Skip to main content

Full text of "A literary Middle English reader;"

See other formats 


a  2 

v^ 


PROFESSOR    OF   THE    ENGLISH    LANGUAGE   AND    LITERATURE 
IN   YALE    UNIVERSITY 


GINN  AND  COMPANY 

BOSTON     •    NEW  YORK     •    CHICAGO     •    LONDON 
ATLANTA    •    DALLAS     •    COLUMBUS    •    SAN   FRANCISCO 


COPYRIGHT,  1915,  BY 
ALBERT  STANBURROUGH  COOK 


ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 
PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED   STATES  OF  AMERICA 


II  10 


gfce   gtbemtnm 

GINN  AND  COMPANY-  PRO 
PRIETORS  •  BOSTON  •  U  S.A 


TO  MY  WIFE 

ELIZABETH  MERRILL  COOK 

WHOSE  INSPIRATION  AND  HELP 

HAVE  MADE  THIS  BOOK  POSSIBLE 


PREFACE 

Only  two  questions  need  to  be  satisfactorily  answered  in  order  to 
insure  for  Middle  English  literature  a  much  larger  place  in  college 
courses  than  it  has  hitherto  occupied.  These  two  questions  are:  Is 
the  literature  of  this  period  worth  reading?  and,  Can  it  be  read 
without  a  learned  apparatus  so  formidable  as  to  constitute  a  serious 
deterrent?  The  first  question  I  have  endeavored  to  answer  in  the 
Introduction ;  and  to  the  second  my  affirmative  reply  is  indicated 
in  the  whole  method  I  have  followed. 

This  book,  then,  has  been  framed,  not  in  the  interest  of  grammar, 
or  of  dialectical  study,  or  of  lexicography,  but  of  literary  enjoyment 
and  profit.  It  has  been  made  somewhat  copious,  that  those  whc 
desire  only  easier  selections  may  be  able  to  avoid  the  harder,  that  it 
may  be  possible  to  examine  certain  species  and  ignore  others,  and  yet 
that  the  more  comprehensive  student  shall  have  before  him  a  fairly 
full  conspectus  of  the  literature  as  a  whole.  If  I  have  not  failed  in 
my  attempt,  the  texts  included  ought  not  to  be  much  harder  to 
read  than  if  they  were  Elizabethan,  and  those  who  read  them  will  be 
acquainting  themselves  with  an  earlier  and  no  less  important  age. 

Authorities  vary  with  respect  to  the  limits  of  the  Middle  English 
period,  the  variation  as  to  the  beginning  being  between  uoo  and 
1200,  and  as  to  the  end  between  1400  and  1500.  Some  scholars, 
such  as  Sweet,  call  the  language  between  uoo  and  1200  Transition 
Old  English,  and  that  between  1400  and  1500  Transition  Middle 
English.  In  this  book  Middle  English  is  assumed  to  cover  noo- 
1500.  In  two  instances,  works  only  to  be  found  in  manuscripts 
of  later  date  than  1500  are  assigned,  on  what  seem  to  the  editor 
sufficient  grounds,  to  the  fifteenth  century. 

The  classification  here  observed  is  according  to  literary  species, 
and  not  according  to  dialect  or  chronology.  The  species  of  litera 
ture  are,  however,  not  so  clearly  delimited  in  Middle  English  as  in 


vi  PREFACE 

some  other  tongues,  notably  in  Greek,  so  that  the  classification  of 
certain  pieces  must  be  regarded  as  only  approximative. 

No  separate  vocabulary  has  been  provided,  and  no  separate  body 
of  notes.  On  each  page  the  reader  will  find,  it  is  hoped,  what  is  es 
sential  for  a  sufficient  understanding  of  that  page ;  if  this  has  entailed 
a  certain  amount  of  repetition,  or  what  to  some  minds  may  seem  ex 
cess,  in  the  defining  of  words,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  he  who 
is  able  to  read  while  running  is  not  obliged  to  pause.  The  general 
introduction  has  been  made  brief.  The  prefatory  notes  to  the  various 
selections  are  longer  or  shorter,  according  to  circumstances.  The  list 
of  helpful  books  will  enable  the  student  to  extend  his  inquiries  in  a 
variety  of  directions. 

The  editor  has  used  his  own  judgment  with  respect  to  punctuation 
and  capitalization,  has  normalized  *  and  /,  u  and  v,  capitalized  the 
first  personal  pronoun,  and  substituted  'Jesu'  for  the  ordinary  'Jhesu' 
—  which  is  due  to  a  misapprehension.  In  the  constitution  of  certain 
texts  he  has  emended  somewhat  freely,  but  has  always  endeavored  to 
supply  the  means  of  restoring  the  manuscript  readings  or  the  text 
of  an  earlier  editor ;  where  there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  the  latter 
faithfully  represents  the  manuscript,  it  has  been  referred  to  in  the 
footnotes  as  'MS.' 

An  effort  has  been  made  to  give  due  credit  in  each  specific  case 
of  indebtedness ;  if  there  has  been  any  failure  in  this  respect,  it  is 
involuntary. 

If  this  book  succeeds  in  making  the  Middle  Ages  seem  more 
attractive,  more  clearly  related  to  modern  times,  or  more  profoundly 
suggestive,  the  editor  will  be  satisfied.  To  him  Middle  English 
literature  helps  to  make  England,  not  less  real,  but  more  visionary, 
in  the  sense  of  Kipling's  lines: 

She  is  not  any  common  Earth, 

Water  or  wood  or  air, 
But  Merlin's  Isle  of  Gramarye, 

Where  you  and  I  will  fare. 

SCHOLASTIKA,  TYROL 


CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION 

PAGE 

I.  THE  LITERATURE xiii 

II.  THE  LANGUAGE       xviii 

III.  SOME  USEFUL  BOOKS  FOR  THE  STUDY  OF  MIDDLE  ENGLISH  xxvi 

ROMANCES 

MALORY,  MORTE  DARTHUR    . i 

Lancelot  and  Elaine 2 

Tristram  and  Isolde :  The  Love-Drink 7 

The  Quest  of  the  Holy  Grail :  The  Vow 8 

v  ^«.HIVT  HORN. ii     X 

^^  y  T«I 

^fHAVELOK  THE   DANE 17      ^ 

>tiOWER,   CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 34       V 

Apollonius  of  Tyre    ....          .     "I'.:>D~  .  s\ fo  .     ...  35 


Restoration  to  Youth 45 

GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 


f 

~~  THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE 7° 


AMIS  AND  AMILOUN 

-yBiR  ORFEO 88 

>— CHAUCER,  SIR  THOPAS •.     .  108 

TALES 

CHAUCER,  PRIORESS'  TALE:  THE  LITTLE  CHOIR-BOY     .     .    .     .  117 

THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  (INCLUSA) I25 

DAME  SIRITH '•    •  !4! 

ROBIN  HOOD  AND  THE  MONK l$° 

KING  ROBERT  OF  SICILY r"7 

CHAUCER,  CLERK'S  TALE  :  THE  STORY  OF  GRISELDA    ....  1 73 

lAHE  Fox  AND  THE  WOLF 1 8J 

CHAUCER,  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE  :  THE  COCK  AND  THE  Fox  .     .  198 

vii 


viii  CONTENTS 

CHRONICLES 

—— ^ 

*  PAGE 

J       ^^LAYAMON,  BRUT 219*  t 

Layamon's  Account  of  Himself 219 

The  Prophecy  of  Diana 220 

The  Building  of  London .  223 

The  Division  of  Lear's  Kingdom 225 

Caesar's  Battle  with  the  Britons 229 

Cymbeline  and  the  Birth  of  Christ 233 

THE    OLD    ENGLISH    CHRONICLE:    THE    REIGN    OF    STEPHEN 

(A.D.  1137) .,.  .    .     .     .     .     .' 235 

\N  BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE 237     • 

Sir  James  Douglas 238 

The  Winning  of  Roxburgh  Castle  .     . 240 

The  Battle  of  Bannockburn  (A.D.  1314) 244 


STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

•  SiR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE 248 

The  Rebirth  of  the  Phoenix 248 

The  Paradise  of  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain 250 

The  Fountain  of  Youth 252 

St.  Thomas  and  Indian  Idolatry 253 

The  Sultan  of  Egypt 255 

The  Earth  is  Round 256 

The  Terrestrial  Paradise 259 

Sir  John's  Modesty 260 

A  PILGRIMAGE  TO  COMPOSTELLA  261 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

ROLLE,  THE  FORM  OF  PERFECT  LIVING 265 

The  Love  of  God 266 

The  Active  and  the  Contemplative  Life 267 


CONTENTS  ix 

PAGE 

THE  ANCREN  RIWLE 269            • 

Anchoresses  not  to  look  out  upon  the  World 270    &•   •*• 

The  Beauty  of  Silence 272 

The  Happiness  of  Anchoresses  is  like  that  of  the  Birds  of  Heaven  273 

The  Kingly  Wooer 274 

The  Anchoress'  Cat,  her  Clothing  and  Occupations     ....  275    £— - 

The  Anchoress'  Health 277   £->— 

A  TREATISE  AGAINST  MIRACLE-PLAYS 278 

MIRK,  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  PARISH  PRIESTS 287 

The  Character  of  a  Priest 287 

Behavior  in  Church 288 

The  Creed - ...  289 

The  Vanities  of  the  Flesh 290 

Sins  of  Carelessness 291 

The  Pronouncing  of  Excommunication 291  — 

Form  of  Excommunication  (I) 292 

Form  of  Excommunication  (II) 292 

THE  RULE  OF  ST.  BENEDICT 293 

The  Hours  for  Meals 294 

• 

Daily  Occupations 295 

Lenten  Observance 29^ 

The  Entertainment  of  Guests 297 

The  Nun's  Clothing 298 

The  Porter '.....     .'.  .     .  3°° 

ROBERT  MANNYNG  OF  BRUNNE,  HANDLING  SIN 3°° 

The  Proper  Way  of  keeping  Holy  Days 3O1 

The  Evil  of  Tournaments 3°3         V<v 

Bishop  Grosseteste  of  Lincoln 3°  5 

Quiet  in  Church  and  Churchyard  during  the  Time  of  Service  306 

The  Tale  of  the  Miner 3°7 

THE  BOOK  OF  THE  KNIGHT  OF  LA  TOUR-LANDRY 3°9 

Prologue    ..:..'.'.     '.  \'r    ?-,,,•-    ...-••  3°9 

The  Story  of  the  Magpie 311 

The  Story  of  the  Obedient  Wife 312 

How  St.  Bernard's  Sister  was  led  away  from  Vanities      .     .     .  3^ 

GESTA  ROMANORUM:  THE  MAGIC  IMAGE 3'4 


x  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THE  BESTIARY 316 

The  Whale  (Turtle) . 316 

The  Panther ,....319 

THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE 321 

PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN 334 

Prologue - 335 

Meed  the  Maiden 339 

Gluttony 345 

Sloth  the  Parson .'"...  348 

Piers  the  Plowman 350 

PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN'S  CREED 352 


ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

SONG  AGAINST  THE  FRIARS 361 

ON  THE  MINORITE  FRIARS     .     . 364 

THE  REPLY  OF  FRIAR  DAW  TOPIAS 366 

THE  LAND  OF  COKAYGNE 367     • 

THE  GOSSIPS'  FEAST 372 

STANS  PUER  AD  MENSAM '.     .     .     .  377 

CHARM  FOR  THE  TOOTHACHE ,-;,«.     .    .  379 

PREFACE  TO  A  TREATISE  ON  MEDICINE ^ '  .     .     .  379 

A  MEDLEVAL  WILL ..."  .     .     .  381 

THE  LIBEL  OF  ENGLISH  POLICY .     .  382 

THE  GUILD  OF  ST.  LEONARD f  387 


TRANSLATIONS 

CHAUCER,  THE  ROMANCE  OF  THE  ROSE "s.    .  389 

The  Joys  of  Spring .     . *I     .  390 

The  River  and  the  Garden 392 

The  Picture  of  Old  Age 393 

CHAUCER'S  TRANSLATION  OF  BOETHIUS 394 

The  Former  Age 397 


CONTENTS  xi 


PAGE 


WYCLIFFITE  TRANSLATIONS  OF  THE  BIBLE 398 

Job  41.  20-28;  42.4-25 39g 

John  17.  1-6 400 

Revelation  14 400 

VERSIONS  OF  PSALM  51. 1-3 402 

X"    LYRICS 

^-""  CUCKOO. SONG 406 

^^  SPRING 407 

s~  WHEN  THE  NIGHTINGALE  SINGS 408 

s^"  ALISON 410 

CHAUCER,  BIRD-SONG 41 1«. 

— •  BLOW,  NORTHERN  WIND 412 

•    LONGING 414 

Now  WOULD  I  FAIN 416 

CHAUCER,  MERCILESS  BEAUTY 417 

^f  DEBATE  OF  THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN 418 

CHAUCER,  BALLADE 420 

MINOT,  EDWARD  THE  THIRD'S  FIRST  INVASION  OF  FRANCE   .     .  421 

THE  DEATH  OF  EDWARD  III 425 

CHAUCER,  COMPLAINT  TO  HIS  EMPTY  PURSE 428 

I  HAVE  A  GENTLE  COCK 429 

s*  BACHELOR'S  SONG 43P 

CHAUCER,  TRUTH 43 1 

—  UBI  SUNT  QUI  ANTE  NOS  FUERUNT? 432 

THOMAS  OF  HALES,  LOVE-SONG 433 

EARTH  UPON  EARTH 43^ 

FILIUS  REGIS  MORTUUS  EST 43^ 

QUIA  AMORE  LANGUEO 439 

HE  BARE  HIM  UP 44° 

E  PEARL 44i 

GODRIC'S  HYMNS 453 

Hymn  to  the  Virgin 454 

Hymn  of  Burgwine,  Godric's  Sister 454 

Hymn  to  St.  Nicholas 455 

I   SIGH  WHEN   I   SING 455 


xii  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A  SONG  TO  THE  VIRGIN 457 

STAND  WELL,  MOTHER,  UNDER  Rood 459 

As  I  RODE 462 

WHEN  CHRIST  WAS  BORN  OF  MARY  FREE 464 

AT  CHRISTMAS,  MAID  MARY 465 

I  SING  OF  A  MAIDEN 466 

-  LULLAY,  MY  CHILD 466 

— »THE  SHEPHERD  UPON  A  HILL  HE  SAT 468 

>•  JUDAS 470 

v  ST.  STEPHEN  AND  HEROD 472 

CHAUCER,  INVOCATION  TO  VENUS 474 

.CHAUCER,  INVOCATION  TO  THE  TRINITY 475 

PLAYS 

THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN 476 

/  THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD 481 

V^THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AXD  ISAAC 497 

THE  YORK  NATIVITY  PLAY 518 

;  THE  SECOND  TOWNELEY  SHEPHERDS'  PLAY  (SECUNDA  PASTORUM)  524 


INTRODUCTION 

I.   THE  LITERATURE 

Mediaeval  European  literature  —  at  least  if  we  except  technical 
works  and  prose  chronicles  or  histories — is  characterized,  in  contrast 
with  the  ancient  classics,  by  a  certain  expansiveness,  resulting  at 
times  in  an  approach  to  garrulity.  The  author  is  not  bent  upon 
treating  the  matter  in  hand  with  the  utmost  economy,  in  order  with 
the  fewest  possible  strokes  to  achieve  the  finest  proportions,  the 
utmost  simplicity,  the  most  telling  effect.  The  mediaeval  writer  is 
more  apt  to  be  loose  and  desultory.  At  times  he  does  not  hesitate  to 
be  long-winded  in  description,  discursive  in  the  development  of  epi 
sodic  reflection,  tedious  in  the  analysis  of  sentiment,  or  didactic  in  the 
enforcement  of  a  moral.  In  all  too  few  instances  has  he  a  sure  sense 
of  art  —  avoiding  superfluity  and  digressions,  and  making  straight 
for  his  goal.  He  employs  repetition  —  for  instance,  in  the  refrain, 
or  in  the  recurrent  lines  of  the  roundel ;  and,  for  the  sake  of  rhyme, 
or  to  fill  out  a  line,  he  will  introduce  conventional,  almost  mean 
ingless,  tags. 

Vernacular  writing  in  the  Middle  Ages  was  primarily  addressed  to 
the  laity  —  to  people  who  had  not  received  the  training  of  the 
schools,  and  who  therefore  were  unaccustomed  to  strict  sequences  of 
thought,  or  to  the  measure  and  sobriety  of  perfect  art.  This  may  be 
clearly  seen  by  the  way  in  which  translations  are  expanded  —  always 
excepting  prose  versions  of  the  Bible  and  of  some  theological  trea 
tises.  Chaucer,1  in  translating  Boethius,  uses  three  times  as  many 
words  as  the  Latin  verse,  and  more  than  twice  as  many  as  the  Latin 
prose.  The  38  words  of  Psalm  51.  1-3  2  in  the  Vulgate  are  con 
verted  by  a  late  Middle  English  paraphrast  into  194.  Such  transla 
tions,  being  less  compact  than  the  originals,  made  fewer  demands 

1  See  pp.  394-5.  2  See  pp.  402  ff. 


xiv  INTRODUCTION 

upon  the  reader ;  he  found  them  easier  to  follow,  though  his  wits 
may  have  gone  wandering  before  he  reached  the  end. 

Such  absence  of  restraint  may,  according  to  circumstances,  affect 
readers  of  to-day  variously.  Some  things  mediaeval  we  may  all  find 
tedious,  some  things  puerile ;  some  things,  on  the  other  hand,  simple, 
direct,  and  sweet  —  childlike,  rather  than  childish.  But  take  the 
pseudo-Mandeville,1  for  instance ;  is  it  easy  to  dismiss  him  with  an 
epithet  to  which  we  should  all  assent  ?  Is  his  book  incredibly  stupid 
—  as  much  of  it  is  certainly  incredible  —  or  is  it  always  amusing? 
As  easy  to  answer  this,  perhaps,  as  another  question  —  is  the  com 
piler  naively  credulous,  or  is  he  an  astute  romancer  ?  Perhaps  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other,  or  rather  both.  Searching  criticism  reveals  that 
some  of  his  information  rests  on  good  authorities,  and  is  true ;  other 
things  are  truth  magnified  and  embellished  by  a  purple  mist;  and 
still  others  are  ancient  poetry  or  fiction  regarded  as  contemporary 
fact.  His  book  is  rambling,  incoherent,  uninstructive,  if  you  will; 
but  to  some  minds  it  is  charming.  Piers  Plowman  leads  us  nowhither ; 
but  on  the  road  we  drop  in  at  a  tavern,  and  the  low  life  of  England 
under  the  senile  Edward  or  the  adolescent  Richard  is  as  plain  before 
us  as  that  of  Holland  in  a  picture  by  Teniers  or  Jan  Steen,  so  that 
we  look  and  listen  in  spite  of  ourselves. 

All  this  is  Gothic,  both  in  the  sense  that  we  recognize,  and  in  that 
which  appealed  to  our  ancestors  of  the  eighteenth  century.  It  lacks 
restraint ;  it  is  flamboyant ;  it  sins  by  excess ;  it  seems  to  emphasize 
v  the  detail,  and  neglect  the  ensemble;  its  gargoyles  grin,  no  less  than 
its  saints  aspire ;  it  comprehends  legend,  poetry,  and  record  of  fact 
—  but  who  shall  say  where  legend  ends  and  fact  begins  ?  On  the 
other  hand,  it  is  rich,  and  varied,  and  alive ;  not  all  the  forms  are 
noble  or  beautiful,  but  most  are  interesting ;  and  there  is  often  a 
science  of  structure  when  least  suspected,  though  sometimes  instinc 
tive,  sometimes  empirical,  and  sometimes  insufficient,  like  that  which 
left  the  tower  of  Beauvais  a  heap  of  ruined  stones. 

And  as  Gothic  borrowed  something  from  Byzantine  art,  so  there 

/  are  Oriental  elements  in  mediaeval  literature  —  not  only  such  as  are 

derived  from  the  Bible  and  the  primitive  liturgies,  but  those  that 

i  See  pp.  248  ff. 


THE  LITERATURE  xv 

came  in  with  pilgrim,  merchant,  and  Crusader,  visible  more  especially 
in  tale  and  romance. 

The  Gothic  cathedrals  of  the  consummated  Middle  Ages  suc 
ceeded,  and  in  some  sense  grew  out  of,  the  earlier  Romanesque,  with 
its  obvious,  if  somewhat  oppressive,  structure  and  solidity.  The 
Romanesque  church  embodies  the  classic  principles  illustrated  by 
the  Roman  arch  and  the  Roman  basilica,  just  as  Augustine  and 
Bede  continue  the  Roman  literary  tradition.  The  latter  have  more 
moderation,  more  severity,  than  a  Bonaventura  or  a  Richard  Rolle. 
The  cathedral  is  more  florid,  more  airy,  more  gorgeous  with  flam 
ing  color  than  the  Romanesque  church;  but  it  is  more  crumbling, 
and  tends  more  swiftly  to  decadence  and  overthrow.  The  simpler 
Gothic  runs  apace  into  the  Flamboyant,  and  lo,  before  one  can 
realize  it,  it  has  slid  into  the  earlier  Renaissance.  So  it  is  with 
literature ;  so  it  is  with  society.  Beauty  flowers  for  a  moment  out 
of  strength ;  but  pass  by  a  few  days  later,  and  the  blossom  is  faded, 
the  glory  departed. 

Thus  far,  however,  we  have  been  disregarding  certain  works 
which  appear  even  in  the  high  mediaeval  period,  but  which  differ 
notably  from  those  that  we  have  been  attempting  to  characterize. 
They  are  works  of  measure  and  sobriety,  like  those  of  classic  antiq 
uity,  rigorously  planned;  in  them  every  line  is  structural,  and  you 
must  read  every  line  in  order  to  be  impressed  by  the  magnitude,  the 
logic,  or  the  splendor  of  the  whole.  Of  these  the  supreme  type  is 
the  Divine  Comedy.  True,  the  Divine  Comedy  has  been  compared  to 
a  cathedral,  not  without  reason ;  but  the  Gothic  cathedral  was  never 
finished ;  many  accretions  to  its  original  design  might  have  fallen  out 
otherwise;  it  did  not  represent  a  basic  style,  out  of  which  others 
might  in  due  course  proceed ;  it  was  not,  in  the  same  sense  as  the 
Romanesque,  grounded,  massive,  eternal.  In  all  these  respects 
Dante's  poem  might  be  compared  to  the  earlier  form.  No  one  has 
been  able  to  suggest  an  essential  improvement  in  it;  in  itself,  and 
through  its  outgrowths,  it  dominates  all  later  European  poetry  of  the 
chivalrous  or  '  romantic '  temper.  The  lineaments  of  Beatrice  swim 
before  every  ardent  Christian  lover,  and  Stephen  Phillips  can  still 
write  of  Paolo  and  Francesca. 


xvi  INTRODUCTION 

Why  has  Dante  this  power  and  this  permanence  ?  Partly  because 
he  was  Dante  —  that  is,  a  genius ;  but  also  because,  by  his  own 
avowal,  he  placed  himself  under  the  tutelage  of  Virgil,  and  hence 
of  Homer. 

In  a  measure,  the  same  thing  is  true  of  Boccaccio.  His  long- 
winded  romances  have  not  endured ;  but  the  Decameron,  written 
with  classic  restraint  and  finish,  has  not  only  survived,  but  is  still  a 
model  of  prose.  If  we  meet  with  comparatively  little  of  this  sort  in 
Middle  English,  it  is  because  the  Renaissance  began  to  exert  its 
power  much  earlier  in  Italy  than  in  England,  or  even  in  France. 

But  if  we  may  expect  few  well-rounded  wholes  in  Middle  English 
literature,  we  must  recognize  that  the  poetic  faculty,  released  from 
the  strenuous  and  incessant  task  of  watching  over  the  complete 
organism  at  every  step,  is  the  more  free  to  abandon  itself  at  any 
moment  to  the  full  tide  of  occasional  sentiment  —  comic,  pathetic, 
tender,  or  wistful.  A  piece  otherwise  marred  by  imperfections  may 
thus  have  lovely  or  poignant  bits,  so  irresistible  as  to  suffuse  a  glow 
over  the  composition  as  a  whole,  and  blind  our  eyes  to  the  faults 
which  readily  disclose  themselves  to  reflection.  And  since,  speaking 
broadly,  the  demands  that  we  may  make  upon  Middle  English  liter 
ature  are  restricted  by  considerations  of  form,  it  is  with  peculiar  satis 
faction  that  we  now  and  then  come  upon  a  complete  piece,  as  in 
Chaucer  at  his  best,  that  endures  the  most  searching  trials,  and  yields 
unalloyed  pleasure  at  every  reperusal.  But  such  encounters  in  Chaucer 
cause  a  deeper  regret  that  so  large  a  part  of  his  writing  is  frag 
mentary,  that  his  assignment  of  the  several  Canterbury  tales  to  the 
personages  of  the  pilgrimage  is  not  always  convincing,  and  that  his 
greatest  work,  when  viewed  in  the  light  of  his  own  avowed  plan, 
remains  a  torso. 

To  begin,  and  never  to  end,  or  to  end  only  by  stopping  when 
fatigue  or  caprice  dictates ;  to  project  what  can  never  be  compassed, 
or  what  is  amorphous  in  its  very  conception ;  to  reveal  beauty  only 
in  glimpses,  anon  to  be  swallowed  in  convention  or  dulness  —  this  it 
is  to  belong  to  the  typical  Middle  Age,  oppressed  and  glorified  by  its 
sense  of  the  infinite,  and  seeing  visions  of  starry  brightness  projected 
against  a  background  of  violence  and  fraud,  of  triumphant  injustice 


THE  LITERATURE  xvii 

and  unbearable  oppression.  The  Crusades,  the  Hundred  Years' 
War,  typify  in  the  world  of  action  some  of  the  literary  and  architec 
tural  phenomena  that  we  have  been  attempting  to  describe  —  doomed 
to  be  abortive  from  their  very  nature,  uninspired  in  many,  perhaps 
most,  of  their  particulars,  but  illumined  by  flashes  of  heroism  and  of 
generous  sentiment,  too  fine  to  be  steadily  realized  in  the  even  course 
of  a  workaday  world.  In  this  respect  the  classic  ideal,  both  of  life 
and  art,  is  more  compassable,  because  more  modest.  Horace  accom 
plishes  what  he  undertakes  more  evenly,  more  uniformly,  than  Chau 
cer  —  yet  shall  I  hesitate  to  say  that  some  of  us  prefer  Chaucer  ? 

Whatever  we  may  deny  to  our  Middle  English  authors,  in  certain 
respects  they  are  unrivaled.  The  wistfulness  of  regret  for  vanished 
glories,  the  sympathy  with  an  outcast  and  bereaved  wife,  the  mirthful 
interest  in  the  mimic  manhood  of  the  barnyard,  the  joyous  partici 
pation  in  the  young  life  of  the  Maytime,  the  swift  change  by  which 
the  clowns  and  thieves  of  a  Yorkshire  moorside  are  transported  to 
the  Judean  plains  and  the  presence  of  the  Divine  Child  in  his  sweet 
and  touching  innocence  —  these  things  have  a  perennial  savor,  a 
persistent  appeal,  even  as  the  sorrows  of  Lear,  the  maiden  grace 
of  Miranda,  the  humors  of  Falstaff,  or  the  piteous  pleadings  of 
Desdemona. 


II.    THE  LANGUAGE 
LETTERS 

The  letters  are  the  same  as  in  modern  English  (but  see  below), 
with  the  addition  of  5  (^),  J?  (J>),  and  3  (D).  £  (from  an  old 
manuscript-form  of  g)  is  used  for  modern  English  gh  (often  before 
t)  and  for  y  (at  the  beginning  or  end  of  a  syllable).  J>  (thorn)  and 
<?  (eth,  as  in  weather)  represent  th,  and  are  used  interchangeably  with 
th  and  each  other. 

/  is  represented  in  the  manuscripts  by  i,  and  v  by  u ;  so  that, 
strictly  speaking,  j  and  v  should  be  subtracted  from  the  total  number 
of  letters.  Y  is  very  frequently  used  for  i,  and  the  two  are  virtually 
interchangeable  as  vowels. 

PRONUNCIATION 

There  are  two  possible  ways  of  pronouncing  Middle  English  — 
one  for  quick  understanding,  the  other  for  beauty.  According  to  the 
first,  one  reads  the  text  like  so  much  modern  English,  at  the  same 
time  converting  the  words,  wherever  possible,  into  their  modern  Eng 
lish  forms.  This  answers  sufficiently  well  in  the  case  of  prose,  or 
of  poetry  written  without  much  regard  to  metrical  principles;  but 
it  should  always  be  regarded  as  a  makeshift,  and,  in  the  strict  sense, 
as  unscholarly.  Perhaps  the  aptest  apology  for  it  would  be  found  in 
our  reading  Shakespeare  as  modern  English,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
to  Shakespeare  himself  our  modern  pronunciation  would,  to  a  large 
degree,  have  seemed  unintelligible  or  barbarous. 

The  second  mode  of  pronunciation,  essential  to  the  just  rendering 
of  artistic  verse,  takes  account  of  two  things  —  strict  metre,  and  the 
quite  different  values  of  certain  letters,  especially  the  vowels,  from 
those  of  modern  English.  By  attending  to  these,  much  Middle. 
English  poetry  may  be  made  beautiful  to  the  ear  which  otherwise 


THE  LANGUAGE  xix 

« 

would  sound'  commonplace  or  uncouth ;  and  this  result  is  quite 
worth  the  trouble  involved. 

The  recognition  of  metrical  technique  in  Middle  English  depends 
chiefly  upon  the  pronunciation  of  final  -e  (besides  -es,  etc.,  in  un 
stressed  positions).  As  a  rule,  final  -e  is  always  to  be  regarded  as 
forming  a  separate  syllable  ;  but  before  vowels,  the  commonest  words 
beginning  with  h,  and  occasionally  elsewhere,  it  is  silent.  The  sim 
plest  rule  is  this :  In  verse,  always  pronounce  final  -e  (-es,  etc.) 
where  it  will  conduce  to  the  melody  of  the  line,  but  suppress  it  in 
the  comparatively  rare  instances  where  it  does  not.  Such  -e's  are 
always  to  be  pronounced  like  the  -a  in  era  or  vista.  The  -e  of  -ed, 
-el,  -en,  -er  is  also  to  be  suppressed  when  metre  so  requires. 

Besides  the  final  unstressed  -e,  there  is  also  a  stressed  -e  —  often 
represented  by  -y  in  modern  English ;  thus,  cite  (i.e.  cite*),  city. 

VOWELS 

Short  vowels  are  pronounced  about  as  in  modern  English,  but  a 
nearly  as  ah  (never  like  a  in  hat} ;  o  always  rounded  (produced  with 
rounded  lips  ;  about  like  aw,  but  shorter),  and  never  pronounced  like  a 
in  modern  ah  •  u  as  in  pull,  not  as  in  dull.  From  the  normal  o  is  to 
be  distinguished  an  o  which  is  equivalent  to  u,  and  originally  was  u ; 
it  can  be  known  by  its  always  corresponding  to  the  modern  English  o 
or  u  pronounced  as  u  in  sun :  e.g.  Middle  English  sonne,  sone,  love, 
etc.  (OE.  sunne,  sunu,  lufu,  etc.),  modern  English  sun,  son,  love,  etc. 

Long  vowels  are  never  pronounced  as  in  modern  English,  but 
as  in  the  European  pronunciation  of  Latin,  or  approximately  as  in 
Italian,  French,  or  German,  thus: 

a  as  in  father  o  close  as  in  blow 

e  (ee)  close  as  in  they  o  open  as  in  broad 

e  (ee)  open  as  in  there  u  as  in  rule 
i  as  in  pique 

Close  and  open  e  can  only  be  discriminated  by  the  student  of  Old 
English;  close  o  is  oo  in  modern  English,  open  o  being  o,  oa,  etc. 
The  double  vowels,  ee  and  oo,  merely  indicate  long  e  and  o,  and  are 
never  to  be  pronounced  as  in  modern  English. 


xx  INTRODUCTION 

DIPHTHONGS 

The  diphthongs  ei  and  ui  are  to  be  pronounced  like  the  first  ele 
ment  followed  by  the  second,  and  with  the  first  element  stressed. 
The  remaining  diphthongs  are  thus  pronounced: 

a  i  as  in  ais-le 

au  (aw)  as  in  house  (Ger.  Haus) 

eu  (ew)  as  mfew 

iu  (iw)  as  \nfew 

oi  as  in  boil 

ou  (ow)  as  in  boor,  when  now  pronounced  as  in  out,  cow 

ou  (ow)  as  o  +  u  (nearly  as  <?),  in  all  cases  but  the  preceding 

CONSONANTS 

c  pronounced  as  k  or  s,  under  the  same  circumstances  as  in  modern 

English ;  ci  not  =  sh,  but  =  si  (modern  Eng.  see) 
ch  as  in  modern  English,  except  before  /,  when  it  was  pronounced  like 

the  ch  in  Ger.  ich  after  e,  i,  or  y,  and  like  ch  in  Ger.  auch  after  the 

other  vowels 

g  as  in  gold,  except  occasionally  as  in  gem ;  ght  like  cht  (see  above) 
5  initial  =  y ;  gt  like  cht 

h  final  sometimes  like  the  ch  of  cht :  sih,  purh 
ht  like  cht 

kn  never  like  «,  but  =  k  +  n 
s  like  z  between  vowels,  as  in  modern  English 
sch  like  sh 

si  not  =  sh,  but  =  modern  Eng.  see 
)?,  3  like  th  (both  sounds)  in  modern  English 
tu  not  =  chu :  na-tu-re 
Double  consonants  before  a  vowel  are  always  pronounced  twice :  renne  = 

ren  +  ne ;  thridde  =  thrid  +  de 


THE  LANGUAGE  xxi 

INFLECTION 

NOUNS 

The  genitive  singular  and  the  plural  regularly  end  in  -(e)s  (occa 
sionally  -is,  -us  ;  -(e)z)  ;  the  dative  in  -e,  or  without  ending.  To  such 
irregular  plurals  (identical  with  the  singular)  as  occur  in  the  Modern 
English  sheep,  swine,  etc.,  add  hors.  Certain  original  feminines  like 
lady,  halle,  sonne,  sometimes  retain  the  nominative  form  in  the  geni 
tive  singular  ;  to  these  add  the  nouns  of  relationship,  fader,  brother, 
moder,  etc.,  which,  however,  sometimes  have  -a.  A  few  nouns  of  the 
Old  English  weak  declension  end  in  -n  in  the  plural,  like  been,  bees  ; 
yen,  eyes  (modern  poetic  eyne)  ;  schoon,  shoes  (modern  poetic  shoori), 
and  are  occasionally  followed  by  others  which  more  normally  would 
end  in  -s  (see,  for  example,  Layamon). 

ADJECTIVES 

The  plural  and  the  dative  singular  of  adjectives  ending  in  a  con 
sonant  are  often  formed  by  the  addition  of  -e.  When  the  adjective  is 
preceded  by  the  definite  article,  a  demonstrative,  or  a  possessive,  -e 
is  sometimes  appended  :  the  grete  honour  ;  his  white  baner. 

PRONOUNS 

The  only  forms  which  are  not  fairly  self-explanatory  are  those  of 
the  feminine  personal  pronoun.    The  typical  paradigm  follows  : 
SING.  N.    h(e)o  ;  s(c)ho,  s(c)he 
^•}hir(e),hui(e),  her(e) 
A.    hi(e),  hir(e),  hur(e),  her(e) 


PLUR.  N.    h(i)e  ;  thei,  thai 

G.    her(e),  h(e)or(e)  ;  their(e) 
D. 

A. 


f.  Ll^L\^Jy      *A^\/yVA\Y/    >        ••       *"\~V 

*  jhe(o)m,  hi(o)m;  the(i)m,  tha(i)m 


The  plurals  of  the  personal  pronouns  of  all  genders  are  identical 
with  those  of  the  feminine.  The  genitive  and  dative  singular  of  hit, 
//,  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  masculine  :  his,  him. 


ami  INTRODUCTION 

Of  the  second  person,  yc  is  tmminaiiwy  -  yon,  ywt  dative 


Tbo  and  thOB(e)  are  independent  demonstratives,  each 

•BRBC 

VERBS 

The  normal  rmfcigs  of  the  verb  (disregarding  the  subjunctive)  are 
IXD.  PRES.  SIXG.   i.  -e 

2.-e*t 


PLUR,      -e(m) 

WEAK  VERBS  STRONG  VERBS 

IXD.  PRET.  SIXG.   i.  3.  -(«)de>  -** 

2.  -(e)dMt,  -tert  ^,  — 

PLCR.         -<e>k(BX  -«*<»)  -«(•) 

IMFER.  SDTG.  -e,  — 

PLUR.  -e,  -ett,  — 

INFIX.  -«(n),  —  ;  occaskmaDy,  -IB,  -JB 

PRES.  PART.    -ing(e)  ;  -inde  (eadr,  -and) 

PAST  PART.     -(*¥,  -t  (of  weak  verbs;  ;  -«(BX  -B  (of  strong  verbs; 

The  ind.  pres.  3  sing,  of  a  stem  ending  in  -t  or  -4  is  often  oon- 
densed  to  -t  :  dms,  Bit  =  srtth  (for  modern  sitteth  >. 

The  following  are  the  more  important  irregular  verbs. 
Conjugation  of  be(B),  beo(n),  be. 

ENDICATTVE  SUBJUNCTIVE 

PRES.  SIXG.   i.  be(o)  ;  am,  aeot  ;  neg.  aam  i.  2.  3.  b(e)o,  be,  bi 

2.  be(e)st  ;  Northern  e«,  is,  bese  ; 

art,   ert  j    with   pers.   pron. 
jrtBy  Jiuiw  j  nfg,  BBit 

3.  betB,bee(tk);  is,ys;  Northern 

*«(«),«•;  neg.Bi»,  BTS 

PLUR.      beoCth),  b«(e)kk,  be(oX  M»e)  ;  MB) 

Northern  e«,  is;  «TBd(«a); 
ar(eX  en,  are,  ere 


THE  LANGUAGE  xxiii 

PRET.  SING.   i.  3.  was,  watt ;  neg.  nas  wer(e),  war(e) 

a.  were  wexe 

PLT».          were(n),  ware(it)  were(n) 

IMPER.  SING.          be(o)  Ixnx.  be(n),  bene,  beon 

PLL-R.         be(o)th 
PRES.  PART,  beende,  being(e)       PAST  PART.  (i)be(o)n,  (i)6e(o),  bene 

Conjugation  of  habben,  haye(n),  ^ozr. 

INDICATIVE  SUBJUNCTIVE 

PRES.  SING.       i.  (k)*bbe,  hare  i.  2.  3.  (h)abbe,  haT» 

2.  kafest,      ha(Te)st ;      Northern 

haris,  has(e),  batz ;  with  pers. 
ffff^  kastow 

3.  habbeth,  hareth,  hath ;  North 

ern  haris,  has 

PLUR.          habbeth,    hareth,    hare,    han;  hare(n) 

Northern  haris,  has(e) 

PRET.  SKG.    i.  3.  hafede,  hared(e),  haedde, had(d>     i.  2.  3.  [Like  Ind.   i 
2.  heredest,    haddist ;     Northern  and  3] 

hade 

PLUR.  haefden,  hadde(n),  hareden  [Like  Ind.] 

IMPER.  SING.          ha(f)e,  hare  INFIX.  habben,  haven,  han 

PLUR.         habbeth,  haveth 

PRES.  PART.  haebbende,  hafand,       PAST  PART.  (i)haTed,  (i)hafd, 

having(e)  (i)had 

Conjugation  of  go(n),  ga(n),  go. 

IND.  PRES.  SING.  i.  go,  ga;  2.  goat,  gast,  gest;  3.  goth,  gath; 
Northern  gxth,  gaes;  PLIR.  goth,  gath,  go(n),  ga(n).  PRET. 
eode,  xeode,  yede,  yode,  wente.  PAST  PART.  (i)gan,  (i)go(n), 
went. 

Conjugation  of  cunne(n),  conne(n),  know,  be  able. 

IND,  PRES.  SING.  i.  3.  can(n),  con(n);  2.  canst,  const;  PLUR. 
cunne(n),  conne(n),  cunneth.  PRET.  c(o)uthe,  cowthe,  coude. 
PAST  PART.  c(o)uth. 


xxiv  INTRODUCTION 

Conjugation  of ,  may,  must. 

PRES.  SING.  r.  3.  mot;  2.  most(e);  PLUR.  mote(n).  PRET.  SING. 
i.  3.  most(e);  2.  mostes(t);  PLUR.  moste(n). 

(By  the  early  fifteenth  century,  at  latest,  the  preterit  forms  were  also 
used  as  present.) 

Conjugation  of  mujen,  mowe(n),  be  able,  be  permitted. 

IND.  PRES.  SING.  i.  3.  mai(s),  mey,  may(e);  2.  miht,  maist; 
PLUR.  mase(n),  mawen,  muse,  muwe(n),  mow,  mowe(n).  PRET. 
SING.  i.  3.  mihte,  mo(u)ht(e),  myst;  2.  mihtes(t);  PLUR. 
mihte(n). 

Conjugation  of ,  shall. 

IND.  PRES.  SING.  i.  3.  s(h)al(l),  schal(l);  2.  s(c)halt;  Northern 
sail ;  with  personal  pronoun  shaltow ;  PLUR.  s(c)hul(l)(en), 
sholen.  PRET.  s(c)holde,  s(c)hulde ;  PLUR.  s(c)holden,  s(c)hulden. 

Conjugation  of  willen,  will. 

IND.  PRES.  SING.  i.  3.  wol(e),  wulle,  wil(l)(e);  2.  wolt,  wilt, 
wil(l) ;  with  personal  pronoun  woltow,  wiltu ;  PLUR.  wol(le)n, 
wol(e),  wile(n).  PRET.  wolde;  PLUR.' wolde(n).  PAST  PART. 
wold. 

Conjugation  of  wite(n),  know. 

IND.  PRES.  SING.  i.  3.  wo(o)t;  neg.  not;  2.  wo(o)st;  with  per 
sonal  pronoun  wostow ;  PLUR.  witen.  PRET.  wiste;  PLUR. 
wisten.  PAST  PART.  wist. 

PREPOSITIONS 

Of  is  sometimes  contracted  to  o,  as  in  modern  Eng.  o'clock,  and  on 
to  a,  as  in  aboard  =  on  board. 

The  Northern  til  is  equivalent  to  to. 
Th  is  assimilated  to  t  in  atte  =  at  the. 


THE  LANGUAGE  xxv 

DIALECTS 

The  dialects  are  Northern,  Midland,  and  Southern,  the  first  of 
these  including  also  the  language  of  the  Scottish  Lowlands.  The 
most  important  dialect  with  reference  to  modern  English  is  the  East 
Midland,  in  whose  district  lay  the  two  universities,  and  eventually 

M^,.    |  » 

London.  Examples  of  the  various  dialects  in  this  book  are :  North 
ern  :  Barbour,  The  Bruce  (pp.  238  ff.) ;  Southern :  Layamon,  Brut 
(pp.  219  ff.);  Midland:  The  Bestiary  (pp.  316  ff.). 

Initial  v  for/J  and  z  for  s,  are  marks  of  the  Southern  dialect. 

One  of  the  commoner  marks  of  the  Northern  dialect  is  a  for  o 
in  words  like  bald,  bold ;  gast,  ghost ;  wa,  woe.  Others  are :  initial 
s  for  sh  ;  k  for  ch  (kirk,  church).  The  Northern  dialect  has  also  a 
greater  tendency  to  rid  itself  of  inflectional  endings  and  of  final 
unstressed  -e,  has  the  present  participle  in  -and(e)  (Midland  and 
Southern  -inde,  -ende,  -inge),  and  to  some  extent  has  a  peculiar 
vocabulary. 

For  fuller  information  about  the  dialects,  see  Emerson,  Middle 
English  Reader,  2d  ed.,  New  York,  1915,  and  Skeat,  English 
Dialects,  Cambridge  (Eng.),  1911. 


III.    SOME  USEFUL  BOOKS  FOR  THE  STUDY 
OF  MIDDLE  ENGLISH 

LITERARY  HISTORY 

BALDWIN,  Introduction  to  English  Medieval  Literature,    New  York  and 

London,  1914. 
Cambridge  History  of  English  Literature,  Vols.   i   and  2.    Cambridge 

(Eng.)  and  New  York,  1907,  1908. 
JUSSERAND,  Literary  History  of  the  English  People  (ftotn  the  Origins  to 

the  Renaissance).    New  York  and  London,  1895. 
KER,  English  Literature :  Medieval.    London  and  New  York,  1912. 
MORLEY,  English  Writers,  Vols.  3-5.    2d  ed.    London  and  New  York, 

1889-1890. 
SCHOFIELD,  English  Literature  from  the  Norman  Conquest  to  Chaucer. 

New  York,  1906. 

TEN  BRINK,  Early  English  Literature  (to  Wyclif).    New  York,  1889. 
,  History  of  English  Literature  ( Wyclif,  Chaucer,  Earliest  Drama, 

Renaissance}.    New  York,  1893. 

-,  History  of  English  Literature  (from  the  Fourteenth  Century  to 


the  Death  of  Surrey).    New  York,  1  896. 
See  also  Wells,  under  Bibliographies. 

TRANSLATIONS 

PANCOAST  and  SPAETH,  Early  English  Poems.    New  York,  1911. 
RICKERT,  Early  English  Romances  in  Verse.    2  vols.    London,  1908. 
SHACKFORD,  Legends  and  Satires  from  Mediceval  Literature.   Boston, 


WESTON,  Romance,  Visisn,  and  Satire.    Boston,  1912. 

-  ,  The  Chief  Middle  English  Poets  :  Selected  Poems.    Boston,  1914. 

CHAUCER 

HAMMOND,  Chaucer:  a  Bibliographical  Manual.    New  York,  1908. 
KITTREDGE,  Chaucer  and  his  Poetry.    Cambridge,  1915. 


BOOKS  FOR  THE  STUDY  OF  MIDDLE  ENGLISH    xxvii 

LEGOUIS,  Geoffrey  Chaucer.    New  York,  1911. 

ROOT,  The  Poetry  of  Chaucer.    Boston,  1922. 

TEN  BRINK,  The  Language  and  Versification  of  Chaucer.    London,  1901. 

See  also  Wells,  under  Bibliographies. 

MIRACLE-PLAYS 

BATES,  The  English  Religious  Drama.    New  York  and  London,  1893. 
CHAMBERS,  The  Mediaval  Stage.    2  vols.    London,  1903. 
DAVIDSON,  Studies  in  the  English  Mystery  Plays.    New  Haven,  1892. 
GAYLEY,  Plays  of  our  Forefathers.    New  York,  1907. 
STODDARD,  References  for  Students  of  Miracle  Plays  and  Mysteries. 
Berkeley  (California),  1887. 

GRAMMAR 

EINENKEL,  Streifziige  durch  die  Mittelenglische  Syntax.    Miinster  i.  W., 

1887. 

MORSBACH,  Mittelenglische  Grammatik,  Vol.  I.    Halle,  1896. 
See  also  Ten  Brink,  under  Chaucer. 

PROSODY 

KALUZA,  Short  History  of  English   Versification.     London   and    New 

York,  1911. 

SCHIPPER,  History  of  English  Versification.   Oxford,  1910. 
See  also  Ten  Brink,  under  Chaucer. 

DICTIONARIES 

BRADLEY-STRATMANN,    Old   English    [Middle    English]    Dictionary. 

London,  1891. 
MATZNER,    Altenglische   Sprachproben  :    Worterbuch  :    A — Misbileven. 

Berlin,  1878-1900. 
MURRAY,    New    English    Dictionary:    A — Unforeseeable,    V — Wash, 

X— end.    Oxford,   1888-1921. 

KINDRED  LITERATURES 

EDWARDES,  Summary  of  the  Literatures  of  Modern  Europe.    London, 

1907. 
GASPARY-OELSNER,  History  of  Early  Italian  Literature  to  the  Death  of 

Dante.    London,  1901. 


xxviii  INTRODUCTION 

GROBER,  Grundriss  der  Romanischen  Philologie.   Strassburg,  1888-1902. 
JEANROY,  Les  Origines  de  la  Potsie  Lyrique  en  France  au  Moyen  Age. 

2d  ed.    Paris,  1 904. 

PARIS,  Litttrature  Fran$aise  au  Moyen  Age.   4th  ed.    Paris,  1 909. 
PETIT   DE  JULLEVILLE,  Histoire  de   la   Langue  et  de  la  Litte"rature 

Fran$aise,  Vol.  2.    Paris,  1896. 

GENERAL 

ADAMS,  Mont  St.  Michel  and  Chartres.    Boston,  1913. 

MALE,  L'Art  Religieux  du  XIII'  Siecle  en  France.    2d  ed.    Paris,  1902. 

,  Religious  Art  in  France,  XIII  Century.    London  and  New  York, 

1913.   (Translation  of  the  preceding.) 
,  L'Art  Religieux  de  la  Fin  du  Moyen  Age.    Paris,  1908. 


Oxford  History  of  Music,  Vol.  i.    Oxford,  1901. 

TAYLOR,  The  Mediaval  Mind.  2ded.  2vols.  London  and  New  York,  1914. 

BIBLIOGRAPHIES 

WELLS,  Manual  of  the  Writings  in  Middle  English,  1030-1400.    New 

Haven,  1916.    First  Supplement.    New  Haven,  1919. 
This  virtually  supersedes  all  the  following.     In  addition  to  the  bibli 
ography,  this  work  gives   for   each   item  its  date,   dialect,   manuscripts, 
sources,  etc.,  with  abstracts  of  all  the  longer  pieces. 

BILLINGS,  Guide  to  the  Middle  English  Metrical  Romances  dealing  with 
English  and  Germanic  Legends,  and  with  the  Cycles  of  Charlemagne 
and  Arthur.  New  York,  1901.  (Yale  Studies  in  English,  No.  9.) 

GROSS,  Sources  and  Literature  of  English  History,  from  the  Earliest 
Times  to  about  1483.  London  and  New  York,  1900. 

Jahresbericht  fur  Germanische  Philologie.  Berlin,  Leipzig,  1 879  ff.  (Each 
annual  volume  contains  a  section  on  English.) 

KORTING,  Grundriss  der  Geschichte  der  Englischen  Literatur.  5th  ed. 
Miinster  i.  W.,  1910. 

PAUL,  Grundriss  der  Germanischen  Philologie,  21.  609-718  (index, 
22.  345-484).  Strassburg,  1893. 

WARD,  Catalogue  of  Romances.    3  vols.    London,  1883-1910. 

See  also  Edwardes,  under  Kindred  Literatures;  Hammond,  under  Chau 
cer;  and  Stoddard,  under  Miracle  Plays. 


MIDDLE   ENGLISH   READER 

ROMANCES 

MALORY,  MORTE  DARTHUR 

Sir  Thomas  Malory,  knight,  completed  his  romance,  according  to  his  own 
statement,  between  March  4,  1469  and  March  3,  1470  (the  ninth  year  of 
Edward  IV).  His  home  was  at  Newbold  Revel,  near  Coventry,  and  five  and 
a  half  miles  northwest  of  Rugby,  where  he  succeeded  his  father  in  1433  or 
1434.  He  was  member  of  Parliament  for  Warwickshire  in  1445,  and  died 
March  14,  1470  (according  to  Kittredge,  Harvard  Studies  5.  88  ff.).  His  book 
is  mostly  derived  from  a  variety  of  French  sources,  though  he  occasionally 
adapts  English  poems.  Whether  the  ultimate  French  originals  had  been  di 
gested  into  a  single  work  which  served  as  Malory's  source  has  not  been 
determined.  The  Morte  Darthur  was  published  by  Caxton  in  1485,  and  it  is 
from  Sommer's  literal  reprint  that  our  text  is  derived. 

For  the  characterization  of  this  romance  we  may  borrow  a  few  sentences 
from  Andrew  Lang  (Le  Morte  Darthur,  ed.  Sommer,  pp.  xiv-xxi)  :  '  There 
is  no  more  strange  fortune  in  literature  than  that  which  blended  wild  Celtic 
myths,  and  a  monastic  theory  of  the  saintly  life,  with  all  of  chivalrous  adven 
ture,  with  all  of  courtesy  and  gentleness  that  the  Middle  Ages  could  conceive, 
and  handed  it  on  to  be  the  delight  of  the  changing  ages.  .  .  .  Malory  has 
penned  the  great  and  chief  romance  of  his  own  age  and  of  ours,  the  story 
that  must  endure  and  must  move  the  lacrym<z  rerum  till  man's  nature  is  altered 
again.  .  .  .  The  Celtic  legends,  passed  through  the  French  mind,  and  rendered 
in  Malory's  English,  have,  what  Homer  lacks,  the  charm  of  mystery  and  dis 
tance,  the  background  of  the  unknown.  .  .  .  Malory's  book  is  a  very  complete 
and  composite  picture  of  a  strangely  inherited  ideal ;  it  is,  indeed,  "  a  jumble," 
but,  of  all  jumbles,  the  most  poetic  and  the  most  pathetic.  .  .  .  Malory  is 
skilled  "  to  teach  men  unto  strange  adventures,"  to  instruct  in  all  courage, 
chastity,  endurance,  and  true  love,  nor  can  we  estimate  what  his  influence 
must  have  been  in  training  the  fathers  of  Elizabeth's  Englishmen.  .  .  .  The 
style  of  Malory  is,  of  course,  based  on  the  fresh  and  simple  manner  of  his 
French  originals.  For  an  English  style  of  his  age,  it  is  particularly  fluent  .  .  . 
Perhaps  it  is  just  because  he  does  follow  a  French  copy,  and  so  is  familiar 
with  words  derived  from  the  Latin,  that  Malory  possesses  his  fluency  and 
facility.  .  .  .  The  manner  and  matter  of  Malory  make  him  the  most  generally 
known  of  all  old  authors,  except,  of  course,  the  translators  of  the  Bible.' 

i 


2  ROMANCES 

LANCELOT  AND  ELAINE 

Book  1 8,  chaps.  18-20.  Based  upon  the  French  prose  romance  of  Lancelot 
(first  half  of  the  thirteenth  century),  and  the  fourteenth-century  Morte 
Arthur  contained  in  Harleian  MS.  2252  of  the  British  Museum  (edited  by 
Bruce  for  the  E.  E.  T.  S.;  see  also  Hemingway's  edition,  Boston,  1912) ;  but 
chapter  20  is  almost  wholly  due  to  Malory.  For  details  concerning  the  rela 
tion  of  our  passage  to  the  French  Lancelot,  see  Sommer  3.  10,  222-8,  250; 
for  the  text  of  the  OF.  original,  see  Mort  Artu,  ed.  Bruce,  pp.  74  ff.  For  the 
general  subject  of  Lancelot,  see  Jessie  L.  Weston's  The  Legend  of  Lancelot 
du  Lac  (London,  1901). 

Tennyson's  Lady  of  Shalott  and  Lancelot  and  Elaine  are  founded  on  Malory. 

And  so  upon  a  morne  they  took  their  horses,  and  Elayne  le  Blank 
with  them ;  and  whan  they  came  to  Astolat,  there  were  they  wel 
lodged,  and  had  grete  chere  of  Syre  Bernard  the  old  baron,  and  of 
Sir  Tyrre  his  sone.  And  so  tupon  the  morne,  whan  Syr  Launcelot 

5  shold1  departe,  fayre  Elayne  broujt  her  fader  with  her,  and  Sir 
Lavayne  and  Sir  Tyrre,  and  thus  she  said :  '  My  lord  Syr  Launcelot, 
now  I  see  ye  wylle  departe,  now,  fayre  knyghte  and  curtois  knyghte, 
have  mercy  upon  me,  and  suffer  me  not  to  dye  for  thy  love.'  '  What 
wold  ye  that  I  dyd  ? '  said  Syr  Launcelot.  '  I  wold  have  you  to  my 

10  husbond,'  sayd  Elayne.  '  Fair  damoysel,  I  thanke  yow.'  sayd  Syr 
Launcelot,  '  but  truly,'  sayd  he,  '  I  cast 2  me  never  to  be  wedded 
man.'  '  Thenne,  fair  knyght,'  said  she, '  wylle  ye  be  my  peramour  ? ' 8 
'  Jesu  defende  me,'  said  Syr  Launcelot,  '  for  thenne  I  rewarded 4 
your  fader  and  your  broder  ful  evylle  for  their  grete  goodenes.' 

15  'Alias,'  sayd  she,  'thenne  must  I  dye  for  your  love.'  'Ye  shal  not 
so,'  said  Syre  Launcelot,  '  for  wete 5  ye  wel,  fayr  mayden,  I  myght 
have  ben  maryed  and 6  I  had  wolde,7  but  I  never  applyed  me  to  be 
maryed  yet.  But  by  cause,8  fair  damoysel,  that  ye  love  me  as  ye 
saye  ye  doo,  I  wille,  for  your  good  wylle  and  kyndenes,  shewe  yow 

20  somme  goodenes,  and  that  is  this:  that  w[h]eresomever  ye  wille 
beset'  youre  herte  upon  somme  goode  knyghte  that  wylle  wedde 
yow,  I  shalle  gyve  yow  togyders 10  a  thousand  pound  yerely,  to  yow 

1  was  to,  was  about  to  5  wjt;  know  9  set,  place 

« intend  (NED.  44.  b)  6  if  10  together 

8  paramour,  illicit  lover  1  willed,  wished 

4  should  reward  (subj.)  8  because 


MALORY,  MORTE  DARTHUR          3 

and  to  your  heyres.  Thus  moche  will  I  gyve  yow,  faire  madame,  for 
your  kyndenes,  and  alweyes  whyle  I  lyve  to  be  your  owne  knyghte.' 
'  Of  alle  this,'  saide  the  mayden,  '  I  wille  none,  for,  but-yf *  ye 
wille  wedde  me,  or  ellys  be  my  peramour  at  the  leest,  wete  yow  wel, 
Sir  Launcelot,  my  good  dayes  are  done.'  '  Fair  damoysel/  sayd  Sir  5 
Launcelot,  '  of  these  two  thynges  ye  must  pardonne  me.'  Thenne 
she  shryked2  shyrly,8  and  felle  doune  in  a  swoune;  and  thenne 
wymmen  bare  her  into  her  chamber,  and  there  she  made  overmoche 
sorowe.  And  thenne  Sir  Launcelot  wold  departe ;  and  there  he  asked 
Sir  Lavayn  what  he  wold  doo.  '  What  shold  I  doo,'  said  Syre  Lavayne,  10 
'  but  folowe  yow,  but-yf  ye  dryve  me  from  yow,  or  commaunde  me 
to  goo  from  yow  ? '  .  .  . 

Thenne  Sir  Launcelot  took  his  leve,  and  soo  they  departed,  and 
came  unto  Wynchestre.   And  whan  Arthur  wyste  4  that  Syr  Launcelot 
was  come,  hole6  and  sound,  the  kynge  maade  grete  joye  of  hym,  and  15 
soo  dyd  Sir  Gawayn,  and  all  the  knyjtes  of  the  Round  Table  excepte 
Sir  Agravayn  and  Sire  Mordred.    Also  Quene  Guenever  was  woode 6 
wrothe  with  Sir  Launcelot,  and  wold  by  no  meanes  speke  with  hym, 
but  enstraunged 7  herself  from  hym,  and  Sir  Launcelot  made  alle  the 
meanes  that  he  myght  for  to  speke  with  the  quene,  but  hit  wolde  20 
not  be. 

Now  speke  we  of  the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat,  that  made  suche 
sorowe  daye  and  nyght  that  she  never  slepte,  etc,  nor  drank;  and 
ever  she  made  her  complaynt  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  So  when  she  had 
thus  endured  a  ten  dayes,  that  she  febled  so8  that  she  must  nedes  25 
passe  out  of  thys  world,  thenne  she  shryved 9  her  clene,  and  receyved 
her  Creatoure.10  And  ever  she  complayned  stylle  upon  Sire  Launcelot. 
Thenne  her  ghoostly  u  fader  bad  her  leve  suche  thoughtes.  Thenne 
she  sayd :  '  Why  shold  I  leve  suche  thoughtes  ?  Am  I  not  an  erthely 
woman  ?  And  alle  the  whyle  the  brethe  is  in  my  body  I  may  com-  30 
playne  me,  for  my  byleve  is  I  doo  none  offence  though  I  love  an 
erthely  man,  and  I  take  God  to  my  record  I  loved  none  but  Sir 
Launcelot  du  Lake,  nor  never  shall ;  and  a  clene  mayden  I  am  for 

1  unless  5  This  is  direct  from  OE.  hal         9  confessed  and  received  absolution 

2  shrieked        6  mad(ly)  w  the  sacrament 
8  shrilly             "  estranged  U  spiritual 

4  knew  8  grew  so  weak 


4  ROMANCES 

hym  and  for  alle  other.  And  sythen *  hit  is  the  sufferaunce 2  of  God 
that  I  shalle  dye  for  the  love  of  soo  noble  a  knyghte,  I  byseche  the 
hyghe  Fader  of  heven  to  have  mercy  upon  my  sowle,  and  [that]  myn 
innumerable  paynes  that  I  suffred  may  be  allygeaunce8  of  parte  of 

5  my  synnes.  For  swete  Lord  Jesu,'  sayd  the  fayre  mayden,  '  I  take 
the  to  record,  on  the 4  I  was  never  grete  offenser  ageynst  thy  lawes, 
but  that  I  loved  this  noble  knyght  Sire  Launcelot  out  of  mesure,  and 
of  myself,  good  Lord,  I  myght  not  withstande  the  fervent  love  wher- 
for 6 1  have  my  dethe.'  And  thenne  she  called  her  fader  Sire  Bernard, 

10  and  her  broder  Sir  Tyrre,  and  hertely  she  praid  her  fader  that  her 
broder  myght  wryte  a  letter  lyke  as  she  did  endyte  hit ;  and  so  her 
fader  graunted  her.  And  whan  the  letter  was  wryten  word  by  word 
lyke  as  she  devysed,  thenne  she  prayd  her  fader  that  she  myght  be 
watched  untyl  she  were  dede.  '  And  whyle  my  body  is  hote,6  lete  this 

15  letter  be  putt  in  my  ryght  hand,  and  my  hande  bounde  fast  with  the 
letter  untyl  that  I  be  cold,  and  lete  me  be  putte  in  a  fayre  bedde,  with 
alle  the  rychest  clothes  that  I  have  aboute  me,  and  so  lete  my  bedde 
and  alle  my  rychest  clothes  be  laide  with  me  in  a  charyot  unto  the 
next  place  where  Temse 7  is,  and  there  lete  me  be  putte  within  a 

20  barget,8  and  but  one  man  with  me,  suche  as  ye  trust  to  stere  me 
thyder,  and  that  my  barget  be  covered  with  blak  samyte,9  over  and 
over.  Thus,  fader,  I  byseche  yow,  lete  hit  be  done.'  Soo  her  fader 
graunted  hit  her  feythfully,  alle  thynge  shold  be  done  lyke  as  she  had 
devysed.  Thenne  her  fader  and  her  broder  made  grete  dole,10  for, 

25  when  this  was  done,  anone11  she  dyed.  And  soo  whan  she  was  dede, 
the  corps,  and  the  bedde,  alle  was  ledde  the  next  way  unto  Temse, 
and  there  a  man,  and  the  corps,  and  alle,  were  put  into  Temse,  and 
soo  the  man  sty  red11  the  barget  unto  Westmynster,  and  there  he 
rowed  a  grete  whyle  to  and  fro  or18  ony  aspyed  hit. 

30  Soo  by  fortune  Kynge  Arthur  and  the  Quene  Guenever  were  spek- 
ynge  togyders  at  a  wyndowe ;  and  soo  as  they  loked  into  Temse,  they 
aspyed  this  blak  barget,  and  hadde  merveylle  what  it  mente.  Thenne 

1  since  (<  sithens,  6  because  of  which  w  lamentation 

sithence)  6  hot,  warm  H  immediately  (in  one, 

2  permission  7  Thames  i.e.  minute) 

3  alleviation  8  barge  ^  steered 

4  toward  thee  »  samite,  rich  silk  <- -••'••          M  ere,  before- 


MALORY,  MORTE  DARTHUR          5 

the  kynge  called  Sire  Kay,  and  shewed  hit  hym.    '  Sir,'  said  Sir  Kay, 
'  wete  you  wel  there  is  some  newe  tydynges.'   '  Goo  thyder,'  sayd  the 
kynge  to  Sir  Kay, '  and  take  with  yow  Sire  Brandyles  and  Agravayne, 
and  brynge  me  redy  word  what  is  there.'  Thenne  these  four  knyghtes 
departed,  and  came  to  the  barget,  and  wente  in ;  and  there  they  fond   5 
the  fayrest  corps  lyenge  in  a  ryche  bedde,  and  a  poure  man  sittyng 
in  the  bargets  ende,  and  no  word  wold  he  speke.    Soo  these  foure 
knyghtes  retorned  unto  the  kyng  ageyne,  and  told  hym  what  they 
fond.  '  That  fayr  corps  wylle  I  see,'  sayd  the  kynge.   And  soo  thenne 
the  kyng  took  the  quene  by  the  hand,  and  went  thydder.    Thenne  the  10 
kynge  made  the  barget  to  be  holden  fast ;  and  thenne  the  kyng  and 
pe  quene  entred,  with  certayn  knyjtes  wyth  them.  And  there  he  sawe 
the  fayrest  woman  lye  in  a  ryche  bedde,  coverd  unto  her  myddel  with 
many  ryche  clothes,  and  alle  was  of  clothe  of  gold,  and  she  lay  as 
though  she  had  smyled.    Thenne  the  quene  aspyed  a  letter  in  her  15 
ryght  hand,  and  told  it  to  the  kynge.    Thenne  the  kynge  took  it,  and 
sayd :  '  Now  am  I  sure  this  letter  wille  telle  what  she  was,  and  why 
she  is  come  hydder.'    Soo  thenne  the  kynge  and  the  quene  wente 
oute  of  the  barget,  and  soo  commaunded  a  certayne l  wayte  upon  the 
barget.    And  soo  whan  the  kynge  was  come  within  his  chamber,  he  20 
called  many  knyghtes  aboute  hym,  and  saide  that  he  wold  wete  openly 
what  was  wryten  within  that  letter.    Thenne  the  kynge  brake  it,  and 
made  a  clerke  2  to  rede  hit ;  and  this  was  the  entente 8  of  the  letter : 
'  Moost  noble  knyghte,  Sir  Launcelot,  now  hath  dethe  made  us  two 
at  debate  for  your  love ;  I  was  your  lover,  that  men  called  the  fayre  25 
mayden  of  Astolat ;  therfor  unto  alle  ladyes  I  make  my  mone ;  yet 
praye  for  my  soule,  and  bery  me  atte  leest,  and  offre  ye  my  masse- 
peny.4   This  is  my  last  request.    And  a  clene  mayden  I  dyed,  I  take 
God  to  wytnes.  Pray  for  my  soule,  Sir  Launcelot,  as  thou  art  pierles.6' 
This  was  alle  the  substance  in  the  letter.   And  whan  it  was  redde,  the  30 
kyng,  the  quene,  and  alle  the  knyghtes  wepte  for  pyte  of  the  doleful 
complayntes.    Thenne  was  Sire  Launcelot  sente  for.    And  whan  he 
was  come,  Kynge  Arthur  made  the  letter  to  be  redde  to  hym ;  and 
whanne  Sire  Launcelot  herd  hit  word  by  word,  he  sayd :  '  My  lord 

1  certain  person  (or  persons)  8  meaning,  substance  6  peerless 

2  learned  man,  scholar  (Lat.  clericus)  *  funeral  dues 


6  ROMANCES 

Arthur,  wete  ye  wel  I  am  ryghte  hevy1  of  the  dethe  of  this  fair 
damoysel.  God  knoweth  I  was  never  causer  of  her  dethe  by  my 
wyllynge,  and  that  wille  I  reporte  me2  to  her  own  broder;  here  he 
is,  Sir  Lavayne.  I  wille  not  saye  nay,'  sayd  Syre  Launcelot,  '  but  that 

5  she  was  bothe  fayre  and  good,  and  moche  I  was  beholden  unto  her ; 
but  she  loved  me  out  of  mesure.'  '  Ye  myght  have  shewed  her,'  sayd 
the  quene, '  somme  bounte  and  gentilnes,  that  myghte  have  preserved 
her  lyf.'  '  Madame,'  sayd  Sir  Launcelot,  '  she  wold  none  other  wayes 
be  ansuerd,  but  that  she  wold  be  my  wyf ,  outher 8  els  my  peramour, 

10  and  of  these  two  I  wold  not  graunte  her ;  but  I  proferd  her,  for  her 
good  love  that  she  shewed  me,  a  thousand  pound  yerly  to  her  and  to 
her  heyres,  and  to4  wedde  ony  manere  knyghte5  that  she  coude  fynde 
best  to  love  in  her  herte.  For,  madame,'  said  Sir  Launcelot,  '  I  love 
not  to  be  constrayned  to  love ;  for  love  muste  aryse  of  the  herte,  and 

15  not  by  no  constraynte.'    'That  is  trouth,'  sayd  the  kynge,  and  many 

'  knyghtes ;  '  love  is  free  in  hymselfe,  and  never  wille  be  bounden,  for 

where  he  is  bounden  he  looseth  hymself.'    Thenne  sayd  the  kynge 

unto  Sire  Launcelot :  '  Hit  wyl  be  your  worshyp 6  that  ye  oversee 7 

that  she  be  entered 8  worshypfully.'  '  Sire,'  sayd  Sire  Launcelot,  '  that 

20  shalle  be  done  as  I  can  best  devyse.'   And  soo  many  knyghtes  yede9 

'  thyder  to  behold  that  fayr  mayden.    And  soo  upon  the  morne  she 

was  entered  rychely,  and  Sir  Launcelot  offryd  her  masse-peny,  and 

all  the  knyjtes  of  the  Table  Round  that  were  there  at  that  tyme  offryd 

with  Syr  Launcelot.    And  thenne  the  povre  man  wente  ageyne  with 

25  the  barget.  Thenne  the  quene  sente  for  Syr  Launcelot,  and  prayd 
hym  of  mercy,10  for  why  u  that  she  had  ben  wrothe  with  hym  causeles. 
'  This  is  not  the  fyrste  tyme,'  said  Sir  Launcelot,  '  that  ye  have  ben 
displeasyd  with  me  causeles ;  but,  madame,  ever  I  must  suffre  yow, 
but  what  sorowe  I  endure  I  take  no  force.' 12 

1  sorrowful  6  to  your  credit  10  besought  his  pardon 

2  refer  (by  way  of  appeal)  7  provide  n  because 

8  or  8  interred  12 1  do  not  mind 

4  that  she  might  9  went 

6  of  knight  (for  an  explanation  see  NED.  s.v.  kin,  6.b) 


MALORY,  MORTE  DARTHUR  7 

TRISTRAM  AND  ISOLDE:    THE  LOVE-DRINK 

Book  8,  chaps.  23,  24.  Based  upon  the  O.F.  thirteenth-century  romance 
of  Tristan,  '  which  has  been  printed  oftener  than  any  other  romance ' ;  see 
Sommer  3.  9,  286. 

Thenne  Kynge  Anguysshe  and  Syre  Tristram  toke  theire  leve,  ande 
sailed  into  Irland  with  grete  noblesse1  and  joye.  Soo  whanne  they 
were  in  Irland,  the  kynge  lete2  make  it  knowen8  thoroute  alle  the 
land,  how  and  in  what  manere  Syre  Trystram  had  done  for  hym. 
Thenne  the  quene  and  alle  that  there  were  made  the  moost  of  hym  5 
that  they  myghte.  But  the  joye  that  La  Beale  Isoud  made  of  Syr 
Tristram  there  myghte  no  tonge  telle,  for  of  alle  men  erthely  she 
loved  hym  moost. 

Thenne,  upon  a  daye,  Kynge  Anguysshe  asked  Syr  Tristram  why 
he  asked  not  his  bone,4  for  whatsomever  he  had  promysed  hym  he  10 
shold  have  hit  withoute  fayle.  '  Syre,'  sayd  Sire  Trystram, '  now  is  hit 
tyme ;  this  is  alle  that  I  wylle  desyre,  that  ye  wylle  gyve  me  La  Beale 
Isoud  youre  doughter,  not  for  myself,  but  for  myn  unkel  Kynge 
Marke,  that  shalle  have  her  to  wyf,  for  soo  have  I  promysed  hym.' 
'  Alias,'  said  the  kynge,  '  I  had  lever5  than  alle  the  land  that  I  have  15 
ye  wold  wedde  her  youreself.'  '  Syre,  and  I  dyd,  than  I  were  shamed 
for  ever  in  this  world,  and  fals  of  my  promyse.  Therefore,'  said  Sire 
Trystram,  '  I  praye  you  hold  your  promyse  that  ye  promysed  me,  for 
this  is  my  desyre,  that  ye  wylle  gyve  me  La  Beale  Isoud  to  goo  with 
me  into  Cornewaile,  for  to  be  wedded  to  Kynge  Marke,  myn  unkel.'  20 
'  As  for  that,'  sayd  Kynge  Anguysshe,  '  ye  shalle  have  her  with  you, 
to  doo  with  her  what  it  please  you,  that  is  for  to  saye  yf  that  ye  lyst 6 
to  wedde  her  yourself,  that  is  me  levest 7 ;  and  yf  ye  wille  gyve  her 
unto  Kynge  Marke,  youre  unkel,  that  is  in  youre  choyse.' 

Soo  to  make  short  conclusion,  La  Beale  Isoud  was  made  redy  to  25 
goo  with  Syre  Trystram,  and  Dame  Bragwayne  wente  with  her  for 
her  chyef  gentylwoman,  with  many  other.   Thenne  the  quene,  Isouds 
moder,  gaf  to  her  and  Dame  Bragwayne,  her  doughters  gentilwoman, 

1  pomp  4  boon  6  wish 

2  let  6  rather  7  most  pleasing 

3  caused  it  to  be  made  known 


8  ROMANCES 

and  unto  Governaile,  a  drynke,  and  charged  them  that  what  day  Kynge 
Marke  shold  wedde,  that  same  daye  they  shold  gyve  hym  that  drynke, 
soo  that  Kynge  Marke  shold  drynke  to  La  Beale  Isoud ;  '  and  thenne,' 
said  the  quene,  '  I  undertake  eyther  shalle  love  other  the  dayes  of 

5  their  lyf.'  Soo  this  drynke  was  yeven  unto  Dame  Bragwayne  and 
unto  Governaile.  And  thenne  anone  Syre  Trystram  tooke  the  see 
and  La  Beale  Isoud ;  and  whan  they  were  in  theire  caban,  hit  happed 
soo  that  they  were  thursty,  and  they  sawe  a  lytyl  flacke[t] *  of  gold 
stande  by  them,  and  hit  semed  by  the  coloure  and  the  taste  that  it 

10  was  noble  wyn.  Thenne  Sire  Trystram  toke  the  flacke[t]  in  his  hand, 
and  sayd  :  '  Madame  Isoud,  here  is  the  best  drynke  that  ever  ye  drank, 
that  Dame  Bragwayne  youre  mayden,  and  Governayle  my  servaunt, 
have  kepte  for  themself.'  Thenne  they  lough  and  made  good  chere, 
and  eyther  dranke  to  other  frely,  and  they  thoughte  never  drynke 

15  that  ever  they  dranke  to  other  was  soo  swete  nor  soo  good.  But  by 
that 2  theyr  drynke  was  in  their  bodyes,  they  loved  eyther  other  so 
wel  that  never  theyr  love  departed,  for  wele  neyther8  for  wo.  And 
thus  it  happed  the  love  fyrste  betwixe  Sire  Tristram  and  La  Beale 
Isoud,  the  whiche  love  never  departed  the  dayes  of  their  lyf. 


THE  QUEST  OF  THE  HOLY  GRAIL:  THE  VOW 

Book  13,  chaps.  6-7.  This  comes  from  La  Queste  del  Saint  Graal  (edited  by 
Furnivall  for  the  Roxburghe  Club,  London,  1864) ;  see  Sommer  3.  206,  209,  210. 

With  the  second  and  third  paragraphs  of  this  extract  may  be  compared 
Tennyson,  Holy  Grail  182  ff.,  314  ff. 

20  '  Now,'  sayd  the  kyng,  '  I  am  sure  at  this  quest  of  the  Sancgreal 
shalle  alle  ye  of  the  Table  Rounde  departe,  and  never  shalle  I  see  yow 
ageyne  hole  togyders ;  therfor  I  wille  see  yow  alle  hole  togyders  in 
the  medowe  of  Camelot,  to  juste  and  to  torneye,  that  after  your  dethe 
men  maye  speke  of  hit,  that  suche  good  knyghtes  were  holy  4  togyders 

25  suche  a  day.'  As  unto  that  counceyll,  and  at  the  kynges  request,  they 
accorded  alle,  and  toke  on  their  harneis 6  that  longed 6  unto  justynge. 

1  flask  8  nor  6  armor 

2  by  the  time  *  wholly  6  belonged 


MALORY,  MORTE  DARTHUR          9 

But  alle  this  mevynge l  of  the  kyng  was  for  this  entent,  for  to  see 
Galahalt  preved,2  for  the  kynge  demed8  he  shold  not  lyghtly4  come 
ageyne  unto  the  courte  after  his  departynge.  So  were  they  assembled 
in  the  medowe,  bothe  more  and  lasse.6  Thenne  Syr  Galahalt,  by  the 
prayer  of  the  kynge  and  the  quene,  dyd  upon  hym  a  noble  jesseraunce,  5 
and  also  he  dyd  on 6  hys  helme,  but  shelde  wold  he  take  none  for  no 
prayer  of  the  kyng.  And  thenne  Sir  Gawayne  and  other  knyghtes 
praid  hym  to  take  a  spere.  Ryghte  soo  he  dyd ;  and  the  quene  was 
in  a  toure  with  alle  her  ladyes  for  to  behold  that  turnement.  Thenne 
Sir  Galahalt  dressid  hym7  in  myddes8  of  the  medowe,  and  began  to  10 
breke  speres  merveyllously,  that  all  men  had  wonder  of  hym,  for  he 
there  surmounted  9  alle  other  knyjtes,  for  within  a  whyle  he  had  de- 
fouled10  many  good  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round  sauf11  tweyne, 
that  was  Syr  Launcelot  and  Sire  Percyvale. 

Thenne  the  kyng,  at  the  quenes  request,  made  hym  to  alyghte  and  1 5 
to  unlace  his  helme,  that  the  quene  myjt  see  hym  in  the  vysage. 
Whanne  she  beheld  hym,  she  sayd :  '  Sothely,12  I  dar  wel  say  that 
Sir  Launcelot  begat  hym,  for  never  two  men  resembled  more  in 
lykenes,  therfor  it  nys  no  merveyle  though  he  be  of  grete  prowesse.' 
So  a  lady  that  stode  by  the  quene  said  :  '  Madame,  for  Goddes  sake,  20 
oughte  he  of  ryghte  to  be  so  good  a  knyghte  ? '    '  Ye,18  forsothe,' 
said  the  quene,  '  for  he  is  of  alle  partyes 14  come  of  the  best  knyghtes 
of  the  world,  and  of  the  hyhest  lygnage 15 ;  for  Sir  Launcelot  is  come 
but  of  the  eighth  degre  from  oure  Lord  Jesu  Cryst,  and  Syre  Galahalt 
is  of  the  nynthe  degree  from  oure  Lord  Jesu  Cryst;  therfor  I  dar  saye  25 
they  be  the  grettest  gentilmen  of  the  world.'   And  thenne  the  kynge 

1  suggestion  (moving)  6  put  on ;  cf.  undo  U  save,  except 

2  proved,  tried  '>  made  ready  12  in  truth 
8  supposed                                s  the  midst  13  yea 

•»  readily  9  surpassed  M  in  all  respects 

5  less  10  trodden  down,  overthrown  15  lineage 

5.  jesseraunce:  more  correctly,  jazeran t,  a  word  of  Saracenic  origin  (found 
in  the  name  Algiers),  occurring  in  OF.  in  the  Chanson  de  Roland ';  it  signifies 
(NED.) :  '  A  light  coat  of  armor,  composed  of  splints  or  small  plates  of  metal 
riveted  to  each  other,  or  to  a  lining  of  some  stout  material.'  Scott  (Quentin 
Durward)  calls  it  a  '  flexible  shirt  of  linked  mail.' 

24.  Cryst:  'the  first  true  gentleman  that  ever  breathed'  (Dekker).  The 
sentence,  from  '  for  Sir  Launcelot '  to  '  world,'  is  original  with  Malory. 


10  ROMANCES 

and  al  estates l  wente  home  unto  Camelot,  and  soo  wente  to  evensonge 
to  the  grete  mynster.  And  soo  after  upon  that  to  souper,  and  every 
knyjt  sette  in  his  owne  place  as  they  were  toforehand.  Thenne  anone 
they  herd  crakynge  and  cryenge  of  thonder,  that  hem  thought  the 

5  place  shold  alle  todryve.2  In  the  myddes  of  this  blast  entred  a  sonne- 
beaume  more  clerer  by  seven  tymes  than  ever  they  sawe  daye,  and  al 
they  were  alyghted  of  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghoost.  Thenne  beganne 
every  knyghte  to  behold  other,  and  eyther  sawe  other  by  theire  semynge 
fayrer  than  ever  they  sawe  afore.  Not  for  thenne3  there  was  no  knyght 

10  myghte  speke  one  word  a  grete  whyle,  and  soo  they  loked  every  man 
[o]n  other,  as  they  had  ben  dome.4  Thenne  ther  entred  into  the  halle 
the  Holy  Graile,  coverd  with  whyte  samyte,  but  ther  was  none  myghte 
see  hit,  nor  who  bare  hit.  And  there  was  al  the  halle  fulfylled 5  with 
good  odoures,  and  every  knyjt  had  suche  metes  and  drynkes  as  he 

15  best  loved  in  this  world.  And  whan  the  Holy  Grayle  had  be6  borne 
thurgh  the  halle,  thenne  the  holy  vessel  departed  sodenly,  that  they 
wyste  not  where  hit  becam.7  Thenne  had  they  alle  brethe  to  speke. 
And  thenne  the  kynge  y elded 8  thankynges  to  God  of  his  good  grace 
that  he  had  sente  them.  '  Certes,'  said  the  kynge,  '  we  oughte  to 

20  thanke  oure  Lord  Jesu  gretely,  for  that  he  hath  shewed  us  this  daye, 
atte  reverence  of  this  hyhe  feest  of  Pentecost.'  '  Now,'  said  Sir  Gawayn, 
'  we  have  ben  served  this  daye  of  what  metes  and  drynkes  we  thoughte 
on,  but  one  thynge  begyled  us  —  we  myght  not  see  the  Holy  Grayle, 
it  was  soo  precyously  coverd ;  wherf or  I  wil  make  here  avowe 9  that 

25  to-morne,10  withoute  lenger11  abydyng,12  I  shall  laboure  in  the  quest 
of  the  Sancgreal,  that  I  shalle  hold  me  oute  a  twelvemoneth  and  a 
day,  or  more  yf  nede  be,  and  never  shalle  I  retorne  ageyne  unto  the 
courte  tyl  I  have  sene  hit  more  openly  than  hit  hath  ben  sene  here ; 
and  yf  I  may  not  spede,18  I  shall  retorne  ageyne,  as  he  that  maye  not 

30  be  ageynst  the  wil  of  our  Lord  Jesu  Cryste.'  Whan  they  of  the 
Table  Round  herde  Syr  Gawayne  saye  so,  they  arose  up  the  most 
party,14  and  maade  suche  avowes  as  Sire  Gawayne  had. made. 

1  ranks,  degrees  6  been  ll  longer 

2  burst  asunder  7  went  12  delay 

3  nevertheless  8  gave  M  succeed 

*  dumb  9  vow  1*  most  part,  greater  number 

6  filled  10  to-morrow 


KING  HORN  II 

Anone  as  Kynge  Arthur  herd  this,  he  was  gretely  dyspleasyd,  for 
he  wyste  wel  they  myghte  not  ageynesaye 1  theyre  avowes.  '  Alias ! ' 
said  Kynge  Arthur  unto  Sir  Gawayn, '  ye  have  nyghe  slayne  me  with 
the  avowe  and  promesse  that  ye  have  made.  For  thurgh  yow  ye  have 
beraf te  2  me  the  f ayrest  felauship  and  the  truest  of  knyghthode  that  5 
ever  were  sene  togyders  in  ony  realme  of  the  world.  For  whanne 
they  departe  from  hens,  I  am  sure  they  alle  shalle  never  mete  more 
in  thys  world,  for  they  shalle  dye  many  in  the  quest.  And  soo  it 
forthynketh8  me  a  lytel,  for  I  have  loved  them  as  wel  as  my  lyf.' 

KING  HORN 

The  romance  probably  antedates  1250;  the  Cambridge  manuscript  (1530 
lines),  here  followed,  may  be  dated  about  1310.  The  best  edition  is  by  Joseph 
Hall  (Oxford,  1901). 

The  story  is  of  a  prince,  who,  set  adrift  by  conquering  Saracens,  lands  in 
Westernesse,  is  loved  by  the  king's  daughter  of  that  country,  is  banished  when 
his  love  is  discovered,  returns  in  time  to  save  her  from  another  marriage,  wins 
her  for  himself,  and  finally  becomes  king  of  his  native  land. 

According  to  Hall  (pp.  liii-lvi) :  '  King  Horn  is  essentially  English,  a  plain 
impersonal  tale,  picturing  a  simple  state  of  society,  and  full  of  primitive 
touches  centuries  older  than  its  language,  written  in  a  metre  which  is  a  natural 
development  of  Old  English  prosody. . . .  [The]  poem,  as  we  have  it,  is  a  story 

!of  the  Danish  raids  on  the  south  coast  of  England.  It  is,  in  the  main,  Teutonic 
in  spirit  and  details  :  the  names  of  the  persons  and  places  are  mostly  Teutonic, 
or  assimilated  to  Teutonic  forms.  .  .  .  Rimenhild  and  Aylmar,  and  his  court 
on  the  banks  of  the  Dorsetshire  Stour,  are  English  additions  to  the  original 
story,  and  the  real  Westernesse  is  Ireland.  Then  all  the  localities  and  surround 
ings  are  Celtic.  Murry  ...  is  king  of  Suddene,  the  country  of  the  Southern 
Damnonii,  that  is,  of  Cornwall.  .  .  .  The  banished  Horn  finds  shelter  at  the 
court  of  an  Irish  king ;  with  Irish  troops,  and  accompanied  by  an  Irish  page, 
he  recovers  his  father's  kingdom.  His  rival  is  a  Breton  prince,  Modi,  king  of 
Renns.  These  indications  point  to  the  conclusion  that  the  story  is  originally 
'a  British  tradition,  arising  out  of  some  temporary  success  in  which  the  Cornish, 

i  aided  by  the  Irish,  checked  the  westward  progress  of  the  English  invader.  It 
was  annexed  by  some  English  poet,  and  recast  to  suit  the  similar  position  of 
his  countrymen  resisting  the  attacks  of  the  Danes.  Finally,  it  emerged  at  a 
much  later  date  in  the  shape  of  the  extant  versions,  under  the  impulse  of  the 
rising  spirit  of  the  English  people  recovering  from  the  Norman  Conquest, 
i  which  found  its  peculiar  literary  expression  in  a  whole  cycle  of  outlaw  and 
exile  stories  in  verse  and  prose. 

1  retract,  break  2  bereft,  deprived  (with  two  accusatives)  8  grieves 


12  ROMANCES 

'  The  literary  interest  of  A'ing  Horn  may  be  characterized  in  few  words.  It 
is  probably  the  earliest  of  the  English  romances,  but  as  a  specimen  of  the 
purely  narrative  sort  it  has  great  merit.  In  swift  succession  of  brief  and 
incisive  speeches  it  tells  a  simple  story  effectively,  without  distraction  of  elab 
orate  description  or  reflective  comment.  But  the  characters  are  very  simply 
conceived,  the  female  element  is  slight,  and  lovemaking  is  quite  subordinate 
to  fighting.  Although  picturesque  and  even  poetic  situations,  such  as  Horn's 
farewell  to  his  boat,  are  not  wanting,  the  language  is  bald  and  unimaginative. 

1A  certain  epic  simplicity  and  energetic  directness  of  expression,  to  which  the 
short  verse  lends  itself,  are  the  main  merits  of  its  style.' 

Our  extract  runs  from  line  445  to  line  586.  The  earlier  course  of  the  story 
is  as  follows :  Saracens  kill  King  Murry  of  Suddene,  and  set  adrift  the  young 
prince,  Horn,  and  his  companions.  The  latter  are  carried  over  the  water  to 
Westernesse,  where  King  Aylmar  receives  them  kindly,  and  bids  the  steward 
Athelbrus  teach  Horn  the  arts  of  harping  and  song,  and  train  him  to  serve  the 
wine  and  carve  at  table.  Horn  is  soon  loved  by  all  the  court,  but  especially  by 
the  king's  daughter,  Rymenhild.  She  bids  the  steward  bring  him  to  her  charri- 
ber,  but  Athelbrus,  in  dread  of  the  king's  anger,  brings  instead  Horn's  com 
panion,  Athulf.  To  Athulf  she  gives  her  love,  supposing  him  to  be  Horn,  but 
Athulf  finally  explains  the  mistake,  and  she  upbraids  the  steward.  Athelbrus 
again  promises  to  bring  Horn,  and  this  time  really  does  so.  Rymenhild  de 
clares  her  love  to  Horn,  and  offers  to  marry  him.  He  gently  declines,  on  the 
ground  that  he  is  unworthy  by  birth  for  the  honor,  whereupon  she  swoons. 
Horn  is  moved  by  her  grief,  and  suggests  that  marriage  might  be  possible  if 
he  were  a  knight. 

Rymenhild,  }>at  swete  bing, 
Wakede  of  hire  swooning.1 
'  Horn,'  qua)> 2  heo,8 '  wel 4  sone  6 
J>at  schal  beon  *  idone 7 : 
J>u  schalt  beo 8  dubbed  knijt 
Are 9  come  seve 10  nijt. 
Have  her  u  )>is  cuppe, 
And  ]>\s  ryng  peruppe 12 
To  Aylbrus  )>e 18  stuard, 
And  se 14  he  holde  foreward.™ 

1  swoon  6  be  H  here 

*  quoth,  said  1  done  (OE.geddn)  «  thereupon,  in  addition 

*  she  »  be  »  MS.  & 

*  very :  MS.  vel  » before  "  see  (that) 

6  soon  i"  seven  1*  keep  his  promise 

7.  Have:  the  Harleian  and  Laud  MSS.  have  here  a  word  for  'take.' 


KING  HORN  13 

Seie l  Ihc  him  biseche 

Wi|>  loveliche 2  speche 

f>at  he  adun 8  falle 

Bifore  |>e  king  in  halle, 

And  bidde  |>e  king  arijte  *  5 

Dubbe  )>e  to  kniyte. 

VVij)  selver  and  wi|>  golde 

Hit  wurj> 8  him  wel  ijolde.* 

Crist  him  lene 7  spede 8 

J>in  erende9  to  bede.'10  10 

Horn  tok  his  leve, 
For  hit  was  nej  n  eve. 
Abelbrus  he  sojte, 
And  jaf ia  him  |>at 18  he  brojte, 

And  tolde  him  f  ul  jare  w  1 5 

Hu  18  he  hadde  if  are,1* 
And  sede 17  him  his  nede, 
And  bihet 18  him  his  mede.19 

A]>elbrus  also  swibe  w 

Wente  to  halle  blive.21  *« 

'  Kyng,'  he  sede,  '  Jm  leste  M 
A  tale  mid  |>e  beste ; 
J>u  schalt  bere  crime  M 
To-moreye  M  in  bis  tune  M ; 

To-moreye  is  )>i  feste  ** ;  2S 

)?er  ^  bihoveb  a8  geste.® 
Hit  nere 80  noyt  forloren 81 
For  to  kniyti8*  Child88  Horn, 

l  say  w  gave  38  crown 

*  loving,  affectionate  «  that  which,  what          «  OE.  a  morgt* 

*  down  M  readily,  quickly  .  **  town 
«  as  is  right  16  how  *•  feast 

6  shall  be  i«  fared  (QK.gtfartn)     37  for  this 

•  requited  w  said,  told  '•»  is  fitting 

I  grant  l*  promised  39  entertainment,  conspicuous  act 
8  success  19  reward  *°  would  not  be 

•  mission  *>  as  fast  as  possible  gi  lost,  thrown  away,  without  value 
"make  known  (OE.MoJtm)  31  in  haste  w  knight 

II  nearly  34  Hsten  «»  aspirant  to  knighthood 


ROMANCES 


10 


20 


25 


J>ine  armes  for  to  welde l ; 
God2  knijt  he  schal  jelde." 

J>e  king  sede  sone : 
1  J>at  is  wel  idone  — 
Horn  me  wel  iquemef  * ; 
God  knijt  him  biseme)).6 
He  schal  have  mi  dubbing, 
And  afterward  [be]  mi  derling ; 
And  alle  his  feren 6  twelf 
He  schal  knijten  himself : 
Alle  he  schal  hem  7  knijte 
Bifore  me  j>is  nijte.' 

Til  }>e  list  of  day  sprang 
Ailmar  him  Jmjte 8  lang. 
J>e  day  bigan  to  springe  ; 
Horn  com 9  bivore  fe  kinge 
Mid  his  twelf  yfere 10  — 
Sume  hi u  were  lupere.12 
Horn  he  dubbede  to  knijte, 
Wif  swerd  and  spures  brijte. 
He  sette  him  on  a  stede 18  whit ; 
J>er  nas  no  knijt  hym  ilik.14 
He  smot  him  a  litel  wijt,16 
And  bed 16  him  beon  a  god  kni^t. 

Ajmlf  fel  a 17  knes  J>ar 18 
Bivore  fe  king  Aylmar. 
1  King,'  he  sede,  '  so  kene,19 
Grante  me  a  bene  m : 
Nu  21  is  knijt  Sire  Horn 
J>at  in  Suddenne 22  was  iboren  m ; 


1  wield 

2  good,  valorous 

8  turn  out,  become 
*  pleases 
6  he  seems 

6  companions  (OE. geferari) 

7  them 

8  it  seemed  to  Ailmar 


9  came 

10  See  1. 9 

11  some  of  them  (some  they) 

12  wicked 
is  steed 

"  like  (OE.  geRc) 

15  a  little  bit,  gently 

16  bade 


"on 
is  there 
l»  brave 

20  boon,  request 

21  now 

22  See  Intr.,  p.  ii 

23  born  (OE.  geboren\ 


KING  HORN  15 

Lord  he  is  of  londe 

Over  us  fat  bi  him  stonde l ; 

f>in  armes  he  haf  and  scheld,8 

To  fijte  wif  upon  f e  feld ; 

Let  him  us  alle  knijte,  5 

For  fat  is  ure 8  rijte.' 

Aylmar  sede  sone  ywis  * : 

'  Do  nu  fat  fi  wille  is.' 

Horn  adun  ligte,8 

And  makede 6  hem  alle  knijtes.  10 

Murie 7  was  f  e  feste, 
Al  of  faire  gestes ; 
Ac  Rymenhild  nas  nogt  fer, 
And  fat  hire  f  ujte 8  seve 9  jer.10 
After  Horn  heo  n  sente,  1 5 

And  he  to  bure 12  wente. 
Nolde  he  nogt  go  one 18  — 
Afulf  was  his  mone.14 

Rymenhild  on  flore  stod 

(Homes  come 15  hire  f ujte  god),  20 

And  sede :  '  Welcome,  Sire  Horn, 
And  Afulf  knijt  fe  biforn. 
Knijt,  nu  is  fi  time 
For  to  sitte  bi  me ; 

Do  nu  fat  fu  er 16  of  spake :  25 

To  f  i  wif  f  u  me  take ; 
Ef 17  f  u  art  trewe  of  dedes, 
Do  nu  ase  f  u  sedes 18 ; 
Nu  f  u  hast  wille  fine, 
Unbind 19  me  of  my  pine.'20  3° 


1  stand  1  merry,  joyous  14  companion  (OE.  gemdna) 

2  shield  « seemed  to  her  15  coming 

3  our  9  seven  16  before 

4  certainly,  indeed  10  years  17  if 

5  alighted,  descended  from       n  she  18  saidest 

horseback  12  bower,  lady's  chamber       19  set  free 

6  made  13  alone  2°  torment 


1 6  ROMANCES 

'  Rymenhild,'  qua})  he,  '  beo  stille 
Ihc  wulle x  don  al  ]>i  wille. 
Also 2  hit  mot 8  bitide,* 
Mid  spere  I  schal 6  furst  ride, 

5  And  mi'knijthod  prove, 

Ar 6  Ihc  )>e  ginne 7  to  woje.8 
We  bej? 9  knijtes  jonge, 
Of  o 10  dai  al  isprunge,11 
And  of  ure  mestere 12 

10  So 18  is  pe  manere u : 

Wi)>  sume  of>ere  knijte 
Wei  for  his  lemman 16  fijte, 
Or 16  he  eni n  wif  take ; 
For)>i 18  me  stondep 19  )>e  more  rape.20 

15  To-day,  so  Crist  me  blesse, 

Ihc  wulle  do  pruesse 21 
For  )>i  luve  in  ]>e  felde, 
Mid  spere  and  mid  schelde ; 
If  Ihc  come  to  lyve,22 

20  Ihc  schal  )>e  take  to  wyve.'23 

'  Kni^t,'  quaf  heo,  '  trewe, 
Ihc  wene 24  Ihc  mai  ]> e  leve 2S ; 
Tak  nu  her  fis  gold  ring, 
God  him  is  ]>e  dubbing 26 ; 

25  J>er  is  upon  fe  ringe 

Igrave  27  "  Rymenhild  }>e  jonge.28  " 
J>er  nis  non  betere  anonder29  sunne, 
J>at  eni  man  of  telle  cunne 80 ; 


1  will  n  having  taken  origin  (OE.  gesfrungen)  21  deeds  of  valor 

2  even  so  u  profession  22  return  alive 

8  must  ls  thus  2s  wife 
4  befall  14  custom  24  think 

6  am  bound  to  16  lady-love  K  believe,  trust 

6  before  16  before  26  ornamentation 

^  begin  17  any  27  engraved 

s  woo  18  wherefore  2s  Read  singe  (?) 

9  are  19  there  exists  for  me  29  under 

1°  one,  the  same  20  haste  «°  may  be  able 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE  17 

For  my  luve  Jm  hit  were, 

And  on  Jri  finger  Jm  hit *  here. 

J>e  stones  beoj> 2  of  suche  grace 8 

f>at  Jm  ne  schalt  in  none  place 

Of  none  duntes  4  beon  ofdrad,6  5 

Ne 6  on  bataille  beon  amad,7 

Ef  Jm  loke  J>eran,8 

And  J>enke  upon  ]>i  lemman. 

And  Sire  Ajmlf,  Jn  broker, 

He  schal  have  anoper.  10 

Horn,  Ihc  pe  biseche 

Wi}>  loveliche  speche, 

Crist  jeve9  god  endinge,10 

J>e  ajen  u  to  bringe.' 

f>e  knigt  hire  gan12  kesse,  15 

And  heo  him  to  blesse. 
Leve  at 18  hire  he  nam,1* 
And  into  halle  cam. 

HAVELOK  THE  DANE 

Composed  before  1300;  the  unique  manuscript  (3001  lines)  is  in  the  Bod 
leian  Library  at  Oxford,  and  may  be  dated  about  1310.  The  English  poem  is 
probably  a  translation  of  a  lost  French  one.  The  best  recent  editions  are 
those  by  Holthausen  (London,  1901)  and  Skeat  (Oxford,  1915). 

The  story  is  of  an  exiled  prince  of  Denmark,  who  becomes  a  servant  at  the 
English  court,  marries  the  princess  of  that  country,  and  finally  succeeds  to  the 
thrones  of  both  Denmark  and  England. 

'  The  historical  source  of  the  name  and  fame,  and  perhaps  of  the  story  of 
Havelok,  has  been  traced  to  the  life  of  Olaf  Sitricson  [see  Diet.  Nat.  Biog], 
a  Danish  prince,  who,  about  the  middle  of  the  tenth  century,  reigned  for  a  few 
years  in  Northumbria.  .  .  .  One  of  the  strongest  motives  underlying  the  devel 
opment  of  the  Havelok  legend  may  well  have  been  political  or  national, 
namely,  the  desire  of  the  Danes  to  prove  their  right  to  sovereignty  in  England  ' 
(Billings,  pp.  18,  20). 

1  MS.  him  6  nor  u  back  again 

2  are  7  crazed,  bewildered  (Q~S..  gemadd)  12  began 
8  power,  virtue            8  upon  it  w  of 

4  blows  9  grant  M  took 

6  afraid  10  MS.  erndinge 


1 8  ROMANCES 

The  ancient  town-seal  of  Great  Grimsby,  in  Lincolnshire,  embodies  a  mani 
fest  allusion  to  our  story.  The  seal  is  described  at  length  by  J.  Hopkin,  as 
quoted  in  Skeat's  edition  (pp.  liv— Ivi),  from  which  the  following  extract  is 
taken  :  '  On  the  right  hand  of  Gryme  stands  his  protigt  Haveloc  ("  Habloc  "), 
whom,  during  one  of  his  mercantile  excursions  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Lincoln 
shire,  Gryme  had  the  good  fortune  to  save  from  imminent  danger  of  ship 
wreck,  and  who  proved  to  be  the  son  of  Gunter,  King  of  Denmark,  and  who 
was  therefore  conveyed  to  the  British  court,  where  he  subsequently  received 
in  marriage  Goldburgh,  the  daughter  of  the  British  sovereign.  Above  Gryme 
is  represented  a  hand,  being  emblematical  of  the  hand  of  Providence  by  which 
Haveloc  was  preserved,  and  near  the  hand  is  the  star  which  marks  the  point 
where  the  inscription  begins  and  ends.  Haveloc  made  such  a  favorable  repre 
sentation  of  his  preserver  at  the  British  and  Danish  courts  that  he  procured 
for  him  many  honors  and  privileges.  From  the  British  monarch  Gryme,  who 
had  already  realized  an  abundance  of  wealth,  received  a  charter,  and  was  made 
the  chief  governor  of  Grimsby ;  and  the  Danish  sovereign  granted  to  the  town 
an  immunity  (which  is  still  possessed  by  the  burgesses  of  Grimsby)  from  all 
tolls  at  the  port  of  Elsineur.  Gryme  afterwards  lived  in  Grimsby  like  a  petty 
prince  in  his  hereditary  dominions.  Above  Haveloc  is  represented  a  crown, 
and  in  his  right  hand  is  a  battle-axe,  the  favorite  weapon  of  the  Northmen, 
and  in  his  [left]  hand  is  a  ring  which  he  is  presenting  to  the  British  princess 
Goldburgh  ("  Goldebvrgh  "),  who  stands  on  the  left  side  of  Gryme,  and  whose 
right  hand  is  held  towards  the  ring.  Over  her  head  is  a  regal  diadem,  and  in 
her  left  hand  is  a  sceptre.  Sir  F.  Madden  states  that  it  is  certain  that  this  seal 
is  at  least  as  old  as  the  time  of  Edward  I  (and  therefore  contemporaneous  with 
the  MS.),  as  the  legend  is  written  in  a  character  which  after  the  year  1300  fell 
into  disuse,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  black  letter,  or  Gothic.' 

The  mention  of  Elsinore  (Elsineur)  suggests  the  name  of  Hamlet;  for  the 
connection  between  his  story  and  that  of  Havelok,  see  the  introduction  to 
Israel  Gollancz's  Hamlet  in  Iceland  (London,  1898). 

Our  extract  embraces  lines  862-1281. 

The  earlier  part  of  the  story  runs  as  follows :  A  good  king  of  England, 
Athelwold,  under  whom  the  realm  had  been  serenely  peaceful  and  happy,  lay 
at  the  point  of  death,  with  only  an  infant  daughter,  Goldborough,  to  succeed 
him.  He  called  to  him  his  lords  and  thanes,  and  bade  them  tell  him  to  whom 
he  might  most  safely  entrust  the  kingdom  until  such  time  as  his  daughter  could 
bear  rule.  They  all  declared  that  Earl  Godrich  was  the  man ;  and  to  him  the 
child  and  the  regency  of  the  country  were  accordingly  committed.  But  love 
of  power  made  this  man  false ;  when  Goldborough  was  twenty  years  old,  he 
imprisoned  her  in  a  strong  castle,  and  himself  continued  to  rule. 

Meanwhile,  a  similar  story  had  been  enacted  in  Denmark.  Its  king,  Birka- 
beyn,  had  before  his  death  entrusted  his  young  son  and  two  small  daughters 
to  a  supposedly  faithful  vassal,  Godard.  The  latter  with  his  own  hands  killed 
two  of  the  children,  and  ordered  a  fisherman,  Grim,  to  drown  the  boy  Havelok 
by  the  light  of  the  moon.  Grim  carried  Havelok  home  in  a  sack  ;  but  when  he 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE  19 

rose  at  midnight  to  drown  the  child,  a  bright  and  shining  light  streamed  forth 
from  the  sack,  and  both  Grim  and  his  wife  recognized  this  as  a  sign  of  royal 
blood  in  the  boy.  They  fell  on  their  knees  before  him,  and  promised  faithful 
allegiance. 

Soon  after,  Grim  decided  to  flee  from  the  country,  and  embarked  in  a  boat 
with  his  wife,  five  children,  and  Havelok.  Winds  drove  him  to  the  coast  of 
England,  where  he  landed  at  the  mouth  of  the  Humber,  and  dwelt  in  a  spot 
called,  after  him,  Grimsby.  Twelve  years  later,  Havelok,  now  a  well-grown 
youth,  left  the  family  of  Grim  to  seek  his  fortune  ;  and  at  this  point  our  selec 
tion  begins. 

In  the  manuscript,  th  is  frequently  found  for  ht  and  for  /;  in  such  cases  the 
change  has  been  made  without  notice. 

To  Lincolne  barfot  he  ye.de.1 
Hwan2  he  kam  J>e[r],  he  was  ful  wil,8 
Ne  havede  4  he  no  f rend  to  gangen 5  til 6 ; 
Two  day_es  per  fastinde 7  he  yede, 

J?at  non  8  for  his  werk  wolde 9  him  fede ;  5 

f»e  fridde 10  day  he  herde  calle : 
'  Befmen,11  bermen,  hider 12  forth  alle  I ' 
[Povre 13  fat  on  fote  yede]  u 
Sprongen 15  forth  so 16  sparke  of 17  glede.18 
Havelok  shpf 19  dun 20  [wel] 21  nyne  or  ten  10 

Riht22  amideward  M  )>e  fen,24 
And  stirte 25  forth  to  ]>e  kok,26 
[J>er 27  the  erles  mete  he  tok]  u 
f>at  he  bouhte 28  at  )>e  brigge ; 

J?e  bermen  let  he  alle  ligge,29  1S 

And  bar 80  }>e  mete  to  J>e  castel, 
And  gat 81  him  pere  a  f erping 82  wastel.88 

1  went  (OE.  eode)  13  poor  people  25  started,  leaped 

2  when  14  Supplied  by  Skeat  **  cook 

3  uncertain  what  to  do  16  sprang  27  where 

4  had  w  as  28  bought 

5  go  17  from  ;  MS.  on  ®  He 

6  to  18  burning  coal  80  bore 
1  fasting  19  shoved,  pushed  81  got 

8  no  one  2°  down  **  farthing 

9  was  willing  21  full  ^  cake 

10  third  22  right 

11  porters  w  in  the  midst  of 

12  hither  24  mud 


20 


ROMANCES 


J>et  oper *  day  he  kepte 2  ok 8 
Swipe  yerne 4  pe  erles  kok, 
Til  pat  he  saw 6  him  on  pe  b[r]igge, 
And  bi  him  mani  fishes  ligge.6 
J>e  erles 7  mete  havede  he  bouht 
Of  Comwaile,8  and  kalde  9  oft : 
'  Bermen,  bermen,  hider  swipe 10 1 ' 
Havelok  it  herde,  and  was  ful  blipe 
J>at  he  herde  '  bermen  '  calle ; 
Alle  made  he  hem  u  dun  falle 
J>at  in  his  gate 12  yeden 18  and  stode,14 
Wei  sixtene  laddes  gode. 
Als 16  he  lep 16  pe  kok  [un-]til,17 
He  shof  hem  alle  upon  an  hyl 18 ; 
Astirte 19  til  him  with  his  rippe,20 
And  bigan  pe  fish  to  kippe.21 
He  bar  up  wel  a  cartelode 
Of  segges,22  laxes,23  of  playces  M  brode,26 
Of  grete  laumprees,26  and  of  eles 27 ; 
Sparede  he  neyper  tos  ne  heles 
Til  pat  he  to  pe  castel  cam, 
J>at  men  fro  him  his  birpene 28  nam.29 
f>an  men  haveden  *°  holpen 81  him  doun 
With  pe  birpene  of  his  croun,82 
J?e  kok  [bi]  stod,  and  on  him  low,88 
And  pou[h]te  him  stalworpe  man  ynow,84 
And  seyde :  '  Wiltu  M  ben  wit[h]  me  ? 


1  second 

2  kept  watch  for ;  MS.  kepte  he 
s  also 

4  very  eagerly 

5  MS.  say 

6  lying  (to  lie) 
1  MS.  herles 

8  MS.  cornwalie 

9  called 
w  quickly 

11  them 

12  way 


u  went 
M  stood 
is  as 

16  leaped 

17  unto 

18  heap 

19  leaped 

20  fish-basket 

21  take  up  quickly 

22  cuttlefish 
28  salmon 
24  plaice 


< 


26  broad 
28  lampreys 
»  eels 
28  burden 
2»  took 
so  had 

81  helped 

82  crown,  head 
88  laughed 

84  enough 

85  wilt  thou 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE  21 

Gladlike 1  wile  Ich  feden  fe ; 
Wei  is  set 2  be  mete  ]> u  etes,8 
And  be  hire  fat  }m  getes.' 

'  Goddot 4 ! '  quoth  he,  '  leve 5  sire, 

Bidde 6  Ich  you  non  ober  hire ;  5 

But  yeveb 7  me  inow  to  etc,  9 

Fir 8  and  water  Y  wile  you  fete,9 
J?e  fir  blowe,  an[d]  ful  wele  maken ; 
Stickes  kan  Ich  breken  and  kraken,10 
And  kindlen  [ek]  n  ful  wel  a  fyr,  10 

And  maken  it  to  bregnen 12  shir 18 ; 
Ful  wel  kan  Ich  eleven  14  shides,15 
Eles  toturven 16  of  here 17  hides : 

4BBV  — 

Ful  wel  kan  Ich  dishes  swilen,18 

And  don  al  fat  ye  evere  wilen.19 '  15 

6f>\r$  •      Quoth  be  kok  :  '  Wile  I  no  more ; 
Go  bu 20  yunder,  and  sit  pore,21 
And  Y  shal  yeve  be  ful  fair  bred, 
And  make  \>e  broys 22  in  J>e  led.28 

Sit  now  doun  and  et 24  ful  yeme  5-5^  •'  20 

Da)>eit  hwo  ^  fe  mete  werne 26 1 ' 
Havelok  sette  him  dun  anon  m 
Also 28  stille  als 28  a  ston, 
Til  he  havede  ful  wefeten ; 

f»o  ^  havede  Havelok  fay  re  geten.80  25 

Hwan  he  havede  eten  inow, 
He  kam  to  ]>e  welle,  water  updrow, 
And  filde  }>e[r]  a  michel 81  so 82 ; 

1  gladly  12  burn  w  caldron,  kettle 

2  bestowed  !8  brightly  24  eat 

*  eatest  K  cleave  25  a  curse  upon  him  who 

*  God  wot !  MS.  soddot          16  thin  pieces  of  wood  26  denies 

5  dear  16  strip  (NED.  s.v.  tirve)  27  straightway 

6  ask,  pray  17  their  28  as 

7  give  18  wash  M  then 

8  fire  19  wish  ^  done  well 

9  fetch  2»  thou  8l  large 

10  crack  21  there  82  tub 

11  also  v*  brewis,  broth 


22  ROMANCES 

Bad  he  non  ageyn *  him  go ; 

Bitwen 2  his  hordes  he  bar  it  in, 

A[l]  him  one,8  to  J>e  kichin. 

Bad  he  non  him  water  to  fete, 

Ne 4  fro  b[r]igge  to  here  pe  mete. 

He  bar  )>e  turves,5  he  bar  J>e  star,6 

J>e  wode  fro  the  brigge  he  bar ; 

Al  that  evere  shulde 7  he  nytte,8 

Al  he  drow,9  and  al  he  kitte 10 ; 
10  Wolde  he  nevere  haven  rest, 

More  fan  he  were  u  a  best.12 

Of  alle  men  was  he  mest 18  meke, 

Lauhwinde 14  ay,  and  blipe  of  speke 16 ; 

Evere  he  was  glad  and  blife, 
1 5  His  sorwe 16  he  coupe "  ful  wel  mij> e.18 

It  ne  was 19  non  so  litel  knave,20 

For  to  leyken,21  ne  for  to  plawe,32 

V°        .«*v*'\  ' 

JL^»  V3^  ne  ne  w°[l]de  with  him  pleye28; 

J>e  children  that  y[e]den  in  fe  weie 
20  Of  him  he 24  deden 25  al  he[r]  wille, 

And  with  him  leykeden  here 26  fille. 

Him  loveden  alle,  stille  and  bolde, 

Knictes,  children,  yunge  and  olde 27 ; 

Alle  him  loveden  fat  him  sowen,28 
25  Bofen  heye  w  men  and  lowe. 

Of  him  ful  wide  pe  word  sprong, 

Hu80  he  was  mike[l],81  hu80  he  was  strong, 

Hu  fayr  man  God  him  havede  maked,32 

1  opposite  12  beast  23  play 

2  MS.  but  bitwen  18  most  24  they 
8  alone                                                        14  laughing                               &  did 

4  nor  15  speech  26  their 

6  turf,  peat  16  sorrow  27  MS.  holde 

6  a  kind  of  sedge  or  reed  l~  could  28  saw 

7  MS.  shulden  18  conceal  29  high 

8  require  for  use  19  there  was  8°  how ;  MS.  hw 

9  drew  20  lad,  boy  81  tall 

10  cut ;  MS.  citte  21  frolic  82  made 

11  if  he  were  (subj.)  23  sport 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE 


23 


But-on  pat  1  he  was  almest  naked  : 

For  he  ne  havede  nouht  to  shride  2 

But  a  kouel  3  f  ul  unnde,4 

f>at  [was]  ful  5  and  swipe  wicke,6 

Was  it  nouht  worth  a  fir-sticke. 

f>e  cok  bigan  of  him  to  rewe,7 

And  bouhte  8  him  elopes,  al  span-newe  9  ; 

He  bouhte  8  him  bope  hosen  and  shon, 

And  sone  dide  him  don  es  on.10 

Hwan  he  was  eloped,  [hjosed,  and  shod, 
Was  non  so  fayr  under  God, 
J>at  evere  yete  in  erpe  were,11 
Non  pat  evere  moder  12  bere  18  ; 
It  14  was  nevere  man  pat  yemede  u 
In  kineriche,16  pat  so  wel  semede17 
King  or  cayser  for  to  be  ; 
]?an  18  he  was  shrid,19  so  semede  *°  he  ; 
For  panne  18  he  21  weren  alle  samen  22 
At  Lincolne,  at  pe  gamen,28 
And  pe  erles  men  woren  '24  al[le]  pore,25 
J>an  was  Havelok  bi  pe  shuldren  ™  more  ** 
J>an  pe  meste  28  pat  per  kam  ; 
In  armes  him  no  man  [ne]  nam 
f>at  he  doune  sone  ne  caste  ; 
Havelok  stod  over  hem  als  a  mast. 
Als  he  was  heie,  so  ^  he  was  strong,80 
He  was  bope  stark  81  and  long  82  ; 
In  Engelond  [was]  non  hise  per88 


10 


15 


25 


1  except  in  one  respect,  that 

2  to  clothe  himself 
8  garment 

4  rough 

5  foul 

6  mean 

T  have  pity 

8  bought 

9  quite  new 

1°  made  him  put  them  on 
11  was 


12  mother 
is  bore 
14  there 
16  governed 

16  kingdom  ; 

17  Was  fit 

18  when 

19  clothed 

20  seemed 

21  they 

22  together 


MS.  kinneriche 


28  games 
M  were 

25  there 

26  shoulders 

27  taller 

28  tallest 
w  MS.  al 

30  MS.  long 

81  sturdy 

82  MS.  strong 
**  peer,  equal 


ROMANCES 


Of  strangle  fat  evere  kam  him  net.1 
Als  he  was  strong,  so  was  he  softe  2 ; 
J>ey 8  a  man  him  misdede 4  of te, 
Nevere  more  he  him  misseyde,8 
Ne  hond  on  him  with  yvele  leyde. 
Of  bodi  was  he  mayden  clene ; 
Nevere  yete  in  garth,6  ne  in  grene, 
Wit[h]  hire 7  ne  wolde  [he]  leyke  ne  lye, 
No  more  fan  it  were  a  strie.8 

In  fat  time  al  Engelond 9 
f>erl 10  Godrich  havede  in  his  hond, 
And  he  gart n  komen  into  f  e  tun  12 
Mani  erl  and  mani  barun ; 
And  alle  [men]  fat  lives 18  were 
In  Eng[e]lond,  panne  wer  fere, 
J>at  fey  haveden  after  sent 
To  ben  f  er  at  f  e  parlement. 
With  hem  com  mani  champioun,14 
Mani  wiht 16  ladde,16  blac,  and  brown ; 
An[d]  fel 17  it  so  fat  yunge  men, 
Wei  abouten  nine  or  ten, 
Bigunnen  fere 18  for  to  layke : 
J>ider  komen  bof  e  stronge  and  wayke  w  ; 
J>ider  komen  lesse  and  more, 
f>at  in  f  e  borw  20  f  anne  weren  fore  21 ; 
Chaumpiouns,22  and  starke  laddes, 
Bondemen,28  with  here 24  gaddes,25 
Als  he 26  'comen  fro  f  e  plow  ; 
f>ere  was  sembling 27  inow ! 


1  near  10  the  earl 

2  mild,  gentle  n  made,  had 
8  though  12  town 

*  injured  M  alive 

6  reproached,  spoke  ill  of ;  MS.  misdede          14  MS.  chambioun 

6  garden,  enclosure  ;  M  S.  game  16  stout 

7  her  (a  woman)  W  lad 

8  old  hag  l?  happened 
»  MS.  Hengelond  i»  MS.  )>e 


»  weak 

20  borough 

21  there 

22  MS.  chaunpiouns 
28  husbandmen 

a*  their 

25  goads 

26  they 

27  assembling 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE 


For  it 1  ne  was  non  horse-knave,2 
f>ou 8  pei  sholden  in  honde  have,4 
f>at  he  ne  kam  pider,  f e  leyk  5  to  se : 
Biforn  here  fet  ]>anne  lay  a  tre, 
And  putten 6  with  a  mikel  ston 
f>e  starke  laddes,  ful  god  won.7 
f>e  ston  was  mikel,  and  ek 8  gret, 
And  al  so  hevi  so  a  net 9 ; 
Grundstalw[u]r)je 10  man  he  sholde  n  be 
J>at  mouhte 12  liften  it  to  his  kne ; 
Was  J>er  neyper  clerc  ne  prest 13 
J?at  mihte 12  liften  it  to  his  brest : 
J>erwit[h]  14  putten  the  chaumpiouns 16 
J>at  bider  comen  with  ]>e  barouns. 
Hwoso  mihte  putten  bore 
Biforn  anoper  an  inch  or  more, 
Wore 16  he  yung,  wore  he  old,17 
He  was  for  a  kempe  18  told.19 

Also 20  J>e[i]  stoden,  an[d]  ofte  stareden,21 
f»e  chaumpiouns,15  and  ek  the  ladden  M ; 
And  he 28  maden  mikel  strout 24 
Abouten  be  atyerbeste  25  b[o]ut,26 
Havelok  stod,  and  lokede  bertil 27 ; 
And  of  puttingge  he  was  ful  wil,28 
For  nevere  yete  ne  saw  he  or  w 
Putten  the  stone,  or29  banne  \>or. 
Hise  mayster  bad  him  gon  f>erto, 


10 


20 


1  there 

2  groom 
«  MS.  J.o 

4  Though  they  (for  he)  should  have  [work] 

in  hand 

5  game 

6  put ;  MS.  pulten 

'  in  considerable  numbers  (won  —  plenty) 

8  also 

9  young  ox 


10  extremely  stalwart         2°  as 


11  had  need  to 

12  could 
i8  priest 

14  with  this 

is  MS.  chaunpiouns 

16  were 

^  MS.  hold 

18  knight,  champion 

19  counted 


21  stared 

22  lads 

23  they 

24  contention 
26  best  of  all 

26  bout,  throw 

27  thereto 

28  inexperienced 

29  before 


5.  ston :  for  the  history  of  the  game,  see  note  in  Skeat's  edition. 


26 


ROMANCES 


10 


20 


Als  he  coupe l  perwith  do. 

J?o  hise  mayster  it  him  bad, 

He  was  of  him  sore  adrad ; 

J>erto  he  stirte 2  sone  anon, 

And  kipte 8  up  fat  hevi  ston, 

J>at  he  sholde  put[t]en  wipe ; 

He  putte,  at  pe  firste  sipe,4 

Over8  alle  pat  per  wore, 

Twel[ve]  fote,6  and  sumdel 7  more. 

f»e  chaumpiouns 8  pat  [pat]  put  sowen,* 

Shuldreden  he  ilc  oper,10  and  lowen  u ; 

Wolden  he  no  more  to  putting  gange, 

But  seyde :  '  We  dwellen  her  to 12  longe  1 ' 

J>is  selkouth 18  mihte  nouht  ben  hyd : 
Ful  sone  it  was  f  ul  loude  kid  H 
Of  Havelok,  hu 18  he  warp 16  pe  ston 
Over  pe  laddes  everilkon  "  ; 
Hu 16  he  was  fayr,  hu 18  he  was  long, 
Hu 16  he  was  wiht,18  hu16  he  was  strong ; 
J>orhut 19  England  'yede  pe  speke,20 
Hu 16  he  was  strong,  and  ek  [ful]  meke ; 
In  the  castel,  up  in  pe  halle, 
J>e  knihtes  speken  perof  alle, 
So  that  Godrich  it  herde  wel. 
J>e[i]  speken  of  Havelok,  everi  del,21 
Hu 15  he  was  strong  man  and  hey, 
Hu 15  he  was  strong,  and  ek  [ful]  sley 22 ; 
And  pouhte  w  Godrich  :  '  J»oru 24  pis  knave 
Shal  Ich  Engelond  al  have, 
And  mi  sone  after  me ; 


1  could 

2  leaped 

8  snatched 

*  time 

6  beyond 

«feet 

"•  somewhat 

8  MS.  chaunpiouns 


»  saw 

10  one  another 

11  laughed 

12  too 

18  wonder 
M  made  known 
18  MS.  hw 
i«  threw 


17  every  one 

is  courageous 

l»  throughout ;  MS.  J>oruth 

20  speech ;  MS.  speche 

21  on  every  side  (?) 

22  skilful ;  MS.  fri 
28  MS.  )>outhte 

2*  through 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE  27 

For  so  I  wile  fat  it  be. 

King l  Af  elwald  me  dide 2  swere 

Upon  al  f  e  messe-gere 8 

J>at  Y  shu[l]de  his  doubter  yive  4 

J>e  hexte 8  [man]  fat  mihte  live,  5 

J>e  beste,  ]> e  fairest,  f  e  strangest 6  ok ;  ^ 

J>at  gart 7  he  me  sweren  on  ]> e  bok. 

Hwere  mihte  I  finden  ani  so  hey 

So  Havelok  is,  or  so  sley  ? 

J?ou[h]  Y  souhte  hef  en 8  into  Ynde,9  10 

So  fayr,  so  strong,  ne  mihte  Y  finde. 

Havelok  is  fat  ilke 10  knave  • 

J>at  shal  Goldeborw  have.' 

J?is  fouhte  [he]  with  trechery, 

Wit[h]  traysoun,  and  with  felony;  15 

For  he  wende  n  fat  Havelok  wore la 

Sum  cherles  sone,  and  no  more ; 

Ne  shulde  he  haven  of  Engellond 

Onlepi 13  forw  u  in  his  bond 

With  hire  fat  was  ferof  [fe]  eyr,18  20 

J>at  bof e  was  god  and  swife  fair. 

He  wende  fat  Havelok  wer  a  fral,16 

J>erf  oru 17  he  wende  haven  al 

In  Engelond,  fat  hire  riht  was ; 

He  werse  was 18  fan  Sathanas  25 

f>at  Jesu  Crist  in  erf  e  shop 19 ; 

Hanged  worfe 20  he  on  an  hok  1 

After  Goldebo[r]w  sone  he  sende, 
J»at  was  bofe  fayr  and  hende,21 
And  dide  hire  to  Lincolne  bringe  ^ ;  30 

1  MS.  the  king  9  India  17  for  this  reason,  by  this  means 

2  caused  1°  very  18  MS.  was  werse 

3  utensils  of  the  mass  n  supposed  19  shaped,  created 

*  MS.  yeve  12  was  w  may  he  be 

6  highest,  tallest  18  a  single  al  gentle,  courteous- 

6  strongest  M  furrow  M  and  had  her  brought  to  Lincoln 

7  made  16  heir 

*  hence  w  slave 


28  ROMANCES 

Belles  dede  he  ageyn  hire 1  ringen, 

And  joie  he  made  hire  swij>e  mikel, 

But  nefeles 2  he  was  ful  swikel.8 

He  seyde  fat  he  sholde  hire  yive4 
5  ]?e  fayrest  man  that  mihte  live. 

She  answerede  and  seyde  anon, 

Bi  [Jesu]  Crist  and  bi  Seint  John,6 

J>at  hire  sholde  no  man  wedde, 

Ne  no  man  bringen  hire  to 6  bedde, 
10  But 7  he  were  king  or  kinges  eyr, 

Were  he  nevere  man  so  fayr. 
Godrich  )>e  erl  was  swife  wroth 

J>at  she  swor  swilk 8  an  oth, 

And  seyde :  '  Hwe|>er 9  fou  wilt  be 
1 5  Quen  and  levedi 10  over  me  ? 

J?ou  shalt  haven  a  gadeling,11 

Ne  shalt  ]>ou  haven  non  ofer  king ; 

J>e  shal  spusen 12  mi  cokes  knave  ; 

Shalt 13  fou  non  ofer  loverd 14  have. 
20  Dafeit  fat 18  J>e  of er 16  yive 4 

Everemore  hwil  I  live ! 

To-mo[r]we  sholen 1T  ye 18  ben  weddet, 

And,  maugre  fin,19  togidere  beddet' 

Goldeborw  gret,20  and  was  hire  ille 21 ; 
2  5  She  wolde  ben  ded,  bi  hire  wille. 

On  fe  morwen,  hwan  day  was  sprungen, 

And  daybelle 22  at  [fe]  kirke  m  rungen, 

After  Havelok  sente  fat  Judas, 

f>at  werse  was  f anne  Sathanas, 

1  at  her  approach  »  MS.  hwor  ir  shall 

2  nevertheless  K>  lady  18  MS.  ye  sholen 
8  deceitful  n  vagabond,  low  fellow  19  in  spite  of  thee 
4  MS.  yeve  13  marry  » wept 

*  MS.  lohan  is  MS.  ne  shalt  21  it  was  ill  for  "her 
«  MS.  to  hire                                 "  lord                                                       a  matin-bell 

"  unless  l*  a  curse  upon  him  who  **  church 

*  such  16  another 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE 


29 


And  seyde :  '  Mayster,  wiltu 1  wif a  ? ' 
'  Nay,'  quoth  Havelok,  '  bi  my  lif ! 
Hwat  sholde  Ich  with  wive 8  do  ? 
I  ne  may  hire  fede,  ne  clofe,  ne  sho. 
[HJwider  sholde  Ich  wimman 4  bringe  ? 
I  ne  have  none  kin[n]es 5  finge. 
I  ne  have  hus,6  Y  ne  have  cote, 
I  ne 7  have  stikke,  Y  ne  have  sprote,8 
I  ne  have  neyfer  bred  ne  sowel,9 
Ne  cloth,  but  of  an  old  whit 10  couel.11 
J>is 12  clones,  fat  Ich  onne  have, 
Aren  fe  kokes,  and  Ich  his  knave.' 

Godrich  stirt 13  up,  and  on  him  dong  w 
[With  dintes15  swife  hard  and  strong],1' 
And  seyde :  '  But 17  }>ou  hire  take 
J>at  Y  wole  yeven  fe  to  make,18 
I  shal  hangen  f  e  ful  heye, 
Or  Y  shal  f  listen 19  ut  fin  eie.20 ' 
Havelok  was  one,21  and  was  adrad,22 
And  grauntede  him  al  fat  he  bad. 
J>o  n  sende  he  after  hire  sone,24 
J>e  fayrest  wymman  under  mone 28 ; 
And  seyde  til  hire,  [fals] 16  and  slike,26 
J>at  wicke  f  ral,  fat  foule  swike  v : 
'  But  f  u  f  is  man  understonde,28 
I  shal  flemen  M  f  e  of  ^  londe ; 
Or  fou  shal[t]  to  f e  galwes 81  renne,82 


1  wilt  thou ;  MS.  wilte 

2  take  a  wife 
8MS.  wif 

4  a  woman 

5  of  no  kind 

6  MS.  hws 

7  MS.  ne  i 

8  sprout,  twig 

9  relish  eaten  with  bread 
w  MS.  hold  with 

11  garment 


12  these 
is  started 
!•*  struck 

15  blows 

16  Supplied  by  Skeat 
l"  unless 

18  mate,  wife 
i»  thrust 
»  MS.  heie 

21  alone 

22  MS.  odrat 


10 


20 


2«  then 

24  soon 

25  the  moon 
28  smooth 

27  traitor 

28  receive 

29  banish 

80  from 

81  gallows 

82  run 


ROMANCES 


10 


And  per  pou  shalt  in  a  fir  brenne.' * 
Sho 2  was  adrad,  for  he  so  prette,8 
And  durste  4  nouht  pe  spusing 8  lette ' ; 
But  fey 7  hire  likede 8  swipe  ille, 
[Sho]  J>ouhte  it  was  Codes  wille : 
God,  pat  makes  to  growen  pe  korn, 
Formede  hire  wimman  to  be  born. 

Hwan  he  havede  him  don,9  for  drede, 
J>at  he  sholde  hire  spusen  and  fede, 
And  pat  she  sholde  til  him  holde, 
f>er  weren  penies 10  picke  tolde,11 
Mikel  plente  upon  pe  bok : 
He 12  ys 18  hire  yaf,  and  she  [e]s  u  tok. 
He  w  weren  spused  f ayre  and  wel : 
J>e  messe  he  dede,16  [and]  everidel17 
J?at  fel 18  to  spusing,  a 19  god  clefrjk,20 
J>e  Erchebishop  ut  of 21  Yerk, 
J?at  kam  to  pe  parlement, 
Als  God  him  havede  pider  sent. 

Hwan  he 22  togydere  in  Godes  lawe 
Weren,23  pat 24  folc >25  f ul  wel  it  sawe, 
He  ne  wisten 26  hwat  he  mouhten,27 
Ne  he  ne  wisten  [h]wat  hem  douhte  28  — 
J?er  to  dwellen,  or  penne  ™  to  gonge. 
f»er  ne  wolden  he  dwellen  longe ; 
For  he  wisten,  and  ful  wel  sawe, 
Godrich  ^  hem  hatede,  pe  devel  him  awe 81 ! 
And  yf  he  dwelleden  per  ouht 82  — 


1  burn 

12  Godrich 

2  she 

18  them 

8  threatened 

14  them  ;  MS.  as 

*  dared 

16  they 

6  marriage 

l6  performed  ;  MS. 

6  hinder 

17  everything 

7  though 

18  pertained 

8  it  pleased  her 

19  MS.  and 

9  caused  ;  MS.  don  him 

20  clergyman 

10  pennies 

21  out  of,  from 

11  counted  in  great  number 

22  they 

28  Transposed  from  preceding 
line  (weren  togydere) 

24  MS.  >at  )>e 

25  people 
deden      26  knew 

27  could  do 

28  availed  them 
»  thence 

8«  MS.  J>at  Godrich 

81  own,  possess ;  MS.  hawe 

82  any  space  of  time 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE  31 

J>at  fel  Havelok  ful  wel  on  pouht  — 
Men  sholde  don  his  leman  shame,  ' 
Or  elles  bringen  in  wicke *  blame ; 
J>at  were  him  levere2  to  ben  ded. 
Forpi8  he4  token  anoper  red,5 
J?at  pei  sholden  penne  fle  6 
Til 7  Grim,  and  til 7  hise  sones  pre  ; 
J>er  wenden 8  he 4  alperbeste s  to  spede,10 
Hem u  for  to  elope,  and  for  to  fede. 
J>e  lond  he  4  token  under  fote,12 
Ne  wisten  he 4  non  oper  bote,-13 
And  helden  ay  the  rihte  sti14 
Til  he 4  komen  to  Grimesby. 

J>anne  M  he  4  komen  pere,  panne  was  Grim  ded, 
Of  him  ne  haveden  he  4  no  red ; 
But  hise  children  alle  fyve 
Alle  weren  yet  on  live 16 ; 
J>at 1T  ful  fayre  ayen 18  hem  neme,19  • 
Hwan  he  4  wisten  pat  he 4  keme,20 
And  maden  joie  swipe  mikel ; 
Ne  weren  he4  nevere  ayen  hem  fikel.21 
On  knes  ful  fayre  he  4  hem  setten, 
And  Havelok  swipe  fayre  gretten,22 
And  seyden  :  '  Welkome,  loverd 28  dere, 
And  welkome  be  pi  fayre  fere 24 1 
Blessed  be  pat  ilke  prawe 25 
J>at  pou  hire  toke  in  Godes  lawe ! 
Wel  is  us 26  we  sen  pe  on  lyve, ' 
J>ou  mihte 27  us  bope  selle  and  yive  28 ; 

1  wicked  n  themselves  21  fickle 

2  liefer,  rather  12  they  walked  22  greeted 
8  therefore                                      13  remedy  28  iord 

4  they  14  road  24  companion,  wife 

5  counsel,  help  '•&  when  25  time,  moment 

6  flee  16  in  life  =  alive  26  to  us ;  MS.  hus 
'  to  i7  who  2"  might 

8  thought  18  towards  28  MS.  yeve 

»  best  of  all  lfl  went 

10  prosper  20  were  coming 


ROMANCES 


20 


25 


f>ou  mayt  us  bof  e  yive l  and  selle, 

With-f  at z  f  ou  wilt  here  dwelle. 

We  haven,  loverd,  alle  gode,3 

Hors,4  and  net,6  and  ship  on  flode,* 

Gold,  and  silver,  and  michel  auhte,7 

J?at  Grim  ure  fader  us  bitauhte 8 ; 

Gold,  and  silver,  and  of  er  fe 9 

Bad  he  us  bitaken 10  fe. 

We  haven  shep,  we  haven  swin, 

Bileve  n  her,  loverd,  and  al  be  pin  ! 

J?o[u]  shalt  ben  loverd,  fou  shalt  ben  syre,12 

And  we  sholen  serven  fe  and  hire ; 

And  ure 18  sistres  sholen  do 

Al  that  evere  biddes  sho 14 ; 

He 18  sholen  hire  clones 16  washen  and  wringen, 

And  to  "  hondes  water  bringen  ; 

He 18  sholen  bedden 18  hire  and  fe, 

For  levedi  wile  we  fat  she  be.' 

Hwan  he 15  f is  joie  haveden  maked, 

Sithen 19  stikes  broken  and  kraked, 

And  fe  fir  brouht  on  brenne,20 

Ne  was  f  er  spared  gos 21  ne  henne, 

Ne  fe  ende,22  ne  fe  drake, 

Mete  he 15  deden  plente  make ; M 

Ne  wantede  fere  no  god  mete ; 

Wyn  and  ale  deden  he 15  fete,24 

And  maden  K  hem  glade  and  blif  e, 

Wesseyl  ledden 26  he  fele  sif e.27 


1  MS.  yeve 

2  provided  that 

8  property,  goods 
4  horses 
6  cattle 

6  sea 

7  possessions  ;  MS.  auchte 

8  delivered, committed;  MS.bitawchte 

9  property 

10  deliver,  commit 


11  remain 

12  seignior,  master 

13  our;  MS.  hure 
"she 

16  they 

16  MS.  cloven 

17  for 

18  put  to  bed 

19  afterwards 
*>  to  burning 


21  goose 

22  duck ;  MS.  hende 

28  they  had  plenty  of  meats 
prepared 

24  they  caused  to  be  brought 

25  MS.  made 

26  they  led  wassails  (drank 

healths) 
2?  many  times 


HAVELOK  THE  DANE 


33 


On  pe  niht,  as  Goldeborw  lay, 
Sory  and  sorwful  was  she  ay, 
For  she  wende  she  were  biswike,1 
f>at  she  were 2  yeven 8  unkyndelike.* 
O  niht 6  saw  she  perinne  a  liht,6 
A  swipe  fayr,  a  swipe  bryht, 
Al  so  briht,  al  so  shir 7 
So8  it  were  a  blase 9  of  fir. 
She  lokede  no[r]p,  and  ek  south, 
And  saw  it  comen  ut  of  his  mouth, 
}?at  lay  bi  hire  in  pe  bed  — 
No  ferlike 10  pou[h]  she  were  adred ! 
J>ouhte  she  :  '  [HJwat  may  this  bimene  u  ? 
He  beth 12  heyman 13  yet,  als  Y  wene 14 ; 
He  beth  heyman  er  he  be 12  ded.' 
On  hise  shuldre,  of  gold  red 
She  saw  a  swipe  noble  croiz,16 
Of  an  angel  she  herde  a  voyz le : 
'  Goldeborw,  lat  pi  sorwe  be,17 
For  Havelok,  pat  havep  spuset  pe, 
Is 18  kinges  sone  and  kinges  eyr 19 ; 
J>at  bikenneth 20  pat  croiz  so  fayr. 
It  bikenneth  more  —  pat  he  shal 
Denemark  haven,  and  Englond  al ; 
He  shal  ben  king,  strong  and  stark, 
Of  Engelond  and  Denemark ; 
J>at  shal[t]  pu  wit[h]  pin  eyne  sen, 
And  po[u]  shalt  quen  and  levedi  ben.' 

f>anne 21  she  havede  herd  the  stevene 22 
Of  pe  angel  ut  of  hevene, 


25 


1  cheated,  deceived 

2  MS.  shere  (for  she  were) 
8  given 

4  beneath  her  rank 

5  in  the  night 

6  light 

7  shining 

8  as  if 


9  blaze 
1°  wonder 
n  mean 
12  is 

is  nobleman 
w  think 

15  cross 

16  voice 


17  put  aside  thy  sorrow 
is  MS.  he 
i»  heir 

20  betokens 

21  when 

22  voice 


34  ROMANCES 

She  was  so  fele  sij>es 1  blithe 
f»at  she  ne  mihte  hire  ioie  mythe 2  - 
But  Havelok  sone  anon  she  kiste ; 
And  he  slep,  and  nouht  ne  wiste  * 
Hwat  fat  aungel  havede  seyd. 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 

John  Gower  —  'moral  Gower,'  as  Chaucer  called  him  —  was  born  about 
1330,  and  died  between  August  15  and  October  24,  1408.  He  was  of  a  Kentish 
family,  a  layman,  and  a  man  of  some  wealth.  For  the  most  part,  he  probably 
resided  in  London,  and  was  personally  known  to  Richard  II.  While  living 
in  Southwark,  he  married  one  Agnes  Groundolf  on  January  25,  1397/8,  and 
perhaps  had  been  married  before.  He  lies  buried  in  St.  Saviour's,  Southwark, 
formerly  called  St.  Mary  Overey.  The  effigy  of  the  poet,  beneath  a  three- 
arched  canopy,  exhibits  his  head  resting  upon  three  volumes,  bearing  the 
names  of  his  three  principal  works  —  Speculum  Meditantis,  Vox  Clamantis,  and 
Confessio  Amantis. 

Of  these  the  first,  now  known  as  the  Mirour  de  FOmme  {Speculum  Hominis) 
has  only  recently  been  discovered.  This  is  in  French,  the  Vox  Clamantis  in 
Latin,  and  the  Confessio  Amantis  in  English.  The  French  work  was  the  earliest, 
the  Latin  work  was  produced  about  1382,  while  the  English  work  assumed  its 
final  form  in  1393.  The  Confessio  Amantis  contains  more  than  33,000  lines, 
surpassing  the  Mirour  de  FOmme  by  above  4000  lines.  Besides  these  three, 
Gower  wrote  several  minor  works.  The  whole  has  been  critically  edited  in 
four  volumes  by  G.  C.  Macaulay  (Oxford,  1899-1902).  In  the  French  and  the 
Latin  poems,  Gower's  tendency  is  markedly  didactic.  In  the  English  poem 
his  general  theme  is  love,  which  he  illustrates  by  a  series  of  112  stories. 

Lowell  said,  in  his  essay  on  Chaucer  :  '  Gower  has  positively  raised  tedious- 
ness  to  the  precision  of  a  science.'  A  fairer  judgment  is  that  by  Ker  (English 
Literature,  Mediaeval,  pp.  225-226):  'Gower  should  always  be  remembered 
along  with  Chaucer ;  he  is  what  Chaucer  might  have  been  without  genius  and 
without  his  Italian  reading,  but  with  his  critical  tact,  and  much  of  his  skill  in 
verse  and  diction.  The  Confessio  Amantis  is  monotonous,  but  it  is  not  dull. 
Much  of  it  at  a  time  is  wearisome,  but  as  it  is  composed  of  a  number  of  separate 
stories,  it  can  be  read  in  bits,  and  ought  to  be  so  read.  Taken  one  at  a  time, 
the  clear  bright  little  passages  come  out  with  a  meaning  and  a  charm  that  may 
be  lost  when  the  book  is  read  too  perseveringly.' 

The  Apollonius  of  Tyre,  the  first  of  our  extracts,  was  first  written  in  Greek 
(probably  third  century),  and  afterwards  translated  into  Latin.  Gower  para 
phrased  the  Latin,  and  the  Shakespearean  (?)  Pericles  is,  in  turn,  based  upon 

1  so  many  times,  so  very  a  conceal  8  knew 


35 

Gower.    For  further  particulars  concerning  Apollonius,  see  my  First  Book  in 
Old  English,  pp.  164-165. 

The  ^Eson  story  is  derived  from  Ovid's  Metamorphoses  (7.  162-293),  !32  lmes 
of  the  original  being  expanded  to  230.  A  portion  of  this  Ovidian  passage 
(Met.  7.  197  ff.),  extremely  condensed  by  Gower,  reappears  in  Shakespeare's 
Tempest  5.  i .  33-50. 

APOLLONIUS  OF  TYRE 
8.597-911 

Of  Tharsiens  *  his  leve  anon 
He  2  tok,  and  is  to  schipe  gon. 
His  cours  he  nam  8  with  seil  updrawe,4 
Where  as  8  Fortune  doth 6  the  lawe, 
And  scheweth,  as  I  schal  reherse, 
How  sche 7  was  to  this  lord  diverse,8  " 
The  which9  upon  the  see  sche  ferketh.10 
The  wynd  aros,  the  weder  derketh,11 
It  blew  and  made  such  tempeste 
Non  ancher  mai  the  schip  areste, 
Which  hath  tobroken  al  his  gere 12 ; 
The  schipmen  stode  in  such  a  feere, 
Was  non  that  myhte  himself  bestere,1* 
Bot  evere  awaitevupon  the  lere,14  * 
Whan  that  thei  scholde  drenche 15  at  ones. 
Ther  was  ynowh  withinne  wones 16  • 
Of  wepinge  and  of  sorghe 17  tho 18 ; 
This  yonge  king  makth  mochel  wo 
So  for  to  se  the  schip  travaile 19 : 
Bot  al  that  myhte  him  noght  availe ; 
The  mast  tobrak,20  the  seil  torof"; 
The  schip  upon  the  wawes  drof, 

1  the  people  of  Tarsus  8  contrary  ls  drown 

2  Apollonius  9  Apollonius  16  reach 
s  took  1°  conducts  "  sorrow 
4  drawn  up  u  grows  dark  18  then 

s  wherever  12  tackle  19  labor 

6  makes,  lays  down  **  bestir  ^  snapped 

1  Fortune  1*  destruction,  shipwreck  (OE.  fyre)  21  was  rent 


36  ROMANCES 

Til  that  thei  sihe 1  a  londes  cooste. 

Tho  made  avou 2  the  leste  and  moste, 

Be  so 8  thei  myhten  come  alonde  * ; 

Bot  he  which  hath  the  see  on  honde, 
5  Neptunus,  wolde  noght  acorde, 

Bot  altobroke 5  cable  and  corde ; 

Er  thei  to  londe  myhte  aproche, 

The  schip  toclef 6  upon  a  roche,    • 

And  al  goth  doun  into  the  depe. 
10  Bot  He  that  alle  thing  mai  kepe 

Unto  this  lord  was  merciable, 

And  broghte  him  sauf  upon  a  table,1  ^.w.v 

Which  to  the  lond  him  hath  upbore ; 

The  remenant  was  al  forlore,8 
15  Whereof  he  made  mochel  mone.9 

Thus  was  this  yonge  lord  him  one,1* 

Al  naked  in  a  povere  plit u ; 

His  colour,  which  whilom 12  was  whyt, 

Was  thanne  of 18  water  fade 14  and  pale, 
20  And  ek  he  was  so  sore 16  acale 16 

That  he  wiste 1T  of  himself  no  bote 18 : 

It  halp 19  him  nothing  for  to  mote  M 

To  gete  ayein  that  he  hath  lore.21 

Bot  sche  which  hath  his  deth  forbore,22 
25  Fortune,  thogh  sche  wol  noght  yelpe,28 

Al  sodeinly  hath  sent  him  helpe, 

Whanne  him  thoghte  alle  grace  aweie : 

Ther  cam  a  fisshere  in  the  weie, 

And  sih 24  a  man  ther  naked  stonde ; 
30  And  whan  that  he  hath  understonde 

1  saw  9  moan  17  knew 

2  promise  10  alone  18  remedy 
8  on  condition  that                         n  plight  19  helped 

4  to  land  12  aforetime  20  wish  (unique  in  this  sense) 

6  broke  asunder  n  by  reason  of  21  lost 

6  clove  asunder,  split  H  pale  22  withheld 

7  plank  16  very  28  boast 

8  lost  16  acold,  cold  24  Saw 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 


37 


The  cause,  he  hath  of  him  gret  routhe,1 
And,  onliche 2  of  his  povere  trouthe,8 
Of  suche  clothes  as  he  hadde 
With  gret  pite  this  lord  he  cladde. 
And  he  him  thonketh  as  he  scholde, 
And  seith  him  that  it  schal  be  yolde,4 
If  evere  he  gete  his  stat 8  ayein, 
And  preide  that  he  wolde  him  sein  6 
If  nyh  were  eny  toun  for  him. 
He  seide :  '  Yee,7  Pentapolim, 
Wher  bothe  king  and  queene  duellen.' 
Whanne  he  this  tale  herde  tellen, 
He  gladeth  him,8  and  gan  beseche 
That  he  the  weie  him  wolde  teche 9 ; 
And  he  him  taghte ;  and  forth  he  wente, 
And  preide  God  with  good  entente 10 
To  sende  him  jpie  after  his  sorwe. 

It  was  noght  passed  yit  mid-morwe,11 
Whan  thiderward  his  weie  he  nam,12 
Wher  sone 18  upon  the  non 14  he  cam. 
He  eet  such  as  he  myhte  gete, 
And  forth  anon,  whan  he  hadde  ete, 
He  goth  to  se  the  toun  aboute, 
And  cam  ther  as 15  he  fond  a  route 
Of  yonge  lusti  men  withalle ; 
And  as  it  scholde  tho  befalle, 
That  day  was  set  of  such  assise 16 
That  thei  scholde,  in  the  londes  guise," 
As  he  herde  of  the  poeple  seie, 
Here 18  comun  game  thanne  pleie ; 
And  crid 19  was  that  thei  scholden  come 


1  ruth,  pity 

2  only 

s  loyalty 
•*  repaid 

5  state,  dignity 

6  say 

7  yea 


20 


8  himself 

9  point  out,  show 

10  intent 

11  mid-morning 

12  took 
18  soon 
l4  noon 


15  where 

16  manner ;  MS.  assisse 

17  fashion 

18  their 
i»  cried 


ROMANCES 


10 


25 


30 


*  games 

2  one  and  all 
8  active 

*  nimble 
s  feat 

6  same 
"•  required 


Unto  the  gamen l  alle  and  some  a 
Of  hem  that  ben  delivere 8  and  wyhte,4 
To  do  such  maistrie 6  as  thei  myhte. 
Thei  made  hem  naked  as  thei  scholde, 
For  so  that  ilke '  game  wolde,7 
As  it  was  tho  custume  and  us  8 ; 
Amonges  hem  was  no  refus.9 
The  flour  of  al  the  toun  was  there, 
And  of  the  Qourt  also  ther  were ; 
And  that  was  in  a  large  place 
Riht  evene 10  afore  the  kinges  face, 
Which  Artestrathes  "  thanne  hihte." 
The  pley  was  pleid  riht  in  his  sihte, 
And  who  most  worthi  was  of  dede 
Receive  he  scholde  a  certein  mede,18 
And  in  the  cite  here  a  pris.14 

Appolinus,  which,  war15  and  wys. 
Of  every  game  couthe 16  an  ende,17 
He  thoghte  assaie,18  hou  so  it  wende,19 
And  fell  among  hem  into  game ; 
And  there  he  wan  him  such  a  name, 
So  as  the  king  himself  acompteth,20 
That  he  alle  othre  men  surmonteth, 
And  bar  the  pris  above  hem  alle. 
The  king  bad  that  into  his  halle 
At  souper-time  he  schal  be  broght ; 
And  he  cam  thanne,  and  lefte  n  it  noght, 
Withoute  cpmpaignie,  alone. 
Was  non  so  semlich  **  of  persone, 
Of  visage  and  of  limes  *  bothe, 


9  refusal 
1°  directly 
J1  Arcestrates 
12  was  called 
J«  reward 
14  prize 
is  wary 

w  knew 


v  an  ende  =  pretty  thoroughly 
is  to  try 

19  might  turn  out 

20  deems 

21  neglected 

22  seemly 
»  limbs 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 


39 


1  wear 

3  press,  crowd 

3  bade 

•»  to  call 

5  marshal 

6  station 
"  own 

8  to  begin,  sit  at  the  head  of 


If  that  he  hadde  what  to  cjpthe l ; 
At  souper-time,  natheles, 
The  king  amiddes  al  the  pres* 
Let 3  clepe  *  him  up  among  hem  alle, 
And  bad  his  mareschall 5  of  halle 
To  setten  him  in  such  degre  * 
That  he  upon  him  myhte  se. 
The  king  was  sone  set  and  served, 
And  he,  which  hath  his  pris  deserved 
After  the  kinges  oghne 7  word, 
Was  mad  beginne 8  a  middel  bord,' 
That  bothe  king  and  queene  him  sihe.10 
He  sat  and  caste  aboute  his  yhe, 
And  sih  the  lordes  in  astat,11 
And  with  himself  wax 12  in  debat, 
Thenkende l*  what  he  hadde  lore  " ; 
And  such  a  sorwe  he  tok  therfore, 
That  he  sat  evere  stille  and  thoghte, 
As  he  which  of  no  mete 15  roghte.16 
The  king  behield  his  hevynesse,17 
And,  of  his  grete  gentillesse, 
His  doghter,  which  was  fair  and  good, 
And  ate 18  bord  before  him  stod, 
As  it  was  thilke 19  time  usage,29 
He  bad  to  gon  on  his  message, 
And  f onde  fl  for  to  make  him  glad. 
And  sche  dede  as  hire  fader  bad, 
And  goth  to  him  the  softe  pas,22 
And  axeth  whenne  M  and  what  he  was, 
And  preith  he  scholde  his  thoghtes  leve.M 

•table 
»  might  see 
i!  state 
12  grew 
18  thinking 

M  lost 

is  food 

16  took  account,  recked 


20 


i«  at  the 
is  that 
"  custom 

21  attempt 

22  pace 

28  whence 
w  abandon 


ROMANCES 


10 


iby 
a  called 
8  income 

4  honor 

5  goods 

6  committed 

1  along,  down 


He  seith :  '  Madame,  be l  your  leve, 
Mi  name  is  hote 2  Appolinus ; 
And  of  mi  richesse  it  is  thus  — 
Upon  the  see  I  have  it  lore. 
The  contre  wher  as  I  was  bore, 
Wher  that  my  lond  is  and  mi  rente,8 
I  lefte  at  Tyr,  whan  that  I  wente ; 
The  worschipe 4  of  this  worldes  aghte,6 
Unto  the  god  ther  I  betaghte.6 ' 
And  thus  togedre  as  thei  tuo  speeke, 
The  teres  runne  be 7  his  cheeke. 

The  king,  which  therof  tok  good  kepe,8 
Hath  gret  pite  to  sen  him  wepe, 
And  for  his  doghter  sende  ayein, 
And  preide  hir  faire,  and  gan  to  sein 9 
That  sche  no  lengere  wolde  drecche,10 
Bot  that  sche  wolde  anon  forth  fecche 
Hire  harpe,  and  don  al  that  sche  can 
To  glade  with  u  that  sory  man. 
And  sche,  to  don  hir  fader 12  heste,18 
Hir  harpe  fette,14  and,  in  the  feste,15 
Upon  a  chaier  which  thei  fette 
Hirself  next  to  this  man  sche  sette ; 
With  harpe  bothe,  and  ek  with  mouthe, 
To  him  sche  dede  al  that  sche  couthe 
To  make  him  chiere 16  —  and  evere  he  siketh 
And  sche  him  axeth  hou  him  liketh.18 
'  Madame,  certes 19  wel,'  he  seide, 
'  Bot,  if  ye  the  mesure  pleide 
Which,  if  you  list,  I  schal  you  Here,20 
It  were  a  glad  thing  for  to  hiere.' 


8  heed 

9  say 

10  delay 

11  with  which  to  gladden 

12  father's 
l*  command 
"  fetched 


15  feast 

16  entertainment 
i"  sighs 

ig  it  pleases  him 
l9  certainly 
»  teach 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS  41 

'  Ha,  lieve  sire,1 '  tho 2  quod  sche, 

'  Now  tak  the  harpe,  and  let  me  se 

Of  what  mesure  that  ye  mene.' 

Tho  preith  the  king,  tho  preith  the  queene, 

Forth  with 8  the  lordes  alle  arewe,4  5 

That  he  som  merthe  wolde  schewe ; 

He  takth  the  harpe,  and  in  his  wise 

He  tempreth,5  and  of  such  assise 6 

Singende  he  harpeth  forth  withal, 

That  as  a  vois  celestial  10 

Hem  thoghte 7  it  souneth  in  here  ere, 

As  thogh  that  he  an  angel  were. 

Thei  gladen  of  his  melodic  ; 

Bot,  most  of  all  the  compainie, 

The  kinges  doghter,  which  it  herde,  15 

And  thoghte  ek 8  hou  that  he  ansuerde, 

Whan  that  he  was  of9  hire  opposed,10 

Withinne  hir  herte  hath  wel  supposed 

That  he  is  of  gret  gentilesse. 

Hise  dedes  ben  therof  witnesse,  20 

Forth  with  the  wisdom  of  his  lore ; 

It  nedeth  noght  to  seche  n  more  — 

He  myhte  noght  have  such  manere, 

Of  gentil  blod  bot-if  V1  he  were. 

Whanne  he  hath  harped  al  his  fille,  25 

The  kinges  heste  to  fulfille, 

Awey  goth  dissh,  awey  goth  cuppe, 

Doun  goth  the  bord,  the  cloth  was  uppe, 

Thei  risen  and  gon  out  of  halle.      >~ 

The  king  his  chamberlein  let  cafle',  3° 

And  bad  that  he  be  alle  weie 18 
A  chambre  for  this  man  pourveie,14   ' 

1  dear  sir  6  in  such  manner  u  seek 

2  then  7  it  seemed  to  them  12  unless 

3  together  with  8  eke,  also  18  without  fail 

*  successively  (in  a  row)  9  by  14  purvey,  provide 

*  tunes  10  questioned 


ROMANCES 


trf 


2S 


1  should  be 

2  done 

8  make  mention 
<  those 
8  knows 


Which  nyh  his  oghne  chambre  be.1 
'  It  schal  be  do,2  mi  lord,'  quod  he. 
Appolinus,  of  whom  I  mene,3 
Tho  tok  his  leve  of  king  and  queene, 
And  of  the  worthi  maide  also, 
Which  preide  unto  hir  fader  tho 
That  sche  myjrte  of  that  yonge  man 
Of  tho 4  sciences  whiche  he  can 6 
His  lore  6  have  ;  and  in  this  wise 
The  king  hir  granteth  his  aprise,7 
So  that  himself  therto  assente. 
Thus  was  acorded,  er  thei  wente, 
That  he,  with  al  that  evere  he  may, 
This  yonge  faire  freisshe  may  8 
Of  that  he  couthe  scholde  enforme  ; 
And,  full  assented  in  this  forme, 
Thei  token  leve  as  for  that  nyht. 

And,  whanne  it  was  amorwe 9  lyht, 
Unto  this  yonge  man  of  Tyr 
Of  clothes  and  of  good  atir, 
With  gold  and  silver  to  despende,10 
This  worthi  yonge  lady  sende  ; 
And  thus  sche  made  him  wel  at  ese ; 
And  he,  with  al  that  he  can  plese, 
Hire  serveth  wel  and  faire  n  ayein. 
He  tawhte  hir  til  sche  was  certein 
Of  harpe,  of  citole,12  and  of  rote,18 
With  many  a  tun  14  and  many  a  note 
Upon  musique,  upon  mesure  ; 
And  of  hire  hajpe  the  temprure 15 
He  tawhte  hire  ek,  as  he  wel  couthe. 


6  teaching 

7  instruction 

8  damsel 

9  in  the  morning 
10  spend 


«  fairly 

12  dulcimer 

13  violin 
l*  tune 
!5  tuning 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 


43 


Bot,  as  men  sein  that  f rele l  is  youthe, 
With  leisir 2  and  continuance 
This  mayde  fell  upon  a  chance, 
That  Love  hath  mad  him 8  a  qijerele  * 
Ayein  hire  youthe  freissh  and  frele, 
That  malgre 5  wher 6  sche  wole 7  or  noght, 
Sche  mot 8  with  al  hire  hertes  thoght 
To  Love  and  to  his  lawe  obeie ;    Tf 
And  that  sche  schal  ful  sore  abeie,9 
For  sche  wot 10  nevere  what  it  is, 
Bot  evere  among  n  sche  fieleth 12  this. 
Thenkende  upon  this  man  of  Tyr, 
Hire  herte  is  hot  as  eny  fyr, 
And  otherwhile  it  is  acale ; 
Now  is  sche  red,  nou  is  sche  pale, 
Riht  after  the  condicion 
Of  hire  ymagmacion ; 
Bot  evere  among  hire  thoghtes  alle, 
Sche  thoghte,  what  so  mai  befalle, 


Or 18  that  sche  lawhe,14  or  that  sche  wepe, 

Sche  wolde  hire  goode  name  kepe, 

For  feere  of  wommanysshe 15  schame. 

Bot,  what  in  _ernest  and  in  game, 

Sche  stant 16  for  love  in  such  a  plit n 

That  sche  hath  lost  al  appetit 

Of  mete,  of  drinke,  of  nyhtes  reste, 

As  sche  that  not 18  what  is  the  beste. 

Bot,  for  to  thenken  al  hir  fille, 

Sche  hield 19  hire  ofte  times  stille 

Withinne  hir  chambre,  and  goth  noght  oute ; 


1  frail 

2  leisure 

3  for  himself 

4  attack 

5  in  spite  of 

6  whether 
Twill 


8  must 

9  atone  for 
1°  knows 

11  in  the  course  (of  things) 

12  feels 

18  whether 
!•*  laugh 


is  womanly 
lfi  stands 
"  plight 
is  knows  not 
19  held 


44  ROMANCES 

The  king  was  of  hire  lif  in  doute, 
Which  wiste  nothing  what  it  mente. 

Bot  fell  a  time,  as  he  out  wente 
To  walke,  of  princes  sones  thre 

5  Ther  come  and  felle  to  his  kne ; 

And  ech  of  hem  in  sondri  wise 
Besoghte  and  profreth  his  servise, 
So  that  he  myhte  his  doghter  have. 
The  king,  which  wolde  his  honour  save, 

10  Seith  sche  is  sigk,1  and  of  that  speche 

Tho 2  was  no  time  to  beseche ; 
Bot  ech  of  hem  do  make  *  a  bille  4 
He  bad,  and  wryte  his  oghne  wille, 
His  name,  his  fader,  and  his  good  6 ; 

15  And  whan  sche  wiste  hou  that  it  stod, 

And  hadde  here 6  billes  oversein,7 
The]  scholden  have  ajisuere  ayein. 
Of  this  conseil  thei  weren  glad, 
And  writen  as  the  king  hem  bad ; 

20  And  every  man  his  oghne  bok 

Into  the  kinges  hond  betok,8 
And  he  it  to  his  dowhter  sende, 
Y\'  And  preide  hir  for  to  make  an  ende 
And  wryte  ayein  hire  oghne  hond, 

25  Riht 9  as  sche  in  hire  herte  fond. 

The  billes  weren  wel  received ; 
Bot  sche  hath  alle  here  loves  weyved,10 
And  thoghte  tho  was  time  and  space 
To  put  hire  in  hir  fader  n  grace, 

30  And  wrot  ayein,  and  thus  sche  saide : 

'  The  schame  which  is  in  a  maide 
With  speche  dar  noght  ben  unloke,12 


1  sick  6  property  &  just 

a  then  •  their  w  put  aside,  rejected 

8  cause  to  make,  have  made  7  looked  over  u  father's 

*  memorandum  *  delivered  M  unlocked 


GOVVER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 


45 


Bot  in  writinge  it  mai  be  spoke ; 

So  wryte  I  to  you,  fader,  thus : 

Bot-if  I  have  Appolirus, 

Of  al  this  world,  what  so  betyde, 

I  wol  non  other  man  abide ; 

And  certes  if  I  of  him  faile, 

I  wot  riht  wel,  withoute  faile, 

Ye  schulj  for  me  be  dowhterles.' 

This  lettre  cam,  and  ther  was  press 

Tofore 1  the  king,  ther  as  2  he  stod ; 

And  whan  that  he  it  understod, 

He  yaf  8  hem  ansuer  by  and  by  * ; 

Bot  that  was  do  6  so  prively 

That  non  of  othres  conseil  wiste. 

Thei  toke  her  leve,  and  wher  hem  liste 8 

Thei  wente  forth  upon  here  wgig. 


10 


1  before 

2  where 
»gave 

4  directly 

5  done 


ISDN'S  RESTORATION  TO  YOUTH 
5-3945-4174 

Jason,  which  sih  his  fader  old, 
Upon  Medea  made  him  ~  bold 
Of  art  magique,  which  sche  couthe,8 
And  preith  hire  that  his  fader '  youthe 
Sche  wolde  make  ayeinward 10  newe ; 
And  sche,  that  was  toward  him  trewe, 
Behihte  u  him  that  sche  wolde  it  do, 
Whan  that  sche  time  sawh  therto. 
Bot  what  sche  dede  in  that  matiere 1S 
It  is  a  wonder  thing  to  hiere ; 
Bot  yit,  for  the  novellerie,18 
I  thenke  tellen  a  partie.14 

6  it  was  pleasing  to  them 
"  himself 

8  knew 

9  father's 

10  again 


20 


H  promised 
w  matter 
11  novelty 
l«  part 


46  ROMANCES 

Thus  it  befell  upon  a  nyht, 

Whan  ther  was  noght  hot  sterreliht, 

Sche  was  vanyssht  riht  as  hir  liste,1 

That  no  wyht  hot  hirself  it  wiste, 
5  And  that  was  ate 2  mydnyht-tyde. 

The  world  was  stille  on  every  side ; 

With  open  hed  and  fot  al  bare, 

Hir  her  8  tosprad,4  sche  gan  to  fare ; 

Upon  hir  clothes  gert 6  sche  was. 
10  Al  specheles,6  and  on  the  gras, 

Sche  glod 7  forth  as  an  addre  doth  — 

Non  otherwise  sche  ne  goth  — 

Til  sche  cam  to  the  f  reisshe  flod ; 

And  there  a  while  sche  with 8  stod. 
15  Thries  sche  torned  hire  aboute, 

And  thries  ek  sche  gan  doun  loute, 

And  in  the  flod  sche  wette  hir  her ; 

And  thries  on  the  water  ther 

Sche  gaspeth  with  a  drecchinge 9  onde,10 
20  And  tho  sche  tok  hir  speche  on  honde. 

Ferst  sche  began  to  clepe  u  and  calle 

Upward  unto  the  sterres  alle ; 

To  wynd,  to  air,  to  see,  to  lond, 

Sche  preide,  and  ek  hield  up  hir  hond 
25  To  Echates 12  —  and  gan  to  crie  — 

Whiche  is  goddesse  of  sorcerie. 

Sche  seide  :  '  Helpeth 18  at  this  nede, 

And,  as  ye  maden  me  to  spede 14 

Whan  Jason  cam  the  flees  to  seche, 
•jo  So  help  me  nou,  I  you  beseche.' 

With  that  sche  loketh,  and  was  war 

Doun  fro  the  sky  ther  cam  a  char,15 

1  pleased  6  Lat./w  muta  silentia  noctis  12  Hecate 

2  at  the  7  glided  *•  help 

8  hair  8  by,  near  14  succeed 

*  spread  abroad  (Lat.  midos  humeris  9  troubled,  agonizing  16  chariot 

infusa  capillos)  10  breath 

6  girt  (Lat.  vestes  indutd  recinctas)  n  cry 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS  47 

The  which  dragouns  aboute  drowe 1 ; 

And  tho  sche  gan  hir  hed  doun  bowe, 

And  up  sche  styh,2  and  faire  and  wel 

Sche  drof 8  forth  bothe  char  and  whel  * 

Above  in  th'  air  among  the  skyes.  5 

The  lond  of  Crete  and  tho 5  parties ' 
Sche  soughte,  and  faste  gan  hire  hye,7 
And  there,  upon  the  hulles s  hyhe 
Of  Othrin  and  Olimpe  also, 

And  ek  of  othre  hulles  mo,9  10 

Sche  fond 10  and  gadreth  herbes  suote  n  ; 
Sche  pulleth  up  som  be  the  rote, 
And  manye  with  a  knyf  sche  scherth,12 
And  alle  into  hir  char  sche  berth. 

Thus  whan  sche  hath  the  hulles  sought,  15 

The  flodes  ther  foryat  sche  nought 18  — 
Eridian  and  Amphrisos, 
Peneie  and  ek  Spercheidos ; 
To  hem  sche  wente,  and  ther  sche  nom  u 
Bothe  of  the  water  and  the  fom,  20 

The  sond,  and  ek  the  smale  stones  — 
Whiche  as  sche  ches 15  out  for  the  nones 16 ; 
And  of  the  Rede  See  a  part 
That  was  behovelich 17  to  hire  art 

1  drew  7  hie,  hasten  18  not 

2  ascended  8  hills  « took 
8  drove  9  more  w  chose 
4  wheel  10  found  16  nonce 

6  those  n  sweet  17  needful 

6  parts  12  shears 

6.  Crete  :  this  reposes  upon  a  corrupt  reading  of  the  Latin ;  read  perhaps 
'  Thrace.' 

9.  Othrin  :  Othrys  ;  Medea  flies  in  a  circuit  about  Thessaly. 

17.  Eridian  :  not  the  Eridanus  (Po),  but  the  Apidanus,  one  of  the  tributaries 
of  the  Peneus,  which  flows  through  the  vale  of  Tempe.  —  Amphrisos:  a  small 
river  flowing  northeast  into  the  modern  Gulf  of  Volos. 

18.  Spercheidos  :  the  Spercheius  is  south  of  the  preceding. 

23.  Rede  See  :  Macaulay  suggests  that  Gower  read '  rubrum '  for  the '  refluum ' 
of  Ovid's  line  267. 


48 


ROMANCES 


10 


20 


Sche  tok ;  and,  after  that,  aboute 
Sche  soughte  sondri  sedes  oute 
In  feldes,  and  in  many  graves 1 ; 
And  ek  a  part  sche  tok  of  leves ; 
Bot  thing  which  mihte  hire  most  availe 
Sche  fond  in  Crete 2  and  in  Thessaile. 

In  daies  and  in  nyhtes  nyne, 
With  gret  travaile  and  with  gret  pyne 8 
Sche  was  pourveid 4  of  every  piece, 
And  torneth  homward  into  Grece. 
Before  the  gates  of  Eson 
Hir  char  sche  let  awai  to  gon, 
And  tok  out  ferst  that  was  therinne ; 
For  tho  sche  thoghte  to  beginne 
Such  thing  as  semeth  impossible, 
And  made  hirselven  invisible, 
As  sche  that  was  with  air  enclosed, 
And  mihte  of  no  man  be  desclosed. 
Sche  tok  up  turves  of  the  lond, 
Withoute  helpe  of  mannes  hond, 
Al  heled 5  with  the  grene  gras, 
Of  which  an  alter  mad  ther  was 
Unto  Echates  the  goddesse 
Of  art  magique  and  the  maistresse, 
And  eft  another  to  Juvente,6 
As  sche  which  dede  hir  hole 7  entente. 
Tho  tok  sche  fieldwode 8  and  verveyne  - 
Of  herbes  ben  noght  betre  tueine  — 
Of  which  anon,  withoute  let,9 
These  alters  ben  aboute  set. 

Tuo  sondri  puttes 10  faste  u  by 
Sche  made,  and  with  that  hastely 


1  groves 

2  See  note  on  1.  6,  p.  47 
8  MS.  peyne 

•*  provided 
5  covered 


6  Youth  (Hebe) 

7  whole 

8  woodland-growth ;  Lat. 

sUva  agresti,  literally 
translated 


9  hindrance  ;  we  still  say    with 
out  let  or  hindrance 
1°  pits 
u  near 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS  49 

A  wether  which  was  blak  sche  slouh,1 

And  out  therof  the  blod  sche  drouh, 

And  dede  into  the  pettes 2  tuo ; 

Warm  melk  sche  putte  also  therto, 

With  hony  meynd 3 ;  and  in  such  wise  5 

Sche  gan  to  make  hir  sacrifice, 

And  cride  and  preide  forth  withal 

To  Pluto  the  god  infernal, 

And  to  the  queene  Proserpine. 

