fpiltt;  anon 
)f  lowlr  kind,  anil  fiiied  that  fhoulcl  not  bf  ; 
I  love  her  bet  then  ye  due  by  Salnd  John, 
Df  at  thclpft  I  lofvc  as  well  an  ye, 
^And  Icngir  htivc  fcrvcd  her  in  my  dcgrp, 
Atidtfflie  flvowld  have  loved  for  long  lavyng 
To  me  alone  had  be  the  guerdonynjj. 

I  dare  eke  fate,  U' flic  me  findin  fitllc. 
ITnkinde,  jangler,  rebel  1»  in  any  wife » 
Or  jelous,  doc  mc  hanpn  by  the  halfc  ; 
And  but  i  berm  me  in  her  fervifc 
As  well  aye  as  my  wit  can  me  fuffife 
Fro  poind  to  poind,  her  honottr  for  to  favc. 
Take  (he  my  life  and  i^!l  the  gtjdc  I  have. 

The  thirde  icrccH  eglc  anfwarid  tho, 
Now,  Sirs,  ye  fe  the  lityl  Icfir  here, 
For  every  Fotilc  crieth  out  to  be  *ij^ 
Forthc  with  his  mske  or  with  hi*  lady  d^e. 
And  eke  Nature  her  fclf  nc  will  not  here, 
For  tarying  her,  not  half  that  I  would  feie, 
And  but  I  fpekc  I  rauft  for  forowe  deic. 

Of  longc  fcrricc  avaunt  I  mt  nothing', 
But  as  poflibic*  ii  mc  to  die  to  day 
For  wo  as  he  that  h:ith  be  lanjui^ing^ 
This  twenty  wintrc*,  and  wel  it  happin  may 
A  man  may  fcrvc  bctttr  and  more  to  pay 
In  halfc  a  ycrc,  although  it  were  no  more, 
Than  fomc  man  doth  that  hath  fcnrid  ful  yore, 

I  fiy  not  thii  by  mc,  for  1  nc  can 
Do  no  fcnrife  that  may  my  lady  plefe, 
But  I  dare  fay  f  am  her  trcwift  man. 
As  to  my  domCf  and  fainifl  woldc  her  plcfc : 
At  thmd  wordjs,  til  that  dcthe  me  ccfc 
I  wil  be  her*  whcthir  I  wake  or  w^inkc. 
And  trewc  in  al  that  herte  may  bcthinkc. 

Of  al  my  lyfc  fyth  that  day  1  wa*  borne 
So  gentle  pie  in  Iotc  or  othir  thinge 
Nc  hcrdin  Bcrir  no  man  mc  befomc. 
Who  fo  that  had  right  Icfir  and  conninge 
For  to  rcherfe  thcr  chcre  and  ther  fpekyngc, 
Atid  from  the  morowe  gan  this  fpcche  Ja5e 
Till  downward  went  the  fonnc  wondir  fafte. 

The  noifc  cf  Foulis  for  lo  be  dcliverdc 
So  loud^  range,  Have  don  and  let  us  wcndc, 
That  wel  wende  1  the  wodc  had  all  to  Ihivercd  ; 
Come  of,  they  cried ;  alas!  ye  wiJ  U5 (hcnde ; 
Whan  flial  your  curfid  pleding  have  an  cndc  ? 
How  fl\ulde  a  judge  on  cithir  partie  Icvc 
For  yc  or  nay  withoutin  any  preve  ? 

The  gofe,  the  cuckowe,  and  the  ducke  alfo, 
So  cryid  Kckc,kckc,Cuckow,Qiickc,queke,hyc, 
Thorough  mytte  eris  the  noyfc  weote  tho ; 
The  gofe  fayd  than,  Al  this  n'ys  worthc  a  flye. 
But  I  can  fliape  herof  a  rcmcdyc^ 
And  %vil  yfay  my  vcrditc  faire  and  fwithe 
For  w.Ttii  Foule,  who  fo  be  wrothe  or  blithe. 

And  1  for  womic  Foule,  {aid  the  Cole  cuckow, 
For  I  wil  of  nun  owne  author itc. 
For  common  fpede,  take  on  me  the  charge  now 
For  to  deliver  us  is  gretc  cbaritc, 
Yc  may  abydin  a  while  yet  pcrtW. 
(CJuod  the  turtcl)  If  that  it  be  your  wil 
A  wjghi  may  fpckc  It  were  as  godc  be  ftil* 


f 


!  am  a  fcdc  Foale,  '^"^  •'  -  "*  wcLthyi^,' 
That  WOE  Iwcl,  and  oimyngt. 

But  bcttir  is  that  a  Av  ^^  '^e  rei 

Than  cntremetin  him  of  loche  deryogc 
Of  whiche  he  neithir  redin  can  mw  fittse. 
And  who  fo*  it  doth  ful  foulc  him  fclf  3 
For  0£i>;g  vttcommiiSU  tipf  itm*.ye<i' , 

Nature,  whiche  tl;  .n 

To  murraure  of  the  t  ',• 

With  lac ondc  voice  iaia,  tT.'i  j  vnrir  toef 
And  T  fhal  font  I  hope  a  counfatlc  finds 
You  to  deliver  and  fro  thi*  jioyfe  uiib 
1  char^  of  every  flockc  ye  flbnl!  one  cjI 
To  fjy  the  verdite  of  you  Fouli'  all, 

AflTcntid  were  to  this  conclufyoti 
The  brrdi?  3],  and  Foulis  of  ravine 
Have  chofin  firft  by  plaine  cicdrotj. 
The  tercelct  of  the  faucon  to  define, 
Al  ther  feutcnce,  and  as  him  luft  to  i 
And  to  Nature  him  gan  thr)-  to  pr 
And  fticacccptith  him  With  glad  tnxx 

The  tcrcclet  fayd  than  in  thi»  nvaoerv  ; 
Fill  hard  it  were  to  preve  it  by  rclbn 
Who  lovith  heft  thr»  geniil  fonnel  here. 
For  cvcrichc  hath  fochc  replicacir»n 
That  by  (klHis  may  non  be  brougftt  adon^ 
I  cannm  fe  that  argumente*  availe, 
*rhan  fcmtth  it  there  muft  be  a  bi 

Al  redy,  quod  thefc  rglrs  tcr. 
Nay.  Sirs,  (quod  he)  ifthattdurit  1 
Yc  do  iiic  wronge»  my  rale  i*  nof  a     > 
For,  Sirs.nc  fakith  nat  a  grcfc  I  pray. 
It  may  not  be  as  yc  wolde  in  thniray ; 
Our»isthe  voice  ihw  have  the  cKargc  la  I 
And  tu  the  judg'i*  dome  yc  mtift  yftandf  • 

And  thcrforc  pecc :  I  fay  *#to  my  1  " 
Mc  wold  in  think  e  how  that  the  wonhfcft 
Of  knyghthode,  and  lengift  hsd  fifi^l  ft, 
Moft  of  cftate,  of  blodc  thr 
Were  6ttingrft  for  her,  if  tl 

And  of  rhcfc  thre  flic  WOlr  I  i;      1  —nrr 

Whiche  that  he  be,  for  itfs  it    ;  :  t  -  .  nimc. 

The  walir  Fouliihave  tl:.::  hLCj*  Ui< 
Tngidir,  and  of  (borte  avifdmem 
Wban  cvcriche  had  his  vcrcit^  yfjtide, 
They  faidin  fothely  al  by  one  T0ciit 
How  that  the  gofe,  with  the  facond^  gcaff  * 
That  fo  dciirith  to  pronounce  our  node, 
Shal  tcl  our  tale,  and  prayed  to  God  her  ( 

And  for  ihcfe  watir  Foults  tho  begdia 
TJjc  gofc  to  fpekc,  and  in  her  cakelyoge 
She  faid,  Ptce  now^takL"  kepc  evi?ry  mAQ» 
And  hcrken  whiche  rtfon  1  flial  forth  hnngj 
My  wiite  is  (harpe;  I  l^v.-  mtiryJng  ; 
I  fay  t  rede  him ,  tho  \  ttnhtr^ 

But  flie  wil  love  hitn  J  afi«<:llcar.' 

-Lo  here  aparfite  r  fc  * 

Tho  (qttod  the  fpcrha  rnwle  Oie  t 

I^  foche  a  thing  it*  U  to  hii£  ;» tonge  ieit  \  | 
Nowe  pardc  fole  yet  were  it  bet  for  the 
Have  hpldc  thy  pcce  than  fliewdc  thy 
h  lyeihn^t  in  hi?  wit  nor  in  ha  wU* 
Fuc  fothc  is  U\^c^  AfiUtmmmihtJtiM. 


THE   ASSEMBLE    OF    FOULES. 


49? 


fotc  of  gcntil  FouIjs  al, 
lE  anone  the  fcde  Foulcs  choCm  had 
el  trewe,  md  gan  her  tja  'hem  call| 
fid  her  to  fay  the  fothe  fad 
alir,  and  aOcid  what  fhe  nid  f 
inAvcred  that  filainly  her  cntene 
le  Oiewe,  asd  fothly  what  (he  ment. 
lod  forbedc  a  bvir  fhuld^  chautige, 
d  faid»and  iveite  for  fliame  at  rede ; 
rhat  hij  lady  evirmorc  be  ftrauuge, 
iro  fenrc  her  ay  tyl  he  be  dcdc ; 
I  ne  praife  not  the  gos'is  rede, 
tic  dyed  I  wold  none  othir  make ; 
ficn  tyl  that  the  dcthe  mc  t;ikc 
boordid  (q^od  the  ducke)  by  my  hat; 
Q  (hotitdin  love  alway  caufcItlTe 
larefon  finde  or  wit  in  that  f 
I  he  mcry  that  U  tnirthJlefle  ? 
Idin  rcckc  of  that  is  rcchelclfc  ? 
c  yet  (quod  the  ducke)  ful  wcl  and  faire, 
wtjttrrei  i»  ihejkjt  ttttin  a  pair e, 
fyc,  chorle  !  (quod  the  gcntil  tercclct) 
le  donghil  came  thar  word  anght ; 
ijl  not  in  which  thingc  is  \\  el  bcfct  { 
c(i  by  love  a£  owHi  do  by  light, 
*hem  blmdeth,  ful  wcl  they  fe  by  night ; 
le  is  of  fo  lowc  a  wrctchidnefTc 
at  love  is  thou  cand  not  fc  tior  gcffe* 
in  the  ciickow  put  him  forthc  in  prccc 
e  tKat  etith  wonne,  and  fay  id  biyvc, 
}d  he)  may  have  my  make  in  pecc 
be  DQUght  howc  loDgc  that  yc  ftrivc ; 
of  'hero  be  foleinc  al  ther  ly  ve  : 
Vf  rede  feci  they  may  nat  acorde ; 
rte  lelTon  nedithnot  recorde. 
vc  the  glutton  Aide  inow  hid  paunche, 
:  we  wel,  fay  id  the  cnicrJoo, 
Lrdrir  of  the  hcifuggc,  on  the  bran n  die, 
»ught  the  forth,  thou  niofl  rtrfuU  glutton, 
u  foldj),  wnrmis  corrtipcion  ! 
wee  \%  of  lackc  of  thy  nature  ; 
e  be  thou  while  that  the  world  may  dure! 
pecc  (quod  Nature)  \  commandin  here, 
V«  herde  al  your  opinion, 
ffrde  yet  be  we  ner  the  ncrc ; 
Uy^  thi$  is  my  conclusion, 
her  fclfe  Chal  have  her  ele^ioQ 
%  her  lift,  who  fo  be  wroth  or  blithe, 
|t  {be  chcfcth  he  (hal  her  have  as  fwithe  : 
lie  it  may  not  here  difcufTid  be 
'eth  her  bed,  as  faid  the  terc^lct, 
»1  f  done  thi«  favour  to'  her,  that  ftie 
e  right  hiro  on  whom  her  hcrt  is  fct, 
ber  that  hi&  hcrt  hath  on  her  knet ; 
ge  I  Nature,  for  1  may  not  lye, 
eUate  1  have  none  othir  eye. 
,  for  counfayle  for  to  chofc  a  make, 
e  Refon,  ceitii  than  wouldc  I 
ID  you  the  royal  tercel  take, 
the  tertilet  fol  (VilfuHy, 

Btilitl  aud  moll  wot  thy. 


Which  1  have  wrought  fo  wel  to  my  plefaunce 
That  to  you  it  ought  ben  a  fuHiniuncc. 

Wirh  drcdfull  voice  the  furmcil  litr  anfwcrde  ; 
My  right  full  Udy,  goddclTe  ot  N;tturc, 
Soih  h  that  1  am  er  undir  yoar  ycrde, 
As  js  ali*  evcrichc  othir  creture, 
And  muft  be  youri  while  that  my  life  may  dure, 
And  therforc  grauntith  mc  my  firfte  hone, 
And  myne  entcnt  you  wol  1  lay  rijjht  font. 

I  gr^unt  it  you  (quod  the.)  And  ri)^ht;iDonr 
This  iormel  cgle  fpakc  in  this  dcgre ; 
Almighty  quene  !  unto  thifc  yctc  be  dune 
I  aike  rcfpitc  for  to  avyfin  mc. 
And  aftir  that  to  have  my  chuyce  all  frc : 
Thii  al  and  fome  rhat  I  wold  fpckc  and  fey ; 
Yc  get  no  more  although  ye  do  mc  dcy  : 

I  wol  not  fcrviq  Venus  ne  Cupii^c 
Forfothc  at  yet  by  no  manir  of  way. 
Nowc  fens  it  may  none  othir  waycs  betide 
f  t^od  Dame  Nature),  here  is  no  more  tr>  fay ; 
Than  woldc  1  that  thcfc  FouUa  were  away 
Eche  with  his  make  for  tarying  lengir  here, 
And  faid  'htm  thus,  a?  yc  Dial  aftir  here  ; 

To  you  fpekc  1,  yc  tcrcctetf.  i  quud  Nature}, 
Bethe  of  godc  hene,  and  fcrvith  allr  thrc, 
A  yerc  is  not  fo  toogc  fur  to  endure. 
And  eche  of  you  paine  him  in  hit  dcjjrc 
For  to  do  wcl,  for  God  wore  qtiit  is  flic 
Fro  you  this  yere,  what  aftir  fo  bcfal ; 
This  cDtrcmes  is  drcITid  for  you  all. 

And  whan  this  werk  ybrought  was  to  an  code 
To  cviry  Foulc  Nature  yavc  his  make 
By  even  acorde,  and  on  thcr  way  ihcy  wende, 
And  Lordethcbliirt:  and  joy  c  which  that  they  make ! 
For  ech  gan  othir  in  his  wingi&  take, 
'  And  with  thtT  neckis  cdvc  gan  othir  windc, 
Thankyngc  aye  the  noble  goddcffc  of  KIndc. 

But  firji  were  choCn  Foulis  for  to  (ingc. 
As  yerc  by  yerc  wa&  alway  ther  ufauncc. 
To  fingv  a  roundel  at  ther  departing. 
To  do  lo  Nature  honour  and  plcfauncej 
The  note  I  trowc  ymakid  was  in  Fraunee; 
The  wordis  were  fochc  a*  yc  may  bote  find 
The  ncxte  vers,  as  I  nowe  have  in  miode, 

^^u^  iilen  aime  tarJ  mttiti. 
Now  wclcQiw  fomir  1  with  thy  fonnii  foft» 
That  haftc  this  whnir  wcthirs  ovirihakc; 
Saint  Viikntine  !  thou  arte  full  hyc  on  lofte, 
Which  drivift  away  the  longc  nightis  bbke, 
Thu5i  Ungin  fmale  Foulis  for  thy  fake; 
Weil  bavin  they  caufc  for  to  gbdio  oftc 
Sens  eche  of  *hcm  recovered  hi«ii  his  make, 
'  Ful  blififul  maie  they  fiog  when  ihcy  awake. 

And  With  the  fliouting  when  ther  fongc  was  da 
That  the  FouUsmadc  at  thcr  llightaway 
I  woke,  and  othir  bokii»  toke  me  to 
To  rede  upon,  and  yet  J  tedc  alway  j 
1  hope  ywis  to  redln  fo  fome  day 
1  hat  I  Aval  metin  fume  t hinge  for  to  fare 
The  bet,  and  thus  to  rcdc  I  n'il  not  ff  ;ire« 

1  i 


T"E  ^*1  of  Love,  ah,  hnaUelte  / 
Howe  mighty  and  howc  ^ct  «  lortfe  is  he  I 
1  or  he  can  makin  of  lowc  hcrtis  hie. 
And  of  hyc  l»wc  and  lykc  for  to  die. 
And  harde  Kertis  he  cmn  makin  fire  J 

He  can  makJn  tvithin  a  litH  Houndc 

Of  Hcke  fulkc  whole,  and.fr/^fhct  ^nd  founde^ 

And  of  (he  whole  he  can  ymake  fcLe; 

He  cun  y  bin  din  and  unbind  in  eke 

Thitt  t)e  woi  have  yboundin  or  unboundc. 

To  tcl  his  mifht  my  wit  may  not  fufGfe, 
For  he  can  mukin  of  wife  folic  ful  nice. 
For  he  may  do  A  that  he  wol  devi<;c, 
And  lithy  folk^  to  diftroytn  vice, 
Ajod  proudc  hcrtis  he  can  make  agiile* 

Shortly,  al  thnt  f  vir  he  wol  he  may ; 
Agatnift  him  rhcrc  dare  no  wight  fay  naye, 
Tcir  he  call  glad  and  p-evc  whom  him  lykitfa. 
And  who  that  he  wol  he  lowcth  or  fikith. 
And  mod  his  might  he  Oicdith  cr  in  May| 

For  cyhy  true  |rentk  hert^  fiT» 
That  with  him  is  or  thinkith  for  to  be, 
Apaiiifl  May  now  (hai  have  fomc  flcringCj 
pr  to  joye  or  ellfv  to  fome  mourning, 
}ii  no  fcfun  fo  moche,  ai  ihiakiih  mc  i 


For  whan  that  th«ry  may  here  the  bMiil 
And  fc  the  fiouris  and  the  kvia  fprtegie^ 
That  brini^di  into  tbfiT  rcrnembcniEQiifi 
A  manir  efc  ymedlid  with  greraufjcc. 
And  lufly  thoughtia  fol  of  p-eu  loi^^; 


And  of  that  longing  comith  beviacfTc, 
And  therofgrowirh  oft  grcte  fikeoeH^, 
And  for  the  lacke  of  that  that  they  defile | 
Aod  thu«  in  May  ben  hatii  fet  on  fiiT, 
Sg  that  they  brcnnin  forth  id  gret  dtAfdEBi. 

[  fpcke  thii  of  fcUng  trcwily : 

What !  tbo  that  1  1^  olde  am?  tJnjTTfty 

Yet  I  have  fdtc  of  the  fie  V 

Bothe  bote  ard  cold,  and 

How  fore  iwis  there  vote  no  wj^^t  but  i. 

]  am  fo  (hakin  with  the  fevira  irfiirc 
Of  a\  thi*  May,  ne  flcpe  I  but  a  htc; 
And  alio  it  is  not  lyke  unto  me 
That  any  hcrtc  fhoaidtn  flcpy  be 
In  whom  that  lAjrt  bi»  £17  darce  1 

But  a»  I  by  this  oihir  niglit  wakxeg 
I  thought  howe  lovirs  liad  a  tokiiUQf, 
And  amonge  'hem  it  wa»  a  commune  tale 
That  it  were  gode  to  here  the  Nightitiriiv 
Mochc  rathir  than  the  leud*  Ct^ckowe  fi»|* 


THE  CUCKOWE  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE, 


4?P 


I  tlkoaglit  znon  at  it  was  d^j 
ine  go  fomwherc  to  alTay 
ight  2  NlKhtingaic  yhcrc, 
1^  I  none  hcnlc  uf  al  tlt;it  ycre, 
I  tho  the  thirds  night  of  May. 

Bd<»d  as  r  the  day  afpide 

would  I  in  my  bedde  abidt;, 

L  woddc  that  wiu  me  fafl  by 

the  my  fclf  alone  boldlly, 

:  the  way  dowuc  by  a  brok^  fide. 

1 

I  to  a  kandc  of  white  and  greoc^ 

I  one  had  1  ncvir  in  bene ; 

idc  was  grenc,  ypoudrid  with  daifyc, 

i  and  the  grevis  alike  hie, 

uid  white,  was  nothing  cEw  fcnc, 

:  I  downe  among  the  faire  fiourii, 
the  birdci  trippe  oat  ol  ther  bo%vria 
hcf  redid  *hcm  had  al  the  ni^ht  j 

r)  joyful  of  the  day*i»  lyght 
of  Maye  for  to  done  hooouris  : 

till  wel  that  fervicc  al  by  rote, 
was  many  afuE  lovely  ootc; 

;in  loude  as  i hey  had  ypLasucd, 
in  othlr  manir  voice  yfaincd, 

foBgiD  al  out  with  the  ful  throte. 

Bid  *hcm  and  nmdin  *hcm  right  gay^ 
6dia  and  kptin  on  the  fpray, 
lore  were  two  and  two  in  fere, 

I  they  had  choHn  'hem  to  ycrc 
on  Saint  Valentine's  day. 
\r  whlchc  tliat  I  fat  upon 
bchc  a  noifc  ^  it  roa, 
U  with  the  birdii  amiony, 
"  }  that  it  wa»  tlic  bed  nicloHy 
"  I  l>en  yhcrdc  of  any  mon* 

_ytc,  1  DC  wotcc  nevir  howc, 
;lic  a  Oombre  and  a  fwowc, 
tpe  nc  ftilly  awaking, 
It  fwowL'  me  thought  I  hetdt  Cngc 
nrdc,  I  mene  the  Icudc  Cuckowc, 

Bto  ttpOD  a  tfc  right  fall  by ; 
Bi  than  evil  apaide  Lut  if 
Hquod  I)  that  dyid  on  the  crois 
we  on  the  and  qh  thy  Icudc  vols ! 
lyc  have  I  now  of  thy  crie* 

I  the  Cuckow  thus  gan  chide, 
|lhc  ncxti  bufli  be  fide 
ale  fo  Judily  yfingc, 
ftT  dcnl  voice  ibc  madin  ringc, 

ougk  id  the  grenc  wodc  Wide« 


Ah  !  gode  fwetc  Nightingale  I  (quod  1)  then, 
A  lltil  baft  thou  ben  to  bng^  hen. 
For  here  hath  ben  the  leudc  fory  Cuckovv, 
And  iongin  fongit  rathir  than  haft  thou; 
1  pray  to  God  that  evil  fire  her  bren ! 

But  now  I  wolyou  tel  a  wondte  thing ; 

As  longe  as  I  ylay  in  that  fwouning, 

Mc  thought  I  wiftwh;itthat  thcbirdis  racnt^ 

And  what  they  fnyd,  and  what  was  ihcr  cntcnt, 

And  of  ther  fpechc  I  had  full  gode  knowing. 

There  herd  in  I  the  Nlghtlngatc  ylay, 

Now,  gode  Ciickow !  goith  fonic  whrre  awayCp 

And  let  m  that  can  fuv^n  dwellin  here, 

For  every  wight  cfchcvith  the  to  here, 

Thy  fongi?  ben  fo  clcngc,  in  gode  fay, 

Whit  \  (qaod  Ihc)  what  may  the  aylin  ai  nowc  f 
it  thinkith  mc  I  (Inge  as  wel  as  thou, 
For  my  fong^  19  both  true  and  ckc  plainc. 
And  though  I  c:in  not  crakil  fo  in  vaine 
A*  thou  doll  in  thy  throte,  I  wot  ner  how. 

And  every  wight  may  undirftandin  me  ; 
But,  Nightingale,  fo  may  they  not  done  the, 
For  thou  hail  many  a  nice  ijueinte  criei 
I  have  the  herdc  fainc  Ocy,  ocy  : 
Howc  might  1  knowin  what  chat  Ihould  y  b«  ? 

Ah,  fole  S  (quod  flic)  wo  ft  thou  not  what  it  is  ? 
AVhan  that  i  fay  Ocy,  ocy,  yw^s 
Than  menin  1  that  I  would  wondre  faine 
That  al  they  werin  RiamfuHy  yfiainc 
That  menin  ought  againift  love  ami* ; 

And  atfo*  t  would  that  al  tho  had  the  dedc 
That  thiukm  not  in  love  ther  life  to  Icde, 
For  who  lo  wol  nol  the  god  of  Love  fcrvc 
1  dare  wel  f,iy  he  is  worthy  to  llcrve. 
And  for  that  ftil  Ocy,  ocy,  I  grtdc 

Eye !  (quod  the  Cnckow)  this  is  a  qucint  lawc, 

That  every  wight  flial  love  or  be  10  draw  ; 

But  1  fiirfakln  al  foe  he  company , 

For  myne  entcnt  ne  t«  not  for  to  die, 

Nc  ncr  whik  I  live  on  Love's  yoke  to  draw  ; 

For  lovir*  ben  the  folk*  that  be  a  on  lyvc 
That  moft  difdc  yhavc  and  moft  unthrivc^ 
And  moft  cndurin  forow,  wo,  and  care, 
And  that  the  left  yfdin  of  welfare  ; 
What  ncditJi  it  ayculft  irouth  to  ftrisr<:  j 

'V^'liat  1  (quod /he)  ihou  art  alle  out  of  thy  miaJet 
Ho%v  might  thou  in  thy  chorltnefTc  yfjadc 
To  (pckc  of  Lov'ii  fervauiitc*  in  thi»  wife  ? 
For  in  tlda  world  i*tiOTic  fo  god^  fervicc 
To  cvia'y  Wighr  that  jjentlc  is  of  kinJf : 
J  '  *j 


I 


THE  CUCKOWE 

Tnr  therof  truly  comith  al  ^odcnefTc, 
Thtrof  al  htjijour  and  &l  gcntilncffe. 
Thereof  worftiip,  tft,  and  al  hert*is  lufl, 
And  parfite  joye  and  ful  aflurid  truft, 
And  Jolydc,  and  plcfujiincc,  and  frtfbcncfle. 

And  lowly  hed,  lar^cfTr,  and  curtifye, 
And  fem^lyhrd,  and  trcw  company. 
And  drcdc«f  (hams  for  to  done  amy«i 
f'or  he  that  truily  Lov*iii  ferviujit  i« 
Wltc  lothir  to  be  Ihamid  than  to  die. 


And  that  thys  i«  the  fothc  wh'ichc  that  1  fey 
In  that  hclcvc  1  wil  bothc  live  and  dey; 
Andj  CuckoWjfo  I  rcdc  thou  do  ywys. 
Than  (quod  he)  let  mc  ncvir  havin  blHTc 
Yf  cvir  I  to  that  counfaile  obey. 

Nyghtlngfale,  thou  yfpcklfl  wondrc  faire, 
But  for  al  that  is  the  foth  <:ontrayrc. 
For  Love  ne  is  in  yongi  folke  hut  rage, 
And  is  in  oldc  folkc  a  grctc  dotapc ; 
Who  moft  it  ufith  he  moft  (hal  cnpairt ; 

For  thcrof  commeth  difcfc  and  hcvincfTc, 
So  forow'  and  care,  and  many'  a  p-cte  fikcnefTc, 
I>crpite,  debate,  and  angrc^  and  cpvy, 
Depcavinjr,  fhamt,  untruft,  and  jetottHe, 
Pride,  miXchefe,  povertie,  and  wodenefTc. 

Loving  is  aye  an  office  of  difpaire, 

And  one  thing  is  therin  that  h  not  faJre, 

For  who  that  gettcth  uf  Love  a  litil  bLilTc^ 

But  if  he  be  aj^aic  therewith,  iwis 

He  maic  fuU  fonc  of  age  yhave  hi&halre  : 

And,  NightingaR,  therefore  held  the  nie, 
For  ievc  tnc  well,  for  all  thy  quciiue  eric, 
If  thou  be  fcrre  or  longe  fro  thy  tnakc 
Thou  Ihalt  be  as  othir  that  ben  fori'akc. 
And  then  thou  ihalt  yhotin  as  do  t. 

He  !  Jquod  (he)  on  thy  name  and  on  the, 
The  god  of  Love  nc  let  the  ncvir  the, 
^or  thoti  art  worfc  a  thoufandfolde  than  wode, 
For  mapy'  one  is  full  worshic  and  foil  godc 
That  bad  be  naught  nc  haddin  Love  ibce  | 

For  evjrraore  Love  his  ferviuntcs  amcndcth. 
And  from  all  evtll  tachi*  'hem  defcndefh. 
And  makith  %ttn  to  brcnnc  right  in  a  fire 
In  troutbe  and  in  worfhipfull  dcfirc, 
And  whtn  him  likith  joy  inough  *hciii  fendcth. 

Thon,  KightingaH,  he  fayld,  be  ftill. 

For  Love  have  no  rcfon  but  it  h  will, 

For  oft  tymi*  untrue  f.ilkc  he  efith 

And  true  fulke  fo  bittirly  difrlefith 

That  for  dcfaute  of  coun^gchc  let  *htm  fpiU. 


NTGHTINCALE. 

Then  tnke  1  of  the  Nightiogal*  krpe 

How  that  ibe  caft  a  figh  out  of  her  depe. 

And  faicd,  Alas  that  cvlr  I  wa«  bore ! 

1  can  for  tenc  not  fale  one  word^  more  % 

And  right  with  that  worde  ihe  hnft  etttuv^ 

Alas  !  (quod  fhe)  my  hcrte  woll  to  beeke, 
*ro  hcrin  thus  this  leud^-  birdc  fpcke 
Of  Love,  and  of  his  worfhipfull  ferriee; 
Now  god  of  Love,  thou  hclpc  rac  in  fome  miSt 
That  1  raaic  on  thi^  Cuckowe  ben  awTtke. 


Me  though  tin  then  that  he  (Icrtc  up  tjmn, 
Aiui  glad  wai  I  tho  that  he  was  agon. 
And  cvirraorc  the  Cuckowx  u  he  fiaic 
Vfayid,  Farewell,  farewell,  popingaie. 
As  though  he  had  yfcomtd  mc  akfte. 

And  then  ycame  the  Nighiio|ralc  to  me^ 
And  fay  id,  Frcndc,  forfoth  I  thank  *the 
'I'hat  thou  haft  likid  me  for  to  rcfiowc, 
And  OTIC  avcfwc  to  Love  yniake  1  nciw. 
That  all  tbi»  Maic  1  woU  thy  fingtr  be* 

f  thankid  her,  and  was  right  well  ap«icd. 
Ye,  (quod  fhc)  and  nc  be  thou  nut  diimaiflll 
Tho  thou  have  herd  the  Cuckow  erftlhaa^ 
For  if  I  live  it  fhalJ  amcndid  be 
The  neit^  Maie,  if  1  be  not  afirmied. 


And  one  thing  I  woll  redln  the  alfo, 
N(j  leve  ihou  not  the  Cuckow  nc*  hi*  Iwril 
For  all  that  be  hath  faied  ti  flrong  Icfyng. 
Naic,  (quod  I)  thcrto  (ball  nuthrog  me  I 
For  love,  and  it  hath  do  mc  mochil  wo, 

Yc,  hath  it  ?  Ufe  (quod  flie)  thU  mrdidste^^ 
Every  date  thii  Maie  or  that  thou  dme 
Go  lokia  upon  the  frclhe  d^c. 
And  though  thou  be  for  wo  in  potnd  t«£e 
That  Ihall  full  grctly  Icflcn  the  of  thy  pisc 

Andlokcalwaic  that  thou  be  gode  xfid  tnt, 
And  I  woU  fing  one  of  the  fongis  newe 
For  love  of  the,  as  loitde  a«  I  maie  crie ; 
And  then  fhe  began  thisfbng^  full  hie, 
!  lb  re  we  all  'hem  that  ben  of  k)^  marat. 


And  when  fhc  had  yfong  it  to  the  eodr. 

Now  farewell,  (quod  Ihe)  for  I  toot^ 

And  god  of  Ix»vc«  that  can  right  wcU  Mt^mi$ 

As  mochil  joyd  fend^  the  this  dak 

As  any  yet  lovir  be  t»cr  fcode. 

Thus  takcth  the  Kfghtinf  i)e  bei^  leve  of  »?• 
I  praic  to  God  alw^e  with  her  to  bc» 
And  joyr  of  love  he  fende  her  ertfUMre* 
And  fliilde  us  fro  the  Cuckowe  and  kt»  lorel 
For  t^Lcre  ii  not  Jo  ^sUe  a  btrdb  as  he. 


THE  CUCKOWB  AND  THE  NIGHTlNGALfi.- 


be  j&cvtt  the  gcntiU  Nlghttngile 
he  btrdts  thxt  were  io  that  dale, 
te  licni  all  into  a  pkce  in  fcrc, 
!bughtin  'hem  that  they  wouldin  here 
•Sc  I  ajid  thiu  £h«  hcgia  her  talc  : 

ckowc,  wcU  it  i»  not  for  to  hide 
c  Cuckowc  and  I  faft  havtn  chide 
un  thnt  it  ywa*  daic  light; 
rou  ail  chat  ye  doin  me  right 
fbulc,  amd  fdfe,  and  unklndc  bride. 

cice  o  birdc  for  all  by  one  aiTcDt ; 
tdir  aikith  godc  avifetnent, 
ben  allc  birdis  here  in  fere, 
lie  it  u  the  Cuckuwe  it  not  here, 
Tctatt,  we  woU  have  z  parliment ; 

Tcat  fhall  the  cg!c  beourlordc, 
Lir  peri&  that  ben  of  recorde, 
(  Cuckowe  (hall  be  aftir  yfcnr, 
TC  Ihall  be  ycvin  tht  judgetnenti 
c  (hall  finall]r  ui&kc  accordc. 

•  fiiall  be  ydone  withoutin  naic 
rowc  afttt  Sain^  Valentine's  date, 
"maple  that  it  fairc  and  grcfne, 
he.  cnaitibir  windowe  of  the  queue 
Mscke  upon  the  grene  laic, 

iHd  'hem,  and  then  her  lev^  tokc; 
IT  into  an  bauthome  by  that  broke, 
fe  ibc  fate  and  fong  upon  that  tre, 
■e  of  life  love  hath  withholdc  rac, 
f,  that  I  with  chat  fong  awoke. 


O  Icud^  bokc  !  with  thy  foule  nid^nclT;, 

Sithc  thou  haft  neirblr  beaut c  nc*  cloqaence 

Who  hath  the  caufed  or  ycve  the  hardtneflle 

For  to  appcre  in  my  liidtc*5  pre  fence  ? 

}'  am  ful  iikif  thou  knowift  her  bencvoUeoce, 

Full  agrcablL-  ro  all  her  abiyng, 

For  of  all  godc  Hie  is  the  bdl  livyng, 

Alas !  that  thoti  nc  haddift  worthineiTc 
To  (bcwin  to  herfomt  plcfaunt  fcntcncf, 
Sith  that  ihc  hath  thorough  her  gentilkffc 
Acccptid  the  fcfvaunt  tohcrdignc  rcvcVcncci 
O  [  me  repcntith  that  1  nc*  had  fcicncc 
And  lelir  a)*  to  make  the  more  florifhyng^ 
For  of  all  godc  Ihc  is  the  befl  Uvyng, 

Brfechc  her  mckcly  with  all  lowIinefTcf 
Though  ihit  1  he  fcrre  from  her  in  abfc-ncc, 
To  thinkc  on  my  trouth  to'  her  and  ftedfaftncfle, 
And  to*  abridge  of  my  forowci  the  viollence 
Which  caufed  i*,  whcrof  knowith  your  fiipicncci 
She  like  cmong  to  notific  me*  her  likyng, 
for  of  all  gt>dc  (be  k  the  hcil  liv)'ng. 


L^lt4N0T. 

Aurorc  of  gladnefle,  dale  of  luftincfTe, 
Lucerne  anight  with  hcvenlie  influence 
Illumined,  rote  of  beau  tie  and  godcne0e, 
Sufpiris,  whicbc  1  effundc  tn  filencc^ 
Of  grace  I  bcfcchc  alcdgc  let  your  wriiyng, 
Nttw  of  ail  godc  fith  yc  bell  Iiv\iig. 


HOW      PYTE      IS      DEDE, 


AND  BURIED  IN  GENTVLE  HERTE. 


TTK,  that  I  have  fought  fb  yore  ago 
\'i\h  herti  fore»  and  full  of  befy  paine, 
[  Tliat  in  thit  worldc  wa»  ncvir  xvight  fo  wo 
IVithoutin  dcthc,  and  yf  I  (hal  nat  faine 
'  My  pttrpofie  wa&  co  Pitic  to  complaine 

Upon  the  cTUcltte  and  tyrannyc 
I  Of  Love,  that  for  my  trouth  doth  me  to  die. 

And  whan  that  I  by  length  of  ccrtainc  ycrcs 
i  JHad  cvir.in  one  fought  a  time  to  fptltc, 

~Vft  Pile  ran  I  all  befprcint  with  rcre* 
'  *ro  prayin  her  on  Cruchc  mc*  a-wrckc; 

But  or  I  might  with  any  wordc  f>ut  brcke» 
;   Or  tcl  her  any  of  my  paiais  Imcrtc, 
]  found  her  dcd  and  buried  in  an  hertc. 

A  downe  I  fcfl  whan  that  ]  faw  the  herfc 
Ded  as  a  Hone  while  that  the  fwoone  mc  lafte^ 

I  But  up  I  rofe  with  colourc  ful  diverfc, 
Ilxh]  pitoufly  on  her  mync  cycn  1  caft, 
And  ncrir  the  corfe  1  gan  pre&n  ful>, 
And  for  thefoule  1  (hope  mc  for  to  pray; 
I  was  bat  loruc ;  tliirrc  waj  no  more  in  fuy. 
Thus  am  I  flaine  fith  that  Pjtc  is  dcd  j 
Alas  that  day  that  evir  it  (hutde  fal .' 
What  manir  man  dare  nowe  liold  up  hU  hcd, 
To  whom  (h&l  now  any  foro'wfuU  ben  call, 
Nowc  Crudtc  hath  call  to  He  us  al, 
LJd  ydlc  hope  folkc  rcdcleflfc  of  painc, 
Bith  Hic  is  dcd,  to  whom  (hal  wc  complatne  f 
Bat  yet  encreQth  me  this  wondjr  ncwc, 
hit  no  wight  wote  that  (he  is  ded  but  I, 
•  many  men  a«  in  her  tyme  hex  knewct 
nd  yet  ibe  dyid  all  fo  fodainly, 

1  have  fought  her  cr  full  bclily, 
1 1  in*  that  I  had  firflc  wtttc  or  mind,  • 

tie  ibe  vria  ded  cjr  that  I  coudc  her  Bud. 


Abouee  her  herfc  there  fiodin  luftdy» 
Withoutin  any  mo  as  ihoughiin  mc, 
Bountic,  perfnely  well  armed  and  ncheiy, 
And  fre&c  Beautc,  and  Lull,  and  JoUtc, 
AiTurid  Manir,  Youthe,  and  Honefiet 
Wifdome,  Eftatc,  with  Drcdc 
Confedrid  both  by  bonde  and  aliaoi 

A  compJainte  had  t  writin  In  my 
To  have  yput  to  Pytc  a!i  a  byl. 
But  1  there  al  thi*^  company  yfonde 
That  lathir  wouldin  all  my  caofc  fptU 
Then  do  mc  help,  I  held  my  plaint^ 
For  to  thofc  folkc  withoutin  any  fat 
Without  Pitc  there  mate  no  bill  availc. 

Then  leave  all  vcrtuc*i  (a»c  ondy  Pitie, 
Kcping  the  corfe,  a*  ye  have  herd  me 
Confedrid  by  bonde  unto  Crucltl^ 
And  be  afTeutid  when  I  H]  all  be  ilAioe, 
And  I  have  put  my  compkinte  up  agmuie. 
For  to  my  Svcs  my  bill  1  dare  not  ihcwc 
The*  died,  which  fayith  thus  in  wordis 

Humbtift  of  hcrte,  hyift  of  reverence, 
Flowir  bcnignr,  corounc  of  vettucs  allt  * 
Shewlth  unto  your  Foiall  excellence 
Your  fcrviunt,  if  T  durfltin  mc  fo  call, 
Hh  mortall  harme  m  which  he  b  ifaU, 
And  nouglu  all  onely  ftir  his  wofall  hrs 
But  for  your  rcnomc,  as  he  fball  declaie* 

It  ftandetlt  ihus ;  that  your  cootary' 
Ally  id  h  ay  en  ft  your  rcgalie^ 
Undir  colour  ef  ^^  —  ■  '    '*  --'  -tc, 
For  men  (hotih!  r  tjTVttkf 

With  Bountic,  -  ir-rij*^. 

And  hath  dep^.^  f# 

That  i» hie  Be..  ^^ 


aodJy  by  your  heritage  and  right 
anncxid  evir  to  Bouivue, 
'crily  yc  ought  to  doc  your  might 
Ipin  Trouthe  in  hisadvc»fitic; 
iilfo  the  cnrounc  of  BtJLtie, 
crtj»  if  thiit  ye  want  in  thcfif  twaine 
'oridc  i&Jorc;  there  h  no  more  to  fame. 

what  avnileth  nianir  and  ^encilrfle 
-aiin  yoM^  o  mofl  benign?  crcture  1 
Iruehle  ybe  yonr  governcflc  ? 
what  htrtr  uwie  tc  Jong  endufc  ? 
(fore  but  ye  rathir  ytakin  cure 
tktn  that  pcTilluUi  aliauucc 
w  *hcniihc^t  ben  in  your  obcifaunce. 
I  funhir  oirir,  if  yc  fuffir  thi» 
ur  rcnome  h  fordoe  in  a  throwc, 
fh&ll  no  man  ywete  what  pitic  ii; 
bat  your  rcnomc  is  fall  U>  lowe  I 
'  alfo  fro  your  hL'Htagc  tthrowe 
llcItle,thAC  o<rcupicth  your  place, 
re  difpairid  that  fckin  your  grace, 
'C  nitrcic  on  me,  ihou  htrcnus  qucnc, 
rou  have  fought  fo  tciidirly  and  furc, 
bme  ilrcame  of  light  on  me  be  fen e, 
ovc  iji4  drcUc  you  er  longir  the  i 
liiOj  to  bia€t  1  b«rf  (a  Ibrc  i 


And  though  I  be  net  connySJnSno  plainc 
For  God'as  love  have  nicrcic  on  my  patuc. 

My  paine  ift  this,  that  what  fo  1  dcHrc 
That  have  I  not,  nc  nothyng  hkc  thereto, 
And  cvir  fettcth  dtfirc  minchcrEeon  fire; 
Eke  on  thit  oihir  fide,  where  titat  I  go 
What  tnanir  thing  that  may  cncrcf."  my  wo 
That  have  I  rcdy  unfought  every  where; 
Mc  lackith  but  my  deth  and  then  my  here,. 

What  nedith  to  Ihewc  perccl  of  my  patxie, 
SIth  every  wo  that  hcrtc  maic  bcthinke 
I  fuffir,  and  yet  dare  not  to  you  plainc  ? 
For  well  1  woie  though  that  I  wake  or  wtnke 
Yc  rcckc  not  whcthir  tJiat  I  tlctc  or  (itikc ; 
And  uatiieUfTc  yet  my  trouih  1  Jhallfullcinc 
tJnto  my  deth,  and  that  fhall  well  be  fcne  : 

This  is  Tofaine,  that  1  will  be  ^ourn  ever, 
Though  yc  mc  flea  by  Cruckic  your  fo, 
Algate  my  fpiritc  flialJ  nevir  difccvir 
>ro  your  flrvice  for  any  paine  or  wo, 
Sirh  ye  be  dcdde,  ala^  that  it  it  fo  ! 
TJiin  for  your  deth  I  maic  wepin  and  pbin 
With  hert^  fore  and  full  of  bcfie  pain. 


I  i  lii} 


Titf/t  Verfes  rtcxi/okwngwere  compiled  hy  Geoff.  Chaucer^  andinthc  writen  c^ui^ 
at  the  trJt  of  The  Cumpkinu  of?uu 


Ltxx  long^  nygJitii,  when  f^crj  creturtf 
ShuW  have  thcr  red  in  fomwhat  as  by  kiati, 
Qr  ell  is  nc  may  thcr  life  not  long  endure, 
ft  fjllith  mode  into  my  woful  minde 
Huw  1  io  larTC  bavc  brought  my  fclf  behind, 
That  fan'':  the  dcth  thet  may  nothing;  mc  liffc, 
So  difp^rid  L  am  fiom  alie  bliOe.  • 

Tbif  fame  thought  me  lailith  til  the  morow. 
And  from  the  morowe  forth  til  it  be  eve; 
There  ncdith  mc  no  care  for  to  borow. 
Forboth  I  have  godc  lailir  and  godc  \^t\ 
There  \%  no  wij^ht  thiit  will  my  wobjrcvc, 
To  wepc  cnouj^h  and  waih'n  all  my  fyll; 
The  fore  fparkc  of  p«inc  now  doth  me  fpil. 

This  Love,  that  hath  me  fct  in  fnchc  a  place 
That  my  defirc  he  yn\  ncvir  fuLTyl, 
For  ncilhir  PJte,  Mercy,  neithir  Grace, 
Can  I  not  finde.and  yet  my  wofuU  hcrtc 
For  to  be  dcdc  I  can  it  rot  arace. 
The  more  1  love  the  more  fljc  doth  mc  iineitc, 
l*horowc  which c  I  fe  withoute  remedit; 
Thai  iJrom  the  dcth  1  miy  no  wll«  aftertc. 

Nowfothlyxtfhat  flic  htght  !  wol  rchcrfe  ; 
Her  name  is  Bountic,  fct  in  womanhcdi 
Sadnes  in  youth,  and  bcautic  |irid'.lcliTe, 
And  plffauncc  undir  govirnaunce  and  drcdc, 
And  her  furnamc  ii  fkc  faire  Rutheleflej 
The  wife  knit  unto  j;odc  avinture, 
That  for  I  love  her  flic  Hcth  mt  giltleire ; 
Her  love  I  beft,  utid  (hall  while  I  may  dure  ; 

Bettth.m  rayfelfc  a  huiidrld  thonfand  dcle» 
Than  al  this  world*i«  richis  or  creturc ; 
Now  hath  not  Love  mc  beHowid  wd, 


To  lovin  thffc  I  ncYir  ihal  have  pane? 
Alas  right  thai  \%  tumid  me  the  whek  \ 
Thus  am  I  (lainc  with  Loy%  furiotu  dutcf 
!  can  hot  love  her  bell  my  fwcte  fo, 
Love  hath  me  tauj^ht  no  mor>>  of  hit  vtt 
But  fervio  alwaye  ;tnd  (lint  fof  no  wow 

Within  my  trcwc  carefull  hertc  ther  \% 
So  mochil  wo  and  eke  fo  Util  bliflc 
That  wo  is  me  that  cvir  I  was  here  ' 
For  al  that  thinge  which  I  deiire  I  miiTef 
And  al  that  evir  I  woldc  not  iwi* 
That  finde  I  rtsdy  to  me  cvinnorc  ; 
And  of  all  this  \  n'ot  to  whom  mc  pUior, 
For  flic  that  might  me  out  of  i:!ta%  ybriag 
Ne  rechith  nought  whcthir  I  wcpe  or  l&Of^ 
bolitit  roQth  hath  ihe  upon  my  poiacl 

Alas !  whan  firpinge  hrmc  ift  thoa  1  irakr. 
Whan  t  ihttld  dauncc  for  fere  Id  than  1  ^tlki 
This  hevy  life  1  lede,  lo !  for  ytmr  fike» 
Though  yc  therof  in  no  wife  Kcdc  take, 
Myu  hcrt*i»  lady  and  whole  my  livc's  t^tvt 
I'nr  truly  durft  1  fay  a»  that  I  fcle 
Mc  fcmith  that  your  fwete  hcrte  of  iicle 
li  whettid  now  againtfi  me  to  kese* 

My  dcr<?  hcrtc  and  heft  belovid  fo! 
Why  lykiih  yuo  to  do  me  ai  liiii  wo? 
What  hive  1  don  tiut  grevirh  ytni^or  faide.' 
But  for  I  fcrve  and  bvc  y«)u  ind  no  mo, 
And  whilell  I  live  1  wnl  crtr  do  fo, 
Andthcifore,  fwete  \  ne  hcthe  not  tl  apai(Sr; 
For  fo  gode  and  fo  faire  as  thai  ye  be 
It  wer  a  right  grct  wondir  but  ye  had 
Of  al  fcrvauntis  both  of  gode  and  bad^, 
And  heft  wonhy  of  al  than  1  am  he. 


V    B    R 

leflc,  my  righte  lady  fwctc  1 
be  unkonnmgc  and  unmete 
^oud  bcfl  aye  your  highues, 
DC  fainir,  that  would  1  hcte, 
|oii  cfc  or  cUU  bcte» 
:  (bat  were  to  Tourhighnes; 
ght  ai  godc  as  1  have  wU, 
e  (tie  wher  it  were  fo  or  ncme, 
rid  Lvinijrc  than  u  ther  noae 
>lde  your  hert*it  wil  fuML 

e  and  ckc  drcdc  you  fo  fore, 
lote  and  have  don  you  ful  yore, 
ved  »  none  ne  nevir  ihal, 
old  befcche  you  of  no  more 
t,  and  be  not  wroth  therforc^ 
hrc  you  forth,  lo  f  thin  is  al ; 
{ht  fo  hardy  ne  fo  wodc 
hat  ye  (hould  Ipvin  me, 
ic,  ala& !  that  may  not  be, 
t)rtby'  and  ye  fo  gode, 
the  worthy iil  on  live, 
i  mUikciy  for  to  thrive. 

wetith  yc  fui  righte  wcl 
mid  xne  from  your  ftrvycc  drivC| 
•ye  with  my  witii  five 


E     S»       Wc,       ' 

Serve  you  truly  what  wo  fo  that  I  feic, 
For  I  am  fct  fo  by  upon  your  whde 
That  though  ye  nevir  wil  upon  me  rew 
I  muft  you  love^and  beneevir  astrewe 
A&  any  man  yean  or  maye  on  live. 

But  the  more  that  I  love  you»  godcly  frc ! 
The  lalT^  finde  1  that  ye  lovin  me ; 
Alas !  whan  fhal  that  harde  wit  amende  I 
Whcr  19  now  al  your  womanly  pitc. 
Your  gcntilnet  and  your  dcbonairtcf 
Wil  yc  nothingc  thcrof  %od  mc  fpend, 
And  fo  whole,  fwete  !  as  I  am  your  is  all. 
And  fo  grete  wil  asl  have  to  you  fcrvc  i 
Now  ccrtij  and  yc  let  rac  thus  yftcrvc 
Yet  have  yc  wonnin  therupon  but  finall. 

For  At  my  knowing  I  do  nothing  why : 
And  thus  I  wil  bclJcchc  you  hertily. 
That  if  evir  yc  findc  whilis  ye  live 
A  truir  fervauntc  to  you  than  am  f, 
Lcvith  than,  and  flciih  me  hardily. 
And  t  my  dcth  to  you  wil  al  forgive ; 
And  yf  yc  finde  no  trcwir  verily, 
Wollin  ye  fufiir  than  that  I  thus  fpil, 
And  for  no  manir  gilt  but  my  godc  will  i 
As  godc  were  tlian  untrue  as  true  to  be. 


^n 


$o€. 


GOt)£  COUNSAILE  OF   CHAUCBFL 


/^'X    .. 


A^y? 


CODE  COUNSAILE  o/c^XuCER. 


Flie  fro  the  preef  ud  dwell  with  fothfkftneffe; 
Soffire  unto  thy  gode  though  it  he  Dnall, 
For  horde  hath  hate,  and  dimhyng  tUuloefTe, 
Prece  hath  envie,  and  wele  it  hlenc  oer  all ; 
Savour  no  more  than  the  behoven  fliall ; 
Rede  well  thy  felf,  that  othir  folke  canft  rede. 
And  trouthe  the  fliall  delivir  it*  is  no  drede. 

Paine  the  not  eche  crokid  to  redrelTc 
In  truft  of  her  that  toumcth  ag  a  balle ; 
Crete  reft  flandith  in  litil  bulinefle  ; 
Beware  alfo  to  fpuroe  again  a  nalle  ; 


Strive  not  as  doith  a  crocke  with  a  walle ; 
Demith  thy  felf  that  demift  othir's  dede. 
And  trouthe  the  fliall  deliver  it  *is  no  dredc. 

That  the  is  fent  receve  in  buzomeneife ; 
The  wrafllyng  of  this  worlde  aikith  a  fill ; 
Here  is  no  home,  here  is  but  wildimcflc; 
Forthe  pilgrim,  forthe  o  beft  out  of  thy  flail ; 
Loke  up  on  high,  and  thanke  thy  God  of  all; 
Weivith  thy  lufte  and  let  thy  gholl  the  ledc. 
And  trouthe  the  fliall  dclivir  it*  is  no  drcde. 


^t  A^  B,  C,  caUed  La  Trier e  de  nqflre  Dame^  made^  asfomefa}\  at  the  requefl 
mcb  Duchejfe  of  Lancajler^  as  a  prater  for  ber  private  ufe^  being  a  woman  im 
Rgton  very  devout* 


fix  ani  altmcrciabk  Quene  ! 

aiJ  this  world  flrkh  for  foccour, 
ekfe  of  fiDnCf  of  forow,of  tcuc, 
k^'ir^Dc  !  of  all  flouria  flour, 
Ic,  confoundid  in  errour  j 
.  rdcTo,  akiilghtie  debonairc  1 
cy  of  mine  periUou*  laugour, 
DC  h^th  my  cruilJ  advcrfatrc 

B, 
t  fixe  hath  in  my  bcrthit  tent, 

I  wotc  thou  will  my  fuccoar  be ; 

%  Dot  woxnin  that  wkh  godc  entcnt 

le  helpc,  thiae  hcrt  iiaye  fo  frc« 

argefTe  of  p!ainc  fcUcitc, 

I  refute  of  qulete  and  rdl ; 

tat  thevi$  fcviu  chafrn  me ; 

die  bright !  or  that  mine  fhip  to  breH. 

C. 
I DDDC  but  in  you,  Lmdy  derc ! 
Line  (inne  and  mine  coofuAoun, 
jht  not  in  thin  prcfence  for  to*  apcre, 

on  toe  a  ^revous  adioun, 
ight  and  difperatioun» 
right  they  mightin  well  faftcnc 
re  worthy  mine  daninuuoiint 
:  of  thy  mercy,  blilVfuU  <Jucnc  t 

7e  none,  o  Qucoe  ofmife'ricord! 
D*aFtcaulc  oT^acc  apd  mercy  hcrcj 


God  vouchidefafe  through  the  with  u»  to*  accord; 
For  certis,  Chr ift*is  biifsfull  modir  dcre ! 
Were  now  the  bow  ybcnt  infwichc  manerc 
Ai  it  was  firft  of  jdticc  and  of  ire. 
The  rightful!  Cod  would  of  no  mercy  here; 
But  through  the  ban  we  grace  as  wc  deHre. 

Ever'  bath  mine  Hope  of  refute  in  the  be. 
For  here  bcfomc  full  oft  in  many*  a  Vfifc 
Unto  mercy  hafl  thou  rccevtd  mc. 
But  mercy.  Lady  !  at  the  grct  afftfc, 
When  wc  Ihall  come  before  the  High  Juffife, 
So  litil  frcut  iliall  then  in  mc  ben  foujid 
That  but  thou  or  that  day  corrciSliD  me 
Ol  very  right  mine  werkc  will  me  confound* 

F. 
Flying  I  fie  for  fuccour  to  thine  tent, 
Mc  for  to  hide  fro  tempcft  full  of  drcdc, 
BcfckingyoQ  that  ye  you  not  abfcnc, 
Though  I  be  wicke  :  o  help  yet  at  this  nedc? 
All  have  I  ben  a  bcQ  in  wit  and  dcdc. 
Yet,  Lady  !  thou  mc  clofe  with  thine  ownc  gncc  j 
Thine  cncmic  and  mine  (Lady,  lake  hcde) 
Unto  mine  dcth  in  point  is  mc  to  chafe. 

G. 
Gracious  maid  and  modir!  which  that  never 
Were  bittir  nor  in  erth  nor  in  the  fc. 
But  full  of  fwctenetfc  and  of  mercy  ever,         _ 
Hclfc,  tki^  mine  Fadir  be  not  wroth  with  me 


Spekc  thoUf  for  1  nc  dare  Mm  nof  yCc  t 
Ho  have  I  done  in  cnh,  alas  die  while  ! 
That  certis  bat  if  thnu  mint:  fuccour  be 
To  finke  etenic  he  will  mine  ghoil  exile* 

He  vouchidelkfc,  tell  him,  as  was  his  will. 

Become  a  man  a&  for  our  allbuncc^ 

And  with  hi«  hlodc  he  wrote  that  blissful  bill 

Upon  the  crolTe  ai  gi'nerall  acquitaunce 

To  every  penitent  in  ftill  cryauncc; 

And  therefor Ci  Lady  btij^ht  J  thou  for  us  prey, 

Then  thak  thou  llcntin  ailc  his  ^revauncc. 

And  makcn  our  fue  to  fay  tin  of  hi»  prej. 

I' 

t  wotc  weli  thou  wilt  ben  our  fuccour,' 
Thou  art  fo  full  of  bo  untie  in  certaioe. 
For  w^hcu  a  foul^  fallith  in  crrour 
Thine  pi  tic  goeth  and  halith  him  a^nine. 
Then  makill  thou  hi»  pede  with  hia^overath, 
And  hringiil  him  out  of  the  crokid  ftretc  ; 
Whofo  the  loviih  (hall  net  love  in  vame, 
That  Oiall  he  find  at  he  the  life  (hall  tetc, 

K. 
KalenJiris  cnlumlaid  ben  the^ 
That  itithis  world  bcti  H^htid  whh  thine  name. 
And  who  fo  g^oith  with  the  the  right  wcy 
Him  damot  dredin  in  fouleto  ben  lame* 
Now  Quenc  of  comfort  I  fjth  thou  art  the  fame 
To  whom  I  fcchin  far  my  medicine, 
Xet  not  mine  fo  no  more  mine  wound  cntame. 
Mine  hele  into  thine  hond  all  1  rclluc. 

L, 
I^ady!  thloc  forrowcan  I  notportrcy 
Undir  the  croffe,  ne  his  grevou!»  pennauoce  $ 
Bat  for  your  bothi&  peine  I  you  do  prey 
I^t  not  our  aldir  fo  make  hts  boflaunce 
lliat  he  hath  in  his  leflii,  with  mifchauncc ! 
Coniri^  that  that  ye  both  hjm  bought  fo  derc  ) 
At  I  faid  erU,  thou  {p'ound  of  all  fubdlaunce  ! 
Continue'  on  u»  thin  pitous  eym  clcrc. 

M«iyfeS|  that  faw  the  boCh  of  fiambis  rcdc 
Brenning,  of  which  then  nevir  a  flicke  brend. 
Was  fig  DC  of  thine  unwcmniid  maidinhedt ; 
Thou  art  the  both  on  which  there  can  defccnd 
The  Holy  Ghoft,  the  whicli  that  Moyfes  wend 
Had  ben  on  fire ;  and  this  wa»  in  £gurc  i 
Now  Lady !  fro  the  fire  us  defend 
Which  that  in  hell  eternally  JhaUdure. 

N- 
Noblc  PrinceiTe  J  that  nevir  haddill  pcre, 
Certij  if  any  comfort  in  u*  be 
That  commlth  of  the,  Chrifti*  modir  derc ! 
V/c  biUi  n&ne  othir  melodic  ne  gle 
Us  to  rejoyce  in  our  advcrfice, 
Ne  advocat  that  will  and  dare  fo  prey 
^or  us,  and  thu  for  as  Utc  hire  at  ye, 
Thst  helpin  for  an  Ave*&iary  or  twey. 

O  Tcry  light  of  eytn  tho  ben  blind  I 

O  very  lull  of  labour  and  diAreflb  ! 

O  treforerc  of  bountie  to  mankind ! 

The  whom  Cod  cbcfc  td  modcr  for  humblelTe, 

From  hit  4ncille  ht  made  the  main^eUd 


iefo«^ 

1 


or  hc\*cn  and  crth,  our  hlU  up  Cor  to 
This  world  awattrh  ay  on  chtoc  godetiei, 
^ur  thuu  ne  fadcd'cft  nrvir  wight  ait  ncdb 

Purpofc  I  ha  ire  fotnetlme  for  to  cnqacre 
Wherefore  and  why  the  Holy  Ghod  the  fo«^ 
When  G'^bricrs  voice  come  to  thine  ere 
He  not  to  werre  nt  fwich  a  wotidir  wtcth 
But  for  to  fave  us  that  he  fithm  boughr; 
Then  nedith  us  no  wcpon  ui  to  fave. 
But  onely  there  we  did  not  at  ut  oogh? 
Do  penitence,  and  mercy  aike  and  luvc. 

Qucne  of  comfort  t  right  when  t  me  brthiski 
Tliat  I  agiltifthave  both  him  and  the^ 
And  that  mine  foute  is  worthy  for  to  (mke^ 
Alat :  1  caitifc,  whcdir  (hall  1  fle  f 
WhothaU  unto  thine  fonnc  mine  mcnt  be? 
Who  but  thine  fclfe,  thsit  «t  of  pitie  well  f 
Thou  hafl  more  routh  on  our  advedite 
Than  in  tliit  woi^d  might  any  coogti^  tdL 

R- 
RedrcfTe  me,  modir  f  and  eke  me  chjiLile, 
For  certainly  ray  Fadir's  chaftifing 
Nc  dare  1  doc  abidin  in  no  wife^ 
So  hideout  it  his  full  rcckining, 
Modir  1  of  whom  oar  joy  began  i&  fpfiQf, 
Be  ye  mine  judge  and  eke  my  fourU  lech, 
For  ay  in  you  is  pttfe  aboundinff 
To  eiuh  chat  will  of  pity  you  bdedi. 

S, 
Sbth  is  that  he  nc  grauniith  no  pitc 
Withoutin  the,  for  God  of  his  godrnelTe 
Forgivith  none  but  it  like  unto  the  ; 
He  hath  the  made  vicaire  and  maiflfrcjire 
Of  all  thit  world,  and  eke  govimereflTe 
Of  hcvin,  and  riprctlith  hit  jullife 
Aftir  thitie  will»  and  therefore  in  witneiTe 
He  hath  the  crowmd  in  fo  royall  wife* 

T. 
Temple  devout !  thtt  Cod  chefc  Hit 
Fro  which  thcfc  mifbelcvcd  deprivtd  ben. 
To  you  mine  foulr  penitent  1  bfhig  ; 
Reccvc  me,  for  t  can  no  fenhir  fleen. 
With  thorfiis  Vcncmoui,  o  hcvin  Qucne  ! 
For  which  the  erth  accurfid  was  full  yore, 
I  am  fo  woundjd,  as  ye  may  well  fene. 
That  I  tnl  loft  alfnod,  it  (nien  fo  fbre. 

Virginc  \  that  art  fa  noble  of  appantkt 
That  lcdi(>  us  Into  the  highc  toure 
Of  Paradife,  thOu  mc  wile  andcciunfaile 
How  I  may  have  thy  grace  and  thy  iwaaom, 
All  have  1  ben  in  filtli  and  in  eiroiir  ! 
Lad^  !  on  that  countrey  thou  me  adjovntf 
That  clepid  ii  thiue  birch  of  frefh^  flour, 
There  at  that  mercy  cvir  OiaH  fojoumc, 

X. 
X/^fm  thine  fonne,  that  in  this  world  afrglit 
Upon  a  cro(re  to  futlir  hit  paHioun, 
And  fuffred  eke  that  Longcut  hit  heft  p*|1JJ( 
And  made  hit  hcrt^it  blode  rcnne  adoon, 
And  all  thit  waii  for  my  falvatioims 
And  1  to  hixti  am  fals  utd  eke  unl^aj, 


i 


CHAUCER'S  A,  B,C. 


sm 


t  he  will  not  mine  dunphatloun ; 
inke  I  you,  fttceour  of  all  maokind ! 

Y. 
ras  figure  of  his  deth  ceitaine, 
ferreforth  his  fadir  would  obey 
m  nc  rought  nothing  for  to  be  ilaine ; 

0  thy  fonnd  lift  a  lambe  to  dey : 

ady  full  of  mercy !  1  you  prey, 
his  mercy  fund  me  fo  large, 
ot  fcant,  for  all  we  iing  or  iay, 
:  ben  fro  vengeauncc  alway  our  targe. 


Z. 


Zadiarie  you  depith  the  opin  well 

That  wiiht  his  finfull  foule  out  of  his  guilt. 

Therefore  this  leifoun  out  I  will  to  tell. 

That  n-ere  thine  tendir  hert  we  werin  fpilt. 

Now  Lady  bright !  fith  that  thou  canft  and  wilt» 

fien  to  the  fede  of  Adam  merciable ; 

Bring  us  unto  that  paleis  that  is  built 

To  penitents,  that  ben  to  mercie'ablc. 


■IHPBH 

^^^^H 

H      510                              ANNELIDA    ANC 

FALSE    ARClTr.               " 

^^^^H 

U    E    N    E 

^^H         ANNELIDA   AND 

FALSE  ARCri'E. 

^^jfrcitf^  a  Thehan  htght,  far/ahtb  ^een  Anneluia,  who  loved  bum  entirely,  idM 

^^     ..,„M,»^,^,.,.,^-.„.,*.^„,^.w.     J 

O  THOU  ficrs  god  6f  Armit,  Mam  the  Rede, 

Before  thi*  duke  in  Cgnc  nf  ^ .    >  r 

That  in  thy  froiUc  countrcy  t^Wid  Thrace 

The  trompis  come,  aud  in  lu*  bmsr  u^f 

Within  thy  griHy  tcmplia  full  of  drcdc 

The'  image  of  Mart ;  and  lo  taken'  d  fM 

Hononrid  art  as  pmtronc  of  that  place. 

Men  mightin  fe  of  trcf ure  maof '  ■  dyifiW 

With  the  Bcllona,  Pidla*  full  of  ^racc, 

Many*  a  bright  helmc,  lod  m*Kf*  a  fpmJi 

Be  prefcnt,  and  my  fong  eontmue*  and  gie ; 

Many*  a  frelhe  knight,  and  many'  alfaA 

At  my  ijcginnyng  tbu*  to  the  1  crie. 

On  horfc  and  fotc,  tn  all  thr  fte!d  tfcoK, 

For  it  full  dcpr  i»  fonkin  in  myndc 

Hyppolyta  hii  wife,  th                 [  ^cst 

With  pitous  hertc  in  Englifhe  to  cnditp 

Of  Scythia,  that  he  C004 

Thi^oldcftorie,  in  Latinc  whiche  1  findc. 

With  Eme lie  her  younge  imnr  ihcnc. 

Of  Qucne  Annelida  and  falfc  Arcitc, 

Faire  in  a  chare  of  golde  he  with  hm  U^ 

That  tide,  whichc  all  thingii  can  frctc  and  bite, 

That  at  the  ground  ab.^ut  her  dia^  Ae^ 

And  il  hath  fretin  many'  a  noble  (lorie, 

With  brightnelTe  of  the  bcautie  b  bcrM 

Hath  nigh  dcvourid  out  of  our  nicmorie. 

FulfiUid  all  of  Urgcffc  and  of  grate. 

Be  favourable'  ckc  thou  Polymnia, 

With  hj»  triumph  and  laurir  corosae^  i 

On  Pamaffus  that  with  thy  fuflirs  pladc 

In  all  the  fioure  of  Fortun*i»  ycTyng 

By  Helicon,  and  not  fcrrc  from  Cirrha, 

Letc  1  this  noble  prince,  thii  Thcfew 

•Singift  with  voice  mtmoriall  in  the  fbadc. 

Toward  Atheni*  in  hi«  waic  ridytry. 

Undir  the  laurir,  which  that  maic  not  fade. 

And  foodc  I  woU  in  jhort:                 .Bg 

And  doe  that  I  my  (hip  to  havin  winnc  : 

The  flic  watc  of  that  I  be 

Firft  foUowc*  I  Stace,  and  aftir  him  Corinne. 

Of  Qucnc  Annelida  and  Luc  jtj  cue. 

yoMfttt  dtmoi  fat  rims  ^  Siyilim  pcjl  ajptra  gemtit 

Mar«,  that  through  hi«  furtmit  wo^d 

Fr^ilia,  Uurigtr^fUtuntem  Thtfca  eurru 

The  olde  wrathe  of  Juno  to  fklfill^ 

L^tifiei  pUufut^  mtjfu/que  adfidtta  vm/gi^  l^c. 

Hath  fet  the  pepli»  hcrtit  bothe  na  ht 

When  Thcfeufc  with  warris  long  and  grcte 

Of  Thebes  and  Grece  vrerich  ochir  IB  U 

The  afprc  folke  of  Scythe  hath  ovircome. 

With  blodte  fperi»»  nrftid  ocviribll, 

The  laiirir  crounid,  in  his  chairc  golde  bctc 

But  throog  now  here  now  tKcre  cmc^lM 

Home  to  his  count  re  houfis  is  icomc, 

That  everiche  othir  flue,  fo  were  ths  tnd 

For  whiche  the  peple  blisfulj  all  and  fome 

For  when  Amphiorax  andTydcav 

So  cridin  that  to  the  flerrii  it  went, 

Hippomcdon  and  PartheinoBe'  al^ 
Wcr&  dcddc,  and  fluo  wutJlc  fnvk  Ofii 

And  hym  to  houourin  did  all  thcr  eDUnU 

ANNELIDA     AND    FALSE    ARCITI?. 


5lt 


kwretcllicl  Thfl»ns  brethriu  two 
H  KjagAdv  r  ag», 

•de  Thebi» 

|h«t  r 

IbMc  ......  ,.„.  ^„v...^...  ..Joun 

ttte  by  hU  tyrannif, 

IcTitihof  ehat  rtgionn 

iidi*  and  dwell  in  the  k^uh; 

^e  of  him,  md  what  for  awe 

Hep  wcfc  to  the  to«nc  idrawc, 

thcfc  Annelida  the  Qutnc 

l^a*i  in  that  toune  di^cUytigi 

rre  wn«*  than  the  fonn*  (henr  ; 

llii:  worlde  fo  |^an  hrr  name  to  fpryngi 

B  had  cvrty  wight  lik)  i>|f, 

rctiiC  ne  IS  therr  none  her  licKc 

in  eta  tn  thn  wnrldi^  richc* 

thJA  quttte,  of  twentic  yens  old^, 

(iirV|  4Utd  of  foche  ftifctirne 

hftd  a  joye  her  to  b«holde  ; 

fcldn  of  her  Aedfaftnefle, 

fk  Pctidope'  and  LficrcfTc; 

p  if  fhefhali  ben  comprchendi'd^ 

iiig^htin  nothyng  ben  amcniled. 

b)  knight  Arcite  eke,  fothi:  to  faine, 

fi  therwithal  n  luflie  knighr, 

iublc'  in  love  and  nothin|r  ptainci 

that  crafte  ovrc'  any  wight, 

kconnyng  w»n  thit  (adie  bright, 

Ibc  he  fan  her  trouth  affurc 

I  truftith  o'er  any  creturc. 

li  I  fainf  f  (he  lovith  Arcite  fo 

lit  ht  was  abfcnt  any  throwe 

Icnight  her  honi  bmft  a  two, 

|ht  to  her  he  bare  hym  towe, 

Itnde  have  all  his  hcrte  iknowe ; 

lie,  it  n*a§  but  fain  id  chere, 

I  r(Khe  craft  is  men  to  lere. 

lefTc  full  Ttiikill  burmcflc 

it  he  might  his  Udie  wtnnc, 

lit  he  would  dyin  for  diftrcffc 

l^irte  he  fayid  he  would  twinrtc; 

•  :  for  it  was  routhe  and  fmnc 

D  hii  forowis  would  nic ; 

pmiitS  tbe/alfr  at  dptb  tht  irut. 

lie  found  Arctte  in  fochc  manefe 

bif  that  flie  hath,  moche  or  lite, 

ir  crcture  made  (he  cberc 

lb  it  likid  to  Arcite ; 

lack  with  which  he  might  her  wite  \ 

liorthe  ycTJn  him  to  pleie 

Ctid  hym  did  her  to  cfe. 
o  her  no  manir  Icttir  fcnt, 
Ibvc,  from  any  minir  wight, 
btwtd  hytn  or  it  w!s  brent, 
Ibs,  and  dyd  her  fulH  might 
ibidin  noti  yng  from  her  fcnight, 
Itintroiithe  her  upbreidc ; 
bjlithen^  (he  obet  dc. 
Rttife  bymjeloiji  ovir  her, 
it  a^y  man  had  to  her  f^ied 
hd  jprajiii  her  to  fwcrc 


What  wa»  that  wnfde,  t*f  makt  him  ill  apaie'! ; 
Then  wcnid  (he  out  of  her  witt?  have  braied  ; 
But  ill  was  nought  but  Height  tind  ildttirie  § 
Withouiin  lovt  he  fsiinid  jelrvufie. 

AntI  all  I  hi*  tcke  the  Jo  debonairly 
That  al  hm  wil  her  thought  it  (kllful  thyng. 
And  cr  tl\e  lengir  loved  hym  tcnditly. 
And  did  hym  honour  a*  he  were  a  kyrg; 
Her  hertt  was  to  hym  weddid  with  a  t7Ug, 
For  fo  fcrforthe  on  t routhe  i*  her  entccit 
1  hat  where  he  goith  hf  r  hcrt  with  him  went. 

Whan  fhe  Ihal  etc  on  him  i»  fo  her  th-ught  \ 
That  wcl  unnethinof  mtte  lokc  fhe  kepe, 
And  whan  that  (1»c*  was  to  her  relt  ybrt  ught 
On  him  flic  thought  alw»"  ^"l  •'■  ■•^  flic  flepe. 
Whan  he  wa«  ahfcm  pr  fbc  wcpct 

Th(i!»  livcth  fuire  AnncL.  ^  ne 

For  falfc  Arcyte,  that  dyd  her  at  this  tehe. 

This  fdlfc  Arcyte,  of  his  nr^'fanglcncflcf 
For  fhe  to  hiin  fo  lowly  was  and  treWe, 
Ytokc  JcfTe  deintc  for  her  fltdhfteneflfe. 
And  fawe  anothtr  lady  promic  and  ncwc. 
And  right  anon  he  cUd  him  in  her  hcwc, 
Wotc  1  not  whethir  in  white,  red,  or  grcnc. 
And  fulfid  lairc  Anntlidathe  Quenc, 

But  ncrtht  kffc,  gretc  wondir  was  it  none 
Though  he  were  falfc,  fm  it'  is  the  kindc  of  mas 
Sithe  Lamech  wafi,  that  is>  fo  longe  agcne, 
To  be  ill  love  as  falfe  a«  cr  he  can  ; 
He  waa  the  firfl^  fathtr  that  began 
Tolovin  two,  and  was  in  bigamie, 
And  he  founrtc  tcntis  firft  but  yf  men  !yp. 

This  falfe  Arcite  fomwhat  miift  he  ucde  fati 
V^Tian  he  wa*  falfc  to  covtrcn  hi?  traitouric. 
Right  as  an  horle  that  can  both  bite  and  phinc. 
For  he  bare  her  in  honde  of  trcchtrte, 
And  fworc  he  coudc  her  dowblcncffc  cfpyf^ 
And  al  wa*  falfcnefTe  that  fhe  to  him  ment ; 
Thus  fworc  this  thrfe,  and  ftirtli  lii?  way  he  l 

Alms !  what  hcrt^  might  cndurin  it 
For  rtnuthc  or  wo  her  forowe  for  to  tcl. 
Or  wliat  man  hath  the  conning  or  the  wit, 
Or  what  man  might  within  the  chambic  dwel. 
If  1  tn  him  reherfin  Ihall  the  hcl 
That  fuffrith  fairc  Annelida  the  Qucnc, 
For  falfc  Arcite,  that  did  her  al  thi^  trne  ^ 

She  wcpith,  waUith,  .wounith,  pitoufly  ; 
To  grouudc  2s  dcd  (he  fallith  an  a  (tone  ; 
She  crampffliitU  her  Ummis  ciokidty; 
She  fpckith  as  her  wittc  Were  al  agone; 
Othir  colour  than  aihin  hath  flic  none. 
He  none  othir  wordc  fprkith  flic  moch  or  Utc 
But  Mrrty^  ttu\t  htrtt  mtrt^  Arcite  / 

And  thus  cndurtth  til  tliat  fhewa«  fo  mate 
Thjt  ftie  nc'  hath  fotf  on  which  Ihc  may  fiiflene. 
I  But  forth  langui/hing  er  in  this  cflate. 
Of  whichc  Arcite  hath  neithir  rothe  ne  t«ne  ; 
His  hcrte  was  cllifwhcre  fettc  new  and  grcne. 
That  on  her  wo  ne  deinclh  him  not  to  think; 
Him  rcrkith  ncr  whcthir  (he  flctc  or  fluke. 

This  ncwc  lady  holdith  him  fo  narowe 
Up  by  the  bridU  at  tlic  ft^iv'ta  ende, 
Thai  every  worde  he  drtd  it  is  as  an  arowc; 
Her  daungir  inidc  him  boib^  bewe  and  bcode^ 


ANNELIDA   AND   FALSE   ARCITE. 


And  at  her  InAe  mtdin  him  turne  or  wcudc. 

For  fhe  nc  ^ranDtid  him  in  her  iivinjr 

No  p-acc  why  ih;it  he  hath  thereof  to  Cuge, 

But  drove  him  forth;  uiincth  iifl  her  tokoowe 
That  he  was  fervaunt  to  her  ladyOiip, 
But  Idftc  that  he  were  firoude  £he  held  him  lowc; 
Thu*  fcrvith  he  withoutiji  ractc  or  ftp; 
£hc  fence  him  nowe  to  landc  and  nowc  to  (hip. 
And  for  fhe  yave  him  daungir  al  hh  fi) 
Thcrforc  fhe  had  him  at  hct  owud  wU* 

Epfample'  of  this,  yc  thrifiie  women  al, 
Ta^c  hcde  of  Annelida*  and  falfe  ArcitCi 
That  for  her  lift  him  her  dcrc  hcrte  call^ 
And  was  fo  mcke,  therefore  he  loved  her  lite; 
The  kindc  of  manti*i«  hcrte  i»  to  delite 
Od  thing  that  ftraunge  is,  al  fo  God  mc  favc, 
for  what  they  may  not  get  that  wold  they  have. 

Now  turne  we  to  Annelida  ay  en, 
That  pinith  day  hy  day  in  languiibin^; 
But  whan  Hie  fawe  that  her  ne  gate  co  geyo, 
LTpon  a  day  ful  foroV  fully  wtpittg 
She  ca0  her  for  to  make  a  coniplaimng. 
And  with  her  wni  handc  fhe  gan  it  write. 
And  feme  it  to  her  Thchao  knight  Arcytc, 


Tbe  CitmpUmi  of  AtmeVtda  tajt^t  ArcHe, 


So  thirlid  with  the  point  of  remcmhraiince 
The  fwerdc  of  forowc»whcttc  with  falfe  plcf^nDCCi 
Mync  herti  bare  of  hliffc  and  hiack  of  hewc^ 
That  tiirnid  is  to  quaking  all  my  daunce. 
My  fcwcrtye  in  wapid  countinaunce, 
Sens  it  availith  noihmg  lo  ben  trewe. 
For  who  lb  trcwe  is  ccrte*  it  fhall  her  rewc 
That  fervith  Love,  and  dothc  her  ohfcrraunec 
Alway  to  one,  and  chaangiih  for  no  ncwe. 

I  wotc  my  felfe  as  well  as  any  wight, 
For  I  loved  one  with  al  mtn  hert  and  might. 
More  than  my  fclf  an  hundred  thoufande  fith, 
And  callid  him  my  hcrt*ii  lyfc.my  knight, 
And  was  al  his  as  fcrre  as  it  wa*  rights 
And  whan  that  he  was  glad  than  waa  I  blythe, 
And  his  difefc  ywas  my  dcthe  sui  fwithc. 
And  he  aycn  his  trouthc  hath  to  me  plight 
For  cvirmore  hi*  lady  mc  to  kithc. 

Now  is  he  falfc^  alas !  and  caufelcs, 
And  of  my  WD  he  ij  fo  routhdle* 
That  with  a  wordc  him  lift  not  on  is  daine 
To  bring  aycn  my  forowfxil  hcrte  in  pecs. 
For  he  h  caught  up  in  an  othir  Icci; 
Right  ashym  lyA  he  laughith  at  my  painc. 
And  t  ne  tan  min  hcrte  not  reflrai^c 
For  to  love  him  yet  alway  nertheicst 
And  of  all  ihiA  I  n*ot  to  whom  to  pUine. 

And  fhulde  1  plain,  alas  the  harde  flounde  1 
Unto  my  foe  that  yave  myn  hertc  a  womidc, 
And  yet  dtfirith  that  myne  harme  be  more  ? 
Now  ccrti*  fcfthir  woli  1  nevir  founde 
None  ofhir  hclpe  my  fori*  for  to  founde, 
My  Dcfliny  hath  fhapid  fo  ful  yore, 
1  woU  none  othir  mcdccync  nc  lore, 
I  woU  ben  aye  there  I  was  on ii  houndc, 
That  I  have  fald  be  faid  for  cvirmorc. 


Alai '  where  is  betmne  your  _ 
Your  wordes  full  of  plefaunce  and  huni! 
Your  obfervauncc  in  fo  lowc  a  manerc. 
Your  awaitinge,  and  eke  your  bdiiielE^ 
On  mc»  that  ye  tho  callid  yoor  sraiilfcflSe, 
Your  fov^raine  lady  in  this  woride  bert  f 
Alasl  i»  there  now  neithir  word<  ne  theu 
Yc  vouchfafin  upon  myn  herindTc  f 
Alai !  your  love  I  bye  tt  al  to  dtrc  ' 

Now  certis,  fwctc  Arcitc  I  thouf  b  thai  jt 
Thus  caufeltffc  the  tuftiU  eaufc  ybc 
Of  all  my  pyne  and  dcdly'  advcrTitr, 
Your  manly  trcafoun  ought  it  to  rdpite 
To  fie  your  fothefaft  frendc^  and  naindf  mt, 
Whichc  that  have  nevir  yet  in  no  dcgre 
Offcndid  you  m  ought,  as  wifty  hie 
That  all  thinges  wotc  of  wo  my  fmilc 

But  for  1  was  fo  plain  to  the  Arcite 
In  all  my  wordesand  workis  moche  and  Iile^ 
And  wa*  fo  bcfy  aye  you  to  delite, 
Mync  honour  only  fare,  meke,  kindc,  ofij 
Therefore,  Arcitc,  ye  put  in  mc  thii  irtfci 
Alas !  ala«  f  ye  rechin  not  a  mite 
Though  that  the  prrcing  fwerdc  of  fofov  hftt 
My  woful  hert  thorough  your  cruilbe. 

My  fwetc  foe !  why  do  yc  fo  for  lliamc? 
And  thinkio  ye  that  hirthercd  be  yottr  dsdc 
T«>  lovin  a  oewc  and  ben  untrewc  aye. 
And  putin  you  in  flatmdir  nowc  and  blame. 
And  do  Come  advcrfyte  and  gramc 
That  love  you  moft,  God  thou  wotiftalvxyc? 
Yet  turne  ayen,  and  yet  be  plainc  fome  daye, 
And  then  fhall  thif  that  now  i*  mi^  ben  gimc» 
And  al  fofgcvin  whilis  I  lyve  mayc. 

Lo,  hcrte  rn)7ie  !  al  this  is  for  to  faioe^ 
As  whcthir  (kkl  I  praye  or  eltis  ptaine  f 
Which  is  the  way  to  done  you  to  be  irtwcl 
For  eiihir  mote  1  have  you  in  my  chaine 
Of  with  the  dgth  yc  mote  dq>art  us  twjyne. 
There  beth  none  othir  menc  ne  wayii  nc^t. 
For  God  So  wyfely  on  my  (bule  rcwc 
As  verily  yc  flainc  mc  with  the  painc. 
That  mowc  yc  fe  unfainid  on  mine  hcwt. 

For  thus  ferfortli  have  I  my  dcth  yfougfat. 
My  fclfe  !  murdir  with  my  privic  thovgkt; 
For  forowc^  and  routhc  of  your  unkinddlcAc 
1  wq^c,  I  watle,  (  lafl ;  al  helpith  naught ; 
1  voidc  alle  joy  that  ia  to  fpcak  of  aught, 
1  voidc  alle  company,  I  flye  gladncfTc ; 
Who  may  avaunt  her  bet  of  hevincfle 
Than  I  ?  and  to  this  pUtc  have  mc  ye  brflii|it 
Withoutin  gilte ;  me  nedith  no  witneiTr, 

And  fhouidc  1  pray  and  weivin  woitiaoli«dcl 
Nay,  rathir  deth  than  do  fo  fook  a  dedc ; 
And  afkc  mircy  and  gikelcirc  f  what  nede? 
And  if  that  \  complaine  what  life  t  kdc 
You  ret  kith  not,  that  know  I  out  «if  drcd< ; 
And  if  I  unto  you  mine  otfais bedc 
For  mine  cxcufc,  a  fcorne  fhal  be  my  medc; 
Your  chcre  yflourith  but  it  wotl  not  fcde^ 
FuL  longc  agou  I  might  have  takin  hede  : 

For  though  I  had  you  to  morowc  agaioe 
1  might  as  well  held  Aprilis  from 
Ai  holdin  you  to  maktn  you  JlcdfaH : 


4 


ANNELIDA  AND   FALSE  ARCITE. 


5»3' 


bty  God !  of  trouthe  the  fov^raioc, 
B  the  trouth  of  man?  who  hath  it  flainc  ? 
^t  'hem  lovkb  (hall  'hem  finde  ai  fall 
temped  it  a  rottia  mail, 
at  a  came  b<:il:  that  i»  cvir  faine 
ne  away  when  he  it  left  agall  f 
e  mercy,  fwctc  Arcitc!  if  I  mlfTay; 
\t  haye  I  aught  faid  out  of  the  way 
my  witte  it  wailid  al  away  : 
»  doth  the  fongc  of  chantcplcure, 
wc  1  ptaiiic  and  nowc  agcn  I  plcy  i 
I  itiAfid  that  I  dey,  1  dcy; 
Arcite,  hath  born  away  the  kcj 
ly  wele  and  my  godc  avinture  : 
in  thiii  world  there  nc  i»  no  creturc 
1^,  alas!  10  more  difcomfiturc 
,  nc  that  more  forowe  doth  endure» 
1  flcpc  a  furloiigc  way  or  twey 
iunkith  mc  anon  that  your  figure 
mt  before  mc  fkante  ciad  in  afurc^ 
itc  to  profrc  a  Dcwe  alTure 
ben  tTcwc,  and  mercy  mr  to  prey, 
long^  flight  this  wondir  fyght  I  drie, 
n  the  day  for  tochc  affray  1  dye; 

9U  U 


And  of  al  this  right  naught  iwyt  ye  retcbe; 

Nc  ncvirmorc  myne  cyin  two  ben  drye; 

And  to  your  routhe  and  to  your  trouthe  I  crye* 

But  wcl  away  :  to  ferrt  ben  they  to  Utjchc  ; 

Thus  holdith  mc  my  Dcftiny  a  wrctchc; 

But  mc  to  rede  out  of  thn  drcdc  or  gje 

Nc  may  my  wit  (fo  weke  is  it)  not  liretche,. 

ThAn  cnde  I  thuB*  Cilie  !  may  do  do  more, 
I  ycvc  it  up  for  no  we  and  cvirmore, 
For  I  fliall  ncvir  eftc  puttcn  in  balance 
My  fikirncrt,  nr  ternc  of  lore  the  lore, 
But  as  the  fwan,  I  have  herde  fay  ful  yore^ 
Ajrtinfb  hi^dcrth  wol  Gng  in  hU  penance, 
So  Huge  ]  here  thcdtfbtiic  and  chauoce 
Howe  that  Arcice  Annelida  To  fore 
Hath  thriUid  with  thi^  poyut  of  rememUnuocet 

Whan  that  Annelida,  thi*  woful  Qticne, 
Hath  of  her  hande  y  writtin  in  tbii  wife, 
With  face  all  dede,  bctwixin  pale  and  grene, 
She  ftl  a  fwoune,  and  Othc  fhe  gan  to  riiie. 
And  imto  Mar*  avow  it  h  facrififc 
Within  the  temple,  with  a  forowfull  chere. 
Thai  Jhapin  wa»  at  ye  may  plaixdy  hcie. 

Kk 


I 

I 

I 


THE     COMPLAINT 


OF   THE    BLACKE    KNIGHT. 


The  heavy  Compl&im  of  a  kaigbt  for  that  be  can  mi  win  bu  Udj^e  { 


N  Miiie,  "when  Flora  the  frcllic  luftie  qiicne 
The  roilchath  chddc  in  grcnc,andrcd,  and  whijjlit, 
And  Phabas  gan  to  fltctic  his  ftrcmis  Ihcnc 
Amiddc  the  Bullc  with  al  ihc  bemU  bright. 
And  Lutifcr  to  chacc  awaic  the  night, 
Aycn  the  morowe  oar  orizont  hath  take 
To  bid  all  lovir*  out  of  flcpf  awake. 

And  hcrti*  hevtc  for  to  rccom forte 
From  dra-ihcd  of  hevie  tiight*i5  forowe, 
Nacurt:  bad  'hem  rife,  and  'hem  difporte 
Ayen'  th=  godclic  and  the  gbd  ^reie  niorowci 
And  hope  alfo,  with  Saind  thon  to  borowc, 
Bad  in  dtfpitc  of  d^ungtr  and  difpaire 
For  to  takin  the  wholfomc  ludic  aire ; 

And  with  a  figh  J  gan  for  to  abrcide 
Out  of  my  ilombrc',  ajid  fodainly  up  (lertc, 
A»  he  (alas)  that  nigh  for  forowe  dcide, 
My  fikdneffc  fate  aye  fo  nic  my  hcrtc, 
But  for  to  fin  din  foccour  of  my  fmcrrc, 
Or  at  the  left  fomc  rclcffe  of  my  painc. 
That  me  fo  fore  yhaltc  iu  every  vcinc. 

t  rofc  an  one »  and  thought  1  wouldd  gone 
Into  the  woddc  to  here  the  birdi*  fyng 
Whcti  that  the  mi  Hie  vapour  was  agone, 
And  deare  and  faire  ywas  the  morownyng^ 
The  dewc  alfo  like  filvir  in  fhinjng 
Upon  the  Icvis,  a^  any  baumc  fwctc. 
Till  firic  Titan  with  hispcrfaunt  hctc 

Had  dryid  np  the  luftic  llcour  ncwe 
Upon  the  he -bis  in  the  grcnc  medc, 
And  tbat  the  llourefi  of  many  divers  hewc 
Upon  thcr  ihilkif  goniti  for  to  fprede, 
And  for  to  fplaie  out  ther  Icvis  in  brede 
Againc  the  fonnc,goldc  biirnid  in  hli  fpcrCi 
Th^(  doun  to  'ben  ycail  k»  bcmii  derc. 


And  by  a  rtvir  f  (rthe  T  gan  co£c 
Of  watir  dere  a%  birell  or  criJUll, 
Till  at  the  laA  I  foonde  a  Uttk  wdc 
Toward  a  parke,  encjofid  wicliAinJt* 
Irt  compace  roucide,  and  by  m  gat#  faai 
Who  fo  that  would  he  frelie  mightja  |« 
Into  this  p.irke,  ywallid  with  greoe  ' 

And  in  1  went  to  here  the  btnlis  Caas( 
Wludi  on  the  braunchis  both  in  pbtfl  J 
So  loude  yfang  that  atl  the  wade  yro«| 
Like  a»  it  (hould  OiHrir  In  pecis  {mile. 
And  A»  mcthoughtiD  that  the  nighticfiJl 
With  f«  great  might  her  vokcbcgMJ« 
Right  as  her  harte  for  love  would  ili«9 

The  foLle  was  plain  and  fmotfa,  and  m 
.Mi  overfprad  with  rapettes  that  NtfVe 
Hid  made  her  fflf,  covtrid  eke  tdoft 
With  bowis  grcne,  the  flourit  fee  to 
That  in  their  beaut ic  thd  maic  loiif  <»* 
From  all  affaultc  of  Photbu*  ftrvait  fei^ 
Whichc  in  hj»  fphere  fohotte  y0koix  lai 

The  aire  attcmprc,  and  the  ibK<^vi 
Of  Zephyrus  cmong  the  blofomes  uti^ 
So  wholfomc  was  and  nouriihinj|f  by  ks4 
lliat  fmalc  buddis  and  round  liriofooiali 
In  mancr  gan  of  her  bretKe  to  delirt. 
To  ycvc  Uf  hope  that  there  frui^a  fitall  yl 
Aycnifl  autumpijc  red)  '  "    '- 

I  fawe  the  Daphne  c!  M^ 

Witli  thcgrenc  uurtr^uu  ;«.  »  utMiowe 
The  Mirre  alfo,  that  wcpith  cvct*cI  i»d 
The  ccdris  hie,  a»  mr.   ]  t  2,  x  hue, 
The  filbert  eke,  ti  IrhoKiii 

Her  bowis  grcnc  i.  rth 

Unto  her  knight  caikd 


THC  COMPLAINT  OF  THE  BLACKB  KNIGHT. 


5ii 


w<:  I  Rowing  eke  the  Crc(he  luutlionic 
otlcy,  that  fo  fotc  docth  yfcncil, 
ttid  okc,  with  mmj  a  yoog  acorn, 
a  trc  mo  then  I  c^n  tf  U, 
£ome  I  Taw  m  Iktlc  wdl, 
li  courfe,  a§  1  could  wt-le  bcholde, 
iU,  with  quicktf  Uttema  and  colde, 
rjU  g^old,  the  watir  pure  as  j^IaQTci 

rouiidc  the  well  iavironingi 

velvet  wa*  the  yongj  gralTc 
ipon  lullilie  came  rpringyng, 
'  tMCs  aboutio  compilTyng 
WTcailfdofyog  the  vv^el  aroundc^ 

herbis  grrowfiijj  on  ttic  ^oundc. 
er  was  fo  whoifomc  iuid  lo  vert  nous 
%ht  of  hcrbis  j^owyng  it  bcfidc, 

the  wcllc  where  as  NiUrcUTui 
hrough  tJie  vcngtaunce  of  Cupidc, 
vondir  covertly  he  did  hide 
of  deth  upon  eche  fatal  brinke 
mote  folo  ve  who  that  ever  driaktf ; 
into  the  pi  tic  of  the  Pcgace 
laflusit  where  poetic  ilepti 

the  wcUc  of  pure  chaftitd 

Diaa»  with  her  nym[:>his  kept, 
lakid  into  the  watir  Icpte, 

At^oQ  with  her  handitfeU, 
,e  came  fo  nigh  the  well ; 
welle  which  that  I  now  here  rclierfc 
le  was  that  it  wouldin  afwage 
iLha  hcrtti,  and  the  vcnim  pcrce 
led,  withail  the  croill  ragtf 
norc  refrclhin  the  vifagc 
iSUC  were  in  any  wcrincfle 
ibourf  or  fallln  in  diilrcQc, 
lat  had  through  daungir  and  dlfdain 
\\ir(tt  thought  that  I  would  ^zlc 

draQght  of  thiswt-Uc  or  twain, 
[augour  if  it  might  alaie, 
e  banke  anonc  me  doune  I  laic, 
mine  hed  unto  the  welle  I  raught, 
;  watir  dranke  I  a  gode  draught, 
f  me  thought  1  was  rcfrelbid  wek 
nnyng  that  fate  fo  nigh  my  hertc, 
f  anone  I  gan  to  fcle 
arte  rclcfid  of  my  fmcrte, 
withail  anonc  up  I  aftcrte, 
rbt  that  I  would  walkin  And  fe  more 
Elie  parkc  and  in  the  hoUi»  hore. 
iroagh  alaundc  as  I  ycdc  apace, 
faoutia  fall  for  to  bcholde, 
none  a  delegable  pkce 
befet  with  trcit  young  and  olde, 
nisliere  for  me  Ihal  not  be  toldct 
f  whiche  there  ftode  an  hcrbir  grene 
hid  was  with  coloured  new  and  dene. 
rbfr  was  all  full  of  flourU  gendc, 
rhicbe  a»  I  bcholde  began, 
I  hulftie  and  a  wode  btndc, 
irare,  1  fawc  where  laie  a  man 
and  of  white  colour  pale  and  wan, 
Lir  dedly  alfo  of  his  he  we, 
grcnc  ai)d  frcHi^  ivoundi*  ncwe. 


And  ovirmorc  diftraiaid  wich  HcknclTe 
Eellde  all  this  he  was  full  grevouflie, 
Fur  upon  hym  he  had  an  hotc  acccflc 
That  daie  by  dale  hym  flioke  fal  pitouflij, 
So  that  for  coul^raint  of  his  miladie 
And  hcrtely  wo,  thu*  lying  all  alone, 
It  was  a dctli  for  on*  to  here  hym  grone. 

Whereof  aitoLnsd,  my  fote  I  gan  withdrawe, 
Full  grcrly  wondiring  what  it  might  he 
That  he  la  lave  and  haddin  no  fdawe, 
Nc  that  1  coude  no  wight  with  him  yfc, 
Whcrof  i  hiid  gfctc  rout  he  and  eke  pite, 
And  ^n  an  one,  fo  foltely  as  I  coudw, 
Amongc  the  buthis  prively  ms  to  ihroud?. 

If  that  I  rayght  in  any  wife  cfpic 
Wiiat  was  the  caufe  of  this  hii  dedly  wo» 
Or  why  that  he  fo  petoufly  gan  crie 
On  hit  fortune,  and  ou  hia  ure  alfo  ; 
With  all  my  myght  I  layid  an  crc  to 
Every  worde,  to  raarkc  wcl  what  he  faide 
Out  oi  his  fwough  anon  as  he  abratde. 
But  firft,  if  I  Ihulde  makin  ntencion 
Of  hi>  pcrfonc,  and  pliinly  him  difcrlvc. 
He  was  in  ibthc,  without  cxcepcion, 
T<i  Ipcke  of  manhode  one  of  the  b:fil  on  live. 
There  may  no  man  ayen  the  troiith  yllrivc. 
For  of  his  tititi:  and  of  his  age  aifo 
He  provid  wai  there  men  Ihuld  have  ado* 

One  of  the  bell  iherto  of  brcdc  and  length, 
Po  wcl  ymade  by  godc  proportion, 
tf  he  had  be  iu  his  delivir  ilrength, 
But  thought  and  HckncHe  weie  occafyon 
That  he  thu%  lay  in  lamtntacyoa 
Grouife  on  the  grounde,  in  place  fo  dcfolatCi 
Sole  by  him  fcjlf^awhapid  and  anute* 

Atid  f>r  me  leinith  that  it  is  fitting 
His  Wfirdifr  al  to  put  in  rcmcmbraunce. 
To  me  that  h^Tdia  all  fai5  complaiuitig. 
An  J  al  the  grounde  of  this  his  woful  chauncei 
It  there  withail  I  mayc  you  do  plciuuncc, 
1  wol  to  you  fo  as  I  can  anonc, 
Lyke  as  he  fiidc,  rchcrcc  cvcrithonc. 

But  who  (hal  helpin  me  nowe  to  complalne, 
Or  who  fiial  nowe  my  ftilc  gie  or  Icdc  ? 
O  Niobc  '  let  nowe  thy  tcrii  raync 
Into  my  pcnnr,  andhclpeme  eke  in  ncde 
Thou  woful  Myre  !  that  fclift  mine  hcnc  bIcJc 
Of  pitoUB  forowc,  and  mync  handc  eke  quak?. 
What  that  I  writin  for  this  mann'lii  fake; 

For  unto  wo  accordiih  complaining. 
And  doleful  chcr^  untl  hevineffc, 
To  forowc  alfo  fighine  and  weping, 
And  pitous  mouming^jnto  drcrincflc  ; 
And  wbofo  that  Ihall  writin  of  diflrelTc 
In  party  ncdith  to  knowe  felingly 
The  caufe  and  rote  of  al  foe  he  malady. 

But  1,  alas !  that  am  of  wittc  but  dul. 
And  that  have  no  knowing  of  foche  matcre^ 
For  to  difcrivc  and  writin  at  the  ful  , 

The  woful  Complaintc  wliich  that  ye  fhal  here, 
But  even  like  as  doth  a  fkrivioerc, 
That  can  an  more  U'll  what  that  he  ihal  write 
But  i\'>  Ills  maiHir  beiide  dothe  cudite ; 
Kkij 


Rygbtfo  farcT,  that  of  nofeotcmcnt 
Can  fjyin  right  naught  in  coDcbfioun* 
But  Rs  I  herdc  whan  that  I  wa^  prcftmt 
This  irarf  complinm  with  a  pitouiif6ttn, 
For  even  like  wlthocr  at^diciouti 
Or  difencrcfc  cythir  of  more  or  Icflc 
For  to  rcberfc  anonc  I  tvol  mc  drcflf. 

And  if  that  any  nowe  he  in  this  place 
That  f^hh  in  love  trcninjj^e  or  fcrvrncc. 
Or  hindirid  were  to  hi*  ladic's  jfracc 
With  f;ilft?  tong^ii,  that  with  peOtleticc 
Sle  trcw^  men,  that  nevir  did  offi.*nce 
In  wordc  nor  dcdc,  ne  f ct  in  thcr  fnfcnt^ 
If  any  fodic  there  he  here  no vrc  prcfent. 
Let  him  of  roiiihe  lay  him  to  audience 
With  doleftil  chcrc  and  fobre  countinauncc. 
To  hcrin  this  man  by  fol  hyc  fen  ten  cc 
Hya  mrrtrJ  wo  and  hlft  dife  perturbaonce 
Complaining,  and  nowc  lying  in  a  tnunce 
With  Iok1»  Qpcafl  and  wtrh  niful  chere, 
Th'  ejffciite  of  which  wa*  as  ye  now  fhal  here. 

The  thought  opprcfTcd  with  inward  fjghis  fore^ 
The  pajijful  lyfc,  the  body  languifhing, 
The  woful  goll,  the  hcrt^  rent  and  tore, 
The  pitcuB  chcrc,  all  pale  in  complaining 
The  dedly  face,  Irlce  afliis  in  fhining, 
*rhe  fjllc  terift  that  from  min  cyin  fafl, 
Parrtl  declare  groundf  of  my  painisith 

Whofe  hertf  i*  grounde  to  bledc  in  herineflc 
The  ihoo^'ht  rccciic  of  wo  and  of  complointe, 
'[  he  brcl>  ischcft  of  dole  and  drcrincfTe, 
The  body  eke  fc  fcble  and  fo  fa  in  re. 
With  hotc  and  colde  mine  ax  in  is  fo  mainte. 
That  no  we  I  chivir  for  defautc  of  hete, 
Arul  hotc  a»  glcdc  nowe  fodainly  i  fwcte; 

Nowe  bote  a»  fire,,  nowe  cold  asalhis  dcd, 
Kow  hotc  for  coldc,  now  cold  for  hete  again, 
Now  cold  a»  yfc»  ami  now  a«  coll^  red 
For  bete  f  brcnne  ;  atid  thus  betwhan  twune 
I  poflid  am  and  al  forcafte  in  pntnr, 
^o  that  my  hetc  ful  plainly  z%  1  fele 
Of  grevous  colde  is  caufc  cvrry  dele, 

Tfiis  the  colUe  of  inward  hit  dtfdaine, 
Cctd  of  difpire,  and  colde  of  crtiil  hate, 
1  hi^  is  ilie  colde  that  doth  hi-btfy  payne 
Aytnift  tronthe  lo  fight  ;md  to  dcbatei 
Thh  is  the  colde  that  doth  the  fyre  abate 
Of  tfcwe  Bicning,  alas  the  harde  while  t 
Thi»  h  the  coldi  rhat  wol  me  begile  : 

For  er  the  bettir  that  ijMrooth  I  mente 
Wtrh  al  my  mypbt  her  fatmully  to  fcrve, 
With  hert  and  at  to  be  rigJ^t  diligent, 
1  he  lefT^  thanke,  al^ts '  I  can  deserve  ; 
Thus  for  my  trouth"  Danngir  dmh  me  flerrc, 
FfiroMc  that  (huld  my  dcth  of  mercy  let 
H-ith  m^de  Defpite  anew  hi*  fwerde  to  whet 

Aji^inft  me,  and  his  arowis  to  fyle, 
To  take  vcn-jeuanci:  ofwilful  cruilte. 
And  tgngisfahfe  tbormigh  therflifjhtly  wyle 
ffan  pone  a  w<rrc,  that  wil  nrjt  (Hnfid  be. 
And  filfe  Envie,  with  Wnthe  and  Envytc, 
Have  conTpin J  ntjainil  al  right  and  Itiwe 
Of  b**r  malfcc  thai  Tr<?uth  (hal  be  yflawe. 


And  Malebonche  gan  firft  t!*c  til£  tcl. 

To  fclaundirTroQthof  indignacioo. 

And  Falfc  Reporte  fo  laud  yrvoge  tht  bel 

That  Mifbykfe  and  Falfc  Sufpeaion 

Have  Trouthc  ybrought  Co  bit  dainpetcsoftt 

So  that,  alas !  wrongfully  he  dyich. 

And  FalfcncflTc  nowc  his  pUc«  occvffttbt 

And  entirid  iJ  into  Trout h* it  loode^ 
And  hath  thereof  the  ful  poflcffion 
O  rightful  God  !  that  firll  the  tr60tM  d 
HoT,vc  maic  thou  fu0re  foche  opprclfytm, 
That  Falfhed  fhcldchave  jttrifdi^odi 
In  Troth *i»  right  to  flc  him  glkilc^! 
In  his  fraunthi/e  he  may  not  Ihre  to  peciu 
Falily  accufed,  and  of  his  fone  fofjqgedl,- 
Wrthoutin  antwere,  while  he  wa^abJoA, 
He  damnid  wa>«,  snd  maie  not  be  cxciifipdL 
For  Cniiltc  yfate  in  judg'rment 
Of  Haftincffe  without  advifSmctit* 
And  baddc  Difdatne  do  execute 
His  judgment  tn  prefeacc  ©f  hi«  foov* 
Attorney  there  mayc  none  admitnd 
T»  cxcufc  Trouthc,  ne  a  wordc  io  fpcke; 
To  fa.ith  or  othe  the  judge  ae  lifle  not  feiie; 
There  nt  is  no  gatne  but  he  will  be  wrekc 
O  Lorde  of  Trouihe  ?  to  the  I  cal  and  clejf^ 
Howe  may  ihou  fctn  thus  in  thy  prefencc 
Withoutin  mercy  murdridlnQOC4nice* 

Nowe  God,  that  xrt  of  trouthc  fiavdraicc^ 
And  feift  how  I  fie  for  troutlU  boimdey 
So  fore  yknitte  in  lov'ii  fyric  ctiainc,       (' 
Even  at  the  deth,  through  gyrtc  wrtk 
That  lykily  are  nevir  for  to  foucdr. 
And  for  my  trotithe  am  dompnid  to 
And  not  abyde,  but  drawe  lalong  the 

Conlidre*  and  fe  19  thine  etrrna]  tight 
Howe  rhat  min  herte  profcfSd  whiJDm  Wl 
For  to  \te  trew^  with  a]  my  ful  nayght 
Onily  to  one,  the  whiche  nowe,  aiiS ! 
Of  volunte  without  any  trefpa* 
Myne  accnfour*  hath  takin  unto  grmce. 
And  cherifhiTh  'hem  my  deth  to  purchice. 
What  mcnith  this  ^  what  i»  thi^  woodir  1 
Of  purveiauDce,  yf  fo  1  Jhal  it  cal^ 
Of  god  of  Love,  that  falfe  *hcm  fe  afore^ 
And  trewe,  alat  *  downe  of  the  wheic  ben 
And  yet  in  foihe  this  is  the  viord  of  al, 
That  fdl(hed  wrongfully*  of  troth  hath  name^ 
And  trouth  .iy«nward  of  falihed  the  blame, 
ThiA  blindc  chuunce,  this  ftormy  aviotitrep 
In  love  hath  mofttly  his  CTpericncc, 
For  who  that  doth  with  trouthe  moft 
Shal  for  his  medc  yfmdin  mofte  olfeoce 
That  fcrvith  I^jVe  with  al  hit  dilige: 
For  who  cm  fain-n    ■* -i^  I'wly  bode 
Nc  faitith  not  to  ti  xnAipcde 

For  t  lovid  one  I  ^      vtheagvMtse 

With  ^^  mine  bene,  and  body,  md  ftti 
And  ro  he  dcd  my  bcrte  e»n  not  gone 
From  his  behclle,  bur  hold  that  he  hath  hyglit; 
Though  I  be  bunifhid  out  of  her  fyjfht. 
And  by  her  mouth  dampnid  tliat  I  Ib^^i 
To  my  bchclte  yet  1  will  cr  obey  ; 


THE  COMPLAINT  OF 

»  CtKiiii  that  the  worldc  be^an, 
yfle  lokin  and  io  ikorj  rede, 
yt  find) a  that  the  trcw^  man 
abackc  there  where  at  the  falfhcdc 
ed  wai;  for  I^ve  takitli  none  bcde 

trew,  and  hath  of  *hrm  no  charge* 
1  the  falTe  gothc  frcly  at  thcr  large, 
reecrde  of  true  Pal^urtedes, 
els  man,  the  noble  worthy  koightf 
'  lovtd  and  had  no  relet, 
fcftnding  hit  manhodc  and  hU  might, 
t  unto  him  dyd  ful  gret  imrighi^ 
lie  bet  he  dyd  in  chivalryc 
e  he  Htll  was  hindrid  by  eovyc; 
^e  the  belt  he  did  in  every  place, 
b  hii  knighthode  and  hii  bufy  paine, 
or  wat  he  from  hit  ladye^s  gi'^ce, 
rr  mercy  might  he  ntr  attainej 
it  deth  he  coude  it  not  refrainc 
mngcrc,  but  aye  obey  and  fcrve 
He  coude,  plainly  tyl  that  he  ficnre. 
W9M  the  iync  alfo  of  Hercules 
I  conqueft  and  hi$  worthineiTe, 
I  6f  manly  ftreng^th  alone  pereic*  ? 
i»  bokii  of  him  liftc  cxprelTc 
illcrs  thorough  his  hyc  prowcITe 
Cades,  for  to  fygnific 
mac  might  him  yi^^c  in  chlvalrye ; 
'hichc  pilUrii  fcrre  bcyondc  Indc 
golde  lor  a  remcmbcraunce, 
iU  that  jci  was  he  fct  beiiinde 
tn  that  love  lyftc  febly  to  avaunce ; 
,  «]» !  fet  hii  upon  a  daunce 
whom  there  helpi  may  no  drifc* 
or  at  hit  trouth  he  lode  hit  life. 
LIS  alfo^  for  al  his  plefaunt  lyghr, 
lat  he  wouid  here  in  yerthe  belowe, 
;  vcrry  hertc  with  Vcnui  fight 
id  was  thorough  Cupidii  bowe, 
his  lady  lytl  him  not  to  knowc  : 
tor  the  love  of  her  his  bcrte  dy*d  blcdc 
lim  gQ,  and  toke  of  bim  no  hcde. 
fhal  I  iayin  of  yongc  Pyramoi, 
;  Tnllram,  for  al  his  hyc  renowne* 
fetor  ol  Anton'tus 
ti,  or  of  him  Pclomo-mie  f 
IB  the  ende  of  ihcr  palEowne 
-  forowe  deth  and  ihan  ther  grave  f 
!  the  guerdon  that  thefe  lovira  have! 
ilfi  Jaton  with  his  douhlcneflV, 
s  untrue  at  Colchrift  to  Mcdee, 
^u^irote  of  unkind<!nelle, 
*Jh  thefe  two  alfo  the  falfc  Ence, 
I  the  falfc  cvir  in  one  de grc 
in  lov,;  rhcr  luft  nnd  al  thcr  wi!» 
■  fjllhodc  there  wai  none  othir  JkIL 
irlhi',  ciry  eke  the  falfc  Arcitc, 
IT  D'-'mophon  eke  f      ■      "       he^ 
d  thcr  Inft  and  al  '  idire 

kr  falfhodc  and  tli».i  ^^.   .  ^liioiithc; 
irl-ovc^al.is!  .."nd  that  is  routhe, 
liegUfortbirithwhat  he  may, 
iht  trcwc  un^9dely  day  hj  day  : 


THE  BLACKE  KNIGHT.  /If 

tor  trewe  Adonit  was  flayne  with  the  bore 
Amiddc  the  forcft  in  the  grcn^  fhadc. 
For  Venus  love  he  fcltin  al  the  fore, 
But  Vulcanu5>  with  her  no  mercy  made, 
The  fouli:  chorle  had  many  nighiis  glade, 
Where  Mars  Armipoient,  her  knight  ajid  mtO| 
To  fyndin  mercy  comfortc  none  he  can, 

Ali'O  tlie  »ongf  frclhc  Htppomcnoi, 
So  ludLy  frc  he  was  of  h\&  cor  age 
Th:it  for  to  fcrve  wiih  al  hii  hert  he  chef 
Atalanta,  fo  fairc  of  her  vifage. 
But  Lirvcj  alas!  quite  him  fo  ill  hii  wage^  ^ 

With  crutj  daungir  plainly  at  the  lafle. 
Thai  with  the  dcth^  gucrdonlelFc  he  paflr,  * 

Lo  here,  ^hs  !  the  fine  of  Lovc't  tervice ! 
ho  howe  that  Loire  can  hitfcrvauntls  c^uite  !      ^ 
Low  how  he  can  hit  faithful  men  difpifc. 
To  fle  the  trewe  men  and  fitlfc  to  refpite  !  . 

Lo  howe  he  dothe  the  fwerde  of  forowe  byte 
In  hcrt'ii  fochc  at  mofle  his  luftc  obey. 
To  favc  the  falfc  and  do  the  trewe  to  dey  t 

For  faith,  nor  othe  nor  worde,  ne  afluraunce, ' 
Trewe  mcning,  nor  awaite,  nor  buryncffc, 
Neithir  fill  pone  nc  faithful  attendance, 
Man h ode,  nc  might  in  aj-Dii.i,  wurthinclTc,  . 

Nor  purfute  of  worihip  nor  hie  prowcire,^ 
Nor  in  flraucgc  tandi^  riding  nc  travaitfi  j  , 

Ful  lytil  or  nought  in  love  dothe  availe* 

Pcnl  of  dethc  neithir  in  fc  nc  iande, 
Hungir  ne  thurft,  forowe  ne  fyk^ncfTc, 
Nc  grct  cmprifis  for  to  take  on  handc, 
Shcding  of  blodc,  nc  manful  hardincfTc, 
Ne  oftc  wounding  at  faurtA  by  diftrefle. 
Nor  in  parting  of  life,  nor  deth  alfo, 
Al  is  for  nought ;  Love  takcth  no  hcde  thertaw 

But  Icfmgoures  with  ther  bafe  flattjric. 
Through  ther  falfhcde,  and  with  ther  doublenciTCi 
With  talis  new e,  and  many  fatnid  lir. 
By  fjlfe  fembbunt  andcouuTcrfclt  humblcfTe, 
Undir  colour  depainte  with  ilcdfartntrlTc, 
With  fraudc  covered  under  a  pitout  face, 
Acccptid  be  nowe  rathifl  unm  grace, 

Andean  themfelvin  nowe  hcf!  magnlfie 
Witt  fainid  portc  and  thcr  prefumpcion  \ 
They  hauncin  thcr  caufc  with  falfc  furquidrie, 
Undir  mcnyng  of  double  cntencion, 
To  thinlnn  one  in  thcr  opinion, 
And  fayc   anothir  to  fct  them  felf  alofte. 
And  hindir  trouthc,  as  it  it  fcnc  ful  oftc. 

The  wbiche  thingc  I  bye  nowe  al  to  derr, 
Thankid  be  Vcnut  and  the  god  Cupidc,| 
At  it  it  fcnc  by  mine  opprcllid  chere, 
And  by  bit  aiowct  that  ilyckcn  in  my  fide. 
That  fiivc  my  deth  1  uothingc  cllei  abide 
Fro  day  to  day,  alas  the  hardc  while  ! 
Whencvir  lis  dartc  tit  at  hym  lyfl  ro  Cte, 

My  woful  hcTtl  for  to  nvc  at\%o. 
For  faute  of  mercy  and  lack  of  pjte 
Of  her  th»t  caufnh  al  my  painc  and  wo, 
AuJ  lylk-  net  unis  of  gracv  frrr  to  fe 
Unto  my  ttdihc  thor*  ugh  her  trueltc  ; 
And  moft  of  al  far  thii  I  me  cmnplaine, 
I  ThaiJhe  b;ithjoy  to  latighin  a^t  mjpainiC 
K  k  iij 


r 

I 


jiS 


THE  COMPLAINT  OF  THE  BLACKE  KNIGHT. 


I 


Anil  wilftilly  (lie  hath  my  dcth  yfwornc 
Al  giltiicfltf,  and  wotc  no  caufc  why. 
Save  for  the  trouthc  that  1  ha^  aforne 
Tc  hcT  alone  tn  fcrvin  fatclifully. 
O^od  Af  LoTc!  all  unto  the  t  cryc, 
,  *Aud  td  thy  hlyndc  and  double  dei'tc 
Of  this  my  gret  wrongc  I  complainc  mc, 

And  to  rhy  ilormy  v/ilful  variance, 
Tmcmwith  chaange  and  grci  ttnllabJ^DcfTc, 
Now  uf>  now  doune,  fo  rcnntrag  is  thy  chaujice» 
That  the  to  truft  may  be  no  fikirnefTc, 
I  wile  It  nothinge  but  thy  dqublctieffc ; 
And  who  that  i&  an  archir  *nA  is  blende 
MiirkJth  nothinge,but  fhotit^  ay  by  wende; 

And  for  that  he  hath  no  difcrccidn 
Without  advifc  he  let  hi«  arowc  go ; 
For  lackc  of  fight  and  alfo  of  rcfon, 
In  hi*  fhotlng  it  happlth  oftin  fo 
To  htirtc  his  frendiA  raihir  than  his  fo  : 
So  doith  thi$  bhnd  god  with  hl»  fharpe  6one, 
The  trew  he  fltcth  and  lettlth  the  falfc  gone. 

And  of  his  wounding  this  is  worft  vt  al, 
Whan  he  l]urt  doith  to  fo  cruil  wrcrchc, 
And  makith  the  fycke  for  to  eric  and  cal 
Unto  his  very  foe  to  be  hislcchc  j 
And  hai  de  it  is/fothc,  for  a  man  to  feche, 
Upon  tMc  point  of  dcth  in  jcopcr^yc, 
Unto  his  foe  to  Hndin  rcnicdic. 

Right  thuft  farith  it  nowe  cvin  by  nuc, 
ThiU  to  my  foe  that  gave  oiy  herte  s^  woundc 
Mote  atltih  gmce,  and  mercy,  and  pitc, 
^Vnd  namily  there  where  none  may  be  founde. 
For  nowe  my  fore  my  Icche  wil  confoundc. 
And  gvd  of  Kinde  fo  ill  hath  fct  mine  ufc 
hij  lyv*i»  foe  to  have  my  woundc  in  cure. 

A\a»  ihc  while  nowe  that  I  wai  borne, 
'Or  that  I  t^fh  fawe  the  brighte  fonnc  ! 
For  nowe  1  fe  plainc  that  ful  ionge  aforne 
Or  1  was  borne  my  dcftiny  was  fponne 
By  the  Siflcrne,  to  flc  me  yf  they  connc, 
For  fhey  my  deth  had  Oir.pin  or  my  fhcrte, 
Onely  for  trouth  I  may  it  not  aftcrte. 

I'hc  mighty  goddefie  alfo  of  Nature, 
That  undir  Cod  hath  the  whole  govirniuncc 
Of  worldcly  thingCB  committid  to  her  cure, 
Difpofid  hav^  throug|i  her  wife  parveiauncc 
To  give  my  lady  fo  mochc  fuffifauncc 
Of  al  virtues,  and  therwithal  purvyde 
To  miinlre  Crouh  hath  take  Daungir  ta  gtde  : 

FVt  bountc,bcaute,  ilupe^  and  fcmclihcde, 
For  pritdence,  wit,  and  pafhngly  faireneHc, 
For  benigne  poitc,  glad  there,  with  kwlyhcdci 
Of  wonianhcdc  right  plentccuH  largcneffc, 
l^amc  Nature  dyd  in  her  fully  cmprcffc 
Whan  Hie  her  wrought,  and  ahhir  hA  Difdainc 
To  hindir  Trouthc  me  made  her  chambiilaiuc  j 

Whan  Miftrufl  eke  and  Falfe  Sufpcccion, 
With  Mflbeleve,  (he  madln  for  to  be 
Chcfe  of  coiTnfiiUe,  to  this  concltiiion. 
For  fo  CTnlin  Trouthc  and  eke  Pile, 
Out  of  her  courtc  to  makin  Mercy  fle^ 
So  that  Difpjtc  ,now  boldith  forthc  her  rcinc 
Through  haily  btlevc  of  ulcs  thxt  men  fciiie; 


Anu  i\\u\  V  i4A#  only  i*>r  titf 

AhhoLi-  1 

Andly' 

Nowe  mercy,  fwcte  I  roerr)%  tay  ll 

And  to  yocr  grace  of  mercyc  ftt  I 

|n  Yourfervlct  that  ycmr  tttte  Oi2*» 

But  if  (a  be  that  I  (hal  die  ai^te, 
And  that  I  fhal  none  oihct  n. 
Vet  of  ray  dcth  lee  thii  ybcfi 
That  by  your  wil  I  wa*  brougiit  i^ 
Or  hazily,  if  that  you  lyftc  me  la'  ~ 
My  fharpe  woundu,  that  akin  ^o 
Of  mercy  charme  and  alfo'  of 

For  othir  charme  plainly  ne  i$ 
But  onely  mercy  to  heJpe  in  Uiif  tzf!^ 
For  though  my  woundis  btede  -rr^r  If. 
My  lyfe,  my  deth,  yllandith  i 
And  though  my  giltc  ybe  not 
1  aflcc  mercy  in  all  my  tefl  cnrcatej 
Redy  to  dyin  if  that  ye  a/Tcntc  : 

For  there  again  til  flial  I  ne»ir 
In  wordc  neixcrke,  plainly  I  ne  ffl^f^ 
For  levir  I  have  then  to  be  aly^d 
To  dye  'olhly,  and  it  be  to  he. 
Ye,  though  it  Ihulde  be  thii  fat 
Or  whan  that  cvir  her  lyftc  to  de¥ik| 
Suffifith  me  to  die  in  your  fenrifc* 

Thou,  God !  that  knowcft  the  thoui^ 
Right  as  it  is,  la  every  thing  maift  fe, 
Yet  er  I  dyd  with  al  my  ful  myght 
I.owly  I  pmy  to  grauntln  unto  me 
That  ye,  lady  godcly»  fairCt  frcihr, 
Which  oncly  flc  me  for  dc/autc  td 
Or  thai  I  dyln  ye  may  knowc  my 

For  that  in  fothe  inow  fuffiitth  me 
And  flic  it  knowc  in  everj-  circumflUi 
And  aftir  1  am  we  I  apaldc  that  Ihr, 
If  that  her  lyft  of  deth  to  do  ver^j^-rtge^ 
Unto  me  that  am  undir  her  ly  ^ 
It  fit  me  not  her  dome  lo  difk 
But  at  hcrlu'^    ''■'       i*fully  to  <iryr. 

WjthoiJtit]  or  rcbcIUc^JJ 

In  wil  or  wor^w  -  i     f^"  ♦■i, 

Or  any  manir  con; 
Fully  to  be  at  her  >  , 

And  if  I  dyin,  in  my  tellamcnt 
My  herte  I  fcodc  and  mv  fplllte  adftw 
What  fo  cTir  (he  lyfte  with  *hcm  t©  dfti 

And  aldir  lafl  unto  her  wominhcde 
And  to  her  mercy  IMC  1  recomnta^ed*. 
That  lye  cowc  here  betwixin  hcpc  sod* 
Abidinge  plainly  what  (he  lili  c«i 
For  uttirly  this  ne  it  no  dcm^iuiide; 
Welcome  to  me  whilit  me  UfUtb  ~ 
Ryght  at  her  choife,  where  it  b< 

And  in  thit  matir  more  what 
Sithe  in  her  hand  and  in  her  wil  » 
Botlic  lyfc  and  dcth^  my  joye  an^  4l  my 
Andf  fmally,  my  hefle  holdio  (  fltall 
Tyl  my  fpirite  by  deAinye  fatal. 
Whan  that  her  lyAi  *   '  *^^J] 

Have  here  tny  trc  l  ji  1 


mtk  thit  worde  he  gan  to  (ighe  za  fore, 
[lis  hert  yrivin  would  atwaine, 
de  his  pccCf  and  fpake  no  wordd  more ; 
[O  fe  his  wo  and  mortal  painc 
•  goaia  fro  mine  eyin  rainc 
suily,  for  very  inwardc  ro£hc 
iin  fawc  fo  long  wifhyng  for  troth. 
I  this  while  my  fdfc  I  kept c  clofe 
I  the  bo  wis,  and  my  rdfe  gonnc  hidct 
te  lafl  the  woful  man  arofe, 
i  lodge  ywent  there  clofe  beCde, 
il  the  May  hi$  cuHome  was  t'abydc, 
ompbinin  of  his  painiti  kenc 
re  to  ycrc  undir  the  bo  wis  grcnc. 
orbycaufc  that  it  drcwc  to  the  night, 
t  tht  fonnt^  his  arkc  diurnal 
vm»,  fo  that  his  pcrfaunt  lyght, 
fiCiJ  bemis  and  his  ^cmis  a  I, 
the  wavis  of  the  watir  fat 
le  bordurc  of  our  ocean  i 
e  of  f  olde  his  courfc  fo  fwiftly  ran  ; 
thilc  the  twilight  and  the  rowi*  rede 
ilU  light  were  dcaurat  alitc 
I  loke,  and  gan  nic  fall  to  fpede 
'ul  plaintjs  of  this  man  to  write 
Ic  by  worde  right  as  he  did  endite  ; 
t  hcrde  and  coude  him  iho  reportc 
at  fet,  your  hcrti*  to  difportc. 
hi  be  miflc  laye  al)  the  wite  on  me, 
i  Worthy  fur  to  here  the  blame; 
inge  amyffe  report  id  be 
!  this  dittc  for  to  fcnuJ  lame, 

I  mync  uncoun mg  for  to  fain  the  fame 
hU  man  his  CompUim  dyd  txprcffc, 
m  mercy  and  forgiv^ncffe. 

I I  wrote  me  thought  1  fawc  afcrre, 
1  the  wtilt,  luflily  appcre 

the  fo  bright  and  godcly  flerre, 
ifo  faire,  fo  pedaunte,  eke  of  cherc, 
Mentis,  with  her  bemis  clere^ 
vj  hcrtis  only  to  rtleTc 
of  cuQome  for  to  fhewc  at  eve ; 
u  fall  fcl  adownc  on  my  knc, 
I  thus  to  her  gan  I  to  prey  ; 
"cnus}  fo  fcire  on  to  fe  ! 
this  fcthf;i{l  man  for  his  trout  he  dcye, 
joy  which  thou  haddifl  whan  thou  Icye 
ir«  thy  knight  when  Vukanus  yfonde, 
K  a  chaine  unvifiblc  ynu  boudc 
IT  both^  tway,  in  the  lame  whylc 
ht  courtc  above  cckdial 
fhftind  began  to  laughc  and  fhjyle : 
iik  lady  !   willy  fandc  at  al, 
s  (0  careful  goddis  immortal 
11^  Bowcj,  sod  do  thy  diligcjice 
ail  of  thine  influence 


THE  0LACKE  KNIGHT. 

Difccndin  downc  in  forthcring  of  the  trcu'.h. 
Namely  of  *hcm  that  lye  in  forowe  bounde; 
Shew  now  thy  might,  and  on  ther  wo  have  routh 
£f  that  falfc  Daungir  fle  *hcm  and  confounde ; 
And  fpccial  let  thy  might  in  this  be  founde 
For  to  help  and  focour  what  that  thou  may 
I'hc  trcwe  man  that  in  the  hcrbir  lay. 

And  al  that  trewc  are  forth ir  for  his  fake, 
O  glade  llerrc  !  o  lady  Venus  myne  I 
And  caufc  his  lady  him  to  grace  to  take; 
Her  hcrt  of  ftelc  to  mercy  fo  cncline, 
Er  that  thy  bemis  go  up  to  dcdjrne, 
And  cr  that  thou  nowe  go  fro  ua  adowne, 
For  that  love  which  thou  haddift  to  Adowne. 

And  whan  that  ihc  wos  gone  unto  her  reft 
i  rofc  anone,  and  home  to  bed  ywcntc^ 
For  wery'  I  wa*,  mc  thought  it  for  the  bcft, 
Dciiring  thus  in  al  my  heft  entente 
That  al  tfcwe  men  thai  be  with  davcigir  (hcntc 
With  mercy  may,  in  relefe  of  ther  paine, 
Rccurid  be  cr  Mayc  come  cftc  againe. 

And  for  tliat  I  ne  may  no  lengir  wake 
Farcwel,  ye  lovirs  a  I  that  be  trcwe, 
Praying  to  God,  and  thus  my  Icvc  1  take, 
That  er  the  fonne  to  mororwc  be  ryfcn  ncWe^ 
And  cr  he  have  ay  en  his  rolln  hcwc, 
That  eche  oi  you  may  havin  fochc  a  grace 
His  ownc  lady  in  armis  to  embrace  j 

(  mcne  thus  only,  in  al  honcde, 
Withoutin  more^  ye  may  togidirfpcke 
What  fo  ye  lyftin  at  gode  liberie, 
That  cchc  may  to  othir  ther  hcrte  ybrcke, " 
On  Jeloufic  only  to  be  awrcke. 
That  hath  folong  of  malice  and  envy 
Ywcrrid  Trouihd  with  his  tiranny. 

l'envat. 

Pritircfle  !  plefith  it  your  brnigniie 
This  lityl  dytc  for  to  have  in  mindc 
Of  your  womanhcdc,  alfo  for  to  fc 
That  your  trew  man  may  of  you  mercy  iicd 
And  pitc  eke,  that  longc  hath  be  behinde; 
i^t  him  againe  be  provokld  to  grace, 
For  by  my  trouthe  it  is  againfb  allc  kindc 
That  falfc  Daungere  Ihould  occupye  hii  place. 

Go,  lityl  ijuairc,  unto  rny  liv'Is  ^ucnc, 
And  to  my  very  hcrt  "is  fovcrainc. 
And  be  right  glad  for  that  Ibc  Ihal  ihefcjic; 
Sochc  U  thy  grace  :  but !,  il«is!  in  painc 
And  left  behinde,  anJ  n'ut  to  whom  to  plaiDc, 
For  mercy,  Ruthe,  and  Grace,  and  ckc  Pyie, 
i  111  id  be,  that  I  may  not  attainc 
lie  cure  to  ^dc  of  mine  adver(ite» 

KkiUj 


s»* 


THE  COMPLAINT  QF  MARS  AJJD  VINUS. 


THE 


COMPLAINT. OF  MARS  AND  VENUS. 


GtAplTl^  ft  loYtri  in  the  tnorowe  gintc ; 

Lo  Venus  riiTcn  cmong  yon  rowis  rede ! 

And  fiouris  frclhc  honour  ye  this  diiic. 

For  when  the  fanne  upriA  then  would  thci  ff  rcdc; 

But  yc  Jovirs  that  lie  in  any  drcde 

Flyith,  kftc  wickid  tODgui&  you  afpie : 

Lo,  yondc  the  fonnc,  the  ciudle*  of  Jeloiifir  f 

With  tcrif  blcwe  and  with  a  wouftdld  bcrt 
Takcth  your  leve^  and  with  Sain^  Ihoti  to  borowf 
Apcfith  ftimwl^at  of  your  painis  (mcrt. 
Time  comith  dft  thic  ceOiD  (hall  your  forow ; 
The  glad  night  is  wort  he  an  hcirJe  morowc. 
SaLn5  Valentine,  a  foulc  thut,  herde  I  ftrg 
Upon  thy  daic  or  Tonne  gan  up  fpring  : 

Vet  fang  this  foulc;  I  rede  you  all  a^nake, 
And  yc  that  h^vc  not  chofen  in  humble  wife. 
Without  rcpeniyng,  cheGth  now  your  make, 
Yet  at  the  Icfl  rcno¥cleth  your  fervice, 
And  yc  that  have  full  chofen,  ai  1  dciriic, 
Confermith  it  perpetually  to  dure, 
And  pacicotlic  taluth  yoyr  avinture. 

And  fnr  the  worfhip  of  thi^  highc  fcOc 
YctVoll  I  in  my  hridd^Is  wife  yfyng 
The  fenicnce  of  the  Complaint  at  the  IcQc 
That  wofqll  Mars  made  at  the  departyng 
Fro  frcfhc  Venus  in  a  morowtryng, 
When  Pbccbus  with  hi*  firic  torchis  rede 
Ranfajtcd  haih  every  lovir  in  His  drcde. 

Whlfomc  the  thre  hevcnis  lordc  above, 
A»  well  by  hcvenlidtc  revolucion 
At  by  deferte,  hath  wonne  Veriui  hii  love, 
And  (he  hath  take  him  in  fubjeccion, 
And  ai  a  niaiftrcfTc  fraugf^t  him  his  leiron» 
Cnmmaund)"Dg  hym  nevtr  in  her  fcnricc 
He  were  fo  boldc  no  lovir  to  difpife  : 

For  fhe  forbade  hym  jcUnific  at  all. 
And  cruiltic,  and  boQc»  and  tirannie  ; 
^be  m-i^c  him  at  her  luflc  (o  humble*  and  tlirall. 
That  when  (he  denied  to  caft  on  him  her  eye 
He  tokc  in  padencc  to  live  or  die  ; 
And  thii«  fhc  bridlith  him  in  her  roanere 
IVIth  nozhiag  btit  with  fcorciag  of  her  chcrc- 


Who  reig:nith  nowc  In  bliifc  hut  fasrc  Vd 
That  hath  this  worthi  knight  in  go^imaii 
Who  fingith  nowc  but  Mars,  that  fcrriiJi  i 
The  fayrc  Venus,  the  cauOr  ofpUEaunce^ 
He  bint  him  to  perpctuel  oheiflaunce. 
And  fhe  binte  her  ip  lovjn  him  for  <ver. 
But  fo  be  that  his  trcfpatc  It  difccvcr. 

Thus  be  they  knittc,  and  rrignio  a$  la  1 
By  IokingmuA,a»it  fcl  on  a  tide. 
That  by  t  her  hot  he  afTent  was  fci  a  ftertt 
That  Mars  (hall  entrc*  a*  fail  aa  he  may  gly^  ' 
Into  her  ne&te  palays  to  abydc. 
Walking  his  cuurfe  til  (he  had  hym  ytakr, 
An<l  he  prayed  her  to  baftc  her  for  his  iikie.] 

7'fun  i'aide  he  thu^ ;  Myne  hert'b  lady  fn 
Ye  khowin  wcl  my  myfchcfe  in  that  plaec. 
For  fikirly  tyl  that  I  with  you  mete 
My  lyfe  llantc  there  in  avinture  and  grace. 
But  w  han  T  fc  the  be^ute  of  your  ^e 
There  is  n^  dredc  of  dcth  may  do  mc  Tm 
For  al  yourluftc  \h  tic  unto  mine  herte. 

She  hath  fo  grcte  com paHjoQ  of  her  3lJ)t|l 
That  dweltith  in  folitude  til  (be  come. 
For  it  flode  fo  that  ylke  time  no  wtghc 
Ct^unfailid  him,  ne  (aid  to  him  welcome, 
J  hat  nigh  htr  wit  for  forowc  was  ocrcomei 
Whccforc  (he  fpcdd  her  as  fall  in  her  way 
Almoftc  in  one  dayc  a»  he  did  in  rw^y. 

The  gret  ]oyc  that  ywas  bctwuic  *Kem  tw© 
Whan  thty  be  mettc  there  may  no  tonge  k1, 
There  is  no  more  but  unto  bcdde  ihey  g«, 
And  thus  in  joyc  and  blifTc  I  Icttc  *hem  dwrJ; 
Thifr  worthy  Marj,  that  is  of  knighilunle  i 
The  floure  of  fairncffe  happkh  in  hii  amtc^ 
And  Venus  kyOith  Mart  the  p>d  of  Aimn.    ^ 

Sojoiiniid  hath  thi«  Mars,  of  whi<h  lred% 
In  chanibre*  amydde  the  palate  privily 
A  ccrtaine  time,  til  thit  him  fd  a  dtciifl 
1  hrough  Ph(Ebu%  that  was  comin  haiiiB 
Within  the  palais  yxitis  flurdily 
With  torch  in  honde.  of  which  tlieftremJI  bnt^  , 
On  VcDu$  chanibre  kaockidhx  ful  light* 


THE  COMPLAINT  OF  MARS  AND  VENUS, 


diambfc  there  as  layc  thi»  frcibc  qucnc 
iCtd  was  with  white  hoUt  grctc, 
J  the  light  fhc  knew  chat  ihon  fo  (hcnc 
^hoehus  came  to  brcn  'hem  with  hi*  htte; 
Uy  Venus,  ny  dreint  in  teres  wetc, 
[jth  Mars,  and  faidi  Ala«  1  die  ! 
Tch  is  come  that  all  this  worldc  wol  wric, 
ftcrtc  tho  MarS)  him  liftid  not  to  flepe 
he  hts  Udy  herdin  fo  compJaine, 
r  his  nature  was  not  for  to  wcpc, 
k  of  teris  from  hi*  cyin  twainc 
rie  fparclia  fprongin  out  forpainef 
tntc  his  hauberkc  that  lay  him  bclidc ; 
»]d  he  nought,  ne  might  hitn  fclfin  hide, 
throwith  on  his  heJmc  of  huge  weighty 
ire  hin^  with  his  fwcrde,  and  In  his  honde 
ighty  fpcrc,  at  he  was  wont  to  feight, 
Juth  fo  that  it  aim  oft  to  wonde ; 
Tf  was  he  to  walkcn  ovir  londe ; 
,y  not  hoide  with  Venu^  compamy, 
dde  her  flye,  leftc  Phttbu*  her  efpy. 
roful  Mairs,  alas:  what  maid  thou  fain? 
D  the  palace  of  thy  diflurbaunce 
^e  behind  in  parll  to  be  fiaine, 
et  thereto  is  double  thy  penauncc, 
E  that  hath  thine  hert  in  govirnauncc 
d  halfe  the  ftrcmis  of  thine  cyen ; 
©o  n'ere  fwift  wei  maillthou  wcpe  andcrien* 
ft  flycth  Venus  into  Ctclinius  tour 
roid*  corfc»  for  fere  of  Phcebus  light ; 
tnd  there  nc  hith  (he  nofocour, 
c  DC  fonde  nc  fey  no  manir  wight, 
Ik  as  there  (he  had  hut  litil  mighty 
ore  her  fcWtn  for  to  hide  and  five 
l.tbe  gate  fhe  flcdde  iit«  a  cave. 


Darke  wa&  this  cave,  and  fmokmg  as  th£  hel, 
Nat  but  two  paas  within  the  yatc  it  {lode; 
A  naturcl  day  in  darke  I  let  her  dwel. 
Now  wol  1  fpeke  of  Mars^  furious  and  wode, 
For  forowc  he  wolde  have  feen  hi*  hert  block  j 
Sith  thdt  he  might  done  Kcr  no  companic 
He  nc  rought  not  a  mite  for  to  dit. 

So  fcblc*  he  w«t  for  htte  and  for  his  wo 
That  nigh  he  fwelt;  he  might  imncth  eodurej 
He  padith  but  a  flerre  in  dayis  two ; 
But  nerthclesfor  al  hi«  hevy  armure 
He  folowcth  her  that  is  his  iiv'is  cure, 
For  whofc  departing  he  tokc  grelir  yrc 
Than  he  did  for  hi^brennitig  in  the  iire. 

Aftir  he  walluth  foftify  a  paas, 
Cnniiplaining  that  it  pitc  wa«  to  here  ; 
Ht  faidc,  O  bdy  bright,  Venus  I  alas 
Thiit  cr  fo  wide  a  compas  is  my  fphcre  I 
Abs,  whnn  fhal  I  mete  you,  hcni  dcrc  • 
This  twelve  dayis  of  April  I  endure 
Through  jelous  Phoebus  this  mifaTinturc. 

Now  God  helpe  fcly  Venus  all  alone  \ 
But  as  God  wolde  it  happid  for  to  be 
That  while  that  weping  Venus  made  her  mon^ 
Ciclinius  riding  in  his  chyvaunche 
Fro  Venus,  Valanu*  might  this  patais  fc. 
And  Venus  he  falvith  and  makith  cbcrc. 
And  her  rcccvith  as  his  frende  ful  derc. 

Mars  dwcllith  forth  in  hts  advcrfitie. 
Complaining  cvir  in  her  departing. 
And  what  his  complaint  was  remembrith  aodi 
And  therefore  in  this  Iwftic  morowniog. 
As  f  bed  can,  1  wol  it  fame  and  ting. 
And  aftir  that  J  wol  my  Icvc  ytake. 
And  God  yeve  CTcry  wight  joy  of  hit  make  i 


i 


COMPLAINT 


MARS. 


Tw«'  or<lir  <^f  CompUynt  reqoireth  flciUulIf 

That  if  a  wight  ftiall  pUinia  pituuHf 

Thcr  inott  he  caufc  whf  rforc  that  men  yplainc^ 

Or  men  m»y  dcme  he  pUynith  fotily 

And  caufiUa  :  al&i !  that  am  not  T, 

Whcrfurc  the  groundc  and  caufcof  all  my  paioCf 

So  af  my  troublid  wittc  may  tt  attaint, 

I  wol  rcAerft,  not  for  to  have  rcdrciTc, 

But  to  declare  my  |rrounde  of  hcvineJTe^ 

The  firA  time,  alas  !  that  I  was  ywrought^ 
Atid  for  certain  cil'cdlift  hidir  brought 
By  htm  that  lordith  cchc  tntcUigcnce, 
1  yavc  my  trcwc  fcrvicc  and  my  thought 
For  cvirmo,  how  dcre  I  have  tt  bought ! 
To  her  that  is  of  fo  grct  excellence 
That  what  wight  that  Ihewith  firft  her  offence^ 
Whan  flic  i»  wrothc  and  takcth  of  him  no  cure. 
He  may  not  longc  in  joyc  of  love  endure. 

This  is  no  fair.td  matir  that  T  tcl; 
My  lad)  is  the  very  fours  and  T^el 
Of  beaute,  lufle,  fredomc,  and  gcntilnefTc, 
Of  riche  atray  howc  derc  fo  men  it  fcl, 
Of  al  difportc  in  whichc  men  frendly  dwcl. 
Of  love  and  play,  and  of  benij^ne  humblefTe, 
Of  fownc  of  Inftnimeotcf  of  al  fwctntffe, 
And  ilicreto  fo  wet  fortuned  and  thcwid 
Thai  through  the  world  her  godcncs  is  fhcwid  : 

What  wondir  is  than  though  that  i  bcfettc 
My  fcrincc  on  foche  one  that  may  roe  kjicttc 
To  wclc  or  wo,  fuhc  it  lithe  in  her  might  ? 
Thcrfore  mync  hertc  for  cr  I  to  her  hctte, 
Ne  trewly  for  my  dtth  fhall  I  not  lette, 
To  ben  hi:r  trewift  rcrvant  ajjd  her  knight ; 
1  flattir  nat,  that  may  wcte  every  wight. 
For  ihh  day  in  her  fcivicc  fhall  I  dye; 
But  grace  be  1  f e  her  ncvir  with  eye. 

To  whom  fbal  1  pUiniii  of  my  diftrefTe  f 
VTio  may  me  help,  who  may  my  hcrt  rcdrefle  ? 
Shal  1  complaine  unto  my  lady  fre  f 
Niy,  certit,  for  flie  hath  foche  hevynciTe 
For  fac  and  ckc  for  wo,  that  ai  I  gcffe 


In  litil  time  it  would  her  bane  yb«, 
But  were  ibe  fafe  tt  were  no  force  of  me  i 
Alas  chat  evir  lovin  mote  endure 
For  love  fo  many  per'ilout  avinturf ! 

For  though  fo  be  that  lovin  be  as  trewt 
A;^  any  metal  that  is  forgid  newe, 
tn  many*  a  cafe  'hem  lidtth  oft  forowe  ; 
Somtime  ther  tadie*  wol  nat  on  'bcm  rewe,  { 
Somtimia  if  that  Jeloufy  it  kocuve 
Tlicy  mighan  lightly  Uy  iher  bed  to  I 
Somtime  eovjous  folkc  with  toogit  licr«ii« 
Dcpravin  'hem  :  alai !  whom  may  ihcy  pkic- 
But  he  he  falfe  no  lovir  hath  hi$  efe. 

But  what  availith  foch  a  long  fermo 
Of  avinturis  of  love  up  and  doun  * 
I  wol  retournc  and  fpckin  of  my  palne  : 
The  point  i»  this,  of  my  diflru<^iouQ 
My  right  lady  and  my  falvacioan 
U  in  affray,  and  n*ot  to  whom  to  plaice  : 

0  hertc  fwelc  !  o  lady  fovcraync  J 

For  your  difcfe  I  ought  wcl  fwoun  Asd  f^»tU| 

1  hough  I  none  othir  harme  nc  drede  yfeh- 

To  what  fine  made  the  god  that  fyttc  Us  hk 
Beneih  him  othtr  love  or  companye. 
And  (irainith  folkc  to  love  maugre  thcr  htdl 
A  nd  then  ther  joyc  for  aught  I  can  cfpie 
Ne  iaDith  not  the  twinkeliog  of  an  cyc^ 
Arid  fome  have  ncvir  joyc  til  they  be  ded; 
What  mcnith  this,  what  i*  this  miilibed } 
Whcrto  con  (Irainith  he  hii  folkc  fo  faft 
Thing  to  defirln  but  it  fhould  y}aXi  f 

And  though  he  made  a  Jovir  love  a  thio{| 
And  makith  it  feme  fledfaft  and  during, 
Yet  puttcth  he  in  it  foche  miiavinture 
That  reft  nc  ii  ther  none  in  hi^  ycring; 
And  that  i»  wondir  that  fo  juflc  a  king 
Ydothc  foche  hardiicfTe  umo  his  treturt  j^ 
Thus  whethir  love  brcke  or  ellisdure       " 
Algatii  he  that  hath  with  love  to  done 
Hath  oftix  wo  tl^an  chattngid  ii  ths  i 


THE  COMPLAINT   OF  MAR9. 


mfth  he  hitli  to  lovirf  cnmytc, 
ke  a  fiilier,  at  men  may  a)  day  fc, 
his  anglehoke  with  fome  plefatincc, 
my*  a  fifhc  h  wodc  lo  that  he  be 
ierwithfand  then  at  erd  hath  he 
defire,  and  then* » thai  mifchaunce, 
ough  the  line  ybrckc  he  hath  pcuaunce, 
th  that  hoke  he  woundid  is  fo  fore 
,c  his  wag  is  hath  for  evirniorc. 
broche  of  Thebis  was  of  fnche  a  klnde, 
»r  rubye«  and  af  floties  of  I  tide 
rery  wight  that  fcttc  on  \t  an  eye 
ndc  anone  to  wonhy  out  of  his  mynde; 
the  beautc  >«  ottld  hit  hen  ybvtide 
c  had  hifti  thought  he  muA  ydic; 
hen  that  it  was  his  than  fhouJd  he  drie 
wo  for  drcde  aye  while  that  he  it  had 
reJoigh  for  the  fere  he  fhouJd  be  mad ; 
whan  it  wae  fro  his  pofleJTinii 
lad  he  double  wo  and  paflion 
ic  fo  faire  a  jcwil  hath  iorgo; 
t  this  broche^  ai  in  concltifton, 
ot  the  eaufc  of  hit  coofufion, 
that  wrought  it  rnfor tutted  it  fo 
▼cry  wight  that  had  it  fbould  Have  wo, 
erforc  lu  the  worcbir  was  the  vice, 
.  the  cove i tour,  that  was  fo  nice, 
irith  tt  by  loTirs  and  by  me, 
3Ugh  my  lady  hairc  fo  grcte  beautc 
was  mad  to  1  had  gttte  her  grace 
»  not  caufc  of  mine  adveHitr, 
that  wrcvghtifl  htr,  ai  mpte  1  the, 


sn 


That  put  fo  grct  a  beautc  tn  her  face 
That  made  nie  tovcitin  and  fo  purchace 
Myne  ownu  deih ;  him  wite  1  that  I  die, 
And  mine  unwit  that  er  1  clambc  fo  hie. 

But  to  you  hardy  knrghti.^  of  renowne, 
Sithe  that  ye  be  of  my  dcvifyowne, 
Al  be'  I  not  worthy  to  fo  grct  a  oame^ 
Yet  faine  thcfe  dcrkts  1  am  your  pAtrone, 
Therfarc  yc  ought  have  feme  compaflione 
Of  my  difcfe,  and  take  it  nat  agame. 
The  proudift  of  you  may  be  made  ful  tame, 
WhcHore  I  pray  you  of  your  gcntillefTc 
Tbat  ye  complainin  for  mine  hcvioclTe. 

And  ye»  my  ladyea,  that  ben  ticw  and  flable, 
By  way  of  kitide  ye  ougbtm  to  ben  able 
To  have  pitic  of  folkc  that  ben  in  paitie; 
Nowc  have  ye  caufe  to  clothin  you  in  f^btc  } 
Sith  that  your  emperet  the  honorable 
Is  defolatc  wel  oughtin  ye  to  plainc  \ 
Nowc  fhoude  your  holy  teris  fal  and  raine  :         , 
Alas!  your  honour  and  your  empertce 
Nigh  ded  for  drede  oe  can  her  not  chevice. 

Complainith  eke  ye  lovirs  al  in  fere 
For  her.that  with  unfainid  humble  cherc 
Was  cvir  redy  to  do  you  focour,  * 

CompUinith  her  that  cr  hath  be  yon  dCTe,  • 

Complainith  beaute,fredome,  andmanere, 
Complainith  her  that  cndith  your  labour, 
Complainith  thilke  enfampic*  of  al  honour, 
That  Deviryct  dyd  ought  but  gentilnefici 
Ky tbith  therforc  in  her  fomc  kitidcnclTe. 


1^ 


THE     COMPLAINT    OF    VEHUSi 


THE    COMPLAINT    OF    VENUa 


ncnc  n*ys  fo  high  comfort  to  my  plefkunce, 
Whan  that  1  am  in  my  hevinefle, 
At  for  10  have  kyfir  of  rcmembnitiiDce 
Upon  the  fnanhodc  and  the  worthy nefiie. 

Upon  the  trouthc  «nd  on  the  ftedfaftnci, 
Of  hitn  wbofc  I  am  al  while  I  mayc  dure  ; 
There  ought  to  blamiti  mc  no  cieatnrc, 
ForcTcry  wight  praifith  hifgencllkjire. 

fn  kjm  is  fcKJisnte,  wifedome,  govirnaunce, 
Weil  mtjre  than  any  mann*i»  witte  can  geflc, 
For  Grace  hath  wolde  fo  ferforth  him  aviunce 
That  of  knighthod  be  ia  parfite  richcfic, 
Monoor  honourith  him  for  his  nobleflc, 
Tbcrto  fo  wcl  hath  fourmid  him  Nature 
That  I  am  hit  for  cr  t  him  enfure^ 
For  every  wight  praifith  his  gctitillefle. 

And  natwitJidanding  all  his  rufEfaunce 
Hit  gentil  herte  is  of  lb  grct  humhleflc 
To  mc  in  worde,  in  werhe,  and  in  ccuntenaunce, 
And  me  to  fcrve  it  al  his  bcflncfTc, 
That  I  am  fcttc  tn  very  fykimtfre ; 
Thflf  ought  1  to  bliffc  wcl  mine  avintoor, 
8ith  that  him  liftc  mc  ferv in  and  honour* 
¥or  evtry  wight  praifith  hii  gcntillefle, 

Nowc  ccrti*,  Love,  it  is  right  covcoablc 
That  men  ful  dcrc  abyc  ehy  noble  thinget, 
At  wake  abedde  and  faflin  at  the  table, 
Weping  to  kuj^h,  and  finge  in  compliiinyngea. 
And  downc  to  caftia  vifage  and  lokingcs, 
dftin  to  chaunge  vifage  and  coundnaunce 
Pbye  tn  ilcpinge,  and  dremin  at  the  dauoce, 
Al  the  revers  of  any  gladdc  feling. 

Jeloufy  he  hangkl  by  a  cable, 
She  wolde  al  knowin  through  her  efpiyng, 
There  dorhe  no  wight  nothing  fo  rclbnable 
That  al  n'i*  harme  in  her  ymagtning; 
Thv»dere  ahought  is  I-ovc  in  hit  ycvin^, 
Whichc  oftc  he  yevith  without  ordinaunce, 
As  forowe*  ynough  and  Htil  of  plefaimce, 
Al  the  rcver*  of  any  glade  fcling« 

A  litil  tymc  hit  ycft  in  sgrcable^ 
Bat  ful  accomWrous  it  the  u(ii>gef 
^or  fubtil  Jeloufy  th«  difticvabk 


Pii  oftin  tynte  ycaufith  diftoarhinjje; 
Thus  ben  we  evir  in  dredc  and  ftt^inf  i 
In  no  certainc  we  langtuihen  in  penaaiMC« 
And  have  wcl  oltc  many  in  hanir  mifd 
Al  the  revcr*  of  any  gladde  feling. 

But  certis^Lovc,  I  fayc  not  in  jfochc  wife 
That  for  to  fcape  out  of  your  lace  I  meet. 
For  1  fo  longthave  ben  in  yotir  fervice 
That  for  to  Icte  of  wil  I  ncr  aiTcm, 
No  force  though  jtioulye  me  doc  toanacQt  ^l 
iiiifiiiith  mc  to  I'e  him  whan  t  may. 
And  thcrfbre  ccrti*  to  mine  ending  day 
To  love  him  bcft  (hal  c»e  ncvir  rcpcctS« 

And  ccrtis,  Love,  whan  I  mc  wcl  adfik 
Of  any'  eftatc  that  man  may  reprcfcflt 
Than  have  ye  made  mc  thorough  your  f 
Chefin  the  beft  that  cvir  in  erthe  w€»ts 
Nowe  love  wcU,  hert,  and  tokc  thou  ocvjff  i 
And  Icttc  thcjclotispctte  it  in  aJTaye 
That  for  no  paiac  nc  wol  1  not  fay  nayej 
To  love  him  bcft  (haii  i  nevir  repent. 

O  hcrte  !  to  the  it  ought  ynoughc  fuScv] 
That  Lovefo  hlghe  agncc  hath  to  you  fcat  ] 
To  chofe  the  wurthyiE  in  alle  wil^e. 
And  moft  agreable  to  mine  cntent ; 
:ickith  no  fmhir  n«ithir  way  ne  went. 
Si  til  ye  have  fuBfifaunce  unto  ray  paye  : 
Thus  wol  I  endc  this  Complaint  or  thalay; 
To  love  him  bcfL  thai  1  ttevir  rcpcou 

L*a»vorv* 
Prince*,  reteveth  this  complatnuige  to  f 
Unto  your  excellent  bcnignite 
Dire(^le  aftir  my  litil  futftfaunce, 
For  fide,  that  m  my  fpititcduIUthf 
Haihof  enditingai  tJie  lubtiltc 
Welnigh  bcraitc  out  of  my  rememlimuiCCl' 
And  ckc  to  me  it  it  a  grete  pcnaoscr, 
Jiith  rime  iu  Englifhe  h*th  loche  fcvcrfe. 
To*  folowe  worde  by  wordc  the  cutitAtt 
Of  Gra^fofl,  iloiif  of  'hc9i  that  Bi«kt  io  ir 


THE   LAME  NT  AC  Ion 


OF    MARIS    MAGDALEINE* 


if  takitt  GUt  of  Si.  Ortgen^   wherein  Mary  MagdaUn  kmenUtb  the  €fstet 
death  of  her  Saviour  Cbrift^ 


natD  la  the  wawe  of  moftall  diflreflc, 
for  wo  !  to  whom  fhal  J  compleiti  ? 
ho  fhall  dcvoidc  this  ^ute  hcvinefTe 
nc',  woful  Marie,  wofuli  Magalcin  ! 
rfOrd  is  g^on ;  alit !  who  wrought  this  tcm  ? 
fodaia  chaunce  perfith  my  hcrtc  fo  depc 

nothing  c:in  I  do  but  wailc  and  wrpe, 
^  Lordc  if  gone  that  here  id  grave  was  bled 
hU  grctc  paiTion  and  deth  crudl; 

who  hath  hym  thus  again  bctraied  ? 
hat  mart  here  aboutin  can  me  tc]l 
«  he'  is  become  the  Prince  of  UVaell, 
of  Nu^areth,  my  ghoftly  fuccotir, 
ftrfite  love,  and  hope  of  all  honour ! 
lat  creture  hath  hym  hcnnii  caryirf, 
)W  might  this  fo  fodalnly  btfill  ? 
lid  1  had  here  with  him  taryidi 
To  (hotild  I  have  had  my  purpofe  all : 
ght  oiatmcntes  ful  precious  and  roial, 
c  with  \  hoped  his  corps  to  have  anointed, 
e  tho»  gone  my  miode  is  difapoirt^ed, 
ulc  I  therefore  advcrtifc  and  bcholdc 
pitoiis  channel  here  in  my  prcfcncc 
ttile  marvailc  though  my  hen  be  coldc, 
diryngt  !d  ?  my  Lord*i*  abfcDCC  : 
hA\  1  fo  full  of  negligence 
d  be  fouodin  '  bceaufc  I  ccmc  fo  late 
i«0  roaie  faie  (  am  in  fortunate. 
[lie  of  myforowc  you  maic  tmdirftonde, 
tkitrtmi  D&mittum  mturn^ 
hir  if  that  I  ne  male  htm  fonde, 


Thus  I  miifle  bewaile  dohrao  meam 

With  hcrtie  wepyi tig  I  can  no  bet  deferve 

Till  Deth  appro chc  my  hert^  for  to  kerve. 

My  hcrtc  opprcft  with  fodain  avioturc 
By  fervent  anguiftic  isbcurappidfo 
That  long  thih  life  I  se  maie  not  endure, 
Sochc  is  my  pain,  foch  is  my  mortatl  wa;  ' 
Ncvirthclcffc  to  what  parte  fliall  I  go 
Jq  hope  to  findin  myne  owne  rurttll  true. 
My  Uv'is  joye,  my  fovcrain  Lordc  Jcfu  ! 

Sith  all  my  joyc,  that  I  call  hi*  prdencc, 
U  thu4  removed,  now  I  am  full  oi  moue  ; 
Alas  the  while  I  made  no  providcocc 
For  this  mifhap  '  wherefore  1  figh  and  grout ; 
Succour  to  6nde  to  what  place  might  I  gone  I 
Fain  1  would  to  fome  man  my  hcrte  breke  ; 
I  n*ot  to  whom  I  maie  complain  or  fpckc* 

Alone  I  ftunde  full  forie  and  fuU  fad, 
Which  hopid  to  have  fecn  my  Lorde  and  Kyng  | 
Small  caufc  have  J  to  be  merie  or  glad 
Rcmembryng  this  bittirful  depart y eg  ; 
lf»  this  worlde  oc  is  no  creture  livyng 
That  was  to  mc  fo  goJc  and  gracious, 
His  love  alfo  then  golde  more  prcciou*. 

FuU  fore  1  (igh  without  comfort  again , 
There  is  no  cure  to  my  fabarion. 
His  brenning  love  my  hert  fo  doth  cooi]trau3| 
Aiaa,  here  is  a  wofull  permuiJicion  ! 
Wherof  I  finde  no  joyc  nor  confolacion, 
1  hcrcforc  my  pain  all  onely  to  confciTc 
With  dctit  1  fcrc  woll  code  mj  hcvipcflr* 


s^ 


TH£  LAIVIHNTACION  OF  MARIE  MAOD.iLEtMf* 


This  wannd  nnguifh  isintollerablc; 
If]  bide  here,  life  ciia  I  not  rullaiiii 
If  1  go  heticc  my  palnes  be  UQCurubtc  ; 
Where  him  to  findc  1  knowc  no  place  c<?rtain, 
And  thus  I  nc  wotc  of  thcfe  ihin^is  twain 
"Whichc  I  maic  take  and  which  !  maic  refure  : 
My  hcrt  is  wounded  heron  It*  thinke  or  mufc, 

A  while  1  Ihall Jlandc  in  thji  morowafog 
In  hope  if  any  viflon  would  appcre 
That  of  my  love  might  tell  fomc  godc  tyding, 
Whkhc  into  joy  might  chaungc  my  wcpyng  cKer ; 
1  truft  in  his  grace  and  his  mercy  dcrcj 
But  at  the  left^  though  I  thercwiiti  me  kill, 
I  fhall  not  rp*ire  to  tvuilc  and  w<?pc  my  fiH. 

And  li  that  1  die  Infoche  aviuture 
I  can  no  more  but  welcome  a§  my  chaunce ; 
My  bone%  rtial  reft  here  inthi*  fepukurcj 
My  life,  my  dethi  i%  at  his  ordinaunce; 
It  fhal  be  colde  in  lading  remcmbraunoc  : 
Thus  to  departin  i&  to  mc  nn  fhame. 
And  alfo  thereof  I  'am  nothing  to  blame. 

Hope  againfl  me  fo  hnth  her  courfc  itake 
That  there  is  no  more,  but  thui  (hall  I  die  r 
I  fc  right  well  my  LorJc  hatli  mc  forfake, 
But  ill  my  conccipt  caufc  know  I  nrnic  why : 
Although  he  be  f*rt€  hence  and  nothing  fiy<i 
Yet  my  wofull  hertc  after  hym  doeth  fcke. 
And  caufcth  teres  %r\  rcn  doun  by  my  chckc. 

Thinking,  alas  !  i  have  loll  hi»  prcfcncc, 
Which  in  thisworlde  was  atl  my  fufttnauncc  ; 
]  eric  and  call  with  hcrtie  diligence, 
But  there  is  no  wight  givith  attcndauncc, 
Mc  to  ccrtifie  of  mync  enquiraurice, 
Wherefore  I  will  to  all  this  world  bcwraic 
How  that  my  Lorde  isHain  and  born  awaie. 

Though  that  I  moumc  it  nc  U  nogretc  wonder, 
Sithc  he  i«  all  my  joyc  in  fpcciall ; 
And  nowe  I  thinkc  wc  be  fo  farrc  afondcr 
That  hym  to  fc  I  fere  ncvir  I  fhall ; 
It  hclpith  no  more  aftir  hym  to  call^ 
Nc  alter  hym  to*  enquire  in  any  coftc  i 
Ala*  f  how  is  he  thu*  ygonc  and  lofl  f 

The  JcwisI  thinkc  full  of  mifcrie, 
Yfct  in  malice  by  ther  bufy  cure 
With  force  and  might  of  gilefull  rrccbcric 
Hath  cntermined  my  X.ord'i&  fepukurc, 
And  bornt  awaie  that  precious  figure i, 
Levy  ng  of  it  nothyng ;  if  thci*  luvc  docn  fo 
Marrid  I  am;  alas,  what  fhall  1  do ! 

With  ther  vengeaunce  tnfadablc 
Now  have  thci  hym  gihlef^  cntrctid  fo 
'J'hat  to  rcportc  it  is  to  lamentable, 
Thci  bttc  Kis  bodic  from  toppc  to  the  toe, 
Ncvir  man  wa.%yborne  that  fcltc  foche  woe; 
Thciwoundid  hym,  alu!  with  all  grevaunce, 
The  blodc  doun  rcilid  in  moil  habundauncc  j 

The  blodie  row  is  ftrcmtd  doun  ovir  ail. 
The!  him  alTailid  fo  aialiciouflie 
With  ther  fcourgif  and  ftroki*  bcfUoll ; 
Thci  fparid  not,  but  fmotc  inceffauntlic  j 
To  fati^fic  ther  malice  tlici  were  biiftc  ; 
Thci  fpit  in  his  fiice,  thei  Ihioic  here  and  there  ; 
He  groncd  full  forcj  and  fwete  many  a  tcrvv 


Thei  erounid  hym  with  thornis  tharpe  aad] 
The  vainis  rent,  the  btode  ran  doun  apa^c, 
With  blodc  ovircomc  were  bothe  hii  ryc«$» 
And  bolne  with  flrokis  was  hb  biciHd  £kcS 
Thei  hym  cntrttid  a»  men  without  gncc» 
Thci  knclidto  hym,  and  txiade  many  a  km 
Like  helhoundis  they  have  hym  all  ti*  t<krsc: 

Upon  a  mightic  croilc  io  length  wad  hmkt 
(Thcfe  turmcntours  fhewid  ther  cui ffdndlc) 
Thei  nailid  hym  without  pitic  or  drcdc. 
His  precious  blode  brafl  out  in  largcacJTr, 
Thei  Ar^ined  hym  along  as  racn  nicrdkiTes 
The  vcrje  jointcs  all  to  mync  apparcace 
Rived  aibndir  for  ther  %t€%^  violciice« 

All  &]\%  I  beholding  with  mine  eyen  twiia 
St  ode  there  beftde  with  rufutl  attendatmcc* 
And  cr  mc  thought  he  bcyng  in  ihnf  p^ia 
L^'kid  on  rac  withdedly  coor 
As  he'  had  faid  in  hi«  fpeci.i!  jtax4 

Farwell  Magdalen,  dcfuJt  muu  »  utactbcav 
My  herte  is  t^iufvam  cera  itfit^fMt, 

Whichc  rufull  Dght  when  that  I  gao  b«Mie 
Out  of  my  wittc  I  aUnofte  tljo  diHraught, 
1  tare  my  here,  my  hand  is  vrang  a»d  tMtt 
And  of  the  fight  my  hert  drankc  foclic  adfj;!^ 
That  many  a  fpll  fwounyng  tlicrc  1  caught; 
I  hrufcd  my  bodic  fallyng  on  the  grcmtidc, 
Whereof  I  fclc  many  a  grcvous  wnuBdc. 

Then  thcfc  wrctchia.  full  of  all  frowj 
Gave  h^'u;  to  drinke  eifell  temprid  with  giUj 
Alas '   that  poifun  full  of  bittiraelTe 
My  lov'is  cliere  cauiid  tJtcm  to  appall. 
And  vet  thereof  might  he  not  drmkr  at  alf. 
But  fpake  (hcfv  wordjB,  as  him  thought  tf  bci» 
Fathir  of  he* in  !  tturfymmctum  if. 

Then  knclid  I  dounc  in  paiii* is  outrage. 
Clipping  the  cr ofTc  within  mync  arm  b  \\^ 
Wih  blodc  diftiliid  dounc  on  my  v 
My  clothi*  eke  the  droppis  did  iJ! 
To  have  dyid  for  hym  I  would  ftilJ  J  »ii% 
But  what  fliQulde  it  availc  if  1  d^d  fi> 
Silh  he'  Vi>  ftifpenfut  in  ^jiihtth  P 

And  thub  my  Lordc  full  derc  waa  all  i 
With  blodc,  and  p;uD,and  woi^ndia  in* 
Hit  veinis  brail,  bi^  jointj»  all  ti>.nv< 
Fartyng  afundir  the  JlcHic  fro  tlie  bo 
Bjt  I  fawc  that  he  hing  otx  thciealuiic, 
E'or  i^vm  iuiguti  Jiputattit  rjl. 
Not  like  a  man  but  like  a  leprcus  kc0t* 

A  blindc  knight  men  ycallid  Lcogua 
With  a  fpcrc  aprocbcd  to  my  Soycjiuo, 
Lannfyng  hia  udc  full  pitouiliey  ala*  t 
I'hat  his  precious  hertc  he  dare  in  ti»Mflt 
1  be  purple  blode  eke  Uxi  the  bcrtia  ra^ 
Dounc  railid  right  fall  in  moUc  ruf itll  wif/al 
Wkh  chriftal  water  brought  fro  Pin-ilip" 

When  I  bcheldc  this  wofull  paiBoa, 
I  wote  not  how,  by  lodaio  aviDturc 
My  hcrt  wai>  pcrkd  with  very  compaJHoG, 
That  in  me  remained  co  life  of  r  - 
Strckii  of  dcthc  I  felt  w ithout  m. 
My  deth^is  woundc  I  i        ' 
And  brought  to  pt>ixit 


THE  LAMENT ACION  OF  MARIE  M-^GDALEfNE. 


:  WMadei  the  here,  aod  biodc»  of  my  datiing 
Lew  lUde  iio  my  mem  ^rkl, 
yttir  paiaes  ilfo  of  tourmcDttng 
n  my  ^lduIc  be  gravio  prmcipal ; 
>CTC,  alu !  tiut  vnki  fo  fliarpc  wiUiiU 
Ulid  my  l>erte,  a*  to  my  feUog^ 
lodyandfoutc  were  atdcpvtitig. 
e  a»  I  rai^ht  1  relevcd  up  agsine, 
rcthe  I  coudc  not  vcrv^  wcl  rcftorc, 
^  my  fclf  drowoid  in  fo  grctc  painCf 
»ody'  and  foule  mc  thought  wer  al  to  lore. 
It  failift  gr<rvid  me  right  fore; 
U  1  blcddc,  and  with  my  fellc  I  fared 
c  ihat  for  his  life  nothing  had  cared* 
dngup  untothAt  rufull  rode 
6rft  the  vifage  pale  of  that  figure, 
picousa^ght  fpottidwirh  blode 
atvir  yet  no  livjog creature; 
:Mrdid  the  houndc»  of  mcfurr, 
tnznn'is  mindc  with  al  ht«  wittii  five 
ling  able  that  painc  to  dlfcrive. 
m  gan  1  there  min  armss  to  anbrace, 
clng  my  haodia  ful  mourn  in  gly 
d  and  fore  fobbid  in  that  place, 
lerifi  and  crthe  might  have  h^de  me  aie 
ig,  and  hid  Alas :  inceilauntly, 
7  lwet£  hcrte,  my  goUly  paramour  I 
[  jeay  oat  thy  body  focour  1 
Icflid  Lordc !  how  fierfc  dnd  how  cruel 
cttritd  wiprhtii  cowe  hath  the  yllaine, 
igf  abs !  tby  body  eviridel 
de  within  wounde^  fuU  bytlir  is  thy  pain  ; 
wolde  Ood  that  I  might  to  the  attains 
fit  my  body  taft  unto  thy  trc, 
t  of  this  paitie  tliou  might! A  go  frc  ! 
n  nat  reportc  nc  make  rchcrfaik 
demcntng  with  the  circumilauiice, 
el  1  wotc  the  fpcrc  with  every  naile 
d  my  foule  by  inwarde  rcfembbunce, 
L  nevir  fhall  out  of  my  remcmbrauncc ; 
J  my  life  it  woll  caufe  mc  to  waile 
e  as  1  rcmembre  that  bataile. 
yc  Jewel !  wode  than  doggti  rabiate, 
moved  yoa  thu«  cruilly  him  to'  aray  * 
rir  difplefed  you^  nor  caufcd  debate, 
ove  and  true  hcrtei  he  conveytidayc; 
tchcd,  he  teched,  he  fhcwid  the  right  way, 
ore  yc  lyke  tyrantes  wode  and  way-warde, 
ha^ve  him  thus  yflaine  for  hii»  reward c. 
3tfght  to' have  r erne mbr id  one  thmgfp4*cialp 
irour,  grace,  ^nd  bis  magnificence; 
4  your  prince  borne,  and  iorde  ovir  all, 
be  it  ye  tokc  him  in  fmal  reverence ; 
A  fill  mckc  in  luffring  your  offence, 
liefi  ye  devoured  him  with  one  affent, 
Igry  wulvcit  doth  the  lanibe  innocent. 
Sre  was  your  pite,  *o  pepie  mercikiTc ! 
g  your  fclfe  with  fallhed  and  trefon, 
'IfOrde  yc  have  fhewid  your  wodeneffc, 
o  men  but  beflU  without  refon  ; 
Ailyce  he  fuffiid  for  the  fcfon  j 
nine  wol  come,  oc  thiukc  it  nat  to  ^acke ; 


0  traitoura  and  maintainlri  of  madnefie  ! 
Unto  your  foly*  t  afcribe  aj  mypaine, 

Yc  have  mc  deprived  of  joyc  and  gladneJTe 
So  deling  with  my  Lorde  aad  fovL-raine ; 
Nothing  nc  ihulde  t  ncde  thus  to  complaine 
If  he"  had  lived  in  pcce  and  traoquillite 
Whom  yc  have  Haine  through  your  iniquite. 

Fare  we  1,  your  nobienelTc  that  fomcime  did  rainc! 
Fartiwcl  your  worfhip,  your  glory,  and  fame  i 
Hcrcaftir  to  lyve  in  hate  and  difdatoc 
Marvaile  ye  not;  for  your  trefpacc  and  blame 
Unto  fhanie  is  tournid  ai  your  godc  name  ; 
Upot}  yoii  now  wol  wondir  every  nation 
As  peple  of  a  moll  vile  reputation* 

I'hcfe  wickid  wrctduf,  thefc  bounded  of  hc]| 
As  I  have  tolde  plaine  here  in  this  fentence, 
Were  not  conteot  my  dcrc  lore  thui  to  <|ucl, 
But  yet  they  mull  cmbefilc  his  prcfcncc, 
Ai  I  perceive  ;  by  covert  violence 
They  have  him  convcicd  to  my  Jifplefurc, 
For  here  is  lafte  but  nakjd  fcpulturc  : 

Whcrforc  of  trouth  and  lightfull  jiidg^mentp    . 
That  ther  malice  againe  maye  be  acquit ed, 
Aftir  ray  vcrditc  and  avtfcment, 
Of  falfe  murdrc  they  fhullin  be  endited. 
Of  theft  alfo»  which  fhal  not  be  rcfpited. 
And  in  al  hade  they  Ihaj  be  hanged  and  drawe ; 
I  wol  my  fclfe  picde  this  caujTe  in  the  lawe, 

Alas !  yf  I  with  a  trewe  attcndauace 
Had  fly  I  abiddin  with  my  Lord'ia  corfe. 
And  kept  it  ftil  with  trewe  perl e vera unce. 
Than  had  nat  befal  this  woful  devorfe ; 
But  as  for  my  patne  welcome,  and  no  force  : 
Thi*  fhal  be  my  fonge  where  fo  cr  i  go, 
Departing  ii  the  grounde  of  al  my  wo. 

1  fe  right  wcl  now  in  my  painis  fmrrtc 
There  is  no  wounde  of  fo  grevous  dolour 
A^  ia  the  wounde  of  my  careful  liertc ; 
Stthin  I  have  lode  thus  my  paramour 

Al  my  fwctiieffc  is  tournid  into  four; 
Mirthc  to  my  herte  nothing  nc  male  convey 
But  he  that  bereth  tberof  bothe  locke  and  key. 

The  joyc  excellent  of  bUlfed  P*Lradife 
Maye  me,  alai !  in  no  wife  rc-comforte, 
Songc  of  angel  nothing  may  me  luEFife, 
As  in  min  herte  nowe  to  make  difportc; 
Al  I  rcfufe  but  that  I  might  reforte 
Unto  my  love,  the  wel  of  godelihcde. 
For  vv'hofe  longing  I  trowe  I  Ibul  he  dcd* 

Of  painful  labour  and  tourmcnt  corpo^ral 
I  nc  make  thcrof  none  excepcion, 
P^tlni^of  hcl  I  wol  paffe  ovir  al 
My  love  to  finde  in  myne  affeccion  j 
So  grcte  to  him  is  my  deledacioa, 
A  thoufande  timi^  martrid  wolde  f  be 
His  bleHid  body  ones  if  I  might  fe, 

AbouL  this  worldc,fo  large  in  all  compace^ 
I  fbal  not  fpaie  to  reoue  my  life  during, 
My  fete  alJo  Ihall  not  reft  iu  one  place 
Tyl  of  my  love  E  may  here  fome  tiding, 
For  whofc  ;ibfence  my  handis  nowe  t  wring ; 
To  thinkeon  him  cefc  (hal  nevir  my  minde  ; 
O  gentill  Jefu  \  where  Ihal  I  tbe  findc  ? 


Jcrufulem  I  wol  fcrchc  place  Cro  place, 
Siou,  ihe  Vjilc  of  Jofaphath  alio, 
Aod  if  I  (uide  him  not  in  al  this  fpace 
By  Mount  Oliirct  to  Bech'auy  woil  I  go; 
Thcfc  waics  wol  1  wandir  and  maay  mo» 
Narircthj  B<rthlcem,  Mjunrana  Judc  ; 
No  travailc  ihal  mc  painc  him  ior  to  fe. 

Hisblinid  face  if  I  might  ff  and  finde 
Scrchc  i  woldc  every  cofltc  and  cotintrcy. 
The  htdiil  parte  of  Kgypt  or  hotc  Indc 
ShuJdc  be  to  me  but  a  litit  journey. 
Hnwe  is  he  thu't  govic  or  takin  away  ! 
If  I  kncwe  the  fui  trouch  and  ccrtentd 
Yet  from  thi*  care  rclefid  might  1  be. 

Into  wildirncife  I  thrnlce  bcO  to  go» 
Stthe  I  can  no  more  tidingei  of  him  here. 
There  m»y  I  my  lyfc  led  in  to  and  fro, 
There  may  I  dwcl  and  to  no  man  apere ; 
To  townc  ne  village  woll  I  not  come  ncrc ; 
AJonc  in  wodci,  in  rockes,  and  in  cave*  dcpe, 
1  may  at  mine  owne  will  both  waile  and  wcpe. 

Myn  eyin  twaine  wjthoatin  variauncc 
5hal  uevircefe,  I  promife  faithfully, 
There  for  to  wepln  with  i^ct  abonndaunce 
Byttir  terli  renninj^  iaccffauntly. 
The  whichc  teris  me41id  ful  petoufly 
With  the  very  blodc  cr  ftiall  reanc  alTo, 
EjtprclEng  in  mine  hert  the  grcvoui  wg. 

Worldcly  fode  and  fuftcnauncc  I  dcfirc  none, 
Soche  living  a^  L  tindc  iath  wol  I  take, 
Rotis  that  growin  on  the  craggy  fltmc 
Shal  mc  fuflifc,  willi  watir  of  the  lake ; 
Than  thus  may  I  fay  for  my  Lord'i*  fake, 
Fwrumi  mi<ii  iaerymtr  mcJt 
Jm  iff £rtQ  pants  ^  Ms  ac  maSe, 

My  body  to  clothe  it  maltith  no  force, 
A  mourmng  niantil  {hal  be  fuificieat, 
The  grevout  woundis  of  hit  pitous  corfe 
Shal  be  to  me  a  ful  royal  gamcment, 
He  dcpartid  thusl  am  beft  content; 
H(s  croiTc  with  nailis  and  fcourjjis  withal 
Shal  be  my  thought  and  paine  cfpcciaL 

Thuii  wol  \  live,  ai  1  have  here  ytolde. 
If  I  may  any  longe  time  endure, 
But  I  fcrc  Deth  is  ovir  me  fo  boldc 
Tbatt)f  my  purpofc  I  can  not  be  furc  ; 
My  paiuit  encrclin  without  mefure, 
Tor  of  longe  i/te  who  can  lay  any  refon  ? 
Al  thiii^  In  mortal,  and  hath  but  a  fefou. 

I  figh  ful  fore,  and  it  is  ferre  yfct ; 
Myne  hcrt  I  fclc  now  bled  it  h  inwardly, 
I'hc  blody  teres  1  may  in  no  wife  let ; 
SJthe  of  my  paiuc  1  tindc  so  rciuccye 
I  thank  Gud  of  al  if  that  I  nowe  dye ; 
His  Will  pcrfLHirmid  I  holdc  uie  conrcnt; 
My  foulc  let  hira  have  that  hath  iimc  lert^ 

For  Icngir  to^  endure  it  "is  intollcr^blc, 
My  woful  hcrtc  1%  inflmiid  fo  huge» 
Thjt  no  ftnow  tomync  i»  comparable, 
Sithc  of  my  uundc  i  iW  fiudc  no  rcrugc. 
Yet  I  hi  ill  TL^qutrc  aj»  ^  rightful  juge 
Todevoidc  fiome  the  Inwardc  foiowe, 
Jttcfl  that  I  livatkot  to  the  acxtc  s.oibiT;, 


Within  mine  hert  U  impreflid  ful  fore 
His  royal  forme,  hi«  (happe,  his  femeUiic^ 
Hi»  pnrte,  his  ehere,  his  godenc*  evinuutc* 
Hiji  nobk  perfonc,  with  d  gcodlnet; 
He  is  the  we  tie  of  allcf  parfitni^. 
The  very  Redcmir  of  al  nun  kin  dc. 
Him  love  1  bell  with  hcrte,  mnd  fcmle*  aad  xmid^ 

In  hi«  abfrncc  my  paineiful  bitiir  he. 
Right  wel  t  may  it  fele  nowe  toirardcly, 
Nowondlr  is  though  they  hurte  or  fle  mt^ 
They  canfin  roe  to  eric  fo  rufuUy  ; 
Mync  herte  opprcflcd  is  fb  wondirfully 
Oncly  for  him«  which  ia  b  bright  of  bicg 
AU«.  I  trowe  1  ihal  him  ncvir  fe  '  mi 

My  joye  is  rranllatc  full  farrc  in  ^i£^        -^ 
My  myrthe  it  chaungid  into  paynii  colde  Z 
M;  lyie  I  think  endurith  but  a  while  ; 
Anguifhc  and  paine  is  that  that  I  bchofde, 
Wherforc  my  handis  thus  1  wringc  and  folde; 
Into  this  grave  J  loke,  I  cal,  1  prar, 
Deth  rcmainirh  and  life  is  borne  away. 

Now  mud  I  walk  and  wandir  here  and  tba% 
God  wot  tf>  what  partis  I  flial  me  drelle. 
With  qujiking  hcrt  wqitnge  maoy  a  teve. 
To  feke  out  my  love  and  all  my  fwctnes; 
1  wolde  he  wyfl  what  mortal  hcrior* 
About  min  herte  renewith  more  and  tivor^ 
Thxn  wolde  he  oat  kepe  pite  long  in  fiore. 

Without! n  him  \  may  not  longe  eodure, 
Hi^  love  fo  fore  workitli  within  my  hrdt^ 
And  cr  I  wcpc  before  thlsfcpukurc 
Sighing  ful  fore,  as  mine  hcrtc  (hulde  ybrcft; 
During  ray  lyfc  1  fhal  obtaine  no  reft. 
But  mouruc  and  wepe  where  that  cvir  I  ^ 
Making  complaint  of  al  my  muortai  w(w 

Fall  \  eric,  but  there  is  no  audience. 
My  comming  hidlr  was  him  for  to  plefie* 
My  foulc  opprefk  is  here  with  his  abfȣes  < 
Alas,  he  IIH  not  fee  mine  herte  in  eCc  ? 
Wh  erf  ore  to  paine  my  Celfc  with  al  di£cfe 
1  thai  not  fpare  tyl  he  take  me  to  grace. 
Or  el  He  I  fhal  (Icrve  here  in  thi«  place. 

But  onti  if  that  1  might  with  him  fpcke 
It  were  al  my  joy,  with  parfitc  plefauncc  » 
So  chat  I  might  to  him  myne  herte  breke 
I  (hulde  aaone  devoide  al  my  greraiincei 
For  he*  is  the  blilTc  of  ferf  rccpe%iiis.ce; 
Ikit  now,  ala« !  1  can  nothing  6q  To, 
For  in  ftede  of  joy  naught  have  1  but  «ro. 

His  noble  corfc  within  min  hert*ia  note 
Depe  is  ygravid,  whivhe  (bal  ncvir  (Uke  \ 
Nowe  is  he  gone,  to  what  pUce  I  ne  wocci 
I  mouroe,  I  wepc,  tnd  al  ia  for  his  ikke  i 
Sithin  he  is  pallc  here  a  vowe  I  make 
With  hertcly  promife,  and  therto  mc  binde^ 
Ncvir  to  ccfc  til  that  I  may  him  fiade. 