And  so  sche  soghte  out  al  the  line  10 

Of  hem  that  longen  4  to  that  craft  — 

Behinde  was  no  name  laft  — 

And  preide  hem 5  alle,  as  sche  wel  couthe, 

To  grante  Eson  his  ferste  youthe. 

This  olde  Eson  broght  forth  was  tho ;  15 

Awei  sche  bad  alle  othre 6  go 
Upon  peril  that  mihte  falle ; 
And  with  that  word  thei  wenten  alle, 
And  leften  there  hem  tuo  alone. 

And  tho  sche  gan  to  gaspe  and  gone,7  20 

And  made  signes  many  on, 
And  seide  hir  wordes  therupon ; 
So  that,  with  spellinge  of  hir  charmes, 
Sche  tok  Eson  in  bothe  hire  armes, 

And  made  him  for  to  slepe  faste,  25 

And  him  upon  hire  herbes  caste. 
The  blake  wether  tho  sche  tok, 
And  hiewh 8  the  fleissh,  as  doth  a  cok  ; 
On  either  alter  part  sche  leide, 

And,  with  the  charmes  that  sche  seide,  30 

A  fyr  doun  fro  the  sky  alyhte, 
And  made  it  for  to  brenne  lyhte. 

1  slew  3  mingled  5  them  7  gape 

2  pits  4  belong  6  others  *  hewed 

20.  The  next  fifty  lines  are  for  the  most  part  original  (Macaulay). 


50  ROMANCES 

Bot  whan  Medea  sawh  it  brenne, 

Anon  sche  gan  to  sterte  and  renne1 

The  fyri  aulters  al  aboute. 

Ther  was  no  beste a  which  goth  oute 
5  More  wylde  than  sche  semeth  ther: 

Aboute  hir  schuldres  hyng 8  hir  her, 

As  thogh  sche  were  oute  of  hir  mynde, 

And  torned  in  another  kynde.* 

Tho  lay  ther  certein  wode  cleft, 
10  Of  which  the  pieces  nou  and  eft6 

Sche  made  hem  in  the  pettes  wete,6 

And  put  hem  in  the  fyri  hete, 

And  tok  the  brond  with  al  the  blase, 

And  thries  sche  began  to  rase7 
15  Aboute  Eson,  ther  as  he  slepte; 

And  eft  with  water,  which  sche  kepte, 

Sche  made  a  cercle  aboute  him  thries, 

And  eft  with  fyr  of  sulphre  twyes ; 

Ful  many  another  thing  sche  dede, 
20  Which  is  noght  writen  in  this  stede.8 

Bot  tho  sche  ran  so  up  and  doun, 

Sche  made  many  a  wonder 9  soun,10 

Somtime  lich  u  unto  the  cock, 

Somtime  unto  the  laverock,12 
25  Somtime  kacleth  as  a  hen, 

Somtime  spekth  as  don  the  men ; 

And  riht  so  as  hir  jargoun  strangeth,18 

In  sondri  wise  hir  forme  changeth. 

Sche  semeth  faie,14  and  no  womman ; 
30  For,  with  the  craftes  that  sche  can, 

Sche  was,  as  who  seith,15  a  goddesse ; 

And  what  hir  liste,  more  or  lesse, 

1  run  6  wet  n  like 

2  beast  7  race  u  lark 

8  hung  8  place  18  grows  strange 

4  turned  to  another  nature  9  wonderful  14  fay,  fairy 

6  again  10  sound  15  as  one  might  say 


GOWER,  CONFESSIO  AMANTIS 


Sche  dede,1  in  bokes  as  we  finde, 
That  passeth  over  marines  kinde.2 
Bot  who  that  wole 8  of  wondres  hiere  — 
What  thing  sche  wroghte  in  this  matiere, 
To  make  an  ende  of  that  sche  gan  — 
Such  merveile  herde  nevere  man. 

Apointed  in  the  newe  mone, 
Whan  it  was  time  for  to  done, 
Sche  sette  a  caldron  on  the  fyr, 
In  which  was  al  the  hole  atir  4 
Wheron  the  medicine  stod  — 
Of  jus,6  of  water,  and  of  blod  — 
And  let  it  buile 6  in  such  a  plit,7 
Til  that  sche  sawh  the  spume 8  whyt ; 
And  tho  sche  caste  in  rynde  and  rote,9 
And  sed  and  flour 10  that  was  for  bote,11 
With  many  an  herbe  and  many  a  ston, 
Wherof  sche  hath  ther  many  on. 
And  ek  Cimpheius  the  serpent 
To  hire  hath  alle  his  scales  lent ; 
Chelidre  hire  yaf  his  addres  skin, 
And  sche  to  builen  caste  hem  in ; 
A  part  ek  of  the  horned  oule, 
The  which  men  hiere  on  nyhtes  houle ; 
And  of  a  raven,  which  was  told 12 
Of  nyne  hundred  wynter  old, 
Sche  tok  the  hed  with  al  the  bile 18 ; 
And  as  the  medicine  it  wile, 


idid 

2  surpasses  human  nature 

Swill 

4  preparation 

6  juice 


6  boil 

7  manner 
s  foam 

9  rind  and  root 


10 


20 


10  flower 

11  remedy 

12  reckoned 
is  bill 


20.  Here  the  Latin  has  nee  defuit  illic  Squamea  Cinyphii  tennis  membrana 
chelydri  (Met.  7.  271-2),  which  King  translates  :  '  skin  membranous  Of  Afric's 
tortoise  caught  by  Cinyps'  banks';  Gower  quite  misunderstands.  —  Cf.  Shake 
speare's  '  fillet  of  a  fenny  snake  '  (Macb.  4.  i.  12). 


52  ROMANCES 

Sche  tok  therafter  the  bouele 

Of  the  seewolf,1  and  for  the  hele 2 

Of  Eson,  with  a  thousand  mo 

Of  thinges  that  sche  hadde  tho, 
5  In  that  caldroun  togedre,  as  blyve,8 

Sche  putte,  and  tok  thanne  of  olyve 

A  drie  branche  hem  with  to  stere,4 

The  which  anon  gan  floure 6  and  bere> 

And  waxe  al  freissh  and  grene  ayein. 
10  Whan  sche  this  vertu  hadde  sein,6 

Sche  let  the  leste  drope  of  alle 

Upon  the  bare  flor  doun  falle ; 

Anon  ther  sprang  up  flour  and  gras 

Where  as  the  drope  falle  was, 
15  And  wox  anon  al  medwe-grene,7 

So  that  it  mihte  wel  be  sene. 
Medea  thanne  knew  and  wiste 

Hir  medicine  is  for  to  triste,8 

And  goth  to  Eson  ther  he  lay, 
20  And  tok  a  swerd  was  of  assay,9 

With  which  a  wounde  upon  his  side 

Sche  made,  that  therout  mai  slyde 

The  blod  withinne,  which  was  old 

And  sek 10  and  trouble  n  and  fieble  and  cold. 
25  And  tho  sche  tok  unto  his  us 12 

Of  herbes  al  the  beste  jus, 

And  poured  it  into  his  wounde ; 

That  made  his  veynes  fulle  and  sounde. 

And  tho  sche  made  his  wounde  clos, 
30  And  tok  his  hand,  and  up  he  ros ; 

1  shark ;  Ovid  means  the  werwolf  5  flower  9  proof,  tried  qualities 

2  recovery  6  seen  10  sick 

8  as  quickly  (as  possible)  J  meadow-green  n  turbid 

*  to  stir  them  with  8  trust  12  use 

8.  '  And  lo !  the  sere  wood  in  the  caldron's  heat  Grew  sudden  green,  and 
clad  itself  with  leaves  Afresh,  and  heavy  drooped  with  berried  fruit '  (Ovid, 
tr.  King). 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT         53 

And  tho  sche  yaf  him  drink  a  drauhte, 
Of  which  his  youthe l  ayein  he  cauhte,2 
His  hed,  his  herte,  and  his  visage 
Lich  unto  twenty  wynter  age. 
Hise  hore 8  heres 4  were  away ; 
And  lich  unto  the  freisshe  Maii, 
Whan  passed  ben  the  colde  schoures, 8 
Riht  so  recovereth  he  his  floures. 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

Sir  Gawain  and  the  Green  Knight  (about  1380)  has  been  called  by  Gaston 
Paris  the  jewel  of  English  mediaeval  literature  (Hist.  Lift,  de  la  France  30.  73), 
and  by  Schofield  (Eng.  Lit.  from  the  Conquest  to  Chaucer,  p.  21 5)  '  incomparably 
the  best  of  the  English  romances,  and  one  of  the  finest  in  any  language.'  Of 
the  unknown  author  Schofield  adds  :  '  Next  to  Chaucer  his  contemporary,  he 
is  perhaps  the  greatest  of  our  mediaeval  poets.' 

The  romance  has  been  edited  by  Madden  (Syr  Gawayne],  1839,  and  by 
Morris  (E.E.T.S.  No.  4),  1864  (revised  by  Gollancz,  1897).  For  general  accounts 
of  the  author  and  his  work,  see  Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  i.  357-373  (Gollancz),  and 
Osgood's  edition  of  The  Pearl,  pp.  xi,  xlvii-lix.  A  good  prose  translation  is  that 
by  K.  G.  T.  Webster  (Boston,  1916),  and  there  is  a  humorous  adaptation  of  the 
poem  in  modern  verse  by  Charlton  M.  Lewis  ( Gawayne  and  the  Green  Knight : 
a  Fairy  Tale},  Boston,  1903. 

The  story  is  probably  from  a  French  or  Anglo-Norman  source ;  for  analogues, 
see  Madden's  edition,  pp.  305-7  ;  M.  C.  Thomas,  Sir  Gawayne  and  the  Green 
Knight  (Zurich,  1883),  pp.  34-68;  Gaston  Paris,  as  above,  30.  75-7;  Weston,  pp. 
88-102  ;  Kittredge,  A  Study  of  Gawain  and  the  Green  Knight  (Cambridge,  1916). 

The  incident  of  the  beheading  is  found  in  the  Fled  Bricrend  (translated  in 
Irish  Texts  Soc.,  Vol.  2),  an  Irish  tale  at  least  as  early  as  noo,  in  which  the 
hero  Cuchulinn  undergoes  the  test  (Gaston  Paris,  p.  77  ;  Weston,  pp.  92  ff.). 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  Richard  de  Beauchamp,  Earl  of  Warwick 
(1382-1439),  a  reputed  descendant  of  the  legendary  Guy  of  Warwick,  and  'a 
brave  and  chivalrous  warrior  in  an»age  of  chivalry,'  entered  the  lists  at  Guines, 
near  Calais,  in  the  character  of  'the  grene  knyght'  on  Jan.  6  (Twelfth  Day) 
of  either  1416  or  1417,  and  unhorsed  a  French  knight,  an  exploit  which  he 
equaled  on  the  two  following  days  (Kittredge,  Harvard  Notes  5.  94~95)-  A 
recent  article,  dealing  with  the  connection  between  this  poem  and  the  Order 
of  the  Garter,  by  Isaac  Jackson,  will  be  found  in  Anglia  37.  393~423  '•>  this  author 

1  youth  8  hoar  6  showers 

2  caught  *  hairs,  hair 


54  ROMANCES 

believes  the  date  to  be  1362.  Chambers  sees  in  the  Green  Knight  a  form  of 
the  fertilization-spirit  (The  Mediceval  Stage  i.  117,  185-186). 

The  language  of  our  author  presents  peculiar  difficulties,  as  does  that  of 
the  whole  school  of  alliterative  poets  which  flourished  during  the  second  half 
of  the  fourteenth  and  the  early  years  of  the  fifteenth  centuries.  Of  this  school 
Gollancz  (p.  373)  considers  that  he  may  well  have  been  the  master. 

The  poem  is  long,  and  full  of  incident  and  description.  Its  story  runs  thus : 
While  Arthur's  court  is  feasting  at  Camelot  on  New  Year's  Day,  a  knight, 
all  in  green,  and  riding  a  green  charger,  rides  into  the  hall.  He  challenges 
any  knight  present  to  give  him  a  stroke  with  his  battle-axe,  on  the  understand 
ing  that  it  is  to  be  rendered  back  to  him  a  year  later.  All  shrink  back  but 
Arthur's  nephew,  Gawain,  who  smites  off  the  knight's  head,  whereupon  the 
latter  rides  away  with  the  head  in  his  hand.  Toward  the  end  of  the  year, 
Gawain  sets  out  to  find  the  knight,  whom  he  eventually  encounters.  After 
various  temptations,  he  endures  the  return-blow — which,  however,  inflicts  but 
a  slight  wound  —  and  later  goes  back  to  Arthur's  court.  (For  more  extended 
analyses,  see  J.  L.  Weston,  Legend  of  Sir  Gawain,  pp.  86-88 ;  Schofield, 
pp.  215-217 ;  Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  I.  364-365  :  Morris'  ed.,  pp.  viii-xxi.) 

Morris  has  thus  summarized  the  part  of  the  poem  which  precedes  our  first 
^extract :  '  Arthur,  the  greatest  of  Britain's  kings,  holds  the  Christmas  festival 
at  Camelot,  surrounded  by  the  celebrated  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  .  .  .  and 
ladies  the  loveliest  that  ever  had  life.  This  noble  company  celebrate  the  New 
Year  by  a  religious  service,  by  the  bestowal  of  gifts,  and  the  most  joyous  mirth. 
Lords  and  ladies  take  their  seats  at  the  table  —  Queen  Guenever,  the  grey- 
eyed,  gaily  dressed,  sits  at  the  dais.  .  . .  Arthur,  in  mood  as  joyful  as  a  child,  .  .  . 
declares  that  he  will  not  eat  nor  sit  long  at  the  table  until  some  adventurous 
thing  has  occurred  to  mark  the  return  of  the  New  Year. 

'  The  first  course  [is]  announced  with  cracking  of  trumpets,  with  the  noise 
of  nakers  and  noble  pipes.' 

Our  extracts  are  lines  130-249,  2212-2478.  The  final  z  (for  s)  at  the  end  of 
words  is  frequently  represented  in  the  MS.  by  5 ;  here  it  is  uniformly  printed  as  z. 

Now  wyl  I  of  hor 1  servise  say  yow  no  more, 

For  uch 2  wyje 8  may  wel  wite 4  no  wont 6  ]>at  )>er  were  ; 

Anofer  noyse  ful  newe  nejed '  bilive,7 

f>at  ]>e  lude 8  myjt  haf  leve  liflode 9  to  each.10 

For  unepe  n  watz 12  J>e  noyce 18  not  a  whyle  u  sesed,16 

And  J>e  fyrst  cource  in  )>e  court  kyndely 16  served, 

1  their  1  on  a  sudden  M  noise  (with  which  the  first  course 

2  each  8  people  was  announced) 
8  man                                  9  food                                   M  but  just 

<  know  10  take  is  ceased 

8  want  ,  11  scarcely  16  duly 

6  drew  nigh  12  was 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  55 

]?er  hales 1  in  at  f  e  halle-dor  an  aghlich 2  mayster,8 
On 4  f  e  most 5  on  f  e  molde 6  on  mesure  hyghe ; 
Fro  f  e  swyre 7  to  f  e  swange 8  so  sware 9  and  so  f  ik, 
And  his  lyndes 10  and  his  lymes  so  longe  and  so  grete, 
Half  etayn  n  in  erde 12 1  hope 18  fat  he  were.  5 

Bot  mon  most  I  algate  u  mynn  15  hym  to  bene, 
And  fat  f  e  myriest 16  in  his  muckel "  fat  myjt  ride ; 
For  of  bak  and  of  brest  al 18  were  his  bodi  sturne,19 
Bot 20  his  wombe 21  and  his  wast  were  worthily  smale, 
And  alle  his  fetures22  fol^ande,23  in  forme  fat  he  hade,  10 

Ful  clene 24 ; 

For  wonder  of  his  hue 25  men  hade, 

Set  in  his  semblaunt 26  sene 27 ; 

He  ferde 28  as  »  f reke «°  were  fade,81 

And  overal82  enker-grene.83  15 

Ande  al  grayf ed  M  in  grene  f  is  gome  K  and  his  wedes,86 

A  stray t 87  cote 88  f ul  street,89  fat  stek  on 40  his  sides, 

A  mere 41  mantile  abof ,  mensked 42  withinne, 

With  pelure  4S  pured  44  apert 45  f e  pane 46  ful  clene,47 

With  blyf  e 48  blaunner  49  ful  bryjt,  and  his  hod 50  bof  e,  20 

J>at  watz  lajt 61  fro  his  lokkez,  and  layde  on  his  schulderes ; 

Heme 52  wel  haled,83  hose  of  fat  same  grene, 


1  rushes 

19  stalwart 

87  tight-fitting 

2  terrible 

20  yet 

88  tunic 

3  lord 

21  belly 

89(?) 

*  one 

22  parts  of  his  body 

40  clung  to 

5  largest 

28  accordingly 

*l  beautiful  (OE.  mare) 

6  mold,  earth 

24  fine 

42  adorned 

"  neck 

25  MS.  hwe 

•»8  fur 

8  loins 

26  appearance 

44  shorn  close,  so  as  to  show 

9  square 

27  plain,  manifest 

only  one  color 

10  loins 

28  acted 

45  evidently 

11  giant  (OE.  eoten) 

2!>like 

46  cloth 

12  earth 

80  man 

4?  fair 

13  believe 

81  vigorous 

48  gay 

14  nevertheless 

82  all  over 

49  (white  ?)  fur 

is  think 

88  dark  (inky)  green 

so  hood 

16  most  agreeable  (?) 

34  arrayed 

si  caught 

17  bigness 

85  man 

62  border 

18  though 

86  apparel 

63  trimmed  (?) 

56  ROMANCES 

J?at  spenet a  on  his  sparlyr,2  and  clene  spures  under, 
Of  bryjt  golde  upon  silk  hordes 8  barred  ful  ryche,4 
And  scholes 6  under  schankes,6  fere  f  e  schalk 7  rides ; 
And  alle  his  vesture  verayly  watz  clene  verdure,8 

5  BoJ>e  |>e  barres  of  his  belt  and  of  er  blyf  e  stones, 

J>at  were  richely  rayled 9  in  his  aray  clene, 
Aboutte  hymself  and  his  sadel,  upon  silk  werkez.10 
J>at  were  to  tor  n  for  to  telle  of  tryfles  f  e  halue,12 
J»at  were  enbrauded 18  abof  wyth  bryddes  and  flyjes,14 

10  With  gay  gaudi 15  grene,16  fe  golde  ay  in  myddes. 

f>e  pendauntes  of  his  payttrure,17  fe  proude  cropure,18 
His  molaynes,19  and  alle  f  e  metail  anamayld 20  was  fenne ; 
J>e  steropes  fat  he  stod  on  stayned  of  fe  same, 
And  his  arsounz 21  al  after,  and  his  af  el 22  sturtes,28 

1 5  J>at  ever  glemered  u  and  glent 26  al  of  grene  stones. 

]>e  fole  *  fat  he  f erkkes 27  on,  fyn 28  of  fat  ilke,29 

Sertayn  *° ; 

A  grene  hors  gret  and  f  ikke, 
A  stede  ful  stif  to  strayne,81 

20  In  brawden 82  brydel  quik,38 

To  f e  gome  he  watz  ful  gayn.84 

Wei  gay  watz  f  is  gome  gered 86  in  grene, 
And  f  e  here  of  his  hed  of  his  hors  swete 86 ; 
Fayre  fannand 87  fax 88  umbefoldes  "  his  schulderes ; 
25          A  much40  herd  as  a  busk41  over  his  brest  henges, 

1  fastened  is  yellowish  » same  (color) 

2  calf  l«  MS.  of  grene  »  certainly 
«  edges                                   17  poitrel,  horse's  breastplate  81  curb 

4  richly  18  crupper  82  embroidered 

5  (?)  19  bits  88  lively 

6  legs  20  enameled  84  obedient 
"  man  21  saddle-bows  85  arrayed 

8  pure  green  22  noble  s6  fine 

9  disposed  23  stirrups  (?)  87  waving 
1°  works                                     24  gleamed  «8  hair 

u  too  tedious  25  sparkled  89  falls  about 

12  half  26  foal,  steed  *>  great 

is  embroidered  27  pushes  forward  4i  bush 

14  flies  28  fine,  choice 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  57 

]?at  wyth  his  hijlich  1  here,  fat  of  his  hed  reches, 
Watz  evesed 2  al  umbetorne,3  abof  his  elbowes, 
J>at  half  his  armes  f  erunder  were  halched 4  in  f  e  wyse 
Of  a  kyngez  capadbs,6  fat  closes 6  his  swyre. 
f>e  mane  of  fat  mayn 7  hors  much  to  hit  lyke,  5 

Wei  cresped 8  and  cemmed 9  wyth  knottes  ful  mony, 
Folden  in  wyth  fildore 10  aboute  f  e  f  ayre  grene, 
Ay  a  n  herle 12  of  fe  here,  anofer  of  golde  ;    9 
)?e  tayl  and  his  toppyng 13  twynnen 14  of  a  sute,18 
And  bounden  bofe  wyth  a  bande  of  a  brygt  grene,  10 

Dubbed 16  wyth  ful  dere  stonez,  as  f  e  dok  lasted,17 
Syf  en 18  f  rawen 19  wyth  a  f  wong 20  a  f  warle 21  knot  alof  te, 
J>er  mony  bellez  ful  bryjt  of  brende 22  golde  rungen. 
Such  a  fole  upon  folde,28  ne  freke  fat  hym  rydes, 
Watz  never  sene  in  fat  sale 24  wyth  syjt  er  fat  tyme,  1 5 

With  yje 26 ; 

He  loked  as  layt K  so  lyjt,27 

So  sayd  al  fat  hym  syje,28 

Hit  semed  as  no  mon  myjt 

Under  his  dynttez 29  dryje.80  20 


Ne  no  pysan,83  ne  no  plate  fat  pented 84  to  armes, 
Ne  no  schafte,85  ne  no  schelde,  to  schune 86  ne  to  smyte, 
Bot  in  his  on 87  honde  he  hade  a  holyn  bobbe,38 
f>at  is  grattest 39  in  grene  when  grevez 40  ar  bare, 


1  splendid 

15  kind 

28  saw 

2  clipped 

16  adorned 

29  strokes 

3  around 

17  as  far  as  the  dock  (fleshy 

»>  endure 

4  enlaced  (with  the  hair) 

part)  extended 

8'  yet 

5  hood 

18  beyond  that  point 

82  neither 

6  encloses 

19  twisted 

83  gorget 

"•  great 

20  thong 

84  pertained 

8  crisped 

2i  tight  (F) 

35  spear 

9  combed 

22  burnished 

36  prot«ct  ;  MS.  schwne 

10  gold  thread 

28  earth 

87  one 

11  one 

24  hall 

88  holly-branch 

12  filament,  hair 

25  eye 

89  most  pronounced 

18  crest  (mane) 

26  lightning 

40  groves 

14  matched 

27  bright 

10 


ROMANCES 

And  an  ax  in  his  ofer,  a  hoge 1  and  unmete,2 
A  spetos 8  sparse 4  to  expoun  in  spelle  quoso  myjt 6 ; 
f>e  hede  of  an  elnjerde,6  pe  large  lenkfe 7  hade, 
f>e  grayn 8  al  of  grene  stele  and  of  golde  hewen, 
J>e  bit 9  burnyst  bryjt,  with  a  brod  egge,10 
As  wel  schapen  to  schere  u  as  scharp  rasores ; 
pe  stele 12  of  a  stif  staf  }>e  sturne*18  hit 14  bigrypte,16 
f>at  wate  wounden 16  wyth  ym  to  J>e  wandez 17  ende, 
And  al  bigraven 18  with  grene,  in  gracious 19  werkes  M  ; 
A  lace 21  lapped  aboute,  fat  louked 22  at  \>e  hede, 
And  so  after  M  fe  halme 24  halched 26  ful  ofte, 
Wyth  tryed 26  tasselez  perto 27  tacched 28  innoghe 29 
On 80  botounz 81  of  }>e  bryjt  grene  brayden 82  ful  ryche. 
]?is  hapel 88  heldez  hym  in,84  and  |>e  halle  entres, 
Drivande  to  ]>e  heje  dece,86  dut 86  he  no  wofe,87 
Haylsed 88  he  never  one,  bot  heje  he  overloked.89 
J>e  fyrst  word  fat  he  warp 40 :  '  Wher  is,'  he  sayd, 
'  f>e  governour  of  ]>is  gyng 41  ?   Gladly  I  wolde 
Se  J>at  segg 42  in  syjt,  and  with  hymself  speke 

Raysoun.' 

To  knyjtez  he  kest 43  his  yje, 

And  reled 44  hym  up  and  doun, 

He  stemmed,46  and  con 48  studie 

Quo 47  wait  **  )>er  most  renoun. 


1  huge 

17  wand's,  handle's 

8*  takes  his  way 

2  immense 

ig  engraved 

86  dais 

8  cruel 

19  charming 

86  feared 

4  sparth,  battle-axe 

20  devices 

87  injury 

6  whoever  might  try  to  make  it 

21  cord 

88  saluted 

clear  in  speech 

22  had  a  fastening 

89  looked  (loftily) 

6  ell  (long) 

28  along 

40  flung 

7  length 

24  haulm,  stalk  (i.e.  handle) 

4!  company 

8  blade 

25  caught 

43  man 

9  cutting  end 

26  choice 

48  cast 

w  edge 

27  to  the  cord 

44  strode 

"  shear 

28  attached 

«  halted 

12  handle 

29  sufficiently  ;  MS.  innoghee 

46  began 

18  firmly 

80  by  means  of 

47  who 

"  it  (the  axe-head) 

81  buttons 

«  bore 

16  gripped,  clasped 

82  braided  (i.e.  the  buttons) 

16  MS.  waunden 

38  noble 

SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 


59 


Ther  watz  lokyng  on  lenpe,1  pe  lude  2  to  beholde, 
For  uch  mon  had  mervayle  quat  hit  mene  my$t, 
J>at  a  hapel  and  a  horse  myjt  such  a  hue  lach,8 
As  growe  grene  4  as  ]>e  gres  —  and  grener  hit  semed, 
J>en  6  grene  aumayl  6  on  golde  lowande  7  bryjter.  5 

Al  studied  fat  per  stod,  and  stalked  hym  nerre,8 
Wyth  al  p  e  wonder  of  9  pe  worlde,  what  he  worch  10  schulde. 
For  fele  n  sellyez  12  had  pay  sen,  hot  such  never  are,18 
Forpi  u  for  f  antoum  and  fayryje  15  pe  folk  per  hit  demed  ; 
J»erfore  to  answare  watz  arje  16  mony  apel  1T  freke,18  10 

And  al  stouned  19  at  his  steven,20  and  ston-stil  seten  21 
In  a  swoghe  22  sylence  purj  pe  sale  23  riche, 
As  al  were  slypped  upon  24  slepe  —  so  slaked  ^  hor  26  lotez  27  — 

In  hyje  28  ; 

I  deme  hit  not29  al  for  doute,80  15 

Bot  sum  81  for  cortaysye  — 

Bot  let  82  hym  83  pat  al  schulde  loute  84 

Cast  85  unto  pat  wyje.86 

When  the  time  of  the  return  visit  approaches  (see  introductory  note), 
Gawain  sets  out,  and  on  Christmas  Eve  reaches  a  castle,  where  he  is  hospit 
ably  received  by  its  lord  and  lady.  Here  he  learns  that  the  Green  Chapel, 
his  destination,  is  only  two  miles  distant,  and  accordingly  accepts  an  invitation 
to  stay  till  New  Year's  morning.  During  the  host's  hunting-expeditions,  his 
wife  makes  love  to  Gawain,  but  is  unsuccessful  in  her  endeavors  ;  the  kisses 
she  bestows  upon  him  are  by  him  passed  on  to  the  host  at  nightfall.  However, 
Gawain  does  accept  from  the  lady  a  green  girdle,  which  is  to  render  him 
secure  from  every  danger.  On  his  resort  to  the  Green  Chapel,  he  hears  the 
sound  as  of  a  blade  sharpened  on  a  grindstone. 


1  for  a  long  time 

n  wherefore 

26  their 

2  man 

15  enchantment 

27  features  (or  looks  ;  possibly 

3  obtain 

16  timid 

voices)  . 

4  as  to  grow  as  green 

17  noble 

28  haste 

5  than 

18  knight 

29  was  not 

6  enamel 

19  were  astonished 

so  fear 

7  shining 

20  voice 

81  but  that  some  were  silent 

8  nearer 

2lsat 

32  but  that  they  let 

»  in 

22  impotent,  dead 

88  Arthur 

l»do 

23  hall 

34  reverence 

11  many 

«  as  if  all  had  slipped  (slid) 

85  make  advances  (?) 

12  wonders 

into  sleep 

86  champion 

13  before 

2*5  relaxed  (or  subdued) 

£-tVxOS      ^    0 


60  ROMANCES 

Thenne  f  e  knyjt  con  calle  ful  hyje l : 
'  Who  stijtlez 2  in  fis  sted,8  me  Steven 4  to  holde  ? 
For  now  is  gode  Gawayn  goande 8  ryjt  here ; 
If  any  wyje  6  051 7  wyl,  wynne  8  hider  fast, 

5  Ofer 9  now  ofer 10  never,  his  nedez  u  to  spede.12 ' 

'  Abyde,'  quoth  on  on  f  e  bonke,  aboven  over  his  hede, 
'  And  fou  schal  haf  al  in  hast  fat  I  fe  hyjt 18  ones.14 ' 
<^et  he 18  rusched  on 16  fat  rurde  "  rapely 18  a  f  rowe,19 
And  wyth  m  quettyng 21  awharf ,22  er 28  he  wolde  lyjt 24 ; 

10  And  syfen26  he  keverez26  bi  a  cragge,  and  comez  of27  a  hole. 

Whyrlande  out  of  a  wro,28  wyth  a  f elle  w  weppen, 
A  Denez 80  ax  nwe 81  dyjt,82  fe  dynt  with  [t]o  jelde.88 
With  a  borelych 84  bytte,86  bende 86  by  fe  halme, 
Fyled  in  a  fylor,87  fowre  fote  large 88  — 

15  Hit  watz  no  lasse  —  bi  fat  lace  fat  lemed 39  ful  bryjt. 

And  fe  gome  in  fe  grene,  gered  as  fyrst  — 
Bof  e  fe  lyre 40  and  f  e  leggez,  lokkez  and  berde  — 
Save  fat  fayre  on  his  fote 41  he  foundez 42  on  fe  erf  e, 
Sette  fe  stele  48  to  the  stone,44  and  stalked  bysyde. 

20          When  he  wan  to 46  fe  waiter,  f  er  he  wade  nolde, 

He  hypped 4*  over  on  hys  ax,  and  orpedly  47  strydez, 
Bremly  48  brofe,49  on  a  bent,60  fat  brode  watz  aboute, 

On  snawe.51 


l  loudly 

18  forthwith 

85  edge 

2  dwells 

19  (for)  a  time 

8«bent 

3  place 

20  to 

87  filing  instrument 

4  word,  promise 

21  whetting 

88  broad 

6  walking 

22  turned  aside 

89  gleamed 

6  man 

28  before 

40  face 

7  anything 

24  approach 

*l  (instead  of  en  horseback) 

8  let  him  win  (speed) 

25  afterwards 

42  walks 

»  either 

26  makes  his  way 

48  pole 

10  or 

27  out  of 

44  (on  which  he  walked) 

11  needs 

28  nook 

45  reached 

12  obtain 

»  cruel 

4«  leaped 

is  promised 

80  Danish 

*1  boldly 

M  once 

81  newly 

48  vehemently 

is  the  Green  Knight 

82  made  ready 

49  impetuous 

18  rushed  back  to 

88  bestow 

60  open  field 

17  din  (made  by  the  grinding) 

8<  stout 

61  snow 

SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT          6 1 

Syr  Gawayn  pe  knygt  con  mete, 
He  ne  lutte l  hym  nopyng  lowe ; 
f>at  oper  sayde  :  '  Now,  syr  swete, 
Of  steven 2  mon 3  may  pe  trowe.4 ' 

'  Gawayn,'  quoth  pat  grene  gome,  '  God  pe  mot  loke 5 !  5 

Iwysse 6  pou  art  welcom,  wyge,  to  my  place, 

And  ]>ou  hatz  tymed  pi  travayl 7  as  true  mon  schulde ; 

And  ]>ou  knowez  pe  covenauntez  kest 8  uus  bytwene  : 

At  pis  tyme  twelmonyth  pou  toke  fat 9  pe  failed,10 

And  I  schulde  at  pis  nwe  sere  jeply  n  pe  quyte.12  10 

And  we  ar  in  pis  valay,  verayly  oure  one,18 

Here  ar  no  renkes  u  us  to  rydde,15  rele 16  as  uus  likez ; 

Haf  py  1T  ]>y  helme  of 18  ]>y  hede,  and  haf  here  ]>y  pay ; 

Busk 19  no  more  debate  pen  I  pe  bede  *  penne, 

When  pou  wypped 21  of  my  hede  at  a  wap  one.22 '  15 

1  Nay,  bi  God,'  quoth  Gawayn,  '  pat23  me  gost24  lante,25 

I  schal  gruch 26  pe  no  grwe,27  for  grem 28  pat  fallez ; 

Bot  styjtel w  pe  upon  on  strok,  and  I  schal  stonde  stylle, 

And  warp 30  pe  no  wernyng,31  to  worch  as  pe  lykez, 

No  whare.'  20 

He  lened  with  pe  nek,  and  lutte, 

And  schewed  pat  schyre  al  bare, 

And  lette82  as88  he  nojt  dutte,84 

For  drede  he  wolde  not  dare.85 


1  bowed  u  men,  knights  26  grudge 

2  promise  16  part,  separate  27  particle,  bit  (NED.  grue) 

3  one  16  rush  about  M  harm 

4  believe  17  therefore  (possibly ;  but  29  resolve,  settle 

5  keep,  preserve  perhaps  delete)  80  utter 

6  surely  18  from  off  81  protest 

7  journey  19  make  ready  82  acted,  behaved 

8  cast,  made  2°  offered  ^  as  though 

9  what  21  didst  strike  34  doubted 

10  feii  22  One  blow  only  M  that  he  would  not  shrink 

H  straightway  23  who 

12  requite  24  spirit,  soul 

18  by  ourselves  K  gave,  has  given 


62 


ROMANCES 


Then  fe  gome  in  fe  grene  grayfed  hym  swy)>e, 
Gederez  up  hys  grymme  tole,1  Gawayn  to  smyte ; 
With  alle  fe  bur 2  in  his  body  he  ber  hit  on  lofte,8 
Munt 4  as  majtyly  as 8  marre  hym  he  wolde ; 
Hade  hit  dryven  adoun  as  drej '  as  he  atled,7 
J>er  hade 8  ben  ded  of  his  dynt  pat 9  dojty  watz  ever. 
Bot  Gawayn  on  fat  giserne 10  glyfte  "  hym  bysyde, 
As  hit  com  glydande  adoun,  on  glode 12  hym  to  schende,18 
And  schranke  a  lytel  with  }> e  schulderes,  for  )>e  scharp  yme. 
)?at  of  er  schalk 14  wyth  a  schunt 15  f  e  schene 16  wythhaldez, 
And  f  enne  repreved  he  f e  prynce  with  mony  prowde  wordez : 
'  J>ou  art  not  Gawayn,'  quoth  f  e  gome,  '  fat  is  so  goud 1T  halden, 
J>at  never  arjed 18  for  no  here,19  by  hylle  ne  be  vale, 
And  now  )>ou  fles  for  f erde,20  er  f  ou  fele  harmez  n ; 
Such  cowardise  of  fat  knyjt  cowfe 22  I  never  here. 
Nawf  er  fyked 28  I  ne  flaje,24  freke,  quen  f ou  myntest,26 
Ne  kest 2fl  no  kavelacoun 27  in  kyngez  hous  Arthor,28 
My  hede  flaj 29  to  my  fote,  and  jet  flaj  I  never ; 
And  fou,  er  any  harme  hent,80  arjez  in  hert, 
Wherfore  fe  better  burne  me  burde 81  be  called 

J>erfore.' 

Quoth  Gawayn :  '  I  schunt 82  onez, 

And  so  wyl  I  no  more ; 

Bot  faj 88  my  hede  f  alle  on  fe  stonez, 

I  con  not  hit  restore.84 


1  tool,  weapon 

2  force 
8  aloft 

4  threatened 
6  as  if 

6  straight 

7  aimed 

8  would  have 

9  he  who 
10  axe 

"  looked 

12  jts  passage  (?) 

18  destroy 


H  man 

16  slant 

is  bright  (blade) 

i"  brave 

18  trembled 

19  host 

20  fear 

21  before  thou  art  much  hurt 

22  could 
28  flinched 

24  fled 

25  didst  aim 

26  raised 


27  objection 

28  genitive  case 

29  flew 
so  seized 

si  I  ought  to 

82  dodged 

88  though 

84  (as  the  Green  Knight  did) 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT          63 

Bot  busk,1  burne,2  bi  fi  fayth,  and  bryng  me  to  fe  poynt, 
Dele  to  me  my  destine,  and  do  hit  out  of  honde, 
For  I  schal  stonde  fe  a  strok,  and  start8  no  more, 
Til  fyn  ax  have  me  hitte  —  haf  here  my  trawfe.' 
'  Haf  at  fe  fenne,'  quoth  fat  ofer,  and  heves  hit  alofte,  5 

And  waytez 4  as  wrof  ely  as  he  wode  were ; 
He  myntez 6  at  hym  majtyly,6  bot  not  f  e  mon  ryvez,7 
Withhelde  heterly 8  h[i]s  honde,  er  hit  hurt  myjt. 
Gawayn  grayf  ely 9  hit  bydez,  and  glent 10  with  no  membre, 
Bot  stode  stylle  as  fe  ston,  ofer11  a  stubbe  aufer,12  10 

f>at  raf  eled 13  is  in  roche 14  grounde,  with  rotez  a  hundreth. 
J>en  muryly  ef te  con 15  he  mele,16  f  e  mon  in  f  e  grene : 
'  So  now  fou  hatz  fi  hert  holle,17  hitte  me  bihov[e]s ; 
Halde  f  e  now  f  e  hyje 18  hode  w  fat  Arf  ur  f  e  rajt,20 
And  kepe 21  fy  kanel 22  at  fis  kest,28  jif  hit M  kever 28  may.'  15 

Gawayn  ful  gryndelly 26  with  greme  "  fenne  sayde, 
1  Wy  fresch  on,  fou  fro 28  mon,  f ou  fretez  to  longe, 
I  hope  M  fat  f  i  hert  arje 80  wyth  fyn  aw  en  selven.' 
'  Forsofe,'  quoth  fat  of  er  freke,81  '  so  felly 82  fou  spekez, 
I  wyl  no  lenger  on  ly te 83  lette 84  fin  ernde  "  20 

Rijte  no  we.' 

J>enne  tas 86  he  hym  stryf e 8T  to  stryke, 

And  frounses 38  bof e  lyppe  and  browe. 

No  mervayle  f ag  hym 89  myslyke, 

J>at  hoped  of  no  rescowe.40  25 

1  make  ready  lfi  did  ^  suspect 

2  man  16  speak  80  grows  cowardly 

3  flinch  V  whole  31  man 

4  attends  18  high  82  rudely 

s  aims  19  hood  ^  tarrying 

6  lustily  20  gave  (reached)  »4  delay 

"  gashes  21  guard  85  business 

8  with  a  jerk  22  neck  **  takes 

9  duly  28  blow  8"  stride  (firm  position  on  his  feet) 
10  shrank  24  the  hood  88  wrinkles 

H  or  25  cover  (the  neck)  ^  Gawain 

12  either  26  roughly  *°  rescue 

18  twisted  27  anger 

14  rocky  as  fierce 


64  ROMANCES 

He  h/ftes  h/jtly  his  lome,1  and  let  hit  doun  fayre,* 
With  |»e  barfoe  of  |»e  bitte  *  bi  |»e  bare  nek ; 
J>aj  he  homered  *  heterly,*  hurt  hym  no  more, 
Bot  snyrt  '  hym  on  )»at  on  syde,  |»at  severed  )»e  hyde ; 

5  )>e  scharp T  schrank  *  to  J»e  flesche  Jnirj  |»e  schyre  '  grece,1* 

)>at  be  schene  u  blod  over  his  schukieres  schot  to  |>e  er|»e ; 
And  quen  |>e  burne  sez  ^e  blode  blenk 13  on  J»e  snawe, 
He  sprit M  forth  spenne-fote,"  more  |>en  a  spere  len|»e, 
Hent u  heterly  *  his  helme,  and  on  his  hed  cast, 

10  Schot "  with  his  schulderez  his  fayre  schelde  under, 

Braydez 1T  out  a  bryjt  sworde,  and  bremely 1S  he  spekez ; 
Never  syn  |>at  he  watz  burne  borne  of  his  moder, 
Watz  he  never  in  )»is  workle  wyye  n  half  so  bly|»e  * : 
'  Blynne,21  burne,  of  |>y  bur,*3  bede  M  me  no  mo ; 

15  I  haf  a  stroke  in  |»is  sted  withoute  stryf  hent,3* 

And  if  |>ow  rechez  **  me  any  mo,  I  redyly  schal  quytt^* 
And  jekle  jederly  *  ayayn,  and  |>erto  ye  tryst," 

Andfoo»; 
Bot  on  stroke  here  me  fallez,** 

;r  J>e  covenaunt  schap*1  ryjt  soo, 

[Sikered]  **  in  Ar|>urez  hallez. 
And  |»erf ore  hende  now  hoo  ** ! ' 

The  hapel  **  heldet  **  hym  fro,  and  on  his  ax  rested, 
Sette  |»e  schaf  t  upon  schore,*  and  to  )»e  scharp  lened, 
25          And  loked  to  |>e  leude  "  |»at  on  |«  launde  M  jede, 
How  |«at  do jty  dredles  dervely  *  |^r  stondez, 


-weapon 

u  swift-foot  (?) 

*"  promptly 

•Mi 

Mgrasped 

•  make  up  your  mind 

'blade 

16  slipped 

»(?) 

4  smote 

17  draws 

•*  is  due 

*swifdy 

M  boldly 

i  directed 

•wounded  (?) 

~  .IT. 

a  ratified 

'mm 

»gb»d 

*•  stop 

«  pierced 

»stop 

**  knight 

•bright 

24  onslaught 

**  turned  away 

*  grease  (fleshy  part  of  the  neck) 

a  attempt 

*earth 

"bright 

~  accepted 

*•"  man 

M  shine 

*  dealest  (handest  me  out) 

H  7  .  ,\  :  r. 

**  stsrtcu 

•requite,  retaliate 

*  bravely 

SIR  GAWAJN  AND  THE  GREEN*  KNIGHT          ^f 

Aimed  f  ul  a  jlez  *  :  in  hert  hit  hym  lykez. 
penn  be  mekz  nraiyly,  wyth  a  much  Steven,2 
And  wyth  a  r[a]ykande  *  rarde  *  he  to  fe  renk  *  sayde  : 
'  Bolde  bume,*  on  fis  bent7  be  not  so  giyndd*; 
No  mon  here  unmaneriy  )«  mv-sboden*  habbe,  5 

Ne  kyd,1*  bot  as  covenaunde,"  at  kyngez  kort  "  schaped  B  ; 
I  hvjt  "  fe  a  strok,  and  fou  hit  hatz  ;  haJde  fe  wd  payed  ; 
I  relece  fe  of  fe  remnaunt.  of  ryjtes  aOe  ofer  ; 
^if  I  deliver  u  had  bene,  a  boffet,  paiaunter, 
I  coufe  wro^eloker1*  haf  waret.17  [and]  to  fe  haf  wrojt  anger.     10 
Fyrst  I  mansed"  fe  muryiy,  with  a  mynt*  one,* 
And  rove  fl  fe  wydi  no  rof  ,**  sore  *  with  ryjt  I  fe  prof  ered, 
For  fe  forwarde  fat  we  fest*  in  >e  fyrst  nyjt, 
And  JKHI  trystyh/  pe  trawfe  and  trwiy  me  haldez, 
Al  fe  gayne  fow  me  gef,  as  god  mon  schulde  ;  15 

]>at  ofer  munt*  for  |«  morne.  mon,*  I  >e  profered, 
J>ou  kyssedes  my  dere  *  wyf  ,  fe  cossez  *  me  rajtez,* 
For  hope  two  here*  I  pe  bede  bot  two  bare  myntes, 

Boutescafea; 

Trwe  mon  **  trwe  restore,  ao 

)?enne  far  mon*  drede  no  wafe*; 

At  fe  frid  fou  faykd  Jwre,** 

And  ferfor  J»at  tappe*  ta  ]«.* 

For  bit  is  my  wede  r>  fat  fou  werez,  fat  flke  woven  girdel, 

Myn  owen  wyf  hit  fe  weved,  I  wot  wd  forsofe  :  25 

Now  know  I  wd  fy  cosses,  and  fy  costes*  ak,* 


U  agreed  npoo 

"court 

"arranged 


if  earless 

'great 

3  rosfaing,  load 

«soand  ff  deJt  *  bodr  of  these  two 


*  knigbt  -MiMjf^H  »  widiaat  injarv 


'field 
•fierce,  angry 

-"   .  ~crr  ^  "^  r  .  r.  r 


66 


ROMANCES 


25 


And  f  e  wowyng  of  my  wyf ,  I  wrojt  it  myselven ; 
I  sende l  hir  to  asay 2  f  e,  and,  sothly  me  f  ynkkez, 
On 8  J>e  f autlest  *  f reke  fat  ever  on  f ote  jede 6 ; 
As  perle  bi 6  f  e  quite 7  pese 8  is  of  prys  more, 
So  is  Gawayn,  in  god  fayth,  bi  o)>er  gay  knyjtez. 
Bot  here  yow  lakked  a  lyttel,  syr,  and  lewte  *  yow  wonted,10 
Bot  pat  watz  for  no  wylyde  u  werke,  ne  wowyng  nauf  er, 
Bot  for  je  lufud  your  lyf,  —  f  e  lasse  I  yow  blame.' 
J?at  of  er  stif 12  mon  in  study  stod  a  gret  whyle ; 
So  agreved  for  greme 18  he  gryed 14  withinne, 
Alle  f  e  blode  of  his  brest  blende 15  in  his  face, 
J>at  al  he  schrank  for  schome,  fat 16  f  e  schalk  talked. 
J>e  forme 17  worde  upon  folde 18  fat  ]> e  freke  meled : 
'  Corsed  worth 19  cowarddyse  and  covetyse  bof  e  1 
In  yow  is  vylany  and  vyse,  fat  vertue  disstryez.' 
J>enne  he  kajt  to 20  f  e  knot,  and  f  e  kest 21  lawsez,22 
Brayde 2S  brof  ely  ^  f  e  belt  to  f  e  burne  selven  : 
'  Lo  !  f  er  f  e  falssyng,25  foule  mot  hit  falle  ! 26 
For  care 27  of  fy  knokke,  cowardyse  me  tajt 
To  acorde  me  with  covetyse,  my  kynde  *  to  forsake, 
f>at  is  larges  w  and  lewte,  fat  longez  to 80  knyjtez. 
Now  am  I  f  awty;81  and  f  alee,  and  f  erde 82  haf  been  ever ; 
Of  trecherye  and  untrawf e  bof e  bityde 88  sorje 84 

And  care ! 

I  biknowe  yow,86  knyjt,  here  stylle, 

Al  fawty  is  my  fare 86 ; 


1  sent 

2  try,  tempt 
8  one 

4  the  most  faultless 

5  went  (OE.  code) 

6  compared  with 

7  white 
*  peas 

»  loyalty 

10  lacked 

11  wily,  intriguing 

12  brave 


18  vexation,  anger 
M  was  agitated 

15  blent,  mingled 

16  while 

17  first 

18  earth 

19  be 

20  seized  hold  of 

21  twist 

22  looses 
28  threw 
24  angrily 


25  falsity 

26  may  foul  befall  it 

27  fear 

28  nature 

29  generosity 
so  befits 

si  faulty 
32  afeared 

83  come 

84  sorrow 

85  confess  to  you 

86  conduct 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  67 

Letez  me  overtake l  your  wylle, 
And  efte 2  I  schal  beware.' 

Thenn  loje 8  fat  of  er  leude,  and  luflyly 4  sayde, 
'  I  halde  hit  hardily 6  hole,6  f  e  harme  fat  I  hade ; 
f>ou  art  confessed  so  clene,  beknowen  of  fy  mysses,7  5 

And  hatz  fe  penaunce  apert,8  of9  fe  poynt  of  myn  egge,10 
I  halde  fe  polysed  n  of  fat  plyjt,12  and  pured 13  as  clene, 
As 14  f  ou  hadez  never  forfeted 15  syf  en  f  ou  watz  fyrst  borne. 
And  I  gif  fe,  syr,  f  e  gurdel  fat  is  golde  hemmed ; 
For  hit  is  grene  as  my  goune,  syr  Gawayn,  je  maye  ic 

J?enk  upon  f  is  ilke  f  repe,16  f  er  "  f  ou  forth  f  ryngez 18 
Among  prynces  of  prys,  and 19  f  is  a  pure  token 
Of  f  e  chaunce 20  of  f  e  grene  chapel,  at 21  chevalrous  knyjtez ; 
And  je  schal  in  f  is  nwe  jer  ajayn 22  to  my  wonez,28 
And  we  schyn 24  revel  fe  remnaunt  of  fis  ryche  fest,  it 

Ful  bene.' » 

J>er  laf  ed 26  hym  fast 2T  f  e  lorde, 

And  sayde :  '  With  my  wyf,  I  wene, 

We  schal  yow  wel  acorde,28 

J>at  watz  your  enmy  kene.'  20 

'  Nay,  forsof  e,'  quoth  f  e  segge,29  and  sesed 80  hys  helme, 

And  hatz  hit  of 81  hendely,82  and  f  e  haf  el M  f  onkkez : 

'  I  haf  sojorned  sadly,  sele 84  yow  bytyde, 

And  He  jelde 86  hit  sow  jare,86  fat  jarkkez 87  al  menskes 88 1 


l  understand 

"as  if 

27  urgently 

2  afterwards 

15  sinned 

28  bring  into  friendly  relations 

8  laughed 

16  reproof,  rebuke 

<»  knight 

4  courteously 

l<Vwhen 

80  seized 

6  assuredly 

18  dost  crowd,  press 

fl  off 

6  cured 

19  and  keep 

82  courteously 

"  with  avowal  made  of  thy  sins 

20  adventure 

88  warrior 

8  openly,  manifestly 

2l  on  the  part  of 

84  blessing,  prosperity 

9  from 

22  come  again 

85  may  he  reward  you  for  it 

10  (edge  of)  axe 

28  dwelling 

86  soon 

n  absolved 

24  shall 

87  bestows 

12  offense 

25  genially 

8s  honors 

18  purged 

26  invited 

68  ROMANCES 

And  comaundez l  me  to  fat  cortays,  your  eomlych 2  fere,8 
Bofe  pat  on  and  fat  ofer,  myn  honoured  ladyez, 
J>at  f  us  hor  knyjt  wyth  hor  kest 4  ban  koyntly 5  bigyled. 
Bot  hit  is  no  ferly,6  fa;  a  fole  madde,7 
5        And  fur;  wyles  of  wymmen  be  wonen  to  sorje ; 
For  so  watz  Adam  in  erde 8  with  one  bygyled, 
And  Salamon  with  fele  sere,9  and  Samson  eftsonez,10 
Dalyda  u  dalt 12  hym  hys  wyrde,18  and  Davyth  f eraf ter 
Watz  blended  u  with  Barsabe,16  fat  much  bale 16  foled.17 
10       Now  fese  were  wrathed 18  wyth  her  wyles,  hit  were  a  wynne 19  huge 
To  luf  horn  wel,  and  leve  *  hem  not  —  a  leude  fat  couf e 21  - 
For  fes  wer  forne22  fe  freest28  fat  foljed  alle  fe  sele, 
Exellently  of  alle  fyse  of er 24  under  hevenryche 

f>at  mused  ^ ; 

15  And  alle  fay  were  biwyled,26 

With  wymmen  fat  fay  used 27 ; 
J>aj  I  be  now  bigyled, 
Me  fink  me  burde28  be  excused.' 

'  Bot  your  gordel,'  quoth  Gawayn  — '  God  yow  forjelde  w !  — 
20          J>at  wyl  I  welde 80  wyth  good  wylle,  not  for  f e  wynne 81  golde, 
Ne  fe  saynt,82  ne  f  e  sylk,  ne  f  e  syde 88  pendaundes,84 
For  wele,85  ne  for  worchyp,  ne  for  fe  wlonk 86  werkkez, 
Bot  in  syngne  of  my  surf et 87  I  serial  se  hit  of te  ; 
When  I  ride  in  renoun,  remorde  **  to  myselven 
25          J>e  faut  and  fe  fayntyse89  of  fe  flesche  crabbed,40 

1  commend  16  Bathsheba  29  requite 

2  comely  16  grief  *"  keep  in  possession 
s  mate                                       17  suffered  81  goodly  (?) 

4  stratagem  18  vexed  **  samite 

5  cunningly  19  joy  ffl  long 

6  wonder  2°  believe  84  pendants 

"  grew  mad  21  were  a  man  but  able  K  good  fortune 

8  on  earth  22  of  old  M  beautiful 

» many  different  ones  28  noblest  8~  fault,  sin 

w  moreover,  likewise  24  beyond  (excelling)  all  others  **  I  shall  blame 

"  Delilah  25  indulged  their  fancies  (?)  &  faintness,  weakness 

12  deah  26  beguiled  *°  perverse  (?) 

18  fate,  doom  ^  dealt  with 

i*  mingled,  wedded  28  jt  is  fitting  for  me 


SIR  GAWAIN  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 


69 


How  tender 1  hit  is  to  entyse 2  teches 8  of  fylpe  4 ; 
And  pus,  quen 6  pryde  schal  me  pryk,  for  prowes  of  armes, 
f>e  loke  to 6  pis  luf 7  lace  schal  lepe 8  my  hert. 
Bot  on 9  I  wolde  yow  pray,  displeses 10  yow  never ; 
Syn  n  je  be  lorde  of  the  jonder  londe,  per  I  haf  lent 12  inne 
Wyth  yow  wyth  worschyp  —  pe  Wyje 13  hit  yow  jelde 
J>at  uphaldez  pe  heven,  and  on  hyj 14  sittez  !  — 
How  norne 15  je  yowre  ryjt  nome,  and  penne  no  more  ? ' 
'  J>at  schal  I  telle  pe  trwly,'  quoth  fat  oper  penne, 
'  Bernlak  de  Hautdesert  I  hat 16  in  pis  londe, 
J>urj  myjt  of  Morgne  la  Faye  (pat  in  my  hous  lenges)  1T. ,  t 
And  koyntyse 18  of  clergye 19  bi  craftes  wel  lerned,  .  • « 
J?e  maystres  of  Merlyn  mony  hatz 20  taken ; 
For  ho  hatz  dalt  drwry 21  ful  dere  sum  tyme 
With  pat  conable 22  klerk  pat  knowes  alle  your  knyjtez 

At  hame ; 

Morgne  pe  goddes, 

)?erfore  hit  is  hir  name  ; 

Weldez 38  non  so  hyje  hawtesse,24 

J?at  ho  ne  con  make  ful  tame.25 

Ho  wayned  2e  me  upon  pis  wyse  to  your  wynne 27  halle, 
For  to  assay  pe  surquidre,28  jif  hit  soth  were, 
)?at  rennes 29  of  pe  grete  renoun  of  pe  Rounde  Table ; 
Ho  wayned  me,  pis  wonder,  your  wyttez  to  reve,80 
For  to  haf  greved  Gaynour,81  and  gart  hir  to  dyje,82 
With  gopnyng 88  of  pat  ilke  gomen,84  pat  gostlych  speked, 
With  his  hede  in  his  honde,  bifore  pe  hy^e  table. 


1  frail,  weak 

2  acquire,  catch 

8  spots,  stains,  blemishes 

4  foulness,  sin 

5  when 

6  at 

"  dear,  precious 

8  soften 

9  one  thing 

10  if  it  displease 

11  since 

12  dwelt 


18  Being 

w  high 

15  say 

is  am  called 

"  dwells 

l*  (her)  cunning 

i*  learning 

20  MS.  ho 

21  carried  on  amours 

22  competent 
28  possesses 

24  dignity,  power 


25  submissive 

26  sent  ' 

27  goodly  (?) 
2«  pride 

29  runs,  is  told 

80  take  away 

81  Guinevere 
»2  die 
ssfear 

84  laughing-stock 


70  ROMANCES 

J>at  is  ho  fat  is  at  home,  f  e  auncian l  lady ; 
Ho  is  even  fyn  aunt,  Arf  urez  half  suster, 
j?e  duches  dojter  of  Tyntagelle,2  fat  dere 8  liter  *  after 
Hade  Arf  ur  upon,5  fat  af  el 6  is  nowfe.7 
5  J>erfore  I  efe 8  ]> e,  haf  el,  to  com  to  fyn  aunt, 

Make  myry  in  my  hous,  my  meny  fe  lovies, 
And  I  wol 9  ]> e  as  wel,  wyje,  bi  my  faythe, 
As  any  gome  under  God,  for.  fy  grete  traufe.' 
And  he  nikked  hym  naye,10  he  nolde  bi  no  wayes. 
10          J?ay  acolen  n  and  kyssen,  [bikennen]  ayfer  ofer 12 
To  J>e  Prynce  of  Paradise,  and  parten  ryjt  fere, 

On  coolde 18 ; 

Gawayn  on  blonk 14  ful  bene, 
To  fe  kyngez  burg 15  buskez 16  bolde, 
15  And  fe  knyjt  in  f e  enker 17  grene, 

Whiderwarde  so  ever  he  wolde. 

THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE 

There  was  a  Thomas  Rimor  (Rymour)  of  Erceldoune  (modern  Earlston)  in 
the  thirteenth  century,  a  Scotchman  who  obtained  in  the  following  century  the 
reputation  of  a  prophet.  He  cannot,  however,  have  been  the  author  of  our 
romance,  which  must  have  been  composed  after  1401,  and  is  assigned  by  the 
New  English  Dictionary  to  about  1425.  The  romance  consists  of  three  cantos, 
of  which  the  first  is  devoted  to  the  fairy  tale  here  following,  and  the  second 
and  third  to  prophecies,  or  what  purport  to  be  such.  Child  thought  that  the 
prophecies  were  by  an  inferior  hand,  but  Murray  believes  the  whole  romance 
to  have  been  the  work  of  a  single  poet.  Curiously  enough,  the  story  is  told 
partly  in  the  first  person,  and  partly  in  the  third. 

A  ballad,  founded  on  the  romance  (see  Murray's  edition,  pp.  Hi,  liii),  is 
No.  37  of  Child's  collection,  of  which  the  first  stanza  runs  in  one  version : 

True  Thomas  lay  oer  yond  grassy  bank, 

And  he  beheld  a  ladie  gay, 
A  ladie  that  was  brisk  and  bold, 

Come  riding  oer  the  fernie  brae. 

1  ancient  « noble  12  commend  each  the  othei 

2  the  daughter  of  the  Duch-  1  now  18  in  the  open  (?) 

ess  of  Tintagel  »  ask,  bid  14  steed  (lit.  white  steed) 

*  noble  » wish  15  fortress 

*  Uther  10  refused  him  16  hastens 

6  by  11  embrace  v  dark  (inky)  green 


THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE  /I 

Thomas  still  retains  his  power  over  the  imaginations  of  men.  Professor 
Dixon,  of  the  University  of  Glasgow,  has  written  a  little  play,  called  Thomas 
the  Rhymer  (Glasgow,  191 1),  and  Kipling's  Last  Rhyme  of  True  Thomas  (1893) 
is  one  of  his  most  spirited  poems. 

The  scene  of  the  poem  is  best  described  by  Sir  James  Murray  (pp.  1,  li  of 
his  edition) :  '  Eildon  Tree,  referred  to  in  the  Romance,  and  connected  tradi 
tionally  with  Thomas's  prophecies,  stood  on  the  declivity  of  the  eastern  of  the 
three  Eildon  Hills.  ...  Its  site  is  believed  to  be  indicated  by  the  Eildon  Stone, 
"  a  rugged  boulder  of  whinstone "  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  road  from 
Melrose  to  St  Boswell's,  about  a  mile  south-east  from  the  former  town,  and  on 
the  ridge  of  a  spur  of  the  hill.  "  The  view  from  this  point,"  says  a  correspon 
dent,  "  is  unsurpassed ;  on  the  north  you  have  the  vale  of  Leader  almost  up 
to  Earlston,  and  Cowdenknowes  with  its  '  Black  Hill '  rising  abruptly  from 
the  bed  of  the  stream ;  while  downward  to  Tweed  the  undulating  expanse  of 
woody  bank  is  so  beautiful,  that  in  the  time  of  the  '  bonny  broom,'  I  am  often 
tempted  to  bend  my  steps  to  the  spot,  and  '  lie  and  watch  the  sight,'  from  a 
spot  once  'underneath  the  Eildon  Tree.'  In  the  close  vicinity  is  the  'Bogle 
Burn,'  a  stream  which  rises  on  the  slope  of  the  Eastern  Eildon,  and  flows  down 
a  deep  glen  into  the  Tweed  a  little  to  the  north  of  Newtown  St  Boswell's."  .  .  . 
About  half  a  mile  to  the  west  of  the  Eildon  Stone,  and  on  the  slope  of  the 
same  hill,  we  find  the  "  Huntlee  bankis  "  of  the  old  romance.  The  spot  lies  a 
little  above  the  North  British  Railway,  at  the  point  where  it  is  crossed  by  the 
road  to  St  Boswell's  already  referred  to,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  after  leaving 
Melrose  Station.  The  field  next  the  road  and  railway  at  this  point  (No.  2405 
on  the  Ordnance  Map)  is  called  Monks1  Meadow ;  and  higher  up  the  hill  above 
this  are  two  fields  (Nos.  2548  and  2408)  which  have  preserved  the  name  of 
Huntlie  Brae.' 

The  ordnance  map  in  question  is  that  of  the  Parish  of  Melrose  (May,  1861), 
Sheet  VIII.  5.  The  road  leaves  the  market-place,  and  leads  to  Oakendean 
House  ;  it  touches  a  corner  of  2405  just  after  it  crosses  the  railway  and  strikes 
a  little  southeast.  No.  2408  is  directly  south  of  2405,  about  120  yards  from  the 
road,  by  way  of  a  row  of  trees.  No.  2548  is  directly  south  of  2408,  and  about 
150  yards  further.  Directly  east  of  2548  is  Corse  Rig  (2410),  with  a  plantation 
of  trees. 

Sir  Walter  Scott's  enthusiasm  for  the  story  is  best  shown  by  a  passage  or 
two  from  Basil  Hall's  journal  for  Dec.  30,  1824,  as  quoted  in  Lockhart's  life 
of  Scott :  '  This  morning  Major  Stisted,  my  brother,  and  I,  accompanied  Sir 
Walter  Scott  on  a  walk  over  his  grounds,  a  distance  of  five  or  six  miles.».  .  . 
Occasionally  he  repeated  snatches  of  songs,  sometimes  a  whole  ballad,  and  at 
other  times  he  planted  his  staff  in  the  ground  and  related  some  tale  to  us, 
which,  though  not  in  verse,  came  like  a  stream  of  poetry  from  his  lips.  Thus, 
about  the  middle  of  our  walk,  we  had  first  to  cross,  and  then  to  wind  down  the 
banks  of  the  Huntly  Burn,  the  scene  of  old  Thomas  the  Rhymer's  interview 
with  the  Queen  of  the  Fairies.  Before  entering  this  little  glen,  he  detained  us 
on  the  heath  above  till  he  had  related  the  whole  of  that  romantic  story,  so  that 


72  ROMANCES 

by  the  time  we  descended  the  path,  our  imaginations  were  so  worked  upon  by 
the  wild  nature  of  the  fiction,  and  still  more  by  the  animation  of  the  narrator, 
that  we  felt  ourselves  treading  upon  classical  ground ;  and  though  the  day  was 
cold,  the  path  muddy  and  scarcely  passable,  owing  to  the  late  floods,  and  the 
trees  all  bare,  yet  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  seen  any  place  so  interest 
ing  as  -the  skill  of  this  mighty  magician  had  rendered  this  narrow  ravine, 
which  in  any  other  company  would  have  seemed  quite  insignificant.  ...  In  the 
evening,  ...  Sir  Walter  also  read  us,  with  the  utmost  delight,  .  .  .  the  famous 
poem  on  Thomas  the  Rhymer's  adventure  with  the  Queen  of  the  Fairies ;  but 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  say  which  was  the  most  interesting,  or  even  I  will  say  poeti 
cal —  his  conversational  account  of  it  to  us  to-day  on  the  very  spot,  Huntly 
Burn,  or  the  highly  characteristic  ballad  which  he  read  to  us  in  the  evening.' 
On  Scott's  transfer  of  his  supposititious  '  Rhymer's  Glen '  to  the  Abbotsford 
estate,  see  Murray's  edition,  p.  lii. 

The  complete  romance  exists  in  four  manuscripts,  of  which  the  oldest  and 
best,  the  Thornton  MS.  of  Lincoln  Cathedral,  dates  from  1430-1440.  All  were 
admirably  edited  by  Dr.  Murray  in  1875  f°r  tne  Early  English  Text  Society 
(No.  61).  Another  edition,  with  a  reconstructed  text,  is  that  by  Professor 
Brandl  (Berlin,  1880),  with  copious  variants.  The  present  text  reposes  upon 
the  Thornton  manuscript,  as  printed  by  Murray,  but  the  spelling  has  been 
somewhat  normalized,  and  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  eliminate  certain 
manifest  errors ;  this,  therefore,  is  a  restored  text,  and  can  not  be  depended 
upon  for  the  exact  manuscript  readings.  The  editions  of  Murray  and  Brandl 
can  be  relied  upon  for  detailed  information  upon  all  matters  of  interest. 

Als  I  me 1  went  pis  endres 2  day, 

Full  fast  in  mynd  makand  my  mone, 

In  a  mery  mornyng  of  May, 

By  Huntlee  bankes  myself  allone, 

5  I  herd  )>e  jay  and  J>e  frostell 3  ; 

The  mavys  4  menyde  hir 5  in  hir  song ; 
J>e  wodewale 6  beryde 7  als 8  a  bell, 
That  all  be  wode  abowt  me  rong. 

Allone  in  longyng  als  I  lay, 
10  Undyrnethe  a  semely  tree, 

Saw  I  whare  a  lady  gay 

Came  ridand  over  a  lufly  lee.9 

1  by  myself  6  bemoaned  herself  7  rang  out 

2  other  6  wood-lark  (Murray) ;  according  to  8  aS;  iike 

8  throstle  others,  the  yaffle,  or  green  wood-  »  lea,  meadow 

4  song-thrush  pecker 


THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE 


73 


If  I  solde  sytt  to  Domesday, 

With  my  tonge  to  wrobbe  and  wrye,1 
Certanely  fat  lady  gay 

Never  bese  scho  discryved 2  for  mee. 

Hir  palfray  was  a  dappill-gray  — 
Swylk  one  ne  sagh 3  I  never  none. 

Als  dose  f  e  sonne  on  someres  day, 
J?at  faire  lady  hirself  scho  schone. 


Hir  selle 4  it  was  of  roell  bone 5  — 
Semely  was  fat  syght  to  see !  — 

Stefly  sett  with  precyous  stone, 
And  compast  all  with  crapotee,6 


10 


With  stones  of  Oryent,  grete  plente. 

Hir  hare  abowt  hir  hede  it  hang. 
Scho  rade  over  fat  lufly  lee ; 

A 7  whyl  scho  blew,  anof er  scho  sang. 

Hir  garthes 8  of  nobyll  sylk  fay  were, 
The  bukylls  were  of  berel 9  stone ; 

Hir  steraps  were  of  crystal  clere, 
And  all  with  perel 10  over  bygone.11 


Hir  payetrel 12  was  of  irale 18  fyne ; 

Hir  cropour  was  of  orphare 14 ; 
Hir  brydill  was  of  golde  fyne  — 

One  aythir  syde  hang 15  bellys  three. 


1  The  meaning  of  these  two 

verbs  is  very  doubtful 

2  shall  she  be  described 

3  saw 

4  saddle 

5  ivory  (see  NED.  s.v.  ruel- 

bone) 


6  loadstone  (cf.  Shakespeare, 

A.Y.L.  2.  i.  13) 

7  one 

8  girths 

9  beryl 
1°  pearl 

11  covered 


12  horse's  breastplate 

1»(?) 

14  orphrey,  rich  embroid 
ery  (esp.  of  gold) 
16  hung 


74  ROMANCES 

Scho  led  thre  grewehundis 1  in  a  lesse,4 
And  seven  raches 8  by  hir  ron ; 

Scho  bare  an  horn  abowt  hir  halse,4 
And  undir  hir  belt  full  many  a  flon.6 

5  Thomas  lay  and  saw  fat  syght, 

Undirnethe  ane  semely  tree. 
He  sayd  :  '  ^on 6  es  Mary,  most  of  myght, 
}?at  bare  fat  Child  fat  dyede  for  mee. 

'  Bot-if 7  I  speke  with  jon  lady  bryght, 
10  I  hope 8  myn  herte  will  bryst9  in  three ; 

Now  sail  I  go  with  all  my  myght, 
Hir  for  to  mete  at  Eldoun  tree.' 

Thomas  rathely 10  up  he  rase, 

And  ran  over  fat  mountayn  hye ; 
1 5  Gyff  u  it  be  als  ]> e  story  says, 

He  hir  mette  at  Eldon  tree. 

He  knelyde  down  appon  his  knee, 
Undirnethe  fat  grenwode  spray  : 
'  Lufly  lady,  rewe 12  on  me, 
20  Qwene  of  heven,  als 18  fou  wel  may  ! ' 

Than  spake  fat  lady  milde  of  thoght : 
'  Thomas,  late  swylke  wordes  be  1 

Qwene  of  heven  ne  am  I  noght, 
For  I  tuke 14  never  so  hegh  degre ; 

25  Bote  I  am  of  anofer  countree, 

If 15  I  be  payreld 16  most  of  pryse.17 
I  ryde  af tyr  this  wylde  fee 18 ; 

My  raches  rynnys  at  my  devyse.19 ' 


1  greyhounds 

2  leash 

8  hunting-dogs  (hounds  that  follow  by 
the  scent,  as  the  greyhound  does 
by  sight ;  so  Murray) 

*neck 

*  arrow 


6  yon 

7  unless 

8  believe 

9  burst 
10  quickly 
"if 

12  have  pity 


,"  took 

15  even  though 

is  appareled 

17  price 

18  game,  animals 
w  command,  will 


THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE  75 

*  If  fou  be  pareld  most  of  pryse, 

And  rydis  here  in  thy  foly, 
Of  lufe,  lady,  als  fou  erte  wyse,1 
f>ou  gyffe  me  leve  to  lye  the  by ! ' 

Scho  sayde :  '  J>ou  man,  fat  ware  foly.  5 

I  praye  ]> e,  Thomas,  late  me  bee ; 
For  I  saye  f  e  full  sekirly,2 

J>at  synn  wolde  fordoo 8  all  my  beaute.' 

*  Lufly  lady,  rewe  on  mee, 

And  I  will  evermore  with  the  duelle ;  10 

Here  my  trouth  I  plyght  to  the, 
Whethir  fou  will  in  heven  or  helle.' 

'  Man  of  molde,  fou  will  me  merre,* 

Bot  jit  fou  sail  hafe  all  thy  will ; 
Bot  trowe  ]> ou  wele,  fou  chevys 5  f  e  werre,6  1 5 

For  alle  my  beaute  fou  will  spyll.' 

Down  fan  lyghte  J>at  lady  bryght, 

Undirnethe  fat  grenewode  spray ; 
And,  als  fe  story  tellis  full  ryght, 

Seven  sythis 7  by  hir  he  lay.  20 

Scho  sayd :  '  Man,  the  lykes  thy  play ; 

What  byrd 8  in  boure 9  may  dele 10  with  the  ? 
Thou  merrys  me  all  f  is  longe  day ; 

I  pray  the,  Thomas,  late  me  bee  ! ' 

Thomas  stod  up  in  fat  stede,11  25 

And  he  byheld  fat  lady  gay : 
Hir  hare  it  hang  all  over  hir  hede, 

Hir  eghne  semede  out,  fat  were  so  gray, 

1  wise  (Murray  says  that  wise  and  pryse  *  mar  8  woman 

are  pronounced  as  if  wice  and  price)  6  succeedest,  thrives  9  bower 

2  surely  6  worse  10  deal 

3  destroy  7  times  u  stead,  place 


76  ROMANCES 

And  all  the  rich  clopyng  was  away, 

j?at  he  byfore  saw  in  pat  stede ; 
Hir  a '  schanke 2  blake,  hir  oper  gray, 

And  all  hir  body  lyke  be  lede.8 

5  J»an  said  Thomas  :  '  Alias,  alias  ! 

In  fayth,  pis  es  a  dullfull 4  syght ! 
How  art  pou  fadyd  in  pe  face, 

J>at  schan  byfore  als  pe  sonne  so  bryght ! ' 

Sche  sayd :  '  Thomas,  take  leve  at  sonne  and  mone, 
10  And  als 6  at  lefe  pat  grewes  on  tree ; 

This  twelmonth  sail  pou  with  me  gone,6 
And  medill-erthe 7  sail  pou  not  see.' 

'  Alias,'  he  sayd,  '  and  wa  es  mee  ! 

I  trowe  my  dedis  wyll  wirk  me  care. 
15  My  saule,  Jesu,  byteche8  I  the, 

Whedirsomever  my  banes  sail  fare.' 

Scho  ledde  hym  in  at  Eldone  Hill, 

Undirnethe  a  derne9  lee, 
Whare  it  was  dirk  als  mydnyght  myrk,10 
20  And  ever  pe  water  till  his  knee. 

The  montenans  u  of  dayes  three, 

He  herd  bot  swoghyng 12  of  pe  Mode ; 

At  pe  laste  he  sayd :  '  Full  wa 18  es  mee  1 
Almast  I  dye  for  fawte14  of  fode.' 

1  one  6  go  11  amount,  period 

2  leg  7  middle  earth  12  roaring 
8  lead                                   8  commit  is  woe 

4  doleful  » secret  u  lack 

5  also  1°  murk,  murky 

9.  Sche  sayd.  These  two  words  are  perhaps  extra-metrical,  and  not  to  be  read. 


THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE  77 

Scho  lede  hym  intill  a  faire  herbere,1 

Whare  frute  was  growand  gret  plentee ; 
Pere  and  appill  both  rype  fay  were, 

The  date,  and  als  the  damasee 2 ; 

J>e  fygge,  and  also  f  e  wyneberye 3 ;  5 

The  nyghtgales  byggande  4  on  fair  nest, 
J?e  papejoyes  6  fast  abowt  gan 6  flye, 

And  throstylls  sang  —  wolde  hafe  no  rest. 

He  pressede  to  pull  frute  with  his  hand, 

Als  man 7  for  fude 8  fat  was  nere  faynt.  10 

Scho  sayd  :  '  Thomas,  foil  late  f am  stand, 

Or  ells  fe  fende  the  will  atteynt. 

If  fou  it  plokk,  sothely  to  say, 

Thi  saule  gose  to  f e  fyr  of  helle ; 
It  commes  never  owte  or 9  Domesday,  1 5 

Bot  f er  in  payne  ay  for  to  duelle. 

Thomas,  sothely  I  the  hyght 10 : 

Come  lygg  thyn  hede  down  on  my  knee, 
And  fou  sail  se  f  e  fayrest  syght 

J>at  ever  saw  man  of  thi  con  tree.'  20 

He  did  in  hye  n  als  scho  hym  badde : 

Appon  hir  knee  his  hede  he  layd, 
For  hir  to  paye 12  he  was  full  glade ; 

And  fan  fat  lady  to  him  sayd : 

'  Seese  fou  now  jon  faire  way,  25 

f>at  lygges  over  jon  hegh  mountayn  ? 
<?)0ne  es  fe  waye  to  heven  for  ay, 

When  synfull  sawles  are  passede  f  er  payn. 

1  garden,  orchard  6  parrots  9  ere 

2  damson  6  did  10  bid 

8  grape  7  a  man  n  haste 

4  dwelling  8  food  12  please 


7»  ROMANCES 

Seese  )>ou  now  jon  o|>er  way, 

f»at  lygges  lawe  l  bynethe  jon  ryse  *  ? 

^on  es  J>e  way,  )>e  sothe  to  say, 
Unto  J>e  joye  of  Paradyse. 

5  Seese  J*>u  jitt  jon  thirde  way, 

J>at  ligges  undir  jon  grene  playn  ? 
^one  es  )>e  way,  with  tene  8  and  tray  * 
Whare  synfull  saulis  suffirris  fair  payn. 

Bot  seese  )x>u  now  jone  ferthe  way, 
10  )>at  lygges  over  jon  depe  delle  ? 

^one  es  J»e  way  —  so  waylaway  1  — 
Unto  J>e  birnand  fyr  of  helle. 

Seese  J>ou  jitt  jone  faire  castell, 

)?at  standis  over  jon  heghe  hill  ? 

!5  Of  towne  and  towre  it  beris  )>e  bell6; 

In  erthe  es  none  lyke  J>ertill. 

Forsothe,  Thomas,  jone  es  myn  awen 

And  )>e  kynges  '  of  this  countree  ; 
Bot  me  ware  lever  7  be  hanged  and  drawen, 
20  Or  8  pat  he  wyste  fou  laye  by  me. 

When  ]>ou  commes  to  $one  castell  gay, 
I  pray  )>e  curtase  man  to  bee  ; 

And  whatso  any  man  to  ]>e  say, 
Luke  JHJU  answere  none  bot  mee. 

2S  My  lorde  es  servede  at  ylk  9  a  messe  10 

With  thritty  knyghtis  faire  and  free  ; 
I  sail  say,  syttand  at  the  desse,11 
I  tuke  thi  speche  byjonde  the  see.' 


4  affliction  1  \  had  rather 

8  spray  6  excels  8  ere 

*  g"«f  '  king's  9  each 


THOMAS  OF  ERCELDOUNE  79 

Thomas  still  als  stane  he  stude, 

And  byheld  pat  lady  gay ; 
Scho  was  agayn  als 1  faire  and  gude, 

And  also l  ryche  on  hir  palfray ; 

Hir  grewehundis  fillide  2  with  dere  blode,  5 

Hir  raches  couplede,  by  my  fay 8 ; 
Scho  blew  hir  horn  with  mayn 4  and  mode,6 

And  to  )>e  castell  scho  tuke  f  e  way. 

Into  f  e  hall  sothely  scho  went ; 

Thomas  foloued  at  hir  hand.  10 

Than  ladyes  come,  both  faire  and  gent,6 

With  curtasye  to  hir  kneland. 

Harpe  and  f ethill 7  both  fay  fand, 

f>e  getem,8  and  also  )>e  sawtrye,9 
Lute  and  rybybe 10  bothe  gangand,  i^ 

And  all  manere  of  mynstralsye. 

J>e  moste  mervelle  fat  Thomas  thoghte 

When  fat  he  stode  appon  f  e  flore  — 
Fefty  hertis  in  were  broghte, 

f>at  were  bothe  grete  and  store.11  20 

Raches  lay  lapand  in  )>e  blode ; 

Cokes  come  with  dryssyng-knyfe 12 ; 
Thay  bryttened  u  f e  dere  als 14  fey  were  wode  u ; 

Revell  amanges  f  am  was  full  ryfe. 

Knyghtis  dawnsede  by  three  and  three;  25 

There  was  revell,  gamen,  and  playe ; 
Lufly  ladyes  faire  and  free 

Satt  and  sang  in  riche  araye. 

1  as  6  well  bred  H  mighty 

2  (were)  filled  7  fiddle  12  dressing-knife 

3  faith                                    8  gittem  (a  kind  of  guitar)  is  cut  Up 
*  might                                  9  psaltery  (a  kind  of  zither)  n  as  if 

5  spirit  10  rebeck  (a  three-stringed  fiddle)  is  mad 


80  ROMANCES 

Thomas  duellide  in  that  solace 

More l  fan  I  jow  saye,  parde,2 
Till  on  a  day  —  so  haf  e  I  grace !  — 

My  lufly  lady  sayd  to  mee : 

5  '  Buske 8  the,  Thomas,  f e  buse 4  agayn, 

For  here  fou  may  no  lengar  be ; 
Hye  *  the  f aste  with  myght  and  mayn ; 
I  sail  the  bryng  till  Eldone  tree.' 

Thomas  sayd  fan  with  hevy  chere : 
10  '  Lufly  lady,  now  late  me  bee, 

For  certaynly  I  hafe  bene  here 

Noght  bot  fe  space  of  dayes  three.' 

*  Forsothe,  Thomas,  als  I  f  e  tell, 

J>ou  hase  bene  here  thre  jere  and  more, 
15  And  langer  here  fou  may  noght  duell ; 

The  skyll 6  I  sail  f  e  tell  wharefore : 

To-mome  of  helle  fe  foule  fende 

Amang  this  folk  will  feche  his  fee ; 
And  f  ou  art  mekill 7  man  and  hende 8  - 
20  I  trow  full  wele  he  wil  chese 9  the. 

For  all  fe  gold  fat  ever  may  bee 

Fro  hethyn 10  unto  f  e  worldis  ende, 
J>ou  bese  u  never  betrayed  for  mee ; 

J>erefore  with  me  I  rede12  thou  wende.' 

25  Scho  broght  hym  agayn  to  Eldone  tree, 

Undirnethe  fat  grenewode  spray.  — 
In  Huntlee  bankes  es  mery  to  bee, 

Whare  fowles  synges  both  nyght  and  day. 

i  longer  6  haste  •  choose 

8  in  truth  (Fr.  par  Dieu)  «  reason  »  hence 

8  prepare  '  large,  robust  "  shalt  be 

«  behooves  (to  return)  8  courtly  W  advise 


AMIS  AND  AMILOUN  8 1 


AMIS  AND  AMILOUN 

Amis  and  Amiloun  (late  thirteenth  century)  is  ultimately  derived  from  a 
Greek  or  Oriental  source.  The  story  represents  the  mediaeval  notion  of  an 
ideal  friendship,  capable  of  attaining  supreme  heights  of  devotion.  Amiloun 
risks  his  life  to  save  the  honor  of  Amis  by  maintaining  his  friend's  perjured 
word  in  a  trial  by  combat,  and  afterwards  suffers  for  his  generosity  by  becom 
ing  a  leper.  As  an  outcast  and  beggar,  with  only  one  young  page  as  com 
panion,  he  is  at  length  recognized  by  Amis,  and  lovingly  cared  for  and 
comforted.  When  an  angel  declares  to  Amis  in  a  dream  that  only  by  means 
of  the  blood  of  his  two  children  can  Amiloun  be  cured,  he  meets  even  this 
demand  upon  his  friendship  and  gratitude.  Then  a  miracle  takes  place.  Each 
friend  has  done  what  the  other's  need  called  for,  and  their  sins  are  now  fully 
atoned  for  by  self-sacrifice.  The  two  slaughtered  children  are  found  alive, 
happily  playing  together,  and  the  story  ends  in  cheer. 

There  are  versions  in  Old  French,  Latin,  Old  Norse,  and  Celtic.  The 
English  romance  is  closely  related  to  an  Anglo-Norman  poem  printed  by 
Kolbing,  who  has  elaborately  edited  the  English  text  (Altenglische  Bibliothek, 
Vol.  2,  Heilbronn,  1884),  closely  following  the  Auchinleck  manuscript.  The 
language  is  Northeast  Midland.  For  a  good  outline,  see  Ten  Brink,  Early 
Eng.  Lit.,  pp.  250-2. 

Our  extract  covers  lines  2245-2424. 

J>an  foujt  fe  douk,1  wifouten  lesing,2 
For  to  slen 8  his  childer  so  jing 4 

It  were  a  dedli  sinne ; 
And  fan  foujt  he,  bi  heven 5  King, 
His  broker  out  of  sorwe  bring,6 

For  fat  nold  he  noujt  blinne.7 
So  it  bifel  on  Cristes  nijt, 
Swiche  time  as  Jesu,  ful  of  mijt, 

Was  born  to  save  mankinne,8 
To  chirche  to  wende,  al  fat  f er  wes,9 
J>ai  dijten 10  hem,  wif outen  les,11 

Wif  joie  and  worldes  winne.12 

1  duke  6  to  bring  10  prepared 

2  deception  ?  to  that  end  would  he  not  cease  n  to  tell  the  truth 
8  slay                                        (his  endeavors)  &  delight 

4  young  8  MS.  -kunne 

5  heaven's  9  who  were  there 


82  ROMANCES 

f>an  *  fai  were  redi  for  to  fare,2 
J>e  douke  bad  al  fat  per  ware, 

To  chirche  fai  schuld  wende, 
Litel  and  michel,  lasse  and  mare,8 
5  J?at  non  bilef  t  *  in  chaumber  are,6 

As  fai  wald 6  ben  his  f  rende 7 ; 
And  seyd  he  wald  himselve  fat  nijt 
Kepe 8  his  broker,  fat  gentil  knijt, 

}?at  was  so  god  and  kende.9 

10  J>an  was  f er  non  fat  durst  say  nay : 

To  chirche  f ai  went  in  her 10  way, 

At  horn  bileft  fe  u  hende.12 

J?e  douke  wel 18  fast  gan  aspie  u 
]?e  kays  of  fe  noricerie,15 
1S  Erf  an le  fai  schuld  gon ; 

And  priveliche 17  he  cast  his  eije,18 
And  aparceived  ful  witterlye 19 

Where  fat  fai  hadde  hem  don.20 
And  when  fai  were  to  chirche  went,21 
20  J>an  Sir  Amis,  verrament,22 

Was  bileft  al  on.28 
He  tok  a  candel  fair  and  brijt, 
And  to  fe  kays  he  went  ful  rijt, 
And  tok  hem  oway  ichon.24 

25  Alon  himself,  wifouten  mo,28 

Into  fe  chaumber  he  gan  to  go, 
J>er  fat  his  childer  were, 

1  when  10  their  » clearly 

2  go  11  MS.  }x>  20  put  them 
» greater                                          12  they  left  the  noble  one                     21  gone 

«  left  i*  very  22  truly 

«  should  be ;  MS.  fcare  M  began  to  look  for  28  alone 

•  would  is  nursery  24  eacn  one 

"  friends  i«  before  26  more,  others 

8  watch  over  17  secretly 

»  kind  18  eye 


AMIS  AND  AMILOUN 

And  biheld  hem  bope  to,1 
Hou  fair  pai  lay  togider  po, 

And  slepe  bope  yf ere 2 ; 
pan  seyd  himselve  :  '  Bi  Seyn  Jon, 
It  were  gret  rewepe 8  sou  to  slon, 

pat  God  hap  boujt  so  dere  ! ' 
His  kniif  he  had  drawen  pat  tide  4 ; 
For  sorwe  he  sleynt 5  oway  biside, 

And  wepe  wip  reweful 6  chere.7 

pan  he  hadde  wopen 8  per  he  stode, 
Anon  he  turned  ogam  his  mode,9 

And  sayd  wipouten  delay  : 
'  Mi  broper  was  so  kinde  and  gode, 
Wip  grimly 10  wounde  he  schad  n  his  blod 

For  mi  love  opon  a  day ; 
Whi  schuld  Y  pan  mi  childer  spare, 
To  bring  mi  broper  out  of  care  ? 

O,  certes,12  '  he  sayd,  '  nay  ! 
To  help  mi  broper  now  at  pis  nede, 
God  graunt  me  per  to  wele  13  to  spede,14 

And  Mari,  pat  best  may  w  ! ' 

No  lenger  stint 16  he  no  stode,17 
Bot  hent 18  his  kniif  wip  dreri  mode, 

And  tok  his  children  po ; 
For  he  nold  noujt  spille  her 19  blode, 
Over  a  bacine 20  fair  and  gode 

Her 19  protes  he  schar 21  atuo.22 


10 


1  both  two,  both 

2  together 
8  pity 

4  time 

6  slunk 

6  pitiful 

^  countenance 

8  wept 


9  changed  his  mind  again 
w  fearful 

11  shed 

12  truly 

18  well-being 
14  advance 
is  can  (help) 
16  forbore 


i^  nor  stood  still 
is  seized 

19  their 

20  basin  (OF.  baciri) 

21  shore,  cut 

22  in  two,  asunder 


84 


ROMANCES 


1  though,  if 

2  were 

8  concealed 
4  nobody 
*  with 
8  been 
"  fastened 


And  when  he  hadde  hem  boj>e  slain, 
He  laid  hem  in  her  bed  ogain, 

—  No  wonder  J>ei 1  him  wer 2  wo !  — 
And  hilde 8  hem,  J>at  no  wijt  *  schuld  se ; 
As  no  man  hadde  at 5  hem  be,6 

Out  of  chaumber  he  gan  go. 

And  when  he  was  out  of  chaumber  gon, 
J>e  dore  he  steked 7  stille  anon 

As  fast  as  it  was  biforn ; 
J>e  kays  he  hidde  under  a  ston, 
And  boujt  J>ai  schuld  wene 8  ichon 

J?at  |>ai  hadde  ben  forlorn.9 
To  his  brober  he  went  him  ban, 
And  seyd  to  bat  careful 10  man, 

Swiche  time  as  God  was  born : 
1  Ich  have  be  broujt  mi  childer  n  blod ; 
Ich  hope  it  schal  do  ]>e  gode, 

As  be  angel  seyd  biforn. ' 

'  Brober,'  Sir  Amiloun  gan  to  say, 
'  Hastow  12  slayn  bine  children  tuay l&  ? 

Alias,  whi  de[de]stow 14  so? ' 
He  wepe  and  seyd  :  '  Waileway ! 
Ich  had  lever 16  til  Domesday 16 

Have  lived  in  care  and  wo ! ' 
J>an  seyd  Sir  Amis  :  '  Be  now  stille ; 
Jesu,  when  it  is  his  wille, 

May  sende  me  childer  mo.17 
For  me 18  of  blis  bou  art  al  bare 19 ; 
Ywis,  mi  liif  wil  Y  noujt  spare 

To  help  be  now  berfro.20 ' 


8  suppose 

»lost 

1°  full  of  care,  sad 

11  children's 

12  hast  thou 
i«  two 

14  didst  thou 


is  rather 

16  Doomsday 

17  more 

18  on  my  account 

19  deprived  of 

30  out  of  thy  condition 


AMIS  AND  AMILOUN 

He  tok  fat  blode,  fat  was  so  brijt, 
And  alied l  fat  gentil  knijt, 

J>at  er 2  was  hende 8  in  hale 4 ; 
And  seffen6  in  a  bed  him  dijt,6 
And  wreije 7  him  wel  warm,  aplijt,8 

Wif  clofes  riche  and  fale.9 
'  Brofer,'  he  seyd,  '  ly  now  stille, 
And  falle  on  slepe  furch  Codes  wille, 

As  f  e  angel  told  in  tale 10 ; 
And  Ich  hope  wele,  wifouten  lesing, 
Jesu,  fat  is  heven  King, 

Schal  bote11  fe  of  fi  bale.12 ' 

Sir  Amis  lete ls  him  ly 14  alon, 
And  into  his  chapel  he  went  anon, 

In  gest 15  as  je  may  here  ; 
And  for  his  childer  fat  he  hadde  slon 
To  God  of  heven  he  made  his  mon,16 

And  preyd  wif  rewely 17  chere 
[He]  schuld  save  him  fram  schame  fat  day, 
And  Mari,  his  moder,  fat  best  may, 

J>at  was  him  leve 18  and  dere. 
And  Jesu  Crist,  in  fat  stede,19 
Ful  wele  he  herd  fat  knijtes  bede,20 

And  graunt 31  him  his  praiere. 

A  morwe,22  as  tite  **  as  it  was  day, 
J>e  levedi  com  horn,  al  wif  play,24 
Wif  knijtes  ten  and  five. 


1  anointed 

2  formerly 

8  courteous 
<hall 

5  afterwards 

6  arranged 
"  covered 

s  in  truth 


9  many 

10  his  message 

11  cure 

J2  suffering 
is  left 

14  to  lie,  lying 

15  the  story 


17  piteous 

18  dear,  precious 

19  in  that  situation 

20  prayer 

21  granted     .. 

22  on  the  morrow 
28  soon 

24  in  merry  mood 


86  ROMANCES 

f»ai  soujt  )>e  kays  )>er l  )>ai  lay ; 

J>ai  founde  hem  noujt  —  fai  were  oway ; 

Wei  wo  was  hem  o  live.2 
j?e  douk  bad  al  )>at  |>er  wes 
5  J»ai  schuld  hold  hem  stille  in  pes,8 

And  stint  *  of  her  strive 6 ; 
And  seyd  he  hadde  fe  keys  nome 6 ; 
Schuld  no  man  in  }>e  chaumber  come 

Bot  himself  and  his  wive.7 

10  Anon  he  tok  his  levedi  fan, 

And  seyd  to  hir :  '  Leve  leman, 

Be  blij>e  and  glad  of  mode  ; 
For,  bi  him  ]>at  )>is  warld  wan,8   * 
Bo)>e  mi  childer  Ich  have  slan,' 

15  J?at  were  so  hende 10  and  gode ; 

For  me  J>oujt  in  mi  sweven  u 
)>at  an  angel  com  fram  heven, 

And  seyd  me,  Jmrch  her  blode 12 
Mi  broker  schuld  passe  out  of  his  wo ; 
20  perfore  Y  slouj  hem  bofe  to, 

To  hele  pat  frely  fode.18 ' 

J>an  was  J>e  levedi  ferly  wo,14 
And  seije 16  hir  lord  was  al  so ; 

Sche  comfort le  him  f ul  jare.17 
25  '  O  lef 18  liif,'  sche  seyd  )>o, 

'  God  may  sende  ous 19  childer  mo, 

Of  hem  have  pou  no  care ; 
^if  it  ware  at  min  hert  rote,20 
For  to  bring  )>i  broker  bote 21 
30  My  lyf  Y  wold  not  spare. 

1  where  8  W0n  16  saw 

2  woeful,  indeed,  were  they  in  life          9  siain  16  comforted 

*  peace  10  gentle  17  readily,  soon 

*  cease  u  dream  18  dear 
8  effort  12  by  means  of  their  blood  i»  us 

*  taken  1*  noble  man  20  my  heart's  root 
7  wife  M  exceedingly  sorrowful  21  remedy 


AMIS  AND  AMILOUN 


For  no  man  shal  oure  children  see, 
To-morow  shal  fey  beryed  be 
Rijt  as  fey  faire 1  ded  ware.' 

Al  }>us  fe  lady  faire  and  bryjt 
Comfort  hur  lord  with  al  hur  myjt, 

As  je  mow 2  understonde  ; 
And  seth 8  fey  went  bo]>  ful  ryjt 
To  Sir  Amylion,  fat  gentyl  knyjt, 

]?at  ere 4  was  free 5  to  fonde.6 
And  whan  Sir  Amylion  wakyd  foo, 
Al  his  fowlehed 7  was  agoo,8 

J>urch  grace  of  Goddes  sonde  9 ; 
And  fan  was  he  as  feire  a  man 
As  ever  he  was  jet  or  fan,10 

Sef  he  was  born  in  londe. 

J>an  were  fey  al  blif : 

Her  u  joy  couf  no  man  kyth,12 

And  fonked  God  fat  day. 
And  fan,  as  56  mow  listen  and  lyth,1* 
To  a  chamber  fey  went  swyf ,14 

J>ere  f  e  children  lay  ; 
And,  without  wemme 15  and  wound, 
Al  hool 16  and  sound  f  e  children  found, 

And  layen  togeder  and  play. 
For  joye  fey  wept  fere  fey  stood, 
And  fonked  God  with  myld  mood ; 

Her  care  was  al  away. 


20 


1  naturally 

2  must 

8  afterwards 

4  formerly,  before 

6  noble 

6  to  make  trial  of ;  in  trial 


7  disease 

8  gone 

9  messenger 

1°  formerly  or  then 
"  their 
12  declare 


is  hearken 
14  quickly 
16  blemish 
18  whole 


88  ROMANCES 


SIR  ORFEO 

Sir  Orfeo  (about  1320)  is  a  classical  fable  metamorphosed  into  a  fairy  tale., 
told  in  the  manner  of  a  Breton  lay.  Orpheus,  like  the  banished  Duke  in  As 
You  Like  //,  resorts  to  the  fields  and  woods  for  a  season,  after  Eurydice  is 
borne  away ;  but  she  is  restored  to  him,  he  regains  his  kingdom,  and  they  live 
long  afterwards.  Ker  says  of  the  lay  (English  Literature :  Medieval,  p.  127; 
see  also  Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  i.  328) :  '  One  may  refer  to  it  as  a  standard,  to 
show  what  can  be  done  in  the  mediaeval  art  of  narrative,  with  the  simplest 
elements  and  smallest  amount  of  decoration.  It  is  minstrel  poetry,  popular 
poetry  —  the  point  is  clear  when  King  Orfeo  excuses  himself  to  the  King  of 
Faerie  by  the  rules  of  his  profession  as  a  minstrel ;  that  was  intended  to  produce 
a  smile,  and  applause  perhaps,  among  the  audience.  But  though  a  minstrel's 
poem,  it  is  far  from  rude,  and  it  is  quite  free  from  the  ordinary  faults  of  ram 
bling  and  prosing,  such  as  Chaucer  ridiculed  in  his  Geste  of  Sir  Thopas.  It  is 
all  in  good  compass,  and  coherent;  nothing  in  it  is  meaningless  or  ill-placed.' 

A  ballad  on  the  theme  is  No.  19  of  Child's  collection. 

Our  text  follows  Zielke's  print  (Breslau,  1880)  of  the  Auchinleck  manuscript 
(with  lines  1-24,  33-46  supplied  from  Harl.  MS.  3810),  but  the  punctuation 
has  been  freely  altered.  Occasional  variations  from  Zielke's  readings  are 
noted. 

We  redyn 1  ofte  and  fynde  ywryte,8 
As  clerkes  don  us  to  wyte,8 
J>e  layes  fat  ben  of  harpyng 
Ben  yfounde  4  of  frely  [ferly  ?]  J>ing.6 
Sum  ben  of  wele,  and  sum  of  wo, 
And  sum  of  joy  and  mer|>e  also, 
Sum  of  trechery,  and  sum  of  gyle, 
And  sum  of  happes 6  ]>at  fallen  by  whyle T ; 
.     Sum  of  bourdys,8  and  sum  of  rybaudry, 
And  sum  )>er  ben  of  pe  feyrye.9 
Off  alle  ping  pat  men  may  se, 
Moost  o  love 10  forsope  )>ey  be. 

In  Brytain  pis  u  layes  arne 12  ywryte, 
Furst  yfounde  and  forpe  ygete,18 

1  read  e  events  11  these   -"•  -' 

a  written  7  happen  at  times  12  are 

»  make  us  to  know  8  mirth,  jests  18  conceived 

4  composed  »  magic,  enchantment 

6  of  noble  matters  i«  MS.  lowe 


89 

Of  aventures  fat  fillen 1  by  dayes,2 

Wherof  Brytouns  made  her  layes. 

When  fey  myght  owher 8  heryn 

Of  aventures  fat  f  er  weryn, 

J>ey  toke  her  harpys  wif  game,*  5 

Maden  layes,  and  jaf  it6  name. 

Of  aventures  fat  han  befalle 
Y  can  sum  telle,  but  nought  alle.6 
Herken,  lordyngs  fat  ben  trewe, 
And  Y  wol  jou  telle  of  sir  Orphewe.  10 

Orfeo  was  a  king, 
In  his  time  an  heije  lording, 
A  stalworf  man  and  hardi  bo,7 
Large,8  curteys  he  was  also. 

His  fader  was  comen  of  King  Pluto,  15 

And  his  moder  of  King  Juno, 
]?at  sum  time  were  as  godes  yhold, 
For  aventours  fat  fai  dede  and  told. 

Orpheo  most  of  ony  fing 

Lovede  f e  gle  of  harpyng ;  20 

Syker g  was  every  gode  harpour 10 
Of  hym  to  have  moche  honour. 
Hymself  loved  for  to  harpe, 
And  layde  fereon  his  wittes  scharpe.11 
He  lernyd  so,  fer  nofing  was  25 

A  better  harper  in  no  plas. 
In  fe  world  was  never  man  born 
J>at  ever  Orpheo  sat  biforn, 
And 12  he  myjt  of  his  harpyng  her, 
He  schulde  f inke  fat  he  wer  30 

In  one  of  fe  joys  of  Paradys, 
Suche  joy  and  melody  in  his  harpyng  is. 


1  fell  6  them  9  sure 

2  once  on  a  time  6  MS.  all  10  MS.  harpoure 

8  anywhere  7  both  H  and  gave  his  keen  mind  to  the  matter 

4  joy,  delight  8  generous  12  if 


90  ROMANCES 

\      J>is  king  sojurnd  in  Traciens,1 

)?at  was  a  cite  of  noble  defens ; 

He  hadde  wib  him  a  quen  of  priis,8 

J>at  was  ycleped  Dame  Heurodis  — 
5  f>e  fairest  levedi,  for  be  nones,* 

J>at  mijt  gon  on  bodi  and  bones, 

Ful  of  love  and  of  godenisse, 

Ac  *  no  man  may  telle  hir  fairnise. 

Bif el  so  in  be  comessing 6  of  May, 
10  When  miri  and  hot  is  ]>e  day, 

Oway  beb  winter-schours, 

And  everi  feld  is  f ul  of  flours, 

And  blosme  breme 6  on  everi  bouj 

Overal 7  wexej> s  miri  anou^,9 
15  J>is  ich10  quen,  Dame  Heurodis, 

Tok  to  "  maidens  of  priis, 

And  went  in  an  undrentide 12 

To  play  bi  an  orchard-side, 

To  se  be  floures  sprede  and  spring, 
20  And  to  here  be  foules 18  sing. 

J>ai  sett  hem  doun  al  bre 

Under  a  fair  ympe-tre,14 

And  wel  sone  bis  fair  quene 

Fel  on  slepe 16  opon  be  grene. 
maidens  durst  hir  noujt  awake, 

Bot  lete  hir  ligge 18  and  rest  take ; 

So  sche  slepe  til  afternone, 

]?at  under[n]tide  was  al  ydone. 

Ac  so  sone  as  sche  gan  awake, 
3°  Sche  crid  and  lobli  bere 17  gan  make : 

Sche  froted 18  hir  honden  and  hir  fet, 

1  Thrace  (/*/.  Thracians)  7  everywhere  M  birds 

2  renown  8  grow  H  grafted  tree 
•  at  that  time                                        •  enough  is  asleep 

4  but  10  same  16  lie 

c  beginning  H  two  17  unpleasing  behavior 

6  bright  12  morning  lg  rubbed,  wrung 


SIR  ORFEO  91 

And  crached 1  hir  visage,  it  bled  wete ; 

Hir  riche  robe  sche  2  al  torett,3 

And  was  ravysed  4  out  of  hir  witt. 

J?e  two  5  maidens  hir  biside 

No  durst  wif  hir  no  leng 6  abide,  5 

Bot  ourn 7  to  be  palays  ful  rijt, 

And  told  bofe  squier  and  knijt 

J»at  her  quen  awede 8  wold, 

And  bad  hem  go  and  hir  athold.9 

Knijtes  um,7  and  levedis  also,  10 

Damisels  sexti  and  mo  ; 

In  )>e  orchard  to  be  quen  hye 10  come, 

And  her  up  in  her  u  armes  nome,12 

And  broujt  hir  to  bed  atte 13  last, 

And  held  hir  fere  fine 14  fast.  15 

Ac  ever  sche  held 15  in  o 16  cri, 

And  wold  up  and  owy.17 

When  Orfeo  herd  bat  tiding, 
Never  him  nas 18  wers  for 19  nojnng ; 
He  come  up  wif>  knijtes  tene  ™  20 

To  chaumber  rijt  bifor  be  quene, 
And  biheld,  and  seyd  wib  grete  pite : 
'  O  lef  liif,  what  is  te,21 
f>at  ever  jete  hast  ben  so  stille, 

And  now  gredest M  wonder  schille 23  ?  25 

J>i  bodi,  ]>at  was  so  white  ycore,24 
Wib  fine  nailes  is  al  totore.25 
Alas !  ]>i  rode,26  fat  was  so  red, 
Is  as  wan  as  ]>ou  were  ded, 

1  scratched  10  they  19  because  of 

2  MS.  hye  "  their  20  ten 

3  rent  apart  12  took  21  what  is  ill  with  thee 
*  ravished ;  MS.  reneyd  18  at  the  ^  dost  cry 

5  MS.  too  14  very  ^  wondrous  shrill (y) 

6  longer  16  continued  2*  choicely 
l  ran                                                            w  one                                     ^  rent 

8  go  mad  17  away  26  complexion 

9  restrain  M  it  was  not 


ROMANCES 


10 


20 


3° 


1  two 

2  as 

8  put  aside,  cease 
4  what  ails  thee 
6  once 
*  angry 


And  also  fine  fingres  smale 
Bep  al  blodi  and  al  pale  I 
Alias,  pi  lovesum  eyjen  to 1 
Lokep  so  2  man  dop  on  his  fo  1 
A,  dame,  Ich  biseche  merci  1 
Lete  ben 8  al  pis  rewef ul  cri, 
And  tel  me  what  pe  is  *  and  hou, 
And  what  ping  may  pe  help  now.' 

j?o  lay  sche  stille  atte  last, 
And  gan  to  wepe  swipe  fast, 
And  seyd  pus  pe  king  to  : 
'  Alias,  mi  lord,  sir  Orfeo  1 
Seppen  we  first  togider  were, 
Ones 6  wrop 6  never  we  nere 7 ; 
Bot  ever  Ich  have  yloved  pe 
As  mi  liif,  and  so  pou  me. 
Ac  now  we  mot  delen  ato 8 ; 
Do  pi  best,  for  y  mot9  go.' 
'  Alias,'  quap  he,  '  forlorn  Ich  am  ! 
Whider  willow  go,  and  to  wham  ? 
Whider  pou  gost,  Ichil 10  wip  pe, 
And  whider  Y  go,  pou  schalt  wip  me.' 
'  Nay,  nay,  sir,  pat  noujt  nis  n  ; 
Ichil  pe  telle  al  hou  it  is : 
As  Ich  lay  pis  undertide, 
And  slepe  under  our  orchard-side, 
J>er  come  to  me  to *  fair  knijtes, 
Wele  y-armed 12  al  to  rijtes, 
And  bad  me  comen  on 18  heijing,1* 
And  speke  wip  her  u  lord  pe  king. 
And  Ich  answerd  at 16  wordes  bold, 


7  were  not 

8  separate  (part  in  two) 

9  must 

10  I  will 

11  that  is  in  no  way  possible 
Warmed 


i«  MS.  an 
H  in  haste 
is  their 
"with 


SIR  ORFEO 


93 


1  nor  would  I 

2  rode  hard 
8  hasten 

4  very  quickly 

5  their  garments 

6  chosen  out 
1  but 


Y  durst  noujt,  no  Y  nold.1 

f>ai  priked2  ojain,  as  pai  mijt  drive8, 

]>o  kom  her  king  also  blive,4 

Wip  an  hundred  knijtes  and  mo, 

And  damisels  an  hundred  also, 

Al  on  snowe-white  stedes ; 

As  white  as  milke  were  her  wedes.6 

Y  no  seije  never  jete  bifore 

So  fair  creatours  ycore.6 

J>e  king  hadde  a  croun  on  hed ; 

It  nas  of  silver,  no  of  gold  red, 

Ac 7  it  was  of  a  precious  ston  ; 

As  brijt  as  pe  sonne  it  schon. 

And  as  son  as  he  to  me  cam, 

Wold  Ich,  nold  Ich,8  he  me  nam,9 

And  made  me  wip  him  ride 

Opon  a  palfray  bi  his  side, 

And  broujt  me  to  his  palays, 

Wele  atird  10  in  ich  ways,11 

And  schewed  me  castels  and  tours, 

Rivers,  forestes,  frip 12  wij)  flours, 

And  his  riche  stedes 13  ichon  ; 

And  seppen  me  broujt  o^ain  hom 

Into  our  owhen 14  orchard  ; 

And  said  to  me  pus  afterward  : 

"  Loke,  dame,  to-morwe  patow 16  be 

Rijt  here  under  pis  ympe-tre, 

And  pan  pou  schalt  wip  ous 16  go, 

And  live  wip  ous  evermo ; 

And  jif  pou  makest  ous  ylet,17 

Whar 18  pou  be,  pou  worst  yfet,19 

8  whether  I  was  willing  or  not 

(would  I,  would  I  not) 

9  took 

1°  adorned 
n  in  all  ways 

12  glade 

13  places 


10 


20 


!•*  own 

16  that  thou 

16  us 

17  delay 

18  wherever 

W  shall  be  'fetched 


94 


ROMANCES 


20 


1  though 

2  be 

»  shalt  be 

4  carried  away 

6  situation 

6  O  woe 

7  give  up 


And  totore  fine  limes  al, 
f>at  nobing  help  be  no  schal ; 
And  bei l  \>ou  best 2  so  totorn, 
<?>ete  bou  worst 8  wib  ous  yborn.4 "  ' 

When  king  Orfeo  herd  bis  cas,6 
1  Owe 6 ! '  quab  he,  '  alias,  alias  1 
Lever  me  were  to  lete 7  mi  liif , 
J>an  bus  to  lese 8  be  quen  mi  wiif  1 ' 
He  asked  conseyl  at9  ich  man, 
Ac  no  man  him  help  no  can. 
Amorwe 10  be  undertide  is  come, 
And  Orfeo  hab  his  armes  ynome,11 
And  wele  ten  hundred  knijtes  wib  him, 
Ich  y-armed  stout  and  grim  ; 
And  wib  be  quen  wenten  he 12 
Rijt  unto  bat  ympe-tre. 
J>ai  made  scheltrom 18  in  icha  side,14 
And  sayd  bai  wold  bere  abide, 
And  dye  her  everichon, 
Er  be  quen  schuld  from  hem  gon. 
Ac  jete  amiddes  hem  f ul  rijt 16 
J>e  quen  was  oway  ytwijt,16 
Wib  fain  "  forb  ynome ; 
Men  wist  never  wher  sche  was  bicome.18 

J>o  was  ber  criing,  wepe,  and  wo ; 
J>e  king  into  his  chaumber  is  go,19 
And  oft  swoned  opon  be  ston, 
And  made  swiche  diol 20  and  swiche  mon 
J>at  neije  his  liif  was  yspent  — 
J>er  was  no  amendement. 
He  cleped  togider  his  barouns, 


8  lose 

9  from 

10  on  the  morrow 

11  taken 

12  they 

18  band,  troop 
14  each  side 


15  from  amidst  them 

16  snatched  ;  MS.  ytvight 
i~  by  witchcraft,  magic 

18  what  was  become  of  her 
is  gone 
20  dole 


SIR  ORFEO 


95 


1  renown 

2  rule 
8  lost 

*  will  not 
6  journey 


Erls,  lordes  of  renouns x ; 

And  when  fai  al  yeomen  were, 

'  Lordinges,'  he  said,  '  bifore  gou  here 

Ich  ordainy  min  heije-steward 

To  wite  2  mi  kingdom  afterward ; 

In  mi  stede  ben  he  schal, 

To  kepe  mi  londes  over  al. 

For,  now  Ichave  mi  quen  ylore,8 

]?e  fairest  levedi  fat  ever  was  bore, 

Never  eft  Y  nil 4  no  woman  se ; 

Into  wildernes  Ichil  te,5 

And  live  fer  evermore 

Wif  wilde  bestes  in  holtes 6  hore.7 

And  when  je  understand  fat  Y  be  spent,8 

Make  jou  fan  a  parlement, 

And  chese  5011  a  newe  king ; 

Now  dof  jour  best  wif  al  mi  fing.9 ' 

Ipo  was  fer  wepeing  in  fe  halle, 
And  grete  cri  among  hem  alle ; 
Unnef  e 10  mijt  old  or  jong 
For  wepeing  speke  a  word  wif  tong. 
J>ai  kneled  adoun  al  yfere, 
And  praid  him,  jif  his  wille  were, 
pat  he  no  schuld  fram  hem  go ; 
'  Do  way,'  quaf  he, '  it  schal  be  so.' 
Al  his  kingdom  he  forsoke, 
Bot  a  sclavin  u  on  him  he 12  toke  — 
He  ne  hadde  kirtel  no  hode, 
Schert,  [ne]  non  ofer  gode. 
Bot  his  harp  he  tok,  algate,18 
And  dede  him  barf ot  out  atte  $ate ; 
No  man  most u  wif  him  go. 


6  forests 

"  gray  (from  lichens  or  bareness) 

8  dead 

9  property 

1°  scarcely,  with  difficulty 


20 


11  pilgrim's  mantle 

12  MS.  te 

i*  notwithstanding 
14  was  allowed 


96  ROMANCES 

Oway  1  what  fer  was  wepe  and  wo, 

When  he  fat  hadde  ben  king  wif  croun, 

Went  so  poverlich  out  of  toun  ! 

j?urch  wode  and  over  he)) 
5  Into  f  e  wildernes  he  gef ; 

Noting  he  fint  fat  him  is  ays,1 

Bot  ever  he  live))  in  gret  malais.2 

He  fat  hadde  ywed 8  f  e  fowe  *  and  griis,6 

And  on  bed  f  e  purper  biis,6 
10  Now  on  hard  hefe  he  lif, 

Wi{>  leves  and  gresse  he  him  wri}>.7 

He  fat  hadde  had  castels  and  tours, 

River,  forest,  Jrif  wij)  flours, 

Now,  f  ei 8  it  comenci  to  snewe 9  and  frese, 
1 5  J>is  king  mote  make  his  bed  in  mese 10 ; 

He  fat  had  yhad  knijtes  of  priis 

Bifor  him  kneland,  and  levedis, 

Now  sef  he  nofing  fat  him  likef ,11 

Bot  wilde  wormes  bi  him  strikef  u ; 
20  He  fat  had  yhad  plente 

Of  mete  and  drink,  of  ich  deyhte, 

Now  may  he  al  day  digge  and  wrote,18 

Er  he  finde  his  fille  of  rote.14 

In  somer  he  livef  bi 16  wild  frut 
25  And  berren 16  bot  gode  lut 1T ; 

In  winter  may  he  nofing  finde 

Bot  rote,  grases,  and  fe  rinde.18 

Al  his  bodi  was  oway  dwine 19 

For  missays,20  and  al  tochine.21 
30  Lord !  who  may  telle  f  e  sore  w 

1  ease  9  snow  17  very  few  (good  little) ;  MS.  lite 

2  distress,  discomfort  10  moss  i»  bark 

*  worn  11  pleaseth  19  shrunk ;  MS.  dvine 

*  variegated  fur  12  slip,  crawl  *>  discomfort 
« gray  fur  18  grub  21  chapped 

*  fine  linen  (Lat.  bysms)  H  roots  22  pain 
1  covers     '  15  on 

*  though  is  berries 


SIR  ORFEO  97 

J>is  king  sufferd  ten  jere  and  more  ? 
His  here  of  his  herd,  blac  and  rowe,1 
To  his  girdelstede  was  growe  ; 
His  harp,  whereon  was  al  his  gle, 

He  hidde  in  an  holwe  tre ;  5 

And,  when  fe  weder  was  clere  and  brijt, 
He  toke  his  harp  to  him  wel  rijt, 
And  harped  at  his  owhen  wille ; 
Into  alle  ]>e  wode  ]>e  soun  gan  schille,2 
J>at  alle  J>e  wilde  bestes  fat  J>er  be])  10 

For  joie  abouten  him  )>ai  tej>,8 
And  alle  J>e  f oules  fat  per  were 
Come  and  sete  on  ich  a  brere,4 
To  here  his  harping  afin,5 

So  miche  melody  was  ]>erin  ;  1 5 

And  when  he  his  harping  lete  6  wold, 
No  best  bi  him  abide  nold. 
He  mijt  se  him  bisides 
Oft  in  hot  undertides 

J?e  king  o  fairi,7  wif  his  rout,  20 

Com  to  hunt  him  al  about,       ; 
Wif  dun,8  [with]  cri  and  bloweing,9 
And  houndes  also  wi)>  him  berking ; 
Ac  no  best  fai  no  nome,10  • 

No  never  he  nist11  whider  ]>ai  bicome.  25 

And  oj>er  while  he  mijt  him  se 
As  a  gret  ost  bi  him  te 12  — 
Wele  atourned 13  ten  hundred  knijtes, 
Ich  y-armed  to  his  ri^tes,14 

Of  contenaunce  stout  and  fers,  3° 

Wif  mani  desplaid  baners, 


1  rough  6  stop  u  knew  not 

2  did  shrill  "fairyland  w  come 

8  draw  8  din  18  appointed;  fined  out 

4  briar  9  blowing  of  horns  14  properly 

5  perfectly ;  MS.  afine  10  did  they  take 


Q8  ROMANCES 

* 

And  ich  his  swerd  ydrawe  hold,1 

Ac  never  he  nist  whider  pai  wold. 
And  oper  while  he  seise  oper  \>'mg : 

Knijtes  and  levedis  com  daunceing, 
5  In  queynt  atire,  gisely,2 

[With]  queynt[e]  8  pas  and  soft[e]ly ; 

Tabours  and  trumpes  4  jede  hem  bi, 

And  al  maner  menstraci. 

And  on  a  day  he  seije  him  biside 
10  Sexti  levedis  on  hors  ride, 

Gentil  and  jolif  6  as  brid  on  ris  6  — 

Noujt  o  man  amonges  hem  per  nis ; 

And  ich  a  faucoun  on  hond  here,7 

And  riden  on  haukin[g]  bi  o  rivere. 
1 5  Of  game  pai  founde  wel  gode  haunt 8  — 

Maulardes,9  hayroun,10  and  cormeraunt. 

J?e  foules  of  pe  water  arise)), 

J»e  faucouns  hem  wele  devise}* u : 

Ich  faucoun  his  pray  slouj. 
20  )?at  sei;$e  Orfeo,  and  louj.12 

'  Parfay,18 '  quap  he,  '  per  is  fair  game, 

J>ider  Ichil,  bi  Godes  name ! 

Ich  was  ywon 14  swiche  werk  to  se ' ; 

He  arcs,  and  pider  gan  te. 
25  To  a  levedi  he  was  ycome, 

Biheld,  and  hap  wele  undernome,16 

And  sep  bi  al  })ing  pat  it  is 

His  owhen  quen,  Dam  Heurodis. 

^ern 16  he  biheld  hir,  and  sche  him  eke, 
30  Ac  noiper  to  oper  a  word  no  speke. 

For  messais  pat  sche  on  him  seije, 

1  held  6  spray,  twig  12  laughed 

2  handsomely  t  inf.  after  sei^e,  line  9  18  by  (my)  faith 

8  dainty  *  resort  14  wont,  accustomed 

•*  drums  "and  trumpets  ;  MS.               8  mallards  (wild  ducks)  15  perceived 

trimpes  10  heron  16  eagerly,  gladly 

6  merry  ll  make  their  plans  well 


SIR  ORFEO  99 

J>at  had  ben  so  riche  and  so  heije,1 

J>e  teres  fel  out  of  her  eije. 

J>e  oper  levedis  f is  yseije, 

And  maked  hir  oway  to  ride  — 

Sche  most  wij>  him  no  lenger  abide.  5 

'  Alias,'  quap  he,  '  now  me  is  wo  1 

Whi  nil 2  de}>  now  me  slo  ? 

Alias,  wreche,3  fat  Y  no  mijt 

Dye  now  after  pis  sijt ! 

Alias  !  to  4  long  last  mi  liif ,  10 

When  Y  no  dar  noujt  wi}>  mi  wiif, 

No  hyea  to  me,  o  word  speke. 

Alias  !  whi  nil  min  hert  breke  ? 

Parfay,'  qua)?  he,  '  tide  wat  bitide,6 

Whider  so  ]>is7  levedis  ride,  15 

J>e  selve 8  way  Ichil  streche 9 ; 

Of  liif  no  dej>  me  no  reche.10 ' 

His  sclavain  he  deden»on,  als  he12  spac,18« 
And  henge  his  harp  opon  his  bac, 

And  had  wel  gode  wil  to  gon  —  20 

He  no  spard  noiper  stub  no  ston. 
In  at  a  roche  fe  leuedis  ride]>, 
And  he  after,  and  noujt  abide]). 
When  he  was  in  ]>e  roche  ygo 

Wele  ]> re  mile  oj>er 14  mo,  25 

He  com  into  a  fair  cuntray, 
As  brijt  so 1S  sonne  on  somers  day, 
Smofe  and  plain  and  al  grene  — 
Hille  no  dale  was  per  non  ysene. 

Amidde  )>e  lond  a  castel  he  s[e]ije,  30 

Riche  and  real 16  and  wonder  heije. 

1  high,  lofty  7  these  « spoke 

2  will  not  8  same  14  or 
«  miserable  that  I  am                                               9  go  ls  as 

4  too  10  I  care  not  16  royal 

6  nor  she  n  put 

6  happen  what  may  happen  12  MS.  al  so 


100  ROMANCES 

Al  pe  utmast  wal 

Was  clere  and  schine 1  as  cristal  •, 

An  hundred  tours  per  were  about, 

Degiselich  2  and  bataild  stout ; 
5;  J>e  butras  com  out  of  pe  diche,8 

Of  rede  gold  y-arched  4  riche ; 

J?e  bonsour 5  was  anourned 6  al 

Of  ich  maner  divers  animal ; 

Wipin  ]>er  wer  wide  wones,7 
10  Al  of  precious  stones  ; 

f>e  werst  piler  on  to  biholde8 

Was  al  of  burnist  gold. 

Al  fat  lond  was  ever  li;$t : 

For  when  it  schuld  be  perk 9  and  nijt, 
15  J>e  riche  stones  li^t  gonne,10 

As  brijt  as  dop  at  none  pe  sonne. 

No  man  may  telle,  no  penche  in  poujt, 

J?e  riche  werk  fat  per  was  wroujt ; 

Bi  al  ping  him  pink  u  pat  it  is 
20  }>e  proude  court  of  Paradis. 

In  pis  castel  pe  levedis  alijt ; 

He  wold  in  after,  jif  he  mijt : 

Orfeo  knokkep  atte  gate ; 

J>e  porter  was  redi  perate, 
25  And  asked  what  he  wold  have  ydo. 

'  Parfay,'  quap  he,  '  Ich  am  a  minstrel,  lo  1 

To  solas  pi  lord  wip  mi  gle, 

^if  his  suete  wille  be.' 

J>e  porter  undede  pe  jate  anon, 
30  And  lete  him  into  pe  castel  gon. 

J>an  he  gan  bihold  about  al, 

And  seije  f ul 12  liggeand  18  wipin  pe  wal 

1  bright,  beautiful  6  adorned ;  MS.  avowed  u  it  would  seem  to  him 

2  elaborately  ornamented          7  apartments  12  full  many 
8  moat                                          8  to  look  on ;  in  appearance  18  lying 

<  arched  »  dark 

6  arch  »  began  to  shine 


SIR  ORFEO 


101 


ihead 
2  had  not 
8  mad 
4  drowned 
*  parched 


Of  folk  pat  were  ]> ider  ybroujt, 

And  poujt  dede,  and  nere  noujt. 

Sum  stode  wipouten  hade,1 

And  sum  non  armes  nade,2 

And  sum  purch  pe  bodi  hadde  wounde,  5 

And  sum  lay  wode,3  ybounde, 

And  sum,  armed,  on  hors  sete, 

And  sum  astrangled  as  pai  etc, 

And  sum  were  in  water  adreynt,4 

And  sum  wip  fire  al  forschreynt 5  •  10 

Wives  per  lay  on  childbedde, 

Sum  ded,  and  sum  awedde 6 ; 

And  wonder  fele  per  lay  bisides, 

Rijt  as  ]>ai  slepe  her 7  undertides ; 

Eche  was  pus  in  pis  warld  ynome,  15 

Wip  fairi 8  pider  ycome. 

per  he  seije  his  owhen  wiif, 

Dame  Heurodis,  his  lef 9  liif , 

Slepe  under  an  ympe-tre  : 

Bi  her  elopes  he  knewe  pat  it  was  he.10  20 

And  when  he  hadde  bihold  pis  n  mervails  alle, 
He  went  into  pe  kinges  halle  ; 
J>an  seije  he  per  a  semly 12  sijt  — 
A  tabernacle  blisseful  and  brijt, 

J?erin  her 7  maister  king  sete,  25 

And  her  quen  fair  and  swete. 
Her 7  crounes,  her 7  elopes  schine  so  brijt, 
J>at  unnepe 13  bihold  he  hem  mijt. 

When  he  hadde  biholden  al  pat  ping, 
He  kneled  adoun  bifor  pe  king.  30 


6  out  of  their  minds 
1  their 

8  enchantment 

9  dear;  MS.  liif  (see  91 23) 
10  she 


11  these 

12  comely 

18  with  difficulty 


Cf.  the  enumeration  in  Chaucer,.  Knighfs  Tale  1137  ff. 


IO2 


ROMANCES 


10 


i  shalt 
9  send  for 
«  believe 
4  am  only 
s  seek 


'  O  lord,'  he  seyd,  '  jif  it  )ri  wille  were, 

Mi  menstraci  }K>U  schust1  yhere.' 

J?e  king  answerd  :  '  What  man  artow, 

J>at  art  hider  yeomen  now  ? 

Ich,  no  non  )>at  is  wi)>  me, 

No  sent  never  after  |>e ; 

SeJ>}>en  }>at  Ich  here  regni  gan, 

Y  no  fond  so  folehardi  man 

J>at  hider  to  ous  durst  wende, 

Bot  )>at  Ichim  wold  ofsende.2 ' 

'  Lord,'  qua}»  he,  '  trowe  *  ful  wel, 

Y  nam  hot 4  a  pover  menstrel ; 

And,  sir,  it  is  ]>e  maner  of  ous 

To  seche  5  mani  a  lordes  hous ; 

J>ei  we  noujt  welcom  no  be, 

<?)ete  we  mot 6  proferi  for  j>  our  gle.7 ' 

Bifore  )>e  king  he  sat  adoun, 
And  tok  his  harp  so  miri  of  soun, 
And  tempre)) 8  his  harp,  as  he  wele  can. 
And  blisseful  notes  he  )>er  gan, 
J>at  al  |>at  in  |>e  palays  were 
Com  to  him  for  to  here, 
And  ligge|> 9  adoun  to 10  his  fete  — 
Hem  |>enke|> "  his  melody  so  swete. 
)?e  king  herkne|>  and  sitt  ful  stille, 
To  here  his  gle  he  ha)>  gode  wille ; 
Code  bourde l'2  he  hadde  of  his  gle, 
J>e  riche  quen  also  hadde  he.18 

When  he  hadde  stint "  his  harping, 
J>an  seyd  to  him  )>e  king : 
'  Menstrel,  me  like)>  wele  ]>i  gle ; 
Now  aske  of  me  what  it  be, 


6  must  needs 
"  song,  music 
*  tunes 


ioat 


11  to  them  seems 

13  amusement,  enjoyment 
"she 

14  ceased 


SIR  ORFEO 


103 


Largelich l  Ichil 2  pe  pay. 

Now  speke,  and  tow  mijt  asay.8 ' 

'  Sir,'  he  seyd,  '  Ich  biseche  pe 

J?atow  woldest  jive  me 

f>at  ich 4  levedi,  brijt  on  ble,5 

J>at  slepep  under  pe  ympe-tre.' 

'  Nay,'  quap  ]> e  king,  '  fat  noujt  nere 6 ! 

A  sori  couple  of  jou  it  were, 

For  pou  art  lene,  rowe,7  and  blac, 

And  sche  is  lovesum,  witpouten  lac 8 ; 

A  loplich 9  ping  it  were,  forpi,10 

To  sen  hir  in  pi  compayni.' 

'  O  sir,'  he  seyd,  '  gentil  king, 

^ete  were  it  a  wele  fouler  ping 

To  here  a  lesing  u  of 12  \>i  moupe ; 

So,  sir,  as  je  seyd  noupe,13 

What  I  wold  aski,  have  Y  schold ; 

And  nedes  }>ou  most  Jn  word  hold.14 ' 

J>e  king  seyd :  '  Seffen  it  is  so, 

Take  hir  bi  ]>e  hond,  and  go ; 

Of  hir  Ichil  ]>atow 15  be  blipe.' 

He  knelyd  adoun,  and  Bonked  him  swife ; 
His  wiif  he  tok  bi  fe  hond, 
And  dede 16  him  swipe  out  of  pat  lond, 
And  went  him  out  of  pat  pede  " ; 
Rijt  as  he  come,  pe  way  he  jede. 

So  long  he  ha'p  pe  way  ynome, 
To  Traciens  he  is  ycome, 
J?at  was  his  owhen  cite ; 
Ac  no  man  knewe  pat  it  was  he. 
No  forper  pan  pe  tounes  ende 


10 


1  generously 

2  I  will 

3  if  thou  canst  make  trial 

4  same 

6  of  hue 

6  were  not  possible 


7  rough 

8  lack,  fault 

9  loathsome,  dreadful 
W  therefore 

"lie 
12  from 


18  now 
M  keep 
!S  that  thou 
18  went 


17 


people 


104  ROMANCES 

For  knoweleche 1  [he]  ne  durst  wende ; 

Bot  wip  a  begger  ybilt 2  f ul  narwe. 

J?er  he  tok  his  herbarwe 8 

To4  him  and  to  his  owhen  wiif 
5  As  a  minstrel  of  pover  liif, 

And  asked  tidings  of  fat  lond, 

And  who  )>e  kingdom  held  in  hond. 

J>e  pover  begger  in  his  cote6 

Told  him  everich  a  grot 6  — 
10  How  her  quen  was  stole  owy, 

Ten  jer  gon,7  wip 8  fairy ; 

And  hou  her 9  king  in  exile  jede, 

Bot  no  10  man  nist  in  wiche  pede  ; 

And  hou  pe  steward  pe  lond  gan  hold ; 
15  And  oper  mani  Binges  him  told. 

Amorwe  ojain  none  tide,11 

He  maked  his  wiif  per  abide ; 

]?e  beggers  elopes  he  borwed 12  anon, 

And  heng  his  harp  his  rigge 18  opon, 
20  And  went  him  into  pat  cite, 

J>at  men  mijt  him  bihold  and  se. 

Erls  and  barouns  bold, 

Buriays 14  and  levedis  him  gan  bihold. 

'  Lo,'  pai  seyd,  '  swiche  a  man  ! 
25  How  long  pe  here  hongep  him  opan  1 

Lo,  hou  his  berd  hongep  to  his  kne ! 

He  is  yclongen 15  also  a  tre  1 ' 

And  as  he  jede  in  pe  strete, 

Wip  his  steward  he  gan  mete, 
30  And  loude  he  sett  on  him  a  crie : 

'  Sir  steward,'  he  seyd,  '  merci ! 

Ich  am  an  harpour  of  hepenisse 16 ; 

1  for  fear  of  being  recognized  1  ago  18  back 

2  lodged  8  by  H  burgesses,  citizens 
8  shelter                                                 »  their  is  shrunk,  withered 

4  for  10  MS.  so  16  from  heathendom 

6  cot  11  towards  noon 

•  every  little  bit,  every  detail  n  borrowed ;  MS.  borved 


SIR  ORFEO  105 

Help  me  now  in  pis  destresse ! ' 

f>e  steward  seyd  :  '  Com  wip  me  home l ; 

Of  pat  Ichave,  pou  schalt  have  some. 

Everich  gode  harpour  is  welcom  me  to, 

For  mi  lordes  love,  Sir  Orfeo.'  5 

In  pe  castel  pe  steward  sat  atte  mete, 
And  many  lording  was  bi  him  sete ; 
f>er  were  trompour[s]  and  tabourers, 
Harpours  fele,  and  crouders.2 

Miche  melody  pei  maked  alle ;  10 

And  Orfeo  sat  stille  in  pe  halle, 
And  herknep.    When  pei  ben  al  stille, 
He  toke  his  harp  and  tempred  schille  * ; 
J?e  blissefulest  notes  he  harped  pere 
f>at  ever  ani  man  yherd  wip  ere ;  15 

Ich  man  liked  wele  his  gle. 

J>e  steward  biheld  and  gan  yse, 
And  knewe  pe  harp  also 4  blive.5 
'  Menstrel,'  he  seyd,  '  so  mot  )>ou  prive,6 
Where  hadestow  pis  harp,  and  hou  ?  20 

Y  pray  fat  pou  me  telle  now.' 
'  Lord,'  qua.]>  he,  '  in  uncoupe 7  fede, 
f>urch  a  wildernes  as  Y  jede, 
)?er  Y  founde,  in  a  dale, 

Wi}> 8  lyouns  a  man  to  torn  smale,  25 

And  wolves  him  frete 9  wij>  te]>  so  scharp. 
Bi  him  Y  fond  pis  ich[a] 10  harp  ; 
Wele  ten  gere  it  is  ygo.' 
'  O,'  quap  pe  steward,  '  now  me  is  wo  ! 
J?at  was  mi  lord,  Sir  Orfeo.  30 

Alias,  wreche,  what  schal  Y  do, 
J>at  have  swiche  a  lord  ylore  ? 
Away,11  pat  Ich  was  ybore ! 

1  MS.  come  <  MS.  als  *  by 

2  players  on  the  crowd,  an  early  5  instantly  9  devoured 

Celtic  form  of  the  violin  6  mayst  thou  prosper  1°  same 

8  shrilly  1  strange  n  woe 


106  ROMANCES 

J>at  him  was  so  hard  grace x  yjarked,2 

And  so  vile  dep  ymarked 8 ! ' 

Adoun  he  fel  aswon  to  groUnde. 

His  barouns  him  toke  up  in  fat  stounde,* 
5  And  tellep  him  hou  it  gep  — 

It  is  no  hot 5  of  manes  dep. 
King  Orfeo  knewe  wele  bipan 

His  steward  was  a  trewe  man ; 

And  loved  him,  as  he  aujt  to  do, 
10  And  stont  up  and  seyS 6  pus :  '  Lo, 

Steward,  herkne  now  pis  ping : 

^if  Ich  were  Orfeo  pe  king, 

And  hadde  ysuffred  ful  jore 7 

In  wildernisse  miche  sore ; 
15  And  hadde  ywon  mi  quen  owy 

Out  of  pe  lond  of  fairy ; 

And  hadde  ybroujt  pe  levedi  hende 8 

Rijt  here  to  pe  tounes  ende, 

And  wip  a  begger  her  in  ynome ; 
20  And  were  miself  hider  ycome 

Poverlich  to  pe,  )ms  stille, 

For  to  asay  )>i  gode  wille  ; 

And  ich  founde  J>e  J>us  trewe, 

J>ou  no  schust  it  never  rewe 9 : 
25  Sikerlich,10  for  love  or  ay,11 

f>ou  schust  be  king  after  mi  day. 

^if 12  )>ou  of  mi  de}>  hadest  ben  blife, 

J>ou  schust  ben  voided 18  also  swipe.14 ' 

f>o  al  }>o 16  pat  perein  sete 
3«>  f>at  it  was  King  Orfeo  undelete,16 

And  pe  steward  him  wele  knewe. 

1  such  misfortune  1  for  a  long  time  past  18  shouldst  have  been  put  out 

2  appointed  8  gentle,  gracious  u  in  all  haste 

«  decreed  9  repent  is  then  all  those 

4  timc  w  truly  16  understood,  perceived 

6  help  "  or  fear 

«  MS.  seyt  13  MS.  and  5if 


SIR  ORFEO  107 

Over  and  over  pe  bord 1  he  brewe, 

And  f el  adoun  to  his  fet ; 

So  dede  everich  lord  fat  J?er  sete ; 

And  al  J>ai  seyd  at  o  criing : 

'  <^e  bep  our  lord,  sir,  and  our  king  1 '  5 

Glad  pai  were  of  his  live.2 
To  chaumber  ]> ai  ladde  him  also 8  blive,4 
And  baped  him,  and  schaved  his  berd, 
And  tired 5  him  as  a  king  apert 6 ; 

And  seppen 7  wip  gret  processioun  10 

J»ai  broujt  foe  quen  into  fat  toun, 
Wif  al  maner  menstraci. 
Lord,  per  was  grete  melody ! 
For  joie  fai  wepe  wij>  her  ei^e, 

]?at  hem  so  sounde 8  yeomen  seije.  1 5 

Now  king  Orfeo  newe  coround  is, 
And  his  quen  Dame  Heurodis, 
And  lived  long  afterward  ; 
And  seppen  was  king  ]>e  steward. 

Harpours  in  Bretaine  afterban  20 

Herd  hou  ]>is  mervaile  bigan, 
And  made 9  a  lay  of  gode  likeing,  - 
And  nempned  it  after  J>e  king ; 
J>at  lay  '  Orfeo  '  is  yhote 10  — 
Gode  is  j?e  lay,  swete  is  J>e  note.  25 

]?us  com  Sir  Orfeo  out  of  his  care ; 
God  graunt  ous  alle  wele  to  fare. 

1  table  5  attired  9  MS.  made  hereof 

2  life  6  evident  in  his  looks  1°  called 
8  MS.  als                                             7  afterwards 

4  as  quickly  as  possible  8  well  in  body 


108  ROMANCES 


CHAUCER,  SIR  THOPAS 

Sir  Thopas  is  well  characterized  by  Ker  (English  Literature:  Medieval, 
pp.  129-31):  'Chaucer's  burlesque  is  easily  misunderstood.  It  is  criticism, 
and  it  is  ridicule ;  it  shows  up  the  true  character  of  the  common  minstrelsy  — 
the  rambling  narrative,  the  conventional  stopgaps,  the  complacent  childish 
vanity  of  the  popular  artist  who  has  his  audience  in  front  of  him,  and  knows 
all  the  easy  tricks  by  which  he  can  hold  their  attention.  .  .  .  Chaucer  has  made 
a  good  thing  out  of  the  rhyme  doggerel,  and  expresses  the  pleasant  old- 
fashioned  quality  of  the  minstrels'  romances,  as  well  as  their  absurdities.  His 
parody  touches  on  the  want  of  plan  and  method  and  meaning  in  the  popular 
rhymes  of  chivalry ;  it  is  also  intended  as  criticism  of  their  verse.  That  verse 
...  is  technically  called  rime  couie  or  "  tail-rhyme."  ...  It  very  readily  becomes 
monotonous  and  flat.  .  .  .  But  it  is  a  form  of  stanza  which  may  be  so  used  as  to 
escape  the  besetting  faults ;  the  fact  that  it  has  survived  through  all  the 
changes  of  literary  fashion,  and  has  been  used  by  poets  in  all  the  different 
centuries,  is  something  to  the  credit  of  the  minstrels,  as  against  the  rude 
.common-sense  criticism  of  the  Host  of  the  Tabard  when  he  stopped  the  Rime 
of  Sir  TTiopas.'  Skeat  also  is  tempted  to  break  a  lance  in  behalf  of  the  poem 
(Chaucer,  Works  3. 424) :  '  I  cannot  quite  resist  the  suspicion  that  Chaucer  may 
himself,  in  his  youth,  have  tried  his  hand  at  such  romance-writing  in  all  seri 
ousness,  but  lived  to  have  a  good-humored  laugh  even  in  some  degree  at  his 
own  expense ;  and  he  seems  as  if  endeavoring  to  make  his  readers  feel  that 
they  could  wish  there  was  somewhat  more  of  it.' 

For  the  parodies  in  detail,  see  Bennewitz'  dissertation  (Halle,  1879);  Kolb- 
ing's  article  in  Englische  Studien,  Vol.  1 1  ;  and  Skeat's  notes.  Our  text  in 
general  follows  Skeat. 

For  Chaucer  in  general,  see  Root,  The  Poetry  of  Chaucer  (Boston,  1922), 
Legouis,  Geoffrey  Chaucer  (London,  1913),  or  Jusserand,  Lit.  Hist.  Eng.  People 
i.  267-343.  To  the  investigator,  Miss  Hammond's  Chaucer:  a  Bibliographical 
Manual  (New  York,  1908)  is  indispensable. 


Listeth,  lordes,  in  good  entent,1 
And  I  wol  telle  verrayment2 

Of  mirthe  and  of  solas 8 ; 
Al  of  a  knyght  was  fair  and  gent  * 
In  bataille  and  in  tourneyment  — 

His  name  was  Sir  Thopas. 

1  with  good  will  8  diversion 

3  verily  4  refined,  noble 


CHAUCER,  SIR  THOPAS  109 

Yborn  he  was  in  fer  con  tree, 
In  Flaundres,  al  biyonde  the  see, 

At  Popering,1  in  the  place  2 ; 
His  fader  was  a  man  ful  free,8 
And  lord  he  was  of  that  contree,  5 

As  it  was  Goddes  grace. 

Sir  Thopas  wex  4  a  doghty  5  swayn  ; 
Whyt  was  his  face  as  payndemayn,6 

His  lippes  rede  as  rose ; 

His  rode  7  was 8  lyk  scarlet  in  grayn,9  I0 

And  I  yow  telle  in  good  certayn, 

He  hadde  a  semely  nose. 

His  heer,  his  herd  was  lyk  saffroun,10 
That  to  his  girdel  raughte  n  adoun, 

His  shoon 12  of  Cordewane  13 ;  15 

Of  Brugges  u  were  his  hosen 15  broun ; 
His  robe  was  of  ciclatoun 16 

That  coste  many  a  jane.17 

He  coude  hunte  at  wilde  deer, 

And  ryde  an  hauking  for  riveer,18  20 

With  grey  goshauk  on  honde  ; 
Therto  he  was  a  good  archeer ; 
Of  wrastling  was  ther  noon  his  peer, 

Ther 19  any  ram 20  shal  stonde. 

Ful  many  a  mayde,  bright  in  bour,21  25 

They  moorne  for  him,  paramour,22 
Whan  hem  were  bet 23  to  slepe ; 

1  a  small  town  in  the  dis-       9  dyed  with  cochineal ;  of      l~  small  coin  of  Genoa,  re- 

trict   of    Calais,   south-  a  fast  color  ferred  to  in  England  as 

west  of  Ostend  10  yellow  halfpence 

2  manor-house,  chief  house      n  reached  18  towards  the  river 

of  a  town  or  village  12  shoes  19  where 

8  noble  18  Cordovan  leather  20  A  ram  was  the  usual  prize 

4  grew  to  be  14  Bruges,  in  Belgium  at  a  wrestling-match 

5  valiant  15  tight-fitting  trousers,  cov-  21  bower 

6  very  fine  white  bread  ering  the  feet  22  longingly 

"  complexion  (OE.  rudu)         16  costly  material,  often  em-      23  it  were  better  for  them 
8  MS  is  broidered  with  gold 


no 


20 


ROMANCES 

But  he  was  chast  and  no  lechour,1 
And  sweet  as  is  the  bremble-flour f 
That  bereth  the  rede  hepe.8 

And  so  bifel  upon  a  day, 
Forsothe,  as  I  yow  telle  may, 

Sir  Thopas  wolde  out  ryde ; 
He  worth  upon  *  his  stede  gray, 
And  in  his  honde  a  launcegay,5 

A  long  swerd  by  his  syde. 

He  priketh 6  thurgh  a  fair  forest, 
Therinne  is  many  a  wilde  best, 

Ye,  bothe  bukke  and  hare ; 
And,  as  he  priketh  north  and  est, 
I  telle  it  yow,  him 7  hadde  almest 

Bitid 8  a  sory  care.9 

Ther  springen  herbes  grete  and  smale, 
The  lycorys 10  and  cetewale,11 

And  many  a  clowe-gilof re 12 ; 
And  notemuge 18  to  put  in  ale, 
Whether  it  be  moyste  or  stale, 

Or  for  to  leye  in  cofre.14 

The  briddes 15  singe,  it  is  no  nay,1' 
The  sparhauk 1T  and  the  papejay,18 

That  joye  it  was  to  here  ; 
The  thrustlecok 19  made  eek  his  lay, 
The  wodedowve 20  upon  the  spray 

She  sang  ful  loude  and  clere. 


1  unchaste  man,  debauchee 

2  flower  of  the  bramble  (dog-rose) 
8  hip  (fruit  of  the  dog-rose) 

4  got  upon 

6  a  kind  of  lance,  probably  rather  short 
8  rides  hard 

7  to  him 


8  happened 

9  a  grievous  misfortune 
1°  licorice 

n  zedoary  (used  in  medicine 

as  a  stimulant) 
12  clove 
18  nutmeg 


«  a  box 
is  birds 
18  it  cannot  be  denied 

17  sparrow-hawk 

18  parrot 

19  male  thrush 

20  wood-dove 


CHAUCER,  SIR  THOPAS  III 

Sir  Thopas  fil  in *  love-longinge 

Al  whan  he  herde  the  thrustel  singe, 

And  priked  as  he  were  wood 2 ; 
His  faire  stede  in  his  prikinge 
So  swatte 8  that  men  mighte  him  wringe ;  5 

His  sydes  were  al  blood. 

Sir  Thopas  eek  so  wery  was, 
For  prikinge  on  the  sof te  gras  — 

So  fiers 4  was  his  corage  — 

That  doun  he  leyde  him  in  that  plas,  10 

To  make  his  stede  som  solas, 

And  yaf  him  good  forage. 

'O  Seinte  Marie,  ben' cite6  \ 
What  eyleth  this  love  at  me,6 

To  binde 7  me  so  sore  ?  15 

Me  dremed 8  al  this  night,  pardee,9 
An  elf -queen  shal  my  lemman  be, 

And  slepe  under  my  gore.10 

An  elf-queen  wol  I  love,  ywis,11 

For  in  this  world  no  womman  is  20 

Worthy  to  be  my  make,12 

In  toune 18 ; 

Alle  othere  wommen  I  forsake, 
And  to  an  elf-queen  I  me  take, 

By  dale  and  eek  by  doune 14 1 '  25 

Into  his  sadel  he  clamb  anoon, 
And  priketh  over  style 15  and  stoon, 
An  elf -queen  for  t'  espye, 

1  fell  into  ?  enthral  is  in  the  town,  in  the  district 

2  as  if  he  were  mad  8  I  dreamed  (a  mere  verse-tag) 

3  sweat                                                    9  Y.par  Dieu  1*  down,  hill 
*  fierce  1°  garment  16  stile 

5  benedicite,  bless  ye  (the  Lord)          u  certainly,  truly 

6  with  respect  to  me  12  mate 


112  ROMANCES 

Til  he  so  longe  had  riden  and  goon 
That  he  fond,  in  a  privee  woon,1 
The  contree  of  Fairye 

So  wilde ; 

5  For  in  that  contree  was  ther  noon 

That  to  him  dorste  ryde  or  goon,2 
Neither  wyf  ne  childe, 

Til  that  ther  cam  a  greet  geaunt,8 
(His  name  was  Sir  Olifaunt 4), 
10  A  perilous  man  of  dede. 

He  seyde :  '  Child,6  by  Termagaunt,6 
But-if 7  thou  prike  out  of  myn  haunt, 
Anon  I  slee 8  thy  stede 

With  mace. 
15  Heer  is  the  queen  of  Fayerye, 

With  harpe  and  pype  and  simphonye,9 
Dwelling  in  this  place.' 

The  childe  seyde :  '  Also  mote  I  thee,10 
To-morwe  wol  I  mete  thee, 
20  Whan  I  have  myn  armoure ; 

And  yet  I  hope,  par  ma  fay  ^ 
That  thou  shalt  with  this  launcegay 
Abyen  it  f ul  soure 12 ; 

Thy  mawe 18 
25  Shal  I  percen,  if  I  may, 

Er  it  be  fully  pryme  of  day,14 
For  heer  thou  shalt  be  slawe.1* ' 

Sir  Thopas  drow  abak 16  ful  faste ; 
This  geaunt  at  him  stones  caste 
30  Out  of  a  fel "  staf-slinge  w ; 

1  secret  retreat  « a  Saracen  idol  « maw,  stomach 

2  This  line  is  supplied  from  1  unless  14  prime  =  6-9  A.M.  ;  fully 

an  inferior  MS.  8  WJH  siay  prime  =  9  A.M. 

8  giant  9  a  kind  of  tabor  "  slain 

«  Elephant  w  as  i  may  thrive  "  drew  back 

•  title  of  a  young  squire  or  "  by  my  faith  "  deadly 

knight  12  pay  for  it  bitterly  "  sling  fastened  to  a  stick 


CHAUCER,  SIR  THOPAS  1 13 

But  faire  escapeth  Child  Thopas, 
And  al  it  was  thurgh  Goddes  gras,1 
And  thurgh  his  fair  beringe. 

Yet  listeth,  lordes,  to  my  tale 

Merier  than  the  nightingale,  5 

For  now  I  wol  yow  roune 2 
How  Sir  Thopas,  with  sydes  smale, 
Priking  over  hil  and  dale, 

Is  come  agayn  to  toune. 

His  merie  men  comanded  he  I0 

To  make  him  bothe  game 8  and  glee, 

For  nedes  moste  he  fighte 
With  a  geaunt  with  hevedes 4  three, 
For  paramour 5  and  jolitee 6 

Of  oon 7  that  shoon 8  f ul  brighte.  1 5 

'  Do9  come,'  he  seyde, '  my  min[i]strales 
And  gestours,10  for  to  tellen  tales 

Anon,  in  n  myn  arminge ; 
Of  romances  that  been  royales, 
Of  popes  and  of  cardinales,  20 

And  eek  of  love-lykinge.' 

They  fette  him  first  the  swete  wyn, 
And  mede 12  eek  in  a  maselyn,18 

And  royal  spicerye 14 

Of  gingebreed 15  that  was  ful  fyn,  25 

And  lycorys,  and  eek  comyn,16 

With  sugre  that  is  so  trye.17 

1  grace,  favor  "  one  18  maple  bowl 

2  relate  (frof.  whisper)  8  shone  14  mixture  of  spices 
8  sport  9  cause  to  16  preserved  ginger 
*  heads  10  story-tellers  16  cumin 

5  love  n  during  1J  choice 

6  amusement  w  mead 

5.  Merier  .  .  .  nightingale  :  borrowed  by  Chaucer  from  Sir  Bevis  of  Hampton. 


ROMANCES 


20 


He  dide  *  next  his  whyte  lere  2 
Of  clooth  of  lake 8  fyn  and  clere 

A  breech  *  and  eek  a  sherte ; 
And  next  his  sherte  an  aketoun,6 
And  over  that  an  habergeoun,6 

For 7  percinge  of  his  herte ; 

And  over  that  a  fyn  hauberk 8 
Was  al  ywroght  of  Jewes  werk, 

Ful  strong  it  was  of  plate 9 ; 
And  over  that  his  cote-armour,10 
As  whyt  as  is  a  lily-flour, 

In  which  he  wol  debate.11 

His  sheeld  was  al  of  gold  so  reed, 
And  therin  was  a  bores  heed, 

A  charbocle 12  bisyde ; 
And  there  he  swoor,  on  ale  and  breed, 
How  that '  The  geaunt  shal  be  deed, 

Bityde  what  bityde 18 1 ' 

His  jambeux 14  were  of  quirboilly,15 
His  swerdes  shethe  of  yvory, 

His  helm  of  laton 16  bright ; 
His  sadel  was  of  rewel-boon  "  ; 
His  brydel  as  the  sonne  shoon, 

Or  as  the  mone  light. 

His  spere  was  of  fyn  ciprees,18 
That  bodeth  werre,  and  nothing19  pees, 
The  heed  ful  sharpe  ygrounde ; 


1  put  on 

2  flesh 
8  linen 

4  pair  of  breeches 

5  short,  sleeveless  tunic 

6  coat  of  mail 

7  as  protection  against 

8  hauberk,  coat  of  mail 


9  breastplate  on  the  front  of 
the  hauberk  (?) 

10  a  surcoat,  not  of  metal 

11  combat 

12  carbuncle 

18  happen  what  may  happen 
14  leg-pieces 


15  boiled    leather,    dried   very 

hard  (F.  cuir  bouilK) 

16  latten    (metal    compounded 

chiefly  of  copper  and  zinc) 

17  walrus-ivory 

18  cypress-wood  (as  associated 

with  death) 

19  by  no  means 


CHAUCER,  SIR  THOPAS  H5 

His  stede  was  al  dappel-gray, 
It  gooth  an  ambel l  in  the  way, 
Ful  softely  and  rounde 2 

In  londe. 

Lo,  lordes  myne,  heer  is  a  fit 8 ! 
If  ye  wol  any  more  of  it, 
To  telle  it  wol  I  fonde.4 


II 

Now  hold  your  mouth,  par  charitee? 
Bothe  knight  and  lady  free, 

And  herkneth  to  my  spelle 6 ;  10 

Of  bataille  and  of  chivalry, 
And  of  ladyes  love-drury,7 

Anon  I  wol  yow  telle. 

Men  speke  of  romances  of  prys,* — 

Of  Horn  Child  and  of  Ypotys,  15 

Of  Bevis  and  Sir  Gy, 
Of  Sir  Libeux  and  Pleyndamour ; 
But  Sir  Thopas,  he  bereth  the  flour 

Of  royal  chivalry. 


1  at  an  ambling  pace  4  endeavor  7  courtship 

2  with  an  easy  motion  5  for  charity  8  renown 
8  a  division  of  a  song  or  poem                  6  story 

15.  The  romance  of  Horn  appears  in  two  forms,  King  Horn  (see  p.  n) 
and  Horn  Childe.    Chaucer  probably  refers  to  Horn  Childe. 

The  romance  of  Sir  Ypotis  has  not  much  in  common  with  the  others 
mentioned  here  ;  in  it  the  Emperor  Adrian  interrogates  the  child  Ypotis  as  to 
matters  of  God's  law. 

16.  Sir  Bevis  of  Hampton  and  Sir  Guy  of  Warwick  are  two  of  the  longest 
and  dullest  of  mediaeval  romances. 

17.  Sir  Libeux  :  a  romance  entitled  Lybeaus  Disconus  (The  Fair  Unknown). 
—  Pleyndamour  :  no  romance  of  this  name  is  known  ;  the  original  must  have 
been  in  French. 


1 16  ROMANCES 

His  gode  stede  al  he  bistrood, 
And  forth  upon  his  wey  he  glood l 

As  sparkle  out  of  the  bronde 2 ; 
Upon  his  crest  he  bar  a  tour,8 
And  therin  stiked 4  a  lily-flour ; 

God  shilde  his  cors 5  fro  shonde 8 ! 

And  for  he  was  a  knight  auntrous,7 
He  nolde 8  slepen  in  non  hous, 

But  liggen 9  in  his  hode 10 ; 
His  brighte  helm  was  his  wonger,11 
And  by  him  baiteth 12  his  dextrer 13 

Of 14  herbes  fyne  and  gode. 

Himself  drank  water  of  the  wel, 
As  did  the  knight  Sir  Percivel, 

So  worthy  under  wede,16 
Til  on  a  day  — 

1  glided  6  shame,  disgrace  ll  pillow  (cf.  -wang,  cheek) 

2  burning  wood,  brand  7  adventurous  ^  feeds 

8  tower  8  would  not  ls  courser 

*  fixed  9  lie  «  on 

6  body  10  hood  ls  well-looking  in  his  armor 

13.  A  reference  to  the  romance,  Sir  Perceval  of  Gallts. 


TALES 

CHAUCER,  PRIORESS'  TALE:  THE  LITTLE 
CHOIR-BOY 

See  the  general  references  on  Chaucer  at  the  close  of  the  introductory  note 
to  Sir  Thopas,  p.  108. 

PROLOGUE 

O  Lord  our  lord,  thy  name  how  merveillous 
Is  in  this  large  worlde  ysprad l  (quod  she) ; 
For  noght  only  thy  laude  precious 
Parfourned  is  by  men  of  dignitee, 

But  by  the  mouth  of  children  thy  bountee  5 

Parfourned 2  is,  for  on  the  brest  soukinge 8 
Som  tyme  shewen  they  thyn  heryinge.4 

Wherfor  in  laude,  as  I  best  can  or  may, 

Of  thee,  and  of  the  whyte  lily-flour 

Which  that  thee  bar,5  and  is  a  mayde  alway,  10 

To  telle  a  storie  I  wol  do  my  labour ; 

Not  that  I  may  encresen  hir  honour ; 

For  she  hirself  is  honour,  and  the  rote 

Of  bountee,  next  hir  Sone,  and  soules  bote.6 

O  moder  mayde  !  O  mayde  moder  free  !  1 5 

O  bush  unbrent,7  brenninge  in  Moyses  sighte, 

That  ravisedest 8  doun  fro  the  deitee, 

Thurgh  thyn  humblesse,  the  Goost 9  that  in  th'  alighte, 

Of  whos  vertu,  whan  he  thyn  herte  lighte, 

1  spread  abroad  •*  praise  7  unburnt  (Exod.  3. 2) 

2  perfected  (cf.  Ps.  8. 2,  Vulg. ;  Matt.  21. 16)     6  bore  8  didst  draw 

8  sucking  6  healing,  salvation     9  Spirit  (Matt.  1. 18) 

4.  men  of  dignitee :  such  as  monks  or  clergy  in  choirs. 

117 


Ii8  TALES 

Conceived  was  the  Fadres  Sapience,1 
Help  me  to  telle  it  in  thy  reverence  1 

•  Lady  !  thy  bountee,  thy  magnificence, 

Thy  vertu,  and  thy  grete  humilitee 
5  Ther  may  no  tonge  expresse  in  no  science ; 

For  somtyme,  lady,  er  men  praye  to  thee, 
Thou  goost  biforn,2  of  thy  benignitee. 
And  getest  us  the  light,  thurgh  thy  preyere, 
To  gyden  us  unto  thy  Sone  so  dere. 

10  My  conning  is  so  wayk,  o  blisful  quene, 

For  to  declare  thy  grete  worthinesse, 

That  I  ne  may  the  weighte  nat  sustene, 

But  as  a  child  of  twelf  monthe  old,  or  lesse, 

That  can  unnethes 8  any  word  expresse, 
15  Right  so  fare  I ;  and  therfor  I  yow  preye, 

Gydeth  my  song  that  I  shal  of  yow  seye. 

THE  TALE 

Ther  was  in  Asie,  in  a  greet  citee, 
Amonges  Cristen  folk,  a  Jewerye,4 
Sustened  by  a  lord  of  that  contree 
20  For  foule  usure  and  lucre  of  vilanye, 

Hateful  to  Crist  and  to  his  companye ; 
And  thurgh  the  strete  men  mighte  ryde  or  wende, 
For  it  was  free,  and  open  at  either  ende. 

A  litel  scole  of  Cristen  folk  ther  stood 
25  Doun  at  the  f either  ende,  in  which  ther  were 

Children  an  heep,6  yeomen  of  Cristen  blood, 

That  lerned  in  that  scole  yeer  by  yere 

Swich  maner  doctrine 6  as  men  used  there, 

This  is  to  seyn,  to  singen  and  to  rede, 
3°  As  smale  children  doon  in  hir  childhede. 

1  Cf.  i  Cor.  1.24  8  with  difficulty  5  number 

2  dost  anticipate  *  ghetto,  Jews'  quarter  «  kind  of  learning 


CHAUCER,  THE  PRIORESS'  TALE  119 

Among  .thise  children  was  a  widwes  sone, 

A  litel  clergeon,1  seven  yeer  of  age, 

That  day  by  day  to  scole  was  his  wone,2 

And  eek  also,  wheras 8  he  saugh  th'  image 

Of  Cristes  moder,  hadde  he  in  usage,  5 

As  him  was  taught,  to  knele  adoun  and  seye 

His  Ave  Marie,  as  he  goth  by  the  weye. 

Thus  hath  this  widwe  hir  litel  sone  ytaught 

Our  blisful  lady,  Cristes  moder  dere, 

To  worshipe  ay,  and  he  forgat  it  naught,  10 

For  sely 4  child  wol  alday 6  sone  lere 6 ; 

But  ay,  whan  I  remembre  on  this  matere, 

Seint  Nicholas  stant  ever  in  my  presence, 

For  he  so  yong  to  Crist  did  reverence. 

This  litel  child,  his  litel  book  lerninge,  15 

As  he  sat  in  the  scole  at  his  prymer,7 

He  Alma  Redemptoris  herde  singe, 

As  children  lerned  hir  antiphoner 8 ; 

And,  as  he  dorste,  he  drough  him  ner 9  and  ner, 

And  herkned  ay  the  wordes  and  the  note,10  20 

Til  he  the  firste  vers  coude  n  al  by  rote. 

Noght  wiste  he  what  this  Latin  was  to  seye, 

For  he  so  yong  and  tendre  was  of  age ; 

But  on  a  day  his  felaw  gan  he  preye 

T' expound  en  him  this  song  in  his  langage,  25 

Or  telle  him  why  this  song  was  in  usage ; 

•l  choir-boy  6  always  8  anthem-book 

2  custom  6  learn  ;  the  line  is  a  proverb  »  nearer 

3  where  1  small  prayer-book,  from  which  10  tune 

4  good  children  were  taught  to  read  H  knew 

17.  The  eleventh-century  hymn  'Alma  Redemptoris  mater,  quae  pervia  coeli,' 
one  of  four  antiphons  addressed  to  the  Virgin.  It  is  used  from  the  first  Sunday 
in  Advent  to  the  Feast  of  the  Purification  (February  2).  It  has  been  translated 
by  Cardinal  Newman  and  others. 


120  TALES 

This  preyde  he  him  to  construe  and  declare 
Ful  ofte  tyme  upon  his  knowes l  bare. 

His  felaw,  which  that  elder  was  than  he, 
Answerde  him  thus :  '  This  song,  I  have  herd  seye, 
5  Was  maked  of  our  blisful  lady  free, 

Hir  to  salue,2  and  eek  hir  for  to  preye 
To  been  our  help  and  socour  whan  we  deye. 
I  can  no  more  expounde  in  this  matere ; 
I  lerne  song,  I  can 8  but  smal  grammere.' 

10  '  And  is  this  song  maked  in  reverence 

Of  Cristes  moder  ? '  seyde  this  innocent ; 

'  Now  certes,  I  wol  do  my  diligence 

To  conne 4  it  al,  er  Cristemasse  is  went ; 

Though  that  I  for  my  prymer  shal  be  shent,6 
15  And  shal  be  beten  thryes  in  an  houre, 

I  wol  it  conne,  our  lady  to  honoure.' 

His  felaw  taughte  him  homward  prively, 
Fro  day  to  day,  til  he  coude  it  by  rote, 
And  than  he  song  it  wel  and  boldely 
20  Fro  word  to  word,  acording  with  the  note ; 

Twye's  a  day  it  passed  thurgh  his  throte  — 
To  scoleward  *  and  homward  whan  he  wente  ; 
On  Cristes  moder  set  was  his  entente.7 

As  I  have  seyd,  thurghout  the  Jewerye 
2S  This  litel  child,  as  he  cam  to  and  fro, 

Ful  merily  than  wolde  he  singe,  and  crye 

O  a/ma  Redemptoris  evermo.8 

The  swetnes  hath  his  herte  perced  so 

Of  Cristes  moder,  that,  to  hir  to  preye, 
3°  He  can  nat  stinte 9  of  singing  by  the  weye. 

1  knees  *  learn  7  thought,  mind 

2  greet  6  disgraced  8  evermore 
•  know                                           «  towards  school                                          9  cease 


CHAUCER,  THE  PRIORESS'  TALE  121 

Our  firste  fo,  the  serpent  Sathanas, 

That  hath  in  Jewes  herte  his  waspes  nest, 

Up  swal,1  and  seide :  '  O  Hebraik  peple,  alias ! 

Is  this  to  yow  a  thing  that  is  honest,2 

That  swich  a  boy  shal  walken  as  him  lest 8  5 

In  your  despyt,  and  singe  of  swich  sentence,4 

Which  is  agayn  your  lawes 6  reverence  ? ' 

Fro  thennes  forth  the  Jewes  han 6  conspyred 

This  innocent  out  of  this  world  to  chace ; 

An  homicyde  therto  han  they  hyred,  10 

That  in  an  aley 7  hadde  a  privee  place ; 

And  as  the  child  gan  forby  for  to  pace, 

This  cursed  Jew  him  hente  8  and  heeld  him  faste, 

And  kitte'9  his  throte,  and  in  a  pit  him  caste. 

I  seye  that  in  a  wardrobe10  they  him  threwe  15 

Wheras  these  Jewes  purgen  hir  entraille. 

O  cursed  folk  of  Herodes  al  newe,11 

What  may  your  yvel  entente  yow  availle  ? 

Mordre  wol  out,  certein,  it  wol  nat  faille ; 

And  namely  ther 12  th'  onour  of  God  shal  sprede,  20 

The  blood  out  cryeth  on  your  cursed  dede. 

'  O  martir,  souded  to 18  virginitee ! 

Now  maystou  singen,  folwing  ever  in  oon 14 

The  whyte  Lamb  celestial,'  quod  she, 

'  Of  which  the  grete  evangelist,  Seint  John,  25 

In  Pathmos  wroot,  which  seith  that  they  that  goon 

Biforn  this  Lamb,  and  singe  a  song  al  newe, 

That  never,  fleshly,15  wommen  they  ne  knewe.' 

1  swelled  6  have  u  made  up  of  new  Herods 

2  honorable  7  alley  ^  especially  where 

3  it  pleases  8  seized  18  confirmed  in 

4  to  such  purport  9  cut  14  without  ceasing ;  cf.  Rev.  14.  4 

5  due  to  your  law  10  outhouse  15  carnally 


122  TALES    , 

This  povre  widwe  awaiteth  al  that  night 
After  hir  litel  child,  but  he  cam  noght ; 
For  which,  as  sone  as  it  was  dayes  light, 
With  face  pale  of J  drede  and  bisy  thoght, 
5  She  hath  at  scole  and  elleswher  him  soght, 

Til  finally  she  gan  so  f er  espye 2 
That  he  last  seyn  was  in  the  Jewerye. 

With  modres 8  pitee  in  hir  brest  enclosed, 
She  gooth,  as  she  were  half  out  of  hir  minde; 
10  To  every  place  wher  she  hath  supposed 

By  lyklihede  hir  litel  child  to  finde ; 
And  ever  on  Cristes  moder  meke  and  kinde 
She  cryde,  and  atte  laste  thus  she  wroghte  — 
Among  the  cursed  Jewes  she  him  soghte. 

1 5  She  f rayneth  4  and  she  preyeth  pitously 

To  every  Jew  that  dwelte  in  thilke 6  place, 
To  telle  hir  if  hir  child  wente  oght  forby.6 
They  seyde,  '  Nay  ' ;  but  Jesu,  of  his  grace, 
Yaf 7  in  hir  thought,  inwith 8  a  litel  space, 

20  That  in  that  place  after  hir  sone  she  cryde 

Wher  he  was  casten  in  a  pit  bisyde. 

O  grete  God,  that  parfournest  thy  laude 
By  mouth  of  innocents,  lo  heer 9  thy  might  1 
This  gemme  of  chastitee,  this  emeraude, 
2  5  And  eek  of  martirdom  the  ruby  bright, 

Ther 10  he  with  throte  ycorven  n  lay  upright, 
He  Alma  Redemptoris  gan  to  singe 
So  loude  that  al  the  place  gan  to  ringe. 

The  Cristen  folk,  that  thurgh  the  strete  wente, 
3°  In  coomen,  for  to  wondre  upon  this  thing, 

1  from  6  that  9  here 

2  find  out  6  had  chanced  to  go  by  10  where 

« mother's  7  gave  11  cut>  slashed 

4  asks  questions  (  within 


CHAUCER,  THE  PRIORESS'  TALE 

And  hastily  they  for  the  provost l  sente ; 

He  cam  anon,  withouten  tarying, 

And  herieth 2  Crist  that  is  of  heven  King, 

And  eek  his  moder,  honour  of  mankinde ; 

And,  after  that,  the  Jewes  leet  he  binde.3  5 

This  child  with  pitous  lamentacioun 

Uptaken  was,  singing  his  song  alway ; 

And  with  honour  of  greet  processioun 

They  carien  him  unto  the  nexte 4  abbay. 

His  moder  swowning  by  the  bere  lay ;  10 

Unnethe  might  the  peple  that  was  there 

This  newe  Rachel 5  bringe  fro  his  bere. 

With  torment  and  with  shamful  deth  echon ' 

This  provost  dooth7  thise  Jewes  for  to  sterve 8 

That  of  this  mordre  wiste,  and  that  anon ;  15 

He  nolde  no  swich  cursednesse 9  observe.10 

Yvel  shal  have,  that  yvel  wol  deserve ; 

Therfor  with  wilde  hors  n  he  dide  hem  drawe,12 

And  after  that  he  heng  hem 13  by  the  lawe. 

Upon  his  bere  ay  lyth 14  this  innocent  20 

Biforn  the  chief  auter,15  whyl  masse  laste, 

And  after  that,  the  abbot  with  his  covent 16 

Han  sped  hem  for  to  burien  him  ful  faste ; 

And  whan  they  holy  water  on  him  caste, 

Yet  spak  this  child,  whan  spreynd17  was  holy  water,  25 

And  song :   O  alma  Redemptoris  mater! 

This  abbot,  which  that  was  an  holy  man  — 
As  monkes  been,  or  elles  oghten  be  — 

1  chief  magistrate  7  causes  18  them 

2  praises  8  die  H  lies 
8  he  caused  to  be  bound                    9  wickedness  15  altar 

4  nearest  10  favor  16  monks  of  the  convent 

6  Cf.  Matt.  2.18  u  horses  l"  sprinkled 

6  each  one  u  had  them  drawn 


124  TALES 

This  yonge  child  to  conjure  he  bigan, 
And  seyde  :  '  O  dere  child,  I  halse  *  thee, 
In  vertu  of  the  holy  Trinitee, 
Tel  me  what  is  thy  cause  for  to  singe, 
5  Sith  that  thy  throte  is  cut,  to  my  seminge 2  ? ' 

'  My  throte  is  cut  unto  my  nekke-boon,' 
Seyde  this  child,  '  and,  as  by  wey  of  kinde,8 
I  sholde  have  deyed,  ye,  longe  tyme  agoon ; 
But  Jesu  Crist,  as  ye  in  bokes  finde, 
10  Wil  that  his  glorie  laste  and  be  in  minde ; 

And,  for  the  worship  of  his  moder  dere, 
Yet  may  I  singe  O  alma  loude  and  clere. 

This  welle  of  mercy,  Cristes  moder  swete, 
I  lovede  alwey,  as  after  my  conninge  * ; 
1 5  And  whan  that  I  my  lyf  sholde 6  f orlete, 

To  me  she  cam,  and  bad  me  for  to  singe 
This  antem  6  verraily  in  my  deyinge, 
As  ye  han  herd ;  and,  whan  that  I  had  songe, 
Me  thoughte  she  leyde  a  greyn  upon  my  tonge. 

20  Wherfor  I  singe,  and  singe  I  moot 7  certeyn 

In  honour  of  that  blisful  mayden  free, 

Til  fro  my  tonge  oftaken  is  the  greyn ; 

And  afterward  thus  seyde  she  to  me : 

"  My  litel  child,  now  wol  I  fecche  thee 
25  Whan  that  the  greyn  is  fro  thy  tonge  ytake ; 

Be  nat  agast,8  I  wol  thee  nat  forsake."  ' 

This  holy  monk  —  this  abbot,  him  mene  I  — 
His  tonge  outcaughte,  and  took  awey  the  greyn, 
And  he  yaf  up  the  goost  ful  softely. 

1  implore  4  within  the  limits  of  my  knowledge  7  must 

2  as  it  appears  to  me  *  ought  to  have  8  afraid 
»  nature                                           6  anthem 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  125 

And  whan  this  abbot  had  this  wonder  seyn, 
His  salte  teres  trikled  doun  as  reyn, 
And  gruf l  he  fil  al  plat 2  upon  the  grounde, 
And  stille  he  lay  as  he  had  been  ybounde. 

The  covent  eek  lay  on  the  pavement  5 

Weping,  and  herien  Cristes  moder  dere ; 

And  after  that  they  ryse,  and  forth  ben  went, 

And  toke  awey  this  martir  fro  his  bere, 

And  in  a  tombe  of  marbul-stones  clere 

Enclosen  they  his  litel  body  swete ;  10 

Ther 8  he  is  now,  God  leve  *  us  for  to  mete. 

O  yonge  Hugh  of  Lincoln,6  slayn  also 

With 6  cursed  Jewes,  as  it  is  notable  — 

For  it  nis  but  a  litel  whyle  ago  — 

Preye  eek  for  us,  we  sinful  folk  unstable,  15 

That,  of  his  mercy,  God  so  merciable 

On  us  his  grete  mercy  multiplye, 

For  reverence  of  his  moder  Marye. 

THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE 

The  Seven  Sages  of  Rome,  from  which  this  story  is  taken,  is  the  European 
counterpart  of  the  Oriental  Book  of  Sindibdd,  ultimately,  according  to  general 
scholarly  belief,  of  Indian  origin.  The  Book  of  Sindibdd  exists  in  a  number  of 
versions  (Hebrew,  Greek,  Syriac,  Persian,  etc.),  and  the  European  Seven  Sages 
in  many  more,  the  latter  being  found  in  one  or  more  forms  in  almost  every 
language  of  Europe.  As  late  as  1892  a  Lithuanian  version  was  printed  at 
Plymouth,  Pennsylvania. 

How  the  Oriental  outline  of  the  story  was  carried  westward  is  a  matter  of 
conjecture.  Since  only  four  of  the  fifteen  tales  in  the  European  collection  are 
similar  to  those  in  any  Eastern  versions,  it  has  been  supposed  that  the  trans 
mission  was  probably  oral,  and  a  crusader  returning  from  the  Holy  Land  has 
been  suggested  as  the  possible  transmitter.  In  any  case,  the  most  important 
element  borrowed  from  the  East  is  the  frame  or  general  plan  of  a  series  of  tales 
told  by  seven  wise  men  in  defending  a  young  prince  against  the  accusations 

1  face  downward,  groveling  8  where  6  Cf.  Skeat's  note 

2  flat  *  grant  « by 


126  TALES 

of  the  queen,  his  stepmother,  and  the  tales  told  by  the  queen  in  reply.  Like  the 
frames  of  The  Arabian  Nights,  of  Boccaccio's  Decameron,  of  Chaucer's  Canter 
bury  Tales,  and  of  more  modern  groups,  down  to  Longfellow's  Tales  of  a  Wayside 
Inn,  this  serves  not  only  as  a  device  by  which  to  unite  a  number  of  tales,  but  also 
to  account  in  some  measure  for  the  general  character  of  the  tales  themselves. 

The  following  selection  is  from  the  Cottonian  manuscript  of  the  Middle 
English  version  (British  Museum  Cotton  Galba  E.  9).  This  manuscript  (appar 
ently  copied  from  a  lost  earlier  one)  has  been  dated  as  of  the  first  third  of  the 
fifteenth  century.  For  a  full  discussion  of  dates  and  other  details,  and  The 
Seven  Sages  of  Rome  in  general,  see  the  edition  by  Killis  Campbell  (Ginn,  1907), 
from  which  our  text  (including  lines  3236-3726  of  the  poem),  with  certain 
emendations  and  changes  of  punctuation,  is  taken. 

Among  the  most  interesting  analogues  and  variants  of  our  fnclusa-story 
(which  is  not  one  of  those  found  in  the  Oriental  versions)  are  Plautus,  Miles 
Gloriosus  (cf.  Act  2);  Boiardo,  Orlando  Innamorato  1.22;  The  Thousand 
and  One  Nights,  ed.  Habicht,  1  1  .  1  40  ;  Campbell,  Popular  Tales  of  the  West 
Highlands  i.  281. 


20 


In  )>e  kingdom  of  Hungary 
Wond  1  a  nobil  knyght  whylom, 
A  rightwis  man  and  whise  of  dome.2 
He  dremyd  )ms  opon  a  nyght, 
J>at  he  lufed  a  lady  bryght, 
Bot  he  ne  wist  in  what  contre 
J>at  ]>e  lady  myght  funden  be. 
Him  thoght  he  knew  hir  wele  bi  kinde, 
And  wele  he  hopid  he  sold  hir  finde. 
J>at  same  time  dremyd  )>at  ladi  bright, 
And  thoght  fat  sho  sold  luf  a  knight  ; 
Bot  sho  wist  noght  of  what  land, 
Ne  in  whate  stede  8  he  was  dweland,4 
Ne  his  name  knew  sho  nathing  ; 
J>arfore  made  sho  grete  murnyng. 

Opon  }>e  morn,  )>e  stori  sayse, 
J>e  knight  toke  horses  and  hemays,5 
And  went  to  seke  )>at  lady  bright 
J>at  him  dremyd  of  )>at  nyght. 
pat  jornay  unto  him  was  hard,     / 

'dwelt  8  place  5armor 

2  judgment  *  dwelling 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  I2/ 

For  he  wist  noght  whederward 

J>at  he  sold  tak  f  e  redy  way ; 

f>arfore  he  drowped 1  night  and  day. 

So  he  traveld  monethes  thre, 

And  no  signe  of  hyr  kowth  he  se ;  5 

Bot  wele  in  hert  he  hoped  ay 

J>at  he  sold  hir  se  sum  day.  ) 

So  fer  f  e  knyght  his  way  had  nomen 
J>at  into  Hungeri  es  he  cumen. 

J>are  he  findes  a  faire  castele  10 

Bi  f  e  se-syde,  wroght  ful  wele ; 
J?arin  stode  a  towre  ful  hee ; 
Fairer  saw  he  never  with  ee. 
An  erl  wond  in  fat  castele 

)?at  aght 2  f  e  lordship  ilka  dele.  1 5 

With  him  he  had  a  worthly  wife, 
J>e  fairest  lady  fat  had  lyfe. 
J>e  erl  was  jeluse  of  fat  lady ; 
He  sperid 3  hir  in  ]> e  toure  forf  i 4  ; 
Sho  might  noght  out  by  day  ne  night,  20 

To  speke  with  swier 5  ne  with  knight. 
In  fat  land  was  were 6  ful  strang, 
Of  kinges  and  lordes,  fat  lasted  lang. 
J?are  come  ridand  fat  nobil  knight, 
J>at  so  had  soght  fe  lady  bright ;  25 

He  luked  up  unto  fe  toure, 
And  saw  f e  lady,  white  so 7  flowre, 
Lig 8  in  a  window  barred  with  stele. 
J>an  in  his  hert  he  wist  ful  wele 

J>at  f  is  lady  was  fe  same  30 

J>at  he  had  so  dremyd  of  at  hame. 
He  luked  up  unto  f  e  toure, 
And  merily  sang  he  of  amowre.9 

1  drooped  4  for  that  reason,  therefore  l  as 

2  owned,  possessed  5  squire  8  ije 

8  bolted,  locked  6  War  9  love 


128  TALES 

And  when  sho  herd  him  so  bigyn, 

Unnethes  might  fat  ladi  blyn l 

]?at  sho  ne  had  cald  him  hir  unto ; 

Bot  for  hir  lord  sho  durst  noght  do. 
5  He  sat  biside  under  a  tre, 

At  fe  ches,2  a  knyght  and  he. 

J?is  knyght  percayved  fe  erl  fare. 

Unto  fe  lady  he  mened 8  na  mare ; 

Bot  til 4  fe  erl  he  rides  f ul  right, 
10  And  of  his  palfray  down  he  lyght. 

On  his  kne  sone  he  him  set, 

And  f  e  erl  ful  f aire  he  gret ; 

'  Sir  Erl,'  he  said,  '  I  am  a  knight, 

Out  of  my  cuntre  cumen  for  fight ; 
15  peder  ogayn  dar  I  noght  gane, 

For  a  knight  fare  have  I  slane; 

f>arfore,  sir,  if  fi  willes  be, 

J>us  am  I  cumen  to  dwel  with  fe. 

My  famen  er  ful  steren 6  and  stout ; 
20  J>ai  have  destroyed  my  landes  obout' 

J>e  erl  said :  '  So  mot  I  fe, 

Right  so  fares  my  famen  with  me ; 

So  fat  I  have  no  socoure 

Bot  f  is  castel  and  f  is  toure. 
25  JJarfore,  sir,  fou  ert  welkum  here ; 

Of  swilk  a  man  have  I  mystere 6 ; 

And  if  fou  wil  me  help  trewly, 

I  sal  fe  gif  grete  mede  forthy.' 

'  ,3is,  sir,'  he  sayd,  '  at  my  power, 
30  Ay  whils  I  my  armes  bere.' 

With  fe  erl  fus  dwels  fe  knight, 

Al  for  luf  of  fe  lady  bryght. 

J>ar  was  na  knight  fat  bare  shelde 

J>at  might  so  wele  his  wapen  welde ; 

1  restrain  herself  *  made  moan  8  stern 

2  chess  *  to  6  need 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  129 

Thorgh  strenkith  of  hand  and  Codes  grace 

He  overcome  al  fe  erles  fase.1 

f>e  erl  him  lufed  and  honord  fan 

Mare  fan  any  of er  man  ; 

He  made  hym  steward  of  al  his  land,  5 

And  bad  fe  men  bow  til  hys  hand. 

Sone  efter  fat,  opon  a  day, 
J>e  knyght  allane  went  him  to  play, 
Under  f  e  toure  whare  f  e  lady  was ; 
J>are  he  made  him  grete  solace.  I0 

J>e  lady  in  a  wyndow  lay, 
And  saw  fe  knyght  allane  him  play ; 
A  letter  sone  sho  kest  hym  tyll, 
Wharby  he  might  wit 2  al  hir  will. 

J>e  knight  toke  up  fe  parchemyne,  15 

And  red  fe  Franche  ful  fay  re  and  fyne ; 
And  alsone  als  he  red  it  had, 
Was  he  never  in  hert  so  glad ; 
By  fat  letter  f  e  knight  wele  kend 

J>at  his  travayl  was  cumen  till  end.  20 

Ful  sare  him  langed  to  hyr  at 8  ga, 
Prevely,  withowten  ma ; 
And  wele  he  saw  fat,  by  na  gyn,4 
Allane  to  hir  myght  he  noght  wyn  6  ; 
J>ar  was  bot  a  dur  and  a  way,  25 

And  f  arof  bare  f  e  erl  fe  kay. 

So  on  a  day,  with  mylde  worde, 
J>e  knyght  spekes  unto  hys  lord, 
And  said :  '  Sir,  of  f i  gude  grace, 

I  pray  fe  to  gif  me  a  place  30 

Bifore  f  is  towre,  fat  I  may  big 6 
A  litel  place  in  for  to  lig, 
And  fat  I  mai  my  wonyng  have 
At  myne  ese  if  je  vowchesave.' 

1  foes  8  to  5  succeed  in  going 

8  know  4  device  6  build 


1 30  TALES 

]?e  erl  answerd  him  f ul  sone : 

'  Sir,  f  i  wil  sal  al  be  done ; 

Big  fe  a  hows  at  J>i  lykyng.' 

J>e  knight  him  thanked  of  fat  thing. 
5  J>e  knight  gat  masons  many  ane, 

And  gert l  f  am  hew  f  ul  f  aire  f  restane ; 

A  nobil  hows  fare  gert  he  make 

Ful  sone  for  f  e  lady  sake. 

When  it  was  wroght  als  it  sold  be, 
10  Bath  of  stane  and  als 2  of  tre, 

j?an  thoght  he  ever  by  whatkyn 8  gin 

J>at  he  moght  to  f  e  lady  win. 
Biside  fare,  in  anofer  town, 

Was  fare  cumen  a  new  masown 
15  ]?at  soght  had  fra  fer  cuntre ; 

Sotiler  man  might  none  be. 

J>e  knyght  unto  fat  mason  sent ; 

His  messangers  wigh[t]ly  4  war 5  went. 

J>ai  broght  him  to  f e  knyght  in  hy ; 
20  He  hailsed 6  him  ful  curtaysly. 

J>e  knyght  said  :  '  Mai  I  traist  on  f  e, 

For  to  tel  my  prevete 

J»at  I  have  aghteld 7  for  to  do  ? ' 

J>e  mason  sware  grete  athes  him  to 
25  J?at  he  sold  [do]  whatsom  he  wolde, 

And  never  tel  man  on  fis  molde.8 
He  said  :  '  In  fis  toure,  I  tel  fe, 

Wons  a  lady  fat  lufes  me, 

And  I  luf  hir  wele  at  my  might ; 
30  Bot  I  may,  nowfer  day  ne  night, 

Til  hir  win  ne  with  hir  speke ; 

J»arfore  a  hole  behoves  fe  breke 

In  fis  towre  ful  prevely, 

J>at  no  man  wit  bot  fou  and  I ; 

1  caused  *  speedily  7  purposed 

8  also  s  were  « earth 

*  what  sort  »f  «  saluted 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  131 

J>at  I  may  cum  in  prevete 

Unto  pe  lady  and  sho  to  me.' 

'  Sertes,  sir,'  said  pe  mason  sone, 

'  Als  pou  has  said,  it  sal  be  done.' 

Hastily  he  takes  hys  tole,1  5 

And  in  ]>e  toure  he  made  a  hole, 

J>at  pe  knight  might  cum  pe  ladi  untill, 

Night  and  day,  at  paire  owyn  will. 

When  )>e  lady  wist  of  pis, 

Hir  thoght  hir  hert  was  ful  of  blis.  10 

J>e  knight  quit 2  wele  pe  servise 

Of  pe  mason  for  his  quayntyse 3 : 

He  slogh  him  sone,  }>at  ilk[e]  day, 

For  f ered  *  fat  he  sold  oght  say. 

And  efterward,  ful  sone  onane,5  15 

Into  pe  toure  ]> e  knight  gan  gane ; 
Thurgh  pe  hole  gan  he  pas, 
Til  he  come  whare  pe  lady  was. 
Bitwene  }>am  was  grete  joy  and  blis  ; 
In  armes  ful  curtaysly  pai  kys.  20 

Wele  sho  wist  it  was  fat  knyght 
f>at  sho  had  dremyd  of  anyght. 
Sho  said  :  '  Sir,  pou  art  welkum  here.' 
He  said :  '  Gramercy,6  lady  dere.' 

To  hir  he  talde  of  his  dremeing,  25 

And  sho  him  talde  of  f  e  same  thing ; 
And  when  ]> ai  wist  it  was  sertayn, 
Ayther  of  oper  was  ful  fayn. 
Sho  lete  him  wirk  fare  al  his  will ; 

And  sepen  he  said  f  e  lady  untyll :  .30 

'  Dame,  I  dar  no  lenger  byde, 
For  herein  may  pou  me  noght  hide. 
And  parfore,  dame,  have  now  goday ; 
I  sal  cum  ogayn  when  I  may.' 

1  tool  8  cunning,  skill  6  at  oncp 

2  repaid  4  fear  6  many  thanx* 


132 


TALES 


}>e  lady,  at  faire  departyng,1 
Gaf  fe  knight  a  gude  gold  ring, 
And  said :  '  Sir,  I  pray  to  fe, 
When  fou  sese  fis,  thinke  on  me.' 
5  At2  fe  lady  fe  ryng  he  tase, 

And  graythly 8  til  ]>e  hole  he  gase ; 
J>e  ring  he  put  his  fynger  on, 
And  doun  ogayn  he  hied  him  sone 
Thurgh  )>e  hole  was  made  of  stane  i 
10  A  men  man  fe  knight  was  ane. 

J>e  knyght  went  unto  ]>e  hall, 
Unto  ]>e  erl  and  his  menje 4  all ; 
J»e  erl  gert  him  sit  ful  nere, 
And  to  hym  made  he  men  chere. 
1 5  Als  fai  spak  of  divers  thing, 

J>e  erl  saw  his  whives  ring 
Opon  fe  knyghtes  fynger  bare ; 
He  had  wonder  how  it  was  fare. 
He  wist  wele  far  was  none  slike,6 

20  Ne  fat  none  might  be  made  so  like ; 

And  ever  he  thinkes  in  hert  styll 
How  ani  man  might  come  her  till. 
Styl  he  held  al  in  his  thoght ; 
Unto  fe  knyght  he  sayd  right  noght, 
25  Bot  up  he  rase  bilyve  onane ; 

Unto  his  whife  he  thoght  to  gane, 
For  to  wit  whare  hir  ring  was. 
J>e  knight  perzayved  al  f  e  case ; 
He  hies  als  fast  als  he  may 
30  Tite 6  until  hys  preve  way. 

j?e  erl  hies  to  fe  lady  fre, 
Bot  fe  knyght  come  lang  or 7  he  ; 
Unto  fe  lady  ]>e  ring  he  cast, 

l  parting,  separation  4  retinue  J  before 

»  from  8  such 

«  quickly  6  quickly 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  133 

And  doun  ogayn  he  hies  him  fast. 

J>e  lady  has  f  e  ring  up  hent ; 

Sho  wist  ful  wele  fan  how  it  went ; 

Sho  did  it  in  hir  purs  in  horde,1 

And  sone  f arefter  come  hir  lorde,  5 

And  with  gude  chere  he  gan  hir  glade, 

And  asked  hyr  what  chere  sho  made. 

Sho  said  sho  myght  have  no  solace, 

So  was  sho  presond  in  fat  place 

Fra  f e  sight  of  alkins 2  men :  10 

'  How  may  I  any  kumforth  ken  ? ' 

'  Dame,'  said  fe  erl  ful  sone, 

'  For  grete  derenes  es  yt  done, 

And  for  I  wil  nane  change  fi  thoght.' 

J>e  lady  said  :  '  Sir,  thinkes  it  noght ;  1 5 

J>ar  es  no  knight  in  no  cuntre 

J>at  might  change  my  luf  fra  fe ; 

And  sen  je  wil  fat  it  be  Jms, 

At  jowre  lyking  habide  me  bus,8 

For  ofer  cumforth  kepe4  I  nane  20 

Bot  of  God  and  of  50 w  allane.' 

J>e  erl  thoght  jit  on  ofer  thing. 
'  Dame,'  he  said,  '  whare  es  fi  ring 
f>at  I  f  e  gaf  of  gold  ful  fyne  ? 

Lat  me  se  it,  leman  myne.'  25 

J>e  lady  answerd  hym  unto : 
'  Sir,  what  sal  je  f  arwith  do  ? 
Wene  56  fat  it  be  oway 

For 5  I  were  it  noght  ilk  day  ?  .  • 

Nai,  sir,  dredes  jow  never  a  dele,  30 

For  I  sal  jeme6  it  wonder  wele.' 
*  Dame,'  he  sayd,  '  for  luf  of  me, 
A  sight  f arof  fat  I  might  se ; 
And,  sertes,  I  ask  it  for  none  ill.' 

1  hoard  8  it  behooves  me  to  abide  6  because 

2  of  every  kind  <  care  for  6  care  for 


1 34  TALES 

Sho  said :  '  Sir,  gladly  at  jowre  will.' 

Out  of  hir  purs  fe  ring  sho  toke ; 

f>e  lord  gan  graythly  on  hir  loke. 

'  Lo !  sir,'  sho  said,  '  here  is  my  ring.' 
5  J>e  erl  had  mervail  of  fis  thing, 

J>at  it  was  [so]  like,  by  syght, 

f>e  ring  fat  he  saw  of  his  knight ; 

Bot  wele  he  hopid l  and  weterly 2 

J>at  nane  might  win  to  f  e  lady, 
10  Ne  )>at  hir  ring  was  noght  hir  fra, 

Bot  fat  fai  had  bene  like,  fai  twa. 
He  was  wele  solast  of  fat  sight, 

And  fare  he  dwelled  al  fat  night ; 

}?e  lady  bi  hirself  oft  smyled, 
15  And  thoght  fat  he  was  wele  bigild. 

Opon  fe  morn  fe  knyght  up  rase, 

And  to  fe  kirk  graythly  he  gase, 

Goddes  werkes  fare  for  to  wirk. 

Sef en  com  fe  erl  unto  f  e  kyrk ; 
20  A  mes 8  f ul  sone  fan  gert  he  sing, 

In  honowre  of  oure  Hevyn-kyng. 

J>e  erl  sent  fan  hastily 

Efter  f  e  knyght  of  Hungery ; 

J>e  knyght  come  sone  f  e  erl  untill. 
25  J>e  erl  said  :  '  Sir,  if  [fat]  fou  will, 

J>ou  sal  wend  to  wod  with  me, 

At4  hunt,  and  solace  for  to  se.' 

J>e  knyght  answerd  wordes  hende 8 : 

'  Sir,  to  wod  may  I  noght  wende, 
30  For  me  es  cumen  new  tif  and 6 

J>at  makes  me  ful  wele  lykand,7 

Fra  my  cuntre  withowten  lese  8  — 

J>at  my  frendes  haves  made  mi  pese 

1  thought  4  to  T  pleased 

2  surely  5  courteous  8  deception 
*  mass                                                 6  tidings 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  135 

For  fat  knight  )>at  T  have  slayn ; 

And  of  fir1  tifandes  am  I  fayn.  .4 

And,  sir,  fir  2  tifandes  es  me  broght 

Bi  my  leman,  fat  has  me  soght 

Heder  out  of  myne  awin  cuntre.  5 

parfore,  sir,  if  jowre  wil  be, 

J>is  day  I  pray  jow  with  me  etc, 

And  se  my  leman  at  fe  mete, 

And  for  to  make  cumforth  hir  till.' 

J»e  erl  said  :  '  Gladly  I  will  10 

Do  al  fe  comforth  fat  I  can 

Bath  to  f  e  and  f  i  leman ; 

Whenso  fou  will,  send  efter  me, 

And  smertly 3  sal  I  cum  to  fe.' 

f>an  went  fe  erl  to  his  solace,  15 

Unto  fe  wod  to  mak  his  chace; 
And  fe  knight  went  sone  onane, 
And  ordand  4  mete  and  drink  gud  wane.5 
His  hows  he  dight 6  on  gude  aray ; 

And  smertly  fan  he  toke  fe  way  20 

Unto  fe  lady  faire  and  bright,- 
And  gert  fat  sho  war  gayly  dyght 
In  gold  garmentes,  richely  wroght, 
And  talde  hir  al  how  he  has  thoght 

J>at  ilk  day  sho  and  hir  lord  25 

Sold  bath  togeder  et 7  of  a  bord, 
And  how  hir  lord  sold  understand 
J>at  sho  war  cumen  out  of  fer  land. 
Down  he  broght  hir  til  his  hows 

Hamely,8  als  sho  war  his  spows  ;  30 

Bot  hir  garmentes  war  al  new, 
J>at  no  man  in  fat  cuntre  knew. 
Opon  hir  fingers  gert  he  done 

1  these  4  ordered  7  Cat 

2  MS.  J>is  5  quantity  *  familiarly 
8  quickly ;  MS.  smeretly                                     6  fitted  out 


1 36  TALES 

Gold  ringes  f  ul  many  one ; 

Hir  bed  was  gayly  dubed l  and  dyght 

With  gerlands  al  of  gold  ful  bright ; 

So  out  of  kenyng 2  he  hir  broght 
5  J>at  hir  lord  fan  knew  hir  noght. 

Fra  hunting  come  f  e  erl  in  hi 8 ; 

J>e  knyght  him  keped 4  ful  curtaisly, 

And  til  his  hows  he  led  him  J>an 

For  to  ett  with  his  leman. 
10  Redy  was  ordaynd  and  dyght 

Mete  and  drink  for  mani  a  knight. 

Unto  fe  bord  ]>e  erl  es  set, 

And  his  .whif,  with  him  to  et. 

J>e  knight  said :  '  ]?is  es  my  leman ; 
15  Makes  hir  comforth  if  56  can.' 

J?e  erl  bad  sho  sold  be  blith, 

And  he  biheld  hir  mony  a  syth 8 ; 

And  wonder  in  his  hert  had  he 

How  fat  it  so  myght  be 
20  J>at  any  lady  in  ]> is  life 

Might  be  so  like  his  owin  wyfe. 

J>e  lady  praied  him  blith  to  be, 

And  ett  gladly,  par  charite. 

)?e  erl  bad  hir  also  be  glad, 
25  And  loked  on  hir  als  he  war  mad ; 

Bot  he  thoght  fe  towre  was  so  strang 

J>at  fare  myght  no  man  do  him  wrang, 

Ne  fat  his  whif  might  noght  cum  doun ; 

J?arfore  trowed  he  no  tresowne. 
3°  He  thoght :  '  Oft  sythes  bifalles  slike,6 

J>at  mani  wemen  er  ofer  like, 

Als  was  f e  ring  of  gold  fyne 

J»at  I  wend  wele  had  bene  myne.' 

l  decorated  8  haste  6  time 

*  recognition  *  received  «  happen  such  things 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  137 

}?us  lp e  erl  left  all  his  care ; 

Of  fis  mater  he  thinkes  no  mare. 

J>an  said  f  e  knight  on  fis  manere 
Unto  fe  erl :  '  Sir,  mase l  gude  chere.' 
J>e  erl  said :  '  Sir,  I  f  e  pray,  5 

f>e  sertan  soth  fat  fou  me  say 
Whef  in  2  es  fis  faire  lady 
f>at  ]> ou  has  set  at  met  me  by  ? ' 
J?e  knight  said :  '  Sir,  bi  my  lewte,8 
Sho  es  cumen  fra  myne  awyn  cuntre ;  10 

Sho  es  my  leman  fat  has  me  soght, 
And  new  tithandes  sho  haves  me  broght : 
Mi  pese  es  made  for  evermare 
For  f  e  knight  fat  I  slogh  fare, 

So  fat  I  may  wend  hardily  15 

Hame  ogayn  my  pese  to  cri ; 
And  f arfore  wil  I  with  hir  wende, 
For  to  speke  with  ilka  frende.' 
'  Sir,  sekerly,'  said  fe  erl  fan, 
'  Me  think  fou  has  a  fay  re  leman.'  20 

Whan  fai  had  etyn  and  dronken  inoghe, 
J>ai  toke  up  mete,  and  clathes  drogh.4 
When  fe  erl  liked  to  gane, 
He  toke  leve  at 8  f  e  knyghtes  leman  ; 
And  hastily  when  he  was  went,  25 

J>e  knight  and  f  e  lady  gent 
Sone  did  of 6  f  e  riche  aray 
J>at  fai  had  done  on 7  fat  day ; 
Hir  awyn  robe  sone  did  fai  on, 

And  dighted  hir  als  sho  was  won.8  30 

And  fan  sho  toke  fe  preve  sty9 
Into  fe  toure  ful  hastily ; 

1  make  *  cleared  the  table  1  put  on 

2  whence  5  of  8  accustomed 
8  loyalty                                      6  took  off                                                ,        ?  ascent 


138  TALES 

J>e  knight  gan  playnly  with  hir  pas 

Until  sho  in  hir  chamber  was. 

And  unnethes  was  J>e  knyght  went  out 

When  }>e  erl  was  gane  obowt 1 ; 
5  Unto  ]>e  toure  he  takes  }>e  way 

Als  hastily  als  ever  he  may ; 

J?are  he  findes  his  lady, 

Keped  him  ful  curtaysely. 

J>an  was  fe  erl  in  hert  ful  glad 
10  When  he  wist  fat  he  hir  had. 

Him  thoght  jit 2  sho  was  like  fully 

To  f  e  lady  fat  sat  him  by. 

]7are  )>e  erl  dwelled  al  nyght, 

And  laiked 8  him  with  his  lady  bright. 
1 5  J>at  night  f  ai  wroght  what  f  aire  wils  ware ; 

And  on  fat  wise 4  f  ai  met  na  mare. 

Herkens  now,  how  it  bifell : 

On  pis  maner  stode  fat  castell, 

J?at  f  e  se  ran  fast  byside ; 
20  Many  gode  shippes  gan  fare  bide. 

Whils  fe  erl  of  grete  honowre 

Lay  with  fe  lady  in  f  e  towre, 

J>e  knight  ordand  a  ship  of  sail, 

And  gert  bere  ]>eder  gude  vetaille  5 ; 
25  Al  his  gode 6  )»eder  gert  he  bere, 

Gold  and  silver  and  o)>er  gere. 
On  ]>e  morn  ]>e  erl  forth  gase, 

And  left  his  lady  in  fat  place. 

Until  ]>e  kirk  fan  went  he  sone 
30  And  herd  his  mes  als  he  was  wone ; 

And  when  he  to  fe  kirk  was  gane, 

J>e  knyght  went  to  fe  towre  onane, 

And  down  he  broght  fe  fayre  lady 

l  had  started  to  go  8  sported  5  provisions 

«  yet,  nevertheless  <  in  that  manner  6  property 


THE  IMPRISONED  WIFE  139 

Into  his  hows  ful  prevely. 

And  of x  f  ai  toke  f  e  clathes  sone 

J>at  f  e  lady  had  hir  on ; 

J>ai  dight  hir  in  f  e  garmentes  gay 

J>at  sho  had  on  fat  of  er  day ;  5 

With  gerlandes  and  with  gleterand 2  thing 

Was  sho  made  out  of  knawyng. 

When  al  was  done  als  it  sold  be, 
Unto  fe  erl,  his  lord,  went  he. 

'  Sir,'  he  sayd,  '  I  wald  fe  pray  10 

Of  a  ded  f  is  ilk  day  : 
f>at  f  ou  wil  gif  me  with  f i  hand 
My  leman,  or8  I  pas  fi  lond, 
J?at  I  mai  wed  hir  to  my  whife ; 

For  with  hir  wil  I  lede  my  lyfe.'  15 

He  sayd  he  thoght  to  wed  hir  fan 
J>at  had  byfore  ben  his  leman, 
For  luf  of  God  and  als  for  drede, 
And  for  he  sold  ]> e  better  spede. 

J>e  erl  said  :  '  J>at  es  gude  scill,*  20 

And  als  fou  sais,  syr,  do  I  will.' 

Sone  f  e  erl  cals  knightes  twa, 
And  bad  f  am  sone  fat  f ai  sold  ga 
And  feche  ]>e  lady  unto  fe  kirk. 

J?ai  war  redy  his  wil  to  wirk ;  25 

To  kirk  fai  led  fat  faire  lady. 
A  preste  was  revist5  hastily. 
J>e  erl  come  with  meri  chere, 
Omang  al  fat  folk  in  fere.6 

His  owin  lady  he  toke  bylive  30 

And  gaf  f e  knyght  until  his  wive ; 
J>e  prest  fam  weddes  swith  sone. 
And  als  tite  als  fe  mes  was  done, 

1  off  3  ere  &  hurried  thither 

2  glittering  4  reason  6  in  company,  together 


140  TALES 

]?an  was  fare  made  grete  menestrelsy ; 

And  ]>e  knight  and  his  lady 

Went  pam  forth  with  grete  solas 

To  fe  ship  whare  his  godes  in  was. 
5  J>e  erl  went  with  )>am  fartill ; 

J>e  knight  went  yn  with  ful  gude  will. 
J»e  lady  stode  still  on  fe  sand ; 

J>e  erl  toke  hir  by  pe  hand, 

And  bad  }>e  knyght  sold  hir  take, 
10  Evermare  to  be  his  make. 

J>are  )>e  knyght  toke  ]>e  lady, 

And  said  to  |>e  erl :  '  Sir,  gramercy 

Of1  )>is  and  of1  al  o}>er  grace.' 

J>us  of  )>e  erl  hys  leve  he  tase ; 
15  J>e  wind  blew,  )>ai  went  J>aire  way. 

j?us  lost  J>e  erl  his  whife  for  ay ; 

He  gaf  hir  jms  }>e  knyght  to  wed ; 

J>arfore  ful  sari  life  he  led. 

When  J?e  knight  was  went  with  f  e  lady, 
20  J>e  erl  wendes  hame  hastily ; 

Until  J>e  toure  fe  way  he  tase, 

To  tel  his  lady  how  it  was, 

And  how  he  had  his  knyght  cunvayd  2 ; 

He  trowed  noght  how  he  was  bitraid. 
2  5  Until  his  toure  Jms  wendes  he  right, 

For  to  speke  with  his  lady  bright. 

Into  ]>e  chamber8  gan  he  ga, 

And  loked  obout,  bath  to  and  fra ; 

He  saw  no  syght  of  his  lady ; 
3°  j?arfore  sone  he  wex  sary. 

Of  hir  cowth  he  nothing  here  ; 

f>an  he  wepid  with  sari  chere. 

Unto  himself  he  gan  him  mene  * 

}?at  al  was  soth  als  he  had  sene. 

1  for  «  accompanied  a  MS.  chameber  4  lament 


DAME  SIRITH  141 

f>an  wist  he  it  was  his  lady 
J>at  at  ]>e  mete  was  set  him  by. 
To  wax  wise  }>an  he  bigan ; 
J»arfore  blamed  him  moni  a  man. 


DAME  SIRITH 

Dame  Sirith  is  preserved  in  Digby  MS.  86,  which  has  been  assigned  to  a 
date  between  1272  and  1283,  but  by  some  as  late  as  1300. 

With  respect  to  the  introduction  of  such  fabliaux  into  England,  Jusserand 
says  (Lit.  Hist.  Eng.  People  1.225):  '"Merry  England"  became  acquainted 
with  every  form  of  French  mirth ;  she  imitated  French  chansons,  and  gave  a 
place  in  her  literature  to  French  fabliaux.  Nothing  could  be  less  congenial 
to  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  than  the  spirit  of  the  fabliaux.  This  spirit,  however, 
was  acclimatized  in  England ;  and,  like  several  other  products  of  the  French 
mind,  was  grafted  on  the  original  stock.  The  tree  thus  bore  fruit  which  would 
never  have  ripened  as  it  did,  without  the  Conquest.  Such  are  the  works  of 
Chaucer,  of  Swift  perhaps,  and  of  Sterne.  The  most  comic  and  risque  stories, 
those  same  stories  meant  to  raise  a  laugh  which  we  have  seen  old  women  tell 
at  parlor  windows,  in  order  to  cheer  recluse  anchoresses,  were  put  into 
English  verse,  from  the  thirteenth  to  the  fifteenth  century.  Thus  we  find 
under  an  English  form  such  stories  as  the  tale  of  "  La  Chienne  qui  pleure  " 
[Dame  Sirith'],''  etc. 

With  respect  to  Dame  Sirith,  Ker  says  (English  Literature :  Medieval, 
p.  172):  'This  is  far  above  the  ordinary  level  of  such  things;  it  is  a  shame 
ful  practical  joke,  but  there  is  more  in  it  than  this ;  the  character  of  Dame 
Sirith,  in  her  machinations  to  help  the  distressed  lover  of  his  neighbour's 
wife,  is  such  as  belongs  to  comedy  and  to  satire,  not  to  the  ordinary  vulgar 
"  merry  tale." ' 

The  germ  of  the  story  has  been  traced  back  to  India,  where  a  belief  in 
metempsychosis  is  prevalent,  and  thence  passes  on  to  the  Persian  (Book  of 
Sindibad),  the  Arabic  (see  Clouston's  Book  of  Sindibad,  pp.  162  ff.)  and  the 
Hebrew  (Mischle  Sindbad,  tr.  Cassel,  pp.  268  ff.).  About  noo  it  is  found 
in  the  Disciplina  Clericalis  of  Petrus  Alphonsus,  a  converted  Spanish  Jew, 
with  which  compare  Gesta  Romanorum,  chap.  28  (of  the  Latin).  The  English 
version  here  printed  bears  a  rather  close  resemblance  to  that  in  the  Greek 
Syntipas  (ed.  Eberhard,  Fabultz  Romanenses  Grace  Conscripta,  Leipzig,  1879). 
For  other  versions,  and  the  transmission  of  the  story  in  general,  see  Matzner, 
Altenglische  Sprachproben  1.103-5;  Eisner,  Untersuchungen  zu  dem  Mittel- 
englischen  Fabliau  'Dame  Siriz,'  Berlin,  1877;  McKnight,  Middle  English 
Humorous  Tales  in  Verse  (Boston,  1913),  pp.  xxi-xxxvii,  83-5. 

This  tale  has  many  points  of  resemblance  with  a  fragmentary  interlude 
printed  below  (pp»  477-80).  It  has  been  conjectured  that  both  have  a  common 


142 


TALES 


source  in  an  interlude  now  lost  (see  Heuser,  in  Anglia,  Vol.  30,  and  McKnight, 
pp.  xxxviii-ix). 

The  name  of  the  old  woman  is  sometimes  found  in  the  manuscript  as  Siriz 
(147  25,  148  4,  157  6,  8)  and  sometimes  as  Sirif>  (150  7,  151  28,  153  1),  but  the 
rhymes  show  that  the  latter  is  undoubtedly  correct  (151  28 ;  cf.  148  4) ;  w if> 
is  similarly  written  wiz  (148  5). 

Ci  comence  le  fablel  et  la  cointise  de  Dame  Siriz 

As  I  com  bi  an  waie,  a- 

Hof 1  on  ich  herde  saie,  *- 

Ful  modi 2  mon  and  proud  ;  i- 

Wis  he  wes  of  lore,  «• 

And  gouplich 8  under  gore,4  £, 

And  eloped  in  fair  sroud.8  4r 

To  lovien  he  bigon 

On  6  wedded  wimmon  — 

J>erof  he  hevede  wrong ; 
His  herte  hire 7  wes  alon, 
pat  reste  nevede 8  he  non, 

pe  love  wes  so  strong. 

Wei  jerne 9  he  him  bipoute 10 
Hou  he  hire  gete  moute,11 

In  ani  cunnes 12  wise.18 
)?at  befel  on  an  day 
f>e  loverd  wend  away 

Hon  his  marchaundise.14 


iof 

2  haughty 
*  goodly 
4  raiment 
6  apparel 
6  a 


He  wente  him  to  pen  inne 

per lfi  hoe 16  wonede  inne, 

J>at  wes  riche  won 17 ; 


7  to  her 

8  had  not 
8  intently 

10  considered 

11  might 
"kind 


18  way 

14  trafficking 

18  where 

is  she 

17  dwelling 


DAME  SIRITH 


143 


And  com  into  ben  halle, 
J>er  hoe  wes  srud 1  wi)>  palle,2 
And  Jnis  he  bigon  : 

[  Wilekin]  '  God  almijtten  be  herinne  ! ' 
\Margert\  '  Welcome,  so  ich  ever  bide  winne 8 1 

Quod  bis  wif . 

'  His  hit 4  jn  wille,  com  and  site, 
And  wat  is  bi  wille  let  me  wite, 
Mi  leve  lif. 

Bi  houre  Loverd,  hevene  King, 
If  I  mai  don  ani  bing 

J>at  be  is  lef, 

J>ou  mijtt  finden  me  f ul  fre ; 
Fol  blebeli  will  I  don  for  b e, 

Wibhouten  gref.' 

[  Wilekin]  '  Dame,  God  be  f  orjelde  6 1 

Bote  on  fat 6  )>ou  me  nout  bimelde,7 

Ne  make  ]>e  wro]>, 
Min  hernde 8  will  I  to  J>e  bede 9 ; 
Bote  wrafben 10  be  for  ani  dede  n 

Were  me  lo]>.' 

\Margeri\  '  Nai,  iwis,  Wilekin  ! 

For  nobing  bat  ever  is  min, 

J>au 12  bou  hit  jirne,18 
Houncurteis  w  ne  will  I  be  ; 
Ne  con 15  I  nout  on 16  vilte,17 

Ne  nout  I  nelle  lerne. 


1  clothed 

2  rich  cloth 

8  expect  (eternal)  happiness ; 

MS.  wenne 
4  if  it  is 
$  repay 


6  on  condition  that 

7  betray 

8  errand 

9  make  known 

10  anger 

11  in  any  way 


12  though 

is  desire 

i*  discourteous 

15  know 

16  of 

i^  churlishness 


144 


10 


TALES 

J>ou  mai[j]t  saien  al  |>ine  wille, 
And  I  shal  herknen  and  sitten  stille, 

J>at l  }>ou  have  told. 
And  if  fat  )?ou  me  tellest  skil,2 
I  shal  don  after  jn  wil  — 

pat  be  }>ou  bold.8 

And  }>au  }>ou  sale  me  ani  same,* 
Ne  shal  I  fe  nouijt  blame 

For  ]>\  sawe.6 ' 

[  Wilekin\  '  Nou  Ich  have  wonne  leve,6 
^if  pat  I  ]>e 7  shulde  greve, 

Hit  were  hounlawe.8 


Certes,  dame,  )x>u  seist  as  hende,9 
And  I  shal  setten  spel 10  on  ende, 

And  tellen  J>e  al  — 
Wat  Ich  wolde,  and  wi  Ich  com ; 
Ne  con  Ich  saien  non  falsdom, 

Ne  non  I  ne  shal. 


20 


Ich  habbe  iloved  )>e  moni  jer, 
J>au  Ich  nabbe  nout  ben  her 

Mi  love  to  schowe. 
Wile  \\  loverd  is  in  toune, 
Ne  mai  no  mon  wi)>  )>e  holden  roune  u 

Wi}>  no  )>ewe.12 


^urstendai l8  Ich  herde  saie, 
As  Ich  wende  bi  )>e  waie, 
Of  oure  sire 14 ; 


itill 

3  what  is  reasonable 
*  confident,  certain 

4  shame 
6  speech 


8  gained  permission 

7  MS.  me 

8  wrong 

9  a  courteous  one 
1°  discourse 


11  secret  talk 

12  propriety 
18  yesterday 

I4  lord,  good  man 


DAME  SIRITH  145 

Me 1  tolde  me  pat  he  was  gon 
To  }>e  feire  of  Botolfston2 
In  Lincolneschire. 


And  for  Ich  weste 8  fat  he  wes  *  houte, 

]?arfore  Ich  am  I  igon  aboute  5 

To  speken  wij>  pe. 
Him  burp 5  to  liken  wel  his  lif , 
f»at  mijtte  welde 6  secc 7  a  wif 8 

In  privite. 

Dame,  if  hit  is  pi  wille,  10 

Bop  dernelike 9  and  stille 

Ich  wille  J>e  love.' 

\Margeri\  '  J>at  wold  I  don  for  non  pin[g], 
Bi  houre  Loverd,  hevene  King, 

f>at  ous  is  bove10 !  15 

Ich  habe  mi  loverd  fat  is  mi  spouse, 
J>at  maiden  broute  me  to  house 

Mid  menske  n  inou 12 ; 
He  lovep  me  and  Ich  him  wel, 
Oure  love  is  also  trewe  as  stel,  20 

Wiphouten  wou.18 

J>au  he  be  from  horn  on  his  hernde, 
Ich  were  ounseli,14  if  Ich  lernede 

To  ben  on 15  hore. 

lp  at  ne  shal  nevere  be,  25 

J>at  I  shal  don  selk  falsete, 

On  bedde  ne  on  flore ; 

1  one,  they  6  possess  M  honor 

2  Boston  (St.  Botolph's  town)  7  such  12  enow,  enough 
8  knew                                                                   8  MS.  vif  18  wrong 

4  MS.  ves  9  secretly  14  wicked 

6  behooveth  1°  above  is  a 


146 


TALES 


'  Never  more  his  lifwile,1 
Thau  he  were  on  hondred  mile 

Bijende  Rome, 
For  no  Jnng  ne  shuld  I  take 
Mon  on  er)>e  to  ben  mi  make,2 
Ar8  his  horn-come.' 


10 


[  Wilekin\  '  Dame,  dame,  torn  *  )>i  mod 5 ; 
)>i  curteisi  was  ever  god, 

And  set  shal  be ; 

For  )>e  Loverd  ]>at  ous  havej>  wrout, 
Amend  Jn  mod,  and  torn  \\  |>out, 

And  rew 6  on  me.' 


\Margen\  '  We,7  we  1  [h]oldest  ]>ou  me  a  fol  ? 

So  Ich  ever  mote  biden  ^ol,8 
15  J>ou  art  ounwis. 

Mi  |>out  ne  shalt  \>ou  never9  wende ; 
Mi  loverd  is  curteis  mon  and  hende, 
And  mon  of  pris  ; 

And  Ich  am  wif  bo}>e  god  and  trewe ; 
20  Trewer  womon  mai 10  no  mon  cnowe 

pen  Ich  am. 

J?ilke  time  shal u  never  bitide 
J>at  mon,  for  wouing  ne  )>oru  prude,12 
Shal  do  me  scham.' 

25  [  Wilekin\  '  Swete  levmon,18  merci  1 

Same  ne  vilani 
Ne  bede  I  )>e  non ; 


1  lifetime 

2  mate 
»  ere 

4  change 
6  mind 


6  have  compassion 
"  alas 

8  Yule,  Christmas 
•MS.  newer 
10  MS.  ne  mai 


«  MS.  ne  shal 

12  pride 

I*  MS.  lenmon,  or  leumon  (?) 


DAME  SIRITH  147 

Bote  derne  love  I  fe  bede, 
As  mon  fat  wolde  of  love  spede, 
And  fi[n]de  won.1 ' 

\Margeri~\  '  So  bide  Ich  evere  mete  of  er  drinke, 

Her  fou  lesest  al  fi  swinke.2  5 

f>ou  mijt  gon  horn,  leve  brofer, 

For  [ne]  wille  Ich  fe  love,  ne  non  ofer 

Bote  mi  wedde  houssebonde ; 

To  tellen  hit  f  e  ne  wille  Ich  wonde.8 ' 

[  Wilekiri\  '  Certes,  dame,  fat  me  forf  inkef  4 ;  10 

An[d]  wo  is  fe  mon  fa[t]  muchel  swinkef, 
And  at  f  e  laste  lesef  his  sped ! 
To  maken  menis 5  his  6  him  ned  ; 
Bi 7  me  I  saie  [hit]  ful  iwis, 

f>at  love  f  e  —  love  fat  I  shal  mis.  1 5 

An[d],  dame,  have  nou  godne  dai ! 
And  f  ilke  Loverd  fat  al  welde 8  mai 
Leve 9  fat  f  i  f  out  so  tourne 
J>at  Ich10  for  fe  no  leng11  ne  mourne.' 

Drerimod 12  he  wente  awai,  20 

And  foute  bofe  nijt  and  dai 

Hire  al  for  to  wende. 
A  f  rend  him  radde 18  for  to  fare  — 
And  leven  al  his  muchele  kare  — 

To  Dame  Sirif  u  fe  hende.  25 

J?ider  he  wente  him  anon, 
So  suife 15  so  he  mijtte  gon, 
No  mon  he  ni  mette. 

1  joy  6  is  u  longer 

2  toil  7  about  12  sad  in  heart 
8  hesitate,  fear                                                 8  wield                                            is  counseled 

4  I  am  sorry  for  that  »  grant  1*  MS.  Siriz 

5  moans  10  MS.  Ihc  is  quickly 


148 


TALES 


20 


Ful  he  wes  of  tene  l  and  treie  2  ; 
Mid  wordes  milde  and  eke  sleie  8 
Faire  he  hire  grette. 

[  Wikkin\  '  God  )>e  iblessi,  Dame  Siri|>  4  ! 

Ich  am  icom  to  speken  )>e  with,6 

For  ful  muchele  nede  ; 
And  6  Ich  mai  have  help  of  )>e, 
J>ou  shalt  have,  }>at  Jx>u  shalt  se, 

Ful  riche  mede.' 

\Sirith\  '  Welcomen  art  )>ou,  leve  sone  ; 
And  if  Ich  mai  oper  cone  7 
In  eni  wise  for  )>e  do, 
I  shal  streng|>en  me  berto  ; 
Forbi,8  leve  sone,  tel  bou  me 
Wat  |>ou  woldest  I  dude  for  J>e.' 

[  Wilekiti]  '  Bote,  leve  nelde,9  ful  evele  I  fare  ; 
I  lede  mi  lif  wib  tene  and  kare  ; 

Wi)>  muchel  hounsele  10  ich  lede  mi  lif, 
And  pat  is  for  on  suete  wif 

)?at  heijtte  Margeri. 
Ich  have  iloved  hire  moni  dai, 
And  of  hire  love  hoe  seiz  me  nai  ; 

Hider  Ich  com  for]>i. 


1  vexation 
«  grief 
8  shrewd 
«  MS.  Siriz 
6  MS.  wiz 
•if 


Bote-if  u  hoe  wende  hire  mod, 
For  serewe 12  mon  18  Ich  wakese 5 

Ober  miselve  quelle.15 
Ich  hevede  ibout  miself  to  slo 16 ; 
Forben 17  radde 18  a  frend  me  go 

To  }>e,  mi  sereue  telle. 

7  or  know  how  to  (caa) 

8  therefore 
»  old  lady 

18  misfortune 
11  unless 
u  sorrow 


wod, 


18  must 

14  grow,  wax 

15  destroy 

16  slay 

17  therefore 
is  advised 


DAME  SIRITH  149 

He  saide  me,  wifhouten  faille 

J?at  fou  me  couf est  helpe  and  vaile,1 

And  bringen  me  of  wo, 
J>oru  fine  crafftes  and  pine  dedes ; 
And  Ich  wile  jeve  fe  riche  mede[s],  5 

Wif  fat2  hit  be  so.' 

\SiritJi\  '  Benedicite  be  herinne  8  ! 

Her  havest  fou,  sone,  mikel  sinne.4 

Loverd,  for  his  suete  name,5 

Lete  fe  ferfore  haven  no  shame 6 !  10 

f>ou  servest  affter  Codes  grame,7 

Wen  fou  seist  on  me  silk 8  blame ; 

For  Ich  am  old  and  sek  and  lame ; 

Seknesse  havef  maked  me  ful  tame. 

Blesse  fe,  blesse  fe,  leve  knave,9  15 

Leste  fou  mesaventer  have 

For  pis  lesing 10  fat  is  founden  n 

Oppon  me,  fat  am  harde  ibo[u]nden ! 

Ich  am  on  holi  wimon, 

On  wicchecrafft  nout  I  ne  con,  20 

Bote  wif  gode  men[s]  almesdede 

like  dai  mi  lif  I  fede, 

And  bidde  mi  Pater  Noster  and  mi  Crede, 

J>at  Goed  hem  helpe  at  hore 12  nede 

J>at  helpen  me  mi  lif  to  lede,  25 

And  leve  fat  hem  mote  wel  spede. 

His  lif  and  his  soule  worfe  ishend 18 

f>at  f e  to  me  f is  hernde  havef  send ; 

1  avail,  assist  4  sin ;  MS.  senne  9  boy 

2  provided  that  5  MS.  nome  10  lie 

*  blessing  be   herein  =  God  6  MS.  shome  1:  invented 

save  us  (an   exclamation  Danger;  MS.  grome  M  their 

of  surprise)  8  such  ls  disgraced 

7.  Fliigel  (Matzke  Mem.  Vol.,  p.  95)   prefers  '  Benedicite !    be  herinne ! ' 
understanding  'God'  as  the  subject  of  (opt.  or  imp.)  'be.' 
9.  Note  the  six  rhyming  lines,  like  the  six  below  (21-26). 


!  5o  TALES 

And  leve  me  to  ben  iwreken 1 

On  him  }>is  shome  me  have))  speken.' 

[  Wilekin}  '  Leve  nelde,  bilef 2  al  Jris ; 

Me  |>inke)>  J>a[t]  |>ou  art  onwis. 
5  J?e  mon  pat  me  to  )>e  taute,8 

He  weste  fat  j»ou  hous  *  coupest  saute.6 

Help,  Dame  Siri)>,  if  |>ou  maut,6 

To  make  me  wip  )>e  sueting  saut, 

And  Ich  wille  geve  pe  gift  ful  stark 7 : 
,o  Moni  a  pound  and  moni  a  marke, 

Warme  pilche 8  and  warme  shon, 

WiJ>  |>at  min  hernde  be  wel  don. 

Of  muchel  godlec 9  mi^t  ]>ou  jelpe,10 

If  hit  be  so  fat  )K»U  me  helpe.' 

15  \Strith\  '  Lij  me  nout,  Wilekin,  bi  }>i  leute.11 

Is  hit  fin  hernest 12  fou  tekest 18  me  ? 
Lovest  fou  wel  Dame  Margeri  ? ' 

[  Wilekin]  '  £e,  nelde,  witerli,14 

Ich  hire  love  !    Hit  mot  me  spille  " 
20  Bote  ich  gete  hire  to  mi  wille.' 

[SritK]  '  Wat,  god  Wilekin,  me  rewe]>  fi  scafe 16 ; 
Houre  Loverd  sende  ]> e  help  rape  "  1 

Weste  Hie  hit  mijtte  ben  forholen,18 
Me  wolde  funche  wel  solen 19 
25  J>i  wille  for  to  fellen.20 

Make  me  siker  wif  word  on  honde 

i  avenged  8  fur  garments  15  destroy,  ruin 

*  leave  9  goodness,  benefit  16  harm 

*  directed  10  boast  v  soon  (early) 
4  us  n  loyalty  18  concealed 

6  reconcile,  bring  to  terms  12  earnest  19  proper  (solemn) 

6  canst  1S  teachest  »  MS.  fullen 

l  strong,  large  14  truly,  certainly 


DAME  SIRITH 


J?at  pou  wolt  Helen,1  and  I  wile  fonde 2 
If  Ich  mai  hire  tellen. 

For  al  pe  world  ne  wold  I  nout 
]?at  Ich  were  to  chapitre 8  ibrout 

For  none  selke 4  werkes. 
Mi  jugement  were  sone  igiven  — 
To  ben  wip  shome  somer-driven  5 

Wip 6  prestes  and  with  clarkes.' 

[  Wilekin\  '  Iwis,  nelde,  ne  wold  I 
f>at  pou  hevedest  vilani 

Ne  shame,  for  mi  goed. 
Her  I  )>e  mi  troupe  plijtte, 
Ich  shal  helen  bi 7  mi  mijtte, 

Bi  pe  holi  roed  1 ' 

\SiritK\  '  Welcome,  Wilekin,  hiderward  I 
Her  havest  imaked  a  foreward 8 

J>at  pe  mai  ful  wel  like. 
J?ou  maijt9  blesse  pilke  sij>,10 
For  }>ou  maijt  make  ]>e  ful  blip ; 

Dar11  pou  namore  sike.12 

To  goderhele 18  ever  come  pou  hider, 
For  sone  will  I  gange  pider, 

And  maken  hire  hounderstonde. 
I  shal  kenne 14  hire  sulke  a  lore 
J>at  hoe  shal  lovien  pe  mikel  more 

J?en  ani  mon  in  londe.' 

[  Wilekin}  '  Al  so  hav  I  Codes  grip,15 

Wel  havest  pou  said,  Dame  Sirip, 
And  goderhele  shal  ben  pin. 


1  conceal  (it) 

2  try 

8  ecclesiastical  court 
4  such 

6  sumpter-driven  (slung 
on  a  pack-animal)  ? 


6  by 

7  according  to 

8  agreement 

9  mayst 

10  this  opportunity 

11  needest  (=  >ar,  from  OE.  J>earf) 


12  sigh 

18  for  good  fortune 
14  make  known,  teach 
is  peace 


152  TALES 

Have  her  twenti  shiling : 
J>is  Ich  jeve  fe  to  meding,1 
To  buggen  2  J>e  sep 8  and  swin.' 

[Sirith]  '  So  Ich  evere  brouke  *  hous  ofer  flet,6 
5  Neren  never  penes '  beter  biset 

f>en  fes  shulen  ben. 
For  I  shal  don  a  juperti,7 
And  a  ferli 8  maistri ' ; 

J>at  fou  shalt  ful  wel  sen. — 

10         [To  her  dog]  Pepir 10  nou  shalt  ]>ou  ete,11 

f>is  mustart  shal  ben  fi  mete, 
And  gar 12  fin  eien  to  renne 18 ; 

I  shal  make  a  lesing 

Of  fin  heie-renning, 
15  Ich  wot  wel  wer  and  wenne.' 

[  Wilekiri\  '  Wat  1  nou  const  fou  no  god  ? 
Me  finkef  j>at  fou  art  wod. 
Revest  fo  )>e  welpe 14  mustard  ? ' 

[SritX]  '  Be  stille,  boinard  " ! 
20  I  shal  mit 16  f  is  ilke  gin  " 

Gar  hire  love  to  ben  al  fin. 
Ne  shal  ich  never  have  reste  ne  ro  u 
Til  ich  have  told  hou  fou  shalt  do. 
Abid  me  her  til  min  horn-come.' 

25  [  Wtlekin}  '  ^us,19  bi  fe  somer  blome,20 

Hefen 21  null  I  ben  binomen,22 
Til  fou  be  ajein  comen.' 

1  reward  » trick  17  contrivance 

2  buy  10  MS.  pepis  18  quiet 
8  sheep                                                 11  MS.  eten  i»  yes 

4  enjoy  12  make  ao  bloom 

5  hall  (///.  floor)  18  run  ;  MS.  rene  21  hence 

6  PC"1*  M  whelp  22  taken  away 

7  venture  15  fool 

8  wondrous  l<  with 


DAME  SIRITH  153 

Dame  Sirip  bigon  to  go 

As  a  wrecche  pat  is  wo, 

J»at 1  hoe  come  hire  to  pen  inne 2 

J>er  pis  gode  wif  wes  inne. 

J>o  hoe  to  pe  dore  com,  5 

Swipe  reuliche  8  hoe  bigon : 

[Sirith~\  '  Loverd,'  hoe  seip,  '  wo  is  holde  4  wives, 
J?at  in  poverte  ledep  ay  [hore]  6  lives ; 
Not  *  no  mon  so  muchel  of  pine 

As  poure  wif  pat  fallep  in  ansine 7 ;  10 

J>at  mai  ilke  mon  bi  me  wite, 
For  mai  I  nouper  gange  ne  site ; 
Ded  wold  I  ben  ful  fain. 
Hounger  and  purst  me  havep  nei  slain ; 
Ich  ne  mai  mine  limes  onwold,8  1 5 

For  mikel  hounger  and  purst  and  cold. 
Warto  liveth  selke  a  wrecche  ? 
Wi  nul 9  Goed  mi  soule  f  ecche  ? ' 

\Margeri\  '  Seli 10  wif,  God  pe  hounbinde  u  1 

To  dai  wille  I  pe  mete  finde,  20 

For  love  of  Goed. 
Ich  have  reupe  of  pi  wo, 
For  evele  icloped  I  se  pe  go, 

And  evele  ishoed ; 

Com  herin,  Ich  wile  pe  fede.'  25 

[Sirith~]  '  Goed  almigtten  do  pe  mede, 

And  pe  Loverd  pat  wes  on  rode  idon,12 

And  faste  fourti  daus 13  to  non,14 

And  hevene  and  erpe  havep  to  welde, 

As  pilke  Loverd  pe  forgelde.15 '  30 

1  until  6  knows  not  U  unbind,  pardon 

2  dwelling  7  want  12  destroyed 
8  piteously                                             8  control  13  days 

4  old  9  will  not  w  noon 

5  See  149  $*  10  good  15  requite 


I54  TALES 

[Margeri]  '  Have  her  fles 1  and  eke  bred, 

And  make  be  glad,  hit  is  mi  red 2 ; 
And  have  her  be  coppe  wib  be  drinke ; 
Goed  do  be  mede  for  bi  swinke.' 

5  f»enne  spac  bat  holde  wif  — 

Crist  awarie 8  hire  lif !  — 
[Sirith]  '  Alas  1  alas  I  bat  ever  I  live ! 

Al  be  sunne  Ich  wolde  forgive 

]>e  mon  bat  smite  of 4  min  heved  1 
10  Ich  wolde  mi  lif  me  were  bireved  1 ' 

[Margeri]  '  Seli  wif,    what  eilleb  be  ? ' 

[Srith]  '  Bote  ebe  6  mai  I  sori  be : 

Ich  hevede  a  douter  feir  and  fre,6 

Feiror  ne  mijtte  no  mon  se. 
15  Hoe  hevede  a  curteis  hossebonde, 

Freour7  mon  mijtte  no  mon  fonde.8 

Mi  douter  lovede  him  al  to  wel ; 

Forbi9  mak  I  sori  del.10 

Oppon  a  dai  he  was  out  wend, 
20  And  barboru  n  wes  mi  douter  shend. 

He  hede  on  ernde  out  of  toune ; 

And  com  a  modi 12  clarc  wijj  croune,18 

To  mi  douter  his  love  beed, 

And  hoe  nolde  nout  folewe  his  red. 
25  He  ne  mijtte  his  wille  have, 

For  no  bing  he  mijtte  crave ; 

)?enne  bigon  be  clerc  to  wiche,14 

And  shop 15  mi  douter  til  a  biche. 

]?is  is  mi  douter  bat  Ich  of  speke ; 

1  flesh,  meat  •  noble  "  by  this  means,  thereby 

2  advice  J  nobler  12  proud 

*  curse  8  search  out  w  tonsure 

4  off  9  on  this  account  14  use  witchcraft 

6  easily  W  lament  15  transformed  (shaped) 


DAME  SIRITH  155 

For  del  of  hire  min  herte  breke. 

Loke  hou  hire  heien  greten,1 

On  hire  cheken  fe  teres  meten.2 

Forf  i,  dame,  were  hit  no  wonder, 

f>au  min  herte  burste  assunder.  5 

A[nd]  wose  ever  is  gong  houssewif, 

Ha 3  love]?  ful  luitel  hire  lif , 

And 4  eni  clerc  of  love  hire  bede, 

Bote5  hoe  grante,  and  lete  him  spede.' 

\Margeri\  '  A,  Loverd  Crist !  wat  mai  [I]  fenne  do  ?  10 

J>is  enderdai 6  com  a  clarc  me  to, 
And  bed 7  me  love  on  his  manere, 
And  Ich  him  nolde  nout  ihere. 
Ich  trouue  he  wolle  me  forsape.8 
Hou  troustu,9  nelde,  Ich  moue  ascape  ? '  15 

\_Strith~\  '  God  almijtten  be  fin  help 

J>at  fou  ne  be  noufer  bicche  ne  welp ! 

Leve  dame,  if  eni  clerc 

Bedef  fe  fat  love-were, 

Ich  rede  fat  fou  grante  his  bone,10  20 

And  bicom  his  lefmon  sone. 

And  if  fat  fou  so  ne  dost, 

A  worse  red  ]> ou  ounderfost.11 ' 

\Margen\  '  Loverd  Crist,  fat  me  is  wo, 

J>at  f e  clarc  me  hede 12  fro  25 

Ar  he  me  hevede  biwonne  ! 
Me  were  levere  fen  ani  fe 18 
That  he  hevede  enes  u  leien  bi  me, 

And  efftsones 15  bigunne. 

1  shed  tears  6  the  other  day  n  receivest,  takest 

2  meet  7  offered  ^  went 

8  she  8  transform  18  property 

*  if  9  thinkest  thou,  believest  thou  14  once 

5  unless  10  request  (boon)  15  again 

8.  of :  the  verb  takes  the  genitive  of  the  thing  besought  in  OE. 


1 56  TALES 

Evermore,  nelde,  ich  wille  be  fin, 
Wif  fat 1  f  ou  feche  me  Willekin, 

J>e  clarc  of  warn  I  telle ; 
Giftes  will  I  geve  fe 
S  J>at  fou  maijt  ever  f  e  betere  be, 

Bi  Codes  houne  belle  1 ' 

\ 

[StritJi]  '  Sofliche,  mi  swete  dame, 

And  if  I  mai  wifhoute  blame, 

Fain  Ich  wille  ffonde  ; 

10  And  if  Ich  mai  wif  him  mete 

Bi  eni  wei  of  er  bi  strete, 
Nout  ne  will  I  wonde.2 

Have  god  dai,  dame  !  for})  will  I  go.' 
\Margeri~\  '  Allegate 8  loke  fat  fou  do  so 
1 5  As  Ich  f  e  bad  ; 

Bote  fat  fou  me  Wilekin  bringe, 
Ne  mai  [I]  never  lawe  *  ne  singe, 
Ne  be  glad.' 

\Sirith\  '  Iwis,  dame,  if  I  mai, 
20  Ich  wille  bringen  him  jet  to-dai, 

Bi  mine  mijtte.' 
Hoe  wente  hire  to  hire  inne, 
Her  hoe  founde  Wilekinne, 
Bi  houre  Drijtte 8 1 

25  \Sirith~\  '  Swete  Wilekin,  be  fou  nout  dred, 

For  of  fin  her[n]de  Ich  have  wel  sped. 
Swife  com  for[f]  fider  wif  me, 
For  hoe  havef  send  affter  f e ; 

1  provided  that  8  jn  every  way,  by  all  means  6  Our  Lord 

2  hesitate  *  laugh 

6    belle:  sacring  bell,  used  in  the  mass;  see  Seven  Sares  (Percy  Soc  16), 
1.  2285  :  '  By  Goddis  belle.' 


DAME  SIRITH  157 

Iwis  nou  maijt  fou  ben  above, 

For  fou  havest  grantise 1  of  hire  love.'  . 

[  Wilekin\  '  God  ]>e  forjelde,  leve  nelde, 

J>at  hevene  and  erfe  have]?  to  welde ! ' 

f>is  modi  mon  bigon  to  gon  5 

Wif  Sirij>2  to  his  levemon 

In  filke  stounde.3 
Dame  Sirif 2  bigon  to  telle, 
And  swor  bi  Codes  ouene  belle, 

Hoe  hevede  him  founde.  10 

\Sirith~\  '  Dame,  so  have  ich  Wilekin  sout, 
For  nou  have  Ich  him  ibrout.' 

\_Margeri\  '  Welcome,  Wilekin,  swete  Jnng, 
f>ou  art  welcomore  fen  fe  king. 

Wilekin  ]je  swete,  15 

Mi  love  I  ]>e  bihete, 

To  don  al  fine  wille. 
Turnd  Ich  have  mi  fout, 
For  I  ne  wolde  nout 

J>at  fou  fe  shuldest  spille.'  20 

[  Wilekin}  '  Dame,  so  Ich  evere  bide  noen,4 
And  Ich  am  redi  and  iboen 6 

To  don  al  fat  fou  saie. 
Nelde,  par  ma  fai !  6 
f>ou  most  gange  awai,  25 

Wile  Ich  and  hoe  shulen  plaie.'  .  .  .7 


1  grant  *  noon  J  One  stanza  omitted 

2  MS.  Siriz  5  ready,  prepared 
8  moment  6  by  my  faith 


I  $8  TALES 

[Sirith]  '  And  wose  is  onwis, 
And  for  non  pris 

Ne  con  geten  his  levemon, 
I  shal,  for  mi  mede, 
Garen  him  to  spede, 
For  ful  wel  I  con.' 


ROBIN  HOOD  AND  THE  MONK 

This  poem,  though  unmistakably  a  ballad,  tells  a  story,  and  is  therefore 
here  classed  as  a  tale,  though  perhaps  it  has  nearly  equal  claim  to  be  called 
a  romance.  It  is  one  of  the  few  ballads  of  whose  early  date  we  are  assured, 
the  manuscript  being  of  about  1450.  It  is  No.  119  of  Child's  great  collection 
(3.94-101) ;  see  also  Sargent  and  Kittredge's  edition  in  one  volume,  pp.  282-6. 
I  omit  stanzas  30-8,  53-66,  both  inclusive,  and  the  end,  stanzas  83-90.  There 
is  an  unfortunate  break  after  the  first  two  lines  of  stanza  30,  due  to  the  loss 
of  a  sheet  of  the  manuscript. 

What  Gummere  says  of  ballads  in  general  (Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  2.474; 
the  whole  chapter  should  be  read)  is  true  of  this  in  particular :  '  They  give  a 
hint  of  primitive  and  unspoiled  poetic  sensation.  .  .  .  They  can  tell  a  good 
tale.  They  are  fresh  with  the  open  air;  wind  and  sunshine  play  through  them.' 
For  myself,  I  may  add  that  the  two  opening  stanzas  of  this  ballad  seem  to  me 
of  peculiar  loveliness. 

In  somer,  when  J>e  shawes 1  be  sheyne,2 

And  leves  be  large  and  long, 
Hit  is  full  mery  in  feyre  foreste 
10  To  here  )>e  foulys  song ; 

To  se  ]>e  dere  draw  to  )>e  dale, 

And  leve  ]>e  hilles  hee, 
And  shadow  hem  in  ]>e  leves  grene, 

Under  the  grenewode  tre. 

15  Hit  befel  on  Whitsontide, 

Erly  in  a  May  mornyng, 
The  son  up  feyre  can 8  shyne, 
And  the  briddis  mery  can  syng. 

l  thickets,  groves  a  beautiful  8  did 


ROBIN  HOOD  AND  THE  MONK  159 

'  This  is  a  mery  mornyng,'  seid  Litull  John, 

'  Be  hym  J>at  dyed  on  tre  ; 
A  more  mery  man  fen  I  am  one 

Lyves  not  in  Cristiante.1 

Pluk  up  jn  hert,  my  dere  mayster,'  5 

Litull  John  can  sey, 
'  And  thynk  hit  is  a  full  fayre  tyme 

In  a  mornyng  of  May.' 

'  «^e,2  on  thyng  greves  me,'  seid  Robyn, 

'  And  does  my  hert  mych  woo  ;  10 

J>at  I  may  not  no  solem  day 

To  mas  nor  matyns  goo. 

Hit  is  a  fourtnet  and  more,'  seid  he, 

'  Syn  I  my  Savyour 8  see  ;    . 
To-day  wil  I  to  Notyngham,'  seid  Robyn,  15 

'  With  fe  myght  of  mylde  Marye.' 

Than  spake  Moche,4  fe  mylner 5  sun  — • 

Ever  more  wel  hym  betyde  ! 
'  Take  twelve  of  fi  wyght 6  jemen,7 

Well  weppynd,  be  fi  side.  20 

Such  on  wolde  fiselfe  slon, 

J>at  twelve  dar  not  abyde.8 ' 

'  Of  all  my  mery  men,'  seid  Robyn, 

'  Be  my  feith  I  wil  non  have, 
But  Litull  John  shall  beyre  my  bow,  25 

Til  fat  me  list  to  drawe.' 


1  Christendom  4  Much  T  yeomen 

2  yea  5  miller's  8  withstand 

3  consecrated  wafer  or  host  6  sturdy 


160  TALES 

'  J»ou  shall  beyre  bin  own,'  seid  Litull  Jo[h]n, 

'  Maister,  and  I  wyl  beyre  myne, 
And  we  well  shete  a  peny,1 '  seid  Litull  Jo[h]n, 

'  Under  be  grenewode  lyne.2 ' 

5  '  I  wil  not  shete  a  peny,'  seyd  Robyn  Hode, 

'  In  feith,  Litull  John,  with  the, 
But  ever  for  on  as 8  bou  shetis,'  seide  Robyn, 
1  In  feith  I  holde  be  thre.' 

Thus  shet  bei  forth,  bese  semen  too, 
10  Bothe  at  buske  *  and  brome,5 

Til  Litull  John  wan  of  his  maister 
Five  shillings  to 6  hose  and  shone. 

A  ferly 7  strife  f  el  )>em  betwene, 

As  they  went  bi  the  wey ; 

15  Litull  John  seid  he  had  won  five  shillings, 

And  Robyn  Hode  seid  schortly,  '  Nay.' 

With  bat  Robyn  Hode  lyed •  Litul  Jo[h]n, 

And  smote  hym  with  his  hande ; 
Litul  Jo[h]n  waxed  wroth  berwith, 
20  And  pulled  out  his  bright  bronde. 

'  Were  bou  not  my  maister,'  seid  Litull  John, 

'  )?ou  shuldis  by  9  hit  f ul  sore  ; 
Get  be  a  man  wher  bou  w[ilt], 

For  bou  getis  me  no  more.' 

25  ]?en  Robyn  goes  to  Notyngham, 

Hymselfe  mornyng 10  allone, 
And  Litull  John  to  mery  Scherwode  — 
The  pathes  he  knew  ilkone. 

l  shoot  for  a  penny  6  broom  9  pay  for 

*  lime,  linden  *  for  10  mourning 
»  that  7  fierce 

*  bush  •  gave  the  lie  to 


ROBIN  HOOD  AND  THE  MONK  161 

Whan  Robyn  came  to  Notyngham, 

Sertenly  withouten  layn,1 
He  prayed  to  God  and  myld  Mary 

To  bryng  hym  out  save 2  agayn. 

He  gos  into  Seynt  Mary  chirch,  5 

And  kneled  down  before  the  rode 8 ; 
Alle  }>at  ever  were  ]>e  church  within 

Beheld  wel  Robyn  Hode. 

Beside  hym  stod  a  gret-hedid  munke, 

I  pray  to  God  woo  he  be  1  10 

Fful  sone  he  knew  gode  Robyn, 

As  sone  as  he  hym  se. 

Out  at  fe  durre  he  ran, 

Fful  sone  and  anon  ; 
Alle  ]>e  jatis  of  Notyngham  15 

He  made  to  be  sparred  everychon. 

'  Rise  up,'  he  seid,  '  )>ou  prowde  schereff, 

Buske 4  ]>e  and  make  J>e  bowne 6 ; 
I  have  spyed  ]>e  kynggis  felon, 

Fforsothe  he  is  in  pis  town.  20 

I  have  spyed  fe  false  felon, 

As  he  stondis  at  his  masse ; 
Hit  is  long  of 6  ]>e,'  seide  ]>e  munke, 

'  And 7  ever  he  fro  us  passe. 

J>is  traytur  name  is  Robyn  Hode,  25 

Under  ]>e  grenewode  lynde 8 ; 
He  robbyt  me  onys  of  a  hundred  pound, 

Hit  shalle  never  out  of  my  mynde.' 

1  lying  4  prepare  T  if 

2  safe  5  ready  8  linden 
8  cross                                           e  through,  by  means  of 


1 62  TALES 

Up  ]>en  rose  )>is  prowde  shereff, 

And  radly l  made  hym  jare  * ; 
Many  was  )>e  moder  son 

To  J>e  kyrk  with  hym  can  fare. 

5  In  at  )>e  durres  )>ei  throly 8  thrast,4 

With  staves  ful  gode  wone  6 ; 

'  Alas,  alas ! '  seid  Robyn  Hode, 

'  Now  mysse  I  Litull  John.' 

But  Robyn  toke  out  a  too-hond  sworde, 
10  pat  hangit  down  be  his  kne ; 

J?er  as  )>e  schereff  and  his  men  stode  thyckust, 
Thejmrwarde  wolde  he. 

Thryes  thorowout  J>em  he  ran  fen, 

Forsope,  as  I  yow  sey, 

15  And  woundyt  mony  a  moder  son, 

And  twelve  he  slew  pat  day. 

His  sworde  upon  )>e  schireff  hed 

Sertanly  he  brake  in  too ; 
'  f>e  smyth  )>at  ]>e  made,'  seid  Robyn, 
20  '  I  pray  God 6  wyrke  hym  woo  ! 

Ffor  now  am  I  weppynlesse,'  seid  Robyn, 

'  Alasse  !  agayn  my  wylle ; 
But-if  I  may  fle  pese  traytors  fro, 

I  wot  }>ei  wil  me  kyll.' 

There  is  a  break  in  the  manuscript  two  lines  after  this  point,  but  it  is  evident 
from  what  follows  that  Robin  Hood's  men  in  some  way  learn  of  his  capture. 
All  of  them  are  utterly  distracted  by  this  news  save  Little  John,  who  feels  sure 
that '  our  Lady '  will  care  for  her  servant.  He  himself  will  see  to  the  monk. 

1  quickly  8  stoutly  &  number 

a  ready  *  thrust  *  MS.  to  God 


ROBIN  HOOD  AND  THE  MONK  163 

Litul  John  stode  at  a  wyndow  in  pe  mornyng, 

And  lokid  f  orp  at  a  stage ; 
He  was  war  wher  pe  munke  came  ridying, 

And  with  hym  a  litul  page. 

1  Be  my  feith,'  seid  Litul  John  to  Moch,  5 

'  I  can  pe  tel  tithyngus 1  gode  ; 
I  se  wher  pe  munke  cumys  rydyng, 

I  know  hym  be  his  wyde  hode.' 

They  went  into  the  way,  pese  gemen  hope, 

As  curtes  men  and  hende ;  10 

J?ei  spyrred 2  tithyngus  at  pe  munke, 
As  they  hade  bene  his  frende. 

Ffro  whens  come  je  ? '  seid  Litull  Jo[h]n, 

'  Tel  us  tithyngus,  I  yow  pray, 
Off  a  false  owtlay,  [callid  Robyn  Hode,]  15 

Was  takyn  jisterday. 

He  robbyt  me  and  my  felowes  bope 

Of  twenti  marke  in  sertayn 8 ; 
If  f>at  false  owtlay  be  takyn, 

Fforsope  we  wolde  be  fayn.'  20 

'  So  did  he  me/  seid  pe  munke, 

'  Of  a  hundred  pound  and  more ; 
I  layde  furst  hande  hym  apon, 

^e  may  thonke  me  perfore.' 

'  I  pray  God  thanke  you,'  seid  Litull  John,  25 

'  And  we  wil  when  we  may ; 
We  wil  go  with  you,  with  your  leve, 

And  bryng  yow  on  your  way. 

?-  tidings  2  asked  *  Mi.  serten 


1 64  TALES 

Ffor  Robyn  Hode  base  many  a  wilde  felow, 

I  tell  you  in  certayn 1 ; 
If  pei  wist  je  rode  \>is  way, 

In  feith  je  shulde  be  slayn.' 

s  As  fei  went  talking  be  fe  way, 

The  munke  and  Litull  John, 
John  toke  J?e  munkis  horse  be  J>e  hede, 
Fful  sone  and  anon. 

John 2  toke  )>e  munkis  horse  be  J>e  hed, 
10  Fforsobe,  as  I  yow  say ; 

So  did  Much,  fe  litull  page, 

Ffor 8  he  shulde  not  scape  away. 

Be  )>e  golett  *  of  J>e  hode 

John  pulled  ]>e  munke  down ; 

15  John  was  nothyng  of  hym  agast  — 

He  lete  hym  falle  on  his  crown. 

Litull  John  was  so[re]  agrevyd, 

And  drew  owt  his  swerde  in  hye 6 ; 
This  munke  saw  he  shulde  be  ded, 
20  Lowd  '  mercy ! '  can  *  he  crye. 

1  He  was  my  maister,'  seid  Litull  John, 

'  pat  )K)U  hase  browjt  in  bale 7 ; 
Shalle  )>ou  never  cum  at  our  kyng, 

Ffor  to  telle  hym  tale.' 

25  John  smote  of  )>e  munkis  hed, 

No  longer  wolde  he  dwell 8 ; 
So  did  Moch  )>e  litull  page, 

Ffor  f erd 9  lest  he  wolde  tell.  .  .  . 

1  MS.  certen  4  throat  r  trouble 

•  MS.  Johne  6  haste  8  demy 

*  that  6  did  9  fear 


ROBIN  HOOD  AND  THE  MONK  165 

Little  John  and  Much  then  carry  to  the  king  the  letters  taken  from  the 
monk's  body,  conveying  the  tidings  of  Robin's  capture.  The  king  rejoices  at 
this  news,  gives  the  men  twenty  pounds  as  a  reward,  and  makes  them  yeomen 
of  the  crown.  He  then  bids  Little  John  bear  his  privy  seal  to  the  sheriff  of 
Nottingham,  commanding  that  Robin  Hood  be  brought  to  him,  alive  and 
uninjured. 

The  scheref  made  John  gode  chere, 

And  gaf  hym  wyne  of  the  best ; 
At  nyjt  }>ei  went  to  her  bedde, 
•  And  every  man  to  his  rest. 

• 
When  J>e  scheref  was  on  slepe,1  5 

Dronken  of  wyne  and  ale, 
Litul  John  and  Moch,  forsof>e, 

Toke  pe  way  unto  f>e  jale. 

Litul  John  callid  up  pe  jayler, 

And  bade  hym  rise  anon ;  10 

He  seyd  Robyn  Hode  had  brokyn  prison, 

And  out  of  hit  was  gon. 

The  porter  rose  anon,  sertan, 

As  sone  as  he  herd  John  calle ; 
Litul  John  was  redy  with  a  swerd,  15 

And  bare  hym  to  f>e  walle. 

'  Now  wil  I  be  porter,'  seid  Litul  John, 

'  And  take  fe  keyes  in  honde ' ; 
He  toke  )>e  way  to  Robyn  Hode, 

And  sone  he  hym  unbonde.  20 

He  gaf  hym  a  gode  swerd  in  his  hond, 

His  hed  with  for  to  kepe,2 
And  ther  as  J>e  walle  was  lowyst 

Anon  down  can  J>ei  lepe. 

l  asleep  2  to  defend  his  head  with 


1 66  TALES 

Be  J»at  }>e  cok  began  to  crow, 

The  day  began  to  spryng, 
The  scheref  fond  )>e  jaylier  ded, 

The  comyn  bell  made  he  ryng. 

5  He  made  a  crye  thoroout  al  }>e  tow[n], 

Wheder  he  be  joman  or  knave 
}?at  cow]>e  bryng  hym  Robyn  Hode, 
His  warison l  he  shuld  have. 

t 

'  Ffor  I  dar  never,'  said  }>e  scheref, 
10  '  Cum  before  oure  kyng ; 

Ffor  if  I  do,  I  wot  serten 
Fforsope  he  wil  me  heng.' 

The  scheref  made  to  seke  Notyngham, 

Bothe  be  strete  and  stye,2 

15  And  Robyn  was  in  mery  Scherwode, 

As  lijt  as  lef  on  lynde. 

Then  bespake  gode  Litull  John, 
To  Robyn  Hode  can  he  say : 
'  I  have  done  \>e  a  gode  turne  for  an  evyll, 
20  Quyte  }>e 8  whan  JK»U  may. 

'  I  have  done  }>e  a  gode  turne,'  seid  Litull  John, 

'  Fforsothe,  as  I  yow  say  ; 
I  have  broujt  ]>e  under  grenewode  lyne ; 

Ffarewel,  and  have  gode  day.' 

25  '  Nay,  be  my  trouth,'  seid  Robyn  Hode, 

'  So  shall  hit  neuer  be ; 
I  make  )>e  maister,'  seid  Robyn  Hode, 
'  Off  alle  my  men  and  me.' 

l  reward  2  lane  «  make  return 


KING  ROBERT  OF  SICILY  167 

*  Nay,  be  my  trouth,'  seid  Litull  John, 

'  So  shalle  hit  never  be ; 
But  lat  me  be  a  felow,1 '  seid  Litull  John, 

'  No  noder  kepe  I  be.2 ' 

Thus  John  gate  Robyn  Hod[e]  out  of  prison, 

Sertan  withoutyn  layn 8 ; 
Whan  his  men  saw  hym  hoi  and  sounde, 

Fforsothe  they  were  full  fayne. 

They  filled  in  wyne,  and  made  hem  glad, 

Under  )>e  levys  smale, 
And  jete  4  pastes  of  venyson, 

J?at  gode  was  with  ale. 

Eight  stanzas  remain.  Word  of  the  escape  is  carried  to  the  king,  who 
declares  that,  though  Little  John  has  beguiled  both  the  sheriff  and  himself, 
he  has  been  true  to  Robin  Hood. 


KING  ROBERT  OF  SICILY 

This  is  the  poem  from  which  Longfellow  drew  the  Sicilian's  tale,  in  the 
first  series  of  his  Tales  of  a  Wayside  Inn.  Leigh  Hunt  related  the  story  in 
prose  in  his  Jar  of  Honey  from  Mount  Hybla  (1848) ;  a  play  was  founded  on 
it  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VII,  and  acted  at  Chester  in  1529  (Ward,  Hist.  Eng. 
Dram.  Lit.  1.93-4;  Collier,  Hist.  Eng.  Dram.  Poetry,  London,  1831,  I.  113-5; 
2.128,  415;  Hazlitt,  Rem.  Early  Pop.  Poetry,  London,  1864,  1.264-88); 
and  Rudolf  Schmidt  drew  from  it  his  drama,  Den  Forvandlede  Konge,  which 
appeared  in  1876,  and  was  several  times  played  at  Copenhagen.  Closely  allied 
to  our  Middle  English  poem  is  Jean  de  Conde's  (fl.  1310-1340)  Li  Dis  dou 
Magnificat  (Dits  et  Contes  de  Baudouin  de  Condi  et  de  son  P "Us,  Jean  de  Conde, 
ed.  Scheler,  Brussels,  1866,  2. 355-70,  455  ff.).  The  former,  however,  has 
been  influenced  by  the  romance  of  Robert  the  Devil  (cf .  Varnhagen,  Longfellow's 
Tales  of  a  Wayside  Inn,  Berlin,  1884,  pp.  43-7),  from  which  the  king's  name, 
Robert,  may  come,  together  with  certain  traits  of  his  life  as  fool ;  Robert  the 
Devil,  like  the  king,  reaches  Rome  on  Maundy  Thursday. 

The  tale  appears  in  numerous  versions,  European  and  Asiatic.  One  set  of 
the  European  versions  derives  from  the  story  of  Jovinian  in  the  Gesta  Roma- 
norum.  Much  earlier  is  the  Jewish  legend,  which  occurs  in  four  versions  (Jeru 
salem  and  Babylonian  Talmuds,  Kabbala,  etc.),  one  of  which  connects  the  story 

1  comrade  2  no  other  I  care  to  be  8  dissembling  *  ate 


i68 


TALES 


with  Jer.  9.  23,  instead  of  with  the  Magnificat.  On  the  Hebrew  are  founded  an 
Arabic  and  a  Turkish  version,  and  the  former,  in  turn,  may  have  been  influ 
enced  by  the  Hindoo  belief  in  metempsychosis  (see  Varnhagen,  op.  fit.,  and 
his  Ein  Indisches  Afdrchen  auf  seiner  Wanderung,  Berlin,  1882). 

Our  text  (lines  90-199,  383-416)  is  taken  from  Horstmann,  Sammlung 
Altenglischer  Legenden  (Heilbronn,  1878).  The  poem  must  be  earlier  than 
1370,  the  approximate  date  of  the  Vernon  manuscript. 

The  first  part  of  the  poem  may  be  summarized  as  follows :  King  Robert  of 
Sicily  was  brother  to  Pope  Urban  and  Emperor  Valmond  (not  historical),  and 
was  proud  to  think  that  he  had  no  equal.  On  Midsummer  Night  (June  24)  he 
went  to  vespers,  and  heard  a  verse  of  the  Magnificat  —  Deposuit  potentes  de 
side,  et  exaltavit  humiles  —  which  he  made  a  clerk  translate  to  him,  and  then 
scoffed  at  it.  In  church  he  fell  asleep,  and  when  vespers  were  over  was  left 
there  alone,  his  place  with  the  court  being  taken  by  an  angel  who  assumed  his 
appearance.  At  length  the  king  wakes,  cries  out  for  his  men,  and  is  roughly 
accosted  by  the  sexton,  who,  finally,  thinking  him  to  be  mad,  opens  the 
church-door. 

J>e  kyng  bigan  to  renne  out  faste ; 
As  a  man  |>at  was  wod 
At  his  paleys-jate  he  stod, 
And  het  )>e  porter  gadelyng,1 
And  bad  him  come  in  hijyng,2 
Anon  J>e  gates  up 8  to  do. 
J>e  porter  seide  :  '  Ho  *  clepe)> 6  so  ? ' 
He  answered  rijt  anon  : 
'  )?ou  schalt  witen,6  ar  I  gon  : 
J>i  lord  I  am,  J>ou  schalt  knowe ; 
In  prison  ]>ou  schalt  ligge 7  lowe, 
And  ben  honged  and  todrawe 8 
As  a  traytur,  bi  (>e  lawe ; 
J>ou  schalt  wel  wite  I  am  kyng. 
Opene  ]>e  sates,  gadelyng  ! ' 

J>e  porter  seide :  '  So  mot9  I  ]>e,10 
}?e  kyng  is  mid  his  meyne  " ; 
Wel  I  wot,  wtyoute  doute, 
]?e  kyng  nis  noujt 12  now  wi)x>ute.' 


1  knave 

2  haste 
8  open 

*  who 


6  calleth 
6  know 
Mie 
8  drawn 


9  may 

10  thrive,  prosper 

11  court 

12  not 


KING  ROBERT  OF  SICILY  169 

J>e  porter  com  into  halle, 

Bifore  f  e  newe  kyng  a l  knes  gan  falle, 

And  seide  :  '  J>er  is  atte  2  gate 

A  nyce  8  f ol,  ycome  late  ; 

He  seif  he  is  lord  and  kyng,  5 

And  cleped  me  foule  gadelyng. 

Lord,  what  wile  je  fat  I  do  — 

Lete  him  in,  or  lete  him  go  ? ' 

J>e  angel  seide  in  haste  : 

'  Do  him  come  in  swif  e  4  faste ;  10 

For  mi  fol  I  wile  him  make, 

Forte 6  he  fe  name  of  kyng  forsake.' 

J>e  porter  com  to  f  e  gate, 
And  him  called  in  —  to  late  : 

He  smot  fe  porter  whan  he  com  in,  15 

f>at  blod  brast  out  of  mouf  and  chin. 
J?e  porter  jeld  6  him  his  travayle  — 
Him  smot  ajen,  wifouten  fayle, 
f>at  nese  and  mouf  brast  a 7  blod. 

Jeanne  he 8  semed  almost  wod.  20 

J>e  porter  and  his  men  in  haste 
Kyng  Roberd  in  a  podel9  caste, 
Unsemely  made  his  bodi  fan, 
J>at  he  nas  lik  non  ofer  man, 

And  broujt  him  bifore  fe  newe  kyng,  23 

And  seide  :  '  Lord,  f>is  gadelyng 
Me  haf  smite  wif  oute  desert ; 
He  sei]>  he  is  oure  kyng  apert 10 ; 
f>is  harlot n  oujte  for  his  sawe 12 

Ben  yhonged  and  todrawe,  30 

For  he  seij>  non  of er  word 
Bote  fat  he  is  bofe  kyng  and  lord.' 


1  on  6  until  9  puddle 

2  at  the  6  requited  10  clearly 

3  silly  1  with  n  rascal 

4  full  8  King  Robert  u  saying 


1 70  TALES 

J>e  angel  seide  to  Kyng  Roberd : 

'  f>ou  art  a  fol,  |»at  art  noujt  ferd * 

Mi  men  to  do  such  vileynye ; 

J>i  gult  \>ou  most  nede  abye.2 
5  What  art  JK>U  ? '  seide  ]>e  angel. 

Qua))  Roberd  :  '  f>ou  schalt  wite  wel : 

I  am  kyng,  and  kyng  wil  be ; 

Wip  wronge 8  )>ou  hast  mi  dignite. 

J>e  Pope  of  Rome  is  mi  broker, 
10  And  |>e  Emperour  min  o}>er ; 

j?ei  wil  me  wreke,4  forso)>  to  telle, 

I  wot  ]>ei  nille  noujt  longe  dwelle.6 ' 

1  J»ou  art  mi  fol,'  seide  \>e  angel ; 

'  f>ou  schalt  be  schore 6  everichdel 7 
15  Lich  a  fol,  a  fol  to  be  — 

Wher  is  now  \>i  dignite  ? 

]?i  counseyler  schal  ben  an  ape, 

And  o 8  clopyng  jou 9  worf 10  yschape  u 

I  schal  him  clopen  as  Jn  broker, 
20  Of  o  clopyng  —  hit  nis  non  of>er ; 

He  schal  be  ]>in  owne  fere 12  — 

Sum  wit  of  him  ]>ou  mijt  lere. 

Houndes,  howso  hit  falle,18 

Schulen  etc  wip  |>e  in  halle ; 
25  J»ou  schalt  eten  on  ]>e  ground ; 

J>in  assayour  H  schal  ben  an  hound, 

To  assaye  )n  mete  bif ore  }>e  — 

Wher  is  now  pi  dignite  ? ' 

He  het  a  barbur  him  bifore, 
3°  J>at  as  a  fol  he  schulde  be  schore 

Al  around  lich  a  frere,16 

An  hondebrede  bove  eiper  ere, 

1  afraid  6  shorn  u  made 

2  expiate  7  in  every  respect  12  partner 
»  wrongfully                                           8  one,  the  same  18  befall 

4  avenge  9  for  you  both  M  taster 

6  tarry  JO  shall  be  16  friar 


KING  ROBERT  OF  SICILY  I/I 

And  on  his  croune  make  a  crois. 

He  gan  crie  and  make  nois : 

He  swor  )>ei  schulde  alle  abye 

}?at  him  dude  such  vileynye, 

And  ever  he  seide  he  was  lord ;  5 

And  eche  man  scorned  him  for  )>at  word, 

And  eche  man  seide  he  was  wod  — 

f>at  proved  wel  he  coupe  no  good. 

For  he  wende  in  none  wise 

f>at  God  almijti  coupe  devise  10 

Him  to  bringe  to  lower  stat ; 

Wi)>  o  draujt l  he  was  chekmat. 

Wip  houndes  everich  nijt  he  lay, 

And  ofte  he  cried  welaway 

pat  he  ever  was  ybore,  15 

For  he  was  a  man  forlore. 

J>er  nas  in  court  grom  ne  page 

J>at  of  )>e  kyng  ne  made  rage,2 

For  no  man  ne  mijte  him  knowe : 

He  was  defigured  in  a  prowe.8  20 

So  lowe  er  fat  was  never  kyng ; 
Alias,  her  was  a  delf ul 4  J>ing  — 
J?at  him  6  scholde,  for  his  pride, 
Such  hap  among  his  men  bitide ! 

Hunger  and  Jmrst  he  hadde  grete,6  25 

For  he  ne  moste 7  no  mete  ete, 
Bote  houndes  eten  of  his  disch. 

The  story  continues  thus :  The  new  king  gave  Sicily  an  angelic  govern 
ment  for  more  than  three  years  —  almost  four,  it  would  seem.  At  length  — 
in  April  it  was  —  he  received  a  letter  from  Valmond,  inviting  him  to  Rome 
for  Maundy  Thursday.  Thither  the  king  went,  and  in  his  train  the  fool,  the 
latter  in  a  garment  decorated  with  fox-tails,  the  angel  in  white  samite  set  with 
pearls,  and  on  a  white  steed.  The  deposed  Robert  appeals  to  his  brothers  in 

1  move  *  doleful  7  might,  was  allowed 

2  sport  5  MS.  he 

3  trice  «  great 


TALES 

vain,  and  thereupon  thinks  of  Nebuchadnezzar  and  Holofernes,  and  how  their 
pride  was  brought  low.  With  this  he  pours  out  his  heart  in  prayer :  '  Lord,  on 
thy  fool  have  thou  pity ! '  At  the  end  of  five  weeks  the  king  returns  to  Sicily. 

f>e  angel  com  to  Cisyle, 

He  and  his  men,  in  a  while ; 

Whan  he  com  into  halle, 

J>e  fol  he  bad  for})  calle. 
5  He  seide  :  '  Fol,  artow  kyng  ? ' 

'  Nay,  sire,'  quaj>  he,  '  wijwute  lesyng.' * 

'  What  artow  ? '  seide  ]>e  angel. 

'  Sire,  a  fol,  fat  wot  I  wel, 

And  more  ]>an  fol,  jif  hit  may  be : 
jo  Kep2  I  non  oj>er  dignite.' 

J>e  angel  into  chaumbre  went ; 

After  J>e  fol  anon  he  sent ; 

He  bad  his  men  out  of  chaumbre  gon  ; 

J>er  lefte 8  no  mo  but  he  alon, 
15  And  J>e  fol  )>at  stod  him  bi. 

To  him  he  seide  :  '  J»ou  hast  merci. 

}?enk  ]>ou  were  lowe  pult,4 

And  al  was  for  ]>in  owne  gult : 

A  fol  Jx>u  were  to  hevene  Kyng, 
20  f»erfore  )>ou  art  an  underlyng. 

God  ha)>  forgive  ]>i  mysdede  ; 

Ever  herafter  ]> ou  him  drede  1 

I  am  an  angel  of  renoun, 

Sent  to  kepe  ]>'\  regioun. 
25  More  joye  me  schal  falle 

In  hevene  among  mi  feren 5  alle 

In  an  oure  of  a  day 

J>an  in  er)>e,  I  )>e  say, 

In  an  hundred  fousend  jer, 
3°  J>eij  al  fe  world  fer  and  ner 

» remained  «  companions 

4  placed 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  173 

Were  min  at  mi  likyng. 

I  am  an  angel,  ]>ou  art  kyng.' 

He  went  in  twynklyng  of  an  eje. 
No  more  of  him  fer  nas  seje.1 

CHAUCER,  CLERK'S  TALE:  THE  STORY  OF  GRISELDA 

See  the  general  references  on  Chaucer  at  the  close  of  the  introductory  note 
to  Sir  Thopas,  p.  108. 

Ther  is  at  the  west  syde  of  Itaille,  5 

Doun  at  the  rote  of  Vesulus 2  the  colde, 

A  lusty  playne,  habundant  of  vitaille, 

Wher  many  a  tour  and  toun  thou  mayst  biholde, 

That  founded  were  in  tyme  of  fadres  olde, 

And  many  another  delitable  sighte ;  10 

And  Saluces 3  this  noble  contree  highte. 

A  markis  whylom  lord  was  of  that  londe, 

As  were  his  worthy  eldres  him  bifore ; 

And  obeisant  and  redy  to  his  honde 

Were  alle  his  liges,4  bo  the  lasse  and  more.  15 

Thus  in  delyt  he  liveth,  and  hath  don  yore,5 

Biloved  and  drad,  thurgh  favour  of  fortune, 

Bothe  of  his  lordes  and  of  his  commune.6 

Therwith  he  was,  to  speke  as  of  linage, 

The  gentilleste  yborn  of  Lumbardye,  20 

A  fair  persone,  and  strong,  and  yong  of  age, 

And  ful  of  honour  and  of  curteisye ; 

Discreet  ynogh  his  contree  for  to  gye 7  — 

Save  in  somme  thinges  that  he  was  to  blame  — 

And  Walter  was  this  yonge  lordes  name.  25 

Lines  22-105  are  here  omitted.    Walter's  subjects  urge  him  to  marry,  and 
he  promises,  conditionally,  to  do  so.   The  next  selection  includes  lines  106-19. 

1  seen  *  vassals  V  guide,  rule 

2  Monte  Viso  6  for  a  long  time 

3  Saluzzo,  southwest  of  Turin  6  common  people,  commons 


174  TALES 

'  Lat  me  alone  in  chesinge  of  my  wyf, 
That  charge  upon  my  bak  I  wol  endure ; 
But  I  yow  preye,  and  charge  upon  your  lyf, 
That  what  wyf  that  I  take,  ye  me  assure 
5  To  worshipe  hir,  whyl  that  hir  lyf  may  dure, 

In  word  and  werk,  bothe  here  and  everywhere, 
As  she  an  emperoures  doghter  were. 

And  forthermore,  this  shal  ye  swere,  that  ye 
Agayn *  my  choys  shul  neither  grucche  2  ne  stryve ; 
10  For  sith  I  shal  forgoon  my  libertee 

At  your  requeste,  as  ever  moot  I  thryve, 
Ther  as  myn  herte  is  set,  ther  wol  I  wyve ; 
And  but  ye  wole  assente  in  swich  manere, 
I  prey  yow,  speketh  namore  of  this  matere.' 

Lines  120-40  are  here  omitted.  Walter  names  the  wedding-day,  and  orders 
the  wedding-feast.   The  next  selection  includes  lines  141-343. 

15  Noght  fer  fro  thilke  paleys  honurable, 

Ther  as  this  markis  shoop 8  his  mariage, 
Ther  stood  a  throp,4  of  site  delitable,5 
In  which  that  povre  folk  of  that  village 
Hadden  hir  bestes  and  hir  herbergage, 6 

20  And  of  hir  labour  took  hir  sustenance, 

After  that  th'erthe  yaf  hem  habundance. 

Amonges  thise  povre  folk  ther  dwelte  a  man 
Which  that  was  holden  povrest  of  hem  alle 
(But  hye  God  som  tyme  senden  can 
25  His  grace  into  a  litel  oxes  stalle)  ; 

Janicula  men  of  that  throp  him  calle. 

A  doghter  hadde  he,  fair  ynogh  to  sighte, 

And  Grisildis  this  yonge  mayden  highte. 

1  against  8  prepared  for,  planned  *  delightful 

2  murmur,  grumble  <  thorp,  small  village  *  lodging 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  1 75 

But  for  to  speke  of  vertuous  beautee, 

Than  was  she  oon  the  faireste  under  sonne ; 

For  povreliche  yfostred  up  was  she, 

No  likerous 1  lust  was  thurgh  hir  herte  yronne ; 

Wei  ofter  of  the  welle  than  of  the  tonne 2  5 

She  drank,  and,  for  she  wolde  vertu  plese, 

She  knew  wel  labour,  but  non  ydel  ese. 

But  thogh  this  mayde  tendre  were  of  age, 

Yet  in  the  brest  of  hir  virginitee 

Ther  was  enclosed  rype  and  sad  corage8;  10 

And  in  greet  reverence  and  charitee 

Hir  olde  povre  fader  fostred  she  ; 

A  fewe  sheep,  spinning,  on  feeld  she  kepte, 

She  wolde  noght  been  ydel  til  she  slepte. 

And  whan  she  hoomward  cam,  she  wolde  bringe  15 

Wortes 4  or  othere  herbes,  tymes  ofte, 

The  whiche  she  shredde  and  seeth 5  for  hir  livinge, 

And  made  hir  bed  ful  harde,  and  nothing  softe ; 

And  ay  she  kepte  hir  fadres  lyf  onlofte  6 

With  everich  obeisaunce  and  diligence  20 

That  child  may  doon  to  fadres  reverence. 

Upon  Grisilde,  this  povre  creature, 

Ful  ofte  sythe  this  markis  sette  his  ye, 

As  he  on  hunting  rood  paraventure 7 ; 

And  whan  it  fil  that  he  mighte  hir  espye,  25 

He  noght  with  wantoun  loking  of  folye 

His  yen  caste  on  hir,  but  in  sad  wyse 

Upon  hir  chere  8  he  wolde  him  ofte  avyse,9 

Commending  in  his  herte  hir  wommanhede, 

And  eek  hir  vertu,  passing  any  wight  30 

Of  so  yong  age,  as  wel  in  chere  as  dede. 

1  wanton  <  herbs  1  by  chance 

2  tun,  cask  5  boiled  8  face)  countenance 
8  serious  disposition                6  aloft  (kept  aloft  =  sustained)                9  take  thought 


176  TALES 

For  thogh  the  peple  have  no  greet  insight 
In  vertu,  he  considered  ful  right 
Hir  bountee,  and  disposed  1  that  he  wolde 
Wedde  hir  only,  if  ever  he  wedde  sholde. 

5  The  day  of  wedding  cam,  but  no  wight  can 

Telle  what  womman  that  it  sholde  be ; 
For  which  merveille  wondred  many  a  man, 
And  seyden,  whan  they  were  in  privetee : 
*  Wol  nat  our  lord  yet  leve  his  vanitee  ? 

10  Wol  he  nat  wedde  ?  alias,  alias  the  whyle  ! 

Why  wol  he  thus  himself  and  us  bigyle  ? ' 

But  natheles  this  markis  hath  don  make  2 
Of  gemmes,  set  in  gold  and  in  asure, 
Broches  and  ringes,  for  Grisildis  sake, 
15  And  of  hir  clothing  took  he  the  mesure 

By  a  mayde,  lyk  to  hir  [as  of 8]  stature, 
And  eek  of  othere  ornamentes  alle 
That  unto  swich  a  wedding  sholde  falle. 

The  tyme  of  undern 4  of  the  same  day 
20  Approcheth,  that  this  wedding  sholde  be ; 

And  al  the  paleys  put  was  in  array, 
Bothe  halle  and  chambres,  ech  in  his  degree ; 
Houses  of  office 6  stuffed  with  plentee, 
Ther  maystow  seen,  of  deyntevous  6  vitaille,7 
25  That  may  be  founde  as  fer  as  last8  Itaille. 

This  royal  markis,  richely  arrayed, 
Lordes  and  ladyes  in  his  companye, 
The  whiche  unto  the  feste  were  yprayed, 
And  of  his  retenue  the  bachelrye,9 
30  With  many  a  soun  of  sondry  melodye, 

1  planned  <  about  9  A.M.  1  food 

2  had  made  6  servants'  offices  8  farthest  (part  of) 

*  in  respect  to  •  dainty  9  company  of  young  men 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  1/7 

Unto  the  village,  of  the  which  I  tolde, 
In  this  array  the  righte  wey  han  holde. 

Grisilde  of  this,  God  woot,  ful  innocent 

That  for  hir  shapen  was  al  this  array, 

To  fecchen  water  at  a  welle  is  went,  5 

And  cometh  hoom  as  sone  as  ever  she  may ; 

For  wel  she  hadde  herd  seyd  that  thilke  day 

The  markis  sholde  wedde,  and,  if  she  mighte, 

She  wolde  fayn  han  seyn  som  of  that  sighte. 

She  thoghte  :  '  I  wol  with  othere  maydens  stonde  10 

That  been  my  felawes,  in  our  dore,  and  see 

The  markisesse,  and  therfor  wol  I  fonde  * 

To  doon  at  hoom,  as  sone  as  it  may  be, 

The  labour  which  that  longeth  unto  me ; 

And  than  I  may  at  leyser  hir  biholde,  1 5 

If  she  this  wey  unto  the  castel  holde.' 

And  as  she  wolde  over  hir  threshfold  goon, 

The  markis  cam  and  gan  hir  for  to  calle ; 

And  she  set  doun  hir  water-pot  anoon 

Bisyde  the  threshfold,  in  an  oxes  stalle,  20 

And  doun  upon  hir  knees  she  gan  to  falle, 

And  with  sad  contenance  kneleth  stille, 

Til  she  had  herd  what  was  the  lordes  wille. 

This  thoghtful  markis  spak  unto  this  mayde 

Ful  sobrely,  and  seyde  in  this  manere :  25 

'  Wher  is  your  fader,  Grisildis  ? '  he  sayde. 

And  she  with  reverence,  in  humble  chere, 

Answerde  :  '  Lord,  he  is  al  redy  here.' 

And  in  she  gooth  withouten  lenger  lette, 

And  to  the  markis  she  hir  fader  fette.  30 

1  try,  endeavor 


1 78  TALES 

He  by  the  bond  than  took  this  olde  man, 
And  seyde  thus,  whan  he  him  hadde  asyde : 
'  Janicula,  I  neither  may  ne  can 
Lenger  the  plesance  of  myn  herte  hyde ; 
5  If  that  thou  vouchesauf,  whatso  bityde, 

Thy  doghter  wol  I  take,  er  that  I  wende,1 
As  for  my  wyf,  unto  hir  lyves  ende. 

Thou  lovest  me,  I  woot  it  wel,  certeyn, 
And  art  my  feithful  lige  man  ybore ; 
10  And  al  that  lyketh2  me,  I  dar  wel  seyn 

It  lyketh  thee,  and  specially  therfore 
Tel  me  that  poynt  that  I  have  seyd  bifore  — 
If  that  thou  wolt  unto  that  purpos  drawe 
To  take  me  as  for  thy  sone-in-lawe  ? ' 

1 5  This  sodeyn  cas 8  this  man  astoned  so 

That  reed  he  wex,  abayst,4  and  al  quaking 
He  stood ;  unnethes  seyde  he  wordes  mo, 
But  only  thus :  '  Lord,'  quod  he,  '  my  willing 
Is  as  ye  wole,  ne  ayeines  your  lyking 

20  I  wol  nothing ;  ye  be  my  lord  so  dere ; 

Right  as  yow  lust  governeth 5  this  matere.' 

*  Yet  wol  I,'  quod  this  markis  softely, 
'  That  in  thy  chambre  I  and  thou  and  she 
Have  a  collacion,6  and  wostow  why  ? 
25  For  I  wol  axe  if  it  hir  wille  be 

To  be  my  wyf,  and  reule  hir  after  me ; 
And  al  this  shal  be  doon  in  thy  presence  — 
I  wol  noght  speke  out  of  thyn  audience.' 

And  in  the  chambre  whyl  they  were  aboute 
30  Hir  tretis,7  which  as  ye  shal  after  here, 

The  peple  cam  unto  the  hous  withoute, 

1  g°  4  abashed,  disconcerted  1  treaties,  agreements 

2  pleaseth  6  arrange  (imp.  plur.) 
8  happening  «  conference 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  1/9 

And  wondred  hem  in  how  honest l  manere 
And  tentifly 2  she  kepte  hir  fader  dere. 
But  outerly 8  Grisildis  wondre  mighte, 
For  never  erst  ne  saugh  she  swich  a  sighte. 

No  wonder  is  thogh  that  she  were  astoned  5 

To  seen  so  greet  a  gest  come  in  that  place ; 

She  never  was  to  swiche  gestes  woned,4 

For  which  she  loked  with  ful  pale  face. 

But  shortly  forth  this  tale  for  to  chace, 

Thise  arn  the  wordes  that  the  markis  sayde  10 

To  this  benigne  verray  feithful  mayde. 

'  Grisilde,'  he  seyde,  '  ye  shul  wel  understonde 

It  lyketh  to  your  fader  and  to  me 

That  I  yow  wedde,  and  eek  it  may  so  stonde, 

As  I  suppose  ye  wol  that  it  so  be.  15 

But  thise  demandes  axe  I  first,'  quod  he, 

'  That,  sith  it  shal  be  doon  in  hastif  wyse, 

Wol  ye  assente,  or  elles  yow  avyse 5  ? 

I  seye  this,  be  ye  redy  with  good  herte 

To  al  my  lust,  and  that  I  frely  may,  20 

As  me  best  thinketh,  do  yow 6  laughe  or  smerte, 

And  never  ye  to  grucche  it,  night  ne  day  ? 

And  eek  whan  I  sey  "  ye,"  ne 7  sey  nat  "  nay," 

Neither  by  word  ne  frowning  contenance  ; 

Swer  this,  and  here  I  swere  our  alliance.'  25 

Wondring  upon  this  word,  quaking  for  drede, 

She  seyde  :  '  Lord,  undigne 8  and  unworthy 

Am  I  to  thilke  honour  that  ye*  me  bede,9 

But  as  ye  wol  yourself,  right  so  wol  I ; 

And  heer  I  swere  that  never  willingly  30 

1  creditable,  decent  4  accustomed  7  So  MS.  read;  ye  (?) 

"  attentively,  carefully  5  consider  the  matter  (=  refuse)  8  undeserving 

8  utterly  *  cause  you  to  9  offer 


l8o  TALES 

In  werk  ne  thoght  I  nil  yow  disobeye, 

For  to  be l  deed,  though  me  were  looth  to  deye.' 

'  This  is  ynogh,  Grisilde  myn  ! '  quod  he. 
And  forth  he  gooth  with  a  ful  sobre  chere 
5  Out  at  the  dore,  and  after  that  cam  she, 

And  to  the  peple  he  seyde  in  this  manere : 
'  This  is  my  wyf,'  quod  he,  '  that  standeth  here. 
Honoureth  hir  and  loveth  hir,  I  preye, 
Whoso  me  loveth ;  ther  is  namore  to  seye.' 

10  And  for  that  nothing  of  hir  olde  gere 2 

She  sholde  bringe  into  his  hous,  he  bad 
That  wommen  sholde  dispoilen  hir  right  there ; 
Of  which  thise  ladyes  were  nat  right  glad 
To  handle  hir  clothes  wherin  she  was  clad. 

1 5  But  natheles  this  mayde,  bright  of  hewe, 

Fro  foot  to  heed  they  clothed  han  al  newe. 

Hir  heres  han  they  kembd,  that  lay  untressed 
Ful  rudely,  and  with  hir 8  fingres  smale 
A  corone  on  hir  heed  they  han  ydressed,4 
20  And  sette  hir  ful  of  nowches 5  grete  and  smale : 

Of  hir  array  what  sholde  I  make  a  tale  ? 
Unnethe  6  the  peple  hir  knew  for  hir  faimesse, 
Whan  she  translated  was  in  swich  richesse. 

This  markis  hath  hir  spoused  with  a  ring 
25  Broght  for  the  same  cause,  and  than  hir  sette 

Upon  an  hors,  snow-whyt  and  wel  ambling, 
And  to  his  paleys,  er  he  lenger  lette,7 
With  joyful  peple  that  hir  ladde  and  mette, 
Conveyed  hir,  and  thus  the  day  they  spende 
3°  In  revel,  til  the  sonne  gan  descende. 

1  even  if  I  were  to  be  *  placed,  arranged  '  delayed 

2  apparel  6  jewels 

8  their  6  scarcely,  with  difficulty 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  181 

And  shortly  forth  this  tale  for  to  chace, 

I  seye  that  to  this  newe  markisesse 

God  hath  swich  favour  sent  hir,  of  his  grace, 

That  it  ne  semed  nat  by  lyklinesse 

That  she  was  born  and  fed  in  rudenesse,  5 

As  in  a  cote  or  in  an  oxe-stalle, 

But  norished  in  an  emperoures  halle. 

Lines  344-441  are  here  omitted.  A  daughter  is  born  to  Griselda.  Soon 
after,  in  order  to  try  her  patience,  Walter  tells  her  that  his  subjects  grumble 
about  her  low  birth,  and  announces  that  the  child  must  be  taken  from  her. 
The  next  selection  embraces  lines  442-518. 

Whan  she  had  herd  al  this,  she  noght  ameved,1 

Neither  in  word,  or  chere,  or  countenaunce ; 

For,  as  it  semed,  she  was  nat  agreved.  10 

She  seyde  :  '  Lord,  al  lyth  in  your  plesaunce  ; 

My  child  and  I  with  hertly  obeisaunce 2 

Ben  youres  al,  and  ye  mowe  save  or  spille 8 

Your  owene  thing 4 ;  werketh  after  your  wille. 

Ther  may  nothing  —  God  so  my  soule  save  I  —  15 

Lyken  to  yow  that  may  displese  me ; 

Ne  I  desyre  nothing  for  to  have, 

Ne  drede  for  to  lese,  save  only  ye ; 

This  wil  is  in  myn  herte,  and  ay  shal  be. 

No  lengthe  of  tyme  or  deeth  may  this  deface,  20 

Ne  chaunge  my  corage5  to  another  place.' 

Glad  was  this  markis  of  hir  answering, 

But  yet  he  feyned  as  he  were  nat  so ; 

Al  drery  was  his  chere  and  his  loking, 

Whan  that  he  sholde  out  of  the  chambre  go.  25 

Sone  after  this,  a  furlong  wey  or  two, 

He  prively  hath  told  al  his  entente 

Unto  a  man,  and  to  his  wyf  him  sente. 

1  changed  8  destroy  5  mind,  disposition 

2  hearty  obedience  4  possession 


I 82  TALES 

A  maner l  sergeant z  was  this  privee  man, 
The  which  that  faithful  ofte  he  founden  hadde 
In  thinges  grete,  and  eek  swich  folk  vvel  can 8 
Don  execucioun  on  thinges  badde. 

5  The  lord  knew  wel  that  he  him  loved  and  dradde : 

And  whan  this  sergeant  wiste  his  lordes  wille, 
Into  the  chambre  he  stalked  him  ful  stille. 

'  Madame,'  he  seyde,  '  ye  mote  foryeve  it  me, 
Thogh  I  do  thing  to  which  I  am  constreyned ; 
10  Ye  ben  so  wys  that  ful  wel  knowe  ye 

That  lordes  hestes  mowe  nat  been  yfeyned  4 ; 
They  mowe  wel  ben  biwailled  or  compleyned, 
But  men  mot  nede  unto  her 5  lust  obeye, 
And  so  wol  I ;  ther  is  namore  to  seye. 

1 5  This  child  I  am  comanded  for  to  take  ' ; 

And  spak  namore,  but  out  the  child  he  hente  6 
Despitously,  and  gan  a  chere 7  make 
As  though  he  wolde  han  slayn  it  er  he  wente. 
Grisildis  mot  al  suffren  and  consente ; 

20  And  as  a  lamb  she  sitteth  meke  and  stille, 

And  leet  this  cruel  sergeant  doon  his  wille. 

Suspecious  was  the  diffame 8  of  this  man, 
Suspect  his  face,  suspect  his  word  also ; 
Suspect  the  tyme  in  which  he  this  bigan. 
25  Alias !  hir  doghter  that  she  lovede  so, 

She  wende  he  wolde  han  slawen  it  right  tho. 
But  natheless  she  neither  weep  ne  syked,9 
Consenting  hir  to  that  the  markis  lyked. 

But  atte  laste  speken  she  bigan, 

3°  And  mekely  she  to  the  sergeant  preyde, 

So  as  he  was  a  worthy  gentil  man, 

1  sort  of  *  evaded  7  behavior 

a  officer  6  their  8  m  report 

*  know  how  to  6  seized  9  sighed 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  183 

That  she  moste  l  kisse  hir  child  er  that  it  deyde ; 
And  in  her  barm  2  this  litel  child  she  leyde 
With  ful  sad  face,  and  gan  the  child  to  kisse, 
And  lulled  it,  and  after  gan  it  blisse.3 

And  thus  she  seyde  in  hir  benigne  voys :  5 

'  Farweel,  my  child  ;  I  shal  thee  never  see  ; 

But,  sith  I  thee  have  marked  with  the  croys, 

Of  thilke  Fader  blessed  mote  thou  be 

That  for  us  deyde  upon  a  croys  of  tree ! 

Thy  soule,  litel  child,  I  him  bitake,4  10 

For  this  night  shaltow  dyen  for  my  sake.' 

I  trowe  that  to  a  notice5  in  this  cas 

It  had  ben  hard  this  rewthe  for  to  se ; 

Wei  mighte  a  mooder  than  han  cryed  '  Alias  1 ' 

But  nathelees  so  sad  stedf ast  was  she,  1 5 

That  she  endured  all  adversitee, 

And  to  the  sergeant  mekely  she  sayde : 

'  Have  heer  agayn  your  litel  yonge  mayde. 

Goth  now,'  quod  she,  '  and  dooth  my  lordes  heste, 

But  o  thing  wol  I  preye  yow  of  your  grace,  20 

That,  but 6  my  lord  forbad  yow,  atte  leste 

Burieth  this  litel  body  in  som  place, 

That  bestes  ne  no  briddes  it  torace.7 ' 

But  he  no  word  wol  to  that  purpos  seye, 

But  took  the  child,  and  wente  upon  his  weye.  25 

Lines  519-756  are  here  omitted.  The  child  is  taken  in  safety  to  Boulogne 
to  Walter's  sister,  the  countess.  After  four  years  a  boy  is  born,  and,  to  try 
Griselda's  patience  yet  further,  this  child,  too,  is  taken  from  her,  and  similarly 
disposed  of.  As  a  last  test,  Walter  tells  her  that  she  herself  must  leave  (him, 
and  return  to  her  father's  cottage,  for  his  people  demand  that  he  take  a  high 
born  wife.  The  next  selection  embraces  lines  757-805. 

1  might  *  commit  7  tear  to  pieces 

2  lap  &  nurse 
8  bless  6  unless 


1 84  TALES 

And  she  answerde  agayn  in  pacience : 
'  My  lord,'  quod  she,  '  I  woot,  and  wiste  alway, 
How  that  bitwixen  your  magnificence 
And  my  poverte  no  wight  [ne]  can  ne  may 
5  Maken  comparison  ;  it  is  no  nay. 

I  heeld *  me  never  digne  in  no  manere 
To  be  your  wyf,  no,  ne  your  chamberere.2 

And  in  this  hous,  ther  ye  me  lady  made  — 
The  heighe  God  take  I  for  my  witnesse, 
10  And  also  wisly  he  my  soule  glade 8- 

I  never  heeld  me  ladyne  maistresse, 
But  humble  servant  to  your  worthinesse, 
And  ever  shal,  whyl  that  my  lyf  may  dure, 
Aboven  every  worldly  creature. 

15  That  ye  so  longe  of  your  benignitee 

Han  holden  me  in  honour  and  nobleye, 
Whereas  I  was  noght  worthy  for  to  be, 
That  thonke  I  God  and  yow,  to  whom  I  preye 
Foryelde  *  it  yow ;  there  is  namore  to  seye. 

20  Unto  my  fader  gladly  wol  I  wende, 

And  with  him  dwelle  unto  my  lyves  ende. 

Ther  I  was  fostred  of  a  child  ful  smal, 
Til  I  be  deed,  my  lyf  ther  wol  I  lede, 
A  widwe  clene,  in  body,  herte,  and  al. 
25  For  sith  I  yaf  to  yow  my  maydenhede, 

And  am  your  trewe  wyf,  it  is  no  drede, 
God  shilde 5  swich  a  lordes  wyf  to  take 
Another  man  to  housbonde  or  to  make. 

And  of  your  newe  wyf,  God  of  his  grace 
30  So  graunte  yow  wele  and  prosperitee ! 

For  I  wol  gladly  yelden  hir  my  place, 

1  MS.  ne  heeld  »  comfort  5  forbid 

2  chambermaid  *  to  requite 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE  185 

In  which  that  I  was  blisful  wont  to  be ; 
For  sith  it  lyketh  yow,  my  lord,'  quod  she, 
'  That  whylom  weren  al  myn  hertes  reste, 
That  I  shal  goon,  I  wol  gon  whan  yow  leste. 

But  ther  as  ye  me  profre  swich  dowaire  S 

As  I  first  broghte,  it  is  wel  in  my  minde 
It  were  my  wrecched  clothes,  nothing  faire, 
The  which  to  me  were  hard  now  for  to  finde. 

0  gode  God  !  how  gentil  and  how  kinde 

Ye  semed  by  your  speche  and  your  visage  I0 

The  day  that  maked  was  our  mariage  ! 

But  sooth  is  seyd,  algate l  I  finde  it  trewe  — 

For  in  effect  it  preved  is  on  me  — 

Love  is  noght  old  as  whan  that  it  is  newe. 

But  certes,  lord,  for  noon  adversitee,  15 

To  dyen  in  the  cas,2  it  shal  nat  be 

That  ever  in  word  or  werk  I  shal  repente 

That  I  yow  yaf  myn  herte  in  hool  entente.' 

Lines  806-994  are  here  omitted.  Griselda  returns  to  her  father's  home, 
with  but  a  single  garment,  and  Walter's  prospective  marriage  is  announced. 
Soon  he  summons  Griselda  to  prepare  his  house  for  the  bride's  coming,  and 
she  meekly  obeys.  When  the  bride  and  her  brother  appear,  Griselda  praises 
the  maiden's  beauty,  and  begs  Walter  to  deal  with  her  gently  and  kindly.  The 
next  selection  embraces  lines  995-1071. 

'  This  is  ynogh,  Grisilde  myn,'  quod  he, 

'  Be  now  namore  agast  ne  yvel  apayed 8 ;  20 

1  have  thy  feith  and  thy  benignitee, 
As  wel  as  ever  womman  was,  assayed, 
In  greet  estaat,  and  povreliche  arrayed. 

Now  knowe  I,  dere  wyf,  thy  stedfastnesse '  — 

And  hir  in  armes  took,  and  gan  hir  kesse.  25 

1  at  any  rate  2  though  death  were  the  result  3  ill  pleased 


I  86  TALES 

And  she  for  wonder  took  of  it  no  keep  l  ; 
She  herde  nat  what  thing  he  to  hir  seyde  ; 
She  ferde  2  as  she  had  stert  out  of  a  sleep, 
Til  she  out  of  hir  masednesse  abreyde.8 
5  '  Grisilde,'  quod  he,  '  by  God  that  for  us  deyde, 

Thou  art  my  wyf,  ne  noon  other  I  have, 
Ne  never  hadde,  as  God  my  soule  save  ! 

This  is  thy  doghter  which  thou  hast  supposed 
To  be  my  wyf  ;  that  other  feithfully 
10  Shal  be  myn  heir,  as  I  have  ay  purposed  ; 

Thou  bare  him  in  thy  body  trewely. 
At  Boloigne  have  I  kept  hem  4  prively  ; 
Tak  hem  agayn,  for  now  maystow  nat  seye 
That  thou  hast  lorn  non  of  thy  children  tweye. 

15  And  folk  that  otherweyes8  han  seyd  of  me, 

I  warne  hem  wel  that  I  have  doon  this  dede 
For  no  malice  ne  for  no  crueltee, 
But  for  t'  assaye  in  thee  thy  wommanhede, 
And  nat  to  sleen  my  children  —  God  f  orbede  !  — 

20  But  for  to  kepe  hem  prively  and  stille, 

Til  I  thy  purpos  knewe  and  al  thy  wille.' 

Whan  she  this  herde,  aswowne  doun  she  falleth 
For  pitous  joye,  and  after  hir  swowninge 
She  bothe  hir  yonge  children  unto  hir  calleth, 
25  And  in  hir  armes,  pitously  wepinge, 

Embraceth  hem,  and  tendrely  kissinge 

Ful  lyk  a  mooder,  with  hir  salte  teres 

She  batheth  bothe  hir  6  visage  and  hir  heres. 

O,  which  a  pitous  thing  it  was  to  see 
3°  Hir  swowning,  and  hir  humble  voys  to  here  ! 

'  Graunt  mercy,7  lord  1  that  thanke  I  yow,'  quod  she, 


4  them  t  best  thanks 

a  behaved  6  otherwise 

8  awoke  «  their 


CHAUCER,  THE  CLERK'S  TALE 


187 


'  That  ye  han  saved  me  my  children  dere ! 
Now  rekke  I  never  to  ben  deed  right  here ; 
Sith  I  stonde  in  your  love  and  in  your  grace, 
No  fors  of *  deeth,  ne  whan  my  spirit  pace ! 

O  tendre,  o  dere,  o  yonge  children  myne, 

Your  woful  mooder  wende 2  stedfastly 

That  cruel  houndes  or  som  foul  vermyne 

Hadde  eten  yow  ;  but  God,  of  his  mercy. 

And  your  benigne  fader  tendrely 

Hath  doon  yow  kept 8 ' ;  and  in  that  same  stounde 4 

Al  sodeynly  she  swapte 8  adoun  to  grounde. 

And  in  her  swough 6  so  sadly  holdeth  she 
Hir  children  two,  whan  she  gan  hem  t'  embrace, 
That  with  greet  sleighte 7  and  greet  difficultee 
The  children  from  hir  arm  they  gonne  arace.8 
O  many  a  teer  on  many  a  pitous  face 
Doun  ran,  of  hem  that  stoden  hir  bisyde ; 
Unnethe 9  abouten  hir  mighte  they  abyde. 

Walter  hir  gladeth,10  and  hir  sorwe  slaketh  u ; 
She  ryseth  up,  abaysed,12  from  hir  traunce, 
And  every  wight  hir  joye  and  feste  maketh, 
Til  she  hath  caught  agayn  hir  contenaunce. 
Walter  hir  dooth  so  feithfully  plesaunce 
That  it  was  deyntee 18  for  to  seen  the  chere 
Bitwixe  hem  two,  now  they  ben  met  yfere.14 

Thise  ladyes,  whan  that  they  hir  tyme  say,16 
Han  taken  hir,  and  into  chambre  goon, 
And  strepen  hir  out  of  hir  rude  array ; 


20 


1  no  matter  for 

2  believed 

8  caused  you  to  be  saved 
*  moment 
6  fell 


6  swoon 

7  dexterity 

8  tear  away 

9  scarcely 
10  cheers 


l!  assuages 
12  amazed 
is  delightful 

14  together 

15  saw 


1 88  TALES 

And  in  a  cloth  of  gold  that  brighte  shoon, 
With  a  coroune  of  many  a  riche  stoon 
Upon  hir  heed,  they  into  halle  hir  broghte, 
And  ther  she  was  honoured  as  hir  oghte. 

Thus  hath  this  pitous  day  a  blisful  ende, 
For  every  man  and  womman  dooth  his  might 
This  day  in  murthe  and  revel  to  dispende, 
Til  on  the  welkne x  shoon  the  sterres  light 
For  more  solempne  in  every  mannes  sight 
This  feste  was,  and  gretter  of  costage,2 
Than  was  the  revel  of  hir  mariage. 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  WOLF 

The  Fox  and  the'  Wolf  is  found  in  the  same  manuscript  as  Dame  Sirith,  and 
may  therefore  be  assigned  to  the  same  date.  It  is  a  humorous  beast-tale,  a 

ji^"-""^**^^** 

species  of  which  this  is  the  only  English  representative  before  the  time  of 
Chaucer.  A  version  is  to  be  found  in  Harris'  Uncle  Remus  Stories,  under  the 
title,  '  Old  Mr.  Rabbit,  he  's  a  Good  Fisherman.'  For  the  bibliography  of  the 
subject,  see  McKnight,  Middle  English  Humorous  Tales  in  Verse  (D.  C.  Heath 
&  Co.,  1913). 

Of  the  Roman  de  Renard,  to  which  our  poem  is  related,  Jusserand  says 
(i.  152) :  '  Superb  manuscripts  were  illustrated  for  the  libraries  of  the  nobles ; 
the  incidents  of  this  epic  were  represented  in  tapestry,  sculptured  on  church 
stalls,  painted  on  the  margins  of  English  missals.  At  the  Renaissance,  Caxton, 
with  his  Westminster  presses,  printed  a  Renard  in  prose.' 

The  dialect  is  Southern  —  vox  for  fox,  etc. ;  and  v  is  sometimes  represented 
by  w.  The  misplacement  of  h,  now  a  mark  of  Cockney  speech,  is  frequent. 

A  vox  gon  out  of  |>e  wode  go, 
Afingret 8  so  ]>at  him  wes  wo ; 
He  nes  nevere  in  none  wise 
Afingret  erour 4  half  so  swtye.6 
He  ne  hoeld 6  nou)>er  wey  ne  strete, 

1  welkin,  heaven  *  ahungered  6  much 

a  expense  *  before  «  held,  kept  to 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  WOLF 


189 


For  him  wes  lop  men  to  mete  ; 

Him  were  levere  meten  one  hen 

J>en  half  an  oundred  1  wimmen. 

He  strok 2  swipe 8  overal,4 

So  paP  he  ofsef6  ane  wal ; 

Wipinne  pe  walle  wes  on 7  hous. 

The  $ox  wes  pider 8  swipe  wous,9 

For  he  pouhte  10  his  hounger  aquenche,11 

Oper  mid  mete,  oper  mid  drenche.12 

Abouten  he  biheld  wel  gerne  18 ; 

J>o  erbjist 14  bigon  pe  vox  to  erne-i^-u^rv^w 

Al  fort 16  he  come  to  one  walle ; 

And  som  perof  wes  afalle, 

And  wes  pe  wal  overal  tobroke,17 

And  on'fcat.18  per  wes  iloke.19 

At  fe  furrrieste 20  bruche 21  j^at  he  fond, 

He  lep  in,  and  over  he  wond.22 

f>o  he  wes  inne,  smere28  he  lou,24    ^^^ 
And  |>erof  he  hadde  gome  K  inou  ; 
For  he  com  in  wtyouten  leve 
Bofen  of  haiward  26  and  of  reve.27 
On  hous  )>er  wes  —  pe  dore  wes  ope  — 
Hennen  weren  j>erinne  icrope  28  — 
Five,  fat  make]?  anne  flok  — 
And  mid  hem  sat  on  kok. 
J>e  kok  him  wes  flowen  on  hey, 
And  two  hennen  him  seten  ney. 

'  Wox,'  quod  pe  kok,  '  wat  dest  ]>ou  pare  ? 


1  a  hundred 

2  went,  passed  (OE.  strican) 

3  soon 

4  everywhere 

5  until 

6  observed 
7a 

»  (to  go)  thither 
9  ready  (OE./us) 
1°  thought;  MS.  j>ohute 


11  to  appease 

12  MS.  drunche 
is  eagerly 

14  then  first 
is  run 

16  until 

17  broken  to  pieces 
is  gate 

19  locked 
«>  first 


21  breach,  opening 

22  went,  wriggled  (OE.  windari) 
28  scornfully 

24  laughed 

25  sport 

26  hedge-ward    (one  who    pro 

tected  the  crops  within  en 
closed  fields) 

27  reeve  (farm-overseer) 

28  crept  (OE.  creopan) 


190  TALES 

Go  horn,  Crist  fe  jeve  kare ! 
Houre l  hennen  fou  dest  of  te  shome.2 ' 
'  Be  stille,  Ich  hote,8  a  Godes  nome ! ' 
Quaf  f  e  wox :  '  Sire  Chauntecler, 
J?ou  fle  adoun,  and  com  me  ner. 

I  nabbe  *  don  her  nout  bote  goed, 

, 
I  have  leten  fine  hennen  blod ; 

Hy  weren  seke  ounder  )>e  ribe, 

J>at  hy  ne  mijtte  non  lengour  libe 6 

Bote 6  here  heddre 7  were  itake 8 ; 

J>at  I  do  for  almes  sake. 

Ich  have  hem  letten  eddre 7  blod, 

And  |>e,  Chauntecler,  hit  wolde  don  goed. 

J>ou  havest  fat  ilke  ounder  fe  splen,9 
15  ]?ou  nestes10  nevere  daies  ten  ; 

For  fine  lif-dayes  bef  al  ago, 

Bote  fou  bi  mine  rede  n  do  ; 

I  do  fe  lete  blod  ounder  fe  brest, 

Ofer  sone  axe  after  fe  prest.' 
20  '  Go  wei,'  quod  \ e  kok,  '  wo  fe  bigo 12 1 

J?ou  havest  don  oure  kunne 18  wo. 

Go  mid  w  fan  fat  fou  havest  noufe 15 ; 

Accursed  be  fou  of  Godes  moufe ! 

For  were  I  adoun,  bi  Godes  nome, 
25  Ich  mijte  ben  siker  of  of  re  shome. 

Ac  weste 16  hit  houre  cellerer 17 

J?at  fou  were  icomen  her, 

He  wolde  sone  after  f e  jonge, 

Mid  pikes,  and  stones,  and  staves  stronge ; 
30  Alle  fine  bones  he  wolde  tobreke ; 

J>ene  we  weren  wel  awreke.18 ' 

1  our  1  vein  (OE.  Sdre)  l«  kind,  race 

2  shame,  dishonor  8  opened  (?)  M  with 
8  bid                                                9  spleen  15  now 

*  have  not  »  dost  build  a  nest  !•  if  (our  cellarer)  knew 
8  live                                              11  counsel  17  cellarer 

•  unless  12  take  possession  of  18  avenged 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  WOLF 


191 


1  the  fox 

2  became 

3  earlier,  before 

4  went  (OE.  code) 

5  MS.  sohute 

6  MS.  wiit 


He l  wes  stille,  ne  spak  namore, 
Ac  he  werp  2  apurst  wel  sore ; 
]>e  purst  him  dede  more  wo 
}?en  hevede  raper 3  his  hounger  do. 
Overal  tuPeoe 4  and  souhte ; 8 
On  aventure  his  witt 6  him  brouhte 7 
To  one  putte 8  —  wes  water  inne  — 
J?at  wes  imaked  mid  grete  ginne.9 
Tuo  boketes  ]> er  he  founde : 
J>at  oper 10  wende  to  pe  grounde, 
f>at  wen  u  me  shulde  pat  on  opwinde, 
J>at  oper  wolde  adoun  winde. 
He  ne  hounderstod  nout  of  pe  ginne  ; 
He  nom 12  pat  boket,  and  lep  perinne, 
For  he  hopede  inou  to  drinke. 
J>is  boket  beginnep  to  sinke ; 
To  late  ]>e  vox  wes  bipout,18      •  - 
J>o  he  wes  in  ]>e  ginne  ibrout. 
Inou  he  gon  him  btyenche, 
Ac  hit  ne  halp  mid  none  wrenche 14 ; 
Adoun  he  moste,  he  wes  J>erinne ; 
Ikaut  he  wes  mid  swikele 15  ginne. 
Hit  mijte  han  iben  wel  his  wille 
To  lete  J>at  boket  hongi  stille. 
Vat 16  mid  serewe 1T  and  mid  drede 
Al  his  Jmrst  him  overhedeJ^- •[** 
Al  pus  he  com  to  )>e  grounde, 
And  water  inou  per  he  founde. 
J>o  he  fond  water,  jerne  he  dronk ; 
Him  poute  pat  water  pere  stonk, 
For  hit  wes  tojeines  his  wille. 


2S 


7  MS.  brohute 

8  pit,  well 

9  clever  contrivance 

10  second 

11  when 

12  took 


13  had  bethought  himself 

14  trick 

15  deceiving 

16  what 
l?  sorrow 

18  passed  away  (OE.  afcreode) 


192  TALES 

^.fwtOr-*^*^ 

*  Wo  worpe,'  quap  pe  vox,  '  lust  and  wille, 
}>at  ne  can *  mep 2  to  his  mete ! 
<£)ef  ich  nevede  to  muchel  i-ete, 
j?is  like  shome  nedd 8  I  noupe, 

5  Nedde  lust  iben  of  mine  moupe. 

Him  is  wo  in  euche  londe, 
]?at  is  pef  mid  his  honde. 
Ich  am  ikaut  mid  swikele  ginne, 
O)>er  soum  devel  me  broute  herinne. 

10  I  was  woned4  to  ben  wiis, 

Ac  nou  of  me  idon  hit  hiis.6 ' 
J>e  vox  wep,  and  reiitiche 8  bigan. 
J>er  com  a  wolf  gon  after  fan 
Out  of  pe  depe  wode  blive,7 

i  $  For  he  wes  afingret  swipe. 

Noting  he  ne  founde  in  al  pe  nijte, 
Wermide 8  his  honger  aquenche  mijtte. 
He  com  to  pe  putte,  pene  vox  iherde ; 
He  him  kneu  wel  bi  his  rerde,9 

20  For  hit  wes  his  neijebore, 

And  his  gossip,  of 10  children  bore. 
Adoun  bi  }>e  putte  he  sat. 

Quod  pe  wolf :  '  Wat  may  ben  pat 
pat  Ich  in  pe  putte  ihere  ? 

25  Hertou  u  Cristine,  oper  mi  fere 12  ? 

Say  me  sop,  ne  gabbe 18  pou  me  nout, 
Wo 14  havep  pe  in  pe  putte  ibrout  ? ' 
J>e  vox  hine  ikneu  wel  for  his  kun, 
And  po  eroust  kom  wiit  to  him ; 

3°  For  he  poute  mid  soumme  ginne 

Himself  houpbringe,15  pene  wolf  perinne. 


1  knows  6  sadly  11  art  thou 

2  moderation  7  quickly  12  companion 
8  should  not  have  had  8  wherewith  18  jest,  lie 

*  accustomed,  wont  9  speech  14  who 

6  is  (and  now  it  is  all  up  with  me)  10  from  the  time  they  were  ^  to  bring  up 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  WOLF  193 

Quod  fe  vox :  '  Wo  is  nou  fere  ? 
Ich  wene  hit  is  iSigrim  fat  Ich  here.' 

'  f>at  is  so]>,'  fe  wolf  sede ; 
'  Ac  wat  art  ]>ou,  so  God  f  e  rede  ? ' 

'  A ! '  quod  f  e  vox,  '  Ich  wille  f  e  telle ;  5 

On  alpi1  word  Ich  lie  nelle.2 
Ich  am  Reneuard,  fi  frend, 
And  jif  Ich  pine  "come8  hevede  iwend,4 
Ich  hedde  so  ibe3e 5  for  ]> e, 
J>at  J>ou  sholdest  comen  to  me.'  10 

*  Mid  f  e  ? '  quod  ]>e  wolf.    '  War  to  ? 
Wat  shulde  Ich  ine  ]>e  putte  do  ? ' 

Quod  ]>e  vox  :  '  f>ou  art  ounwiis, 
Her  is  ]>e  blisse  of  paradiis ; 

Her  Ich  mai  evere  wel  fare,  15 

Wif  outen  pine,6  wifouten  kare ; 
Her  is  mete,  her  is  drinke, 
Her  is  blisse  wif outen  swinke 7 ; 
Her  nis  hounger  never  mo, 

Ne  non  of  er  kunnes 8  wo  ;  20 

Of  alle  gode  her  is  inou.' 

Mid  f  ilke  wordes  ]>e  wolf 9  lou. 
'Art  ]>ou  ded,  so  God  ]>e  rede, 
Of  er  of  f  e  worlde  ? '  ]>e  wolf  sede. 

Quod  ]>e  wolf  :  '  Wenne  storve 10  }>ou,  25 

And  wat  dest  )>ou  fere  nou  ? 
Ne  bef  nout  jet  }>re  daies  ago, 
J?at  fou  and  fi  wif  also, 
And  fine  children,  smale  and  grete, 
Alle  togedere  mid  me  hete.11 '  30 

'  f>at  is  sof ,'  quod  f e  vox, 
'  Gode  f  onk,  nou  hit  is  f  us, 
J>at  Ihc  am  to  Criste  vend 12 ; 

1  single  (OE.  dnttpig)  6  prayed  9  MS.  volf 

2  will  not  6  pain,  trouble  1"  diedst 
8  coming                                                      1  labor                                                   n  ate 

4  thought  of  8  of  no  other  kind  12  =  wend 


194 


TALES 


25 


3° 


Not l  hit  non  of  mine  frend. 
I  nolde,  for  al  pe  worldes  goed, 
Ben  ine  pe  worlde,  per  Ich  hem  fond ; 
Wat 2  shuld  Ich  ine  pe  worlde  go, 
J>er 8  nis  bote  kare  and  wo, 
And  livie  in  f ulpe  *  and  in  sunne  ? 
Ac  her  bep  joies  fele  cunne5 ; 
Her  bep  hope  shep  and  get.6 ' 

j?e  wolf  have)?  hounger  swipe  gret, 
For  he  nedde  jare 7  i-ete  ; 
And  ]>o  he  herde  speken  of  mete, 
He  wolde  blepeliche 8  ben  fare. 
'  A ! '  quod  pe  wolf,  '  gode  if  ere,9 
Moni  goed  mel  pou  havest  me  binome 10 ; 
Let  me  adoun  to  pe  kome, 
And  al  Ich  wole  pe  forjeve.' 

'  ^e,'  quod  pe  vox,  '  were  pou  isrive,11 
And  sunnen  hevedest  al  forsake, 
And  to  klene  lif  itake, 
Ich  wolde  so  bidde  for  pe 
Ipat  ]>ou  sholdest  comen  to  me.' 

'  To  worn  shuld  Ich,'  fe  wolfe  seide, 
Ben  iknowe  of 12  mine  misdede  ? 
Her  nis  noting  alive 
J>at  me  kouj'e  her  nou  srive. 
}?ou  havest  ben  ofte  min  ifere, 
Woltou  nou  mi  srif t 18  ihere, 
And  al  mi  liif  I  shal  ]>e  telle  ? ' 

'  Nay,'  quod  }>e  vox,  '  I  nelle.' 

'  Neltou 14  ? '  quod  )>e  wolf ;  '  pin  ore 16 1 
Ich  am  afingret  swipe  sore ; 
Ich  wot  to-nijt  ich  worpe  ded 


1  knows  not  6  goats 

2  why  (what)  "  for  a  long  time 
8  where  8  gladly 

4  filth,  foulness  9  friend,  companion  (OTL.ge/era) 

6  many  kinds  10  taken  away  from 


11  shriven 

12  confess 

13  shrift,  confession 

14  wilt  thou  not 

is  (grant)  thy  grace,  favor  (OE.  3r) 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  WOLF 


195 


Bote  }>ou  do  me  somne  reed. 
For  Cristes  love,  be  mi  prest.' 

f>e  wolf  bey  l  adoun  his  brest, 
And  gon  to  siken  2  harde  and  stronge. 

1  Woltou,'  quod  J>e  vox,  '  srift  ounderfonge,8 
Tel  fine  sunnen  on  and  on,4 
]?at  fer  bneve  6  never  on.' 

'  Sone,'  quod  f  e  wolf,  '  wel  ifaie  6  ; 
Ich  habbe  ben  qued  7  al  mi  lifdaie  ; 
Ich  habbe  widewene  8  kors,9 
f>erfore  ich  fare  f  e  wors. 
A  fousent  shep  ich  habbe  abiten, 
And  mo,  jef  hy  weren  iwriten, 
Ac  hit  me  offinkef  10  sore. 
Maister,  shal  I  tellen  more  ?  ' 

'  ^e/  quod  f  e  vox,  '  al  fou  most  sugge,11 
Ofer  elleswer  ]>ou  most  abugge.12  ' 

1  Gossip,'  quod  ]>e  wolf,  '  forjef  hit  me, 
Ich  habbe  ofte  sehid  qued  bi  13  J>e. 
Men  seide  fat  }>ou  on  fine  live 
Misferdest  u  mid  mine  wive  ; 
Ich  ]>e  aperseivede  one  stounde, 
And  in  bedde  togedere  ou  15  founde  ; 
Icli  wes  ofte  ou  ful  ney, 
And  in  bedde  togedere  ou  sey.16 
Ich  wende,  also  opre  dop, 
^Ur  J>at  17  Ich  iseie  were  soj>, 

And  \>  erfore  fou  were  me  lof  ; 

Gode  gossip,  ne  be  fou  nouht  18  wrof.' 

'  Wolf,'  quod  fe  vox  him  ]>o, 
'Al  J?at  J>ou  havest  her  bifore  ido, 


15 


20 


25 


30 


1  bowed 

2  groan 

8  receive 

4  one  by  one 

6  remain 

6  gladly,  fain  ;  MS.  I  fare 


7  evil 

8  of  widows 

9  curse 

1°  repents  (it  repents  me  =  I  repent) 

H  say 

12  make  atonement 


18  said  evil  of 

u  went  astray,  sinned 

is  you 

16  saw  ;  MS.  ley 

l"  what 

18  MS.  nohut 


196  TALES 

In  fouht,1  in  speche,  and  in  dede, 

In  euche  oferes  kunnes 2  quede, 

Ich  )>e  forjeve  at  J>isse  nede.' 

'  Crist  \>e  forjelde  I '  )>e  wolf  seide. 
5  '  Nou  Ich  am  in  clene  live, 

Ne  recche  Ich  of  childe  ne  of  wive. 

Ac  sei  me  wat  I  shal  do, 

And  ou8  Ich  may  comen  J>e  to.' 

'  Do  ? '  quod  ]>e  vox.    '  Ich  wille  ]>e  lere.4 
10  Isiist  fou  a  boket  hongi  fere  ? 

J>ere  is  a  bruche  of  hevene  blisse.6 

Lep  ferinne,  mid  iwisse, 

And  }>ou  shalt  comen  to  me  sone.' 

Quod  the  wolf,  '  J>at  is  lijt  to  done.' 
15  He  lep  in,  and  way 6  sumdel 7  — 

J>at  weste s  fe  vox  ful  wel. 

J>e  wolf  gon  sinke,  ]>e  vox  arise ; 

J>o  gon  )>e  wolf  sore  agrise.9 

J>o  he  com  amidde  ]>e  putte, 

20  J'e  wolfe  ]>ene  vox  opward 10  mette. 

'  Gossip,'  quod  ]>e  wolf,  '  wat  nou  ? 

Wat  havest  fou  imunt u  ?  weder  wolt  pou  ? ' 
'  Weder  Ich  wille  ? '  ]>e  vox  sede. 

'  Ich  wille  oup,  so  God  me  rede  1 
25  And  nou  go  doun  wi)>  ]>i  meel,12 

J>i  bijete 13  wor)>  wel  smal ; 

Ac  Ich  am  )>erof  glad  and  blife, 

J>at  }>ou  art  nomen 14  in  dene  live. 

J>i  soule-cnul 15  Ich  wille  do  ringe, 
30  And  masse  for  fine  soule  singe.' 

J>e  wrecche  binefe  nofing  ne  vind 

Bote  cold  water,  and  hounger  him  bind ; 

1  MS.  )>ohut  6  weighed  n  meant,  intended 

2  of  every  other  kind  7  somewhat  12  toward  thy  meal 
8  how                                                                       8  knew                          18  getting,  spoil 

*  teach  9  to  be  alarmed  14  taken 

5  opening  into  (chance  at)  heaven's  joy  10  on  his  way  up  ls  soul-knell 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  WOLF  197 

To  colde  gistninge l  he  wes  ibede 2 ; 

Vroggen 8  havef  his  dou  iknede.4 

J>e  wolf  in  fe  putte  stod, 

Afingret  so  fat  he  ves  wod.6 

Inou  he  cursede  fat  f  ider  him  broute ;  5 

]?e  vox  ferof  luitel  route.6 

J>e  put  him  wes  }>e  house  ney, 
f>er  freren  woneden  swipe  sley.7 
J>o  fat  hit  com  to  fe  time 

\>ai  hoe  shulden  arisen  ine.  10 

j^  t^-i 

For  to  suggen  here  hdussong,8 

O  frere  fere  wes  among, 

Of  here  slep  hem  shulde  awecche, 

Wen  hoe 9  shulden  f  idere  recche.10 

He  seide:  'Arisef  on  and  on,  15 

And  komef  to  houssong  hevereuch  on.' 

f>is  ilke  frere  heyte  u  Ailmer  ; 

He  wes  hoere  maister  curtiler.12 

He  wes  hof \> urst  swife  stronge ; 

Rijt  amidward  here  houssonge,  20 

Alhone 18  to  f  e  putte  he  hede,14 

For  he  wende  bete 15  his  nede. 

He  com  to  fe  putte,  and  drou, 

And  fe  wolf  wes  hevi  inou. 

J>e  frere  mid  al  his  maine 16  tey 17  25 

So  longe  fat 18  he  f ene  wolf  isey  1 

For  he  sei  f  ene  wolf  f  er  sitte, 

He  gradde 19 :  '  J?e  devel  is  in  f  e  putte  1 ' 

To  f  e  putte  hy  gounnen  gon, 

Alle  mid  pikes,  and  staves,  and  ston,  30 

Euch  mon  mid  fat  he  hedde ; 

1  feast  8  matins  (OE.  iihtsong)          16  remedy,  satisfy 

2  invited  9  they  16  strength    (OE.    nuegen  •    cf. 
8  frogs ;  MS.  wroggen          1°  go  modern  '  might  and  main  ') 

4  dough  kneaded  n  was  named  17  pulled,  tugged 

5  mad,  crazed  12  gardener  18  until 

6  recked  18  alone  19  cried  out 

7  shrewd  M  went 


198 


TALES 


10 


Wo  wes  him  J>at  wepne  nedde.1 

Hy  comen  to  ]>e  putte,  )>ene  wolf  opdrowe 2 ; 

J>o  hede  J>e  wreche  fomen  inowe, 

J»at  weren  egre  him  to  slete 8 

Mid  grete  houndes,  and  to  bete. 

Wei  and  wrofe  he  wes  iswonge 4 ; 

Mid  staves  and  speres  he  wes  istounge.6 

J»e  wox  bicharde 6  him,  mid  iwisse, 

For  he  ne  fond  nones  kunnes  blisse, 

Ne  hof 7  duntes 8  f or jevenesse. 


CHAUCER,  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE:   THE  COCK 
AND  THE  FOX 

See  the  general  references  on  Chaucer  at  the  close  of  the  introductory 
note  to  Sir  Tkopas,  p.  108. 

A  povre  widwe,  somdel  stape 9  in  age, 
Was  whylom 10  dwelling  in  a  narwe  cotage, 
Bisyde  a  grove,  stonding  in  a  dale. 
This  widwe,  of  which  I  telle  yow  my  tale, 
Sin  thilke  day  that  she  was  last  a  wyf, 
In  pacience  ladde  a  ful  simple  lyf, 
For  litel  was  hir  catel n  and  hir  rente 12 ; 
By  housbondrye 18  of  such  as  God  hir  sente, 
She  found  "  hirself ,  and  eek  hir  doghtren  two. 
Three  large  sowes  hadde  she,  and  na  mo,15 
Three  kyn,16  and  eek  a  sheep  that  highte  Malle. 
Ful  sooty  was  hir  bour,17  and  eek  hir  halle, 
In  which  she  eet  ful  many  a  sclendre  meel. 
Of  poynaunt  sauce  hir  neded 18  never  a  deel 19 ; 


1  had  not 

2  drew  up 
8  tear 

4  beaten 

5  pierced 

6  deceived 
1  of 


8  blows 
»  advanced 

10  once  on  a  time 

11  property 

12  income 
18  economy 
14  supported 


16  no  more 
w  cows 

17  inner  room,  bedchamber 

18  was  necessary  for  her 

19  not  a  bit 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE  199 

No  deyntee  morsel  passed  thurgh  hir  throte ; 

Hir  dyete  was  accordant l  to  hir  cote  2  — 

Repleccioun  ne  made  hir  never  syk ; 

Attempree 3  dyete  was  al  hir  phisyk, 

And  exercyse,  and  hertes  suffisaunce.4  5 

The  goute  lette &  hir  nothing 6  for  to  daunce, 

N'  apoplexye  s'rfente 7  nat  hir  heed  ; 

No  wyn  ne  drank  she,  neither  whyt  ne  reed ; 

Hir  bora 8  was  served  most  with  whyt  and  blak, 

Milk  and  broun  breed,  in  which  she  fond  no  lak,  10 

Seynd g  bacoun,  and  somtyme  an  ey  10  or  tweye, 

For  she  was  as  it  were  a  rhaner  n  cleye.12  aju^^r^o^- 

A  yerd  she  hadde,  enclosed  al  aboute 
With  stikkes,  and  a  drye  dich  withoute, 

In  which  she  hadde  a  cok,  hight 18  Chauntecleer.  15 

In  al  the  land  of  crowing  nas  14  his  peer ; 
His  vois  was  merier  than  the  mery  orgon 
On  messe-dayes  that  in  the  chirche  gon ; 
Wei  sikerer 15  was  his  crowing  in  his  logge 16 
Than  is  a  clokke,  or  an  abbey  -orlogge.17  20 

By  nature  knew  he  ech  ascencioun 
Of  equinoxial 18  in  thilke  toun  ; 
For  whan  degrees  fiftene  were  ascended,19 
Thanne  crew  he,  that  it  mighte  nat  ben  amended. 
His  comb  was  redder  than  the  fyn  coral,  25 

And  batailed,20  as  it  were  a  castel-wal ; 
l^i-  _Hjs  bile 21  was  blak,  and  as  the  jeet 22  it  shoon ; 
Lyk  asur  were  his  legges  and  his  tbwi 23 ; 

1  in  consonance  with  8  table  16  lodge 

2  gown  9  singed,  broiled  V  clock 

3  moderate,  temperate  10  egg  r          lg  the  equinoctial  circle 

4  a  contented  heart  (heart's  n  kind  of  19  when  one  hour  was  past 

satisfaction)  12  dairywoman  20  indented  like  a  battlement 

5  prevented  is  called  21  bill 

6  not  at  all  14  there  was  not  22  jet 

1  injured  15  more  trustworthy          2»  toes 

17.  orgen :  used  here,  as  customarily  at  that  time,  in  the  plural. 


200  TALES 

His  nayles  whytter  than  the  lilie-flour, 
And  lyk  the  burned 1  gold  was  his  colour. 
This  gentil  cok  hadde  in  his  governaunce 
Sevene  hennes,  for  to  doon  al  his  plesaunce, 

5  Whiche  were  his  sustres  and  his  paramours, 

And  wonder  lyk  to  him,  as  of 2  colours ; 
Of  whiche  the  faireste  hewed  on  hir  throte 
Was  cleped  faire  Damoysele  Pertelote. 
Curteys  she  was,  discreet,  and  debonaire,8 

10  And  compaignable,4  and  bar  hirself  so  faire, 

Sin  thilke  day  that  she  was  seven  night  old, 
That  trewely  she  hath  the  herte  in  hold 5 
Of  Chauntecleer,  loken  in  every  lith 6 ; 
He  loved  hir  so,  that  wel  was  him  therwith. 

15  But  such  a  joye  was  it  to  here  hem  singe, 

Whan  that  the  brighte  sonne  gan  to  springe, 
In  swete  accord,  '  My  lief  is  faren  in  londe.' 
For  thilke  tyme,  as  I  have  understonde, 
Bestes  and  briddes  coude  speke  and  singe. 

20  And  so  bifel  that,  in  a  daweninge,7 

As  Chauntecleer  among  his  wyves  alle 
Sat  on  his  perche,  that  was  in  the  halle, 
And  next  him  sat  this  faire  Pertelote, 
This  Chauntecleer  gan  gronen  in  his  throte, 

25  As  man  that  in  his  dreem  is  drecched 8  sore. 

And  whan  that  Pertelote  thus  herde  him  rore 
She  was  agast,  and  seyde :  '  O  herte  dere, 
What  eyleth  yow,  to  grone  in  this  manere  ? 
Ye  been  a  verray  sleper,  fy  I  for  shame ! ' 

30  And  he  answerde  and  seyde  thus :  '  Madame, 

I  pray  yow  that  ye  take  it  nat  agrief 9 ; 

1  burnished  *  companionable  7  dawn 

2  as  regards  6  in  her  possession  8  troubled 
8  well-mannered                       6  locked  in  every  limb                        9  amiss 

17.  My  .  .  .  londe :  this  is  the  first  line  of  an  old  song,  printed  by  Skeat  in 
the  Athenceum  for  October  24,  1896. 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE          201 

,. 

By  God,  me  mette *  I  was  in  swich  meschief 
Right  now,  that  yet  myn  herte  is  sore  af right. 
Now  God,'  quod  he,  '  my  swevene2  recche3  aright, 
And  keep  my  body  out  of  foul  prisoun  1 
Me  mette  how  that  I  romed  up  and  doun  5 

Withinne  our  yerde,  wheras 4  I  saugh  a  beste, 
Was  lyk  an  hound,  and  wolde  han  maad  areste8 
Upon  my  body,  and  wolde  han  had  me  deed. 
His  colour  was  bitwixe  yelwe  and  reed ; 

And  tipped  was  his  tail,  and  bothe  his  eres,  10 

With  blak,  unlyk  the  remenant  of  his  heres , 
His  snowte  smal,  with  glowinge  eyen  tweye. 
Yet  of  his  look  for  fere  almost  I  deye  ; 
This  caused  me  my  groning,  doutelees.' 

i*^  '  Avoy 6 ! '  quod  she,  '  fy  on'yow,  hertelees !  15 

Alias ! '  quod  she,  '  for,  by  that  God  above, 
Now  han  ye  lost  myn  herte  and  al  my  love ; 
I  can  nat  love  a  coward,  by  my  feith  I 
For  certes,  what  so  any  womman  seith, 

We  alle  desyren,  if  it  mighte  be,  20 

To  han  housbondes  hardy,  wyse,  and  free,7 
And  secree,8  and  no  nigard,  ne  no  fool, 
Ne  him  that  is  agast  of  every  tool,9 
Ne  noon  avauntour,10  by  that  God  above  ! 
How  dorste  ye  seyn  for  shame  —  unto  your  love  —  25 

That  any  thing  mighte  make  yow  aferd  ? 
Have  ye  no  mannes  herte,  and  han  a  berd  ? 
Alias  !  and  conne  ye  been  agast  of  swevenis  ? 
Nothing,  God  wot,  but  vanitee  in  sweven  is  : 
Swevenes  engendren  of11  replecciouns,12  30 

And  ofte  of  fume,13  and  of  complecciouns,14 

1  I  dreamed  G  fie  (OF.  avoi)  12  surfeits 

2  dream  7  generous  is  noxious  vapor  rising  from 
8  bring  to  a  good  issue  (lit.          8  trustworthy  stomach  to  brain 

interpret)  9  instrument,  weapon  *4  the    combination    of   the 

4  where  1°  boaster  four  humors  of  the  body 

5  arrest  u  are  produced  by  in  certain  proportions 


202  TALES 

Whan  humours  been  to  habundant  in  a  wight. 

Certes  this  dreem,  which  ye  han  met 1  to-night, . 

Cometh  of  the  grete  superfluitee 

Of  youre  rede  colera?  pardee, 
5  Which  causeth  folk  to  dreden  in  here  dremes 

Of  arwes,8  and  of  fyr  with  rede  lemes,4 

Of  grete  bestes,  that  they  wol  hem  byte, 

Of  contek,5  and  of  whelpes  6  grete  and  lyte 7 ; 

Right  as  the  humour  of  malencolye 
10  Causeth  ful  many  a  man,  in  sleep,  to  crye, 

For  fere  of  blake  beres,  or  boles 8  blake, 

Or  elles  blake  develes  wole  hem  take. 

Of  othere  humours  coude  I  telle  also, 

That  werken  many  a  man  in  sleep  ful  wo ; 
15  But  I  wol  passe  asMightly  as  I  can. 

Lo  Catoun,9  which  that  was  so  wys  a  man, 

Seyde  he  nat  thus,  Ne  do  no  fors  of 10  dremes  ? 

Now,  sire,'  quod  she,  '  whan  we  flee  fro  the  bemes, 

For  Goddes  love,  as  tak  u  som  laxatyf ; 
20  Up 12  peril  of  my  soule  and  of  my  lyf , 

I  counseille  yow  the  beste  —  I  wol  nat  lye  — 

That  bothe  of  colere  and  of  malencolye 

Ye  purge  yow ;  and,  for 18  ye  shul  nat  tarie, 

Though  in  this  toun  is  noon  apotecarie, 
25  I  shal  myself  to  herbes  te'chen14  yow, 

That  shul  ben  for  your  hele 15  and  for  your  prow 16 ; 

And  in  our  yerd  tho  herbes  shal  I  finde, 

The  whiche  han  of  hir  propretee,  by  kinde,"  /-^ 

To  purgen  yow  binethe,  and  eek  above. 
30  Forget  not  this,  for  Goddes  owene  love ! 

Ye  been  ful  colerik  of  compleccioun ; 

1  dreamed  1  small  12  on 

2  one  of  the  four  so-called  humors  8  bulls  13  in  order  that 
8  arrows                                                         9  Dionysii  Catonis  Disticha          14  direct 

4  flames  de  Moribus  ad  Filitim  15  healing 

5  strife,  contest  1°  pay  no  heed  to  16  profit 
'  dogs                                                         11  pray  take  l7  nature 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE          203 

Ware 1  the  sonne  in  his  ascencioun 

Ne  fynde  yow  nat  repleet  of  humours  hote ; 

And  if  it  do,  I  dar  wel  leye  a  grote,2 

That  ye  shul  have  a  f evere  terciane 8 

Or  an  agu,  that  may  be  youre  bane.  5 

A  day  or  two  ye  shul  have  digestyves 

Of  wormes,  er  ye  take  your  laxatyves, 

Of  lauriol,4  centaure,5  and  fumetere,6 

Or  elles  of  ellebor 7  that  groweth  there, 

Of  catapuce s  or  of  gaytres  beryis,9  10 

Of  erbe  yve,10  growing  in  our  yerd,  ther  mery  is ; 

Pekke  hem  up  right  as  they  growe,  and  etc  hem  in. 

Be  mery,  housbond,  for  your  fader  n  kin  ! 

Dredeth  no  dreem ;  I  can  say  yow  namore.' 

'  Madame,'  quod  he,  '  grlulnt  mercy 12  of  your  lore  1  15 

But  nathelees,  as  touching  daun  13  Catoun, 
That  hath  of  wisdom  such  a  greet  renoun, 
Though  that  he  bad  no  dremes  for  to  drede, 
By  God,  men  may  in  olde  bokes  rede 

Of  many  a  man,  more  of  auctoritee  20 

Than  ever  Catoun  was,  so  mote  I  thee,14 
That  al  the  reivers 15  seyn  of  his  sentence,18   *f? 
And  han  wel  founden  by  experience 
That  dremes  ben  significaciouns 

As  wel  of  joye  as  tribulaciouns  25 

That  folk  enduren  in  this  lyf  present. 
Ther  nedeth  make  of  this  noon  argument ; 
The  verray  preve  "  sheweth  it  in  dede. 
Oon  of  the  gretteste  auctours 18  that  men  rede 
Seith  thus,  that  whylom  two  felawes  wente  30 

On  pilgrimage,  in  a  ful  good  entente ; 

1  beware  lest  8  lesser  spurge  (caper  spurge)  18  lord,  sir  (Lat.  dominus) 

2  groat  9  dogwood     berries     (some-  14  so  may  I  prosper 

3  tertian  times     those     of    other  ls  opposite 

4  spurge-laurel  similar   shrubs)  16  opinion 

5  centaury  10  herb  ivy  (ground  pine  ?)  17  proof 

6  fumitory  U  father's  18  Cicero,  in  his  De 

7  hellebore  l2  great  thanks  (gramercy)                          tione 


204  TALES 

And  happed  so,  thay  come  into  a  toun 

Wheras  ther  was  swich  congregacioun l 

Of  peple,  and 2  eek  so  streit 8  of  herbergage,4 

That  they  ne  founde  as  muche  as  o 6  cotage 
5  In  which  they  bothe  mighte  ylogged  *  be. 

Wherfor  thay  mosten,  of  necessitee, 

As  for  that  night,  departen 7  compaignye ; 

And  ech  of  hem  goth  to  his  hostelrye, 

And  took  his  logging  as  it  wolde  falle.8 
10  That  oon  of  hem  was  logged  in  a  stalle, 

Fer  in  a  yerd,  with  oxen  of  the  plough ; 

That  other  man  was  logged  wel  ynough, 

As  was  his  aventure,9  or  his  fortune, 

That  us  governeth  alle  as  in  commune.10 
15  And  so  bifel  that,  longe  er  it  were  day, 

This  man  mette  in  his  bed,  ther  as  n  he  lay, 

How  that  his  felawe  gan  upon  him  calle, 

And  seyde :  "  Alias !  for  in  an  oxes  stalle 

This  night  I  shal  be  mordred  ther  I  lye. 
20  Now  help  me,  dere  brother,  er  I  dye ; 

In  alle  haste  com  to  me,"  he  sayde. 

This  man  out  of  his  sleep  for  fere  abrayde 12 ; 

But  whan  that  he  was  wakned  of  his  sleep, 

He  turned  him,  and  took  of  this  no  keep 18 ; 
25  Him  thoughte  14  his  dreem  nas  but  a  vanitee.16 

Thus  twye's  in  his  sleping  dremed  he ; 

And  atte  thridde  tyme  yet  his  felawe 

Cam,  as  him  thoughte,  and  seide  :  "  I  am  now  slawe 16 ; 

Bihold  my  blody  woundes,  depe  and  wyde ! 
3°  Arys  up  erly  in  the  morwe-tyde,17 

And  at  the  west  gate  of  the  toun,"  quod  he, 

1  concourse,  gathering  7  part  M  notice,  heed 

2  supply  which  was  8  happen  M  it  seemed  to  him  that 
» scanty                                                   9  chance  i«  delusion 

4  lodgings  10  general  is  slain 

6  °ne  11  where  "  morning 

8  lodged  12  started  up 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE         205 

"  A  carte  ful  of  dong :  ther  shaltow  see, 

In  which  my  body  is  hid  fifi  prively ; 

Do 2  thilke  carte  aresten  3  boldely. 

My  gold  caused  my  mordre,  sooth  to  sayn ; " 

And  tolde  him  every  poynt  how  he  was  slayn,  5 

With  a  ful  pitous  face,  pale  of  hewe. 

And  truste  wel,  his  dreem  he  fond  ful  trewe ; 

For  on  the  morwe,  as  sone  as  it  was  day, 

To  his  felawes  in  4  he  took  the  way ; 

And  whan  that  he  cam  to  this  oxes  stalle,  10 

After  his  felawe  he  bigan  to  calle. 

The  hostiler5  answerde  him  anon, 

And  seyde  :   "  Sire,  your  felawe  is  agon ; 

As  sone  as  day  he  wente  out  of  the  toun." 

This  man  gan  fallen  in  suspecioun,  1 5 

Remembring  on  his  dremes  that  he  mette, 

And  forth  he  goth,  no  lenger  wolde  he  lette,6 

Unto  the  west  gate  of  the  toun,  and  fond 

A  dong-carte,  as  it  were  to  donge 7  lond, 

That  was  arrayed  in  the  same  wyse  20 

As  ye  han  herd  the  dede  man  devyse 8 ; 

And  with  an  hardy  herte  he  gan  to  crye 

Vengeaunce  and  justice  of 9  this  felonye : 

"  My  felawe  mordred  is  this  same  night, 

And  in  this  carte  he  lyth10  gapinge  upright11  25 

I  crye  out  on  the  ministres,"  quod  he, 

"  That  sholden  kepe 12  and  reulen  13  this  citee  ; 

Harrow 14  !  alias  !  her  lyth  my  felawe  slayn  !  " 

What  sholde  I  more  unto  this  tale  sayn  ? 

The  peple  outsterte,15  and  caste  the  cart  to  grounde,  30 

And  in  the  middel  of  the  dong  they  founde 


1  dung  6  delay  n  on  his  back 

2  cause  7  cover  with  manure  12  watch  over 
8  to  be  stopped  8  relate  l8  rule 

4  inn  9  for  14  a  cry  of  distress 

6  innkeeper  10  lieth  15  started  out 


206  TALES 

The  dede  man,  that  mordred  was  al  newe.1 

O  blisful  God,  that  art  so  just  and  trewe ! 

Lo,  how  that  thou  biwreyest 2  mordre  alway ! 

Mordre  wol  out  —  that  see  we  day  by  day. 
5  Mordre  is  so  wlatsom8  and  abhominable 

To  God,  that  is  so  just  and  resonable, 

That  he  ne  wol  nat  suffre  it  heled  *  be ; 

Though  it  abyde  a  yeer,  or  two,  or  three, 

Mordre  wol  out  —  this  's  my  conclusioun. 
10  And  right  anoon,  ministres  of  that  toun 

Han  hent 5  the  carter,  and  so  sore  him  pyned,6 

And  eek  the  hostiler  so  sore  engyned,7 

That  thay  biknewe 8  hir  wikkednesse  anoon, 

And  were  anhanged  by  the  nekke-boon. 
15  Here  may  men  seen  that  dremes  been  to  drede. 

And  certes,  in  the  same  book  I  rede, 

Right  in  the  nexte  chapitre  after  this 

—  I  gabbe  *  nat,  so  have  I  joye  or  blis  — 

Two  men  that  wolde  han  passed  over  see, 
20  For  certeyn  cause,  into  a  fer  contree, 

If  that  the  wind  ne  hadde  been  contrarie, 

That  made  hem  in  a  citee  for  to  tarie, 

That  stood  ful  mery  upon  an  haven-syde. 

But  on  a  day,  agayn 10  the  eventyde, 
25  The  wind  gan  chaunge,  and  blew  right  as  hem  leste." 