Unto  his  mothir  I  tliinke  for  to  go^ 
Of  her  haply  fome  comforte  may  1  take} 
But  one  ihinge  yet  me  fcrith  and  o^  mo, 
Yf  that  1  u.  i;  of  him  make 

Of  my  wo  '  \t.  trimhte  atid  ifuake  t  \ 

And  whoiMv-.v  .'u.  .'Upif,(hc  havt&j^  buc< 
The  fofiiic  burne  away  th<;  mvthir  irulmtt 


THE  LAMEXTACION  OF  MARfE  MAGDAl.EiNE. 


nfhftth  Oic  fuffrki  trcwiy 
{he  firft  coucdvidhim  and  biirc, 
11  tli'ngi%  there  be  moft  fpecially 
%oith  her  herl  in  forowe  »iid  t  jrc, 
ill  no  wifo  niiiyf  the/  not  compare 
f  one  now*  the  whlchc  if  that  flic  knew 
c  her  piuniseveriehone  renewc* 
vas  her  ftiroxvc  hy  meriiiis  Ciiyog 
the  tcmptc  Simeon  Jtiftuj 
ohcrthrr  *'■■     rophcfiyng, 

mam  per:  ..,; 

m  HcHjJ.,: ;  .lutu  furtotis, 

dc  purfuid  in  every  pbce ; 
ifc  went  neiihir  mercy  ne  grace, 
^tintid  fore  whan  el-jit  fltc  knewc  himgonc  j 
je  (he  fought  or  fhe  han  foundc  ayen  ; 
:  went  to  deth  his  erofli'e  him  upon 
►  her  fight  a  full  rewful  p'dinc  ; 
r  hon^  t heron  bctweitc  ihcvii  twaine, 
fpcrc  uoto  hia  hertc  thruft  was  rij.;ht, 
jindf  and  rothe  g^rotrodc  there  yplght  i 
ded  and  hlody  in  her  Ittpp*  lay 
cd  body»  hot  he  h?inde»  and  fete  al  tore, 
i  out  and  faid,  Now,  wel^way ! 
If  id  was  nevir  man  before : 
dl  ¥  a*  mftdc  his  body  to  be  bore 
nilturc  here  fnr  to  rcmainc 
i  for  wo  flie  coudc  her  fuftainc. 
Jroweti  fevin  like  fwcrdca  every  one 
iir*s  herte  wormdid  fro  fydc  to  fydc, 
p  kncwe  her  fonfie  thus  y^nc 
liA  worlds  (he  ihcld  wiih  deth  yriJc, 
Hm;  enude  no  Icngir  here  abide, 
;io  more  joy  nor  coisfnbclrjun 
lere  (timdin^  in  thi«  ilacimm  : 
fofc  her  to  k"  I  dure  tsatprrfume; 
prciencc  i  wol  my  ft' Ifc  n:fr»ine; 
I  IdTir  to  dye  and  cnnfumc 
imothlr  fliulde  have  any  more  palne, 
I  her  lonne  I  wokl'c  fe  ful  faiiie; 
encc  was  very  joye  and  f  .vernea, 
ncc  t»but  forowe*  and  hevincfTc. 
\  i*no  more,fith  [  may  him  nat  mete 
deilrc  above  al  othir  thing; 
RuU  take  the  fouirwirh  the  fwete, 
lit  noble  corfe  I  here  no  tiding  ; 
1  I  cite,  and  my  handiaUTing. 
tnc,  ala*l  relentith  al  inpatne, 
wol  yb  raft  in  both  fine  we  and  vjilne. 
howe*  noHwppy  wasthii  woful  hour 
iBthiis;nifjivndid  my  fcrviccl 
entent  and  eke  my  true  labuiir 
:  cfTe^e niay  conic  in  any  wife; 
thliike  if  he  do  me  difpifc, 
not  take  my  finiplc  obftrvaiinre, 
f  no  moiY,  but  deth  it  my  finaunce. 
?  him  called^/-^  Htw  rffp^ii(ftt  mU'ft 
nc  toy  mirth  ii  tournid  to  mourning ; 
lere  l.ord  !  ^afd  malt  J^\  tibi^ 
t  to  comfortc  \  finde  no'  cnhly  thing  ? 
af  e  eompafTion  of  my  criyng ; 

|i||o  more  but  iortf:^mrrt  ms  v/t. 


Within  mync  Fiert  is  groiindid  thy  figure, 
Thut  al  this  woHd'i*  horrible  tourmcnt 
May*  ii  not  afwage,  it*  i&  fo  witliout  mcfure. 
It  it*  fo  brennin^,  it  in  fo  fervent : 
Remcmbir,Lorde» !  have  ben  diltgcnt 
Evtr  tliC  to  plcfronrJy  and  no  moj 
Mync  htrtci*  with  the  where  fo  er  t  go. 

Thcrforc,  my  dere  darling!  ttiihime ^t^U^ 
And  Ictte  m^  not  l>;*ndin  thus  dcfohte  ; 
^.-/j  Hon  ///  qitfi  (ittffjfii't  »rtr„ 
My  lie  hcrtc  lor  the  is  fo  J  i  ft  on  folate. 
My  paine*  alfo  nathing  me  moderate ; 
Nowc  if  it  liO  the  \u  fpekj  wuh  me'  alyva 
Come  in  haft  ;  my  herte  afondir  will  rive. 

To  the  1  profir.  lo !  my  pore  fitvice, 
The  for  tn  plcfe  afcir  mine  owne  catcuc  | 
I  olfrc'here,  as  in  d^rvout  facnfice. 
My  boie  rcpiete  with  precious  oyntmcnt| 
Myne  cymtwatne  w<  ''    -nt, 

Myiic  herte  with  an-i  d  Ii.abiii 

My  fnule  eke  rcdy  fui  in  ^  j   l  ta  pa^^. 

N:iu;4ht  ellt«havc  t  the  lo  pl^fe  or  pay* 
For  il  mm  herte  were  golde  or  preeiou*  ftone 
It  fhuldc  be  thine  without  anydeby, 
Wth  htrtcly  chcrc  thou  ihulde  hive  it  tnonei 
Why  fuHrift  thou  mcthm  to  fland;:  alone  f 
Thou  hjfl  I  trow^e  my  wcpin*  in  difdaine. 
Or  els  thou  knowitl  nat  what  i*  my  paine. 

I!'  thou  withdrawe  thy  noble  daliaunce 
For  ooght  til  at  evir  I  difpldid  the. 
Thou  knowcll  rl^ht  wcl  it  i4  but  i^ortunce, 
\vi\  of  no  linnwlfi^  frir  j  crrtaintt* ; 
H  r  hnvc  olTenfitd,  Lorde,  forgive  it  mt\ 
(Und-if  I  ail  fjr  tn  make  ful  repcntiuncc 
or  all  tiling  that  hath  ben  to  thy  grevaunee. 

Myrte  hcrte^  alis  ?  fw<-Mith  within  my  bref^, 
So  fute  opprcft  with  angniCic  and  with  payne, 
X^hat  rd  to  pcci4  r«->rf«the  it  wol  brcil 
But  if  1  fe  thy  blyflid  corfe  a^ine ; 
For  lyfe  lie  deth  I  can  nat  rae  rcfratne  : 
If  that  thou  nuke  d.liy  thou  maift  be  fure 
Myne  hert  wol  Icpc  into  thi^  fL-puUurc* 

.'\1  IS  my  Lorde,  why  fireft  -hou  thus  with  mc  ! 
My  tribulacton  ytt  hav*  ui  imndcj 
Whctc  iithy  mercy  ?  where  is  thy  pitc? 
WMchc  cvir  \  trullui  in  the  to  findc  : 
SonKtime  thou  w 'ne  to  mc  both  ^odc  and  kinde; 
Lctrc  it  plefc  the  my  prayir  to  accept, 
Whiche  with  my  tcti*  I  have  here  bcwept. 

On  me  tktiu  oughitrt  to  have  very  routh, 
SUh  fur  the  ondyisid  t!ik  mourning, 
Fnr  ♦ith  f  to  the  pli;;hnJ  6rft..'  my  iroutkc, 
T  ijcvir  varyii  w'th  dtTcordin^, 
Ainl  that  knowlrt  thow  bell  my  ^wnc  darjing  \ 
^"Af  eonilraiaifh  thuu  mc  ihiis  for  to  wajlc  ? 
My  wo  forfoihe  tun  the  nothinj^  availc. 

I  have  endurid  without  tanaimce, 
RJfjht  as  thou  kitfiwfl,  riiy  lovii  juft  and  rrrw, 
With  hcrt  and  lliought  aye  :vt  thyn  or Jtiuauncr^ 
Lyke  to  ihefaphire.alwiye  in  one  hcwc; 
I  nevir  woul  le  cha'Jiigin  tlic  for  noncwe  : 
Why  wiihdrawill  thou  the  fro  my  prcfeocc^ 
Sithin*  al  my  thctighi  ii  for  tkint;  ablcacc  { 


With  hert  intier,  fwctc  Lordc  !  I  eric  to  the, 
Zndinc  thine  rres  to  my  pettcioutlf 
An  J  come  vdociter  ex-autft  me  ; 
Rcmcmbre  mine  hcrt'i§  dirpoficioun, 
Ft  may  not  endure  in  this  condictoun, 
Thcrforc  out  of  thefe  paines  fi&''ra  nte, 
Ard  where  ihou  ane  j>o»t  me  juxta  le. 

I^t  me  bcholdc,  o  Jcfu  !  thy  bliflcd  face, 
Xhy  fajrc  thy  glorioosaDgclikc  vifagc  ; 
Bowc  thine  crh  to  my  complaint,  ;ila5  ! 
For  to  convey  mc  out  of  this  wodc  rage  : 
Ala*,  my  Lordc!  take  fro  mc  this  riommag;c ; 
To  my  doClre  for  mtrrcy  condifci^^ndc. 
Jor  non  hut  ih^u  may  my  grcvaunccauieiidr. 

Now  yet.  gode  Lordc  ?  t  The  hefcch  and  pray^ 
Ai  thou  raiilii  my  brothir  Lazwomi^ 
FrDm  dcth  to  life,  that  upon  the  fourth  diy 
Came  ayen  in  body  and  foule  precious, 
As  grct  a  things  mhJX  thou  Ihc  we  unto  ui 
Of  thy  t'eif  by  pftwir  of  thy  godhed 
A«  th'  u  dyd  of  him  lyingc  in  grave  ded. 

Myiic  hert  is  woundid  with  thy  charite, 
Tt  hrcruiiih,  it  flftmith,  incrfTiiutitly  ; 
Come,  Jnydcrc Lordc  !  ad aJjtrttanJum  meg 
Nowc  be  not  longe,  my  paint  to  muUJpUe, 
Lfrt  in  the  nicnc  time  1  dcj^artc  imd  die  ; 
In  thy  fcrace  I  put  hope  and  confidcucc 
To  du  *p  plcHih  thy  magnificence. 

Floditi  of  dcthe  and  tribulacioun 
Into  my  f\-«iilc  I  felc  cntrid  ful  d'-pe, 
AIm^i,  that  here'  i»  no  cocfolaciouo  ! 
£vir  I  waile.  evir  I  mourne  utid  wepe» 
Aud  forow  hath  woundid  myn  hcrt  ful  depe  : 

0  dcre  love  :  no  marvmlc  though  that  I  die, 

*W.\ndi  inge  in  this  place,  a*  in  mrildimcflie, 
T"*  _  '   niifortc  have  I  nc  yet  afl^iinmnce, 

1  ]  . t  c  o f  j oy s,  re pletc  w i th  f ai  ntn c  fle , 

>  fwrrc  rr'CvVfTT;5'  of  mine  cnqutruuncc, 

;  !;    '   fi-  rtv  .'HVi  }/rrvid  with  difpjcfaunce, 
^Vh<  rfor-;  I  may  fuyt »  0  Duti,  Deui  / 
J\'iert  rji  doUrJuui  d^l^r  m^j, 

M}tic  hert  cxprcflith  qu^d diU'tl muiltimt, 
I  may  nat  cndmc  althoiigb  I  wold  fainc, 
For  fi€iVF  fotum  fu^tTiJI  Jr^^ichfttm^ 
1  know  it  right  wel  by  my  Inigd  paine. 
And  thus  for  Imc  I  n^ay  not  life  fullaine; 
But, '»  my  God  !  I  mule  what  aylith  the, 
!^  djh  ttpznU pr^uipitat  mf* 

Al.is!  I  fc'  it  wil  none  orhirwifcbc, 
Kowe  niwft  I  take  my  Kvc  fiaevirmorei^ 
*\\\is  fore  paioa  hath  iiihnofl  difcomhte  mc. 
My  lovc*i>  corfc  1  can  m  nu  wile  reflore; 
Ala?,  to  thi&  wo  that  tr  I  was  bore  ♦' 
W'At  at  thi&tomhe  nowe  niuQ  1  die  and  flarrc, 
Deth  I ^  about m  my  htri  for  to  carve. 

My  tcfttmcot  I  wol  begin  to  make; 
T'l  God  the  Faihir  mv  ii>uk'  I  commenJc, 
T«>jcfu  my  love,  that  dud  for  my  fake, 
My  iicrcc  aiid  al  b'th  I  ^\hl  aiid  yfcrde. 
In  v.hofcdi*fc  hiM-  I    .  ;    :     vn;a]J;th  emlc, 
My  bodyaUii  i*  HI 

I  Icic  bt  iuiihi  I  .  .dojnCmcnt, 


I 


Of  al  my  wiUes,  lo  \  oowe  I  make  the 
Right  in  thii  pUce  within  this  fepulture 
I  w  nil  be  buried  whan  Tm  ded  and  pa(t, 
And  on  my  grave  1  wol  have  this  foiptutC; 
He,e  ^tithim  rtjiith  m  gofihf  frHurt^ 
Chr'^it  trwt  iir^r,  Afmrjf  Aiagd4idf»t^ 

Yc  vcniious  w  -men,  tcndir  of  oatufCt 
Ful  of  pile  And  of  compaHion, 
Rcfnrce  I  pray  you  to  my  fepulfttre 
To  fingc  my  dirge  with  grric  devocion, 
Sh«'wc  your  diaritc*  tn  thi*  condicioo  ; 
Sing  with  pitc  and  let  your  herds  wepe, 
Remcmbriug  1  am  dcd,and  layd  to  flcpc  : 

Than  wh-in  that  yc  begin  to  parte  mclroi. 
And  cndid  h.\vc  your  mouiaiag  obfcnraoocc, 
Rcmembrc  where  fo  evir  Uiae  ye  go 
Aiway  to  ferehc  and  mak^^  due  cnqutrauste 
Afiir  ray  love,  mine  bcrt'ii^  fufUoaui 
In  every  towne  and  in  every  vilUge* 
If  yc  may  here  of  hi»  noble  yma^i 

And  if  it  happc  by  any  grace  at  lade 
That  yc  my  trcw  love  fmdc  in  aoy  coft, 
Say  that  his  ^lagdalcioc  i«  ded  and  p^t. 
For  hii  pute  love  hath  yeldid  up  the  goft; 
iiay  that  of  al  thing  I  krvid  him  moft. 
And  that  I  ne  n\jght  not  thi*  deth  cfchewc. 
My  pajnis  fo  fore  dyd  evir  rent  we, 

Aud  in  tokin  of  love  perpetual. 
Whan  I  am  buried  in  thi*  place  prefect* 
Take  out  mync  hert,  the  very  rote  and 
And  dole  it  within  diis  boic  of  oyntmcist, 
To  my  dctc  love  make  iherof  a  prefect^ 
Kneling  downe  with  wordis  lamentabk 
Do  your  meflagr,  fpckc  fairc  and  treuSk 

Say  that  to  him  my  fclda  I  cuniinende 
A  tliuufand  timJB,  and  with  hcrtc  fo  frc 
Thi*  povir  tokin  fay  lo  him  I  fende, 
Pkfith  his  gtjdcnejTe  to  tike  it  in  grCi 
It  i&  hi*  owoc  of  right,  ii  i»  his  fc» 
Wliichc  he  aikid  whan  he  f^ii-l  If.nop  li^forc 
Gyve  me  thy  hen  and  t  dt 

Adtie,  my  Lordc  i  tay  i 
Adue,  my  turtle  dove  fo  (ftiht:  oi  hue  I 
Adue,  my  mirthc  !  adue,  al  uiyfolace  I 
Aduc,  alai!   my  Saviour  Lordc  Jcfu  I 
Adue,tiie  gcotilliU  that  er  I  knewc^ 
Aduc»my  moll  cicellcnt  paramour 
Fairir  tJiuQ  rofe,fwctirthan  iylly  " 

Ad»c„  my  hope  of  pleiure  etcriul 
My  lyfc,  luy  wdth,  and  my  profpcril 
Mine  hcrtc  of  goldc^  my  pcrlc  oritiiJj 
Mync  adamant  of  pariitc  charitc  1 
My  chtfc  icfugc  and  my  ftlycite  ! 
My  coniforto  and  my  recrca^ioutt ! 
Farcwcl,  my  pcrpcto*t  EiIvaclfOQl 

Fajcwcl,  mi  J  lliaj! 

Aud  moll  bcai  inai] 

Ailue,  my  Lorij     ..i  '   '    ; 

f.irewcl,  my  fwctiA  1 
Sit  loving  a  fpoufc  Ih.i  i  .. 
Aduc,  my  lovcrainc,  very  ) 
Fartwcl,  dcrc  hcrtc  1  a»  hv.     , 


I 


THB  LAMEMTACIOM 

Thy  wordes  eloquente  flowinge  in  fwetnefle 
Shal  no  more,  alas !  my  minde  recomforte, 
Wherfore  my  life  muft  ende  in  bittiracfle, 
For  in  this  worlde  (hal  I  nevir  reforte 
To  the,  whiche  was  mine  hevinly  difporte; 
1  ie,  alas !  it  wol  none  othir  be  : 
Nowe  farewel,  the  grounde  df  al  dignite ! 

Adike,  the  fairift  that  e^r  was  bore ! 
Alas,  I  may  nat  fe  your  bleilid  fsce  ! 
Nowe  welaway  that  I  (hal  fe  no  more 
Thy  bleffid  Tiiagc,  fo  replete  with  grace, 
.  ^herin  is  priotid  my  parfite  foiace  ! 


OF  MARIE  l/EAOVMMmE. 

Adue,  mine  hert'is  rote  and  al  for  ever! 
Nowe  farith  wel,  I  muft  from  the  difcever ! 

My  foule  for  angulihe  is  nowe  ful  thruftys 
I  faint,  I  faint,  right  fore  for  hevines ; 
My  Lorde,  my  fpoufe '  cur  mt  Jereli^ui/h  f 
Sith  I  for  the  fuffre  al  this  diftrefle 
What  caafith  the  to  feme  thns  mercilefle  I 
Sith  it  the  pleleth  of  me.to  make  an  eoda 
In  manus  tua*  my  fpirite  1  commende. 


LI 


i3< 


\ 


I 


I 


I 


THE    FLOURE   AND   THE  LEAFE. 


WRITTEN  BY  GEOFFERY  CHAUCER. 


L 


TUE  A1tC0M£NT.  ' 

A  gentlewoman  out  of  an  arliour  in  a  grove  fecth  a  great  company  of  knights  and  hdict  in  a  { 
tt]>on  the  green  graf&,  the  which  being  ended,  they  aU  kneel  down  and  do  honour  to  the  daj£c^ 
to  the  Flower,  and  fomc  to  the  Leaf :  afterward  this  gentlewoman  teamcth  by  one  of  thcfc 
the  meaning  hereof*  which  U  this ;  they  which  honour  tlie  Flower,  a  thing  lading  wirh  cnsy 
blafl,  are  fnch  as  look  after  beauty  an(3  wordly  pleafurci  hue  they  that  honour  the  X^aip  whA 
ahidcth  with  the  root  nntwithflanding  the  frofl*  and  winter  (lonrii,  arc  they  which  falkMir  nrW 
and  during  ^ualitics^^  without  regard  oC  worldly  rcfjH:di^ 


Wben  that  Phabui  hi*  chair  of  gold  h  hie 
Had  whirlid  up  the  ftcrrie  Jky  aloft, 
And  in  the  Bole  was  tntrid  ccrtaJuly* 
"When  (houri»fotc  of  rain  dtfctndid  foft, 
Cattfing  the  ground  fcl^  timis  and  oft 
Up  for  to  give  many  an  wholcfomc  air, 
And  ercry  plain  ww  yciothid  fairc 

With  oew^  grene,  and  nukitb  fmal!  Hours 
To  fpringin  here  and  there  in  field  and  medt, 
tto  very  godc  and  wholcfumc  be  ibc  fhour#| 
That  they  rencwln  that  was  old  and  dcdc 
In  winijr  time,  and  out  of  every  fcdc 
Springilh  the  herb:*!  fo  that  every  wight 
Of  this  fifon  wexith  richt  glade  and  Iicht£ 

And  ]  fo  gUdi  of  the  fcfon  Avete, 
Was  happid  thus ;  uptm  a  certain  night 
A«  1  lay  in  my  bed  Hcpe  full  unmetc 
Was  unto  me,  but  why  that  f  nc  might 
Reft  I  ne  wift,  for  there  n'a^  crtbly  wight 
[As  Ifuppofe]  had  more  of  bcrtisi  rfc  . 
Than  1,  for  I  n'ad  fteknciTt  nordifcfe; 


Whi^rcforc  T  memilc  grctly  of  my  Mi 
That  1  fii  lor.^withotitirf  flcpclay. 
And  up  1  mfe  thrc  hnurj!^  Aftir  twcKcj 
About  the  fprirging  of  the  gladfome  day, 
And  on  1  put  my  gear  and  mine  any. 
And  to  a  plefaunt  grove  I  gan  to  pat 
Long  or  the  bright  fonne  upriCn  wa». 

In  which  were  oki^  grcte,  flreight  aiaJlne, 
Undir  the  which  tJic  grafi  fo  freflic  of  hfw 
Wai  newly  fprong,  and  an  eight  foie  or  oiae 
Every  tre  well  fro  hts  fLtlovr  grew, 
With  braunchi^  brodc  bdin  with  IcTt*  new, 

PThnt  fprongin  out  agcn  the  fonne  (henir^ 
Some  very  rede,  and  fomc  a  glad  light  grere, 

Whieh  [as  me  thought]  wa*  a  right  petMMM 
And  eke  the  bird  it  L.^gh  for  to  here  [C^l 

Would  have  rrjoiCd  any  crtbly  wighf. 
And  I,  that  coruth  not  yet  in  no  xnanere 
Hcrin  the  nightingale  r.f  all  the  yeic, 
Full  ^^wfily  herk'itid  with  hen  aiul  ac 
If  I  her  voice  peicevc  touid  any  v  bcrt  i 


m 

1 

'H 
M 


J^ftn   FLOURE  AND   THE   LEAFE. 


[  t  pit^  of  litil  lirtde 
that  grctly  had  not  iifid  he, 
(rgrowin  was  with  ^afs  and  wede> 
II  uuncthis  a  wight  might  it  fc ; 
[  I,  this  path  fomc  whiciir  doth  pardc ; 
I  follow  id  till  11  me  broujjht 
hi  plcfautjt  herbir  wtrl  ywrought, 
h  ihat  benchid  wai,  and  with  turfit  new 
tunridi  whereof  the  grcn^  graf< 
,fo  thick,  fo  fhon,  fo  frelh  of  hew, 
ifk  like  to  grcnc  woU  wot  f  it  was; 
^  nlfop  that  yedin  in  compa,^ 
Hd  in  nWc  the  grene  htrbcre, 
;amur  wa«  fct  ^iid  eghtcrc 
ilain  fcTc  fo  weU  and  cuaningty, 
cry  brauach  and  left  grew  by  mcfurc 
a  bord,  of  an  height  by  and  by  ; 
if  a  thing  [I  you  cnfurc] 
ydonc,  for  he  that  tokc  the  cure 
make  [I  trowc]  did  all  hi*  peine 
:  it  pus  all  tlio  that  min  haTc  feine, 
bapin  was  this  hcrbcr  rofe  and  all 
ictfy  parlour,  and-alfo 
gc  ;s  thick  as  is  a  caflil  wall, 

10  that  lift  without  to  ftond  ur  go, 
le  wold  all  day  pryin  to  and  fro 

Id  not  fc  if  there  were  any  wight 
>r  no,  but  one  within  well  might 
re  all  tho  that  yoin  there  without 
field,  that  wa»  on  every  fide 
with  corn  and  grafs,  that  out  of  doubt 
Would  fekin  all  the  worldc  wide 
I  feldc'  could  not  be  efpyde 
<  coft,  a^of  the  quantity, 
y  godc  thing  there  was  pk'nty. 
,  that  all  thcfc  pltifaunt  fpt;htii  fe, 
:  faddainly  I  fell  fo  fwctc  an  air 
glentere,  that  cerrainly 
IJO  hcrt  [I  deme]  in  fuch  difpajr, 
fith  thoughiift  froward  and  conirairc 
ltd,  but  it  ihould  fone  have  bote 
onis  fc!e  tint  favour  fote. 

1 1  (lode  and  cafl  aCde  mine  eyt 
iTC  of  ihc  fairlft  mcdfer  ire 

r  yet  ill  all  my  life  I  fe, 

i  blo(rouii»  as  it  might  be, 

%  ^'oldSnch  iepin^  pretily 

ugh  to  bough,  and  a*  him  lift  he  etc 

1  there  of  huddts  and  flourts  fwctc. 

J  the  herbir  fids  was  adjoyniiig 

ill  trc  of  which  I  have  you  told, 

lelafl  the  bird  btgan  to  fing 

le  had  cTin  what  he  ctin  would] 

g  fwctdy  that  by  many  fold 

0rc  plelttunc  than  I  couth  devife ; 

-    ^      r  in^  W3S  cndtd  in  this  wife 

.lijwithfo  mcry  a  note 
.,  .....,,  :hat  arid  the  wode  yrong 
lly,  that  a§  It  were  a  fote 
ftonted,  and  was  with  the  fon^ 
raviHiid,  th.it  till  Ute  and  long 

in  what  place  I  wat  ne  where, 
thought  ftic  fong  c*eii  by  mine  ere : 


Wherirfore  1  waited  about  buGIf 
On  tvcry  fjdc  if  1  her  might  fe. 
And  at  the  laft  1  gan  full  well  cfpy 
Where  fhe  fate  in  a  frelh  grene  laury  trc^ 
On  the  furthir  fide  cvin  right  by  me. 
That  gave  fo  paflinga  delTCiousfmell, 
According  to  the  eglantcrc  full  well; 

Wlicreof  I  had  Jo  inly  gretc  plefure, 
As  mcthought  I  furely  ravifhid  was 
Into  Paradife,  wherein  my  delire 
Wa&  for  to  be,  and  no  ferthir  to  pas 
Aifor  that  day^and  on  the  foti-  grafj 
1  fat  me  down,  for  ai^  for  mine  cntcnt 
The  birdi*  fong  was  more  convenient 

And  more  plcfaunt  to  me  by  many  fold 
Than  mete  or  drink,  or  any  othir  thing, 
7  hereto  the  herbir  wa*  fo  frelh  and  cold. 
The  wholfome  favours  eke  fo  comforting, 
That  [as  I  demid]  Cth  the  beginning 
Of  the  world t  was  ncvir  fecn  cr  than 
So  plcfaunt  a  ground  of  none  erthly  man» 

And  a*  1  fat  the  birdis  herktfning  thu^^ 
Mcthought  that  1  herd  voicis  fuddainly, 
The  moft  fwctift  and  moil  delicious 
I'hat  evir  any  wi  jht  I  trow  trewly 
Hcrdin  in  thcr  life,  for  the  atmony 
And  fwetc  accord  was  in  fo  godc  mufike 
That  the  voicis  to  angcU  moft  were  like. 

At  the  lall  out  of  a  grovt  evin  by 
[That  was  right  godcly  and  plefaunt  to  ffgbt) 
I  fc  where  there  came  fmging  Inftily 
A  world  of  ladies,  but  to  tell  aright 
1  her  beauty  gretc  lyith  not  in  my  mightj 
Kc  thcr  array;  ntvirtheltft  I  Ihall  , 

TrJl  you  a  purt,  tho*  I  fpekc  not  of  all ! 

The  furcots  white  of  velvet  well  fitting 
Thty  wcrin  clad,  and  the  femis  cche  one, 
A«  it  wcrin  a  mannir  garnifhing, 
Was  fct  with  emeraudls  one  and  one 
By  and  by,  but  many  a  rich?  Ihmc 
Was  fet  on  the  purfilis  out  of  dotrt 
Of  collour*.  flcves,  and  traimy,  round  about ; 

As  of  grcte  pcrli*  round  and  orient,* 
And  diamondisBne  and  ruby*  red. 
And  many  othir  ft  one  of  which  1  went 
The  nami$  now;  and  evcrich  on  her  hedf? 
A  rich  fret  of  gold,  which  withoutin  drcdt: 
Was  full  of  flately  nch  ftonys  fct. 
And  ev^ry  lady  had  a  chapelct 

On  thcr  hedia  of  braunchis  frefh  and  grcllr*. 
So  wclc  ywrought,  and  fd  marvcloully, 
lliat  it  wai  a  right  noble  fijjht  to  fene, 
Some  of  laurir,  and  fomf  full  plcfaunt ly 
Had  chap^lcts  of  wodcbind,  and  fadly 
Some  of  agnus  callus  werin  alfo, 
Chaplcts  frelh  ;  but  there  were  many  of  tho 

I'hat  dauncid  and  eke  fong  full  lobirly. 
But  all  thcj  ycdc  in  maner  of  compacc  i 
But  one  there  yede  in  mid  the  company 
Sfih  by  herfelf ;  but  all  followed  the  pace 
Tluu  fhe  kept,  whofe  hevinly  figured  fece 
So  plcfaunt  wa*,  and  her  wele  fliape  perfol 
That  ul  beiaty  Jhe  pail  them  ef  erichone. 


Hi 


THE   FLOURE   AND  THE  LEAFE. 


I 
I 
I 


I 


And  more  lichlj  befeen  bv  manyfold 
?  he  WW  alfo  in  every  nianir  thing  ; 
Upon  her  hcdc  full  plefaunt  to  behold 
A  coron  pf  god  rich  for  any  king, 
A  brawnch  of  agnus  caftut  rkc  berin^ 
In  her  hand,  and  to  my  fight  trcwily 
She  lady  wa«  of  all  the  company  ; 

Anil  (he  bcgiin  a  roundcll  ludlily 
That  Sui  UfoyU  dt  ^:ri  moj  men  call 
Bin*  U*  monJQty  cmur  tfl  enJormy, 
And  than  the  company  anfwerid  aH* 
IVith  Toicis  fwcte  entunid  and  fo  fmall. 
That  methnught  it  the  fwetcft  melody 
Thatevir  I  herd  in  my  life  folhiy. 

And  thus  they  all  cawc  daunctng  aod  ^n^ug 
Into  the  middiR  of  the  mede  echonc 
Before  the  herbir  where  1  was  fitting. 
And  God  wot  I  thouj^hi  1  wasp^^cU  iiig:onc. 
For  than  !  might  aviirr  them  one  by  oi>e 
Who  faLrift  wa»,  who  beft  eould  dan**e  or  Gng, 
Or  who  mofl  wornanly  was  in  all  thing. 

They  had  not  danocid  but  a  little  throw 
When  that  I  herd  not  fer  of  fodaut  y 
So  gretc  a  noifc  of  thnndrring  ir«n;pi?  hlow 
A^  though  it  ihould  have  depurhd  ilic  Ikic, 
And  aftif  thit  within  a  while  I  He 
From  the  fame  grove  where  the  ladies  came  out 
Of  men  of  armis  coming  fnch  a  mut 

As  all  mcti  on  crth  had  htn  aUcmhlid^ 
On  that  place  well  hnrfid  for  the  rom», 
Stcring  fo  fall  that  all  the  crth  trc-mbltd; 
But  for  to  fpeke  of  richii  and  Oonis« 
Axiii  men  and  horfc,  I  trow  the  large  wonis 
Of  Prctir  John^  ne  all  hi*  trefory, 
M^^ht  notuoneth  have  bought  the  tenth  party. 

Of  their  array  whofe  lift  to  here  more, 
I  fhall  reherfe  fo  a^  T  can  a  lite, 
Out  of  the  groTe  that  [  fpeke  of  before 
I  fc  come  firfl,  all  in  their  cloki*  white, 
A  Cf«mpany  that  wore  for  thcr  delitc 
Chapclets  frefh  of  okis  ferial 
But  newly  fprong,  and  tninipets  were  thcj  »ll| 

On  every  rr\imp  h<in|;ing  a  broJc  banncrc 
Of  fine  ta^tarium,  full  richly  bete, 
Every  trumpet  hia  lord' is  armi«  here 
About  thcr  neckis^  with  grctc  perl  is  fa^, 
CoUarif  brode,  for  coft  they  wou'd  not  IctCj 
i  A»  it  w*rtuld  fecm,for  thcr  fcochons  echonc 
Were  fet  ab»ut  with  many  a  precious  ftonc  ; 

Jher  horGi  hameis  was  all  white  alfo ; 
And  aftir  them  next  in  one  company 
Camin  kinp^tii  at  armit  and  no  mo, 
In  dokis  of  white  cloth  with  gold  richly, 
Chapicu  of  grenc  on  thcr  hcdi  on  hyc. 
The  crowuis  that  they  on  iher  fcotchon^  here 
Were  fct  with  perl,  and  ruby,  jnd  faphetc, 

An  J  eke  grete  diamoadi»  many  one  ; 
But  all  thcr  horlii»  harnci&  and  other  gcre 
Was  in  a  futc  according  t%'erichone, 
At  ye  have  hctd  the  furefiid  trumpet*  were. 
And  by  fcming  they  weic  nothing  to  Icrc, 
Arstl  thcr  guiiling  they  did  Co  manirl)  ^ 
Aud  *fur  chcm  c^mc  agrci  company 


Of  hcrxtudeis  and  puriiEVZuntii  ckei 

Arrayid  in  clothis  of  white  vcWct, 
And  h^fdiljr  they  were  nothing  t«i  CAe 
How  they  on  them  ihouJdin  the  hamm£ct. 
And  every  man  had  on  a  chapclet,  | 

Scotchoni^  and  eke  horfe  hArDci»  m  de6t 
They  had  in  fute  of  them  that  'fore  them  jeiu 

Next  after  thefe  appcrc  in  armour  bright, 
All  fave  thcr  hcdis  lamely  knijrhtii  nifi<. 
And  every  cbfp  and  nail,  a»  [  I 

Of  thcr  harnei*  were  of  red  ^^  I 

With  cloth  of  goM,  and  fuvj  i  lur,     ' 

Wrrc  the  tappnuri"  '>f  their  ir 

Both  wide  and  Wgc,  that  to  ti. .  ^ ^  ihdhmf^ 

And  every  bofs  nf  bridle  and  pairrel 
That  they  bad  on  vr^t  wurih.  u*  I  would  weac, 
A  thoiifand  pound ;  itnd  on  thrr  hedi«  well 
Drcflid  were  crounisi  of  ihe  burir  grenc. 
The  heft  vraade  th,it  cvir  I  had  fene; 
And  every  knijfht  had  aftir  him  ridijJg 
Thrc  Ji       '  '■  ''     j-on  him  awainin;^; 

or  V,  on  a  ikon  eruucima 

Hi*  lor n,-.  U  4.11   i    I.  ..  fo  rich?*-  -J    -^* 
That  thf  worfl  of  thtm  wa«  -nfLAfi^ 

Ol  any  king;  the  iccond  a  (In ,  .^  ; 

liar^  at  hi^hack;  thr  thred  barm  uprtghc 
A  mighty  fptrr,  full  fbaip  ygrounu  and  k^tfffl 
And  cv  ry  child  Wi»rc  of  lcvi» grenc 

A  frefh  chap*lct  upon  his  hatris  bright; 
And  clnkis  wJutr  of  fine  velvet  they  were, 
Thcr  iVedis  tmppid  and  arayid  right. 
Without  difference  as  ther  lurdii  were; 
And  aftir  them  on  many*  a  frefh  courfere 
There  came  of  armid  knighti«  fuch  -    -  • 
That  they  bcfprad  the  large  field  V 

And  &I1  they  werin,  aftir  tlicr  ^ 
Chappelet*  new,  or  made  of  laurir 
Or  fome  of  okf,  or  fomc  of  o:hir  tr 
Some  in  ther  hondis  harin  boughis  fhcne, 
Sonjc  of  laurir,  and  fomc  of  okl*  bene. 
Some  of  hawthorne,  and  fomc  of  the  wcfdebiil4 
And  many  mo  which  I  Iwve  not  in  mind. 

And  ip  they  came  th<-f  horfe  fiefhly  Alning 
With  bloudy  fownis  f»f  thcr  trompi*  toud; 
There  ft  I  many'au  uncouth  difgutling 
In  the  array  of  thilk-^  krighti*  proud  ; 
And  at  the  lafl:  a«  evenly  as  they  coud 
They  tokr  thcr  place  in  middis  of  the  me4ea 
And  every  knight  tut nld  hi»  horfu  hede 
To  hii  fclow,  and  lightly  Laid  a  fpcre 
Into  the  reft,  and  fo  Juftis  began 
On  evVry  part  aboutin  here  and  the^re  j        fl 
Some  brake  hi^  fpere,fome  threw  down  hmktti 
Abnu*  ti      '1  '         r      ^     '-^  .^  J 

And  r 

1  yon  '-. .. 

And  fo  the  |Uli 
PtK  tho  that  ero .  i 

Did  wm  the  prifc  j  thr  u 

That  there  w^nonc  «; 
Aiid  the  jufttfi^  iiWt  wi*  JvJ- 
And  fro  thcr  horfe  the  nine  . 
And  |o  fLsX  all  the  roniiatiat  oc/iiCkonr^ 


ur  ati4  mettp 

•  1  »'jr  If  i*fr9€ 

iVre 

uflt^ 


THE   FLOURE    AND  THE   LEAFE- 


I  {ortb  they  yedc  togidir  twain  iind  twain, 

:o  behold  it  wa%  a  worthy  fig^ht, 

nd  the  ladies  on  the  gren^  plain, 

"ong  and  dauncid,  as  I  faid  now  right ; 

idies  aj  tone  as  thcf  godtfly  might 

brakin  off  both  the  fong  and  the  daunce, 

edc  to  mctcthem  with  full  gladremblatioce : 

I  ercry  lady  tokc  full  womanly 

:  hond  a  knight,  and  fo  forth  they  ycde 

I  fiire  lanrir  that  A  ode  fall  by, 

icvis  laid,  the  houghi»  of  gretc  btedc, 

>  my  dome  thcr  ncvir  wa*  indcrfc 

1  that  had  fcne  Half  fo  faire  a  trc, 

idiroeth  it  there  might  well  have  be 

hundrid  pcrfons  at  thcr  own  plefaunce 

Bvid  fro  the  hcte  of  Ph<rbu»  bright, 

t  thry  Ihouldin  have  felt  no  grevauncc 

r  for  raia^  ne  haik,  that  them  h«rt  might ; 

i\v\iT  ckc  rejoice  would  any  wight 

led  be  fick  or  melancholic  us, 

fo  very  godc  and  vertuous, 
I  with  grcie  rcv'r«ncc  tht-y  encljtiid  low 
ihc  ire  fo  Ibtc  and  fair  of  hew, 
Etir  ihat  within  a  litil  throw 
all  hcgin  to  fmg  and  daunce  of  new; 
fong  of  love,  fomc  plaining  of  untrcw, 
>ning  the  trc  that  ftodc  upright, 
vir  ycdc  a  laHy  and  a  knight. 
I^t  die  lalL  f  call  mine  eie  afide, 
'IS  ^arc  of  a  lully  company 
rame  roming  out  of  the  fdde  wide, 
lADd  In  honda  knight  and  a  lady, 
idic}  all  in  furcotes,  that  richls' 
id  were  with  many  a  rich  flone, 
very  knight  of  grcnc  ware  mantli»  on, 
broolid  wcle,  fo  as  the  furcott  were, 
'vcrich  had  a  chapelet  on  her  hed, 
h  did  right  wcle  upon  the  (bining  here] 
1  of  g#dcly  fl«uris  white  and  red, 
nightifc  ckc  that  they  in  hondc  led 
£  of  them  ware  chaplets  everichonc, 
lefore  them  went  minltreU  many  one, 
harpi%pipis,  lu(i»,  and  fautry, 
n  gren^,  and  on  iher  bcdis  bare 
lorie  fiouri»  made  fulJ  crafrtly, 
Bfute,  godcly  chapleti  they  ware* 
Rlftuncing  into  the  mcdc  they  f-re, 
1  th«  which  they  f«und  a  tuft  that  waa 
rirfprad  with  flnuri»  in  compa», 
,crcto  ihcy  cndined  everichonc 
grctc  rcYcrcncc,  and  that  full  humbly  ; 
it  tkc  Uft  there  tJ^o  began  anon 
p  for  to  (ing  right  womanly 
-  r    '  ncr  the  dailie, 

,imong  her  noti»  rw<te 

,  .  .  ,  ... —   ,,  -J  AItitgjr£t£  I 

m  they  alii  anfwcnd  her  in  fere 

ttogiy  Will  and  fo  pkfaunrly, 

rt  W3k  a  moil  bliifull  nolle  lo  here ; 

.'not  how  it  huppit),  Ibdainly 

OFiit  nnhc  the  fonn  ft*  ftrventlf 

liote  that  the  pretty  trndir  fiouret 

~L  the  beauty  o/  their  ficOi  cclicprfb 


For  Hironke  with  hcic  the  ladjc*  eVe  to  brent, 
Thaf  they  ne  will  where  they  them  might  bellow, 
1  he  ki.ightiji  fwclt,for  lack  of  ihade  nie  flicat, 
And  afir  that  within  «  litil  throw 
The  wind  began  fo  fturdiiy  to  blow  _ 

That  down  goth  all  the  Huwris  everichonc. 
So  that  m  all  rhe  mcdc  there  laft  not  one. 

Save  fuch  as  fuecoured  wrr«  among  the  levef 
Fro  efcry  ftormc  that  mighte  them  aHaile, 
Growing  urdir  the  hcggis  and  thick  grcvcs; 
And  aftir  that  there  came  a  ftomie  of  haile 
And  rain  in  fcrc,  fo  that  withoutin  failc 
The  ladies  nc  the  knightis  n'ade  o'  thrcd 
I>Tf  on  them^  fo  drooping  wet  w^ia  ther  wedc. 
Ami  when  the  ftormc  wa»  dene  pafltd  away 
Tho  in  the  white,  thai  (iot'c  undir  the  trc. 
They  felt  nothing  of  all  the  grctt-  affray 
That  they  in  grcne  without  had  inybc; 
1  o  them  they  ycde  for  routh  and  for  pite, 
Thcni  to  conjtort  aftir  their  gretc  difcfc, 
So  fain  they  were  tr.c  hclplcffe  for  i&  cfe. 

Than  t  wai  ware  how  one  of  them  in  greno 
Had  on  a  toron  rich  and  wcU-ftttjng, 
Whcieforc  [  dcmid  M'cll  flic  was  a  nuenc 
And  tho  in  j:rene  on  her  were  awaiting; 
The  ladies  then  in  white  that  were  coming 
Toward**  them , and  the  knightis  rn  fcrt*, 
Began  to  comfort  them  and  make  thctii  oherc- 

The  quenc  in  white,  that  was  of  grete  beauty, 
Toke  by  tlic  hoodc  the  qucnc  that  was  in  grcnc, 
And  fddc-jSuftir.  I  have  gretc  pity 
Of  your  annoy  and  of  your  troublous  tenc 
Wlicrcin  jc  and  your  company  have  bene 
So  Inng,  alas  and  if  that  it  you  plefc 
To  go  with  mc  \  (hall  do  you  the  cfc 

In  al  the  plciure  that  I  tin  or  may; 
Whereof  that  othir,  humbly  yi«  ftjc  might, 
Tha^kid  her,  for  in  rij^ht  evil  array 
She  was  wjth  ftormc  and  hetc  I  you  bchJght  | 
And  every  lady  then  anon  right 
That  were  in  white  one  of  them  toke  in  grene 
By  the  hond,  which  when  the  kni^htithad  fcne 

In  like  manireche  of  them  toke  a  kni|rht 
Clad  in  the  grcne,  and  forth  with  them  they  far© 
To  an  heggc,  where  that  they  anon  right 
To  makin  thcfc  juftif  they  would  not  fparc 
Eoughii  to  hew  down,  and  eke  trcet  to  fquare. 
Wherewith  thry  made  them  ftately  firii  gretc 
To  dry  ther  ctothis,  that  were  wringing  wctc  : 

And  aftir  that  of  herbis  that  there  grew 
They  made  for  blilHrs  of  the  fonne  brenning 
Ointmentis  very  gode^  wholfome  and  new, 
Where  that  they  ycdc  the  Cck  faft  anointing; 
And  aftir  that  they  ycde  about  gadring 
Plrfant  f^hidi*,  which  they  made  them  etc 
For  to  rcfrcttie  thtr  grctc  unkindely  hetc. 
Ihc  lady  of  thcX^cfi  then  gan  to  pray 
Her  of  the  Fiourc  [for  fo  to  my  feming 
They  (honld  be  callid  as  by  thcr  array  | 
To  foupc  with  her,  and  eke  far  any  thing 
1  hat  fhc  (hould  with  her  all  her  pt-pill  bringc, 
And  /he  ayen  in  nght  godely  mancre 
Thaiikith  ha  fail  of  her  moft  frendiy  there^ 
J-  \  iii^ 


THE  l^LOURE   AND   THE   LEAFR 


Say  m^  pUir^ly  that  ilic  would  (tbay 
Viith  all  her  hcrt  all  her  comnun'liimem; 
And  rl»cn  anon  without  Icngir  dfKiy 
The  lady  of  the  Lcfe  hath  oncyfcnt 
To  brirJi^j  a  palfrny  ifiir  her  intent, 
Arruyid  wcli  iti  nur  KafDcis  of  gold. 
Fur  nothing  bckid  that  to  him  long  (hold  : 

And  aftir  that  to  all  her  company 
She  made  to  purvey  horfc  3in\  every  thing 
That  thtry  ncdid.  i.nd  then  fuU  haillUy 
Even  hy  the  hcrbir  where  I  w.ia  fitiing 
They  })uf!'jd  jill,  (a  merrily  flitting 
That  it  would  have  comfortid  any  tvfght : 
But  then  I  fe  a  paHing  woiidir  fight, 

For  then  the  nightingale,  that  all  the  day- 
Hid  in  the  Iiitrir  fete,  acKl  did  her  mijfht 
The  whole  fcrvicc  to  fing  loftg^inj!^  to  May^ 
All  fdd.^inly  betran  to  take  her  flighty 
And  to  the  lady  ortlic  Lt'fc  fonlinght 
She  fl'-w,  :ind  let  her  cfi  her  hand  li^ltly^. 
Which  wa«  a  thing  I  mcrvi*ird  at  grctly. 

The  goldfinch  eke,  that  fro  the  medlar  tre 
Was  fled  for  hctc  unto  ihc  bulhi*  et'ld, 
Unio  the  Udy  of  the  Flovvrc  gan  lie. 
And  on  her  hond  he  fet  liini  as  he  wokJ, 
And  picfauotly  hti  win^^teg^n  to  fold. 
And  for  to  fing  they  peine  ihctn  both  as  fore 
A f  they  had  do  of  ail  the  day  before. 

And  To  thcfc  ladic*  rode  forth  a  ^rete  pace, 
And  all  the  rout  of  knightis  eke  in  fere  ; 
Atid  1  that  had  fcne  nil  this  wondir  cafe 
Thought  that  I  would  allay  in  fome  manere 
To  knew  fully  the  ti-onth  of  t];is  naattcre, 
And  what  they  were  that  rode  fo  plcfauntly  : 
And  when  ihey  were  the  herblr  pafhd  by 
t  dreft  mc  forth,  and  happid  nittc  anon 
A  r'^l^t  fair  lady,  I  do  you  enfure, 
And  fhe  came  riding  by  her  felf  alone, 
Alie  in  white,  with  fcmblaunce  full  demure  ; 
I  h»r  Tvlued,  had  her  godc  avinterc 
Moic  her  befall,  as  I  cjud  mnU  humbly, 
And  fhe  anfwcred.  My  d^ughiir,  gratnercy  ! 

Madamo,  qwalh  1,  if  that  1  durft  cnc|ucrc 
Of  yoti,  I  wold  fain  of  thnt  company 
Wit  what  they  be  lh,\t  paiRd  by  this  harbcre. 
Aod  fhc  ayen  anfwcrid  rijrht  frendly. 
My  doughtir,  all  tho  Uutt  paflid  hrrcby 
In  while  clothing  be  fciTantseverichone 
Uoio  the  Lcfe.  and  J  my  fclf  am  one. 

Sc  ye  not  her  that  crownid  is  (quod  flie) 
Alio  in  white  ?  Mad«me,  then  quod  I,  Yc». 
That  is  Dian,  goddcft  of  Chaftity , 
And  for  bicaufc  that  {he  a  maidin  is 
Into  her  hond  the  branch  fhc  berith  this 
That  agnuf  callus  mto  caiU  propirly  | 
And  all  the  ladien  in  her  contpany 

Which  yc  fe  of  that  hcrbc  chaplct^i  were 
Be  fuch  as  han  itlwey  krpt  maidinhede, 
And  all  they  that  of  laurir  chaplets  here 
Be  fuoh  at  hardy  were  in  manly  dcde, 
ViAoriout,  name  which  nevir  inay  be  dcde 
And  all  they  were  fo  worthy  of  their  hondc 
111  their  time  that  do  one  mi^ht  them  withftondc ; 


*        I! 


And  r ho  th«t  were  chapel::!*  OQ  tktr  kldt 
Of  frc{h  wodehini  be  fuch  a4  ncvir  weti 
To  Love  untrue  m  word,  to  iUoti|ellt,Q 
But  ay  fledfill,  ne  for  plei*ncie  at  ferr, 
1  ho  that  iJicy  (httlde  llicr  hrrth  !«Tl  tt^  tete 
Wiiud  never  flit,  but  evir  ^^ 
Till  thut  thecliviidiercAilr 

Nnw,  fiir  M^dam  * 
Your  Udifliip  [if  that 
That  1  mijrhr  kijowc  b>  i--,,,..  <r  t.i.i  ,.iwty, 
Slthin  that  Jt  hith  liUid  your  bcautc 
The  trouth  of  tht fe  hdies  for  to  t-Il  mc. 
What  that  thcfc  knightss  be  in  rich  armout, 
And  what  tho  be  in  grene  and  were  the  fkntt 
And  why  that  fotnc  did  reY*rcnce  to  tfaetn, 
And  fome  unto  the  plot  of  Bf^rh  itte  ? 
With  right  godc  wil,  my  d-"  '  qiuadk, 

Sith  your  dtfirc  is  godc  an*; 
I'ho  tiinc  cjouujd  be  rcry  cicoapuirt; 
Of  all  honour  longiiii^  to  chivairy„ 
And  thofc  certain  l*cclcpt  The  Nine  Wofdf 

Which  tliat  ye  may  fc  liding  all  belore« 
Thj'.i  in  t'icr  time  did  many*  a  nolite  dedr* 
And  fur  thtf  worthineJ^full  oft  hare  bon 
The  ^ruwQ  uf  Uuzir  Icvts  on  thrr  hcdc, 
A I  yenmy  in  your  olde  bckis  rede. 
And  how  thtt  he  that  wa«  a  conqueror 
Had  by  laurir  tlwcy  his  moft  honour  : 

And  tho  that  barm  bowcs  in  thcr  boad 
Of  the  prcuous  lavnr  fu  nonbic 
Be  fuch  as  were  [I  woll  yc  undirflond] 
Mod  rmbk  Knightif  of  1  lie  RovrdT4&k» 
And  eke  the  Douirperi*  hnnourabJc, 
Which  they  here  in  the  d^n  ui  vickorff 
A*  wttncUof  ther  dciJis  mightily  : 

£ke  thcr  be  Knightis  old  of  the  Gartir, 
Thai  in  ther  timis  did  right  worthily. 
And  the  honour  tl.;y  did  to  the  laurir 
h  for  by  it  ihcy  have  ther  Istid  wholly, 
Thcr  triumph  eke  and  martiul  glory, 
Whii-h  unto  them  is  more  ptrfztc  riches 
Thin  any  wight  imagin  can  or  gcllc ; 
For  one  Lcte  givin  of  that  noble  tne 
To  any  w  ight  that  hath  done  wonfuly 
[An  it  be  done  foas  it  ought  to  be] 
Is  mere  honour  than  any  thing  crtb'y, 
Wiiutfs  u:  R.ome,  that  fouridar  was  truly 
Of  allkuigiiihode  anddedis  marvelov»i 
Rtcord  1  take  of  1  itus  Livius. 

And  as  for  her  that  crounid  is  in  grcfjc, 
It  is  Flora,  of  iliefc  f\ouxi%  goddcfle. 
And  all  that  here  ^n  her  awaiting  bene 
It  arc  fuch  folk  that  lovid  idlenefie. 
And  not  delite  in  no  kind  behneiie 
But  for  to  hunt,  and  hawke,  and  plcy  an 
And  many  othir  fuch  tike  idle  dede%. 

And  for  the  gretc  deliic  and  thr  pkfi 
They  have  to  the  Flour,  and  fo  rcwcpaaij 
They  unto  it  doin  fuch  obeiiauncc. 
As  yc  may  fc.  Now,  fair  Madame  *  quod  I, 
[If  I  durft  aflc]  \\l  '  'i-.j 

1  hat  knightis  hav  r 

Rathir  by  the  LU.  .kk^  >>y  tut  i  uui . 


THE    FLOURE   AND    THE    L  E  A  F  E, 


f3f 


hlf  •  donghtlr,  r^uod  ihe,  this  is  the  trout  h, 
tiightcii  cvir  (hould  be  pcrfcvcriog 
ke  honour  without  fcintifc  cr  flouth, 
dc  to  bettir  in  all  manir  thiag, 

0  of  which  with  Icvis  ay  lailing 
be  reward  id  afiir  thcr  4cgrc, 

c  Iiiftjf  grcnc  msiy  not  appalrid  br, 

:  ay  kcping  thci  beauty  frcfh  and  grcne, 

icT  n*is  no  flofmc  th*t  may  ihcni  dcfjicc, 

ii  nor  fuowc,  nc  wind  nor  froUi«  kcnc, 

fore  they  have  this  propirty  and  grace ; 

or  the  liinir  within  ;i  iittl  Jpacc 

n  be  toil:,  fo  fimple  of  nature 

be  that  they  no  grcvaunce  may  endure  : 

d  every  ilorme:  woll  blowc  them  Tone  awayt 

cy  lafle  not  but  for  a  fefon, 

U  the  caufc  [the  very  troiith  tf>  fay] 

ihcy  may  not  by  no  "way  of  rcfon 

t  to  no  fuch  occupacion. 

me,  quod  r»  with  all  jr.inc  whole  fcrvlfe 

k  you  now  in  my  moft  humble  wife ; 

'  now  1  tmi  afccrtatji'd  thorrmg^hJy 

cry  thijjjr  rdefirid  to  knowc. 

right  glad  that  I  have  faid,  fotljjy, 

1  txt  your  plcfurcy  (tf  yc  will  inc  tf  owO 


Quod  fhc  aycn.  But  to  whom  do  ye  owe 
Voiii  fcrvicc,  and  which  woliin  yc  honour 
[Pray  tell  mc]  thi*  year, the  l^cfe  or  the  Flour? 

Mjdam,  quud  1>  although  !  left  worthy. 
Unto  the  htfc  1  ow  mine  obftrvatincc' 
That  is,  quod  (he,  right  well  done  certainly, 
And  1  pray  God  to  honour  you  advaunce. 
And  kepc  you  fru  the  wickid  remembraunce 
Of  Alalcboudi  and  all  hie  cruihie. 
And  all  that  gode  and  wcll-coudition*d  be  ; 

For  here  I  may  no  Icngir  now  abide. 
But  1  muflt  fi  How  the  grctc  company 
That  yc  may  fc  yondir  before  you  ride  ; 
And  forthwith  as  1  couth  moft  humily 
1  tokc  my  Ic^e  of  her,  and  Ihe  gan  hie 
Aftir  them  as*  fall  a&  cvir  fhe  might, 
And  I  drow  homeward,  for  it  wa>  nigh  nJgh% 

And  put  all  that  t  had  Lnc  in  writing, 
Undir  fupport  of  thcra  that  lull  it  rede, 
O  litttr  bokc  I  thou  art  fo  unconning. 
How  ddid  thuu  put  thy  felf  in  prcc^  fur  dredi;  I 
h  is  woiidir  tb<it  thou  wmfl  not  rede, 
Sith  that  thou  woll  full  hte  who  fluH  behold 
Thy  rude  hnj^ago  fuU  boyAoully  unfold. 


» 


T^^iTit  tlmerotiiliertcaml  trcmblloglTandofdrcdc, 

Of  ctmning  nakid^  bare  nf  eloquence, 

Unto  the  Bou-  of  pott  in  womanhcdc 

I  write,  as  he  that  none  intelligence 

Of  mctri»  liath  nc  floun*  of  fentcocc, 

Saufc  that  me  lifl  my  writinif  to  convcf 

In  that  1  :,\n  to  plcfc  her  hi>rh  noblcy. 

The  blofome*  frcfti  of  Tubus  gardcin  fote 
Pre fcnt  thci  n  ^t,  my  matiir  for  to  borne, 
Pocmc*  of  Virf^ik  takin  here  no  rote, 
Nc  craitc  of  Galfrtdc  may  not  here  fojourne ; 
Why  n'am  I  connirig  ?  *o  well  maic  1  mornc 
For  latkc  of  fcicrce,  that  I  tan  nat  write 
ilnto  the  prince*  of  my  lyfc  arijrht ! 

No  tcrnics  are  digne  unto  her  excellence. 
So  i»  fhe  fprongc  of  noble  flripc  and  high  ; 
A  world  of  honour  and  of  reverence 
There  is  in  her,  this  will  I  tellific  : 
Caliopc,  thou  fiftir  wife  and  fly, 
And  ihou  Minerva  !  guide  me  vrhh  thy  grace. 
That  langagc  mdc  my  mattir  not  deface. 

Thy  fugir  dropi?  fwetc  of  Helicon 
DiOil  in  me,  thou  gentle  Mtife !  I  praye. 
And  the  Melpomene  1  cal  anone 
Of  ignoraunce  the  mifle  to  chace  awayr, 
And  gevc  me  grace  fo  for  to  write  and  fjiic 
That  Oic  niy  lady  of  her  worth  In  rife 
Accept  in  gre  thit  littl  Ibort  trctcCTc, 

1  hnt  ii  entitled  thut,  TU  Cmrtr  ^f  Lovti 
Aod  ye  that  ben  nietriciens  toc  excufe, 
1  you  befcchc,  for  Venu»  fake  above, 
for  what  I  menc  in  this  yc  nedc  not  rnufe; 
And  if  fc  be  my  Udy  it  rcfufc 
For  lake  of  rrnaic  fpcchc.  1  woldc  be  wo 
That  1  prcfumc  to  her  to  writin  To* 


It,.. 
Vrrj. 


But  my  mtefite  and  all  my  Bttfy  ctat^ 
U  for  to  write  thr»  treteffc  as  I  can. 
Unto  my  lady  ftabic,  tnie,  and  fure. 
Faithful  and  kind*  ftth  firlte  that  fhe  bcjiB 
Me  to  accept  in  fcrvicc  ai  her  ra*n; 
To  her  be  al  the  ptefurc  of  thi*  bolo^ 
That  when  her  Like  flic  may  it  rede  aodklcw  ^ 

When  I  i**a8  yong,  at  ivill  yrrc  of  »ge, 
Luily  and  light,  dt{lrciu»  of  plefaunce, 
Approch«ng  on  full  fude  and  npc  corage^ 
Love  artid  mc  to  do  my  obfcrvatiocc 
To  his  cOatc,  and  d'^nc  him  obcifauQcey 
Commanndingc  mc  Tiff  Ccttff  */    wm  lofe^ 
A  lite  bcfidc  the  Mounte  of  Cithcrc  ; 

There  Citherea  goddcffe  wat  tnd  i|QeDc, 
Honourld  highly  for  ^  er  m a) rile, 
And  ckc  her  fonnCtthc  mighty  god  t  wcOf| 
Cupid  the  blind,  thar  /or  hi*  dignite 
A  M.  lovirt  worfhipp  od  thcr  kne  ; 
There  was  I  bid  in  paioe  of  deth  to  prre 
By  Mercury  the  w         '  -  rr.  _  _ ,  , 

So  than  1  went  rrt  roumnsit 

Enquiringe  aye  wl..,.  ......      ,,„.  iu  tt  drcwe 

Tht  Cittrt  €j  Lv9t^  and  thtdirward  a»  \<t% 
At  lad  I  fc  the  pcplc  gan  purfue ; 
Anon  mc  though"-  fonie  wight  wjw  ther  thit  iM^ 
X^'Tierc  that  the  Ctmi  Wiia  holdin  fcrre  ia  ok. 
And  aftir  thnn  fui  faftx:  I  ganne  nnic  hie. 

Anon  \\h  \  them  cvirtoke  1  f^id, 
Hcilc,  ffcndii^  whrdur  pur,^ 
For  foth,  (qtiod  one)  that  at  i 
To  Lt^'i*  Ceurit  liow  go  wr» 
Where  Ik  that  f^bte,  (t^uod  I 
At  CitltcfCK^  Kir,  ('   '^  ^-     ^ 
'J'hc  kingc  of  Los 

Dwelling  with'! 
So  than  apace  I  jouimd  forth  jniongc  ; 
And  a!  lie  faide  ft>  ittud  t  th'*rc  tnt1y» 
Fur  I  bcheUc  the  tovrii  h»gb  uul^cws^'^. 


lieaJT 


THE    C  O  U  R  ' 

b  ptnftdia  Urge  of  hlght  and  longc, 
itc  of  gold  btffprcd  on  cvt ry  fide, 
ciou^ftnncii,  the  (lone  werke  for  to  hide, 
pfeirc  of  Indc,  no  rubie  riche  of  price, 
ckid  thrn«  nor  cmlraude  fo  grcnc, 
rkii,  nc  thing  to  my  dtvifc 
ly  the  caflil  makin  for  to  fhcne, 
as  bright  as  itcrrc*  in  wintir  dene, 
xhas  (hone  to  make  his  pcce  agcme 
fsu  done  to  high  e  flat  is  tweinc  ; 
I  and  Mir5.  the  god  and  goddclTc  dcrc, 
r  them  founde  in  armis  cbcinid  fafle, 
ms  than  ful  fad  of  hcrtc  and  chere, 
^as  bemif,  Arright  ».%  is  the  malle, 
e  »fli1  ginnith  he  to  cafl 
the  lady,  princes  of  that  place, 
be  Ink  it  h  aftir  Lov'is  grace  : 
ber  n'is  god  io  hcveo  or  hel  iwys 
mih  beu  right  fogct  unto  Love, 
ato,  or  what  fo  ever  he  it, 
ure  in  crth  or  yet  above, 
hercvers  may  no  wight  approve; 
Kirmorc  the  caflill  to  dcfcrie 
||f  DCVir  none  Co  targe  jnd  hie, 
|bo  heven  it  flrctchith  I  fuppofe, 
md  out  dcptintid  wondirly, 
my*  a  thnufand  daify  rede  as  rofe, 
jte  alfo,  this  fawe  I  verily, 
t  tho  dcifis  might  do  lijrnifie 
»t  tcl|  faufc  that  the  queu'is  floure 
it  wast  that  kept  thcr  her  rojoure 
I  ttudir  Venus  Udy  was  and  quenr« 
netc  kyng  and  fovcrain  of  th-it  place, 
m  obeicd  the  hdic<  godc  xlx, 
my*  a  thcjufand  orhir  bright  of  face, 
itg  men  ftile  came  forth  with  lufti  pace, 
d  eke.  thcr  homager  to  difpofe, 
t  they  were  I  could  n.it  well  dirdofe. 
TC  and  nert'  forth  in  I  gan  me  drcflc 
ijlUc  of  noble  appurailc, 
rsLt  fpred  and  cloth  of  gold  t  geOe, 
irfilkc  of  cfyir  availe; 
ic  cloth  of  thtr  cftaic,  faun*  falJe, 
g  and  quenc  there  fat »  as  1  beheld  ; 
joyc  of  Hcljf^  the  fdd 
f  fiuntii  have  thcr  comingc  ind  rcforte 
the  kingc  fo  rially  befenc 
e  ctad,  and  eke  the  quctie  in  forttf, 
ihcr  htddi^  fawc  J  crounis  tweme 
mn  fret,  fo  that  tt  wa*  oo  painc 
jji  mete  and  drinkt  to  (land  and  fe 
g*i»  honor  and  therialte. 
or  to  trctc  ♦! Ilatis  with  the  king, 
(I  of  counfcU  chcfe,and  with  rhe  quenc  ; 
g  hadDaun/Irnereto  him  Handing, 
ac  of  Love  Difdain,and  that  was  fene, 
he  faith  I  (hal  to  God  1  wene 
rir  Araitngir  none  in  her  dc2;rc 
U  the  (jiicne  in  cafitnge  of  her  eye. 
10  I  ftodc  pcrcevmg  her  apartc, 
I  tlie  txrmi^  (hiningc  of  her  cyen, 
ight  they  werctn  lliapin  lycht  a  darte, 
Ipcrfingc,  fmalc  acd  flifigbt  i,  a  line, 


And  a^l  her  here  it  ftijnt  as  ffolde  ib  fine, 
Di&rhivil,  crifpe,  doan«:  hanging  at  her  bicke 
A  yard  in  length,  and  fouthely  than  f  fpakc  : 

O  bright  Regina  /  who  made  the  fo  fUire  * 
Who  made  thy  colour  vermtlet  and  v%-h,tc  I 
Whcr  wonneth  the  god,  howfarabnv-  tlic  cyrcl 
Gretc  washiiv  crafte,  and  grete  was  hj»  dclitc; 
Now  marvil  I  notliing  thitt  ye  do  hight 
The  quenc  of  Love,  and  occupic  the  place 
Of  Cttbare  :  now,  fwcte  lady  !  thy  grace. 

In  mewit  fpake  f.  fo  thAt  nought  afUne 
By  no  condicion  word  that  might  be  hard, 
But  in  my  inward  thought  '  gan  adverte, 
And  oft  1  faid  My  wit  is.  dul  and  hard. 
For  with  her  btautie  thus  God  wot  I  fcrde 
As  docrh  the  man  yravilhid  with  fight, 
Whrn  I  beheld  her  criftal  cyen  Co  bright. 

No  rcfpcde  havyng  what  was  bcftc  o  done^ 
Till  right  anone  beholding  here  and  there 
I  fpicd  a  frcud  of  myne,  and  that  ful  fooc, 
A  gcnril  woman,  was  the  chambirerc 
Uiito  the  qucne,  that  bote  as  ye  fhall  here, 
Phik>bonc,  that  lovid  al  her  life; 
Wha.n  (he  n  •  fey  fiif  led  me  forth  a*bl>fe. 

And  me  demaundid  how  and  in  what  wife 
I  thithir  Lome,  and  what  my  ertmd  was ' 
To  fene  the  Courte  (quod  I)  and  al  the  guile. 
And  eke  to  fue  for  pardon  and  for  grace. 
And  mrrcy  afkc  frtr  d  my  grctc  frcfpaffe; 
That  I  none  erftc  come  to  The  Court  of  Love 
Foryevc  me  this,  ye  goddii  al  above. 

That  is  well  iaid  (quod  Philobonc')  in  dcdc; 
But  Vf^T'2  ye  not  airomoned  to  appere 
By  Mercurius,  for  that  in  al  my  dredc? 
Ve9,  gentill  feirc !   (quod  I )  now  am  I  here. 
Ye,  yet  what  tho  though  that  be  true,  my  dcrc  f 
Of  your  fre  wil  ye  fhuld  have  come  luifcntc, 
For  yc  did  not  I  dcmc  ye  will  be  (hcntt' : 

For  yc  that  reignc  »n  youth  and  lullincs, 
Pampircd  A^tth  efc,  and  jalous  in  your  age. 
Your  dutie  ii,  a*  far  as  I  can  ^'^c^ 
Tt»  Lo^*it  Ctn/rtf  to  drelTin  your  viagc 
A^vnf  tu  I^iitun  maJtUif  y*ruJo  fjge 
TJbAtyt  may  iH«w  a  seaman /nm  d/n'»n* 
Or  iffhan  yvurfoU  u  p'iywta  I  ^tfe  a  /]^aii. 

But  fithe  that  yc  by  wilful  negligence 
This  rviiiycrc  hath  kept  yourfclfe  at  large 
The  grctir  is  your  trcfpai!  and  o*rence. 
And  in  your  neck  you  mote  here  all  the  charge^ 
For  bettir  were  yc  ben  withoutin  barge 
Amiddc  the  fe  in  tcmpeft  and  in  raync 
Then  bidin  here  rcceving  wo  and  pain 

That  ordeined  is  for  foche  aji  them  abfcnte 
Fro  Zfl-y'w  C^nrrte  by  ycri*  long  and  fclc; 
I  ley  my  life  ye  fhal  ful  fone  rcpcnte, 
For  Love  wil  reive  yo\ire  colourc,  luft,  and  hclc, 
E!ce  ^e  mufl  baiteon  many'  an  bevy  mclc3 
No  force  iwlj^  I  ilired  you  looge  agon 
To  dr.iwe  to  Courte,  quod  Itti!  Philobon ; 

Yc  flial  wel  fe  how  rough  and  angry  face 

The  king  of  Love  will  (hcwc  when  yc  him  fe; 

By  myn  advife  knele  down  and  aflcc  him  grace^ 

Eichcwing  pet  11  and  adverlite, 

% 


I 


4 


u 


Comforte  is  ntiQc  dc  council  to  your  rfc, 
Whf  wil  yc  then  the  king'  of  Love  difplcfc  ? 

O  mcrcfc.  Gad!  (quod  iche)  f  me  repent, 
Caitife  and  wrctrhc,  in  hcrt,  in  wil,  and  ll^ou^ht, 
And  ttftir  tht*  fhal  be  mine  whole  en  tent 
To  fcrvc  and  pltfc,  how  dcrc  that  love  he  bought  j 
Yet  fuTi  I  have  mine  owne  pcnaiincc  Uought 
Willi  humble  fpirite  flial  I  it  rcccve, 
Though  that  the  king  of  Love  my  life  bercvcj 

And  thoojjh  that  fervent  Lov'ii  i|uaiit€ 
In  me  did  nevir  worche  truly,  yet  I 
With  al  obcifauiice  and  humilire. 
And  hcnigne  hcrtc,  fhal  Cvrvc  htm  tiJ  I  die  | 
And  he  that  lord  of  might  h  g^rctc  »nd  hie 
Rfght  iis  him  lift  mc  chifticc  and  corre<^f, 
And  puiii/hc  nic,  with  trcfpace  thu*  enfcCle. 

Tli<fe  wordis  faid,  ftic  cuught  me  by  the  lap. 
And  led  mc  furth  in  til  a  temple  rounds 
J3olhe  larp:  and  wide,  and  as  my  blcfTid  hap 
Atrd  [jode  avinturc  was  ri^ht  fonc  i  founde 
A  tabcmacli:  reiHd  from  the  groujdc 
Where  Vcnut  fat  and  Cupid  by  hcrftde. 
Yet  haJf  for  drcde  I  can  my  vif:»gc  N  le ; 

And  eft  :tgainc  I  Inkid  and  bchcldc, 
Seing  fill  fundry  peple  in  the  place 
And  miftirfolke,  and  fomc  that  might  rot  wclde 
Thcr  limrni*  wclc  me  thought  a  woundir  cafe. 
The  temple  ibone  w:ih  win  Jowca  al  of  gJaflc 
Bright  as  the  day,  with  manic*  a  fairc  yniagc, 
And  there  I  fc  the  frcfhe  Qucnc  of  Carthage, 

Dido,  thiit  brent  her  bcautc  for  the  love 
Of  faU  J^ncas,  and  the  weimenting 
Of  htr  Afielida,  true  as  turiil  dove 
To  ArdtcfaU;  and  there  was  in  pcinting 
Of  many*  a  prince  and  many'  a  doughty  king 
Whofc  martirdom  was  (hewed  about  the  \vallc3, 
And  how  that  fcle  for  love  had  fuffrid  falles* 

But  fore  1  was  ahalhid  and  aflonicd 
Of  al  ibo  fclkc  that  there  were  in  that  tide. 
And  than  I  alkid  where  they  haddln  woned? 
In  divs-racotirtis,  (quod  fbe)  hcte  bcUde  : 
In  fundrie  clothing  mantihvife  full  wide 
They  were  nmied,  and  did  thcr  fuciifice 
Unto  the  god  and  goddeflc  in  thcr  guifc, 

Lo,  yondir  folkc  (quod  (be)  ihnt  kncle  io  blcwe, 
They  were  the  colour  ay  and  cvir  Ihal, 
In  figne  they  were  and  c^ir  wil  be  true, 
Withoutin  chatmge,  and  fouthely  yondir  all 
That  ben  in  blak,  with  mouniiiig  crie  and  call 
Unto  the  goddcs,  for  thcr  lovii  bene 
Some  fcrre,  fcm  dcde,  lorn  al  to  iherpc  and  kenc. 

Yea,  than,  (quod  I)  what  done  thtfc  preilLis  here, 
NonntA,  Olid  hcrmiics  ircri*,  and  all  ibo 
*y\iskt  fit  ill  white,  in  ruirct^  and  in  grtne  ? 
Forfothe  (quod  She)  they  wailin  ot  thcr  wo, 
O  meicie.  Lord  t  may  they  fo  come  and  go 
i-rely  to  Court.  2nd  have  foche  libertie  i 
I'ca,  men  of  cche  condicjoti  and  dcgre. 

And  women  eke,  for  truly  there  t>  none 
Ficcption  made,  nc  neYir  wa«  ne  may; 
•^rhi^Courte  is  ope  and  frc  fur  evtrichone; 
*lhc  Jung  of  Love  he  viil  not  ri4y  tbcm  nsy  j 


That  mckeJy 
With  al  ther 

And  walking  tlius  abotitc  v 
I  fc  where  come  a  melTeiigrT . 
Srn.ii;ht  from  the  king,  which* 
Thraii^hnitt  the  Co  arte  to  m^ke  aa  lk«  ■( 
All  lU'w  comp  folkr    '     *  dwefcryci 

The  king*i»  luft  is  I  .u  foac : 

Co- «-'  f-  icnc&tk 


T. 


tfaefci« 


And  many' a  lovir  wriih  • 

Abaihed  fore,  id  tiitto  th  j 

llie  fci:tciice  ycTc  of  hisentci 

And  at  the  hk  the  king  hath 

With  ftemc  vifage,  End  fcid,  Whit  oafcJ 

1  hu4  ferre  yflope  in  Tcrti,  com  Iv  lot 
Unto  the  Courtc  ?  For  fothe,  my  tJefr,(^ 
An  hundrid  tyme  !  have  ben  at  didoH 
Afore  thi«  tyme,  yet  eoude  t  net  effae 
Of  myne  acqucintjunce  eny  in  miac  f|K| 
And  Sham^fjfiiKs  away  me  gannc  r*»  *.l.i..\ 
But  now  I  mc  fubmittc  unto  a 

Wtl,  jX  is  pardon rd,^witVk  > 
That  thuu  be  ircw  from  1 
And  fcrvin  Love  in  thitii 
Swcre  this,  and  than  as  Icrrc  ii  it  u  ri^ti 
Thou  Oialtc  have  grace  here  in  my  qwsfi 
Yes,  by  the  foith  i  owe  \h 
Though  Dcth  thtrforc  tr 

And  whan  the  ki""    ' 
He  let  coimnaundc 
To  t^kc  our  faith,  ?.i 
The  (btutesofthe  Court 
Anon  the  boke  fvas  Icid^  l 
To  rede  and  fe  what  thiug  *v*.  1 
!ti  Lwi*  C6urU  till  that  wc  d|^ 


ikia 


hk 


Kte 


nr. 


And  for  that  f  wmt  Icttrid  there  I  rvd 

Thcftatuteiwhfdeof  Zr;'  nJh 

The  firfle  ftatitic  that  or  x  ji  f| 

Wa»t  to  be  true  in  t?i  "  ^^^.>*1 

Unto  the  king  o£  i  dc  ryall» 

And  to  the  quenc  ;i>  udatkimk 

Aft  I  coudc  thinke  wiih  herie,  and  wiU^ 

The  fccondc  Hatute  fecrttly  to  kept 
Council  of  Love,  not  blovrifig  evtry  « 
Al  that  I  koowe,  and  let  it  ^vkit 
It  may  not  fowtic  in  cvcrv 
Exiling  flaundir  ay  for  d- 
And  to  my  lady  %vh  '  ' 
Be  true  andkinde. 

The  thirdc  Aatiit.  .., 
Withoutin  diaunge  to  P 
None  uthir  love  to  take  : 
For  blinde  dclitf,  for  en 
Without  repent,  for  la-.r- : 
To  bidiii  ilil  in  ful 
Al  this  was  whole 

I'hc  fourth  ftiirutr  :n 
And  llirin  folkc  to  love,  . 
On  Veuui  uuicr  here  2.\m^ ;  ^  ^u 


bc  CD  iKtm  of  LoTc  and  hotc  dcfire, 
>w  Love  wil  quUin  wcl  thcr  hiic  ; 
te  kept  I  and  loth  me  to  difpldc 

wroth  palTc,  for  thrrUy  i»ei'c. 
ftACtite  not  to  be  daungiroufl 
nought  would  rcvc  mc  of  my  fltpc, 
ght  tM  be  ovir  fqucmou*, 
'c\y  tliiii  fixture  was  to  kepc, 
nd  wallowc  in  my  bed  and  wcpd 
:  my  Udy  of  htr  caiHtie 
m  her  hertr  txiitn  at  phe. 

(laiutc  it  W)L»  tor  me  to  ufe 
rftodir  voidc  of  compatty, 
y  lad'ii  bcTittiie  for  to  mufc, 
nkln  no  force  to  live  or  die, 
fain  to  tltinkc  the  remedy 
r  grace  I  might  anou  attain, 
f  wo  unto  my  fovcraine, 
[•  flatut«  w>is  to  bf  pacicnt 
Vf  bdy  joyful  w<  rt-  ar  wroib^ 
t  ^hd  «f  hevy  diligent, 
21  fhc  nic  heldin  Ufc  or  loth, 
pen  I  put  wtt*  lo  mine  oihc 

fccTC  and  lowely  to  obey, 
\  my  chcie  yc  xx  tlth  aday. 
L  fLstutei  to  my  rcmcmbcraunce, 

fpckc  and  pray  my  lady  dcre 
ciy  bboiir  and  gret  entcndauncc 
love  wiih  al  her  hcrtc  eaterc, 
:|^  and  make  me  joyful  chcre, 
i€  is  (urmouiiing  every  i'airc, 
we], and  genlil,  debonairc. 
fhtute,  with  lettris  writ  of  jLjolde, 
he  fentcnce,  how  that  I  and  al 
r  drcd  to  be  lo  ovirbolii« 
^lefe,  and  tntly  lb  1  nial, 
mcnt  for  al  thing  that  may  faU 
ly  take  her  diaftiil'mcnt  and  yerde, 
*odc  her  cvir  ben  aferdc- 
llatutc  was  ei^^aily  to*  dUccinc 
')c  lady*  and  thine  ability, 
:  ihy  Tclfe  arte  ncvir  like  to  ycrne 
er  mercy  nor  of  cquitc, 
grace  and  wumanly  pitc, 
\  thy  fiilfc  be  noble  in  thy  itrciie 
Ir  foidc  more  nobil  is  thy  qucnc. 
is  lady  and  thy  fovcraincj 
thin  hcrtc  all  whole  in  jrovirnaunce, 
tU  no  wtf*:  it  takin  to  dii'dainc 

humble  at  her  ordinaunce, 
hrr  frc  the  reioc  of  her  plcfauoce^ 

f  t4  thfitg  that  ^i»e^£tf  Ittli'^ 
r  ci»  the  mattir  is  acrokc 
lUttite  thy  fignis  far  to  knowe 
ind  fingir,  ikDd  with  fmili$  fafte, 
to  coucne,and  alwaic  for  to  fhowc 
of  fpyjK  for  to  winkiti  oftCi 
f  to  brynj;  a  figh  alufte, 

f  nvir  mochc  rcfortCj 
.re  fpilHth  all  thy  fport. 
rcmcmbir  to  oblcivc* 
m  hxik  for  love  and  wo 
^ jx  ^^jTBp  t«  defer vc  ; 


Thau  muHen  then  tbmkc  wlicr  ^r  thou  ride  or  go, 
And  moriall  woundis  fufirc  thou  alfo, 
All  for  her  fake,  and  thinkc  it  well  bt^fc^tc 
Upon  thy  love,  for  it  maie  not  be  bette. 

Ihe  XIll.  ftatiitc  whilomc  U  to  tliinke 
Whit  thing  male  beft  thy  bdie  like  and  plefe. 
And  in  thine  htrtMs  botomc  let  it  finke^ 
Some  thing  devife,  and  tdUc  for  it  tb?nc  efc, 
And  fende  it  her,  that  maic  her  hcrte  appefe, 
S<jme  hcrtc  or  ryng,  or  Icttir  or  devlfe. 
Or  preciouf  Hone  ;  but  fparc  not  for  n<^  price. 

The  XIV.  aatute  ckc  thou  ftiah  alT^jc 
F>rm<:^ly  tokcpc  the  mofle  parte  of  thy  life ; 
Wiihe  thit  thy  ladie  in  thine  armiskic« 
And  nightly  drcrae  thou  haft  thy  iiightc's  hcrtf'i 
Swctly  io  armis,  llrainy^g^  her  as  blife,         [wife 
And  when  thou  Cvcd  it  labut  fautafic 
Sc  thut  thou  (Ing  not  ovir  mcrily  ; 

Fur  T*  mothcjffye  hath  >*fu  a  "Of  of  nit  tnde  i 
Tt  itinpth  eke,  this  llatute  for  to  holdc, 
To  dvmc  thy  ladic  evirmore  thy  frcnde. 
And  thinke  thy  felf  in  no  wile  a  cocolde ; 
In  every  th) ng  fhe  doetli  but  a«  £}ic  fliould  : 
Conflructhe  beft,  brieve  no  talis  ncwc, 
For  Al^ttj  a  lye  h  tdd*  Ivat  fcmetb /mil true  i 

Eut  thinke  that  fhe,  fo  bmint  ^ous  and  faire, 
Cotid  not  be  falfc  \  imagine  this  algate ; 
And  think  that  toDge&  v^'ickid  would  her  appaire, 
Slundcryng  her  name  and  wnrfliipfuU  cftute, 
And  lovirs  true  to  fcttin  at  debate ; 
And  though  thou  fee  ft  a  fautc  right  at  iJuoc  eye 
ETCufc  it  blivc,  and  glofe  it  prttLlic, 

The  XV.  flatuie  ufe  to  fwerc  and  flare. 
And  cmnitcrfcitc  a  Icfyng  hardily 
To  f.ivc  thy  I  idic*s  honour  every  ^hare^, 
And  put  thy  fclf  to  fightin  bnldily ; 
Saic  Ihc  \s  gode,  vcrtuous,  and  ghoftly, 
Clere  of  cntent.  and  hertc,a«rl  thought,  and  witlj 
And  argue  not  for  refon  nt  iwr  flciU 

Agaific  thy  l^dic*»  plcfure  n«  cntent, 
Fnr  Love  will  not  be  counterpktcd  in  dcde  ; 
Saie  as  ihc  faieth,  then  fhalt  thou  not  be  Ihent, 
Thr  trtfwe  h  M'Liit*  Ye,  truly  fo  I  rede. 
And  aye  what  thing  that  fhc  the  will  forbtdL 
Efrhiic  al  thafi  and  give  her  fovcnintc  ; 
H'K  appetite  folowc  in  all  degrc. 

The  XVI.  iUtutc  kepc  it  if  ihoti  maic. 
Seven  fitli  at  night,  thy  ladic  for  to  plcfc. 
And  (jfven  at  midnight,  fc'ven  at  morow  daie, 
j\nd  drinkc  a  caudill  crely  for  thitse  etc  ; 
I>oc  this,  and  kcpc  thine  heddc  hc\m  all  difcfc, 
And  w  innc  tlic  garlandc  here  of  lovirs  all 
That  cvir  tame  io  Court  or  cvir  flialh 

Full  fcwc  think  I  thii  ftatutc  hold  and  kcp^ 
But  truely  thii  my  refon  givtth  me  feic 
That  fomc  tovirs  fhould  rather  fall  aflepe 
Ihcn  take  on  hand  to  plcfe  fo  oft  &nd  wtle: 
There  laic  none  othe  to  tlii*  Jilatutc  adde» 
But  kepc  who  m    '  *     i  hi*  i  omgc  ; 

Now  g:t  this  ^5  ofa^c. 

Now  win  who  iM^.v  ,■  ,.  ,  ke  oi  ynutS, 

Thi«  ^^irhfidc  frc(h,of  flouri^  i..\  .  i,  \  .ilitc, 
Purpk-  ^nij  IjIl v.f .  una  coloui    ' .  i  i  ^  r, :   uih^ 


^4* 


TrfE    CdURt  OF    t(r 


I 


And  f  (hall  crotine  liim  kyng  of  dl  dclitr. 
In  all  the  Count  there  was  not  to  my  fight 
A  lovirtfuc  ihat  he  ne  wusadrcdc 
"When  he  cxpreffc  hath  herd  tJic  ftxtutc  rede. 

The  XV! I.  ftatute,  when  age  approchfth  on, 
An*i  luft  16  laied,  and  all  the  fire  is  qutint, 
A»  frethly  then  thou  (halt  he^in  to  fonne 
Aud  do»e  in  love,  and  all  her  imaijije  paint 
In  thy  rememhrjuncc  till  thou  gin  to  faint, 
Ai  in  the  fir  ft  fcfon  thyne  hertc  began. 
And  her  defirc.  though  thou  ne  msic  ne  can 

Ferformc  thy  livyng  atitucll  and  Itifl. 
Rcgi^ir  this  in  thyne  rcmcnibcrauncs 
£kc,  when  thou  niaifl  not  kcpe  thy  thing  rrom  ruft 
Yet  fpeke  and  talke  of  plefuunt  diiliauncc. 
Fortbit  ihaJl  mak«:  t^ynt  hcit  rcjaycc  and  d^nncc; 
Ant!  when  thou  maictl  no  more  tho  game  aflaic 
1  he  lUrutc  biddc  the  praie  for  them  that  maie. 

The  XVIU.lkatute  wholy  to  commcndc 
To  plcfc  thy  ladie  i«,  that  thou  cfchcwe 
With  Uultiihncfre  ijjy  fcif  for  to  offeudc  ; 
Be  joiltfc,  fre(h.  and  fete  with  thingii  ncwe, 
Courtlie  wjrh  manir,  this  h  all  thy  due, 
C^miil  of  portc,  and  lovyng  ckalinrfle ; 
This  is  the  thing  that  Uktth  thy  tuaiftrciTcj 

Ami  not  to  wandtr  Uchc  a  dullid  tffc^ 
Raggid  and  tornc,  dif;^uilid  in  araie, 
Ribaude  in  fpeche,  or  out  of  mcfure  pafle, 
I'hy  bouudc  cxccdyn^  ;  thtnkc  on  thi&  alwak; 

For   li'^'tr.rro   >•-',  tJ  ir*r!!-    ^ftth  My^ 

h''--  ^  ily  ttt  i^  p^J*, 

The  XiX,  itiiiutc  luctc  and  dritike  f-^rgete, 
Echc  othir  daic  fe  that  thou  (aft  for  love, 
For  in  the  Courte  thci  live  withoutin  mete. 
Save  fochc  as  condcth  from  Venus  al  ahovc  ; 
Thei  take  nnnt:  hedc  in  pain  of  grctc  reprove 
Of  mete  and  drinke,  f«^'r  that  is  all  In  vainc, 
Ondy  thci  live  by  Gght  of  rher  fovcraioc. 

The  XX.  ilatute,  Utl  of  everichonej 
EnrcUc  it  in  thync  hcrt'is  privilc, 
TowimgandwaiU-,  lo  turiic,and  figh,3ndgro(De| 
When  that  thy  liidic  ahfent  i*  from  the. 
And  ckc  renew e  the  wordis  nil  that  fhe 
JJetwcuc  you  twain  had  faid«  and  all  the  chere 
1  hat  the  hath  made  tliy  Uv*i»  lady  dcrc 

And  ft;  thyne  hertc  in  qtticte  ne  in  red 
Sojournc  totyme  thou  i«en  thy  ladie  cfte, 
But  where  ihe  won,  by  fouth,  or  eft,  or  weft. 
With  all  thy  fc rce  now  fc  it  be  not  IcUc ; 
Ik  diligent  till  tymc  thv  life  be  reftc 
In  that  thou  maicft  thy  ladie  for  to  fe ; 
*lhU  Itstutc  wai  of  old  antiquitc. 

An  ofticir  of  high  au^horire, 
YcL-ptd  Rigour,  made  u«  fwerc  anotie; 
He  n'ai  comipc  with  parcit\lite, 
Favour,  prayir.  ne  gold  that  cKrcly  (hooe. 
Vc  Ihall  (quod  he)  now  fwerio  her  cchone, 
Both  youn^  aid  eld,  to  kcpe  in  that  thci  maic 
The  ftatutcft  tnicly  aftlr  tliiadaic. 

O  Godr  ihoujjht  I,  hard  i*  to  make  this  othe, 
But  to  my  pnwir  Ihall  I  them  oblcrve  . 
hi  all  Uub  wctMc  i^'a»  mattii  iiaifc  lo  lutbe 


To  fwerc  for  all,  for  thoogh  flSy  t>ody  flfrr? 
I  have  no  might  tlicm  wholy  to  C'b 
But  herkin  now  the  cace  how  rt  be  l    .  , 
Aftir  my  othc  wa*  made,  the  trouth^  to  idl, 

I  touruid  lev  is,  lokyng  on  this  boke, 
Where  othir  ftaTut''5  were  ofwonKa  fboe^ 
And  right  fortlwith  Rigour  oo  me  gaaldLe 
Full  ati'jijirl  ,  anl  Jaicd  urno  the  queBC 
I  tniitour  was,  wid  chargid  mc  let  heo; 
There  maie  no  man  (quod  he)  the  ftaiotftlfl 
That  long  to  woman,  hie  degrc  ne  lofwe. 

In  fecrete  wife  thei  kepin  ben  full  ciofet 
Thti  foune  ethoneto  liberte,in7  &etide; 
Plefaunr  thci  be,  and  totherowu  purpide; 
There  wott  no  wight  of  thens  but  Ocn 
Ne  naught  (hall  wit  unto  the  vrorld'ia  o^t 
The  quene  hath  ycve  nic  charge,  ^-  -  '-  '-  5*; 
Ncvir  to  rcdc  ne  fecn  them  with  i 

For  men  fhall  not  fo  ncrc  of  cut .v 

Wkh  vvoniAnhode,  ne  kaowin  of  thex  gmSc, 
Nc  what  thci  think,  ne  of  thcr  wit  th*  rogtnra 
I  me  report  to  Salomon  the  wife. 
And  mightic  SampJon  which  begilid  thiilfr 
With  D^lia  was,  he  wot  that  in  a  thmwe 
There  maie  no  man  fVatute  of  wonlcsi  knowc} 

For  it  peraVenture  maic  right  fo  beldl 
That  thei  be  houndc  by  Nature  to  diCisew« 
And  fpinnc  and  wepe,  and  fugre  drew  on  fi^ 
I'Jie  hcrte  of  man  to  ravifhe  and  to  reve. 
And  what  thcr  tonge  as  fharpe  as  fwerde^rfbVTj 
It  maie  betide  thi&  is  ther  ordinatLDCc* 
So  muft  thi^i  lowlic  doeti  thcr  obferYVlifiee^ 

And  kepc  the  ftatute  ycvin  thcin  of  SM^ 
Of  fochc  lu  Love  hath  yevc  *hcm  in  thcr  lilc$ 
J^et*  maU  net  -uffU  xtfity  turmitl^  rtfry  qw/. 
Nor  waiin  wife,  nor  ben  inquifitifc 
*l'o  knowc  fecrete  of  maidc,  widowv.  oewiMt 
For  thci  ther  ftatute*  have  to  them  rcf«Z9e4 
And  ncvir  man  to  knowc  them  hath  defcrvfd* 

Now  d  re  IT?  you  forth,  the  gtnJ  of  Love  y««pA^' 
Qnod  Rigour  then,  and  feke  the  cenple  bev*^ 
Of  Citherea,  godtit »  hero  bcfide  ; 
Bcfcchc  her  by  the  mlluenccatid  mlglst 
Of  all  her  venue  you  to  leche  ojight 
How  for  to  ferve  your  Udicj  md  to  plefCf 
Vc  that  ben  fpcd,  and  fei  your  hcrte  in  dct 

And  yc  that  ben  unpurveied,  pray  her  dki 
Comfortc  you  frrnc  with  grace  aod  drCbaif* 
That  yc  may  fct  your  hert  there  ye  mairllSM« 
In  fochc  a  place  that  it  to  Love  mak  be 
Honour,  and  worlhip,  and  felicitie. 
To  you   for  aic.  Now  gocth  by  one  illSat* 
Oraunt  mcrcir,Sir  (quod  wc) and foethvevttt 
Devout ly^  foft  and  efic  pace,  to  fc 
Vams  tlic  goddcs  imagt-  all  of  goldc. 
And  there  we  found  a  thou  land  on  ihef  koe* 
Some  frcftic  and  l^ire,  feme  dtdly  to  bebeldei 
In  f  ndrie  manrtjs  new,  and  feme  wci  okle. 
Some  piiutid  were  with  flam     -    '       tire. 
Outward,  lo  Ibewc  ther  >nv.  iirc 

With  doIefullchcrejMU  .^.,.h^ 

Cried,  '*  Ladie  Venus^ 
**  Receive  our  biilc3|W J 


THE    COURT   O  F    LOVl. 


MC  not  wept,  there  i*  no  more  in  ft  ore, 
'6  and  pain  us  frettith  more  and  more  ; 
bliflclull  planet  I  lovln  ftcrre  fo  ftiene, 
routh  on  «*  that  figh,  and  careful  ben  ; 
d  puuifhc,  ladic,  grevoujly,  wc  praic, 
alft  untrue  with  counterfcite  plcraiincc 
BXAdc  ihcr  othc  be  true  to  Hire  or  dcic; 
chere  affiind  and  with  count iuauncc, 
alfly  now  thei  fotin  Lov'ts  daiincc 
1  of  routh,  untrue  of  that  the!  faied, 
that  ther  In  ft  and  plefurc  it  alaid. 
:  ehe  agaioe  a  thoufande  miiion, 
cing  love,  ledyng  ther  life  m  biiife, 
fkid,  Vcnus«  redreflc  of  all  div'dion, 
es  eterneU,  thy  name  hcrycd  is, 
virftbonde  i«  Jcnit  all  thing  iwis, 
into  bell,  the  yerth  to  watir  wanne, 
unto  birde,  and  woman  unto  man. 
it  i»  the  life  of  joye  that  wc  ben  in, 
ciblyng  life  of  hcvenly  pamdifc ; 
b  cUiif  aie  of  vice  and  linnc, 
makith  hen'ii  luftic  todevife  ; 
ur  and  grace  have  thei  in  every  wti^ 
ben  to  Lov'ji  lawc  obedient ; 
makith  fulkc  benigqe  and  dili]^ent, 
sfteryng  them  to  dredin  vice  and  fhatae  ; 
:r  degre  it  niaketh  them  honourable, 
*wetc  it  i\  of  Love  to  here  the  name, 
at  hin  tove  be  faithfull,  true,  and  liable ; 
prunith  hym  to  femiu  amiable, 
hafh  no  fautc  there  it  is  cxcTcifcd, 
die  with  them  that  have  all  love  difpifed. 
muur  to  the,  celeftiall  and  ctcre 
e»  of  Love,  and  to  thy  celfuude, 
ycvcft  us  light  lb  fcrre  dounc  ftom  thyfpcre, 
'ing  our  hcrtis  with  thy  pukhritude  ; 
^nTon  none  of  finiilitude 
CO  ihy  l^racc  be  made  in  no  deg^c, 
haft  us  fet  with  Love  in  unitie, 
etctraufc  have  we  topraifethy  name  and  the, 
borough  the  wc  live  in  joyc  and  blilTe  ; 
d  be  thou,  niofte  fovcrainc-  to  fe  ! 
holy  Courte  of  gladneffc  maic  not  tnifrc ; 
Dttfjiad  fith  wc  may  rejoyco  in  this, 
we  ben  thine  with  hcrte  and  all  yfcre, 
anid  with  thy  grBce  and  hcven!y  fere.'* 
yngof  tho  that  fpakin  in  thin  wife 
rthought  in  my  rcmcmbdrauncc 
orifon  right  godely  to  dcvifc, 
e&untiy  with  htrt'i»  obeilatmte 
:  the  gudde%  voidin  my  grevaunce, 
oved  eke,  faulc  that  I  wift  no  whcre^ 
Lxn  1  fct,  and  faied  a$  yc  fhdl  here  i 
iil  of  all  that  evir  were  ur  be, 
and  Light  to  pen  fife  creature, 
vrhole  uffiauiice  and  my  Iridic  fre, 
ddcs  bright,  nty  fortune,  and  my  urc  I 
ind  yeldcRiy  hcrte  to  the  full  furc, 
,y  bcfechyng,  Ijdie,  of  thy  ^race 
eftiiW  in  fomc  blcfllid  pl-4CL, 
hejc  1  vowe  me  faithfullj  true,  and  kind, 
IC  ofTcQce  of  muiab;htie, 

I  fciTC  wbdt  1  have  wit  and  mi^id. 


Mynt  whole  afhauncc  and  my  ladJc  fre, 
In  ihilkc  place  there  yc  roc  fignctobc  y 
And  ftth  this  thing  of  nt wt  i*  ycvc  me,  aie 
To  love  and  fcrve  ncdcly  muft  1  obcie. 
Be  merciable  with  thy  Ore  of  grace, 
And  Bxe  mine  herte  there  beautie  is  and  routfi,* 
For  bote  1  love  ;  dcicrmine  in  no  place, 
S^ufc  only  this,  by  God  and  by  my  trout h 
Troublid  I  was  with  flombir,  Ocpe,  and  Oouth, 
This  othir  night,  and  in  a  vifioun 
I  fc  a  woman  romin  up  and  doune 

Of  mcne  ftaturc,  and  femcly  to  beholde, 
Luftic  and  frefii,  demure  of  countinauncc, 
Yong  and  well  fliap,  with  here  that  ftionc  zs  goldCf 
With  cyen  as  criftall,  fcrcid  with  plcfatjnce. 
And  flic  gan  ftirrc  mine  hcrte  a  lite  to  datmce. 
But  fodunHe  (he  vaniftic  gao  right  there; 
Thus  I  maie  faic  1  love  and  wotc  not  where. 

For  what  (he  is  nc  her  dwillyng  I  n'ot. 
And  yet  I  felc  that  love  diftrcinith  me, 
Might  ichc  her  knowe,tliat  would  I  faiaeGodw«£, 
Serve  and  ubeyc  with  all  benignitie. 
And  if  that  othir  be  my  dcftinic, 
So  that  no  wife  I  ftial!  her  nevir  fe. 
Then  graunt  mc  her  that  heft  maic  likin  me. 

With  glad  rcjoycc  to  live  in  perfite  hele, 
Devoide  of  wraihc,  repent,  or  variaunce^ 
And  able  me  to  doc  that  mait  be  wctc 
Unto  my  ladic  withhertc's  hie  plcfauncc  ; 
>jid,  mightie  goddca  1  through  thy  purviaunce 
My  vnt^  my  thonght,  my  lull ;, and  love»  fo  guide 
That  to  thine  hotiour  1  maie  mc  provide 

To  let  mine  hert  in  place  there  I  male  like. 
And  gladly  lerve  with  all  affeccion  ; 
Grtte  is  the  pain  which  at  mine  hert  doth  &ickc 
Till  I  be  fpcd  by  thyne  clecdon; 
Hclpcy  ladic  goddes  I  that  poflefHon 
I  might  of  her  have  that  in  all  my  life  * 

I  clcpin  (hal  my  quene  and  herc'iv  wife ; 

And  in  the  Cvnttt  of  Love  to  dwell  for  ai<r 
My  will  is,  and  doin  tlie  facrijicc. 
Daily  with  Diane  tkc  to  light  and  fraie. 
And  holdin  %vcrrc,  a^  mi^ht  will  n*e  Jufficc  * 
Thiit  goddes  challc  1  kepin  in  no  wife 
To  fcrvc ;  a  figgc  for  a)l  her  chaftitc  ! 
Her  lawc  is  for  religioufitc* 

And  thus  gan  hnifli  pr^yir|laiide,and  prcicCj 
Whiche  that  1  yove  to  Venus  on  my  kne, 
And  tn  myne  hcrte  to  pondir  and  tu  peicc 
I  gtin  aiione  her  image  freftie  bcautle ; 
Hcilc  to  that  figure  fwete,  and  hcile  to  the, 
Ciiplde !  (quod  i )  and  rofe  and  yede  my  wcie  ; 
And  in  the  temple  as  i  yedc  1  fgie 

A  {brine  furmountyng  all  in  flonis  riche^ 
Of  whiche  the  force  was  plcfauncc  to  mine  cye> 
With  diamondc  or  faphirc  nevir  liche 
]  have  none  fceUf  nc  wrought  fo  wondirlie; 
So  when  I  met  with  Philobone  in  hie 
1  ^an  dcmaunde  whofe  is  this  fepuhuref^ 
Forlotiic,  (quod  fhc)  a  tendir  ctcature 

hfhrinid  there,  and  Pitic  is  her  name; 
She  fawc  nu  tglc  wrckc  hym  on  a  flie. 
And  pluckc  luf  wiiigi  and  ckc  hisi»  in  hh  game» 


1 


THE   COURT    or  LOVE. 


id  tcndlr  hertc  of  that  hath  tnatic  her  die ; 
Elcc  (he  would  wepc  and  mourner  right  pitoullf 
To  fecn  .i  lovir  fuffrc  grctc  diftrcflc ; 
Tn  all  the  Caurtc  n'is  none,  a»  I  do  grfle 

That  coud  a  lovir  half  fo  wfllavailc, 
Nc  of  hi*  wo  the  torment  or  the  rage 
Aficin,  for  He  was  fiirc  withoutin  faile 
That  of  hi*  grief  (he  coud  the  hctc  aSwigc  ; 
In  Hcdc  of  Pitic  fpcdith  hote  Corage 
1'hc  xTiattirs  all  of  Courtcj  unw  Ihc  ii  dedde 
t  mc  reporte  in  this  to  won»anhcHdc;  [pray 

Forwcile,  and  wepe,  and  cite,  kud  fpekc^  and 
Women  would  not  have  pitic  on  thy  ptaint, 
N^  by  chiic  menu:  to  rfe  thine  herte  Loiivak, 
But  the  rccevin  for  thcr  owne  talent, 
And  faie  that  Pitie  caii{jth  them  confcnt 
Of  reuth  to  take  thy  fervicc  and  thv  paine, 
In  that  thou  raaicfl,to  plcfe  thy  foverainc. 

But  thi*  id  counr^ijll,  kcpc  it  fecrctly, 
(Quod  flte  ;)  !  n'oidc  for  ail  the  worldu  ahout 
The  queue  of  Love  it  wift,  :ind  witte  ye  wli)  ? 
For  if  by  me  thii  mattir  fpruig-in  out 
In  Courtc  DO  lengir  fhould  I  out  of  donbt 
DwelUn,  but  fhamc  in  all  my  lifccndry  : 
Now  kcpc  it  clofc  (quodrtie)  this  Intfdily. 

WeU^ail  is  wdl  :  now  fhall  ye  f«n,flic  faicd, 
The  falriJl  ladie  undir  fonnc  that  h : 
Come  on  with  me ;  dt^mcnc  you  lich  a  maidc 
"With  (hamelkfk  drcdc,  for  yc  fhall  fpckr  y  wk 
With  her  that  h  the  rairrour,  joic.  ,ind  bltffc, 
Bui  fomwlmt  flraun^c  and  fad  of  her  fSrmerte 
5>hc  is  :  beware  your  couniinaunce  be  ftnc. 

Not  ovirlight,  nc  rcdiekfiV,  ne  to  hoidc, 
Nc  malapcrtc,  ne  rennynflr  with  your  tong^ 
For  (he  wilt  you  obeifin  :iiid  1>ehotdc, 
And  you  demiunde  why  yc  wcrheni  fo  lony 
Our  of  th:i  Courtc,  without  rcfort  fmoug; 
And  Rofiall  her  nantc  is  hute  arig;ht, 
^'hofcr  hcrtc  is  yet  yycvin  ro  uo  wight. 

And  yc  alfo  bL'n,a»  I  uudirdtmde. 
With  Love  but  li(^ht  aviiuncid  by  your  worde  ; 
Might  yc  by  hap  your  frcdom  inakin  bond. 
And  fail  in  grace  with  her,  and  wcle  accotde, 
Well  might  yc  thanke  the  god  ol  l,«ve  and  lord. 
For  (he  that  yc  Ciwc  in  your  drcmc  appcre 
1  o  love  fuchc  cne  what  are  thcii  then  the  nerc  ? 

Yet  wotc  yc  what  ?  ai  loy  remcmbcraunce 
Me  ycvitli  nowe,  ye  fainc  where  tlwit  y  *  fiic 
That  yc  wiih  L«ve  hau  iicvir  acquaiotnunec 
Save  in  your  dremt  right  Utc  thin  othir  daie; 
Wliy^  yc«  parde.niy  Ufc  ihat  durft  f  l;<ic 
Thit  ye  were  caught  up^m  an  hcth  when  I 
Sawc  you  complain  and  (\^h  full  pitouily ; 

Within  an  hcrbir  axid  g-ard^in  fairc. 
Where  flowirs  growe  and  herbitvcrtucus. 
Of  whiche  the  favciir  fwcic  wai  and  the  circ. 
There  were  yoitr  felf  full  liote  and  ojtiorous ; 
Ywi<iye  ben  io  nice  and  daungtrou»; 
1  would  yc  now  repent  and  love  iomc  ncwe# 
Kaic, by  my  trothej  fjied.  I  nevir  knewc 
I  The  ^[odcly^  wij^;ht  whofe  I  Ihal  be  for  aye, 

I        Guide  mc  the  Lord:,thit  love  huth  mLdc  a:idme: 
I        But  furthc  w^  went  iq*jq  a  charubrc  ^:dc 


There  was  RoGall,  womanly  to  fe^ 
Whofc  flrcmis,  fotill  prrfvng^  of  he* 
Mine  hert  f^aa  thrill  for  bea^c  in  th« 
Alas  (quod  1)  who  hath  mc  yerc  tius 

And  then  J  dredc  to  fpeLe  till  >t  the  liilt 
I  grctc  (he  ladic  reverently  lad  wdc. 
When  thnt  my  Jigh  wa»  gone  and  «iri)  ^ 
And  dounc  oo  kncea  full  humbly  ffrui  1 
Bcfechyng  her  my  fervent  wo  to  brie. 
Fur  tlurc  I  tokc  full  puipalc  id  my  mjfd^ 
Unto  her  jrrace  my  painfull  hcrtc  to  bysdiw 

For  ii  I  Ihall  all  fully  her  diUrivc 
Her  bed  was  rounde  by  com  "•'  tm^, 

H^r  ecrc  »*  K<)ld,  fhe  piiflid  . 
And  IJlltc  f'iTchcd  had  thli  creatuic» 
Wirh  hveliihc  bruwts^  fiawc  oi  colour 
Iktwcnc  the  which  was  nicne  diB'fvmi 
From  every  hruwc  to  Ihcwin  a  dxlkatjtice; 

Her  nofe  dircAcd  ftreght,  and  rvm 
With  fornic  and  Chape  thereto  cunvcnl 
In  which  the  godis  mi Jkc white  pai:h 
And  eke  her  cyen  ben  bright  ajidormt 
Ah  is  the  finatagdc,  unto  my  ju<lgcmmt« 
Or  yet  thefc  ilerrts  hcvenly  fmall  uid  * 
Her  vif^^  jsof  k>vcly  rt^dc  and  whic< 

Her  mouthe  ti  ihort,  and  ihitte  in  Uiil 
FUmyn^  fomdclc,  not  ovir  redde  I  menc. 
With  pre^fnauut  lip*,  and  thitkc  to  kiH^ 
For  lippisthinne,  not  f^t,  but  cvir  Imc, 
They  fcrvc  of  nl'.":''l^ ''^ '^'  i-  ';■>'  x-'-rfhi 
For  if  the  baffc  l> 
Maximian  rnicly 

But  to  my  purpofe ;  I  l»i«  white  a» 
Biu  all  her  tethe,  aud  in  ordir  thri  ikoadt 
Of  oijc  flat ure,  and  dtc  her  bri'ih  I  uvmt 
Surmuuittith  all  odours  fhat  ^^r  I  frf(i9i4«, 
In  Jwcteucfie,  atidher  ' 
Ben  iliAfply  ilcndir  fo  i 
Unto  the  lotc  all  i&  bui  w.i&dhah.h  osf 
I  holde  my  pcce  of  oihir  ihin^.n  hiide; 
ilcrr  fhal  my  foule  attd  not  my  ton;^  br«Tir|l 
But  how  (he  wa^  arraied,  if  ye  mc  Kiddc, 
That  fhall  I  well  diicovlr  voir  aS5<!  f^ie  ; 
A  bcnde  of  gold  and  1. 
With  her  luircilc  ybr  i 
Rifjht  fmothly  kept,..^ 

About  her  nccke  a  *i 
With  rubies  fct  that  li 
And  Hie  in  froune  wa- 
Shapln  full  wcle,  the  ^^^t.Mir  w^* 
With  aurcat  fcnt  aboutt*  licr  ffdf 
With  diver*  .im.lt  r  !,.:,„  ..  .  •,  i  . 
Thus  wa-s  I 

For  if  I]        , 
Tho  the  fa  Ire  C^dviio  ue  Aieificna 
Thei  ncvir  hu'hiin  in  hU  armitlcinri 
Nc  he  had  h^vid  the  fairc  £iirop:>, 
Yc»  n#*  yet  Di\nue  ne  Antiopa. 
Ftir  all  thcr  beat i  '  '   il; 

She  ftmid  litli  .i 

In  ^      r-  mjZi?id&, 

ricf  e, 

Graw. ,  ,  ,  .,  .,,. 


^^                THE    COURT    OF    LOVE.                                  ^5^5H 

Mth  Fbf cry  there  bcfidc; 

At  hc:ri'i>>  clc,  and  fre,  and  tn  g6de  cafe^                '    ^H 

pomcn  were  ottirc  of  pride* 

But  now  we  dare  not  (hew  our  fclfe  in  place,             ^^M 

1^  found c  of  nature  variaunto, 

Ne  u»  emboldc  to  dwcl  in  comp,any                              ^H 

e  falfc  and  (hcwin  beau  fcmbUuat, 

There  as  our  hert  wold  love  right  faithfully,    .            ^H 

ry  bcfpakc,  and  faid,  Iwi*, 

And  yet  againewardc  Ihriktd  every  not^ne,               ^H 

b  on  piiriiis  fijrc  and  fc:tc, 

The  pange  of  love  fo  Ilralnirh  them  to  cfic  ;                 ^H 

well ;  what  pretty  man  is  ihit 

Nowc  wo  the  time  (^quod  they)  that  wc  be  boun!          ^M 

here  ?  now  truly  drink  nc  niLte 

Thts  hateful  ordrc  nifc  wil  doeo  ua  die,                           ^M 

iTc,  mintf  hcxtc  for  joye  doth  bcfc 

\*^.»  ligh  and  fobbe,  and  bkditig  inwardly,                     ^M 

dc,  fo  ii  he  godcly  frclhe. 

Frtting  our  ft  Ifc  with  thought  iind  hajd  comphiat,       ^M 

love  hii  hcrtc  U  tciidrc'  and  ocsfhe. 

That  uyc  for  love  we  waiiu  wodc  and  faait,                ^M 

Court c  of  lufty  folkc  and  glad. 

And  as  I  flodc  beholding  here  and  there         ^^^^H 

tmcth  thLT  abitc  and  .Array c ; 

I  was  ware  of  a  forte  fii  1  litiguifhitig,                  ^^^^| 

>m  fo  fury  and  fo  fjddc, 

Savage  and  wilde  iif  loking  and  of  chent,            il^^^H 

thus  in  blak,  and  white,  and  gray  ? 

Thcr  mantcille*  and  thcr  clothis  cy  tering,         ^^^^B 

m  and  iiionkls  in  godc  fay  : 

And  ofte  they  were  of  Nat  ore  tomplaining,                  ^M 

\ !  grct  dok  it  it  to  fenc 

For  ihcy  thcr  niembir*  lackid  fotc  and  hand,               ^M 

lus  bewailc  and  fory  bene. 

Wich  vifaj^c  wry,  and  blindc  I  undirlfand.                    ^| 

y  cue  and  wrinc  tlicr  bandit  whit 
me  went  to  religion, 

They  lackid  Ihap  and  beaut ic  to  prcfcnc                  ^M 

Them  frtf  in  love,  and  faid  that  God  and  Kind             ^^ 

konnca  with  vail  and  wimple  phght 

Hath  forgid  them  to  worlhippln  the  ftcrre                   ^M 

thjit  tli.y  ben  in  conCtifiun : 

Vcnu»  the  bright,  and  leftio  al  behindc                        ^M 

n  we  fain  perfcccion 

His  othir  wcrki»clcnc  and  outc  of  mtnde,            ^ns^^H 

c  and  lackc  our  liUcrtie, 

For  othir  have  thcr  full  fhappc  and  beauttCp        l^^^^l 

\c  mote  on  our  frcndit  be  i 

An<l  we  (quod  they)  ben  in  deformite.                ^^^^| 

woxc  wc  wold  a*  fame  ai  yc, 

And  nyc  to  them  there  was  a  company            ^^^^B 

irid  here  and  wel  bcfcnc, 

That  have  the  Suftirs  waried  and  milTatdet                     ^M 

and  love  in  our  dcgrc 

I  mcue  the  thre  of  fatall  Delline^                                    ^H 

ihful,  right  a&  ywuld  the  qucnc  : 

That  be  our  werdis ;  fodenly  abraidc                              ^M 

ickc,  in  tendir  youth  and  grcnc. 

Out^  gill  they  crie  as  they  had  ben  afiraicd^                  ^M 

11  made  U5  rcligioui^ 

Wc  turic  (quod  they)  that  cvir  hath  Nature                ^M 

ufe  wc  mouinc  and  wailin  thus. 

Yformid  us  this  wofuU  life  lo*  endure*                           ^M 

the  monke  and  frcri»  in  die  iidc^ 

And  there  he  was  contrite  and  gun  repent^               ^M 

curfe  our  jtbbisand  our  place, 

ConfcHing  whole  the  wounde  that  Cithcre                     ^B 

larpc  to  ting  lo  copi^  wide. 

Hath  with  the  darte  of  bote  defirc  him  fcnt,                   ^H 

;pe  us  outc  of  JUov'ift  gra«;e. 

And  howc  that  he  tg  Love  muftc  fubjcift  be,       ^^^H 

fclecomforte  ncfolacri 

Thnn  held  he  al  his  Ikornis  vanite,                        ^^^^H 

the  hcie  of  LWa  fire,                         , 

And  fjid   hat  lovirs  ledo  a  btiifid  life,                   ^^^^^1 

r  happly  we  dcfirc. 

Yong  men  and  oldc,  and  widowe,  maid,  and  wift^^^^H 

cnurljd  I  why  uowc  and  whcrfore 

Bcreve  me,  godJcHe^  (quod  ht)  of  thy  Jthght            ^B 

;y  f*id|  bcraftc  ut  libcrtie, 

My  lkorni»  al  and  QcofTi^  chat  I  have,                               ^H 

fmvc  us  inftrument  in  Houv 

No  powir  for  to  mo^ikin  any  wight                                ^H 

:o  love  and  lovirs  be  ? 

That  in  thy  fcrvice  dwel,  for  \  did  rave,                        ^B 

fuffcr  focUc  advcrfue 

Thib  knowe  I  wel  right  now,  fo  Cod  mC  ftvc,              ^M 

and  Venus  tn  rcfufc  ? 

And  r  fhal  be  the  chief  poU  of  thy  fatch,                         ^M 

this  ctutier  doth  Ui  mufe. 

Aad  iovc  uphold,  the  re  vers  who  fo  faiih,                       ^M 

nd  honour  fore  ayrafte  our  will 

DiJfrmUi  (lode  not  fcrre  from  hina  in  trouth,      ,   ^^H 

le  goddcs  and  the  qucnc ; 

With  party  mantll,  party  hnde  ar^d  hofe,            Jj^^l 

With  Venu*  bidin  ftil; 

And  fjid  he  had  upon  his  lady  routh,                  1^^^^| 

rard  for  iKivc,  and  foget  bene 

And  thus  he  wound  him  in  and  gan  to  glofc,     ^^^^H 

linen  coorttly,  frcibe  and  fliene. 

Of  his  en  tent  full  double  I  fuppofe,                                   ^| 

j^icthy  wbclc  of  V*  iaunct't 

And  al  the  worlde  he  faid  he  loved  it  welc,        ^^^H 

Hrcl  thou  rcviil  our  plefaunce. 

But  ay  mc  thought  he  loved  Kef  nrre  adete*     ^^^^^1 

Bern  with  voice  of  plaint  and  care 

Eke  Shamr/ajtftjf  was  there,  a»  1  lokc  hede,  ^9^^| 

■ing  ful  pitoully ; 

That  blufllid  re Jc,  and  Jatft  nat  ben  aknowc                ^M 

k  oakid  and  ful  bore 

She  lovir  was,  for  thcrof  bad  fhc  drede ;                         ^M 

Hiking  djfpiteoufly, 

She  flode  and  hiug  her  vifj^ge  downc  alowc,                 ^M 

Kdc41y  calt  ther  eye. 

But  fochc  a  fight  it  was  to  fcoc  1  tr*-wc                  ^^^H 

Fuh«y  cried,  and  were  nnt  bine. 

At  of  thefe  roils  rody  on  thcr  lUtkr^                   ^^^^H 

i§ht  thex  gUd  dcfire  attainc. 

I'hcr  coud  no  wight  her  fpy  to  fpike  or  taller*  ^^^^^ 

:  ri.:hcllc  worldly  and  of  godc 

In  L^rv'i«  arte  fo  gan  Jhe  t^  abathe,                  ^^^^^| 

ind  turic,  and  wcpc,  and  fuin  Alas  ! 

Nc  duril  not  uttir  al  her  prfvite,                          ^^^^^M 

^th  ut  licot  lh»(  >vhilom  Itodc 

Many  a  dripc  and  many*  a  grevroufe  bflie         ^^^^H 

U 

m                               ^^H 

She  gave  to  thctn  that  woldln  lovirs  be, 
Aud  hindered  fore  the  fimpic  comi'DalnV, 
That  in  no  wife  durft  grace  and  mcrcie  crave. 
For  were  not  Ihc  fhcy  nedc  but  a£kc  and  have  > 

Where  yf  they  now  aprochia  for  to  fpeke, 
TJian  Sbiimrfapne£«  returaith  them  agaiii, 
They  thiukc  if  we  our  leciet  counfcl  brcke 
Our  Iskdics  wil  have  fcornc  on  m  certcin. 
And  pcrAvinturt'  thlnkln  g;retc  difdain  ; 
Thus  Sltftfif/ajnefft  may  brmgin  iu  Difpcirc  j 
^'hen  fhc  ii  dede  the  todir  will  be  h^irc. 

Cnmc  forth  Avauntir^  now  1  ring  thy  bel; 
1  fpicd  him  Tone  to  God  I  make  a  vowc; 
He  lokid  black  as  fendis  duth  In  hell. 
The  fiiftc  (quod  he)  that  cvir  did  I  tvowe 
Within  «  wordc  (he  come,  I  wottc  not  hoiT^ 
So  that  in  arm  is  wu»  my  lady  fre, 
Arid  To  hath  ben  a  thoufande  mo  than  (he 

In  Er»j;land,  Britain^  Spain,  and  Ficardic, 
Artoi^,  and  Fraunce,  and  up  in  Hie  HokLtide, 
In  Burgoinc,  Naples,  and  in  Italyc, 
Kavarrc,  and  Grecej  and  up  in  Hcthln  knd ; 
Was  ncvk  woman  yet  that  wolde  wjililtond 
To  brn  at  commaundcmcnt  whan  1  woldc ; 
I  Uckid  nclihir  fJvcr  coignc  ne  gold  : 

And  there  I  mei  with  thit  eftiitc  and  that. 
And  here  1  brocbid  her,  and  here,  I  trowc  : 
1*0  !  there  gocth  one  of  niyn ;  and  wolte  ye  what? 
Yon  frclbc  atttrid  have  I  leiJe  fol  lowe  ; 
And  fochc  one  yondirckc  right  wcl  I  kuowe; 
1  keptc  the  ftatutc  whan  we  lay  ifere, 
And  yet  yon  fame  hath  made  me  right  gode  cherc. 

Thui  hath  Avaimtir  blowiD  every  wheie 
Al  that  he  knowetK,  and  more  a  ihoufatide  fold ; 
Hi*  aimciftric  of  kinne  wa»  to  Licr, 
For  firjie  he  makith  promifc  for  to  hold 
KIs  ladii  coi^ncil,  and  it  nut  unfolde, 
WhcrffTc  the  fecrctewhcn  he  doth  iinfhi:te 
Than  lyilh  he  that  all  the  worldc  mayc  witte. 

For  falfing  fo  his  p'omife  and  bchcilc 
I  wondir  fore  he  hath  fochc  factafie  ; 
He  lackith  witte  1  trowc  oi  i*  a  befte, 
That  can  no  bettc  hinilelfc  with  refon  gay  j 
By  min«  advice  Love  fhatl  be  contraric 
To  his  ivail»  and  hira  eke  dtftionourc, 
So  that  in  Courte  he  fhall  no  more  fujoure. 

Tak«  hcde  (quod  (be  thli  litil  Philobone) 
Where  Erivie  rockith  in  the  cornir  yonde, 
And  fittith  derke,  and  ye  (hal  fc  anone 
Hii  leiie  bodie,  hh  fading  face  und  honde; 
Him  ftlf  he  fretUth,  as  I  undirflonde, 
WJtne(re  of  Ovide  Metamorphofofe  ; 
The  lovir'a  fo  he  li,  IwiD  not  glofc  : 

For  where  a  Icvir  thinldth  him  proisott 
Envie  wil  gnitchc,  repining  at  hi*  vrclc ; 
It  fwtllith  fore  about  hi>  hcitii  rote. 
That  in  no  wife  he  raiuic  not  live  in  he!c; 
And  if  th'!  faithful  to  hi*  lady  Oeic 
En  vie  will  noife  and  ringe  it  roundc  aboute. 
And  fey  mocb  worfe  than  done  is  out  of  doute. 
And  Privic  Thought » rcjoyfmg  of  him  felfc, 
Stndc  not  fern'  thrni  to  abitc  mcrvilous ; 
Yon  i>,  ihwHgkt  1,  foinc  fpirite  or  fomc  clfe. 


:b^_j 
crtifrt? 

I 


His  fotil  ima^e  u  fo  curioui  i 
How  i»  (t|uod  I)  that  he  h  (ti^ld  ihxti 
With  yundir  cloth,  I  n*ot  of  what  coloure 
And  uerc  I  went,  and  gan  to  Icie  and  purci 

And  fiiiiiid  him  a  queAion  ful  harde ; 
Wiiatt  is  (<juod  I)  the  thing  thou  lovifl 
Or  what  t&  bote  unto  thy  pamu  horde  ? 
Mc  thinke  thou  llvi(l  here  in  gret  tnurft 
1  hou  w4ndrtA  aye  from  fouth  Co  eft  Mid 
And  c[l  to  hnrthe  :  at  fefre  as  f  cafincfe 
There  it  no  place  in  Court  may  hotdia  tke/ 

Whom  foluwcll  thoo  ?  wjicr  it  thy  hcrt  ifrt? 
But  my  dtmannde  alotle  I  the  require. 
Me  thought  (quod  he)  no  creature  may 
Me  (o  ben  here  and  where  as  1  detire. 
For  whare  as  Abfence  hath  done  out  the 
My  mery  thought  it  kindcleth  yet  agaifif, 
That  bodily  nje  thijikc  w  ith  my  lbver«ine 

1  Hand,  and  fpekc,  and  hiagh,and  kiiTry 
So  that  my  thought  comfortith  mc  ful  oft 
I  think,  God  wote,  though  al  the  work! 
I  wil  be  true ;  t  thinke  aho  howc  f«jfto 
My  Udy  is  in  fpeche,  and  this  on  loft 
Bringith  mine  hette  with  joic  and  gret  gls 
This  privey  thought  aUJcth  fnine  hcvinrilc 

And  whate  I  thinke  of  whcfc  to  be  no 
Tn  al  this  erthe  can  tei  ywis  htit  1^ 
And  eke  there  n^ii  no  fwalow  fwriic  ne 
So  wight  of  wing,  ne  halfe  fo  yemc  cantic« 
For  I  canne  ben,  and  that  right  fodeoly. 
In  hevcn,  in  hell,  in  paradife,  and  here,       ~ 
And  with  my  bdy  whan  1  wil  defire* 

I  am  ofcounfcl  fene  and  wide  1  wore 
With  brde  liud  tady,  and  ther  privitie 
1  wottc  it  al,  and  be  it  bote  or  coldc 
They  (h^Ul  not  fpcke  without  ticcuce  ol  a 
I  myoe  in  foche  3s  fefonablc  be. 
For  f}rOe  the  thing  is  tho^jght  within  the 
£r  any  wordcoute  from  the  motifh  aflcrrci 

Atid  with  tJiat  word  Thought  b^d 
Eke  fnrthtr  Went  I  to  fcnc  the  Court 7* 
And  at  the  do  re  catne  in,  fo  God  mc 
Twenty  couiteotirs  of  age  and  at  aflife, 
Liche  htgh  and  brodc,  and  as  I  me  9d^\£r 
The  Guldin  Love  and  Ledin  I.ove  thtj  ' 
The  tone  wn  fad,  the  t*odir  glad  and  I^^K. 

Yes,  draw  your  hcrt  with  all  yo 
To  l\/(linc(re,  and  ben  as  ye  havr  fekl 
And  thinke  that  I  no  dropc  of  favo^  Itigl^ 
Ne  ucr  had  unto  your  defire  ob^idfi 
I  il  fodenly  me  thought  me  wa«  mffirtild 
To  fenc  you  w^xe  fo  dede  of  coumioaisiKet 
And  Pite  bade  ^\c  done  you  fnme  ptclMlKr; 

Cute  ijf  her  (hrfnc  (he  role  from  dcth  t»>l  i^ 
And  in  mine  ere  ful  privily  JKc  fpake. 
Doth  not  your  fervatmt  hens  away  to  drt^ 
Rofial,  (quod  the)  and  than  mine  herte  h  ' 
For  tcJidiriche,  and  where  I  fonnde  moek 
In  your  perfone,  rhen  I  my  fclf 
And  faidc  Ihi*  it  the  man  mync  Itertc 

Gramerey  *  Pite,  might  I  not  foft* 
Toyeve  <luc  bude  unto  thy  (hriDc  td 
Ood  wottc  i  woid,  for  Qth  Utau  ]rc  M  tifil 


THE 

til  to  Uvo  for  me  1  am  behold 
kin  you  a  thoufand  tymis  tolde, 
my  lady  Rnful  the  ihcnc, 
hath  in  comioiu  fct  mine  hcrtc  I  wcmc. 
\CTC  I  make  tnyne  proteftacion, 
dy  fwerc  as  mine  powir  to  bcu< 
^  dcvoide  of  Tariacion, 
forhcre  in  angir  or  in  tcnc, 
rlccablc  to  my  woi'ld'is  qucac 
my  rcfun  and  intelligence, 
her  honour  hijjh  ajid  reverence 
Dot  fpcikc  fo  Tone  the  wordc  hut  Ihc 
rain  did  thanke  mc  hcrtilr, 
,  Abide,  yc  (hal  dvrcUc  ilDl  witbmc 
D  come  of  May,  for  than  truly 
I  of  Love  and  al  his  company 
d«  his  fctk  ful  rialiy  and  wcUc  ; 
re  1  bode  111  that  the  fcfon  fcUe* 

day  whan  ihc  lark  began  to  ryfe 
liwcnt  the  lufty  nightingml 
I  temple  fiiapin  hauthom  wife, 
ki  not  flcpc  in  all  the  nyghtirtale» 
Mr  ia6ia  gan  kc  eric  and  gale ; 
J  ^iity  lor  J  of  Le^K,  J  *-rlV, 
wy  m&vlb  thy  praifimg  mwv  ht^vtyem 
gle  fang  Vtnitt  bodic&  al, 
utjoye  to  Love,  that  is  oiire  hclth^ 
;jie  ddke  anon  they  gao  to  fall, 
o  eame  late  he  precid  in  by  flelih| 
ed  the  faucon,  our  owcn  herti»wcUh, 
Tem/iiwjr  mojitfi  I  wote 
gwi  it^at  fivnne  m  Lrtnne  ihmt  hate* 
iarroMlj  faid  the  popingay, 
ght  is  told  in  hcTcn  and  firmament, 
n  came  in  the  goldBnche  frefhc  and  gay, 
^  this  pfahne  with  hertcly  glad  intent. 
If  Urrtif  thi«  Latin  intent 
^ItCVt  IrtUb  ycfth  in  ^^virnatimtf 
n  the  ^iTcn  gan  fcippin  atd  to  daunce; 
%min€^Q  krdei^Lwvf!  i  pray 
4t  me  %t:(i  thu  Irjf^n  fur  to  redr^ 
ende  is  of  al  that  wuldin  dye 
for  Love,  God  ycf  the  fouli*  fpede^ 
the  Vcnns.  Jinge  we  outc  of  drcdci 
pace  of  al  thy  vertuc  grcte, 
g  the  to  kcpe  us.  in  our  Lctc. 
^coode  Icffon  Tobtn  rcdcbreEtc  fangp 
lie  god  and  goddcA  of  our  Lay  ! 
shcTcdom  amorily  he  fprang, 
liod  he)  o  thou  frrfhc  felon  of  May  t 
litli  gbd  that  fmgin  on  the  fpray, 
the  flouria  rede,  and  white,  and  blcwe, 
by  thcr  vertuc  maktth  our  luft  new  ! 
hirde  Icffon  the  turtil  dove  tokc  up, 
rai  lough  the  mavi*  in  a  fcomc, 

^  Cod !  aa  niott  I  dine  or  fuppe 


COURT    OF    LOVE. 


Thi*  foliflie  dove  wil  gifc  ti»  al  an  home. 
There  ben  right  here  a  M.  betttr  borne 
To  rede  thia  lelTon,  whiche  as  wcl  a$  he, 
And  ckc  aj  hotc,  can  love  in  al  dcgrc. 

The  tunil  dove  faid,  Wclcom,  wclcom  Mayi 
Gladfom  and  light  to  lovirs  that  ben  trewe, 
I  thankc  the  lord  of  Love  that  doth  purvey 
For  me  to  rede  this  leffon  al  of  dcwe» 
JFor  in  godc  foth  of  corage  I  purfuc 
H<x  fcrve  my  make  tyll  deth  us  muft  departCi 
And  than  TV  auiem  fang  he  al  apartc. 

?V  D<Hm  amwrij  fang  the  thruM  cockc» 
Tubali  him  fclf  the  firlk  muficbn 
With  key  of  armony  coudc  not  onlockc 
Su  fwctc  a  tcwnc  a«  that  the  thruilii  can, 

lie  ktde  tfLove  wf  ffrai/it  (quod  hc)  than. 
And  fo  done  al  the  foulu  grcc  and  lite. 
Honour  we  May  in  faU  lovirs  difpite* 

Dominut  r^fmavit,  faid  the  pccockc  therein 
TAf  UrJ  pfLove^  ibat  migLly  frimte  mn/| 
lit  «  rtctvid  bert  and  rviry  jvlf^rg. 
Nowe  JuBilatr  fang,  whkt  mcnith  thil  f 
Said  than  the  lynct,  /r*/.««  Uti  oj  Uiffe* 
Outc  fteitc  the  owlc  with  Bmedkiu! 
What  mcnith  al  this  mery  f:irc  ?  (quod  he.) 

Lauihu  fang  the  Urke  with  voice  ful  (hxil* 
And  eke  the  kight  QjdmirAbiUf 
rhi»  quire  wil  throw  min  crit  pen  and  thril. 
But  what  ?  wclcom  thit  May  fcfon  (quod  he) 
And  honoure  to  the  lord  of  Love  mote  be. 
That  hath  this  fcfte  fo  folcmpnc  and  fo  hie  i 
Amwn  faid  al,  and  fo  fatd  eke  the  pie. 

And  forth  the  cockowc  gan  precede  atioil 
With  BeneJi^ut  f  thanking  God  in  hall 
That  in  this  May  wode  vijjte  them  echon, 
And  gladdin  them  al  while  the  fc:ll  fhal  lai^ 
And  therwithal  a  Uughtir  outc  he  brafte, 
I  thankc  tt  God  that  1  fhuld  code  the  Jong, 
Atid  al  the  fervice  whiche  hath  ben  fo  long. 

Thus  fang  they  a]  the  fervice  of  the  fcftc. 
And  that  was  done  right  crly  to  my  dome. 
Anil  furth  goth  al  the  Courtc  both  moll  and  left 
To  fcichc  the  liourijfrclh,  and  braunch.and  blonn 
A  nd  namelyhauthorn  brought  both  p  Jge  and  groin 
With  frclh  garUnti*,  party  blew  and  white. 
And  than  rejoj-fin  in  ther  grctc  dclite. 

Eke  echc  ui  othit  threw e  the  fluurit  bright 
The  prymtrofc,  the  violcte,  and  the  gold. 
So  than  <x%  \  beheld  the  roial  fighc 
My  lady  gan  me  fodenly  behold. 
And  with  a  trewe  love  pliiid  many*  a  foJde 
She  fmot  me  through  the  very  herte  ai  UiTtJ 
And  Vcoos  yet  1  tluake  I  am  aUve. 


M  m  u| 


THE    REMEDIE     OF    LOVE. 


Tbis  iookf  iahn/or  the  mrfi  part  out  of  The  Proverbs  of  Solomon ^  if  o  wmrM 
bied  of  the  tUeeitJui  company  of  women* 

THE      PROLOGUE.     ^ 


ScTHc  the  many fokle  inconvenience 

Pa.Uiiig  by  unbrydlid  profpcritc, 

^7hiche  it  not  tcmprid  with  mural  prudence, 
P^oibing  more  wcithic  than  in  youth'is  frcjtc, 
I ^ovid  1  am  botlit  of  right  and  cquitc 
yXo  youtirii  wclc  J'omwhat  for  lo  cnditc 
*^  Whereby  he  may  himfclfin  fM^econdite. 

And  firAe  I  note  as  a.  thinge  moil  aoyoufi^ 

And  unto  youth  a  grcvous  mabdy, 

Amongis  ui  callld  love  cncombrous, 

Vcxyng  a!way  yongc  pr pic  Aratingclf , 
'  Ofcia  by  .force  it  cauHth  *hcm  to  dy^ 
Ijknd  age  11  alfo  turmcntid  by  love, 

t  tnene  bmeih  the  girdle'  and  not  above, 

Whcrforc  thin  vvcrkc,  whit  he  is  right  UboTous, 

for  age  me  nedith  nat  in  hondc  to  take> 
\  To  youthc  me  owith  lo  be'  obfcquiou^; 
[  |4owc  I  bcgiu  thus  to  workc  for  Mm,  fake, 
f  Whichc  may  tlie  fcivcncc  of  love  aflakc» 
I  To  the  lovir  as  a  tnitigative, 

To  him  that  is  none  a  prcfcrvative. 
ir      That  mighty  lordc  whichc  that  me  goTimeth* 
L  ^10  Vouthc  I  tncnc,  mefure  if  that  I  pa»;e 
I  In  every  matir  whichc  that  him  concuncth ; 

Firft,ai  is  bchgvcful.  I  wol  afkc  grace. 

And  forthwithal  now  in  thi*  fame  place 

Er  I  begin  I  wol  ykntlc  and  fay 

Thcfe  itv<c  wordis  and  hini  of  helpc  prayc: 
Thou  flouring  Youth,  whiche  haft  the  avauntagc 

In  Qrcngth  of  body,  in  lu{lc,afid  bcautc, 

Alfo  a  prcccUing  h4ile  above  Age 

!n  many*  a  finguler  commodiie, 

l4owc  be  it  one  thing  he  hath  bcyondc  the 

To  thy  moft  proBtc  and  grctift  avallc^ 

Whichc  ftiuld  the  conduit,  I  mere  fad  counfaDe. 
And  yet,  gcde  lorde»  pf  a  prcfumpcicn 

1  n*il  deprave  thy  might  and  dcitc, 

I  lyve  but  undir  thy  protetaion, 

J  am  thy  fubJL'dlc,  1  were  thy  lyvcric,        ^ 
forihpumt  groundc  o£  my  ]^njf]?«itc. 


And  frclhift  fiowir  of  a  I  my  ^x\zm^^ 
My  finguUcr  aide,  3$  1  well  umiirlV^ndc. 

But  a.H  he  that  owcth  hi^  lord.-  1 
And  entire  faithc,  hit  honour  ti 
Right  fo  I  fpcke,  and  in  uouc  oiuu  %^uc . 
T  knowkge  my  fclf  one  of  the  left  fo^tc 
Of  ihy  ftrvauntcf^  to  our  cldirs  tnmi«.rt-  _ 
Drawe  fadilc  counfaite  unto  the  i 
Thcwid  tby  powirwhoraaic  thi' 

Fie  on  Age,  I  lay,  undir  wordit  Icwt^ 
And  bit  erroneous  opinion  ! 
What  fpckift  of  htm  ^hlche  £ueth  aofic  sMm 
All  youth  to  be  of  ill  difpoQcicm  I 
Dampnith  u«  all  without  cxcepcion. 
And  for  a  colerable  ayauntage 
He  faitth  in  hym  rcftith  all  counfaill  &gt. 

Well  fothly  maie  tadde  counfatlc  in  him  l«lb 
But  yet  hit  dcdis  ben  full  ferrc  ihcr<.fro;     ^^A 
He  maie  wel  fayin  with  our  pariflic  prcfi«  ^^| 
Duith  at  I  faie  and  not  as  1  do  ;  ^H 

For  V  my  fclfin  know  wcic  one  or  tvro 
Well  ftrickin  in  age  that  for  ncighfaourhctI4« 
Ywoliin  to  tber  ncighbotirs  wivi^  Lcdde* 

He  will  in  prcfencc  of  the  yoo^  nan 
Her  citppe  and  kijTe,  ye^  and  her  doune  ylitfi 
And  to  hlcrc  his  eye  ihu&  he  fayiljl  tlsaQ«, 
O  fuffre  yet  oldc  MorcU  for  to  pbjc^ 
Now  have  I  doin  that  I  can  or  it>aie  : 
Thut  he  fayith  her  btiiL:itirl  ftjr  il*  q unite. 
That  he  nor  no  mar* 

In  woidc  nor  dcdr 
li'it  Impofliblc  that  he  (io«:  «iiiiiie  i 
If  the  yong  roan  fpekc,  auon  be  Ikietlit  Boiit 
To  rebuke  age  beifemcth  the  not  i wi* ; 
And  tho»  hii  oldc  face  aye  hi«  W4rrafi(]»; 
All  is  in  hym  but  Qeight  and  fubf  iltr^ 
And  ferrc  Ircm  right  refon,  I  tellui  lh«. 

And,  Ihortlyt  Age  tsnot  abovtn  me; 
Age  it  impotent,  and  of  no  ref^fteoct ; 
Age  unwcldic  ne  niiiit  not  fight  rot  fle ; 


PROJ-OOUI  TO   REMEDIE    OF  LOVE. 


55 1 


wcrin  Age  wllhoutin  my  defence  f 
jttttfAilc  f*icft,  Givithhym  aiTi  lie  rice; 
reioA  is  Irelhifk  where  that  I  atnc, 
fyre  in  thy  i^iyng  thou  art  to  blaiuc, 

I  reibo  to  mc  is  rathir  accompanied 
unto  AgCt  whichc  is  the  opioion 
TV  wife  man  aot  to  b^  defied, 

Ith  lad  coiinr;iile  procediih  ofrcTonf 
lunljilc  lo  mc  hath  ht&chefe  maociun  ; 
i  no  fiaic  ;  but  what  then  ii  the  ciide 

II  thy  fixafion ;  what  doeCt  cntcndc  i 
p  to  compart;  unto  thyne  excclknirc 

prcfume  hym  To  to  dignifie, 
I  not  egaiJ,  how  he  it  Experience 
avauntageth,  tor  flic  mode  certainly 
ccchith  what  thing  to  hym  ii  contrary» 
he  to  fore  ic  'and  warily  cfch<:we 
\c  thou  nevir  alTaidifl  y<^t  nor  knewe. 
icrlence  makith  a  man  mode  certain 
ng  <;n:h]iy,  and  ofnccefTite 
unfa  lie  requirith  certaintie  plain, 
re  to  moTin  thui  whereto  nvdc  wcf 
I  my  purpofc,  as  thou  commaundcil  me; 
f  mine  cntcnc  iiitbui>,  and  none  other, 

thj  licence  to  counfailc  nay  hroiher^ 
v  ibouldifl  give  any  counlailt;  lo  yon|j» 
Ig  espericncc  i  trnlo  thine  owne  ipcclie 


1  report  me»  I  w^itc  as  for  thy  tong" 
Will  ferve  the  right  wcl,  but  than  for  to  tech 
J  donbte  mc  left  that  thy  wit  wtill  nut  rech  ; 
Youth  and  Experience  thou  l&dl  be  not  convert^ 
How  IhouLdiil  thou  then  tcclie  well  unexpcrt  f 

£jcripture  wituilfith  that  God  will  Oft  (hittc 
Fro  the*  hie  wittid  man  and  Ihrwit  the  child,  "^ 
To  hym  t  menc  that  of  hi*  own  i  witte 
PrcfumctJi  not,  but  ii  dcbonaire  and  mifdc; 
By  counfailc  1  cntend  vertue  to  biitlc, 
Whichc  of  mync  ciders  part  hive  1  borovvi*d, 
And  part  of  experie;nce,  which  V  have  forowod. 

Weil,  thaUf  if  it  be  m  thou  lettift  fare 
She  we  forthe  thy  dodnne,  be  not  ought  agailc; 
I  woll  the  fupporte;   loke  thou  doe  not  fparc 
MiUgre  Age,  although  that  he  frcte  or  gnaile ; 
To  alki:  Age  counfail  herein  were  but  waft; 
Bf'Idely  begin  ;  go  forthc  to  the  proccfie; 
Fcrc  not,  fithixii  thou  art  of  foche  lurcnefTc 

Grauut  merciet  lorde  !  fithin  it  the  doeth  lilA^ 
Tu  licence  me,  now  t  woU  an  J  dare  boldly 
Aflaiie  m/purpole;  with  fcripturcnautcntike 
My  werke  woU  I  ground,  undfrfet,  and  forte&e  i 
Afpir .;  my  ginnyng,  o  thou  wode  Furic 
Alcdlo,  with  thy  iullin!  and  in  fpeciiiU 
To  ciie,  mother  of  Jdoufie,  Juno,  i  calL 


I 


THE    REMEDIE   OF    LOVE. 


werlcd  who  fo  (hall  fc  or  yrcdc 
ongruite  do  mc  not  impeche ; 
lUUc  behove th  mc  firft  to  precede 
uccion  thereof,  right  as  the  lechc 
ictcme's  fickncs  owcth  ftrft  for  to  fee  he, 
rhich  knoweo  medicin  he  (hould  apLc, 
bertly  ai  he  cjm  (hape  remcdic. 
ht  fo  by  counfail,  willing  the  to*  exhort, 
g^nan  profperous  I  which  doth  ftbounde 
fioures  of  lufte,  bclongcth  on  the  iort^ 
rft  to  codidir  what  *i»  rote  and  ground 
f  miTchefe,  whichc  i$  plajnlie  yfound 
io«  yfarcid  with  fraud  and  diftcipt, 
f  confufion  mofle  allciflivc  baite, 
:  the  mifwoman  lefl  fhe  the  ddccve, 
[aith  Salomon,  wliich  taught  wat  fullie 
dfhcd  of  women  in  his  daiei  to'  ciuiccve; 
ipi  of  a  ftrumpet  ben  fwetir  than  home, 
hrote  fonplid  with  oilc  of  flatiric, 
be  it  the  code  and  efiedc  of  all 
er  is  then  any  wormwode  or  gall, 
r  tKe  mifwoman  if  thou  love  thy  life  t 
'C'tii  the  flrauugir'f  blande  eIo<}ucnce; 
'  rigUhcrihat  i»  cot  thy  wift  i 


Of  her  bcautie  hare  no  concupJfcence, 
Her  countinauncc^  prctendyng  bencvo'leneei 
Bew;u'e  her  rigacs  and  eye  fo  amiitblc, 
Holdc  it  for  fcrme  thei  ben  difccvable. 

1,0,  here  an  enfiunpic  what  women  be 
In  ther  lignis  aiid  continuance  fliortlie  I 
1  woll  Ihewin  the  how  loviris  thrc 
YUivid  one  woman  right  cutjrclie^ 
Fche  of  thtm  knewe  4^thin'«  mahdie. 
Wherefore  it  wiii  aU  ther  daily  labnur 
Who  coud  approchtn  next  in  her  Uvour. 

At  foadric  fcfons,  as  fortune  rtquircih, 
St-veraiiic  thei  came  to  fc  her  welfare. 
But  oncA  it  happinid  1x>yc  them  fo  firetb. 
To  fc  ihcr  ladic  thei  ail  would  not  Ipare; 
Of  othir*ft  corny ug  none  of  them  were  ware, 
Till  all  ihei  mettc  wherea*  thei  m  o  place 
Of  ther  ladic  fawc  tf  ;      "  r.»cc. 

To  fuppir  fet,  foi  l-i  coudc  etcj 

Full  fouir  and  dcmuiL  lu  LnuiHUinunce,       * 
There  tariednonc  ol  'hem  for  any  mete, 
But  on  hit  ladic  to  give  attcndaunce. 
And  in  fecrctc  wife  fomc  figniiiaujj«« 
Mm  jijf 


Of  love  to  have,  the  whiche  pcrccvyng  (hp 
Fctcbe*  rxccudd  thus  her  propcrtc. 

In  due  feroti,  as  £hc  alwaic  afpicd 
Ivcry  ihyng  to*  execute  convenlcntUe* 
Her  one  lo^ir  firft  frcndelic  (he  eyed, 
The  fccond  (tit  offred  the  cuppc  fo  curtiflict 
The  thirdc  flic  gave  a  lokin  fee  ret  lie, 
IJndirncth  the  horde  (he  trade  on  his  foic. 
Through  hiientraiUstiklid  the  hcrtc  rote. 

By  your  Icyc,  might  I  here  aflce  3  qucflion 
Of  you  my  maiftir*  that  fcwc  bv'is  trace, 
To  yoti  likely  hclongeth  the  fulucion 
Whkhe  of  thefc  thire  yftode  now  in  her  grace  ! 
Clcrely  to  anfwcrc  ye  would  aflcc  long  fpacCi 
The  mattir  itdouhtfull  and  opiniiblc; 
To*  afccrt  ain  you  I  woll  my  ft  If  eoablc* 

Of  the  forcfayid  thrc  my  fclf  was  one, 
Ko  man  can  anfwere  it  bcttir  then  I ; 
>icrtclyof  us  bitovid  wa»  there  none, 
But  Watt*i»  packc  wc  bare  all  by  andby^ 
Whiche  at  the  lail  J  my  fclf  gan  afpte, 
And  time  as  mc  thought  then  1  left  the  dauncc : 

0  ihoughifull  hcrti',  grct  is  thy  grevauncc ! 
Hence  fro  me  1  hence!  that  me  fortocuditc 

lialpe  aie  here  afore,  o  ye  Mufis  Nine  f 
Whilom  ye  were  wont  be  mjne  aide  and  light, 
^y  pcnne  to  dircd,  my  bram  to*  illumine ; 
Vo  lengir,  alas  I  maic  I  fcwc  your  doflrinc, 
The  frefhc  I u flic  metirs  I  wont  to  make 
HiVC  ben  here  afore  V  uttirUc  forfakc. 

Come  hither  £nnny9,and  ye  Furies  all 
Whiche  fcr  hen  undrc'  us  nigh  the  nethir  pole, 
\Micre  Pluto  reignith,  o  kyug  Infernall ! 
Scodc  out  thine  Arpies,  fend  Atiguilhe  and  Dole, 
Mifcrie  and  Wo,  levc  ye  mc  not  fole. 
Of  right  be  prcfpnt  muft  Pain  and  'Tncmcnt, 

1  he  pale  Dcth  bcfcmcth  not  to  be  abfcnt. 
To  me  now  I  call  all  this  lothfome  fort 

'My  paine*  t*  encrcfc»  my  forowcs  to  augment, 
por  worthie'  I  am  to*  he  hare  of  all  comfort, 
Thus^  fith  I  have  confumid  and  mifpcnt 
>Jot  oncly  my  daics  but  fivcfoldc  talent 
That  my  Lnrdc  gave  me,  I  can  not  rccompcuce, 
]  maic  n*ot  to  derely'  abye  my  negligence. 

3y  th^'  path  of  pcnaunce  yet  uoll  I  revert 
To  the  well  of  grace,  mcrcie  there  to  fctchc  ; 
XlrfptQft  not  God  the  mckc  contrite  herte. 
Of  the  cocke  crowe,  alas  !  I  would  not  retche, 
And  yet  it  it  not  late  in  the'  fccond c  wetchc  : 
Mercic  (hall  I  purchatc  by  'inceflTaunt  criyng. 
The  mcrcie*  of  our  Lorde  er  fhall  I  fyng. 

But  well  roayift  thcu  waile,  wicked  woman, 
'That  thou  fhuldcft  difceve  thus  an  innocent ; 
In  recompcnce  of  my  Cnnc,  fo'  a^  F  caa. 
To*  al  wol  I  make  and  leve  ihi*  monument, 
In  Chewing  pan  of  thy  falihed  h  niyne  entent. 
For  all  were  to  moche,  I  cann^ot.  well  I  wotc, 
The  caufc  ihcwith  plainly  he  that  thus  wrote. 

If  at  the  yerth  wcr  parchment  fcribablr, 
Spedie  for  the  hande,  Und  all  manir  wodp 
Wtr  hewc'dand  proporcioncd  ro  pcnnii  able, 
All  water  ynke  eithir  in  damme  or  flodc, 
£very  man  being  a  parfite  fcribe  and  gode, 
The  ctirfidneflc  yet  ^nd  dcfceipt  of  wmi.cn 
poud  act  be  fhcwid  hj  ^^  m.tm  o£  ^im^. 


1  flic  all  odious  rcfcinblamicca ; 
The  dcvirift  bronde  call  wom<?o  I  migit^ 
Whereby  man  is  enccnfid  to  nufehaunoc«> 
Or  a  flinkyng  rofe,  that  faire  u  in  fight, 
Or  dcdly*  cmpoifon,  IFke  the  fugir  white, 
Whiche  by  his  fwetnelfc  caufith  man  to  taft. 
And  fodainly  (leeth  and  brtogctli  hixn  to*  kbit. 

U  *i$  not  my  manir  to  ufe  ibcKe  Ungipi, 
But  this  my  do&rme  as  I  maic  lawfuJlic 
r  woH  wholly  groundc  with  aaAhorttk  iipi 
Willmg  wifedome  and  vcrtuc  cdcic  ; 
Wine  and  women  into  apofhtiue 
Caufc  wifcmen  to  ftll;  what  is  that  to  fine f 
Of  wifedome  caufc  them  to  forgtet  the  wiie  : 

Wherefore  the  wifcmeu  dotth  the  adviic, 
In  whofe  wordis  can  be  founde  no  Icfyng. 
With  the  flrauiigtr  to  fit  tin  in  no  wife 
Whiche  is  not  thy  wife ;  fall  not  in  tlii  _ 
With  hcr»  but  beware  eke  ef  her  ksfffc^. 
Kept  with  her  in  wine  no  altcrcacioii, 
Ldt  thyne  hertc  fall  by  indiDacioD. 

Male  a  man,  thinki^^  hide  and  fafdy  U 
Fire  in  his  bofome  without  empaircmeftt 
Ami  brenningof  hifclothc9?  or  whader  te 
Walke  on  hottc  colis  hit  fete  not  ybrentc  f 
As  who  faith  nai«,  and  whereby  it  meotc 
Thi5  forclaied  proverbc  and  jlmilitude. 
But  that  thou  ridde  the  plainly  to  dco«d9 

From  the  flattirirs  forgcttyng  htr  jpdt^ 
The  gide  of  her  youth,  1  menc  Shamfiton^ 
Whiche  fhould  cauic  hci  ma^dli)^e4  to 
Her  Godd'is  bchefle  eke  Jhe  full  r«chekfle 
Not  retching  committcth  to  forgctfuloes, 
Ncithtr  God  nc  ihame  in  her  havyng  placcf 
Nedift  mult  fcche  a  wonaao  lacke  grace. 

And  ali  that  ncighin  her  in  waic  olfia 
To  tour  nc  of  grace  (hall  lacke  the  tuilit^aieii 
1  he  pathts  of  life  no  more  to  come  in. 
Wherefore  fird  frcndi  the  with  SapifMCt 
Re  mem  bring  God,  and  aftir  with  Prvd^cr, 
To  thyne  ownc  wcle,  that  fo  thci  may  the  k<ft^ 
Unto  thyne  bene  Jed  her  wordis  crepe. 

In  his  bnke  where  I  take  my  moO«  gfmnl, 
And  in  his  Prpverbis,  fag c  Salomon 
Tellith  a  tale  which  i*  plainly  found 
In  the  fivcth  chapter,  whedir  in  dcdc  doi 
Or  mekcly  feined  to  our  inllruccioa 
Let  clcrkcs  determine,  but  this  am  E  fate, 
Moche  Ifke  thyng  I  my  felf  have  hid  in%fCh 

At  my  wjndowe,  faicth  he,  I  loki^  uot, 
Fairc  yongC'  pcplc  where  I  fawc  many, 
£niong  *hem  all,  as  I  lokid  about. 
To  a  yong  man  fort\incd  I  lent  myue  fytt 
£flraungid  from  his  mindc  it  waa  Ckcly 
By  tl^e*  ilrete  at  a  comir,  nigh  hit  own  ' 
He  went  about  with  eye  right  curinu^ 

When  that  the  dale  his  light  began 
And  the  night  approchid  in  the  twinlight. 
How  a  woman  cahic  aad  met  bym  Ifawr, 
Talking  with  him  undir  (hn^    •  *  •^-  righti 
Now  bleffid  be  God  (quod  i  ^tg^ 

Whiche  hath  fulfillid  mynt  x        _    ^urc, 
Aflalied  my  painis,  which  were  li«cc  aafire. 

And  yet  mync  auidhour.  as  it  tifitdc  *** 
1ia  loVk'Ht^  I  tm^a  uU  hci 


uot. 


THE    REMEDIE    OP    tOVR 


yi  nJc^  fouHs  like  lo  fpIlK 
ij  countinauncc  yet  as  in  earmentc, 
yuR  fhc  was  of  reft  iitipaciemc, 
ig  ftill  in  nd  place  fhc  yftode, 
Tc  OQw^  and  now  out  fofthc  (he  yode  : 
1  the  hou»  (he  wai,  now  in  the  fltrctc, 
cornir  ftic  ftandcth  in  awaiie, 
Jy  bufie  her  praic  to  gcte, 
16  the  lure  whom  flic  doith  hitc. 
Tc  I  left  unto  my  mattir  ftraitc 
irnin  agam,  how  fee  hym  mct^ 
iflid»  and  frcndly  Kim  grctte. 
rordei  of  curtific  many*  and  dlxcik, 
■n  pan  I  have  before  ytolde, 
I  taji  I  purpofc  to  rchff  fc 
flattiring  iaicd  with  vifagc  bolde, 
idt  Towcs  and  o^ringcf  manifoldc 
ike,  o  niync  hcrtc !  o  ray  love  dcrc  * 
t  thaake  God  all  perform  id  were  , 
brc  I  came  out  and  made  thu«  ailerte, 
roui  your  welfare  to  fc ; 
!9t  feen  you  plefid  i&  myne  herte ; 
all  nooe  yhavc  my  love  bat  ye  ; 
■  I  am  to  you  be  to  mc  ; 
H  hertily,  derc  bertel  come  home, 
kould  be  to  mc  fo  much  welcome. 
I  godc  faithtr,  the  fothe  for  to  faic, 
lyng  unto  me  ran  in  my  thought : 
your  ere  i  my  bedde  frelhe  and  gaic 
hanged  with  tapcttis  new  bought, 
fptc  and  from  far  countries  ybrought, 
ith  many  a  lu[lje  frefhe  hewe, 
golde  or  jafpir  in  value  ; 
unbir  i«  ftrowed  with  mirre  and  infcnlct 
;  fav^ortng  aIoe«  and  iiniamomc, 
an  aromatikc  redolence, 
:yng  olibanc  in  any  man'*  dome  ; 
)itwcne  my  brcftcs  rcfl  if  ye  come; 
m  have  our  dcfirid  halfyng, 
.aic  fafe  he  till  in  the  mornyng. 
bufband  is  not  at  home,  he  h  went 
hi*  joamcy  a  farre  w^ie  from  hence, 
»ith  mcncy  he  hath  with  hym  hent, 
bought  ncdefull  was  for  his  expcucc  ; 
wordi*  give  faith  and  credence ; 
c  mone  yong  and  of  light  duUe, 
me  home  it  woU  be  at  the  fulle, 
Ui  craftily  hath  Ihe  hym  bcfettc 
lime  rodis,  and  pantir,  and  faare| 
Ionic  ycaught  bath  in  her  nctte, 
frid  mouthe,  alas   iiothyng  ware; 
is  he  left  grace leffc  and  bare 
And  cotnfort,  and  ghodly  fuccour, 
birtnore,  as  fayith  m)^e  audihour^ 
ift  ledde  to  hii  dcth  doith  pante 
:inan  folowltb  her  in  that  UoundCf 
wanton  lambe  full  i^uorantc 
I  pulled  and  drawin  to  be  bounde 
tymc  he  hath  his  deth'is  woundci 
I  bjrde  that  haftith  to  the  grin, 
yng  the  perill  "f*  lii*  life  therein, 
entle  (bnnc,  filth  Salomon,  take  hcde, 
a  in  thy  IrelV  kf  pe  and  make  fade, 
it  ej»y  myndc  in  her  waim  miflcde, 

;ef  j^  Uhth  not  thy  tafl^, 


m 


Many  hath  (he  woundid,  many  dowre  taftci 
Many  ftrong  men  by  her  hath  lolle  ther  bretii ; 
Her  waic»  arc  waie&of  helllcdyng  to  dcth. 

And  in  thia  lite  aarracion  precedeute 
The  womanne'a  manifolde  gilte  ]  attrnde, 
The  yongi  man,  ajas,  how  (he  hath  fhcnt ! 
Difcevid  her  hufbande  her  own  next  frcnd  ; 
In  thcfc  bothc  her  God  ihe  doith  offcnde; 
To  hrekc  her  fpoufail  to  her  is  of  no  weight, 
Furdirmorc  to  Ihcw  woman'*  craft  and  SeJ^t| 

A  woman  at  her  dorc  fate  on  a  ilall 
To  fc  folkc  patTc  by  flrctcs  of  the  cite. 
With  eye  and  countinauoce  eke  fhc  gan  ^aU^ 
If  there  be  any  pretic'  one  come  to  me, 
Come  hithir  ye  piggis  nye,  ye  little  bahc  I 
At  laft  (he  faicd  to  a  young  man  hertkfle. 
Of  her  dcceipt  unwarcand  dcfcncelefTcj 

Moche  fwctir,  (he  faith,  and  more  acceptable, 
Is  drinkc  when  it  is  ftoUin  privily 
Then  when  it*  U  taken  in  form  avowable  ; 
Bread  hiddin  and  gottln  jeopcrdoufiic 
Ymufl  ncdis  be  fwcic  and  fcmUablie ; 
Vcnifoti  llolin  is  aic  the  fwctir. 
The  fcrthir  the  narowir  fct  the  bettir. 

And  whom  thii  woman,  faith  Salomon,  fc 
The  yong  man  wotith  not  whom  Ihe  doth  fcde ; 
Of  the  darke  dcpcncffe  of  hell  ben  her  gcUci  ; 
Bcw*are,  o  yx>ng  man!  therefore  I  the  redc^ 
And  how  be  it  chiefly  for  thy  godc  fpcde 
Thi*  werkc  to  compile  I  have  take  in  charge 
1  mufl  of  pitie  my  charttic*  enlarge; 

With  the  ftrlic  man  whichc  U  thus  bcgilcd. 
Her  hufband  I  mcnc,  I  wol  wcpc  and  wailt 
Hii  painfull  infortujjc,  whereby  reviled 
Cauf.kfre  he  is,  ncvir  to  convaik  ; 
Every  man  yong  and  oldc  woU  him  aHaite 
With  worde»  of  occafion  with  the  loth  name, 
Andf  aIa»,gode  fouUt  he  nothyng  to  blame  : 

But  ihe  whicbe  that  coud  To  ill  doe  and  woUIe;, 
Hert  be  the  blame  for  her  foulc  dcmerite. 
And  levc  that  opprobrious  name  Cuckold 
To  apropir  to  hym  as  in  difpitc  : 
Ranfakc  yet  we  wouldin  if  that  wc  might 
Of  thi»  word^  the  true  ortogmphi?;, 
The  verie  difcent  and  etymologic 

The  wcU  and  groundc  of  the  firfle  tnTencion 
To  knowe  the*  ortographic  we  mull  derive, 
Whiche  it  Coke  and  Cold  in  compoficion. 
By  rtfon  a*  nigh  a$  I  contrive, 
't  hen  bow  it  it  writtla  wc  knowe  belive ; 
But  yet,  lo!  by  what  rcfon  and  what  grounde 
Ywas  it  of  thcfc  two  wordts  compounde  • 

A*  of  one  caul'c  to  give  very  judgement. 
The'  etymology  let  ut  firftc  Ucholdc  ; 
Ecbc  iettir  ao  whole  worde  doeth  rcprefcot, 
As  C  put  for  Cotde,  and  O  put  for  Olde, 
K  is  for  Knave ;  thus  diver*  men  don  holde  ; 
The  firfte  parte  of  this  name  we  have  yfoundCf 
Let  u£  cthimologife  the  fecounde. 

As  the  firfte  findir  mcnte  I  am  right  furc 
C  for  Caiot,  for  Of  wc  havin  O, 
And  L.  for  Leudc,  and  D  for  Dcmenurc, 
The  craft  of  the*  envcntour  ye  maic  fc,  lol  , 

How  <wic  name  f»gui£eih  ptrfoim  two> 


4 


.S$4 


THE|REMEDIZ    OF    LOVE. 


LA  Coidc  OUe  KnaTf »  Cokcold  himfclf  wcnyng, 
_pd  ckc  a  Ctilot  of  l^ciide  Dcmciiyng, 
r*  The  iecondt  czmCc  of  the"  imporicton 
jt  thi*  fore  fay  id  name  wai^  jcloufic  ; 
^To  be  jcloiifc  is  grctift  occaGon 
To  be  coltcold  that  men  can  wcl  afpi^, 
And  though  the  paflion  he  very  firk. 
And  i>f  continacll  fervencc  and  hctc, 
The  patent  aye  fuffrith  coldc  on  hi*  fete. 

And  who  that  *is  jeFous  and  aye  id  a  drede 
Is  full  of  mclancolie  and  gallie  ire; 
His  wiv*i5  nofe  if  (he  onh  mifTctrcde 
He  M^oll  cut  off,  ye,  and  he  woll  coufptrc 
His  deth  who  cvir  that  woU  hcrdcfire, 
Whichc  ftlc  prrccvyng  brail  ttJj  flrci^ht  his  gall ; 
And  anonc  hit  g^rete  wodcnefl'c  diiith  falL 

As  f6nc  OS  Ihe  hath  knit  for  him  thdt  knoc 
Now  h  he  tame  that  was  fo  rama^ious ; 
Hfckely  fittkhhc  dounc  andtakith  hh  lot; 
La)  id  bcQ  now  hh  lokc*  fo  furious. 
And  he  but  late  as  a  coke  batailous, 
Hole  in  his  quarcil,  to  avenge  hym  bolde. 
Now  t«  he  callid  botht-  Coke  sind  Cokii;. 

This  faying,  to'  all  curtific  difTouant^ 
Which  yfcmith  that  it  of  malitc  grcwtr, 
fn  this  rude  tretifc  I  nc  woll  not  plant 
Aft  parcill  thereof,  bitt  oncly  tu  flicwc 
Tht  opinion  of  the  talcali/c  (hrewc, 
Whichc  in  ill  faiyng  is  ever  mcrie 
No  man  as  I  i    t'  creof  fo  wtrie. 

But  I  as  pJTcill  of  this  my  lite  bokc 
Woll  graffin  in  fomc  faddc  counfatll  whcrby 
The  wcddid  man,  if  that  he  daigne  to  lokc 
In  it,  the  bcttir  fhall  mowin  hym  gic, 
And  provide  for  htB  faied  infor tunie, 
Whiche  &e  I  have  fayidwith  htm  coniplalne 
I  woU,  as  partinir  of  hisgretc  patnc. 

Aa  mofle  expedient  unto  hia  wcle 
I  wouldc  that  ail  jcloufic  were  abjei3:e, 
f f  be  be  jclous  that  he  It  concele* 
And  in  his  labour  be  full  circumfpe£te, 
'I'oknowc  her  waiesif  thci  Icmin  fufpc<3e, 
And  not  for  to  breke,for  cce  wordc  brokin 
She  woH  not  mifle  but  iht  woU  ht  brokin. 

Forbid  her  not  that  thou  n'oldifi:  have  don. 
For  lokc  what  ih)Tig  fo  e*t^rc  ftie  is  forbod 
To  that  of  all  thyngis  (he  is  moft  prone, 
Naniity  if  it  be  ill  and  no  gode  ; 
Till  it  be  eiccutid  (be'  is  nigh  wode : 
Soche  i»  a  woman,  and  foche  1% her  fete; 
Her  craft  by  craft  than  labou;  to  dcfetc. 

IJTthou  hereaftir,  now  a  fingle  man, 
ShoTjldift  be  jclout  if  thou  haddeil  a  wlfc^ 
Wcddc  not  but  if  thou  can  trull  a  woman^ 
For  elf  (houldlil  thou  ledc  a  carefull  life ; 
That  thou  mcfte  lothift  fhould  ybc  full  rife; 
Yet  r  nc  will  galnfaic  matritnoDie, 
But  A'letltii  iji  Httber^  ^uam  uri* 

Tliat  is  to  faie,  Bettir  is  in  wedlocke 
A  w;£e  to  takci^  a»  the  churche  doith  keone, 
Then  for  to  ben  undir  the  flci1i*is  yoke. 
In  flefhtie  lu{Li3»  alwaic  for  to  brcnne  j 
But,  a%  1  fayid,  for  all  jclous  mcnne. 
So  thei  livin  chafle,  I  holdc  it  lafle  ill 
ThM  thci  DC  wcdde  atit  than  chcoaUVCLn  Ti^vVl* 


The  Qngle  man  whiche  that  u  fct  t9  ^ 
And  not  the  wcddid  tnan,  thus  I  aredc. 
To  Warnc  hym  now  he  i*  to  lajrc  yfpedde^  . 
It  i>  all  to  late  hym  for  fo  forbcdc. 
But  let  hym  take  as  for  hi*  owne  ncdc 
Soche  counfaite  a*  t«  hym  before  ytold^ 
Thefc  wordis  folowyngeke  to  beholdc 

Thy  watir  to  kepc  the  wifcman  <loiK  t 
That  thou  in  no  wife  let  it  have  iffue. 
At  a  narowe  rifte  waic  it  woll  yfcchc  j 
And  fe-mbUbhc  the  woman  tJ^at  *i%  untmc 
To  give  her  frc  waDte  in  aJl  wife  eCcliiK; 
if  fhe  at  large,  not  at  thine  handc,  waUbC 
She  woll  the  jbamln,  thou  (halt  it  oot  bafte. 

Wcddid  or  Tingle  thui  faith  the  wi£tmaa> 
Hrr  which  that  both  daic  and  nigltt  crinaoit 
Lithe  ?n  thy  bofome,  wife  or  yet  lunoiao^ 
Love  not  to  bote,  lefl  thcQ  repent  tt  tort^ 
Left  the  the  bryngin  into  fomc  iU  late  £ 
Thy  wife  not  to  love  yet  I  n'lD  Cuypatt^ 
But  that  thou  doc  not  thus  1  the  ciliort. 

Lo  !   if  thou  love  her  love  thine  honcikjc  j 
Be  (he  not  idill  for  what  woll  beiidc  ; 
If  fhe  fit  idle*  of  very  ncceflitic 
Her  mindc  woll  fcrchln  fcrrc  and  ckc  wi^^* 
Name^lie  if  fhe  be  not  accompanidc  : 
How  accompanied  f  not  with  yong^  men*    ^^ 
But  with  maidini»  I  mencor  women.  ^M 

Matdln  fcrvauntcs  be  right  convetiieat     ^| 
hi  hottfc  to  hetpiM  to  doc  her  fcrv ice. 
In  whom  fhe  maie  ufe  her  comnoannd^mefit 
In  the  fcfon  mil  at  her  ownc  device; 
To  tcchin  'hem  gode  ycvc  her  thine  advicfi^ 
To  make  them  hufwifi» :  rhu&  buGiicite 
Maic  yet  rcfrainin  her  from  idlencffc- 

But  bid  not  her  that  thou  wolt  hairc  bcr  d 
Of  thine  cntent  that  might  be  a  lettyogi 
But  craftily  encourage  her  thcrto 
By  othir  mcnis,  as  by  commcndyng. 
And  tiot  to  nioche,  but  dailyng  tncogyng' 
Bothc  praifc  and  blamd,  and  in  thy  tdbo 
Firft  raife  wifily  the  place  and  fefon. 

Of  faithful!  will  and  hertc  full  tender 
One  thing  I  call  into  rcmcmbcraimcc 
Again  which  though  my  wit  be  to  flefi4er 
Aftir  my  powir  and  my  fu^auncc 
1  porpofc  to  makin  a  purvciauncc, 
Sith  woraca  of  nature  ben  chaungcablc, 
Frcle,  and  not  ware,  alfo  difcevablc. 

Be  it  that  thy  wife  be  esceUenLly  godf» 
That  none  be  bet  of  difpoficion, 
!n  procefTe  of  time  fhe  might  turn  her  mode 
By  fomc  miffc-liver'i  infligacioa  ; 
Divers  men  to  thiike  occupacion 
Aplyin  daily  ther  myndc  and  ckc  herte. 
From  thcr  godcncITe  frcle  women  to 

If  thou  afpic  any  fufpct^  pcHbCp 
Drawc  to  thy  wife,  beware  m  alU  wtfci 
To  hym  nor  her  of  thy  fufpcccioQ 
Breke  not  one  worde  though  cha(  ttuoe  llerle^ 

Although  he  be  of  i  eornipt  rntcnt 
She  peravtQlure  b  oot  of  liTeat. 


\ 


A.SAITMO  OF  DAM.  JOHN. 


^SS 


A  SAIYNG  OF  DAN  JOHN. 


Tbie  bethe  four  thingit  that  fiuketh  man  afole; 
Honour  firft  puttith  him  into  outrage, 
And  aldir  next  folitarie  and  fole ; 
The  fecond  b  unweldy  crokid  age ; 


Women  alfo  bring  men  into  dotage ; 
And  mighty  wine  in  many  divers  wife 
Diftemprin  folke  which  ben  yholdin  wiie« 


YET  OF  THE   SAME. 


nTazi  ben  four  thingii  caufin|r  grete  folye; 
Honour  firft ;  and  fecond  unwddy  age ; 
Women  and  wine  I  dare  eke  fpecify 
Ymalpe  wife  men  fallin  loco  4oi»ge{ 


Wherfore  by  coanfell  of  phOofophert  iago 
In  gret  honour  lemith  this  rule  of  me. 
With  thine  eilate  havith  humil^te. 


MOTTO  TO  JACK  UPLANI>. 


Or  freiifl  I  have  told  before 
Now  in  a  making  of  a  credfi^ 


fAnd  yet  I  could ' tell  woric  andmovp^ 
But  men  would  wcrxicn  it  to  rede 


[       ja*                                  PROLOGUE   TO 

HOUSE  OF   FAM2.            ^^| 

^^H        THE   HOUSE   OF   FAME.       ^M 

^^^^H                                                         ^^M 

h  tbu  Bc9k  ujhewed  how  the  deedi  of  ail  m^n  and  WGmen^  &  ibey  g^  or^fl 

.^...^...^.        g 

THE    P  R< 

>L  OGUB*                                ^H 

God  tottmc  us  ererie  dremc  to  gode, 

Or  ellls  by  difordinauocf »                    ^^^| 

por  it  is  wondir  thyng  by  the'  rodc^ 

Or  natuni.]  accuilomaunce,                   ^^^| 

To  my  witc,what  cau&th  fweviats 

That  fomc  men  bu  to  curiotiS             ^^^^ 

On  the  morowc  or  on  cvincs. 

In  (ludie  or  mcUncoUous;                    ^^^| 

And  why  the'  cifeftc  folowtth  o£  ^mi^^ 

Or  thus,  fo  inly  full  of  dttAt*                ^^H 

And  of  fotnc  it  fhiU  ocvir  come. 

That  no  man  maic  'hero  bote  red«  i            ■ 

Whythatumavifion, 

Or  elli$  that  dcvocton                            ^^^^ 

And  thi*  a  rcvcUcion, 

Of  fome  and  eontcmpUcion                   ^^^H 

Caufin  to  them  foe  he  dTcmL&  oftc ;       ^^^H 

And  not  10  every  min  liche  even. 

Or  that  the  crail  life  unfofte                ^^H 

Why  thit  a  fantome*  why  that  crictet 

Of  *bem  that  unkind  lovia  led  en,         ^^H 

I  n*ot;  but  whofo  of  thcfc  miracles 

That  oftin  hopin  moche  or  dredcn,    ^^^1 

The  cauficaknowith  bet  than  I 

That  purely  iJier  impiefliQ&t               ^^^| 

Define  he,  for  1  certainly 

CauCn  'hem  to  ha^vc  vtHoni :                ^^H 

Ne  can  *hcm  not,  ne  ncnr  thinke 

Or  if  that  fpiritcs  ban  the  mjghc          ^^^| 

To  bufic  my  wittc  for  to  fwinkc 

To  makin  folke  to  drcme  on  nighr,       ^^^| 

To  knowc  of  thtr  fignificacions 

Or  if  the  foul  of  propir  kindc               ^^^^ 

The  gendrit  ne  th*  diftincLions                                ' 

Be  fo  perfite  as  men  yfinde»                 ^^^H 

Of  the  tymcs  of  *hcm»  ne  the  caufli. 

That  it  wclc  wote  what  is  to  eome,          ^| 

Or  why  that  this  ts  more  ibcii  that  ii. 

And  that  b«  warnith  all  and  foroe         ^^H 

Or  if  folki*  compleiioni 

Of  everiche  of  ther  avinturc^               ^^H 

Make  *hcm  drcme  of  rcflexiontj 

Ey  avillons  or  by  figure ^                     ^^^H 

Or  cllii  thus,  as  other  fainc. 

But  that  our  flefh  cc  balk  aonugbt     ^^H 

For  the*  grctc  fcblenctTc  of  ther  braine, 

To  undcrlUndin  it  artgbt«                           H 

By  abftinenct  or  by  ilcknefTc, 

For  it  IS  waroid  to  dcrkely,                >^^H 

By  prifon,  llricf,  or  grctc  dilkcffc*, 

^ut  why  tiK  oiufe  IS  ooi  wote  f ;         ^^H 

^                jVHp    ^ 

^^^^^^^^^^^T^^^^^3^^^SB^^^^H 

Wt         t»ItOLOOUE   TO   THE 

S    HOUSE    OF    FAME,                      j»f    . 

wotin  of  thh  thyngc  clcrkci 

And  he  that  movir  i»  of  all                                           ' 

trttea  of  that  aad  octur  werkes^ 

That  in  and  was»  and  cvir  Aiall,                           ,^^^ 

1  of  none  opinion 

So  give  *hcm  joy^  that  it  here                              ^^H 

aa  now  makin  mcncion. 

Of  all  that  thci  dremin  to  ycre,                           ^^H 

BTily  thai  the  Jwly  rode 

And  for  to  Hand  In  all  in  grace                           ^^H 

Timg  us  every  drcmc  to  god«| 

Of  thcr  tovii^  or  in  what  place                            ^^H 

levir  fithtn  1  was  borne, 

That  'hem  were  levid  foir  to  flonde,                  ^^H 

0  man  cUis  mc  bcforne. 

And  fhaldc  'hem  from  povcrtc'  and  ihonde»          ^^M 

ttc  1  trowe  rtjjht  ftcdfiaftly 

And  from  every'  unhappe  and  difefe,                  ^^M 

ondlrfull  a  drcme  as  1 

And  fcnde 'hem that  which maie*hcmplcfe,         ^^M 

ten  the  <bit  now  of  Deccmbtr, 

That  takith  wcU  and  Ccornith  nought,               ^^H 

wbichc,  a»  I  can  remember. 

Nc  it  mifdemin  in  clier  thought                          ^^H 

11  you  tdlin  every  ddc  : 

Through  malicious  entencion ;                            ^^H 

It  beginnyng  truilith  wcle 

And  whofo  through  prefumpcion,                       ^^M 

U  m^  tnvocacion 

Or  hate,  or  rcorne,  or  though  cnvie«                   J^^M 

1  dcYOttte  fpeciali  devocion 

Bifpite,  or  jape,  or  fdonie,                                  '^^M 

the  ffod  c?f  5lcpe  anone, 
dwellith  in  a  cave  of  (lone. 

Mildcme  it,  praic  I  Jcfus  gode,                            ^^H 

Dreme  he  barefote  or  drcme  he  Ihode^               ^^H 

1  a  ftreme  ihat  cometh  fro  Lctc, 

That  every  harme  that  any  man                         ^^H 

U  a  flodc  of  hell  unfwcte. 

Hath  had  fithin  the  worlde  began                       ^^H 

c  a  fulkc  men  clcpe  Cimcrie 

Befall  hym  thereof  or  he  ftcrve,                            ^^H 

And  graunt  that  he  maic  it  delerre !                   ^^H 

1  hi*  ilcpie  thoufandc  fonis ; 

Lto  !  with  right  fodie  conclufioo                       ^^B 

alwaie  to  flcpe  thcr  woo  ii; 

A&  had  of  hi^  avtfion                                               ^^H 

to  thi«  god  that  J  of  rede 

CrefuSf  that  was  the  Kyng  of  Lyde,                    ^^M 

:  I  that  he  woUiit  me  fpcde 

I'hat  high  upon  a  gibct  dyde,                              ^^H 

wcvin  for  to  tc'l  af  ight, 

ity  drt^mt  fUndc  m  his  might, 

km 

This  prayir  Ihal)  he  have  of  aic,                         ^^H 

I  am  00  bctic  ia  charitCt                                  ^^M 

^^^     THE    FIR. 

5T   BOKE.                   S 

Wtrkin,  a$  I  have  you  faied, 

Ao4  mo  ctirioui  portraIturi»                               ^^H 

L  that  1  mctte  or  I  abraied* 

And  queint  manir  of  figuri*                                ^^^| 

ectmbcr  the  tcnith  daic 

Of  goldc  workc  then  t  fawe  cvir  t                     ^^H 

a  it  was  ntght  to  flepc  I  laie. 

But  certainly  1  n'td  nevtr                                ^^H 

t  at !  was  wontc  for  to  docn. 

Where  that  it  wat,  biit  well  will  £                      ^^M 

fill  ailep^  wondir  fonr. 

it  was  of  Venus  rcdily                                        ^^H 

I  that  was  weric  forgo 

lliii  temple,  for  in  purtrcittire                            ^^H 

ilgrimage  niilis  two 

1  fawe  anonc  right  her  figure                             ^^^| 

^c  corps  ofSain^  Leonardo, 

Nakid  yflctyng  in  a  fe,                                        ^^H 

lakin  lithe  that  crtl  was  hardei 

And  alfo  OR  her  hedde  parde                                ^^H 

t  a»  mc  Ucpt  mc  mettc  t  Wat 

Her  rofy  garland  white  and  redde,                     ^^H 

in  a  tciupic*  iniadt'  ot  glas. 

And  her  combe  fur  to  kcmbe  her  heddc»          ^^H 

lichc  ih^rc  werin  mo  imagei 

Her  dovis,  and  Dan  Cupido                                ^^^| 

»lde  daadyng  in  fondric  flagei, 

Hcrblinde  fonne,  and  Vulcano,                         ^^H 

in  morichc  tabirnacles,                                     , 

That  in  his  face  ywa&fuU  broune.                       ^^H 

liut  u  I  romid  up  aadd^uoc                       .^^H 

"ii^                                      T  H  E    H  0  U  S  E   O  F    f  A  ME.                         ^B 

'         1  foundc  that  on  th^  wnll  tltcrc  was 

So  hmd^,  thif  he  (houM  ydrfvcfie            ^ 

i        Thus  writ  tin  on  a  tabic*  lof  bms ; 

1                   wo/i  /taii'/''ftg,  if  that  /  sa^^ 

,   Of  all  the  Tojanis  nacion                             M 

1           fr*£<  art>iict  and  atfv  fhf  OMn 

Without  any*  of  thcr  fatvaeifm,                   fl 

Tbatjtrfl  came  tbreuj^h  by  dtf'tnt 

There  fawc  1  fochc  tempcft  wife           fl 

jFi^^'iVf/r/n*  Trit^t  the  tounire 

That  every  >icllfe might  ajfnie                     fl 

Jpta  iulffy  'wttiffuit  moih^het 

To  Ic  it  paintidon  the  wall.                         ^ 

1          l//ito  thfjlondit  o/LtTifffte  j 

There  fawc  I  ckc  gmvin  withAJl           ^H 

Ana  liio  began  the  ftoric*  anone 

Venus,  how  yt,  my  ladi*  dcrc !            ^^^H 

As  i  (hall  tcUin  you  cchonc. 

Ywcpyng  with  full  wofuil  cherc,        ^^^| 

Firft  fawc  1  the  diftrucdon 

Yprayid  Jupiter  on  hie                          ^^^^ 

Of  Trnic  thnmagh  the  Grcrke  Sino5 

To  favc  and  kepin  tbst  navie                ^^^| 

With  his  tallc  untrue  forfwcr^ngct. 

Of  that  dere  Trojan  i^ncai,                 J^^l 

1        And  with  his  chcrc  and  his  kfynget, 

SithinA  that  he  yonr  fonne  ywa^         ^^^| 

That  made  a  horfc  brought  into  Troyc 

There  fawc  1  Jovis  Vccu*  kiffc,        ^^H 

By  whiche  Trojan*  loftc  all  thtrjoye. 

And  grauntid  was  of  the'  ccmpcfl  tlSe.     ^ 

And  aftir  this  was  graved,  alas  J 

Ihcrc  fawc  I  how  the  tennpell  dcatc^    4 

Htjw  Ilion's  caflill  afT^^itcd  was 

And  how  with  ailc  pine  he  w««                fl 

And  won,  and  Kyng  Priamus  Oain, 

And  privihc  coke  a  nvag«                     ^^U 

And  Politcs  hisk  lannc  certain, 

Into  the  countric  of  Carthage,              ^^H 

Difpltoufly  of  JOan  Pyrrhaa, 

And  on  the  tnorowe  how  that  he        ^^^M 

And  next  that  fawc  I  howe  Venus, 

And  a  knight  that  hight  Achate          ^^^H 

When  that  flie  fawc  the  cafliJt  brcndc. 

Ymcttin  with  Venos  that  dmic              ^^H 

Bounce  from  hcvin  (he  gan  difccndc. 

Goyng  in  a  full  qttcmtc  araic,                ^^^t 

And  bade  her  fonne  ^nca>  flc» 

As  (he  had  be  ao  huotxrefTe,                  ^^^^ 

And  how  he  fled,  and  how  that  he 

With  winde  blowing  upon  hcTtrtttlpg  ^^^B 

JEfcapid  wa*  from  till  the  prcs, 

And  how  ^ncas  gui  to  plainc,                   ^ 

And  lokc  his  fathxc\  oldc  Anchifet, 

When  that  he  kncwe  her^  of  hit  painr^        M 

And  bare  bym  on  his  backc  awaic. 

And  how  his  IhippTsdreint  ywerc               H 

Crying  ftaa  and  Welawaic  I 

Or  els  iloftc,  he  n'ifte  not  where,                  H 

•J'hc  whichc  Anchifc*  in  his  handc 

How  (he  began  hym  comfortc  tho,              H 

Bare  tho  the  goddis  of  ihc  landt. 

And  bade  hym  unto  Carthage  go.                H 

1  mcnc  thilkc  that  unbrennid  were. 

And  there  he  Ihotild  his  folke  yfiade            H 

1            Then  fawc  I  next  that  all  in  fere 

That  in  the  fe  were  left  behindc  :                  H 

i        How  Creufa,  Dan  iEneas  wife, 

And,  ihortly  of  this  thyng  t«  pace,              ^M 

\\'hom  that  he  lovid  all  hii  life,                                i 

She  made  ^nias  fo  in  grace                           1 

And  her  yong  fonnc  depid  Julo, 

Of  Dido,  Qucne  of  that  countre,            ^^M 

And  eke  Afcanius  alfo, 

That,  fhortly  for  to  tellin,  (he                 d^^| 

Heddin  eke  with  full  drcric  chcrc. 