Jolif 12  and  glad  they  wente  unto  hir  reste, 

And  casten  18  hem  ful  erly  for  to  saille  ; 

But  to  that  oo 14  man  fil 16  a  greet  mervaille. 

That  oon  of  hem,  in  sleping  as  he  lay, 
30  Him  mette  a  wonder  dreem,  agayn 10  the  day : 

Him  thoughte le  a  man  stood  by  his  beddes  syde, 

1  recently  8  tortured  12  in  good  spirits 

2  dost  make  manifest,  bring  to  "  racked  13  proposed 

light  8  confessed  M  one 

8  heinous  •  lie  ™  befell 

4  concealed  10  towards  16  it  seemed  to  him 

*  seized  "  was  agreeable  to  them 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE          207 

And  him  comaunded  that  he  sholde  abyde, 

And  seyde  him  thus :  "  If  thou  to-morwe  wende, 

Thou  shalt  be  dreynt l ;  my  tale  is  at  an  ende." 

He  wook,  and  tolde  his  felawe  what  he  mette, 

And  preyde  him  his  viage 2  for  to  lette 8 ;  5 

As  for  that  day,  he  preyde  him  to  abyde. 

His  felawe,  that  lay  by  his  beddes  syde, 

Gan  for  to  laughe,  and  scorned  him  ful  faste. 

"  No  dreem,"  quod  he,  "  may  so  myn  herte  agaste, 

That  I  wol  lette  for  to  do  my  thinges.4  10 

I  sette  not  a  straw  by  thy  dreminges, 

For  swevenes  been  but  vanitees  and  japes  5 : 

Men  dreme  alday 6  of  owles  or  of  apes, 

And  eke  of  many  a  mase  7  therwithal ; 

Men  dreme  of  thing  that  never  was  ne  shah*  1 5 

But  sith  I  see  that  thou  wolt  heer  abyde, 

And  thus  forsleuthen 9  wilfully  thy  tyde,10  v 

God  wot  it  reweth  me  n ;  and  have  good  day." 

And  thus  he  took  his  leve,  and  wente  his  way. 

But  er  that  he  hadde  halfe  his  cours  yseyled,  20 

Noot  1 12  naj;  why,  ne  what  mischaunce  it  eyled,18 

But  casually  w  the  shippes  botme 15  rente,16 

And  ship  and  man  under  the  water  wente, 

In  sighte  of  othere  shippes  it  by  side, 

That  with  hem  seyled  at  the  same  tyde.  25 

And  therfor,  faire  Pertelote  so  dere, 

i*"- 

By  swiche  ensamples  olde  maistow  lere,17 

That  no  man  sholde  been  to  recchelees18 

Of  dremes,  for  I  sey  thee,  doutelees, 

That  many  a  dreem  ful  sore  is  for  to  drede.  30 

Lo,  in  the  lyf  of  Seint  Kenelm  I  rede  — 

1  drowned  ~  bewildering  situation  »  (there)  ailed 

2  journey  8  shall  be  M  by  accident 
8  abandon,  give  up                          9  waste  in  sloth  15  bottom 

•*  business  affairs  10  time  16  split 

5  jests,  tricks  11  I  am  sorry  17  mayst  thou  learn 

6  continually  12  I  know  not  18  heedless 


208  TALES 

That  was  Kenulphus l  sone,  the  noble  king 

Of  Mercenrike 2  —  how  Kenelm  mette  a  thing ;     . 

A  lyte 8  er  he  was  mordred,  on  a  day, 

His  mordre  in  his  avisioun 4  he  say.6 
5  His  norice 6  him  expouned 7  every  del 8 

His  sweven,  and  bad  him  for  to  kepe 9  him  wel 

For 10  traisoun ;  but  he  nas  but  seven  yeer  old, 

And  therfore  litel  tale  hath  he  told  u 

Of  any  dreem,  so  holy  was  his  herte. 
10  By  God,  I  hadde  lever  than  my  sherte 

That  ye  had  rad  his  legende,  as  have  I. 

Dame  Pertelote,  I  sey  yow  trewely, 

Macrobeus,  that  writ  th'  avisioun 

In  Affrike  of  the  worthy  Cipioun, 
1 5  Affermeth  dremes,  and  seith  that  they  been 

Warning  of  thinges  that  men  after !a  seen. 

And  forthermore,  I  pray  yow  loketh  wel 

In  the  Olde  Testament,  of 18  Daniel, 

If  he  held  dremes  any  vanitee. 
20  Reed  eek  of  Joseph,  and  ther  shul  ye  see 

Wher 14  dremes  ben  somtyme  —  I  sey  nat  alle  — 

Warning  of  thinges  that  shul  after  falle. 

Loke  of  Egipt  the  king,  Daun  Pharao, 

His  bakere  and  his  boteler  also, 
25  Wher  w  they  ne  felte  noon  effect 15  in  dremes. 

Whoso  wol  seken  actes  of  sondry  remes,16/t^*' 

May  rede  of  dremes  many  a  wonder  thing. 

Lo  Cresus,  which  that  was  of  Lyde  "  king, 

Mette  he  nat  that  he  sat  upon  a  tree, 

1  Kenulf  (died  819)  1  explained  « as  to 

2  Mercia  8  bit  14  whether 
«  little                                            »  guard                                            M  reality 

<  vision  1°  against  16  realms 

c  saw  11  account  hath  he  made  l"  Lydia 

*  nurse  12  afterwards 

13.  avisioun :   the  Somnium  Scipionis  of  Cicero,  with  a  commentary  by 
Macrobius. 

29.  For  this  dream,  cf.  the  Monk's  Tale. 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE          209 

Which  signified  he  sholde  anhanged  be  ? 

Lo  heer  Andromacha,  Ectores l  wyf , 

That  day  that  Ector  sholde  lese  his  lyf, 

She  dremed  on  the  same  night  biforn 

How  that  the  lyf  of  Ector  sholde  be  lorn,*  5 

If  thilke  day  he  wente  into  bataille. 

She  warned  him,  but  it  mighte  nat  availle ; 

He  wente  for  to  fighte  nathelees, 

But  he  was  slayn  anoon  of  Achilles. 

But  thilke  tale  is  al  to  long  to  telle,  10 

And  eek  it  is  ny 8  day,  I  may  nat  dwelle.4 

Shortly  I  seye,  as  for  conclusioun, 

That  I  shal  han  of  this  avisioun 

Adversitee ;  and  I  seye,  forthermore, 

That  I  ne  telle &  of  laxatyves  no  store,  1 5 

For  they  ben  venimous,6  I  woot  it  wel ; 

I  hem  defye,  I  love  hem  never  a  del7 

Now  let  us  speke  of  mirthe,  and  stinte 8  al  this ; 

Madame  Pertelote,  so  have  I  blis, 

Of  o  thing  God  hath  sent  me  large  grace ;  20 

For  whan  I  see  the  beautee  of  your  face, 

Ye  ben  so  scarlet-reed  about  your  yen,9 

It  maketh  al  my  drede  for  to  dyen ; 

For,  also  siker10  as  In  principle^ 

Mulier  est  hominis  confusio  •  25 

Madame,  the  sentence 12  of  this  Latin  is : 

"  Womman  is  mannes  joye  and  al  his  blis." 

For  whan  I  fele  anight 18  your  softe  syde,  .  .  ,14 

I  am  so  ful  of  joye  and  of  solas 

That  I  defye  bo  the  sweven  and  dreem.'  30 

And  with  that  word  he  fley  doun  fro  the  beem, 

1  Hector's  6  poisonous  n  John  1. 1 

2  lost  7  never  a  whit  12  meaning 
8  nearly                              8  cease  1S  by  night 

*  continue  9  eyes  14  Two  lines  omitted 

6  set  10  sure 

2.  In  Dares  Phrygius,  not  in  Homer. 


210  TALES 

For  it  was  day,  and  eek  his  hennes  alle ; 

And  with  a  chuk l  he  gan  hem  for  to  calle, 

For  he  had  founde  a  corn,  lay 2  in  the  yerd ; 

Royal  he  was,  he  was  namore  aferd.  .  .  .* 
5  He  loketh  as  it  were  a  grim  leoun ; 

And  on  his  toos  he  rometh  up  and  doun, 

Him  deyned 4  not  to  sette  his  foot  to  grounde. 

He  chukketh  whan  he  hath  a  corn  yfounde, 

And  to  him  rennen  thanne  his  wyves  alle. 
10  Thus  royal,  as  a  prince  is  in  his  halle, 

Leve  I  this  Chauntecleer  in  his  pasture ; 

And  after  wol  I  telle  his  aventure. 

Whan  that  the  month  in  which  the  world  bigan, 

That  highte  March,  whan  God  first  maked  man, 
15  Was  complet,  and  [yjpassed  were  also, 

Sin  March  was  goon,6  [wel]  thritty  dayes  and  two, 

Bifel  that  Chauntecleer,  in  al  his  pryde, 

His  seven  wyves  walking  by  his  syde, 

Caste  up  his  eyen  to  the  brighte  sonne, 
20  That  in  the  signe  of  Taurus  hadde  yronne 8 

Twenty  degrees  and  oon,  and  somwhat  more ; 

And  knew  by  kynde,7  and  by  noon  other  lore,8 

That  it  was  pryme,9  and  crew  with  blisful  stevene.10 

'  The  sonne,'  he  sayde,  '  is  clomben  up  on  hevene 
25  Fourty  degrees  and  oon,  and  more,  ywis. 

Madame  Pertelote,  my  worldes  blis, 

Herkneth  thise  n  blisful  briddes  how  they  singe, 

And  see  the  fresshe  floures  how  they  springe ; 

Ful  is  myn  herte  of  revel  and  solas.' 
3°  But  sodeinly  him  fil  a  sorweful  cas,12 

1  cluck  6  MS.  bigan  (for  was  goon)  »  about  9  A.M. 

2  that  lay  6  run,  progressed  10  voice,  sound 

*  Two  lines  omitted  1  nature  u  these 

*  he  deigned  8  teaching  w  misfortune 

14.  maked  :  this  was  a  mediaeval  idea. 
16.  This  would  make  the  date  May  3. 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE          211 

For  ever  the  latter  ende  of  joye  is  wo. 

God  woot  that  worldly  joye  is  sone  ago l ; 

And  if  a  rethor 2  coude  f aire  endyte,8 

He  in  a  cronique 4  Saufty 6  mighte  it  wryte, 

As  for  a  sovereyn  notabilitee.6  5 

Now  every  wys  man,  lat  him  herkne  me ; 

This  storie  is  also  trewe,  I  undertake, 

As  is  the  book  of  Launcelot  de  Lake, 

That  wommen  holde  in  ful  gret  reverence. 

Now  wol  I  torne  agayn  to  my  sentencejxi^*/^^  10 

A  colfox,8  ful  of  sly  iniquitee, 
That  in  the  grove  hadde  woned 9  yeres  three, 
By 10  heigh  imaginacioun  forncast,11 
The  same  night  thurghout  the  hegges l2  brast 18 
Into  the  yerd,  ther  Chauntecleer  the  faire  15 

Was  wont,  and  eek  his  wy ves,  to  repaire ; 
And  in  a  bed  of.  wortes 14  stille  he  lay, 
Til  it  was  passed  undern ia  of  the  day, 
Wayting  his  tyme  on  Chauntecleer  to  falle, 
As  gladly16  doon  thise17  homicydes  alle,  20 

That  in  awayt 18  liggen  w  to  mordre  men. 
O  false  mordrer,  lurking  in  thy  den ! 
O  newe  Scariot,20  newe  Genilon  '21 ! 
False  dissimilour,22  O  Greek  Smon, 

That  broghtest  Troye  al  outrdy  '2S  to  sorwe  1  25 

O  Chauntecleer,  acursed  be  that  morwe, 
That  thou  into  that  yerd  flough 24  fro  the  bemes  1 
Thou  were  ful  wel  ywarned  by  thy  dremes 
That  thilke  day  was  perilous  to  thee, 

1  past  9  dwelt  18  waiting 

2  skilled  writer  w  as  a  result  of  19  He 

8  compose  n  premeditated  20  iscariot 

4  chronicle  12  hedges  21  Ganelon,  who  betrayed 

6  safely  is  burst  Roland 

6  supremely  notable  fact  M  herbs  22  dissembler 

1  subject  is  about  1 1  A.M.  28  utterly 

8  brant  fox  (having  a  large  inter-  16  generally  **  flew 

mixture  of  black  in  its  fur)  l?  these 


212.  TALES 

But  what  that l  God  forwoot 2  mot  nedes  be, 

After  *  the  opinioun  of  certeyn  clerkis ; 

Witnesse  on  him  that  any  perfit  clerk  is 

That  in  scole  is  gret  altercacioun 
5  In  this  matere,  and  greet  disputisoun, 

And  hath  ben  of  an  hundred  thousand  men. 

But  I  ne  can  not  bulte  it  to  the  bren,' 

As  can  the  holy  doctour  Augustyn, 

Or  Boece,5  or  the  bishop  Bradwardyn,0 
10  Whether  that  Goddes  worthy  forwiting1 

Streyneth  8  me  nedely 9  for  to  doon  a  thing 

(Nedely  clepe  I  simple  necessitee) ; 

Or  elles,  if  free  choys  be  graunted  me 

To  do  that  same  thing,  or  do  it  noght, 
1 5  Though  God  forwoot  it  er  thr*  it  was  wroght ; 

Or  if  his  witing  streyneth  nevere  a  del 

But  by  necessitee  condicionel. 

I  wol  not  han  to  do  of  swich  matere  ; 

My  tale  is  of  a  cok,  as  ye  may  here, 
20  That  took  his  counseil  of  his  wyf ,  with  sorwe, 

To  walken  in  the  yerd  upon  that  morwe 

That  he  had  met 10  the  dreem  that  I  yow  tolde. 

Wommennes  counseils  been  ful  ofte  colde  u : 

Wommannes  counseil  broghte  us  first  to  wo, 
25  And  made  Adam  fro  Paradys  to  go, 

Ther  as 12  he  was  ful  mery,  and  wel  at  ese. 

But  for 18  I  noot 14  to  whom  it  mighte  displese, 

If  I  counseil  of  wommen  wolde  blame, 

Passe  over,  for  I  seyde  it  in  my  game.16 
30  Rede  auctours  wher  they  trete  of  swich  matere, 

1  that  which  6  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  in  the  four-  10  dreamed 

2  foreknows  teenth  century,  and  a  divinity  pro-  n  disastrous 
8  according  to                                   fessor  and  chancellor  of  Oxford                 12  where 

*  bolt  it  to  the  bran,  sift  1  foreknowledge  w  since 

it  thoroughly  8  compels,  constrains  14  know  not 

6  Boethius  9  necessarily  16  fun,  sport 

17.  Conditional  necessity,  according  to  Boethius,  implies  knowledge :  if 

one  knows  that  a  man  is  walking,  then  he  is,  necessarily,  walking. 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE 


213 


1  these 

2  are 

8  know 
*  sand 
aiieth 


And  what  thay  seyn  of  wommen  ye  may  here. 
Thise l  been 2  the  cokkes  wordes,  and  nat  myne ; 
I  can 8  noon  harm  of  no  womman  divyne. 

Faire  in  the  sond,4  to  bathe  hir  merily, 
Lyth 5  Pertelote,  and  alle  hir  sustres  by, 
Agayn 6  the  sonne ;  and  Chauntecleer  so  free 
Song  merier  than  the  mermayde  in  the  see  — 
For  Phisiologus  seith  sikerly 
How  that  they  singen  wel  and  merily. 
And  so  bifel  that,  as  he  caste  his  ye, 
Among  the  wortes,  on  a  boterflye, 
He  was  war 7  of  this  fox  that  lay  ful  lowe. 
Nothing  ne  liste  him 8  thanne  for  to  crowe, 
But  cryde  anon,  '  Cok,  cok,'  and  up  he  sterte, 
As  man  that  was  affrayed  in  his  herte ; 
For  naturelly  a  beest  desyreth  flee 
Fro  his  contrarie,9  if  he  may  it  see, 
Though  he  never  erst 10  had  seyn  it  with  his  ye. 

This  Chauntecleer,  whan  he  gan  him  espye, 
He  wolde  han  fled,  but  that  the  fox  anon 
Seyde :  '  Gentil  sire,  alias !  wher  wol  ye  gon  ? 
Be  ye  affrayed  of  me  that  am  your  freend  ? 
Now  certes,  I  were  worse  than  a  feend,11 
If  I  to  yow  wolde 12  harm  or  vileinye. 
I  am  nat  come  your  counseil  for  t'  espye ; 
But  trewely,  the  cause  of  my  cominge 
Was  only  for  to  herkne  how  that  ye  singe, 
For  trewely  ye  have  as  mery  a  Steven  e 18 
As  eny  aungel  hath  that  is  in  hevene ; 
Therwith  ye  han  in  musik  more  felinge 
Than  hadde  Boece,14  or  any  that  can  singe. 


6  exposed  to 

7  aware 

8  it  pleased  him  not  at  all 

9  opposite,  foe 
1°  before 


10 


20 


25 


3° 


11  fiend,  devil 

12  wished 
18  voice 

14  Boethius  wrote  a  treatise, 
De  Mtisica 


8.  In  the  section  De  Sirenis.    For  the  Physiologus  in  general,  see  p.  316. 


214  TALES 

My  lord  your  fader  —  God  his  soule  blesse !  — 

And  eek  your  moder,  of  hir  gentilesse, 

Han  in  myn  hous  ybeen,  to  my  gret  ese1 ; 

And  certes,  sire,  ful  fayn  wolde  I  yow  plese. 
5  But  for  men  speke  of  singing,  I  wol  saye  — 

So  mote  I  brouke 2  wel  myn  eyen  tweye  I  — 

Save  yow,  I  herde  never  man  so  singe, 

As  dide  your  fader  in  the  morweninge  ; 

Certes,  it  was  of  herte,  al  that  he  song. 
10  And,  for  to  make  his  voys  the  more  strong, 

He  wolde  so  peyne  him 8  that  with  bothe  his  yen 

He  moste  winke,  so  loude  he  wolde  cryen, 

And  stonden  on  his  tiptoon  therwithal, 

And  strecche  forth  his  nekke  long  and  smal. 
15  And  eek  he  was  of  swich  discrecioun 

That  ther  nas  no  man  in  no  regioun 

That  him  in  song  or  wisdom  mighte  passe. 

I  have  wel  rad  in  Daun  Burnel  the  Asse, 

Among  his  vers,  how  that  ther  was  a  cok, 
20  For  that  a  preestes  sone  yaf  him  a  knok 

Upon  his  leg,  whyl  he  was  yong  and  nyce,4 

He  made  him  for  to  lese  his  benefyce. 

But  certeyn,  ther  nis  no  comparisoun 

Bitwix  the  wisdom  and  discrecioun 
25  Of  youre  fader,  and  of  his  subtiltee. 

Now  singeth,  sire,  for  seinte  charitee ; 

Let  see,  conne  ye  your  fader  countref etc c  ? ' 
This  Chauntecleer  his  winges  gan  to  bete, 

As  man  that  coude  his  tresoun  nat  espye, 
30  So  was  he  ravisshed  with  his  flaterye. 

Alias  1  ye  lordes,  many  a  fals  flatour 6 

Is  in  your  courtes,  and  many  a  losengeour,7 

1  delight  8  take  such  pains  5  imitate  7  deceiver 

2  enjoy  *  foolish  6  flatterer 

18.  Nigellus  Wireker  wrote  the  Burnellus,  or  Speculum  Stultorum,  in  the 
twelfth  century. 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE          215 

That  plesen  yow  wel  more,  by  my  feith, 

Than  he  that  soothfastnesse 1  unto  yow  seith. 

Redeth  Ecclesiaste  '*  of 3  flaterye  ; 

Beth  war,4  ye  lordes,  of  hir 5  trecherye. 

This  Chauntecleer  stood  hye  upon  his  toos,  5 

Strecching  his  nekke,  and  heeld  his  eyen  cloos,6 

And  gan  to  crowe  loude  for  the  nones 7 ; 

And  Daun  Russel  the  fox  sterte  up  at  ones, 

And  by  the  gargat 8  hente 9  Chauntecleer, 

And  on  his  bak  toward  the  wode  him  beer,10  10 

For  yet  ne  was  ther  no  man  that  him  sewed.11 

O  destinee,  that  mayst  nat  been  eschewed 12 1 . 
Alias,  that  Chauntecleer  fleigh  fro  the  bemes ! 
Alias,  his  wyf  ne  roghte 13  nat  of  dremes ! 
And  on  a  Friday  fil 14  al  this  meschaunce.  1 5 

O  Venus,  that  art  goddesse  of  plesaunce, 
Sin 15  that  thy  servant  was  this  Chauntecleer, 
And  in  thy 'service  dide  al  his  poweer,  , 

More  for  delyt,  than  world  to  multiplye, 

Why  woldestow  suffre  him  on  thy  day  to  dye  ?  20 

O  Gaufred,16  dere  mayster  soverayn, 
That,  whan  thy  worthy  King  Richard  was  slayn 
With  shot,  compleynedest 17  his  deth  so  sore, 
Why  ne  hadde  I  now  thy  sentence  18  and  thy  lore, 
The  Friday  for  to  chyde,19  as  diden  ye  25 

(For  on  a  Friday  soothly  slayn  was  he)  ? 
Than  wolde  I  shewe  yow  how  that  I  coude  pleyne,20  $j&»*» 
For  Chauntecleres  drede,  and  for  his  peyne. 
Certes,  swich  cry  ne  lamentacioun 
Was  never  of  ladies  maad  whan  Ilioun  30 


1  truth  8  throat  16  since 

2  Ecclesiasticus  12.  10,  u,  16  9  seized  16  Geoffrey  de  Vinsauf 
8  on  10  bore  17  didst  lament 

4  beware  n  pursued  18  judgment 

5  their  12  escaped  19  blame 

6  closed  18  recked  20  lament 

7  for  the  occasion  14  happened 


216  TALES 

Was  wonne,  and  Pirrus l  with  his  streite 2  swerd, 

Whan  he  hadde  hent  King  Priam  by  the  herd, 

And  slayn  him  —  as  saith  us  Eneydos — 

As  maden  alle  the  hennes  in  the  clos,3 
5  Whan  they  had  seyn  of  Chauntecleer  the  sighte. 

But  sovereynly 4  Dame  Pertelote  shrighte,6 

Ful  louder  than  dide  Hasdrubales 6  wyf 

Whan  that  hir  housbond  hadde  lost  his  lyf, 

And  that  the  Romayns  hadde  brend 7  Cartage ; 
10  She  was  so  ful  of  torment  and  of  rage 

That  wilfully  into  the  fyr  she  sterte, 

And  brende  hirselven  with  a  stedfast  herte. 

O  woful  hennes,  right  so  cryden  ye 

As,  whan  that  Nero  brende  the  citee 
1.5  Of  Rome,  cryden  senatoures  wyves, 

For  that  hir 8  housbondes  losten  alle  hir  lyves ; 

Withouten  gilt  this  Nero  hath  hem  slayn. 

Now  wol  I  torne  to  my  tale  agayn. 

This  sely 9  widwe,  and  eek  hir  doghtres  two, 
20  Herden  thise  hennes  crye  and  maken  wo ; 

And  out  at  dores  sterten  they  anoon, 

And  syen  the  fox  toward  the  grove  goon, 

And  bar  upon  his  bak  the  cok  away ; 

And  cryden,  '  Out 10 1  harrow  n  1  and  weylaway  1 
25  Ha,  ha,  the  fox ! '  and  after  him  they  ran, 

And  eek  with  staves  many  another  man ; 

Ran  Colle  our  dogge,  and  Talbot,  and  Gerland, 

And  Malkin,  with  a  distaf  in  hir  hand ; 

Ran  cow  and  calf,  and  eek  the  verray  hogges  — 
3°  So  were  they  fered 12  for  berking  of  the  dogges 

And  shouting  of  the  men  and  wimmen  eke ; 

They  ronne  so,  hem  thoughte  hir  herte  breke. 

1  Pyrrhus  6  General  of  Carthage,  when  it  was  10  alas 

2  drawn  burned  u  help 

3  enclosure  7  burned  12  frightened 

4  most  of  all  8  their 
6  shrieked  »  good 


CHAUCER,  THE  NUN'S  PRIEST'S  TALE  217 

They  yelleden  as  feendes  doon  in  helle ; 

The  dokes  cryden  as  men  wolde  hem  quelle 1 ; 

The  gees  for  fere  flowen  over  the  trees ; 

Out  of  the  hyve  cam  the  swarm  of  bees ; 

So  hidous  was  the  noyse,  a  I  benedicite 2 !  5 

Certes  he,  Jakke  Straw,8  and  his  meynee,4 

Ne  made  never  shoutes  half  so  shrille 

Whan  that  they  wolden  any  Fleming5  kille, 

As  thilke  day  was  maad  upon  the  fox. 

Of  bras  thay  broghten  bemes,6  and  of  box,7  10 

Of  horn,  of  boon,  in  whiche  they  blewe  and  pouped,8 

And  therwithal  thay  shryked  and  they  houped,9 

It  semed  as  that  heven  sholde  falle. 

Now,  gode  men,  I  pray  yow  herkneth  alle  1 
Lo,  how  fortune  furneth  sodeinly  15 

The  hope  and  pryde  eek  of  hir  enemy ! 
This  cok,  that  lay  upon  the  foxes  bak, 
In  al  his  drede,  unto  the  fox  he  spak, 
And  seyde :  '  Sire,  if  that  I  were  as  ye, 

Yet  sholde  I  seyn  —  as  wis  God  helpe  me  !  —  20 

"  Turneth  agayn,  ye  proude  cherles  alle  1 
A  verray  pestilence  upon  yow  falle ! 
Now  am  I  come  unto  this  wodes  syde, 
Maugree  your  heed,  the  cok  shal  heer  abyde ; 
I  wol  him  etc  in  feith,  and  that  anon."  '  25 

The  fox  answerde  :  '  In  feith,  it  shal  be  don ; ' 
And  as  he  spak  that  word,  al  sodeinly 
This  cok  brak  from  his  mouth  deliverly,10 
And  heighe  upon  a  tree  he  fleigh  anon. 

And  whan  the  fox  saugh  that  he  was  ygon,  30 

'  Alias  ! '  quod  he,  '  O  Chauntecleer,  alias ! 
I  have  to  yow,'  quod  he,  '  ydoon  trespas, 
Inasmuche  as  I  maked  yow  aferd, 

1  kill  5  any  Flemish  merchant  in  8  tooted 

2  bless  us ;  pron.  bencitS  London  9  whooped 

8  (in  the  rebellion  of  1381)  6  trumpets  10  nimbly,  skilfully 

4  followers  "  boxwood 


218  TALES 

Whan  I  yow  hente,  and  broghte  out  of  the  yerd ; 

But,  sire,  I  dide  it  in  no  wikke  entente ; 

Com  doun,  and  I  shal  telle  yow  what  I  mente ; 

I  shal  seye  sooth  to  yow,  God  help  me  so.' 
5  '  Nay  than,'  quod  he,  '  I  shrewe l  us  bothe  two, 

And  first  I  shrewe  myself,  bothe  blood  and  bones, 

If  thou  bigyle  me  ofter  than  ones. 

Thou  shalt  namore,  thurgh  thy  flaterye, 

Do  me  to  singe  and  winke  with  myn  ye. 
10  For  he  that  winketh  whan  he  sholde  see, 

Al  wilfully,  God  lat  him  never  thee 2 ! ' 

'  Nay,'  quod  the  fox,  '  but  God  yeve  him  meschaunct 

That  is  so  undiscreet  of  governaunce, 

That  jangleth  whan  he  sholde  holde  his  pees ! ' 
1 5  Lo,  swich  it  is  for  to  be  recchelees 8 

And  necligent,  and  truste  on  flaterye ! 

But  ye  that  holden  this  tale  a  folye, 

As  of  a  fox,  or  of  a  cok  and  hen, 

Taketh  the  moralitee,  good  men ; 
20  For  Seint  Paul  seith 4  that  al  that  writen  is, 

To  our  doctryne  it  is  ywrite,  ywis. 

Taketh  the  fruyt,  and  lat  the  chaf  be  stille. 
Now,  gode  God,  if  that  it  be  thy  wille, 

As  seith  my  lord,6  so  make  us  alle  good  men, 
25  And  bringe  us  to  his  heighe  blisse !    Amen. 

1  curse  8  heedless  6  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  as 

2  prosper  *  2  Tim.  3. 16  a  manuscript  note  explains 


CHRONICLES 
LAYAMON,  BRUT 


Our  chief  information  concerning  Layamon  is  derived  from  the  first  extract 
printed  below.  In  the  later  manuscript, '  Lagamon'  is  '  Laweman';  and  indeed 
the  word  means  '  lawman,'  a  kind  of  magistrate.  '  Ernlege '  is  Ar(e)ley  Regis, 
or  King's  Ar(e)ley,  just  south  of  Stourport,  where  the  Stour  joins  the  Severn, 
and  about  ten  miles  north  (slightly  northwest)  of  Worcester.  '  Radestone '  is 
Redstone,  a  high  cliff  in  the  neighborhood. 

Layamon  goes  on  to  say  that  it  came  into  his  mind  to  relate  the  history 
of  England  from  the  beginning,  and  that,  in  order  to  this,  he  journeyed  up 
and  down  the  country  to  procure  the  books  he  needed.  Though  he  carries 
his  story  only  down  to  689,  it  consists  of  some  16,120  long  lines,  written  about 
1205.  His  chief  source  was  Wace's  Roman  de  Brut  (1205),  yet  the  earlier 
manuscript  of  Layamon  contains,  according  to  B.  S.  Monroe  (Modern  Philology 
4.  567),  only  87  French  words.  In  common  with  Wace,  or  rather  through  Wace, 
he  is  ultimately  dependent  on  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Histories  of  the  Kings 
of  Britain  (before  1148),  the  ultimate  source  of  so  much  romance  dealing  with 
'  the  matter  of  Britain.'  Geoffrey's  book  has  been  excellently  translated  by 
Sebastian  Evans  (Temple  Classics). 

Of  the  two  manuscripts,  the  second  may  be  a  half  century  or  so  later  than 
the  first.  Our  extracts  are  taken  from  the  first,  as  given  in  the  standard  edition, 
Madden's  (3  vols.,  London,  1847),  witn  the  latter's  short  lines  printed  as  long 
ones  (but  Madden's  numbering  is  retained).  For  further  information,  see  the 
preface  to  Madden's  edition ;  the  Diet.  Nat.  Biog. ;  Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit. 
i.  260-4;  Monroe,  Jour.  Eng.  and  Germ.  Phil.  7. 139-41  (bibliography). 

LAYAMON'S  ACCOUNT  OF  HIMSELF 
Lines  i-io  (Madden  i.  i) 

An  preost *  wes  on  leoden,2  Lajamon  wes  ihoten 8 ; 
He  wes  LeovenaSes  sone  —  liSe  *  him  beo  Drihten 6 ! 
He  wonede 6  at  Ernleje,  at  asSelen 7  are 8  chirechen,9 
Uppen  Sevarne  sta]>e 10  —  sel n  far  him  Jmhte 12  — 
On  fest 18  Radestone ;  per  he  bock  radde.14 

1  priest  5  the  Lord  9  church  18  hard  by 

2  among  the  people  6  lived  1°  bank  14  read 
8  named                                      7  noble                          U  good,  pleasant 

4  merciful  8  a  12  seemed 

219 


220  CHRONICLES 

THE  PROPHECY  OF  DIANA 

Lines  1097-1252  (Madden  i.  47-53).     Cf.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  Book  I, 
chap.  11,  and  Milton's  translation  of  it  in  his  History  of  Britain. 

Brutus  nom  l  Ignogen,  and  into  scipe  laedde. 

Heo  2  rihten  8  heora  rapes,  heo  raerden  4  heora  mastes, 

Heo  wunden  up  seiles  ;  wind  stod  6  an  willen.6 

Sixtene  siSe  7  tuenti  scipen  tuhten  8  from  havene, 
5       And  feower  scipen  greate  pe  weren  grundladene9 

Mid  pat  beste  wepnen  )>a  Brutus  havede. 

Heo  fusden  10  from  stronde  ut  of  Griclonde  u  ; 

Heo  wenden  ut  i  wide  sae  ;  pa  wilde  12  wurSen  itemede.13 

Tweije  dawes  and  tua  niht  inne  sae  weren  ; 
10      J>en  ofier  14  dai  heo  comen  liSen  15  on  aeven  to  londe. 

Logice  16  hatte  "  pat  eitlond  18  ;  leode  19  nere  par  nane  — 

Ne  wapmen  20  ne  wifmen  —  buten  21  westije  22  passes.28    '"p<j 

Utlajen  u  hefden  iraeved  25  pat  lond,  and  alle  pa  leoden  of  s.lajen  ,26  ; 

And  swa  hit  wes  al  west,27  and  wnnen28  biraevedr  J*+**f* 
15       Ah  M  swa  monie  par  waren  wilde  deor  80  pat  wnder81  heoin  puhte82; 

And  pa  Troinisce  men  tuhten  to  pon  deoren,    ,^>J 

And  duden  of  pan  wilden  al  heora  iwilla.88 

To  pan  scipen  waelden.84 

Heo  funden  i  pon  eitlonde  ane  burh  *  switSe  stronge  ; 
20       Tohaelde  86  weoren  pe  walles,  weste  weren  hallen. 

Temple  heo  funden  par  ane,  imaked  of  marmestaene, 

Muchel  and  maere  87  ;  pe  wrse  w  hit  hafde  to  welden.39 


1  took  M  next 

2  thev  1S  voyaging  28  (of)  habitations 
8  put  in  order  16  Leogecia;  position  unknown  29  but 

4  ra«ed  17  hight  so  animals 

6  MS.  ston  is  eyotland  (island)  81  wonder 

6  was  favorable  19  people  82  seemed 

7  times  20  men  88  wjn 

8  departed  21  only  84  carried 

9  deeply  laden  22  desert  35  cjty 

1°  hastened  28  MS.  paedes  86  tottering 

11  Greece  24  outlaws  87  glorious 

12  wild  (men)  26  devastated  88  devil 
u  tamed  »  slain  89  n,ie 


LAYAMON,  BRUT  221 

J»erinne  was  an  onlicnesse *  a 2  wif monnes  liche 8 ; 
Feier  hit  wes  and  swiSe  heih 4 ;  an 6  are 6  haeitnesse 7  nome, 
Diana  wes  ihaten 8 ;  f  e  deovel  heo  luvede. 
Heo  dude  wndercraf tes 9 ;  f  e  scucke 10  hire  fulste.11 
Heo  wes  quen  of  alle  wodes  f  e  weoxen 12  on  eorSen  ;  5 

A 18  f  on  heftene  lawen  me 14  heold  heo  for  hehne 15  godd. 
To  hire  weoren  iwoned  16  fa  wndercref tie  men ; 
Of  fa  f  ingen 17  fa  weren  to  kumen  heo  heom  wolde  cuften 18 
Mid  tacnen 19  and  mid  swefnen,20  ]>onne  heo  weren  on  slsepe. 
J>e  wile^peb  onpan  eitlonde  wes  folc  woniende,21  10 

•    Heo  wurSeden 22  fat  anlicnes ;  fe  scucke  hit 23  onfeng.24  ^— <f 

Brutus  hit  herde  siggen 26  f  urh  his  saemonnen 
f>e  aer 26  weoren  on  fan  londe,  and  fa  lawen  wusten. 
Brutus  nam  twelf  witijen,27  f  e  weren  his  wiseste  men, 
And  enne  preost  of  his  lawen,  fa  weren  on  fan  heften  dawen28         15 
(Gerion  hehte  f  e  preost ;  he  was  an  hirede  w  haeh)  ; 
He  ferde 30  to  fere  stowe 81  far  Diane  inne  stod. 
Brutus  ferde  into  fere  temple,  and  fa  twelfe  mid  him, 
And  lette  al  his  folc  bilasven 32  f erute.33 

Ana  scale 84  he  bear  an  honde,  al  of  reade  golde  ;  20 

Mile  wes  i  fere  scale,  and  win  sume  dale 85 ; 
pa  mile  waes  of  are  wite  hinde,  f  e  Brutus  sceat  mid  his  hpnde. 
He  makede  bi  f  on  weofede  w  a  swifie 37  wunsum 38  fur  ; 
Nijen  si^en 39  he  bieode  40  fat  weofed,  for  his  neode.41 
He  clepede  42  to  fere  levedi 43  —  heo  wes  him  on  heorten  leof 44 ;       25 

1  image  is  accustomed  to  resort  31  place 

2  in  17  MS.  kingen  82  remain 
8  form                                                  18  tell                                                     88  outside 

4  majestic  19  signs  84  dish 

5  by  20  visions  85  part 

6  a  21  dwelling  36  altar 
"  heathen  religion's  (?)  22  worshiped  87  m6st 

8  called  23  (the  worship  ?)  88  winsome 

9  sorceries  24  received  89  times 

10  fiend  25  say  40  circled  about 

11  aided  26  formerly  *i  need 

12  grew  27  prophets  42  cried 
18  by  28  days  43  Jady 

14  one,  they  29  among  the  people  44  dear 

15  high  3)  proceeded 


222 

milden  Bis  worden  he  jirnde 1  hire  mihten.  i 

Of te  he  custe 2  fat  weofed  mid  wnSume  lates 8 ; 

He  halde 4  fa  mile  in  fat  fur  mid  milden  Nhis  worderf : 

'  Leafdi  Diana,  leove  Diana,  heje  Diana,  help  me  to  neode. 
5       Wise 8  mi  and  witere,6  f urh  fine  witf ul 7  craft, 

Whuder  Ich  maei  liSan,8  and  ledan  mine  leoden 

To  ane  wnsume  londe,  fer 9  ich  mihte  wunien.10 

And  jif  Ich  fat  lond  mai  bijeten,11  and  mi  folc  hit  furhj 

Makian  Ich  wile  on  fine  nome  maeren 18  ane  stowe, 
10      And  Ich  fe  wulle  huren 14  mid  wrhscipe  haejan.15 ' 

J>us  spec  Brutus. 

Seoftften 16  he  nam  fe  hude 17  fa  waes  of  fare  hinde  ; 

Biforen  fan  wefede  he  heo  spradde,  swlc 18  he  leie  on  bedde ; 

He  cnelede  far  ufenan,19  and  seofiSen  he  adun  laei ; 
1 5       Swa  he  gon  slomnen,20  and  f  eraefter  to  slepen. 

J>a  f uhte  him  on  his  swefne,  far  he  on  slepe  laei, 

J>at  his  lavedi  Diana  hine  leofliche 21  biheolde 

Mid  wnsume  leahtren  22 ;  wel  heo  him  bihihte,23 

And  hendiliche 24  hire  hond  on  his  heved  leide, 
20      And  fus  him  to  seide,  fer  he  on  slepe  lai : 

'  Bijende  28  France,  i  fet  west,  f  u  scalt  finden  a  wunsum  lond ; 

)?at  lond  is  biurnan 26  mid  f  aere  sae  ;  f  aron  f  u  scalt  wrf  an 27  sael.28 

J»ar  is  fujel,  far  is  fisc ;  fer  wuniaft  feire  deor ; 

f>ar  is  wode,  far  is  water ;  far  is  wilderne  M  muchel. 
25       J>et  lond  is  swife  wunsum  ;  weallen 80  fer  beofi  feire ; 

Wuniaft  in  f  on  londe  eotanes 81  swiSe  stronge. 

Albion  hatte  fat  lond,  ah  leode  ne  beoft  far  nane. 

J>erto  fu  scalt  teman,82  and  ane  neowe  Troye  far  makian ; 


1  besought 

2  kissed 
8  looks 

4  poured 
6  guide 
6  instruct 
'  MS.  wihtful 

8  journey 

9  where 
w  dwell 
11  obtain 


12  overrun 
M  noble 
14  adore 

16  high 

18  afterward 

17  hide 
i«  as  if 

19  upon 

20  drowse 

21  lovingly 

22  laughter 


23  promised 

24  courteously 
as  beyond 

26  surrounded 

27  become 

28  prosperous 

29  wilderness 

80  wells,  springs 

81  giants  ;  MS.  eotantes 

82  repair 


LAYAMON,  BRUT  223 

J>er  seal  of  fine  cunne l  kinebearn 2  arisen, 

And  seal  fin  maere 3  kun  waelden  4  fas  5  londes, 

^eond  6  fa  weorld  beon  ihaejed 7 ;  and  f u  beo  hael  and  isund.8 ' 

THE   BUILDING   OF  LONDON 

Lines  1985-2060  (Madden  1.84-7).  Cf.  Geoffrey  1.17.  224  5-10  may  be 
compared  with  the  ultimate  original  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  with  Robert 
of  Gloucester's  version  of  the  latter,  with  Wace's  expansion,  and  with  Robert 
of  Brunne's  rendering  of  Wace  :£--r^Jtx»  • 

Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  i.  16:  '  Amceno  tamen  situ  locorum  et  piscosorum 
fluminum  copia,  nemoribusque  praeelecta.' 

Robert  of  Gloucester,  Chronicle  (ca.  1300)  484-7  :  - 

po  Brut  and  is  men"J>us  come  verst  to  londc, 
Hii  wende  aboute  wide  inou,  be  contreies  vor  to  fonde  ; 
Gret  plente  hii  founde  of  fiis,  as  hii  wende  bi  be  weie, 
Of  wodes  and  of  rivers,  as  is  in  be  contreie. 

Wace,  Brut  1245-1250:    • 

Brutus  esgarda  les  montaignes,  f  I    V  * 

Vit  les  values,  vit  les  plaignes, 

Les  marines  et  les  boscages, 

Et  les  eves  et  les  rivages  ; 

Vit  les  cans  et  les  praaries  ; 

Vit  les  teres  bien  gaagnies. 


Robert  (Manning)  of  Brunne  (1338)  1889-1894: 

Brutus  byhel[d]  be  mountaynes, 
And  avised  hym  o  be  playnes  ; 
Biheld  be  wodes,  watres,  and  ffen, 
Where  esyest  wony[n]g  were  for  men ; 
Als  watres  ronnen  wel,  he  byheld, 
And  niede  wib  be  eryed  feld. 

Brutaine  hefde  Brutus,  and  Cornwaile  Corineus. 
Brutus  nom  alle  his  f reond,  f e 9  comen  in  his  ferde 10 ; 
Neh  him  he  heom  laende,11  for  heo  him  leofe  weoren. 
Corineus  him  cleopede  to  alle  his  icorene 12 ; 
Alle  he  heom  laende  f er  heom  wes  alre  18  leofest. 

1  kin  6  throughout  n  placed 

2  royal  progeny  7  exalted  12  chosen  ones 

3  illustrious  8  sound  w  of  all 

4  rule  (w.  gen.)  9  that 

5  MS.  bus  10  army 


224  CHRONICLES 

Weox l  f  et  folk  and  wel  if  aih,2  for  aelc  hefde  his  iwillen  * ; 

Inne  lut  *  jeren  firste 6  wes  fat  folc  swa  muchel 

)?at  fer  nas  nan  ende  of  folke  swipe  Hende. 

Brutus  hine  bi}>ohte,8  and  f  is  folc  biheold ; 
5   Biheold  he  fa  muntes,  feire  and  muchele ; 

Biheold  he  fa  medewan  fat  weoren  switte  maere ; 

Biheold  he  fa  wateres  and  fa  wilde  deor ; 

Biheold  he  fa  fisches  ;  biheold  he  fa  fujeles ; 

Biheold  he  fa  leswa 7  and  f ene  leofliche 8  wode  ; 
10  Biheold  he  fene  wode  hu  he  ble'ou  9 ;  biheold  he  fat  corn  hu  hit  greu ; 

Al  he  iseih  on  leoden  fat  him  leof  was  on  heorten. 

f>a  bifohte  he  on  Troyjen,10  fer  his  cun  teone  u  foleden,1- 
?;  And  he  liftde 18  jeond  f  is  lond,  and  scaewede 14  fa 18  leoden. 

He  funde  wunsum  ane  stude  16  uppen  ane  watere ; 
1 5  )?aer  he  gon  araeren  "  riche  ane  burhe,18 

Mid  bouren  and  mid  hallen,  mid  haeje  stanwalle[n]. 

)?a  fe  burh  wes  imaked,  fa  wes  he  swifie  maere.19 

f>a  burh  wes  swiSe  wel  idon,  and  he  hire  sette  name  on ; 

He  jef  hire  "  tirfulne 21  name  —  Troye  f e  Newe, 
20  To  munien  ^  his  ikunde 28  whone  24  he  icomen  weore. 

SeoSSen25  fa  leodene  longe  ferafter 

Leiden  adun  fene 26  noma,  and  Trinovant  heo 27  nemneden. 

Binnen  28  feola  M  wintre  hit  iwertS 80  seofrSen  M 

f>at  araes  of  Brutus  kunne  —  fat  wes  an  heh  king  — 
25  Lud  wes  ihaten.82   J»as  burh  he  luvede  swifte; 

]?e  king  i  fere  burh  wonede  swiSe  feola  wintre. 

He  lette  heo  Lude  clepian  jond  his  leodfolke, 

Hehte 88  heo  nemnen  Kaerlud,  aefter  fone  kinge. 

1  grew 

2  throve 

8  will  (what  he  desired) 
4  a.  few 
6  time 

*  bethought 

*  pastures 
8  lovely 
•blew 

w  Troy 
"evil 


12  suffered 

28  lineage 

18  journeyed  ;  MS.  lidSe 

2*  from  which 

u  viewed 

2i~'  subsequently  ; 

MS.  so-5«en 

15  MS.  )>ea 

2«  that 

i*  spot 

27  it 

17  erect 

28  within 

18  city 

29  many 

19  glorious  ;  MS.  mare 

8"  befell 

2»  MS.  hire  to  hire 

31  MS.  seodfien 

21  glorious 

82  named 

22  commemorate 

88  commanded 

LAYAMON,  BRUT  225 

SeoSSen l  com  oper  tir 2  and  neowe  tidinde, 

J>at  men  heo  clepeden  Lundin  over  al  pas  leode. 

Seofiften  comen  Englisce  men,  and  cleopeden  heo  Lundene ; 

SeSSen  3  comen  pa  Frensca  —  J>a  mid  f ehtc 4  heo  biwonnen 6  — 

Mid  heora  leodSeawe,6  and  Lundres  heo  hehten-7  5 


THE  DIVISION  OF  LEAR'S  KINGDOM 
Lines  2902-3110  (Madden  i.  123-32).   Cf.  Geoffrey  2.  n 

Bladud  hafde  enne  sune  —  Leir  wes  ihaten  ; 
Efter  his  fader 8  daiejie  heold  pis  drihliche g  lond 
Somed  10  an  u  his  live 12  sixti  winter. 
He  makede  ane  riche  burh  purh  radfulle 18  his  crafte,14 
And  he  heo  lette  nemnen  efter  himseolvan ;  10  • 

Kaer  Leir  hehte  pe  burh  —  leof  heo  wes  fan  kinge  — 
f>a  we  an  ure  leodquide 15  Leirchestre 16  clepiaS. 
^eare,17  a  pan  olde 18  dawen,19  heo  wes  swiSe  aftel 20  burh ; 
And  seoSSen  per  seh 21  toward  swiSe  muchel  seorwe, 
J>at  heo  wes  al  forfaren22  ]>urh  fere  leodene  vael.23  15 

Sixti  winter  herde  Leir  J>is  lond  al  to  welden. 
f>e  king  hefde  preo  dohtren  bi  his  drihliche  quen ; 
Nefde  he  nenne  sune  —  ferfore  he  warS  sari  — 
His  manscipe 24  to  halden,  buten  ^  pa  freo  dohtren. 
J>a  aeldeste  dohter  haihte  Gornoille,  pa  ot5er  Ragau,  pa  pridde       20 

Cordoille  — 

Heo  wes  pa  jungeste  suster,  a 2li  wliten 27  alre  vairest ; 
Heo  wes  hire  fader  al  swa  leof  swa  his  ajene  lif. 
]?a  aeldede28  pe  king,  and  wakede29  an  aSelan80 ; 

1  MS.  seod'Sen  "  in  21  came 

2  glory  12  lifetime  22  destroyed 
8  MS.  sedften                                        is  prudent  23  slaughter 

4  battle  14  skill  24  dignity,  lordship 

5  won  is  language  25  only 

6  national  customs        .  i6  Leicester  26  in 

"  called  (it)  17  formerly  27  beauty 

8  father's  «  MS.  holde  28  grew  old 

'•>  noble  19  days  29  became  weak 

10  together  2»  noble  so  power 


226 


CHRONICLES 


•r*^ 


And  he  hine  bifohte  wet  he  don  mahte  ^  i 

Of1  his  kineriche2  aefter  his  deie.  d 

He  seide  to  himsulven  fat  fat  uvel 8  wes : 

'  Ic  wile  mine  riche  todon 4  alien 6  minen  dohtren, 

And  jeven  hem  mine  kinefeode,6  and  twemen 7  mine[n]  bearnen,8 

Ac  aerst  Ic  wille  fondien '  whulche 10  beo  mi  beste  freond, 

And  heo  seal  habbe  fat  beste  del  of  mine  drihlichen  lon[d].' 

J>us  fe  king  fohte,  and  feraefter  he  worhte. 

He  clepede  Gornoille,  his  "  godfulle 12  dohter, 

Ut  of  hire  bure  to  hire  fader  deore ; 

And  f  us 18  spac  f  e  aide  king,  f  er  he  on  aeSelen  u  seat : 

'  Sei  me,  Gornoille,  soitere16  worden : 

SwiiSe  dure 16  feo  eart  me ;  hu  leof  aem  Ich  fe  ? 

Hu  mochel  worf  "  levest 18  f  u  me  to  walden  kineriche  ? ' 
1 5       Gornoille  was  swiSe  waer 19  —  swa  beoft  wifmen  wel  ihwaer  "  — 

And  seide  ane  lesinge  heore  21  faedere  fon  king : 

'  Leofe  fader  dure,  swa  bide22  Ich  Codes  are28- 

Swa  helpe  me  Apollin,  for  min  ilaefe  **  is  al  on  him  — 

J>at  leverej*5  feo  M  aert  me  aene 27  fane  f  is  world  al  clane 28 ; 
20      And  jet  **  Ic  fe  wile  speken  wit 80 :  f eou  aert  leovere  fene  mi  lif ; 

And  f  is  Ich  sucge 81  fe  to  sotSe 82 ;  f  u  miht 88  me  wel  ileve.84 ' 

Leir  f  e  king  ilefde  his  dohter 88  laeisinge, 

And  fas  aensware  jef  —  fat  waes  f  e  olde  king : 

'  Ich  fe,  Gornoille,  suge,86  leove  dohter  dure, 
25       God  8T  seal  beon  fi  meda 88  for  fira  gretinge. 

Ic  earn,  for  mire  aeldde,89  sw[i]fe  unbalded,40 


i  with 

3  kingdom 
8  evil 

4  divide 

5  MS.  &  alien 
t;  kingdom 

*  apportion 
8  children 
»test 

10  MS.  whulchere 
"  MS.  hes 
"  goodly ;  MS.  gu«- 
i«  MS.  \xus 
M  state 


16  with  true 

16  dear 

17  MS.  worg 

18  (?)  ;  MS.  leste 
!9  wary,  cunning 

20  everywhere 

21  to  her 

22  hope  for 
28  mercy 

24  belief 

26  dearer 
26thou 

27  alone 

28  entire 


29  yet  more 

*>  with 

si  say 

82  MS.  seofle 

38  mayst ;  MS.  mith 

84  believe 

85  daughter's ;  MS.  doster 

86  say;  MS.  seuge 

87  good 

88  reward 

89  old  age 

*>  enfeebled 


LAYAMON,  BRUT 


227 


And  fou  me  lovest l  sw[i]f e  mare  fan  is  on  live. 
Ich  wille  mi  drihliche  2  lond  a  f  reo 3  al  todalen  4 ; 
f>in  is  fat  beste  deal;  fu  aert  mi  dohter  deore, 
And  scalt  habbenlo  jayerd  min  &lre  beste  f  ein  6 
J>eo  Ich  mai  vind$n  in  rhine  kinfielonde.6 ' 

y£fter  spac  f  e  bide  kinge  wit  his  [of  er]  7  dohter : 
'  Leove  dohter  Regau,  Avaet  seist  tu 8  me  to  raeide9  ? 
Seie  fu  bifore  mire  dufjden10  heo11  dure  Ich  am  fe  an  herten.' 
J>a  answasrde  [Regau]  mid  raetfulle 12  worden : 
'  Al  fat  is  on  live  nis  nig  13  swa  dure 
Swa  me  is  fin  an  lime,14  forSe15  min  ahjene16  lif.' 
Ah  heo  ne  seid/e  naf  pg  soft,17  no  more  f  enne  hire  suste[r]  ; 
Alle  hire  lesin^e  hire  yader  ilefede. 
J>a  answareda  f  e  king  —  his/18  dojter  him  icwemde 19 : 
'  ]?ea  f  ridde  dVljrf  ipine  lonfle  Ich  bitake 20  f  e  an  honde ; 
}?u  scalt  nime  21  loverd 22  f  er  fe  is  alre  leowost.' 
J>a  jet  nolde 23  >f  eTeodking  M  his  sotscipe 25  bilaeven 26 ; 
He  hehte 2T  curnen  him  biforen  his  dohter  Gordoille. 
Heo  was  alre  jungest,  of  soSe  jaerwitelest,28 
And  f  e  king  heo  lovede  more,  f  anne  ba  tueie 29  f  e  o$re. 
Cordoille  iherde  f  a  lasinge  fe  hire  sustren  seiden  fon  kinge ; 
Nom 80  hire  leaffulne  81  huie 32  fat  heo  lijen  88  nolden  — 
Hire  fader  heo  wolde  suge  soS,84  were  him  lef,35  were  him  laS.8 
J>eo  queS  f  e  aide  king  —  unraed 37  him  f  ulede 88 : 
'  Iheren  Ich  wile  of  f  e,  Cordoille  — 
Swa  fe  helpe  Appolin  —  hu  deore  f  e  beo  lif  min.' 
f>a  answarede  Cordoille,  lude 89  and  no  wiht  stille, 


1  MS.  levoste 

2  MS.  dirh- 

3  in  three ;  MS.  |>roe 

4  divide 

5  thane 

6  realm 

7  second 

8  thou 

9  as  opinion 

10  men  ;  MS.  dugden 

11  how 

!2  prudent 
is  nigh 


w  limb 

15  before  (?) 

16  own 

if  true  ;  MS.  se« 

18  MS.  hiis 

19  pleased 

20  deliver 

21  take 

22  husband 

23  would  not 

24  king 

25  folly  :  MS.  soth- 
2G  abandon 


27  commanded 

28  most  gifted 

29  both  (both  two) 

30  made  up 

81  faithful 

82  mind  (OE.  fyge) 
88  lie 

84  MS.  seott 

83  agreeable 

86  disagreeable 

8?  unwisdom  ;  MS.  unra"5 

38  followed 

88  loudly 


228 


CHRONICLES 


Mid  gomene l  and  mid  lehtre  to  hire  fader  leve : 
'  jljfo  art  me  leof  ajjo2  mi  faeder^and  Ich  pe  al  so  pi  dohter; 
Ich*  habbe  to  p^opfaste 8  love,  for  4  we  buoS  swipe  isibbe  6 ; 
"And  —  swaxfch  ibide6,anf—  Ich  wille  pe  suge  mare : 
Al  swa  muchel  pu~bist  worp 7  swa  pu  weldende 8  aert, 
And  al  swa  muchel  swa  pu  havest  men  pe  wllep9  luvien, 
For  sone  he 10  bi«  ila^ed,11  pe  mon  }>e  lutel  ah.12  V~ 
J?us  seide  pe  maeiden  Cordoille,  and  seoSSen  set  sw[i]pe  stille. 
J>a  iwartSe 18  pe  king  wraeft 14  for  he  nes  noht 16  iquemed,18 
And  wende  on  [h]is  ponke  "  pat 18  hit  weren  for  unSeawe 19 
J»at  he  hire  weore  swa  unwourS  pat  heo  hine  nolde  iwurSi 20 
Swa  hire  twa  sustren,  pe  ba  somed21  laesinge  speken. 
J>e  king  Leir  iwerSe 22  swa  blac  swlch  **  hit  a  blac  cloS  weoren, 
IwaerS  his  hude 24  and  his  heowe,26  for  he  was  supe 2(i  ihaermed  27 ; 
Mid  paere  wrae55e  he  wes  isweved,"8  pat  ^  he  feol  iswowen.80 
Late 81  peo  he  up  f usde 82  —  pat  maeiden  wes  af eared  ; 
J>a  hit  alles  up  brae  —  hit  wes  uvel M  pat  he  spac : 
'  Haerfcjne,84  Cordoille,  Ich  pe  telle  wile  ^  mine  wille : 
Of  mine  dohtren  pu  were  me  durest ;  nu  pu  eaert  me  alre88  laetSes[t].87 
Ne  scalt  pu  na^ver  halden  dale  of  mine  lande, 
Ah  mine[n]/xiohtren  Ich  wile  delen  mine  riche,88 
And  pu  sczdt  worSen  wraechen,89  and  wonien  in  wansifte,40 
For  navere  Ich  ne  wende  41  pat  pu  me  woldes  pus  scanden  42 ; 
f>arfore  pu  scalt  beon  daed,48  Ich  wene  ;  flij  **  ut  of  min  eaehsene.48 
J>ine  sustren  sculen  habben  mi  kinelond ;  and  pis  me  is  iqueme.46 

33  evil 

34  hearken 
i  fc/^" 85  will 

36  of  all;  MS.  arle 
8"  most  hateful 
V          88  realm 

89  exile  ;  MS.  warchen 

40  misery 

41  supposed 
«  shame 
*«dead 

«fly 

«  sight 

**  agreeable 


l  mirth  (game) 

17  thought 

2  as 

is  MS.  J>aht 

•>  true  ;  MS.  soh- 

19  undutifulness 

*  because 

20  honor 

5  related 

21  both  together 

6  expect 

22  grew 

"  worth 

28  as  if 

8  ruling  ;  MS.  velden 

24  skin 

•MS.  wflet 

25  hue 

w  MS.  heo 

26  much 

11  brought  low  ;  MS.  ilagefi 

27  grieved 

12  possesses 

28  stupefied 

is  became 

29  so  that 

14  wroth  ;  MS.  waerft 

80  in  a  swoon 

16  MS.  >eo  noht 

81  after  a  time 

16  gratified 

82  started 

*" 


LAYAMON,  BRUT  ^229 


J>e  Due  of  Cornwaile  seal  habbe  Gornoille, 

And  fe  Scottene  king  Regau  fat  scone,1 

And  Ic  hem  jeve  al  fa  winnea  fe  Ich  aem  waldinge8  over.' 

And  al  f  e  aide  king  dude 4  swa  he  hafvede 6  idemed.6 

Of [t]  wes  fen  7  maeidene  wa,8  and  naevre  wors  ]> enne  fa 9  ;  5 

Wa 10  hire  wes  on  mode  n  for  hire  fader  wraef  e.12 

Heo  wende 18  into  hire  boure,  far  heo  ofte  ssette  sare,14 

For  heo  nolde  lijen  hire 15  fader 16  leove. 

CESAR'S  BATTLE  WITH  THE  BRITONS 
Lines  7472-7662  (Madden  1.319-27).    Cf.  Geoffrey  4.3,  4 

He 1T  cleopede  on  his  cnihtes :  '  ^arewietS 18  eow  to  fihte, 
For  nu  is  mid  ferde 19  icumen  Cassibellaunus.'  10 

Heo  liftede  m  togadere  mid  he,ore  speren  longe, 
Mid  axen,  mid  sweorden,  mid  scaerpe  speres  orde21 ; 
Hardliche 22  heo  heowen 23 ;  haelmes  f  er  gollen 24 , 
Feon[d]liche  ^  heo  feohten ;  hafdes 26  fer  feollen. 

And  Cesar  f  e  keisere  wes  unimete 27  kene 28 :  i  c 

•  "^          •• 

His  longe  sweord  he  adroh,29  and  moni  mon  f ermide 80  asjoh,81 ; 

He  swonc 82  i  f  on  fehte  fat  al  he  lavede 88  a  sweote.8* 
He  sloh  fa  ^  him  neh 86  weoren  —  alle  buten 87  iferen 88 ; 
He  dude  fer  muchelne 89  wundre ;  he  sloh  fer  an  hundred 
Of  ahtere 40  monnen,  f  e  feond 41  mid  his  maeehe.42  20 

J>at  iseh  Androgeus,  and  cleopede  his  fader  Nennius, 

1  fair  15  to  her  29  drew 

2  possessions  (?)  16  MS.  fadder  so  therewith 

3  ruler  17  Caesar  81  MS.  asloft 

4  did  is  prepare  82  labored 

5  had  19  army  83  dripped 

6  decided  20  came  84  sweat 

7  to  the  21  point  85  those  that 

8  woe  22  stoutly  86  near 

9  then  28  hewed  87'without 

1°  MS.  ba  24  resounded  *8  companions  (help) 

11  heart  25  fiercely  89  a  great 

12  wrath ;  MS.  waerbe  26  heads  *o  valiant 
18  MS.  vende  27  beyond  measure  41  enemy 
i4  sorrowful  28  brave  42  sword 


230  CHRONICLES 

And  bejene l  fa  eorles  bujen 2  heom  togaderes, 

Mid  swrSe  muchele  folke ;  togaederen  stoden  faste. 

Isejen 8  heo  Julius  Cesar  faehten  al  swa  a  wilde  bar, 

And  heo  him  to  fusden4  mid  ladliche*  fehte, 
5   And  monie  of  heore  feonden  heo  faelden  to  fon  grunde. 
J?a  iseh  Nennius  waer6  faeht  Cesar  Julius, 

And  he  him  to  rasde 7  mid  raehaem  8  his  sweorde  ; 

Uppen  )>ene  helm  he  hine  smat  fat  fet  sweord  in  bat. 

SelkuS  9  hit  f  uhte  10  moni  cnihte 
10  J?at  he  durste  cumen  him  naeh,  for  fan  fa  fe  keisere11  wes  swa  haeh.1'2 

Julius  Cesar  ne  queS  nan  word,  ah  he  braeid  18  ut  his  sweord, 

And  Nennium  he  smat  fa  uppen  fene  helm  swa 

f>at  fe  helm  tohaelde,14  and  fat  haefde  15  bletide ; 

Ah  he  ne  blakede le  no,  for  he  wes  cniht  wel  idon.17 
1 5  And  Julius  noht  ne  na  braeS,18  ah  his  brond 19  he  up  ahaef,20 

And  Nennius  haef  up  his  sceld,  scilde  21  hine  sulve. 

Julius  adun  smat,2'2  and  fat  sweord  a  m  fiene  scelde  bat24.; 

Julius  hit  wraste,25  and  fat  sweord  stike[de]  26  feste ; 

Julius  fat  sweord  heold,  and  Nennius  fene  sceld, 
20  And  f us  heo  hit  longe  bitujen,27  ne  mihte  he  fat  sweord  ut  drajen.35' 

]?at  isaeh  Androgeus  hu  verden  &  Cesar  and  Nennius, 

And  he 80  hem  to  fusde,  Nennius 81  to  fulste.82 
J>a  isaeh  Cesar  tiSend  M  fat  him  wes  saer ; 

He  forlette 84  fene  brand  —  fa  nefde  he  noht  on  his  bond  — 
25  And  he  fa  feondliche85  turnde  to  flaeme.86 

Nennius  wende  i  fane  felde,  and  he  turnde  his  scelde, 

Droh  ut  fene  brande.    J>a  wes  f e  eorl  swif e  bald : 


iboth 

M  gave  way 

25  wrenched 

2  turned 

16  head 

26  stuck 

8  saw 

16  paled 

27  tugged  at 

4  hurried 

l"  trained 

28  draw 

5  hostile 

l8  paused  for  breath  (?)  ;  but  the  text  is 

2»  fared 

6  where 

probably  corrupt.    (The  later  MS. 

so  MS.  heo 

"  rushed 

has  :  mid  l>e  seolve  brej>.) 

81  MS.  monie 

8  fierce 

19  sword 

82  assistance 

9  strange 

M  lifted 

33  occurrence 

W  MS.  J>u«te 

21  shielded 

84  let  go 

11  emperor 

22  smote 

85  as  a  foeman 

12  awe-inspiring 

28  in 

86  flight 

is  drew 

a*  bit 

LAYAMON,  BRUT  231 

Monie  Romanisce  men  mid  ]>on  sweorde  he  leide  adun  ; 

He  wes  moni l  monnes  bone,2  and  moni  anne 8  he  dude  scome. 

Al  fat  he  mid  fan  sweorde  smat,  f  erriht 4  hit 5  iwat 6 ; 

Al  fat  he  f  ermid 7  atran,8  weore  hit  flaes,9  weore  hit  ban, 

f>urh  feos  sweordes  vvunde  heo  fullen  to  fon  grunde.  $ 

Alle  daei  wes  fat  fiht,10  a11  fet  com  fe  fesfcere 12  niht. 

Julius  fe  kaisere  mid  alle  fan  Romanisce  here 
Dalden 18  from  fan  fihte  al  bi  f ustere  nihte  ; 
To  haerberje 14  heo  wenden  uppen  fare  sae  stronde ; 
Heo  bilefden 15  biaeften  16  twenti  hundred  cnihten  10 

J>eo  leien  under  scelden,  islaejen  jeond  fon  felden. 
Cesar  iwende  to  his  bedde ;  his  men  weoren  ofdredde.17 
Hine 18  biwakeden  19  in  fere,  nihte  f ritti  hundred  cnihten, 
Mid  helmen  and  mid  burnen,20  and  mid  stelene  sweorden. 

"*  >  N 

Julius  Cesar  he  wes  jep 21  and  swuSe  iwasr 22 ;  15 

He  isaeh  his  muchele  lure,28  and  of  ma/e 24  he  haefde  kare ; 

He  aras  to  fan  midnihte,  and  bannede 25  his  cnihtes, 

And  seide  heom  fat  heo  wolden  faren  and  fleon  of  fissen  londe, 

Faren  into  Flandre,  and  beo[n]  fer  wuniende  " 

A 2e  fat  he  iseje 2T  his  time  fat  heo 28  mihten  aeft  cumen  liSen.29  20 

Heo  ferden  forf 30  rihte  to  scipe  al  bi  nihte ; 

Heo  haefden  swiSe  fair  weder,  and  wenden  into  Flandre. 

A  margen,  fa  hit  daei  wes,  f e  king  mid  his  dujeSe 81 

c^arekede 82  his  ferde,  and  wende  to  fan  fihte. 

J>o88  was  Romanisce  folc  ivaren84  from  here  londe,85  25 

f>at 86  ne  funden  heo  naver  enne 8T  of  Cesares  monnen. 


1  MS.  moniennes 

l4  shelter,  harborage 

27  should  see  ;  MS.  isegen 

2  slayer 

is  left 

2»  MS.  he 

3  a  one 

16  behind 

29  sailing 

4  straightway 

17  dismayed 

so  MS.  forh 

5  it  (=  they) 

is  him  ;  MS.  inne 

8i  knighthood 

6  died 

19  wakened 

82  made  ready 

7  therewith 

20  cuirasses 

88  MS.  )>eo 

8  reached,  touched 

21  astute 

84  passed 

9  flesh 

22  wary 

86  MS.  sonde 

I"  MS.  fehti 

^loss 

86  so  that 

"  till 

24  more,  further  ;  MS.  maere 

87  one 

12  dark 

25  summoned 

18  departed 

26  until 

232 


CHRONICLES 


pa  weoren  Bruttes  bliSe 1  an  heore  mode ; 

Muchel  wes  pa  blisse  pat  heo  makeden  mid  iwisse,2 

And  *  sone  perasfter  saeri  heo  wurden.4 

And  Cassibellaune  pe  king  iwarS  saeri  purh  alle  ping,6 
5       For  Nennius  his  broSer  ne  mihte  finden  bote 6 

Of  his  haefved-wunde  pe  Julius  smat  mid  honde, 

Ne  purh  nenne  laechecraefte 7  ne  mihte  he  lif  habben. 

Nes  per  nan  ofcer  raed 8  buten  Nennius  iwarS  daed,9 

And  Nennius  was  ilaeid 10  at  pon  nor&jaete  i  Lundene. 
10       pe  king  naem  enne  marmestan,  and  lette  hine  mid  golde  bigon,11 

Mid  golde  and  mid  pmme 12 ;  his  broker  he  leide  perinne  ; 

Mid  richedome 18  pa  Bruttes  Nennium  biburden.14 

Nu  pu  miht15  iheren  selkuft 16  word  :  pe  king  nom  pat  ilke  n  sweorde 

pat  Nennius  his  broker  biwan  of  Julius  Cesare, 
1 5       And  laeide  hit  bi  his  broker,  pah 18  hit  his  bone 19  weore. 

Waes  pe  stelene  brond  swiSe  brad  and  swiSe  long ; 

peron  weoren  igraven  feole  cunne  M  bocstaven  21 ; 

A 22  Sere  hike  wes  igraven 

pat  pa  sweord  wes  icleoped  23  inne  Rome  Crocia  Mors 2*  — 

Swa  pat  sweord  haehte,  for  hit  havede  muchele  mahte.25 

permide  pe  keisere  praetede 26  aelches  londes  here  m  ; 

For  nas  naevere  pe  ilke  bern 28  pe  avere  iboren  weore, 

pat  of  pen  ilke  sweorde  enne  M  swipe so  hefde, 

pat 81  he  of  his  likame 82  lette  aenne  drope  blod, 
25      pat  he  nes  sone  daed,  neore  he  noht 88  swa  dohti. 
Julius  mid  his  ferde  laei  inne  Flandre ; 

pa  word  com  to  France  hou 84  he  ivaren  haefde, 


1  joyful 

2  with  certainty,  in  truth 
«  but 

*  MS.  wurgen 

5  in  every  way 

6  cure 

"  medical  skill 

8  remedy 

»  MS.  dae« 

10  laid 

"  adorn 

12  precious  stone  (s) 


w  splendor  26  might 

14  buried  26  menaced 

!5  mayst  27  army 

16  strange  28  man 

17  very  29  a 
"though;  MS.  >>at  so  blow 

w  slayer  81  so  that 

20  kinds  82  body 

21  letters  (cf.  Ger.  Buchstaben)  88  never 

22  on ;  MS.  ae  84  MS.  heou 
28  called 

2«  Saffron  Death 


LAYAMON,  BRUT  233 

And  hu  he  waes  mid  his  faerde  iflaemde  l  of  pissen  earde.2 
J?a 3  weoren  pa  Frensce  men  perfore  swipe  vaeine,4 
For  toward  Julius  heo  haefden  grome,5  and  forpi  weoren  faein 
of  his  scome.6 

CYMBELINE  AND  THE  BIRTH  OF  CHRIST 
Lines  9064-9185  (Madden  1.386-91).    Cf.  Geoffrey  4.  n 

On  Kinbelines  daeie,  pe  king  wes  inne  Bruttene,- 
Com  a  pissen  middelaerde 7  anes  maidenes  Sune  ;  5 

Iboren  wes  in  BeSleem  of  bezste 8  alre  burden.9 
He  is  ihaten  Jesu  Crist  purh  pene  Halie  Gost, 
Alre  worulde  Wunne,10  Walden[d]  u  englenne.12 
Faeder  he  is  on  hevenen,  Frovre 18  moncunnes 14 ; 
Sune  he  is  on  eorSen  of  sele 15  pon  masidene  ;  10 

And  pene  Halie  Gost  haldeft 16  mid  himseolven. 
f»ene  Gast  he  wel  daleo" 17  to  fan  p e  him  beo$  leove, 
Al  swa  he  dude  Peture,  pe  wes  a  wraeche 18  fiscasre, 
J>e  makede  hine  an  mancunne  hehst 19  of  alre  manne. 

Kinbelin,  Bruttene  king,  wes  god  mon  purh  alle  ping ;  i 5 

And  he  luvede 20  here  twa  and  twenti  sere. 
An  his  dseie  her  luvede  a  mon  inne  pisse  leoden  — 
Feorliche  21  ping  f  uleden  22  him  —  he  wes  ihaten  Teilesin 23 ; 
Heo  heolden  24  hine  for  witie 25  purh  his  witfulne 26  craef te, 
And  al  heo  hit  ilaefden 27  pat  Teilesin  heom  seide.  20 

He  seide  heom  seolkuS  28  inoh,  and  al  heo  hit  funden  soft ; 
He  seide  heom  seiche  sere  waet  heom  to  cumen  weore. 
J>e  king  him  sende  asfter  wise  twalf  cnihtes, 
Bad  &  hine  comen  him 80  to  —  pat  he  nan  otSer 31  scolde 82  don  ; 

1  put  to  flight  &  of  angels  w  Taliesin 

2  country  18  comfort  24  held  ;  MS.  heolten 

3  MS.  J?at  14  of  mankind  25  prophet 

4  fain,  glad  15  blissful  26  wise 

5  grudge  16  he  holdeth  2?  believed 

6  shame  17  imparts  28  marvel 

l  world  18  forlorn  ™  bade  ;  MS.  baft 

8  the  best  19  highest  80  Cymbeline 

9  women  >x>  lived  81  other  thing 

10  joy  '  wondrous  32  should  ;  MS.  seolden 

U  lord  '   .  ollowed 


234  CHRONICLES 

And  heo  hine  bro[h]ten  sone  biforen  pen  folkekinge. 

Anan  swa J  pe  king  hine  imette,  faeire  he  hine  4gjretteJ> 

'  Swa  me  helpen  min  hefde  and  mi  chin,  wulcume  aertpu,  Teilesin, 

And  leovere  me  is  fine  isunden  *  \>er\ne  a  pusen^underV 

5   J?a  andswerede  Teilesin,  and  )ms  seide  to  Kinbelin  : 

'  Swa  ich  mote  gode  ipeon,8  al  *  pu  hit 8  saelt 6  wel  biteon.7- ' 
]?a  wes  glad  Kinbelin,  and  pus  seide.  to  Teilesin : 
'  Her  beofc  to  pisse  londe  icumen  seolcufie  leodronen,8 
And  fromward 9  peon 10  londe  of  Jerusalem ;  iwurden  u  heo  beoo"  in 
Befcleem. 

10  J>er  is  iboren  an  luttel  child  inne  pere  leoden.12 

Muchele  is  and  stor 18  pe  eije 14 ;  tacnen 1S  per  beo5  on  sterren, 
An  monen,  and  on  seonnen 16 ;  eie 1T  is  on  moncunnen. 
J>is  is  widen 18  icuS  19  and  pa  writen  m  me  beofi  to  icume, 
And  Ic  wolde  iwiten  aet 21  pe  —  pu  aert  mi  wine  ^  deore  — 

15  To  whan28  pis  tocne  wule  ten,24  to  wulche  pinge  temen,25 
For  herfore 28  is  alches  londes  folc  laedliche  "  afered.' 
J>a  answerede  Teilesin,  and  pus  seide  to  Kinbelin : 
'  Hit  wes  ^are 28  iquetten  w  —  pa  quides 80  beo$  nu  sotte  — 
J>at  scolden  beon  a  child  iboren,  of  alle  folke  icoren,81 

20  And  pat  scolde  beon  ihaten  Haelend,82  and  helpen  his  freondes, 
Alesen  M  his  leofve  wines  of  laeSe  M  heore  bendes,85 
Of 86  helle  bringen  Adam,  Noe,  and  Abraham, 
Sadoc  and  Samiel,  and  Symeon  pene  aide, 
Josep  an[d]  Benjamin,  and  alle  his  broSeres  mid  him, 

25  Johel  and  Eliseon,  Asor  and  Naason, 

Ysaac  and  his  broker,  and  moni  enne 87  ofcer, 

1  the  moment  that  14  alarm,  misgiving  27  sore 

2  health,  welfare  16  signs  28  iong  ago 

»  well  thrive  16  sun  29  announced 

*  everything  K  fear  so  assertions 

«  refers  to  al  18  widely  si  choicest 

8  shall  19  known  82  Saviour,  Jesus 

'•  accomplish  20  writings  83  deliver 

»  secret  tidings  21  know  from  84  hateful 

»  from  ;  MS.  -war*  22  friend  85  bonds 

10  the  28  which  86  from 

n  come  to  pass ;  MS.  iwurSen  24  tend  87  a  one 

12  country  26  lead 

18  mighty,  overwhelming  26  On  account  of  this 


uc    mo.     •     i«"» 


g- 


THE  OLD  ENGLISH  CHRONICLE 

Moni  hundred  f  usend  f  e  if  ud *  beoS  to  hellen ;       /*~* 

And  for  swulchere 2  neode  he  is  icumen  to  fere  f  eoden.8 '  ^aw  \? 

J>eos  word  seide  Teilesin,  and  alle  heo  weoren  so$e.  Cr<*-f^*-*- 

J>a  fan 4  kinge  weoren  5  icudde  fas  quides  fa  weoren 

J>a  weoren  fa  tiftinde  cuSe  jeond  his  kineriche ; 

Bruttes  herof  jemden,6  and  noht  hit  ne  forjeten. 

Kinbelin  wes  god  king,  and  griftful 7  furh  alle  f  ing,8 
And  fa  Romleoden 9  swit5e  hine  luveden ; 
And  jif  f  e  king  wolde 10  wiS  ll  heom  wiSerhalden,12 
He  mihte 13  aethalden  14  heore  feoh 15  f  e  Julius  her 16  faette 17 ; 
Ah  aevere  mare 18  bi 19  his  live  he  hit  heom  leofliche 20  jeaf. 
SeoSSe 21  him  comen  fas  tiSinde  of  Crist,  Codes  childe, 
Ne  leovede 22  f  e  king  mare  buten  ten  jere  : 
SeofrSen  f  e  king  bilaefden  w  his  lif ;  inne  Eowverwike 24  he  jet 


THE  OLD  ENGLISH  CHRONICLE:   THE  REIGN 
OF  STEPHEN  (A.D.  1137) 

The  Old  English  Chronicle  is  of  priceless  value  for  the  early  history  of 
England.  Toward  the  end  the  language  passes  over  into  an  early  form  of 
Middle  English.  Modern  historians  have  often  drawn  upon  this  passage  in 
characterizing  the  reign  of  Stephen. 

Our  text  is  from  Two  Saxon  Chronicles  Parallel,  ed.  Plummer  and  Earle, 
pp.  263-5,  witn  contractions  expanded. 

J>a-f  e 2e  King  Stephne  to  Englalande  com,  fa  macod  he  his  gader-  15 
ing27  ast  Oxeneford,  and  far  he  nam  fe  biscop  Roger  of  Sereberi,28 
and  Alexander,  Biscop  of  Lincol,  and  te  Canceler  Roger,  hjise  neves,29 
and  dide  aslle  in  prisun  til  hi  iafen 30  up  here  castles.    f>a  the  suikes  81 

12  rebel;  MS. -heolden 
;  might  have  ;  MS.  mrSte 


i  consigned 
2  such 
3  peoples 
*  to  the 
5  MS.  wes 

6  took  note 

"  peaceable 
8  in  all  ways 
9  Romans 

1°  had  wished 

11  against 

14  withhold 

15  tribute 

16  from  here 

17  fetched 

is  MS.  maere 

19  during 

2"  submissively,  loyally 

21  after 

22  lived 


1>V 


23  departed 

24  York 

25  lies 

26  when 

2"  assembly 

28  Salisbury 

29  nephews 
so  gave 

31  traitors 


*' 


236  CHRONICLES 

undergaetpn 1  Sat  he  mijde  man  was  and  softe  and  god,  and  na  jiis- 
tise  ne  dide,  fa  tiiden  hi  alle  wunder.  Hi  hadden  him  manred  a  maked 
and  athes  suoren,  ac 8  hi  nan  treuthe  ne  heolden ;  alle  hi 4  waeron  for-  eU»7e 
sworen  and  here  treothes  forloren,  for  aevric5  rice  man  his  castles 
5  makede  and  agaenes  him  heolden,  and  fylden  fe  land  ful  of  castles. 
Hi  swuncten  6  suySe  f e  wrecce  men  of  fe  land  mid  castelweprces.7 
j?a  fe  castles  WJlren  maked,  fa  fylden  hi  [hi]  mid  deovlg^  and  yyele  men. 

ff»a  namen  hi  fa  men  fe  hi  wenden  Sat  ani  god8  fief  den  j  "bathe  be 
nihtes  and'be  daeies,^Qmen  9  and  wjmmen,  and  diden  heom  in  prisun,  i  " 

10  gfter10  gold  and  sylv'er.  and  pined11  heom  untellendljce 12  pining.  For 
ne  waerep  naevre  nan  nrartyrs  swa  pined  alse  hi  waeron ;  me 18  henged 
up  bi  trfe  fet  and  smoked^heom  mid  ful 14  smoke ;  me  henged  bi  the 
^fumbes' other  bi  the  hefecf,16  and  hengen  bryniges16  on  her  fet;  me 
dide  cnotted  strenges  abuton  here  haeved,  and  ( wrythen 1T  to  Sat  it 

15  gaede18!to  fe  haernes.19    Hi  dyden  heom  in  quarterne,20  far  nadres21 

and  snakes  and  pades 22  waeron  inne,  and  drapen  23  heom  swa.    Sume 

hi  diden:  in  crucethus,24  Sat  is  in  an  caeste 25  fat  was  s£ort  and  nareu 

<^/yA  and  unoep,  and  dide  scaerpe  stanes  ^erinne,  and  frengde26  fe  man 

faerinne  Sat  him  braecon  alle  f  e  .limes.    In  mani  of  f  e  castles  waeron 

20  lof  "  and  grin,28  Sat  waeron  rachenteges  M  Sat  twa  of  er  thre  men  had 
den  onoh  to  baeron  onne 80 ;  fat  was  sua  maced,  Sat  is  faestned  to  an 
beom,81  and  diden  an  scaerp  iren  abuton  f  e 82  mannes  throte  and  his 
hals,88  Sat  he  ne  myhte  nowiderwardes,84  ne  sitten  ne  lien  ne  slepen, 
oc  baeron  al  Sat  iren.  Mani  fusen[d]  hi  drapen  mid  hungaer. 

25  I  ne  can  ne  I  ne  mai  tellen  alle  fe  wunder,  ne  alle  fe  pines,  Sat 
hi  diden  wrecce  men  on  f  is  land ;  and  Sat  lastede  fa  xix  wintre 
wile  Stephne  was  king,  and  aevre  it  was  werse  and  werse.  Hi  laeiden 

1  understood,  perceived  13  they  25  chest 

2  homage  14  foul  20  pressed,  jammed 
8  but                                                      15  head                                    27  device  (?) 

4  MS.  he  16  coats  of  mail  28  contrivance 

6  evelT  lr  twisted  -  29  chains,  fetters 

6  oppressed  is  till  it  went  so  one 

"  the  making  of  castles  «  brain  si  beam,  rafter 

8  property  20  prison  32  MS.  J?a 

9  men  21  adders  88  ncck 

10  in  Pursuit  of  22  toads  84  (go)  in  no  direction 

11  tortured  23  killed 

12  unspeakable  24  torture-box 


BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE 


237 


OF. 


gasldes1  on  the  tunes  aevre  um  wile,2  and  clgrjeden  it  tenserie.3  J>a 
f  e  wrecce  men  ne  hadden  nan  mpje  to  gyven,  fa  raeveden 4  hi  and 
brendon 5  allejthe Junes,  Sat,6  wel  *  f  u  myhtes  faren  all  a  daeis  fare,8 
sculdest  thu  riey're  finden  man  in  tune  sittende  ne  land  tiled.9  J>a 
was  corn  djere,10  and  flesc11  and  ca^se12  and  butere,  for  nan  ne  5 
waes  o  f  e  land.  Wrecce  men  sturven 18  of  hungaer ;  sume  ieden  u  on 
aelmes  fe  waren  sum  wile 15  rice  men ;  sume  flugen 16  ut  of  lande. 


js  nsevre  gaet  mare  wreccehed  1T  on  land,  ne  naevre  hethen  men 

,  £ 

ne  diden  fan  hi  diden ;  for  ower 18  sithon 19  ne  forbaren  ^  hi 


15 


nouther  circe  21  ne  cyjceiaerd,22  oc  namen  al  fe  god  Sat  farinne  was,  10 
and  brenden  sythen  J?e  cyrce,  and  al  tegaedere.  Ne  hi  ne  forbaren 
>  biscopes  land,  ne  abbotes,  ne  preostes,  ac  raeveden  munekes  and 
'  clerekes,  and  asvric  man  other  M  fe  ower  24  myhte.  Gif  twa  men  ofer 
iii  a  coman  ridend  to  an  tun,  al  ]>e  tunscipe  flugjgn  for  heom  ;  wenden 
Sat  hi  waeron  raeveres.25  f>e  biscopes  and  lered  men  heom  curse^e26 
aevre,  oc  was  heom  naht  farof,  for  hi  weron  al  forcursaed  and  for- 
suoren  and  forloren.  Warsae27  me  tilede,  fe  erthe  ne  bar  nan  corn, 
for  fe  land  was  al  fordon  mid  suilce  daedes,  and  hi  saeden  openlice 
Sat  Crist  slep  and  his  halechen.28  Suilc  and  mare  fanne  we  cunnen 
saein,  we  foleden  M  xix  wintre  for  ure  sinnes. 

BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE 


The  Bruce  was  composed  in  I37^by  a  northern  contemporary  of  Chaucer, 
John  Barbour  (1320  (?)-i395),  who  was  for  thirty-eight  years  archdeacon  of 
Aberdeen.  Of  Barbour's  life  comparatively  little  is  known,  but  we  learn  that 
he  received  permits  from  the  king  to  study  at  Oxford  and  in  France,  and  was 
granted  various  pensions.  Besides  the  Bruce,  he  wrote  a  poem  called  The  Brttt, 
and  a  genealogy  of  the  Stuart  family,  both  of  which  are  lost. 


1  tributes  ;  MS.  gaeildes 

2  from  time  to  time 

3  name  given  to  a  tax  exacted 

from  vassals  in  return  for 
protection 

4  plundered 

5  burned 

6  so  that 

7  though 

8  journey 

9  tilled 


10  dear,  expensive 

"  MS.  flee 

12  cheese 

18  died,  perished 

14  went,  lived 

15  at  one  time 
le  fled 

l"  wretchedness 

18  everywhere ;  MS.  ouer 

19  afterwards 

20  abstained  from 


21  church 

22  churchyard 

23  each  man  his  neighbor 

24  anywhere  ;  MS.  ouer 

25  robbers 

26  excommunicated 

27  wheresoever 
528  saints 

29  endured;  MS. ^olenden 


238  CHRONICLES 

The  Bruce  is  called  by  its  author  a  romance,  though  it  has  often  been  dealt 
with  and  criticized  as  history.  '  We  are  hardly  to  regard  it  in  the  light  of  an 
exact  history,  but  rather  as  a  succession  of  episodes  telling  us  various  stories 
about  the  great  perils  and  adventures  of  the  heroes,  the  chief  ,of  whom  are 
Robert  Bruce,  his  brother  Edward,  Sir  James  Douglas,  and  Sir  Thomas 
Randolph,  afterwards  Earl  of  Murray'  (Skeat),  the  period  covered  being 
1286-1332.  The  poem  is  divided  into  twenty  books,  and  Is  wrftten  in  the 
dialect  of  southern  Scotland.  While  certain  parts  of  it  are  undeniably  tedious, 
it  is  of  real  interest  for  its  national  spirit,  and  has  been  influential  upon  so  late 
a  fellow-countryman  of  Barbour's  as  Sir  Walter  Scott.  Barbour's  unique  posi 
tion  is  that '  of  being  the  father  both  of  vernacular  Scottish  poetry  and  Scottish 
history  '  (Diet.  Nat.  Biog.). 

Our  text  is  taken  from  that  of  Skeat,  as  edited  for  the  Scottish  Text  Society 
(Edinburgh,  1894),  with  the  omission  of  square  brackets,  substitution  of  s  for  ss 
(representing  a  single  sound),  and  writing  of  n  as  «,  etc.  Skeat's  text  is  based 
on  the  Edinburgh  manuscript,  written  in  1489,  collated  with  the  Cambridge 
MS.  G.  23,  and  with  several  early  editions.  Our  selections  include  lines  353-406 
of  Book  i,  352-452  of  Book  10,  and  18-49,  *39~66»  and  272-323  of  Book  13. 
It  is  to  be  noted  that  v  and  w  are  frequently  interchanged. 


SIR  JAMES  DOUGLAS 

To  Sanct  Andrews  he  come  in  hy,1 
Quhar 2  the  byschop  full  curtasly 
Resavyt  him,  and  gert8  him  wer  ,    .^cJt 
His  knyvys,4  forouch  5  him  to  scher  ' ;  *        t^J^\   J 
5  And  cled  him  rycht  honorabilly, 

And  gert  ordayn  quhar  he  suld  ly. 

A  weile 7  gret  quhile  thar  duellyt  he ;    ^ 

All  men  lufyt  him  for  his  bdunte, 

For  he  wes  off  full  fayr  effer,8 

^s>*  --, 

10  Wys,  curtais,  and  deboner ; 

Larg 9  and  lyfjjajjd  als  wes  he, 
And  our 10  all  thing  luffyt  lawte.11 
Leaute  to  luff12  is  gretumly  u  -. 
Throuch  leaute  liffis  men  rychtwisly ; 

1  naste  6  carve  at  table  \  11  loyalty 

"where  7  very  (well)  12  to  be  loved 

8  made  8  behavior  13  greatly 

*  knives,  daggers  9  generous 

5  before  10  over  above 

/ 
/j  -• 

. 


BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE  239 

With  a  wertu  *  of  leaute 

A  man, may  jeit  sufficyand  be ; 

And  But 2  leawte  may  nane  haiff  price,^ 

Quhethir  he  be  wycht 4  or  he  be  wj 

For  quhar  it  failjeys^  ha  werti 

May  be  off5  pfic< 

To  mak  a  man  sa  gud  that  he 

May  symgly  gud  man  callyj^  be.  (j  > 

He  wes  in  all  his  dedis  lele  6 ; 

For  him  dedeynjeit 7  nocht  to  dele 

With  trecheryj  na  with  falsgL?   ffi 

His  hart  on  hey  honour  wes  set ; 


And  hym  contenyt 9  on  sic 10  maner_ 

That  all  him  luff yt  that  war  him  ner. 

Bot  he,  wes  nocht  sa  f ay_r  that  we  -15 

Suld  spek  gretly  off  his  beaute  : 
K  V    In  wysage  wes  he  sumdeill  gray, 

And  had  blak  har,  as  Ic  hard  say ; 

Bot  off  lymmys  he  wes  weill  maid, 

With  banys  n  gret  and  schuldrys  braid.  20 

His  body  wes  weyll  maid  and  lenye,12 
Wj    As  thai  that  saw  hym  said  to  me. 

Quhen  he  wes  blyth,  he  wes  lufly, 
0y\  And  meyk  and  sweyt  in  cjumpany  ;0r 

Bot  quha  in  battaill  mycht  him  se,    %v  25 

•^    All  othir  contenance  had  he.    ftf^ 

And  in  spek  13  wlispyt 14  he  sum  deill, 

Bot  that  sat 15  him  rycht  wondre  weill.  '  ; 

Till 16  gud  Ector  of  Troy  mycht  he 

In  mony  thingis  liknyt  be.  30 

Ector  had  blak  har  as  he  had, 

1  virtue  7  deigned  18  speech 

2  without  8  falsehood  M  lisped 

3  praise  9  he  demeaned  himself  15  became 

4  vigorous  10  such  16  to 

5  of  n  bones 

6  leal,  loyal  12  lean,  thin 


240    ri  CHRONICLES 

And  stark l  lymmys,  and  rycht  weill  maid ; 
And  wlispyt  alsua  as  did  he, 
IA" '  And  wes  fullfillyt 2  of  leawte,  - 

And  wes  curtais,  and  wys,  and  wycht.8 
Bot  off  manheid  and  mekill  mycht, 
Till  Ector  dar  I  nane  comper   £ff 
Off  all  that  evir  in  warldys  wer. 
The  quhethyr4  in  his  tyme  sa  wrocht  he, 
That  he  suld  gretly  lovyl  be. 

THE  WINNING  OF  ROXBURGH  CASTLE 

This  tym  that  the  gud  erll  Thomas 
Assegit,6  as  the  lettir 6  sais, 
Edinburgh,  James  of  Douglas 
Set  all  his  vit  for  till  purchas 7  ' 

*^,  —    

How  Roxburgh,  throu  subtilite 
1 5  Or  ony  craft,  mycht  wonnyn  be  ; 

Till  he  gert  Sym  of  the  Ledows  — 

A  crafty  man  and  a  curious  — 

Of  hempyn  rapis 8  ledderis  rpa,9 

With  treyn 10  steppis  buhdin  swa, 
20  That  vald  n  brek  apon  na  kyn  wis.12 

^{V  A  cruk 18  thai  maid,  at  thair  dguis^4 

Of  irn,15  that  wes  styth  16  and  square ; 

That,  fra 17  it  ane  kyrnaill 18  ware,    - 

And  the  leddir  tharfra  stratly 19 
25  Strekit,20  it  suld  stand  sekirly.21     -- 

This  lord  of  Douglas  than,  alsoyn  ffl 

As  this  devisit  wes  and  done, 

1  strong  9  make  w  from  the  time  that,  when 

2  filled  full  1°  wooden  18  against  a  battlement 
*  brave                                   n  would  19  tightly 

4  nevertheless  12  in  no  way  20  stretched 

6  besieged  is  large  hook  21  securely 

6  written  account  M  according  to  their  plan  22  as  soon 

7  devise,  contrive  JS  iron 

8  ropes  16  strong 


if- 

- 


BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE 


241 


M 


Gaderit  gud  men  in  preyate l ; 
Thre  score  I  trow  at 2  thai  mycht  be. 
And  on  the  f  asteryn  evyn 8  rycht, 
In  the  begjYnnyng  of  the  nycht, 
k  Till  the  clstell  thai  tujk  the.3j.ay. 
With  blak  froggis4  all  helit5  thai 
The  armouris  at  thai  on  thame  had. 
Thai  com  njgr  by  thar  but  abaid,^  - 
And  send  haly  thair  hors '  thame  fra, 
And  on  range 8  in  ane  rod 9  can10  ga  u 
On  handis  and  feit,  quhen  thai  wa-frneir, 
Richt  as  thai  ky 12  and  oxin  weir, 
That  war  unbondyn  left  therout. 

di  '  It  wes  richt  -rherk,13  forouten 14  dout ;    $  T 

The  quhethir 15  ane,  on  the  wall  that  lay, 

Besvde  him  till  his  f  eir 1G  can  say  : 

,  J  —~  «  J 

'  This  man  thinkis  to  mak  gude  chere '  — 
And  nemmyt 1T  ane  husband 18  tharby  neir  — 
'  That  has  left  all  his  oxyne. out.' 
The  tothir  said,  '  It  is  na.  dout ; 
He  sail  mak  merye  this  nycht,  thouch  thai 19 
Be  with  w  the  Douglas  led  ayay.' 
Thai  wende  the  Douglas  and  his  men 
Had  beyn  oxyne,  for  thai  jeid 21  then 
On  handis  and  feit,  ay  ane  and  ane. 
The  Dowglas  rycht  gud  tent 2<l  has  tane 
Till  all  thar  speke,24  bot  alssoyn 25  thai 
Held,  carpand,26  inward  on  thar  way. 
The  Douglas  men  tharof  wes  blith, 


Cr^-  tlLv 

20 


1  secrecy 

2  that 

8  eve  of  the  fast,  Shrove 
Tuesday 

4  frocks 

5  covered,  concealed 

6  without  delay 

7  sent  all  their  horses  away 

8  in  single  file 


9  along  a  path  (road) 
1°  did  (gan) 
u  go 
12  cows 
is  dark 

14  without 

15  nevertheless 

16  companion  (OE.ge/era) 

17  named 


is  husbandman,  farmer 

19  (the  cattle) 

20  by 

21  went  (OE.  eode) 

22  attention 

28  paid  (taken) 

24  speech 

25  very  soon 

26  talking 


242  CHRONICLES 


And  till  the  wall  thai  sped  thame  swith l 
And  soyn  has  up  thair  ledderis  set, 
That  maid  a  clap,2  quhen  the  cleket  * 
Wes  festnyt  fast  in  the  kyrnell. 
That  herd  ane  of  the  vachis  4  wele, 
And  buskit6  thiddirward  bjit  baid6; 
Bot'Ledous,  that  the  leddyr  maid, 
'  JL-wLfA.       Sped 7  hym  to  cl^m  first  to  the  wall ; 
Bot,  .or  he  wes  up  gottin  all, 

10  He  aP  that  vard9  had  in  keping, 

jS     If^JL        t^_ 
Met  him  rycht  at  the  upcummyjig ; 

And,  for 10  he  thoucht  to  dyng  u  hym  doune, 

He  maid  na  nojs,  na  cry,  na  sowne, 

Bot  schot ia  till  him  deliverly.18 
15  And  he  that  wes  in  juperdy 

Till  de,14  a  lans 15  till  him  he  maid, 

And  gat  him  be  the  nek  but  baid, 

And  stekit le  him  upward  vith  ane  knyff, 

Quhill  in  his  hand  he  left  tte'liff.17 
20  And  quhen  he  ded  sa  saw  him  ly, 

Upon  the  wall  he  went  in  hy, 

And  doune  the  body  kest  thame  till, 

And  said  :  '  All  gangis 18  as  we  will ; 

Speid19  jow  upward  deliverly.' 
25  And  thai  did  swa  in  full  gret  hy. 

Bot,  or  thai  wan  *°  up,  thar  com  ane, 

And  saw  Ledows  stand  him  allane, 

And  knew  he  wes  nocht  of  thar  men. 

In  hy  he  ruschit  till  hym  then, 
3°  And  hym  assaljeit  sturdely  ; 

Bot  he  hym  slew  deliverly  ; 

1  quickly  8  that  15  leap,  dash 

2  noise  » watch  16  stabbed 

3  clicket,  holdfast  l<>  because  17  life 

*  watches,  guards  n  throw  is  goes 

5  hastened  12  shot,  dashed  i»  hasten 

6  without  delay  is  nimbly  20  succeeded  in  getting 
"  hastened  i<  to  die     » 


BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE 

For  he  wes  armyt  and  wes  vycht~ 
The  tothir  nakyt 1  wes,  I  hicht,2  ' ' 


243 


And  had  nocht  for  till  styjit  no  strak.8 

Qir»   rr\j^ll^  ^    fJ-ioriiT-\  5    /-*OTI    Vio    rY-»olr 


Sic  melle 4  tharup 5  can  he  mak, 


; 


all 


'-r— 


ft- 


uhill  Douglas  and  his  mergjie 
War  wonnyn  up  apon  the  wall. 
Than  in  the  jour  thai  vent  in  hy. 
The  folk  that  tym  wes  halely 7 
Into 8  the  hajl  at  thair  dansyng, 
Synging,  and  othir  wayis  playing 
As  jipon  fastryn  evyn  is 
The  custom,  to  mak  joyji: 
To  folk  that  ar  into 
Swa  trowit  thai  that  tym  to  be. 
Bot,  or  thai  wist,  rycht  in  the  hall 
Douglas  and  his  men  cummyn  var_all, 
And  cryit  on  hicht 10 :  '  Douglas  !  Douglas  ! 
And  thai,  that  ma  n  war  than  he  was, 
Herd  'Dowglas  !  '  cryit  rycht  hydwisly,12 
Thai  war  abasit 13  for  the  cry, 
And  schurje 14  richt  na  defens  to  ma.15 
And  thai  but 16  gije  can  thame  sla, 
Till  thai  had  gottyn  the  ovir  "  hand. 

7  all  of  them 


-/ 


2  assure  you 

3  to  oppose  a  blow  (stop  a  stroke) 

4  such  combat 

5  up  there 

6  host 


9  in  safety 

10  aloud 

11  more 

12  horribly 


18  dismayed 

14  attempted 

15  make 

16  without 

17  upper 


244 


CHRONICLES 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BANNOCKBURN  (A.D.  1314) 

The  closing  incident  of  this  selection  may  be  compared  with  Scott's  adapta 
tion  of  it  in  The  Lord  of  the  Isles  6.31-2.  The  story  of  the  campaign,  with  a 
survey  of  the  related  events  and  conditions,  has  been  told  by  W.  M.  Mackenzie, 
The  Battle  of  Bannockburn  :  A  Study  in  Mediteval  Warfare  (Glasgow,  1913). 

The  battale  thair  so  felloune  1  was, 

And  sua  richt  gret  spilling  of  blud, 

That  on  the  erd  the  flus 2  it  stud. 

The  Scottis  men  so  weill  thame  bar, 
5  And  sua  gret  slauchtir  maid  thai  thar, 

And  fra  so  feill 8  the  livis  revit,4 

That  all  the  feild  wes  bludy  levit.5 

That  tym  thir  thre  battalis  6  wer 

All  syde  be  syde  fechtand 7  weill  neir, 
10  Thar  mycht  man  her 8  richt  mony  dynt, 

And  vapnys  9  apon  armour  stynt,10 

And  se  tummyll n  knychtis  and  stedis, 

With  mony  rich  and  ryoll 12  wedis 18 

Defoulit  roydly 14  under  feit. 
1 5  Sum  held  on  loft,15  sum  tynt 16  the  suet.17 

A  long  quhill  thus  fechtand  thai  wer, 

That  men  no  noyis  na  cry  mycht  her ; 

Men  herd,  nocht  ellis  bot  granys 18  and  dyntis, 

That  slew 19  fire,  as  men  dois 20  on  flyntis ; 
20  Sa 21  faucht  thai  ilkane  egirly 

That  thai  maid  nouthir  noyis  no  cry, 

Bot  dang  w  on  othir  at  thar  mycht, 

With  wapnys  that  war  burnyst  brycht. 

The  arrowis  als  so  thik  thai  flaw 


1  cruel 

Spool 

8  many 

4  took  away 

6  left 

8  these  three  battalions 

"  being  fought 

8  hear 


9  weapons 
10  clash,  smite 
«  tumble,  fall 
12  royal 
is  garments 
14  rudely 
is  aloft 
16  lost 


17  life-blood  (sweat) 

18  groans 
i»  struck 
»  do 

21  so 

22  struck 


BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE  245 

That  thai  mycht  say  weill,  at l  thaim  saw, 

That  thai  ane  hydwis  schour 2  can  ma ; 

For  quhar  thai  fell,  I  wndirta,8 

Thai  left  eftir  thame  taknyng,4 

That  sail  neid,  as  I  trow,  lechyng.5  5 

The  Ynglis  archeris  schot  so  fast 

That,  mycht  thar  schot  haf  had  last,6 

It  had  beyne  hard  to  Scottis  men.  .  .  . 

For  quhen  the  Scottis  ynkirly 7 

Saw  thair  fais  sa  sturdely  -fr*^-  I0 

Stand  into 8  battale  thame  agane, 
With  all  thar  mycht  and  all  thar  mayne 
Thai  layd  on,  as  men  out  of  wit ; 
For  quhar  thai  with  full  strak  9  mycht  hit, 
Thair  mycht  no  armyng 10  stynt  thar  strak  ;  1 5 

Thai  tofruschit u  thame  thai  mycht  ourtak,13 
And  with  axis  sic  duschis 18  gaff 
That  thai  helmys  and  hedis  claff. 
And  thair  fais  richt  hardely 

Met  thame,  and  dang 14  on  douchtely 16  20 

With  wapnys  that  war  stith 16  of  steill. 
Thar  wes  the  battell  strikyn 17  weill ; 
So  gret  dynnyng  ther  wes  of  dyntis, 
As  wapnys  apon  armor  styntis, 
And  of  speris  so  gret  bristing,18 
With  sic  thrawing 19  and  sic  thristing,20 
Sic  gyrnyng,21  granyng,22  and  so  gret 
A  noyis,  as  thai  can  othir  bet,28 
And  cryit  ensenjeis 24  on  everilk  syd, 
Gifand  and  takand  woundis  wyd,  30 

1  that  9  stroke  l"  engaged 

2  shower  1°  armor  18  breaking,  bursting 
8  assert                                                         n  crushed  19  throwing 

4  token  12  overtake  20  thrusting 

5  healing  IB  severe  blows  21  grinning 

6  lasted  l4  struck  22  groaning 
"  in  particular,  for  their  part  15  valiantly  28  beat 

8  in  l"  strong  24  war-cries 


246 


CHRONICLES 


That  it  wes  hydwiss  for  till  her 
All  four  the  battelis,1  wicht  that  wer, 
Fechtand  intill  a  front  haly.a 
Almychty  God  !  full  douchtely 
Schir  Edward  the  Brys  and  his  men 
Amang  thair  fais 8  contenyt  thame  *  then. 
For  all  the  Scottis  men  that  war  thar, 
Quhen  thai  saw  thame 6  eschew  the  ficht, 
Dang  on  thame  swa  with  all  thar  mycht 
That  thai  scalit 6  in  tropellis 7  ser,8 
And  till  discumfitur  war  ner ; 
And  sum  of  thame  fled  all  planly.9 
Bot  thai  that  wicht  war  and  hardy, 
That  schame  letit 10  till  ta  u  the  flicht, 
At  gret  myschef  mantenyt 12  the  ficht, 
And  stithly  in  the  stour  18  can  stand. 
And  quhen  the  king  of  Ingland 
Saw  his  men  fle  in  syndry  w  place, 
And  saw  his  fais  rout,15  that  was 
Worthyn 16  so  wicht  and  so  hardy, 
That  all  his  folk  war  halely  " 
Swa  stonayit 18  that  thai  had  no  mycht 
To  stynt 19  thair  fais  in  the  ficht, 
He  was  abasit  *°  so  gretumly  21 
That  he  and  all  his  cumpany, 
Fif  hundreth  armyt  weill  at  rycht, 
Intill  a  f rusche  M  all  tuk  the  flycht, 
And  till  the  castell  held  ther  way. 
And  jeit,  as  I  herd  sum  men  say, 
That  of  Wallanch  Schir  Amer,28 


1  battalions 

2  abreast,  all  in  one  rank  (?) 
8  foes 

4  demeaned  themselves 

6  the  English 

6  dispersed 

'  small  companies 

8  separate    . 


9  openly 

10  prevented 

11  from  taking 

12  maintained 

18  combat,  battle 
14  sundry 
is  host 
16  become 


"  entirely 

18  astonished,  dismayed 

w  stop,  check 

20  cast  down,  discouraged 

21  greatly,  extremely 

22  rush,  sudden  breaking  of  ranks 
28  Sir  Aymer  de  Valence 


BARBOUR,  THE  BRUCE  247 

Quhen  he  the  feld  saw  vencust1  ner, 
By  the  renje 2  led  avay  the  king, 
Agane  his  will,  fra  the  fichting. 
And  quhen  Schir  Gelis  de  Argente  8 
Saw  the  king  thus,  and  his  menje,  5 

Schape  thame4  to  fle  so  spedely, 
He  com  richt  to  the  kyng  in  hy, 
And  said  :   '  Schir,  sen  that  it  is  swa 
That  je  thusgat 5  jour  gat 6  will  ga, 
Haffis  ~  gud  day  !  for  agane 8  will  I ;  10 

,  j:     ^heit  fled  I  nevir  sekirly  ; 

And  I  cheis  heir  to  byde  and  de, 

Than  till  lif  heir  and  schamfully  fle.' 

His  brydill  than  but  mair  abaid 9 

He  turnyt,  and  agane  he  raid,  15 

And  on  Schir  Eduard  the  Brysis 10  rout 

That  wes  so  sturdy  and  so  stout, 

As  dreid  of  na  kyn  thing  n  had  he, 

He  prikit,12  cryand  '  Argente ! ' 

And  thai  with  speris  swa  him  met,  20 

And  swa  feill  speris  on  hym  set, 

That  he  and  hors  war  chargit 18  swa    L-«-«- 

That  bath  doune  to  the  erd  can  ga ; 

And  in  that  place  than  slayne  wes  he. 

Of  his  ded  wes  rycht  gret  pite ;  25 

He  wes  the  thrid  best  knycht,  perfay, 

That  men  wist  liffand  in  his  day ; 

He  did  mony  a  fair  journe.14 

1  vanquished  c  way  H  no  sort  of  thing 

2  rein  "  have  12  rode  hard 

3  Giles  de  Argentine  8  (turn)  back  again  18  pressed  hard 

4  prepare  themselves  9  without  more  delay  14  day's  fighting 

5  thus  10  Bruce's 

26.  thrid :  the  other  two  named  by  Lord  Hailes  (Ann.  Scot.  2. 48)  are  the 
Emperor  Henry  of  Luxembourg  and  Robert  Bruce. 


STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE 

The  work  which  passes  under  the  name  of  Sir  John  Mandeville  was  probably 
the  production  of  a  certain  Jean  de  Bourgogne,  called  the  Bearded,  who  died 
at  Liege  on  November  17,  1372.  According  to  the  chronicle  composed  by  Jean- 
d'Outremeuse  (1338-1399),  this  Jean  de  Bourgogne  styled  himself  in  his  will 
Jean  de  Mandeville,  and  revealed  on  his  deathbed  to  the  chronicler  that,  having 
had  the  misfortune  to  kill  an  earl  in  his  own  country,  England,  he  had  bound  him 
self  to  traverse  three  parts  of  the  world.  His  tomb  was  to  be  seen  at  Liege  till 
1798,  with  an  inscription  which  ran  (Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  36. 26):  '  Hie  jacet  vir  nobi- 
lis  Dom.  Joannes  de  Mandeville,  alias  dictus  ad  Barbam,  Miles,  Dominus  de 
Campdi,  natus  de  Anglia,  medicinae  professor,  devotissimus  orator,  et  bonorum 
suorum  largissimus  pauperibus  erogator,  qui,  toto  quasi  orbe  lustrato,  Leodii 
diem  vitae  suae  clausit  extremum,  A.D.  MCCCLXXII,  mensis  Nov.  die  XVII.' 

Whatever  traveling  Mandeville  (or  Bourgogne)  may  have  done,  almost  his 
whole  work  is  a  tissue  of  borrowings  and  adaptations  from  such  writings  as 
William  of  Boldensele's  Itinerary  (published  1336),  Odoric  of  Pordenone's 
Itinerary  (1330),  Hetoun  the  Armenian's  History  of  the  Orient  (1307),  the 
so-called  Epistle  of  Prester  John,  etc.  The  work  was  first  written  in  French, 
and  afterwards  translated  into  English,  Latin,  and  a  variety  of  other  languages. 

Dr.  Warner  says  (Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  36.  28) :  '  Avowedly  written  for  the  un 
learned,  and  combining  interest  of  matter  and  a  quaint  simplicity  of  style,  the 
book  hit  the  popular  taste.  ...  No  mediaeval  work  was  more  widely  diffused  in 
the  vernacular.'  Some  three  hundred  manuscripts  are  said  to  be  in  existence. 
There  are  three  English  versions,  of  which  two,  both  contained  in  manuscripts 
of  1410-1420,  are  superior  to  the  other.  One  of  these  (in  Cotton  MS.  Titus  6. 1 6) 
is  the  text  generally  found  in  print ;  the  other,  in  Northern  dialect  (in  Egerton 
MS.  1982),  was  published  by  G.  F.  Warner  in  1889,  with  an  excellent  introduc 
tion  and  notes,  and  is  that  from  which  our  extracts  are  taken.  For  fuller  accounts 
see  Encyc.  Brit,  and  Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  s.v. ;  Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  2. 90-100. 

THE  REBIRTH  OF  THE  PHCENIX 

Text,  p.  25.  In  order  to  show  the  relation  of  the  English  translation  to  the 
original,  a  passage  of  the  French  text  printed  by  Dr.  Warner  is  here  repro 
duced  ;  but  it  must  be  understood  that  this  undoubtedly  differs  from  the  precise 
text  on  which  the  present  English  version  is  based : 

En  Egipte  est  la  cite  de  Eliopole,  cest  a  dire  la  cite  de  solail.  En  celle  y  ad  une 
temple  fait  reonde,  a  la  guise  de  temple  de  Jerusalem.  Luy  preistres  de  ceo  temple  ad 

248 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  249 

par  escript  la  date  del  oysel  qad  a  noun  Fenix,  qi  nest  qe  un  soul  en  monde,  et  se  vient 
la  arder  sur  laulter  de  ceo  temple  au  chief  de  vc  ans,  qar  tant  vit  il.  Ly  preistres  appa- 
raille  et  met  sur  eel  aulter  espices,  et  soufre  vif,  et  autres  choses  qi  legerement  enflau- 
ment,  si  qe  ly  oisel  se  vient  ardoir  tot  en  cendres.  Et  le  primer  iour  apres  lem  troeve 
as  cendres  un  verm ;  et  le  secund  iour  lem  trove  loisel  tot  parfait ;  et  le  tiercz  iour  il 
sen  vole.  Et  ensi  ni  ad  totdys  qe  un  oisel  soul  de  celle  nature ;  et  vrayment  ceo  est  grant 
miracle  de  Dieu.  Et  puet  homme  comparer  eel  oisel  a  Dieu,  en  ceo  qe  ni  ad  Dieu  forsqe 
un  soul,  et  en  ceo  qe  nostre  Seignur  resuscita  le  tiercz  iour.  Cest  oisel  veit  homme  souent 
voler  en  celles  parties.  Et  nest  gairs  pluis  grant  dun  aigle  ;  et  il  ad  un  crest  sur  la  teste 
pluis  grant  qe  un  pauon,  et  ad  col  tout  iaune  de  la  colour  dun  oriel  bien  lusant,  et  le  dos 
de  ynde,  et  les  aeles  de  purpre  colour,  et  la  cowe  reget  de  travers  de  iaune  et  de  rouge. 
Et  est  tres  belle  a  veoir  au  solail,  qar  il  tresluyt  mult  noblement. 

In  Egipte  also  es  a  citee  pat  es  called  Eliople,1  pat  es  als  mykill  at 
say2  as  pe  citee  of  pe  sonne.  In  pis  citee  es  a  temple,  round  in  pe 
maner  of  pe  temple  of  Jerusalem.  J>e  preste  of  pe  temple  has  writen 
in  a  buke  pe  date  of  a  f ewle 8  pat  men  calles  Fenix ;  and  per  es  hot 
ane  in  all  pe  werld.  And  pis  fewle  liffes  fyve  hundreth  jere ;  and  at  5 
pe  fyve  hundreth  jere4  end  he  commes  to  pe  forsaid  temple,  and 
apon  pe  awter  he  brynnes  himself  all  to  powder.  And  pe  preste  of 
pe  temple,  pat  knawes  by  his  buke  pe  tyme  of  his  commyng,  makes 
pe  awter  redy,  and  lays  perapon  diverse  spiceries 6  and  sulphure  vive,6 
and  stikkes  of  pe  junipre  tree,  and  oper  thinges  pat  will  sone  brynne.  10 
And  pan  the  fewle  commes,  and  lightes  apon  pe  awter,  and  fannez 
with  his  wenges  ay  till  pe  forsaid  thinges  be  sett  on  fire ;  and  pare  he 
brynnes  himself  all  till  asches.  On  pe  morue 7  pai  fynd  in  pe  asches  as 
it  ware  a  worme ;  on  pe  secund  day  pat  worme  es  turned  till  a  fewle 
perfitely  fourmed;  and  on  pe  thridd  day  it  flies  fra  pat  place  to  pe  15 
place  whare  it  was  wont  to  dwell.  And  so  per  es  nevermare  bot  ane. 
J>is  ilke  fewle  betakens  oure  Lord"  Jesu  Criste,  in  als  mykill  as  per 
es  bot  a a  Godd,  pat  rase  on  pe  thridd  day  fra  deed  to  lyfe.  J>is  for 
said  fewle  es  ofttymes  sene  ayrand 9  aboute,  when  pe  weder  es  faire 
and  clere ;  and  pai  say  pare  pat  when  pai  see  pat  fewle  sore  in  pe  aer,  20 
pai  sail  afterward  hafe  gude  jeres  and  miry,  for  pai  say  it  es  a  fewle 
of  heven.  And  pis  fewle  es  na  mare  pan  ane  egle  of  body.  He  has 
on  his  heved  a  creste  as  a  pacok,  bot  it  es  mykill  mare  pan  pe  creste 

1  Heliopolis,  a  short  distance  4  year's  7  morrow 

from  Cairo  5  spicy  substances  8  one 

2  as  much  as  to  say  6  sulphur  vivum,  horse  9  moving  in  the  air 

3  bird  brimstone 


250  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

of  a  pacok.  His  nekke  es  jalow,  and  his  back  es  ynde l  colour ;  his 
wenges  er  reed,  and  his  taile  es  barred  overthwert 2  with  grene  and 
jalowe  and  reed.  And  in  f  e  sonne  he  semes  wonder  faire,  for  fir 8  er 
fe  colours  fat  er  fairest  schewand.4 

THE  PARADISE  OF  THE  OLD  MAN  OF  THE  MOUNTAIN 

Text,  pp.  137-8.  Almost  any  encyclopaedia,  and  the  larger  dictionaries 
under  the  word  '  Assassin,'  will  give  some  information  on  the  matter  of  this 
section.  The  Assassins  were  so  called  because  they  were  intoxicated  with 
hashish  (see  the  '  maner  of  drinke '  below).  Mandeville  draws  from  Odoric 
(Yule,  Cathay  1. 153-5)  or  Marco  Polo  (Book  i,  chap.  22);  see  Yule's  notes  to 
both.  The  '  old  man,'  or  sheikh,  derived  his  title  from  the  mountainous  region 
south  of  the  Caspian  which  was  under  his  sway.  In  particular,  he  had  a  moun 
tain  castle  at  Alamut  in  the  Elburz  range,  some  ninety  miles  northwest  of 
Teheran,  and  just  south  of  a  line  joining  Teheran  and  Rasht.  The  rise  of  this 
power  may  be  assigned  to  1090,  or  thereabouts,  and  the  destruction  of  the 
castles  where  the  sheikhs  held  sway  to  about  1256. 

5  Besyde  fe  ile  of  Pentoxore,  fe  whilk  es  Prestre  Johnez,  es  anofer 
ile  bathe  lang  and  brade,  f  e  whilk  es  called  Mulstorak 8 ;  and  it  es 
under  fe  lordschepe  of  Prestre  John.  In  pis  ile  es  grete  plentee  of  all 
maner  of  gudes  and  ricchess.  And  in  fat  land  was  sum  tyme  a  riche 
man  fat  was  called  Catolonabes,  and  he  was  a  grete  man  and  a  won- 

10  der  wyly.  And  he  had  a  faire  castell  and  a  strang,  standand  apon  a 
hill,  and  he  gert 6  make  aboute  it  strang  wallez  and  hie.  And  within 
fase  wallez  he  gert  make  a  faire  gardyn,  and  plant  ferin  all  maner  of 
treez  berand  diverse  fruytz.  He  gert  plant  ferin  also  all  maner  of 
erbez  of  gude  smell,  and  fat  bare  -faire  floures.  J>are  ware  also  in  fat 

15  gardyne  many  faire  welles,  and  besyde  faim  ware  many  faire  halles 
and  chaumbres,  paynted  with  gold  and  azure  wele  and  curiousely  with 
diverse  storys,  and  with  diverse  maners  of  briddes,  fe  whilk  semed, 
as  fai  sang  and  turned  by  engyne,7  as  fai  had  bene  all  quikke.8  He 
putte  also  in  fat  gardyne  all  maner  of  fewles  fat  he  myght  get,  and 

20  all  maner  of  bestez  fat  he  myght  fynd,  to  make  a  man  solace  and  dis- 
porte.  And  he  putte  also  into  fat  gardyne  faire  damysellz  within  fe 

1  blue  (indigo)  *  showing  (i.e.  to  look  upon)  6  caused  to 

2  crosswise  6  Melazgerd,  in  Armenia,  north  "  mechanism 
*  these                                            of  Lake  Van                                                »  alive 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  251 

elde1  of  xv  jere,  fe  fairest  fat  he  myjt  fynd,  and  knafe2  childre  of 
fe  same  elde ;  and  fai  ware  all  cledd  in  clathes  of  gold.  And  f  ase,  he 
said,  ware  aungelles.  Also  he  gert  make  in  fe  forsaid  gardyn  three 
faire  welles  of  precious  stanes,  closed  aboute  with  jasper  and  cristall, 
wele  bunden  with  gold  and  ofer  precious  stanes.  And  he  gert  make  5 
cundytes8  under  fe  erthe,  so  fat,  when  he  wald,  ane  of  fir4  wellez 
ran  of  wyne,  anofer  of  mylke,  anofer  of  hony,  thurgh  fir  forsaid 
cundytes.  And  fis  place  called  he  Paradys.  And,  when  any  jung 
bachelere  of  fe  cuntree  come  to  him,  he  ledd  him  into  fis  Paradys 
and  schewed  him  all  fise  forsaid  thingez.  And  he  had  diverse  myn-  10 
stralles  prively  in  hye  toure  fat  fai  myght  nojt  be  sene,  playand  on 
diverse  instrumentez  of  music.  And  he  said  fat  fai  ware  Goddes 
aungelles,  and  fat  fat  was  Paradys  fat  Godd  graunted  to  fase  fat 
he  lufes,  sayand  on  fis  wyse :  Dabo  vobis  terram  fluentem  lac  et  tnel^ 
fat  es  to  say,  'I  sail  giffe  to  jow  land  flowande  mylke  and  hony.'  15 
And  fan  fis  ryche  man  gafe  to  fise  men  a  maner  of  drinke,  of  whilke 
fai  ware  drunken  alssone 6 ;  and  fan  fai  ware  mare  blinded  fan  fai 
ware  before,  and  wend  fai  had  bene  in  full  blisse.  And  he  said  fam 
fat,  if  fai  wald  putte  faim  in  juperdy  of  deed7  for  his  sake,  when 
fai  ware  deed  fai  schuld  com  into  his  Paradys,  and  fai  schuld  ever-  20 
mare  be  of  fe  elde  of  fe  forsaid  damyselles,  and  fai  schuld  evermare 
dwell  with  fam,  and  have  lyking s  and  dalyaunce  of  fam,  and  ever 
mare  be  maydens,  and  after  a  certayne  tyme  he  schuld  putte  fam 
in  a  fairer  Paradys,  whare  fai  schuld  see  Godd  in  his  majestee,  and 
in  his  blisse  and  joy.  And  fan  fai  graunted  at9  do  all  fat  he  wald  25 
bidd  fam  do.  And  fan  he  bad  fam  ga  to  swilk  a  place,  and  sla10 
swilke  a  lorde  or  man  of  fe  cuntree,  whilk  was  his  enmy,  and  fat  fai 
schuld  hafe  na  drede,  for,  if  fai  ware  deed,  fai  schuld  be  putte  into 
fat  Paradys.  And  f us  gert  he  sla  many  lordes  of  fe  cuntree ;  and 
also  many  of  fise  men  ware  slaen,  in  hope  to  hafe  fis  Paradys  fat  he  30 
hight n  fam.  And  f  us  he  venged  him  on  his  enmys  thurgh  fis  des- 
sayte.12  And  when  lordes  and  riche  men  of  fe  cuntree  persayved  fis 
malice  and  wyle  of  him,  fis  Catolonabes,  fai  gadred  fam  togyder  and 

1  age  5  cf .  Lev.  20. 24  9  to 

3  boy  6  at  once  10  slay 

8  conduits  7  death  n  promised 

4  these  8  pleasure  12  deceit 


252  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

assailed  pis  castell,  and  slew  Catolonabes,  and  destruyd  all  his  ricchess 
and  faire  thinges  pat  ware  in  his  Paradys,  and  kest  doune  his  castell ; 
and  jit  er  pe  welles  pare,  and  sum  other  thinges,  hot  na  ricchess.  It 
es  nojt  lang  sen  it  was  destruyd. 


THE  FOUNTAIN  OF  YOUTH 

Text,  p.  84.  Mandeville  is  here  indebted  to  the  so-called  Letter  of  Prester 
John,  extant  before  1177.  The  Latin  runs  (Zarncke,  Der  Priester  Johannes,  in 
Abh.  Phil.-Hist.  Classe  der  Kiinigl.- Sachs.  Ges.  der  Wiss.,  Vol.  7,  Leipzig,  1879, 
pp.  912-3):  'Quod  nemus  situm  est  ad  radicem  mentis  Olimpi,  unde  fons 
perspicuus  oritur,  omnium  in  se  specierum  saporem  retinens.  Variatur  autem 
sapor  per  singulas  horas  diei  et  noctis,  et  progreditur  itinere  dierum  trium  non 
longe  a  Paradyso,  unde  Adam  fuit  expulsus.  Si  quis  de  fonte  illo  ter  jejunus 
gustaverit,  nullam  ex  ilia  die  infirmitatem  patietur,  semperque  erit  quasi  in 
aetate  XXX  duorum  annorum,  quamdiu  vixerit.'  The  European  notions  of 
the  Fountain  of  Youth  all  go  back  to  this,  according  to  E.  W.  Hopkins  ('  The 
Fountain  of  Youth,'  mjour.  Am.  Or.  Soc.  26  (1905).  32  ff.). 

5  At  pe  heved  of  pis  ilk  forest  es  pe  citee  of  Polombe;  and  besyde 
pat  citee  es  a  mountayne  wharoff  pe  citee  takez  |>e  name,  for  men 
callez  pe  mountayne  Polombe.  And  at  pe  fote  of  pis  mountayne  es  a 
well,  noble  and  faire ;  and  pe  water  peroff  has  a  swete  savour  and 
reflaire,1  as  it  ware  of  diverse  maner  of  spicery.  And  ilke  houre  of  pe 

10  day  pe  water  chaungez  diversely  his  savour  and  his  smell.  And  wha 
so  drinkes  fastand  thryes  of  pat  well,  he  sail  be  hale  of  what  maner 
of  malady  pat  he  base.  And  forpi  2  pa 8  pat  wonnez 4  nere  pat  well 
drynkez  peroff  pe  ofter,  and  perfore  pai  hafe  nevermare  sekeness,  bot 
evermare  pai  seme  Jung.  I,  John  Maundevill,  sawe  pis  well,  and 

1 5  drank  peroff  thrys  and  all  my  f elawes,  and  evermare  sen  pat  tyme  I 

.   fele  me  pe  better  and  pe  haler,  and  suppose 6  for  to  do  till  pe  tyme  pat 

Godd  of  his  grace  will  make  me  to  passe  oute  of  pis  dedly  lyf.    Sum 

men  callez  pat  well  Fons  Juventutis,  pat  es  for  to  say,  pe  well  of  gowthe- 

hede 8 ;  for  pai  pat  drinkez  peroff  semez  allway  Jung.    And  pai  say  pis 

1  odor  8  those  «  MS.  supposez 

2  therefore  4  dwell  6  youth 

5.  Polombe  :  Quilon,  or  Quillon,  not  far  from  Cape  Comorin,  the  southern 
most  point  of  India,  on  the  west  coast  (Yule,  Cathay  12.71). 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  253 

well  commez  fra  Paradys  terrestre,1  for  it  es  so  vertuous.  Thurgh- 
oute  all  fis  cuntree  fer  growes  fe  best  gynger  fat  es  ower  whare2; 
and  marchaunds  commez  fider  fra  ferre  cuntreez  for  to  bye  it. 

ST.  THOMAS  AND  INDIAN  IDOLATRY 
Text,  pp.  86-7.    From  Odoric,  chaps.  18,  19  (Yule,  Cathay  i.  80-83). 

Fra  fis  land  men  gase  by  many  diverse  placez  to  a  cuntree  fat  es 
called  Mabaron 8 ;  and  it  es  fra  fe  forsaid  land  x  day-journeez.  And  5 
it  es  a  grete  rewme  4  and  a  large,  and  many  gude  citeez  and  tounes 
f  erin.  In  fat  land  of  Mabaron  liez  Sayne  Thomas  f  e  apostle,  and  his 
body  all  hale,  in  a  faire  toumbe  in  f  e  citee  of  Calamy 5 ;  for  fare  was 
he  martird  and  graven.6  Bot  afterwardes  fe  Assirienes  tuke  his  body, 
and  bare  it  to  a  citee  in  Mesopotamy  fat  es  called  Edisse.7  Bot  eft-  10 
sones  8  it  was  translated  agayne  to  f  e  foresaid  citee,  and  layd  in  f  e 
forsaid  toumbe ;  and  his  arme  with  his  hand  fat  he  putt  in  oure 
Lordes  syde  after  his  resurreccioun,  when  he  said,  Noli  esse  incredulus, 
sed  fidefa?  lyez  withouten  in  a  vessell.  And  by  that  hand  men  of 
fat  cuntree  giffez  faire  jugementz,  to  wit  wha  has  rijt.  For  if  any  15 
stryf  be  betwene  twa  parties,  and  ayther  party  affermez  fat  he  has 
rijt  in  his  cause,  fan  f  ai  ger  write  in  a  scrowe 10  f  e  rijt  of  ayther  party, 
and  puttez  f  ase  billes  in  f  e  hand  of  Sayne  u  Thomas  ;  and  als  fast 12  f  e 
hand  castez  oute  fe  bille  fat  contenez  fe  fals  cause,  and  fe  tofer  it 
haldez  still.  And  f erfore  men  commez  ofttymes  oute  of  ferre  cuntreez  20 
fider,  for  to  declare  a  rijtwys  cause  betwene  party  and  party,  f  e  whilk 
es  in  doute.  f>e  kirke  whare  Sayne  Thomas  lyes  es  mykill  and  faire, 
and  full  of  ymagery  of  faire  mawmets 13 ;  and  f  ase  ymagez  er  ilk  ane 
of  f  e  stature  of  twa  men  at  f  e  leste. 

Bot  fare  es  ane  fat  passez  all  ofer  of  stature ;  and  fat  es  richely  and  25 
really 14  enourned 15  with  gold  and  precious  stanes  all  aboute,  and  sittez 

1  earthly  *  St.  Thomas,  a  few  miles        n  saint 

2  anywhere  where  (redun-  south  of  Madras  12  as  fast  as  might  be,  very 

dant  phrase)  6  buried  fast 
8  the  Coromandel  coast  of  7  Edessa,  or  Urfa,  in  Syria  13  false  gods,  idols  (///.  Ma- 
southern   India  (Yule,  8  afterwards  hornets) 
Cathay  i.  80)  9  John  20.  27  14  royally 
4  realm  1°  scroll  15  adorned 


254  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

in  a  chaier  nobelly  arraied.  And  he  has  aboute  his  nekk  as  it  ware 
brade  gyrdils l  of  silke,  wele  hernayst z  with  gold  and  preciouse  stanes. 
To  fat  ymage  men  commez  fra  ferre  in  pilgrimage  with  grete  devo- 
cioun,  als  comounly  als  Cristen  men  commez  to  Sayne  James.8  And 

5  sum  of  fam,  for  f  e  grete  devocioun  fai  hafe  to  fat  mawmet,  ay  as  fai 
ga,  er  lukand  douneward  to  fe  erthe,  and  will  nojt  luke  aboute  fam, 
for  fai  schuld  see  nathing  fat  schuld  lette  faire  devocioun.  J>are 
commez  sum  also  f  ider  in  pilgrimage  fat  beres  scharpe  knyfes  in  faire 
handes,  with  whilk,  ay  as  fai  ga  by  fe  way,  fai  wound  famself  in  )>e 

10  legges  and  fe  armes,  and  in  ofer  placez  of  faire  body,  fat  fe  blude 
rynnez  doune  fra  fer  woundes  in  grete  fuysoun.4  And  fis  fai  do  for 
lufe  of  fat  ydole,  and  saise  fat  he  es  full  blissed  fat  will  dye  for  fe 
lufe  of  his  mawmet.  And  sum  of  fam  bringez  with  fam  faire  childer, 
and  slaez  f aim  and  makes  sacrifice  of  fam  to  faire  mawmet ;  and  f ai 

15  take  fe  blude  of  faire  childer,  and  sprenklez  it  apon  fe  ymage.  Sum, 
also,  fra  6  f  ai  passe  oute  of  f  er  housez  til  f  ai  comme  before  faire  maw 
met,  at  ilke  a  thridd  passe  knelis  doune  apon  fe  erthe  with  grete  de 
vocioun.  And  fai  bring  with  fam  incense  and  ofer  thinges  swete 
smelland,  for  to  turify 6  fat  ymage,  as  we  do  here  to  Goddes  body. 

20  And  fare  es  before  fat  ymage,  as  it  ware,  a  poonde 7  or  a  vyver,8  full 
of  water ;  and  into  fat  pilgrimes  castez  gold  and  silver  and  precious 
stanes  withouten  noumer,  insteed  of  offerand.  And  forfi  fe  mynis- 
ters  fat  kepez  fat  ilk  mawmet,  when  fai  hafe  mister 9  of  any  monee 
for  reparailyng  of  faire  kirk,  or  for  any  ofer  thing  fat  fallez  to  fat 

25  ilke  mawmet,  fai  ga  to  fat  ilke  poonde,  and  takez  oute  feroff  als 
mykill  as  fam  nedez.  And  je  schall  understand  fat,  when  grete  festez 
commez  of  fat  mawmet,  as  f e  dedicacioun  of  f e  kirk  or  f e  tronyng 10 
3f  fat  mawmet,  all  f  e  cuntree  assemblez  f  ider ;  and  fai  sett  f  is  maw 
met  with  grete  wirschepe  in  a  chariot,  wele  arraid  with  clathez  of  gold 

30  and  of  silke,  and  ledez  him  with  grete  sollempnitee  aboute  fe  citee. 
And  before  f  e  chariot  gase  first  in  processioun  all  f  e  maydens  of  f  e 
cuntree,  twa  and  twa  togyder ;  and  fan  all  f  e  pilgrymmes  fat  commez 
fider  fra  ferre  cuntreez,  of  whilke  sum  for  fe  grete  devocioun  fai 

1  a  broad  girdle  6  from  the  time  when  9  need 

2  ornamented  6  incense  1°  throning 
8  Saint  James  of  Compostella                      7  pond 

*  abundance,  profusion  8  aquarium  (vivarium) 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  255 

hafe  to  pat  mawmet  fallez  doune  before  pe  chariot,  and  latez  it  gang 
over  pam.  And  so  er  sum  of  pam  slayne,  sum  paire  armes  and  sum 
paire  schankes  broken ;  and  pai  trowe  pat,  pe  mare  payne  pai  suffer 
here  for  lufe  of  paire  mawmet,  pe  mare  joy  in  pe  toper  werld  sail  pai 
hafe,  and  pe  nerre  paire  godd  sail  pai  be.  And  sikerly  pai  suffer  so  5 
mykill  payne  and  martirdom  apon  paire  bodys  for  pe  lufe  of  pat  ilke 
mawmet,  pat  unnethes1  will  any  Cristen  man  suffer  half  so  mykill, 
ne  pe  tende 2  parte,  for  pe  lufe  of  oure  Lorde  Jesu  Criste. 

THE  SULTAN  OF  EGYPT 
Text,  pp.  20-1 

J>e  sowdan8  has  three  wyfes,  of  pe  whilke  ane  sail  be  a  Cristen 
womman,  and  pe  oper  twa  Sarezenes.  And  ane  of  pir  wyfes  sail  dwell  10 
in  Jerusalem,  anoper  at  Damasc,  and  pe  thridd  at  Ascalon.4  And,  ay 
when  him  list,  he  gase  to  visit  pam,  and  umqwhyle 5  ledes  pam  aboute 
with  him.  Noght  forpi 6  he  has  lemmanes,  als  many  as  him  list  have ; 
for,  when  he  comes  till  any  citee  or  toune,  he  gers  bring  before  him 
all  pe  nobilest  and  pe  fairest  maydens  of  pe  cuntree  nere  aboute,  and  15 
he  gers  pam  be  keped  honestly  and  wirschipfully.  And,  when  he  will 
hafe  any  of  pam,  he  gers  paim  all  be  bjroght  before  him,  and  wha  so 
es  maste  lykand  tilljiim,  he  sendes  twl  hir  or  takes  pe  ryng  off  his 
fynger,  and  castez  ml  hir.  And  pan  sail  scho  be  tane,7  and  waschen 
and  bawmed 8  and  wirschipfully  cledd,  and  after  souper  be  broght  till  20 
his  chaumbre.  And  pus  he  duse  ay  when  he  will.  Before  pe  sowdan 
sail  na  straunger  com  pat  he  ne  sail  be  cledd  in  clathe  of  gold  or  tars 9 
or  in  chamelet,10  a  maner  of  clething  whilk  pe  Sarzenes  usez.  And  als 
sone  as  he  has  sight  of  pe  sowdan,  be  it  at  wyndow  or  elleswhare, 
him  behoves  knele  doune  and  kisse  pe  erthe ;  for  swilk  es  pe  maner  25 
pare  to  do  reverence  to  pe  sowdan,  when,  any  man  will  speke  with 
him.  And  when  any  straungers  commes  till  him  in  "message  n  oute  of 
ferre  landes,  his  men  sail  stand  aboute  him  with  drawen  swerdes  in 
handes,  and  per  handes  up  on  loft,12  to  stryke  pam  doune,  if  pai  speke 

1  scarcely,  with  difficulty  5  from  time  to  time  9  a  rich  Oriental  stuff 

2  tenth  6  none  the  less  10  damasked  silk 

3  sultan  ?  taken  H  on  an  embassy 

4  West  of  Jerusalem,  on  the  coast  8  anointed  12  aloft 


256  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

any  thing  fat  displesez  f  e  sowdan.  J>are  sail  na  straunger  com  before 
him  for  to  ask  him  any  thing  fat  ne  his  asked  sail  be  graunted  him, 
if  it  be  resounable  and  nojt  agayne  faire  lawe.  And  rijt  so  duse  all 
ofer  princez  and  lordes  in  fat  cuntree ;  for  f  ai  say  fat  na  man  suld 
5  com  before  a  prince  fat  he  ne  schuld  passe  gladder  away  fan  he 
come  fiderward. 

THE  EARTH  IS  ROUND 
Text,  pp.  90-2 

And  je  schall  understand  fat  in  fis  land,  and  in  many  ofer  fare- 
aboute,  men  may  nojt  see  fe  sterne1  fat  es  called  Polus  Articus, 
whilk  standes  even  north  and  stirrez  never,  by  whilk  schippemen  er 

10  ledd,  for  it  es  nojt  sene  in  fe  south.  Bot  fer  es  anofer  steme,  whilke 
es  called  antartic,  and  fat  es  even  agayne 2  f e  tofer  sterne ;  and  by 
fat  sterne  er  schippemen  ledd  fare,  as  schippemen  er  ledd  here  by 
Polus  Articus.  And,  rijt  as  fat  sterne  may  nojt  be  sene  here,  on  fe 
same  wyse  fis  sterne  may  nojt  be  sene  fare.  And  fareby  may  men 

15  see  wele  fat  fe  werld  es  all  rounde;  for  parties3  of  fe  firmament 
whilk  may  be  sene  in  sum  cuntree  may  nojt  be  sene  in  anofer.  And 
fat  may  men  prove  fus.  For,  if  a  man  myght  fynd  redy  schipping 
and  gude  company,  and  ferto  had  his  hele,4  and  wald  ga  to  see  fe 
werld,  he  myght  ga  all  aboute  fe  werld,  bathe  aboven  and  benethe. 

20  And  fat  prufe  I  fus,  after5  fat  I  hafe  sene.  For  I  hafe  bene  in 
Braban,6  and  sene  by  f  e  astrolaby 7  fat  f  e  pole  artyc  es  fare  liii  de- 
greez  hegh,  and  in  Almayne 8  towardes  Boem  9  it  has  Iviii  degrez,  and 
forfermare10  toward  fe  north  it  has  Ixii  degrez  of  height  and  sum 
mynutes.  All  fis  I  persayved  by  fe  astrolaby.  And  je  schall  under- 

25  stand  fat  in  fe  south,  even  ynentes11  fis  sterne,  es  fe  sterne  fat  es 
called  pole  antartic.  f>ise  twa  sternes  stirrez  never  mare  ;  and  aboute 
faim  movez  fe  firmament,  as  a  qwhele12  duse  aboute  ane  axeltree. 
And  so  f  e  lyne  fat  es  betwene  f  ise  twa  sternez  departez 18  all  f  e  firma 
ment  in  twa  partes,  ayther  ylike  mykill.14  Afterwardes  I  went  toward 

1  star  «  Brabant  11  exactly  opposite 

2  exactly  opposite  to  '  astrolabe  12  wheel 

8  parts  8  Germany  13  separates 

*  health  9  Bohemia  "  much  alike 

6  according  to  l«  further 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  257 

f  e  south,  and  I  fand  fat  in  Liby l  seez  men  first  f  e  sterne  antartyke ; 
and,  as  I  went  ferrer,  I  fand  pat  in  hie  Liby  it  hase  in  height  xviii  de- 
greez  and  sum  mynutes,  of  whilke  mynutes  Ix  makez  a  degre.  And 
so,  passand  by  land  and  by  see  toward  fe  cuntree  fat  I  spakk  off 
lire,2  and  ofer  landes  and  iles  fat  er  bejond,  I  fand  fat  fis  steme  5 
antartik  had  in  height  xxxiii  degreez.  And,  if  I  had  had  cumpany 
and  schipping  fat  wald  hafe  gane  ferrer,  I  trow  forsothe  fat  we  schuld 
hafe  sene  all  fe  roundeness  of  fe  firmament,  fat  es  to  say  bathe  f e 
emisperies,8  fe  uppermare  and  fe  nedermare.4  For,  as  I  sayd  sow 
before,  half  e  fe  firmament  es  betwene  fise  twa  sternes ;  fe  whilk  I  10 
hafe  sene.  .  .  .  And  ferfore  I  say  sikerly  fat  a  man  myght  go  all  fe 
werld  aboute,  bathe  aboven  and  bynethe,  and  comme  agayne  to  his 
awen  cuntree,  so  fat  he  had  his  hele,  gude  schipping,  and  gude  com 
pany,  as  I  said  before.  And  all  way  he  schuld  fynd  men,  landes,  and 
iles  and  citeez  and  townes,  as  er  in  fir  cuntrees.  For  je  wate  wele  15 
fat  fase  men  fat  dwellez  even  under  fe  pole  antartyk  er  fote  agayne 
fote  .to  fase  fat  dwellez  even  under  fe  pole  artyke,  als  wele  as  we 
and  fase  men  fat  dwellez  agaynes  us  er  fote  agayne  fote ;  and  rijt 
so  it  es  of  ofer  parties  of  fe  werld.  For  ilke  a  party  of  fe  erthe  and 
of  fe  see  hase  his  contrary  of  thinges,  whilk  er  even5  agaynes  him.  20 
And  56  schall  understand  fat,  as  I  conjecture,  f  e  land  of  Prestre  John, 
Emperour  of  Inde,  es  even  under  us.  For,  if  a  man  schall  ga  fra 
Scotland  or  Ingland  unto  Jerusalem,  he  sail  ga  all  way  upward.  For 
oure  land  es  f  e  lawest 6  party  of  f  e  west,  and  f  e  land  of  Prestre  John 
es  in  fe  lawest  party  of  fe  este.  And  fai  hafe  day  when  we  hafe  nyght,  25 
and  nyght  when  we  hafe  day.  And,  als  mykill  as  a  man  ascendes 
upward  oute  of  oure  cuntreez  to  Jerusalem,  als  mykill  schall  he  go 
dounward  to  f  e  land  of  Prestre  John ;  and  f  e  cause  es  for  f  e  erthe 
and  fe  see  er  rounde.  For  it  es  fe  comoun  worde  fat  Jerusalem  es 
in  myddes  of  f  e  erthe ;  and  fat  may  wele  be  proved  f  us.  For,  and  a  30 
man  fare  take  a  spere  and  sett  it  even  in  fe  erthe  at  midday,  when 
f  e  day  and  f  e  nyght  er  bathe  ylyke  lang,  it  makez  na  schadowe  till  na 
party.7  And  David  also  beres  witnes  f eroff,  fare  he  saise  :  Deus  autem 

1  Libya  *  nether  7  direction 

2  before  5  just,  exactly 
*  hemispheres                                           6  lowest 


258  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

rex  noster  ante  secula  operatus  est  salutem  in  media  terre?  fat  es  to  say : 
'  Godd  oure  kyng  before  fe  begynnyng  of  fe  werld  wroght  hele  in 
myddes  of  fe  erthe.'  And  f  erf  ore  fai  fat  gase  oute  of  oure  cuntreez 
of  fe  west  toward  Jerusalem,  als  many  journez2  as  fai  make  to  ga 

5  fider  upward,  als  many  journez  sail  fai  make  to  ga  in  to  fe  land  of 
Prestre  John  dounward  fra  Jerusalem.  And  so  he  may  ga  into  fase 
iles  envirounand  all  fe  roundness  of  fe  erthe  and  of  fe  see,  till  he 
com  even  under  us.  And  J>erfore  I  hafe  ofttymes  thoght  on  a  tale  fat 
I  herd,  when  I  was  Jung,  how  a  worthy  man  of  oure  cuntree  went 

10  on  a  tyme  for  to  see  f  e  werld ;  and  he  passed  Inde 8  and  many  iles 
byjonde  Inde,  whare  er  ma  fan  vm  4  iles,  and  he  went  so  lang  by  land 
and  by  see,  envirounand  fe  werld,  fat  he  fand  ane  ile  whare  he  herd 
men  speke  his  awen  langage.  For  he  herd  ane 5  dryfe  bestez,  sayand 
to  fam  swilke  wordes  as  he  herd  men  say  til  oxen  in  his  awen  cun- 

15  tree  gangand  at  fe  plugh  ;  of  whilk  he  had  grete  mervaile,  for  he  wist 
nojt  how  it  myght  be.  Bot  I  suppose  he  had  so  lang  went 6  on  land 
and  on  see,  envirounand  ]> e  werld,  fat  he  was  commen  in  to  his  awen 
marchez 7 ;  and,  if  he  had  passed  forf ermare,  he  schuld  hafe  commen 
even  to  his  awen  cuntree.  Bot  for  he  herd  fat  mervaile,  and  myght 

20  get  schipping  na  ferrere,  he  turned  agayne  as  he  come ;  and  so  he 
hed  a  grete  travaile.  And  it  befell  efterward  fat  he  went  into  Nor 
way  ;  and  a  tempest  of  wynd  in  fe  see  drafe  him,  so  fat  he  arryved 
in  ane  ile.  And,  when  he  was  fare,  he  wist  wele  it  was  f e  ile  in  whilk 
he  had  bene  before  and  herd  his  awen  speche,  as  men  drafe  bestez. 

25  And  fat  myght  wele  be ;  fof  all 8  it  be  fat  symple  men  of  cunnyng 
trowe  nojt  fat  men  may  ga  under  fe  erthe  bot-if 9  fai  fall  unto  fe 
firmament.  For  as  us  think 10  fat  f  ase  men  er  under  us,  so  think  f  aim 
fat  we  er  under  f  aim. 

1  Ps.  74. 12  5  one;  a  man  9  unless 

-  day's  journeys  6  traveled  1°  it  seems  to  us 

8  India  T  borders 

4  five  thousand  *  even  though 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  259 

THE  TERRESTRIAL  PARADISE 

Text,  pp.  149-50.  To  afford  an  opportunity  of  comparison  with  the  current 
Southern  text,  the  beginning  of  this  section  is  here  transcribed  from  Halliwell's 
reprint  (London,  1839,  p.  303),  with  changes  in  capitalization  :  '  And  bej;onde 
the  lond  and  the  yles  and  the  desertes  of  Prestre  Johnes  lordschipe,  in  goynge 
streyght  toward  the  est,  men  fynde  nothing  but  mountaynes  and  roches  fulle 
grete :  and  there  is  the  derke  regyoun,  where  no  man  may  see,  nouther  be  day 
ne  be  nyght,  as  thei  of  the  contree  seyn.  And  ftiat  desert  and  that  place  of 
derknesse  duren  fro  this  cost  unto  Paradys  Terrestre,  where  that  Adam,  oure 
foremest  fader,  and  Eve  weren  putt,  that  dwelleden  there  but  lytylle  while ; 
and  that  is  towards  the  est,  at  the  begynnynge  of  the  erthe.' 

For  the  subject  in  general,  see  Coli,  //  Paradise  Terrestre  Dantesco,  Flor 
ence,  1897. 

Beyond  pir  ilez  pat  I  hafe  talde  jow  off,  and  pe  desertez  of  pe  lord- 
schepe  of  Prestre  John,  to  ga  even 1  est,  es  na  land  inhabited,  as  I  said 
before,  bot  wastez  and  wildernessez,  and  grete  rochez  and  moun 
taynes,  and  a  myrk  '2  land,  whare  na  man  may  see,  nyght  ne  day,  as 
men  of  pas  cuntreez  talde  us.  And  pat  mirk  land  and  pase  desertez  5 
laste  rijt  to  Paradyse  terrestre,  wharein  Adam  and  Eve  ware  putte ; 
bot  pai  ware  pare  bot  a  lytill  while.  And  pat  place  es  toward  pe  este,  at 
pe  begynnyng  of  pe  erthe.  Bot  pat  es  nojt  oure  este,  whare  pe  sonne 
risez  till  us ;  for  when  pe  sonne  risez  in  pase  cuntreez,  pan  es  it  mid- 
nyght  in  our  cuntree,  because  of  pe  roundness  of  pe  erthe.  For,  as  I  10 
said  before,  Godd  made  pe  erthe  all  rounde,  in  myddez  of  pe  firma 
ment.  Bot  pe  hillez  and  pe  valays  pat  er  now  on  pe  erthe  er  nojt  bot 
of  Noe  flude,  thurgh  pe  whilk  pe  tendre  erthe  was  remowed  fra  his 
place,  and  pare  become  a  valay,  and  pe  hard  erthe  habade 8  still,  and 
pare  er  now  hilles.  1 5 

Off  Paradys  can  I  nojt  speke  properly,  for  I  hafe  nojt  bene  pare ; 
and  pat  f orthinkez 4  me.  Bot  als  mykill  as  I  hafe  herd  Of  wyse  men, 
and  men  of  credence,  of  pase  cuntreez,  I  will  tell  jow.  Paradys  ter 
restre,  as  men  saise,  es  pe  hiest  land  of  pe  werld ;  and  it  es  so  hye 
pat  it  touchez  nere  to  pe  cercle  of  pe  moone.  For  it  es  so  hye  pat  20 
Noe 5  flode  myght  nojt  com  perto,  whilk  flude  coverd  all  pe  erthe  bot 
it.  Paradys  es  closed  all  aboute  with  a  wall ;  bot  whareoff  pe  wall  es 

1  directly  8  abode  5  Noah's 

2  dark,  gloomy  <  that  I  regret 


200  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

made,  can  na  man  tell.  It  es  all  mosse-begrowen,  and  coverd  so  with 
mosse  and  with  bruschez  fat  men  may  see  na  stane,  ne  nojt  elles 
wharoff  a  wall  schuld  be  made.  J>e  walle  of  Paradys  strechez  fra  ]>e 
south  toward  }>e  north ;  and  f  er  es  nane  entree  open  into  it,  because 

5  of  fire  evermare  brynnand,  ]> e  whilk  es  called  fe  flawmand  swerde 1  fat 
Godd  ordaynd  fare  before  fe  entree,  for  na  man  schuld  entre. 

In  fe  middes  of  Paradys  es  a  well,  out  of  fe  whilke  fer  commez 
foure  flodez,2  fat  rynnez  thurgh  diverse  landez.  J?ir8  flodez  sinkez  doune 
into  fe  erthe  within  Paradyse,  and  rynnez  so  under  fe  erthe  many  a 

10  myle,  and  afterwardes  comme  fai  up  agayne  oute  of  fe  erthe  in  ferre 
cuntreez. 

SIR  JOHN'S  MODESTY 
Text,  pp.  155-6 

J>are  er  many  ofer  cuntreez  and  ofer  mervailes  whilk  I  hafe  nojt 
sene,  and  f erfore  I  can  nojt  speke  properly  of  f am ;  and  also  in  cun 
treez  whare  I  hafe  bene  er  many  mervailes  of  whilk  I  speke  nojt,  for  it 

15  ware  owere4  lang  to  tell.  And  also  I  will  tell  na  mare  of  mervailes  fat 
er  fare,  so  fat  ofer  men  fat  wendez  fider  may  fynd  many  new  thingez 
to  speke  off,  whilk  I  hafe  nojt  spoken  off.  For  many  men  hase  grete 
lykyng  and  desyre  for  to  here  new  thinges ;  and  f  erfore  will  I  now 
ceesse  of  tellyng  of  diverse  thingez  fat  I  sawe  in  f ase  cuntreez,  so  fat 

20  fase  fat  covetez  to  visit  fase  cuntrez  may  fynd  new  thinges  ynewe  to 
tell  off,  for  solace  and  recreacioun  of  f  aim  fat  lykez  to  here  f  am. 

And  I,  JOHN  MAWNDEVILL,  knyght,  fat  went  oute  of  my  cuntree, 
and  passed  fe  see,  fe  gere  of  oure  Lord  Jesu  Criste  MCCCXXXII, 
and  hase  passed  thurgh  many  landes,  cuntreez,  and  iles,  and  hase  bene 

25  at  many  wirschipfull  journeez5  and  dedez  of  armez  with  worthy  men 
—  if  all 6  I  be  unworf i  —  and  now  am  commen  to  rest,  as  man  dis- 
comfitt  for  age  and  travaile  and  febilness  of  body,  fat  constraynez  me 
farto,  and  for  ofer  certayne  causez,  I  hafe  compiled  fis  buke  and 
writen  it,  as  it  coome  to  my  mynde,  in  fe  jere  of  oure  Lord  Jesu 

30  Criste  MCCCLXVI,  fat  es  for  to  say,  in  fe  foure  and  thrittyde  jere 
efter  fat  I  departed  oute  of  fis  land,  and  tuke  my  way  fiderward. 

1  Gen.  3.  24  8  these  s  days  of  battle 

2  Gen.  2.  loff.  4  too  6  even  if 


SIR  JOHN  MANDEVILLE  261 

And  for  als  mykill  as  many  men  trowez  nojt  hot  fat  at *  pai  see 
with  paire  eghen,  or  pat  pai  may  consayve  with  paire  awen  kyndely2 
wittes,  perfore  I  made  my  way  in  my  commyng  hamward  unto  Rome, 
to  schew  my  buke  till'  cure  Haly  Fader  pe  Pape.  And  I  tald  him  pe 
mervailes  whilk  I  had  sene  in  diverse  cuntreez,  so  pat  he,  with  his  5 
wyse  counsaile,  wald  examyne  it  with  diverse  folke  pat  er  in  Rome — 
for  pare  er  evermare  dwelland  men  of  all  naciouns  of  pe  werld.  And 
a  lytill  after,  when  he  and  his  wyse  counsaile  had  examynde  it  all 
thurgh,  he  said  to  me  for  certayne  pat  all  was  soth  pat  was  perin. 
For  he  said  pat  he  had  a  buke  of  Latyn  pat  conteyned  all  pat  and  10 
mykill  mare,  after  whilk  buke  the  Mappa  Mundi  es  made ;  and  pat 
buke  he  schewed  me.  And  perfore  oure  Haly  Fader  pe  Pape  hase 
ratified  and  confermed  my  buke  in  all  poyntes. 

Qwherfore  I  pray  til  all  pase  pat  redez  pis  buke,  or  heres  it  redd,  pat 
pai  will  pray  for  me,  and  I  schall  pray  for  paim.   And  all  pase  pat  saise  1 5 
for  me  devotely  a  Pater  Noster  and  ane  Ave,  pat  Godd  forgife  me  my 
synnez,  he  graunt  pam  parte  of  all  my  pilgrimage,  and  all  oper  gude 
dedis  pat  I  hafe  done,  or  may  do  in  tyme  commyng  unto  my  lyfez  end. 
And  I,  in  pat  in  me  es,  makez  pam  parceneres8  of  me,4  prayand  to 
Godd,  of  wham  all  grace  commez,  pat  he  fulfill  with  his  grace  all  pase  20 
pat  pis  buke  redez  or  heres,  and  save  pam  and  kepe  pam  in  body  and 
saule,  and  after  pis  lyf  bring  pam  to  pe  cuntree  whare  joy  es,  and 
endles  rest,  and  peesse  withouten  end.    Amen. 

A  PILGRIMAGE  BY  SEA  TO  COMPOSTELLA 

The  manuscript  containing  this  poem  has  been  ascribed  to  the  time  of 
Henry  VI  (1422-1471).  It  is  here  printed  from  Furnivall's  edition  of  The 
Stations  of  Rome  (E.E.T.S.  No.  25). 

Men  may  leve  alle  gamys 6 

That  saylen  to  Seynt  Jamys,6  25 

Ffor  many  a  man  hit  gramys,7 
When  they  begyn  to  sayle ; 

1  that  4  MS.  >am  6  Santiago  de  Compostella,  in  the  province 

2  natural,  native  6  put  aside  all  mirth  of  Galicia,  hi  northwestern  Spain 
s  sharers,  partners                                                  7  distresses 


262  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

Ffor  when  they  have  take  the  see 
At  Sandwyche *  or  at  Wynchylsee,2 
At  Brystow,8  or  where  that  hit  bee, 
Theyr  hertes  begyn  to  fayle. 

5  Anone  the  mastyr  commaundeth  fast 

To  hys  shypmen,  in  alle  the  hast,4 
To  dresse 6  hem  sone  about  the  mast, 

Theyr  takelyng  to  make  ; 
With  '  Howe  !  hissa  ! '  then  they  cry ; 
10  '  What,  howe  I  mate,  thow  stondyst  to  6  ny> 

Thy  felow  may  nat  hale 7  the 8  by  ' ; 
Thus  they  begyn  to  crake.9 

A  boy  or  tweyn  an  one  upstyen,10 
And  overthwart  the  sayle-yerde  lyen. 

15  '  Y  how  1  taylia  ! '  the  remenaunt  cryen, 

And  pulle  with  alle  theyr  myght. 
'  Bestowe  u  the  boote,12  boteswayne,  anon, 
That  our  pylgryms  may  pley  theron ; 
For  som  ar  lyke  to  cowgh  and  grone 

20  Or18  hit  be  full  mydnyght.' 

'  Hale  the  bowelyne 14 !  now,  vere  the  shete  !  — 
Cooke,  make  redy  anoon  our  mete ! ' 
'  Our  pylgryms  have  no  lust  to  etc, 

I  pray  God  yeve  hem  rest.' 

25  '  Go  to  the  helm  !  what,  howe !  no  nere  u ! '  — 

'  Steward,  felow,  a  pot  of  bere ! ' 
'  Ye  shalle  have,  sir,  with  good  chere, 

Anon  alle  of  the  best.' 


1  north  of  Dover  ?  haul  18  ere 

2  southwest  of  Dover,  in  Sussex  8  thee  l*  a  rOpe  made  fast  to  the  mid- 
*  Bristol  9  call  aloud  die  part  of  the  outside  of 
4  all  haste  1°  climb  a  sail 

6  make  ready  11  stow  ifi  nearer   (no   closer   to   the 

6  too  12  boat  wind  ?) 


A  PILGRIMAGE  TO  COMPOSTELLA  263 

'  Y  howe  !  trussa  !  hale  in  the  brayles 1 !  • 
Thow  halyst  nat,  be  God,  thow  fayles  ! '  — 
'  O  se  howe  welle  owre  good  shyp  sayles ! ' 

And  thus  they  say  among. 

*  Hale  in  the  wartake  2  ! '    '  Hit  shal  be  done.'  —  5 

'  Steward,  cover  the  boorde  anone, 
And  set  bred  and  salt  therone, 

And  tary  nat  to  long ! ' 

Then  cometh  oone  and  seyth :  '  Be  mery, 

Ye  shall  have  a  storme  or  a  pery.3 '  10 

'  Holde  thow  thy  pese !  thow  canst  no  whery,4 

Thow  medlyst  wondyr  sore.' 
Thys  menewhyle5  the  pylgryms  ly, 
And  have  theyr  bowlys  fast  theym  by, 
And  cry  aftyr  hote  malvesy6:  15 

'  Thow  helpe  for  to  restore.' 

And  som  wold  have  a  saltyd  tost,7 

Ffor  they  myght  ete  neyther  sode 8  ne  rost ; 

A  man  myght  sone  pay  for  theyr  cost, 

As  for  oo  day  or  twayne.  20 

Som  layde  theyr  bookys  on  theyr  kne, 
And  rad 9  so  long  they  myght  nat  se. 
'  Alias,  myne  hede  wolle  cleve  on  thre  ! ' 

Thus  seyth  another  certayne. 

Then  commeth  owre  owner,  lyke  a  lorde,  25 

And  speketh  many  a  royall  worde, 
And  dresseth  hym  to  the  hygh  borde, 

To  see  alle  thyng  be  welle. 
Anone  he  calleth  a  carpentere, 
And  byddyth  hym  bryng  with  hym  hys  gere,10  30 

1  small  ropes  fastened  to  the  4  (?)  8  anything  boiled 

edges  of  sails  6  in  the  meantime  9  read 

2  (?)  6  malmsey  10  tools 

3  squall  7  toast 


264  STORIES  OF  TRAVEL 

To  make  the  cabans  here  and  there, 
With  many  a  febylle l  celle. 

A  sak  of  strawe  were  there  ryght  good, 
Ffor  som  must  lyg 2  theym  in  theyr  hood  • 
I  had  as  lefe  be  in  the  wood, 

Without[e]  mete  or  drynk. 
For  when  that  we  shall  go  to  bedde, 
The  pumpe  is 8  nygh  oure  beddes  hede ; 
A  man  were  as  good  be  *  dede 

As  smell  therof  the  stynk. 

i  slightly  built  a  lie  8  MS.  was  *  MS.  to  be 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


ROLLE,  THE  FORM  OF  PERFECT  LIVING 

Richard  Rolle,  who  was  born  near  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century  (the 
year  is  not  known)  at  Thornton  Dale,  near  Pickering  in  northern  Yorkshire, 
was  a  hermit  and  mystic  who  wrote  the  first  original  [since  the  Ancren  Rivule 
is  translated]  English  prose  after  the  Conquest  (Jusserand,  Lit.  Hist.  Eng.  People 
i.  218).  In  his  early  youth  he  was  sent  as  a  student  to  Oxford,  but  was  repelled 
by  the  scholastic  philosophy  there  dominant,  and  made  up  his  mind  to  turn  to 
a  life  of  contemplation.  For  the  next  four  years  he  lived  in  a  solitary  cell  on 
the  estate  of  friends  who  provided  him  with  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  there 
'«  he  passed  through  three  stages  of  the  contemplative  life — purificatio,  illumi- 
natio,  and  contemplatio  proper  (cf.  H.  O.  Taylor,  The  Mediaeval  Mind  2.  362  ff.), 
in  the  last  of  which  he  had  the  mystic  sense  of  the  direct  vision  of  God.  After 
traveling  about  for  some  time,  in  the  hope  of  teaching  his  faith,  as  to  which 
he  met  with  little  encouragement  and  considerable  opposition,  he  settled  near 
the  recluse  Margaret  Kirkby  at  Ainderby,  near  Northallerton  (famous  for  the 
Battle  of  the  Standard),  also  in  the  North  Riding,  where  he  gave  assistance 
and  instruction  to  her  and  other  recluses.  Later  he  lived  and  wrote  at  Hampole, 
five  miles  northwest  of  Doncaster,  in  the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  where 
he  died  in  1349,  and  whence  he  has  come  to  be  known  as  Richard  Rolle  of 
Hampole. 

Rolle  was  a  figure  apparently  but  little  heeded  by  the  authorities  of  his  own 
time,  yet  one  of  real  significance.  In  his  emphasis  on  the  direct  relation  be 
tween  the  individual  soul  and  God,  rather  than  on  mere  obedience  to  the 
Church,  he  was  a  forerunner  of  Wycliffe  and  Luther;  and  through  the  fervor 
oThis  mystical  outpourings,  he  still  makes  a  strong  emotional  appeal. 

His  works,  which  it  is  hard  in  some  cases  to  distinguish  from  those  of  his 
imitators  and  translators,  were  sometimes  written  in  Latin  and  sometimes  in 
English,  one  of  the  best  known  of  those  in  English  being  a  long  poem,  The 
Prick  of  Conscience.  His  editor  Horstman  says  of  him  :  '  His  chief  character 
istic  as  a  writer  is  originality  —  he  is  essentially  a  genius;  everywhere  he  cuts  \ 
out  new  ways,  lays  new  foundations.  Next,  he  is  preeminently  a Jjric  ;  whether 
he  writes  in  prose  or  verse,  he  writes  from  feeling,  from  momentary  inspiration. 
Besides,  he  is  of  a  remarkable  versatility  and  facility;  he  writes  with  equal 
ease  in  Latin  and  English,  in  verse  and  prose,  and  in  all  kinds  of  verse,  fre 
quently  mixing  prose  and  verse  in  the  same  work  ;  he  writes  postils,  commen 
taries,  epistles,  satires,  polemic  treatises,  prayers  and  devotions,  lyric  and 
didactic  poetry,  epigrams  '  (2.  xxxv).  Our  selections  are  from  his  epistle  known 

265 


266  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

as  The  Form  of  Perfect  Living,  as  it  appears  in  MS.  Cambr.  Dd.  V.  64,  where 
it  is  dedicated  to  the  recluse  Margaret.  For  this  text,  and  for  an  extended 
account  of  Richard  Rolle  and  his  place  in  the  history  of  mysticism,  see  Richard 
Rolle  of  Hampole,  ed.  C.  Horstman,  London,  1895,  m  Yorkshire  Writers  (Library 
of  Early  English  Writers).  Our  selections  are  from  Vol.  I,  pp.  29-30,  46-9. 


THE  LOVE  OF  GOD 

Anwre  langueo.  pir1  twa  wordes  er2  wryten  in  fe  boke  of  lufe, 
fat  es  kalled  fe  Sang  of  Lufe,  or  fe  Sang  of  Sanges.  For  he  fat  mykel3 
lufes,  hym  lyst4  oft  syng  of  his  luf,  for  joy  fat  he  or  scho  hase  when 
f  ai  thynk  on  fat  fat  f  ai  lufe,  namely  5  if  £ajr  lover  be  trew  and  lufand. 

5  And  fis  es  fe  Inglisch  of  thies  twa  wordes :  '  I  languysch  for  lufe.' 
Sere 6  men  in  erth  has  sere*  gyftes  and  graces  of  God,  bot  f  e  special 
gift  of  fas  fat  ledes  s6htary  lyf  es  for  to  lufe  Jesu  Criste.  J>ow  says 
me:  'All  men  lufes  hym  fat  haldes7  his  comawndementes.'  Soth  it 
es.  Bot  all  men  fat  kepes  hys  byddyngs  kepes  noght  also  hys  cown- 

10  sayle.  And  all  fat  dos  his  cownsell  er  noght  also  fulfyld  of 8  f  e  swet 
nes  of  his  lufe,  ne  feles  noght  f  e  fyre  of  byrnand  luf  of  hert.  Forf  i  f  e 
diversite  of  lufe  makes  f  e  diversite  of  halynes  and  of  mede.9  In  heven, 
fe  awngels  fat  er  byrnandest  in  lufe  er  nerrest  God.  Also  men  and 
women  fat  maste 10  has  of  Goddes  lufe,  whether  f  ai  do  penance  or 

1 5  nane,  f  ai  sail  be  in  f  e  heghest  degfe  in  heven  ;  f  ai  fat  lufes  hym  lesse, 
in  fe  lawer  order.  If  fou  lufe  hym  mykel,  mykel  joy  and  swetnes  and 
byrnyng  fou  feles  in  his  lufe,  fat  es  fi  comforth  and  streng[t]h  nyght 

,  and  day.  If  fi  lufe  be  not  byrnand  in  hym,  litel  es  f  i  dely_te.  For  hym 
may  na  man  fele  in  joy  and  swetnes,  bot-if  n  f  ai  be  clene,  and  fylled 

20  with  his  lufe ;  and  f artill 12  sal  fou  com  with  grete  travayle  in  praier 
and  thynkyng,  havand  swilk  meditacions  fat  er  al  in  fe  lufe  and  in 
fe  lovyng  of  God.  And  when  fou  ert  at  fi  mete,  love  ay  God  in  fi 
thoght  at  ilk  a 18  morsel,  and  say  f  us  in  f  i  hert :  '  Loved  be  fou,  Kevng, 
and  thanked  be  fou,  Keyng,  and  blyssed  be  fou,  Keyng,  Jesuall  my 

25  joyng,  of  all  fi  giftes  gude ;  fat  for  me  spylt  fi  blude,  and  died  on  fe 

1  these  ;  cf.  Cant.  2.  5  «  diverse  H  unless 

2  are  7  keeps  12  to  this  condition,  thereto 
8  much,  greatly                                8  filled  with                          13  every 

4  he  desires  9  reward 

6  especially  w  most 


ROLLE,  THE  FORM  OF  PERFECT  LIVING        267 

rude ;  fou  gyf  me  grace  to  syng  fe  sang  of  fi  lovyng.'  And  thynk  it 
noght  anely l  whils  ]>ou  etes,  hot  bath  before  and  after,  ay  bot  when 2 
]>ou  prayes  or  spekes.  Or  if  ]>ou  have  other  thoghtes  fat  ]>ou  has 8 
mare  swetnes  in  and  devocion  ]>an  in  f  ase  fat  I  lere 4  f  e,  \>ou  may  thynk 
[fam].  For  I  hope  fat  God  will  do  swilk5  thoghtes  in  ]>i  hert  als  he  5 
es  payde i  of,6  and  als  fou  ert  ordaynde  for.  When  fou  prayes,  loke 
noght  how  mykel  fou  says,  bot  how  wele,  fat  ]>e  lofe  of  fi  hert  be  ay 
upwarde,  and  thy  thoght  on  fat  fou  sayes,  als  mykel  als  f  ow  may.  If 
]>ou  be  in  prayers  and  meditacions  al  f  e  day,  I  wate 7  wele  fat  ]>ou  mon 
wax 8  gretely  in  f  e  lufe  of  Jesu  Cryste,  and  mikel  fele  of  delyte,  and  10 
within  schort  tyme. 

THE  ACTIVE  AND  THE  CONTEMPLATIVE  LIFE 

Twa  lyves  far  er  fat  Cristen  men  lyfes.    Ane  es  called  actjrve  lyfe, 
for  it  es  in  mare 9  bodili  warke.    Another,  contemplative  lyfe,  for  it 
es  in  mare  swetnes  gastely.10   Actife  lyfe  es  mykel  owteward,  and  in 
mare  travel u  and  in  mare  peryle,  for  fe  temptacions  fat  er  in  f  e  wo  ride.  15 
Contemplatyfe  lyfe  es  mykel  inwarde,  and  forf  i iy  it  es  lastandar,13  and 
sykerar,14  restfuller,  delitabiler,15  luflyer,  and  marc  medeful.16    For  it 
hase  joy  in  Goddes  lufe,  and  savowre  in  fe  lyf  fat  lastes  ay,  in  fis 
present  tyme,  if  it  be  right  ledde.    And  fat  felyng  of  joy  in  f e  lufe  of 
Jesu  passes  al  other  merites  in  erth.    For  it  es  swa  harde  to  com  to  20 
for  fe  freelte  of  oure  flesch,  and  fe  many  temptacions  fat  we  er  um- 
sett n  with,  fat  lettes 18  us  nyght  and  day.    Al  other  thynges  er  lyght 
at 19  com  to,  in  regarde  f arof ,  for  fat  may  na  man  deserve,  bot  anely 
it  es  gifen  of  Goddes  godenes,  til  fam  fat  verrayli  gifes  fam  to  ' 
contemplacion  and  til  quiete  for  Cristes  luf.  25 

Til  men  or  wymen  fat  takes20  fam  til  acti%  lyfe,  twa  thynges 
falles.21   Ane,  for  to  ordayne  fair  meyne  ^  in  drede  and  in  f  e  lufe  of 

1  only  9  more  17  set  about,  surrounded 

2  always  except  when  10  spiritually  18  hinder 

3  findest  n  labor,  toil  »  easy  to 
*  teach  12  therefore  20  betake 

5  put  such  w  more  lasting  21  are  appointed 

6  satisfied  with  14  more  full  of  security  22  household 

7  know  15  more  delightful 

8  must  increase  16  full  of  reward 


268  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

God,  and  fynd  fam  faire  necessaries,  and  famself  kepe  enterely  fe 
comandementes  of  God,  doand1  til  far  neghbur  als  fai  wil  fat  fai 
do  til  fam.  Another  es :  pat  )>ai  do  at  far  power  f  e  seven  werkes  of 
mercy,  f  e  whilk  es  :  to  fede  f  e  hungry  ;  to  gyf  f  e  thristi  a  drynk ;  to 

S  cleth  f  e  naked ;  to  herbar  hym  fat  hase  na  howsyng ;  to  viset  f  e 
seke ;  to  comforth  fam  fat  er  in  prysoun ;  and  to  grave2  dede  men. 
Al  fat  mai,  and  hase  8  cost,4  fai  may  nogjit  be  qwyt 5  with  ane  or 
twa  of  fir,  bot  fam  behoves  do  fam  al,  if  fai  wil  have  fe  benyson6 
on  Dpmesday 7  fat  Jesu  sal  til 8  al  gyf  fat  dose  fam.  Or  els  may  fai 

10  drede  fe  malysoun9  fat  al  mon10  have  fat  will  noght  do  fam,  when 
fai  had  godes  u  to  do  fam  wyth. 

Contemplatife  lyf  hase  twa  partyes,12  a  lower  and  a  heer.  J>e  lower 
party  es  meditacion  of  haly  wrytyng,  fat  es  Goddes  wordes,  and  in 
other  gude  thoghtes  and  swete  fat  men  hase,  of  f e  grace  of  God,  abowt 

15  fe  lufe  of  Jesu  Criste,  and  also  in  lovyng  of  God  in  psalmes  and 
ympnes,18  or  in  prayers.  f>e  hegher  party  of  contemplacion  es  behald- 
yng  and  jernyng  of 14  f  e  thynges  of  heven,  and  joy  in  f  e  Haly  Gaste. 
J>at  men  hase  oft,  and 16  if  it  be  swa  fat  fai  be  noght  prayand  with  f  e 
mowth,  bot  anely  thynkand  of  God,  and  of  f  e  fairehede 16  of  aungels 

20  and  haly  sawles.17  f>an  may  I  say  fat  contemplacion  es  a  wonderful 
joy  of  Goddes  luf,  f  e  whilk 18  joy  es  lovyng  of  God,  fat  may  noght  be 
talde ;  and  fat  wonderful  lovyng  es  in  fe  saule,  and  for  abundance  of 
joy  and  swettenes  it  ascendes  in  til  fe  mouth,  swa  fat  fe  hert  and  fe 
tonge  acordes  in  ane,19  and  body  and  sawle  joyes  in  God  lyvand.20 

25       A  man  or  woman  fat  es  ordayhd  til  contemplatife  lyfe,  first  God 

j  enspires  fam  to  forsake  f  is  worlde,  and  al  f  e  vanite  and  f  e  covayties 

'and  K  vik  luste  farof.    Sythen21  he  ledes  fam  by  far  ane,22  and 

spekes  til  fair  ^  hert,  and,  als  f  e  prophete  says,  he  gif  es  fam  at  sowke 24 

f  e  swetnes  of  f  e  begynnyng  of  lufe,  and  fan  he  settes  fam  in  will  ** 

1  doing  10  must  19  agree 

2  bury  11  goods  20  living 
»MS.  hase  and  mai  (em.  H.)                 12  parts,  phases                     21  afterwards 

<  money  sufficient  is  hymns  22  by  themselves,  alone 

s  quit,  released  14  for  28  MS.  Jar 

•  blessing  16  even  a*  to  suck 

f  Day  of  Judgment  16  fairness,  beauty  26  makes  them  desire 

8  to  17  souls 

9  malediction  18  which 


THE  ANCREN  RIWLE 


269 


to  gyf  fam  haly1  to  prayers  and  meditacions  and  teres.  Sithen, 
when  fai  have  sufferd  many  temptacions,  and  [fe] 2  foule  noyes 8  of 
thoghtes  fat  er  ydel,  and  of  vanitees  f  e  whilk  wil  comber  fam  fat  can 
noght  destroy  fam,  er  passand  away,  he  gars  )>am4  geder8  til  fam 
fair  hert,  and  fest 6  anely  in  hym,  and  opens  til  f  e  egh 7  of  fair  sawls  5 
fe  jate.s  of  heven,  swa  fat  f  e  ilk 8  egh  lokes  in  til  heven ;  and  fan  f e 
fire  of  lufe  verrali  ligges9  in  fair  hert,  and  byrnes  farin,  and  makes 
[it]  clene  of  al  erthly  filth ;  and  sithen  forward 10  f ai  er  contemplatife 
men,  and  ravyst u  in  lufe.  For  contemplacion  es  a  syght,  and  f  ai  se 
in  til  heven  with  far  gastly  egh.  Bot  fou  sal  witt12  fat  na  man  hase/io 
peMte  syght  of  heven  whils  f  ai  er  lifand  bodili  here ;  bot  als  sone  algf 
fai  dye  fai  er  broght  before  God,  and  sese  hym  face  til  face,  and  egh 
til  egh,  and  won^es 18  with  hym  withouten  ende.  For  hym  fai  soght, 
and  hym  fai  covayted,  and  hym  fai  lufed,  in  al  far  myght. 

Loo,  Margarete,  I  have  schortly  sayde'fe14  fe  forme  of  lyvyng,  and  15 
how  fou  may  com  til  perfection^  and  to  lufe  hym  fat  fou  base  taken 
f  e  til.    If  it  do  f  e  gude,  and  profit  til  f  e,  thank  God,  and  pray  for  me. 
f>e  grace  of  Jesu  Criste  be  with  f  e,  and  kepe  f  e.    Amen. 


THE  ANCREN  RIWLE 

The  Ancren  Riwle  (Regtda  Inclusarum)  was  written  for  the  guidance  of 
three  sisters  of  gentle  blood  who  had  given  themselves  up  to  a  religious  life, 
without  having  at  that  time  become  nuns.  It  exists  in  three  languages  — 
French,  English,  and  Latin  —  the  English  having  been  translated  from  French, 
and  the  Latin  from  English  (G.  C.  Macaulay,  in  Mod.  Lang.  Rev.  9.  63  ff.). 

The  author  has  been  thus  characterized :  '  His  doctrine  may  be  summed 
up  in  a  word :  he  teaches  self-renunciation.  But  he  does  it  in  so  kindly  and 
affectionate  a  tone  that  the  life  he  wishes  his  penitents  to  submit  to  does  not 
.seem  too  bitter ;  his  voice  is  so  sweet  that  the  existence  he  describes  seems 
almost  sweet'  (Jusserand,  Lit.  Hist.  Eng.  People  i.  212).  His  'work  betokens 
much  learning,  great  knowledge  of  the  human  heart,  as  well  as  deep  piety, 


1  wholly 

2  em.  H. 

8  annoyances,  troubles 
4  causes  them 
6  gather,  collect 


6  fix 
"'  eyes 

8  same 

9  lies 

1°  from  that  time  on 


U  ravished,  rapt 
12  know 
is  dwell 
"  to  thee 


15.  Margarete  :  probably  Dame  MargapeKKyrkby,  an  anchoress^  for  whom 
he  felt  a  holy  affection.         ***,v  a^vo^**^ 


,H5CXa" 


270  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

and  a  refined  and  gentle  spirit'  (Ten  Brink,  Early  Eng.  Lit.  i.  200).  Ten  Brink 
also  refers  (ibid.  21.  16)  to  'that  aroma,  that  tinge  of  poetry,  which  breathes 
throughout  the  language  of  the  Ancren  A'iw/e,'  to  which,  as  well  as  to  the 
author's  deep  spirituality,  the  work  owes  its  unusual  appeal. 

Judging  from  its  language,  the  Ancren  Riwle  was  written  in  the  early  thir 
teenth  century.  The  best  text  is  contained  in  a  Cambridge  manuscript  desig 
nated  by  Macaulay  as  B  (Mod.  Lang.  Rev.  9.  145).  Our  selections  are  taken 
from  Morton's  text  (The  Ancren  Riwle,  London,  1853),  in  which  MS.  Brit. 
Mus.  Cotton  Nero  A.  XIV  is  reproduced;  the  pages  are  50-2,  72,  132-4, 
388-90,  416-22,  422-4.  The  dialect  is  southwestern.  Morton's  translation  is 
published  in  The  King's  Classics  as  The  Nun's  Rule. 


ANCHORESSES  NOT  TO  LOOK  OUT  UPON  THE  WORLD 

:.« 

Vorbui,1  mine  leove 2  sustren,8  be  leste  baet  je  ever  muwen  luvieo" 
our  furies  * ;  al  beon  heo  lutle,5  be  parluris  6  lest 7  and  nerewest.  f>e 
cloS  in  ham  beo 8  twovold :  blac  cloS  ;  be  creoiz 9  hwit,  wio"innen  and 
wiSuten.  J>e  blake  cloS  bitockneS  baet  je  beoft  blake  and  unwurSe  10 

5  toward n  )>e  worlde  wiSuten ;  baet  te  soSe  sunne,  bast  is  Jesu  Crist, 
haveS  12  wiSuten  vorkuled 13  ou ;  and  so  wiftuten,  ase  je  beoft,  unseau- 
liche  imaked  ou14  }mrh  gleames15  of  his  grace.  J>et  hwite  creoiz 
limpeS 16  to  ou  ;  vor  b reo  manere 17  creoices  beoS  —  reade  and  blake 
and  hwite.  J>e  reade  limpeS  to  feo  faet  beoti,  vor  Codes  luve,  mid 

10  hore 18  blodshedunge  irudded 19  and  ireaded,19  ase  fe  martirs  weren.  J>e 
blake  creoiz  limpeS  to  }>eo20  faet  makieS  i  Se21  worlde  hore  penitence  vor 
lodliche22  sunnen.28  f>e  hwite  creoiz  limpet  to  hwit  meidenhod  and 
to  clennesse,24  )> aet  is  muchel  pine  M  wel  vor  to  holden.26  Pine  is  overal 27 
Jmrh  creoiz  idon  to  understonden.28  J>us  bitockne6  hwit  croiz  ]>e  ward  ^ 

1  wherefore  11  in  the  sight  of  '          21  in  the 

2  dear  12  has  22  foui(  loathsome 
8  sisters                                     18  discolored  23  sins 

4  love  your  windows   the       u  and  so  has  made  you  exter-      24  purity 

least  that  ye  ever  may  nally  as  you  are,  uncomely      2&  difficulty,  pains 

5  and  let  them  all  be  small      16  rays  26  preserve 

«  those  of  the  parlor  16  belongs,  appertains  27  everywhere 

7  smallest  ir  three  kinds  28  given  to  understand  = 

8  let  il  be  18  their  to  be  understood 

9  cross  19  reddened  29  keeping 
10  of  no  value  20  those 

i.  leste  .  .  .  luvieS:  properly,  according  to  the  French  (Mod.  Lang.  Rev. 
9.  65),  '  the  best  that  you  ever  can  guard,'  etc. 


THE  ANCREN  RIWLE 


271 


of  hwit  chastite,  paet  is  muchel  pine  wel  vor  to  witene.1    J>e  blake 
cloft  also  tekefte  'z  bitocnunge,3  deS 4  lesse  eile 6  to  pen  eien,  and  is 
piccure  ajein  pe  wind,  and  wurse  to  purhseon,6  and  halt 1  his  heou  8 
betere  vor  winde  and  for  oSer  hwat.9    LokeS  paet  te  10  parlurs  beon 
ever  veste  n  on  everiche  halve,12  and  eke  wel  istekene 13 ;  and  witeS 14  per   5 
our 15  eien,  leste  ]> e  heorte  etfleo 16  and  wende  ut,  ase  of  David,17  and 
oure  soule  secli 18  so  sone  heo  is  ute.    Ich  write  muchel  vor  oftre,  paet 
noting  ne  etrineS  ou,19  mine  leove  sustren,  vor  nabbe  je 20  nout  pene 
nome,21  ne  ne  schulen  habben,  )mrh  pe  grace  of  Gode,  of  totinde  2£^_ , 
ancres,23  ne  of  tollinde^  lokunges24  ne  lates,25  paet  summe,  ofier  hwules,26-  10 
weilawei !  unkundeliche 2T  makieS ;  vor  ajein  kunde 28  hit  is,  and  un- 
meS  ^  sullic 80  wunder,  paet  te  deade  totie,31  and  mid  cwike  worldes 
men 32  wede,33  wi5  sunne. 

'  Me34  leove  sire,'  seiS  sum  inouh  reaSe,35  'and  is  hit  nu  so  overuvel86 
vor  te 37  to  ten  utward  ? '    <^e  hit,  leove  suster,  vor  uvel  faet  ter 38  kumeS  15 
of  hit,  is  uvel  over  uvel 89  to  everich  ancre,  and  nomeliche 40  to  J>e  gunge, 
and  to  fen  old  vorSui 41  ]>set  heo  to  fe  junge  jiveS  uvel  vorbisne,42  and 
scheld 43  to  werien  ham  mide.44    Vor,  jif-ei 45  etwit 46  ham,  feonne  sig- 
get5  heo  anon  riht 47 :  '  Me  sire,  peo  deS  also  feo 48  is  betere  pen  Ich 
am,  and  wot  betere  pen  Ich  wot  hwat  heo  haveS  to  donrie.'    O  leove  20 
junge  ancren,  oftea  fulhawttf49  smitS  smeo8it5 50  a  ful  woe 51  knif ,  and 
te  wise  ouh82  to  (yolewe^ wisdom,  and  nout  folie,  and  an  olde  ancre 
mei  don  wel  paet  tu^dest  uvele.   Auh  54'toten  ut  witmten  uvel  ne  mei 


1  guard 

19  for  nothing  [of  this]  applies  to  you 

8"  to 

2  teaches 

20  ye  have  not 

88  there 

3  symbol,  emblem 

21  the  name 

39  evil  beyond  evil 

4  does 

22  peering 

40  especially 

Sill 

23  anchoresses 

4l  because 

6  see  through 

24  enticing  looks 

42  example 

"  holds,  keeps 

26  manners,  gestures 

43  a  shield 

8  hue,  color 

26  at  times 

44  defend  themselves  with 

9  anything  else 

27  inconsistently 

45  any  one 

10  the 

28  against  nature 

46  reprove,  chide 

n  fast 

29  exceedingly 

4"  straightway 

12  side 

30  strange  ;  MS.  swuc 

48  she  does  it  also  who 

13  shut 

31  should  look  out 

49  clever,  skilful 

i4  guard 

32  living  men  of  the  world 

50  forges 

l5  your 

33  wed 

51  weak,  poor 

16  fly  out,  escape 

34  my 

52  ought 

1"  like  David's 

35  quickly  enough 

58  thou 

18  become  sick 

36  very  evil 

54  but 

272  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

noufcer  of  ou ;  and  nim  nu  jeme l  hwat  uvel  beo  icumen  of  totinge : 
nout  on  uvel  ne  two,  auh  al  J>e  uvel  and  al  )>e  woj>aet  nu  is,  and  ever 
tete  was,  and  ever  schal  iwurften2 — al  com  of  a/sihSe)!  fret  hit  beo  soS, 

O  ^»  y. .        -^"""^      J 

lo  her  )>e  preove 8 :  Lucifer,  ]> urh  pet  he  iseih  and  biheold  on  himsulf 

5  his  owene  (veirnes^  leop4  into  prude,5  and  bicom(ofj6  engel .  atelich 7 

deovel ;  and  of  Eve,  ure  alre 8  mpder,  is  iwriten  on  alre_erest,9  in  hire 

neowe10  injong11  of  hire  ^eiesihSe :'  Vidit  igitur  mulier  quod  bonum 

esset  lignum  ad  vescendum,  et  pulchrum  ocu/is,  aspectuque  delectabile,  et 

tulit  de  fructu  ejus  et  comedit,  deditque  vtro,12  }>aet  is :  '  Eve  biheold  o1? 

10  pen  vorbodene  eppele,  and  iseih  hine  u{(ej$,  and  veng 15  to  deliten  i  be 

biholdunge,  and  turnde  hire  lust  )>er  toward,  and  nom  16  and  et  berof, 

and  jef  hire  loverd.'    Lo  hu  Holi  Writ  spekeft,  and  hu  inwardliche  " 

hit  telleS  hu  sunegunge 18  bigon.  ]?us  code 19  sihfte  bivoren,  and  makede 

wei  to  20  uvel  lust ;  and  com  be  deaS  ferefter,  ]> aet  al  monkun  iveleS.21 

1 5  J?es  eppel,  leove  sustren,  bitocneS  alle  )>e  fing  faet  lust  falletS M  to,  and 

delit  of  sunne.    Hwon  )>u  biholdest  te  mon,  fu  ert  in  Eve  point23: 

)m  lokest  o  fen  eppel. 


THE  BEAUTY  OF  SILENCE 

Seneca  seide:  Ad  summam  \yolo\  vos  esse  rariloquos,  tuncque  pauci- 
loquos™  J>aet  is  fe  ende  of  )>e  tale,  sei6  Seneke  the  wise :  '  Ichulle  K 
20  )>aet  je  speken  selde,  and  feonne  buten  lutel.'  Auh  moni  punt26  hire 
word  vor  te  leten  mo  ut,  as  me  deft  water  et  ter  mulne  cluse 27 ;  and 
so  duden  Jobes  f reond 28  faet  weren  icumen  to  vrovren  M  him  :  seteti 80 
stille  alle  seoveniht.81  Auh  ]>eo82  [heo]  hefden  alles  bigunne  vor  to 
spekene,  feone  kufien  heo  nevere  astunten  88  hore  cleppe.84  Greg. : 

1  take  thou  heed  u  looked  upon  25  i  wjH)  desire 

2  come  to  pass  M  it  26  shut  in,  restrain 
8  proof  15  began  27  at  the  mill-dam 
*  leaped  16  took  28  friends 

6  pride  17  showing  the  inward  causes  29  comfort 

6  instead  of  18  sinning  so  they  sat 

"  hateful,  foul  w  went  81  for  a  full  week 

8  of  us  all  »  for  82  when 

» first  of  all  21  feeleth  83  they  never  knew  how 

10  fresh  22  inclines  to  stop 

11  beginning  w  in  Eve's  case  3*  talking 
w  Gen.  3. 6  24  Not  found 


THE  ANCREN  RIWLE 


273 


Censura  silencii  nutritura  est  verbi;  so  hit  is  ine  monie,  ase  Seint 
Gregorie  seiS  :  '  Silence  is  wordes  fostrild.1 '  Juge  silenrium  cogit  celestia 
meditari  \  '  Long  silence,  and  wel  iwust,2  nedeS 3  p e  pouhtes  up  touward 
per  heovene.'  Also  ase  je  muwen  iseon  pe  water,  hwon  me  punt  hit, 
and  stopped 4  bivoren  wel,5  so  pet  hit  ne  muwe 6  aduneward,  peonne  5 
is  hit  ined 7  ajein  vor  to  climben  upward.  And  je  al  pisses  weis 8 
pundeS 9  ower  wordes,  and  forstoppeft 10  ouwer  pouhtes,  ase  je  wulleS 
paet  heo  climben  and  hien  touward  heovene,  and  nout  ne  vallen  adune 
ward,  and  to  vleoten  n  jeond 12  te  world,  ase  deft  muchel  cheafle.18  Auh 
hwon  je  nede  moten14  speken  a  lutewiht,15  leseS  up16  ower  muSes  10 
flodjeten,17  ase  me  deft  et  ter 18  mulne,  and  leted 19  adun  sone. 


THE  HAPPINESS  OF  ANCHORESSES  IS  LIKE  THAT  OF 
THE  BIRDS  OF  HEAVEN 

Auh  God  cleopetS20  pe  gode  ancren  briddes  of  heovene,  ase  Ich 
er21  seide  :  Vulpes  foveas  habent,  et  volucres  cell  nidos^2- :  '  Voxes  hab- 
beS  ho  re  holes,  and  briddes  of  heovene  ho  re  nestes.'  Treowe  ancren 
beoft  ariht 23  briddes  of  heovene  pet  fleoS  an  heih,  ant  sitteS  singinde  c  5 
murie 24  o  Se  ^  grene  bowes  ;  )>et  is,  fencheS 26  upp,  and  of  )>e  blisse  of 
heovene,  pet  never  ne  valeweft,27  auh  is  ever  grene,  and  sitteS  o  pisse 
grene,  singinde  swuSe  28  murie  ;  pet  is,  restefi  ham  inne  swuche  pouhte, 
and  habbeS  muruhSe  of  heorte,  ase  peo  pet  singed.  Brid  pauh,29  otSer 
hwule,80  vor  te  sechen 81  his  mete 82  vor  pe  vlesches  neode,  lihte'S  adun  20 
to  per  eorfle ;  auh  peo  hwule  pet 88  hit  sit  o  per  eorSe,  nis  hit  never 
siker,  auh  biwent 84  him  ofte,  and  bilokeS  ^  him  ever  jeorneliche 86  al 
abuten.  Alriht37  so,  pe  gode  ancre,  ne  vleo  heo88  never  so  heie,  heo 


1  foster-mother,  nurse 

14  needs  must 

27  fadeth 

2  kept 

is  little 

28  very 

8  compels 

16  open  up 

29  a  bird,  however 

4  stop,  check  (it) 

i"  the  floodgates  of  your  mouth 

80  sometimes 

5  spring 

18  at  the 

81  seek 

6  cannot  (flow) 

ifl  let  them 

82  food 

"  forced,  compelled 

21  calleth 

88  the  while  that,  while 

8  in  this  way 

21  before 

84  turns 

9  do  ye  check  (imperative) 

22  Matt.  8.  20 

85  looks 

10  restrain 

28  indeed 

86  carefully,  cautiously 

11  float 

2-1  merrily 

87  just 

12  through 

25  on  the 

88  although  she  fly 

13  idle  talk 

26  meditate 

274  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

mot  lihten  o6er  hwules  adun  to  per  eorSe  of  hire  bodie,  eten,  drinken, 
slepen,  wurchen,  speken,  iheren  (of  pet  neodeS  to),1  of  eor&liche 
)>inges.  Auh  peonne,  as  pe  brid  deft,  heo  mot  wel  biseon  hire,2  and 
biholden  hire  on  ilchere  half,8  )>et  heo  nouhwar  ne  misnime,4  leste 
5  heo  beo  ikeiht5  puruh  summe  of  pe  deofles  gronen,6  o$er  ihurt 
summes  weis,  pe  hwule  paet  heo  sit  so  lowe. 

THE  KINGLY  WOOER 

A  lefdi  was 7  J>et  was  mid  hire  voan 8  biset  al  abuten,  and  hire  lond 
al  destrued,  and  heo  al  poure,  wiftinnen  one  eorSene  castle.  On9 
mihti  kinges  luve  was,  pauh,10  biturnd  upon  hire,  so  unimete  n  swufte 

10  pet  he  vor  wouhlecchunge 12  sende  hire  his  sonden,18  on  efter  oSer,  and 
ofte'  somed  monie,14  and  sende  hire  beaubelet 15  boSe  veole  16  and  feire, 
and  sukurs17  of  livened,18  and  help  of  his  heie  bird19  to  holden  hire 
castel.  Heo  underveng20  al  ase  on  unrecheleas  ping,21  pet  was  so 
herd  iheorted  pet  hire  luve  ne  mihte  he  never  beon  pe  neorre.  Hwat 

1 5  wult  tu  more  ?  He  com  himsulf  a 22  last,  and  scheawede  hire  his 
feire  neb,28  ase  pe 24  pet  was  of  alle  men  veirest  to  biholden,  and  spec  ^ 
swufie  sweteliche  and  so  murie  wordes  pet  heo26  muhten  pe  deade 
arearen27  vrom  deatSe  to  live,  and  wrouhte  veole  wundres,  and  dude 
veole  meistries  28  bivoren  hire  eihsihfte,  and  scheawede  hire  his  mihten  ; 

20  tolde  hire  of  his  kinedome,  and  bead29  for  to  makien  hire  cwene  of 
al  pet  he  ouhte.80  Al  pis  ne  help  nout.  Nes 81  pis  wunderlich  hoker 82  ? 
Vor  heo  nes  never  wurtSe  vor  te  beon  his  schelchine.88  Auh  so,  puruh 
his  debonerte,84  luve  hefde  overkumen  hine  pet  he  seide  on  ende  K : 
'  Dame,  pu  ert  iweorred,86  and  pine  von 87  beoft  so  stronge  pet  tu  ne 

1  so  far  as  is  necessary  l*  many  together  27  arouse 

2  look  about  her  15  jewels  (baubles)  28  brave  deeds 
*  on  every  side                            i«  many                                      29  offered 

4  make  a  mistake  li"  help,  aid  so  owned,  possessed 

5  caught  18  food  81  is  not 

6  snares  19  army  82  contempt,  disdain 
"  there  was  20  received  88  slave,  scullion 

8  foes  21  a  heedless  creature  84  graciousness,  kindness 

9  a  22  at  as  finaiiy 

1°  however  28  face,  countenance  86  attacked,  warred  against 

11  boundlessly  24  he  87  foes 

12  for  wooing,  to  woo  her  25  spoke 
18  messengers  20  they 


THE  ANCREN  RIWLE  275 

meiht  nones  weis,1  wiSuten  sukurs  of  me,  etfleon2  hore  honden,  pet 
heo  ne  don  pe  to  scheomefule  deaS.  Ich  chulle,8  vor  pe  luve  of  pe, 
nimen  pis  fiht  upon  me,  and  aredden4  pe  of  ham  pet  secheS5  fine 
deaS.  Ich  wot,  pauh,  forsoSe,  pet  Ich  schal  bitweonen6  ham  under- 
vongen7  deaSes  wunde,  and  Ich  hit  wulle  heorteliche  vor  to  ofgon8  5 
pine  heorte.  Nu,  peonne,  biseche  Ich  pe,  vor  pe  luve  J>et  Ich  kutte 
pe,®  pet  tu  luvie  me,  hure  and  hurejo  efter  fen  ilke  dea'Se,11  hwon  pu 
noldes  lives.12 '  J>es  king  dude  al  pus  —  aredde  hire  of  alle  hire  von, 
and  was  himsulf  to  wundre 18  ituked,14  and  isleien  on  ende.15  f>uruh 
miracle,  pauh,  he  aros  from  deafte  to  live.  Nere16  peos  ilke  lefdi  of  10 
uvele  kunnes  kunde,17  jif  heo  over  alle  ping 18  ne  luve  him  heref ter  ? 

J>es  king  is  Jesu  Crist,  Godes  Sune,  pet  al  o  pisse  wise 19  wowude 20 
ure  soule,  pet  pe  deoflen  hevedjen  biset.  And  he,  ase  noble  woware, 
efter  monie  messagers  and  feole21  god  deden,  com  vor  to  preoven  his 
luve,  and  scheawede  puruh  knihtschipe 22  pet  he  was  luve-wur$e,23  ase  1 5 
weren  sumewhule24  knihtes  iwuned25  for  to  donne.  He  dude  him 
ine 26  turnement,  and  hefde,  vor  his  leof monnes 2T  luve,  his  schelde  ine 
vihte,28  ase  kene  kniht,  on  everiche  half  ipurled.29 


THE  ANCHORESS'  CAT,  HER  CLOTHING  AND 
OCCUPATIONS 

<£)e,  mine  leove  sustren,  ne  schulen  habben  no  best 80  bute  kat  one.81 
Ancre  pet  haveS  eihte 82  punched 88  bet 84  husewif ,  ase  Marthe  was,  pen  20 
ancre ;  ne  none  wise  ne  mei  heo  beon  Marie,86  mid  grrSfulnesse 86  of 
heorte.    Vor  peonne  mot87  heo  penchen  of  pe  kues88  foddre,  and  of 

1  in  no  way  14  maltreated,  injured  2"  sweetheart,  lady 

2  escape  from  15  finally  2*  in  the  fight 

8  wm  16  were  not  29  pierced  in  all  parts 

*  deliver  17  of  a  perverse  sort  of  nature  30  beast,  animal 

5  seek ;  MS.  schecheft  18  above  all  things  81  except  only  a  cat 

6  amongst  19  in  this  manner  82  cattle 
"i  receive  ^°  wooed  &&  seems 

8  deserve,  win  21  many  9  34  better 

9  show  thee  22  knightly  prowess  &  Mary 
1°  at  least                                      2S  worthy  of  love ;  MS.  -wurde          86  peace 

11  MS.  dead  deafte  24  sometimes  8"  must 

12  in  life  25  wont  88  cow's 
18  wonderfully,  grievously           26  entered  into 


2/6 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


heordemonne  huire.1  oluhnen z  pene  heiward,3  warien 4  hwon  me  punt 

V-^a^^x- 

hire,5  and  jelden,  pauh,  pe  hermes.6  Wat  Crist,7  pis  is  lodlich  ping 
hwon  me  makefi  mone 8  in  tune  of  ancre  eihte.  f>auh,  pf  eni  mot 
nede  habben  ku,  loke  pet  heo  none  monne  ne  eilie,9  ne  ne  hermie,10 

5  ne  pet  hire  pouht  ne  beo  nout  peron  ivestned.11  Ancre  ne  ouh12 
nout  to  habben  no  ping  pet  drawe  utward  hire  heorte.  None  cheffare 18 
ne  drive14  56.  Ancre  pet  is  cheapild,15  heo  cheapeS16  hire  soule  pe 
chepmon  n  of  helle.  Ne  wite 18  56  nout  in  oure 19  huse  of  oSer  monnes 
pinges,  ne  eihte,  ne  clones ;  ne  nout  ne  undervo 20  je  pe  chirche  vesti- 

10  menz,  ne  pene  caliz,21  bute-jif 22  strencSe  hit  makie,23  oSer  muchel  eie,24 
vor  of  swuche  witunge  ^  is  ikumen  muchel  uvel  oftesrSen.26  WiSinnen 
ower  woanes 27  ne  lete  ^e  nenne  mon  slepen.  ^if  muchel  neode  mid 
alle 28  makeS  breken  m  ower  hus,  pe  hwule  pet  hit  ever  is  ibroken,  loke 
pet  je  habben  perinne  mid  ou  one  wummon  of  clene  live  deies  and 

15  nihtes.80 

VorSi 81  pet  no  mon  ne  isihft  ou,  ne  je  iseoS  nenne  mon,  wel  mei 
don  of 82  ower  clotSes,  beon  heo  hwite,  beon  heo  blake ;  bute  pet  heo 
beon  unorne 38  and  warme,  and  wel  iwrouhte  — velles  M  wel  itauwed,85 
and  habbeS  ase  monie  ase  ou  toneodeft,86  to  bedde  and  eke  to  rugge.87 

20  Nexst  fleshe  ne  schal  mon  werien  no  linene  cloS,  bute-jif  hit  beo 
of  herde 88  and  of  greate  heorden.89  Stamin 40  habbe  hwosejvule,  and 
hwose  wule  mei  beon  buten.41  ^e  schulen  liggen  in  on  heater,42  and 
igurd.48  Ne  bere44  je  non  iren,46  ne  here,46  ne  irspiles47  felles ;  ne  ne 


l  herdsman's  hire 

15  trafficker 

83  plain 

2  flatter 

is  sells 

84  skins 

8  hayward  (keeper  of  the 

i"  to  the  bargainer 

85  tawed,  dressed 

hedges,  who  prevented 

58  take  charge 

86  you  need 

cattle  from  injuring  pri 

19  your 

87  also  for  your  back 

vate  property) 

20  receive 

88  hards,  tow 

4  defend  herself 

81  chalice 

89  coarse  canvas 

6  they  shut  it  up 

22  unless 

40  harsh  rough  cloth, 

used 

6  pay  the  damages,  more 

28  make  necessary 

for    penitential 

shirts 

over 

24  fear 

(cf.  F.  etamine) 

7  Christ  knows 

26  guarding,  care-taking 

4i  without 

8  they  make  complaint 

26  ofttimes 

42  a  garment 

9  annoy 

27  dwelling 

48  girt 

10  harm 

28  after  all 

44  wear 

11  fixed 

29  to  be  used 

45  iron 

12  ought 

so  by  day  and  night 

46  haircloth 

18  traffic,  business 

81  because 

47  porcupines' 

14  carry  on 

82  do  with,  be  content  with 

THE  ANCREN  RIWLE 


277 


beate  ou  permide,1  ne  mid  schurge2  ileftered8  ne  Headed,4  ne  mid 
holie,5  ne  mid  breres 6 ;  ne  ne  biblodge  hiresulf 7  wiSuten  schriftes 8 
leave ;  ne  ne  nime,  et  enes,  to  veole 9  disceplines.10  Ower  schone 
beon11  greate  and  warme.  Ine  sumer  je  habbeS  leave  vor  to  gon 
and  sitten  barvot,  and 12  hosen  wiSuten  vaumpez,18  and  ligge  ine  ham  5 
hwoso  likeS.14  .  .  .  ^if  je  muwen  beon  wimpelleas,15  beoS  bi 16  warme 
keppen 17  and  peruppon  blake  veiles.  Hwose  wule  beon  iseien,  pauh 
heo  atiffe 18  hire  nis  nout  muchel  wunder ;  auh  to  Codes  eien  heo  is 
lufsumere,  pet  is,  vor  ]> e  luve  of  him,  untiffed  wiSuten.  Ring  ne  broche 
nabbe  je,  ne  gurdel  imenbred,19  ne  gloven,  ne  no  swuch  ping  pet  ou  10 
ne  deih  ^  for  to  habben. 

Ever  me  is  leovere  so 21  36  don  gretture  werkes.  Ne  makie  none 
purses,  vor  te  vreonden  ou  mide,22  ne  blodbendes28  of  seolke,  auh 
schepieft,24  and  seouweS,25  and  amended 26  chirche  clones,  and  poure 
monne  clones.  No  ping  ne  schule  56  given  witSuten  schriftes  leave.  15 
Helped  mid  ower  owune  swinke,27  so  vorS  so28  je  muwen,  to 
schruden  ^  ou  sulven  and  peo  pet  ou  served,  ase  Seint  Jerome  lereS.80 


THE  ANCHORESS'  HEALTH 

^e  ne  schulen  senden  lettres,  ne  undervon  lettres,  ne  writen  uten 
leave,  ^e  schulen  beon  idodded 81  four  sifcen  i  Se  jere,  vor  to  lihten 
ower  heaved82;  and  ase  ofte  ileten  blod,88  and  oftere  jif  neod  is;  and  20 
hwoso  mei  beon  per  wiSuten,84  Ich  hit  mei  wel  iSolien.85  Hwon  je  beoS 
ileten  blod,  je  ne  schulen  don  no  ping,  peo  preo  dawes,  pet  ou  greve,86 
auh  talked  mid  ouer  meidenes  and  mid  peaufule 87  talen  schurteS 88  ou 

1  therewith 

2  scourge 

8  made  of  leather 

4  leaded 

5  holly 

6  briars 

">  let  her  not  cause  herself 
to  bleed 

8  of  the  confessor 

9  too  many 

10  flagellations 

11  let  your  shoes  be 

12  and  (to  wear) 
18  vamps 


!•*  whoever  likes  may  lie  in 

them 

15  without  wimples 
10  be  provided  with 
17  capes 
ig  adorn 

19  linked 

20  you  ought  not 

21  I  am  always  more  pleased  if 

22  gain  you  friends  with 

28  bandages  to  stop  bleeding 

24  fashion 

25  sew 

26  mend 


2"  labor 
28  so  far  as 
'•»  clothe 
so  teacheth 

81  have  your  hair  clipped 

82  your  head 

38  have  blood  let 

84  be  able  to  be  without  this 

85  suffer,  permit 

86  that  may  grieve  you,  be 

disagreeable  to  you 

87  edifying 

88  divert 


278  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

togederes.  ^e  muwen  don  so  ofte  hwon  ou  ]>uncheS  hevie,1  ofter  beo$ 
vor  sume  worldliche  pinge  sorie  oSer  seke.  So  wisliche  witeS  ou  *  in 
our8  blodletunge,  and  holdeS  ou  ine  swuche  reste  pet  je  longe  fer- 
efter  muwen  ine  Godes  servise  j?e  monluker4  swinken,  and  also  hwon 
5  je  iveleS  eni  secnesse;  vor  muchel  sotschipe5  hit  is  vor  to  vorleosen,6 
vor  one  deie,  tene  ofter  tweolve. 


A  TREATISE  AGAINST  MIRACLE-PLAYS 

This  tract,  in  the  form  of  a  sermon,  was  first  printed  by  Halliwell  (in  Reliquia 
Antiqua  2.  42  ff.)  from  a  manuscript  volume  of  sermons  in  the  library  of  St. 
Martin's-in-the-Fields,  London.  This  is  now  British  Museum  MS.  Add.  24,202, 
which  is  designated  in  the  catalogue  as  '  Wycliffite  Tracts  in  English.'  The 
manuscript  is  described  as  a  small  folio,  vellum,  of  the  end  of  the  fourteenth 
century.  Unless  otherwise  stated,  the  readings  given  below  repose  upon  my 
collation  of  this  manuscript.  As  there  is  considerable  variation  in  the  orthog 
raphy,  I  have  sought  to  render  it  more  consistent,  especially  in  the  endings. 
Emendations  marked  '  M '  are  those  of  Matzner  in  his  Altenglische  Sprach- 
proben  ;  the  others  are  mine. 

The  following  selections  give  the  main  argument  of  the  tract,  which  is 
headed :  '  Here  bigynnis  a  tretise  of  miraclis-pleyinge.'  The  outline  which 
follows  may  help  to  make  the  argument  clear.  Detailed  notes  can  be  found  in 
Matzner's  edition. 

I.  Introduction.   Christ's  miracles  were  performed  in  earnest,  and  therefore  ought  not 
to  be  represented  in  play. 

1.  Such  representation  takes  away  our  fear  of  God,  and,  as  a  result,  the  strength  of 

our  faith. 

2.  It  contradicts  the  teaching  of  Christ. 

3.  It  leads  to  scorn  of  God  :  the  players  make  sport  of  his  passion. 
II.  There  are  six  arguments  in  favor  of  miracle-plays.   Men  say: 

1.  They  are  given  for  the  sake  of  worship. 

2.  By  them  many  are  converted  to  a  good  life,  seeing,  as  they  do,  the  manifest  work 

of  the  devil. 

3.  Often  the  sight  of  Christ's  passion  moves  men  to  tears. 

4.  Some  men  may  be  drawn  to  religion  through  play,  who  would  never  be  moved 

by  seriousness. 

5.  Men  must  have  some  recreation  ;  why  not  that  of  a  good  sort  ? 

6.  We  do  not  object  to  paintings  of  miracles ;  why,  then,  to  dramatic  portrayals  of 

them? 
III.  But  there  are  answers  to  all  these  arguments  : 

i.  The  giving  of  such  plays  springs  from  heathenism,  and  is  not  worship.  Worship 
consists  in  doing  the  will  of  God. 

1  you  are  in  low  spirits  » your  5  folly 

2  guard  yourselves  <  more  vigorously  6  lose 


A  TREATISE  AGAINST  MIRACLE-PLAYS         279 

2.  Though  good  may  sometimes  come  of  evil,  this  is  not  the  rule.    Miracle-plays 

most  often  pervert  those  who  see  them. 

3.  If  the  spectators  weep,  it  is  purely  from  external  causes,  not  from  consciousness 

of  their  own  sin. 

4.  If  men  are  ever  converted  by  miracle-plays,  it  is  only  to  show  the  grace  of  God. 

But  men  are  seldom  converted  by  such  means ;  conversion  comes  from  the 
earnest  working  of  God,  not  from  playing. 

5.  Plays  do  not  afford  true  recreation. 

6.  Good  paintings  merely  exhibit  truth,  but  plays  are  mainly  to  delight  men's  bodily 

senses. 
IV.  A  friend  declares  : 

1.  That  he  will  not  abandon  his  interest  in  miracle-plays  unless  their  sinfulness  can 

be  proved  directly  from  Holy  Writ. 

Answer :  Such  plays  are  against  the  spirit  of  the  commandment,  '  Thou  shalt  not 
take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain.'  (Illustration:  One  would  not 
represent  in  a  play  the  death  of  one's  own  father.) 

2.  That  if  the  giving  of  such  plays  is  sin,  it  is  but  a  small  sin. 
Answer :  Any  sin,  however  small,  is  deadly  sin. 

Moreover,  the  danger  in  such  playing  is  shown  by  the  analogy  of  the  following 
stories,  with  their  mediaeval  allegorical  interpretations : 

a.  Ishmael  and  Isaac  (Gen.  21.8-10). 

b.  The  children  of  Abner  and  those  of  Joab  (2  Sam.  2. 12-32). 

c.  Moses  and  the  children  of  Israel  (Exod.  32). 

d.  Elisha  (2  Kings  2.23-4). 

e.  Noah  (as  referred  to  in  Matt.  24. 38-9). 

V.  If  we  are  to  play,  let  us  do  so  in  the  spirit  of  David  (2  Sam.  6. 15-6,  20-2),  (i)  realiz 
ing  how  God's  grace  to  us  surpasses  that  to  our  neighbors ;  (2)  being  always 
devout  before  God,  though  misliked  by  the  world;  (3)  being  lowly  in  our  own  eyes. 

Knowe  jee,  Cristen  men,  bat  as  Crist,  God  and  man,  is  hope  weye, 
trewb,  and  lif,1  as  seib  be  gospel  of  Jon  (weye  to  ]>e  errynge,  trew)>e 
\o  }>e  unknowyng  and  doutyng,  lif  to  be  styynge2  to  hevene  and 
weryinge 3),  so  Crist  dyde  4  nobinge  to  us  but  ef  [fjectuely  in  weye  of 
mercy,  in  treu)>e  of  ri[j]twesnes,  and  in  lif  of  jildyng6  everlastynge  5 
joye  for  oure  continuely  6  mo[u]rnyng  and  sorwynge  in  ]>is  valey  of 
teeres.7  f>e  8  myraclis,  berfore,  ]>at  Crist  dyde  *  heere  in  erpe,  oufer 
in9  hymsilf  ou]>er  in  hise  seyntis,  weren  so  ef[f]ectuel  and  in  ernest 
don,10  )>at  to  synful  men  bat  erren  }>ei  broujten  forjyvenesse  of  synne, 
settynge  hem  in  be  weye  of  rijt  bileve ;  to  doutouse  u  men  not  stede-  10 
fast  fei  broujten  in  kunnyng 12  to  betere  plesen  God,  and  verry  hope 

1  John  14. 6  6  yielding  9  through 

2  those  climbing  upward  6  MS.  continuiely  10  MS.  don* 
8  growing  weary  7  Ps.  84. 6  (in  the  Latin)  "•  doubting 
<  MS.  dude  8  MS.  in  (em.  M.)  12  ability 


280  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

in  God  to  ben l  stedefast  in  hym ;  and  to  f  e  wery  of  f  e  weye  of 
God,  for  fe  grette  penaunce  and  suffraunce  of  fe  trybulac[i]oun  fat 
men  moten2  ban8  ferinne,  fei  broujtenj  in  love  of  brynnynge* 
charite,  to  fe  whiche  alle  fing  is  lijt,5  and '  were 7  he  to  suffren 8 

5  defe,  fe  whiche  men  most  dreden,  for  fe  everlastynge  lyf  and  joye 
fat  men  most  loven  and  desiren 9 :  of  f  e  whiche  ping  verry  hope 
puttif  awey  alle  werinesse  heere  in  f  e  weye  of  God.  J>anne,  syf  en 10 
myraclis  of  Crist  and  of  hyse  seyntis  weren  fus  effectuel,  as  by  oure 
bileve  we  ben  in  certeyn,11  no  man  shulde  usen  in  bourde12  and 

10  pley 18  fe  myraclis  and  werkis  fat  Crist  so  ernestfully 14  wroujte  to  oure 
helfe16;  for  whoevere  so  do[i]f,  he  errif  in  ]>e  byleve,  reversif 16  Crist, 
and  scornif 17  God.  He  errif  in  f  e  bileve,  for  in  fat  he  takif  f  e  most 
precious  werkis  of  God  in  pley  and  bourde,  he18  takif  his  name  in 

j.  -  idil,19  and  so  mysusif  oure  byleve.  A,  Lord !  syfen  an  erfely  servaunt 

1 5  dar  not  taken 20  in  pley  and  in  bourde  fat  fat  his 21  erf ely  lord  takif 
in  ernest,  myche  more  we  shulden  not  maken  oure  pley 13  and  bourde 
of  fo  myraclis  and  werkis  fat  God  so  ernestfully  wroujt[e]  to  us; 
for,22  sof ely  whan  we  so  don,23  drede  to  synne  M  is  taken  m  awey,  as 
a  servaunt  whan  he  bourdif K  wif  his  mayster  leesif 26  his  drede  to 

20  offenden27  hym,  namely,  whanne  he  bourdif  wif  his  mayster  in  fat 
fat 28  his  mayster  takif  in  ernest.  .  .  . 

J>anne,  syfen  fes  myraclis-pleyeris  taken  in  bourde  fe  ernestful 
werkis  of  God,  no  doute  fat  f ei  ne  ^  scornen  God,  as  dyden 80  f e  Jewis 
fat  bobbiden 81  Crist ;  for  fei  lowen82  at  his  passioun,  as  fese  lawjen88 

25  and  japen  at8*  fe  myraclis  of  God.  ]?erfore,  as  fei  scorniden85  Crist, 
so  fese 86  scorne[n]  God ;  and  rijt 87  as  Pharao,  wroof 88  to  do[n]  fat 


l  MS.  been 

14  MS.  ernyst- 

27  MS.  -yn 

2  must  needs 

15  salvation 

28  MS.  in  J>at  in  )>at 

»  MS.  have 

18  contradicts 

29  MS.  ne  J>ei 

4  burning 

1"  MS.  -y)> 

so  MS.  diden 

5  easy 

i8  MS.  and  so 

si  mocked,  made  sport  of 

6  if 

19  vain 

82  laughed 

7  MS.  omits  were;  M.  he  were 

20  MS.  -un 

88  MS.  lowyn 

8  MS.  suffere 

21  MS.  her  (em.  M.) 

84  MS.  Of 

»  MS.  di- 

22  MS.  ffor 

85  MS.  -eden 

10  since 

28  MS.  done 

88  MS.  )>eese 

il  assured 

24  of  sinning 

&  just 

12  game,  sport 

26  jests,  makes  merry 

88  hating 

is  MS.  pleye 

28  loses 

A  TREATISE  AGAINST  MIRACLE-PLAYS         281 

fat  God  bad   hym,  dispiside  God,1  so   fese   myraclis-pleyeris   and 
-mayntenours,2  leevynge  plesingly8  to  do[n]   fat  God  biddif  hem, 
scornen  God.    He,  forsof e,  haf  beden  us  alle  to  halowen 4  his  name, 
jyvyng  drede  and  reverence  in  alle  mynde6  of  his  werkis,  wifoute 
ony  pleying[e]  or  japynge,  as  al  holynesse  is  in  ful  ernest  men ;  ]> anne,    5 
pleyinge  f  e  name  of  Goddis  myraclis,6  as  plesyngly  f  ei  leeve[n]  to  do[n] 
pat  God  biddif  hem,  so  f  ei  scornen  his  name,  and  so  scornen 7  hym. 
But  hereajenus8  fei  seyen  [i]  fat  fei  pleyen  fese  myraclis  in  fe 
worschip  of  God,  and  so  dyden  not  fese  Jewis  fat  bobbiden  Crist. 
Also,  [2]  ofte  sifis9  by  siche  myraclis-pleyinge  ben10  men  convertid  10 
to  gode  lyvynge,  as  men  and  wymmen,  seyng  in  myraclis-pleyinge 
fat  ]>  e  devul  by  fer  aray,  by  f  e  whiche  fei  moven  eche  on  of  ere  u  to 
leccherie  and  to  pride,  makif  hem  his  servauntis  to  bryngen  hemsilf 
and  many  of  ere  to  helle,  and  to  han  12  fer  more  vylenye  herafter,  by13 
f er  proude  aray  heere,  fan  f ei  han  worschipe  heere ;  and  seynge,1*  1 5 
ferf  ermore,  fat  al  f  is  worldly  beyng  heere  is  but  vanite  for  a  while  — 
as  is  myraclis-pleying[e]  —  f  ei 15  leeven  fer  pride,  and  taken  to  hem 
afterward  fe  meke  conversac[i]oun  of  Crist  and  of  hise  seyntis,  and 
so  myraclis-pleyinge  turnif 16  men  to  fe  bileve,  and  not  pervertif.17 
Also,  [3]  ofte  syfis  by  siche  myraclis-pleyinge  men  and  wymmen,  20 
seynge  f  e  passioun  of  Crist  and  of  hise  seyntis,  ben  movyd  to  com 
passion  and  devocion,  wepynge  bitere  teris ;  f  anne  f  ei  ben  not  scorn- 
ynge  of  God,  but  worschipyng.    Also,  [4]  profitable  18  to  men  and  to 
fe  worschipe  of  God  it  is  to  fulfillen19  and  sechen  alle  fe  menes  by 
f  e  whiche  men  mowen 20  fleen 21  synne,  and  drawen  hem  to  vertues.  25 
And  syfen  as22  fer  ben  men  fat  on[e]ly  by  ernestful  doynge  wylen 
be[n]  convertid  to  God,  so  fer  ben 28  of  ere  men  fat  wylen  not  be[n]  con 
vertid  to  God  but  by  gamen  and  pley ;  and  now  on  dayes 24  men  ben 
not  convertid  by  f  e  emestful  doyng  of  God  ne  of  men,  f  anne  K  now 

1  Exod.  7. 13  ff.  8  in  opposition  to  this  l"  does  not  pervert  them 

2  those  who  defend  and  sup-  9  ofttimes  18  MS.  proph- 

port  them  10  are  19  MS.  -un 

3  omitting  for  the  sake  of  H  each  one  the  other  20  may 

pleasure  12  have  21  MS.  scene  ;  M.  fle 

4  MS.  -yn  18  because  of  22  whereas 

5  remembrance  H  MS.  seeynge  28  MS.  been 

6  MS.  miraclis  16  MS.  wherjjoru  }>ie  u  nowadays 

7  MS.  -yn  16  MS.  -e)>  26  therefore 


282  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


it  is  tyme  and  skilful1  to  assayen  to  converter!2  fe  puple  by  pley 
and  gamen  —  as  by  myraclis-pleyinge,  and  oj>er  maner  myrf  is.  Also, 
[5]  summe  recreac[i]oun  men  moten8  ban  ;  and  bettere  it  is,  or  lesse 
yvele,  fat  fei  ban  feyre  recreac[i]oun  4  by  pleyinge  of  myraclis  fan 

5  by  pleyinge  of  ofer[e]  japis.  Also,  [6]  sifen  it  is  leveful5  to  ban  fe 
myraclis  of  God  peyntid,  why  is  [it]  not  as  wel  leveful  to  ban  fe 
myraclis  of  God  pleyid,6  syfen  men  mowen  bettere  reden  fe  wille 
of  God,  and  his  mervelous  werkis,  in  fe  pleyinge  of  hem  fan  in  fe 
peyntynge,  and  betere  fei  ben  holden  in  men[n]us  mynde,  and  oftere 

10  rehersid,  by  fe  pleyinge  of  hem  fan  by  fe  peyntynge,  for  fis  is  a  deed 
bok,  fe  tof  er  a  qu[i]ck  7  ? 

To  fe  first  reson  we  answeren,8  seying  [i]  fat  siche  myraclis- 
pleyinge  is  not  to  fe  worschipe  of  God,  for  fei  ben  don  more  to  ben 
seen  of  fe  worlde,  and  to  plesen  9  to  fe  world,  fanne  to  ben  seen  of 

15  God,  or  to  plesen9  to  hym.  As  Crist  never  ensaumplide  hem,10  but 
onely  hefene  men,  fat  everemore  dishonouren  God,  seyinge  fat  to  fe 
worschipe  of  God  fat  is  to  f  e  most  veleynye  n  of  hym  ;  ferfore,  as  fe 
wickidnesse  of  f  e  misbileve  of  hefene  men  lyif  to  hemsilf  12  whanne 
fei  seyn  fat  f  e  wors[c]hipyng  of  f  eire  mafimetrie  u  is  to  f  e  worschipe 

20  of  God,  so  mennus  14  lec[c]herye  now  on  dayes,  to  han  fer  owne  lustus. 
liif  15  to  hemsilf  whanne  fei  seyn  fat  siche  16  miraclis  17-pleying[e]  is  to 
fe  worschip  of  God.  .  .  . 

[2]  f>e  same  wise,18  myraclis-pleyinge,  albeit  fat  it  be  synne,  is 
oferewhile  19  occasion  of  convertyng  of  men  ;  but  as  it  is  synne,  it  is 

25  fer  more  occasion  of  pervertyng  of  men,  not  onely  of  oon  synguler  ™ 
persone,  but  of  al  an  hool  comynte,21  as  it  makif  al  a  puple  to  ben 
ocupied  in  veyn  ajenus  fis  heeste22  of  fe  Psauter  Book,  fat  seif  to 
alle  men,  and  namely  to  pristis,  fat  eche  day  reden  it  in  fer  servyse  : 
'  Turne  awey  myn  eyen  fat  fei  se[n]  not  vanytees  M  '  ;  and  efte  24  : 

1  reasonable  9  MS.  -yn  17  MS.  -es 

2  MS.  -yn  ln  taught  their  use  by  example  ls  in  the  same  manner 
8  must                                11  degradation  19  sometimes 

4  em.  M.  12  deceive  themselves;  MS.  }>emsilf  20  single 

s  permissible  is  idols  21  community 

6  MS.  -ed  M  men's  E  command 

7  1'ving  16  MS.  liej>  28  ps.  1  19.  37 

8  MS.  -yng  (em.  M.)  16  MS.  suche  24 


A  TREATISE  AGAINST  MIRACLE-PLAYS          283 

'  Lord,  pou  hatist l  alle  waytynge  vanytees.2 '    How   panne  may  a 
prist  pleyn  in  entirludies,3  or  jyve  hymsilf  to  pe  sijt  of  hem  ?  .  .  . 

Myraclis-pleyinge,  sypen  it  is  ajenus  ]>e  heest  of  God,  pat  biddip  pat 
pou  shalt  not  take[n]  Goddis  name  in  ydil,  it  is  ajenus  oure  bileve, 
and  so  it  may  not  jyven  occasioun 4  of  turnynge  men  to  pe  bileve,  5 
but  of  pervertyng ;  and  perfore  many  men  wenen 5  pat  per  is  no  helle 
of  everelastynge  peyne,  but  pat  God  do[i]p  but6  preten7  us,  and  not 
to  do[n]  it  in  dede  —  as  is8  pleyinge  of  myraclis9  in  sygne,10  and 
not  in  dede.  .  .  . 

A  prist  of  pe  Newe  Testament,  pat  is  passid  pe  tyme  of  childehod,  10 
and  pat  not  onely  shulde  kepe[n]  chastite,  but  alle  opere  vertues,  ne  u 
onely  mynystren  fee  sacrament  of  matrimonye,  but  alle  opere  sacra- 
mentis,  and,  namely,12  sypen  hym  owip 13  to  mynystre[n]  to  alle  pe 
puple  pe  precious  body  of  Crist,  awjte14  to  abstene[n]  hym  fro  al 
ydil  pleying[e],  bope  of  myraclys  and  ellis.15  .^  "^t  15 

f>es  men  pat  seyen,  '  Pley[e]  we  a  pley  of  Anticrist  and  of  pe  Day 
of  Dome,  pat  sum  man  may  be  convertid  perby,'  fallen  into  pe  herisie 
of  hem  pat,  reversyng  pe  Aposteyl,  seyden :  '  Do  we  y  vel  pingis,  pat  per 
comen  16  gode  pingis  '  —  'of  whom,'  as  seip  pe  Aposteyl,17  '  dampnyng 
is  rijtwise.18 '  20 

By  pis  we  answeren  to  pe  pridde 19  resoun,  seyinge  [3]  pat  siche 
myraclis-pleyinge  jyvip20  noon  occasioun  of  verrey21  wepynge  and 
medeful 22 ;  but  pe  wepyng  pat  f allip 28  to  men  and  wymmen  by  pe 
sijte  of  siche  myraclis-pleyinge,  as  it  is.24  not  principaly  for  peire 
owne 25  synnes,  ne  of  peire  gode  feip  wipinneforp,26  but  more  of  peire  25 
si  jt  wipouteforp,  is  not  alowable  byfore  God,  but  more  reprovable 27 ; 
for28  sypen  Crist  hymsilf  reprovyde  pe  wymmen  pat  wepten  upon 
hym  in  his  passioun,  myche  more  pei  ben  reprovable  pat  wepen  for 


1  MS.  hatistde;  M.hatid- 

9  MS.  mir- 

19  third 

est 

1°  symbolic 

20  MS.  -ej> 

2  Ps.  31.6  (Vulg.) 

11  nor 

21  true,  sincere  ;  MS.  werrey 

8  interludes,  plays  ;    MS. 

12  especially 

22  profitable 

entirlodies 

13  he  ought 

23  befalls 

4  MS.  -cioun 

14  ought 

24  MS.  J>ei  ben 

6  believe 

15  other  things 

25  MS.  oune 

6  merely 

16  MS.  -yn 

26  inwardly;  MS.  -for}>e 

"•  MS.  t>retij> 

17  MS.  gospel  (blurred)  aposteyl 

2"  MS.  reprowable 

8  MS.  ben 

is  Rom.  3.  8 

28  MS.  ffor 

284  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

f  e  pley  of  Cristis  passioun,  leevynge  to  wepen a  for  f  e  synnes  of  hemsilf 
and  of  J>eire  chyldren,  as  Crist  bad  fe  wymmen  fat  wepten  on  hym.2 
And  by  }>is  we  answeren  to  fe  furfe  resoun,  seyinge  [4]  fat  no 
man  may  be  convertid  to  God  but  onely  by  fe  ernestful  doinge8  of 

5  God,  and  by  noon  veyn  pleying[e] ;  for  fat  fat 4  f  e  word  of  God 
worchif  not,  ne  his  sacramentis,  how  shulde  pleyinge  worchen,  fat  is 
of  no  vertue,  but  ful  of  defaute  ?  .  .  .  f»e  wepyng  fat  men  wepen  ofte 
in  siche  pley,  comunely  is  fals,  witnessinge5  fat  fei  loven6  more  fe 
lykyng7  of  feire  body,  and  of  prosperite  of  fe  world,  fan  lykynge 

10  of8  God,  and  prosperite  of  vertu[e]  in  fe  soule;  and,  ferfore,  hav- 
yng  more  compassion  of  peyne  fan  of  synne,  fei  falsly  wepen9  for 
lakkynge  of  bodily  prosperite,  more  fan  for  lakkyng  of  gostly.  .  .  . 

And  herby  we  answeren  to  fe  fifte  resoun,  seyinge  [5]  fat  verry 
recreacion  is  leeveful  ocupiynge  in  lasse10  werkis,  to  more  ardently 

15  worchen11  grettere  werkis;  and  ferfore  siche  myraclis-pleyinge,  ne 
fe  sijte  of  hem,12  is  no  verrey  recreacion,13  but  fals  and  worldly,  as 
proven 14  fe  dedis  of  f e  fautours 15  of  siche  pleyis.  .  .  .  And  gif  men 
axen  what  recreac[i]oun  men  shulden  han 16  on  f  e  haliday,  after  feire 
holy  contemplacioun  in  f  e  chirche,  we  seyen  to  hem  two  f  ingis :  oon, 

20  fat  jif  he  hadde  ver[r]yly  ocupied  "  hym  in  contemplac[i]oun  byforn, 
neyfer  he  wolde  aske[n]  fat  question,  ne  han  wille 18  to  se[n] 19 
vanyte ;  anof  ere,  we  seyn  fat  his  recreacioun  shulde  ben  in  f  e  werkis 
of  mercy  to  his  neyebore,  and  in  delityng20  hym  in  alle  good  comu- 
nicacion  wif  his  ney[e]bore,  as  biforn  he  delitid21  hym  in  God,  and 

25  in  alle  of  ere  nedeful  werkis  fat  reson  and  kynde22  axen. 

And  to  f  e  last  reson  we  seyn  [6]  fat  peinture,23  jif  it 2<  be  verry, 
wif oute  mengyng  ^  of  lesyngis,28  and  not  to  curious  to 2T  myche 
fedynge  mennus  wittis,  and  not  occasion  of  maumetrie 28  to  f  e  puple, 
T>ei  ben  but  as  nakyd  lettris  to  a  clerk  to  reden  ffl  fe  treufe ;  but  so 

1  omitting  to  weep  u  MS.  worschen  21  MS.  di- 

2  Luke  23. 28  12  (miracle-plays)  22  nature 

8  MS.  doyinge  18  MS.  -sion  28  painting 

<  which  M  MS.  -yn  24  MS.  gif  it  it 

8  MS.  falf  wittnessenge  JS  patrons  2s  mingling 

6  MS.  -yn  16  MS.  have  26  falsehoods 

7  pleasure,  enjoyment  H  MS.  -ede  x  intent  upon 

8  MS.  in  18  desire  28  idolatry 

»  MS.  -yn  19  see  »  MS.  riden  (em.  M.) 

10  smaller  20  MS.  di- 


A  TREATISE  AGAINST  MIRACLE-PLAYS         285 

ben  not  myraclis-pleyingis,1  pat  ben  made  more  to  deliten  men  bodily 
pan  to  ben  bokis  to  lewid 2  men,  and  perf ore  jif  pei  ben  quike 8 
bookis,  pei  ben  quike  bookis  to  schrewidnesse,4  more  fan  to  god- 
nesse.8  Gode  men,  J>erfore,  seinge  per  tyme  to6  schort  to  ocupyen 
hem  in  gode  ernest  werkis,  and  seinge  pe  day  of  per  rekenynge  5 
neyjen7  faste,  and  unknowyng  whan  pei  schulen8  go[n]  hennys, 
fleen  alle  siche  ydilnessis,  hyinge 9  pat  pei  weren 10  wip  per u  spouse, 
Crist,  in  pe  blisse  of  hevene.  .  .  . 

[^5]if  pou  haddist  had12  a  fadir  pat  hadde  suffrid18  a  dispitous14  dep 
to  geten  pee  pyn  heritage,  and  pou  perafter  woldest  so  lijtly  ber[e]n 15  10 
it,  to  make[n]  perof  a  pley  to  pe le  and  to  alle  pe  puple,  no  doute 1T  but 
pat  alle  gode  men  wolden  demen 18  pe  unkynde.   Miche  more,  God  and 
alle  his  seyntis 19  demen 18  alle  po  x  Cristen  men  unkynde  pat  pleyen  or 
favouren  pe  pley  of  pe  dep  or  of  pe  myraclis 21  of  per  most  kynde  Fadir, 
Crist,  pat  dyede  and  wroujte  myraclis  to  bryngen  men  to  pe  evere-  15 
lastande  heretage  of  hevene. 

But  peraventure  heere  pou  seist  pat,  [5] if22  pleyinge  of  myraclis 
be  synne,  never  pe  latere  **  it  is  but  litil  synne.  But  herfore,24  dere 
frend,  knowe  jee  pat  eche  synne,  be  it  never  so  litil,  [j]if  it  be 
mayntenyd  and  prechid  as  gode  and  profitable,  is  deadly25  synne;  20 
and  perfore  seip  pe  prophete 26 :  '  Wo  to  hem  pat  seien  good 27  yvel, 
and  yvel  good28!'  and  perfore  pe  wyse  man  dampnip29  hem  pat 
gtaicfen80  whan  pei  don  yvel;  and  perfore  alle  seyntis  seyen  pat 
mannysch81  it  is  to  fallen,  but  develiche  it  is  to  abyden  stille  per- 
inne.  J>erfore,  sipen  pis32  myraclis-pleyinge  is  synne,  as  pou  knowl-  25 
echist,88  and  is  stedefastly  meyntenyd,  and  also  men  deliten  hem 
perinne,  no  doute 17  but  pat  it  is  deadly  synne,  dampnable  —  develiche, 
not  mannysch.  .  .  . 

1  MS.  -inge  12  MS.  hadde  &  nevertheless 

2  ignorant,  unlearned  18  MS. -ed  2*  in  consideration  of  this 
8  living                                             14  cruel ;  MS.  -ouse  25  MS.  deadely 

4  wickedness ;  MS.  -ide-  15  so  disregard  26  MS.  -ite 

s  MS.  gode-  is  for  thyself  27  MS.  gode 

6  too  17  MS.  dowte  28  Isa.  5.20 

7  draw  near  18  MS.  denyen  ^  condemneth  ;  MS.  -ej> 

8  MS.  schal  19  MS.  -es  8°  rejoice 

9  hastening  2n  those  81  human  ;  MS.  -ysche 
10  might  be  21  MS.  -es  82  MS.  )>es 

U  MS.  her  •    22  MS.  of  88  dost  acknowledge 


286 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


As  pis  is  a  verre  lesynge  to  seyen  pat  for  pe  love  of  God  he  wil 
ben  a  good  felawe1  \vi]>  pe  devul,  so  it  is  a  verry2  lesyng  to  seyen 
fat  for  pe  love  of  God  he  wil  pleyen  his  myraclis  —  for  in  neyper  is 
pe  love  of  God  schewid,  but  his  hestis  tobroken.8  And  sypen  pe  cere- 

5  monyes  *  of  pe  olde  lawe  —  albeit  pat  pei  weren  gy ven  bi  God  —  for 
pei  weren  fleyshly,  shulden 5  not  be[n]  holde[n] 6  wip  pe  Newe  Testa 
ment,  for  it  is  gostly 7 ;  myche  more  pleyinge,  for  it  is  fleys[h]ly, 
never  beden 8  of  God,  shulde  not  ben  don  wi}>  pe  mervelouse  werkis 
of  God,  for  pei  ben  gostly ;  for  as  pe  pleyinge 9  of  Ismael  wip  Isaac 

10  shulde  han  10  bynomen  n  Isaac  his  heretage,  so  12  pe  kepyng  of  ]>e  cere- 
monyes 4  of  pe  olde  lawe  in  pe  Newe  Testament  shulde  han  bynomen 
men  per  bileve  in  Crist,  and  han  made  men  to  gon  bacward  —  pat  is 
to  seie[n],  fro  pe  gostly  lyvyng  of  pe  Newe  Testament  to  pe  fleyshly 
lyvyng  of  pe  Olde  Testament.  .  .  . 

15  J>is  myraclis-pleyinge  is  verre  witnesse18  of  mennus  averice  and 
covey tise  byf ore,  pat  is  maumetrie,  as  seip  pe  Apostele  u ;  for  pat  pat 15 
pei  shulden  spenden 16  upon  pe  nedis  of  per  nejeboris,  pei  spenden  upon 
pe  pleyis  ;  and  to  peyen  per  rente  and  per  dette  pei  wolen  grucchefn],17 
and  to  spende[n]  two  so  myche  18  upon  per  pley  pei  wolen  nopinge 

20  grucchen.  Also,  to  gaderen19  men  togidere  to  bien  pe  derre  pere 
vetailis,20  and  to  stiren  men  to  glotonye,  and  to  pride  and  boost,21  pei 
pleyn  pes  myraclis ;  and,  also,  to  han  wherof  to  spenden  on  pese 
myraclis,  and  to  holde[n]  felawschipe  of  glotenye  and  lec[c]herie  in 
siche22  dayes  of  myraclis-pleyinge,  pei  bisien  hem  beforn  to  more 

25  gredily  bygilen  per  ne$[e]bors  in  byinge  and  in  sellyng;  and  so  pis 
pleyinge  of  myraclis  now  on  dayes  is  verre23  witnesse  of  hidous24 
coveytise,  pat  is  maumetrie. 


1  MS.  felowe 

2  MS.  werry 
»  MS.  -un 

4  MS.  sery- 

6  MS.  t>ei  shulden 

6  ranked 

7  of  the  spirit 

8  bidden;  MS.  -yn 


9  Gen.  21.9  (ludentem,  Vul 
gate  ;  see  the  Authorized 
Version) 

10  might  have 

11  taken  from ;  MS.  -yn 

12  MS.  so  in  J>e 
18  MS.  witt- 

14  Col.  3.  5 
!5  which 


16  MS.  -yn 

i!"  grudge 

is  twice  as  much 

19  MS.  gideren 

2l1  buy  their  food  the  dearer 

21  boasting 

22  MS.  sicsse 
^  MS.  werre 
«  MS.  hidoous 


MIRK,  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  PARISH  PRIESTS    287 


MIRK,  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  PARISH  PRIESTS 

The  Instructions  for  Parish  Priests  is  a  versified  translation  of  the  Pupilla 
Oculi  of  William  de  Pagula  (Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  s.v.  Mirk).  Its  author,  who  was 
prior  of  Lilleshall  in  Shropshire,  wrote  also,  besides  a  Latin  Manuale  Sacerdo- 
tum,  the  Liber  Festialis,  an  English  book  of  sermons  which  was  decidedly 
popular,  being  printed  eighteen  times  between  1483  and  1532  (Schofield, 
English  Literature  from  the  Norman  Conquest  to  Chaucer,  p.  395).  Nothing 
more  is  known  of  Mirk's  life  ;  the  date  1403  as  the  time  at  which  he  flourished 
is  conjectural. 

The  following  selections  are  from  Peacock's  print  (E.E.T.S.  31,  London, 
1868  ;  revised,  1902)  of  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Cotton  Claud.  A.  2,  which  he  supposes 
to  be  not  later  than  1450,  and  to  represent  the  language  of  an  earlier  time. 
The  pages  are  respectively,  with  the  exception  of  the  third  from  the  end,  2, 
9-10,  14,  32,  43,  66-7,  and  60,  of  the  edition  of  1902;  the  antepenultimate, 
21-3  of  the  edition  of  1868. 


THE  CHARACTER  OF  A  PRIEST 

Preste,  fyself  thow  moste  be  chast, 
And  say  J>y  serves  wyfowten  hast, 
That  mowthe  and  herte  acorden  ifere,1 
<^ef  thow  wole  that  God  }>e  here. 

Of  honde  and  mow^e  )>ou  moste  be  trewe,  5 

And  grete  oj>es  thow  moste  enchewe 2 ; 
In  worde  and  dede  )>ou  moste  be  mylde, 
Bothe  to  mon  and  to  chylde. 
Dronkelec 8  and  glotonye, 

Pruyde  and  sloufe  and  envye,  10 

Alle  J>ow  moste  putten  away, 
<3ef  J>ow  wolt  serve  God  to  payr*  l^*-"- 
That  ]>e  nedeth,  etc  and  drynke, 
But  sle  6  Ipy  lust  for  any  thynge. 

Tavernes  also  thow  moste  forsake,  15 

And  marchaundyse  fow  schalt  not  make ; 
Wrastelynge,  and  schotynge,6  and  suche  maner  game,7 

1  agree  (///.  accord  together)  4  please  7  sports  of  such  sort 

2  eschew  5  slay,  crush 
8  drunkenness  6  shooting 


288  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Thow  myjte  not  use  *  wythowte  blame ; 
Hawkynge,  huntynge,  and  dawnsynge, 
Thow  moste  forgo  for  any  thynge ; 
Cuttede2  clothes  and  pykede8  schone, 
Thye  gode  fame  fey  wole  fordone.4 
Marketes  and  feyres  I  the  forbede, 
But 8  hyt  be  for  the  more 6  nede. 
In  honeste 7  clothes  thow  moste  gon : 
Baselarde 8  ny  bawdryke 9  were  f  ow  non. 
Berde  and  crowne  thow  moste  be  schave, 
<^ef  thow  wole  thy  ordere  save. 
Of  mete  and  drynke  fow  moste  be  fre 10  7 
To  pore  and  ryche^by  n  thy  degre. 

12  thow  moste  thy  Sawtere 13  rede, 


And  of  the  Day  of  Dome  have  drede ; 
And  evere  do  gode  ajeynes  u  evele, 
Or  elles  thow  myjte  not  lyve  wele. 


25 


BEHAVIOR  IN  CHURCH 

No  non  in  chyrche  stonde  schal, 
Ny 16  lene  to  pyler  ny  to  wal, 
But  fayre ie  on  kneus  fey  schule  hem  sette 
Knelynge  doun  upon  the  flette 17  — 
And  pray  to  God  wyth  herte  meke 
To  jeve  hem  grace,  and  mercy  eke. 
Soffere  hem  to  make  no  here,18 
But  ay  to  be  in  here 19  prayere ; 


1  practise 

2  cut  short  (?) 
8  long-toed 

4  make  way  with 
6  unless 

6  greater 

7  decent,  simple 


8  short  sword,  dagger 

9  sword-belt 

10  generous 

11  according  to 

12  earnestly,  zealously 

13  Psalter 


14  in  return  for 

15  nor 

16  properly 
I?  floor 

18  noise 
i»  their 


4.  pykede:  'The  pikes  were  sometimes  made  like  the  tails  of  scorpions, 
at  others  twisted  into  the  form  of  a  ram's  horn '  (Peacock's  note,  ed.  1902,  p.  73). 


MIRK,  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  PARISH  PRIESTS     289 

And  whenne  J>e  gospelle  ired l  be  schalle, 

Teche  hem  fenne  to  stonde  up  alle, 

And  blesse 2  f eyre  as  pey  conne 

Whenne  '  Gloria  tibi ' 3  ys  bygonne. 

And  whenne  }>e  Gospel  ys  idone,  5 

Teche  hem  eft  to  knele  downe  sone ; 

And  whenne  they  here  the  belle  rynge 

To  that  holy  sakerynge,4 

Teche  hem  knele  downe,  boj>e  jonge  and  olde, 

And  boj>e  here  hondes  up  to  holde,  10 

And  say  benne  in  ]>ys  manere, 

Feyre  and  softely,  wythowte  bere : 

'  Jesu,  Lord,  welcome  )>ow  be, 

In  forme  of  bred  as  I  fe  se. 

Jesu,  for  thy  holy  name,  15 

Schelde  me  to-day  fro  synne  and  schame. 

Schryfte 5  and  howsele,6  Lord,  )>ou  graunte  me  bo,7 

Er  that  I  schale  hennes  go, 

And  verre 8  contrycyone  of  my  synne, 

That  I,  Lord,  never  dye  thereinne ;  20 

And,  as  J>6w  were  of  a  may 9  ibore,10 

Sofere  n  me  never  to  be  forlore,12 

But  whenne  ]>at  I  schale  hennes  wende, 

Grawnte  me  J>e  blysse  wythowten  ende.' 

THE  CREED 

I  beleve  in  oure  holy  Dryjt,18  25 

Fader  of  hevene,  God  almyjt, 
]?at  alle  thynge  has  wrojt  — 
Hevene  and  er}>e,  and  alle  of  nojt. 
On  Jesu  Cryst  I  beleve  also, 

1  read  *  consecration  of  the  elements  9  maiden 

2  make  the  sign  of  the  cross  5  confession  and  absolution  10  born 
8  '  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  God,'                «  receiving  of  the  Eucharist  11  suffer 

sung  between  the  Epistle  1  both  M  lost 

and  the  Gospel  8  true  w  Lord 


290  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Hys  only  Sone,  and  no  mo, 

J>at  was  conceyvede  of  fe  Holy  Spyryt, 

And  of  a  mayde  ibore  quyt 1 ; 

And  afterward  under  Pounce  Pylate 

5  Was  itake  2  for  'vye  8  and  hate, 

And  soffrede  peyne  and  passyone, 

And  on  f  e  croys  was  idone 4 ; 

Ded  and  buryed  he  was  also, 

And  wente  to  helle  to  spoyle 5  oure  fo, 

10  And  ros  to  lyve  the  fryde  day, 

And  stegh 6  to  hevene  f  e  xl  day. 
«^jet  he  schale  come  wy}>  woundes  rede, 
To  deme  7  f  e  quyke  and  f  e  dede. 
In  f  e  Holy  Gost  I  leve 8  welle ; 

15  In  Holy  Chyrche  and  hyre  spelle.9 

In  Goddes  body  I  beleve  nowe, 
Amonge  hys  seyntes  to  jeve  me  rowe,10 
And  of  my  synnes  fat  I  have  done 
To  have  plenere  u  remyssyone ; 

20  And  when  my  body  from  deth  schal  ryse, 

I  leve  to  be  wyth  God  and  hyse,12 
And  have  the  joye  fat  lastej)  ay ; 
God  graunte  hymself  fat  I  so  may ! 


Hast  fou  ben  prowde  and  glad  in  thoght 
25  Of  any  mysdede  fat  fou  hast  wrojt  ? 

Hast  fou  ben  prowde  of  any  gyse 18 
Of  any  fynge  fat  fou  dedust  use, 
Of  party'*4  hosen,  of  pykede  schone, 
Of  fytered 16  clof es  (as  foles  done) 

1  quite  6  ascended  n  full,  complete 

2  seized  7  judge  12  his 

8  envy  8  believe      .  ls  appearance,  look 

4  done  to  death  9  teaching  1*  party-colored 

5  despoil  10  rest  ls  slashed 


MIRK,  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  PARISH  PRIESTS     291 

Of  londes  rentes,  of  gay  howsynge,1 

Of  mony  servauntes  to  ]>y  byddynge, 

Or  of  hors  fat  and  rownde, 

Or  for  ]>y  godes 2  were  hole  and  sownde, 

Or  for  fow  art  gret  and  ryche  5 

f»at  no  nejbore  ys  ]>e  ilyche,3 

Or  for  J>ow  art  a  vertues  mon, 

And  const 4  more  ]>en  anofer  con  ? 

^ef  }>ou  havebe  6  on  pys  maner  prowd, 

Schryf 6  J>e,  sone,  and  telle  hyt  out.  10 

SINS  OF  CARELESSNESS 

i    i. 

Hast  ]>ow  icome  by  chyrchejorde,7 
And  for  }>e  dede  iprayed  no  worde  ? 
Hast  fow  ay  cast  up  8  lydejate 9 
J>ere  bestus  have  go  in  ate  ? 

Hast  fow  istruyed 10  corn  or  gras,  15 

Or  ofer  J>ynge  fat  sowen  was  ? 
Hast  )>ou  icome  in  any  sty,11 
And  cropped  jerus 12  of  corne  }>e  by  ? 
Art  ]>ou  iwont  over  corn  to  ryde, 
When  fou  myjtest  have  go  bysyde  ?  20 

THE  PRONOUNCING  OF  EXCOMMUNICATION 

J>e  grete  sentens  I  wryte  }>e  here, 
J?at  foure  tymes  in  J>e  ^ere 
J>ou  schalte  pronownce  withowtyn  lette,13 
Whan  ]>e  parich  is  togydur  mette. 

J?ou  schalte  pronownce  fis  hydowse  }>inge  25 

Wit  cros,  and  candul,  and  belle-knyllynge,14 

1  trappings  f  past  a  churchyard  n  path 

2  goods,  possessions  8  fastened  up  (so  as  to  prevent  12  ears 

a  like  the  entrance  of  cattle)  13  hindrance 

4  knowest  9  gate   between   pasture-land  14  tolling 

5  been  and  ploughed  land 

6  shrive,  confess  10  destroyed 


292  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

f»e  furste  Sononday  affter  Myjhellfeste l ; 
Myd-Lenton 2  Sonday  schal  be  neste 3 ; 
f>e  Trenite  feste  is  f  e  f  ridde,  os 4  I  f  e  say ; 
f»e  ferthe  is  f  e  Sononday  aftur  Candulmes  day. 
5  Spelle 5  hit  reddely,6  for  nojte  f  ou  wonde,7 

J>at 8  alle  men  fe  undurstonde. 

FORM  OF  EXCOMMUNICATION  (I) 

By  auttorite  of  God  almijti,  Fader 9  and  Son  and  Holy  Gost,  and  of 
al  ]> e  seyntes  of  heven.  First,10  we  accursen  al  them  that  broken  u  the 
pece  of  Holy  Chirch  or  sturben  hit;  ...  all  fat  falsen  or  use  false 

10  measures,  busshelles,  galones,  and  potelles,12  quartes,  [cuppes],  or  false 
wightes,  poundes  or  poundrelles,18  or  false  ellenyerdes,14  wetyngly  of  er 
)>an  f  e  lawe  of  ]>e  lond  woll ;  .  .  .  also  all  fat  distroubleth  f  e  pes  of 
Englond,  and  traitors  that  ben  false  or  isenting 15  to  falsenes,  agen  )>e 
king  or  the  reame 16 ;  .  .  .  also  all  that  helpen  with  strength,  or  with  vit- 

1 5  ayles,  or  soccouren  Jewes  or  Sarzons 17  agen  Cristendom  ;  also  all  fat 
sleen  childeren,  or  distroyen  boren  or  unborn,  with  drynkes  or  with 
wichcraf t,  and  all  her  consentes 18 ;  also  all  fat  stondeth  or  herkeneth 
by  nyjtes  under  wolles,  dores,  or  wyndowes,  for  to  spy  touching  evil, 
and  all  house-brekeres  and  man-quellers.19.  .  . 

FORM  OF  EXCOMMUNICATION  (II) 

20  By  fe  auctorite  of  cure  Fadur,  of  f e  Sone,  of  fe  Holy  Goste,  and  off 
ou[r]e  lady  Seynte  Mary,  Goddus  modur  of  heven,  and  alle  ofur  vir- 
gynes,  and  Seynte  Myhel,'20  and  alle  ofur  angellus  and  archangellus,  and 
Petur  and  Poule,  and  ofur  apostolus,  and  Seynte  Stewne,21  and  alle  ofur 
martyres,  and  Seynte  Nicholas,  and  alle  ofur  confessoures,22  and  alle 

1  Michaelmas  10  MS.  ffirst  18  accomplices 

2  Mid-Lenten  n  break  J9  murderers 
8  next                                     12  a  measure  for  liquids,  equal  20  Michael 

4  as                                                 to  half  a  gallon  21  Stephen 

6  speak,  say;  MS.  sepelle  18  scales,  balances  22  those  who  suffered  perse- 

6  promptly,  willingly  14  ell-measures  cution,  but  not   martyr- 

1  shrink,  fear  ls  consenting  dom,  for  the  sake  of  their 

8  so  that  W  realm  religion 

•  MS.  ffader  "  Saracens 


THE  RULE  OF  ST.  BENEDICT  293 

f  e  holy  halowes x  of  hewen,  we  acurson  and  wa'ryon 2  and  departon 8 
from  alle  gode  dedus  and  prayeres  of  Holy  Chyrche,  and  dampnon4 
into  f  e  peyne  of  helle,  alle  f  oo 5  fat  have  done  pels  articoles  fat  we 
have  sayde  before,  tyl6  }>ei  comen  to  amendemente.  We  acurson  hem 
be  fe  auctorite  off  )>e  courete  off  Rome,  witinne-  and  witouteforjfe,7  5 
sclepynge  and  wakynge,  goynge,  syttynge  and  standinge,  lyggynge, 
oftxJwne 8  f  e  erthe  and  undur  f  e  erthe,  ...  in  wode,  in  watur,  in  felde, 
and  in  towne.  We  acurson  be  fe  Fadur  and  Sone  and  Holy  Goste. 
Acursyn  hem  angelus  and  archangellus,  and  alle  fe  nyne  ordorus  of 
heven.  Acursyn  hem  patriarchus,  prophetus,  and  apostolus,  and  alle  10 
Goddus  disciplus,  and  alle  holy  innocentus,  martyres,  confessoures,  and 
virgynes,  monkus,  cannonus,  eremytus,9  and  prestus  and  clerkus,  pat 
}>ei  have  no  parte  off  masses  ne  mateynus 10  ne  evensonge,  ne  of  none 
ofur  gode  prayeres  fat  bene  done  in  Holy  Chyrche,  no  in  none  ofur 
holy  place ;  bot  ]>e  peynus  of  helle  for  to  be  here  mede,11  wit  Judas  fat  1 5 
betrayed  oure  Lord  Jesu  Cryste,  and  f  e  lyf  of  hem  be  putte  oute  of  f  e 
bokus  of  lyfe,  tyl  fay  comen  to  amendemente,  and  satisfaccion  made. 
Fiat,  fiat !  Amen  ! 

J>an  fou  fi  candul  kaste  to  grownde, 

Ande  spytte ia  ferto  f e  same  stownde,18  20 

And  lette  also  fe  belle  knylle, 

To  make  hertus  fe  more  grylle.14 


THE  RULE  OF  ST.   BENEDICT 

'  Perhaps  it  is  hardly  too  much  to  say  that  no  literary  production  since  the 
time  of  the  apostles  has  contributed  so  much  to  Western  civilization  as  the 
Benedictine  Rule  ;  and  yet  its  author  probably  never  regarded  it  as  a  literary 
production  at  all '  (Cook  and  Tinker,  Sel.  Trans,  from  Old  Eng.  Prose,  p.  278). 

Benedict  was  born  at  the  end  of  the  fifth  century ;  by  the  end  of  the  sixth 
his  Rule  was  chosen  by  Pope  Gregory  the  Great  for  a  monastery  Gregory  had 
founded  at  Rome.  By  the  end  of  the  eighth  century  —  the  age  of  Charlemagne 

1  saints  6  M  S.  tul  u  reward 

2  execrate  7  at  home  and  abroad  12  spit 

8  separate,  shut  off  8  above  18  at  the  same  time 

4  condemn  9  hermits,  recluses  14  (to)  shudder,  tremble 

6  those  10  matins 


294 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


— the  Rule  was  almost  universally  followed  in  European  monasteries.  Through 
out  the  Middle  Ages  the  Benedictine  monks  were  famous  for  their  learning, 
and,  by  their  zeal  in  copying  classical  manuscripts,  preserved  most  of  those 
that  have  come  down  to  us.  For  a  general  account  of  them,  see  Montalembert's 
Monks  of  the  West,  Book  4. 

The  early  English  manuscripts  of  the  Rule  are  many  of  them  based  on  a 
version  written  for  nuns.  That  from  which  our  selections  are  taken  is  MS. 
Brit.  Mus.  Cotton  Vespasian  A.  25,  in  the  Northern  dialect  of  the  earlier  fif 
teenth  century,  as  printed  by  Kock  (E.E.T.S.  120),  the  respective  pages  being 
95-6,  99-100,  102-5,  115-6. 


20 


THE  HOURS  FOR  MEALS 

Of  time  of  mete  now  es  to  lere, 
In  times  and  sesons  of  |>e  jere. 
Fro  Pas 1  right  unto  Witsunnday, 
At  ]>e  sext  our 2  ete  sal  pai, 
]?e  whilk  es  midday  for  to  mene, 
And  sine 3  sal  pai  soupe  4  be'dene.5 
In  somer,  fro 6  Witsunday  be  past, 
Wedinsday  and  Friday  sal  j>ai  fast, 
-.! -Bot-if 7  J>ai'oj>er8  swink9  or  swete 
In  hay  or  corn  with  travel  grete. 
And  if  pai  non  slike 10  travel  done,11 
On  J)os  days  sal  J?ai  fast  to  none.12 
And  on  oper  days,  als  I  air 18  saide, 
At  mydday  sal  per  mete  be  graide.14 
Bot  al  )ris  sal  be  purued 15  playn, 
At  ]>e  ordinance  of  per  soverayn 1G ; 
What  seson  so 1T  scho 18  putes  pam  to, 
Withoutin  groching19  sal  )>ai  do. 
Fro  time  pat  December  begin 
Until  clene  Lentyn  cum  in, 


1  Easter 

2  sixth  hour 
8  afterwards 
4  sup 

6  together 

6  from  the  time  that 

7  unless 


8  either 
»  labor 

10  such 

11  do,  engage  in 

12  noon 
is  before 

14  ready,  prepared 


16  provided 
16  prioress,  superior 
i"  whatsoever  manner  of  life 
according  to  the  season 

18  she 

19  grumbling 


THE  RULE  OF  ST.  BENEDICT  295 

At  hi1  none  sal  pai  etc; 

J»er  lesons  '2  sal  pai  not  forgete.    A, 

In  Lentyn  sal  non  to  mete  gang 

Ef ter 3  ]> e  our  of  evynsang  ; 

And  al  servys 4  ]>an  sal  pai  sai  5 

Efter  mete,  bi  light  of  day, 

So  pat  al  be  rewlid  right 

At  we'nd 5  to  bede  bi  dais  lyght. 

DAILY  OCCUPATIONS 
All  pat  wons  in  religioun 6 

6«Mp* 

Aw 7  to  have  sum  ocupacioun,  10 

Ouper 8  in  kirk*of 9  hali  bedes 10 

Or  stodying  in  oder  stedes.11 

For  ydilnes,  os  sais  Sant  Paul, 

Es  grete  enmy  unto  pe  saul ; 

And  J>erf or  es  ordand 12  pat  pai  1 5 

Sum  gude  warkes  sal  wirk  alway, 

And  sum  certane  times  of  pe  jer 

To  wirk  with  hand,  os  men  may  her. 

Fro  Pase,  thurgh  al  Cristyndome, 

Til  pe  kalandes  u  of  October  cum,  20 

Unto  prime 14  sone  sal  pai  rise, 

And  sine  ilkon 15  wirk  on  per  wise 

What  so  es  most  nedeful  labore, 

Until  pe  tyme  of  pe  third  oure. 

And  lessons  sal  pai  rede  pan  next  25 

Fro  pe  third  our  unto  pe  sext. 

And  efterward  thurgh  wirchep 

Fro  cures 16  and  mes 17  wend  unto  mete. 

1  high  7  ought  14  church-service  celebrated 

2  readings  8  either  about  5  or  6  A.M. 
8  MS.  or  efter                                   9  with                                 15  each  one 

4  the  whole  service  10  prayers  16  hours  of  service 

6  to  go  u  other  places  17  mass 

6  dwell  in  religion,  lead  12  ordained 

a  religious  life  18  first 


296  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

And  efter  mete,  pen  sal  pai  slepe, 

And  silence  al  sartien'1  sal  pai  kepe, 

So  pat  none  do  oper  disese,2 

Bot  ilkon  paid 8  oper  to  plese. 
5  Sone  efterward,  when  J>is  es  done, 

And  pai  haf  said  pe  our  of  none, 

Until  peir  werk  fen  sal  pai  gang, 

Unto  pe  tyme  of  evynsang, 

To  scher 4  or  bind,  if  it  be  nede, 
10  Or  dike,5  or  els  do  oper  dede, 

For  unto  travel  wor  we  born, 

And  al  our  elders  us  beforn. 

Bot  travel  aw  mesurd  to  be 

Til  ilkon  efter  per  degre, 
15  To  men  or  women,  old  or  sing, 

Ilkon  to  do  divers  ping. 

Fro  October,  os  I  'are  6  sayd, 

Unto  Lentyn  es  pus  purvayd 7 : 

In  orisons,  and  in  per  oures 
20  And  lessons,  sal  be  per  laboures. 

LENTEN  OBSERVANCE 

In  Lentyn  tyme  pen  sal  pai  rise 

Arly,  and  say  per  servyse 

And  orisons  til  Codes  honoure, 

Until  it  be  past  pe  third  oure. 
25  J>an  to  pe  tent  our8  sal  pai  wirk, 

And  sine  til  non 9  serve  in  pe  kirk. 

And  in  Lentyn  aw  pam  to  luke 10 

]?at  ilkon  have  ordand  a  buke, 

Whilk  sal  be  red  right  to  pe  end,^ 
30  Als  pe  cours  of  pe  rewl  hase  kend.11 

1  together  6  make  ditches  9  noon 

2  discomfort,  disturbance  «  before  10  see  to  it 
« content                                                             "  provided  for  u  taught 

*  cut,  reap  8  tenth  hour 


THE  RULE  OF  ST.  BENEDICT  297 

And  who  so  groches  oght  here  ogayn x 

Sal  be  punest  with  grevus  payne. 

Who  terites  to  trofils,2  and  wil  not  rede, 

And  fai  overtayn 8  with  fat  dede, 

With  payn  fai  sal  amendes  make,  5 

So  fat  ofer  ensaumpil  take. 

THE  ENTERTAINMENT  OF  GUESTS 

A  priores  aw  to  be  prest 4 
For  to  resave  ilka  gude  gest, 
And  at  hir  myght  fam  mere 6  make 
Soveraynly  for  Godes  sake,  10 

Namely 6  fam  fat  er 7  pilgrams  knawn, 
And  pouer 8  fat  hase 9  not  of  f  er  awn. 
For  God  until  [us]  fus  sal  say 
In  dome,10  apon  f e  dredful  day : 

Hospes  eram,  et  colligistis  me —  15 

'  I  wos  a  gest  in  my  degre, 
And  in  jour  hous  je  herberd  me.' 
f>an  aw  us  u  gestes  and  gud  pilgrims 
For  to  releve  in  al  fere  lims, 

And  for  to  refresch  in  al  right,  20 

Als  it  es  det 12  be  day  and  nyght, 
And  oblis  18  fam  kissmk14  of  pese, 
Perfite  luf  for  to  encres. 
And  when  fai  cum.  bi  day  or  nyght, 
And  also  when  fai  wend  to  flight,  25 

Loute 15  unto  fam  aw le  grete  and  small, 
Or  els  unto  f  er  fete  at "  fall, 
Witand 18  wele  in  fat  sesoune 
J?ai  honour  Crist  in  f  er  persoune ; 

1  against  this  1  are  18  courteously  give 

2  attends  to  trifles  8  poor  people  14  kiss 

8  if  they  are  found  out  9  have  15  to  bow 

•*  ready,  eager  10  judgment  16  ought 

6  merry  11  it  befits  us,  we  ought  17  to 

6  especially  12  due  18  knowing 


298  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

For  who  so  resaves  fe  pure  man 

In  Crist  name,  resaves  Crist  fan. 
A  soveraryn x  sal  ger  gestes  kepe  2 

With  honour  and  with  gret  wirchepe, 
5  Or  rede  to  fam,  or  ger  be  rede, 

How  hali  men  fer  lives  lede.  .  .  . 

Scho  sal  gif  water  unto  fer  hend, 

And  wesch  feir  fete,  als  Crist  hase 

When  fai  so  do,  fai  sal  reherce, 
10  Word  bi  word,  and  say  fis  verce : 

Suscepimus,  Deus,  misericordiam  tuam  in  medio  — 

'  We  have  resavyd,  Lord,  fi  mercy, 

In  fe  mydes  of  fe  hows  haly.'  .  .  . 

J>e  gestes  kechin  4  sal  be  set 
1 5  Allone,  fat  it  no  nof er 5  let, 

So  fat  fai  be  servyd  at  ese, 

And  ilk  man  redy  fam  to  plese. 

And  luk  fer  bedes  6  ordand  bene 

With  litter  larch 7  and  clothes  clene, 
20  And  swilk  servandes  assigned  fam  tU  * 

J>at  wil  fam  serve  with  gude  wil. 

None  aw  fam  do  for  to  greve, 

Ne  speke  with  fam  withoutyn  leve, 

Bot  loutand 8  hals 9  fam  wher  fai  go, 
25  And  with  blissing  pase  furth  fam  fro. 

THE  NUN'S  CLOTHING 

Thay  sal  be  clede  ful  wele,  we  wate, 
Efter  fer  place  es  cald  or  hate. 
For  in  cald  sted'es 10  who  so  er  s'ted,11 
f>am  nedes  for  to  be  better  cled ; 
30  And 12  who  er  in  hate  cuntre, 

1  prioress  5  other  9  salute 

2  cause  guests  to  be  entertained  6  beds  10  places 

8  taught  ~>  large  straw-bed  n  situated 

*  kitchen  8  bowing  12  MS.  in 


THE  RULE  OF  ST.  BENEDICT  299 

Sich  clething  to  pam  may  be ; 
And  al  it  sal  be  purvayd  playne 
At  pe  ordinance  of  peir  soverayne. 

:          '-'         '  .  tVC 

In  comun  places  for  alkins  note1 

Sufficis  a  kirtil 2  and  a  cote 3 ;  5 

And  mantels  sal  pai  have  certayne, 

In  winter  dubil,  in  somer  playne ; 

And  changing  kirtils  sal  pai  have 

In  nyghtes  }>er  oper  for  to  save. 

Schos  pai  sail  have,  whor  pai  dwel,  10 

Swilk  os  pai  may  find  for  to  sel.4 

Of  pe  farest 5  pai  sal  not  by, 

Bot  pe  vilist  ful  bowsurnly.6 

And  peir  soverayn  aw  for  to  se 

f>at  pair'gere7  evynly  o[r]dand  8  be,  15 

Mete  for  pam  pat  sal  it  fang,9  M 

And  no)>er  to  schort  ne  to  lang. 

When  pai  tak  new,  pe  old  sal  pen 

Be  partid  til 10  pouer  women. 

And  when  pai  sal  went  n  in  cuntre,  20 

f>air  clething  sal  mor  honest 12  be  ; 

And  home  agayn  when  fai  cum  eft, 

f>en  sal  pai  were  slik  os 13  fai  left. 

Until  )>eir  beddyng  sal  J>ai  have 

At 14  suffise  J>am  fro  cauld  to  save.  25 

And  oftsithes  sail  per  bed  be  sene, 

J?at  no  tresure  be  fam  betwene, 

Ne  no  gude  pat  to  J>am  may  gayne 15 ; 

Who  so  it  hase,  sail  soffer  payne. 

For  whi 16  per  soverayn  sal  pam  bede 17  30 

All  unto  pam  pat  es  nede. 

J  all  kinds  of  work  7  apparel  18  such  as 

2  gown  8  fitly  ordered ;  em.  K.  u  (enough)  to 

8  skirt,  petticoat  9  receive  15  be  useful 

4  for  sale  10  distributed  to  16  wherefore 

5  fairest  n  go  17  offer,  give  them 

6  meekly  12  finer 


THE  PORTER 

Ane  old  man  sal  f  e  gates  jeme 1 
J>at  witti  es,  and  wele  wil  seme 2 
For  to  welcum  with  wordes  fre 
Evyrilk  man  in  fer  degre. 

5  His  dwelling  sal  be  dyght 8  algayte  4 

In  a  eel  beside  fe  gate, 
So  fat  he  be  redy  ay 
Til  al 5  fat  cums  be  nyght  or  day. 
And  when  so  ony  knok  or  call, 

10  Softli  answer  fam  he  sail ; 

To  her  fer  wordes  sal  he  be  bayn,6 
And  bryng  fam  grath  7  answer  ogayn. 
And  baynly  sal  he  bryng  and  take 
Al  fat  men  sendes  for  Godes  sake. 

15  And  ever  him  aw  to  jeme  fe  gate 

For  al  aventurs,8  arely  and  layte. 

In  abbais  aw  to  be  al  thing 
f»at  nedeful  es  to  feir  lifing, 
Als  watter  for  to  do  al  fer  dedis, 

20  Miln,9  kiln,10  and  oven,  and  al  fat  nedis, 

So  fat  fai  sal  not  outward  gang 
To  say,  for  dred,  or  wirk,  oght  wrang. 


Robert  Mannyng  of  Brunne  (now  Bourne),  in  Lincolnshire,  wrote  his  poem, 
the  Handlyng  Synne,  in  130^  when  he  had  for  fifteen  years  belonged  to  the 
priory  of  Gilbertine  canons  at  Sempringham  (six  miles  from  Bourne).  The 
work  is  a  poetical  adaptation  of  the  Manuel  des  Pechiez  of  William  of  Wading- 
ton,  who  wrote  some  time  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I  (1272-1307).  While  char 
acterizing  the  seven  deadly  sins,  etc.,  it  pictures  in  a  lively  way  the  life_and 
yices  of  the. age,  and  inserts  tales  here  and  there  to  point  a  moral.  The  poem 

1  keep  6  for  all  9  mill 

2  be  suitable  6  ready  10  bakery 
8  prepared                                 1  direct 

*  always  8  wjth  reference  to  all  contingencies 


ROBERT  MANNYNG,  HANDLING  SIN  301 

has  been  spoken  of  as '  the  work  which  more  than  any  former  one  foreshadowed 
the  path  that  English  literature  was  to  tread  from  that  time  forward'  (Diet. 
Nat.  Biog.  s.v.  Mannyng) ;  and,  in  general,  it  has  been  more  popular  than  the   ^  j 
writer's  other  chief  work,  a  chronicle-history  of  England.    Of  Mannyng's 
language  Ten  Brink  says  (Early  English  Literature  i.  302) :  '  Robert  of  Brunne  £*  \ 
is  without  doubt  one  of  the  writers  who  served  most  to  spread  the  East- 
Midland  dialect  toward  the  south.    And  through  him  many  new  Romanic 
words  were  probably  either  introduced  into  the  English  literary  language,  or!  j 
at  least  established  there.' 

With  the  caution  in  303  10  ff.  may  be  compared  the  following  (reprint  of 
E.E.T.S.  15.59): 

A  man  that  intendyth  to  mynstrels  shall  soone  be  weddyd  to  poverte.  .  .  . 

Iff  mynstrels  pleace  the,  feyne  as  thow  herde  them,  but  thynke  uppone  another. 

He  that  lawith  [laughs]  at  a  mynstrels  worde  gevith  to  hym  a  wedde  [forfeit,  pledge]. 

Our  selections  are  from  E.E.T.S.  119  and  123,  which  print  the  version  of 
this  poem  (12,630  lines  long)  in  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Harl.  1701  ;  and,  in  parallel  col 
umns,  the  corresponding  parts  of  Wadington's  Old  French.  The  selections  are, 
respectively,  lines  985-1054,  4571-4614,  4739~4774>  8987-9006,  10,729-10,798. 


THE  PROPER  WAY  OF  KEEPING  HOLY  DAYS 


g^f  J>ou  make  karql  x  or  play, 
J>ou  halewyst  nat  |>yn  halyday. 
^yf  )>ou  come  overgladly  partyl,2 
And  jyvest  farto  mochyl8  )>y  wyl, 
Yn  J>at  hast  )>ou  mochyl  plyjt,* 
For  synne  wyl  come  Jmrgh  swyche  syjt. 

^yf  )>ou  ever  settyst  swerde  ey}>er  ryng 
O-     For  to  gadyr  a  wrastlyng, 

J>e  halyday  J>ou  holdest  noght, 

Whan  swyche  bobaunce  6  for  fe  ys  wrojt  : 

Cuntek  6  fere  comyp,  or  qujjer  bobaunce, 


(.  L 


And  sum  man  slayn,  or  lost  Jmrje  chaunce. 

<5yf  fou  ever  yn  felde,  eyfer  7  in  toune, 
Dedyst  8  floure-gerland  or  coroune  9 
To  make  wommen  to  gadyr  )>ere,  15 


1  dancing  in  a  ring,  accompanied  by  singing        4  danger  ?  or 

2  thereto,  to  it  "  5  pomp  8  madest 

8  greatly  6  quarreling,  discord        9  coronal,  wreath 


302  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


^A 


To  se  whych  fat  feyrer  were, 
J>ys  ys  ajens  \>e  commaundement, 
And  )>e  halyday  for  }>e  ys  shent  l  ;  f> 
Hyt  ys  a  gaderyng  for  lecherye, 
And  ful  grete  pryde,  and  hejte  hye.2 
<5yf  J)ou  ever  janglyst  8  at  rnesse, 

Yn  ^e  che££Lhe  with  "I0!6  or  lesseJ 

And  lettyst  4  men  of  5  here  preyers, 

For  hem  perel  sopely  )>ou  berys  ; 
10  J>e  halyday  fou  holdest  nat  ryjt, 

And  lettyst  to  wurschyp  God  almyjt. 

Halyday  was  made  for  preyere, 

To  God  oure  herende  6  for  to  here. 

Certys  we  oust  fan  with  ful  mynde 
15  To  preye  God  us  of  synne  unbynde,7 

And  yn  gode  lyfe  us  wysse  and  rede,8 

And  forjeve  us  al  oure  mysdede. 
^yf  fou  hauntyst  9  to  make  ]>  y  play 

At  }>e  taverne  on  )>e  halyday, 
20      ^  V^>  To  many  on  10  comyf  farfore  evyl 

J?urgh  cumberaunce  ll  of  J>  e  devyl. 

Hojy  Chyjrche  wyl  fe  wejcne  12 

J>e  halyday  to  go  to  fe  taverne, 

And  namly  byfore  ]>e  noun,13 
25  Whan  Goddys  servyse  owyj)  to  be  doun. 

Taverne  ys  J>e  devylys  knyfe  ; 

Hyt  sle|>  14  ]>  e,  o]>er  soule  or  lyfe  ; 

One  of  ]>ys  shal  hyt  do, 

«^yf  fou  haunte  15  comunly  ]>  arto. 
30  Hyt  shorty  f  ]>y  lyfe,  over  moche  drynkynge, 

And  sle}>  fy  soule  with  bakbytyngge  ; 

Hyt  wastyj)  }>y  body,  and  makef  ]>e  drye, 

1  spoiled,  ruined  6  petition  n  harassing,  temptation 

2  high  heart  "  set  us  free  from  sin  12  forbid 
8  dost  engage  in  altercation              8  direct  and  counsel                 u  noon 

•*  dost  hinder  9  art  accustomed  14  slayeth 

6  from  10  many  a  one  ls  resort 


ROBERT  MANNYNG,  HANDLING  SIN 


303 


+ 


\JK 


<2*ye 


And  gadryj> l  lecherye  to  glotonye  ; 
And  ]>e  comaundment  ys  brokun, 
And  fe  halyday,  byfore  of  spokun. 

<^yf  pou  do  any  man  o  dawe z 
On  fe  halyday  for  any  lawe, 
Swyche  men  grevusly  werche 
Ajens  )>e  state  of  Holy  Chyrche ; 
For  holy  preyere,  and  for  j>e  pees, 
J>e  halyday  God  hyt  chees. 

<^yf  pou  ever  with  jogejoure,3 
With  hasa[r]doure,4  or  with  rotoure,5 
Hauntyst  taverne,  or  were  to  any  pere 6 
To  pley  at  fe  ches  or  at  }>e  tablere,7 
Specyaly  before  )>e  noun, 
Whan  Goddys  servyse  owyf  to  be  doun, 
Hyt  ys  ajens  ]>e  comaundment 
And  Holy  Cherches  asentA'" 
^yf  fou  be  infra  sacros* 
And  art  a  clerk,  and  hast  }>e  los  10 
Of  subdekene,  or  dekene  by  name, 
So  mojche  art  fou  ]>e  more  to  blame. 
J>ys 1X  lerned  men  jyven  ensample  so_ 
J>at  |>e  lewd  12  men  ]>e  more  mysdo.18 


THE  EVIL  OF  TOURNAMENTS 

Of  tournamentys  pat  are  forbede 
Yn  Holy  Cherche,  as  men  rede, 
Of  tournamentys  Y  preve  14  |>erynne, 
Seyene  poyntes  of  dedly  synne  : 
Fyrst  ys  pryde,  as  f>ou  wel  V$Q$, 
Avauntement,16  bobaunce,  and  bost  ; 


1  adds  ;  MS.  gadryd 

2  kill  any  man 

3  juggler    (one    who    enter- 

tained  with  songs,  stories, 
or  tricks) 

4  player  at  dice 


5  player  on  the  rote 

6  a  companion  to  any  one 
">  backgammon 

8  sanction 

9  of  the  lower  clergy 
10  praise,  honor 


n  these 

12  ignorant 

18  do  evil 

14  prove 

ls  knowest 

16  self-glorificatioh 


304  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Of  ryche  atyre  ys  here  avaunce,1 

Prykyng 2  here  hors  with  olypraunce.3 

Wete  pou  wel  per  ys  envye 

Whan  one  seep  anoper  do  maystrye  4 ; 
j  Oper  yn  wurdys  oper  yn  dedys, 

Envye  m<Mge  of  alle  hem  ledys.    *£&  {^  A- 

Yre 6  and  wra}>}>e  may  pey  nat  late 6 ; 

Ofte  are  tournamentys  made  for  hate. 

^yf  every  knyjt  lovede  oper  weyl, 
10  Tournament^s  shulde  benev.ej:  a  deyl  ^    f  v 

And  certys  pey  faJJe  yn  sToj^hnes,8 

J>ey  love  hyt  more  pan  God  oper  messe ; 

And,  perof  ys  hyt  no  doute, 

Ipey  dyspende  more  gode  per  aboute 9  — 
'5  ,  Jjvi  J>at  ys  sey.e  alle  to  folye  — 

J>an  to  any  dede  of  mercy. 

And  gyt  may  nat,  on  no  wyse, 

Be  forgete 10  Dame  Coveytyse, 

For  she  shal  fonde,11  on  alle  wyse,12 
20  To  wynne  hors  and  harnyse. 

And  jyt  shal  he  make  sum  robbery, 

Or  bygyle  hys  hoste  per 18  he  shal  lye.14 
Glotonye  also  ys  hem  among, 

Delycyus  metes  w  to  make  hem  strong, 
2  5  And  drynke  pe  wyne  pat  he  were  lyght, 

Wyp  glotonye  to  make  hym  wyght.16 
<^yt  ys  pere  Dame  Lecherye ; 

Of  here 17  cump  alle  here 18  maystrye. 

Many  tymes,  for  wymmen  sake, 
3°  Knyghteys  tournamentys  make  ; 

And  whan  he  wendyp  to  pe  tournament 

1  boast,  vaunt  1  bit  18  where 

2  urging  on  8  sioth  14  spend  the  night 
*  vanity,  ostentation                                 9  in  this  pursuit  15  viands 

4  wonderful  deeds  l"  forgotten  16  courteous 

6  anger  11  try  l"  her 

«  forsake,  desist  from  12  by  every  means 


ROBERT  MANNYNG,  HANDLING  SIN  30$ 

She  sendyf  hym  sum  pryvy *  present, 

And  byt 2  hym  do  for  hys  lemman 

Yn  vasshelage 8  alle  pat  he  kan ;  ft.  t— +^ 

So  ys  he  bete 4  fere,  for  here  love, 

f>at  he  ne  may  sytte  hys  hors  above,  5 

l>at  peraventure,  yn  alle  hys  lyve, 

(j      /     W 

Shal  he  never  aftyr  fryve.  #  ~TT». 

BISHOP  GROSSETESTE  OF  LINCOLN 

Y  shall  jow  telle,  as  Y  have  herd, 

Of  f  e  bysshope  Seynt  Roberd  5 ; 

Hys  toname 6  ys  Grostest  10 

Of  Lynkolne,  so  seyf  ]>e  gest.7 

He  loved  moche  to  here  fe  harpe, 

For  mannys  wytte  hyt  makyf  sharpe. 

Next  hys  chaumbre,  besyde  hys  stody, 

Hys  harpers  chaumbre  was  fast  f  erby ;  1 5 

Many  tymes,  be  nyjtys  and  dayys, 

He  had  solace  of  notes 8  and  layys. 

One  asked  hym  onys9  resun  why 

He  had  delyte  yn  mynstralsy ; 

He  answerede  hym  on  ]>ys  manere,  20 

Why  he  helde  f  e  harper  so  dere : 

'  J>e  vertu  of  }>e  harpe,  purgh  skylle  and  ry^t, 

Wyl  destroye  J>e  fendes  my5t, 

And  to  pe  croys  by  gode  skylle 

Ys  J>e  harpe  lykened  weyle.  25 

Anofer  poynt  cumf orte)>  me : 

J>at  God  ha})  sent  unto  a  tre 

So  moche  joye  to  here  with  eere ; 

Moche  fan  more  joye  ys  fere 

With  God  hymselfe,  fere  he  wonys.10  30 

1  secret  5  Robert  9  once 

2  bids  6  surname,  nickname  4     10  where  he  dwells 
8  prowess                                          ?  romance,  tale 

4  beaten,  smitten  8  melodies,  songs 


306 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


f>e  harpe  ferof  me  of te  mones l 

Of  fe  joye  and  of  J>e  blys 

Where  God  hymself  wonys  and  ys. 

J>arefor,  gode  men,  je  shul  lere,2 

Whan  je  any  glemen  here, 

To  wurschep  God  at 8  joure  powere, 

As  Davyd  seyj)  yn  ]>e  Sautere  * : 

"  Yn  harpe,  yn  thabour,  and  symphan  gle,5 

Wurschepe  God ;  yn  troumpes,6  and  sautre,7 

Yn  cordys,8  an  organes,  and  bellys  ryngyng, 

Yn  al  }>ese,  wurschepe  je  hevene  Kyng.9 " 


QUIET  IN  CHURCH  AND  CHURCHYARD  DURING  THE 
TIME  OF  SERVICE 

Karolles,  wrastlynges,  or  somour-games,10 

Whoso  ever  hauntej?  any  swyche  u  shames 12 

Yn  cherche  oj>er  yn  cherchejerd, 
15  Of  sacrylage  he  may  be  aferd ; 

Or  entyrludes,  or  syngynge, 

Or  tabure  bete,18  or  oper  pypynge, 

Alle  swyche  fyng  forbodyn  es 

Whyle  J>e  prest  stondef  at  messe. 
20  Alle  swyche  to  every  gode  preste  ys  lothe, 

And  sunner  wyl  he  make  hym  wroth 

J>an  he  wyl  }>at  ha)>  no  wyt, 

Ne  undyrstonde})  nat  Holy  Wryt ; 

And  specyaly,  at  hyghe  tymes, 
25  Karolles  to  synge,  and  rede  rymys, 

Noght  yn  none  holy  stedes,14 

J>at  myjt  dysturble  ]>e  prestes  bedes,15 


1  reminds 

2  learn 

8  according  to 
*  psalter 

6  music  of  the  symphony  (in 
strument  like  the  tabor) 


6  trumpets 

"  psaltery 

8  chords  (strings  of  a  musical 

instrument) 
»  Ps.  150. 3-5 
10  summer-games 


u  such 

12  disgraceful  doings 

13  beating 

14  places 

is  devotions 


ROBERT  MANNYNG,  HANDLING  SIN  307 

Or  jyf  he  were  yn  orysun,1 
Or  any  ouf  er  devocyun, 
Sacrylage  ys  alle  hyt  tolde.2 


THE  TALE  OF  THE  MINER 

J>yr  was  a  man  bejunde  f  e  see 

A  mynour,  woned 8  yn  a  cyte.  5 

(Mynurs,  ]>ey  make  yn  hyllys  holes, 
As  yn  f  e  West  Cuntre  men  seke  coles.) 
J>ys  mynur  sojte  stones  undyr  f  e  molde,4 
J>at  men  make  of  5  sylver  and  golde ; 
He  wrojt  on  a  day,  and  holed  6  yn  ]>e  hyl ;  10 

A  perylous  chaunce  to  hym  fyl,7 
For  a  grete  party s  of  fat  yche 9  myne 
Fyl  dowun  yn  f  e  hole,  and  closed  hym  ynne. 
Hys  felaus  alle,  pat  were  hym  hende,10 
J>at  he  were  dede  weyl  solely  wende ;  1 5 

)?ey  jede  u  and  toke  hem  alle  to  rede,12 
And  tolde  hys  wyfe  fat  he  was  dede. 

J>ys  womman  pleyned 18  here  husbonde  sore  — 
Wulde  God  fat  many  swyche  wommen  wore !  — 
She  hylpe  hys  soule  yn  alle  fyng,  20 

In  almesdede,  and  yn  offryng ; 
She  offred  for  hym  to  f e  auter, 
Ful  of  wyne,  a  pecher,14 
And  a  feyre  lofe  withalle, 

Every  day  as  for  a  pryncypalle,18  25 

Alle  fat  twelvemonef  stabely,16 
But  o  "  day  fat  passed  forby. 
Fewe  swyche  wymmen  now  we  fynde, 

1  prayer,  supplication  7  befel  18  lamented,  bewailed 

2  counted,  considered  8  part  14  pitcher 
8  who  dwelt                                     9  same                                              16  ? 

4  earth  10  kindly  disposed  16  regularly 

5  from  which  are  made  u  went  17  one 
s  dug                                               12  took  counsel  all  together 


308  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

J>at  to  here  husbondes  are  so  kynde. 

But  fys  wyf e,  at x  alle  here  myjt, 

Ded  for  hym  hope  day  and  nyjt. 

Fyl  hyt  at  fe  twelvemonef  ende, 
5  Hys  felaws  to  f  e  mounteyne  gun  wende, 

And  come  to  f  e  same  stede  efte 

)?ere  fey  last  here  werk  ilefte, 

Ryjt  fere  fey  fyrst  bygan, 

And  perced  f  urgh  unto  fys  man. 
10  J>e  man  yn  gode  state  fey  fonde, 

Lyvyng  withoute  wem 2  or  wounde. 

Everych  one  fey  hadde  grete  ferly,8 

And  fat  was  grete  resun  why 

Alle  f  o  men  were  yn  grete  were 4 
15  How  he  had  lyved  alle  fat  gere. 

But  he  tolde  hem  everych  one 

How  he  hadde  lyved  fere  alone : 

*  Y  have  lyved  gracyous  lyfe 

J>urgh  fe  curtesye  of  my  wyfe, 
20  For  every  day  she  haf  me  sent 

Brede  and  wyne  to  8  present ; 

But  o  day  certys  etc  Y  nojt, 

For  no  mete 6  was  to  me  brogt.' 

J>ey  led  fys  man  unto  f  e  tounne, 
25  And  tolde  fys  myracle  up  and  dounne, 

Fyrst  furogh  fe  cyte, 

And  sef  f  e 7  furogh  f  e  cuntre. 

]?ey  asked  hym,  at  fe  laste, 

pat  day  fat  he  dyde  faste ; 
30  He  tolde  hem  fe  dayes  name, 

And  hys  wyfe  seyd  f  e  same ; 

J>at  day  she  offred  never  a  deyl 8  — 

J>e  Gode  Fryday  he  mygt  be  weyl. 

1  with  4  doubt,  uncertainty  '  afterwards 

2  harm,  injury  5  as  a  8  bit 
8  wonder,  astonishment                     6  food 


THE  BOOK  OF  LA  TOUR-LANDRY  309 

Now  mow 1  je  here  }>at  almesdede 
Gostely 2  a  man  wyl  fede, 
And  so  mow  je  weyl  undyrstande 
f>at  God  ys  payd  of 3  gode  offrande. 

But  for  alle  fys  tale,  yn  joure  lyves,  5 

Truste  56  nat  moche  on  joure  wyves, 
Ne  on  joure  chyldryn,  for  no  pyng, 
But  make}?  jeself 4  joure  offryng, 
For  so  kynde  a  womman  as  Y  of  tolde 
Lyve}>  nat  now,  be  fou  bolde  5  ;  10 

Ne  no  clerk,  fat  pys  ryme  redys, 
Shal  fynde  a  womman  of  so  kynde  dedes. 

THE  BOOK  OF  THE  KNIGHT  OF  LA  TOUR-LANDRY 

Among  the  numerous  instruction-books  of  the  Middle  Ages  was  one  known 
as  Le  Livre  du  Chevalier  de  la  Tour-Landry  pour  I'Enseignement  de  ses  Ftlles, 
a  series  of  tales  written  (collected,  rather)  in  1371-1372  for  his  motherless 
daughters  by  Geoffroy  de  la  Tour-Landry,  a  nobleman  of  Anjou.  A  similar 
book  written  for  his  sons  has  disappeared  entirely,  but  this  for  the  daughters 
was  frequently  copied  —  about  a  dozen  manuscript  copies  being  still  in  exist 
ence.  A  German  translation  of  the  work  was  printed  toward  the  end  of  the 
fifteenth  century,  and  an  English  translation  by  Caxton  in  1484. 

Our  selections  are  taken  from  the  Early  English  Text  Society's  print 
(No.  33,  ed.  Wright,  1868;  revised  ed.,  1906)  of  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Harl.  1764, 
assigned  to  the  reign  of  Henry  VI  (1422-1461).  This  translation,  by  an 
unknown  hand,  is  much  less  literal  than  Caxton's  (cf.  Wright's  introduction). 
The  selections  are  from  pages  1-4,  22,  26-8,  and  39-40  of  the  edition  of  1906. 
The  words  in  brackets  are  supplied  from  Caxton's  edition. 

PROLOGUE 

In  the  yere  of  the  incarnacion  of  oure  Lord  MCCCLXXI,  as  Y  was 
in  a  gardin,  al  hevi  and  full  of  thought,  in  the  shadow,  about  the  ende 
of  the  monthe  of  Aprill,  but  a  litell  Y  rejoysed  me  of  the  melodic  and  15 
song  of  the  wilde  briddes.    Thei  sang  there  in  her 6  langages,  as  the 
thrustill,  the  thrusshe,  the  nytinggale,  and  other  briddes,  the  whiche 

1  may  8  pleased  with  6  assured 

2  spiritually  *  yourself  6  their 


310  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

were  full  of  rmrthe  and  joye ;  and  thaire  suete  songe  made  my  herte 
to  lighten,  and  made  me  to  thinke  of  the  tyme  that  is  passed  of  my 
youthe,  how  love  in  gret  distresse  had  holde  me,  and  how  Y  was  in 
her  service  mani  tymez  full  of  sorugh  and  gladnesse,  as  mani  lovers 

5  ben.  But  my  sorw  was  heled,  and  my  service  wel  ysette *  and  quitte, 
for  he  gave  [me  a  fayr]  wyff,  and  .  .  .2  that  was  bothe  faire  and  good, 
[whiche  had  knowleche  of  alle  honoure,  alle  good,  and  fayre  mayn- 
tenynge,8]  and  of  all  good  she  was  bell 4  and  the  floure  ;  and  Y  delited 
me  so  moche  in  her  that  Y  made  for  her  love-songges,  balades, 

10  rondelles,  viralles,5  and  diverse  nwe  thinges  in  the  best  wise  that  Y 
couthe.  .  .  .  And  as  Y  was  in  the  saide  gardein,  thinkynge  of  these 
thoughtz,  Y  sawe  come  towardes  me  my  iii  doughters,  of  the  whiche 
I  was  joyfull,  and  had  grete  desire  that  thei  shuld  turne  to  good  and 
worshipe  above  all  ertheli  thinges,  for  thei  were  yonge,  and  had  but 

15  tendir  witte ;  and  so  atte  the  begynnyng  a  man  aught  to  lerne6  his 
doughters  with  good  ensaumples  yevinge,  as  dede  the  Quene  Proues 
of  Hongrie,  that  faire  and  goodly  chastised 7  and  taught  her  doughters, 
as  it  [is]  contened  in  her  boke.  .  .  .  And  Y  said  to  hem  that  Y  wolde 
make  a  boke  of  ensaumples,  for  to  teche  my  doughtres,  that  thei 

20  might  understond  how  thei  shulde  governe  hem,  and  knowe  good 
from  evell.  And  so  Y  made  hem  extraie 8  me  ensaumples  of  the  Bible 
and  other  bokes  that  Y  had,  as  the  gestis9  of  kingges,  the  croniclez 
of  Fraunce,  Grece,  of  Inglond,  and  of  mani  other  straunge  londes. 
And  Y  made  hem  rede  me  everi  boke ;  and  ther  that  Y  fonde  a  good 

25  ensaumple,  Y  made  extraie  it  oute.  And  thanne  Y  made  this  boke. 
But  Y  wolde  not  sette  it  in  ryme,  but  in  prose,  for  to  abregge 10  it, 
and  that  it  might  be  beter  and  more  pleinly  to  be  understond.  And 
Y  made  this  boke  for  the  gret  love  that  Y  had  to  my  said  doughtres, 
the  whiche  Y  loved  as  fader  aught  to  love  his  child,  having  hertely 

30  joye  to  finde  wayes  to  stere  and  turne  hem  to  goodnesse  and  wor- 
shippe,  and  to  love  and  serve  her11  Creatoure,  and  to  have  love  of  her 
neighboures  and  of  the  world.  And  therfor  all  faders  and  moders, 
after  good  nature,12  aught  to  teche  her  children  to  leve  all  wrong  and 

1  bestowed  6  virelays  9  tales 

2  MS.  illegible  6  teach  10  abridge,  shorten 

*  deportment  7  corrected  u  their 

*  bore  the  bell  8  extract  12  in  the  kindness  of  their  hearts 


THE  BOOK  OF  LA  TOUR-LANDRY  31 1 

evell  waies,  and  shew  hem  the  true  right  weye,  as  wele  for  the  salvacion 
of  the  soule  as  for  the  worshipe  of  the  worldely  bodi.  And  therfor  Y 
have  made  ii  bokes,  one  for  my  sones,  another  for  my  doughtres,  for  to 
lerne  hem  to  rede.  And  in  reding,  it  may  not  be  but  that  thei  shall  kepe 
with  hem  som  good  ensaumple  for  to  flee  evell,  and  withholde  the  good.  5 
For  it  shall  not  be  posible  but  sumtyme  thei  shall  have  mynde  on  sum 
good  ensaumple,  sum  good  doctrine  of  this  boke,  whanne  thei  knowe 
or  here  speke  hereafter,  as  thei  fall  in  the  rewe l  upon  sum  spekers  of 
suche  matiers. 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  MAGPIE 

Ther  was  a  woman  that  had  a  pie 2  in  a  cage,  that  spake  and  wolde  10 
tell  talys  that  she  saw  do.   And  so  it  happed  that  her  husbonde  made 
kepe 3  a  gret  ele  in  a  litell  ponde  in  his  gardin,  to  that  entent  to  yeve 
it  sum  of  his  frendes  that  wolde  come  to  see  hym ;  but  the  wyff, 
whanne  her  husbond  was  oute,  saide  to  her  maide :  '  Late  us  etc  the 
gret  ele,  and  Y  will  saie  to  my  husbond  that  the  dto'ur*  hathe  eten  15 
hym  ; '  and  so  it  was  done.    And  whan  the  good  man  was  come,  the 
pye  began  to  tell  hym  how  her  maistresse  had  eten  the  ele.    And  he 
yode5  to  the  ponde,  and  fonde  not  the  ele.    And  he  asked  his  wiff 
wher  the  ele  was  become.6   And  she  wende  to  have  excused  her,  but 
he  saide  her :  '  Excuse  you  not,  for  Y  wote  well  ye  have  eten  yt,  for  20 
the  pye  hathe  told  me.'    And  so  ther  was  gret  noyse7  betwene  the 
man  and  hys  wiff  for  etinge  of  the  ele.    But  whanne  the  good  man 
was  gone,  the  maistresse  and  the  maide  come  to  the  pie,  and  plucked 
of  all  the  fedres  on  the  pyes  hede,  saieng :  '  Thou  hast  discovered 8 
us  of  the  ele ' ;  and  thus  was  the  pore  pye  plucked.    But  ever  after,  25 
whanne  the  pie  sawe  a  balled  or  a  pilled 9  man,  or  a  woman  with  an 
high  forhede,  the  pie  saide  to  hem  :  '  Ye  spake  of  the  ele.'  And  ther 
for  here  is  an  ensaumple  that  no  woman  shulde  ete  no  lycbrous10 
morcelles  in  the  absens  and  withoute  weting11  of  her  husbond,  but 
yef  it  so  were  that  it  be  with  folk  of  worshippe,  to  make  hem  chere 12 ;  30 
for  this  woman  was  afterward  mocked  for  the  pye  and  the  ele. 

1  successively  5  went  9  with  hair  removed 

2  magpie  6  what  had  become  of  the  eel  10  dainty 

8  caused  to  be  kept  1  disturbance  u  knowledge 

4  otter  8  betrayed  12  entertainment 


312  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  OBEDIENT  WIFE 

Hit  happed  onis  there  were  iii  marchauntes  that  yede 1  homwarde 
from  a  faiere,  and  as  thei  fell  in  talkinge,  ridyng  on  the  waye,  one 
of  hem  saide :  '  It  is  a  noble  thinge  a  man  to  have  a  good  wiff  that 
obeiethe  and  dothe  his  biddinge  atte  all  tymes.'  '  Be  my  trouthe,' 

S  saide  that  other,  '  my  wiff  obeiethe  me  truly.'  '  Be  God,'  saide  that 
other,  '  Y  trowe  myn  obeieth  best  to  her  husbonde.'  Thanne  he  that 
beganne  furst  to  speke  saide :  '  Lete 2  leye  a  wager  of  a  dener,8  and 
whos  wiff  that  obeiethe  worst,  lete  her  husbonde  paie  for  the  dener ' ; 
and  thus  the  wager  was  leyde.  And  thei  ordeined  amonges  hem  how 

10  thei  shulde  saie4  her  wyfes,  for  thei  ordeined  that  everi  man  shulde 
bidde  his  wyff  lepe  into  a  basin  that  thei  shulde  sette  afore  her,  and 
they  were  suoren  that  none  shulde  late  his  wiff  have  weting 5  of  her 
wager,  save  only  thei  shulde  saye :  '  Lokithe,6  wiff,  that  Y  comaunde 
be  done.'  However  it  be,  after  one  of  hem  bade  his  wiff  lepe  into  the 

15  basin  that  he  had  sette  afore  her  on  the  grounde,  and  she  ansuered 
and  axed  wherto,7  and  he  saide :  '  For  it  is  myn  luste,8  and  Y  will  ye 
do  it.'  '  Be  God,'  quod  she,  '  Y  will  furst  wete 9  wherto  ye  will  have 
me  lepe  into  the  basin.'  And  for  nothinge  her  husbond  coude  do  she 
wolde  not  do  it.  So  her  husbonde  up  with  his  fust,10  and  gave  her  ii 

20  or  iii  gret  strokes ;  and  thanne  yede  thei  to  the  secounde  marchauntys 
hous,  and  he  comaunded  that  whatever  he  bade  do  it  shulde  be  do, 
but  it  was  not  longe  after  but  he  bade  his  wiff  lepe  into  the  basin  that 
was  afore  her  on  the  flore,  and  she  asked  wherto,  and  she  saide  she 
wolde  not  for  hym.  And  thanne  he  toke  a  staffe,  and  al  tobete  u  her. 

25  And  thanne  thei  yode  to  the  thridde  marchauntes  hous,  and  there  thei 
fonde  the  mete  on  the  borde,  and  he  rowned 12  in  one  of  his  felawes 
heres,  and  saide :  '  After  dyner  Y  will  assaie  my  wiff,  and  bidde  her 
lepe  into  the  basin.'  And  so  thei  sette  hem  to  her 18  dyner.  And  whan 
thei  were  sette,  the  good  man  saide  to  his  wiff :  '  Whatever  Y  bidde, 

30  loke  it  be  done,  however  it  be.'   And  she  that  loved  hym,  and  dredde 

l  went  6  see  to  it  u  beat  severely 

8  let  us  7  for  what  purpose  12  whispered 

8  dinner  8  desire  18  their 

*  assay,  try  9  know 

6  knowledge  10  fist 


THE  BOOK  OF  LA  TOUR-LANDRY  313 

hym,  herde  what  he  saide,  and  toke  hede  to  that  worde,  but  she  wost1 
not  what  he  ment.  But  it  happed  that  thei  had  atte  her  dyner  rere 2 
eggis,  and  there  lacked  salt  on  the  horde,  and  the  good  man  saide : 
'  Wiff,  sele  sus  table,'  and  the  wiff  understode  that  her  husbonde  had 
saide:  '  Seyle  sus  table,'  the  whiche  is  in  Frenshe:  'Lepe  on  the  borde.'  5 
And  she,  that  was  aferde  to  disobeie,  lepte  upon  the  borde,  and  threw 
down  mete  and  drinke,  and  brake  the  verres,3  and  spilt  all  that  there 
was  on  the  borde.  '  What,'  saide  the  good  man,  '  thanne  canne 4  ye 
none  other  plaie,  wiff  ? '  '  Be  ye  wode,5  sir,'  she  saide,  '  Y  have  do 
youre  biddinge,  as  ye  bade  me  to  my  power,  notwithstondinge  it  is  10 
youre  harme  and  myn ;  but  Y  had  lever  ye  had  harme  and  Y  bothe, 
thanne  Y  disobeied  youre  biddinge  ;  for  ye  saide  :  "  Seyle  sus  table."  ' 
'  Nay,'  quod  he, '  Y  saide :  "  Sele  sus  table,"  that  is  to  saie,  "  Salt  on 
the  borde." '  '  Bi  my  trouthe,'  she  saide, '  Y  understode  that  ye  bade 
me  lepe  on  the  borde,'  and  there  was  moche  mirthe  and  laughinge.  And  1 5 
the  other  two  marchauntes  saide  it  was  no  nede  to  bidde  her  lepe 
into  the  basin,  for  she  obeied  ynough ;  wherthorugh 6  thei  consented 
that  her  husbond  had  wonne  the  wager,  and  thei  had  lost  bothe.  And 
after 7  she  was  gretly  preised  for  her  obeisaunce  to  her  husbonde,  and 
she  was  not  bete  as  were  that  other  ii  wyves  that  wolde  not  do  her  20 
husbondes  comaundement. 

HOW  ST.  BERNARD'S  SISTER  WAS  LED  AWAY  FROM 
VANITIES 

Hit  befell  that  Seint  Bernarde,  that  was  an  holy  man  and  of  gret 
richesse  and  birth,  lefte  all  his  possessiones  and  good,  and  yede  to 
serve  God  in  an  abbey ;  and  for  his  holy  lyving,  and  weringe 8  of 
the  heyre,  and  doinge  gret  abstinence  and  almesdedes,  made9  that  25 
he  was  chose  to  be  abbot  of  that  place.  And  he  hadd  a  gret  ladi  to 
his  suster,  that  come  to  see  hym  withe  gret  meyni,10  well  arraied  with 
riche  clothinge,  and  riche  atyred  of  perles  and  presious  stones.  And 
in  this  array  she  come  afore  her  brother,  Seint  Bernard.  And  whanne 

1  knew  5  mad  9  brought  it  about 

2  underdone  e  wherefore  10  retinue 
8  glasses                                           7  afterwards 

4  know  8  MS.  of  weringe 


314  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

he  sawe  her  in  that  array,  he  turned  to  her  his  backe  and  blessed  * 
hym,  and  the  lady  was  ashamed,  and  asked  whi  he  ne  wolde  with  her 
speke.  And  he  saide  that  he  had  gret  pitee  to  see  her  so  disgised, 
and  in  that  pride  that  she  was  inne.  And  she  dede  of2  her  riche 

5  atyre  and  gay  clothes,  and  toke  other  symple  arraye.  And  he  saide : 
'  Suster,  yef  Y  love  youre  bodi,  by  reson  Y  shuld  beter  love  youre 
sowle.  Wene  ye  not  that  ye  displese  God  and  his  aungells  to  see  in 
you  suche  pompe  and  pride,  to  aorne 8  suche  a  carion  as  is  youre  body, 
whiche  withinne  vii  dayes  that  *  the  soule  ys  parted  from  the  body,  he 

10  saverithe 6  in  suche  wise  that  no  creatoure  may  suffre  to  be  nigh  it  or 
see  it,  with[out]  gret  abhominacion  ?  Faire  suster,  whi  thenke  ye  not 
of '  the  pore  peple  that  deyen  for  hungir  and  colde,  that  for  the  sixte 
part  of  youre  gay  arraye  xl  persones  might  be  clothed,  refresshed,  and 
kepte  from  the  colde  ? '  And  thus  Bernarde  declared  the  foly  and  the 

15  pompe  of  the  worlde  to  his  suster,  and  also  the  savement  of  her  soule. 
And  thanne  the  ladi  wepte,  and  solde  awey  her  clothes,  and  levid 
after  an  holy  lyff,  and  had  love  of  God,  aungeles,  and  holy  seintez, 
the  whiche  is  beter  thanne  of  the  worldely  pepill. 


GESTA  ROMANORUM:  THE  MAGIC  IMAGE 

The  Gesta  Romanorum  is  a  series  of  mediaeval  tales  and  their  morals,  orig 
inally  written  in  Latin,  and  widely  used  for  further  artistic  development  or  for 
illustrative  material  by  the  writers  and  preachers  of  the  later  Middle  Ages.  In 
the  collection  are  versions  of  the  tale  of  Constance  which  Chaucer  tells  in  his 
Man  of  Law's  Tale,  of  Shakespeare's  bond-  and  casket-incidents  in  The 
Merchant  of  Venice,  and  of  the  Lear  story;  and  many  less-known  tales  appear 
in  later  poems  and  ballads.  The  date,  authorship,  and  origin  of  the  series  are 
doubtful;  for  discussions  of  them  see  the  Latin  version,  ed.  Oesterley,  1872, 
revised  1877,  and  the  Early  English  Text  Society's  reprint  of  the  Middle 
English  versions  (ed.  Heritage,  1879;  Ex.  Ser.  33).  Cf.  also  Swan's  transla 
tion  of  the  Latin  Gesta  Romanorum  in  the  Bohn  Library. 

The  following  selection  is  from  Herrtage's  reprint  of  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Harl. 
7333.  and  is  No.  3  of  the  series  of  tales  (pp.  7-8).  The  Middle  English  versions 
(3  manuscripts)  are  all  dated  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VI  (1422-1461). 

Our  story  has  been  versified  by  William  Morris  as  The  Writing  on  the  Image, 
in  The  Earthly  Paradise. 

*  made  the  sign  of  the  cross  *  adorn  5  it  has  an  odor 

a  took  off  *  from  the  time  when  « MS.  that 


GESTA  ROMANORUM:    THE  MAGIC  IMAGE      315 

Deoclician  was  emperour  in  pe  cite  of  Rome,  in  pe  empire  of  whom 
was  a  philosophre,  callid  Lenoppus,  pe  which  had  bi  his  crafte  sette 
up  an  ymage,  pe  which  put  out  an  hond  with  a  fynger,  and  upon  the 
finger  was  wretyn  wordis,  Percute  hie,  that  is  to  say,  '  Smite  here.' 
This  ymage  stode  J>er  long,  and  many  a  day  after  pe  deth  of  pe  phi-  5 
losophre  ;  and  many  come  to  pis  finger,  and  radde  the  superscripcion, 
but  fey  undirstode  it  not,  and  therfore  pei  hadde  moch  marvaile  what 
it  shuld  mene.  So  in  a  certeyne  tyme  per  com  a  clerke  of  ferr  con- 
treys,  and  ofte  tymis  he  sawe  pis  ymage,  and  pis  finger  with  pe  scrip 
ture.1  And  in  a  certeyne  day  he  toke  a  shovill,  and  dyggyd  in  the  10 
erth,  undir  pe  superscripcion.  And  anon  he  fond  a  hous  of  marbill 
undir  pe  erth ;  and  thanne  he  went  down,  and  enterid  into  the  hall, 
and  per  he  fond  so  many  riche  jewelis  and  marvelous  pingys,  that  no 
tunge  cowde  tell.  Aftir  pis  he  sawe  a  bord  or  a  table,  isprad  with  rich 
metys  ynowe  peruppon.  Thenne  he  lokid  afer,2  and  sawe  standing  a  15 
charbuncle  ston,  the  which  jaf  lijt  over  all  the  hous ;  and  ajenst  hit 
stod  a  man,  with  a  bo  we  in  his  hond,  redy  for  to  schete.  This  clerke 
perceivid  well  this  sight,  and  pou[j]te,  J?oj  I  tell  pis  si^t3  whenne  I  am 
ago 4  hens,  no  man  woll  trowe  *  me,  and  perfore  I  woll  take  som  of 
pis  goode  in  tokne.  He  stirte  to  pe  bord,  and  tooke  a  faire  gilt  cowpe,  20 
and  put  it  up ;  and  anoon  the  man  with  pe  bowe  sheet  to  the  char 
buncle  ston  so  soore  that  it  gede 6  onsundre,  and  po  was  all  the  lijt 
agon,  and  pe  hous  was  full  of  dorknesse.  And  whenne  pe  clerke  sawe 
pis,  he  wepte  soore,  for  he  wiste  not  how  to  passe  out,  for  dorknesse. 
And  perfore  he  dwelte  per  still,  and  per  he  endyd  his  lif,  etc.  25 

Moralite.  Goode  men,  pis  ymage  that  is  thus  ypaynt 7  is  the  devell, 
pe  which  seith  evermore :  Percute  hie,  '  Smyte  here,'  that  is  to  sey,  he 
puttith  in  our  hertes  erthely  thingis,  and  biddith  us  take  hem,  but  he 
woll  never  speke  of  hevinly  thingis.  The  clerke  pat  smytith  with  the 
shovill  bitokenyth  pe  wise  men  of  pis  wordle,8  and  ben  advocatis  and  30 
pletouris,9  pe  which  by  sotilte  and  wickidnesse  getith  pe  goode  of  pis 
wordle,  and  pe  vanyteys  of  pis  wordle.  And  whenne  thei  have  geten 
hem  with  such  worching,  they  fyndith  many  marveilous  pingis,  pat  is 

1  inscription,  writing  *  gone  7  painted 

2  afar  6  believe  8  world 

3  MS.  sigth  6  parted  9  pleaders 


316  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

to  sey,  dilectabill  Jnngis  of  )>e  wordle,  in  \>e  which  fei  have  gret  dilecta- 
tion.  The  charbuncle  ston  J>at  jevith  list  is  fe  yowth  of  man,  }>e  which 
jevith  to  man  hardinesse  to  have  dilectacion  and  liking  of1  wordly2 
pingis.  The  archer  fat  shetith  is  deth,  fe  which  stondith  evermore 

5  redy  in  awaite,8  for  to  shete  his  dart.  Now  the  clerke  panne  takith  a 
knyfe  —  what  is  that  ?  The  wordly  man,  trowing  to  have  all  thingis 
at  his  owne  will.  But  in  that  trust  the  archer  shetith  att  fe  charbuncle 
ston,  that  is  to  sey,  deth  shetith  his  schotys  to  pe  jowth  of  man,  and 
smytith  his  strength4  and  his  myjte;  and  J>enne  lieth  the  yowth  in 

10  derkenesse  of  synne,  in  the  which  derkenesse  many  men  oftyn  tyme 
deyeth.  And  ferefore  lat  us  fle  all  lustys  and  all  likingys,  and  penne 
we  schull  not  f aile  of  everlasting  lijt,  ad  quam  nos  perducat,  etc. 

THE  BESTIARY 

• 

The  Bestiary,  or  Physiologus,  had  a  history  of  something  like  a  thousand 
years  before  it  entered  Middle  English,  which  it  did  as  a  translation  from  the 
Latin  of  a  certain  Theobaldus ;  his  work  had  been  already  rendered  into 
French  by  Philippe  de  Thaon,  who  dedicated  his  version  to  Adela,  second 
wife  (1121)  of  Henry  I  of  England.  The  Middle  English  version  belongs  to 
ca.  1 220. 

The  two  subjects  dealt  with  below  —  the  Whale  (Turtle)  and  the  Panther 
—  are  also  treated  in  Old  English  poetry  (see  my  edition  of  the  Old  English 
Elene,  Phcenix,  and  Physiologus  (New  Haven,  1919),  where  a  much  fuller 
account  is  given,  with  references  to  the  bibliography  of  the  subject). 

Our  text  is  derived  from  Matzner,  Allenglische  Sprachproben  (i.  55~75)t 
which  in  turn  reproduces  Wright  and  Halliwell,  Reliquia  Antiques  \.  208-27. 
Emendations  are  by  Matzner,  and  (of  the  Whale)  by  Emerson  (Middle  English 
Reader) ;  others  are  mine. 

-X 

THE  WHALE  (TURTLE) 


J.  Ill-*       »Y   J.im-..Uv     ^  i    \J  JA.  i  i_i.L^ 

CethegrandeMsafis,6 
>  "5      De  moste 7  Sat  in  water  is :     3?  >  4. 


De  moste 7  Sat  in  w^ter  is ; 
Dat  tu  wuldes  seien8  get, 


Gef  «u  it  soge»  wan.it  flet,10     4-  * 
ft 

-  i.»^..  V..-    ^  *  whale  (properly,  turtle) 

« worldly  6  fish 

«  waiting  7  largest 


^J 

<  X- 

IMS.  the    .I"  «  whale  (properly,  turtle)  »  saw 

a    ,l,^T-lHl,r  6    ficVl  —  in    flxNO< 


MS.  strenght  8  say 


f^J 


THE  BESTIARY 


317 


f- 


A,  > 


Dat  it  were  an  ejlond 1 
Dat  sete 2  on 8  Se  se_-sond.4 

Dis  fis  Sat  is  unride,6    . 
Danne  him  hungreS,  he  gapeS  wide ; 
Ut  of  his  Srote  it  smit 6  an  onde,7 
De  swetteste  Sing  Sat  is  o  londe. 
Derfore  oSre  fisses  to  him  dragen 8 ; 
Wan  he  it  felen  he  ar-ejCLf  agen 9 ; 
He  cumen  and  hoven 10  in  his  muS ; 
Of  his  swike  n  he  arn  uncuS.12 
Dis  cete  w  Sanne  hise  chaveles 14  lukeS,1* 
Disc  fiss.es  alle  in  sukeS  ; 
De  smale  he  wile  Sus  biswiken,16 
De  grete  maig  he  nogt  bigripen.17 

Dis  fis  wuneS  wiS  Se  se-grund,18 
And  liveS  Ser  evre  heil  and  sund,19 
Til  it  cumeS  Se  time 
Dat  storm  stireS  al  Se  se, 
Danne  sumer  and  winter  winnen.20 
Ne  mai  it  wunen  Serinne[n], 
So  drovi21  is  te  sees  grund, 
Ne  mai  he  wunen  Ser  Sat  stund,22 
Oc  stireS  up  23  and  hoveS  stille. 
Wiles 24  Sat 26  weder  is  so  ille, 
De  sipes  26  Sat  arn  on  se  f ordriven 27  — 
LoS  hem  is  deS,28  and  lef 29  to  liven  — 
Biloken 80  hem,  and  sen  Sis  fis ;      e& 
An  eilond  he  wenen 31  it  is. 


20 


frrt 


i  island 
2  sat 

12  ignorant 
13  sea-monster 

3  MS.  one  (em.  E.) 
4  sea-sand  (nom.) 
5  unwieldy,  bulky 
6  emits 
"  breath 
8  draw  near                       , 

14  jaws 
15  shuts 
16  deceive 
i"  seize,  get  hold  of 
is  dwells  near  the  bottom  of 
:          the  sea 

9  glad 
10  abide                      -          ff 

19  well  and  sound 
20  contend 

11  trickery 

21  turbid 

22  at  that  time 

23  rises 

24  while 

25  MS.  flar  (em.  E.) 

26  ships 

2"  driven  about 

28  MS.  ded  (em.  E.) 

29  dear,  pleasant 
so  look  about 

31  they  suppose 


• 


318 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


Derof  he  aren  swifce  fa'gen, 
And  mid  here  migt  Sarto  he  dragen 
--^ipes  on  festen,1 


e  up  gangen, 

Of  ston  mid  stej  in  $e  tundjer 3 
Wer  to  brennen 8  on  *  flis  wunder, 


Warmen  hem  wel,  and  eten 6  and  drinken. 
De  fir  he  feleS,  and  doS 6  hem  sinken, 
For  sone  he  diveS  dun  to  grunde ; 
He  drepeS 7  hem  alle  wiSuten  wunde. 

Stgnificado.    Dis  de,yel  is  mikel  witS  wil  and  magt 
(So 8  wicches 9  haven  in  here  craft)  ; 
He  dot5  men  hungren,  and  haven  Srist,10 
And  mani  ofter  sinful  lijt,11 
Tolled 12  men  to  him  wiS  his  onde, 
Woso  him  fplggefc,13  he  finde^  spnde.14 
Dp  arn  «e  little  in 15  leve 16  lage 1T ; 
De  mikle  ne  mgjg  he  to  him  dragen  — 
De  mikle,  I  mene  Se  stedef ast 
In  rigte  leve  mid  fles 18  and  gast. 
Woso  listneS  devejes  lore, 
On  lengSe  it  sal  him  rewen 19 
Woso  festeS 20  hope  on  him, 
He  sal  him  folgen  to  helle  dim. 


5L  ^*  5 


^ 


1  with  reference  to  fasten 

ing,  for  the  purpose  of 
anchoring 

2  tinder 

8  make  a  fire 

*  MS.  one  (em.  E.) 

6  MS.  heten  (em.  E.) 
e  causes 

7  slays 


8  such  as 


15  (who  are)  in 


9  enchanters;    MS.  witches         16  faith 


(em.  E.) 
1°  thirst 

11  pleasure 

12  draw ;  MS.  colle«  (em.  E.) 
l8  follows  ;  MS.folgelS  (em. 

E.) 
w  shame 


'  low 

18  body 

19  rue ;  MS.  reven  (em. 

E.) 

20  fasteneth  (alluding  to 

the  anchorage  and 
landing) 


THE  BESTIARY  319 

j^T 


I/ 


Panter  is  an  wilde  dej, 
Is  non  fairere  on  werlde  her ; 
He  is  blac  so  bon  1  of  qual,2 
Mid 8  wite  spottes  sapen 4  al, 
Wit,  and  trendled 5  als  a  wel,6 
And  it 7  bicumeS  him  swiSe  wel. 
Worso  he  wuneS,  Sis  panter, 
He  fedeS  him  al  mid  oSer.der ; 
Of  So  Se  he  wile  he  nimeS  Se  cu$?~- 
And  fet  him 9  wel  tij  he  is  ful.  10 

In  his  hole  siSen 10  stille 
Dre  dages  he  slepen  wille ; 
Dan  after  Se  Sridde  dai 
He  riseS  and  remeS  n  lude  so 12  he  mai. 

Ut  of  his  Srote  cumeS  a  smel  -15 

Mid  his  rem  forS  over  al, 
Dat  overcumeth  haliweie 18 
WiS  swetnesse,  IcJ  gu 14  seie ; 
And  al  Sat  evre  smelleS  swete, 

Be  it  drfe,  be  it  w£te.    *  >5  j 

For  Se  swetnesse  off  his  onde, 
Worso 15  he  walkeS  o  londe, 
Worso  he  walkeS,16  er  worso  he  wuneS,17     . 
Ilk  der  Se  him  hereS  to  him  cumeS, 
And  f olegeS  him  upon 18  Se  wold,    x  ^  "5  .    ; 

For  Se  swetnesse  Se  Ic  gu  have  told.         . 
De  dragunes  one19  ne  stiren  nout 
Wiles 20  te  panter  rameS  ogt,21 

1  bone  ;  MS.  bro  8  choice,  best  15  wheresoever 

2  whale  9  himself  16  MS.  walked 
s  MS.  mi«                                            10  afterwards                                  '  "  dwells 

4  fashioned  11  roars  18  MS.  upone 

5  round  l2  loud  as  19  alone 

6  wheel  13  balsam  20  while 

1  MS.  itt  (em.  M.)  n  to  you  21  anything,  at  all 


320  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Oc  daren  l  stille  in  here  pjt, 

Als  so  2  he  weren  of  defte  8  off  rigt.4 

Significacio,    Crist  is  tokned  Surg  Sis  der, 
Wos  kinde  6  we  haven  told  gu  her  ; 

S  For  he  is  faier  over  alle  men, 

So  evensterre  over  ej*Se  fen  *7«3k  eo  ^  ^ 
Ful  wel  he  taunede  7  his  luve  to  man 
Wan  he  Surg  holi  spel  him  wan  ; 
And  longe  he  laj  her  in  an  hole  — 

10  Wel  him  Sat  8  he  it  wulde  Solen  9  : 


:    ..t^ 

Dre  daies  slep  he  al  onon,10 

Danne  he  ded  was  in  blod  and  bon. 

Up  he  ros,  and  remede  iwis  n  — 

Of  helle  pine,  of  hevene  blis  — 
1  5  And  steg  12  to  hevene  uvemest  13  ; 

Der  wuneft  wiS  Fader  and  Holi  Gast. 
Amonges  men  a  swete  smel  u 

He  let  herof  —  his  holi  spel,15 

WorSurg  we  mugen  folgen  him 
20  Into  his  godcundnesse  16  fin.17  •* 

And  Sat  wirm,18  ure  widerwine  19  — 

Worso  20  of  Godes  word  is  dine  21 

Ne  dar  he  stiren,  ne  no  man  deren,22 

De28  while  he24  lage28  and  luve  beren. 

1  crouch,  cower  1°  uninterruptedly  19  adversary 

2  if  n  MS.  in  wis  (em.  M.)  20  whereso 

»  death  ;  MS.  dede         12  ascended  21  mention  (/zV.din);  MS.  'Sine 

4  frightened  18  on  high  ;  MS.  uvenest  (em.  M.)      22  injure 

6  nature  l*  MS.  mel.  (em.  M.)  23  MS.  'o'er  (em.  M.) 

6  mire  15  teaching  24  they 

7  manifested  16  divinity's  25  law 

8  MS.  dat  17  utmost  reach 
»  endure  is  serpent 


321 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE 

The  Owl  and  the  Nightingale  is  the  earliest  specimen  in  English  of  the  true 
contention-poem  —  a  verbal  contest  for  supremacy  —  analogous  to  the  Latin, 
French,  and  ^rov&n^al  pariimen,  tenson,platt,jeu-parti,  etc.  Its  main  subject, 
after  the  opening  personalities,  is  joy  and  aestheticism,  represented  by  the 
nightingale,  as  opposed  to  practicality  and  seriousness,  represented  by  the 
owl.  In  Fritz  Reuter's  Hanne  Niite  (Part  9),  the  sparrow  and  the  nightingale 
contrast  their  modes  of  life  : 

'  Gu'n  Abend,  Jochen,'  seggt  sei,  '  na  F 

Ik  him  tauriigg  ut  Afrika.'  — 

'  Ja,'  segg  ik,  '  siillst  di  brav  wat  schamen, 

So  in  de  Welt  heriim  tau  striken, 

Bliw  hir  bi  uns,  bi  dinesgliken  ! 

An  Lotten  kannst  en  Bispill  nemen, 

De  brott  nu  all  den  tweiten  Satz.'  — 

Dunn  lacht  s'  un  seggt :  '  Mein  lieber  Spatz, 

Dein  Lotting  ist  ein  braves  Weib, 

Un  Essen  kochen,  Striimpfe  kniitten, 

Un  Junge  aus  die  Eier  sitten 

Ist  sicher  auch  ein  Zeitvertreib  ; 

Doch  wir,  die  in  der  Poesie 

Die  Aufgab'  unsres  Lebens  finnen, 

Wir  Kiinstler  und  wir  Sangerinnen, 

Wir  knutten,  Jochen,  un  briiten  nie.' 

'  In  a  group  of  poets  that  were  active  in  the  South  of  England  at  the  begin 
ning  of  the  thirteenth  century,  the  author  of  The  Owl  and  the  Nightingale  stands 
preeminent.  Of  striking  vigor  and  originality  of  mind,  possessing  a  sane 
critical  judgment  founded  on  a  considerable  culture,  and  endowed  with  aston 
ishing  poetical  gifts  for  his  time  and  environment,  he  produced  a  composition 
that  seems  the  earliest,  and  from  many  points  of  view  the  best,  original  long 
poem  of  a  wholly  imaginative  character  written  in  English  before  the  timo 
of  Chaucer'  (Wells'  ed.,  p.  xxxvii).  Elsewhere  Wells  says  :  '  Theme  and  treat 
ment  grew  out  of  the  poet's  own  immediate  experience.  .  .  .  The  poem  is  nota 
ble  in  its  period  for  its  embodiment  of  the  distinctly  national  tone  and  spirit 
that  were  beginning  to  grow  out  of  the  amalgamation  of  the  French  and  the 
English,  the  learned  and  the  popular,  in  the  island.'  This  author's  identity  is 
unknown ;  it  would  seem  probable  that  he  is  not  the  Nicholas  of  Guildford 
chosen  by  the  disputants  as  judge. 

The  poem  is  found  in  two  manuscripts.  Our  selection  (made  with  the  kind 
permission  of  the  publishers,  Messrs.  D.  C.  Heath  &  Co.)  is  from  John  Edwin 
Wells'  reproduction  of  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Cotton  Caligula  A.  9,  which  belongs  to 
the  first  half  of  the  thirteenth  century,  with  his  emendations,  and  a  few  of  my 
own.  The  selection  includes  lines  1-94,  101-285,  287-348. 


322 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


10 


25 


ti,\\^  •  *" 

Ich  was  in  one  sumere 1  dale, 

Inonesufe2disele8hale,4 

Iherde  Ich  holde  grete  tale 6 

An  hule 6  and  one 7  nijtingale. 

J>at  plait8  was  stif  and  stare9  and  strong, 

Sum  wile 10  softe  and  lud  u  among 12 ; 

Ah 18  aif  er  ajen  of  er  sval,14 

And  let  fat  wole 15  mod le  ut^al. 

And  eif  er  seide  of  of eres  custe  " 

J>at  alreworste 18  fat  hi  wuste ; 

And  hure  and  hure 19  of  o)>ere[s]  songe, 

Hi  holde  plaiding  ^  suf  e  stronge. 

f>e  nijtingale  bigon  fe  speche 
In  one  hurne 21  of  one  beche,22 
And  sat  up[on]  one  vaire  boje,28 
par  were  abute  blosme  inoje, 
In  ore 24  waste  ^  f  icke  hegge, 
iriieind 26  mid  spire 27  and  grene  segge. 
Ho 28  was  f  e  gladur  vor  J>e  rise,29 
And  song  a  vele 80  cunne  wise 8l : 
Bet 82  fujte  ]> e  dreim 83  J>at  he  were 
Of  harpe  and  pipe  fan  he  nere, 
Bet  Jmjte  ]>at  he  were  ishote  M 
Of  harpe  and  pipe  fan  of  f rote. 

]?o  stod  on  old  stoc  ^  far  biside, 
J?ar  fo  ule  song  hire  tide,86 


1  a  certain 

13  and 

2  very 
8  secluded 

14  grew  swollen  with  wrath 
is  evil 

*  out  of  the  way  spot 
6  dispute 
6  owl 
1  a 

16  mood 
1"  character 
18  very  worst 
19  at  all  events 

8  debate 

20  debate 

9  severe,  sharp 
10  sometimes 
u  loud 
12  at  intervals 

21  corner,  nook 
22  valley;  MS.  breche 
28  a  fair  bough 
24a 

25  solitary 

26  mingled 

27  tall  grass 

28  she 

29  twig,  branch 

80  in  many 

81  kinds  of  ways 

82  rather  (better);  MS.het(em.W.) 

83  seemed  the  music 

84  shot,  poured  forth 

85  stump 

86  at  her  time,  when  her  time  came 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE  323 

And  was  mid  ivi  al  bigrowe : 
Hit  was  pare  hule  earding-stowe.1 

J>e  nijtingale  hi  isej,2 
And  hi  bihold  and  oversej,8 

And  J>ujte  wel  wl4  of  fare  hule,  $ 

For  me  hi  halt5  lodlich  and  fule.6 
'  Unwijt,7 '  ho  sede,  '  awei  f  u  flo 8 ! 
Me  is  fe  wrs 9  fat  Ich  f  e  so.10 
Iwis  for  fine  wle 11  lete 12 

Wel  oft  Ich  mine  song  forlete 18 ;  10 

Min  horte  atflif  ,14  and  fait 15  mi  tonge, 
Wonne  fu  art  to  me  ifrunge.16 
Me  luste  bet  speten  n  fane  singe, 
'•;   Of 18  fine  fule  jojelinge.19 ' 

J>os 20  hule  abod  fort 21  hit  was  eve,  i  S 

Ho  ne  mijte  no  leng  ^  bileve,28 
Vor  hire  horte  was  sp  gret 
f>at  wel  nej  hire  fnast 24  atschet,25 
And  warp 26  a  word 27  f  araf ter  longe : 
'  Hu  f inc[f ]  f e 28  nu  bi  mine  songe  ?  20 

We[n]st  f u 29  fat  Ich  ne  cunne  singe, 
J>ej  Ich  ne  cunne  of  writelinge 80  ? 
[Oft  and]  ilome 81  f  u  dest  me  grame,82 
And  seist  me  bof  e  tone 88  and  schame. 
<^if  Ich  fe  holde  on  mine  vote84 —  25 

So  hit  bitide 85  fat  Ich  mote !  — 


1  the  owl's  dwelling-place 
2  saw  her 
8  looked  at  with  scorn 
4  evilly 
5  men  consider  her 
6  loathsome  and  foul 
"  monster 
8  flee  (imp.) 
9  worse 
10  see 
"  evil 
12  behavior,  noise 

is  abandon,  stop 
14  flees  away 
is  falters 
16  pressed  close,  drawn  close 
I?  I  would  rather  spit 
is  because  of 
18  guggling 
ao  this 
21  until 
22  longer 
28  remain  silent 
24  breath 

25  shot  away,  burst  forth 
26  poured  out  (lit.  threw) 
27  speech 
28  seems  it  to  you 
29  do  you  suppose 
so  trilling 
81  often 
82  harm,  injury 
88  reproach 
M  foot 
85  would  that  it  might  happen 

,  5 


324  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

And  f  u  were  ut  of  fine  rise, 

J?u  sholdest  singe  an  ofer  wfijse.1 ' 
J>e  nijtingale  jaf  answare : 

'  ^if  Ich  me  loki  *  wit  fe  bare,8 
5  And  me  schilde  wit  f  e  blete,4 

Ne  reche  Ich  no^t  of  fine  f  rete : 

£\i  Ich  me  holde  in  mine  hegge, 

Ne  recche  Ich  never  what  f  u  segge.6 

Ich  wot  fat  f  u  art  unmilde 6 
:0  Wif  horn 7  fat  ne  muje  from  f  e 8  schilde  j 

And  f  u  tukest 9  wrof  e 10  and  uvele 

Whar  fu  mijt  over  smale  fujele.11 

Vorf  i 12  f  u  art  Tof 18  al  fuel-kunne,14 

And  alle  ho  u  f  e  drivef  honne,16 
15  And  fe  bischrichef  "  and  bigredet,18 

And  wel  narewe 19  f  e  biledet M ; 

And  ek  forf e 21  fe  sulve  mose,22 

Hire  fonkes,28  wolde  fe  totose.24 

J>u  art  lodlich  to  biholde, 
20  And  f  u  art  lof  in  monie  volde  ^ : 

]>'i  bodi  is  short,  f  i  swore 26  is  smal, 

Grettere  is  fin  heved  fan  f  u  al ; 

J>in  ejene  bof  col-blake  and  brode, 

Rijt  swo  ho  weren  ipeint 2T  mid  wode  M ; 
25  ]>u  starest  so  M  fu  wille  abiten  *° 

Al  fat  f  u  mijt 81  mid  clivre 82  smiten ; 

]>i  bile  is  stif  and  scharp  and  hoked, 

Rijt  so  an  owel  **  fat  is  croked, 

1  in  another  fashion  12  therefore  M  willingly 

2  may  protect  myself  18  hateful  24  pun  to  pieces 

8  against  the  open  u  bird-kind  26  jn  manifold  ways 

•»  exposure  16  they  all  *  neck 

6  say  is  hence  27  painted 

«  harsh  17  screech  at  28  WOad 

1  those  18  cry  out  at  »  as  if 

8  MS.  se  19  closely  8°  bite  to  pieces 

9  domineer  20  pursue  81  might;  MS.  mist 
1°  angrily  21  because  of  that  82  claws 

"  birds  22  the  very  titmouse  88  just  like  an  awl 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE 


325 


J>armid  fu  clackes[t]  oft  and  longe, 

And  fat  is  on 1  of  fine  songe. 

Ac  f  u  pretest  to 2  mine  fleshe, 

Mid  fine  clivres  woldest  me  meshe.8  " 

Ipe  were  icundur  to  one  frogge 4 : 

f>at  sit  at  mulne 6  under  cogge 6 ; 

Snailes,  mus,7  and  fule  wijte,8 

Bof  fine  cunde  and  fine  rijte.9 

J>u  sittest  adai,10  and  flij[s]t  anijt, 

J>u  cuf est u  fat  f u  art  on  unwijt. 

J>u  art  lodlich  and  unclene, 

Bi 12  fine  neste  Ich  hit  mene, 

And  ek  bi  fine  fule  brode 18 — 

f>u  fedest  on  horn  a  wel  ful  fode.14  .  „ 

J>at  of er  jer 15  a  faukun  bredde 16 ; " 

His  nest  nojt  wel  he  ne  bihedde 1T : 

J>arto  fu  stele  in  o18  day, 

And  leidest  faron  fi  fole  ey.19 

J>o  hit  bicom  m  fat  he  ha^te,21 

And  of  his  eyre 22  briddes  wrajte, 

Ho  brojte  his  briddes  mete, 

Bihold  his  nest,  isej  hi 23  etc : 

He  isej  bi  one  halve24 

His  nest  ifuled  uthalve.26 

J>e  faucun  was  wrof  wit  his  bridde, 

And  lude  jal 26  and  sterne  chidde : 

"  Segget  me,  wo27  havet  fis  ido  ? 

Ou  nas  never  icunde 28  f  arto ; 


10 


20 


1  one 

2  make  threats  against 
8  crush  to  a  pulp 

4  it  would  be  more  suitable 
for  you  to  have  a  frog 
(for  food) 

6  the  mill 

8  cog ;  this  line  is  supplied 
from  J. —  lacking  in  C. 

7  mice 

8  creatures 


9  are  for  thy  kind  and  fit  for 

thy  deserts 
10  by  day 
Jl  knowest 
12  concerning 
is  brood 
l*  thou  feedest  in  them  a  very 

foul  lot  (lit.  offspring) 
15  year 
w  bred 
i7  guarded 


18  one 

is  foul  egg 

20  when  it  happened 

21  it  (the  falcon)  hatched 

22  its  eggs 

28  watched  them 

24  on  one  side 

25  on  the  outer  part 

26  cried  out  aloud 

27  who 

28  innate,  natural 


326  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Hit  was  idon  ow  a  lof  custe.1 
Segge  me  jif  je  hit  wiste." 
J>o  qua))  fat  on  and  quad  fat  of  er : 
"  Iwis  it  was  ure  ojer  *  brofer, 

5  )?e  jond 8  fat  haved  fat  grete  heved : 

Wai  fat  hi[t]  nis  f  arof  bireved  * ! 
Worp  hit6  ut  mid  fe  alre-wrste, 
J>at  his  necke  him  toberste  !  " 
J>e  faucun  ilefde 6  his  bridde, 

10  And  nom 7  fat  fule  brid  amidde,8 

And  warp  hit  of9  fan  wilde  bowe,10 
J>ar  u  pie  u  and  crowe  hit  todrowe. 
Herbi  men  segget  a  bispel,18 
J>ej  hit  ne  bo  f uliche  spel 14 : 

15  Al  so 15  hit  is  bi  fan  ungode16 

J>at  is  icumen  of  fule  brode, 
And  is  meind  wit  fro  monne 1T ; 
Ever  he  cuf  fat  he  com  fonne,18 
J>at  he  com  of  fan  adel  eye,19 

20  J>ej  he  a  fro  nest  **  leie. 

J?ej  appel  trendli^from22  fon  trowe,2* 
J»ar  he  and  ofer  mid  growe, 
J?ej  he  bo 24  f arfrom  bicume,25 
He  cuf  wel  whonene  he  is  icume.' 

25  J>os  word  ajaf 26  fe  nijtingale, 

And  after  fare  longe  tale 
He  song  so  lude  and  so  scharpe, 
Rijt  so  me  grulde  w  schille 28  harpe. 


l  in  a  disagreeable  manner ;  w  bough  19  addled  egg 

custe  for  MS.  wiste  u  where  20  in  a  noble  nest 

a  own  12  magpies  21  roll  (trundle) 

» the  one  yonder  l*  in  fable,  parable  22  MS.  fron 

•<  alas  that  he  is  not  bereft  of  it  14  long  story  28  tree 

5  throw  him  15  just  so  **  be 

6  believed  w  with  the  evil  person-  25  gone 

"  took,  seized  i"  mingled  with  noble  26  uttered 

8  by  the  middle  (well-bom)  men  27  as  if  some  one  were  twanging 

9  cast  it  from  i»  thence  28  shrill 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE 


327 


J>os  hule  luste l  fiderward, 
And  hold  hire  eje 2  nof erwa[r]d,8 
And  sat  tosvolle 4  and  ibolwe,5 
Also  ho  hadde  one  frogge  isuolje,6 
For  ho  wel  wiste  and  was  iwar 
J>at  ho  song  hire  a  bisemar,7 
And  nof  eles  ho  gaf 8  andsuare : 
'  Whi  neltu 9  flon  into  f  e  bare,10 
And  sewi u  ware 12  unker 18  bo 14 
Of  briber  howe,15  of  vairur  bio 16  ? ' 

'  No,  f  u  havest  wel  scharpe  clawe, 
Ne  kep 17  Ich  nogt  fat  f  u  me  clawe ; 
J>u  havest  clivers  sufe  stronge, 
J>u  tuengst 18  f  armid  so  dof  a  tonge. 
J>u  fojtest,  so  dof  fine  ilike,19 
Mid  faire  worde  me  biswike  m ; 
Ich  nolde  don  fat  fu  me  rad[djest,21 
Ich  wiste  wel  fat  fu  me  misraddest 
Schamie  f  e  for  fin  unrede  ^  I 
Unwrojen  **  is  f i  svikelhede  M ! 
Schild  fine  svikeldom  vram  fe  lijte, 
And  hud  ^  fat  woje  m  amon[g]  fe  rijte. 
Wane  v  f  u  wilt  fin  unrijt  *  spene,29 
Loke  fat  hit  ne  bo  isene, 
Vor  svike[l]dom  haved  schome  and  hete,80 
<^if  hit  is  ope 81  and  underjete.82 
Ne  speddestu 33  nojt  mid  fine  unwrenche,84 


10 


20 


1  listened 

2  eyes 

8  cast  down 

4  swollen  with  anger 

5  puffed  with  wrath 

6  swallowed 

"  in  scorn  of  her 

8  MS.  jas  (/penciled  in 

margin) 

9  will  you  not 

10  the  open 

11  show 


«  MS.  )>are 

18  which  (whether)  of  us  two 

«is 

is  hue 

16  complexion,  appearance  (bloom) 

17  care,  wish 

18  press  tightly,  nip 

19  as  do  those  of  thy  sort 

20  to  deceive,  betray 

21  counseled 

22  ill  advice 
28  revealed 


24  treachery 
^hide 
26  wrong 
^  MS.  fc-ane 

28  injustice,  wrong 

29  spend,  show  forth 

80  hate 

81  open,  apparent 

82  perceived 

88  you  did  not  succeed 
s*  trick 


328 


For  Ich  am  war,1  and  can  wel  blenche.2 

Ne  help))  nojt  fat  fu  bo  to  [bjriste  8  : 

Ich  wolde  vijte  bet  mid  liste  * 

pan  )>u  mid  al  fine  strengfe. 
5  Ich  habbe  on  brede  6  and  ech  on  lengfe 

Castel  god  on  mine  rise  ; 

"  Wel  fist  fat  wel  flijt,"  6  seif  f  e  wise. 