Became  his  love,  and  let  hym  do           "^^H 

That  it  Wii  pile  for  to  here. 

All  that  wcddyog  ylongilh  to  i                  ^H 

And  in  a  fordl  ai  thei  went 

What  Jhauld  1  fpekin  it  more  qiaiot^          1 

.       How  at  a  tournyng  of  a  went 

Or  pain  me  my  wordi  s  to  painte  I                U 

Creiifa  was  iloftc,  alas  ! 

To  ipekc  of  love  it  woll  not  be,                     H 

1  hat  rede  not  I  how  that  it  was,                              | 

1  caD  not  of  that  facultc,                          ^^^M 

How  he  her  fought,  and  how  her  ghoflc 

And  ckc  to  tcDen  of  the  man  ere           ^^H 

Bad  hym  to  flic  the  Grekis  hoftc. 

How  that  thei  firft  acquaintid  were      ^^H 

And  faicd  he  muft  into  Itaile, 

It  were  a  long  proccfle  Co  tell,               ^^H 

As  wa«i  his  dcdinle  fauiit  faile. 

And  Qvir  long  for  you  to  dwell           ^^^H 

That  it  wai  pitie  for  to  here. 

There  fawc  I  grave  howe  Matm    ^^^| 

When  that  her  fptrilc  gan  appere. 

Tolde  to  Dido  every  raas                       ^^^H 

The  wordia  that  (he  to  hym  faied. 

That  hym  wjs  tiddc  upon  the  fe.        ^^^H 

And  for  to  kcpc  her  fonnc  hym  praiod- 

And  eft  gravin  was  how  that  Ckc       ^^H 

Thcrc  fawc  I  gravin  ckc  how  he, 

Made  of  hym,  fhortly  at  a  wonSe,          ^^B 

His  fiithir  ckc  and  his  meind. 

Her  life,  her  love,  her  luil,  h«r  kic4e«          J 

With  his  fliippis  began  to  fatle   * 

And  did  to  hym  all  revercoee,               ^^^H 

1      Toward  the  conntrcy  of  Italic 

And  laied  on  hym  all  the  diipencc         ^^^| 

As  (Ircight  as  ere  thei  raightin  go. 

That  any  «^on^aa  might  fi^ft,                ^^^M 

Thcrt  lawc  1  ckc  the  cruiil  Juno, 

Wenyng  that  it  h^  aU  be  (o     .            ^H 

That  art  Dan  Jupiter  his  wife. 

As  he  her  fworc,  and  hereby  dcnvd     ^^^H 

That  haft  ihatid  all  thy  life 

That  he  was  godc,for  he  (belle  faotod  L      V 

Mercilcfs  all  the  Trojan  blodc. 

Alji  f  wA«r/  Imtmt  dwH>  a^farm:g                  ^^B 

Rennin  and  crie  a«  thou  were  wode 

,  IVifcm  it  i^plp  ia  ex  IftBit  !                         ^^^| 

f     On  ^olus,  the  god  of  Windcs, 

For  he  to  her  a  trait  our  waa,                  ^^^| 

To  blcwia  out  Si  alU  kuide# 

1 

Wherefore  fhc  flowc  ber  Jdl,  ftk»  \       I^^H 

THE    H  0  U  S 

EOPFAME,                                     i^  ^ 

1  woman  aocth  amis 

Any  woman  ort  a  falfe  man !                                    ^^H 

n  that  unknowin  b ! 

Now  1  fe  well  and  tcUin  can                         .^H^l 

ill  lo  thut  it  farith. 

We  wrcrchid  women  can  no  artf|                  T  ^^^^1 
For  cenamc  for  the  morC  parte                       ,^^^^| 

fpLU  tbat^Urith  ;                                                ' 

oke  1  welJ  mync  hcdde 

Thui  y^x  ben  fervid  everichone^                      '  ^^^H 

he  undir  godtiibeJJe 

How  fore  fo  that  yc  men  can  j^rone ;               ^^^^| 

y  aJbrcMJiw*  i 

Anon  as  wc  have  you  rc£cived                         ^^^^| 

tt  no  wight  be  (o  nice 

Full  ccrtainlie  we  ben  deceved,                       ^^^^H 

ovc  onlv  for  chcrc, 
or  for  frendly  manerc. 

For  though  your  love  lafl  a  cefon,                 ^^^^^^ 

Waitc  upon  the  conclufjon,                              ^^^^^ 

11  every  woman  findc 

And  loke  eke  how  ye  determine*                   fi^^^^l 

man  of  his  pur^  kinclc 

And  for  the  more  part^  define;                        !^^^^| 

n  outwird  the  fairift 

O  welawaie  that  I  was  bom  !                          'l^^^^l 

c  caught  that  what  hym  Wl, 
inon  woll  cmuQii  linde. 

For  thorough  you  my  name  U  tornc>               ^^^^^| 

And  mine  atlis  are  r^dc  and  fong                  t^^^^l 

hmw  that  fljc  is  unkindc. 

0*cr  all  this  lande  in  every  tong.                     J^^^^H 

■  privic',  or  double  was  : 
e  I  by  ^aca§ 

O  wickid  Fame  !  for  there  o'isi                   I'^^^^l 

Nothing  fo  fwifte,  lo  ?  a«  ihe  ii ;                      t^^^^l 

ind  her  mcc^  left. 

O  fothe  is,  Evrry  tlmg  ii  •ufjft                               ^^^^^M 

all  to  fonc  a  geA; 

Tbiftigh  it  bi  c»vtrd£  ttriib  ilc  nlfl  i                           ^^^^H 

J  woli  faic  Q  provcrbe. 

Eke  though  that  I  might  durlu  ever              ^^^^| 

mt/uiiii  knoiBtit  ihi  birb€ 

That  I  have  done  reccvrt*  I  nevcr»                 '  ^^^^1 

laie  it  tQ  h'u  tyr  ; 

That  it  ne  Ihall  be  faicd,  alat !                                 ^  ^| 
\  Hmmid  wa^  through  ^aca»,                          .^^^H 

drcde  this  is  no  He, 

IS  fpckc  of  ^ncai 

And  that  1  (hall  thus  judgid  be,                     ^^^^^| 

trayid  hcr^  alas ! 

Lo  !  right  a»  (he  hath  do«:Q  now  Ihe           ^^^^H 

n  full  unklndi^lie. 

Woll  dorn  eftfonis  harJily,                               ^^^^^ 

I  0IC  fawc  all  uttirlle 

Thus  faic  the  ptple  privily  ;                             ^^^^^ 

mild  her  of  trouihc  faifc, 

But  that  i»  doen  n'is  not  done :                        ^^^^^ 

in  from  her  into'  Itailc, 

But  all  her  complaint  nc  her  monc                    flP^^I 

wring  her  hnndis  two. 
pod  fnc)  that  me  it  wo  I 

Certain  availed  her  not  a  lire. 

And  when  ihc  will  fothely  that  he 

fery  mai>  thus  tfuc. 

Was  f or  tJi c  i  n 1 0  h is  (hi p  agone 

'  yerc  woll  have  a  ncwc. 

She  into  chambir  went  anonc» 

gi  tymc  codmr, 

And  calhd  on  her  fuftir  Anuc» 

re  pcravintttre  ? 

And  gan  her  to  complain  ui  thannr, 

if  ooe  he  woU  have  fame 

And  faied  that  (he  the  cauft:  ywa^ 

ing  hji  owBC  tjAme, 

That  fhc  (irli  lovid  him,  alai  t 

ar  freodftiip  faith  he, 

And  i^r^  coutifailid her  thereto; 

lere  fhall  th<;  third c  ybc^ 

But  what  whan  thb  w;i»  faied  and  do 

Jcin  for  dclite, 

She  ruftc  her  felvin  tu  the  bcrte. 

1  for  fingnler  profite. 

And  deidc  thorough  the  woundi«  Imerte  ; 

ofdiji  began  complainc 

But  all  the  manir  how  flic  dtiJc, 

11  Dido  of  her  pame, 

And  all  the  wordi*  huw  (he  feidc, 

:tt  drcmyng  rcdily, 

Who  To  to  knowc  it  haili  purpofc. 

raut^mir  aledge  wwlI  \^ 

Rede  Virgilc  in  j^ncidot. 

jod  (he)  my  fwtU  hcrte  I 

Or  the  lipilliU  of  O vide, 

00  my  forowc*  fjncrte, 

What  tliat  the  wrric  or  that  (he  didc; 

tntn\  go  not  a^^aic. 

And  n'cre  tc  to  longc  to  cnijitc 

1  Dido  !  welawaic  1 

By  God  1  would  it  hcrt  ywrite. 

)  timo  her  fclvin  tho* 

But  weiawaic !  the  hannc  uod  routh 

J !  what  woll  yc  do  ? 

That  hath  hctidc  for  foe  he  uiitrouUl, 

T  love,  nciihir  your  bonde. 

As  men  maic  oft  in  bokii  rede. 

yefworc  with  your  right  honde^ 

And  aj  dajc  fecn  it  yet  in  dcdip 

my  cniill  dcth»  (^juud  (hi) 

1  hat  for  to  thinkin  it  tcnc  is, 
Lo  *  Demophon,  DuS^if  of  AtbcmV, 

in  you  HilJ  here  with  mc  1 

1  yc'  of  my  dcth  no  pitc  ? 

Mow  he  forfworc  him  falfily, 

{  own  dcrc  htrte  !  tliat  yc 

And  tiajid  P'  ylJis  wickidly. 

11  well  that  ncvir  yet, 

Th;it  Kagiidoughtir  was  of  Trace, 

cvirl  had  wit 

And  falkly  gan  his  term^  parr  ; 

in  thought  nt  in  dcdc. 

And  wiian  flic  will  that  he  wai  fjjfe 

yrmcn  foche  jjodelihedc 

al.c  hong  hcrfctf  right  by  the  halfc. 

uid  ner  a  dele  ni  irouthc  ? 

For  he  hitd  doen  hcf  fuch  untrtiu  he  i 

|tet  c7  bftil  rmithe 

Lo !  wai  not  thii  a  w©  and  routh  I 

jfe                                ^HEHbuSB 

F  F  A  if  e;             ^^^1 

Eke  Icfec  Howe  falfa  and  rccheka 

And  with  Kyng  latine  hit  tret,        ^^^H 

Was  to  Brlfcida  Achilles, 

And  aU  the  battaili«  that  he                 ^^H 

And  Pau-U  eke  to  Ocnone, 

Was  at  himfelfin  and  hi*  kntghtes             ■ 

And  Jafon  to  Hypfipic, 

Or  he  had  all  iwonnc  hi*  rightca,       ^^^ 

And  cftc  Jafon  to  Mcdca, 

And  how  he  Tumus  refte  his  UU,     ^^H 

And  Hercules  to  Dcianira, 

And  wan  X^vinla  to  his  wife,             ^^H 

For  he  left  her  for  lole. 

And  all  the  marveiloas  CgnaJs            ^^^| 

That  made  hym  take  his  dcth  pardc* 

Of  the  goddis  Cclediala,                      ^^H 

How  falfc  was  eke  Duke  Thciui, 

How  maugrc  Juno  ^neas,                   ^^B 

That  as  the  ftodc  tcUiih  lu 

For  all  her  flcightc  and  her  compas,          1 

How  he  betr:iyid  Adriane  ?                                        1 

Atchivid  ail  his  avinture,                             H 

The  dcvill  be  liis  fouri*  bane ! 

For  Jupiter  toke  on  hym  cure                      a 

For»  had  he  laughid  or  ilourcd. 

At  the  praicr  of  hli  modir  Venui,        ^^^B 

He  muft  have  bc^  anonedcvontcd 

Whiche  I  pmie  alwaie  favin  us,           ^^H 

If  Ariadne  nc  had  be  t 

And  us  aie  of  our  forowes  light.         ^^H 

And  for  ihc  had  of  hym  pile 

When  I  had  fein  aU  this  ifght         ^H 

She  made  hym  fro  the  dcth  efcapc, 

Within  this  noble  temple  thus,           ihH 

And  he  made  her  a  full  falfc  jape  ; 

Hey  I  Lord,  thought  T,  that  m»dUl  S^fl 

For  aftir  this  within  a  while 

Yet  fawc  I  never  foche  nobleJTc                 M 

He  left  her  Ocpyng  in  an  ilc. 

Of  imagis,  nor  foche  richcfle,                     9 

Dcfcrt  alone  right  in  the  fe. 

As  I  fc  gravin  in  thii  church c  ;                  ^B 

And  ftalc  awalc  and  lei  her  be. 

But  nought  wot^  I  who  did  'hem  w^A^| 

And  tokc  her  fUftir  Ph^dra  tho 

Ne  where  I  am,  ne*  in  what  countr^^^H 

With  hym,  and  gin  to  fliippe  ygo ; 

But  now  will !  out  gone  and  fe»        ^^^| 

And  yet  r.t  had  yfwomc  to  here. 

Right  at  the  wickit,  if  I  can                      ^ 

On  all  that  cvir  he  could  fwcrc. 

Seen  ought  where  ftcryng  any  man             9 

That  fo  fbe  Civid  hym  his  life 

That  maie  me  tcllcn  where  I  am.               ■ 

He  would  takin  her  to  his  wifc>                                  , 

When  I  out  of  the  dore  cam                  J 

For  fhc  dcfirid  nothlngc  ellci 

t  fafle  aboutin  me  behcldCp                i^^l 

Id  certain,  as  the  hokc  us  telles. 

Then  fawe  1  btit  a  large  felde           ^^H 

But  for  to'  cxcufc  this^ncai 

A*  farre  as  evir  I  niig  it  fc*                  ^^^B 

Fulliche  of  all  his  grctc  trcfpa* 

Withoutin  touDe,  or  houfe>  or  trc^            1 

The  boke  fayith  withoutin  failc 

Or  baflie  or  gtaffe,  or  arid  hnde«               1 

The  goddes  bad  hym  go  to  luik. 

For  all  the  fcUlc  wa*  but  of  fandc              ■ 

And  levin  Aifriqucs  regioun 

As  fmal  as  men  maye  fc  at  eye             ^^J 

And  faire  Dido  and  her  faire  town. 

[n  the  delerti?  of  Lybyc  ;                    ^^fl 

Tho  fawc  I  grave  how  to  Itailc 

Ne  ferthir  no  manir  creture                ^^^| 

Dan  JEncas  gan  for  to  faile. 

That  is  yformid  by  Katurc                   ^^B 

And  how  the  tcmpcft  all  began, 

Ne  fawc  I,  me  to  rede  or  wiffe  ;                I 

And  howc  he  loft  his  fterifman, 

0  Crift :  thought  I,  that  art  in  bliflr,       ■ 

Which  that  the  flcmc  or  he  tokc  kcpc 

From  fanton  and  Ulufion                               ■ 

Smote  ovir  the  horde  a*  he  flepc. 

Mc  favc,  and  with  dcvoeyon                      M 

And  alfo  faugh  I  how  Sibtlc 

Mync  cyin  to  the  heven  I  cafic  ;.               ■ 

And  ^ncas  bcSde  an  ile 

Tho  was  1  ware,  b  i  at  the  lallte^             ■ 

To  hqlle  went  yferc  for  to  fc 

That  faftc  by  the  fonne  on  hie,                    a 

His  father  Anchifcs  the  fre, 

As  ki:nnin  myght  I  with  mine  cyc^    ^^J 

And  how  he  there  founde  Palinurus, 

Me  thought  1  fiwi!  an  egle  fore,        ^^H 

And  alfo  Dido  and  Dciphobu*, 

But  that  it  femid  mochil  mote           ^^H 

And  cvcrichc  tourmcot  eke  in  hell 

Than  I  had  anyft  cgle*  yfeinc,  ^           ^^H 

fiawc  he,  whichc  long  h  for  to  tell, 

This  is  a  fothc  is  dcth  certalne,         ^^M 

Whiche  painl*  who  fo  liftc  to  knowc 

ft  was  of  goldc,  and  (bene  fo  brighf,  ^^B 

He  muft  redln  many  a  rowc 

That  ncvir  fawe  niec  foche  a  Cght,           9 

In  Virgile  or  in  Claudian, 

But  yf  the  hevin  had  ywonnc              ^^H 

Or  Dantct,  that  it  tcllin  can. 

Al  newe  of  God  anothir  fonoe*           ^^H 

.     Tho  fawe  I  allc  the  arivail^ 

So  ftionc  the  cgHii  fethin  bright,        ^^H 

That  Mucu  made  in  Itaile, 

And  fomwhit  dowcwardc  gaa  h  Jy^"^     ■ 

^          THE    HOUSE    OF    FAME.                 ^^H^     iH 

^ 

^^5^ 

6^^ 

H     THE   SECOND    BOKE, 

ft  fveryc  tnanir  man 

For  why  ?  it  wt8  z  grct  tffraye. 

t  undirfiiuide  csm. 

1  hui  I  longe  in  hi»  claw  it  Uye» 

f  my  drcmc  lo  here, 

Til  at  the  laft  he  to  me  fpakc 

rft  (ballin  yc  Icrc 

In  manu'is  voice,  and  faid,  AwakCf 

Lrcdcfull  avyCiou, 

And  be  not  agaft  fo  for  (hame, 

eithir  Sclpion 

Andcallid  me  tho  by  my  name| 

(bugodnolorr, 

Aod  for  t  fhuldc  betttr  abraid« 

ins,  nc  Alcanore, 

Me  to  awakin  :huB  he  jaide. 

^  a  dreme  at  ihis. 

Right  in  the  fame  voice  and  (levin 

tfaireblisfutCtpm! 

That  tifith  one  1  can  ncvin» 

^r  at  thit  time 

And  with  that  voice,  the  fothc  to  fiiaei 

»  endite  and  rime 

My  miode  ycame  to  me  again c. 

b  ParnaiTut  dwel. 

For  it  was  godcly  faidc  to  mc, 

pn  the  ckrc  wcL 

So  n'ai  it  ncvir  wonte  to  be ; 

t\  that  wtotc  al  that  1  met, 

Aiidherewithal  I  gan  to  tkcrt                             ^^^H 

fCforic  it  ki 

Aji  he  me  in  his  fete  ybere,                                 ^^^^^M 

f,  now  fhal  men  yfe 

Ttl  that  be  feke  that  1  had  hete,                        ^^H 

in  the  be ; 

And  fcUc  eke  tho  mine  hertc  ybete;                 ^^^H 

ay  dremc  aright 

And  tho  gon  he  me  to  difporte^                        ^^^H 

hy  eiigin  and  thy  might. 

of  wKiche  1  have  you  t*Mt^ 

And  faytd  twife,  by  Saint  Mary                        ^^^H 

thirt  (hone  a)  of  goklc, 

Thou  arte  a  noyous  thinge  to  cary^                  *^^^| 

fo  hie  began  to  fore. 

And  no  thinge  nedith  it  parde»                           ^^^^1 

n  more  and  more 

For  all  fo  wiQy  God  hclpe  me                           "^^^1 

jeautc  and  the  wonder. 

As  thou  no  harme  Aialt  have  of  ihiiy                 ^^^H 

1  that  dtntc  of  thondcr. 

And  this  cafe  that  betidde  the  it                        ^^^H 

fc  that  men  callin  toudrc* 

U  for  thy  lore  and  for  thy  prowc  :                     ^^^H 

raciimc  a  tourc  to  poudrr, 

Lette  fe  ;  darift  thou  loke  yet  oowe  l              ^^^H 

riftc  commiiigc  brcnde. 

Be  ful  enfurid  boldily                                         ^^H 

ic  gaii  downwardc  difccndc 

I  am  thy  frendc  :  and  therewith  I                     ^^^| 

whan  that  it  bcheldc 

Gan  for  to  wondir  in  my  mi  ode.                         ^^^H 

IQ  mM  in  the  feldc, 

0  God  t  (quod  ])  that  madtil  al  kaodc,           ^^^| 

1  grim  pawis  fo  llronge 

Shal  [  none  othcrwifc  ydie  f                               ^^^^t 

larp^  naiUs  loDgc 

Whcdir  Jove  wil  me  ftcUyfie,                            ^^^| 

a  fwappe  he  Eent, 

Or  what  thing  may  this  Hgnific  I                     ^^^H 

i  fours  agam  up  weaCfj 

V  am  neithir  Hnocke  ne  Hcty«,                           ^^^| 

in  hit  clawift  (larke 

Ne  Romului  ne  Ganimede»                                ^^^| 

i  1  had  ben  a  larkc, 

That  wcrin  bore  up,  a«  men  redc«                    ^^^^1 

can  not  tellin  yowe. 

To  hevin  with  Dan  Jupiter,                                ^^^| 

p  J  n*ift  ncr  howe. 

Aod  made  the  goddis  botilcr  ;                           ^^^| 
Lo  !  this  was  tho  my  fantafie.                          ^^^| 

d  and  afwcvcd 

tue  in  me  hcvcd. 

But  he  Uiat  bare  me  gan  afpie                           ^^^| 

U  finirt  and  with  m^  dred, 

That  I  fQ  thought,  and  fay  id  thii;                    ,^^^^1 

elingcgaotpdcdi 

Thou  dczniil  (3  ihj  fclfc  amia,                        '^^^M 

1 

^VS^^                                 THE    HOUSE    OF    FAME.                            ^M 

For  Jove  ne  U  act  ther;:aboutc. 

And  therefore  Jovis  throcglic  hi*  fflC€    m 

I  dare  the  put  ful  out  of  doute. 

Wil  that  I  here  the  to  a  pU^c                     1 

To  makiti  of  the  yet  a  flcrrc ; 

Whiche  that  yhight  The  Houfe  of  VmteM 

But  cr  I  bcriD  the  mochc  fcrrc 

And  for  to  doe  the  fport  aa4  ganae^          ^ 

I  wtl  the  cclUn  what  I  atn. 

In  fomc  rtcomptnfadon                       ^^B 

And  where  thou  fhalte,  and  why  I  cainc 

Of  th^  labour  and  devocion                ,^^^1 
That  thoii  hade  haJde,  lo  *  czufikS^^^M 

To  do  in  thj*,fo  that  thou  take 

Code  hcrtc,  and  not  fore  fere  yt^cakc. 

To  god  Cupido  the  rcchelcs, 

Gladly,  (quod  1.)  Nowwcl,  (quod  he.) 

And  thus  thi^god  ihrough^r  hi*  meril^ 

Firft  1,  that  in  my  fete  have  the, 

Wil  with  fomc  Riauir  thin^  f>^^  .ii.i-*^ 

Of  whom  tJinu  haft  grctc  fcrc  and  wonder. 

So  that  chou  wiUc  be  of  g 

And  dwellingc  witli  the  god  uf  Thondcr, 

For  trudiih  wel  that  thou  i                   , 

Whkhe  mca  ycallin  Jupiter, 

W{ian  v^c  ben  goirum  ihcrr  as  1  lay. 

That  doth  me  fly  in  lid  u/tc  fvf 

Mo  wondir  ihingis  daic  1  lay. 

To  do  all  his  coninuund  lucnt,                                  ' 

And  of  Luvc'i  folkc  mo  tiduigis. 

And  for  this  catifc  he  hath  mc  ftnt 

Bothc  fothfawis  znd  Icfingis, 

To  the ;  hcrkin  nowe  hy  thy  trouthc  ; 

And  of  mo  lovis  ucwe  btgon. 

Ccrtainehe  hMh  of  the  prctc  rouiliC, 

Aiid  longe  fervid  tyl  love  i*  woo. 

For  ihzt  thou  had  fo  truily 

And  of  mo  Jovirs  cafuclly 

So  long  fervid  ententifiy    ' 

That  ben  betide,  no  ntan  wotc  why,       ' 

Hishlmdc  nepbewc  Cupido 

But  a»  a  bliude  nian  flai teth  mu  Iturq^ 

And  the  faire  qu  cne  Veiiut  alio 

And  more  jolit g  ai:d  wdfarr,             ^^^| 

^     WithoutJD  gtuTden  cvir  yet, 

Whilst  they  findia  love  oC  Aele,        ^^H 

^^    And  nathelcK  haA  let  thy  wit, 

Ah  thinkiu  meu,  a|}d  o'r  al  wdc       ^^H 

^B    Aithou^he  in  thy  hed  ful  lite  a. 

Mo  diXcordcs  atid  mo  jaIouGe>,          ^^H 

^H    To  make  bokc^,  fongi^,  and  ditis. 

I^lo  mitrniures  and  inu  novilrii:3|        ^^^H 

^K    In  rime  or  cliis  in  cadence. 

And  alJo  mo  dlfTinniUcioni,                       fl 

"     An  thou  bcfl;  can  ft,  in  reverence 

And  eke  feinid  repen^eic^ni,                ^^^| 

Of  I,ovc  and  of  his  fervaunies  Lke, 

And  mo  berdi&  in  two  hourcf,           ^^^M 

That  have  hia  fervite  fuuglu  md  fcke. 

VVithnutin  ralour  or  ilfouret             ^^^H 

And  painifl  the  to  piaifc  hih  arte, 

Vmade,  than  grainis  be  of  laadet.     ^^^| 

AUhoughe  thou  h^ddift  ncvir  parte ; 

And  eke  nio  holdinge  in  mo  haiuk%|^^^| 

%\'herforc,  fo  wifly  God  me  blefle. 

And  alfo  nio  rcnovclaunccty              ^^^H 

Jo  vis  ybaltc  it  gretc  homblcffe 

Of  oldc  CorUtin  aqueintatuices,           ^^^| 

And  vertuc  tke  that  thou  wilt  make 

Mo  lave  day  IS  and  mo  £CcorJc»,      ^^^| 

Anight  fu)  oft  thine  hcd  to  ake 

Than  on  inftrumentia  ben  cortir%    ^^^H 

In  thy  fludyc,  f  j  thou  pvriteft. 

And  eke  of  love  mo  cxthaungis          ^^W 

And  cvirmorc  of  lotc  rnditcfl. 

Than  cvir  cornc  were  in  gratntgi*;           H 

In  honour  pf  hitn  and  piuiuntrcs. 

Unncthis  inaJft  thou  tro%vin  tlu»,              ■ 

And  in  his  folklsfoutthiringe^ 

((^od  he,)  No  lo',  helpc  me  God  u  «ii|fl 

i^nd  in  ther  njitir  al  dcvifcll, 

(Quod  1.)  Kv.  why  ?  (quod  h<f  ¥m  h    ■ 

And  not  him  ne  his  faike  djfpifcft. 

Were  impolTible  to  my  wit,                         ■ 

Althoughc  thou  nmiftc  go  in  the  dauncc 

Although  rhiit  Fame  had  al  tlic  pye%,^J 

Of  them  that  him  lyfl  nut  avauncc; 

In  a  a  rrlme  and  al  iXpiei,                  ^^^| 

Wherfore,  as  I  nowefaide,  ywi* 

Howe  that  yet  he  thulde  here  &|  tJsJli^^H 

Jupiter  eonfidrith  wel  thii. 

Or  they  cfpyin,  0  1  yen,  yts,             ^^B 

And  als,  bcaufirc,  of  othir  thingci. 

(Quod  he  to  me)  that  can  1  prcvc            ■ 

That  is,  that  thcu  haAc  no  ttdingcs 

By  refo:           '               '   i?,                       m 

Of  l,ov'is  folkc  if  they  be  glade. 

So  that  r                              .cfteacc             M 

^2    Kc  of  Dothingc  eU  that  God  ir.ade. 

To  und'..i,..uu».i  ... ,  1.. J  voce.            ^^^ 

^K   And  not  oncly  fro  fcrre  count  re 

Firft  (iiidt  w<^u  here  wh  t^c  Aic4«^^H 

^m    That  no  tidinge^  conitn  to  the. 

Right  fu  -^h  thit;c  owqc  boirr  i   ilr-L  ;^^^| 

Not  of  thy  very  ncighhouris, 

Her  pakii^  I^anrjrth,  35  1 1                     ^^M 

1          That  dwcllen  a^jiioil  at  thy  dori«, 

Right  even  anuddii  of  th .                    ^^B 

^L    Thou  hcrift  iieithlr  that  ne  this. 

Bytwcne  hevia,  at^J  yertht.and  i«f,           H 

^P    For  whan  thy  labour  al  done  is. 

1  liat  what  lo  cr  in  al  ihclc  thtc                ■ 

And  haftc  mad^  b4  thy  rcckinJnges, 

L  fpwktn'  in  privc  or  .npperte,                   I 

In  flcdc  of  reilc  and  of  ncwe  thingci 

The  way  thcrto,  iv  iu  o»ene,                        I 

^m     Thou  gocH  heme  to  thine  houfe  ancinc» 

Andftamcck                  -  a  pLi«.              ■ 

^B    And  al  (o  dombe  a»  any  ll&ue 

7  hiit  every  i .                     a  ii  pAce*             1 

^M   Thoti  fittiil  at  an  othir  boke 

Or  whAt  fo  cu;i. ;  ^.^  ajiie  CCinn^^^H 

■  Tyll  fully  daildi*  thy  bkc. 

W^LCthrc'  it  be  rownid,  reside,  cTM^^H 

^f   And  lyvift  thuf  as  an  hcrinite, 

Or  Ipokin  in  futrt;  or  drede^             ^^^^ 

Although  ibine  abikijicitfc  ii  iyte; 

^^                THE    HOUSE    Of    FAME.                               "^""^ 

1 

In  wel;  for  why:  I  wil 
Wopir  Ikil, 
|emotiftr»cion 

Thrcwc  in  a  watlr  nowe  a  ftone. 

Wei  wofte  thou  it  wil  make  anotie 

A  lityl  roundilat  a  circle. 

[inaciua. 

l*ai  a' venture  «brodc  aaacovifclc. 

pu  wottill  foil  wel  thit. 

And  right  anonc  thou  fhAhe  fc  wcle 

ndcly  thingcthat  ti 
Icly  Ikcdc,  there  he 

That  circle  caufe  anothir  whelc. 

And  that  the  thirde,  and  fo  forthe, brothCTj 

icoiifervidbc, 

Every  circle  caufingc  other 

HUcc  cviJr^^  thinjre. 

Modi  brodir  than  kinifelfin  wat, 

»kyxidcl/  cncliflingc 

And  thufl  from  roundil  to  compaa 

^oomimo 

Eche  ftboutin  oihir  gtjinge 

!■  away  ihcrfro ; 

Ycaufith  of  othir*  fti;ringc 

hou  ma i lie  ad  day  fc. 

And  multiplying  cvirtn*. 

^Bj^l 

tec  tlmhcvfbc. 

Tyl  that  it  be  fo  far  ygo 

^^^^1 

S,  Of  tbingc  of  wcighc, 

That  It  at  botha  brinki*  be. 

^^^^H 

BT  fo  hie  on  hcighCf 

Althoyjjh  thou  may  ill  tl  not  fc 

^^^^H 

ll&ade  it  hllitk  dowae; 

Abuve,  yet  gothc  it  alwayc  under^ 

^^^^H 

1  by  fare  or  fownc. 

Although  thou  thinkc  it  a  grctc  wonder 

^^^^B 

ftChir  thing  Is  light. 

And  whofo  fajthc  of  trouthe  1  vary, 

-^^^^l 

skc  upwarde  on  heigh e. 

Byddc  him  provln  the  contrary  : 

^^^H 

^top  axid  hevic  down  charge 

And  right  thus  every  wordc  y  wi», 

^^^^m 

|e  of  'hem  be  at  large  ; 

That  loude  or  pryvc"  yfpokin  is. 

^^^^M 

iufc  ihou  maift  wcl  Sc 
«ir  to  the  I'c 

Ymovhh  fidk  an  eyre  aboutc. 

^^^^M 

And  of  hii  movinge  out  of  doutc 

^^^^M 

>jgo  by  kynde, 
friUis  as  i  fmde 

Anothir  cyrc  anonc  is  moved. 

^^^^M 

As  I  have  of  the  watir  proved. 

^^^^M 

irc Hinge  in  U ode  and  fe. 

That  every  circle  caufith  other ; 

^^^^H 

1  on  the  crthc  be  ; 
binge  by  his  refou 

Right  (o  of  eyre^iny  leve  broihcr. 

^^^^B 

Evcrjche  eyre  anothir  flerith 

-  S 

t  pn>pjr  mancioB, 

More  and  more,  and  fpcche  up  bcrith. 

z^^fl 

9  fckith  to  rep  aire 

Orvoife  or^oyfe,or  wc?rdc  or  fownc. 

^^^^1 

lUdin  nat  appaire.                                ' 

Aye  through  muUiplicaeiownc, 

^^^H 

niencc  i»  know  in  couthe 

Tyl  it  he  at  Tkc  Houfc  of  £ame, 

V 

pfophir's  tnotrthe. 

Take  it  in  erncft  or  in  game. 

^^^H 

mod  Dan  Platone, 

Nowe  hate  i  toldc,  if  thou  have  niiniV 

•^^^H 

lie  18 many  one; 

Howe  Iprche  orfbwnc  of  pur^  kindc 

^^^^H 

■in  Biy  rcfound 

Enclinid  is  upward  to  meve. 

^^^^1 

irel  th&t  fpeche  k  ibwne, 

This  mayiil  thou  fclc  wel  by  prevc. 

^^^H 

m  might  it  here;                                 ' 

And  that  fame  kindly  flede  ywi». 

4^^^^| 

what  I  wol  the  Iltc. 

That  every thingc  enclined  to  U, 

^^^^1 

It  but  eyre  ybrokin. 

Yhath  alfo  hh  kyndelychr  fledc. 

^^^^1 

ichc  that  Is  fpokin. 

That  fhcwith  it  withouiin  drcde. 

^1 

br  privc,  foulc  orfairc, 

That  kindcfy  the  mancioun 

■ 

ICC  ne  14  but  eyre ; 

Of  every che  fpcche,  of  every  foute. 

H 

•  but  llghdd  fmokc. 

All  he  it  either  foulc  or  faite» 

H 

pmc  but  eyre  ybroke  ; 

Yhath  his  kindcjy  pbcc  m  cyrcj 

fl 

be  in  many  wifcj 

And  fith  that  cveiV  thmge  ywU 

H 

Si  will  tlic  dcvifc. 

Out  of  his  ktnddy4>lacc  ywia 
Ay  movitli  ihidir  for  to  go, 

k^^^^l 

lith  of  p^-^e  or  harpc. 

^^^H 

^c  h  blow  in  fhdrpc 

Vf  that  it  Awayc  be  thcrlro, 

^^^^H 

rift  lA'ith  violence 

As  r  have  before  pro v id  the» 

^^^^H 

•  thi*  i»  my  fcntence : 

It  fticwith  every  fonne  perdc 

^^^^H 

Kt  men  harpcftringis  (iiiyte. 

Ymovith  kindcly  to  pace 

^^^H 

1  be  mochc  or  lytc, 

As  up  iotw  hi»  kindcly  place  ; 

.^^^^1 

ftnoke  the  eyre  it  brcketh. 

And  this  place  of  whichc  I  the  tcC, 

^^^^H 

rekcth  it  whan  men  ijrekcth; 

There  tf  Fame  doth  ylifte  to  dwcH, 

•^^^^^^^H 

^  wel  what  tlung  i«  ipeche : 

Is  fcttc  amiddisof  fhcfc  thrc. 

^^^^M 

brthc  t  wil  the  tec  he 

Hcvin,  and  crthf,  and  eke  die  fe. 

^^^^M 

e  i  pec  he,  ¥oicc»  or  fowae> 

As  mofte  confcr%'atife  t>f  foun| 

^^^^1 

fnoitipltraciowne. 

Than  i*  this  the  concLufion 

^^^^H 

p-e  pipid  of  a  nirmfej 

I'hat  every  fpcche  of  every  manne^ 

^^^H 

IBic  t»i  Fam'is  lloulc  : 

As  1  the  tcHin  firilc  hegannc. 

^^^^K 

i;  lakiib  Ucdc  nowcs 

Yinovilh  up  on  height  lu  pace 

^^^^M 

^f6C,Uth4tlhi^U 

Kiniiely  uatoF&zQ'is  place. 

1 

^SU                                       THE    H0U8I 

.    OF    FAME.                               ^^B 

TcHith  mt  tKis  nowc  faithfully. 

That  fawc  in  dremc  at  poiote  devtie            1 

Have  I  not  provkl  ihu»  dmply, 

Keren  and  erthe,  hel  and  panulilc,                M 

Withoutin  any  rubtilte 

Ne  eke  the  bold  wretthc  Daedalo*.             M 

Of  fpeche,  or  jfrete  proikyte 

Ne  yet  his  cKilde,  nice  Icarus               ^^M 

Of  tcrrnis  of  philofophiCj 

1  hat  ficwc  fo  hie  that  the  hcte            ^^H 

Of  figtiris  of  poctric, 

Hys  wingis  moltc,  and  he  fel  wetc         ^^H 

Or  colourisi  of  j  hctorikc  i 

la  myddc  the  fc,  and  there  he  drtiote,         ■ 

Pcrdc  jc  oughtin  the  to  like. 

For  whom  was  made  a  gretc  ccMttpbuit^.    ■ 

For  hardc  Jangagc  and  harde  roatcre 

Nowc  toumc  upwarde  (quod  be)  tbj  U^ 

.         Is  incrtmbroui  for  the  to  here 

And  bcholdc  here  this  largii  place,                   m 

Ac  onis,  wofte  thou  not  wel  thi»? 

This  eyre,  but  lokc  that  thou  wthc              S 

And  1  anfwcrid  and  faid^  Yet. 

Ad/ad  of  hem  that  thou  flialt  fie,             ^^B 

Ala  ha  !  (quod  he.)  lo!  fo  1  can 

For  in  this  regioun  cextatne                     ^^H 

Leodlyc  unto  a  kudc  man 

Dwcllith  many  a  citizeine,                     ^^^M 

Vfpckc,  and  flic  win  him  focht  iktJlci 

Of  whichc  yfpekith  Dan  Plato*            ^^H 

Thai  he  mayc  fhakc  'hem  hy  the  byilct. 

Thcfc  hen  the  eyn(he  beilia,  )o !          ^^H 

So  palpable  they  (huldin  be; 

And  tho  fawc  1  al  the  mcnye                  -^^B 

But  tcl  mc  thif  nowc  prayc  I  the, 

That  bothc  ygone  and  alfo  Hyc.                   ^M 

Howe  thinkcth  the  my  conclufiouD  ? 

Lo  there !  (quod  he)  caft  up  thia«  ffy>%  " 

Papde  a  gode  perfnafioun 

Sc  yondir,  \o  !  the  Galajcie, 

(Quod  f)  it  is,  and  lykc  to  be, 
Rjg^t  fo  as  thou  hafic  provid  mc. 

The  whichc  men  clrpc  The  MUky  Way*        i 

For  it  is  white,  and  fome  parfay                    S 

By  God  (quod  he)  and  as  1  Icve 

Ycallin  it  han  Watlyngc  ftrete,               ^^B 

TYon  IHaltc  have  it  or  it  he  eve, 

Th:it  oni*(  was  hrente  with  the  hcte,   ^^^| 

Of  every  worde  of  rhi»  fentcncc 

Whan  that  the  funn'is  fonnc  the  re4f|^^^| 

A  profe  by  thine  eiperience,                                    ' 

Which  that  hite  Phaeton,  woldc  lede^^W 

And  with  thine  eris  herin  wcl 

Algatc  hii  falbir*s  carte  and  gic.                   B 

The  toppc  and  taile»  and  every  del, 

The  carte  horfu  gan  wd  afpie                 ■ 

That  every  wordc  that  fpokin  it 

Comith  into  Fame's  Houfc  ywit 

A«  1  have  faidci  what  wilt  thou  moni 

Atid  here  him  now  op|uid  nowc  dowstt      I 

And  with  this  wordc  uppir  to  fore 

Tyl  that  he  fawe  the  Seorpiownc,                 ■ 

He  began,  and  faldc.  By  faime  J;inic 

Whichc  that  id  hcvcn  a  figne  is  yit,              I 

Nort-e  wyll  we  fpekJn  al  of  game. 

And  he  for  fcrc  yloile  his  wit                 ^^M 

Howe  fare  ft  thou  now  ?  quod  he  to  mc. 

Of  that,  and  let  the  reinis  gotie              ^^H 

Right  wcl,  tquod  I.)  Now  h  (quod  he) 

Of  his  horfis,  and  they  anooe                l^^l 

3y  thy  trouti^^  yondir  adownc, 

Soneupto  roounte  and  downc  diircadl^^^| 

Where  that  thou  knowift  any  townc 

Tyl  bothc  the  eyre  and  erthc  yWcndc,        1 

Or  houfe,  or  any  othir  thinge, 

Tyl  Jupiter,  lo  I  at  the  laftc                           ^ 

And  whan  thou  hafte  of  ought  knowyagt 

Hym  flewc,  and  fro  the  carte  ycaile.           fl 

Tho  lokith  that  thou  wan;e  me. 

Z«  /   it  it  not  a  grete  mufthaamtt                      ^B 

And  I  an  one  ftial  telUn  the 

Ta  lei  tf  /oie  imve  ^avimanma                             ^| 

Mow  f^rre  that  thou  arte  nowe  tlierfro^ 

Ofihimgu  thiti  be  earn  mi  dgmmm  f                    ■ 

And  I  adounc  gan  lokio  tho, 

And  with  this  wordc,  fothc  fof  to  Stimt^  " 

And  behelde  the  fcldis  and  pUini** 

He  gan  alway  uppir  to  fore,                                . 

JiJowc  hyllis  and  nowe  mountaini% 

And  gladid  me  than  more  and  more,         ^H 

Nowc  vakyi  and  nowc  forellis. 

So  faithfully  to  me  fpake  he.                        ^H 

And  nowc  unncthib  grete  hcfbi. 

Tho  gan  I  to  loke  undtr  mc,             ^^^1 

I^owc  river  is  nowe  citds. 

And  behelde  theeyrtfhe  beflia              ^^^| 

Kowc  townii  and  nowc  grete  trds, 

CloudiSf  mydis,  and  tempiHis,              ^^^H 

Kowe  fhippi*  failingc  in  the  fc ; 

Sbowis,  hailis,  minis,  and  wifldei«        ^^^| 

But  thus  font  in  a  while  he 

And  the  engendringe  in  ther  1uadc%  .^^^h 

Was  floiviii  fro  the  grounde  fo  hyc 

At  the  way  thoroughe  whichc  I  caflii^^^| 

That  al  the  wor!de,  as  to  myne  eye, 

0  God!  (quod  1)  that  made  Adain%^^H 

No  more  yfcmid  than  a  pricke. 

Or  el  lis  was  the  eyre  fo  thickc 

And  tlio  thought  I  upon  Bocce^              H 

That  t  ne  might  it  not  difccme  ; 

That  writeth  a  thought  may  flye  fo  ki«       H 

Wnh  that  he  fpake  to  me  fo  ycrnc. 

With  ftthirs  of  philofophie                            ■ 

And  faid,  Seifl  thou  any  token, 

To  pafTin  cvcrychc  element ;                 ^^^t 

Cr  ought  that  in  thii  worldc*s  "f  fpokcn  ? 

And  when  he  hath  fo  farre  yweof        ^^^| 

1  anfwcrcd  Nayc.  No  wondir  is, 

Than  may  ben  fene  behinde  his  bade  ^^H 

(Quod  he)  for  halfc  fo  hyc  as  thia 
N*aa  Alexandre',  rf  MAcedon 

Cloude,  enhe,  am)  al  Uut  1  of  fpak«,          V 
Tho  gan  I  wezin  in  a  were,                     H 

Kypgcj  ue  gf  Rome  Pw  Sd|»iQi|, 

And  faid,  I  wou  w«i  1  »ia  beiti                ■ 

*                                THEHdtJSBdFFAMt.                                       ffllj 

hcihcr  in  tod f  or  in  goft 

And  that  a  man  ftande  out  of  doUtc                             J 

ywi»,  but  God  thou  woft, 

A  mylc  ofTthensand  here  it  route;                        ^^M 

more  clcrc  cntcndemeat 

Or  eliU  lyke  to  the  humblinge                          ^^| 

otne  rjcvir  yet  yfetit, 

Aftir  the  clappc  of  a  thttndringe,                          ^^| 

ban  thought  I  od  Marcian, 

Whan  Jurii  hath  the  eyre  ybcte,                           ^^H 

kc  of  Anticlaudian, 

But  it  dotli  nic  fur  fere  to  fwetc*                            ^^M 

fotlie  wai  thcr  difcnpcioa 

Nay,  drcde  the  not  therof,  ^quod  he)                  ^^M 

he  hcvin**  region, 

It  'i$  nothing  that  will  by  tin  the  ;                           ^^| 

re  a»  that  1  fawt  the  prevei 

Thou  IhaUe  have  no  harme  tnnly.                           ^H 

licrforc  1  can  *hcm  belcvc. 

And  with  that  worde  hotli  he  and  I                    ^H 

that  the  cgle  gan  to  cnc. 

As  nighc  the  place  arrivid  were                                  ■ 

r  (quod  he)  thy  fantalic  : 

As  men  might  caftin  with  a  fpcrc  ; 

thou  lernin  of  fierris  ou^ht  f 

I  ne  wifl  howe,  but  in  a  Itretc 

V  ccrtiinly,  (quod  1)  right  nought. 

He  fet  mc  fairc  upon  my  fete, 

rhy  f  (quod  he.)  for  I  am  oMc* 

And  fayid,  Walkith  forth  a  pace. 

iswoTde  l  the  have  toldc 

And  tcl  thine  adi'inturc  and  cafe 

he)  the  ftarrit  oamii,  lo ! 

That  thou  flialtc  findc  in  Fam'is  place. 

1  the  hevin**  %ni*  to. 

No  we  (quod  I J  while  that  wc  havefpic^ 

irhrche  they  be.  No  force  (quod  1.) 

To  fpckc,  or  that  I  go  fro  the. 

perdc,  (quod  he  j)  nvofl  ihou  why  ? 

For  the  love  of  God  tcllith  «ic 

ban  thou  redift  poetry » 

In  fothe  that  I  will  of  the  Icrc, 

tlic  goddii  can  ildljfy 

U  this  ilkc  noifc  which  thit  I  here 

Ic,  z  fyflic,  or  him  or  her, 

Be  aa  I  have  hcrdc  the  mc  tell. 

birdei  the  ravyn  and  other,                           , 

Of  folkc  that  done  in  crtbc  ydwcll. 

lones  harp£  fyiie, 

And  comith  here  in  the  fanie  wif6                       -^H 

ftor  Pollux,  or  DtJphine, 

Ai  I  the  hcrdc  or  thii  devife,                               .#^1 

lanic's  doughtin  Icvcn, 

And  that  here  Hv'is  body  n'is                               ^^H 

lI  thde  arc  yfct  iti  hevcn. 

in  ail  that  Houfe  that  yondir  U                            |^H 

oQgh  thou  have  *hcm  oftc  in  bande 

I'hat  makith  al  thli  loud    fure»                             ^^H 

oft  thou  nat  where  that  they  fbuidc* 

No,  (anfwcrid  be)  by  Sainte  Clofe,                    ^^H 

force,  {^quod  1 ;)  it  is  no  ncdc ; 

And  al  fo  wilTely  God  rcdc  mc  ;                            ^H 

1 1  kve,  fo  God  mc  fpcde. 

tiut  o  thingc  I  will  warn^  the^                              ^^H 

that  writin  of  this  matcrc 

Of  the  whichc  thou  wiJte  have  wondtr.               ^^^H 

ngh  I  knewe  tber  placis  here, 

Lu '  to  The  Houfc  of  Fanac  yondir.                .^^1 

ke  they  fern  in  here  fo  bright 

Thou  wofte  howe  comiih  every  fpeche,             '^^1 

t  fhuldc  fhendiu  al  my  Gght 

It  nedirh  not  the  efte  to  teche  ;                                ^^H 

:c  on  'hem.  That  may  wcl  be. 

But  undcrftande  now  right  wel  thi?,                    ^H 

he;)  and  fo  forth  bare  he  mfl 

What!  any  fpeche  ycomin  is                                  .^^| 

Je,  and  tbo  began  to  crie» 

Up  to  the  palais,  anonc  rJi^ht                                ^^^| 

levir  kcrde  I  ihingc  fo  hie  j 

It  wciith  like  the  fame  wight                               !^H 

tip  thine  bed,  for  a1  is  wcl 

Whichc  that  the  v*^ordc  in  erth  /fpake^               ^^H 

Julian,  lo!  bonne  boRcU 

Be  he  clothtd  in  red  or  blake,                               ^^| 

E  The  Houfc  of  Fame,  lo ! 

And  hath  fo  very  hii  likcncffe                               t^H 

t  thou  not  here  that  I  do  f 

1  hat  fpakc  the  wofdc,  that  rhou  vriltc  geffe          ^^H 

e  what  ?  (quod  I.)  The  g^rcte  fowne 

That  it  th^  fini    body  be,                                     i^H 

1  he)  that  romblkh  up  and  downc 

Whcr  man  or  woman,  he  or  Ihe.                         "^^H 

n'is  Houfc,  ful  of  tidin^e* 

And  it  not  thi»  a  wondir  thinge  f                    ^^^| 

of  faire  fpeche  and  of  cbidingei^ 

Yes,  ^quod  I)  iho  by  hevin  kiugc  :                       *^H 

f  filfc  and  fothe  compownid ; 

And  with  this  wordc  Farewcl,  (quod  he)            ^^^H 

1  wel,  ft  11  not  rownid* 

And  here  wil  1  akydin  the,                                  ^^| 

iQ  thou  not  the  grctc  fwotigb  ? 

And  God  of  hevin  fcnde  the  grace                       ^^^H 

erde,  (quod  I)  well  ynough. 

Some  gudc  to  Icrnm  in  this  place  !                       2^^| 

rhit  fownc  is  it  lyke  ?  (quod  he.) 

And  t  of  him  toke  Icve  aaunc,                             ^^^| 

W  I  lyke  the'  betiog  of  the  fe 

And  gau  forth  to  the  pilayi  gonCi                      ^H 

1}  againft  rhc  rochis  balowe, 

^^M 

tcinpcA«t  done  thcr  &ippl&  fwalow, 

N  o  jij                             H 

s» 


THE    HOUȣ    OF    FAME. 


«   '  I-  f 


E^=^ 


TH£    THIRD    BOKE. 


J  tfniT,  god  oft  Science  and  of  LigKe^ 
A'poUo !  thorough  thj  grete  might 
This  liril  laft  boke  now  thou  gye» 
Nowe  that  I  will  for  maiAerie 
Here  arte  potenrjall  be  (hewde. 
But  for  the  rime  is  Ijght  aadkwdc 
Vet  make  it  fomwhat  agreaUe, 
Though  fofaie  verfe  faile  in  a  Cyllable, 
And  that  I  do  no' diligence 
To  ihcwin  craft^  but  fenteoce;. 
And  if  that:divine  virtue  thoa 
Wiltc  helpin  me  to  ihewin  nowe 
'^hat  in  i^iy  hed  ymarkid  is, . 
I^o !  that  is  for.  to.menin  this. 
The  Houfc  of  If ame  for  to  diicrive^ 
Thou  (halt  yfe  me  go  as  blivc* 
l^nto  the  next  laurir  I  fe, 
And  kyfle  it  for  it  is  thy  trc  : 
l^owe  entre  in  my  breft  anone. 

Whan  I  was  from  the  egle  gone,. 
I  gan  l)«holdc  upon  this  .puce. 
And  certahie  or  T  furthiir  palTe 
I  wnl  you  al  the  ilyipe  drvife 
Of  Houfe  and  cite,  and'al  tfie.  wife 
Howe  I  gan  to  this  placje.apppocbc»  < 
'i'hat  flode  upon  foEie  a  rocfict 
Hyir  yftandith'none  inrSpaine; 
Sut  up  I  cUmbe  witH  rnochU  paine^-^ 
And  though  to  diAle  jjp'cvxd  me. 
Yet  I  ententife  was  to  fe. 
And  for  to  porin  wondre  Ibwe,,. 
It*  I  coude  any  wife  yknowc 
"xVhat  manir  (lone  this  roche  ywas» 
For  it' was  lyke  a  limid  glas 
But  that  it  (bone  ful  more  clere. 
But  of  wlnt  congclid  matcrc 
It  WW  1  nc  wiftc  rcdily ; 
But  ut  the  lafte  efpyid  I, 
Ard  foundc  that  it  was  every  dele 
A  Mche  of  y(t  and  not  ol  llcle ; 


1 


Thought  r,  hy  Saint  Thomas  of  Ktaz 
This  were  a  fAle  foundrment 
To  buildin  on  a  place  fo  hie  ; 
He  ought  hym  lik  to  glorifie 
I'hat  heron  builte,  God  fb  me  fkre, 

Tho  fawe  I  ah  the  hall  igrave 
With  famous  folkis  nailiis  fcie 
That  Raddin  Ken  in  mochil  wttt^ 
And  thcr  (amis  full  wide  iblowe^ 
But  well  unncthi's  might  I  knowc 
Any  lettiris  for  to  rede 
Ther  namis  By,  for  out  ofdrede 
Thei  werin  almode  of  thawed  fa 
That  of  the  lettirs  one  or  two 
Were  moltc'awaie  of  every  name. 
So  unfamouk  was  wexe  ther  fame; 
But  men  (aie,  tVlai  mate  emr  laftt 

Tho  gan  I  in  myne  hert^  ca£ 
That  thei  were  moltt  awaie  for  bete. 
And  not  awaie  with  ftormis  bete. 
For  on  that  otHir  (ide  T  fey 
Of  this  hill,  that  nort&ward  yfey. 
How  it'  w^s  writin  full  of  namea 
Of  foike  that  had  afore  grete  fames 
Of  olde  tynie,  and  yet  thei  were 
As  frc(htf  air  men  had  written  *bem  thoc 
The  fclf  dale,  or  that  verry  houre. 
That  I  on  *hem  began  to  poure  ; 
But  well  I  wiftf  what  it  made. 
It  was  confervid  with  the  (bade,, 
All  the  writyng  which  that  I  fie. 
Of  a  caddl  that  ftodc  on  hie, 
•  And  flodc  eke  in  fo  cold  a  place 
That  hctc  ne  might  "h  not  defaces' 
Tho  gan  I  on  thi»  hlil.  to  gone^ 
And  found  upon  the  coppe  a  wone. 
That  all  the  men  that  ben  on  live 
Nc  han  the  connyng  to  ditcrive 
The  bcaute  of  that  ilke  pUcc» 
Nc  coudin  cadin  no  comjpaofi 


^I^B^          THE    HOUSE 

OF    FAME.                                          ^^^1 

itmn^Symakc 

To  Icrnln  love  dauncis  fpringii,  '                         *  ^M 

hi  of  Iwautie  be  his  make, 

Kryht  and  the  ftraung  -  thingis.                                ^M 

wondirly  iwrnught» 

Tho  fawe  I  fn  an  othir  plate,                               ^M 

lonicth  yet  mj  diought, 

Yflandyng  in  a  large  Tpace,                                       ^H 

ith  all  my  witte  tn  fwinke. 

Of  'hem  that  makin  blodie  foun                     ^^^^H 

caflill  for  to  thinkc, 

In  trvimp',  heme,  and  cWioun,                        ^^^^B 

e  wondir  grctc  beautic, 

For  in  6ght  and  in  hlodefhedynges                  ^^^^B 

h,  and  curiolitic, 

U  ufid  glad  ctarionyngcs.                                   ^^^^| 

not  to  you  dcviic. 

There  hcrdc  I  trump  in  M'^lTcQus,            ^^^^M 

nc  maie  me  not  fuiHfe, 

Of  whom  that  fpckith  Virgtliu<;«                   ^^^^H 

hi[c  aU  the  fubftaunce 

There  herd  1  Jaab  irumpc  i\Co,               *^^^^M 

ixi  my  rcmcnibrauncc  i 

Theodoma$,  and  othir  niu,                            t^^^^l 

'  mc  thougluin,  by  .Snind  Gilc, 

And  all  th;it  uHd  ebrion                                j^^^^H 

va»  llniic  of  Hcrilc 

!n  Calleloigne  and  Aragnn,                            '^^^^H 

caflill  and  the  tourc. 

1  Isat  in  thet  tynus  famou»  were,                   ^^^^H 

the  hall  and  every  boure, 

To  lernin  fawc  t  trumpin  there.                   ^^^^^| 

n  pccit  or  joynynpi*, 

There  fiwc  1  fit  in  othir  fees,                   ^^^^^ 

^  fubtill  coinpaffyngej, 

Playing  on  orhih  fondric  gleea,                     ^^^^| 

.an»and  pmtiacki. 

Whichc  that  I  can  not  now  nevin,               ^^^^M 

1  and  tabernacles, 

Mo  then  tlerri^  ben  in  huvin,                        j^^^H 

d  full  ckc  of  windnwet, 

Of  whiche  I  n'ill  aj  now  not  rinic                 j^^^^| 

fallin  in  grete  fnowcs, 

For  cfe  of  you  and  lofTe  of  time,                    ^^^^^| 

in  eche  of  the  pinaclca 

For  TyjTtf  iloflf  this  know  in  yc,                      ^^^^^^1 

bndrie  habitades, 

By  no  tfiZ/V  mwe  Hiovertd  be,                                 ^^^^^H 

c  ftbdin  all  withoutlo 

There  fawe  I  playing jog.'lour%                ^^^H 

aft  ill  all  abootin 

Mcgiciens  and  tragctours,                              ^^^^H 

nir  of  minitralis 

And  Phctontfljs,  charmcreflis,                       ^^^^H 

turn,  that  tcUIn  talii 

And  olde  witchis  and  for  cere  ffis,                  ^^^^| 

wcpyng  and  eke  of  gatnc. 

That  ufcn  crorHfaciona                                   ^^^^B 

hat  lonjfith  unto  Fame  : 

And  eke  fubfnmigacioQs,                             ^^^^H 

:rde  I  playing  on  an  harpc. 

And  dcrkis  eke  which  tonnln  well             ^^^H 

onid  bothc  well  and  ftiarpc, 

All  this  majtike  hight  Naturell,                   ^^^| 

pheus  full  craftily, 

That  craftily  doe  rhcr  en t ernes                    .^^^^H 

his  othir  fide  hifji  by 

To  makcn  in  certain  afccndcnte*                   ^^^^H 

c  harpir  Orion, 

Imagis,  lo  :  through  whichc  magikc            "^^^H 

ide«  Chirion, 

To  maken  a  man  ben  whole  or  OWc«             '^^^^H 

r  harpir*  many  one, 

Thtre  fawc  I  the  Quenc  Mcdca,               ^^^H 

Briton  Glafjtinon, 

And  Circe  and  Callophia.                              ,^^^1 

\i  barpin  with  ther  glcei 

There  fawc  I  Hennes  Billcnii*,                ^^^H 

!ir  'hem  in  diver*  feci, 

Li  more,  and  ckc  Symon  Magus*                 ^H^| 

c  on  *hem  opwardc  to  gape. 

There  fawc  I,  and  yknewe  by  name,        ^^^H 

nter£aited  'hem  as  an  *pc, 

That  by  fochc  arte  docn  men  have  fame*              ^H 

raftc  countcrfeitith  Kiodc. 

There  fawe  I  ckc  Coll  Tragctour             '^^^M 

iwc  I  (Undin  *hcm  bchiudc, 

Upon  a  tabic*  of  He  amour                            ^^^^| 

*oin  'hem,  al  by  'hem  fclve. 

Pbyin  an  uncouth  thyng  to  tell ;                ^^^^H 

thouTatide  tymis  tivclvc. 

1  fawe  hyni  rary  a  windcmcU                        ^^^H 

din  loude  minllralfics 

Undir  a  walnotc  (hale,                                  *^^^^| 

mfe  and  ckc  in  ihalmics, 

What  Oiould  1  makin  lengir  talc  I          ^^^H 

nany  an  othir  pipe. 

Of  all  the  peple  th&t  \  fey                           ,^^^H 

ftily  began  to  pipe 

1  could  not  tell  till  dom'ifdey.                     ^^^^H 

doucid  and  eke  in  rcdc, 

When  I  had  all  this  folkc  beholde,           ^^^H 

1  at  feftit  with  the  brede, 

And  fou:idc  me  locc  and  cot  yholde,          ^^^^| 

ly'  a  floitcand  litlyng  home, 

And  t  amuHd  a  longe  while                         ^^^^H 

i»  made  of  grcnc  come, 

Upon  this  wall  all  of  bcrile,                         ^.^^^^1 

thcfe  little  herdegromca 

Tlut  fhonc  lij^htir  than  any  gh?,               ^^^H 

pin  belli*  in  the  bromc*. 

And  mad>*  well  more  then  it  ywas,             ^^^H 

►i*we  1  then  Dan  Cithcrut, 

A\  it  kindely  thing  of  Fame  \%,                       ^^^H 

/ithcnei  Dan  Profcru*, 

And  then  right  aaone  aftir  ihis                    ^^^^1 

rcia,  that  loile  her  flciDne 

I  gan  forthc  roinin  till  I  fonHc                     ^^^^H 

L  the  face,  bodic,  and  chinne. 

The  ctftill  yaie  on  ray  right  hondc^           ^^^H 

flie  would  cnvyin,  lo  ! 

Whichc  all  fo  W(?ll  ycon?tn  was                   ^^^H 

1  bettc  than  Apollo. 

That  nevir  fochc  aa  othir  n*a},                  ^^^^| 

:  fawc  1  famous  old  and  yong 

And  yet  it  was  by  avintiire                         ^^^^| 

rf  all  the  Duchc  tong, 

[wrought  by  grcle  and  fubtiU  cuic ;            ^^^^| 

^^H 

\         5*                                   THEHOUSfi 

0  F    F  A  M  E,                                     m 

It  ncdhh  nol  you  more  to  telkn^ 

Wluche  t>iat  a  carbuncle  is  calk4,            m 

To  makiti  you  lo  long  to  dwcUcn, 

1  fa  we  perpetually  ifbUlcd                   M 

Of  thcfc  like  yatii  flom  iftiyogc*, 

A  femine  creturc,                               ^^^H 

Nc  of  compadanc  karvyngcs. 

That  nevir  forraid  by  Nature             ^^^| 

Nc  the  liackyDg  in  mafonri«, 

Wii  foche  an  othir  thyog  1  faie;       ^^^ 

As  corbtfttU  and  imageries. 

For  althirfirftc,  the  fothc  to  faie ;               V 

But  Lordf ,  fo  fairc  it  was  to  fhcv/t  I 

Me  thoiightin  that  ftc  was  fo  lite              ■ 

Fur  it  was  all  witii  golde  bchcwc ; 

That  the  [jiialc  Icngtii  of  a  cuhkc              ■ 

But  in  i  went,  and  that  anone  : 

Was  lengir  than  ihc  fcmtd  be,             ^^M 

There  met  I  crying  many  one, 

But  thus  fone  in  a  while  (he                ^^H 

A  large*,  Ut^^&I  holdc  tip  well; 

Her  fclf  tho'  wondirly  yftreight        V^H 

God  fave  the  bdic  of  thU  pell, 

That  with  her  fete  Ihc  ih*  cr&e  Y^^^f^^ 

Our  ownd  gcntill  Ladic  Fame, 

And  with  her  hcdde  fhe  toncliid  ^ci^^^| 

!          And  'hem  that  willcn  t:>  have  a  name 

There  a*  fnlnith  the  ftf nri»  fcvai ;     ^^W 

Of  u&!  Thus  heard  I  cryin  alU 

And  thereto  yet,  as  to  my  wit,                   1 

And  hik  comin  out  of  the  hall 

1  fawiii  SI  greic  wondir  yit,                          ^ 

\          And  ihoke  nob  lis  and  {barlyngis. 

Upou  her  cyin  to  facholdt,                          ^ 

'           And  corounid  were  as  kyugis 

^          V^lth  crownis  wrought  fuU  of  lofynges, 

But  certainly*  1  *hem  nevir  tolde,      ^^^ 

For  as  fclc  eyLn  haJdin  ihe                 ^^^| 

And  many  ribans  many  fringe* 

At  fethiifl  upon  buli»  be,                    ^^^| 

Were  on  dicr  clothb  tniily. 

Or  wcrin  on  the  bcllii  foorc                        V 

l^ho  at  the  Uft  efpyid  I 

That  Godd*is  tronc  ran  to  honoafT,          m 

That  purfevauotcs  and  hcraudis, 

Aa  writcth  Ihon  In  the'  Apocalyps,           1 

That  cryin  richc  folki*  landis. 

It  wcrin  all ;  and  every  inaa 

Ai  burn  id  golde  it  (Hone  to  fe.           ^^^H 

*          Of  *hcm,  a*  J  you  teUin  can, 

And,  fi^thc  to  teilin  alfo,  fhe           ^^^| 

Had  on  hhn  throwin  a  fctlurc 

Had  alfo  fele  upilandyng  crc$,             ^^^| 

Whichc  men  yclcpe  a  cote  armurc. 

And  tongis  as  on  beft  b<n  faere^,          ^^^| 

Embroudirid  wondidy  riche, 

And  on  her  fete  woxin  fa  we  1              ^^^1 

At  though  dici  wcrin  not  ilichc  : 

Partrich'is  wtngis  rcdily.                        *"^B 

But  nought  will  I,  fo  mote  I  thrive. 

But  Lorde !  the  perrie'  atid  the  ii<^^H 

\          Be  now  aboutin  to  difcrivc 

I  fa  we  fittyng  on  the  goddeffe,           ^^^h 

All  thcfc  armis  that  there  ywercn 

And  the  bevinly  mdodic                    ^^^H 

That  thci  thus  on  ther  cotis  wcrcn. 

Of  fonglft  full  uf  armoliie                      ^^^H 

For  to  mc  were  impoiTiblc, 

1  herdc  ^bout  her  irone  ifong,            ^^^M 

Men  might  make  of  'hem  a  Bible 

That  all  the  palaii  wull  yrt^g  7          ^^^| 

Full  twtntic  fote  thicke  as  1  trowc^ 

So  fonge  the  mightie  MuH,  She         ^^H 

For  certain  who  fo  coud  it  knowe 

That  clepid  is  C^liopc,                           ^^^| 

Ymighc  there  all  the  armi*  fcQe 

Ai}d  her  fevto  fuftirin  cke«                  ^^H 

Of  famous  folkc  that  cr  had  beiiv 

That  in  ther  facis  fcmid  meke,          ^^H 

In  Affrike,  huropc,  and  Ajie,                       * 

And  cvirmorc  eternal Jy                             V 

tSithins  firft  began  chivalrie. 

Thct  fongin  uf  Fame ;  iho  heard  1,           V 

Lo  !  how  fhoald  t  now  tell  4U  tlui? 

TThcricd  be  thou  aod  thy  frame,                 fl 

Ne  of  the  hall  eke  what  ncde  i* 

GoddefTc  of  Ri:noun  and  of  Faai« !           W 

To  tellin  you  ?  that  every  wall 

Tho  was  1  aware  at  the  laft,                   fl 

Of  it^  md  rofc,  and  florc  witliall, 

At  I  myne  cyio  gan  upcuA,                           fl 

Was  platid  halic  a  fot.  thicke 

That  thii  iikc  grcte  and  noble  <jueiie         V 
Upon  her  fkuMirs  gan  full  en  e                   J 

Of  golde,  and  that  nc  was  not  wide. 

But  for  to  provin  in  all  wife 

Bothe  the  armii  and  the  name            ^^H 

As  fine  a»  ducket  in  Venife^ 

Of  tho  that  haddin  larg^  lame,           ^^H 

Of  whichc  to  lite  all  in  my  poticbe  i»  j 

Alifander  and  Hercul»,                     ^^^M 

And  thci  were  fct  as  thicke  of  oychi* 

That  with  a  fherte  hU  life  did  lefe;  ^^^| 

Finei  of  the  finiH  ftoois  fairc 

And  thus  fotmde  1  fittyng  thh  god4^^^| 

That  men  rcdcn  in  the  bpidaire,                             ' 

In  noble  honour  and  richcfle,          ^^^^H 

Or  an  grafTis  growen  in  a  mcdc  ; 

Of  which  I  f^inte  a  whlt^  nc<vv,          ^^^| 

But  it  were  all  to  long  to  ledc 

Of  othir  thing  '                                       ^^^ 

The  namis,  and  therefore  I  pace. 

Tho  fawc  1  .                  (/  other  fide,     1 

But  in  thi^  luftic  and  richc  pbcc. 

Strcighr  ci..  r,                       ,u^  wiJi»           ■ 

That  Famn*  Hall  ycallid  wai. 

From  til'                               re                     V 

Full  mochil  prcsof  folkc  there  n*as 

Ofmctai                            lU  clerr,     ^^^U 

Nc  croudiiTg,  for  to  mochil  pre*; 

But  though  thci  were  of  no  HchefTe^^^H 

But  all  on  hie  above  a  det 

Yet  were  thei  m:\de  for  frrTc  nohki^^^H 

Satte  in  a  fc  imperiaU 

And  in 'hem  \^                              ten^^^H 

That  maUtt  was  of  rtibie  roiaQ 
I 

And  foike  of  ;                ^      .     ^z^j^H 

Tfil    HOUSE    OP    FAME,                                     S^f 

to  tclUn  will  1  fo(id«. 

Upon  this  pilleral  fo  biey                                         ^J 

ipillirfiiwe  1  {toode. 

As  might  fc  it  with  mync  eye  *                                 ^M 

there  ylie, 

For  why  ?  this  hall  whereof  I  rede                           ■ 

iUir  ftoodc  on  hie. 

1  Was  woxe  on  height,  and  length,  and  brode              ^M 

of  Icilc  and  iron  finc> 

Well  more  by  a  thoufande  dele                         ^^^H 

he  §c€t^  Saturnlfit, 

Than  tt  was  erfl,  that  fawe  1  wek.  ^           ^fl^^^ 

ike  Jofcphut  the  oId> 

Tho  fawe  1  on  a  pilljr  by                          ^^^^H 

He  Jcwjft  ^c^is  told, 

Of  iron,  wrought  full  ftemity^                      ^^^^^ 

arc  oci  hi^  (huldir^  hie 

The  grcte  pocte,  him  Dan  Lucaa^                ^^^^| 

Lme  iipoi"  the  J  uric; 

That  on  his  fbouldirs  bore  tip  thaOt              ^^^^| 

ym  ftodin  oLhir  fcvcn, 

As  hie  as  that  1  might  it  fe,                           ^^^^| 

and  worthic  for  to  ncvcn. 

The  fame  of  J u Hat  and  Pompc^                     ^^^^M 

hym  bcriii  up  the  charge. 

And  by  hym  (lodin  all  thefe  clerket             ^^^^| 

hcvie  and  fo  large  ; 

That  write  of  Rom^is  mightie  wcrkciy          ^^^^^H 

hci  writtin  of  battaiki 

That  if  I  would  ther  namit  tcU                       ^^^^^ 

A  of  othir  marrailcf, 

Tho  all  to  hng  ymuft  1  dwell.                       ^^^H 

:  ywas,  \o  !  this  piHere, 

And  ncxte  hym  on  a  piUir  flode              ^^^^H 

uchc  I  you  tcllin  here. 

Of  ftilphurCf  lidic  as  he  were  wodc,             ^^^^^1 

nd  iron  bothc  iwi$, 

Dan  Cbudian,  fo  the  for  to  tdl,                      ^^^^1 

^f  art' is  me  tall  «, 

That  bare  up  all  the  fame  of  heU«                 i^^^H 

bat  the  god  is  of  Battaile, 

Of  Pluto  and  of  Proferpine,                           ^^^^| 

the  Icdc  withoutin  failc 

That  quene  is  of  the  derke  ptnc<                  '^^^^^ 

t  nrietall  of  Satume^ 

Uliat  ihould  I  moreteliin  of  this^                <^^^^| 

1  ftjl  brgc  whck  to  turnc, 

The  hail  y  was  all  full  twit                               ^^^H 

n  forthc  on  eithtr  rowc 

Of  *hem  that  wrhtln  olde  ieftes                     ^^^^^ 

whiche  that  [  could  yknowe, 

As  ben  oo  treit  rokit  nclief,                         (^^^^| 

by  ordir  'hem  not  telJ, 

But  it  a  fuU  confufe  mattcre                         ^^^^^| 

I  you  to  long  to  dwell. 

Were  all  thcTc  jeflis  for  to  here                       ^^^H 

ol"  the  which  c  t  gan  to  rede. 

That  thci  of  write,  and  how  thei  height  i              ^M 

re  1  ftandin  out  of  drede 

But  white  that  1  beheld  thi^Hght                   ^B^H 

iroD  piUir  flrrong, 

1  herdc  a  noife  appruchia  blive,                      ^^^^H 

ited  was  ail  endLtong 

That  iarcth  as  bceidocti  in  ail  hive              ^^^^| 

*is  blode  in  ercry  place, 

Ay cnfl  ther  ty me  of  otit  flying,                      ^^^^H 

jibn,  with  that  height  Stacc, 

Right  fochc  a  mainir  murmuryng                   ^^^^H 

!  of  Thebit  up  the  name 

For  ail  the  worlde  it  fern  id  mc                      ^^^^^ 

Oioldin,  and  the  fame 

Tho  gan  1  loke  about,  and  fe                      ^^^^M 

•uiUAchUk.; 

That  there  come  tntryng  into  rhe*  hilf          ^^^^^ 

ym  flodc  withoutio  Icfc 

A  right  grete  companle  with^,                     ^^^^^ 

jir  hie  on  a  piller 

And  that  of  fondrie  regiott»,                            ^^^^H 

c  the  grctc  OmcT, 

Of  all  kind  of  cosdicions                                  ^^^^| 

him  D:ires  and  Titui 

That  dwell  in  yerthe  undir  t}te  mone,           ^^^^M 

id  eke  he  LoUlut, 

Bothe  pore  and  riche  :  and  alfo  (atic              ^^^^M 

te  eke  de  Columpnis, 

As  thci  were  come  into  the  ball                     ^^^^| 

iiih  Gafiidceke  twi>; 

Thei  gan  on  knei»  douce  to  bU                     «^^^^| 

of  thefe,  as  1  have  joye. 

Before  this  tike  isoble  quene,                          ^^^H 

for  to  here  up  Troye, 

And  fayid,  Graunt  ut,  ladie  flifine !                 ^^^H 

hereof  was  the  fame. 

£che  of  us  of  thy  grace  a  bone.                      ^^^H 

o  berc  it  wai  no  game  ; 

And  fome  of  *hem  (he  grauntid  Ttmt,            ^^^^H 

ga»  foil  well  cfpie 

And  fome  (he  wamid  well  cod  fairc,             ^^^^| 

hem  wm^a  little'  envic; 

And  fomt  fhc  grauntid  the  contrarie             ^^^^H 

that  Omer  mad«  lle« 

Of  thcr  afkyng  all  uttirliif ;                             ^^^^M 

Hg  in  hb  poetries, 

But  thit  I  faie  you  truilie,                                 ^^^^f 

to  the  GrckesfarouraUf, 

What  that  her  grace  was  {  ne  wii>^                  ^^^^| 

tfore  hclde  he  it  bur  fable- 

For  of  thcfe  foike  full  well  1  will                    ^^^1 

we  I  Ilande  on  a  piUere 

Thei  haddin  godciamc  eche  deferred,          ^^^^| 

of  tinnid  iron  clerc, 

Altbough  thei  were  diircHly  fervcd,               ^^^^| 

Lattnc  poctc  Virgile, 

Rjght  as  her  fifltrDamc  Fortune                   <^^^^| 

1  bore  up  a  longe  while 

It  woQt  to  feririn  in  commune.                       ^^^^^ 

of  pint  -ffincaa. 

Now  herkin  how  the  gan  to  paie                 ^^^^| 

n  him  on  s  pillir  wat 

'Hem  that  gan  her  of  grace  to  pmCj             i^^^H 

Vco»»  dcrkc  Ovidc, 

And  yet,  lo !  ail  this  companie                       ^^^^H 

yfowin  wondin  wide 

Vfaidli]  fothe,  and  not  a  tie.                            <^^^^| 

god  of  X^v*ij  fame, 

Madame,  (thus  faytd  thei)  we  he               ^^^H 

be  bare  up  well  hit  same 

Folke  whiChc  that  htcc  bcfcchla  the              ^^^H 

5)0 


THE    HOUSE    OF    FAME. 


That  ihou  granntm  a*  ru>w  godc  Fame, 
And  let  our  workif  have  godc  asme  ; 
In  full  rccompchlacion 
Of  gode  "WTkrkc  give  us  godc  rcnoun. 

1  wariic  it  you  (quod  (he  ^Done) 
Ye  jfcttin  of  mc  gode  Fame  none 
By  God,  and  therefore  go  your  walo* 

Ala*,  (quoJ  thei)  and  wclawaie  ! 
Ttlliih  us  what  your  ciufe  maic !«, 

Fur  that  rae  Hfte  it  not,  (quod  ihcg) 
I  No  wight  fhalli  fprke  of  you  iwU 
Vt  godc  nc^harmc  nc  that  nc  this» 
And  with  that  worde  (he  gan  to  call 
Her  mclTc^gir  thst  wa^  in  hall, 
And  bad  that  he  ihould  fafl  ygone. 
Upon  pain  to  be  btindc  anone. 
For  .^oluji,  the  god  of  Windc, 
In  Thrace  there  yc  fhall  hym  yfinde, 
And  bid  hym  bryng  his  cUriouu 
That  ii  full  divers  of  his  foun. 
And  it  lA  clepid  Clere  Laude. 
[  With  which  he  wont  is  to  hcraudc 
'Hem  that  that  me  lill  iprailid  be  j 
And  alfo  bid  hym  row  that  he 
Bryng  eke  his  othii  chnoun, 
'J'hat  bight  ficlaundir  in  every  toutie» 
With  whicbe  he  wont  is  to  diJTime 
*Hem  that  mc  lift  and  doe  'hem  ihaine. 

Thi«  rtleCfengir  gaa  h&  to  gone, 
And  foundc  where  in  i  care  of  ftone, 
In  a  cr^untrc  which  that  hi^ht  Thrace, 
Thii  iEoluB  with  harde  grace 
Vheldc  the  windis  in  dJiircfTc, 
And  gan  *hem  undir  hym  to  preiTe, 
That  thei  gone  aj  the  beris  rorc, 
He  boundc  and  prcflid  *hem  fo  fore. 

Thia  meflengir  gan  fafl  to  crie, 
Hife  up  (quod  he)  and  fafl  the  hie 
Until!  thou  at  my  bdic  be. 
And  take  thy  clarioni  eke  with  the, 
And  fpedc  the  fad  :  and  he  anonc 
Tnkc  to  him  ©ne  that  hight  Tritoae, 
His  clarionii  to  berin  tho, 
And  let  a  certain  winde  ygo, 
That  btewe  fo  bidoufly  and  hitt 
That  it  ne  left^  not  a  fkie 
In  all  the  welkin  long  and  brode. 

This  ^olu»  no  where  abode 
Till  he  was  come  to  Fam'i*  fete. 
And  eke  the  man  tliat  Triton  hctCp 
Atid  thcte  he  Aodc  as  (liU  as  ftone  : 
And  here  withall  there  came  anoue 
An  othir  huge  companie 
Of  godc  folke,  and  began  to  cne 
Jt^dic  I  grauniith  us  now  ffodc  Fame, 
And  let  our  worlds  have  that  U4mi.j 
Now  in  honour  of  gcntilneflVt 
And  al  la  God  your  foule  yblcHe, 
Fvr  we  han  well  de fervid  it, 
1  here  fore  i»  right  that  we  be  quit.    "^ 

Aitl^hve  1  (quod  She)  ye  jhall  faile, 
Code  workis  fhall  you  not  avoiie 
To  have  of  me  godc  Fame  at  now ; 
But  wotc  yc  wl^t  i  I  grauotiD  yowt 


That  ye  (haU  havin  i  Qirrwde  mtne. 
And  wickid  looiworfc  Fame, 
Though  yc  gode  lo«»  have  well  6eieTrt6 ; 
Now  goeth  your  waic,  for  jc  bca  Icrvcd. 
And  thou  Dan  j^lus,  (quod  ihe) 
Take  forthc  thy  trompe  aoone,  l«t  fc. 
That  it  icicpid  Sclaundir  light. 
And  blowc  thcr  loot,  that  every 
Spckc  of  'hem  harmc  and  fbiciK 
In  flcde  of  godc  and  worthioeCe, 
For  thou  fhalt  tra mpc  all  the  coel 
Uf  tha:  thct  have  docn  well  and 

Alas !  thought  I,  what  airintunca 
Yhavin  thcfc  foric  creturct. 
That  ihci  emongff  al  the  f»r«» 
Should  tliu»  be  fhamid  giltiks! 
But  what  f  it  muil  ncdis  ybc* 
What  did  this  JEo^tui  bst  he 
Tokc  out  hh  black':  crompc  of  faraSi^i 
That  fouh'r  then  the  deviU  waa. 
And  gikn  this  trOmpi^  for  to  blowc 
As  all  the  worlde  (houJd  ovirthrafre 
Throughout  every  rcgioun 
Ywent  this  fotiie  trump'ia  fonn 
As  fwift  a*  pcllit  out  of  gonnc 
Wlien  fire  is  in  the  poudir  roane. 
And  fochc  a  fmpki  gan  out  wende 
Out  of  the  foule  trumpets  eodc, 
Blackc,  blue,  and  grciiiAic,  fwartiihc, re4e 
As  doith  where  that  muD  mcke  lede, 
Lo!all  on  hie  from  the  tcwcil; 
And  thcrto  one  thyng  fa  we  I  well. 
That  ay  the  fcrtlur  that  it  ranae 
The  grettr  wextn  it  bcgannc, 
As  doeth  the  rivir  from  a  well. 
And  it  (lanke  as  the  pittc  of  h^U  : 
Alas  t  thus  was  ther  fhame  trooj^. 
And  giltltflc,  on  every  tong, 
Tho  came  the  third  J  compAnic, 
And  goce  up  to  the  dees  to  hie. 
And  dotme  on  Iqiocs  thei  fell  auooe. 
And  faidin^  We  ben  evcrichon« 
Foikc  that  yhan  fuH  truilie 
Defcrvid  Fame  r^htfuUie, 
And  pray  ill  you  it  might  be  knowfe 
Right  as  it  ii/and  fonhe  ybkuwe. 

I  graunte  (quod  (he),  for  fu>w  sne  Ui 
^hat  your  gode  workiji  (haU  be  wi0. 
And  yet  ye  Ihall  have  bcttir  looa. 
Right  in  difpite  of  all  your  foo«« 
Then  worth ie  ii.  and  that  anone. 
Let  now  (quod  She)  thy  trumpe  gooe. 
Thou  iEotus^  that  is  fo  blackc. 
And  out  thync  othir  tnimpe  take 
Th;at  hightin  Lattde,  and  blowc  it  fo 
1  hat  through  the  worldc  thcr  Fame  c»ay  g« 
All  cfily  and  not  to  faJt, 
That  it  be  kn^win  at  the  klL 

Ful  gbtily,  Jadic  myisc !  be  t^.d  , 
And  out  his  trumpe  of  goldc  he  bi^ed 
Anone.and  fct  it  to  his  mtjuth  \ 
And  bit  we  it  efl,  and  wcfl,  tec 

And  nonhe,  as  loodc  as  any  iIil: . 

That  e^cry  wight  hath  of  it  woD4a^t 

i 


I 

I 


1                            THE    HOUSE 

OF    FAME.                                          511 

ft  ran  »r  tlmt  St  ftcnt ; 

That  women  lovin  us  for  woJe,                             ^M 

is  all  the  brcth  th-tt  went 

It  (hall  do  u»  a&  mochil  ^odcy                                   ^H 

«  trunip'i!  mouilic  yfmrlde 

And  to  our  herte  as  moche  avaik                    ^^^^H 

k  poitc  full  of  baumt  hclde. 

The  count irfiei ft ^  vfe,  and  tr.wnile,                ^^^^H 

bafkitfull  ©t  rofci; 

A&  wt  had  wonnin  with  labour^                    ^^^^H 

wrdid  Kt  to  thcrloftf*. 

For  that  is  dere  yhought  honour^                   ^^^H 

ght  with  thii  I  gan  dpic 

At  the  regard  of  our  grete  efe  ;                     a^^^H 

mc  the  fowirth  compaiuc. 

And  yet  ye  muft  us  more  yplefr,                  ^^^^| 

ine  thci  were  wondir  fcwe. 

nc  to  flandin  on  a  rcwc, 

Worthic,  and  wife,  and  gode  alfo,                 "^^^^H 

n^  Ccrtis,  iadic  bright ! 

And  riche,  and  happie  unto  love,                    I^^^^B 

doen  well  with  all  our  might. 

For  Godd'is  love  thn^                 '  nve;            «^^^^H 

it  kepc  to  havin  Fame  ; 

Though  wc  may  not                    I  i^ve            ^^^^H 

ur  work  is  and  oiu-  name 

Of  wrvrnrn,  yet^  }o  Go..                                      ^^^^H 

Vlt  lo'sc,  for  ccrtii  we 

Let  men  yglcwc  on  us  the  naint- ;                  ^^^^| 

el/  dotn  it  for  hountc, 

Sudiruh  th.it  wc  have  the  Fsmc.                   f^^^^f 

no  manir  cthir  thynp. 

I  graunt  it  (quod  ihe^hy  my  trouth*        ^^^^H 

utin  you  all  your  alkyng* 

Now,  j^oLue^withoutin  lloufh                      '^^^H 

e  ;)  kt  your  workis  be  dcddc. 

T:ikc  oat  thy  trumpe  of  gal  Je,  (quod  flic)         ^^^B 

hat  jhout  1  tourncJ  my  hcdde. 

And  blowc  as  thci  have  alkid  me,                  ^^^^H 

*  anone  the  fivith  muty 

That  every  man  wene  'hem  at  cic                 ^^^^H 

his  iadie  gan  to  lout, 

Alrhoiigh  thei  go  in  full  haddc  klTe.             T^^^H 

ue  on  kncci  anonc  to  fall^ 

Tin*  Aiolus  gan  it  fo  blowc                            ^^^^B 

CT  tho  htfoughtin  ail 

That  through  the  worlde  H  was  tknowe*             ^M 

thcr  ^c  workis  eke. 

Tho  came  the  Ccventh  route  anonc,          ':^^^^| 

dpthei  ycvc  not  a  ick<i 

And  fill  on  kneis  rvcrichoiie,                           ^^^^^H 

ame,  m  no  fochc  rcootrn^ 

And  fayid,  I^adie,  graunte  us  fone                  ^^^^^H 

for  contemplaciotin 

The  fame  thyng,  the  fam^  bose,                              ^B 

d'is  love  had  it  ywronght. 

Which  that  this  neitc  folke  yoti  liave  don«b     ^_;^^B 

[ne  wouldin  ihci  have  notight. 

Fie  on  you  (quod  ihc)  cvcrichoticl           ^^^^M 

:  (quod  (he)  and  be  )c  Co  woUc  ? 

Ye  naflic  Twine,  ye  idle  wretches,               *^^^^| 

in  ye  for  to  doc  godr. 

FuHhllid  of  rottin  Howe  tetchcs !                  j^^^^| 

:o  have  of  that  no  Fame  f 

,  What  ?  falfi^  the vi$,  where  ye  woldc             ^^^^| 

difphe  to  have  my  name  ? 

Den  famid  gode,  and  nothyng  Decide         i  ^^^^H 

Chall  lyio  cvctichone. 

Dcfenrin  why^  ne  nevir  thoogkt,.                 *^^^^| 

thy  ttumpc,  and  that  anonc; 

Men  rathir  you  to  hangin  ought,                ^H^H 

c)  thou  .^olus^t  bote, 

For  yc  be  like  the  flepie  cat,                                    ^M 

\  thefc  folkis  workts  by  noUp 

That  would  have  fifhc,  but  woft  thou  whatl^^^B 

the  worlde  maic  of  it  here  r 

He  woll  nothyng  wcte  hisclawis:               -^l^^^f 

,10  blowc  ther  looi  fo  clcre 

EvlU  thriftc  come  to  your  jawis,                  .I^^^^H 

is  ^Min  clariaun. 

And  on  myne,  i£  I  you  it  graunte,                i^^^^H 

lugh  the  worlde  jvrent  the  fott» 

Or  doc  favour  you  co  avannte.                      <^^^^^ 

idely  and  eke  fo  foft 

Thon^olus  th«u  Kyug  uf  Thmce,         ^^^H 

r  Fame  was  yblowc  aloft. 

Go  blowe  this  folke  a  foric  grace                           ^K 

to  came  the  fixt  compatiic. 

(C^iod  Ihe)  anonc;  and  woft  thou  how  i     "^^^H 

in  faft  to  Fame  to  cm                               i 

A»  1  ihall  tcUin  the  right  nowe  t                  i^^^H 

rily  in  this  mancse; 

Say  thcfc  ben  they  that  wolde  honour         ^^^^H 

in,  Mercie,  Udic  dcre ! 

Have,  and  do  no  kinde  of  labour,               .  ^^^^H 

certain  a*  it  is 

Ne  do  D»  gode,  and  yet  have  laudc,             ^^^^H 

doen  neithir  that  ne  thi%                     • 

And  that  men  wendc  that  belle  1  faudc       ^^^^| 

all  otir  life  hath  be  ; 

Kc  coude  "liem  not  of  love  wcrne,               ^^^^H 

ftlefle  yet  pray  in  we 

And  yet  {he  that  ygrint  at  qucrtie                i^^^^H 

maie  have  as  gode  >  Fame, 

la  all  to  gode  to  cfe  ther  hcrtc.                      ^^^^^ 

e  renome  andkn«win  name^ 

This  ^olus  anone  up  Herte,                           j^^^^H 

hat  have  doe  noble  )cites, 

And  with  his  blacke  cUrioim                       ^^^^^ 

e  achcvid  ail  thcc  quiiftci. 

He  gan  to  bUfin  out  a  fotm                           ^^^^^ 

f  Wve  as  othirthynj^. 

As  loud  ai  bcUith  winde  in  bcl,                  .^^^^| 

H  nevir  hrtichc  ne  lyng, 

And  eke  thcfcwith,  the  fothc  to  td,           ^^^^| 

rb^t  fro  women  fcut, 

This  fowne  was  fo  iulL  of  japes                    a^^^^^ 

in  ther  h^rte  imcnt» 

As  evir  mowis  were  in  Apes,                       '^^^^l 

n  til  ontly  frcndly  cherc. 

And  that  went  al  the  world c  aboutc,          ^^^^H 

ght  ytemin  us  ou  here* 

That  every  wight  gan  on  *hem  (houie        ^^^^^ 

■  ro  tlic  pcple  icmc 

And  lor  to  laugh  as  they  were  \vode»           g^^^H 

the  worlde  tQ«\tc  of  iu  dcmc 

So&hc  g^ie  vfuuod^  they  i^t  ihn  hude^      -^^^^^ 

H^                                       THE  HOUSE   OF  TAWE,                             ^V 

P^     Tnio  came  anoihir  contpanyc 

For  00  fochc  caufe,  bf  my  lied,                    fl 

1         Tbit  hati  ydone  the  trcchcry. 

Suffifith  me  as  t  were  dcd                               H 

The  harme  and  the  jcrctc  wickcdndTr, 

That  no  wight  have  my  name  to  h<mde ;    S 

Thai  any  hcrtc  coudin  ygcflc, 

T  wot  my  felCie  beft  howe  t  floodc,                 M 

And  pray  id  her  to  have  godc  Fame, 

For  what  1  dric  or  what  I  thinke           ^^U 

And  that  fhc  D*oIdc  do  ^hcm  no  ibamr. 

I  wol  my  fcliin  al  it  drinke,                   ^^^H 

But  give  *herm  loo5  and  godc  rcnoun. 

Certainly  for  the  more  parte,               '^^^1 

AOfddo  it  blowe  in  clarioun. 

As  fcrfonh  as  1  can  mine  arte-               ^^^H 

Nay,  wt«,  (quod  five )  it  were  a  ryce ; 

What  doift  thoti  here  than  ?  (quod  he,)     ^M 

Al  be  dttrc  in  me  no  juflicc 

(Quod  I)  Tliat  wol  1  tellin  ihc  ;           ^^H 

Mc  lyft  not  for  to  do  it  nowe. 

The  cauft  why  I  flandio  here               ^^^H 

l,         Ke  ihii  1  nc  will  graunt  it  you. 

1 5  fom  e  new  tidi  Dge«  f  or  to  icre,           ^^^H 

1              Tho  cmme  there  Icpinge  in  >  rotitc, 

Some  ocwc  thing,  I  nc  wot  what,        ^^^B 

I         And  gan  to  clappin  al  abouce 

Tyding*!  eyihir  this  or  that,                 ^^^| 

1         Ev^y  man  upon  the  crownc. 

Of  love,  or  of  fochc  thingic  gladcj        ^^^H 

That  ai  the  Jial  hcfrm  to  fownc. 

For  certainty  he  that  mc  made              J^^^H 

And  fay  id.  Lady  kfc  and  dcrc  1 

To  cumin  hidir  faid  to  me                     ^^^^M 

We  ben  fochc  folfecs,  as  ye  may  here. 

1  fliuldin  bothe  yhere  and  fc                  ^^^H 

To  tcUb  all  the  tale  aright. 

In  this  place  many  wondir  thin^cm^      ^^^B 

Wc  ben  flircwis  every  wight, 

But  thefc  nc  be  no  foche  tidingca                ^M 

And  have  delitc  in  wickidneHe, 

A%  1  ymcnt  of.     No  f  (quo4 1^.)         ^^^M 

Jkt  godc  folkc  havLn  in  jjjodcnclTe, 

And  J  anfwcrid,  No,parde,                 ^^^H 

And  joyc  to  ben  yknowin  fhrewes. 

For  ful  wcl  f  wote  cvir  yet,                   '^^^l 

And  fui  of  vice  and  wickid  ihcwts, 

SIthinis  that  firftc  I  had  wit,                 ^^^^ 

1         "Whcrforc  vre  praye  yro  on  a  rowc 

That  fomc  fulkc  hat)  dcfirid  Fame       ^^H 

'         That  our  Fame  be  Ibche  yknc»we 

Diverily,  and  loos  and  gode  najn                 ^W 

In  althingii  right  is  it  ii. 

But  certainly  1  ne  wifl  how                           1 

1  grauntc  it  you,  (*juod  Aic)ywl«; 

Nc  where  that  Fame  dweUid  or  jacwc,      ^M 

Bat  wkat  arte  thou  that  faieft  this  talc» 

Ne  eke  of  her  difcnpciun,                             ^H 

That  werift  on  thy  hofc  a  pak. 

No  alfo  her  condicron,                                    ^M 

And  on  thy  tippet  fochc  a  bcl  ? 

Ne  eke  the  ordir  of  ker  dome                       ^H 

Madame,  (quod  he)  the  fothc  to  lel^ 

Kncwc  1  not  till  I  hithir  come.            t^^^l 

1  am  that  ilk t  flircwc  y  wit 

Why  than  be,  lo!  thde  tidingia       ^^^^M 

That  brent  the  tcmpic*  of  Ijjdii 

Which  that  thou  nowe  hcthir  briiifi^^^l^^ 

In  Athcnis,  lo !  that  cytc 

That  thou  baa  hcfde  ?  (quod  he  to  »&:) 

And  where forediddeftihoTjfo?  (quod  (he) 

But  nowe  no  force,  for  wcl  I  fc 

By  tny  trouthc,  (anfwcrid  he)  Madame, 

What  thou  dcfiriil  for  to  lerc  : 

I  wtld^  Ikinc  have  had  a  name, 

Come  forthe,  and  f^aitde  no  lengir  bcft^        ^,, 

Al  othir  folkc  had  in  the  towne  ; 

And  I  wol  the,  withoBtin  drede^           ^^^1 

Although  they  were  of  gictc  rcnownc 

In  to  foche  anothir  place  Ude               ^^^H 

For  ihcr  vcrtuc  and  thcr  thcwis. 

There  thou  fbalte  herin  many  one.     ^^^H 

'  Thought  I,  ai  gretc  Fame  have  flirewis 

Tho  gan  1  forthe  with  hhn  t^gooi^^^B 

(Thoogh  it  be  nought)  for  flircwdcotlTe 

Out  of  tiie  caail.  fothe  10  f<y.              |^^H 

As  gode  foikc  havin  for  godcneflc. 

Tho  fawe  1  flatidc  in  a  vatey«           ^^^H 

^^  And  fithcn  I  may  not  invc  that  oac 

Undir  the  caAil  fatlc  by,                         ^^^H 

^Hphat  othir  n'yl  1  not  forgone, 

An  houfe  that  Bmmit  B^^^                ^^^H 

^^P^B  for  to  gettin  a  Fame  hete, 

That  i,tfiyrM/£H/,yrleped  ia»                ^^^^| 

■        The  temple  fct  I  al  on  fire. 

N'as  made  fo  wondtrVy  ywi««                 ^^^B 

Nowc  done  our  loot  be  blowin  fwithe, 

As  wifly  be  thou  tvir  blythe* 

And  evirmo  as  fwiftc  am  thonght                  ^| 

Gladly  (quod  (he),  Thou  ^olus, 

This  qucint  Houfe  abovtin  yweitt,             ^| 

Herift  thoo  not  what  they  praycn  414  f 

That  nevirmo  it  ftilj  yftcnt,                         ^| 

Madame,  1  here  ful  wel,  (quod  he) 

And  there  came  out  fo  gret  a  ticASc^            ^^ 

And  I  \vin  trumpin  it  pardei 

That  had  it  ftondin  upon  Oyfc              ^^^H 

And  toke  hta  black*  tnimp<^  fafte. 

Men  might  have  herde  tt  ci&ty            ^^^^ 

And  gan  to  ptif&o  and  to  blade 

To  Rome,  1  trowin  fikirly  ;                  ^^^1 

Tyl  it  \va»  at  the  world'ii  ende. 

Ard  the  noifc  t;^  hiche  that  1  yhr«id£          ^^ 

With  that  t  gan  abcutln  wendc, 

For  al  the  worlde  right  fo  it  fcrdc              ^^ 

For  one  that  ftodc  right  at  my  bake 

As  dothe  the  routinge  cf  the  ftoofi              ^^ 

Me  thought  ful  guddy  to  me  Tpk^p 

That  fro  th'  en^in  is  letyn  gtinc,                  ^| 

And  fay  id,  Frcnde,  what  is  tby  nwne  ? 

And  al  this  r     '     '     ! ache  f  r«d«^^H 

Arte  thou  come  hidir  to  have  Fame  I 

Was  made  of  r\                   we,  ttidr,    ^^^H 

Have  Famcl  nay,  for  fothc,  fieiide,  (qnod  1) 

And  grcnc  ckc,  -.,u  .....i-  wcrin  viaM^^^| 

1  cwtnc  nai  hiihii-,  giant  mercy ! 

Sochc  as  men  to  the  eagis  iwhfi%               ^^ 

r                               THE   HOtJSS   OF    FAME.                                        M^      i 

ofthcrepanWft, 

That  but  I  bringin  the  tKerio                                 ^H 

utchis  or  dofTers, 

Nc  (hal  thou  ncvir  connc  the  gui                             ^H 

the  fwough  and  for  the  twiggct 

To  ce^mc  in  to  it  out  of  duute,                                  ^H 

ife  was  A  to  full  uf  gigget, 

So  fafte  it  whirlilh,  lo  :  about c  ;                         ^mH 

-  ful  eke  of  thirkingcs, 

But  fithe  that  JoY'it  of  hit  grace,                    ^^^^M 

ijujy  othir  wirkingc*. 

Ai  f  hAvc  f:]iid,  wit  the  folacc                          ^^^^| 

this  Houfe  hath  of  tntrecj 

Fin^illy  with  thefe  ilkC-  thlngef,                     4^^^^| 

*  »  IcTis  b«n  on  trcci 

Thcffe  uncouthe  fighti«  and  tidinges,             ^^^^H 

r  whan  thiit  they  bes  grcnc, 

To  paH'c  aw^y  thine  hevmefle,                       ^^^^^ 

ic  rofc  yet  men  may  fenc 

Soche  routhc  haih  he  of  thy  diflreflii             ^^^^^ 

adc  bolia^  gad  wcU  mo, 

That  thoTi  fuifrcdcd  deboiutitly,                    ^^^^^ 

the  fownc  tmt  ygo  ; 

And  woflc  thy  fdvixi  uitirly                            ^^^^| 

by  in  cvtry  tydc 

Wholy  dcfperatc  of  al  bliflc,                           ^^H 

e  doris  ppin  wide. 

Si  the  that  Fortttnc  hath  made  ixttiih                    ^H 

Jght  cchc  om  is  unlhettc  i 

The  lote  of  ill  thine  hert'i*  rdl                       -^^^B 

is  there  noae  to  Ictle 

Languilhc,  and  eke  in  poinic  Co  breft,           ^^^^| 

r  tydingfli  in  to  pace. 

But  he  through  his  mlgiuie  mctibc              ^^^^H 

rcit  11  in  that  place. 

Wil  do  the  efe,  al  be  it  lite,                          ^^^H 

'infilled  full  of  lidingei^ 

And  gave  in  ciprefTc  commaundeiacnli        ^^^^^ 

«dc  or  of  whifpering«. 

To  w  hi  the  1  am  obedient,                             <^^^^^| 

ail  the  HoiiTta  anglei 

To  forthir  the  with  al  my  myght,               ^^^^H 

rowoingcsand  of  jangle*. 

And  wilhc  and  techia  the  aright                   ^^^^B 

f,  of  pecc,  of  mariogct, 

Where  thou  niairtc  mofte  tidingii  here,                 ^H 

of  labour,  of  viagcs, 

Thou  Hialte  htrc  many  one  ylcre*                          ^H 

^  of  dethe,  and  of  lyfc. 

And  with  this  worde  he  right  amuv                       ^H 

jf  hate,  accorde,  of  fl:nfc> 

,  Yhent  mc  up  bytwenc  hi^  tone*                             f^| 

of  lore,  and  of  winningci. 

And  at  a  windowc  ic  me  brought                         ^^t 

rf  fi^kcnefTe,  or  Iclingc*, 

That  in  this  Houfe  wat,  at  mc  thought*         ^_^^| 

icthtr  and  ttmpcftii. 

And  therewithal  me  thought  it  &cot,            ^^^^^K 

te«  of  folke  and  of  beHi^ 

Aj^d  notbinge  it  aboutin  wente,                   ^^^^^| 

1  tranfmutacioni 

And  me  fet  if|  tile  flore  adoun  i                     ^^^^^| 

1  and  of  ffgioRf, 

But  fochc  grctc  congregicioun                      ^^^^^| 

ofdrcde,  of  jalonfy. 

Of  folke  a)  I  fawc  rome  about,                     ^^^^B 

,of  winning,  of  foly, 

Some  it  within  and  fome  without,               ^^^^^| 

r  and  •{  grcte  famine. 

N*a3  nevir  fcue,  ne  fbol  be  efce^                    ^^^^H 

,  of  dcrthc,  and  of  niine^ 

That  certt£  in  tbiji  worlde  n'it  le&e             ^^^^H 

or  of  mifgnvcmcmcni. 

So  many  formid  by  Natura,                          ^^^^H 

and  divers  accident. 

Nc  dcd  fo  many  a  crcture,                           *^^^^H 

i  1  this  Houfe  of  whichc  I  write 

pThat  wcl  unnethisiu  that  place                   ^^^^^| 

ye  it  n*ai  no  Ifte, 

Had  I  a  fot*L£  bredc  of  fpacc  ;                      ^^^^H 

iifyxtie  mile  of  length; 

And  every  wight  that  1  fawc  there              ^^^^H 

he  tymbir  of  no  ftrcngth. 

Row n  id  cTertchc  in  othii*c  ere                     ^^^^H 

foandid  to  endure 

A  ncvve  lidinge  privily,                                ^^^^^| 

lat  it  iydc  to  Avintnre, 

'  Or  ch  he  toldc  it  opinly,                               ^^^^^| 

he  mothir  of  Tidinge*, 

Right  thus,  and  faid,  Ne  wofl  nat  tboQ          fl^^^l 

E  of  we  His  and  fpringca. 

That  iibctiddin,  lo  '  right  nowc  f                 ^^^^| 

rzM  (hapin  lykc  a  cage. 

No,  certii,  (quod  he;)  tel  rac  what ;                  ^M 

,  (quod  1)  in  al  mine  age 

And  than  he  toldc  him  thii  aiid  that,               _^i^^B 

I  fochc  an  Houfe  a«  this* 

And  fwore  therto  that  it  wat  foihe,             ^^Mj^^l 

wondrid  mc  ywii 

Thu«hath  he  laid,  and  thu»  he  dotbe,           ^^^^H 

li  Houfe,  tbo  ware  wai  t 

And  this  Ihal  be*,  aod  thu«  hcrdc  1  fay,         ^^^H 

itmyneeglffaft^by 

That  fhal  be  foundc,  and  dare  1  by  ;             ^^^H 

chid  hyt-  upon  a  {lone. 

That  al  the  folkc  that  is  on  lyve                    ^^^^H 

in  fkreight  to  him  to  gooe. 

Ne  have  the  konninge  to  dlfcrive                 ^^^^H 

id  him  thus^  f  pray  the 

Tho  thingis  that  1  herdln  tht^re,                  ^^^^M 

lu  a  white  abidin  me 

What  aloude  and  what  in  the  ere;              ^^^^| 

d*ii  love»  and  let  me  fcDC 

But  al  the  wondir  mollc  wi«&  tjiii,                ^^^^H 

ondirs  in  that  pbcc  ybene, 

Whan  one  had  hcrde  a  thinge  ywis              ^^^^H 

ptrauntir  t  may  Icrc 

He  came  flreight  to  anothir  wight,             ^^^^H 

dc  thcrin,  or  fomwhat  here. 

And  g an  him  tellin  anone  tight                   ^^^^H 

erne  were  or  thit  I  wrnf. 

The  fame  tale  that  to  him  wai  tolde            ^^^^^ 

,  that  if  nowc  myn-  cnteni. 

Or  it  a  forlongc  way  wasolde,                       ^^^^H 

e  to  mc)  thcrforc  1  dwcl; 

And  bcgaa  fomwhat  for  to  ec^ic                    ^^^^| 

MM  oac  UiiiiJ^e  i  t^e  eel, 

Ueio  this  lidingc  in  hit  f|»ecbe                    ^^^^| 

SW.                                       THE    HOUSE     Of    FAUS.                                     J^ 

More  than  cvir  it  fpokb  wn. 

Twenty  thoufindfl  lU  la  &  roone,         ^^^H 

And  nat  fo  fonc  dcpartid  n'su 

Aa  .£o1q»  'hem  blcwc  aboute  :            ^^^H 

Tho  fro  hiiu  that  he  nc  ymcttc 

And,  Lordcl  |bis  Houfe  in  atl?  tk^i^^^t 

"With  the  third c  maji,and  cr  he  lettc 

Wa^  ful  of  fhypmen  and  pilgnmet,    ^^^^H 

Any  ftoundc  he  ytt>ldc  him  alfc; 

With  fcrippis  brcttc/ul  of  IciiligeSp               ^| 

Wcrin  the  ti dirges  fothc  or  falfe 

EntcrmeJilid  wi:h  tidingcs;                   ^^^^H 

Yet  woldc  he  tciic  aathUca, 

And  eVc  alone  ky  'hem  fclve                ^^^H 

And  cvirmorc  with  mo  cncrce 

A  many  tJioufandetymi^  twdrc          ^^^^ 

That  it  was  crft  :  thus  northc  and  fauthc 

Sawc  1  eke  of  the fc  pardoacrs,                    ^H 

Went  cTcry  tidioge  fro  mouth  to  mouthc, 

Currours,  and  ckt  of  meAUutigeny        ^^^B 

^^^Aod  thit  encrefinge  evirmci, 
^^P  As  fire  is  wont  to  quicken  and  go, 
^"^  From  a  fparcic  fprongin  amis, 

With  boxii  crommid  ful  of  Ijcs           ^^^^H 

Ab  eWr  vclfil  was  with  tics :                 i^^^l 

And  aj  I  akhlrfallill  went                    ^^^H 

Tyl  al  a  cite  brent  up  is. 

Abotttc,  and  dyd  al  mync  entmt          ^^^| 

Aiid  whan  that  that  was  ful  up  fpronge, 

Mc  for  to  pliycn  and  for  co  lere,         ^^^B 

And  waxin  rsorc  on  every  tong« 

And  eke  a  tiding  for  to  here,                       ^M 

Than  cr  it  was,  and  went  anonc 

That  I  had  herde  of  fomc  couiitrr,               ^M 

Up  tu  a  wixidowe  out  to  gone, 

Thut  fhal  not  nowc  be  toldc  for  nie»           ^| 

Or  but  it  might  out  tlierc  yp-^fle 

For  it  Eo  ncdc  i»,  redyJy                         ^^^H 

It  gan  out  crepe  at  fome  crcv-iCTe, 

Folke  can  yUngc  it  het  than  f^             ^^^H 

And  flcwc  fort  he  faftc  for  the  nonet. 

For  al  mote  out  or  late  or  rathe          ^^^^| 

And  fomtyme  1  fawc  there  at  onc» 

Aile  the  {hcvh  in  the  fathe.                  ^^^H 

A  Iclingc  and  a  fadde  fothefawe. 

T  hcrdin  a  grete  noifc  withaU          ^^^^| 

That  gonnin  of  avinturcdfiiwc 

Wltlvin  a  CDrnir  uf  the  hal,                   ^^^^H 

Out  at  a  wmdowc  for  to  pace,                                    , 

1  here  men  of  love  tydingts  tolde,       ^^^^| 

1          And  whan  thei  mettin  in  that  place 

And  1  gon  thidtrwardc  behoUlc,          ^^^H 

They  were  achcckid  bof  he  two, 

for  I  fiiwc  renninge  every  wight                ^| 

And  ncithir  of  'hem  myght  out  go. 

A3  f;iltc  A*  that  tncy  huddiii  niighe,            ^M 

Foi  cchc  othir  they  gonne  fo  croudc,                       i 

And  cverycht  cridc,  What  tkiogc  b  thif  (  ^M 

Tyl  echc  of  'hem  gan  cryio  toudc 

An  J  fome  faid,  I  *'ot  ncvir  what ;              ^M 

f          l^ei  me  gone  firft ;  Nay,  but  let  me,                        ^ 

And  whan  iJuy  were  a  1  on  an  hepe            ^M 

1          And  here  I  wol  enfurin  the 

Tho  thet  b<:hiade  gonniu  up  lepc,               ^M 

With  wwis  that  thou  wok  do  fo,                           , 

And  dambm  up  on  othir  faile,                    ^M 

That  I  fhal  ncvir  fro  the  go, 

And  up  the  noiTe  on  byghin  ciilc,              ^M 

But  be  ajway  thin  ownc  fwome  fcrotfaer  j 

And  trcdm  fcift  on  othir* i  heJc*,                   ^M 

We  wol  meddle  us  cchc  in  other* 

Afid  tUmpCf  as  tnkca  done  aftir  elci :           ^M 

That  no  man  be  he  ncr  fo  wrothc 

But  at  the  bile  I  Uwc  a  man                         ^M 

Shal  have  one  of  ui  two,  but  bothc                           1 

Whiche  that  1  nought  difcrlvc  oc  *-*«         ^B 
But  he  yfcmld  for  to  be                           ^^^^ 

At  onis,  su  befidc  his  Icve,                                        i 

Come  wc  amorowe  or  on  C¥C, 

A  man  of  grete  autSorite^                     ^^^^H 

1        Be  wc  ycrydc  or  ftyl  yrowncd  i 

And  therewithal  1  'anon  abrade      ^^^^| 

^^^*l'hus  fa  we  I  falfe  ^iiid  fothc  compowned 

Out  of  my  Ocpi  hulfc  afraide,               ^^^H 

^^■Togidir  ilye  for  o  tidingc ; 

Remembtiug  wcl  what  f  had  fcne,       ^^^H 

^■^  Thus  <jut  ac  holii*  gotmc  to  wringd                            i 

And  howc  hye  aud  krrc  I  had  bene,  ^^^H 

Every  tidingc  ftrcight  to  Fame, 

In  my  go{^,  and  lud  grete  wckodrr              ^H 

And  the  gan  ycvia  cclic  hi*  niimc 

Of  that  the  mighty  god  of  Thooder     _^^^M 

Aftir  her  difpoficion. 

Had  let  tnc  knowcn,  and  gui  to  wcjd^^^| 

And  ycvc  *hcm  eke  duraclon. 

Lykc  a»  yc  Imve  herde  me  codite,      ^^^^| 

borne  to  wciin  and  wanin  fonc. 

Whc-rforc  to  Hudy'  and  rede  alway^      ^^^^| 

As  dothe  the  fairc  and  white  mone. 

1  purpofe  to  do  day  by  day,                   ^^^H 

And  let  him  gonne ;  there  might  1  fttn 

And  thus  in  drcrninge  and  in  n^^^^^H 

Wingid  woudira  full  fall  flyia 

Endlth  this  |itil  l5uU  yf  Fame     ^^^^H 

CERTAINE   BALADES,    ^c. 


Herefolowetb  a  gadeiy  Balade  ofCbaucer. 


of  norture,  bed  belayed  of  all, 

floure,  to  whom  gode  thrift  God  feodc, 

c,  if  it  luftc  you  me  fo  to  call, 

mable  my  felf  fo  to  pretende, 

ifcreduu  I  recommende 

:  and  all,  with  every  clrcumftaunce, 

'  to  be'  undir  your  govimaunce. 

cdre  I,  and  have,  and  evir  ihall, 

th  that  might  your  hert'is  efc  amende ; 

ixcufed,  my  powir  is  but  fmall ; 

of  right  ye  ought  for  to  commende 

ivill,  which^  faini  would  entcnde 

u  fervice,  for  my  fuffilauncc 

0  be'  undir  your  govimaunce. 

n  in  herte,  whiche  nevir  (hall  apall, 
and  new,  and  right  glad  to  difpende 
n.  your  fervice,  what  fo  bcfaU, 
your  excellence  to  defende 
ineife,  if  ignoraunce  ofifende 
e,  fith  that  myne  affiaunce 
to  be*  undir  your  govimaunce. 
f  light,  very  ground  of  comfort ! 
is  doughtir  ye  bight,  as  I  rede, 
he  weftrlth  farwell  your  difport ; 
iture  anone  right  for  pure  drede 
e  Night,  that  with  his  boiftous  wede 
cffe  fcadowith  our  hemifphere, 
n  ye,  my  liv'ii  ladie  dere  ! 
g  the  daie  unto  his  kinde  refort, 
i>us  your  fathir  with  his  firemcs  rede 
the  morowe,  confuming  the  fort 
cloudes,  that  wouldin  ovirlede 
ble  hcrtis  with  ther  miftie  hcde, 
brt  adaies,  when  your  eyin  clere 
id  fprcde,  my  liv'is  ladie  dere  ! 
^ray ,  but  the  grete  God  difpofcth 
th  cafucU  by  his  providence 
g  as  mann'is  frele  wit  purpofeth, 
:  bcft,  ifthat  your  confciencc 
fie  it,  but  in  humble  pacience 
for  God  faith  withoutio  a  fablc 

1  hcrtc  cvi{  is  acceptable. 


Cautelis  whofo  ufith  gladlie  glofeth; 
To  elchewe  foche  it  is  right  high  prudence  ; 
What  ye  faied  onis  mine  herte  oppofeth. 
That  my  writyng  japis  in  your  abfepce 
Plefid  you  moche  bettir  than  my  prefence^ 
Yet  can  I  more,  ye  be  not  ezcufabk ; 
A  faithful!  herte  evir  is  acceptable. 

Quakith  my  penne,  ray  fpirite  fuppofeth 
That  in  my  writing  ye  find  wot!  offence; 
Min  hert  welknith  thus  fone,  anon  it  rifeth. 
Now  hotte,  now  colde,  and  eft  in  grete  fervence^ 
That  mifle  is  caufid  of  negligence. 
And  not  of  malice,  therefore  beth  merciable ; 
A  faithf uU  herte  evir  it  acc^table. 

Fortbe  complaint,  forthe  thou  lacking  eloqacncCi 
Forthe  litil  kttir,ofenditinglame, 
I  have  befought  my  ladle's  fapiencc 
Of  thy  behalu  for  to  accept  in  game 
Thine  inabilite,  doe  thou  the  fame : 
Abide,  have  more  yet ;  Jeferw  Jovrffg: 
Now  forth,  I  clofe  the*  in  holy  Venus  name^ 
The  ihall  undofe  my  hert'is  govimcfTe. 


A  ballade  tu  commaidaeMi  ofwr  Ladie% 

A  TBousANDE  ftories  coud  I  mo  reherce 
Of  olde  poetis  touching  this  matere. 
How  that  Cupide  the  hertis  gan  fo  perce 
Of  his  fervauntis,  fettyng  *hem  in  fere. 
Lo  here  the  fine  of  th*  errour  and  the  fere, 
1.0  here  of  love  the  guerdone  and  grevaunce. 
That  er  what  wo  her  fervauntes  do  avaunce  ! 

Wherfore  now  plainly  I  woU  my  lUle  dreife 
Of  one  to  fpeke  at  nede  that  woll  not  faile ; 
Alas !  for  dole  I  ne  can  ne  male*  ezpreife 
Her  paifyne  prife,  and  that  is  no  mervaile. 
O  windc  of  grace  !  now  blowe  unto  my  fail^ 
O  auriate  licour  of  Clio  !  to  write 
My  pcnnc  enfpire  of  that  I  well  enditp^ 


576 


CERTAINE    BALADES,    W.-. 


I 


Alia  f  unwotthic  T  am  and  unable 
To  love  fochc  one,  sdl  women  furmountfug, 
But  fbc  be  benignc  to  mc  utid  iticrciablc. 
That  is  of  pitic  the  wcllc  and  thcfpryng; 
Whctforc  of  her  in  taudc  and  in  praifyng. 
So  as  I  can,  fapporrid  bj  her  gracCp 
Right  thus  I  faiCf  kue1)tig  before  her  face  : 

O  ftrre  of  ftcrris,  with  thy  flrcmi*  cicre, 
Sterrc  of  the  fc,  to  ihipmen  light  and  gidc  ! 
O  lufUe  livyng,  mode  plefaunt  to*  appcre, 
Whofc  bright  bcmis  the  eloudu  cnaic  not  hide  I 
O  waic  of  life  lo  *hem  that  go  or  ride. 
Haven  aftir  temped,  furift  up  to  rivcp 
On  me  have  mcrcic  for  thy  joyis  five  \ 

O  rightfull  ruJc  1  o  bote  of  hoUncflc ! 
And  llghtfoone  line  of  pilic  for  to jilain. 
Origin  all  of  grace  and  all  godeaelic. 
And  dtncft  condud  of  vertuc  mofke  fovcraia  1 
Mothir  of  tncrcie*,oDr  trouble  to  rrflrain, 
Chambir  and  clofit  clencfl  of  chaftitlti 
And  namid  herbrough  of  the  deitie ! 

O  clofit,  gardin,  voidc  of  wcdit  iwicke, 
CriftalLin  wcUe,  of  clcrcncfTc  dcrc  conCgitcd, 
Fntdified  olive  of  foiled  fairc  and  thickc, 
And  redoUcni  cedrc  mofl:  dcrc  worthy  digncd  ! 
Kemember  on  finnirs  that  to  the  be*  ailined 
Or  wickid  fendis  thcr  wnnthc  on  *hcm  wrcchc  ; 
Lantcmc  of  light !  thou  art  thcr  livis  leche. 

Fa.radirc  of  plcDuincc,  gladfome  to  alt  gode, 
O  bcnignc  braunchilct  of  the  pine  tre, 
Vinaric"  cnvci mailed,  rcfrclhir  of  bode, 
Licour  ayen  langour  th'At  palled  tnaic  not  bci 
BUsful  bloinic  blofmc,  bidyng  io  boiituc  ! 
Thy  maDtell  of  mercic  on  our  niiftrie  fprcdc. 
And  er  wc*  awaic  wrappe  wi  nndir  thy  wedc. 

O  rodic  roficr,  flouring  without  (pine, 
Fuuniain  filthlelTe,  as  btrill  curr^i^nc  clerc  ! 
Sum  drop  of  graceful!  dcwc  to  uv  propine  ; 
Light  without  Dcbule  fhinyng  in  thy  fphcrc, 
Mcdidnc  to  mifcbcvcs,  puccll  without  perc ! 
Flambe  doun  the  full  light  of  thin  influence, 
Rcmcmbring  thy  fcrvantes  for  thy  magnifkcncc- 

Of  all  ChrifUn  protcdricc  and  tuttlc, 
Rctoume  of  exiled  put  in  the  profcripcion, 
To  'hem  that  crrcn  in  the'  pathc  of  thcr  fctjuelc, 
To  wcrie  forwandrid  tent  and  pavilion, 
To  f^iint  and  to  frefhe  the  paufacion, 
To  unrcflic  bothc  reft  and  rcmcdic, 
FruifiruU  to  all  tho  that  in  her  alHc : 

To  'hem  that  rennin  thou  an  itineraric, 
O  bllifull  bra  vie  to  koightes  of  thy  wcrre  I 
To  wcrie  wcrkmcn  (he  'ii  diournc  denarie, 
Medc  unto  mariners  that  have  failed  ferrc^ 
Laureate  corouue  flrcmyng  as  a  (lerrCi 
To  'hem  putin  palaflrc  for  thy  lake 
Tours  of  thcr  conqucft  white  as  any  lake. 

O  tnirthe  of  martyrs  1  fwctir  thaa  Gtok, 
Of  confclTouTs  alfo  riche  donatifc, 
Unto  virgincs  ctcrnall  lauriolc, 
*  Fore  all  woman  havyng  prerogatifct 
Mothir  aud  maide,  !><3the  w  id  owe  and  eke  wife  ! 
Of  all  the  woilde  h  notie  but  thou  alone, 
Npw  iith  thou  zoaic  be  fuc^vur  to  my  moac^ 


Trufiic  turtle,  tmefaiUil  of  all  tme, 
Curtcifc  columbe,  replete  of  all  mckcBcic, 
O  nightingilc  with  thy  natii  nevre! 
O  popinjatc  T  purid  with  all  clenoe^g 
O  lavcrokc  of  Love  !  Iingjng  with  frntta^Bk^ 
Phgebus  waityng  till  on  thy  brcil  he  1%I)BI, 
Undir  thy  winr  at  domifdaie  us  d%fa£. 

O  ruble  !  rubified  ifl  the  paJEoo  _ 

Of  thy  fonne,  us  have  anafigb  En 
O  (ledfad  diamette  of  duracioun  f 
That  fewe  kris  any  time  might  thtm 
For  none  to  hym  wit  foondin  halfe  Co  kitu 
O  bardie  hertc  !  olovyng  crcituie  ! 
Wliat  was  'it  but  love  that  m^de  die  io  eahnf 
Scmely  faphrc,  dcpe  loupe»  and  blcw«  twigi* 
Stable  as  the  loupe  ewage  of  piti<c. 
This  is  to  f*ic,  the  frc&ift  of  vifage. 
Thou  lovcil  unchaungjd  *hein  that  fer^dbe. 
And  if  offence  or  varying  in  lieiTi  be 
Thou  art  aie  redic  on  thcr  wo  to  rue. 
And  'hem  rccevtit  aye  with  hcrte  fuO 

O  godelfe  gladdid  I  when  that  Gabriel 
With  joy  the  grettc,  th*t  maie  not  be 
Or  halfe  the  blifTe  who  coud  ywritc  or  uU 
When  the'  Holy  Ghoftc  to  the  w«i  obnmbo^ 
\Vhcrthroughfcndc4  wrr  Kirtirjy  cnamieiit 
O  wcmlcfTe  maidc !  cr;  hh  blrt^ 

That  man  and  angill  th_  q  minhe. 

Lo  here  the  bloCme  and  the  budde  ol  rldrf^ 
Of  whichc  the  prophet  fo  loog  fpake  beniDit 
Lo  here  the  fame  that  was  in  metnorie 
Of  Efaie,  fo  long  or  (he  ^va>  yborne  ! 
Lo  here  of  David  the  dcliciou*  cor 
Lo  here  the  grouude  of  lift:  in  tc^  ! 
Bccomyng  msn  our  ranlotne  for  to  yiuut 

O  glorious  voile,  vitc  inviolate  ? 
O  firic  Titan!  pcrfyng  with  thy  b<ncii« 
Whofe  vertuou&  brightnei  was  in  hrd^ 
That  al  the  world  embehfhed  with  the 
Confervatrice  of  kingcf ,  dukc%»  and  relaci« 
Of  JcfTe  his  ficde  the  fwcte  Sunamite, 
Mcfurc  my  mourning  mice  own 

0  foverainiil  yfoughi  out  of  Syou  I 
Cockle  with  goldc-dewc  from  aboTC  ' 
Dewc-bufhc  uBbrent,  fir^lcffe  fire  let  QO« 
Flam bing  with  fcrvenc-  "-•  -""h  bete 
Uuryng  dailic  that  no  \  aid, 

Fkcc  utidcfoulcd  of  gt;ii _   _:jn. 

And  fruiiSlfiyng  fiinlt  ycrde  of  AaroQ  f 

The  mightie  ar^he,  tlie  ptobatifc  piXoac^ 
Laughycig  Aurora,  and  of  pccc  olive, 
Columpnc  and  bafe,  op  beryng  frozti  aibiffiC| 
Why  u'crc  I  connynghcrc  for  to  diDcriTe^ 
Chofin  of  Jofcph,  whom  he  toke  to  wive, 
Unknowyng  hym  childyng  by  mir^ck. 
And  of  our  manly  figtire  the  ubcmade ! 

1  have  none  Bngtifhc  cotLTe&icot  aod  digtif* 
Mync  hcrte* s  hclc  lady  I  the  with  ta  boomr, 
ivoric  clcnc!  thcretorc  I  woli  iirfK-^ic 

Into  thyne  handc  till  tltat  il  jot, 

To  hcipe  my  raakyng  botlv :  .  fl«^. 

Then  (hould  I  ihcwe  in  love  haw  Ui«£  1  htods^. 
In  ftingifi  aiakvng  ihy  n^ta^  ua  c< 


* 


i 


ire  iKyne  excel  Icncc 
in  love  I  woutdin  what  I  fclct 

Irf*.     '      ^  ^'  ■■        ri.ce, 

n  y 

1  ii.  ■-..  ii,..v,v  ff  ft«)e 

wi^  '/eranncc 

'vmijiTiH  I  iovc  cvir  bctttrbcrtt 
thj«  iiLc  tikyo^  to  bcholde, 
:c  uf  love,  the  liojidc  (o  wtll  t^ou  Iirit, 
i^aic  fc  Lht\)rnjrtk'  htrt^  coldtf, 

f  pilfeout  of  r,i     '  ■  L, 

in  two  wolJ  II. 

jvp  I  bngour,  i  ImefTe  I 

[*ftir  you,  my  L..  -        j ..:  ce. 

It  tflii  faie  in  my  liitfrtlTc, 
unc  hath  ni)nt:  licit  i^  guvitnaotice, 
ir  Ibc^in  on  (fpcrauncc, 
l»le  eoianr,  ffnau^h  it  ihine  hcrt  percer 
Ibyiakc  t  .j. 

ur oteufi  .  ,  iHil  I  gefle  ; 

I  yoUi  my  own  Tovti^ine  mtkiitrcdv, 
r  ih:4ll  widkuulin  dcpartyi}^, 
'  c4  bcsiuiiCt  for  you'  ouc  fhouIJ  I  rin^^ 
mbiftuncc  ckc  of  your  cyiu  tlcic, 
rre  ftom  you  my  fovcrain  hdic  Jerc  ! 
>uUiii  GikI  your  love  wutild  mc  yOj, 
your  fdkc  t  iin^in*datc  by  dxiie ; 

i  \vhy  ne  nitt  thou  br^ke  a  two, 

Lb  mf  hdie  d  veil  In  I  m  maic  ^ 

anv'  a  round cU,  miny  a  virrhic* 

c  Engi'ifiiL^  vrhtrn  I  me  Iciftr  iinde« 

'cordc,  on  you  t  j  b;ivin  iiiynde. 

idic  mine!  fith  1  you  bvc  and  drcdc, 

11*  uuehaangtd  ever  findc  in  a  dc^e, 

gTBcc  nc  miic  flic  fro  ycmr  womuriliede, 

ith  not  fortri  remcmbri:'  on  me» 

crte  bkdicb  for  1  mk}c  not  you  ic; 

I  f  c  wotte  tny  mcnyng  dcf.rou* 

^^r  jrrcjf  /'rV  foit^  ^*^'*^  ^f**rrll-^r. 

t  marvaile  i*  though  1  tn  p^in  ybe  t 

fpKtiS  from  you  niy  fovcra'ku^ 

•Iai  I  dant  vUnt  L  ifipttift 

nn  wifi:  I  can  ne  maic  ^m\n 
le  beaut ic  of  your  eyiu  twain, 
Dfe  I  faic,  for  triftcire  docth  mc  gramc, 
fmU  mal  d^arlir  dt  mJ  J^mi. 
n^eic  my  wifftng brought  tofocbe  cl^\^i 
[night  die  for  joye  of  your  prefcQCC 

K»^  f  the  hi}^nt:ft  excellence 
Bd  wight,  A»d  fitb  mine  advcrteoce 
ii  fcwitb  on  my  pilnis  fmerte, 
fofo  Twoundid  to  the  bcrte. 
\tc  well  mcrie  !Awo  lovcrii  were  ifcrc, 
t  Cue  withoutin  uny  blame, 
ihalanyn^An  to  wilde  were 
Kyrti  tediin  fcr  to  be  full  tAine, 
(1  go  love  ind  fc  where  it  be  ^aic, 
a  bridUd  unto  fobirneffe 
that  !i  of  Women  chief  princcJTd. 
vir  when  thought  my  hen  fbiild  cnbracc, 


When  I  Irtke  on  your  jjfidelf  fr  M  face, 
S**  merle  a  nwrrour  eoud  I  i»er  ctpie. 
And  if  I  c«iud  I         '  '  ^  » 

Ffir  itetlrnotie  ndt, 

To  r'.'krn  'htPi  .-■  Umoundc, 

Anil  lljj-Ily,  and  will  prefentj 

O I  d  o  I  b  k*  •  y  c  1  pen  taun  cc, 

Mine  htif  I  ycvc  you,  iadie",  in  thit  rntent, 
Tlist  yfe  fiikll  thereof  have  iht  gnvimsitnce, 
Taking  my  Irve  with  Kert'jf  obeilAtUSce^ 
{^Mvf  Jtt£ina)  fynjryng  laft  of  all 
1 II  be  our  helpe  when  that  wc  tn  the  cill. 

AU  our  lave  is  uoujjhtcU  but  idicDcrTc, 
Snve  your  love  aloQc,  v  '■     *      '  -  *^    rro*  attain  \ 
Who  it*  wu^il  hnvc  a  : 
1  cutinfailt:  hym  in  Iq V     .  i         .i  ,  ^ 

Thoufwctc  ladit !  refute  m  every  p;\i:n, 
Ulu»fc  mcrdc  moflc  unto  mc  avaiUth, 
To  gic  by  grace  when  that  hortune  failjth* 

Nnnj;>^i  maic  be  tol-l,  wsfhf4UEin  ^ny  fablcj 
Your  hi^i  iv  hrAUtf, 

Voiir  jjo'.  I'  -ible, 

pMltL-lth  t-VLty  ih;itL   ill  v\i:  a:  )ua  dv^jrc  j, 

0  Vio'.ci  I  o  flaUir  dtHis  t 

£/..  ,    .    .     , 

V  -fl  hj^tb  broHon  Itre^ 

i.*  arJu/U  tjfuw  r-t  mtt  >  ,i  Piirt, 

1  meoe  yoti  Iwefeci  of  portc, 

That  (or  r  monc, 

For  your  .lune^ 

Tiiou^i.  .,..M.  1  i,.,.  -    '  -  othircbcfei 

In  your  fcrticc  1  Wf  '  jdJitf^ 

Therefore  1  love  no  i  ^       ;c, 

When  that  in  limgyiig  iortit  ye  be  tUddc ; 
Loke  up  you  lovirU  and  be  right  da^^?» 
Kow  ayeniil  Sain<fl  Valcntio^itt  date, 
For  1  luvc  chcic  iliot  ptrfurfake  1  mai& 


tf  itbtffi!:  •   ^      '    *'^      V 

W.ili  any 

I'hankc  Ijfti,  i  't  *l/i*  u-i,  ^ni  thu  i'i-.j  itiic  toqiwt* 

lIpoiJ  fuhvr.:  jnwc  and  hiittiiUT.e 

Foundc  ihou  t}tv  tJitariL  what  cr  that  It  be, 

Make  ihy  d -ft  i  -  u  fhaJt  have  pti  loOf , 

The  icmctubri^L  rift  and  of  lui  croffl:. 


ScaTTKn  the  world  fa  0.eJfal\  wa5  and  flable^ 
That  maniie»*&  woitle  was  »n  ohlrfracuaun, 
And  now  it  i*  to  faife  and  difcrvable, 
That  worde  and  dede.aa  In  conclufiotin, 
U  nothyng  like*  f'ir  t       :     '       ^^  fo  doun 
Alt  ihe  worlde.  iho.<  ind  fikilneiTei 

That  all  M'.<*-^..r  i  o-'T, 

Wlut  r-  .ri^b^-* 

But  Uft  It 

For  cmoug  ii«  a  man  it  hoidc  unabJx*' 
Bit:  if  be  cai;  by  fotne  collailoii 


S7* 


CERTAINE    BALA  DBS,   &«, 


Doc  his  neighbour  wrongs  an  oppreOion  : 
"~Vhat  caufkh  this  but  wilful  wrc(chidncflc  ? 

rhiic  all  i%  loftc  for  bckc  of  ftedbftncffc. 
Trouthc  i«  put  douac,  rd'oii  it  boidd  fable » 

t^ertiic  hath  now  iiodoniinacii»ii, 
IPItic  *tscsilcd,  no  txiATi  U  merctable^ 

Through  covetife  is  bicnte  difcrccioti ; 

The  worldc  hath  made  a  pcrmtii^cmQ 
I'Pro  right  to  wrong,  fro  tcouthe  to  fikilncflcg 

That  all  k  loiLe  for  lack  of  acdliOocfre. 

PrmtCf  aye  deCre  to  be  honourable, 
Clieriflie  thy  folke,  and  hate  eiLtorcion  ; 
JSt*ffrc  nothyng  that  maic  be  re  provable 
I  To  tliine  eftate  docn  in  thy  region ; 
I  She  we  fcirthe  the  ycrd<:  of  caAigacion  ; 
iDredc  God,  do  laWj  love  tfcuth  And  worthlnes, 
[iiuj  wcddc  thy  folkc  aycn  to  ftcdfallacfle. 


^Uimtifi  to  FoHvnt, 

«is  wretched  worM*is  tranfmntacion, 
^s  wclc  and  wo»  ?\owc  pore  and  now  honour, 

ithoot  'Trdir  or  dne  difcrccioij, 
Oovtrnid  h  by  \Qr\m\*it  crrour, 
^  ut  DathelcfTi:  the  lacltc  of  her  favour 
c  mate  not  doc  me  fyog  though  that  I  die, 
ay  tuiiifeTdm  mon  Um^t  tt  m$it  labrurt 
'or  finally  fortune  I  dt>c  dcfm. 
Yet  U  nic  left  the  fight  of  my  refotin 
'o  knovrlji  &ende  fro  foe  in  thy  niirTouff 
moche  hath  yet  thy  tnurning  up  and  donn 
ughtin  me  fo  knowin  in  an  hour, 
;uc  truily  no  force  of  thy  reddour 
u  hym  that  ovir  hymfdf  hath  maidne; 
"y  fuMfaunce  yfliul  be  my  fuccour, 
'or  finally  fortune  T  do  defic. 

0  Socfdtct!  thou  ftcdfaft  champion, 
\t  Qc  might  ncvir  be  [by  turnuntouxf 
hou  ntvir  drcddid  her  opprcifion, 
'c  in  her  cherc  fouudin  thott  no  favour ; 
hou  knewe  wclc  the  difceipi  of  her  colour, 
,nd  that  her  molle  worlhip  i*  for  to  lie  i 
Icnowe  her  eke  a  lalfe  illfiimulgur, 

Tor  ilnallf  fortune  1  do  dejie. 

The  attfurtre  */  FortuPt, 

No  man  ii  wretch td  but  hymfelf  it  went ; 

c  that  yhath  bymfcif  hath  firflifauncc, 
Why  fait  ft  thou  then  1  ;im  to  the  fo  kcne 
That  haft  thy  ic\t  rue  of  my  goviniauntc  ? 
Saie  thuif  frraunt  mrrctc  of  chin  habundaunce. 
That  thou  haikient  or  this,  thou  Ibalt  not  ilrvtc  ; 
What  woft  thou  yet  how  I  ilic  v/oll  avaunce  ? 
And  eke  tlwm  bali  thy  beftc  frcndc  alive. 

1  have  th'?  t^'f  '^'  ^ivifion  bctwi-iic 
Frcnde  of  ci'  t^ndc  of  coununauncc. 
The  ncdith  r                 ilc  i*f  an  hrne, 

That  curith  cyin  dcrke  fcr  ther  penaunce, 
Kow  ftcft  thoy  cirrc  that  wcr  in  ignoraurcc ; 
Yet  hoU  thipe  aoker,  and  thou  maid\  arivc 
There  Bountic  bereth  the  key  of  my  fubftauncc, 
ADd  eke  tbouhatU  thy  bcl^c  frcDik  alive. 


f  How  many  have  I  refafed  to  fttflcjic 
Stth  I  have  the  foftrid  in  thy  plei*uii<c  ! 
Wolt  thou  then  make  a  ftarnri  nr,  thy^^ 
That  1  iball  be  aie  at  thine 
Thou  born  art  in  my  rcjgii 
About  the  whclc  with  otKir  muit 
My  lore  ii  bet,  then  wicfec  i«  thy  ^:rc ,  *^ri4 
And  eke  thou  hafl  thy  bcile  fnmdc  aiivv, 

TlBu'  mn'xpeft  l»  F^rfumi. 
Thy  lore  1  datupne,  it  isadvcrfitie; 
^f  y  frend  maift  thou  not  revin,  biinJ  \^ 
That  I  thy  frcndis  kaowc  I  thankc  it  the  ^ 
fake  'hem  again,  let  *hcm  go  lie  a  pr cflej 
The  nigardit  in  kcpyng  thcr  richcfic 
Pr  on  oft  ike  is  thou  wolt  ther  totire  tSaSk. ;_ 
Wickc  appetite  cometh  aie  before  ficke:     ~ 
Iq  generaU  this  rule  ne  zuaie  cot  (kiXe. 

Thou  pinched  >t  my  mtitatnlitle. 
For  1  tlic  lent  a  droppe  of  my  rkhcfle. 
And  now  mc  likitb  ro  withdrawin  me 
Why  (houldifl  than  my  roialtc  <*ppicfle?  ^ 
The  fc  maic  ebbc  and  flowtn  more  and  1 
The  welkin  hath  mighc  to  Ihme,  rain,  ( 
Right  fo  muft  1  kithin  oiy  brotilneflc; 
In  gcncrall  this  rule  ne  male  not  failt. 

Lo  !  the*  cxecucion  of  thy  nxaiefkie 
That  all  purvtighith  of  his  rig^htwiiemffir. 
That  fame  thyog  For  tone  yclcpio  ye,         \ 
Ye  blindc  bcftii^  full  of  ieudcaca  !  A 

The  hevin  hath  propirtic  of  fikimd%  * 

Thi»  worldc  hath  evir  reftlcITe  traTaiir* 
The  laffc  daie  ib  the  endc  of  myne  eiiodlc{ 
In  general  this  rule  nc  maic  not  ikile, 

Prtncet,  1  praic  you  of  your  i^otilneHk,] 
Let  not  thisnian  and  mc  tJiut  crlc     ndj^ 
And  I  fball  (juitin  you  ihU 
And  if  ye  liftc  rcltvc  hym 
fr^Ie  ye  hisbcit  frcnde  of  1^ 

That  to  fomc  bcttir  flatc  he  .^. 

To  broktn  ben  the  ftaiuic*  hlc  In  ! 

That  create  Were  eternally 

Sith  that  I  fc  the  bright^  |r 

Mowc  wcpe  and  waile  ar^d  palliua  ku 

Ai  maie  in  yerth  amcrt-'M  ir^a^fi'^-; 

AUs  ;  fro  wheal*  mai 

Of  which  crrour  I  da 

By  word*  ctcrne  v. 
That  fro  the  fiJth  cir 
Nc  might  of  tcrf      - 
Bur  now  fo  wi  r 
Ti.at  with  hcf  ^ 
Abs,  Sco^n     r 
Thou  caufill  th 

Hi IV  thou  nci; 
Through  pride  i 
Sochc  thijigf  i  ^i  in  th^  Uv. 
That  for  thy  Udie  lawc  Bt  i 
Therefore  ihou  yavchcr  wjj-^  jt*:^-,. 


eof^n !  tf  oUi^  foike  nc  yong 

vir  crft  Sccgaa  hJimcd  fur  his  totig'. 

I  drewc  in  fc&rne  Cupidc  tke  to  rccorde 

IV  rebcll  worde  that  diou  had  (pokciii 

iche  he  woU  Jio  kogir  be  thy  lordc  ; 

co(%n,  tbouj(h  hit  bowe  be  not  y broken 

i  not  with  hu  ajowe«  be  iwroken 

t  ne  mc.  ne  none  of  pur  figure  ; 

U  of  hym  have  nctther  hurce  oe  cafe. 

certi«,  frcode,  I  dredc  i^f  thine  itiih^ppc, 
'  thy  gikc  the  wrcche  of  Iotc  precede 
hetii  that  bcrj  horc  und  round  of  ihap, 
:  fo  likely  folk^  for  to  fpcdc, 
re  fliiUl  of  our  Uboor  hivc  our  mede ; 
il  I  wor  thou  wtj)t  ajifwerc  axid  fuic, 
le  GrifiU  lift  to  rennc  and  pliLie. 
,  Scogan,  faie  not  fu,  for  1.  xue'  excufe, 
pc  me  fo*  in  no  rin  e  J{>uLilei, 
Joe  1  tievir  of  flipe  wake  my  mufe, 
iQlth  in  my  (huh  dill  aod  in  pefc; 

wu  yong  I  put  her  forthe  in  prcrc, 
lall  paflin  that  men  profe  or  rime, 
'ery  man  hit  tournc  as  for  bis  tymc- 
m,  thou  kiiclit^  at  the  flrem'is  hcdde 
Cf  of  hoDour,  and  of  worth ineffe, 
ndeof  whiche  I  am  dull  asdeddc, 
en  in  folitarie  %hildime£fc  ; 
»g%n,  thinke  on  Tulliii»  kindenelTe, 
hy  frend£  there  it  male  frudilie ; 
I  lod  lokc  thou  OCT  eft  iovc  dcfie. 


ktaltyng,  and  rul«  the  by  fapience ; 
e,  be  able  to  miniQcr  do^rine ; 
to  true  counfaile  yevc  thou  audience; 
hade,  to  chaUiiie  er  encline ; 
let  thydedts  worfhiji  determine; 
toui,  judge,  in  favyng  of  thy  name ; 
)  almofCf  !cH  thou  Ulc  hUffc  with  Chame ; 
,obei  your  kyng  and  ckc  the  hwe  ; 
niUd  by  godc  religion  ; 
'▼aunt)  be  tlrcdfull,  kepe  the'  under  awe  ; 
m,  |K>vir,  fie  on  prefunictcsn ; 
EOee  tf  youth  ti  uttir  deflrucdon  : 
bir  you  how  God  hath  fet  you,  lo  ! 
^  your  parte  at  yc  be  ordained  to. 


feyou 

I 


Chawvr  t»  bit  twtfiit  furfu 

my  purfe^  and  to  none  othir  wight, 
in  I,  for  yc  be  my  ladiedere  j 
ie  now  that  yc  be  fo  light, 
il  ye  now  make  me  hevic  chcrc  ; 
«  Bi  lefe  be  laide  upon  a  berc, 
che  unto  your  mercy  thu»  J  crie, 
againe,  or  cIb  mote  1  die. 
vouchikftn  thii  day  or  it  be  night 
>f  you  the  hliiftil  fownc  may  licrc, 
»tir  colour  1  ke  the  found  bngh:« 
yclowiicfTe  nc  had  nevir  ptTcj 
ly  liCe,  ye  be  my  hcrt'is  fttrc ; 
A  comfort  and  of  ^ode  compan^Ci 
DCfeOT  cbmoic  I  die* 


Nowc  purfc,  that  art  to  me  my  liv'it  light, 
And  fayvour,  a9  downe  tn  thii  worlde  here, 
Uuic  of  this  lowni  hclpc  me  by  your  might, 
Sithin  that  you  wol  not  be  my  trefaurc. 
For  f  .im  fliave  as  nighe  as  any  frcre, 
But  I  pray  in  onto  your  ctinifyc 
Be  hevy  ag^ine,  or  els  moco  f  die. 


O  ConqucFour  of  Brut'is  Albion  ! 
Whiche  that  by  lyne  and  fre  clcccion 
Ben  very  kinge,  this  unto  you  t  fcnde. 
And  yc  whiche  that  may  al  harmis  amende 
Have  minde  upon  my  fupplication. 


A  SaiaA  made  hy  Ckaittfr,  iecbtMg  "what  it  genHinti^  ^f 
who  u  v/»rttfj  U  U  ialtdge§Uii, 

Thk  firile  flocke*  father  of  gentilne^. 

What  man  defirith  gentill  for  to  be, 

MufL  folowc'  his  trace,  and  aU  hi»  wittiidret 

Vertue  to  tove  and  vicii  for  to  £c, 

For  unto  vertue  longith  dignitc. 

And  not  the  re  vers,  fafly  diir<;  I  demt, 

A I  were  he  mi  tiff  crownc,  or  diademc. 

Thii  firfld  ftocke  wai  fuU  of  rightwifnci, 
Tfewc  of  his  worde,  fobirp  pitou*»  and  fre, 
Clene  of  hit  goftc,  an4  lovid  befincOc, 
Againil  the  vice  of  flouth  in  honcde. 
And  but  his  eyre  love  vertue  at  did  he 
He  is  not  gcntyl  though  he  richc  ft  me* 
Al  were  he  mitir,  crownc  or  diadcmc. 

Vici  may  wcl  be  eyre  to  oldc  RjchetTc, 
But  ther  may  no  m.-in,  a«  men  may  v^ell  fc* 
Byqucthe  his  rirc  his  vcrtuuiis  noblcjpe, 
That  is  appropried  unto  no  degrc 
But  to  tlie  firfl  fathtr  in  ma^efte, 
That  makith  hi*  eyre  him  tha;  can  him  queme^ 
Al  were  he  mitir,  crowne^  or  duulcmc. 


A  prtmerbc  agttjmji  itrttifi  gmd  mtgligmtei, 

Wbat  Ihal  thet  cLithes  that  manifolde 
Lo,  this  hote  fomirs  dayc  ! 
Aftir  grctc  hct^  coraith  coldc ; 
No  man  calle  hi^  pilche  awayc. 

Of  al  thx§  world  the  large  ronip%I!4 
Wil  not  in  myne  armct  twdnCg 
Who  fo  m-^kil  wol  cnbrace 
Lite  ther  of  ih^U  dlHreuic* 


A  LalaJi  tiLkh*  Cbmtteo'  wmdk  agalmfi  mmm 

Madamk,  ye  have  for  your  newfangleceile 

Niany  a  fervaynt  put  out  of  your  grace ; 
I  take  my  W'^t  of  yourunf^edfaftntlfc. 
For  well  I  wote  *hi>€  ye  to  llvt  have  fpsoe 
Ye  can  not  bve  fizl]  halfe  yere  io  apliccj 
Oo  ij 


5^  

To  fiewe  th\tigt^m^!ific  it  everc  Icene  j 
lij  ftcdc  of  blew  thus  my  yc  wcr«  d  grcnc. 

RygKt  as  a  mfrour  thit  Doihing  may*  enprcfTi: 
But  Ughcti  as  tt  comcthfo  mott  k  paffL', 
6>t  Tircth  yonr  love,  your  worlcii  bcrcth  vvitnet ; 
'1  her  19  no  faithe  may  yourc  hcrtt  enbrace, 
But  as  siiA'edircncltt  th;it  tumerh  hh  face 
Wth  evtry  winde»  yc  fare,  and  that  la  fcnc  ; 
111  (led  *if  blew  thui  may  yc  were  al  grcnc. 

Yc  might  be  Ihrined  for  your  brotilneffe 
Better  than  Dall^,  CrcflVidc,  or  Candacc, 
VoT  cvir  in  chaangtng  flondcth  your  hkirncfTft 
'1  hat  tachc  may  no  w'rghi  from  your  heart  arace; 
If  yr  lofc  one  yc  can  wel  tweiiic  purchacc, 
Al  tijrht  ft^r  fomar  yc*  w«  t  wcl  what  [  mene; 
Iti  Acde  of  blcwe  thus  may  yc  were  al  grcnr. 


^trtJt^*o^t*€tli a  laf  td(  w^K^f  ChiiHcrr  ptattf  tntlf  pralfi 
9*  tJtiftr  dtjftreife  of  -w^mtn/tr  ibcr  ittMtnet, 

This  worJd  ii  full  of  vanaunce 

In  etc  rye  thinge,  who  takilh  h«dc. 

That  falth«  and  trade,  and  all  counauncc, 

Ftiljd  ben,  this  is  no  drcdc, 

And  favt  only  iu  womanhed 

I  can  yfe  no  fikime« ; 

Euc  Ccrall  chac  yrt,  as  I  rede, 

Brwart  alwayc  of  duubtenca. 

Al  fo  that  the  frclhe  f^mir  flotire*, 
*11ic  i»  hire  and  rede,  the  blcwc  and  grcnc, 
Ben  fodenly  with  wititir  Ihours 
Made  feintc  aild  fade,  wi  thou  tin  WCDC^ 
That  tnifl  t»  none,  a?  ye  may  ftne^ 
In  no  tiling,  nor  no  (Icdfaftne*, 
Except  ill  women,  thus  I  mcne^ 
Vet  aye  Kware  of  douhlenes. 

The  crokrd  mone,  this  it  no  tale, 
Sonie  while  ifhcne  and  bright  of  hewe, 
And  aftir  that  ful  dcrke  and  pale, 
Ahd  every  monith  diaungtth  newc, 
*1  irnt  who  the  vcray  fothd  knew 
A.l  thingc  if  bilt  on  brotlencij 
Save  that  women  alwayc  be  trcwc; 
\ct  aye  beware  of  doublHie?. 

The  III  fly  ficllic  fcn^mlrs  day*, 
Aad  PI  abfes  with  his  brmis  clcTc, 
lowardii  nfght  they  drawe  awayc,. 
A  lid  non  Ungtr  lifl  to  3|»p<*rc, 
*\  h»r  in  this  prefcntc  UfW  now  here 
!Ni>tliirge  abicth  in  his  rairene«, 
Sjvc  women  aye  he  found  ilitcic. 
And  devoid  of  alle  douhkncfl* 

The  fe  ckc  wiih  his  ttem^  wawc* 
1  .he  dayc  yflowith  new  againe, 
*\nd  by  iSccoiicours  of  his  lawci 
T  he  chhe  yflowitfi  in  ccrteine ; 
AUir  g^ett  drought  there  comcth  a  raine; 
1  hat  ftrcwcl  here  al  OabUties 
2».kvc  tluit  women  be  whole  and  pleiue  ; 
^  et  avc  beware  of  doubknef*. 

Forfune'%  whele  goith  round  aboute 
/  thtmrmd  timia  dayc  aud  oigbir, 
Wttufe  cgurs  Aai'dith  ctIx  it*  dout« 


CIRTAINE    BALADES,    i. 


For  to  tranfmew,  fl.c  is  To  IjgbftCi 
For  whiche  advcrtith  in  your  D^t 
Th'  tintnift  of  worldtly  fikiWs 
Save  women^  whiche  of  kindely  rigkc 
N'e  hath  no  tccbc  of  dooblencs. 

What  man  ymay  the  wind  i 
Or  holdin  a  fnakc  by  tJic  taile  * 
Who  may  a  flipper  eJc  confbriiM 
That  it  will  voldc  withotitin  laUc  1 
Or  wim  can  drivln  fo  a  naile 
To  make  fucrc  ncwfongilnc^ 
Siive  women,  that  can  gie  tlier  1 
To  row  ihcr  bote  with  doubleile6| 

At  every  haven  they  caa  arite 
M^her  as  they  wote  is  godc  p^aibgod 
Of  ionnccncc  they  can  not  ftrtve 
With  wawis,  nor  no  rockia  n^; 
So  happy  i*  thrr  lodtmanage 
With  nedit*  and  flonc  thcr  court  to  \ 
M  hat  Salomon  wai  not  fo  fage 
To  hnd  in  them  no  doublenca : 

Therefore  who  fo  doth  them  iccufe  \ 
Of  any  double  entencioo, 
To  fpcke  rownc,  othir  to  mtife. 
To  pinch  at  thcr  cundicion, 
All  xi'  but  falTc  collrilon, 
I  dare  right  wel  the  fothc  cifirrUe*''! 
They  have  no  b<ttir  protc^ion, 
BiitHirnud  them  undir  doublene** 

So  wd  fort uu  id  it  ther  chauncr* 
The  dice  to  rumm  uppe  fo  doune. 
With  fife  and  Hncke  they  cin  »v 
And  than  by  rcvoluciouii 
They  fet  a  fcl  conduCotm 
Of  lombit,  «i  in  fothefaihiei, 
Thotjgh  clcrkis  makin  mcndotm 
Ihcr  kinde  i*  fret  with  doubk 

Sampfoo  yhad  erpcncDcc 
That  women  were  ful  trew  ifouad 
Whan  DaUla  of  innocence 
With  ftieris  gan  hii  here  to  rooiid; 
To  fpeke  aifo  of  Rofamounde, 
And  Cleupa'ri's  fcidifuLnea, 
rhc  QoriL-^  plainly  wil  confoundc 
Mm  thjt  apcchc  ther  doubknc*. 

bingic  (f  iitge  ne  is  not  yprsujcdt 
N»3r  of  oldc  i»  of  to  renouu, 
III  bahiuitce  whan  they  be  j'pcifcti. 
For  Ucke  of  waii;htr  rVry  he  bore  i 
Aud  foi  tliis  oiufir  »  '  >un 

rliefc  w<jmen  al  c!  c* 

Of  choJce  and  fre  clcctfoi  tj 
Mn(l  luve  dchaunge  and  dotibkse 

Z*«3wtMryr. 

O  ye  women  !  wbkhe  ben  eodintd 
By  ijifiueutc  of  your  natitre 
1  o  ben  a«  pure  a^  go!de  yfined, 
Atid  in  your  trouth  for  to  endure, 
Arniith  your  fdfe  in  flrong  arntiifl|ij 
LcH  men  affile  your  fikimtt, 
Set  on  your  breft^  yoiif  (klf  ta*  J 
A  mighilc  flielJc  of  dovbktxt. 


CERTAIN   BALADBS,    &«• 


m 


ytiidc,wholjft  therbaladcifcwc, 

rer»  citriou*  irgumcnts, 

8iid  fom  ben  found  in  trewc, 

ble  of  emcndf^mcntf ; 

thermoral  documenu 

igage  can  cxamplifyc 

re  what  it  doih  fignifie. 

Mi  baladci  have  mfpecclon 

'it  brdlbipit  exctlknte 

'fc  and  correccioo 

Dd  hodf  impotentej 

^r  that  he  be  aegligente 

» holdc  him  nculabk, 

tci  be  fory*  and  lamrntabtc. 

furmounting  your  nobles, 

fTC^  and  daifj  delicious ! 

irlth,  my  CO  J  dial  foundrciTc, 

,tjfc  to  fores  langoVous, 

ureof  lovirs  amo'rou*  1 

Mr  of  lovelie  councinatmce  ! 

ill  your  remembrauDce. 
ur  ypcioted  eloquence, 
r,  and  eke  fo  talcatife, 
le  the  wit  of  Dame  Prudence 
oor  thought  or  to  difcrive, 
id  Uogage  ye  contrive 
,  your  thought,  and  your  entente, 
>r  drcdc  or  I  be  flient. 
rofc^  and  white  as  the  lyly, 
J  of  worldly  portraiture  [ 
,  rtfplcndcnt  with  glory, 

■  o  ctrbouncie  fiiuiing  pure  i 
edeth  the  craft  rf  Nature, 
our  loYeli  counrinaunce^ 

•  in  your  rcmembt aunce. 
>,  Sir,  your  procI:im3cic  n 
ng^not  touching  fadncif 
ilateritig  and  adulaclon, 
ght  of  worldly  wildnes, 
caufe  of  goiliy  fcbltacfr ; 
hnughf)  your  double  cotendement: 
dredc  or  I  be  Oienc. 

f  thought,  and  mync  entendon^ 
riu,  my  lidy  foverainc, 
fTe  throw  many  a  rrginn 
ed,fo  ye  wold  not  difdcin 
)  me  when  I  complciar, 
to  fuffre  pertof  bauncc, 
hvtt  rne  in  remembraur.te* 

*  mt\  pliWy  ye  doe  exprclTc 
m  curie  Ufl  fup^ilkation  ; 
htrtt-ly  trnclinitflV, 

ed  of  vcine  deledacion, 
hink  Qti  the  tern^Ituicioa  ; 
baundtft,  be  not  tw  ncgligenrc, 
for  drcd  or  ye  Ic  Iht^ntc. 
!lg,  bcitutr,«ind  countinaunce, 
:\int  ti»  do  you  rcVt  rente, 
ing,  glufitiuK  gov  i  mat  nee, 
lUoj iuy  vvit|  aiiJ  jrudcnee^ 


Some  dr^p  of  grace  of  yoyr  magnififcnce 
Unto  your  Cci viiunt  ye  fliewc  aticudauncc. 
And  regiftcr  my  love  in  your  remcmbrauncr, 

O  comberous  thought  of  mannc'*  fru^te  1 
O  fcrventc  wil  of  loHii  furious  '. 
O  cruel  corage  caufinge  adverfitc  I 
Of  women  corrupeion,  and  contrarioafe, 
Rcmembir  man  that  chaunge  is  perilous. 
To  brckc  the*  vifginite  of  virgtncs  innoccfitr, 
Wh  erf  ore  beware  manklndc  or  thou  be  Iheot, 

My  peine  if  prcvy'  impoffible  to'  dcfcrnc,        ^ 
My  lamcctabcUhoughtcs  by  tufting  mouraiJigr- 
O  general  jugc  Jcfu  !  fitting  fuperne, 
Gracioufly  eoovcnc  the  love  of  my  fwctc  thing  | 
O*  amiable  bdy,  gncious  and  benigAC  J 
J  put  me  wholy  in  your  govirnauncc» 
Eule  mc  oot  out  of  your  nrmembr^nnce. 

Me  fcmeih  by  langage  ye  be  fomc  potellate^  , 
Or  els  fom  curious  glofir  difccvablc  ; 
What  is  your  namcrockely  I  make  regratc, 
Or  of  what  fcicnce  or  craft  commendable  *' 
I'm  a  lady*  eiceUcntc  and  honorab!*. 
He  muft  he  gay  that  fhould  He  to  'min  ententr^ 
Wherfore  I  wil  be  wve  or  1  be  fheni. 

I.orde  God  !  this  i«a  Iharpe  rxamiiiacioa 
Of  hcT  that  IS  moft  in  my  memorir. 
Unto  you  lady*  I  make  certificatiim, 
My  name*  ii  Trew  Love,  nf  carnal  defidery, 
Of  manned  copulacion  the  vcr)'e  cxtniplary. 
Which  am  one  of  your  ftrvauntei  of  plefauncc,  j 
I  muft  be  chefc  callid  to  remtmhraunce. 

1  have  fought  true  love  «£  ytre*  gict  ptoccs 
Yet  food  I  ntvir  love  but  for  a  fcfon  ; 
Some  men  he  diver  fp,  know  no  gem  lines. 
And  fomc  btkin  both  wifdomc  and  rtfon  ; 
In  fom  men  i*  truft,  in  fom  men  i*  trefofi, 
Wherfore  I  wil  conctodc  by  avyffnicntt , 
And  er  beware  for  drcde  ihit  I  be  Ihcjac, 

The  retour  Tullius»  gay  of  cloqiicntc, 
And  Ovidc,  that  fhcwcth  Craft  ol  Lcvc  expre  , 
With  habundauncc  of  Salomon*i  prudence. 
And  pukritudc  of  Abfalou'i  faircueffe. 
And  I  wcr  poHcfi'd  with  Job's  gretc  richefle^ 
Manly*  as  S^mpfrrne  luy  pcrfone  to  avauncc. 
Yet  fhulJ  I  fubmit  me*  in  your  rcmembrwinte. 

Now  Sir,  yf  that  it  pkfc  your  nobilwcffc         "" 
To  gyve  advertence  to  my  cjucIUon, 
What  thingt'  is  the  flcfurc  of  fwctnclTc, 
Atid  mo^  bittir  in  linal  fticceOion  f 
Or  what  tiling  gevitli  man  occafion 
Tn  tender  age  to  he  coocupifcenl  ? 
Refolvc  ihii  <incft»oo  or  drrde,  Sir.yc*  be  iheni. 

My  fovcriignc  lady',  Ovidc in  hi*  whtiaga 
Saithdefire  ofworldly  concypifcence 
As  for  a  time  ii  fwcie  in  hii  worchli\gc^ 
And  rn  hiicndc  he  caufith  grcte  offence; 
NotwithlUudiugc,  lUy  Ldy  Dime  f*rudcnce, 
(irenc  flowrin^  age  and  manly  counnnaun^c 
t  ^ufith  ladies  to  have*  it  in  rcmerahrauncc, 

Yoof  godely  anfwir,  fo  notable*  in  fubftaunce. 
Wold  canfe  the  hprt  of  wonuinhcdc  cuovcftc 
Unto  delytc  t»f  n»tunl  plffnunce; 
But  of  one  thing  I  w^Jdc  faine  be  fxperie. 
Why  rnetmc*!  la'3;;agc  Wf»l  priK|ir<   aii4  «*i»f* 
f<ri« 

O  o  tj 


C  ERTAI 


*3  Vi 


The  wll  of  woTncn  and  virgincs  inooccnte, 
liVhcrt'orc  I  am  afcrd  or  I  be  llicnte. 

Let  tievir  the  love  of  true  lave  be  tofed^ 
1^1  y  {bveraiue  bdy,  in  no  titanlr  wife  ; 
In  your  conSdeavc  my  wardet  [  have  cloredy 
My*  amyabU  love  to  you  f  doe  promifc; 
So  that  ye  Itnit  the  kuot  of  cxtr^fic 
Both  iockc  and  Ley  ye  have  m  govirnaunce^ 
limprint  my  iovc  in  your  reiucmbcrauDcc. 

Oi  very  truft  and  1  were  ceiti6ed» 
The  plain  cnfcociMn  of  your  hcrtcV  cordial, 
Mc  fcmeth  in  bllfll;  than  wcrp  1  glorified, 
Uc^toyour  picfure  I  would  be'  at  your  call 
Sut  ct  t  fere  ct  chauncls  cafuat, 
Of  fraude,  dir^eipte.  and  lanf^jie  inrolcfTt, 
Then  were  I  furc  maidinhtd  Ihuuld  be  !benr, 

Ther  wasncr  trcfour*  of  tcrrcftial  riclKflTe, 
Nor  prcctoos  ftooes  rekcncd  innumcrabcll, 
To  be  of  comparifoa  to  yoor  high  jjodcncs. 
Above  al  crcturci  to'  me  moft  amiable ; 
Truft  not  the  contrary '» I  was  ncr  difccvahell ; 
Kepc  wel  true  love,  forge  no  difTcmWbuocc^ 
^nd  griciounfly  take  me  to*  your  rcmembrauoce. 

Me  fcmeth  by  fciiure  of  manly  propcrtc 
Ye  fliiild  be  ;rully'  and  trcwc  of  coDiprimis, 
I  A  tide  In  you  no  falic  dupliciie, 
Vhcrfore,    I'ruc  Love,  yc  have  my  hert  I  waa 
And  emiorc  fltal  endure,  f^  have  I  blii, 
The  fcde'rafy  made  with  gode  avlfcment, 
Cod  ^raunt  gr»cc  that  oj^thir  of  m%  he  Ibcnt ! 

Whan  Phoebui  frc(hc  wet  in  hU  cfaaie  fplea- 
dentc, 
In  thr  moncth  of  Maye,  erly  in  a  morn  Inge, 
J  herd  two  lovirs  profir  tbit  argu*mcnte» 
In  the  yeie  of  our  Lorde  a  M.  by  rckcning, 
CCCXL.  and  VU,  ycre  folowmg, 
O  potent  princciTe !  coiifcrve  true  lovlrt  al, 
Grauot  them  thy  region  and  bliffc  tcleUial 


A  I.  A  t)  E  S,    5t«u 

Now*  I  make  an  emlc,  tnd  Uif  i 
red. 

For  1  knowc  by  eipcncnce  Tcnmeote  < 
If  maid  in  is  and  wivis  kaewe  aoi  wift  ( 
Wiio  made  the  mattir  he  flmild  IIbd«  1 
U  hcrtforc  I  praic  that  Godpmo 
Hym  (ave  aad  kepi  a  bothe  oigKCi 
Whctin  ifi  thA  lullk  fcfoo  of  I '  ~' 


ki 


AtaUJf, 


If  ther  nature  they  greily  ibfm  dditc, 
With  holy  face  yfcinid  for  the  nonet* 
In  faintwaric  ther  6-endis  to  vifite, 
^orc  for  reliquisthan  foriaIiiti»  hones, 
Thouj!!h  they  be  cloGd  uridir  preciou*  !loii^% 
To  gctc  them  paidon,  Kke  ihcr  olde  ufagct, 
Tok  ^^  oo  Hirinci  but  lufly  quike  image*. 

Whan  maidens  ar  wedded  and  houlbol4  ^aT^ 
take 
All  ther  bumility*  is  e^Jled  awaye, 
And  the'  trail  hcrtc»  beglnnjih  to  awake, 
They  do'  at  thebefy  cure  they  can  or  mayf 
7*0  veJ^  ther  houfholdes-maiilirft,  foth  Tofaye, 
■^il^crforc,  yc  yong  men,  I  rede  yvM  for  thy 
Beware  at  way  e,  TAr  L^ijtd^  ettth  m^ny  afjc. 

Of  this  matii  I  tutre  make  t^o  relation. 
In  defaute  of  flepe  my  £pirJt£s  wcx  fein:e, 
!fl  qiy  Audi*  rhave  had  long  h^bttacion. 
My  body'  and  goft  arc  grcvoitfly  attaint. 
And  therf  re  I  make  no  lengir  crmplainc  ; 
Bot  wherhir  that  the  blind  etc  flcOi  r  r  fi^h 
I  pray  God  kcpe  the  Sy  out  of  my  dlfke  ! 


ritx.c^ 


ukmMuii  9fL0^. 


CctTi*  ferre  citendith  jtt  my  ndbc 
This  mattr  as  it  fhoujd  be  t^  difcnve* 
But  I  trufte  your  |^ce  will  i?i  th^t 
Confidif  howe  with  conyn^  that  I  M^ 
For  in  hi*  favotir  coud  I  ner  arri^r^ 
Elo'qurnce  this  balbde  hath  :n  gret< 
The  makirUcktth  q3nT>'>  '-^  ►-.^.t^.^. 

Of  Love's  comnraur  U  i 

A»  aftirward  fhall  rudt !  :  tf , 

And  lovir^tn  no  wife  ^ 
Where  a»  thei  be  rihttr'i  • 
Daungir  and  unlcT 
And  h(!  thi!  i»  O'-- 
U  your  ovrne,  all  C'liitr  lor  to  i 

Faithc  ii  the  fir' 
And  verie  love  tl 
That  echc  bcleve  ndiif  Lryc  - 
Without  adulnfion  or  Hatter; 
In  true  mcnyng  and  trullie  con 
P*iint  not  your  connyng  with  c 
For  then  your  love  muU  cedia  bc^ 

hi  the  fecondc  to  trcte  of  tntcocton^ 
Your  lovir  to  plcfc  doc  ycnir  buHr  nm 
For  as  myn  au<5lhor  RomaticL 
Without  en  (cot  your  love  rn 
A*  women  will  thereof,  t  am  t  i^ 
Endevotir  with  rhcr  hcrtr,  will. 
To  plctc  hyta  ondy  that  th«  J 

In  your  <1  '  ^-      "    :  *     ^ 
Set  not  you- 

Advertife  lu  r -^  -. 

rii^t  imto  hym  y*«ur  hctir  mmW  br  < 
And  dtiT  is  ynu  (inde  hytn  then  i'^ 
Poin<f^  hy  dilcrcfnn*  your  hour. 
Conveniently  mctyn^  wtth  amu 

Ctihtfe  commaufidementef  theiiii.] 
Thduph  hy'  irous  coragc  yaar  WvJc  1 
With  frft  wr»rd.i  and  bumhio  ob 
Hit  wrathe  maie  fonc  be  fwagid  4 
Avd  thus  his  love  obtetnid  and  3 
Wit!  in  you  I  oft  ^tth  grctir  dUd 
Bicauic  ttl  your  mckc  wotr  ttrly  ] 

Secretlie  hefwv^  t?hi  m  yrf  wnk 

In  ihewing  -  f  | 

Though  fo^  a  I 


fc* 


CERTA1NE    BALADfig,   Ice 


t  hath  lovtd  will  it  Tone  afpi^, 

era  your  fdf  yoar  counfAiU  maie  defcrie ; 

priipy  to  your  dclyog  few'  a»yc  miie, 

Pnatntf, 

prudcDce  frovcme  «yc  your  bridil  rcioc ; 
your  love  in  fo  fervent  a  wife 
U  in  fjodcly  baft  yc  may  rcfrcioe, 
your  loTir»  lid  yon  to  difpifc  : 
Ace  min  au(!Htour  wold  you  this  ftdvifc, 
ke  yotir  loTe,  for  if  yt  doe  n^t  fo 
rtnion  lift  wilt  tourne  you  into  wo. 

PrrfivtrtuJiee, 

liflie  your  love  in  fo  ftcdfaft  a  wife, 

ye  thinke  your  lovii  will  be  true, 

LTcly  a*  ere  you  ean  devife, 

ym  onely  and  rrfufe  a  11^  newc, 

halj  not  your  worftiip  ychaungc  hi*  hew, 

rtift,  maiftrii,  then  j«  he  to  Mame 

ihftt  he  will  quite  you  with  the  Ume, 

Pitit, 
liteoui  to  hym  a»  womanhod  requireth, 

riryour  love  er>^       '       ^  1*^  fmfrte, 
I  fo  forrly  yoM  he  cufireth, 

nintiJ  it  your  u     ..  .-  ...  .i^  herte, 
roundid  tyirh  without  knife  or  dmrtc; 
let  your  puie  fpred  without  rrflreimc, 
:ke  of  it  lit  not  your  fervauot  fciut, 

Mefmrt* 

0  fucfore  in  your  talkynj^,  be  n'ot  outrage 
Li  rehcrfith  Ronmnce  de  la  Rofe, 

1  endued  vvith  plcntecu*  latigagc 
mi  ft  is  deny  id  hit  purpofc  ; 

mcfiurc  in  langagc,  wifedome  in^ofc, 
ffurci  ai  right  well  proved  \%  by  rejon, 
ibtiisieio'nahle  fetcith  in  fefon. 

J\ffcriit* 

le  daungjr  exile  hym  all  ottiriy, 
il  incrcie  to'  occupic  hi«  place, 
coot  compUintit  your  erc«  applie^ 
;cevc  your  true  fcrvauntc  imo  grace  | 
:i  that  boundln  i%  in  Lov'isUec 
fftYOur,  Udiu*,  and  be  not  mercikSf 
B  be  c^kd  a  common  murdirei* 

Z*  envoy  e. 
en  ye  unto  this  balade  have  infpeccion 
makyng  holdc  me  etciifable, 
ibtnittid  unto  your  correction  ; 
IT  that  my  connyng  i*  difable 
'itc  to  you  the  figttic  uniablc, 
voide  of  connyn^  z  ad  eipcriencc, 

•  of  inditynig;,  relon,  and  elo^jueccfft 
id  It  well  the  makir  it  ail  your  owne, 
?  obcic  while  hi«  life  maie  entlore, 

e  youfervice  as  a  man  unknowns, 
crdooe  dcfiryngftfyerthly  trefure, 
it  might  accorde  with  your  plefure 

•  true  fcrvice  hym  for  to  avaun cc, 
>11  hym  into  your  rein ^mWn»« nee. 


PnortJLctWT  in  prciioufnefh«0  Sinopethf  Qiirne! 
Of  all  feminine  heryng^e  the  fceptir  and  regalie» 
Subduyng  thr  large  countrie  of  Anxieiiie\  a^  it 

wat  fcne, 
For  iiiau)ire  ther  mighti*  thf^u  ybrought  them  for 

lu  applie, 
Thin  honour  to  encrcfin  and  thy  power  to  mag* 

njfic  i 
O  mofl  rcnoumed  Hcrculct !  with  al  thy  pom- 

p*  u*  biiJk 
This  pnncef  tuke  the  prlfonir  and  put  to  fightc 

thine  hoft. 

Yet  Hcrcule*  wck^a  red   for  IbAme  when   I 

fpjike  of  Hipprjlyc, 
Chjel  pacrtmct  and  captain  of  thepepic  of  5iD«}pr, 
Which  with  her  amor&u«  chere  and  with  coragi- 

ous  might 
She  fmc»te  Th«  unto  the  gronnd  for  all  thy  cruilUr, 
Whcrfnrc  the  dukclhip  of  Dsamcck^v  and  dignitie 
Uno  her  ^tir  laudc  And  jgloric-  pcrpctu-U 
Attributid  by  all  i*  with  triumphe  burcalL 

Laity  JhiphiU, 
The  mr>ft  noble  triumphe  of  thit  lidieDriphile, 
tn  rckvc  and  fiifcorof  die  ^ct  Duke  of  Atlirmi^ 
She  challifid  finrl  bi'>Uftht  into  perpetual  riilc 
J'he  surest  dtizctniiof  tbcmightic  Thebii, 
The  (Irongc  brafin  ]>illiriB  iherc  had  J  in  no  mles. 
But  flic  with  her  fiOir  Agrife  them  did  doun^catl. 
And  with  furious  fire  ciie  ybrent  at  lad* 

Ls4y  T«**, 

O  pukhrior  folc  in  bcautie  and  full  ylucldcnf , 

or  all  feminine  creturis  the  mode  formous  flour  ' 

In  Italy  reigning  with  great  chcTalry  right  fcrvcn% 

Chaidifed  the  Romainii  as  maiflrii  and  conqud- 

rot»r« 
O  lady  Tcuca '  inoehil  wai  thy  gloric  and  hofiour. 
Vet  mochil  more  wa»  to  commcndc  thy  gret^ 

bentgntte 
In  thy  pcrfite  living  and  virginall  chaditic. 

O  yc  Trojain^  for  thi»  noble  QHcne  Pcnthefik; 
Sorowe  htr  mortalitic  with  dohmms  compaffion, 
Her  JovC  was  towardi*  you  fo  prcgnantc  and  fer* 

tile, 
WKich  th^t  igalnld  the  ]>r<mde  Grekii  made  de- 

fcnfion* 
With  her  viaoriou^hwid  wi«  al  h^  affeecioo 
To  laihc  the  Grekia  to  groviul,  and  with   ther 

hert  *ii  }«*«  L  Troie. 

To  revengin  the  coward  deth  of  noble*  Ilei^or  of 

^ffn  Ttamyrit* 

O  thou  mcd  ligorout  Qucnc  Tham^Ti*  inyin* 

cihlc !  l*"g^ 

trpon  the  drong  and  hidetmi  pcjjlc  of  crtcc^  rein* 

Whiche  by  thy  gretc  powir  and  by  wi»tia  fenfibJc 

i  O  0  iirj 


i 


5«4 


C£RTATN£    BALAB'HS,   3u. 


Ytokiil  in  battailc  captive  Cyrus,  the  gretc  King 
Of  Perfia  and  of  Media,  his  hed  in  blodc  lying ; 
Thou  baddift  him  to  dsinklu  of  tho  blode  he  had 

thurftid, 
And  xxiL  M.  of  his  hoftc  there  were  diflreflld. 

Lat/ie  Lampedn, 
The  &rooQ8  lotide  trumps  ymade  of  gold  yfof- 
gid  fo  bright 
Hath  )>Io^in  fo  up  thp  fame  and  glory  environ 
Of  this  lady  Lampedo,  with  h^r  fiftir  Mafifit, 
That  al  the  land  of  Fcminie,  Europe, and  Ephcfop, 
^eyeldin  and  applied  lowly  to  her  fub^eccion  ; 
Many  an  higl)  tou^e  i)ic  railid,  and  y'bllt  touris 

long,  • 

Pcrretuelly  to  laftip,  with  hug^  wallis  flrung. 

^uene  Semtramis, 
Lohcre  Scmirami*,  the  Qucne  of  grctc  Babilon, 
The  mofte  generous  gein  ana  the  iluure  of  loyeily 
*  "  '•'•  fa^ror,  [trion 

Whofe  excellent  powir  from  Mede  unto  Scrpten- 
Tioritied  in  her  rdgally  as  a  mightie  conqueror, 
Sirtxi«e(l'al  Barbary,and  Zoraft  the  King  of  honor. 
She  flue  Ethiop,  and  conquirid  Armenie  and  Inde, 
]n  which'  non  tntiid  but  Alexander  and  (he  ss  I 
findc. 

Alfo  the  ladie  Meoalippe,  thy'fiflrr  ^  Jere, 
Whofe  martial  powir  there  watt  no  man  th^at  could 

withilan4* 
For  tborougli  the  wide  worldd  these  was  opt 

yf o«nd  her  pere. 
The  fiamous  Duko  of  Atfaenxt,  Thefeus,  ihe  had 

inhaod^,' 
An4  ^^  forely  chaAiiid  him  and  conquirid  his 

Unde; 
The  prouid^  Grekis  niightilie  alfo  (be  did  aiTailc, 
And  ovircamc   ai^d  vanquiAiid  them  bruvcly  in 

bataile. 


Alone  walkyng,        ^ 

In  thought  plainyng,    V^^dcfohte, 


And  fore  fighyng, 

Ale  rem^mbryne 
Of  my  livyng. 
My  death  wifhyng 


•  Both  erly  and  late;,. 


Infortunate 
Jsfo  my  fate, 
Thit  wote 


ye  what  ?  J 


ATy  life  I  hate, 
'i  hut  defperate 
In  fochc  pore  e^ate 

QS  qthir  c^rc 
Am  I  not  furc. 
Thus  to  to  endure 

*r»uche  Is  my  v.tc 
t  you  <'n(urr  : 

"'  'J3t  U-lHllUf 


Out  of  mcfure 


*■  Doe  I  endure. 


"  Is  hard  ccrtalu. 


>Maie 


have  moie  pain) 


b 


remeiBjKn&c 


From  this  pena 


Can  I  not  unci 


My  truthe  fo  f  bin 
Is  uke  in  vain. 
And  grete  dildain  ' 

Yet  I  full  fainc 
Would  mc  compiaine 
Me  to  abftaiue 

But  in  fuhftavnce 
None  allegeauDce 
Of  my  grcTuunce 


Right  fo  my  chauoce    *> 

With  difplefaunce  >  AoJ  thus  an  a 

Doeth  me  avauncc ;      j 


Ahaliade. 

Iw  Fevererr,  when  that  it  was  full  coU; 
I'Vofte,  intvwe,  hailc,  rainc,  hath  domtiui 
With  chaungable*  elemented  aad  wiai 

folde, 
Wliiche  hath  of  pctmnA,  flour,  bcibe,  jui 
Fo^  to  difpoTe  aftir  their  corrcccioo. 
And  yet  Aprilia  with  hi*  pleiauDt  ibean 
Diifojft^h   (he    inow    aoU    braogith  ft 

floures 
Of  whofe  invencion  loTtra  mate  be  gla 
For  ^hei  bring  in  the  kalcKdia  oi  Mair, 
And  thci  with  ^Qutiniiaiice  dcmart,  b 

fad. 
Owe  to  worihip  the  luftte  ftoorct  alwaie 
And  in  fpeciati  one  called  fe  df  the  dai, 
The  daibe,  a  ilowir  wliite  and  rrde. 
And  in  Frepch  callid  1m  kH  Maw^mnif, 
O  commendable  floure,  and  moAe  ia  i 
O  ilnure  and  gracious  of  eiecllmce ! 

0  aminble  MargaVite  !  of  natife  kind. 
To  whom  I  muU  reicrr  with  diKgea«r, 
With  hertfWil,  thought,  molt  lowly  oboi 

1  to  be  >our  fcrvaunt,  ye  nry  rrgcnt, 
For  life  nc  dcth  ncvir  for  to  repent. 

of  thi^  f  roceCTe-now  forth  wiH  i  pioa 
Whiche  bappith  unto  me  with  (Eicte  dik 
A^  f(sr  the  time  thereof  I  take  Icfl  hcdr. 
For  unto  me  was  brcaekt  the  fbr^  paioe 
Thcrfore  my  caufc  wa»  the  more  to  coai 
Yet  unto  me  my  grcvaunce  was  the  Irffie 
1  hat  I  was  fo  nigh  my  ladic*  and  mai9r« 

There  whcie  (he  was   prcfcut  ia  tJ 
place, 
I  havinp:  in  htrte  grete  advericte. 
Except  uiuiy  the  tor  tune  and  go«ie  grace 
Of  !icr  ^hufe  I  am,  the  whicbc  rcieveda 
Al  (1  my  grrte  durcauolafid  kath  ll«. 
And  brcu^t  me  out  of  the  fearful  grtvn 
if  *it  were  her  efe  it  were  to  ae  pleiatw 

As  for  the  wo  wbiche  that  I  dHleafion 
It  w::s  to  me  a  yerie  pWiaant  pain, 
iieyrg  it  was  for  that  £aice  en  a;  are 
Whithc  i»  my  la^a  and  my  loT&rain, 
In  wlioWr  prcicncc  1  would  jbc  pjfty;;;;;  iw 
ho  I  ha:  i  Will  it  werin  btr  piciuic, 
F'crlhr  ;n  Irooi  ..1!  aaia*jk3ce  my  provi.c 


CERTAINS    BALADE3,  &c. 


:nto  me  dreadfiiU  ywere  the  chaunce, 
f  ^ottlnes  owerh  xne  to  blame, 
:vir  fuffre*  of  deth  the  penaunce 
Duld  for  me'  have  dilhonor  or  fliame, 
ife  loiin  her  gode  name ; 
od  for  his  eiKUelTe  mcrcie 
J  lovir  joy  of  hU  ladj ! 

AktlUJe. 

and  o  merciaUc 
ngia,  and  fathir  of  pite, 
fit  aod  mercie  it  incomperable ! 
croc,  o  mightie  Lorde !  iaie  we, 
nercte  w  given  of  propirtie, 
raiint  that  lieth  in  prUbn  bounde 
mercie  or  that  his  hert^  woonde. 
.  thou  wilt  graunt  to  him  thy  prifoner 
,  and  lofe  hym  out  of  pain, 
res,  and  all  hi^  hevie  chere 
ncfle  thci  were  reftored  again, 

vengeance  why  (hould  thou  cot  re- 

". 

mercie,  fith  he  is  penitent  ? 

hym  Lorde,  and  kt  him  not  be  ibente 
it'  is  fo  there  is  a  trefpas  done, 
:ie  let  yelde  rhe  treipaflbur, 
See  to  rcdrcfle  it  Cone, 
Tc  to  Mercie  is  a  roirrour, 
t&  the  fwetc  hath  the  price  by  foure, 
palTe  Mercie  hath  all  her  might, 
rcfpalle  Mercie  huth  lackc  of  light, 
ould  phtfike  doc  but  if  fikeoes  were  ? 
ith  falve  but  if  there  were  a  fore  / 
ith  drink  wher  third  hath  no  power  ? 
lid  Mercie  do  but  Trefpas  go*  alofc  I 
as  Mercie  woU  be  litil  flore, 
frefpas  ner  execulion 
xic  have  ne  chief  pcrfeccion. 
ife  at  this  time  of  my  writyng, 
lYng  Mercie,  to  whom  I  make  mooe, 
(elk  my  fovercigne  and  fwetyog, 
IX  that  lovely  ir  is  none, 
is  difplefed  for  cauGs  more  than  one; 
fis  thci  be  that  knoweth  God  and  flic, 
n*ot  1 ;  alas,  it  forthinketh  me  ! 
t  ihe'  in  me,  what  defanee  or  offence  ? 
re  1  doe  that  (he  on  me  difdaine  ? 
ht  1  doe  come  into  her  prefencr, 
y  compbim,  whereof  I  were  faiue? 
loke,io  fpeke,or  to  complainc, 
lat  hath  my  herte  every  dele ; 
le  Ood  1  would  al  thing  wer  wele  ; 
this  cofe  came  I  never  or  now 
davncc  fo  ferre  in  the  trace, 
myne  efe  efcapin  I  ne  mow 
tis  danngir,  except  her  godc  grac^, 
gh  my  csnntenaunce  be  mcry*  io  her 
ce, 

i  to  her  by  worde  or  by  chere, 
ode  grace  fettith  mync  herti  ncre. 
my  ioveraine  liuve  any  marvuilc 
her  now  and  afore  y  wrote, 
rr^ll  think  A  h  nogrctc  travailf 


sH 


To  him  that  is  in  lov^  brdught  fo  hote ; 
U  *h  ajim^  tre  timifmUteb  vuih  omfirokt ; 
That  mene  I,  though  that  my  foverahie  io  foro 
Me  hath  denied  yet  grace  may  come  Xo  mom. 