Ac  lete  we  awei  f  os  cheste,7 

Vor  suiche  wordes  bof  unwreste  8  ; 
10  And  fo  we  on  9  mid  rijte  dome,10 

Mid  faire  worde  and  mid  ysome.11 

peg  we  ne  bo  at  one  acorde, 

We  muje  bet  mid  fayre  worde, 

Witute  cheste,  and  bute  fijte, 
1S         )bif          Plaidi  12  mid  £056  18  and  mid  rijte, 

And  mai  hure  u  eif  er  wat  hi  wile 

Mid  rijte  segge  and  mid  sckile.' 

po  quaf  f  e  hule  :  '  Wu  15  schal  us  seme,16 

pat  kunne  and  wille  ri^t  us  deme  1T  ?  ' 
20  '  Ich  wot  wel,'  qua)>  )>e  nijtingale, 

*  Ne  faref  18  farof  bo  no  tale.19 

Maister  Nichole  of  Guldeforde,20 

He  is  wis  an  war  of  worde  ; 

He  is  of  dome  sufe  gleu,21 
25  And  him  is  lop  evrich  unfeu.22 

He  wot  insijt  in  28  eche  songe  — 

Wo  singet  wel,  wo  singet  wronge  ; 

And  he  can  schede  24  vrom  )>e  ri5te 

pat  woje,28  fat  fuster  2e  from  fe  li^te.' 

1  wary,  cautious  10  judgment  2°  Nicholas  of  Guildford,  spoken 

2  avoid  by  shrinking  u  peaceable  of  in  lines   1752-3  of  the 
8  bold                                                  12  debate  poem   as    living    at    Port- 

*  cunning  18  propriety  esham,  in  Dorset 

6  breadth  u  of  us  21  wise,  prudent 
8  cf  .   Proverbs    of  Hendyng,           ^  who  ;  MS.  )>u  22  vice,  bad  habit 

st.  10  (Harl.  MS.)  16  reconcile  w  has  intelligence  in,  knows 

7  let  us  be  done  with  this  strife  ^  judge  24  separate,  distinguish 

8  unavailing  ;  MS.  unwerste  18  need  25  wrong 

•  let  us  begin  19  dispute  26  darkness 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE  329 

.GO 
J>o  hule  one  wile  hi  bifojte,1 

And  after  fan  pis  word  upbrojte : 

'  Ich  granti  wel  fat  he  us  deme, 

Vor  fej  he  were  wile 2  breme,8 

And  lof 4  him  were  nijtingale,  5 

And  of  er  wijte 6  gente  and  smale, 

Ich  wot  he  is  nu  sufe  acoled.6 

Nis  he  vor  fe  nojt  afoled,7 

J?at  he,  for  fine  olde  luve, 

Me  adun  8  legge 9  and  f  e  buve  ;  10 

Ne  schaltu  nevre  so  him  queme 10 

J>at  he  for  fe  fals  dom  deme. 

He  is  him  ripe  n  and  fastrede,12 

Ne  lust 18  him  nu  to  none  unrede 14 ; 

Nu  him  ne  lust  na  more  pleie,  15 

He  wile  gon  a16  rrjte  weie.' 

J>e  nijtingale  was  al  jare,16 
Ho  hadde  ilorned  1T  wel  aiware  18 ;     2  /  £•  . 
'  Hule,'  ho  sede,  '  seie  me  sof , 

Wi  dostu  fat  unwijtis  19  dof  ?  20 

J?u  singist  anijt  and  nojt  adai, 
And  al  fi  song  is  "  Wailawai !  " 
J>u  mijt  mid  fine  songe  afere  m 
Alle  fat  iheref  fine  ibere 21 ; 

J>u  schrichest22  and  gollest28  to  fine  fere,24  25 

J>at  hit  is  grislich  ^  to  ihere ; 
Hit  finchef 26  bof e  wise  and  snepe,27 
No^t  fat  fu  singe,  ac  fat  fu  wepe. 
J>u  flijst  anijt  and  no^t  adai ; 

1  bethought  herself  for        w  please  19  monsters 

a  time  H  mature  2°  terrify 

2  at  one  time  12  of  firm  purpose  21  noise,  clamor 

8  spirited,  passionate  18  pleases  ^  screechest ;  MS.  schirchest 

4  dear  u  unwise  action  w  call  out 

•r>  creatures  15  in  24  companion 

6  much  cooled  ™  ready  « horrible 

'  befooled  ™  learned  26  MS.  ^inchest 

8  below  18  nearly  everywhere  (OE.       27  to  wise  and  to  foolish 

9  would  place  (lay) 


330  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES, 

J>arof  Ich  wndri,1  and  wel  mai, 

Vor  evrich  f  ing  fat  schuniet 2  ri^t, 

Hit  luvef  f  uster  and  hatiet 8  lijt ; 

And  evrich  f  ing  fat  is  lof  misdede,4 
5  Hit  luvef  f  uster  to 5  his  dede. 

A  wis  word,  fej  hit  bo  unclene, 

Is  fele  manne 6  a  muf  e 7  imene,8 

For  Alvred  King  hit  seide  and  wrot : 

"  He  schunet  fat  hine  wl  wot.9 " 
10  Ich  wene  fat  fu  dost  also, 

Vor  fu  fligst  nijtes  evermo. 

Anof  er  f  ing  me  is  awene 10  — 

J>u  havest  anijt  wel  brijte  sene  n ; 

Bi  daie  f  u  art  stareblind,12 
15  J>at  fu  ne  sichst  ne  bo[u]  ne  rind.18 

Adai  fu  art  blind  of  er  bisne,14 

f»arbi  men  segget  a  uorbisne : 

"  Rijt  so  hit  farf  bi  fan  ungode, 

J>at  nojt  ne  suf  to 15  none  gode, 
20  And  is  so  ful  of  uvele  wrenche 16 

J>at  him  ne  mai  no  man  atwrenche,17        .2 

And  can 18  wel  fane 19  f ustre 20  wai, 

And  fane  brijte  lat  awai.21 " 

So  dof  fat  bof  22  of  fine  cunde, 
25  Of  lijte  nabbef  hi  none  imunde.28 ' 

J>os  hule  luste  sufe  longe, 

And  was  oftoned  ^  suf  [e]  stronge. 

Ho  quaf : '  J>u  [h] attest  K  nijtingale  ; 

f>u  mijtest  bet  hoten 26  galegale,27 

1  wonder  1°  is  in  my  thoughts  2°  dark  ;  MS.  hurste 

2  shuns  U  power  of  vision  21  abandons  the  bright  one 

3  hates  12  purblind  22  those  that  are 
*  to  which  evil-doing  is  dear  13  see  neither  bough  nor  bark  ^  thought 

6  for  M  of  dim  sight  24  irritated 

6  of  many  men  i5  looks  toward  25  are  called 

7  in  the  mouths  ifi  guile,  trickery  26  better  be  called 

8  commonly  ^  evade,  elude ;  MS.  -prenche  27  chatterbox 

9  that  which  knows  him  to     J8  knows 

be  foul  19  the 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE 


331 


1  tales 

2  respite,  rest 

3  own 

4  turn 

5  avenged 
«  listen 

7  justify 

8  a  long  story 

9  no  nor  nay 


Vor  fu  havest  to  monie  tale.1 

Lat  fine  tunge  habbe  spale 2 ! 

]>u  wenest  fat  f es  dai  bo  fin  oje 8 

Lat  me  nu  habbe  mine  f  ro^e  4 ; 

Bo  nu  stille  and  lat  me  speke, 

Ich  wille  bon  of  fe  awreke.8 

And  lust 6  hu  Ich  con  me  bitelle,7 

Mid  rijte  sofe,  witute  spelle.8 

Ipu  seist  fat  Ich  me  hude  adai, 

f>arto  ne  segge  Ich  nich  ne  nai 9 ; 

And  lust,  Ich  telle  fe  warevore, 

Al  wi  hit  is  and  warevorfc. 

Ich  habbe  bile  stif  and  stronge, 

And  gode  clivers  scharp  and  longe, 

So  hit  bicumef 10  to  havekes  cunne ; 

Hit  is  min  hijte,11  hit  is  mi  wune,12 

J>at  Ich  me  draje 13  to  mine  cunde, 

Ne  mai  [me]  no  man  f  arevore  schende 14 ; 

On  me  hit  is  wel  isene, 

Vor  rijte  cunde 15  Ich  am  so  kene. 

Vorf i  Ich  am  lof  smale  fojle 16 

J>at  flof  bi 1T  grunde  an  bi  f  uvele ls : 

Hi  me  bichermet 19  and  bigredef,20 

And  hore 21  flockes  to  me  ledef . 

Me  is  lof  to  habbe  reste, 

And  sitte  stille  in  mine  neste ; 

Vor  nere  Ich  never  no  f  e  betere, 

^if 22  Ich  mid  chavling  23  and  mid  chatere 

Horn  schende,  and  mid  fule  worde.  .  .  . 

Ne  lust  me 24  wit  f  e  screwen 25  chide,26 


1°  is  fitting 

11  joy 

12  delight 
18  turn  me 

14  blame,  revile 

15  from  very  nature 

16  to  small  birds 

17  near 

1s  bushes 


1°  scream  at 

20  cry  out  upon 

21  their 

22  MS.  Jrif 

23  scolding 

24  it  does  not  please  me 

25  evil  persons 
2«  to  contend 


332  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Forpi  Ich  wende l  from  horn  wide.3 
Hit  is  a  wise  monne  dome,8 
And  hi  hit  segget  wel  ilome,4 
J>at  me  ne 6  chide  wit  pe  gidie,* 

5  Ne  wit  pan  of  ne 7  me  ne  jonie.8 

At  sume  sipe  herde  I  telle 
Hu  Alvred  sede  on  his  spelle 9 : 
"  Loke  pat  pu  ne  bo  pare 
J>ar 10  chavling  bop  and  cheste  jare ; 

10  Lat  sottes  u  chide,  and  vorp  pu  go  " ; 

And  Ich  am  wis,  and  do  also. 
And  jet  Alvred  seide,  an  oper  side,12 
A  word  pat  is  isprunge 13  wide : 
"  J>at  wit  pe  fule  havep  imene,14 

15  Ne  cumep  he  never  from  him  cleine." 

Wenestu  pat  haveck  bo  pe  worse 
J>oj  crowe  bigrede 18  him  bi  pe  mershe, 
And  gop  to  him  mid  hore  chirme 16 
Rijt  so  hi  wille  wit  him  schirme  "  ? 

20  J>e  havec  foljep  gode  rede,18 

And  flijt  his  wei,  and  lat  him 19  grede.20 
<^et  pu  me  seist  of  oper  pinge, 
And  telst  pat  Ich  ne  can  nojt  singe, 
Ac  al  mi  rorde  n  is  woning,22 

25  And  to  ihire  grislich 23  ping. 

J>at  nis  nojt  sop,  Ich  singe  efne,24 
Mid  fulle  dreme  ^  and  lude  stefne.26 
J>u  wenist 2T  pat  ech  song  bo  grislich 


1  turn 

2  far 

8  in  the  judgment  of  wise  men 
4  often 

6  they  do  not 

•  foolish 

7  oven,  furnace 

8  yawn 

•  instruction 
10  where 


u  fools  *>  cry  out 

12  on  the  other  hand  M  speech 

18  spread  &  lamenting 

i4  he  who  has  companionship  w  horrible 

with  the  foul  2*  evenly 

is  cry  out  upon  K  melody 

16  uproar  *  voice 

17  fight  27  thinkest 

18  counsel 
l»  MS.  hem 


THE  OWL  AND  THE  NIGHTINGALE 


333 


J>at  fine  pipinge  nis  ilich.1 

Mi  stefne  is  bold 2  and  nojt  unorne,8 

Ho  is  ilich  one  grete  home, 

And  fin  is  ilich  one  pipe 

Of  one  smale  wode  *  unripe. 

Ich  singe  bet  fan  f  u  dest ; 

f>u  chaterest  so  dof  on  Irish  prost. 

Ich  singe  an  eve,  a  rijte  time,6 

And  sof fe  won  hit  is  bedtime, 

J>e  f  ridde  sif  e  at 6  middelnijte ; 

And  so  Ich  mine  song  adijte 7 

Wone  Ich  iso 8  arise  vorre 9 

Of  er  dairim 10  of  er  daisterre. 

Ich  do  god  mid  mine  frote, 

And  warni  men  to  hore  note.11 

Ac  fu  singest  alle  longe  nijt, 

From  eve  fort 12  hit  is  dailijt, 

And  evre  seist  fin  o  song 

So  longe  so  f e  nijt  is  long ; 

And  evre  crowef  fi  wrecche  crei,18 

J>at  he  ne  swikef 14  nijt  ne  dai. 

Mid  fine  pipinge  f u  adunest 15 

J>as  monnes  earen  far  fu  wunest, 

And  makest  fine  song  $o  unwrf 16 

J?a[t]  me  ne  telf  of  far  noj[t]  wrf.17 

Evrich  murjf e 18  mai  so  longe  ileste, 

J>at  ho  shal  liki 19  wel  unwreste,20 

Vor  harpe,  and  pipe,  and  fujeles  songe 

Mislikef ,  gif  hit  is  to  long. 

Ne  bo  f  e  song  never  so  murie,     3  if-  $ 


10 


1  is  not  like 

2  MS.  blod 

3  feeble 
*  weed 

5  in  the  evening,  at  the 

proper  time 
«  MS.  ad 


"'  arrange,  prepare 

i4  ceases 

8  see 

15  dinnest 

a  afar 

lf>  unworthy 

10  daybreak 

W  that  men  set  no  store  by  it 

11  profit,  advantage 

18  joy 

12  until 

19  please 

18  crying 

20  m 

334  RELIGIOUS" ANftrJMBACTIC  PIECES 

J?at  he  ne  shal  pinche 1  wel  unmurie 2 
^ef  he  ilestep 8  over  wille 4 ; 
So  Jm  mijt  fine  song  aspille.6 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN 

Until  1906,  the  work  called  The  Vision  (rather,  Book)  of  William  concerning 
Piers  the  Plowman  had  been  for  a  generation  attributed,  on  the  faith  of  two 
fifteenth-century  memoranda,  to  William  Langland,  or  Langley,  whom  Skeat 
believed  to  have  been  born  about  1332,  and  to  have  died  about  1400.  Three 
texts  of  the  poem  have  been  printed,  of  which  the  second  and  third  (known  as 
B  and  C)  are  revisions  and  extensions  of  the  first  (A).  The  dates  assigned  to 
these  are  :  A,  1362  ;  B,  1377  ;  C,  after  1390  (probably  about  1398).  The  A-text 
has  2567  lines,  the  B-text  7242,  and  the  C-text  7357.  All  have  been  edited  by 
Skeat  in  two  volumes  (Oxford,  1886). 

Professor  John  M.  Manly  presents  his  view,  which  differs  in  many  respects 
from  that  hitherto  received,  in  the  Cambridge  History  of  English  Literature, 
Vol.  2.  According  to  him,  the  twelve  cantos,  or  passus,  contained  in  A,  were 
the  work  of  two  different  authors,  of  whom  the  second  wrote  Passus  9-12, 
while  B  and  C  represent  two  revisions,  so  that  there  would  have  been  four 
authors;  but  since  he  finds  61  lines  at  the  end  of  the  A-text  (12.  57-105,  and 
12  lines  not  given  in  Skeat's  large  edition,  i.  331)  to  have  been  written  by  a 
certain  John  But  (or  Butt),  the  whole  number  of  authors  would  be  five. 

On  the  theory  of  the  single  authorship,  Jusserand  has  an  illuminating 
chapter  in  Vol.  I  of  his  Literary  History  of  the  English  People.  For  a  general 
bibliography,  see  Camb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  2.  490-7. 

The  passages  given  below  are  all  from  the  B-text.  They  differ  so  incon 
siderably  from  the  A-text  that  Manly's  characterization  of  the  style  of  the  latter 
sufficiently  holds  concerning  them**?/,  cit.  p.  13) :  'As  to  the  style,  no  summary 
or  paraphrase  can  reproduce  its  picturesqueness  and  verve.  It  is  always 
simple,  direct,  evocative  of  a  constant  series  of  clear  and  sharply-defined 
images  of  individuals  and  groups.  Little  or  no  attempt  is  made  at  elaborate, 
or  even  ordinarily  full,  description,  and  color-words  are  singularly  few ;  but  it 
would  be  difficult  to  find  a  piece  of  writing  from  which  the  reader  derives  a 
clearer  vision  of  individuals  or  groups  of  moving  figures  in  their  habit  as  they 
lived.  That  the  author  was  endowed  in  the  highest  degree  with  the  faculty  of 
visualization  is  proved,  not  merely  by  his  ability  to  stimulate  the  reader  to  form 
mental  images,  but  even  more  by  the  fact  that  all  the  movements  of  individuals 
and  groups  can  be  followed  with  ease  and  certainty.  Composition,  in  the 
larger  sense  of  structural  excellence,  that  quality  common  in  French  literature, 

1  seem  *  beyond  (the  point  of)  pleasure ;  MS.  unwille 

2  unpleasing  6  spoil 
"lasts 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  335 

but  all  too  rare  in  English,  and  supposed  to  be  notably  lacking  in  Piers  the 
Plowman,  is  one  of  the  most  striking  features.' 

Our  text  is  from  Skeat's  smaller  edition,  based  on  MS.  Laud  581,  with 
certain  omitted  lines  supplied  from  the  large  edition  ;  with  the  omission  of  the 
dots  which  mark  the  middle  of  lines ;  and  with  changes  in  punctuation, 
capitalization,  and  the  joining  of  words.  The  lines  quoted  are  Prol.  1-122; 
3. 1-129,  133-68;  5.  304-46,  352-9,  364-71  ;  5.  392-478;  6.  107-53. 


PROLOGUE 

In  a  somer  seson,  whan  soft  was  the  sonne, 
I  shope 1  me  in  shroudes,2  as  I  a  shepe 8  were ; 
In  habite  as  an  heremite,  unholy  of  workes, 
Went  wyde  in  ]>is  world,  wondres  to  here. 

Ac  on  a  May  mornynge,  on  Malyerne  hulles,4  5 

Me  byfel  a  ferly  6  —  of  fairy,  me  thoujte ; 
I  was  wery,  forwandred,6  and  went  me  to  reste 
Under  a  brode  banke,  bi  a  bornes 7  side ; 
And  as  I  lay  and  lened,  and  loked  in  }>e  wateres, 
I  slombred  in  a  slepyng  —  it  sweyved  8  so  merye.  10 

Thanne  gan  I  to  meten 9  a  merveilouse  swevene, 
That  I  was  in  a  wildernesse  —  wist  I  never  where ; 
As  I  bihelde  into  )>e  est,  an  hiegh 10  to  J>e  sonne, 
I  seigh  a  toure  on  a  toft,11  trielich 12  ymaked ; 
A  depe  dale  binethe,  a  dongeon  fereinne,  15 

With  depe  dyches  and  derke,  and  dredful  of  sight. 
A  faire  felde  ful  of  folke  fonde  I  there  bytwene, 
Of  alle  maner  of  men  —  ]>e  mene  and  ]>e  riche  — 
Worchyng  and  wandryng,  as  j>e  worlde  asketh.13 
Some  putten  hem 14  to  ]>e  plow,  pleyed  ful  selde 18 ;  20 

In  settyng 16  and  in  sowyng  swonken 17  ful  harde, 
And  wonnen  that 18  wastours 19  with  glotonye  destruyeth. 

1  robed  6  worn  out  with  wandering         13  requires,  demands 

2  rough  garments  l  burn's,  brook's  14  set  themselves 
8  shepherd                                           8  rippled                                        15  seldom 

4  hills ;  the  Malvem  hills  are  9  dream  16  planting 

in  Worcestershire,  on  the  10  on  high  17  labored 

border  of  Herefordshire  n  hilltop  18  gained  what 

5  marvel  12  excellently  19  spendthrifts 


336  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

And  some  putten  hem  to  pruyde  —  apparailed  hem  j^ereaf  ter l  • 

In  contenaunce 2  of  clothyng  comen  disgised. 
In  prayers  and  in  penance  putten  hem  manye, 

Al  for  love  of  owre  Lorde  lyveden  ful  streyte,8 
5  In  hope  for  to  have  heveneriche 4  blisse ; 

As  ancres 5  and  heremites  that  holden  hem  in  here  selles, 

And  coveiten  nought  in  centre  to  kairen  aboute 6 

For  no  likerous  liflode,7  her  lykam 8  to  plese. 

And  somme  chosen  chaff  are  9  ;  they  cheven 10  the  bettere  — 
10          As  it  semeth  to  owre  sygt  that  suche  men  thryveth ; 

And  somme  murthes  to  make,  as  mynstralles  conneth,11 

And  geten  gold  with  here  glee  —  giltles,  I  leve.12 

Ac  japers 18  and  jangelers,14  Judas  chylderen, 

Feynen  hem  fantasies,  and  foles  hem  maketh, 
15  And  han  here  witte  at  wille,  to  worche,  jif  fei  sholde ; 

That  Poule  precheth  of  hem  I  nel  nought  preve  it  here : 

Qui  turpiloquium  loquitur  is  Luciferes  hyne.16 
Bidders 16  and  beggeres  fast  aboute  jede,17 

With  her  belies  and  her  bagges  of  bred  ful  ycrammed ; 
20  Fayteden 18  for  here  fode,  foujten  atte  ale ; 

In  glotonye,  God  it  wote,  gon  hii  to  bedde, 

And  risen  with  ribaudye,19  tho  Roberdes  knaves ; 

Slepe  and  sori  sleuthe 20  seweth 21  hem  evre. 

Pilgrymes  and  palmers  plijted  hem  togidere 
25          To  seke  Seynt  James,22  and  seyntes  in  Rome. 

Thei  went  forth  in  here  wey,  with  many  wise  tales, 

1  accordingly  9  a  merchant's  life  l"  went 

2  outward  appearance  M  achieved,  prospered         lg  begged  deceitfully 
8  strictly  11  know  how  to  do  19  ribaldry,  sin 

4  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  12  believe  20  sloth 

6  anchorites  is  jesters  21  pursue 

«  go  about  14  jongleurs  22  St.  James  of  Compostella 

">  dainty  living  IB  servant 

8  body  16  beggars 

17.  Qui  .  .  .  loquitur:  this  is  not  from  St.  Paul;  but  it  bears  some  resem 
blance  to  Eph.  5.  4  and  Col.  3.  8. 

22.  Roberdes  knaves :  the  so-called  Roberts  men  were  robbers  and  vaga 
bonds  (perhaps  originally  Robin  Hood's  men). 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  337 

And  hadden  leve  to  lye  al  here  lyf  after. 

I  seigh  somme  that  seiden  p ei  had  ysoujt  seyntes ; 

To  eche  a  tale  pat  pei  tolde  here  tonge  was  tempred  to  lye 

More  fan  to  sey  soth,  it  semed  bi  here  speche. 

Heremites  on  an  heep,1  with  hoked  staves,  5 

Wenten  to  Walsyngham,2  and  here  wenches  after ; 
Crete  lobyes 8  and  longe,  that  loth  were  to  swynke, 
Clotheden  hem  in  copis,4  to  ben  knowen  fram  othere, 
And  shopen 6  hem  heremites,  here  ese  to  have. 

I  fonde  fere  freris  —  alle  pe  foure  ordres  10 

Preched  }>e  peple  for  profit  of  hemselven ; 
Closed 6  pe  gospel  as  hem  good  lyked,7 
For  coveitise  of  copis  construed  it  as  pei  wolde. 
Many  of  pis  maistres  freris  mowe  clothen  hem  at  lykyng, 
For  here  money  and  marchandise  marchen  togideres  ;  1 5 

For  sith  Charite  hap  be  chapman,8  and  chief  to  shryve  lordes, 
Many  ferlis  han  fallen  in  a  fewe  jeris. 
But9  Holy  Chirche  and  hii  holde  better  togideres, 
The  most  myschief  on  molde 10  is  mountyng  wel  faste. 

J?ere  preched  a  pardonere,  as  he  a  prest  were ;  20 

Broujte  forth  a  bulle  u  with  bishopes  seles, 
And  seide  pat  hymself  myjte  assoilen 12  hem  alle 
Of  falshed,  of  fastyng,  of  vowes  ybroken. 
Lewed  men  leved  hym  wel,  and  lyked  his  wordes ; 
Comen  up  knelyng,  to  kissen  his  bulles ;  25 

He  bonched 13  hem  with  his  brevet,14  and  blered  here  eyes, 
And  raujte 15  with  his  ragman 16  rynges  and  broches ; 
Thus  pey  geven  here  golde,  glotones  to  kepe, 

1  in  great  numbers  6  glossed,  commented  on  J2  absolve 

5  to  the  shrine  of  Our  Lady  1  pleased  them  well  18  banged,  beat 

of  Walsingham — a  popu-  8  love  has  become  a  trades-  u  letter  of  indulgence 

lar  pilgrimage  man  w  obtained 

»  lubbers  »  unless  16  bull 

*  friars'  capes  or  cloaks  I"  on  the  earth 

5  made  n  a  papal  bull 

10.  four  ordres  :  the  four  orders  of  friars  were  the  Carmelites  (white 
friars),  Augustines  (Austin  friars),  Dominicans  (black  friars),  and  Minorites 
(gray  friars). 


338  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

And  leveth  *  such  loseles 2  fat  lecherye  haunten.8 
Were  fe  bischop  yblissed,4  and  worth  bothe  his  eres, 
His  seel  shulde  noujt  be  sent  to  deceyve  ]>e  peple ; 
Ac  it  is  naujt  by 6  f  e  bischop  fat  f  e  boy  precheth, 

5  For  the  parisch  prest  and  fe  pardonere  parten  fe  silver 

That  fe  poraille 6  of  f  e  parisch  sholde  have,  jif  f  ei  nere.7 

Persones 8  and  parisch  prestes  pleyned  hem  to  f  e  bischop 
}>at  here  parisshes  were  pore,  sith  f  e  pestilence-tyme, 
To  have  a  lycence  and  a  leve  at  London  to  dwelle, 

10          And  syngen  fere  for  symonye  —  for  silver  is  swete. 

Bischopes  and  bachelers,9  bothe  maistres  and  doctours, 
}?at  han  cure 10  under  Criste,  and  crounyng  n  in  tokne 
And  signe  fat  fei  sholden  shryven  here  paroschienes, 
Prechen  and  prey  for  hem,  and  fe  pore  fede, 

15  Liggen  in  London  —  in  Lenten,  an  elles.12 

Somme  serven  f e  kyng,  and  his  silver  tellen 18 ; 
In  Cheker 14  and  in  Chancerye  chalengen 15  his  dettes 
Of  wardes 16  and  wardmotes,17  weyves  and  streyves.18 
And  some  serven  as  servantz  lordes  and  ladyes, 

20          And  in  stede  of  stu wardes  sytten  and  demen.19 

Here  messe  and  here  matynes,  and  many  of  here  oures,20 
Arn  don  undevoutlych ;  drede  is  at  f  e  laste 
Lest  Crist  in  consistorie21  acorse  ful  manye. 
I  parceyved  of  f  e  power  fat  Peter  had  to  kepe, 

25  To  bynde  and  to  unbynde,  as  fe  boke  telleth,22 

How  he  it  left  wif  love,  as  owre  Lorde  hight,28 
Amonges  foure  vertues  —  f  e  best  of  all  vertues, 
]?at  cardinales  ben  called,  and  closyng  satis 24  — 

1  believe  12  and  at  other  times  20  canonical  hours 

2  wretches  (vagabonds)        is  count  21  court,  tribunal ;  here,  Last 
« practise                                «  the  court  of  the  Exchequer  Judgment 

4  a  holy  (blessed)  man         is  claim  22  Matt.  16.  19 

6  concerning  is  wardships  28  bade 

6  poor  people  17  ward-courts  24  with  power  to  close  gates, 

7  if  it  were  not  for  them       18  waifs  and   strays  —  aban-  because 'cardinal' is  de- 

8  parsons  doned  property  or  that               rived     from    cardo,    a 

9  young  men  for  which  there    were               hinge 
1°  a  charge  no  heirs 

11  the  tonsure  19  judge 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  339 

J>ere  Crist  is  in  kyngdome  to  close  and  to  shutte, 

And  to  opne  it  to  hem,  and  hevene  blisse  shewe. 

Ac  of  f  e  cardinales  atte  courte 1  fat  caujt  of 2  fat  name, 

And  power  presumed  in  hem  a  Pope  to  make, 

To  han  }>at  power  fat  Peter  hadde,  inpugnen  I  nelle,8  5 

For  in  love  and  letterure  4  f  e  eleccioun  bilongeth ; 

Forfi  I  can  and  can  nau^te 5  of  courte  speke  more. 

f>anne  come  fere  a  kyng  —  knyjthod  hym  ladde  ; 
Mijt  of  fe  comunes  made  hym  to  regne ; 

And  fanne  cam  Kynde  Wytte,6  and  clerkes  he  made,  10 

For  to  conseille  f e  kyng,  and  fe  comune  save. 

The  kyng  and  knyjthode,  and  clergye  bothe, 
Casten 7  fat  f  e  comune  shulde  hemself  fynde.8 
J>e  comune  contreved 9  of  Kynde  Witte  craftes, 
And  for  profit  of  alle  fe  poeple,  plowmen  ordeygned,  15 

To  tilie 10  and  travaile,  as  Trewe  Lyf  askef . 
J>e  kynge  and  fe  comune,  and  Kynde  Witte  fe  thridde, 
Shope  u  lawe  and  lewte  —  eche  man  to  knowe  his  owne. 

MEED  THE  MAIDEN 

Now  is  Mede 12  f  e  mayde,  and  na  mo  of  hem  alle, 
With  bedellus 13  and  wif  bayllyves  broujt  bifor  f  e  kyng.  20 

The  kyng  called  a  clerke  —  can  I  noujt  his  name  — 
To  take  Mede  fe  mayde,  and  make  hire  at  ese. 
'  I  shal  assaye  hir  myself,  and  sothelich  appose  w 
What  man  of  f  is  molde  fat  hire  were  leveste 15 ; 
And  if  she  worche  bi  my  witte,  and  my  wille  folwe,  25 

I  wil  forgyve  hir  f  is  gilte,  so  me  God  help  I ' 
Curteysliche  fe  clerke  fanne,  as  fe  kyng  hight, 

1  at  the  court  of  Rome  6  common  sense  1J  created 

2  received  "  contrived  12  bribery,  '  graft ' 

8  I  will  not  raise  question  8  provide  food  for  themselves        13  beadles,  summoners 

4  learning  9  devised  14  inquire 

5  can  because  of  what  he        10  till,  cultivate  16  dearest 

knows,  but  cannot  be 
cause  of  his  reverence 


340  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Toke  Mede  bi  fe  middel,1  and  broujte  hir  into  chaumbre, 
And  fere  was  myrthe  and  mynstralcye,  Mede  to  plese. 

They  fat  wonyeth  in  Westmynstre  worschiped  hir  alle, 
Gentelliche,  wif  joye ;  ]>e  justices  somme 2 

5  Busked 8  hem  to  f  e  boure 4  fere  f  e  birde 6  dwelled, 

To  conforte  hire  kyndely,  by  clergise 6  leve, 
And  seiden  :  '  Mourne  nought,  Mede,  ne  make  fow  no  sorwe 
For  we  wil  wisse 7  f  e  kynge,  and  f  i  wey  shape 
To  be  wedded  at  )>i  wille,  and  where  f  e  leve  liketh,8 

10  For  al  Conscience  caste*  or  craft,  as  I  trowe  1 ' 

Mildeliche  Mede  fanne  mercyed 10  hem  alle 
Of  feire  gret  goodnesse,  and  gaf  hem  uchone 
Coupes  u  of  clene  golde,  and  coppis 12  of  silver, 
Rynges  with  rubies,  and  ricchesses  manye ; 

1 5  The  leste  man  of  here  meyne 18  a  motoun  u  of  golde. 

Thanne  laujte 16  f  ei  leve,  f  is  lordes,  at 16  Mede. 

With  that  comen  clerkis  to  conforte  hir  fe  same, 
And  beden  hire  be  blithe  — '  for  we  beth  fine  owne, 
For  to  worche  fi  wille  fe  while  J>ow  myjte  laste.' 

20  Hendeliche 17  heo  fanne  bihight 18  hem  f  e  same, 

To  '  love  jow  lelli,19  and  lordes  to  make, 
And  in  f  e  consistorie  atte  courte  do  calle 20  jowre  names ; 
Shal  no  lewdnesse  lette 21  f  e  leode  **  fat  I  lovye, 
That  he  ne  worth  first  avanced  —  for  I  am  biknowen 28  — 

25  f>ere  konnyng24  clerkes  shul  clokke25  bihynde.' 

}?anne  come  fere  a  confessoure,  coped  as  a  frere ; 
To  Mede  f  e  mayde  he  mellud 26  f  is  wordes, 
And  seide  f ul  softly  —  in  shrif te  v  as  it  were : 


1  waist  u  bowls  18  promised 

2  some  of  them  w  cups  l»  loyally 

8  hastened  18  household  2°  cause  to  be  called 

*  bower,  lady's  chamber  M  a  French  gold  coin  worth  21  ignorance  hinder 
6  lady                                                       about      five       shillings,  **  man 

6  learning's  stamped  with  the  impres-  28  well  known 

•  guide  sion  of  the  Lamb  of  God  24  wise,  learned 

8  you  please  16  took  25  limp,  hobble 

9  conscience's  contrivance  16  of  26  spoke 

10  thanked  w  courteously  2:  confession 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  341 

'  f>eis  lewed  men  and  lered l  men  had  leyne  by  fe  bo  the, 

And  Falsenesse  haved  yfolwed  fe  al  fis  fyfty  wyntre, 

I  shal  assoille  f  e  myselve  for  a  seme 2  of  whete, 

And  also  be  fi  bedeman,3  and  bere  wel  Jri  message 

Amonges  knijtes  and  clerkis,  Conscience  to  torne.4 '  5 

Thanne  Mede  for  here  mysdedes  to  fat  man  kneled, 

And  shrove  hire  of  hire  shrewednesse fi  —  shamelees,  I  trowe ; 

Tolde  hym  a  tale,  and  toke 6  hym  a  noble,7 

For  to  ben  hire  bedeman,  and  hire  brokour  als.8 

Thanne  he  assoilled  hir  sone  ;  and  sithen  he  seyde  :  10 

'  We  han  a  wyndowe  a  wirchyng  9  wil  sitten  us  ful  heigh 10 ; 
Woldestow  glase 11  fat  gable,  and  grave  f  ereinne  f  i  name, 
Siker 12  sholde  fi  soule  be  hevene  to  have.' 
'  Wist  I  that,'  quod  fat  womman,  '  I  wolde  noujt  spare 
For  to  be  jowre  frende,  frere,  and  faille  jow  nevre,  15 

Whil  je  love  lordes  fat  lechery  haunteth, 
And  lakketh  noujt  ladis  fat  loveth  wel  the  same. 
It  is  frelete  of  flesh  —  je  fynde  it  in  bokes  — 
And  a  course  of  kynde 13  wherof  we  komen  afle ; 
Who  may  scape  f  e  sklaundre,14  f  e  skathe 18  is  sone  amended ;       20 
It  is  synne  of  f  e  sevene  sonnest le  relessed.17 
Have  mercy,'  quod  Mede,  '  of  men  fat  it  haunte, 
And  I  shal  kevre 18  jowre  kirke,  jowre  cloystre  do  maken, 
Wowes 19  do  whiten,  and  wyndowes  glasen, 

Do  peynten  and  purtraye,  and  paye  for  fe  makynge,  25 

That  evry  segge 20  shal  seyn  I  am  sustre  of  jowre  hous.' 

Ac  God  to  alle  good  folke  suche  gravynge  defendeth,21 
To  writen  in  wyndowes  of  here  wel 22  dedes, 

1  learned  9  m  process  of  being  made  17  forgiven 

2  load  10  cost  us  full  dear  18  cover 
8  beadsman                                                n  provide  the  glass  for  19  walls 

4  defeat  12  certain  20  person 

5  sin  18  nature  21  forbids 

6  gave  14  disgrace  22  good 
1  a  third  of  a  pound  sterling  is  harm 

8  broker  also  16  soonest 

26.    sustre :  any  wealthy  person  could  belong  to  a  religious  order  of  friars 
through  a  '  letter  of  fraternity.' 


342  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

On  aventure l  pruyde  be  peynted  fere,  and  pompe  of  pe  worlde  •, 
For  Crist  knowep  pi  conscience  and  pi  kynde  wille,2 
And  pi  coste,8  and  pi  coveitise,  and  who  pe  catel  ou^te.4 
Forpi  I  lere 5  ^ow,  lordes,  levep  suche  werkes  — 

5        To  writen  in  wyndowes  of  jowre  wel  dedes, 

Or  to  greden 6  after  Goddis  men  whan  je  delen  doles ; 

An  aventure  je  han  jowre  hire  here,7  and  joure  hevene  als ; 

Nesciat  sinistra  quidfaciat  dextra : 8 
Lat  noujte  pi  left  half,  late  ne  rathe,9 

10       Wyte  what  pow  worchest  with  pi  rigt  syde ; 

For  pus,  bit 10  pe  gospel,  gode  men  do  here  almesse. 
Meires  n  and  maceres,12  that  menes 13  ben  bitwene 
]?e  kynge  and  pe  comune  to  kepe  pe  lawes, 
To  punyschen  on  pillories  and  pynynge-stoles  u 

1 5       Brewesteres l6  and  bakesteres,*6  bocheres  and  cokes ; 

For  pise  aren  men  on  pis  molde  pat  moste  harme  worcheth 

To  pe  pore  peple  pat  parcelmele 17  buggen,18 

For  they  poysoun  pe  peple  priveliche 19  and  oft ; 

Thei  rychen 20  porw  regraterye,21  and  rentes  hem  buggen 

20       With  pat  pe  pore  people  shulde  put  in  here  wombe 22 ; 
For  toke  pei  on 28  trewly,  pei  tymbred  noujt 24  so  hei^e, 
Ne  boujte  non  burgages,25  be  je  ful  certeyne. 
Ac  Mede  pe  mayde  pe  maire  hath  bisougte, 
Of  alle  suche  sellers  sylver  to  take, 

25      Or  presentz  withoute  pens,  as  peces  of  silver, 

Ringes,  or  other  ricchesse,  pe  regrateres  to  maynetene : 
'  For  my  love,'  quod  that  lady,  '  love  hem  uch  one, 
And  soffre  hem  to  selle  somdele 2e  ajeins  resoun.' 


1  lest  perchance  n  mayors,  magistrates  20  grow  rich 

2  natural  disposition  12  mace-bearers  (officers  of    21  selling  retail 
8  expenses  the  courts)  22  stomach 

*  who  really  owned  the  property    ls  intermediaries  ^  if  they  took  in  money 

6  teach  14  stools  of  punishment  24  would  not  build 

6  cry  after,  send  for  15  brewers  2o  town-dwellings 

7  Matt.  6. 2  is  bakers  26  somewhat 

8  Matt.  6. 3  !"  in  small  quantities 

9  early  18  buy 

i«  bids  19  secretly 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  343 

Salamon  pe  sage  a  sarmoun  he  made, 
For  to  amende  maires,  and  men  pat  kepen  lawes, 
And  tolde  hem  pis  teme,1  fat  I  telle  thynke : 

Ignis  devorabit  tabernacula  eorum  qni  libenter  accipiunt  munera,  etc.2 
Amonge  pis  lettered  ledes,3  pis  Latyn  is  to  mene  5 

That  fyre  shal  falle,  and  brenne  al  to  bio  askes  4 
The  houses  and  pe  homes  of  hem  pat  desireth 
^iftes  or  jeres-jyves 5  bicause  of  here  offices. 

The  kynge  fro  conseille  cam,  and  called  after  Mede, 
And  of  sent6  hir  alswythe7  with  serjauntes  manye,  10 

That  broujten  hir  to  bowre  with  blisse  and  with  joye. 
Curteisliche  pe  kynge  panne  comsed 8  to  telle  — 
To  Mede  pe  mayde  melleth 9  pise  wordes : 
'  Unwittily,  womman,  wroujte  hastow  oft, 

Ac  worse  wroujtestow  nevre  pan  po10  pow  Fals  toke11;  15 

But  I  forgyve  pe  pat  gilte,  and  graunte  pe  my  grace ; 
Hennes  to  pi  deth-day  do  so  na  more. 
I  have  a  knyjte,  Conscience,  cam  late  fro  bijunde 12 ; 
<^if  he  wilneth  pe  to  wyf,  wyltow  hym  have  ? ' 

'  £e,  lorde,'  quod  pat  lady, .'  Lorde  forbede  elles  !  20 

But 18  I  be  holely  at  jowre  heste,  lat  hange  u  me  sone  I ' 

And  panne  was  Conscience  calde  to  come  and  appiere 
Bifor  pe  kynge  and  his  conseille,  as  clerkes  and  othere. 
Knelynge,  Conscience  to  pe  kynge  louted,15 

To  wite  what  his  wille  were,  and  what  he  do  shulde.  25 

'  Woltow  wedde  pis  womman,'  quod  pe  kynge,  '  jif  I  wil  assente  — 
For  she  is  f ayne  of  pi  f elawship  —  for  to  be  pi  make 16  ? ' 

Quod  Conscience  to  pe  kynge :  '  Cryst  it  me  forbede  ! 
Ar 1T  I  wedde  suche  a  wyf,  wo  me  bityde ! 
For  she  is  frele 18  of  hir  feith,  fykel  of  here  speche,  30 

1  text,  theme  1  as  quickly  as  possible  H  have  me  hanged 

2  Job  15.  34  8  began  15  made  obeisance 
8  persons                                                9  speaks  le  mate 

4  livid  ashes  10  when  17  before 

5  New  Year's  gifts  (extorted  n  took  to  thee  Falsehood  18  frail 

as  bribes)  12  across  the  sea 

6  sent  after  18  except 


344  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

And  maketh  men  mysdo  many  score  tymes ; 

Truste  of  hire  tresore  treieth *  f ul  manye. 

Wyves  and  widewes  wantounes  she  techeth,2 

And  lereth 8  hem  leccherye  that  loveth  hire  jiftes. 
5  ^owre  fadre  she  felled  forw  fals  biheste, 

And  hath  apoysounde  Popis,4  and  peired  5  Holi  Cherche. 

Is  naujt  a  better  baude,  bi  hym  fat  me  made, 

Bitwene  hevene  and  helle  —  in  erthe  though  men  sougte.  .  .  . 

Sisoures 6  and  sompnoures 7  —  suche  men  hir  preiseth  ; 
10  Shireves  of  shires  were  shent  jif  she  nere,8 

For  she  dof  men  lese  here  londe  and  here  lyf  bothe. 

She  leteth  passe  prisoneres,  and  payeth  for  hem  ofte, 

And  gyveth  J>e  gailers  golde  and  grotes 9  togideres, 

To  unfettre  fe  fals  —  fle  where  hym  lyketh  I 
15  And  take))  fe  trewe  bi  )>e  toppe,10  and  tieth  hym  faste, 

And  hangeth  hym  for  hatred  fat  harme  dede  nevre. 

To  be  cursed  in  consistorie  she  counteth  noujte  a  russhe ; 

For  she  copeth  u  fe  comissarie,  and  coteth 12  his  clerkis ; 

She  is  assoilled 18  as  sone  as  hirself  liketh, 
20  And  may  neije  as  moche  do  in  a  moneth  one 14 

As  jowre  secret  seel  in  syx  score  dayes. 

For  she  is  prive 16  with  f  e  Pope  —  provisoures le  it  knoweth  — 

For  Sire  Symonye  and  hirselve  seleth 17  hire  bulles. 
She  blesseth  jrise  bisshopes,  feige  fey  be  lewed, 
25  Provendreth  persones,18  and  prestes  meynteneth 

To  have  lemmannes  and  lotebies 19  alle  here  lifdayes, 

And  bringen  forth  bames  ajein  forbode 20  lawes. 

There  she  is  wel  with  be  kynge  wo  is  fe  rewme, 

1  betrays  8  would  be  lost  if  it  were  not  16  intimate 

2  teaches  to  be  for  her  16  provisors  (persons  named 
8  teaches  » groats  by  the  Pope  for  a  living 
4  poisoned  Popes  10  top,  head  not  vacant) 

6  injured  u  provides  a  cope  for  l~  seal 

6  jurymen  12  provides  coats  for  18  supports  parsons 

"  summoners  J8  absolved  W  concubines 

14  by  herself  2°  prohibitive 

5.    gowre  fadre:   probably  Edward  II,  father  of  Edward  III  (king  at  the 
time  the  first  version  was  written). 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  345 

For  she  is  favorable  to  Fals,1  and  fouleth  Trewthe  ofte. 

Bi  Jesus,  with  here  jeweles  jowre  justices  she  shendeth,2 

And  lith 3  ajein  f  e  lawe,  and  letteth  hym  ]>e  gate  * 

That  Feith  may  noujte  have  his  forth,6  here 6  floreines  go  so  fikke. 

She  ledeth  J>e  lawe  as  hire  list,  and  love-dayes 7  maketh,  5 

And  doth  men  lese  f orw  hire  love  fat  lawe  myjte  wynne  — 

J>e  mase 8  for  a  mene  man,  f  ouj  he  mote 9  evre.10 

Lawe  is  so  lordeliche,  and  loth  to  make  ende, 

Withoute  presentz  or  pens  she  pleseth  wel  fewe. 

Barounes  and  burgeys  she  bryngeth  in  sorwe,  I0 

And  alle  ]>e  comune  in  kare  fat  coveyten  lyve  n  in  trewthe, 
For  Clergye 12  and  Coveitise 13  she  coupleth  togideres. 
J>is  is  fe  lyf  of  that  lady  —  now  Lorde  jif  hir  sorwe, 
And  alle  that  meynteneth  here  men,  meschaunce  hem  bityde ! 
For  pore  men  mowe  have  no  powere  to  pleyne  u  hem,  f  ouj  J?ei  smerte,  1 5 
Suche  a  maistre  is  Mede  amonge  men  of  gode.' 


GLUTTONY 

Now  bigynneth  Gloutoun 15  for  to  go  to  schrifte, 
And  kaires  hym 16  to  kirkeward,17  his  coupe 18  to  schewe ; 
Ac  Beton  fe  brewestere  bad  hym  good  morwe, 

And  axed  of  hym  with  fat  whiderward  he  wolde.  20 

'  To  Holi  Cherche,'  quod  he,  '  for  to  here  masse, 
And  sithen 19  I  wil  be  shryven,  and  synne  na  more.' 
'  I  have  gode  ale,  gossib,'  quod  she ;  '  Glotown,  wiltow  assaye  ? ' 
'  Hastow  aujte  in  ]> i  purs 20  ?  —  any  hote  spices  ? ' 

'  I  have  peper  and  piones,21 '  quod  she,  '  and  a  pounde  of  garlike,     25 
A  ferthyngworth  of  fenel-seed  for  fastyng-dayes.' 

IMS.  the  fals  8  disappointment  18  repairs  him 

2  destroys  «  plead,  argue  17  to  church ;  cf .  (A.V.)  2  Cor. 

8  lies  10  MS.  hir  evre  1. 12  ;  i  Thess.  1.8 

4  hinders  him  the  way  u  desire  to  live  18  guilt,  sin 

5  egress  12  Learning  19  afterwards 

6  her  18  Avarice  20  pouch,  wallet 
r  days  for  holding  court,  and  1*  make  complaint  2l  peony-seeds 

settling  differences  16  Glutton 


346 


RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 


panne  goth  Glotoun  in,  and  grete  othes  after ; 
Cesse l  J>e  souteresse 2  sat  on  )>e  benche, 
Watte  J>e  warner 8  and  hys  wyf  bothe, 
Tymme  }»e  tynkere,  and  tweyne  of  his  prentis,4 
Hikke  }>e  hakeneyman,5  and  Hughe  |>e  nedeler,6 
Clarice  of  Cokkeslane,7  and  }>e  clerke  of  }>e  cherche, 
Dawe  )>e  dykere,8  and  a  dozeine  other ; 
Sire  Piers  of  Pridie,  and  Peronelle 9  of  Flaundres, 
A  ribibour,10  a  ratonere,11  a  rakyer  of  Chepe,12 
A  ropere,13  a  redyngkyng,14  and  Rose  fe  dissheres,15 
Godfrey  of  Garlekehithe,16  and  Gryfin  )>e  Walshe,17 
And  upholderes 18  an  hepe  erly  bi  ]>e  monve 
Geven  Glotoun  with  glad  chere  good  ale  to  hansel.19 

Clement  )>e  cobelere  cast  of  *°  his  cloke, 
And  atte  new  f aire 21  he  nempned  22  it  to  selle ; 
Hikke  ]>e  hakeneyman  hitte  28  his  hood  after, 
And  badde  Bette  24  J>e  bochere  ben  on  his  side. 
f»ere  were  chapmen  ychose  )>is  chaff  are  to  preise  ^  ; 
Whoso  haveth  fe  hood  shuld  have  amendes  of  J>e  cloke. 
Two  risen  up  in  rape,26  and  rouned  v  togideres, 
And  preised  fese  penyworthes  apart  bi  hemselve ; 
J>ei  couth  noujte  bi  her  conscience  acorden28  in  treuthe, 
Tyl  Robyn  \>e  ropere  arose  bi  ]>e  southe, 
And  nempned  hym  for  a  noumpere  w  —  fat  no  debate  nere  — 


1  short  for  Cicely,  or  Cecilia 

2  woman  shoemaker 

3  gamekeeper 

4  apprentices 

5  man  who  keeps  horses  for 

hire 

6  needle-seller 

"  a  region  occupied  by  women 
of  ill  repute 

8  ditcher 

9  a  proverbial  name  for  a  gaily 

dressed,  bold-faced  woman 
10  player  on  the  rebeck 


11  rat-catcher 

12  street-sweeper  of  Cheap- 

side 

13  rope-maker 

14  retainer 

15  dish-seller 

16  a  region  on  the  bank  of 

the  Thames  where  gar 
lic  was  sold 

17  Welshman 

18  furniture-brokers 

19  as  an  earnest  or  pledge 

(to  propitiate  him) 


20  off 

21  at  the  new  fair  (to  chaffer 

at    the    new   fair  =  to 
exchange) 

22  named 

23  threw  down 

24  Bartholomew 

25  appraise,  value 

26  haste 

27  whispered 

28  agree 

29  an  umpire 


i.   in :  Skeat  suggests  that  the  scene  may  be  the  Boar's  Head,  in  Eastcheap 
(cf.  King  Henry  IV). 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  347 

For  to  trye  pis  chaffare  bitwixen  hem  pre. 

Hikke  pe  hostellere1  hadde  pe  cloke, 

In  covenaunte  J>at  Clement  shulde  pe  cuppe  fille, 

And  have  Hikkes  hode  hostellere,2  and  holde  hym  yserved  8 ; 

And  whoso  repented  rathest 4  shulde  arise  after,  5 

And  grete  Sire  Glotoun  with  a  galoun  ale. 

J»ere  was  laughyng  and  louryng,5  and  '  Let  go  pe  cuppe ! ' 
And  seten  so  til  evensonge,  and  songen  umwhile,6 
Tyl  Glotoun  had  yglobbed 7  a  galoun  an  a  jille.8  .  .  . 

He  myjte  neither  steppe  ne  stonde  er  he  his  staffe  hadde ;        10 
And  panne  gan  he  go  liche  a  glewmannes  bicche,9 
Somme  tyme  aside,  and  somme  tyme  arrere,10 
/  As  whoso  leyth  lynes  for  to  lacche  foules.11 
'    And  whan  he  drowgh  to  pe  dore,  panne  dymmed  his  eighen ; 

He  stumbled  on  J>e  thresshewolde,  an  threwe12  to  pe  erthe.  15 

Clement  pe  cobelere  caujte  hym  bi  pe  myddel, 

For  to  lifte  hym  alofte,  and  leyde  him  on  his  knowes.13.  .  . 

With  al  pe  wo  of  pis  worlde,  his  wyf  and  his  wenche 
Baren  hym  home  to  his  bedde,  and  broujte  hym  perinne ; 
And  after  al  pis  excesse,  he  had  an  accidie,14  20 

J»at  he  slepe  Saterday  and  Sonday  til  sonne  jede  15  to  reste. 
J>anne  waked  he  of  his  wynkyng,16  and  wiped  his  eyghen ; 
J?e  fyrste  worde  pat  he  warpe 17  was :  '  Where  is  pe  bolle 18  ? ' 
His  wif  gan  edwite 19  hym  po  how  wikkedlich  he  lyved, 
And  Repentance  rijte  so  rebuked  hym  pat  tyme.  25 

1  an  innkeeper  (who  also  let  6  at  intervals  u  fit  of  sloth 

horses  for  hire ;   cf.  346  7  gulped  down  15  went 

5, 16)  8  gill  16  slumber 

2  the    hood    of    Hikke    the  9  a  (blind)  minstrel's  dog  17  uttered 

innkeeper  10  backwards  18  cup,  bowl 

3  contented  n  catch  birds  19  reproach 
<  soonest                                                   **  fell 

5  scowling  18  knees 


348  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

SLOTH  THE  PARSON 

~£ 

panne  come  Sleuthe l  al  bislabered,2  with  two  slymy  eijen, 

1 1  most  sitte,'  seyde  ]>e  segge,8  '  or  elles  shulde  I  nappe ; 
I  may  noujte  stonde  ne  stoupe,  ne  withoute  a  stole 4  knele. 
Were  I  broujte  abedde,  .  .  . 

5   Sholde  no  ryngynge  do  me  ryse  ar  I  were  rype  to  dyne.' 
He  bygan  '  Benedicite '  with  a  bolke,5  and  his  brest  knocked, 
And  roxed 6  and  rored,  and  rutte 7  atte  laste. 

'  What !  awake,  renke 8 ! '  quod  Repentance, '  and  rape 9  fe  to  shrifte.1 
'  If  I  shulde  deye  bi 10  pis  day,  me  liste  n  noujte  to  loke ; 

10  I  can  noujte  perfitly  my  Pater  Noster,  as  ]>e  prest  it  syngeth, 
But  I  can  rymes  of  Robyn  Hood,  and  Randolf  Erie  of  Chestre,12 
Ac  neither  of  owre  Lorde  ne  of  owre  Lady,  )>e  leste  fat  evere  was  made. 

I  have  made  vowes  fourty,  and  forjete  hem  on  J> e  morne ; 
I  parfourned 18  nevere  penaunce,  as  be  prest  me  hijte, 

1 5  Ne  ry jte  sori  for  my  synnes  jet  was  I  nevere ; 
And  jif  I  bidde  any  bedes,14  but-if  it  be  in  wrath, 
J>at  I  telle  with  my  tonge  is  two  myle  fro  myne  herte. 
I  am  occupied  eche  day  —  haliday  and  other  — 
With  ydel  tales  atte  ale,  and  otherwhile  in  cherches ; 

20  Goddes  peyne  and  his  passioun  —  ful  selde  )>ynke  I  bereon. 
I  visited  nevere  fieble  men,  ne  fettered  folke  in  puttes 15 ; 
I  have  levere  here  an  harlotrie,16  or  a  somer-game  of  souteres,17 
Or  lesynges 18  to  laughe  at,  and  belye  my  neighbore, 
J>an  al  fat  evere  Marke  made,  Mathew,  John,  and  Lucas ; 

25  And  vigilies  and  fastyng-dayes  —  alle  bise  late  I  passe,19 

And  ligge  abedde  in  Lenten,  an[d]  my  lemman  in  myn  armes, 
Tyl  matynes  and  masse  be  do,  and  panne  go  to  be  freres ; 

1  sloth  8  man  15  dungeons 

2  bedabbled  9  hasten  16  a  tale  of  harlotry 

8  creature  1°  within  1"  summer-game    played    by 

4  stool  11  would  please  shoemakers,  consisting  of 

6  belch  12  1181-1231  athletic  sports,  etc. 

6  stretched  himself  18  performed  18  lying  tales 

7  snored  n  offer  any  petitions  19  I  let  pass,  pay  no  heed  to 

n.  Robyn  Hood  :  the  earliest  mention  of  him. 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  349 

Come  I  to  '  Ite,  missa  est,' *  I  holde  me  yserved.2 

I  nam  noujte  shry ven  some  tyme  —  but-if  sekenesse  it  make  3  — 

Noujt  tweies  in  two  jere,  and  fanne  up  gesse 4  I  schryve  me. 

I  have  be  5  prest  and  persoun  passynge  thretti  wynter, 
^ete  can  I  neither  solfe 6  ne  synge,  ne  seyntes  lyves  rede ;  5 

But  I  can  fynde  in  a  felde  or  in  a  fourlonge 7  an  hare, 
Better  fan  in  Beatus  vir 8  or  in  Beati  omnes 9 
Construe  oon  clause  wel,  and  kenne 10  it  to  my  parochienes. 
I  can  holde  love-dayes,  and  here  a  reves  rekenynge, 
Ac  in  canoun  n  ne  in  )?e  decretales 12  I  can  noujte  rede  a  lyne.  10 

<5if  I  bigge 18  and  borwe 14  it  —  but-jif  it  be  y tailled 15  — 
I  forjete  it  as  jerne 16 ;  and  jif  men  me  it  axe 
Sixe  sithes  or  sevene,  I  forsake  n  it  with  othes, 
And  fus  tene 18  I  trewe  men  ten  hundreth  tymes. 

And  my  servauntz  —  some  tyme  her  salarye  is  bihynde  ;  1 5 

Reuthe 19  is  to  here  J>e  rekenynge  whan  we  shal  rede  acomptes ; 
So  with  wikked  wille  and  wraththe  my  werkmen  I  paye. 

^if  any  man  doth  me  a  benfait,  or  helpeth  me  at  nede, 
I  am  unkynde  ajein  20  his  curteisye,  and  can  noujte  understonde  it ; 
For  I  have  and  have  hadde  somedele 21  haukes  maneres  :  20 

I  nam  noujte  lured  with  love,  but  fere  ligge 22  aujte 28  under  fe  thombe. 
The  kyndenesse  fat  myne  evene-Cristene 24  kidde  me  fernyere,25 
Sixty  sythes  I,  Sleuthe,  have  forjete  it  sith ; 
In  speche  and  in  sparynge  of  speche  yspilte 26  many  a  tyme 
Bo  the  flesche  and  fissche,  and  many  other  vitailles,  25 

Bothe  bred  and  ale,  butter,  melke,  and  chese  — 
Forsleuthed 27  in  my  servyse,  til  it  myjte  serve  no  man. 

I  ran  aboute  in  jouthe,  and  jaf  me  noujte  to  lerne, 
And  evere  sith  have  be  beggere,  for  my  foule  sleuthe ; 

1  the  closing  words  of  the  mass  n  canon  law  2°  in  response  to 

2  satisfied  12  decretals  —  a  collection  21  to  some  extent 

3  unless  sickness  bring  it  about  of  Popes' edicts  22  lie 

4  by  guesswork  13  buy  anything  w  The  lure  was  often  baited 

5  been  14  give  a  pledge  for  it  with  meat 

6  sol-fa,  i.e.  sing  by  note  15  marked  on  a  tally  24  fellow-Christian 

1  lot  (of  land)  16  quickly  (as  may  be)  25  showed  me  formerly 

8  Ps.  i  or  112  17  deny  26  wasted 

9  Ps.  128  18  injure  27  wasted  by  carelessness 

10  explain  1*  pity 


350  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Heu  michi,  quod  sterilem  vitam  duxi  juvenilem  ! ' 
'  Repentestow  f  e  naujte  ? '  quod  Repentance,  and  rijte  with  fat  he 
swowned, 

Til  Vigilate,1  f  e  veille,2  fette 8  water  at  his  eyjen, 

And  flatte  4  it  on  his  face,  and  faste  on  hym  criede, 
5   And  seide :  '  Ware  f  e  fram  Wanhope,6  wolde 6  fe  bitraye  1 

"  I  am  sori  for  my  synnes  "  —  sey  so  to  fiselve, 

And  bete  fiselve  on  )>e  breste,  and  bidde  hym7  of  grace; 

For  is  no  gult 8  here  so  grete  fat  his  goodnesse  nys  more.' 

Jeanne  sat  Sleuthe  up,  and  seyned 9  hym  swithe,10 
10  And  made  avowe  tofore11  God  for  his  foule  sleuthe : 

'  Shal  no  Sondaye  be  pis  sevene  jere  —  but  sykenesse  it  lette ia  — 

)?at  I  ne  shal  do 18  me  er  day  to  f  e  dere  cherche, 

And  heren  matines  and  masse,  as  I  a  monke  were ; 

Shal  none  ale 14  after  mete  holde  me  ]> ennes 
1 5  Tyl  I  have  evensonge  herde,  I  behote  to  f  e  rode.15 

And  jete  wil  I  gelde  ajein 16  —  if  I  so  moche  have  — 

Al  fat  I  wikkedly  wan  sithen  I  wytte  hadde. 

And  ]> ough  my  liflode  lakke,17  leten  I  nelle 18 

j?at  eche  man  ne  shal  have  his,  ar  I  hennes  wende ; 
20  And  with  f  e  residue  and  ]> e  remenaunt,  bi  f  e  Rode  of  Chestre  1 

I  shal  seke  treuthe  arst,19  ar  I  se  Rome ! ' 

PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN 

Now  is  Perkyn  ^  and  his  pilgrymes  to  f  e  plowe  faren  21 ; 
To  erie  **  f  is  halve-acre  holpyn  hym  manye. 
Dikeres  and  delveres  digged  up  f  e  balkes 2S  ; 
•>5  j?erewith  was  Perkyn  apayed,24  and  preysed  hem  faste. 
Other  werkemen  fere  were  fat  wroujten  ful  jerne,25 

1  Cf.  Mk.  13.  37  10  quickly  19  first 

2  watcher  n  before  2°  little  Piers  (Peterkin) 
8  fetched                                  12  prevent                                  21  gone 

*  dashed  18  betake  22  plow 

6  despair  H  alehouse  23  ridges  of  land  left  unplowed 

6  who  would  15  vow  to  the  cross  **  pleased 

"  God  is  repay  26  zealously 

8  guilt,  sin  l?  means  of  living  fail 

9  signed  (crossed)  is  cease  I  will  not 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN  35 1 

Eche  man'  in  his  manere  made  hymself  to  done, 

And  some,  to  plese  Perkyn,  piked  up  J>e  wedes. 

At  heighe  pryme l  Peres  lete  fe  plowe  stonde, 

To  oversen  hem  hymself ;  and  whoso  best  wroujte, 

He  shulde  be  huyred  perafter,  whan  hervest-tyme  come.  5 

And  Jeanne  seten  somme,  and  songen  atte  nale,2 
And  hulpen  erie  his  half  acre  with  '  How  !  trolli-lolli ! ' 
'  Now,  bi  ]> e  peril  of  my  soule  ! '  quod  Pieres  al  in  pure  tene  8  : 
'  But  56  arise  }>e  rather,4  and  rape 5  50  w  to  worche, 
Shal  no  greyne  pat  groweth  glade  jow  at  nede ;  10 

And  ]>ough  je  deye  for  dole,  )>e  devel  have  fat  reccheth 6 ! ' 

Tho  were  faitoures 7  aferde,  and  feyned  hem  blynde, 
Somme  leyde  here  legges  aliri,8  as  suche  loseles  conneth,9 
•And  made  her  mone  to  Pieres,  and  preyde  hym  of  grace : 
'  For  we  have  no  lymes  to  laboure  with,  lorde,  ygraced  be  je !  15 

Ac  we  preye  for  jow,  Pieres,  and  for  jowre  plow  bothe, 
J>at  God  of  his  grace  jowre  grayne  multiplye, 
And  jelde  gow  of 10  <z;owre  almesse  pat  56  jive  us  here ; 
For  we  may  nougte  swynke  ne  swete,  suche  sikenesse  us  eyleth.' 
'  If  it  be  soth,'  quod  Pieres,  '  pat  je  seyne,  I  shal  it  sone  asspye  1          20 
^e  ben  wastoures,11  I  wote  wel,  and  Treuthe  wote  pe  sothe ! 
And  I  am  his  olde  hyne,12  and  hijte  hym  to  warae 
Which  pei  were  in  pis  worlde  his  werkemen  appeyred.18 
^e  wasten  pat  men  wynnen  with  travaille  and  with  tene, 
Ac  Treuthe  shal  teche  jow  his  teme  to  dryve,  25 

Or  ;e  shal  ete  barly  bred,  and  of  pe  broke  drynke ; 
But  if  he  be  blynde  or  broke-legged,  or  bolted  with  yrnes,14 
He  shal  ete  whete  bred,  and  drynke  with  myselve, 
Tyl  God  of  his  goodnesse  amendement  hym  sende. 
Ac  je  myjte  travaille  as  Treuthe  wolde,  and  take  mete  and  huyre        30 
To  kepe  kyne 1S  in  pe  felde,  pe  corne  fro  pe  bestes, 

1  Probably  about  9  A.M.     7  vagabonds  12  servant 

2  at  their  ale  8  crosswise  13  those  who  in  this  world  de- 
8  vexation,  grief                  9  wretched  idlers  know  how  moralized  his  workmen 

<  more  quickly  to  do  14  supported  with  iron  supports 

5  haste  10  requite  you  for  16  cattle 

6  take  him  who  cares        n  spendthrifts 


352  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Diken  or  delven,  or  dyngen 1  uppon  sheves,2 

Or  helpe  make  morter,  or  here  mukke  afelde. 

In  lecherye  and  in  losengerye 8  je  lyven,  and  in  sleuthe  — 

And  al  is  forw  suffrance  fat  venjaunce  jow  ne  taketh. 

5  Ac  ancres  and  heremytes,  fat  eten  nojt  but  at  nones,4 
And  na  more  er  morwe,6  myne  almesse  shul  f  ei  have, 
And  of  my  catel 6  to  cope  hem  with  fat  han  cloistres  and  cherches. 
Ac  Robert  Renneaboute  shal  nowjte  have  of  myne, 
Ne  posteles,7  but8  fey  preche  conne,  and  have  powere 9  of  fe  bisschop ; 

10  They  shal  have  payne 10  and  potage,  and  make  hemself  at  ese, 

For  it  is  an  unresonable  religioun  fat  hath  rijte  noujte  of  certeyne.11 ' 

PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN'S  CREED 

Among  the  poems  which  owe  their  origin  to  Piers  Plowman  is  Piers  the 
Plowman's  Creed,  written  by  an  unknown  author  soon  after  1393.  It  runs  thus  : 
An  unlearned  man  who  has  got  by  heart  the  Paternoster  and  Ave  Maria, 
wishes  also  to  know  the  Creed,  and  seeks  a  teacher.  He  applies  in  turn  to 
friars  of  each  of  the  four  orders.  Each  rails  at  the  other  orders,  and  promises 
that  the  questioner  shall  be  saved  without  knowledge  of  the  Creed,  if  he 
contribute  to  the  expenses  of  the  monastery.  The  man  leaves  them  with 
indignation  at  their  magnificent  buildings  and  luxurious  lives,  and  finally 
comes  upon  a  poor  plowman,  who  joins  him  in  invective  against  friars  of  all 
orders.  Skeat  suggests  that  the  keynote  of  the  poem  is  to  be  found  at  the 
beginning  of  Passus  9  (A),  8  (B),  u  (C)  of  Piers  Plowman. 

This  poem  was  first  printed  in  1553.  Our  text,  however,  is  taken,  not  from 
that  of  1553,  but  from  Skeat's  edition  (E.E.T.S.  30)  of  MS.  Camb.  Trin.  Coll. 
R.  3. 1 5  (adopting  Skeat's  emendations  without  comment),  which,  though  later 
than  1553,  he  concludes  to  be  based  on  a  much  earlier  manuscript.  Our 
selections  embrace  lines  98-137,  153-242,  420-42,  546-64,  719-61,  and  775-8. 

*  Alas !  frere,'  quaf  I  fo,12 '  my  purpos  is  ifailed ; 
Now  is  my  counfort  acast.18   Canstou  no  bote 14  — 
Where  Y  myjte  meten  wif  a  man  fat  myjte  me  wissen 15 
1 5          For  to  conne  my  crede,  Crist  for  to  folwen  ? ' 

1  thresh  6  substance  "  has  no  established  order 

2  sheaves  7  apostles  12  then 

»  lying,  flattering  8  unless  18  cast  away,  lost 

4  noon  9  license  w  do  you  know  no  remedy 

"8  till  the  next  morning  10  bread,  food  16  teach 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN'S  CREED  353 

'  Certeyne,  felawe,'  qua)>  ]>e  frere,  '  wipouten  any  faile : 
Of  all  men  opon  mold,  we  Menures l  most  schewep 
}?e  pure  apostelles  life,  wi)>  penaunce  on  erpe, 
And  suen 2  hem  in  sanctite,  and  suffren  well  harde. 
We  haunten  none  tavernes,  ne  hobelen ®  abouten  ;  5 

At  marketts  and  myracles  4  we  medle)?  us  nevere ; 
We  hondlen  no  money,  but  menelich 8  faren, 
And  haven  hunger  at  the  meate  —  at  ich  a  mel  ones. 
We  haven  forsaken  the  worlde,  and  in  wo  lybbe}>,6 
In  penaunce  and  poverte ;  and  prechej)  }>e  puple,  10 

By  ensample  of  oure  life,  soules  to  helpen ; 
And  in  povertie  praien  for  all  oure  parteners 7 
J>at  3yve}>  us  any  good,  God  to  honouren  — 
O)>er  bell,  o}>er  booke,  or  breed  to  our  fode, 

Other  catell,8  oper  cloth  to  coveren  wi]>  our  bones,9  15 

Money,  or  money-worthe  —  here  mede 10  is  in  heven. 
For  we  buldej?  a  burwj,11  a  brod  and  a  large : 
A  chirche  and  a  chapaile,  with  chambres  alofte, 
Wij>  wide  windowes  ywrougt,  and  walles  wel  heye, 
Ipat  mote  bene  portreid  and  paynt,  and  pulched 12  ful  clene ;          20 
With  gaie  glittering  glas,  glowing  as  ]> e  sonne ; 
And,  myjtestou  amenden  us  wi}>  money  of  ]>yn  owne, 
J>ou  chuldest  cnely 18  bifore  Crist  in  compas 14  of  gold, 
In  ]>e  wide  windowe  westwarde  —  wel  nije  in  the  myddell  — 
And  Seynt  Fraunces  himself  schall  f olden  the  in  his  cope,  25 

And  presente  the  to  the  Trynitie,  and  praie  for  thy  synnes ; 
J>i  name  schall  noblich  ben  wryten  and  wroujt,  for  the  nones,15 
And,  in  remembrance  of  ]>e,  yrade  16  per  for  ever. 
And,  broker,  be  )>ou  noujt  aferd ;  bythenk  in  thyn  herte ; 
f>ouj  }>ou  conne  noujt  pi  crede,  kare  \>ou  no  more ;  30 

1  Minorites  7  those  who  share  with  us  18  kneel 

2  follow  8  property,  goods  14  circle,  ring ;  with  this  whole 
s  loaf  »  our  bones  with  passage    compare    Piers 
*  miracle-plays  w  their  reward  Plowman,  341  23-26 

6  meanly  n  large  convent  (lit.  borough)  15  for  the  occasion 

6  live  12  polished  le  read 


354  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

I  schal  asoilen l  \>e,  syre,  and  setten  it  on  my  soule, 

And  ]>ou  maie  maken  f  is  good  ;  fenk  fou  non  ofer.2 ' 
'  Sire,'  Y  saide,  '  in  certaine  Y  schal  gon  and  asaye.' 

And  he  sette  on  me  his  honde,  and  asoilede  me  clene ; 
5  And  f  eir  Y  parted  him  fro,  wif  outen  any  peine ; 

In  covenant  fat  Y  come  a^en,  Crist  he  me  betaujte.8 .  .  . 

f»anne  foujt  Y  to  f rayne 4  f e  first 5  of  f  is  foure  ordirs, 

And  presede 6  to  f  e  prechoures  to  proven 7  here  wille. 

Ich  hijede s  to  her  house  to  herken  of  more, 
10  And  whan  Y  cam  to  fat  court,  Y  gaped  aboute. 

Swich  a  bild 9  bold,  ybuld  opon  erf  e  hergte,10 

Say  u  I  nougt  in  certeine  siff  e  a  longe  tyme. 

Y  jemede 12  upon  fat  house,  and  geme 18  f  eron  loked, 

Whouj  u  f  e  pileres  weren  ypeynt  and  pulched  ful  clene, 
1 5  And  queynteli  icorven  wif  curiouse  knottes,15 

Wif  wyndowes  well  ywroujt,  wide  up  olofte. 
And  ]> anne  Y  entrid  in  and  evenforf le  went, 

And  all  was  walled  fat  wone,17  fouj  it  wid  were, 

Wif  posternes  in  pry vytie 18  to  pasen 19  when  hem  liste., 
20  Orchejardes  and  erberes  "  evesed 21  well  clene, 

And  a  curious  cros  craftly  entayled,22 

Wif  tabernacles 28  yti^t 24  to  toten  m  all  abouten. 

J>e  pris 26  of  a  ploujlond,  of  v  penyes  so  rounde, 

To  aparaile  28  fat  pyler  were  pure  *  lytel. 
25  J>anne  Y  munte80  me  forf  fe  mynstre  to  knowen, 

And  awaytede  a  woon 81  wonderlie  well  ybeld,82 

1  absolve  u  gazed  attentively        &  cells 

2  no  otherwise  18  eagerly  24  fixed,  arranged 
«  he  commended  me  to  Christ           w  how  K  spy 

*  question  15  bosses  26  price 

6  the  Dominicans  16  straight  ahead  2?  in 

«  pressed  forward,  hastened  w  dwelling-place  &  furnish  forth,  provide  for 

7  make  trial  of  18  private  posterns          29  very 

« hied  me  19  go  out  &*  ventured 

9  building  x  gardens  81  perceived  a  building 

1°  a  height  of  earth,  an  elevation  21  bordered  82  built 

11  saw  22  carved 

8.   prechoures :  the  Dominicans  were  called  Preachers. 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN'S  CREED  355 

Wif  arches  on  everiche  half,1  and  belliche 2  ycorven, 

Wif  crochetes 8  on  corners  wif  knottes  of  golde, 

Wyde  wyndowes  ywroujt,  ywritten  full  fikke,4 

Schynen  wif  schapen  scheldes 5  to  schewen  aboute, 

Wif  merkes 6  of  marchauntes  ymedled 7  bytwene,  5 

Mo  fan  twenty  and  two  twyes  ynoumbred. 

J>er  is  none  heraud  8  fat  haf  half  swich  a  rolle  — 

Rijt  as  a  rageman 9  hadde 10  rekned  hem  newe. 

Tombes  opon  tabernacles  tyld  opon  lofte,11 

Housed  in  hirnes 12  harde  set  abouten,  10 

Of  armede  alabaustre  clad  for  fe  nones, 

Made  upon  marbel  in  many  maner  wyse ; 

Knyghtes  in  her  conisantes 13  clad  for  }>e  nones ; 

All  it  semed  seyntes,  ysacred 14  opon  erfe, 

And  lovely  ladies  ywroujt  leyen  by  her  sydes,  15 

In  many  gay  garmentes,  fat  weren  goldbeten.13 

J>ouj  fe  tax  of  ten  jer  were  trewly  ygadered, 

Nolde  it  noust  maken  fat  hous  half,  as  Y  trowe. 

J>anne  kam  I  to  fat  cloister  and  gaped  abouten, 
Whouj  it  was  pilered  and  peynt  and  portred  well  clene,  20 

All  yhyled  wif  leed 16  lowe  to  f  e  stones, 
And  ypaved  wif  peynt  til 17  iche  poynte 18  after  of er ; 
Wif  kundites 19  of  clene  tyn 20  closed  all  aboute, 
Wif  lavoures 21  of  latun 22  lovely che  ygreithed.23 
I  trowe  fe  gaynage 24  of  fe  ground  in  a  gret  schire  25 

Nolde  aparaile  fat  place  oo  poynt  til  other  ende.25 
J>anne  was  fe  chaptire-hous  wroujt  as  a  greet  chirche, 
Corven  and  covered,  and  queyntliche  entayled,26 


1  side  11  set  up  on  high  21  lavers 

2  beautifully  12  enclosed  in  corners  22  latoun,  a  kind  of  brass 
8  crockets  13  cognizances  28  prepared 

4  with  many  inscriptions  14  sanctified,  consecrated  24  produce 

5  coats  of  arms  wrought  ig  adorned  with  beaten  gold      25  would  not  fit  out  that  place 

6  symbols,  badges  16  covered  with  lead  one  bit  towards  the  other 

7  interspersed  1'  painted  tiles  end 

8  herald  is  piece,  bit  2*  sculptured 

9  catalogue  19  conduits 
W  MS.  ha)> 


356  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Wif  semlich  selure 1  yset  on  lofte, 

As  a  Parlement  Hous  ypeynted  aboute. 

J>anne  ferd a  Y  into  fraytour,8  and  fond  fere  anof  er, 
An  halle  for  an  heyj  kinge  an  housholde  to  holden, 

5  Wif  brode  bordes 4  aboute  ybenched  8  wel  clene, 

Wif  windowes  of  glas  wroujt  as  a  chirche. 

J>anne  walkede  Y  ferrer,  and  went  all  abouten, 
And  seij  halles  ful  hyje,  and  houses  full  noble, 
Chambers  wij>  chymneyes,  and  chapells  gaie, 

10  And  kychens  for  an  hy^e  kinge  in  castells  to  holden, 

And  her  dortour 6  ydijte 7  wif  dores  ful  stronge, 
Fermery 8  and  fraitur,  with  fele  mo  houses, 
And  a 9  strong  ston  wall,  sterne  opon  heif  e,10 
Wif  gaie  garites  u  and  grete,  and  iche  hole  yglased, 

15          And  ofere  houses  ynowe  to  herberwe  ]>e  queene ; 

And  jet  fise  bilderes  wilne  beggen  a  baggful  of  wheate 
Of  a  pure  pore 12  man  fat  maie  onefe 18  paie 
Half  his  rente  in  a  jer,  and  half  ben  behynde. 
f>anne  turned  Y  ajen,  whan  Y  hadde  all  ytoted,14 

20          And  fond  in  a  freitour  a  frere  on  a  benche, 

A  greet  cherl  and  a  grym,  growen  as  a  tonne,18 

Wif  a  face  as  fat  as  a  full  bledder 

Blowen  bretfull 16  of  bref,  and  as  a  bagge  honged 17 

On  bofen  his  chekes,  and  his  chyn  wif  a  chol la  lollede,19 

25          As  greet  as  a  gos-eye,20  growen  all  of  grece ; 

)?at 21  all  wagged  his  fleche  ^  as  a  quyk  myre.28 

His  cope  fat  biclypped  M  him,  wel  clene  K  was  it  folden, 

Of  double  worstede  M  ydyjt,27  doun  to  fe  hele ; 


1  ceiling 

1°  stem  on  a  height 

19  wagged  about 

2  went 

11  garrets 

20  goose-egg 

8  the  refectory 

12  very  poor 

21  so  that 

4  tables 

!»  with  difficulty 

22  flesh 

6  furnished  with  benches 

14  observed 

28  like  a  quagmire 

6  dormitory 

is  as  large  as  a  tun 

24  covered 

7  provided 

I*  brimful 

25  neatly 

8  infirmary 

IT  it  hung 

26  Cf.  Chaucer,  Prol.  262 

»  MS.  all 

18  jowl 

97  made 

PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN'S  CREED  357 

His  kyrtel  of  clene  whiit,  clenlyche1  ysewed ; 

Hyt  was  good  ynow  of  ground  2  greyn  8  for  to  beren. 

I  haylsede 4  pat  herdeman,5  and  hendliche 6  Y  saide : 
'  Gode  syre,  for  Codes  love  canstou  me  graip 7  tellen 8 
To  any  wor)>ely  wiijt 9  pat  wissen 10  me  coupe  5 

Whou  u  Y  schulde  conne  my  crede,  Crist  for  to  folowe, 
J>at  levede  lelliche 12  himself,  and  lyvede  perafter ; 
J>at  feynede  non  falshede,  but  fully  Crist  suwede 13  ? 
For  sich  a  certeyn  man  syker  wold  Y  trosten  u 
J>at  he  wolde  telle  me  pe  trewpe,  and  turne  to  none  open  10 

And  an  Austyn  pis  ender 15  daie  egged 1G  me  faste ; 
J>at  he  wolde  techen  me  wel  he  ply^t  me  his  treupe, 
And  seyde  me  :  "  Serteyne,  sypen  Crist  died, 
Oure  ordir  was  evelles  17  and  erst 18  yfounde.".  .  .' 

And  as  Y  wente  be  pe  waie,  wepynge  for  sorowe,  15 

I  seij  a  sely 19  man  me  by  opon  pe  plow  hongen. 
His  cote  was  of  a  cloute  ^  pat  cary  21  was  y called ; 
His  hod 22  was  full  of  holes,  and  his  heer  oute ; 
Wip  his  knopped  schon,23  clouted  full  pykke,24 

His  ton  toteden  out  ^  as  he  pe  londe  treddede  ;  20 

His  hosen  overhongen  his  hokschynes 26  on  everiche  a  side, 
Al  beslobbred 2T  in  fen,28  as  he  pe  plow  folwede ; 
Twey  myteynes  m  as  mete,80  maad  all  of  cloutes  — 
)?e  fyngers  weren  forwerd,81  and  ful  of  fen  honged. 
J>is  whit82  waselede88  in  pe  fen  almost  to  ]>e  ancle;  25 

Foure  roperen 84  hym  byf orn  pat  f eble  were  worpen  M  — 

1  neatly  18  followed  24  jn  tatters 

2  texture  M  trust  25  toes  peeped  out 

8  color,  dye  Bother  26  the  under  side  of  the  thighs 

4  saluted  16  urged  ™  bedaubed;  MS.  beslombered 

5  shepherd,  pastor  17  evil-less  28  mud 

6  courteously  18  first  &  mittens 
^  readily  19  simple  8°  suitable 

8  direct  2°  a  ragged  cloth  81  worn  out 

9  worthy  person  21  name  of  a  coarse  material  82  fellow  (wight) 
10  teach  22  hood  8*  bemired  himself 
H  how  w  shoes  full    of   knobs  or  **  heifers 

12  believed  faithfully  roughnesses  ^  become 


358  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Men  myjte  reken  ich  a  ryb,1  so  reuf ull 2  fey  werea 

His  wiif  walked  him  wif,  wif  a  longe  gode,8 

In  a  cutted 4  cote 8  cutted  full  heyje, 

Wrapped  in  a  wynwe-schete 6  to  weren 7  hire  fro  weders,8 
5  Barfote  on  fe  bare  iis,  fat  ]>e  blod  folwede. 

And  at  f  e  londes 9  ende  laye  a  litell  crombolle,10 

And  feron  lay  a  litell  childe,  lapped  in  cloutes, 

And  tweyne  of  tweie  jeres  olde,  opon  anof er  syde ; 

And  alle  fey  songen  o  songe,  fat  sorwe  was  to  heren ; 
10          J>ey  crieden  alle  o  cry  —  a  carefull11  note. 

J>e  sely  man  sijede  sore,  and  seide :  '  Children,  bef  stille.' .  .  . 
Loke  nowe,  leve 12  man,  bef  noujt  f  ise  ilyke 

Fully  to  f  e  Farisens 18  in  fele  u  of  f  ise  poyntes  ? 

Al  her  brod  beldyng15  ben  belded  withe  synne, 
15  And  in  worchipe  of  J>e  werlde  her  wynnynge  fei  holden. 

J>ei  schapen  her  chapolories,16  and  strecchef  hem  brode," 

And  launcef 18  heije  her  hemmes  wif  babelyng 19  in  states ; 

J>ei  ben  ysewed  wif  whijt  silk,  and  semes  full  queynte, 

Ystongen 20  wif  stiches  fat  staref  as  silver. 
20  And  but 21  freres  ben  first  yset  at  sopers  and  at  f estes, 

J>ei  wiln  ben  wonderly  wrof ,  ywis,  as  Y  trowe ; 

But  fey  ben  at  f e  lordes  horde,  louren  M  fey  willef , 

He  mot  bygynne  fat  horde,28  a  beggere 24  —  wif  sorwe  M  !  — 

And  first  sitten  in  se  26  in  her  synagoges,27 
25  J>at  bef  here  heyje  hellehous  of  Kaymes 28  kynde ; 

For  fou5  a  man  in  her  mynster  a  masse  wolde  heren, 

His  sijt  schal  so  be  set  on  sundrye  werkes, 

1  count  each  rib  12  dear  24  beggar  that  he  is  (perhaps 

2  miserable,  sorry-looking      is  Pharisees  with  allusion  to  the  beg- 
8  goad                                       M  many  ging  friars) 

<  cut  short  16  building  25  bad  luck  to  him 

5  skirt,  petticoat  J6  scapulars  26  seat 

e  a  sheet  used  in  winnow-      1?  Matt.  23.  5-7  27  churches 

ing  corn  1*  fling  28  Cain's  (CAIM= Carmelites 

"  protect  19  babbling  Augustinians,    Jacobins, 

8  storms  2°  pricked  through  Minorites  —  the  four  or- 

•  strip's  21  unless  ders  of  friars) 

1°  crumb-bowl  22  iook  sourly 

11  full  of  misery  28  sit  at  the  head  of  the  table 


PIERS  THE  PLOWMAN'S  CREED  359 

J>e  penounes,1  and  pe  pomels,2  and  poyntes 8  of  scheldes 
Wipdrawen  his  devocion,  and  dusken 4  his  herte ; 
I  likne  it  to  a  lymjerde5  to  drawen  men  to  hell.  .  .  . 

J>ei  usen  russet 6  also,  somme  of  pis  freres, 

J>at  bitoknep  travaile  and  trewpe  opon  erpe.  5 

Bote  loke  whou  pis  lorels 7  labouren  pe  erpe, 
But  freten 8  pe  f rute  pat  pe  folk  full  lellich  biswynkep  g ; 
Wip  travail  of  trewe  men  pei  tymbren 10  her  houses, 
And  of  curious  n  elope  her  copes  pei  biggen 12 ; 
And  als 18  his  getynge  is  greet  he  schal  ben  good  holden  ;  i  o 

And  ryjt  as  dranes 14  dop  noujt  but  drynkep  up  pe  huny, 
Whan  been 15  wipe  her  bysynesse  han  broujt  it  to  hepe, 
Rijt  so  faref  freres  wip  folke  opon  erpe : 
J?ey  freten  up  ]>e  fu[r]ste  froyt,16  and  falsliche  lybbep. 
But  alle  freres  eten  noujt  ylich  good  mete,  1 5 

But  after  )>at  his  wynnynge  is,  is  his  wellfare ; 
And  after  ]>at  he  bringep  home,  his  bed  schal  ben  grayf ed 17 ; 
And  after  pat  his  rychesse  is  raust,18  he  schal  ben  redy  served. 
But  see  fiself  in  jn  si^t  whou  somme  of  hem  walkep 
Wi}>  cloutede 19  schon,  and  elopes  f ul  feble,  20 

Wei  neig  forwerd,20  and  J>e  wlon 21  offe ; 
And  his  felawe  in  a  froke  wor)>  swiche  fiftene,22 
Arayd  in  rede  sc[h]on  —  and  elles  were  reupe 23  — 
And  sexe  copes  or  seven  in  his  celle  hongep. 

f»ou5  for  fay  ling  of  good  his  fellawe  schulde  sterve,24  25 

He  wolde  noujt  lenen  ^  him  a  peny  his  liif  for  to  holden. 
Y  mijt  tymen  po  troiflardes 26  to  toilen  wip  pe  erpe, 
Tylyen,27  and  trewliche  lyven,  and  her  flech  tempren ! 


1  pennons  9  faithfully  obtain  by  labor  w  patched 

2  pommels,  bosses  1°  build  20  WOrn  out 

8  divisions  n  MS.  )>e  curious  21  borders,  hems 

4  darken,  cloud  12  fashion  (?) ;  buy  (?)  22  fifteen  of  such 

5  a  limed  twig  18  according  as  28  a  pity 

6  The  Franciscans  wore  gray  u  drones  24  die 

habits  originally,  but  later  is  bees  26  lend,  give 

russet-brown  16  first-fruits  26  compel  the  triflers 

7  good-for-nothings  17  prepared  27  till  the  ground 

8  devour  18  reached,  obtained 


360  RELIGIOUS  AND  DIDACTIC  PIECES 

Now  mot  ich  soutere l  his  sone  setten  to  schole, 

And  ich  a  beggers  brol 2  on  fe  booke  lerne, 

And  worf  to 8  a  writere,  and  wip  a  lorde  dwell, 

O)>er  falsly  to  a  frere,  ]>e  fend  for  to  serven. 

So  of  fat  beggers  brol  a  bychop  schal  worsen, 

Among  ]>e  peres  of  ]>e  lond  prese 4  to  sitten, 

And  lordes  sones  lowly  to  ]>o  losells  aloute  5 ; 

Knyjtes  croukeb 6  hem  to,  and  crucheb 7  full  lowe ; 

And  his  syre  a  soutere,  ysuled 8  in  grees, 

His  teej>  wib  toylinge  of 9  leper  tatered  as  a  sawe ! 

Alaas !  fat  lordes  of  be  londe  levep 10  swiche  wrechen, 

And  lenep  n  swiche  lorels  for  her  lowe  wordes ! 

J>ey  schulden  maken  bichopes  her  owen  brefren  childre, 

Ofer  of  some  gentil  blod,  and 12  so  it  best  semed, 

And  foster  none  faytoures,18  ne  swiche  false  freres, 

To  maken  fatt  and  full,  and  her  fleche  combren 14 1 

For  her  kynde  were  more  to  yclense  diches 

J>an  ben  to  sopers  yset  first,  and  served  wib  silver  1  ... 

For  Fraunces 16  founded  hem  nou;$t  to  faren 16  on  fat  wise, 

Ne  Domynik 17  dued 18  hem  never  swiche  drynkers  to  worfe, 

Ne  Helye 19  ne  Austen  *°  swiche  liif  never  used, 

But  in  poverte  of  spirit  spended  her  tyme. 

1  cobbler  9  tugging  at  16  do 

2  brat  1°  believe  17  Dominic,  founder  of 
8  become                                      n  enrich  the  Dominicans 

4  press  forward  !2  if  is  endowed 

5  bow  down  to  the  wretches  18  traitors,  deceivers  19  Elijah 

6  bend  down  l<  cumber,  gorge  2°  St.  Augustine 
"  crouch  15  St.  Francis  of  Assist,  founder 

8  soiled  of  the  Franciscan  order 


ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND 
MANNERS 

SONG  AGAINST  THE  FRIARS 

The  following  selection  (lines  1-84  of  the  poem)  is  reprinted  from  Wright's 
Political  Poems  and  Songs  (London,  1859)  i.  263-5.  It  *s  from  MS.  Brit.  Mus. 
Cotton  Cleopatra  B.  2,  which  Wright  assigns  to  the  year  1382. 

Preste,  ne  monke,  ne  jit  chanoun, 
Ne  no  man  of  religioun, 
Gyfen  hem  so  to  devocioun 

As  done  thes  holy  frers. 

For  summe  gyven  ham  to  chyvalry,  5 

Somme  to  riote  and  ribaudery ; 
Bot  ffrers  gyven  ham  to  grete  study, 

And  to  grete  prayers. 
Who  so  kepes  thair  reule  al, 

Bothe  in  worde  and  dede,  10 

I  am  ful  siker  that  he  shal 

Have  heven  blis  to  mede.1 

Men  may  se  by  thair  contynaunce 

That  thai  are  men  of  grete  penaunce, 

And  also  that  thair  sustynaunce  15 

Simple  is  and  wayke. 
I  have  lyved  now  fourty  jers, 
And  fatter  men  about  the  neres  2 
^it  sawe  I  never  then  are  these  frers, 

In  contreys  ther  thai  rayke.8  20 

i  as  reward  2  kidneys ;  cf.  Isa.  34. 6  8  wander  about 

361 


362       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

Meteles,1  so  megre  are  thai  made, 
And  penaunce  so  puttes  ham  doun, 

That  ichone  is  an  hors-lade,2 
When  he  shal  trusse  of  toun.8 

5  Alias,  that  ever  it  shuld  be  so, 

Suche  clerkes  as  thai  about  shuld  go, 
Fro  toun  to  toun  by  two  and  two, 

To  seke  thair  sustynaunce  1 
By  God  that  al  this  world  wan, 
jo  He  that  that  ordre  first  bygan 

Me  thynk  certes  it  was  a  man 

Of  simple  ordynaunce.4 
For  thai  have  noght  to  lyve  by, 
Thai  wandren  here  and  there, 
15  And  dele  with  dyvers  marcerye,5 

Right  as  thai  pedlers  were. 

Thai  dele  with  purses,  pynnes,  and  knyves, 
With  gyrdles,  gloves,  for  wenches  and  wyves ; 
Bot  ever  bacward  the  husband  thryves 
20  Ther  thai  are  haunted  tille.6 

For  when  the  gode  man  is  fro  hame, 
And  the  frere  comes  to  cure  dame, 
He  spares  nauther  for  synne  ne  shame 

That  he  ne  dos  his  wille. 
25  j?jif  thai  no  helpe  of  houswyves  had, 

When  husbandes  are  not  inne, 
The  freres  welfare  were  ful  bad, 
For  thai  shuld  brewe  ful  thynne. 

Somme  frers  beren  pelure 7  aboute, 
30  For  grete  ladys  and  wenches  stoute, 

1  without  meat  *  regulation,  rule  of  life  6  where  they  are  accustomed 

2  horse  load  6  mercery  (textile  goods  and  to  go 
8  pack  out  of  town                small  wares)                                7  fur 


SONG  AGAINST  THE  FRIARS  3^3 

To  reverce 1  with  thair  clothes  withoute, 

Al  after  that  thai  ere 2  — 
For  somme  vaire,8  and  somme  gryse,4 
For  somme  bugee,6  and  for  somme  byse 8 ; 
And  also  many  a  dyvers  spyse,  5 

In  bagges  about  thai  bere. 
Al  that  for  women  is  plesand 

Ful  redy  certes  have  thai ; 
Bot  lytel  gyfe  thai  the  husband, 

That  for  al  shal  pay.  10 

Trantes7  thai  can,8  and  many  a  jape9 ; 
For  somme  can  with  a  pound  of  sape 10 
Gete  him  a  kyrtelle  n  and  a  cape, 

And  somwhat  els  therto. 

Wherto  shuld  I  othes  swere?  15 

Ther  is  no  pedler  that  pak  can  bere 
That  half  so  dere  can  selle  his  gere 

As 12  a  frer  can  do. 
For  if  he  gife  a  wyfe  a  knyfe 

That  cost  bot  penys  two,  20 

Worthe  ten  knyves,  so  mot  I  thryfe, 

He  wyl  have  er  he  go. 

Iche  man  that  here  shal  lede  his  life, 

That  has  a  faire  doghter  or  a  wyfe, 

Be  war  that  no  frer  ham  shryfe,  25 

Nauther  loude  ne  stille. 
Thof  women  seme  of  hert  ful  stable, 
With  faire  byhest  and  with  fable 
Thai  can  make  thair  hertes  chaungeable, 

And  thair  likynges  fulfille.  30 

1  to  turn  back,  so  as  to  show  4  gray  fur  9  jest 

the  lining  6  lambskin  fur  10  soap 

2  plow  (?)  6  a  (brown  ?)  fur  used  for  trimming  n  mantle 

3  fur  made  from  the  skin  of  a  "  tricks  12  MS.  then 

kind  of  squirrel  8  know 


364       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

Be  war l  ay  with  the  lymitour,2 

And  with  his  felawe  bathe, 
And 8  thai  make  maystries 4  in  thi  hour, 

It  shal  turne  the  to  scathe.6 


ON  THE  MINORITE  FRIARS 

This  poem,  found  in  the  same  manuscript  as  the  preceding  one,  is  also 
reprinted  from  Wright's  Political  Poems  and  Songs  (1.268-70).  The  writer 
seems  to  be  describing  pictorial  representations. 

5          Of  thes  frer  mynours  me  thenkes  moch  wonder, 

That  waxen  are  thus  hauteyn,6  that  som  tyme  weren  under ; 
Among  men  of  holy  chirch  thai  maken  mochel  blonder 7 ; 
Nou  he  that  sytes 8  us  above  make  ham  sone  to  sender 9 ! 

With  an  O  and  an  I,  thai  praysen  not  Seynt  Poule ; 
10  Thai  lyen  on  Seyn[t]  Fraunceys,  by  my  fader  soule. 

First  thai  gabben  on 10  God,  that  alle  men  may  se, 
When  thai  hangen  him  on  hegh  on  a  grene  tre, 
With  leves  and  with  blossemes  that  bright  are  of  ble,11 
That  was  never  Goddes  Son,  by  my  leute.12 
15  With  an  O  and  an  I,  men  wenen  that  thai  wede,18 

To  carpe  so  of  clergy  that u  can  not  thair  Crede. 


Thai  have  done  him  on  a  croys  fer  up  in  the  skye, 

And  festned  on  hym  wyenges,  as  he  shuld  flie ; 

This  fals  f eyned  byleve 15  shal  thai  soure  bye,16 

On  that  lovelych  Lord  so  for  to  lye. 

With  an  O  and  an  I,  one  sayd  ful  stille : 

'  Armachan 1T  distroy  ham,  if  it  is  Goddes  wille ! ' 

1  cautious  6  haughty  18  go  mad 

2  friar  licensed  to  beg  within  cer-  t  confusion  u  MS.  thai 

tain  limits ;  cf.  Chaucer,  Wife  8  sits  15  belief 

of  Bath's  Taleg-zt,  9  disperse  them  soon  16  Cf.  11223 

8  if  10  make  sport  of  17  Richard  Fitzralph 

«  play  tricks  11  hue  (d.  1360) 

«  to  your  harm  la  loyalty,  faith 


ON  THE  MINORITE  FRIARS  365 

Ther  comes  one  out  of  the  skye  in  a  grey  goun, 

As  it  were  an  hoghyerd 1  hyand 2  to  toun  ; 

Thai  have  mo 8  goddes  then  we,  I  say  by  Mahoun,4 

Alle  men  under  ham  that  ever  beres  croun.5 

With  an  O  and  an  I,  why  shuld  thai  not  be  shent 6  ?  5 

Ther  wantes  noght  bot  a  fyre  that  thai  nere  alle  brent.7 

Went  I  forther  on  my  way  in  that  same  tyde  8 ; 

Ther  I  sawe  a  frere  blede  in  myddes  of  his  syde ; 

Bothe  in  hondes  and  in  fete  had  he  woundes  wyde. 

To  serve  to  that  same  frer  the  pope  mot  abyde.9  10 

With  an  O  and  an  I,  I  wonder  of  thes  dedes, 
To  se  a  pope  holde  a  dische  whyl  the  frer  bledes. 

A  cart  was  made  al  of  fyre,  as  it  shuld  be ; 

A  gray  frer  I  sawe  therinne,  that  best  lyked  me. 

Wele  I  wote  thai  shal  be  brent,  by  my  leaute  ;  1 5 

God  graunt  me  that  grace  that  I  may  it  se. 
With  an  O  and  an  I,  brent  be  thai  alle, 
And  alle  that  helpes  therto  faire  mot  byfalle 10 ! 

Thai  preche  alle  of  povert,  bot  that  love  thai  noght ; 

For  gode  mete  to  thair  mouthe  the  toun  is  thurgh  soght.11  20 

Wyde  are  thair  wonnynges,12  and  wonderfully  wroght ; 

Murdre  and  horedome 13  ful  dere  has  it  boght. 
With  an  O  and  an  I,  for  sixe  pens  er  thai  fayle, 
Sle  thi  fadre,  and  jape 14  thi  modre,  and  thai  wyl  the  assoile. 

1  swineherd  6  destroyed  n  searched  through 

2  hastening  7  burned  12  dwellings 
8  more                                            8  time                                                  18  whoredom 

4  Mahomet    .  9  must  wait  14  lie  with 

5  tonsure  1°  may  fair  (good)  befall 


366       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

THE  REPLY  OF  FRIAR  DAW  TOPIAS 

About  1401.    This  selection,  from  MS.  Oxford  Digby  41,  is  here  reprinted 
from  Wright's  Political  Poems  and  Songs  2.  76-8. 

Forthermore x  thou  spekest 

Of  cure  costli  houses ; 

Thou  seist  it  were  more  almes 

To  helpen  the  nedy 
5  Than  to  make  siche  housynge 

To  men  that  ben  deede, 

To  whiche  longith 2  but  graves 

And  mornynge-housis. 

Jak,  is  not  a  man  beter 
10  Than  a  rude  best  ? 

^)it  makist  thou  to  thi  sheep  a  shepen,8 

And  to  thi  hors  a  stable ; 

And  many  a  pore  man  ther  is 

That  hath  noon  hillyng,4 
15  But  oonly  heven  is  his  hous. 

The  bestes  stond  kevered ; 

Whi  houses  thou  not  pore  men 

As  wele  as  thi  beestis  ? 

Take  hede  to  sumwhat 
20  That  is  seid  biforen  : 

And 5  thou  answere  to  my  question, 

Answer  to  thin  owne. 

Thou  carpist 6  also  of  oure  coveitise, 

And  sparist  the  sothe  ; 
2  5  Thou  seist  we  ben  more  ryal7 

Than  ony  lordis.  . 

Coventis  have  wee  noon,  Jack, 

But  cloistrers  we  ben  callid, 

Foundid  *  afor 8  with  charite, 

1  MS.  ff-  *  shelter  t  royal,  regal 

2  belong,  are  fitting  5  if  8  aforetime 
8  sheep-cote                                                     c  talkest 


THE  LAND  OF  COKAYGNE  367 

Or  that  he  were  flemyd l ; 

But  sith  2  entride  envie, 

And  revyd 8  hath  oure  houses, 

That  unnethes 4  the  hillinge 6 

Hangith  on  the  sparres6;  5 

And  jit  thou  thinkist  hem  over-good  — 

Yvel  fare  thou  therfore ! 

Jak,  where  saw  thou  ever  frere-houses 

Thourjout  the  rewme 7 

Liche  in  ony  rialte 8  10 

To  the  Toure  of  Londoun, 

To  Wyndesore,  to  Wodestoke, 

To  Wallingforde,  to  Shene, 

To  Herforde,  to  Eltham, 

To  Westmynster,  to  Dover9  ?  15 

How  maist  thou  for  rebukyng 

Lye  so  lowde, 

To  saye  that  oure  covetise 

Passith  the  lordes'  ? 

THE  LAND  OF  COKAYGNE 

The  Land  of  Cokaygne,  which  has  been  called  the  earliest  extant  English 
fabliau,  is  not  a  fabliau  at  all,  but  rather  a  piece  of  Rabelaisian  satire.  With 
the  satire,  which  is  directed  against  monks  and  nuns,  and  possibly  includes 
some  local  and  specific  references,  are,  however,  mingled  touches  of  the 
purely  comic  spirit.  Cf.  Pherecrates,  in  Athenaeus  6.  97. 

An  Old  French  poem  similar  in  character  is  found  in  Barbazan  and  Meon's 
Fabliaux  et  Conies  4.  175-81,  entitled  Li  Fabliaus  de  Coquaigne  (though,  again, 
not  a  fabliau).  Here  the  details  are  somewhat  different,  and  the  satiric  intent, 
and  reference  to  the  religious  orders,  much  less  marked,  but  the  general 
picture  is  of  the  same  sort.  One  of  the  most  amusing  details  is  similar: 

Par  les  rues  vont  rostissant 
Les  crasses  oes,  et  tornant 
Tout  par  eles  [lines. 37-9]. 

1  before  it  was  banished  s  rOof  9  Royal  castles  or  palaces  were 

2  afterward  « rafters,  beams  in  all  these  places 
8  robbed  ;  MS.  renyd                      1  realm 

*  so  that  scarcely  8  royalty 


368       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 


ifar 

2  MS.  Spayngne 

»  called 

4  heaven's  domain 

6  prosperity 

6  branches 

7  delight 


Here  there  are  two  rivers  of  wine,  of  which  he  who  will  may  drink ;  four 
Easters,  Christmases,  and  All-Saints  Days  every  year ;  but  a  Lent  only  once  in 
twenty  years ! 

Our  text  is  reproduced  (120  lines  out  of  190)  from  Matzner's  Altenglische 
Sprachproben  (i.  148  ff.),  which  follows  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Harl.  913.  It  has  been 
dated  ca.  1305. 

Fur 1  in  see  bi  west  Spaygne  * 

Is  a  lond  ihote 8  Cokaygne. 

J?er  nis  lond  under  hevenriche 4 

Of  wel,6  of  godnis,  hit  iliche  ; 

J>oj  Paradis  be  miri  and  brijt, 

Cokaygn  is  of  fairir  sijt. 

What  is  per  in  Paradis 

Bot  grasse,  and  flure,  and  grene  ris 6  ? 

J>oj  per  be  joi  and  grete  dute,7 

J>er  nis  mete 8  bote  frute  ; 

J»er  nis  halle,  bure,9  no  benche, 

Bot  watir,  manis  purst  to  quenche. 

Bep  per  no  man  but  two  — 

Hely 10  and  Enok  n  also ; 

Elinglich 12  may  hi  go 

Whar  per  wonip 18  men  no  mo. 

In  Cokaygne  is  met  and  drink 
Wipute  care,  now,14  and  swink.15 
J>e  met  is  trie,16  pe  drink  is  clere, 
To  none,  russin,17  and  sopper. 
I  sigge 18  forsop,  boute  were,19 
J>er  nis  lond  on  erthe  is  pere  ^ ; 
Under  heven  nis  lond,  iwisse,21 
Of  so  mochil  joi  and  blisse. 

J>er  is  mani  swete  sijte  : 
Al  is  dai,  nis  per  no  nijte ; 


8  is  no  food 

9  chamber 

10  Elijah ;  cf.  2  Kings  2.  n 

11  Enoch  ;  cf.  Gen.  5.24 

12  sorrowfully 
18  dwell 

M  trouble 


is  labor 
!6  select 


say 


IN 

w  without  doubt 

20  its  equal 

21  indeed 


THE  LAND  OF  COKAYGNE 


369 


per  nis  baret l  neper  strif ; 
Nis  per  no  dep,  ac 2  ever  lif ; 
per  nis  lac  of  met  no  clop ; 
per  nis  man  no  womman  wrop ; 
per  nis  serpent,  wolf,  no  fox, 
Hors  no  capil,8  kowe  no  ox  ; 
per  nis  schepe,  no  swine,  no  gote, 
Ne  non  horwj,4  la,8  God  it  wot, 
Nother  harace,6  nother  stode 7 ; 
pe  londe  is  ful  of  oper  gode. 
Nis  per  flei,8  fle,9  no  lowse, 
In  clop,  in  toune,  bed,  no  house ; 
per  nis  dunnir,10  slete,  no  haile,11 
No  non  vile  worme,  no  snaile,12 
No  non  storme,  rein,  no  winde ; 
per  is  man  no  womman  blinde ; 
Ok 13  al  is  game,14  joi,  and  gle. 
Wei  is  him  pat  per  mai  be ! 

per  bep  rivers  gret  and  fine, 
Of  oile,  melk,  honi,  and  wine ; 
Watir  servip  per  to  noping 
Bot  to  sijt  and  to  waiissing.16 
per  is  [mani] 16  maner  frute ; 
Al  is  solas  and  dedute.17 

per  is  a  wel  fair  abbei 
Of  white  monkes  and  of  grei : 
per  bep  bowris  and  halles ; 
Al  of  pasteiis 18  bep  pe  walles, 
Of  fleis,  of  fisse,  and  rich  met, 
pe  likfullist 19  pat  man  mai  et, 
Fluren  *°  cakes  bep  pe  scingles 21  alle 


20 


3° 


1  quarrel 

2  but 
Snag 

4  defilement 

5  truly 

6  place  for  breeding  horses 

7  stud 


8  fly 

9  flea 

1°  thunder 
"hail;  MS.  hawle 
12  MS.  snawile 
18  but 
w  mirth 


15  washing 

18  em.  M. 
17  delight 

is  pasties,  pies 

19  most  delicious 

20  flour 

21  shingles 


370       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 


20 


3° 


Of  cherche,  cloister,  boure,  and  halle ; 
f»e  pinnes l  bej>  fat  podinges  — 
Rich  met  to  princez  and  [to]  kinges ; 
Man  mai  perof  et  inoj 
Al  wi}>  rijt,  and  nojt  wi}>  woj  2 : 
Al  is  commune  to  jung  and  old, 
To  stoute  and  sterne,  mek  and  bold. 

J>er  is  a  cloister,  fair  and  lijt, 
Brod  and  lang,  of  sembli 8  sijt. 
J>e  pilers  of  |>at  cloistre  alle 
Be}>  iturned  of  cristale, 
With  har  bas 4  and  capitale 
Of  grene  jaspe  and  rede  corale. 

In  J>e  praer5  is  a  tre, 
Swtye  likful 6  for  to  se  : 
J>e  rote  is  gingevir  and  galingale T ; 
J>e  siouns 8  bep  al  sedwale 9 ; 
Trie  maces  be]>  )>e  flure ; 
J>e  rind,  canel 10  of  swet  odur ; 
f>e  frute,  gilofre  u  of  gode  smakke 12 ; 
Of  cucubes 18  fer  nis  no  lakke. 

J>er  bep  rosis  of  rede  ble,14 
And  lilie  likful  for  to  se  — 
J>ai  falowef 15  never  day  no  nijt ; 
J>is  ajt  be 16  a  swete  sijt. 
J>er  bef  iiii  willis 17  in  fe  abbei 
Of  triacle 18  and  halwei,19 
Of  baum 20  and  ek  piement,21 
Ever  ernend  ^  to  rijt  rent  ^  ; 
Of  pam 24  stremis  al  J>e  molde.26 


1  pinnacles 

2  wrong 
8  seemly 

••  their  base 
•"•  meadow 

6  very  attractive 

7  ginger  and  galingale  (sweet 

cyperus) 

8  scions,  shoots 


9  zedoary 

10  cinnamon 

11  gillyflower 

12  taste 

is  cubebs  (a  pungent  spice) 

"hue 

is  fade 

16  ought  to  be 

I'  wells 


18  treacle  (a  medicine) 
ifl  healing  water 

20  balm 

21  spiced  wine  sweetened 

with  honey 

22  running 
28  profit 

24  these;  MS.)>ai 

25  earth,  nom. 


THE  LAND  OF  COKAYGNE  3/1 

Stonis  preciuse,  and  golde : 
J>er  is  saphir  and  uniune,1-^  •  - 
Carbuncle  and  astiune,2 
Smaragde,8  lugre,4  and  prassiune,6 
Beril,  onix,  topasiune,6  5 

Ametist  and  crisolite, 
Calcedun  and  epetite.7 

J>er  bef  briddes  mani  and  fale 8  — 
J?rostil,  fruisse,9  and  nijtingale, 

Chalandre 10  and  wodwale,11  10 

And  o)>er  briddes  wifout  tale,12 
J>at  stintef 13  never  by  bar  mijt 14 
Miri  to  sing  dai  and  nijt. 
<^ite  I  do  sow  mo  to  witte 16 : 

J>e  gees  irostid  on  fe  spitte  15 

Fleez 16  to  fat  abbai,  God  hit  wot, 
And  gredif "  :   '  Gees  al  hote,  al  hot  1 ' 
Hi  bringef  garlek  gret  plente, 
J>e  best  idijt 18  fat  man  mai  se. 

J?e  leverokes 19  —  fat  bef  cuf ao  —  20 

Lijtif  adun  to  manis  muj>, 
Idijt  in  stu 21  ful  swife  wel, 
Pudrid 22  wi]>  gilofre  and  canel. 
Nis  no  spech  of  no  drink  ; 
Ak  take  inoj  wijmte  swink.  25 

Whan  ]> e  monkes  goof 28  to  masse, 
All  ]>e  fenestres 24  fat  bef  of  glasse 
Turnef  into  cristal  brijt, 
To  jive  [fe]  monkes  more  lijt. 
When  fe  masses  bef  iseiid,  30 

i  pearl  9  thrush  16  fly ;  MS.  flees 

*  astrion  (/^r^a/jasteriated          10  a  Mediterranean  species  of  lr  cry  out 

sapphire)  lark ;  see  Romance  of  the  18  dressed 

8  emerald  Rose  (81,663),  914  19  larks 

4  ligure  11  woodpecker  2°  well  known 

5  chrysoprase  12  number  al  made  into  a  stew 

6  topaz  is  cease  22  sprinkled 

7  hepatite  l*  according  to  their  ability  28  MS.  geej> 
s  numerous  15  give  you  to  know  further  24  windows 


372       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

And  pe  bokes  up  ileiid,1 

J>e  cristal  turnip  into  glasse  — 

In  state  pat  hit  raper 2  wasse. 

THE  GOSSIPS'  FEAST 

The  following  poem  is  reprinted  from  Dyboski's  Songs,  Carols,  etc.  (E.E.T.S. 
Ex.  Ser.  101),  an  edition  of  Richard  Hill's  Commonplace-Book  (MS.  Oxford 
lialliol  354).  The  manuscript  contains  records  as  late  as  1536,  but  our  text 
differs  only  slightly  from  that  of  Wright  in  Percy  Society  23.  91-5,  which  is 
dated  by  the  editor  1461-85,  and  from  which  two  or  three  readings  are  here 
adopted  (marked  W.).  Our  text  is  on  pages  106-8  of  Dyboski. 

Hoow,  gossip  myne,  gossip  myn, 
5  Whan  will  we  go  to  foe  wyne, 

Good  gossip\is  myn\  ? 

I  shall  you  tell  a  full  good  sport, 
How  gossippis  gader  them  on  a  sort,8 
Ther  seke  *  bodyes  to  comforte, 
10  Whan  they  mete 

In  lane  or  stret, 

God 6  gossipis  myn,  [a  1] 

But  I  dare  not,  for  per  dissplesans,6 
Tell  of  pes  maters  half  the  substance ; 
15  But  jet  sum  what  of  per  governance,7 

As  ferre  as  I  dare, 
I  will  declare, 

Good  gossipis  myn,  [a !] 

'  Good  gossip  myn,  wher  have  ye  be  ? 
20  Hit  is  so  long  sith  I  you  see ; 

Wher  is  pe  best  wyne,  tell  you  me  1 
Can  ye  owght  tell  ? ' 
'  Ye,  full  well, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  [a !] 

1  laid  4  sick  "  proceedings 

2  formerly  6  good 

•  in  a  company  6  iest  I  displease  them 


THE  GOSSIPS'  FEAST  373 

I  know  a  drawght  of  mery-go-down,1 
The  beste  it  is  in  all  this  town, 
But  yet  I  wolde  not,  for  my  gown, 

My  husbond  wyste.' 

'  Ye  may  me  triste,2  5 

Good  gossippis  myn,  [a ! '] 

'  Call  forth  owr  gossippis  by  and  by, 
Elynore,  Johan,  and  Margery, 
Margret,  Alis,  and  Cecely, 

For  ]>e\  will  cum,  10 

Both  all  and  som, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a! 

And  eche  of  them  will  sumwhat  bryng, 

Gose,  or  pigge,  or  capons  wynge, 

Pastes3  of  pygynnes,  or  sum  ofer  thyng ;  15 

For  we  muste  etc 

Sum  maner  mett, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  I 

Go  beffore  by  tweyn  and  tweyn, 

Wisely,  ]>at  ye  be  not  seen,  20 

For  I  muste  home  and  cum  agayn, 

To  witt,  ywis, 

Wher  my  husbond  is, 
Good  gossippis  myn,  a ! 

A  strype  or  two  God  myght  send  me,  25 

Yf  my  husbond  myght  here  see  me.' 
'  She  J»at  is  aferde,  lett  her  flee,' 

Quod  Alis  than ; 

'  I  dred  no  man, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a ! '  30 

1  strong  ale  2  trust  *  pasties,  pies 


374       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

'  Now  be  we  in  )>e  tavern  sett, 

A  drawght  of  ]>e  best  lett  hym  fett, 

To  bryng  owr  husbondis  owt  of  dett, 

For  we  will  spend 
5  Till  God  more  send, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  I ' 

Eche  of  them  browght  forth  per  disshe ; 
Sum  browght  flesshe,  and  sum  [browght]  fisshe 
Quod  Margret  meke  now,  with  a  wisshe : 
10  'I  wold  Anne  were  here, 

She  wold  mak  us  chere, 
Good  gossippis  myn,  a  1 ' 

'  How  say  ye,  gossippis  ?    Is  pis  wyn  good  ? ' 
'  J>at  is  it,'  quod  Elynore,  '  by  J>e  rode  I 
15  It  chereth  J>e  hart  and  comforteth  }>e  blod. 

Such  jonkets 1  amonge 
Shall  make  us  leve 2  long. 
Good  gossippis  [myn,  a] ! ' 

Anne  bade  me  fill  a  pot  of  Muscadell, 
20  '  For  of  all  wynes  I  love  it  well ; 

Swet  wynes  kepe  my  body  in  hele 8 ; 
Yf  I  had  it  nowght, 
I  shuld  tak  thowght, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a ! ' 

2  5  '  How  loke  ye,  gossip,  at  J>e  bordis  end  ? 

Not  mery,  gossip  ?   God  it  amend  I 
All  shall  be  well,  els  God  defend ; 
Be  mery  and  glad, 
And  sit  not  so  sade, 
30  Good  gossip  myn,  a  1 ' 

l  delicacies  (drinks) ;  MS.  jonkers  ;  W.  jonchettes  2  iive  a  health,  well-being 


THE  GOSSIPS'  FEAST  375 

*  Wold  God  I  had  don  after  your  counsell, 
.  For  my  husbond  is  so  fell l 
He  betith  me  lyke  pe  devill  of  hell ; 
And  }>e  more  I  crye, 

J>e  lesse  mercy,  5 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  ! ' 

Alls  with  a  lowde  voys  spak  than : 
'  Ywis,2 '  she  said,  '  litill  good  he  can, 
f>at  betith  or  striketh  any  woman, 

And  specially  his  wyff ;  10 

God  geve  hym  short  lyff, 
Good  gossippis  myn,  a  1 ' 

Margret  meke  said :  '  So  mot  I  thryve, 

I  know  no  man  fat  is  alyve 

f»at  gevith  me  ii  strokis,  but  he  [shall] 8  have  v ;  15 

I  am  not  afferd, 

Thowgh  he  have  a  berde, 
Good  gossippis  myn,  a  I ' 

On 4  cast  down  her  shot,5  and  went  away. 

'  Gossip,'  quod  Elynore,  '  what  dide  she  pay  ? '  20 

'  Not  but  a  peny ;  loo,  ferfor  I  say, 

She  shall  no  more 

Be  of  owr  lore,0 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  I 

Suche  gestis 7  we  may  have  ynow,  25 

J>at  will  not  for  per  shot  alowe.8 

With  whom  com  she,  gossip  ? '   '  With  you  I ' 

'  Nay,'  quod  Johan, 

'  I  com  aloon, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  1 '  30 

1  cruel  <  one  1  guests 

2  W  ;  MS.  evis  &  contribution,  share  8  provide 
8  W.                                                    6  school,  sort 


376       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

'  Now  rekyn  owr  shot,  and  go  we  hens ; 

What  cummeth  to  eche  of  us  ? '   '  But  iii  pens.1 ' 

'  Parde,  \>\s  is  but  a  small  expens 

For  suche  a  sorte, 
5  And  all  but  sporte, 

Good  gossipis  myn,  a ! ' 

'  Torn  down  )>e  stret,  whan  ye  cum  owt, 
And  we  will  cumpas  rownd  abowt.' 
'  Gossip,'  quod  Anne,  '  what  nedith  J»at  dowt  ?  £ 
10  Your  husbond  is  pleased, 

Whan  ye  be  eased, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  I 

Whatsoever  any  man  thynk, 
We  com  for  nowght  but  for  good  drynk ; 
15  Now  let  us  go  home  and  wynke, 

For  it  may  be  seen 
Wher  we  have  ben, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  ! ' 

This  is  J>e  thowght  fat  gossippis  take : 
20  Ons  in  )>e  wek,  mery  will  they  make, 

And  all  small  drynkis  }>ei  will  forsake ; 
But  wyne  of  pe  best 
Shall  have  no  rest, 

Good  gossippis  myn,  a  1 

2  5  Sum  be  at  |>e  tavern  )>rise8  in  )>e  weke, 

And  so  be  sum  every  day  eke, 
Or  ellis  )>ei  will  gron  and  mak  them  sek, 
For  thyngis  used 
Will  not  be  refused 4 ; 
3°  Good  gossippis  myn,  a  I 

1  MS.  d.  *  MS.  Ill"  <  for  things  one  is  accustomed 

2  fear  to  cannot  be  done  without 


STANS  PUER  AD  MENSAM  377 

STANS  PUER  AD  MENSAM 

The  following  poem,  by  John  Lydgate  (i37O?-i45i  ?),  the  follower  and 
imitator  of  Chaucer,  is  taken  from  the  print  of  MS.  Harl.  2251  (about  1460)  in 
The  Babees  Book,  ed.  Furnivall  (E.E.T.S.  32).  With  its  precepts  one  may 
compare  Chaucer's  characterization  of  the  Prioress  (Prol.  127-36) : 

At  mete  wel  ytaught  was  she  withalle  ; 

She  leet  no  morsel  from  hir  lippes  falle, 

Ne  wette  hir  fingres  in  hir  sauce  depe. 

Wel  coude  she  carie  a  morsel,  and  wel  kepe, 

That  no  drope  ne  fille  upon  hir  brest. 

In  curteisye  was  set  ful  muche  hir  lest. 

H  ir  over  lippe  wyped  she  so  clene 

That  in  hir  coppe  was  no  ferthing  sene 

Of  grece,  whan  she  dronken  hadde  hir  draughte. 

Ful  semely  after  hir  mete  she  raughte. 

Our  extract  comprises  lines  15-42,  57-70.  Two  or  three  emendations  are 
from  the  Lambeth  MS. 

Who  spekithe  to  the  in  any  maner  place, 

Rudely  cast  nat  thyn  ye 1  adowne, 

But  with  a  sadde  chiere  2  loke  hym  in  the  face. 

Walke  demurely  by  strete  in  the  towne ; 

Advertise  the  withe 8  wisdom  and  reasoune.  5 

Withe  dissolute  laughters  do  thow  non  offence 

Tofore  *  thy  soverayn,6  whiles  he  is  in  presence. 

Pare  clene  thy  nailes,  thyn  handes  wasshe  also 

Tofore  mete,  and  whan  thow  dooest  arise ; 

Sitte  in  that  place  thow  art  assigned  to ;  10 

Prease  6  nat  to 7  hye  in  no  maner  wise ; 

And  til  thow  se  afore  the  thy  service,8 

Be  nat  to  hasty  on  brede  for  to  byte, 

Of  gredynesse  lest  men  wolde  the  edwyte.' 

Grennyng  and  mowes 10  at  the  table  eschewe  " ;  15 

Cry  nat  to  loude ;  kepe  honestly 12  silence ; 

1  eye  5  master  9  reproach,  twit ;  MS.  end- 

2  sober  expression  8  press  10  grinning  and  grimaces 
8  turn  your  attention  to                    7  too                                   J1  MS.  eschowe 

*  before  8  plate  of  food  u  politely 


378       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

To  enboce l  thy  jowis 2  withe  mete  [it]  is  nat  diewe 8 
With  ful  mowthe  speke  nat,  lest  thow  do  offence ; 
Drynk  nat  bretheles  for  hast  ne  necligence ; 
Kepe  clene  thy  lippes  from  fat  of  flesshe  or  fysshe ; 
5  Wype  clene  thi  spone,  leve  it  nat  in  thy  disshe. 

Of  brede  ibyten  no  soppis 4  that  thow  make ; 
In  ale  nor  wyne  withe  hande  leve  no  fattenes ; 
With  mowthe  enbrewed  6  thi  cuppe  thou  nat  take ; 
Defoule  6  no  napery 7  for  no  rekelesnes ; 
10  [Loude] 8  for  to  souppe  is  agenst  gentiles. 

[N]evyr  at  mete  begynne  thow  nat  stryf 9 ; 
Thi  teth  also  thow  pike  nat  with  no  knyf.  .  .  . 

Droppe  nat  thi  brest  withe  sawce  ne  with  potage ; 
Brynge  no  knyves  unskoured  to  the  table ; 
15  Fil  nat  thy  spone,  lest  in  the  cariage 

It  went  beside,10  whiche  were  nat  comendable. 

Be  quyke  and  redy,  meke  and  servisable, 

Wele  awaityng  to  fulfylle  anone 

What  that  thy  soverayne  comau[n]dithe  to  n  be  done. 

20  And  wharesoever  that  thow  dyne  or  soupe, 

Of  gentilesse  take  salt  withe  thy  knyf ; 

And  be  wele  ware  thow  blowe  nat  in  the  cuppe. 

Reverence  thy  felawe,  gynne 12  withe  hym  no  stryf ; 

Be 18  thy  powere,  kepe  pees  all  thy  lyf. 
25  Interrupt  nat,  whereso  [that] 14  thou  wende, 

None  other  mans  tale,  til  he  have  made  an  ende. 


1  stuff  out  6  defile  ;  MS.  enbrewe  (em. 

2  jaws  from  Lambeth  MS.) 
8  fitting  ~>  table-linen 

4  sops  8  em.  from  Lamb. 

5  soiled  »  MS.  stryf e 


1°  should  spill  over 

11  MS.  the  to  (em.  fromLambv 

12  begin 

•18  according  to 
1*  em.  from  Lamb. 


PREFACE  TO  A  TREATISE  ON  MEDICINE        379 

CHARM  FOR  THE  TOOTHACHE 
t 

From  MS.  Line.  Cath.  Thornton  A.  1. 17,  printed  in  Horstman's  edition  of 
Richard  Rolle,  1.375. 

Say  fee  charme  thris  to 1  it  be  sayd  ix  tymes,  and  ay 
thris  at  a  charemynge? 

I  conjoure  the,  laythely 3  beste,  with 4  fat  ilke  spere 
J>at  Longyous5  in  his  hande  gane  here, 
And  also  with  ane  hatte  of  thorne  $ 

J?at  one  my  Lordis  hede  was  borne, 
With  alle  J>e  wordis,  mare  and  lesse, 
With  J>e  office  of  f  e  messe, 
With  my  Lorde  and  his  xii  postills,6 

"With  oure  Lady  and  hir  x  maydenys,  10 

Saynt  Margrete,  fe  haly  quene, 
Saynt  Katerin,  )>e  haly  virgyne  — 
Ix  tymes  Goddis  forbott,7  pou  wikkyde  worme, 
J>at  ever  ]>ou  make  any  rystynge,8 

Bot  awaye  mote  pou  wende  15 

To  }>e  erde 9  and  J>e  stane.10 

PREFACE  TO  A  TREATISE  ON  MEDICINE 

From  the  Payne  manuscript,  of  the  first  half  of  the  fifteenth  century,  printed 
in  Furnivall's  Political,  Religious,  and  Love  Poems  (E.E.T.S.  15).  Readings 
supplied  from  Sloane  MS.  1314  are  marked  S. 

The  man  pat  wol  of  lechecraf  t n  lere, 
Red  ovyr  this  book,  and  he  may  here 
Many  medycinis  both  good  and  trewe, 
To  hele  sores  both  oolde  and  newe,  20 

And  preciotise  medycinis,  porw  Goddis  grace 
ft 

1  till  5  Longus,  or  Longinus,  the  Roman  soldier  s  delay  (resting) 

2  charming  who  pierced  the  side  of  Christ  9  earth 

3  loathsome  6  apostles  10  stone 

4  by  7  God  forbid  n  medicine 


380       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

To  save  mens 1  lyves  in  diverse  place. 

Cryst,  fat  made  bothe  Est  and  West, 

Geve  grace  her  sowles  have 2  god  rest, 

Evere  more  in  hevene  for  to  be, 
5  In  hevene  wyt  fe  Trinite  1 

Herinne  be  medycinis,  wythoutyn  fable, 

To  hele  alle  sores  fat  ben  curable, 

Of  swerd,  of  knyf,  and  of  arwe 8  — 

Be  ]> e  wounde  wyde  or  narwe  — 
10  Of  sper,4  of  quarel,5  of  dagger,  of  dart, 

To  make  him  hool  in  ilka 6  part, 

So  f  e  seek 7  wol  do  wysely, 

And  kepe  himself  fro  surfety. 

Be  fe  wounde  nevere  so  deep, 
15  J>erof  thar8  him  take  no  kep, 

So  fat  he  drynke  save9  or  anteoche,10 

Him  thar 8  not  drede  of  fat  outrage : 

Be  u  fat  on  and  twenti  days  be  goon, 

He  schal  be  hoi,  both  flesch  and  bon, 
20  To  ride  and  go  in  ilka 12  place, 

Thorw  f e  verteu  of  Goddys  grace. 

Thus  seyth  Ypocras,13  fe  good  surgien, 

And  Socrates  and  Galyen,14 

J?at  weren  philisophres  alle  thre, 
25  J>at  tyme  fe  best  in  any  countree : 

In  f  is  werld 15  were  non  her 16  pere, 

As  fer  as  any  man  coude  here. 

1  MS.  men  "  if  the  sick  man  u  by  the  time 

2  may  have  8  he  need ;  MS.  dar,  S.  thar  12  MS.  ylka,  S.  ilk 
8  arrow                                                 9  sage  18  Hippocrates 

4  spear  10  a  medicinal  potion  of  herbs          14  Galen 

5  a  short,  square-headed  arrow  boiled  in  white  wine  and          ls  MS.  weld 

3  every ;  MS.  ylke,  S.  ilka  honey  w  their 


A  MEDIAEVAL  WILL  381 

A  MEDIAEVAL  WILL 

This  will  (from  MS.  Oxford  Univ.  Coll.  97),  which  the  testator  dates  in  the 
year  1399,  is  here  reprinted  from  Horstman's  edition  of  Richard  Rolle,  2.  448-9. 

In  fe  name  of  Almyghty  Jesu,  I,  Robart  F[olkyngham],  beynge  in 
hool  and  cleere  mynde,  fe  vi  day  of  Juylle,1  fe  jeere  of  our  Lorde  a 
thousand  f  re  hundreth  foure  score  and  nynetene,  make  my  testament 
and  my  laste  wylle  in  fis  manere.  First,  I  bytake2  my  soule  into  fe 
hondes  of  Almyjty  God,  bysechynge  to  oure  lady,  Seynte  Marye,  and  5 
to  alle  f  e  hoole  compaygnye  of  heven,  to  preye  for  mercy  and  grace  for 
me.  Also  I  byqwethe  my  wrecchyd  synfulle  body  to  been  heere  in 
erthe,  abydyng  f  e  dredful  doom  of  God,  in  suche  place  and  manere  as 
yt  lyketh  to  his  wyse  endeles  purveaunce.3  Also  I  wylle  fat  at  myn 
enterement  fere  be  abowte  my  body  bot  twey4  tapres  of  wex,  and  10 
foure  torches  of  wex,  fe  whiche  torches  I  wille  be  jeven  to  brenne 
atte  fe  levacioun5  of  fe  sacrement  whil  fei  wil  dure,6  in  fe  same 
chirche  pat  I  schalle  be  beryed  inne.  Also  I  wille  fat,  in  alle  fe  haste 
fat  yt  may  be  doo  after  my  deth,  fere  be  sayde  a  thousande  massez 
for  my  soule,  and  for  alle  Cristen  soules.  Also  I  bequethe,  to  be  doon  1 5 
in  almesse  after 7  dyscrecioun  of  myn  executours,  in  alle  f e  hast  for 
my  soule,  for  f  e  soules  of  my  fadre,  modre,  and  of  alle  hem  fat  I  am 
endebtede  to  .by  way  of  kynde,8  by  way  of  ffrendshipe,  or  by  way  of 
restitucioun,  for  fe  gode  I  have  hade  of  heres 9  by  any  way,  fourty 
pounde  of  golde,  and,  over  fat,  fat  fei  have  part  of  alle  fe  preyours,  20 
goode  dedes,  and  almesse  fat  I  have  do  or  ordeyned  to  be  doo,  as 
wel  in  f  is  testament  as  tofore 10  in  alle  my  lyf .  Sythene,11  I  jeve  to 
William  Flete,  my  cosyn,  fourty  marke  of  golde  and  alle  myn  horses, 
a  blew  bed  of  Arras  werke,  twey  payre  schetes,  my  best  haberjoun,12  my 
pysan,13  my  ketylle-hat,14  and  myn  armynge  sworde  of  Burdeux.  Also  25 
I  bequeth  to  Johan  of  Brugge  an  haberjoun,  a  basynet,1"'  a  longe  dagger 
of  Burdeux  harneyside 16  with  sylver  in  manere  of  a  sword. 

1  July  ">  at  the  18  pisane  (armor  to  protect 

2  commit  8  kindred  chest  and  neck) 
8  providence                     9  theirs,  them                                      u  kind  of  helmet 

<  two  10  before  15  basinet  (steel  headpiece) 

5  lifting  up  n  next  16  mounted 

6  last  12  habergeon,  coat  of  mail 


-382       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

Also,  I  jeve  to  Thomas  Salman  an  haberjoun  and  a  basynet. 
Also,  I  byqueth  to  William  Flete,  my  cosyn,  alle  fe  remanant  of 
myne  armeure. 

Also,  I  byqweth  to  Sir  William  Countour  a  longe  sangwyn l  gowne 
5   furryd  with  Calabir.2 

Also,  I  byqueth  to  Thomas  Heighelme  a  gowne  of  blak  worstede, 
furred  with  bevere. 

Also,  I  wylle  fat  alle  fe  debtez  pat  any  man  cane  resonably  axe, 
fat  fei  been  payed.  And  fe  remanant  of  alle  my  goode,  whereso 
10  it  be  in  fe  handes  of  my  debtours  or  elles,8  I  beqweth  it  to  Jonet, 
my  wyfe,  to  governe  and  susteyne  with,  hir  and  Elianore  my  dough- 
tre,  ande  eke  to  doon  in  almesse  for  me,  and  for  here,  and  for  alle 
hem  fat  we  been  endebted  to  doon  for  by  any  way,  as  sche  may 
resonabely,  noujt  amenysynge4  gretely  here  lyflode  ne  here  povre 
15  stat.  The  execucioun  of  whiche  thynges  abovesayd  after  my  laste 
wille  to  be  doon  and  fulfillide,  I  make  myn  executours  Jonet  my 
wyfe,  William  Wenloke,  Squiere,  Sire  William  Countour,  Preste, 
Thomas  Heighelme,  Thomas  Salman,  William  Flete,  my  cosyn ; 
preyinge  to  hem  for  Goddes  sake,  for  charitable  dede  of  almesse, 
20  and  for  fe  sovereyn  trust  I  have  in  hem,  fat  fei  wille  take  fis 
charge  on  hem,  and  refuse  it  by  no  maner  way.  Writen  fe  day 
and  jere  tofore  nempned,8  with  myn  owen  honde,  in  witnesse  of  my 
laste  wille,  and  ensealede  with  my  seal. 

THE  LIBEL  OF  ENGLISH  POLICY 

The  Libel  (or  Little  Book)  of  English.  Policy,  a  plea  for  a  strong  navy,  was 
written,  according  to  internal  evidence,  after  the  siege  of  Calais  by  the  Duke 
of  Burgundy,  in  1436,  and  before  the  death  of  the  Emperor  Sigismund  in 
1437.  The  siege  of  Calais,  though  unsuccessful,  had  roused  England  to  a  sense 
of  the  importance  of  controlling  the  straits  ;  and  the  author  of  this  poem,  who 
is  unknown,  cleverly  shows  how  all  the  commerce  of  Europe  (generally 
directed  toward  the  Low  Countries)  must  needs  pass  through  '  the  narrow 
sea.'  Control  of  the  sea,  therefore,  would  make  England  powerful.  He  reviews 
the  exports  and  imports  of  the  chief  countries  of  Europe,  showing  intimate 

1  blood-red  8  elsewhere  6  named 

2  a  kind  of  squirrel-fur  *  diminishing 


THE  LIBEL  OF  ENGLISH  POLICY  383 

acquaintance  with  the  commercial  life  of  his  age.  He  may  in  some  respects 
be  compared  with  Chaucer's  merchant,  who 

wolde  the  see  were  kept  for  any  thing 
Bitwixe  Middelburgh  and  Orewelle  ; 
and  his  line 

Kepe  thou  the  see,  that  is  the  walle  of  Englond, 

recalls  Shakespeare  (Rich.  II 2.  1.48-50,  63)  : 

This  precious  stone,  set  in  the  silver  sea, 
Which  serves  it  in  the  office  of  a  wall, 
Or  as  a  moat  defensive  to  a  house.  .  .  . 
England  bound  in  with  the  triumphant  sea. 

His  spirit,  we  are  told  (Traill,  Social  England  2.  347  ;  cf.  340,  344  ff.,  406)  '  is 
exactly  the  spirit  which  animated  the  sea-captains  and  merchant  adventurers 
of  the  golden  age  of  Elizabeth.' 

Our  selections  are  from  Wright's  Political  Poems  and  Songs  2.  157-9,  160— I, 
172-3,  this  text  being  printed  from  MS.  Oxford  Bodl.  Laud.  704.  Other 
editions  are  by  Hertzberg  (1878)  and  in  Hakluyt,  Principal  Navigations,  Glas 
gow,  1903,  2.  114-47.  Emendations  in  the  following  pages  are  from  the  two 
other  editions  noted ;  ^"has  been  changed  to/. 

The  trewe  processe  of  Englysh  polycye  — 
Of  utterwarde  x  to  kepe  thys  regne 2  in  rest 

Of  oure  England,  that  no  man  may  denye, 
Nere 3  say  of  soth  but  it  is  one  the  best  — 
Is  thys,  that  who  seith 4  Southe,  Northe,  Est,  and  West, 

Cheryshe  marchandyse,  kepe  th'  amyralte,5 

That  we  bee  maysteres  of  the  narowe  see.6 

For  Sigesmonde,  the  grete  emperoure 

Why  die  yet  regneth,  whan  7  he  was  in  this  londe 

Wyth  Kynge  Herry  the  Fifte,8  prince  of  honoure, 
Here  moche  glorye,  as  hym  thought,  he  fonde 9 ; 
A  myghty  londe,  whyche  hadde  take  on  honde 

To  werre 10  in  Fraunce  and  make  mortalite, 

And  evere  welle  kepe  u  rounde  aboute  the  see. 

1  from  (foes)  without  5  the  admiralty  9  MS.  founde 

2  kingdom  6  the  Straits  of  Dover  10  war 

3  nor  7  In  1416  n  MS.  kept 

4  professes  to  be  of  (?)  8  MS.  V" 


384       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

And  to  the  kynge  thus  he  seyde :  '  My  brothere '  — 
Whan  he  perceyved  too  townes,  Calys l  and  Dovere  — 

*  Of  alle  youre  townes  to  chese  of  one  and  othere, 

To  kepe  the  see,  and  sone  to  come  overe 
5  To  werre  oughtwardes,2  and  youre  regne  to  recovere, 

Kepe  these  too  townes,  sire,  to 8  youre  mageste 

As  youre  tweyne  eyne,4  to  kepe  the  narowe  see.' 

For  if  this  see  be  kepte  in  tyme  of  werre, 

Who  cane  here  passe  withought  daungere  and  woo  ? 
10  Who  may  eschape,  who  may  myschef  dyfferre  5  ? 

What  marchaundye 8  may  forby  be  agoo 7  ? 
For  nedes  hem  muste  take  truse 8  every  foo  — 

Flaundres,  and  Spayne,  and  othere,  trust  to  me  — 

Or  ellis  hyndered  alle  for  thys  narowe  see. 

1 5  Therfore  I  caste  me,  by  a  lytele  wrytinge, 

To  shewe  att  eye9  thys  conclusione, 
For  concyens,  and  for  myne  acquytynge 
Ayenst  God,  and  ageyne  abusyon 
And  cowardyse,  and  to  oure  enmyes  confusione ; 
20  For  iiii  thynges  our  noble 10  sheueth  to  me  — 

Kyng,  shype,  and  swerde,  and  pouer  of  the  see. 

Where  bene  oure  shippes,  where  bene  oure  swerdes,  become  n  ? 

Owre  enmyes  bid  for  the  shippe  sette  a  shepe. 
Alias !  oure  reule  halteth,  hit  is  benome 12 ; 
2  5  Who  dare  weel  say  that  lordeshyppe  shulde  take  kepe 18  ? 

I  wolle  asaye,  thoughe  myne  herte  gynne  to  wepe, 
To  do  thys  werke,  yf  we  wole  ever  the,14 
For  verry  shame,  to  kepe  aboute  the  see.15 

1  Calais  7  be  carried  past  u  what  has  become  of 

2  outwards,  in  foreign  lands      '  8  make  terms  (with  Eng-          12  taken  away 
a  MS.  and  land)  13  heed 

4  eyes  »  to  the  eye  l4  prosper 

6  postpone  1°  the  gold  coin  called  the          l6  guard  the  circuit  of  the 

6  merchandise  noble  Channel 


THE  LIBEL  OF  ENGLISH  POLICY  385 

Shalle  any  prynce,  what  so  be  hys  name, 
Wheche  hathe  nobles  moche  lyche  cures, 

Be  lorde  of  see,  and  Flemmyngis  to  oure  blame 
Stoppe  us,  take  us,  and  so  make  fade  the  floures 
Of  Englysshe  state,  and  disteyne l  oure  honnoures  ?  5 

For  cowardyse,  alias !  hit  shulde  so  be ; 

Therfore  I  gynne  to  wryte  now  of  the  see. 

Knowe  welle  alle  men  that  profites  in  certayne,2 

Commodytes  called,  commynge  out  of  Spayne, 

And  marchandy,8  who  so  wylle  wete  what  that  is,  10 

Bene  fygues,  raysyns,  wyne  bastarde,4  and  dates ; 

And  lycorys,  Syvyle5  oyle,  and  grayne,6 

Whyte  Castelle 7  sope,  and  wax,  is  not  in  vayne ; 

Iren,  wolle,  wadmole,8  gotefel,9  kydefel 10  also  — 

For  poynt-makers  n  f ulle  nedef ulle  be  the  two  —  15 

Saffron,  quiksilver,  wheche  arne  Spaynes  marchandy, 

Is  into  Flaundres  shypped  fulle  craftylye, 

Unco  Bruges,  as  to  here  staple 12  fayre ; 

The  haven  of  Sluse la  they  have  14  for  here  repayre,16 

Wheche  is  cleped  Swyn,  thaire  shyppes  gydynge,  20 

Where  many  vessells 16  and  fayre  arne  abydynge. 

But  these  merchandes,  wyth  there  shyppes  greet, 

And  suche  chaffare  n  as  they  bye  and  gette 

By  the  weyes,  most  nede  take  one  honde 

By  the  costes  to  passe  of  oure  Englonde.  ...  25 

And  whenne  these  seyde  marchauntz  discharged  be 
Of  marchaundy  in  Flaundres  neere  the  see, 
Than  they  be  charged  agayn  wyth  marchaundy 
That  to  Flaundres  longeth 18  full  rychelye ; 

1  sully  8  a  coarse,  hairy,  woollen  cloth       14  MS.  here  havene 

2  certain  things                            9  goatskin  15  for  them  to  resort  to 

3  merchandise  10  kidskin  16  vessels ;  MS.  wessell 

4  a  sweet  wine,  like  muscadel     n  those  who  made  leather  17  merchandise 

5  Seville                                              lacing-strings  18  belongs;  MS.bougeth 

6  kermes  12  market  (em.  Hertzberg) 

7  Castile  18  siuys 

19.    Sluse:  Edward  Ill's  naval  victory  at  Sluys  in  1340  gave  England  the 
mastery  of  the  Channel  for  centuries. 


386       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

Fyne  clothe  of  Ipre,1  that  named  is  better  than  oure  is, 
Cloothe  of  Curtryke,2  fyne  cloothe  of  alle  coloures, 
Moche  fustyane,  and  also  lynen  cloothe. 
But  ye  Flemmyngis,  yf  ye  be  not  wrothe, 

5  The  grete  substaunce  of  youre  cloothe,  at  the  fulle, 

Ye  wot  ye  make  hit  of  oure 8  Englissh  wolle.  .  .  . 

The  Janueys  4  comyne  in  sondre  wyses 
Into  this  londe,  wyth  dyverse  marchaundyses, 
In  grete  karrekkis,5  arrayde  wythouten  lake 

10  Wyth  clothes  of  golde,  silke,  and  pepir  blake 

They  bringe  wyth  hem,  and  of  wood 6  grete  plente, 
Woole-oyle,  wood-aschen,7  by  vessels  8  in  the  see, 
Coton,  roche-alum,9  and  gode  golde  of  Jene.10 
And  they  be  charged  wyth  wolle  ageyne,  I  wene, 

15  And  wollene  clothe  of  owres,  of  colours  alle. 

And  they  aventure,  as  ofte  it  dothe  byfalle, 
Into  Flaundres  wyth  suche  thynge  as  they  bye, 
That  is  here  u  cheffe  staple  sykerlye 12 ; 
And  if  they  wolde  be  oure  fulle  ennemyse, 

20  They  shulde  not  passe  our  stremez  with  merchaundyse.  .  .  . 

The  grete  galees 18  of  Venees  and  Florence 
Be  wel  ladene  wyth  thynges  of  complacence,14 
Alle  spicerye  and 15  grocers  ware, 
Wyth  swete  wynes,  alle  manere  of  chaffare, 

25  Apes,  and  japes,16  and  marmusettes  taylede," 

Nifles,18  trifles,  that  litelle  have  availede, 
And  thynges  wyth  whiche  they  f etely 19  blere  20  oure  eye, 
Wyth  thynges  not  enduryng  that  we  bye  — 
For  moche  of  thys  chaffare  that  is  wastable 

30  Mighte  be  forborne,  for 21  dere  and  dyssevable.22 

1  Ypres,  in  Belgium  9  rock  alum  16  trinkets 

2  Courtrai,  in  Belgium  »  Genoa  17  marmosets  with  tails 
8  MS.  youre                                 u  their                                               18  baubles, '  notions ' 

*  Genoese  12  in  truth  19  cleverly 

5  caracks,  galleons  i«  galleys  20  dim 

6  woad  (blue  dyestuff)  u  things  that  give  pleasure,        21  as 

"  wood-ashes ;  MS.  woad-  articles  of  luxury  22  deceptive 

»  MS.  wesshelle  15  MS.  and  of 


THE  GUILD  OF  ST.  LEONARD  387 

THE  GUILD  OF  ST.  LEONARD 

The  following  account  of  the  guild  of  St.  Leonard  was  returned  to  the  '  King 
in  Council,  by  order  of  Parliament,'  in  1389.  Our  text  of  it  is  taken  from 
Toulmin  Smith's  English  Gilds  (E.E.T.S.  40.  49-50). 

In  honore  Sancti  Leonardi  confessoris.  In  ]>e  worchep  of  God  alle- 
myghti,  and  of  his  modir  Seynt  Mary,  and  of  alle  )>e  holy  company  of 
heven,  and  specially  of  J>e  holy  confessour  Seynt  Leonard,  pis  gilde 
was  begonne  in  Damgate  in  )>e  toun  of  Lenne,1  forow  ]>e  devocion 
of  men  and  women,  to  fyndyn2  beforn  on  ymage  in  ]>e  Chirche  of  5 
Seynt  Jame  of  Lenn,  in  pe  worchep  of  God  and  of  Seynt  Leonard,  on 
candelle  of  i  li.8  waxe,  to  brenne  every  *  festivale  day  in  fe  jere,  aforn 
pe  ymage  of  Seynt  Leonard.  Alleso  it  is  ordeyned,  be  on  assent  of 
alle  )>e  bretheryn,  ]>at  everiche  brothir  and  sistir  shal  offren  at  )>e 
chirche  of  Seynt  Jame,  on  J>e  Soneday  nexte  aftir  ]>e  fest  of  Seynt  10 
Leonard,5  ob.,6  in  ]>e  worchep  of  God  and  Seynt  Leonard.  Alleso  it 
is  ordeyned,  be  on  assent  of  J>e  brethren,  to  have  foure  morspeches 7 
in  pe  sere.  J>e  firste  shal  bene  ]>e  Moneday  neste  aftir  J>e  forseide 
Soneday.  And  at  )>at  mornspeche,  J>orow  on  assent  of  alle  )>e  brethen, 
to  chesen8  an  aldirman,  wise  and  able  to  reule  )>e  company  to  fe  15 
worchep  of  God ;  and  also  foure  men  for  to  reseyven  and  kepyn 
J>e  katel 9  of  ]?e  gilde ;  and  also  on  certayne  oficere  to  warnyn  alle  fe 
brethren  to  comyn  to  chirche ;  and  also  on  clerke,  to  wryten  fe  katel 
of  ]>e  gilde.  J>e  secunde  morspeche  shal  bene  aftir  ]>e  Purificacioun 
of  our  Levedy.10  J>e  thred,  aftir  pe  feste  of  Phelip  and  Jacob.11  ]?e  20 
fourte,  aftir  )>e  feste  of  Seynt  Petre  Ad  Vincula.™  Alleso  it  is  ordeyned, 
be  on  assent  of  ]>e  brethren,  be  als  mechil  as 18  ]>e  lyght  fornseide  ne 
may  nout  be  meyntened  in  pe  tyme  for  to  come,  every  man  pat  wille 
with  good  devocion  comyn  into  pis  ffraternite  shal  pay  iii  s.  Alleso, 
if  any  brothir  or  sistir  deye,  J>e  aldirman  shal  comand  pe  oficere  to  25 
warnyn  alle  pe  bretheryn  and  sisteryn  to  bryng  pe  cors  to  pe  chirche, 

1  Lynn   (King's    Lynn,  of  6  a  half-penny  (obolus)  10  Feb.  2 

Norfolk)  1  periodical  assemblies  held          u  Philip  and  James ; 

2  provide  on  the  morrow  after  the  May  i 
8  one  pound                                          guild-feast                                  12  Aug.  i 

4  MS.  overy  8  choose  18  inasmuch  as 

5  St.  Leonard's  day  is  Nov.  6          9  property 


388       ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  LIFE  AND  MANNERS 

with  waxe  brennend,  and  pe  waxe  for  to  brenne  in  pe  tyme  of  service. 
And  every  brop ir  and  sistir  shal  offren  at  J>e  messe  for  pe  body  ob. 
^efe  any  brothir  or  sistir  of  pis  company  be  in  any  mischefe,  porow 
losse  of  ]>e  se,1  or  any  other  myshappes,  ]> orow  Codes 2  sond,8  pe  com- 

5  pany  shal  ben  gadered  togedir  and  helpyn  hym.  <?>efe  any  broker  or 
sistir  of  pis  gild  dye  within  a  mile  abouten,  and  have  nout  whereof  to 
bryng  hym  to  )>e  erthe,4  pe  aldirman  and  pe  gilde-brethren  shuln  wend, 
and  bryng  hym  to  pe  erthe  on  peire  owe  costages.5  And  if  any  bropir 
dye  within  pe  iii  mile  aboutyn,  pe  aldirman  shal  gon  and  beryne 6  hym, 

10  or  ellis  hyren  a  man  of  here  costages  to  bryng  hym  to  pe  erthe.  f>ere 
shal  no  bropir  ne  sistir  sene  othir  in  prison,  fat7  he  shal  comyn  and 
vesyten  hym,  and  comfordyn  hym  in  his  powere.  Also,  if  any  bropir 
or  sistir  of  pis  gild  dye,  he  shal  have  xv  messes  songyn  for  his  soule. 
Also,  what  man  or  woman  of  pis  gilde  be  rebel  ageyne  pe  lawe  of 

1 5  Holy  Chirche,  he  shal  lese 8  pe  f raternite  of  pis  gilde  tille  he  come  to 
amendment. 

Be  it  open  to  jow,  be  pes  presentes,  pat  we,  fulliche  undirstondend 
jour  lettres  sent  to  us,  seyend  on  pis  manere,  pat  we  shuld  send  jow 
a  kopy  of  our  statuz,  and  also  pe  summe  of  our  katel,  we  do  sow 

20  openliche  to  wetyn  pat  pe  summe  of  our  katel  is  xxi  s.  viii  d.,  redy  to 
our  lord  pe  kinges  wille. 

1  at  sea  4  bury  him  7  but  that 

2  MS.  goodes  5  at  their  own  expense  8  lose 
8  dispensation                                  °  bury 


TRANSLATIONS 


CHAUCER,  THE  ROMANCE  OF  THE  ROSE 

The  Roman  de  la  Rose,  one  of  the  most  celebrated  and  influential  poems  of 
the  Middle  Ages,  is  the  work  of  two  poets,  Guillaume  de  Lorris  and  Jean  de 
Meun,  the  former  writing  about  1237,  and  the  latter  about  1277.  Of  the  22,817 
lines  in  Michel's  edition  (the  most  accessible),  Guillaume  wrote  4669,  and  Jean 
the  remainder.  Gaston  Paris  has  characterized  Guillaume's  part  by  its  use  of 
the  dream  as  a  frame ;  of  allegory  (the  maiden  as  a  rose) ;  of  a  garden  as  the 
scene  of  the  poem ;  and  of  personification.  Jean  de  Meun's  part  is  more 
formless,  and  makes  much  parade  of  learning. 

The  translation  into  Middle  English  consists  of  7698  lines.  Until  about 
1868  Chaucer's  authorship  of  the  whole  of  this  version  was  not  doubted, 
especially  as  Cupid  is  represented  as  saying  to  Chaucer,  in  the  Prologue  to  the 
Legend  of  Good  Women  (B) : 

For  in  pleyn  text,  withouten  nede  of  glose, 
Thou  hast  translated  the  Romaunce  of  the  Rose. 

At  present  three  divisions  are  recognized:  1-1705  (A),  1706-5810  (B),  5811- 
7698  (C),  corresponding  respectively  to  1-1678,  1679-5875,  and  11,444-13,299 
of  the  French  (Michel's  edition).  Nearly  all  scholars  agree  that  A  is  by 
Chaucer,  and  that  B  is  not ;  Kaluza  believes  that  C  is  also  by  Chaucer,  but  this 
view  has  not  been  generally  accepted. 

Through  Guillaume  de  Digulleville,  or  Guilevile  (d.  about  1360),  the  French 
Roman  may  have  had  an  influence  on  the  Pilgrim's  Progress  (see  Hammond, 
Chaucer,  pp.  76-7). 

For  the  French  original,  see  Gaston  Paris,  Lift.  Fr.  au  Moyen  Age,  chap.  5 ; 
Petit  de  Julleville,  Hist,  de  la  Langue  et  de  la  Lift.  Fr.  2. 105-61  (Langlois) ; 
Hammond,  Chaucer,  pp.  78-9 ;  where  bibliographies  may  be  found.  The 
Roman  has  been  translated  into  English  by  F.  S.  Ellis  (Temple  Classics, 
3  vols.).  For  a  bibliography  of  the  English  translation,  see  Hammond,  Chaucer, 
pp.  450-4. 

The  subjoined  text  is  based  upon  the  reprint  of  the  unique  manuscript 
(Hunterian  Museum,  Glasgow,  V.  3.  7)  by  Kaluza,  issued  by  the  Chaucer 
Society  in  1891.  Omissions  in  the  manuscript  have  been  supplied  from 
Thynne's  edition,  and  a  few  emendations  have  been  admitted.  The  extracts 
below  are,  respectively,  lines  49-89,  1 10-43,  349-68-  To  lines  71-89  of  the  ver 
sion  I  subjoin  67-83  of  the  French  (Michel),  for  the  purpose  of  comparison. 

389 


390 


TRANSLATIONS 


20 


ibush 
2  hedge 
8  clothed 
4  cover 


THE  JOYS  OF  SPRING 

That  it  was  May  me  thought[e]  tho, 
It  is  v  yere  or  more  ago ; 
That  it  was  May,  thus  dremed  me, 
In  tyme  of  love  and  jolite, 
That  al  thing  gynneth  waxen  gay, 
For  ther  is  neither  busk  *  nor  hay 2 
In  May,  that  it  nyl  shrouded8  bene, 
And  it  with  newe  leves  wrene.4 
These  wodes  eek  recoveren  gr[e]ne, 
That  drie  in  wynter  ben  to  sene ; 
And  the  erth  wexith  proude  withall, 
For  swote 6  dewes  that  on  it  fall, 
And  the  pore  estat  forgette 
In  which  that  winter  had  it  sette ; 
And  than  bycometh  the  ground  so  proude 
That  it  wole  have  a  newe  shroude, 
And  makith  so  queynt  his  robe  and  faire 
That  it  hath 6  hewes  an  hundred  payre 
Of  gras  and  flouris,  ynde 7  and  pers,8 
And  many  hewes  ful  dyvers ; 
[That  is  the  robe  I] 9  mene,  iwis, 
[Through  whiche  the]  ground  to  preisen 10  is. 

[The  byrdes,  that  ha]ven  lefte  her  song, 
While  thei  [han  suffrjide  cold  so  strong 
In  wedres  gryl,11  and  derk  to  sight, 
Ben  in  May,  for  the  sonne  bright, 
So  glade,  that  they  shewe  in  syngyng 
That  in  her  hertis  is  sich  lykyng 
That  they  mote  syngen  and  be  light. 
Than  doth  the  nyghtyngale  hir  myght 


6  sweet 

6  MS.  had  (em.  Skeat) 
1  dark  blue  (indigo) 
8  sky-blue 


9  From  Thynne's  edition, 
and  so  the  next  lines 

10  to  be  praised,  admired 

11  disagreeable 


CHAUCER,  THE  ROMANCE  OF  THE  ROSE   391 

To  make  noyse,  and  syngen  blythe ; 

Than  is  blisful,  many  sithe, 

The  chela[un]dre 1  and  [the]  papyngay.2 

Than  yong[e]  folk  entenden  ay 

For  to  ben  gay  and  amorous, 

The  tyme  is  than  so  faverous.8 

Hard  is  the  hert  that  loveth  nought 

In  May,  whan  al  this  mirth  is  wrought, 

Whan  he  may  on  these  braunches  here 

The  smale  briddes  syngen  clere 

Her  blesful  swete  song  pitous. 

Li  oisel,  qui  se  sunt  teii 
Tant  com  il  ont  le  froit  eu, 
Et  le  tens  divers  et  frarin, 
Sunt  en  Mai,  por  le  tens  serin, 
Si  lie  qu'il  monstrent  en  chantant 
Qu'en  lor  cuer  a  de  joie  tant, 
Qu'il  lor  estuet  chanter  par  force. 
Li  rossignos  lores  s'esforce 
De  chanter  et  de  faire  noise ; 
Lors  s'esvertue,  et  lors  s'envoise 
Li  papegaus  et  la  kalandre  : 
Lors  estuet  jones  gens  entendre 
A  estre  gais  et  amoreus 
Por  le  tens  bel  et  doucereus. 
Moult  a  dur  cuer  qui  en  Mai  n'aime, 
Quant  il  ot  chanter  sus  la  raime 
As  oisiaus  les  dous  chans  piteus. 

1  a  kind  of  lark  (a  Mediterranean  species)  -  parrot,  popinjay  3  favorable 


39?  TRANSLATIONS 

THE  RIVER  AND  THE  GARDEN 

Toward  a  ryver  gan  I  me  dresse 1 

That  I  herd  renne  fast[e]  by ; 

For  fairer  plaiyng  non  saugh  I 

Than  playen  me  by  that  ryvere, 
5  For  from  an  hill  that  stood  ther  nere 

Cam  doun  the  streme  ful  stif  and  bold. 

Cleer  was  the  water,  and  as  cold 

[As  any  welle  is,  sot]2h  to  seyn  ; 

[And  somdele  lasse 8]  it  was  than  Seyn, 
10  [But  it  was  strayjghter  wel  away. 

[And  never  sau]gh  I,  er  that  day, 

The  watir  that  so  wel  lyked  4  me ; 

And  wondir  glad  was  I  to  se 

That  lusty  place,  and  that  ryvere ; 
15  And  with  that  watir  that  ran  so  clere 

My  face  I  wysshe.5   Tho  saugh  I  well 

The  botme  paved  everydell 

With  gravel,  ful  of  stones  shene.6 

The  medewe  softe,  swote,7  and  grene, 
20  Beet 8  right  on  the  watirsyde. 

Ful  clere  was  than  the  morowtyde,9 

And  ful  attempre,10  out  of  drede. 

Tho  gan  I  walk  thorough  the  mede, 

Dounward  ay  in  my  pleiyng, 
25  The  ryversyde  costeiyng.11 

And  whan  I  had  a  while  goon, 

I  saugh  a  gardyn  right  anoon, 

Ful  long  and  brood,  and  everydell 

Enclosed  was,  and  walled  well, 
30  With  high[e]  walles  enbatailled, 

Portraied  without,  and  wel  entailled 12 

1  direct  5  washed  9  morning 

s^rom  Thynne,  and  so  next  lines  6  glistening  1°  mild 

8  smaller  7  sweet  n  coasting,  skirting 

*  pleased  8  adjoined  (///.  beat  upon)  12  carved 


CHAUCER,  THE  ROMANCE  OF  THE  ROSE   393 

With  many  riche  portraitures ; 

And  bothe  the  ymages  and  the  peyntures 

Gan  I  biholde  bysyly. 


THE  PICTURE  OF  OLD  AGE 

Elde l  was  [ijpaynted  after  this, 

That  shorter  was  a  foote,  iwys,  5 

Than  she  was  wont  in  her  yonghede.3 
Unneth 8  herselfe  she  might[e]  fede ; 
So  feble  and  eke  so  olde  was  she 
That  faded  was  al  her  beaute. 

Ful  salowe  was  waxen  hir  coloure,  10 

Hir  heed  for  hore 4  was  whyte  as  floure ; 
Iwys,  great  qualme 5  ne  were  it  none, 
Ne  synne,  although  her  lyfe  were  gone. 
Al  woxen  was  her  body  unwelde,6 

And  drie  and  dwyned 7  al  for  elde ;  15 

A  foule  forwelked 8  thyng  was  she 
That  whylom  rounde  and  soft  had  be. 
Hir  eeres  shoken  faste  withall, 
As  from  her  heed  they  wolde  fall. 

Her  face  frounced 9  and  forpyned,10  20 

And  bothe  hir  hondes  lome,11  fordwined.12 
So  olde  she  was  that  she  ne  went 
A  foote,  but  it  were  by  potent.18 
• 

1  old  age  6  unwieldy,  impotent  10  wasted  away 

2  youth  7  dwindled  n  forlorn 

3  with  difficulty  8  withered  12  shrunken 

4  hoariness  9  wrinkled  18  crutch 

5  evil 


394  TRANSLATIONS 

"" 


CHAUCER'S  TRANSLATION  OF  BOETHIUS 

Boethius  (ca.  475-524)  was  a  Roman  patrician  and  consul  in  the  reign  of 
Theodoric.  His  Consolation  of  Philosophy,  said  to  have  been  written  during  his 
imprisonment  by  Theodoric,  is  preserved  in  hundreds  of  manuscripts,  and  was 
regarded  as  the  standard  handbook  of  philosophy  until  the  Renaissance.  This 
book,  which  is  partly  in  verse  and  partly  in  prose,  was  translated  into  prose  by 
Chaucer,  while  allusions  to  it,  and  versions  or  paraphrases  of  many  passages, 
are  scattered  through  his  works.  See  Cook  and  Tinker,  Sel.  Trans,  from  Old 
Eng.  Prose,  p.  116,  and  the  works  mentioned  there. 

The  passages  here  printed  are  from  Book  2  (Metre  5,  and  a  bit  of  Prose  6), 
and  comprise  (i)  Chaucer's  prose  ;  (2)  the  original  Latin  ;  (3)  a  few  lines  of  the 
Old  English  translations,  prose  and  verse,  due  to  King  Alfred  ;  (4)  a  portion  of 
Chaucer's  The  Former  Age  (following  MS.  Camb.  Univ.  li.  3.  21),  which  is 
partly  a  paraphrase  of  the  same  passage.  It  will  be  noted  that  various  glosses 
rendered  by  Chaucer  in  the  prose  version  are  printed  in  italics.  The  Latin 
lines  corresponding  to  a  given  part  of  the  first  version  are  indicated  in  square 
brackets. 

[1-5]  Blisful  was  the  first  age  of  men  !  They  helden  hem  apayed1 
with  the  metes  2  that  the  trewe  8  feldes  broughten  forth.  They  ne  dis- 
troyede  nor  deceivede  nat  hemself  with  outrage.4  They  weren  wont 
lightly  to  slaken  hir  hunger  at  even  with  acornes  of  okes.  [6-1  o]  They 

5  ne  coude  nat  medle  5  the  yif  te  of  Bachus  to  the  cleer  hony  ;  that  is  to 
scyn,  they  coude  make  no  piment  6  nor  clarree  7  ;  ne  they  coude  nat  medle 
the  brighte  fleeses  of  the  contree  of  Seriens8  with  the  venim9  of 
Tyrie  10  ;  this  is  to  seyn,  they  coude  nat  deyen  whyte  fleeses  of  Serien 
contree  with  the  blode  of  a  maner  shelfisshe  that  men  finden  in  Tyrie, 

10  with  whiche  blood  men  deyen  purpur.  They  slepen  hoolsom  slepes  upon 
the  gras,  [11-15]  an(^  dronken  of  the«renninge  wateres;  and  layen 
under  the  shadwes  of  the  heye  pyn-trees.  Ne  no  gest  ne  straungere 
ne  carf11  yit  the  heye  see  with  ores  or  with  shippes;  ne  they  ne 
hadde  seyn  yit  none  newe  strondes,  to  leden  marchaundyse  into  dy- 

15  verse  contrees.  [16-20]  Tho  weren  the  cruel  clariouns  ful  hust12 
and  ful  stille,  ne  blood  yshad  by  egre18  hate  ne  hadde  nat  deyed 

1  contented,  satisfied  6  wjne  mixed  with  honey  (usu-  9  dye 

2  kinds  of  food  ally  spiced  wine)  1°  Tyre 
*  faithful                                           ?  wine  mixed  with  honey,  and  J1  cut 

4  excess  then  clarified  "  silent,  hushed 

'mingle,  mix;  MS.  medly  8  Chinese  i»  fierce,  bitter 


CHAUCER'S  TRANSLATION  OF  BOETHIUS       395 


yit  armures.1  For  wherto  or  which  woodnesse 2  of  enemys  wolde  first 
moeven3  armes,  [21-26]  whan  they  seyen  cruel  woundes,  ne  none 
medes 4  be  of  blood  yshad  ?  I  wolde  that  oure  tymes  sholde  torne 
ayein  to  the  olde  maneres !  But  the  anguissous 8  love  of  havinge  bren- 
neth  in  folk  more  cruely  than  the  fyr  of  the  mountaigne  Ethna,  that  ay  5 
brenneth.  [27-30]  Alias!  what  was  he  that  first  dalf 6  up  the  gobetes 7 
or  the  weightes  of  gold  covered  under  «rthe,  and  the  precious  stones 
that  wolden  han  ben  hid  ?  He  dalf  up  precious  perils.  That  is  to  seyn, 
that  he  that  hem  first  up  dalf,  he  dalf  up  a  precious  peril ;  forwhy % 
for  the  predousnesse  of  swiche  thinge  hath  many  man  ben  in  peril.  10 

\Prose\  But  what  shal  I  seye  of  dignitees  and  of  powers,  the  whiche 
ye  men,  that  neither  knowen  verray9  dignitee  ne  verray  power, 
areysen 10  hem  as  heye  as  the  hevene  ?  The  whiche  dignitees  and 
powers,  yif  they  comen  to  any  wikked  man,  they  don  as  grete 
damages  and  destrucciouns  as  doth  the  flaumbe  u  of  the  mountaigne  1 5 
Ethna,  whan  the  flaumbe  walweth 12  up ;  ne  no  deluge  ne  doth  so 
cruel  harmes. 

Felix  nimium  prior  aetas, 

Contenta  fidelibus  arvis 

Nee  inerti  perdita  luxu,  20 

Facili  quae  sera  solebat 

Jejunia  solvere  glande. 

Non  Bacchica  munera  norant 

Liquido  confundere  melle, 

Nee  lucida  vellera  Serum  25 

Tyrio  miscere  veneno. 

Somnos  dabat  herba  salubres, 

Potum  quoque  lubricus  amnis, 

Umbras  altissima  pinus. 

Nondum  maris  alta  secabat,  30 

Nee  mercibus  undique  lectis 

Nova  litora  viderat  hospes. 


1  armor 

2  madness,  rage 
8  stir  up 

*  rewards 


6  tormenting 
6  dug 
1  lumps 
8  wherefore 


9  true 
)o  exalt 
u  flame 
12  rolls,  tosses 


396  TRANSLATIONS 

Tune  classica  saeva  tacebant, 

Odiis  neque  fusus  acerbis 

Cruor  horrida  tinxerat  arva. 

Quid  enim  furor  hosticus  ulla 
5  Vellet  prior  arma  movere, 

Cum  vulnera  saeva  viderent, 

Nee  praemia  sanguinis  ulla  ? 

Utinam  modo  nostra  redirent 

In  mores  tempora  priscos ! 
10  Sed,  sasvior  ignibus  ^Etnae, 

Fervens  amor  ardet  habendi. 

Heu  1  primus  quis  fuit  ille 

Auri  qui  pondera  tecti, 

Gemmasque  latere  volentes, 
15  Pretiosa  pericula,  fodit? 

Quid  autem  de  dignitatibus  potentiaque  disseram  qua  vos  verae  dig- 
nitatis  ac  potestatis  inscii  caelo  exaequatis  ?  Quae  si  in  improbissimum 
quemque  ceciderunt  quae  flammis  ^tnae  eructuantibus,  quod  diluvium 
tantas  strages  dederint  ? 

20  Treowa  waestmas  hi  aeton  and  wyrta ;  nalles  scir  win  hi  ne  druncan, 
ne  nanne  waetan  h!  ne  cupon  wift  hunige  mengan,  ne  seolocenra  hraegla 
mid  mistlicum  bleowum  hi  ne  gimdon.  Ealne  weg  hi  slepon  ute  on 
triowa  sceadum ;  hluterra  wella  waeter  hi  druncon.  Ne  geseah  nan 
cepa  ealand  ne  werofc,  ne  geherde  non  mon  ]>a  get  nanne  sciphere. 