Maiftris.  for  the  gode  wiH  I  have  you  ought,   * 
And  evir  (hall  as  long  as  life  durith, 
Pitie  your  fervant,  kepe  him  in  your  thought, 
Give*  him  fom  coinfort  or  medl'cin,  and  curith 
His  ague,  that  encrefuh,  that  rcnuith : 
So  grievous  ben  his  paines  and  dghis  fore 
That  without  mercy  his  dais  be  forlore. 

Go,  litU  bill,  go  forth,  and  hie  the  faft, 
Recommende  me',  and  ezcufe  me  as  you  can, 
For  very  feble  am  I  at  the  laft, 
My  pen  is  woren,  my  hew  is  pale  and  wan. 
My  eyen  ben  fonke,  disfigured  like  no  man. 
Till  Deth  his  dart  that  caufith  for  to  fmert 
My  corps  have  confumed,  then  farewel  fwet  hert. 

Doughtre*  of  Phoebus  in  vertaous  apparence. 
My  love  eiedl  in  my  rememb^raunce. 
My  carefull  herte  diArained  caufe  of  abfence. 
Till  ye  my'  emprelfe  me  relefe  my  grevauace 
Upon  you  'is  fet  my  life,  myne  attendaunce, 
I«  fette  without  ceci^rc  I  wis  untill 
Ye  grauotin  my  true  herte  to  have  his  will. 

Thus,  my  dere  fwetyng !  in  a  traunce  I  lye. 
And  (hal,  tU  drops  of  pitie  fmm  you  fpring. 
1  mene  your  mcrcie,  that  lieth  my  herte  nye, 
'1  hat  me  mail  rejoyce,  and  caufe  for  to  fyn? 
Thefe  termes  of  love  ;  lo  I  have  won  the  nng, 
My  godely  maiflris ;  thus  of  his  gode  grace 
God  graunt  her  blilTe  in  heveu  to  have  a  place  \ 


Here  folttvetb  htno  Mercuric^  tvith  Pallas^  f «sr/, 
and  Juno,  cpperci  t«  F^u  of  TrcU,  heJUfyng  iy 
a/ntfilaim  *• 

PaUat  leqtitlifr  ad  PartH, 
SoKNK  of  Priam,  gentill  Paris  of  Troic, 
Wake  of  thy  (lepe,  beholde  us  godJeifes  thre, 
We  bavin  brought  to  the  encrcfc  of  joye. 
To  thy  difcrefion  reportyu|;  our  beautie ; 
Take  here  this  appill,  and  well  advife  the 
Whiche  of  us  is  the  fairiil  in  thy  fight, 
And  give  thou  it,  wc  praic  the,  gcntil  knight.^ 

yiHO  hquiimr  pri'if, 
If  fo  be  thou  give  it  to  me,  Parife, 
This  (hal  I  give  unto  thy  worthines, 
l^lonour  and  couqueft,  nobley,  lolc  and  priicy 
VitHurie,  conrage,  force,  and  hardines^ 
Gode  avinture,  and  famous  man  lines; 
I'or  that  appil  a!l  this  give  I  to  the, 
Cuuiidir  thii  ?u'ile,  and  give  it  me. 

I'cnus  Uquitur  ad  Parin, 
Nile,  give  it  me,  and  this  I  (hall  you  give, 
A  fl;lad  afpcde  with  favour  and  Caimes, 

♦  The  tiilr  in  Spcjiht  and  TJrry  run«.  How  Mercury, 
with  Mllat.  Venu«,  snd  M  neiva  Cfr.  hut  asfanasand 
Miiiffv.t  Is  one  and  the  aoic  eoidcfs  and  %%  Jono  «iA* 
rl:c  rjiirtli;oddr>«at  this  iiiterTie%v  wth  Paris,  her  nanm: 
ill  t!ic  title,  and  ^  one  ot  the  aprel'antstotbe  TrrjAa 
I.'  :::c,  isfu'jKitutcU  (u  llut  ul  iitauvM. 


ytoklil  in  battailc  c»|>tiTe  Cyrus,  the  grctc  Kmg^ 
rOf  PerCa and  of  Media,  his hcd  in  blodc  lyinjj ^ 

Thou  baddift  hiiu  i*i  itmlmi  of  iho  blodc  he  had 

iburHId, 
I  find  IX ii.  M.  of  hU  hoftc  ihere  were  diftrcllid* 

The  fatnooa  loudc  trumpc  ymauc  of  gold  yfor- 
gid  fn  brighr 
"latli  tl^win  fo  op  the  f»m^.  aiid  jjiory  environ 
!>f  thti  lady  Lampcdo,  with  her  fiftir  Mafifit, 
}  That  al  the  land  of  Ftminic,EunipL%and  Ephcfop, 
"^c  ye  Will  arid  applied  lowly  to  her  fiibjctcion  ; 
'  liuiy  an  high  tou^c  £}ic  railidp  aud  yb'ih  touxh 

[Pcrpctudly  to  Miu,  with  hugiS  watlU  flrun;^. 

Ijn  here  Scmiriin:tji,  the  Qiicnc  of  jjrctc  Bibitcn, 
The  noofte  i;cficrouA  gcinaua  the  Hourc  of  loveijy 
^         '    favor»  [frion 

l^hofc  excellent  pDwir  from  Medc  unto  Septcti- 
Ifc^oriflbfd  in  her  regally  as  a  mighti*?  conqueror, 
^Slibdwedal  Dtirbary.and  Zorall  the  Kingof  horor, 
^hc  flue  lithiop,aiid  conquirid  Armenie  and  ludc, 
Lin  which  non  entrid  but  Alexander  and  fhe  as  1 
^'  audc, 

Alfo  the  laJic  MenaUppCf  thy  fifl'^r  fo  derc, 
[iVhofc  martial  powir  there  was  no  man  that  could 

witUdand, 

l^or  iho rough  the  wide  wodd^  ibece  wat  not 
I  y(ound  her  perr, 

|trhe  famoui  Duke  uf  Atkcnii,  Thefeus,  (he  had 

ID  handf , 
Ind  fhe  forcly  chafttfid  him  and  conqnind  hii 

Uodc; 

[  The  proud;^  Orekis  mightllic  alfo  flic  did  afTaile, 
1  And  ovircanic   and  vaoqui^id  them  bmvtiy  in 

batailc 


CERTAINE    BALADES,  A€. 

My  trutlie  ^   f h!n 
\y  L.ike  in  ^ 
And  gftit 


rill  I  bought  pUinyng,    C  /VUdcft 
rind  fore  fighyng,        J 


ifobtc. 


Vjulc  r^elT^cm^rya^ 
Ipf  my  liYyng, 
I  My  ddUiwifbyng 

rinf'^ttifiate 
i^lftfo  my  fate, 
[^'h:ic  wott  yc  what! 

[My  life  I  hare. 
I  'I  hu»  defperalc 
^fl  fiX^  pore  e^ate 

iJpf  othir  eUT« 
I  Am  [  r>ot  fure. 
fhui  'o  lo  codtirc 

W^e  If  my  iire 
\  yvH  ffnlbiv : 
1  h«  QKlitrrf 


-  Both  erly  and  late. 


►  Out  of  meftirc 


kDoe  I  eodore* 


r  fa  hard  ceitaly. 


I 


V" 


Miie  have  moie  pain  J 


Yet  1  full  fainc  ^ 

W^uld  mt  comp!^?^*'     -  ' 
Ale  to  abJliiue 

But  In  ftibAauncc 

None  alltgiainjcc 
Of  my  grevaunf  e 

Right  fo  my  chauace 
With  difplcfauntc 
Doeih  me  a^iiiiUvc; 


'rrtei  tllis  1 


Can  1  cot  jandc : 


Apd  t;htt%J 


\w  Fcvererc,  when  thnt  it  «3\  t-i:  rtiL 
rrorte»fn«wwe,  hailetraine,  hath  d0i3iln*a«i 
With  ehaun|rabje*  doifcntc*  tfi4 

fohic. 

Which e  hAth  of  ^rofjnd.  flnur,  hriTir^jufiiffVfH 
For  to  difpofi?  ailir  their  cprrcrclo**^ 
And  yet  /^prih•  with  hi»pleJauat  lhaii#«i 
Ddfoiveth    Uic    Iaow    tud    brkigltJt    Ibvi^  IJ 

£oure*. 
Of  «r bole  inveneirM 
F"r  thci  brin^  in  the 
Ajid  thci  with  usttuuiiuancc  ^ivratiic,  w^'tj,  tfi 

fad» 
Owe  TO  worniipthc  ^i^'-  ^^'^ 
Aod  in  fpecittll  ore  cui 
The  daific,  fi  fl<>wir  V.  I 
And  in  French  eailtd  L^  h<ti  AiM^s*§$^, 

O  comrretidabk  floiirt,  and  mrft*;  Ij:  s^ 
O  ilruic  and  ^jracioua  of  c% 

0  amiable  Mar^ja'Tite  ?  oi  r 
To  whom  I  mull  rri<  i  :.t^f*. 
With  hert,  umI,  tlmuy                      ^  It  <i>bQiii«i 

1  to  be  jaur  fervTunfor  1 
For  hfj  TIC  tltth  iicvir  fur  i 

of  thi^  f  rtKcOt  «cw  fort  .  ,    l*^*- 

WhicUr  hippith  umo  me  ni' is  -r    .        i 
A^  (iir  the  fitnc  rb<frcof  I  r^l.r  i   j    ,,  .^^ 
For  unto  me  wa*  b^^u^ht  the  Unt  fanm, 
Tbcrfot«  my  catife  wa^  iK^  m^re  ta  c<m^ 
Ytt  MCto  n*e  niy  grevaunce  wa*  liir  Irfft 
1  hat  t  was  in  ni^h  my  ta<iic*  i»nd  maiAr<fle« 

ThcTc   where  fhc  waa   prtfctii  ia  ifs 
place, 
I  havio^  in  ^   '*'  "^'•*'  ..!v..i..- 
Esccpt  u:  _,€  crare 

Of  her  <*.  •  ^-      ,fcm-. 

Al  d  my  jireic  • 
And  brci^ht  n^ 
li  *it  wtr«  her  .  me. 

A«  Itft  the  v  ,,  ui-fi 

It  wiJt  to  mc  a  .  :, 

^^CV^J;  Jt  walk:  rf 

Wi.Kbc  j^  -  - 

In  whoir 

.^o  8 bat  I  ^^    -  ,^...^, 

F Vr  /h?  i»  ^  t  my  pcvn  dti 


nto  me  drcadfutl  ywttt  the  chatuicc, 
of  g«otilnei  owerh  me  to  bbtnc, 
Icvir  taSre*  of  deth  the  petiauncc 
tiould  for  me*  have  difhonor  or  fhamc, 
wife  lofin  her  gode  name  ; 
iod  for  his  cndkfie  mcrcte 
rj  iovir  )^rf  of  hii  Udy ! 

1  and  o  merclftble 
rngii^  atid  fat  hi  r  of  fnUt 
;ht  lod  mcrdc  ii  iucompcnhlc  f 
temr,  o  mightie  Lor  Je  !  hie  we» 
mercie  i%  yiven  ct  propirtic, 
vaniot  tiut  licth  in  priiba  bound e 
ii3«ircie  or  that  his  hcrtc!  woundc. 
t  tJiou  wile  (|[ratiDt  to  him  thy  prifoner 
!,  and  lofe  h^rtn  out  of  pun, 
ires,  and  all  hi*  hevie  chcre 
■cfTc  thci  were  rrftorcd  mj^in* 
^ugeance  why  ihould  thou  not  rti- 

:  mcf  cie,  fuk  he  it  penitent  ? 

hym  Lcrde,  aod  let  bim  not  he  Ihenee 
h'  ii  fo  the/e  i»  3  trefpa*  done^ 
lie  let  yelde  the  trdpailbur, 
^e  to  i^trfle  it  fonc^ 
fc  to  Mcruc  lA  m  mitrotr, 
tt  the  fwctc  hath  the  price  by  foure^ 
pafTe  Mcrcic  hitth  all  her  iuighc« 
rcfpsiCie  Mcrcic  h^th  iocke  of  lii^ht* 
ould  philikc  doc  but  if  fikeoei  were  f 
th  Ul¥e  but  if  there  were  a  fore  t 
th  driok  whcr  th*rft  hath  no  power  ? 
lid  Mcrcie  do  but  1  refpa*  go*  il<»rc  t 
i»  Mercic  woll  he  Uii!  Iltjre, 
>efpa»  ner  cxccuiion 
eic  have  ne  chief  perfeccion* 
§k  at  this  time  of  my  writyrg, 
rng^  Mercie,  to  whom  [  mahe  mone, 
lett  my  foYtrcigpnc  and  fwctyng;, 
r  that  lovely  ir  is  none, 
b  dirplefod  for  caofi^  more  thin  one; 
n  thei  be  that  knoweth  God  tud  the. 
n*ot  i ;  alai,  it  forthinkcth  me  ! 

ibe*  in  roe,  wh^t  dcfatite  tit  offrnce  ? 
£  t  doe  that  (he  on  me  d:  l 
It  I  doe  eome  into  her  |  t 
F  L         '  '       sv  hereof  I  were  iiiiicf 
111  ,  or  to  ratn])laiui7|, 

li,.,-.,t„,y  Jicrte  cyerjT  dtle; 

l©od  I  wouM  al  thing  wcr  w^le  t 

tfafe  came  I  never  or  now 
tatmct;  fo  fcrrc  in  the  tf;jr', 
nyne  efe  cfcapin  1  ne  mww 
t  daun^r,  except  htr  gntJe  groc*. 

my  countenauncc  bs  mcry*  in  her 


to  h«r  br  wcxrde  or  by  chcre, 


^1  thiiilt  :r  iu  nogrcte  rrfvailjf 


ALADES,   &c. 

To  him  that  is  m  lov^  brought  fo  hote ; 

It  "h  jjim^  tre  /Uf/at/leb  tiw/A  tfntJfrtiJi  y 
That  menc  1^  though  that  my  foveraJnc  to  fern 
Mc  hath  denied  yet  grace  may  come  f  o  mora. 

Maiflris.  for  the  gode  will  I  hive  yoaought^"^ 
And  cvir  fhait  aM  long  ^i  life  durith, 
Fitie  your  fervatitj  kepc  him  in  your  thought^ 
Give*  him  fom  comfort  or  medi*cifi,  aad  corith 
Hi*  3j|ue,  that  cnirrefuh,  that  rcouith  : 
So  gncvous  ben  hit  pa^ine s  and  fighis  fore 
That  without  mercy  hi»  da»  be  for  lore. 

Go,  litil  bill,  go  fonh,  and  hie  the  fair, 
Recommendc  me',  and  excufc  mc  a»  yoa  can, 
Ftrr  very  fcble  am  1  at  the  bl^, 
My  pen  i»  woren^  my  hew  i»  pale  and  wan, 
My  cyen  ben  fonke,  diftfigurcd  like  no  man. 
Till  Deth  hi«  dart  chat  caufith  for  to  fmert 
My  corps  hivo  coDfumed,  then  farewel  fwet  heru 

Duughtre*  of  Phoibus  in  vertuoug  apparence^ 
My  love  elcdl  in  my  remcmbcrauncc^ 
My  carefuU  hcrte  didrained  caufe  of  abfence. 
Till  ye  ray'  emprerfc  me  rdef^  my  grevaunce 
Upon  you  *i>  fct  my  life,  myne  attendaunce, 
hfcttc  without  reei^re  I  wi»ut)riU 
Ye  gnojuiii  my  true  hcrtc  to  have  hij  will, 

Thtu,  my  dcf  c  fwetyng  f  io  a  trauncc  1  lye> 
And  thai,  td  drop*  of  pltit:  f f  m  you  fpring, 
1  mcue  your  mcrcie,  that  lieth  my  hcrtc  Dyc^ 
1  hat  me  mail  re  Joyce,  and  caufc  for  to  fyng 
Thefc  termes  of  love  ;  lo  I  have  won  the  ring. 
My  godely  tQalflris ;  chu«  of  his  godc  gTacc 
God  graunc  her  bliflc  in  hevcu  to  have  a  place ! 

Here  JtJUitfHB  iotv  .Vrrrr^r,.,  xiUif  PjJiajf  femWr^ 
and  y¥H0t  a/fpfftj  U  F^*u  nj  Ticif^  ^J^/Jf^  ^Of 
afputitaiit  •• 

Pallat  UftfiUr  ad  PjirU, 
KoMKC  of  Priam,  gcncill  Parii  of  Troici 
Wake  of  thy  flcpc,  bcholde  u*  goddriTcf  thre^ ' 
Wc  havin  brought  to  tlie  cntrefe  of  joyc. 
To  thy  difcrefion  reporlyii^;  our  beautie  ; 
Take  here  tbii  appill,  and  well  advife  the 
Which e  of  U.1  is  the  falriil  in  thy  fi^Kt, 
And  give  thou  it,  wc  ptaic  theigcntil  knight.. 

If  fo  be  thou  give  it  to  nic,Carifc, 
Thin  Rial  1  give  i     -    -'  ifLhinci, 

lloflour  and  com  /,  Infu  and  pHfe, 

Vitliufic,  coura^^,  ..  I  ^'Unc*, 

Cede  avinture,  and  idi  l-i^ 

Tor  that  appil  atl  thi»  ,  ijc, 

CoaJbclir  thi*  T^Uic,  jLod  (;tvc  it  me. 

n*"  ^"'■'-  '^  '•'-■-. 

Nile,  give  it  i 
A  glad  ftfpcdc  w  ., 

•  The  ukW  In   ^prrh' 


AEd  lovr  of  bdies  alTo  while  ye  iUc, 
Famous  Aaturc  and  prircclf  Icrmebiiei, 
Accordyng  lo  your  natifc  gcntilncs; 
Urtdirflond  this  gift  well,  I  you  advife^ 
And  give  it  unro  me  hardly  Parile, 

Paila*  toquitmr  ad  Parin, 

Ye,yc.  Parifc,  tAiih  hcdc  unto  fre; 
Thou  art  a  prince  ybomc  by  thy  diftcntc. 
And  for  to  rule  fhy  royaJl  digriite 
I  Oiali  the  givin  fir£^  intendcmcnte, 
DifcTccioQ,  prudence  jd  right  judge  me  nte, 
Whichc  in  a  prince  u  thing  mod  covotahlc 
Grre  it  to  bk  ;  1  am  to  h^vc  it  able. 


A  Wif </<  p!/fjunte* 

1  HAVE  a  ladk,  ^herc  fo  that  Ihe  he. 

That  fcldomc  is  Ihc  fovcrainc  of  my  thoughf. 

On  whofc  bcaiittc  when  1  heh^ddc  and  fc, 

Remembryng  me  how  well  (he  h  ywroughi, 

I  thanlce  Fortune,  that  to  her  grace  mc  brought^ 

So  fairc  is  fbe,  hut  iiothyng  angclikc, 

Her  bcautie  »»  unto  none  othir  like. 

For  hardily  and  (he  were  made  of  braffc, 
Her  face  and  all,  fhc  bath  enough  faimcJTe  ; 
Her  eycn  ben.  holow*  and  grcnc  aa  any  gr^fTe, 
And  ravcnifh  yclowe  ii  her  rounitrcfTej 
Thrrctolhc  hath  of  every  comclincfTc, 
Sorhe  ^uantilie  givin  her  by  Nature 
That  nhtth  (he  led  (he  i«  of  her  Xlaturc. 

And  aft  a  bolt  her  browin  ben  ibent^ 
And  betill  browed  Jhe  t«  alfo  with  all. 
And  of  her  wittc  a&  limpk*  and  bnncirnt 
As  is  a  childe  that  can  no  gode  at  all ; 
She  i»  not  thickc,  her  feature  is  but  fmall ; 
Her  Bngers  ben  litiland  nothyng  long; 
Her  (kin  is  fmothe  ai  any  on'is  tong  ; 

Thereto  fiie  is  fo  wife  in  daliaunce, 
And  befct  her  wordis  fo  womanly, 
That  her  to  here  it  docth  me  difplcfaunce, 
For  that  fhe  faieth  \t  faied  fo  toonyngly 
That  when  (here  be  no  mo  then  fhe  and  t 
I  had  levir  fhe  were  of  talkyng  ftili 
Then  that  fhe  Hioutd  fo  godetie  f^ech^  fpilh 

And  ilothe  none  fhall  ye  have  in  her  eDtre0e| 
So  diligent  is  fhe  and  verttilcffe, 
And  fo  bufie  aie  all  godc  to  undreffe, 
That  a§  jhe  ape  Ihe  i»  harmlelTe, 
And  as  an  hamct  meke  and  piteieHe, 
With  that  fhe  is  fo  wife  and  circamfpede 
That  prudence  none  her  foUe  can  infc^e* 

I*  it  not  joye  that  foche  one  of  her  age. 
Within  the  boaode»  of  fo  grete  tciidtmcjre, 
Sht  old  in  her  werke  be  fo  fadde  and  fo  fagCf 
That  of  the  weddyng  fawe  all  the  noblelTe 
Of  Quene  Jane,  and  ywa&thoas  I  gefic 
But  of  the  age  of  yeris  ten  and  five  f 
I  trowe  there  are  not  many  foche  alive. 

For,  a«  JcTu  my  CinfuU  foule  fave, 
There  n'ii  creture  in  all  this  worlde  Hvyng 
Itike  unto  her  that  I  would  gladly  have^ 
So  plcfltii  mine  hcrt  that  godely  fwete  thyng, 
Whofe  foule  in  halb  unto  hi*  blii  ybring 


0  Mofiie  quince  t  yhsngyng  hj  yoijj'      . 
The  whichc  no  man  dare  plucLe  aw«k  i>ec  ^ 
Of  all  the  fo;kc  that  paiTc  forthe  by  or  wilb; 
Your  Bouri»  fntihe  be  fallen  awaie  aful  OiiIk; 

1  am  right  forie,  matftreflc ;  for  your  fake ; 
Ye  fcmca  thyng  that  ill  men  have  forgoivst 
Ye  be  fo  ripe  yc  waain  almofte  r<»tai. 

Your  ugiicchcre  deinous  and  ii^mntA^ 
Your  grenc  eyin^  frownyog  and  notlMif  ^»A, 
Your  t^Jickes  enboloed  Ijkc  %  mrlnwriiiwl. 
Colour  of  orenge,  your  brcf^et  facouaaid. 
Gilt  on  wara'ntifc,  the  colour  wil  doc  lidt, 
EawTm  buttockid,  belied  like  a  toone^ 
Men   eric   S.  I^ba'ry  at   tl)4*  lofifl^  of  |iB 
gonnc 

Lovely  Jcnde  maidni^take  oobficfieockai. 
1  'anri  fo  forrovfull  there  a*  yc  be*  abfatt, 
Floure  c'f  the  6af  kfate  foulelt  of  al  the  nogc, 
To  love  you  but  a  titije*  ^  tnyoe  tsfcot; 
The  fwcrt  hath  lent  you,  the  finokc  latll  fS 

ihcnt, 
I  trow  y'  have  ben  laid  on  Come  kill  lo^fifi» 
YoD  do  focii  wotfiup  thertt  a«  yc  be  pwfc^ 
Of  al  women  1  love  you  heUa  M.  »Hitfhv  ^. 


A  M^dc  tvtntyitt^  mnt  to  Arr^srt  ^i 


Loita  well  abouu  f  a  Uiat  lovim  be, 
Let  not  your  In  Ait  Icdr  yoy  lodougrg^ 
Be  not  enamoured  on  all  ihynge*  yo  f 
Samf !        '     '      r  and  Salomoo  the  I 
Deccv  :U1  rher  grcie  ca 

M«f)  ^^1..^.'  .u  a  ,^ht  that  thet  fc  with^ 
Beware  therefore.   Tht  Umd  Htik  m^  «/ 

I  mcnc  of  women  ;  for  all  ther  chers  ^ 
TruA   them   not  to  nioch,   ^ha  uvlbc 

txcfon 
Tlie  fiirift  ootward  wel  can  thei  ypajni, 
Ther  ncdfaflnefTe  endurith  but  a  felon. 
Fur  thei  iaine  fr eodlinei  and  worchtn  niffe. 
And  for  thei  are  chaung«d>leBaiy' rally. 
Beware  therefore,  T^  blmd  Htth  amty  sjb 

What  wight  oil  lyve  ytniilith  oo  ther  tkam 
Shall  have  at  hd  his  guerdon  cad  hitait^i 
Thei  can  fbave  nerirthan  rafourv  <ir  flhiiu 
Alf  it  not  gmd  t^jbimith^  mCQ  take  bcde« 
Their  galjc  if  hid  undir  a  fugf  id  wnic; 
It  is  but  queixit  xhtx  fantade  to*  afpie« 
Beware  therefore.  Tit  Utmd  f*eth  man*  •J^^ 

Though  all  the  worlds  d<wr  h»  bu^  €ui% 
Ta  make  women  (landjn  in  f^abicnelTe 
It  would  not  be;  it  i»  agatad  natiirei 
1  he  worldc  if  doe  when  tha  lacke  dmiye«e% 
For  thei  laugh  and  love  nor,  chia  b  cxpfi;fls^ 
To  trull  on  them  it  it  but  f*^*f(1t^ 
jBeware  thcrfore.  Tie  Uhi  dm^  wmf  fjb>* 


CERTAINE    BAl-ADES,    &c. 


Women  of  kindc  hith  condicions  thrc  j 
The  firft  15  that  thci  be  full  of  diffcitc. 
To  fpinoin  alfo  i»  thcr  propertic, 
And  womcD  have  a  wondirfuU  confciCe, 
For  theicaji  wrpe  oft,  2nd  all  la  a  fleite. 
And  \pheD  thci  lift  the  tere  11  in  the  eye, 
Beware  thcrfore,  ^bt  M'md  rttth  many  apt. 

\n  foth  to  faie,  though  ail  the  yenh  lo  vv&nne 
Wcrparchemctic  fmoih,  white  and  fcribahcll. 
And  the  grct  fc,  that  called  i»  the*  Oceao, 
I  Were  lourpid  into  ynltc  blacker  than  fabeU, 
Bche  fiicke  a  pen«echc  man  a  fcrjvcncr  abcl, 
Not  coud  thei  writin  woman's  trechine, 
Senrare  therfai:e,  Tbt  hiimi  eteth  many   a  fie. 


Ji  iahde  decUrhg  that  xMAmj  thafitt  dtiHh  mosht 
txtet  all  trefure  tuorldly. 

In  iv<»manhcde,  u  ^udours  al  fwt'ivt. 
Mod  thing  commcndid  is  chatle  hoaf^e. 
Thing  mo  ft  fljiund'crou»  ther  tiobie»  to  atwite, 
A»  w.  en  women  of  hafty  ff  aeltc 
Exccden  the  bondcs  of  wifely  thaftite. 
For  what  availeth  lynage  or  rial  blode 
When  of  thcr  Ivying  the  report  *iii  not  godc  I 

The  holy  bedi  dcfoilid  of  marriage 
Fw  9fw  itf»ltd  may  nti  rKOVtrid  ht* 
The  vice  goth  forth  and  the  froward  langagc 
By  many*  arclme  and  many*  a  grete  cite; 
SUundir  hath  a  cnflome,  and  that*  is  grete  pitv^ 
That  true  or  fah,  by  a  contrarioii4  foune^ 
Oott  arelfe  it  goth  Doi  lyghtly  dowue  : 

For  when  a  lee  hour  by  force  or  mallr^ 
I>eroi]1id  hath  of  virgins  the  clcnne*! 
'Widousoppreffed,  ai)d  ly  in  adfoutry, 
AfTailid  wive*  that  ftodc  in  (lablenes. 
Who  may  then  ther  Haunderoui  harme  redrefl« 
Mliea  thcr  gode  name  is  hurt  by  foch  report  ? 
Far  famt  lep  tmet  tan  ner  ha^e  bit  reftrf, 

A  thcfe  may  robbe  a  man  of  his  riohcfTe, 
Jiiid  by  fome  mene  make  reflitucion, 
And  fonie  man  ma^-e  dylhcrit  and  opprefTe 
A  povir  man  from  his  poflcflion. 
And  aftif  make  him  fjti&faccioo, 
3ut  Nq  man  may  refi^re  in  no  df^re 
jt  aaaid  reAiiJ  cfbtr  vitgiaiUt 


A  man  may  alTo  bete  a  ciflll  doune. 

And  bilde  it  aftir  more  frefhe  to  the  fighCy 

Exile  a  man  out  of  hi»  rcgioune. 

And  him  revoke  whether  it  be  wrong  or  r%ht| 

fiut  No  mam  hatb  tl<povfir  ne  iUtmigbi 

Per  to  refi»re  th  falace  'sirginal 

Of  CbaJi'iU  ^htn  Irniin  it  the  xval. 
Men  may  alfo  put  out  of  ther  fervice, ' 

And  ofBcirs  rcmeve  out  of  thcr  place. 

And  at  a  day,  when  Fortune  lift  devifei 

They  may  again  teftorid  be  to  grace. 

But  T^fr  M'rjr  timi  natLirfet  me  Jp^aef^^ 

NttT  ner  injtory  ntitbir  raJ  Mt/ain, 

That  maydenbcde  iofi  reiovereJ  \vm  Ogata  t 

For  which e  men  (houldin  have  a  confciencej 
Rewe  in  thcr  hcrtit  and  rcpcntin  fore, 
And  havin  a  rcmorce  of  grct  offence 
To  raviftic  thing  which  they  may  not  reftore, 
For  it  ii>  faidc,aiid  hath  be  faid  ful  yore, 
Tbt  emtraud  greme  ^f  parfitt  thafitr 
Sitle  9net  m^'ay  ntay  not  rtco^tertd  6e^ 

And  hard  it  ia  to  niTiihc  a  trefour 
Whiche  of  nature  is  not  rccupcrable; 
I,ord(hip  may  not  of  kinge  nor  emperour 
Reforme  a  thinge  whiche  11  oat  rcforniable  ; 
Rufl  of  de&me  is  infeparable. 
And  Maidknbodt  yUjI  */"  nevi*€  cr  ytrt 
Nq  man  in  live  may  it  again  rrjiore. 

The  Romanes  oldc  thorough  ther  pacience 
SuErtd  tyrauntet  in  ther  tyranyc* 
On  ther  cites  to  do  grctc  violence. 
The  peplcio  oppreflowith  ther  roherie«p 
But  them  to  punilhc  they  fet  gret  efptct 
On  Talfe  avoutcrcr*,  as  it  i*wel  couth. 
Which    widowcs   ravi(h   and   maid^ni  in    t! 
youth* 

Ckaaetr**  tifordeu  mmta  6ii  ovmjirimmtrtm 

A0AM  SctivESUtuE,  yf  c^cr  it  the  be&Ik 

Boece  or  Troile*  for  to  write  new 

Under    thy  longc    lockci  thou    matft    have  tho 

fcaile. 
But  after  my  makyngc  thoti  write  more  trttc, 
.  So  oftc  adaye  1  mote  thy  wcrkc  renew 
Jf  to  corre^e  and  eke  to  nibbc  and  fcrape. 
And  al  11  thorow  thy  negUgetice  and  rape. 


TBI 


POETICAL  WORKS 


OF 


lENRY  HOWARD,  EARL  OF  SURREY, 


Cootaining  his 


SONCS,  I  CLXCIES, 

50NNCTS,  I  TKAMSLATZONS. 


ifc.  \^€.  es'f. 


To  wkkli  tt  I 

"THE    LIFE   OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


Here  noble  Sukket  felt  the  ficredrage, 
SuK&KT,  the  Gkamtille  of  t  former  age, 
Matchleft  his  pen,  viAorious  was  hit  lance, 
Bold  in  the  lifts,  and  graceful  in  the  dance : 
In  the  fame  (hades  the  Cupids  tun*d  his  lyre 
To  the  fame  notes,  of  love,  and  foft  defire  ; 
Fair  GcaALDiNE,  bright  objeA  of  his  vow. 
Then  fill*d  the  groves  as  heavenlj  Mia  a  now. 


FOPE*s  wiNosoa  roaciT. 


EDINBURGH: 

PRINTED  BY  MUNDELL  AND  SON,  ROYAL  BANK  CLOSB. 

Ann9  2791. 


THE  LIFE  OF  SURRET, 

4 

'III  the  death  of  Chaucer,  no  coDfidcrablc  improTcmencs  were  made  In  Englifh  poetry,  till  about 
►eginning  of  the  fiitccnth  century.  At  that  period,  our  iotercourfe  with  Icaly.  not  only  in- 
iced  the  Cludy  of  clallical  literature  into  England,  but  gave  a  new  turn  to  oor  ▼erntcuhr  poetry, 
language  and  the  manners  of  Italy,  were  efteemed  and  ftudied.  The  fonnett  of  Pctrarcht  yttm 
Teat  models  of  compontion.  They  entered  into  the  geniuH  of  the  faOitonable  manner»;  and  iXk\ 
>oiile]t>Ui,  bat  polifhcd  court  of  Henry  the  Eighth,  Petrarch  of  courje  became  the  popular 

Eiiry  Howard,  Earl  of  Surrey^  the  unrivalled  ornament  of  that  court,  and  of  hii  age,  led  the  wan 
eat  improvemenu  in  Englifh  poetry,  by  a  happy  imitation  of  Petrarch,  and  other  Italian  pocCI 
bad  been  moCl  fucccTsful  in  painting  the  anxieties  of  love  with  pathos  and  propriety. 
:  wa«  the  fon  and  grmidfon  of  two  Lord  Trcafurcrs,  Dukes  of  Norfolk ;  and  in  hl»  earif  chUI*^ 
,  difcovered  the  mofl  pri/tniling  marks  of  lively  paru,  and  an  adtve  micd. 

hUe  a  boy,  be  wai  habituated  to  the  modctof  a  court  at  Wlndfor  Caftle,  where  he  relided,  yet  J 
r  the  care  of  proper  inftr>j<5lors,  in  the  quality  of  a  companion  lo  Henry  f  itzroy,  Duke  of  RicK»l 
I,  a  natural  fon  of  King  Henry,  and  of  the  higheft  cxpedatiom. 

fjricndihlp  of  the  clofell  kind  commencing  between  them,  about  15  50,  they  were  both  removes 
ifdinal  Wolfey*!  Colk'ge  at  Oxford  ;  which  was  one  of  the  firfl  Ceminariei  of  an  BngUlh  untTej 
hat  profcded  to  explode  the  pedantries  of  the  old  barbaroui  philofopby ,  and  to  ctikivace  the  gra^^ 
r  polite  b'tcraturc. 

Rru  year*  afterward*,  he  accompanied  hii  noble  friend  into  France*  where  they  received  Kinc  J 
'y  on  his  arrival  at  Calais,  to  viiit  Francis  the  Firft,  with  a  moft  magnificent  retinue. 
16  friendlhip  of  thcfc  two  young  noblemen,  waa  foon  (Ircngthcncd  by  a  new  tie ;  for  Richmond 
led  Lady  Mary  Howard,  Surrey's  iifter, — Richmond,  however,  appears  to  have  died  in  ijjii 
t  the  age  of  fevcntccn,  having  never  cohabited  with  his  wife, 

waa  long  before  he  forgot  the  untimely  lofi  of  this  amiable  youth,  the  friend  and  affociate  of  his 
hood,  and  who  nearly  rcfcmbled  himfelf  in  genius,  refinement  of  manners^  and  liberal  acqul- 
It. 

is  not  known  at  what  period  he  began  hii  travela.    They  have  the  air  of  a  romance.     He  madb 
mr  of  Europe  in  the  tniefpirit  of  chivalry  ;  proclaiming  the  unparalleled  charmt  of  Geraldijie 
lidrefs,  and  prepared  to  defend  the  caufc  of  her  beauty  with  the  weaponj  of  knight  errantry, 
his  way  lo  Italy,  he  pafTed  a  few  days  at  the  Emperor's  court,  where  he  became  acqvaiatati 
ComeUus  Agrippa.     This  celebrated  ailtp!  in  natural  magic,  (hewed  him,  in  a  mirror  of  glafifl 
ng  image  of  Geraldine,  reclining  on  a  couch,  fick,  and  reading  one  of  his  mod  tender  fonncta  hf 
ua  taper.    Hii  imagioation  was  heated  anew  by  this  interefling  and  affcdling  fpe&acle*     In- 
tel with  every  tnihufiifm  of  the  moft  nim^utic  pafCun,  he  haAened  to  Florence,  the  original  feat 
e  aficeftors  of  bis  Geraldine^  and  on  hif  arrival,  immediaiety  publilbed  a  defiance  againfl  any 
.n  who  Oiotild  prcfume  to  difputc  the  fupcriotiey  of  her  beauty.    The  grand  Duke  of  Tufcany 
Jtted  tlus  imporuint  trui  to  be  decided.    The  chaUerge  wai  aeseptcd,  and  Surrey  videriom^ 


# 


59»  THELIFEOF    SURREY. 

HU  heroic  vanities  did  not,  however,  fo  touilf  cngrofs  the  tune  iHiich  lie  fpeae  in  Italy,  m  u 
enate  his  mind  from  literature  :  he  ftudied,  with  the  greateft  fuccefr,  m  criticml  knowkdscof  tk 
lian  language,  and  attained  a  juft  tafte  for  the  peculiar  gracea  of  the  Italian  poetiy. 

He  was  recalled  to  England,  for  fome  idle  reafon,  by  the  King^  and  appeared  at  covt  dki 
polite  lover,  the  mofl  learned  nobleman,  and  the  moft  accomplilhed  gentleman  of  hit  age. 

He  (hone  in  the  tournaments  of  the  court;  and  hit  name  it  renc»«med  in  the  military  acUnoi 
.  oTIniai'maiFCUrage.  "     -    .  ^ .  -. »    -  __  -.-r  _s= .-  _ 

In  JS4^»^kf  nUtchtfdJntb^pcdtOknd  at  a  eUef  cdvima!^'ta!il|  fade's  aHBj^asd  wa4 
out  for  hit  coh^ttd  and  Bravery  atlhe  acmor  j^le'l4ttlc  hfTlodBeii^did^-wh^  JaftCl  tUfe  Ftai 
'Koflaiid  WW  kiUed;   ■      "  -=■-- — .-:•:::-:———«■-*. 

The  year  following,  he  wa^i  imprifoned  in  Windfor  Caftle,  for  eating  fiefh  in  Ixnt ;  a  dnmM 
worthy  of  notice,  only  as  it  marks  his  charader,  impatient  of  any  cootnml,  and  regardkfr  tffl 
lormalitiet,  and  as  it  gave  occafion  to  one  of  his  moft  fentimental  and  patKetie  fonnrtt, 
:  In  Z544.  he  waj  field^marlkal  of  the  Kaglifli  army  ia  tt>e  cap^tion  to  Hanlni^nt,  ■hirh.fe  wl 
bvt  being  defqated»  endeavonring  to  cm  off  a  convoy,  of  the  eaemj*  a  di^M  tie-fepaira^kfili^ 
KiBg**£4vour,ao4  watfuperfedcdby  tbcEftrlof  Hcr^ord..  .   #-  <  ,^^ 

r-  Conitipnt  of  hit  ^igh  birth  and  opacity  yha^ffyuldjipt  leimo,  vpon  tliio  Ofcafian,  t^um  ^i^ 
Siome  reproachful  OEp^eflioiit  againft  a  meafun.  which  leemed  to  impeach  hia  yrrFwwl  coar^ 
-  It  wot  h|i  Diialprtone.to  ienre  ft  moBaich,  whole  rdemmeata.  wliich  wove  eafi^  pconW^  aril 
only  be  fatisfied  by  the  moft  (evere  revenge.  i 

V  The  ;1yij|liaaq^;of  4in  chanider  was  viewed  bj  Henry  with  ^ifgidt  and  foljpioion.    Hit 
^- watmUcpiiftni^d  into  a  ^gerooi  ambition».aiid  gave  btrdi  to  amCuioiiB  eqnallj 
frivolont. 

'  He  itu  fuffte^ed  of  a  defigo  to  marrj.the  priacefr  Uary ;  and  itwno  infiimatcd  tfai  It 
fed  with  foreigners,  and  correfpondedwkJ^jCtfdittal  Pole.  ;    ;«.     ^ 

:   Theaddittdn of:^ itnnr6f fidwaid the Conleflbc.fo, hit owq, thofl|;ii joftificd .by 
Ikflidly.  and  tlie  authority  of  the  henddt,  i9(M  Imde  a  fmind^tinn  Ibr  an 
treafon.  .     .      -        j.  . 

:   He  waaarl'aigned  at  Ooildhall;  and  notwiihftandiog  hit  cloqaeat  and  manlf  defame  It  j 
4i»idemned  byr  the  prepared  fti0nige  of  >  fdrvik  vA  ^bfe^aJMif  jnrpi  and  bdMidc 
hill,  Jtoaary  19th  1546-7.  '."•).- 

The  Duke  of  Norfolk,  charged  with  allegationt  equally  groundlelt,eicaped  the  lame 
by  the  death  of  the  tyrant,  which  happened  nine  dayt  after  tbennnaerited  death  of  hitloB. 

Surrey  wat  buried  in  the  church  of  AU  HaUowt^Barking«  l^*ower*ftrect,  bat  aftcrwaidt 
to  Framiingham,  Suffolk,  where  an  honoofaUc  moaameni  wat,  creAcd  to  hit  niemory»  by 
cond  fon,  Henry  Earl  of  Northaqaptoii. 

He  married  Frances,  daughter  of  John  Earl  of  OxCard;.  by  whom  he  left  feveral  children,  tei 
hifr  daughters,  Jane,  Cooutefs  of  WeftmoreUadf  wat  among  the  learned  ladies  of  that  age,«ik» 
came  fiunoui  foi  her  knowledge  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  Ungnagea. 

Hillory  is  filent  as  tci  the  name  of  the /air  CenU^iu,  the  genera]  objed  of  Lis  paEIoaatc  teiil 
and  as  to  tbe  reaibns  why  tiie  gaUadtiiet  he  pcribfmedfor  her,  did  not  end  in  a  marriage. 

The  noticot  concerning  her  in  hit  fooneu  are  obloue  ood  indired ;  but  thej  have  beta  ilkfirti' 
with  the  moft  happy  fitga^ity  by  the  prdent  Earl  of  Orford,  and  applied  to  I.ady  EUabctkB» 
geraU,  whofe  poetical  name  is  almoft  her  xeal  one«  She  wat  iecood  daughter  of  Ger^dd  lit^eUi 
Earl  of  Kildaie,  fecond  couiin  tp  the  Pilnceilet  Mary  and  Kiiaabeth,  bred  np  with  them,  as  it  a* 
jfdured,  at  Hunfdon-Hou(c,  aiid  afterwards  the  third  wife  of  Edward  Clinton,  Earl  of  Uacda 

His  Stigu  «V  SomKttet,  as  they  have  been  ftiled,  were  iirft  coQeded  and  printed  at  LosdoS)^ 
Tottell,  in  1557*  together  with  the  **  Songet  and  8onn«tteft*'  of  hit  amiable  and  accompli&c^  ^ 
Sir  Thomas  Wyat,  the  elder,  and  of  uncertain  authort.  Another  edition  appeared  1565.  0^ 
in  1574, 1585, 15S7.  The  laft  edition  wat  printed  JM  7x7.  Thcj  are  sow,  for  the  &tl  ilsx^ 
ceivcd  into  a  coUedion  of  dai&cal  Engliih  poetrg. 


THELIPEOFSURREV,  593 

bey  were  in  higti  rcpucatioo  with  hi»  contcmporarici,  and  for  many  years  aftcfWirdls,  though 
f  arc  fcarccly  known  at  prcfcnt.  They  have  been  prasfcd  by  Leland^  Sydney^  Tubcrville,  Pol* 
hmm,  Churchprd,  and  Drafton,  and  In  more  recent  times  by  Dryden,  Waller,  Fenton.  and  Pope, 
f^  merit  acteotion  eqnalliy  aii  compoCtions  of  real  and  intrinfLc  mefic^and  as  object  of  curiodcy. 
%ey  are  chiefly  amitory  and  fcntimental ;  but  in  elegance  of  fentimcot,  and  in  nature  and  fend- 
^^  they  are  equal  to  the  bcfk  love  verfet  in  our  language ;  and  in  harmony  of  numbers,  perfpicui-* 
f  expre[I]on»  and  facility  of  phrafeotogy,  they  approach  fo  near  the  produdiODi  of  the  prcfent  ag^i 
Chey  will  hardlj  be  btlicved  to  have  been  produced  in  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth, 
felt  Surrey  wai  not  merely  the  poet  of  iJlencft  and  gallantry.  He  wii  fitted,  both  from  nature 
Aady^  for  the  more  foUd  and  laboriout  parti  of  literature.  He  tranflated  the  ad  and  4th  books 
^«  ^Eneid  into  blank  verfe*  which  are  the  6r{l  compofitionsectantfiii  that  meafure^  in  the  Englifh 
jkxage.  Tbcy  were  printed  in  155  7,  r  imo ;  but  the  book  is  foeitremely  fcarce,  that  a  copy  couU 
l>c  procured  for  this  edition  of  hit  work«.  He  wrote  many  other  poem»,  which  were  never  pub- 
il,  and  are  now  perhaps  entirely  lofl.  He  tranltated  the  Ecclelladea  of  Solomon  into  £nglt(H 
p.     He  alfo  transited  a  few  of  the  Pfalmi  into  mcuc     Thtfc  verfiont  of  Scripture  {hew  that 

til  a  friend  to  the  Reformation.     Among  hit  works  are  alfo  mentioned  1  poetn  on  the  death  of 
iend  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  an  cahortation  to  the  city  of  London,  a  iranflation  of  Boccacc** 
I*  ♦  ' 

pc  to  Pinus,  and  f«Ycral  Latin  epiUles, 

lU  hit  bio^raphcn,  particularly  the  Earl  of  Orfori  aud  Mr.  Warton,  have  been  laviih,  and  very 
i^,  in  his  pralfc  ;  he  merits  the  highcfl  encomiums,  as  the  flrll  rcliner  of  oitr  bnguage,  and  the 
llrallcd  ornament  of  his  age  and  country,  and  chntlengci  the  gratitude  and  efleem  of  every  man 
kcrature,  for  the  generons  afliflancc  he  afTorded  it  in  its  infancy,  and  hi»  ready  and  liberal  alM* 
•  to  ill  men  of  merit  in  his  time. 

lbs  poetical  charaAer  is  fo  elegantly  drawn  by  the  happy  pencil  of  Mr,  Wartoo,  as  to  render  the 
idling  alter-drokes  of  a  cafual  hand  unnecclTary* 

f  Iq  the  funnel i  of  Surrey  "  fayi  that  judicious  and  da(Eca1  critic,  whofe  death  t«  an  irreparable 
I  to  EngliJh  literature!  **  we  arc  furprifcd  to  find  notbing  of  that  mctaphyiical  cafl,  which  marks 
I  Italian  poets,  his  fuppofed  maflers,  efpecially  Petrarch,  fjurrey'i  fcntiraents  are  for  the  raoft 
t  natural  and  unaficded ;  arifing  from  his  own  feehngf,  and  dilated  by  the  prefent  circtim fiances, 
l|K)etry  ts  alike  unembarralTcd  by  learned  aOufions,  or  elaborate  conceits.  If  he  copies  Petrarch, 
iPetnifch's  btfl  manner,  where  he  defcend»  from  his  Platonic  ab£lradio|ii,  his  reHocments  of 
IsDt  his  ouggerated  compliments^  and  hii  play  upnn  op|K>jIte  fentimcnts,  into  a  tnck  c^tendcr- 
^  fimplicity,  and  nature.  , 

;Burrcy,  for  his  juHnefs  of  thought,  corre<Snefs  of  fiyk,  and  purity  of  ezprelfioo,  may  jaUly  be 
innnced  the  fird  Eoglilh  dajfical  poet.  He  unqueltionably  is  the  firH  polite  writer  of  lovi  ¥tr* 
b  our  latigtiflge.'* 

fr^t.L  Fp 


I 


I 


I 


THE   ORIGINAL   PREFACE. 


That  to  have  ircll  written  in  ▼erfc,  yei  and  in 
fmall  parcellcs,  dcfervcth  great  prayfc.  The 
trorkes  of  dyvers  Latinci,  Italians  and  other,  doc 
l^rove  fnfficieotly,  that  our  tong  it  able  in  thai 
jrynde  to  dooe  as  prayfc  worthely  at  the  reil,  the 
Honorable  Style  of  the  Noble  Earl  of  Surrey,  mud 
the  weightinefie  of  the  deep  wittcd  Syr  Thomat 
Wyat  the  Aiders  verfe,  with  fisYera!  gracet  in  fon- 
dry  good  Englifh  writert,  doe  flioe  abundantly. 
It  refteth  nowe  (gentle  reader)  that  thou  thynke 
it  not'cril  done,  to  publyih  to  the  honour  of  the 
Englylh  tong,  and  for  the  profit  of  the  fhidioufe 
of  Eoglyih  £lo^ucnce»  thpfe  woorket  whiche  the 


ungentle  hordert  up  of  fuche  trcafure,  have  ha^ 
tofore  envyed  thee ;  and  for  this  point  (goodia^ 
er)  thyne  owne  profite  and  pleaftire  ia  thde  jn- 
fcntly,  and  in  mo  hereafter  IhaU  aunfwcre  fci  w 
defence.  If  perhappei  fomc  myflyke  the  tet 
nefTe  of  ftyle  removed  from  the  rude  ftfl  d 
common  earet :  I  afk  helpe  of  the  leaned  it^ 
fende  thyre  learned  lirend  the  aathore  if  Ail 
woorke,  and  I  exhorte  the  luUeamcd  hy  loAf 
to  leame  to  be  more  ikyllfull,  and  to  p«|elfeB 
fwinelike  grofieneffe  that  maketh  the  fwctt  » 
feroine  not  to  fmell  to  theyr  delight* 


rxT-  -V—    -tM, 


NGMS  AND   SONNMrtES, 


v'l 


/ 


f/Z'^  rrphfi jIjU  cfa  Levtr,  tvltb  S^uie  ta 
LaJy^  to  rue  an  hit  dten^  hart, 

'.  hath  twyfe  br(>ught  fourth  histenUcr 

[•» 

le  the  <  arth  in  ly vely  luftinciTc  ; 
ic  wyndes  the  trees  dyfpoled  dene, 
jaync  begynncs  thcyr  cruelneiTe, 
s  hyd  Under  my  breft  the  harme, 
(hall  recover  healthfulneife. 
s  hurt  recovers  with  the  warmc, 
i  J2^cnc  rcftorcd  is  with  (hade  : 
th,  ah* !  may  ferve  fof  to  dyfarmc 
[lart  that  mync  inflame  hath  made  ? 
agayne  ivable  to  rcftbre 
cnc  ycare^,  that  wither  th\i9  and  fade. 
lothinjr  has  hurt  fo  fore 
1  tymc  rcdUccth  si  retUrnc  : 
harme  encreafeth  more  and  more 
to  have  my  cure  allwaycs  in  fcorne, 
Ics  of  death,  ib  lyfc  that  I  doc  trye 
Tidlt,  farre  of  in  flame  to  burnc  : 
tymc  lyft  to  my  cureapplye, 
;  place  my  comfort  cleane  refufe. 
live,  that  fccth  the  hcavefis  With  eye, 
i)f  nipjht  may  cover  and  excufe 
ravzylc'of  the  dfiyes  uurcft, 
!  agi'i*ift  all  others  irfc 
ryrre  up  the  tormcntcs  of  my  t)reaflc; 
chc  (laf  re  as  caufcr  of  my  fate  : 
Ke  fan  hath  eke  the  darke  oppreil, 
t  the  day,  it  doth  nothing  abate 
cs  of  myne  endlefs  fnr.artc  and  pn^'nt : 
one  a^  hath  the  light  in  hate, 
;^hi  more  covertly  to  piaync 
hdrawc  from  every  haunted  place, 
chere  my  chauncc  aj-pcarc  to  plaiyn^, 
:  place  where  I  my  felf  had  foil, 
mynde  I  mcafore  pace  by  p;:ce. 
»t  I  was  tangkd  in  the  lace, 
ackc  that  knitted  ever  mofl ; 
ct  the  travayll  ^{  my  thfttrghi 
ite,  cculd  catchc  a  caufc  to  boft  J 
ide  fometime  that  (  have  fought, 
s  by  whom  f  trufted  of  the  port, 
o  fall,  and  I  advauncc  rikjhr  nought, 
aft,  my  ij»ritc5  do  all  rcf )rt 


*  •    / 

To  Hand  agazed*  and  (ink  in  zpore  and  more  r, 

I'he  deadly  harme  which  he  doth  take  in  (port 

1.0 !  ii*  I  feek,  how  I  do  find  my  fore  ! 

And  if  1  ilcc,  I  cary  with  me  flyll 

'I  he  veiiomed  (haft  which  doth  hy»  force  rcftorc 

By  haft  of  flight,  and  I  may  plague  my  fill 

Unto  my  felf,  unlcfs  this  carefull  long 

Print  in  your  hart  fome  parcell  of  my  tciic 

Fof  I  alas !  2n  (ilence  aill  too' long 

Of  niyne  olde  hurt,  yet  fecle  the  wound  but^rcnei 

Rue  on  ihy  lyfc,  or  elfe  yoftr  cruel  wronge 

i>hall  well  Bppcore  and  by  my  death  be  fehc. 


Defer  iptU 


I  of  springy  xvberttH  eche  thing  rentuocs^ 
fa've  only  tht  hover* 


I 


The  fbote  feafoii  that  bud,  and  bloome  fourtH' 

,    bringes. 
With  grenc  hath  dladde  tlie  hyll,and  eke  the  rale, 
1  he  nightingall  with  fcthcrs  new  (he  finges; 
The  turtle  too  her  mate  hath  told  her  tale  ; 
Somer  is  come j. for  every  fprty  now  fpriiiges.  \ 

The  hart  hath  hong  hys  olde  head  6n  the  pale  * 
The  bucke  in^brake  his  winter  coate  he  flyngc#j 
The  fi(hc8  flcte  wiOi  ncwc  repayred.fcale  : 
The  adder  all  her  (l<Aigh  away  Ibc  liynges, 
Th*  fvUft  ftfraUovf  pnrfncth  the  flycs  fmallc, 
The  bufy  bee  her  honey  how  (hcniynges; 
Winter  ii  Wornfc  that  was  the  flouics  ball. 
And  thus  I  fee  among  thcfe  picafant  thyngcs 
Eche  care  decayes,  and  yet  my  forr<yw  fpryng^^ 


Defcripcion  of  tie  refleft  eflatt  cf  s  Lo^et^ 

When  youth  had  led  me  halfe  the  race. 
That  Capides  fcourge  had  made  me  rufine  % 
I  looked  hack  to  meet  the  place, 
Prom  whence  my  weary  couri<c  b'egunnc  : 
And  tlien  I  faw  howc  my  defyfe 
^ifguiding  me  had  led  the  waye, 
Myne  cync  to  greedy  of  theyrc  hyre, 
Had  made  me  lofc  a  better  t»rey. 
For  when  in  lighes  I  (pent  the  day, 
,  And  cottld  not  cloake  my  grief  with  (ty^  \ 


59« 


THE  WORKS  OF    StTRltST. 


The  boyliBg  fihoke  dyd  dill  bewray, 

The  prefent  heate  of  fecret  flame  : 

And  when  (alt  teares  do  bayne  my  breaft. 

Where  love  his  pleafcnt  trayncs  hath  foweo, 

Her  beauty  hath  the  fmytet  oppreft, 

£f e  that  the  buddes  were  fpronge  and  blowne. 

And  when  myne  eyen  dyd  aill  purfue. 

The  flying  chafe  of  thcyre  requeli ; 

Theyre  greedy  looks  dyd  oft  renew. 

The  hytklen  woonde  within  my  breSe. 

When  erery  loke  thefc  cheekes  n\ight  (layne, 

From  dedly  pale  to  glowing  red ; 

By  outward  fignes  appeared  playne, 

To  her  for  helpe  my  hart  was  fled. 

Bat  all  to  late  lore  leameth  me, 

To  paynt  all  kynd  of  colours  new ; 

To  blynd  theyre  eyes  that  elfe  fliould  fee 

Myfpeckldd  cheket  with  Cupids  hew. 

And  now  the  covert  breft  I  clame, 

That  worfliit  Cupide  feeretely ; 

And  nouriihed  hyt  (acred  flame, 

Trotd  whence  no  blairing  fparkes  do  flye. 


i|^' 


DtfiripdeH  of  the  fekU  jfffe^ioms,  Pamgi^  md 
SUiibtt*  rf  Love. 


SvcB  wayward  wayes  hath  Love,  that  mod  part 

in  difcord 
Our  willes  do  {land,  whereby  our  hartet  but  fel* 

dom  do  accord : 
Decytc  is  hys  delighte,  and  to  begyje  and  mocke 
The  Ample  hartes  who  he  doth  ftrike  with  froward 

divers  (Iroke. 
He  caufeth  th*  one  to  rage  with  golden  burning 

darte,  [harte.  jThe  hydden  trajrnes  I  know,  and  fieo 

And  doth  alay  with>lesden  cold,  again  the  others  Wow  foone  a  loke  will  pryntc  a  thoegl 
Whoiie  gleames  of  burning  fyre  and  cafy  (parkes   \ 

^  flame,  [ame 


In  balance  of  unequal  weyght  he  pondereth  by 
From  eafye  ford  wheie  I  myghte  wade  and  iMLis 

fttUwell,  ,    -^ 

He  me  withdrawes  and  doth  me  drive,  into  a  dqie 

dark  hell : 
And  me  witholdes  where  I  am  calde  and  ofired 

place. 
And  willes  me  that  my  mortll  foe  I  do  beleke 

of  grace; 
He  lettes  me  to  purfue  a  conqueft  welnerewonne 
To  followc  where  my  payncs  were  loft,  ere  that 

my  fute  begnnne.  [tune 

^  by  this  means  I  know  how  foon  a  hait  may 
From  warre  to  peace,  from  truce  toftryfe.land  fo 

agaync  returnr. 
I  know  how  to  content  my  fclf  in  others  loft. 
Of  little  fluffe  unto  my  fclf  to  weave  a  webbe  of 

troft: 
And  how  to  hydc  my  harmcs  with  fole  dyflem- 

blyng  chere 
Whan  in  my  face  the  'painted  thoughtes  wou*d 

outwardly  appearc.  [dred, 

I  know  how  that  the  bloud  forfakes  the  face  for 
And  how  by  ihame  it  flaynes  agayne  the  ch^cs 
'  with  flanyag  red ; 
3 


1  knovr  under  the  grene,  the  ftrpori 
The  haramer  of  the  reftlcft  lo^  I 
it  workea. 
know,  and  can  by  roate  the  tale  tl 
lut  ofte  the  woorde*  came  Umtih 
that  loveth  welL 
I  know  in  heate  and  colde  thelofvcr 
In  fyngetng  haw  he  dodi  cua^iiay 

hcNir  he  wakes 
To  languKh  wtthovt  ache,  ftcfcrlfie  i 
A  thoofand  thynges  for  to  dcvyie, 

his  fume  ; 
And  though  he  lyfte  to  fee  h»  lad 
Such  pieafures  a*  delyght  his  eye,  do 

reflore. 
T  know  to  feke  the  trade  of  my  def 
And  fere  to  fynde  that  I  do  £Bek»  b 

'  I  know. 
That  lovers  muft  tranfenrme  mto  tl 
And  live  (alas !  who  would  bdieve  \ 

from  lyfe  removed. 
I  knowe  inharty  iieheaand  laBgiitcrs< 
At  once  to  chaun|^  my  ftate,  my  i 

my  colour  clene. 
1  know  how  to  deceyve  my  lelf  wythe 
And  how  the  lyon  challilcd  is^  Inr  bet 

vvhelpe. 
In  fiandynge  nerethefyre,IknowIiowi 
Farre  of  I  bnme,  in  bothe  I  wafie,  aai 

lleefe. 
I  know  how  Love  doth  rage  upon 
How  finalle  a  net  e  may  take  and  mai 

gentle  kynde : 
Or  elfe  with  feldom  fwete  to  lealbnh 
Revived  with  a  glympTe  of  grace  old 

letfall.  ^         * 


ver  may  remove. 
The  flypper  ftate  I  knowe,  the  fodeia  t 
The  doubtfoll  hope,  the  ccruine  woai 

dcfpaired  h^Ehe. 


Tii  ComftaiMie  of  a  Lover  tkai'defii  Ln 
iy  Loive  efUr  tbo  mmo  IWMate 

When  fomer  tooke  in  hande  the  wynta 
With  force  of  myghte  and  ryrtue  grete, 

blafls  to  qoaile : 
And  when  he  clothed  fayre  the  eartheal 

grene. 
And  every  tree  new  garmented,  that  pi 

to&ne; 
Mine  hart  gan  new  reriTc,  and  chaagd 

ftir 
Me  to  withdrawe  my  wynter  wees,  i 

wythyn  the  dor. 
Abrode,  quod  my  defyre,  aflay  to  let  ^ 
Where  thou  flialt  fynde  the  iavov  fi 

fprongtsereryrote 
And  to  thy  hehhe  if  than  wrrc  fydte  ia  > 
Nothing  more  good,thaft  m  dK  ^pX*t 

tofelcaplace; 


^c  fhalt  thoo  hcare  ui4  ke  al  kjndc  of  Byrdcs, 

ywrought 
tone  thcyrc  voycc,  with  wsirbic  fmal,  a»  na- 
ture hath  them  touji^ht.  [leave, 
i  pricked  me  my  Itifl  the  fluggilh  houfe  to 
f  If  my  helthe  I  thoughte  it  hck^  fuch  coun 

fcl  to  rcccaf  c  : 
1  a  morrow  furth,  unwift  of  any  wyghte, 
rfit  to  prove  how  well  it  wouldc,  my  hevy 

burden  lyghcc  ; 
when    f   feU  the  ayre,   fo  pteaftnt   round 

kboutc ;  [gt*'tc  u  oo  t . 

Ic  to  my  iHfc  how  gUd  1  was,  that  1  had 
■e  myght  1  fee  how  Vcr  had  every  blolfomc 

kenc,  [^^  went ; 

eke  the  new  betrothed  byrdety  coupled  how 
In  thy  re  fongcs  me  ttiought,  Utey  thanked 

nature  much, 
\  by  her  lyccnce  al  that  yerc,  to  Love  thcyre 

hrpc  wa.i   uch  : 
bt  a»  they  could  devLTe  to  chofe  them  trees 

thioughoutf 

much    reyoyng  to  thcyr  Lord,  thui  flew 

they  all  about,  [Leave, 

^che  when  1  gan  refolve,  and  in  my  head  corh- 
|t  ploLfantlyfCf  what  heaps  of  joy,  thofe  little 

birdet  reccave. 
l&w  in  what  eftaie  I  wcaryman  wa*  wroughte, 
irant  of  that  they  had  at  WiU,  and  I  rcfct^t  a^L 

nought : 
I,  how  I  gan  in  wr^th!  unwifely  mc  demcane! 
'fed  Love,  ;ind  hym  delied,  I  choughic  to  lurne 

the  ftreame  : 
when  I  well  bcheldef  he  had  mc  under  awe, 

mercy  for  my  fatiUe,  that  fo  tranfgred  hdi 

lawe, 
1  bUndcd  God  (quod  1 )  forgive  me  this  o^ence, 
ittingly  I  went  about  to  malice  thy  pretence  . 
!Wtth  he  g;ave  a  bccke,  and  thus  mcthoughte 

he  fwore, 
F  forrow  ought  fuffice  to  purge  thy  faulic  if  tt 

were  more : 
vittuc  of  which  found,  mine  harf  did  fo  revive, 
t  I  methonghi  was  made  a»  whoale,  ai  any 

man  alive, 
licre  I  may  perceve,  myoe  error  and  atl  and 

fome,  [ftill  undone  : 

that   I  thought  that  fo    it  was,    yet  was  it 
lalchat  was  no  more  but  mine  C3tprcfledmynde, 
I  fain  wou'd  have  fomc  good  rcliefe,  ol  Cu- 
pid well  ajffigncd. 
rned  home  forthwiih,  and  might  perceyvc  it 

well,  [rebel 

t  he  agrcved  was  right  fore,  with  mc  for  my 
harmcs  have  ever  dnce  eiicrcafed  more,  and 

more,  [cfermore, 

I  I  remaind  without  his  helpe,  undone  for 
lirtor  lei  me  be  unto  yc  lovers  all ;  [bcfalL 
re  Oct  with  Love,  lor  if  yc  do,  it  will  ye  thui 


c\^ 


^\',(.X 


n  that  liveth,  and  raigneth  in  my  thought, 
^-  built  his  feat  within  mj  catiTC  brcft 


Clad  in  thearmes,  wherein  wIiH  rk  he  fought. 
Oft  in  roy  face  he  doth  hi»  banner  reft. 
She  that  metbuught  to  love,  and  fufiTer  pain, 
My  doubt  full  hope,  and  tkc  my  hot  defire^ 
With  ftmmfaft  cloke  to  fliadowe  andreQraini 
Her  fmiling  grace  convcrtcth  llraight  to  ire. 
And  cow  re  J  Love  then  to  the  bait  apace 
TakctFi  ht^  flight,  whereat  he  lurketand  plaines, 
Hi*  piirpofc  loft,  and  dare  not  (he we  hit  face* 
For  tuy  Lovca  gilt  thus  faultlcfi  bide  I  painci, 
Yet  from  mv  I  ovc  Ihall  not  my  foote  remove 
Swctc  11  hii  detb,  that  takes  hi«  cod  by  Love. 


*     CtmpLtliti  9ftU  lovfr  Di/iaimti, 

In  Ciprus  fpringcs  whereas  dame  Venus  dwelt, 
A  well  fo  bote,  that  who  fo  laftcs  the  fame  ; 
Were  he  of  ftone,  as  chawed  yfc  fhouM  melt, 
And  kicdlcde  llndc  hit  brtft  with  fired  fiame. 
U^ofc  moyft  pti'on  difl'olvcd  hath  my  hate* 
1  hie^creping  hrc  my  cold  lims  fo  opprcft; 
Ihat  in  the  hart  tbat  harborde  fredome  late, 
EndkfTc  defp.'iyre  long  thrmldome  hath  inaprc 
Ail  other  lo  colde  in  Iroito  yfc  U  foundc, 
Whofe  chilling  venom  of  repugnant  ktnde  ; 
1  he  fervent  heat  doth  qucnchc  of  Cupidetiwounde 
And  with  the  fpoted  change  infcdes  the  mindc  ; 
Whereof  my  dcre  hath  tailed  to  my  painc. 
My  fervice  thus  it  grown  into  difdaine. 


Dtfcriptitn  and  Fraiff  »fhh  Aovi  GbialdiMI, 

Fioid  Tufcanc  cime  my  Ladies  worthy  race, 
Faire  Florence  wa^fometinic  htr  iiUhcitnt  ieatc  : 
The  Wcftem  Vie  whofc  pleafant  ftiorc  doth  face 
Wild  Cambers  cLifs,  did  gcvc  her  lyutly  hcate; 
Fullered  ftie  wai,  with  milkc  of  Ir  Jbe  brcft  : 
Her  fire,  an  crlc,  her  dame,  of  princes  blood  j 
From  tender  yeres^  in  Britainc  Iftc  doth  reft, 
With  kirgeschllde,  where  flie  taltcth  coftly  foodc. 
Honfdon  did  firft  piefcnt  her  to  myne  yien  : 
Bright  ii  her  hewe,and  Geraldme  ftie  iiight, 
Hampton  me  taught,  to  w^ilhc  her  hrft  fur  niinc» 
And  Windfor,  alaf,  doth  chafe  mc  from  her  fight. 
Her  beauty  of  bcde,  her  vertue  from  above, 
Bappy  is  he,  tliat  can  obtain  her  Love. 


Tbifraiifytt  a^d  hurt/itlHei  9j  Btavtie, 

BaiTTLi  beauiie  that  ctture  made  fo  fraile , 
Whercnf  ibc  gift  i*  Imall,  and  Ihort  the  lesion; 
1  lowring  lo  Quy,  lo  morcme  apt  lo  lailc. 
Tickled  treaftJte,  abhorred  of  reafon  i 
Dangtrout  to  dealc  wiih,  vaineof  none  avaUc, 
CofHy  in  keeping,  pall  rot  wort  he  two  peafon  ; 
Slipper  in  llidirg,  as  is  an  eles  lailj  ■ 
Harde  to  attain,  once  gotten  not  gcafon. 
Jewell  «f  jeopjrdie,  tlat  p^rnl  d*>th  iJT,ijlle, 
I  alfc  and  vnrtcih  e,  enticed  oil  to  trtafon  ; 


19* 


TrtE    WORKS    OF    SURREY. 


V 


Entmy  to  youth,  that  moft  inay  I  bewaille  ; 
Ah  bitter  fwctc !  infeding  as  the  poyfon. 
Thou  fareft  as  frute,  th^t  with  the  froft  is  taken, 
To  day  ixdy  ripe,  to  morow  al  to  ihakcn. 

\A  Wmplaint  by  nhit  of  the  Lover  fiof  BiloveJ, 

Alas  !  fo  al  thinges  now  doe  holde  thcfre  peace, 

^eaven  and  earth  diflurbcd  iu  nothing ; 

The  bcafte^,  the  ayer,  the  birdcs  their  fonj^e  doe 

Icafe,  I 

The  ni^htes  chare  the  (lores  aboute  doth  bringc  : 
Calme  is  the  fea,  the  waui-s  workc  IclTc  and  IclTc. 
Ho  am  not  I,  wh6me  J.«ovc  alav  dtith  v/ripg, 
Bringing  before  my  face  the  great  cncrcalc 
Of  my  defires,  whereas  I  wcpc  and  fing, 
!n  joy  and  wo,  as  in  a  doubtful  cafe, 
I'or  my  fwete  thoughts,  fome  tyrae  doc  pleafure 

bring; 
But  by  and  by,  the  caufe  of  my  difcafc, 
Gcvcs  me  a  pang,  tliat  inwardly  doth  ftinge ; 
When  that  1  thinke  what  grief  it  is  again^. 
To  live  and  lacks  the  thing  fhould  riddc  my  pain. 


ffoxv  ecbe  tlittg^/wje  il/e  Lcyer  it  S^t'inr^  Rcliiuttb  t§ 

y  UEN  Windfor  wajl.'s  fufl<  iiu-'l  mywcarlv'd  arine, 
My  hande,  my  chin,  to  calc  my  rs  iHfflc  l.-.d, 
W^epkafawt  plot  rcuofted  green  with  warmc. 
The  blolTomd  bo\vL>  with  Iihly  Vtr  yfpred  : 
The  floured  nieadcs,  ihc  wccticd  byrJt*  fo  lite, 
Myne  eyes  dllcouer,  and  to  iny  myr.de  rclonc 
'I  he  ioly  yvocs,  thj  hitclwiil-  lliort  debate, 
Therakchcll  lyfc,  that  lo:ige«  to  iouc-s  diJiJortc, 
Wherewith,  aJa?,   he  ht:;uy  thurgc  of  taic 
Hcapt  in  my  breft.brcaltv*  fourih  a^uyiill'my  wyU, 
in  fmoky  lightcs  t!ut  oiicrc?.ft  the  ayre,  ' 

My  vapcr'd  ej-cs  fuch  dreurly  t».citi»  dyftill. 
The  tender  fpring  whichc  quiLkcn,  where  they  i"aU, 
And  i  halfc  ben:  to  ihru-.vc  me  downc  withall.  ' 


^x.V 

lit""'         '        .      * 

A  Vcxvc  to  i9ve  fulth/Jh  hitLfscver  Lc  us  rs-uarded. 

SitT  mc  whereas  the  fonre  doth  parch  the  grsDf, 
Or  "when  his  beam*  do  m  t  dyfudvc  the  yfe, 
III  ituiptiatt  l.c-t,  whtre  he  istfclt,  and  fcne. 
In  prtkUvt  j:rt:ft  of  peoplr,  n^aiJc,  c^r  wife; 
.'et  ii:e  in  hyi,,or  ytt  in  ii»wc  dc^ricc. 
In  h.ngcft  ni^lil,  or  in  the  iiuTtiil  ciay  ; 
In  liCartrt  fk-,«    or  wl  etc  tU"»ud^s  thi;.kcfl  be. 
In  luily  youth,  t»r  vhi  n  my  hears  ait  grave  ; 
Scr  nic  in  he;i  ■  n,  in  earth,  ci  ilfe  in  l.ell. 
In  hyll  or  uai':,  <r  iu  t/.e  fojming  i'lcd  j 
'j'hza:!,  or  at  i-r;»f,  alyve  where  fc  1  duell, 
'icJic ,  or  in  ii-.;thu',  in  cvul  i^tk.c  «.r  j;o.  u  j 
H'.  r.H  w:ll  1  ;»i  ,  .  lu!  i.i:ly  w.-.h  thii?  li:c:i:g/!t, 
C.*Ltc:..t  cjy  Twlf  ahhi-r^  my  ch-.n-.t  hz  nought. 


Ki 


CompIa'iKt  that  hyt  Lat^y  t^jifrjb<t  k» no rf  hyt  L» 
ket>t  her  face  ahiuryx  bydJemJram  tym, 

\  NFVE*  fawe  my  I.ady  layc  apart, 
hlcr  cornet  biacke,  in  colde  nor  yet  in  hrcte, 
Sirlj  fyrft  ihe*  hncwniy  fjricfc  wa*grov.'vn  fo  fjt 
VVhyche  oiher  fanci-.s  dry  veth  from  my  haxtc 
That  to  my  fclie  I  d<»  the  rljought  rclcrvc. 
Ti.fi  whyehe  unwarts  dyd  wound  my  wi^elulbi 
But  on  her  face  myne  cycN  ni'#nght  m-ver  reft 
Yet  fynce  (he  knew  I  dyd  her  iuvc  aii  .  f.rvc. 
Her  g(;iden  trtiTv-.  cladde  allwi-'y  with  blacktj 
licr  imyleyng  lookes  that  hail  ihn»  cvcrmrrr. 
And  that  rclhayne;.  which  I  drfire  fo  f.  re  : 
by  doth  this  cornet  ^ovcrne,  mc  <Ja«.ke  ! 
lu  fummtr  fun,  in  w^intcrs  brcatltc,  a  frof:;, 
Whcrcbyethe  lyghtc  of  her  fayre  looker  lk«L 


»0 

Reqveji  to  hyt  Ltfve  to  loyne  Bsuntte  xeitb  Seaieif, 


The  golden  gyft  that  Nature  dyd  thee  gere, 
To  fatten  frendc^  and  feed  chcm  at  thy  will; 
jWithfourme  and  favour,  taught  me  to  belicce, 
khlow  thou  arte  nndc  to  ihowehcrgnatedikyfr 
1  ^hofc  hydden  vertuc»arc  not  fo  unknovtcfi, 
^But  lyvcly  dame«  myghtc  gith'.  r  at  the  fyrfte; 
Where  beau  y  f-*  her  pL*i;cdc  fcedc  haiKi(/«d^ 
Ot  all  other  graces  follow  ncdcs,  there  mdL 
Now  certcs  Laiiic,  fynce  all  thy^  ik  true, 
I  hat  fn>m  above  my  gyftcs  aic  thus  eltcJ; 
Do  not  deface  them  than  wyth  fanlies  oewe. 
Nor  chaunge  of  myndes  let  not  the  mya>icin&^ 
But  mercy  I>yn:e  thy  frendc,  thatdutli  ihecioH 
Who  fcckea  adwayd  thync  honour  to  prik^c. 


7-r 


jprlJkHirin  Wmdjar^  be  refo::mtcth  L'n  fie.fir:Uet 

Socruell  prifon  howe  could  betyde,  alas! 
Asj)i'>uUc  WinClor  :   Where  I  m  ludaiidiffi 
Wythe  a  kyn;Ttrsfonne,niychyldyniyefc?(iyJpi^i 
In  greater  leall,  th;.u  I'lianiai  loniiea  of  I  rojrc: 
Where  eche  fwctc  piate  rcturnes  a  liStfMd&f^t 
1  he  large  tfrcnc  where  we  wt :  c  wout  to  twH 
Wytli  eyes  caft  up  into  the  IVlaydcba  towcft 
And  rafy  lights,  luch  a!%  iolkesdraw  in  Love: 
'  Tiie  flately  feateb,  the  ladit-  brighie  of  hcwt; 
The  di*unccs  Ibort,  lur;;  tales  of  gre.:ic«leli{** 
Wyih  woordes  and  louke:,  that  tygasos^K 

rewc, 
Where  ethe  of  us  dyd  plcade  the  ofhenry^ 
1  he  palme  play,  where  defr*oykd  fur  tJ»c|>* 
With  cared  eyes  oft  wc  by  glcamcMif  low, 
ttavc  myit  the  bail,  And  gotr  iiphie  «l  oar** 
1  o  ba^  te  her  eyes,  whychc  kq  t  thekad**^** 
The  gravel  grouude,  wyrhc  ficvcs  tj<Jc  *  " 
he!n..j  (^ 

Ihi  f«  n  yog  horfe,  wi»h  fvrcrcc?  iwl  «^ 
10  ^  1'^'^  ^*'^^t"  i**  tlough  ore  rnouiJarot^rff*-^ 
y\\  .^crc-v/t  ha .c  fcvght, and  ihaTcd tft  ifjtk*«» 


isXX. 


SONGES    AND    SONETTE3. 


(iroppes  tht  meode  jet  fpreide  for 

■nei  orniinWcncff  and  ftrfiigth» 
id  flmyne  tnyned  vrith  fwaniies  of 
e 

■nmcff,  that  yet  fhot  up  ■■  lenjrthc. 
TOvc»  which  oft  wc  made  refoundc, 
laynte,  and  cf  our  Ladies  prmyfc, 
h  wfiit  grmce  «;he  one  had  foande, 
f  rpcdc^  what  dread c  of  long  delaycs. 
rrttlj  thr  clothed  hole*  with  ^cnc, 
ivaili^  and  fwlftly  breathed  horfc ; 
hnyodcs  aod  merry  blaJles  betwcnc, 
i  chafe  the  fcareful  harte  of  force, 
ralcf   eke,    that    harbordc    ui  echc 

(ala«)  rcviveth  in  my  bretle ; 
:ordc,  fuch  flepe*  as  yet  dclyt, 
dreamei  the  quyet  bed  of  reft ; 
ovghtes  itnpartcd  with  fuch  imftf 
tilke,  the  dyvcrs  chaun^c  of  pliyc  ; 
p  fwomc,  echc  promifc  kept  fo  faft, 
ft  pa  ft  the  winter  nyghtc  away. 
yt  thoughtCi  the  bloud  fodakei  the 

Tiyne  ray  chekci  of  deadly  hewe, 

an  loone  as  fobbyng  figh^,  (alas ! J 

/c^  thus,  I  my  playnt  reoewe : 

ifie  !  rcnewer  of  my  woe& ! 

mpt  where  is  my  noble  fere, 

f  wailes  thoa  doeft  cche  nyghtc  ca- 

,lia*  tintotne  moft  clere  s 
I  that  dorh  my  forrow  rcwe, 
:to  a  holi'itve  fouitde  of  playnt ; 
where  ail  my  freedome  grewe, 
le,  withe  bondage  and  reft  ray  nt : 
ncmbrance  of  the  greater  gricfe, 
:  lelTe  1  fyud  Wij  chief  reUcfc. 


ilfrrMh  hlmfttji  -w^ihe  tht  W9wthyneg€ 

fs!g  love  wyth  extreme  paync, 

diftnyncs  my  harte ; 

f  t«ares  a%  floudcs  of  raynC| 

of  my  wofull  fmarte  t 

have  wafted  fo  my  breathe 

fhc  poynt  of  dcathe. 

Jc  the  navy  grcate, 

ckcf  brought  to  Troy  towne, 

bnyftcrous  wyndeA  dyde  bcatc 

•»,  and  rent  thnyre  faylei  adowne ; 

Tjionf*  djL»^htcT»  hlocde, 

l,oijdcf>  that  them  withftood  ; 

t  m  thole  ten  years  warrc, 

i foody  dcdc  was  done; 

Lordie  t^^t  cairc  full  firrc, 

c  hi*  banc  fab*.')  too  foonc  : 

^t>od  knyglitr  overcome,  • 

ckf  4  had  IK'lconc  wonnc, 

fhu»  Gthfuch  rcpayrc, 

WrtUc  \fi  valiant  mcnne. 


Was  all  iKi  wynnc  a  lady  fayre, 

Shall  I  not  Icanic  to  fuffcr  then  ? 

And  think  my  trnie  well  fpeor  to  bff; 

Serving  a  woorthier  wygbtc  than  ftic  I 

Tlierefore  I  never  will  repent. 

But  payncs  contented  ftyll  endtire ; 

For  like  aa  when  rough  winter  fpcnt. 

The  plcafant  fpryngc  Araight  drawcth  in  nre» 

So  afier  raging  ftormes^  oi  care, 

JuyfuU  at  length  may  be  my  fare* 


Ctrnpimini  tf  tbt  abftnce  ef  her  Lover  Mm^  up«% 
ihi  Jtat* 

0  Happy  dames  that  may  embrace. 
The  fmitc  of  your  dclyghte; 
Help  to  bcwaylc  the  woefull  cafe. 
And  ckc  the  heavy  plyghtc 
Of  mc  that  wonted  to  rcioyce, 
The  fot'tune  of  my  pleafant  choice  : 
Good  ladye&  hclpc  to  fill  my  nourninjj  voice, 
Iti  fhippe  frcjghtc  wythc  rcmcmbrauncc 
Of  thoughtes  and  plcafurei  pad. 
He  faylci  that  hath  governaunctf; 
My  life  while  it  will  laft. 
With  fcalding  fighe*  for  Ucke  of  gale, 
Furderyng  hys  hope  that  is  his  fayle^ 
Toward  me,  the  fwetc  port  of  hy»  avaylev 
Alas  i  bow  oft  in  dreams  f  fee 
Thofc  eyes  that  were  my  foode, 
Whych  fometymc  fo  delytcd  me 
rh»t  yet  they  do  mc  goodc  : 
Wherewith  t  wak  Wythc  his  returnc* 
Whofc  abfrnt  flinic  dyd  m^ke  me  bum» 
But  when  I  fyndc  the  Jiicke,  Lord. how  I  mourtvc! 
when  nthcr  lovers  in  arrnc*  acroffe, 

Rcioyce  their  irncchyfc  delyght ; 
Drowned  in  teares  to  moumc  my  loflc 

1  ftand  the  bytter  nyghte 
In  my  window  where  I  m^y  fee 
Bcf»irc  ihc  wy tides  how  the  c|o«de»  flee 
J.o  !  what  a  mariner  lovclvath  mAilc  nic* 
And  in  grcnc  wrvvcs  when  the  fait  Soodo 
Doth  ryfc  by  rage  of  wynJe, 
A  thoufand  fanfie*  it»  that  mood  * 
Afl'ityle  my  reftleflc  mynde  : 
Alas !  how  drcnchcth  my  fwct  fo 
That  wyth  the  fpoylc  of  my  hart  did  go. 
And  left  me,  (but  abi  I)  why  did  he  fn  ? 
Arki  when  the  feat  were  cdhnc  agaync^ 
To  chacc  from  rnc  antioye, 
Afy  doubtfnl  hope  doth  ciuCc  my  playne, 
So  drcde  cuts  of  my  loyc. 
Thus  in  tny  weilth  ntyngJcd  with  woe, 
And  of  cchi  thnu^ht  a  doubt  doth  jjrowc 
N&w  ht  fomcb !  Will  he  come  **  alas !  no  I 


— IT- 

CumpUitit  of  a  dying  Lv^ftr  rtfuftJ  itfiett  Ijt  Lmdyet 

Im  wyntcr*  itift  rcturne,   when  Bearcat  gm  hit 

raygne. 
And  every  tree  oti<Ioihcd  faft,  at  nature  tau^hc 

ihciivph;Rc; 


In  tnyfty  morning  dwk«,  at  fhept  are  then  ia 

holde, 
I  byde  me  faft,  It  fiu  ne  on,  my  ihcpe  for  to  im« 

folde. 
And  as  it  is  a  thynge  that  loren  have  by  fyttes, 
tJnder  a  palrae  I  board  one  cxy,  as  be  bad  ioil  byt 

wietes. 
Wbofr  voice  did  ringc  ib  ibryli  ia  nttcryngt  of 

hys  playnt. 
That  I  amazed  was  to  heare,  how  lore  coulde  bym 

attaynt, 
Ab !  wretched  man  (^od  he)  come  death  and 

.    lyd  thys  woe ; 
A  iuft  reward,  a  happy  end,  if  it  may  cbtonce 

thee  foe. 
Thy  pleaforei  p«ft«  ha^  wrought  tbf  woe  wl^ 

out  redrefle ; 
If  thott  hadft  noTor  felt  no  ioy,  thy  finare  had  been 

the  lefle. 
And  recblefle  of  hys  lyfe»  be  gan  both  H^h  and 

gronc, 
A  mefbU  thynge  mcthongjht  it  wat  to  here  by^i 

'make  fuch  mono 
Thou  cnrfed  pen  fayd  he«  Wb  fTtfrthe  the  hypit 

(he  bare,   . 
The  man,  the  knyfe,  and  all  that  made  thet,  wo 

be  to  thyre  ibare : 
Wo  worth  the  tyme  and  plate,  where  t  could  fe 

eodyte, 
And  wo  be  it  yet  once  agayne,  ^e  pen  that  lb 

can  wryte. 
Unhappy  hafad !  it  bad  been  h9ppy  tyme  for  me. 
If  when  to  wryte  thou  learned  fyrfte,  unjoynted 

hadft  thottbe. 
Thu|  curfed  he  himfelf,  and  eyery  other  wyghte. 
Save  her  alone  whom  love   him  boond  to  urrp 

both  day  and  nyght. 
Whyche  when  1  bear^  am}  faw.  hew  he  hymfelf 

forcdyd  ' 

Againft  the  ground  with  bloody  (brokes,  hymfelf 

even  thereto  rid ; 
Had  been  my  hart  of  ilynt  it  muft  have  melted 

though, 
For  in  my  lyfe  I  never  (aw  a  man  fo  foil  of  wo, 
Vyth  teares  for  hys  redrefle,  I  raihely  to  him 

ran,  ,  * 

And  in  my  armes  1  caught  hym  M,  and  thus  I 

fpike  hym  than : 
What  wofaU  wyght  art  then  that  in  fuch  heavy 

cafe, 
Tormentes  thy  felfe  wyth  fuch  defpyte  here  ia 

thys  defert  place  ? 
Wherewyth  as  all  agay(le,  fulf jlde  with  ire  and 

dread, 
He  caft  on  me  a  (lareing  loke  with  colour  pale 

and  dead;   ^  [plyght. 

Nay  what  art  thon*(qnodhe)  that  in  thys  heavy 
Doeft  fyndc  me  here,  moft  wofuil  wretch,  that 

jyfe  hath  in  defpight  ? 
J  am  (quod  I)  but  poore  and  fymple  in  degree, 
A  (hepheardet  charge  1  have  in  hande,  unworthy 

though  I  be : 
Wyth  that  he  gave  a  (igbe  as  though  the  Ikye 

ihould^ll,  [he  call: 

And  loud  alas  he  Ihryked  oft,  and  (hcphcard  gan 


Come  im.AB^Ut  at  ooev  wd  pryat 

6o  thoa  fliaU  faMnr,  aad  I  lUI  tcO,  t^ 

BOW  I  unarl* 
Hys  backe  agajndte  the  treefafefedkd 

fisyaie 
Wyth  weary  fiirke,  he  Ibetcfat  hym  ay^ 

be  tola  hyopdatot  s 
Once  in  my  Iwite  {Mgattd  he)  k  dmmt 

love 
Such  one  in  vrbone   hath   aatnc  vn 

qumiai^  for  to  prove  : 
And  (ure  1  cannot  faj  bat  nsaay  ycresw 


With  foch  good  ipriil  fa  i 

werecoatcnt. 
Where  to  Ihew  f  *nye  bonnde,  ai^  (he  ^ 
The  funne  ihoold  tuae  hys  coarfe  «ai 

thys  ^'th  fioregoe. 
Who  toyed  then  bat  1  f  who  hadde  tfaa 

blyiTe? 
Who  myghu  compare  a  lyfe  to  aiyBf  t 

thoo^  oa  this  f 
But  dwellyng  in  tbya  trat|i,  amid  my  |r 
It  me  befiUled  a  grcateir  MTe  ^hm  Fm 

troy; 
^  is  reverfed  deane  and  beareih  nse  ji 
That  my  deiortes  have  gevea  caale  to  k 

(aythfal  band. 
And  for  my  juft  escafe  avaylethao  defa 
Kow  knowcft  thou  all,  I  can  ao  mom,  ] 

beani  bye  thee  hoaces 
And  gav^  him  leave  to  dye.  that  asayi 
Whofe  record  to  I  claime  to  kave^  aiyih 

forgevej 
And  eke  when  I  am  gooe,  be  bold lol{ 

pkyne. 
Thou  halt  feea  dye  the  traeft  aiaa  that  r 

dyd  payoe. 
Wherewith  he  tamde  hym  roaade,  tad 

oft  for  breath, 
^nto  his  armes  a  tree  he  caaght,  and  (aydi 

my  death 
Welcome  a  thoafimd  ^ald^now  dearer  mi 
Than  ihould  without  her  love  to  five,  u 

rourtu  be. 
Thus  in  this  wofoU  (late  he  yekkd  aptk 
And  little  knoweth  hta  la<^  what  a  I 

ba^loil. 
Whofe  death  when  I  beheld,  no  msvcl 
For  pitic  though  my  heart  dyd  bkde,  t 

piteous  light. 
My  bloud  from  heate  to  cold  oft  cfaaaagt 

den  fore,  | 

A  thoufand  troubles  there  I  Iboad  1  aev 
Twene  dreade  apd  doloar,  to  my  iga^ 

brought  ia  feare« 
That  long  it  was  ere  \  coald  callto  aiii 

1  dyd  there. 
But  as  eche  thing  hath  eade,  (b  had  M 

of  myne. 
The  furies  pa^  and   1  my  wittcs  ici 

length  of  tyme : 
Then  as  i  could  devyie»  to  (cA  I  tfaeafM 
Where  I  might  fiadc  £Hae  worthy  fktt 

a  corps  .tp  reft  : 


SONOES    AND    SONETTES* 


Ao^  lA  mj  myoUc  k  came,  &om  thcoce  fkot  larre 

HiVhcrc  Crefctdi  love,  lung  Pnami  l6o«  tU  wor- 
^K^  thy  Irolui  lay  : 

H^f  btni  I  PiaJc  his  combe^  in  token  he  wai  true* 
"  And  a«  ca  him  bclongcth  wcU,  I  covered  it  with 
bicwe ;  [foone, 

tWhofc  fotik  by  aiinj^cls  povcr,  departed  not  fo 
9%it  to  the  heavens,  lo  it  fied,  for  to  receive  hi» 
dotuc. 


r  »/  tht  ^fimt  rfbif  tmtfw  %*f  u^  tbefi** 

||[}Qd9  Udiet,  ye  that  have  your  pleafures  in  exile, 

'^      » in  your  footc.  come  take  i  pbce^  and  moroe 

with  me  a  while  : 
^A^d  fiich  as  by  theyr  lordcn  divftit  hathttlcpryce, 
^  t<t  them  fit  ftiil,  it  Ikillcs  them  not  what  chauncc 
come  on  the  dice  : 
at  ye  whom  love  hath  bound  by  order  of  dcfyre, 
love  your  lordi,  whofe  good    dcfert*  none 
other  would  require  :  [myne, 

ICocne  ye  yet  once  agaync,  and  fet  your  foote  by 
ITbofe  wofijll  plight,  and  forrwct  gre*f»  no  toog 
tAsi  well  define* 
My  love  and  lord,  alai!  in  whom  confiftci  ray 
wclth, 
ath  fortune  fent  to  pajfe  the  feii  In  hazard  of 
hiihclth:  [myndc, 

k'^hom  I  was  wont  tcmbrace  with  wcl!  contented 
|lft  now  amyd  the  fompg  floodiat  plcafurc  of  the 

wynde ; 
I'Wherc  God  will  hicn  prefcrve,  and  foone  Kim 
home  me  fend, 
irithout  which  hope  my  lyfe  (alas)  were  Ihortly 
at  an  endc : 
hofc  abfcnce  yet  although  my  hope  doth  tell 
me  playne 
pWith  Jhort  retume  he  comes  anone,  ycl  eeafcth 

not  my  payne : 
|The  fearcfuU  drcanie*  I  hate,  oft  tymc»  doc  grieve 

me  fo, 
[That  when  1  wake,  I  lye  in  doubte,  where  they 

be  true  or  no  : 
'sometimes  the  roaring  fcai,  me  fcmct  do  grow 

fo  hyc. 
That  my  deare  Lord,  ay  me,  alaj !  methinkcs  I 
fee  him  dye. 
J  other  time  the  fame  doth  tell  me  he  U  come, 
od  playing,  where  I  Ihall  hym  finde  with  his 
fairc  little  foiinc, 
ko  fourth  i  goe  apace  to  fee  that  Icfcfomc  fight, 
l>%nd  with  a  kyffc,  mcthinkc  I  lay  welcome  my 
I  lord  my  knight, 

I  Welcome  my  fwcte,  alas,  the  ftay  of  my  welfare. 
iTtiy  preTence  bringcth  forth  a  truce  atwat  me 
I  and  my  care : 

[Tben  lively  doth  he  took,  and  falvcth  me  agaync, 
I  Afid  layth  my  dere  bow  U  it  now  that  you  have 
all  this  payne  f  [brefl, 

f  Wherewith  the  heavy  carei  that  hcapt  arc  in  my 
"  rtakc  fourth  and  mc  difchjirgcn  dene  ef  all  my 
huge  onreft. 


But  when  \  me  awake,  and  &id  it  but  a  dreame 
1  he  anguiih  of  mj  former  wo  beginneth  more 

extreme 
And  mc  tormcnteth  fo  that  uneath  may  1  fynde. 
Some  hidden  peace  wherein  to  Hake  the  gnawing 

of  my  myndc*  [bumc, 

Thu»  every  way  you  fee  wythe  abfcnce  how  I 
And  for  my  wound  no  cure  I  fynde  but  hoape 

of  good  retume; 
Save  when  I  thynke  by  fowre  how  fwctc  is  felt 

the  more  [fore  t 

It  doth  abate  fome  of  my  paynes,  that  t  abod«  be* 
And  then  unto  myfelf  I  fay,  when  we  flial]  mct^^ 
But  little  whyle  (hall  feme  thy*  paync,  the  jof 

fhall  be  fo  fwcte. 
Ye  wyndcs  I  you  conjure  in  cheifefl  of  your  rage. 
That  yc  my  lord  fafely  fend  my  forrowei  to  af« 

And  th:it  I  may  not  long  abydc  in  thys  cxcefle, 
Do  your  ffood  will  to  cure  a  wyght  that  liveth  ii] 
diXkreflc, 


A  praifi  9/  hyi  Love,  vghereitt  l«  refrmttth  ihtm  fitff 

eomfiare  tbeir  tadiet  ^ttb  Lis, 

Give  place  ye  lover*  here  before. 

That  fpent  your  boaQct  and  bragges  in  yain. 

My  bdtct  bcuty  paffeth  more. 

The  beft  of  your*  1  dare  well  fayne, 

Then  doth  the  funne  the  caundle  lyght. 

Or  bryghteft  day  the  darkcil  nyght. 

And  thereto  hath  a  troth  as  jufl, 

Ai  had  Penelope  the  fayrc, 

For  wlut  ihc  faycth  yc  may  it  ciuft. 

At  it  by  wrytyng  fealed  were  : 

And  virtue*  hath  Ihe  many  moc. 

Than  I  wyth  pen  have  (kill  to  flioe, 

I  could  rchcrfe  if  that  I  would. 

The  whole  cffcdle  of  nature*  playnt. 

When  fhe  had  lofl  the  perfcdc  mfulde^ 

The  like  t»  whom':  fhe  could  not  paynte  : 

With  wringejng  hands^  how  fhe  did  cj^y, 

And  what  Ibc  laid.  1  know  it,  I. 

I  knowe  (he  fworc  with  rage  in  g  mynde. 

Her  kyngdome  only  fct  apart ; 

There  wa*  no  loffe  hy  law  of  kynde. 

That  could  have  gone  fo  ncre  her  hearte  \ 

And  thin  wa»  chiefely  all  her  payne* 

She  could  not  make  the  lyke  agaync. 

Syth  nature  thus  gave  her  the  prayfe. 

To  be  the  chiefcft  workc  (he  wroughtc; 

In  fayth  mc  thynke  fome  better  ways. 

On  your  behalfe  myghte  well  he  £bughte« 

Then  to  compare  (as  you  have  done) 

To  matche  the  candle  withe  the  funnc. 


TV  a  LaMt  that  fi^iud  lit  Javu, 

Altbovobi  1  ha^e  a  chedte, 
To  geve  the  mate  i»  hardc  ; 
For  I  have  found  a  ncckc. 


<M^ 


THS  VTiiRKS   or  SUftRVT. 


And  TOD  tlitt  hardy  are, 
Ib^jcve  fo  great  aflaye 
Unto  a  man  of  warre 
To  dryte  hys  men  away : 
Isocde  yoo  take  good  hede, 
And  markc  this  foolyih  ¥crfe  ; 
lor  I  wyll  fo  proryde, 
mat  i  wyil  haTe  yon  fierce. 
And  when  your  ferce  is  had. 
And  ail  your  warre  it  done. 
Then  (hall  yoorfelf  be  glad. 
To  end  that  you  begonne. 
Foir  if  by  channcc  I  winne, 
¥Dar  peribnne  in  the  feikfo. 
To  late  then  you  come  in 
Yoor  lelfe  to  me  to  yelde. 
Far  I  win  life  my  power. 
As  captayne  fall  ot  myghte ; 
And  fuch  I  will  devoure, 
Aa  ufe  to  IKcw  my  ^^fate. 
And  for  becaulie  you  gave 
Me  cheke  in  your  degree  ; , 
This  Tanttge  lo  1  havie,' 
How  check  and  gnardc  to  thee: 
Beiead  it  if  thou  may, 
Stand  ftyffe  in  thyne  •StaU  ; 
For  fure  I  will  allay, 
If  I  can  jgeve  the  mate. 


A  ttsnuMg  $0  Ae  Ltver^hruticu  ohjfidBy  U*  L0W, 

To  dearly  had  1  bonghte  my  grene  and  youthful 

ycres. 
If  in  myne  age  f  coulde  not  fynde,  when  ^craft  for 

lore  apperes.  [reft. 

And  feldome  though  I  come  in  Court  among  the 
Yet  can  I  iudge  in  coloors  dymme,  as  deep  as  can 

the  bed. 
%Vhere  grief  tormentealhe  man  that  fufifereth  fe- 

cret  fmart. 
To  breake  it  fourth  unto  fome  frende,  it  eaftth 

well  the  heart : 
So  (land  it  now  with  me,  (for  my  beloved  (rend) 
This  cafe  is  thine,  for  whom  I  feel  Inch  torments 

of  my  mynde ; 
And  for  thy  fake,  I  burne  fo  in  my  fecret  brefle. 
That  tyll  thou  know  my  whole  di(eafe,  my  heart 

can  have  bo  reft. 
I  fee  how  thyne  abale  hath  wrefted  fo  thy  wittes, 
That  all  it  yeldes  to  thy  dclirc,  and  foUowes  thee 

by  fittes. 
Where  thou  haft  loved  fo  long,  with  heart  and 

aH  rhy  power,  [devour ; 

I  fee  thee  fed  with  fayned  wordet,thy  freedom  to 
I  know,  (though  flie  fay  nay,  and  would  it  weH 

withflande. 
When  in  her  grace,  thou  yeldeft  thee  moft,  fte 

bare  tl^ce  bvt  in  hand  ^ 
I  fee  her  pleafant  cberCfifTchiefeft  of  thy  fuite, 
When  thoQ  art  gone,  •  I  fee  him  come,  that  ga- 

«hers  up  ^e  (ruite ; 
And  eke  in  thy  refped,  I  (ce  the  bafc  degree. 
Of  him  to  whom  (he  gave  the  hart|  thlit  promifcd 

was  to  thee. 


I  fee  (what  woulde  yon  more)  ftodeaevcr 

fure. 
On  wonnms  woord,  but  ^vtledoBie  wooU  t 

it  to  endure. 

— ,-a 


rhefirfahm  Lover  defirAO,  amiJkr/mbA 

O  Lothfome  place  where  I, 
Have  ieenc  and  heard  my  dere  $ 
When  in  my  hart  her  -eye. 
Hath  made  her  thought  appcro. 
By  gltnfiog  with  fuch  grace. 
As  ^rtune  it  ne  woulde 
That  laften  any  fpace, 
fietween  us  longer  (houlde. 
As  fortune  did  advance. 
To  further  my  dcfire, 
.Even  fo  hath  fortune!  chaunce, 
Throwen  all  ammiddes  the  myre« 
And  that  J  have  deferved. 
With  true  and  faithful!  hart ; 
As  to  his  handes  rcferved. 
That  never  felt  the  ftnaru 
But  happy  is  that  man. 
That  fcapeth  hath  the  gricfe. 
That  love  will  (eek  him  can. 
By  wanting  his  reliefc. 
A  fcourge  %p  quiet  myndes. 
It  u  wi)o  taketh  hede ; 
A  common  plague  that  byodci^ 
A  travell  without  mede. 
This  gift  it  hath  alfo. 
Who  fo  enjoyes  it  moft, 
A  thoufand  troubles  grow, 
Yo  vcK  his  wearied  ghofU 
And  laft  it  may  not  long, 
'1  he  trueft  thyoge  of  all ; 
And  fure  the  greateft  wronge. 
That  is  within  thyts  thralL 
But  (ince  thou  defert  place,  . 
Caoft-give  me  no  accomptc;     . 
Of  my  dcfyred  grace. 
That  I  to  have  was  wont : 
Farewell '.  thou  haft  me  taughte^ 
To  thmke  me  not  the  fyrfte. 
That  love  hathe  fet  a  loft. 
And  caften  in  the  duiL 


.7^. 


The  Lover  Jejerilei  bis  reflect  Efak^ 

As  oAe  as  I  beholde  and  fe. 
The  foveraigne  bcautie  that  me  bonode. 
The  nier  my  comforte  is  to  me, 
AlaA  !  the  freihcr  is  my  wound. 
As  flame  doth  quench  by  ra^e  of  fire. 
And  runr.iiijir  Orcmes  ccnfunicsby  raine^ 
So  doth  the  fight  that  I  defire, 
Appeafe  my  gricfc  and  deadly  paine. 
Firft  when  I  faw  thofe  chryftal  ftremei^ 
Wbofe  beauty  made  my  mortall  wooode^ 
llittle  thoughte  within  her  beamci^ 
*  So  fwcte  a  venom  to  be  fonad^ 


80NOB8!ifLVD  80M£TrE8. 


did  |>ricice  me  forth, 
id  did  whtppe  and  gujde; 
take  my  grief  in  worth 
pc  my  harme  did  hide, 
full  oft  be  foonde, 
CCS  do  rore  and  cry, 
t  full  oft  rebound, 
{k  ful  bitterly, 
e  own  decay, 
res  flame  in  hiibreft; 
;  to  pur  ayray, 
bredeth  mine  noreft. 


rdcd  not 
tde  by  me, 
•  fpot 
jiiedic ; 
ifie  ftrange, 
to  witc ; 
t  to  change 
.itc. 

w^ell  dffpraile 
:crprife, 
pcfe 

in  price  : 
wle  in  fighty 
\o  cxcell ; 
It  in  the  night 
IV  righte  well. 
10  faile, 
portc ; 

lid  do:h  faile, 

:fort ;  • 

avcn  fare, 
ID  blufliing  winde; 
in  ure 
finde. 

ot  fo  lightc, 
ih  kinde, 
n  my  wignte, 
0  unbinde  : 
cave  the  kindc 
sdcrs  fo. 
no  n^.inde 
ngcs  fo ; 
igo  at  all, 
ay  not  be, 
Tekc  to  fall 
ic. 
win, 
forgo,^ 
to  begin, 
lisbelo? 
ot  frefe, 
kinde ; 
annot  Itfc 
of  mindc : 
L  tlic  fire, 
vlafe  and  bumc, 
Ire 
}ught  to  turne. 


^  fF'tmem  Uwardt  tbekr  Lnmwu 

Wrapt  in  me  carelefle  ddw,  u  I  walk  to  and 

fro, 
I  fee  how  lore  can  (hew  what  force  there  retgo* 

eth  in  hit  bow, 
Abd  how  he  (hoCeth  eke  a  harty  hart  to  woond  \ 
And  where  he  glaimceth  by  again,  that  little  hnrC 

is  found. 
For  fekhne  is  it  lene  he  wonnde  the  harts  aUke ; 
The  tone  may  rage,  when  tothert  k>ve  it  oIkh 

forretoieke! 
All  this  1  fee  with  more,  and  wonder  tfainketh  mcv 
How  he  can  ftrike  the  one  Ui  fore,  and  leave  die^- 

other  free ; 
I  lee  that  woonded  wight,  that  fnflereth  aU-  tUi 

wrong. 
How  he  is  fod  with  yeas  and  nays,  and  liveth  al 

to  long 
In  iilence,  though  I  kepe  fuch  fecretes  to  my  felf  t 
Yet  do  I  fee  Imwihe  fomctime  doth  yeMe  a  kioke' 

by  ftelth. 
As  though  it  fcmde,  y  wis  y  will  not  lofe  the  fo. 
When  in  her  hart  fo  fwete  a  thought  did  never 

truly  grow; 
Then  (ay  I  thus,  alas,  that  man  is  farrefrom  blifle 
That  doth  receiye  for  his  relief  none  other  game 

but  this; 
And  (he  that  fedes  him  fo,  I  fele  and  find  it  plain. 
Is  but  to  glory  in  her  power,  that  over  fuch  can 

raignc; 
Nor  are  fuch  graces  fpent,  but  when  (he  thinks 

that  he 
A  wery  man  is  fully  bent  fi|ch  fancies  to  let  flee. 
Then  to  retaune  him  ftill,  (he  wrefleth  new  her 

grace; 
And  (inileth  lo  as  though  (he  woulde  forthewith 

the  man  embrace : 
Bat  when  the  proofe  is  made  to  try  fuch  loket 

witball. 
He  findcrh  then  the  place  alvoide,  and  frighted 

fuUofGall: 
Lord  what  abufe  is  this !  who  can  fuch  women 

pralfe? 
That  fqr  theire  glory  do  devife  to  ufe  fuch  craf- 
ty ways :  [rowe, 
I  that  amonge  the  reft,  do  fit  and  marke  the ' 
Find  that   in  her  is  greater  crafte  then  is  in 

twenty  moe, 
Whofe  tender  years,  alas!  with  wilcs  fo  wel  are 

fpcd. 
What  will  (he  do,  when  hory  heares,  are  pow- 
dered in  her  hcd  \ 


:». 

y  '• 


An  Anpwtrt  km  tit  hthaXfof  a  ttTomam  of  an  umeer^ 
tain  AtiQbw, 

Girt  in  my  giltfes  gowne,  as  I  fit  here  and  fow 
I  iee  that  thinges  are  not  in  dcde  a«  to  the  out- 
warde  (bow.   '  [what  nerct^ 

And  who  fo  lift  to  loke,  ai^  aotc  thinges  T  ~ 


id4 


THE    WORKS    OF   SURREY. 


b 


Shil  find  wher  plainciTe  fcmei  to  hautit,  noihj^ig 

but  craft  appedr : 
For  wiih  indLdVrcntcyci  my  felf  can  weil  clifcerne. 
How  Tom  to  guide  a  (hip  in  flormes  fekc  for  to 

take  the  ftcrne ; 
Whofe  practice  it  were  ptoucd  in  cilme  to  (lerc  » 

barge, 
AfTurcdly  believ  it  well  it  were  to  great  a  charge  : 
A  ad  fome  1  fe  again  lit  ilitl  and  fay  but  fmalJ, 
That  coalde  do  ten  times  more  then  they  that  fay 

thry  can  do  aJl ; 
Whole    goodly  gtftci  are  fuch,    the  more  they 

uiidcrAand, 
The  more  they  ft^ke  to  learne  and  know,  and 

uke  Icfc  charge  in  hand. 
And  to  declare  more  plain  the  time  fleets  not  fo 

faft. 
But  I  can  bear  full  weil  in  mind  the  fong  now 

fong  and  paft» 
The  aador  whereof  come  wrapt  in  a  crafty  ckikri 
With  will  to  force  o  flaming  fire,  where  he  (.ouid 

raifc  DO  Imoke; 
If  power  and  witl  had  pined,  a»  it  appcreth  plaine. 
The  truth  no  right  had  tane  no  place  their  ver* 

tue»hdd  been  vain^ 
So  that  you  may  perceive,  and  I  may  falfly  fe 
The  innocent  that  giltle0e  h^  conckmpfied  fhould 

have  be. 


The  CofiJJaMt  Lavtr  LamtmtS^, 


SiN«  fortunes  wrath  envicth  thewelth 
Wherein  I  raigned  by  the  fi^ht 
Of  that,  thai  fed  mine  eye*  by  flekh« 
With  fowrc,  fwcte»  dread  and  dctight. 
Let  not  my  gricfe  move  you  to  monc^ 
For  ]  will  wepe  and  wailc  alone. 
Spite  drave  me  into  Borcaft  raigne, 
Where  hoary  froftcj  the  fruite*  do  bite. 
When  hills  were  fprcad,  and  every  plaine 
With  llormy  winters  mantle  white. 
And  yet  my  dcrc  fudi  wai  my  heate, 
When  others  frcazc  then  did  I  fweatc. 
And  now,  though  on  the  funnc  I  drive, 
Whofc  fervent  flame  all  thingcs  dccaica. 
Hi*  bcamct  in  brightnefle  may  not  ftriyc, 
With  light  of  your  fwetc  golden  raycs ; 
Nor  from  my  brcfte  ihii  heate  remove, 
Tlie  frozen  ihoughtci  graven  by  love. 
He  may  the  waves  of  the  fait  floode 
Quench  that  your  beau  tic  fet  on  fyrc. 
For  though  n»ync  eye*  forbearc  the  foode, 
That  dyd  relieve  iJ^ic  hot  dcfire  i 
Such  a»  I  was,  fuch  will  I  be, 
Your  owne,  what  wouldc  you  more  of  me  I 


Ji  8$mg  mriHin  iy  tie  Ear/e  ef  SoiKKT,  jn  Za^ 
lltat  t  tfujtd  to  Datifnt  with  him* 

£cic  bcafl  can  choofc  hit  fere  acoordiog  to  lui 

myndc, 
«Ab(1  ^^^  can  ihcwc  a  friendly  cherc  lyke  to  thtir 
beailly  kynde; 


A  lyon  faw  I  late  at  whyce  a*  «oy  Cbove, 
Which  femcd  well  to  teadc  (be  race,  \x»  jjMnUn 

fame  did  ihowe  : 
Upon  the  gentle  beafk  to  ga<e  it  plcaled  me. 
For  fiiU  mc  thoughte  he  fccmed  veU  of  Mllf 

bloud  to  be. 
And  as  he  praunced  before,  llilt  feekaii^  Cpri ai^ 
As  who  wnuM  lay,  there  is  ikmqc  berc,  I  tnm 

will  me  furi'ake ; 
I  might  perceive  a  woolfe  as  white  at  w^bAtetbo^ 
A  fairer  bea(le,of  frefhcr  hoc  beheld  I  never  imi. 
Save  that  her  Inokei  were  cof,  aad  frowird^ 

her  gracc» 
Unto  the  whichc  this  gentle  he^SL  gu>  ham  timet 

apace. 
And  with  a  becke  full  lowe  he  bo wrd  at  her  feeec. 
In  hunible  wife,  a«  who  woulde  fay^  t  la  w» 

furrc  unrnccte. 
But  fuch   u  fcornfuU  chere   wHerewhii  flie  Ibi 

rewarded, 
Was  never  fcene  I  trowe  the  Uke  to  fuch  uvd 

dcferved. 
With  that  fhe  flart  afyde  well  neerc  a  foot  or  twifli^ 
And  unto  him  tnui  gan  Ihe  fay  with  fpytctfl 

great  difdaine, 
Lyon  (he  fsrdc,  if  thou  hadefl  known  my  fliii 

before. 
Thou  hadd  not  fpent  thy  travaHc  thot,  aar  il 

thy  paine  for  lore*  [sac, 

Do  way  I  letr  thee,  wcte  thou  Ihalt  Eiot  play  wii 
Go  range  about,  where  thou    oi^iit  fiede  Eavi 

meter  fere  for  thee. 
With  that  he  bet  his  tayle,  hit  eye*  hegaa  to  0iBi| 
I  might  perceive  Ivis  noble  heart,  much  tneved  If 

the  fame. 
Yet  faw  I  him  rcfrayne,  and  eke  his  wrsthdTvigl* 
And  unto  her  thus  gan  he  fay,  when  he  wupi 

fus  rajije, 
Crficl  ynu  do  me  wrorge,  to  fct  tne^us  fo  ligto:, 
Without  dcfcrt  fur  my  good  wtU,  to  0kc«  W 

ihusd^rpytc; 
How  can  ye  thtis  coircate  a  lyon  of  the  net, 
1  hat  with  hi^  pawca,  a  crowned  hynge 

in  the  place. 
Whcfe  nature  is  to  pfry  upon  no  liiopte  fpode, 
As  long  a^  he  may  luckc  tlie  flclh,  and  drmk  4 

noble  bloud. 
If  you  be  fay  re  and  frcfl),  am  t  not  of  your  Im^ 
And  for  my  vaunt  T  dare  well   fay,  my  bind  i 

not  untrue- 
For  you  ynurfcif  have  heard«  it  it  uot  long  ifii* 
Sith  that  for  love»  one  of  the  race  djd 

life  in  wo. 
In  tower  flrong»  and  hye  for  his  aflttred  tr«th|^ 
Whereas  in  tcar»  he  fpent  hit  breathi  ajv 

more  the  ruth. 
Thyt  gentle  beafle  fo  dyed,  wHoni  oothtiif  co^ 

rrmtjve,  (Iwi* 

But  willingly  to  Iccfc  hys  life  for  lofs  of  ku 
Other  there  be,  whofe  live*  do  lingrr  *1iU  la 
Againil  fheir  wills  preferved    are,  ^ 

have  dyed  fayne. 
But  flow  I  do  perceive, that  oought  is  mvnA'ftk 
My  good  cntenc  my  gentle  heait,  oer  fff  •§ 

kiode  fo  true. 


SONOES   AMD   SONETTES. 


fc* 


lut  that  your  will  is  fucK,  to  lure  me  to  the  trade. 
And  other  fome  full  many  yercs  to  trice  bj  craft 

ye  made. 
And  thuf  behold  our  k^ndet  how  that  we  diiTcr 

farre, 
1  feck  mj  foeif  and  you  your  fireodct  do  ihretcn 

ftill  with  warrt, 
t  fatine  where  1  amfed»  you  flay,  that  ftfkei  to  you, 
1  can  devour  no  yd  ding  prey,  you  kill  where  you 

fubdue. 
My  kind  is  lo  dcflre  the  honour  of  the  feild, 
And  you  with  blond  do  flake  your  thy  rile  on  fuch 

as  to  you  yetde  : 
Wherefore  1  woulde  you  wifte,  that  for  your  c^y- 

ed  tookes, 
I  im  no  man  that  will  be  trapt,  nor  tangled  with 

fuch  hookcs. 
And  though  fome  iuft  to  love, where  blamcfuli  well 

they  might, 
And  to  fuch  beadet  of  current  fort,  that  would 

have  travail  bright ; 

I  win  obferve  the  lawc,  thit  nature  gmve  to  me,     \ 

i  To  conquer  fuch  at  will  re  Oil,  and  Ut  the  rcll  go) 

I  free  :  > 

And  ai  a  faulcon  free,  that  fofcth  in  the  ayre, 

Which  never  fed  on  hand  nor  lure,  nor  for  no  fLalc 

doth  care. 
WbUe  that  I  live  and  breathe,  fuch  Oialt  my  cuf-* 

tome  be, 
In  wildnefs  of  the  woodes,  to  feck  my  prey  where 

pleafecb  me : 
Where  many  one  (ball  rue,  that  never  made  offence, 
*rhu»  your  rcfufc  againil  my  puwer,  fhall  bote 

them  no  defence. 
And  for  revenge  thereof,  I  vow  and  fw'ear  theretn, 
A  thoufand  fpoylci  I  Ihall  commyt^  1  never  tbougtit 

to  doc. 
Ai)d  if  to  lyght  on  you  my  luck  fo  good  (hall  be, 
1  fhall  be  glad  to  feed  on  that,  that  would  kuvc 

fed  on  me. 
And  thui  farcwellc  unkynd,  to  whom  I  bent  and 

bnwe, 
[  would  ynu  will,  the  Ihip  h  fafe,  that  bare  hit 

faylea  fo  lowe. 
I  that  a  lyon«  hart^  ia  for  a  wolfe  no  pre  ye, 
t  bloody  inouthc  go  flake  your  thiril  on  liniplc 

ihepe  1  fay. 
I  more  defpyte  and  ire,  than  1  can  now  cx- 

preffe, 
bich  to  my  payne,  thmigh  f  rcfrayn,  the  caufc 

you  may  well  gucfi. 
I  for  becaufe  my  fcU  wa»  au^our  of  the  f.ime, 
FW»tes  me  not  that  for  my  wrath,  I  ftiouJde 

diilurbe  the  fame. 

W'/ai^mli  Lwrr  J/darfth  Lh  Fdjnsj  and  hm  v/t- 
i^wUiMf  ytyi,  ami  vnth  trntly  /^#  rti4m/Qtt  f*me* 

rc  do  caufc  men  crye,  why  do  not  I  com- 

playne 
b#  mao  do  bcwaile  hit  Wo»  why  Ihcw  I  not 

mj  payne  i 


Synee  that  amongfl  them  all,  T  dare  well  fajis  none. 
So  farre  from  weal^  fo  full  of  woe,  or  hath  more 

caufe  to  mone. 
For  all  thingcs  havctng  life,  fometlmc  hatli  qtitet 

reft,  [heail  i 

The  bearing  affc,  the  drawing  oic,  and  every  other 
The  peafant.  and  the  poll,  that  fervetatallallayei, 
The  (hip  boy,  and  the  galley  Jlave,  have  time  to 

take  their  eafc. 
Save  I,  alas  1  whom  c*Tc  of  force  doth  fo  conflrayn*. 
To  wale  the  day,  and  wake  the  nighty  contiaaaUjr 

in  payne. 
From  pcnfivenefi  to  plaint,  from  plaint  to  bitter 

tcares, 
From  t cares  to  paynfull  playot  igaine,  and  thm 

my  life  it  wcarca. 
Nothyng  under  the  fun,  that  1  can  heare  or  fee. 
But  movcth  me  for  to  bewayle  my  cruel  dcflynj* 
For  where  men  do  rejoycc  ( Cnce  that  \  cannot  fo) 
I  take  no  pleafurc  in  that  place,  it  doubleth  bot 

my  woe. 
And  when  I  hear  the  found  of  fong  or  inflrumenC 
Methinke  echc  tunc  there  dolcfuU  ii,  and  hetpi| 

me  to  lament; 
And  if  I  fee  fome  havcthcyrc  moil  defyredfyghcei 
Aias !  thynke  1,  eche  man  hath  weale  favc  t  molt 

wofull  wyghte. 
Then  as  the  (Irickco  d^tst^  withdrawes  hlmfelf 

alone^ 
So  d*  ]  fceke  fome  fecret  place,  where  I  may  make 

my  moaiie. 
There  do  my  flowing  cyc»  fhcw  fourthe  my  melc- 

ting  hart, 
%o  the  ft  rem  e*  of  thofc  two  welles,  right  well  dc- 

cbrc  my  Jmart, 
And  in  thofc  carei  fo  could  1  force  my  felf  a  heate« 
As  Cicke  men  in  theyr  fhaktng  fittei  procure  theno- 

felfe  to  fweate* 
With  thoughte»  that  for  the  tyme  do  much  ap* 

pcafe  my  payne. 
But  yet  they  caufe  a  farther  fcare,  and  brede  Wf 

wo  agaync.  [«ppet« 

Metbinkc  within  my  thought  I  fee  right  ptayne 
My  hartci  delight,  my  forowe*  lethe,  mync  earthly 

goddcfll'  here, 
With  everyTondry  grace  that  1  have  fcenc  her  hare, 
Thui  1  within  my  wofull  brcft  her  pidure  paynt 

and  grave  ; 
And  in  my  thought  I  role  her  bcautiei  too  andfro^ 
Her  laughing  chcre,  her  lively  looke,  my  heaft 

that  pcrccd  fo. 
Her  ftracgenet  when  I  fucd  her  fervaunt  for  to  be, 
And  what  fhe  fayde,  and  how  fhe  fmylde,  when 

that  (he  pitied  me. 
Tlicn  romei  a  fodyane  fearc  that  ruethall  my  reft, 
1^(1  abfeace  caufe  forgetfulne*  to  finke  withiii 

her  breft.  [divyde. 

For  when  I  thioke  how  farre  this  earth  doth  ua 
Alas,  me  femes  love  rhrowi  me  downe,  I  felc  how 

that  I  ilide  : 
But  when  I  thinkc  agaync,  why  fbouid  I  thu*  mif- 

truft,  [juft. 

So  f«rete  a  Avi^ht,  fo  fad  and  wife,  that  it  fo  tr«c  and 
For  loth  fhe  was  to  love,  and  wavering  ii  (he  not. 
The  farther  ofi'the  more  dcfyrd^  chu»  lovcrt  rye 

theyr  knot ; 


II 


U6 


THE    WORKS   OF   SURREY. 


So  in  dilpayrc  and  hoape  plunged  am  I  both  up 
and  downe, 

As  is  the  (hip  with  wnid  and  wave,  when  Nep- 
tune lift  to  fcowne. 

But  a*  the  watery  (bowers  delay  the  raging  wiiiJ, 
.  So  doth  goo«l  hoape  cleane  put  away  difpayrc  out 
of  my  mytidc ; 

And  byddes  for  to  fervc  and  fuffcr  patiently, 

l^or  what  wot  I  the  after  wcale  that  fortune  wiles 
to  mc. 

For  thofe  that  care  dp  knowe,  and  tafted  have  of 
trouble, 

"When  paflcd  is  theyr  wofull  paync,  cchc  joy  fliall 
feme  them  double  : 

And  bytter  fcudes,  ihe  now  to  make  me  tafle  the 
better. 

The  plcafant  fweic  when  that  it  comes  to  make  it 
fcem  the  fwetcr. 

And  fo  determine  I  to  fcrve  until  my  breath. 

Yea  rather  dye  a  thoufand  times  than  once  to  falfc 
my  fayth. 

And  if  my  coole  corps  through  weight  of  wofull 
fmart,  [hart, 

I>o  fnylc  or  faint,  my  will  it  is  that  Hill  flie  kcpc  my 

And  when  this  carcas  here  to  earth  (hall  be  refard, 

I  do  bequeath  my  wericd  ghofi  to  fervc  her  after- 
ward. 


— T 

0  i 

^le  mean  ft  to  atiirym  bal'Py  Life, 

Mahtiall  the  thinp^c*  that  doe  attaync 
The  happy  lyfe,  be  thefe  I  fynde, 
The  riches  left,  not  got  with  paync. 
The  fruitful!  groundc,  the  quiet  myudc, 
The  cgall  frcnd  no  grudge  no  (Irifc, 
No  charge  of  rule  nor  govcrnauncc ; 
AVithout  difcafe  the  healthful  lyfc, 
The  houlhold  of  continuance. 
The  mcane  dyet  no  delicate  fare. 
True  wifdomc  joyndc  with  nmplcnciTe  ; 
The  night  difchargcd  of  all  care, 
.  "Where  wine  the  wittc  may  not  opprcfle. 
The  faithfuU  wyfe  without  debate, 
Such  Ucpe  as  may  beguile  the  night, 
Contcnt'^tl  with  thine  nwnc  eftatc, 
Nc  wilh  for  death,  ne  fcare  his  might. 


- — ^ 

Prayfe  of  meant  andcwifunt  efate. 

Of  thy  lyfe  Thomas,  this  compafTe  well  markc 
Not  aye  with  full  failes  tbc^hye  feas  to  bcatc\ 
Ne  by  coward  dred,  in.ni(>nning  ftornics  daike. 
On  (hallowe  Oiores  thy  keel  in  perill  fret. 
Who  fo  gladly  halfeth  the  golden  meane, 
Voide  of  dauogers  advifcdly  hath  his  hoihie, 
Not  with  lothfomc  muckc  as  a  den  uneleauc. 
Nor  palace  Uk«,  whereat  difdayne  may  glome. 
The  lofty  pjrne  the  great  wind  often  rives, 
"U'ith  violentcr  fwey  falne  tunets  ftepc, 
l^ightnings  aiTaurc  the  high  mountaiues  and  clives, 
A  hart  well  fia^dci  in  overchwartcs  d^pe^ 


Hoapetli  amcndes,  in  fwete,  doth  fearc  tb:  {uvar, 
God  that  fcudeth,  withdraweth  winter  fharpc. 
No  will  not  aye  thus,  once  Phebiw  to  lowre. 
With  bowe  unbent,  fludl  ceilc  and  frame  to  hir^ 
Hii  voyce  in  ftrayte  eilate  appearc  thou  (kouis 
And  fo  wifely,  when  lucky  gal^  of  wiude 
Al!  thy  puk  laytrs  (hall  fili.looke  wcU  about, 
lake  in  a  riit,  haik  is  waft,  proofc  dothe  fiuoe. 

Prarfes  of  certain  Pfalmes  of  If  avid  tratfwiei  ij  Sa 
T.  W.  the  tldcr, 

Tn  E  great  Macedon,  that  out  of  PcHU  chafed 
Darius,  of  whofe  huge  powers  all  Afle  roog. 
In  the  riche  arke  Dan  Homers  rimes  he  placed, 
Wo  feigned  gcftcs  of  heathen  princes  fong, 
What  holy  grave,  what  worthy  iepulchfe 
To  Wyates  pfalms  ihould  Chriilians  then  parckift ; 
Where  he  doth  paint  the  ly  vely  faith  and  pore. 
The  ftedfaft  hope  the  fweetc  retume  to  grace. 
Of  juft  David  by  pcrfite  penitence. 
Where  rulers  may  fee  in  a  myrrour  dear. 
The  bytter  fruiic  of  fali'c  concupifcence, 
HowJe\vry  bought  Urias  death  ful  deare. 
In  princes  hartes  Gods  fcourge  emprtnted  dq«, 
Ought  them  awake  out  of  their  fixiifull  flcpc. 


r  ? 

Of  the  Death  cf  the  fame  Sir  T.  W'. 

DivEits  thy  death  do  dyverfly  bemone. 
Some  that  in  prcfence  of  thy  livelihed 
Lurked,  whofe  brcftes  envy  with  hate  had  fvofae, 
Yield  Ccjifars  feares  upon  Ponipeua  hed. 
Some  that  watched  with  the  murdercTn  knifr. 
With  eager  thyrft  to  drinke  thy  giltleffe  blood, 
Whofe  praiflife  brake  by  happy  end  of  lyfe, 
With  envious  tcarev  to  hearc  thy  fame  fo  good. 
But  I,  that  knew  what  harbred  in  tljat  ked 
What  vcrtucs  rare  were  tempred  in  that  brcj, 
Honour  the  place  that  fuch  a  jewel  tred. 
And  kifTc  the  gr<ucd  wheras  the  corps  doth  reft. 
With  vapourd  eyes,  from  whence  fuch  ftrcasa 

avayle. 
As  Pyramus  did  on  Thifbcs  brcfl  bewayle. 


^iit 


Of  tit  fame. 

Wtat  refteth  here,  that  quiche  could  never  rtS, 
Whofe  Heavenly  gvftes  encreafeth  by  difdapc, 
And  vcrtue  fankc  the  deper  in  his  brcC 
Such  profit  he  by  envy  could  obtayn. 

A  hed,  where  wiTdome  mtderies  did  frame. 
Whole  hammers  bet  flyll  in  that  lively  braiat, 
As  On  a  (lythe,  where  that  fonie  wuike  of  fuoc 

^Was  dayly  wrought,  to  turn  to  Brifaine5  jrijtt. 
A  vifa^e  llerue,  and  milde,  where  iMck  ^ 

^      '      gioWc,  *  ^  "     - 

Vyce  to  contemne,  in  virtue  to  rejoycc  : 
Amyd  great  ilormes,  whom  grace  aflured  f?. 
To  live  upright,  and  iinile  at  fcnuaes  chcjcc. 


gOKcTES    ifND   SONETTEi. 


ndy  that  tanght  what  might  be  fayd  in  ryme 

eft  Chaucer  the  glory  of  his  wit: 

ke,  the  which  (unparfited,  for  time) 

nay  approche,  but  never  nooc  ihall  hit. 

»Dg,  that  ferved  in  forein  reahncs  his  king, 

courteous  talke  to  Ttrtoe  did  inflame, 

3ble  hart,  a  woorthy  guyde  to  bring 

iglifli  youth,  by  travayle  unto  fame. 

:ye  whofe  judgment  none  afied  could  blind, 

»  to  allure  and  foes  to  reconcyle ; 

piercing  looke  did  reprefenc  a  mynde 

ertue  fraught,  repofed  nroyde  of  guyle. 

irt,  where  dreade  was  never  fo  impreft, 

ethe  thought»thatmight  the  trouth  avaunce 

her  fortune  loft  nor  yet  repreft, 

11  in  weltb,  or  yield  unto  mifchanncc, 

iliant  corps,  where  force  and  beauty  met, 

t  alas !  too  happy,  but  for  foes, 

and  ran  the  race,  that  nature  fct, 

ihodes  ihape,  where  ihe  the  mold  did  lofe. 

when  to  the  heavens  that  fimple  foule  is  fled 

left  with  fuch,  as  covet  Chrill  to  knowe, 

B  of  faith « that  never  ihal  be  dead ; 

r  our  health,  hut  not  received  fo. 

>r  our  gilt,  this  jewel  have  we  loft, 

rth  his  bones,  the  heavens  pofleiie  hisghoft. 


0/  the /ami. 

rude  age  when  knowledge  was  not  ryfe, 
in  Crete  and  other  were  that  uught, 
convert  to  profite  of  our  lyfe, 
ifter  death  to  have  theyr  temples  fought, 
le  yet  no  voyde  unthankful  I  tymes, 
of  fome  to  blaft  her  endlefs  fame, 
[ly  mcane  both  to  deterre  from  crime, 
our  fteppes  our  fequele  to  enflame : 
s  of  truth  if  Wyates  frendes  them  wayle, 
ly  dct  that  dead  or  quick  may  dayme, 
irc  wit  fpent,  employed  to  our  avayle, 
Chriit  is  taught  we  led  to  vertues  trayne. 
:ly  face  their  breaftes  how  did  it  freat, 
cyndres  yet,  with  envy  they  do  eate. 

-V^ 


ttmafaltts  dijbonorable  ll/t^  and  miftraUe  death, 

:rian  king  in  peace,  with  foule  defyre, 

thy  luftes,  that  ftaynde  his  regall  hart. 

e  that  ihould  fet  princely  heartes  on  fyre, 

d,  vanquiflit  for  want  of  marcial  arte, 

nt  of  fwordes  from  kifles  femed  ftrange, 

rder,  than  his  ladies  fyde,  his  targe, 

;lutton  feaftes,  to  fouldiers  fare,  a  change, 

met,  farre  above  a  garlandes  charge, 

afe  the  name  of  manhood  did  retaine, 

ed  in  flouth,  and  womannifh  delight, 

•f  fprite,  impacient  of  payne, 

le  had  loft  his  honour,  and  his  right 

:ime  of  wealth,  in  ftormes  appalled  with 

dread, 

red  himfelfe,  to  Khewe  fotnc  manfoU  dede. 


«or 


Han»  tn  age  It  eoniiKt  with  his  eame  efaU^  andhtn^tia 
age  •/  CbiUrM  it  the  happiejl  if  Oey  bad  fiiU  U 
uadajland  it, 

Latd  in  ray  qoict  bed,  in  ftudy  as  I  were 

I  faw  within  my  troubled  head,  a  heap  of  tliotighia 

appeav, 
And  every  thought  did  fhew  fo  lyvely  in  myne 

eyes. 
That  now  I  fight,  and  then  I  fmilde,  aa  caufc  of 

thoughts  did  ryfe. 
I  fawe  the  little  boy,  in  thought  how  oft  that  he 
Did  wiibe  of  God,  to  fcape  the  rod,  a  ull  yoitn^ 

man  to  be. 
The  young  man  eake  that  feles  his  bones  with 

paines  oppreft 
How  he  wonU  be  a  riche  <^  man,  to  live  and 

lye  at  reft  ?  [fore^ 

The  riche  olde  man  that  fees  his  end  draw  on  fo 
How  he  would  be  a  boy  againe  to  live  fo  much 

the  more.  [three. 

Whereat  full  oft  I  fmylde,  to  fee  how  all  thofe 
From  boy  to  man,  from  man  to  boy,  would  chop 

and  change  degree. 
And  muling  thus,  I  think,  the  cafe  is  very  ftrange* 
That  man  from  wealth,  to  live  in  wo,  doth  ever 

feke  to  change. 
Thus  thooghtfull  as  i  lay,  I  fawe  my  withered  Ifcyn, 
How  it  doth  fhew  my  dented  chewes,  the  flefli 

was  worn  io  thin. 
And  eke  my  tothelefs  chaps,  the  gates  of  my  right^ 

way, 
That  opes  and  ihuttes,  as  I  do  fpeak,  do  thus  unto 

me  fay ; 
The  white  and  horifh  heres,the  meflengersofage. 
That  (hew  like  lines  of  true  belief,  that  this  life 

doth  affuage, 
Biddes  the  lay  hand,  and  feele  them  hanging  on 

thy  chin. 
The  whiche  doth  write  to  ages  paft,  the  third  now 

coming  in,  [tyme. 

Hang  up  therefore  the  bitte,  of  thy  yong  wanton 
And  thou  that  therein  beaten  art,  the  happieft  life 

defyne :  [toye. 

Whereat  1  fighed,  and  fayde,  farewell  my  wonted 
TrulTe  up  thy  packe,  aad  trudge  from  me  to  every 

little  boy. 
And  tell  them  thus  from  me,  their  time  moft  hap- 
py is. 
If  to  theyr  time  they  reafon  had,  to  know  the 

truth  of  this. 


*-f  •   Benum  eft  mibi  quod  hamiUafi  me.    '^        ^■''' 

The  ftormes  are  paft,thefe  clouds  are  over  blownei 
And  humble  chere,  great  vigour  hath  repreft. 
For  the  dcfaulte  is  fet  apayne  for  knowne. 
And  patience  graft  in  a  determed  breft. 
And  in  the  heart  where  heapes  of  griefes  were 

grown  e 
The  fwcte  revenge  ha«  planted  mirth  and  reft, 
No  company  fo  pleaUnt  as  mine  owne, 


4' 


^nmMom  «t  large,  liath  made  this  prifon  firee, 
INttger  well  paft  rememlired  worket  deligfat. 
Of  Uofetiog  donblet  fnche  hope  is  fproog  perdie, 
That  nonght  I  finde  ^plealaot  in  my  fight, 
V   But  when  my  gUfle  prelented  uito  me, 
)  The  cnreleCt  wound  that  hledith  day  and  night, 
(    To  think  (alas)  fuch  hap  flumld  gravnted  be ; 
^   tJtttoa  wivtch  that  hath  fo  oft  bMnihed, 
Vor  Britannes  iake  (alas)  and  now  is  ded. 

?^ 


Mt  lUtdi^  when  thy  rechelefb  youth  offender 
Iteoeive  thy  fcoorge  by  others  chaftifement. 
For  ftich  calling,  when  it  wooiket  none  amrndfi 
Then  pbges  are  fent  withont  adTertiicmcnt ; 
Yet  Salomon  iayd,  the  wronged  IhaU  r«cnre» 
Bvt  Wyatiaidtme,  the  icarre  doth  aye  endure,     I 


OF  SURJtAK*    ^ 

•/I 


The  £yiiy ,  wiuch  that  I  faBvc  ftnnd  kH 
ThathatkahmyhMm  cwiytamfmoi 
Semed  e£  late  t^  wmfoa  nqr  P>ig, 
And  badde  me  Ufa  eke  cnafe  e£  ngr  miia 
And  I  tetkwith  aid  pniiB  eat  eltke  tk 
That  dmnght  bi"  l%6t  Mf  pnidUi  kmn 
Some  other  wsy,  titt  I  fiiw  akk  mm  in 
And  CO  my  Icif  1  laid,  nlMb  tkeft  daftt 
In  wdn  were  ^peoc,  to  raaae  tke  nm  ii  1 
And  widi  that  tkeingkr,  I  naat  mygq 


Ontoftkewayi 

Bro^[gbt  me  i 

WkereialMii 

Againft  my  will,  fidi  ficrfrii  wjlkmyyi 


DIDO  AND  ABNEilS  GOIKO  TO  THE  FIELD. 


lND  AENEAS  GOING  TO  THE  FIELD  *j 

N8LAT£D   FROM   THF  FOURTH  JOOK  OF  TIRGIL's   EKEIDE. 


refliold  of  her  chamber  dore 
trds  did  on  the  qaene  attend ; 
ileed,   with    gold    and    purple 

iming  bit  ther  fcrcely  ftood» 

awayted  with  great  train, 

sf  Tyre  embroider*d  rich. 

r  behind  her  back,  hcf  trefle 

,  her  purple  Teftarc  eke 

id.  The  Trojans  of  her  train 

ith  gladfome  lulus, 

roodlieft  of  the  route, 

em,  knd  joyneth  dofe  the  throng. 

Ilo  leaveth  Lycia, 

ice,  and  Xanthut'  flood  likewife 

)it  mother's  manfion, 

d  furniihing  her  quire : 

id  the  foike  of  Driopes 

^thyrfies,  ihoute  and  crye» 


Environing  the  altars  round  about; 

When  that  he  walkes  npou  Mount  Cynthus*  top 

His  fparkled  trefile  repreft  with  garlandes  fofte» 

Of  tender  leaves*  and  truiCed  up  in  golde ; 

His  quivering  darts  clattering  behind  his  baclte. 

So  frelh  and  Indie  did  iBneasfenie — 

But  to  the  hills  and  wild  holtes  when  they  came»^ 

From  the  rockes  top  the  driver  favage  role. 

Loe  from  the  hilU  above,  on  thother  fide, 

i  hrough  the  wide  lawns  thy  gan  to  take  their 

courfe. 
The  hartes  likewife,  in  troops  taking  their  flight, 
Rayfing  the  duft,  the  mountain  fail  forfake. 
The  clulde  lulus,  blithe  of  his  fwift  fteede 
Amids  the  plaii],  now   pricks   by  them,  now 

thefe; 
And  to  encounter,  wiflieth  oft  in  minde. 
The  foming  boar  iiifteede  of  fearful  beads. 
Or  lion  browne,  might  from  the  hill  defcendL 


SSION,  AND  ITS  EFFECTES  ON  THE  RYSINGE  CITIEt 


FROM  TUC  SA&ie  BOOK. 


I  they  all  were  gone, 
moon  doth  cftc  wiihold  her  light ; 
'cs  provoked  unto  flcpe, 
18  within  her  palace  voide, 
irne  on  her  forfakco  bed  : 
flie  heares,  when  he  is  gone. 
Oft  in  her  cuppc  ihc  hoUcs 


Afcanius,  trapped  by  his  father *s  forme. 

So  to  begile  the  love  cannot  be  told  ! 

I'he  turrettcs  now  arize  not,  eril  begonne  : 

Neither  the  youth  wclde  arms,  nor  they  avance 

The  portes,  nor  other  mete  defence  for  warr. 

Broken  there  hang  the  worker,  and  myhty  frame 

Of  walles  high  railed,  thretening  the  ikic. 


iJtietvt/olUwifigfhuSf  art  mw  print§J^  fir  fbtjirfi^me. 


Surnft  p0cmtl 


THI   WORKS   OF  SURREY. 


Over  the  tomb   of  T'Lomas  Clere,  -?/f  •»  ^f^  Lamh  tb  Cburcb^  vjas  forma  I j  i 

V 


tablet  wUb  tbefolhwing  epit^ipb^  written  by  tbe  Earl  of  Surrey. 


!^<piTAPBiiiM  Tromje  Clcri,  qui  f^to  fun6lu»  ( 
eft  1545  audorc  Henrico  Howard  coniite  SurrI-  1 
cnil,  in  cujus  feliciH'ingenii  fpeciiiien  &  fingiilaris  j 
facunJIjB  ar)j;umcntuin  appcnfa  fuic,  hxc  tabula  \ 
per  W.Howard  filium  Thomx  nuprr  Ducis  Norf. 
£lii  ejufdcm  Hcnnci  comitis  5urrlcnili. 

Norfolkc  fpning  chcc,  Lambeth  holds  thee  dead, 
.Clerc  of  the  C-unt  of  Clercmom  thou  bight,  * 
Wi*hip  the  womb  of  Urnioud's  race  thou  bred, 
,6jic1  faweft  thy  cofin  crowned  in  thy  CgLt  \ 


Shelton  for  love,  Surrey  for  Lord  than  chalie. 
Aye  me  while  life  did  iaft  that  league  wastcodtr 
Tracing  whofo  Uept  thou  fawed  Kflfail  bUzc, 
Launderfcy  burnt  and  battered  fiulleyo's  reads; 
At  M'utirell  gates  hopclcfs  of  all  rccure 
'i'hine  Earl  half  dead  gave  in  thy  hand  hi}  vi^ 
Whic^  caufe  did  thee  tnis  pining  death  pfocve 
Ere  ft.mmers  four  times  fevcn  thou  couldfifhiil 
Aye  Clcre.  if  love  had  booted  care  or  cut 
Heaven  had  nut  wonue,  nor  earth  fo  tiinc*.|  !c& 


V  H  E 


POETICAL    WORKS 


•   F 


SIR    THOMAS    WYAT. 


•OirVITS,  I  miTATIOMf, 

VPISTI.SS,  I  TKAMSLATIfNt. 


I 
T«  which  Is  prdlzol 

rHE    LIFE    OF  TTHE    AUTHOR. 


They  with  the  Mnfes  who  coDTcrfed,  were 
That  priDCely  Su&ret,  early  io  the  time 
Of  the  Eight  Henry,  who  was  then  the  prime 
Of  England's  noble  youth.  With  him  there  c^me 
Wtat,  with  reverence  whom  we  ftill  do  name 
Amongft  our  poets :  Brtan  had  a  (hare 
With  the  two  former,  which  accounted  are 
The  time's  beft  makers,  and  the  authors  were 
Of  thofe  fmall  poems  which  the  title  bear 
Of  Somget  and  Sonuttu^  wherein  oft  they  hit 
On  many  dainty  paflages  of  wit* 

drattom's  clcot  to  kctmoloi; 


EDINBURGH: 

POINTED  BY  ^UNDELL  AND  SON,  ROYAt  BANK  CLOSB, 


pi|At  Wf  At  wu  the  foci  of  Henry  ^yat,  ETq.  of  AUingtoTi  Caftle,  io  K«tit,  where  hit 

a,  in  the  ycu  X  jsi-     U«  U  commonly  called  the  cl<ilcr»  to  dlftbguifh  him  from  hit  fon,  oC 

I  psmCf  who  r^i&'d  a  rebdU^in  tn  the  reign  of  (^ceo  Mary. 

iocincd  the  rudiMieot%  of  his  education  nt  Cambridge,  and  oftcrwards  went  to  Otford,  where 

»leted  his  fludics  ;  But  his  chief  and  moH  fplendld  accompiilhmencs  were  dcriycd  from  hit 

nto  Tarioua  p2ru  of  Europe,  which  he  frequently  vifited  in  the  quality  of  an  envoy. 

'u  the  contemporary  and  friend  of  the  atcompliihed  and  high-fptritcd  Earl  of  Surrey*    A 

y,  or  rather  famencf«  of  tafte  and  of  purfutts,  as  it  ts  a  proof,  fo  perhapi  it  wat  the  chief  cc- 

that  inviolnble  friendfhip  which  rubflilcd  between  them. 

It  and  popular  ^ccom|^lifhments  rendered  him  one  of  the  brilliant  omiments  of  the  court  of 

enry  the  Eighth,  which  at  IcaCl  aficded  to  be  police;  and  as  Henry  did  not  always a<5t  from 

tnd  caprice,  he  wat  endeared  to  him,  for  his  fidelity  and  fucecfs  tn  the  execution  of  public 

,  fd^  Otifl  in  arms,  literature,  familiarity  with  languages,  and  lively  conYcrfation, 

I,  who  degrades  every  thing  by  poverty  of  ftylc,  faysi  that  "  the  king  was  in  a  high  manner 

d  With  hit  'wiHyJ^i,^*     He  is  reported  to  have  occaQoned  the  Reformation  by  a  joke,  and  to 

nncd  the  fall  of  Cardinal  Wolfey  by  a  feafonable  llory, 

c  had  almofl  loll  his  popularity,  cither  from  an  intimacy  with  Queen  Aune  Boleyn,  wfiicb 

pd  a  conncdion^  or  the  gloomy  cabals  of  Bifhop  Bounetf  who  cotild  not  bear  his  poKticil 

ity. 

dt  pnidence  and  integrity,  no  left  than  the  powers  of  his  oratory,  juOifled  hii  innocence* 

mu  his  fevcre  and  unjuft  hnprifonment,  on  that  occa0on,  in  a  fonnet  addrcfled  to  the  brave 

mplifhed  Sir  Francis  Bryan  ;  infinuating  his  folicitude,  that  although  the  wound  wovid  be 

lie  fear  would  remain  ;  and  that  to  be  acquitted  of  the  acuu&tfon,  Would  avail  but  UttlCi 

Se  thoughts  of  having  been  accufed  were  fliU  frcfti  in  his  remembrance. 

c<>vered  his  liberty  and  the  king's  favour,  and  was  wife  ehough  not  to  inicmipt  his  p!eafurct» 

epience,  or  his  ambition  \  but  fpent  much  of  his  time  at  AUIngton  CafUc,  which  he  magni* 

repaired  "  for  the  reception,'*  fays  Jacob,  **  of  one  of  his  noblt  fpirit  and  refined  tafle  of 

ich  were  more  fuperior  to  his  anccClors  than  his  flately  man0on»  by  the  cofUy  reparation*! 

I  the  ancient  ftrudurc." 

t  of  his  ffiifiUi  to  Poinejf  on  the  life  of  a  courtier,  his  execration  of  flatterers  and  courtiers  is 

>d  with  an  entertaining  piiSkure  of  his  own  private  Ufc  and  rural  enjoyments  at  AUinj^toa 

This  14  the  csufe  that  t  could  never  yet 

Hang  on  their  flceves,  that  weigh,  a^  thou  maifl  fe«| 

A  chip  of  chaunce  more  than  a  pound  of  wit; 

This  makeih  me  at  home  to  hunt  and  hawke. 

And  in  fowlc  wether  at  my  hookc  to  Ct; 

In  froft  and  fnowe  then  with  ray  bow  toflalke; 

No  man  doth  marke  whcrelb  I  ride  or  go  j 

In  lufty  leas  at  liberty  I  watke : 

And  of  thefc  newes  I  fele  no  wcale  nor  wo» 

Save  that  a  clogge  doth  hang  ye^  at  my  beje  ; 

No  forfc  for  that,  for  it  is  ordered  fo, 

That  I  may  Icape  botlv  hcJgc  anC  dike  fnl  wele. 


^ 


if4  tHE    LIFE    OF  WYAT. 

I  am  not  now  in  Fraunce,  to  judge  the  wine,  &c« 
But  I  am  here  in  Kent  and  Chriftendome, 
Among  the  mufei,  where  1  reade  and  rime. 

The  "  cloggc"  he  complains  df,  probably  alludes  to  fome  office  which  he  ftlll  held  at  court,  «DJ 
which  fometimes  recalled  him,  but  not  too  frequently,  from  the  coimtry. 

It  is  a  common  miftake  of  his  biographefli,  that  he  died  abroad  of  the  plague,  in  an  embaiTj  ti 
Charles  the  hifth.  Being  fent  to  condud  that  emperor's  embafiador  from  Falmouth  to  London, froa 
too  eager  and  a  needlefs  dcdre  of  executing  his  commiflion  with  difpatch  and  punduality ,  he  caught 
ar  fever,  by  riding  in  a  hot  day ;  and  in  his  return,  died  on  the  road  at  Sherborn,  in  the  year  1541, 
in  the  3Sth  year  of  his  age ;  and  was  buried  in  the  great  abbey  church  of  that  place. 

The  next  year,  Leland  pubhfhed  a  book  of  Latin  verfes  on  his  death,  inthled,  Nami^  t*  mmim 
fT.  Fiati,  with  a  wooden  print  of  his  head,  after  a  painting  of  Holbein,  and  the  following  ekgat 
IhTcrij^tion  under  the  head : 

Holbcnus  nitida  pingendi  mazimus  arte, 
Effigiem  expreifit  graphice,  fed  nullus  Apelles 
Exprimet  ingcnium  feliz,  animumque  Fiati. 

His  poems  were  printed  by  Tottell,  in  his  editions  of  Surrey's  poems,  of  1559  ^^'^  I565,iiDd(rdB 
title  of  the  SoMga  and  Sonnettes  of  Jr  Tbomas  Wyat  the  elder^  and  reprinted,  with  the  poems  of  Snq^ 
hj  Dr.  Sew  el,  in  171 7  ;  and  are  now  admitted,  for  the  firft  time,  into  a  colleAion  of  claflicaiE^ 
glifii  poetry. 

The  poetical  pieces  of  Wyat,  and  his  friend  Surrey,  were  m  high  reputation  with  their  cootea^ 
rariet,  and  for  many  years  afterwards.  They  are  thus  charaderifed  by  Puttenhum,  the  author  tf 
the  old  **  Art  of  Engliih  Poeiie,"  whofe  opinion  remained  long  as  a  role  of  criticilm  :  **  In  theh^ 
ter  end  of  the  fame  kinge's  (Henry's)  raigne,  fpronge  up  a  new  company  of  wit  maken,  of  wkB 
Sir  Thomas  Wyat  the  elder,  and  Henry  Earle  of  Surrey,  were  the  two  cbieftamet ;  who  haviof  t» 
-vailed  into.ltalie,  and  there  tailed  the  fweete  and  (lately  mealures  and  ilyle  of  the  Italian  podk,* 
sovifes  newly  crept  out  of  the  ichooles  of  Dante,  Ario{lo,and  Petrarch,  they  greatly  pdiihed  onnk 
and  homely  manner  of  vulgar  poeOe  from  that  it  had  been  before,  and  for  that  caufe  may  iiily  k 
fayd  the  firfl  reformers  of  our  Engliih  meetre  and  ftylc."  And  again,  **  Henry  Earl  of  Sunvy,«i 
Sir  Thomas  W}'at,  between  whom  I  find  very  little  difference,  I  repute  them  (aa  before)  for  then* 
chief  lantemes  of  light  to  all  others  that  have  fince  employed  their  pennes  upon  Englifli  pocfc; 
Their  conceits  were  lofty,  their  ftyles  ftateJy,  their  conveyance  cleanly,  their  terms  proper,  their  SBt- 
tre  fweet,  and  w^ll  proportioned ;  in  all,  imiuting  very  naturally  and  (ludiouily  their  maite  Fk» 
cis  Petrarch."    P.  48—50.    Edit.  15  89. 

Leland  is  lavifii  in  his  praife,  and  Ibruples  not  to  compare  him  to  Dante  and  Petrarch : 

Let  Florence  fair  her  Ddmte  juflly  boaft. 

And  royal  Rome  her  Petrarch's  number *d  feet ; 
tn  Englijh  IVyat^  both  of  them  doth  coaft. 

In  whom  all  graceful  eloquence  doth  meet. 

In  Surrey's  elegy  on  the  death  of  Wyat,  hi»  charader  is  delineated  in  the  foUowiog  an  luui  MJ 
manly  quacraines ; 

A  vifage_ftcme  and  mild,  where  both  did  growe ; 

Vice  to  contcmne,  in  vertue  to  rejoyce  ; 

Amid  great  (lormes,  whom  grace  alTured  fo 

To  live  upr/ght,  and  fmilc  at  fortune*8  choycc,  -    ;  j 


\ 


THELIFEOFWYATi  *V. 

A  toortg  t^at  fcrvcd  in  forein  realmes  hi»  kin^i 
Whofc  coartcous  talk  to  vertoe  did  endame 
Eche  noble  heart ;  a  worthy  guide  to  bring 
Our  £ngli(h  youth  by  travail  unto  fame ; 

An  eye,  whofe  judgment  none  affcd  could  blind ; 
Friend  to  allure,  and  foes  to  reconcile ; 
Whofe  perfing  look  did  reprcfcnt  a  minde 
With  virtue  fraught,  repofed,  void  of  gile. 

A  hart,  where  drcade  was  never  fo  impreft 

To  hide  the  thought  that  might  the  truth  advance ; 

In  neither  fortune  loft,  nor  yet  repreft. 

To  fweil  in  welth,  or  yeld  unto  mifchance  — 

Thy  fame,  great  Wyat,  (hall  by  all  be  read  ; 
What  vcrtucs  rare  were  temper'd  in  thy  bread  ! 
Honour  tliat  bngUnd  fuch  a  jewel  bred. 
And  kifs  the  ground  whereon  thy  corpfe  did  reft. 

perfluoQs  to  traiifcribe  the  panegyrics  of  his  contemporaries,  after  this  encomium  dt 
ich  hi«  amiable  eharAder  owes  more  to  thtth  than  to  the  graces  df  poetry,  or  to  the 
nd(hip. 

led,  to  his  honour,  by  Puttenham,  that  he  co-operated  with  Surrey  in  corre^ing  the 
uf  poetic  ftylc.  He  certainly  deferves  equally  of  pofterity  wkh  Surrey  for  the  dlli- 
lich  he  cultivated  elegant  literature.  But  in  his  poetical  capacity,  he  feems  to  have 
Igmentof  his  friend  Surrey,  who,  in  imitating  Petrarch,  refiftedthe  Contagion  of  his 
las  more  imitations,  and  even  tranflations  from  the  Italiin  poets,  than  Surrey ;  and  he 
been  more  fond  of  their  conceits.  He  is  confefTedly  inferior  to  him  in  harmony 'of 
picuity  of  expreflion,  and  facility  of  phrafeology.  Nor  is  he  equil  to  him  in  ele^nce 
n  nature  rnd  fcnfibility.  His  feelings  are  difguifed  by  affedbation,  and  obfcnred  by  fan-* 
titles.  His  declarations  of  paflion  are  embarrafled  by  wit  and  fancy ;  and  his  ftyle  i« 
:,  in  proportion  as  it  is  carelefs  and  unadorned* 

rit  i*  of  the  moral  and  didaAic  kind.  Hi^  poems  abound  more  in  good  fenfe,  fatire,  and 
n  life,  than  in  patho-  and  imagination.  Tet  there  is  a  de^ee  of  lyric  fweetnefs  in  the 
;c,  in  which  tie  Ittver  comphinetb  the  unkindneft  of  bis  hve ;  and  in  the  little  ode,  or  rather 
IS  return  from  Spain  into  England,  there  is  great  iimplicity  and  propriety,  togethef 
^f  poetic  allufion.  In  the  fatiric  vein  of  his  e*>'.JiUs  to  Potnes  and  Bryan,  there  is  much 
elegance  of  Horace ;  a  ftylc  of  writing  which  Cowper  has  caught  wkh  great  fuc&cfif, 
:  Talk/'  &c.  &c. 

yat's  poems,  is  an  unllniflied  trandation,  in  Alexandrian  verfe,  of  the  fon^  of  Jopas,  in 
c  of  Virgil's  ^neid.  Wyat's  and  Surrey's  verfions  from  Virgil,  ire  the  firft  regular 
:  Englifti  of  an  ancient  claflical  poet.  A  verfion  of  David's  Pfalms,  by  Wyat,  is  highly 
jrrey  and  Leland.  But  Wyat*s  verfion  of  the  PemltentUl  Pfutmt^  feems  to  be  a  feptrate 
s  tranflation  of  the  whole  pfaltery  ;  and  probably  that  which  is  praifcd  by  Surrey,  in 
lied,  PtiXifetf  certa'ine  Pfulmes  of  David yiran/lMeJ by  Sir  Tbsmat  IVyat  tie  elder.  They  wert 
49.  But  thit  vcrfion,  with  that  of  Surrey,  mentioned  in  his  life,  is  now  loft.  The 
Wyat  has  received  every  poflible  illuftration  from  Lord  Orford  and  Mr.  Warton ;  after 
tinating  touched,  every  ftroke  from  a  cafnal  hand  muft  ferve  rather  to  injure  than  inr- 
:nrfs. 

n  the  capricious  and  ovcr-ftrained  invention  of  the  lulian  poets  *'  faysMr.  WartoO,  **  th^ft 
au^,ht  v>  torture  the  piHlon  of  love,  by  prolix  and  intricate  comparifons,  and  unnatural 
im  of  opini'!n,  \hv.  he  roiftoolc  hi?  tal€Pt«,  when  in  compli:«nce  with  the  mode,  be  be- 


I 


A#  T  H  E    L  !  F  E    O  t    NV^  Y  A  T. 

came  a  foonettecr ;  an  J,  if  we  may  judge  from  a  few  in  (lances,  chat  lie  wif  lilcelf  to  txrat  muf  alWf 

fobjcA  with  more  fucctfs  thai*  that  of  love.  Hit  abihcies  were  reduced  and  miUpi^Ucd^  m  fibraae* 
ing  fine  fpccches  to  an  obdarate  nullrels.  He  appears  a  much  more  plcaijng  writer,  wl^s  he  nnnUm 
on  the  fcUciticaof  retirement^  and  attacks  ihc  variitiea  ar.d  vicci  of  a  coun,  vmth  the  hckocft  n 
tion  of  an  independent  phlliifopher,  and  the  freedom  and  pltrafantry  of  Horaee.  Three  of  liu«pt* 
ties  are  profeiledly  written  in  this  ftrain  i  and  we  miift  rcgret»  that  He  ha«  not  left  more  p^eocibi 
flf  Ic  of  compofjtion  for  which  he  feems  to  have  been  4:mirteiitlx  <|UJittfittd.'* 

To  the  poems  of  Surrey  and  Wyat^  ore  annexed,  in  TottellV  miitloni  thoCe  of  UttrimMt 
Many  of  thcfc  pieces  arc  much  in  the  manner  of  Sorrty  and  Wyati  whieh  was  the  fLfkcn  el  ^ 
iimep»  They  arc  all  anonymous ;  but  probably  Sir  Francit  Bryan,  George  BoUyn  E^ri  of  ito9> 
ford,  and  Lr>rd  Vaux ,  contemporary  rhymers  and  raDnecteert»  were  brgc  contributein.  Two  af  ti^iL 
intituled^  The  Agtd  L%-ittt  rmattncttl  L^vt^  in  which  are  thr*c  ftanxaa  of  the  gr*ve«<iig|gct'i  fat^n 
Shakcfpear"*  Hamlet,  and  *Tht  AjfauiUof  Cv^Uc,  Ac.  are  the  undoubted  prodo^on  of  Lord  Tm; 
♦*  a  man  of  marvellous  f.ictiity  in  vulgar  making," 

The  merit  of  fomc  of  thofc  pieces  ii  fo  confideTj|l>IC|  as  Co  juEIfy  a  fcfe^icti ;  sod  iLc  ni4f 
owes  to  the  compiler  af  thcfc  narratives,  whatever  plcafure  or  dlTguft  he  may  haire  ill  finding  a  f|i»> 
men  of  the  firfl  printed  poetical  mifcdUny  in  the  EngliOi  language  in  thi»  coIUAton,  i 

What  haf  pleafed  himfclf,  he  has  undertaken  to  recommend  to  others ;  ai^i  as  festfe  aed  gdik 
are  not  wanting  in  the  pieces  he  has  endeavoured  to  preftrvc,  it  will  not  be  fo  niiicb.  the  Cli^Y 
%hc  wtitcn,  a»  of  the  the  language,  if  they  arc  not  read  withpicrafure. 

The  flanzai.  intituled,  APfaiftafhh  Z<M/jf,harc  tliat  degree  which  rtfnlti  from  iim|<lk)t>.  Ik 
thoughts  fupport  themfclvcs,  without  the  aJTetflations  of  language  \  and  the  complaoienta  ire  fixKf 
would  not  difgr^ce  the  gallantry  or  the  poetry  of  a  potiXhcd  age.     V 

*•  countcrfait  aiStion"  in  I^ord  Vaux*^  Ajmlu^JCupidti  but  there  ti  l  -  — 

pageants*  than  in  the  cunirtvancc  of  the  allogory  of  thu piece*  In  liiclkiik  i^dc  itt(iik4|d^H 
ir^s  M*  B*  much  prerty  dercription  and  imagination  \%  buiJt  on  the  circumflancc  c»f  a  hB1^^| 
named  Bayca.  Hae^^lmtt  mm^Ukmi  1/  Ph^iidi£s  /«w  hfgtmdm  C*rist  ifc  pcThap«  the  ^Hk  caJMlj^| 
c^ur  language  now  remaining  of  the  pure  unmiied  {adoial ;  and  hr  cafe  of  numbers,  dcjgiK*  41 
ral  allurion,and  Amplicity  of  imagety,excell«ever>  thing  &f  the  kiud  in  ^^penfcr,  who  iaoTOoei^ 
ranked  as  our  earlicA  Engiifh  bucuUc.  In  the  pucni^  intituled,  l^tjli  tLings  fam^ism^^fimJt*^  S^^9 
^(lu,  fax^  mtty  tk-  hvcr,  lonie  of  the  {lanzf&  dcfcrve  attention  lor  their  Cmplc  beauty  and  lUUivtlM 
uf  cxprcflloij.  in  the  odc^  in  which  Tl>e  i^ver »/*  d^ftut  tamtnttti  ^tf  »->V««  there  ii  tuoie  |»atbe»tti|H 
ing  than  in  any  other  piece  of  the  whale  culleifliou.  The  cprgram,  0/  a  mrm?  mawrk^JkAvf^  ^M 
wnpurfuing  his  fludics  fuccciirully,  but  iu  the  midfl  ofhtthteraty  career,  marrted  taofoette&ti^ 
CDUiain;}  a  general  joke  on  an  unhappy  match.  It  it^  perhap;^,  the  hrtl  jpiiintcd  eptgr»tn  ia  the  JH 
glifh  language;  and  may  have  fallen  from  the  pen  of  Sir  Thoiaai  Mor«,  00c  of  the  licA|a|i^| 
Uiat  age.  In  the  elegant  little  ode,  intituled »  T^e  Lnvtt  titoi^mt  SlfJ^nsd  Itvt^  &e.  mr^  %h€  xmt»  hK^^ 
to  be  written  by  Mary  Queen  of  5 cots,  in  a  window,  at  Fotlicniigay  tattle*  ^^ 

From  the  t^ppc  of  all  my  truft,  ^| 

lytiOnp  hath  throweti  mc  in  the  duik.  ^H 

he  unfortunate  ^ucen  only  quoted  a  diflich  applicable  to  her  fituation,  wbich  At  fCMP^p^l 

^(bionabk  colledion  of  pocnUi  perhapi  the  amufement  of  her  youth.  With  tHe  S^^gtg  miWm^^ 
w/VKiftalm  Att3»vrs^  the  oriKiual  tdttor  haa  printed  Stm^k  n'fhtem  Iry  N*  G ,  the  loiitab  of  Hid^| 
Crtmoald,  who  b  the  fctond  Englifli  poet  after  Surrey  iliat  wrote  to  bluok  verfr  j  to«ha«lhlral» 
new  flrength,  elegance,  and  fr^odulitiou.  At  a  writer  of  vcrfe  in  thyntc  he  yield*  to  Booaaf  It 
cootemporariefr,  for  a  mallcrly  choice  of  chaise  CKpreOla a,  aiid  the  ccncife  elega&cic*  of  Aciiit 
^erfiticatiun*     Hii  poem  in  Fw^iJ^  t/ Mtt^r*  ^/'"/  bas  all  the  fmartncfs  which  belongs  t^t^iP^ 
tkrti  (lyk  of  feni«niioui  poetry.  The  Ckacvaa  «p*  U>4  Ai«f  Aii^4j  are  Jtiore  poetic^,  and  wML  Idi  <,m^' 
Hi»  poema  ai  the  Death  ttf  Cicero,  and  tl^jf  Di4ttl  a/  Ztfoas,  arc  impregnated  ftlmoft  flirun|tnjiil  tfAl 
warmth  of  tmagir.ajion,  and  the  fpirit  of  pathetic  poetry.  ^H 

it  would  Ue  unp^rdoaable  to  difmir*  the  poetical  works  of  Wyat  unacooaipaxiM  If  lft^^| 
Oiirabtc  fpcdmens  of  arcirnt  genius,  for  which  £ogH(b  literature  is  highly  taiklKtd  Iv  UcteltHH 
tdl,  who,  at  a  critical  pcriodt  eollc^Sltd  andprefcrvtd  them  frow  the  general  deprcdatMi  •!  OPtH 
in  A  pf  ineed  voluont* 


firjiam 


g  lore,  that  vex  my  thcmghe  F  h^rber 
\f  heart  doth  kepe  hii  rcfidence. 
Face  prcafeth  with  bold  prcftence, 
•C  cimpcth,  difplaying  hii  banner ; 
me  learn es  to  love^  znd  to  Tuifer, 
et  chat  my  trod  and  lades  negligence 
\  by  reafon,  Oiame,  and  reverence 
hardincifc  takes  difpleafure, 
(h  love  to  the  hartes  forcft  he  flecth 
\m  cnterprife  with  paine  aad  crye, 
c  him  hidcth  and  not  appcarcth, 
y  \  do  ?  when, my  mailler  fcATcth^ 
c  field  with  him  to  live  and  djrc, 
i»tbe  lyfe,  ending  faithfuUy. 


v 


t.;c/ 


xtth  tit^tr,  attJwiUnei  t/ye/or  afe£ 


t  never  of  your  Itvve  agrcvcd, 

r  (hall,  whyle  that  ray  life  doth  Uft ; 

king  my  fclf^  that  date  is  pall, 

►  continual  fore  hath  me  wcricd  : 

yet  in  my  greavc  be  bur  cd» 

\j  tombc  your  name  have  fixed  faft, 

aufc,  that  did  my  fpritc  foon  haft, 

unhappic  bones  by  great  fyghes  Ayred; 

n  heart  of  amoroui  Uhli  and  will 

'ovr  mind  withoutcn  doing  gricfj 

fO\l  fo  to  this  to  do  relief, 

jrfc  you  fckc  for  to  fulfyH 

th,  you  trrCj  and  flitl  not  as  you  wcnc, 

your  r<If  the  caufe  thereof  have  bene. 


\ 

mtf\ 


—m 

/ttfh  hii/ofy^  anJ  itiienditB  U  trmf  na 


fffit  y«  half  fo  well  yfyled, 
fylc  for  any  fn-ithes  entcnt,  * 
iiidc  A  fyling  indrument^ 
o(Uer»  while  that  1  was  bcgyleJ^ 
iUi€,  hath  u  my  foly  £m}ldd| 


k 


^a4W^. 


And  ptrdoncd  me,  Gns  that  I  me  repent. 
Of  my  lafl  ycres^  and  of  my  ty me  mirpenr. 

For  youth  ted  me,  and  faUhod  me  mifguyde^,, 
Yet,  this  trud  t  have  of  great  appearance, 
Sim  that  deceit  is  aye  returaahje, 
Of  very  force  it  is  agreable, 
That  therewithall  be  done  the  recompence. 
Then  gyle  bcgiled,  plain'd  fooitJd  be  never 
And  the  reward  u  little  trud  for  ever. 


Tmk  lively  fpirkc?,  that  ifllic  fpotn  thofc  eyc^ 
Agoinft  the  which  there  vaiUth  no  dcftiice. 
Have  perft  my  hart,  and  done  it  none  oiTciice, 
With  quaking  pleafurc^  m*re  than  once  or  twiie 
Was  never  man  could  any  thing  devyie, 
Sunnc  bcamci  to  tume  with  io  great  vehemence 
To  dafe  mans  fight,  a«  hy  their  bright  prefcoc^ 
Dafedam  I,  much  lyke  unto  the  gyfc, 
Of  one  (Iriken  with  dint  of  lightening,  ^^ 

Blind  With  the  (Irokc,  and  crying  here  and  tTiiSlSS 
So  cail  I  for  help,  1  not  when  or  wherc^ 
The  payn  of  ray  fall  pacieatly  bearing  ; 
Fur  dreight  after  the  blal'e  (at  i<i  no  wonder) 
Ui  deadly  noylic  hcire  I  the  fcarfuU  thuixkr* 


Thi  waverh^  f«v*r  vti/irt^  and  drtsieth  it  mow  Sit 


Sucfi  vayn  thought,  at  inronfed  to  miflcad  m* 
In  drfrrt  hope  by  well  aflurcd  mone, 
M»ikc5  mc  from  company  to  live  alone, 
ta  following  her,  whom  rcaibn  biddci  me  %^ 
And  after  her  my  heart  would  fain  be  gone. 
But  iirmcd  fighcs  my  way  do  ftop  anone, 
Fwixt  Fiopc  and  dreade  locking  my  Ubertie^ 
So  ilctth  flic  by  gentle  crucktc, 
Yet  a«  I  geaflc  under  difdainfull  brow. 
One  beam  of  truthc  is  in  her  cloudy  looke^ 
Which  comfort*  the  mind,  that  card  for  fear. 
That  bgldcd  llrayght,  the  way  then  fcekc  I 
fo  utter  forth  the  fmart  I  hipde  within^ 
£u£  fuch  it  i5»  I  oat  huw  to  begin. 


«I> 


K/ 


7he  lover  having  dreamed  e^jcy'ing  of  bis  love,  complain* 
etb  that  the  dreame  is  not  tklter  longer  ot  inter. 


I  Unstable  dreame  accordinpr  to  the  place, 
r    Be  (ledfaA  ones,  or  elt)  at  leafl  be  true, 
■    By  tafted  fwectnefn%  make  me  not  to  rew, 
By  good  refpcd:  in  fuch  a  danf^erons  cafe. 
Thou  broughteft  not  her  into  thefc  tofling  feas, 
But  madeft  my  fpirit  to  live,  my  care  tcncreafc, 
My  body  in  temped  her  deiight  tembrace. 
The  body  dead,  the  fpryte  had  hi*  dtrfire, 
Painlcffc  was  th*  one,  the  other  in  delight, 
Why  then,  alas !  did  it  not  kepc  it  right, 
But  thiu  retume  to  Icape  into  the  fycr. 
And  where  it  was  a^  wifti,  could  not  remaine, 
Such  mockes  of  drcames  do  turn  lo  deadly  payne, 

y7r  lover  vnbappy^  hidiietb  h*ippy  lovers  te'foiee  in  Ma^i 
rvbile  be  tuay/etb  tbat  mMib  to  bim  myl  unluckely, 

Yc  that  in  love  find  luckc  «nd  fwcte  abundance, 
And  live  in  luft  of  joyful  jolitie, 
Ar^'fe  for  (hame,  do  way  your  fluggardy, 
Arifc,  I  fay,  do  May  fomc  ohfervuncc, 
Let  me  in  beds  lye  dreaming  of  mifchauncc, 
J^ct  me  remember  my  mifhappes  unhappy. 
That  me  betide  in  May  nioH  commonly. 
As  one  whome  love  jiil  little  to  advance. 
Stephan  faid  true,  that  my  nativitic 
Mil'chaunced  wa«  with  the  ruler  of  May  : 
He  pcft  (1  prove)  of  that  the  veritir 
Tr!  May  wclfh,  and  eke  my  wittes.  I  fay, 
Havr  Hand  fo  oft  in  fuch  perplexltie, 
Joy,  let  me  dreame  of  your  fclicicic. 

v/// 


THE    WORKS   OF    WYAT. 

Eke  Hanniball,  when  fortune  him  out  diH 
Clene  from  his  rcignc,  and  all  his  eiicem, 
Laught  to  his  foike,  whom  forow  did  tormeat, 
His  cruel  difpite  for  to  di%orge  and  quit, 
So  cliaunced  me,  that  every  paflion 
The  mynd  hydeth  by  colour  contnr^. 
With  Ttined  vifag^,  now  fad,  now  wcry. 
Whereby  if  that  I  laiigh  at  any  feafoo. 
It  13  becaufi;  I  have  noue  other  way 
to  cldake  nfy  care,  hot  under  fpbru  and  play. 


Tbi  Uver  eonfjfctb  bimjllfin  IcvS  nvitb  Pbitlit, 

If  waker  care,  if  fodaynr  pale  Cfjlnur, 
If  ma:  y  fij;hes  with  little  fpc.chc  to  plain'*. 
Now  joy,  uow  wo,  if  they  my  chore  dittaine, 
For  hope  of  fmal,  if  much  to  iV.Hr  therefore. 
To  haft  or  flackc,  my  pnc.r  to  Ir.ilc  oi  more 
Be*  fygne  do  love,  then  to  I  love  araino  : 
If  thou  afke  whomc.  furc  fyr.s  1  did  refraine, 
Brunet  that  fct  my  wilrh  in  fuch  a  rore  ; 
Th'  unfaiiied  cheri*  of  Pliyllin  hath  the  place 
*^I'hat  B>unct  h?.d   (he  hath  and  ever  (hall, 
^he  from  my  fclf  now  hath  me  in  her  grace. 
She  hath  in  iiand  my  wir,  my  will  and  tU. 
My  heart  alone  wel  w«  or:Iiy  fiie  doth  Aay, 
Without  whafc  hclpc  (Lai:t  do  I  live  a  day. 

OfcthtrsfM^eiferfoitiy  and  the  lovers  fuinn! r.\li  tb, 

CcsAR  when  that  the  tr.ii-^ur  of  l'.;i;ipt 
W?;h  t'  honourAble  head  u:.l  Jilm  prcfont 
Ciivrring  his  hcaitcs  g'aJisciTe,  did  reprcfont 
i-lcjne  \*ith  his  tcaris  outward,  ab  it  i^  writ. 


O/cbangiim  misfdcm 

EcDC  man  hie  tel'th,  I  change  moft  mj^tnkf 
And  on  my  faith,  methinkc  it  |^ood  rcaliaBs 
To  chaunge  purpofe,  like  after  thefeafiDO, 
For  in  eche  cafe  to  kepe  ftiil  one  guife, 
U  mete  for  them.  tJiat  would  be  taken  wyiie^ 
And  i  am  not  of  fuch  maner  coudicion,  | 

But  treated  after  a  divers  fafliion. 
And  thereupon  my  diverfenclTe  doth  ryfe. 
But  you  this  diverfeneffe  that  blamen  moft. 
Change  you  no  more,  but  iUl!  after  one  rate, 
Trmtc  you  me  welle,  and  kepe  yop  in  thitfisv. 
And  while  with   me  doth    dwcU   thii  wcnei 

ghoft,     . 
My  woord  nor  I  fhall  n«t  be  variable. 
But  always  one,  your  own  both  firm  and  fiiUe. 

A/  (xv// 

How  tbe  Uver perijhctb  in  tu  Me/igU,  a*  thtfjt  mlti 
fer. 

Some  fowles  there  b'e  tha£  have  no  pcrfitefifh. 
Againll  the  funne  their  eyes  for  to  defend. 
And  fome  becaufe  the  light  doth  them  oflead. 
Never  aiipere,  but  in  the  darke  or  night : 
Others  rcjoyce,  to  fee  tKe  fire  fo  bright. 
And  weiic  to  play  in  it,  as  they  pretend. 
But  f;nd  contrary  of  it,  as  they  entende, 
Alas  of  that  fort,  may  1  be  by  right. 
For  to  withftand  her  looke  I  am  not  able, 
|Vct  can  I  not  hyde  me  in  no  darke  place, 
po  fcllowcth  me  remembrance  of  that  face; 
'That  with  my  teary  eycn,  fwoloc,  and  iiaibbl^ 
My  defteny  to  behold  her  doth  me  leade. 
x\nd  yet  i  know  I  runne  into  the  glead. 

Jtgairjl  bit  ton^  tbatfaiUd  to  utter  hisfiitet* 

BrcAusE  1  dill  kept  thee  fmlye«and  blaree. 

And  to  my  power  alwayes  the  honowrcd. 

Unkind  touguc,  to  yllhall  thou  mercndra!. 

For  fuch  defer t  to  Ci<s  me  wreke  and  flume. 

In  n.'dc  of  faccour  moft  when  that  I  am 

To  afk  he  rcwarde,  thou  Uandck  lyke  one  ^SiK^ 

Alway  m.1.1  cold  ;  a:id  if  one  word  be  fayd, 

A'  ii:  a  dreame,  Uf.pcriit  is  the  fame; 

And  ye  ialt  teares,  againft  my  will  each  nigb^ 

Thst  are  with  me  v^hen  1  woaid  be  abne. 


are  ye  gone^,  when  1  Cbould  make  mj  rnone, 
ft  fo  ready  tighes,  to  make  mc  (h right, 

arc  ye  {LackCf  when  that  ye  (houlde  oatftarti 
mly  doth  my  loke  declare  ray  Uart. 

^ftwiptlm  rfilf^  comiraritmt  pajiont  m  «  /o»<rr* 

tot  no  peace*  aiid  all  my  warre  ii  done, 

(*  and  hnpc»  I  burne,  and  frefe  lyke  yfe, 
mloft,  yet  cati  k  not  aryfe, 
llought  1  have  I  aud  all  the  world  I  rcafoQ, 
locke«  nor  lofcth.  holdcth  nie  m  prifon, 
Ikoldes  me  notf  yet  eaii  1  fcape  no  wyfc, 
btte4  me  live»  nor  dye, at  my  devyfe, 
^t  of  death  it  geveth  me  occaiion, 
out  eye  1  fee,  without  tongue  1  playne, 
\k  to  pen(h,  yet  I  aflc  for  health, 
i  another,  and  J  hate  my  felfe, 
kme  in  forow.  and  lauirh  in  all  my  payne* 
bu«  difptcafeth  me,  botli  death  and  li|ic» 
'  ay  dcLigUt  u  caufer  of  thit  fbife. 


i 


jLLk:  [clvi) 


,( 

i  doth  pafT-oJ 
foe  Cala.)  \ 


^ormi  tt>J[td  M  ibe/ea. 


pilly  charged  with  forgetfubefle, 
^gh  Iharpe  fcaji,  in  wioter  ni)rhtcf 
pe  rockcf  and  rocke^  aod  eke  my  foe 
i  Is  my  lord,  llcrrthwith  cruc-LDcfTe 
IcTery  houre,  a  thouf^ht  in  rcad'tnulTe, 
kough  that  death  wtr  light  in  fuch  a  cafe, 
icndlffTe  wynde  doth  teare  the  faylc  ap^ice 
pixed  fighea  and  truf^y  fc^  fulnefTe  : 
AfDe  of  tearei>  a  ctoude  of  d^rk  difdayne, 
t  done  the  weried  coardes  great  hinderance  ; 
Iched  with  err  our,  at^i  with  i^orxncr, 
0arrci  be  hidde,  that  kad  me  to  thia  payne« 
Ujide  ii  rcafon  that  fboulde  be  my  comfort Cj 
1 1  remaytie,  difparing  of  the  porte» 


AiL 


CjiL 


O/JtJt/Ji 


lUvt. 


pi  KG  the  bright  bcames  of  tbofe  fayre  eyet, 
he  abides   tliat    mine   oft    moyiics  and 
walhcth 
I  wearied   myndc  (b*eight  from  the  heart  dc< 
I      pjirtcth, 

left  wiihin  hiv  worldly  pantlyfc ; 
I  bitter  finder  the  Iwere,  uurier  hif  gy fe- 
lt webbci  there  he  hath  wrought,  wt^  he 
I     percciveth, 

|rby  then  with  hymfelfe  on  love  he  pUyceth, 
A  fpart  with  fyrr,  and  brydleih  eke  with  yfe : 
bch  extremiLic  ihtit  ii»  he  brought, 
KO  now  cold,  and  now  he  flande^  in  flame, 
Itt  wu  Afidwcrnlth,  betwixt  tarncrt  and  jjainc, 
lb  fcMr^"^-  "     *    ifid  many  a  di  vera  thought; 
krc  ri  i  Jiis  hardinciTe, 

0ch  a  r  .     .wiumctii  frutc  frutdeJc 


7  he  l^ver^tru'tfL  Ifcv;  Itt  u/or/aitn  t>f  Juth  tti  hi 
fume  time  mjeyed* 

Th  rv  flee  from  mc,  that  fometimc  did  mc  feke. 
With  naked  fote  ilatkiitg  within  my  chamber, 
Once  have  1  fcne  them  gentle,  tame,  and  mtke^ 
Thaf  now  arc  wyld,  jvotl  da  n<tt  once  remember. 
That  fomctime  they  liave  put  thcmfelvet  in  daa< 

To  take  bread  at  my  hand,  and  now  they  range, 
Bufcly  fckingVin  continual  change. 

Thanki'd  bl  f-irturic,  it  hath  been  otherwyfe, 
Twenty  tymr»  better,  but  once  efpcciall. 
In  fhioc  aray,  after  a  plcafaunt  gyfe. 
When  hrr    looTe  gowoe  did  from  her  (hoalderi 

fall, 
And  fhe  me  caught  in  her  arme^  li^ng  and  fmall 
And  thcrwi'ihall,  fo  fwctely  did  mc  kyfle. 
And  foftly  fayd.  dear  hearte,  hoiw  like  you  thii  I 

It  was  no  drcame,  lor  I  lay  brode  awaking. 
But  ail  is  tumfd  now  thrmijjh  my  gentleneife. 
Into  a  bitter  faftion  of  forfaktng, 
And  I  have  leave  to  '^  *    r  goodncflc ; 

And  flic  alfo  to  ufc  cffc. 

But,  fyn&  tliat  I  onl^-.— >  .  ■    .ii  ftrved. 
How  like  yoo  this,  what  hath  ihe  now  defervid  : 


: 


^ 


\ 


The  La^  lb  aanfwere  SrtSty  wUhjfa  or  n*j* 

MAt>AME,  withouten  many  woordei, 
Once  I  am  fure,  you  will,  or  no  : 
And  if  you  will,  then  leave  yourboordci. 
And  ufc  your  wit,  and  (hew  it  fo. 
Vor  with  a  beck  yoti  fliall  mc  call, 
And  if  of  one,  that  bitrucs  alwaye, 
Yc  have  pitie,or  ruth  at  all, 
Aunfwcrc  him  faire  with  yc  or  nay. 
If  it  be  nay,freRdcf  a«  before. 
You  fhall  an  other  man  ohtaync. 
And  1  myne  own,  and  your*  no  more* 

Alai,  madame,  for  fleatin^  of  a  kifTe, 
Have  I  fo  much  you?  mind  tbcrin  offended  f 
Or  have  I  done  fogTicvonfly  amUVe, 
That  by  tif»  merni^s  it  may  not  be  amrnded  I 
Revenge  y'>uthrn,  I '  "  >, 

Another  kfle  my  i 

for,  corny  muUth  i;:r     i.j.i    my   aan    uiu   luckf. 

The  neat  ihall  clcane  out  of  my  brcfl  it  pluckc. 

XJX- 


0/  the  JeaUut  m^n  ftat  /vvn/  lie  famr  tEWtan,  dtii 
e/jffled  thii  att^r  Jittmg  tcith  6tr* 

Tut.  wanderiojf  |t**Uiiig  In  the  ftriiiTmer  tyd*, 

,j,„  .:.  ,_   .u.     ,,_   :..   : ^yutioote^     ' 

A.J ^        .   ,  , ..  ,.  _ 'Atr  doIjoii 


4»(1  THIWO^fC 

Wlien  that  he  faw  me  fittini;  by  her  fyJc, 
Thu  o4  my  health  is  vo-y  ttop  anii  tootc. 
It  plnfcd  mr  then  to  have  To  faif e  a  v^r^^cct 
To  Cuog  the  hart  J  tiuc  would  have  had  my  place* 


WvAT  ncdes  thefe  thrcatning  wordcftpaii4  widcd 
At  thit  cuniioc  mak«  me  fedorc  niy  pray. 

To  robb^  ""^  '"  ^^    V^^'^  5"    '"'  '"  •  -^'rrjif, 
Nor  c*ti  V, 

Let  lovi.       J     ,,  ,  -  unde. 

That  may  both  hrunc  wh%c  you  «rid  I  can  (^y. 
She  i-rft  my  haft,  and  I  a  glove  Unm  her* 
Let  ^»  Jc«  ihtfUi  if  oot  l»c  wordi  tht  othvf  * 


Rrcar  tf tit  it  U,  ^d  fayd  full  ynre  ago. 

Take  hcdc  of  him  th^i  by  the  hack  thcc  dawcth  ; 

For  noi]e  it  woric  tlmn  i^  a  frcMtly  io, 

Thcugh  thcg  feme  good,  ali  thiu^  that  the  dc* 

liteth. 
Yet  know  h  well,  that  Id  thy  bofomc  crcpcth, 
For  many  a  mail  luth  fire  ult  timcv  be  kiiidleth, 
lliat  with  tjie  hUh:  J lu  beard  himfidf  he  Jiagctb. 


It  may  be  good,  lyk«  it  who  lift, 

fiqt  1  do  duiiiU  who  c^n  me  blame  f 

For  oft  anUrcd,  ycf  have  I  mUl, 

Aiid  uow  ugain  1  fear  the  fame  ; 

The  woordcs,  that  trom  jour  mouth  {afl  &amc. 

Of  fnde7D  change;  nr'         -     pfl, 

F*tr  dread  to  fall,  1  i 

Alas  !  I  trtail  an  ^ .  ic, 

That  fekc  t"  actcrd  two  contrarttrs 
And  hope  thu*)  Aill,  and  tiorhiog  hale, 
ImprifoDcd  m  UUertie»| 
A*  one  unhcird,  and  fllll  that  crici, 
Alwayi  thirily*  and  nought  doih  uile. 
For  dre.Kl  to  f*in  ftandnot  fa  ft. 

AJTurcd  1  doubt  I  be  ooi  furc. 
Should  1  thcH  truft  unto  fuch  furetf, 
I'hat  oft  hath  |ni£  t^>c  prolV  Lo  grc 
And  never  ycc  have  found  it  truftie* 
Kay,  fcr  in  f^^yih^  it  wrte  ^rcat  (olly» 
And  yet  my  life  thu»  do  I  wuft. 
For  dread  to  fad  1  ftand  not  faft, 

Tht  kwr  ;m/Limtb  tU$  bit  l§w  ikih  mi  fit'u  him. 

UtiootfX)  my  vo^c'T  ye  wom]s»mc  beare  me  plain. 
Both  hil»  ;^d  talet  cauiiijg  rofte^ion, 
And  five  I*  ike,  it^ord  y*;  of  my  jviyne, 
Wluch  h««x  wl;  Icucd  yt  by  con>pu(ljvii. 


Ai  judgea  lo  to  hair  mf  4 

Among  whom  mth  (I  ftntfe)  f9  4mk  I 

Where  I  it  fiike,  alai !  tbcfe  li  i" 

Oft  ye  rWen,  to  hcire  my  iroM  J 
Have  ft  opt  ynor  cours,  uid  plajnly  to  ( 
Many  a  teare  by  moyftiirt«Cflie  l 
I'he  earth  hath  wept  to  heir  mj  he:if  iiieC^ 
Which  canfeklltt  I  endorr  wtihmil  niiiife^ 
The  hugy  okes  have  ro«Jed  le  the  wyiMic, 
Edie  thinf^  mc  thot^t,   oMBfilayinaf  !■  Ail 
kmd. 

Why  then  atxn !  doth  Adt  0tt  «Nt  ibc  nt, 
Or  it  her  heart  (» lutfd,  that  no  fikAtf 
May  in  it  fink«,  my  joy  fi^  Ca  rmewf 
O  ftony  hart,  fvbo  hath  thus  frwmtd  f^ 
Srj  cruel,  that  «t  einked  mritK  b«avtf, 
I  hat  frum  thoe  may  no  fr»t«  to  mc  pteetiil. 
But  34  nfvard,  dc^  Ibr  bo  be  mf  medc* 


xyi^f 


hiifuiU  laJha//vfj  m^  A 

Im  faith  I  wote  not  wkte  fl»  Ay, 

Thy  chauncts  b**t"  r-  -— ~-'-roii». 
Thou  iof  tunc  w  r  •  play, 

Thit  makeft  the  j  .^  -  ..  ^   igroo*. 
Yet  though  thychaine  hith  me  enwrspt, 
Spyte  of  rhy  hap,  hap  hath  welt  hayt. 

Though  tkou  hiik  Cat  me  tor  a  i 
Ard  (ekcft  by  change  to  dome  payne^ 
Mens  myndea  yet  mayft  thou  qoc  im  i 
For  honeHtc  if  it  rem;:iynf. 
Shall  ihioe  for  »l  rhy  dnody  r*fttm% 
\a  v^yne  chou  Ickcft  to  hixm  me  cr^e, 
Spyte  of  thy  hap,  h  «  hath  well  tnm, 

In  hiodcring  me,  me  dUA  thou  tuftJk99^, 
\nd  made  a.  gap,  where  vav  a  llyle« 
Cruel  wilcf  hoim  adt  put  aQder, 
Weniogto  ki%i«rvthiafi  didfttfaou  Cmyft 
Lordt  how  thy  felf  ihou  didfl  l>«|^le» 
That  in  thy  carca  would  havo  me  wrapt| 
But  fpytc  ot  hap,  hap  hath  mdl  hapt. 


YK/ 


ji  rtttoMMtiMg  ^Aardeiif  rftaftiimtt 

FatKwtlt.  the  hard  of  crtjeky^ 
Though  that  with  pain  my  li'onrry. 
Dear  have  1  bought,  and  woIaU), 
Finilht  my  feareluU  Jragedy. 
Of  force  t  muft  rurf;ikc  tuch  pleaTuxef 
A  good  catiic  juft,  fin*  t  eud4are, 
Therby  my  wo,  whidi  be  ye  fme. 
Shall  chcrwidi  go  me  Co  rccure. 

I  fare  as  one  c^apt  thai  fi^eth, 
Olad  he  itgonc,  and  yc?  '  th, 

Spu'd  to  be  caught  and 
1  hat  he  for  notight  hiii  ^^^^  *«*.iu 
In  joy  full  payn,  rt:joyce  my  harr^ 
rhu»  tofviihLjn  ut  cche  a  part- 
L^t  m  t  thisioag  from  thee  «iait« 
VVdcbme  among  mj  picaiwil  kmn* 


ru!l  place,  fMtJMf  of  my  froart» 
iinfalve  encreafing  myforow, 
■iMfe,  and  tmMiUcr  ef  my  hart, 
4  aiiBdc«  Biyo«  iinqaitt  foe, 
rr  of  payac,  rememberer  of  my  woe, 
e  of  flepc,  wherein  J  do  t»ut  wake, 
with  tcarci,my  bed,  1  the  forfJte, 
ofly  inowci  may  pot  rcdrrii  my  he«tc, 
Ite  of  fuime  abate  my  fervfrat  cold, 
kothmg  CO  cafe  my  f  tine  fo  g[r<*ac 
e  caufcth  encreafe  by  twenty  fold, 
g  cares  upon  my  forrowt  old, 
rthwart  cffcdet  in  me  they  make, 
with  tcarvi,  my  bed  for  to  forfakc. 
I  for  nought*  I  find  no  better  estc, 
rout,  th^H  moft  caufeth  my  piine« 

0  I  feck  how  beft  that  I  may  pleafe, 
Abour  (alas)  it  all  in  vayn, 

t  once  fct,  I  c^het  it  refrayoCi 
from  me  my  grief  away  cm  take, 
re  with  teatM»iiiy  bf4  I  cbee  for  fake. 

Bi     xmi 

ele  hye  hillefl  ai  when  a  fpringr  doth  fall^ 

1  dowDC  with  ftill  and  fottle  courfc, 
Dd  that,  it  githcn  aye  and  ihall, 

ive  juil  downe  flowed  to  fltreame  and 

KTce, 

Jie  fiaote  it  ng«th  over  ail : 

\  love,  when  he  hath  cafie  a  courfe, 

Ui  rayne,  refinance  vayleth  nonp, 

dicbuc  i«  remedy  alone. 

i     ^^' 

a»ut/x»trt. 

Id  dCTC  enmy,  my  froward  maiftcr, 
bat  qvcne^  t  cauJde  to  be  acyted, 
okJeth  the  divice  part  of  oor  nature, 
:  aa  goldc,  m  fyre  he  mooght  be  tryrd^ 
with  a  dolour,  there  Imc  prcTcfntcd 
rrtbk  fearc,  ai  otie  that  greatly  drcadcth 
(full  death,  and  jtiflice  alwmy  fckctli. 
!ioi  I  fay'd  :  Ooce  my  left  foote,iiudMiic, 
waA  yong,  I  fct  within  hit  rajgnc  ; 
r  Other  then  fyrely  burning  flamr« 
eltplttt  otany  ■  grievoua  paync, 
1 1  &0red  anger  and  diidajne  : 
3e  opprc^cd  pscicnce  wat  pafl, 
loe  owne  life  hated  at  the  lafl. 
hitherto  have  1  my  cyme  paiTed 
and  (matrt,  what  wayei  it  profitable, 
ny  pleafaat  dayct  have  roe  efcapedi 
g  this  iaUt  Iyer  fo  dcccivahle  ? 
it  liave  wordei  fo  preft  and  forceabie^ 
ly  contalne  my  great  niifliappiDeSe, 
c«iii|>laiDtctof  hi  I  ongcBthaei&  I 


In  bitterncllt,  my  blind;  liic  harh  ftaflod 
Hi&faUe  feniblancc.  that  turncth  2>>  a  balf, 
With  fair  and  amorous  daunce,  m^dc  mc  be  traced. 
And  where  I  had  my  thought  and  minde  araccd, 
Frt>iii  earthly  fray InelTt,  and  from  vaine  plnlure* 
Mc  from  my  rtii  he  cooke  aod  frt  in  crroiir. 

God  made  he  mc  regard Iril'e,  than  I  ought^ 
And  to  my  felic  to  take  right  htUe  hedc  : 
And  for  a  woman  have  I  fet  xt  nought, 
Al  other  thought es,  in  this  only  to  fp«^| 
And  he  wa^  oucly  cutmfdcr  of  thta  dcde. 
Whcttii^  alwaf  cj  my  youihly  fraile  defyre. 
On  cruel  whctdoncftempeied  ivtth  lire. 

But  (oh  alai!)  where  bad  1  ever  wit  i 
Or  other  gift  geveo  to  me  of  nature  i 
That  iotmcr  ihai  ho  changed  my  weried  fpliz^ 
Then  the  obftinate  will,  that  is  my  rvkr. 
So  robbeth  he  my  fredome  with  difpieafure, 
Hiis  wicked  traytour,  whofu  I  thun  aecufe^ 
That  bitter  life  hath  turned  Ln  pIciiJant  ufe. 

He  hath  mc  haflcd,  through  di'vcrs  region  a, 
Through  defcrt  woodea,and  fliarpe  by  moootaifiei^ 
Through    koward   people,    and  through  bitt( 

pafliuot, 
Through  rocky  feai,  aod  over  hillss  and  pUiDte; 
With  wtry  travel,  and  with  laUorout  payncf^ 
Alwayes  in  trouble  and  in  tediosfneffe, 
All  in  errour,  and  daaogeroua  diftrcfTe.  • 

But  nother  he,  not  fhe,  my  tother  foe. 
For  all  my  flight  did  ever  mc  fjprfake; 
That  though  my  timely  death  hstli  been  tofhiwc 
That  mc  a*  yet,  it  hath  not  overtake ; 
The  heavenly  goda  of  ptiiedoe  it  (lakc« 
And  note  they  thi*  hit  crueil  tyrajaey^ 
That  feede*  him,  with  mr  care,  mad  mllery. 

j§io«  I  wa»  hiftf  hower  refled  I  never, 
Nor  looke  to  doe,  and  tkc  the  waky  nighte% 
The  banjfhed  flepc  may  in  no  wife  rccovei . 
By  guy!^  and  force,  over  my  thralled  fpitea 
He  19  ruler,  flii»  which  bell  ncttr  firikes,  '  J 

That  I  hear  Dot  as  founding  to  reoue  j 

My  pbintet.    Himfrlf  he  knoweth  that  1  fiijf 
trne^ 

For  never  woormea  old  rotten  flocke  have  eaten, 
A%  he  my  hart,  where  he  is  refidcnt^ 
And  doth  the  fame  with  death  daily  threaten. 
t  hence  ctnne  the  tearea,  and  thence  the  bite< 

tormcot,  [mcnC^ 

The  fighet,  the  woordet  and  eke  the  Unguiili< 
That  noy  both  rae,  and  paravcnture  other. 
Judge  thou  thi^t  knoweA  the  one  and  eke  the  other. 

Mine  tdvtri^ric  wiih  fuch  grcvous  repiroofc, 
Thu»  he  began.  Hear  lady  the  other  part : 
That  the  plain  trouth,  from  which  he  draweth 

aloofe, 
Tht»  UEikind  man  may  lhcw>  ere  that  1  part, 
tn  hii  yong  age,  f  tookc  him  from  th^t  art. 
That  fclleth  woordei,  and  make  clattering  knight. 
And  of  my  wealth  I  gave  him  the  delight. 

Now  fhkmei  he  not  on  me  for  to  complaioe. 
That  held  him  evermore  in  plcalant  gayne. 
From  his  deli  re  that  might  have  been  hit  paynei 
Yet  therby  alone  \  brought  htm  to  fonic  frmmc, 
Whidk  now  at  w^ctchcdnes,  he  doth  ki  blaa^ 


pl^ 


THE    WORKS    OF   WYAT. 


And  toward  hoDoar  (|uickned  I  hit  wit. 
Whereas  a  daftard  els  he  mought  have  fit. 

He  knowed  how  great  Atride  that  made  Troy 
freat. 
And  Hannibal  to  Rome  fo  troubelous. 
Whom  Homer  honoured  Achilles  that  great. 
And  th*  Afifricane  Scipion  the  famous, 
And  many  other,  by  much  honour  glorious, 
Whofe  fame  and  a^es  did  lift  them  up  above, 
I  did  let  fall  in  bafe  difhoneft  love. 

And  unto  him.  though  he  unworthy  were, 
I  chofe  the  be^  of  many  a  million, 
Thar  under  funne  yet  never  was  her  peri, 
or  wifdom  womanhod,  and  of  difcrecion. 
And  of  my  grace  1  gave  her  fuch  a  facion. 
And  eke  futh  way  I  taught  her  for  to  teache 
That  never  bafe  thought  his  hart  fo  hie  might 
reache. 

Ever  more  thus  to  content  his  maiftrelTe 
That  was  his  only  frame  of  honeiUe, 
I  ilirred  him  ftill  toward  gentlenefle. 
And  caufed  him  to  regard  fidelitie ; 
facience  I  taught  him  in  adverfitie, 
Such  venues  learned  he  in  my  great  fchoole. 
Whereof  repenteth  now  the  ignorant  fooie. 

Thcfe  were  the  fame  dcceite^,  and  bitter  gall. 
That  I  have  uftd,  the  torment  and  the  anger, 
Sweter  than  ever  did  to  other  fall. 
Of  right  good  feed,  ill  fruite  lo  thus  I  gather. 
And  To  (hall  he  that  the  unkinde  doth  further ; 
A  ferpent  nouri%  I  under  my  wing, 
And  now  of  nature  ginocth  he  to  iUng. 

And  for'  to  tell  at  laft,  my  great  fervice. 
From  thoufandes  diihonefties  have  I  him  drawcn, 
That,  by  my  meanes,  him  in  no  manner  wyfe, 
Mever  vyle  pteafure  once  hath  overthrowen, 
Wherin  hisdede,  (hame  hath  him  alwayesgnawen. 
Doubting  report  that  (bould  come  to  her  eare. 
Whom  now  he  blames,  her  wonted  he  to  fearc ; 

What  ever  he  hath  of  imy  honeft  euftome. 
Of  her,  and  me,  that  holds  he  every  whir. 
But  lo,  yet  n^ver  was  there  neightly  fantome, 
So  farrc  in  errour,  as'he  is  from  his  wit. 
To  plain  on  us,  he  (Iriveth  with  the  bit ; 
Which  may  rule  him,  and  do  him  eare,and  paine, 
And  in  one  hower,  make  all  his  griefe  his  gaine. 

But  one  thing  yet  there  is  above  all  other, 
I  gave  him  wmgcs,  wherewith  he  might  up  flye. 
To  honour  and  fame,  and  if  he  woulde  to  hyghcr, 
Then  n\ortal  things,  above  the  ftarry  ikye ; 
Confidering  the  pieafure,  that  an  eye 
Might  gcue  in  earrh,  by  reafon  of  the  love. 
What  (bouM  that  be,  that  lalleth  ftill  above  } 

And  he  the  fame  hinil'cU'  hath  faid  ere  this, 
But  now,  forgotten  is  both  that  and  I, 
That  gave  him  her,  his  only  NM'aith  and  bliHe, 
And  at  thi-  wooro,  with  deadly  Aircke  and  crye  : 
Thou  gave  her  once  Tquod  \)  but  by  and  by 
QThou  took  her  ayen  from  me,  that  woworth  the 
>Iot  1.  but  price,  more  worth  than  thou  (quod  he.) 

Ai  laii,  cche  other  f"r  himfelf,  concluded, 
I  trembhng  ilill,  but  he,  with  fmall  reverence, 
Xaj^  thus,  as  we  eche  other  have  acculed, 
IV-rc  lady  now  we  wayte  thcnc  only  fentcoce ; 
Shf  iJuiliDg,  at  the  i\'hilled  aadiencc, 


I  liketh  me,  quod  (he,  to  hsve  heard  yovqae 
But  longer  time  doth  like  a  rcfiiliitioii. 

The  lover f  firrenufuUJlaU  wtakHh  him  vriitfin\ 
/wrjr«,  iuifiuche,  bit  Uve  may  Um^  ihefim 

Makill  no  more  altho. 
The  fongs,  I  (ing  do  monc 
For  other  life  then  woe, 
I  never  proved  none. 

And  in  my  heart  alfo. 
Is  grayen  with  letters  deepe, 
A  thoufand  (igbes  and  mo 
A  flod  of  teari's  to  weepe. 

How  many  a  man  in  fmait. 
Find  a  matter  to  rejoyce  : 

How  many  a  morning  hftrt. 
Set  forth  a  plea(ant  voyce  : 
Play  who  fo  can  that  part, 
Nedes  muft  in  me  apperc. 
How  fortune  overthwart 
Doth  caufe  my  morning  chere* 

Perdy  there  is  no  man 
If  he  faw  never  fight, 
That  perfitly  tell  can. 
The  nature  of  the  light, 

Alas,  how  (hould  I  than* 
That  never  uft  bnt  (bwrc. 
But  do  as  f  began. 
Continually  to  lovrre. 

But  yet  perchance  fome  chance. 
May  chance  to  change  my  tone. 
And  when  ((bnch)  chance  doth  chance^ 
Then  (hall  I  thanke  fortune. 

And  if  1  have  (fouch)  chancCa 
Purchance  or  it  be  long. 
For  (fouch)  a  plea(ant  chance. 
To  (mg  fume  pleafant  fong. 


The  lover  emmjflaueti  bimfelf  Jorf^keu 

WnaaE  (hall  I  have  at  mine  own  wil, 
Teares  to  complaine,  where  (hall  I  fet 
Such  fighes,  that  I  may  figh  my  fill. 
And  then  again  my  plaintes  repete  \ 
For  though  my  plaint  (hall  have  none. 
My  tares  cannot  fuffife  my  woe  lend, 
To  mone  harm,  have  I  no  friend. 
For  fortunes  frend  is  mifhappes  foe. 
Comfort  (God  wot)'eU  have  I  none. 
But  in  the  wind  to  waft  my  woordes. 
Nought  moneth  you  my  dedly  mone. 
But  {(ill  you  turn  it  into  boordea  : 
I  (peak  not  now,  to  move  your  heart, 
Fhit  you  (Iiould  rue  upon  my  pain. 
The  fentence  geven  may  not  revert, 
1  know  fuch  labour  were  but  vain. 
But  fens  that  I  for  yon  \my  dere) 
Have  lofi  that  thing,  that  was  my  be(^ 
A  right  finall  lofs  it  mnft  appere. 
To  Icfc  tbcic  woordes,  and  dl  the  reft. 


SOHOBS  AND   SONETTES. 


«>1 


ough  they  fparkle  in  the  wind, 

all  they  Ihew  y  ur  falflied  fayth, 

.  is  returned  to  his  kind, 

kc  to  lykc  the  proverhc  faith. 

ic  and  you  did  me  avonce, 

ought  I  fwam,  and  could  not  drowne, 

eft  of  al»  but  my  mifchaunce 

:t  me  up  to  throw  me  downe. 

ou  with  her,  of  cruelneft, 

t  your  foole  up^n  my  necke, 

ad  my  welfare  to  opprefs. 

ut  offence  your  heart  to  wreke. 

:  arc  your  pleafapt  woordes  '  alas) 

i  19  your  faith,  your  ttedfaftnefs/ 

is  no  more  but  all  doth  paf«>, 

am  left  all  comfortlefs. 
IS  fo  much  it  doth  you  greve, 
Ifo  mc  my  wretched  lyfe, 
here  my  trouth  nought  (hall  reliere, 
ath  alone,  my  wretched  ftnfe. 
fore  tarewell,  roy  lyfe,  my  death, 
lyne,  my  loflc,  my  falvc,  my  fore, 
el)  idfo,  with  you  my  breath, 
[^  gone  for  evermore. 

fbit  love  that  pricked  btrji^gew  w^  «  neMe. 

ire  and  fowed  that  hath  done  me  the  wrong, 
:of  I  plain,  and  have  done  many  a  day, 
whilil  (he  heard  my  plaint,  in  piteous  fong, 
i(ht  my  heart  the  fampler,  that  it  lay. 
hnd  maifter,  whome  1  have  ferved  fo  long, 
;ing  to  htare,  that  he  did  heare  her  fay, 
her  own  weapon  do  htr  finger  blede, 
rle,  if  pricking  were  fo  good  indede. 

O/tbefoMi. 

r  man  hath  hearde  fuch  crueltie  before, 
when  my  plaint  rcmembrcd  her  my  wo, 
zaufed  ic,  (he  cruell  more  and  more, 
:d  eche  ftich,  as  (he  did  fit  and  fow, 
rickt  my  heart,  for  to  encreale  my  fore ; 
9  I  thinke,  (he  thought  that  had  been  fo, 
t  (he  thought,  this  is  heart  in  dede, 
rickt  hard,  and  made  herfelf  to  blede, 

'qu^  U  Cwpidefir  revenge  tfbit  unkind  love,    y 

LD  loTe,  thy  power  how  (he  defpyfeth 
rievous  payn,  how  little  (he  regardcth 
>lemnc  othe  whereof  (be  takes  no  cure, 
n  (be  hath,  and  yet  (he  bydeth  fure. 
at  her  eafe,  and  little  thee  (he  dredeth, 
nncd  thou  art,  and  (he  unarmed  (itreth  ; 
e  difdainefule,  all  her  lyfe  (he  leadeth 
e  fpitefule,  without  jull  caufe  or  meafure  : 
d  Love,  how  proudly  (he  triumpeth, 
n  hold,  hot  if  the  ^ittie  mevctb, 


Go .  herd  thy  bow,  that  ftony  hartes  breaketh. 
And  with  fome  ftroke,  revenge  the  great  diiylea* 

fure, 
Of  thec«  and  him  that  forow  dnth  endure. 
And  as  his  lord  the  lowly  her  cutreateth. 

Complaint  for  true  love  unrequited* 

What  iraileth  trouth,  or  by  it  to  take  pain. 
To  fttive  by  (tedfaftnefs,  for  to  attain ; 
How  to  be  juft,  and  flee  from  doublenc(re, 
Since  all  alike,  where  ruleth  craftineffe. 
Rewarded  is  both  crafty,  falfe,and  plain  ? 
Soonei^  he  fpi  des,  that  moii  can  lye  and  faine* 
True  meaning  hart  is  had  in  hyghe  dildaine  ; 
Againfl  deceit  and  clokcd  doublene(re. 
What  vaileth  trouth,  or  pcrfed  ftedfaftne(re« 
Deceived  is  he,  by  falfc  and  craftie  train, 
i'hat  meaues  no  gile  and  faithfull  doth  reinaine^ 
Within  the  trap,  without  help  oi  redreflc^ 
But  for  to  love,  lo,  fuch  a  ftern  maiftrc(re,    *- 
Where  crueltie  dweilcs,  alat  it  were  in  vaiiu 

Tbe  lover  tbatfiedUve^  nowfohwet  it  wth 
bis  barme, 

SoMETiMK  1  fled  the  fire,  that  one  fo  brent. 
By  fea.  by  land,  by  water,  and  by  winde. 
And  now  the  coalcs  1  folow,  that  beguent. 
From  Dover  to  Calcs,  with  willing  minde* 
Lo  how  dcfire  ib  both  fprong,  and  I'pent, 
And  he  may  fee,  that  whilome  was  (b  blind. 
And  all  thi&  labour  laughes  he  now  to  fcome, 
Mca(bcd  in  the  briert,  that  erft  was  onely  tome« 


yy-JH^ 


Tbe  lover  bepetb  of  better  ebamnee* 

He  is  not  dead,  that  fometime  had  a  fal. 

The  fun  retumes,  your  hed  was  under  clowde,     . 

And  when  fortune  hath  fpit  out  all  her  gall, 

I  truft.  good  luck  to  me  flial  be  allowed. 

For  I  have  fceh  a  (hip  in  haven  fal, 

After  that  fiorme  hath  broke  bothe  mafte  and 

(hroud. 
The  wellow  eke,  that  (koupeth  with  the  winde. 
Doth  rife  again,  and  greater  wood  doth  bindc 

Tbe  lover  eomparetb  bis  bart  to  tbe  overehmrged  goimtm 

Thk  furious  gonne,  in  his  moft  ragyng  yre. 
When  that  the  boule  is  rammed  into  fore. 
And  that  the  flame  cannot  part  from  the  ficr, 
Crackes  in  funder,  and  in  the  ayer  do  rore 
The  (hevered  peccs :  fo  doth  my  ddire, 
Whofe  flame  encrcafcth  aye  from  more  to  Okore, 
Which  to  let  out,  1  dare  not  lokc,  nor  fpcke. 
So  inwardc  force  my  heart  doth  lito  braik«t 


^  y^iA 


M 


>r<^)l^l 


THEWORKS   OP   WYAT. 


ni  iff9erfuJpeSui»/chatige,  prmrih  that  ii  he  tt$i 

helevtJ  againp  him. 

Accused  thongh  I  be,  without  defert, 
Sith  none  can  prove,  bej^eve  it  not  for  true; 
For  never  yet,  fincc  thiit  you  had  my  hart, 
Intended  I  to  falfe,  or  be  untrue. 
Sooner  I  would  of  death  fuftain  the  (hurt. 
Than  breake  one  worde.of  that  I  promifed  you. 
Accept  therefore  my  fervice  in  good  part. 
None  is  alive,  that  can  ii  tongue  efchew, 
Hold  them  as  falfe,  and  let  not  us  depart, 
Our  friendfhip  oM,  in  hope  of  auiy  new. 
Put  not  thy  trnft  in  fuck  as  ufe  to  faine, 
J^xcept  thoo  minde  to  put  thy  ircod  to  paixu 


yxxi 


ufednakk 


7%i!cwr  ahufidnakwulh  love. 

Mt  lore  to  fcorn,  my  fervicc  to  retam. 
Therein  me  thought  you  ufed  cmehie. 
Since  with  good  will  I  loft  ||y  tibertie. 
Might  never  wo  yet  caufe  me  to  rcfrainc. 
But  only  this,  which  is  estremitie. 
To  give  me  nought  (alas)  not  to  agree. 
That  as  I  was  your  man,  I  might  remaine, 
But  iince  that  thus  ye  lift  to  order  mee, 
-That  would  have  been  your  fervant  true  aod  hSL^ 
Pifplesle  you  not,  my  doting  time  is  paft ; 
And  with  my  loffc  to  leave  I  muft  agree. 
For  as  there  is  a  certaine  time  to  rage. 
So  is  there  time  fneh  madnes  to  aflwage. 


Ttl  ItvtrpffeJM  bimftffi  cwfoM. 

Within  my  brcft  I  never  thought  it  gainc, 
Of  gentle  mindes  the  fredome  for  to  lofe. 
Not  in  my  hart  lank  never  fnch  difdaine. 
To  be  ft  i^rger,  faultlefle  for  to  difdofe. 
Nor  can  not  1  endure  the  truth  to  glofe. 
To  let  sglofle  upon  an  eameft  paine. 
Nor  I  am  not  in  nambre  one  of  thofe, 
Thu  lift  to  Wow,  rctrcatc  to  every  traint. 

nt  hper/enAtk  his  emptaintes  dniltaru  Ufuefor 
grace* 

Fassi  forth  my  wounted  crycs, 
Thofe  cruel  cares  to  pearce. 
Which  in  moft  hatefull  wife, 
Do  ftill  my  plaintes  reverie. 
Doe  you,  my  teares  alfo. 
So  woe  het  barrein  heart, 
That  pstle  there  may  growe. 
And  cmeltie  depart. 

Per  though  hard  rodtes  among 
She  icaios  to  have  been  bred, 
Andofthedgrelov 
«Bcii9iiOBriihcd  aod  ted. 


Yet  (hall  not  nature  chadge. 
If  pitte  once  win  place. 
Whom  as  unknowne  and  ib'ange^ 
She  now  away  doth  chafe. 

And  as  the  water  foft. 
Without  forcing  or  ftreogth, 
Where  that  it  falleth  oft. 
Hard  ftones^doth  pierce  at  length* 
So  in  her  ftony  heart. 
My  plaintes  at  laft  (hall  grsvc» 
And  rigour  fet  apart, 
Winne  graunt  of  that  I  crave. 

Wherefore  my  playntes  prefer 
Stil  fo  to  her  my  fuit. 
As  ye  through  her  alTent, 
May  bring  to  me  fome  fmte* 
And  as  (he  (hall  me  prove, 
So  bid  her  me  regarde. 
And  render  love  for  love. 
Which  is  a  juft  reward. 


yiHyi 

7he  Unert  cafe  coMimik  biding  ^nNWric^j 

YoDR  lokes  fo  often  caft. 
Your  eyes  (b  frendly  rolde. 
Your  fight  fixed  lb  taft, 
Alwaies  one  to  beholde : 
Though  hide  it  faine  ye  wonlde^ 
It  plainly  doth  declare, 
Who  hath  your  hart  in  hold. 
And  where  good  will  ye  bare. 

Faine  would  ye  find  a  cloke« 
Your  brenning  fire  to  hide. 
Yet  both  the  flame  and  fttioke 
Breakes  out  on  every  Tide* 
Ye  cannot  love  fo  guide. 
That  it  no  i(rue  winne, 
Abrode  nedes  muft  it  glide, 
That  brennes  fo  hotte  within. 

For  caufe  your  felf  do  wink. 
Ye  judge  all  other  blinde. 
And  fecret  it  you  think. 
Which  every  man  dothe  finde. 
In  waft  of  fpend  ye  whide. 
Your  felf  in  love  to  quit, 
For  agues  of  that  kinde, 
Wyll  (how,  who  hath  the  fit. 
Your  fighs  you  fet  from  farte^ 
Ard  all  to  wry  your  wo. 
Yet  are  ye  ncr  the  narre. 
Men  are  not  blinded  fo* 
Dcpely  oft  (Were  ye  no. 
But  all  thofe  othes  are  vaine. 
So  well  your  eye  doth  (hew. 
Who  putts  your  hart  to  paine. 

Thinkc  not  therefore  to  hide. 
That  ftill  it  felf  betraies, 
Nor  fcke  mcanes  to  provide. 
To  dark  the  funny  dayes. 
Forget  thofe  wonted  wayes. 
Leave  of  fuch  froowning  rhcrf. 
There  will  be  found  no  ftaifS» 
To  ftop  a  thing  fo  dcrc* 


!lU»i^     SONGBS   ANb 

th  nai  to  ht  itfdained^  nor  refnfed, 
ftrujicdt  nurforfukcm. 

X  withou*  dcfcrt, 

fo  fodcynly, 

t,  that  in  my  hcrt, 

ut  honcftly. 

withuuc  ciufewhy,  » 

t  to  be  utijuft, 

offantafie, 

ncdcs  knit  J  mtid. 
)t,  rhoug^h  fome  there  be, 
fpot  my  (ledfaftncffe ; 

fms  that  yc  fc, 

as  r hey  exprcrfc. 
t,  tiii  I  dcfcrvc, 
» till  (  toffende, 
till  that  I  ftircrvc, 

what  I  entende. 
)t,  that  am  your  owne, 
bat  am  fo  true, 
till  all  be  knowen, 
now  for  no  new. 


xt^l 


\tetb  bit  efiate^  'with  fate  for  grace* 

1  in  woi  plaine, 

fobemefs, 

ay  fute  my  p^ne, 

ith  yoifr  ftedfaftocfle. 

of  gentleneffd, 
I,  t  you  re<|uire, 
ics  of  my  defire. 
;cvcth  willingly, 
:cs  aye  doth  defenr^, 
nfalnedly, 

alas  do  ficrve. 
aufc  is  for  to  fwcrvc, 
dfafl  is  my  fute, 
where  is  the  frute. 
t  hath  his  keper  loft, 
mce  to  obtaine, 
t  deliteth  moft, 
:  though  I  be  ilain. 

my  hand  of  paine, 

re  that  makes  me  crlf, 

>  or  els  1  dye. 

lot  incontinent. 

cnfumiogly, 

tich  doth  relent 

vill  dtny. 

of  fuch  cruelty, 

oly  in  your  grace, 

^iU  to  change  his  place. 

r  tvaUftb  bu  tbangedjoytt, 

ght  him  avauDty 
tUy  chercy 


S0K£TTh3. 

It  was  my  felf  I  muft  it  graunt. 
For  I  have  bought  it  dere. 
And  derely  have  I  held  alfo 
1  he  glory  of  her  name* 
In  yielding  her  fuch  tribute  lo, 
As.didfet  forth  her  fame. 

Sometime  I  ftoud  fo  in  her  grace. 
That  as  1  would  require, 
Ech  joy  I  thought  did  me  embrace 
That  furdered  my  defire, 
And  all  thefe  pleafures  lo !  had  I, 
That  fancy  might  fupport. 
And  notliing  flic  did  me  deny. 
That  was  unto  my  comfort. 

I  had  (what  would  you  more  perdie} 
Ech  grace  that  I  did  crave, 
Thu«  fortunes  will  was  unto  me, 
All  thing  that  1  would  have. 
But  all  to  r^tbc,  alas !  the  while, 
She  built  on  fuch  a  ground. 
In  little  fpace,to  greate  a  guile. 
In  her  now  have  I  found. 

Fdr  (he  hath  tarned  fo  her  whde. 
That  I,  unhappy  roan, 
May  waile  the  time  that  1  dad  fele, 
Whercwich  ihefed  me  then, 
For  broken  now  are  her  beheftet. 
And  pleafant  lookes  flie  gave. 
And  therefore  now  all  my  requeftei, 
From  perill  cannot  fave. 

Yei  would  1  well  it  might  appere 
To  her  my  cbeife  regard, 
Though  my  defertes  have  been  to  dere 
1  o  merit  fuch  reward. 
Sins  fortunes  will  is  now  fo  bent. 
To  plaeue  me  thus  pore  man, 
I  muft  my  felf  therewith  content, ' 
And  bear  it  at  1  can. 


fr« 


X^^ 


Til  bii  hv*  ilmi  hsi  givem  amfipert  rfrifufUl. 

1*BE  annfwere  that  ye  made  to  me  my  deare, . 
When  I  did  fue  for  my  pore  hartes  redreflSe, 
Hath  fo  appalde  my  countenance,  and  my  chere. 
That  in  this  cafe,  1  am  all  comfortlefle, 
Sins  1  of  blame  no  caufe  can  well  exprefs. 

I  have  no  wrong,  where  I  can  claim  no  right 
Nought  tane  me  fro,  where  I  have  nothing  lud. 
Yet  of  my  wo,  I  cannot  (b  be  quite, 
Nunely  fms  that  another  may  be  glad. 
With  that,  that  thus  in  forrow  makes  me  (ad. 

Yet  none  can  claime  (I  fay)  by  former  graune 
That  knoweth  not  of  any  graunt  at  all. 
And  by  defert,  1  dare  well  make  a  vaunt, 
Of  faithfull  will,  there  is  no  where  that  (hall, 
fieare  you  more  tructb,  more  ready  at  your  call* 

Now  good  then,  call  againe  that  bitter  word, 
That  toucht  your  frend  lo  nete  with  plagues  of 

painc. 
And  fay  my  dere  that  it  was  (aid  in  bord. 
Late  or  to  fone,  let  it  not  rule  the  gaine. 
Wherewith  free  wiU  doth  true  defert  retayne. 
Kr 


4ti 


tr»  J&//  /(f^V«  <riw/  rarr  heryeUtm  lovir. 


I 


SitcR  i?  the  coorfc  ihaf  natures  kind  hath  wrotighf, 
1  liac  (nmktf  h^ve  rimt  to  nil  SLW^y  their  ning>, 
Againf^  chain'd  prifoner^  what  rjcdc  defence  be 

foiight. 
The  firrci"  lyon  will  hurt  no  yielding  things; 
iVhjrfhould  fuchfplghtbt  nurrcd  thtjii  by  thmighrsj 
Sitii  lU  thefc  power*  arc  pfcft  under  thy  winpi, 
And  ehe  thou  feell,  and  rcarnn  iJiee  hath  caught, 
-Wba!^  nurchiefc  malice  many  wajrei  it  bringi, 
ConfidcT  eke,  that  f^iitc  a\rayleth  nought, 
Thercf'Te  ihisfonj;  thy  fstilt  to  thee  it  fing^  : 
Dilpieafe  thee  not,  forfayinjr  thu»  (m«  thnught) 
Nor  hitc  thou  bim  from  ^vhom  no  hate  forth 

fprings^ 
For  furies  that  in  hell  be  cxecrible, 
For  that  they  hate,  arc  made  mofl  miferablc. 

The  enemy  of  lyfe,  decaycr  of  til  kjndf^ 
*^l  hat^ith  his  coid  withcf«  away  the  grene 
This  other  m%hi  me  in  my  bed  did  tyt)de, 
And  o/Tcr'd  me  to  ryd«  mc  fever  cbne, 
And  f  did  graunt  fo  did  difpair  me  blinffe. 
He  drew  hi*  bowc  with  »rruwr«  (harp  tnd  kene, 
And  ftrokc  the  place  where  love  had  hyi  before. 
And  dnvc  the  fyrft  d^rt  dtpcr  mfot  and  more, 

I,     i 

l:%r  lowr  rejoycrtB  ttt  njoymj  ^hU  ^v«. 

Once  as  mcthought  fortune  mc  ki{^, 

Aud  bade  me  afk  what  \  tbotiirhi  bcf!» 

And  1  ibould  have  it  at  mc  IyC>« 

Therewith  w  fet  my  hart  ^t  left. 
t  aiked  but  my  laidyes  hat  t. 

To  Hatc  forevemiorc  myre  owne. 

Then  at  an  cod  were  all  my  fmart,  % 

I  *rhtn  (hould  I  ncde  no  more  to  mone. 

Vet  lor  all  that  a  ftorniy  bUft, 
*  Hiid  ovcrturird  thi*  j^oodly  uay  ; 

^nd  fortiii]e  femed  at  the  laft, 

Th:it  to  her  promife  flie  fa  id  nay. 

B.«t  like  as  otic  out  of  difpiirc, 

Ta  lodcyne  hoapc  revived  I ; 

Kow  fortune  (beweth  bt?  felfc  fo  fayrc, 

Tbar  I  content  mc  wondcrfly. 

My  mod  defy  re  my  hand  my  reach, 

My  will  is  alwa>  at  my  hande, 

3Vle  nedc  not  lonjifor  to  hclcch, 
J  Her  that  hath  poorer  me  to  comandc. 

What  earthljr  ^hirjg  more  cjn  I  crave, 
f  lA^hat  w.Jiitd  t  wilb  mort  at  my  will; 
)  iNothitig  on  earth  mwrc  woitJd  I  hfaVc, 

have  ihiir  1  have,  to  have  it  fillL 

For  fortune  now  hath  krpt  her  prcmcfTf, 

In  f^rauuri^g  mc  myxnajl  dcfyrc, 
kOf  nty  lovcratgnc  I  tave  rtrjrri'*, 
1 1  i^nuni  mc  w*th  w>  h  vi  4, 


The  Uver  ttmpUintih  iU  umhinda^  i 

Mv  lute  awake  perform  the  Uik 
Labour  that  thou  and  t  Ihall  waft ; 
And  ende  that  I  h^ve  now  begtiiuie. 
And  when  this  fong  ii  focgand  pail. 
My  lute  be  (lytl  for  I  h^vc  danc 

As  to  be  heard  where  care  ts  ooae^ 
As  Icade  to  grave  in  marble  ftone. 
My  fong  may  pcarce  her  hart  «  fhoa. 
Should  we  then  figh,  or  fmg,  er  motie» 
No,  no,  my  lute,  lor  1  have  dooc. 

The  rocki  do  nnt  fo  crucUy, 
Rcpulfc  the  waves  continually. 
As  (be  my  ftlite  and  alTct^oD  : 
So  that  I  am  p^ift  remedy, 
Whtrcby  my  lute  and  I  have  done. 

Proud e  of  the  fpoyle  that  thou  hail  |^ 
Of  Ample  hearts  through  loves  fhoC, 
f)y  whomc  unkind  thou  had  them  * 
rhink  oot  he  hath  his  bow  for^ottf 
Although  my  lute  and  1  have  dufie» 

Vcngcauce  fliail  fall  od  thy  4ifds 
I'hat  niakeft  but  game  on  emmeft  |«fae«l 
Thjuk  not  atone  under  the  fann, 
Unquit  to  caufe  thy  lovers  pbyne, 
Altbobgh  my  lute  atid  I  far^e  done. 

May  chanced  thee  lye  withred  i 
fn  winter  nights  that  arc  fo  cold. 
Playing  in  vaine  uoto  the  moon, 
Thy  wjlbes  then  dure  not  be  tohl, 
Cire  then  who  h(l  lor  I  have  done* 

And  then  may  chauncc  thee  to  repefitf 
The  time  that  thoo  haft  loft  and  fpeni. 
To  caufe  thy  lovers  fighc  and  fwuue, 
Then  Ibalt  thou  koow  bctiuy  but  lent, 
And  wiib  atnl  want  as  1  have  done. 

Now  ceafc  my  lute  this  is  th^e  UA« 
Labriur  that  thou  ftnd  I  (ball  wall. 
And  ended  is  that  we  btgootie. 
Now  is  this  fong  both  Jong  *nd  |alL 
My  lute  be  (Uil  for  1  have  done. 

^u 


NATuai  that  gave  the  bee  fo  fe»te  1 1 
To  findc  honey  of  fo  wondrc»ui  l«iliiaii, 
Hath  taught  the  fp)  '  rtftef 

To  fetch  poyfon  b)  lie 

Ihough  this  be  ftr^r,^^,  ..  ..  -  111 
With  oat  kifk  by  fecret  operatioii  ;  ' 
fin-ith  thcfc  at  once  in  thoie  your  fipi 
lo  change  wheicuf,  I  leave  mf  h^n  \ 

ul     — - 


Thi  Ufgr  d^trUat  hu  hfimg  ttlm  ^MJ{ 


TjKWAittY  fo  was  never  no  man  Hi^gtif^ 
With  Oedfafl  looVt  urun  a  i»o  JJt  IxLt:, 
As  I  of  late,  for  lov^ 
My  l^kirl  was  itwnt  '. 


SOMGES  AND  SO^ETTEt. 


«»? 


w  mine  eye  the  (Iroke  from  hers  dyd  Aide, 
rn  (iitcAlj  toAiy  heart  it  ranne, 
/hereof  the  blood  iherieto  did  glide, 
my  f;iceboth  pale  arid  waiine. 
was  I  hke  a  man  for  wa  amaaed, 
le  f owlc  that  fiyeth  into  the  fyrc, 
e  that  1  upon  her.  beauty  gafed, 
e  I  burned  in  my  defire. 
the  blood  ftart  in  my  face  tgayn<, 
with  heat,  that  it  had  at  my  hart, 
ight  therewith  rhrooghout  in  every  veine, 
x\g  heat  with  pleafant  fmart.;  ' 
was  I  Hke  the  ftra^,  when  that  the  flame 
therein,  by  force  and  rage  of  wynde. 
tell,  alals !  what  ihall  I  blame, 
t  to  feke,  nor  what  to  finde. 
ell  I  wot  the  grief  doth  hold  me  fore, 
nd  cold,  betwixt  both  hope  and  dreade, 
t  her  help  to  health  doe  me  rcftore, 
lefle  lyfe  I  may  not  leade. 


Tfi  hh  lover  to  tooke  ufm  him* 

by  looke  my  life  doth  whole  depend, 

left  thy  felf,  and  I  muft  dye  therefore, 

thou  may'ft  fo  eafely  help  thy  frende, 

ft  thou  ftick  to  falvfr  that  thou  madeft 

TC  : 

I  dye,  fince  thou  mayft  me  defend, 

dye  thy  life  may  laft  noe  more, 

by- other  doth  live  and  have  reliefe, 

look,  and  thou  moft  in  my  griefc. 


r  ixettftth  him  tfnxmriet^  whrtwith  he  nat 
umjitJUy  eh^rgtJ, 

faydc  it  not, 
T  thought  to  doe, 
to  I  ye  wot, . 
>  power  thereto. 
dfd,thek>t 
i  dyd  me  exchange, 
er  flake  the  knot,     . 
t  it  to  my  payne. 
f  I  did  eche  thing, 
y  do  hanne  or  wo, 
lUy  may  wring, 
t  where  fo  I  goc. 
say  ajiways  ring 
:  on  me  for  aye, 
hearj  did  fpryng, 
ds  that  you  db^  fay. 
;  I  did,  each  ftarr, 
n  heaven  above, 
ne  on  me  to  mart e, 
:  1  have  in  love, 
did  fttch  warr 
brought  unto  Troy, 

my  life  a»  farre 
hialttftaodjoyeL 


*  And  if.  I  did  fa  fa  ye,    -  '  ^ 
The  beauty  that  me  bounde, 
Encreafe  from  day  to  day, 
Mnre  cruel  to  my  wounde. 
Wirh  all  the  mone  that  may. 
To  plaint  my  tume  my  fong. 
My  lyfe  may  foon  dccaye. 
Without  redrefft  by  wrong. 

If  I  be  deare  from  thouj^ht. 
Why  do  you  then  complayne. 
Then  is  this  thing  but  fought. 
To  tume'my  hart  to  payne. 

•  Then  this  that  you  have  wrought,' 
You  maft  it  now  rcdrefle. 

Of  right. therefore  you  oaght. 
Such  rigour  to  rcprcffe 

And  a^  I  have  deferved. 
So  grant  me  now  my  hyre. 
You  know  I  never  fwerved. 
You  never  found  me  Iyer. 

For  Rachel  have  I  ferved. 
For  Lea  carde  I  never. 
And  her  I  have  r^ferved 
Within  my  hart  fur  ever. 


C/fucb  as  haiforftJuii  him, 

LvKZ  my  fair  faulcpn,  and  thy  fellow^  all. 
How  well  pleafant  it  were  your  libertic. 
Ye  not  furfake  me,  that  (ayre  mought  you  fall,' 
'  But  they  that  fometime  liked  my  company. 
Like  lyce  away  from  dead  bodye»  they  crall, 
Lo  what  a  proof  in  light  adverfitie. 
But  ye  my  byrds  1  fwear  by  all  your  belles, 
Ye  be  my  friendtand  very  fewe  elles. 

L>t 


A  dfjifi^iom  offmch  aoiumshe  wmUltvil 

A  TAci  that  fliould  content  me  woffideroot  welf. 

Should  not  be  fatt,  but  lovely  to  beholdf, 

Of  lively  louk  all  griefe  for  to  repclf 

With  right  good  grace  (p  would  I  that  it  fliouId. , 

Speak  without  word,  fuch  words  as  nOne  can  tell,- 

Her  trefs  alfo  fliould  be  of  crifped  gold.. 

With  wit  and  theVe»  perchaunce  I  might  be  tryde 

And  knit  again^  with  knot  that  ffiould  not  Aide; 

Lyt  — 

Krnr  imfoJihU  H  ii  Ujjnit  fmetn^4  im  Ume^ 

Ever  my  hap  is  ffack  and  flow  in  comeing 
Bi^fire  encreafmg  aye  my  hope  uncertayne« 
With  doubtfjl  love  that  but  encreafeth  paine,' 
For  tigre  like  fo  fwifc  it  is  tn  parting. 
Alas !  the  (now  bbick,  fliall  it  bee  and  fcaldi ng. 
The  fea  wateri^s,  and  fifli  upon  the  mounuine. 
The  Temmes  (hall  backe  returne  in  her  fountafne. 
And  where  he  rofe,  the  funn  fliall   take  heir 
iddging. 

Kr  ij 


(yt///; 


t 


£re  1  in  thi»  fbde  p^ee  or  quieci)er<t 

Or  that  loirc,  or  my  lady  right  w*fly, 

Leave  fo  cmifpirc  s{^ainfl  mc  wrongfully , 

And  if  I  have  after  fuch  hittcrnefs 

One  drop  of  fwct^,  n>v  niouth  i*  nut  of  tiflc, 

*V]\U  ali  my  iTuti  aud  uafcU  is  but  watlc. 


THE    WOKKS    OF    WYAT. 


Z-V/(  "TV    "^^/X 

Lore,  fortune,  and  my  muide  whidi  doc  rf mcni^rr 
¥Mt  tliai  is  now,  *>«d  ihjit  once  hath  henc, 
Tormfnr  my  hart  fo  fore  that  very  often 
1  hair  .tnd  envy  them  beyond  all  mcafurc. 
X^ff  flfe*  th  my  hart*  while  fortune  is  dcpriTer, 
Of  ail  my  comfort,  *hc  foolifti  mlnde  thiai, 
Burneth  and  plaint* h,  2.*^  one  that  very  fcldomc, 
LriVeth  in  red  fo  AilS  in  dirpiearure  ; 
Aiy  ptcafant  dayet  they  flcte  and  pafTe 
And  dayly  doth  mync  yll  change  to  the  worfe, 
"When  more  than  haU'e  1$  ninne  now  of  iny  cuufl'e. 
Alas  :  not  of  ftete,  but  of  brittle  gUft, 
1  fee  that  from  my  hand  fall-  :h  my  rruft. 
And  all  my  thoiighu  are  daihjd  into  duJh 


''  in  !taft  i;sCet0c4, 
jt  loTcIy  ddke^ 


Irarv        -  ^ 
Ifwt 

Ifhor,...  .,. 

If  long  errrtiir  <n  a  bLr 

If  m  my  vil..  ::  cchc  r 

Or  my  fparkl   >^  vokc»  lower  or  hier. 

Which  feare  a:jd  (lumt  fo  wofuUy  d«Ml»  irft, 

If  p;Uc  colour  which  love  alas  hath  ftamrt 

If  to  hare  anofher,  then  my  (cM  iwx€  u:^:, 

tf  waleinj;  nr  lJi:^ 

With  fnrrowful  !y 

If  hcmed  laxr  *»  re. 

Arc  caufc  thir  1  Jeftroyf, 

Youriii  liic  fa  wi,,  ^rea?  *£=*?. 


^\rtn 


kii 


rHow  oft  have  I»  my  dcre  &nd  cruel  foe, 
Wth  my  great  paiac  to  get  focne  peac€  or  truce, 
Given  you  rny  hart  but  you  do  not  ufe, 
In  fue  high  things,  to  caft  your  mind  fo  low. 
If  any  other  locke  for  it  at  you  trow,  % 

Their  va;fie,wcafce  hope  doth  greatly  them  abufc. 
And  that  thu«I  difdaine,  trat  you  teiufc, 
I  It  WD4  once  mine,  it  can  r.o  more  be  fo. 
If  you  it  chafe  that  it  in  you  can  firid 
Ifl  this  e^ilc  no  manner  of  confortj 
Nur  Jive  alone  nor  where  be  it  cald  reforr, 
He  may  waudcr  froiti  hit  natural  kinde. 
So  th&tl  it  be  great  hurt  unto  us  twatfie. 
And  yours  the  Ivfi,  and  mine  the  deadly  paint. 


Ul^ 


^ 


*Tl4  town  Iffi  tam^ar^d  H  tie  jii/  rj . 

Xist  unco  thefe  untneafunKlc  mountainea^ 
So  in  my  painfull  life  tlie  burden  of  yrc^ 
For  hte  be  they,  and  hie  i«  my  defire. 
And  1  of  tearei,  and  they  be  full  of  fountaltrcs. 
Under  craggy  rc>cki  they  have  barren  plainer, 
Hard  thoughts  Id  mc  my  wofull  mindc  doih  tire. 
Small  fruitc  and  many  leavft  thcirc  topi  do  attiie^ 
"With  fmall  efFc^il  great  truft  in  mc  remainei* 
The  boiflerous  winds  oft  tbeire  high  bowci 

bua, 

Hott  Cghci  in  mc  continually  be  (bed, 
Wilde  bcafta  in  them,  fircc  love  in  mc  i*  fed, 

*   Unmovcablc  am  U  and  they  ftcdfafl. 

'^jfDf  finging*bird»,  they  have  the  tunc  and  note. 
And  1  alwayei  platntcs  pifTtng  through  jnj  chrotc. 


FaifWf  iL  Ir^ve,  and  all  thy  fawei  fee  rvrr^ 
I1iy  bacrd  hot'kei  fhall  lanr^ 
Seneca,  and  Ttafo  call  me  *: 
To  parfit  welth  my  witt  for  r  ^  -n.irvtr. 
In  blind  error  when  T  did  pcrfcvrr* 
TTiy  fharp  lepuir    ^^  l^  -r--^-*''  --^  •-  *"— * 
Taught  Kie  in  t' 
But  fcape  forth  • 

n'hrrcftirc  JarcwcU  go  trow  rajiv 

[And  in  timecjaimc  m-.r'  rr  -, 

Wi*h  idle  y^iulL 
And  thereon  fpi 

For  htlhcrlo  ih'SMg!.  i  h  n  .  j^ 

Me  lift  no  longer  roiCei)  b\  ,r, 

Mv  hart  I  gave  thee  r^  to  doe  k  f^hit^ 
Bdt  to  prefer ve  lo  it  to  fhct,  waa  eak«B« 
t  ferveJ  thee,  thee  not  that  I  IhiamkI  bt  I 
But  that  t  fliould  receive  few tftd  ^faisc* 
i  was  content,  thy  fervant  to  rem^oe^ 
And  ri»c  to  br  rrpaycd  on  tbit  fafhioG, 
Now  frnce  in  tiiee  there  is  no  other  rtalot 
Difptcafc  thee  not  if  that  I  dm  rcfraiiii. 
Unfit lat  of  my  v  ■    *  •,  defirc, 

Atfurt'd  by  cnfr  i^fe  thy  laolc, 

Cut  fmceit  ple^i  '    -  ijcImIi^ 

F44e%vcU  1  (ay,  :  >^  f^^ 

Fur  he  that  dotL     :     .^  in  hndv 

f  lonrcth  iJi  the  vrauf  and  ioweth  tn  ^  (ia£ 


do 


The  flameing  Cghe«  that  boyle  witkifi  mfX 
Sometime  break  forth  aod  tbcy  qui  vgll  dediv<i 
The  hartet  unrcfl^  and  how  that  he  ^tf^  tei 
The  paine  thereof,  the  grirfc,  ami  alt  Usitir 

6 


!  *:  r^     ^ 


L^>^ 


^ 


hattered  eyen  from  whence fJie  tearetdo  fall, 
el  fome  force  or  eke  tbey  wofiild  be  dry, 
prafled  fleih  of  colour  ded  can  try, 
fometime  tell  whac  fweetncfs  an  the  gall. 
Ke  that  luft  to  fee,  and  to  difceame, 
care  can  force  within  a  wcried  mind, 
:  he  to  me  I  am  that  place  a0nde, 
3r  all  this  noe  force,  it  doth  noe  harme, 
vounde  alas  hap  in  fome  other  place, 
whence  noe  toole  away  the  fear  can  race. 
t  you  which  of  fuch  like  have  had  your  part, 
»e(l  be  judge  wherefore  my  friend  fo  dere, 
ight  it  good  my  ftate  (hould  now  appere, 
>u,  and  that  there  is  no  great  defart. 
whereas  you  in  weighty  matters  great, 
'tunc  faw  the  (haddow  that  you  know 
ifling  things  I  now  am  ftricken  foe. 
though  1  feel  my  hart  doth  wound  and  beat, 
lone  fave  on  the  fecond  day, 
sver  comes  with  whome  I  fpend  my  time, 
rning  heat  while  that  (he  lift  afligne, 
nrho  hath  hclth  and  liberty  alway, 
im  thank  God,  and  let  him  not  provoke, 
▼e  the  kke  of  this  my  painfull  ilioke. 

S'hc  lever  laments  the  ^eatb  of  hU  lovf* 

>iller  perifht  is  whereto  1  lent, 
rongeil  ftay  of  mine  unquiet  minde; 
ike  of  it  no  man  agayn  can  fynde, 
eaft  to  weft  f6\\  fecking  though  he  went, 
jrnc  unhappe  forhappe  away  hath  rent, 
my  joy  the  very  bark  and  rinde, 
(alas  !)  by  chaunce  am  thus  aifindc, 
to  mourn,  till  death  do  it  relent. 
3ce  that  thus  it  is  by  deftiny, 
can  I  more  but  have  a  wofull  hart, 
rnne  in  plaint  my  voice  in  careful!  crye, 
ynde  in  woe  my  body  full  of  fmart, 
my  ftlf,  my  felf  alwayes  to  hate, 
readfull  death  doe  cafe  ^y  dolefull  ftate. 


SONOBS   AND   80N£TT'£S.  6»9 

Complaint  of  the  ahfenci  of  bit  /otw. 


Z.yyr- 


*The  lover fentktb  fghes  to  move  h'ttfjitu 

•urning  figh<w>  unto  the  frozen  hart,         I 
reak  the  yce  which  pities  painfull  dart,  1  / 
.  never  pierce,  and  if  that  murtall  prayer, 
vcn  be  heard  at  Icaft  yet  I  dffyrc,  I 

ieath,  or  mercy,  end  my  woiiill  fman. 
with  thee  patne  whereof  I  have  my  part, 
ke  the  flame  froin  which  I  cannot  ftart. 
rave  me  then  in  reft  1  you  require, 
irning  fighs  fulfill  that  I  defiic. 
goe  worke,  and  fee  my  craft  and  arte, 
ith  and  faith  in  her  is  laid  apart, 
cannot  therefore  now  aflayle  her, 
ntifoll  complaint  and  fcalding  fire, 
rom  my  breft  decelvebly  doth  ftart. 


SoE  feeble  is  the  thred  that  doth  the  burden  ftay. 
Of  my  poor  life  in  heavy  plight  that  falleth  in  de- 
cay, [court. 
That  but  it  have  elfewhere  fome  aydc  or  fome  fuc- 
The  running  fpindle  of  my  fate  anon  fliall  end  his 
courfe.  [part. 
For  fincc  the  unhappy  houre  that  dyd  me  to  de- 
From  my  fwcet  we^ile  one  only  hoape  hath  ftaycd 

my  life  apart. 

Which  doth  perfwade  fuch  words  unto  my  fored 

myndc,  [luck  to  find. 

Nfaintaine  thy  felfe,  O  wofull  wight,  fome  better 

For  though  thou  be  deprived   from  thy  defired 

fight. 
Who  can  thee  tell,  if  thy  returne  before  thy  more 

delight : 
Or  who  can  tell  thy  lofs  if  thou  mayft  once  recover. 
Some  pleaiant  houres  thy  wo  may  wrap,  and  thee 

defend  and  cover. 
Thus  in  this  tmft,  as  yet  it  hath  my  life  fuftained. 
But  now  (alas)  I  fee  it  faint,  and  I  by  truft  am 
trayncd.  [bende^ 

The  tyme  doth  flete,  and  I  fee  how  the  hours  do 
So  faft  that  1  have  fcant  the  ijpace  to  marke  my 
comeing  end.  [bis  lite, 

Weftward  the  funa  from  out  the  caft  fcant  fliewd 
When  in  the  weft  he  hies  him  ftraite  within  the 

dark  bf  night 
And  comes  as  faft,  where  be  began  his  path  awry. 
From  «aft  to  weft,  from  weft  to  eaft,  fo  doth  hit 
jouroey  lye.  [here. 

Thy  lyfe  fo  fliort  fo  frayle,  that  raortall  men  lyve 
Soe  great  a  weight,  fo  heavy  charge  the  bodyea 

that  we  here. 
That  when  I  think  upon  the  diftance  and  the  fpaee, 
I'hat  doth  fo  farre  divide  me  from  thy  dere  defired 
face.  •  [qvirCi 

I  know  npt  how  t*  atuine  the  wioees  that  1  re- 
To  lyft  me  up  that  I  might  fly  to  toUow  my  de» 
fyre.  [fvftyne. 

Thus  of  that  hope  that  doth  my  lyfe  fometbyng 
Alas  1  fear,  and  partly  feel  full  little  doth  remaioe. 
Eche  place  doth  bring  me  griefe  where  I  doe  not 

behold, 
Thofe  lively  eyes  which  of  my  thoughts,  were  wont 

the  keys  to  hold. 
Thofe  thoughts  were  pleafant  fweet  whilft  I  cn- 

joyM  that  grace. 
My  pleafure  paft,  my  prefcnt  pain,  when  I  might 

well  embrace. 
And  for  becaufe  my  want  ftiould  more  my  woe 

increalc. 
In  watch  and  fleep  both  day  and  night  my  will 

doth  never  ceafe. 
That  thing  to  wilhe  whereof  fynce  f  did  lole  the 

fight. 
Was  never  thing  that  mought  in  ought  my  wofoll 

hart  delight. 
Th*  uneafy  life  I  lead  dodi  teach  me  for  to  mete, 
1  he  floods,  the  feas,  the  land,  the  hills,  that  doth 
them  intennete. 

Rr  iij 


tiT^V^ 


\\K 


$30  THIL  W^KK 

Twene  mc  and  thofe  (hene  lights  that  wrooted  for 

to  clerc,  ' 

My  (larkc.i  pungs  of  cloudy  thoughts  u  bright  as 

Phcbus  fphcre  ;  '•    -■ 

It  tcachcth  me  aifn,  \vhat  was  my  pleafant  (late, 
1  he  more  to  fecle  by  fuch  record  how  that  my 

wchh  doth  butc. 
Jf  fuch  record  (alas)' provoke  the  inflamed  mynde, 
Which  fprun^  that  day  that  1  dyd  le^ve  the  beii  of 

me  behyndc.  '       i 

If  love  forj^cat  himfelfe  by  length  of  abfence  let, 
XVho  doih  me  guid  (O  wofuU  wretch)  tinto  'this 

baited  net :  [for  mc, 

Where  doth  encreafc  my  care,  much  better  were 
As  dumm  as  ft  one  all -things  forgott,  ftill  abfeot 

for  to  be.  •  • 

Alas  the  clear  chiiflall,  the  bright  tranfplendant 

f  laffe,  [it  h»fe. 

Doth  not  bewray  the  colours  hid  which  underneath 
As   doth  the  accumbred    fprite  the   thoughtful! 

throwes  difcover,  [we  covier. 

Of  tcares  delyte  of  fervent  love  that  in  our  hartes 
Out  by  thefe  eyes,  it  fheweth  that  evermore  delight; 
In  plaint  and  tcares  to  feek  redrds,  aod  eke  both 

day  and  night.  ».         : 

Thofe  kindcs  of  pTeafures  moft  wherein  men  foe 

rejoice,  [voice. 

To  me  they  do  redouble  ftill  of  ftormy  .fighes  the 
for,  I  am  one  of  them,-  whom  plaint  doth  well 

content,  [lament. 

It  fits  me  well  my  abfent  wealth  m«  femes  for  to 
And  with  my  teares  t*  aify  to  charge  rnyne  eyes 

twayne, 
like  as  my  hart  above  the  brink  is  fraughted  full 

of  payne. 
And  for  becaufe  thereto,  that  thefe  fair  eyes  do 

trcate,  ,  •         [rcpcate. 

Po  me  provoke,  I  will  returne,  my  plaint  tlms  to 
JFor  there  is  nothing  els,  fo  touchctn  me  within. 
Where  they  r«le  all,  and  1  aloae,  nought  but  the 

cafe  or  ikin.  •  .  .  > 

Wherefore  1  (hall  leturne  to  them  a?  well  or  fpriof , 
iromwhonl  defccnds  my  mortall  wo,  above  aii. 

^ther  thing.  :. 

So  (hallmyDec7csin  paine  accompany  my  hart, 
That  were  the  guides^  that  did  it  lead  of  love  to 

feel  the  fmart.  [pride. 

The  crifj^ed  gold  that  doth  furmount  Appolloes 
Ihe   lively  (Ireames  of  pleafant  Itarrs  that  under 

it  doth  glydc. 
Wherein  the  beanies  of  love  doe  dill  increafe  theire 
■    heaite,  [niefweat, 

Which  yet  fo  far  touch  mc  to  near  in  cold.to  make 
The  wife  and  pleafant. take,  foe  r;u:c  or  elfe  alone, 
I'hat  gave  to  me  the  curtics  gyft,  that  earft  had 

never  none. .   i«.  .  .. 

Be  far  from  me  alas,  and  every  other  thln^, 

I  might  forbear  with  better  .will^  then  thic  that 

did  me  bring;  - 

With  pleafand  woord  and  cheer,  rcdrcfsof  lingred 

payne,  ,  (trayne^ 

Ar.d  wonted  oft  in  kindled  will,  to  vert ue -me  to 
1  hu5  am  I  forced  to  hear  and  hearken  after  news, 
^y  comfort  fcant, .  my  large  dciire  id  doubtful 

truftrcnewfc  


8  OF   WTAT- 

And  yet  vrith  more  delight  to  Bove'vyw 
I  muft  compUinc  tbeiO'  Kandii  tlwfe  ai 

'    '•'  (irmly  do  embrace. 
Me  froin  my  felf,  and  ntle  the  fterae  «f 

:    lyfe..     ... 
The  fweet  dirdaynca,  the  pieaiaMwni 

eke  th^  holy  ftrife. 
That  vroDted  well  to  tune  in  temper  jafi] 
The  rage,  that  oft  did  make  me  ctr  by  ft 

•  difcrete.     '       ■     .    - 

All  this  i*  hid  from   me  with  Ikarpv 
At  others  will  my  loofr  abode,  aay  depc 

fulfilTs. 
And  of  my  hope  fometime  ryle  vpbyfoaM 
It  ftumbleth  -ftraite  for  ieable  faiot.  mj 

'■    fuch  eacefle. 
Such  is  the  fort  of  hoape,  the  leia  for  mat 
And  yet  I  trnft  e*re  that  I  dye,  to  iee  thit 
The  refting  place  of  lovei  where  ▼inoe  d 

and  growes,' 
There  I  defire  my  weary  Itle  fomctiaie  i 
My  fong  thou  |halt  attaine,  to  find  tb 

pUtte, 
Where  flie  doth  live  by  whom  I  KTt,ai 

•  to  have  this  grace. 

When  (he  hath  read  and  ieco,  the  griele 

I  fervei 
Between  her  brelH  (he  (hall  the  pot,  d 

ihe  thee  referve. 
Then  tell  her,  that  I  come,  (he  flialT  me  A 
And  if  for  waight  the  body  £iyl«  the  Urn 
.  her  flee. 


Tie  Uver  hiamtih  bu  U^g/mr 
Stmt  ktr. 


^^ 


SvrpisKD  not  (madame)  that  yo«  didta 
My  wofull  hart,  bat  thit  alio  to  rent. 
The  weeping  paper  that  to^yon  I  fens. 
Whereof  ech  ktter  waa  written  wich  a  fa 
Could  not  my  prefent  payocs  (aiaa)la&iE, 
Your  greedy  heart,  and  that  my  bean  dot! 
Torments  that  pridi  s(u>re  (harper  than  th 
But  new  and  new  muO  to  my  lou  aryfe, 
Ufe  then  my  death,  (be  (hall  your  rraeltye, 
Spite  of  your  fpyte,  rid  me  from  all  my  la 
And  I  no  more  iuch  tormcota  of  the  hart. 
Feel  as  I  doe  this  (hall  jon  g^yae  thereby. 


rbe 


V" 


\  Oe  iymg  mktm^fytt/Ht/S 


I  "View  andourl 


Whkn  fyrik  myoe  eye«  did  ' 
Thy  fayr  beauty  to  behold. 
And  when  my  ears  lylhed  to  barka 
The  pleafant  woof  ds  that  ihou  me  tolde. 
I  would  as  then  t  had  bceu  free. 
From  ears  to  hear,  and  eyes  to  libe. 
And  when  my  lipp^  gan  fyH^  to  monc. 
Whereby  my  hai  t  to  thee  was  knowsc. 
And  when  my  tongue  dyd  ^aSkc  of  lo«c^ 
To  thee  that  haft  uoc  love  diomae  throvai 


d  my  lippt  tmi!  tongne  alibc, 
ten  been  dvmme,  no  deal  to  goc 
hen  my  hands  have  handled  ought, 
fiee  hath  kept  in  memoiy, 
hen  my  feet  have  gone  and  fonght, 
i  and  get  the  company. 
1  each  hand  a  foot  had  beene, 
»ch  foot  a  hand  had  fecn. 
hen  in  mind  I  dyd  confent, 
ow  this  my  fancfes  will, 
hen  my  hart  did  firft  relent, 
fuch  bait  my  life  to  fpilU      • 
1  my  hart  had  been  as  thine, 
Jiy  hart  had  been  at  myne. 


rii  Uver  JettnmintA  H  firw/aM^^p 

love  will  needs,  that  I  (hall  love, 

r  force  1  muft  a^ree, 

ice  no  chaunce  may  it  remove, 

th  and  in  adverlitie. 

ilway  my  felfe  apply, 

'e  and  fuffer  patiently. 

igh  for  good  will  I  6nde  buthate^ 

aelly  my  life  to  waft, 

ongh  that  ftill  a  wretched  ftate, 

pyne  my  days  unto  the  laft : 

rofeis  it  willingly, 

e  and  fuffer  patiently. 

ince  my  hart  is  bound  to  ferve, 

lot  ruler  of  myne  owne, 

oe  befall,  tyll  that  1  fterve, 

>fe  full  well  it  fliall  be  knowne. 

Oiall  ftill  my  felf  apply, 

e  and  fuffer  patiently. 

hough  my  griefe  finde  noe  redref^ 

I  encreafe  before  myne  eyes, 
\  my  reward  be  crniBioeffe, 

II  the  harme,  happs  can  devyfe, 
o/efs  it  willinglj, 

e  and  fuffer  patiently. 

hough  fortune  her  pleaiant  lace, 

(hew,  to  fet  me  np  aloft, 

light  my  wealth  for  to  deface, 

wrrythe  away,  as  (he  doth  oft. 

aid  I  fiill  my  felf  applye, 

e  and  fuffer  patiently. 

:  is  no  griefe,  no  fmcrt,  no  wo, 

1 1  feel,  or  after  (hall, 

mi  this  minde  may  make  me  goe, 

atfoever  me  befall, 

ifefs  it  wiOingly, 

;  and  fuffer  patiently. 


SONGES   AND  ^ONBTTSS. 

At  iQpgth  I  do  not  doubt. 
But  truth  (hall  me  ezcufe. 
Such  fauce,  as  they  have  ferved, 
To  me  without  defert. 
Even  as  they  have  deferved. 
Thereof  Ood  fend  them  part. 


^31 


—7^ 

Xht  l9V«rfuJp*Gtd^  bUmetb  ill  longua, 

tTvoLL  minds  be  moved^ 
me  in  fufpeJft, 
:h  it  (hall  DC  proved, 
ime  (hall  once  dete^^ 
1^  €Ulhed  goe  abo^Cj^j 
:  to  me  iccme. 


The  lover  comphuiuth^  and  hi*  hdie  eomfirUtb* 

Lover,  It  burneth  yet,  alas,  my  b^rtcs  dffjrei 
Lady,    What  is  the  thing,  that  hath  influa'd  thy* 

heart? 
Lo.  A  certaine  point  as  fervent  as  the  fyre. 
La,  The  heat  (hall  ceafe  if  that  thou  wilt  convert, 
/.#.  I  cannpt  ilop  the  fervent  rageing  yre. 
La.  What  may  1  do,  if  thy  felf  caufe  thy  (mart  I 
L;  Heare   my  requeiib,  and  rew   my   weeping 

chere 
La,  With,  right  good  will  (ay  on,  lo,  I  thee  here. 
Lo.  That  thing  would  I,  that  maketh  two  content. 
La,  Thou  fcekeft,  perchaunce  of  me,  that  I  may 

not. 
Lo,  Would  Qod,  thou  wouldeft,  as  thou  mayft, 

well  affent. 
La»  That  1  may  not  the  griefe  is  myne,  God  wot, 
Lo,  But  if  1  feele,    whatfo  thy  woordes  have 

ment. 
La,  Sufpcd  rac  not,  ijny  woordes  be  npt  forgett. 
Lo,  Thai  Cay»  alas !  (ball  I  have  help  or  no. 
La,  I  fee  no  time  to  anfwerifyea,  but  no. 
Lo,  Say  yea,  dere  hart,  and  (land  no  more  m 

doubt. 
Ztf.  T  may  not  grant  a  thing  that  is  ip  dere. 
Lo,  Lo  with  delayes,  thou  dry  ves  me  fiill  aboot. 
La»  Thou  woulddl  my  death,  it  plainly  doth  ap- 

pcare.  [out. 

Lo,  Firll  may  my  heart  bis  blood,  and  life  blede 
La,  Then  for  my  fake,  alas !  thy  will  forbeare. 
Lo,  From  day  to  day,  thps  wafies  my  lyfe  away* 
La,  Yet  for  the  bed.  foilre  fome  (male  delay. 
Lo.  Now  good,  fay  yea,  do  once  fo  good  a  dede. 
La,  If  I  fayd  yea,  what  ihould  thereof  enfue  ? 
Lo.  An  heart  in  payne  of  fuccour  fp  (bould  fpede, 
Twixt  yea,  and  nay,  my  dout  (hall  fiill  renew. 
My  fwete,  fay  yea,  and  dp  away  this  drcde. 
La,  Thou  wilt  oedes  fo,be  itfo,  but  then  be  trew. 
Lo,  Nought  would  I  elfe^  nor  other  treafure  ncnp. 
Thus  hearts  be  wonne  by  love,  requefi^  and 
mone. 


Wty  love  ii  Uindo. 

Or  purpofe,  love  chofe  firft  for  to  be  blinde. 
For  he  with  fight  of  that,  that  I  beholde, 
Vanqui(h't  had  been,  %gainfi  all  godly  kynde. 
His  bow  your  hand,  and  truffe  (bould  have  ur- 

folt* 
And  he  with  me  to  ferve  had  been  a(Ende, 
But,  for  he  blind,  and  recklefs  would  him  holde* 
And  fiill,  by  chance,  his  diedly  ftrokes  hefiow. 
With  fuch,  as  fee,  I  fcrvej  and  fuffer  wo. 

R  r  iiij 


6j« 


TVHE    WORKS   OF   WYAT. 


7#  bis  uniiftde  Ic-je 


What  lagc  U  this,  vvhar  furor  of  wl.ut  kyndc, 
What  power,   what  plage,  doth  wery  ihu»  niyc 

mindc  ? 
Within  my  boocs  to  rankle  is  affyntlc. 
What  poifon  plcafant  fwete. 

Lo  fee  myne  eyes  flow  wlfh  continuul  tcarcs. 
The  body  ftill  away  fleepkfle  it  wcarc*. 
My  foode  nothing  my  fainting  ftrcngih  repayres 
Nor  doth  my  Urn  mee  fuftayne.  [turne, 

\n  depe  wyde  wound,  the  deadly  ftrokc  doth 
To  cnrelelTc  flcarre  that  never  Ihall  returnc. 
Go  to,  triumph,  rejoycc  ihy  goodly  turne, 
Thy  frend  thou  docft  oppreJTe. 

Oppreffe  thou  docft,  and  haft  of  him  no  cure, 
Nor  yet  my  plaint  no  pitie  can  piocnre, 
Fierce  tygre,  fell,  hardrocke  without  recure 
Cruel!  rebell  to  love. 

Once  may  thou  love, never  be  loved  again. 
So  love  thou  ftill,  and  not  thy  love  obtaync, 
So  wrathful!  love  with  fpitet  of  juft  difdaine. 
May  tbret  thy  cruel!  hart. 


The  l^nftr  hlameih  hit  injiant  dejyre* 

Be  ST  KB,  (alas !)  my  maifter,  and  my  foe. 
So  lore  altered  ihy  felfe,  how  maift  thou  fee. 
Some  time  thou  feek«ft,  and  dry  ves  me  to  and  fro, 
Some  time  thou  Icadcft,  that  leadcth  thee  and  mti 
What  reafon  is  to  rule  thy  fubjeda  fo, 
Sy  forced  law  and  mutabilitie  ?  - 
¥or  where  by  thee  1  doubted  to  have  blame, 
£ven  now  by  hate  agayne  1  doubt  the  fame. 


The  levtr  complaineth  bis  eftaU* 

1  SEE  that  chance  hath  chofen  me, 
Thusfccretly  to  live  inpayne, 
And  to  another  geven  the  free. 
Of  all  my  lofTe  to  have  the  gayne. 
By  chance  ailinde  thus  do  I  fcrve, 
And  other  have  that  I  deferve. 

Unto  my  fclf  fume  time  alone, 
1  do  lament  my  woful!  cafe, 
But  what  aviuleth  me  to  mone. 
Since  truth  and  pitie  hath  no  place. 
In  them,  to  whom  I  fue  and  ferve. 
And  other  have  that  I  deferve. 

To  feke  by  meane  to  change  this  mind, 
Alas, !  prove  it  will  not  te, 
For  in  my  heart  I  cannot  finde. 
Once  to  refriayne,  but  ftill  agree 
As  bound  by  force  alway  to  ferve. 
And  other  have  that  I  deferve. 

Such  is  the  fortune  that  I  have. 
To  love  them  raoft,  that  love  me  left. 
And  to  my  payne  to  feek  and  crave 
The  thinjg,  that  other  have  poifeft, 
So  thus  in  vaine  alviray  I  ferve. 
And  o^cr  b«ve  that  I  dc(enro« 


And  till  I  may  appcafe  the  beau. 
If  that  my  happe  will  kappc  fo  well 
'f  o  wayle  my^  wo  my  heart  frail  freais 
Whoie  peniif  payne  my  tang  caa  tell, 
Yrt  thu^  unhappy  muft  lliervc. 
And  other  have  that  I  deferve. 


0/hh  Uve^lUd 

What  woord  i«  chat,  that  chaiii^  m 
Though  it  he  turiKie  and  made  in  tvay 
It  is  mynne,  Anna,  God  k  wote 
1  he  only  caufcr  of  njy  payne. 
My  love  that  medetb  w^th  difdainc. 
Yet  is  it  loved,  what  will  yoo  more. 
It  is  my  falve,  and  eke  mj  fore. 


thai  pleafvre  Is  mixed  xoith  every  j 

Venemous  themes  that  are  fo  fliarpe  i 
Bcare  flowers  we  fee,  fall  frelh  and  hy 
Poyfon  is  alfe  put  in  medicine. 
And  unto  man  his  health  doth  oft  rem 
Thefyre  that  all'thipgs'eke  oonfuneth 
May  hurt  and  heale  :  then  if  that  this 
I  truft  fome  time  my  harm  may  be  my 
teis  erery  woe  is  joyned  with  Home  wi 


A  riddle  of  a  ^fft  gevem  iy  9  lad 

A  LADT  gave  me  a  gift  Ihe  had  not. 
And  I  received  her  ^t  which  1  took  b 
She  gave  it  me  willingly,  and  yet  ihe  f 
And  I  received  i^alheit  1  could  noL 
If  (he  give  it  me  I  force  not. 
And  if  flie  take  it  again  flie  cares  not, 
Confter  what  this  is  and  teU  not. 
For  1  am  £sft  fworne,  I  may  n^t. 


That  jpeaking  «r  proferUi  hr'mgn  mhea 

Sfeake  thou  and  fpede,  where  will 

ought  help^,  [ 

Where  power  doth  want,  will  mnA 

For  nede  will  fpede,  where  will  wori 

kynde. 
And  gayne,  thy  foes  thy  Irendes  fbaD 
For  fute  and  goldc»  what  do  not  they  o 
Of  good  and  bad  the  tryers  are  thck  m 


,ffe  ndetb  «•#,  thoygb  he  rtiirn  vwr  rt 
fubftS  H  tie  rmme  t^. 


If  thou  wilt  mighty  be,  flee  firam  dk  i 
Of  CFBcU  wiU»  and  ice  ckop  kcfc  tiK  6 


SONGES    AND   SONETTES. 


r  From  the  foul  yoke  of  fenfual  boiid?g«, 
I'For  though  ihiDc  empire  ftrctchw  to  .Indian  fee, 
ind  for  thy  fear  ircnibleth  ihc  fardcth  Thuk*, 
f  thy  defyrc  have  over  thcc  the  power, 
Subjedl  then  art  thou,  and  no  governonr. 

If  to  be  nobJc  and  hig^h  thy  mind  be  moved, 
[^onfidcr  well  thy  i^ounde  and  t)]y  beginning, 
Por  be  that  hath  cche  ftarre  in  heaven  fi^vd^ 
ad  gives  the  monne  her  homes  and  her  ecltpling. 
*J\  lyke  hath  made  the  noble  in  his  working, 
Si>  thu  wretched  no  way  may  thou  be. 
Except  foule  lufl  and  vyce  do«  conquer  thee. 
AU  wer  that  fo  thou  had  a  flood  of  goldc, 
Jnto  thy  thirft  yet  (hould  it  not  fuffice, 

i  though  with  Indian  duoei  a  thoufand  foldc, 
More  jarccious  then  can  thy  felf  dcvifc. 
"  hargcd  were  thy  backe,  thy  covet ife, 
Vfid  bufy  byting  yet  Oioidd  never  let^ 
Thy  wretched  lyfe,  ncde  do  thy  dcAth  profet. 


IVhtther  tih^rtit  by  tafft  of  Hfe^  er  lift  in  ^rifm  and 
thraUomt^ke  to  I**  frefemd^ 

1«TICE  1*  the  byrdc  within  the  cage  inrlofcd, 
*rhc  dorr  utilparred,  her  foe  the  hawkc  without 
*l'wiit  death  ^pd  prifon  pitioufly  opprefTcd, 
■Whether  for  to  choofc  flandeth  in  dout. 
l.n  To  do  I,  which  fcke  to  bring  about, 
Which  fhould  be  beA  by  determination 
By  lofle  of  life,  librrtie,  or  lyfc  by  prifon. 
O  mikluef  by  mifchief  to  be  rcdrelTed, 
"Where  nayne  i>  bcft  there  lyeth  but  little  plci- 

iurr. 
By  (hort  death  better  to  be  delivered, 
^hen  byde  in  painfull  lyfe,  thraldomc  and  dolour. 
Sroail  it  the  plealure  where  muth  payne  wc  fuf- 
,  fcr. 

Rmcher  therefore  to  chufe  mc  thinketli  wifdome, 
By  \gU  of  lyfc  Ubertie,  then  lyfc  by  prifon. 

And  y(.tt  mc  chiokei  although  1  live  aDd  fuffcr, 
I  do  but  wayte  a  time  and  foriunci  chance, 
Cite  many  thinget  do  happen  in  one  howcr. 
That  which  oppreft  mc  now  may  mc  adv;incet 
In  time  i&  truit  which  by  dcathes  grevauncc 
In  wholy  lulL     Then  were  it  not  realbn 
£y  death  CO  chule  libertic,  and  not  life  by  prifon, 

But  death  wer  dehverancc  where  lif  lengthen* 
pAinc, 
Of  thefe  two  illet  let  fee  now  chafe  the  bell, 
This  bird  to  deliver  that  here  doth  plainc  ; 
What  fay  ye  loveta,  which  (hal  be  the  beft  } 
In  ra^e  thraldame,  or  by  the  hawko  opprcU  ; 
And  which  to  chufe,  m^ke  plain  conclufiun 
By  loh  ol  lyfc  libertic,  or  lyfc  by  prifon, 


Of  gold,  1  fay,  where  he  prepardc  this  dede 
And  in  ejccKange,  he  left  the  corde  tho* 
He  chat  hid  the  golde,  and  found  it  not. 
Of  that  he  found  he  Jbapt  lii»  kneck  a  knot. 


Foa  Qiamefaft  hanne  of  great  and  haCefull  nede, 
In  depc  difpayrcr  as  did  a  wretch  go, 
With  ready  cordc  out  of  hiB  life  to  fpedc, 
Hai  tumbling  foot  did  fyndc  ao  hoordc,  lo, 


Dffripthft  cf  a  gimme, 

Vl  LCANE  begat  me,  Minerva  mc  taught. 
Nature   my  mother,  craft  nourifht  me  ycre 

yerc  [naughi 

Three  bodiei  are  my  foodc;  my  flrength  it  in 
Anger,  wrath,  waHc,  and  noyfe,  arc  my  children 

dere. 
Gt^c  frcndc,  tyhat  I  am,  and  httw  I  am  vrraught, 
Moiider  of  fea  or  of  tande,  or  of  els  where 
Know  mc,  and  ufe  mc,  and  I  may  thee  defend. 
And  if  I  be  thine  enemle  I  may  thy  life  cede. 


H^yat  Ifhg  in  prifuM  to  Bryam* 

Sicnts  arc  my  foode,  my  drink  are  my  tc^cs. 
Clinking  of  fetters  would  fuch  mufike  crave. 
Stink,  and  clofe  ayrc,  away  my  life  it  wearcs. 
Poor  innocence  i*  all  the  hope  1  have, 
Rayne,  wynde,  or  weather,  judge  I  by  mync 
Malice  aflautes  that  right coufneiTe  fhould  hav< 
burc  am  I,  Bryan,  this  wound  ihall  heale  a^ 
But  yccti  aUs!  the  Ikarre  {hall  ftiU  remaiae. 


TMtoocuoDT  the  world  if  it  were  fought. 
Pay  re  words  ynoughc  a  man  fball  fynde ; 
They  be  good  chcpe»  they  coU  right  nought,, 
7'heir  fubftance  is  but  only  wynde  : 
But  well  to  fay,  and  fo  to  meane, 
I  That  fwecc  accorde  h  fcldome  fene. 


Of  tint  mean  arndfrnn  efiiU* 

Stand  whofo  lis  upon  the  flipper  wheelc. 

Of  high  cllatc,  and  let  mc  here  rejoyce. 
And  ufc  my  life  tn  quietnefTe  cche  dele,  ^ 

Unknowne  in  court  that  hath  the  wanton  joy«if" 
In  hidden  place  my  time  fliall  ilowly  paflie, 
And  when  my  yerc*  be  paft  without  annoyfc. 
Let  mc  dye  old  after  the  common  trace. 
For  grypes  of  death  do  he  too  hardly  paia; 
That  knowne  ii  to  all,  but  to  himfclf,  alai ! 
He  dycth  unknown  dafcd  with  dreadful!  face. 


Tin  f^rtiirt  Hft* 

Itr  court  to  fcrvc  decked  with  frclhc  araye, 
I  Of  iugved  mcitct  feUng  cbc  fwote  r^«ll, 


THE   WOIIK8    OP  WTAT. 


1  he  lyff  in  bankets  and  fofxiry  kyndei  of  pUyc. 
Aiii<J  the  prcffc  the  worJdly  lookct  to  waflc* 
HAth  with  it  jtiined  of  timci  foth  bitter  tdfte. 
That  who  fo  j«iyes  fuch  kindc  of  iife  t<i  holde, 
lit  prifon  joycit  fcttrcd  with  chaiaca  of  goldc. 


Q^  dt/kft^inted  purpafe  by  ^t^li^fwt. 

Or  Carthage  he  that  wot  thy  warrinur. 
Could  overcome,  but  could  not  ufe  hi^  chtnce 
And  I  hkcwyfc  oi  all  my  long  endeavour, 
The  fharp  conqueH  though  fortune  did  avancCi 
Nc  could  I  ufe,  the  hold  that  ia  givtn  over, 
1  trnpoflelTe^  fo  haiigeth  now  in  baiwicc. 
Of  warre,  my  peace,  rcwardc  of  all  my  paync, 
At  MounuoA  chua  I  rcfUef*  rcH  in  ^palnc 


h» 


0/lir  rthtnu/rtm  Spayne, 


f  "« 


Tacus  farewell  that  weft  ward  with  thy  flremes, 
Turnet  up  the  graincs  of  goldc  already  tryde, 
For  I  with  fpurrc  and  failc  go  fekc  the  Tcmmei, 
Gayseward  tlie  funnc  that  (hcwcth  her  weithy 

pride ; 
And  to  the  townc  that  Brutui  fouprht  by  drcam^t, 
XJkc  bended  moon  that  leave*  her  lufly  fyde, 
My  king,  my  country,  I  fekc  for  whom  I  lire, 
P  mighty  Jove  th«  wyndcs  for  thii  me  gcvc. 


Of/^fMt  tntJUng, 


DitviM  by  dcfyre  I  did  tbit  de^. 
To  danger  my  felf  without  caufe  why. 
To  truft  th*  Mntrue  not  lykc  to  fpcde, 
Tofpeakc  and  promifc  faithfully. 
But  now  the  proofc  doth  verify, 
That  who  fo  trufteth  ere  he  know, 
poth  hurt  himielf  and  plcafe  hta  foe. 


Cf  ihi  mtthir  that  eat  brr  ihiU  at  tht  fttgs  •/  Ji* 

\n  doubtftill  btrft  whylei  motherly  pitty, 
With  furious  famine  ftandcch  at  debate 
The  mother  faith.  O  child  unhappy, 
Heturn  thy  blood  where  thou  hadft  milke  of  late* 
Yeld  me  thofe  lymmcs  that  F  made  unto  ihce. 
And  enter  there  where  ihou  wer  generate. 
For  of  one  body  again  ft  all  nuf  ure, 
,To  another  muft  1  make  fcpukure* 


(  Mt  zbother»  raaidc*  when  they  do  fow  and  fpiiinr » 
1  hey  fUg  a  {oDg  foadc  of  a  &ci4i&  sioufcj 


I.  That  for  becaufe  her  Hvelod  «r*«  bet  tKiAoe, 
I  Would  needigo  fee  hcf  town  uic. 

She  fought  her  felf  cndurdc  t  p«y*f, 

The  ftoniiy  blallee  her  rave  lo  ior e  a^d  ivmk.  l 
That  when  the  furrou*  fwimmed  with  the  tMjm^ 
She  muft  lye  cold  and  wet  in  fory  ptifrht^ 
And  worfe  then  that  bare  meate  tbcr  did  rtnmp^ 
To  comfort  her,  when  (he  her  baoXe  h«l  ia^ssu 
Some  tyme  a  barley  come,  f'.>itic  tim*  •  bof^ 
For  which  fhe  bbuured  !•  '^-^  '>"^  h  day  and  a(g|^ 
tn  harvcll  tymc,  whylc  f  ^^ly  totf  glm% 

And  when  her  ll*>re  wa^  .ith  iliefla«i^ 

Then  wclaway  for  Ihe  undone  w^s  cldK* 
Then  was  (he  faine  to  take  inftede  of  foode 
Slcpe  if  (he  mighf,  her  hunger  tn  h. 
I  My  fiftcr»  quocd  fbe,  hath  i  liviii^  . 
And  hence  from  ifie  (he  dweticth  cut  a  mjir- 
In  colde  and  ftorme  Hie  iyerh  wmrm  ajnddiyv 
In  bed  of  downe,  rhc  durt  doth  not  defyU 
Her  tender  foot,  flie  Ubouri  not  at  L 
Richcly  fhe  fcde&  and  at  the  riche  naaiinca  cd^ 
And  for  her  meate  (he  ncdcs  n«t  crave  i>or  ay. 
By  fca,  by  land,  *^f  deiicatcs  the  moft 
Her  cater  feke«,  and  fpareth  for  bo  percll. 
She  fedes  on  boy  Id  ni^ce,  bake  memte  aod  o*l«^ 
And  hath  therefore  no  whit  of  ch^irge  not  tOMm 
And  when  (he  litl,  the  licour  of  ihc  grape 
JDoth  glad  her  heart,  till  thu  her  hcUy  fwdti 
lAnd  at  thi«  journey  makei  flie  but  a  y*f<^ 
So  forth  ihc  goes,  trufbi-^  -*  -■    -^   -  ---•  -b, 
;Wich  her  fificr  her  part 
n^hatif  ftic  might  there  V.  ,  ^ralsi^ 

iTo  live  a  lady  while  her  hie  dotn  IaU, 
[And  to  the  dorc  now  is  (he  cottjc  hy  (IciltK 
'^nd  with  her  foote  anone  fhe  !  bft, 

iTh*  other  for  fcare  durft  not  v.  >rr^^^ 

Of  every  noifc  fo  was  the  wretch  agiit 
At  lad,  ftic  afked  foltly  who  wat  there, 
lAnd  in  her  Un^uage  at  well  a»  dtc  cottlil, 
Pepe  (quod  the  other)  fitter  t  an  here. 
Peace   (quod  the   townc  mottfc)    uliy  %9l^ 

chou  (o  loude, 
And  by  the  hand  the  took  her  fayrc  and  iireil« 
Welcome  quod  (he,  my  liflcr  by  the  racde, 
''he  feaQed  her,  that  py  tt  w^i  to  icU, 
"hf  fayre  ihcy  had,  thty  drank  the  wfD«  ftidffti 
ltd  a»  to  purpofe  now  and  rhcu  it  fell 
he  chercd  her,  with  hr^u  >4i  chcfc^ 

Amid  this  joy  befell  a  U 
trhar  wclaway,  the  ftmti^  f  fuU  4efev 

The  fare  (he  had,  for  aj  lli     I      '.      ^  Qcvocf, 
[Under  ailule  ftic  fpied  tw  *t^ 

In  a  rounde  headc  with  i  .  . 

Was  never  moufc  fo  ftrc  - 
Had  not  yfcnc  fuch  a  beiUl  li<fuie» 
Vet  had  nature  taught  her  after  guyle 
To  know  her  foe,  and  d'ead  htm  rvernaorts 
The  townc  moufc  Q(d,  Ihe  knew  wtiidket  !•  |*| 
|Th«  ffihrr  had  no  T        '         .  uodert  forTp 
erdc  of  her  lifci  at  wiibi  het  lim\ 

nd  ro  do,  aldi !  u  - --  [«■% 

he  heaven  it  wc^  |^  aitl0 

t  the  thrcftiotJiL  I  _  ,„  ^^Wf^ 

Andercfhcti  i^flr 

Thduaytow^  ^      \cz  by  ilr  Uffi« 


80MGE9   AKD   80NETTES. 


•3S 


ie  her  there  igainft  her  will  remayoe, 

i  forgot  her  poore  fuertie,  andi-eft, 

g  wthh,  wherein  flie  thought  lo  raygne. 

ly  Poynci)  bow  men  do  feke  the  bcft, 

!e  the  worfc,  by  error  ts  ihey  ftaye ; 

maryell,  when  fight  is  fo  opprrft, 

ides  the  gujrde,  anone  out  of  the  way 

iiyde,  and  all  in  feking  quiet  life. 

hed  myndes  1  there  is  no  golde  that  may, 

that  you  feek,  no  wane,  no  peace,  no 

;rife, 

IthoQgh  thy  head  were  hoopte  with  gold, 

with  mace,  with  hawbert,  fword,  nor 

nife, 

repulfe  the  care  that  folow  (hould, 

ide  of  lyfe  hath  with  him  his  difcafe, 

lelites,  even  as  thy  luft  woulde, 

u  (halt  finde  when  luft  doth  moft  thee 

leafe, 

1  ftraight,  and  by  itfelf  doth  fade. 

thing  is  that,  that  may  thy  minde  appeale : 

you  all  there  is,  that  is  fo  madde 

for  grapes  on  brambles,  or  on  bricrs/ 

:  I  tTQw,  that  hath  a  witte  fo  badde 

is  hay  for  conies  over  rivers, 

let  not  a  dragge-net  for  an  hare ; 

the  thing  that  mod  is  your  defire, 

niflike,  with  more  travell  and  care 

aine  thine  heart  that  it  be  not  knotted 

pe  or  dreade,  and  fee  thy  will  be  bare 

afTe^es,  whom  vyce  hath  never  fpottcd; 

lontent  with  that  is  thee  aflynde, 

it  well  that  is  to  thee  allotted  : 

:e  no  more  out  of  thy  felf  to  fynde 

g  that  thou  haft  fought  fo  long  before ; 

ihklt  feele  it  (licking  in  thy  mynde 

ye  lift  to  continue  your  fore, 

:nt  paffe,  and  gape  on  time  to  come, 

e  thy  fclf  in  travell  more  and  more, 

:th  (my  Poynes)  this  (hall  be  all  and  fome, 

TeCched  foolet  (hall  have  nought  els  of 

ie  : 

:he  great  God,  and  to  his  dome, 

ler  payne  pray  I  for  then  to  be, 

n  the  rage  doth  leade  them  from  the  right 

king  backward  vertue  they  may  fee 

(he  is  fo  goodly,  fayre  and  bright ; 

lylft   they  dafpe  theyr  lufts  in  armes 

crolTe, 

thera,  good  Lord,  as  thou  maift  of  thy 

light, 

inward,  for  k>(ing  fuch  a  loiik 


S#  fovriiin  tifi,  v/r'tUm  U  John  PtyiKi, 

wn,  John  Poynes,  (ins  ye  delight  to  know  \  ^ 

es  why  that  homeward  I  me  draw, 

the  preafe  of  courtes,  wherefo  they  goe, 

len  to  live  thrall  under  the  awe 

'  lookes,  wrapped  within  my  doke, 

ind  luft  learning  to  fet  a  law 

that  becaufe  I  ftorme  or  mocke 

er  of  them  whom  fortune  here  hath  lent 


Charge  over  us,  of  right  to  ftrike  the  ftroke  s 
But  true  it  is,  that  I  have  always  m'ent 
Lcfs  to  eftecme  them,  then  the  common  fort. 
Of  outward  thinges  that  judge  in  their  entent ; 
Without  regarde,  what  inward  doth  refort, 
I  graunt,  fome  time  of  glory  that  the  fyre. 
Doth  touch  my  heart,  me  lift  not  to  report* 
Blame  by  honour  and  honour  to  defyre. 
But  how  may  I  this  honour  now  attaine, 
That  cannot  dye  the  colour  blacke  a  Iyer  ? 
My  Poynes,  I  cannot  frame  my  tune  to  fayn. 
To  cloke  the  truth,  for  praife  wiUiout  defert. 
Of  them  that  lift  all  vice  for  to  reuyne, 
I  cannot  honour  them  that  fet  theyr  part 
With  Venus  and  Bacchus  all  their  life  long. 
Nor  hold  my  peace  of  them,  although  I  fmart, 
I  cannot  crouche  nor  knele  to  fuch  «  wronge. 
To  worlhip  them  like  Ood  on  earth  alone. 
That  arc  as  wolves  thefe  fely  lambcs  among, 
I  cannot  with  my  woordes  complayne  and  mone* 
And  fuffer  nought  nor  fmart  without  complaint. 
Nor  turne  the  word  that  from  my  month  is  gone^ 
I  cannot  fpeak  and  looke  like  a  faint. 
Ufe  wyles  for  wit,  and  make  defceit  a  pleafurc^ 
Call  craft  coun£iile,  for  lucre  ftiU  to  paynt, 
I  can  not  wreft  the  law  to  fyll  the  coffer 
With  innocent  blood  to  feed  my  fclf  faJtte, 
And  do  moft  hurt  where  that  moft  helpe  I  offer* 
1  am  not  he  that  can  allow  the  ftate. 
Of  hye  Cacfer,  and  damne  Cato  to  dfe^ 
That  with  his  death  could  fcape  out  of  the  gtte« 
From  Caefer^s  hands,  if  Livy  doth  not  lye. 
And  would  not  live  where  liberty  was  loft^ 
So  did  his  heart  the  common  wealth  apply* 
^l  am  not  he,  fuch  eloquence  to  boft, 
'To  make  the  crow  in  (inging,  as  the  fwaone;     . 
Nor  call  the  lyon  of  coward  beaftes  the  moft. 
That  cannot  uke  a  moufe,  as  the  cat  can, 
;^^nd  he  that  dyeth  for  honger  of  the  golde. 
Call  him  Alexander,  and  fay  that  Pan 
Pa(reth  Apollo  in  mufike  many  folde, 
Rrailic  Syr  Copas  for  a  noble  talc. 
And  fcorne  the  ftory  that  the  knight  tolde, 
Praife  him  for  counfell  that  is  dronke  of  ale. 
Grinne  when  he  laughei,  that  beareth  all  thcfwar, 
Frowne  when  he  frownes,  and  grone  when  he  is 

pale ; 
On  others  luft,  to  hang  both  night  and  day. 
None  of  thefe  pointes  would  ever  frame  in  me,  ' 
My  wit  is  nought,  I  can  not  learn  the  way. 
And  much  the  lefs  of  things  that  greater  be. 
That  aflten  helpe  of  colours  to  devife, 
To  joyne  the  meane  with  eche  extremitie, 
"With  nereft  vertue  ay  to  cloke  the  vyce. 
And  as  to  purpofc  likewife  it  (hall  fall, 
I'o  prclTe  the  vertue  that  it  may  not  ryfe. 
As  dronkennefs  good  fclow(hip  to  call. 
The  frendl^  foe  with  hisfaire  double  face. 
Say  he  is  gentle,  and  cnrties  thcrewithall, 
Affirme  that  favill  hath  a  goodly  grace. 
In  eloquence,  and  cruelty  to  name, 
Zeale  of  juftice,  and  change  in  time  and  place. 
And  he  that  fuftcreth  offence  without  blame. 
Call  him  pitiefull,  and  him  true  and  playne. 
That  raylcth  rcdUeii  VAto  eche  naiia  ftufaei 


-•■.:'/■/■• 


V...- 


r 


I 


K.    Tboe 


*J6  THE    WO 

&ay  he  is  r^dt,  that  csnnot  lyc  and  fa^ync. 

The  lecher  a  l«\vcr  and  tyranny 

To  b«  right  of  d  prince*  rai^tiCi 

1  cannot,  t,  no,  no,  it  wiil  not  be. 

Thi*  b  the  caufc  that  1  could  never  yet 

Hant;  on  their  fltrvc*  the  weigh  (aa  thow  maifl  (cc) 

A  chippe  of  chaunctr,  more  then  a  pound  of  wit^ 

This  nr.akf  s  mt  at  home  to  hunt  ^nd  h«vvke, 

j^d  in  tr>ul  wca'hcr  at  oiy  book  to  £ic ; 

In  irovi  &nd  faow,  then  with  my  bowc  (laJke ; 

No  milt,  dothmarkc  whcrtfo  I  lydc  or  ]pe ; 

In  lufly  ki^  at  likertie  I  walke. 

And  of  thcfe  ncwci  I  fclc  no  weak  no  woe, 

Save  that  acloggc  doth  hang  yctt  at  my  heic; 

No  forte  fur  chat,  for  that  ji»  ordrcd  lb. 

That  t  tnay  leape  both  hedge  and  dyke  full  wde« 

1  am  not  now  in  France  to  judge  the  wytie, 

"With  favcry  fauce  thofc  dcUcatcs  to  feel. 

Nor  yet  in  5payne,  where  one  mull  him  incliQei 

Bather  thtn  to  be,  outwardly  to  feme, 

I  meddle  not  with  wittes  that  be  fo  fyne. 

Nor  Flanders  cherc  Icttes  not  ^iy  fi^ht  to  demc, 

Of  black  jiiA  wbkc  aor  taket  my  wittcs  away, 

With  bcaftUncf*,  fuch  doc  thofc  bcaftus  eftcme. 

Nor  I  am  not,  where  truth  is  gevco  in  pray 

For  money,  pryfon,  and  ircafon,  of  fomc 

A  common  pr^idilice  ufcd  nig^ht  and  dayc ; 

But  t  am  here  in  ICcnt  and  Chri(\cndumc, 

Among  the  niiifc»,  where  I  rcadc  audryme. 

Where  if  thou  lift,  mine  own  John  Poyne*  to  r^mc, 

Thoa  fbak  be  judge,  how  t  do  fpcndc  my  tyme* 


Its  OF  wyftTT 


l7  ufe  tht  eottrf  art;/  himjelf  ih^ftn^  zvrfftfn  fy  ^jr 


I 


I 


A  8PEK01NC  hcnd  that  atway  powreth  out, 
Had  nede  to  have  a  bringer  iit  d*  faO, 
And  on  the  ftone  th.it  ilill  doth  turne  abont, 
There  growcth  no  molTe  :  Thcfc  prowcrbc*  yet 

doe  lad. 
ReafoQ  hath  fet  them  in  fo  fure  a  place. 
That  length  of  ycre»  their  force  Can  never  waftc  : 
When  1  remember  thi%,  and  --kc  the  cafe 
Wherein  thou  (landfl,  I  thought  f ifrth with  to  writa 
(Bryan)  to  thfc,  who  knowcs  how  great  a  grace. 
In  writing  is  to  counfaylemnn  the  right  j 
To  thcc,  tliercfo'^f ,  thut  trotte*  ttyll  up  and  dowije, 
And  never  rclls  but  running  day  and  ntghr. 
From  realme  to  realme,  from  citic,  Hrete,  and 

townc  J 
Why  docft  thou  wearc  thy  body  to  the  bones, 
And  mightcft  at  home  flepc  in  rhy  bcddc  of  downc, 
And  drink e  ^od  ale  fo  nappy  fur  the  none»t 
Fcde  thyff  U  fattc  and  heapc  up  pnundc  by  pound, 
Lykell  thou   cot   tlii*?  no,  whyf  for  fwine  fo 

groin  CB 
f  n  flrye,  and  chaw  dung  moulded  on  the  ground. 
And  drivel  on  pcarka,  with  head  ftill  in  the  man- 

So  of  th*.  hirpc  the  affc  doth  hearc  the  found, 
So  fackei  of  durt  be  Eldct    The  neat  courtier 
So  Icrvff  for  lelTc,  then  do  ihefe  fitted  ferine, 
Though  1  feme  kaiic  and  dryc  without  a  moiflcr. 


Yet  wiU  t  ferve  my  prince,  tny  lord,  and 

And  let  them  live  to  fcde  tlit  ^  u 

bo  may  I  live  to  fcde  l>oth  n 

By  God  well  fayd.  But  wb:^ 

How  to  bring  tu,  a&  fail  aj&  i 

That  would  I  learne,  and  it  iujii  i. 

To  tell  the  how.     Now  harkc  wh^*  \  i   - 

Thon  knowcll  well  firfl,  who  fo  i^^iiUki  U|^-^., 

Shal  purchafe  frendcs,  where  troutb  fiiall  imd' 

fende, 
I  Flee  therefore  truths  it  i»  both  wehh  aad  ak^ 
F^r  though  that  trouth  fd  every  man  kach  pnir, 
PuUncare  that  wyndf  gotb  trouth  in  grcJt  stiok^ 
Ufe  vertuc,  a*  u  gocih  now  a  dayct. 
In  wQord  aloac  to  make  thy  language  fwetf. 
And  of  the  dcdc»  ytt  d>e  not  aa  th4*tt  Cife^ 
Els  be  thuu  furc,  thou  fhak  he  hrr^  amans, 
Tp  gear  thy  bread,  cchc  thiog  is  cow  ii^  fas^^ 
Seke  Ilill  thy  profit  upon  thy  hare  fete, 
Lr nd  in  no  wife  for  fear  that  thou  do  wut; 
Untei^  it  be,  a»  to  a  calfe  a  <hefe^ 
But  if  thou  lAj't  be  fure  to  wrin  a  ottt 
Of  half  at  lead,  it  U  not  goad  to  iccle. 
Learnc  at  the  laddc»  that  in  a  long  white  c««¥, 
From  under  the  ftall  withoutcn  lande«  or  fe. 
Hath  Icpt  incx>  the  fboppe,  who  ki)owc«  bj  tv^ 
Thii  rule  that  t  have  toldc  thee  here  be/t*rc, 
Sometime  alfo  richc  age  be^mics  to  dote, 
Se  thou  when  there  thy  gaync  may  be  the  mm^ 
Stay  him  by  the  arme  where  fo  he  waHc  or^oi, 
Be  ncrc  aiway,  and  if  he  cough  to  fore* 
What  he  hath  fp)t  treadc  out.  and  plesCehiai^ 
A  diligent  knave  tliat  pykes  his  maillrrB j«i& 
M  .^  I'ltafc  him  fo^  that  he  withoutcn  m% 
Eiccntouf  i»,  and  what  i*  he  the  vrorlir, 
But  if  fo  chance,  thou  get  noujiht  of  the 
The  widow  may  for  a; I  '^-  ---  -  -  diibiifie 

A  rivclid  fkinnc,  a  flti  h,wkittte 

A  tdothclcITe  mouth  ih...  „ 

The  gold  is  good,  asd  thoti;: ; 

Yet    where    thee  lifl,  thou    ^      ^  gcM  «4 

warmc ; 
Let  the  old  mute  byte  upon  the  brydlSe, 
Whilft  (here  do  lye  a  fwetrr  m  tKme  tmiii^ 
In  thifc  alfo  fee  that  thou  he  n<*t  ydle. 
Thy  ncce,thy  cofin,  fiff.  l»U][4itcf, 

If  fhc  be  fayrc,  i!  hanfrr  middle^ 

U  thy  better  hath  b^r  ]  +,e  |kt, 

Avaimc  hiscatflt:  and  I  .<  thy  w^^ 

It  1*  but  love,  turne  th'j. _aghccf. 

But  ware  1  fay,  io  i^old  the  hei|ke  «jid fyt&t^ 

That  in  this  cafe  thou  be  not  Io  uuwyfe, 

A*  pander  was  in  fuch  a  lylcr  drdc. 

For  he  the  foole  of  confcience  wat  fo  trrw. 

That  he  no  gayuc  wouli 

Be  ncit  thy  fclfe,  for  0 

Lau^heft  thou  ac  mc  f 

No,  not  at  thee,  but  at 

Wouldcft  thou,  f  (Houl\i.  ...,  ^w. 

Change  that  for  goidc  that  I  have 

Next  godly  thingcs,  to  liAr<  All  hr 

Should  I  leave  that  the;  if  a  htMtL 

Nay  then  fmrewel,  ane  r  -  tee  fiuar 

Content  the  with  hont' 

With  free  toDgy  what  i..  .  c%  ;$  ^^t 


SONGES    AND 


Lod  for  l)iy  troatli  fonic  time  ftdverfitic, 
nd  therewithal!  thii  gyft  I  (haU  thee  gi«, 
this  world  now  little  profperitic« 
od  quoyne  to  kepe,  fts  water  ia  *  dve. 


Thifon^  efjapiii  mifinijhtd, 

TutM  Dido  feaded  furfl  the  wandring  Trojan 
knight, 
horn  Junos  wrath  with  fiormes  did  force  in  LU 

bik  fands  to  light. 

«t  mighty  Atlas  taught  the  Tupper  lafling  long, 

riih  erifp«!  lockcis^  in  golden  hirpc  Jppa*  fing 

io  fptig;:  [ind  name. 

hit  fame  (<}UQd  he)  that  we  the  world  do  cull 

If  heaven  and  earth  with  all  contentcA)  it  ii  the 

very  frame  r 
>f    lhu»,   of   heavenly   powers  by  more  powre 

kepi  In  one, 

leptignant  kind<:s»  in  middei  of  whom  the  earth 

hath  place  atone.  [and  noiirfe, 

Ptrme,  rotinde.  of  Jiving  things  the  mother,  place 

^?ilhout  the  which  in  egall  weight  thi»  heaven 

doth  hold  hi*  courfe,  ( ven, 

od  it  if  calde  by  namciihc  fitft  and  moving  hea- 

he  firmament  i*  placed  next,  eontain^  other  fcven. 

M  heavenly  power*  that  fame  is  planted  full  and 

thicke, 

ki  fiiining  lights,  which  we  call  llarrea,  that  there- 
in cleave  and  (licke, 
ITttb  great  fwift  fway  the  fyrd,  and  with  hii  rc(l> 
Icfs  fourt,  [oual  cour*» 

;!arieth  itfclf,  and  all  thofe  eyght  in  even  conti- 
nd  of  this  world  fo  round  within  that  rolling  cafe. 
Two  points  there  be  that  never  move,  but  &rmly 
ktrpe  their  place. 
he  tone  we  fee  alway.ihe  tother  {land%  objei*!, 
ipinlt  the  fame  divyding  }u{l,  the  ground  \>f  Hne 
diredl.  [tn*  other, 

hich  by  ymagination,  drawnc  from  the  one  to 
Poucheth  the  centre  of  the  earth,  fur  way  there  it 
none  other,  [not  bright, 

lod  thefc  becalde  the  pdet,  dcfcride  hy  (hLrrc* 
tike  the  one  northward  we  fee,  Aotariike  tho- 

thcr  hight 
he  \ytit^  that  we  deyfe  from  thone  to  thother  fo, 
I  A*  AicU  1!^,  upon  which  the  hi:avcnit  about  do  go, 
tiich  of  water  nor  earth,  uf  ayre  ihjt  fyre  have 
kinde ; 
iThcrcfore  the  fubftaoce  of  thofe  fame  were  hard 

for  man  to  find ; 
{  But  they  been  uucorupt,  fimple  and  pare  unmixt ; 
[iUid  fo  we  hj  been  slU  thoit  ftanca,  that  in  the 

fame  he  fitt ; 
L  And  eke  thofe  erring  feven,  in  cyrcle  a»they  dray, 
fSo  csIdCf  hecaufc  againd  that  fydl  they  have  re* 
pugnant  way, 
And  Jmalkr  by  way*  too,  fcant  fcnfible  to  man, 
\  bwfy  woorkc  for  my  poor  ha rpe,  let  fing  then 
he  thfti  can, 
lie  wydcft  favc  the  fyrft  of  all  thcfe  nync  abore, 
I  One  hundred  yere  doth  aikc  of  fpacc  for  one  de- 
gree to  move : 


SONETTES.  iij 

Of  which  dccreea  wc  make  in  the  fyrd  moving 

heaven, 
Three  hundred  and  threcfcore  in  partes,   juflly 

divided  even  ; 
And  yet  there  ia  another  between  thofe  heavent 
two,  [for  now. 

Whofe  moving  is  fo  flyt  fo  flickc,  1  came  it  not 
The  fcvcnth  heaveni  or  the  Jhcll  next  to  the  ftarry 
ikyc,  Lfo  fijfe. 

All  tbofe  degrees  that  gatliered  up  with  aged  pace, 
And  doth  pcffourmc  the  lame,  u  eiders  count 

hath  bene, 
In  nine  and  twenty  yerct  complete,  and  diyi  iT- 

moft  fiatteen, 
Do  carye  in  his  bought  the  ftarre  of  Saturn^  olde, 
A  threa>tner  of  all  living  thingi  with  drought,  and 
with  his  cold,  [pAJc, 

The  fiat  whom  lhi»  contein),doih  ftalke  with  yonger 
And  in  twelve  yere  doth  fome  what  more  then 
thothcrs  vyage  wat,  [txignc. 

And  thy*  in  it  doth  beare  the  ftarrc  of  Jove  bc- 
Twene  Saturnci  malice,  and  us  men,  friendly  de- 
fending figne  s  [dayci. 
The  fifth  bearc*  bToudyMar»,that  in  three  hundred 
And  twife  eleven  with  one  full  yere  hath  fintfb't 
all  thofe  wayew  (fixe, 
A  yere  doth  aike  the  fourth,  and  howers  thcrto 
And  in  the  fame  the  dayet  eye,  the  fune  therein 
he  llickes :  \j^^» 
The  thyrd  that  governde  is  by  that,  that  governa 
And  love  for  Icve,  and  for  no  lave  provukc»,  a« 
oft  wc  fee.                                    [the  totbcr, 
Tn  like  fpace  doth  perfourme  thatcoutfe,  that  dyd 
So  doth  the  next,  the  next  unco  the  fame,  thai 

fecond  is  in  order. 
But  it  doth  beare  the  f^arre,  that  calde  it  Mercury, 
That  many  a  crafty  fecrct  (leppe  doth  tread,  at 
Calcars  trye,  [%9^^ 

That  fkyc  in  lad,  und  fiat  next  ti»  thofe  waye«  hath 
In  fevcn  and  twcrkty  conmion  days,  and  eke  the 
third  one ;  [about* 

And  beanth  witti  hi*  fway  the  dyvcr»  moooe 
Kow  brigtit,  now  brown,  now  bent,  now  fuU,  and 

now  her  light  is  out : 
Thui  have  they  of  their  owne  two  movingea  all     " 

thclc  fcvrn. 
One,  wherein  thef  be  carried  (Itll^  cchc  in  bta 
feveral  heaven :  (layde 

Another  of  themlclve«,  where    iheyr  bodies  be 
Iti  by  waies,  and  m  kilcf  r4iunde«t»  T  afore  have 
faydc,  [the  Hreight, 

Save  of  them  all  the  funne  doth  ftray  leait  from 
The  (larry  fkye  hath  but  one  couife,  that  we  have 

calde  the  eight. 
And  all  thcfe  movingcs  eyght  arc  ment  from  weft 
tocaft,  [caft  to  wcfl; 

Although  they  fccme  to  clyme  aloft,  I  fay  from 
But  th^it  IS  but  by  force  of  theyr  fird  moving  fkye. 
In  twife  twelve  howret  from  cad  to  cad  that  caf« 

rieth  them  by  and  by. 

But   marke  me  wcU  alfo^  the  moving  of  thcfe 

fcvcn,  [heave  a  ; 

Be   not  about  the  atletree  of  the  fyril  moving 

For  they  have  theyr  two  poica  direfily  tone  tp 

the  tother. 


UNCERTAINE    AUCTORS. 


SONGES   AND    SONETTES. 


A  pralfi  ofbii  £■&• 

Gkvk  pUce  yoa  ladkt  tod  be  goae; 
%o*&.  not  your  felves  at  all. 
For  here  at  hande  approcheth  one, 
Whofe  face  will  ftayne  you  alL 

The  vertue  of  her  lively  lookea 
SzceU  the  preciona  ftone, 
I  wi(he  to  have  none  other  bookes 
To  readc  or  look  upon. 

In  eche  of  her  two  chriftal  eyei, 
Soiyleth  a  naked  boy ; 
Jt  would  yoa  all  in  heart  fuffife 
To  fee  that  lampe  of  |oye. 

I  think  nature  hath  loft  the  moulde, 
TVhere  (he  her  (hape  did  take ; 
Or  elfc  I  doubte  if  nalfure  cottlde 
80  fayre  a  creature  make. 
.  She  may  be  well  comparde 
Unto  the  Phenix  kinde, 
Whofe  like  was  nerer  feene  nor  heard, 
That  any  man  can  fynde. 

In  lyfe  (he  is  Diana  chaft 
In  trouth  Penelopey, 
]n  woord  and  eke  in  dede  ftedfaft; 
iVhat  will  you  more  we  fay: 

If  all  the  world  were  foti^ht  f*  fane. 
Who  could  finde  fuch  a  wight, 
ilti  beauty  twinkleth  lyke  a  (Urre 
Within  the  frofty  night. 

Her  rofeall  coulojjr  comes  and  goes. 
With  fuch  a  comely  grace, 
More  ruddier  too,  then  doth  the  rofe. 
Within  her  lively  face. 
,  At  Bacchus  feaft  none  (hall  her  mete, 
Ne  at  no  wanton  phye. 
Nor  gafing  in  an  open  (bete, 
Kor  gadding  as  aftray. 

The  niedeft  myrth  that  (he  doth  ufe, 
Is  mixt  with  ihamcfaftne(re. 
All  vyce  ftie  doth  wholy  refufe,' 
And  hateth  ydlenclfe. 

O  lord  it  is  a  world  to  fee. 
How  vertue  can  rcpayrc, 
5 


And  decke  in  her  fuch  modclliey 
Whome  nature  made  fo  fisyre. 

Tmely.flie  doch  as  hftt  ocedc,' 
Our  women  now  adayes. 
As  doth  the  jeliflonrc,  a  wed«. 
And  mor«  a  thoufaod  wmyes 

How  might  I  doe  to  get  a  graC« 
Of  this  unfpotted  tree : 
For  all  the  ttfk,  are  playse  bat  cha& 
Which  feme  good  come  to  bee. 

This  gyft  alonf  I  (hall  her  gcre. 
When  death  doth  what  he  can. 
Her  honeft  fame  fliall  ewtt  lire. 
Within  the  month  of  1 


Tbiy  rfiU  wumu  t/fmiw  m^  ktffkt 

U  right  be  rad  and  oTcrronng, 
And  power  take  part  with  open  wwgCj 
If  feare  by  force  do  yeld  to  fonc/ 
The  lacke  is  like  to  laft  to  long: 

If  Ood  for  goodes  dial  be  onpfaieed. 
If  right  for  riches  lofin  hys  (hapd, 
ff  world  for  vrifedome  be  enibraced. 
The  gefle  is  great  much  hart  may  hapw  , 
.  Among  ^^ood  things  I  prote  aod  fiade,* 
The  quiet  lyfe  doth  moft  aboqnd, 
^nd  fure  to  the  contented  mynde 
There  is  no  riches  may  be  foonde. 

For  riches  hates  to  be  content* 
Rule  is  enemy  to  quietnefle, 
Power  is  moft  part  impabenr,' 
And  feldbme  lykes  to  live  in  peace, 
r  heard  a  heardman  once  compare,' 
That  quiet  nights  he  had  mo  flepe 
And  had  mb  merydayes  to  fpare. 
Then  he  which  ought  the  bcaft  he  kept« 

I  would  not  have  it  thought  hereby. 
The  dolphin  fwimme  1  mean  to  teach^ 
Kor  yet  to  leame  the  lawlcon  fiye 
1  rowe  not  fo  farre  paft  my  rcadw^ 


SdNOIS  AND    SONETTEf- 


/  pjart  aliOTC  the  reft, 
» wifh  and  well  to  wiU, 
I J  breach  ihaU  fayk  mv  br<ll| 
t  ceafe  lo  wtlh  jou  ftilL 


px  life  the  more  offence 
«  offence  the  j^rcatcr  pftinfp 
Iter  paine  the  jcffc  defence » 
\  defence  the  IclTcr  (fminc  ; 
of  gain c  lonj?  yll  doth  trye, 
re  come  death  and  let  me  dye. 
Iioncr  life,  Icflc  count  1  findc, 
account  the  fooner  made, 
runt  foon  made,  the  m crier  irincl, 
ier  mynd  doth  thought  evade  \ 
t  in  truth  thi»  thing  doth  tryc» 
re  come  death  and  let  me  dye. 
^Btle  deaths  the  ebbc  of  car e» 
e  of  care»  the  flood  of  life, 
d  of  Hfc,  the  joyful  fare, 
Taj  fare,  the  end  of  (Irife, 
of  (Irife,  that  thing  wifb  f. 
»re  come  death  and  lee  me  dye. 


jt&  hemg  tattgBt  in  hitjnmre, 

my  fong  give  eare  who  lift 
Be  en  tent  judge  as  ye  will, 
le  b  come  chat  f  have  mlft 
ig  whereon  I  hoped  lltylt, 
m  the  toppe  of  alt  my  trufl 
hath  ihroweo  mc  in  the  duft* 
ime  hath  been  and  that  of  [ate, 
t  and  1  might  leap  at  large ; 
ft  not  flint  within  the  gate 
adenie,nor  took  no  charge 
Jiing  that  did  pertainc, 
fling  love  tn  any  paine. 
Iiought  was  free  my  hart  was  lyghC 
d  not  who  1of%,  who  faught, 
by  day,  I  flept  by  night, 
nut,  who  wept,  who  Uught, 
light  from  kill  fuch  thing*  was  free, 
ly  felf  at  liber! ie. 
DO  hedc  to  tauntet  nor  ttvyi 
LO  fee  them  trownc  as  imyle, 
rortnnc  lattght  I  f^ornde  their  joyea 
their  fraades  and  every  wyle, 
my  felf  oft  lymc*  I  fmyled. 
low  l*/ve  had  them  bfpiled, 
in  the  net  of  my  concciCi 
I  ftlH  among  the  fort 
as  fed  upon  the  bayte 
ipiile  Uide  for  his  difpnff, 
T  a»  I  faw  fhrm  caught 
«l€Jit  Uit^hr, 


*TiU  at  the  length  when  Cnpide  fpM 
My  fcoTOcful  wyll  and  fpiteful  ufe. 
And  how  1  paft  not  who  was  tycd 
So  that  ray  felf  myght  ftill  live  loft, 
Hcfct  himfcif  to  lye  in  waite 
And  in  my  way  he  threw  a  baite. 
Stich  one  ai  nature  never  made 
I  dare  well  fay  fave  (be  alone, 
Such  one  Ibe  was  ai  would  invade 
A  hart  more  hard  then  marble  (looe^ 
Such  one  flie  is,  I  know  it  right, 
Her  nature  made  lo  (hew  her  might- 
Then  at  a  man  in  a  mafe 
When  ufc  of  reafon  ii  away. 
So  I  began  to  ftare  and  gafe 
And  fodcinly,  withotti  delay 
Ur  ever  I  had  thi  wit  to  loke 
I  fwallowcd  up  both  bait  and  hooke. 

Which  daily  grievet  me  more  and  xnes^ 
By  fundry  fortci  of  careful  wo. 
And  none  alive  may  lalvc  the  fore 
But  only  (be  that  hurt  me  fo. 
In  whom  my  lyfe  dot  he  now  confiH 
Tofave  or  iUy  me  as  Ibe  lyft. 

But  fecyng  now  that  1  am  caogbft 
And  boundc  fo  fad  t  cannot  flee. 
Be  ye  by  myne  en  fa  m  pie  taught 
That  in  your  fanljes  fele  you  free 
Dcfpyfc  not  them  that  lovers  arc 
Left  you  be  caught  within  hit  fnare. 


^   '         him  lUlk 


rim,  vt>9  iottfJ  l*r  mt,  amd  4tmt4  i 


pMtLLiDA  was  ft  fayre  suyde 

As  frefh  as  any  flowre 

W^hom  Harpa|y»the  heardm^  prayde 

To  be  his  paramour. 

H:irpalus  and  eke  Corin 
Were  herdmcn  both  yfere  : 
And  Phillida  could  twift  andfpinitri 
And  thereto  ling  full  clerc 

But  Phillida  was  all  to  coy 
For  HarpaluB  to  winne, 
For  Corin  was  her  only  joy 
Who  ford  her  not  a  pinne. 

How  often  would  (be  flowcn  twinc. 
How  nfctn  garlandes  make 
Of  couilips  and  of  colombinei 
And  all  for  Corin*  fake. 

Biit  Corin  he  had  hnwkes  to  Itirc 
And  forced  more  the  field, 
Qf  lovert  law  he  took  no  cure 
.  For  once  he  was  begyldc. 

If  Harpaluq  prevailed  moughc^ 
Hi»  laboar  all  wai  loft. 
For  he  was  fartheft  from  her  thought, 
And  yet  he  loved  her  moft. 

Therefore  wazt  he  both  pale  and  leant 
And  drye  ai  clod  of  clay, 
HisHefh  it  was  confumed  ckane, 
1  Hii  colour  gone  away. 


^^h^                                          UNCERTAINB    AUCTOR^,                            ^B 

Hit  bc*d  ft  had  not  long  be  fliaTc, 

As  1  have  done  in  great  diftrclISc        ^^^[ 

His  hearc  hong  lit  unkempt^ 

That  loved  her  faithfully-                           ■ 

A  man  moft  6t  even  for  the  grave 

Bm  fince  Miat  1  ffaall  dfc  her  £u9t,      M 

Whom  fpitcfi41  love  had  fpcnt. 

Her  dave  and  eke  her  thrall ;                     ■ 

Hi»  eyes  were  read»  and  all  forcwatched, 

Write  yon  my  friended  tipon  uiy  gr^vc,     ■ 

His  face  bcfprcnt  with  tcarcB, 

This  cl-au nee  that  it  bc/alL                         M 

It  fcmdc  uxihap  bad  him  long  hatched. 

Here  lyeth  unhappy  Harpalus^              1 

In  middcfi  of  hy«  difpayrei. 

By  crucll  love  now  llaine ;                  ^^U 

His  cloaths  were  black  and  alfo  bare, 

U^om  Phillida  uh)ullly  thu«,            ^^H 

Ai  one  forloritc  was  he. 

Hath  roordred  with  difdaille.            ^^H 

Upon  hit  head  he  atwaiei  wmre 

A  wreathe  of  willowe  tree. 
His  beaftei  he  kepi  upon  a  hill, 

^^1 

>y^      ^^w 

And  he  fate  in  the  dale. 

d/tltdeaihrfPlil^f,           ■ 

And  thui  with  fighi  and  forrow*  fluill 

He  gan  to  tell  hi»  talc. 

Oh  Harpalua  (thus  woyld  he  fay) 

Unhappieft  under  (ban, 

The  caiift  of  thine  unhappy  day 

By  love  was  fyrft  bcgunoc, 
,            For  thou  wentft  firft  by  fuee  to  feek^ 
^^  A  t)  grc  to  make  tame. 
^B  That  fcttes  not  by  thy  love  a  leeke 

BtwAiLt  widi  me  aU  ye  that  have  pmf  J 
Of  mufickc  th'  arte,  by  touch  of  coaf  de  d 
Lay  down  your  lutes  and  let  y«ur  gytteJ 
Philips  is  deadwhofe  like  you  cjnu«|^^| 
Of  muftc^e  much  c&cecdiDg  all  the  ^^^| 
Mufes  therefore  of  force  now  mikGt  ^^^M 
Your  pleaf^nt  notes  into  another  ToS^^H 

^"  But  make*  thy  grief c  her  game. 
As  cafy  it  were  for  to  convert 
The  frofl  into  the  flatne 

The  (b-ing  is  broke,  the  lute  is  difpc^^^| 
The  hande  U  colde^the  body  in  the^n^f 
The  luwring  lute  lamenteth  now  th«qq 

As  for  to  turnc  a  froward  harr, 

Philips  her  keode,  that  can  her  t^mcbd  m 

Whom  thou  fo  feign  wouldcft  frame. 

C^nrtn  ti^  liv^t-K  f^mrrlf^iT^ 

v*orui  fic  live  til  varciciiCp 
If        He  Icapes  among  the  leaves* 

^K  He  eates  the  fruitei  of  thy  redreir<;. 
^pThou  rcapes,  he  takes  the  (heaves. 

"      My  bcaftcfl  awhile  your  foode  rcfr alue. 

Attdharke  your  heardfman^sfuundc  j 

I  str  there  is  no  fort 

I^B  Whome  fpightful  love  alas  !  hath  HaynCp 

Of  things  that  Jive  in  gricfe. 

^■1t*hroogh  ^yrt  with  many  a  woundc. 

Which  at  fomctime  may  opt  reCort 

^m      O  happly  be  ye  beaftes  wild, 

Whereas  tlwy  have  leltelc.                    ^_ 

^■That  here  your  pafturcs  takes  j                                   i 

The  ftrickcn  dere  by  kifidt               ^^H 

^rl  fee  that  ye  be  not  bcgylde, 

Of  death  that  flanda  in  awe,                ^^^^ 

Of  thcfc  your  faithful  xnatet. 

For  his  recur*  an  herb  can  fynci                    | 

The  hart  he  fccdcth  by  the  hiode. 

The  arrowe  to  wifhdrawc.                            1 

^^Thc  buck  hard  by  the  do ; 
^P*rhe  turtle  dove  if  not  utikindc. 
1       To  him  that  bvci  her  fo. 

The  chafed  dere  hath  fojU,                   M 

To  coolc  him  in  hi*  hcatc  ;                  ^^^ 

The  alTe  after  his  werj  Coyk»            ^^H 

The  ewe  (he  hath  by  her  the  rammc,, 

In  flable  is  up  fct,                                  ^^^H 

The  yoongcow  bath  the  bull; 

'     The  cony  hath  his  caire,                  ^^^ 

The  calfc  with  tnany  a  bfty  lambe, 

The  little  byrd  hj*  ncft.                                ■ 

Doc  feed  ihcir  hunger  full. 

1  From  heatc  and  cold*  themfdfei  to  fkvr^  I 

But  well  away  that  nature  wrought 

,  At  all  times  as  they  Uil                                 M 

Thee  Phillida  foe  fairc ; 

The  owlc  with  feblc  fight,               ^^M 

For  1  may  fay  that  I  have  bought                             , 

Lyes  lurking  in  the  leaves,                    ^^H 

Thy  beauty  all  to  dearc. 

The  fparrow  in  the  frofty  eight         ^^H 

What  reason  is  that  cruelrie» 

May  Ihroude  her  in  the  c«vca.            ^^H 

With  beauty  fbould  have  part  : 

But  wo  to  me,  alas,                             ^^H 

Or  elfe  that  futh  great  tyranny, 

;In  funnc  nor  yet  io  flaadc,                    ^^H 

Should  dweU  in  woman**  hart. 

I  cannot  find  a  telling  place,                      ■ 

I  fee  therefore  to  Ihappe  ray  death                        ,, 

i  My  burden  to  ujibde.                                 S 

She  cruelly  ifiprcft. 

But  day  by  day  Oiil  bearci                          ■ 

To  th*  endc  that  I  may  want  my  breath, 

I  he  burden  on  my  backe,                     ^^H 

My  days  been  at  the  bed. 

O  Cuptdc,  graunt  this  my  lequcO, 

To  holde  my  hope  aback.                   ^^^| 

And  do  uot  (loppe  thine  eares; 

AU  things  I  fee  have  place*            ^^H 

That  £hc  may  feel  within  her  brtft. 

Wherein  they  bowe  or  bende,            ^^H 

The  payncsof  mv  dcfpayrei. 
Of  Corin  that  is  carckfTc 

Save  thii>  alas,  my  woful  c^ie,             ^^H 

Which  no  where  fyndcch  code.        ^^H 

That  ihc  may  crave  her  fee. 

^__J 

fOHOSS  AMD  80NBTTEI. 


#41 


/  CupiJe  upon  iiffirt  vktre  tb§  hvert  tar* 
f  ivoynitd^  mmikti»  kt  woi  taken* 

pide  fcaled  ffrft  the  fort, 
iiy  heart  hy  w^oaoded  (bre^ 
was  of  fuch  a  fort 
[I  yelde  or  dye  therefore. 
iw  I  love  upoo  the  wall, 
if  banner  dyd  dyfpby^ 
arm:*,  he  'gall  Co  call, 
his  fojldinurs  kepe  aray* 
1 :«  the  which  that-  Cupide  bare, 
ced  h:rartet  with  tears  befprent, 
id  fable  to  declare 
ll  love  he  always  ment. 
lyght  you  fee  his  hand  all  dreft» 
like  to  whyte  and  bkcke, 
der  and  with  pellets  preft, 
he  forte,  to  fpoyle  ami  fiicke. 
hile  the  maider  of  the  (hot, 
:he  rampyre  brave  and  proode, 
of  powder  he  fpared  not, 
llaulte,  to  cry  aloude. 
lyght  you  heare  the  cannons  rore, 
dyfcharged  a  lover's  looke, 
1  the  power  to  rent,  and  tore 
:e  whereas  they  tooke. 
:n  with  the  trumpets  fowne, 
g  ladders  were  up  ict, 
y  walked  up  and  downe* 
in  hand  and  arrowes  whet. 
rft  defyre  began  to  fcale 
ed  him  under  his  targe, 
:  worthieft  of  them  all, 
:  for  to  give  the  charge, 
iflisd  fouldiours  with  theyr  pykes, 
rders  with  handy  ftrokes, 
buihe  in  fleflie  it  lightes, 
the  ayre  with  mifty  fmokes. 
it  i%  now  fouldiers  ufe, 
and  powder  gins  to  wanti 
p  my  flag  of  truce, 
cd  for  my  lyyes  graunt. 
vcicy  thus  had  made  her  breache, 
y  entred  with  her  baode, 
ind  baggage  fciy  wretch, 
ita  beauties  hand. 
:auty  bad  to  blow  retrcte, 
fouldiour  to  retyre, 
f  mylde  with  fpede  to  fet 
e  bound  as  prifoner. 
e  (quoth  I)  flth  that  this  day 
:d  you  at  all  aflayes, 
you  without  delay, 
e  fortrefle  all  the  kayes. 
I  that  I  have  been  the  marke, 
you  ihot  at  with  your  eye, 
t  you  with  your  handy  warkc, 
ky  fore,  or  let  me  dye. 


The  aged  lovtr  rmmtaeetb  love, 

iat  I  dyd  Uvc» 
kat  I  thought  fwete, 
I. 


As  time  requires  for  my  behovei 

Methinks  they  are  not  OMte.  \ 

My  Ittftes  they  do  me  leave,  ) 

My  fancies  all  are  fled,  ^ 

itod  trad  of  timi4»egynn«s  to . weat«  ) 

Gray  heares  upon  my  hed.  \  , 

For  age  with  ftealing  ftieppts     /  f 

Hath  clawde  me  with  his  crouche^  . 
And  lufty  lyfe  away  flie  leapes  j  / 
As  there  had  been  none  fuch.        I 

My  mufe  doth  not  delighe        ^ 
Me  as  (he  dyd  before. 
My  hand  and  pen  are  not  in  plight, 
As  they  have  been  of  yore. 

For  f eafon  me  denyes 
This  youthly  ydlc  ryme. 
And  day  by  day  ro  me  cryes. 
Leave  of  thefe  toyes  in  tyme. 

The  vrtinkles  in  my  tn-owe. 
The  furrows  in  my  face, 
Say  lymping  age  will  lodge  hyni  now. 
Where  youth  muft  geve  him  place. 

The  harbinger  of  death. 
To  me  I  fee  him  ride^ 
The  cough,  the  cold,  the  gafping  breath 
Doth  byd  me  to  provyde. 

A  pickax  and  a  fpade,  ' 

And  eko  a  (hrowding  fhete,  '  n 
A  houfe  of  clay  for  to  be  niade,t  ^ 
For  fuch  a  geaft  moft  mete.       ^  -n 

Methinkes  1  hear  the  clarke 
That  knoles  the  carefull  knell. 
And  byddes  me  leave  my  woful  warke, 
£re  nature  me  compell. 

My  kepcrs  knit  the  knot. 
That  youth  did  laugh  to  ikorne, 
Of  me  that  cleane  £all  be  forgot, 
As  I  had  not  been  borne. 

Thus  muft  I  youth  geve  npj 
Whofe  badge  I  long  dyd  weare, 
To  them  I  yelde  the  wanton  cup, 
That  better  may  it  beare. 

Lo,  here  the  bare  hed  flrall, 
By  whofe  balde  figne  1  know, 
I'hat  (louptng  age  avray  fiuU  pall, 
Which  youthful  yeres  did  fowe. 

For  beauty  with  her  band 
Thefe  crokcd  cares  hath  wrought, 
And  fliipped  me  into  the  land. 
From  whence  I  fyrft  was  brought. 

And  ye  that  byde  behinde. 
Have  ye  none  other  crufl 
As  ye  of  clay  were  caft  by  kynd, 
So  [hall  ye  wafte  to  dufl. 


0/ibe  death  of  Sir  Tbrnaas  iVyai  thf  £Utr. 

Lo»  dead !  he  lives,  that  wfailome  lived  here. 
Among  the  dead,  that  quick  goes  on  the  ground,' 
Though  he  be  dead,  yet  quick  he  doth  appeara 
By  lively  name,  that  death  cannot  confound. 
His  lyfe  for  ay  of  fame  the  tramp  fliaU  found, 
Though  he  be  dead,  yet  lives  he  here  alive. 
Thus  can  no  ^mk  from  Wyat  li£e  deprive. 
3  t 


(i 


u 


Of  anew  marrUd JtuJRkd  thai  plaUi  fyfi  or  irfe, 

A  STUDiENT,  at  his  boke  fo  plaft. 
That  welth  be  might  have  woime. 
From  boke  to  wife  did  flete  in  haft. 
From  welth  to  wo  to  ruone, 
Now,  who  hath  plaid  a  feater  caft, 
Since  jugUiig  firft  begonne  \ 
In  kninimg  of  himfelf  io/af^ 
Himfelf  he  hath  un^mnt. 


UNCERTAINE  AUCT0R8. 


The  lover  in  defpare^  lamenUtb  bu  cafe, 
Apieu,  defert,  how  art  thon  fpent  ? 
Ah !  dropping  tears,  how  do  ye  wa(h  I 
Ah  !  fcaiding  fighes,  how  be  yee  fpent. 
To  pricketbem  forth  that  will  not  hafte? 
Ah !  pained  hart,  thou  gapft  for  grace, 
£ven  then  where  pitie  hath  no  place. 

As  caCy  it  is  the  ftony  rocke 
From  place  to  place  for  to  remove. 
As  by  thy  plaint  for  to  provoke 
A  frozen  hart  from  hate  to  love  : 
^hat  (hould  I  fay  ?  Such  is  thy  lott, 
To  fawne  on  them  that  force  thee  not. 

Thus  mayft  thou  faftly  fay  and  fweare, 
That  rigour  raigneth  and  ruth  doth  faile, 
In  thanklcfle  thoughts  my  thoughts  do  wearc ; 
Thy  truth,  thy  faith  may  nought  availe ; 
For  thy  good  will,  why  fliould  thou  fu ; 
Still  graft  where  grace  it  will  not  grow. 

Alas !  poor  hart,  thus  had  thou  fpcut 
Thy  flowring  time,  thy  pleafant  yere^, 
Y^th  fighing  voice  wepc  and  lament ; 
For  cf  thy  hope  no  fruite  apperes : 
Thy  true  meaning  is  paid  with  fcoroe. 
That  ever  foweth  and  reapeth  no  come. 

And  where  thou  feekeft  a  quiet  port, 
1'hou  doft  but  weigh  againft  the  winde ; 
1  or  where  thou  gladded  wouldft  rrlort, 
'1  here  i;;  no  place  for  thee  alfiude  : 
'1  hy  deftiny  hath  fttt  it  fo, 
'1  hat  thy  true  hart  (hould  caufe  thy  wo. 


Of  Lis  wajftrejft,  M.  l^Cij    i 

]  N  bayes  I  boaft,  whofe  branche  I  bearr, 

Such  joy  therein  I  finde, 
That  to  the  death  1  (hall  it  wcare, 

To  eafe  my  carelefle  minde. 
In  heat,  in  cold,  both  night  and  day, 

Her  virtue  may  be  fene, 
WTien  other  fruirs  and  flowers  decay. 

The  bay  yett  grows  full  green  ; 
Her  beries  fede  the  birdcs  full  oft ; 

Her  leves  fwete  water  make. 
Her  bowes  be  fct  in  every  loft 

For  their  fwete  favours  fake  t 
The  birdes  do  (hroud  them  from  the- cold. 

In  her  we  daily  fee ; 
And  men  made  arbera  as  they  would. 

Under  the  pletTant  tree. 


It  doth  me  good  when  I  repaire 

There,  as  thefe  bayes  do  gtow^ 
Where  oft  1  vralk  to  take  the  air. 

It  doth  delight  me  fo. 
But  lo  1  ftand,  as  I  were  < 

Her  beauty  for  to  blafe. 
Wherewith  my  fpritet  be  t 

So  long  thereon  I  gaiie. 
At  laft  I  turne  unto  my  waike. 

In  palling  to  and  fro. 
And  to  my  (alfe  I  fmile  and  talk. 

And  then  away  I  go. 
Why  imileft  thou  ?  hf  lookers  on. 

What  pleafure  haft  thon  foandf 
With  that  I  am  as  cold  at  ftooe. 

And  ready  for  to  foonde« 
Fie,  fie  for  (hame,fayth  &nfie  than. 

Pluck  up  thy  fainted  hart. 
And  fpeak  thou  boldly  like  a  mao. 

Shrink  not  for  little  (mart. 
Whereat  I  blu(h  and  chao^e  my  cheare 

My  fenfes  wax  fo  weak, 

0  God,  think  I,  what  make  I  here. 
That  never  a  word  may  fpeakc  : 

1  dare  not  figh,  left  1  be  hean^ 

My  lokes  I  dyly  caft, 
And  fl  ill  I  ftand,  as  out  were  fcard, 

Untill  my  ftormet  be  pafL 
Then  happy  hap  doth  me  revive. 

The  blood  comes  to  my  face  ; 
A  merrier  man  is  not  alive, 

Then  I  am  in  that  cafe 
Thus  after  forowfeke  I  reft; 

When  fled  is  fancies  fitt : 
And  though  I  be  a  homely  geft. 

Before  the  bays  I  (it ; 
Where  I  do  watch  till  leaves  do  (all : 

When  winde  the  tree  doth  (bake, 
Thfn,  though  my  branche  be  very  imalU 

My  leafe  away  I  take. 
And  then  Igo  and  clap  my  handes. 

My  heart  doth  leap  for  joy. 
Thefc  bayck  do  eafe  me  from  OEiy  bands. 

That  long  did  me  annoy ; 
For  when  I  do  behold  the  fame. 

Which  makes  fo  fair  a  (how, 
1  ^d  therein  my  maiftrefsi 

\ud  fee  her  virtues  grow. 


jt  Jfraifi  of  Mm/h-efi  J?. 

I  HE  A  ED  when  fame  with  thtrndriog  vsa 

fummon  to  appear. 
I1ie  chief  cf  namie*s  children  all,  thtt  W 

placed  here. 
To  view  what  brute  by  virtue  got  theirftw 

juftly  crave; 
And  bad  them  (hew  what  praife  by  erf 

worthy  were  to  have : 
Wherewith  I  faw  how  Venus  came  and  f*" 

in  phce. 
And  gave  her  ladies  leave  at  hffc  ta  B^ 

plead  their  cafie : 


SONGES    AND    S0NETTE8. 


^43 


ch  one  was  called  by  oamv  a  row,  ia  chat  aflem- 

bly  there, 
at  hence  are  gone  or  here  remains,  in  court  or 

other  wh«r» :  •      .  • 

folemn  ftlence  was  procIaim*d,  the  judges  fat 

and  heard 
lat  truth  f  ould  tell,  or  craft  could  fain,  and  who 

(hould  be  prefcr'd  :     .    . 
en  beauty  flept before  the  bar,  whofebreil  and 

neck  was  bare, 
th  hair  tnift  up,  and  on  her  head  a  cml  of  gold 

(he  ware. 
OS  Cupids  t|iralles  began  the  flock,  whofe^hon- 

gry  eyes  did  fay, 
■t  ihe^  ha4  Gained  all  the  dameS|  that  prefent 

were  that  day. 
'  ere  (he  fpake  with  whifpering  words,    the 

praife  was  fild  throughput, 
d  fancy  forced  common  voice,  thereat  to  give  a 

ftiout..  ... 

lich  cried  to  fame  take  fortb  thy  trump,  and 

found  her  praife  on  hy, 
it  glad's  the  heart  of  every  wight,  t^it  her  be- 
holds with  eye. 
tat  ftir  and  rule  (quod  order  than)  do  thefe 

rude  people  make  ? 
hold  hi^t  l^eft  that  ihall  deferve  a  praiie  for 

virtues  fake. 
is  fentenc^  was  no  fooi^ef  faid,  but  Ineauty 

therewith  bhiiht,^ 
;  noife  did  ceafe,  the  haf  was  ftill  and  every 

thing  was  huih^. 
m  finenefs  thought  by  training^  ulk  to  wid 

that  beauty  loft', 
1  whet  her  tongue  with  jolly  words  al^  fpar- 

red  for  no  coft ; 
wantonefl*e  could  not  abide,'  but  b'/6ke  her 

tale  in  haft", 
1  peeviih  pride  for  peacocks  plumes  would 

needs  be  hleft  plaft. 
I  therewithal  came  curioufnefle  and  ca^fped  out 

of  ffame, 
audience  laughf  to  hear  the  ftrife,  as  they 

behiel^  the  fame, 
reafon  foon  appeas*d  the  bifute,  her  reverence 

made  and  done, 
pnrcha/ed  fiwotkr  for  to  fpeak,  and  (hut  her 

tale  begun, 
e  txMinty  fliall  the  garland  wear,  and  ctowned 

be  by  fame, 
Ippy  judges  ca^  for  her,  for  (he  deierves  the 

iame.  ^ 

ve  temperance  governs  beauties  flowers,  and 

glory  is  not  fought, 
lliamefaced  meeknefl*e  maftreth  pride,  and' 

virtue  dweUs  m  thought : 
bar  come  forth,  and  fhew  hier  £ue,  or  elfe  af- 

ftnt  each  one, 
i  true  report  fliall  grave  her  name  in  goliS  or 

marble-ftone. 
bH  the  worid  to  read  at  will  what  worthy- 

seile  doth  reft, 
etfcA  pure  unfpotted  life,  i^hich  file  hath 

herepofleft. 


Then  (kill  rofe.  up  and  fought  the  praife,  to  find 
„     ,     that  if  he  might, 
A  perfon  of  fuch  honeft  name,   that  men  fliould 

praife  of  right  t 
This  one  I  faw  full  fadly  (It,  and  flirink  her  felie 

.      .  a  fide, 
Whole  fober  looks  did  fliew  gifts  her  wivefy  grace 

did  hide, 
jflo  here  ((^uoth  (kill,  good  people  all)  is  lucres 

left  alive. 
And  ihe  fliall  moft  accepted  be,  that  lieail  for 

praife  did  ftrive. 
No  longer  fame  could  hold  her  peace,  but  blew 

ablaftefo  highe,. 
That  made  an  £cho  in  the  air,  and  founding 

through  the  flcie ; 
The  voice  was  loud«  and  thus  it  faid,  come  R* 

with  happy  days. 
Thy  honeft  life  hath  won  the  fame,  and  crowned 

thee  with  praife.  . 
And  when  1  heand  my  maiftres  named,  I  xhruft 

amids  the  throng,  .         . 

And  tlapt  my  hands  stnd  wiflit  of  6od,  that  ine 

might  profper  long. 


Stmgis  written  hy  M  G.  of  the  Nine  Mmfit. 

TiAps  of  kyng  Jfove,'and  queen  remembiraunce  I» 

The  fifters  nine,  the  poets  pleafant  feres. 

Caliope  doth  ftately  ftyle  befiowe, 

And  worthy  praifes  payntes  of  princely  percs : 

Clion  in  folemn  fonges  reneweth  all  day. 

With  prefent  yeres  conjoyning  age  by  paft, 

Delightful  talk^  loves  comical  Phaley, 

In  frefli  grene  youth,  who  doth  lyke  lawrel  laft : 

With  voices  tragicall,  foundes  Melpomen 

And  as  with  cheynes  thallured  care  flie  byndes. 

Hcrftringes,  when  'ttrycicot  doth  touch,  even 

then 
She  toucheth  hartes,  and  raigneth  in  mens  myndes : 
Fyne  ^rato,  whofe  looke  a  ly^ely  chere 
PrefeA^s  in  dancing,  kepes  a  comely  grace. 
With  (emely  gefture  doth  Polidmyne  Acre, 
Whofe  vroordes  whole  routes  of  rankes  do  rule  in 

place. 
Urany  her  globes  to  view  all'  bent. 
The  ninefold  heaven .obferves  with  fixed  face; 
I'he  bhftes  Eutrepe  tunes  of  inftmment. 
With  folace  fweet,  hence  niy  heavy  dumpes  ta 

chafe. 
I^ord  Phalbus,  in  the  myddes,  (whofe  heaVcnly 

fpriie 
Tliefe  ladyes  doth  infpire)  cmbraceth  all 
The  graces  in  the  mufes  weed  delyte. 
To  lead  them  fourth,  that  men  In  mine  they  falL 


Mufiftius  the  plitofiflirt  fjying. 

In  woorking  well,  if  travel  you  fuftaine. 
Into  the  wind^  fliaU  lightly  pafle  the  paynes 

8fii 


<44 


UNCERTA^IMX 


Bttc  of  the  dede  the  glory  (hall  remayne, 

And  caufe  your  name  with  worthy  wights  to 

raigne. 
In  working  wrong,  if  pleafure  yoa  attaine, 
The  pleafure  foon  (haU  yade,  and  void  as  value. 
But  of  the  dede  throughout  the  lyfe  the  (hame 
JEndurev,  defacing  you  with  foul  defame. 
And  dill  torments  the  minde  hoth  night  and  day; 
Sciat  length  of  time  the  fpot  can  wafiie  away. 
Flee  then  ill  fuading  pleafures,  baites  untrue, 
And  noble  vertues  fayre  rcnowne  purfue. 


7^ 


DefcriptioH  ofvlrtve. 

What  one  art  thou,  thus  in  torn  wcdey  clad  ? 
Vertue  in  price,  whom  auncient  fages  hsd. 
"Why  poorely  rayde  ?  for  fading  goodespeafl  care. 
VThy  double  faced  f  I  marke  eche  fortunes  fare. 
This  bridle  what  ?  Myndes  rages  to  reftraine. 
Fooles  why  beare  you  ?   1  love  to  take   great 

payne. 
Why  wingcs  ?  I  teach  above  the  ftarres  to  flye.     , 
Why  treade  you  death  f  1  onely  cannot  dye. 


Praifc  of  mtafyrcheeping, 

Tns  ancient  time  commended  not  for  nought ; 
The  meane  what  better  t hinge  there  be  fought. 
In  meane  is  virtue  placed  on  eyther  fide, 
Both  right  and  left  amifle  a  man  (hall  flyde. 
Icar,  with  fire  hadCl  thou  the  midway  flowne, 
IcanriO  beck  by  name  had  no  man  knowne. 
If  middle  y.  th  kcj-t  had  proud  Phaeton 
Ko  lurnlng  brand  this  earth  had  hiine  upon  : 
Nc  cruel  po\\  cr,  ne  none  fo  foft  can  raigne, 
That  ke|)es  a  meane,  the  fame  (hall  fliU  remayne. 
The  Julie  once  dyed,  to  much  mercy  fpill; 
Tl:c  Nero  ftcru,  rigor  extreme  dyd  kill. 
How  could  Auguft  fo  many  yeres  well  palTe, 
l<Ior  over  mekt  nor  over  fierce  he  was  : 
Worlhip  m  t  Jove  with  curious  fencies  vaine, 
Kor  him  defpifc ;  hold  right  atwene  thefe  twaine  : 
No  walllull  wight,  no  gredy  gutt  is  prazed. 
Stand  largelTe  ju(^  in  e^  ballaoce  payde  : 
So  Catoes  meal  furmountes  Antonius  chere, 
And  better  fame  his  fober  fs^  hath  here 
To  (lender  building  bad  as  bkd  to  grolTe  ? 
One  an  eye  fore,  the  tothcr  falles  to  lo(re. 
As  medicines helpe  in  mcafore,  fo  (God  wot) 
By  overmuch  the  ficke  their  banc  have  got. 
Unmete  me  femes  to  utter  this  mo  waies  j 
Meafure  forbiddes  uomeafunible  praifc. 


Mam\  lifiy  after  Poffidmitm  or  Crates, 

What  pathc  lift  you  to  treade?  what  trade  will 
you  aflay  ?  ^ 

The  courts  of  plea  by  braule  and  bat«  drive  gecic 
peace  away. 


AUCTOltd. 

In  houfe  foi:  wife  aad  chUde  tbcre  ia  be 

and  care. 
With  travel  and  with  toyle  enongh  in  i 

ufe  to  fare.  -• 

Upon  the  feas  lyeth  dreid ;  Che  riche  is 

lande. 
Do  fieare  the  loiTe,  and  there  the  poore  1 

fers  poorely  (land. 
Stryfe  with  a  wife,  withost  jour  thriftfi 

to  fee : 
Yong  brats  a  troble,  none  at  all  m  mayme 

to  be. 
Youth  fonde,  age  hath  no  hart,  and  pine 

to  nye ; 
Choofe  then  the  Icifer  of  theic  two,  ay 

foon  to  dye. 


IidetrcdorUui*s  m^ttde  to  the  coatrary. 

What  race  of  lyfc  ronne  you  ?  ^hat  tr 

you  alfay  ? 
In  courts  is  glory  got,   and  witt  incrca 

by  day. 
At  home  wee  take  our  eafe,  and  beake  en 

in  reft : 
The  ficldes  our  nature  do  refreihe  with  ] 

of  the  heft. 
On  feas  is  gain  to  geat ;  the  (banger  he  A 
Eftcem*d,  having  much,  if  not,  none  knoi 

lack  but  he. 
A  wyfc  will  uimme  thy  houfe,  no  wyle 

thou  free ; 
Brood  is  a  lovely  thing,  without  thy  lyfc 

to  thee. 
Yong  bloodcs  be  ftronge,  olde  fyrcs  in  do< 

nour  dwell, 
Doway  that  choyfe,  no  lyfe  or  foon  to  dy< 

it  well. 


Offrkm^fiip. 


Or  all  the  heavenly  gifts  that  mortal  m 

mend. 
What  trufty  treafure  in  the  world  can  • 

vaile  a  frieodc. 
Oar  health  is  foon  decaicd  ;  goodea  cafin 

and  vaine; 
Broke  have  we  feea  the  farce  of  power 

nour  fufier  ftaine. 
In  bodies  lull  man  doth  relcasble  but  bafc 
True  vertue  geatca  and  kccpa  a  fireod 

guyde  oif  our  purfute, 
Whofe  hearty  zeak  with  oora  acoardci  i 
No  terme  of  time,  no/pace  of  plaoe.  no  Ae 

it  deface. 
When  fickle  fortune  falles*  this  knot  C9d« 
The  kin  out  of  their  kind  may  fwcm 

frendeiowe  thee  f*ood  wilK: 
When  fweter  fobce  (hall  befall,  then  eact 
Upon  whofe  breft  then  mayft  repoic  the  fi 

thy  sonde  ? 


S0MGB8AND   SONETTZS. 


^S 


i  waileth  at  thy  wo;  his  tetrs  with  thine  he  (hed ; 
ith  thee  doth  he  joys,  fo  lefe  a  lyfe  is  led. 
hold  thy  frende,  and  of  thy  felf  the  paterne  fee, 
e  foul  a  wonder  ftalJ  it  feeme  in  bodies  twaine 

to  be; 
ibfence  prefent  rych  in  want,  in  ficknefle  found, 
after  death  alive,  maid  thou  by  thy  fure  frende 

be  founde. 
ie  houfe,  eche  towne,  each  realme  by  ftedfaft 

love  doth  ftaode ; 
lere  foule  debate  bredes  bitter  bale  in  eche  di- 
vided lande, 
jiendfliip,  flower  of  flowers !  O  lively  fpritc 

of  lyfe  ! 
iacred  bond  of  blifsful  peace,  the  flalworth 

ftanche  of  ftrife : 
pio  with  Lelius  didft  thou  con  joy  ne  in  care  ; 
home  in  warres  for  weale  and  wo,  with  e^ual 

faith  to  fare 
ippus  eke  with  Ty te,  Damon  with  Pythias ; 
d  with  Menethus'  fonne  Achill  by  the  combyn- 

ed  was: 
'iaius  and  Nifus  gave  Virgil  caufe  to  fmg 
Pylades  do  many  rymes  and  of  Orcftes  ring  : 
irnc  Thel'eus  went  to  hell,  Piiith  his  frende  to 

finde; 
hat  the  wyves  in  thefic  oir  daies  wer  to  their 

mates  fo  kynd  1 
nro  the  frcndly  man,  to  Atticus,  his  frende, 
Briendfliip  wrote,  fuch  couples,  lo !  doth  lot,  but 

feldom  lend, 
ount  thy  race  now  ronne,  how  fcwflialt  thou 

there  fee,  [mec : 

whom  to  fay  this  fame  is  he  that  never  failed 
rare  a  jewell  then  muft  nedes  be  holden  dere, 
1  as  thou  wilt  efleem  thy  felfe,  fo  uke  thy 

chofen  fere : 
!  tyrant  in  difpairc  no  latke  of  gold  bewayles, 
out,  I  am  undone  (faith  he)  for  all  my  friend- 

fliip*  failes : 
ereforc  flnce  nothing  is  more  kyndly  for  opr 

kynde, 
t  wifdome  thus  that  teacheth  us,  love  wee  the 

frcndly  minde. 


deoth  of  Zoraasj  ait  £^yptiaM  a/fronomer,  in  the 
^rfljigbt  that  Aiexatider  had  xvith  the  Pcrftant 

r  dattringarmes,  now  raging  broylcs  of  warre, 
pafle  the  noys  of  drcdfull  tnimpetts  clang, 

iwded  with  fliafts,  the  heaven  with  doudc  of 
dartes, 

ered  the  ayre  againft  full  fatted  bulles. 

brceth  kyudled  yre  the  lyons  kccne, 

dfe  greedy  gutts  the  gnawing  hunger  prickes : 

»facedo;is  againft  the  Pcriians  fair, 

r  corpfes  hyde  the  purpurde  foyle  with  blood; 

je  flanghter  on  eche  fide,  but  Pcrfes  more, 

ril  fieldes  he  bled,  theyr  heartes  and  numbers 
bate, 

ted  while  they  gave  backc,  and  fall  toflighte  : 
litening  Macedon  by  fwordcs,  by  glcaves, 

aadet  aiid  t;roupcs  of  foot?rucn,  with  his  garde, 


Speedes  to  dary,  but  hym  his  mereft  kyn, 
Oxate  preferves  with  horfemen  on  a  plnmpe 
Before  his  cair,  that  none  his  charge  fliould  give  : 
Here  grunts,  here  groans,  eche  where  flrong  youth 

is  fpent : 
Shaking  herbloudy  hands,  Bellone  among 
The  Perfes  foweth  all  kind  of  cruel  death  : 
With  throte  ycut  he  roares,  he  lyeth  along. 
His  entrailes  with  a  launce  through  gyrded'quyte, 
Hym  imytes  the  club,  hym  woundes  farre  ilr]^« 
ing  bowe,  •. 

And  him  the  fling,  and  him  the  ihining  fword  \ 
He  dyeth,  he  is  all  dead,  he  pantes,  he  reftei. 
Right  over  ftoode  in  (how  white  armor  brave. 
The  Memphite  Zoriaa,  a  cunnyng  clarke. 
To  whom  the  heaven  Uy  open  as  his  booke ;' 
And  in  celeftiall  bodies  he  could  tell 
The  moving  meeting  light  afped  eclips, 
And  influence,  and  conflellations  all ; 
What  earthly  chaunces  would  betydc,  whatyerc 
Of  plenty  ftorde,  what  figne  forewarned  death. 
How  winter  gendrcth  fnow,  what  temperature 
In  the  primetyde  doth  feafon  well  the  foyle, 
Why  lummcr'  burnes,  why  autumne  hath  ripe 

grapes, 
Whither  the  circle  quadrate  may  become. 
Whether  our  tunes  heaven's  harmony  can  yelde^ 
Of  four  begyns  among  themfelves  howe  great 
Proportion  is ;  what  fway  the  erryng  lightet 
Doth  fend  in  courfe  gayne  that  fyrft  movyog  hea- 
ven; 
What  grees  one  from  another  diftant  be. 
What  ftarr  doth  let  the  hurtfull  fyrc  to  rage,     . 
Or  him  more  myldc  what  oppofltion  makes, 
What  fyre  doth  qualifye  Mavorfe's  fyre. 
What  houfe  eche  one  doth  feeke,  what  phnett 

raignes 
Within  this  heaven  fphere,  or  that  fmall  thyngcta 
I  fpeake,  whole  heaven  he  dofeth  in  his  brefl. 
This  fage  then  in  the  ftarrcs  hath  fpyed  the  fates 
Threatned  him  death  without  delay,  and  fith 
He  faw  he  could  not  fatall  order  chaunge, 
Foreward  he  preft  in  battayle,  that  he  might 
Mete  with  the  rulers  of  the  Macedons, 
Of  his  right  hand  defirous  to  be  flain, 
The  bouldefl  bourne,  and  worthieft  in  the  feilde ; 
And  a.4  a  wight,  now  wery  of  his  lyfe. 
And  fcking  death  in  fyrft  iront  of  his  rage, 
Comes  delperately  to  Alexander's  face. 
At  him  with  dartes  one  after  other  throwei, 
With  recklcfTc  words  and  clamour  liim  provoketg 
And  fayth,  Nedanak's  battard  fhamefull  f^ayne 
Of  mothers  bed,  why  lofeft  thou  thy  ftrokes, 
Cowardcs  among,  tume  thee  to  me,  in  cafe 
Manhood  there  be  fo  much  left  ia  thy  heart : 
Come  fight  with  roe,  that  on  my  helmet  weare 
Apollo*H  Uurell  both  for  learn  ingea  laude. 
And  eke  for  martiall  praife,  that  in  my  (hidde 
The  fcven-fold  fophie  of  Minerve  contcin,    ^ 
A  match  more  mete  fyr  king  then  any  here. 
The  noble  prince  amoved  takes  ruth  upon 
I'he  wilful!  wight,  and  with  foft  words  ayen, 

0  monftrous  man  (quoth  he)  what  fo  thou  art, 

1  pray  thee  live,  ne  do  no:  with  thy  death 
Thii  lodg^  of  lots,  the  mufe's  manlioo  nurre ; 

Sf  ii\ 


M 


VNCERTAJNE    AUCTOItS. 


That  treafurelioufe  thisiiand  (hall  never  fpoyle, 
My  /word  (hall  never  bruife  that  flcilfull  brayne, 
X.ODg  gathered  heapes  of  fciencc  feme  to  fpili ; 
O  how  fayre  fruites  may  you  to  mortall  men 
From  wifdom's  garden  give;  how  many  may 
By  you  the  wifer  and  the  better  prove  : 
"What  error,  what  mad  moodc,  what  frenzy  thee, 
Perfwades  to  be  downe,  fent  to  kepe  Averne, 
Where  no  artei  flourifli,  nor  no  knowledge  vailes 
For  all  thefe  lawes.    When  thus  the  lovercigii 

fold. 
Alighted  Zoroas  wit^  fword  unibeathed. 
The  carelefs  king  there  fmoate  above  the  grcve. 
At  th*  opening  of  his  quilhes  wounded  him. 
So  that  the  bluod  down  trailed  on  the  ground  : 
The  Macedon  perceiving  hurt,  gan  gnafi^e. 
But  yet  his  mynde  he  bent  in  any  wife, 
Hym  to  forbeare,  fett  fpurrs  unto  his  ftede. 
And  turhde  away,  left  anger  of  his  fmarte 
^ould  caufe  revenger  hand  dcale  balefuU  blowea. 
But  of  the  Macedonians  chieftaines  knights, 
One  Meleager  could  not  bear  this  fight. 
But  ran  upon  the  faid  Egyptian  reuk. 
And  cutt  him  in  both  knees  :  He  fell  to  groun(), 
\¥herewith  a  whole  rout    came    of   fouldlours 

fteme. 
And  all  In  pieces  hewed  the  fcly  feg, 
But  happely  the  foule  fled  to  the  Aarres, 
Where,  under  him,  he  hath  full  fight  of  all. 
Whereat  he  gazed  here  with  reaching  looke  : 
The  Periians  waild  fuch  faplcnce  to  lorgoe. 
The  very  fone  the  Macedonians  wifht 
He  would  have  lived,  King  Alexander  felfe 
Demde  him  a  man  unmetc  to  dye  at  all ; 
Who'wonne  like  praife  for  conqueft  of  his  y re. 
As  for  fioute  men  in  flelde  that  day  fubducdj  - 
Who  princes  taught  How  to  difccmc  a  man, 
That  in  his  hcadfo  rare  a  jewel  bcarcs. 
Bat  overall  thofe  fame  Canienes,  thofe  fame, 
pivine  Camcnes,  whofe  honour  be  procurde. 
As  tender  parent  doih  hys  daughters  weale, 
L.amentcd,and  for  thankts*  ail  that  they  can. 
Do  cheriJh  hym  dcccaft,  and  Icti  him  free. 
From  dark  oblivion  of  dcvouiirg  death. 


J\f<irctft  Tu/Iiui  CUen,\  d:jtt. 

Therifore  when   rcflltfs   rage  t)f  wynde  and 

wave. 
He  faw  by  fates,  alas,  caldc  for,  (quoth  he) 
Is  haplefs  Cicero,  fayle  on,  Oiapecourfe 
To  the  next  fhorc,  and  bring  me  to  my  death. 
Perdy  thefe  thankes  refcued  from  evill  fword, 
Wilt  thou  my  country  pay  I  I  fee  mync  end  : 
So  powers  divine  fo  bid  the  gods  above, 
)a  citie  faved  that  conful  Marcus  (hend, 
6f  caking  no  more,  but  drawing  from  dicp  hart 
Great  groncs,  even  at  the  name  of  Rcme  reheard, 
His  eyes  and  cheekes  withlhowersof  tears  he  wafht ; 
y\rjd  (though  a  route  in  daily  dangers  wome) 
With  forced  face  the  Ihipmen  held  their  teares. 
And  fir  ivy  ng  long,  the  fcas  rough  flood  to  prfTe, 
in  aj  £jy  windcs  and  ftormy  ihowers  made  way. 


And  at  the  bft  fafe  ancred  in  tl^e  rode. 
Came  heavy  Cicero  a  land,  with  payuc. 
His  faynted  lynimes  the  agcdfyie  dothdraire. 
And  roundabout  their  mailer  ftood  his  bud: 
Nor  greatly  with  their  owo  hard  hap  diilBByi^ 
Nor  plighted  faith  prove  in  fbarpe  tyinc  to  brnk, 
Some  fwordes,|>repare  fome  thcyr  dcre  Lsfi# 

Cft: 
In  littour  laid,  they  lead  him  onkooth  waycL 
If  fo  deceave  Antonios  cruel!  gleavci» 
They  might,  and  threats  of  foUowipg  rovts  tkKf^\ 
Thus  lo,  that  Tullic,  went  that  Tullint, 
Of  royal  robe  and  facrrd  fenaite  priooe, 
Wheci  he  a  farre  the  men  approachcefpyetli; 
And  of  his  fone  the  enfign  doth  acknow. 
And  with  drawn    fword,    Popiliut    threzt'orf 

death, 
Whofe  life  arid  whoje  cflate,  in  hazard  occc 
He  had  preferved,  when  Rome,  as  yett  to  free. 
Heard  him,  and  at  his  thundr^i^  voice  amazed ; 
Hercnnius  eke  more  tyger  than  the  relil, 
Wefent  enflslmM  with  fury,  him  purfnei>. 
What  might  he  do,  (bould  he  ufe  in  defence 
Dyfarmed  handes,  or  pardon  afk  for  Mede  ? 
Should  he  With  wordes  to  turne  the  wrath 
Of  th'  armed  knight,  whofe  faftguard  he  bl 

wrought : 
No  age  forbids,  and  fixt  witliin  diepe  breil 
His  countrys  love,  and  falling  Romes  ymage; 
The  charrct  turn,  fayth  he,  let  lofe  the  rai&ca, 
Runne  to  tlie  undcferved  death  mee,  lo. 
Hath  Phc^bus  foule,  as  meffenger  forewarsde, 
And  Jove  dell  res  a  new  heaven^  man  to  loik. 
3rutusand  CaiCus  fouls,  live  yuu  in  blifs? 
In  cafe,  yet  all  the  fates  gain  itrive  ua  not, 
Neither  (hall  wee,  perchauncc,  dye  unrevecftd. 
Now  have  I  lived,  O  Rome !  yiiuugh  for  fDt\ 
My  paflcd  life  nought  fufireth  me  to  doubt ; 
Noylome  oblivion  of  the  loaihlome  death. 
Slea  me  :    Yett  all  the  offspring  to  cone  fts3 

know. 
And  this  deceafe  (hall  bring  eternal  life ; 
Yea,  and  (unkffe  I  fall,  and  all  in  vair.e  : 
Rome,  I  fometime  thy  augi.r  c  Lofen  was) 
Not  evermore  (hall  friendly  fortune  thtc 
Favour,  Anloniu^,  once  the  day  fliall  come. 
When  her  dear  wi«;hts,    by   cniell  Ipight  ite» 

flaine, 
Vidlorious  Rome  (hall  at  thy  hands  require : 
Mc  likes  thcr  while,  go  fee  the  hoaprd  heittn. 
Speche  had  he  left,  and  therewith,  he,  good  n«» 
His  throat  prepard,  and  held  his  head  unmot'4. 
His  hading  to  thofe  fates  the  very  knighcck 
Be  loth  to  (ee,  and  rage  rebated,  when 
They  his  bare  necke  beheld,  and  his  hoarebore*; 
Scant  could  they  hold  the  tcarcs  that  founh  ga 

burft, 
Andahnoft  fell  from  bloudy  hands  the  fWwdn; 
Only  the  fteme  Heretirius,  with  grim  looke, 
Daftards,  why  ftacd  yoo    ftiU  I   he  iayetb,  c4 

firaight 
Swaps  of  the  head  with  his  prefiunptiom  ytoa. 
Ne  With  that  daughter  yet  he  is  not  filde : 
Foul  (bame  on  (hame  to  heape,  is  his  delight. 
Wherefore  the  handes  aUb  dotjh  he  of  iinytti 


80NOE8  AMD  80NETTE8. 


i47 


h  durft  Antonios  life  (b  lyfdf  piint. 
fciding,  firained  gboft,  from  welkin  hye, 
lochy  chere  lord  Phoebat  gui  behold, 
in  bUck  ckmd,  they  imy,  Irag  hid  his  head* 
Ladne  mulct  and  the  graces  they  wept, 
;or  hk  fidl  eternally  (hall  pepe  t 
lo,  here  pierdng  Phho,  (Btnogt  to  tell) 
had  to  him  fnffifde  both  ienfe  and  wordct. 
I  fo  he  fpike,  and  dreft  with  ncdirfoode 
flowing  toagf  when   hit  wind  pipe  dif- 

Hrich  her  fleeing  firend,  and  (out  alat) 
left  thcr  earth,  ne  will  no  more  retume  : 
iovt  fliethther  while,  and  leaving  there 


The  fimlelcft  fto^  a  griesely  fight  doCh  bear. 
Unto  Antooint  boord  with  mi(chief  fed, 


0/M.r.Ckin. 

Foe  Tnllie  late  a  tombe  I  gan  prepare. 
When  Cynthic,  thnt,  bad  me  my  labour  fpare : 
Such  manner  thinget  become  the  dead,  qootb 

he, 
Bu(  Tully  livet,  and  iUll  alyve  fliall  be. 


N.G. 


S  f  iiij 


THE 


POETICAL   WORKS 


O  F 


I'HOMAS   SACKVILLE, 

LORD  BUCK  HURST. 


CoataiBlag  Ml 


INBVCTION  TO  THE  M11101  FOft       ||     COMPLAINT  Off  RllflT  DVKX  Of 
MAGISTRATES.  11  SUCKIMQHAM. 


To  whkh  is  prcazcd ' 

7HE    LIFE    OF  "THE    AVTHOK. 


..^J5 


Id  Tain  I  think,  right  hoDoimble  lord, 
B  J  thin  rude  rime  to  memorize  thy  name, 
Whofe  learned  muie  hath  writ  her  owne  rected 
In  golden  verfc,  worthy  immortal  (ame. 
Thou  much  more  fit,  were  leifure  for  the  iame. 
Thy  gracious  foveraigne's  pnycrs  to  compilCf 
And  her  impcjiall  majeftie  to  frame 
In  loftie  numbers,  and  heroick  fiile. 

SP£MSER's  sonnet  to  LOEC  BVCKBOltT* 


EDINBURGH: 
FRIMTED  BY  MUNDSLL  AND  SON.  ROYAL  BiANK  CLOS& 


THE  LIFE  OF  SACKVILLE, 


In  the  turbulent  and  fanguinary  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  when  the  fires  of  perfccution  were  kindlcl 
in  Smithfield,  and  every  part  of  England  was  polluted  with  murders,  more  atrociont  thaM 
the  flaughters  of  the  moft  bloody  civil  war;  the  cultivation  of  polite  literature  was  neglcdcd 
amidfb  the  calamities  of  the  ftate,  and  only  one  poetical  production,  of  prominent  excellency,  intitll^ 
led,  A  Mirror  fit  Magifraiet^  illuminates  that  interval  of  darknefs  between  Surrey  and  Spcofer. 

More  writers  than  one  were  concerned  in  the  compofition  of  that  popular  poem,  which  original 
ed  in  the  reign  of  Mary,  and  was  not  finally  completed  till  the  beginning  of  the  fevenuench  cen- 
tury ;  but  its  inventor,  and  moft  diftinguKhed  contributor  wasTaoiSAS  Sackvilli,  the  firft  Lord 
Buckhurft.  and  Earl  of  Dorfec,  Lord  High  Treafurer  of  England,  Chancellor  of  the  Univerfity  o£ 
Oxford,  author  of  the  firft  genuine  Engliih  tragedy, and  **  the  Patriarch  of  a  race  of  genius  and  wit!** 

This  diftinguiflied  (latefman  and  poet,  was  the  fon  of  Richard  Sackville,  Efq.  of  finckhurfl» 
in  the  parifli  of  Witliiam,  in  Suflez,  where  he  was  bom  in  the  year  1527.  His  mother  was  « 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Bruges,  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  and  lifterwards  wife  of  John  Powlet,  Mar- 
quis of  Wincheftcr. 

He  difcovered,  from  his  childhood,  a  lively  wit  and  vigorous  under  (landing,  and  was  removed 
from  a  domeftic  tuition,  to  Hart*hall  in  Oxford,  where  he  refided  fome  time;  but  took  no  degree. 
He  afterwards  removed  to  Cambridge,  where  he  did  not  refide  long;  but  had  the  degree  of  Maftet 
of  Arts  conferred  on  him. 

At  both  univerfities  he  became  celebrated  as  a  Latin  and  Engliih  poet.  Wood  mentions  him  at 
^  having  been  in  his  younger  years  poetically  inclined ;  and  wrote,  while  he  continued  in  Ozon.fere- 
ral  Latin  and  Engliih  poems:  though  publiihed,  either  by  themfclves,  or  mixed  among  other  mcn*« 
poems,  yet  t  prefume  they  are  loft  or  forgotten,  as  having  no  name  to  them,  or  that  the  copies 
art  worn  out.** 

He  afterwards  entered  hinr.fclf  a  fludcnt  in  the  Inner  Temple,  and  at  an  early  period  of  life  was 
called  to  the  bar. 

He  carried  his  love  of  poctty,  which  he  feemsto  have  almoft  folely  cultivated,  to  the  Inner  Tein« 
pie,  where,  in  conjundion  with  Thomas  Norton,  a  fellow-labourer  of  Hopkins  and  Sternhold,  he 
wrote  a  tragedy,  intituled,  Ftrrex  and  Fcrrex,  which  was  aded  before  Queen  Elizabeth,  at  Whkehal( 
by  the  ftudents  of  the  Inner  I'emple,  in  1561.  It  was  printed  incorredly  and  furreptitioully  in  IS^S'i 
more  accurately  in  1570 ;  in  1590,  by  the  title  of  Cwbodue;  and  reprinted  by  Dodiley  in  1 736,  with 
a  preface  by  Mr.  Spence,  by  the  procuration  of  Pope,  **  who  wondered  that  the  propriety 
and  natural  cafe  of  it  had  not  been  better  imitated  by  the  dramatic  authors  of  the  Ibcceediqg 
age. 

'  About  the  year  1557,  he  formed  the  plan  of  the  Mirror  fir  Magipratu^  in  which  all  the  iUuf- 
trious  but  unfortunate  charaders  of  the  Engliih  hiftory,  from  the  Conqueft  to  the  end  of  the  foor^ 
Uenth  century,  were  to  pafs  in  review  before  the  poet,  who  defcends,  like  Dante,  into  hell»  and  It 
conduced  by  Sorrow,  Every  perfonage  was  to  recite  his  own  misfortunes  in  a  foliloquy.  But  he  had 
leifure  only  to  finiih  a  poetical  preface,  called  ao  Itiduffion^  aud  one  legend,  which  is  the  L^t  ffH^ 
wyS9»/ord  DtiktofBnckiitgbam,  t  .6 


65*  THE  LIFE  OF  SACKVILtE. 

RellnquKhing,  therefore,  the  dedgn  abruptly,  and  haftily  adapting^  the  cloife  of  his  It^Sm  toi7:c 
appearance  of  Buckingham,  ^hofc  ftory  was  to  have  been  the  Uil  in  his  ieries,  he  recomicca&d  ^ 
completion  of  the  whole  to  Richard  Baldwyne  and  George  Ferrers,  men  of  the  grcattft  «ii  b  dc 

Deterred,  perhaps,  by  the  greatne(s  of  the  attempt,  they  invited  to  their  affiftance  Chv^j«<. 
Phayer,  and  other  men  of  wit  and  genius,  who  chofe  fach  liTes  from  the  ckronicles  of  Fabiia  td 
Hall,  as  feemed  to  difplay  the  mod  affeAing  cauftrophet,  and  which  were  probably  poiDtcdotbi 
Sackville. 

This  coUeAion  was  printed  in4tO|ti559>  ^<th  the  following  title.  AMyt^omrtJkr  Mm^fr^a,^^ 
im  wuy  befttm^  hy  tKmmpU  oftAtrs^  wth  hmuM  greumu  pUgu  vkn  €f  fmrni/k^^  mmd  h^-wfrtil  a^  aM 
xv9rldly  pro/ptritU  h/oundey  even  e/tbofe  rt'bom/wrtiaiefeewietbwmp  MgUy  U /mvmr,  ^  F^x  mimjxm 
mtiema  perlcula  cautum**     Anno  X559,  JEdibui  Tbm^  MarJU, 

As  he  early  quitted  the  ftudy  of  the  law  for  the  flowery  paths  of  poetry;  fo  the  poet  wuixi 
loft  in  the  ftatefman ;  and  negociationt  and  embaffies  extingoiflied  the  miMer  ambitions  of  tbs  i»> 
Bious  mufe. 

In  the  fourth  and  fifth  years  of  Queen  Mary,  hit  name  appears  in  the  parliaaieBtary  lifts;  »da 
the  fifth  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  1564,  when  his  fiuher  was  cleded  knight  of  the  Ihirc  for  Sifix,^ 
was  returned  one  of  the  members  for  Bnckinghanflure. 

Not  long  after  this,  he  travelled  into  France  and  Italy,  and  was  detaiaed  fome  time  a  pntee  1 
Smbc,  in  confequence  of  fome  pecuniary  incoovmieace.  * 

On  his  father's  death  in  1566,  his  liberty  was  prociirc9'i  and  he  retomcd  to  Rnylanj^  to  okf^ 
feffion  of  an  ample  patrimony. 

His  eminent  accompliftiments  and  abilities  having  acquired  the  confidence  and  efteem  of  Qm 
Elizabeth,  he  was  knighted  in  1567,  in  her  prefence,  by  the  Doke  of  Norfolk,  and  at  the  fine  as 
promoted  to  the  peerage,  by  tlie  title  ofBanm  Bufklmtfi, 

In  confequence  of  the  Queen's  frequent  admonitions,  he  is  (aid  to  have  coneAed  kii  tab  fit 
magnificence  and  expence,  which  had  fome  timet  fubjeded  him  to  confidendbie  inoooreniacaek 

In  1573,  he  went  ambafHidor  to  France.  In  15 74,  he  fat  on  the  trial  of  the  2)ake  of  iMft; 
at  which  time  he  was  alfo  in  the  Privy  Council. 

He  was  nominated  one  of  the  conmiilfioners  for  the  trial  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots;  bat  kte 
not  appear  that  he  was  prefent  at  her  condemnation  at  Focheringay  Caftle  ;  yet  after  the  cooinfr 
tion  of  the  fentence,  he  was  appointed  to  bear  the  unhappy  tidings  to  her,  and  to  Jee  the  fimtcaafa 
in  execution. 

In  1587,  he  went  ambaifador  to  the  States-General;  but,  having  inoirred  the  difplnfore  af  ifi> 
£ar!  of  Lclcefter  and  Lord  Burleigh,  he  was  recalled,  and  confined  to  his  hoale  nine  meaths. 

On  the  death  of  Leicefter,  he  recovered  the  Queen*s  fsvoor,  and  was  made  Knight  of  the  G««. 
one  of  the  peers  who  fat  on  the  trial  of  Lord  Arundel,  and  joined  with  Burleigh,  in  negopKif  • 
peace  with  Spain  and  Holland. 

In  159 1,  he  was,  by  the  Queen*s  recommeadation,  eleded  Chancellor  of  the  Univerfityof  Odoi 
in  oppofition  to  Effcx,  the  objed  of  her  capricious  paflion,  aad  incorporated  Mafter  of  AxtL 

On  Burleigh's  death,  he  was  appointed  Lord  High  Treafurer,  and  loon  after  joined  in  ammt^ 
with  Eflez  and  Sir  Thomas  Egerton  for  oegociating  an  alliance  arith  Deonarfc ;  and  whM  tbt » 
fortunate  nobleman  was  brought  to  his  trial,  with  his  friend  Southampton,  he  was  conftitatedLni 
High  Steward  on  the  occafion. 

At  the  acceilion  of  King  James,  his  patent  of  Lord  High  Treafarer  was  renewed  for  Hfi  ;ada 
1603,  he  was  created  Earl  o/Derfet,  and  appointed  one  of  the  commiflioners  for  eaecati^g  ibc  dki 
«f  Lord  Marihal. 

He  died  fuddenly  at  the  counciUable,  Whitehall,  April  Z9th  z4o8,  in  the  8ift  year  of  hii«>^ 
and  was  buried  in  Weftminftcr  Abbey. 