2  5  And  hi  sene  on  daege  aeton  symle 

On  aafentid  eor)>an  waestmas, 

Wudes  and  wyrta  ;  nalles  win  druncon 

Scir  of  steape.    Naes  )>a  scealca  nan 

J>e  mete  ofrSe  drinc  maengan  cu5e, 
3°  Waeter  wi$  hunige,  ne  heora  waeda  )>on  ma 

Sioloce  siowian,  ne  hi  siarocraeftum 

Godweb  giredon,  ne  hi  gimreced 

Setton  searolice,  ac  hi  simle  him 

Eallum  tldum  ute  slepon 


CHAUCER'S  TRANSLATION  OF  BOETHIUS       397 

Uncjer  beamsceade ;  druncon  burnan  waeter, 

Calde  wellan.    Neenig  cepa  ne  seah 

Ofer  eargeblond  ellendne  wearod, 

Ne  huru  ymbe  sciphergas  saEtilcas  ne  herdon. 


THE  FORMER  AGE 

A  blysful  lyf,  a  paysyble  and  a  swete, 
Ledden  the  poeples  in  the  former  age ; 
They  helde  hem  paied l  of  fructes 2  }>at  j?ey  etc, 
Whiche  fat  the  feldes  yave  hem  by  usage 3 ; 
They  ne  weere  nat  forpampred 4  with  owtrage.5 
Onknowyn  was  ]>e  quyerne  6  and  ek  the  melle "' ; 
They  eten  mast,  hawes,  and  swych  pownage,8 
And  dronken  water  of  the  colde  welle. 

Yit  nas  the  grownd  nat  wownded  with  ]>e  plowh, 
But  corn  upsprong,  unsowe  of  mannes  hond, 
f>e  which  they  gnodded,9  and  eete  nat  half  inowh. 
No  man  yit  knewe  the  forwes  10  of  his  lond ; 
No  man  the  fyr  owt  of  the  flynt  yit  fonde ; 
Unkorven  n  and  ungrobbed  12  lay  the  vyne ; 
No  man  yit  in  the  morter  spices  grond, 
To 13  clarre  ne  to  sawse  of  galentyne.14 

No  madyr,15  welde,16  or  wod 1T  no  litestere 18 
Ne  knewh ;  the  fles 19  was  of  [h]is  former  hewe  ; 
No  flessh  ne  wyste  offence  of  egge 20  or  spere ; 
No  coyn  ne  knewh  man  which  was  21  fals  or  trewe ; 


10 


20 


1  satisfied 

2  MS.  the  fructes 

a  customarily,  regularly 

4  pampered 

5  excess 

6  hand-mill 
f  mill 

8  swine's  food 

9  rubbed,  bruised  ;  ci.Rom. 


Rose  9124  (the  whole        15  madder 


passage   seems   imitated 
from  Boethius) :  '  Et  des 
espis  des  bl^s  frotoient ' 
1°  furrows 

11  unpruned 

12  not  digged  round 
is  for 

H  a  mixture  of  ginger,  grated 
bread,  vinegar,  etc. 


16  dyeweed,  yellowweed 
i"  woad 
is  dyer 
»  fleece 

20  edge 

21  MS.  is 


398  TRANSLATIONS 

No  ship  yit  karf  the  wawes  grene  and  blewe ; 
No  marchaunt  yit  ne  fette  owtlandissh  ware ; 
No  trompes l  for  the  werres  folk  ne  knewe, 
Ne  towres  heye,  and  walles  rownde  or  square. 

5  What  sholde  it  han  avayled  to  werreye 2  ? 

Ther  lay  no  profyt,  ther  was  no  rychesse ; 
But  corsed  was  the  tyme,  I  dar  wel  seye, 
f>at  men  fyrst  dede  hir  swety  bysynesse 
To  grobbe  up  metal,  lurkynge  in  derknesse,8 

10  And  in  |>e  ryverys  fyrst[e]  gemmys  sowhte. 

Alias  1  than  sprong  up  al  the  cursydnesse 
Of  coveytyse,  )>at  fyrst  owr  sorwe  browhte. 


WYCLIFFITE  TRANSLATIONS  OF  THE  BIBLE 

The  extracts  here  given  are  from  the  second  Wycliffite  version  of  the 
Vulgate  (ca.  1388),  which  is  not  so  awkwardly  literal  as  the  earlier  (ca.  1380). 
An  interesting  study  of  the  Wycliffite  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  compared  with 
the  Latin  and  another  (fragmentary)  Middle  English  rendering,  has  been 
published  by  Dr.  Emma  C.  Tucker  ( Yale  Studies  in  English,  No.  49). 

JOB  41.20-28;  42.4-25 

Whether  thou  schalt  mowe  drawe  out  levyathan  with  an  hook,  and 
schalt  bynde  with  a  roop  his  tunge?  Whethir  thou  schalt  putte  a 

1 5  ryng  in  hise  nosethirlis,  ethir  schalt  perse  hyse  cheke  with  an  hook  ? 
Whether  he  schal  multiplie  preieris  to  thee,  ether  schal  speke  softe 
thingis  to  thee  ?  Whether  he  schal  make  covenaunt  with  thee,  and 
thou  schalt  take  him  a  servaunt  everlastinge  ?  Whether  thou  schalt 
scorne  hym  as  a  brid,  ethir  schalt  bynde  hym  to  thin  handmaidis? 

20  Schulen  frendis  kerve  hym  ?  schulen  marchauntis  departe  hym  ? 
Whether  thou  schalt  fille  nettis  with  his  skyn,  and  a  leep4  of  fischis 
with  his  heed?  Schalt  thou  putte  thin  hond  on  hym?  have  thou 
mynde  of  the  batel,  and  adde  no  more  to  speke.  Lo,  his  hope  schal 
disseyve  hym ;  and  in  the  sijt  of  alle  men  he  schal  be  cast  doun.  .  .  . 

i  MS.  batails  trompes  -  fight  8  MS.  dirkenesse  4  basket 


WYCLIFFITE  TRANSLATIONS  OF  THE  BIBLE       399 

Who  schal  schewe  the  face  of  his  clothing,  and  who  schal  entre  into 
the  myddis  of  his  mouth  ?  Who  schal  opene  the  jatis  of  his  cheer l  ? 
ferdfulnesse 2  is  bi  the  cumpas  of  hise  teeth.  His  bodi  is  as  jotun8 
scheldys  of  bras,  and  joyned  togidere  with  scalis  overleiynge  hemsilf.4 
Oon  is  joyned  to  another,  and  sotheli  brething  goith  not  thorouj  5 
tho.5  Oon  schal  cleve  to  anothir,  and  tho  holdynge  hemsilf  schulen 
not  be  departid."  His  fnesynge7  is  as  schynynge  of  fier,  and  hise 
ijen 8  ben  as  ijelidis  of  the  morewtid.9  Laumpis  comen  forth  of  his 
mouth,  as  trees10  of  fier  that  ben  kyndlid.  Smoke  cometh  forth  of 
hise  nosethirlis,  as  of  a  pot  set  on  the  fier  and  boilynge.  His  breeth  10 
maketh  colis  to  brenne,  and  flawme  goith  out  of  his  mouth.  Strengthe 
schal  dwelle  in  his  necke,  and  nedynesse  u  schal  go  bifor  his  face.  The 
membris  of  hise  fleischis  ben  clevynge  togidere  to  hemsilf ;  God  schal 
sende  floodis 12  ajens  hym,  and  tho  schulen  not  be  borun  to  another 
place.  His  herte  schal  be  maad  hard  as  a  stoon ;  and  it  schal  be  1 5 
streyned 13  togidere  as  the  anefeld 14  of  a  smith.  Whanne  he  schal  be 
takun  awei,  aungels  schulen  drede ;  and  thei,  aferd,  schulen  be  purgid.16 
Whanne  swerd  takith  hym,  it  may  not  stonde,  nethir  spere,  nether 
haburjoun.16  For  he  schal  arette  irun  as  chaffis,  and  bras  as  rotun  tre. 
A  man  archere  schal  not  dryve  hym  awei ;  stoonys  of  a  slynge  ben  20 
turned  into  stobil  to  hym.  He  schal  arette  "  an  hamer  as  stobil,18  and 
he  schal  scorne  a  florischynge 19  spere.  The  beemys  of  the  sunne 
schulen  be  undur  hym ;  and  he  schal  strewe  to  hymsilf  gold  as  cley. 
He  schal  make  the  depe  se  to  buyle  as  a  pot ;  and  he  schal  putte 20 
as  whanne  oynementis  buylen.  A  path  schal  schyne  aftir  hym ;  he  25 
schal  gesse  21  the  greet  occian  as  wexynge  eld.  No  power  is  on  erthe 
that  schal  be  comparisound  to  hym,  which  is  maad  that  he  schulde 
drede  noon.  He  seeth  al  hij  thing;  he  is  kyng  over  alle  the  sones 
of  pride. 

1  face  8  eyes  15  purified 

2  terror  9  morning  16  breastplate 
8  molten                           10  torches  17  esteem 

4  one  another  u  want,  poverty  18  stubble 

5  them  12  Lat.  fulmina,  read  as  flumina  19  brandishing,  waving 

6  separated  i»  compacted  2°  regard  (it) 

7  sneezing  H  anvil  21  esteem 


400  TRANSLATIONS 


JOHN  17.1-6 

These  thingis  Jesus  spak,  and  whanne  he  hadde  cast  up  hise  i 
into  hevene,  he  seide :  '  Fadir,  the  our  cometh ;  clarifie 1  thi  sone, 
that  thi  sone  clarifie  thee ;  as  thou  hast  jovun  to  hym  power  on  ech 
fleisch,  that  al  thing  that  thou  hast  jovun  to  hym,  he  jyve  to  hem 

5  everlastynge  liif.  And  this  is  everlastynge  liif,  that  thei  knowe  thee 
very  God  aloone,  and  whom  thou  hast  sent,  Jesu  Crist.  Y  have 
clarified  thee  on  the  erthe ;  Y  have  endid  the  werk  that  thou  hast 
jovun  to  me  to  do.  And  now,  Fadir,  clarifie  thou  me  at2  thisilf,  with 
the  clerenesse8  that  Y  hadde  at  thee  bifor  the  world  was  maad.  Y 

10  have  schewid  thi  name  to  tho  men  whiche  thou  hast  jovun  to  me  of 
the  world ;  thei  weren  thine,  and  thou  hast  govun  hem  to  me,  and 
thei  han  kept  thi  word. 

REVELATION  14 

And  Y  sai,  and  lo !  a  Lomb  stood  on  the  mount  of  Sion,  and  with 
hym  an  hundrid  thousynde  and  foure  and  fourti  thousynde,  havynge 

1 5  his  name,  and  the  name  of  his  Fadir,  writun  in  her  forhedis.  And  Y 
herde  a  vois  fro  hevene,  as  the  vois  of  many  watris,  and  as  the  vois 
of  a  greet  thundur;  and  the  vois  which  is  herd  was  as  of  many 
harperis  harpinge  in  her  harpis ;  and  thei  sungun  as  a  newe  song 
bifor  the  seete 4  of  God,  and  bifore  the  foure  beestis  and  senyouris ; 

20  and  no  man  mijte  seie  the  song  but  thei,  an  hundrid  thousynde  and 

1  glorify  2  with ;  Lat.  apud  8  glory  *  throne 

i.  thingis  :  cf.  the  Old  English  of  verses  1-3  : 

D3s  bing  se  HaMend  spraec,  and  ah5f  upp  his  eagan  to  heofenum,  and  cwae'S :  '  Fasder, 
tid  ys  cumen ;  geswutela  binne  Sunu,  bast  bin  Sunu  geswutelige  be ;  and  swi  bu  him 
sealdest  anweald  aelces  mannes,  baet  he  sylle  ece  lif  eallum  bam  be  b"  him  sealdest. 
Dis  ys  soblice  ece  lif,  baet  hi  oncnSwon  baet  J>u  eart  in  sob  God,  and  se  be  J>u  sendest, 
Hselynde  Crist.' 

Tyndale  has : 

These  wordes  spake  Jesus,  and  lifte  uppe  his  eyes  to  heven,  and  sayde  :  '  Father,  the 
houre  is  come ;  glorify  thy  Sonne,  that  thy  Sonne  maye  glorify  the  ;  as  thou  hast  geven 
hym  power  over  all  fleshe,  that  he  shulde  geve  eternall  life  to  as  many  as  thou  hast 
geven  him.  This  is  life  eternall,  that  they  myght  knowe  the,  that  only  very  God,  and 
whom  thou  hast  sent,  Jesus  Christ.' 


WYCLIFFITE  TRANSLATIONS  OF  THE  BIBLE      401 

foure  and  fourti  thousynde,  that  ben  boujt  fro  the  erthe.  These  it 
ben  that  ben  not  defoulid  with  wymmen,  for  thei  ben  virgyns.  These 
suen  the  Lomb  whidir  ever  he  schal  go.  These  ben  boujt  of  alle  men, 
the  firste  fruytis  to  God  and  to  the  Lomb ;  and  in  the  mouth  of  hem 
lesyng1  is  not  foundun,  for  thei  ben  without  wem2  bifor  the  trone  5 
of  God.  And  Y  say  another  aungel,  fliynge  bi  the  myddil  of  hevene, 
havynge  an  everlastinge  gospel  that  he  schulde  preche  to  men  sittynge 
on  erthe,  and  on  ech  folk,  and  lynage,  and  langage,  and  puple ;  and 
seide  with  a  greet  vois :  '  Drede  je  the  Lord,  and  jyve  56  to  hym 
onour,  for  the  our  of  his  dom  cometh ;  and  worschipe  je  hym  that  10 
made  hevene  and  erthe,  the  see,  and  alle  thingis  that  ben  in  hem,  and 
the  wellis  of  watris.'  And  anothir  aungel  suede,8  seiynge :  '  Thilke 
greet  Babiloyne  fel  doun,  fel  doun,  which  jaf  drinke  to  alle  folkis  of 
the  wyn  of  wraththe  of  her  fornycacioun.'  And  the  thridde  aungel 
suede  hem,  and  seide  with  a  greet  vois :  '  If  ony  man  worschipe  the  1 5 
beeste  and  the  ymage  of  it,  and  takith  the  carecter*  in  his  forheed, 
ether  in  his  hoond,  this  schal  drynke  of  the  wyn  of  Goddis  wraththe, 
that  is  meynd  5  with  clere  wyn  in  the  cuppe  of  his  wraththe,  and  schal 
be  turmentid  with  fier  and  brymston,  in  the  sijt  of  hooli  aungels,  and 
bifore  the  sijt  of  the  Lomb ;  and  the  smoke  of  her  turmentis  schal  20 
stie 6  up  into  the  worldis  of  worldis ;  nether  thei  han  reste  dai  and 
nijt,  whiche  worschipiden  the  beeste  and  his  ymage,  and  yf  ony  man 
take  the  carect  of  his  name.  Here  is  the  pacience  of  seyntis,  whiche 
kepen  the  maundementis  of  God,  and  the  feith  of  Jesu.'  And  Y  herde 
a  vois  fro  hevene  seiynge  to  me :  '  Write  thou,  Blessid  ben  deed  men  25 
that  dien  in  the  Lord  ;  fro  hennus  forth  now  the  Spirit  seith  that  thei 
reste  of  her  traveilis ;  for  the  werkis  of  hem  suen  hem.'  And  Y  say,7 
and  lo  a  white  cloude,  and  above  the  cloude  a  sittere,  liik  the  Sone  of 
man,  havynge  in  his  heed  a  goldun  coroun,  and  in  his  hond  a  scharp 
sikil.  And  another  aungel  wente  out  of  the  temple,  and  criede  with  30 
greet  vois  to  hym  that  sat  on  the  cloude :  '  Sende  thi  sikil,  and  repe, 
for  the  our  cometh  that  it  be  ropun  ;  for  the  corn  of  the  erthe,  is  ripe.' 
And  he  that  sat  on  the  cloude  sente  his  sikil  into  the  erthe,  and  rap 
the  erthe.  And  another  aungel  wente  out  of  the  temple  that  is  in 

1  falsehood  8  followed  6  mingled  7  looked 

2  blemish  <  mark  8  rise 


402  TRANSLATIONS 

hevene,  and  he  also  hadde  a  scharp  sikile.  And  another  aungel  wente 
out  fro  the  auter,  that  hadde  power  on  fier  and  water ;  and  he  criede 
with  a  greet  vois  to  hym  that  hadde  the  scharp  sikil,  and  seide: 
'  Sende  thi  scharp  sikil,  and  kitte  awei  the  clustris  of  the  vynjerd 
5  of  the  erthe,  for  the  grapis  of  it  ben  ripe.'  And  the  aungel  sente  his 
sikil  into  the  erthe,  and  gaderide  grapis  of  the  vynjerd  of  the  erthe, 
and  sente  into  the  greet  lake  of  Goddis  wraththe.  And  the  lake  was 
troddun  without  the  citee,  and  the  bloode  wente  out  of  the  lake  til  to 
the  bridels  of  horsis,  bi  furlongis  a  thousynd  and  six  hundrid. 


VERSIONS  OF  PSALM  51.1-3 
LATIN 

10  Miserere  mei,  Deus,  secundum  magnam  misericordiam  tuam ;  et  se- 
cundum  multitudinem  miserationum  tuarum  dele  iniquitatem  meam. 
Amplius  lava  me  ab  iniquitate  mea,  et  a  peccato  meo  munda  me. 
Quoniam  iniquitatem  meam  cognosco,  et  peccatum  meum  contra  me 
est  semper. 

ABOUT  1200 

Vices  and  Virtues,  in  Smyth,  Biblical  Quotations  in  Middle  English  Litera 
ture  (Yale  Studies  in  English,  No.  41),  p.  42. 

15  Hlaverd,  .  .  .  after-Sat-fte  8in  mildce  ys  michel,  have  ore  of  mine 
michele  senne ;  and  after  Sine  manifealde  mildces  fce  t5u  hafst  ihafd 
to  mankenne,  Hlaverd,  do  awei  fram  me  Sese  michele  unrihtwisnesse. 

A.D.  1300-1350 

Bulbring,  Earliest  Complete  English  Prose  Psalter,  p.  60 

• 

Ha  mercy  on  me,  God,  efter  ]>y  mychel  mercy ;  and  efter  )>e 
mychelnes  of  )>y  pites  do  way  my  wickednes.    Whasshe  me  more 
20  of  my  wickednes,  and  dense  me  of  myn  synne.    For  ich  knowe  my 
wickednes,  and  my  synne  ys  evermore  ojains  me. 


VERSIONS  OF  PSALM  51.  1-3  403 

A.D.  1350-1400 
Horstmann,  Richard  Rolle,  pp.  182-3 

God,  pou  have  mercy  of  me, 

After  mikel  mercy  of  pe ; 

And  after  of  pi  reupes  pe  mikelnes 

f>ou  do  awai  mi  wickednes. 

Nou  mare  me  wasche  of  min  ivel  bidene,  5 

And  of  mi  sinne  pou  klens  me  klene. 

For  mi  wicke[d]nes  I  knaw  fat  I  am  inne, 

And  ai  ogain  me  es  mi  sinne. 

ABOUT  1388 
Wycliffe 

God,  have  thou  merci  on  me,  bi  thi  greet  merci ;  and  bi  the  mychil- 
nes  of  thi  merciful  doyngis  do  thou  awei  my  wickidnesse.     More  10 
waische  thou  me  fro  my  wickidnesse,  and  dense  thou  me  fro  my 
synne.     For  Y  knouleche  my  wickidnesse,  and  my  synne  is  evere 
ajeyns  me. 

ABOUT  1460 

Political,  Keligious,  and  Love  Songs  (reprint  of  E.E.T.S.  15),  pp.  279-80 

Mercy,  God,  of  my  mysdede, 

For  ]> i  mercy  pat  mychel  ys ;  15 

Lat  pi  pite  sprynge  and  sprede, 

Off  pi  mercy  pat  I  ne  mys. 
After  gostly  grace  I  grede  * ; 

Good  God,  pou  graunt  me  pis, 
J>at  I  may  lyve  in  love  and  drede,  20 

And  never  after  do 2  more  amys. 

And  after  pi  mercies  pat  ben  fele,8 
Lord,  fordo  my  wickydnesse ; 

l  cry  MS.  to  do  8  many 


404  TRANSLATIONS 

^yve  me  grace  to  hyde  and  hele 
The  blame  of  my  bruchelnesse. 
,£)if  any  sterynge l  on  me  stele 

Out  of  pe  clos  of  pi  clennesse, 

5  Wysse  me,  Lord,  in  wo  and  weele, 

And  kepe  me  fram  unkyndnesse. 

Moreover,  wasche  me  of  my  synne, 
And  of  my  gultes  clanse  pow  me ; 

And  serche  my  soule  without  and  inne, 
10  That  I  no  more  defowlid  be. 

And  as  pyn  hert  aclef  atwynne 2 
With  doleful  deth  on  pe  rode-tre, 

Late  me  never  no  werke  bigynne, 
Lord,  but-jif 8  it  lyke  pee. 

15  For  al  my  wickidnesse  I  knowe, 

And  my  synne  is  ever  me  ajeyn ; 
Therfore  late  pi  grace  growe, 

Jesu,  pat  was  with  Jewis  sleyn. 
Ryche  and  pore,  hye  and  lowe, 
20  Smale  and  gret[e],  in  certeyn, 

Atte  Domesdaie,  when  pou  schalt  blowe, 
Of  pi  mercy  schul  be  ful  feyn. 


A.D.  1535 
Coverdale 

Have  mercy  upon  me  (O  God),  after  thy  goodnes ;  and  acordinge 
unto  thy  greate  mercies  do  awaye  myne  offences.    Wash  me  well  fro 
25  my  wickednesse,  and  dense  me  fro  my  synne.    For  I  knowlege  my 
fautes,  and  my  synne  is  ever  before  me. 

l  guidance  (?) ;  stirring  (?)  2  burst  in  twain  8  unless 


VERSIONS  OF  PSALM  51.  1-3 

A.D.  1560 
Geneva  Version 

Have  mercie  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy  loving  kindenes ; 
according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  compassions  put  awaie  mine  iniqui 
ties.  Wash  me  throughly  from  mine  iniquitie,  and  dense  me  from  my 
sinne.  For  I  knowe  mine  iniquities,  and  my  sinne  is  ever  before  me. 

A.D.  1611 
Authorized  Version 

Have  mercie  upon  mee,  O  God,  according  to  thy  loving  kindnesse ;  5 
according  unto  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies  blot  out  my  trans 
gressions.    Wash  mee  throughly  from  mine  iniquitie,  and  dense  me 
from  my  sinne.    For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions,  and  my  sinne 
is  ever  before  mee. 


LYRICS 


CUCKOO  SONG 

About  1240  (New  Eng.  Diet.).  From  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Harl.  978,  where  it  is 
accompanied  "by  the  music.  The  author  of  this  rondel,  rota,  or  round,  may 
perhaps  have  been  John  of  Fornsete,  a  monk  of  the  abbey  of  Reading.  The 
melody  is  of  considerable  importance  in  the  history  of  English  music.  Sober 
musical  critics  have  spoken  of  '  this  amazing  production,'  of  its  '  ingenuity  and 
beauty,'  of  '  the  airy  and  pastoral  correspondence  between  the  words  and  the 
music.'  See  Grove's  Diet.  Music,  2d  ed.,  4.745-54  (cf.  3.750-1,  765) ;  Oxford 
Hist.  Music  1.326-38  (Wooldridge) ;  Trans.  Phil.  Soc.  for  1868,  p.  103; 
E.E.T.S.  7.  419-28.  There  are  facsimiles  in  Grove  (4.  748),  Chappell,  Pop. 
Music  of  the  Olden  Time,  and  the  facsimiles  of  the  Palaeographical  Society, 
PartS,  PI.  125. 

Sing,  cuccu,  nu a  /  Sing,  cuccu  ! 
Sing,  cuccu  !  Sing,  cuccu,  nu  ! 

Sumer  is  icumen  in  ; 

Lhude 2  sing,  cuccu  ! 
Crowe]?  sed,  and  blowep 8  med,* 

And  spring}?  J>e  wde 5  nu. 

Sing,  cuccu  I 
Awe 6  blete]>  after  lomb, 

Lhouf 7  after  calve  cu ; 
Bulluc  stertej),8  bucke  verte]> ' ;   ; 

Murie 10  sing,  cuccu  I 
Cuccu !  cuccu  1 

Wei  singes  }>u,  cuccu ; 


1  now 

2  loudly 
8  blooms 

4  mead,  meadow 
6  wood 


Ne  swik  n  }m  naver 12  nu. 

«  ewe 
7  lows 

*  bounds,  frisks  (cf .  Chaucer,  K.  T.  644  : 
'  a  courser,  sterling  as  the  fyr  *) 

406 


»  pedit  (Lat.) 

10  merrily 

11  cease 

12  never 


SPRING 


407 


About  1310. 
pp.  164-5- 


SPRING 

From  Bbddeker,  Altenglische  Dichtungen  des  MS.  Harl.  2253, 

Lenten  ys  come  wi})  love  to  toune,1 
Wip  blosmen  and  wij)  briddes  roune,2 

J>at  al  f  is  blisse  bryngep  ; 
Dayesejes  3  in  J>is  4  dales, 
Notes  suete  of  nyhtegales  ; 

Uch  foul  song  singef. 
The  frestelcoc  him  prete))  5  oo  6  ; 
Away  is  huere  7  wynter  woo, 

When  woderove  8  springe}). 
f>is  foules  singe})  ferly  fele,9 
Ant  wlytef  10  on  huere  wynter  wele,11 

f>at  al  })e  wode  ryngef. 

J>e  rose  rayle))  12  hire  rode  18  ; 
The  leves  on  fe  lyhte  14  wode 

Waxen  al  wi})  wille.15 
Ipe  mone  mandej)  16  hire  bleo  n  ; 
J>e  lilie  is  lossom  18  to  seo, 

}?efenyl19  and  penile.20 
Wowes  21  fis  wilde  drakes  ;    ' 
Miles  22  murge))  28  huere  makes,24 

Ase  strem  fat  strike})25  stille. 
Mody  26  mene}),27  so  do})  28  mo  M  ; 
Ichot  Ycham  80  on  of  fo, 

For  love  fat  likes  ille.81 


10 


15 


20 


1  spring  has  made  its  appear- 

ance,  with  love 

2  song 

8  daisies 

4  these 

5  disputes  with  himself  (?) 

6  ever 

7  their 

8  woodruff 

9  wonderfully  much 
10  look  back 


12  puts  on  (as  a  garment) 

13  ruddiness 

14  fluttering,  trembling  (trans-    24  mates 

ferred  epithet,  belonging    26  flows 
properly  to  '  leves  ') 
16  eagerly 

16  sends  forth 

17  color 

18  lovely 

19  fennel 
2<>  chervil 


22  animals  (so  Matzner) 
^  delight 


U  winter's  well-being  (ironical?)    21  woo 


26  disconsolate  ones  ?  (cf  . 
Shakespeare,  King 
John  4.  1.  15-16) 

2"  lament 

28  MS.  doh 

29  others 

*°  I  know  I  am 
81  annoys,  vexes 


408  LYRICS 

f»e  mone  mandeb  hire  lyht ; 
So  dob  be  semly 1  sonne  bryht, 

When  briddes  singeb  breme.2 
Deawes  donkeb 8  be  dounes ; 
5  Deores  *  w[r]ij) 6  huere  derne  rounes,6 

Domes  for  te  deme 7 ; 
Wormes  woweb  under  cloude 8 ; 
Wymmen  waxeb  wounder  proude, 

So  wel  hit  wol  hem  seme.9 
10  <5ef  me  shal  wonte  wille  of  on,10 

J>is  worldes  n  weole 12  Y  wole  forgon,18 

Ant  wyht u  in  wode 15  be  fleme.16 

WHEN  THE  NIGHTINGALE  SINGS 
About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  p.  174 

When  be  nyhtegale  singes, 
J>e  wodes  waxen  grene, 
15  Lef  ant  gras  ant  blosme  springes 

In  Averyl,  Y  wene ; 
Ant  love  is  to  myn  herte  gon 

Wi)>  one 17  spere  so  kene, 
Nyht  ant  day  my  blod  hit  drynkes, 
20  Myn  herte  deb  to 18  tene.19 

Ich  have  loved  al  J)is  jer, 

J>at  Y  may  love  na  more ; 
Ich  have  siked  ^  moni  syk, 

Lemmon,21  for  bin  ore 2'2 ; 

1  goodly  8  clod  16  fugitive 

2  gaily  9  beseem,  become  ir  a 

«  wet  1°  if  I  shall  fail  to  have        "  Wright  (Sfec.  Lyr.  Poetryt 
*  animals  my  will  of  one  p.  92),  me 

6  divulge ;     cf.     Chaucer,  »  MS.  wunne  19  distress,  anguish 

Compl.  Mars  91  ;    T.  w  weal  20  sighed 

and  C.  2. 537  18  forego  ^  sweetheart 

6  their  secret  communings  14  bold  (?)  ^  favor,  grace 

1  sentiments  to  express  16  forest 


409 


1  nearer 

2  long 

8  will  not 
<  dear 

5  augment 

6  kiss 


Me  nis  love  never  ]>e  ner,1 

Ant  }>at  me  rewe)>  sore ; 
Suete  lemmon,  fench  on  me, 

Ich  have  loved  )>e  gore.2 

Suete  lemmon,  Y  preye  pee 

Of  love  one  speche ; 
Whil  Y  lyve  in  world  so  wyde 

O}>er  nulle 8  Y  seche. 
Wij?  ]>y  love,  my  suete  leof,4 

My  blis  J>ou  mihtes  eche 5 ; 
A  suete  cos 6  of  ]>y  mouth 

Mihte  be  my  leche.7 

Suete  lemmon,  Y  preje  J>ee 

Of  a  love-bene s : 
^ef  )>ou  me  lovest,  ase  men  says, 

Lemmon,  as  I  wene, 
Ant  jef  hit  Jn  wille  be, 

J>ou  loke  fat  hit  be  sene ; 
So  muchel  Y  penke  upon  ]>e 

]?at  al  Y  waxe  grene.9 

Bituene  Lyncolne  ant  Lyndeseye,10 

Norhamptoun  ant  Lounde,11 
Ne  wot  I  non  so  fayr  a  may, 

As  I  go  fore  ybounde.12 
Suete  lemmon,  Y  preje  pe 

f>ou  lovie  me  a  stounde 13 ; 
Y  wole  mone  my  song 

On  wham  hit  ys  ylong.14 


10 


7  healing 

8  love-boon 

9  pale 

1°  Lindsey  in  Suffolk,  about 
100  miles  from  Lincoln 


11  London,  about  57  miles  from 

Northampton 

12  as  I  go  in  bondage  for 
18  for  a  time 

14  to  whom  it  belongs ;  MS.  on 
wham  l>at  hit  ys  on  ylong 


410  LYRICS 

ALISON 

About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  pp.  147-8.   Translation  in  Ten  Brink,  Early 
Eng.  Lit.,  pp.  308-9. 

An  hendy  hap  Ichabbe  yhent  * ; 

Ichot*  from  hevene  it  is  me  sent ; 
From  alle  wymmen  mi  love  is  lent* 
And  lyht 4  on  Alysoun. 

5  Bytuene  Mersh  and  Averil, 

When  spray  biginnep  to  springe, 
J>e  lutel  foul  hap  hire  wyl 
On  hyre  lud  6  to  synge. 
Ich  libbe  in  love-longinge 

10  For  semlokest 6  of  alle  pinge ; 

He 7  may  me  blisse  bringe  — 
Icham  in  hire  baundoun.8 

On 9  heu  hire  her 10  is  fayr  ynoh, 

Hire  browe  broune,  hire  eje  blake ; 
15  Wi}>  lossum  chere  n  he  on  me  loh 12 ; 

Wi)>  middel 18  smal  and  wel  ymake.14 

Bote 15  he  me  wolle  to  hire  take, 

For  te  buen 16  hire  owen  make,17 

Longe  to  lyven  Ichulle 18  forsake, 
20  And  f eye 19  fallen  adoun. 

Nihtes  when  Y  wende  ^  and  wake, 
Forjn 21  myn  wonges  ^  waxef  won ; 

Levedi,  al  for  pine  sake 
Longinge  is  ylent  me  on.28 

1  I  have  won  a  fair  fate  9  in  17  mate 

«  I  know  10  hair  w  I  shall 

8  turned  u  loving  mien  19  death-stricken 

4  has  lighted  &  laughed  20  wander 

5  language  u  waist  21  on  this  account 
«  comeliest,  goodliest  w  made  22  cheeks 

1  she  16  unless  w  appointed  to  m« 

8  power  IB  be 

1-4 :  refrain  to  each  stanza. 


CHAUCER,  BIRD-SONG  411 

In  world  nis  non  so  wyter 1  mon 
J?at  al  hire  bounte  telle  con. 
Hire  swyre 2  is  whittore  fen  ]>e  swon, 
And  f eyrest  may 8  in  toune. 

Icham  for  wowyng4  al  forwake,5  5 

Wery  so 6  water  in  wore.7 
Lest  eny  reve s  me  my  make, 

Ychabbe  ygerned 9  jore.10 

Betere  is  polien  whyle  sore  u 

J>en  mournen  evermore.  10 

Geynest 12  under  gore,18 
Herkne  to  my  roun.14 

CHAUCER,  BIRD-SONG 

Roundel,  from  the  Parliament  of  Birds  (about  1382?) 

Now  weleom,  somer,  with  thy  sonne  softe, 

That  hast  this  wintres  weders 15  overshake™ 

And  driven  awey  the  longe  nightes  blake  !  \  5 

Seynt  Valentyn,  that  art  ful  hy  onlofte," 

Thus  singen  smale  foules  for  thy  sake : 
Now  weleom,  somer,  with  thy  sonne  softe, 
That  hast  this  wintres  weders  overshake. 

Wei  han  they  cause  for  to  gladen  ofte,  20 

Sith  ech  of  hem  recovered  hath  his  make ; 
Ful  blisful  may  they  singen  whan  they  wake : 
Now  weleom,  somer,  with  thy  sonne  softe, 
That  hast  this  wintres  weders  overshake, 
And  driven  awey  the  longe  nightes  blake!  25 

1  wise  7  weir  (?)  18  in  body  (lit.  under  gore,  i.e. 

2  neck  8  rob  under  garment) 
8  maid                             9  yearned                                             "  lay,  song 

*  yearning  10  long  15  storms 

5  overwatched  n  to  suffer  sorely  for  a  time  16  dispelled 

6  as  w  loveliest  17  aloft 


412 


LYRICS 


BLOW,  NORTHERN  WIND 

About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  pp.  168-71 

Blow,  northern*  wynd, 
Send^  f>ou  me  my  suetyng  I 
Blow,  norf>erne  wynd, 
Blou!  blou!  blou! 


10 


Ichot 2  a  burde 8  in  boure  bryht, 
J»at  fully  semly  is  on  syht,4 
Menskf ul '°  maiden  of  myht, 

Feir  ant  f re 6  to  f onde 7 ; 
In  al  )>is  wurhliche  won,8 
A  burde  of  blod  and  of  bon 
Never  jete  Y  nuste 9  non 

Lussomore 10  in  londe. 

•^-"3 

Wij>  lokkes  lefliche  n  and  longe, 
Wi}»  frount 12  and  face  feir  to  fonde, 
Wib  murbes  monie  mote  heo  monge,18 

J>at  brid 14  so  breme 15  in  boure ; 
Wi})  lossom  eye,  grete  ant  gode, 
Wij>  browen  blysfol  under  hode 16 ; 
He  pat  reste  him  on  )>e  rode  " 

J»at  leflich  lyf  honoure  I 


1  MS.  sent 

2  I  know 
8  lady 

*  to  behold 
8  worshipful 
'  charming 


f  test,  make  proof  of 

8  noble  dwelling  (the  world  ?) 

9  knew 

10  more  enchanting 

11  lovely 

12  forehead 


18  bargain,  traffic  (?) 
n  maiden 
16  blithe,  gay 
16  hood 
i?  Christ 


1-4 :  refrain  to  each  stanza. 

14.    fonde :  assonance,  not  rhyme. 


BLOW,  NORTHERN  WIND 


413 


Hire  lure l  lumes 2  liht 
Ase  a  launterne  a 8  nyht, 
Hire  bleo  *  blykyep  5  so  bryht ; 

So  feyr  heo  is  ant  fyn  ! 
A  suetly 6  suyre 7  heo  hab  to  holde, 
Wib  armes,  shuldre,  ase  mon  wolde, 
Ant  fyngres  feyre  forte  folde 8 ; 

God  wolde  hue  were  myn  ! 


Middel  heo  hap  menskf ul 9  smal ; 
Hire  loveliche  chere 10  as  cristal ; 
pejes,11  legges,  fet,  ant  al, 

Ywraht 12  is 18  of  ]> e  beste. 
A  lussum  ledy  lasteles  u 
J>at  sweting  is,  and  ever  wes ; 
A  betere  burde  never  nes 

Yheryed 15  wib  be  heste.16 


10 


Heo  is  dereworbe 1T  in  day, 
Graciouse,  stout,18  and  gay, 
Gentil,  jolyf 19  so 20  }>e  jay, 

Worhliche  21  when  heo  wakej>. 
Maiden  murgest 22  of  mou\> ; 
Bi  est,  bi  west,  by  norb  and  sou)), 
]?er  nis  fi[b]ele 28  ne  croup 24 

fat'25  such  murpes  make)). 


20 


iface 

2  shines 

3  at 
*hue 

5  gleams 

6  sweet 

7  neck 

8  clasp 

»  delightfully 


10  countenance 

11  thighs 

12  fashioned 
18  MS.  wes 

w  faultless,  perfect 
16  praised 

16  highest 

17  precious 


18  stately 

19  lively 

20  as 

21  noble 

22  merriest 

28  fiddle  ;  em.  B. 

24  crowd,  rote 

26  MS.  sat  (em.  B.) 


414 


LYRICS 


Heo  is  coral  of  godnesse, 
Heo  is  rubie  of  ryhtfulnesse,1 
Heo  is  cristal  of  clannesse,2 

Ant  baner  of  bealte  8 ; 
Heo  is  lilie  of  largesse,4 
Heo  is  paruenke 6  of  prouesse, 
Heo  is  selsecle 6  of  suetnesse, 

Ant  ledy  of  lealte.7  .  .  . 

For  hire  love  Y  carke  ant  care, 
For  hire  love  Y  droupne 8  ant  dare,9 
For  hire  love  my  blisse  is  bare, 

Ant  al  Ich  waxe  won 10 ; 
For  hire  love  in  slep  Y  slake,11 
For  hire  love  al  nyht  Ich  wake, 
For  hire  love  mournyng  Y  make 

More  fen  eny  mon. 


1  righteousness 

2  purity 
8  beauty 

•*  generosity 
6  periwinkle 
6  heliotrope 
1  loyalty 


LONGING 

About  1310.    From  Bbddeker,  pp.  149-50 

WiJ>  longyng  Y  am  lad,12 
On  molde 18  Y  waxe  mad, 

A  maide  marref  me ; 
Y  grede,14  Y  grone,  unglad, 
For  selden  Y  am  sad 15 

J>at  semly  forte  se. 

Levedi,  fou  rewe  me ! 
To  rou]>e 16  pou  havest  me  rad 17 ; 
Be  bote 18  of  fat  Y  bad,19 

My  lyf  is  long  ™  on  )>e. 

8  droop  15  satiated 

9  falter  16  sorrow 

10  turn  pale  17  guided,  brought 

11  grow  weak  18  recompense 

12  led  19  (have)  endured 
18  earth  w  depends 
"cry 


LONGING 


415 


Levedy  of  alle  londe, 
Les 1  me  out  of  bonde ; 

Broht  Ich  am  in  wo ; 
Have  resting 2  on  honde, 
And  send 8  J>ou  me  \>i  sonde 4 

Sone,  er  J>ou  me  slo5  — 

My  reste  is  wij)  )>e  ro.6 
J>ah  men  to  me  han  onde,7 
To  love  nul  y  noht  wonde,8 

Ne  lete 9  for  non  of  J>o.10 


10 


Levedi,  wi}>  al  my  miht, 
My  love  is  on  )>e  liht,11 

To  menske 12  ]>e  when  Y  may ; 
J>ou  rew  and  red  13  me  ryht ; 
To  dej>e  ]>ou  havest  me  diht,14 

Y  deje  longe  er  my  day ; 

f>ou  leve 15  upon  mi  lay. 
TreuJ'e  Ichave  ]>e  plyht, 
To  don  bat  Ich  have  hyht 16 

Whil  mi  lif  leste  may. 


20 


Lylie-whyt  hue  n  is, 

Hire  rode 18  so  rose  on  rys 19 ; 

J?at  reveb w  me  mi  rest. 
Wymmon  war21  and  wys, 
Of  prude 22  hue  berej>  \>e  pris, 

Burde  on  of  }>e  best. 

}?is  wommon  wonejj  by  west, 


1  loose 

2  relief,  assuagement 

3  MS.  sent 

4  message 

5  slay 

6  roe  (a  type  of  restlessness ; 

cf.  Virgil,  s£n.  4.  69  ff.) 

7  jealousy 


8  will  I  not  cease 

9  leave  off 

10  them 

11  alighted 

12  honor 
is  guide 

14  appointed 
is  believe  (imp.) 


16  promised 
"she 

18  complexion 

19  spray 

20  deprives 

21  prudent 

22  splendor 


4i6 


LYRICS 

Brihtest  under  bys l ; 
Hevene  Y  tolde 2  al  his 

f>at  o 8  nyht  were  hire  gest.4 


20 


NOW  WOULD  I  FAIN 

/' 

About  1445.  Our  text  is  on  the  basis  of  MS.  Camb.  Univ.  Lib.  Ff.  1.6, 
'written  about  the  time  of  Hen.  VI,'  with  emendations  from  MS.  Bodl.  Ashm. 
191,  but  with  spellings  conformed  to  the  Cambridge  manuscript.  The  latter  is 
reproduced  from  Halliwell's  print  in  Reliquia  Antique  1.25;  Ashmole  191  is 
printed  in  Stainer  and  Nicholson,  Early  Bodleian  Music  2.  66  (facsimile  in 
Vol.  i,  PI.  XXX). 

Now  wold  I  fayne  some  myrthis  make 
All  oneli  for  my  ladys  sake, 

When  I  hir  se 6 ; 
But  now  I  am  so  ferre  from  hir, 

Hit  will  nat  be. 

Thogh  I  be  long  out  of  hir  6  sight, 
I  am  hir  6  man  both  day  and  night, 

And  so  will  be ; 
Wherfor  wold  God  as  I  love  hir 

That  she  lovid  me ! 

When  she  is  mery,  then  am  I  glad ; 
When  she  is  sory,  then 7  am  I  sad ; 

And  cause  whi  — 
For  he  livith  nat  that  lovith  hir 

So 8  well  as  I. 

She  sayth  that  she  hath  seen  hit  wreten 
That  '  seldyn  seen  is  soon  f oryeten 9 ' ; 

Hit  is  nat  so ;  . . 

For,  in  good  feith,  save  oneli  hir, 

I  love  no  moo. 


1  byssus,  fine  linen 

2  should  consider 
8  one 


4  guest 

6  MS.  and  hit  wold  be  (Ashm.) 

6  MS.  your  (Ashm.) 


1  MS.  than 

8  MS.  as  (Ashm.) 

»  forgot  425  23 


CHAUCER,  MERCILESS  BEAUTY  417 

Wherfor  I  pray,  both  night  and  day, 
That  she  may  cast  [all] 1  care  away, 

And  leve 2  in  rest ; 
And  evermore,  wherever8  she  be, 

To  love  me 4  best ; 

And  I  to  hir  for  to  be  trew, 

And  never  chaung[e]  her  for  no 6  new 

Unto  myne  end  ; 
And  that  I  may  in  hir  servise 

For  evyr  amend.6 

CHAUCER,  MERCILESS  BEAUTY 

The  first  of  a  sequence  of  three  roundels.  From  MS.  Camb.  Magd.  Coll. 
Pepys  2006.  See  Skeat,  Works  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer  1.80-1,  387;  Hammond, 
Chaucer,  pp.  436-7. 

Youre  yen  two 7  woole  sle  me  sodenly, 
I  may  the  beaute  of  them  not  sustene, 
So  wondeth  8  it  thorowout  my  herte  kene, 

And  but  your  word  wille  helen  hastily 
Mi  herds  wound [e],9  while  that  it  is  grene, 

Youre  yen  two  wolle  sle  me  sodenly, 

I  may  the  beaute  of  them  not  sustene. 

Upon  my  trouth  I  sey  yow  feithfully 
That  ye  ben  of  my  liffe  and  deth  the  quene ; 
For  with  my  deth  the  trouth  shal  be  [yjsene.10 
Youre  yen  two  wolle  sle  me  sodenly, 
I  may  the  beaute  of  them  not  sustene, 
So  wondeth  it  thorowout  my  herte  kene. 

1  (Ashm.)  6  MS.  noon  (Ashm.)  9  em.  S. 

2  live  6  improve  10  Morris  (Aldine  Chaucer), 
8MS.  whersoever  (Ashm.)         7  MS.  two  yen  (em.  S.)  isene 

4  MS.  hir  (Ashm.)  8  wounds 


4i8 


LYRICS 


DEBATE  OF  THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN 
About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  pp.  172-3.    Cf.  below,  p.  476 

•^ 

'  My  de}>  Y  love,  my  lyf  Ich  hate, 

For  a  levedy  shene 1 ; 
Heo  is  briht 2  so 8  daies  liht, 

f>at  is  on  me  wel  sene. 
Al  Y  falewe 4  so  doj>  )>e  lef, 

In  somer  when  hit  is  grene ; 
6  mi  foht 6  helpej)  me  noht, 

To  wham  shal  Y  me  mene 7  ?        \ 


10 


Sorewe  and  syke 8  and  drery  mod 9 

ByndeJ)  me  so  faste 
J>at  Y  wene  to  walke  wod,10 

«^ef  hit  me  lengore  laste ; 
My  serewe,  my  care,  al  wif>  a  word 

He  u  myhte  awey  caste ; 
Whet  helpej)  )>e,  my  suete  lemmon, 

My  lyf  Tpus  forte  gaste 12  ? ' 


20 


'  Do  wey,  fou  clerc,  fou  art  a  fol, 

Wip  J>e  bydde 18  Y  noht  chyde ; 
Shalt  )>ou  never  lyve  fat  day 

Mi  love  J>at  ]>ou  shalt  byde.14 
^ef  fou  in  my  boure  art  take, 

Shame  )>e  may  bityde  ; 
]?e  is  bettere  on  fote  gon 

]?en  wycked  hors  to  ryde.' 


ifair 

2  MS.  brith  (em.  B.) 

8  as 

4  wither,  fade 

5  if 


6  pondering 

7  bemoan  myself 

8  sighing 

9  temper,  state  of  mind 
10  insane 


"she 
12  ruin 
18  must 
14  experience 


DEBATE  OF  THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN     419 

'  Weylawei !  whi  seist  }>ou  so  ? 

f>ou  rewe  on  me,  \>y  man ; 
f>ou  art  ever  in  my  poht 

In  londe  wher  Ich  am. 
^ef  Y  deje  for  fi  love,  5 

Hit  is  fe  mykel  sham ; 
J?ou  lete  me  lyve,  and  be  J>i  luef, 

And  fou  my  suete  lemman.' 

*  Be  stille,  )>ou  f  ol  —  Y  calle  ]>e  riht 1 1 

Co[n]st  fou  never  blynne2?  -**<•-»  10 

.    J?ou  art  wayted  8  day  and  nyht 

WiJ> 4  fader  and  al  my  kynne ; 
Be  Jxm  in  mi  hour  ytake, 

Lete  J>ey 5  for  no  synne 6 
Me  to  holde,  and  )>e  to  slou 7 ;  15 

f>e  dej>  so  fou  maht 8  wynne  1 ' 

'  Suete  lady,  J>ou  wend 9  pi  mod ; 

Sorewe  )>ou  wolt  me  kyf e 10 ; 
Ich  am  al  so  u  sory 12  mon, 

So  Ich  was  whylen 18  blyj>e  —  20 

In  a  wyndou  fer  H  we  stod, 

We  custe  us l6  fyfty  sype.16 
Feir  biheste  "  makef  mony  mon 

Al  is 18  serewes  mythe.19 ' 

'  Weylawey !  whi  seist  J>ou  so  ?  25 

Mi  serewe  fou  makest  newe ; 
Y  lovede  a  clerk  al  paramours  m  — 

Of  love  he  wes  ful  trewe ; 

1  MS.  rij)t  (em.  B.)  8  mayst  16  kissed  each  other 

2  stop  9  change  16  times 

8  watched,  spied  upon  1°  show,  inflict  upon  17  promise 

4  by  11  just  as  18  his 

5  they  will  fail  not  12  unhappy  19  lose 

6  because  of  any  sin  involved  18  formerly  2°  passionately 

7  slay  w  where 


420  LYRICS 

He  nes  nout  blyj>e  never  a  day 

Bote l  he  me  sone 2  se je 8 ; 
Ich  lovede  him  betere  )>en  my  lyf — 

Whet  bote 4  is  hit  to  leje  6  ? ' 

$  '  Whil  Y  wes  a  clerc  in  scole, 

Wei  muchel  Y  coupe 6  of  lore 7 ; 
Ych  have  poled 8  for  )>y  love 

Woundes  f ele 9  sore, 
Fer  from  [horn],10  and  eke  from  men, 
I0  Under  )>e  wode  hore  u ; 

Suete  ledy,  )>ou  rewe  of  me, 
Nou  may 12  Y  no  more.' 

'  ]?ou  semest  wel  to  ben  a  clerc, 

For  JJQU  spekest  so  stille 18 ; 
,  5  Shalt  )>ou  never  for  mi  love 

Woundes  bole  grylle 14 ; 
Fader,  moder,  and  al  my  kun 
Ne  shal  me  holde  so  stille 
J>at  Y  nam 16  pyn,  and  fou  art  myn, 
20  To  don  al  )>i  wille.' 

CHAUCER,  BALLADE 
From  the  Legend  of  Good  Women,  Prologue  B,  lines  249-69 

Hyd,  Absolon,  thy  gilte  "  tresses  clere ; 

Ester,  ley  thou  thy  meknesse  al  adoun ; 
Hyd,  Jonathas,"  al  thy  frendly  manere ; 

Penalopee,  and  Marcia18  Catoun, 
25  Mak  of  your  wyfhod  no  comparisoun ; 

1  unless  8  suffered  14  cruel 

2  soon  9  very  15  am  not 
8  saw                            10  em.  Wright  (Spec.  Lyr.  ™  golden 

4  good  Poetry,  p.  91)  lr  Cf.  i  Sam.  19.  2 

s  He  «  hoary ;  MS.  gore  18  daughter  of  Cato  of  Utica 

e  knew  12  can 

i  learning  18  gently 


CHAUCER,  BALLADE  421 

Hyde  ye  your  beautes,  Isoude  and  Eleyne, 
My  lady  cometh,  that  al  this  may  disteyne.1 

Thy  faire  body,  lat  hit  nat  appere, 

Lavyne 2 ;  and  thou,  Lucresse  of  Rome  toun, 

And  Polixene,8  that  boghten  love  so  dere,  5 

And  Cleopatre,  with  al  thy  passioun, 
Hyde  ye  your  trouthe  of  love  and  your  renoun ; 

And  thou,  Tisbe,4  that  hast  of  love  swich  peyne ; 

My  lady  cometh,  that  al  this  may  disteyne. 

Herro,8  Dido,  Laudomia,6  alle  yfere,7  10 

And  Phyllis,8  hanging  for  thy  Demophoun, 

And  Canace,9  espyed  by  thy  chere,10 
Ysiphile,11  betraysed  with  12  Jasoun, 
Maketh  of  your  trouthe  neyther  boost  ne  soun ; 

Nor  Ypermistre 18  or  Adriane,14  ye  tweyne  ;  1 5 

My  lady  cometh,  that  al  this  may  disteyne. 

MINOT,  EDWARD  THE  THIRD'S  FIRST  INVASION 
OF  FRANCE 

Laurence  Minot  (fl.  1333-1352)  is  a  writer  of  whom  virtually  nothing  is 
known  except  that  he  produced  a  series  of  eleven  poems,  of  which  this  is 
No.  4.  Herford  has  thus  characterized  him  (Diet.  Nat.  Biog.  38.47):  'While 
Minot  has  no  great  literary  value,  and  gives  almost  no  new  information,  he 
embodies  in  a  most  vivid  way  the  militant  England  of  his  day.  He  has  but  one 
subject,  the  triumph  of  England  and  the  English  king  over  French  and  Scots. 
The  class-divisions  among  Englishmen  are  for  him  wholly  merged  in  the  unity 
of  England ;  himself  probably  of  Norman  origin,  his  habitual  language  is  the 
strongest  and  homeliest  Saxon.  His  verse  is  throughout  inspired  by  savage 
triumph  in  the  national  successes.  He  has  no  elegiac  or  tender  note.'  Cf. 
Hall's  edition,  pp.  xii-xiii ;  Ten  Brink,  Early  Eng.  Lit.,  pp.  322-4. 

1  overshadow,  eclipse  5  Hero;  cf.  Ovid,  Her.  18,  19  see  her  legend  in  Chau- 

2  Lavinia ;  cf.  Virgil,  &n.       6  Laodamia ;  cf.  Ovid,  Her.  13  cer,  Leg.  Good  Women 

6. 764  ff.,  etc.  7  together  12  betrayed  by 

8  daughter  of  Priam ;  cf.  «  Cf.  Ovid,  Her.  z  18  Hypermnestra ;  cf.  Ovid, 

Ovid,  Met.  13.  439  ff.  9  Cf.  Ovid,  Her.  n  Her.  14 

*  Thisbe  ;  cf.  Ovid,  Met.  10  countenance  14  Ariadne  ;    see   Chaucer, 

4. 55-166  11  Hypsipyle,firstwifeof  Jason;  Leg.  Good  Women 


422  LYRICS 

Our  poem  celebrates  the  fact  that,  Edward  III  and  Philip  of  France  having 
offered  each  other  battle,  Edward  drew  up  his  troops  near  La  Flamengerie  in 
northern  France,  on  Saturday,  Oct.  23,  1339,  and  waited  for  Philip  to  arrive, 
who,  however,  retreated  from  his  position,  five  or  six  miles  away,  leaving 
behind  him  a  thousand  horses  in  a  marsh  (Hall,  p.  54;  cf.  Diet.  Nat.  Biog. 

17-55)- 

The  poem  here  printed  is  from  Joseph  Hall's  edition  (Oxford,  1887). 

Edward,  cure  cumly  king, 
In  Braband  has  his  woning, 

With  mani  cumly  knight ; 
And  in  pat  land,  trewly  to  tell, 
5  Ordanis  he  still  for  to  dwell, 

To l  time  he  think  to  fight. 

Now  God,  pat  es  of  mightes  maste, 
Grant  him  grace  of  pe  Haly  Gaste 

His  heritage  to  win ! 

10  And  Mari  moder,  of  mercy  fre, 

Save  oure  king  and  his  menje z 

Fro  sorow,  and  schame,  and  syn ! 

J>us  in  Braband  has  he  bene  — 
Whare  he  bifore  was  seldom  sene  — 
15  For  to  prove8  paire  japes ; 

Now  no  langer  wil  he  spare, 
Bot  unto  Fraunce  fast  will  he  fare, 
To  confort  him  with  grapes.4 

Furth 5  he  f  erd  into  France ; 
20  God  save  him  for  mischance, 

And  all  his  cumpany ! 
J>e  nobill  due  of  Braband 
With  him  went  into  pat  land, 

Redy  to  lif  or  dy. 


1  until  the  8  make  trial  of  6  MS.  ff- 

2  retainers  4  Cf.  Cant.  2.  5 


MINOT,  EDWARD  HI'S  INVASION  OF  FRANCE     423 

f>an  f  e  riche  floure  de  lice l 
Wan  fare  ful  litill  prise 2 ;  — 

Fast  he 8  fled  for  ferde.4 
J>e  right  aire 5  of  fat  cuntre 
Es  cumen,  with  all  his  knightes  fre,  5 

To  schac  him  by  fe  herd.         , 

Sir  Philip  fe  Valayse,6 
Wit  his  men  in  fo  dayes, 

To  batale  had  he  thoght : 

He  bad  his  men  ]> am  purvay 7  10 

Withowten  lenger  delay ; 

Bot  he  ne  held  it  noght. 

He  broght  folk  ful  grete  wone,8 
Ay  sevyn  oganis  one, 

J>at  ful  wele  wapnid  were ;  1 5 

Bot  sone,  whe[n]  he  herd  ascry 9 
f>at  King  Edward  was  nere  farby, 

f>an  durst  he  noght  cum  nere. 

In  fat  morni[n]g  fell  a  myst, 

And  when  oure  I[n]gliss  men  it  wist,  20 

It  changed  all  f  aire  chere ; 
Oure  king  unto  God  made  his  bone,10 
And  God  sent  him  gude  confort  sone  — 

]?e  weder  wex  ful  clere. 

Oure  king  and  his  men  held  fe  felde  25 

Stalwortly,  with  spere  and  schelde, 

And  thoght  to  win  his  right, 
With  lordes,  and  with  knightes  kene, 
And  of  er  doghty  men  bydene,11 

]?at  war  ful  frek 12  to  fight.  30 

1  fleur  de  Us  6  heir  (i.e.  Edward)  9  report  (by  spies) 

2  glory  6  de  Valois  (the  king)  10  prayer 

8  Philip  VI  of  France  7  make  ready  n  together 

4  fear  *  plenty  12  eager 


424 


LYRICS 


When  Sir  Philip  of  France  herd  tell 
pat  King  Edward  in  feld  walld  dwell, 

J»an  gayned l  him  no  gle ; 
He  traisted  of 2  no  better  bote,8 
Bot  both  on  hors  and  on  fote 

He  hasted  him  to  fle. 

It  semid  he  was  ferd  for  strokes 
When  he  did  fell  his  grete  okes 

Obout  his  pavilyoune ; 
Abated  was  fan  all  his  pride, 
For  langer  fare  durst  he  noght  bide, 

His  bost  was  broght  all  doune. 

f>e  king  of  Berne 4  had  cares  colde, 
J>at  was  ful 5  hardy  and  bolde 

A  stede  to  amstride.6 
[He  and] 7  |>e  king  als 8  of  Naverne  9 
War  fain  for  ferd 10  in  fe  feme  n 

J?aire  heviddes l"  for  to  hide. 

And  leves la  wele  —  it  es  no  lye  — 
J>e  felde  hat 14  Flemangrye 15 

}?at  King  Edward  was  in, 
With  princes  fat  war  stif  ande  bolde, 
And  dukes  fat  war  doghty  tolde,16 

In  batayle  to  bigin. 

J»e  princes  fat  war  riche  "  on  raw,18 
Gert 19  nakers  m  strike,  and  trumpes  blaw, 
And  made  mirth  at  faire  might ; 


1  availed 

2  expected 
8  resource 
4  Bohemia 

6  MS.  fur  (em.  Ritson) 
6  bestride 
1  em.  R. 
8  also 


9  Navarre  (father-in-law  of        14  was  called 


Philip) 

10  MS.  faire  feld  (em.  Hall, 

with  fered  for  ferd) 

11  were  glad,  for  fear,  in  the 

fern 

12  heads 

is  believe  (imp.) 


is  MS.  ff- 

16  considered 

17  splendid 

is  row  (line  of  battle  ?),  order 

19  caused 

20  kettle-drums 


THE  DEATH  OF  EDWARD  III  425 

Both  alblast x  and  many  a  bow 

War  redy  railed 2  opon  a  row, 

And  ful  frek  for  to  fight. 

Gladly  f  ai  gaf  mete  and  drink, 

So  fat  f  ai  suld  f  e  better  swink 8  —  5 

J>e  wight  *  men  fat  far  ware. 
Sir  Philip  of  Fraunce  fled  for  dout,6 
And  hied 6  him  hame  with  all  his  rout ; 

Coward,  God  giff  him  care 7 ! 

For  fare  fan  had  f e  lely  flowre 8  10 

Lorn  all  halely 9  his  honowre, 

f»at  sogat10  fled  for  ferd; 
Bot  oure  King  Edward  come  ful  still, 
When  fat  he  trowed  u  no  harm  him  till,12 

And  keped 13  him  in  fe  berde.1*  15 


THE  DEATH  OF  EDWARD  III 

From  a  poem  (written  in  1377)  in  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Addit.  22,283.  Our  ex 
tract  is  from  Wright's  Political  Poems  and  Songs  (Rolls  Series)  i.  216-7,  and 
comprises  lines  17-80. 

Sum  tyme  an  Englis  schip  we  had, 

Nobel  hit  was,  and  heih  of  tour  15 ; 
Thorw  al  Christendam  hit  was  drad,16 

And  stif  wold  stonde  in  uch  a  stour,17 

And  best  dorst  byde  a  scharp  schour,18  20 

And  other  stormes  smale  and  grete ; 

Nou  is  that  schip,  that  bar  the  flour, 
Selden  seije 19  and  sone  forjete. 

1  arblast,  crossbow  8  See  423  i  15  tower 

2  set  in  order  9  wholly  16  feared 

8  toil  1°  thus  v  every  battle 

*  stout  11  looked  for  18  tempest 

5  fear  12  to  himself  19  seen 

6  hastened  18  seized 
i  distress  H  beard 


426  LYRICS 

Into  that  schip  ther  longeth  a  roothur,1 
That  steered  the  schip,  and  governed  hit ; 

In  al  this  world  nis  such  anothur, 

As  me  thenketh  in  my  wit. 
5  Whil  schip  and  rothur  togeder  was  knit, 

Thei  dredde  nother  tempest,  druy^e,2  nor  wete, 
Nou  be  thei  bothe  in  synder  flit,8 

That  selden  sei^e  is  sone  forjete. 

Scharpe  wawes 4  that  schip  has  say  led, 
10  And  sayed 6  alle  sees 6  at  aventur ; 

For  wynt7  ne  wederes 8  never  hit  fay  led, 
Wil9  the  roothur  miht  enduir.10 
Thouj  the  see  were  rouj,  or  elles  dimuuir,11 
Gode  havenes  that  schip  wold  geete.12 
15  Nou  is  that  schip,  I  am  wel  suir,13 

Selde  iseye  and  sone  forjete. 

This  good  schip  I  may  remene 14 

To  the  chivalrye  of  this  londe ; 
Sum  tyme  thei  counted  nougt  a  bene 16 
20  Be 16  al  Fraunce,  Ich  understonde. 

Thei  toke  and  slouj  hem  with  her  wonde 17  — 
The  power  of  Fraunce,  bothe 18  smale  and  grete ; 

And  broujt  the  kyng  hider  to  byde  her  bonde 19 ; 
And  nou  riht  sone  hit  is  forjete. 

25  That  schip  hadde  a  ful  siker20  mast, 

And  a  sayl  strong  and  large, 
That  made  the  gode  schip  never  agast 
To  undertake  a  thinge  of  charge.21 
And  to  that  schip  ther  longed  w  a  barge, 

1  rudder  9  while  17  rod,  sceptre 

2  drought  10  endure  18  MS.  bethe 

3  removed  asunder  n  calm  w  fetters 
•*  waves  12  attain  20  secure 

5  braved  w  sure  21  moment 

6  seas  w  compare  22  belonged 

7  wind  16  bean 

8  storms  16  by ;  MS.  beo 


THE  DEATH  OF  EDWARD  III  427 

Of  al  Fraunce  jaf *  noujt  a  cleete.2 

To  us  hit  was  a  siker  targe 8 ; 
And  now  riht  clene  hit  is  forjete. 

The  rother  was  nouther  ok  ne  elm, 

Hit  was  Edward  the  Thridde,  the  noble  kniht ;  5 

The  prince  his  sone  bar  up  his  helm, 

That  never  scoumfited  4  was  in  fiht. 

The  kyng  him  rod  and  rouwed 5  ariht, 
The  prince  dredde  nouther  stok  nor  streete.6 

Nou  of  hem  we  lete  ful  liht 7 ;  10 

That  selden  is  seije  is  sone  forjete. 

The  swifte  barge  was  Duk  Henri,8 

That  noble  kniht  and  wel  assayed ; 
And  in  his  leggaunce 9  worthily 

He  abod  mony  a  bitter  brayd 10 ;  15 

<^if  that  his  enemys  oujt  outrayed,11 
To  chasteis  hem  wolde  he  not  lete.12 

Nou  is  that  lord  ful  lowe  ileyd ; 
That  selde  is  seije  is  sone  forjete. 

This  gode  comunes,18  bi  the  rode,  20 

I  likne  hem  to  the  schipes  mast ; 
That  with  heore  catel 14  and  with  heore  goode 15 

Mayntened  the  werre 16  both  furst  and  last. 

The  wynd  that  bleuj  the  schip  with  blast, 
Hit  was  gode  pregeres,  I  sey  hit  atrete  n  ;  25 

Nou  is  devoutnes  out  icast, 
And  mony  gode  dedes  ben  clene  forjete.  .  .  . 


1  cared  7  make  little  account  18  commons 

2  cleat  8  Henry  of  Lancaster  (d.  1361)  14  property 
8  shield  9  allegiance  15  goods 

*  discomfited  10  stroke  16  war 

6  rode  and  rowed  n  inflicted  any  injuries  17  distinctly 

6  street  (for  rhyme,  instead  &  refrain 
of  '  stok  nor  ston ') 


428 


LYRICS 


CHAUCER,  COMPLAINT  TO  HIS  EMPTY  PURSE 

To  you,  my  purse,  and  to  non  other  wight 1 
Compleyne  I,  for  ye  be  my  lady  dere ; 

I  am  so  sory,  now  that  ye  be  light, 

That  certes,  but 2  ye  make  me  hevy  chere, 
Me  were  as  leef  be  leyd  upon  my  bere ; 

For  whiche  unto  your  mercy  thus  I  crye : 

Beth  hevy  ageyn,  or  elles  mot 8  I  dye  ! 

Now  voucheth  sauf 4  this  day,  or6  hit  be  night, 
That  I  of  you  the  blisful  soun 6  may  here, 

Or  see  your  colour  lyk  the  sonne  bright, 
That  of  yelownesse 7  hadde  never  pere.8 
Ye  be  my  lyf,  ye  be  myn  hertes  stere,9 

Quene  of  comfort  and  of  good  companye. 

Beth  hevy  ageyn,  or  elles  mot  I  dye ! 

Now  purs,  that  be 10  to  me  my  lyves  n  light, 
And  saveour,12  as  doun  in  this  worlde  here, 

Out  of  this  toune  help  me  through  your  might, 
Sin 18  that  ye  wole  nat  been  my  tresorere ; 
For  I  am  shave 14  as  nye 15  as  any  frere. 

But  yit  I  pray  unto  your  curtesye, 

Beth  hevy  ageyn,  or  elles  mot  I  dye  I 


1  creature 

2  unless 

3  must 

*  vouchsafe 
6  ere 


6  sound 

7  referring  to  gold 

8  equal 

9  guide 
Ware 


n  life's 
12  saviour 
18  since 
14  shaved 
is  close 


I  HAVE  A  GENTLE  COCK          429 

I  HAVE  A  GENTLE  COCK 

About  1 4 so.    From  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Sloane  2593,  as  printed  by  Wright  in 
Songs  and  Carols  (Pickering,  London,  1836).    See  199  25  ff. 

I  have  a  gentil  cok 1 

Crowyt[h]  me  day 2 ; 
He  doth 8  me  rysyn  erly, 

My  matynis  for  to  say. 

I  have  a  gentil  cok 1 ;  5 

Comyn  he  is  of  gret 4 ; 
His  comb  is  of  reed  corel, 

His  tayl 6  is  of  get.6 

I  have  a  gentil  cok  * ; 

Comyn  he  is  of  kynde 7 ;  10 

His  comb  is  of  reed  corel,8 

His  tayl  is  of  inde.9 

His  leggs  ben  of  asour, 

So  gentil  and  so  smale ; 
His  spors  arn  of  sylver  quyt10  15 

Into  the  wortewale.11 

His  eynyn  arn  of  cristal, 

Lokyn 12  al  in  aumbyr ; 
And  every  nyjt  he  perchit[h]  hym 

In  myn  ladyis  chaumbyr'.'  20 

1  MS.  cook  5  MS.  tayil  9  indigo 

2  announces  day  to  me  by  his        6  jet  10  white 

crowing  7  he  is  true  to  his  breed  n  quick  (lit.  root) 

3  makes  8  MS.  scorel  12  enclosed 

4  great  (lineage) 


430  LYRICS 

BACHELOR'S  SONG 

About  1460-1429.    From  MS.  Bodl.  Eng.  Poet.  e.  i,  printed  by  Wright  in 
Songs  and  Carols  (Percy  Soc.  23),  p.  27. 

A,  a,  a,  0,1 

Yet  I  love  wherso  I  go. 

In  all  this  warld  [n]is  a  meryar  life 
Than  is  a  jong  man  withoutyn  a  wyfe ; 
5  For  he  may  lyven  withoujten  stryfe, 

In  every  place  wherso  he  go. 

In  every  place  he  is  loved  over  all 
Among  maydyns  gret  and  small, 
In  dauncing,  in  pypyng,  and  rennyng  at  the  ball, 
10  In  every  place  wherso  he  go. 

Thei  lat  lyjt 2  be  husbondmen,8 
Whan  thei  at  the  balle  ren  4 ; 
They  cast  hyr  love  to  jong[e]  men 
In  every  place  wherso  he  go. 

15  Than  sey  maydens :  '  Farwell,  Jack 6 ! 

Thi  love  is  pressyd  al  in  thi  pa[c]k 6 ; 
Thou  beryst  thi  love  behynd  thi  back,' 
In  every  place  wherso  he  go. 

1  MS.  a  »8  married  men  5  MS.  Jacke 

2  easily  <  MS.  rene  6  MS.  pake 


CHAUCER,  TRUTH 


431 


CHAUCER,  TRUTH 

« 
Fie  fro  the  pres,1  and  dwelle  with  sothfastnesse 2 ; 

Suffise 3  thin  owene  thing,  thogh  it  be  smal ; 
For  hord 4  hath  hate,  and  clymbyng  tykelnesse,5 

Frees 6  hath  envye,  and  wele 7  blent 8  overal 9 ; 

Savoure 10  no  more  thanne  the  byhove  n  shal ; 
Reule  weel  thiself,  that  other  folk  canst  reede,12 
And  trouthe  the  shal  delyvere  —  it  is  no  drede.13 

"T«  •"-• 

Tempest 14  the 15  noght  al  croked  to  redresse, 
In  trust  of  hire 1G  that  turneth  as  a  bal ; 

Greet  reste  stant  in  litel  besynesse,17 

Bywar  therfore  to  spurne  agayn  an  al 18 ; 
Stryve  not  as  doth  the  crokke 19  with  the  wal. 

Daunte 20  thiself,  that  dauntest  otheres  dede, 

And  trouthe  the  shal  delyvere  —  it  is  no  drede. 

That  the  is  sent,  receyve  in  buxumnesse,21 

The  wrastlyng  for 22  this  worlde  axeth 23  a  fal ; 

Her  is  non  horn,24  her  nys  but  wyldernesse. 

Forth,  pylgrym,  forth  !    Forth,  beste,  out  of  thi  stal  1 
Know  thi  centre,  loke  up,  thank  God  of  al ! 

Hold  the  hye  weye,  and  lat  thi  gost 25  the  lede, 

And  trouthe  the  shal  delyvere  —  it  is  no  drede. 


20 


1  crowd 

2  truth 
8  subj. 

4  hoarding 

5  instability 

6  the  throng  of  courtiers 

7  prosperity 

8  blinds 

9  everywhere 


10  relish,  care  for 

11  suit,  fit 

12  direct 

13  there  is  no  fear 
J4  torment 

15  thyself 

16  Fortune 

17  fuss,  worry  (cf.  Isa.  30.  15) 


is  awl  (cf.  Acts  9.  5) 

19  crock,  earthen  pot 

20  conquer 

21  submission 

22  to  obtain 

28  calls  for,  invites 

24  Cf.  Heb.  11.9,  10 ;  13.  14 

25  spirit 


432  LYRICS 


UBI  SUNT  QUI  ANTE  NOS  FUERUNT? 

• 

About  127?.  From  MS.  Bodl.  Digby  86,  as  printed  by  Furnivall,  Minor 
Poems  of  the  Vernon  MS.,  Part  II  (E.E.T.S.  117),  pp.  761  ff.  (ten  stanzas  in  all) ; 
cf.  the  somewhat  different  version  in  Boddeker,  Altengl.  Dicht.,  pp.  229-30, 
which  has  suggested  two  or  three  emendations. 

The  keynote  is  struck  by  Boethius  (Book  2,  Metre  7): 

Ubi  nunc  fidelis  ossa  Fabricii  manent, 
Quid  Brutus  aut  rigidus  Cato  ? 

These  lines  are  expanded  in  translation  by  King  Alfred :  '  Where  now  are 
the  bones  of  the  famous  and  wise  goldsmith,  Weland  ? '  etc.  One  of  the  most 
famous  variations  on  the  theme  is  by  Villon  (1461),  the  first  of  whose  stanzas 
runs: 

Dictes  moy  oil,  n'en  quel  pays, 

Est  Flora,  la  belle  Rommaine ; 
Archipiada,  ne  Thais, 

Qui  fut  sa  cousine  germaine ; 
Echo,  parlant  quant  bruyt  on  maine 
Dessus  riviere  ou  sus  estan, 

Qui  beault6  ot  trop  plus  qu'humaine  ? 

—  Mais  oil  sont  les  neiges  d'antan  ! 

This  is  translated  by  Payne  as  follows  : 

Tell  me,  where,  in  what  land  of  shade, 

Hides  fair  Flora  of  Rome  ?  and  where 
Are  Thais  and  Archiapade, 

Cousins  german  in  beauty  rare  ? 

And  Echo,  more  than  mortal  fair, 
That  when  one  calls  by  river  flow, 

Or  marish.  answers  out  of  the  air  ? 

—  But  what  has  become  of  last  year's  snow  ? 

The  last  four  lines  are  thus  translated  in  Rossetti's  version : 

Where  is  Echo,  beheld  of  no  man, 
Only  heard  on  river  and  mere, 

She  whose  beauty  was  more  than  human  ? 

—  But  where  are  the  snows  of  yester-year  ? 

See  also  below,  p.  434 ;  Wells,  Manual,  p.  824  (30). 

Were  be)>  J>ey  [bat]  1  biforen  us  weren, 
Houndes  ladden  and  havekes  beren, 
And  hadden  feld  and  wode  ? 

i  Cf.  B. 


THOMAS  OF  HALES,  LOVE-SONG  433 

}?e  riche  levedies  in  hoere  hour, 
f>at  wereden  gold  in  hoere  tressour,1 
WiJ>  hoere  brijtte  rode *  ? 

[J>ey]  8  eten  and  drounken,  and  maden  hem  glad ; 

Hoere  lif  was  al  wi}>  gamen  ilad  *  ;  5 

Men  kneleden  5  hem  biforen  ; 
J>ey  beren  hem  wel  swij>e  heye  e ; 
And,  in  a  twincling  of  an  eye, 

Hoere  soules  weren  forloren. 

Were  is  ]>at  lawing 7  and  that  song,  10 

J>at  trayling  and  that  proude  gong,8 

J>o  havekes  and  )>o  houndes  ? 
Al  \>at  joye  is  went  away, 
f>at  wele  is  comen  to  '  Weylaway  ! '  — 

To  manie  harde  stoundes.9  15 

Hoere  paradis  ]>ey 10  nomen  n  here, 
And  nou  )>ey  lien  in  helle  ifere 12 ; 

f>e  fuir  hit  brennes  hevere. 
Long  is  ay,13  and  long  is  o,14 
Long  is  wy,15  and  long  is  wo 16 ;  20 

f>ennes  ne  comef  ]>ey  nevere. 

THOMAS  OF  HALES,  LOVE-SONG 

Thomas  of  Hales  was  a  Franciscan  friar,  who  wrote  this '  luve-ron '  of  2 10  lines 
at  the  request  of  a  young  nun,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III  (probably  before 
1240,  according  to  Comb.  Hist.  Eng.  Lit.  I.  258;  soon  after  1244,  according 
to  Morris,  Old  Eng.  Misc.,  p.  xi;  about  1272,  JV.  E.  £>.).  The  extract  below  is 
from  the  MS.  of  Jesus  College,  Oxford  (lines  65-120),  as  reproduced  in  Old 
English  Miscellany  (E.E.T.S.  49),  pp.  93-9.  A  translation  of  thirteen  stanzas, 

1  braids,  tresses  7  laughing  18  ever 

2  complexion  8  gait,  carriage  14  always ;  MS.  ho 
8  Cf.  B.                                                      9  experiences                              15  alas 

*  led  10  MS.  by  16  woe 

6  MS.  keneleden  n  took 

6  very  exceedingly  high  12  sjde  by  side 


434 


LYRICS 


including  the  first  five  printed  here,  may  be  found  in  Ten  Brink,  Early  Eng. 
Lit.,  pp.  208-11.  He  says:  'We  have  here  an  art-poetry  not  quite  developed 
in  form,  of  the  simplest,  noblest  mould,  a  contemplative  lyric,  which,  springing 
from  warm  feeling,  moves  calmly  and  quietly,  without  subtlety  of  reflection  or 
trifling  with  forms,  in  euphonious,  richly  figurative  speech.'  Another  version  is 
in  Miss  Weston's  Chief  Middle  English  Poets,  pp.  343-5. 


r* 

1 


Hwer  is  Paris  and  Heleyne, 

J?at  weren  so  bryht  and  feyre  on  bleo  *  ? 
Amadas  and  Ideyne,2 

Tristram,  Yseude,  and  alle  )>eo  8  ? 
Ector,  wij)  his  scharpe  meyne,4-^.-—  "*; 

And  Cesar,  riche  of  wor[l]des  feo  6  ? 
Heo  beojj  iglyden  ut  of  }>e  reyne, 

So  6  }>e  schef  7  is  of  }>e  cleo.8 


/r 

Hit  is  of  heom/al  so  9  hit  nere.     ,  * 

Of  heom  me)havej>  10  wunder  itold 
Nere  hit  reu)>e  n  for  to  here  12  — 

Hw  hi  were  \v'\]>  pyne  18  aquold,14 
And  hwat  hi  foleden  15  alyve  16  here  ; 

Al  is  heore  hot  iturnd  to  cold. 
J>us  is  j>es  world  of  false  fere  17  ; 

Fol  he  is  ]>e  on  hire  is  bold. 

J>eyh  he  were  so  riche  mon 
As  Henry,18  ure  [noble]  kyng, 


ihue 

2  MS.  Dideyne 

8  those 

4  power 

5  wealth 

6  as 


7  sheaf 

8  brae,  steep  hillside 
»  as  if 

10  one  has,  they  have 

11  were  it  not  pity 

12  MS.  heren 


18  pain 

14  destroyed 

15  endured 

16  in  life 

17  appearance,  show 

18  Henry  III  (1216-1272) 


3.  Amadas :  see  Schofield,  pp.  322,  479.  —  Id$yne :  there  is  a  thirteenth- 
century  OF.  romance  of  Breton  origin,  Amadas  et  Idoine  (ed.  Hippeau,  Paris, 
1863),  and  allusion  is  made  to  the  story  by  Gower  (Conf.  Am.  6.879)  an(^  trie 
Cursor  Mundi  (v.  20),  etc. ;  cf.  Gaston  Paris,  Lift.  Fr.  au  Moyen  Age,  §  66,  and 
English  Miscellany  presented  to  Dr.  Furnivall,  pp.  386  ff.  (where  there  are  other 
references) ;  Schofield,  pp.  117,  375. 


THOMAS  OF  HALES,  LOVE-SONG 


435 


And  al  so  veyr  as  Absalon, 

]?at  nevede  on  eorpe  non  evenyng,1 
Al  were  sone  his  prute 2  agon,8 

Hit  nere  on  ende  wrp  on  heryng.4 
Mayde,  if  pu  wilnest 5  after  leofmon,6 

Ich  teche  pe  enne 7  treowe  King. 

A  1  swete,  if  pu  ikn[e]owe  8 

J>e  gode  pewes 9  of  pisse  Childe ! 
He  is  feyr,  and  bryht  on  heowe, 

Of  glede  chere,10  of  mode  mylde, 
Of  lufsum  lost,11  of  truste  treowe, 

Freo  of  heorte,  of  wisdom  wilde 12 ; 
Ne  purfte 13  )>e  never  re[o]we, 

Myhtestu  do  u  pe  in  his  [hjylde.15 

He  is  ricchest  Mon  of  londe, 

So  wide  so  mon  speketh  wij>  mup ; 
Alle  heo  beop  to 16  his  honde, 

Est  and  west,  norp  and  sup . 
Henri,  King  of  Engelonde, 

Of  hym  he  halt,17  and  to  hym  buhp.18 
Mayde,  to  pe  he  send  his  sonde,19 

And  wilnep  for  to  beo  pe  cup. 

Ne  byt 20  he  wip  pe  lond  ne  leode,21 
Vouh,22  ne  gray,28  ne  rencyan.24 

Navep  he  perto  none  neode ; 
He  is  riche  and  weli  ^  man. 


20 


1  peer ;  cf .  420  21 

2  pride 

8  vanished 

4  herring 

5  longest 

6  lover 
7a 

8  knew 

9  qualities 


1°  countenance 

11  delight 

12(?) 

18  thou  wouldst  need  ;  MS.  Jjurhte 

"  put 

15  grace 

16  in 

i'  holds 
18  bows 


19  message  ;  MS.  schonde 

20  asks 

21  people 

22  particolored  fur 
28  gray  fur 

24  a  kind  of  cloth 
2fi  wealthy 


436  LYRICS 

If  Jm  him  woldest  luve  beode,1 

And  bycumen  his  leovemon, 
He  brouhte 2  ]> e  to  suche  wede,* 

J>at  *  navef  king  ne  kayser  non. 

5  Hwat 5  spekestu  of  eny  bolde 6 

J>at  wrouhte  )>e  wise  Salomon  ? 
Of  jaspe,  of  saphir,  of  merede 7  golde, 

And  of  mony  onoper  ston  ? 

Hit  is  feyrure  of  feole  volde 8 

10  More  ]>an  Ich  eu  telle  con, 

f>is  bold,  mayde,  J?e  is  bihote,9 

If  fat  fm  bist  his  leovemon. 

EARTH  UPON  EARTH 

Of  this  poem  there  are  three  versions  (A,  B,  C).  A  is  represented  by  two 
poems,  B  by  twenty,  and  C  by  one  —  not  to  mention  a  rather  anomalous 
example,  difficult  to  classify.  The  earliest  texts  date  from  about  1310;  that 
printed  here  is  from  £43^0-1450  (MS.  Lambeth  853),  and  is  No.  10  of  B.  All 
the  known  texts  have  been  printed  by  Miss  Hilda  Murray,  with  the  necessary 
apparatus,  in  Erthe  upon  Erihe  (E.E.T.S.  141).  The  Stratford-on-Avon  version 
was  printed  by  Longfellow  in  Outre-Mer. 

The  theme  is  :  '  Dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  thou  shalt  return  '  (Gen.  3.  19). 

Erbe  out  of  er|>e  is  wondirly  wroujt, 
Er}>e  of  er|>e  ha)>  gete 10  a  dignyte  of  noujt, 
15  Erpe  upon  er)>e  haj>  sett  al  his  fou^t, 

How  pat  erpe  upon  erpe  may  be  hij  u  broujt. 

Er)>e  upon  erj>e  wold  he  be  a  king ; 
But  how  er}>e  schal  to  erfe  fenkif  he  noting ; 
Whanne  fat  erfe  biddij>  erfe  hise  rentis  horn  bring, 
20  f>an  schal  erj>e  out  of  erfe  have  a  piteuous  parting. 

1  offer  6  why  9  promised 

2  would  bring  •  building  1°  got 
8  apparel  7  purified  11  high 
4  as  8  many  times 


EARTH  UPON  EARTH  437 

Erfe  upon  erfe  wynnef  castels  and  touris ; 
J>an  seif  er}>e  to  erfe :  '  Now  is  fis  al  houris.' 
Whanne  erfe  upon  erfe  haf  biggid l  up  hise  boures, 
]?anne  schal  erfe  upon  erfe  suffir  scharpe  schouris.2 

Erfe  gooth  upon  erfe  as  molde  upon  molde,  5 

So  gooth  erfe  upon  erfe  al  gliteringe  in  golde, 

Like  as  erfe  unto  erfe  nevere  go  scholde,8 

And  jit  schal  erfe  unto  erthe  raf  er  *  fan  he  wolde. 

O  fou  wrecchid  erfe,  fat  on  erfe  traveilist 5  nyjt  and  day, 

To  florische 6  f  e  erfe,  to  peynte  f  e  erfe  with  wantowne  aray,  :o 

^it  schal  fou,  erfe,  for  al  fi  erfe,  make  fou  it  nevere  so  queynte 

and  gay, 
Out  of  J>is  erfe  into  fe  erfe,  fere  to  clinge 7  as  a  clot 8  of  clay. 

O  wrecchid  man,  whi  art  J>ou  proud,  fat  art  of  f e  erf e  makid  ? 

Hider  brou5ttist  fou  no  schroud,9  but  poore  come  fou  and  nakid.         15 

Whanne  f  i  soule  is  went 10  out,  and  f  i  bodi  in  erf  e  rakid, 

J>an  f  i  bodi  fat  was  rank  n  and  undevout,  of  alle  men  is  bihatid. 

Out  of  f  is  erf  e  cam  to  f  is  erf  e  f  is  wrecchid  garnement 12 ; 

To  hide  f  is  erf  e,  to  happe 18  f  is  erf  e,  to  him  was  clof  inge  lente ; 

Now  goof  erf  e  upon  erf  e,  ruli 14  raggid  and  rent,  20 

J>erfore  schal  erfe  undir  fe  erfe  have  hidiose  turment. 

Whi  fat  erfe  to  myche  lovef  erfe  wondir  me  fink, 

Or  whi  fat  erfe  for  superflue  erfe  to  sore  sweete 15  wole  or  swynk 16 ; 

Ffor  whanne  fat  erfe  upon  erfe  is  broujt  withinne  fe  brink,17 

J?an  schal  erfe  of  fe  erfe  have  a  rewful  stynk.18  25 


1  built  7  dry,  shrivel  up  M  cover 

2  trials  8  clod  14  ruefully 
8  MS.  schulde  9  garment  15  sweat 

4  sooner  10  gone  16  toil 

5  laborest  u  proud  17  of  the  grave 

6  adorn  12  garment  (of  flesh)  18  MS.  swynk 


438  LYRICS 

Lo  1  erpe  upon  erpe  considere  pou  may, 

How  erpe  come))  into  erpe  nakid  alway, 

Whi  schulde  erpe  upon  erpe  go  now  so  stoute  or  gay, 

Whanne  erpe  schal  passe  out  of  erpe  in  so  poore  aray  ? 

5  Wolde  God  perfore  pis  erpe,  while  fat  he  is  upon  this  er)>e, 

Upon  ]>is  wolde  hertili  pinke, 

And  how  pe  erpe  out  of  pe  erj>e  schal  have  his  ajenrisyng,1 
And  pis  erpe  for  pis  erpe  schal  jeelde 2  streite 8  rekenyng ; 
Schulde  nevere  pan  pis  erpe  for  pis  erpe  mysplese  hevene  King. 

10  J>erfore,  pou  erpe  upon  erpe,  pat  so  wickidli  hast  wroujt, 
While  pat  pou,  erpe,  art  upon  erpe,  turne  ajen  pi  poujt, 
And  praie  to  pat  God  upon  erpe  pat  al  pe  erpe  hap  wroujt, 
J>at  pou,  erpe  upon  erpe,  to  blis  may  be  broujt. 

0  pou  Lord  pat  madist  pis  erpe  for  pis  erpe,  and  suffridist  heere 
15  peynes  ille, 

Lete  nevere  pis  erpe,  for  pis  erpe,  myscheve 4  ne  spille,6 
But  pat  pis  erpe  on  pis  erpe  be  evere  worchinge  pi  wille, 
So  pat  pis  erpe  from  pis  erpe  may  stie 6  up  to  pin  hij  hille.  Amen. 

FILIUS  REGIS  MORTUUS  EST 

About  1430.    From  MS.  Lambeth  853,  printed  by  Furnivall  in  Political,  Re 
ligious,  and  Love  Poems  (reprint  of  E.E.T.S.  15),  p.  233.  Thirteen  stanzas  in  all. 

As  resoun  rewlid  my  rechelees 7  mynde, 
20  Bi  W4glde 8  waies  as  Y  hadde  went, 

A  solempne  citee  me  fortuned  to  fynde ; 

To  turne  perto  was  myne  entent. 
A  maiden  Y  mette,  a  modir  hynde,9 

Sobbinge  and  sijynge,  sche  was  neer  schent 10 ; 

1  resurrection ;  MS.  -risynge  5  perish  9  gracious 

2  yield  c  ascend  w  prostrated 
8  strict                                                            ^  reckless ;  MS.  riche- 

4  come  to  grief  8  wiid 


QUIA  AMORE  LANGUEO  439 

Sche  wepte,  sche  wailid,  so  sore  sche  pined ; 
Hir  heer,  hir  face,  sche  tuggid  and  rent : 
Sche  tuggid,  sche  taar  with  greet  turment, 

Sche  racide l  hir  skyn,  bothe  body  and  brest ; 
Sche  seide  peise  wordis  evere  as  sche  went :  5 

Filius  Regis  mortuus  est. 

'  The  Kingis  Sone,'  sche  seide,  '  is  deed, 

}?e  joie,  pe  substaunce  of  my  liif 2 ; 
J>e  modir  to  se  hir  Sone  so  blede, 

It  kittij) 3  myn  herte  as  with  a  knyf.  10 

My  Sone  fat  Y  was  woont  to  fede, 

To  lulle,  to  lappe,  with  songis  riif 4  — 
Out  of  his  herte  his  blood  to  schede 

Makip  me,  his  modir,  in  myche  striif.5 

I  am  bope  maiden,  modir,  and  wiif,  15 

Sones 6  have  Y  no  mo  to  souke  my  brest ; 

I  may  make  sorewe  without  reliif, 
For  Filius  Regis  mortuus  est.' 

QUIA  AMORE  LANGUEO 

About  1450-1500.  From  MS.  Camb.  Univ.  Lib.  Hh.  4.  12,  printed  by  Fur- 
nivall,  op.  cit.,  p.  181.  Sixteen  stanzas  in  all.  Translation  in  Weston,  op.  cit., 
PP-  349-5°- 

In  the  vaile  of  restles  mynd, 

I  sowght  in  mownteyn  and  in  mede,  20 

Trustyng  a  treu  lofe  for  to  fynd. 
Upon  an  hyll  than  toke  I  hede ; 
A  voise  I  herd  —  and  nere 7  I  yede 8  — 

In  gret  dolour  complaynyng  tho : 
'  See,  dere  soule,  my  sydes  blede,  25 

Quia  amore  langueo.' 

1  tore  4  rife  7  nearer 

2  MS.  liife  5MS.  striife  8  approached 

3  cuts  6  MS.  and  sones 


440  LYRICS 

Upon  thys  mownt  I  fand  a  tree ; 
Undir  thys  tree  a  man  sittyng ; 
From  hede  to  fote  wowndyd  was  he, 
Hys  hert-blode  I  saw  bledyng ; 
A  semely  man,  to  be  a  kyng, 

A  graciose  face  to  loke  unto. 
I  askyd  hym  how  he  had  paynyng,1 
He  said  :  '  Quia  amore  langueo. 

I  am  treu  love  that  fals  was  never : 

My  sistur,  mannys  soule,  I  loved  hyr  thus ; 
Bycause  I  wold  on  no  wyse  dissevere, 
I  left  my  kyngdome  gloriouse ; 
I  purveyd 2  hyr  a  place  full  preciouse ; 

She  flytt,8  I  folowyd ;  I  luffed  her  soo 
That  I  suffred  thes  paynes  piteuouse, 
Quia  amore  langueo? 

HE  BARE  HIM  UP 

About  1500  (or  earlier).  From  MS.  Oxford  Balliol  354,  as  printed  by  Fliigel 
in  Anglia  26. 175-6  (slightly  different  in  his  Neuenglisches  Lesebuch  i.  142),  with 
t>  for  MS.^.  The  knight  is  of  course  Jesus  Christ. 

Lully,  lulley,  lullyf  lulley, 
pefawcon  hath  born  my  make1"  away. 

He  bare  hym  up,  he  bare  hym  down, 
He  bare  hym  into  an  orchard  browne. 

In  pat  orchard  fere  was  an  halle 
J>at  was  hangid  with  purpill  and  pall. 

And  in  J>at  hall  )>ere  was  a  bede 6 ; 
Hit  was  hangid  with  gold  so  rede. 

1  distress  8  fled  6  mate 

2  provided  4  MS.  lulley  (em.  F.)  6  bed 


THE  PEARL  441 

And  yn  pat  bed  pere  lythe  a  knyght. 
His  wowndis  bledyng  day  and  nyght. 

By  pat  bedeside  kneleth  a  may,1 
And  she  wepeth  both  nyght  and  day. 

And  by  fat  beddeside  pere  stondith  a  ston, 
'  Corpus  Christi '  wretyn  peron. 


THE  PEARL 

The  Pearl  is  an  elegiac  poem  with  allegorical  elements,  embodying  a  vision 
by  the  author  of  a  maiden  closely  related  to  him,  who  had  died  at  an  early 
age.  Disregarding  stanza  72  (for  which  see  Osgood's  edition,  p.  xlvi,  note  i), 
the  poem  falls  into  20  sections,  each  consisting  of  5  twelve-line  stanzas,  con 
catenated  by  the  recurrence  of  the  last  word  of  a  stanza  in  the  first  line  follow 
ing.  The  rhyme-scheme  is  abababahbcbc.  The  date  is  about  1370;  the  author 
wrote  also  Gawain  and  the  Green  Knight  (see  above,  p.  53),  besides  two  other 
poems,  Purity  and  Patience.  There  is  only  a  single  manuscript,  Brit.  Mus. 
Cott.  Nero  A.  X  +  4  (facsimile  in  Yale  University  Library).  The  best  edition 
is  by  Osgood  (Belles  Lettres  Series,  1906) ;  to  this  the  student  is  referred  for 
further  information.  There  are  translations  by  Gollancz  (1891),  Mitchell  (1906), 
Coulton  (1906),  Osgood  (1907),  Jewett  (1908),  and  Weston  (in  Romance,  Vision, 
and  Satire,  1912) ;  of  these  the  best  is  Osgood's,  in  prose. 

Tennyson  thus  apostrophized  the  poem  in  Gollancz's  edition : 

We  lost  you  —  for  how  long  a  time !  — 
True  pearl  of  our  poetic  prime ; 
We  found  you,  and  you  gleam  reset 
In  Britain's  lyric  coronet. 

With  reference  to  the  emphasis  upon  the  jeweler's  art,  we  know  that  from 
the  death  of  St.  Louis  (1270)  this  had  surpassed  all  other  industrial  arts  in 
France  (Labarte,  Inventaire  du  Mobilier  de  Charles  V,  p.  i). 

Our  text  is  taken  from  Osgood's  edition  (by  the  kind  permission  of  the 
publishers,  Messrs.  D.  C.  Heath  &  Co.),  with  the  substitution,  when  etymo- 
logically  indicated,  of  z  for  the  character  5,  which  usually  denotes  palatal  g,  of 
and  for  <Sf,  and  with  the  normalization  of  u  and  v ;  the  emendations  are  those 
of  Osgood's  text.  Our  extracts  comprise  lines  37-300,  385-420. 

To  fat  spot  pat  I  in  speche  expoun 2 
I  entred,  in  pat  erber 8  grene, 

1  maid  2  tell  of  8  lawn 


442 


LYRICS 


10 


20 


In  Augoste,  in  a  hyj *  seysoun, 

Quen  corne  is  corven z  wyth  crokez 8  kene. 

On  huyle  *  per  perle  hit  trendeled 6  doun 

Schadowed 6  pis  wortez 7  ful  schyre 8  and  schene 9 

Gilofre,10  gyngure,11  and  gromylyoun,12 

And  pyonys 18  powdered 14  ay  bytwene. 

^if  hit  watz  semly  on  to  sene, 

A  f ayr  reflayr 15  jet  fro  hit  flot,16 

f>er  wonys  "  pat  worpyly,18  I  wot  and  wene,19 

My  precious  perle  wythouten  spot. 

Bifore  pat  spot  my  honde  I  spennfVjd,20 

For  care  ful  colde  pat  to  me  cajt 21 ; 

A  de[r]vely  dele 22  in  my  hert  denned,28 

J>a5  resoun  sette  myselven  sajt.24 

I  playned  ^  my  perle  pat  per  watz  spenned 86 

Wyth  fyrte  skyllez 27  pat  f aste  f  ajt 28 ; 

J>aj  kynde  m  of  Kryst  me  comfort  kenned,80 

My  wreched  wylle  in  wo  ay  wrajte.81 

I  felle  upon  pat  floury  flajt,82 

Suche  odour  to  my  hernez  M  schot ; 

I  slode 84  upon  a  slepyng-slajte  **  — 

On  pat  prec[i]os  perle  wythouten  spot. 

Fro  spot 86  my  spyryt  per  sprang  in  space, 
My  body  on  balke  4  per  bod 87  in  sweven 88 ; 


1  high  (in  a  liturgical  sense ; 

probably  the  Assumption 
of  the  Virgin,  August  15) 

2  mowed 
8  sickles 
4  mound 
6  rolled 

6  shaded 

7  plants 

8  bright 

9  fair 

10  gillyflower 

11  ginger 

13  gromwell 


is  peonies 

14  scattered  thickly 

15  fragrance 

16  flowed 

17  dwells 

18  worshipful  one 
w suppose 

20  clasped 

21  seized  on  me 

22  sudden  sorrow 
28  made  tumult 

24  though  reason  reconciled 

me 
^  bemoaned 


26  enclosed 

2"  frightened  reasonings 

28  contended 

29  the  nature 
80  imparted 
si  wrought 
82  turf 

88  brain 
84  sank 

35  visitation  of  sleep 

36  forth 

87  remained 
ss  dream 


THE  PEARL  443 

My  goste  is  gon  in  Godez  grace, 

In  aventure  per 1  mervaylez 2  meven.8 

I  ne  wyste  in  pis  worlde  quere  pat  hit  wace,4 

Bot  I  knew  me  keste 6  per  klyfez 6  eleven 7 ; 

Towarde  a  foreste  I  here 8  pe  face,  5 

Where  rych  rokkez  wer  to  dyscreven.9 

J>e  lyjt  of  hem  myjt  no  mon  leven,10 

J>e  glemande ll  glory  pat  of  hem  glent 12 ; 

For  wern  never  webbez  pat  wyjez  weven 18 

Of  half  so  dere  adub[be]mente.14  10 

Dubbed 15  wern  alle  po  downez  sydez 16 

Wyth  crystal  klyffez  so  cler  of  kynde.17 

Holte-wodez 18  bryjt  aboute  hem  bydez 19 

Of  bollez 20  as  blwe 21  as  ble  of  ynde 22 ; 

As  bornyst  sylver  pe  lef  onslydez,28  15 

J>at  pike  con  trylle 24  on  uch  a  tynde  K 

Quen 26  glem  of  glodez  27  agaynz  hem  glydez ; 

Wyth  schymeryng  schene 28  £ul  schrylle  **  pay  schynde. 

J?e  gravayl  pat  on  grounde  con  grynde 80 

Wern  precious  perlez  of  Oryente ;  20 

J?e  sunnebemez  bot  bio  and  blynde 81 

In  respecte  of  82  pat  adubbement. 

The  adubbemente  of  po  downez  dere 

Garten 88  my  goste 84  al  greff e  forjete ; 

So  frech  flavorez 86  of  frytez 86  were  25 

As  fode  hit  con  me  fayre  refete.87 

1  where  14  splendid  array  27  flashes  of  light  (?) 

2  marvels  15  arrayed  28  beautiful  shimmering 

3  move  16  hillsides  ^  intensely 

4  was  17  by  nature  80  did  crunch 

5  myself  to  be  set  down  "  woods  81  are  but  dark  and  dim 

6  diffs  19  are  w  compared  to 

7  stand  fast  2°  trunks  of  trees  w  caused 

8  turn  21  blue  w  soul 

9  to  be  descried  22  indigo  color  85  fresh  fragrances 
10  believe  2*  unfolds  ^  fruits 

H  resplendent  24  did  quiver  *7  satisfy,  refresh 

12  gleamed  26  On  each  branch 

is  people  weave  ^  when 


444 


LYRICS 


10 


Fowlez 1  per  flowen  2  in  f ryth 8  in  fere,4 
Of  flaumbande  hwez,6  bope  smale  and  grete ; 
Bot  sytole-stryng 6  and  gyternere 7 
Her  reken 8  myrpe  mojt  not  retrete 9 ; 
For,  quen  pose  bryddez  her  wyngez  bete, 
J>ay  songen  wyth  a  swete  asent 10 ; 
So  grac[i]os  gle  n  coupe  no  mon  gete 
As  here  and  se  her  adubbement.12 

So  al  watz  dubbet  on  dere  asyse 18 ; 

J>at  f  ryth  per 14  f  ortwne  forth  me  f  erez 15 ; 

J>e  derpe 16  }>erof  for  to  devyse 

Nis  no  wy5  n  worpe 18  pat  tonge  berez. 

I  welke 19  ay  forth  in  wely  m  wyse  ; 

No  bonk 21  so  byg 22  pat  did  me  derez.28 

J>e  fyrre  24  in  pe  fryth,  pe  fei[r]er  con  ryse 

J>e  playn,  pe  plonttez,25  pe  spyse,26  pe  perez,27 

And  rawez 28  and  randez  w  and  rych  reverez 80 

As  fyldor  81  fyn  her  bonkes  brent.32 

I  wan  88  to  a  water  by  schore  pat  scherez 84  ; 

Lorde,  dere  watz  hit M  adubbement  1 

The  dubbemente  of  po  derworth 86  depe 87 
Wern  bonkez 38  bene  ro  of  beryl  bryjt ; 
Swangeande  40  swete  pe  water  con  swepe, 
Wyth  a  rownande  41  rourde  42  raykande  48  arygt ; 


1  birds 

2  flew 

8  woodland 
*  together 

5  flaming  colors 

6  citole-string 

"  player  on  the  cithern 

8  lively 

9  reproduce 

10  harmony 

11  joy 

12  beauty 
is  manner 
14  where 

16  transports 


16  glory 
i"  person 
18  worthy 
l»  walk 

20  happy 

21  hill 

22  difficult 

28  as  to  cause  me  annoyances 

24  further 

25  plants 

26  spicy  shrubs 

27  pear-trees 

28  hedges 

29  borders  of  streams 
8°  rivers 


81  thread  of  gold  (Fr.yfl 

d>or) 

82  steep 

88  made  my  way 

84  runs  swiftly  by 

35  its 

86  rare 

8"  deep  stream 

88  banks 

89  pleasing 

40  rushingly  (?) 

41  murmuring 

42  voice 

48  moving  forward 


THE  PEARL  445 

In  pe  founce l  per  stonden  stonez  stepe,2 

As  glente 3  furj  glas  pat  glowed  and  glyjt  * 

A[s]  stremande  sternez,5  quen  strode 6  men  slepe, 

Staren 7  in  welkyn  in  wynter  nyjt ; 

For  uche  a  pobbel 8  in  pole 9  per  pyjt 10  5 

Watz  emerad,  saffer,11  oper  gemme  gente,12 

f»at  alle  pe  1056 18  lemed  of 14  lyjt, 

So  dere  watz  hit  adubbement. 

The  dubbement  dere  of  doun  K  and  dalez, 

Of  wod  and  water  and  wlonk 16  playnez,  10 

Bylde 1T  in  me  blys,  abated  my  balez,18 

Forbidden 19  my  stresse,20  dystryed 21  my  paynez. 

Doun  after  a  strem  pat  dryjly 22  halez 23 

I  bowed  in  blys.    Bredful 24  my  braynez  ; 

f>e  fyrre  I  folded  K  pose  floty 26  valez,  15 

J>e  more  strenghpe  of  joye  myn  herte  straynez. 

As  fortune  fares  per  as  ho  fraynez,27 

Wheper  solace  ho  sende  oper  ellez  sore,28 

J>e  wyj  to  wham  her  wylle  ho  waynez  M 

Hyttez  30  to  have  ay  more  and  more.  20 

More  of  weel 31  watz  in  pat  wyse 
J>en  I  cowpe  telle  Tpa%  I  torn 82  hade ; 
For  urpely  M  herte  myjt  not  suffyse 
To  pe  tenpe  dole  84  of  po  gladnez  glade.86 


1  bottom  of  the  stream 

is  water 

25  followed 

2  glittering 

14  gleamed  with 

26  watery 

8  gleam 

is  hill 

2"  where  she  desires 

4  shimmered 

10  fair 

28  sorrow 

6  stars  streaming  with  light 

17  caused  to  spring  up 

29  bestows 

6  secure  (?) 

lg  sorrows 

so  strives 

"  glitter 

19  did  away  with 

81  joy 

8  pebble 

20  anguish 

82  leisure 

Spool 

21  destroyed 

38  earthly 

1°  set 

22  mightily 

8*  part 

11  sapphire 

!»  flows 

86  happy 

12  precious 

u  brimful 

.    . 

446  LYRICS 

Forpy l  I  J>ojt  J>at  paradyse 
Watz  fer  over  gayn 2  J>o  bonkez  brade  8 ; 
I  hoped 4  fe  water  were  a  devyse 6 
Bytwene  myrfez 6  by  merez 7  made ; 
5  Byjonde  ]>e  broke,8  by  slente 9  oj>er  slade,10 

I  hope  fat  mote  n  merked 12  wore. 
Bot  f  e  water  watz  depe,  I  dorst  not  wade, 
And  ever  me  longed  a[y]  more  and  more. 

More  and  more,  and  jet  wel  mare, 
10  Me  lyste 18  to  se  pe  broke  byjonde ; 

For  if  hit  watz  fayr  ber  I  con  fare, 
Wel  loveloker 14  watz  be  fyrre  londe. 
Abowte  me  con  I  stote  w  and  stare, 
To  fynde  a  forbe 16  faste  con  I  fonde  n ; 
15  Bot  wobez18  mo  iwysse  per  ware, 

J>e  fyrre  I  stalked  by  be  stronde ; 
And  ever  me  bojt  I  schulde  not  wonde 19 
For  wo  per  welez  so  wynne  "  wore. 
J>enne  nwe  note 21  me  com  on  honde, 
20  J>at  meved 22  my  mynde  ay  more  and  more. 

More  mervayle  con  my  dom  M  adaunt 2* ; 
I  865  *  byjonde  fat  myry 26  mere 
A  crystal  clyffe  ful  relusaunt n  • 
Mony  ryal28  ray  con  fro  hit  rere.29 
25  At  fe  fote  J>erof  per  sete  a  faunt,80 

A  mayden  of  menske 81  ful  debonere ; 


1  wherefore 

11  city  (referring  to  the  New 

21  a  new  matter 

2  over  against  ;  MS.  oj>er 

Jerusalem) 

22  stirred 

gayn 

12  placed 

2«  mind 

*  broad 

is  i  yearned 

24  overcome 

4  supposed 

i4  lovelier 

25  saw 

8  division 

15  stumble 

26  lovely 

6  pleasure-gardens 

16  ford 

2"  reflecting  much  light 

7  boundary-lines 

"  seek 

28  royal 

8  stream 

18  dangers 

29  leap 

»  slope 

19  hesitate 

80  young  person  (OF.  en/aunf) 

10  dale 

20  fair 

81  decorous  bearing 

THE  PEARL  447 

Blysnande l  whyt  watz  hyr  bleaunt 2  — 

I  knew  hyr  wel,  I  hade  sen  hyr  ere  3  — 

As  glysnande 4  golde  pat  man  con  schere,5 

So  schon  pat  schene 6  anunder  schore.7 

On  lenghe 8  I  loked  to  hyr  fere,  5 

J>e  lengeij  I  knew  hyr  more  and  more. 

The  more  I  f rayste 9  hyr  f ayre  face, 

Her  fygure  fyn,  quen  I  had  fonte,10 

Suche  gladande  u  glory  con  to  me  glace 12 

As  lyttel  byfore  perto  watz  wonte.  10 

To  calle  hyr  lyste 13  con  me  enchace,14 

Bot  baysment w  gef  myn  hert  a  brunt 16 ; 

I  sej  hyr  in  so  strange  a  place, 

Such  a  burre 1Y  myjt  make  myn  herte  blunt.18 

J>enne  verez19  ho  up  her  fayre  frount,20  15 

Hyr  vysayge  whyt  as  playn  yvore, 

J>at  stonge  myn  hert  f ul  stray 21  atount,22 

And  ever  pe  lenger,  pe  more  and  more. 

More  pen  me  lyste  my  drede  aros ; 

I  stod  ful  stylle  and  dorste  not  calle,  20 

Wyth  ygen  open  and  mouth  ful  clos ; 

I  stod  as  hende 23  as  hawk  in  halle. 

I  hope  24  pat  gostly  ^  watz  pat  porpose 26 ; 

I  dred  onende 2T  quat  schulde  byfalle  — 

Lest  ho  me  eschaped  pat  I  per  chos,28  25 

Er  I  at  Steven  "  hir  mo^t  stalle.30 


1  gleaming 

11  causing  me  to  rejoice 

21  out  of  the  right  course 

2  tunic  (OF.  bliaut) 

12  glide 

22  confounded 

8  erstwhile 

18  the  desire 

28  quiet 

4  glittering 

14  pursue 

24  suppose 

5  cut 

16  confusion 

26  spectral 

6  fair  one 

16  blow 

26  intent,  thing  intended 

T  at  the  foot  of  the  bank 

if  shock 

27  concerning 

8  at  a  distance 

18  stunned 

28  discerned 

9  scanned 

19  lifts 

29  with  my  voice 

10  perceived  it 

20  brow 

80  stop 

44» 


LYRICS 


20 


J>at  gracios  gay l  wythouten  galle, 
So  smofe,  so  smal,  so  seme2  slyjt,8 
Rysez  up  in  hir  araye  ryalle, 
A  prec[i]os  pyece 4  in  perlez  pyjt.6 

Perlez  pyjte  of  ryal  prys 6 

pere  mojt  mon  by  grace  haf  sene, 

Quen  fat  frech 7  as  flor-de-lys 

Doun  }>e  bonke  con  boje 8  bydene.9 

Al  blysnande  whyt  watz  hir  bleaunt  of  biys,10 

Upon  u  at  sydez,  and  bounden  bene 12 

Wyth  J>e  myryeste  margarys,18  at  my  devyse,14 

J?at  ever  I  sej  jet  with  myn  yjen ; 

Wyth  lappez 15  large,  I  wot  and  I  wene, 

Dubbed  with  double  perle  and  dyjte,16 

Her  cortel "  of  self  sute 18  schene, 

Wyth  precios  perlez  al  umbepyjte.19 

A  pyjt w  coroune 21  jet  ^  wer 23  fat  gyrle, 
Of  marjorys 18  and  non  o}>er  ston, 
Hije  pynakled  of  cler  quyt  perle, 
Wyth  flurted  **  flowrez  perfet  ^  upon. 
To  hed 26  hade  ho  non  ofer  herle  a ; 
Her  here-leke 28  al  hyr  umbegon.29 
Her  semblaunt  *°  sade  for  doc  of>er  erle,31 
Her  ble 32  more  blajt 88  fen  whallez  bon  M ; 


1  radiant  one 

18  pearls 

2  modest 

14  in  my  opinion 

8  slight 

15  loose  folds 

4  creature,  thing 

16  adorned 

5  arrayed 

1-  kirtle 

6  excellence 

18  of  the  very  same  fashion 

7  sweet  one 

19  bordered 

8  did  betake  herself 

20  set  with  jewels 

»  forthwith 

21  crown 

10  fine  linen;  MS.hirbeauniys(?) 

22  besides 

(em.  Osgood) 

28  wore 

11  open 

24  figured 

12  pleasingly 

25  perfectly  wrought 

26  on  her  head 
^fillet;  MS.  werle 

28  locks  of  hair  (?) ;   MS. 

lere  leke 

29  encircled 

80  countenance 

81  demure  enough  to  suit 

duke  or  earl 

82  complexion 

»a  white  (bleached) 
84  Ivory  is  called  whale's 
bone  in  ME. 


THE  PEARL 


449 


As  schorne  golde  schyr *  her  fax  2  penne  schon, 
On  schylderez 8  pat  leghe 4  unlapped 5  lyjte.6 
Her  depe  colour  jet  wonted 7  non 
Of  precios  perle  in  porfyl 8  pyjte. 

Pyjt  and  poyned 9  watz  uche  a  hemme, 
At  honde,  at  sydez,  at  overture,10 
Wyth  whyte  perle  and  non  oper  gemme, 
And  bornyste  quyte  watz  hyr  vesture. 
Bot  a  wonder  perle  wythouten  wemme  u 
In  myddez  hyr  breste  watz  sette  so  sure. 
A  mannez  dom 12  mojt  dryjly la  demme  u 
Er  mynde  mojt  malte  in  hit  mesure 15 ; 
I  hope  no  tong  mojt  endure 16 
No  saverly 17  saghe 18  say  of  pat  syjt, 
So  watz  hit  clene  and  cler  and  pure, 
J»at  precios  perle  per  hit  watz  pygt. 

Pyjt  in  perle,  pat  precios  py[ec]e 

On  wyper  half 19  water  com  doun  pe  schore ; 

No  gladder  gome 20  hepen 21  into  Grece 

J>en  I  quen  ho  on  brymme  wore  w ; 

Ho  watz  me  nerre  w  pen  aunte  or  nece ; 

My  joy  forpy  watz  much  pe  more. 

Ho  p[ro]fered  me  speche,  pat  special  spece,24 

Enclynande  lowe  in  wommon  lore,25 

Cajte  of 26  her  coroun  of  grete  tresore, 

And  haylsed 27  me  wyth  a  lote  lyjte.28 


1  bright 

2  hair 

8  shoulders 
May 

5  unbound 

6  lightly 
"  lacked 

8  embroidered  border 

9  pierced  (with  open-work 

design) 

10  opening 


11  blemish 

12  judgment 
18  seriously 
"  be  baffled 

15  enter  into  its  measure  of 

excellence 

16  be  equal  to  the  task 
i?  sweet 

18  recital 

19  on  the  opposite  side  of 

20  man 


21  hence 

22  was  on  the  brink 

28  closer  (perhaps  dearer) 
2*  rare  being ;  MS.  spyce 

25  according  to  women's  eti 

quette 

26  caught  off 
2"  greeted 

28  manner  blithe 


450  LYRICS 

Wei  watz  me  ]>at  ever  I  watz  bore, 
To  sware l  fat  swete  in  perlez  pyjte  1 

'  O  perle,'  quod  I,  '  in  perlez  pyjt, 
Art  j>ou  my  perle  )>at  I  haf  playned,2 
Regretted 3  by  myn  one,4  on  nyjte  ?       _> 
/Much  longey_ng_haf  I  for  J>e  layned,6 
•  -Sy)>en  into  gresse 6  j>ou  me  aglyjte7 ;     ._ 
Pensyf,  payred,8  I  am  forpayned,9     TN 
And  }>ou  in  a  lyf  of  lykyng 10  ly^te,11 
In  paradys  erde,12  of  stryf  unstrayned.18 
What  wyrde 14  hatz  hyder  my  juel 15  wayned,16 
And  don  me  in  del 17  and  gret  daunger  ? 
Fro 18  we  in  twynne 19  wern  towen 20  and  twayned,21 
I  haf  ben  a  joylez  juelere.' 

15  That  juel  fenne  in  gemmez  gente22      \- 

Vered 28  up  her  vyse 24  wyth  yjen  graye, 
Set  on  hyr  coroun  of  perle  orient,     y  i 
And  soberly  after  benne  ^  con  ho  say : 
'  Sir,  je  haf  your  tale  mysetente,20 

20  To  say  your  perle  is  al  awaye, 

l?at  is  in  cofer  so  comly  clente,27 
vi'  v        '  *  * 

As  in  pis  gardyn  gracios 28  gaye, 

Hereinne  to  lenge  ^  for  ever  and  play, 
J>er  rnys  nee  mornyng 80  com  never  nere  81 ; 
25  Her  were  a  forser 82  for  ]>e,  in  laye,88  |V  \r 

If  fou  were  a  gentyl  jueler. 

12  the  country  of  paradise  w  turned 


2  lamented 

18  unmolested 

24  face 

8  grieved  for 

"  fate 

25  straightway 

4  by  myself 

is  jewel 

26  heeded  ill 

5  kept  silent  about 

16  brought  ;  MS.  vayned 

2'  enclosed  so  beautifully 

6  the  sod  (grass) 

17  sorrow  ;  MS.  bys  del 

2«  delightful 

7  slipped  away 

18  since 

M  tarry 

8  worn 

l9  in  twain 

8°  where  sin  nor  mourning 

9  overcome  with  pain 

20  drawn 

81  MS.  here 

10  pleasure 

21  torn  apart 

82  treasure-chest 

11  arrived 

22  precious 

88  indeed 

THE  PEARL  451 

'  Bot,  jueler  gente,  if  fou  schal  lose 

J>y  joy  for  a  gemme  fat  fe  watz  lef/  ' 

Me  fynk  fe  put  in  a  mad  porpose,2  ^* 

And  bu.syez  f  e  s  aboute  a  raysoun  bref  4  ;   *• 

For  fat  fou  lestez  5  watz  bot  a  jrose 

J>at  flowred  and  fayled  6  as  kynde  hyt  gef  7  ; 

Now,  f  urj  kynde  of  f  e  kyste  8  fat  hyt  con  close,9 

To  a  perle  of  prys  hit  is  put  in  pref.10 

And  ]>ou  hatz  called  fy  wyrde  a  fef,11 

f>at  ojt  of  no^t12  hatz  mad  fe  cler,18 

J>ou  blamez  14  fe  bote  15  of  J>y  meschef  16  ;  ^/^ 

f>ou  art  no  kynde  "  jueler.' 

A  juel  to  me  fen  watz  fys  geste,18 
And  juelez  wern  hyr  gentyl  sawez.19 
*  Iwyse,'  quod  I,  '  my  blysfol  beste,20 
'<'  My  grete  dystresse  fou  al  todrawez.21 
f  To  be  excused  I  make  requeste  \_fif 
I  trawed  22  my  perle  don  out  of  dawez  28  ; 
Now  haf  I  fonde  hyt,  I  schal  ma  feste,24 
And  wony  K  wyth  hyt  in  schyr  26  wod-schawez,27  . 
And  love  my  Lorde  and  al  his  lawez,    frj^- 
J>at  hatz  me  broj[t]  fys  blys  ner  ; 
Now  wjsre  I  at  28  ydw  by^onde  fise  wawez,29 
ftf  I  were  a  jpyfol  jueler.' 


'Jueler,'  sayde  fat  gemme  clene,90  25 

'  Wy  borde  81  56  men,  so  madde  56  be  ? 

1  dear  12  something  from  nothing  28  perished 

2  given  over  to  mad  intent  18  manifestly  2*  make  merry 

3  thou  troublest  thyself  14  dost  reproach  ^  dwell 

4  matter  of  short  duration  15  remedy  26  bright 

5  lost  16  injury  w  groves 

0  withered  17  grateful  28  beside 

1  nature  permitted  it  18  guest  w  waves 

8  chest  19  words  80  pure 

9  enclose  20  best  one  81  jest 
1°  it  is  proved  to  be  21  puttest  an  end  to 

n  thief  22  believed 


452  LYRICS 

J>re  wordez  hatz  pou  spoken  at  ene l ; 
-f       Unavysed,2  forsobe,  wern  alle  )?re ; 

j?ou  ne  woste 8  in  worlde 4  quat  on  dotz  mene,8 
J>y  worde  byfore  ]>y  wytte  con  fle. 
J>ou  says  J>ou  trawez  me  in  bis  dene,6 
Bycawse  \>ou  may  wyth  yjen  me  se^ 
Anofer  \>ou  says,  in  bys  countre 
J>yself  schal  won  wyth  me  rj^L  here ; 
J»e  brydde,  to  passe  bys  water  f re  — 
J>at  may  no  joyfol  jueler.  .  .  .' 

'  In  blysse  I  se  be  blybely  blent,7 
And  I  a  man  al  mornyf 8  mate 9 ; 
<5e  take  beron  ful  lyttel  tente,10 
J?a5  I  hente  u  of  te  harmez  hate.12 
Bot  now  I  am  here  in  your  presente,18 
I  wolde  bysech  wythouten  debate 
^e  wolde  me  say  in  sobre  asente  w 
What  lyf  56  lede  erly  and  late ; 
For  I  am  ful  fayn 15  fat  your  astate le  ff  '• 
Is  worsen 17  to  worschyp  and  wele,  iwysse ; 
^Y-     Of  alle  my  joy  ]>e  hyje  gate,18 

Hit  is  in  grounde 19  of  alle  my  blysse.' 

'  Now  blysse,  burne,20  mot  )>e  bytyde,' 
]?en  sayde  fat  lufsoum  of  lyth  and  lere 21 ;   . 
25  'And  welcum  here  to  walk  and  byde, 

For  now  )>y  speche  is  to  me  dere ;     , 
Maysterful  mod 22  and  hy^e  pryde, 
I  hete 28  f  e,  arn  heterly 24  hated  here. 

1  one  time  9  dejected  ™  road 

2  ill  considered  10  heed  19  at  the  basis 
8  knowest  not                                        n  experience  2°  sir 

4  at  all  12  burning  21  that  one,  lovely  of  limb 

5  a  single  one  means  (lit.  18  presence  and  face 

does  mean)  M  compliance  %*  temper 

6  valley  15  glad  2*  assure 

7  joyously  mingled  16  condition  24  bitterly 
»  mournful  17  is  turned 


GODRIC'S  HYMNS  453 

My  Lorde  ne  lovez  not  for  to  chyde, 

For  meke  arn  alle  fat  wonez  hym  nere ; 

And  when  in  hys  place  }>ou  schal  agfire, 

Be  dep  devote l  in  hoi 2  mekenesse ; 

My  Lorde  f  e  Ljirnb  lovez  ay  such  chere 8  —  5 

J>at  is  ]>e  grounde  of  alle  my  blysse. 
\ 

'  A  blysful  lyf  pou  says  I  lede ; 

f>ou  woldez  knaw  perof  ]>e  stage..    Gi 

Ipow  wpst  wel  when  |>y  perle  con  schede 5 

I  watz  ful  x$ng  and  tender  of  age;  10 

Bot  my  Lorde  pe  Lombe,  purj  hys  Godhede, 

He  toke  myself  to  hys  maryage,    ff- 
fr*  Coroyode  me  quene  in  blysse  to  brede 8   ^^- 

In  lenghe  of  dayez  fat  ever  schal  wage T ;  £)£ 

And  sesed  in 8  alle  hys  hery  tage    *~£T  1 5 

Hys  lef 9  is,  I  am  holy  hysse ; 
ffl    Hys  prese,10  hys  pjvs.11  and  hys  parage,18 

Is  rote  and  grounde  of  alle  my  blysse.' 

GODRIC'S  HYMNS 

It  is  not  for  beauty  of  phrasing  or  loveliness  of  movement  that  these  verses 
are  remarkable.  They  are  here  printed  because  they  are  early  (Godric  died 
in  1170) ;  because  their  author  was  illiterate;  and  because  he  had  such  a  sin 
gular  career.  He  was  successively  peddler,  pirate,  and  palmer,  before,  at  the 
age  of  forty  or  over,  he  turned  to  the  hermit's  life.  He  is  described  as  broad- 
shouldered,  with  well-set,  sinewy  frame,  and  flowing  beard ;  and  his  hair  in 
earlier  life  was  black.  Of  him,  as  of  Chaucer's  shipman,  it  might  be  said : 

With  many  a  tempest  hadde  his  herd  been  shake. 

During  his  wandering  life,  he  was  for  several  years  the  master  of  a  vessel  ply 
ing  between  England,  Scotland,  Denmark,  and  Flanders ;  journeyed  twice  to 
Jerusalem,  and  on  May  29,  1102,  carried  Baldwin  I,  King  of  Jerusalem,  to  Jaffa 
in  his  ship ;  and  visited  Ronie,  St.  Giles  in  Provence,  and  Compostella.  The 

1  deeply  devout  6  did  fall  9  precious  one 

2  all  6  dwell  10  worth 

8  demeanor  i  endure  n  excellence 

4  degree  of  advancement  8  put  in  possession  of  u  noble  lineage 


454  LYRICS 

last  sixty  years  of  his  life  he  spent  at  Finchale,  near  Durham.  He  knew  a  little 
French,  and  could  read  at  least  the  Psalter  in  Latin.  He  '  had  unique  influence 
over  animals.  His  heifer,  the  hare  that  was  nibbling  at  his  garden  herbs,  the 
frozen  birds,  the  stag  pursued  by  huntsmen,  all  found  a  friend  in  him '  (Diet. 
Nat.  Biog.).  In  extreme  old  age  he  became  clairvoyant,  and  'would  interrupt 
his  conversation  to  utter  prayers  for  the  storm-tossed  vessels  of  his  dreams.' 
See  Kingsley,  Hermits  ;  Alban  Butler's  and  Baring-Gould's  Lives  of  the  Saints ; 
and  especially  the  Diet.  Nat.  Biog. 

The  music  of  all  three  hymns,  found  in  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Royal  S.  F.  7,  is 
reproduced  as  the  frontispiece  of  Saintsbury's  History  of  English  Prosody,  with 
a  somewhat  imperfect  text. 


HYMN  TO  THE  VIRGIN 

This  hymn  was  taught,  as  he  believed,  to  Godric,  by  the  Virgin  Mary 
herself.  The  text  is  from  Zupitza's  edition  (Eng.  Stud.  11.423).  The  music  to 
which  it  was  sung  is  printed  in  Stevenson's  edition  of  Reginald's  life  of  the 
saint  (Surtees  Soc.,  Vol.  20),  p.  288. 

Sainte  Marie,  Virgine, 

Moder  Jesu  Cristes  Nazarene, 

Onfo,1  scild,2  help  Jrin 8  Godric, 

Onf ang,1  bring  hehlic  *  wio"  pe  in  Codes  ric.6 

Sainte  Marie,  Cristes  bur,6 
Maidenes  clenhad,7  moderes  flur,8 
Dilie  9  mine  sinne,  rixe 10  in  min  mod, 
Bring  me  to  winne  n  witS  self  God. 


HYMN   OF  BURGWINE,  GODRIC'S  SISTER 

Godric's  sister  had  led  a  hermit's  life  in  a  cell  near  him  at  Finchale.  After 
her  death  he  was  concerned  about  the  state  of  her  soul.  One  night  he  had  a 
vision  of  the  Virgin  Mary  followed  by  two  men  in  white  garments,  and  between 
them  the  spirit  of  his  sister.  They  floated  down  upon  the  altar  of  his  oratory, 
and  his  sister,  standing  upon  the  altar,  sang  the  following  lines  (Zupitza,  p.  429). 

1  receive  *>  kingdom  8  flower 

2  protect  6  bower;  chamber  (alluding  to  Ps.  19.  5,  under-  9  blot  out 
8  thy                                   stood  of  Christ  as  the  bridegroom)                              10  reign 

4  gloriously  J  purity  ll  bliss 


I  SIGH  WHEN  I  SING  455 

The  '  scamel,'  or  footstool,  here  refer?  to  the  altar,  with  allusion  to  i  Chron. 
28.3;  Ps.  99.5;  132.7;  Isa.  60.13;  f°r  tne  footstool  may  be  identified  with 
the  mercy-seat  of  the  old  dispensation  (Exod.  25.  16-22),  and  hence  with  the 
altar  in  the  Christian  church. 

Crist  and  Seinte  Marie  swa 1  on  scamel  me  iledde 2 
f>at  Ic  on  J)is  erSe  ne  silde 8  wiS  mine  bare  fote  itredie.4 

HYMN  TO  ST.  NICHOLAS 

St.  Nicholas  is  reported  by  his  biographer,  Reginald  (ed.  Stevenson,  p.  202), 
to  have  once  visited  Godric  in  a  dream  at  Eastertide,  in  company  with  angels 
descending  to  Christ's  sepulchre,  to  have  sung  with  them,  and  to  have  urged 
Godric  to  sing  also,  which  he  did.  Our  hymn,  however,  has  no  direct  allusion 
to  this  occurrence. 

The  third  line  should,  according  to  Zupitza  (p.  430),  be  brought  into  direct 
relation  with  the  end  of  the  first  ('  God's  darling  at  thy  birth,  at  thy  bier ')  — 
which  indicates  that  Godric's  literary  technique  left  something  to  be  desired. 

Sainte  Nicholaes,  Codes  drutS, 

Tymbre  6  us  f aire  scone 6  hus  — 

At  fi  burth,  at  ]>i  bare  —  5 

Sainte  Nicholaes,  bring  us  wel  fare.7 

I  SIGH  WHEN  I  SING 
About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  pp.  210-2 

I  syke 8  when  Y  singe, 

For  sorewe  fat  Y  se, 
When  Y  wif  wypinge 9 

Biholde  upon  fe  tre,  10 

Ant  se  Jesu,  fe  suete, 
Is10herte-blodforleteu 

For  J>e  love  of  me. 
Ys 10  woundes  waxen  wete ; 
J>ei  wepen  stille  and  mete ia ;  15 

Marie  rewep  fe. 

1  so  5  build  9  weeping 

2  led  6  beautiful  10  his 
8  should                                                    7  there  n  lose 

4  tread  8  sigh  u  gently 


456  LYRICS 

Heje  upon  a  doune,1 

per  al  folk  hit  se  may, 
A  mile  from  be 2  toune, 

Aboute  pe  midday, 
5  J>e  rode  is  up  arered ; 

His  frendes  aren  afered, 

Ant  clyngeb 3  so 4  )>e  clay. 
}?e  rode  stont 5  in  stone ; 
Marie  stont  hire  one,6 
10  Ant  seib '  Weylaway  1 ' 

When  Y  }>e  biholde 

WiJ>  eyjen  bryhte  bo,7 
Ant  bi  bodi  colde, 

J>i  ble 8  waxeb  bio 9 ; 

1 5  J?ou  hengest  al  of  blode 

So  heje  upon  be  rode, 

Bituene  feves  tuo. 
Who  may  syke  more  ? 
Marie  wepef  sore, 
20  Ant  sij> 10  al  ]>is  wo. 

J?e  naylles  be)>  to  stronge, 

J?e  smy))es  are  to  sleye  u  ; 
J>ou  bledest  al  to  longe, 

J)e  tre  is  al  to  heyje. 

25  f>e  stones  beo}>  al  wete, 

Alas,  Jesu,  )>e  suete  1 

For  nou  frend  hast  )>ou  non 
Bote  Seint  Johan  mournynde, 
Ant  Marie  wepynde 
30  For  pyne  ]>at  J>e  ys  on. 

1  hill  6  stands ;  MS.  stond  9  Hvid 

2  MS.  uch  (em.  B.)  6  by  herself  10  MS.  siht  (em.  B.) 
8  shrink  up                                       7  both  u  skilful 

4  8  color 


A  SONG  TO  THE  VIRGIN  457 

Ofte  when  Y  sike 

And  makie  my  mon, 
Wei  ille  pah  me  like 1 

Wonder  is  hit  non ; 

When  Y  se  honge  heje,  5 

Ant  bittre  pynes  dreje,2 

Jesu,  my  lemmon.8 
His  wondes  sore  smerte ; 
f>e  spere  al  to  [h]is  herte 

Ant  pourh  [h]is  syde  [i]s  4  gon.  10 

Ofte  when  Y  syke, 

Wip  care  Y  am  pourhsoht 8 ; 
When  Y  wake,  Y  wyke,6 

Of  serewe  is  al  mi  poht. 

Alas  !  men  bep  wode 7  15 

f»at  suerep  by  pe  rode, 

And  sellep  him  for  noht 
J>at  bohte  us  out  of  synne. 
He  bring 8  us  to  wynne 9 

f>at  hap  us  duere 10  boht !  20 

i   • 
A  SONG  TO  THE  VIRGIN      <^v*-V*/*^' 

Thirteenth  century.    From  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Egerton  613,  printed  by  Morris, 
Old  English  Miscellany  (E.E.T.S.  49),  pp.  194-5. 

Of  on  pat  is  so  fayr  and  brijt 

Velut™-  mans  stella, 
Brijter  J>an  pe  day  is  lijt, 

Parens  et  puella. 

Ic  crie  to  pe ;  pou  se 12  to  me ;  25 

Levedy,  preye  pi  Sone  for  me, 

Tarn  pia, 

1  if  I  like  it  full  ill  5  pierced  9  bliss 

2  suffer  6  grow  weak  10  dearly 

3  darling  7  demented  u  MS.  velud 

4  MS.  sydes  8  subj.  12  iook 


458  LYRICS 

J>at  Ic  mote1  come  to  J>e, 
Maria. 

Of  kare 2  conseil 8  pou  ert  best, 

Felix,  fecundata  ; 
5  Of  alle  wery 4  fou  ert  rest, 

Mater  honorata. 
Bisek  him  wif>6  milde  mod 
J>at  for  ous  alle  s[h]ad  [h]is  blod 

In  cruce, 

10  f>at  we  moten  komen  til  him 

In  luce. 

Al  pis  world  was  forlore, 

Eva  peaatrice, 
Tyl  our  Lord  was  ybore 
i 5  De  te  genitrice  ; 

With  Ave*  it  went  away  — 

Duster 7  nyht  —  and  comet[h]  ]>e  day 

Salutis  ; 

J>e  welle  springeth  ut  of  ]>e 
20  Virtutis. 

Levedi,  flour 8  of  alle  J>ing,9 

Rosa  sine  spina, 
J>u  bere 10  Jesu,  hevene  King, 

Gratia  divina  ; 

25  Of  alle  Jm  berst  J?e  pris,11 

Levedi,  quene  of  Parays 

Electa, 
Mayde  milde,  moder  es 

Effecta. 

1  may  *  MS.  wiz  9  things 

2  anxiety  6  hail  (anagram  of  Eva)  10  barest 
8  counsel                                              7  dark                                                                   11  prize 

4  who  are  weary  8  flower 


STAND  WELL,  MOTHER,  UNDER  ROOD          459 

Wei  he  wot l  he  is  Jri  Sone, 

Ventre  quern  portasti  ; 
He  wyl  nout  werne 2  fe  ]>i  bone,3 

Parvum  quern  lactasti ; 
So  hende 4  and  so  god  he  is,5 
He  havet[h]  brou[h]t  ous  to  blis 

Superni 
f>at  havez  hidut 6  f  e  f oule  put 7 

Jnferni. 

STAND  WELL,  MOTHER,  UNDER  ROOD 

About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  pp.  206-8 

'  Stond  wel,  moder,  under  rode, 
Byhold 8  fy  Sone  wif  glade  mode  ; 

Blyfe,  moder,  myht 9  ]>ou  be ! ' 
*  Sone,  hou  shulde  Y  blyf  e  stonde  ? 
Y  se  fin  fet,  Y  se  fin  honde, 

Nayled  to  pe  harde  tre.' 

'  Moder,  do  wey 10  py  wepinge ; 
Y  pole  n  de]>  for  monkynde, 

For  my  gult  pole  Y  non.' 
'  Sone,  Y  fele  pe  dede-stounde 12 ; 
— ^   J>e  suert  is  at  myn  herte  grounde 18 

f>at  me  byhet 14  Symeon.' 

'  Moder,  merci,  let  me  deye, 
For  Adam  out  of  helle  [to]  beye, 
Ant  his  kun,  fat  is  fcrlore.' 


20 


1  knows 

2  deny 

3  prayer,  boon 

4  gracious 
6  MS.  his 


6  covered 
1  pit 

8  MS.  -holt 

9  mayst 
1°  away 


n  suffer 
12  death-pang 
18  core 
14  foretold 


460 


LYRICS 


25 


1  as  advice 

2  death 
8  son 

*  tears 

5  affects 

6  forbid 
1  run 


'  Sone,  what  shal  me  to  rede l  ? 
My  peyne  pynef  me  to  dede 2 ; 
Lat  me  deje  J>e  byfore.' 

'  Moder,  ]>ou  rewe  al  of  f  i  Bern 8 ; 
J>ou  wosshe  awai  fe  blody  tern,4 

Hit  dof 6  me  worse  fen  my  ded.' 
1  Sone,  hou  may  Y  teres  werne 6  ? 
Y  se  fe  blody  stremes  erne 7 

From  fin  herte  to  my  fet.' 

'  Moder,  nou  Y  may  )>e  seye, 
Betere  is  fat  Ich  one 8  deye 

}?en9  al  monkunde  to  helle  go.' 
'  Sone,  Y  se  fi  bodi  bysw[o]ngen,10 
Fet  and  honde  f ourhout  stongen 11 ; 

No  wonder  f  ah 12  me  be  wo.' 

'  Moder,  nou  Y  shal  )>e  telle, 
^ef  Y  ne  deje,  fou  gost  to  helle ; 

Y  }>ole  ded  for  fine  sake.' 
'  Sone,  \> ou  art  so  meke  and  mynde,18 
Ne  wy t 14  me  naht  —  hit  is  my  kynde 15  — 

f>at  Y  for  fe  fis  sorewe  make.' 

r  Moder,  nou  ]>ou  miht  wel  leren 16 
Whet  sorewe  havef 1T  fat  children  beren, 

Whet  sorewe  hit  is  wif  childe  gon.' 
'  Sorewe  ?  ywis,18  Y  con  fe  telle  ! 
Bote 19  hit  be  |>e  pyne  m  of  helle, 

More  serewe  wot  Y  non.' 


8  alone 
»  than 

10  em.  B. 

11  pierced 
13  if 

18  considerate 
"  blame 


15  nature 

16  canst  easily  explain 

17  they  have 

18  indeed 
l»  unless 
20  pain 


STAND  WELL,  MOTHER,  UNDER  ROOD          461 


'  Moder,  rew  of  moder-kare, 
For  nou  \>ou  wost  of  moder-fare,1 

J>ah 2  f  ou  be  clene  mayden  on.8 ' 
'  Sone,  help  at  alle  nede 
Alle  )>o  fat  to  me  grede,4 

Maiden,  wif,  ant  fol5  wymmon.' 

'  Moder,  may  Y  no  lengore  duelle,6 
J?e  time  is  come,  Y  shal 7  to  helle ; 

J>e  fridde  day  Y  ryse  upon.' 
'  Sone,  Y  wil  wi|>  fe  [be]  founden ; 
Y  deye,  ywis,  for  |nne  wounden  — 

So  soreweful  ded  nes  never  non.' 

When  he  ros,  J>o 8  fel  hire  sorewe, 
Hire  blisse  sprang  J>e  ]>ridde  morewe; 

Blyfe,  moder,  were  ]>ou  ]>o ! 
Levedy,  for  fat  ilke  blisse, 
Bysech  ]>i  Sone  of  sunnes  lisse  9 ; 

J>ou  be  oure  sheld  ajeyn 10  oure  fo. 

Blessed  be  fou,  ful  of  blysse ! 
Let  us  never  hevene  misse, 

J>ourh  J>i ll  suete  Sones  myht. 
Loverd,  for  fat  ilke 12  blod 
J>at  \> ou  sheddest  on  fe  rod, 

J>ou  bryng  us  into  hevene-lyht. 


10 


20 


1  mother-doings 

2  though  ;  MS.  )x>u 
8  one,  a  ;  MS.  mon 
*  cry 


5  foolish,  loose 

6  stay 

7  must 
«  then 


9  sin's  remission 

10  against 

11  MS.  sourh  l>ich  (em.  B.) 

12  same 


462  LYRICS 

AS  I  RODE 
About  1310.    From  Boddeker,  pp.  218-9 

Ase  Y  me  rod,  f  is  ender  *  day, 
By  grene  wode  to  seche  play, 
Mid  herte  Y  fohte  al  on  a  may,2 

Suetest  of  alle  f  inge ; 
5  Lyfe,8  and  Ich  ou  telle  may 

Al  of  fat  suete  f  inge. 

J»is  maiden  is  suete  ant  fre  of  blod,4 
Briht  and  feyr,  of  milde  mod ; 
Alle  heo  mai  don  us  god 
10  J>urh  hire  bysechynge  ; 

Of  hire  he  tok  fleysh  and  blod, 
Jesu  Crist,  hevene  Kynge. 

Wif  al  mi  lif  Y  love  fat  may ; 
He  is  mi  solas  nyht  and  day, 
15  My  joie,  and  eke  my  beste  play,5 

Ant  eke  my  love-longynge ; 
Al  f  e  betere  me  is  fat  day 

J>at  Ich  of  hire  synge. 

Of  alle  finge  Y  love  hir  mest,6 

20  My  dayes  blis,  my  nyhtes  rest, 

Heo  counseilef  and  helpef  best 

Bof  e  elde  and  synge 7 ; 
Nou  Y  may,  jef  Y  wole, 

f>e  fif  joyes  mynge.8 

25  J>e  furst  joie  of  f  at  wymman ' — 

When  Gabriel  from  hevene  cam, 

1  other  ^  descent,  parentage  J  old  and  young 

3  maid  5  delight  8  mention 

« listen  6  most  9  MS.  wyn- 


AS  I  RODE 


463 


1  mankind 

2  second 
8  on 

4  manger 

5  light 


Ant  seide  God  shulde  bicome  man, 

Ant  of  hire  be  bore, 
And  bringe  up  of  helle  pyn 

Monkyn l  fat  wes  forlore. 

J?at  of er 2  joie  of  fat  may  5 

Wes  o 8  Cristesmasse  day, 

When  God  wes  bore,  on  f  orwe 4  lay, 

Ant  brohte  us  lyhtnesse 6 ; 
J>estri 6  wes  seie 7  byfore  day, 

J>is  hirdes s  beref  wytnesse.  10 

J?e  f  ridde  joie  of  fat  levedy  — 
J>at  men  clepef  fe  Epyphany, 
WThen  fe  kynges  come,  wery, 

To  presente  hyre  Sone 
Wif  myrre,  gold,  and  encenz,  15 

J>at9  wes  Mon  bicome. 

J>e  furfe  joie  we  telle  mawen  — 

On  Estermorewe,  w[h]en  10  hit  gon  dawen,11 

Hyre  sone,  fat  wes  slawen, 

Aros  in  fleysh  and  bon  ;  20 

More  joie  ne  mai  me  haven 

Wyf  ne  mayden  non. 

J>e  fifte  joie  of  fat  wymman  — 

When  hire  body  to  hevene  cam, 

J>e  soule  to  fe  body  nam,12  25 

Ase  hit  wes  woned  to  bene.13 
Crist,  leve  14  us  alle  wif  fat  wymman 

J>at  joie  al  for  te  sene. 


6  darkness 

7  seen 

8  shepherds 

9  who 

10  em.  B. 


11  dawn 

12  joined 
18  be 

l4  grant 


464  LYRICS 

Preye  we  alle  to  oure  levedy, 

Ant  to  be  sontes 1  bat  wonej> 2  hire  by, 

J>at  heo 8  of  us  haven  merci, 

Ant  )>at  we  ne  misse 
In  pis  world  to  ben  holy, 

Ant  wynne  hevene  blysse. 

WHEN  CHRIST  WAS  BORN  OF  MARY  FREE 

About  1456.    From  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Harl.  5396,  printed  by  Wright,  Specimens 
of  Old  Christmas  Carols  (Percy  Soc.  4),  p.  32- 

Christo  paremus  canticam, 
\Iri\  excelsis  gloria. 

When  Cryst  was  born  of  Mary  fre,4 
I0  In  Bedlem  in  that  fayre  cyte, 

Angellis  song  ther  with  myrth  and  gle : 
In  excelsis  gloria. 

Herdmen5  beheld  thes  angellis  bryjt, 
To  hem  apperyd  wyth  gret  lyjt, 
And  seyd :  '  Goddys  Sone  is  born  this  nyjt ; 
In  excelsis  gloria.' 

Thys  king 6  ys  comyn  to  save  [manjkynde, 
In  the  Scriptur 7  as  we  fynde ; 
Therfore  this  song  have  we  in  mynde : 
20  In  excelsis  gloria. 

Then,  Lord,  for  thy  gret[e]  grace, 
Graunt  us  the  blys  to  se  thy  face, 
Where  we  may  syng  to  thy  solas : 
In  excelsis  gloria. 

1  saints  'shepherds  7  MS.  as  yn  Scripturas  (em. 

2  dwell  6MS.  keng    (em.  Chambers 
8  they  and  Sidgwick,  Early  Eng- 
4  noble  teh  Lyrics) 


AT  CHRISTMAS,  MAID  MARY  465 

AT  CHRISTMAS,  MAID  MARY 

About  1425.  Sections  6  and  7  (lines  59-84)  of  Festivals  of  the  Church,  from 
MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Royal  18  A.  10,  printed  by  Morris,  Legends  of  the  Holy  Rood 
(E.E.T.S.  46),  pp.  212-3. 

At  Cristemasse,  mayde  Mary, 

f>orowe  helpe  of  |>e  Holy  Goostis  heste,1 
J?i  Brid 2  was  born,  and  lay  ]>e  by, 

Aboute  bobe  bynne 8  and  beeste. 
J>e  aungels  maden  melody  5 

For  joye  of  Cristis  feeste ; 
A  clere  note  ]>ei  sang  in  )>e  sky 

Whan  Kyngis  Sone  bare  fleisshly  creste.4 

Scheperdes,  meest  and  leest, 

'  Joye  to  God  full  of  love ! '  10 

Herden  )>ei  aungels  synge  above, 
'  Pes  to  man  !    J>e  devyll  is  drove 5 

Fro  Goddis  trone  in  J>e  eest.' 

J>an  mygt  ]>e  mylde  may 6  synge, 

Ysaye,  J>e  woord  of  pee  :  15 

'  J>ou  seydest 7  a  gerd  schulde  sprynge 

Oute  of  ]>e  rote  of  jentill  Jesse, 
And  schulde  floure  with  florisschyng, 

With  primeroses  greet  plente ; 
Into  j?e  croppe 8  schulde  come  a  Kyng  20 

f>at  is  a  Lord  of  power  and  pyte  — 

My  swete  Sone  I  see ! 
I  am  J?e  jerde,9  J>ou  art  pe  Flour ! 
My  Brid 10  is  borne  by  u  beest  in  boure ; 
My  Primerose,  my  Paramour,12  25 

With  love  I  lulle  fee.' 

1  bidding  5  driven  9  shoot 

2  son  (lit.  bird)  6  maiden  10  child  (lit.  bird) 
»  manger                                            7  isa.  n.  i  "near 

1  crest,  insignia  8  topmost  branch  12  sweetheart 


466  LYRICS 


I  SING  OF  A  MAIDEN 

About  1450.    From  MS.  Brit.  Mus.  Sloane  2593,  as  printed  by  Fehr  in 
Herrig's  Archiv  109.  50. 

I  syng  of  a  mayden 

f>at  is  makeles 1 ; 
Kyng  of  alle  kynges 

To  here  Sone  [s]che 2  dies.* 
5  He  cam  also 4  stylle 

f>ere 6  his  moder  was 
As  dew 6  in  Aprylle 

J?at  fallyt  on  J>e  gras ; 
He  cam  also  stylle 

10  To  his  moderes  bowr 

As  dew  in  Aprille 

f>at  fallyt  on  ]>e  flour ; 
He  cam  also  stylle 

J>ere  his  moder  lay 
15  As  dew  in  Aprille 

]?at  fallyf  on  }>e  spray ; 
Moder  and  maydyn 

Was  never  non  but  [s]che2; 
Wei  may  swych  a  lady 
20  Godes  moder  be. 

LULLAY,  MY  CHILD 

About  1460-1490.    From  MS.  Bodl.  Eng.  Poet.  e.  i,  printed  by  Wright  in 
Songs  and  Carols  (Percy  Soc.  73),  p.  19. 

Lullay,  my  Child,  and  wepe  no  more; 

Slepe,  and  be  now  styll ; 
The  King  of  blys  thy  Fader  ys, 

As  it  was  hys  wyll. 

1  matchless  8  chose  5  where 

2  MS.  che  (em.  Chambers  and  Sidgwick)  *  as  «  Cf.  Ps.  72.  6 


LULLAY,  MY  CHILD  467 

This  endrys 1  nyjt  I  saw  a  syjt 2  — 

A  mayd  a  cradyll  kepe  — 
And  ever  she  song,  and  seyd  among : 

'  Lullay,  my  child,  and  slepe.' 

'  I  may  not  slepe,  but  I  may  wepe,  5 

I  am  so  wo  begone ; 
Slep  I  [w]old,  butt  I  am  colde, 

And  clothys  have  I  none.' 

Me  thoujt  I  hard 8  the  Chyld  answard, 

And  to  hys  moder  he  sayd  :  10 

'  My  moder  der,  what  do  I  her, 

In  cribbe  why  am  I  layd  ? 

I  was  borne,  and  layd  beforne 

Bestys,  both  ox  and  asse ; 
My  moder  mild,  I  am  thy  Child,  15 

But  he  my  Fader  was. 

Adam's  gylt  this  man  had  spylt 4 ; 

That  sin  grevet[h]  me  sore. 
Man,  for  the  her  shall  I  be 

Thyrty  wynter  and  mor.  20 

Dole5  is  to  se,  her  shall  I  be 

Hang[ed]  upon  the  rode ; 
With  baleis 6  tobete,7  my  woundes  towete,8 

And  seffe  my  fleshe  to  bote.s 


.  9 


Here  shall  I  be  hanged  on  a  tre,  25 

And  dye,  as  it  is  skyll 10 ;  ' 
That  I  have  bougt  leese  n  wyll  I  noujt ; 

It  is  my  Faders  will. 

1  other  5  MS.  dole  it  9  atonement 

2  MS.  syjth  6  scourge  10  proper,  right 

8  heard  7  smitten  n  lose  ;  MS.  lesse 

4  ruined  8  dripping 


468 


LYRICS 

A  spere  so  scharp  shall  perse  my  herte 
For  dedys  that  I  have  done ; 

Fader  of  grace,  wher 1  thou  hase 
Forgetyn  thy  lytyll  Sonne  ? 

Withouten  pety 2  her  shall  aby,8 
And  mak  my  fleshe  all  bio.* 

Adam,  iwys,  this  deth  it  ys 
For  the  and  many  mo.' 


THE  SHEPHERD  UPON  A  HILL  HE  SAT 

About  1500  (or  earlier).  From  MS.  Oxford  Balliol  354,  as  printed  by  Fliigel 
in  Angl.  26.  243-5  (c^-  Neueng.  Lesebuch,  pp.  117-9),  witn  J>  f°r  MS.  y.  See 
554  24  ff. 

Can  I  not  syng  but '  Hoy  /' 
J0  Whan  the  joly  shepard  made  so  mych  joy. 

The  shepard  upon  a  hill  he  satt ; 
He  had  on  hym  his  tabard 5  and  his  hat, 
Hys  tarbox,  his  pype,  and  hys  flagat 6 ; 
Hys  name  was  called  Joly,  Joly  Wat, 
IS  For  he  was  a  gud  herdesboy. 

Ut  hoy  1 
For  in  hys  pype  he  made  so  mych  joy. 

The  shepard  upon  a  hill  was  layd ; 
Hys  doge  to  hys  gyrdyll  was  tayd.7 
20  He  had  not  slept  but  a  lytill  brayd 8 

But9  Gloria  in  excelsis  was  to  hym  sayd. 

Ut  hoy  1 
For  in  his  pipe  he  mad  so  myche  joy. 


1  whether 

2  pity 

8  expiate 
<  livid 


5  loose  upper  garment  with 

out  sleeves 

6  flask,  bottle 
"  tied 


8  while ;  MS.  broyd  (em.  F.) 
•  when 


THE  SHEPHERD  UPON  A  HILL  HE  SAT         469 

The  shepard  [up]on  a  hill  he  stode ; 
Rownd  abowt  hym  his  shepe  they  yode.1 
He  put  hys  hond  under  hys  hode,2 
He  saw  a  star  as  rede  as  blod. 

Ut  hoy !  5 

For  in  his  pipe  he  mad  so  myche  joy. 

'  Now  farwell,  Mall,  and  also  Will, 

For  my  love  go  ye  all  styll 

Unto 8  I  cum  agayn  you  till 4 ; 

And  evermore,  [W]ill,5  ryng  well  thy  bell.  10 

Ut  hoy  1 ' 
For  in  his  pipe  he  mad  so  mych  joy. 

'  Now  must  I  go  J>er 6  Cryst  was  borne ; 

Farewell,  I  cum  agayn  to-morn 7 ; 

Dog,  kepe  well  my  shep  fro  )>e  corn,  15 

And  warn  well  warroke 8  when  I  blow  my  horn. 

Ut  hoy ! ' 
For  in  hys  pipe  he  made  so  mych  joy. 

Whan  Wat  to  Bedlem  cum  [en]  was, 

He  swet  —  he  had  gon  faster  than  a  pace 9 ;  20 

He  fownd  Jesu  in  a  sympyll  place, 

Betwen  an  ox  and  an  asse. 

Ut  hoy ! 
For  in  his  pipe  he  mad  so  mych  joy. 

The  shepard  sayd  anon  ryght :  25 

'  I  will  go  se  yon  farly 10  syght, 
Wheras  ]>e  angell  syngith  on  hight,11 
And  the  star  fat  shynyth  so  bryght 

Ut  hoy ! ' 
For  in  [his] 12  pipe  he  made  so  mych  joy.  30 

1  went  5  em.  F.  9  walk 

2  hood  (to  lift  it  up)  8  where  10  wondrous 
8  until                                                               7  to-morrow                                       n  high 

4  to  8  (?)  la  em-  F- 


4/0  LYRICS 

'  Jesu,  I  offer  to  the  here  my  pype, 
My  skyrte,1  my  tarbox,  and  my  scrype 2 ; 
Home  to  my  felowes  now  will  I  skype, 
And  also  loke  unto  my  shepe. 
5  Ut  hoy  ! ' 

For 8  in  his  pipe  he  mad  so  myche  joy. 

'  Now  farewell,  myne  owne  herdesman,  Wat ! ' 
'  Ye,  for  God,  lady,  even  so  I  hat  * ; 
Lull  well  Jesu  in  thy  lape, 
10  And  farewell,  Joseph,  wyth  thy  rownd  cape. 

Ut  hoy ! ' 
For  in  hys  pipe  he  mad  so  myche  joy. 

Now  may  I  well  both  hope 5  and  syng, 
For 8  I  have  bene  a[t]  Crystes  beryng 6 ; 
15  Home  to  my  felowes  now  wyll  I  flyng.7 

Cryst  of  hevyn  to  his  blis  us  bryng ! 

Ut  hoy ! ' 
For  in  his  pipe  he  mad  so  myche  joy. 

JUDAS 

About  1300  (New  Eng.  Diet.  s.v.  plate).  From  MS.  Camb.  Trin.  Coll.  B. 
14-39  (photograph  in  my  possession);  cf.  Child,  English  and  Scottish  Popular 
Ballads,  No.  23.  The  manuscript  has  y  for/  and  -st(e)  for  -$t(e) ;  it  is  otherwise 
carelessly  written  (wid  for  wij>,  wou  for  hou  (?)),  etc.,  but  I  have  made  very 
few  emendations,  though  one  is  tempted  to  change  aros  to  anas,  for  instance. 

Mirk  (about  1400?)  says  (Festial,  E.E.T.S.,  Ex.  Ser.  96,  p.  79) :  'Judas  had 
befor  slayne  his  owne  fadyr,  and  bylayn  hys  owne  modyr.' 

Hit  wes  upon  a  Scere  J>orsday  fat  ure  Loverd  aros ; 
20  Ful  milde  were  )>e  wordes  he  spec  to  Judas : 

1  (?) ;  MS.  scrype  (em.  Fliigel)  <  am  called  6  birth 

2  scrip ;  MS.  skyrte  (em.  Fliigel)  5  hop  7  rush 
«  MS.  ffor 

19.  Scere  Jrorsday  :  Maundy  Thursday ;  Mirk  explains  (Festial,  p.  125) :  '  In 
old  fadyrs  dayes,  men  wold  >at  day  make  scher  horn  honest,  and  dodde  hor 
heddys,  and  clyp  hor  berdys,  and  so  make  horn  onest  aseynes  Astyr-day.  For, 
on  the  morow,  bay  wold  do  hor  body  non  ese,  but  suffyr  penance  yn  mynd  of 
hym  bat  suffred  so  hard  for  horn ' ;  cf.  p.  169. 


JUDAS  471 

'  Judas,  pou  most  to  Jurselem,  oure  mete  for  to  bugge l ; 
J>ritti  platen2  of  selver  pou  here  upo  pi  rugge.8 

f>ou  comest  f er  i 4  pe  brode  stret,  fer  i  pe  brode  strete ; 

Summe  of  fine  tunesmen  per  pou  meijt  imete.5 ' 

i 

Imette  wid  is  soster,6  pe  swikele 7  wimon.  5 

'  Judas,  pou  were  wrpe 8  me 9  stende 10  pe  wid  ston, 

[Judas,  pou  were  wrpe  me  stende  pe  wid  ston,] 
For  pe  false  prophete  pat  tou  bilevest  upon.' 

'  Be  stille,  leve  soster,  pin  herte  pe  tobreke  n  ! 

Wiste 12  min  Loverd,18  Crist,  ful  wel  he  wolde  be  wreke.14 '  10 

'  Judas,  go  pou  on  pe  roc,  heie  upon  pe  ston ; 
Lei  pin  heved  i  my  barm,15  slep  pou  pe  anon.' 

Sone  so 16  Judas  of  slepe  was  awake, 

J>ritti  platen  of  selver  from  hym  weren  itake. 

He  drou 17  hymselve  bi  J»e  cop,18  pat  al  [h]it  lavede 19  a 20  blode ;    15 
}>e  Jewes  out  of  Jurselem  awenden 21  he  were  wode. 

Foret 22  hym  com  pe  riche  Jeu  pat  heijte 28  Pilatus. 
'  Wolte  sulle 24  pi  Loverd,  pat  hette  M  Jesus  ? ' 

'  I  nul 26  sulle  my  Loverd  for  nones  cunnes  eijte,27 

Bote  hit  be  for  pe  pritti  platen  pat  he  me  bitaijte.28 '  20 

1  buy  10  stoned  M  in 

2  Wyclif  has  "  plates,"  Matt.  ll  break,  subj.  21  thought 

26. 1 5,  etc.  12  if ...  knew  (it)  22  forth 

8  back  18  lord  28  was  called 

4  in  w  avenged  M  wilt  thou  sell 

5  meet  i6  lap  25  js  called 

6  sister  i6  as  soon  as  26  wm  not 

7  treacherous  w  drew  27  no  kind  of  property 
6  deserving  *8  head  28  entrusted 

•  (that)  one  19  was  bathed 


472  LYRICS 

'  Wolte  sulle  pi  Lord,  Crist,  for  enes  cunnes  golde  ? ' 
'  Nay,  bote  hit  be  for  pe  platen  pat  he  habben  wolde.' 

In  him l  com  ur  Lord  gon,  as  [h]is  postles  seten  at  mete. 
'  Wou 2  sitte  ye,  postles,  ant  wi  nule  ye  etc  ? 

S  [Wou  sitte  ye,  postles,  ant  wi  nule  ye  etc  ?] 

Ic  am  iboujt  ant  isold  to-day  for  cure8  mete.' 

Up  stod  him  Judas  :  '  Lord,  am  I  pat  ? 

I  nas  never  o  pe  stude  4  per  me 5  pe  evel  spec.6 ' 

Up  him  stod  Peter,  ant  spec  wid  al  is  mijte : 
10  '  J>au 7  Pilatus  him  come  wid  ten  hundred  cnijtes, 

[J>au  Pilatus  him  com  wid  ten  hundred  cnijtes,] 
Yet  Ic  wolde,  Loverd,  for  pi  love  fijte.' 

'  Still  pou  be,  Peter  I  wel  I  pe  icnowe 8 ; 

J>ou  wolt  fursake  me  prien 9  ar  pe  coc  him  crowe.' 

ST.  STEPHEN  AND  HEROD 

About  1450.    From  MS.   Brit.   Mus.   Sloane  2593,  as  printed  by  Child, 
Ballads,  No.  22. 

15  Seynt  Stevene  was  a  clerk  in  Kyng  Herowdes  halle, 

And  servyd  him  of  bred  and  clop,10  as  every  kyng  befalle. 

Stevyn  out  of  kechone  cam,  wyth  boris  hed  on  honde ; 
He  saw  a  sterre  was  fayr  and  bryjt  over  Bedlem  stonde. 

1  refl.  5  any  one  •  thrice 

2  how  (is  it  that) ;  or  read  wi  ?  «  spake  10  tablecloth 
8  your                                                                       "i  though 

*  place  8  know 

7.    J>at :    Matzner  (Altengl.  Sprachproben   i.  114)  suggests  wreck  after  this 
word  ;  but  would  the  c  of  spec  be  palatal  ? 


ST.  STEPHEN  AND  HEROD  473 

He  kyst 1  adoun  f  e  boris  bed,  and  went  into  be  halle. 
'  I  forsak  be,  Kyng  Herowdes,  and  \>\  werkes  alle. 

'  I  forsak  be,  Kyng  Herowdes,  and  fi  werkes  alle ; 
J>er  is  a  chyld  in  Bedlem  born  is  beter  fan  we  alle.' 

'  Quat  eylyt 2  f  e,  Stevene  ?  quat 8  is  f  e  befalle  ?  5 

Lakkyt 4  f  e  ey]>er  mete  or  drynk  in  Kyng  Herowdes  halle  ? ' 

'  Lakit  me  neyf er  mete  ne  drynk  in  Kyng  Herowdes  halle ; 
J?er  is  a  chyld  in  Bedlem  born  is  beter  fan  we  alle.' 

'  Quat  eylyt  f  e,  Stevyn  ?  art  f  u  wod,5  or  )m  gynnyst  to  brede 6  ? 
Lakkyt  fe  eyfer  gold  or  fe,  or  ony  ryche  wede 7  ? '  10 

'  Lakyt  me  neyf er  gold  ne  fe,  ne  non  ryche  wede ; 

J>er  is  a  chyld  in  Bedlem  born  xal 8  helpyn  us  at  our  nede.' 

'  J>at  is  al  so  sof ,  Stevyn,  al  so  so}),  iwys, 

As  ]>is  capoun  crowe  xal  J>at  \y\>  here  in  myn  dysh.' 

J>at  word  was  not  so  sone  seyd,  fat  word  in  fat  halle,  15 

J>e  capoun  crew  Cristus  natus  est !  among  fe  lordes  alle. 

'  Rysyt9  up,  myn  turmentowres,  be  to 10  and  al[s]  u  be  on, 
And  ledyt  Stevyn  out  of  f is  town,  and  stonyt  hym  wyth  ston ! ' 

Tokyn  he ia  Stevene,  and  stonyd  hym  in  the  way, 

And  J> erfore  is  his  evyn 18  on  Crystes  owyn  day.  20 


1  cast  6  be  pregnant  (?)  u  also 

2  aiis  7  garment  12  they  took 
8  what  8  shall                                                                18  eve,  vigil 
4  fails  9  rise  (imp.) 

6  mad  10  by  two 


474  LYRICS 


CHAUCER,  INVOCATION  TO  VENUS 

Troilus  and  Criseyde  3. 1-14,  which  is  translated  from  Boccaccio's  Filostrato 
3.  585-600 : 

O  luce  eterna,  il  cui  lieto  splendore 
Fa  bello  il  terzo  ciel,  dal  qual  ne  piove 
Piacer,  vaghezza,  pietade  ed  amore  ; 
Del  sole  arnica,  e  figliuola  di  Giove, 
Benigna  donna  d'  ogni  gentil  core, 
Certa  cagion  del  valor  che  mi  muove 
A'  sospir  dolci  della  mia  salute, 
Sempre  lodata  sia  la  tua  virtute. 

II  ciel,  la  terra,  lo  mare  e  1'  inferno 
Ciascuno  in  sfe  la  tua  potenzia  sente, 
O  chiara  luce  ;  e  s'  io  il  ver  discerno, 
Le  piante,  i  semi,  e  1'  erbe  puramente, 
Gli  uccei,  le  fiere,  i  pesci  con  eterno 
Vapor  ti  senton  nel  tempo  piacente, 
E  gli  uomini  e  gli  dei,  ne  creatura 
Senza  di  te  nel  mondo  vale  o  dura. 

For  an  extended  comment,  see  my  article,  Herrig's  Archiv  119  (1907).  40-54. 

O  blisful  light,  of  whiche  the  bemes  clere 
Adorn  eth  al  the  thridde  hevene 1  faire  ; 

O  sonnes  leef,  O  Joves  doughter  dere, 
Plesaunce  of  love,  O  goodly,  debonaire,2 
In  gentil  hertes  ay  redy  to  repaire ; 

O  verray  cause  of  hele 8  and  of  gladnesse, 

Yheried  *  be  thy  might  and  thy  goodnesse ! 

In  hevene  and  helle,  in  erthe  and  sake  see 
Is  felt  thy  might,  if  that  I  wel  descerne ; 

As  man,  brid,  best,  fish,  herbe,  and  grene  tree 
Thee  fele  in  tymes  with  vapour  5  eterne. 
God  loveth,  and  to  love  wol  nought  werne  6 ; 

And  in  this  world  no  ly  ves 7  creature, 

Withouten  love,  is  worth,  or  may  endure. 

1  that  of  Venus  4  praised,  exalted  6  forbid 

2  gracious  5  inspiration  7  living 
8  well-being 


CHAUCER,  INVOCATION  TO  THE  TRINITY      475 

CHAUCER,  INVOCATION  TO  THE  TRINITY 

Troilus  and  Criseyde  5.  1863-1869.    The  first  three  lines  are  from  Dante, 

Paradiso  14.28-30: 

Quell'  uno  e  due  e  tre  che  sempre  vive, 
E  regna  sempre  in  tre  e  due  ed  uno, 
Non  circonscritto,  e  tutto  circonscrive. 

Thou  oon,  and  two,  and  three,  eterne  onlyve,1 
That  regnest  ay  in  three  and  two  and  oon, 

Uncircumscript,  and  al  mayst  circumscryve, 
Us  from  visible  and  invisible  foon 
Defende ;  and  to  thy  mercy,  everychoon, 

So  make  us,  Jesus,  for  thy  grace  digne,2 

For  love  of  mayde  and  moder  thyn  benigne ! 

i  in  life,  living  2  worthy 


PLAYS 


THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN 

•/ 

This  fragmentary  '  interlude,'  belonging  to  the  thirteenth  century,  is  the 
first  English  comedy,  and  the  only  one  extant  from  the  Middle  Ages.  It  was 
printed  by  Wright  from  a  manuscript  then  in  private  hands,  but  now  MS.  Brit. 
Mus.  Add.  23,986,  written  about  1300  by  a  French  scribe.  A  more  critical  edition 
is  by  Heuser  (Anglia  30. 306-19).  According  to  the  latter,  the  dialect  indicates 
south  Yorkshire  or  north  Lincolnshire ;  as  there  is  mention  in  Dame  Sirith 
(see  above,  p.  145)  of  Boston,  in  Lincolnshire,  the  two  works  belong  to  the 
same  region,  though  the  manuscript  of  Dame  Sirith  hails  from  Worcester. 
Heuser  assumes  that  both  works  rest  upon  a  lost  interlude.  He  concludes : 

1.  Dame  Sirith  was  originally  written  in  rhyming  couplets. 

2.  Dame  Sirith  has  only  47  narrative  lines  (24  of  these  at  the  beginning) 
out  of  450,  and  these  occur  almost  exclusively  when  a  new  character  enters ; 
everything  indicates  that  it  was  an  interlude  before  it  was  a  fabliau. 

3.  Dame  Sirith  and  our  interlude  are  akin  in  subject,  dramatic  character, 
verse,  dialect,  and  occasionally  in  phraseology ;  hence  both  repose  upon  a 
thirteenth-century  interlude. 

4.  Various  changes  of  the  original  appear  in  Dame  Sirith  (narrative  addi 
tions,  verse,  dialect),  so  that  our  interlude  does  not  spring  from  the  fabliau. 
In  the  interlude  the  deceived  woman  is  a  girl,  not,  as  in  every  other  version, 
a  wife ;  hence  the  fabliau  does  not  spring  from  the  present  interlude.    It  is 
likely  that  each  author  worked,  not  from  a  manuscript,  but  from  his  own 
recollection  of  the  acted  interlude. 

5.  The  names  throw  no  light  upon  a  possible  French  origin.    For  (a)  as  the 
scribe  was  French  (Heuser,  p.  310),  the  saints,  Michel  and  Dinis,  signify 
nothing ;  (&)  Mome  Elwis  and  Malkyn  are  English  names ;  the  Margeri  of 
Dame  Sirith  is  French,  but  must  have  been  used  in  England ;  the  Willekin 
of  Dame  Sirith  is  English;  Sirith  is  Scandinavian  (=  Sigrith) ;  the  Nelde  of 
Dame  Sirith  is  hardly  a  proper  name,  but  possibly  from  OE.  eald,  old.    Elwis, 
or  Helwys,  points  to  the  eastern  part  of  England,  where  there  occur  such 
family-names  as  Helwys  and  Elwes. 

With  respect  to  Heuser's  (5),  the  indications  are  that  behind  the  Clericus  et 
Puella  there  was  a  French  original.  Malkyn  has  a  termination  borrowed  from 
Dutch  or  Low  German,  but  the  first  syllable  is  from  the  French  Matilda  (note 
that  the  wife  of  Henry  I  changed  her  original  name  of  Eadgyth,  Edith,  to 
Matilda).  Mone  (MS.  Mome)  is  borrowed  from  Scandinavian  or  Dutch.  The 
other  names  point  clearly  to  France :  to  the  saints,  Michael  and  Denis,  add 

476 


THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN  477 

Leonard  (cf.  above,  p.  387),  who  is  associated  with  the  vicinity  of  Limoges; 
and  Elwis  is  surely  the  French  Heluis  (Helois,  Heluiz,  Helui,  Heloi,  Eluys), 
which  is  frequently  found  in  the  French  feudal  epic  before  1180  —  thirteen 
times  in  Garin  le  Lorrain,  for  instance  (Langlois,  Table  des  Noms  Propres  dans 
les  Chansons  de  Geste,  pp.  329-30) ;  compare  Chaucer's  '  Helowys'  in  Wife  of 
Bath's  Prologue  677,  referring  to  the  mistress  of  Abelard.  Then  fayllard,  477  8 
(following  its  noun),  is  French,  like  the  boinard  oi  Dame  Sirith  (152  19).  As  to 
Dame  Sirith,  the  name  Margeri  is  French,  as  we  have  seen ;  Willekin  has  the 
same  ending  as  Malkyn ;  and  Nelde  (rather,  nelde)  represents  a  variant  spell 
ing  of  '  needle  '  (the  one  crone  may  have  ostensibly  supported  herself  with  her 
needle,  as  the  other  with  her  distaff). 

Compare  the  Debate  of  the  Cleric  and  the  Maiden,  pp.  418-20,  above. 