His  Ameral  fermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Abbot,  his  chaplain, aftcrwarda-Archhifoop  afCvHO^ 
in  which  he  is  very  lavifli  in  his  praifc. 

The  charaaer  of  Sackville,  as  a  ftatefman,  is  to  be  foagfat  eUcwhoa.  It  ia  fnfcirf  mkf^^ 
fev  firft  mtuiflcis  h;iTo  kft  fu  i^ir  a  chara^cr,    Aiaidft  the  incrlgaet  of  wi  wM  cwff,  he  foln* 


TH«  LIFE  OF  SACKVILLl.  isS 

«it  tbe  toiegfity  of  a  private  man.  Hi*  f-untly  diCdiined  the  offer  of  ao  apolegy  fat  him,  ifminU 
fomc  little  vAviU  of  a  rival  party,  fo  the  exercire  of  hit  political  fu&t^loRt.  ihe  brilUancf  of  hii 
imagtoation  grew  more  correal,  OLit  left  abundant.  Kauotoo  relates,  that  his  '*  fccr^orics  kid 
difficuli  V  t''  pkrafc  him,  he  wa^  (o/airu  and  choice  in  hh  dyle.*'  Even  in  the  decifioni  of  Uut  rigid  tri* 
Banal,  the  Sta^r  Chaioiber^  which  wat  never  cfteemed  the  fchool  of  eloquence,  **  fo  flron^/*  fayt 
XKiyd,  ••  tva*  hit  invention,  that  he  wa^  called  the  Star  Clamkr  SifV*  Amidft  the  builneft  of  an 
nvny  at  ParU,  lie  fouusi  rime  to  ptcfia  a  L<tlU  K^iJUe  to  Clerkc'i  Latin  tranflatjon  of  CaHiglio*! 

I  •*  Cour  ier,"  which  1%  not  an  unworthy  recommendation  of  a  treadfc  remarkable  for  its  polite  Latini- 
ty.     HimfelF  a  poet,  he  encouraged  ihe  art  which  he  improved,  by  his  liberality  ;  and  left  hia  wit 

L  and  pacruiia^e  of  poliu  Uter^t^iure  to  hit  defcendtnts^  of  whom  wii  Charles  Sackvillc,  Earl  of  Dol> 

[  1^  the  well  known  patron  of  Dry  den  and  Prior  ; 


■^^  Who(e  great  forcfatheri  every  grace, 
ReflcAiog  and  reSeded  in  hii  race  ; 
Whcf c  other  Buckbttrpi^  other  Dor/Ht  ftine, 
And  poettMl,  or  patrioti  deck  the  tine. 

He  was  more  cotirted  and  compiimcnted  by  poets  than  any  nobleman  of  hit  time,  otcept  EITei, 
wlivTc  love  of  literature,  hcfmfm,  integrity,  and  gcncrofity,  made  turn  the  favoaritc  of  the  nativri, 
I  and  the  fob  jrt^  of  innumerable  fonncu  and  ballads,  from  Jipenfer  to  the  lowcft  rhymer;  And  if 
panegyric  were  any  where  juilifiable,  tt  maft  be  when  paid  to  the  man,  who  endeavoured  to  fav# 
Spcnfcr  from  ftarving  in  the  fij^eeti  of  Dublin,  and  who  buried  him  in  VVeilnunAer  Abbey,  with 
becoming  folemnity. 

A»  a  poet,  Sackville  haa  pretenfloat  to  the  gratitude  of  pofterity,  which  hive  not  Ktihert«  bees 
fully  conlidcred  or  allowed.  He  ii  entitled  to  rank  with  Spenfer,  Shakfpeare,  and  Marlowe,  the 
0»«fl  eminent  pocti  of  hi«  age ;  by  the  fir H  of  whom  he  it  only  furpaflcd  in  the  perf«^ion  of 
»Uegory,  bjr  having  had  Ihe  difad vantage  of  writing  before  him  j  and,  by  the  feeond,  in  hia  ma* 
gic  power  of  moving  the  palliont,  and  the  imrivallcd  eaeetleoce  of  hie  dramatic  dialogue. 

His  tragedy  of  GorMire  has  the  merit  of  being  the  firil  fpccimen  in  our  language  of  a  heroic  fite 
writren  in  blank  verfc,  divided  into  ads  and  fcenc»,  and  clothed  in  all  the  forma Utiei  of  a  regn lor 
drama.  It  ispraifed  by  Sidney  for  its  wrf«^  mmrmtitif  i  but  it  wa«  never  popular,  owing  to  the  un* 
intercding  nature  of  the  plot,  the  tedioua  length  of  the  fpeechei,  the  want  of  a  difcrimination  of  chi- 
raAer,  and  almoin  a  total  abfencc  of  pathetic  incidenta.  The  dialogue,  however,  eontaini  muck 
dignity,  ftrecgth  of  refled^von,  and  good  fcnfe  ;  and  the  language  hai  great  purity  aod  perfpicuity, 
and  ii  entirely  free  from  that  tumid  phrafcology,  and  thofe  exaggerated  imageries  and  pedantic  me- 
tsphors,  which  arc  tlic  chief  blemifhct  of  the  feezes  of  Shakfpeare. 

The  aflillance  of  Norton,  to  whom  the  three  (irfl  ads  arc  given  by  Wood,  may  be  joflly  doubted. 
Every  fccac  of  CorUJue  is  marked  by  Sackville**  charaderiflic  manner,  which  confifts  in  a  perfpicoity 
•f  Hyle,  and  a  command  of  numbers,  fuperior  to  the  tone  of  his  age. 

In  ihe  Mirror  fte  M^iftr^Ut  he  has  two  poems  of  conllderable  length,  the  Imdu^ltH,  and  Lfgtmd  9f 
M^Mitghamt  which  are  the  chief  foundation  of  bit  fame. 

The  colledion,  if  which  they  make  a  confpicnoui  part,  was  repriRtcd  in  Ij6j,  1571,  I5M»  ^^_^ 
ill  15 S7,  with  an  Indudion,  and  the  additions  of  many  new  lives,  by  John  Higgint,  At  lengd 
the  whole  was  digeftcd  anew,  with  additions  by  Richard  Niccoli,  an  ingenious  poet,  and  printed  ifl 
16 fO,  under  the  foUowing  title  :  A  Mirreur  /or  Maigijtratti^  heing  a  trme  chromule  hifi&tic  tf  iht  um 
timlypliei  tffuch  mf^rtumitt  ptinutt  fu»d  m/n  e/  mote^  *i  iioKn  hspptnti J%tkit  tht  fff  inftanu  of  BruU  inf 
thi>  ijtiind^  mntii  tbii  cur  tf/f ,  mnfity  enlarged^  with  a  iafi  ^rt,  talUd,  A  Wimter''t  Night  Vif&n^  being  oit  tf^» 
Stim  tffmh  fragtdiet^ffptHmUyfamimst  <u  are  e*em/fted  it*  theformrr  hijkrit,  xMriti  a /fatm  anntMei^  mtUd^ 
£jigUwd*f  Etisii.     At  London,  imprinted  by  Felix  Kyngfton,  1610, 

&ackville*s  fiiare  in  it  is  illuflratcd  in  the  preface,  *'  I  purpofe  only  to  follow  the  intended  fcopc 
of  that  rooft  honorable  pitronagc,  who,  by  how  much  he  did  forpaffe  the  reft  in  the  eminence  of 
kis  o«blc  coBdition,  by  To  much  he  hath  exceeded  ihcm  all  ia  the  excellence  of  hit  bcroical  ilil^. 


^54  ,     THfi  LIFE   OF   SACKVILLB. 

which,  with  golden  pen,  he  hath  limmed  out  to  pollericie  in  that  worthy  objcA  of  hit  micdf,  ?« 
TRAGEnii  OF  THi  DuK»  OF  BocKiNOHAM,  and  in  his  preface,  then  intitnled  Mastke  Sackoili 
Ijidoctio^i."  This  edition,  which  contains  86  lives  and  875  pages,  has  never  been  rcprlnred,  aod  a 
extremely  fcarce.  That  it  was  in  high  efteem  throughout  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  appean  not 
only  from  its  numerous  editions^butfrom  the  teilimonies  of  Sidney, Heywod,  Webbe,  Boltoo,  and ocba 
contemporary  writers.  It  is  reafonable  to  fuppofe,  that  it  enriched  the  ftores,  and  extended  the  i;«»if* 
of  our  drama.  Shakfpeare  is  indebted  to  it  for  many  fcenes  in  his  pUys.  Much  of  it  might  betr 
republication,  and  make  good  its  chum  to  public  notice ;  particularly  the  legends  written  by  Churdt- 
yard  and  Niccols,  which  have  confiderable  merit,  and  often  ihew  a  command  of  laogoage  and  vciii- 
ficatioa.  But  the  IndiaUm  and  Legemdol  Sackville,  afford  the  moft  favourable  fpecimen  of  thoic  po- 
pular legends,  and  deferve  being  revived  equally  as  compofitions  of  real  and  intrinfic  merit,  aod  « 
•bjedts  of  curiofity.  They  are  now  received,  for  the  firft  time,  into  a  colleaion  of  daflicai  Engliih 
poetry. 

The  Earl  of  Oxford  and  Mr.  Warton  have  charaderifed  the  poetry  of  Sackville  with  foch  clegiace 
and  minutenefs,  that  it  will  be  fnfficient  to  add  their  teHimonies  as  a  jufUficataon  of  the  revival  of 
his  vrritings,  and  as  unqueftiooabk  authorities  in  his  favour* 

*<  Our  hiftoric  plays,**  fays  Lord  Orford,  <*  are  allowed  to  have  been  founded  on  the  heroic  narra- 
Clves  in'  the  Mhrror  fdr  Magtftrates;  to  that  plan,  and  to' the  botdnefs  of  Lord  Bockhorft's  new 
fcenct,  perhapa  we  owe  Shakfpeare.** 

•>  8ack:viUe*8  MkAtMr,  "  (a^vMr.  Warton,'*  loCet  moth  of  its  dignity  and  pitipriety,  by  bcof 
prefixed  to  a  fingk  life,  and  that  of  no  great  hiftorical  importance ;  the  pbn  ia  eoafefiedly  oopiel 
firam  Boccaeea*  J>t  Cafibit  wrtnm  itlufirium^  txanflated  by  Ly^gale  $  the  defcent  into  hell,  from  Doatc'i 
*'  Commedia,**  and  the  fixth  book  of  VirgiL  The  (hadowy  inhabiunts  of  helWgate  are  hia  o«i^ 
and  conceived  with  the  vigour  of  a  creative  infagination,  and  defihibed  with  g^eac  Ibrce  of  cxp^ 
(ion ;  they  are  delineated  vdth  that  fuUneis  of  proportion,  that  invention  of  ptdnrefque  attribvteap  dtf> 
tinAnels,  animation,  and  amplitnde,  of  which  Spenfer  is  commonly  fuppofed  to  have  gmn  the  fri 
^eciment  in  our  language,  and  which  are  charaAeriftical  of  his  poetry.  Th6  readers  of  the  *■  fmtf 
<^eeQe**  will  eafily  point  out  many  partictdar  paflages,  which  Sackville't  Jmdmaim  itagfeficd  » 
Spcnfer.** 

<*  The  Comphynt  of  Hemryt  Duh  of  BtuHagb^m^  i»  written  with  a  force  and  eitai  de-' 
gance  of  expreflion,  a  copiouihefs  of  phrafeology,  and  an  exadneia  of  veriificatioo,  not  to  be  iemA 
in  any  other  parts  of  thecoUcAion*  On  the  whole,  it  maybe  thought  tedious  and  laDg«id;Wt 
that  objedion  ufiavoidably  refulu  from  the  general  plan  of  thefe  pieces.  It  is  impoffilile  that  ftfi- 
loquics  of  fnch  prolixity,  and  defigned  to  include  much  hilborical,  and  even  biographicil  matter, 
ihould  every  where  fuftain  a  proper  degree  of  fpirit,  pathos,  and  intere£L'* 


THE  INDUCTION 

TO  A 

MIRROUR   FOR   MAGISTRATES. 


T«E  wrathfull  winicr  prochinj^e  on  a  p4cc# 
"With  btuftring  blafte«  had  al  ybared  the  trrcn, 
And  oldc  S^turnuA  with  his  froflty  face 
With  chilling  colde  had  pearft  the  tender  green  t 
The  ttiantcli  rent,  wherein  enwrapped  been 
The  gladfom  grovei  that  nowc  layc  ovcrthrovren, 
The  tapeti  torne,  and  every  blome  downe  Mow  en. 

The  foyk  that  crft  fo  fccmly  was  to  feen, 
Was  all  dcfpoyicd  of  her  bcautlei  hcwe  r 
And  foot  freflic  Qowert  (where  with  the  fommeri 
queen  [blcwc 

Had  clad  the  earth]  now   Boreas  blailcs  downer 
And  fmail  fowler  flQckingt  in  their  fong  did  rewe 
The  winrcr*  wrath,  whcr  with  eche  thing  defafte 
'  la  woful  wife  bcwaylcd  the  fommei  pad. 

Hawthorne  had  loft  hit  motley  lyverye^ 
The  naked  twigges  were  fhivering  ati  for  colde  : 
And  dropping  downe  the  tcare*  abundantly, 
Eche  thing  (me  thifOght)  with  wcping  eye  me 

tolde 

The  cnicll  fearon,  bidding  me  withhoUlc 
Wy  felfc  within*  for  I  was  gotten  out 
Into  the  fcldcB  whcrcai  I  walktcabotit. 

lATKen  loe  the  night  with  miftie  mantels  fpredi 
Can  darkc  the  dayc,  and  dim  the  azure  iky c». 
And  Venus  in  her  mefLge  Hjrxnci  fpcd 
To  bluddy  Man,  to  wylhim  not  to  ryfc. 
While  Che  her  felfe  approcht  in  fpccdy  wife  : 
And  Virgo  hiding  her  dtrdainful  brtll 
With  Thetii  now  bad  layd  hct  dowuc  to  reH. 

Whilci  Scorpio  dreading  SagittaKiit  dart, 
\l^ofc  bowc  prell  bent  in  fight,  the  ftring  had 

flypt, 

Downe  flyd  into  the  ocean  flud  aparte. 
The  Beare  that  in  the  Iryfhe  feat  had  dipt 
Hi»  gr icily   fcetc,  with  fpccde   from  thence  he 

why  pi : 
For  ITietift  hailing  from  the  Vlrgincs  bed 
J*arfued  the  JBcar^thac  car  (he  came  was  fled. 


And  Phaeton  nowe  neait  reaching  to  hit  nee 
With  glifterlng^beamei,  gold  fireamyngc  where 

they  bent 
Wai  prell  to  enter  in  hts  refUng  place. 
Crythius  that  in  the  carte  fyrftc  went 
Had  even  now  attayndc  hii  jonrneyi  fteot 
And  fail  declining  hid  away  hit  head, 
While  Titan  coochcd  him  in  his  purple  bed. 

And  pde  Clnthca  with  her  borowcd  light 
Beginning  to  fupply  her  brothcn  place, 
Was  paft  the  aoooftecde  fyre  degrees  in  fight, 
W^hen  fparkling  (larrc^  amyd  the  heayeoi  face 
With  twinkling  light  Iheen  on  the  canh  apace. 
That    whyle    they  brouight    about   the  oightet 

chare 
The  darkc  had  dimmed  the  day  ear  I  wk  t 


And  furowJng  I  to  fee  the  fommer  flowers 

The  Huly  gretnc,  iht.  iufty  leat  forlornc. 

The  fturdy  trtcb  fa  (hartered  with  the  Oiowtfi^ 

The  Bctd^  fo  fad£  that  fioof  ifht  fo  bcforne 

It  taught  uic  wel  alt  earthly  thingcs  be  borne 

To  dye  the  death,  for  nought  long  time  may  Uft  ; 

The  fommcrt  beauty  yccldc*  to  wmtert  blaU. 

Then  looking  upward  to  the  heavens  leamei 
With  nightcfi  ftarrcsthitkc  powdrcd  every  where. 
Which  crft  fo  ghftcncd  with  the  gnlden  ftreamea 
That    chcarcfull  Phtbu*  fprcd  Jowtic  Irom  hit 

fphcre» 
Bebalding  darke  of-prcffing  day  (o  ncare  : 
The  fodaync  fight  reduced  to  my  mtnde 
The  fundxy  chaungci  that  in  Ciirth  we  fynde. 

That  muCng  on  this  worldly  wealth  in  thonghtt 
Which  comet  and  goci  moie  falser  than  we  feif 
The  fiyckering  flame  that  with  the  fyer  tt  wroitghCi 
My  bufic  minde  prcfcnted  iiDto  me 
Such  fall  of  piere»  at  in  thit  rcatme  had  be  : 
That  ofte  I  wiiht  fome  would  their  woes  de(> 

cryve. 
To  wame  xhc  rcfl  whom  fortune  left  alifc 


«56 


And  ftnyt  forth  ftalking  with  rcdout*ied  pace 
For  that  I  fawe  the  night  drcwe  on  lu  hi\. 
In  blacke  all  clad  there  ftll  before  my  face 
A  piteous  wight,  whom  woe  hau  al  forwafte, 
Forth  from  her  iyen  the  cridall  teare^  outorall, 
And  fyghing  fore   her  handes  (he  wrong   and 

folde, 
Tare  al  her  heare,  that  ruth  was  to  beholde. 

Her  body  fmall  forwithered  and  forefpent, 
As  it  the  ftalk  that  fommers  drought  oppreil ; 
Her  wealked  face  with  woful  teares  befprent, 
Her  colour  pale,  and  (as  it  feenid  her  befl) 
In  woe  and  playnt  rcpofed  was  her  reft. 
And  as  the  ftone  that  droppcs  of  water  weares; 
So  dented  wer  cher  cheekes  with  fall  of  teares. 

Her  iyes  fwollen  with  flowing  ftreames  aflote, 
Wlierewith  her  lookes  throwen  up  full  piteouflie, 
Her  forceles  handcs  together  ofte  fhe  fmote. 
With  doleful  ihrikcs,  that  echoed  in  the  (kyc  : 
Whole  playnt  fuch  fighcs  dyd  ftrayt  accompany, 
That  in  my  doome  was  never  man  did  fee 
A  wight  but  halfe  fo  woe  begoo  as  (he. 

I  ftoode  aguft  beholding  all  her  plight, 
Tweene  dread  and  dolour  fo  diifcreynd  in  hart, 
That  while  my  heares  upftarted  with  the  fight. 
The  teares  out  ftreamde  for  forowe  of  her  fmart : 
But  when  I  fawe  no  ende  that  could  aparte 
The  deadly  dcwle,  which  ihefo  fore  dyd  make, 
With  dolefoll  Toicc  then  thus  to  her  I  fpake. 

Unwrap  tliy  woes  what  ever  wlf^ht  thou  be. 
And  ftint  betimc  to  fpill  thy  felfc  wyth  playnt ; 
Tell  what  thou  art,  and  whencr,  for  well  I  fee 
ThoB  canft  not  dare  with  foruwe  ihus  attaynt. 
And  with  that  worde  of  forrowe  all  forfaynt 
She  looked  up,  and  proftrate  as  ihe  laye 
Wilh  ptteoub  found  loe  thus  (he  gan  to  faye. 

Alas !  I  wretche  whom  thus  thou  feeft  diflreyned 
With  waiting  wti-s  that  never  ftiall  aflake, 
SornvM  I  am,  in  endcles  tormenccs  payned, 
Among  tlu:  furies  in  the  infernairiuLc  ; 
Where  Pluto  god  of  hel  fo  griedy  blacks 
Doth  hold  his  th'one,  and  Leibtut  dendiy  tafte 
Doth  rieve  remembrauoce  of  cche  thyng  forcpaft. 

Whence  come  I  am,  the  drcry  drftinie 

And  luckelcs  lot  for  to  bcmone  of  ihnfe. 

Whom  fortune  in  this  maze  of  miferie 

Of  wretched  chauncc  moil  wofull  myrrours  chofe 

That  when  thou  fecfl  how  lightly  they  did  lofc 

Theyr  pope,  thcyr  power,  and  that  they  thought 

moll  fure 
Thou  mayeft  <bonc  deemc  no  earthly  joy  may  dure 

Whole  rirfuU  voyce  no  fooner  had  out  brayed 
Thofe  woful  wo<rdcs,  whercwhh  (he  forrowed  fo, 
But  out  alas  .  (lie  fhryght  and  never  flayed, 
Fell  downe,and  all  to  daiht  her  fclfe  for  woe. 
The  cold  pale  ilreaJ  my  lynics  gxTi  overgo 
And  I  fo  forrowed  at  her  forowcs  eft,  [ffeft. 

That  wha:  with  gri^fc  and  icarc  my  wittcs  were 


THE   WORKS   OF   SACKVIJLLfi. 

illrcchr  tny  felfc,  and  (Irayt  my  heart rrmn, 


Thuc  dicad  aud  dolour  <:r(i  did  faapfUir; 
Lykchim  t:.ar  wiu^i  the  fervent  lever  :hpn 
When  Gckii'-ft  fiv-kes  h.»  rdfteW  hrdith  Tail!-: 
Wi  h  gathcifd  ipihro  fo  iorii  '  fcjrc  wa¥*i: 
And  rearing  I) or  witn  anguiihe  a^  f  •rdrj:. 
My  fpiriia  return* J.  and  men  I  tiid»  iK^ii-^cjL 

0  Sorrowe  alas  ?  (itb  forrowe  i*  cny  rams. 
And  that  to  thee  this  drere  doch  wdl  pntajie, 
In  vayne  it  were  to  feeke  to  cea^  the  (une: 
But  as  a  man  hym  felfe  with  forrowe  Lys^ 
So  I,  alai!  do  comfort  thee  in  payne. 

That  here  in  forrcivre  art  forfooke  fo  depc 
That  at  thy  light  1  can  bat  ^j^  and  wepe. 

1  had  no  fooner  fpoken  of  a  ftike. 

But  that  the  (lorm  fo  rambled  in  her  bitft, 
As  Eolus  could  never  roare  the  like. 
And  (bowers  downe  rayoed  from  her  iyeaisa^ 
That  all  bedreyot  the  place,  till  at  the  lii 
Well  eafed  they  the  dolour  of  her  miode, 
As  rage  of  ra/ne  doth  fwage  the  ftormy  wfit 

For  forth  (he  placed  in  her  fearfoll  tale : 
Cum,  cum,  (qood  flic)  and  fee  what  1  ftaflAn^ 
Cum  heare  the  pUyning,  and  the  byttcr  hii 
Of  worthy  men,  by  fortune  oTcrthmvc. 
Cum  thou  and  fee  them  rewing  all  in  looc 
They  were  but  (hades  that  erft  in  mindetkoanrifc 
Cum,  cum  with  me,  thine  eyes  Ihall  thea  befaaik 

What  could  thefe  wordet  but  make  me  marc  i|rf; 
To  heare  her  tell  whereon  I  mufde  while  en: 
So  was  I  mazed  thercwyth,  tyll  at  the  Jafi« 
Muling  upon  her  wurdes,  and  what  they«e^ 
All  fodaynly  well  IclTuned  was  my  iirare  : 
For  to  tKj  minde  returned  howe  flie  trUe 
Both  what  (he  was,  and  where  her  who  ftc  kyi 

Whereby  1  knewc  that  (he  a  goddefle  wai^ 
And  therewithall  rcforted  to  my  minde 
My  thought  that  late  prefcnted  me  the  giis 
Of  brittle  (late,  of  care^  that  here  we  Amk, 
Of  thoufand  woes  to  filly  men  siTynde  : 
And  howe  (he  nowe  byd  me  come  and  kehfld^ 
To  fee  with  iye  that  erft  in  thought  I  rotie. 

That  downe  I  fell,  and  with  al  reverence 
Adored  her,  perceyvingnnwe  that  (be 
A  godde(rc  feut  by  godly  providence, 
(n  earthly  (hape  thus  (bowed  herfeU  to  me. 
To  wayle  and  rue  this  woridea  onccruyfltye: 
And  while  I  honoured  thus  her  j^odheds  ncjV. 
With  playning  voyce  thefe  wurdes  le  m:  it 
ihryght: 

I  fliall  the  guyde  fir(V  to  the  gricfly  lake. 
And  thence  unto  ihe  blifsful  phce  of  rc&. 
Where  thou  flialt  fee  and  heare  the  pUroti^ 

make. 
That  whilom  here  bare  fwinge  among  tHe  bel 
This  (halt  thou  lee,  but  great  is  the  uareft 
rhat  thou  muft  hyde  before  thou  car. a  vp.irzz 
Unto  the  dretdfull  place  whsrc  thefe  rcau.i^- 


IMDUCfriON  TO  A  MIRROUR  FOR  MAGISTRATES. 


isi 


Bvich  thefe  wvrdes  as  T  nprayfed  ftood, 

^an  to  foiowc  her  chat  Hrayght  furth  paced^ 

I  was  ware,  into  a  defert  wood 

lowe  were  cum :  where  hand  in  hand  im- 

hraced, 
;d  the  way,  and  through  (he  thicke  (b  traced 
It  1  had  beene  guided  by  her  might, 
s  no  way  for  any  mortall  wight. 

)e,  while  thus  amid  the  defert  darke, 
afTcd  on  with  fteppes  and  pace  unmette  : 
nbiing  roar  confufde  with  howle  and  bark 
igs,  ihoke  all  the  ground  under  our  feete, 
Itroke  the  din  within  our  eares  fo  decpc 
life  diftraugbt  unto  the  ground  I  fell, 
ght  rctourne,  and  not  to  ▼ilite  hclL 

le  forthwith  uplifting  me  apace 
)vcd  my  dread,  and  with  a  ftedfafl  minde 
ne  come  on,  for  here  was  now  the  place, 
>lacc  where  we  our  travayle  endc  (hould  finde. 
ewith  I  arofe,  and  to  the  place  aiTynde 
'nde  I  llalke,  when  ftrayt  wc  approched  nera 
iredfull  place,  that  you  wil  dread  to  here 

ydeoBs  hole  al  vafte,  withovten  (hapc, 
idlcfs  depth,  orewhelmde  with  ragged  (lone, 
i  QVgly  mouth,  and  grifly  jawes  doth  g9pe> 
to  our  fight  confounds  it  felfe  in  one, 
entred  we,  and  yeding  forth,  anon^ 
orrthle  lothly  lake  we  might  difceme 
acke  as  pitche,  that  cleped  is  Aveme. 

idly  gulfe  where  nought  but  rubbifhe  grows, 
fowlc  blacke  iwelth  in  chickned  lumpes 
lyes, 

h  up  in  the  ayer  fuch  (linking  Tapors  throwes 
over  there,  may  flye  no  fowle  but  dyes, 

kt  with  the  peAilent  favours  that  aryfc. 

:r  we  cum,  whence  forth  we  ftill  dyd  pace, 

cadlul  feare  amid  the  drcadfull  place. 

firil  withirx  the  porfche  and  jawes  of  hell 
diepe  Remorfc  of  Confcience,  al  befprent 

teares  :  and  to  her  felfe  oft  would  (he  tell 
ivretchednes,  and  curfmg  never  Aent 
)b  and  figh  :  but  ever  tihus  lament, 

thoughtful  care,  as  ihc  that  all  in  vayne. 
id  weare  and  waftc  continually  in  payne. 

yes  unftedfaft  rolling  here  and  there, 

rid  on  eche  place,  u  place  tha^  Tcngeaons 

brought, 
as  her  roindc  continually  in  fcare, 
d  and  tormented  with  the  tedious  thought 
ofc  detcflcd  crymes  which  flic  had  wrought : 
dreadful  cheare  and  lookes  thrown  to  the 
•    flcye, 
lyng  for  death,  and  yet  (he  could  not  dye. 

fawe  we  Dread  al  tremblyng  how  he  (kooke, 
t  foot  uncertayne  profcrd  here  and  there  : 
mde  o£  fpcache,  and  with  a  gaftly  lookc 
ht  evry  place  al  pale  and  dead  for  feare, 
■ap  borne  up  with  Itarting^  of  hb  hcarCi 
Vet,  I.. 


Stoynde  and  amazde  at  his  owne  (hide  for  deed. 
And  fearing  greater  daungers  than  was  nede. 

And  next  within  the  entry  of  this  lake 

Sate  fell  Revenge  gnalhing  her  teeth  for  yre, 

Dovifmg  means  howe  (he  may  vengeaunce  uke^ 

Never  to  reft  tyll  (he  have  her  defire  : 

But  frets  within  fa  far  forth  with  the  fyer 

Of  wreaking  flames,  that  now  determines  (he. 

To  dye  by  death,  or  vengde  by  death  to  be. 

When  fell  Revenge  with  bloudy  foule  pretence 
Had  (bowed  her  felfe  as  next  in  order  fet. 
With  trembling  limmcs  we  foftly  parted  thence, 
Tyll  in  our  iyes  another  fight  we  met : 
When  fro  my  hart  a  figh  forthwith  1  fst, 
Rewing  alas  upon  the  wofull  plight 
Of  Miferie,  that  next  appeared  in  fight. 

His  face  was  leane,  and  fumdeale  pyned  away, 
And  eke  his  handes  confumed  to  the  bone. 
But  what  his  body  was  I  can  not  fay, 
For  on  his  carkas  rayment  had  he  none. 
Save  cloutes  and  patches  pieced  one  by  one. 
With  ftaffe  in  hande,  and  ikrip  on  (boulders  ca{(i 
Hischicfe  defence  agaynft  the  winters  blall. 

His  foode  for  moft,  was  wylde  fruy  tes  of  the  tree, 
Unles  fumtiraes  fum  cmmmes  fell  to  his  (hare  : 
Which  in  his  wallet  long,  Ged  wote,  kept  he, 
As  on  the  which  full  dayntJye  would  he  fare. 
His  drinke  the  running  fireanie  :  his  cup  the  bare 
Of  his  palme   clofed :  his   bed   the  hard  coldc 
grounde.  ' 

To  this  poore  life  was  Miferie  ybonnd. 

Whofe  wretched  (late  when  we  had  well  behelde 

With  tender  ruth  on  him  and  on  his  feres. 

In  thoughtful  cares,  furth  then  our  pace  we  helde;- 

And  by  and  by,  an  other  (hape  apperes. 

Of  greedy  Care,  (111  brulhing  up  the  brcres, 

His  knuckles  knob*d,  his  Hefhe  depe  dented  in. 

With  tawed  handent,  and  hard  ytanned  (kyn. 

The  mnrrowe  graye  no  fooner  had  begunne 
To  fprcade  his  light  even  piping  in  our  iyes, 
When  he  is  up  and  to  his  workc  yrunne  : 
But  let  the  nightes  blacke  mifiye  mantels  rife. 
And  with  fnwlc  darj^c  never  lo  much  difguyfe 
The  fayre  bright  day,  yet  cea(rc:h  he  no  whylc. 
But  hath  his  candeis  to  prolong  his  toyle. 

By  him  lay  heavy  Slepe  the  cofin  of  death 
Flat  on  the  ground,  and  ftill  as  any  ftor.e, 
A  very  corps,  (ave  y elding  forth  a  breath. 
Small  kepe  took  he  whom  Fortune  frowned  OD, 
Or  whom  (he  lifted  up  into  the  trone 
Of  high  renowoe,  but  as  a  living  death. 
So  dead  aiyve,  of  lyef  he  drewe  the  breath. 

The  bod  yes  reft,  the  quyete  of  the  hart. 
The  travaylcs  eafe,  the  dill  nightes  fcer  was  he« 
And  of  our  life  in  earth  the  better  parte, 
Reuen  of  fight,  and  yet  in  whom  wc  fee 
Thir^es  pf  that  tide^  and  ofte  that  never  hi% 
Tt 


*5« 


THE  WORKS  OF  eACKVIi:.  LE- 


"WithoGt  rcfpcA  cftccming  equally 
Kyng  Crefui  ponipe,  and  Irus  poTcrtic 

And  next  in  order  fad  Old  Age  we  found 
yiis  heard  all  hoare*  his  iycs  hollow  and  Uynde, 
AVfCh  drnupir.jr  cherc  dill  porinji^  on  the  ground, . 
A**  on  the  place  where  nature  him  affinde 
To  I  ell,  when  that  the  iiftera  had  untwyode 
Hi»vicull  thrcdc,and  tndcd  with  clicyr  kuyfe 
The  fleecing  courle  of  faft  declining  life. 

There  heard  we  him  with  broken  and  hollow 
playn, 
'    Rewe  with  him  felfe  hit  cnde  approaching  faft. 
And  all  for  nought  his  wretched  mindc  torment 
With  fwctc  renvembraunce  of  his  pleafuret  paft, 
And  frcHic  delitei  of  lufty  youth  forwafte. 
Kccounting  which»  how  would  he  fob  and  flirike : 
And  to  be  yong  againe  of  Jotc  befeke. 

But  and  the  cniell  fateifo  fixed  be 

I'hat  time  forptft  can  not  retoume  agayne. 

This  one  rcqueft  of  Joyc  yet  prayed  he : 

'I'hat  in  fuch  withered  plight,  and  wretched  paine, 

As  elde  (accompanied  with  his  ktthfom  traytie) 

Had  brought  on  him,  all  were  it  woe  andgriefe. 

He  might  a  while  yet  linger  forth  his  lief ;   .        • 

And  not  fo  ibone  defcend  into  the  pit, 

\Vhcre  death,  when  he  the  mortall  corps  hath 

Hayne,  ,•         .  . 

"With  rctchles  iiande  in  grave  doth  cover  ie» 
Thei  eafter  never  to  enjoye  agayne 
1'he  gladfomc  light,  but  in  the  ground  ylaync 
In  depth  of  darkncs  wafte  and  weare  to  nought. 
As  he  had  never  into  the  world  been  brought.  . 

But  who  had  feenc  him  fobbing,  howe  he  ftoode 
Unto  himielfe,  and  howe  he  would  bemone 
Hin  youth  forepaft,  as  though  it  wrought  hym  good 
To  talkc  of  youth,  al  wer  his  youth  foregone. 
He  would  have  mufed,  and  mervaykd  muche 

whereon 
This  wretched  age  (hould  life  dcfyre  fo  fayne. 
And  knowes  ful  wel  life  doth  but  length  his  payne. 

Crookcbackt  he  was,  tooth  ihaken,  and  blere  iyed, 
Went  on  three  fcetc,  and  fomctime  crept  onfower, 
With  olde  lame  bones,  that  ratled  by  hit  fyde. 
His  Ikalpe  all  pilde,  and  he  with  cldc  forlore  : 
His  withered  fift  (111  knocking  at  deathcs  dore. 
Tumbling  and  diiveling  as  he  drawes  his  breth; 
For  bricfe,  the  (hapc  and  meifenger  of  death. 

And  fad  by  him  pale  Maladie  was  plafle, 
Sore  iicke  in  bed,  her  colour  all  forgone, 
Bereft  of  llomake,  iavor,  and  of  tafte, 
Ne  could  file  brookc  no  meat  bur  brothcs  alone. 
Her  breath  corrupt,  her  keepers  every  one 
Abhorring  hrr,  her  ficknes  pad  rccure, 
Dctcding  phificke,  and  all  phiilckes  cure. 

But  oh  the  drleful  fight  that  then  we  (ce. 
We  turnde  our  l«K)ke,  and  on  the  other  fide 
A  giic0y  ihape  of  f  amice  mougbt  we  fee. 


With  greedy  lookea,   and  gifiag  i 

cryed. 
And  roard  for  meat  aa  ihc  ihoolc  the: 
Her  body  thin  anJ'b^re  aa  any  bc:r;. 
Wharto  vraa  left  n<night  but  the  cafe  i 

And  that  iilas  'was  knawen  od  every  i 
All  -full  of  H o)e»,  that  i  ne  moughc  ref 
From  tearca.  to  fee  hotr  flic  her  armes 
And  with  her  teech  gnaCh  on  the  boae 
When  all  lor  acMighc  ihciafoc  wouU 
Her  ftarvep  corpa.  that  rather  feemdci 
Thep  any  (uhtt^unce  of  a  <fftatare  nui 

Great  w^$  her  force  whom  ftooewai 

fl^y. 
Her  tearyng  nayles  fcratching  at  all  H 
With  gaping  jam'es  that  by  no  oicant] 
Be  fttufycd  from  hunger  of  her  auvc, 
But  eatea  her  felfe  a»  Ibe  chat  hath  no 
Gnawing  alas  her  carkaa  all  io  vayne. 
Where  you   may   count   cchc  fiaov, 

On  her  while  ve  thus  firmly  fixt  oar  ij 
That  bled  for  ruth  of  fuch  a  drery  figk 
Loe  fodayuelyc  (he  Ihryght  in  fo  hage 
At  made  hell  gates  to  fiiyver  with  t^i 
Wherewith  m  dart  we  fawe  howe  icdf< 
Ryght  on  her  breaft,  and  therewithal  p 
Enthiyiliog  it  to  rave  her  of  her  bccath 

And  by  and  by  a  dam  dead  corps  we  fa 
Heavy  and  coldc,  the  fhape  of  death  ary 
That  dauntea  all  earthly  creatures  lo  kai 
Agaynft  whofe  force  in  vayne  it  ia  to  f; 
Ne  pierci,  ne  princes,  nor  no  mortaU  vy 
No  towoet,  ne  f ealmea ,  citsca,  ne  fknatg 
But  al  perforce  mud  yeeld  unto  hit  pawt 

Hiq  dart  anon  out  of  the  corps  he  tooke. 
And  in  hit  hand  (a  dreadful  fight  to  fee) 
With  great  truim^he  eftfonet  theiaae  h 
I'hat  mod  of  all  my  feares  affrayed  me ; 
His  bodie  dight  with  nought  hut  bees  p 
The  naked  ibape  of  man  there  iawe  I  pb 
All  lave  the  fltflie,  the  fy  no  we,  and  the* 

Laftly  ftoode  Warre  in  glittery ng  aroMi : 
With  vi£ige  grym,  fiernc  lookca.  and 

hewed : 
Fn  his  right  hand  a  naked  fworde  he  bad, 
l^hat  to  the  hiltea  was  al  with  bloud  enk 
And  in  his  left  (that  kiogca  and  kingdopie 
Famine  and  fyer  he  held,  and  theiewyiba 
He  razed  townea,  and  threwe  dowae  taf 

aU. 

Cities  he  fakt,  and  realmesthat  whilom  fc 
In  hcMiour,  glory,  and  rule  above  the  bd^ 
He  overwhelmde,  and  all  theyr  fame  dm 
Confumed,  deikroycd,  wafted,  aad  never  a 
Tyll  he  theyr  wealth,  their  name,  airf  aS  i 
His  face  forehewcd  with  woundoL  tfd 

fide 
There  hnnge  his  terg«  with  galkcs  ^  a 


INDUCTION  TO  A  MIRKOUR  POR  MAGISTRATES. 


^H 


I  mi^t  of  which,  dcpsLynted  f  here  w€  fotlide 

?cadly  Debate,  al  ful  of  f«akj  hcarc, 
hat  ivith  a  blotidj  fillet  was  ybottn^, 
put  bfeathlng  nought  but  dilcord  every  where* 
And  roitad  about  vv^'cre  pHDitraycd  here  and  there 
1  he  hug^ie  hoHes^  Dirtui  and  hU  power, 
^iU  kyoi^es,  prytice»,  hit  piere»,  and  &U  hit  flower; 

liWhom  RTcat  Macedo  Tsnqutfht  there  tn  fijrht, 
^ith  dirpc  flaaghter,  difpoyling  all  hitprfde, 
Pearft  through  htt  realrae»,  aiid  denoted  ill  hb 
mig:hf. 

I  Duke  HannihaU  beheld  I  there  befrdc, 
1  In  Cannai  field,  vidor  howe  he  did  ride, 
L.Ai)d  woful  Romaynef  thflt  in  vaync  withftoode, 
I  Aod  CoDlul  Pauluf  covered  all  in  bloodt. 

Yet  fawc  I  more,  the  fi^ht  at  Trafitnene, 
i  ^nd  Trtbery  fy<ld,  and  eke  when  Hantiih&l 
I ^ri4  worthy  SctpEo  laft  in  armei  were  fArne 
~  ^fore  C*nh«go  g^ate,  to  tryc  for  all 
The  worldef  cmpyrc,  to  whom  it  ftiould  befal. 
There  fawe  I  Fompeye,  and  Ce far  clad  in  armei, 
Thtjr  hoilci  alyed|  ami  at  theyr  civU  harmej, 

(Tith  ^onquerourt  hands  forhathdc  in  thetr  owns 

hl»od| 

IndCefat  wecpinj;;  oTrr  Pompeyes  head, 
ITet  fawe  I  Scilla  and  Pariu%  where  they  fttw^d^^ 
rheyr  great  crucitic,  and  the  diepc  bludfbcd 
^f  frcndcs  :  Cyru*  !  fawe  and  hii  hoft  dead, 
^nd  howe  the  ^ueene  with  great  defpytc  hath 

flonge 
its  head  in  hloud  of  them  fhe  otercome. 

lerxcs  the  Pereian  kyng  yet  fawe  T  there, 
Yilb  his  huge  hoft  that  dranke  the  river*  drye, 
^ifmounted  hilie%,  and  made  the  vale*  uprcrc, 
lii  hoile  and  all  ytt  lawe  I  Haync  pcrdye. 
~"  cbefr  I  lawe  all  raxdt  howe  it  dyd  lye 
I  hcapes  orftot»c*,andTyn»i  put  to  fpoyle,  [foyk, 
"  ■    wajlea  and   towers   flat  evened  with  the 

ut  Troy,  ah*  *  (tnc  thought)  above  them  all, 
:  made  mine  iycf  m  very  tcarcn  confumc, 
/hen  I  beheld  the  woful!  wcrd  befall, 
That  hy  the  wrathful  wyl  of  Gt>d*  wat  come : 
And  Jove**  unmoovcd  Itntence  and  ft»rciionic 
i^n  Prtiin  kyng^  and  on  hi«  townc  fo  bent, 
1  could  not  lyoj  but  I  mufl  there  Ument. 

that  the  more  fuh  Deflinie  was  fo  flcrne 
I  force  perforce,  there  might  no  force  avayle, 
:  ihe  muft  fall ;  and  by  her  fall  we  leame, 
at  cities,  towresi  wealth,  world,  and  al  flinU 
quayle.  [vaylc, 

^o  manhoode,  mJgbt,  nor  nothing  mought  pre- 
'  1  wer  there  preft,  lul  many  a  pryncc  and  piere, 
nd  xuany  a  knight  that  fold  his  death  fuU  deerc> 

t  wtirthy  He^or  wntthycft  of  tfifm  all, 
'  bopci  her  joye  ;  his  force  is  now  for  noughtf 
^"Troy,  1  roy,  there  is  no  bootc  but  hale  j 
he  hugic  horfe  within  thy  walles  ig  brought : 
fhj  Jurtt:t$  h\\,  ♦by  knrghrai  that  whibm  tought 


tn  armcs  amyd  the  fyetd,  are  fltytie  fn  bed. 
I'by  Oodi  dcfyldc,  snd  allthy'hoftoordei^. 


The  flmme*  w^ '    *  *        '"  pe 

From  wail  to  ; 

Some  fycr  the  ij<juiv-  SMitrv  lh-   wfc.^nrs  llepc. 
Sum  rafli<  in  f  iere»  tome  run  in  rlierc  as  fall. 
In  every  where  or  fword  or  fycr  they  tafte. 
The  wal!c«  are  Cotne,  Che  towets  whurld  to  the 

ground ; 
There  it  no  mifcbiefe  bat  may  there  be  fotifid. 

CalTindra  yet  there  fnwe  1  howe  they  haled 
Ffom  Palb*'  houfc,  with  fpertlrd  trtfle  irad 
Her  wTifieJ  fall  bound,  and  with  Grccki  rout  eon* 

paled  : 
And  Priam  c*e  in  vaync  howe  he  dtd  ronnc 
To  armen,  whm  Pyrrhus  with  defpitc  hath  dona 
Tn  cruel  death,  and  bathed  him  in  the  bayne 
Of  hit  famies  bind  before  tlie  altair  fliayne* 


fftiiii 

!owne^" 


But  howe  can  T  drfcryvc  the  *' 
That  in  the  Ihyldc  To  livlike  U 
Siih  in  this  world  1  think  was  nuvir  wyijiit 
Could  havt  fet  furth  the  halfe,  nor  half «  fo  ff 
t  ran  no  more  but  tell  howe  there  is  fccne 
Payer  Ilium  fall  in  burning  red  gledes  dowre. 
And  from  the  foylc  great  Troy  Nfcptutms  towntP 

[draw«« 
Herefrom  when  fcarcc  I  could  mice  lycs  with- 
That  fylde  with  tearcs  ai  doth  thcfprrogyng  wcll^ 
We  pifled  on  fo  far  furth  ly!  we  fawc 
Rude  Acheron,  a  lothfotrtc  lake  to  tcU, 
That  boyLes  and  bubs  up  fwehh  a*  bbcke  a«  htU, 
Where  grifly  Charoi?  ai  theyr  fixed  tide 
Still  ferries  ghoflcs  unto  ihc  fardcr  liJc. 

The  aged  god  do  foonf r  Sorowc  fpyed. 
But  lialling  ftrayt  unto  the  hmke  apjire 
With  lioHow^nU  tjpto  the  rout  he  crycd, 
Ti>  fwarvt  apart,  artd  ^cvc  the  godeffc  pUc^* 
3frayt  it  was  done,  whtn  to  the  fhoar  wc  puccg' 
Where  hand  in  hand  a^  we  than  hnked  fille* 
Within  the  boatc  wc  arc  together  plafUv 

And  furth  we  lavrch  full  frnoghied  to  ihchrlnk*. 
Whan  with  the  unwonted  wej^ht,  the  ruftyc  kcdio 
Began  tocrarkc  as  if  the  fame  fhoald  fmke. 
Wc  hoyCe  up  mall  and  fayle,  thai  in  a  whylc 
Wc  ftt  the  Ihorc,  where  fcarccly  we  h4d  while 
For  to  arry  ve,  hut  that  wehenrd  nnone 
A  thre  foun<)  barke  confounded  al  tn  one. 

We  had  not  long  furth  paft,  but  that  we  fawe, 
Blacke  Cerberus  the  bydcmi*  hound  of  hell, 
With  brtniea  reaid,  and  with  a  thra  mouthed  jawe^ 
Fortdinning  the  ayr  with  his  horrible  yel. 
Out  of  the  diepe  dark  cave  where  he  did  dwdl. 
The  goddcflc  ftrayt  he  ktiewc^  and  by  and  by 
He  peafte  and  couched,  while  that  wc  palTcd  b|| 

Theocc  cum  wc  to  the  horrour  and  the  hcl, 
The  large  great   kyngdomci,  and  tlw  dreadf«t 

raygne 
Of  Plttto  in  hi»  tronc  where  fac  dyd  dwel)^ 
Ttii 


«<• 


The  wyde  wafie  placet,  and  the  hogye  playne  : 
The  waylingei,   ihryket,   and  fundrj   fortes  of 

paync, 
The  fyghes,  the  fobbes,  the  diep  and  deadly  groane, 
£arth,  ayer,  and  all  refoundiog  playnt  and  moanc. 


THE    WORKS    OF    SACKVILLZ. 

Saw  only  in  thought,  and  what  th'on  now  kik 

hcare 
Recompt  t^e  fapie  to  Kcfar,  King,  and  Pier. 


Here  pewkd  the  babes,  and  here  the  maydes  up- 

wcd 
With  folded  handes  theyr  fory  chauQce  bewayled  ^ 
Here  wept  the  gyltles  ilayne,  and  lovers  dead, 
That  ilew^  then>  fclves  when  nothing  el/e  ayaylcd : 
A  thoufand  foi  tes  of  forrowes  here  that  wayled 
With  fighcA  and  teares,  fobs,  fhrykes,  and  all  yfere,  i 
That  {otif  alas  i)  it  was  a  hel  to  heare. 

We  fiayed  us  (Irayt,  and  wyth  a  rafull  feare, 
Beheld  this  heavy  fight,  while  from  mine  eyes 
*J^he.  vaporedi  teares  downftillcd  here  and  there, 
And  Sorowe  eke  in  far  more  wofnl  wyfe, 
Look^QD  ifvith  playnt,  upheaving  to  the  ^yes 
Her  wretched!  handes,  that  with  her  crye  the  rout 
Gan  all  in  heapes  to  (warme  «s  round  about. 

Loe  here  (faid  Sorrowe)  pryncesof  renowne, 
That  whilom  (at  on  top  oi  Fortuned  wheele 
Mow  layed  ful  lowe,  like  wretches  whurled  downe, 
Even  with  one  frowne,  that  flayed  but  with  a 

fmyle, 
And  now  beholde  the  thing  that  thou  erewhile. 


Then  firft  came  Henry  Duke  of  Buckingham, 
Hib  cloke  of  blacke  al  pilde  and  quite  iorfiorre. 
Wringing  his   handesj    and   Fortune   ofte  duk 

blame. 
Which  of  a  duke  hath  made  him  now  her  ikonc 
With  ghaftly  lookes  aa  one  in  manner  lome, 
pft  fprcd  his  armes,  (Iretchc  handes  he  jojces  u 

faft. 
With  ruful  chere,  and  vapoi cd  eyes  upcaft. 

Hif  cloke  he  rent,  his  manly  breafi  he  beat, 
riis  heare  al  tome  about  the  place  it  laye. 
My  hart  fo  molte  to  fee  his  griefe  fo  great. 
As  fclingly  me  thought  it  dropt  awaye : 
His  tyes  they  whurled  about  withoucen  ftaye, 
With  ilormy  fyghes  the  place  dyd  fo  complaync, 
As  if  his  hart  at  echc  had  burft  in  tvrayne. 

Thryfe  he  began  to  tell  his  doleful  tale. 
And  thryfe  the  fighes  did  fwallowe  up  his  vojct. 
At  eche  of  which  he  Ihrykcd  fo  vrythal 
As  though  the  heavens  vied  with  the  noyfe : 
Tyll  at  the  laft  recovering  his  voyce. 
Supping  the  teares  that  all  hia  breft  berayndr, 
[  On  cruel  Fortune  weeping  thus  he  playnde. 


THE   COMPLATNT 


OF 


HENRYE   DIJKE  OF   B»CKIl4GHAM. 


"W^teo  truftes  to  much  ib  honour's  higheft  trone 
And  warely  watche  riot  fly  dame  Fortune's  (bare : 
Or  who  in  courte  will  beare  the  fwaye  alone, 
And  wyfely  wcygh  not  how  to  Wycld  the  care, 
Beholde  he  me,  and  by  my  death  beware  : 
Vrbom  flattering  Fortune  falfely  fo  begylde, 
Tliat  loe  flie  flewe,  where  erik  ftil  (inooth  flie 
imylde. 

And  Sackevylle  flth  id  purpote  nowe  thou  haft 
The  woful  fal  of  pryncesto  difcryvc, 
l¥hom  Fortune  both  uplyft,  and  gayn  downe  call, 
TTo  fliewe  thereby  the  unfurety  in  this  life, 
Jyfark  wel  my  fal,  which  I  fliall  fliewe  belyv6. 
And  paynt  it  furth  chat  all  eftates  may  knowe : 
Have  they  the  warning,  and  be  mine  the  woe. 

Tor  noble  bloud  made  me  bdth  prince  and  pier, 
Yea  picrles  too,  had  reafon  purchaft  place. 
And  God  with  gifces  endowed  me  largely  here. 
But  what    avayles  his  giftes,  where  faylcs  his 

grace  : 
%/[j  mothers  iytt  fprong  of  a  kyngly  race 
And  calde  was  Edmund  Duke  of  Somerfet« 
Bereft  of  lyfe  ere  tyme  by  nature  fet. 

^IHiofe  faythful  hart  to  Henry  fyrt  fo  wrought, 
That  never  he  hym  in  weale  or  woe  forfooke, 
Tyl  iaftly  he  at  Tewxbury  fycld  was  cought 
*Whcrewith  an  axe  his  violent  death  he  toke  : 
He  never  could  Kyng  Edwardes  party  brooke, 
Tyll  by  his  death  he  vouchte  that  qiarell  good. 
In  yrhich  his  fyer  and  granndfyer  Ipylt  theyr 
bloud. 

And  foch  was  erft  my  fathers  crnell  chaunoe, 
Of.Scafford  £arle,  hj^  name  that  Hmnfrey  hyghtj 


Who  ever  prefl  dyd  Henries  parie  avaunce. 
And  never  ceaft  tyl  at  Saynt  Albones  flght 
He  loft  his  lyfe,  as  than  did  many  a  knyght ! 
Where  eke  my  graundfyer  Duke  of  Bnckinghnil 
Was  wounded  fore,  and  hardly  flupte  nntane« 

But  what  may  boote  to  flay  the  fiflers  three  f 
When  Atropos  perforce  wil  cut  the  thrcdc  ; 
The  doleful  day  was  come  When  you  might  fee 
Northampton  fpeld  ^ith  armed  men  orefpred. 
Where  fate  would  algateshavemygraundfyerdead  \ 
So  rufliing  furth  amyds  the  fyerceft  fight. 
He  lived  and  dyed  there  in  his  matters  rygbt. 

In  place  of  whom,  as  it  befel  my  lot. 
Like  on  a  ftage,  fo  flept  I  in  flrayt  waye. 
Enjoying  there  but  wofully,  God  wot. 
As  he  that  had  a  flender  pare  to  playe : 
To  teache  therby,  in  earth  no  flate  may  ftay^ 
But  as  our  partes  abridge,  or  length  our  age. 
So  pafle  we  all,  while  others  fyli  the  flagc. 

For  of  my  felfe,  the  drery  fate  to  playne, 
I  was  fometime  a  prince  withoutcn  pier. 
When  Edward  Fift  began  his  fuful  rayghe. 
Ay  me,  then  I  began  that  hateful!  yeare, 
To  cumpas  that  which  1  have  bought  fo  deare : 
I  bare  the  fwynge,  I  and  that  wretched  wyght« 
The  Duke  of  Glocefler  that  Rychard  hyght. 

For  when  the  fates  had  reft  that  royal  prince 

Edward  the  Fourth,  chiefe  myrrour  of  that  name^ 

The  Duke  and  I  faft  joyned  ever  fince, 

In  faythfull  love,  our  fecrete  driftes  to  frame  : 

What  he  thought  heft  to  roe  fo  fcemde  the  fame, 

My  felfe  not  bent  fo  much  for  to  afpyer. 

As  to  fnlfyl  that  greedy  Dokea  defy  re; 


u% 


TkE   tVOUKS    OF    SACKVfLLE. 


Whofc  reflleff  mwdc  fore  ttiyrfting  i'tc r  rule, 
ViThcu  ihat  he  fawc  hi*  nephewc*  both  to  ben 
Through  tender  ycrarcft  ax  yet  unfit  to  rule. 
And  rarhcr  ruled  bv  thcyr  mochert  kyn, 
There  fought  he  fiHl  hi*  raifchycfe  to  bcgyn, 
To  phicke  from  them  thcyr  tnotheri  frcndes  if- 

fyndc, 
Tm  wri  be  wiil  they  would  widifkuid  hit  mynde. 

To  folowc  which,  he  ran  to  headlonj^  fwyfr, 

With  cygrr  thyrft  uf  bu  dcfirrd  drAutfht, 

To  fccke  tbeyr  lietthct  that  R^ught  to  daihe  bit 

dryft. 
Of  whom  tbc  chiefe  the  quccrf  <  allycshc  thought, 
lb»r   bent   thereto   with   mounter  of  mifchitfc 

fraught, 
He  kncwc  thcyr  lyves  would  be  fo  fore  hi»  let, 
yiiAt  in  thcyr  deathci  his  only  h.lpe  be  fct. 

And  I  moft  curfed  cayfirf  that  I  wai^ 
Seeing  the  ftatc  ur4ledf*lt  bowc  it  ftood. 
Hi*  thief  complyce  to  brynjr  the  fame  to  palTct 
TJabappy  wretche,  €o»rentcd  to  thcyr  blood  i 
'Ye  kingc&  and  pier*  that  fwim  in  worldly  guod, 
Jn  fcekin^  blud  the  etide  advert  you  playcc, 
And  fee  if  bloud  cy  afkc  not  bludagaytie. 

Confyder  Cyrtw  in  your  crucll  thought, 

A  makeje^  prytiee  in  r)  diei  aud  in  niygbt, 

Ajid   wcygb    in    miiide    the    bhludy    dedes  he 

wrouj^ht, 
In  Ihcading  which  he  fet  hts  whole  delyght : 
But  fee  the  guerdon  Jotted  toth'u*  wyghti 
He  whofe  huge  p'^wer  no  man  mrghi  ovcrthjrowc, 
Tomyris  ijuccn  with  jfttfat  defpitc  haib  flowt, 

Ht»  Hesd  difoiembred  from  hh  mangled  corpt| 
Herfelfe  (he  caft  into  a  veffel  fraught 
"With  clottered  bloud  of  tlcm  th»t  felt  her  foree. 
And  with  thcfe  wordc*  i  jafl  reward  (he  raught  i 
Drynke  uowe  thy  fyll  of  ti*y  tiefyrcd  dr*uj;ht. 
X.oe  marke  the  fine  that  did  thi»  pryiur  bctull ; 
Muke  not  this  tme^  but  matkie  the  euite  ol  «li« 

3ehotd  Camhffe*  and  hi»  fatal  dayc» 

^Vhcrc  murder*  mifehiefe  myrrour  Jifc#  i»  left  J 

"While  he  his  brother  Mergas  call  to  ;" 

A  dreadful  tiling*  hi*  wittc*  were  hin: 

A  fword  he  caught,  wberr-      "^  '         rcco  ^.z 

Hi*  body  >;f>rcd,  which  ht  onis: 

Su  juil  i«  God  in  all  hit  dft-. **«. 

O  blttddy  BrutiH,  rtfrhtly  didlk  thou  rcw, 
And  thnu  Caffiu*  julUy  carnc  thy  fall. 
That  with  thefwufd  wherewith  thou  Ge&r  flewe 
Murdrcft  thy  fclfe,  and  reft  ihy  life  withaiL 
A  myrrour  let  him  be  unfo  you  all  - 

That  murderers  be,  of  murder  to  your  mcede  : 
^or  murder  ertetii  oot  vengeance  on  your  fcrdc. 

J-oe  Bfffm,  he  thaf  armde  with  murdercrt  kny-fe, 

And  traytrnut  hart  a^avnii  K  .  r,,v  -i!  "rNM^^ 
Wi*^  bltiddy  handei  ' 

Advert  the  line  his  fov  ; 

And  Ic-Jung  i4uid«r  !i»  mvti  kthj/tharj^  "^ 


Beholde  tn  him  the  juil 
That  ever  hath,  and  ih  J I 

What  booted  him  bii  Calfe  tiforped  fnyfott 
Whereto  by  murder  be  did  fo  afccnde  f 
When  like  a  wrerche,  led  in  an  yrofi  <  * 
He  wa.«  prefeutcd  by  bis  cKiefcli  frctttfte 
Unto  the  iocf,  of  him  whom  he  hid  Htyiw  i 
That  even  they  fbould  ren^c  fo  few(e  a  gjH^ 
That  rather  fought  to  have  bit  bbMad  yiffk* 

Take  hede  ye  prince*  and  ye  prclatrt  all 

Of  thi«  ootiige,  which  though  it  ilecpc  a  vfauC, 

And  not  difdofde,  a«  it  dottj  fee  Id  bclall. 

Yet  Cod  that  fniTreth  fdence  to  beg«yk 

Such  gylteii  wherewith  both  eanh  and  ape  |t 

file. 
At  lad  dtfcryetthem  to  your  fowle  ilr£Kie» 
You  fee  the  ciamplu  let  b<£orc  foar  face. 

And  detpely  f^ave  within  your  floof  jiartcs 
The  drcry  dewk  that  myi^hty  Maccdo, 
With  tcaref  unfolded  wnpc  in  d^Mfly  f 
When  he  the  dcarh  of  Clitun  famwed  1% 
WhoraerUh  '  deadly  I 

Rjiught  in  L  >  £u  dcvc, 

For  which bciuMuc  njc  uvi*-  ni«  j^^tgia  Bf^€Jf* 


The  launced  fpear  he  wrtlhea  one  of  i]m 
FroBi  which  the  purple  blud  fpuM  on  hi*  tioe: 
His  heynouii  grit  when  he  returnted  foyndi 
He  throw**  him  fcllo  upon  the  corpri  alM^ 
And  in  hi*  armet  howe  ofte  doth  he  ianb^Mt 
Hif  murdrcd  frcode?  and  kyiTyng  hin  in  99J^ 
Ft^rtb  Aoirc  the  flt»d»  of  fahc  repcmaot  nflK. 

Hilt  frendet  amasde  at  fuch  a  mnrdef  docft. 
In  fcatfttt  f!ocket  bcjgyo  Co  Ibfynke  away. 
Ard  hv  thereat  with  Hai|pef  of  gfiel iocuwicai 
Hateth  htm  uitV  wifHii  j  h**  latter  £wf^ 
Nowe  he  hifi  n  IjkctkMft^ 

Aft  i»  the  wt^.  i^fert  bred. 

Both  dreading  &ibu*t  and  hian  i^k  adted. 

He  call  nn^  lenfcr  lyic, 

Bcai  I  >  ,,icly  Iboda: 

And  I'luujigtv  la  lU-rw  n  •  i  ucjith  and  dotaw^iff^ 
Had  tptUf  hm  fetfe,  had  not  Hia  frcmla  wf* 

ikoode, 
I>oc  he  th^i  thai  had  (bed  the  f^hUlct  1«M« 
1  hough  he  Were  kyng  aiid  Cefar  over  all. 
Vet  chofii  he  death  to  guerdoO  death  withalL 

TliU  prr  •  pyrr  wai  oeTer  eoder  fa^c, 

Whnfe  J  ^mc  the  eanh  d»d  ev«ff4fdr, 

Whydi  v,itji  hiA  power  vtcktf^  th«  watMW 

wc4mc, 
H    "    "    '^.mkib'rtnfelfecoiiy  tmi«*y4; 
r^  '  wtih  fmnioe  tu  hcfs  dyed  r 

1 ...      ...  .. ,  pryiice  d^tmfd  m  Jlia  rcgtfda 

That  death  for  deaih  C9itSd  bv  hm  pM  trm 

Yet  we  that  were  J  :c  de|«dl 

Of  diep  dcfyre  to  <  \r%  H&L 

L^kt  10  tho  wuUei  wi|bx»ce^J  i««te xhtt ift 


THE  COMriATNT  OF  HENRYE  DUKE  OF  BUCKINGHAM. 


««3 


re,  lo  fieede  on  deadly,  foode, 
^ted  in  the  ftate  we  floode, 
arre  in  allour.blynded  trayne, 
we  fawe  not  oar  deftrudion  playne. 

lone  whofe  life  could  ought  forlet 
1  purpofe  to  his  pai  to  cu;ii. 
hy  knyghtes  we  h^ded  at  Pomfrct, 
d  wot)  withuntcn  Uwe  or  doome. 
ven  bleedcf)  to  tell  you  al  and  ibmc, . 
l^ord.Haflinges  when  he  feared  Icaft, 
was  murdred  and  oppreft. 

s  nprcuglit,  that  threatned  mod  our 

:k, 

to  fayle  much  furer  in  the  ^eame  : 

:  fayring  as  (he  were  at  becke, 

ir  lap  the  rule  of  all  the  realme. 

res  ftrayt  depofde  were  by  the  game; 

/aunft  to  that  we  bought  full  deare, 

I  king,  and  t  his  chyefeft  pyer. 

f  wonne  our  long  defirid  pray^ 
m  king  that  he  might  make  me  chiefs, 
'  we  (Irayt  his  fellie  nephews  twayc 
rs  pompe,  to  woful  prifoners  lyfc  : 
t  nowc  ftynt  was  all  furder  ftryfe. 
king,  and  1  chief  (Iroke  did  bear^, 
but  we,  yet  who  more  caufe  to  feare  ? 

biotid  which  we  unjuftly  fhed, 
abes  devefteft  from  theyr  trone, 
:  traytours  ttifgning  in  theyr  fted, 
r  burdens  prefled  Us  upon, 
us  fo  by  our  feWes  alone, 
he  felon  that  purfued  by  night, 
le  bufhe  as  his  foe  were  in  fight. 

Ing  (late,  nowe  dreading  loffe  of  life, 

recke  at  every  blaft  of  wynde, 

1  drcames  through  dread  of  murdrers 

<^»      ■ 

ven  then  reyengement  were  aflynde. 
thought  fo  IK  the  guyhy  minde 
and  nerer  feeleth  eafe  or  Aay, 
feare  of  that  which  followes  aye. 

hat  judge  his  doome  upon  the  death 
elius  that  in  bed  was  flayne  i 
'  wight  the  crucll  murder  Icyeth 
Tonnes  that  in  his  chamber  laycn, 
that  by  the  proofe  percey  veth  playne, 
^ere  found  fall  flei'ping  in  theyr  bed, 
Ic  them  gyltlcs  of  this  blud  y(hed. 

it  could  not  be,  that  they  which  brake 
>f  God  and  man  in  Aich  outrage, 
•thwith  them  felve*  to  flcpc  betake  : 
lought  the  horror  and  the  rage 
haynous  gylt,  could  netcr  fwage, 
uffcr  them  to  flepc  or  left, 

breath  one  breath  out  of  theyr  brefh 

:hc  griefe  of  coofcynce  crermorc, 

hart  it  is  fo  diepe  ygrave, 

nay  neythcr  ilepe  nor' reft  therefore, 


He  thynke  one  thought  but  on  the  dread  they 

have. 
Styl  to  the  death  fortofTed  with  the  wave 
Of  reftles  woe,  in  terror  and  difpcyre. 
They  lead  a  lycf  continually  in  fc-are. 

Like  to  the  dere  that  (Iryken  with  the  dart, 
Withdraves  him  fclfe  into  lome  fccrcte  place. 
And  feeling  green  the  wound  about  his  hart. 
Startles  with  panges  tyl  he  fall  on  the  graflc, 
And  in  great  feare  lyes  gafping  there  a  Jpace, 
Furth  braying  ilgbcs  as  tliough  eche  pangc  had 

.  brought 
The  prefent  death  which  he  doeth  dread  fo  oft. 

So  we  diepe  wounded  with  the  bluddy  thoujjhr, 
And  gnawing  wurme  that  grieved  our  cui<fcience  fo, 
Never  took  cafe,  but  as  our  hart  furth  brought 
The  Urayned  fyghes  in  wytnes  of  our  woe. 
Such  reftles  cares  our  fault  did  well  bekiiuwe  : 
Wherewith  af  our  dcferved  fill  the  fearcs 
In  every  place  raiig  doith  within  our  eares. 

And  as  yll  grayne  is  never  wtl'  ykept, 
So  fared  ix  by  U5  wichio  a  wh;ic  . 
That  which  fo  long  wyth  fuch  unr..'^  xe  reapt^ 
In  drea.'I  and  daungcr  by  all  wyt.and  wyJe 
l.oe  fee  the  fine,  when  once  it  felt  the  wlide 
Of  flipper  fortune,  ftay  it  mought  no  flownc, 
The  wheelc  whurlcs  up,  but  flrayt  it  whurletk 
downe. 

For  having  rule  and  riches  in  our  hand, 
I  Who  duril  g4ynfay  tlic  thing  tlia^  wc  pvcrde  ? 
Wyl  was  wyfedome,  our  luit  for  iawc  oyd  iiand« 
in  forte  fo  draung*.*,  that  who  w:*.^  nor  atVajd 
When  h'e  the  found  but  of  Kyw^c  R/c'irrd  ncard  f 
So  hatefull  wart  the  hcaryng  of  i:is  ii.unc, 
That  you  may  decme  the  reildewc  by  the  fame* 

Bot  what  awaylde  the  terror  and  the  fear, 
Wherewyth  he  kept  his  lieges  under  awe  i 
It  rather  wan  him  hatred  every  where. 
And  fayned  faces  fotft  by  feare  of  lawe  : 
I'hat  but  while  fortune  doth  with  favour  blaw 
Flatter  through  fear :  for  in  their  hart  lurkes  aye 
A  fccrete  hate  that  hopcth  for  a  dayc. 

Recordeth  Dionifius  the  kynge, 

That  with  his  rigor  fo  bin  ;c;il:ne  oppreft,       • 

As  that  he  thought  by  cruel)  feire  to  bryng 

His  fubje^s  under,  as  him  lykcd  bed  : 

But  loc  the  dread  v.herewyth  him  feife  was  ilreftg 

And  you  fliall  fee  the  fine  of  forced  feare, 

Moft  myrrour  hke  in  thia  proud  prynce  appcare* 

All  wefe  his  head  with  crowne  of  golde  yfprad« 

And  in  his  hand  the  royal  fccpter  fet, 

And  he  with  prynccly  pu»'ple  rychcly  clad, 

Yet  was  his  hart  wyth  wrMched  .  ires  orefret : 

And  inwardly  with  deadly  Icur  bcJ^t, 

Of  thofc  whom  he  by  rygour  kepi  in  awe. 

And  loxe  opprefl  with  might  of  tyrants  lavire. 

Agsyoft  whofe  feare,  no  heapes  of  golde  and  gli^f 
Ne'itren^  of  garde,  nor  all  his  hired  power, 
Ttiiij 


ei4 


THE    WORKS    OF    SACKVILLE. 


Kc  prow(1c  hypTic  towers  thatprcaccd  totheflcyc, 
His  cruel  hart  of  fafrtic  could  aflurc  : 
But  dreading  them  whom  he  (hould  deeme  moft 
furc,  [ccar, 

Hym  fclfc  his  beard  wyth  turning  brand  would 
Of  death  dcfervdc  fo  vexed  him  the  fcarc. 

This  might  fiiffice  to  rcprcfcnt  the  fine  • 

Of  tyraiitcs  force,  thcyr  fearcs,  and  theyr  unreft. 

But  hear  this  one,  although  my  hart  repync 

To  \rt  thr  found  once  fiynk  wythin  my  brell; 

Of  fell  Phercus,  that  above  the  reft, 

Such  lothfum  crucltre  on  his  people  wrought, 

As  (oh  alas;  I  tremble  wyth  the  thought. 

Sum  he  encafed  in  the  coates  of  beares. 
Among  wylde  beaftes  devoured  fo  to  be  ! 
And  fum  for  preye  unto  the  hunters  fpeares, 
Lyke  favage  beaAes  withouten  ruth  to  dye. 
Sumtime  to  encreafc  his  horrible  crucltye. 
The  quicke  with  face  to  face  engraved  hec, 
Xche  others  death,  that  eche  mought  living  fee. 

1-oe  what  more  cruell  horror  mought  be  found, 
To  purchafe  feare,  if  fearc  could  ftaye  his  raygne  ? 
It  booted  not,  it  rather  ftrake  the  wounde 
Of  feare  in  him,  to  feare  the  lyke  agayne. 
And  fo  he  dyd  fu'l  oftc  and  not  in  vayne  : 
As  in  his  life  his  cares  could  wytnefs  well 
But  mofte  of  all  his  wretched  ende  doth  tell. 

His  owne  dcrc  wyfc  whom  as  his  life  he  loved, 
He  duril  not  trufl,  nor  proche  unto  her  bed, 
But  caufmg  fyrft  his  flave  with  naked  fworde 
To  go  before,  him  felfe  with  tremblyng  dread 
Strayt  foloweth  fail,  and  whorhng  in  his  head 
His  rolling  iyen,  he  fearchtth  here  and  there 
The  diepe  daunger  that  he  fo  fore  did  feare. 

Tor  not  in  Irayne  it  ranft  ytl  in  his  breft, 

frum  wretched  hap  (hould  hale  him  to  his  ende. 

And  therefore  alwaye  by  his  pillowe  prcft 

>Iad  he  a  fworde,  and  with  that  fworde  he  wende, 

In  vayne  (God  wote)  all  peryls  to  defeode  : 

I'OT  \uc  his  wife  foreyrkcd  of  his  rayne, 

Mecping  in  bed  this  cruell  wretchc  hath  flayne. 

What  iliould  I  more  now  fcckc  to  fay  in  this  ? 

Or  ore  jot  fardcr  linger  furth  my  talc  i 

AVith  cruel  Nero,  or  with  Phalaris, 

<.*aligula,  Domician,  and  all 

•J'hc  cruell  route  ?  or  of  theyr  wretched  fall  ? 

1  can  no  more,  but  in  my  name  advert 

^1  earthly  powers  beware  of  tyrants  hart. 

And  as  our  ft  ate  endured  but  a  thr  owe; 
fvo  bcft  ill  us  the  ftayr  of  fuch  a  ftatc 
May  heft  appcare  to  nanj;  an  ovcrthrowe, 
An»l  better  tcacl.c-  tyraiites  dcfcrvcd  hate 
Than  any  ivrantt*  death  to  fore  or  late. 
So  cruell  fetmdc  tins  Rychard  Thyrd  to  me, 
That  loc  my  felfe  now  loathde  hiar  crucltcc. 

Tor  when,  ala* '  I  faw  the  tyrant  kyr\% 
Content  not  only  from  his  ncphcwes  rwayne 
ilo  ryve  worldcs biyfie,  but  aJi'o  al  worldtsbtyng, 


Saunce  earthly  gylt  ycaafing  both  be  iIatl;, 
My  hart   agreyvcd    that  luch  a  wre:ch  13K^ 

raygne, 
Whofe  bluddy  breft  fo  falvaj^cd  out  of  kpd:. 
That  Phaiaris  had  never  fo  biuddy  a  miiMie. 

Ne  could  I  brooke  him  once  wythin  my  bre^ 
But  wyth  the  thought  my  teeth  would  gaol: 

wythal: 
For  though  I  carft  wcr  his  by  fwome  behefi ; 
Yet  when  I  fawe  mifchiefe  on  mifchiefe  fall. 
So  diepe  in  blud,  to  murder  prynce  and  all. 
Ay  then  thotight  1,  alas,  and  wealaway. 
And  to  my  felfe  tlius  mourning  would  I  £iy. 

If  neyther  love,  kynred,  ne  knot  of  blood. 
His  own  alegeaunce  to  his  prynce  of  due. 
Nor  yet  the  flate  of  trull  wheietn  he  ftoode. 
The  worldes  defame,  nor  nought  could  ton  hb 
true.  [lie? 

Thofe  gyltleles  babes,   could  >chey  notnakcka 
Nor  could  theyr  youth,  nor  innocence  withal 
Move  him  from  reving  them  theyr  lyfc  aod  lE/ 

Alas,  it  could  not  move  him  any  jote, 
Ne  make  him  once  to  rue  or  -wet  his  iye, 
Sturde  him  no  more  than  that  that  ftyrretk  mc  : 
But  as  the  rocke  or  ftone  that  wyl  not  plyc. 
So  was  his  hart  made  hard  to  crucltye. 
To  murder  tkeifi;  alas  I  weepe  in  thioBght, 
To  tbinke  on  that  which  this  fell  wrctdk  kk 
wrought. 

That  nowe  when  he  had  done  the  thing  he  (ia^ 
And  as  he  would,  complylht  and  cumpaft  all 
And  fawe  and  knewe  the  treafon  be  had  wrpi|t: 
To  God  and  man,  to  flaye  his  prynce  and  aO, 
Then  feemde  he  fyrfl  to  double  and  dreade  uiL 
And  me  in  chiefe,  whoes  death  all  mcaoei  k 

myght, 
He  fought  to  wurke  by  malice  and  by  migbt. 

Such  heapes  of  harmes  upharbard  in  his  brefi, 
With  envyous  hart  my  honour  to  deface, 
As  knowing  he  that  1  whych  wotcd  befl 
His  wretched  dryftes,  and  all  his  corfcd  cafe, 
If  ever  fprang  within  me  fparke  of  grace, 
Muft  nedes  abhnrre  him  and  his  hatefcll  rac;: 
Now  fnore  and  more  can  cafl  me  out  of  grjce. 

Which    fodayne    chaunge,    when    1   by  frartc 

chaunce. 
Had  well  perceyved  by  proofc  of  eniiouf  frowae* 
And  fawe  the  lot  that  d^d  me  to  advauoce 
Hym  to  a  kyng  that  fought  to  caft  me  dcwue, 
To  late  it  was  to  linger  any  ftowne  : 
I    Syth  prrfent  choyfo  lay  caft  before  myne  iye, 
To  wurke  his  death,  or  1  my  felfe  to  dye. 

And  as  the  knyght  in  fycld  among  his  foes 
Bvfct  wyth  fwurdcs,mnft  flay  or  there  b:  Cr*!i 
So  I,  ala«f  lapt  in  a  thoufand  woe«j 
beholding  uejth  in  every  fydc  fo  playrr, 
I  ra'her  chpfc  by  fum  flye  fccretc  tr;4yce 
To  wurke  his  death,  and  I  to  lyve  tbrnby, 
Than  he  to  Ijve^  and  1  of  force  to  dyr. 


THE  COMPl.AYNr  OF  HENRYE  DUKE  OF  BUCKINGHAM. 


Mj 


Which  heavy  choffe  fo  haftcneii  ine  to  chofc, 
That  I  in  partc^agrycvcd  at  his  difdayne. 
In  part  to  wrekc  the  dolefuU  death  of  thofe    . 
Two  tender  babes,  his  fiUye  nephewcs  twayne, 
By  him  alas  commaunded  to  be  flaync, 
With  paynted  chcrc  humbly  before  his  face, 
Striyght  tooke  my  leave,  and  rode  to  firecknocke 
place. 

And  there  a«  clofe  and  covert  as  |  myght. 
IVfy  purpofed  pradlife  to  his  pafle  to  bryng. 
In  fecrete  dryftes,  1  lingred  day  and  night : 
^11  howe  I  might  depofe  thiscruell  kyng. 
That  feemd  to  all  fu  much  defyred  a  thyng. 
As  thereto  trufting  I  cmpryfde  the  fame ; 
But  to  much  tru(Ung  brought  me  t»  my  bane. 

For  while  1  nowc  had  fortune  at  my  becke, 
IVliftrudlug  I  no  earthly  thing  at  all, 
UnWares,  alas,  leafl  looking  for  a  checke, 
She  nuted  me  in  turning  of  a  ball : 
VThen  leaft  I  fcarde,  then  nereft  was  my  fall, 
And  when  whole  hoaftcs  wer  prcfl'  to  droy  my 

focn. 
She  chaunged  her  chere,  and  left  me  pod  alone. 

I  hid  uprayfde  a  mighty  band  of  men, 
J\.nd  marched  furth  in  order  of  array, 
X^eadyng  my  power  arayd  the  foreft  Dene, 
j\gayn(i  that  tyrant  banner  to  difplaye  : 
But  loe  my  fouldiers  cowardly  (hranke  away. 
For  fuch  i^  fortune  when  flie  lyft  to  frownt* ; 
^Who  fecmcs  mod  fure,  him  fooned  whurles  die 
downe 

O  let  no  prynce  put  trud  in  commonfic, 
Nor  hope  in  fayth  of  gyddy  peoples  mynde, 
But  let  all  noble  men  take  hedc  by  mr. 
That  by  the  proofe  to  well  the  paync  do  fynde : 
JLoe,  where  is  truth  or  trud  ?  or  what  could  bynde 
The  vay-v  people,  but  they  will  fwarve  and  fwayc. 
As  chaunce  bryngs  chaunge,  to  dryve  and  draw 
that  way  ? 

Rome,  thou  that  once  advaimccd  up  fo  hye. 

Thy  daye,  patron,  and  Hower  of  excellence. 

Had  nowe  throwcn  him  to  depth  of  mifcrye. 

Exiled  him  that  was  thy  whole  defence. 

He  comptcd  it  not  an  horryble  offence  : 

To  revcn  him  of  honour  ami  of  fame. 

That  wan  it  thee,  when  thou  hudd  lod  the  fame. 

Beholde  Camtllus,  he  that  crd  revyvcd 
The  date  of  Rome,  that  dycng  he  dyd  fynde, 
Of  his  own  date  is  nowe  alas  depryved, 
Biniflit  by  them  whom  he  dyd  thus  dct  bynde : 
That  cruel  folke,  unthankeful  and  unkynde, 
3>eclareti  wcl  theyr  falfc  incondancye. 
And  fortune  eke  her  mutability. 

And  thou  Scipio,  a  myrrour  mayd  thou  be 
'I  o  all  noblc.4,  that  they  learn  not  too  late, 
Howe  they  once  truft  the  unftahle  commontye. 
Thou  that  rccuredd  the  tornc  difmembrcd  date, 
Jlmcu  when  the  coa^ucrour  wat  at  the  gate. 


Art  now  expide,  as  though  thou  not  deferred 
To  red  in  her,  whom  thou  hadd  fo  prefenred« 

Iny^rateful  Rome  had  (hewed  thy  crneltye,  < 
On  hym,  by  whom  thou  lyved  yet  in  fame, 
But  not  thy  dede,  nor  his  defer t  (hall  dye, 
But  his  ownc  wurdes  (hal  witnes  aye  the  lame  ; 
tor  loe  hys  grave  doth  thee  mod  }udly  bbune. 
And  with  difdayne  in  marble  fayes  to  thee : 
Unkynde  councrey,  my  bones  (halt  thou  not  fee. 

What  more  unwurthy  than  this  his  cryle : 
More  jud  than  this  the  wofull  playnt  he  wrote  : 
Or  who  could  (hewe  a  playner  proofe  the  while. 
Of  mode  falfe  fayth,  than  they  that  thus  forgot 
His  great  defertes  :  that  fo  deferved  not : 
His  cindres  yet  loe,  doth  he  them  denye. 
That  him  dcnyed  amougd  them  for  to  dye. 

Milciades,  O  happy  had  thou  be. 
And  well  rewarded  of  thy  countrey  men. 
If  in  the  fyeld  when  thou  hadd  ford  to  Rye 
By  thy  prowes,  ihre  hundred  thoufand  men. 
Content  they  had  bene  to  eryle  thee  then  : 
And  not  to  cad  thee  in  depth  prifon  fo. 
Laden  wyth  gyves  to  ende  thy  lyfe  in  woe. 

Alas  howe  harde  and  deely  hartes  had  they. 

That  not  contented  there  to  have  thee  dye. 

With  fettred  gyves  in  pryfon  where  thou  Jayc, 

Incread  fo  far  in  hateful  crueltye. 

That  buryall  to  thy  corps,  they  eke  denyo 

He  wyl  they  graunt  the  fame  tyll  thy  fonne  havd 

Put  on  thy  gyves  to  purchafc  thee  a  grave. 

Loe  Hanniball  as  long  as  fired  fate, 
And  brytilc  fortune  had  ordayned  fo. 
Who  ever  more  advanntd  his  countrey  date 
Then  thou,  that  lyvcdd  for  her  and  for  no  moc  i 
But  when  the  dorray  waves  began  to  grow. 
Without  rcfpcA  of  thy  defertes  crwhilc. 
Art  by  thy  countrey  throwcn  into  cxylc. 

Unfrcndly  Fortune,  (hall  I  thee  now  blame : 
Or  (lial  I  faulte  the  fates  that  fo  ordayne  ? 
Or  an  thou  Jove  the  caufer  of  the  fame  f 
Or  crueltie  her  fclfe,  doth  (he  conftrayne  i 
Or  on  whom  cU  alas  (hal  I  complayne  ? 
O  truftlcs  world  I  can  accufen  none. 
But  fyckle  fuyth  of  commontye  alone. 

I'he  polipus  nor  the  chameleon  draungc, 

That  tflrne  them  felvcs  to  every  hewe  they  fee, 

Arc  not  fo  full  of  bayne  and  fickle  chaunge 

As  is  this  falfe  undedfad  commontye. 

Loe  I  alas  with  mine  adverfitie 

Have  tryed  it  true,  for  they  are  fled  and  gone. 

And  of  an  hod  there  is  not  left  me  cue. 

That  I  alas  in  this  calamitie 
Alone  was  left,  and  to  my  felfe  mought  playi^ 
This  treafon,  and  this  wretched  cowardye, 
And  eke  with  tcares  bewcpen  and  complayne 
My  hateful  hap,  dyll  lookyng  to  be  flayne. 
Wandryiij^  in  woe,  and  to  the  gods  on  hye 
Clcapyng  for  vengeance  of  this  irtacheryc. 


(fi6 


THE  WORKS   OP  dACRVfJLLi. 


And  as  the  turtle  that  hath  loft  her  make,  - 
'Whom  pfrypyng  forowc  doth  fo  fore  attaynt, 
With  doleful  voyce  and  found  whych  flie  doth' 

make 
Mournin]|;  her  loffc,  fylles  all  f  he  jjrove  whhplajnt; 
So  I,  alas  !  forfaken,  and  forfayot, 
'With  reftles  foote  the  vnxd  come  up  and  do^fMe, 
"Whidi  of  my  dole  al  (hyverioe  doth  refowne. 

And  beyng  thus  alone,  and  all  forfake, 
Amyd  the  thyckc,  forwandrcd  in  dcfpayer. 
As  one  difmayed  nc  \ryit  what  waye  to  take, 
UntvU  at  laft  pin  to  my  myndc  rcpayer, 
A  nian  of  mine  called  Homfrey  Banailar  : 
"Wherewyth  me  feeling  much  recomforted. 
In  hope  of  fuccour  to  his  hoofttf  I  fled. 

"Who  beyng  one  whom  earft  I  had  npbrtinght 

Even  from  his  youth,  and  loved  and  lyked  bed. 

To  gentrye  ftate  avaunciug  him  from  liought ; 

And  had  in  fecrete  truft  above  the  reft, 

Of  fpecyal  truft  nowte  being  thus  dyibeft 

Pull  fecreatly  to  him  I  me  conveyed 

Not  doubting  there  but  I  fhould  fynde  fome  ayde. 

But  oat  aids  on  crucll  trecherye, 
When  that  this  cayticf  once  an  ynklyng  hard, 
How  that  Kyng  Kychard  had  proclaymde,  that  he 
Which  me  dcfcryed  fhould  \)zve  for  his  rewarde 
A  thoufand  poundes,  and  farther  be  prefarde, 
Hit  truthe  fo  turnde  to  treafon,  all  diftayndc. 
That  iayth  quyte  fled,  and  I  by  truft  was  traynde. 

PDr  by  this  wretch  I  beyng  flrayt  betrayed,  . 
To  one  John  Mitton,  fhiriffe  of  Shropfhire  theni 
All  fodaynely  was  taken,  and  convayed 
To  Salilbury,  wyth  rout  of  harnefl  men, 
tJnto  Kyng  Kychard  there  encamped  then  : 
j'afl  by  the  citye  with  a  myghtye  hofte 
Withoaten  doonie  where  licad  and  lyfe  I  loft. 

And  with  thefe  wordes,  as  if  the  are  even  there 
Difmembred  had  his  head  and  corps  aparte, 
Dead  fel  he  downe  :  and  wc  in  woful  feare 
£toode  mazed  when  he  would  to  lycf  revert : 
But  deadly  griefes  ftill  j;rewe  about  his  hart. 
That  ftyll  he  laye,  fumtyme  revived  wyth  payne, 
And  wyth  a  fygh  bccuming  dead  agayne. 

Mydnyght  was  cum,  and  every  vitall  thing 
With  fwete  found  f.epc  theyr  weary  lyms  did  reft, 
The  beaftes  were  ftill,  the  lyile  hyrdes  thatfyng, 
Nowe  fweetely  flcpt  befides  thcyr  mothers  brcft  : 
The  olde  and  all  were  fhrowded  in  theyr  neft. 
^rhc  waters  calmc,  the  cruel  fcas  didceas, 
The  wuds,  the  fyeldes,  and  all  thingcs  held  theylr 
peace. 

The  golden  flars  wer  whyrltle  amyd  thyer  race, 
And  oh  the  earth  djd  laugh  with  twinkling  lyght, 
When  eche  thing  ncftlcd  in  his  reftyng  place, 
Forgat  daycs  paync  with  plcafure  otthe  nyght  : 
The  hare  had  not  the  greedy  houndes  in  fight. 
The  fearfull  dear  of  death  ftoi>d  rot  in  doubc, 
Tkc  pa:  tr)-dg«  drrpt  hq;  gf  ihc  falcons  foo:. 


The  ocgly  beare  nowe  myndeth  net  the  lus!» 
Nor  how  the  cnieU  maftfrei  do  hyn  tor; 
The  ftag  lay  Hill  unroufed  irom  Cbe  brake. 
The  fomy  boar  feard  not  the  hunicrtfpev. 
All  thing  was  ftill  in  defcn^  bufli,  and  bitar. 
With  quyet  heart  now  lirrnn  their  travaik!  id, 
Soundly  they  flcpt  in  midft  of  all  chdr  ttL 

When  Buckyngham  amidft  his  plaint  opfTEft, 
With  furgyne  forowes  and  with  pinchiDKpmtt 
In  fort  thus  iowned»  and  with  a  figh  he  cnl! 
To  teUen  furth  the  treachery  «iid  the  tnrBe^ 
Of  Banaftar,  which  him  fo  fore  diftrayach 
That  from  a  figh  he  fallea  into  a  fouode, 
And  from  a  founde  lyeth  ragyng  on  the|mBL 

So  twiching  wer  the  pangea  that  he  afiayed, 
And  he  (b  fore  with  rufnJl  rage  diftraoghi. 
To  thinke  upon  the  wretch  that  hym  banjri 
Whom  earft  he  made  a  gentylman  of  nu|fct, 
That  more  and  more  agrered  with  this  tltoip:, 
He  ftonnes  out  fighes,  aiid  with  redoubled  brt, 
Stroke  with  thr  furies,  rageth  more  aadinoR. 

Who  fo  hath  feene  the  boll  chafed  with  darto. 
And  with  dyene  woundea  forgald  and  gwcdiu, 
Tyl  he  oppreUcd  with  the  dead! ye  fmanes, 
Fall  in  a  rage,  and  runne  upon  hii  foe, 
Let  him  I  fiiye,  bcholde  the  ragyog  woe 
Of  Buckyngham,  that  in  thefe  grypesofgncfc 
Rageth  gaynft  him  that  hath  betrayed  his  1yd 

With  blod  red  iyen  he  ftareth  here  and  that, 
Frothing  at  mouth,  with  face  as  pale  asdoirf 
When  loe  my  lymmes  were  trembling  all  far  faa, 
And  1  amazde  floode  ftyll  in  dread  and  dock, 
While  I  monght  iee  him  thro  we  his  arma  ikr 
And  gaynft  the  ground  him  felfe  plouDgcn:^ 

fuch  force. 
As  if  the  lyfe  forth  wyth  fliould  leave  th:  csr> 

With  fmoke  of  fyghes  fumtyme  I  myg?icbeboJe 
The  place  al  dymde,  like  to  the  morupg  mji: 
And  ftrayt  agayne  the  teares  how  they  dawnnUp 
Alongft  his  checkes,  as  if  the  ryvers  hyft : 
Whoes  flowing  flrecmcs  ne  wer  no  fooaer  wiiftg 
But  to  the  ftars  fuch  dreadf ull  fhoticcft  he  fist, 
As  if  the  trone  of  mighty  Jove  fliunld  renc 

And  1  the  while  with  fpiritet  wcl  nye  henk 
Beheld  the  plyght  and  panges  that  dyd  him  hij^i-. 
And  howe  the  blud  his  deadly  colour  left. 
And  ftrayt  returnee  with  ftamyng  red  agatre 
When  fodaynly  amid  his  ragyng  payne, 
He  gave  a  f)-gh,  and  with  that  fygh  he  fifci: 
O !  Banaftar,  and  ftrayt  agayne  he  ftiycd. 

Dead  laye  his  corps  as  dead  as  any  flene, 
Tyll  fwellyng  fyghes  ftormyng  w'iih-n  l.ii  fcrf 
Uprayfde  his  head,  that  downe  ward  fell  at  l-t. 
With  lo(4es  upcaft,  and  fyghes  that  never  c:«i : 
Furth  ftrcamde  the  teares,  recordes  rS  hi>  itrrt. 
When  he  w>th   flirykca  thus  grovcliog  u  ^ 

ground, 
Ybraycd  tliefc  wordet  with  fliry  Hand  doIe&L'^vB^ 


THE  COlUPLAYNT  OP  HENRYE  DUKE  OF  BtJCKlKGHAM. 


66/ 


and  earth,  and  ye  eternal  lampea 
the  heavens  wrapt,  wyl  u»ta  reft, 
y^tPhcbe,  thatcleareftthenightcf  dampei, 
the  playnte^i  that  in  thefe  pangct  oppreil 
wretche  unlade  ont  of  my  breil. 
me  yeald  my  laft  wordes  ere  I  part, 
u,  I  call  to  record  ci  my  fiaiart. 

)u,  Alefto,  fecde  me  wyth  thy  fbode, 
:hy  ferpentet  fi^om  thy  (haky  heare, 
I  relyefe  wel  fittet  me  in  this  moode, 
e  my  playnt  with  horror  ;md  wyth  feare, 
age  afreibe  thy  iKnomd  worme  arear. 
>u  Sibilia,  when  thou  feed  me  faynce, 
thy  felfe  the  gyde  of  my  compkynt. 

«n,  O  Jove,  that  with  thy  depc  fordoome 

:e  the  earth,  and  raygne  above  the  (kyes, 

rekeft  wronget,  and  geveft  the  dreadful 

ioomc 

1  the  wretche  that  doth  thy  trone  defpyfe, 

:  thefc  wurdes,  and  wreakc  them  in.fuch 

wyfe, 

'en  and  eanh  may  witneiTo  and  beholde, 

ipes  of  wrath  upon  this  wretche  uafoide. 

Sanafter,  gaynft  thee  I  depe  and  call 
e  godft,  that  they  juft  vcngcaunce  take 
,  thy  bloud,  thy  ftayned  docke  and  all : 

to  thee,- above  the  reft  I  make 
nble  playnt,  guyde  me  that  what  I  fpeake 

thy  wyll  upon  thys  wreuhe  to  fall, 
,  Banaftar,  wretche  of  wretches  all. 

1  to  God,  that  cruel  dilmal  daye, 
ive  me  lyght  fyrft  to  behold  thy  face, 
wle  cclipfe  had  reft  my  fyght  away  : 
lappy  hower,  the  tyme.  and  eke  the  place, 
ne  and  moone,  the  fters,  and  all  that  was 
afpedcs  helping  in  ought  to  thee, 
tb,  and  ayer,  and  all  accurfed  bee. 

m,  caytief,  that  like  a  monftar  fwarved, 
fnde  and  kyndencs,  haft  thy  mayftcr  lome, 
neyther  truth,  nor  trull  wherein  thou  fer- 
»^cd, 

Icfertes,  could  move,  nor  thy  fayth  fworne 
lall  I  curfe,  but  wylh  that  thou  unborne 
ic,  or  that  the  earth  had  rent  in  twaye^ 
allowed  thee  in  cradle  as  thou  layc. 

did  I  even  from  thy  tender  youth 
toiiryug  thcc  up  :  dyd  I  therefore 
he  oath  of  thy  undoubted  trouth  ? 
cc  thcc  up,  and  truft  iIjcc  evermore  ? 
ing  tKcc  that  I  fbould  tiye  iherelorc  ? 
he,  and  wurfc  tlian  wiccchc,  what  flial  I 

ay, 

p  and  curfe  gaynft  thee  and  thync  for  aye? 

e  thoo,  difdaynd  of  every  wyght, 
'ntcd  at  where  ever  that  thou  goe, 
Tous  wretche,  unwurthy  «.f  the  light, 
eftemcd :  and  to  encreafe  thy  woe, 
nd  be  hatcfull  of  thy  came  alfo  ; 


And  in  this  fort  with  fhame  and^fharpe  npTodxcg 
Leadc  thoB  thy  life  till  greater  grief  approck. 

Dole  and  defpayer,  let  thofe  be  thy  deligfar, 
Wrapped  in  woes  that  can  not  be  mifblde. 
To  wayle  the  day,  and  vrcpc  the  weary  night, 
With  rayny  iyen  and  fyghes  can  not  be  tolde. 
And  let  no  wyght  thy  woe  feeke  to  withhoide  : 
But  coumpt  diee  wurthy  (wretche)  of  forrowetf 

ftore. 
That  fuffryng  much,  oughteft  ftill  to  fufifer  more« 

Deferve  thou  death,  yea  be  thou  demed  to  dye 
A  iharaefuU  death,  to  endc  thy  fliamcfull  lyfc : 
A  fyght  longed  for,  joyfull  to  evcryc  iye. 
Whan  thou  fltalt  be  arfaygncd  as  a  thief. 
Standing  at  bar,  and  pleading  for  thy  lycf,  ^ 

With  trembling'  toting  in  dread  and  dolors  ragr, 
Lade  with  white  lodon,  and  fowerlkore  yeres  of 

Yet  (hall  ndt  death  delyvcr  thee  fo  foofte 

Out  of  thy  woes,  fo  happye  (halt  thou  not  bee : 

But  to  thr  eternal  Jove  thisis  my  boone. 

That  thou  may  Irre  thine  eldeft  fonne  to  fee 

Reft  of  bis  wits,  and  in  a  fowie  bores  ffye 

Te  ende  hitdaycs  in  rage  and  death  diffreft, 

A  wurthy  tumbe  where  one  of  thync  ihonld  reH, 

And  after  this,  yet  pray  I  more,  thcfti  may  • 

Thy  fecond  fonne  fee  drowned  in  a  dyke, 

And  in  fuch  forte  to  clofe  his  latter  daye, 

As  heard  or  fccn  earft  hath  not  bene  the  lykc  ; 

Yftrangled  in  a  puddle  not  fo  deepe 

As  halfe  a  foote,  that  fuch  hard  lolTe  of  lyfe, 

So  cruelly  chaunft,  may  be  thy  greater  gryefc. 

And  not  yet  (hall  thy  hugie  forrowes  ceaTc  ; 
Jove  (hal  not  fo  wiihholde  his  wrath  fro  thee. 
But  that  thy  plagues  may  more  and  more  incrwisj 
Thou  flialt  ftill  lyve,  that  thou  thy  felfe  mayft  fee 
Thy  dearc  doughter  ftroken  with  leproiye : 
That  ihe  that  earft  was  all  thy  hole  delyght. 
Thou  now  mayft  loath  to  have  her  com  in  fig^d 

And  after  that,  let  fhame  and  forrowes  gryefc 

Fcede  furth  thy  yeares  continually  in  wo. 

That  thou  mayeft  live  in  death,  and  dye  in  lyef, 

And  in  this  forte  forewayld  and  wearyed  fo. 

At  length  thy  ghoft  to  pane  thy  body  f»o  :  i 

This  pray  I  Jove,  and  wyth  this  latter  breath,     " 

Vengeaunce  I  alke  upon  my  cruell  death.  ,  >^* 

Thi»  (ayd,  he  floung  hisretchles  armes-abrode, 
And  groveling  flat  upon  the  ground  he  lay. 
Which  with  his  teetli  he  al  to  gnaflit  and  gnawed  : 
Depe  groanes  he  fet,  as  he  that  would  awayc. 
But  loe  in  vayne  he  dyd  the  death  affay  : 
Although  I  thinkc  was  never  man  that  knewe. 
Such  deadly  paynes  where  death  dyd  not  enfewew 

So  firove  he  thus  a  while  as  with  the  deaths 
Nowe  pale  a>>  lead,  and  coUe  as  any  ftonc. 
Nowc  ftyl  us  calme,  nowe  ftorming  forth  a  brtatb 
Of  fmoaky  fyghes,  as  breath  and  al  were  gone : 
But  every  thinjr  hath  cade :  fo  be  anon« 


u% 


THE   WORKS   OF  8ACKVILLE. 


Came  to  him  fclfc,  when  wy th  a  fygh  outbrajred, 
VTich  woful  cheare  thcle  woful  wurdcs  he  fayd. 

Ah  where  am  I,  what  thing,  or  whence  is  this  ? 
WhoTcft  my  wyts  ?  or  howc  do  I  thus  lye  i 
My  lims  do  quake,  my  thought  agafted  is, 
"Why  fyghe  I  fo  ?  or  whereunto  do  I 
Thi^s  grovel  on  the  ground  :  and  by  and  by 
tJprayrde  he  ftoode,  and  wyth  a  fygh  hath  ftayedt 
When  to  him  felfe  returned,  thus  he  fayed. 

Suffifcth  nowc  this  playnt  and  this  regretc, 
"Whereof  my  hart  his  bottome  hath  unfraught : 
And  of  my  death  let  pieres  and  princes  wete 
The  wolves  untruft,  that  they  thereby  be  taught. 
And  in  her  wealth,  lith  that  fuch  chaunge  is 

wrought, 
Hope  not  to  much,  but  in  the  myds  of  all 
Thinke  on  my  death,  and  what  may  them  befall. 

So  long  as  fortune  would  permyt  the  fame, 
1  lyvcd  in  rule  and  ryches  wyth  the  heft : 
And  paft  my  time  in  honour  and  in  fame ; 
That  of  mifliap  no  feare  was  in  my  bred  : 
But  falfe  fortune  whan  1  fnfpeded  leaft, 
Dyd  tume  the  wheele,  and  wyth  a  dolefull  fall 
Hath  me  bereft  of  honour,  life,  and  all. 

X.OC  what  avayles  in  ryches  fluds  that  flowes  : 
Though  fhe  fo  linylde  as  all  the  world  wer  his : 


Even  kingea  and  kefars  byden  fortoncs  throve* 
And  Ample  forte  muft  bear  it  as  it  is. 
Take  hede  by  me  that  blithd  in  balefuU  blilTe : 
My  rule,  my  riches,  royall  blud  and  all. 
Whan  fortune  frouude,  the  feller  made  my  fidL 

For  hard  mifbaps  that  happens  onto  fach, 
Whoes  wretched  (late  earll  never  fell  no  chaanp, 
Agry  ve  them  not  in  any  part  fo  much. 
As  theyr  di(Lres  to  whome  it  is  lb  ftraonge. 
That  all  theyr  ly ves  nay  pafTed  pleafures  rannje : 
Theyr  fodayne  wo  that  aj  wield  welth  at  will, 
Algates  their  hartes  more  pearcingly  muit  thxilL 

For  of  my  byrth,  my  blud  was  of  the  bcil, 
Fyrft  borne  an  Earle,  than  Duke  by  due  difco! : 
To  fwinge  the  fway  in  court  amoBge  the  reft. 
Dame  Fortune  me  her  rule  mod  largely  lent : 
And  kynd  with  corage  fo  my  corps  had  bkm. 
That  loe  on  whom  but  me  dyd  ihe  m<^  fioiiyfc : 
And  whom  but  me  lo,  dyd  Ihe  moft  begyle  f 

How  hail  thou  heard  the  whole  of  m j  nnhif, 
My  chaunce,  my  chaunge,  the  caufe  of  all  ay 

care : 
In  wealth  and  wo,  how  fortnne  dyd  me  wn^ 
With  world  at  will  to  win  me  to  her  fnare. 
Byd  kynges,  byd  kefars,  byd  all  Hates  beware. 
And  tell  them  this  from  me  that  tryed  it  true : 
Who  reckles  rules,  right  foone  may  hap  to  rae. 


A  GLOSSART. 


Af  which  is  commonly  called  the  indefinite  ai'ti- 
cle,  is  really  nothing  more  than  a  corruption  of 
the  Saxon  adjedive  ame  or  an,  heforo  a  fubftan- 
tlve  beginning  with  a  confonant. — It  is  fomc- 
times  prefixed  to  another  adje^ive,  the  fubftan- 
tive  to  which  both  belong  being  vnderftood, 
r.  g,  A  Frere  there  was,  a  wanton  and  a  niery. 
—It  is  alfo  joined  to  nouns  plural  taken  ccllec- 
tively,  at,  anhundred  frankes,  a  thoufand  fran  lc(<;, 
-—and  to  fuch  as  are  not  ufcd  in  the  lingular 
jnunber,  ^  a  liftes.  So  the  Latins  faid  Um  li^ 
ttr^^  Cic  ad  Att.  v.  9,  and  the  French  formerly 
mmes  Ucuy  una  Uttret^  urns  triva»  Ffsijatri^  V.  L 
c-  I53f  «37»  ▼.  ii.  c.  78 
il,  ^tp,  before  a  genmd,  is  a  corruption  of  on. 
To  go  a  begging,  i.  e.  on  begging.  The  prep. 
is  onen  cxprefled  at  length;  on  hunting  ben 
they  ridden ;  To  ride  on  hawking* — In  the 
fame  manner,  before  a  noun  it  is  generally  a 
corruption  of  on  or  in  ;#.  g.  a'bed ;  a'fire ;  a*God- 
des  name;  a'morwc;  a'night;  a*werke;  though 
in  fome  of  thefe  infiancet  perhaps  it  may  as 
well  be  fuppefed  to  be  a  corruption  of  at. — A, 
in  compofition,  in  words  of  Saxon  original,  is  an 
abbreviation  of  af  or  of,  of  at,  of  on  or  in,  and 
often  only  a  corruption  of  the  prepofitive  parti- 
cle ge  or  y.  In  words  of  French  original  it  is 
generally  to  be  deduced  from  the  Latin  sb,  ad, 
and  fometimes  ez 

^1^  imierj,  ah ! 

^backe,  adv.  Sax.  backwards 

Abaift./ar/.  pa,  Fr,  abalhed,  aihamed 

Abate,  v.  Fr,  to  beat  down 

ilbawed,  part,  pa,  Fr,  eibai,  aftoniihed;  I  was 
abawed  for  marvelle.  Orig,  Moult  m*e0>ahy  de 
la  merveiUe 

Abegge.abeye,  abie, «.  Sax,  to  fufier  for 

ilbet,  n.  Sax.  help 

Abide,  v.  Sax,  to  flay 

Abidden?  ^    ,  ^ 

Abiden  i^-'"-^ 

Abit /or  abidech 

Able,  adj.  Fr.  fit,  proper 

^hote,part,pa,  of  abate 

Abought,^r/./<2.  of  abegge 

Abouten,^r^.  Sax,  on-bucuH^  aboot 

Abraide,  v.  Sax.  to  awake,  to  ftart«    See  Braide 

Abnude,/a.  /•  awaked,  flarted« 


Abrede,  adv.  Sax.  abroad 

Abrege,  v.  Fr.  to  {horten,to  abridgef  ' 

Abroche,  v.  Fr.  to  up,  to  fet  abroach ;  fpoken  o£ 

a  yeflfel  of  liquor 
Abuiion,  m.  Fr,  abufe,  impropriety 
Acceffe, «.  Fr,  properly  the  approach  of  a  fever,  a 

fever 
Accidie,  m,  Fr.  from  A«iv^<«,  Gr,  negligence;  arii 

(ing  from  difcontent,  melancholy,  &c 
Accord,  H,  Fr,  agreement 
Accord,  V.  Fr.  to  agree 
Accordcden,  pa,  t.pi. 
Accordant,?  ^    ^  ^ 

Accufe,  V.  Fr,  to  difcover 

Achate,  m,  Fr,  purchal'e 

Achatour,  m,  Fr.  a  purchafrr,  a  caterer 

Achckcd, part,  pa.  Sax,  choked 

Acheve,  v.  Fr,  to  accompliih 

Ackele,  (akele)  v.  Sax.  to  cool 

Acloye,  v.  nuy  perhaps  mean  to  cloy,  to  embarrafii 

with  fuperfluity 
Acoie,  V.  Fr.  to  make  quiet 
Acomberd,/ar//a.  Fr,  encombered 
Acroke,  adj,  Fr,  crooked,  awkward. 
Adawe,  v.  Sax,  to  awake 
Ado,  V,  Sax.  to  do ;  it  ii  ufed  to  exprefs  the  Fr# 

ifaire,  to  have  ado;  to  have  to  do ;  and  don  all 

that  they  ban  ado.  Etfacent  te  fuHt  dnvent  faire. 
Adon,  (corruption  %li  oi-don)  part,  pa,  Sam,  done 

away 
Adon,^r.  m,  Adonis 
Adoun,  adv  Sax.  downward 
Adrad,  adrade,  part, pa.  of  adrede,  v.  Sax,  afraid 
Adriane  for  Ariadne,  pr.  n. 
Advertence,  n.  Fr.  attention 
Advocacies,  n.pl.  Fr.  law-fuits 
Advocas,  H.  pi.  Fr.  lawyers,  advocates 
Afered,  ^(crdc, part,  pa.  Sax.  afraid,  frightened 
Afiede,  m.  Lat.  aficdion 
A  ffermed,  part,  pa,  Fr,  confirmed 
Affie.  V.  Fr,  t«)  truft 
Affray,  v.  Fr.  to  affright 
Affray,  m,  Fr,  difturbance,  fear 
Afiriken,)»r.  n,  the  elder  Scipio  Africanus 
Afilc,  V.  Fr.  to  file,  poliih 

Aforen,  aforne,  iSorc,  adv.  prep.  Sax,  tct'/QraH^ht*^ 
fore. 


^7« 


G  L  O  S  S  A  R  Y« 


Agu'n,  frsp.  Sax.  againft,  toward,  adv 

Agafle,  V.  Sax.  to  terrify 

Agaft,  for  agaftcd.  part.,  pa.  terrified 

Agathon,/r.  «.  I  have  nothing  to  fay  concerning 
this  writer,  except  that  one  of  the  fame  name 
is  quoted  in  the  prol.  to  the  trapjedic  of  Cam- 
biles,  by  Thoma<i  Prrfton.  'J'lierc  is  no  ground 
for  fuppofing,  with  Gloff.  Ur.  that  a  philofo- 
pher  oi  Samos  is  meai>t,  or  any  of  the  Agathocs 
of  antiquity  " 

Agcins,  prep,  againft 

^gen,  atkt.  again 

Agilte,  'V,  Sax.  to  ofiVnd,  to  fin  againll 

Agilte,  for  agilted,  pa,  /.  finned 

Ago,  agon,  for  ygon, /jr/./a.  Sax,  gone,  paft 

Agree,  Fr,  1  grc,  in  good  part 

Agrcfe,  (a*grcfc)  in  grief 

Agregc,  V.  Fr.  to  aggravate 

Agreved,  part,  pa,  Fr,  injared,  a^ievcd 

Agrife,  v.  Sax.  to  ihndder,  to  nuke  to  (hudder 

Agrofe,  pa.  t.  (haddered,  trembled 

Agroted,  part. pa,  cloyed,  furfeited ;  agroConc  with 
xnete  or  drinke.  Jngurgli:  P^pmpt.  parv. 

Agniler,  n.Fr,  a  needle-cafe 

A)uft,  V.  Fr,  to  apply 

Akehorns,  m,  pi.  Sax.  acornt 

Aknowe,  part,  pa.  Sax.  to  ben  aknowe ;  I  am  a- 
knowe ;  1  acknowledge 

Al*  alle,  aJj,  Sax,  all ;  al  and  Tom,  the  whole 
thing ,  at  al,  in  the  whole ;  over  all,  through 
the  whole;  in  alle  manere  wife,  by  every  kind 
of  means;  at  alle  rightes,  with  every  thing  re- 
quifite 

Alain,  pr.  n,  a  poet  and  divine  of  the  isth  century. 
Befide  his  PhnSlus  Natura,  or  Plaint  of  Kinde, 
which  is  here  quoted,  he  wrote  another  poem 
in  Latin  verfc,  called  Anticlaudianus.  For  the 
reft  of  hii  works  fee  Fubrit.  Biht,  Mid,  Ait,  in  v. 
Alanus  Ji  Jrfulis 

Alder,  aller,  gin.  ca,  pi,  of  all ;  it  is  frequently 
joined  in  compofirion  with  adjeAives  of  the  fu- 
pcrl.  dcg.  e.  jf."tilderfinl ;  alderlaft ;  alderlcvcft; 
lirft,  lafl,  dcarcft  of  all 

Al»  all,  adv.  Sax,  generally  anfwers  to  the  Lat. 
tmnitto;  al  alone,  quite  alone;  «1  hoi,  entire; 
ai  holly,  entirely  ;  all  in  one,  at  the  fame  time  ; 
ail  newe,  anew ;  al  only,  folely,  fmgly.  It  is 
lomerimcs  ufed  clliptically  for  although,  or  all 
be  it  that ;  all  tell  I  not  now  as  now  his  obler- 
vances ;  all  he  ye  not  of  o  complexion 

Alargcd,^«r<.^a.  Fr,  eftargi,  given  largely 

Alauns,  n,  pi,  a  fpecies  of  dog.  I'hey  were  much 
cfleemcd  in  Italy  in  the  14th  century.  G««/v. 
de  la  famma^  [ap.  Murator.  Antiq.  Med.  M.  t. 
J  I.  p.  394,]  commends  the  governors  of  Milan, 
'*  quod  equog  emiflarioa  equabus  magnis  com- 
**  mifcucrunt,  et  procreati  funt  in  noftro  tcrri- 
**  torio  Defirarii  nobiles,  qui  in  magoo  pretio 
'*  habentur.  Item  Canes  Alamos  alts  fiaturae  et 
**  mirabilis  fortitudinis  nutrire  ftuduerunt" 

Alayne,  «.  Fr.  allay,  a  mixture  of  bale  metal 

Albification,  m.  Lat,  a  chemical  term  for  making 
white  [(alt 

Alcaly,  M,  Arah,  a  chemical  term  for  a  fpecict  of 

Aichymilk-e,  n.  Fr,  alchymift 


AldrJan,^r.  «.  a  Aar  on  the  nerk  nf  the  lion,  S^. 

Ale  and  bred.  This  oath  of  Sire  Thopas  otk  ils 
and  bred  was  perhaps  intended  tn  ridicvk  the 
folcmn  vows  which  were  frequently  made  a 
the  dayb  of  chivalry  to  a  peacock,  a  pheafaat, 
or  fonic  other  noble  bird.  See  M.  de  S^xtrf^ 
laycy  Sur  rant,  cie^al,  Mem.  II  /me.  I  will  iM 
here,  from  our  own  hiflory,  a  mod  renarkabk 
infiance  of  this  ftrange  pradlicc.  When  £^ 
ward  I.  W94  fetting  out  upon  hi»  lad  ezpediti« 
to  Scotland  in  1 306,  he  knighted  hii  cldeft  fan 
and  feveral  other  young  nnblemen  wkb  ficc 
folemnity.  At  the  clofe  of  the  whole,  (fays 
Matthew  of  Wcflminftcr,  p,  454,)  ••  AUati  fan: 
**  in  pompatica  gloria  duo  cygmi  vel  eUru  ante 
"  regcm,  phalerati  retibus  aurcis  vcl  fiftab 
**  deauratis,  dcfiuerabilc  fpcdtactilum  ianmti- 
"  bus.  Quibus  vific,  Rn  vt/wm  wwr/W  «ff4 
^  TS^f'  f^  proficifci  in  Scoiiam,  mortem  Jcbs- 
**  nifi  Comyncr  fidcm  laefam  Sootorvm  nm 
"  five  mcrtuui  vinUicatunis/'  Ac  Thii  poi- 
tice  is  alluded  10  in  Dunbar ' a  "wilh,  ihattkh^ 
Vfere  jtine  Thomfimmu  aum,  mf.  MmMmmd,  ft.  j^ 

I  wold  gif  all  that  ever  I  have 

To  that  condition,  fo  GcTd  me  <*'f|, 

That  ye  had  vervit  to  the /mass 

Ane  ycir  to  be  Johce  I'homiboais  mib 

And  fo  in  the  Prol.  to  the  Contin.  of  The  CutT. 

the  Hoficlcr  fays — I  make  a  vowe  to  the  peod 

ther  fiiall  wake  a  foulc  mift 
Alege,  jr.  Fr.  to  alleviate 
Alegeance,  n.  Fr.  alleviation 
Aleis,  IT.  Fr,  alife,  the  lotc  tree 
Alembikes,  m.pl,  Fr,  vrfieitfbr  di6illin|r,  fiiflb 
Ale.ftake,  m.  Sax,  a  fiake  fct  «p  before  an  ilrfcrf 

by  way  of  fign 
Aleye,  ».  Fr,  an  alley 

Algates,  Algate,  a/v.  Sam,  alwayt;  tODtediw 
Algezir,/r.  if.  a  city  of  Spain 
Alight,  tr.   Sax,  to  -defccnd;  alighr,  /».  «.  k 

alighted 
Alifandre,  ^r.  it.  Alexandria,  a  city  io  Egypt 
Allege,  V.  Fr,  to  aliedge 
Almageft,  pr.  n.  the  Arabs,  called  the  JViyali 

Z»vr*^f  ef  Ptolomee  Alma|;rflhi  or  AlmcfittH 

a  corruption  of  hlyynn.  See  D*Uerbclot,ia  k 
Almandres,  m.pl.  Fr.  aimoml  tree* 
Almefie,  n.  Sax.  from  the  Lat.  Gr. 

alms,  Almeflcs,^. 
Abath,  pr,  H,  the  firft  ftar  in  the  horat  of  .liity 

whence  the  firft  manfion  of  the  aocn  lakn  ift 

name,  Sp. 
Alondc,  (a*]ondc)  on  land 
Along,  prep.  Sax.  whereoQ  it  wa»  alonf,  by  irfB 

it  was  occafioncd  ;  on  me  is  nonvht  ala»f  iMtf 

evil  fare,  thy  ill  fare  is  not  occaiioned  by  Of 
Aloftd,/>jr/./j.  Fr,  praifed 
Aloue,  V.  Fr.  to  allow,  to  approw,  hii  dedal*. 

to  alowc  for   his   hardynefle,  thertfiorc  M 

alow  him  litle,  or  lyilen  to  his  rra£ja 
Alowe,  adv.  Sax.  low 
Alpes,  n.  pi,  bulfinchea 
Als,  C9ffj,  Sa:s,  alfo^  i« 


OLOSSART. 


f« 


ling,  a  chemical   term  for  miziog  o£ 
liver  with  any  metal 
trie,  M.  Fr,  embaffy 

8,  two  aces  at  dice,  Fr, 
,  part,  fr,  Fr, 

,  V,  Fr,  to  mend 

:,  V  Fr,  to  kflen 

,/ar/.  fa.  Fr.  moTed 

r.  u.  the  city  of  Amiens 

,  pr^,  Satf.  at,  or  in  the  middle 

V.  Satt.  ill,  hadly.  See  Mis 

e,  «.  Fr.  to  admoqifli,  to  advife 

a<h.  Sax.  together,  at  the  fame  time,  at 

ne  piacc.  Da.  198,  ever  among,  ever  ^tt 

ne  time,  Corf,  Am.  1x4,  b. 

i^prtp.  Sax.  amotg 

:,  n,  Fr.  an  amorous  woman.— And  eke 

1  by  [r.  be]  amorettes.— Gir  aaji  bitrnfimt 

Ites^  orig. 

,  is  perhaps  put  by  miltake  for  merrily. 

.fi,part.  pa.  Fr.  killed 

,  ofi  the  morrow  [fiona 

4ogie8,  n,  pi.  Fr,  Gr.  ambigums  cxpref- 

>n,  prtp. 

I.  Lai.  a  maid-fef faot 

,  Fr.  anchor 

.  Sax.  if 

X.  akindofknife  or  dagger,ufually  wotnat 

die.  See  Cief.  /•  Af.  Faru^  in  v.  AmtUachu 

9.  for  ones,  once 

V.  Sax.  to  hang  up 

ed,  part.  pa.  Fr.  reduced  to  nothing 

in  the  night 

.  Sax.  an  anchorite  or  hermit 

r,  n.  a  prieft  employed  folely  in  finging; 

s,  or  anniverfary  maiTes  for  the  dead  ' 

It,  part,  pa.  Lot.  foretold 

Fr.  hurt,  trouble 
.  to  hurt,  to  trouble 
adj.  hurtful,  unpleafant 
r.  Sax.  an  anthem 

lian,  the  title  of  a  Latin  poem  by  Alanus 
ills.  SctAlaim 

\t^pr.  H,  Antilochus,  2>v.  1064*  [anthems 
lere,  x.  Lat.  Gr.  a  book  of  antiphones  or 
r.  Sax,  an  anvil,  Dn.  1x65. 
Sax.  either,  one  of  two.  It  ufually  figni* 
:  of  many 

ft.  pa.  Fr,  paid,  fatisfied 
.  Fr.  See  Apcire 

ax.  metaphorically  a  fool,  the  monke  put 
mannes  hode  an  ape,  and  in  his  wife's 
e  monk  made  a  fool  of  the  man  and  of 
e  too— Win  of  ape.  • 

f,  Fr,  to  impair,  to  derraA  from;  our 
apeires— to  be  impaired,  to  go  to  ruin, 
jr.  Fr.  open,  prive  and  apert,  in  private 
public 

*  opies,  x.pl.  Fr.  o{>iate8 
,  part,  pa.  Fr.  made  pale 
J,  9.  Fr.  to  prepare 
e,  n.  Fr.  an  appearance 
re,  V  Fr.  to  perceive 
rings,  x.pi.  perceptions 
V.  Fr,  to  dciire,  to  coret 


Appofe,  V.  Fr.  to  oh]c€t  to,  to  ^ilion.    It  (eemt 

to  be  a  corruption  of  oppofe 
Approver,  a.  Fr.  an  informer 
Aprentife,  x.pf.  /r.  apprentices,  novices 
Aqucintablr,  adj.  Fr.  cafy  to  be  acquainted  witk 
Aquitc,  V.  Fr.  to  pay  for 
Ai  ace,  ».  Fr.  to  draw  away  by  force 
Arande,  a,  S0x.  a  meflagc 

Araye,  x.  Fr.  order,  fituation,  clothing,  equipage 
Araye,  v.'Fr  to  drefs,  to  difpofe. 
Arblafters,  x,  pi.  Fr.  arbalcftres,  engines  to  caft 

darts,  &c 
Archangel,  x.  the  herb  fo  called ;  a  dead  nettle^ 

Glofld  Ur. — In  the  orig.  it  u  melange,  the  bird 

which  we  call  a  titmoufe 
Archebi(bop,iv.  Sax,  IM  an  archbiihop 
Archedeken,«.  Sax.  Lai.  an  archdeacon 
Archediacrc,  x.  Fr.  Archdeacon 
Archewives,  wivrs  of  a  fuperior  order 
Ardure,  x.  Fr.  burning 

Arede,  v.  Sax.  to  interpret,  Du,  189.  See  iUdo 
Areife,  v.  Sax.  to  raife 
Arerage,  n.  Fr.  arrear 
Arefone,  tr.  Fr.  arraifoiier»  to  reafon  wicb 
Arefte,  x.  Fr.  arreft,  conilraint,  delay 
Arefte,  v.  Fr.  to  ftop 
Arette,  «.  Fr.  to  impute  to 
Argoil,  X.  Fr.  potters  clay 
Ariete,  pr,  a.  Aries,  on^  of  the  figns  10  the  t odke 
Ariftotle,/r.  X.  a  treatife  on  perfpedive  under  hi* 

name  i»  mentioned  by  Vincent  of  Beauvaif  in 

the  X3th  century,  Sp/e.  Hi/tor.  1.  iii.  c.  84,  Exm 

etiam  liher^  qui  dieitur,  PtrfpeHi'va  Ariftotcltft 
Arivage,  x.  Fr.  as  arivaile 
Arivaile,  *.  Fr.  arrival 

Ark,  X.  Lat.%  part  of  the  circumference  of  a  circle 
Arme,  x.  may  perhaps  be  put  for  defence,  fecurity 
Amp-grcte,  adj.  Sax.  as  thirk  as  a  man's  arm 
Armipotent,  ad;,  Lat.  mighty  in  arms 
Armies,  ad/.  Sax.  without  an  arm 
Armorike,  pr.  x.  Bafle  Bretagne  in  France,  called 

anciently  Britannia  Armorica 
Armure,  x.  Fr,  armour 
Arn,  pi.  n.  of  am,  v.  Sax.  are 
Amolde  of  the  newe  town,  pr.  x.  of  a  phyfician 

and  chemift  of  the  13th  century.  See  Fahrit^. 

BUd.  Med.  JEt.  in  v.  Arnaldus  Villaxwaxxs 
Aroume,  fectns  to  fignify  at  large ;  arowme,  or 

more  utter,  remote,  deprope.  feorfum.  Prompt. 

Parv.  [celfively 

A'row,  in  a  row,  probably  from 'the  Fr.  rue,  fac« 
Arfmetrike,  jr.  Lat,  arithmetic 
Arte,  V.  Lai.  to  cohilrain 
Artelries,  x,pi,  Fr.  artillery 
As,  adv.  Sax,  alfo  ;  omHixoftc.   As  fail,  very  faft  % 

as  fwith,  very  quickly,  immediately  [fay 

Afcaunce,  aflcow,  afide,  fideways ;— as  if,  as  if  to 
Aflien,  m.  pi.  Sax.  aihes 
Aflake,  v.  Sax.  to  fiacken,  to  abate 
Afpe,  X.  Sax,  a  fort  of  poplar 
Afpen,  adj.  of  an  afp 
Afpie,  V.  Fr.  to  efpy 
Airre.  adj.  Fr.  rough,  iharp 
AlprenelTe,  x.  (harpnefs 
Aflaut,  a,  Fr.  alTault 

S 


47»  «  L  O  S 

Affegc,  n.  Fr,  ficjrc 

Aflerh,  «.  Fr.  fufficient,  enough 

AfTifc,  fi.  Fr  iituation 

Aflbile,  V.  Fr.  to  abfolve,  to  anrwer,airoileth,  imp. 

in.  ad  pcrf.  pi. 
A^omoncd,  part. pa.  fumtnoncd 
Alfurc,  V.  Fr.  to  confide 
Aftcrtc,  "J,  Sax,  to  efcapc,  to  relcafe ;  afterte  for 

aflcrtcd,/ar/.  ^.7. 
AiioncdjZL^onicdf  part,  pa,  Fr.  confounded,  afto- 

niihed 
AArclabrc,  n.  Fr.  adrolabe 
Aftrolofrieii, «.  Fr,  aftrologer 
Afweycdfpart.pa.  Sax,  Ilupified,  as  in  a  dream 
Afwone,  ill  a  fwoon 
At,  zxttyprep.  Sjx,  at  after  foupcr,  as  foon  as  fup- 

per  wus  finiihed ;  at  day,  at  break  of  day ;  at 

on,  of  one  mind 
Atake,  v.  Sax.  to  overtake — for  zta!ken,  part,  pa, 
A'thre,  in  three  parts 
Attamed,  part.  pa.  Fr.  enlami^  opened,  begun, 

tailed,  felt,  difgraced 
Attempre,  aiij.  Fr.  temperate 
Attemprely,  adv.  Fr,  temperately 
Attonr,  n.  Fr.  head-drefs 
Attry,  atterly,  adj.  Sax.  poifonous,  pernicious 
A'cwiunei  a*two ;  in  two,  afunder 
Avale,  V.  Fr,  to  lower,  to  let  down,  to  fall  liown 
ATance,  v.  Fr.  to  advance,  to  proiic 
Avant,  ff.  Fr.  boaft 
Avantage, ».  Fr.  advantage 
Atante,  v.  Fr.  to  boall 
Avaunt,  adv,  Fr.  forward 
Audoritee,  n.  Lat.  a  text  of  Scripture  or  of  fome 

rcfpcdable  writer 
Audour,  n.  Lat.  a  writer  of  credit 
Avcnaunc,  adj.  Fr.  becoming 
Aventailc,  «.  Fr.  the  fore  part  of  the  armour  Sk, 

the  kpcrture  for  breathing  in  a  helmet 
Avcnturc,  n.  Fr.  adventure 
Averrois,/r.  n.  £bu  Rofchd,  an  Arabian  phyfician 

of  the    lath   century.     See   D*Herbelat  in  v. 

R'.fchd. 
Avicen,  pr.  n.  Ebn  Sina,  an  Arabian  phyfician  of 

the  icth  century.  Sec  D' HerMot  in  v.  Sina 
Au^ht,  M.  Sax.  any  thing.  It  is  fomctimes  ufcd  as 

an  adverb;    if  that  the  childes  mother  were 

aught  ihe,  can  he  ought  tell  a  merry  tale  or 

tweie  ? 
Aught,  pa.  t.  of  owe,  as  ought 
Aught.wherc,  adv.  Sax.  any  where 
Augrim,  a  corruption  of  Algorithm 
Augrim  doneit,  the  pebbles  or   counters  which 

were  anciently  ufed  in  numeration 
Avis,  n.  Fr.  advife 
Avifand,  part.  pr.  obfcrviog 
Avife,  V.  Fr.  to  obfcrve ;  avifeth  you,  imp.  m.  ad 

perf.  pi. ;  look  to  yourl'elveSj  take  care  of  your- 

felves 
Avifion,!!.  -Fr.  vif.on 
Aumble,  «.  Fr.  an  ambling  pace 
Aumcner,  n.  Fr.  aum«7nicfc,  a  purfe 
Aimierc,  n.  aumerc  of  filke,  bourfe  dc  foy,  orig.  It 

fccm-.  to  be  a  corruption  of  aumener.  [ture 

Auntr?,  V,  Fr.  corruption  of  ^venture,  to  advcn- 


S  A  R  Y.  I 

Anntrous,  <7';.  advcnturoiin  ' 

Aurora,  the  ttile  of  a  Latin  metrical  vrrfj.-in  df 
frveral  pan*  of  the  Bible  by  Pecnit  dc  Ri^j,  j 
Oalon  of  Rhcinw,  in  rue  lith  century.  Leyier, 
in  liis  Hji.  P.ti.  Med.  JEvi.  p.  69a — 73^,  ku 
given  large  extracts  from  tlui  work, and  aiBK| 
others  the  }.  tffage  which  Chaucer  fccms  to  hm 
had  in  his  lyc 

Anre  Jchal  vario:  ferramentt  notat  idnt. 
Pondera  i'brar  in  hii.  0>n  fona  qosquc&at. 
Hoc  invcnu  modo  prius  cH  art  mulica,  ^uw 

vis 
Pythagoram  dicant  hanc  docniiTe  privib 

Avouterer,  avoutcr,  ».  Fr.  an  adulterer 

Avouteiic,  a\-outrie,  4.  adultery 

Avow,ir./'r.  vow 

Autcr,  n.  Fr.  altar 

An-aite, «.  Fr.  watch 

Awaitir^'.  part.pr.  'ccepinfr  watch 

AwapLUj^di:  pa.  i>ax.  c«.:ifoundcd|  {lapi£cd 

A  wayward,  adv.  :ax.  away 

Awrcke,  v.  •''ax.  to  revenge 

Axe,  V  Sjx.  to  aflc 

Axing,  n.  rcqutd 

Ay,  aJv.  '^a\:  ever 

Ayel, ».  Fr.  grandfather 

Ayen,  adv.  and  prep,  again 

Ayenft,  prep,  againtt 

Ayenwaid,  mdv.Sax,  back 


Ba,  V.  feemito  he  formed  fro'vi  balTe,  r.  /V.uU 
Bachelcr,  n.  Fr.  an  unmarried  man,  a  knighr.AH 

who  has  taken  his  hrft  deforce  in  an  luiireriiif 
Bacheleric,  n.  Fr.  knigbtbood,  tlie  bachcicrie,  ihi 

knight 
Badc,/>(7.  /.  of  bede 

Badder,  eoirip.  d.  of  bad.  ^dj.  Sax.  worfe 
Bagge,  V.  to  fwcU,  to  dif.ioin,  iSi. ;  rather  periap 

to  fquint 
Baggingly,  adv.  feems  to  be  the  tranflatioa  qf  a 

iorgnoyjnt,  fquintingly 
Baillie,  m.  Fr,  cuftody.  goTernmrnt 
Baite,  v.  Sax.  to  feed,  to  ftop  to  feed 
Balance,  m,   Fr.  doubt,  fufpenfc,    I  dare  lar  m, 

balance  all  that  I  have,   1   dare  wager  all  ite 

I  have 
Bale,  m.  Sax.  mifchief,  forrow 
Bales,  r.  bala-s,  pr.  n.  Fr.  a  fort  of  baftard  ruby 
Balkes,  a.  pi.  Sax  the  timbers  of  the  roof 
Balled,  adj.  fmooth  as  a  ball,  bald 
Bandon,  «.  Fr.  See  Du  Cange  in  ?.  Abandons.  !• 

her  bandon,  to  her  dilpoUl;  a  fon  hasiia^ 

orig. 
Bane,  n.  Sax.  deflrufiion 
Barbe,  n.  a  hood  or  muffler  which  rovrrcdtki 

lower  part  of  the  face  and  the  Ihoulden.  ^ 

Du  Cange  in  v.  Barbata 
Baren,  pa,  t.  pi.  of  here,  v.  Smx,  bore 
Bargaine,  ».  Fr.  contention 
£argarct,a./>.  hfrgcrcttc^  a  fort  cf  fczig 


r,  A.  Sax.  the  tap 
:•  cloth,  sn  apron 
fi.  Fr,  a  bar  of  a  door,  a  ftripe 
ne,  ai^.  Sax,  barren 
ok,  ff.  a.  a  bafiliik 
M.  Fr,  a  kifs 

g,  part.fr.  {evfittf^  (ligfitty 
zA^parf.pa.  Fr.  embattled 
,  for  bothe 

,  V.  Sax.  we  (hould  rather  fay  to  baft 
,  adj.  Fr.  joyouf 
rie,  baudrie,  n.  pimping,  keeping  a  bawdj' 

,  adj.  dirtjr,  with  baudy  cote,  Lytlg.  Tra.  b. 
•.  16.  b. 

1,  pr.  n.  Fr.  originally  a  bay  horfe ;  a  horfc 
cneral 

iodt>w,  a  large  window;  probably  fo  called, 
tufe  it  occupied  a  whole  bayy  i.  «.  the  fpace 
ireen  two  crofibeams 
1^.  Sdx.  by 
r  been, part.  pa.  Sax, 
lembl^t,  Fr.  fair  appearance 
>ire,'  Fr.  fair  Sir,  a  mode  of  addrefs 
[de^part.  pa.  Sax.  covered  with  biood 
te,  V.  Sac.  to  (lain 
*,  /r.  to  nod 
pc,  V.  Sax.  to  catch 

:d,  part.  pa.  Sax.  mad^  a  fool  of.  See  Daffe 
p.  Sax.  CO  order,  to  bid,  to' offer,  to  pray;  to 
:  his  necke,  to  offer  his  neck  for  execution 
:,  V.  Sax.  to  make  to  dote,  to  deceive.     See 

le,  adj.  Sax.  confined  to  bed 
utCt  part,  pa,  drenched,  thoroughly  wetted 
i,pl.  Sax.  bees 

for  befell, />a.  /.  of  Wall,  t».  Sax. 
n,  bw'fcirne,  aJv.zndprep.  Sax.  before 
i,  part.  pa.  Fr.  beguiled 
,  part.  pa.  of  bego,  v.  Sax.  gone ;  wcl  begon, 
good  way;  wo  begon,  far  gone  in  wo; 
fc  begon,  in  a  worfe  way  ;  with  gold  begon, 
ted  over  with  gold,  a  or  paintst^  orig. 
le,  part.  pa.  of  beginne,  v  Sax.  begun 
c,  n.  Sax.  half,  fide  or  part 
:,  n.  Sax.  to  promife 
,  v.  Sax.  to  promife 
e^ part. pa.  Sdx:  coloured.  Sec  Hewc 
te,  V.  Sax.  promife 
te,  pjrt.  pa.  promifed 
ten,/<7.  t.pl.  promifed 
!,  7i.  Sax,  behoof,  advantage 
impart. pa.  Sax,  tricked,  laughed  at 
vne,  ^.  Sax,  to  confefs 
y,  Fr.  good  friend 

, «.  Sax.  belief;  hi»  bclcve,  his  creed 
dj.fem.  Fr.  fair 
:;.  Sax.  to  roar 
lere,  Fr.  good  cheer 

faudc,  F.  iii.  707,  the  fair  Ifaude,  the  mif- 
of  Triftan ;  (he  is  called  Ifoude 
«.  Sax.  bellows 
n,  pi.  Sax,  trumpets 
/.  w.  Sax,  to  be,  pr,  t,  pi,  arc,  pari,  pa. 


Glossary.  m 

Benched,  part.  pa.  furnifiied  with  behcheif 


Bende,  n.Fr.  ^  band  or  horizontal  ttript 
Bending,  n.  ftrip!ng,  niaking  of  bands  or  ftnpet 
Bene,  n.  Sax,  a  bean,  and-al  n*as  wurth  a  bene 
Benedicite !  i.  at.  an  exclamation,  ai\fwering  to  our 

blefs  lis  !  it  was  often  pronounced  as  a  trifyllidilci 

Bencite! 
Benigne,  a^,  Fr.  kind 
Benime,  v.  Sax.  to  take  away 
Benifon,  n.  Fr,  benedi<flion 
BchomcTit  paft.  pa.  of  benime,  taken  aWay 
Bent,M.  Sax.  the  bending  or  declivity  of  a  hiJI 
B.erained,/ar/.^.  Sax.  raiAed  upon 
Berde,  n.  Sax.  beard  ;  to  make  any  one's  berdc,  to 

cheat  him. 
Bere,  m.  Sax.  a  bear 
Bere,  v.  Sax.  to  bear,  to  carry;  to  bere  in  or  on 

hand,  to  accnfe  falfely,  to  perfuade  f&Uely;  to 

here  the  belle,  to  carry  the  prize 
BeVe,  it.  Sax.  a  bier,  a  pillowbiear 
Bering,  n.  Sax  behaviour 
Berme,  m.  Sax.  yeft 
Bernard,  pr.  n.  L.  W.  x6.  St.  BcmArd,  Abbot  of 

Clair vaux  in  the  lath  century.   Our  author  al^ 

ludes  to  a  proverbial  faying  concerning  hin), 

Sernardus   ipfi  ntn  vidit  omnia.     See  Hoffman 

in  V. 
Bernard,  pr.  n.  a  phyfician  of  Montpelier  in  the 

13th  century 
Berne,  n.  Sax.  a  barm 
Befant,  n.  Fr.  a  piece  of  gold,  fo  called  becaufe  firffc 

coined  at  Byzantium,  now  Conftlntinople,  SM. 
Befeke,  v.  Sax.  to  befeech 
Bcfet,  befottc,  part,  pa  Sax.  placed^  employed 
Befey,  part.  pa.  of  befee,  v.  Sax.  befcen ;  evil  be- 

fey,  ill-befcen,  of  a  bad  appearance ;  richly  befey^i 

of  i.  rich  appeirance 
Beihct,/ar/./^.  Siix,  (hut  up. 
Bcfhrcwe,  if.  Sax.  to  curfe 
Belide,/rif/.  Sax.  by  the  fide  of 
■  Befmotred,  part.  pa.  Sax.  (inuttcd 
Befpet,  part.  pa.  Sax,  fpit  uj^on 
Beftadde,  beflad,   part.  fa.  Sax.  fituated;   it  ii 

fomrtimcs  ufcd  in  an  ill  fenfe  for  diftrefled 
Beftc,  H.  Fr.  a  bcaft 
Bcfty,  ddj.fnp.  Sax,  bcft 
Befy.  adj.  ^ix.  bufy 
Bet,  bette,  adv.  comp.  for  better 
Betake,  v.  Sax.  to  give,  to  recommend  to 
Betaught,//!.  t.  recommended  to 
Bete,  V,  Sax.  to  prepare,  make  ready;  to  b^te 

fires,  to  make  fires — to  mend;  to  heal;  to  bctc 

uettes,  CO  nlend  nets;  to  bete  forwe,  to  heal 

forrow 
Bete,  V.  Fr,  to  beat 
Beteeche,  'o.  as  betake 
Beth,  imp.  m.  ^d perf.pl.  Sax^)^  y^ 
Betid,  bciidde,/a.  t.  et  pdrt,  of  betide,  v.  Smx,  hap* 

pened  ^ 

Betoke,  pa.  t.  of  betake,  recommended  . 
Bccraifcd,  part,  pa,  tr,  betrayed ;  thel  baTC  be« 

traifed  thee 
Bctwix,  betwixen, /r//.  Sax,  between  ^ 

Bcwepe,  v.  Sax.  to  weep  over 
Bcwrcy,  bcwrie,  v.  Sax.  to  difcovcr 
V  tt 


^4 


OIjO^SAKY. 


Bcyc,  V,  Sax,  to  buy.    Sec  Abeye 

"BtjciQ,  part- pa.  Sax  begotten 

Siaiacoit,  /r.  «.  Fr.  Bei-accucil,  courteout  recep* 
tion 

Bibbed, /^r/  /ix.  /.a/,  drunk 

Bible,  n   hr.  any  great  book 

]9icchel  bones,  uled  in  playing  a  particular  kind 
of  game  of  hazard 

Biddc,  V  as  bede 

Bie,  V.  Sax.  to  fuiTcr.     See  Abeye 

Bij;ine,/r.  n  ^>.  B«guine,  a  nun  of  a  certain  or- 
der.    See  Da  Cange  in  v.  Beghitut 

Biker,  n    Sa.v.  a  quarrel 

Bilder,  IT.  Sax.  a  builder;  the  bilderoke',  the  oak 
ufed  in  building 

Bill,  n.  a  letter 

Bimene,  v.  Sax.  to  bcnooan 

J^int,  for  bindeth 

Birde  for  bride,  m.  Saxj  i  Wit  chtrc  was  fimple, 
as  birde  in  bour,  i.  e.  as  bride  in  cbauiber-* 
fimphfut  c^mmc  une  efpoufire,  orig. 

Bifmare,  n.  ax  abtilive  fpcech ;  and  bold,  and 
abiding,  bilinaies  to  fuiTcr 

$it,  for  bidde-h 

Bitore,  n.     r.  a  bittern 

l^ilrcnt,  p^ri  pa.  twilled,  carried  round ;  perhaps 
from  the  Sax,  circumJure 

Biwopen,  part,  pa,  of  bewepe,  drowned  in  tears. 

Slancmanger,  h.  Fr  feems  to  have  been  a  very 
different  diih  in  the  time  of  Chaucer,  from  th<it 
Mfhich  is  now  called  by  the  fame  name.  There 
if  a  receipt  for  making  it  in  mf.  Harl.  one  of 
fhe  ingredients  is  the  brawne  of  a  capon  leafed 
fmall 

BlaniJiie,  v.  Fr.  to  flatter 

Blanche  fevcre.  See  Cotgra^  in  v.  Firvres  Uanchts: 
the  agues  wherewith  maidens  that  have  the 
greenficknrfs  are  troubled;  and  hence  it  a  Us 
Juvres  tlanchcsy  either  he  is  in  love  or  flck  of 
wantonnefs 

BIc,  n.  Sax   colour 

Bice  pr.  a  a  forcft  in  Kent,  l/r, 

Bleinc,  ft   Sax.  a  puftule 

BIe:ia,  V.   ax.  to  blind,  todccehre 

Blend,  pa.  t.  of  blend 

Bknt,;»ii  /.of blcnche,  V. .?j». ihrinked,{brted,afide 

Bkrcdj/art.  pa.  .icx.  in  its  literal  fcnfe  is  ufcd  to 
iiefcribc  a  particular  difordtr  of  the  eye,  attend* 
ed  with   ibrenefs  and  dimncfs  of  fight;    but 

-  more  commonly,  in  Chaucer,  a  man's  eye  t« 
laid  to  be  blercd,  metaphorically,  when  he  is 
any  way  impofcd  upon 

Blcvc,  V,  Sax.  to  (lay 

Biin,  V  Sac.  to  ceafc 

Bliflc,  V     ax,  to  bkfi 

Blivt,  bt  live,  adv  .S'*ix.  quickly 

Biofme,  n.  >^ax.  bloITom,  «  to  blolTom 

Blofmy,  fi.'f;  full  of  bloflbms 

Bob-up-and  down,  pr.  n.  of  a  town  in  the  road  to 
Canterbury  :  it  is  not  marked  in  the  couunOn 
maps 

Bobancc.  »  Fr  b^aftin;!^ 

Boche,  H  Fr  bofl'c,  a  fwcHing,  a  wtn  or  Voil 

B'de,   h<H  en,  part,  pu,  of  btdc«  v.    Hax.   bidden, 

C^U^lUUdcd 


Bode,^a.  /.  of  bide,  v.  Ssx,  remaifiei 

Bode.  n.  Sax.  a  (lay  or  delay,  an  onaai 

Bodekin,  m.  Sax.  a  dagger 

Boece,  pr.  n.  Boethius.      His  moft  popalar  vo^ 

De   Cox  ^alat tone   Pbilofupibi^,    vras   craoflatcd  by 

Chaucer  certainly  before  I38l»   and  probsMy 

m>ich  earlier;  the  refledlions  on  predeftiiutioi 

(of  which  there  i»  no  trace  in   the  FilodmB^ 

are  almofl  entirely  raken  from  Bo.  v.  /r.  j. 
Boifte,  «-.  Fr.  a  bos 
Boiftous,  adj.  Sax.  boifterous,  ffongh, 
Bordoufly,  adfo.  roughly 
Bokeler,  n.  Fr.  a  buckler 
BokcUng.^ar/  pr.  Fr.  buckling 
Boket,  m.  Sd%.  a  bucket 
Bolas,  jv.  bullace,  a  fort  of  plumb  or  floe 
Bt>Ie  armoniac,  Armenian  earth,  Fr   Gr, 
Bollen,^r/  pa,  of  bodge,  «.  :«x.  fwoltcB 
Bolt,  H.  Sax.  an  arrow,  bolt-upright,  ftraig^  m 
■    an  arrow 
B^ne,  n.  i'ax- a  boon,  petition,  he  bsdehemaSi 

bone,  ht>  made  a  rcqucft  to  them  alL 
Boras,  m  Fr.  borax 
Bord,  H.  Fr.  a  border ;  the  fiide  of  a  fliip;  oitf 

bord 
Borde,  m   Sax.  a  table 

Br>rdel,  ti.  Fr  a  brothel — bordel-women,  wksci 
Bordellers,  «.  pt  keepers  of  bawdyhoufcs 
Borel,  M.  Fr.  bureau,  coarfc  cloth  uf  a  brofWi» 

lour.     See  Da  Camgr  in  v.  BmreUou 
Borcl,  adj.  made  of  plain  coarfc  iluff — ^borcllBSi 

bord  men,  laymen. 
Borwe,  n     :ax.  a  pledge;   hath  bid   to  bsrvc; 

hath  pledged  ;  have  here   my  feith  to  bonR; 
.  have  here  my  faith  for  a  pledge;  ScintJohoB 

b.rwe;  St.  John  being  my  ffcurity. 
Bofard,  H.  Fr,  a  buzzard,  a  fpccics  of  hawk^ 

for  fporting 
BofTe,  n  Fr  ^  protuberance 
Bofl,  n.  Sax  pride,  boailing 
BoH.-adv  aloud;  he  cracked  boft 
Bote,  X.  Sax.  remedy,  help,  prufic 
Bote,  V.  Sax.  to  help 
B  >te,/a.  /.  of  bite,  v.  Sax.  bit 
Borelct,  adj.    ax.  bootlefs,  remedilefs 
Bote),  bottclle,  n.  Fr  bottle 
B'tterflie,  m.  iax,  a  butterfly 
Bothe,  adj.  Sax.  two  together ;  our  borhe  bkn^ 

the  labour  of  us  two  together;  Mum  ^- 

rum  lahr.r 
Bothc,  conj,    is  generally  ufed   to  copnbte  zm 

niembeis  of  a  fentence,  but  fometimcs 


And  rent  aidoun  bothe  wall,  and  raftei^- 
To  whom  bothe  hevcn,  and  crtbe,  aid  At^ 
is  fene. 

So  the  Greeks  fomettmes  nfed  A^^fifm.  010  ;t 
Afi^t"^^},  xt^s§  T»  mmt  myktun.  ttai  «vu«( 
Bo^hum.  m.  I  r.  bou:on,  a  bud,  particularly  oiitdt 
Bougeron,  m.  ir.  a  Sodomite 
Boughton-under-bletf,  pr. «.  of  a  town  ia  Kot* 
Bouke,  n.  Sax.  the  body 
Boube,  V   <ax.  to  fife,  to  icpirate  the  fiotf  ^ 

wheat  from  ihc  braa 


:>  «.  Fr,  grmdndji 
,«.  tr,  to  icft. 

I.  4^Ax, »  hyufe^  a  chamber 

I,  ^4f]t.  4  how  I  9.  doggclor  the  bo  we;  a 

ifeii  m  fhooting. 

,  a  blow 

It.  Fr.  armour  for  (he  irm 

rdin,  pr*  m.  Vhom%i  Br^dwardine,  ArcK- 

p  of  Canterburf  in  l.i4V*  Hit  book  D^ 
Dti,  CO  wUicb  our  author  ailudth,  it  In 

,     See  'Tunner  in  ««  BrMLvMrdittm^ 

m,  SaM,  1  lUrt 

V.  San.  to  awaVr»  to  ilart*     See  Abraidc. 

?f  his  wit  he  braidt.*,  he  ran  out  of  hit  feu- 

to  take  off 
jt.  ^  ii.  bmgodf  a  rw««t  drink  made  of 

irort  of  ale,  honey*  aud  fpice  :  it  U  iLill  ia 

I  Walcf.     Richirdi  in  -»   Bmfod 

h  a  wood  iil'.d  in  dying  to  give  a  red  eo- 
Scc  Huetiana,  p.  %bM.  in  the  iiiveDtrj- 
Cbc  eflcas  of   Henry  V.  Rot.  Pjri,  H. 

n,  20, 19  ihe  follawinjj;  urticU,  II  Grsandet 

dk  BrofiU,  pri»  Tis.  viiid. 

I.  Sax,  a  coarfe  nuDllc 

i.  Sax.  breechei 

t.  5d.r«  breadth -,  in  bredc,  abroad 

d^\  Siix,  furiout 

,  ».  Sax*  to  burn — Brent,  p9,  t.  &.  fmri. 

i 

\gly^aJv,  ^«JL'.  body 

m.  //.  fr,  brUf ft 

V.  il^'^'^.  to  Uurft 

I,  *dj.  the  fenfe  it  much  more  clear  than  the 

etymology* 

ij.  /r.  properly  what  b  given  to  a  Hejfgar  j 
it  given  to  an  eztortiiuier  or  cheat, 
i/i/.  m.  fr,  to  beg»  or  pcrhap*  to  lleal.^ 

lot.  ParL  22  E.  IV.  n.  30,  have  ftolcn  ai>d 

d  figncrt*,  (cy^ets)     And  fo  in  P.  P. 

b.  a  bribour  fceim  tn  fitirnify  a  thief,  as 

vi,  pilors,  and  pikchamei^,  are  cblTed  to- 

ITj  and  diU  more  plainly  in  Lydg.  Tra. 


ho  favcth  a  ihcfe  whan  the  rope  i*  kuet^ — 
ith  fomc  iafe  tume  the  bribour  wdl  him 

Ub  ancient  Scottifh  Poems,  p.  1 7 1 1  (I. vH.  h  j 
res*  Upon  fccond  thoughci  I  bcheve  that 
s  wrong  in  aiiopting  this  word  from  mt,  C 
ad  tha;  wc  fhould  rather  read,  with  other 


CertaiQC  he  kuew  of  briberies  aio. 

I .».  Sav.  a  marriage  fcajl 
^  II.  fJ'  •SWjr.  bird;* 


I,  J>.  contcniioa 
Wi  Sax.  breach,  ruiQ 
5c^  Br«mc 


Broeaj^e,  •♦   :i  trcity  by  a  brcker  or  a^ent 

BrucKc,  onijinatly  the  tuu^uc  of  a  buckle  or  ekrp; 
and  from  thence  the  buektc  or  ctafp  itfclf* 

Zf o'*d(:d,  part.  fa.  Fr^  briidcd,  woven 

Brokkifr^^^ijrr  pr.  thrubbing,  (quavering 

Brr<uiehoime,^r.  n.  a  priory  in  Norfolk 

ilrunde  n.  fr.9  torch 

Bfoftcti,  part.  pa.  of  breftc 

Brotel^  a^.  Sax.  brinfe 

Bi^utcfnclle,  IT,  brictteoeOe 

BrotKcrhed,  m.  Sax.  brotherly  a/Tei^ioD 

Broxtdiid^  part,  pa,  fr.  Arai?  cmbruJc^cred 

lir<rtikcn,  inf.  m.  Sax^  to  broolL,cO}«y,  ufo 

Buckcs  home,  a  buck'i  horn ;  to  blow  thebilckM 
home  It  pot  for  any  ufelefi  employment. 

Baffcttc,  n.  J-'r,  a  blow 

Bugle-horn,  n.  a  drinking  vefTci  ro^de  of  horti.— ^ 
GlufT,  Ur.  derive!!  it  from  ^*ictU^e  tormi  i  the 
HloflT,  to  Anc.  Scott.  Po  explains  bowgle  to 
mean  a  bufijio.  I  have  beta  told  thjt  io  Ibme 
parts  of  the  north  a  hti\1  "  ■    ■     btiogle. 

Bumble,  v.  Sijc.  to  make  ,  it  b 

uf'^d  to  difcnbe  the  m»ik  ....*m     .-,  #  L.Ltrn 

Burdoun,  n.  J'r.  ^tntta'itfit  a  hummmg  Huiic*  the 
b:kl^  in  mufisk 

Buriel},  n.pl  Sax.  burfinjf  place* 

ButntdfpiH.pa.  Fr.  buniifbed 

BurneJ  the  aflc*  The  (lory  foppofi?*  thnt  the 
pried*!  fon,  when  he  was  to  be  ord>mc»J,  di* 
rr^ted  h}B  fervant  to  oU  Kim  at  t  ■;, 

and  that  the  cock  whofe  leg  he  I.  v 

broken  hiivtnjf  overheard  this,  pijrrjoivjjr  re- 
frained from  crowing  at  hi^  ufu^l  lime,  by 
which  urtilicc  the  youny^  muo  wai  fullered  to 
fleep  till  the  ordination  wa^over. 

Bumette,  n.  £r*  IruMtUj  cloth  dyed  of  a  brown  tQ* 
foiir.     £ee  Da  Coiigw  ill  Vi  Mvmttum. 

Bulk,  a  bufli 

Butte,  but,  tiJv.  Se.  cnnj.  Sax,  but,  fed — onleTB,  irz/T^ 
1  ne*crc  btit  loft,  «#*  /^«»  nifi  p^Jiu^^onl^y ^ 
which  that  am  btit  lornc- 

But,  piep.  54X.  without,  gloff,  Ur,  t  eannot  fay 
that  t  have  myfclf  obfcrved  thi*  prcpodtion  in 
Chancer,  but  I  may  have  uvcrlooke.;  it  The 
Saxou*  ufed  tt  very  frequently,  and  bow  long 
the  Scottifh  writers  have  laid  it  nUde  1  aiu 
doubtful.  It  occurs  repe^itedty  in  Dp.  Uou^rlati 
but  fpot  or  fault,  p.  j  J.  53 ;  puet«  but  pete,  p* 
9.  I.  f^;  but  and  hen.  p.  125,  L  40,  wkhout 
and  within  ;  titt  an  and  liAmtnt  originally,  I  lup« 
pofe,  it  titan  attd  Ji  tnnan*  By  aud  With  are  m* 
ten  fynonymous. 

BuKonie,  a^.  Sat  obedient,  civil 

Btirumly,  osAo.  Sjh.  "bcdieotly 

By,  prep.  .Sajr.  has  fvinieiime*  tJic  deification  of 
in;  by  the  morwe,  in  the  mornin.^  ur  i\  i^mae; 
by  hi»  life,  in  his  lifetime.     I  i 

adverbially;  by  and  by, near  1  -i 

by,  /t^illatimt  trmpt.  Far^.  tl^lc  w«,itf  U«» 
wordes  by  ami  by,  1,  -,  I'everaUy^  ditLiri^^iy; 
and  fu  .  i  <  phrafe  fbould  b^  tindarfttKid 

in  the  ;  7c^«»tcd. 

Byfomc.     ji.<c  4>tiortJ€ 


^76 


GLOSSARY 


Byraft,  parf.  pa,  of  byrevc,  v.  Saar.  berceved,  taken 

away 
Bywxurd,!!  5ax«  a  proverb 


Cacche,  v.  to  catch 

Cadence,  n.  Fr.  a  fpecics  of  poetical  compofition 

Cairnid,  pr.  n.  of  a  city  in  Breugne 

Caitif,  H.  &  adj.  Tr,  cbetif,  a.  wretch,  wretched 

Oalcination, ».  Fr.  a  chemical  proce£i  by  which 
bodiei  arc  reduced  to  a  cak 

Cakuledj/o.  /.  Fr.  calculated 

Caleweis,  probably  mifwritten;  the  original  has 
la  poire  du  cailhntl.  Cotgrave  fays  that  udU&Mt 
is  the  name  of  a  very  fweet  pear 

Calidone,  pr,  n.  it  ihould  be  Lacedomie 

Caliophia,  pr.  n.  We  Iboald  rather  read  Caljrpfa, 
with  the  two  Bodl.  mfl*.  for  Calypfo. 

Calle»  It.  Fr.  a  fpecics  of  04) 

CamaiUe,  n-  Fr.  a  camel 

CameHne,  m.  Fr.  a  ftuff  made  of  camera  hair 

Campfe,  adj.  Fr.  fiat 

Can,  V.  Sax.  to  know.     See  Coone 

Cananee  ad/.  Fr.  Cananean 

Cane,/r.  h.  Cana  in  Galilee 

Canel,  n.  Fr.  canal,  channel 

Candle,  m.  Fr.  cinnamon 

Canevaa,  m  Fr.  canvas 

Canon,  the  title  of  Avicenne's  great  work.  See 
D^Heibekt  in  v.  Canun 

Cantcl,  n.  Sax.  a  fragment 

Capel,  .H,  Lat.  a  horfe 

Capitaine,  n.  Fr.  a  captain 

Capitolie,  n.  Lat,  the  Capitol  at  Rome 

Cappe,  n.  I^at.  a  carp  or  hood  ;  to  fet  a  man's  cap, 

to  make  a  fool  of  him. 
Captif,  adf,  Fr.  captive 
Cardiacle,  «,  Fr.  Gr.  a  pain  about  the  heart 
Caredes,  n.  pi.  Lat.  Gr.  charaders 
Carf€,pa,  /.'of  carve,  v.  Sax.  cut 
Carle,  i».  Sax.  a  churl,  a  hardy  country  fellow 
Cannes,  n,  pi,  Fr.  Carmelite  friars 
Carole,  m  Fr,  a  fort  of  dance 
Carole,  V.  Fr,  to  dance,  in  caroling,  in  dancing^ 
Carpe, «.  to  talk  ;  by  carping  of  tonge,  by  fpeech 
Carraine,  «.  Fr,  a  carrion,  dead  or  pucrificd  flefli 
Carrike,  ih  Fr»  a  large  (hip 
Carte,  n.  Sax,  a  chariot 
Carter,  n.  Sex,  a  charioteer 
Cas,  m,  Fr,  :at^  chance,  upon  cat^  by  chance 
Cas,  m.  Fr,  tajfe^  a^cafe,  quiver 
Caffiodore,  /r.  n.  Cailiodonis,  a  Roman  fenator  and 
confol,  feveral  of  his  works  are  eataot.     See 
Fabric,  Bill,  Lat.  and  Bihl.  Med.  Mt. 
Calb,  n.  Sax,  a  contrivance 
Cade,  V.  to  throw,  to  contrive 
Ca(leloigne,/r.  n.  Cateloniain  Spain 
Cafuel,  adj,  Fr,  accidental 
Cacapoce,  n,  Fr,  a  fpecies  of  fpurge 
Catel,  a,  Fr,  goods,  vakiable  things  of  all  forts 
4Jacerwawed.    I'o  gon  a  cattrwawed  feems  to  figf 
nify  the  fame  as  to  go  a  caterwawing,  or  cater- 
wawling,  as  it  hM'becn  called  by  later  writers. 


Caught,  /tf.  /.  Sc  pmrt,  of  catch 
Cavilatioun,  n.  Fr.  cavil 
Cecile,  Cccilie,  pr,  m,  Ccv^% 
Ceife,  ccfe,  are  inifi>rinted  for  ielfe, «.  i 

to  lay  hold  of. 
Cderer,  «.  Lat,  CeUjarims^  the  officer  i 

ftcry  who  bad  the  care  of  cbe  pconfic 
Celle, «.  Lai.  a  religiona  hoaic,  it  iooBL 

lot  a  man's  iiead 
Celfltude,  n,  Fr,  highneis 
Ccnfer,  m,  Fr.  an  incenfie  pot 
Ceniing,  part.-pr,  Fr,  fumigating  widi  ii 
Cemanriey/r.  «.  of  an  herb 
CerclCf  V.  Fr.  co  forroiiad 
Cerdes,*.//.  J^r,  circles 
Cerial,  aij,  Fr,  belooginji:  to  the  /pedes  1 

XtAetrnuy  Ijax.  ctrra^  Itai.  aerrt 
Certain,  adj.  Fr,  isafiedibflcictinicaasali 

of  unccs  a  certain,  a  certain  of  gold, 

tain  number  of  onncca,a  ccrtan  tpaoi 
Certain,  certes,  adv,  certainly 
Cerufe,  m,  Fr.  whiteleaid 
ee(cd,part.  pa.  forfeiied,  ia  oied  m  a  k 

to  that  he  be  cefed  therwith,  till  t 

poflcifed  thereof,  till  he  have  iieifia  c 
Ceife,  V.  Fr,  to  ceafe 
Chace,  v,  Fr.  to  chafe,  to  fmriiie. 
Chafe,  V,  Fr.  to  grow  warm  or  angry 
Chaffare,  m.  Sax.  merchandiie 
Chaffare,  v,  Sam,  to  merchandife 
Chaire,  h,  Fr,  a  chair ;  the  chair  or  pi 

profeflbr  or  preacher. 
Chaiouii,  blanket!^,  or  coverlets,  prohabl] 

from  being  made  at  Chalons 
Chambererc, ».  f  r.-a  chambermaid 
Cliampartie,  «.  />.  a  (hare  of  land,  a  pi 

in  power.     Lydgatc  has  the  &me  c 

Tra.  139,  b.  viii.  17. 
Clantcpleurc,  A.  Fr.  a  fort  of  provet bial  < 
for  ilnging    and    weeping    fucccfiiv 
Lydg.  Ira.  ftan.  the  laft,   wiicre  he 
his  book  is 

Lyke  chantepleure,  now  finging  now 

In  mf.  Harl.  4333,  is  a  ballad  vrhich  ii: 
this  expreffion  :  it  bcgrios  il/t^Zr  « 
pleure  chaate  qut  tie /ok  cbamie  pUurt 

Chanterie,  m.  Fr.  an  endowment  for  the 
of  aprieft  tolling  mafs  agroeaUy  to 
poinimcnt  of  the  founder.  There  wa 
five,  of  thcfe  chanteries  eflibliihed  at  5 
which  were  ferved  by  fifty-four  prieft 
Hift.  pref.  p.  4 1. 

Chapman, «.  Sax,  a  merchant  or  trader 

Chapmanbede,  a.  tSax,  the  rtfwi<^t^wif>  of 
man  or  tradefman 

Char.  n.  Fr.  a  chariot 

Charboucle,  m.  Fr.  a  carboacle 

Charge,  a.  Fr,  a  load,  burthen, bvfinefs of 
it  n*erc  no  charge  ;  it  were  no  harm :  t 
there  is  no  charge,  from  which  thot  i- 
fequence  to  be  exposed ;  of  that  00  di 
matter  for  that 

Chai:g«,.T.  Fr,  to  wci^to  1 


GLOSSARY. 


<>7 


weij^ht— -which  chargeth  not  to  fay,  which  it 
is  of  no  importance  to  fay 
Chargeant,  part.  pr.  burthenfome 
CharmerefTe,  If .  Fr.  an  enchantrefs 
Chaftelainc,  n.  Fr,  the  wife  of  a  chaftelain  or  lord 

of  a  caflle 
Chaftie,  v.  Fr,  to  chaftife 
Channteclere,  pr.  h,  of  a  cock 
Checkere,  n.  Fr.  a  chefsboard 
Chee8,/tf.  /.  of  chcfc,  v.  Sax.  chofe 
Cheffis,  we  fhould  read  chefes.    The  orig.  has 

fromages 
Cheke,  a  term  at  cheft^  to  give  notice  to  the  op- 
pofitc  party  that  his  king,  if  not  removed  or 
gnarded  by  the   interpolition   of   fome  other 
piece,  will  be  made  prifoner  :  it  is  derived  ori- 
ginally froai  the  Perfian  Jbab^  i.  e.  king,  and 
means,  take  care  of  your  king.  See  Hyde,  Hift. 
Shahilud,  p.  3,  4. 
Chckelacoon,  a  robe  of  flate 
CJhckemate,  or  (imply  mate,  is  a  term  ufed  at  chefs 
when  the  king  is  adually  made  prifoner,  and 
the  game  confequently  nniihed.     The  Perlian 
phrafe  it  Jbah  mat^  i.  e.  the  king  is  conquered. 
See  Hyde,  Hift.  Shahilud,  p.  i^a 
Chelaundre,  n.  Fr.  a  goldfinch 
Chcpe,  V.  Sax.  to  cheapen,  to  buy 
Chepe,  n.  chcapnefs 
Chepe,/r.  n.  Chcapiide  in  London 
Oherche,  M.  Sax.  a  church 

Chere,  «.  Fr.  countenance,  appearance,  entertain- 
ment, good  cheer 
Chcrice,  "j.  Fr,  to  cherifli 
Chcrifance,  n.  Fr.  comfort 
Cher],  n.  Sax.  a  man  of  mean  birth  and  condi- 
tion 
Oheriflc,  tf/^'.  illiberal 
Chcfi,  n.  Fr.  the  gan\p  of  chefs 
Chcfe,  V.  Sax.  to  choofc 
Chcfc.  for  chefcth 
Cheftc,  n.  I  t:i.  a  coffin 
Chcftc,  n.  dcbafc 
Chefteine,  n.  Fr.  the  chefnut  tree,  the  cbefnut 

fruit 
Chcvarhic,  n.  Fr.  an  expedition 
Chevairie,  /».  Fr.  knighthood,  the  manners,  cxcr- 

cife«,  and  valiant  exploits,  of  a  knight 
Chcvalrous,  a/ij.  valiant 
Cheve,  «.  Fr.  to  come  to  an  agreement  or  con- 

clufion  ;  yvel  mote  be  chevc,  ill  may  he  end 
^faevcf.ulc,  n.  Fr.  • -necklace 
Chevftain,  n.  Fr.  chieftaiti  , 

Chcvifance,  n.  Fr,  an  agreement  for  borrowing  of 

money 
Chichc,  ndj.  Fr.  niggardly,  fparing 
Chidercfle,  n.  Haic.  a  female  Icold 
Cfiidefter,  n.  Sax.  a  female  fcold 
Chiertce,  n.  Fr.  tcndemefs,  aifedion 
Chike.  m.  Sar.  a  chicken 
Chimbe,  n.  Sax,  the  prominent  part  of  the  flaves 

iMTvond  the  head  of  a  barrel 
C*htmbe,  v.  to  found  in  confonancc  like  bells 
Chimeny,  n.  Fr.  a  chimney 
Chioche,  aifj.  as  chichc 
Ci}inchcne, «.  piggardliacft 


Chirche,  it.  Sax,  a  church 
Chirchereve,  m.  Sax.  a  churchwarden 
Chirchhawe,  n.  Sax,  a  churchyard 
Chirk,  V.  Sax.  to  chirp  as  a  fparrow 
Chirking,  n.  a  difagreeable  found 
Cliir,  for  chideth 
Chivachee, «.  at  chevachie 
Chiver,  v.  Sax,  to  (hiver 
Cierges,  n.  //.  Fr,  wax  upers 
Cipioun,/>r.  n.  Scipio 
Ciprii,  pr,  n.  Venus 
Circes,  pr.  n,  for  Circe 
Citee,  •.  Fr.  a  city 

Citde,  n.  Fr.  a  mufical   inftniment.    Sir  John 
Hawkins,  in  his  very  curious  Hift.  of   Mu- 
lick,  V.  ii.  p.  106,  n.  fuppofes  it  to  have  been  a 
fort  of  dulcimer,  and  that  the  name  is  a  corrup- 
tion of  the  Lat,  tiJUlla,     Befide  the   pafTage 
which  he  has  quoted  from  Gower,  Conf.  Am. 
178,  it  is  mentioned  again  in  fol.  189,  among 
the  inflruments  which  fowncd  lowe.    3ee  alfo 
Du  Cange  in  v.  Citola,  and  M.  de  ta  Analiere^ 
Pontes  Ju  Roy  de  Navarre^  %,  i.  p.  248. 
Citrin,  a.'tj.  Fr.  of  a  pale  yellow  or  citron  colomr 
Citrination,  n.  a  chymical  term.     Arriiditu  im  J?»- 
firh,  mf.  1.  i   C.  SI    **  Citrinacle  nihil  aliud  eft 
**  quam  completa  albedinis  digeftio,  nee  albedo 
"  eft  aliud  quam  nigredinis  ablatio."     Glofl^ 
Carpcnt.  in  v. 
Climhen, pa.  t.  pi,  of  climb,  v.  Sax. 
Clapers, «.  //.  fr,  rabbit-burrows, 
Clappe,  V.  Sax.  to  knock  repeatedly,  to  talkfaCb 
Clapping,  fi.  noify  talking 
Clay  fid,  dafped 

Clarrc,  n.  Fr.  wine  mixed  with  honey  and  fpicei^ 
and  afterwards  (brained  till  it  is  clear;  it  was 
othcrwife  called  piment,  as  appears  from  the' 
title  of  the  following  receipt  in  the  MtMla 
Cirur^ia  Rektadi^  jnf[.  Bodl.  76 1,  fol  86;  **  Cl*> 
**  return  bonom,  five  pigmentum.—- Accipe  nu» 
"  ceni  mofchatam,  cariofilos,  gingebas,  macts, 
**  cinamomum,  galangum ;  qus  omnia  in  pal* 
<*  verem  rcda^la  di(lempera  cum    bono   cam 
*'  tcrtia  parte  mellis;  po(l  cola  per  faccnlom, 
**  et  da  ad  bibendum.     £t  nou,  quod  illiod 
"  item  pote(t  fieri  de  cerevilia,'* 
Clattcrnden,/j.  t.pl.  of  clatter,  v.  Sax, 
Claufe,  n.  Fr,  an  end  or  concludon 
Cb'Ts',  V.  Sax.  to  {lroke,he  clawed  him  on  the  back^ 
he  ilroked  him  on  the  back  to  encourage  him  ; 
to  claw  on  the  gall,  figniiies  the  fame  as  tp  lub 
on  a  fore  place 
Clcd,  for  clad 
ClenclTc, ».  Sax.  purity 
Clepe,  V.  Sar,  to  call,  to  name 
Clergie,  n.  Fr,  the  clerical  profclGon 
Clergial^  adj.  learned 
Clergion,  n,  a  young  clerk 
Clerk,  n.  Fr,  a  perfon  in  holy  orders,  a  man  of 

learning,  a  (Indent  at  the  univerfity 
Cleves,  n.  pi  Sax.  rocks.     See  Clifie 
Cllffc,  n.  iar.  a  rock 
Cliftc,  ».  Sav.  a  cleft 

Clikct,  n.  Vr.  a  key  ^^ 

Ciinkc,  V.  Fr.  to  ring,  newt,  to  ttnkl^ 
Uo  iij 


W' 


dLQSSARY. 


C '  ippe,  V,  .rax.  to  cut  hair,  to  embrace 
CiipCjtaJj.  asifeclipfed 
Clobbed,  adj.  Sax.  like  a  club 
Cloifire,  n.  Fr.7^  cloifter,  an  enclofure 
Clombcn,  pa.  t.  pi.  pf  climb,  v  Sax. 
Clofcr,  n.  tr.  aD  enclofure 
Clote-lcfe,  a  leaf  of  the  burdock,  or  clotebur 
Clotcrcd»^tfr/  pa.  Sax.  clotted 
Cloue-gilofre,  ir.  a  cl^e-trccor  the  Cruit  of  it 
Cloutes,  n.  pi.  Sax.  fmall  pieces 
plum.  This  word  feenjs  to  be  formed  from  the  Sax. 
V.  cluraian,   mujfttare  murtHurare^  to  ^xprcl's  the 
mumbling  nolle  which  is  made  b/  a  congrega- 
tion in  accompanying  prayers  whi^h  they  C4U- 
np^  perfc  Aly  repeat 
Coagulat,/tfr^.  j^a.  Z.a/.  curdled 
Cokes  bpoes,  a  corruption  of  a  (apiliar  path 
Cod,  n.  Sax.  a  bag 
Cofrc,  n.  Fr.  a  chcft 
Cogge,  a.  Sax.  a  cockboat.    See  J)u  Cangt  in  v. 

Cago 
Coilon«,  n.pl.  Fr  tefliclef 
Coine,  n.  J^r.  a  piece  of  money,  a  quince 
Coipt.  adj.  Fr.  ne^t,  trim 
Coke,  n.  Lat.  a  cook 
Cokeney, n.  a  cook 

Cokewold,  n.  ^  cuckold.  How  this  word  han  been 
.'  formed  i^  dlfiicul^  to  fay,  but  probably   it  has 
fome  relation  to  the  Fr.  cocu.  In  ^hc  bell  mlf.  of 
The  Canterbury  T;,les,  it  i*  cpnftantly  fptUcd  a« 
above,  and  is  always,  I  believe,  to  be  pronoun- 
ced as' a  t^'i^ytl^b^c.     The  author  of    Vhc   Re- 
medy of  Love,  rer.  a88,  Jlq.  pretends  that  the 
true  ortl  ography  of  this  wOjd  is  cockold,  accor- 
ding to  a  ntoit  abfurd  etymology  which  he  has 
there  given  of  it ;  an  additional  proof  (if  any 
"were  wanted)  that  I'he  Rcmedie  of  Love  was 
not  Vjrrittcn  by  Chaucer 
Pol,  n.  a.  a  common  name  for  a  dog 
Cold,  ni.  Sax.  to  j»r"W  cold 
Cpler,  ».  J  r.  a  col.ar 

Colercd, /tfr/.  pa.  collared,  wearing  coUart 
Collation,  «.  It.  a  conference 
Coilirgcs,  n.pl.  Fr.  embraces  round  the  neck 
Col^ilp ,  y//^'.  Hax.  playful  as  a  colt 
Columbine,  adj.  Lat.  belonging  to  a  dove,  dove- 

Uke 
Comb  re -world,  n.  an  incumbrance  to  the  world 
Combuft;  adj.  Lat.  burnt,  a  term  in  adrology  wl:en 
"  a  planet  is  not  more  than  8*^  3c/  dillant  from 

the  fun. 
pome,  for  Cometh 

Comnicnfal,  n.  Fr.  a  companion  at  tabic 
Commune,/!,  tr.  commonalty 
Comn  uht  s,  n.  pi.  cou'.moners,  common  people 
Compaignablc,  yi^".  Fr.  fociable 
Ct>mpamc,  for  compagric 

fVinpas,  n.  Fr.  a  compafs  a  circle;    the  Trine 

'  compa<;,  the  Trinity;  an  appellation  borrowed, 

as  it  fcenis,  from   the  common  emblem  of  that 

n.yilrry,  a  circle  circ^mftribing  a  triangL'— con- 

trivu.ice 

Ctniij'^fmt nt,  n.  1 

Ccuj>'jllii,g,  1.     ^ 


connivance 


Compafs,  V.  to  contrWc,  he  cofnpaiTed  hit  tboogku^ 

he  contrived  in  bis  thought 
Compenable,  adj.  as  compaigoable 
Compere,  ».  f  f.  a  goifip,  a  near  friend 
Compjin,  ri.  Fr.  cc^nplie,  cvcnfong,  the  left  Ser- 
vice of  the  day,  fmging  in  freneral 
Compowncd,  p^Jti.  pa  compofed,  put  togctlMr 
Compte,  H.  Ir.  account 
Concere,  n.  Fr.  ccnception,  »|>prebeDnon 
Condefcande,  v.  Ir.  to  yield 
Condife,  M.  pi.  Fr.  conduits 
ConftMSure,  n.  Ir.  compoGtion 
Confuie,  adj.  Fr.  confounded,  he  became  fo  eo«- 

fufe,  he  conncth  net  1o)lc 
Conjc<Se,  V.  i  r.  to  pr.  ]t€t 
Couifaunce,  n.  Fr.  underilandingr 
Conjure,  t».  Fr.  to  adjure 

Conne,  v.  Sax.  to  know,  to  be  able ;  I  flial  notccsie 
anfwere  ;  I  (hall  not  know  how— or  be  ab!?,  to 
anfwcr;  thou  ihali  never — 0>ny  knowen,  iImv 
(halt  be  never  able  to  know — to  ccnne  thank, 
to  be  pleafcd  or  obliged,yjp<tv«rr^r/,/'r.  toceose 
maugre,  to  be  di(pleafe<i,yj^vMr  mtalpri,  ori*. 
Confeil,  n.  Fr-  counlcl 
Confcmant,ji><»r/  pr.  Fr.  confeiitant  of  this  cvie^ 

nefle,  conientingto  t.  c. 
Confervc,  9.  IV.  to  prcferve 
Conijflcry,  n.  i  r.   ligniSee  ufually  ao  eccleiia& 

cal court,  pontes,  any  court  of  jufUce 
Couilabierie,  m.  ir.  a  ward  or  diviGon  of  aatk 
under  the  c^r^  of  a  copllable.    Dm  0»i*  inv* 
Co»Jla6ulariuj  cafiri 
Conteke,n.  Sax.  contention 
Contcnance  n.  Fr.  appearance,  pretence 
Con(rad,j^tkr/. /a.  y.a/  contracted 
Concrariauntts, />tfr/.  pr.  is  ufed  in  thcplwalrvm* 
ber,  acci  rding  to  the  French  cuAom,  oppofiifi 
contradiding 
Contraric,  v.  Fr.  to  con?radi<ft 
Contrarious,  cdj.  Fr,  oppofite,  perverfc 
Contrary,  Vr,  ir.  advcilary 
Contrefcte,  v.  Ir.  to  counterfeit,  imitate 
Controye,  v.  Fr.  %o  invent 
Contubernial,  adj.  Lat.  familiar 
Contune,  for  continue.     1  ^s  is  one  of  thoie  B> 
ccpccs,  for  the  fake  of  rhynoe,  which  univerlil 
cuftom  cfin  alone  juftify.     Our  Author  (ccw 
to  have  been  afhamed  of  it,  as  I  do  not  rec«lkd 
to  have  met  with  it  in  I'hc  Canterbury  Tskb 
I^ydgate  has  been  left  fciupulous.  Sec  Trag.  & 
b.  14.  b.  24.  b. 
Cope,  ».  /r.  cape,  a  cloak 
Coppc,  n.  Sax.  the  top  of  any  thin; 
Cora^e,  a.  Ir.  heart,  inclination,  (pirit,  comy 
C(!rbcttc8,  «.^/.  Fr.  nichct  for  i^atuca 
Cordcth,  for  accordcth 
Cordcwane,  n.  Jr.  cordouan,  Spanilh leatkeribol- 

led  from  Co^duba 
Cordilcres,  n.pl,  Fr.  Cordeliera,  an  order  of  friat 
fo  called  from  their  wearing  a  cord  in^eadofa 
Corinne,  pr.  n.       "  [p*^ 

Cornc>j»aile,/r.  If.  Cornovailig  in  Bretagoe 
Coruiculerc,  n.  Lut   an  ofiiccr   in   the  Kmnaa  f»* 
vert  nitut.  Sec  F.tif,.  JUx.  v.«/.  Htm.  in  v.  U** 
nUtiturius 


GLOSSARY. 


1 


iComy,  aiij.  Sax  flron^of  the  corn  ormtlt 
l^oroune,  ».  J^r  a  crown  or  garland 
~  or  pi,  n  *r  body 
DQt}*u*t  A.  Lai.  hodjt  ^''/v  Dtmini^  God^t  body  ; 

f^rpui  Aladtian 
Cornge,  If.  "-. .  to  torrcdt 
Corrumpabic,  atfj.  .  r.  cnrruptibte 
ICorrumpc,  *»,  Jr.  to  corrupt 
ICorre,  V  ,  tfsr,  to  ciirlc 

f  Corfcinf,  It.  fr.  a  My  b«>dy,  i  faint,  the  corfaynt 
ziid  the  kirkc 
Corvcn./arr  ^.  of  canrc.v.  Sa>r  cot 
CoGn,  ff.  ^r,  a  couQn  or  kinfnian :  it  is  Tome  timet 
^H       ufcd  adjc^ivcly,  allied,  related 
^nCofinage,  n.  ir.  kindred 
^KCt*ttage,  Ji.  J^r.  coik,  f  tpence 
^BCoCteie,  «.  fr.  to  go  by  the  cozfk 
^Cof^lewc,  Oi^J.  LoUlj 
^      C<ii\Tc\U  f-  *  drmking  vclTeL    Sec  /)*r  Cdi^e*,  tp  v. 

I  Cote,  m.  Saz.  a  cottage 

[Cote, «.  Fr.  a  coat,  cote-anniirT»  a  coat  worn o»er 
armour,  upon  which  the  armorial^eDfigtis  of  the 
Wearer  ucre  ufually  embroidered 
ICoridien,  m.  Jr.  daily;  it  is  ufed  04  p  fubfltotive 

for  a  ^yatiJlaft  ague 
f'Couthe,  V  V  r,  to  Ly 

Couched,  f>art  />a  laid,  couched  wtih  perles,  lud 
or  tiimaied  with  pearls 

'oad,  coude,  fia.  t.  of  conne,  knew,  was  abk 

iiJmreice,  v.  /r.  to  co^et 

^ovenablc,  wJJ  Fr.  convenient,  fnitabie 

~0Tfrchtcf»,^  ^/.  Fr.  hcadcloihea 

ITovcrcJc, «.  Fr.  a  potltd 

Covert,  ti<fj.  Ft*  fecret,  covered 

*ovinc,».  Ff\  fccrct  cuntrtvftiicei 

[^oulpc,  n  Fr.  a  fiiult 

[}ount.  V.  Fr,  to  account,  to  cflce«i 

Douutcrpeifet*.  /'r.  a  cotntterpmfe,  a  weight  which 
balances  another 

'nmtcrpcifc,  *u  Fr*  to  cownferptiife 
cuntrrplete,  v,  Fr,  to  plead  ai^iiitl 

[^ouitterwaite,  <l>  Fr*  to  watch  ay;ainft 

youotour^  iv.  Fr-  (vmptoir,  a  couniinghoufe  eM»/tfirr, 

an  ariThmcticiant  Du,  435. 
Countrctailkf  n   fr.  a  tnlly  anfwertng  eiadly  to 
another^ hence  £cho  iifaid  lomnfwer  ai  thccouo- 
trctaillc 
-Courc,  V.  Fr.   to  fit  crouchirg  like  a  broodlog 
hen 

[Joiif  tcpy,  a  fhort  clokc  of  coarfc  cloth 

~  ..urt-man,  a  courtier,  t^m^t  Jt  *n?v^,  />. 

[Touth,  couthc,  pa.  I.  of  conne,  knew,  wmi  &ble 
P*irt  pa.  known 

[Tuwardife,  m.  Fr.  want  i»f  courage.  At  to  the  cty- 
moipgy  of  ihii  adj,  from  which  ihift  word  hai 
been  lurnied,  L  think  the  opinion  uf  Twyfden 
and  Somner  [Gh^  a  J  X,  Siripi.  v.  FriJtnUt] 
much  die  tnoit  pftibabic,  who  derive  it  from  the 
hith*  Lat.  ru/vM  v^ritre^  to  tuin  tail,  to  rtiii  o- 
way.  %Sce  JJh  C*irje  in  v»  Culverts  And  Ctt/wr-- 
iagium^  who  rejcjft*  the  opinion  akcive  naennon- 
#d,  but  without  fu^geQing  any  ihinjj  lb  piuufj- 
^Ic.     Culvctt  (at  it  i»  written  in  the  «lddl  and 


<»> 


bed  French  mff.  that  t  have  feen)  might  eaniy 
b<  corrupted,  according  tii  the  French  mridc  of 
pronunciation,  info  r»mari  and  torai-*/' — I  havt* 
fomcwhcrc  fcen  the  French  lan^ u^gc  fL'riouflf' 
charged  with  indelicacy  for  iu  frtqyt-nt  and 
wanton  ti/e  of  the  word  m/  in  compofition  ;  nor 
can  the  charge  be  fxid  to  be  groundlefs  Befidc 
the  numerou*  inftancei  which  wi!l  oc<  ur  to  eve- 
ry b'^dy,  !  iufped  that  this  monufyilablr  niakct 
part  of  a  common  and  folcmn  term  in  our  Inw^ 
imported  origin  all  v  from  France  Cutptijl  IttmAto 
have  been  a  vulgar  name  for  a  priioncr,  a  per* 
fon  taken  by  that  part  which  is  moft  cupofedia 
running  away.  Holinfbcd  hat  raprelfed  the 
fame  idea  m»rc  delicately,  vol.  ui  p  84*.  "  The 
**  pre DtilcB  were  cattght  by  ihr  b^tck^,  and  hid 
?*  to  prifon  "  And  1°  »t  '*  cxpreiTed  in  Ancient 
Scottifo  Poem*,  p  1 8 a,  ver  15 — Yet  Dcid 
[Death]  fol  uk  htm  be  the  bak  ^* 

Cnye,  v.  i  r.  to  quiet,  to  foothc 

Craftefnian,  m.  Ssj  ■  a  man  of  fkill 

CMkc,  t?  Fr,  to  crack  [tug 

Crake^  crakel,  v.  Smx,  to  quaver  hoarfely  in  fiUf* 

Crampi(h,  v.  /r.  to  contraa  violently,  a»  the  criunp 
doe,  An  170- 

Cratching,  A.    4i«.  fcratching 

Crafed,/itfrr.^a.  Fr,  eimji,  brokeO: 

Creance,  n.  >  r  faith,  belief 

Creance,  v  Fr.  to  borrow  money 

Crtratc^^ivrf  /d.  L^  crinclifd,  circularfy  (bnacd^ 
perhaps  from  the  Ifland,  i#  n^,  tirimp^gyr^ 

Crcpil  11.    ex.  a  cripple 

CrtvaiTe,  «   Fr,  a  chink  nt  crevice  § 

Criaodc^arf,  pr.  of  crie,  i*.  Fr.  crying 

Crip«,  F  iii.  aa  chfpe 

Cn£bppu5,^r  R.  I  find  the  title  of  a  work  in  Mont- 
faucnn,  till  BiU,  p  513  to  which  Chaucer, 
may  pcfiibly  allude ;  tbryjipph  dljt^palt  Eitlymsf^ 

/-  'J ^iTowij/ir-— sind  u)£ajn»  p    1314     thry-* 

y  '  I  LutJiittO^  S    yoiiitmir  Bt'ptfjijt        It  is 

1  )    that  a  panygenU  nn   the  Baptijl 

nitght  be  kd  by  hi^  rage  a  gain  A  Hrrcidiai  to  iayt 
fomc  harfh  thiagiof  women  in  general 
Ci^ifpe,  iidj.  Lat.  cu.  led 
'  Croce,  B.  :j'a\.  a  croft. 
Cm  is,  n,  Fr,  a  cro£» 
Cromcft,  n.  pi  Sax   crumbt 
Crommed, /^/-r  ^i».  Sax,  (tuffcd.  crammed  [Ki 
Crone,  If.  .tfi.  an  old  woman;  hmU^ifvi*  v^uta, 
Cfope.  crf>pcn,/.fr/.  j|£w.  of  crepe,  v.  u»/x.  crept 
Croppcs,  A. /»/,  Jar.  the  extremities  of   the  Ihoots 
of  vrgetaLles  now  in  the  crop,  now  at  die 
tup;  croppE:  and  rote,  root  and  branch;   ch6 
whole  of  a  tfiing 
Croflclct*  n.  Ir.  a  crucible 
Cnmchc,  V.  Sax.  to  fign  with  the  cn>6, 
Croudcv.  Aai,  to  fliove  together 
Crottkc,  H,  ^a  t .  an  earthen  piuhcr 
Croun,  w.  Fr  fignifies  head 
Croupe,  ff.  hr.  fhe  ridge  of  the  back 
Crowes  feet,  the  wrinkles  which  fprrad  from  t1 
outer  corner  of  the  e)c* :  SpeLk-r  ilekribesfht* 
mark  of  uld  age  in  Uie fame  manner)  ed^  i%% 

And  by  mine  ele  the  crow  his  claw  doth  wHghe. 
IT  II  ji()  ■ 


4 


iffllB^^l 


«k 


G^OS8ARV. 


Crowiic<l,  part'  pa,  wearxag  a  crpwn ;  crowocd 
malice,  fovercign  m^ce. 

Crull,  adj.  Sax.  curlea 

Cncurbite,  n.  Lqt.  a  gourd,  a  yeficl  (haped  like  a 
gourd,  ufed  in  diftillatioo 

Chilpons,  H.  pL  Fr.  ihreds,  Ipgf 

PuWer,  n.  Sax.  a  dove 

Cuppe,  M^Fr.  a  (up;  ivithouten  cuppe  hedrao^c 
all  hit  pepance,  he  topk  large  d fan ghtt  of  grief ; 
he  made  pp  uff  of  a  cup,  but  drauk  out  of  the 
pot 

CuracioQ,  «.  Fr.  cure,  healing 

Qure,  ft.  Fr.  care ;  I  do  no  cure,  I  take  np  car^ 

purfew-time,  according  to  the  Conqueror's  edid, 
It  faid  tp  have  bcQn  3  h.  p.  m.  Waliingbam, 
fpeaking  of  an  cv^nt  on  the  ad  of  September 
13 1 1,  mentioni  9  h.  at  the  tor  a  ignitcxH.  It  pro- 
bably varied  with  the  feafoos  of  the  year 

Curious,  affj.  Fr.  careful 

Curtcis,  «^'.  Fr.  courteous 

Cuftomer,  A^'.  fr».accuftoBied 


Daffe,  A.  Sax.  a  fool ;  thou  dotcft,  daffe,  quod  (he, 

dull  are  thy  wittes 
I^agRC,  n.  a  flip  or  ih^ed,  pierce  plough,  6.  b. 
Dagged,  pari.  pa.  cut  into  ilipt 
Dagging,  M.  flitting,  cutting  into  flips 
Dagon,  n.  a  flip  or  piece 
£)amafcene,/r.  n.  the  country  about  Damafcus 
Daniafcene,  ^r.  n.  Joannes  Melae  Damafcenus,  an 

Arabian  phyfician  in  the  8th  and  9th  century. 

See  Fabric.  Bihl.  Gr.  t.  xiii.  p.  256. 
]^ame,  n.  Fr.  LaL  dtnlaa,  miflrefa,  lady,  mother 
}>ampne,  v.  Fr.  to  conden'.n 
Dan.  M.  Fr.  Lai.  i/tfOTini/x,  lord,  was  a  title  commpo- 

ly  given  to  monks.     It  is  alfo  prefixed  by  Chau- 
cer to  the  names  of  other  perfons  of  all  forts ; 

Dan  Arcice,  Dan  Burrnell,  Dan  Caton 
Dance, «.  Fr.  the  old  dance,  the  old  game.    The 

French  have  the  fame  phrafe,  dUfeaii  ajfex  de  la 

yieilU  Danfc     Ct'lgrave 
Danger,  n.  Fr.  a  dangerous  fituation :  in  danger, 

coynefs,  fparingncfs,  with  danger,  fparingly. 
Dangerous,  adj.  difficult,  fparingly 
Diante,  pr,  u.   See  GloC  in  v.  Lavender. 
Dapple-igray,  the  coUur  which  is  called  ^i  Fr. 

pommeli 
Dare.  v.  Sax.  to  flare- 
Dares, /r.  m.  of, a  fuppofed  hiflorian  of  the  Trojan 

w^^Dit  10  7Q 
Darreine,  v.  Fr,   defrencr,  Lat,  derationare,  to 

contefl 
Dart,  II.  Sax.  a  fpcar  or  javelin ;  the  dart  is  fette  up 

for  virginitce.   1  here  is  an  alluflon  to  the  fame 

cuftom  in  ZjJg.  'Ira,  a6 ; 

And  oft  it  happeneth  be  that  hath  bcft  ron 
I^th  not  the  fpere  like  his  dclert  poflcde. 

Da^n,/>r.  t.pl.  of  dafe,  v,  Sax.^rovp  dim-fighted 

Daunt,  V.  J  r.  to  conquer,  that  ne  with  love  may 

daunted  be,  orig.  qui  par  omouts  nefeit  domptex 


Dawc,  V.  Sax,  to  dawn 

Dawnening, «.  Smx.  daybreak 

Dawes,  n.  pi.  for  dayes 

Dayc,  n.  Sax,  day,  time,  at  my  day,  at  the  day  1^ 
pointed  to  mc ;  to  graoor  bim  daym  of  tlie  r- 
menant,  to  permit  him  to  pay  the  fflnvadct  IC 
certain  days  by  inilalmcptf 

Deaurat,/tf;/./a.  Lai.  gilded 

Debate,  v.  Fr.  to  fight 

Bebpnaire,  adj,  Fr.  courtcom^  gcjitlc 

Decoped  part,  pa,  Fr.  cot  down 

Decorat8,/r-  A.Decoratut 

Dede,  V.  Sax.  to  grow  dead;  part,  pm,  dead 

Dedly,  4^  Sa^,  devoted  to  «leatli 

Deduit,  n.  Fr.  pleafure  ' 

Defait,  defaited,/aff.  pa,  Fr,  wafted 

Defame, «.  Fr,  infuny 

Defame,  v.  Fr.  to  mike  infemooa 

Defaute,  «.  Fr.  want  defautes,  pi,  defe^ 

Defende,  v.  Fr.  to  forbid,  to  ranfona 

Defence,  a.  Fr.  prohibition 

Definiflie,  v.  Fr.  to  define,  to  make  a  deficutaQ 
of. 

Degree,  n.  Fr,  a  Qak^  or  fist  of  ftept,  rank  b  life 

Deideo,  pA  t  pi  pf  deye,  v  &ix.  died 

Deine,  for  deien,  inf,  m.  of  dcye,  v-  Sax.  to  die 

Deinous,  adj.  Fr.  difdainful 

Deintee,  «.  Fr.  value,  a  thing  of  value;  hath  ddi> 
tee,  values  highly ;  told  no  deintee  of,  fet  so 
value  upon  ;  it  was  deintee,  it  was  a  valvUe 
thing 

Deinteous,  adj.  choice,  valuable 

Deis,  H,  Fr.  a  wooden  floor 

Dei,  A.  Sax.  a  part ;  never  a  del,  not  a  bit;  ewrj 
del,  every  part 

Dele,  V.  Sa  c.  to  divide 

Deli  here,  v.  Fr.  to  deliberate 

Delicacie,  n.  Fr.  pleafure 

Dclices,  m.  pi.  Fr.  deUghts 

Delie,  adj,  Fr*  deli^  thin,  flend^ 

Delit,  n.  Fr.  delight 

Delitabie,  adj.  Fr.  delegable 

Deliver,  tf^'.  Fr,  nimble,  Com/.jSm,  X77,  b, 

Deliverly,  adv,  quickly 

Delivemcfs  a.  Fr.  agility 

Delve,  V.  Sax.  to  dig 

Delavy,  a.  Lat.  deluge 

Demaine,  v.  Fr.  to  manage 

Demainc,  n.  Fr.  management 

Deme,  «.  Sax,  to  judge 

Demoniak,  n.  Fr.  one  pofleft  by  a  devil 

Dent,  n.  Sax.  a  ftrokc.  See  Dint 

Denwcrt,  ».  doubt,  SL  This  intcrpretatioa  hki 
well  enough  with  the  only  pallage  in  whkk  1 
have  found  thi^  word ;  but  I  {honld  be  fUta 
fee  fome  other  inftance  of  the  uie  ci  it, 

De  par  dieuz  jeo  aflente,  in  God*s  name  I  agre& 

Depatt,  V.  Ff-.  to  part,  to  diflribute 

Deptint,  pert.  pa.  Fr.  painted 

D«rquace,  7.  to  fliake  down,  q^ 

Dere,  v.  Sax-  to  hurt 

Dere,ac^*.  Sax.  dear 

Deiciing,  n.  Sax.  darling 

Dereworth^fl^.  Sam.  preeipus,  valaed  at  a  Ml 

rat»»  ' 


<^  i.  O  S  6  A  R  7. 


6tc 


t/fj.  8mk.  fecree 
titf>.  of  dcre 
iii.  270,  as  deif 

>rie, «.  /r.  a  ▼effcl  nfed  id  chemlilry  £or 
LtradioD  of  oils  jVr  d^sinftm 
ro,  rV/.  OT.  /"r.  to  dcicribc 
I,  <i^.  ir.  eager 

/fart.  /«.  Z.tf#.  abandoned,  diibe£re4 
n.  Fr.  Qialictous  anger 
u,  aJj.  aogrf  to  exceft 
ifly,  adv.  angrily 
'.,  "J.  Fr.  to  ondreii 
le,  V.  />.  to  Tcz,  to  coD0rain 
9.  Fr.  a  war  boric,  £«#■  dextrariot 
deftniie,  v.  i^r.  to  deftroy 
inat,/ar/.  pa.  Lai.  fixed,  detczmined 
,  adj.  free  from  debt 
1j.  Sax.  deaf 
g,  H.  Fr.  dWination 
«.  Fr.  diredion 

V.  Fr.  to  dired,  to  order,  to  relate ;  at 
derifc ;  a  p«int  dcrife,  Fr.  with  the  great- 
adnefs 

m.  Fr.  duty ;  wcle  thei  flode  and  did  ther 
•c 

probably  originally  meant  a  day-labourer 
□end,  though  it  may  lince  have  been  ufcd 
enote  particularly  a  fuperintendent  of  a 
•ie.  See  J)u  Cange,  in  ▼.  Datria,  Daycria, 
feaUi 

'.  Sax.  to  dye 
ft.  Sax.  a  dyer 

\,fart.  pa.  Fr.  diveriified  with  floari(hes,&c. 
V.  Sax.  to  dig,  to  furround  with  a  ditch 
ir  died 

a.  t.  of  do,  V.  Sax,  Men,  pa.  t.  pL 
Sax.  te  tinge 
f.  Fr.  daily  food 

:,  fl.  Fr.  bad  reputation.  See  Defame 
bie,  adj.  Lai.  eafy  to  be  digefted 
ves,  n.  pi.  Fr.  things  to  help  digefiion 
V.  Sax.  to  difpofe,  to  drefs 
adj.  Fr.  worthy,  proud,  difdainful 
f.  Sax.  to  dig,  to  make  ditches 
ion,  n.  Fr.  enlargement  [thunder 

.  Sax.  as  dent ;  thooder-dinf,  a  itroke  of 
ides,  pr.  n.  of  a  Greek  writer  on  plants, 
e  work  is  extant 
y,  n,  Fr.  diforder 
ince,  V.  Fr.  to  drire  back 
iture,  n.  Fr,  misfortune 
le,  V.  Fr.  to  clear  from  blame 
fiture,  m.  Fr.  defeat 
fort.  If.  Fr.  difpleafure 
forten,  v.  Fr.  to  difcouragc 
:rte,  adj.  Fr.  at  difcorerte,  nacoTcrcd;  a 
tuvert 

0U8,  adj.  Fr.  di(<&inful 
efe,  n.  Fr.  diminution 
efe,  V.  nnt,  Fr.  to  decrcafe 
re,  n.  Fr,  deformity 

ted,  part.  pa.  Fr.  difinherited,  ftripped  of 
ifions 
:le,  part.  pa.  Fr*  with  hair  hanging  loofc, 


Dii^oint,  n.  Fr.  a  diflicuh  fituatlon 
Difobeifant,/>ffr/. /r.  Fr.  difobedient 

Difordeined,  part,  pa,  Fr.  diforderlf 
Difordinate,  adj.  Lot.  diforderiy 

Difordinaunce.  a.  Fr  irregularity 

Difparage,  n.  Fr.  a  difparagemen^ 

Difpence,  n.  Fr.  ezpenfe 

Difperance.M./'r.  defpair 

Difpitous,  adj.  angry  to  excefs.  See  Defpitoua 

Difplefance,  a.  Fr.  difpleafure 

Difpone,  v.  Lot.  to  difpofe 

Difport,  n.  Fr.  deport,  fport,  diverfion 

Difport,  V.  to  divert 

Difpreifing,/ar/  pa.  Fr.  undervaluing 

Difputifon,./!.  Fr.  difpute ;  the  dergic  of  the  (bntll 
made  a  diiputefoun 

Difrulily,  adv-  irregularly 

Diflimnle,  v.  Fr,  to  diflemble 

DifiimuUngs,  n,  pi.  Fr.  difiembliogs 

DIfibned,  part. pa,  Fr.  diflbnant 

Diilaine,  v.  Fr.  to  difcolour,  to  take  awaj  the  co« 
lour 

Dillina,  V.  Zar.  to  diftinguifli 

DiiUngued,/»«r/./a.^r.  diftinguiihcd 

Didourbled,  p.  t.  Fr.  difturbed 

Difireyne, «.  Fr.  to  conflrain.  See  Deibreiiie 

Diftrouble,  9.  Fr.  to  diflurb 

Difturne,  v.  Fr,  to  turn  afide 

Ditc,  V.  Fr.  to  didate,  to  write 

Dites,  n.  pi.  Fr,  fayings,  ditties 

Ditus,  pr,  m.  Didys  Cretenfis 

Diverfe,>r^'.  Fr,  different 

Diverfe,  v,  to  diverfify 

Divine,  n.  for  divinity 

Diviniftre,n.  Fr,  a  divine 

Do,  «.  do,  for  don,  part,  p. 

Douid^  part,  pr,  doing 

Dogerel,  a^.  derived,  I  fuppofe,  from  dog,  fo  that 
riroe-dogerel  may  be  underftood  to  mean  what 
in  French  may  be  called  rime  de  chiem.  See  Ctf • 
gra^fe  in  Y.  Cbiem ;  cbofe  de  ettem,  a  paltry  thing, 
a  trifle,  traih,  trumpery 

^<>gS^  ^or  the  bowe,  a  dog  uiiBd  in-  (hooting 

Doke,  tt.  Sax.  a  duck 

Dole,  n.  Sax.  as  del 

Dole,  n.  Fr.  grief,  mourning 

Dolvcn,  part.  pa.  of  delve,  v.  Sax,  buried 

Dombe,  adj.  Sax.  dumb 

Dome,  «.  ^s.  judgment,  opinion 

Domefman,  n.  Sax.  a  judge 

Dooet,  a.  a  grammar,  the  elements  of  any  art,  from 
.£itus  Donatus,  a  Roman  grammarian,  wbofe 
Introdudion  to  the  Latin  language  [inter  Craana, 
Fet,  Fatfeb,  p.  1 735.]  Was  commonly  read  in 
fchools;  then  drave  I  me  among  drapers  my  do- 
net  to  lernc,  FUree  Plm/gh,  13.  b. 

Donmow,^r.  m.    See  Fierce  Flmgi,  44.  b. 

Donne,  don,  adj.  Sax.  of  a  brown  or  don  colour 

Dormant,  patt,  pr,  Fr,  fixed,  ready— Z«r  ^aiffeaux 
qui  la donmointa  I* atiere,  Fr^ffart,  V.  iii.  C  $% 

Dortour,  n.  Fr.  a  dormitory,  or  common  fleecing* 
room 

Dofein,*.  Fr.  a  dozen 

Dofier,  n,  Fr.  a  baiket  to  be  carried  on  the  M|k 


I«f 


O  L  O  S  6  AR  y^ 


Dote,  V.  Sax.  to  be  fooli&  throngb  age  or  other- 
wife 

Doth,  im^.  m.  %dptr,  pi.  of  do,  do  yc 

pouced,  may  perhaps  be  a  corrnption  of  doncbte, 
which  I*  the  name  of  a  mufical  inftniment  in  a 
poem  of  Lydgate's,  mf.  Bodl.  hairf.  z6. 

Thcr  were  tnimpes  and  trumpetes, 
I«owde  ihallys  and  doucetes. 

Doaghtren,  h.  pi.  Sax.  daughters 

Dnatance,  n.  Fr,  doubt 

Doute,  V.  / v.  to  fear 

Doutclees,  douteles,  adv.  without  doubt 

I>outous,  adj.  doubtful 

D*outre  mere,  Fr.  from  beyond  fca,  Du.  2$ 3' 

Dowaire,  n.  Fr.  dower 

Dradde,  drad,  p  i  &,  part,  of  drede,  v.  Sax.  feared 

Draf,  a.  Sax,  things  thrown  away  as  unfit  for 

man's  food 
Draf-fack,  a  fack  fuH  of  draff 
Drafty,  adj.  .^ax.  of  no  more  value  than  draff 
Draggcs,  «  //.  Fr.  dnigs 
Drede,  n.    Sar    fear,  doubt;   withouten   drede, 

without  doubt ;  out  of  drede,  out  of  duubt 
Drede,  v.  Sax,  to  fear,dred,^tf.  /.for  drad 
Dredeful,  adj.  timorous 
Dredelcs,  adv.  without  doubt 
I>reint,  pa.  t.  &  part,  of  drenche,  drowned 
Drenche,v.&i'.  to  drown  ' 

Drenche,  v.  neut.  &  v.  to  be  drowned 
DrerinefTe,  «.  Sax  forrow 
Drery,  adj.  Sax.  forrowful 
Dreffe,  v.  Fr.  to  addrcls,  apply 
Drctchr,  v.  aSf.  ^ar.  to  vex,  to  trouble 
Dretched,  part.   pa.   opprcfTed,    troubled,   Canf, 

Dretche,  v  neut.  Sar.  to  delay,  Conf,  /im.  if% 

Dretching,  n.  delay 

Drie,  v.  Sax.  to  foifer 

Drife,  v.  Sax.  to  drive 

Drinkeleo,  ad/.  Sax.  without  drink 

Dronkelew,  adj.  Sax,  given  to  drink,  J^Urti 
Plough  41 

Dronken,  part.  pa.  of  drink,  v.  Sax.  drunk 

Drough,  pa.  /.  of  draw,  v.  Sax.  drew 

Drovy,^^'.  Sax.  dirty 

Drucric,  «.  Fr.  courtfhip,  gallantry,  a  miHrefs.  Sec 
jDy  Cange  in  v.  */)ri/i/ari«.— The  reader  may 
perhaps  be  not  difpleafed  to  fee  the  following 
defcription  of  a  drut  or  lover,  by  Guillem  Aef- 
mar,  a  Provencal  poet,  mf.  Crolts,  fol.  '^19. 

Ben  paoc  ama  dmt,  qi  non  es  gelos, 
!Et  paoc  ama,qi  non  eft  airos, 
£t  paoc  ama,  qi  non  es  folettis, 
£t  paoc  ama,  qi  non  fa  tracios ; 
Mais  vaut  d  amor  qi  ben  eft  enveios 
Un  dolz  plorar  non  fait  qatorze  ris. 

Quant  eu  ii  quier  merce  en  genoiUos, 
K  la  mi  colpa  et  mi  met  ochaifos, 
Bt  1  aigua  m  cur  avel  per  mer  lo  vis, 
£t  ela  ni  fai  un  regard  amnros, 
ft  eu  Ji  bais  la  bucha  els  ols  amdoa, 
Adonc  mi  par  un  iot  de  paradis. 


Drugge,  V.  Sax,  to  da^g 

Dubbed,  part  pa  Sax.  created  a  knight;  tlMfUi 
is  derived  froin  the  ftr6ke  (with  a  fword  «r 
otherwife),  which  was  always  a  principal  cne> 
mony  at  the  creation  of  a  knigiht ;  at  dabban, 
Ifland,  fignifies  to  ftrike  :  this  ftroke  ia  Fread 
w;^$  called  la  cclee.  See  VOrdtne  de  CUmdrn^fm 
Hue  de  Tabarie,  ver.  144,  ftq.  publiihed  by  II. 
Barbazan  and  Dm  Camge  in  ▼.  Alapm  lUSistm 

Diietee,  n.  Fr.  duty,  what  i%  due  toauyooe 

Duile,  V.  aB  Sax,  to  make  doll 

DuUc,  V  neut  Sax  to  gro'w  duU 

Dun  is  in  the  mire.  See  Ray's  Proiverbial  SsbSo^ 
p.  319,  as  dull  as  Dun  in  the  mire.  I  fappsfc 
Dun  was  a  nickname  driven  to  the  a£i  fxvSn  hii 
colour,  as  well  as  Burnell 

Dure,    .  Fr.  to  endure 

Dureife,  m.  Fr.  hardfhip,  feveri^y 

Duiked,  pa.  /.  Sax.  grew  dark  or  dim 

Duree,  as  ductee 

Dwale,  n.  Sax.  ^  fleepin^  potion 

Dwellingi>,  m.  pi  Sa  •..  deby« ;  mpnu,  orig. 

Dv/'mcd,  part,  pa.  Sax.  waUcd 


Eared, /«rf.  pa.  ploughed.  See  Ere 

Kbraijte,  ad;.  Hebrew 

Ecclefiaft,  a.  an  ecclcfiaflical  perfoo,  the  book  if 

Ecclcfiaftes  or  Ecdefiafticus 
Eche,  adj   Sax  slce,  each  one,  every  one,  of  aif 

number 
Eche,  «.  Sar.  to  add,  to  add  to,  to  encrcafe 
Edippe.  pr  H.  CEdipus 
Effca, »  Fr,  fubftance 
Eft,  adv.  Sax.  again 

Efrfone,  eftfone^,  adt».  Sax.  (boo  after,  pffcfintlf 
Egalitee, ».  Fr.  equality 
Egcr,  egrrc,  atfj.  Fr.  fharp 
Eggc,  V.  Sax.  to  inci?e 
Eggemcnt,  n.Sa^.  incitement 
Eg>ring.  H.  as  eggement 
Egremoine,  h.  Fr.  agrimony 
Eire,  for  air 
Eiiel,  tt.  Sax.  vinegar 
Elat,  part  pa.  Lot  elated 
Elde,  w.  ^i»..'.  old  ag^ 

Eide^  V.  Sax.  to  make  old,  v.  mewt,  to  grow  oU 
Elcnge,  adj.  ftrange,  Ur.  It  fometimes  feemsto  fif^ 

nify  dull,  cherrlefs,  as  in  Pierce  Plmegh^  III,  k 

heavy- chered  I  yedc,  and  elcnge  in  hcrte. 
Elengent-ffe,  n.  ip  the  orig.  foucy,  care,  troable 
Elfe,  n  Sax  a  witch,  a  faery 
Elf-quene,  n.  queen  of  elves  or  faeries 
Eli,  pt.  n.  feenii  to  be  put  for  Elie.    See  I  £df% 

chap.  19 
Elic,  fr   m.  Elijah.    The  Carmelites  pretend  ibl 

Elijah  was  the  founder  oC  their  order 
£like,/r.  n.  Eliiha,  the  di£ciple  of  Elijah 
Elles,  adv.  Sax.  elfe ;  ellcs  what,  any  thii^elfe;d» 

les  whrr,  elfewhere 
Elvifh.  ,iJ}.  Sax.  faery-like,  fancaftick;  itfomctixc^ 

feenis  to  fignify  fhy,  relervcd 
Embclife,  v.  Fr.  to  beauui]^ 


OLOSSARY. 


m 


Jbnboldf ,  V.  Fr.  to  make  bold 

Eaaboyflieinent,  a.  Fr,  ambulh 

£iobrjQiided,  ^rt.  fa.  Fr.  embroidered 

Erne,  m.  Sar.  uncle 

^tnforthtfrtf.  Sax.  even  with ;  emfortb  my  might, 
eren  with  my  might,  with  all  my  power ;  cm- 
forth  my  wit,  to  the  utmoft  of  my  underftand- 
ing :  it  ia^  corruption  of  erenforth,  which  oc- 
curs at  kngth  in  Pierce  Fioitgb,  66»  b.  evenforth 
with  thyfelfc 

Empeire,  v.  Fr.  to  impair,  hurt 

Emperice, ».  Fr.  cmpcrcfs 

Emplaftrc,  v.  Fr.  to  plafter  over 

Emplie,  v.  to  infold,  to  involve  ;  implicat,  orig. 

Empoifoner,  n.  Fr.  a  poifoner 

EmpreiTe,  v.  nnt.  Fr.  to  crowd 

Emprife,  m.  Fr.  undertaking 

^mpte,  V.  Sax,  to  empty 

Embattelled,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  indented  like  a  battle- 
ment 

£nbibing,/tfrf.^r.  lat.  imbibing 

Enbofed,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  embrfque^  (hcltered  in  a 
wood,  Da.  ZSI  * 

£nbofred,/af/.^a.  Fr,  tmiefe^nlted 

^brace,  v.  Fr.  to  take  hold  of 

Enbraude,  v.  Fr.  to  embroider 

^ncenfe, «.  Fr.  incenfe 

£nceDfe,  v.  Fr.  to  bum  incenfe,  to  bum  incenfe  to 

Knchaufing,  a.  Fr.  heat 

£nchefon,  n.  Fr.  caufc,  occaiion 

£ncorporing, /ar/.^r.  Fr.  incorporating 

!Endelong,/n^.  Sax.  along,  adv.  lengthways 

£ndetted,/a»/./tf.  Fr.  indebted 

^ndite,  v.  Fr.  to  didate,  relate 

Sndoute,  v.  Fr.  to  doubt,  to  fear 

£ndrie,  v.  Sax.  to  fufier 

Znee,/r.  ».  ^neas 

JEneidos,  fr.  n.  Virgils  JEneis 

£nfamined,/ar/. /a.  Fr.  hungry 

^fccfte,  t».  Fr.  to  infed,  fart,  fa,  infedled 

^.nforcc,  ».  Fr,  to  ftrength^n 

]pnforccd,  fart,  fa.  conftrained  by  force 

Enfortune,  v.  Fr.  to  endow  with  a  certain  for- 
tune 

Engendrurc,  n,  Fr.  generation 

Engined,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  racked,  tortured 

Engluting,  rather  enluting,  flopping  with  clay 

^"l^^gg^.  V.  Fr.  to  aggravate 

Engreve,  v.  Fr.  to  hurt 

Enhaunfe,  v.  Fr,  to  raife 

Enhaunfed,  fart.  f^.  raifed 

^hort,  t».  Fr.  to  exhort 

Enlaced,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  entangled 

Enlangoured, /tfr/.  /«.  /V.  faded  with  langour 

Enleven,  num.  Sax.  eleven 

Enlumine,  9.  Fr.  to  illuminate 

Enoint,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  anointed 

Enfclcd,/ffr/./a.  Fr.  fealed  up,  kept  fccret 

Enfpirc,  v.  Fr.  to  infpire 

Eniure,  v.  Fr.  to  afTure  • 

Eutaile,  n.  Fr.  ihape 

Entailc'd,/tfr/.  fa.  Fr.  carved 

^ntalcnte,  v  Fr.to  excite 

Ejitend,  v.  Fr.  to  attend 

l^iitcndcment,  n.  Fr,  undcrilanding 


Entente,  a.  Fr.  intention 

Ententif,  adj.  Fr,  attentive 

Enterchangedcn,  fa.  t.  fl.  Fr,  exchanged 

£ntermedUd,/>a//./tf.  Fr,  intermixed 

Entermetc,  v.  Fr.  to  interpofe 

Enterpart,  v.  Fr.  to  fhare 

Entetched,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  emtaekei  it  it  applied  indif- 
ferently to  things  and  perfont  marked  or  en- 
dowed with  good  or  bad  qualities :  entetched 
and  defoulcd  with  yvel,  ftained  and  defiled  with 
evil ;  the  beft  entetched,  eodowed  with  the  beft 
qualities 

Entree,  a.  Fr.  entry 

Entremees,  m.  fl,  Fr,  choice  diihes  ferved  in  be« 
tween  the  courfes  at  a  feaft,  (Utg. 

Entrike,  v.  Fr.  to  deceive,  to  entangle 

Entuned,  fart.  fa.  Fr.  tuned 

Entunes, ».  //.  Fr.  fongs,  tunes,  Du,  309. 

Envenime, «.  Fr.  to  poifon 

Enveniming,  a.  poifoning 

Envie,  v.  ^r,  to  vie,  to  contend,  Dm,  406 

Environ,  adv.  Tr.  about.  Can/,  Am,  239,  W 

Environ,  v.  Fr,  to  furround 

£nvoluped,/ar/.  fa.  Fr,  wrapt  up 

Envyned,  ftored  with  wine 

Epiftolis,  Lat,  epifUen 

Equipolences,  n,  fl.  Fr.  equivalents 

£r,  adv.  Sax,  before,  before  that 

Erande,  n.  Sax.  a  meflagc,  an  errand,  Du,  I34» 

Ere,  V.  Fr.  to  plough 

Ereoa,  for  Eros,  fr,  n,  Gr,  Love 

£rke,  ad;.  Sax.  weary,  lick, 

Erly  adv.  Sax,  early 

Erme,9.  <Siirx.  togrieve 

Ermin,  adj.  Armenian 

Erneft,  n.  Sax.  zeal,  fiudious  purfoit  of  any  thin|^ 

Erneftful,  adj,  ferious 

Erratike,  adf.  Fr,  wandering,  applied  to  the  ph* 
nets 

Erraunt,  fart.  fr.  Fr.  ftrolliog,  applied  to  a  thief 

Ers,  erfc,  n.  Sax.  the  fundament 

Erft,  adv./uferl.  of  er,  firft,  at  erft,  at  firft,  for  the 
firft  time;  it  is  fometimes  redundant,  long- erft 
or,  long  before 

Ertheles,  adj.  Sax.  without  earth 

Efchaunge,  a.  Fr.  exchange 

Efcheve,  efchud  v.  Fr.  to  (bun,  to  decline 

Efculapius,  fr.  a.  a  book  of  medicine  under  bit 
name  is  mentioned  by  Fabrit,  BM,  Gr,  t«  i  p« 

56,  n. 
Efe, «.  Frpleafure 
Efe,  V.  to  accommodate 
Efement, «.  relief 
Efie,  adj.  gentle,  light ;  die  fighes,  which  paflage 

Lord  Surrey  has  copied,  Songes^  Sec  p,  la,  *'  and 

**  cafy  fighes,  fuch  as  folkes  draw  in  love.*' 
Efier,  comf.  d,  lighter ;  of  efier  avail ;  of  lighter  or 

Icfs  value 
Efilich,  adv.  gently  [not 

Efperus,  fr,  a.  Hefperus,  a  name  of  the  planet  Ve- 
Efpiaille,  a,  Fr.  fpying,  private  watching 
Elpirituell,  adj.  Fr.  fpiritual,  heavenly 
EfToine  a.  fr.a  legal  cxcufe 
Eflat,  eftate,  a.  Fr,  ftau,  condition,  1 

of  govcnunent 


0U 


G  L  O  S  S  A  R.  Y. 


Eftatelich,  <ufj.  Aatelf 

Sftres,  n.  />/.  Fr.  the  inward  parts  of  a  build- 
ing 

Eterne,  adv,  Lat,  cverlafting 

£the,0<^'.  cffx.  eafy 

Evangiles,  «.  pi.  Fr.  gofpelt 

BTen,  aJJ.  Sax.  equal ;  an  even  Criften,'  a  fellow 
Chriftian 

ETcnlike,  aJJ.  Sax.  equal 

Evenlike,  a</v.  cquallf 

J,v€r^adv.  5'ax. always;  ever  in  on,  continually  ia 
the  fame  manner  ;  ever  Icngcr  the  more,  where 
this  elliptical  phrafe  is  exprefTed  at  length. 

Evcrich,  adj.  Sax,  every  one  of  many,  each  of  two 

Ew,  M.  Sax.  yew 

Bxzitzt,  fart.  pa.  Lat,  exalted 

Examrtron,  is  explained  by  the  context  to  iignify 
a  verfc  of  fix  feet ;  it  ufuallyfi^iHes  the  heroic 
verfe,  but  here,  1  fuppofe,  muft  be  underCtood  to 
mean  the  iambic,  in  which  the  ancient  trageditt* 
were  commonly  verfified. 

Executour,  n.  Fr.  executioner 

Executrice, «.  Fr,  a  female  executioner 

Exorcifations,  n.  //.  Fr.  exorcifms,  conjunitioni 

Ezpant  yeres,  **  In  this  aild  the  following  Terfes 
**  the  poet  defcribes  the  Alphonfine  agronomical 
•*  tables  by  the  feveral  parts  of  them,  wherein 
•*  fome  technical  terms  occur  which  were  ufed 
**  by  the  old  aftronomers,  and  continued  by  the 
^  compilers  of  thofe  tables.  Colled  years  are 
*'  certain  fums  of  years,  with  the  motions  of  the 
••  heavenly  bodies  correfponding  to  them,  as  of 
'*  ao,  40, 60,  &c.  difpofed  into  tables ;  and  expans 
*'  years  are  the  fmgle  years,  with  the  motions  of 
**  the  heavenly  bodies  anfwering  to  them,  be- 
*'  ginning  at  i,  and  continued  on  to  the  fmalleft 
"  colled  Turn,  as  20,  &c.  A  root  or  radix  is  any 
^  certain  time  taken  at  pleafure,  from  which  as 
"  an  era  the  celeftial  motions  are  to  be  com- 
"  puted.  By  proporcionel  coo  venientes  are  meant 
*•  the  tables  of  proportional  part*.**  Glofl*.  Ur. 
"  Argument  in  aftronomy  is  an  arch  whereby 
"  we  feek  another  unknown  arch  proportional 
"tothefirft.**    Chambers 

Expedaunt,  part.  pa.  Fr.  waiting 

Expleite,  v.  Fr.  to  perform 

£y,ff.  Sax.  an  egg;  but  as  it  were  a  grypes  aye, 

Conf.'  Am.  22 
Ey,  intirj. 

Eyen,  A.  pi.  Sax.  eyes 
Eyre, /or  air 
Eyrifii,  atg.  aerial,  belonging  to  the  air 


F. 


Fable,  «.  Fr.  idle  difcourfe 

Faconde, ».  Fr.  eloquence 

Facounde,  aef^.  eloquent  Du.  926. 

Faerie,  m.  Fr.  the  nation  of  Faeries.  Enehantmentj 

the  work  of  faeries ;  king  of  Faerie  ;  quene  of 

Faerie ;  contree  of  Faerie 
"Fzlrif  adf.  Sax.  glad;  than  was  I  as  fayne  as  foulc 

of  fayre  morowe,  Fierce  TUugh^  47 >  b. 
Fain,  adv.  gladly 


Faine,  v.  Fr.  to  feign,  to  diflemUc ;  to  Mffteal 
travail  he  not  fidneth,  he  does  not  fdgn  or  pc- 
tend  only  to  labom-,  i.  a.  he  libowi  lerioaiy. 

Fairehede,  n.  Sax.  beauty 

Faitour,  n.  Fr.  a  lazy  ulle  fellow,  Piertt  flmij^ 
i2  b.  33  b.  faitard,  faiccnr,  an  pareflevi,  fipr. 
LMctmbe 

Falding,  a  kind  of  coarfe  doth.  Si.  He  deriva  k 
from  the  A.  8  feald,  piicm  :  however  that  Biy 
be  Heimoldus  [Cbron.  Slav.  L  i.  c.  Z,]  ^eabaC 
indumenta  lanea  (probably  coaife  eooogh)  fM 
not  appellamut  falduies  ;  and  faUim  in  Iriil,  ac> 
cording  to  Lhuyd,  rigoi6es  a  mantle.  GiraUH 
Cambr.  [Tap^.  Hiberm,  dif.  3.  c  10,]  deferika 
the  Irilh  as  clothed  in  pbalimgis  Umat^  «Jv  fd' 
Ihrtm.  Faldyng  cloth,  Amph\Mxs.  Mkfnh> 
Prompt.  Farm  Row  cloth,  as  &dyng  and  eAs 
like.  Endromh  AmpbUa/mt  iUd.  Sec  Dm  CaxH 
in  V.  Ampbtbmlut 

Fall,/©r  fallen,  part.ta. 

Falfcn,  V.  Fr.  to  fallify,  to  deceiTe 

Falwe,  adj.  Sax.  yellow 

Falwes,  n.  //.  Sax.  harrowed  landt 

Famuler,  adj.  lot  domeflie 

Fan,  n.  the  quintaine,  which  ia  called  a  fas  or  ta, 
from  its  turning  round  like  a  weathercocL  See 
Du  Cange  in<  V.  Vana^  Menejlrier  fmr  la  fctfWB, 

Dia.  EtymtL  in  V.  ^W«/0tW,  and  Kimm^i  f^ 

rocb. 

Vznde,  pa.  t.  of  finde, «.  Sax,  foond 

Fane,  n.  a  weathercock 

Fantafie,a.  Fr.  fancy 

Fantome,  n.  Fr.  any  faUe  ima^tnaf ioo ;  et  Smi 
plttfiert  qui* It  avoiexiiti  em  fantolflBC.  Frmjart,  ». 
i.  C.  63 

Farce,  v.  Fr.  farder,  to  paint 

Fardel,  n.  Fr.  a  burthen 

Fare,  v.  Sax.  to  go;  to  fare  wel^to  ipeed,  tok 
happy 

Fare,  n.  feems  to  have  been  derived  fnmt  tke 
French  v.  faire,  whenever  it  can  be  intefpmei 
by  the  word  ado;  this  hote  fare;  for  wUc^ 
the  wardein  chidde  and  made  fare;  what  •- 
mounteth  ail  this  fare  ?  betwixt  us  :wo  sedcri 
no  flrange  fare ;  and  leve  this  nice  fare,  b 
other  inftances  it  follows  the  fenfe  of  the  Ssxcs 
V.  fare,  as  in  the  compound  words  wtifair, 
thoroughfare,  &c. 

Faren ,  fare,  part,  pa. 

Fares,/er  fareth 

Faring,  part.  pr. 

Farmc,  n.  Sax,  food,  a  meat  See  S^dtmn  io  ii 
Firaia 

Farle;  ♦.  Fr.  farcir,  to  ftuff 

Fathc,  n.  See  Lathe 

Fautc, «.  Fr.  want 

Fawe,  adj.  Sax.  glad ;  as  fain 

Fay,  n.  Fr.  faith 

Fayre,  adj.  Sax.  fair 

Fayre,  ad^.  fairly,  gracefully 

Fcblcflc,  u.  Fr.  weaknefa 

Fecchc,  V.  Sax,  to  fetch 

Fee,  n.  Sax.  money.  It  feems  to  fignify  inhen'taUc 
poiTcfiions,  in  contradiflin&lon  to  muocy  er 
moveables 


6IkO»SARY. 


Mi 


i  Fr.  to  iofootf,  to  preCent 

•.  Fr.  to  feign 

.  Sax,  cruel,  deftmAive 

w.  Sax^i  f<lk>w,  companion 

lip,  m.  Sax*  company 

ipc,  V.  to  accompsmy 

r.  Sax.  a  field 

/nt.  /.  //.  of  felle,  V.  SdM.  felled,  made  to 

'.  Sax,  vHanf 

Sax.  to  feel,  to  haire  fenfe,  to  perceiTc 
•Sax.  ikin 

tt  Fr.  all  forts  of  criminal  violence 
adj.  Fr.  cruel 

:,/r.  H.  the  country  of  Amazons 
litee,  n.  Fr.  womanhood 
Sax.  an  enemy,  the  devil 
le,  aJJ.  deviliih 

n.  the  name  of  the  fedions  of  Avicenne*8 
work  intituled  Camum.  See  Camtm 
part.  pa.  Fr.  iofcofifed 
'.  Sax,  far 
mp,  further 
/iiperi.  funheft 
red,  part.  pa.  of  fere,  terrified 
rde,^./.  of  fare 
pa.  t.pl. 

Sax.  a  companion,  a  wife,  in  fere,  toge* 
in  company 
rfire 
Sax,  fear 
Sax,  to  terrify 

I,  ferforthly,  adv.  Sax,  far  forth 
JJ.  Sax,  ftrange 

c,/or  pharmacie,  m,  Fr.a,  medicine 
1.  Fr.  a  farm 

re,  n.  Lat.  injirmarlus,  the  officer  in  a  reli* 
houTe  who  had  the  care  of  the  infirmary, 
2nge  in  v. 
Jv.  Sax.  before 
'.  Vr.  fierce 

Du  6s4j/ef-  the  piece  at  chelli  next  to  the 
which  we  and  other  European  nations 
he  queen,  though  very  improperly,  at 
has  obferved.  Fherx  or  Fberxaa,  which 
Pcrfian  name  for  the  fame  piece,  fignifies 
ing'g  chief  counfellor  or  generaL  Hifi. 
uJ.p,  88,9 

,  n.  Sax,  a  farrhing,any  very  fmall  thing ; 
thing — of  grefe,  not  the  fmaUeft  fpoc  of 

?ax.  fia 

fr.  feaft 

^tpart.pr.  Fr.  feafting 
aJJ.  ufed  to  feafts 
I.  Sax,  a  vetch 
Fr  work 

fj.  well  made,  neat 
aJv,  neatly,  properly 
impart,  pa.  oifeccht 
^r.  faith 

Fr.  a  fair  or  market 
ft.  Fr.  truft 
Sax.  a  fiddle 
fell,/*,  r.  offall 


Finch,  n.  Sax,  a  fmall  bird  ;  to  pull  a  finch,  was  a 
proverbial  ezpreflion,  fignifying  to  ilrip  a  man 
by  fraud  of  his  money,  &c 

If  1  may  gripe  a  riche  man 
I  (hall  iopulU  him,  if  I  can, 
That  he  ihall  in  a  iewe  ftoundes 
Lcfe  all  his  markes  and  his  poundec— # 
Our  maidens  (hall  eke  plucke  him  £» 
That  him  (hall  neden  fethers  mo. 

Withoute  fcalding  they  hem  puUe. 

Find,  V,  Sax,  to  find,  to  fupply.  Fiot,^r  findech 

Fine,  fin,  n.  Fr.  end 

Fine,  v.  Fr.  to  ceafe 

Fine,  ajf,  Fr,  of  fine  force,  of  very  necelfity 

Fit.  M,  Sax.  a  divifion  or  (hort  portion  of  a  poem* 

See  OloflT.  Fir^y  in  v. 
Fittinge(l,aijf.yirj».  Sax,  mod  fitting 
Fixe,  adj.  Fr,  fixed 
Flaie,>r  fley,  pa.  t.  of  flee,  flew 
Flaine,^r/.  pa,  of  flaie,  v.  Sax,  flaied  or  flead, 
Flambe,  n.  Fr,  flame 

Flatonr,  n.  Fr,  a  flatterer.  Cm/,  Am.  154,  b. 
Flawe,  adj.  yellow,  from  the  Lat.  JLnfu§*   Olofll 

Ur 
Flecked,  o^  fpotted 
Fleckering,/^/. /r.  SetFlukcr 
Flee,  V.  Mtut.  Sax.  to  fly 
Fleen,  m,  pi.  Sax.  fleas 
Fleme.v.  Sax.  to  banifli 
Flemed,/^r/. /<f. 
Flemer,  n.  baniflier 
Flete,  V.  Sax,  to  float,  to  fwim 
Flete,  /9r  fleceth 
Fleting,/tfr#.  pr. 
Flicker,  v.  fieut.  Sax.  to  flutter 
Flit,  V,  Mut.  Sax,  to  fly;  elUfrnt,  orig; 
Flit,  V.  aS,  R,  to  remove 
Filtering,  part,  pr,  floating,  JLtltaaiiu  orig. 
Flitted,  part.  pr.  removed,  (hifted 
Flo,  H,  Sax,  an  arrow,  Flone,//« 
Flockmel,  adv.  Sax.  in  a  flock 
FIorein,/r.  a*  a  fpecies  of  gold  coin 
Flotery,  adj.  Sax,  floating 
Flotte,  V.  Fr.  to  float, 
Flotte,  9.  as  flete 
Floureles,  adj.  without  flower 
Flourette,  n.  Fr,  a  fmall  flower 
Floyting,  playing  on  the  flute 
Foine,  v,  fr.  to  make  a  pa(s  in  fencing,  to  pofli 
Foifon, ».  Fr.  abundance 
Folcd,  part,  pa.  Sax.  foaled 
Folehardinefs,  «•  Fr,  ra(hnefs, 
Fole-large,  adj.pemtit,  foolilhly  liberal 
Folic,  «./T.  folly 
Fulily,  adv.  fooli(hly 
Folwe,  V,  Sax.  to  follow 
Foly,  atg,  fooli(h 
Fond,  adj.  Sax.  foolilh 
Fond, /a.  /.of  find 
Fonde,  v.  Sax*  to  try 
Hong,  V,  Sat.  to  take 
Fonne,  n.  Sax,  a  fool 


i95 


GL6sSARt. 


Fondfe,  •.  to  Be  fcwlUfi 

Font-ftone, «.  iS^x.  a  font  for  baptizing 

Ibr,  prep.  Sax.  pro.  Lat  pour.  Fr. ;  it  is  frequently 
prefixed  to  Tcrbs  in  the  infinitive  mood  in  the 
French  manner  ;  for  to  tellen ;  for  to  don  ;  pour 
dire^  pour  /airt ;  for  to  hafi  bcn,^mlr  voodr  etc. 
it  fometimet  itgnifici  againft;  for  percing  of 
hrsherte,  againft,  or  to  prcvent»  piercing;  for 
fteKng  of  the  rofe ;  againft  ftealing.  Stc  Pierce 
Flougb\  31.  fome  fhall  fowe  the  facke  for  {bed- 
ding of  the  wheate,  / .  e.  to  prevent  (bedding 

jior,  lonj.  Sax.  fuia,  Lat.  pour  ee  qut^  Fr:  bccaufe 
that ;  for  him  hide  to  ride  fo ;  for  (be  wolde 
Virtue  ple(e ;  for  I  teche 

lor,  in  comi)ontion,  hati  various  powers ;  it  is  idoft 
commonly  intenfive  of  the  (ignification  of  the 
"Word  with  which  it  is  joined,  as  in  fordronkcn, 
fordry,  forfercd,  &c. ;  fometimes  privative*  as 
in  forbodcn,  foryete ;  and  fometimes  only  com- 
municative of  an  ill  fenfc,  as  in  forfaite,  forfare, 
forjiiged,  &c. 

For,  Fr:  and  ver,  Belg»  have  fimilar  powers  in 
compofitioQ 

Forbere,  v.  Sav*  to  abftain 

Vorbodeii,/0rf./a.  of  forbede,  v.  Sax,  forbidden 

l^orbrake,  pa.  t.  broke  off ;  abrupi,  orig.  . 

Forbrufed,  part.  pa.  Fr,  forely  bruifed 

Force,  n.  Fr.  no  force,  no  matter ;  I  do  no  force, 
I  care  not ;  I  do  no  force  of  your  divinitce,  I 
care  not  for  your  divinity ;  no  force  of  dcth,  no 
matter  for  death ;  they  yevc  no  force,  they  care 
not ;  de fruit  avoir  ne  fait  force,  orig. 

Forcutte,  v.  Sax.  to  cut  through 

Fordo,  «.  Sax.  to  do  away,  to  ruin 

Fordon,  fordo,  ^4rf./>a.  undone 

Fordrive,  (fordrivcn)/>ar/./tf.  -Sax.  driven  away 

Fordro nk en, /ar/.^a.  Sax.  wcry  drunken 

Fordry,  a/^J.  Sat.  very  dry 

Fordwine(J,^r#./a.  Sax.  wafted  avray 

Fore,  (foren)  part  pa.  of  fare,  v.  Sax.  jfonc 

Fore  prep.  Sax*  is  feldom  ufed  by  itfelf ;  in  com- 
pofition  it  has  the  power  of  before. 

Forein,  m.  a  jaket,  Glo(r.  Ur  from  Si. ;  the  con- 
text feems  rather  to  require  that  it  (hould  fig* 
nify  an  outvrard  court  or  garden 

Foreweting, «.  Sav.  foreknowledge 

Forewote,  forewete,  v  Sa.K.  to  foreknow 

Forfaite,  v.  Ft:  to  niifdo 

Forfarc,  v.  Sax.  to  fare  ill 

Vorfered.part.  pa.  Sax  much  afraid 

Forgifte,  n  Sax.  forgivcnefs 

Forgon,  inf.  v.  Sax.  to  omit,  to  lofe 

"F  QT  grow  en  y  part,  pa .  Sav.  ovcrgrowen 

Forj  uged ,  part,  pa .  Fr.  wrongfully  j udged 

Forkervc,  v.  Sax.  to  carve  or  cut  through 

¥or\ai{t,part.  pa.  Sat,  left  off  entirely 

Forlefe,  v.  Sav.  to  lofe  entirely 

Forlete,v.  6a  c.  to  give  over,  to  quit 

Forlore,  (forloren)  part,  pa.  Sax.  utterly  loft 

Forloync,  n.  Fr.  forlonge,  a  term  of  the  chafer 
which  fignific^that  the  game  is  far  off,  Du.  386 

Forme,  adj.  Siix.  firft ;  Adam  our  forme  father 

Formeft,ai^  yi'^.  Sat.  firft,  Du.  89c 

Formell,  A.  F.  371,  is  put  for  the  female  of  any 
fowl,  more  frequently  for  a  female  eagle 


Forpined,  pari,  /«•  Sax.  wafted  a  way, 

ed 

Forfake,  -».  Sax.  to  deny 
For(hapcn,/ar/.  A«.  S»x.  tt-antfomied 
Foi(hrouke,(for(hronkcii)  part,  pm,  Smx.  ftmikiy 
Forfleuthe,  forflouthtf,  ,lbrfliig(c,  «.  Sm^  i»  kfe 

through  floth  ,    . 

Forfon^eo, /ori.  pn.  Sdac.  tired  with  flogbs 
Forfter,*.  Fr.  a  forefter 
Foreftraught,/tfr/,/a.  Ssx  diftra^^fd 
Fofchby,  adtf.  Sdx.  forward  by 
Further,  v.  Sax.  to  further,  to  advaaee 
Forthinke,  v.  Ssx,  to  jjrrieve,  to  tcx 
Forthought,^. /.  of  forthinkc 
Forthren,i»/  *t.  of  forther 
For  thy.  *«*/.  Sax.  theiefore 
FortroJen,  part-  pa,  of  forttead,  xh.  Atr.  tnfa 

down 
Fortuit,«i^'.  Fr.  tccideDtal 
Fortune,  v.  Fr.  to  make  fortooate,  to  (ive  ftoitc 

bad  fortune 
Fortunous,  adf.  procedin^r  from  foctane 
Forwaked, /<!//. ^.  Sat.  having -waked  long 
Forwandred,  part,   p^     Sax.     haTing 

long 

¥orwe\kcd,  part,  pa.  Sax.  much  wrinkled 
Forwept,/ar/./a.  Sax.  having  much  wept 
Forv/crcd^part.  pa.  Sax.  worn  out 
Forewerie,  a^.  Sax.  very  wearj 
Forword,  (foreword)  n.  Sax.  a  promiie  m  coia 

nant 
Forwounded,  ^oi^.^A.  Snx.  fnuch  wounded 
Forwrapped,  />ar#.  fa.  wrapped  up 
Foryclde,  v.  Sax.  to  repay 
Foryete j».  Sax.  to  forget 
Foryetten,  part.  pa. 
Fofter,  H.  Fr.  as  fofter 

Foftwd,  part.  pa.  of  fofter»  *•  Sax.  nonrifted 
Foftring, ».  nutriment 
Fote-hot,  immediately 
Fote.mantel,  means,  I  fuppofe,  a  fort  of  ridifipf^ 

ticoat,  fuch  as  is  now  ufed  by  nuu-ket-wooKi 
Fother,  a.  Sax.  a  carriage-load  ;  an  indefiniic  l«|t 

quantity 
F6udre,  n.  Fr.  lightning 
Foule,  V.  Sax.  a  bird 
Found,  f /I.  /.  of  find,  fopplied 
Founde,  v.  as  fonde 

Foundred,  pa.  t.  of  founder,  v.  Fr.  fell  dova* 
Fowertic,  mmm.  Sax.  forty 
Foxerie,  a.  foxiib  manners 
Fra,  for  fro,  prep.  Sax.  from  ;  it  is  fometioMsM 

adverbially,  till  and  fira,  to  and  fro 
Fraine,  v.  Sax.  to  aik 
Franknet,  m.  pi.  Sax.  fpotf,  freckles 
Fianchife,  n.  Fr.  franknefs,  gencrofify 
Frank,  a.  a  denomination  of  French  maoey;  i^ 

fwering  at  prefent  tor  the  /ro;c  Tmtimx 
Frankelein,  pr.  h. 

Fraught,  v.  Sax.  to  freight,  load  a  (hip 
Fre,  adj.  Sktx.  willing,  unconftrained,  at  ttcffjii^ 

beral.  bountiful 
Fredom,  a.  Sax.  as  fraochifa 
Freehee.  n.  Fr.  frailty 
Fiegiuf » for  Phrygtua 


OLOSSARlFv 


687 


txtmde,  frcmed,  ndj.  Sax.  ftrange,  to  frend  he  to ' 

fremed,  Puree  Plough^  79 
Frcnecike  ndj.  Vr.  frautick 
Frenfeie,  «.  fr.  a  frcuzy 
FrcrCyii.  ¥r.  a  frier,  Pitrce  Phugb,  I».  au  b. 
Frcihc,  V.  Fr.  to  refrcih 
Fret,n.  Fr.  a  band 
Fret,  irette,  part. pa,  Fr,  fraught,  filled,  or  perhaps 

wrought  in  a  kind  of  fretwork :  a  fort  of  blazon 
I    it  called  frette\  and  through  the  fret  full  of 

falfhedc — we  ihould  read-— a  trouthe  fret  full  of 

&l(hede 
Frete,v.  Sax,  to  eat,  dcYOur 
FfCling, /ar/./r. 
Freite,  (frctcd)/tfr/. /«. 
Freyne,  v.  Ja  x.  as  fraine 
I     Frife,/r.  n.  Frieztand 
Frotc,  V.  Fr.  to  rub 
Frouoceles,  adj.  Fr.  without  wrinkle 
I  ^  Froward,  adj   lav.  averfe 
'  Fro  ye,  from  you ;  ye  is  put  for  you,  that  Cro  ye 

may  rhyme,  in  appearance  at  leail,  with  joye 

and  Troyc 
FruAuous,  adj.  Fr,  fruitful 
.  Fruiteftere,  ff.  Sax  a  female  fcUer  of  fruit 
Ful-drive,  fort.  fa.  fully  driven,  completed 
Fulke,  {Fr.  folke)  n.  Sax.  people 
Fulfumneffe,  m.  Sax.  fatiety 
Fumetere,  fr.  n.  of  a  plant,  fumitory,  fumaria-^ 

fargat  hilem  tt  hwmtirei  adujias.  Rays  ^ynoj/ts.  • 
Fumofitee,  a,   Fr.  fumes  atifing  from  cxcei&ve 

drinking 
Fundament,  n,  Fr,  foundation 
Furial,  adj.  Fr.  raging 
Fufible,  adj.  Fr.  capable  of  being  melted 
Fy,  int<rj.  Fr.  I  fay  fy,  I  cry  fhamc 


Oabbe,  v.  Fr.  to  talk  idly,  to  lie;  gabbe  I  of  this? 

mam  id  mentlar  f 
Oacidcs,  is    probably  a  mifprint    fur     JEacidei, 

though  I  do  not  know  wlutt  Chiron  had  any 

right  to  that  title 
Oadhog,  A.  Sax.  an  idle  vagabond 
<iaATtd,fart.  /a.  .f^r.  gathered 
Gailer, «.  Fr.  gaoler 
Oaillard.  a<g.  I  r.  briik,  gay 
Oaitre-beries,  berries  of  the  dog-wood  tree,  cor- 

aus  famina 
Qalaxie,  /r.  m.  the  Milky  Way,  a  track  in  the 

heavens  fo  called  • 

Oale«  V.  Sax,  Galan  I^az*  fignifies  caatre. 
Calfride,  pr,  n.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  Geofirey 

Vinfauf.  See  CaufriJt 
Oalice.  /r.  n.  a  province  of  Spain,  the  famous 

Ihrine  of  St.  James  at  CompoAeUa  was  in  Ga- 

licia 
Calingalc,  pr.  n.  fweet  cyprefs 
Gallien,  Galian,  fr.  n.  Galen 
Galoche,  //.  i-r.  a  (hoe 
Galpe,  CI.  uax.  u:  gape,  to  yawn 
Galping,/a/<.  pr.  gaping,  yawning 
Galwcb,  /;.  pi.  iiax.  the  gallcwi 


Gan,  pa.  t.  of  ginne,  v.  Sax.  begaD 

Ganncn,//. 

Gar,  V.  iiax.  to  make 

Ga.-  debrace,  n.  i  r.  armour  for  the  arm 

Gar);ate,  m. .  Fr.  the  throat 

Garil'oun,  fecms  to  be  ufcd  as  a  «.  to  heal;  the 
orig.  has  garifon,  a.  n.  healing,  recovery 

Garncmcnt,  n.  I'r.  a  garment 

Garner,  «.  hr.  a  granary  or  iloreroom 

Garniibn,  a.  Fr.  a  guard  or  garrifon 

Gallnefs, «.  Sax.  gaftlinefs 

Gate,  gatte,/A.  t.  of  get,  v.  Sax.  gat,  begat 

Gate,  H.  Sax.  a  way ;  went  her  gate,  went  her 
way 

Gatifden,/r.  a.  John  Gatefden,  author  of  a  medi- 
cal work,  entitled  Pofo  AngUfoma^  in  the  14th 
century.  See  Tanner  in  v. 

Gaude,  n.  Fr.  jeft,  gaudes, //.  ridiculous  tricka 

Gaufride,// .  it. 

Gaure,  v.  to  ftare,  for  them  that  gaurcd  and 
caft  on  me  their  light  i yd,  Gra,  b.  ix.  f.  is. 
b. 

Gawain,/r.  n.  nephew  to  King  Arthur  by  his  (ir- 
ter«  married  to  King  Lot :  fo  fays  the  Brit.  Hift* 
which  goes  under  the  name  of  Gc-fTrey  of  Mon- 
mouth, and  1  believe  it  will  be  in  vain  to  look 
for  any  more  aothentick  gen«alogift  of  all  that 
family ;  he  is  there  called  Walganus.  The  Fr« 
romancers,  who  have  built  upon  Geoffrey's  foun- 
dations, agree  in  dcfcribing  Gawain  as  a  model 
of  knightly  cuurtefy  :  to  this  hu  edablilhed 
charader  our  author  alludes 

Ga/ler,  m.  Fr.  as  gailer 

Gcant,  Iff.  Fr.  giant;  the  crane  the  geanc 

Gear,  n.  Sec  gerc 

Gende,  for  gent 

Gecelon,  pr.  a.  of  one  of  Charlemagne's  officers, 
who  by  his  treachery  was  the  caufe  of  the  de- 
feat at  Roncevaux,  the  death  of  Roland,  Sec.  for 
which  he  was  torn  to  pieces  by  horfes.  This  at 
leaft  IS  the  account  of  the  author  who  calls  him- 
feif  Archbiihop  Turpin,  and  of  the  romancers 
who  followed  him,  upon  whofe  credit  the  name 
of  Geneion  or  Ganelon  was  for  feveral  centuries 
centur.es  a  fynonymous  cxprelllon  for  the  worft 
of  traitors.  Our  .Author  alludes  to  his  treache- 
ry, and  to  his punifhment.     See  alio  Du,  zzai, 

Gent,  ud/^  Fr.  neat,  pretty 

Genterie,  n.  Fr.  gentility 

Gcntil,  i.dj.  Fr.  in  its  original  fenfe  means  welbom, 
of  a  noble  family,  *•  U  y  avoit  un  Chevalier, 
'*  Capicaiiie  de  la  ville : — point  geatiibomme  n' 
«♦  eftoit:— et  I'avoit  fait,  pour  U  vuillance,  Ic 
"  Roy  Edouard  Chevalier,'*  Frorjfart,  v.  ii.  c. 
77.  It  is  commonly  put  for  civil,  liberal,  gen- 
tlemanlike 
Gentilefie,  m.  Fr.  follows  the  fignifications  of  gentii 
Geomancie,  n.  Fr,  divinations  by  figures  made  oa 

the  earth 
Gere,  m.  Sax,  all  forts  of  inflruments ;  of  cookery, 
of  war,  of  apparel,  of  chemiflry ;  in  hir  quaint^ 
gere%  in  their  ftrange  fafhions 
Geric,  gcrful,  changeable,  probably  from  the  fr. 

gi!CT,  to  turn  round:  gietful 
Gerload, «.  i  r.  a  garianci,  the  name  of  a  dqg 


|M  G  L  a  s 

Gcffe,  V.  Sax.  to  ^cft  ** 

Geft,  n.  Sax.  a  gucfi 

Gcftes,  II.  //.  Lat.  adions,  adventares 

Geftour,  ti.  a  rehter  of  jells 

Get,  «•  Fr.  gcftc,  falhion,  behaviour ;  with  that 

faUe  get,  with  that  cheating  contrivance 
Gethe,  for  goeth 
Gie,  V.  Sjx.  to  guide 

Gigges»  II.  ^.  irregular  founds  produced  by  the 
wind,  &c.  Gigue,  Fr.  fignified  a  mufical  inftru- 
ment  like  a  fiddle,  and  from  thence  a  fort  of 
light  tune,  Menage  \ti  v.     It  is  probably  a  word 
of  Teutonic  original.  See  Junius 
Gilbertln,  pr.  n.  an  Knglifh  phyfician  of  the  13th 
century.    See  Fmlirictus^  Bikl.  Med.  JBt,  in  v. 
Gilberttts  de  AqviUa 
GWt^  part.  pa.  Sax.  gilded,  of  tbccoiour  of  gold 
Gilt,  H.  Sax.  guilt 
Gilour,  n.  Fr.  a  deceiver 
Oilte-les,  adf.  Sax.  free  from  guilt 
Gikif,  aJf.  Sax.  guilty.  Con/,  Am.  63,  b. 
Gin,  H.  Fr.  engine,  contrivance 
Gingiber,  n.  Fr.  ginger 
Gtsne,  V.  Sax.  to  begin 
Gipciere,  «.  Fr.  a  pouch  or  purfe 
Gipe,  n.  Fr.  an  upper  frock  or  caffock 
Oipon,  If.  Fr.  a  (hort  cafibck  * 

Girde,  ^.  Sax.  to  ftrike,  to  finite ;  this  word  is  per- 
haps the  original  of  gride  in  Spenfer.  See  Obf. 
on  Spcnf.  V.  ii.  p.  6% 
Girdclftede,  a.  Sax.  the  waift,  the  place  of  die  gir- 
dle 
Girles,  n.  pi.  Sax.  young  perfons  either  male  or  fe- 
male 
Girt,  part.   pa.   of  girde;  thurgh   girt,  fmitten 

through 
Gilarmc,  h.  Fr.  a  battleaz.   See  Dm  Cange  in  Gi- 

Jarma 
Gife,  H.  Fr.  guife,  falhion  ;  at  his  owen  gife,  in  his 

own  manner,  as  he  would  wifli 
Gite.n.  Fr.  a  gown 
Qitetoct  m.  Fr.  a  guitar 
Giterning)  n.  playing  on  a  giteme 
Glade,  V.  Sax.  to  make  glad 
Glader,  iv.  one  that  makcth  glad 
Gladfou,  aJJ.  Sax.  pleafant 
Gkfe,forglofe 

GUfe,  V.  Sax.  to  put  glafs  into  windows.  Da.  323 
Glalinge,  n.  gla&work,  Du.  327 
Gie,  n.  Sax.  mirth,  mufic ;  glees,  pi.  muilcal  inftru- 

ments 
Giede,  n.  Sa.v,  a  burniDg  coal ;  gledes,  pi,  fporks  of 

fire 
Glcirc,  n.  Fr.  the  white  of  an  egg 
Glent.  pa.  t.  glanced 
Glcve,  n.  Fr.  glaive,  a  lance 
GUmfing,  n.  glimmering 
Gliteren,/ter.  /.  //.  of  glitcr,  v.  Sax. 
ClodCf  pj.  t.  of  glide,  v.  Sax.  (he  glode  forth  as  an 

adder  doth,  Con/.  Am.  10$ 
Glombe,  v.  Sax.  to  look  gloomy 
Glofe.  n.  ir.  a  comment  or  interpretation 
Glofe,  V.  to  comment  or  inierprct|  to  fpeak  ten- 
derly, to  flatter 
Glotosi  n.  Ft.  a  glutton 


s  A  R  y. 

OIoweden,/tf.  /.  //.  of  glow,  v.  Sdx, 

Gnarre,  n.  a  hard  knot  in  a  tree 

Goat,  n.  Sax.  is  put  for  any  little  wortUc&  diiog 

Gniding,/iir/.  ^r.  Sax.  rubbing 

Gnoffc,  n.  an  old  cufF,  a  mifer,  Gloff.  Ur.  I  1 

not  upon  what  authority 
Gnowe,  pa.  t.  of  gnawe,  v.  Sax. 
Qo^  V.  Sax.  meatu  fometimcs  to  walk»  in 

difttnftion  to  riding 
Go,  {gon)  part.  pa. 
Gobbet,  H.  Fr.  a  morfef,  abit 
God,  n.  Sax.  God  toforne,  God  froing  before  ;])te 

favente,  Goddes  amies  two ;  Ooddet  booei^  vak- 

gar  oaths.  A*  Goddes  hall  See  Haife 
.  Gode,  good,  n.  Sav.  wealth,  goods 
Gode-lcs,  adj.  without  money  or  goods 
Godelyhede,  m.  Sax.  goodncls 
^  Godenefs,  n.  Sax.  at  godenefs,  at  advantage  ,*  aaj 

fo  we  fliould  read  where  the  editt.  have  at  gode 

mes,  the  orig.  has  embompMmt 
Godfib,  m.  Sax.  a  gofiip,  a  godfather 
Gofilh,  aiff.  foolilh,  from  the  Fr.  goffe,  dull  ftopi^ 
Gold,  n.   a  flower  commonly  called  a  tuxtU. 

Gower  lays  that  Leucothea  was  changed 

I0C6  a  floure  was  named  goldc,  ' 

Whiche  flont  governed  of  the  fontxe. 

Cm/I  Am,  121.  b. 

Oold-hewen,  aeg.  Sax.  of  a  goldeti  hue  or  cokcr 

Ooldfmithrie,  n.  Sax.  goId(miths  work 

Golet,  a.  Fr.  the  throat  or  gullet 

Goliardeis,  Fr.  This  jovial  fe^  fe^ms  to  have  beet 
fo  called  from  Goliaa,  the  real  or  aiTiimed  nae 
of  a  man  of  wit  coward  the  end  of  the  ijdi 
ccntufy.  He  Wrote  the  Apocatypjis  CoCa,  xd 
other  pieces,  in  burlefque  JLatin  rhymes,  lone 
of  which  have  been  falCely  attributed  to  Wakff 
Map.  See  Tanner*s  BlU.  Brit,  in  v.  CJiami, 
In  feveral  authors  of  the  i  xth  century,  qimed 
by  Du  Cange,  the  GoliarM  are;  cUflcd  with  tk 
Jucularet  et  iujfbnes 

Gomme, «.  Fr.  gum 

Gon,  in/,  tk.  Sax.  to  gin ;  fo  Riote  I  gOQ,  lb  mty  I 
fare  well ;  fo  mote  I  ride  or  go,  fo  may  I  bit 
well  riding  or  walking,  /.  e.  in  all  my  proceed- 
ings. Sec  Go. — Gbn,  par.  t.  pi.  part,  pj,  gone, 

Gonfanon,  m.  Fr.  a  banner  or  ttaodard 

Gong,  n.  Sax.  a  llttlehoufc,  a  jakca 

Gonne, ».  a  gun 

Gonnen,  gonue,  pa.  t.pl,  of  ginne 

Gore,  n.  It  has  been  fuggefted  to  me  by  a  letimi 
perfon,  whom  I  have  not  the  honour  to  ka»'i 
that  gore  is  a  common  name  for  a  flip  of  dsA 
or  linen,  which  Is  inlcrted  in  order  to  widtf  > 
garment  in  any  particular  place.  Cwv  of  a 
cloth,  laclrna^  Prompt.  Parv,  See  alTo  the  gk^ 
fary  to  Kennet's  Faroe f.  Aat.'q.  In  v.  Gore.  TUt 
fenfe  will  fuit  very  .well  with  the  context,  §6- 
lefs  we  fuppofe  that  gore  is  there  pot  for  Aiit, 
becaufe  (hirts  have  nfually  gor^  in  theai;  tk 
ezprclHon  would  certainly  be  very  aukwin^is^ 
unlike  Chaucer*«  general  manner,  but  ia  t^ 
place  (The  Htmc  of  S:ro  Thop2<J  hs  xs^f  *• 


GLOSSARY. 


tf8$ 


fuppofed  to  have  taken  h  pnTpofrly  from  one 
of  thofe  old  romaoces  which  are  the  objeds  of 
his  ri^cule. 

Gofe,  for  goes,  goeth 

ivolpeliere, «.  Sax.  evangelift 

Gonomer,  a.  a  thin  cobweb-Iike  fubHancc  which 
fljcs  ahout  in  the  air 

Ooft,  ti.  Sax.  fpirit,  mind 

Ooth,  imf.  d,  ferf.  pi.  go  yc 

Oovcrnaille,  /i.  Fr.  government,  fteerage 

Oounc-cloth,  cloth  enough  to  make  a  gown 

Gourd,  A.  a  veffcl  to  carry  liquor,  perhaps  fo  call- 
ed from  its  ihape 

^oWer,  pr.  n.  an  eminent  £ngli{h  poet,  to  wnom 
Chaucer  dire<^s  his  Troilus  and  Crefeide 

Grace,  a.  Fr.  favour;  fory  grace,  harde  grace, 
iDii>fortunc 

So  full  of  fnrowe  am  I,  fothe  to  fayne. 

That  certainly  no  more  hard  grace 

May  (it  on  me,  lor  why  ?  there  is  no  fpace. 

So  Hcroules,  ap.  Eurip.  H^. 

The  criticifm  of  Longinus,  fed.  zl.  ii  perhaps 
.     equally    applicable    to   both    paffages.-— With 

harde  grace,  is  to  be  undcrflood  as  ipoken  in  a 

parepthefis  of  the.  cherl,  misfortune  attend  him ! 

See  With.    Save  your  grace,  with  your  favour^ 

Jattvrf  voire  grace 
Oracious,  adj.  Fr,  agreeable,  graceful 
Orame,  a.  Sax.  grief,  anger  ;  felle  it  to  gode  or 

.  grame 
Orammert,  a.  Fr.  grammar 
Grand  mercie,  Fr.  great  thanks 
Onne,  a.  Fr.  a  grain,*a  fingie  feed 
Orange,  a.  Fr.  a  farm-hoafe 
Orapmcl,  a.  Fr.  a  grapphng-iron 
Gratche,  is  perhaps  the  fame  with  graithe,  if  not 

miftakcn  for  it.  Gloff.  Ur,    See  Grcithc.    The 

orig.  hat— ^*a0tf#A«  comme  Leguyne, 
Graunfon,/r.  a. 

Grave,  v.  Sax.  to  carve,  to  engrave 
Grave,, (graven)  part,  pa,  buric«i 
GrCf   A.  Fr.  picalure,  iati$fa<Uion,  from  grains, 

Lat.  to  receive  in  gre,  to  rake  kindly  ;  the  gre, 

the  prize.—- From  grodui,  Lat.  it  fignifie*  a  Uep 

or  degree 
Orede,  n.  Six.  a  greedy  perfon 
Grede,  v.  katb.  Lat.  to  ciy. 
Grcin,  a.    Fr.  grein    da  Paris,   de  Pataiis,  orig. 

f^rains  of  Paradife,  a  fort  of  fpice ;  grain  of 
.  Pcrtingale,  a  fort  of  fcarlct  dye  called  kcimet 

oc  vermilion 
Greithe,  v.  Sax.  to  prepare,  make  ready 
Gteaehed,  a.  Sax.  chikU(h|ie(a 
Grefe,  a.  Fr.  greafc 
Grete,  for  grede 

Grettc,^«.  of  grete,  «.  Sax,  greeted,  faluted 
Grevei,  A.  pi.  S^x.  groves 
Grille,  adj.  Fr.  horrible,  grymm,  gryl,  and  hor- 

ryble  ;  borridms.  Prompt.  Parv, 
Grint,  for  grindcth 
OriBte,/«.  t,  of  grind,  «.  Sax.  ground ;  grint  with 

bis  teeth,  gnnlhcd  with  his  teeth 
Grinring,  a.  grinding,  gnaAiiog 

Vol.  I. 


Gris,  A.  Fr.  a  fpccies  of  fur 

Grilly,  adj.  Sax.  dreadful 

Groche,  t/.  S.tx.  to  grutch,  to  murmur 

Groff,  adj.  Sax.  flat  on  the  ground 

Groine,  a.  Fr.  the  fnowt  of  a  fwine,  a  hanging  Ii|> 

Groioe,  v.  to  hang  the  lip  in  difcontent 

Gronq,  v.  Fr.  to  groan,  to  grunt 

Gront,^a.  /.  groaned 

Grope,  «.  Six.  to  fearch,  to  examine  by  feelinj^ 

Grot,  A.  a  coin  worth  fourpcnce 

Grounden,^tfr/.^.  of  grind 

Groyning,  a.  difcontent.     See  Groine 

Guerdon,  a.  Fr.  reward,-  recompeufe 

Guerdon,  v.  to  reward 

Guerdonlcs,  adj.  without  reward 

Guido,  pr,  A.  Guido  de  Columpnis,  Guido  dalle 
Colonne,  of  MelFina  in  Sicily,  a  lawyer  and  a 
poet,  died  about  Ilyo.  ^aJrio,  vol.  li.  p.  i6o. 
His  hiilory  of  the  Trojiu  wrar,  to  which  our 
Author  refers,  was  written  in  I^atin,  and  fi* 
nilhcd  in  1287.  I  have  there  intimated  inr 
fufpicioB  that  he  tranflated  it,  for  the  moft 
part,  from  a  French  romance  of  fienoit  de 
Sainte  More.  However  that  may  have  been^ 
Guido's  work  is  certainly  the  original  from 
which  the  later  writers  of  the  middle  agea 
have  generally  taken  their  accounts  of  Trojan 
affairs.  It  was  tranflated  into  lulian  in  I.'ta4 
by  Filippo  Ccfii,  a  Florentine,  [^ai/Wf>,  vol. 
vi.  p.  475.1  A  French  tranflation  is  alfo  ex- 
tant, in  which  it  is  faid  to  be  "  tranflat^c,  co 
"  Francois,  premierement  du  commandement 
**  du  Maire  de  la  c\\£  de  Beauvais,  en  nom  et 
**  en  honneur  de  Karles  le  Roy  dc  France,  1'  an 
'*  mil.  ccc  quatre  vingtz,"  [mf.  Reg.  16  F.  ir.J 
This  is  probably  the  French  tranflation  men- 
tioned by  Lydgate  iu  the  Prologue  to  his  Boke 
of  Troye,  which  is  a  mere  paraphrafe  in  vcriis 
of  Guido's  hiilory,  with  fomc  digteflions  and 
additions  of  his  own.  LydsateU  work  wair  fi- 
niflied  (as  he  tells  us  himMf  at  the  eiid)  in 
1420. 

Habergeon,  a.  Fr.  a  dinii^itive  of  hauberg,  a  cou 

of  mail 
Hahilitec,  a.  Fr.  ability 
Habitnclcs,  A.//.  Ft.  places  of  habitation 
Habile,  V,  Fr.  to  dwell 
Habund:int,^iiri./r.  Fr,  abandant 
Hackenaie,  a.  Fr.  an  ambling  horfe  or  pad 
Hacking,  A.  Pr.  cutting  in  pieces 
Haddcn,  pa.  t,^l,  of  have 
Haf,  pa.  /.  of  heve,  v.  Sax.  heaved,  raifed 
Haic,  hay,  a.  Fr.  a  hedge 
Haile,  a.  Sax.  health,  welfare 
l-IaileSf/r.  A.  of  an  abbey  in  Gloaceflerfliire 
Haire,  a.  Fr.  a  haircloth 
Hakeney,  a.  Fr.  as  hackenaie 
Hakcton,  a.  Fr.  a  fliort  cafTock  without  fleevet 
Haldcn,  for  hoiJch,  pari,  pa,  of  hold 
Halfe,  A.  Sax.  a  fide,  a  part ;  a'  Goddes  half,  Dm^ 

370,  on  God*s  part,  with  God's  favour ;  a*  thia 

halfe  God,  on  this  fide  of  God ;  four  halvetg 

four  (ides 
Hah,  /r.  A.  an  Arabian  phyGcian,  FakrU*  BiiU 

Gr,  t.  xii^  1 .  47. 


Halke, «.  Sax.  a  cornef 

Haipe,  fa.  t.  of  help,  v,  Sasc* 

Halt,  «.  Sax.  the  neck 

Hslfe,  V.  Sax.  to  kift  round  the  neck— to  con- 
jure 

Hair,  pa.  t.  of  hold,  v.  ^ax.  held  or  kept 

Halt,  for  Holt,  i.  e.  holdeth,  Du.  6a  i. 

Hake,  V,  Fr.  to  go  lamely,  />«•  6a». 

Hame,  for  home,  ».  J<ix. 

Hamele,  v.  Sax.  to  hamftriHg,  to  cut  off 

Hamers, ».  ^/.  Sux-  hammers,  />».  1164. 

Han,  i«/  m.  of  have,  v.  Jtf*. 

Hanfelines,  appears  from  the  context  to  mean  a 
fort  of  breccnes 

Happc,  n.  Sjx.  chance 

ftappc,  V.  to  happen  ^     ^      , 

Hard,  adj.  S::x,  hard;  harde  grace,  misfortnne. 
See  Grace.    It  is  ufed  adTerbimUy 

Hirdc,  V,  Sax.  to  make  hard 

Hardcly,  (hardily)  adv,  Fr.  boldly,  adv.  Sax.  cer- 
tainly 

Harding,  m.  Sax.  hardeninj; 

Harie,  v.  Fr.  to  hurry  ;  to  harie  and  drawe 

Haried,  pari.  pa.  hurried ;  ih  ferwait  harlex  en 
grand  matter e.     Froiffart,  V.  i.  c.  215* 

Harlot,  «.  was  anciently  applied  to  men  as  well  as 
women 

Harlotries, «.  pf.  ribaldries 

Hirneis,  n.  Fr.  armour,  furniture 

Harneife,  v.  Fr.  to  drefs 

Harow,  iaterj. 

iiarpour,  « .  Fr.  a  harpour.  In  the  ad  of  refriihp- 
tion,  a8  H.  VI.  there  is  a  provifo  in  favour  of 
John  Turgcs,  harpour  with  the  queen,  for  the 
rcverfion  of  an  annuity  of  10  marks,  after  the 
death  of  William  Langton  mioftrel 

Harwcd,  p.  t.  of  harwe,  v.  Sax.  harraffed,  fubdued 

Hafardour,  «.  Fr.  a  player  at  hazard,  a  gamefter 

Hafardrir,  «.  Fr.  ffittiinj?  in  general 

Hafelwode.  All  thipaflagcs  in  which  this  word 
eccurs  plainly  allaUe  to  the  fame  proverbial 
faying,  which  appears  to  have  been  ufed  in 
fcorn  or  derifion  of  any  improbable  hope  or  ex- 
pectation ;  why  it  was  fo  ufed  is  beyond  my 
reach  to  difcovcr  :  it  may  be  proper,  however, 
to  mention  that  in  T.  iti.  892,  ml.  Harl.  3943, 
reads — Hiifelwode  is  ihaken— and  that  the  pai- 
fage,  T.  V.  1 174,  is  an  imitation  of  the  follow- 
ing in  the  Filofltrato. 

Ma  Pandero  feco  tacitamente 
Ride  di  cio  che  Troylo  dicea 
Chel  fl  fuffe  f«mbiante  facea 
i)i  crederlo,  e  dicia,  di  tmuagibih 
AJpetta  il  vento  gaeflo  tapirullo, 

Haftif,  tt^.  Fr.  hafty 

Haftifly,  adv.  haOily 

Hate,  V.  Sax.  to  be  named 

Hauberk,  n.  Fr.  a  coat  of  mail 

Haunce,  v.  Fr.  to  raife,  to  enhance 

Haunt,  M.  Fr.  cuftom,  praAicc 

Haunte,  v.  Fr.  to  pradlifc 

Haunteden,  fa.  t.  pi.  praflifed,  frequented 

Hatitein,  adj.  Fr.  naughty,  loud,  a  n:iutein  fancon, 

a  highflying  hawk,  faulcon  hauitain,  Fr. 
HavfD,  inf.  m.  of  have,  'o.  Sax.\  it  is  more  COB- 

monly  abbreviated  into  han 


GLOSSARY. 


Havoir,  for  svoir»  «•  JFr.  wealth 
Hxwe,  It.  Smx,  ^  hawthorn  berry,  a  bi 

churchyard 
He,  pr9n.  Sax.  19  often  prefixed  in  aB  i 

proper  names  emplnticaliy,  aocetdi 

Saxon  Dfafpe  ;  he  Nlofcn,  be  Tttfrm. 

fo  frequently  ufed  for  «r  in  all  ctffes 
Hed,  ff.  Sax.  head  ;  on  hii  hc&,  as  fm 

his  head 
Hedde,/9r  hidde,  (hidden) 
Hegges,  ».  pi.  Sax.  hedget 
Hcifugge,  curruca,  a  little  bird  winch  i 

to  hatch  the  cukoo's  rn,  and  »  be 

by  the  youn^  cnkous,  S/, 
Hele,  V.  Sax.  Hebn,  to  hide 
Hele,  9.  Sax.  hae!mn,  to  heal,  to  help 
Hele,  n.  Sax.  health 
Heleles,«^.helplefs 
Helife,^r.  n.  Elj'fiuni 
Helmed,  part.  pa.  Fr.  armed  vridi  an  he 
Hirlowi!i,^r.  M.  E^oifa  the  niiftrels  of  il 

See  a  lummary  of  their  hiftorr  in  J 

Hem,  oAl.  c.  fl.  of  he,  them.  See  Him 
Hemil'lf,  hcmfelve^  hemfeiven.  See  Self 
Henchmen,  ».  pi.  p^i^es.     See  a  note  oa 

ftmimer  Ni];ht*s  Dream  of  Shakelpcai 

fc.  2.  laft  edit. 
Hende,  hcndy,  ad}.  Sax.  civil,  coorreou 
Hcnen,  henne,  hennes,  hens,  «A«  Smx.  bt 
Hmg,/<f.  /.  and  part,  of  hanff 
Hemiesforth,  adv.  Sax.  henceforth 
Hente,  v.  Sax.  to  take  hold  of,  to  catcfc 
Hent,/w.  /.  St  port. 
Hepe,  m.  Sax.  z  hap;  to  hepe;   togct&a 

heap— 4he  fruit  of  the  do^grole 
Heraud,  m.  Fr.  a  herald        ^ 
Herbergage, «.  Fr.  UuigtDg 
Herbergeourii,  «.  //.  Fr.  proriden  of  U) 

harbingers 
Herberwe,  a.  Sax.  an  inn,  a  lodeinr— dad 

the  fun  :  it  rather  means,  1  thiift,  a  mk 

herber,  an  arbour 
Herberwe,  v.  Sax.  to  lod|^ 
Hsrrd,    hierde,  m.  Sax.  a  keeper— hodefi 

ihepherd-boys 
Herdes,  m.  pi.  coarfe  flax  ;  herde,  iibra  fiai,  ^ 

That  not  of  hcmpe  ne  heerdit  waa 

So  this  ver.  is  written  in  ntf  J&iKcr ;  tk 
ha^  only— <//r  nejxt  da  kmrroM 

Here,  for  hire,  pr9m. 

Here,  adv.  Sax.  in  thit  ^lace 

Here,  in  com|»ofition,  fifnifirt  this,  nidi 
eluding  any  idea  of  place  ;  hereafttMs,! 
this ;  herebcibm,  before  this 

Here,  v.  Sax.  to  hear  — Rcfd^  harde,  M.  I.  < 
Herden,  pa.  t.  pL 

Here, «.  Bttx.  hair 

Heren,  a^.  made  of  hair 

Herking,/«^.  pr.  of  herke.  ».  Som.  knfa 

Hermes, /r.  a.  a  chymical  trcatife  wierh 
is  exunt  in  the  Tbamt.  CSamU  L  ifL  Sf 
BiU.Gr.  L  X.  c.  10.  Harmes  Arftm*.i 
a  difllrent  perlba  from  him  raft  wsii 
cannot  tell 

Heroe,  n.  Sj:c.  1  coracr 


G  L  O  d  S 

li^ronerci «.  Pn  a  hawk  made  to  flf  onily^  at  the 
■    hcroa 

HertmfdWfia,  *,  ^/.  Fi-.  foiiag  heront 
H^rte,  toe  hart,  v.  54*.  Dn.tB^  •    ,  . 

Hcrtc,  1^  ^  JJT.  hcMt  i  herteblooi,  heatrt*s  bl^od ; 
,   hcne-fpon« 

H?rtelc9r  1^'  without  coangie 
Hcrtlyt  *i^.  hf:arty 
Hery,  >».  ^jjc,  ip  priife 
Htfrying,  *<- praife 
fiefle*  jf.  5*1  jf.  cammsn*— promife 
Met,  hctte,^a.  ^.  of  hcte,  v.  Sate,  hei^ffd.  ^  - 

t    Hete,  V*  5jx,  to  promifc,  to  be  called,  Ihi.  too 
•  See  Highte 

getheoefi'e,  «.  ^^x.  coQntry  of  heathefiv 
ething,  n.  Sjx,  contempt,  ati  it  tliy  bething  lal- 
• ,  leo  upoo  thee  ,  :.  ^ 

Hcve, «.  ^i/«.  to  heave,'  to  nife— v.  •««#.  to  la- 
.   hour   .... 
I    HcTed,  n.  5»«».  head  ;  every,  virtne  m  mr  h^ved; 
fo  I  appcehencl  this  line  (hould  be  read,  iaftead 
•  of  m  me  heved  ... 

Ht^vrn-quenr,  n.  iax,  the  ^een  of  heaven,  the 

;  Virgin  Marf 
|l7W  t>f  Luicoln./r.  lu,  .     .         ^      . 

HeMr«,  V.  5rf*.  tQ  cut — t'.  ii«rf.  he  that  h^wetK  td 
hie,  with  chippea  he  ouy  lefe  hit  fight  t  to  in, 
the  Ctfn/.  ^«r. 

Fall  ofte  he  heweth  np  fo  hye,. 
That  chyppei  fallen  in  hit  eye. 

Hewtf,  If.  Sax,  colour,  appearance 
H^wc^U  ^jr^  ^#,  coloured  •      :      •. 

K* 3cr»  J^  /*/?*W,  5^jf.   higbeft ;    hegh,  heghe(k 
hf^ft,  hm.  Jo  ihc  fame  maDocf  ncxtit  lorm- 
f :  <d  from  DC jrh 
ttidrtU*>ii.^.  Fr^dfCatlfui 
Hid* sully,  iiJv.  icmbly 

ftie.  n.  h:iftc»  <^ilii^CTice  ;  id  or  on  hie,  in  hafte 

Hk,  ^ijf  ^i^>  "-^Z' ^'''*' ^"g^  -    -. 

Hi*^ratffe,  *.  ^Sjx,  i  rhcphtfikf**    See  Herde 
Jlj^hcn  13  perhaps  mLfwritten  for  highe 
Higbt^  n^  ,9flx,  beighth,  oti  hight  ftemi  to  figntfy 

^^ilt^ud,  in  a  hifh  voice  ?  en  frjwf,  Fr. 
Higbtf ,  V*  Sdx.  called 

Htm,  *W. #.  of  hr,  i*  often  uf«sd  a!f>ne  In  that  reci- 

procai  fenfc,  which  ia  jfcotrblly  criprctrcd  bf 

the  addition  of  tli«  adj.  fdf ;  than  hath  he  don 

Mt  frend  ne  hini  no  ihim«^  '.  ^f.  nor  hitnfclf  i 

t«  he  him  hid    and  clad  him    aul  bare  him.*- 

•     It  H  alfu  frtqucntly  put  without  thf  ufual  pn.- 

poiition     him  to  pj^nu  fliame ;  to  gf  c»f  Ibtm^ 

pf  him  i  th«  f*llcth  him  to  fete,  Ibc  UlUih  it 

the  feet  of  him  ;  (be  fwore  him,  £he  fworc  to 

5 .  him  :  hcsn  antl  hire  arc  wftd  in  thi  fime  maoncr 

KimlVlf,  himfsWc,  blruftWiiO.    Set  S<ir 

Hinilcf£f^,/i//'<rA  i.  oi  hiiiJ^  ad"*,  S#*,  hmdnwft 

Sine,  n  Sjjc.  u.  fervent  in  hufbjndry,  a  hind 
ine,  *.  /?uL  rtL  J5,  ib<iuld  ptobibljr  b^  bieoc  : 
the  gall  jf  an  hyena  waa  yfcd  to  cute  a  Cfrcain 
.    difordtr  of  th£  eye,  FHa.  *V.  if.  1  arir.  c,  z^- 

Sippocras,  fr-  ft,  Hippotratci 
ir,/r*»./e/.Stfir*  their 
Hir#,  •*/.  r.  ol  fli*?,  ^rirjj,  5tfy-  w  often  put  fcr  het- 
felf,  and  ViEbuut  uie  ufual  prepofition.    See 


ART.  «9f 

'  Hire, pnm.pcff.  Sax ,  her 
Hircfclf,  hirefclvr,  hirefelven.    See  Self 
Hirs,  firoH,  pojf.  Sax,  theirs 
Hiftorial,  atfj,  Fr,  hiftorical 
Ho,  inttrj^  Fr,  commanding  a  ceflation  of  any 

a^on 
Hochcpnt,  a.  Fr.  ft  miatuce  of  varioui  thing*  fii»- 

kqu  toguher  in  the  lame  pot 
Hoker, «.  Sisa,  frowardnefs 
HokirljT,  */w,  fiovvjTuiir 
Hold,  n.SjH^z  fort  or  callle  . 

HjJd.  T,  S*r,  to  ktcp    to  hold  in  honde,  to  keep 

in  furpenfe    to  a  mule  in  order  to  deceive 
Hold,  holden,  part,  pa,  obliged 
H'>lc,  holii  adj.  Sax.  entire,  whole,  found 
iraSy.  tfJv,  entirely,  wholly 

Holt,  II  5 jx'.  ft  grbvc  or  foreit 

Hok,  for  hpiJeth  .        , 

HonUyp  ^f*j  Sax.  domcAic — plabj  (imple .  ^        ^ 

Homlmcilc,  m.  Sax,  domefUc  Euanagcmeoty  kad^ 
liarity  . 

Hande,  a.  Sax,  a  hand ;  an  honde-brede,  ai| 
hand'k  breadth  ;  withonten  hondc,  wichcui  be- 
ing palled  br  any  haaJ^^-Honden,/*/, 

Honeft,  af*  Fr,  means  ^lencraUj",  according  t^ 
the  Freiicb  ufage,  crediEible,  honoiLrible,  be^ 
coming  a  per fon  of  fink 

Unt^kttcf,  hontftce, ».  Ff.  virtue,  decency— good 

-  -manners    . 

Hong,  V-  S^r,  to  hang 

Haau  f-  5tf*.  i?«  jSj,  ai  bunt  . 

Hony-fwcte,  adj.  Sn^e.  fwect  as  hodcy 

Hoptf,  "-J,  Sj*.  U>  cape^ 

Hcjppeftere*.  ».  ^/.  5,/*.  danccri 

Hord^  n.  Sjje,  treafopc— 1  priffAcc  pUcc  fit  for  llie 
keeping  of  tre^ure 

Hnrc.  boor,  tf^.  Sat.  boiff,  gray 

H'>fowe»  J'^.  *'iax.  foul 

Morriblete,  ft.  Fr,  hnrribkneft 

Hqh,  «*  ^L  .^jx.  horfcs 

H  *Tra,  isdf.  Sar,  hoarfe,  Dit,  347- 

Horily,  a^.  is  applied  to  a  horfe,  at  manly  ii  td 
.  a  man 

Hofpiulcrs,  «.  pL  Lot.  religioua  perlboa  of  both 
fexes  who  attended  the  Jkk  iri  hofpiuliH-- 
knights  Irl^ifpif^lcTa  ot  djttcrcot  orders.  Sed 
■  Bh  Cji^s  in  V,  HtfffttiaUrinx 

Hoft,  ft.  Fr.  an  af  my 

H»ilclcrc,  *.  Fr.  an  innkeeper 

HolfecWe,  fl.  Fr.  an  inn  or  lodi^ing-hoiire 

lioailcmcnts  J4,  f^    houfchold  turniture 

Hole,  aJj.  Bait,  hot 

Hotc,  hnten  /tfi^/-'  of  hcte,  called 

Hove,  V.  5tf».  to  hover 

Hound-fifli,  n.  5ax.  the  dog-filh  ,  _     ,    ^  • 

Houne,  n.  for  hound,  thus  faid  both  here  ^n<i 
houne,  i. «.  hare  and  hound,  all  forij  of  peo* 

Houpcd,  pa,  t.  Fr.  hooped  or  hollowed 
Houfcl,  M,  SaK.  the  eacharift  ^^    ■     t 

Houfel,  V.  to  adminifter  the  facrammt-io  9CQ 

houfeied,  to  receive  the  facramenc 
Howve,  n.  Sax.  a  cap  or  hood 
Hulfcre,».5jic.  holly 
Hulftrcd, />arf.  />a.  5ir*.  hidden 
Humblehedr,  a.  5j«.  humble  fbft 


GLOSSARY. 


*9» 

Humblcflc, ».  Fr.  humility  . 

Humbling,  n.  -i.  humminsf;  Bommelen  bemb'iUri, 
hombytfi  edere^  Kiiiam  ;   hcncC  OUr  humblc-bec 

Hunt,  ti.  Sax.  a  huntfman 

Hurtle,  V.  Fr,  to  pu(h 

Hulbabdrie,  n.  Sax.  thrift,  economical  manage- 
ment 

Hufbond-man,  n.  SJx.  the  matter  of  the  family 

Huft,  adj.  Sax.  filent,  whift 

Hyldc,  ♦.  Sax.  to  pour 

Hylled,/ar/.^.  Sax.  hidden.    See  Hele 


t. 


I,  at  the  beginning  of  a  word,  in  the  common 
edit,  and  even  the  mf.  of  Chaucer,  is  often  ufed 
to  exprefj)  a  corruption  of  the  Saxon  prepofi- 
tive  particle  Ge,  which  in  this  edit,  of  The 
Canterbury  Tales,  is  always  ezprcfled  byjr; 
all  fuch  words  therefore  occurring  in  the  Works 
ef  Chaucer  not  contained  in  this  edition,  (hould 
be  looked  for  cither  under  y  or  undet  their  fc- 
cond  letters 
Jacobin,  ^r.  n.  a  gray  frier 
jacke  Straw,  /r. ».  the  noifc  made  by  the  follow- 
ers of  this  rebel,  to  which  our  Author  aUudes,' 
he  had  probably  heard  himfelf ;  it  is  called  by 
'Walfingham,  p.  25 1 ;  **  Clamor  horrendiffimus, 
"  non  fimilis  clamoribus  quos  edere  folent  ho- 
'*  mines,  fed  qui  ultra  omnem  aeftimationem 
''  fuperaret  omnes  clamores  humaoos,  et  maxi- 
**  me  poflet  aflimulari  ululatibus  inftmalium 
•*  incolarum."  Many  Flemings  ( Flamiftnfes ) 
were  beheaded  by  the  rebels  eum  ctamore  confute 
to.  Waljmgbam,  ibid. 
Jambeauz,  n.  fl.  Fr.  boots,  armour  for  the  legs 
Jane,  n.  a  coin  of  fjanuaj  Genoa ;  it  is  put  fot 
any  fmall  coin 

angle^  9.  Fr.  to  prate,  to  talk  much  or  hSi 
angle,  n.  prate,  babble 
angler,  janglour,  n.  a  prater 
'anglereffe, «.  a  female  prater 
ape,  n.  Sax.  a  trick,  a  jeft 
ape,  V.  to  jeft^— to  cheat,  to  laugh  at 
aper,  m  a  common  jeller  or  bufioon 
aperie, «.  buffoonery 
ape-worthy,  adj.  ridiculous 
ch,  iche, /roff.  Sax.  I.  fo  the  ich,  fo  the  iche,  fo 

may  I  profper 
Idel,  adj.  Sax.  idle,  fruitlefs ;  in  idcl,  in  vain 
Idolaftre,  «.  Fr.  an  idolater 
^eopard,  v.  to  hiizard,  to  put  in  danger 
w'cpardie,  n.  danger 
"eopi  rdife,  Du.  (M. 
crcmie,^r.  n.  Jeremiah 
Jerome,  pr.  n.    Our  Author  has  made  ranch  nfc 

of  a  trcatifc  of  St.  Jerome  contra  Jt-jittianum 
Jeftes,  n.  pi.  as  geftes 

Jewerie,  «.  Fr.  a  diftridl  inhabited  by  Jews 
Jewife,  H.  judgment,  puniflimcnt ;  it  may  have 
been  formed  by  corruption  either  of  the  Lat. 
judicium  or  the  J^x.jujiioe 
WtptoH.  Sax.  I.     Sec  Ich 
llion,  f,r.  n.  the  citadel  of  Troy 
like,  adj.  Sax.  fame 

Imaginatifi  adj.  Fr»  fufpicioiw 


Tmped,  ^art.  pm.  Sa».  planted 
Impes,  «r.  //.  Sax.  IhooU  of  trees 
lmpetren,/r.  f,  pi.  Ff.  obuio  bypnyr 
Importable,  adj.  Fr,  intolerable— oo^ 
Importune,  adj.  Fr.  troublefome 
Iropoflible,  «^*  Fr.  ufed  as  a  (iibibnitn 
In,  pref.  Sax.  upon,  an  with,  witkio 
Incomorous,  adj.  Fr,  cumberfoQie 
tnconftance,  «.  Fr.  inconiUiicj 
Inde,  adj.  Fr.  azure-coloured 
Indigne,  adj,  Fr.  unw^orthy 
Ineched,  part.  pa.  Sax.  inTcrted 
In  equal,  aJj,  Fr.  uncial 
Infortunat,  adj.  Lai.  anfortootte 
Infortune,  a.  Fr.  misfortune 
Ingot,  A.  a  mould  for  cafting  ingots 
Inhabit,  ^ar/./«.  Fr.  inhabited 
lohilde,  9.  Sax.  to  pour  in.    See  Hykk 
Injure,  n.  Fr.  injury 
Inly,  adv.  Sax.  inwardly,  deeply,  tfaflra 
Inne,  frcp.  Sa*.  in 

Inne,  in,  m.  Sax.  a  houfe,  habitatioa,  ]oi 
Inncd,  part,  pa.  Sax.  lodged 
Inncrede,  adj.frp.  Sax.  inmoll 
Innocent,  adf.  Fr,  ignorant 
Infelefi,/Ear/.  pa.  Fr.  attefted  under  feal 
liStXfpart.pa.  Sax.  implanted 
Interminable,  adj.  Fr,  infinite 
Inwitte,  n.  Sax.  underftahding 
Joce,  pr.  m.  or  JoiTe-^andos  Jndoctti  m 

of  Ponthieu.     yocai,  HatgiJ,  preSad 

nage,  Ftymol.  Fr. 

Joconde,  a^,  Fr,  joyous,  pleafanc 
o^Iour,  m.  Fr,  a  ju^Ier 
omantf  part,pr.  Fr.  joining 
oine,  V.  Fr,  to  enjoin 
olie  Robin,  the  name  of  a  diKC^  it  it 

Beau  RUimt  orig. 
Jolif,  adj.  Fr.  jolly,  joyful 
jombre, «.  to  iumble 
Jonglerie,  n,  ihould  rather  be  jtng lerie,  ii 

See  Jangle 
Joflfa,  imttrj.  feems  to  be  partly  fonued  61 

Fr.  r«,  come  hither 
Jovis,  pr. «.  Jupiter 

Journee,  A.  Fr.  a  day's  journey,  a  day's  «« 
Joalles,  ii./iL  Fr.\u^% 
Joweles,  n.  pi.  Fr.  jewels 
Joye,  V.  Fr.  to  enjoy 
Ipocras,  A.  Fr,  wme  mixed  with  ipitesiB' 

ingredients,  fo  named,  becaofe  it  ill 

through  a  woollen  doth  called  theJLtm\ 

pocrates.    See  Clarre 
Ire,  A.  Fr.  anger 
Irous,  adj.  paflionate 
Ifaude,  pr.  A.     See  Belle  Ifaode-Sk  ii  < 

r/ait  by  Bernard  da  Vcuudor«   wLi 

fol.  67; 

Tant  trag  pena  d*amor, 
Q^anc  Trijlaa  Tamador 
Non  fofret  maior  dolor 
Per  Tfna  la  bluuU. 

Andfo  in  Fahlimtix,  Is^t,  t.lpiHi;! 
Slcnde.  Petrarch  calls  her  Ifim.  ^f 
jtmorg,  iii.  8a.  A  late  Frtncb  mcr.  • 
he  h£s  bets  plcafed  to  fiyle  Bf^^ 


C  L  O  S 

Uurst  [t.  It.  p.  323,]  having  quoted  a 

celebrating  the  love  of  TrifUn  i  Ifault, 
yy  coolly— ^*^  "?**  aUuJiam  k  quelque 

which  18  juft  as  if  a  commentator  up- 
1  (hould  fay  of  the  epiille  from  Paris  to 
that  it  alludes  to  fome  Greek  (lory 
i  per/,  neut.ieHd,  Sax.  is  ufed  inftead  of 
(he 

0.  Italy 

pr.  n.  Gibraltar 
a  veflel  for  holding  ale  or  wine 

the  book  of  Judges  ;  fo  Mttamorpbtfios 

for  the  Metamorphofis  oif  Qvid,  and 

for  the  ^neis  of  Virgil 

r.  a  judge 

.  the  month  of  July 

«. 

if.  as  jeopardie 
1.  Fr.  jeopardy 

Fr.  a  judge 

fr,  H.    The  law  referred  to  is  in  the 
.  xi.  tit.  25,  De  meduantibus  vatitfh 
r.  If.  the  Roman  fatirift 


n.  Lat.  a  calendar,  a  guide  or  dtredlor 

n.  pi.  Lat.  the  firft  day  of  the  month, 

inning  of  any  thing 

H.  a  term  of  repro«ich 

ax.  too  cool 

kemped,  patt,  pa,  Sjx,  combed 

m.  Sjx.  a  tub 

>r.  n.  See  his  life  in  all  the  edit*  of  the 

Golden  Legend 

hx.  care,  attention 

o  take  care 

r.  a  corruption  of  coverchief 

•  //.  Fr.  battlements 

ix.  watercrcfTes ;  ofparamoursneraugfat 

a  kers,  he  cared  not  m  rufli  for  love  : 

.  ufed  in  the  fame  fenfe 

.  Sjx.  a  carver 

tax.  to  kifs 

/.  kiffed 

.  T.  iii.  as  cacche 

,  Fr,  to  cover,  it  iignifies  to  cover 

Sax.  a  little  cake 

:,  /tf .  t.  &  part,  of  kithe,  made  known, 

•ed 

jx.  to  kick 

X.  kindred ;  by  my  £Mier  kin,  by  my  fa- 

indred 

)f  the  fame  nature 

urx.  nature 

Iv.  naturally 

r.  kindred 

Sax.  a  tnnick  or  waiflcoaf,  in  kirtels 

ic  other  wode ;  ftti  ffioiemt  tm  fut*  cottes. 

Sax.  to  (hew,  to  make  known,  oe  kithe 

)uiie,  nor  (hew  to  her  any  jealoufy 

xru  pa.  See  Kid 

/.  Sax,  cut 

n.  pi.  Sax,  trifling  tricks :    the  word 

>  have  been  formed  from  the  knacking 

)ijig  of  the.  Angers  uicd  by  jugglers.  See 


S  A  R  Y.  693 

Cotp,  in  V.  Afjtajitier  ttes  mains  tnd  Ntquei -m^mm 

trifling  words,  p.  *I5 
Knappe,  «.  a  fliort  flccp,  a  nap 
Knarry,  adj.  Sax.  full  of  gnarres  or  knots 
Knave,  n.  Sax.  a  fervant,  properly  a  boy-fervant^ 

a  knave -child,  a  male  child— this  boie  knave, 

ce  warco/if  orig. 
Knedde,  part,  pa,  of  knede,  v.  Sax,  kneaded 
Kneen,  kncnc,  n,  pi.  Sax,  knees 
Knet,  part,  pa,  as  knit 
Knight,  n.  Sax*  a  fervant,  generally  a  femnt  ia 

war,  a  foldier-*i  dubbe a  knight 
Knighthode,  a,  valour 
Knit,  fart.  pa.  Sam.  joined,  bound— agreed 
Knobbes,  n.  pt.  Sax.  excrefcencies  in  the  ihape  oL 

buds  or  buttons.  See  Knoppe 
Knoppe,  n.  Sax,  a  button— 1  rofebud 
Knopped,  part,  pa,  It^ttoned,  faftened 
Knotte,  M.  Sax.  a  kw  :  in  fome  inftances  it  is  itf^ 

cd  in  the  fenfe  of  noguJj  Fr,  for  the  chief  point 

or  head  of  a  matter 
Knotteles,  atfj.  Sax.  without  a  knot,  without  any 

thing  to  •bftrad  or  retard  the  paiTage 
Knowe,  for  knee 

Knowleche,  v.  Sax.  to  acknowledge 
Knowleching, «.  knowledge 
Konning,  n.  as  conning,  cunning 
Kyke,  v.  Saz.  to  look  fteadfaftly ;  kijcken,  TcutJ 

fpeHare,  Kilian 


Labbe»  n,  a  blab,  a  great  talker 

l^abbing,  part,  pr.  bUbbing 

Lzccdf  part,  pa,  Fr,  tied,  bound 

Lacert,  «.  Fr.  a  flelhy  mufcle,  fo  termed  from  fts 
having  a  tail  like  a  lizard 

Lache,  adj,  Fr.  fluggifh 

Lache/Te,  n.  Fr,  fiacknefs,  negligence 

Lad,  ladde,^a.  t,  of  lede,  v.  Sax,  led,  carried 

Laft,^tf.  /.  kpart.  of  leve,  v.  Sax.  left 

L3ie,  a.  T.  i.  as  lay 

Laied,  part,  pa,  of  lay, /p.  Sase, ;  with  orfrcys  laied, 
«'.  e,  trithnied  :  fo  this  word  is  frequeniiy  ufed 
by  Hollinflied,  vol.  iii.  p.  1317  ;  laid  with  gold 
lace— laid  on  with  red  lilko  and  gold  lace— - 
laid  about  with  iilver  lace.  See  Couched 

Latne,  inf,  v.  Sjx.  to  lay 

Lainers,  m.  pi.  Fr.  ftraps  or  thongs 

Lake,  x,  it  is  difficult  to  fay  what  fort  of  cloth  ia 
meant;  laeken,  Belg.  iignifies  both  linen  and 
woollen  cloth,  KUiam 

Lakke,  x.  Sax,  a  fault,  a  difgraceful  adion,  want 

Lakke,  v.  to  find  fault,  to  blame 

Lamben,  n,  pi.  Sax.  lambs 

Langure,  v.  Fr.  to  languifh 

Lapidaire,  a  treatife  on  precious  ftones  fo  entitled ; 
probably  a  French  tranflation  of  the  Latin 
poem  of  Marbodus  Dt  Gemmhy  which  is  fre- 
quently cited  by  the  name  of  Lapidarim,  Fam 
brie,  BibL  Med,  J&t,  in  V.  Marbodus 

Lappe,  m.  Sax,  a  (kirt  or  lappet  of  a  garment 

Large,  adj.  Fr.  fpacious,  free,  prodigal ;  at  large, 
at  liberty ;  til  that  was  prime  Urge,  till  primo 
was  far  fpent 

Largely,  adv.  fully 

Las,  n.  Fr*  i  Ucc— a  ioare 


«0#  9  t  o  s 

LalTr,  U|,  «^.  e$mp.  fax  ItCt 

Latche,  tt.  tb  las  ' 

l^arercdi  part.  pa.  S<m.  delayed 

JLathe,  n.  a  |»arn;  it  ia  iHll  iiie^  io  LincfloJluTC, 

'  $k.  Io.  F.iii.  wberi;  the  edit;  hat«  rilh<^  and 
£athc,  the  mjOT.  ^ire  tb«  tru£  rcadiiig--«Jbithe 

La  ton,  n.  Fr.  a  kind  of  mixed  metal  ot-f)^  colour 
of  braft  ' 

JLaudc,  ir.  LaU  prai& 

Laa(ies»  the  fervice  perfornied  io  (be  fourtb  or 
lad  watch  of  the  night;  <^  dicuntMi-  aiitem  lau- 
'*  des,  quod  illud  offidiim  iaiwm  priecipue 
"  fonat  ^iTinam,**  &c.  Du  Cfu^i  in  ▼•.  L^iu  %. 
The  fame  (ervice  was  .ofioQ  called  Matina. 
Jdtm  io  V.  JifaiMtini    * 

hiirt6,part.jta.  Fr.  ilr^wa;  fpQ|(CO  of  water  ta- 
ken out  ot  a  well 

Lavender,  ».  F/*-  «  waflserwoman  or  lanndrefa. 

^  In  the  paflage  of  i^a/ite  w^ich^is  here  <juotcd, 
£nvf  i»  called 

Xa  miTitticit  che  mai  4al)'  cfpizto 
JDi  Cciajre  noo  lorl'e  fib  06(bi  patti^ 
Morte  commune,  je  dellt  (ort*  viaio. 

Laverock, ».  5'a».  a  lark 

JLauncc^rfy,  n.  a  fort  of  iauncf 

Launceiot  du  Lcke,  an  eminent  knight  of  the 
Round  Tabic,  whofe  adventures  were  thefuh- 
jcd  of  a  romance  begun  by  ChreOicn  de  Trovea, 
one  jof  the  oldeft  of  the  romance  poets,  tand  fi- 
niihed  bf  Godefroia  de  Leigni.  See  Fauclttiy 
1.  ii.  c.  JO,  iz.  They  luiuc  been  repeatouly 
|>rinted  in  Fronch;profe,  and  make  a  coniidei- 
able  part  of  the  ci-mj^tion  called  Mort  4' 
Arthur :  Jus^ccomfiltibincDt^  as.  a  courtier  and 
9  man  of  gallantry  nava  been  alluded  to  before. 
Si^or  Volpit  in  his  notes  upon  Dante,  Inf.  v. 
*  2S,  has  moil  uoaccouoci^ly  rcprefented  Lao- 
CI  jot  to  as  inamorato  4i  Cuievra,  aeg/U  dti  Jie 
Marco.  If  there  be. any  faith.in  biftory,  Gi- 
Dcvra  >*a$  the  wife  of  King  Arthur.  The  fto- 
1  y  in  Dante,  which  is  the  occaOon  of  Sigoor 
VoIpi*s  note,  is  a  curion»  one ;  it  is  alluded  to 
by  Petrarch,. 2Vi6«/p  i*  Amvra^  iii.  82 ;    .     .    . 

Vedi  Ginevra,  Ifotra,  e  1*  altre  amaoti, 
IL  la  copfia  d*  ArimiMQ.m-^^-» . 

Launde,  «.  Jr.  a  plain  not  ploughed 

LavourtSj  n.  pi.  Fr,  lavers 

Laurcac,  adj.  Lat.  crowned  wath  laurel 

Laut^olc,  n.  fr.  ipurge-laurcl 

Laurcr, «.  laurel 

Laus,  adj.  Sax.  \oo{c  ;  Uns,  Illand.  filutm.  This 
.  is  the  true  original  of  that  tcrmioatioo  ol\^ 
Knives  fo  frtqUoBt  io  our  laoguage  ia  ies  or 
Jcfs.  Cemfitetii^,diB*iferly,mU  Marl.  56a  .<*  Httjus 
'*  facrilegii  cmenda  noo  crat  d(:tcj:n.«oaia»  led 
'*  direbatur  ab  At^plis  3otalatt8,  s,  e.  Jim  tpno' 
«'  da.**  So  Chaucer  ufies  boteJe#,  aliod  other 
wnrdft  of  the. fame  form,  &s  dettclcs,  drinkdcs, 
gilteles,  &c. 

Lawe,  a.ij.  lor  low 

J^axatif,  n.  Fr.  a  purging  medirine 

J. ay.  n.  Sex.  kw,  reli^ous  proktfiun 

Lay,  n,  Fr.  a  fpecies  of  poem 

X^ay,  pa.  t.  of  lici  or  Ugjp    k|[eo,  (U 


IB  A  R  Y. 

L?  zar,  n.  Fr» » Ifper 

Leche,  a.  Sax.  9,  (lAyfidao;  Uchc-cnit,  tbc^ 
of  a  phyficiao 

Lechc,  V.  Jto  heal 

Lecherous,  adj-  provoking  lechery 

Lechour,  m.  Fr.  a  Ucher 

Le6U>rne,  m.  JLat.  a  riadin^-ddk 

Leden,  a.  &/».  language 

Led);( »  v.  as  allfge 

Lees,  m.  Fr.  a  ieafh  by  which  doffs  are  held 

Lees,  ady  ^oM.  iitlkt ;  withohtco  lce»,  without  ly- 
ing, tiuly     '  >     . 

Lefc,  adj.  Sax.  pka{inp»  agreeable ;  al  be  tia 
lothe  or  lefe,  tobugh  it  be  y  npkafing  to  has 
or  plealiiig— for  iefs  n;;  lothc,  farvieodaw 
enemy;  he -turned  j»&t-«-i'or  Jervc  nefot  loihb 
It  fomeiioies  fignifits  pieafed  ;  I  n'aoi  oat  IA 
to  gahbc,  I  um  not  plcaibd  to  pntt,  1  taken 
plcafure  in  prating  -  »" 

Lciuli,  adj.  Uwful 

Dc|^e,  «.  &:k.  t«»  lay 

l-«^ggt ,  V-  Fr.  to  cale,  as  a^^ 

Larii:*  V-  Sax-  to  lay 

X^ifer,  «.  i^r.  ittfure,  opportunity 

Lcitc,  ji.  Sax.  light ;  thoodcr-lelte,  lightning 

Lckc,  n.  Sax-  a  leek  ;  it  la  put  for  auy  tbdftf 
very  imall  value 

Lemc^,  m,  pi.  Sax.  Ilamca 

Lcmman,,<t.  Sax.  a  lover  or  gallant,  a  unSatk 

Lendes,  n.*pl.  Sax.  the-loins    ... 

Lent ,  atg.  Sax .  lean  > 

Lene,  v.  Sax^  to  lend,  to  grant 

Lenger,  adv.  comp.  Sax.  ioogor 

Lentc,/tf.  f.  ol  Icoe 

LrAtoD,  a.  £am.  the  lealbo  of  J^cnt 

L'envoy,  Fr.  was  a  fort  of  ^oftfcriiiK  Cral  wA 
.  poetical  compofitiooa,  and  fcrvisg  aitha  ton* 
commend  thcmito  the  attenuoo  of  iboie  Ptfo* 
cular  perfoi^  or  to  ci^iorce  what  wccaitk 
moral  of  thtm.  The  fix  laft  fUozasoini 
Cierkes  Tale  we  in -many  irff.  entitled  Z*<«« 
de  CkoMcer  a  ^*  marix  ^U  noire  iamtfj.  SeeaP 
the  flktizas  at  the  end  of  The  Comphior  at  ik 
BUck  Knight,  and  of  Chauocr'a  Diome 

Leon^  H.  Lot,  a  lion 

Leonrne,  adj.  belonging  to  a  lion 

Leopart,  lepart,  m.  Fr.  a  loofanl 

Leos, «.  Or.  people 

Lepande^ /ari./r.  of  lepe,  v.  ^Mr.lcapiog 

Lcpe,  lep,  ior  lef>etii,  ^dpe^^^i^^ 
■lor  icped,j»tf.  I. 

Lcpr,^r.  X,  a  town  in  Spain 

Lcre,  leroe,  ««  Cmc  to  kam,  to  taach  >  1^ 

.  p.t.  Si  pari* 

Ltrc,«.  Sax.  the  (kin 

I^fe, «.  Fr.  as  lees;  in loaic  Idc,  in loK'a lo* 

Lefe,  atff.  Sax,  as  lees 

Lcfe,  V.  Sax.  to  hiCe 

Leicth.  9df>€r/.  pf.uxp.  m.  lofe  fe 

Leiiog^  m,  S-nt*  a  he*  a  fidlity     ' 

Leiin/es,  o/. 

Lefi,Tift,  Ui0,  a.  Sam.  pkofnre 

Lcfte;Iifte,  hifte,  v>  to  pleafe  ;  k  m  gencfaOy tfel 
as  an  imaerfonal,  in  the  third  perfoo  aJft  ^ 
it  pieafetb  or  it  pieafed  ;  him  iufte  to  ride  th 
it  pleafied  him  to  ride  So  ;  wcl  to  driak  mkk* 
h  pbadird  ua  wcU  to  drink ;  if  vca  kilt  ■>  >< 
plcaie  you;  nc  ^a  not  pby,  it ploafctk  vs aiC 
to  play       ,  .     If 


GLOSSARY. 


f9$ 


L,c(kf,  9<iu  Sax.fuperl.  i.  leaft.  at  the  IcHe  way,  at 
the  lc{tc>,  at  Leaft 

Lcfte,  for  bft 

Let,  V.  Sax.  ro  leave,  to  omit ;  to  leave,  to  per- 
mif ;  lee  thy  jupes  be  \  let  the  Sompnour  lb<^i 
to  caufe,  to  hiuder 

Ijctc,/r  jf,  ihc  river  I^ethe 

l^etgamr;  ir.  S>ix.  a  hinderer  of  pleafure 

LiCtcry  A*  4e)uyp  hinderance 

L.ettowe,  /r.  /t.  Lithuania 

Lettred,  iidj.  Fr.  learned 

Lcttrure,  Iciterure,  n.  Fr,  Uterature 

Lettoarie,  n.  Fr.  an  ele<ftuary 

JLeve,  V.  for  live 

Leve,  n.  Sjy.  defire,  inclination 

Leve,  ai^/.  dear.    S^^e  Lefe 

Lcvc,  V.  Sex.  to  believe: — Levcthj  imp,  m,  2J  ftrf. 
fl.  \  Icvrth  me,  believeth  me ;  leveth  is  mil- 
printed  for  lefcth 

He  lefeth  more  than  ye  may  doe. 

So  this  verfe  (hculd  be  written  : 

Plu9  y  pcrt-il  que  voni  ne  faiites.      Orig. 

Leve  is  atfo  mifprinted  for  lene 

Leveies,  j#.  i^jx.  withoiit  leave 

L.evcn,  n .  Z.\%.  liglitniiig 

L-cvcr,  fom^.d,  of  leFi.*,  more  ajrreeable ;  it  were 
roe  lever,  I  hadile  ieTer*  hire  hadde  lever 

L.evefeli,  a.  a  Icaly  feat,  an  ailvour,  I  am  bjr  no 
nieanfi  fatitfted  wah  xh&  ciplanatioohere^iven 
of  this  word,  the  interpretation  of  it  in  the 
Prompt,  Purv.  will  not  help  us  much ;  "  Leve- 
**  cet  Reforn  a  windowe  or  other  plaoe,  umbra- 

J^ewed,  lewde,  atfj.  Sjx.  ignorant,  unlearned,  laf- 

civious 
JLeye,  v.  S.tx.  as  leggc,  to  lay,  to  lay  a  wager 
XfCycs,  fr,  n,  Layas  in  Armenia 
Jueyte,  *.  ^jjt  flatne*    SeeLeite 
l^iard,  pr  n^  bcbq^cd  originally  to  a  horfe  of  a 

gray  culoiir  ' 

X.i££«ciat,  IT.  Lat  teeTrvft  to  Cgnify  that  he  was  li- 
'     cenfed  by  the  Pope  to  hear  confeflionis,  &c.  in 

all  places,  independently  of  the  local  ordinaries 
X.ichc-W7.kc,  n.  the  cuftom  of  watching  with  dead 

bodies 
Litlc,  pr,  n.  Lydia 
JLicjjcs,  m.  /•/.  JFr.  fubje<3s 
l<,ien,  pr,  t.  pi.  of  lie  or  ligge 
XJcfii  part,  pa,  of  lie  or  lijjg^,  lain 
Lies,  n.  pi.  Fr,  lees  of  wine,  &.c. 
JLieth  is  mifprintcd  for  leveth 
Lifly,  a.iv.  S:ix.  like  the  life 
l^igcitnce,  fj.  Ff.  allegiance  " 

Xflggc  Jie,  tip  nrut.  Sj/t  to  lie  down 
Iji^i^gi  P^rt.  pr.  lying 
Ltgntf  V.  Sjx.  to  enlighten — to  make  light  or 

plcafant-— «K  Afw/.  to  dcfcend,  fo  alight 
Li^ne,  *.  Fr.  lineigc,  lineal  defccnt;  hgine  (hould 

probftbLy  be  Uk'^'^^}  to  rhyme  to  compagnee 
X/igne  aiocs^  bgnum  atoes,  a  very  bitter  drug 
JMk,  Uken,  it.  Sax.  to  compare 
IJke,  f .  Sjx.  to  pleafc  j  if  yi>u  likfth,  if  it  plcaf- 

eth  you  ;  it  Hkcth  hcnij  it  pleafeth  them 
Likerous,  aJj.  Sjx.  gluttonous^  lafciTiouf 


Liking,  part,  pr.  pleaftqg 

LtkiD)!,  «.  pleafure  ^ 

L'unaile,  n.  Fr.  filings  of  any  metal 

Lime,  ^^.  ^jjr.  to  fmear  as  with  birdlivis 

Limcd,^^rJ./J«  caught  as  with  birdlimne 

V\mc6tp£rt. pj,  fV.  poliihed  as  with  a  file' 

Limcr,  n,  Fr.  limkr,  a  blootihound,  Du,  361,  5, 

Lime-rud^  a  twig  with  birdlime 

Limitation,  n.  Lai.  a  cerdain  preciod  allowed  to  a 

limitour 
IJmitour,  x,  a  friar  Hcenfed  to  beg  withio  a  cer^ 

tain  diftrift 
LimmeSf  n.pl.  Sax.  limbs 
Linage,  n.  Fr.  family 
Lindc,  m  Sjx,  the  limetree 
Liffe,  n,  Sj^.  Ttmiiliin,  abatement 
LifTe,  V.  ri.'uf.  Sjx.  lo  grow  eafy 
l/fTcii,  farf.  pj,  of  IjfTe,  V*  Sax,  ea(ed,  relleyed 
Lifte,  V.    See  Lefte 
Liftencth,  imp,  m,  ^i  perf,  pi,  of  liJienL,  v.  ^^*. 

hearken  ye 
Lilies,  n.pLFr,  lifts,  a  place  eodoied  for  com; 

bats,  &c. 
Litargo,  m.  Fr.  whit^  Icaui 
Lite,  ad).  Sax.  little 
Lith,  If.  5 IX.  a  limb 
Lith,  for  lieth 

Lithe,  adj.  Sax.  foft,  flexible,  ^.  953. 
Lithe,  V.  Sjx.  to  (often 
Lithcf  ifjj.  S^x,  wicked ;  [in  the  edil.  itislithy,} 

luthcr  ^nd  ^uede.    Sep  Q^^^ 
Lithcriy,  aJir.  Snx.  very  jJl 
Litltng,  Siix.  very  little 
Livana, /arl.^r.  Sax  living 
Live,  p,  Sax,  life;  on  live,  in  life,  alive;  lives 

creature, living  creaturcj  lives  body,  living  body 

Lodcmanage.  S^""' l^""  ?''!*''  ^^'^^^'^^ 
Lodeftcrre,      j     ^J^e^e  b^dmanage  ,.  ufed  re- 
-{_    pc at rd I y  m  Ehe  fcuic  of  pilouge 
Lodefmen,  n,  pi  Sjx.-ptlm 
Lott,  adv.  Sax*  on  luft,  Qti  high,  aloft 
Loge,ff.  Fr.  a  lodg^e,  habitaiiou 
Logged,  part,  pa.  Fr,  lodged 
^^g^"*Ki  »» lodging 
LoiCf  V.  S*ix.  to  fee,  to  look  Upon 
Lofceij,  Loke,  p^ri.  pa,  of  lokc,  v.  Sax,  locked, 

fhut  clofe,  Com/,  Jim,  29,  hit  one  eyp  anoo  was 

loke 
LoU^r,  n.  a  IMlard 
LoUiu ',  pr.  n,  a  writer  from  whom  Chaucer  pro-* 

fefies  to  have  tranilated  his  poem  of  TroUua 

and  Crefeide 
Londe,  w,  S^x,  lind 

Londenoys,  a  Londoner,  one  bom  in  London 
Lone,  H.  Sax,  %  loan,  any  thing  lent 
Long,  V.  Sax.  to  belong ;  longing  for  hii  art,  be* 

longiusj  to  hi^  arr,  tu  A^i^xc 
Long,    ^ec  Along 
Loos,  los,  fl.  Fr,  praife  j  lofei,/A 
Lord,  n.  Sjx,  a  title  of  honour  given  to  monks, 

as  Well  as  to  other  perfooi  of  ftipdriour  rank ; 

lordes  is  ufed  in  thcfenfe  of  brdings 
Lordings,  n,  pi,  fir^,  matters,  a  diminutive  o£ 

lords 
LordAiip, «.  Sjx,  fupreme  power 
Lore,  ».  Sax,  knowledge,  do6lrine,  advice 
Lorel,  II.  Sax.  a  good-Tor-notliing  fellow.    Skin- 
ner fuppofci  It  to  be  derived  from  the  Lat. 
Xxiiij 


M 


GLOSSARY. 


ktrco  i  and  in  the  Tromffferlvm  ParwUrum  lofel, 
or  Urelf  or  l^rden^  it  rendered  iureo ;   but  hrce, 
I  apprehend,  figniBes   only   a  elutton,  which 
h\U  very  (hort  of  our  idea  of  a  lord :  and  bc- 
Cdea,  I  do  not  believe  that  the  word  was  ever 
fufficiently  common  in  Latin  to  give  rife  to  a 
derivative  in  Englifli.  One  of  Skinner's  friends 
deduces  it  with  much  more  probability  from 
the  Belg.  [rather  Sax]  loren,  lod,  ferditin 
l.otne,f>art.fa.  of  lefc,  v  Sate,  loft,  undone 
Los,  II.  Sax.  lof» 
Lofcd,  fart.  pa.  Sax.  loofed 
Lofed,  part.  pa.  Fr.  praifed 
Lofenge,  «.  Fr.  a  quadrilateral  figure  of  equal 
fides  but  uneaual  angles,  in  which  the  arms  of 
women  arc  ulually  painted ;  lofyngcs  fcems  to 
fignify  fmall  figures  of  the  fame  form  in  the 
fret-work  of  a  crown 
Lofengeour,  ti.  Fr.  a  flatterer 
Loteby,  n.  in  the  orig.  campaigfie,  a  private  com- 
panion or  bedfellow  ;  the  concubines  of  pricfts 
«re  called  their  lotebies ;  perhaps  it  may  be  de- 
rived from  the  Sax.  loute,  to  lurk 
IjOthy^dj.  S^x.  difagreeable,  odiots 
Lothcr,  eomp.  d.  more  hateful 
Lothcft,yi//fr/.  d.  moft  unwilling 
Lothly,  ady  loathfpmc 

Love-dayes,  n.pl.  i  day  appointed  for  the  amicable 
fettlcment  of  difference?,  was  called  a  love-day 

iovc-drinkc,  n.  Sax.  a  drink  to  excite  love 
ove-longing,  n.  Sax.  defire  of  love 
Lovefome,  adj.  Sax.  lovely 
Lou;!h,/^».  /.  of  laugh,  v.  Sax.  laughed 
Louke.     In  Fierce  JPloitgb.    20,    wrong  is  called 
a  wicked  luike,  and  I  learn  from  Cotgrave, 
that  luike  isa  f)nonymous  word  to  lowt,  lo- 
rel,  &c. ;  fo  that  perhaps  louke  may  be  ftill  an. 
other  term  for  an  idle  good-for-nothing  fel- 
Jow.    See    Coig.  in  v.   Lujke,  £Hg.  and  in  », 
Loricard,  Falnurdin^  Fr. 

Loure,  v.  neuf.  Stx.  to  look  difcontentcd 

Louring, /ar/. /r.  ' 

Loute,  V.  Sax.  to  bow,  to  lurk 

Low,  n.  for  law 

Lowlyhedc,  n.  Sax.  humility 

J[wucan,y/-.  rt.  the  Roman  poet 

Luce,/i.  Lat.  the  lilh  called  a  pike 

Lucina,  pr.  n.  the  moon 
,   Lulled,  pa.  t.  of  lull,  r.  Sax.  invited  to  fleep 

Lumbarde?,  m,  pi.  blinkers,  remitters  6f  money 

Lunarie,  pr.  ».  of  a  herb,  moonwort 

Lure,  w.  Fr.  a  device  ulcd  by  fulcontp  for  calling 
their  hawks 

J^ure,  V.  Fr.  to  bring  to  the  lure 

Lu«'flicburghcs,  bafe  coins,  probably  firft  import- 
ed, as  Skinner  thinks,  from  Luxembourgh. 
They  are  mentioned  in  the  Stat.  2$.  E.  IIL  c. 
a.  "  I. a  monoic  appelic  Lucynbourg,"  and  in 
Fierce  Fiou^b.  fol.  B%.  b. 

As  in  Luflil'.urgh  Is  a  luther  alay,  yet  loketh 
like  Sterhug. 

Luft,  m.     See  Left 

Lufte,  V,     §ce  Lcfte 

Li'iyhedr,  m.  S.rx.  pleafure,  mirth 

Ltixurie,  n.  Fr .  lechery 

Lynian,^/.M.  a  I'-.rnid  corrrfpondent,  to  whom  I 

su  obliged  for  othcfi  u£:fu '  1  hints,  hat  foggeftc  d 


to  me  that  Fahricio*,  Tipoo  tlie  nAntjt 
lini,  has  placed  the  death  of  Jouiaet  M| 
in  X383,  BiSd.  McJ.  M:.  in  v.  Tkis  h< 
an  additional  rcafoo  for  believiag  tk* 
Canterbury  Tales  ^ere  competed.  «  \ 
coUcacd  into  a  body,  after  that  periwl 

M. 

Mace,  «.  Fr,  a  club 

Machabe,  pr.  tf.  the  books  of  the  Maccak 
Macrobes,^.  n.  Microbiuf,  Dtu  284;  die 
of  the  comnxentarj  on  the  Sonmim  Sc 
of  Cicero 
Madde,  v.  Sax.  to  be  mad 
Adrian.    I  have  found  that  the  Freodi  1 
faint  called  Matcme— but  Mr.  S:eew» 
much  more  probability,  fuppofet  that  tl 
ciousbodyby  which   the  Hoft  fwear»s 
of  St.  I^Athurin.     Sec  his  ftoiy  in  The 
Legende,  edit-   1 527,  by  Wmkio  dc 
151,  b. :  «'  Than  tokc  they  i**  /rBcii 
•*  and  enoyntcd  it  with  mocne  rcvercw 
"  IvhcR  they  had  laid  it  io  the  erth, 
"  morowe  they   came   to  the  (cpokt 
'<  found  the  Ulf  Aadfjt  aboTc  the  erth  0 
**  to  the  fame  lepuUure,  and  thaa  we 
«  all  abasflied,  and  wyft  not  what  to  < 
fe^s  the  knights  who  had  brought  hii 
France  had  promifed  that  if  he  died 
journey  he  fliould    be  fent  back  and 
•*  where  as  they  h?id  taken  ham,*'  and 
fore  his  body  would  not  ftay  In-  the  gn 
it  was  depoiltcdv    according    to   pra 
France,  where  it  afterwards  worked » 
racles 
Mafeie,  Fr,  ma/cy,  by  my  faith 
Magicicn,  m.  Fr.  a  magician 
Magikc,  m,  Fr.  marie;  magike,  nattml 
Mabowiid,  pr.  n.  Mahomet.     See  I>m  Ca 
Maille,  fi,  Fr.  a  coat  of  mail 
Mainte,  part,  pa.  as  meint 
Maintenance,  x.  Fr.  behariovr,  Zhr.  Sj4. 
Maifondewe,  Fr.  niaifondicu,  an  holpital 
Maifter,  m.  Fr.  a  ikilful  anifl,  a  maifter; 
ftrete,   the  chief   ilrect ;    maifter-tem] 
chief  temple ;  maifler-tour,  the  prindpj 
Maifterful,  adj.  imperious 
Maiftcrie,  maiftrie,  m.  Fr.  ikiU,  ikilfal  1 
meat,  power,  fuperiority 

Love  wol  n^t  be  confireined  by  soaal 
Whan  raaiOrie  cometh  the  godofbt 
Bcteth  his  winges,  and  larewcU  he  u 

I  cite  thefe  ele^nt  lines  as  I  cmiitted  to 
before  that  ^pcnfer  has  infer  ted  tfacs 
Faery  Queen,  b.  ii.  c.  i,  ft  25,  ^^ithTc 
alteration,  ajid  certainly  withvut  any  ii 
ment : 

Ne  may  love  be  eompell'd  by  mailer 
For  foon  as  ntallery  comes  fwcet  luve: 
Takcth  his  nimbic  wings,  and  iooa. 
gone. 

A   malftrie,   a  mafterly  operatioo ;  •» 

ntaitre,  ioT  the  maiftrie 
Maiftreffe,  r.t  Fr.  miHrcfs,  gOTcrce^ 


GLOSSARY. 


Maiftrifc,  ».  fr.  tnafterly  workmanfliip 

Xiake,  ff.  Sax.  a  fellow,  a  mate,  a  hufband,  a 
wife  ;  make  or  metche,  compar.  Prompt,  Pan*, 

Make,  v.  Sjx.  to  compofc  or  make  verfcs,  to  fo- 
lace  him  fonietimes  as  I  do  whan  I  make, 
Pierce  Plough.  6o.  to  make  a  man's  berde,  to 
cheat  him 

Make,  why  make  ye  your  backes!  we  fhould 
read— nake,  /.  e.  make  naked  ;  cur  inertet  terga 
nudatis^  ot\g. 

M5iked,^tfr/.  pa.  made 

Mikclcls,  adj.  Sjx.  pecrlefs,  without  a  fellow 

Making:,  «.  poetry  ;  maktnges,^/.  poetical  com- 
pofittonD;  and  thou  medlefl  with  makings, 
Pierce  Plot^b.  6o. 

Makip^rt,  adj.  pert,  forward;  the  word  feems  to 
be  evidently  of  French  original,  though  I  do 
not  recoiled  to  have  fecn  it  ufed  by  any  French 
writer.  Appert,  adj,  Fr.  fignifies  expert,  &c. 
Cotgrave 

Male,  II.  Fr.  a  budget  or  portmanteau 

3Ialefice, «.  Fr.  enchantment 

Male- talent,*.  Fr,  ill- will 

Malifon  m,  Fr,  maledidion,  corfe  ;  I  gyve  it  my 
malifoun 

>Ialt,/tf.  /.  of  melt,  v.  Sax,  melted 

Malvefie,  pr.  n.  Malmfey  wine 

IMalure,  n.  Fr,  misfortune 

Manace,  «.  Fr,  a  threat 

Manace,  v.  to  threaten 

Manacing,  m,  threatening 

Manciple,  n,  an  officer  who  haa  the  care  of  pur- 
chasing viduals  for  an  inn  of  court.  The  name 
is  probably  derived  from  the  Lat.  mamceps, 
which  ijgnified  particularly  the  (uperintendant 
of  a  public  bakehoufe,  and  from  thence  a  baker 
in  general.  See  Du  Cange  in  v.  Mamefs  a. 
The  office  dill  fubfifts  in  feveral  colleges  as 
well  as  inns  of  court. 

Mandement,  m,  Fr,  mandate 

IVlanere,  n,  Fr.  carriage,  behaviour,  kind  or  fort ; 
a  manere  Latin,  a  kind  of  Latin  ;  fwiche  a  ma- 
ncr  love-drinke,  fuch  a  fort  of  love-potion  j 
fwiche  maner  rime 

Mangonel,  «.  Fr,  an  engine  ufed  to  batter  walls 

Manie,  ».  Fr,  Gr,  madnefs 

Mannilb,  adj.  Sax.  human,  proper  to  the  human 
fpecies — ^mafculine,  proper  to  man  as  dillin- 
guifhed  from  woman ;  in  this  laft  fenfe  when 
applied  to  a  woman  it  is  a  ftrong  term  of  re- 
proach 

Manor,  m,  Fr,  dwelling,  D».  1004. 

Manfuete,  adj.  Fr.  gentle 

^4^ntelet,  «.  Fr,  a  fliort  mantle 

lVfarcian,^r.  m.  Martianus  Capella 

Marcian,  aiJj.  martial,  under  the  influence  of 
Mars 

Mareis,  n.  Fr,  a  marfli 

Mjrgarite,  n,  Fr,  a  pearl 

jllarie,  mary,  ti.  Sux,  marrow  ;  marie-bones,  mar- 
rowbones 

Markct-beter,  I  am  enclincd  to  believe  that  this 
word  is  to  be  undcrftood  in  a  £enfe  (irailar  to 
that  in  which  the  Fr.  pbrafes  Batretes  ruet^^ 
and  Battur  de  pavex,  arc  ufed ;  Batre  lei  lucxy 
to  revel,  jet,  or  fwagger,  up  and  down  the 
Areets  anights ;  Bateur  de  pave%^  a  jetter  abroad 
in  the  jQrecti— a  pavcmcnt-beater.    Sec'Cc/- 


grave  in  v.  Siteur,  Bafrtt  Pave ;  fo  that  he 
was  a  market-betcr  atte  full,  may  mean  perr 
haps— !»e  was  ufed  to  fwafr^^r  up  and  down 
the  market  when  it  was  fill  u.U — a  circumflanca 
which  fuits  very  well  with  tiic  reft  of  his  cha- 
nnftcr  '.'^Market-dMbar.  .  li cumforaneus ^  Prompt, 
Pjrv, 
Mirkis,  n.  Fr.  a  marquis 

Markis,  for  markifes,  ^m,  ea,  ftng. ;  in  the  fame 
m;inncr  Pfn;us  !•»  put  for  Pcneufes ;  Thefeus 
for  Thcfcules ;  Viiius  for  Vcnufcs ;  Ceres  for 
Cercfch ;  Melibeus  for  Melibeufes  :  Perhaps  it 
might  h-vc  been  proper  to  add  a  mark  of  apo- 
cope to  the  word*)  fo  abbreviated.  As  to  the 
prefent  method  of  expreffing  the  genitive  cafes 
of  nouns  ending  in  /  by  adding  another  x  with 
a  mark  of  fyncopc,  as  Pcncus'h,  Thefeus's,  Ve- 
nus's,  &c.  it  feems  abfurd,  whether  the  addi- 
tion be  intended  to  be  pronounced  or  not.  Im 
the  firft  cafe  the  e  fhould  not  be  cut  out ;  in 
the  fecond  the  t  is  quite  fuperfluous.  But  the 
abfurdity  of  this  pradice  is  mod  ftriking  when 
the  genitives  of  monofyllable  nouns  are  thus 
written,  an  ox*8  horns,  an  afs^s  eats,  a  filh*s 
tail,  St.  James*s  park;  notwithftanding  that 
the  «,  which  is  thus  direAed  to  be  cut  out,  is 
conftantly  and  neceffarily  to  be  pronounced,  as 
if  the  feveral  wurds  were  written  at  length* 
oxes,  affcs,  fifhes,  Jamefes 

MarkifefTe,  «.  Fr.  the  wife  of  a  marquis 

Marte,  pr,  n.  Mars 

Martire,  n.  Fr.  martyrdom,  torment 

Martire,  v.  Fr,  to  torment 

Mary,  Marie,  ^r.  n,  a  vulgar  oath ;  by  Miry 

Mafe,  H.  a  wild  fancy 

Mafe,  tr.  neut,  to  doubt,  to  be  confounded 

Maf<rdnefle,  h.  afloniihmcnt,  confufion 

Mafelin,  n.  rather  mazerin,  a  drinking-cup.  'See 
Du  Camge  in  v.  Maxer 

Mate,  part,  pa,  of  mate,  v.  Fr,  dejeded,  (Irttck 
dead  ;  fo  feble  and  mate,  Camf.  Am,  127,  b. 

Matire,  for  matere,  ».  Fr.  matter 

Maogre,  nialgre,  Fr.  in  fpitc  of ;  maugre  all  thy 
might ;  maugrc  thin  eyeii ;  inaugre  hire  hcd — 
The  original  of  this  exprcffion  appears  more 
plainly  in  the  following  paifagcs,  1  drede  thuu 
canli  me  grcte  maugre 


Car  je  cuide,  que  me  fcavez 
JSflal  gre. 


Orig* 

Malgre  his,  with  his  ill  will,  againil  his  will ; 
mal  gre  lui, 

Mavi«»,  n.  Sax.  a  thrufli 

Mavis  is  probably  a  miftake  for  muis,  n,  pi.  Fr, 
the  orig.  has  cent  muys  de  froment;  the  Paris 
muid  contains  fomethmg  more  than  five  quar- 
ters Englifh 

Maumet,  n.  an  idol 

Maumetrie,  n.the  religion  of  Mahomet;  idolatry 

Mawe,  II.  Sax.  the  fluinach 

M^iximian,  pr,  n.  the  author  of  fix  elegiea  which 
have  been  frequently  printed  under  ^e  name 
of  Gallus:  he  is  faid  by  Fabricius  \BiU,  Lat. 
t.  i.  p.  297,  ed.  Pa/jv.]  to  have  lived  under  the 
Umperor  Anaflafius,  q.  I.  or  II.  ?  A  tranflation 
or  raiher  abridgment  of  thefe  elegies  in  £iigli(b 
vcrfc  is  in  mf.  Harl.  2153. 


■ 
I 


f^  GLO 

May,  V,  Sax.  to  be  ablc,pbyficaUf,  morally.  Stt 

Mowe 
May*  1.  Sax.  a  virgin  ;  of  Mary^  ruoder  »nd  may, 

A  youD^  woman 
Mayicr.hrd,  «f.  Six  virginity 
Meatjciiche,    ai^j.    Xix.    moderate;    mt£otnlm^ 

Meblesi  m.  pL  Fr.  moTcabk  goodi 

Medc,  iSr  Jjor.  reward,  a  rnudow 

lUcficj  mcthe,  mcth,  «.  iark  Lai.  mcad,  a  liquor 
made  of  honey 

M'dle.  V.  Fr  to  mix 

M-'llcc,  4'i}.  of  a  mixed  fluff  or  colour 

M'.inie,  «.  F*\  houlehold  atteiiiint*,  an  army^ 
NarUwa^fifT  mtynr.  Thi*  obfciirc  phrafc,  [ 
think,  niiy  bi*  undcrftoodto  rcbfc  to  2  parti* 
cuUr  fft  otj^ho^iy  ?pparitioiis  v/^hich  Wc-rt  uf- 
cd  Co  run  a\k.\h  ihe  country  at  nighftand  were 
called  in  F(cn  h  Zrti  mefj^ie  di  HtUe^utn  or  ^rr- 
lefuiti.  The  fuiitll  account  thAt  t  Hatc  feco  tU 
them  it  in  L*litjif}he  de  Rkbar'i  fant  ytfji/r,  Dut; 
A  MormtutJte^  ^ui /utjils  de  Rohtri  te  DiattU,  In 
erne  of  his  rides  he  me-ti  with  three  bbck 
kni^hft  whom  he  engages:  ••  Ei  quand  Ics 
••  ChevaJkrs  veirent  Ic  ju  mil  party  pour  cuk 
•*  lis  monterenc  a  cheval  et  R'cnfuyrcnt ;— ^t 
"  Richard — thevaucht  aprc«i  cur;  et  ainfi  qu*il 
**  chcvguchott  il  appeicent  unc  lirmcc  de  g«i» 
•'  noin  qui  n'cntrctenoyent.  A.donc  luy  fou- 
"  Tint  ^r  /«  mefgmlr  dt  Hctttfuin^  doat  ill  avoit 
•*  auues  fo)&  ouy  parhr/*  The  title  of  the 
Jf  Tt  chapter  (4  )  ss  Cy  diviff  d<  la  mifFttif  de 
Htlirfuin    if   fwi  //   rpffh     \\t   \%  there    iwd    to 

hare  bceo  a  kmvht  wha^  having;  fp«?[it  aU 
hii  fabft*nce  in  the  war*  of  Chafes  M»rrel 
aj^inft  the  Saraceni,  lived  afterwards  by  pil- 
lage, *'  Adonc  il  avrnt  quM  mounit  rt  \\A  en 
**  dangtrd'eflr.  damme,  mal&I>KuluyCt  pardon, 
^*  ^>ource  que  il  avott  bataiUc  cQEiire  Ic6  S^rra- 
"  zif  6  ct  ejcaulce  U  foy.  Si  fut  cundjttaic  <Ic 
•*  l>icu  que  pour  un  tcm3  de  term i tic  luy  et 
^  ccux  de  fon  ligtuge  fcroient  peniteace  et 
**  yroienc  toutc  la  liutt  pnrmy  la  tcrrc,  pour 
*^^kur5  pcniicnc(«  fairc  et  indi«r<!'r  pluuctir* 
"  tnaux  ct  caiamiiez.**  The  belief  of  fych 
apparition*  waa  certainly  of  ji^r^at  antiquity  in 
jJormandyi  sa  Ibcy  «re  mentioned  by  OrJcri- 
cua  Viiaiin  undei-  rhc  title  Mfitmitia  Hcrtfehtnt,, 
la  9  moft:  extraordinary  ftory  rtlafed  by  him, 
].  v;ti<  p.  695,  and,  109I ;  nnd  f  fufpcffl  that  in 
J.  paffafTc  qtuited  by  Du  Ciimgt  in  v»  Heriinim, 
from  Pitr.  BU/cm,,  ep.  14,  vvc  Oiould  read  H^rr^ 
tikint  infleid  of  Hrltmni  — Genrafe  of  Tiibery, 
who  xrrotc  in  iiii*  mentions  another  fct  of 
apparition*  which  were  called  fximlltfi  Artun. 
pf,  Imptr*  D41.  ii.  c,  11 ;  "  Iti  fylvif  BrittannrK 
*'  majaris  aut  minorij*  conGintlia  contipriiTe  rc- 
'*  feiuntur,  narrantihtis  nemorum  rufLadibui, 
«<  qufVi/urr^irr/oj-^vul^ua  nominat,  (c  •Itcrrris 
"  dieb»i*  circa  horam  mcridianain,  ct  in  prnuo 
•*  no6tiuin  conntinio  fub  plcnilonio  luii5  !«• 
*'  rente,  fspifllme  vidcre  niilituni  'copjam  vc- 
<*  nantinm  et  canum  et  cornouni  rirepitum, 
**  qui  r^iiritamibui  fc  dtficiftat:  H  famt'i«  At- 
•*  turl  cCfe  affifmant.**  He  had  jull  faid  that 
Arthur,  not  long  before^  had  been  feen  in  a 
"jcc,  mttc  aftft  cf^ttflrttffvt  in  a  mod  dclictous 
Vy  in  the  itcighbourhood  of  Mount  JEtna, 


S  S  A  R  \% 

wk»re  he  had  refided  ever  iiccc  the  tjne  ^  W^ 
fuppofed  death,  vuin,rilifM  fmttmmu  rtttwi^Tm^-- 

Mtint,  fmrt./>e.  of  mcnjse,  v.  S^x,  miitA,  s^^sfiid 
Mckci  adj,  Sijc.mtckt  humble 
Mt'ke,  V*  to  become  meek 
Mcle^  *./>/►  Sax.  meAlf»dinneri,  &C  Pw.  Iia. 
Mclc-tide,  If,  Sus.  dinner-cixii^e 
Moilcp  -v.  Fr  to  rncddle 
Mrlic,  If.  for  milic 

Meuioi  irt  »,  Fr.  rtmembrmiice ;    to  he  dra' 
memoric ;  to  be  recorded  ; 


And  fof  to  drawe  into  memory e 
Her  names  bothe  and  ber  biftorye. 

CmfJ'^Am, 


] 


Mf  morie,  v,  to  rfmember 

Mendiant»*  «t.  //.  Fr  friars  of  the  f>e£g^  actel 

Men?,  V  Sax.  to  mean,  to  intend 

JVTene,  ir.  Fr.raiycn,  k.  racaix  or  inflruizirtlt;wlfle 

ihe  ori|f.  has  )nrz9aw»,  a  procurer*     Mam,  §L 
Mcne,  adj.  nn da!e 
M.:nivcre,  n.  Fr.  a  fort  of  fur 
Mercc«ink<,/r.  n.  the  kingdom  of  Memi 
Mcrcia,  ftr,  it.   Marfayaf  19  probably  metot,  lot 

citir  poet,  I  know  out  upon  what  ftiitbcmy^lii 

tUHK,!  him  mt  •  a  fnnaie 
Merdable,  vdj  Fr,  mcrriful 
iMcritorie,  idj  Fr.  m<cric<onoti« 
Mcrkr,  n,  S.X'M  m:irk,  an  image  ;  aQ  tlic  Qmb 

of  Adam^  a|i  the  images  of    Ad*m,  sii  t^o.- 

mind 
Mcrke,  adj.  Sitt*  datlc 

Merbon,  m.  fr.  emffJltw,  j  mer1rn»  a  fort  M  kmk 
Mcrvaille,  ft.  Ff-  woiidcr,  marvel 
Mery,  aJj.  Sar  merry.  ^IctUttx 
Mc»,   ot  gode  mis,  fht'ttM  probably  be  tt«>l^ 

nef»-.  eh<:   ortg.  baa  en  $im   ^«£c«.     Set  Osil^ 

ncfa 
Mcfe.ii  for  mcfle 
Mcfcl,  •.  Fr.  a  leper 
M^felnc,  •*  Fr,  kpiofy 
Meffage.u  Fr.  a  meffenrcr 
M  IT^iJcric,  pr.    n,   a  hartiocrt  attendee  ta  ||i 

tcmplr  of  Vcnuf  \  Bocczce  caii»  Her  RjufiaMt 

ThtjitJfl,  b.  vii, 
MefTciff.  Vr.  thf  fervice  of  the  ntafi 
McRc.  udj.  S*z  fnperL  d.  a»  mode 
Mefunblc.  adj.  Fr.  moderate 
Mefurt,  ft.  Fr,  modrratioo 
MetamorphofetJi^  Mtt*morphofo£c,    On4*a  M§^ 

tamorp bofitt.     See  Judictmi 
Mete,  adj.  Sjz^  fitting,  conirrnicnt 
Mete.  m.  iS^jr.  meat ;  dtiring  tbc  meta^  ffoft.dMf. 

iug  the  time  of  eating 
Mett-borde,  m.  Sjx.  an  eatirrg^iable 
Meiely,  <idj  propcirtionab.c 
Mete,  «.  Sux-  to  meet,  to  dreaan 
Merte,  raet,f  j.  r  dreamed  j  |  m^cte.  me 

dreamed 
Metricicns,  n.  pi.  writers  m  TCTfc 
Mevable,  adj.  Fr.  moveible 
Mcwe»  n.  Fr  a  cage  for  hawks  wh3e  tbtY  ■ 

change  their  feathen,  a  ca^  in  rattril,«tff 

fort  of  confinement ;  in  mewe,  m  lecret 
Mewet,  adj  Fr,  Qutc ;  In  mcwct,  dsBnbly,^^- 

in)f  inwardly 


-I 


GLOSSARY. 


I  l^khcr,  n.  a  thief,  licrrci  orig.  mycliii)  or  pryvc- 
iy  flclyn   fmalc  thingi ; /urr/^w,  Prompt,  Purv* 
^lik^ht,  />•!«  t*  of  may,  V.  ^x.  W4S  able,  luighten, 


Wf^'h 


* 


fght,  pari. pa*  if  f^odcly  kad  be  might,  if  he  had 
bet:n  able  witK  propriety 

Might,  >*•  S*tj,  power,  (Ircnztb 

Milkfop,  w,  an  cQ*emin3ce  feUowr 

Miii)e*jl^^e»,  "*//«  Sttx.  n\%\\^ont^ 

Miiidci  ft.  Sax,  re  mem  brail  Cf,  C&t*/^  Am,  14S,  as 
the  bokcs  Qiaken  minds 

^ine,  «u  Ft,  to  penetrate 

Wiftillr  lUes,  n.pi.  Fr.  miDArela 

Mmi(lrc»«  m,  pi.  fr^  oifiocrt  oi  jolUce,  tctoificrs, 
mmt^reU 

MdU're-fTer,  *.  a  mm  uiti^rr  the  rule  of  Sr  CJarc, 
/)*  Cjnge  in  V.  Min^ftfft,  It  »  mit  clear,  how* 
tvcr,  why  Chancer  ha«likrtic<]  H«e  to  a  Mer 
of  thii  Of der ;  hjs  onginal  |^ave  hiin  no  autho- 
tiry 

Minrjur,  n,  Fr,  a  mfner 

Mioilralcic^  «,  Fr.  multc,  tnuHcal  inftruments 

Mirrour^  «.  Fr«  a  lDokinggU£» 

Mirthelcji,  aa)'.  *yjx.  without  mirth 

Mis,  adv.  ill,  auiift ;  it  h  often  to  be  fupplicil  t» 
a  fecond  Tcrb,  having'  been  ciprrffcd  in  coin- 
pofition  with  a  formtT  ;  if  that  I  misfpekc  or 
hy  I  that  hire  mifiloth  or  faith  ;  there  is  no- 
thing misfaidc  nor  do^  i>ir.  538 

Mts,  11.  a  wrong 

Mif-a«co«iipfed,  pari,  pa*  mifreckoncd 

Mif-avMitufe,  «.  misirortunie 

Mifavifc,  V.  to  advifc  wrongly 

J^lif*hodcn,parf.  pa.  of  mrl-bcde,  injured 

Mif-borne^^ii/f.  pa*  of  mif-herc,  nufbchaycd 

Mifdiaiice,  n.  Fr.  mi&lortune ;  with  mtfchaiKe, 
See  With 

Mifchefei  n.  Fr*  miafortuce 

Mifcoveting,  a.  fbould  probably  be  mifcompciDg ; 
TOcfcomptcr,  orig» 

Mii-departe,  v.  to  diitribute,  wrongly 

Mifericordc,  n.  Fr.  mcrty,  pity 

Mil-etc,  n,  uneafmcfi 

Mif'loryavc,  pa*  t,  of  mif-foryave,  Tntr^^ve 

Mir«gtcd,^tfr/.  ^.of  mil*gie,  tuiip»idcd 

Mil-gon,  Mif-go,  part*  /a.  of  ltiif-go«  gon^ 
wroog 

Mtf-ha'pping,/tfrf./>r.  fiHrng  amifs 

Mif*lcHe^  V.  to  condufl  anuU 

Alif-livcJ,  pan,  pa*  h^vjog  lived  to  a  bad  pur- 

Mif-metrc,  v.  to  fpoll  the  metre  of  verfei  by  writ- 
ing or  reading  them  ill 

Mif.fatc,/**!.  ^  cf  mif-fit»  cnifbecame 

Wif-faydf ,  ^tff/.  pa.  of  mif-faye,  ill-  fpoken  of 

Mif-fayer,  w.  an  evil  Ipeaker 

Miffe,  V.  S.Tji.  to  f*U 

Mifli>meuc,  >w.  Sec  Mif'^mctre 

Miftakcp  V.  to  tskc  a  w  rong  pirt^  to  tranfgrcf* ; 
mcfprcndrc,  orig, 

MiAere,  a.  Fr*  trade,  octttpotion— -cf^nditifMl  of 
life;  whatmiftcfc  mtn  ye  bcT,  what  kind  of 
men  yc  are — need 

MiftihCiie,  *.  Sax,  d^rkocfii 

MiRi\f,adv*  Sax,  darUy 

IVtiftrift,  %'.  for  miflruft 

Mif-wair»  n.  a  wrong  way 

AIiI-wtjit,^df;.  pa.Ql  mk>wende,  gccc  anu& 


Mif*writc»  -p.  to  write  vrofig 

Mirainc,  a.  Fr*  a  ({iove 

Mitche,  a.  Fr.  a  manchet,  a  loaf  of  iUie  bread 

Mite,  A.  iUa.  t  fm^U  worm 

Mijcii.jv   S,tJi.  a  dunghill 

Mo#  tot  nitt 

Mo.  hr  more,  aJj.  £cmp*  adv.  etmp* 

Mochcl,  raoclje,  a^j.  Sax.  grcii  in  quaotitfj 

Ji  u  mhtaTt  in  deg  r  flc— arfv .  en  u  ch,  g  i  catJfy 
Mwler,  roodret  n,   i*ii:.   mut^er-^thc  matrix  or 

principal  plate  of  the  aftrolaW,  Apr^ 
MoJfon,  «,  Fr.  harveft,  growth 
Moift,  nioifly,  aJj.  Fr.  new 
Moke!,  n.  may  pe:hap»  ft^nify  Czc.  magnitude,  ■! 

tuichcl  Ucmi  to  be  ulcd  \i\  that  letile  in  Piewti 

PiofgL.  ^9,  b.  of  one  taujchcl  and  might 
Molellie,  m.  Fr,  trouble 

M-»it€,/'rf.  f  of  n)cltC|  V.  5j*  irehed,/4rfi/ia. 
Monchc,  •.to  chew 
Monc,  n.  Si.x,  tin:  moon— 'i amen tatioo 
Moncttc,  V.  Fr*  to  ndniooifh 
Moniuuri,  tf.  pL  Ft*  cui^er^ :  iii  cbe  oflg.  it  14 

ftuU  m^HH^yeurs  * 

Mufjftfe,  n.  Fr,  a  monfler  or  prodigy— a  pa^ 
tern 

MiJodj  if.  Sttx.  anger 

Morceis,  ff.^A  Fr.  morfcis 

More,  ^.yy.  c&mp  S.i.x.  gtc*ter  in  quantity^  in  num* 
ber  auii  decree— itx/v*  tt,mp.  it  i»  iif  uaLy  joijied 
to  aijedive-t  *;nd  adverb&toetprcti  the  t.M»p,  dt^» 

hSottn*i,  tt.  a  cancer  or  gangreue 

Mortcr,  n.  Fr.  a  iort  of  waxlight 

Mifii/ic,  «.  Fr.  to  kiil,  (:'pcakuig  of  quickfUver) 

Murtrewcg,  n.  Lord  Baion»  in  htt  Nat.  Hiil.  C. 
48,  lpeiik>  of  ;i  moirieU  tiudc  with  the  brawn 
oi  c^puna  llaniped  andiiriincd.  He  jviusic  with 
the  cuUice  {c»a4u)  ol  cocka-  k  feeiu*  to  have 
tiecn  a  rich  broth  or  foup,  m  the  preparatioo  of 
which  the  llefli  wa&  llampcd  or  heat  m  a  mor* 
tifi  from  wheace  it  probably  dcrined  ita  jume^ 
tine  morUenfft  thuu^h  I  cauiiot  fay  that  I  haTC 
ever  met  with  the  brcnth  word 

Miirwe,  tt.  Sjx^  the  niurning  ;  in  the  morning  of 
the  ful lowing  day— To-morwe,  I  beiicve,  al- 
-.\4yH  mcuis  the  loUowing  day,  and  u  lududes 
the  whole  day  j  to-monvc  at  riij^ht 

Mi»rwenio;ij;,  »*  S*i4:  theniuTuiQg,monreniiige«,j!/. 

Mofcl,  a.  Fr*  chc  muzrlci  mouth  of  a  be.itt 

Mohi;^  f^fj.fipi-tL  S\.  grc^tdi  tn  quantity,  in 
iiutnt-cr,  in  Ac^fcv^^^v.  Jttp<-rL  h  a  Ultiaily 
jnirir/it  to  :i<jjtdiv«i  oad  ^ayexbfi  to  ezprefithe 

Mtiii,  t*.  £j\*  nuift  i  Mof*«n,/>/. 

M'lte,  V.  Sax,  riufl,  may  >  M,jtco,  pf* 

MotL,  j«*  Sax.  »ii  atom 

Mat  III-  ,  n.pl.  Jtfx.  mc*ehi 

Mutil^  a.  Fr*  a  motive,  mcii anient 

Mought^^tf,  t,  of  naowe.  v.  Stx,  might 

Mouie,  i>.  Si*x,  to  gcow  luouidy 

Xloulcd,  par{>  pa* 

Mouii,  ioi  moweUf  /r.  i.  //.  of  mowe^  v.  Stx, 

may 
Mouutance,  n.  Fr.  amount  in  value  ;  in  quinticy; 

not  full  the  mountante  of  a  mxhst  Cwr/,  Am, 

187- 
Mourdant, ».  Fr.  the  toogoc  of  a  buckle 
Mowe»  V.  Sax.  may,  to   he   able.  Mo  wen,  A'<^- 

it  1%  Xoi:ic.inK4  uleJ  in  the  i/t/,m.  which  thoti 


^ 


I 


f  9d  G  L  O 

(halt  not  mo  we  fuffre,  which  thou  fhalt  not  be 
able  to  endure — to  mowen  fuche  a  knight  done 
live  or  die,  to  be  able  td  make  fuch  a  knight  to 
live  or  die— (he  (hould  not  ccn  ne  mow  attaine, 
(he  (hould  not  know  nor  be  able  to  attain 

Mowc,  «.  Fr.  a  diftortion  of  the  mouth  ;  what  do 
1  than  but  laugh  and  make  a  mowe  ^  ^y(^g' 
rra.  137. 

Mowing,  ».  ability.  In  the  following  pafTige  it 
feems  to  be  ufedas  a  gerund;  that  (hrewes  weren 
difpoiled  of  mowing  to  don  yvel 

Much,  muchcl.  See  Miche 

Muckre,  v.  Sux.  to  heap 

Mue,  V.  Fr.  to  change 

Muet,  adj.  Fr.  dumb,  mute 

Mullok,  n.  Sfix,  dung,  rubbi(h 

Multiplication,  n.  Fr,  the  art  of  making  gold  and 
fiUcr 

Multiplie,  V.  Fr.  to  make  gold  and  diver 

Mufard,  «.  Fr.  a  mufer  or  dreamer 

Mufe,  V,  Fr.  to  gaze 

Mjrfclf,  myfelve,  mjrfelven.  Sec  Self 


N. 


Na,  for  no 

N*adde,  for  ne  hadde,  had  not 

Naile,  n.  Sax  a  nail ;  by  naxles,  by  Goddes  nailes, 
an  ealh 

Nakere,  n.  a  kind  of  brazen  drum  ufcd  in  the  ca- 
valry.    See  Da  Can^g  in  •:».  Nacara 

Kale,  n.  Sax,  an  alehoufe.  But  I  am  the  lefs  in- 
clined CO  adopt  Skinner's  explanation  of  this 
word,  becaufc  I  obferve  that  ale  alone  is  com- 
monly put  for  an  alehoufe,  and  I  cannot  iind 
that  nalc  is  ever  ufed,  except  where  it  fol- 
lows the  prcpofition  atte.  In  the  paffage 
in  Pierce  Plough,  ja,  b.  the  Cotton  mf.  Vcfp,  B. 
xvi.  has  at  the  ale  ;  and  fo  in  Pierce  Plough.  26, 
b.  with  idle  talcs  at  the  ale.— Robert  of  Brunne's 
tranflution  of  Mamuei  dei  Pecbees,mi.  Bodl.  £313, 
fol.  I ; 

In  gaymes,  in  felly s,  and  at  the  ale. 

fol.  38.  Or  yf  thou  Icddcft  any  man  to  the  ale. 
I  fufpc.^  therefore  that  nalc,  in  thofe  few  paf- 
fagcs  in  which  it  is  found,  (hould  be  confidered 
as  merely  a  corruption  which  has  arifen  from 
■  the  mifpronunciation  and  confequent  mifwrit- 
ing  of  atte  nalc  for  atten  ale.  A  (imilar  cor- 
ruption feems  to  have  taken  place  in  the  name 
of  that  celebrated  perfonage  in  oiir  law  Mr. 
John  A-Noke,  whofe  original  appellation,  I  be- 
lieve, was  John  Atten  Oke,"  as  tnat  of  bis  con- 
ftant  antagonift  was  John  Atte  Stile  /tm,  Atte 
Stile  i«  a  name  In  Pierce  Plough,  13,  b.  and 
there  are  many  others  of  the  fame  form,  as 
Attc-clifT,  Attc-lcy,  Atte-well,  Attc-wood,  &c. 
That  the  letter  n  is  apt  to  pafs  from  the  end  of 
one  word  to  the  beginning  of  another,  we  have 
an  inftance  in  newt,  which  has  certainly 
been  formed,  by  corruption,  from  an  ewt  or 
eft ;  and  perhaps  ncddcr,  n.  Sax.  may  have  been 
tonncd  in  the  fame  way  from  an  adder  :  the 
word  in  the  Teutonic  is  adder,  as  we  write  it 
cow,  vithooc  tlie  initial  «.    The  fame  corrup- 


S  S  A  R  Y. 

tions  have  happened  in  other  liagnagft.    See 

the  notes  of  Signdr  Redi  upon  Kia  £m£9  in  l^r 

cama,  p.  133.  4.  5.  '82,  3. 
N'am,  for  ne  am,  am  not.* 
Name,^a.  t.  of  nime,  v.  Ssx.  took 
Nappe,  V.  Sax.  to  fleep.     See  Knap 
Narcotickes, «.  pi,  Fr,  Gt,  dmgs  caufing  fleep 
Narwc,  adj.   Sax.  clofe,  narrow  ;  whan  they  hen 

narwe  avife,  when  they  dofeljr  coofidcr  thar 

condu^ 
Nas,  for  ne  was,  was  not 
Nafo,  pr.  m.  P.  Ovidius  Nafo.     Sec  Ovid 
Nat,  adv.  Sax.  not 

Natal,  adj.  Lat.  preCding  over  nativity 
Nathcleffc,  natheles,  adv.  Sax.  not  the  kfe,  dckt. 

thelcfs 
Nation,  «.  Fr^ation — family 
Naught,  nought,  m.  Sax.  nothing 

,  adv.  not,  not  at  all,  it  may  more  proper. 


ly  perhaps  be  confidered  as  a  noun  uled  adver- 
bially.   Sec  Nothing 
Nay,  adj.  Sax.  it  feems  to  be  ufed  fometimes  11 

a  noun  ;  it  is  no  nay,  it  cannot  be  4enicd 
Nay,  V.  to  deny 
Ne,  adv.  Sax.  not ;  ne  had  he  ben  holpen,  had  b 

not  been  helped 
Ne,  eomj.  Sax.  nor 
Nece,  m.  Fr.  a  niece — 1  couiin 
Nsceffaire,  adj.  Fr.  nccefiary 
Ncde,  fi.  Sjx.  need,  ncccflity 
Nede,  v.  is  generally  ufed  as  an  imperfonal ;  it 
nedcth   thee  nought  teche ;    nedeth    him  00 
dwale  ;  neded  no  more  to  hem  to  go  ne  rid 
Nedcful,  adj.  diftreft,  indigent 
Nirdcly,  adv.  neceffarily 
Ncdcs,  nede,  adv.  ncccffarily ;  it  is  ufually  ioined 

with  muft 
Nedder,  «.  Sjx.  an  adder  ;  Neders,  A/. 
Neighe,  adj.  Sax.  nigh 
Neighe,  v.  to  approach,  to  come  near 
Nekke,  II.  Sax.  the  neck ;  nckke-boae 
Ncmpne,  v.  Sax.  to  name 
Ner,  adv.  Sax.  near 

Nere,  rwv/.  d.  nigher  ;  ncrtr  the  ncre,  never  the 
nighcr;  ncre   and  nere,  nigher  and  Higher; 
ferrc  ne  nere,  later  nor  earlier 
N'ere,  for  ne  were,  were  not ;  n'crc  it,  were  i: 

not ;  n'ere  the  friendfiiip 
Nerfc,  n.  Fr.  nerve,  finew 
Neihe,  adj.  Sax.  foft,  tender;  Nefch  and  hard 
Nctc,  n.  Si^x.  neat  cattle 
Nether,  adj.  comf.  Sax.  lower 
Nettle  in  dock  out.     See  Raket 
Ncven,  v.  Sjx.  to  name 
Nevcw,  m.  Fr.  a  nephew^-a  grandfon 
Ncwe,  adj.  Sax.  new,  frcfli 

Ncwe,  adv.  newly ;  ncwe   and  newe,  again  acd 
a^ain;  all  newe;  of  newe,  ncv?ly,  lately;  all 
new,  anew,  afred^ 
Ncwe,  V.  to  renew 
Ncwcd,  part.  fa.  renewed 
Newcfangcl,  aJL  defirous  of  new  things 
Newcfangelneffc,  n.  in  con  flan  cy 
Nexte,/«r/rr/.  d.  nigheft;  it  f^enc rally  Cgnifies»hc 
nigheft,  following,  but  fometin?.c9  the  mjbcf; 
preceding 
N'hath,  for  ne  hath,  hath  not 
Nice,  adj.  Fr»  foc^ift 


GLOSSARY. 


>«i 


JJicctee,  n.  folly  ;  do  hiruiccfccc ;  fo  the  French 

yxit  fu'ire  folic 

Niflcs,  n,  pi.  trifles 

Kigsrd,  n.  a  ftingv  fellow 

Nigardic,  a.  Aingiocfs 

Nightertale,  night-time 

Nieht>rpel,  n.  Sax.  a  nighc-chinn 

N*iU>  for  ne  will,  will  not 

N*is,  for  ne  is  is  not 

N'ifte,  for  ne  wiftc,  knew  not, /itig. ;  n*iften,  for 
ne  widen,  knew  not»  pi. 

Nobledeft,  fa.  t.  zmJ pcr/./ttig.  of  noble,  v.  Fr,  en- 
nobledeft 

Nobleffc, «.  Fr.  dignity,  fplcndour 

Koblcy,  A.  as  noblefle 

Nocked,  part.  pa.  notched 

Noie,  n.  Fr.  hurt,  trouble 

Koie,  V.  to  hurt,  to  trouble 

Noife,  V.  Fr.  to  make  a  noife 

N*olde,  for  ne  wolde,  would  not 

Nombre, «.  Fr.  number 

Nomeo,  nome,  part.  pa.  of  nime, «.  Sax  taken 

Compere,  n.  an  arbitrator.  See  the  p»fl*age  quot- 
ed above  in  v,  Lovedaie.  The  fcnfe  of  this 
word  is  eftabliftied  by  the  Prompt.  Parv,  nowm- 
pci;  or  owmpcr,  Arbiter,  Scquefter.  If  the 
etymology  of  it  were  as  clear,  we  might  be  able 
to  determine  which  of  the  two  methods  of 
writing  it  is  the  bed ;  cuftom  has  long  declared 
for  the  latter.  The  modern  word  is  umpire  ; 
and  in  Pierce  Plough^  25.  b.  the  edit,  read — an 
vmper,  bat  the  Cotton  mf.  Vejp.  B,  xvi.  has — a 
numper.  I  cannot  find  that  any  fuch  word  is 
ufcd,  in  the  fame  fcnfe,  in  any  other  of  the  Go- 
thic or  romance  languages :  it  has  been  fup> 
pofed  by  fome  to  be  a  corruption  of  un  ferc^ 
Fr.  which  I  can  hardly  believe ;  and  perhaps 
the  reader  will  be  as  backward  to  admit  of  a 
derivation  of  it  from  the  Fr.  wupai,  an  odd  or 
third  perfon,  which  an  arbitrator  generally  is. 
This  however  is  the  moft  probable  etymology 
that  has  occurred  to  me,  and  I  fee  that  the 
compiler  of  the  ftatutes  for  the  Univerfity  of 
Oxford  (whoever  he  was)  had  the  fame  idea, 
for  he  expreffes  the  word  umpire  in  his  Latin 
by  impar,  tit.  x v.  §  14.  Index,  impar^  aut  arbi- 
trator^ in  quacunquc  caufa  eltSlut 

14on,  ad).  SaX'  not  one,  none 

Kon,  adv.  Fr.  not;  abfent  or  oon  ;  whether  ye 
wol  or  non 

Konc,  n.  Fr.  the  ninth  hour  of  the  natural  day, 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  the  hour  of  din* 
ner 

Kones,  for  the  nones 

Nonne,  n.  Fr.  a  nun 

Norice,  n.  Fr.  a  nurfe ;  in  other  pafTajireSf  it  Is 
printed  by  miftake  for  norie,  n.  a  fofter -child, 
alumnus 

l»jortelrie, ».  nurture,  education 

Nofcthirles,  n.  pi.  Sm:.  noftrils 

N*ot,  for  nc  wot,  know  net 

Notabilitcc,  n.  Fr.  a  thing  worthy  of  ebferva- 
tion 

Note,  n.  Stx.  need,  bufinefs 

Note,  n.  Fr.  a  mufical  note ;  to  cry  by  note,  to 
cry  aloud,  in  a  high  tone 

NotLUiugc,  71.  nutmeg 

Nct«,  n.  pi,  JjA.  nuti 
S 


Not-hed,  a  head  like  a  litit        ' 

Nother,  con}.  Sax.  nor,  neither 

N'other,  adj.  Sax.  for  ne  other;  neither  n*other* 
nor  one  nor  other;  he  n*is  in  neither  D*other 
habitc ;  ntutro  ejl  babitu^  orig. 

Nothing,  adv.  Sjk.  not,  not  at  all 

Nouches,  H.  pi.  It  is  probable,  I  think,  that 
Houube  is  thd  true  word,  and  that  oucbe  has  been 
introduced  by  a  corruption  the  reverfe  of  that 
which  has  been  taken  notice  of  in  Nale.  See 
Du  Cunge  in  v.  Nocbia  and  Nufea,  and  Scbilter, 
Gloff.  Teut,  in  v.  Nuofciy  from  whence  it  ap'^ 
pears  that  nufcbin^  Teut.  figuifies  Jibula^  a  ciafp 
or  buckle.  As  thefe  were  fome  of  the  moft' 
ufeful  inftrumcnts  of  drefs  they  were  probably 
fome  of  the  firft  that  were  ornamented  with 
jewels,  by  which  means  the  name  by  degrees 
may  have  been  extended  fo  as  to  include  feve« 
ral  other  forts  of  jewels ;  the  fame  thing  may 
have  happened  in  the  cafe  of  the  word  broche^ 

tfce  above]  which  indeed  feems  originally  to 
lave  been  a  French  exprclTion  for  noucbe 
Nought,  n.  &  ad-j.  Sax,     Scc  Naught 
Nouthe,  adv.  SmX'  now 
Novelries,  n.  pi.  Fr.  novelties 
Now,  adv.  Sax.  now  and  now,  once  aod  again  ^ 

now  adayes,  in  thefe  days 
Nowel,  n.  Fr.  Chriftmas 
Noyfaunce,  n.  Fr.  offence,  trefpafs 


O,  for  ho.    Scc  Ho 

O,  adj.  for  on,  one ;  in  the  curious  old  ballad  oh' 
the  battle  of  Lewes,  [Anc  Poet.  v.  ii.  p.' 4. 1.  lal 
oferling  Ihould  be  written,  I  believe,  o  ferling, 
r.  e.  one  farthing 

Obcyfance,  «.  Fr.  obedience  ;  obeyfing 

ObeyfaBt,^tfr/./>r.  Fr.  obedient ;  obeyfing 

Obfequies,  m.pl.  Ft.  funeral  rites 

Obfcrvance,  n.  Fr.  refped 

Obferve,  v.  Fr.  to  rcfped,  to  pay  regard  to 

Occident,  n.  Fr.  the  weft 

Odavien.^r.  n.  I  do  not  fuppofe  that  Auguftus 
is  meant,  but  rather  the  fabulous  emperour 
who  is  the  fubjeA  of  a  romance  entitled  Oiffa- 
vian  Itnperator,  mf.  Cotton,  Calig.  ii.  See  Pcrcy*s 
Catalogue,  n.  18.  The  fjme  Odavian,  I  appre- 
hend, was  celebrated  in  a  piece  of  Arras  hang- 
ings which  made  part  of  the  furniture  of  Hen- 
ry V.  sind  is  thus  defcribed  in  the  inventory, 
.Rot.  Pari,  2.  Hen.  VI.  Item  I  autre  pece  d  arrat 
Jy  or  qcomenee  en  I  eforie,  Le  Odavion  Roy  dc 
Rome 

Ocy,  ocy,  the  nightingale**  note 

Oerthrow,^for  ov^rtnrow,  part,  pa,  Sax»  over- 
thrown 

Oetu^,/r.  n.  JErtcs 

Of,  adv.  Sjx.  afi' 

Offcud«d,  part,  pa  Fr.  hurt 

OfTeniioun,  n.  offence,  damage 

Offertorie,  n.  Fr.  a  part  of  the  mafs 

Offring,  n.  Fr.  offering  at  mafs 

Oft,  ofte,  adv.  Sjx.  often  :  oftcn-fith,  often- 
times 

Oinemcnt,  «.  Fr.  ointment 

Oiifaunt,  n,  Fr,  elephant 


GLOSSARY, 


I 


I 


Omer,^r.  »-  Homer 

On,firffi*  Su^.  Jn  ;  on  live,  In  life,  Jtlivr:  ;on  twelve, 
in  twrUe  ;  on  hunimg; ;  on  hawking^     See  A, 
Srrp.^-tipon ;  on  td  (cc^  to  look   upoiii.     I^icur- 
gu4  dftujilitcr,  fairer  on  to  fcne— fo  this  linij  is 
written  in  mr  ff*dl. 
On,  W/.  Jjr,  one ;  after  on»  alike  ;  they  werf  at 
*»n»  they  were  igrtfcd;  ever  in  ort.coiitifiually; 
I  mifjc  o".  t  Cnftle,  J  by  myfelf;  »nd  thus  I 
^vent  witleNvfter  walking  mine  one ;  aon  fiw 
but  he  oiie  ;  ail  him  one 
Onde,  n.  Six*  zeal,  malica;  ny  the  and  otide 
^n^d,  part.  f>a.  Sax^  niadts  on'*,  united 
Oocs/^/  of  OD  ;  we  three  len  allt;  ortc»,  Wc  three 

are  all  one 
Ones,  Wv.  Smx.  once ;  at  ones  at  once,  at  the 

fiu»e  time 
Onhed,  It,  ^i«-  ontty 
Only,  tf/u.  5'./r.  if  only,  folely 
Ony,  0dj,  Sjx.  any 

Open-crs,  m.  Sax  the  fruh  of  the  mcdUr  tree 
Opcn-heHcd,  mt/j.  harchcadcd 
Qpic,  11-  Fr.  rtptuTii 
OpprcfTe,  V.  Fr.  to  ravii^ 
O  ppreff"r»d ,  ^drf,  ^*i, 
Opprr(ij-»n,  i».  rape 
Or,  ffi^.  Stx  er,  before 
Oratorie,  w.  Fr.  a  cIvtpeT,  a  clofct 
Ordal,  n.  SiT>  jodicial  frUl.     See  JOUan  io  t*,  O^r- 
Jrfl,  and  Hickca  Di/^w.   £.*//?    p.   149.     It   ii 
pofTtble  however  that  Chaucer  may   hirve  uf:d 
this  word  in  its  more  coufincd  fcnfc,  for  a  trial 
liy  fire  or  water,  withmic  cunftderlng  whether 
f«h  trjah  were  pradifed  at  Tfuy. 
Orde»  /t,  Sas:,  4  point 

Ordered,  p,irt.  pa.  ordained  in  holy  ordefi 
Orders  four,  the  four  nrder*  of   mendicant  trars 
Ordinance,  *.  f/.  or-ierlvt  drfp<irtfion 
Urdinat,  fiart.  fia.  orderly,  regular 
CJrc,  m,  S.IX,  grice,  fivour 
^irwell,  ^.  n.  a  fcaport  in  Eff;x 
Orfrays,  *.  fr.  f^old  embroidery.    Sec  T>ti  Comj* 

in  V.  Aitrifrhia 
Orient,  ».  F,,  the  eaft 
Drijfenet^/n'.  »*     [n  ihe  lift  of  Chaucef*!  .Worki 

he  f»y»  xii  himfclf,  that 

He  tnide  alfo,  jton  ii  a  ifrete  Tjtrhile, 
OrigencA  o^^i^n  the  Maudclaltie 

meaning.  I  fuppofe,  a  tr^nllAtion  into  pror-4  or 
vtrrfc  oi  ihe  humily  ,h  MifJ  Mighlenii^  which 
ha»  been  commofcly,  though  falfely,  Attributed 
to  Driven.  V,  Opp,  Qn^tnut  t,  ii.  p.  491 .  cd.  Pa* 
Tw,  1604. 1  cannot  believe  that  »he  po-ii\  em  tried 
The  Lamentatifin  of  M^ri*  M^ijdalt  iuc,  which 
11  in  all  the  editions  ol  Chnucer,  t«  really  that 
work  cif  hit;  it  can  liardiy  he  cori[iilcr«rd  a«  a 
rranilation  or  even  imitation  of  the  honiily, 
and  the  compoijtioTi(  in  every  r«rpe*ft,  u  infi- 
Nitely  meaner  than  the  wofft  ol  hit  gcnuiuc 
pieces 

Orifont,  «.  fr.  the  horizon 

Orloge,  m.  Fr,  a  clock  or  dial 


rOrptment./ir.  «,  a  tnintr«l  fo  called 

^ther.  :xi(f.  S4X,  atUft  Ljt*  the  other  of  two ;  0- 


Other,  aaj.  Sjx,  alhtt,  L^ 

Other,  CQtjt  Sax  or  Citbcr 

Ouche.     ^.:e  Nimchc 

Over,  pr^ff.  Su,  iWove  ;  ow  aU,  ia  erery  cttum 

every  fide 
Over,  u^j   Sjx   upprr 
Ovcre.ft,  fupirU  H.  apprrmoft 
Over-;jret,  aJ}.  Stx,  to^  IH'esC 
O  ver-ladic*  p^r    ,2.  overborn  ;  ^  aot  t!^  Mefe 

opprcffi  nor  overlede,  L^ig,  Tr** 
,  Cvcr-iive,  V.  S^x.  10  outttVc 
^  Ovcr-mcHly.  di«,  Sfm,  too  merrily 
Ovcr-moche,  adj.  Stx,  too  great 
Ovcr-mmic, /^r^  pa,  of  o^vcr-dilic,  «.  IcjuovJ 

taken 
Ovcr-fpradde.^ii,  /.  ^^.  OTcrfpread 
Overte,  ^J].  Fr,  opco 
Overthrew,  jM.  t,  of  overthrow,  »-  tu^  Sm.  il 

duwu 

Overthrowing,  ^jrf.  ^r.  J^x.  }  ^latmM 

ovcnhroiviUjj    way,  prmJ,  rig, -/mi 

therfore  depeth  Cafftodore  ^xcnc  tlw  ■    ' 


tm^der  «f  m^ 


of  ruine,  tBat  is  to  C*y.   tfii 

^  throwjnjij  or  fair»ng^  dotin 
Ovcr-thwirt,  aJv.  S.x.  acrofn^  irrtr  Mg^tA 
Over-timeliche,  aJi/.  Sit.  too  CMttf 
Ovide,/>r.  «.     Our  Author  feerns  to   Iii«r  ka 
well  acquainted  with  the  bi?f|   parr   ol  Of^ 
works;  moll  pf  the  hi  '  >  ~fv]i4iif 

Good  Women  are  t^  tmfb^ 

Hffoidum  or  the  ^*  •  ,  tnacdfu* 

crece  ftews  that  1  p^n, 

Oujpht,  n.  S.x,  any  r       ^.  .  j^^^^^^     j^ 

diftcrencc  has  art/en  ni-jnc^y  from  tfi«  diio^ 
,  ofii^i  of  writing  a  or  0  for  ont 
Onght,/^j,  /.  of  owe 

Oinjhtcn,  oaghte.  From  htnce ,  it  it  €f<pm*,  la 
bt'en  formed  a  new  verb  ou^ht,  v<.  *  "  '  ,rii 
commonly  ufed  in  the  prefent  ttv  ^ 

both  numbcrf.    Ought  is  aff'r.   1 
^erf.  in  the  pr.  and  ^a  #. ;  w 
well  hchovcth  it  us  to  work  .■ 

grrt  repentance,  it  behold  thtai  ta  ii^>«grm 
rcpcoTUnce  * 

Quoding,  *.  />,  waving*  itmC4tiA{  waves 
Cures,  pr,paf.  Sj.t,  oun 
Out,  rWcfji.  ,S:*jf.  avC'ay 
Out,  aiiv,  Sfx.  out  and  Out*  throutflioo* 
Outhees,  m,  Lar  ijri*  outcry ;  sod  bons   m 

don  briggc  full  hi«  with  outhcya 
Oiitrasfe,  n.  fr  violence 
Outratc,  a/,  Fr.  to  fiy  out,  to  be  ouerageovf 
Out-rede,  v.  Stx.  to  furpaXi  In  couuf<3 
Outrcly,  jJv,  fr,  utterly 
Qjt-rciinc,  v.  J,*,  to  outrun 
Outllrati^ht,/*!,  t.  of  outftjctch,  ♦*  JU» 

out 
Out-taken, ^dW.^tf.  uken  out»esce^ecd ; 
en  Oill  en  lofr,  Chnll  io   ht:«Vut  b 
ceptcd;  out-tAke  C»rleoo  that  vras  cti 
tymc 
Owe,  V4  Sat.  Gthti  •  owtttipL 
D  wen ,  o wnc ,  pa  n.  ptt, 
Owhcrc,  niv.  S^x.  any  wfisft 
Ow^ndie,  aJj.  fr,  wavtn^ 
Osenfordc,  pr. ».  Oxfonj 
Oyfe, pi.KtX  river  in  Picirdy 


aL0  5  9A1lY 


ce,  V.  Fr.  to  pafs  vt/ij,  to  furpafi 

Page,  m,  ft,  a  bof -child,  »  boy  rervanC 

Paic.  n.  Fr,  Uking,  fttirfartion 
lie,  V,  iV-   to  plciifct  to  fatiiff ,  to  pay ;  paide, 
fatL^  pleafcd,  ftj  td 
aiHet.  w.  Fr.  a  couth,  (properly  of  ftnw) 

Paindemaincp  «.  Fr,  a  fori  of  bread 
iirc#  V.  Kr,  to  impair;  if  1  fpckc  o\i%ht  to  pairc 
her  loot,  i.  f.  to  impair  their  credit  or  reputa- 
tion ;  fo  thift  line  Is  written  in  edit.  I54»»  *iid 
tnf.  Hunter 
[^a]amcdc&,^r,  n  not  the  fon  of  Kauplius,  one  of 
chc  Grecian  commanders  at  the  war  of  Troy, 
hut  a  knight  of  the  Round  Table,  called  Palomi- 
dm  in  M*H  d*  Arfi>Mr^  the  unfucccfeiful  rivul  uf 
Trill  an.  for  the  love  of /a  BdU  J/haJe,  Sec  M»rt 
d*  Aribur^  b.  ii.  which  fcems  to  be  compiled 
chiefly  from  the  li^^mamdt  Trj/fati 

Taladoi,  «.  //.  fr^  ladiei  pabfin^,  Udic»  of  the 
cottrt;  in  the  oitg.  faiatimn.  Sec  Da  Cu^gt  in  v. 
Faljitni 

PaUtie,  />r.  *i    Fafath'j  in  Jtia/oiia,  Sp. 

Pale,  m.  a  perpendicular  flripe  in  heraldry 

Pale,  t».  Fr.  to  make  pale 

Paleii,  ».  Fr\  a  palace 

Pulfrei«.  H  f4.  Fr,  borfet  for  the  road,  where  ftedet 
are  horfes  for  battle ;  ne  btrgc  palfrey  cfy  for  the 
none* 

Paling,  n.  Fr.  imttatiOK  P^ilf » 

Palladion,  m,  Gr.  the  imaj^e  of  PalUaatTroy 

Palled, /»tfr#./>j.  Fr,  made  pale 

Pal  meres,  h,  fL  pilgrims  to  foreign  parts 

Palme rie,  f>r.  n.  Palmyra  in  Syria 

Paniphilu^,  ^r*  Ii. 

Pamprcd,  /itrt,  pa.  pampered,  made  plump.  See 
yun.  Etymoi,  who  derivct  it  from  the  Fr.p*mpr£, 
« trine  branch  full  of  leave* 

Pan,/?/',  m,  the  Heathen  deity 

Pan,  n.  iat.  tlic  flcull,  the  head 

PaiKcr,  n.  Ft,  a  net 

Papebrd,  it.  Fr.  a  hypocrite 

Papclardie,  m.  Ft.  hypocrify 

Paper  white,  a<^-  white  a»  paper 

Par,  prtf,  Fr,  par  amour^  with  love  ;  par  comptg^e^ 
for  company  ;  par  chaAce,  by  chance ;  par  cuere, 
by  heatt,  m^mtritrr 

Parabolct, «.  pi,  Fr,  parftblci,  the  Provcrbi  of  So- 
lomoQ 

Parap^e,  ft,  Fr.  kindred 

Parallle, ».  Fr,  apparel 

paramour,  paramourf,  m.  Fr,  love,  gallantry,  a  lo- 
ver of  either  ftx 

Paraventure,  d(/v.  Fr,  haply,  by  chance 

Paraunter,  corruption  of  paraventure 

Pircae,  t  pf.  t>at.  the  Fatci 

Parcel-mcle,  adv.  by  parcels  or  parti 

Parde,  pardiaua,  a  cummun  French  cath,  whkh 
nioft  of  the  pcrfonage?  in  Chaucer  cap  re  f*  very 
frequently  in  RngliHi,  with  as  little  ceremony  ai 
the  Greeks  ufcd  their  nr  A*%  and  with  at  Little 
meaning  too  *  [ciei 

Pirdoocri  n.  1>.  a  feUer  of  pardons  or  bdulgen- 


Parcmentf,  ».  }L  Fr.  ornamental  fansitutc  or 
clothes 

Parentele,  n.  Fr.  kiiidred 

Parfay,  Fr,  par  foy^  by  my  faith 

Parfcl,a«  parfay 

Parfit,  adl  Fr.  perfcA 

Farfitly,  aJ^'.  pcrfciaiy 

Parfourmc,  ^.  FV.  to  perform 

Parifliens,  n  pt.  Fr.  panlbinnerl 

Paritorie,  «.  Fr.  L^i.  the  herb  parie  taria,or  ] 
tory  of  the  wall 

Parlenienr,  n.  Fr,  an  afllmbly  for  confultati^ai  s 
conroltatlon 

Parten,  »Vy:  «.  Fr.  to  take  part 

Partie,  wl  //.  a  part,  a  party  in  adifptite 

Parviv  m.  Fr^  a  poitico  lv:jorc  a  cKurth,  Du  Camgt 
in  V.  Farsdi/iif  j.  k  appears  that  books  were 
comirii.»tilyfold  ua  Parvh  distant  Nat rr  Dame 'kl  Pa- 
ris. At  London  the  Farms  was  frequented  by  Ser* 
fcantft  at  Law.  See  lortefut  dt  LauJ.  teg.  Ang, 
c*  Vi*  •*  Polk  meridiem  cur:*  non  tenentur ;  fed 
"  placiuntes  tunc  fc  divertunt  ad  Pervi* 
♦•  film  ei  alibi,  confulentct  cum  Servientibua 
**  ad  Legem  el  aliii  conCUaiiisfuif/*  There  ia 
a  difTrrtnLe  of  opinion  where  the  parvit  at  Loiw 
don,  to  which  the  lawyers rcfurtcd,  was  fituated^ 
Somncr  fuppofcs  it  to  have  been  in  Old-PaUcc- 
yard,  before  Weftminfler-hall,  GloJT  m  X  Ssripu 
V.  Tri/trimm  s  but  oihen,  with  more  probabili* 
ty,  think  it  was  what  Dugdale  calls  The  Pcr- 
vyfe  of  Pawlei.  When  the  berjcants  liid  dinel 
in  any  d  the  inns  of  court,  St.  Paol**  lay  muck 
mttrt:  conveniently  for  an  afternoon  confultatiofi 
than  Wcllminfter-hall 

Pa*,  K.  fr.  a  footpace;  hit  horfc—^)n  which  he 
rode  a  pas  ful  foftely  fenicnce 

Paf-i,  V.  fr.  to  furpaf*,  to  excel,  to  judge,  to  paf« 

Paifant,  pafling,  pjrt.  pr.  excelling  [ttr  w^cr 

Patren,  inf.  m.  to  pray,  properly  to  repeat  the  F»* 

Pavade,  ».  a  weapon  of  ofience 

Pftumes,  H.  pi.  Fr.  the  palm*  of  the  hands 

Pax,  to  kiiTc  the  pait  :  for  an  acCuiiiit  of  this  cere^ 
mony,  fee  Du  Cttnie  in  v. 

Pay  en,  a4j.  Fr.  Pagan 

Paynes,  m  pi.  Hcatlicns 

Psyfaunce,  *,  pau^ng  or  flopping,  CXnfX.  Vr. 

Pecuninl,  adj  pecuniary,  piid  In  money 

Pees»  jt.  Fr.  peace  ;  when  uted  a»an  toterjedioD,  tC 
figiiiCei  the  fame  as  hold  thy  pecs,  be  filent    ^ 

Peine,  «,  />.  penalty  ;  up  peine  of  dcth.  Sec  XI f^^ 
Grief,  torment,  labour 

Peine,  v.  Fr.  lo  torture,  to  put  to  pain ;  ihe  peloed 
hire,  flie  took  gfeai  pains 

Pcifc»  V.  />-  lo  pojfc,  to  weigh 

Pelt,  ff.  a  hotffe,  a  cell,  $p.  and  Si.  i,  a  ptlacci 

Giorr.  l/r,  q  I 

Pellet,  Ji.  Fr.  pelotte,  a  bail 

PeAancc,  tt.  Fr.  repentance,  pains  19  he  undergoes 

by  way  of  fatiif^dion  for  fin,  ptin,  forruw 
Pcnant,  *.  Fr  a  prfon  doing  pt  nance 
Ptocell,  Ji,  Fr.  pennoncel,  a  iniall  ft  reamer 
"Votbte,  «^  indufbiou*  pains^^.aking 
.    nitcDcer,  m.  fr.  a  pried  who  ca^oill*  peoasceip 

eatnordinary  cafes 
Peooiark^/r.  «« a  place  io'lretag^ 


i 


pcnuer,  v,  a  pencafe.  In  the  inventorj  of  the  goods 
of  Henry  V.  Rot,  Pari,  a  H.  VI.  n.  15,  m.  13, 
i«  the  following  article,  Um  penntr  tt  I  yidtborn 
£  arg*  irrex  ;  and  again,  nu  a«,  I  pauure  ei  X 
€trni  eti'v^rt  dm  velvet  bloy 
>e[ion,  w.  i^'r.  a  (kreamer  or  enfign 
PeRfl,  n.pL  Sax,  pennies 
Penfell,».Mpcnccll 
PenCfched,  n.  penfivenefs 

Pieper,  n*  /ro/.  pepper ;  to  brewe  pepcr,  ^  feemt  to 
be  an  cxpreflion  for  the  preparation  of  a  hot 
pungent  liquor  which  (hould  burn  the  throats  of 
the  drinkers;  in  the  orig.  it  is-^-^«r^/  U  brajfe- 
refti  tetp^vre 
Pepk.  n.  Fr,  people 
Pcpliih^  u'Jj,  vulgar 
Fcrchc,  fl,  Fr.  a  pearch  for  bird* 
Percel,  aJ^.  parcel 
Pcf  da,  ^i  pardi 
pcrc,  ^,  t€i  appear 
Pcrc^  T-  fr.  a  peer,  an  equal 
Pcregal,  ^j,  equal 
Perc^inc,  adj.  Fr.  wandering 
Perc]c»f  jz^'.  without  an  equal 
Pcrjenetc,  n,  a  young  pear 
Pernaliat/r.  II.  Mount  Pama0us 
Pcrrie,  ».  Pr,  jewels,  precious  ftonei 
Pcrfaunt,^flr/./a.  Fr,  piercing 
Perfe,/r./i.  Perfia 

Pcrfe,  adj,  Fr.  flty  coloured,  of  a  blewKh  gray 
Perftlce/ff*  Sax.  Lat,  parfley 
PerfanCi  n.  barb.  Lat.  a  man,  generally  a  man  of 

dignity,  a  parfon  or  retftor  of  a  church 
PcrtclotCj/r.  n,  of  a  hen 
PcTEurbe,  «.  Fr.  to  trouble 
Pirnurbingi  n.  difturbance 
Pcrvinke,  n.  Sax.  Lat.  the  herb  periwinkle 
Pcr)%  n.  Fr.  a  pear  tree 
Pcfe,  n,  Fr.  as  pees 
Pcfon,  n.  ft.  Sax.  pcas 
Pcfible,  adj.  peaceable 
Peter  Alfonfc,  Fiers  Alfonfc 
Pctr^rk,  pr.  m.    Our  author  has  inferted  a  tranfla- 
tii>A  al  the   I  Old  fonnet  of  Petrarch  into  his 
Tcoiluj  and  Crefeide ;  it  is  not  in  the  Filoftrato  : 
thtrc  fccms  to  be  no  fu^cient  reafon  for  believ- 
ing that  Chaucer  had  ever  feen  Petrarch. 
Pcytrcli  I*.  Fr.  the  breailplate  of  a  horfc 
Phifikc,  ft.  Fr.  medicine 

Phillologus,  pr.  n.  There  was  a  larger  work  with 
the  fame  title  in  profe,  which  is  frequently  quot- 
ed by  Vincent  of  Bcauvais 
Plitton,  pr.  H,  the  ferpent  Python 
Phii&ncHt,  «.  barb.  Lat.  a  witch 
Pic,  H.  Fi\  a  magpie,  a  pratting  goffip  or  tell-tale 
Picrrte,  «.  Fr.  jewels,  precious  (tones 
PtggctrjtCp    The  Romans  ufed  oculua  as  a  term  of 
^iidcarmcDt;  and  perhaps  Piggcfnie,  in  vulgar 
Urtguagt}  only  means  nculusy  the  eyes  of  that  aui- 
miii  being  remarkably  fmall 
pjgh[,/ij.  i.  of  pike,  V.  Sax.  pitched 
Pike,  V.  Sax.  to  pitch,  to  pick,  as  a  hawk  does  his 

fcathe?Sj  to  ileal,  to  peep 
Pike,  *«.  5^A.  a  fi(h  fo  called 
I'ikc.'-el,  rf,  itax,  »  young  pike 


a  L  O  S  S  A  R  T. 

Pilchc,  *. 

tcga  pellu 
Piler,  n.  Ft 
PiUe,  <D.  Fr 
Pilled,  rath 
Pillours,  Ji.^ 
Pilwe,  m,  Sc 
Pilwe-bere, 
Piment, «.  i 

honey 
Pinche,  v. 
pinche  at 
any  flaw 
Pine,  II.  Sax 
Pine,  V.  Sax 
Fined,  part. 
Pipe,  V.  Sax 
lefe,  is  put 
laid  of  a  € 
See  Bucke 
Piftell, «.  Sa 
Pitance,  Ji. 
meant  an 


given  to  1 

commons. 

Pith,  m.  Sax. 

PitOQS,  a/^.  . 

compaffioi 

Pitooily,  adv 

Plage,  m.  Lai 

Plages,  n.  // 

plages  of  ti 

Plain,  X.  Fr, 

Plain,  ad/,  fii 

verb 

Plain,  V.  to  i 

Plaine,  v.  Fr, 

Piainliche,  aa 

Plat,  platte,  t 

k  is  often  1 

full  pUt  ac 

Plate,  a.  a  flai 

for  the  bre 

breaft  and 

Play,  a.  Sax. 

Play,  V.  to  1 

ftage,  to  p] 

a  pi1grima{ 

ing  on  a  pil 

Pie,  m.  Fr,  an 

Plein,  adj.  Fr 

Plenere,  adj.  J 

Plefance,  m,  I 

Pleflnges,  /i,p 

Pleie,  V.  Fr.  t 

Pleting,  a.  pie 

Plie,  V.  Fr,  to 

Plight,  m,  com 

Plight,  pa,  t 

plucked 
Plighte,  V.  Sa 
Plighte,/a./. 
Plite,  V,  to  pb 
Plite,  11.  condi 
Plungy,  adf.  / 


GLOSSARY. 


70s 


JJ.  Fr,  of  Apulia,  anciently  called  Potle. 
\mt's  dogter  Comverfane  im  Poyle  U  vjyve  he 

Fr,  the  principal  bufinefs,  a  ftop  or  full 
in  good  point,  in  good  cafe  or  condition; 
It  dcvife,  with  the  greateft  eza^nefs ;  at 

0  brell,  in  point  for  to  brail,  ready  to 

r.  Fr,  a  ftyle  or  pencil  for  writing 

in/,  m,  V,  Fr.  to  prick  with  any  thing 

^r.  a  pocket,  a  bag.  See  Pouche 
Fr.  to  thruft 
a  pulley 

&u.  a  halberd,  hipetnui,  Prtwtfi,  Parv, 
Fr,  any  ball  or  round  thing,  the  top  of 
d 

adj,  Fr,  fpotted  with  round  fpots  like  ap- 
ppled ;  ponielee  gris,of  a  dapple-gray  co- 

I.  This  word  ntay  either  be  coniidered  as 
lutive  from  pouple,  a  puppet,  or  at  a  cor- 

1  of  papellot,  a  butterfly 
Fr,  a  puppet 

,  m,  a  parrot ;  paptgmt^  Fr.  paptgaty^  Belg. 
\o,  Ital. 

t^,  Fr.  nicely  drcffed 

.  joly  popcr,  a  bodkin,  according  to  Sp. 
who  however  produce  no  authority  for 
rerprctation.  The  name  feems  to  be  fit- 
I  piftol 

0  look  eameftly,  poren,/r.  I.//. 
for  poure 

«.  Gr.  is  ufrd  in  the  fenfe  of-«^  coronary, 
em  deduced  from  another 
,)>r.  n.  of  a  fpecies  of  marble^  porphyry 
r.  carriage,  behaviour 
e,  M.  Fr.  a  falling  gate,  a  portcullis 
a  breviary,  Du  Ctutge  in  v.  PwrHfirlwm 
a  rheum  or  defludion  obdruding  the 
atarrUt  cori/a^  Pr§mp,  Parv, 
r.  to  fuppofe ;  I  pofe  1  had  finned  fo 
v.  to  pufli 

trt.  pa. 

:rs,  m  pi.  Lot.  an  invidious  name  for  fuch 
s  communities  as  were  endowed  with 
cc.  the  mendicant  orders  profefled  to  live 

upon  alms 
X.  a  prop  or  fupport 
"r.  power 

n.  Fr.  an  apothecary 
Fr.  a  crutch)  a  walking-ftick 
ud;.  Fr,  firong,  powerful 
>.  Fr.  a  principal  nugidrate 
.  Fr,  pocket,  pouch 

Fr.  powder,  poudres,  pi, 

,  Fr.  poverty ;  it  is  to  be  pronounced  po- 

hc  final  r  being  confidered  as  an  c  femi- 

Fr.  the  pnulfe 

H.  St.  Paul 

I,  part.  pa.  ponched  with  a  bodkin 

to  make  a  noile  with  a  horn 

•  t$,  Fr.  to  buy,  to  provide 

n.  Fr.  ac^uifition,  purcbafc 


Poure,  V.  as  pore 

Poure,  adf.  Ft.  poof 

Pourtraie,  v.  Fr.  to  draw  a  pidura 

Pourtraiour,  n.  a  drawer  of  piduret 

Pourtaitiire,  a  pidure  or  drawing 

Pradike,  n,  Fr,  pradice 

Preamble,  ti.  Fr.  preface 

Preambulatioun,  m.  preamble 

Precious,  adf.  Fr.  over  nice 

PredeftinI, «.  Fr.  predefiination 

Predication,  m.  Fr.  preaching,  a  fermoa 

Preet,  m,  Fr,  a  pref<t  or  crowd 

Prefe,  preve,  n,  Fr,  proof,  trial ;  at  preve,  on  tri^ 
al;  with  tvil  pxefe,  evil  may  it  prove.  Sec 
With  [trate 

Prefcd,  m,  Fr,  Lai.  a  governor  or  principal  magif^ 

Preife,  n.  Fr,  commendation 

Preife,  v.  Fr,  to  commend,  to  value 

Prentis, «.  Fr,  an  apprentice 

Prentilbode,  m.  apprenticeihip 

Preparat,^rf./ir.  Lat,  prepared 

Pres  odv,  Fr,  near,  fo  1  fufped  this  word  is  to  bt 
underftood ;  of  pr^s,  i.  e,  at  hand,  clofe ;  de  pris^ 
Fr.  or  perhaps  of  pres  may  be  put  for  in  a  preeK 
See  Prees 

Prefe,  «.  Fr,  to  prefs  or  crowd 

Prefent,  v.  Fr.  to  offer,  to  nuke  a  prefentof; 
and  with  the  wine  (he  gan  hem  to  prcfcnc  i  and 
fmote  his  head  of,  his  fader  to  prefent 

Prefentarle,  a^.  Lai,  prefent 

Preft,  adj.  Fr.  rej^dy 

Pretend,  v.  Fr.  to  lay  clafm  to 

Preterit,  at^.  Fr.  pafied 

Preve,  v.  Fr,  to  try,  to  demondrate  by  trial 

Preve,  «p.  nnti  to  turn  out  upon  tria^ 

Prick,  m.  Sax,  a  point,  a  pointed  weapon 

Prick,  prike,  v,  Sam.  to  wound*  to  fpur  a  horfeg  to 
ride  hard 

Prickafour,  a.  a  bard  rider 

Pricking,  n,  hard  riding 

Prideles,  a^.  Sax»  without  pride 

Prie,  V,  to  look  curiouily 

Prikke,  n.  See  Prick 

Prime,  a^g,  Fr.  Lat.  firft ;  at  prime  temps*  at  iht 
firil  time ;  at  prime  fade,  at  iirll  appearance 

Prime,  m,  the  fi^  quarter  of  the  artificial  day  t 
half  way  prime,  prime  half  fpent ;  prime  large, 
prime  far  advanced 

Primerole,  m.  Fr,  a  nrimrofe.  Com/,  Jim,  14%.  b. 

Primetemps,  ti.  Fr.  fpring 

Pris,  H.  Fr,  price,  praife ;  it  be  prys,  or  it  be  blame^ 
Com/.jlm.i6s 

Priv^,  adj.  Fr,  private ;  prtv6  and  apert,  private 
and  public ;  priv^  mto,  a  man  entrufied  with 
private  bufineia 

Prively,  adv.  privately 

Privetee,  m.  private  bufineis 

Proceffe,  h.  Lot.  progreis 

Profeffioun,  m.  Fr.  the  monadic  profefiion 

Prohemc,  m.  Fr.  Gr,  a  preface 

Proine,  «.  Fr.  provigner ;  it  ieems  to  have  fignifi* 
ed  originally  to  take  cuttings  from  vines,  in  or- 
der to  plant  them  out;  from  he&ce  it  has  been 
ufed  for  the  cutting  away  of  the  fuperfluout 
ihooti  of  all  trees.  Whicli  ^e  now  call  pruning. 

y  J 


Y^ 


GLdSSARr. 


and  for  that  operation  which  birds,  and  particu- 
larly hawks,  perform  upon  thcmfelvci,  of  pick- 
m^  out  their  fuperfluous  or  damaged  f^'atherH. 
In  allujlon  to  this  lalt  fcnfc,  Damian  is  faid  to 
fToinc  and  pike  himfelf.  Gowcr,  fpeaking  of  an 
eagle,  fayb, 

For  there  he  pruneth  fiim  and  piketh. 
As  doth  an  hauke,  whan  h^m  wel  tiketh. 
Cofif.  Am.  139. 

t*roIlc,  V.  to  go  about  in  fcarch  of  a  thing 
Provable,  aJj.  i>.  capable  of  being  demonftrated 
J*rovendc,  n.  Vr.  pr^ihenda^  Lat.  a  prebend,  a  daily 

or  annual  allowance  or  llipcnd.    See  Du  Cangt 

in  V.  Prabenda 
Provcndrc,  n.  a  prebendary 
iVoverbe,  n.  Yr-  Lai.  a  prudential  maxim 
Provcrbe,  v.  to  fpeak  proverbially 
Provoltry,  n.  Fr., the  office  of  provoll  or  prefe^; 

fifttfeSiura 
l*row,  n,  Fr.  profit,  advantage 
'ProwefTc,  n.  Fr.  integrity 
Prucc,/r.  n.  Pruflia 
Pruce,  adj.  Prufiian 
Pruned  />a.  i.  as  proined 
Ptholonue,  f>r.  n. 
Puclla  and  Rubeus,  the  names  of  two  figiMrcs  in 

jjcomancy,  rcprcfcnting  two  conflellations  in 

licavcn  :  Puclla  fi^nificth  Mars  retrograde,  and 

Rubeus  Mafs  dircA,  Sp, 
i*ulchritude,  n.  Lat.  beauty 
Pnllaile,  n    Fr.  poultry 
Pulled  hen,  J  have  been  told  fince  that  a  fw?n,  whofe 

feathers  are  pulled  or  plucked  off,  will  not  lay 

any  cgfj*;;  if  that  be  true,  there  is  moie  force  in 

the  epithet  than  I  apprehended 
Pun  ice,  «.  Fr.  to  punilh 
Pure,  adj.  Tr.  mere,  very 
VuTtdy  part.  pm.  purified 
Furfilcd,/>^r/.  />a.  Fr.  Worked  upon  the  ecfgc 
Purpos,  n.  Fr.  purpofc,  defign,  pruponcion  in  dif- 

courfc 
^urprifc,  m.  Fr.  an  cncloAire 
Purveyance,  n.  Fr,  forcfight,  providence,  provi- 

fion  • 

Purveye,  v.  to  forcfee,  to  provide 
Putcrie,  n.  Fr.  whoredom 
Putours,  n.  pi.  whoremongers 
Py tiiagoras,  pr.  n. 


Quad,  quade,  adj.  Tent  bad  ;  none  quad,  ne^iog 

evil 
Quaile-pipc,  n.  a  pipe  nfcd  to  call  qnails 
(^aire,  ».  Fr.  a  quire  of  paper,  a  book 
Quakke,  m,  feems  to  be  put  for  an  inarticulate  noife 
.    occailoned  by  any  obftrat^ion  in  the  throat 
'Qualmc,  jr.   Sa.x.  ficknefe,  the  noife  made  by  a 

raven 
Quappe,  V.  to  tremble,  to  qazkc 
Quarels,  n.  pi.  Fr.  fquare  arrows 
Qiicint,  «.  Sec  Junii  Etymoipg.  in  r. 


queint,he  made  it  ftrange,ciinniiil|g,irtfii1rtni8, 

neat 
Queiute,    pa.  t.  and    part,    of   quench,    «.  Sat. 

quenched 
Queinrife,  m.  trimncfs,  ncacf^s,  czcefiive  tnmDcfa; 

cunning 
Quelle,  V.  Sax.  tokill.todeflroy 
Que  me,  v.  Sax.  to  pleafe  ;  wel  me  quenaetk,  C«/. 

Am.  6^ 
Qtiene,  n.  Sav.  a  queen,  a  harloC 
Querne,  n.  6ar.  a  handmill 
Querrour,  n.  Fr.  one  that  works  in  m  ftooe  quny 
Qucfte,  n.  Fr.  a  prayer  or  demsnd 
Qucfl-mongers,  m.  pi  packers  of  ioquefts  or  JBrwt 
Qnethe,  «.  Sax.  to  fay,  to  declare  ;  I  quetlie  kia 

quite,  is  a  tranflation  of  an  old  techoictltsn 

in  the  law  Glamo  iiti  quUtam  ;  the  origisil  fr. 

has  only  Je  fultte 
Quik,  adj.  Sax.  alive 
Quikkeft,/«/»<^r/.  d.  fpeedieft ;  the  ^uikkeft  fccs, 

the  moti  expeditious  way 
Quiken,  i»,  Sux.  to  make  alive 
Qulkcdf  part.  pa.  made  aliTc 
Quiked,  pa.  t.  of  the  fame  ▼.  vfed  in  a  waoi 

fenfe,  became  alive 
Quinible,  ».  it  the  indrument,  I  IVippofe,  which  ii 

called  in  barb.  Lat.  ^uinfgrma  and  fmimtaria.  See 

Du  Cange  znd  Carptntier  in  v.  ^^imtermnan^wi 

Mehus,  Fita  dl*  Ambr.  CamaU.  iyrs,  Umkmta^  ft^ 

taria,  ribeha,  avt/tUy  tibiij^ue 
Quifhin,  «.  Fr.  a  cuihion 
Quiftron,  m.  a  beggar,  Gloff  Ur.   \  rather  believe  k 

flgniftes  a  feu  1  lion,  un  ^urqom  de  cmfime 
Quite,  adj.  Fr.  free,  qwict 
Quite,  V.  Fr.  to  requite,  to  pay  for,  to  acqnt 
Quitte,  fart.  pir.  requittcd 
Quit  el  y,  adv.  freely,  at  liberty 
Quod.^tf.  /.  of  qucthc,  faid 
Quoke,/Wi.  t.  of  quake,  v.  Sax.  trembled,  ftook 


Ra.  n.  Snx.  a  roc  deer 

Racine,  m.  Fi.  a  root 

Rad,  radde.  pa.  t.  of  tc^^^  v.  Sax.  advifed,o- 
plained,  Du.  l8>I 

Radevorc,  tapcftry ;  rat.  in  Fr.  fignifies  aay  #»f. 
as  ras  de  Cbalofn^  rat  de  Grmmej^  ras  df  Fort  r-r  fa^y 
may  be  a  ftuff  made  at  foch  a  pbce.  Gk^C  T* 
There  is  a  town  in  Langnedoc  called  La  /*'' 
bttt  I  know  not  that  it  was  ever  f;mioa»  V*  ^ 
pcftry 

Rafles,  n.pl.  Fr.  plays  with  dice 

Rafte,/a.  f.  of  reve,  v.  Sax.  took  away 

Rage,  V.  Fr.  to  toy  waotosly 

Ragerie, «.  wantenne5 

Ragoonces,  ihonid  prokably  be  jafooce^  a  ii  ^^ 
orig.  Fr.  the  prectoos  ftoncs  called  ]tadit  " 
hyacinths 

Raines,  ^r.  m.  the  city  of  R^nnes  in  Brrtsgnt 

Rake-ftele,  m.  Snx.  the  handle  of  a  rake 

Rakel.  adj.  hafty,  raih 

Rakclne0e,  m.  raihnefs 

Raket,  to  play  racket,  nettle  ta  dock  oat,  fc«P»i» 
be  afed  at  a  proverbial  ccptl&oD,6fi^pH  ^ 


GLOSSARY. 


107 


t>e  ihcondant ;  what  the  original  of  the  phrafe 
ntuy  have  been,  is  not  fo  dear 
Raniaj^f ,  atfj.  Ft.  wiM 
Haminilh,  at/J.  ^ax.  rank  like  a  ram 
Kampe,  V.  Fr.  to  climb;  Ihc  rampeth  in  my  face, 

ihc  riles  agaiuft  me,  flics  in  my  lace 
Ran,^d.  t,  of  rennc»  ranncn,^. 
Kapc,  aJv,  quickly,  fpeediiy 
Rape,  n.  haflc 
Rape,  T/.  Sax.  to  take  captive ;  to  rape  and  renne, 

to  fcize  and  plunder.  See  Reune 
Rafis,/>r.  n.  an  Arabian  phyfician  of  the  loth  cen- 
tnry.  Sec  FaSric.  Bibl.  Gr,  t.  xiii.  p.  46,  in  v.AU 
hubectir 
Ralkaile,  n.  a  pack  of  rafcals' 
Rated, />«r/./»tf.  chidden 
Rathe,  adv.  Sax-  fo<>n,  early,  fpeedily 
Rather,  comp.  d.  fo(»ncr 
Rathcil./w/'^r/.  Jt  foi>ncft 
Rather,  adj.  Sax.  comf.  d.  former 
Ratouns,  n.  pi.  Fr.  ratt 
Raught,  ^M.  t.  of  rxcan,  v.  Sax.  reached ;  on  his 

way  he  raughr,  he  fprang  forth  on  his  way. 
Raught,  pfi.  t.  of  rcccan,  v.  Sux.  cared,  recked 
Raveners,  (ravinours)  n.  pi  plunderers 
Ravine,  ».  Fr.  rapine;  foulea  of  raven, birdt  of 

prey 
Ravifable,  adj.  Fr.  ravenous 
Raviihing,  putt.  pr.   Ft .  rapid ;  with  a  ravi(hing 

fweigh ;  rai'tdo  turbine,  orig.  Sec  Swegh 
Raunfon,  it.  Fr,  ranfom 
Raycd,/>/7//. /7.  ftrcaked  orflriped,  Du.  %$% 
Real,  adj.  Fr.  royal 
Realler,  comp.  d.  more  royal 
Rcallich,  adv.  royally 
Rcaltec,  n.  royalty 
Rcbckke,/r.  n.  Rebecca 
Rcbckkc,  n.  Fr.  a  mufical  inftrument 
Rechafcd,  pn.  t.  Fr.  a  term  in  hunting, /}y.  579 
Rccche,  rekke,  v.  Stix.  to  care 
Rccchelcs,  adj.  carelefs 
Kccchclefncfle,  n.  carclefsnefs 
Redaimc,  v.  Fr.  a  term  in  falconry  for  bringing 

the  hawk  to  the  fid  by  a  certain  call 
Reclaiming,  m.  calling,  in  the  fenfe  of  redaime 
Rccomfort,  v.  Ft .  to  comfort 
Record,  «.  Fr.  witncfH,  teftimony 
Recorde,  v.  Fr.  to  remember ;  it  fometimes  feems 
>    to  be  ufed  in  a  technical  legal  fenfe,  for  what  is 
called  to  enter  upon  record  in  judidal  procced- 
ii)gs 
Rccrcandife,  n.  Fr.  fignifies  fear,  cowardice,  defer* 

tio»  of  principle 
Recreant,  a./j.  one  who  yields  himfelf  to  his  adver- 
fary  in  iinglc  combat ;  for  the  full  import  of 
thcfe  two  words,  fee   Du  Cangt  an  v*  R€€re» 
di/ttia 
Recure, ».  Fr.  recovery 
Recured,/tfr/.)><i.  ff.  recovered 
Rcddc,  red,/»a.  /.  oi  rede,  v.  Saif* 
Reddour,  n.  fr.  flrength,  violenee 
Kede,  n.  Sax.  advice,  counfel,  a  reed 
Rede,  r.  6a  c.  to  ad vifc,  to  read,  to  ciplaio,  D».  %y(f 
Rede,  adj.  Sax,  red 
Kedoiitc,  V.  JFn  to  (cm  -   -     • 


Redouting,  h.  reverence 

Redrtflc,  v.  Fr.  to  recover,  to  make  amends -for 

lKe(c^, part.  pa.  Lat.  recovered 

Refiguting,/>ar/.  ^<7.  Fr.  figuring  aj^ain 

Refrain,  n.  Fr.  the  burden  of  a  fong 

Refraining,  m.  the  Tinging  of  the  burden  of  a  fon^ 

Refreide,  v.  Fr.  to  cool 

Refrete,  m.  the  fame  as  refrain,  in  Ber,  it  is  printe4 
corruptly  frefreit 

Reftc,  rifte,  «.  Sax.  a  chiilk  or  crevica 

Refute,  H.  Fr.  refuge 

Regals,  m.  pi.  Fr.  royalties 

Regard,  «.  Fr.  at  regard  of,  with  refpet^  to,  ia 
comporifon  of 

Regnc,  n.  Fr.  a  kingdom 

Rehete,  v.  Fr.  rchaitcr,  to  revive,  to  cheer 

Reheting,i>.  according  to  feveral  mfl*.  and  all  the  re* 
hcting  of  his  (ikes  fore ;  fome  mlT.  and  moll  of 
the  printed  editions  read  richeife  inftead  of  re* 
heting,  Olofl*.  Ur.  Richcfle,  though  almoft  at 
aukward  an  exprefllou  as  the  other,  is  more 
agreeable  to  the  correfponding  pailage  in  the 
Filoftrato — 

£  fufpir  che  gli  avea  a  gran  dovida— * 

and  one  can  hardly  conceive  that  it  could  come 
from  any  hand  but  that  of  the  author.  I  can 
make  no  fenfe  of  reheting;  but  at  the  fame  time 
I  mull  allow,  that  it  is  not  likely  to  have  been  iu- 
ferted  by  way  of  a  glofs  [ocig. 

Reilc,  9.  neut.  to  roil  \  rcilcih  diverfely ;  vogatur, 

ReineK.  See  Raines 

Rejuic,  V.  Fr,  to  rejoice 

Reke,  v.  Sax.  to  exhale 

Rcken,  v.  Sax,  to  reckon,  fo  come  CO  a  reckoning 

Rekes,  n.  pi.  Sax.  ricks  ^of  corn) 

Relaies,  /t.pl.  Fr.  frefli  fets  of  hounds,  Dm,  36 » 

Relefe,  m.  Sax.  what  b  left 

Relees, «.  Fr,  releafe 

Religiouiitc,  ti.  Fr.  perfons  of  a  religious  profeflioni 
the  clergy 

Relike,  «.  Fr.  a  relic,  relikes,  pi. 

Remenant,  n.  Fr,  a  remnant,  a  remaining  part 

Remes,  «.  pi,  Fr.  realms 

RemilfailA,  n.  pi.  Fr.  orts,  leavings 

Remorde,  ».  Fr.  to  caufe  remorie,  to  afflidt 

Remuable,  adj.  Ft:  moveable,  incunllant 

Rcmue,  remcwc,  rcmuvc,  v.  Fr,  to  removei  Ctffi/* 
Am.  164.  b. 

Remued,  pa.  t. 

Renably,  adv.  Fr.  reafonably 

Renegatc,  n.  Fr.  an  apoftate  from  Ohriftianit]^ 

Rcneie,  v.  Fr.  to  renounce,  to  abjure 

Renges,  n.pl.  Fr.  ranks,  tlie  itcp^  of  a  ladder 

Rcnne,  v.  Sax.  co  run,  to  reiKl 

Renomee,  n,  Fr.  renown 

Rcnovclaunce, «.  i  r.  a  renewing 

Rcnovclic,  V,  Jr.  to  renew 

Rent,  V,  Sax.  to  tear  or  rw^d 

Repairc,  «.  Fr.  re  fort 

Repaire,  v.  Fr.  to  return 

Repentant,  pari,  pr.  Fr.  repenting 

Reprcfe,  rcprcve,  n,  Fr.  rcprocf  (fing 

ReprdfioPi  «•  £e«iiit  to  be  put  for  power  of  rcprt^ 
^7^ 


7«t 


O  ti  O  S  d  A  R  V. 


Reqaere,  «.  Fr.  to  require 

Rere,  v.  ^'ax.  to  raife 

Refcous,  if.  Fr.  refcue 

Refcowe,  v.  Fr.  to  refcue 

Refon,  ».  Fr.  rcafoD,  proportion 

Ilcfons,  H.  //.  /"r.  difcourfes 

Refpite,  «.  may  perhaps  be  put  for  rcfpccft 

Rcfpiten,  m/.  m.  Fr.  to  grant  a  refpite,  to  cxcufe 

Rcfport,  «.  is  probably  put  for  rtfpcA 

Refte,  It.  5<7x.  repofe 

Refle,  V.  Sax.  to  repofe,  to  ceafe  from  labour 

Retenuc, «.  Fr.  retinue ;  at  hiarctenue  retained  by 
him 

Rethor,  m.  Fr.  Lat.  an  orator  or  rhetorician 

Reve,  m.  Sax.  a  fleward  or  bailif 

Revc,  r.  Sax,  to  take  away 

Revel,  0.  Fr.  entertainment,  properly  during  the 
night,  fport,  fcftivity 

Revelour,  n.  a  reveller 

Revelrie,  ».  pleafure 

Rever«,  aJJ.  Fr.  contrary 

Reverfe,  v.  Fr.  to  overturn 

Revert,  v.  Fr.  to  turn  back 

Revcft,  V.  Fr.  to  clothe  again 

Rew,  M.  a  row  or  line ;  on  a  rew,  in  a  line ;  all  by 
rew.  See  ji  *r<no 

Rewake,  v.  Sax.  to  waken  again 

Reward,  n.  Fr.  regard,  refped;  take  reward  of  thin 
own  value>  have  regard  to  thine  oWn  value ;  in 
reward  of,  in  comparifon  with.  See  Regard 

Rewe,  V.  Sax.  to  have  compaifion,  to  fuffer,  to 
have  caufe  to  repent 

Reyes,  «.  fil.  dances  in  ufe  among  the  Dutch.  Xeytf 
Belg.  Lbtrea  celericr,  cberta  in  Itngam  fcriem^  Ki- 
lian 

Reyfed,  "  Les  Gandois  fircnt  une  refe  fur  les 
*<  marches  de  Haynault,  et  dedans  le  pays  pille- 
•»  rent,  bruflerent,  et  firciit  moult  dc  maux." 
3ffem.  deU  March,  p.  384,  where  a  note  in  the 
margin  fays,  "  Reyft  en  bas  Aleman^,'*  iignify 
•*  un  vayagt  ou  eour/e** 

Ribaniugcs,  h.  pi.  feems  to  fignify  borders 

Ribaude,  n.  a  poor  labourer ;  but  the  word  gene, 
rally  implies  profligacy  of  manners,  as  well  as 
meannefs  of  condition.  See  Du  Cattge  in  v.  RU 
baldus 

Ribaudrie,  n.  ribaldry,  indecent  words  or  adions 

Ribibe,  ».  a  fort  of  mulical  inftrument 
Ribible,  n.  a  Ixnall  ribibe 

Richard,  pr.  I  have  vindicated  the  chara^erof 
this  heroic  prince  from  an  afperfion  which  wis 
iirft  caft  upon  him,  1  find,  by  Mr.  Rymer,  in 
tonfequence  of  a  miftaken  conftrudUon  of  a  paf- 
fage  in  Hoveden ;  1  am  tempted  to  add  here  the 
beginning  of  a  poem  which,  having  been  com- 
pofed  after  his  death,  by  Anfelem  Faydit,  muH 
Oand  clear  of  all  fufpicion  of  having  been  either 
l>cgged  or  bought 

For  chaufaes  et  tot  lo  maior  dan, 
J\  maior  dol,  las !  q  eu  anc  mais  agues, 
£t  70,  don  dei  toz  temps  plaigner  ploran, 
M  aven  a  dir  en  chantar  et  retraire, 
De  eel  q  era  de  valors  caps  et  paire. 
Id  rcis  valenc  Rixard^xa.%  de«  finglci^ 
4    . 


£s  mors ;  ai  Dens!  eat*p(rdaetcalsdaits  tti 
Can  eilraing  moz  et  qan  gren  per  andir ! 
Ben  a  dur  cor  toz  hom  co  po  fofrir. 

Morz  es  li  reis,  tt  ibo  paflat  mil  an 
C^nc  tan  pros  hom  no  fo  oe  ool  vit  res, 
Ne  ia  mais  hom  non  et  dei  fen  fimhlanf. 
Tan  lares,  tan  pros,  tan  ardis,  taia  doo^re; 
Q^  Alixandres  lo  reia^  qe  vcn^  JE>airc, 
No  cuit  qe  tan  dones  ni  tan  tneflca, 
Ni  an  Charles  ni  Artus  tan  valguet, 
^2L%  tot  lo  mon  fen  fez,  qi  n  vol  vcr  4ir, 
Als  us  doptar  et  als  altrcs  grazir. 

M£  Cr^^  foL  III. 

Richeffe,  a.  Fr.  wealthy  Hcheffes,//.  riches 

Riddeled,/ar/.  pa.  plaited,  Gltifl*.  Ur. 

Ridden,  part.  pa.  of  ride  ;  he  ia  ridden,  they  be 

ridden,  he  had  ridden 
Ride,  V.  Sax.  he  rideth  him 
Riding,  m.  probably  a  procciGon 
Rife,  rive,  v.  Sax.  to  thruil  through 
Right,  «.  Sax.  a  right  or  due  ;  at  aXLt  righto, « 

all  poiiits 
Right,  atg.  good,  true 

Right,  aJv.  truly,  rightly,  ezaAly,  completeiy;  k 
is  frequently  joined  to  adjedtiTeft,  as  the  adioli 
well  and  full  are,  to  augment  their  force 
Rime,  n.  Fr.  a  compofition  in  rhyme  ;  hence  ik 
title  of  The  rime  of  Sire  Tho|>a8.  Rime4oft* 
rel.  See  Dogerel 
Rimeyed,  part,  pa,  Fr,   compofied  in  tliyBtf  tt 

verfc 
Rinipled,  part.  pa.  Sax»  wrinkled 
Ring,  V.  Sax.  to  make  to  found,  «.  aotf.  to  Comi 
Rife,  «.  Sax.  (mail  twigs  of  trees  or  bufhes 
Riflie,  a.  Sax,  a  ruih 
Rift,  for  rifeth 
Rit,  for  rideth 
Rivage.  See  Arivage 

Rive,  V.  mtut.  Sax.  to  fplit,  to  fall  afunder 
Riveling,^tfr/.  pr.  Sax.  wrinkling;  rwfgdrm^  Beffi 
,  rugare,  Kilian 

Roche,  m,  Fr.  a  rock  ;  roches,  pi. 
Rode,  m.  Sax.  the  crofs;  rode-beem  ;  it  laaUbcaD* 
ed  the  rode>tree,  from  iu  being  made  of  wood 
Rode,  H.  Sax.  complexion 
Rody,  adj.  Sax,  ruddy 

Rofe,  pa.  t.  of  rife ;  rofte  fhould  probably  be  ro£c 
Rogge,  V.  Sax,  to  (hake ;  roggyn  or  OBCvyn,  agda. 

Prompt,  Parft,   . 
Roigne,  n.  Fr.  a  fcab,  mange 
Roignous,  adj,Fr,  fcabby,  rough 
Rokctte,  m.  Fr.  a  ioofe  upper  garment 
Roking,  part,  pr,  of  rokke  t>r  rogge,  «.  mmt.  Sst. 
(baking,  trembling;  roggyn  or  wavcryB,««ifis 
Prunp.  Parv* 
Rombel,  m,  a  rambling  noife,  mmonr 
Rome,  V.  Sax,  to  walk  about 
Rondel,  n,  Fr,  a  rhyme  or  fonnet  wbich  cndi  aii^ 

begins,  Cotgrave 
Rone,  pr.  n.  Rouen  in  Normandy 
Rone,  pa.  t,  of  rain,  v.  Sax.  rained 
Ropen,  /or/,  pa.  of  repe,  «•  Sax.  reaped 
Rofalgar,  red  arfenic,  a  preparation  of  mpiBMit 
Cbamhn  m  T.  Rtalgiar.    ll  flMwId  fathcrpci^ 


GLOSSARY. 


s  have  been/ written  Ryfalgar,  with  miT.  ti, 
he  L^tin  name  i%  rifiggUum 
,  adj.  rofy 
m.  Fr,  a  rofebpih 
-ed,  atij.  red  as  a  role 
(I.  Sax.  a  root 
a  root  in  aftrolpgy 

n.  a  mufica]  inftnidhit.  See  Dw  Ctrngt  in 
?0^a.  Notker,  who  lived  in  the  zoth  cen- 
',  fays  that  it  was  the  ancient  pfahanmm^  but 
red  in  its  ihape,  with  an  additional  nom- 
of  firings,  Scbiiter,  in  v.  Jlttta 
I.  Fr.  pradice ;  by  rote,  by  heart,  far  rotine, 

V  Sax.  to  TQt 

:,  fi.  Sax,  the  redder  of  a  fliip 
t,  for  raught,  />a.  t.  of  recche 
y.  Sax,  to  lie  clofe;  but  no^  they  nicken  in 
ncft  Comf.  Am.  7a. 

V.  ncut.  Satf.  to  roll,  to  run  eafily ;  where 
8  copies  have  royle.    See  Reilp 
.*,«.  5'<7«.  room,  fpace 
:,  j^'.  wide,  fpaciout 
T,  coifip.  d.  wider 
evall,/r.  ii. 

te,  A.  ^rb.  Lai,  a  coqipxan  haclq;iey  hor(ie. 
Du  S^ftge'm  V.  Rumcinitt 
el.  n,  fr.  a  fort  of  foog.  See  Rondel-*>a  cjr- 
r  figure 

^  Fr,  a  compj^y 
V  to  aiTembfe  iu  a  company 
V.  Fr.  to  foore,  to  r^ar, 
:,  H.  Sax,  f ompalfion,  the  objed  pf  compaf- 

■les,  adj.  without  compaflion 

I.  a  line  of  writing.    See  Rew 

dj.  Sax.  ruugh,-^he  loked  wel  rowc 

,  *.  Sax.  to  whifper 

:.     See  Puelhi 

,  n.  //.  Fr.  rubies 

ig,  t(iri.  tr.  of  rucke,  or  rouke,  v.  Sax.  ly- 

lofe 

n.  Sax.  complexion.  See  Rode 
:k,  M.  Sax.  a  bird  called  robin  red-breaft 
pr.  M.  a  Greek  phyfician,  of  whofe  works 

are  extant.     See  FaBru.  BiU,  Gr.  1.  iv.  c. 

adj.  rough 

pr.ti,  'the  fox  is  c^ed  Dan  RulTcl,  from  hla^ 
olour,  X  fuppofe 


S. 


:s,  n.pt.  Fr.  fmall  fackf 

freres,  friars  wearing  a  coarTe  upper  gar- 

:,  calledy^rrw,  Mat,  Parity  ad.  an.  1 15 7; 

idem  tempore  novus  ordo  appaniit  Lundinl 

quibufdam  fratribus  ignotis  et  non  prsTi- 

,  qui,  quia/r£r/f  incedcbant  anduti,  tratret 

tcati  vocabcntur." 

.  Fr.  a  facred  folemnity 

fj.  Sax,  grare,  ftcady,  forrowfuli  repent- 


7^ 


Sadly,  adv.  fteadlly,  carefully;  this  meffenger 
drank  fadly  ale  and  wine ;  this  mefibngier  ap^ 
plied  himfelf  to  drink,  ale  and  wine  « 

Sadnefs,  n.  gravity,  fteadineis 

SafTxon,  v  Fr.  to  tinge  with  (afirpn 

Saie  fur  fcie,  pa,  t.  of  fe  v.  Sax.  faw 

Saile,  V.  Fr.  to  aifail 

Sailours,*.  pi,,  may  mean  dancers,  from  xhtLat,  Fr.\ 
fo  in  Pierce  Phugb^  68,  for  I  can — neither  faylen, 
ne  faute,  ne  fyng,  to  ihe  gyteme  :  the  lincf 
ivhich  Chaucer  has  here  tranilated  are  not 
in  the  beft  edit,  of  the  Rom.  de  la  Rrfe^  Pa- 
""^S  1 735*  I'Wt  they  arc  quoted  by  Junius,  Etym. 
Ling.  Angl,  in   v.  Timbefiart^  from  an  edit,  o^^ 

Apres  y  eut  farces  joyeufes, 
£t  batelleurs  et  bateUeufcs, 
Qui  de  paife  pafle  jouoyent. 
£t  en  Fair  ung  baffin  ruoycnf. 
Puis  le  fcavoyent  bien  recuillir 
Sur  yng  doy,  ians  point  y  faillir. 

^)^cn  It  is  plain  that  th^  author  is  fpeaking  o£ 
jugglers  rather  than  dancers 
Saine,  for  kinc, (art. pa.  of  fe,  v.  Sax,  feen 
Saine,/r.j«.  the  rive|-  Seine 
Salade,  m.  Fr.  a  Ibrt  of  armoor  forthe  bread 
Salades,  m,  pi.  Tr.  fallads  of  herbs 
Salewe,  falue,  v,  Fr.  to  falute      ' 
Salted,  pari.  pa. 
Saluinges,  n.  pi.  falutations 
Samite,  m.  Fr,  Gr.  a  rich  filk«     See  Du  Caage  in  ▼• 

Examitui 
Sanguin,.  aifj.  Fr.  of  a  bipod- ^d  colour 
Sarliniibe,  (bould  perhaps  be  farfiniflie.  from  the 
Fr.firraJimMs^  a  fort  of  fine  filk  ufcd  for  veils. 
See  Du  Caun  in  ▼.  Saractmeum  and  Saraumumm 
It  i»  ftill  called  firccne^ 
Sarpleres,  «.//.  packages  of  a  larger  Cze  thai^ 
fackl.     See  Du  Cange  in  ▼.   SarpUrinm.   SurpiU 
lere,  Fr.  a  piece  of  canvas,  &c,  to  wi jd  or  .pad^ 
up  wares  in.    Cotgra^e 
Saten,/a.  /.  //.  of  fit,  v.  Sax, 
Satalie,/r.  u.  the  ancient  Attalim 
Savc^jt.  ^.  the  herb  fage 
Sauf,  adf.  tr.  ftfe.  See  ^o»rAr— (aved  cjr  ttcepted 
Savet^,*. /"r.fiifcty    '      *  .       .         f.    . 

Saule,  for  foule  ^ 

Savoor,  «.  luut.  Fr.  to  taft^,  to  reUfli 
Savouring,  n.  Fr.  the  (enfe  of  talking 
Savourbus,  a^.  fweet,  pleafant 
Saufefleme,  a  com^fiuon,  «>f  which  two  of  tk^  hk 

gredients  are  brimftone  and  quickfilver 
Sautes,  a,  pi.  Fr.  aflanlt 

Sautrie,  m.  Fr.  Gr.  a  mufical  firing  infiniment.  Seo 
Rote 

Sawe, «.  Sax.  fpeecb,  difcourfe, a  proverb  or 

wife  faying 
Say,  for  fey,  fa.  t.  of  fc,  v.  Sax.  fow 
Scall,  m.  Sax.  a  fcale  or  fcab 
Scalled,  atg.  fcabby,  fcnrfy 
Scaotilone,  a.'  Fr.  a  pattern,  a  fcantHng 
Scarce,  adf.  Fr.  fpartng,  ftingy 
8ctriof|/rwii^  Judas  Uou-iot 


yio 


GLOSSARY. 


Scannifte,  «r.  Fr.  a  Jkirmifh,  a  battle 

Scathe,  a.  ^x.  harm,  damage 

Scatheful,  fcatheliche,  adj.  perniciouf 

Scathcles.tf^".  without  harm 

Sclaundre,  n.  Fr.  (lander 

Sclendre,  adj.  flcndcr 

Scochons, /I. //.  F>-.  fcutcheons  of  arms 

Scolaie,  •».  Fr.  to  attend  fchool,  to  ftudy 

Script,  n.  tr.  a  writing 

Scriptures,  «. />/.  Fr.  writings,  books 

Scriven-Iike,  like  a  fctivener  or  writing-mafter ; 

ctmme  une  cfcrivain 
Seame»,  n.  pi.  Sax.  {tzm*,fuiiarm 
Sccrcc,  oJj.  Fr.  fecret 

Secrcncfle,  n.  privacy  [rical, 

Seculer,  naj.  Yr.  of  the  laity,  in  oppoiition,  to  clc- 
Scde,  V.  oax.  to  produce  feed 
See,  n.  Fr.  a  f<rat,  fces,^/. 

See,  V.  Sav.  to  fee;  God  you  fee ;  God  him  fee ; 
may  God  keep  ycu  or  him  in  his  fight ;  God 
you  fave  and  fee ;  to  look  ;  on  to  fee — to  look 
on — that  yewolden  fometimcfrendly  onmcfec; 
that  yc  would  iomctimeslook  friendly  on  me 
See,  «.  Sax.  the  fee;  the  grctc  fee.  A  learned 
friend  has  fuggeftcd  to  me,  that  the  fea  on  the 
Cf  art  of  Palelline  is  called  The  Great  Sea  iii  the 
ljil.lt,  [Sec  AVw^.  xxxiv.  6,  7,  Jc/b.  xv.  ii,] 
whi(  h  puts  the  meaning  of  the  appellation  in 
this  pafla^e  out  of  all  doubt 
Scge,  It.  tr.  ai  (lege 

Scie,  fey ^  pa  t.  of  fee,  v.  Sax.  faw,  part.pa»  fccn 
Scignorie  a.  Fr.  power 
Sein,  part.  pa.  of  fee,  v.  5a r.  feen 
Seinde.  patt.  pa.  of  fcnge,  t»,  Sax.  Cngcd 
Seint,  n.  Fr.  ccinA,  a  girdle 
Scintuarie, «.  Fr.  fandluary 
Sike,  V.  <Stfr.  to  feck  » 

Scke,  adj.  Sax.  fick 
Seldcn,  adv.  Sax.  feldom,  ftldcn  time 
ijcle,  n.  Yr.  a  fcal,  fries,//. 

t>elf,  idve,  adj\  Sax.  anfwering  to  the  Beljir.  fclf,tlic 
}r  /;:.V./',  the  Lat.  ipfcy  and  the  Gr.  Ki»t^.  With 
tic  arciclc  pr<  f:xcd,  it  anfwers  -to  the  Lat,  idem 
and  the  Cctb./«mo,  from  whence  our  fame;  in 
the  fdlvc  moment,  in  the  fame  moment ;  in  the 
felve  place,  in  the  fame  place. — Thcfi  two 
L'fagf  I  of  the  adj.  felf,  when  joined  to  a  fubflan* 
five,  t^.ightbe  crnfirmtd  by  the  uniform  pra^icc 
r  f  all  our  writers  from  the  carlieft  times  down  to 
^HAKSFFARE,  but  38 they  are  bpth now obfolctc, 
1  choofe  rather  to  take  this  opporianlty of  adding 
^  few  words,  upon  the  ufagc  of  the  adj,  felf, 
when  joined  to  a  pronoun,  in  which  light  only 
it  appeaj"**  to  have  been  confidcrcd  by  Wallis, 
when  he  pronounced  it  a  fubilantive,  anfwering 
rearly  to  the  L?tin  perfona  — Dr.  Jolinfon,  in  his 
Djclirnar)',  haft  very  rightly  cftabiiihcd  the  pri- 
mary figr.ificatit  n  of  felf  to  be  that  of  an  adjec- 
tive; hut  in  its  connexions  with  pronouns  he 
icems  rather  inclined  to  fuppofe  it  a  fubftantive; 
firft,  bf  caufe  it  is  joined  to  pofifcfTive  or  adjec- 
tive pronouns,  as  my,  thy,  her,  &c. ;  and,  fc- 
condly,  bee  rfe  it  has  a  plural  number,  felvea, 
contrary  to  the  nature  of  the  Engliih  adje^ive. 
m^lht  iaiccf  rcitfoiii  I  think,  cainiot  have  much 


weight,  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  uCe  cf 
felves,  as  th«  plural  number  of  felf,  has  been  in- 
troduced into  our  language  lincc  the  time  of 
Chaucer.  8elven,  which  was  originally  rhc  «£. 
cufative  ca.  flng.  of  felf,  is  nfed  by  him  icdiffr> 
rently  in  both  numbers;  I  myfelven  ;  ye  yow- 
felven  ;  he  himfelven.  The  former  rcafoo  sl- 
fo  will  lofe  its  force,  if  this  (hall  be  admitted, thit 
in  their  combinations  "with  felf,  the  pmoocai 
my,  thy,  her,  our,  your,  arc  not  to  be  cocfider- 
ed  as  poffeffive  or  adjc<ftivc,  but  as  the  old  o- 
blique  cafes  of  the  pcrfonal  pronouns,  I,  tbua, 
(he,  we,  ye.  According  to  this  hypotkcfit  the 
ufe  of  thcfe  combinations,  with  refpc&t*the 
pronouns,  is  almoll  ;.Kvays  folecifiical,  bat  not 
more  fo  than  that  of  hiinfelf  in  the  comiiatiN 
cafe,  which  has  long  been  authorifed  by  ceo- 
flant  curtom  ;  and  it  i&  remarkable  that  a  iio)c< 
cifm  of  the  fame  fort  has  prevailed  in  thcFrcDdi 
language,  in  which  ^.'oi  and  /or,  the  abL  cafes  of 
je  and  /*r,when  combined  with  m^me^  arc  afeda 
ungrammatically  as  our  my  and  thy  hi¥c  jni 
been  fuppofed  to  be  when  combined  with  fcit  Jf 
/'  at  vu  aoi-meme^  1  have  fccn  it  myfelf ;  tule  ter- 
ras toi'fr.i'me^tho\i  fhalt  fee  it  thy  felf;  andibiotk 
accufativc  cafe,  mol-mtrze  is   added  cm^hatiaSy 

to  me,  and /c/-r./r7^   to  /.-. It  isprobahk,! 

think,  that  thtfe  departures  from  gramntar  ia 
both  languages  have  been  made  for  the  fakecf 
fuller  and  more  agreeable  founds.  'Je^m^m^m' 
mem.,  tu'tretfie^  and  te-mCme^  WOuM  ccmicly 
found  muchtliinner  and  more  languid  :kanav> 
merKe  and  toi-fr.rwe ;  and  myfeif,  thyfelf.  He  « 
as  clearly  preferable,  in  point  of  pronunoancr, 
to  Ifclf,  mefclf,  thoufelf,  theefelf,  &c.  theajft 
not  all,  perhnp<,  in  an  equal  degree,  h  ftoui 
be  obferved  that  itfelf,  where  a  change  of  cafe 
in  the  pronoun  would  not  have  improveitbe 
found,  has  never  undergone  any  iJici* 
tion 
Sclle,  ».  Fr.  ctHc,  cell 

Selle,  for  fille,  n.  Sa\,  a  door- fill  or  thrdboM 
belve,<ii^'.  See  Self 
Sely,  tidj.  Sa.  filly,  fimplc,  harmleCi 
Sciyncfle, /».  5<iv  happintf* 
Semblable,  adj,  Fr.  like 
Sembiaunt,  n.  Fr.  feeming,  appearance 
Semeliche,femcly,  adj.  Sat.  fccmly, comely 
Semelitfte,/i//rr/.  d. 

Scmelyhede,  m.  feeihlinefi,  comclinefs 
Scmifoun,  ».  Laf.  a  low  or  broken  tone 
Semicope,  h  a  half  or  (hort  clouk 
Sen,  fcne,  h/.  w.  of  fc,/tfr/.  /»a^ 
Send,  for  fcndcth  [km 

Sendall,  m.  a  thin  filk.    See  Z)«  Cjmge  In  t.  Ca^ 
Secek,^r.  ».  Seneca  the  phUofophcr 
Senge,v.  Sax,  to  finge 
Senior,  ^r.  ». 

Sentence,  n.  /^r.  fenfe,  meaning,  judgtneoc 
Septe,  pr.  n.  Ceuta,  formerly  ^epta,  io  Airici, 

over-againft  Gibraltar 
Sepulture, «.  Fr,  grave 

Serapion,  pr.  n,  Jt^annea  Serapion,  sn  Anbixa 
phyficiau  of  the  1  |th  CCUtotjf .  F^u,  AtU  Hr* 
U  Xiii.  p.  ^99 


G  L  OS  8  A  R  y. 


Sere,  aJ},  Sax.  dry 

Sergeant,  n.  F  .  a  fquire  attendant  upon  a  prince 
or  nobleman,  a  fcrgeant  of  the  lawe.  His 
name  is  derived  fron\  his  having  been  originally 
a  fervant  of  the  king  in  hi»  law  buflneis,  y^r- 
v/Vn/  ad  Iff^ffi^  jufl  Z%fcrviens  ad  arma*  I'heking 
had  fornitrly  a  fergeant  in  every  couutry.  S^el* 
man  in  v.  Servifns 

^ri  ,  n.  Fr.  feries 

Sermoning,  h.  Fr.  preaching 

Scrvagc,  n.  Fr.  fervitude,  flavery 

Servand,  fart.  pr.  of  ferve,  fcrving 

i>erve, ».  Fr.  to  ferve.  to  behave  to 

Set,  for  fetteth;  forfetce.^.  /. 

Setewale,  n.  >at.  the  herb  valerian 

Sethe,  V.  to  boil 

Sethe,  for  fcthed,  pa.  t. 

^tto,  V.  Aar.  to  place,  to  put ;  fetteth  him  doun, 
placeth  himfeif  on  a  fcut ;  yet  fette  I  cas,  yec 
I  put  the  cafe,  or  fuppofe — to  put  a  value  on  a 
thing,  to  rate;  I  n*olde  ferte  his  forrow  at  a 
myte,  I  would  not  value  his  forrow-^to  fcttc  a 
tnan*$  cappe,  to  make  a  fool  of  him.  Settc,/a.  t, 

fieurement,  n.  i'r.fecurity,  in  a  legal  fenfe 

^curetee,  n.  Fr.  certainty,  furety,  in  a  legal  fenfe 

Scwe,  V.  Fr  to  follow 

Scwes,  «.  pi  Fr.  di(hc» 

Scyc.  See  Seic 

Shaddc,  pa.  t.  of  fhede,  «.  Sax.  fell  in  drops 

Shadde,  pa  t.  of  (hade,  v.  Sax,  ihadcd,  covered 
with  fhade 

Shadowy,  adj.  Sax.  unfubilantial 

Shaft,  n.  Sax.  an  arrow 

Shal,  auxil.  v.  Sax.  U  ufed  fometimes  with  an  el- 
lipfis  of  the  infinitive  mood,  which  ought  tofoU 
low  it,  bcth  fwiche  as  I  have  ben  to  you  and 
ihal,  i.e.  (hall  be;  firfl  tell  me  whither  I  ihal.  i.  *. 
Ihall  go ;  yet  all  is  don  or  fhal,  i./.  fhall  be  done 

Shale,  m,  :^ax.  a  (hcil  or  hufk;  but  all  n*isworthe 
a  nutte  (liale 

Shalmies,  n.pl.  (halms,  mufical  ftring  inflruments, 
otherwife  called  pfalteries  or  fautries.    See  Rote 

Shame,  n.  .'^'ax.  fhames  dethe,  a  death  of  (hame,  a 
ihameful  death;  to  York  he  did  him  lede, 
fchames  dede  to  deie 

Shamcfaft,  adj.  Sax.  modefb 

Shape,  n.  Sax.  form,  figure 

Shapelich,  adj.  Sax.  fit,  likely 

Shaken,  ihape, /<!//. /a  of  fhape,  v.  Sax.  formed, 
figured,  prepared 

Shawe,  m.  Sax.  a  (hade  of  trees,  a  grove 

Shefe./i.  tax.  a  bundle  ;  afheaf  ol  arrows;  (heves, 
pi.  of  corn 

Shcfeld,/r. «.  ShcfHeU  in  Yorklhire 

Sheld,  ft.  >ax.  a(hicld;  Iheldes,^/.  French  crowns, 
called  in  Fr  ea/j,  from  their  having  on  one  fide 
the  figure  of  a  (hicld 

Shcmcring,  «.  Sax.  a  glimmering 

Shenil,  V.  Sax.  to  rum 

Shcndfhip,  n.  ruin,  punifhraent 

Shenc,  adj.  Sax,  blight,  fhioiug 

Shcnt.putt.  pa.  of  fhcnd 

Shepen,  n.  Sax,  a  flabic 

It^here,  v.  Sar,  to  cut — to  (have 

bhcTtc,  M.  Sax.  a  fhiit.  1  hadde  lever  than  my 


(herte ;  I  would  give  my  fliirt,  /.  e.  all  that  I 
have — It  fecn)^  to  mean  the  linen  in  which  a 
new-born  child  is  wrapped ;  that  ihapcn  was  my 
detlic  trft  than  my  Iheric. 

O  fatcl  fuftren,  whiche  or  any  clothe 
Me  Ihapcn  wa*?,  my  deflinee  me  fponne— 

Sens  firft  that  day  that  (hapen  was  my  iherte* 
Or  by  the  fatal  fuller  had  my  dome. — 

Ahs !  that  I  nc  had  brought  her  in  my  (hert !  ic 
fceras  to  be  put  for  Acirt,  (or  lap)  which  per- 
haps was  the  original  word. 

Sheie,  V.  Sax.  to  (hoot 

Shetes,  «.  //.  Sax.  fhcets 

Shettc,  (hct,  V.  Sax.  to  clofc  or  (hut  Shette,  (hct. 
pa  t.  and  part,  fo  was  hire  herte  fhette  in  hire 
dillreffc,  fo  was  her  heart  overwhelmed  with 
her  diftrefs 

Shift;  V.  Sax.  to  divide 

Shilde,  fhelde,  «.  Sax.  to  fhieid ;  God  (hilde !  God 
(hidd  or  forbid 

Shipman,  n.  Sax.  a  mariner,  the  mailer  of  a  barge 

Shiver,  n.  Sax.  a  fmall  flicc 

Shode,/«.  Sax.  the  hair  of  a  man's  head 

Shode,/«'/  pa.  of  (hoe,  v.  Sax. ihod, havingfhoeson 

Shove,  pa.  t.  of  (hove,  v.  Sax.  pufhcd 

Shonde,  n.  Sax.  harm 

Shope,/tf.  t.  of  Ihape 

Shore,  pari,  pa,  of  (here 

Short,  V.  Sax.  to  make  (hort 

Shot,  part.  pa.  of  (hette,  (hut 

Shoter,  n.  Saw  a  (hooter.  The  yew  tree  is  called 
(boter,  bccauf.:  bows  arc  ufually  made  of  it 

Shottcs,/!.//.  Sax.  arrows,  darts,  any  thing  that  it 
(hot 

Shove,  ihowve,  V.  Sa.x.  to  pu(h;  (hove, /ar/./«. 

Shrewe,  v.  S^/x.  to  curfc 

Shrcwe,  «.  Sax.  an  ill  tempered  curil  man  or  wo- 
man;  (hrcwes,//. 

Shrcwed,  ad/.  Sax.  wicked  ;  (hreude  folk 

Shrewedntfle,!!.  Sax.  ill-nature 

Shrift,  n.  Sai:  confclfion 

Shrifte-faders,  n.pl.  Sax.  father confeffort 

Shright,  for  (hricheth,  (hricketh 

Shright,/*!.  /.  of  ihrich,  V.  Sax.  (brieked 

Shrive,  v.  Sax.  to  make  confelfion 

Shriven,  part.  pa.  I  have  ben  (hriven  this  day  of. 
my  curat ;  1  have  made  my  coufeffion  this  day 
to  my  curate 

Shroude,^.  Sax.  to  hide 

Shuldc./a. /.  of  (hal,  fhould;  (huldcn,//. 

Shullen,  Ihuln,  (hul,  /W.  m.pr.  t.  pL  of  ihal 

Sibbe,  <7jy.  Sax.  related, allied 

Sie,  for  fcic,  faw 

Sift,  V.  Sax.  to  (hake  in  a  fieve 

Sigh,  for  fcie,  fjw 

Sighte,/tf./.  of  fike,  fighcd 

Signe,v.  Fr.  to  appoint 

Signifer,  m,  Lat,  the  zodiac 

Signifiaunce,  n.  Fr.  fignification 

Sikc,  mdj.  Sax.  fick :  ic  fomctimci  fccmi  to  be  ufcd 
a^  a  noun,  for  ficknefs 

Sike,  V.  Sax,  to  figh 

Yyiiij 


#L  O  S'S  A  R  T. 


Squames,  n.pt.  Int.  fcalet 

Squalmous,  fqueaimfh 

Squier,  m.  Fr.  a  fquirc 

Squier,  v.  to  attend  as  a  fquirc 

Squicrie,  a.  a  number  cf  fquires :    and  alle  ther 

fqnieric  ;  and  of  his  fquicric  gcntillcnicn  auhtene 
8tace,/r.  n.  Satius  the  Roman  poet 
Stacke,  m,  hax.  a  ftack  of  wood,  &c. 
Stacke.  pa,  t.  of  f^ick,  v.  Sax.  ftuck 
Staff-fling,  means,  I  fuppofe,  a  fling  faftened  to  a 

ilaff.  LyJ.  Tra.  39,  b.  dcfcribcs  David  as  armed 

With  zfnffj!yf>£e,  voyde  of  plate  and  mayle. 

Stakcr,  V.  ^fljr.  to  ftagger 

Stalkc,  V.  Sax.  to  ftqp  flowly ;  fnll  thcfely  gan  he 

flalkc;  and  to  the  bedde  he  flalketh  flylle,  Ctii/*. 

y<m.  3» 
Stalkes,  n.  pi-  Sax.  the  upright  pieces  of  a  ladder 
2$tamen,  flamin,  «.  />.  e/lamuu,  a  fort  of  wooUen 

doth 
Stant,  for  flandeth 
fltarie,  pa.  t.  of  fienre,  died 
Surk,  adj.  Sax.  fl^iff,  flout 
Starlingcs,  n.  pi.  pence  of  flcrling  moaej 
Staunchc,  v.  tr.  to  flop,  to  fatikfy 
Stele,  n.  Sax  a  handle 
Stellifie,  v.  Lat.  to  make  a  flar 
fitente,  v.  Sax.\,Q  ccafc,to  defift 
Stentcn,^tfr/./a. 
2>tepe,  iJj.  fccnis  to  be  ufcd  in  the  fenfc  of  deep, 

fo  that  eycn  flcpe  may  fignify  eyes  funk  deep 

in  the  head 
Stcre,  V.  Sax.  to  ftir 

Stere,  n.  Sax.  a  young  bullock ;  a  rudder 
flrereles,  aJJ.  Sax.  without  a  rudder 
Sterefman,  m.  Sax.  a  pilot 
Sterne,  n.  Sax.  a  rudder 
Sterne,  a/fj.  Sax.  fierce,  cruel 
Sterre,  n.  Sax.  a  flar 

Sterr,  «.  Sax.  a  leap  ;  at  a  flcrt,  immediately 
Sterte,/a. /.*of  flertc,  V.  ^ji.  leaped,  cicaped,  ran 

away 
Stcrtingj/ar/./r.  leaping,  nimbly 
Stertling,  as  flcrting 
Sterve,  v.  Sux.  to  die,  to  perifli 
Steven,  n.  Sax.  voice,  found;  a  time  of  performing 

any  a^ion  previoufly  fixed  by  a  mcflage,  order, 

fummons,  &c.;  at  unfct  ftcven,  without  any 

previous  appointment ;  they  fetten  fleven,  they 

appointed  a  time 
Stews,  n.  Fr.  a  fmall  pond  for  fifli,  a  fmall  clofet, 

flcwes,//.  flews,  baudyhoufcs 
fiteye,  v.  ^ax.  to  afcend 
Steycrs,  m.  pi.  Sax.  flairs 
Stibbome,*a<^*.  flubborn 
Stike,  V.  Sax.  to  flick,  pierce 
StiJe,  n.  Sax.  a  fet  of  fleps  to  pafs  from  one  field  to 

another ;  by  ftilr  and  eke  by  ftretc,  every  where 

in  town  and  country 
Stillatorief,  n.  Fr.  a  ftill 
Stille,  adj.  Sax.  quiet 
Stithe,  «.  Sjx.  an  anvil 
Stives,  as  Stewes 
Stoble-goos,  a  goofc  fed  on  flubblc  grouo^ 


Stocked, /tfr#./i#.  confined 

Stole,  n.  Fr.  lot.  pare  of  the  eeckfiiftkaii 

worn  about  the  neck.  See  Dm  Caagemt.^ 
Stole,  •.  Sax.  m  ftool 

Stonden,/tfr^.  /».  of  fionde  or  flande.*.  Ux. 
Stont,  for  ilondeth 

Stopen,/tfr/.  /«.  of  ftepe,  v.  Sax  ftepped,tdi 
Store,  X.  Fr.  to  flock  or  fumifli 
Store,  X.  any  thing   laid  up  for  n(e;  ken 

phrafe  to  tell  no  ftore  of  a  thing,  mcacst 

lider  it  as  of  no  ufe  or  importance 
Storial,  adj.  Fr.  hiflorical,  true 
Stonrcn,/4V.  /.  //.  of  fierce 
Stot,  m.  ^iix,  probably  for  ftod,  a  fiallioa 
Stote,  m.  a  fpecies  of  wrafcl,  a  polecat 
Stound,  m.  Sxx,  a  moment, a ihort  fpace  of: 

a  ftound,  on  a  fudd«n  ;  in  floond,  Cboal 

bably  be  in  a  flound  :  the  orig.  Fr.  hs 

Stoundes,^/.  time»,  fcafoot 
Stonndemcle,  aJ^.  momentarily,  erery  moi 
Stoupen,  fliould  probably  be  ftopen. 
Stoure,  m.  Sax.  fight,  battle 
Strake,  v.  Sax.  to  proceed  dire^ly ;  ftrackes, 

en ;  tenderc,  Kiliam 
Strange,  adj.  Fr.  foreign,  nncoounon ;  be  i 

ftrange,  he  made  it  a  matter  of  difficultyf 
Straughte,/«./.  of  flrechcy  9  .Sax»  firetcbn 

Strci  /I.  tax.  flraw 

Strcight,  ^tfr/.  pa.  of  ilrecche,  v.  Sxx.  ftrefi 

Streine,  v.  Fr.  to  eonflrain,  to  prcis  doieJy 

Streite,  adj.  Fr,  flraight ;  (ireite  fwcrd 

Stremeden,  px.  t.pl.  of  ftreme,  «.  Sax.  ft 
flowed 

Stremes, «.  pi.  the  rays  of  the  fan 

Strene,«.  <Sar.  flock,  race,  progeny 

Strengefl-faithed,  xdj.  endowed  with  the  ft 
faith 

Strepe,  v.  Fr,  to  ftrip 

Strete,  «.  Sax,  a  flrcct 

Strike,  n.  Sax.  a  line,  a  flreak ;  a  firike  of 

Stripe,  V.  I^ai.  flirps,  race,  kindred 

Stripe,  V.  as  Strope 

Strode,  ^r.  n,  the  philofophical  Strode,  to 
jointly  with  the  moral  Go wer,Chauccrdii 
Troilus,  was  probably  Ralph  Strode,  of  ? 
college,  Oxford.  A.  Wood,  who  had  R 
antiquities  of  that  college  a  particular  c 
his  inquiries,  fays  only  of  him,  **  S. 
**  Stride y  de  quo  fie  vetos  nofier  caulo([c< 
'*  fiiit  ct  verfificaTit  libmm  elegiacam 
*<  Phaotafma  Rodulphi.  Clarvit  1570." 
of  his  logical  works  are  faid  to  be  c! 
print,  Vnet   15 1 7 ,  4to.    Tanner  in  V.  it  t 

Strof,  pa.  t.  of  flrivc,  v.  Fr,  ftrove,  coouc«: 

Stronde,  «.  Sax.  a  fhore 

btrother,  pr.  n.  a  town  in  the  north 

Stroute,  V.  to  flrut 

Subarbes,  n.  pi.  Lat.  fubnrbs 

SubfumigatioD,ff.  L^t.  a  fpeciet  of  cham^ 

Subget,  adj.  Fr.  Lat.  fobjeA 

Sublimatorie,  n.  Fr,  Lat.  a  ^effel  vied  by  cfe 
fublimation,  i.  r.  fcparating  ccnaio  ps 
foody,  and  driving  them  to  the  top  of  tl 
JD  the  foim  of  a  ▼cry  fine  powder 


O  I-  O  S  S  A  R  Y, 


>V 


SubOance,  «.  Fr.  the  material  part  of  a  thing 
Suckiny,  m.  Fr.fuugucaie,  a  lool'c  frock  worn  over 

their  other  ch)thc3  by  carters,  &c. 
Sue,  V.  Fr.  to  follow 

Sutrton,/  .  ft  Suetonius  the  Roman  hiftorian 
SufBiancc,  n.  Fr.  fuflicicncy,fAtisfaAion 
Suffifant.tii/;  fufEcient 
Su^rcd,/tfr^.///.  fwcctened  as  with  fugar 
Supplie,  V.  Fr.  to  fupphcatc 
Surcotc,  n  Fr.  an  upper  coat  or  kirtle 
Surplis,  ft.  Fr.  a  fuiplicc 
Surqucdric,  «.  Fr.  prefumption,  an  over^weenlog 

conceit 
Surrie,/>r.  ft.  Syria 
Suifanurc,  «.  Fr.  a  wound  healed  outwardly  on- 

'y  .     . 

Survcancc,  n.  Fr.  fupcrintendancc 

Sufpc»5l,  aJJ.  F'.  fufpcAcd, 

Sul'pcd,  ft.  lufpicion 

Sufpe^ion,  n.  fufpicion 

Sutler,  n.  Sax.  filler;  fuftren,  //. 

Swa,  ad'v.  Uttx.  fo 

Swale,  ^d.  /,  of  fwcll,  V.  Sar.  fwelled 

Swappc,  V.  Sax.  to  throw  down — to  ftrike  off— 

V.  rtcut.  to  fall  down 
Swart,  aifj.  Sax  black,  of  a  dark  colour 
Swatte,^a,  /.  of  fwete,  v.  Sax.  fweated 
Swegh,if.  Sax.  a  violent  motion 
Swelt,/a. /. 

Swehe,  v.  Sa:.  to  die,  to  faint 
Swcrne,  for  fweren,//.  rt.  of  fwerc,  v.  Sax.  fwear 
bweven,  n.  Sax.   a  dream ;    fwcvenes,  fl.  it   is 

written  fwcvtnis,  for  the  fake  of  the  rhyme 
Swichc,  aJj.  Sax.  corruption  of  fwilke,  fuch 
Swinkc,  n.Sax.  labour 
Swinke,  v.  to  labour 
Swire,  n.  Sax.  the  neck ;  it  is  more  commonly 

written  fwerc 
Swiihe,  oifv.  Sax.  quickly,  immediately 
Swive,  V.  Sax.  to  perform  the  ad  of  generation. 

See  Juftfi  Etymolog.  in  v. 
Swolouc,  H.  Sax.  a  whirlpool 
Swonken,^af/  pa.  of  fwinkie 
Swough,  ft.  Sax.  found,  noifc — a  fwooQ 


T. 


Tabard.  Sec  the  quoution  from  Speght's  Gl. 
D'tfcourfc  Sue.  n.  6. 

Tablc!.,  «  /./.  Fr.  a  game  fo  called — ^Tables  Tole- 
tancs  the  agronomical  tables  compofed  by  or- 
der of  Aiphonfo,  X  King  of  Caflile,  about  the 
middle  of  the  13th  century,  were  called  fome- 
timcs  Tahula  Toletafic,  from  their  being  adapted 
to  the  city  of  Toledo 

Tabourc,  v.  tr.  to  drum 

I'ache,  n.  /r.  a  fpot  or  blemi(h 

Taillager,  n.  Fr.  a  cullcdor  of  taxes 

Taillc,  n.  Fr.  a  tally,  an  account  fcored  on  a  piece 
of  wood 

Take,  v.  Sax.  to  deliver  a  thing  to  another  per- 
fou 

Take,  for  taken,/ar/.  fia^ 

T*kel,  1.  Sax.  an  asrgw 


Tale,  V.  Sax.  to  tell  ftories;  and  namely  when 

they  talen  longe  Con/.  Am.  ay,  b. 
Talc,  ft.  fpecch,  difcourfe — reckoning,  account ; 
litel  tale  hath  he  told  of  any  dreme  \  he  m^de 
little  account  of  any  dream 
Talent,  n.  Fr.  df  fire,  aftcdlion 
Tdling, «.  ftory -telling 
Tane,  for  taken 

Tapes,  n  pi.  Sax.  bands  of  linen 
Tapinagc,  ».   Fr.   m   iaplnau,  lurking,  ftulking 

about 
Tapifcr,  n.  'Fr.  a  maker  of  tapeftry 
Tapitc.  V.  Fr.  to  cover  with  taped ry 
Tappe,  If.  Saw  a  tap  or  fpigot  which  dofcf  that 
orifice  through  which  the  liquor  is  drawn  out 
of  a  vclTel 
Tapflcre,  w.  Sax.  a  woman  who  has  the  care  of 
the  tap  in  a  public  houfe ;  that  office  formerly 
was  ufually  executed  by  women.     Sec  Tbt  JU- 
vettture  of  the  Patdonere  and  the  Tapjitre,  m  UlC 
Contirtuation  of  The_  Cant,  Tales 
Tare,  pa.  t.  of  tear,  v.  Sax.  tore 
Targe,  «.  Fr.  a  fort  of  fhield 
Tars,  H.  cloth  of  Tars,  Tartarium,  a  fort  of  (Uk* 

Sec  Du.  Cafige  in  v.  Tarficus^  Tartatinus 
Tas,  H,  Fr.  a  heap 

Tadeled,  part.  pa.  adorned  with  taffela 
Taile,  V.  Fr.  to  feel — to  examine 
Tatarwagges,  n.  pi.  the  orig.  'i%^touiu  freUUu  db 

erotet,  all  bcdagglcd  with  dirt 
Tavcrner,  n.  Fr.  the  keeper  of  a  tavern 
Taurc,/r.  m.  the  conftellation  Taurus 
Tawe,  ft.  Sax.  tow 
Teche,  V.  Sax.  teach 
Tein,  n.  feems  to  (ignify  a  narrow  thin  platt  of 

metal,  perhaps  from  the  Zo/.  Gr.  tsmia* 
Temps,  M.  Fr.  time 
Tene,  n.  Sax.  grief,  Con/.  Am.  140 
Tene,  v.  to  grieve,  to  aiHidl 
Tercelet,  terccH,  n.  Fr.  the  male  hawk,the  male  eaglr 
Terins,  n.  pi.  a  fort  of  finging  bird  called  in  JFr* 

tarin.     i>ee  Cofgrave  in  v. 
Termagaunt,^r.  ». 
Tcrreftrc,  n  Fr.  earthly 
Tcty J  adj.  Sax.  full  of  tears 
Teftcres,  «.  pi.  Fr.  headpieces 
I'ellcs,  n.  pt.  Lat.  vefTcU  for  alTaylng  metak 
Tcftif,  adj.  Fr.  headHrong 
fetch,  fl.  as  Tache 
Tcwell, ».  Fr.  a  pipe  or  funnel 
Textuel,  adj.  Fr.  ready  at  citing  textf 
Thacke,«.  &*.  thatch 
Thackc,  v.  to  thump,  to  thwack 
I'han,  adv.  Sax.  quam,  Lat. 

Thank,    n.    Sax.    thankfulnefs,    good   will;    ill 
thanke —  is  taken  more— 

Eit  ply  J  grant  gre^fent  reeeus  orig. 

So  the  phrafes  his  thankcs,  hir  thankcs,  ufwer  t# 

the  VvcxicYifoH  gre^  leur  g:  e 
Thanne,  than, /7i/v.  Sa\.  then 
Thar,  v.  Sax.  imperf.  bchoveth 
Thatte,   that,  pron.  detn.  Sax.  ufed  ai  t  relative; 

thattc  Seint  Fcter  had;  fo  this  Tcric  flioald  bf 


O  L  O  S  S  A  R  y. 


V 


fe 


writt^ — that  hfi  jpigJ^Wi  *»  much  u  he  wa» 
^ble,  ^liod p^uit  — U  ia  Jiometimes  putifiot  inele- 
gantly, for  the  fiLmef  ^ith  grift,  dxid  that  the 
fineft  of  the  lond,  of  filh  and  flcfh,  and  that  to 
|i1eficcou»;  fh^ll  fidl  a  raiDi  and  that  fo  wild 
woad 

Thacte,  thit*  totij.  Sa»^  fvoJ^  Lwf, 

The  pref,  art,  Sa^e,  The,  i*hen  prefixed  to  ad- 
jedlivcs  or  adverbs,  in  the  {<Mipat.  dtg.  ii  gcne- 
lalljr  to  be  conHdered  ai  a  corruption  of  the 
'Uhtative  catjfffg-  of  the  Sax;OD  art,  ufed  as 
m  pronoun.  The  merier,  n  /xtiuj;  the  more 
nicry, ««  Utioret^  Of  the  fame  conftruftion  are 
the  pbrafes — yet  fare  they  the  wcrfc,  yet  fare  I 
licrer  the  bet.  When  the  is  repeated  with  a 
Second  cfmparjthef,  cither  adj.  or  j</d.  the  firft 
the  is  to  be  undcrftood  in  the  fcnfe  of  the  Lat. 
fvo.— The  more  it  brenneth  the  more  it  tiath 
defire — to  coDtumc  every  thing^^tto  magh^' 

And  ay  the  ftirther  that  (he  wm  in  age 
The  more  trtrwc  (if  that  it  were  poffible) 
St^i  was  to  him  in  bvc,  and  more  peaiblei 

SomnimeB  the  fir  ft  the  is  omitted,  as  in  the 
phrafes  ever  lengcr  the  wcrfe ;  c^cr  Icngcr  the 
more ;  for  certcs  if  a  man  hadde  a  dtdly  wound, 
eter  the  lenger  that  he  taricd  to  wariihc  him* 
felf  the  more  wold  it  cor  rapt — and  alfo  thp 
urouiid  wold  be  the  werfc  for  to  helc 

The  *.  Sav*  to  thrive 

Thcodome,  n.  Sar.  thrift,  fuccefs 

Thcfcly,  iidf.  Six,  like  a  thief 

Theonea,  thennc,  ad^j,  iLtx,  thence 

Thennesfbrth,  a4v.  Sax,  from  thenne^forth^  from 
that  time  forward 

Tbeodoma«,^r. «, 

Thcophraftj/r.  «, 

Ther,  adv.  Sax,  there,  in  that  place,  h  frequently 
ufcd  irt  thcfcofc  of  where 

Thcr,  in  compofitton,  ftgnifici  that,  without  in- 
cluding any  idea  of  place.  See  Here.  Thcr 
aboutcn,  thereagain,  thcrbeforne,  therby,  thcr* 
fore,  therfro,  thcrgaine»  thcr  of,  theroo,  therta^ 
tbcrwith,  thcrwithall 

Thewet,  0,  pL  &x.  knanneri,  qualities 

Thidcr,  ad^.  Sax,  thither,  to  that  place 

Thiderward,  ad^  Sax,  toward  that  place 

ThiJke,  adj.  Sax,  this  fame,  that  fame 

Think  c,v.  5*1*;  to  coDftdcr;  ii  is  very  frequently  ufed 
aiajiimpetfonalin  the  ^r.  and /d,  t.  in  the  fcnfeof 
fecmetb  or  femed  ;  me  thinketh,  him  thinkcth, 
him  ihoughtc,  hir  thoughte,how  thinketh  you? 

♦  licm  ihotight« 

Thinnc,  adj.  Sax.  (lender,  fmall  i  a  ihinne  imagi- 
nation, rfnir/  $ara£inti  a  thmnc  fufpicion,  Ifmii 
fajpUiong 

Thirle,  ^.  Sax.  to  pierce  through 

This,  pram.  demomB,  5«tx.  is  fomctimoi  put  for  the 
prcpofitive  vtidc 

Thifc,//. 

Tho,  prfp.  art,  //.  da.  Sax^  ufcd  u  »  dcmos Anti^^ 

^  pronoun,  thole 

rH  «^.  ^>;r.  c]l«o 


Thole,  V.  Sax.  to  fuSer,  mud  wfan 

male  eafe  Chrift  for  mAO  rboie4 
Thore,  is  put  for  there,  for  the  Cdu  oC  die  I 
l*horpe,  m.  Sax.  a  village 
Thoughten,/tf«  t,pt.  of  thinkr,  «.  < 
Thrall,  ti.  Sax.  a  (lave  or  rilklo 
Thratle,  -o.  to  cnflave 
Thrafle,/<>.  t,  of  threfte 
Thred-Kare«  ad).  Sax.  hairiog^  the  tiiroda  hare,  ikt 

nap  being  worn  away 
Thremotc,  (houtd  be  written  in  two  worda.  dbe 

mote,  at  in  the  BoM^  m(r    Me€.   jt.  fr.  is  1^ 

plained  by  CotgraVe   to  Cgcify,  among  oAtt 

things,  the  note  winded  by  a  hnnx^oaA  ns  Hr 

horn 
Threpc,  ».  Sax-  to  call 
ThreOc,  v.  Sax,  to  thruft 
Threfwoldf  n.  Sax.  a  thrcjhold 
Threte,  v«  San,  to  threaten 
Threttene,  mam,  Smx.  thlrtccs 
Thrtdde,  aJj,  Sax.  third 
Thric,  thries,  adv.  Sax,  thrice 
Thrilled,  for  thirled, /«.  f.  oi  thif  k 
Thringe,  v.  San.  to  thruft 
ThriUe./rf,  /.  of  thrcfte 
Thronge,^*.  t.  of  thringe 
Thrupes,  for  thorpes 
Throdel,  n.  Sax.  a  ihru(h 
Throw,  jv.   Si IX.  time;  but  a  throw;  but  i| 

while;  any  throw,  any  fpacc  of  time; 

throw,  tuaoy  times 
Thruft,  for  thiiril,  x.  Sax.  thirCt 
Thrully,  for  ihurfty,  adf.  Sax.  thirilj 
Thurgh,j^rf^.  Sax.  through,  by  tncanaof 
I'hurghfare,  ji.  Sax.  a  paflage 
Thurghout,/rr/.  Sax^  throughout,  q;lilt:c  I 
Thurrock,  ji.  Sax.  the  hold  of  a  Ihip 
Thwitcl,  H.  Sax^  a  whittle,  culteiltu 
Thvrhtcn,  pari,  pa,  chipped  with  akoife^^ 

ttiin  daU^  orig. 
Tldde,  part,  fa,  of  tide,  v.  Sat,  hap|»ake<l:  Aa 

(hulde  never  have  tjdde  fo  faire  a  (jrace,  fb  JUr 

a  fortune  Ihould  never  have  happeocd  to  tbm. 
Tidifc,  n.  the  tidifc  is  mentioned  a«  t 

bird  tti  the  Z^.  ^/'G.  W,  tcr,   IJ4  ;  m  < 

the  tidife  for  ficwfangiencflc.  Sk 

it  to  be  the  titmoufe 
Ticket,  aJJ,  Sax.  uncenain 
Til,^r^  Sax,  to,  hire  till,  to  her. 
Timbeftere,  11^  is  fuppofcd  by  Xye,  [^l|a^  Xi^ 

AfigL  in  V.}  to  mean  the  fame  with  Ttiwlrfiirf 

The  orig.  French  hat  beeo  quoted  ^^Of*^  iD  «» 

Sdihun,  which  Chaucer  haa  ihn^  iauHMd  £ 


There  was  many  a  timheftere 
And  f;iilour&,  ih.it  t  dare  wcil  fwnt 
Ycouthe  hir  craft  full  pirfifjy. 
The  timbres  up  foil  lubtilly 
Thci  cailen,  and  hent  heci  full  rtf; 
Upon  a  finger  faire  aad 
TJlat  thci  ue  failed  never 

According  to  thia  defcriptioo  it  Jbadd 
feem  that  a  timbeftere  wa«  a  wiifwn, 

plaid  uidu  with  tisibrc»j  (.Mboi  of  $m 


G  L  O  S  S  A  R  T; 


i 


I 


r  oth^Oby  throwing  them  up  into  the  a^ir  and 
cuuhing  them  upon  4  fiagle  fifigerj  a  kind  of 

Timbres,  m.  ft,  Fr  bafoDi*    See  Timbeftcrc 

Tipct»  Jt.  5«r«»  a  ^ippc^t 

Tipped,  ftfnr.  fm,  b€4d«d|  covered  at  the  tip  or 
top 

Tiptoon,  n.  pt  Smn.  tiptoe^  ihe  extreinitiei  of  the 
toct 

Tire«v.  Fr.  toptacic,  to  feed  upon  tn  the  manner 
of  birdt  of  prey  ;  for  loke  how  that  a  gofluuJie 
tjrcth 

rriifue,  «.  Tr,  a  riband 

Tite,  for  tideth  happcneth 

*ritering,  «i.  Sax,  courrlhip 

Titcle»»  ady  Sax  without  title 

Titui  Livjti«,/r«  ji.  the  Roman  hidorian 

TOf  adtt  Sax   too 

TQ^pref.  SaM.  to  day,  on  thii  day;  to  morwct  on 
the  morroWf  the  following  day  ;  to  ycTe,  in  thii 
f  cur  »To,  in  compoGiion  with  verbs,  in  g-ene- 
rally  augmentative,  the  helmei  they  to^hcwen 
and  to-flirede,  i,  e,  hewe  aud  cut  to  pitce» ;  the 
bonet  they  to-brctlc,  f.  e,  break  in  pjccc< ;  to- 
broflen,  to-da(hed,  much  bniiled  ;  to-rent,  rent 
in  pieces;  to«fwinkc,  labour  greatly— Some- 
time* the  aJ^,  all  i»  added  \  al-to-rent ;  all-to- 
jbare  ;  entirely  cut  to  pieces ;  aU-to-Iheot|  en- 
tirely ruined, 

*roforc»toforeni/rr/.  Sax.  before 

TTogithcra^  adv   Sax.  together 

Told  ^«.  t*  of  icH»  V,  iji,  accounted 

Tombeftcrc,  n.  Sax.  a  dancing  woman 

Tombeilerc*,  fi, 

Tomedcs,  (liould  be  written  a»  two  wordi;  to 
imede  or  to  mcdes,  according  to  the  Saaoo  ufage, 
iig^tfics  for  reward  I  in  return 

Tone,  jr.  pi.  Sax.  toes 

Tonnc'gret,  adj^  of  the  clrctimference  of  a  tun 

Toot,  A.  //.  as  Tone 
r  Toretei,  n.  pi.  Fr.  ringa 

I  Toroe,  V.  tt,  to  turn,  the  devil  out  of  hts  jkinnc 
him  tornc '  may  the  devil  turn  him  tofidc  out ! 

Tom ed,^r/-  pa. 

Tortoui^  adj.  kr^  oblique,  winding 

Toteler,  «.  a  whif peter,  ttttimrt  Afi"^B  Pnmpts 
Pat^f, 

Totty.  adj.  Sax,  diizy 

Tough,  aJJ.  Sax.  difficult;  ar>d  naakcth  tt  full 
cough,  and  takea  a  great  deal  c»f  paint;  or 
make  it  tough,  or  take  pains  about  it ;  and 
made  it  neither  tough  nc  queint;  made  no 
difficulty,  or  ftrangeocfi; 

At  be  it  ye  make  it  never  fa  tewdie, 
To  me  your  labour  ii  io  vane. 

Mf.  MaiiUm/f  Tht  Mt^tmng  Maidm, 

WilL  Swane  makia  wonder  tewche 

Tmight,  (Tig,  Sar.  tight 
Tour,  m,  fr.  a  rower 

Tourret,  «.  (liould  be  written  tourettti  ai  in  taff- 
Hunter,  a  turret  or  fmiU  lower 


which     J 


mot    i 


Tout,  *.  the  backfide 

Towail,«* /r.  atowel 

Tow^ardcs^/rt/.  A»x^.  toward 

Towel,  jf.  i«  perhapf  put  for  teweK  a  pipe,  tW 
fundament  ' 

Trace,  «,  Fr.  a  track  or  path — a  train 

Tradc»^-f.  S.  of  tread, «,  6aa.  trod 

Tragetour»  m.  as  Trcgctour 

Traic,  tr.  Fr.  to  betray  [dnw 

Trais,  m.  pi,  fr.  traits,  the  traces  by  which  borfci 

TramiJirene,j^r.  jv.  a  kingdom  in  Africa 

Tranfmewc,  «.  Fr.  to  trauform 

TYappurea,  M. //.  kark  tat.  the  dothci  with  which 
horfcf  were  covered  for  parade.     See  Du 
in  V.  Trappatwra 

Traihed,/tfrf.  pa,  betrayed 

Trate,  m,     Bp.  Dougtaa  frequently  ufes  trat 
an  old  woman,  JEn,  vii.  416,  mvuiut  J^t  tram* 
fiitrmai  tfWrf^-^he  rcndcrf— and  hir  in  fchape 
tfantfomiyt  of  ane  trat 

Trave,  ji.  Fr,  travail,  a  frame  in  which  farrien 
put  unruly  horfcs 

Trct  n,  Sam,  a  tree,  w^od,  Criftei  tre,  the  croft 

Trechour,  «.  Ft,  a  cheat 

Trcde-foule,  n,  a  trcader  of  hent,  a  cock 

Trcgctour, ».  a  juggler 

Trenchant,^/. /r,  Fr,  cutting 

Trental,  n,  Fr.  wat  a  fcrvice  of  30  xnaSea,  wl 
were  ufually  celebrated  upon  at  znsiy  diifieicoi 
dayi,  for  the  dead.     Du  Catige  in  v.  Trmiftt* 

Trcpeget,  »  Fr,  a  military  engine.   See  Da  Cajtgi     ^ 
in  V.  Trehucbtfum 

TrefFe,  ».   Fr.  an  artificial  lock  or  gathering  of     1 
hair.     Sec  Du  Ca/i^^  in  v,  Trica,  TrMS 

Trcf^cd,  part.  pa.  gafhered  in  a  trefs  or  trelTef 

Tre  flour,  a.  an  inftrumcnt  ufed  in  ireJltng  the 
hair,  or  an  ornament  of  it  when  trdled.  Sm 
Dm  Camgt  in  v.  l^rtjfuriuta 

Tretabic,  udj.  Fr.  tradable 

Trete,  w*  Fr.  to  treat,  to  difcourlo 

Tretee,  n*  treaty 

Tretii, ».  treaty 

Treti»,  aJf.  Fr.  long  and  well  proportioned 

1  re  we,  h.  Fr.  a  truce 

Trewe,  adj.  Sax.  true  faithful 

True-love,  *».  Mr,  Steevcni  hat  very  obliglngff 
fuggrfled  to  me  that  there  it  a  herb  called  true* 
love,  according  to  Gerard,  in  his  Hrritat^  edit* 
'597i  P'  3*8,  HeriaPattJi  "One  berric  or 
**  herbe  truelove— ^at  the  very  top  whereof 
**  come  fotth  fower  leavet  dirc^ly  fct  ooe 
**  again fl  another,  in  manner  of  a  Durgunniofi  < 
**  croft,  or  a  true  love  knot,  for  which  caufe 
**  among  the  auncicnts  it  hath  been  called  herbs 
"  true-love*'  Thit  herb,  however,  to  (hebeflof 
my  remembrance,  it  rather  too  large  to  be  cac^ 
ricd  conveniently  under  the  tongue.  A  trcw* 
love  of  the  fame  or  another  fort  i«  mentioocd 
in  the  concluding  ftanxa  of  Tie  Ceari  %f  S^nu  ^ 

Eke  echc  at  other  threw  the  flourci  hrjght, 

The  primerofc.  the  violctc,  and  the  gold  j 

Sn  than  at  1  beheld  the  ray4l  Ught 

My  lady  gan  x\ie  fodenly  behold. 

And  wiiiia  trc|fcloTe  plilcd  miny  ifoUj^ 


ya 


GLOSSARY. 


She  fmotc  me  through  the  very  heart  m  Wive, 
And  Venus  yet  I  thanke  I  un  alive. 

Triacle,  m.  Fr.  corruption  of  theriaque,  a  remedy 
in  general 

Trice,  v.  Sax,  to  thru  ft 

Trie,  adj.  tried  or  rcBned,  Gloff.  Ur^ 

Trill,  V.  Sax.  to  twirl,  to  turn  round 

—  V  neut.  to  roll,  to  trickle 

Trine,  adj,  Fr,  triple ;  trine  compas,  the  Trinity. 
Sec  Compas. 

Trippe,  j».  evidently  means  a  fniall  piece  of  cheefe; 

'  hs  tripes  tTunfagoi^  in*  Fr.  are  tlie  (malleft  dicks 
.  in  a  faggot,  Cotgravt 

Triftc,  V.  for  trufte 

Trifte,  n.  a  poft  or  ftatton  in  hunting,  Cvwetl. — 
This  feems  to  he  the  true  meaning  of  the  word, 
though  the  etymology  is  not  fo  clear 

ToTimpc,  n.  Fr.  a  trumpet 

Trompour,  n.  a  trumpeter 

Tronchoun,  ir.  Fr.  a  fpeai  without  a  head    ' 

Tron,  n.  Fr.  a  throne 

Trophce,  pr.  n.  it  occurred  to  me  that  the  refe- 
rence might  pof&bly  be  to  the  original  of  the 
Troilus  and  Grefeide,  which  according  to  Lyd- 
gate  was  called  Trophe,  but  I  cannot  find  any 
fuch  palTage  as  is  here  quoted  in  the  Filodrato. 

Trotula,  pr.  n. 

Trouble,  izdj.  Fr.  dark,  gloomy 

Troublcr,  comp.  d. 

Trowandife,  for  Truandife 

Trowc,  V.  Sax  to  believe 

Truandife,  n.  Fr.  hegging,  truanding 

Tulle,  V.  Sax.  to  allure 

Tulliu5,^r.  H.  M.  Tullius  Cicero 

Turkcis,  n.  Fr.  a  fort  of  precious  ftone 

Turkei*,  atfj.  Fr.  Turkifti 

Turmcntifc,  ti.  Fr.  torment 

Turves,^/,  of  turf,  «.  Saw 

Twaine,  tway,  twey,  twcine,  mumer.  Sax,  two 

Tweifold,  aJJ.  Sax,  double 

Twics,  adv.  Sax.  twice 

Twight,  pa.  t.  &  part,  of  twitch,  v.  Sax.  pulled, 
plucked 

Twinne,  v.  Sax.  to  depart  from  a  place  or  thing 

Twinned, /tfr^.  pa,  feparated 

Twire,  V,  twireth  feems  to  be  the  tranflation  of 
fufurratf  fpoken  of  a  bird 

Twift,  n.  Sax.  a  twig 

Twiftc,  V.  Sax.  to  twitch,  to  pull  bard 

Twiftc,^.  /.  twitched 


V, 

^Valence,  pr.  n.  Valencia  in  Spain,  Gloff.  Ur. 

'Valerie, /r.  II. 

Talerie,  Valerius, /r.  «.  Valerias  Maximus 

Valure,  n.  Fr,  value 

Varien,  inf.  m.  v,  Fr.  to  change,  to  alter 

Varien,  variaunt,  ^ar/.  pr.  changeable 

Vaeflalage,  ».  Fr.  valoui,  courage 

Vavafour,  n,  probably  a  meddling  landlord 

Vanntour,  n.  Fr,  a  boafter 

VeckCf  m.  Ital.  ao  old  womaa 


Veine^blode,  m.  blood  drawn  from  a  vds 

Vendablc,  n,  Fr.  to  be  fold 

Vcncric,  m.  Fr.  hunting 

Venge,  v.  Fr.  to  revenge 

Venime,  «.  Fr.  poifon,  venom 

Ventoufing,  n.  Fr.  cupping 

Ver, «.  Lot,  the  fpring 

Verament,  adv.  Fr.  truly 

Vcray,  adj.  Fr.  true 

Vcrdegrcfe,  «.  Fr.  verddu grh,  the  rnft  af  hnti,U 
called  .from  its  cokmr,  a  Rray  green 

Vcrdite,  n.  Fr.  judgment,  fcntence 

Verger,  n.  Fr.  a  garden 

Vermeile,  adj.  Fr.  of  a  vemiiUofi  colour 

Vcrmelct,  adj.  as  Vermeile 

Vemagc,  a  kind  of  wine 

Vernicic,*.  diminutive  of  ^eromAs^  Fr.  a  copy  a 
miniature  of  the  piAure  of  Chrift,  which  isfcp. 
pofed  to  have  been  miraculoufly  iatprimcd  im 
a  handkerchief  prelerved  in  the  dwrdi  if'&. 
Peter  at  Rome,  Du  Cam^  in  v.  rermics.  M^i, 
Form.  Amgi  p.  418.  T^am.  Joh.  de  Nrom,  it 
1386.  **  Item  Domino  Archiepifcopo  Ebonn 
*"  fratri  meo,  i.  veftimentum  robeum  de  vek: 
•*  cum  le  Vtrmike  [r.  P^er9Mike\  in  grants  roCvu 
««  defuper^riMiiite,[r.^rM«d^/a.'*]  hwasnfediGr 
perfons  retumingfrom  pilgrimages  to  briDfv.-!i 
them  certain  tokens  of  the  feveral  places  vkks 
they  had  vidted,  and  therefore  the  Parrfooff, 
who  is  juft  arrived  from  Rome,  is  reprdentd 
with  a  vernicic  fewed  upon  his  capoe.  M 
Fierce  Plough,  a8,  b.— 

An  hundred  amples  on  hy«  hatte  fette, 
Synges  of  Sinay  and  fhcllcs  of  Calice*, 
And  many  a  crouch  en  his  doke  and  bya 

of  Rome, 
The  VernicU  before,  for  men  (hould  kiwve 
And  fe  by  hys  (ignes  whom  he  foeght  baJ^ 

Vcrnilh,  «.  Fr.  to  varniih 

Vcrre, «.  Fr.  glafs 

Verfiiiour,  n.  Fr.  a  maker  of  verfes,  a  poet 

Vertules,  adj.  without  cfncacy 

Vertuous,  aJj.  fr.  adtive,  efttcacioBs 

VcffcU,  n.  tr,  vaiJfelU,  plate 

Ugly,  adj.  Sax.  horrid,  frightful 

Viage,  H.  Fr.  a  journey  by  fca  or  land 

Vicary,  n.  Lat.  a  vicar 

Vice,  m.  Fr.  the  newel  or  upright  centre  of  a  iri:> 
ing  (laircafe 

Vigile,  n.  Fr,  the  eve  of  a  fcdival,  the  wifcc  cr 
watching  of  a  dead  body 

Vigilic,  n.  Lat.  as  Vigile 

Vilanie,  n.  Fr.  any  thing  imhecoaaog  a  gat> 
man 

Vinuient,  adj.  Lat.  full  of  wine 

Virelayc,  m.  Fr.  a  round  frecmaiiN  fong,  C-f^-** 
There  is  a  particular  dcfcripcion  of  a  vitL:*  iT- 
the  Jardim  de  Flai/umct,  fol.  I  %,  where  U  a^^ 
the  deiima  fexta  fpeciet  rhetor  ice  Caltuane 

Viigilc,/A.  n. 

Vifage,  V.  Fr.  to  front,  to  face  a  thing 

Vile,  n.  in  mf.  A.  veze  j  perhaps  wc  fitosLI  rcii 
•  Mff.  0»tc».  Ptr bafs  It  IbonM  be  GaL^. 


GLOS8ART. 


fH 


rtfey  a  Saxon  word  figniffiiig  violence,  unpeta- 

oCry 
Vitailie,  n.  Fr.  vidkuals 
Vitcllon,^r.  ft, 

Unlxrnd'.-,  "j.  Sax.  to  fail  to  happen 
Unbo<lic,  V.  fat.  to  leave  the  body 
Uiibokcl,  V  Fr,  to  unSuckle,  to  open 
Uncc,  If.  Fr.  Lai.  ounce 
Uncommitted^  fart.  /a.  office  uncommitted  oft  a- 

noyerh 
iJnconninjr,  fart.  fr.  ignorant 
TJnccnnin^,  n.  ignorance 
Uncovenable,  aJJ  inconvenient 
Uncouple,  v.  to  go  loofe,  metaphor  fromhomidt 
Uncouplinge,  m.  letting  loofe,  Du,  377 
Uncouth, /(irf  f^.  unknowii.  See  Couth— uocom- 

mon,  not  vulgar,  elegant 
Uncouthly,  aJv.  uncommonly 
Undepartable,  adj.  not  capable  of  departing 
Underfong,  v.  Sax  to  undertake 
.Undergrowe,  fart,  pa,  undergrowD,  of  a  low  fta- 

ture 
ITnderling,  m.  Sax.  an  inferior 
Undermeie,  m.  ^ax,  \  an»  rather  inclined  to  believe, 

that  undermeie  fignifiesthe  time  after  the  meal 

of  dinner,  the  afternoon;  tmdtrmtfg  foJhuriSts^ 

Promf.Partf, 
tJndcm,  i».  Sax.  the  third  boor  of  theartificaldcy, 

nine  of  the  clock,  till  it  was  undeme  hygh  and 

more,  C<fnf.  Am.  103,  b. 
Undernome,  fa.  t,  of  undermine,  v.  Sax.  took  up, 

received 
Undcrpight,  fa.  i.  See  Pight ;  he  dranke  and  wel 

his  girded  undcrpight,  he  dranl^itaijjffkufred  hin 

gfirJlc  well  ."> 

Vnderfpore,  9.  Bar,  to  raife  a  thing  by  putting  a 

fpear  or  pole  under  it 
Underflonde,  fart.  fa.  underflood 
Undo,  -v.  Sax,  to  unfold 
UndoubtoBs,  adj.  undoubted  ;  imJuhitata,  orig.  See 

Doutovs  l^^^fi' 

Unefchauble,  adj.    Sax.   unavoidable ;    imevUabili^ 
Uncfe,  n.  uneafincfs 

Un-eth,  un-fthes,  aJv.  Sax.  fcarcely,  noteafily 
Unfam'^U!*,  adj.  unknown 
ITnfcftliche,  adj.  not  fuitabte  to  a  fcaft 
Unp;odely,   adj,   uncivil,  ungcntcol ;  that  I  n*olde 

hoide  hire  ungodctj  ;  oiig   qtt  je  m  tenijfe  a  w- 

laine 
Ungreable,  adj.  unpleafant,  difagreeable,  ingratas, 

orig. 
Unhelc,  n.  Sax.  misfortune 
Unhide,  V.  to  difcovcr 
Unjoine,  v.  to  fiparate,  to  disjoin 
Uokindciy,  adv.  unnaturally 
Unknowable,  adj.  incapable  of  being  known ;  igm- 

rali/ejf  orig. 
Unlcticd,/flrf  fa.  nndifturbcd 
Unlovcn,  v.  to  ccafe  loving 
Unlud,  n.  dillike 
Unmanhode,  n.  cowardice 
Unmighty,  adj.  unable 
Unpercgal,  adj.  unequal,  m/^r,  orig* 
Unpin,  V.  Sax.  to  unlock 
Unpilous,  a^f.  cruel ;  iwfn 
3 


Unplite,  V.  to  unfold 

Unreft,  m.  want  of  reft,  uncallciersy  trouble 

Unrcfty,  adj.  unquiet 

Unright,  n.  wrong 

Unfad,d^'.  unfleady 

Unfcicnce,  w.  not  fcience 

IJnfely,  adj  unhappy 

Unret,^r/.  fa.  not  appointed 

\la(hettc,fa.  I.  opened 

Unlkilfully,  adv.  Sax.  without  reafoo;  hjuru^^oni^ 

Unflckked,  fart  fa.  uoilaeked         •    « 

Unflept,/tfr/.  fa.  having  bad  no  fleep 

Unfoh,  Ajf-  bard 

Unfolempne,  adj.  uncelebrated ;  incdeMs,  orig. 

Unfpcrde,  fart.  fa.  unbolted 

UnAancheable,  adj.  incxhauilable  ;  itiexhart/ta,  ori^ 

Uiiflanched,  fart,  fa.  unfattafied ;  iiHxpUiatm^  orig. 

Unfufficient,  ai^.  infufijcicnt 

Unfwell,  V.  to  fall  after  fwelling 

Unthank,  n.  no  thanks,  ill  will 

Until, /r//.  Sax.  to,  unto 

Untime,  h.  an  unfeafonable  time 

Unto,  adv.  Sax,  until 

Untretable,  adj,  not  admitting  any  treaty,  ietium 

tHexorabiU^  OT\^,  IltXi/iMf  uunftmrt 
Untreiled,/arf.  fa,  not  tied  in  a  trcfs  or  trefles 
Untrifte,  for  untruf^ey  v.  to  raiftrufk 
Untruft,  m,  difkruft 

Unufage,  n,  want  of  ufage ;  iufiUntia^  orig. 
Unware,  fart.  fa.  onforefeen 
Unweld,  a^.  unwieldy 
Unwemmed,  fart,  fa,  unfpotted 
(Jnweting,  fart.  fr.  not  knowing;  imweting  of 

thii  Dorigcn,  Dorigen  not  knowing  of  this 
Unwctingly,  adv.  ignorantly 
Unwift,/ar#.  fa.  unknown ;  unwift  of  him,  k  b»* 

ing  unknown  to  him,  not  knowing 
Unwit,  n,  want  of  wit 
Unwote,  V.  Sax,  to  be  ignorant 
Unwrie,  v.  to  uncover 
Unyolden, /ar/  fa.  not  having  yielded 
Voidc,  V  Fr,  to  remove,  to  quit,  to  make  empty 
Voide,  V.  nevt.  to  depart,  to  go  away 
Voided^ fart.  fa.  removed 
Volage,  adj.  i  r,  light,  giddy 
Volatile,  n,  Fr,  wild  fowU,  game 
Volunic,  n.  Fr,  will 
Volupere,  n.  a  woman's  cap,  a  nightcap,  vUyftn^ 

ktrchcrj  tertflrum^  Premf.  Parv,  but  tbtrifirmm  fig* 

nifies,  properly,  a  veil.  See  Du  Cange  in  v. 
Vonchc,  V.  Fr,  vouchen  fauf,  to  vouchfafe ;  vovch- 

eth  fauf,  vouchfafe  yc;  as  ye  have  made  prefenC 

the  king  vouches  it  fave 
Up,  fref.  Sax,  upon  ;  ther  lith  on  up  my  womb» 

and  up  my  bed ;  there  lieth  one  upon  my  belly 

and  upon  my  bead;  up  peine,  upon  pain;  op 

peril,  upon  peril 
Up,  adv.  Sax,  up  on  lond,  op  in  the  countiy ;  up 

fo  doim,  upfide  down;  the  londe  was  toumed 

up  fo  doun,  Conf.  Am,  37,  159. — But  Pandare 

up,  an  elliptical  expreHion,  of  which  it  is  noC 
'  eafy  to  give  the  preciTe  meaning 
ITpper,  comf,  d  higher 
tTphaf,/a.  /.  of  cpheve.  v.  Sax.  heaved  up 
Uj'heping,  n%  S€  v«  iKtumulitioit ;  tumylum^  Oflg, 


h 


Upon,  Mh.  lie  had  upon  a  eduxtc^j  of  greoe,  he 
had  oh  a  courtepy,  &c  or  perhaps  it  it  an  ellip- 
tical expiefllon  for  he  had  upon  hint 

Pppere{b,tf<jr./ir^/.  higheft 

upright,  a^'.  Sax,  ilraight ;  upright  ta  a  bolt, 
flraight  a»  an  arrow  :  it  is  applied  indifferentlj^ 

f  to  perfons  lying  as  well  as  ftanding 

Urchon,  n.  a  hedgehog 

Ure,  m.  Fr,  fortune,  deftiny 

It^red^  udj.  fortunate;  well  ured 

Ufage,  n.  Fr,  experience,  pradice 

Ulant,^r/.^i'. /^r.  ufing,  accuftomed 

Utter,  COOT/,  d.  of  out,  adv.  Sax,  outWard,  more 
out 

Uttercfte,/r/?r/.  d.  utiermoft 

Utterly,  adv:  Fr,  oyltreemmt^  thoroughly,  entil«ly 

Uttren,  imf  m.  of  utter,  v.  Sax.  to  publifh 

Utircn,/r.  /.//.  give  out,  fell 


yade,/r.  n, 

^ade,  V.  Sax,  Lot.  to  pafs  through  water  withotit 

fwiniming,  to  pafs  generally 
Waferers,  n,  pi,  fellers  of  wafers,  a  fort  of  cakes 
Wafoures, «.  //.  wafers,  a  fort  of  cakes 
IVaget.  Upon  the  whole,  1  believe  that  a  light  wa- 

get  ihould  be  underftood  to  mean  a  light  blue 

colour 
Waimenting,  n.  Sax,  lamentation 
Vaine,  m.  Sax,  a  Wagon 
"Watte,  v,  Fr.  to  watch 
Wake,  V.  ^^r.  to  watch 
Walachie,^r.  «.  Walachia 
Wala  wa !  or  wa  la  wa  I  inttij.  Sax*  wo !  alas !  wa^ 

la  wa  the  \^hile  !  alas  the  time  ! 
Walnete,  n.  Sax,  a  wahiut,  1. 1,  a  French  or  foreign 

nut 
Walwe,  V,  Sar,  to  tumble  about,  to  wallow 
"Walwingj/ar/.  /r, 
Ttran,/a.  /.  of  win,  v.  Sax.  gained 
Wane,  v.Sar,  to  decreafe 
Wang,  .7.  Say,  a  check-tooth 
Waogcr,  n.  Sax.  a  fupport  for  the  cheek,  a  pillow 
Wanhopc,  i».  Sax,  defpair 
Wantruft,  .i.  S,2x\  diftrnft 
Wapcd,/ar/./a.  Sax-.  (Vupified 
Wardccorps,  n.  Fr,  body-guard 
Wardein,  n.  Fr,  a  warden  of  a  college,  a  g^ard,  a 

keeper  of  a  gate ;  wardeins,  //.  guard,  watch- 
men 
Wardcrerc,  perhaps  a  corruption  of  the  French 

garde  arrierf 
Wardrope,  n.  Fr,  garderohe,  a  houfe  of  office 
Wariangles.     See  Ccfgrave  in  t.  FU  and  Emgottet^ 

where  he  explains  the  wariangle  to  be  a  fmall 

woodpecker,  black  and  white  of  colour,  and  but 

half  as  big  as  the  ordinary  green  one 
Warice,  warifli,  v,  Fr,  to  heal;  v.  ntut,  to  recover 

from  (icknefs 
Warifon,  n.  fcems  to  be  put  for  reward ;  fan  smeritc, 

orig,  vfarifoitt  donativum.  Prompt.  Parv, 
Warne,  v.  Sax.  to  caution,  to  apprife,  to  refttfe 
[Warncilorei  v.  to  f uroiibi  to  ilore 


GLOSSARY. 


Warrie,  v.  Sax,  to  abnfe,  to  ipeak  evil  of 

WaAien,  part,  pa.  of  walh,  «.  Sax. 
Waftel-brede,  cake-bread,  bread  made  ofthefiKl 
flour,  from  the  French  ^^m»,  a  cake 

Waftour,  «.  Fr..  a  fpoiler 
Wate,  V.  Sax,  to  know 

Watering  of  Seint  Thomas,  a  place  far  wateriif 
horfe,  [  fuppofe,  a  Htrle  out  of  the  borough  d 
ffouthwark.  in  the  road  to  Canterbury.  Tk; 
fame  pUcc,  I  apprehend,  was  afterwards  oDbI 
St.  Thomas  a  Waterings  probably  inaat  km 
chapel  dedicated  to  that  faint.  It  was  a  pbad 
execution  in  Queen  Elizabetb'a  time.  JTa^ 
.  Ath,  OiM.  L  aay 

Watlynge-ftrete,  an  old  ftreet  in  Londoo 

Wave,^.  /.  of  weave, «.  S^x,  wqvc 

Wawe,  It.  Sax.  a  wave 

Way,  «.  Sax.  is  often  put  for  the  time  in  wluc&i 
certain  fpace  ean  be  palfed  through ;  a  fsrio^ 
way,  mile  way,  any  ihort  time-^-at  the  kfe 
wey,  feems  to  fignify  no  more  than  at  the  Id; 
at  lead — a  devil  vray,  a  twenty  devil  way 

Way,  adv.  away ;  do  way,  do  away,  put  awty 

Waye,  V.  Sax,  to  weigh,  to  preia  with  wc^ 

Webbe,  a.  Sax,  sl  weaver 

Wedde,  m.  Sax.  a  pawn  or  pledge ;  to  wedde  fir 
'a  pawn ;  and  leyde  to  wedde  NormaDdie 

Wede,  ff.  Sax,  clothing,  apparel ;  under  wedefcBB 
to  fignify,  (imply,  in  my  clothing 

Wede,  n.  Sax.  a  weed,  an  ufeleia  herb 

Wehee,  a  word  to  exprefs  the  neighing  of  a  ki6 

Wei ve,  v.  Sax.  to  forfake,  to  decline,  to  rdak 

Weive,  ^^gsL  to  depart 

^cived,jK^.  departed 

Wcke,  v.^oJT.  to  grow  weak 

Weke,  adj.  Saic  weak 

Wei,  adv^Sax.  well,  in  a  good  conditioa;  wdm 
the'^nch^  with  him  mighte  mete ;  wd  v9 
they  that'thider  might  twin  :  it  u  joiatf* 
other  adverbs  and  adjeAives,  a«  full  aodfi^ 
are,  and  flill  more  frequently  to  vcrbi^  iaik 
fenfe  of  the  French  ^a 

Wclde,  V.  Sax.  to  govern,  to  wield 

Weldy,  adj.  Sax.  adive 

Welc,  adv.  for  well 

Wclf ,  n.  Sax.  wealth,  profperity 

Wcleful,tf^'.  produdivc  of  happinela 

Welefulnels,  n.  Sax.  happinefs 

Welke,^.  t.  of  walk,  v.  lax,  walked 

Welked,  part.  pa.  of  weike,  «.  Smx,  witkni 
mouldy 

Welkin,  «.  Sax  the  Iky 

Well,  x,Sax,  a  fpring 

Welle,  V,  Sax.  to  flow  as  from  a  fpring 

Welmeth,  feems  to  be  put  for  welleth,  ^filT^ 

Wclte,  .a.  /.  of  welde, governed  wielded 

Wel-thewed,  adj.  Sax.  endowed  with  gocd  f^ 
ties 

Welwillj,  ad;.  Sax.  favourable,  propitxoos 

Wemme,  .a.  Sax,  a  fi^ot,  a  fault 

Wenche,  n.  Sax.  a  young  woman 

Weed,  for  wcneu  pj.  t.  of  wcne,  thoiigbt,iB»M 

Wcndc,  V.  box.  to  go 

Wcudc,  tt.  Sax.  gucfs,  conjc<^ttrc,  pdhip*^ 
wenc    ' 


G  L  O  S 

Wcne,f».  ^^r.  guefs,  fuppoiition ;  withouten  wene, 

not  by  fuppoijtion,  certainlf 
Wene,  9.  Sax.  to  think,  to  fuppofe 
Wenty  part.  pa.  of  wende,  gone 
Wente,  went,  pa.  t.  of  wende ;  went  at  borde, 

lived  as  a  boarder 
Went,  ff.  a  way,  a  paflage,  turn  in  walking ;  ix^ 

bed 
Went,  for  want 

Wep,  pa.  t.  of  wepe,  v.  Sax,  wept 
Wepeiy,  adj.  Sax.  caoling  tears  ^ 
Wepen,  n.  Sax.  a  weapon 
Werchc,  n.  &  v.  as  Werke 
Were,  for  wcren,  »W.  m.  pa.  /.  pi.  of  am,  v.  Sax. 

it  is  fomctimes  ufed  for  had,  according  to  the 

Fr.  cuilom,  with  refleifted  verbs,  tiife  riotonres — 

were  fet  hem  in  a  tavern  for  to  drinke — /etoient 

mUf  sctoient  ajfis 
VfnTZyfybj'  m.  fa.  t.fmg.  c.  g.  as  it  were ;  if  on  of 

hem  were;    whether  (he  were;   were  it;   it 

were  a  game 
Were,  v.  Sax.  to  wear,  to  defend 
Were,  «.  Fr.  gutrre^  confufion ;  his  herte  in  fucb 

a  were  is  fct,  fin  cueur  a   myt  en   Ui  guerre ; 

and  in  a  were  gan  I  wexe  and  with  myfelf  to 

difpute 
Were,  n.  Sax.  for  catching  fifli 
Wcren, /a.  /.  pi.  of  am.  v.  Sax.  were 
Werke,  n.  Sax.  work ;  wcrkcs  pi, 
Werke,  v  Saw  to  work 
Werne,  v.  a«  Warne 
Wcrre, «.  Fr.  war 
Werrie,  v  Fr.  to  make  war  againft 
Werfc,  comp.  d.  of  ill,  adv.  Sax.  worfe 
Werfe,  comp.  d.  of  bad,  adj.  Sax.  worfe 
VfciUcfipcrl.  d.  of  bad,  worft 
Wcry,  adj.  Sax.  weary 
Wefti,/fl.  /.  of  wafli,  V.  Sax.  waihed 
Weftfcn,  inf.  m.  v.  Sax.  to  tend  toward  the  weft 
Wcte,  atfj.  Sax.  wet 
Wctc,  V.  Sax.  to  wet 
Wetc,  V.  Sax.  to  know 

Wether,  n.  Sav.  the  weather — a  caftrated  ram 
Wcting,  H.  Sax.  knowledge 
Wcve,  V.  Sax.  to  weave 

Wcvc,  V.  Sax.  to  put  off,  to  prevent.     See  Wcive 
Wci,  pa.  t.  of  waxc  or  wexe,  v.  Sax.  waxed,  grew 
Vfn'ing,  part.  pr.  increafing 
Weycdcn,  pa.  t.  pi.  weighed.  See  Waye 
What,/ro;i.  interrog.  Saw  i?  often  ufedby  itfclf  as  a 

fort  of  interjcdion  ;  what ! 
What,  pren.  indef.  fomething,  a  little ;  what  for 

love  and  for  dillrefs,  partly  for  love  and  partly  for 

dlflrefs;  wete  ye  what  ?  do  ye  know  fomething  ? 
:       nc  elles  what  ?  nor  any  thing  clfe — What,  when 

joined  to  a  «.  fihjl.  (either  expreiTed  or  under- 
wood) is  a  mere  adj.  anfwering  to  ^va///,  Lat. 

quel^  Fr.  what  they  wercn,  what  men  tliey  were ; 

what  fo,  what  that,  whatfoever 
Wheder,  eonj.  Sax.  whether 
Whelm,  V.  Sax.  to  (ink,  to  deprefs 
Whennes,  adv.  Sax.  whence 
"Wher,  eonJ.  Sax.  whether 
\|rher,tf</o.  .Sdv.  where 
Viriier,  in  compoiipon,  fignlfics  which.    Seo  Here 

Vol.  I.     . 


S  A  R  y.  ^ti 

and  Ther Wherforc,  wherin,  whcrihrough, 

wherwith,  when  ufed  interrogatively,  wheiof, 

whcrwith 
Whether,  aJj.  Sax.  which  of  two 
Whette,  part.  pa.  of  whet,  v.  Sax.  fharpene.d 
Whiche,  pron.  rel.  Sax,  who,  whom,  adj.  what« 

what  furt  of 
While,  n.  Sax.  time ;  in  this  mene  while,  in  the 

mean  time ;  how  he  might  quite  hire  while, 

how  he  might  requite  her  time,  pains,  &c.  God 

can  ful  wel  your  while  quite 
Whilerc,  adv.  Sax.  fometime  before 
Whilke,  tf^'.  Sav.  which 
Whilom,  adv.  Sax.  once,  on  a  time 
Whine,  v.  Sax.  to  utter  a  plaintive  cry. 
White,  a:lj.  Sax.  fair,  fpecious 
White,  •».  to  grow  white 

Who,  pron.  interrog.  Sax.  * 

Wh08,^M.  ca.fiHg, 

Who,  pntn.  nl.  Sax.  it  ii  generally  cxptciTed  by 

that 
Who%  gem  ca.fing. 
Who,  ^ron.  indef. 

For  wel  thou  woft  the  nan;c  a<  yet  of  her 
Amongcs  the  people,  as  who  fay th  halowed  it ' 

where  as  who  fayth  feemsto  be  equivalent  to  as 
one  ihould  fay':  the  fame  phrafc  is  fometimea 
ufed  to  introduce  u  fuller  explanation  of  a  paf- 
fage,  as  we  might  ufc — tiiat  'is  to  fay — who  fo, 
who  that,  whofocvcr 

Wulc-whcre,  adv.  Sax.  widely,  far  and  near 

Wicrdt^n,  H.  pi.  Sax.  the  Fates  or  Dcllinics 

Wiff'n.gax.  a  wife,'a  woman 

Wifhood.ii.  Sax.  the  ftate  of  a  wife 

Wiflcs,  adj.  S.ix.  unmarried 

Wifly,  a^.  Sax.  becoming  a  wife 

Wight,  n.  Sax.  a  perfon,  male  or  female,  a  fmall. 
fpace  of  time,  weight,  a  witch ;  wytch  cleped 
■jly^ht  mafe 

Wight,  a'^.  Sax.  adlive,  fwift ;  of  hem  that  ben. 
deliver  and  wight,  Cwf.  Am.  I77,b. 

Wightes,  n.pl.  witches 

Wike, «.  for  wel^c 

Wiket,  n.  Fr.  a  wkket 

Wikke,  adj.  Sax.  wicked 

William  St.  Amour,  a  doAor  of  the  Sorbonne  in  the 
13th  century,  who  took  a  principal  part  in  the 
dilpute  between'  the  iiniverlity  of  Paris  and  the 
Dominican  friars 

Willy,'  ad/.  Sax.  favourable 

Wiln,  for  willen,//.  it.  of  wille,  o.  Sax. 

Wilnc,  V.  dax.  to  defire 

Wimple,  M.  Fr.  a  covering  for  the  neck ;  it  w  dlf- 
tinguilhed  from  a  veil,  which  covered  the  head 
alfo 

Weringa  vaile  inftede  of  wimple, 
As  nonnes  don  in  hir  abbey. 

Windas, «.  Fr.guindal^zn  engine  to  raifc  ftonet,  &c» 
Winde,  v.  Sax.  to  turn  round 
Winde,  at  Wende,  to  go 
Wlane,  v.  Sax,  to  ^in,  to  attain 
Zz 


7i» 


GLOSSARY. 


"Wirry,  v.  S'ax.  to  worry 

Wis,  adv.  Sax,  certainly.   Sec  Y-wis 

"Wife,  n.  Sax.  manner 

Wifly,  adv.  Sa  <•.  certainly 

'Wiflc,  V.  Sax.  to  teach,  to  dired ;  fo  God  me  wifle, 
fo  may  God  diretfl  me 

Wide,  fia.  t.  of  wiftc,  v.  Sax.  knew 

^ite,  V.  Sax,  to  know,  to  blame,  to  impute  to 
wite  it  the  ale  of  South w ark,  impute  it  to  the  ale 
of  Southwark  \  or  blame  the  ale  Qti>outbwaikfor  it 

Wile,  n.  Sax.  blame 

^With,  fre/>.  Sax.  is  ufcd  in  the  fenfe  of  by ;  was 
with  the  Icon  frette,  was  devoured  by  the  lion; 
in  with  his  thought,  in  with  hire  bofom,  within 
his  thought,  within  her  bofom  ;  with  mefchance, 
with  mefchanccand  with  n(iifavchture,witb  forwe 
nnd  with  mefchance;  withforwe,arephrafe8of  the 
fame  import  as  God  ycve  him  mefchance,  God 
yeve  me  forwe  :  they  are  all  to  be  confidered  as 
parenthetical  cyrfes,  ufed  with  more  orlefsferi« 
oufiiefs ;  and  fo  arc  the  following  phrafes,  with 
evil  prcfe,  with  hardc  grace,  with  fory  grace 

Withholde,  v.  Sax.  to  ftop 

Withholden,  withhold,  ^ar^  fa.  retained,  detained 

"Withfain,  /;/.  m.  of  withiay,  v  Sax. 

'\Vuhfaye,  withfeye,  v.  to  contradid,  to  deny 

"Witnelfe,  ».  .Stfr.  teftimony,awitncfs 

Witncsfully,  adj.  Sa\.  evidently 

t\''itte,  n.  Sax.  underftanding,  capacity— to  my 
witto ;  in  my  judgment 

Wittes,  H.  pi.  Sax.  the  ienles  of  man 

Wive,  n.  for  wif 

"Wivcre,  h.  Sax.  a  ferpcnt 

Wlatfom,  adf.  Sax.  loathfome 

\Vo,  n.  Sjx.  wo,  forrow — wo  were  us ;  wher  me 
were  wo,  are  cxprcflionf  derived  from  the  Sax- 
on language,  in  which  us  and  me  were  equiva- 
lent to  noSis  and  mili,  withqut  the  addition  c( 
the />rc/>.  to 

Wp,  adj.  Sax.  forrowful 

Wo-begon,  far  gone  in  wo.  See  begon 

"WoiJe,  vf ood,  adj.  Sax.  mad,  violent ;  for  wode, 
like  any  thing  mad  ^ 

"Wode,  V.  Sax,  to  grow  mad 

Wodcwalc,/f.  K.  of  a  bird 

W'ol,  V.  auxil.  ^ax.  to  will ;  it  is  ufed  fomctimes  by 
itfolf,  thciKf.  V.  being  underftood,  as  (he  to  wa« 
tcr  wolde,  i.  e.  would  diifolvc  into  watery  and  to 
the  wood  he  wol,  /.  e.  will  go,  ful  many  a  man 
hath  he  begiled  er  this,  and  woL  /.  e,  will  be* 
guile 

Wolde,  ^/j.  /.  would,  wolden.^tf.  t./uij,  m»  wolde 
God  !  God  wi.ldc !  o  that  God  were  willing ' 
ne  wolde  God  !  God  forbid ! 

Wold,  part,  pa  willed,  been  willing  [man 

Womanhede,  n.  womanhood,  the  virtue  of  a  wo* 

Wonde,  v.  Sjx.  wandiao,  to  dcfill  through  fear 

Wonde,/-*/.  /,  may  perhaps  be  deduced  from  winde, 
to  turn,  to  bend,         .    . 

The  yerde  is  bet  that  bowen  wol  and  winde 
Than  that  that  brcft. 

Wonde,  /a.  /.  of  wone ,  dwelled 
Wonder,  a-'/.  Sax.  cnflom,   ufa^,   habitatioo,  » 
hcAp,  an  afitmbly 


Wone,  V.  Sas€,  to  dwell 
WoDeden,^ir.  /.//.  dwrelled 
Woned,^<ir/.  fa.  wont,  accufioBsi 
Wouing,  n.  Sax.  a  dwcUiiig 
Wonne,  part  pa.  of  -wiooe, «.  Sax.  wttc,  ( 

ed,  begotten 
'Wont^  fari.  fta.  of  wone,  accodoaied 
Wood,  adj.  as  wode 
Woodnefs,  n,  madnefa 
Wordles,  a<^'.  Sax.  fpcechleCi 
Worldes,  gen.  ca.  of  vrorid,  m.  Sax.  U  cf< 

fenfe  of  the  aJ/.  worldly ;  every  world 

my  worldes  biis 
Wort,  m.  Sax,  a  cabb:»|re,  new  beer  in  a 

fiermientation 
Worth,  y.  Sax,  to  be,  to  go,  wo  worths 

py  be,  oi  wo  be  to  !  to  climb,  to  mom 
Woft,  for  woteft,  knoweft 
Wote,  wot,  V.  Sax.  to  know,  wot,/j.  t  1 
Wowe,  (rather  woe)  v.  Sa::.  to  woo 
Woxe,  pa.  t.  of  waxe,  or  w^cze,  v.  Sax.  gi 
'Woxcn,  part.  pa.  grown 
Wraie,  v.  Sax.  to  betray,  difcoTcr 
Wrathen, /r/t  m.  v.  Sat.  to  make  angry 
Wrawe,  aJ/.  Sax.  peeviib,  angry ;  wnwe, 

ungoedfy 
Wrawncfs,«.  peeviftmefa 
Wray,  as  wraie 
Wrcche,ir-  Sar.  revenge 
Wrenches,  n  pt.  Sax.  fraadii,  firat:igems 
Wreft,  V.  Sat.  to  twill ;  the   cightix:;ra]e 

great  might  hire  voice  began  oat  n 

turn  forcibly 
Wrethrn,  jtor/.^a.  of  writhe — wret^icn 

twifted  together ;  in  U«y's  edit,  it  ii 

— within  in  fcrc 
Wreye,  v.  as  wraie 

Wrie,  V.  Sax.  to  cover,  to  turn,  to  inclic: 
Wright,  m.  SajL.  a  workman 
Wrine,  for  wrien,  »Vj/l  m.  of  wric 
Wring,  V.  Sax.  to  fqueeze   fo   an  to  cxpn 
Writlic,  V.  iax.  to  twid^  to  turn  aiiic. 
Writhing,  m.  a  turning 
Wron^c^ part.  p9.  of  i^ring;  his  hc-ndct  n 

later  writers  have   ufed  the  fame  expr 

diftrefs 
Wrote,  V.  Sax.  to  dig  with  the  fnout  aifui 

or  like  a  worm  that  wrotech  in  a  tsre 
Wrought, /ar/. /a.  of  worke,  v.  Sat.  nuic 


Y,  at  the  beginning  of  many  wordt,  ti 
verbs  and  participles  i» merely  a  cans 
the-Saxon  ge,  which  has  remained  to£^^ 
in  the  other  collateral  branches  of  tk 
language ;.  what  the  power  of  it  rut  Ix 
originally,  it  is  impoffible,  perhaps,  act 
termine  :  in  Chaucer  it  doca  not^ptf' 
any  cffeJl  upun  the  fesifc  of  a  wori ; 
there  feems  to  be  no  oeceffity  for  isrfa:^ 
gloffary  fuch  words  as  ybMcd,  ygnsa 
which  differ  not  in  fignificaboo  frcn 
gruted,  «cc  Some,  however,  cf  tku  J 
*■  4 


G  L  O  S 

Infer  ted,  which  may  frrve  at  Icaft  to  flicw 
more  clearly  the  extent  of  this  pra<5lice  in 
Chuucti's  time.  Several  other  words  arefhorr- 
]y  explained  und'-r  this  letter,  of  which  a  more 
■  full  expl;jnation  may  be  found  under  their  rc- 
fj*cdivc  fccond  letters 

Ya,  adv.  Sjx.  yea ;  it  is  ufcd  emphatically  with 
both  ;  ya  buthe  yonge  and  olde  ;  ye  both  faire 
atid  good 

Yaf,  /J.  /.  of  yave,  v,  Sjx.  gave 

Y^altc,  for  ycltc ;  yaltc  hiin,  yieldcch  himfelf 

Yarc,  adj.  Sjx.  ready 

Yate,  n.  Sjx.  a  gate 

Yavc,/>fl. /.  of  y eve,  gave 

Y-be,  ffart.  pj-  been 

Y-beried,  part.  pa.  buried 

Y-bcte,  V.  a.  to  beat,  {lamp,  imp-int 

Y-blcnJ,  part.  pa.  of  blend,  bliiided 

Y-blent,  part,  p2,  of  blcuchc,  (hrunli,  ftartcd  a- 
fidc 

Y-blint,  part.  pa.  blinded 

Y-bore,  part.  pa.  of  here,  !orn,  carried 

Y-bourdid,  ^t:r/.  ^j.  ieftcd 

Y-brcnr,  part.  pa.  of  brennc,  burned 

Y-chaped,  part.  pa.  furuiflied  with  chapei»  from 
^b^pp.'.Fr.  J.      ,     . 

Y-clouted,/flr/.  pa.  wrapped  in  clouts  or  ragi 

Y-corvcn,  part,  pa,  cut.    Sec  Corvcn 

Y-coupled,  part.  pa. 

Y-crafed,  part.  pa.  broken 

Y-dcleil,  part.  pa.  diftributed 

Y-dight,  part.  pa.  adorned 

Y-do,  p'rt.  pa.  done,  fiuilhed 

Y-drawe,  part.  pa.  driiwn 

Ye,  adv.  Sfix,  as  Ya  ;  ye  wis.  yea  certainly 

Ywd  linge?,  would  fcem  to  mean  ftory-tclling 

Ycde,  part.  pa.  of  ycde,  *.  Sax.  went 

Yefte,  n.  SiX.  a  gift ;  ycftes,  pL 

YcMe,  V.  Sjx.  to  yUd,  to  ^ive,  to  pay;  God 
yeUIc  you !  God  reward  you  ! 

Y  Jledcn,  pa,  t.  pi.  of  yelle,  v.  Sax, 

Yelpc,  1'.  Sjx.  to  prate,  to  boaft 

Y.ltv,  for  yrldeth 

Ycman, /».  5.x.  a  fcrvaRt  of  middling  rank;  a 
bailiff— Yemen,  pi. 

Ycmanri*-,  n.  the  rank  of  veoman 

Yerde,  n  Sjx.  a  rod  or  fta/T,  fod,  earth 

YiTc,  !or  yeres,  n.pl.  Sax.  years 

Yerne,  udj  Sax.  briflc,  eager 

Y'erne,  adv,  hrifldy,  eagerly,  early,  foon,  immedi- 
ately ^   , 

Ycrne.v.  to  defire,  to  feet  eagerly 

Ycrning,  n.  aAivity,  diligence 

YtxcWt  part,  pa   gotten 

Yevf,  V.  Sax,  to  give 

Ycven,  ycyc,part.pa.  given 

Y-fullc,  part,  pj.UWcn 

Y-ffined,  part.  pi.  lordes  heflcs  may  not  hen 
y-fcified,  the  commands  of  fovcreign*  may  not 
be  executed  with  a  feigned  pretended  zeal^they 
muft  be  executed  ftriaiy  and  fuUy 

Y-fette,  part.  pa.  fetched 

Y-fonden,  part.  pa.  found 

Y-foftered,  part.  pa.  educated 

Y-freten,^r/.  pa.  devoured 

Y-gcten,  part.  pa.  gotten 

Y-glofcvi,  part,  pa,  flattered 

Y-glucd,  P'trt.  pa.  glcwed,  faftcncd  with  glcw 


SARY.'  *fi5 

Y-go,  part.  p:r.  grrte 

Y-grave,  part.  pa.  burled 

Y-halowed,  part.  pa.  kept  holy 

Y-berd,  part.  pa.  covered  with  hair 

Y-hoId,  part.  pa.  beholden 

Y- iaped,  part,  p.:.  tricked,  deceive  1 

Y-lcflcd,  paif.  pj.  relieved.    Sec  Liffcd 

Y-Iichc,  y-like,  aJj.  Sjx.  rcfcmbling,  equal 

Y-liche,  y-like,  aJ^.  Sax,  equally,  alike 

Y-limed,  pjrt.  pa.  limed,  caught  as  with  bird- 
lime 

Y-logged,/>7r/.  pj,  lodged 

Y-maflced,  part.  pi.  maflied  or  meflied ;  mafche^ 
Belg.  macula  rei't$^  Kilian. 

Y-meint,  p^rt.  pt.  mingled 

Y-null,  prep.  Sjx.  among 

Yineneus,  pr,  n,  Hymenneus 

Ynough,  ynow,  adv.  Sax,  enough 

YolJen,  part,  pi,  of  ytldc,  given,  yielded,  re- 
paid 

Yonghede, «,  Sax.  youth 

Yore,  adv.  Sax.  of  a  long  time,  a  little  be£ore ; 
yore  agon,  long  ago  ;  in  olde  times  yore,  of 
time  yore 

Yayc,  pi,  t.  of  yevc»  gave 

Youre,  pron.  p^J".  Sax.  is  ufcd  for  yourcs 

^ouTeSfprofi.poJ/l  Sax.  ufcd  gcneraliy  when  the 
noun  to  which  it  belongs  is  underfcood  or  plac- 
ed before  it;  he  was  an  old  fclaw  of  yourcs, 
he  was  an  old  companion  of  yours,  i.  €.  of  or 
among  your  companions 

Youthhede,  n.  Sjx.  youth 

Yoxe,  V.  Sax.  to  hiccough 

Y-piked,  p  trt.  pa.  picked,  fpruce 

Y-queint,  parr.  pa.  quenched 

Y.rei^ht.^j.  /,  reached 

Y-reken,  fcems  to  be  put  Ur  the  old  part,  pr^ 
y-rckcnd,  reeking 

Yren, «.  Sjk.  iron 

Y'rcat,part.  pa,  torn 

Y-ronne,  y-ronnen,^/r/. />?.  run 

Y-fatelf.i,/ar/.  pa.  fettled,  dlablrChcd 

Yfe,  *.  Sax.  ice 

Y-fcrved,  part.  pa.  treated 

Y-fette,  /  'tt.  p.i.  fct,  placed,  appointed 

Y-(^CDttpirt.  pa.  damaged 

Y-i3tkoxCtpart.  pa.  pufhtd  forwards 

Y-fliwi,^./r/.  ^-^  ll:iin 

Y-fope,/r.  A.  So  the  name  of  the  fahullft  wat 
commonly  written,  notwithfranding  the  djf- 
tin<Slion  pointed  out  by  the  followiiVg  technical 
verfc : 

Yfopus  eft  herba,    fed   JEfopns  dat   bona 
verba 

In  this  and  many  other  pafTages  which  arc 
quoted  from  JEfop,  by  writers  of  the  middle 
ages,  it  is  not  eafy  to  fay  what  author  they 
mean  :  the  Greek  coUcdlions  of  fables  which 
arc  now  current  under  the  name  of  iBfop 
were  unknown,  1  apprehend,  in  this  part  ot* 
the  world  at  the  time  that  Melibee  was  writ- 
ten :  Phzdrus  toe  bad  dtfappeared  :  Avienus 
indeed  was  very  generally  read.  He  is  quot- 
ed as  JEfop  by  John  of  Salifbury,  Fo.'ycrat» 
1.    vii.    Ut    .M/ppc,    vel   Aviency  ^r^Ji^j.-— But 

the  name  of  ^iop  was  chiefly  appropriated  to 
Zzij 


^  G  L  O  S  S  A 

the  anonymous  •  author  of  City  fable*  in  ele- 
giac metre,  which,  are  printed  in  Nevelct's 
colle(Slion  under  the  title  of  Ancnymi  FaluU 
J£f<.pica.  I  have  freu  an  edition  of  them  in 
J  503  by  Wynkyn  dc  Worde,  in  which  thty  are 
entitled  limply  Efepi  FahuU  :  the  fuhjcAi*  irc 
for  the  moft  part  plainly  tak^  n  from  Phscdrus 
but.it  may  be  douoted  whether  the  author  co- 
pied from  the  orijr.  work  of  Phidrus  or  from 
fomc  vcrfion  of  it  into  Latin  prr.fe.  Scvtral 
vcriior.s  of  this  kind  are  dill  extant  in  mf. ;  one 
of  very  confidcrablc  antiquity  has  bctn  publiih- 
e**  >)y  Niiant,  LugJ.  B*t.  1709,  under  the  title 

"  of  Fubula  Antlqtce^  together  with  another  of  a 
lattr  datf,  which  is  pretended  to  have  been 
made  frcm  the  Greek  by  an  emperor  Romulus, 
fcr  the  ule  of  hi*  fon  Tiberinus.  They  all  fliew 
evic'.cnt  maik>  of  being  derived  from  one  com- 
R'.oji  origin,   like  what  his  betn  obfcrved  of 

'  the  fcveral  Greek  colKdlion*  of  iEfopian  fablei 
in  prolt ;  \DiJfcrt.  de  Babrio.  Lond.  1776J  like 
them  too  thoy  differ  very  much  from  one  ano- 
ther in  ftylc,  order  of  fables,  and  many  Ihtlc 
particulars ;  and,  what  is  moft  material,  each 
of  them  geneiully  contains  a  few  fabl»f,  either 
invented  or  ftolcn  by  its  refpedivc  compiler, 
i*hich  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  other  collec- 

'.  tions,  fo  tliat  it  is  often  impradlicable  to  verify 
a  quotation  from  JESoia  in  the  writers  of  Chiu- 
cer's  time,  unlcfs  we  h-jppen  to  light  upon  the 
'  identical  book  of  fables  which  the  writer 
who  quotes  hid  before  him.  I  have  print- 
ed in  th-*  Dijlcurfti  \*fc.  n.  29,  a  fable  of  The 
Cock  and  the  Fox,  from  the  l-r.  £fopc  of  Ma- 
rie, which  is  not  to  be  found  in  any  other  col- 
ledion  that  I  have  fecn,  and  which  I  fuppofe 
furnilhcd  Chaucer  with  the  fobjeA  of  his  Non- 
nes  Prceftes  Talc.  In  the  fame  Fr.  iEfop,  and 
in  a  Lat.  mf.  Bitl,  Btg.  15.  A,  vii.  there  is  a 
fable  which  I  think  might  have  given  the 
hint  for  Prior'. <  Ladle.  A  country  fellow  ere 
c'ay  laid  hold  of  a  f,  try,  (un  fdei^  Fr.)  v. ho  in 
oiucr  to  le  fct  at  liberty  gave  him  th;;:  wiihts, 

•  Several  improbjbie  corjedures,  whkh  ^'.vc  b&n 
made  vMth'rerpedtu  tliereal  name  And  at>e  of  tiiiv  writ- 
er, may  be  Icen  »n  ihc  Menai'tjinnt  vol.  i.'  p.  17X,  awl  in 
fair  I! .  liibl.  lat.  voJ.  i.  p.  p(J,  cd.  Pdiat/,  In  the  edi- 
tion of  thcfe  tableti  in  150:;  the  conriir.entatort'of  no  groat 
au'.hority  I  conter»}  mentiuiiii  an  opinion  of  Tome  people 
that  Gaiicrus  AngeiUus  jccit  burx  livrum  Jub  nomine  f-fofi. 

"1  fuppofj  tlieperfi^n  mtant  wasGuiltcrus  AngUcus,  wlio 
Jiad  been  tutor  to  William  ii.  Kti'gofSicily.  and  was  Arcli- 
bilhtip  of  Palciino  about  tiic  year  1 1 70.    I  cannot  believe 

-  that  they  wcie  inucli  older  than  hit  time,  and  in  the  be* 
Rinnipg  oi'  i\\c  next  ccwtury  they  fcvm  to  be  mentionril 
under  tlic  name  ol  jKfopu*  am«)njj  the  Looks  comtnonly 
.rtad  iafehooUt  by  EtKrhardutf  fiethonienfis  inhlbi/rfry- 
"r/n/^wj,  traA  iii  de  f'fr/if.Latione^^.  n.  Stc  Lcyfer^  Hist, 
Foei.  Med.  JL-vi.  p.  8z(5.  About  the  middle  ut  the  fame 
century  (the  13th)  Vincent  ot  Beauvai*.  la  \\\%  SfcctUum 
Uistor.  1.  iii.  c.  u  eS^e*  an  account  of  -Stop,  and  a  lar^e 
f^lmen  of  his  fables,  quas  Romulus  i/uidam  de  Graeco  in 


LattKumtranstul.tnetadjiltumJuumTyberinum  dirigitj  they 
are  ail,  as  I  remember,  in  the  urincedKomuluiK—Soon  after 
Uie  invention  oi  prinimi;,  aU*Ker  coliedion  of  the  fables 


of  jErop  wis  made  aiid  pubiiihed  in  Germany ;  it  is  di< 
wC.i.d  into  fix  bootLt»,  to  which  h  prefixed  a  lite  of  -Xfup 
f  GraCiO  Lattna  fer  khnicium  faSa.  'I  he  three  hnt  are 
compofed  of  tlie  n>ty  elegiac  fables  of  the  metrical  JEfo. 
^s,  wiih  a  few  triflinc  variations,  ard  to  each  of  them  it 
nbjtiCLd  a  lablc  eathc  Umc  ful>jt.<lin  profc  i'rc^io  Ko- 


R  Y. 

The  mail  goes  home  and  p\ti  two  d  •':mz 
his  wife.  ~  Soon  after,  as  they  itc  its:  -3 
a  chirc  of  mutton,  the  wife  (kUiI  t.j:! 
the  marrow,  and  not  Icin^  able  to  frrr 
wiflies  that  her  hufband  had  anircD*^i 
com  It  ivitettAy  Fr.  lonjf  as  the  woodccck  • 
trad  this  marrow  far  her :  anexcrefcc  :• 
immediaLelf  formed  accotdinfilT.  'i*^  i^ 
angrily  -vrifhes  it  off  from  his  own  fa^e  r.. 

wifeV And  hci  c  the  ftory  is  ttsiaci:: 

fedive  in  both  copies  \  hot  i:  is  e^iy  t-  r: 
that  tic  third  anci  laft  remaining  wiih  wi 
ployed  by  the  wife  for  her  own  rear- 
fablc  upon  a  flmilar  idea,  in  Fr.  verfe.  r 
fecn  in  mf.  BcdL  1687,  the  fsme,  a>  1 
prebend,  wi?h  one  in  the  king's  librarii 
ris,  [mf.  n.  79S9,  fol.  189,;  which  i?  r. 
Les  quaire  fomhaiU  S^inx,  AfarTim-  See /J 
&c.  t.  iii.  p.  31 1.  The  vanity  of  humia  ' 
is  there  expoled  with  more  pleafartry  iL 
lae  ftory  juft  cited,  bor,  a;iitoftcaL{ 
with  much  lefs  decency 

Y-fowe,^jr^^.  fov^ii 

Y-lprcint,  part.  pa.  forinklel 

Y-fticked, /urrf.  pa.  dicked,  ihruft 

Y-ftorven   part,  pa,  dead 

Y-t»kc,^rr./.i.  taken 

^'t^tAjpurt.pj.  tied 

Y-trefpaled,  part.  pa.  trefpaifcd 

Y-vaniihed,  pirt .  pa. 

Yvel,  adj.  Sax,  bad,  unfortmsate 

Y%ei,tf</v.  ^wjr.  ill 

Yvoiie, ».  Fr.  ivory 

Y-wimpled,^*  /.  pa.  covered  with  a  wimplt 

Y-wis,  ad^.  Sax.  certainly 

Y-wrake.  pa,  t.  wreaked,  rercogei 

Y-vrric,^r/.  pa.  cOTorcd 


iLt^aiiy  pr.  n.  a  Grecian  painter 

mulDS :  book  Iv.  contai  n*  the  rcma-ninff  fables  rf 
lu4  in  pr€»fe  oniy.  T1:e  fiith  tKX*k  ha«  ri<  irtce  •- 
or  two  tables  which  had  ever  appeared  bdixe  w 
nameof^op;  the  reft  arc  takcn^ora  the  Gt^i 
norusn,  tlie  Caitlatu  Damnab.,  and  utiicr  oMrnre'  a 
The  I  xth  and  latt  lK>uk  cofi:ains  fevcnte«a*ar:c>« 
I  llowlnp  title,  Sfquur.tur  fabuie  wa-vt  Ti.^i  :x .t.r 
Remuit.  Fhcre  hA*  t>een  a  fcreat  diverhty  of  : 
amun^  lc*med  men  concern  In*  tti»  itfrnifwror  t. 

^^'^  i:'''"i'^^J''"''^l  ^^^"^  f^e  »>*•«  omfoccfl 
with  the  haitiuu:%  Rc.mulus,  and  othcn  havecc? 
him  as  the  editor  of  this  coiuaion  I  have  no  4.- 
theperfonnocant  is  tliAt  JZiftucius  whotraaAoci 
of  JKfop  by  Ptanudcs  and  niacty-fiz  of  his  taVi 
theGrecic  intoLaiin.  about  the  muKUeof  tkeif 
tury.  (Sec  rabrsc.  Bibl.  Mtd.  JSi.  io  ^.MsmutJ. 
tranilat  on  of  the  cmftlea  ot  HippocratemziC  A*, 
hcisllyled  in  one  place  rtrdti^JiT^  inaw.fcrf . 

fixthbook^as  well  aa  the  life 01  xfop.  »kklkSrp» 
ly  tal^en  ftom  Rimiciua.  arc  to  be  KKtfid  in  tte 3*i 
by  Rinucius.  There  la  an  edition  cif  ttpriaKfl' 
abotit  »48o,but  it  misht  very  poffibly  have  owr 
hands  of  tiic  Gennaa  colle^lm'  m  mL  fomc  Tcaxi^ 
Uic  brtt  tranflationa  of  Greek  author*  wereea»f* 
atlcr  and  circulated  throufsh  Europe  at  ika^^K. 
very  few  ^.eifona  were  capable  of  rohurg  tt: 01s 


CONTENTS. 


WORKS   OF   CHAUCER. 


Thi  Author**  IJfc,     -        -        - 

THE  CANTERBUHr  TALES. 

The  Prologue,  -        -        - 

The  Knightcs  Talc,     -         -         - 

The  Milleres  Tale,      -         -        - 

7'he  Rcvcs  Prologue, 

The  Rcve«  Talc,  -         -        - 

The  Cokes  Prologue, 

The  Cokes  Tale, 

The  Man  of  Lawes  Prologue, 

The  Man  of  Lawes  Tale. 

'i'he  Wif  of  Bathes  Prologue, 

The  Wif  of  Bathes  Talc,      - 

The  Frercs  Prologue, 

The  Freres  Tale,  -         - 

The  Sompnoures  Prologue, 

The  Sompnoures  Tale, 

The  Clerkcs  Prologue, 

The  Clerkes  Tale,       - 

The  Marchaotes  t^'rologue. 

The  Marchantes  Tale, 

The  Squieres  Proli>gue, 

The  Squieres  Talc,       -         -         - 

The  Frankclcines  Prologue, 

The  Frankclcines  Talc, 

The  DoAoures  Prologue, 

The  Dodourcs  Talc, 

The  Pardoneres  Prologue,    - 

The  Pardtnercs  Tale, 

The  Shipniannes  Prologue,  -        - 

The  Shipmanncs  Tale, 

The  Pribreffcs  Prologue, 

The  Prioreffcs  Talc,    -         -        - 

Prologue  ro  Eltt  T  hop  If, 

The  Rime  ftf  Sire  rhopjs, 

Pro]if^uc  to  Mellbeoit 

Talc  csf  Melibeg*, 

The  Monkci  Prologue, 

The  Monkci  Talt:,       -         -         - 

The  Nonnes  Precfte's  Prologue,     - 

The  Nonnes  Preeftes  Tale, 

The  SccoQci  Nonnts  Tide  - 

The  Chanones  Yrmannca  Pra]og;ue, 

The  Chanones  Yt^ianur*  Tals,     - 

The  Manciples  Prologue,     - 

The  Manciples  Tafe, 

7  he  Perfones  Prologue, 

1  he  Pc^foDcs  Talc,      -        -        . 

TU  Cokc'f  Tak  of  Oimelin,       - 


Page 


z 

9 

a8 

34 
35 

39 
ib. 

41 
4» 
53 
58 
6a 
63 
66 
ib. 
7* 
73 
B3 
ib. 

93 
ib. 

99 

ib. 

X07 

ib. 

XIO 

ib. 
ii6 

ib. 
zai 

ib. 

1*4 

ib. 

U7 

Z28 

144 
145 
15a 

ib. 
163 

17X 

17a 
175 
Z76 


Page 

The  Plowman's  ProlojftK,    -        -        -  %iS 

The  Firft  part  of  the  Tale,         -  ai^ 

The  Second  Part  of  the  Tale,     -  %%z 
The  Prologue      or,    I'be   mcrf  adventure 
of  the  Pardonere  and  Tapftcre  at  the  (no 

at  Canterbury,         -         -         -         -  230 
The  Mcrchant'i  Second  Talc;   or,  The 

Hiftory  of  Beryo,    -       ^        -        -  255 

MISCELLANIES. 

The  Romannt  of  the  Rofe,  -        -  a74 

Troilus  and  Crcfeide,  in  Five  Books, 

Book  I.     -        -        -        -  557 

ProoMtiium  Libii  Secundi     •  347 

Liber  ^^ecundus,  -         -  348 

ProcEniiuffi  Librt  Tertii^       -  362 

Inclpjt  I-ibcT  1  er tiU»,  -  363 

ProtEmium  Libri  Quttrd,     -  378 

liidpit  Liber  Quartvs,  -  379 

Incif  it  Liber  Ciuintut,         -  393 

Teftament  of  Fair  Cfefcide,  *        n  409 

The  Legende  tf  Good  Women,     -»         -  413 

The  Legende  of  ClcopaEra,    Queen  of  E- 

gypff A20 

The  Legende  of  Thilbe  of  Babylone,      .  4%% 
The  Legende  of  Dido  Quccoe  of  Carthage^  415 
The  Legende  of  Hjrpfti  yle  and  Medea,  459 
The  Legende  of  Lucrcce  of  Ronie,         -  43  a 
The  Lc}(ende  of  Ariadne  of  Athens,        •  434 
The  Legende  of  Philomeh,           -        -  43S 
The  Legende  of  Phyllis,       ...  440 
The  lA-gcmU  of  Hy^pcrmncftra,    -        -  44a 
A  Praiie  of  Wd^ich,               -         -         -  444 
La    Belle  Dame   Sans   Mercy.— —>A  Dia- 
logue     ------  446 

The  Aflemble  of  Ladies,       .^        *        .  45^5 

Ghanccr'f  Drcame,       •        .        -        -  4^^' 

The  Aflemble  of  Foulest       -        .        .  49^ 

Of  the  Cuckowe  and  the  Nightingale,    -  498 
How  Pyte  U  dede,  and  buried  in  gentyle 

hdrt*, $0% 

Verlc*,        .._----  504 

Godc  Counfmilc  of  Chaucer,  -        •  506 

Chauccr'i  A,  B,  C,— called  la  Pcaere  de 

Nii^re  Bailie,  -         -         -         -  507 

Of  Qu en e  Annelida  and  Falfe  Arcite,     -  513 

I'hc  Cumpiiiitt  t^  the  Blacke  Knight,    -  5J4 

The  C *  T  i '  i :  ■ '    ' ' '  Mara  and  Venus,      .-  j  ao 

The  Cutnplaint  of  Mars,       -         •         -    .  53« 

The  Oonij»laiot  of  Veovs^    •       i*       •  544 


9%6 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

The  Lamentacion  of  Marie  Magdaleine,  525 

The  Floure  and  the  Leafe,    -         -         -  532 

The  Court  of  Lcrvc,     -        -        -        -  538 

prologue  to  the  Remedy  of  Love,          -  550 

The  Remedy  of  Love,          -■       -        *  jj£ 

A  Salyiog  of  Dan  John,        ...  j  j ^ 

Yet  of  the  Same,         -        .        .        .  |b. 

Motto  to  Jack  Upland,         -         -         -  iS. 

The  Houlc  of  Fame,    -        -        -        -  ^S^ 

The  Prologue, ib. 

The  Firft  Boke,      -         -  557 

The  Second  Boke,            -  361 

The  Third  Boke,    -        -  566 

CERTAINE  BALADE8,&C. 

A  godely  Balade,         -         -         -         - 
A  Balade  in  (ommendacivn  of  our  Ladle, 
Balade  de  bon  confall,           .        .        ^ 
Balade  of  the  Village  without  paintyng, 
Chaucer  to  his  emptie  purfe, 
Chaucer  unto  the  Kioge,      .         -         ^ 
A  balade  made  by  Chaucer,  teching  "what 
is  gcntilnefs,  or  who  it  worthy  to  be  cal- 
led gectil,        •        -        -        -        -  ib. 


575 
ib. 

578 

579 
ib. 


A  proverbe  agaynft  coTctife  and  negli- 
g«nce, 

A  balade  which  Chaucer  made  agattift  wo- 
men onconftant,       -        -        -         . 

A  balade  whkk  Chancer  made  in  the  praife 
or  rather  difpreifc  of  women  for  ther 
doublenefs,       -        •        .         .         . 

The  Craft  of  Lovers,  ... 

A  Balade.  .         .         .         .         . 

The  Ten  Coramandments  of  Love, 

The  Nine  Ladies  Worthic, 

A  Ballade,  -        -        -         .        . 

Another,  -        -        -         -        _ 

How  Mercnrie,  Palla%  Venus,  and  Juno, 
appeared  to  Paris  of  Troie,  he  flcpjiog 
by  a  fountain,  .        -         .         . 

A  balade  pleafaunte,     -         -         .         « 

Another  Balade,  .... 

A  balade  warnying  men  to  beware  of  deceit- 
ful women,      -         -         -         -         - 
I  A  balade   declaring   that  womcns   chaftiiie 
'   doeth  moche  excel  all  trefure  worldly, 
Chaucer's  wordes  onto  his  own  fcrivcnere. 


Pa-c 


ib. 


5^: 

{81 

ih, 
583 
5«4 


586 

lb. 
ib. 

5»7 
ib. 


WORKS   OF   SURREY. 


Page 
The  Author's  Life,  -  -  -  -  591 
The  Original  Preface,  ...        5^4 

•ONCESAND  SONNETTCS. 

Defcriptlon  of  the  reftlefs  fVate  of  a  lover 
with  fuite  to  his  lady,  to  roe  on  his  dieng 
hart,     -  -----        595 

Delcription  cf  fpring,  wherein  ech  thing 
rencwes,  fave  only  the  lover,     -        •  ib. 

Defcription  of  the  reftleis  ftate  of  a  lover,    ib. 

Dcicription  of  the  fickle  aficdions,  pangs, 
«nd  fltights  of  love,  ...        596 

The  complainte  of  a  lover  that  defied  love, 
and  was  by  love  after  the  more  tor- 
mented, -----  ib. 

Complaint  of  a  lover  rebuked^       -        -        597 

Complaint  of  a  lover  difdaincd,      -         -  ib. 

Defcripiion  and  praife  of  his  love  Geral- 
dine,      ------  ib. 

The  fiailtye  and  hurtfulnea  of  beauty,    -  ib. 

The  comphiint  by  night  of  the  lover  not 
beloved,  -        -        -         -     -    -        598 

How  eche  thing,  fave  the  lover,  in  fpring 
rdnueth  to  pkafure,         .        .        -  ib. 

A  vowe  to  love  faithfully,  howfoevcr  be 
be  rewarded,  •        -        -        -  ib. 

Complaint  that  his  lady  after  (he  knew  of 
liis  love,  kept  hex  face  always  hjddca 
fi-om  him,       -----  ib. 

^Uqucft  to  his  love  to  join  hoontie  with  .  ' 
hcsaukf  -----         ib. 


PigC 

Prifoncr  in  Windfor,  he  recountcth  hit 
pleafure  there  paflcd,         -         •         -        J9S 

The  lover  comfortcth  himfclf  with  the  wor- 
thy neffe  cf  hys  love,  -         -         .         j^^ 

Complaint  of  the  abfence  of  her  lover  being 
upon  the  feas,         -  .         -         .  ib. 

Complaint  of  a  dying  loTcr  refufcd  upon 
his  ladyes  infult  my  flaking  ofhiswry^ng,      ib. 

Complaint  of  the  abfence  <'f  her  lover  beyng 
upon  the  fea,  -  -  -  6c  z 

A  praife  of  his  love,  wherein  he  rcprov- 
eth  them  that  compare  their  ladies  with 
his,  -----  ib. 

To  a  lady  that  (kerned  her  lover,  -  ib. 

A  warning  to  the  lover  how  he  is  abufeU  by 
his  love,         -----        ^2 

The  forfaken  bvcr  defcribcth,  and  forfaketh 
love,         -  -         -         -  -  ib. 

The  lover  dcfcribcs  his  reftleife  cllate,      -  ib. 

The  lover  cxcufeth  himfclf  of  fufpcded 
change,  -----        6oj 

The  careleiTe  man  fcorning  and  defcriMng 
■the  futtle  ufage  of  women  towards  their 
lovers     ------  ib. 

An  aunfwere  in  the  behalf  of  a  woman  of 
an  uncertaine  au^or,  .        -        .  \\y. 

The  conllant  lover  lamenteth,        -        -  C04 

A  fong   written  by  the   Earle  of  Surrey, 
to    a  lady  that  refufed  to  daunce   with 
him,       ------  ib. 

The  £uthfaU  Sovcr  dcclama  his  payncs ,  and 


CONTENTS. 


Page 
unccrtaine  joyes,  and  with  only  hope 
omfort  fomewhat  his  woful  heart,    -       605 
meanes  to  attaync  happy  life,  -         606 

fc  of  mcane  and  conftant  cftatc,      -  w. 

fes  of  certain  Pfalmes  of  Daxid,  tran- 
ted  by  Sir  T.  W.  the  elder,    -        -  jb. 

ic  death  of  the  fame  Sir  T.  W.        -  ib. 

ic  fame,        -----  ;°' 

nc  lame,        -         -  -         '    ,    'r 

ardanapalus  diflionourable  life  and  mifcr- 

,lc  death,      ---.•;  *° 

,r  no  age  is  content  with  his  own  eftatc, 
id    how    the    age  of    children  is  the 


7n 

Page 

happieft,  if  they  had  flcill  to  underftand 

it,       .-----       n>. 

Bon'um  eft  mihi  qnod  hnmiliafti  me,      -  ib. 

Exhortation  to  Icamc  by  .others  trouble,  608 

The  fanfi  of  a  wearied  loTcr,  -         -  ih; 

Dido  and-ffincas  going  to  the  field;  tranf- 
lated  from  the  Fourth  Book  of  Virgirs 
Edeide,  -         -        -        -        ;        ^^ 

Dido's  paflion,  and  its  effcAes  on  the  ryfingc 
citie,  from  the  fame,  -         -         -  *• 

Over  the  tomb  of  Thomas  Clere,  Efq.  in 
Lambeth  Church,  was  formerly  a  tablet 
with  the  following  Epitaph,  written  by 
the  Earl  of  Surrey,  -        •        -        ^W 


WORKS   OF   WYAT. 


[E  Author's  Life,     - 


Page 
C13 


f^ 


SONGE8  AND  SOHNETTES. 


e  lover  for  (hamefaftneffe  hideth  his  dc- 
fire  within  his  faithful  heart,      -         -         617 
ic  l(»ver  waxcth  wyfcf,  and  will  not  dye 
for  afTcAion,    -         -         -        "         - 
ic  abufcd  lover  fccth  hi«  foly,  and  intend- 
cth  to  truft  no  more,         -'        -        - 
ic  lover  defcribeth  his  being  ftriken  with 
f;jjht  of  his  love,       -        -        -        - 
ic  wavering  lover  willeth  and  dreadeth 
to  move  his  defire,  -         -         - 

le  lover  having  dreamed  enjoying  of  hii 
love,  complaineth  that  the  dreame  is  not 
firher  longer  or  truer,  .  -  - 
be  lover  unhappy,  biddeth  happy  lovers 
njeicc  in  May,  while  he  wayleth  thit 
month  to  him  moft  uuluckcly,  - 
he  lover  confelfeih  himfilf  in  love  with 

Phillis,  -         -         -         -         - 

i  others  fained  forrow,  and  the  lovers  foined 

mirth,  •         -         -         -         * 

if  chaunge  in  minde,  -         -         - 

low  the  lover  periihcth  id  his  delight,  at 

they  flye  in  the  fier,  -         -         -    ^ 

igaifill   his  tong  that  failed  to  'utter  his 

fuites,      ------ 

)efcription   of  the  contrarious  paflions  in  a 

lover,      -         -         -         -         -         -    ^ 

•he  lover  comparcth  his  ft  ate  to  a  (bippe  in 

perilous  ftorme  toflcd  on  the  fca, 
)f  doubtful  love,  .         -         -         - 

The   lover  fliewcth  how  he   is  forfaken  of 

fuch  a«  he  fometimc  enjoyed,     - 
The  lady  to  aunfwerc  dircdly  with  yea  or 

nay,       -  .         .         -         -         - 

To  hilt  love  whom  he  hadkiifed  againft  her 

Wiii.     •  -.-.-- 

)f  the  jealoui  man  that  loved  the  fiunc  wo- 


man, 
her, 


and  efpicd  this  other  futing  with 


ib. 
ib. 

ib.| 
ib. 

618 

ib. 

tb. 

ib. 
ib. 

ib. 

ib. 

619 

ib. 
ib. 

ib 

ib. 

ib 


To  his  love  from  whom  he  had  his  gloves. 
Of  the  fayned  frend,  -  -  -  - 
The  lover  taught,  miftruftcth  allurements, 
The  lover  complaineth  that  his  love  doeth 

not  pitie  him,  .        -         -         - 

The  luver   rejoyfeth    againft  fortune,  that 
by   hindering  his  fuite  had  happily  made 
him  forfakc  his  folly,         -         •        . 
A  renouncing  of  hardily  efcaped  love,    - 
The  lover   to  his  bed,  with  defcribing  of 

his  unquiet  ftate,      .         .         -        . 
Comparifon    of  love,   to  a  ftrtame   falling 

In  m  the  Alps,         .        .        -        - 
Wyates  complaint   upon    love    to    reafon, 

■  with  loves  aunfwere,         -         -         • 
The  lovers  forrowfullftate  maketh  him  write 
forrowfuU  fongesjbut  fouche,his  love  may 
change  the  fame, 
The  lover  complaineth  himfelf  forfaken. 
Of  his  love  that  pricked  her  finger  with  a 

needle,  •        -        •        - 

Of  the  fame,        -        -        .        -        - 
Kcqueft  to  Cupide  for  revenge   of  his  un- 
kind love,        -        -        .        -         - 
Complaint  for  true  love  unrequited. 
The  lover  that  fied  love,    now  folowet  it 

with  his  harme,        -         -         -         - 
The  lover  liopeth  of  bttter  chaunce. 
The  lover  comparcth  his  hart  to  the  over* 

charged  goLre,         -         -         -         - 
The  lover  faipeded  of  change,  praieth  that  it 

be  ncl  b<^leved  againft  him. 
The  lover  abtifcd  rcnounccth  love, 
The  lover  profcflcth  himfelf  conftant,     - 
I'he  lover  fcndeth  his  complaints  and  tcares 

to  fue  for  grace,  .  -         - 

The  lovers  cafe  cai^iot  be  hidden,  however 
I      he  diftemble,  "        •        "        3 


ii9 

ib. 
ib. 


ib. 


ib. 
ib. 

621 

ib. 

ib. 


6i% 
ib; 

6»5 
ib, 

ib. 
ib. 

ib. 
ib. 

n>. 

ib. 

ib. 

ib. 

ib. 


lit 


The  Io>er  praieth  not  to  be  dlfdained,  nor 

refufed,  minnifled,  nor  forfaken,        -         6%s 
The  lover  Umenteth  his  eftate,  with  fate  for 

grace,         -  -  -         -         -  ib. 

The  lover  wajleth  hii  changed Joyet,      -  ib. 

To  hit  bye  that  has  given  'aimwere  of  re- 

fufaU.     .---.-  ib. 

To  hit  Udie,  cruel  over  her  yelden  lover,        626 

The  lover  compUineth  that  deadly  dcknels 

cannot  help  hit  afIc<5tion,         -  -  ib. 

.    The  lover  rej«yceth  the  enjoying  of  his  love,    ib. 

The  lover  complaineth  the  unkindnefs  of  his 

love,       .^      -        -        -        -        -  ib. 

How  by  akiis,he  found  both  his  life  and  death,    ib. 
The   lover  defcribeth  his  being  taken  with 

fight  of  his  love,       -         -         -         -  ib. 

To  his  lover  to  look  upon  him,  -  -  627 
The  lover  ezcufeth  him  of  woordcs,  where- 
with he  was  unjuftly  charged,  -  ib. 
Of  fuch  a»  had  forfaken  him,  .  .  ib. 
A  defcription  of  fuch  a  one  as  he  would  love,  ib. 
How  inipoilible  it  is  to  fynde  qnietncffe  in  love,  ib. 
Of  love,  fortune,  and  the  lover*i»  mind,  628 
The  lover  praifcth  his  offered  hart  to  be  re- 
ceived, -  -  -  .  -  ib. 
The  lover's  life  compared  to  the  Alpes,  ib. 
Charging  of  his  love  as  unpateous  and  loveing 

other,  -  -         -         •        -  ib. 

A  renouncing  of  love,  .        -        -  ib. 

'X'he  lover  forefeketh  his  unkind  Inve,     -  ib. 

The  lover  defcribeth  his  reftlcflc  rtate,  ib. 

The  lover  laments  the  death  of  his  love,  629 

The  lover  fcndeth  fighes  to  move  his  fuite,        ib. 
Complaiiite  ot  the  abfcncc  of  his  love,     -  ib. 

'Jlte  lover  blameth  his  love  for  renting  of  the 

letter  he  fent  her,      -      -        -        -        630 
The  lover  curfeth  the  time  when  fyrft  he  fell 

in  love,  -  .        -        -        -  ib. 

The  lover  dctcrmineth  to  ferve  faithfully,        631 
The  lover  fufpeAcd,  blameth  ill  tongues,  ib. 

The  lover  complaineth,  and  his  ladie  comforteth,  ih. 
Why  love  is  bbfide,        -       -        -         -  ib. 

To  his  unkinde  love,  .  -        .        632 

The  lover  blameth  bin  inftant  defyre,      -  ib. 

The  lover  complaineth  his  eftate,  -  ib. 

Of  his  love  called  Anna,        -        -        -  ib. 

That  pleafure  is  mixed  with  every  paine,  ib. 

A  riddle  ni  a  gyft  given  by  a  ladie,         -  ib. 

That  fpeaking  or  profering  bringes  alway 

fpeding,  -----  ib. 

He  ruleth  not,  though  he  reigne  over  realmes, 

that  is  fubjedl  to  his  own  luftcs,  •  ib. 

Whether  libertie  by  loffe  of  life,  or  life  in  pri- 

ibn  and  thraidome,  be  to  be  prefercd,  633 

Againfthourdes  of  money,  «  -  ib. 


CONTENTS. 
Page 


iL 


Defcription  of  a  gotme, 

Wyat  neing  ia  prifon  to  Bryan^ 

Of  diiTembling  woords. 

Of  the  mean  and  fure  cfiate. 

The  courtier's  life,        -         -         -         -  j^ 

Of  difappointed  purpofe  by  negligence,  6s4 

Of  his  retume  from  Spayne,  -  •  ib. 

Of  fodaine  trufting,     ....  j^ 

Of  the  mother  that  eat  her  child  at  the  liege 

of  Jcrufalem,         -  -  .         .  i}^^ 

Of  the  meane  and  fare  eibte,  written  to  John 

Poynes,         .  -        -        .        .  i^ 

Of  the  courtier's  life,  written  to  John  Poynes,  6js 
How  to  ufe  the  court,  and  himfdf  therein, 


written  to  Syr  Fraunces  Bryan, 
The  foog  of  Jopas,  unfinished, 


636 
63? 


UNCERTAINE  AUCTORES. 

SOVCKS  AND   SOXBTTEt. 

A  PRAISE  of  his  ladie,  ...         ^jg 

Thty  of  the  meane  efiate  are  happieft,  ib. 

Upon  confideration  of  the  date  of  thig  Ufe, 

he  wiflied  death,    ...        -  639 

The  lover  that  once  ^daincd  \ove,  is  now 

become  fubjed,  being  caught  in  his  fnare,      ib. 
Harpalos  complaint  of  Philltades  love   be- 

Aowed  on  Corin,  who  loved  her  not,  and 

denied  him  that  loved-her,         -         •  ib. 

Of  the  death  of  Philips,^        -         -         -         640 
That  all  things  fometime  finde  cafe  of  theyr 

payne,  fave  only  the  lover,        -         •  ib. 

Th*  adTaute  of  Cupide  upon  the  fort  where  the 

lover*B  hart  lay  wounded,  and  how  he  was 

taken,  -  -         -        -         .         641 

The  aged  lover  renonnceth  love,  •  ib. 

Of  the  de«th  of  bir  Thoman  Wyat  the  Elder,    ib. 
Of  a  new  married  fludent  that  plaicd  Ud  or 

lofc, 641' 

The  lover  in  defpare,  lamenteth  his  cafe  ib. 

OfhtsMaiftreire,M.  B.         ...  ib. 

A  praife  of  Maiftrefle  R.  -  -  ib. ' 

Songes  written  by  G.  N.  of  the  Nine  Mules,  643 
Mufonius,  the  philofopher's,  faying,         -  ib. 

Defcription  of  virtue,  ...         644 

Praife  of  meafure  keeping,  -  -  ib. 

Man's  life,  after  Polfidooius  or  Crates,  ib. 

Metrodorios's  roynde  to  the  contrary,  ib. 

Offriendihip,        -----        ib. 
The  death  of  Zoroas,  an  Egyptian  afirooo- 

mer,  in  the  firll  fight  that  Alexander  h^id 

with  the  Perfians,     -        .        .        - 
Marcos  TuUius  Cicero's  death. 
Of  M.  T.  Cicero, 


WORKS    OF    SACKVILLE.     .^os 

TuE  Author's  Life,  -  -        -        631]  The  Complmyat  of  Henry  Duke  of  Buckings 

ThcIadufliontoaMirrourforMagifiratei,  655  |     ham,  -         -         -         .       -        6^r 

*  ■:     .      • 


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