The  interlude  begins  :  Hie  incipit  Interludium  de  Clerico  et  Puella,  and  these 
names  are  retained  throughout  the  stage-directions ;  I  have  substituted  Cler. 
and  Maid.  I  have  also  supplied  the  headings  for  the  scenes,  and  made  several 
emendations. 

The  manuscript  commonly  represents  initial/  (and  occasionally  5)  byj>;  I 
have  restored  the  original  forms.  It  also  confounds  w  and  v,  supplies  and 
omits  h  at  random,  etc. 

SCENE  I 
MAIDEN'S  home.    Enter  CLERIC  and  MAIDEN 

Cler.    Damisel,1  reste  wel ! 

Maid.    Sir,  welcum,  by  Saynt  Michel ! 

Cler.   Wer  es  ty  2  sire  ?   Wer  es  ty  dame  ? 

Maid.    By  Code,  es  noper 8  her  at  hame. 

Cler.   Wel  wor  suilc  a  man  to  life, 

J>at  suilc  a  may  mihte 4  have  to  wyfe 5 ! 

Maid.    Do  way,  by  Crist  and  Leonard  1 

No  wil  Y  lufe  na  clerc  fayllard 6 ; 

Na  kep 7  I  herbherg 8  clerc  in  huse  no 9  y 10  More,11 

Bot 12  his  hers 18  ly  wituten 14  dore. 

Go  forth  Jn  way,  god  sire, 

For 15  her  hastu  losyt 16  al  J>i  hire.17 

1  MS.  damishel                            »  nor  16  MS.  losye ;  cf.  147  5 

2  thy  (t  for  tk,  as  elsewhere)        1°  on  17  MS.  wile  ;  cf .  Childhood  of 

3  neither  n  Cf.  14527  Jesus  1384  (ca.  1300)  in 

4  MS.  mithe  12  unless  Horstmann,  Altenglische 

5  Cf.  145  7-8  18  rump  Legenden,  1875  =   '  Elles 

6  deceitful  14  outside  the  we     leosez     bobe     ore 

7  care  16  MS.  ff.,  and  always  below         Swile  and  huyre.' 

8  to  harbor  as  initial 


478 


PLAYS 


10 


20 


Cler.    Nu,  nu,  by  Crist  and  by  Sant  Jhon, 

In  al  fis  land  ne  wist  I  none, 

Mayden,  fat  Hi  luf  mor  fan  f  e ; 

Hif  me  micht  ever  )>e  better 1  be  1 

For  f  e  Hy  sory 2  nicht  and  day ; 

Y  may  say,  '  Hay,8  wayleuay  ! ' 

Y  luf  ]> e  mar 4  fan  mi  lif ; 

J>u  hates  me  mar  fan  gayt 5  dos  cnif 6  — 

J>at  es  noutt7  for  mysgilt.8 

Certes,9  for  fi  luf  ham  Hi  spilt.10 

A,  suyte 11  mayden,  reu  of  me,12 

J>at  es  ty  luf,  hand  ay  sal  be  1 

For  fe  luf  of  f [e]  mod[er] 18  of  hevene,14 

]?u  mend  f  i  mode,15  and  her  my  stevene.16 

Maid.    By  Crist  of  hevene,  and  Sant  Jon 1T ! 

Clerc  of  scole  ne  kep 18  I  non, 

For  many  god  wymman  haf  fai  don  scam[e] 

By  Crist,  f  u  michtis  haf  be 19  at  hame 20 1 

Cler.    Syn 21  it  n[on]  of ir  ffl  gat 28  may  be, 

Jesu  Crist u  bytech  *>  Y  f  e, 

And  send[e] 26  neulic 2T  bot 28  tharinne, 

pat  Y29  be  lesit80  of  al  my  pine.81 

Maid.    Go  nu,  truan,82  go  nu,  go, 

For  mikel  f  u  canst 88  of  sory  and  wo ! 


1  MS.  bether 

2  sorrow 
8  alas 

4  more 

5  goat;  MS.  yayt 

6  knife  ;  MS.  chuief  (em. 

Heuser) 
"  not 

8  misdeed 
»  MS.  certhes 

10  undone 

11  sweet ;  MS.  suythe 


12  Cf .  146 12 

18  MS.  y  mod  (em.  H.) 

14  MS.  efne 

is  Cf .  146  n 

16  cry 

17  MS.  Jone 
is  care  for 
is  been 

M  Cf.  147  6 

21  MS.  synt 

22  MS.  noj>ir;  cf.  480 10 


25  commend;  MS.bytethy  (em. 

H.) 

26  may  he  send 

2"  soon ;  MS.  neulit  (em.  H.) 

28  amendment,  help 

29  MS.  yi 
so  freed 

81  Woe 

82  vagabond 
88  MS.  canstu 


•23 


way 


THE  CLERIC  AND  THE  MAIDEN 


479 


SCENE  II 
ELWIS'  home.    Enter  CLERIC  and  ELWIS 

Cler.    God  te  blis,1  mone 2  Helvvis. 

Mone2  Elwis.    Son,  welcum,  by  San  Dinis! 

Cler.    Hie  am  comin 4  to  fe,  mone 5 ; 

J>u  hel 6  me  noht,7  \>u  say  me  sone. 

Hie  am  a  clerc  fat  hauntes 8  scole ; 

Y  led 9  my  lif  wyt  mikel  dole 10 ; 

Me  wor  lever  to  be  ded  n 

J?an  led  the  lif  fat  Hyc  led,12 

For  an 18  mayden  wit 14  and  schen ls  — 

Fayrer  ho 16  lond  hav 17  Y  non  sen.18 

<^o 19  hat 20  mayden  Malkyn,  Y  wene  — 

Nu  Jm  wost  quam  21  Y  mene ; 

<^o  wonys  at  the  tounes  ende, 

J?at  suyt  lif,  so  fayr  and  hende  22 ; 

Bot-if  50  wil  hir  mod  amende, 

Neuly  Crist  my  ded  me  send[e] 23 ! 

Men  send  24  me  hyder,  wytuten  ^  fayle, 

To  haf  fi  help  an[d]  ty  cunsayle.26 

f>arfor  am  Y  cummen  here, 

J>at  ]m  salt  be  my  herandbere,27 

To  mac  me  and  }>at  mayden  sayct,28 

And  Hi  sal  gef  \>e  of  myn  ayct,29 

So  fat  hever,  al  fi  lyf, 

Saltu  be  f  e  better 80  wyf ; 


1  bless ;  cf.  148  4 

2  aunt ;    MS.   mome    (see 

note  5) 
«  Cf.  148  10 
*  come 

5  MS.  mome  (mone  rhymes 

with   sone,   '  soon,'   in 
Gower,  Conf.  Am.  1. 97) 

6  conceal 

7  nothing ;  MS.  noth 

8  frequent 


9  lead ;  MS.  lydy 

10  Cf .  148 17-18 

11  MS.  dedh 

12  MS.  ledh 
18  MS.  ay 

i*  white ;  MS.  with 

15  beautiful 

16  on,  in 

1"  MS.  haw 
l8  MS.  syen 
l»  she;  MS.  yo 


10 


20  is  named 

21  whom 

22  gracious 
28  opt. 

24  they  (one)  sent 

25  MS.  vyt- 

26  Cf.  149  1-2 

2"  messenger 

28  at  one  ;  cf .  150  8 

29  property 
80  richer 


480  PLAYS 

So  help  me  Crist  —  and x  Hy  may  spede, 

Riche 2  saltu  haf  pi  mede  1 8 

Mone  *  Ellwis.   A,  son,  wat 6  saystu  ?    Benedicite 6 1 

Lift  hup  pi  hand,  and  blis  pe ! 
5  For  it  es  boyt 7  syn  and  scam[e] 

f>at  }>u  on  me  hafs  layt  thys  blam[e] ; 

For  Hie  am  an  aid 8  quyne 9  and  a  lam[e],10 

Y  led  my  lyf  wit  Godis  gram[e]  u ; 

Wit  my  roc 12  Y  me  f  ede ; 
10  Can  I  do  non  othir  dede 

Bot  my  Pater  Noster  and  my  Crede 18 

(To  say  Crist  for  missedede), 

And  myn  Avy  Mary 

(For  my  synnes 14  Hie  am  sory), 
15  And  my  De  Profundis 

(For  al  that  yn  sin  lys)  ; 

For  can  I  me  non  opir  ping,15 

J>at  wot  Crist,  of  hevene  Kyng.16 

Jesu  Crist,  of  hevene  hey, 
20  Gef  "  that  fay  may  heng  hey, 

And  gef  fat  Hy  may  se 

J>at  fay  be  heng  on  a  tre 

J>at  pis  ley  as  leyit 18  me  onne,19 

For  aly  "  wyman  am  I  on.21  .  .  . 

1  if  »  quean  IS  MS.  )>ink 

2  richly  1°  Cf.  149 10-13  16  MS.  kync 
8  Cf.  149s                                          n  anger;  MS.  love  (em.  sug-  W  grant 

*  MS.  mome  gested  by  H. ;  cf.  grome,            18  lie  have  lied 

6  MS.  vat  149 11)                                            19  MS.  onne  me 

«  Pron.  bencitee ;  cf .  149  7              12  distaff                                              20  holy ;  cf.  149 19 

t  both  18  Cf.  149  21-23                                    21  One 

8  old  w  MS.  scynnes 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  481 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD 

Even  as  early  as  the  fourth  century,  Greek  Christian  preachers  introduced 
dramatic  dialogue  into  their  sermons,  no  doubt  under  the  influence  of  the 
dramatic  tradition  which  had  been  perpetuated  from  the  classic  age  ;  and  they 
were  imitated  by  certain  of  the  Latin  Fathers.  Such  dialogue  is  found,  again, 
in  the  Christ  of  the  Old  English  poet,  Cynewulf.  Thus,  before  the  ritual  of  the 
Church  developed  into  the  beginnings  of  the  miracle-play,  the  dramatic 
element  in  Scriptural  narrative  had  been  accentuated  in  both  the  East  and  the 
West  (Cook, '  A  Remote  Analogue  to  the  Miracle  Play,'  \njour.  Eng.  and  Germ. 
Phil,  4  (1903).  421-51  ;  cf.  5.  62-4). 

In  the  tenth  century,  the  Concordia  Regularis  of  St.  /Ethelwold  (A.D.  965- 
975),  in  the  ceremony  for  the  third  nocturn  at  matins  on  Easter  morning,  directs 
three  brethren  to  represent  the  women  who  go  to  the  sepulchre,  and  one  the 
angel  seated  at  the  door  of  the  tomb.  As  they  approach,  the  angel  says  :  Quern 
quaritis  in  sepulchro,  O  Christicoltz  ?  To  which  the  three  reply  :  Jesum  Nazare- 
num  crucifixum.  And  he  answers  :  Non  est  hie ;  surrexit,  sicut  pradixerat.  Ite, 
nuntiate  quia  surrexit  a  mortuis,  etc.  (Chambers,  Mediaval  Stage  2.  308 ;  cf. 
Gayley,  Plays  of  Our  Forefathers,  pp.  17-8). 

The  rise  and  progress  of  the  miracle-play  are  well  sketched  by  Jusserand 
(Lit.  Hist.  Eng.  People  i.  456  ff.) : 

'  The  imitation  of  any  action  is  a  step  towards  drama.  Conventional,  litur 
gical,  ritualistic  as  the  imitation  was,  still  there  was  an  imitation  in  the  cere 
mony  of  mass ;  and  mass  led  to  the  religious  drama,  which  was  therefore,  at 
starting,  as  conventional,  liturgical,  and  ritualistic  as  could  be.  Its  early 
beginning  is  to  be  sought  for  in  the  antiphoned  parts  of  the  service,  and  then 
it  makes  one  with  the  service  itself.  ...  A  great  step  was  made  when,  at  the 
principal  feasts  of  the  year,  Easter  and  Christmas,  the  chanters,  instead  of 
giving  their  responses  from  their  stalls,  moved  in  the  Church  to  recall  the 
action  commemorated  on  that  day ;  additions  were  introduced  into  the  received 
text  of  the  service ;  religious  drama  begins  then  to  have  an  existence  of  its 
own.  "Tell  us,  shepherds,  whom  do  you  seek  in  this  stable?" — They  will 
answer :  "  Christ  the  Saviour,  our  Lord."  Such  is  the  starting-point ;  it  dates 
from  the  tenth  century ;  from  this  is  derived  the  play  of  Shepherds,  of  which 
many  versions  have  come  down  to  us.  ... 

'  Verse  replaced  prose  ;  the  vulgar  idiom  replaced  Latin ;  open  air  and  the 
public  square  replaced  the  church  nave  and  its  subdued  light.  It  was  no  longer 
necessary  to  have  recourse  to  priests  wearing  a  dalmatic  in  order  to  represent 
midwives ;  the  feminine  parts  were  performed  by  young  boys  dressed  as 
women.  .  .  . 

'  The  religious  drama  was  on  the  way  to  lose  its  purely  liturgical  character 
when  the  conquest  of  England  had  taken  place.  Under  the  reign  of  the 
Norman  and  Angevin  kings,  the  taste  for  dramatic  performances  increased 
considerably ;  within  the  first  century  after  Hastings  we  find  them  numerous 


482  PLAYS 

and  largely  attended.  The  oldest  representation  the  memory  of  which  has 
come  down  to  us  took  place  at  the  beginning  of  the  twelfth  century.  ...  A 
little  later  in  the  same  century,  Fitzstephen,  who  wrote  under  Henry  II, 
mentions  as  a  common  occurrence  the  "  representations  of  miracles  "  held  in 
London.  In  the  following  century,  under  Henry  III,  some  were  written  in  the 
English  language.  During  the  fourteenth  century,  in  the  time  of  Chaucer, 
mysteries  were  at  the  height  of  their  popularity.  .  .  . 

'  In  a  more  or  less  complete  state,  the  collections  of  the  Mysteries  performed 
at  Chester,  Coventry,  Woodkirk,  and  York  have  been  preserved,  without  speak 
ing  of  fragments  of  other  series.  Most  of  those  texts  belong  to  the  fourteenth  cen 
tury,  but  have  been  retouched  at  a  later  date.  Old  Mysteries  did  not  escape  the 
hand  of  the  improvers,  any  more  than  old  churches,  where  any  one  who  pleased 
added  paintings,  porches,  and  tracery,  according  to  the  fashion  of  the  day. . . . 

'  Once  emerged  from  the  Church,  the  drama  had  the  whole  town  in  which 
to  display  itself ;  and  it  filled  the  whole  town.  On  these  days  the  city  belonged 
to  dramatic  art ;  each  company  had  its  cars  or  scaffolds,  pageants  (placed  on 
wheels  in  some  towns),  each  car  being  meant  to  represent  one  of  the  places 
where  the  events  in  the  play  happened.  The  complete  series  of  scenes  was 
exhibited  at  the  main  crossings,  or  on  the  principal  squares  or  open  spaces  in 
the  town.  .  .  . 

'  While  in  the  theatre  of  Bacchus  the  tragedies  of  Sophocles  were  played 
once  and  no  more,  the  Christian  drama,  remodeled  from  century  to  century, 
was  represented  for  four  hundred  years  before  immense  multitudes ;  and  this 
is  a  unique  phenomenon  in  the  history  of  literature.' 

According  to  Gayley  (op.  cit.,  pp.  132-3 ;  cf.  pp.  128-31)  the  Chester  cycle, 
at  least  in  part,  was  in  existence  in  the  first  third  of  the  fourteenth  century, 
and  its  present  form  probably  represents  a  revision  made  not  far  from  1400 
(see  also  Ten  Brink,  English  Literature  2^274 ;  Hemingway,  English  Nativity 
Plays,  pp.  xix-xxi ;  Pollard,  English  Miracle  Plays,  p.  xxxvi ;  Cook,  in  Nation 
of  May  27,  1915,  p.  599).  The  manuscripts,  five  in  number,  are,  however,  much 
later  (1591-1604). 

Pollard  thus  characterizes  these  plays  (p.  xxxvii) :  '  There  is  less  in  the 
Chester  plays  to  jar  on  modern  feelings  than  in  any  other  of  the  cycles.  The 
humor  is  kept  more  within  bounds,  the  religious  tone  is  far  higher.'  Of 
the  Noah's  Flood,  Gayley  says  (p.  151) :  'The  characters  are  distinct  and  con 
sistently  developed.  The  comic  episodes  are  natural  and  justifiable,  for  they 
serve  to  display,  not  to  distort,  character,  and  they  grow  out  of  the  dramatic 
action.  They  are,  moreover,  varied,  and,  to  some  extent,  cumulative.'  Chaucer 
thus  alludes  to  the  stubbornness  of  Noah's  wife  (Miller's  Tale  352-7) : 

'  Hastow  nat  herd,'  quod  Nicholas, '  also 
The  sorwe  of  Noe  with  his  felawshipe, 
Er  that  he  mighte  gete  his  wyf  to  shipe  ? 
Him  had  be  lever,  I  dar  wel  undertake, 
At  thilke  tyme,  than  alle  hise  wetheres  blake, 
That  she  haddc  had  a  ship  hirself  allone. 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  483 

Our  text  is  based  upon  MS.  Harl.  2124  (H.),  as  printed  by  Deimling 
(E.E.T.S.  Ex.  Ser.  62.48-63),  with  certain  stage-directions  and  variants  from 
MS.  Bodley  175  (B.),  as  contained  in  Deimling's  edition,  and  from  MS.  Brit. 
Mus.  Add.  10,305  (W.),  as  printed  by  Thomas  Wright  in  1843.  For  the  Latin 
names  of  the  characters,  Noe,  etc.,  I  have  substituted  the  corresponding 
English  ones. 

There  is  a  duplication  of  the  dumb  show  of  making  the  ark,  of  the  command 
to  take  the  beasts  by  sevens,  and  of  the  comic  episode  of  Noah's  wife ;  this 
looks  as  though  two  drafts  had  been  rather  clumsily  patched  together. 

There  are  emendations  by  Kolbing  in  Engl.  Stud.  16.280;  21. 163. 


CHARACTERS  OF  THE  PLAY 

GOD 

NOAH  NOAH'S  WIFE 

SHEM  SHEM'S  WIFE 

HAM  HAM'S  WIFE 

JAPHETH  JAPHETH'S  WIFE 

First,  in  some  heigh  place  or  in  the  cloudes,  yf  it 
may  be,   GOD   speaketh    unto   NOE,  standing 
without  the  arke,  with  all  his  family : 1 
God.    I,  God,  that  all  the  world  have  wrought, 
Heaven  and  earth,  and  all  of  nought, 
I  see  my  people,  in  deede  and  thought, 

Are  sett[e]  fowle  in  sinne. 

My  Ghost  shall  not  lenge 2  in  mon 8  —  5 

That  through  fleshlie  liking  is  my  fone  4  — 
But 5  till  vi  skore  yeares  be  gone, 

To  loke  if  they  will  blynne.6 

Manne  that  I  made  I  will  destroy, 

Beast,  worme,  and  fowle  to  flie,  10 

For  on  earthe  they  doe  me  n[o]ye 1  — 
The  f olke  that  are  theron ; 

From  B. ;  the  correspond-      8  MS.  man  ;  W.  mone  6  except 

ing  Latin  is  in  H.  4  foes  (plural,  because  man  is       6  cease ;  see  Gen.  6.  3,  5 

remain  ( Vulg.  fermanebif)  used  collectively)  7  cause  me  annoyance 


484  PLAYS 

Hit  harmes  me  so  hartfullie 1  — 
The  malyce  that  now 2  can 8  multeply  — 
That  sore  it  greveth  me  inwardlie 
That  ever  I  made  mon.4 

5  Therfore,  Noe,  my  servant  free, 

That  righteous  man  art,  as  I  see, 
A  shipp  sone  thou  shalt  make  the, 

Of  trees  drye  and  lighte  ; 
Little  chambers  therein  thou  make, 
10  And  bynding  slich  5  also  thou  take ; 

Within  and  out  thou  ne  slake 6 

To  noynte 7  it  through  thy 8  mighte.9 

300  cubytes  it  shall  be  long, 

And  50  of  breadth,10  to  mak  it  stronge ; 
15  Of  heighte  30  "  ;  the  mete 12  thou  fonge,18 

Thus  measure  it  about. 

One  wyndow  worch,  through  thy  wytte ; 

One  cubyte  of  length  and  breadth 10  make  it. 

Upon  the  side  a  dore  shall  sit, 
20  For  to  come  in  and  out.14 

Eating-places  thou  make  also  ; 
Three-roofed  chambers  one  or  two ; 
For  with  water  I  thinke  to  slowe 16 

Man  that  I  can  make ; 
25  Destroyed  all  the  world  shal  be 

Save  thou,  thy  wife,  thy  sonnes  three, 
.  And  all  there  wives  also  with  thee 

Shall  saved  be  for  thy  sake.16 

1  at  the  heart  7  MS.  anoynte  18  take 

2  MS.  now  that  •  MS.  all  thy  "  Gen.  6. 16 
8  doth                                                                 9  Gen.  6.  14                              15  slay 

4  MS.  manne ;  see  Gen.  6. 6  10  MS.  breadeth  16  Gen.  6. 16-18 

5  pitch  u  MS.  50 

6  fail  12  measure 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  485 

Noah.    Ah  Lord,  I  thanke  the  lowd  and  still, 

That  to  me  art  in  such  will, 

And  spares  me  and  my  house  to  spill,1 

As  now  I  sothlie  fynde. 

Thy  bydding,  Lord,  I  shall  fulfill,  5 

And  never  more  the  greeve  ne  grill,2 
That  suche  grace  has  sent  me  till 8 

Among  all  mankinde. 

Have  done,  yow  men  and  women  all ; 

Helpe,  for  ought  that  may  befall,  10 

To  worke  this  shipp,  chamber  and  hall, 

As  God  hath  bydden  us  doe. 
Shem.    Fader,4  I  am  already  bowne  5 ; 
Anne  axe  I  have,  by  my  crowne 6 1 
As  sharpe  as  any  in  all  this  towne,  15 

For  to  goe  thereto. 

Ham.    I  have  a  hatchet  wonder  kene, 
To  byte  well,  as  may  be  scene ; 
A  better  grownden,  as  I  weene, 

Is  not  in  all  this  towne.  20 

Japheth.    And  I  can  well  make  a  pyn, 
And  with  this  hammer  knock  yt  in  ; 
Goe  and  worche  without  more  dynne ; 

And  I  am  ready  bowne. 

Noah's  Wife.    And  we  shall  bring  tymber  to,  25 

For  wee  nothing  els  mon 7  doe  ; 
Women  be  weake  to  underfoe 

Any  great  travayle. 

Stem's  Wife.    Here  is  a  good  hackstock8 ; 
On  this  yow  maye  hew  and  knock ;  30 

1  destroy  *  MS.  father  7  may ;  MS.  mon  nothing  els 

2  offend  s  prepared  8  chopping-block 
8  to  me                                   6  head 


486 


PLAYS 


20 


Shall  non  be  idle  in  this  flock, 

Ne  now  may  no  man  fayle. 

Hani's  Wife.   And  I  will  goe  to  gather  sliche, 
The  ship  for  to  caulke  1  and  piche  ; 
Anoynt 2  yt  must  be  every  stich  — 

Board,  tree,  and  pyn. 

Japheth's  Wife.    And  I  will  gather  chippes  here, 
To  make  a  fire  for  yow  in  feere,3 
And  for  to  dight[e]  4  your  dynner, 

Against  [that]  yow  come  in.5 

Then  NOYE  begineth  to  builde  the  arcke ;  and 

speaketh  NoYE:6 

Noah.    Now,  in  Gods  name,7  I  will  begin 
To  make  the  shippe  that  we  shall  in,8 
That  we  be  ready  for  to  swym 

At  the  cominge  of  the  flood. 
These  hordes  I  joyne  here  togeder,9 
To  kepe  us  safe  from  the  wedder, 
That  we  may  row  both  hider 10  and  thider, 

And  safe  be  from  this  floode. 

Of  this  tree  will  I  make  the  mast, 
Tyde  with  cables  n  that  will  last, 
With  a  sayleyarde  for  each  blast, 

And  each  thinge  in  ther  kinde ; 
With  topcastle  and  bowspreet,12 
With  coardes  and  ropes,  I  have  all  meete 
To  sayle  forth  at  the  next  weete 18 ; 

This  shipp  is  at  an  ende.14 

MS.  cleane  (em.  W.)          5  MS.  adds :  Tune  faciunt      1°  MS.  hither 


2  MS.  anoynted ;  em.  sug 
gested  by  Deimling 
8  all  (lit.  in  company) 
*  make  ready     , 


signa  quasi  laborarent 
cum    diversis    instru- 
mentis 
o  From  W. 

7  MS.  the  name  of  God 

8  inhabit 

9  MS.  -gether 


MS.  gables ;  W.  cabbelles 
12  MS.bewsprytt;  ci.O'E.spreot 
is  wet,  rain 

M  MS.  adds:  Tune  Noe  iterum, 
cum  tota  familia,  faciunt 
signa  laborandi  cum  di 
versis  instruments 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  487 

Wife,  in  this  castle  we  shall  be  kepte l ; 
My  childer  and  thou  I  wold 2  in  lepte.8 
Noah's  Wife.  In  faith,  I4  had  as  lief  thou  slepte,6 

For  all  thy  Frankish 6  fare 7 ; 

I  will  not  doe  after  thy  red[e].8  5 

Noah.    Good  wife,  doe  now  as  I  the  bede 9 ! 
Noahs  Wife.    By  Christ,  not  or 10  I  see  more  neede, 

Though  thou  stand  all  day  u  and  stare ! 

Noah.    Lord,  that  women  be  crabbed  aye, 

And  never  are  meke,  that  dare  I  saye  !  10 

This  is  wel  sene  by  me  to-daye, 

In  witnes  of  yow  each  one. 
Good  wife,  let  be  all  this  beere 12 
That  thou  makes  in  this  place  here ; 
For  all  they  wene  thou  art  master  —  1 5 

So  art  thou,18  by  St.  John ! 

Then  NOYE  with  all  his  familie  shall  make  a  signe 
as  though  the^y}  wroughte  upon  the  shippe  with 
diveres  instrumentes,  and  after  that  GOD  shall 
speake  to  NOYE,  sayinge 14  .• 
God.    Noe,  [now]  take  thou  thy  meanye,15 
And  in  the  shippe  hye 1G  that  thow 1T  be, 
For  none  so  righteous  man  to  me 

Is  now  on  earth  lyvinge.  20 

Of  cleane  beastes  with  thee  thou  take 
Seaven  and  seaven  or  thou  slake 18 ; 
Hee  and  shee,  make 19  to  make, 

Belyve30  in  that21  thou  bringe.22 

1  MS.  keped ;  W..  kepte  *  behavior  (?)  15  company 

2  would    (I    would    that   my  8  counsel  16  hasten 

children,  etc.)  9  MS.  bydd  ;  cf.  OE.  beodan  17  MS.  yow 

s  MS.  leaped ;  W.  lepte  1°  before,  till  18  stop 

4  MS.  Noe  I ;  em.  suggested  "•  MS.  the  day ;  W.  day  19  mate 

by  Deimling  ™  clamor  2°  at  once 

5  MS.  sleppit ;  W.  slepte  13  MS.  and  so  thou  art  21  see  that 

6  French  14  From  W. ;  cf.  note  2  on  p.  489  22  Gen.  7.  i 


488  PLAYS 

Of  beastes  uncleane  two  and  two, 
Male  and  female,  without  moe l ; 
Of  cleane  fowles  seaven  alsoe, 

The  hee  and  shee  togeder 2 ; 

5  Of  fowles  uncleane  two,8  and  no  more, 

As  I  of  beastes  said  before, 
That  shal  be  saved  throughe  my  lore, 

Against  I  send  the  weder.4 

Of  all  meates  that  must  be  eaten 
I0  Into  the  ship  loke  there  be  getten, 

For  that  no  way  may  be  forgeten 5 ; 

And  doe  all  this  bydeene,6 
To  sustayne  man  and  beast  therein 
Aye  till  the  water  cease  and  blyn 7 ; 
1 5  This  world  is  filled  full  of  synne, 

And  that  is  now  well  sene. 

Seaven  dayes  be  yet  coming  — 
You  shall  have  space  them  in  to  bringe ; 
After  that  is  my  lyking 8 

20  Mankinde  for  to  n[o]ye ; 

40  dayes  and  40  nightes 
Rayne  shall  fall  for  ther  unrightes,' 
And  that  I  have  made  through  my  mightes 
Now  think  I  to  destroy e.10 

25  Noah.    Lord,  to  thy11  byddinge  I  am  bayne12; 

Seinge 18  non  other  grace  will  gayne, 
Hit  will  I  fulfill  fayne, 

For  gratious  I  thee  fynde. 

1  more  6  straightway  "  MS.  at  your  (em.  W.) 

2  MS.  -gether  7  stop ;  see  Gen.  6. 21  12  willing 

8  But  cf.  Gen.  7. 3  8  purpose  18  MS.  sith  (em.  W.) 

*  MS.  wedder  9  iniquities 

6  MS.  -yeten ;  W.  -getten  10  Gen.  7. 4 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  489 

A  100  wynters  and  20 
This  shipp  making  taried  have  I, 
If  through  amendment  any  mercye 
Wolde  fall  unto  mankinde. 


Have  done,  you  men  and  women  all ; 
Hye  you  lest  this  water  fall  — 
That 1  each  beast  were  in  his  stall, 
And  into  the  ship  broughte. 
Of  cleane  beastes  seaven  shal  be, 
Of  uncleane  two  —  this  God  bade  me ; 
This  floode  is  nye,  well  may  we  see, 
Therfore  tary  you  noughte. 
Then  NOYE  shall  goe  into  the  arke  with  all  his 
family,  his  wief  except,  and  the  arke  must 
be  horded  rounds  about,  and  one  the  hordes 
all  the  beastes  and  fowles  hereafter  receaved 
must  be  painted,  that  thes  wordes  may  agree 
with  the  pictures?1 

Shem.    Syr,  here  are  lyons,  libardes  in, 
Horses,  mares,  oxen,  and  swyne, 
Geates,  calves,  sheepe,  and  kine, 

Here  sitten  thou  may  see. 
Ham.    Camels,  asses,  men  may  finde, 
Bucke  [and]  doe,  harte  and  hynde ; 
And  beastes  of  all  manner  kinde 

Here  bene,  as  thinkes  mee. 

Japheth.    Take  here  cattes,  dogges 8  to, 
Otter,  fox,  fulmart 4  also  ; 


1  (hasten)  that  et,  postquam  unus  quisque            daredebent;  etsicinci- 

2  From  B. ;  the  Latin  (from  suam  locutus  est  partem,            piet  primus  filius 

H.)  runs:  Tune  Noe  in-  ibit  in  archam,  uxore  Noe  8  MS.    cattes    and    doggs; 

troibit  archam,  et  familia  excepta,   et  animalia   de-            W.  cattes,  dogges 

sua  dabit  et  recitabit  omnia  picta  cum  verbis  concor-  *  polecat 
animalia  depicta  in  cartis, 


490  PLAYS 

Hares,  hopping,  gaylie  can  goe  — 

Have  cowle l  here  for  to  eate. 

Noah's  Wife.    And  here  are  beares,  wolfes,  sett, 

Apes,  owles,  marmoset,2 

Weesells,  squirrels,  and  firret 8 ; 

Here  they  eaten  their  meate. 


Stem's  Wife.  Yet  more  beastes  are  in  this  howse ; 
Here  cattis  maken  it  full  crowse 4 ; 
Here  a  ratten,8  here  a  mowse, 
10  They  stand  nye  togeder.8 

Ham's  Wife.    And  here  are  fowles  les  and  more : 
Heames,7  cranes,  and  byttour,8 
Swans,  peacockes  ;  and  them  before 
Meate  for  this  wedder. 


15  Japheth's  Wife.    Here  are  cockes,  kites,  crowes, 

Rookes,  ravens  —  many  rowes 9  - 
Cuckoes,  curlewes  —  whoever  knowes  — 

Eache  one  in  his  kinde ; 
And  here  are  doves,  diggs,10  drakes, 
20  Redshankes  runninge  through  the  lakes ; 

And  each  fowle  that  ledden  u  makes 
In  this  shipp  men  may  finde. 

Noah.    Wife,  come  in  !    Why  standes  thou  here  ? 
Thou  art  ever  f reward  —  that  dare  I  sweare ! 
25  Come  in,  on  God's  half 12 !    Tyme  yt  were, 

For  feare  lest  that  we  drowne. 


1  cabbage                                                    6  MS.  -gether  U  language  (cf.  Chaucer, 

2  monkey                                                       7  herons  Squire's    Tale     435, 

3  ferret                                                        8  bittern  478) 

*  lively                                                         9  rows  12  for  God's  sake 

6  rat  (cf.  Fr.  ratori) ;  MS.  rotten  10  ducks 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  491 

Noah's  Wife,    Yea,  sir,  set  up  your  sayle, 
And  rowe  forth  with  evill  hayle,1 
For,  without[en] 2  any  fayle, 

I  will  not  out  of  this  towne. 


But 8  I  have  my  gossips  everichon,  5 

One  foote  further  I  will  not  gone ; 
They  shall  not  drowne,  by  St.  John, 

And  4  I  may  save  their  lyfe  1 
They  loved  me  full  well,  by  Christ ! 

But3  thou  wilt  let  them  in  thy  chist,5  10 

Rowe 6  forth,  Noe,  whether 7  thou  list, 

And  get  thee  a  new  wife. 

Noah,    Sem,  sonne,  loe  thy  mother  is  wrow 8 ; 

Forsooth  such  another  I  do  not  know. 

Shem.    Father,  I  shall  fett  her  in,  I  trow,  15 

Without[en]  any  fayle.  — 
Mother,  my  father  after  thee  send, 
And  bydds  the  into  yonder  ship  wend ; 
Loke  up,  and  se  the  wynde, 

For  we  be  readye  to  sayle.  20 

Noah's  Wife.    Sonne,  goe  again  to  him,  and  say 

I  will  not  come  therein  to-daye. 

Noah.    Come  in,  wife,  in  20  devills  waye ! 

Or  els  stand  there  without. 

Ham.    [Father],  shall  wee  all  fet  her  in  ?  25 

Noah.    Yea,  sonnes,  in  Christ's  blessinge  and  myne  1 
I  would  yow  hyde 9  yow  betyme, 

For  of  this  flood  I  doubte.10 


1  success;  H.heale  5  ark  8  angry;  MS.  wraw  (em. 

2  em.  from  W.  6  MS.  els  rowe  from  W.) 

3  unless  7  whither  9  hied 

4  jf  1°  MS.  am  in  doubte 


492  PLAYS 

[Noah's  Wife.]    The  flood  comes  in  full  fleetinge  fast,1 

On  every  side  it  spredeth  full  ferre  * ; 
For  feare  of  drowning  I  am  agast ; 

Good  gossip,  let  us  draw  neare, 
5  And  let  us  drinke  or  we  depart, 

For  oftentymes  we  have  done  soe ; 
At 8  a  draught  thou  drinkes  a  quarte, 

And  so  will  I  doe  or  I  goe.4 

Japheth.    Mother,  we  praye  you  altogeder5  — 
10  For  we  are  here  your  owne  childer  — 

Come  into  the  ship,  for  feare  of  the  wedder, 

For  his  love  that  you  boughte 6 ! 
Noah's  Wife.    That  will  I  not,  for  all  your  call, 
But7  I  have  my  gossopes  all. 
15  Shem.    In  feith,  mother,  yet  you  shall, 

Whether  you  will  or  not.8  [She  enters. 

Noah.    Welcome,  wife,  into  this  boate ! 

Noah's  Wife.    And  have  thou  that  for  thy  note  9  I 

[  Gives  him  a  box  on  the  ear.10 
Noah.    A,  ha !    Mary,11  this  is  hote ! 
20  It  is  good  to  be  still ! 

A,  children,  me  thinkes  my  boate  retrieves,12 
Our  tarying  here  hugelie  me  greves  ; 
Over  the  lande  the  water  spredes ; 
God  doe  as  he  will ! 

25  Ah,  great  God  that  art  so  good, 

That 18  worchis  not  thie  will  is  wood  1 
Now  all  this  world  is  on  a  flood, 
As  I  see  well  in  sighte. 

1  This  stanza  is  noted  by  It  will  rejoy[c]e  both  hart  and        8  H.  adds:  Tune  ibit 

Hohlfeld  as  a  later  addi-  tong ;  9  pa;ns  (/#_  benefit) ;  MS. 

tion  (Anglia  1 1.  270)  Though  Noy  thinke  us  never  mote  .  em  from  w 

I  ^  ?re  (7'  KiJ  x  VeT^l,  drinke  alyke.       ]°  F°r  th<j  Latin  <"'>  :  Et 

8  MS.  for  at  (em.  K.)  dat  alapam  vita 

*  B.,  W.  add :  «  MS.  -gether  "  marry 

Here  is  a  pottell  of  Malmesy       6_  redeemed  12  moves 

good  and  stronge ;  7  unless  13  that  which,  he  who 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  493 

This  window  I  will  shut  anon, 
And  into  my  chamber  will  I  gone, 
Till  this  water,  so  greate  one, 

Be  slaked 1  throughe  thy  mighte. 

Then  shall  NOYE  shutte  the  wyndowe  of  they 
arcke,  and  for  a  littill  space  be  silent,  and 
afterwarde  lokinge  rounde  aboute  shall  saye 2  .- 
Now  40  dayes  are  fullie  gone,  5 

Send  a  raven  I  will  anone, 
If  oughtwhere 8  earth,  tree,  or  stone, 

Be  drye  in  any  place  ; 
And  if  this  foule  come  not  againe, 

It  is  a  signe,  soth  to  sayne,  10 

That  drye  it  is  on  hill  or  playne,4 

And  God  hath  done  some  grace. 

Then  he  shall  send  forth  the  raven,  and,  taking 
a  dove  in  his  hand,  shall  say  5  .• 
Ah,  Lord  1  wherever  this  raven  be, 
Somewhere  is  drye,  well  I  see, 
But  yet  a  dove  —  by  my  lewtye 6 !  —  15 

After  I  will  sende. 
Thou  wilt  turne  againe  to  me, 
For  of  all  fowles  that  may  flye,7 

Thou  art  mo'st  meke  and  hend.8 

Then  he  shall  send  forth  the  dove,  and  there  shall 
be  in  the  ark  another  dove,  which  shall  be  let 


1  abated  ably  Ps.  69],  et  aperiens           dimittet  corvum,  et,  ca- 

2  From  \V. ;  the  Latin   (H.)  fenestram  et  respiciens           piens  columbam  in  ma- 

runs  :  Tune  Noe  claudet  8  anywhere ;     perhaps    for           nibus,  dicat 

fenestram  archse,  et  per  oughwhere,   variant   of  «  loyalty,  faith 

modicum    spatium    infra  owhere  7  Here  a  line  seems  to  have 

tectum  cantent  psalmum  *  Gen.  8.  6,  7                                   dropped  out 

'  Save  mee,  O  God '  [prob-  5  Translated  from  H. :  Tune  8  gentle  ;  cf .  Gen.  8.  8 


494  PLAYS 

down  from  the  mast  by  a  cord  into  the  hands 
of  NOAH  ;  and  afterward  NOAH  shall  say  * : 
Ah,  Lord  1  blessed  be  thou  aye, 
That  hast  me  comfort 2  thus  to-day 
By  this  sight ;  I  may  well  saye, 

This  flood  beginnes  to  cease ; 
5  My  sweete  dove  to  me  brought  hase 

A  branch  of  olyve  from  some  place ; 
This  betokeneth  God  has  done  us  grace,8 
And  is  a  signe  of  peace.4 

Ah,  Lord,  honoured  most  thou  be  1 
10  All  earthe  dryes,  now  I  see, 

But  yet  tyll  thou  comaunde  me 

Hence  will  I  not  hye. 
All  this  water  is  awaye  ; 
Therfore,  as  sone  as  I  maye, 
15  Sacryfice  I  shall  doe,  in  faye,6 

To  thee  devoutlye.6 

God.    Noe,  take  thy  wife  anone, 
And  thy  children  every  one  ; 
Out  of  the  shippe  thou  shalt  gone, 
20  And  they  all  with  thee  ; 

Beastes,  and  all  that  can  flie, 
Out  anone  they  shall  hye, 
On  earth  to  grow  and  multeplye ; 
I  will  that  yt  soe  be.7 

25  Noah.    Lord,  I  thanke  the  through  thy  mighte ; 

Thy  bidding  shall  be  done  in  height,8 

l  Translated  from  H.:  Tune          inmanusNoe;  et  postea  5  faith 

emittet  columbam,  et  erit          dicat  Noe  6  Gen.  8. 20 

in  nave  alia  columba,  fe-  2  comforted  1  MS.  be  soe  (em.  K.); 

rens  olivam  in  ore,  qua?  8  MS.  some  grace  cf.  Gen.  8. 16,  17 

demittetur  [MS.  quam  de-  4  Gen.  8. 1 1  8  with  speed 

mittet]  ex  malo  per  f unem 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD 


495 


And,  as  fast  as  I  may  dighte,1 
I  will  doe  the  honoure, 
And  to  thee  offer  sacrifice ; 
Therfore  comes,2  in  all  wise,  . 

For  of  these  beastes  that  bene  hise  5 

Offer  I  will  this  stower.8 
Then,  going  out  from  the  ark  with  his  whole 
family,  he  shall  take  with  him  his  animals 
and  birds,  and  shall  offer  them  and  slay* 

Lord  God  in  majestye, 

Thou 6  such  grace  hast  graunted  me, 

Where  all  was  lorne,  save 8  to  be ; 

Therfore  now  I  am  bowne,  10 

My  wife,  my  childer,  my  meanye,7 
With  sacrifice  to  honoure  thee  ; 
With  beastes,  fowles,  as  thou  may  see, 

I  offer  here  right  sone.8 

God.    Noe,  to  me  thou  arte  full  able,9  15 

And  thy  sacrifice  acceptable  ; 

For  I  have  fownd  thee  trew  and  stable, 

On  the  now  must  I  myn 10 : 
Warry  u  earth  will  I  no  more 

For  mans  synne  that  greves  me  sore,  20 

For,  of 12  youth,  man  full  yore 

Has  byn  enclyned  to  syn[n]e.18 

You  shall  now  grow  and  multeply, 
And  earth,  againe,  you  edefie  u ; 

Each  beast,  and  fowle  that  may  flie,  25 

Shall  be  afrayd  of  you  ; 


1  make  ready 

2  imp.  plur. 
8  store 

<  Translated  from  H. :  Tune 
egrediens  archam  cum 
tota  familia  sua,  accipiet 


animalia  sua  et  volucres, 
et  offeret  ea  et  mactabit 

5  MS.  that 

6  safe 

7  nom. 

s  Cf.  Gen.  8.  20 


9  pleasing,  compliant 
1°  be  mindful 
u  curse 
l'2  from 
18  Gen.  8.21 
H  build  up 


496  PLAYS 

And  fishe  in  sea,  that  may  flete,1 
Shall  susteyne  yow,  I  yow  behete 2 ; 
To  eate  of  them  yow  ne  lete 8 

That  cleane  bene  you  may  knowe.4 

5  Thereas 5  you  have  eaten  before 

Grasse  and  rootes  sith  you  were  bore, 
Of  cleane  beastes  now,  les  and  more, 

I  geve  you  leave  to  eate ; 
Safe 8  bloode  and  flesh,  bothe  in  feare,7 
10  Of 8  wrong-dead  carren  9  that  is  here ; 

Eates  not  of  that  in  no  manere, 

For  that  aye  you  shall  let[e].10 

Manslaughter  also  you  shall  flee, 

For  that  is  not  pleasant  to  me ; 
1 5  That u  shedes  bloode,  he  or  shee, 

Oughtwhere  amongst  mankinne,12 

That  blood  foule  sheede  shal  be, 

And  venge[a]nce  have,  that  men  shall  se ; 

Therfore  beware  now  all[e]  yee, 
20  You  fall  not  in  that  synne.13 

A  forwarde  u  now  with  thee  16  I  make, 
And  all  thy  seede  for  thy  sake, 
Of  suche  vengeance  for  to  slake, 

For  now  I  have  my  will. 
25  Here  I  behet  the  a  heaste16  — 

That  man  [ne]  woman,  fowle  ne  beaste, 
With  water,  while  the  world  shall  l[e]ast[e],17 

I  will  [them]  no  more  spill.18 

1  float,  swim ;  MS.  flytte  7  together;  Gen.  9. 4  18  Gen.  9.  5,  6 

2  promise;  MS.  -hite  8  Miswritten  for  'or'?  u  covenant 
8  refrain,  forbear ;  MS.  lett  9  carrion  ;  see  Lev.  22.  8  15  MS.  thie 
4  that  you  may  know  to  be  clean;  1°  leave  16  promise 

Gen.  9. 1-3 ;  cf.  7.2;  8.  20          "  whoever  1"  em.  K. 

6  whereas  l2  MS.  -kinde  ;  em.  sug-        ig  destroy;  Gen.  9.  9-11 

6  save  gested  by  Pollard 


THE  CHESTER  NOAH'S  FLOOD  497 

My  bowe  betwene  you  and  me 

In  the  firmament  shall  bee, 

By  verey  token,  that  you  may  see 

That  such  vengeance  shall  cease ; 
That  man  ne  woman  shall  never  more 
Be  wasted  by  water,  as  was 1  before 2 ; 
But  for  syn,  that  greveth  me  sore, 

Therfore  this  vengeance  wes.8 

Where  cloudes  in  the  welkin  bene, 

That  ilke  bowe  shall  be  sene, 

In  tokeninge  that  my  wrath  and  tene 

Shall  never  thus  *  wroken  be ; 
The  stringe  is  turned  toward  you, 
And  toward  me  is  bent  the  bowe, 
That  such  wedder  shall  never  showe ; 

And  this  behett  I  thee.5 

My  blessing  now  I  geve  the  here, 
To  thee,  Noe,  my  servant  dere, 
For  vengeance  shall  no  more  appeare ; 
And  now  farewell,  my  darling  deere.6 

THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC 

Lucy  Toulmin  Smith,  the  first  editor  (in  1884)  thus  characterizes  the  play, 
in  comparison  with  the  five  others  on  the  same  subject  (Anglia  7.  332) :  'On 
the  whole,  the  Brome  version  now  printed  is  superior  to  those  above  described 
in  the  touches  of  child-nature,  and  in  the  play  of  feeling  skilfully  shown  —  the 
dear  coquetting  between  the  love  of  his  child  and  the  committal  of  the  deed 
by  the  obedient  but  agonized  father.  The  child  begging  his  father  not  to  kill 
him,  and  his  fear  of  the  sword  even  after  all  danger  is  over,  .  .  .  are  touched 
in  with  a  life  not  found  elsewhere.  The  thought  of  the  mother  .  .  .  breaks  out 
in  the  most  natural  and  affecting  manner,  .  .  .  and  the  joyful  rebound  of  emo- 

Ition  after  the  painful  strain  between  duty  and  affection,  expressing  itself  in 
the  kisses  of  Abraham  and  the  apostrophes  of  Isaac  to  the  "gentle  sheep," 

1  MS.  is  <  MS.  this  «  w.  adds : 

2  Gen.  9.  12-15  5  Gen.  9.  16  Finis.   Deo  gracias  !  per  me,  George  Bellin,  IJQ2. 
8  MS.  was  (em.  K.)  Come,  Lordejesu,  come  yuicklye. 


498  PLAYS 

must  have  warmly  appealed  to  the  hearts  of  the  audience.  Finally,  the  lesson 
of  faith  for  "  learned  and  lewed  "  and  "  the  wisest  of  us  all "  is  taught  by  the 
"  Doctor  "  in  the  simplest  manner.' 

Gayley  thinks  this  the  third  miracle-play  in  order  of  time,  the  first  being 
The  Harrowing  of  Hell  (ca.  1250),  and  the  second,  Jacob  and  Esau  (ca.  1280). 
He  says  (Plays  of  our  Forefathers,  p.  126)  :  '  The  Brome  play  of  Abraham  and 
Isaac,  which  comes  next  in  order  of  production,  is  undoubtedly  the  basis  of 
The  Sacrifice  of  Isaac  in  the  Chester  cycle,  and  probably  in  an  earlier  version 
dates  from  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth  century.'  A  particularly  close  paral 
lel  is  that  between  506  3-6  and  the  Chester  play  289-92  (ed.  Deimling,  p.  76) : 

If  I  have  trespassed  in  any  degree, 
With  a  yard  you  maye  beate  me ; 
Put  up  your  sword,  if  your  will  be, 
For  I  am  but  a  childe. 

The  play  has  been  three  times  printed  —  by  Miss  Smith  as  above  (A.),  by 
Lady  Kerrison  and  Miss  Smith  in  1886  (B.),  and  by  Manly  in  1897  (M.) ; 
Pollard  has  reproduced  lines  316-435  (English  Miracle  Plays,  Appendix  IV), 
following  Miss  Smith. 

The  unique  manuscript  (1470-1480)  takes  its  name  from  the  village  of  Brome, 
in  Suffolk,  two  miles  north  of  Eye.  Brome  was  from  the  fourteenth  century  the 
seat  of  the  Cornwallis  family,  to  which  belonged  the  Lord  Cornwallis  who 
was  conspicuous  in  the  American  Revolution. 

The  two  editions  directly  from  the  manuscript  differ  here  and  there  in  their 
readings;  of  the  readings  I  have  rejected  I  have  taken  no  account.  Important 
emendations  have  been  made  by  Miss  Smith,  Holthausen  (Anglia  13  (1891). 
361-2),  and  Manly  (Spec.  Pre-Shak.  Drama  i.  41-57).  I  have  been  tempted  to 
further  efforts  at  restoration  by  the  remark  of  Miss  Smith  (Anglia  7.  322-3) : 
'  Judging  by  the  analogy  of  other  plays  of  the  kind,  it  is  probable  that  this  also 
was  originally  composed  with  much  care  for  its  poetical  form,  but  has  become 
partially  corrupt  through  oral  repetition  and  the  errors  of  copyists.'  All  the 
emendations  not  attributed  to  S.,  H.,  or  M.  are  by  myself ;  some  are  perhaps 
rather  daring,  but  it  is  easy  to  revert  to  the  manuscript-readings.  Stage- 
directions  (following  a  bracket)  have  been  supplied  partly  from  S.  and  M. ; 
two  or  three  are  found  in  the  manuscript,  in  Latin. 

Miss  Smith  remarks  (Anglia  7.  322) :  '  With  regard  to  the  versification,  the 
reader  will  observe  that  it  is  irregular :  in  several  places  the  lines  run  in  clear 
stanzas  of  five  lines,  riming  abaab ;  in  others  it  appears  to  be  in  stanzas  of  eight 
lines,  riming  alternately,  with  a  frequent  short  line  or  tag  following.  There  are 
also  many  lines  which  seem  to  be  formless  as  regards  metre,  rime,  or  stanza.' 
Accordingly  the  indications  of  stanzaic  form  are  often  somewhat  obscured  in 
this  play. 

I  have  modernized  in  the  stage-directions  the  names  of  certain  characters, 
for  the  sake  of  consistency  —  Deus  to  God,  The  Angell  to  Angel,  Ysaac  to 
Isaac. 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      499 

SCENE  I 

Afield  near  ABRAHAM'S  home  in  Beersheba 
Enter  ABRAHAM  and  ISAAC 

Abraham.    Fader  of  hevyn  omnipotent, 

With  all  my  hart  to  the  I  call ; 
Thow  hast  joffe 1  me  both  lond  and  rent,2 
And  my  lyvelod  thow  hast  me  sent ; 

I  thanke  the  evermore 8  of  all.  5 

Fyrst  off 4  the  erth  fou  madyst  Adam, 

And  Eve  also  to  be  hys  wyffe ; 
All  other  creatures  of  them  too 6  cam ; 
And  now  thow  hast  grant 6  to  me,  Abram,7 

Her  in  thys  lond  to  lede  my  lyffe.  10 

In  my  age  JJQU  hast  grantyd  me  thys, 

That  thys  jowng  chyld  with  me  shall  wone 8 ; 

I  love  nothyng  so  myche,  iwysse, 

Except  ]ri 9  selffe,  der  Fader  of  blysse, 

As  Ysaac  her,  my  owyne  swete  sone.  15 

I  have  dyverse  chyldryn  moo, 

The  wych  I  love  not  halffe  so  wyll 10 ; 
Thys  fayer  swet  chyld  he  chereys  u  me  soo 
In  every  place  wer  that  I  goo, 

That  noo  dessece 12  her  may  I  fell.18  20 

And  therf or,  Fadyr  of  hevyn,  I  prey 14 
For  hys  helth,  and  also  for  hys  grace ; 

1  given  6  granted  10  well ;  pronounced  wail 

2  income  7  MS.  Abraham  u  MS.  scherys 
»  MS.  heyly  euermore                 8  dwell  12  discomfort 

4  Of  »  MS.  thin  owyne ;  see  18  feel 

5  two  next  line  "  MS.  the  prey 


500  PLAYS 

Now,  Lord,  kepe  hym  both  nyght 1  and  day, 
That  never  dessese  nor  noo  [afjfray 2 
Cume  to  my  chyld  in  noo  place. 

Now  cum  on,  Ysaac,  my  owyne  swet  chyld ; 
Goo  we  horn,  and  take  owr  rest. 

Isaac.    Abraham,  myne  owyne  fader  so  myld, 
To  folowe  jow  I  am  full  prest,8 
Bothe  erly  and  late. 

Abraham.    Cume  on,  swete  chyld,  I  love  the  best 
Of  all  the  chyldryn  that  1 4  begat.  {Exeunt. 

SCENE  II 
Heaven.    Enter  GOD  and  an  ANGEL 

God.    Myn  angell,  fast  hey 5  the  thy  wey, 

And  to  6  medyll  erth  anon  pou  goo ; 
Abra[ha]ms  hart  now  wyll  I  asay, 

Wether  that  he  be  stedfast  or  noo. 

Sey  I  commaw[n]dyd  hym  for  to  take 
Ysaac,  hys  sonne,7  fat  he  love[s]  so  wyll, 

And  with  hys  blood  sacryfyce  he  make, 
Ony 8  off  my  freynchepe  [yf]  he  wyll  fell.9 

Schow  hym  the  wey  onto 10  the  hylle 

Wer  that  hys  sacryffyce  schall  be. 
I  schall  asay  now  hys  good  wyll, 

Whether  he  lovyth  u  better  hys  chyld  or  me. 

All  men  schall  take  exampyll  be  hym 

My  commawmentes  how  they  schall  kepe.      {Exeunt. 

1  MS.  nygth  6  haste  »  8  MS.  yffe  ony 

2  fright,  terror  6  unto ;  MS.  on  to  9  MS.  ffell 
8  ready ;  MS.  glad  (em.  H.)              7  MS.  jowng  sonne ,  cf .             10  unto 

*  MS.  ever  I  50124  u  MS.  lovyd  (em.  M.) 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      50 1 

SCENE  III 
Afield  near  ABRAHAM'S  home.    Enter  ABRAHAM 

Abraham.    Now,  Fader  of  hevyn,  )>at  formyd  all  thyng, 

My  preyeres  I  make  to  the  ajeyn, 
For  thys  day  my  tender  offryng 

Here  must  I  geve  to  the,  certeyn. 

A  !  Lord  God,  allmyty  Kyng,  5 

Wat  maner  best  *  woll  make  pe  most  fayn  ? 

Yff  I  had  therof  very  knoyng,2 

Yt  schuld  be  don  with  all  my  mayne 8 

Full  sone  by  me.4 

To  don  thy  plesyng  on  an  hyll,  10 

Verely  yt  ys  my  wyll, 

Dere  Fader,  God  in  Trinyte. 

Enter  ANGEL 
Angel.    Abraham,  Abraham,  wyll  J> ou  rest  1 

Owr  Lord  comandyth  ]>e  for  to  take 
Ysaac,  thy  jowng  sone,  that  thow  lovyst  best,  1 5 

And  with  hys  blod  sacryfyce  )>at  thow  make. 

Into  the  lond  of  v[i]syon 5  thow  goo, 

And  offer  thy  chyld  onto  thy  Lord ; 
I  schall  the  lede  and  schow  allsoo. 

Unto  Goddes  hest,  Abraham,  acord,  20 

And  folow  me  upon  thys  grene. 

Abraham.    Wollecom 6  to  me  be  my  Lordes  sond,7 
And  hys  hest  I  wyll  not  withstond ; 
^yt  Ysaac,  my  jowng  sonne  in  lond, 

A  full  dere  chyld  to  me  hase 8  bene.9  25 

1  beast  4  MS.  anone  (em.  H.)  8  MS.  haue 

2  knowing,  knowledge  5  Moriah  (Gen.  22. 2) ;  em.  H.  »  MS.  byn 
8  might,  strength  (cf .  '  might                6  welcome 

and  main ')  7  messenger 


502  PLAYS 

I  had  lever,  yf  God  had  be  plesyd, 

For  to  a 1  forbore 2  all  be  good  bat  I  have, 

Than  Ysaac  my  sone  schuld  a  be  desessyd,8 
So  God  in  hevyn  my  sowll  mot  save  1 

I  lovyd  never  thyng  soo  mych  in  erde,4 
And  now  I  must  the  chyld  goo  kyll. 
A,  Lord 6 !  my  conseons  ys  stron[g]ly  sterd,6 
And  jyt,  my  dere  Lord,  I  am  sore 7  aferd 
To  groche 8  ony  thyng 9  ajens  thy  wyll. 

I  love  my  chyld  as  [I  love]  my  lyffe, 

But  gyt  I  love  my  God  myche  more, 
For  thow  my  hart  woold  make  ony  stryffe, 
£yt  wyll  I  not  spare  for  chyld  nor  wyffe, 
But  don  after  my  Lordes  lore.1 


.  10 


15  Thow  I  love  my  sonne  never  so  wyll, 

<^yt  smythe  of  u  hys  hed  sone  I  schall. 

A,  Fader  of  hevyn  !  to  the  I  knell ; 

An  hard  dethe  my  son  schall  fell, 

For  to  honor  the,  [my]  Lord,  withall. 

20  Angel.    Abraham  !  Abraham  !  thys  ys  wyll  seyd, 

And  all  thys  comamentes  loke  bou  obay 12 ; 
But  in  thy  hart  be  nothyng  dysmayd.18 

Abraham.    Nay,  nay,  1 14  hold  me  wyll  apayd  16 
To  plesse 16  my  God  to  the  best  I "  may,18 


1  have  7  MS.  sere  (em.  H.)  "  MS.  forsoth  I 

2  done  without  8  MS.  £owr  ls  MS.  plesyd  (M.  sug 
8  disturbed,  put  to  discom-  9  make  any  complaint  gests  em.) 

fort,  molested  10  instruction  16  MS.  pelsse 

<  MS.  erthe  (em.  M.,  follow-  "  smite  off  "  MS.  bat  I 

ing  S.'s  suggestion)  12  MS.  loke  bat  bou  kepe  18  MS.    haue    (M.  sug 
6  MS.  Lord  God                                   (em.  suggested  by  M.)  gests  em.) 

6  stirred ;  MS.  steryd  18  MS.  dismasyd  ;  em.  M. 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      503 

For  thow  my  hart  be  hevely  sett 

To  see  the  blood  of  my  owyn  dere  sone, 

<5yt  for  all  thys  I  wyll  not  lett,1  [Exit  ANGEL. 

But  Ysaac,  my  son,  I  wyll  goo  fett, 

And  cum  asse  fast  as  ever  we  conne.2  [Exit.   5 


SCENE  IV 
ABRAHAM'S  home.   Enter  ABRAHAM  and  ISAAC 

[Abraham.]    Now,  Ysaac,  my  owyne  son  [so]  dere, 
Wer  art  thow,  chyld  ?    Speke  to  me. 

Isaac.    My  fayer  swet  fader,  I  am  here, 
And  make  my  preyrys  to  fe  Trenyte. 

Abraham.    Rysse  up,  my  chyld,  and  fast  cum  heder, 

My  gentyll  barn 8  fat  art  so  wysse, 
For  we  to,4  chyld,  must  goo  togeder, 

And  onto  my  Lord  make  sacryffyce. 

Isaac.    I  am  full  redy,  my  fader,  loo ! 

Evyn 8  at  gowr  handes  I  stand  ryght 6  here, 
And  watsoever  je  byd  me  doo, 

Yt  schall  be  don  with  glad  cher, 
Full  wyll  and  fyne. 

Abraham.    A  !  Ysaac,  my  owyn  son  soo  dere, 
Codes  blyssyng  I  jyffe  the,  and  myn. 

Hold  thys  fagot  upon  jn  bake, 

And  her  myselffe  fyer  schall  bryng. 

Isaac.    Fader,  all  thys  her  wyll  I  packe ; 
I  am  full  fayn  to  do  jowr  bedyng. 

1  desist  8  child  5  MS.  Kevyn 

2  MS.  can  4  two  6  MS.  rygth 


504  PLAYS 

Abraham.   A,  Lord  of  hevyn  !  my  handes  I  wryng, 
Thys  chyldes  wordes  all  towond  *  my  harte. 

Now,  Ysaac  son,  goo  we  owr  wey 
Onto  son  mownte,  with  all  owr  mayn. 

5  Isaac.    Go  we,  my  dere  fader,  as  fast  as  I  may  ; 

To  folow  ;$ow  I  am  full  fayn, 
Allthow  I  be  slendyr. 

Abraham.    A,  Lord  I  my  hart  brekyth  on  tweyn,2 
Thys  chyldes  wordes,  they  be  so  tender. 

SCENE  V 
Mount  Moriah.    Enter  ABRAHAM  and  ISAAC 

10  A,  Ysaac,  son  1  anon  ley  yt  down, 

No  lenger  upon  )>i  backe  yt  hold,8 
For  I  must  make  redy  bo[u]n  * 

To  honowr  my  Lord  God  as  I  schold." 

Isaac.    Loo,  my  dere  fader,  wer  yt  ys  1 
1  5  To  cher  6  jow  allwey  I  draw  me  ner  ; 

But,  fader,  I  mervell  sore  of  thys, 
Wy  ]>at  ge  make  thys  hevy  chere  ; 

And  also  evermore  7  dred  I  : 

Wer  ys  jowr  best  8  pat  je  schuld  kyll  ? 
20  Both  fyer  and  wood  we  have  redy, 

But  queke  9  best  have  we  non  on  pis  hyll  ; 

A  qwyke  best,  I  wot  wyll,  must  be  ded, 
sacryfyce  for  to  make.10 


l  wound  4  prepared  8  MS.  queke  best 

2MS.  tewyn  (em.  S.)  6  MS.  schuld  9  living 

»  MS.  here  (em.  M.,  following  6  cheer  10  MS.  transposes  this  line 

Kittredge's  suggestion)  7  MS.  fader  euermore  and  the  next  (em.  S.) 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      505 

Abraham.    Dred  the  nowyht,1  my  chyld,  I  the  red a ; 
Owr  Lord  wyll  send  me  onto  thys  sted 8 
Summ  maner  a  best  for  to  take, 
Throw  hys  swet  sond. 

Isaac.    <^a,  fader,  but  my  hart  begynnyth  to  quake 
To  se  fat  scharpe  sword  in  jowr  hond. 

Wy  bere  je  jowr  sword  drawyn  soo  ? 

Off  5owre  contenauns  4  I  have  mych  wonder. 

Abraham.    A,  Fader  of  hevyn,  so  5  I  am  woo  1 
Thys  chyld  her  brekys  my  harte  onsonder.6 

Isaac.   Tell  me,  my  dere  fader,  or  that  je  ses,7 
Ber  je  jowr  sword  draw[yn] 8  for  me  ? 

Abraham.   A,  Ysaac,  swet  son,  pes !  [a,]  pes  1 
For  iwys  thow  breke[s]  my  harte  on  thre. 

Isaac.    Now  trewly,  sumwat,  fader,  je  thynke,9 
That  je  morne 10  thus  [ay]  more  and  more. 

Abraham.    A !  Lord  of  hevyn,  thy  grace  let  synke, 
For  my  hart  was  never  halffe  so  sore. 

Isaac.    I  preye  jow,  fader,  let u  me  fat  wyt,ia 
Wyther  schall  I  have  ony  harme  or  noo. 

Abraham.    Iwys,  swet  son,  I  may  not  tell  the  jyt, 
My  hart  ys  now  soo  full  of  woo. 

Isaac.    Dere  fader,  I  prey,18  hyd  yt 14  not  fro  me, 
But  sum  of  $owr  thowt  je 15  tell  me  [anone]. 

1  not  at  all ;  MS.  -wyth  6  MS.  on  too  (em.  H.)       «  MS.  )>at  je  wyll  let 

2  counsel  7  cease  12  know 

8  place  8  em.  M.  18  MS.  prey  jow 

*  countenance;  MS. conwnauns          9  ponder  upon  14  MS.  hydygth  (em.  M.) 

6  MS.  os  (em.  S.)  10  mourn  16  MS.  )>at  ge 


506  PLAYS 

Abraham.   A,  Ysaac,  Ysaac,  I  must  kyll  the ! 

Isaac.    Kyll  me,  fader  ?  alasse,  wat  have  I  done  ? 

Yff  I  have  trespassyd  ajens  jow  owt, 

^je  may  make  me  with  a  gard 1  full  myld, 
5  And  with  jowr  scharp  sword  kyll  me  nowt,a 

For  iwys,  fader,  I  am  but  a  chyld. 

Abraham.    I  am  full  sory  8  thy  blood  for  to  spyll, 
But  truly,  my  chyld,  I  may  not  chese.4 

Isaac.   Now  I  wold 5  my  moder  were  on 6  fis 7  hyll  1 
10  Sche  woold  knele  for  me  on  both  hyr  kneys 

To  save  my  lyffe. 

And  sythyn 8  my  moder  ys  not  here, 
I  prey  jow,  fader,  chonge 9  5owr  chere, 

And  kyll  me  not  with  jowyr  knyffe. 

15  Abraham.    Forsothe,  son,  but-jyf  I  the  kyll, 

I  schuld  greve  God  ryght 10  sore,  I  drede ; 
Yt  ys  hys  commawment  and  also  hys  wyll 
That  I  schuld  do  thys  same  dede. 

He  commawdyd  me,  son,  for  serteyn, 
20  To  make  my  sacryfyce  with  thy  blood. 

Isaac.   And  ys  yt  Goddes  wyll  fat  I  schuld  be  slayn  ? 

Abraham.    «^a,  truly,  Ysaac,  my  son  soo  good, 
And  therfor  my  handes  I  wryng. 


1  rod ;  MS.  with  a  Sard  Je  *  choose  8  MS.  sybyn  f>at 

may  make  me  6  MS.  wold  to  God  9  change  ;   MS.  schonge 

2  MS.  nogth  6  MS.  her  on  1°  MS.  rygth 
*  MS.  sory  son  7  A.  ys,  B.  yis  (em.  M.) 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      507 

Isaac.    Now,  fader,  ajens  my  Lordes  decre l 

I  wyll  never  groche,  lowd  nor  styll ; 
He  myght 2  a 8  sent  me  a  better  destyne  * 

Yf  yt  had  a  be  hys  wyll.6 

Abraham.    Forsothe,  son,  but-yf  I  do 8  }>is  dede,  5 

Grevosly  dysplessyd  owr  Lord  wyll  be. 

Isaac.    Nay,  nay,  fader,  God  forbede 
That  ever  je  schuld  greve  hym  for  me. 

.  ^e  have  other  chyldryn,  on  or  too, 

The  wyche  ge  schuld  love  wyll  be  kynd.7  10 

I  prey  jow,  fader,  make  56  no  woo, 
For,  be  I  onys  ded  and  fro  jow  goo, 

I  schall  be  sone  owt  of  jowr  mynd. 

Therfor  doo  owr  Lordes  byddyng, 

And  wan  I  am  ded,  than  prey  for  me ;  15 

But,  good  fader,  tell  je  my  moder  nothyng, 

Say  fat  I  am  dwellyng 8  in  another  cuntre.9 

Abraham.    A,  Ysaac,10  blessyd  mot  thow  be  1 

My  hart  begynnyth  u  stron[g]ly  to  rysse, 

To  see  the  blood  off  thy  blyssyd  body.  20 

Isaac.    Fadyr,  syn  yt  may  be  noo  other  wysse,ia 
Let  yt  passe  over  as  wyll  as  I ; 

But,  or 18  I  goo  onto  my  deth, 

I  prey  jow  blysse  me  with  jowr  hond.14 

1  MS.  wyll  (em.  suggestedby  M.)  6  MS.  ded  1°  MS.  Ysaac,  Ysaac 

2  MS.  mygth  7  by  nature,  naturally  n  MS.  begynnyd  (em.  M.) 

3  have  8  MS.  dewllyng  (em.  S.)  12  wise 

4  MS.  desteny  9  MS.  in  another  cuntre  18  before ;  MS.  fader  or 
*  MS.plecer(em.suggestedbyM.)          dewylling  u  MS.  hand 


508  PLAYS 

Abraham.    Now,  Ysaac,  [sone,]  with  all  my  breth, 
My  blyssyng  I  jeve  fe  upon  thys  lond, 

And  Codes  also  therto,  iwys. 
Ysaac,  Ysaac,  sone,  up  thow  stond, 
5  Thy  fayer  swete  mowthe  fat  I  may  kys. 

Isaac.    Now  farwyll,1  my  owyne  fader  so  fyn, 

And  grete  wyll  my  moder  in  erde.2 
But  I  prey  jow,  fader,  to  hyd  my  eyne, 

That  I  se  not  fe  stroke  of  jowr  scharpe  swerd,* 

10  That  my  fleysse  schall  defyle. 

• 

Abraham.    Sone,  thy  wordes  make  me  to  wepe  full  sore : 
Now,  my  dere  son  Ysaac,  speke  no  more. 

Isaac.    A,  my  owyne  dere  fader,  werefore  ? 
We  schall  speke  togedyr  her  but  a  wylle,4 

15  And  sythyn  that  I  must  nedys5  be  ded, 

^yt,  my  dere  fader,  to  gow  I  prey, 
Smythe  but  fewe '  strokes  at  my  hed, 
And  make  an  end  as  sone  as  ge  may, 
And  tery  not  to  longe. 

20  Abraham.    Thy  meke  wordes,  chyld,  make  me  afray 7  ; 

So  '  Welawey !  '  may  be  my  songe, 

Excepe  al  only  Godes  wyll. 

A,  Ysaac,  my  owyn  swete  chyld, 
£yt  kysse  me  ajen  upon  thys  hyll ! 
25  In  all  thys  war[l]d 8  ys  non  soo  myld. 

Isaac.    Now  truly,  fader,  all  thys  teryyng 

Yt  doth  my  hart  but  harme ; 
I  prey  jow,  fader,  make  an  enddyng. 

1  farewell ;  MS.  for-  4  while,  short  time  7  afraid  ;    MS.  afrayed 

2  MS.  erthe  (em.  M.,  following  5  needs ;  MS.  nedysse  (em.  M.) 

S.'s  suggestion)  8  MS.  feve  (em.  M.)  8  em.  S. 

8  MS.  sword  (em.  M.) 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      509 
Abraham.    Cume  up,  cwet  son,  onto  my  arme ; 

I  must  bynd  thy  handes  too, 

Allthow  thow  be  never  soo  myld. 

Isaac.    A,  mercy,  fader !  wy  schuld  je  do  soo  ? 

Abraham.    That  thow  schuldyst  not  let,1  my  chyld.  5 

Isaac.    Nay,  iwysse,  fader,  I  wyll  not  let  jow ; 

Do  on  for  me  gowr  wyll, 
And  on  the  purpos  that  56  have  set  ;ow 

For  Codes  love  kepe  yt  forthe  styll. 

I  am  full  sory  thys  day  to  dey,2  10 

But  jyt  I  kepe 8  not  my  God  to  greve ; 
Do  on  jowr  lyst  *  for  me  hard[e]ly, 

My  fayer  swete  fader,  I  jeffe  jow  leve. 

But,  fader,  I  prey  jow  evermore, 

Tell  je  my  moder  never  a 6  dell 8 ;  15 

Yff e  sche  wist 7  yt,  sche  wold  wepe  full  sore, 

For  iwysse,  fader,  sche  lovyt[h]  me  wylle 8 ; 

Goddes  blyssyng  have  mot  sche 9 ! 
Now  forwyll,  my  moder  so  swete, 
We  too  be  leke 10  no  mor  to  mete.  20 

Abraham.    A,  Ysaac,  son  "  !  J>ou  makyst  me  gret,12 
And  with  thy  wordes 18  dystempurst u  me. 

Isaac.    Swete 16  fader,  I  am  sory  jow  to  greve 16 ; 

I  cry  sow  mercy  of  that  I  have  donne, 
And  of  all  trespasse  )>at  ever  I  ded  meve  "  ;  25 

Now,  fader,18  forjyffe  me  J?at  I  have  donne. 
God  of  hevyn  be  with  me  I 

1  hinder  7  knew  ;  MS.  wost  18  MS.  wordes  thow 

2  die  8  MS.  full  wylle  14  troubles! 

»  wish,  desire  9  MS.  mot  sche  have  (em.  H.)  ls  MS.  iwysse  swete 

*  pleasure  1°  are  likely  16  MS.  to  greve  Sow 

6  MS.  no  n  MS.  Ysaac,  Ysaac  17  cause  ;  MS.  meve  Sow 

«  part  of  it  12  lament,  weep ;  MS.  to  gret  18  MS.  dere  fader 


PLAYS 


10 


15 


20 


Abraham.    A,  dere  chyld,  lefe  of  l  thy  monys  1 
In  all  thy  lyffe  thow  grevyd  me  never  onys  ; 
Now  blyssyd  be  thow,  body  and  bonys  2  1 

Thow  hast  be  to  me  chyld  full  good. 
But  iwysse,8  thow  I  morne  never  so  fast, 
^yt  must  I  nedes  here  at  the  last 

In  thys  place  sched  *  thy  blood. 

Therfor,  my  son,8  here  schall  ]>ou  lye. 

Onto  my  warke  I  must  me  stede  6  ; 
1  7  had  as  leve  myselffe  to  dey, 

Yff  God  wyll  be  plecyd  wyth  my  dede, 

And  myn  owyn  body  for  to  offer. 

Isaa<,.    A,  mercy,  fader,  morne  je  no  more, 

^owr  wepyng  make[th]  8  my  hart  [as]  sore 

As  my  owyn  deth  that  I  schall  suffer. 


kerche[f]  9  abowt  my  eyn  je  wynd. 
Abraham,    So  I  schall,  my  swettest  chyld  in  erde.10 

Isaac.    Now  jyt,  good  fader,  have  thys  in  mynd, 
And  smyth  me  not  oftyn  with  jowr  scharp  swerd,11 

But  hastely  that  yt  be  sped.12 

Here    ABRAHAM    leyd   a    cloth    on    YSAACES  face, 

thus   seyyng: 
Abraham.    Now  farewyll,18  my  chyld,  so  full  of  grace. 

Isaac.    A,  fader,  fader,  torne  downward  u  my  face, 
For  of  jowr  18  swerd  16  I  am  ever  adred. 


1  leave  off,  cease 

2  MS.  bonys,  That  ever  thow 

were  bred  and  born 
8  MS.  iwysse  child 
<  MS.  sched  all 
6MS.  dere  son 


6  set  myself 

7  MS.  iwysse  I 

8  em.  H. 

9  MS.  kerche  fader 

10  MS.erthe  (em.  M.,  following 
S.'s  suggestion) 


11  MS.  sword  (em.  M.) 

12  done  quickly 
18  MS.  fore- 

l^  MS.  downgward 
is  MS.  Sowr  scharpe 
is  MS.  sword 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      511 

Abraham.    To  don  thys  dede  I  am  full  sory, 
But,  Lord,  thyn  best  I  wyll  not  withstond. 

Isaac.    A,  Fader  of  hevyn,  to  the  I  crye, 
Lord,  reseyve  me  into  thy  hond.1 

Abraham.    Loo,  now  ys  cum  the  tyme 2  certeyn  5 

That  my  swerd 3  in  hys  necke  schall  bite.4 
A,  Lord,  my  hart  reysyth  therageyn,8 

I  may  not  fynd 6  in  my  harte  to  smygth  — 

My  hart  wyll  not  now  thertoo. 

^yt  fayn  I  woold  warke  my  Lordes  wyll ;  10 

But  thys  jowng  innosent  lygth  so  styll, 
I  may  not  fynd 6  in  my  hart  hym  to  kyll. 

O,  Fader  of  hevyn,  what  schall  I  doo  ? 

Isaac.    A,  mercy,  fader,  wy 7  tery  je  so, 

And  let  me  ley  thus  longe  on  bis  hethe?  >5 

Now  I  wold  to  God  ]>e  stroke  were  doo 8 ! 
I  prey  sow,9  schorte  me  of  10  my  woo, 

And  let  me  not  loke  thus  after  n  my  deth.12 

Abraham.    Now,  hart,  wy  wilt  thow  not ls  breke  on  thre  ? 

^yt  schall  )?[o]u  not  make  me  to  God 14  onmyld.13  20 

I  wyll  no  lenger  let 16  for  the, 
For  that  my  God  agrevyd  wold  be ; 

Now  hoold 17  the 18  stroke,  my  owyn  dere  chyld. 

Her  ABRAHAM  drew  hys  stroke,  and  />e  ANGELL  take 
the  swerd*  in  h%s  hond  soddenly. 
Angel.    I  am  an  angell,  thow  mayist  se 19  blythe, 

That  fro  hevyn  to  the  ys  sent.20  25 

1  MS.  hand  8  done  u  ungracious  (lit.  unmild) 

2  MS.  the  tyme  cum  9  MS.  fader  I  prey  Sow  hartely    "  tarry 

s  MS.  sword  10  shorten  17  receive 

4  MS.  synke  (em.  H.)  u  wait  thus  for  18  MS.  tha 

5  against  this'  12  MS.  degth  19  see 

«  MS.  fyndygth  ;  M.  fynd  yt     l«  MS.  wolddyst  not  thou  »  MS.  senth 

7  why  "  MS.  my  God 


512  PLAYS 

Owr  Lord  thanke[th]  the  an  c  sythe 1 

For  the  kepyng  of  hys  commaw[nde]ment. 

He  knowyt[h]  )>i  wyll  and  also  thy  harte, 

That  thow  dredyst  hym  above  all  thyng ; 
5  And  sum  of  thy  hevynes  for  to  departe,2 

A  f ayr  ram  jynder 8  I  gan  brynge ; 

He  standyth  teyed,  loo,  among  J>e  breres. 

Now,  Abraham,  amend  thy  mood, 
For  Ysaac,  thy  jowng  son  pat  her  ys, 
10  Thys  day  [thow]  schall  not  sched  hys  blood ; 

Goo,  make  thy  sacryfece  with  jon  rame. 
Now  farwyll,4  blyssyd  Abraham, 
For  onto  hevyn  I  goo  now  horn ; 

The  way  ys  full  gayn 6  [to  pace 6] ; 
15  Take  up  thy  son  soo  free.  [Exit. 

Abraham.    A,  Lord,  I  thanke  the  of  thy  gret  grace  1 
Now  am  I  teyed 7  on  dyvers  wysse ; 
Arysse  up,  Ysaac,  my  sunne,8  arysse ; 
Arysse,9  swete  chyld,  and  cum  to  me. 

20  Isaac.    A,  mercy,  fader  !  wy  smygth  je  nowt 10  ? 

A,  smygth  on,  fader,  onys  with  jowr  knyffe. 

Abraham.    Pesse,  my  swet  son,11  and  take  no  thowt, 
For  owr  Lord  of  hevyn  hath  grant  pi  lyffe 

Be  hys  angell  now,  that  )>ou  schalt  not  dey.12 
25  Isaac.    A,  fader,  full  glad  than  wer  I, 

1  a  hundred  times          5  near,  straight  9  MS.  arysse  up 

2  banish  8  pass ;  em.  H.  10  MS.  not  yyt  (em.  H.) 
8  yonder                          7  bound  (to  God);  MS.  yeyed        n  MS.  sir  (em.  M.) 

<  MS.  for-  8  MS.  dere  sunne  u  MS.  dey  \>\s  day  sunne  truly 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      513 

Iwys,  fader,  I  sey,  iwys, 
Yf  thys  tale  wer  trew  ! 

Abraham.   An  hundryd  tymys,  my  son  fayer  of  hew, 
For  joy  pi  mowth  now  wyll  I  kys. 

Isaac.    A,  my  dere  fader,  Abraham, 

Wyll  not  God  be  wroth  fat  we  do  thus  ? 

Abraham.    Noo,  noo  1  swet  l  son,  for  jyn  2  same  rame 
He  hath  sent  hether  down  to  us.3 


best  schall  dey  here  in  }>i  sted, 
In  the  wor}>schup  4  of  owr  Lord  alon  ;  10 

Goo,  fet  6  hym  hethyr,  my  chyld,  inded. 

Isaac.    1  6  wyll  goo  hent  7  hym  be  the  hed, 

Arid  bryng  gen  best  with  me  anon. 

[Isaac  catches  the  ram. 
A,  scheppe,  scheppe,  blyssyd  mot  ]>ou  be     . 

That  ever  thow  were  sent  down  hederl  15 

Thow  schall  thys  day  dey  for  me, 
In  the  worchup  of  the  holy  Trynyte. 

Now  cum  fast,  and  goo  we  togeder 


8 


To  my  fader  in  hy 
Thow  )>ou  be  never  so  jentyll  and  good, 
<^yt  had  I  lever  thow  schedyst  ]>i  blood, 

Iwysse,  scheppe,  than  I. 

Loo  !  fader,  I  have  browt  here  full  smerte9 
Thys  jentyll  scheppe,  and  to  10  jow  I  jyffe  ; 

IMS  swvt  Hether  down  to  us  ;  7  seize 

2        '      J  em.  suggested  by  M.  «  inhaste;MS.ofheven 

8  MS  4  MS.  worpschup  (em.  S.)  (em.  sugg.  by  M.) 

6  fptrh  9  promptly 

Noo,  noo  !  harly,  my  swyt  son,  10  M«  Kvm  to 

For  kyn  same  rame  he  hath  us  sent      6  MS.  Fader  I  l°  MS.  hym  to 


514  PLAYS 

Lord  l  God,  I  thanke  J>e  with  all  my  hart, 
For  I  am  glad  that  I  schall  leve,2 

And  kys  onys  my  dere  moder. 

Abraham.    Now  be  ryght  3  myry,  my  [owyne]  swete  chyld, 
5  For  thys  qwyke  best  fat  ys  so  myld 

Here  I  present  4  before  all  other. 

Isaac.    And  I  wyll  fast  begynne  to  blowe  ; 

Thys  fyer  schall  brene  6  a  full  good  sped.8 
But,  fader,  wyll  7  I  stowppe  downe  lowe, 
10  ^e  wyll  not  kyll  me  with  jowr  swerd,8  I  trowe  ? 

Abraham.    Noo,  har[de]ly,9  swet  son,  have  no  dred, 
My  mornyng  10  ys  past. 

Isaac.    I  u  woold  fat  swerd  8  wer  in  a  gled,12 
For  u  yt  make[th]  14  me  full  yll  agast. 

Here  ABRAHAM    mad  hys   ojfryng,  knelyng,  and 

seyyng  thus: 
15  Abraham.    Now,  Lord  God  of  heven  in  Trynyte, 

Allmyty  God  omnipotent, 
My  offeryng  I  make  in  the  worchope  of  the, 
And  with  thys  qweke  best  I  the  present  ; 
Lord,  reseyve  thow  myn  intent, 
20  As  [thow]  15  art  God,  and  grownd  16  of  owr  grace. 


speaks  from  heaven. 
God.    Abraham,  Abraham,  wyll  17  mot  thow  sped,18 
And  Ysaac,  fi  gowng  son  the  by  ! 

1  MS.  but  Lord  7  while  18  MS.  for  iwys  fader 

a  live  8  MS.  sword  14  em.  suggested  by  H. 

8MS.  rygth  9  certainly  ;  em.  M.  15  em.  M. 

*  MS.  schall  present  10  mourning  16  foundation,  source 

6  burn  "  MS.  £a  but  I  17  well 

6  speed  ;  MS.  spyd  *2  fire  (?)  ;  MS.  glad  (em.  M.)  18  prosper 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      5 '5 

Truly,  Abraham,  for  thys  dede 
I  schall  multyplye  jowr  bother l  sede 
As  thyke  as  sterres  be  in  the  skye, 

Bothe  more  and  lesse ; 

And  as  thyke  as  gravell  in  the  see,  5 

So  2  multyplyed  jowr  sede  schall  be ; 

Thys  grant  I  jow  for  jowr  goodnesse. 

Off  ;$ow  schall  cume  frowte  gret  [won],8 

And  ever  be  in  blysse  withowt[en]  end.4 
For  je  drede  me  as  God  alon,  10 

And  kepe  my  commawmentes  everych 5  on, 

My  blyssyng  I  jeffe,  wersoever  je  wend.6 

Abraham.    Loo,  Ysaac,  my  son,  how  thynke  56 

Be  thys  warke  that  we  have  wroght 7  ? 
Full  glad  and  blythe  we  may  be,  15 

Agens  Gods  wyll 8  fat  we  grucched  nott 

Upon  thys  fayer  heth.9 

Isaac.    A,  fader,  I  thanke  owr  Lord  every  dell 
That  my  wyt  servyd  me  so  wyll 

For  to  drede  God  more  than  my  deth.10  20 

Abraham.    Why  1  dereworby  n  son,  wer  thow  adred  ? 
Hardely,12  chyld,  tell  me  thy  lore.18 

Isaac.    «5a,  be  my  feyth,  fader,  now  have  u  I  red,16 
I  wos  never  soo  afrayd  before 

As  I  have  byn  at  jyn  hyll.  25 

But,  be  my  feyth,  fader,  I  swere 
I  wyll  nevermore  cume  there 

But  yt  be  agens  my  wyll. 

1  of  you  both;  MS.jowresbotheres     6  MS.  goo  (em.  H.)       »  precious  ;  MS.  -wordy 

2  MS.  so  thyke  7  MS.  wrogth  12  boldly,  unhesitatingly 

8  plenty  ;  em.  M.  8  MS.  be  wyll  of  God     ™  story,  what  is  in  thy  mind 

*  MS.  Sy'nd  9  MS.  hetth  u  MS.  hath  (em.  M.) 

5MS.  everysch  10  MS.  detth  -15  my  senses 


PLAYS 

Abraham.    Cum 1  on  with  me,  my  owyn  swet  sonn, 
And  homward  fast  now  let  us  goon. 

Isaac.    Be  2  my  feyth,  fader,  therto  I  on,8 
I  had  never  so  good  wyll  hom  to  gon,4 
5  And  to  speke  with  my  dere  moder. 

Abraham.    A !  Lord  of  hevyn,  I  thanke  the. 
For  now  may  I  led  hom  with  me 
Ysaac,  my  jownge  sonn  so  fre, 

The  gentyllest  chyld  above  all  other 5  — 
i°  Thys  may  I  wyll  avo[w  to  thjee.6 

Now  goo  we  forthe,  my  blyssyd  sonn. 

Isaac.    I  grant,  fader,  and  let  us  gon, 
For,  be  my  trowthe,  wer  I  at  home, 
I  wold  never  gon  owt  under  that  forme.7 

15  I  pray  God  jeffe  us  grace  evermo, 

And  all  tho 8  that  we  be  holdyng  '  to.  [Exeunt. 

EPILOGUE 
Enter  DOCTOR 

Doctor.    Lo,  sovereyns  and  sorys,10  now  have  we  schewyd  u 

Thys  solom  story 12  to  grete  and  smale ; 
It  ys  good  lernyng  to  lernd  and  lewyd 18 
20  And  pe  wysest  of  us  all, 

Wythowtyn  ony  berry ng.14 
For  thys  story  schewyt[h] 16  jowe  [her]  M 

1  MS.  53  cum  *  (?)  18  ignorant 

2  by  8  those ;  MS.  thow  M  outcry,  clamorous   protest 
8  consent;  MS.  grant  9  beholding  (see  NED. under  6ere,sb.) 
*  MS.  to  gon  hom  10  sirs  15  showeth ;  MS.  schoyt 

6  MS.  erthe  (em.  S.)       "  MS.  schowyd  l«  em.  M. 

«  MS.  avoee  12  MS-,  story  hath  schowyd  (em.  H.) 


THE  BROME  PLAY  OF  ABRAHAM  AND  ISAAC      517 

How  we  schuld  kepe,  to  owr  pofwejre,1 
Goddes  commawments  withowt  grochyng. 

Trowe  je,  sores,  and 2  God  sent  an  angell  [to  jow], 
And  commawndyd  jow  jowr  chyld  to  slayn,8 

Be  jowr  trowthe,  ys  ther  ony  of  jow  5 

That  eyther  wold  groche  or  stry ve  therageyn 4  ? 

How  thyngke  je  now,  sorys,  therby  ? 

I  trow  ther  be  iij,  or  iiij,  or  moo. 
And  thys5  women  that  wepe  sorowfully 

Whan  that  hyr  chyldryn  dey  them  froo  6 —  10 

As  nater  woll 7  and  kynd  — 
Yt  ys  but  folly,  I  may  well  avow,8 
To  groche  ajens  God  or  to  greve  gow, 
For  je  schall  never  se  hym  myschevyd,9  1 10  know, 

Be  lond  nor  watyr,  have  thys  in  mynd  ;  1 5 

And  groche  not  ajens  owr  Lord  God 

In  welth  or  woo,  wether  u  that  he  sow  send, 

Thow  je  be  never  so  hard  bestad ; 
For  when  he  wyll,  he  may  yt  amend, 

Hys  comawmentes  yf 12  je  kepe  with  good  hart,  20 

As  thys  story  hath  now  schewyd 13  jow  befor[n]e,14 

And  feytheffully  serve  hym  qwyll 15  56  be  qvart,16 
That  56  may  piece  God  bothe  evyn  and  morne. 

Now  Jesu,  that  weryd 1T  the  crown  of  thome, 

Bryng  us  all  to  hevyn  blysse !  25 

Finis. 

1  em.  M.  6  die  and  leave  them  12  MS.  treuly  yf 

2  if  7  MS.  woll  woll  (em.  S.)  18  MS.  schowyd 
8  MS.  to  smygth  of  £owr                   8  MS.  awooe  14  em.  H. 

childes  hed  (em.  H.)  9  afflicted  16  while 

*  against  this  10  MS.  wyll  I  16  healthy,  sound 

6  these  n  whichever  l"  MS.  weryt 


5i8  PLAYS       :- 

THE  YORK  NATIVITY  PLAY 

The  Earl  of  Ashburnham's  manuscript  (1430-1440),  now  MS.  Brit.  Mus. 
Add.  35,290,  was  edited  by  Lucy  Toulmin  Smith  as  York  Plays  (Oxford,  1885). 
Emendations  are  by  Miss  Smith  (S.) ;  Holthausen  (H.),  in  Herrig's  Archi-v 
85.  413;  Kolbing  (K.),  in  Engl.  Stud.  20.  187.  The  stage-directions  are  modern. 

The  form  of  the  seven-line  stanza  should  be  noted :  abab*c2b*c2. 

SCENE  I 
Bethlehem.    A  stable.    Enter  JOSEPH  and  MARY 

Jos.   Allweldand *  God  in  Trinite, 

I  praye  J>e,  Lord,  for  thy  grete  myght, 
Unto  thy  symple  servand  see, 

Here  in  J>is  place  wher  we  are  pight,2 
S  Oureself  allone ; 

Lord,  graunte  us  gode  herberow 8  )>is  nyght, 
Within  pis  wone.* 

For  we  haue  sought  both  uppe  and  doune, 

Thurgh  diverse  stretis  in  )ris  cite ; 

10  So  mekill  pepull  is  comen  to  towne, 

J>at  we  can  nowhare  herbered  be, 

Slike  prees  6  it  is 6 ; 
Forsuthe  I  can  no  socoure  see, 
But  belde 7  with  bestes.8 

15  And  yf  we  here  all  nyght  abide, 

We  shall  be  stormed  in  Jris  steede 9 ; 
J>e  walles  are  doune  on  ilke  a  side, 
]?e  ruffe  is  rayned 10  aboven  oure  hede, 

Als  have  I  roo.11 

20  Say,  Marie,  doughtir,  what  is  thy  rede 12  ? 

How  sail  we  doo  ? 

1  almighty  6  MS.  J>er  is  slike  prees  10  wet  with  rain 

2  pitched,  settled  1  lodge  u  rest,  peace 
*  harbor,  shelter                           8  MS.  belde  us  with  J>ere                       M  counsel 

4  place,  dwelling  bestes  (em.  H.,  K.) 

5  such  a  crowd  9  place 


THE  YORK  NATIVITY  PLAY  519 

For  in  grete  nede  nowe  are  we  stedde,1 

As  pou  thyselffe  the  soth  may  see, 
For  here  is  nowthir  cloth  ne  bedde, 
And  we  are  weyke  and  all  werie, 

And  fayne  wolde  rest.  5 

Now,  gracious  God,  for  thy  mercie, 
Wisse 2  us  pe  best ! 

Mar.    God  will  us  wisse,  full  wele  witt  je, 

]?erfore,  Joseph,  be  of  gud  chere, 

For  in  pis  place  borne  will  he  be  10 

J>at  sail  us  save  fro  sorowes  sere,8 

Bothe  even  and  morne. 
Sir,  witte  je  wele  pe  tyme  is  nere 
Hee4  will  be  borne. 

Jos.    f>an  behoves  us  bide  here  stille,  15 

Here  in  pis  same  place  all  pis  nyght. 
Mar.    ^a,  sir,  forsuth  it  is  Goddis  will. 
Jos.    J>an  wolde  I  fayne  we  had  sum  light, 

Whatso  befall ; 

It  waxes  myrke 5  unto  my  sight,  20 

And  colde  withall. 

I  will  go  gete  us  light  forthy,6 

And  fewell  f ande 7  with  me  to  bryng.  [Exit. 

Mar.   Allweldand  God  yow  governe  and  gy,8 

As  he  is  Sufferayne 9  of  all  thyng,  25 

Fo[r]  his  grete  myght ! 
And  lende  me  grace  to  his  lovyng 
f>at  I  me  dight 10 ! 

Nowe  in  my  sawle  grete  joie  have  I, 

I  am  all  cladde  in  comforte  clere ;  3° 

1  placed  5  dark;  MS.  right  myrke  'sovereign 

2  guide,  direct  6  therefore  10  prepare 
s  divers,  various                                7  seek 

*  when  he  8  guide 


520  PLAYS 

Now  will  be  borne  of  my  body 

Both  God  and  Man  togedir  in  feere,1 

Bliste  mott  he  be  1 
Jesu,  my  Son  fat  is  so  dere, 
5  Now  borne  is  he  1  —       [MARY  worships  the  child. 

Hayle,  my  Lord  God  !  hayle,  Prince  of  pees  ! 

Hayle,  my  Fadir !  and  hayle,  my  Sone  1 
Hayle  sovereyne  Sege,2  all  synnes  to  sesse 8 ! 

Hayle,  God  and  Man  in  erth  to  wonne 4 1 
10  Hayle  !  thurgh  whos  myht 

All  pis  worlde  was  first  begonne, 
Merknes  and  light. 

Sone,  as  I  sugett 5  am  of  thyne, 

Vowchesaffe,  swete  Sone,  [for  so]  I  pray  fe, 
15  That  I  myght  fe  take  in  armys  myne,6 

And  in  f  is  povre  wede  arraie 7  f  e. 

Graunte  me  fi  blisse, 
As  I  am  thy  modir  chosen  to  be 
In  sothfastnesse. 

SCENE  II 
Outside  the  stable.    Enter  JOSEPH 

20  Jos.    A,  Lorde  1  what 8  the  wedir  is  colde ! 

J>e  fellest 9  f reese 10  fat  evere  I  felyd. 
I  pray  God  helpe  ]>am  fat  is  olde,11 
And  namely 12  fam  fat  is  vnwelde,18 

So  may  I  saie. 
2r  Now,  gud  God,  fou  be  my  belde,14 

As  fou  best  may.  [A  sudden  light  shines. 

1  together  (redundant)  •  MS.  )>e  armys  of  myne  12  especially 

2  hero  7  MS.  to  araie  u  weak 

8  cease  «  how  "  shelter ;  MS.  brilde 

4  dwell  9  crudest  (em.  S.) 

6  subject ;  MS.    am    sympill  M  frost 

sugett  (K.  omits  sympill)          n  MS.  aide 


THE  YORK  NATIVITY  PLAY  521 

A,  Lord  God !  what  light  is  pis 

J>at  comes  shynyng  ]>us  sodenly  ? 
I  can  not  saie,  als  have  I  blisse. 

When  I  come  home  unto  Marie, 

f>an  sail  I  spirre.1  [Exit.   5 


SCENE  III 
Within  the  stable.    Enter  JOSEPH  to  MARY 

[/us.]    A  !  here[d] 2  be  God,  for  nowe  come  I. 
Mar.    ^e  ar  welcum,  sirre. 

Jos.    Say,  Marie  doghtir,  what  chere  with  pe  ? 

Mar.    Right  goode,  Joseph,  as  has  been  ay. 

Jos.    What 3  swete  thyng  is  pat  on  thy  kne  ?  10 

Mar.    It  is  my  Sone,  pe  soth  to  saye, 

J>at  is  so  gud. 
Jos.    Wele  is  me  I  bade 4  pis  day 

To  se  pis  Foode 5 ! 

Me  merveles  mekill  of  pis  light,  15 

J>at  p usgates 6  shynes  in  pis  place, 

Forsuth  it  is  a  selcouth 7  sight  1 

Mar.    J>is  hase  he  ordand 8  of  his  grace, 

My  Sone  so  sing, 
A  starne 9  to  be  shynyng  a  space  20 

At  his  bering.10 

For  Balam  tolde  ful  longe  beforne 
How  pat  a  sterne  shulde  rise  full  hye,11 
And  of  a  maiden  shulde  be  borne 12 


1  ask,  inquire  6  child  (lit.,  one  fed)  9  star 

a  em.  K.  6  thus  10  birth 

8  MS.  O  Marie  what  (em.  H.)  7  strange,  unusual  n  Num.  24.  17 

*  awaited  8  ordained  u  Isa.  7. 14 


522  PLAYS 

A  Sone *  fat  sail  oure  saffyng  *  be 

Fro  caris  kene. 
Forsuth  it  is  my  Sone  so  free 

Whame  he  gan  mene.8 

5  Jos.    Nowe  welcome,  Floure  fairest  of  hewe ! 

I  shall  f  e  menske  4  with  mayne  and  myght 
Hayle,  my  Maker  I  hayle,  Crist  Jesu  ! 
Hayle,  riall 5  Kyng,  Roote  of  all  right  1 

Hayle,  Saveour! 

10  Hayle,  my  Lorde,  Lemer 6  of  light ! 

Hayle,  blessid  Floure  1 

Mar.    Nowe,  Lord,  fat  all  f  is  worlde  schall  wynne, 
To  fe,  my  Sone,  is  fat  I  saye, 
Here  is  no  bedde  to  laye  the  inne, 
15  J>erfore,  my  dere  Sone,  I  fe  praye, 

Sen  it  is  so, 
Here  in  f  is  cribbe  I  myght  f  e  lay 

Betweene  bestis 7  two. 

And  I  sail  happe 8  f  e,  myn  owne  dere  Childe, 
20  With  such  clothes  as  we  have  here. 

Jos.    Marie,9  beholde  fes  beestis  mylde, 

They  make  lovyng  in  ther  manere 
As  ]> ei  wer  men  ; 

Forsothe  it  semes  wele  be  ther  chere 10 
25  J>are  Lord  fei  ken.11 

Mar.    Ther  Lorde  }>ai  kenne,  fat  wate  I  wele  — 
They  worshippe  hym  with  myght  and  mayne. 
The  wedir  is  colde,  as  ye  may  fele ; 


1  MS.  sonne  4  worship  8  wrap 

2  salvation  5  royal  9  MS.  O  Marie  (em.  K.) 
8  mean;  MS.bewhame  Balam  6  flasher  forth  10  look 

gon  mene  (em.  H.)  ?  MS.  }>er  bestis  (em.  H.,  K.)  J1  know,  recognize 


THE  YORK  NATIVITY  PLAY  523 

To  halde 1  hym  warme  }>ei  are  full  fayne 

With  fare  warme  breth, 
And  oondis  2  on  hym.    Is  noght  to  layne  8 

To  warme  hym  with  ? 

Nowe  4  slepis  my  Sone,  blist  mot  he  be  1  5 

And  lyes  full  warme  per  bestis  bytwene. 
Jos.    Nowe  *  is  fulfilled,  forsuth  I  see, 
J>at  Abacuc  in  mynde  gon  mene, 

By  5  prophicie : 
He  saide  oure  Savyoure  shall  be  sene  10 

Betwene  bestis  lye ; 

And  nowe  I  see  ]>e  same  in  sight. 

Mar.    ^a,  sir,  forsuth  fe  same  is  he. 

Jos.    Honnoure  and  worshippe  both  day  and  nyght, 

Aylastand  Lorde,  be  done  to  J>e,  15 

As 6  is  worthy  ! 
And  to 7  thy  service  I  oblissh 8  me 

With  herte 9  holy. 

Mar.    J>ou  mercyfull  Maker  most  myghty, 

My  God,  my  Lorde,  my  Sone  so  free,  20 

Thy  handemayden  forsoth  am  I, 

And  to  thi  service  I  oblissh  me, 

With  herte 9  entere.10 
Thy  blissing,  [now],  beseke  I  thee, 

Graunte  n  us  in 12  feere.  25 

1  keep  6  MS.  and  preched  by  (em.  K.)  »  MS.  all  myn  herte  (em.  K.) 

2  breathe  6  MS.  all  way  as  (em.  K.)  10  entire,  whole 

3  borrow  1  MS.  lord  to  (em.  K.)  u  MS.  )>ou  graunte  (em.  K.) 
*  MS.  O  nowe  (em.  K.)  *  oblige  me,  bind  myself  12  M&  all  in  (em.  K.) 

8.  Abacuc:  the  allusion  is  to  the  apocryphal  Pseudo-Matthew,  chap.  14, 
which  reads :  '  Then  was  fulfilled  that  which  was  spoken  by  Habakkuk  the 
prophet,  who  said,  Between  two  animals  thou  art  made  known.'  The  reference 
here  is  to  Hab.  3.  2,  where  the  Septuagint  version  reads :  '  Thou  shall  be 
known  between  the  two  living  creatures.' 


524  PLAYS 

THE  SECOND  TOWNELEY  SHEPHERDS'  PLAY 
(SECUNDA  PASTORUM) 

Gayley  thus  characterizes  this  piece  (Plays  of  our  Forefathers,  p.  182) :  '  The 
Wakefield  Secunda  ...  is  plot  within  plot,  developed  through  eight  closely 
consecutive  scenes,  and  crowded  with  action.  The  comic  adventure  is  indeed 
but  an  episode  —  this  "  sheep  stealing  of  Mak  "  —  but  it  has  its  beginning, 
middle,  and  end ;  the  motive,  the  devices,  and  the  progress  of  a  comedietta 
in  itself.  It  grows  out  of  and  belongs  to  the  conditions  with  which  the  en 
veloping  action  opens,  and  its  party  of  the  second  part  are  also  dramatic  per 
sons  in  the  main  action.  .  .  .  As  a  work  of  dramatic  genius  this  little  play, 
fwith  its  home-made  philosophy,  home-made  figures,  and  home-made  humor, 
with  its  comic  business,  its  sometimes  boisterous  spirits,  its  quiet  and  shrewd 
irony,  its  ludicrous  diction,  its  revelation  of  rural  manners,  its  simple  and 
healthful  creed,  its  radiant  and  naive  devoutness,  its  dramatic  anticipations, 
.postponements,  and  surprises,  stands  out  English  and  alone,  and  a  master 
piece.'  The  three  shepherds  he  thus  describes  (pp.  182-3) :  '  Coll,  the  first 
shepherd,  who  soliloquizes  concerning  political  philosophy,  a  kind  of  later 
fourteenth-century  populist  whom  it  refreshes  to  grumble  ;  .  .  .  Gyb,  the  second 
shepherd,  whose  vein  is  of  matrimonial  philosophy ;  .  .  .  and  Daw,  the  hind, 
whose  philosophy  is  eclectic,  who  swears  by  the  unborn  Christ  and  Saint 
Nicholas,  and  "  lets  the  world  pass."  He  it  is  who  sees  "  sudden  sights  in 
the  darkness " ;  who  warns  of  the  midnight-stalking  Mak ;  who  makes  that 
"  Yoman  "  of  the  king  lie  safely  down  between  them ;  it  is  he,  too,  who  dreams 
of  the  stolen  sheep,  and  conducts  the  vain  search  therefor ;  and  who,  fortu 
nately  flinging  back  to  Mak's  home  to  give  the  hypothetical  babe,  "  that  little 
day  starne,"  a  "  saxpence,"  lifts  up  the  clout  and  diagnoses  the  fraud  that  has 
been  practised  upon  them.'  According  to  Pollard  (English  Miracle  Plays, 
p.  189),  Mak  is  probably  adapted  from  the  favorite  comic  character,  the  con 
jurer  and  buffoon  Maugis,  of  the  romance  of  the  Four  Sons  of  Ay  man.  Pollard's 
general  estimate  is  (England's  edition,  p.  xxx)  :  '  The  Secunda  Pastorum  .  .  . 
is  really  perfect  as  a  work  of  art.' 

The  play  is  written,  like  four  others  in  the  Towneley  series  —  Noah,  Prima 
Pastorum,  Herod,  and  the  Buffeting — and  parts  of  others  (cf.  Pollard's  remarks 
in  England's  edition,  pp.  xxi  ff. ;  Gayley,  op.  fit.,  pp.  163  ff.)  in  a  nine-line  stanza, 
rhyming  aaaa*b1ccc2b1,  where  the  superior  numbers  denote  the  number  of 
feet  in  the  line  (the  a-lines  have  each  four  feet,  for  instance).  In  reality,  how 
ever,  there  are  four  rhymes  to  the  stanza,  instead  of  three,  since  each  of  the 
a-lines  has  a  rhyme  in  the  middle ;  the  scheme  may  therefore  be  represented 
thus  (cf.  Pollard,  p.  xxii)  :  abababab2c1ddd2c1.  All  the  stanzas  save  one 
(535  14  ff.)  are  constructed  on  this  model,  and  that  has  lost  two  of  the  four 
opening  lines. 

Not  to  mention  earlier  editions,  the  play  was  printed  in  1897  by  England 
(The  Towneley  Plays,  E.E.T.S.  Ex.  Ser.,  No.  71,  pp.  116-40),  and  by  Manly 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          525 

(Spec.  Pre-Shak.  Drama  I.  94-119,  with  a  few  emendations  by  Kittredge);  in 
1909  by  Hemingway  (English  Nativity  Plays,  pp.  188-214);  and  in  part  by 
Pollard  (English  Miracle  Plays,  pp.  31-43).  Emendations  by  Kolbing  are  in 
Engl.  Stud.  21.  165-6.  Modernizations  are  to  be  found  in  Everyman's  Library 
(Everyman,  -with  Other  Interludes,  ed.  by  Ernst  Rhys)  and  (better)  in  the  River 
side  Literature  Series  (The  Second  Shepherds1  Play,  etc.,  ed.  by  C.  G.  Child) ; 
the  latter  has  a  good  bibliographical  introduction,  pp.  27-8. 

The  manuscript  may  be  dated  about  1460,  and  the  composition  of  the  plays 
may  extend  approximately  from  1360-1410  (Pollard,  in  England's  edition, 
pp.  xxvii-xxviii).  Miss  Hope  Traver  (Mod.  Lang.  Notes  20  (1905).  5)  con 
cludes  from  the  use  of  the  word  '  crochett '  (551  7),  introduced  into  the  lan 
guage,  before  1400,  that  the  Secunda  Pastonim  was  written  'perhaps  about 
1400  or  a  little  later'  (for  other  references  to  music  see  532  16  ff.;  54225ff.; 
5449;  55424). 

The  stage-directions  are  modern.  For  Primus  Pastor,  Uxor,  etc.,  I  have 
substituted  the  proper  names  in  the  text;  thus  :  Coll  for  Primus  Pastor;  Gib 
for  Secundus  (iius)  Pastor;  Daw  for  Tertius  (iiius)  Pastor;  Gill  for  Uxor 
(fius),  etc. 

CHARACTERS  OF  THE  PLAY 

COLL,  the  First  Shepherd 

GIB,  the  Second  Shepherd 

DAW,  the  Third  Shepherd,  or  rather  Gib's  servant 

MAK,  the  Thief 

GILL,  MaKs  Wife 

THE  VIRGIN  MARY,  with  the  Child  Jesus 

AN  ANGEL 

SCENE  I 

The  moors  near  Horbury,  in  the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire 
Enter  COLL,  the  First  Shepherd 

Coll.    Lord,  what  these  weders  *  ar  cold  !  and  I  am  yll  happyd 2 ; 
I  am  nerehand  3  dold,4  so  long  have  I  nappyd ; 
My  legys  thay  fold,  my  fyngers  ar  chappyd ; 
It  is  not  as  I  wold,  for  I  am  al  lappyd 5 
In  sorow, 

1  weathers,  storms  3  nearly  6  lapped,  enveloped 

2  wrapped,  clothed  4  numb 


526  PLAYS 

In  stormes  and  tempest  — 

Now  in  the  eest,  now  in  the  west. 

Wo  is  hym  has  never  rest 

Mydday  nor  morow  I 

5  Bot  we  sely l  husbandys  2  that  walkys  on  the  moore, 

In  fayth  we  are  nerehandys  outt  of  the  doore.3 
No  wonder,  as  it  standys,  if  we  be  poore, 
Ffor  the  tylthe  4  of  cure  landys  lyys  falow  as  the  floore, 

As  ye  ken. 
10  We  ar  so  lamyd,5 

Ffortaxed  6  and  ramyd,7 
We  ar  mayde  handtamyd 8 

With 9  thyse  gentlery-men.10 

Thus  thay  refe  n  us  oure  rest  —  oure  Lady  theym  wary 12 1 
15  These  men  that  ar  lord-fest,18  thay  cause  the  ploghe  tary. 

That 14  men  say  is  for  the  best,  we  fynde  it  contrary ; 
Thus  ar  husbandys  opprest,  in  po[i]nte  to 15  myscary 

On  lyfe. 

Thus  hold  thay  us  hunder, 
20  Thus  thay  bryng  us  in  blonder le ; 

It  were  greatte  wonder 

And 17  ever  shuld  we  thryfe. 

Ther 18  shall  com  a  swa[y]ne 19  as  prowde  as  a  po 20 ; 
He  must  borow  my  wa[y]ne,21  my  ploghe  also ; 
25  Then  I  am  full  fa[y]ne  ^  to  graunt  or 28  he  go. 

Thus  lyf  we  in  payne,  anger,  and  wo, 
By  nyght  and  day ; 

1  helpless,  miserable  7  oppressed  W  confusion,  trouble 

2  husbandmen    (see  1.  17);    8  reduced  to  submission     17  if 

MS.  shepardes  (em.  sug-  9  by  18  MS.  transposes  this  stanza  and 

gested  by  M.)  10  gentry  the  next  (em.  K.) 

8  nearly  homeless  n  take  from  19  swain 

4  surface  (?)  (there  is  arable  u  curse  2°  peacock 

land  among  the  moors)     18  bound  to  a  lord  21  wagon 

5  MS.  hamyd  (em.  H.)  14  what  22  MS.  swane,  wane, fane  (em.  K.) 

6  overtaxed  ^  in  peril  of ;  em.  E.          w  ere 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          527 

He  must  have  if  he  langyd,1 
If  I  shuld  forgang 2  it, 
I  were  better  be  hangyd 

Then  oones 8  say  hym  nay. 


Ffor  may  he  gett  a  paynt  slefe,4  or  a  broche,  now-on-dayes, 
Wo  is  hym  that  hym  grefe,  or  onys  aganesays 6 ! 
Dar  no  man  hym  reprefe,6  what  mastry 7  he  mays,8 
And  yit  may  no  man  lefe  9  oone  word  that  he  says  — 

No  letter. 

He  can  make  purveance  10 
With  boste  and  bragance,11 
And  all  is  thrugh  mantenance 12 

Of  men  that  are  gretter. 

It  dos  me  good,  as  I  walk  thus  by  myn  oone,18 
Of  this  warld  for  to  talk  in  maner  of  mone.14 
To  my  shepe  wyll  I  stalk,  and  herkyn  anone, 
Ther  abyde  on  a  balk,15  or  sytt  on  a  stone, 

Fful  soyne lc ; 
Ffor  I  trowe,  perde,17 
Trew  men  if  thay  be, 
We  gett  more  compane 18 

Or  it  be  noyne.19 

Enter  GIB,  the  Second  Shepherd.    He  fails  to  see  COLL 

Gib.    Benste 20  and  Dominus  !    What  may  this  bemeyne  a  ? 
Why  fares  this  warld  thus  ?    Oft  have  we  not  sene  ? 

1  desired  8  makes,  shows  ls  ridge 

2  do  without  9  believe  1G  soon 

3  once  10  provision  for  himself  *'  par  Dieit 

4  sleeve  embroidered  in  colors  n  bragging  18  company 

5  contradicts  12  countenance,  backing  ]9  notm 

6  reprove  18  myself  20  benedicite 

1  masterful  behavior  w  lamentation  21  mean,  signify 


528  PLAYS 

Lord,  thyse  winds 1  ar  spytus,2  and  the  weders  8  full  kene, 
And  the  f rostys  so  hydus  4  thay  water  myn  eeyne  — 

No  ly.6 

Now  in  dry,  now  in  wete, 
5  Now  in  snaw,  now  in  slete ; 

When  my  shone 6  f reys  to  my  fete, 

It  is  not  all  esy. 

Bot  as  far  as  I  ken,  or  yit  as  I  go, 
We  sely  wedmen 7  dre 8  mekyll  wo, 
10  We  have  sorow  then  and  then,  it  fallys  oft  so. 

Sely  Capyle,  oure  hen,  both  to  and  fro 

She  kakyls, 
Bot  begyn  she  to  crok, 
To  groyne,9  or  [to  clo]k,10 
1 5  Wo  is  hym  n  oure  cok, 

Ffor  he  is  in  the  shakyls 12 1 

These  men  that  ar  wed  have  not  all  thare  wyll ; 

When  they  ar  full  hard  sted,18  thay  sygh  full  styll ; 

God  wayte 14  thay  ar  led  full  hard  and  full  yll ; 
20  In  bower  nor  in  bed  thay  say  noght  thertyll 

This  tyde. 

My  parte  have  I  fun,15 

I  know  my  lesson  : 

Wo  is  hym  that  is  bun,16 
25  Ffor  he  must  abyde.17 

Bot  now  late  in  oure  lyfys  (a  mervell  to  me, 
That  I  thynk  my  hart  ryfys 18  sich  wonders  to  see  — 
What  that  destany  dryfys  it  shuld  so  be !) 
Som  men  wyll  have  two  wyfys,  and  som  men  thre 
30  In  store  1 

1  MS.  weders  (em.  sug-      1  See  line  17,  below  H  knows 

gested  by  M.)  8  endure,  suffer  K>  found 

2  spiteful  9  grumble  16  bound 

8  storms  10  em.  E.  17  stay  as  he  is 

•*  hideous  •  n  MS.  hym  is  of  (em.  suggested  by  M.)         18  is  riven  asunder 

6  He  12  shackles,  bonds  of  wedlock ;  MS.  shekyls 

6  shoes  18  beset 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          529 

Som  ar  wo  that  has  any, 
Bot  so  far  [as]  can 1  I, 
Wo  is  hym  that  has  many, 

Ffor  he  felys  sore. 

Bot,  yong  men,  of 2  wowyng,  for  God  that  you  boght,  5 

Be  well  war 8  of  wedyng,  and  thynk  in  youre  thoght : 
'  Had  I  wyst 4 '  is  a  thyng  it  servys  of  noght. 
Mekyll  styll  mowrnyng  has  wedyng  home  broght, 

And  grefys, 

With  many  a  sharp  showre ;  10 

Ffor  thou  may  each  in  an  owre 
That  shall  [savour] 5  fulle  sowre 

As  long  as  thou  lyffys. 

Ffor  —  as  ever  red  I  pystyll 6 !  —  I  have  oone  to  my  fere 7 
As  sharp  as  a  thystyll,  as  rugh  as  a  brere  ;  1 5 

She  is  browyd 8  lyke  a  brystyll,  with  a  sowre-loten 9  chere 10 ; 
Had  she  oones  wett  hyr  whystyll,  she  couth  syng  full  clere 

Hyr  Pater  Noster. 
She  is  as  greatt  as  a  whall u ; 

She  has  a  galon  of  gall ;  20 

By  hym  that  dyed  for  us  all, 

I  wald  I  had  ryn 12  to 13  I  had  lost  hir 14 ! 

Coll.    '  God  looke  over  the  raw 15 ! '    Ffull  defly le  ye  stand  ! 
Gib.    Yee,  the  dewill  in  thi  maw  so  tariand 17 1 
Sagh  thou  awre 18  of  Daw  ?  25 

Coll.  Yee,  on  a  ley 19  land 

Hard  I  hym  blaw.    He  commys  here  at  hand, 
Not  far, 

1  know  9  sour-looking  16  deaf 

2  as  to  10  expression  17  tarrying 

8  beware  well  n  whale  18  anywhere ;  MS.  awro  (see 

4  known  l'2  run  NED.  s.v.  owhere) 

5  em.  E.  1S  till  19  fallow,  unplowed 

6  epistle  14  '  I  wald  I  had  lost  hir '  would 
1  for  my  mate  be  more  metrical 

8  has  brows  15  row 


530  PLAYS 

Stand  styll. 

Gib.  Qwhy  ? 

Coll.    Ffor  he  commys,  hope  I. 

Gib.    He  wyll  make  us  both  a  ly * 

Bot-if  we  be  war.2 

• 

Enter  DAW,  the  Third  Shepherd.    At  first  he  thinks  himself  alone 

5  Daw.    Crystys  crosse  me  spede  and  Sant  Nycholas  1 

Therof  had  I  nede,  it  is  wars  then  it  was. 
Whoso  couthe  take  hede  and  lett  the  warld  pas, 
It  is  ever  in  drede,  and  brekyll 8  as  glas, 

And  sly  thy  s.4 

10  This  warld  fowre  6  never  so, 

With  mervels  mo  and  mo  — 
Now  in  weyll,6  now  in  wo, 

And  all  thyng  wrythys.7 

Was  never  syn  Noe 8  floode  sich  floodys  seyn, 
15  Wyndys  and  ranys  so  rude,  and  stormes  so  keyn  — 

Som  stamerd,  som  stod  in  dowte,  as  I  weyn. 
Now  God  turne  all  to  good !    I  say  as  I  mene, 

Ffor  ponder : 

These  floodys  so  thay  drowne, 
20  Both  in  feyldys  and  in  towne, 

And  berys  all  downe, 

And  that  is  a  wonder !  [Catches  sight  of  the  others. 

We  that  walk  on  the  nyghtys,  oure  catell  to  kepe, 
We  se  sodan  syghtys,  when  othere  men  slepe. 
25  Yit  me  thynk  my  hart  lyghtys,9  I  se  shrewys  10  pepe. 

[Still  soliloquizing. 

Ye  ar  two  [t]all u  wyghtys  —  I  wyll  gyff  my  shepe 
A  turne. 

1  lie  6  fared  9  grows  light 

2  wary  6  weal  M  rascals 

8  brittle  7  turns,  changes  n  em.  Kittredge 

*  slides  8  Noah's 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          531 

—  Bot  full  yll  have  I  ment 1 : 
As  I  walk  on  this  bent,2 

I  may  lyghtly  repent, 

My  toes  if  I  spurne.3 

\Hefirst  addresses  COLL,  then  his  master,  GIB. 
A,  sir,  God  you  save,  2nd  master  myne !  5 

—  A  drynk  fayn  wold  I  have,  and  somwhat  to  dyne. 

Coll.    Crystys  curs,  my  knave,  thou  art  a  ledyr  4  hyne  "  1 
Gib.    What,  the  boy  lyst  rave  !    Abyde  unto  syne 6 ; 

We  have  made 7  it. 

Yll  thryft  on  thy  pate  !  10 

Though  the  shrew  cam  late, 
Yit  is  he  in  state 

To  dyne,  if  he  had  it. 

Daw.    Sich  servandys  as  I,  that  swettys  and  swynkys,8 

Etys  cure  brede  full  dry,  and  that  me  forthynkys.9  35 

We  ar  oft  weytt  and  wery  when  master-men  wynkys,10 

Yit  commys  full  lately  u  both  dyners  and  drynkys. 

Bot  nately 12 

Both  oure  dame  and  oure  syre, 

When  we- have  ryn  in  the  myre,  20 

Thay  can  nyp 13  at  oure  hyre, 

And  pay  us  full  lately. 

Bot  here  my  trouth,  master,  for  the  fayr 14  that  ye  make, 
I  shall  do  theraf ter 16  —  wyrk  as  I  take  ; 

I  shall  do  a  lytyll,  sir,  and  emang16  ever  lake,17  25 

Ffor  yit  lay  my  soper  never  on  my  stomake 
In  feyldys. 

1  planned  (to  visit  the  sheep,      6  wait  till  later  12  to  some  purpose,  thoroughly 

since  he  may  stumble  in      1  finished  ;  MS.  mayde     18  take  away  bits 
the  dark)  8  toil  u  wages 

2  heath,  open  field  9  grieves  15  in  proportion 

8  stub  10  sleep  16  the  whole  time 

*  worthless  u  reluctantly,  after  the    I7  be  lacking 

6  hind  proper  time 


532  PLAYS 

Wherto  shuld  I  threpe l  ? 
With  my  staf  can  I  lepe, 
And  men  say,  '  Lyght  chepe 2 

Letherly  8  foryeldys.4 ' 

5    Coll.    Thou  were  an  yll  lad  to  ryde  on 5  wowyng 
With  a  man  that  had  hot  lytyll  of  spendyng. 
Gib.    Peasse,  boy,  I  bad  !  —  no  more  jangling, 
Or  I  shall  make  the  full  rad,6  by  the  hevens  Kyng, 

With  thy  gawdys 7 ! 

10  Wher  ar  oure  shepe,  boy,  we  skorne 8  ? 
Daw.    Sir,  this  same  day  at  morne 
I  thaym  left  in  the  corne, 

When  thay  rang  lawdys 9 ; 

Thay  nave  pasture  good,  thay  can  not  go  wrong. 
1 5  Coll.    That  is  right,  by  the  roode  1  thyse  nyghtys  ar  long  ; 

Yit  I  wold,  or  we  yode,10  oone  gaf  us  a  song. 

Gib.    So  I  thoght  as  I  stode  —  to  myrth  us  emong.11 

Daw.  I  grauntt. 

Coll.    Lett  me  syng  the  tenory. 
20  Gib.    And  I  the  tryble  so  hye. 

Daw.    Then  the  meyne 12  fallys  to  me ; 

Lett  se  how  you  chauntt.  [They  sing. 

Enter  MAK,  with  a  cloak  thrown  over  his  tunic ls 

Mak.   Now,  Lord,  for  thy  naymes  vii,  that  made  both  moyn  and  stames, 
Well  mo  then  I  can  neven,14  thi  will,  Lorde,  of  me  tharnys 15 ; 
25  I  am  all  uneven 16  —  that  moves  oft  my  harnes 17 ; 

Now  wold  God  I  were  in  heven,  for  the[re] 18  wepe  no  barnes  19 
So  styll  1 

1  complain  8  (?)  14  name 

2  easy  bargain         9  lauds  (before  daybreak)  ls  lacks 

s  badly  10  before  we  went  16  at  odds,  at  sixes  and  sevens 

4  repays  H  to  gladden  us  the  while  17  brains 

6  a-  12  middle  part  18  em.  E. 

6  frightened  18  MS.  Tune  intrat  Mak,  in  clamide  19  children 
?  tricks                          se  super  togam  vestitus 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          533 

Coll.   Who  is  that  pypys  so  poore  ? 
Mak.   Wold  God  ye  wyst  how  I  f oore *  1 
[C<?//.2]    Lo,  a  man  that  walkys  on  the  moore, 
And  has  not  all  his  wyll ! 

Gib.    Mak,  where  has  thou  gon 8  ?   Tell  us  tythyng.4  5 

Daw.    Is  he  commen  ?   Then  ylk  on  take  hede  to  his  thyng.8 

[Snatches  his  own  cloak  from  MAK.' 
Mak.    What !    Ich  be  a  yoman,  I  tell  you,  of  the  king, 

[Pretending  not  to  know  them. 
The  self  and  the  same,  sond 7  from  a  greatt  lordyng, 

And  sich.8 

Ffy  on  you  1    Goyth  hence  10 

Out  of  my  presence ! 
I  must  have  reverence  — 

Why,  who  be  Ich  ? 

Coll.   Why  make  ye  it  so  qwaynt,9  Mak  ?   Ye  do  wrang. 
Gib.    Bot,  Mak,  lyst  ye  saynt10  ?    I  trow  that  ye  lang.11  15 

Daw.    I  trow  the  shrew 12  can  paynt,18  the  dewyll  myght  hym  hang ! 
Mak.    Ich  shall  make  complaynt,  and  make  you  all  to  thwang,14 

At  a  worde, 

And  tell  evyn  15  how  ye  doth. 

Coll.    Bot,  Mak,  is  that  sothe  ?  20 

Now  take  outt  that  sothren  16  tothe, 

And  sett  in  a  torde 17 ! 

Gib.    Mak,  the  dewill  in  youre  ee  !    A  stroke  wold  I  leyne 18  you. 
Daw.    Mak,  know  ye  not  me  ?    By  God,  I  couthe  teyn 19  you. 
Mak.    God  looke 20  you  all  thre  J    Me  thoght  I  had  sene  you,  25 

[As  if  recognizing  them. 

1  fared  8  so  forth  16  southern  (Child  under- 

2  em.  Child  9  do  you  behave  so  strangely  stands  '  deceitful ') 

3  MS.  gom  (em.  E.)  10  play  the  saint  I7  piece  of  dung 

4  news  n  are  restless  (love  change  ?)  18  lend 

5  property  u  rascal  19  trouble 

6  MS.  &  accipitclamidem  18  deceive  *  bless 

ab  ipso  14  to  be  whipped 

7  messenger  15  exactly 


534  PLAYS 

Ye  ar  a  fare  compane. 

Coll.  Can  ye  now  mene  you *  ? 

Gib.  Shrew,  jape 2 1 

Thus  late  as  thou  goys, 
What  wyll  men  suppos  ? 
5  And  thou  has  an  yll  noys 8 

Of  stelyng  of  shepe. 

Mak.   And  I  am  trew  as  steyll,  all  men  waytt 4 ; 

Bot  a  sekenes  I  feyll  that  haldys 5  me  full  haytt 6 : 

My  belly  farys  not  weyll,  it  is  out  of  astate. 
10  Daw.    '  Seldom  lyys  the  dewyll  dede  by  the  gate/ 

Mak.  Therfor 

Full  sore  am  I  and  yll, 

If  I  stande  stone-styll. 

I  etc  not  an  nedyll 7 
15  Thys  moneth  and  more. 

Coll.    How  farys  thi  wyff  ?    By  my  hoode,  how  farys  sho  ? 
Mak.    Lyys  walteryng,8  by  the  roode,  by  the  fyere,  lo  1 
And  a  howse  full  of  brude 9 ;  she  drynkys  well,  to. 
Yll  spede  othere  good  that  she  wyll  do ! 
20  Bot  s[h]o 10 

Etys  as  fast  as  she  can ; 
And  ilk  yere  that  commys  to  man 
She  bryngys  furth  a  lakan,11 

And,  som  yeres,  two. 

25  Bot  were  I  not  more  gracy[o]us,12  and  rychere  be 18  far, 

I  were  14  eten  outt  of  howse  and  of  harbar 15 ; 
Yit  is  she  a  fowll  dowse,16  if  ye  com  nar ; 
Ther  is  none  that  trowse  nor  knowys  a  war  " 
Then  ken  I. 

1  remember  J  particle,  bit  18  by 

2  make  jokes  8  rolling  about  u  should  be 
8  reputation                                         »  brood,  children  w  shelter 

*  know  10  em.  H.  w  doxy 

6  keeps  n  baby  (lit.  toy)  lr  worse 

6  hot  u  prosperous 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          535 

Now  wyll  ye  se  what  I  prefer : 
To  gyf  all  in  my  cofer 
To-morne  at  next l  to  offer 

Hyr  hed-maspenny.2 

Coll.    I  am  cold  and  nakyd,  and  wold  have  a  fyere.  5 

Gib.    I  wote  so  forwakyd 8  is  none  in  this  shyre  ! 

I  wold  slepe  if  4  I  takyd  les  to  my  hyere.5 

Daw.    I  am  wery,  forrakyd,6  and  run  in  the  myre  — 

Wake  thou ! 

Gib.    Nay,  I  wyll  lyg  downe  by,  10 

Ffor  I  must  slepe  truly. 
Daw.    As  good  a  mans  son  was  I 

As  any  of  you.7 

Bot,  Mak,  com  heder  I  betwene  shall  thou  lyg  downe. 

Mak.    Then  myght  I  lett 8  you  bedene 9  of  that  ye  wold  rowne.10      1 5 

No  drede.  \He  says  his  prayers. 

'  Ffro  my  top  to  my  too, 

1  at  length  (?)  5  hire  8  hinder 

2  funeral  dues  (see  6  22)  6  worn  out  with  walking  9  completely 

3  weary  with  waking  "  Two  lines  are  apparently  10  whisper 

4  even  if  lost  here 

5.  Coll :  MS.  gives  this  line  to  Daw,  and  makes  it  follow  Gib's  next  speech  ; 
but  Gib's  speech  requires  Daw's  next  as  an  immediate  answer. 

8.  Daw :  MS.  assigns  this  to  Coll,  but  Daw  and  his  master,  Gib,  are  having 
a  dispute  as  to  who  shall  keep  awake. 

17.  In  the  Prima  Pastorum  (290-5),  one  of  the  shepherds  says,  as  they  pre 
pare  to  lie  down  :  pfor  ferde  we  be  fryhtj  a  crosse  let  us  kest . 

'  Cryst-crosse,  benedyght  eest  and  west, 

Ffor  drede. 
Jesus  onazorus, 
Crucyefixus, 
Morcus,  Andreus, 

God  be  oure  spede ! ' 

Cf.  the  blessing  in  Chaucer's  Miller's  Tale  292-300 : 

Therwith  the  nightspel  seyde  he  anonrightes 

On  foure  halves  of  the  hous  aboute, 

And  on  the  threshfold  of  the  dore  withoute : 

'  Jesu  Crist,  and  seynt  Benedight, 
Blesse  this  hous  from  every  wikked  wight, 
For  nightes  verye,  the  white  Pater  Noster\ 
Where  wentestow,  seynt  Petres  soster  ? ' 


536  PLAYS 

Manus  tuas  commcndo? 
Poncio  Pilato  ; 

Cryst-crosse  me  spede ! ' 

[  While  the  Shepherds  sleep  on,  he  rises* 

Now  were  tyme  for  a  man  that  lakkys  what  he  wold 
5       To  stalk  prevely  than  unto  a  fold, 

And  neemly 8  to  wyrk  than,  and  be  not  to  bold, 
Ffor  he  might  aby  4  the  bargan,  if  it  were  told 

At  the  endyng. 

Now  were  tyme  for  to  reyll 6 ; 
10       Bot  he  nedys  good  counsell 
That  fayn  wold  fare  weyll, 

And  has  bot  lytyll  spendyng.6        \He  works  a  spell. 

Bot  abowte  you  a  serkyll,7  as  rownde  as  a  moyn,8 
Kest9  now10  I  wyll,  tyll  that  it  be  noyn, 
1 5      That  ye  lyg  stone-styll  to  that  I  have  doyne ; 

And  I  shall  say  thertyll  of  good  wordys  a  f oyne  n : 

'  On  hight, 

Over  youre  heydys,  my  hand  I  lyft. 
Outt  go  youre  een  !  fordo 12  your  syght  1 '  — 
20       Bot  yit  I  must  make  better  shyft, 
And 1S  it  be  right. 

Lord,  what 14  thay  slepe  hard !  —  that  may  ye  all  here. 
Was  I  never  a  shepard,  bot  now  wyll  I  lere 16 ; 
If  the  flok  be  skard,16  yit  shall  I  nyp  "  nere. 
25       How !  drawes  hederward  !    Now  mendys  oure  chere 
Ffrom 18  sorow ; 

1  Cf.  Luke  23. 46  8  oy  phonetically  =  o  in  this     l2  destroy 

2  MS.  Tune  surgit,  pastoribus  dormi-  text  18  if 

entibus,  &  dicit  :  9  cast  (see  note  on  535 17)  l*  how 

«  nimbly  10  MS.  to  I  have  done  that;  15  learn 

»  atone  for  but  this  seems  to  have  16  frightened 

6  ramble  been  anticipated  from  17  steal  up 

6  money  to  spend  next  line  by  some  scribe  18  MS.(ffronem.E.) 

7  circle  (a  magician's  imaginary  circle)  u  few 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          537 

A  fatt  shepe,  I  dar  say ! 
A  good  flese,  dar  I  lay l ! 
Ef twhyte 2  when  I  may, 

Bot  this  will  I  borow.  [Exit  with  the  sheep. 

SCENE  II 
MAK'S  cottage.    Enter  MAK 

[MakJ]    How,  Gyll,  art  thou  in  ?    Gett  us  som  lyght.  e 

Gill.    Who  makys  sich  dyn  this  tyme  of  the  nyght  ? 

I  am  sett  for  to  spyn,  I  hope  not  I  myght 

Ryse  a  penny  to  wyn,8  I  shrew 4  them  on  hight 5 1 

So  farys 

A  huswyff  that  has  bene  —  10 

To  be  rasyd  6  thus  betwene,7 
Here  may  no  note 8  be  sene, 

Ffor9  sich  small  chary s.10 

Mak.    Good  wyff,  open  the  hek  u  !    Seys  thou  not  what  I  bryng  ? 
Gill.    I  may  thole  12  the  dray 18  the  snek.14   A,  com  in,  my  swetyng  !  15 
Mak.    Yee,  thou  thar 15  not  rek  of 16  my  long  standyng. 

{Reproachfully. 

Gill.    By  the  nakyd  nek  art  thou  lyke  for  to  hyng. 
Mak.  Do  way 1T 1 

I  am  worthy  my  mete, 

Ffor,  in  a  strate,18  can  I  gett  20 

More  then  thay  that  swynke  and  swette 

All  the  long  day.  [Shows  GILL  the  sheep. 

Thus  it  fell  to  my  lott,  Gyll,  I  had  sich  grace.19 
Gill.    It  were  a  fowll  blott  to  be  hanged  for  the  case. 

1  wager  7  ever  and  anon  H  latch 

2  return,  repay  8  work  (i.e.  completed  task)  16  need 

3  I  do  not  expect  that  I  could  9  because  of  16  care  about 

gain  a  penny  by  rising  10  jobs  17  get  along 

4  curse  n  inner  door  18  at  a  pinch 
6  aloud,  openly                                         u  suffer                                                  w  luck 

6  rushed  u  to  draw 


PLAYS 

Mak.    I  have  skapyd,  Jelott,1  oft  as  hard  a  glase.2 

Gill.   '  Bot  so  long  goys  the  pott  to  the  water,'  men  says, 

'  At  last 

Comys  it  home  broken.' 
S  Mak.    Well  knowe  I  the  token, 

Bot  let  it  never  be  spoken  !  — 

Bot  com  and  help  fast. 

I  wold  he  were  slayn,  I  lyst  well  etc 8 ; 

This  twelmo[n]the  4  was  I  not  so  fayn  of  oone  shepe-mete.8 
10  Gill.    Com  thay  or6  he  be  slayn,  and  here  the  shepe  blete  — 

Mak.    Then  myght  I  be  tane.    That  were  a  cold  swette ! 
Go  spar7 

The  gaytt 8  doore. 

Gill.    Yis,  Mak. 
1 5  Ff or  and  thay  com  at  thy  bak  — 

Mak.    Then  myght  I  far,  by  9  all  the  pak, 
The  dewill  of  the  war.10 

Gill.    A  good  bowrde  n  have  I  spied,  syn  thou  can 12  none : 

Here  shall  we  hym  hyde,  to 18  thay  be  gone, 
20  In  my  credyll.14  —  Abyde  15 !    Lett  me  alone  !  — 

And  I  shall  lyg  besyde  in  chyl[d]bed,  and  grone. 

Mak.  Thou  red,16 

And  I  shall  say  thou  was  lyght 17 

Of  a  knave 18  childe  this  nyght. 
25  Gill.    Now  well  is  me  day 19  bright 

That  ever  was  I  bred  ! 

This  is  a  good  gyse,20  and  a  far[e]  cast,21 
Yit  a  woman[s]  avyse  helpys  at  the  last. 

1  French  form  of  '  Gill '  (?)  »  fare,  at  the  hands  of ;  MS.        "  cradle 

2  rub,  swipe,  plight  (lit.  blow)  by  for  (em.  Skeat,  Loge-        15  wait 

8  greatly  desire  to  eat  man)  16  make  ready 

*  em.  K.  10  the  devil  the  worse,  a  devil-  17  delivered 

5  meal  of  mutton  ish  deal  worse  18  boy 

6  ere  u  jest  19  the  day 
'  fasten  **  knowest  m  way 

8  outer  18  until  21  clever  contrivance 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          539 

I  wote  never  who  spy  se ;  agane  go  thou  fast. 

Mak.    Bot l  I  com 2  or  thay  ryse,  els  blawes  a  cold  blast ! 

I  wyll  go  slepe. 
Yit  slepys  all  this  meneye,8 

And  I  shall  go  stalk  prevely,  5 

As  it  had  never  bene  I 

That  caryed  thare  shepe. 

SCENE  III 

The  moors  near  Horbury 
Enter  COLL,  GIB,  DAW,  and  MAK 

Coll.    Resurrex  a  mortruis  !  have  hald  my  hand  1 
Judas  carnas  dominus  !  I  may  not  well  stand. 
My  foytt  slepys,  by  Jesus  !  and  I  water-fastand.4  J0 

I  thoght  that  we  layd  us  full  nere  Yngland. 
Gib.  A!  ye! 

Lord,  what  I  have  slept  weyll  1 
As  fresh  as  an  eyll 5 ; 

As  lyght  I  me  feyll6  15 

As  leyfe  on  a  tre  1 

Daw.    Benste 7  be  herein  1    So  my  body 8  qwakys 

My  hart  is  outt  of  skyn,  what  so  it  makys. 

Who  makys  all  this  dyn  ?    So  my  browes  blakys,' 

To  the  dowore 10  wyll  I  wyn.    Harke,  felows,  wakys !  20 

We  were  fowre ; 
Se  ye  awre  u  of  Mak  now  ? 
Coll.   We  were  up  or  thou. 
Gib.    Man,  I  gyf  God  avowe 

Yit  yede 12  he  na  owre.18  25 

1  unless  6  feel  myself  M  door 

2  reach  there  7  a  blessing  n  anywhere 
*  company                           8  MS.  illegible  ;  E.,  H.  hart ;  12  went 

'  fasting  on  water  Kittredge,  M.  body  1B  aowhere ;  MS.  nawre 

6  eel  v  grow  black 


540  PLAYS 

Daw.    Me  thoght  he  was  lapt  in  a  wolfe-skyn. 
Coll.    So  are  many  now  hapt,  namely  *  within. 
Daw?   When  we  had  long  napt,  me  thoght  with  a  gyn  8 
A  fatt  shepe  he  trapt,  hot  he  mayde  no  dyn. 
5  Gib*  Be  styll, 

Thi  dreme  makys  the  woode 8 ; 
It  is  hot  fantom,  by  the  roode ! 
Coll.    Now  God  turne  all  to  good, 
If  it  be  his  wyll. 

10  Gib.    Ryse,  Mak,  for  shame  !    Thou  lygys  right  lang. 

Mak.    Now,  Crystys  holy  name  be  us  emang  ! 
What  is  this  ?    For  Sant  Jame,  I  may  not  well  gang  I 
I  trow  I  be  the  same.    A,  my  nek  has  lygen  wrang 

Enoghe ! 

1 5  Mekill  thank  !    Syn  yistereven, 

Now,  by  Sant  Stevyn,6 
I  was  flayd 7  with  a  swevyn,8 

My  hart  out  ofsloghe.9 

I  thoght  Gyll  began  to  crok,  and  travell 10  full  sad, 
20  Wei  ner  u  at  the  fyrst  cok,  of  a  yong  lad 

Ff or  to  mend  oure  flok  ;  then  be  I  never  glad  — 
I  have  tow  on  my  rok  more  then  ever  I  had. 

A,  my  heede  1 

A  house  full  of  yong  tharmes  ! 
25  The  dewill  knok  outt  thare  harnes12! 

Wo  is  hym  has  many  barnes, 

And  therto  lytyll  brede  ! 

1  especially  5  mad  9  which  smote  my  heart  out  (?) 

«  MS.  ii  pastor  (em.  M.)  6  MS.  strevyn  (em.  H.)  1°  travail 

»  snare,  trap  '  tormented  n  well  nigh 

*  MS.  iii  pastor  (em.  M.)  8  dream  u  brains 

22.  rok :  distaff ;  the  phrase  means  '  business  to  attend  to '  (cf.  Chaucer, 
Miller's  Tale  588  (A  3774),  and  Skeat's  note). 

24.  tharmes :  children  (///.  bowels,  Lat.  viscera ;  cf.  Ovid,  Met.  8.  478  ; 
Shakespeare,  M.for  M.  3.  i.  29). 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          S4I 

I  must  go  home,  by  youre  lefe,  tc  Gyll,  as  I  thoght, 

I  pray  you  looke 1  my  slefe,2  that  I  steyll  noght ; 

I  am  loth  you  to  grefe,  or  from  you  take  oght.  [Exit  MAK. 

Daw.    Go  furth,  yll  myght  thou  chefe 8 1    Now  wold  I  we  soght 

This  morne  5 

That  we  had  all  oure  store. 
Coil.  Bot  I  will  go  before. 
Let  us  mete. 

Gib.  Whore  ? 

Daw.  At  the  crokyd  thorne.  I0 

SCENE  IV 
MAK'S  cottage.   MAK  enters 

Mak.    Undo  this  doore  !    Who  is  here  ?    How  long  shall  I  stand  ? 
Gill.    Who  makys  sich  a  bere  4  ?    Now  walk  in  the  wenyand. 
Mak.    A,  Gyll,  what  chere  ?    It  is  I,  Mak,  youre  husbande. 
GUI.    Then  may  we  se 6  here  the  dewill  in  a  bande,6 

Syr  Gyle7!  15 

Lo,  he  commys  with  a  lote 8 
As  he  were  holden  in  the  throte. 
I  may  not  syt  at  my  note 9 

A  handlang-while 10 ! 

Mak.    Wyll  ye  here  what  fare  she  makys  to  gett  hir  a  glose  u  ?         20 
And  dos  noght  bot  lakys,12  and  clowse 18  hir  toose. 
Gill.  Why,  who  wanders ?  Whowakys?  Who  commys?  Whogose? 
Who  brewys  ?    Who  bakys  ?  What  makys  me  thus  hose 14  ? 
And  than 

1  look  in  6  bond,  chain  n  pretext 

2  sleeve  7  Cf.  p.  529,  note  9  12  amuse  herself 

8  prosper  8  voice  18  strokes,  caresses 

4  noise,  clamor  9  work  M  hoarse 

6  MS.  be  (em.  Kittredge)  10  an  instant 

10.  crokyd  thorne :  perhaps  the  Shepherds'  Thorn  of  Mapplewell,  three 
miles  northwest  of  Barnsley,  and  distant  about  eight  miles  from  Horbury  (see 
England's  ed.,  p.  xiv). 

13.  wenyand :  waning  of  the  moon,  i.e.  unlucky  time  (cf.  wanton,  e.g. 
Shakespeare,  Per.  2.  i.  17). 


542  PLAYS 

It  is  rewthe  to  beholde ; 
Now  in  hote,  now  in  colde, 
Ffull  wofull  is  the  householde 

That  wantys  a  woman. 

5        Bot  what  ende  has  thou  mayde  with  the  hyrdys,1  Mak  ? 

Mak.    The  last  worde  that  thay  sayde  when  I  turnyd  my  bak, 

Thay  wold  looke  that  thay  hade  thare  shepe  all  the  pak. 

I  hope  *  thay  wyll  nott  be  well  payde 8  when  thay  thare  shepe  lak, 

Perde ! 

10  Bot  howso  the  gam 4  gose, 
To  me  thay  wyll  suppose,5 
And  make  a  fowll  noyse, 

And  cry  outt  apon  me. 

Bot  thou  must  do  as  thou  hyght.8 
15       Gill.  I  accorde  me  thertyll. 

I  shall  swedyll 7  hym  right  in  my  credyll ; 

If  it  were  a  gretter  slyght,8  yit  couthe  I  help  tyll. 

I  wyll  lyg  downe  stright,9  com  hap 10  me. 

Mak.  I  wyll. 

GilL  Behynde ! 

20      Com  Coll  and  his  maroo,11 

Thay  wyll  nyp  us  full  naroo. 

Mak.    Bot  I  may  cry  out  '  Haroo  1 ' 

The  shepe  if  thay  fynde. 

Gill.    Harken  ay  when  thay  call  —  thay  will  com  onone. 
25       Com  and  make  redy  all,  and  syng  by  thyn  oone12; 
Syng  '  lullay '  thou  shall,  for  I  must  grone, 
And  cry  outt  by  the  wall  on  Mary  and  John, 
Ffor  sore.18 


1  shepherds  6  promised  J1  companion  =  Gib  (cf.  Words- 

2  suspect  7  swaddle  worth's  '  winsome   marrow,' 
8  pleased  8  trick  Yarrow  Unvlsited) 

4  sport  '  straightway  12  alone,  by  thyself 

6  they  will  suspect  me  10  wrap,  cover  18  pain 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          543 

Syng  '  lullay  '  on  fast 
When  thou  heris  at  the  last ; 
And,  hot  I  play  a  fals  cast,1 

Trust  me  no  more. 


SCENE  V 
The  moors  near  Horbury.    Enter  COLL,  GIB,  and  DAW 

Daw.    A,  Coll,  goode  morne,  why  slepys  thou  nott  ?  5 

Coll.    Alas,  that  ever  was  I  borne !    We  have  a  fowll  blott  — 

A  fat  wedir 2  have  we  lorne. 

Daw.  Mary,  Godys  f orbott 8  1 

Gib.    Who  shuld  do  us  that  skorne  ?   That  were  a  fowll  spott. 

Coll.  Som  shrewe. 

I  have  soght  with  my  dogys  I0 

All  Horbery  *  shrogys,5 

And,  of  xv  hogys,6 

Ffond  I  bot  oone  ewe. 

Daw.    Now  trow  me,  if  ye  will  —  by  Sant  Thomas  of  Kent,7 
Ayther  Mak  or  Gyll  was  at  that  assent.8  15 

Coll.    Peasse,  man,  be  still !    I  sagh  when  he  went. 
Thou  sklanders  hym  yll,  thou  aght  to  repent 

Goode  spede. 

Gib.    Now  as  ever  myght  I  the,9 

If  I  shuld  evyn  here  de,10  20 

I  wold  say  it  were  he 

That  dyd  that  same  dede  1 

Daw.    Go  we  theder,  I  rede,11  and  ryn 12  on  oure  feete. 
Shall  I  never  etc  brede  the  sothe  to  18  I  weet.14 

1  shrewd   trick   (on  the  southwest  of  Wakefield,       » prosper 

shepherds)  in  Yorkshire  10  die 

2  wether  5  thickets  n  counsel 

3  God  forbid  (lit.  God's      6  young  sheep  12  Daw  is  always  '  rynning ' 

prohibition)  "  Thomas  *  Becket  ls  till 

4  Horbury,    four    miles      8  agreement,  concerted  action     14  know;  MS.  wytt  (H.  weete) 


544  PLAYS 

Coll.    Nor  drynk  in  my  heede,  with  hym  tyll  I  mete. 
Gib.    I  wyll  rest  in  no  stede  tyll  that  I  hym  grete, 

My  brothere.1 
Gone 2  I  will  hight : 
5  Tyll  I  se  hym  in  sight, 

Shall  I  never  slepe  one  nyght 

Ther8  I  do  anothere. 

SCENE  VI 
MAK'S  cottage.    MAK  singing  ivithin,  and  GILL  groaning 

Daw.    Will  ye  here  how  thay  hak 4  ?    Oure  syre  lyst  croyne.* 

Coll.    Hard 6  I  never  none  crak 7  so  clere  out  of  toyne.8 
10  Call  on  hym. 

Gib.  Mak !    Undo  youre  doore  soyne  ! 

Mak.    Who  is  that  spak,  as  it  were  noyne,9 
On  loft 10  ? 

Who  is  that,  I  say  ? 

Daw.    Goode  felowse,  were  it  day  — 
1 5  Mak.    As  far  as  ye  may, 

Good,  spekys  soft 

Over  a  seke  woman's  heede,  that  is  at  maylleasse  n ; 

I  had  lever  be  dede  or  she  had  any  dyseasse.12 

Gill.    Go  to  anothere  stede,18  I  may  not  well  qweasse.14 
20  Ich  u  fote  that  ye  trede  goys  thorow  my  nese 16 

So  hee." 

Coll.    Tell  us,  Mak,  if  ye  may, 

How  fare  ye,  I  say  ? 

Mak.    Bot  ar  ye  in  this  towne 18  to-day  ?  — 
25  Now  how  fare  ye  ? 

1  =  Coll  '  bray,  bawl  18  place 

2  one  thing  8  tune  u  breathe  (lit.  wheeze) 
8  where                                    » noon  15  each 

*  jangle  10  up  there  16  nose 

*  croon  11  distress  (OF.  malaise)  1"  loud 

6  heard  « suffering  18  farmstead 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          545 

Ye  have  ryn  in  the  myre,  and  ar  weytt  yit ; 
I  shall  make  you  a  fyre,  if  ye  will  syt. 
A  nores l  wold  I  hyre  —  thynk  ye  on 2  yit  ? 
Well  qwytt 8  is  my  hyre  —  my  dreme  this  is  itt  — 

A  seson.4 

I  have  barnes,  if  ye  knew, 
Well  mo  then  enewe  — 
Bot  we  must  drynk  as  we  brew, 

And  that  is  bot  reson. 


I  wold  ye  dynyd  or  ye  yode.6    Me  thynk  that  ye  swette.  10 

Gib.    Nay,  nawther  mendys  oure  mode 6  drynke  nor  mette. 
Mak.    Why,  sir,  alys 7  you  oght  bot  goode  ? 
Daw.  Yee,  oure  shepe  that  we  gett 

Ar  stollyn  as  thay  yode ;  oure  los  is  grette. 
Mak.  Syrs,  drynkys  1 

Had  I  bene  thore  15 

Som  shuld  have  boght  it  full  sore. 
Coll.    Mary,  som  men  trowes  that  ye  wore,8 
And  that  us  forthynkys.9 

Gib.    Mak,  som  men  trowys  that  it  shuld  be  ye. 

Daw.    Ayther  ye  or  youre  spouse,  so  say  we.  x> 

Mak.    Now  if  ye  have  suspowse 10  to  Gill  or  to  me, 

Com  and  rype  u  oure  howse,  and  then  may  ye  se 

Whohadhir12- 
If  I  any  shepe  fott,18 

Aythor  cow  or  stott 14  ;  2$ 

And  Gyll,  my  wyfe,  rose  nott 

Here  syn  she  lade  hir. 


1  nurse  6  temper  n  search 

2  One  '  ails  12  the  ewe 
s  requited,  earned  s  were  18  fetched 
*  for  a  while  9  troubles  u  steer 

6  before  you  went  10  suspicion 


546  PLAYS 

As  I  am  true  and  lele,1  to  God  here  I  pray 
That  this  be  the  fyrst  mele  that  I  shall  etc  this  day. 
Coll.    Mak,  as  have  I  ceyll,2  avyse  the,  I  say  — 
'  He  lernyd  tymely 8  to  steyll  that  couth  not  say  nay.' 
5  Gill.  Iswelt4! 

Outt,  thefys,  fro  my  wonys  5 ! 
Ye  com  to  rob  us,  for  the  nonys. 
Mak.    Here  ye  not  how  she  gronys  ? 

Youre  hartys  shuld  melt. 

10  Gill.    Outt,  thefys,  fro  my  barne  !    Negh6  hym  not  thor7 ! 

Mak.    Wyst  ye  how  she  had  fame,8  youre  hartys  wold  be  sore. 

Ye  do  wrang,  I  you  warne,  that  thus  commys  before 

To  a  woman  that  has  fame  —  bot  I  say  no  more. 

Gill.  A,  my  medyll 9 !  - 

15  I  pray  to  God  so  mylde, 

If  ever  I  you  begyld, 

That  I  etc 10  this  chylde 

That  lygs  in  this  credyll. 

Mak.    Peasse,  woman,  for  Godys  payn,11  and  cry  not  so ! 
20  Thou  spyllys 12  thy  bra[y]ne,  and  makys  me  full  wo. 

Gib.    I  trowe  oure  shepe  be  slayn.    What  finde  ye  two  ? 
Daw.    All  wyrk  we  in  vayn,  as  well  may  we  go. 

Bot  hatters,18 
I  can  fynde  no  flesh, 
25  Hard  nor  nesh,14 

Salt  nor  fresh, 

Bot  two  tome 16  platers ; 

Whik 16  catell  bot  this,  tame  nor  wylde, 
None,  as  have  I  blys,  as  lowde  as  he  smylde.17 

1  leal  7  there  18  except  clothes  (I  can  find  nothing) 

2  bliss  8  fared  "  soft 

a  early  9  middle,  inwards  15  empty 

4  die  i0  may  eat  16  quick,  live 

6  dwelling  n  i.e.  on  the  cross  17  smelled  as  strongly  as  he  (the  sheep)  (?) 

6  approach  12  dost  injure 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          547 

Gill.    No,  so  God  me  blys,  and  gyf  me  joy  of  my  chylde  1 

Coll.   We  have  merkyd *  amys ;  I  hold  us  begyld. 

Gib.  Syr,  don 2 !  - 

Syr  —  oure  Lady  hym  save !  — 

Is  youre  chyld  a  knave 8  ?  5 

Mak.    Any  lord  myght  hym  have, 

This  chyld,  to  his  son. 

When  he  wakyns  he  kyppys  4  that  joy  is  to  se. 
Daw.    In  good  tyme  to  hys  hyppys,5  and  in  cele.' 
Bot  who  were 7  his  gossyppys,8  so  sone  rede  9  ?  10 

Mak.    So  fare  fall  thare  lyppys 10 ! 

Coll.  Hark  now,  a  le u  I  [Aside. 

Mak.  So  God  thaym  thank  — 

Parkyn,  and  Gybon  Waller,  I  say, 
And  gentill  John  Home,  in  good  fay ; 

He  made  all  the  garray12—  15 

With  the  greatt  shank. 

Gib.    Mak,  freyndys  will  we  be,  ffor  we  ar  all  oone. 

Mak.    We  ?    Now  I  hald  for  me,18  for  mendys 14  gett  I  none ! 

Ffare  well  all  thre,  all 15  glad  were  ye  gone. 

[The  shepherds  leave  the  house. 
Daw.    '  Ffare  wordys  may  ther  be,  bot  luf  is  ther  none '  20 

This  yere. 

'  'Coll.  Gaf  ye  the  chyld  any  thy  ng  ? 
Gib.  I  trow  not  oone  farthyng 16 ! 
Daw.  Ffast  agane  will  I  flyng  ; 

Abyde  ye  me  here.17  [Goes  back  to  the  house.  25 

Mak,  take  it  to  no  grefe  if  I  com  to  thi  barne. 

Mak.    Nay  thou  dos  me  greatt  reprefe,18  and  fowll  has  thou  fame. 

1  aimed  r  MS.  was  13  myself 

2  completely  8  sponsors  14  amends 
8  boy                                                                              '  ready                                lfi  very 

*  grabs,  clutches  10  lips  16  rush,  thing 

6  hips  ;  see  Gen.  49. 25  ;  Prov.  u.  26  n  lie  17  MS.  there 

6  happiness  12  commotion  18  reproach 


548  PLAYS 

Daw.    The  child  will  it  not  grefe,  that  lytyll  day-starne.1 
Mak,  with  youre  leyfe,  let  me  gyf  youre  barne 

Bot  vi  pence.  \He  approaches  the  cradle. 

Mak.    Nay,  do  way,  he  slepys. 
S  Daw.    Me  thynk  he  pepys.2 

Mak.    When  he  wakyns,  he  wepys. 

I  pray  you  go  hence.      [COLL  and  GIB  return. 

Daw.    Gyf  me  lefe  hym  to  kys,  and  lyft  up  the  clowtt.8 

[He  sees  the  sheep. 

What  the  dewill  is  this  ?    He  has  a  long  snowte. 
10  Coll.    He  is  merkyd  *  amys,  we  wate  ill 6  abowte. 

Gib.    '  Ill-spon  weft,'  iwys,  '  ay  commys  foull  owte.' 

Ay,  so ! 

He  is  lyke  to  cure  shepe ! 
Daw.    How,  Gyb,  may  I  pepe 6  ? 
1 5  Coll.    I  trow  '  Kynde 7  will  crepe 8 

Where  it  may  not  go.9 ' 

Gib.    This  was  a  qwantt  gawde,10  and  a  far[e]  n  cast ; 

It  was  a  hee 12  frawde. 

Daw.  Yee,  syrs,  wast.18 

Lett  bren  u  this  bawde,  and  bynd  hir  fast. 
20  '  A  fals  skawde16  hang[s]  at  the  last.' 

So  shall  thou. 

Wyll  ye  se  how  thay  swedyll 16 

His  foure  feytt  in  the  medyll  ? 

Sagh  I  never  in  a  credyll 
25  A  hornyd  lad  or  "  now. 

Mak.    Peasse  byd  I !    What,  lett  be  youre  fare  1 

I  am  he  that  hym  gatt,18  and  yond  woman  hym  bare. 

1  See  553  22  "  nature  18  was  it 

2  whimpers  8  A  proverb ;  also  found  in  Everyman,  1. 316     w  burn 
8  cloth                                    9  walk  16  scold 

4  fashioned  (marked  ?)     1°  trick  16  swathe,  swaddle 

*  wait  to  no  purpose         n  See  538  27  1"  before 

6  have  a  look  13  high)  deep  18  begot 


THE  TOWNFXEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          549 

Coll.    What  dewill  shall  he  hatt,1  Mak  ?    Lo,  God,  Makys a  ayre 8 1 
Gib.    Lett  be  all  that,  now  God  gyf  hym  care, 

I  sagh.4 

Gill.    A  pratty  child  is  he 

As  syttys  on  a  womans6  kne,  5 

A  dyllydowne,8  perde, 

To  gar 7  a  man  laghe. 

Daw.  •  I  know  hym  by  the  eeremarke  —  that  is  a  good  tokyn. 
Mak.    I  tell  you,  syrs,  hark  !    Hys  noyse 8  was  brokyn  ; 
Sythen 9  told  me  a  dark  10  that  he  was  forspokyn.11  10 

Coll.    This  is  a  f als  wark.    I  wold  f ayn  be  wrokyn ia ; 

Gett  wepyn. 

Gill.    He  was  takyn  with 18  an  elfe, 
I  saw  it  myself ; 
When  the  clok  stroke  twelf  15 

Was  he  forshapyn.14 

Gib.    Ye  two  ar  well  feft 15  sam 16  in  a  "  stede. 

Coll™    Syn  thay  manteyn  thare  theft,  let  do  thaym  to  dede." 

Mak.    If  I  trespas  eft,  gyrd  of 20  my  heede ; 

With  you  will  I  be  left.21 

Daw?*  Syrs,  do  my  reede :  20 

Ffor  this  trespas 

We  will  nawther  ban  *"  ne  flyte,24 
Ffyght  nor  chyte,25 
Bot  have  done  as  tyte,26 

And  cast  hym  in  canvas.  25 

\They  go  outside,  and  toss  MAK  in  a  sheet. 

1  be  called,  named  w  MS.  clerk  » death 

2  Mak's  n  bewitched  2°  strike  off 

8  heir  12  avenged  21  you  shall  judge 

4  say  18  enchanted  by  M  MS.  primus  pastor  (em.  M.) 

6  MS.  wamans  (em.  M.)       M  transformed  M  curse 

6  darling  15  endowed  24  scold 

1  make  16  together  K  chid* 

8  nose  ir  one  28  as  quickly  as  possible 

8  since  ls  MS.  iiius  pastor  (em.  M.) 


550  PLAYS 

SCENE  VII 
The  fields  near  Bethlehem  of  Judea.    Enter  the  Three  Shepherds 


Lord,  what  I  am  sore,  in  poynt  for  to  bryst2! 
In  fayth  I  may  no  more  ;  therfor  wyll  I  ryst.8 
Gib.    As  a  shepe  of  vii  skore  4  he  weyd  in  my  fyst 
Ffor  to  slepe  ay  whore  fi  me  thynk  that  I  lyst. 
5  Daw.  Now,  I  pray  you, 

Lyg  downe  on  this  grene. 
Coll.    On  these  thefys  yit  I  mene.6 
Daw.    Wherto  shuld  ye  tene  7  ? 
Do  8  as  I  say  you. 

An  ANGEL  appears,  and  sings   Gloria   in  excelsis. 
Then  the  ANGEL  addresses  the  shepherds:* 
10  Angel.    Ryse,  hyrdmen  heynd  10  1  for  now  is  he  borne 

That  shall  take  fro  the  feynd  that  Adam  had  lorne  u  ; 
That  warloo  12  to  sheynd,18  this  nyght  is  he  borne. 
God  is  made  youre  freynd  now  at  this  morne, 

He  behestys.14 
i  5  At  Bedlem  go  se  ; 

Ther  lygys  that  f  re  " 
In  a  cryb  full  poorely, 

Betwyx  two  bestys.  \Exit. 

Coll.    This  was  a  qwant  stevyn  1<s  as  17  ever  yit  I  hard. 
20  It  is  a  mervell  to  nevyn  18  thus  to  be  skard.19 

Gib.    Of  Godys  Son  of  hevyn  he  spak  upward.20 
All  the  wod  on  a  levyn  21  me  thoght  that  he  gard  w 
Appere. 

1  em.  M.  •  MS.  Angelus  cantat  '  Gloria        16  voice 

2  burst  in  excelsis,'  postea  dicat  :        w  MS.  that  (eir    suggested 

3  rest  10  gentle  by  M.) 

*  seven  score  pounds  u  lost  18  name,  speak 
6  anywhere  M  wizard  1»  frightened 

•  think                         0.  1«  destroy  *>  from  above 
'  trouble  l*  promises  21  lightning 

8  MS.  so  (em.  M.)  is  noble  one  **  made 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          551 

Daw.    He  spake  of  a  Barne 
In  Bedlem,  I  you  warne. 

Coll.    That  betokyns  yond  starne * ;  [Pointing  to  the  sky. 

Let  us  seke  hym  there. 

Gib.    Say,  what  was  his  song  ?    Hard  ye  not  how  he  crakt a  it,  5 

Thre  brefes 8  to  a  long  ? 

Daw.  Yee,  Mary,  he  hakt 4  it. 

Was  no  crochett  wrong,  nor  no  thyng  that  lakt  it. 

Coll.  Ffor  to  syng  us  emong,  right  as  he  knakt  it,fi 

I  can. 

Gib.    Let  se  how  ye  croyne  !  10 

Can  ye  bark  at  the  mone  ? 
Daw.    Hold  youre  tonges  !    Have  done  1 
Coll.  Hark  after,  than !  {They  sing. 

Gib.    To  Bedlem  he  bad  that  we  shuld  gang ; 

I  am  full  f ard  6  that  we  tary  to  lang.  1 5 

Daw.    Be  mery  and  not  sad  —  of  myrth  is  cure  sang ! 
Everlastyng  glad 7  to  mede 8  may  we  fang,9 

Withoutt  noyse. 
Coll.    Hy 10  we  theder  forthy,11 

If 12  we  be  wete  and  wery,  20 

To  that  Chyld  and  that  lady ; 

We  have  it  not  to  lose. 

Gib.    We  fynde  by  the  prophecy  —  let  be  youre  dyn  !  — 
Of  David  and  Isay,  and  mo  then  I  myn,18 

Thay  prophecyed  by  clergy  u  that  in  a  vyrgyn  25 

Shuld  he  lyght  and  ly,  to  slokyn 16  cure  syn 
And  slake 16  it, 

1  nom.  6  threw  it  off  n  therefore 

2  trilled  (?);  MS.  crakyd  « afeared  M  even  if 

3  breves  (three  breves  were  accounted  7  gladness  18  remember 

equal  to  one  long  in  the  music  of  8  for  reward  14  learning 

that  period)  9  receive  16  quench 

4  warbled  (?)  10  hie  le  slacken,  abate 


552  PLAYS 

[Save]  oure  kynde l  from  wo, 
Ffor  I  say  sayd  so : 
Ecce*  virgo 

Concipiet 8  a  chylde  that  is  nakyd. 

5  Daw.    Ffull  glad  may  we  be,  and  abyde  that  day, 

That  Lufly  to  se,  that  all  myghtys  may.4 
Lord,  well  were  me,  for  ones  and  for  ay, 
Myght  I  knele  on  my  kne,  som  word  for  to  say 

To  that  Chylde. 
10  Bot  the  angell  sayd 

In  a  cryb  wos  he  layde, 
He  was  poorly  arayd, 

Both  meke 6  and  mylde. 

Coll.    Patryarkes  that  has  bene,  and  prophetys  beforne, 
15  Thay  desyryd  to  have  sene6  this  Chylde  that  is  borne. 

Thay  ar  gone  full  clene ;  that  have  thay  lorne. 
We  shall  se  hym,  I  weyn,  or  it  be  morne, 

To  tokyn.7 

When  I  se  hym  and  fele, 
20  Then  wot  I  full  weyll 

It  is  true  as  steyll 

That  prophetys  have  spokyn : 

To  so  poore  as  we  ar[e]  that  he  wold  appere, 
Ffyrst  fynd,  and  declare  by  his  messyngere. 
25  Gib.    Go  we  now,  let  us  fare,  the  place  is  us  nere. 

Daw.    I  am  redy  and  yare,8  go  we  in  fere ' 
To  that  Bright.10 


1  race  5  MS.  mener  (em.  K.)  9  together 

2  MS.  cite  (em.  E.)  •  Matt.  13. 17  10  bright  one 
8  Isa.  7.  14  (Vulgate)  7  as  a  sign 

*  has  power  over  all  mights  8  prepared 


THE  TOWNELEY  SECUNDA  PASTORUM          553 

Lord,  if  thi  wyll l  be  — 
We  ar  lewde *  all  thre  — 
Thou  grauntt  us  somkyns 3  gle 

To  comforth  thi  Wight.* 


SCENE  VIII 
Bethlehem.   A  stable.    Enter  the  Shepherds,  and  kneel 

Coll.    Hayll,  comly  and  clene  !    Hayll,  yong  Child  !  5 

Hayll,  Maker,  as  I  meyne,  of 6  a  madyn  so  mylde  1 
Thou  has  waryd,6  I  weyne,  the  warlo  so  wylde ; 
The  fals  gyler 7  of  teyn,8  now  goys  he  begylde.  — 

Lo,  he  merys,9 

Lo,  he  laghys,  my  Swetyng  1  —  10 

A  wel  fare 10  metyng ; 
I  have  holden  my  hetyng.11  — 

Have  a  bob 12  of  cherys. 

Gib.    Hayll,  sufferan 18  Savyoure  !    Ffor  thou  has  us  soght, 
Hayll,  frely  Foyde 14  and  Floure,  that  all  thyng  has  wroght !      1 5 
Hayll,  full  of  favoure,  that  made  all  of  noght ! 
Hayll !    I  kneyll  and  I  cowre.    A  byrd  have  I  broght 

To  my  Barne. 
Hayll,  lytyll  tyne 15  Mop 16 ! 

Of  oure  crede  thou  art  Crop.17  20 

I  wold  drynk  on  thy  cop,18 

Lytyll  Daystarne.19 

Daw.    Hayll,  Derlyng  dere,  full  of  godhede  1 
I  pray  the  be  nere  when  that  I  have  nede. 

1  MS.  wylles  8  of  sorrow,  sorrowful  ls  tiny 

2  simple,  ignorant  9  grows  merry  16  baby,  young  creature 

3  of  some  kind  w  very  fair  17  See  Heb.  12. 2 
*  creature  n  promise  18  from  thy  cup 

6  from  12  bunch,  cluster  19  See  2  Pet.  1. 19 ;  Rev.  22. 16 

6  cursed  18  sovereign 

1  beguiler  (Satan)  M  noble  child 


554  PLAYS 

Hayll,  swete  is  thy  chere !    My  hart  wold  blede 
To  se  the  sytt  here  in  so  poore  wede, 

With  no  pennys. 
Hayll!    Put  furth  thy  dall x ! 
5  I  bryng  the  hot  a  ball ; 

Have  and  play  the 2  withall, 

And  go  to  the  tenys.8 

Mary.    The  Fader  of  heven,  God  omnypotent, 
That  sett  all  on  seven,4  his  Son  has  he  sent. 
10  My  name  couth 5  he 6  neven,7  and  lyght 8  or  he  went. 

I  conceyvyd  hym  9  full  even  thrugh  myght,  as  he  ment, 

And  now  is  he  borne. 
He  kepe  you  fro  wo ! 
I  shall  pray  hym  so  ; 
15  Tell  furth  as  ye  go, 

And  myn 10  on  this  morne. 

Coll.    Ffarewell,  lady,  so  fare  to  beholde, 

With  thy  Chylde  on  thi  kne  ! 

Gib.  Bot  he  lygys  full  cold. 

Lord,  well  is  me  ;  now  we  go,  thou  behold. 
20  Daw.    Fforsothe,  allredy  it  semys  to  be  told 

Full  oft. 

Coll.    What  grace  we  have  fun  u  ! 

Gib.    Com  furth,  now  ar  we  won 12 ! 

Daw.    To  syng  ar  we  bun,18 

25  Let  take  on  loft.14  [They  sing. 

Explicit  Pagina  Pastorum™ 

1  fist,  hind  6  did  u  found 

2  refl.  6  God  the  Father  12  rescued,  saved 
8  tennis  (well  known  in  Eng-        7  name  18  bound 

land   by  the  end  of  the  8  alighted,  descended  1*  let  us  sing  aloud 

fourteenth  century)  (on  me)  l*  Here  ends  The  Shepherds' 

4  created  all  things  in  seven  9  Christ  Pageant 

days  (?)  10  think 


k  ,        X,.       - 

< 

'    I 

1 

, 


PK  Oook,  Albert  Stanburrough 

1120  A  literary  middle  English 

C6  reader. 


PLEASE  DO  NOT  REMOVE 
CARDS  OR  SLIPS  FROM  THIS  POCKET 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY