Skip to main content

Full text of "[Publications]"

See other formats 


FIVE   HUNDRED  YEARS 

OF 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM  AND  ALLUSION 

(1357-1900) 


FIVE  HUNDRED  YEARS 
OF  CHAUCER  CRITICISM 
AND  ALLUSION  (1357-1900) 


BY 

CAROLINE   F.    E.   SPURGEON 

DOCTEUR    DE    I/UNIVERSITE    DE    PARIS 
PROFESSOR    OF     ENGLISH    LITERATURE    IN    THE    UNIVERSITY    OF    LONDON 


PART  I 
TEXT   1357-1800 


LONDON : 

PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  CHAUCER  SOCIETY 
BY  KEGAN  PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRtJBNER  &  CO.,  LTD., 

BROADWAY    HOUSE,    LUDGATE    HILL,    E.C. 

AND  BY  HENRY  FROWDE,  OXFORD  UNIVERSITY  PRESS, 

AMEN    CORNER,    E.C.,    AND    IN    NEW    YORK. 

1914  for  the  Issue  of  1908. 


Sttrnxb  Series.  |to.  48. 


PRINTED  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN  BY  RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 

BRUNSWICK  ST.,    STAMFORD   ST.,    S.E.,    AND   BUNGAY,    SUFFOLK. 


FOREWORD   TO  PART  I. 

THE  collection  of  Chaucer  criticism  and  allusion  which 
3re   follows  was   started  at  the   suggestion  of  the  late 


ERRATA   TO   FOREWORD   TO   PART   I 

Line  6,  for  Part  II  read  Parts  II  and  III. 
,,     8,    „    Part  III  read  the  remaining  Parts. 


be  so  good  as  to  send  me  the  references. 

CAROLINE  F.  E.  SPURGEON. 

Bedford  College,  London, 
October  1914- 


Sttoitb  Series.  |fo.  48. 


PRINTED  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN  BY  RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 
BRUNSWICK  ST.,  STAMFORD  ST.,  S.E.,  AND  BUNGAY,  SUFFOLK. 


FOREWORD   TO  PART  I. 

THE  collection  of  Chaucer  criticism  and  allusion  which 
here  follows  was  started  at  the  suggestion  of  the  late 
Dr.  Furnivall,  and  it  has  taken  many  years  to  complete. 

The  whole  work,  when  finished,  will  give  the  text  of 
Chaucerian  criticism  from  1357  to  1900;  that  of  the  nine 
teenth  century  will  form  Part  II,  and  will,  of  necessity,  be 
represented  by  selected  references  only,  whereas  that  of  the 
earlier  years  aims  at  being  as  complete  as  possible.  Part  III 
will  consist  of  an  Introduction  summing  up  results,  and 
discussing  problems  upon  which  these  documents  shed 
some  light ;  appendices  of  French,  German,  and  additional 
English  references,  as  well  as  a  full  Index. 

It  was  originally  intended  that  these  sections  should  all 
appear  together,  as  they  are  closely  interdependent;  but 
they  are  not  yet  quite  complete,  and  the  representatives 
of  the  Chaucer  Society  specially  desire  to  issue  some  part 
of  the  work  at  once.  I  have  therefore  consented,  though 
with  reluctance,  to  publish  the  text  of  the  criticism  up 
to  1800,  without  the  Introduction  which  points  out  its 
significance,  or  the  Index  which  is  indispensable  to  its 
full  use.  I  have  done  this,  because  the  references  being 
arranged  chronologically,  it  seems  possible  for  it,  even  in 
an  incomplete  state,  to  be  of  some  value  to  the  student. 

The  greatest  care  has  been  taken  to  guard  against 
inaccuracies  or  misprints,  as  a  compilation  of  this  kind  only 
justifies  its  existence  in  so  far  as  it  can  approach  to  accu 
racy.  I  shall  be  most  grateful,  therefore,  if  readers  who 
discover  mistakes  will  kindly  tell  me  of  them,  and  if  those 
who  know  of  allusions  to  Chaucer  not  here  included,  will 
be  so  good  as  to  send  me  the  references. 

CAROLINE  F.  E.  SPURGEON. 

Bedford  College,  London, 
October  1914. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


FOREWORD  TO  PART  I  ...  v 

TEXT  OF  ALLUSIONS  (1357-1800)   1 


Til 


1 


FIVE  HUNDRED  YEARS  OF  CHAUCER 
CRITICISM  AND  ALLUSION. 

[THE  following  entries,  pp.  1-14  (with  the  exception  of  1376-9,  1390,  Gower,  and 
c.  1387  Usk),  are  references  to  Geoffrey  Chaucer  contained  in  documents  in  the  Public 
Record  Office,  the  City  of  London  Town-Clerk's  Office,  Guildhall,  etc.,  as  compiled  and 
edited  by  Mr.  R.  E.  G.  Kirk,  in  Life-Records  of  Chaucer,  part  iv,  Chaucer  soc.  1900 ;  the 
numbers  which  follow,  within  round  brackets,  refer  to  pages  in  Mr.  Kirk's  book.  Only 
direct  references  to  Geoffrey  Chaucer  are  noted.  The  full  titles  of  the  works  of  the  three 
authorities  who  have  previously  printed  some  of  these  records  (given  below  within  round 
brackets  as  Rymer,  Godwin,  and  Nicolas),  are  respectively,  Foedera,  etc.,  by  Thomas- 
Rymer,  20  vols.,  1704-32;  The  Life  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  by  William  Godwin,  2  vols.,  1803; 
and  The  Life  of  Chaucer,  by  Sir  Nicholas  Harris  Nicolas,  1845,  prefixed  to  Chaucer's  poetical 
works,  Aldine  edn.  of  British  poets,  vol.  47.] 

1357,  April  to  Dec.  Payments  to  and  for  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  then  in  the 
household  of  the  Duchess  of  Clarence,  Adclit.  MS.  18,632 ;  ff.  2,  101, 
fly  leaves  (Kirk,  152-3.  See  also  Life-Records  of  Chaucer,  III,  ed 
E.  A.  Bond,  pp.  105-13,  and  New  Facts  in  the  Life  of  Chaucer,  by 
E.  A.  Bond,  in  the  Fortnightly  Review,  Aug.  15,  1866,  No.  xxxi). 

1359,  Nov.  3  to  Nov.  7,  1360.  Account  of  William  de  Farle,  Keeper 
of  the  Wardrobe  of  the  King's  Household,  containing  the  entry  of 
Edicard  III.'s  contribution  towards  the  ransom  of  Chaucer  after  he 
was  tal:en  prisoner  by  the  French.  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Wardrobe  and 
Household  Accounts,  W  ff.  69,  70  (Kirk,  153-5). 

1360  [Oct.  9  to  30  ?].  A  payment  to  Chaucer,  by  order  of  Lionel,  earl 
of  Ulster,  of  nine  shillings  for  bearing  letters  to  England  from 
Calais  and  returning.  Exchequer  Accounts  -y-. 

[This  entry,  only  discovered  by  M.  Delachenal  in  1909  (Histoire  de  Charles  V.t 
Paris,  1909,  vol.  ii,  p.  241,  n.  1),  and  therefore  not  in  Kirk's  Life-Records,  occurs  in  an 
account  of  the  Earl  of  Ulster's  expenses  at  Calais  at  the  time  of  the  treaty  of  peace, 
and  runs  :] 

Expense  domini  Coim'tw  Vltom'e  apwd  Caleys  existentis 
ibidem  ad  ti&ctatum  et  redeundo  in  Angliam,  facte  per  manus 
Andree  de  Budeston,  anno  xxxiiij to  .  .  . 

Datum  Galf?'«'do  Chaucer  per  precepkum  domini  eundo  cum 
liteiis  in  Anglia??i  iij  roiales  precio  ixs. 

[See  A   new  Chaucer  Item,  by  O.  F.  Emerson  in  Modem  Language  Notes,  Jan., 

1911,  vol.  xxvi,  pp.  19-21 ;  and,  for  a  more  correct  statement  and  a  print  of  the 
document,  The  new   Chaucer  Item,  by  S.  Moore,  in  Modern  Language  Notes,  March, 

1912,  vol.  xxvii,  pp.  79-81.] 

1367,  June  20.  The  King  grants  an  annuity  of  20  marks  to  Geoffrey 
Chaucer,  his  beloved  yeoman.  Patent  Roll,  41  Edw.  III.,  p.  1,  m. 
13  (Kirk,  160.  Rymer,  vol.  vi,  p.  567.  Godwin,  App.  v). 

„      Nov.  6.     The  first  half-yearly  payment  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer's  an 
nuity.     Issue  Roll,  Mich.,2  42  Edw.  III.,  m.  9  (Kirk,  160,  and 
Nicolas,  note  B). 
CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  B 


2  [Life  Records]       Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1368- 

[This  annuity  from  the  King,  of  20  marks  yearly,  continues  to  be  paid,  half-yearly, 
with  some  irregularities,  down  to  February  1380.  See  Life  Records,  ed.  Kirk,  pp.  xix, 
161,  170,  175,  179-82,  188,  162-4,  196/198,  200,  213,  216,  221,  223,  224,  228,  231,  233-5, 
237-8,  240,  242,  245-6,  249,  251,  255,  258,  266,  271-4.] 

[1368,  Dec.]  Schedule  of  names  of  the  Household  of  Edward  III.,  for 
ivhom  Robes  for  Christmas  were  to  be  provided,  including  .  .  . 
Geoffrey  Chaucer  among  the  Esquires.  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Wardrobe 
and  Household  Accounts,  5T9/-  (Kirk,  162,  165.  For  date,  see  p.  162, 
note  2). 

1369,  June  27.     Counter-roll  of  the  Comptroller  of  the,  King's  House 
hold,  furnishing,  among  other  matters,  the  names  of  the  members  of 
the  HouseJiold  who  received  money  for  their  Summer  Robes.    Chaucer 
is  among  the  "  scutiferi."    Exchequer  Q.  R.  Wardrobe  and  House 
hold  Accounts,  W  (Kirk,  171). 

„  Sept.  1.  Writ  of  Privy  Seal  to  Henry  de  Snayth,  clerk,  Keeper  of 
the  Wardrobe,  directing  him  to  issue  divers  lengths  of  black  cloth 
to  the  members  of  the  King's  Household  for  their  Mourning  at  the 
funeral  of  Queen  Philippa.  Chaucer  receives  3  ells  of  black  cloth, 
short.  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Wardrobe  and  Household  Accounts,  ^|5 
(Kirk,  172-4). 

„  Extract  from  the  enrolled  Account  of  Henry  de  Wakefield,  Keeper 
of  the  Wardrobe  of  the  King's  Household;  containing  the  advances 
of  money  made  —  at  the  commencement  of  the  war  in  France  —  to 
certain  members  of  the  Household,  including  Chaucer,  on  account  of 
their  wages  and  expenses  at  various  times  in  the  year  43  Edw.  III. 
Exchequer  L.  T.  R.  Enrolled  Accounts,  Wardrobe,  Roll  4,  m  21 
(Kirk,  175-6). 

1370,  June  20.     Chaucer,  going  to  parts  beyond  the  seas,  has  letters  of 
protection  till  Michaelmas.     Patent  Eoll,  44  Edw.  III.,  p.  2,  m  20 
(Kirk,  180.    Godwin,  App.  vii). 

1372,  Nov.  12.     Commission  appointing  James  Provan,  John  de  Mari 
and  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  as  envoys  to  treat  with  the  Duke.  Citizens, 
and  Merchants  of  Genoa,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  some  port  in 
England  where  the  Genoese  may  form  a  commercial  establishment 
French  Roll,  46  Edw.  III.,  m.  8  (Kirk,  181-2.     Rymer   vol   vi 
p.  755.     Godwin,  App.  viii). 

„  Dec.  1.  Payment  to  Chaucer  of  £§Q  13s.  4d.  for  his  expenses  in 
his  mission  to  foreign  parts  on  the  King's  secret  affairs  Issue  Roll 
Mich.,  47  Edw.  III.,  ID.  13  (Kirk,  182-3.  Nicolas,  note  D). 

1373,  May  23.     Chaucer's  account  of  receipts  and  expenses  for  his 
journeys  to  Genoa  and  Florence,  from  Dec.  1,  1372    to  Mav  23 

7K-  ?iCl«^er  «'  T'7R  ^oreT5g?/cco^te,  47  Edw.  Ill,  forula 

\a%      '     See  als°  R  J'  Mather  in  The  Nation,  Oct.  8 
,  p.  zo7). 


Jf  iJ  /ccou?*  °fthe  KeePer  °f  Me  Wardrobe  of  the  Kings 
Household  from  June  27,  1371,  to  June  27,  1373,  containing  par 
ticulars  of  the  Writer  and  Summer  Robes  delivered  to  members  of 
the  Household,  including  Chaucer,  as  a  "  scutifer"  o  the  ' 


,  , 

,    s5  6).      qU6r          H°USehold 


1374]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Life  Records]  3 

1373,  Sept.  29.    Extract  from  the  Account  of  the  Sheriffs  of  London  and 
Middlesex,  showing  Chaucer's  discharge  from  the  £10  received  by 
him  at  the  commencement  of  the  war.     Pipe  Roll,  47  Edvv.  III. 
(Kirk,  186-7). 

„  Nov.  11.  Writ  to  the  Treasurer,  Barons,  and  Chamberlains  of  the 
Exchequer  to  pay  Chaucer  for  his  journeys  to  Genoa  and  Florence. 
Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll,  Mich.,  48  Edw.  III.,  Brevia,  m. 
14  (Kirk,  187-8). 

1374,  Jan.  20.     Enrolment  of  a  Writ  of  Privy  Seal   directed  to   the 
Treasurer  and  Barons  of  the  Exchequer,  by  which  the  repayment  of 
the  sums  advanced  by  the  King  to  Chaucer  and  others  is  remitted 
[see  Entry  2  under  1369].     Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll  48 
Edw.  III.,  Brevia,  Hilary,  m.  3  (Kirk,  188-9). 

1374,  Feb.  4.  Payment  to  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  the  King's  Esquire,  of 
.£25  6s.  8d.,  for  his  wages  and  expenses  in  going  to  Genoa  and 
Florence.  Issue  Roll,  Mich.,  48  Edw.  III.,  m.  20  (Kirk,  189. 
Nicolas,  note  E). 

„  April  23.  King  Edward  III.  grants  Chaucer  a  pitcher  of  wine 
daily,  to  be  receiced  in  the  port  of  London  at  the  hands  of  the  King's 
Butler.  Patent  Roll,  48  Edw.  III.,  part  1,  in.  20  (Kirk,  189,  190. 
Rymer,  vol.  vii,  p.  35.  Goawin,  App.  ix). 

May  10.  Chaucer  obtains  a  lease  from,  the  Mayor.  Aldermen,  and 
Commonalty  of  the  City  of  London  of  all  the  "mansion"  above  the 
gate  of  Aldgate.  City  of  London  Records.  Letter  Book  G,  fol.  321 
(Kirk,  190,  191.  Eor  a  translation  of  this  document  see  H.  T. 
Riley's  Memorials  of  London  and  London  Life,  ed.  1868,  pp.  377- 
8  ;  also  App.  to  Trial  Forewords  to  Parallel  text  edition  of  Chaucer's 
minor  poems,  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  Soc.,  1871,  p.  i). 

June  8.  Chaucer  is  appointed  Comptroller  of  the  Custom  and 
Subsidy  of  Wools,  Hides,  and  Wool-fells  in  the  Port  of  London. 
Patent'  Roll,  48  Edw.  III.,  p.  1,  m.  7  (Kirk,  191.  Rymer,  vol.  vii, 
p.  38.  Godwin,  App.  x). 

,,  June  8  and  12.  Chaucer  is  appointed  Comptroller  of  the  Custom 
and  Subsidy  of  Wools,  etc.,  and  also  Comptroller  of  the  Petty 
Customs  of  Wines,  etc.,  in  the  Port  of  London;  and  he  appears  in 
the  Court  of  Exchequer  to  take  his  oath.  Exchequer  Q.  R. 
Memoranda  Roll,  Trin.,  48  Edw.  III.,  Hecorda,  m.  1  d  (Kirk, 
191-2). 

„  June  13.  Grant  by  John  of  Gaunt,  Duke  of  Lancaster,  to  Geoffrey 
Cliaucer  of  £10  a  year  for  life,  for  his  own  and  his  wife's  services. 
Duchy  of  Lancaster  Registers,  No.  13,  fol.  90  (Kirk,  192). 

[There  are  a  few  more  entries  in  the  Duchy  of  Lancaster  Registers  of  the 
payment  of  this  annuity,  but  few  of  the  Duke's  accounts  have  been  preserved,  so 
all  the  payments  cannot  be  traced.  See  Kirk,  pp.  xxiv,  193,  212,  223,  226.] 

„  July  6.  Five  half-yearly  payments  of  Phillipa  Chaucer's  annuity 
paid  all  at  once  to  Chaucer  himself,  together  with  two  half-yearly 
payments  of  his  own  annuity.  Issue  Roll,  Easter,  48  Edw.  III., 
m."l2  (Kirk,  192-3). 


4  [Life  Records]        Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1375- 

[This  is  the  first  payment  made  to  Chaucer  of  his  wife's  annuity  of  10  marks 
for  life,  granted  her  on  Sept.  12,  1366,  by  Edward  III.,  as  "domicella"  of  the 
Queen's  Chamber,  and  paid,  with  some  irregularities,  from  June  1367,  to  June 
1387 ;  see  Kirk,  pp.  xix,  158.  Other  payments  to  Chaucer  of  his  wife's  annuity 
are  on  Jan.  24,  Oct.  20,  1375  ;  May  31,  Nov.  27,  1376  ;  Feb.  1,  May  24,  1381 ;  Nov.  11, 
1382 ;  April  30,  Oct.  18,  1384 ;  April  24,  Nov.  3,  1385 ;  Oct.  20,  13S6  ;  and  June  18, 
1387.  Kirk,  pp.  192-3,  196,  198-9,  200,  229,  231,  240-1,  246-7,  249,  251-2,  255-6,  266, 
271.] 

1375,  July  26.  Accounts  of  John  de  Bernes  and  Nicholas  de  Brembre> 
Collectors  of  Customs  and  Subsidies,  under  the  survey  of  Chaucer, 
from  Feb.  26, 1374,  to  July  26,  1375.  Exchequer,  L.  T.  R.,  Enrolled 
Accounts,  Customs,  Roll  8,  in.  62  (Kirk,  194-5). 

[Similar  entries  occur  on  Nov.  15,  1375,  Oct.  15,  1376,  Aug.  24,  1377,  Sept.  29, 
1878,  7i>,  80,  81,  82,  83,  84,  85,  86,  and  Jan.  20,  1387,  when  Chaucer  was  succeeded 
in  the  Comptrollership  of  the  Customs  by  Adam  Yerdeley.  Kirk,  pp.  197,  199,  211, 
220,  222,  228,  233-4,  238,  243,  248  253,  263,  268. 

In  these  same  documents  payments  are  made  to  Chaucer,  on  Aug.  24,  1377,  of 
£8  11s.  Id.  (his  wages  as  Controller  being  £10  a  year),  on  Sept.  29,  1378,  of 
£10  19«.  6d.,  on  Sept.  29,  1379,  80,  81,  82,  S3,  84,  86,  of  £10.] 

1375,  Nov.  8.     Chaucer,  as  "  Scutifer  Regis,"  gets  a  grant  of  the  custody 
of  the  lands  and  person  of  Edmund  Staplegate,  of  Kent,  aged  18, 
who  afterwards  paid  Chaucer  £104:  for  his  wardship  and  marriage. 
Patent    Roll,  49   Eclw.  III.,  p.  2,  m.  8  (Kirk,  196-7.     Godwin, 
App.  xi). 

„  Dec.  28.  Grant  to  Chaucer  of  the  wardship  of  the  heir  of  John 
Solys,  a  tenant  of  the  heir  of  Thomas  de  Ponynges,  tenant  of  the 
King  in  chief.  Patent  Roll,  49  Edw.  III.,  p.  2,  m.  4  (Kirk,  198). 

1376,  July  12.     Chaucer  obtains  a  grant  of  the  price  of  ivool  forfeited 
by  John  Kent,  of  London,  who  had  exported  it  to  Dordrecht  without 
paying  custom.     Patent  Roll,  50  Edw.  III.,  p.  1,  m.  5  (Kirk,  199. 
Godwin,  App.  xii). 

„  Dec.  23.  Payment  to  Chaucer,  going  on  the  King's  secret  affairs 
in  the  company  of  Sir  John  de  Bnrlee,  of  £6  13s.  4d.  Issue  Roll, 
Mich.,  51  Edw.  III.,  m.  25  (Kirk,  201.  Nicolas,  note  G). 

1376-9.  Gower,  John.  Mirour  de  I'omme,  Cumbr.  univ.  lib  ,  MS  Add 
3035;  11.  5249-60.  (Works  of  John  Gower,  ed.  G.  C.  Macaulay 
1899-1902,  vol.  i,  p.  64.) 

[Somnolent,  one  of  the  Children  of  Sloth,  is  bored  by 
church-going ;  he  does  not  think  of  his  prayers.] 

ainz  bass  la  teste 
Mettra  tout  seuf  sur  I'eschamelle, 
Et  dort,  et  songe  en  sa  cervelle 
Qu'il  est  au  bout  de  la  tonelle, 
TJ  qu'il  o'it  chanter  la  geste 
De  Troylus  et  de  la  belle 
Creseide,  et  ensi  se  concelle 
A  dieu  d'y  faire  sa  requeste. 

[There  is  considerable  doubt  as  to  whether  this  reference  is  to  Chaucer's  Troilus  or 
not.     For  evidence  that  it  is,   see  J.  S.  P.   Tatlock  in  Modern  Philology    1903 
i,  rp.  317-24,  also  his  Development  and  Chronology  of  Chaucer's  Works,  Chaucer 
Soc.  1907,  particularly  pp.  15-34,  220-5. 


1378]          Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Life  Records]  5 

On  the  other  hand,  neither  Dr.  Maoanl'iy,  the  editor  of  Gower,  nor  many  other 
Chaucer  students,  accept  Prof.  Tatlock's  identification  of  Gower's  geste  with  Chaucer's 
poem.  It  upsets  the  generally  received  scheme  of.  Chaucer's  chronology,  and  is 
moreover  contradicted  by  Prof.  J.  L.  Lowes's  admirable  suggestion  that  the  A.  in 
st.  25,  bk.  i  of  the  Troilus — '  Right  as  our  firste  letter  is  now  an  A,'  is  Anne  of 
Bohemia,  crowned  Queen  of  England  on  Jan.  14,  13S2,  about  whom  Chaucer  had 
written  in  the  Parliament  of  Foules;  see  Publications  of  the  Modern  Language 
Association,  1908,  vol.  xxiii,  no.  xiii,  pp.  285-306.] 

1377,  Feb.  12.  Letters  of  Protection  are  granted  to  Chaucer,  to  last  till 
Sept.  29,  he  being  about  to  go  abroad  in  the  King's  service.  French 
Roll,  51  Edw.  IJL,  in.  7  Kirk,  201.  Godwin,  App.  xiii). 

1377,  Feb.  17.     Payments  to  Sir  Thomas  Percy  and  Geoff  re}/  Chaucer, 
sent  to  Flanders  on  the  King's  secret  affairs,  on  account  of  their 
expenses.     Issue  Koll,   Mich.,  51   Edw.  III.,  rn.  29  (Kirk,  201-2. 
Nicola.-,  note  H). 

„      Feb.  17,  June  26.      Chaucer's    enrolled    Account   for    his    two 
journeys  to  Paris,  Montreuil,  and  elsewhere.     Exchequer,  L.  T.  R., 
Foreign  Accounts,  3  Eic.  II.,  forula  D,  dorse  (Kirk,  202-3). 
[See  entry  under  Froissart,  1410,  p.  20  below.] 

„  April  11.  The  King  gives  Chaucer  a  reward  for  his  services  in 
several  voyages  abroad.  Issue  Roll,  Easter,  51  Edw.  III.,  m.  2 
(Kirk,  205.  Nicolas,  note  I). 

„  April  28.  Letters  of  Protection  are  again  granted  to  Chaucer,  to 
last  till  Aug.  I,  he  being  about  to  go  abroad  in  the  King's  service. 
French  Roll,  51  Edw.  III.,  m.  5  (Kirk,  205.  Godwin,  App.  xiv). 

„  April  30.  Payment  on  account  to  Chaucer,  sent  to  France  on  the 
King's  secret  affairs.  Issue  Roll,  Easter,  51  Edw.  III.,  m.  6  (Kirk, 
205-6.  Nicola?,  note  I). 

„  April.  The  Earl  of  Salisbury  and  others,  including  CJmucer,  are 
sent  on  an  embassy  to  France.  John  Stowe's  Annales  of  England, 
1592,  p.  431  [q.  v.  below,  p.  136]. 

„  June  22.  The  new  King  grants  Chaucer  the  office  of  Controller  of 
the  Customs.  Patent  Roll,  1  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  27  (Kirk,  206). 

,,  July  9.  Pefition  of  Edmund  .  .  .  Staplegate  .  .  .  in  which  he 
says  that  he  had  paid  Chaucer  (Geffray  Chansyer)  for  his  wardship 
and  marriage  £104.  Close  Roll,  1  Ric.  II.,  m.  45  (Kirk,  207-8. 
Godwin,  App.  xv). 

,,  July  26.  Extracts  from  the  Account  of  Richard  de  Beverlee, 
showing  the  payments  to  Chaucer  for  his  robes  as  "  scut  if er  Regis," 
and  for  his  wine  pension,  from,  Nov.  25,  1376,  to  this  date. 
Exchequer  Q.  R.  Wardrobe  and  Household  Accounts,  -f-  (Kirk, 
209-10). 

„  Sept  29— Sept.  29,  1378.  Chancer  is  charged  with  a  balance  of 
18s.  $d.  for  wages  in  the  Kings  Household  overpaid.  Pipe  Roll, 
1  Ric.  II.  (Kirk,  212-3). 

1378,  Mar.  9.     Chaucer  becomes  surety  for  Sir   William  Beauchamp. 
Fine  Roll,  1  Ric.  U.,  p.  2,  m.  11  (Kirk,  213). 

,,  Mar.  23.  The  King  confirms  his  grandfather's  grant  to  Chaucer 
of  an  annuity  of  20  marks,  because  lie  has  retained  him  in  his 
service;  with  a  reference  to  a  later  grant  to  John  Scalby  on  May  1, 
1388.  Patent  Roll,  1  Ric.  II.,  p.  5,  m.  27  (Kirk,  213), 


6  [Life  Records]       Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1378- 

1378,  April  18.  Chaucer  has  a  grant  under  the  Privy  Seal  of  20  marks 
a  year  in  lieu  of  his  daily  pitcher  of  wine.  Warrants  (Chancery), 
Series  I,  Writs  of  Privy 'Seal,  1  Eic.  II.,  file  456,  No.  339  (Kirk, 
214.  Nicolas,  note  K). 

„  April  18.  Enrolment  of  the  letters  patent  of  the  same  grant;  with 
a  reference  to  a  later  grant  to  John  Scalby  on  May  1,  1388.  Patent 
Roll.  1  Ric.  II.,  p.  5,  m.  6  (Kirk,  215). 

„  May  10.  Letters  of  Protection  for  Chaucer,  going  abroad  on  the 
King's  service.  French  Roll,  1  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  6  (Kirk,  215). 

„  May  21.  Chaucer  has  the  King's  letters  of  attorney,  for  John 
Gower  and  Richard  Forester,  during  his  absence  abroad.  French 
Roll,  1  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  in.  6  (Kirk,  216.  Nicolas,  note  M). 

„  May  28.  Payments  to  John  of  daunt  for  his  army  serving  in  the 
King's  wars;  and  to  Sir  Edward  de  Berkeley  and  Geoffrey  Chaucery 
sent  to  the  Lord  of  Milan  and  [Sir]  John  Hawktvood,  in  Lombardy, 
for  assistance  in  the  said  wars.  Issue  Roll,  Easter,  1  Ric.  II.,  m. 
14,  16  (Kirk,  217). 

„  Sept.  19.  Chaucer's  enrolled  Account  for  his  journey  to  Lombardy, 
from  May  28  to  this  date.  Exchequer  L.  T.  R.,  Foreign  Accounts, 
3  Ric,  II.,  forula  D.,  dorse  (Kirk,  218-9). 

„  Sept.  29— Sept.  29,  1379.  The  Sheriff's  of  London  pay  the 
18s.  tod.  charged  on  Chaucer  (see  under  Sept.  29, 1377) ;  and  Chaucer 
is  charged  with  moneys  advanced  to  him  for  his  journeys  to  Flanders 
and  France  on  the  King's  affairs.  Pipe  Roll,  2  Ric.  II.  (Kirk,  219). 

1380,  Feb.  26.  Two  Writs  to  the  Exchequer  for  payment  of  Chaucer's 
expenses  on  his  journeys  to  France  and  *  Italy  (see  under  Sept.  19, 
U80).  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll,  Easter,  3  Ric  II ,  m  & 
(Kirk,  338). 


Deed  of  Release  by  Cecily  Chaumpaigne  to  Geoffrey  Chaucer 
in  respect  of  her  "raptus."    Close  Roll,  3  Ric.  II.,  in.  9  d.  (Kirk, 


Mayl. 

in  respi 
225-6). 

„  June  30  and  July  2.  Deeds  t>f  Release  by  Richard  Goodchild 
and  John  Grove  to  Chaucer,  and  by  Cecily  Chaumpaigne  to  them, 
with  «  bond  by  John  Grove  to  her  for  £10.  City  of  London  Records 
Pleas  and  Memoranda,  A.  23,  m.  5  d.  (Kirk,  226-7). 

1381,  March  6.     Gift  of  £22  by  the  King  to  Chaucer,  as  compensation 
for  his  wages  and  expenses  in  going  to  France  in  the  time  of  Edward 
III.  to  treat  of  a  peace,  and  again  to  negotiate  a  marriage  between 
Richard  II.  and  a  French  Princess.     Issue  Boll,  Mich    4  Ric  II 
m.  21  (Kirk,  230.     Nicola?,  note  R). 

[See  also  entries  under  Feb.  17,  1377,  and  Sept.  29,  1378-Sept.  29    1379     See 
below,  1410,  for  a  reference  to  this  in  Froissart.] 

„  June  19.  Release  by  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  son  of  John  Chaucer, 
Vmtner,  of  London,  to  Henry  Herbury,  of  a  tenement  in  St 
Martins  intheVintry,  extending  from  Thames  Street  to  the  Water 
of  ^ufow*.  which  had  belonged  to  his  father.  Busting  Roll,  110. 


1386]  Chaucer  Criticism,  and  Allusion.     [Life  Records']    7 

1381,  Nov.  28.     Payment  to  Brembre  and  Philippot  of  £20  each,  and  to 
Chaucer  of  10  marks,  for  their  diligence  in  collecting  the  Customs 
and  Subsidies.     Issue  Roll,  Mich.,  5  Ric.  II.,  m.  10  (Kirk,  235). 

[See  Notes  and  Queries,  3  S.,  1865,  viii,  p.  367.  Similar  rewards  are  made  on  Dec. 
10, 1382 ;  Feb.  11,  Dec  9,  1384 ;  Dec.  11,  1385  ;  Nov.  28, 1386.  Kirk,  pp.  241,  245,  250, 
256,  267.  In  the  entry  on  the  Issue  Roll  for  Dec.  9,  1384  (Kirk,  p.  250),  the  name 
is  given  as  PHilippo  CHAUCt;r,  but  this  is  an  evident  error  for  Galfrido;  see  W 
D.  Selby  in  the  Athenceum,  April  14,  1888,  p.  468.] 

1382,  April  20.     Grant  to  Chaucer  of  the   office  of  Controller  of  the 
Petty  Custom  in  the  Port  of  London,  during  the  King's  pleasure. 
Patent  Roll,  5  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  21 ;  and  Chancery  Warrants,  series 
I,  file  1565  (Kirk,  236). 

„  May  8.  Grant  to  Chaucer  of  the  office  of  Controller  of  the  Petty 
Custom  in  the  Port  of  London,  with  "  the  other  part "  of  the  "  Coket " 
seal.  Patent  Roll,  5  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  15  (Kirk,  237.  Godwin, 
App.  xvii). 

„  Sept.  29.  Account  of  John  Organ  and  Walter  Sibill,  Collectors  of 
[Petty]  Customs,  under  the  survey  of  John  Hyde  and  Geoffrey 
Chaucer,  successively  Comptrollers,  for  the  year  preceding.  Enrolled 
Accounts,  Customs,  Roll  14,  m.  39  (Kirk,  239). 

[Similar  entries  occur  of  the  Petty  Customs  Accounts  under  the  survey  of 
Chaucer,  on  Sept.  29— Dec.  5,  1382,  Dec.  5,  1382,  Sept.  29,  1383,  July  3,  1384,  Sept. 
29,  1385,  Sept.  29,  1386  (when  a  house  was  hired  for  collecting  and  depositing  the 
Customs),  and  finally  under  the  survey  of  Chaucer  and  his  successor,  Henry 
Gysores,  on  March  15,  1387.  Kirk,  pp.  239,  241,  244,  247,  254,  263,  269.  Chaucer 
was  superseded  in  the  office  of  Controller  of  Petty  Customs  (and  also  of  the 
Customs)  in  Dec.  13S6.] 

1384,  Nov.  25.     Licence  to  Chaucer  to  be  absent  from  his  office  of  Con 
troller  of  Customs  for  one  month,  provided  he  appoint  a  sufficient 
deputy.     Close  Roll,  8  Ric.  II.,  m.  31  (Kirk,  250.     Godwin,  App. 
xviii,  who  gives  it  incorrectly  as  m.  30). 

[1385,  Feb.]  Petition  of  Chaucer  to  the  King  for  leave  to  appoint  a 
permanent  deputy  at  the  Wool-quay  of  London ;  with  a  note  of  the 
King's  assent.  Warrants,  Chancery,  series  I,  file  1401  (Kirk,  251). 

[See  W.  D.  Selby  in  the  Athenceum,  Jan.  28,  1888,  p.  116.] 

1385,  Feb.  17.     Licence  to  Chaucer  to  appoint  a  deputy  in  his  office  of 
Controller,  as  long  as  he  holds  it.     Patent  Roll,  8  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  31 
(Kirk,  251.     Godwin,  App.  xix). 

„  Oct.  12.  Association  of  Chaucer  with  the  Warden  of  the  Cinque 
Ports  and  others  as  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of 
Kent.  Patent  Roll,  9  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  30  d  (Kirk.  254). 

1386,  June  28.     Commission  of  the  Peace  to  Simon  de  Burley,  Warden 
of  the  Cinque  Ports,  and  others,  including  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  for  the 
County  of  Kent.     Patent  Roll,  10  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  47  d  (Kirk, 
259-61). 

„  Aug.  8.  Writ  to  the  Sheriff  of  Kent  for  the  election  of  two  Knights 
of  the  Shire,  and  of  Citizens  and  Burgesses  of  the  Cities  and 
Boroughs,  to  attend  Parliament  on  1st  October,  for  the  consideration 
of  important  matters  concerning  the  defence  of  the  Kingdom  and  of 


8  [Life  Records]       Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1386- 

the  Church  of  England;  with  the  Return  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer  as  one 
of  the  Knights.  Writs  and  Returns  of  Members  of  Parliament, 
Chancery,  10  Ric.  II.,  (Kirk,  261-2). 

1386  Oct.  5.  Lease  to  Richard  Forster  of  the  dwelling  above  Aldgate. 
City  of  London  Records,  Letter  Book  H,  fol.  204  b  (Kirk,  264). 

[There  is  no  reference  to  Chaucer  or  his  previous  lease  in  this  document,  which 
was  discovered  by  Prof.  J.  W.  Hales ;  see  Academy,  Pec.  6,  1879,  p.  410,  and  his 
Folia  Litteraria,  1893,  p.  87.] 

„  Oct.  15.  Testimony  given  by  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  Esquire,  in  the 
Court  of  Chivalry,  in  the  dispute  as  to  the  right  to  bear  certain  arms 
between  Sir  Richard  le  Scrope  and  Sir  Robert  Grosvenor,  before  Sir 
John  de  Derwentwater,  in  the  Refectory  of  Westminster  Abbey. 
Chancery  Miscellaneous  Rolls,  ed.  Nicolas,  bundle  10,  no.  2  (Kirk, 
264.  Godwin,  App.  i.  Nicolas,  pp.  29-31). 

„  Nov.  28.  Precept  [to  the  Sheriff  of  Kent]  for  payment^  of  the 
expenses  of  Chaucer  and  his  colleague  as  Knights  of  the  Shire  in 
Parliament,  viz.  £2±  9s.  for  61  days.  Close  Roll,  10  Ric.  II.,  m. 
16  d  (Kirk,  267). 

„  Dec.  4  and  14.  Appointments  of  successors  to  Chaucer  in  the 
Controllership  of  the  Customs  and  Petty  Customs.  Patent  Roll, 
10  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  10  and  4  (Kirk,  268). 

[c.  1387.]  Usk,  Thomas.  The  Testament  of  Love,  bk.  iii,  ch.  iv.  No 
MS.  copy  known.  First  printed  in  Chaucer's  works,  ed.  W.  Thynne, 
1532,  bk.  iii,  fol.  ccclix  6.  (Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed.  W. 
W.  Skeat,  1897,  p.  123,  11.  248  et  seq. ;  also  The  Development  and 
Chronology  of  Chaucer's  Works,  by  John  S.  P.  Tatlock,  Chaucer 
Soc.,  1907,  pp.  21-3.) 

(Qwod  Loue)  I  shall  tel  the  this  lesson  to  lerne  /  myne  owne 
trewe  sernaunt  /  the  noble  philosophical  poete  /  in  Englissh 
whiche  evermore  him  besyeth  and  trauayleth  right  sore  my 
name  to  encrease  /  .  .  .  .  trewly  his  better  ne  his  pere  in 
schole  of  my  rules  coude  I  neuer  fynde :  He  (qwod  she),  in  a 
treatise  that  he  made  of  my  seruant  Troylus  /  hath  this  mater 
touched  /  and  at  the  ful  this  questyon  assoyled.  Certaynly. 
his  noble  sayinges  can  I  not  amende  :  In  goodnes  of  gentyl 
manlyche  speche  /  without  any  maner  of  iiycite  of  storieres 
ymagynacion  in  wytte  and  in  good  reason  of  sentence  he 
passeth  al  other  makers.  In  the  boke  of  Troylus  /  the  answere 
to  thy  questyon  inayste  thou  lerne. 

[For  the  prose  paraphrase  by  Usk  of  the  House  of  Fame,  11.  269-359,  see  Chaucerian 
and  other  pieces,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  Oxford,  1S97,  pp.  xxvi-vii,  54,  55.] 

1387,  May  16.  Commission  to  William  Rikhill,  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  and 
others,  to  inquire  as  to  the  abduction  of  Isabella,  daughter  and  heir 
of  William  atte  Halle,  out  of  the  custody  of  Thomas  Kershill,  at 
Chislehurst,  Kent.  Patent  Roll,  10.  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  2  d  (Kirk, 


1390]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Life  Records']  9 

1389,  July  12.  Appointment  of  Chaucer  as  Clerk  of  the  Works  at 
Westminster  Palace,  the  Tower  of  London,  and  elsewhere,  during 
his  good  behaviour;  with  power  to  impress  workmen,  t:>  purvey 
materials  and  carriage,  to  pursue  absconding  workmen,  to  arrest 
contrary  people,  to  make  inquisition  as  to  materials  embezzled,  and 
to  sell  the  branches  and  bark  of  trees  felled  for  timber ;  his  wages 
being  2s.  a  day.  Patent  Roll,  13  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  30  (Kirk,  274-6. 
Godwin,  App.  xxi). 

1389,  July  12.  Account  of  Roger  Mmham,  Clerk  of  the  Works,  to  this 
date,  when  he  gave  up  the  office  to  Chaucer  as  his  successor,  who  is 
charged  with  the  "  dead  stock  "  belonging  to  it.  Foreign  Accounts, 
11  Ric.  II.,  forula  K  (Kirk,  276-7). 

[  „  c.  July  12.]  Warrant  by  Chaucer,  as  Clerk  of  the  Works,  to  the 
Lord  Ciiancellor,  for  the  issue  of  commissions  to  Hugh  Swayn, 
Thomas  Segham,  and  Peter  Cook  to  purvey  materials  and  press 
workmen  for  the  King's  Works.  Public  Record  Office  Museum 
(Kirk,  277-8). 

[See  also  Athenceum,  Jan.  28,  1888,  p.  116.] 

„  July  14.  Appointment  of  Hugh  Swa.yne,  as  Purveyor  of  the 
King's  Works  at  Westminster  Palace,  Shene,  Kennington,  and 
other  places,  on  the  nomination  of  Chaucer.  Patent  Roll,  13  Ric. 
II.,  p.  1,  m.  29  (Kirk,  278). 

„  July  14  and  22.  Two  payments  to  Chaucer,  as  Clerk  of  the 
Works,  for  expenses  at  Westminster,  the  Tower,  and  elsewhere. 
Issue  Roll,  Easter,  12  Ric.  II.,  in.  13. 

[Chaucer  held  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  Works  from  July  12,  1389,  to  June  17, 
1391.  These  payments  continue  at  intervals,  25  in  all,  on  the  following  dates- 
Get.  7,  Nov.  23,  Dec.  1,  14,  24,  1389 ;  Mar.  3,  4,  June  4,  15,  17,  25,  July  9,  19,  Oct. 
28,  Dec.  6,  7,  1390;  Feb.  23,  Mar.  20,  April  20,  Dec.  16,  1391 ;  Mar.  4,  July  13,  1392, 
on  which  last-named  date  a  (inal  payment  of  arrears  due  as  Clerk  of  the  Works  was 
made  to  Chaucer  by  the  King.]  (Kirk,  278-80,  286-7,  289-90,  297,  314-5,  also  Introd. 
pp.  xxxvi-xxxix,  xlii-xliv.) 

„  Oct.  12.  Appointments  of  Peter  Cook  at  Eltham,  Thomas  Segham 
at  Berkhampstead,  and  William  Suthwerk  at  the  Tower,  as  Pur 
veyors  to  the  Works  under  Chaucer,  at.  his  instance.  (See  above, 
under  [c.  July  12].)  Patent  Roll,  13  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  8  (Kirk, 
281-2). 

„  Nov.  10.  Indenture  between  Roger  Mmham,  late  Clerk  of  the 
Works,  and  Chaucer,  as  to  the  delivery  of  "  dead  store  "  to  the  latter. 
Exchequer  Accounts,  etc.,  Works,  Ap-,  No.  2.  A  file  of  parchment 
documents,  subsidiary  to  the  Accounts  of  Roger  Elmham,  Clerk  of 
the  Works,  11-13  Ric.  II.  Among  them  is  the  above  Indenture, 
(Kirk,  282-3). 

1390,  March  12.  Commission  to  Sir  Richard  Stury  and  others,  including 
Chaucer,  to  survey  the  walls,  ditches,  sewers,  bridges,  etc.,  on  the 
coast  of  the  Thames,  between  Greenwich  and  Woolwich,  etc.  .  .  . 
Originalia  Roll,  13  Ric.  II.,  m.  30  (Kirk,  282-3). 

„  April  19.  Mandate  to  the  Exchequer  to  allow  to  Chaucer,  in  his 
account,  the  wages  of  Hugh  Swayn,  Purveyor  for  the  King's  Works. 
Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll,  Hilary,  14  Ric.  IL,  Brevia 
roll  21  (Kirk,  285). 


10  [Life  Records]       Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1390- 

1390,  July  1.  Mandate  to  the  Exchequer  to  allow  Chaucer  his  costs  for 
the  scaffolds  made  for  ihe  King  and  Queen  at  the  jousts  in  Smith- 
field,  in  May  last.  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll,  Hilary,  14 
Ric.  II.,  Brema,  roll  19  d  (Kirk,  287). 

[Another  writ  on  this  subject  was  dated  Oct.  4th ;  see  Kirk,  pp.  305,  311.] 

„  July  12.  Appointment  of  Chaucer  to  repair  St.  George's  Chapel, 
Windsor,  and  to  take  masons,  carpenters,  and  other  workmen 
wherever  found,  except  in  Church  lands,  for  that  purpose,  for  the 
term  of  tJiree  years;  and  of  William  Hannay,  Controller  of  the 
Works  at  Westminster,  to  counter-roll  Chaucer  s  expenses.  Patent 
Roll,  14  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  in.  33  (Kirk,  287-9.  Godwin,  App.  xxii). 

„  Oct.  15.  Commission  to  certain  Justices  to  inquire  what  felons 
assaulted  and  robbed  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  at  Hatcham,  of  a  horse 
worth  £10,  goods  worth  100s.,  and  £20  6s.  8d.  in  money,  and  by 
whose  procurement.  Patent  Roll,  14  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  17  d  (Kirk, 
339). 

„  Oct.  18.  Mandate  to  the  Exchequer  to  allow  to  Chaucer,  in  his 
account,  ihe  arrears  due  to  Henry  de  Yeveley  on  his  grant  of  12d  a 
day  from  1th  March,  1378,  "during  the  Kings  Works."  Exchequer 
Q.  *R.  Memoranda  Roll,  Hilary,  14  Ric.  II.,  Brevia,  roll  22  (Kirk, 
289). 

[1390.]  Gower,  John.  Confessio  Amantis  [fir>t  version].  Leave-taking 
of  Venus.  Lib.  octavus,  11.  2941-57.  (Works  of  John  Gower,  ed. 
G.  C.  Macaulay,  1899-1902,  vol.  iii,  1901,  p.  466  ;  for  date  and 
MSS.  see  introd.,  vol.  ii). 

And  gret  wel  Chaucer  whan  ye  mete, 
As  mi  disciple  and  mi  poete  : 
For  in  the  tloures  of  his  youthe 
In  sondri  wise,  as  he  wel  couthe, 
Of  Ditees  and  of  Songes  glade, 
The  whiche  he  for  mi  sake  made, 
The  loud  fultild  is  oueral : 
Whereof  to  him  in  special    . 
Aboue  alle  othre  I  am  most  holde 
For  thi  now  in  hise  daies  olde 
Thow  schalt  him  telle  this  message, 
That  he  vpon  his  latere  age, 
To  sette  an  ende  of  alle  his  werk 
As  he  which  is  myn  owne  clerk, 
Do  make  his  testament  of  loue, 
As  thou  hast  do  thi  schrifte  aboue 
So  that  mi  Court  it  mai  recorde. 

[This  passage  does  not  occur  in  any  later  versions  of  i  he  Confessio.  For  the  whole 
literature  on  the  subject  of  the  supposed  quarrel  between  Gower  nnd  Chaucer,  see 
Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  278-9.' 

It  is  interesting  to  know  that  the  '  Confessio '  was  translated  into  Portuguese,  soon 


1391]         Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Life  Records]  11 

after  it  vas  written,  by  Robert  Payn,  Canon  of  Lisbon  Cathedral,  and  then  into 
Spanish  (Castilian)  prose  by  'Juan  de  Cuenca,  natural  de  Huete,'  in  1400,  whose 
version  is  MS.  g  ii  19,  in  the  Library  of  the  Escorial,  Madrid.  The  Chaucer  greeting 
(Gower's  Works,  iii,  466  n,  bk.  viii,  11.  2941-56  ff.)  runs  thus:  "Saluda  de  mi  parte 
a  cancer,  mi  disciplo  e  mi  poeta ;  quando  con  el  topares,  el  qual  por  mi  en  la  su 
mancibia  fiso  tod  a  su  diligencia  para  componer  y  escreuir  desyres  e  cantares  de 
diversas  maneras  de  los  quales  toda  la  tierra  es  llena  ;  por  la  qnal  cosa  en  especial  le 
soy  mucho  tenido  mas  que  a  ningr.no  de  los  otros.  Por  ende  dile  que  le  enbio 
desir  que  tal  esta  en  su  postrimera  hedad,  por  dar  fyn  a  tod  as  sus  obras,  se  travajo 
de  faser  su  testamento  de  amor,  asi  como  tu  has  fecho  agora  en  tu  confision." — 
Gower's  Works,  ed.  Macaulay.  ii,  clxvii-viii.  As  the  Queen  of  Portugal  was  Henry 
IV's  sister,  the  presence  of  Robert  Payn  and  other  Englishmen  in  Portugal  is  easily 
understood.  See  History  ....  of  Henry  IV  by  J.  H.  Wylie,  vol.  ii,  1894,  p.  329  et  seq.] 

1390-1.  Chcntc&r  is  appointed  Sub-Forester  of  the  Forest  of  North 
Petherton,  by  the  Earl  of  March  (Kirk,  291).  History  and  Anti 
quities  of  the  County  of  Somerset,  1791,  by  John  Collinson,  vol.  iii, 
pp.  54-74.  See  also  W.  D.  Selby  in  the  Athenaeum,  Nov.  20,  1886, 
pp.  672-3,  also  Life  Records  of  Chaucer,  III,  pp.  117-23. 

[Chaucer  was  re-appointed  to  this  post  in  21  Ric.  II.  [1397-8]  by  Alianor,  Countess 
of  March ;  see  the  authorities  as  above.] 

1391,  Jan.  6.  Writ  discharging  Chaucer,  Clerk  of  the  King's  Works, 
from  the  repayment  of  the  £20  of  which  he  had  been  robbed  near  to 
the  -'-fowle  Ok"  on  Sept.  3,  1390.  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda 
Eoll,  Hilary,  14  Ric.  II.,  Brevia,  roll  20  (Kirk,  292,  and  Life 
Eecords,  I,  p.  12). 

[1391,  c.  Jan.  20.]  Will  for  a  Commission  to  John  Elmhurst,  as  Deputy 
and  Purveyor  to  Chaucer,  Clerk  of  the  Works,  to  take  materials  and 
workmen  for  the  Palace  of  Westminster,  and  the  Tower  of  London. 
Warrants,  Chancery,  series  I,  file  1660  (Kirk,  292-3). 

„      Jan.  22.     Appointment  of  John  Elmhurst  as  Purveyor  of  the 

Works  at  Westminster  and  the  Tower,  under  Chaucer.  .  .  .  Patent 
Roll,  14  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  34  (Kirk,  293). 

„  Feb.  7.  Mandate  to  the  Exchequer,  to  allow  to  Chaucer,  in  his 
account,  the  wages  of  Richard  Swift,  Master  Carpenter  and  "  Dis- 
positor"  of  the  Kings  Works.  Exchequer  Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll, 
Hilary,  14  Ric.  II.,  Brevia,  roll  24  d  (Kirk,  293-4). 

„  Feb.  23.  Loan  by  the  Exchequer  to  Richard  Grille,  merchant  of 
London,  of  £533  2s.,  part  of  tvliich,  £114,  he  repaid  to  Chaucer  on 
6th  April.  Issue  Roll,  Mich.,  14  Ric.  II.,  m.  22^  (Kirk,  294). 

„  April  6.  Moneys  assigned  to  Chaucer  as  Clerk  of  the  Works;  and 
entry  of  a  loan  by  him  o/£66  13s.  4c£.  to  the  Exchequer,  for  which 
he  received  a  tally.  Receipt  Roll,  Easter,  14  Ric.  II.  (Kirk,  294-5). 

„  April  12.  Enrollment  of  the  Indictment  in  the  King's  Bench  of 
Richard  Brerelay  and  others,  for  the  robbery  of  Chaucer  at  West 
minster  on  6th  Sept.,  1390,  etc.  Coram  Rege  Roll,  Easter,  14  Ric. 
II.,  Rex,  roll  1  (Kirk,  295). 

[There  are  three  further  entries  concerning  this  robbery  (see  above  under  Jan.  6, 
1391)  011  April  16  and  May  31-June  22 ;  (2)  see  the  whole  of  Life  Records  of  Chaucer, 
I,  and  IV,  pp.  295-9.] 


12  [Life  Records]      Five    Hundred  Years  of  >.D.  1391- 

1391,  July  8.  Chaucer  s  Account  as  Cl.erk  of  the  Works  at  St.  George's 
ChxpeL  Windsor,  from  July  12,  1390,  to  this  date.  Exchequer 
L.  T.  R.  Foreign  Accounts,  14  Ric.  II.,  forula  C  (Kirk,  309,  310). 

„  July  12.  Indenture  between  Chaucer  and  Gedney  as  to  the  delivery 
of  certain  quantities  of  stone  for  the  Works  in  Windsor  Castle. 
Exchequer  Accounts,  Works,  W  (Kirk,  310). 

„  Oct.  A  File  of  sixteen  documents  subsidiary  to  Cliaucer's  Account 
as  Clerk  of  the  Works,  referring  to  repairs  and  works  at  West 
minster,  the  Tower,  Windsor,  and  elsewhere;  and  consisting  of 
Writs,  Indentures  and  Receipts  between  June  1389  and  October 
1391.  Exchequer  Accounts,  etc.,  Works,  -\V-  (Kirk,  310-13;  see 
also  Trial-Forewords  to  parallel-text  edition  of  Chaucer's  minor 
poems,  by  F.  J.  Fnrnivall,  Chaucer  Soc.,  1871,  p.  132). 

,,  Nov.  12.  Mandate  to  the  Exchequer  to  account  with  Chaucer  as 
Clerk  of  the  Works,  and  to  pay  whatever  is  due  to  him.  Exchequer 
Q.  R.  Memoranda  Roll,  Mich.,  15  Ric.  II.,  Brevia,  roll  31  d  (Kirk, 
313). 

1393,  Jan.  9.     Gift  of  £10,  by  the  King  to  Chaucer,  as  a  reward  for  his 
good  service  during  the  "present "  year.     Issue  Roll,  Mich.,  16  Ric. 
II.,  in.  12  (Kirk,  315). 

„  May  22.  Repayment  to  Chaucer  of  £QQ  13s.  4d.,  lent  by  him  for 
the  King's  Works  (sec-  entry  under  April  6,  1391).  Issue  Roll, 
Easter,  16  Ric.  II.,  m.  9  (Kirk,  316). 

1394,  Feb.  28.     Grant  by  the  King  to  Chaucer  of  an  annuity  of  £20. 
Patent  Roll,  17  Ric.  II.,  p.  2,  m.  35  (Kirk,  316.     Godwin,  App. 
xxii). 

[There  are  seventeen  payments  in  all  of  this  annuity  on  the  following  dates : 
Dec.  10,  1394  ;  April  [loan  of  £10],  June  25  [loan  of  £10],  Sept.  9  [loan  of  26s.  8d.], 
Nov.  27,  1395 ;  Mar.  1,  Dec.  25, 1396  [loan  of  £10] ;  July  2,  Aug.  9  [two  loans  of  100s. 
each],  Oct.  26,  1397 ;  June  4,  July  24,  31,  Aug.  23,  Oct.  28,  1398  [loan  of  £10]  ;  Feb. 
21,  June  5,  1400 ;  Kirk,  316-22,  326,  331.  There  are  also  two  repayments  by  Chaucer, 
one  of  a  loan  of  £10,  repaid  May  28,  1395,  and  one  of  26s.  8d.,  repaid  March  1,  1396 ; 
Kirk,  317,  319,  342.] 

1395-6.  Payment  of  money  to  Geoffrey  Chaucer  for  Henry,  Earl  of 
Derby,  at  London,  by  the  Clerk  of  the  Earl's  Great  Wardrobe. 
Duchy  of  Lancaster  Accounts  (various),  1/5  (Kirk,  342). 

[See  History  of  Henry  17.,  by  J.  H.  Wylie,  App.] 

1396,  April  6.  Deed  by  Gregory  Ballard,  appointing  Chaucer  and 
others  as  his  attorneys,  to  take  seisin  for  him  of  certain  lands  in 
Kent,  of  which  he  had  been  enfeoffed  by  the  Archbishop  of  York 
Close  Roll,  19  Ric.  II.,  m.  8  d  (Kirk,  319-20). 

1398,  May  20.  Action  of  Debt  in  the  Common  Pleas  by  Isabella  widow 
and  administratrix  of  Walter  Bukholt,  Esquire,  against  Geoffrey 
Chaucer,  Esquire,  for  £14  Is.  lid;  and  against  John  Goodale  of 
Muleford.  for  £12  Ss.  The  Sheriff  of  Middlesex  returns  that  they 
have  nothing  [in  his  bailwickl  ™d  he  is  ordered  to  arrest  them 
De  Banco  Roll,  Easter,  21  Ric.  II.,  m.  368  d  (Kirk,  321,  and  note 
1,  322  ;  see  also  the  Athenwum,  Sept.  13,  1879,  p  338) 


1399]         Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Life  Records]  13 

1398,  May  4.     Royal  protection  for  Chaucer,  who  has  been  appointed  by 

the  King  to  attend  to  many  urgent  affairs,  but  fears  to  be  hindered 
by  plaints  or  suit* ;  to  last  for  two  years.  Patent  Roll,  21  Ric.  II., 
p.  3,  m.  26  (Kirk,  322.  Rymer,  vol.  viii,  p.  39.  Godwin,  App. 
xxiv). 

,,  June  12 — July  4.  Action  of  Debt  by  Isabella  Bukholt  against 
Chaucer  and  Goodale.  The  Sheriff  returns  that  they  have  not  been 
found,  and  it  is  ordered  that  they  be  arrested.  De  Banco  Roll, 
Trin.,  21-22  Ric.  II.,  m.  431  d  (Kirk,  324). 

„  Oct.  9 — Nov.  28.  Action  of  Debt  by  Isabella  Bukholt  against 
Chaucer  and  Goodale.  The  Sheriff  returns  that  they  have  not  been 
found,  and  he  is  ordered  to  put  them  in  exigent,  till  they  are  out 
lawed,  if  not  found.  De  Banco  Roll,  Mich.,  22  Ric.  II.,  in.  228 
(Kirk,  324). 

[Kirk  states  that  110  later  entry  of  this  action  has  been  found,  therefore  we  may 
take  it  for  granted  that  it  did  not  come  to  a  trial.] 

[1398,]  Oct.  13.  Petition  by  Chaucer  to  the  King,  asking  for  the  grant 
of  a  butt  of  wine  yearly  to  be  received  in  the  Port  of  London,  by  the 
hands  of  the  Chief  Butler.  Warrants,  Chancery,  series  I,  file  1394 
(Kirk,  325). 

[See  also  W.  D.  Selby  in  the  Athenceum,  Jan.  28,  18SS,  p.  116.] 

1398,  Oct.  13.     Grant  to  Chaucer  of  a  butt  of  wine  yearly,  as  above. 
Patent  Roll,  22  Ric.  II.,  p.  1,  m.  5  (Kirk,  325.     Rymer,  vol.  viii, 
p.  51). 

„  Oct.  15.  Another  grant  of  the  same,  with  the  addition  of  words, 
making  the  Chief  Butler's  deputy  responsible.  Patent  Roll,  22  Ric. 
II.,  p.  1,  m.  8  (Kirk,  325.  Godwin,  App.  xxv). 

1399,  Oct.  13.    Grant  by  Henry  IV.  to  Cfiaucer,  for  good  service  rendered 
to  the  neiv  King,  of  an  annuity  of  40  marks,  in  addition  to  the  <£20 
given  him  by  Richard  II.     Patent  Roll,  1  Hen.  IV.,  p.  5,  m.  12 
(Kirk,  327.     Godwin,  App.  xxvi). 

[See  note  1  on  p.  327  of  Life  Records  where  Kirk  states  that  Chaucer  does  not 
appear  to  have  received  any  benefit  from  this  grant,  as  there  are  no  payments 
of  this  annuity  on  the  Issue  Rolls;  but  he  continued  to  receive  Richard  II. 's 
annuity.  See  above  under  Feb.  28,  1394.  It  may  be  noted  that  the  last  day  of 
Richard's  reign  was  Sept.  29,  1399.] 

„  Oct.  18.  Confirmation  by  Henry  IV.  to  Chaucer  of  Richard  II.'s 
two  patents  of  20  marks  and  a  butt  of  wine  yearly  (see  above  under 
Feb.  28,  and  Oct.  13,  1398),  he  having  accidentally  lost  the  original 
patents.  Patent  Roll,  1  Hen.  IV.,  p.  1,  m.  18  (Kirk,  327-8.  Rymer, 
vol.  viii,  p.  94.  Godwin,  App.  xxvii). 

„  Oct.  21.  Inspeximus  and  confirmation  of  the  preceding  confirma 
tion.  Patent  Roll,  1  Hen.  IV.,  p.  1,  m.  8  (Kirk,  328). 

„  Dec.  24.  Lease  by  tJie  Warden  of  St.  Marys  Chapel  in  West 
minster  Abbey,  to  Chaucer,  of  a  tenement  situate  in  the  garden  of 
the  Chapel  for  53  years,  at  the  yearly  rent  of  53s.  4dL ;  terminable 


14  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D  1400- 

at  Chaucer  s  death.  The  lessee  covenants  to  repair,  and  not  to  sublet, 
nor  to  harbour  any  one  having  claims  against  the  Abbey,  without 
the  Wardens  licence.  Muniments  of  Westminster  Abbey  (Kirk, 
329-30.  Godwin,  App.  xxviii). 

[a.  1400.]  Unknown.  The  Gest  hystoriale  of  the  destruction  of  Troy 
Unique  MS.,  Hunterian  museum,  Glasgow,  bk.  xix,  fol.  124  6, 
11.  8051-4  (ed.  G.  A.  Panton  and  David  Donaldson,  E.  E.  T.  soc., 
1869  and  1874,  pp.  261-2). 

The  sorow  of  Troilus  for  Breisaid  his  loue. 

"No  lengur  of  thies  loners  list  me  to  carpe, 
Ne  of  the  fey  nit  fate  of  J?at  faire  lady ; 
Who-so  wilnes  to  wit  of  faire  wo  fir, 
Turne  hym  to  Troilus,  &  talke  pere  ynoghe  ! 

[It  is  doubtful  whether  this  allusion  'Turne  hym  to  Troilus  and  talke  bere 
ynoghe '  refers  to  Chaucer's  Troilus,  but  there  is  a  possibility  that  it  may  do  so. 
The  whole  Gest  is  an  amplified  englishing  of  Guido  de  Colonna's  Historia  Trojana 
(c.  1381-82),  and  the  corresponding  passage  in  Guido  runs  :— "  Cedo,  Troile,  quse  te 
tarn  juvenilis  errare  Coegit  Credulitas,  ut  Briseidse  lacrimis  crederes  deceptivis  et 
ejus  blanditiis " ;  and  in  what  precedes  and  follows,  the  English  book  follows 
Guido  pretty  closely;  so  that  it  seems  likely  that  the  passage  is  suggested  by 
him.] 

[1400.]  Lydgate,  John.    The  Serpent  of  Deuision,  Wherein  is  conteined 

the  true  History  or  Mappe  of  Homes  ouerthrowe Whereunto 

is  annexed  the  Tragedye  of  Gorboduc At  London.     Printed 

by  Edward  Allde  for  John  Perrin,  .  .  .  1590.     sign.  c.  iij  b  .c.  iv. 

[Describing  the  death  of  Caesar]  ...  so  that  touching  the 
manner  of  his  tragedy  :  I  may  conclude  with  ye  flower  of 
Poets  in  our  English  tung,  and  the  first  that  euer  elumined 
our  language  with  flowers  of  rethorick  eloquence :  I  mean 
famous  and  worthy  Chaucer,  which  compendiously  wrought 
the  death  of  this  mightye  Emperour,  saying  thus 

With  Bodkins  was  Ccesar  Julius 

Murdred  at  Rome  of  Brutus  Crassus 

When  many  a  Region  he  had  brought  full  lowe, 

Lo  !  who  may  trust  Fortune  any  throw. 

[A  very  free  summary  of  Monkes  Tale 
11.  3863-5,  3885-98,  3912-15.1 

The  conclusion.  Thus  by  the  large  writings  and  golden 
vollums  of  that  woorthye  Chaucer,  the  f reward  Dame  of 
Chaunce  hath  no  respect  of  persons. 

[This  tract  was  previously  printed  under  the  title  "The  Damage  and  Destruccyon 
in  Kealmes,  first  by  me  Peter  Treuerys,"  c.  1520,  then  by  Owen  Rogers,  1559.  In 
Gorboduc,  ed.  L.  Touhnin  Smith  (Englisohe  sprach.  u.  lit.  denkmaler,  ed  K.  Voll- 


1403]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Lydgate]  15 

moller,  vol.  i)  1883,  pp.  xx-ii,  an  extract  with  part  of  the  Chaucer  reference  is  given 
from  Lord  Calthorpe's  Yelverton  MSS.,  vol.  35,  ff.  1466-156  ;  the  tract  will  be  found 
mentioned  in  Report  II,  Roy.  Com.  Hist.  MSS.,  vol.  i,  1871,  p.  42.  See  Miss  Toulmin 
Smith  for  date,  authorship,  editions,  etc.] 

[c.  1400.]  Lydgate,  John.  The  Chorle  and  the  bird.  Last  stanza. 
MS.  Harl.  116,  fol.  152.  (Lydgate's  minor  poems,  ed.  J.  O.  Halli- 
well,  1840,  Percy  soc.,  vol.  ii,  p.  193.) 

Go  gentitt  quayer,  and  Recommaunde  me 

Vnto  my  maistir  with  humble  affectioun 

Beseke  hym  lowly  of  mercy  and  pite 

Of  thy  rude  makyng  to  haue  compassiown 

And  as  touching  thy  translacioztn 

Oute  of  frensh  /  hough  euer  the  englisshe  be 

Al  thing  is  saide  undir  correctiown 

With  snpportacioun  of  your  benignite. 

[c.  1401.]  Lydgate,  John.  Thefloure  of  curtesye,  stanzas  34-5  ;  no  MS. 
copy  known ;  first  printed  in  Chaucer's  works,  ed.  W.  Thynne,  1 532, 
sign.  D  dd.  ii  6,  or  fol.  cclxxxiiii  6,  and  in  J.  Stowe's  1561  edn.  of 
Chaucer,  fol.  ccxlix,  who  first  attributed  it  to  Lydgate  (Chaucerian 
and  other  pieces,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1897,  p.  273 ;  for  date  and 
authorship,  see  ibid.,  introduction,  p.  xlv). 

(34) 

Euer  as  I  can  supprise  in  myn  herte 
Alway  with  feare  betwyxt  drede  and  shame 
Leste  oute  of  lose,  any  worde  asterte 
In  this  metre,  to  make  it  seme  lame, 
Chaucer  is  deed  that  had  suche  a  name 
Of  fayre  makyng  that  [was]  without  wene 
Fayrest  in  our  tonge,  as  the  Laurer  grene. 

(35) 

We  may  assay  forto  countrefete 
His  gay  style  but  it  wyl  not  be ; 
The  welle  is  drie,  with  the  lycoure  swete 
Both  of  Clye  and  of  Caliope. 


[1402-3.]  Lydgate,  John.  The  complaint  of  the  Black  Knight,  MS. 
Fairfax  16,  ff.  206,  30,  [used  by  Krausser];  Add.  16165,  ff.  1906, 
200  6. ;  Arch.  Selden,  B  24,  fol.  120.  (Ed.  Emil  Krausser,  1896,  pp. 
54-5.) 

(53) 

What  shal  I  say  of  yonge  Piramus  ? 
Of  trwe  Tristram  for  al  his  high  renovne  ? 


16  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1403- 

Of  Achilles  or  of  Antonyus  1 

Of  Arcite  or  of  him  Palamovne  1 

What  was  the  ende  of  her  passioim  1 

But  after  sorowe  dethe  and  then  her  graue. 

Lo  her  the  guerdon  that  [thes]  loners  hane ! 


(55) 

Of  Thebes  eke  [loo]  the  fals  Arcite, 
And  Demophon  eke  for  his  slouthe, 
They  had  her  lust  and  al  that  myght  delyte, 
For  al  her  falshede  and  [hir]  grete  vntrouthe. 

[At  the  end  of  Arch.  Selden  (c.  1488,  q.v.,  below  p.  63)  occur  these  words  :  "Here 
endith  the  niaying  and  disport  of  Chnucere,"  and  under  this  title  the  Complaint  was 
printed  by  Chepman  and  Myllar,  1508  (q.  v.  p.  70).  Dart  reprinted  it  also  as  Chaucer's 
in  1718  (q.  v.  below).  For  authorship  and  date  see  Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed. 
W.  W.  Skeat,  1897,  introduction,  pp.  xliii-v ;  he  reprints  the  Complaint  from  W. 
Thynne's  edn.  of  1532,  pp.  245-65,  Chaucer  references,  pp.  256-7.] 

[c.  1403.  Clanvowe,  Sir  Thomas?]  The  Cuckow  and  the  Nightingale 
MSS.  in  B.  M.,  Bodleian,  Camb.  Univ.  library  (Chaucerian  and 
other  pieces,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1897,  p.  347  ;  and  for  authorship, 
date,  details  of  MSS.  and  early  printed  edns.  see  ibid.,  pp.  Ivii-lxi). 

[first  line]  The  god  of  love,  a  !  benedicite  ! 

How  mighty  and  how  greet  a  lord  is  he ! 

[quoted  from  Knight's  Tale,  11.  1785-6]. 

[For  the  argument  that  this  poem  is  by  Sir  John  Clanvowe,  and  was  written  before 
1391,  see  G.  L.  Kittredge  in  Mod.  Philology,  Chicago,  vol.  i,  pp.  13-18.] 

[c.  1403  ?]  Lydgate,  John.  Here,  begynneth  a  breue  compiled  tretyse 
callyd  by  the  Auctor  thereof  Curia  Sapiencie.  MS.  Trin.  Coll. 
Cambr.  R.  3.  21.  377 ;  printed  by  Caxtoa  [1481  ?]  under  title  De 
Curia  Sapientix  (of  which  a  few  verses  only  are  extant  among  the 
Caxton  fragments  in  the  B.  M.,  pr.  mk.  IB  55003)  ;  and  by 
Wynkyn  de  Worde,  1510,  as  The  courte  of  sapyence.  Proheme, 
stanzas  7,  8,  9,  sign,  a  ii,  f.  i  b. 

(7) 

But  netheles  as  tasted  bytternesse  [sign.  a.  ii] 

All  swete  thynge  maketh  be  more  precyous 
So  shall  my  boke  extende  the  goodlynesse 
Of  other  auctoures  whiche  ben  gloryous 
And  make  theyr  wrytynge  delycyous 
I  symple  shall  extoll  theyr  soueraynte 
And  my  rudenes  shall  shewe  theyr  subtylyte. 

(8) 

Gower  chaucers  erthly  goddes  two 
Of  thyrste  of  eloquent  delycacye 


1403]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Lydgate]  17 

With  all  your  successours  fewe  or  moo 
Fragraunt  in  speche  /  experte  in  poetrye 
You  ne  yet  them  in  no  poynt  I  enuye 
Exyled  as  ferre  I  am  from  your  glorye 
As  nyght  from  daye  /  or  deth  from  vyctorye. 

(9) 
I  you  honour  /  blysse  /  loue  /  and  gloryfye. 

Who  so  thynketh  my  wrytynge  dull  &  blont    [sign.  f.  ii] 

And  wolde  conceyue  the  colours  purperate 

Of  Rethoryke  go  he  to  triasunt 

And  to  Galfryde  the  poete  laureate 

To  Januens  a  clerke  of  grete  astate 

Within  the  fyrst  parte  of  his  gramer  boke 

Of  this  mater  there  groundely  may  he  loke. 

[The  extract  here  given  is  from  the  1510  edn.  The  allusion  to  '  Galfryde  the  poete 
laureate,'  refers  most  probably  to  Galfridus  de  Viiiosalvo,  also  called  'Galfridua 
Anglicus.'  See -below,  p.  49.  See  The  Temple  of  Glas,  ed.  J.  Schick,  E.  E.  T.  soc., 
notes,  pp.  77-8. 

Dr.  H.  N.  MacCracken  will  not  allow  that  this  poem  is  by  Lydgate;  see  his 
Lydgate  Canon,  Philological  society  Transactions  1908,  p.  xxxi.] 

[1403?]  Lydgate,  John.  The  Temple  of  Glas.  MS.  Tanner,  346,  ff. 
76-97.  1400-20.  11.  102-10  (direct  reference  to  Chaucer),  11.  75-6, 
137-42,  184-5,  405-6,  409-10  (indirect  references).  (Ed.  J.  Schick, 
E.  E.  T.  soc.,  extra  series  Ix,  1891,  pp.  3-7,  17.) 

[il.  75-6]  There  was  [also]  Grisildis  innocence 

And  al  hir  mekenes,  &  hir  pacience. 


[il.  102-10]          There  saugh  I  also  J?e  soror  of  Palamouw, 
That  he  in  prison  felt,  &  al  J; e  smert, 
And  hov  fat  he,  Jmrugli  vnto  his  hert, 
Was  hurt  vnwarli  Jmrugh  casting  of  an 
Of  faire  fressli,  J?e  $ung[e]  Emelie, 
And  al  Jje  strife  bitwene  \\\m  &  his  brojw-, 
And  hou  fat  one  fau^t  eke  \fitli  fat  of  ir 
Wif-in  f  e  groue,  til  f  ei  bi  Theseus 
Acordid  were,  as  Chaucer  tellif  us. 

[il.  137-142]         And  vppermore  depeint  men  my^t[e]  so, 
Hov  wit/*  hir  ring,  goodli  Canace 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM. 


18  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1406- 

Of  euere  foule  fe  ledne  &  f  e  song 
Coud  vndirstond,  as  she  welk  hem  among ; 
And  hou  hir  brofiY  so  oft  holpen  was 
In  liis  myschefe  bi  fe  stede  of  bras. 

[ii.  184-5]  For  it  ne  sit  vnto  fresshfe]  May 

Forto  be  coupled  to  oold[e]  lanuari — 

[ii.  405-6]  Grisildfe]  was  assaied  atfte]  ful, 

That  turned  af tir  to  hir  encrese  of  loye ; 


[ii.  409-ioj          Also  f  e  turment  fere  coude  no  man  akoye 
Of  Dorigene,  flowr  of  al  Britayne. 


[1406-13].  Edward,  2nd  duke  of  York.  Here  begynneth  ....  the  Book 
of  Huntyng  the  which  is  clepyd  Mayster  of  the  Game.  MS.  Cott. 
Vesp.  B.  xii,  f.  12  6.  (The  Master  of  the  Game,  ed.  Win.  A.  and  F. 
Baillie-Grohman,  1004,  p.  3.) 


The  Prologe  [to  King  Henry  IV]. 

....  J)ough  I  vmvorf  i  be  I  am  Maister  of  this  game  \vi)> 
fat  noble  prince  your  fadere  cure  aldere  souereyne  and  liegp 
lord  forsaid.  And  for  I  ne  wold  fat  his  hunters  ne  yours  fat 
now  be  or  shuld  come  here  aftir  weren  vnknowe  in  fe  profite- 
nesst  of  fis  art  for  fi  shall  I  leue  this  symple  memorial 
ffor  as  Chaucer  saif  in  this  prologe  of  the  xxv  good  wymmen. 
Be  wryteng  haue  men  of  ymages  passed  for  writyng  is  f e  keye 
of  alle  good  remernbraunce. 

[Prologue  to  Legend  of  Good  Women,  11.  25-6.] 

[c.  1407.]  Scogan,  Henry.  A  moral  balade  made  by  Henry  Scogane 
squyer1  [addressed  to  Henry  IV's  sons],  stanzas  9,  13,  17.  MS. 
Ashmole  59,  ff.  26-27.  Printed  by  Caxton  [1478  ?1  Caxton  frag 
ments,  no.  1  [B.M.  pr.  ink.  IB  55016],  and  by  W.  Thynne  in 
Chaucer's  works,  1532,  ff.  380-1.  (Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed. 
W.  W.  Skeat,  1897,  pp.  239-40  ;  Parallel  text  of  Chaucer's  minor 
poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  pp.  427,  430.) 

(9) 

i£foi.  20]  My  maistre  Chancier  /  god  his  soule  have  / 

fat  in  his  langage  /  \vas  so  curyous 
He  saide  fat  f  e  fader  /  nowe  dede  and  grave  / 
Beqwape  no-thing  /  his  vertue  vrith  his  hous  / 
Vn-to  his  sone  / 


1409]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  19 

(13) 

(foi.  266]          By  avncetrye  Jms  may  yee  no-thing  clayme 
As  ]>at  my  maistre  Chaucier  do)?e  expresse 
But  temporett  thinge  /  Jjat  man  may  hurte  &  mayme 
pane  is  gode  stocke  /  of  vertuous  noblesse. 
.....     hcrke  howe  my  maistre  seyde 
[Here  follow  the  three  verses  of  Gentilesse.] 

(17) 

[foi.  27]  Loo  here  pis  noble  Poete  of  Brettayne 

Howe  hyely  he  in  vertuous  sentence 
J>e  lesse  in  youf>e  /  of  vertue  /  can  compleyne 
Wherfore  I  prey  yowe  /  doojje  youre  diligence 

[Scogan  quotes  Chaucer's  poem  Gentilesse  in  full,  as  it  is  given  in  Ashmole  MS.  59, 
foi.  27.] 

1409,  May  20.  The  seal  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer  used  by  Thomas  Chaucer 
at  this  date.  Ancient  Deeds,  DS.  79  (Life-Records  of  Chaucer,  ed. 
Kirk,  1900,  p.  433,  and  Archseologia,  1852,  vol.  xxxiv,  p.  42). 

[1409-11  '?]  Lydgate,  John.  The  Life  of  our  Lady.  Cotton  MS.  App. 
viii,  Mo.  i;  Harl.  MS.  629,  foi.  436-44.  Printed  by  Caxton 
1484  (?)  [B.  M.  and  Bodl.],  as  A  comendacion  of  chauceres,  cap. 
xxxiiij,  sign,  e  7  b.  Printed  by  Robert  Redman,  1531,  sign.  N  iv  6, 
O  i  ;  table  of  chapters,  sign, 


[This  poem  will  also  be  found  in  Harl.  MSS.  38G2  ;  3952;  4011,  No.  7;  5272,  No.  1. 
See  p.  53,  below,  for  another  version  of  the  first  7  lines.] 

U  A  commendaciown  of  Chaucers.  [Hari.  629.  foi.  43  6-44] 
A  nd  eke  my  master  Chauceris  no\ve  is  graue 

The  noble  rethor  Poete  of  brcteine 
That  worthy  was  the  laurcr  to  haue 
Of  peetrie  [sic]  and  the  palme  atteine 
Tliat  made  rirste  to  distille  and  reyue 
The  golde  dewe  droppis  of  speche  and  eloquence 
In-to  oure  tounge  tliour^  his  excellence 
U  And  fouude  the  flourys  first  of  rethoryk 
Oure  rude  speche  oonly  to  enlumyne 
That  in  oure  tunge  was  neuer  noon  him  like 
For  as  the  sunne  dotlie  in  heuen  shyne 
In  mydday  speere  dovn)  to  vs  by-lyne  [foi.  44] 

In  whos  [)re.sence  noo  sterre  may  appere 
Ri3t  so  his  ditees  withoute  any  peere 
^T  Eny  makyng  with  his  li^t  distcino 
In  sothfastnesse  who-so  taketli  heede 
Wherfor  noo  wondre  thou^  inyn  herte  pleyne 
Vpon)  his  dethe  and  for  sorowe  blede 
"For  wante  of  him  nowe  in  my  greetfe]  uede 


20  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1410- 

That  shulde  alias  conveie  and  directe 
And  wit/i  his  supporte  amende  and  corecte 
U  The  wronge  tracys  of  my  rude  penne 
Ther  as  y  erre  and  goo  nou^t  lyne  ri$t 
But  for  that  he  ne  may  me  not  kenne 
I  can  no  more  but  with  alle  my  my^t 
With  alle  myne  herte  and  myne  inward  si$t 
Praye  for  him  that  nowe  lieth  in  cheste 
To  god  above  to  3iue  his  soule  good  reste 
U  And  as  y  can  forthe  y  wil  precede 
Sithen  of  his  helpe  ther  may  noo  socour  bee 
And  thourj  my  penne  ay  quakyng  for  drede 
Neither  to  .  Cloie .  ne  to  .  Caliope 
Me  liste  not  calle  for  to  helpe  me 
Ne  to  no  muse  my  pointel  for  to  guye 
But  leue  alle  this  and  seie  to  Marie 
O  clene  castel  and  the  chaste  toure 
Of  the  hooly  goost  modir  and  virgins 
Be  thou  my  helpe  &c.  .  .  . 

• 

1410.  Froissart,  Sir  John.  Here  begynneth,  the  'first  volum  of  Sir 
Johan  Froyssari:  of  the  cronycles  of  Englande  ....  translated 
....  into  ....  englysshe  ...  .  by  John  BourcMer  knight  lorde 
Herners.  Imprinted  .  .  by  Kicharde  Pynson  .  .  M.D.  xxiii, 
cap.  cccxiv,  fol.  cxcvi,  col.  i.  (Tudor  trans,  ser.,  ed.  W.  E.  Henley, 
5  vols.  1901-2,  vol.  ii,  p.  459 ;  Globe  edn.,  ed.  G.  C.  Macaulay, 
1895,  p.  205.) 

....  and  than  about  lent  [1377]  there  was  a  secrete  treatie 
deuysed  to  be  bytwene  the  two  kynges  [of  France  and  England] 
at  Moutrell  by  the  see.  And  so  were  sent  by  the  kynge 
of  Englande  to  Calais  sir  Eycharde  Dangle  Eycharde  Stan 
Geffray  Chaucer. 

[This  is  printed  here  because  of  its  interest,  although  it  is  not  an  English  reference  ; 
tee  App.  B.  1380-88,  Froissart,  and  cf.  also  above  1377,  p.  5,  and  below  1592, 
p.  130.] 

1410.  Walton,  John  (of  Osney).  Liber  boeti  de  Gonsolatione  philosqphi 
de  latino  in  Anglican,  1410,  per  Capellanum  Joannem  [fol.  1  61 
Koy.  MS.  18  A.  xiii,  fol.  2  and  6.  (Chaucer's  works,  ed.  W.  W. 
Skeat,  1894,  vol.  ii,  p.  xvii,  and  Athena3iim,  Dec.  28, 1895,  p.  902.) 

To  Chaucer  that  is  floure  of  rethoryk 
In  englisshe  tong  and  excellent  poete 
This  wot  I  wcl  no  thing  may  I  do  lyk  • 
Thogh  so  that  I  of  makynge  entyrmete. 


1412J  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  21 

And  Gower  that  so  craftily  doth  trete 
As  in  his  book  of  moralitee 
Tliogh  I  to  tlieym  in  inakyng  am  unmete 
}it  most  I  shewe  it  forth  that  is  in  me. 

[Only  a  few  verses  are  given  by  Skeat,  but  the  Chancer  reference  is  among  them. 
T.  Hearne  (Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle,  ed.  T.  Hearne,  1724,  vol.  ii,  p.  708)  in  a 
letter  to  John  Bagford,  1708,  states  that  he  saw  an  edition  of  1525,  of  this  trans 
lation,  but  we  can  find  no  further  trace  of  it.  See  below,  under  1708,  p.  2%.] 


1412.  Hoccleve,  Thomas.  The  Eegement  of  Princes,  MS.  Harl.  4866 
[Beggar  and  Hoccleve],  fol.  34,  11.  1863-9.  [Lament  for  Chaucer], 
If.  35  &-36,  11.  1958-74.  [Regement  for  Henry  V.  when  Prince  of 
T^ales— Proem],  If.  37-37  6,  11.  2077-2107.  "  [§  14]  De  consilio 
habendo  in  omnibus  factis,  ff.  87  6-88,  11.  4978-98.  (Works,  Part 
III.  The  Eegement  of  Princes,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc., 
extra  ser.  Ixxii,  1897,  pp.  68,  71,  75-6,  179-80.  See  also  extracts 
reprinted  in  The  Dtmbar  Anthology,  1401-1508,  ed.  E.  Arber, 
1901,  pp.  80-3.) 

H  "What  schal  I  calle  J>e?  what  is  J)i  name?"  [foi.34] 


"Hoccleue,  sons'? "     "I-wis,  fadir,  fat  same." 
"  Sone,  I  haue  herd,  or  this,  men  speke  of  f  e ; 
j?ou  were  aqueynted  with  Caucher,  pardee — 
God  haue  his  soule  best  of  any  wyght ! — 
Sone,  I  wole  holde  fe  fat  I  haue  hygfrt." 

II  "  0,  maister  deere,  and  fadir  reuerent !  [foi.  86] 

Mi  maister  Chaucer,  flour  of  eloquence, 
Mirour  of  fructuous  entendement, 
0,  vniuersel  fadir  in  science  ! 
Alias  !  fat  fou  thyn  excellent  prudence, 
In  Ipi  bed  mortel  mightist  naght  by-qwethe ; 
What  eiled  deth  1  alias  !  win  wolde  he  sle  the  1 

U  "  0  deth  !  fou  didest  naght  harme  singuleer. 

In  slaghtere  of  him ;  but  al  fis  land  it  smertith 
But  nathelees,  yit  hast  J?ou  no  power 
His  name  sle ;  his  hy  ve?*tu  astertith 
Ynslnyn  fro  J>e,  which  ay  vs  lyfly  hertyth, 
With  bookes  of  his  ornat  ^ndytyng, 
That  is  to  al  J>is  land  enlumynyng. 


22  [Hoccleve]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1412 

Mi  dere  maistir— god  his  soule  quyte  !—  [foi.  87] 
And  fadir,  Chaucer,  fayn  wolde  lian  me  taght ; 
But  I  was  dul,  and  lerned  lite  or  naght. 

U  Alias  !  my  worthi  maister  honorable, 

This  landes  verray  tresor  and  richc-sse, 
Deth,  bi  thi  deth,  hath  harme  irreparable 
Vnto  vs  doon ;  hir  vengeable  duresse 
Despoiled  hath  fis  land  of  f  e  swetnesss 
Of  rethorik  ;  for  vn-to  Tullius 
Was  neuer  man  so  lyk  a-monges  vs. 

H  Also,  who  was  hier  in  philosophic 
To  Aristotle,  in  our  tonge,  but  thow  ? 

The  steppes  of  virgile  in  poesie 

Thow  filwedist  eeke,  men  wot  wel  y-now. 


II  She  [Death]  myghte  lian  taried  hir  vengeance  awhile, 

Til  that  sum  man  had  egal  to  the  be. 
Nay,  lat  be  fat !  sche  knew  wel  fat  f  is  vie 
May  neuer  man  forth  brynge  lyk  to  the, 
And  hir  office  needes  do  mot  she  ; 

God  bad  hir  so,  I  truste  as  for  thi  beste ; 
0  maister,  maister,  god  f  i  soule  reste  1 

H  The  firste  fyndere  of  our  faire  langage,  [foi.  876] 

Hath  seyde  in  caas  semblable,  &  othir  moo, 
So  hyly  wel,  fat  it  is  my  dotage 

ffor  to  expresse  or  touche  any  of  thoo. 
Alasse !  my  fadir  fro  the  worlde  is  goo — 
My  worthi  maister  Chaucer,  hym  I  mene — 
Be  fou  aduoket  for  hym,  heuenes  quene  ! 

IT  As  J?ou  wel  knowest,  o  blissid  virgyne, 
AVa't/t  louyng  hert,  and  hye  deuociown 
In  fyne  honour  he  wroot  ful  many  a  lyne ; 
0  now  fine  lielpe  &  fi  promociown, 
To  god  fi  so?ie  make  a  mociown, 

How  he  Jn  seruaunt  was,  mayden  marie, 
And  lat  his  loue  floure  and  fructine. 

H  Al-f ogh  his  lyfe  be  queynt,  fe  resemblaunce 
Of  him  haj>  in  me  so  fressH  lyflynesse, 


1412] 


Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Hocdei-e~\  23 


J3at,  to  putte  othir  men  in  remembraunce 
Of  his  pe?'s6ne,  I  haue  heere  his  lyknesse 
Do  make,  to  fis  ende  in  sothfastnesse, 

)3at  fei  )>«t  haue  of  liini  lest  Bought  &  mynde, 
By  fis  peynture  may  ageyn  him  fynde. 


[Grass-green 
background, 
black  hood 
and  gown, 
gray  hair, 
hazel  eyes, 
red  lips, 
paleish  face 
and  hands; 
black  beads 
and  penner 
on  red 
strings.} 


[In  the  MS.  Chaucer's  carefully-drawn  and  coloured  likeness  is  in  the  right  margin 
of  this  last  verse,  with  his  finger  pointing  at  'lyknesse'  (4th  line).  At  the  top  of 
the  much  commoner  full-length  figure  in  the  left  margin  of  the  MS.  Reg.  17.  D.  6, 
is  "TfChaucers  yn  age."  There  was  another  drawing  of  Chaucer  in  MS.  Cott.  Otho 
A.  18,  but  the  Chaucer  part  is  now  burnt.] 

[1412-20.]  Lydgate,  John.  The  hystorye,  sege  and  dystruccyon  of 
Troye.  MS.  Cott.  Aug.  4,  ff.  486,  72,  906,  91,  153  ;  Arundel  MS. 
99  ;  Roy  MS.  18.  D.  ii ;  Printed  (with  above  title)  by  Richard 
Pynson,  1513.  2nd  bk.,  c.  xv,  fol.  146;  3rd  bk.  c.  xxii,  N  5  ; 
cxxv,  Q  56-Q  6  ;  5th  bk.  c.  xxxvii,  Dd.  3  6  (ed.  Henry  Bergen, 
E.E.T.  soc.  1906-1910,  pp.  278,  279,  410,  515,  516-17,  873). 


And  ouermore  to  teller  of  Cryseyde 

Mi  pewne  stu?ftble)>  for  longe  or  he  deyde 

My  maiste?1  Chaucer  dide  his  dilligence 

To  discryve  j?e  gret  excellence 

Of  hir  bewte  and  J>at  so  maisterly 

To  take  on  me  it  were  but  Iri^a  fuly 


[Cott.  Aug.  4, 
fol  48  b,  col.  i] 


[Lydgatc]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1412- 

Gret  cause  haue  I  &  mater  to  compleyne         If c^ifg]' 

On  antropos  &  vp-on  hir  envie 

pat  brak  pe  prede  &  made  for  to  dye 

Noble  galfride  poete  of  breteyne 

Amo7zge  de  englisch  pat  made  first  to  reyne 

pe  gold  dewe-dropis  of  retliorik  so  fyne 

Oure  rude  langage  only  tenlwmyne 

To  god  I  pray  fat  he  his  soule  liaue 

And  Cliaucer  now  alias  is  nat  alyue  [foi.  72,  col.  ij 

Me  to  reforme  or  to  be  my  rede 

For  lak  of  whom  slou^er  is  my  spede 

pe  noble  Eethor  that  alle  dide  excelle 

For  in  makyng  he  drank  of  pe  \velle 

Vndir  pernaso  pat  pe  musis  kepe 

On  whiche  liil  I  my^t  neuer  slepe 

[Of  the  Woe  of  Troylus  &  Cressid.] 
It  wolde  me  ful  longe  occupie  [foi.  906,  coi.l] 

Of  euery  pinge  to  make  mencioun 
And  tarie  me  in  my  t?*anslacioim 
3if  I  shulde  in  her  wo  precede 
But  me  semeth  pat  it  is  no  nede 
Sith  my  maister  chauwcer  her-a-forn 
In  pis  mater  so  wel  hath  hym  born 
In  his  boke  of  troylus  and  Cryseyde 
"Whiche  he  made  longe  or  pat  he  deyde 

]>e  hool  story  Chauncer  kan  ^ow  telle  [coL  ii] 

3if  pat  30  liste  no  man  bet  alyue 

Nor  pe  processe  halfe  so  wel  discryue 

For  he  owre  englishe  gilt  \\ith  his  sawes 

Kude  and  boistous  firste  be  olde  dawes 

pat  was  ful  fer  from  al  perfecciouw 

And  but  of  litel  reputacioim 

Til  pat  he  cam  &  poru$  his  poetrie 

Gan  oure  tonge  firste  to  magnifie 

And  adourne  it  with  his  elloquence 

To  whom  honour  laude  &  reuerence 

poru^-oute  pis  londe  ^oue  be  &  songe 

So  pat  pe  laurer  of  oure  englishe  tonge 

Be  to  hym  ^oue  for  his  excellence 

Ri3t  a  whilom  by  ful  hi^e  sentence 

Perpetuelly  for  a  memorial 


1420]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Lydyate]  25 

Of  Coluwpna  by  the  cardynal  [foi.  91] 

To  petrak  fraimceis  was  ^ouen  \n  ytaille 

pat  pe  report  neue?fe  after  faille 

^or  pe  honour  dirked  of  his  name 

To  be  registred  in  pe  house  of  fame 

Amonge  oper  in  pe  l^este  sete 

My  maister  galfride  as  for  chel'e  poete 

pat  euere  was  $it  in  oure  langage 

pe  name  of  whom  shal  passes  in  noo?i  age 

But  eue?*  ylyche  w/t/i-oute  eclipsinge  shyne 

And  for  my  part  I  wil  neuer  fyne 

So  as  I  can  hym  to  magnifie 

In  my  writynge  pleinly  til  I  dye 

And  god  I  praye  his  soule  bring  in  loie. 

For  he  pat  was  gronde  of  wel  seying          [foi.  153,  col.  i] 

In  al  hys  lyf  hyndred  no  makyng 

My  maiste?'  Chaucer  pat  foumle  ful  many  spot 

Hym  liste  not  pinche  nor  gruche  at  eue?(y  blot 

]STor  meue  hym  silf  to  perturbe  his  reste 

I  haue  herde  telle  but  seide  alweie  pe  best 

Suffring  goodly  of  his  gentilnes 

Ful  many  ping  enbracicl  with  rudnes 

And  }if  I  shal  shortly  hym  discryve 

Was  neuer  noon  to  pis  day  alyue 

To  reckne  alle  bope  3onge  &  olde 

pat  worpi  was  his  ynkhorn  for  to  holde 

And  in  pis  loud  $if  per  any  be 

In  borwe  or  toim  village  or  cite 

pat  kownyng  hap  his  tracis  for  to  swe 

Wher  he  go  brood  or  be  shet  in  mwe 

To  hym  I  make  a  direcciouw 

Of  pis  boke  to  han  inspeccioim 

[See  below,  Appendix  A,  1412-20,  for  fuller  references.  See  also  Chaucer's  Troylus 
and  Cryseyde  and  Boccaccio's  Filostrato,  ed.  W.  M.  Rossetti,  Chaucer  soc.,  pp. 
x,  xi,  where  a  reference  is  given  from  the  Artmdel  MS.  99,  foi.  96,  col.  2,  and  96  b 
(corresponds  to  Cott.  Aug.  4,  foi.  90  b,  col.  1).  A  modernised  version  by  Thomas 
Heywood  was  printed  by  Thomas  Purfioot  in  1614  under  title  The  life  and  death  of 
Hector  (q.  v.  below,  p.  189).  Chaucer  references  are  on  pp.  102,  183,  185  (wrongly 
paged  183),  317.  See  also  under  c.  1440,  Unknown,  below,  p.  44,  for  a  note  on 
Lydgate's  praise  of  Chaucer.] 

1420.  Brinchele,  John.     Will.     July  4,  1420.     (Commissary  Court  of 
London,  More,  foi.  Ixiiij  b.) 

Ego,  Johannes  Brynchele,  Ciuis  &  Cissor  Londom'e  .... 
Item  relaxo  et  condono  Johanni  Broune  totum  illud 


26  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1420 

in  quo  michi  tenetwr  de  meio  bonis  pro  prijs.  Et  volo  quod 
ha&eat  ilium  librum  vocatum  Boecius  de  Consolatione  ~PhHoso- 
phie  in  latinis,  quern  haftui  pro  vadio  Alterius  libri  Angliawz, 
vocati  Boecius  de  Consolaczowe  Philosophic.  Item  lego  David 
Fyvyan,  Eectori  ecclesie  Sancti  Bencdicti  Fynke  Supradicti, 
vt  sit  Superuisor  presents  testamenli  mei,  vj  s'  viij  d,  et  vnuw 
librura  in  Anglicis  vocatww  Boeciu??^  de  Consolacione  Phz7o- 
sophie.  Item  lego  WilleZmo  Holgrave,  vt  sit  vnus  executorwm 
meomm,  vj  s'  viij  d,  et  optimum  Arcura  meum,  et  librum 
meum  vocatum  Talys  of  Caunterbury  .....  [Will  proved] 
xiij  kalendarum  Septembn's,  Anno  Domini  M1CCCCmoxxmo. 

[This  earliest  bequest  of  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales  and  Boece,  is  quoted  in  notes, 
p.  136,  to  Fifty  earliest  English  wills  in  the  Court  of  Probate,  London  ;  copied  and 
ed.  by  P.  J.  Furnivall  for  the  E.  E.  T.  soc.  1682.] 

[c.  1420.]  Unknown,  Headline  to  The  Former  Age.  Camb.  Univ.  lib, 
MS.  I  i.  3,  21,  fol.  52  b.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems, 
ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  174.) 

Chawcer  vp-on  this  fyfte  metur  of  the  second  book. 

[This,  and  the  following  headlines,  are  given  merely  as  examples,  and  do  not 
profess  to  be  exhaustive.] 

[c:1420.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  Sir  Thopass  end  link,  in  MSS 
Ellesmere  (fol.  157)  and  Hengwrt  (fol.  215).  (Six-text  Canterbury 
Tales,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.,  1871-8,  p.  199,  parts  i-iii.) 

[Ellesmere]  H  Heere  the  Host1  stynteth  Chaucer  /  of  his  tale 
of  Thopas. 

[Hengwrt]  11  Here  the  hoost  /  stynteth  Chaucer  of  his  tale 
of  Thopas  /  and  biddeth  hym  /  telle  another  tale. 

[c.  1420.]  Unknown.  Colophon  to  Cooks  Tale.  MS.  Henawrt  fol  57  b 
(Six-text  Canterbury  Tales,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc  1871-8* 
parts  i-iii,  p.  128.) 

Of  this  Cokes  tale  maked  Chaucer  na  moore. 


[1420-22.;^  •Lydgate^m  Siege  of  Thebes.  Prologue,  MS.Arundel 
119,  ft  1-36  The  tlnrde  parte,  ff.  75-7.  Chaucer's  works  ed  J 
Stowe  1561,  ff.  356-77  6.  (Ed.  A.  Erdmann,  E.  E.  T.  and  Chaucer 
Joe.  Prologue,  pp.  1-7,  practically  the  whole  of  it,  also  pp.  128-9.) 

Tmian  bri^te  phebus  /  passed  was  ]>e  ram      [foi.  ij 

Myd  of  Aprille  /  and  in-to  bole  cam, 
And  Satourn)  old  /  with  his  frosty  face 
In  virgyne  /  taken  had  his  place, 


1420]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Lydgate]  27 

Malencolik  /  and  slowgh"  of  mociouw, 

And  was  also  /  in  thoposicioiw 

Of  lucina  /  the  mone  moyst  and  pale, 

That1  many  Shour  /  fro  heuene  made  a  vale ; 

whan  Aurora  /  was  in  J>e  morowe  red, 

And  lubiter  /  in  the  Crabbes  Hed 

Hath  take  his  paleys  /  and  his  mansiouw ; 

The  lusty  tynie  /  and  loly  fressfi.  Sesouw 

whan  that  Flora  /  the  noble  myghty  quene, 

The  soyl  hath  clad  /  in  newe  tendre  grene, 

with  her  floures  /  craftyly  ymeynt1, 

Braunch.  and  bough  /  wij>  red  and  whit  depeynt, 

Eletinge  ]>&  bawme  /  on  hillis  and  on  valys : 

The  tyine  in  soth  /  whan  Canterbury  talys 

Complef  and  told'  /  at1  many  sondry  stage 

Of  estatis  //  in  the  pilgrimage, 

Euericli  man  /  lik  to  his  degre, 

Some  of  desporf  /  some  of  moralite, 

Some  of  knyghthode  /  loue  and  gentillesse, 

And  some  also  of  paf'fit1  holynesse, 

And  some  also  in  soth  /  of  Ribaudye 

To  make'  laughter*  /  in  fe  companye, 

(Ech  admitted  /  for  noii  wold  other  greve) 

Lich  as  the  Cook  /  j?e  millere  and  the  Reve 

Aquytte  hem-silf  /  shortly  to  conclude, 

Boystously  /  in  her  teermes  Rude, 

whan  )?ei  hadde  /  wel  dronken  of  the  bolle, 

And  ek  also  /  with  his  pylle'd  nolle 

The  pardowner  /  beerdlees  al  his  Cliyn,  [foi.  i&] 

Glasy-Eyed  /  and  face  of  Cherubyn, 

Tellyng1  a  tale  /  to  angre  with  the  frere, 

As  opynly  //  the  storie  kan  ^ow  lere, 

word  foreword  /  with  euery  circu??2stauwce, 

Echon  y write  /  and  put1  in  remembraiuzce 

By  hym  faf  was  /  }if  I  shal  not1  feyne, 

Floure  of  Poetes  /  thorghoutf  al  breteyne, 

Which  sothly  hadde  /  most*  of  excellence 

In  rethorike  /  and  in  eloquence 

(Rede  his  making1  /  who  list*  the  trouthe  fynde) 

Which  neuer  shal  /  appallen  in  my  mynde, 

But1  alwey  fressli  /  ben  in  my  memorye  : 

To  whom  be  ^oue  /  pris  /  honure  /  and  glorye 


28  [Lydgate]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1420 

Of  wel  seyinge  /  first1  in  on  re  language, 

Chief  Kegistrer  /  of  Jns  i)ilgrimage, 

Al  J>att  was  tolde  /  ferreting1  noght  at  al, 

Fey ned  talis  /  nor  Jung1  Historial, 

With  many  prouerbe  /  diuers  and  vnkonth", 

Be  rehersaile  /  of  his  Sugrid  mouth", 

Of  eche  thyng1  /  keping1  in  substauwce 

The  sentence  hool  /  with-oute  variance, 

Voyding1  the  Chaf  /  sothly  for  to  seyn, 

Enlumynyng1  /  fie  trewe  piked  greyn 

Be  crafty  writinge  /  of  his  sawes  swete, 

Fro  the  tyme  /  that1  thei  deden  mete 

First  the  pylgrimes  /  sothly  euerichon, 

At  the  Tabbard  /  assembled  on  be  on, 

And  fro  suthwerk  /  shortly  forto  seye, 

To  Canterbury  /  ridyng1  on  her  weie, 

Tellynge  a  tale  /  as  I  reherce  can, 

Licfi.  as  the  hoste  /  assigned  euery  man. 

None  so  hardy  /  his  biddyng*  disobeye.  [foL  2] 

And  this  while  /  that1  the  pilgrymes  leye 
At1  Canterbury  /  wel  logged  on  and  all, 
I  not*  in  sotli  /  what1 1  may  it1  call, 
Hap  /  or  fortune  /  in  Conclusions, 
That1  me  byfil  /  to  entren  into  toun, 
The  holy  seynf  /  pleynly  to  visite 
Affcere  siknesse  /  my  vowe's  to  aquyte, 
In  a  Cope  of  blak  /  and  not*  of  grene, 
On  a  palfrey  /  slender  /  long1  /  and  lene, 
wij>  rusty  brydel  /  mad  natf  for  ]>e  sale, 
My  man  to-forn  /  with  a  voide  male ; 
whicfi.  of  Fortune  /  toot  myn  Inne  anon 
Wher  J)e  pylgrymes  /  were  logged  eue?'ichon, 
The  same  tyme  /  Her  gonernowr,  the  host1, 
Standing  in  halle  f  f ul  of  wynde  and  bost*, 
Lich  to  a  man  /  wonder  sterne  and  fers, 
Which  spak  to  me  /  and  seide  anon,  "  dau?i  Pers, 
Dauw  Domynyk  /  Dan  Godfrey  /  or  Clement4, 
3e  be  welcom  /  newly  into  kent1, 
Thogh  3oure  bridel  /  haue  neij>er  boos  ne  belle ; 
Besechinge  3011  /  jut  ^e  wil  me  telle 
First1  ^oure  name  /  and  of  what  contre 
With-oute  more  •  shorte-ly  that1  30  be, 


1420]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     \Lydgate]  29 

That1  loke  so  pale  /  al  deuoydc  of  blood, 
Vpon  3oure  hede  /  a  wonder  thred-bar  hood, 
Wei  araie'd  /  for  to  ride  late." 

I  answerde  /  '  my  name  was  Lydgate, 
Monk  of  Eery  /  ny$  fyfty  }ere  of  age, 
Come  to  this  tonne  /  to  do  my  pilgrimage, 
As  I  haue  hight1  /  I  haue  therof  no  shame.' 
"Daim  lohn,"  quod  he  /  "  wel  broke  30  ^oure  name  ! 
Thogli  30  be  soul  /  beth  right1  glad  and  light !     [foi.  26] 
Preiyng1  3011  /  soupe  with  vs  to-nyghf, 
And  30  slial  haue  /  mad  at  ^oure  devis, 
A  gret1  puddyng1  /  or  a  rounde  hagys, 
A  Franchemole  /  a  tansey  /  or  a  froyse. 
To  ben  a  Monk  /  Sclender  is  30111-6  koyse ; 
3e  han  be  seke  /  I  dar  myn  hede  assure, 
Or  late  fed  /  in  a  feynt  pasture. 
Lift1  vp  3oure  hed  /  be  glad,  tak  no  sorowe ! 
And  30  shal  horn  ride  with  vs  to-morowe ! 
I  seye,  whan  30  rested  han  jouij  fille, 
Aftere  soper  /  Slepe  wil  do  non  ille. 
"Wrappe  wel  aoure  hede  /  vrith  clothes  rounde  aboute ! 
Strong1  notty  ale  /  wol  make  3011  to  route. 
Tak  a  pylow  /  fat1  30  lye  not1  lowe  ! 
3if  nede  be  /  Spare  not1  to  bio  we ! 
To  holde  wynde  /  be  myn  opynyouw 
Wil  engendre  /  Collikes  passion?! 
And  make  men  to  greuen  /  on  her  roppys, 
whan  thei  han  filled  /  her  mawes  and  lier  croppys. 
But1  toward'  nyght1  /  ete  some  fenel  Eede, 
Annys  /  Comyn  /  or  coriandre  sede  ! 
And  lik  as  I  /  pouer  haue  /  and  myghtf, 
I  Charge  30 w  /  rise  not1  at1  Mydnyght, 
Thogh  it*  so  be  /  the  moone  shyne  cler. 
I  wol  my-silf  /  be  3oure  Orloger 
To-morow  erly  /  whan  I  so  my  tyme, 
For  we  wol  for])  /  pa?*cel  a-fore  Pryme, 
A  company  /  pa?*de  /  Shal  do  3011  good. 
What1 !  look  vp,  Monk  /  for,  by  kokkis  blood, 
Thow  shalf  be  mery  /  who  so  J)at  sey  nay. 
For  to-morowe,  anoon  /  as  it1  is  day, 
And  that1  it1  gynne  /  in  f>e  Est1  to  dawe,  [foi.  3} 

Thow  shalt1  be  bounde  /  to  a  newe  lawe, 


30  \Lydgate]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1420 

Atf  goyng1  oute  of  Canterbury  tonne, 

And  leyn  a-side  /  thy  professions. 

Thow  shalt1  not1  chese  /  nor  J>i-silf  vvithdravve, 

3if  eny  myrth  /  be  founder  in  thy  mawe, 

Lyk  the  custom  /  of  this  Compenye ; 

For  non  so  proude  /  that1  dar  me  denye, 

Knyght  nor  knaue  /  Chanon  /  prest  /  ne  nonne, 

To  telle  a  tale  /  pleynly  as  thei  konne, 

"VVhan  I  assigne  /  and  se  tyme  opportune. 

And  for  that1  we  /  our  pwpoos  \vil  contune, 

We  \vil  homward?  /  the  same  custome  vse, 

And  thow  shalt1  not1  /  platly  the  excuse. 

Be  now  wel  war  /  Stody  wel  to-nyght1 ! 

But,  for  al  this  •/  be  of  herte  li^t1  ! 

Thy  wit1  shal  be  /  J>e  Sharper  and  the  bet1." 
And  we  anon  /  were  to  Soper  set1, 

And  serue'd  wel  /  vnto  oure  plesaunce ; 
And  sone  after  /  be  good  gouernaunce 

Vnto  bed  gotfi.  euery  maner  wight1. 
And  touarde  morowe  /  anon  as  it  was  light1, 
Euery  Pilgryme  /  bothe  bet  and  wors, 
As  bad  oure  hoste  /  toke  a-non  his  hors, 
"Whan  the  so/me  /  roos  in  the  est1  ful  clyere, 
Fully  in  purpoos  /  to  come  to  dynere 
Vnto  Osspryng1  /  and  breke  J>er  our*  faste. 

And  whan  we  weren  /  from  Canterbury  paste 
Noght1  the  space  /  of  a  bowe  draught1, 
Our  hoost1  in  hast  /  ha))  my  bridel  rauhf, 
And  to  me  seide  //  as  it1  were  in  game, 
"  Come  forth,  dawn  lohn  /  be  $our  Cn'stene  name, 
And  lat1  vs  make  /  some  manere  myrth  or  play  !    [fol.  3  6] 
Shet1  ^oure  portoos  /  a  twenty  deuelway  ! 
It  is  no  disport  /  so  to  patere  and  seie. 
It1  wol  make  ^oure  lippes  /  wonder  dreye. 
Tel  some  tale  /  and  make  ther-of  a  lape  ! 
For  be  my  Eouucy  /  thow  shalt1  not1  eskapo. 
But  preche  not  /  of  noil  holynesse  ! 
Gynne  some  tale  /  of  niyrtfi  or  of  gladnesse, 
And  nodde  not1  /  with"  thyn  heuy  bekke  ! 
Telle  vs  some  thyng1  /  that1  drawej)  to  effecte 
Only  of  loye  !  /  make  no  lenger  lette  !  " 
And  whan  I  saugfi  /  it  wolde  be  no  bette, 


1420]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    \Lydgate\  31 

I  obeyed  /  vnto  his  biddynge, 
So  as  the  lawe  /  me  bonde  in  al  thinge  \ 
And  as  I  coude  /  with  a  pale  cheere, 
My  tale  I  gan  /  anon  /  as  30  shal  here. 
Explicit1  Prologus. 


The  thirde  part,  ff.  75-76. 

IT  And  ^if,  alias !  /  bothen  eve  and  morowe, 

0  thyng1  ther  was  /  that1  doubled  al  her  sorowe, 

That  Old  Creon  /  fader  of  fellonye, 

Ne  wolde  suffre,  thorgh  his  Tyrannye, 

The  dede  bodies  /  be  buryed  nowther  brente, 

But1  with  beestis  and  houndys  to  be  rente. 

he  made  hem  aft  /  vpon  an  hepe  be  leyde. 

wherof  the  wymmen  tristt  and  evyl  apeyde, 

For  verray  dool,  as  it  was  no  wonder, 

her  hertys  felt1  almost  ryve  a-sonder. 

U  And  as  my  mayster  Chaucer*  list*  endite, 

Al  clad  in  blak  /  with  her  wymples  whyte, 

With  gret1  honour  /  and  due  reuerence,  [foi.  75  &] 

In  the  temple  /  of  the  goddesse  Clemence 

They  abood  the  space  /  of  fourtenyght1, 

Tyl  Theseus  /  the  noble  worthy  knyghf, 

Duk  of  Athenys  /  with  his  Chyvalrye 

Eepeyred  horn  /  out1  of  Femynye, 

And  with  hym  ladde  /  ful  feir  vpon  to  sene, 

Thorgh  his  manhod  /  ypolita  the  quene, 

And  her  suster  /  called  Emelye. 

and  whan  thies  wommen  /  go?me  first  espye 
This  worthy  Duk  /  as  he  cam  rydynge, 
Kyng1  Adrnstus  /,  hem  alle  conveyinge, 
The  wommen  brouht1  vnto  his  presence, 
which  hym  by  sought1  /  to  ^ive  hem  audience. 
And  att  attonys  swownyng  in  the  place, 
Ful  humblely  /  preiden  hym  of  grace 
To  rewe  on  hem  /  her  harmys  to  redresse. 
But1  3if  30  list1  /  to  se  the  gentyllesse 
Of  Theseus  /  how  he  hath  \\yrn  born, 
3if  ^e  remembre  /  30  liari  herde  it1  to  forn 
wel  rehersyd  /  at  Depforth  in  the  vale, 
In  the  begynnyng1  /  of  the  knyghtys  tale : 


32  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1420- 

H  First1  how  that1  he  /  whan  he  herd  \\ern  speke, 

For  verray  routhe  felt1  his  herte  /  broke  ; 

And  her  sorowys  /  whan  lie  gan  aduerte, 

From  his  courser  /  doun  anon  he  sterte, 

Hem  confortyng1  in  ful  good  entente, 

And  in  his  Arrays  he  hem  att  vp  hen  to. 

The  knyghtys  tale  /  reherseth  euery  del 

Fro  poynt1  to  poynt1  /  $if  }e  looke  wel. 

And  how  this  Duk  /  with-oute  more  aboocl,          [foi.  76] 

The  same  day  /  toward  Thebes  rood, 

Ful  lik  in  soth  /  a  worthy  conquerowr, 

And  in  his  hoosf  /  of  Chyualrye  the  Hour. 

And  fynally,  to  spekyn  of  thys  thing, 

with  old  Creon  /  that1  was  of  Thebes  kyng», 

how  that1  he  faught1  /  and  slough  hyw  lik  a  knyglif, 

And  ali  his  host*  /  putte  vnto  the  flyght1. 

[c.  1420-30.]  Unknown.  Colophon  to  Parson's  Tale.  MSS.  Ellesmere, 
fol.  236  b  ;  Addit.  5140,  fol.  357  b  ;  Harl.  1758,  i'ol.  231  ;  Petworth, 
fol.  307  6.  (Six-text  Canterbury  Tales,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer 
eoc.  1871-8,  parts  v-viii,  p.  685.) 

[Ellesmere]  U  Heere  is  ended  the  book  /  of  the  tales  of 
Caunterbury  /  compiled  by  Geffrey  Chaucer  /  of  whos  soule 
Ihesu  crist  /  haue  mercy  Amen. 

[Addit.]  Explicit  narracio  Rectoris  et  ultima  inter  narraciones 
huius  libri  de  quibus  composuit  Chaucer  /  cuius  anime  pro- 
picietur  Deus  /  AMEN. 

[Harl.]  IT  Here  /  endeth  the  /  book  /  of  /  the  /  tales  /  of 
Cauwterburye  /.  Compyled  bi  Geffroye  /  Chaucers  /.  Of  / 
whos  /  soule  /  Ihesu  crist  /  haue  mercye  /  IT  AmeN  quod 
Cornhylle. 

[Petworth]  Here  endej)  J>e  boke  of  J)e  talys  of  Cante?'bury 
compiled  by  Geffray  Chawcer  on  whoos  soule  Ihesu  crist1  haue 
mercy  //  AmeN"  // 

[c.  1420-30.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  Sir  Thopas.  MSS.  Ellesmere, 
fol.  1556;  Hengwrt,  fol.  2136;  Cambridge  Univ.  lib.  Gg.  4.  27, 
fol.  323  ;  Corpus,  fol.  215  ;  Petworth,  fol.  224.  (Six-text  Canter 
bury  Tales,  ed.F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  187 1-8,  parts  i-iii,  p.  191.) 

[Ellesmere]    Heere  bigynneth"  Chaucers  tale  of  Thopas. 
[Hengwrt]      Heere  bigynneth  Chaucers  tale  of  Thopas. 
[Cambridge]  Heere  begynnyth  Chaucers  tale  of  sere  Thopas. 
[Corpus]         Here  bygynneth  }>Q  tale  of  Chaucer  of1  sire  Thopas. 
[Petworth]    Here  bygynnej)  J>e  tale  of  chaucere  by  Sire  Thopace. 


1421]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  3*> 

[1420-30.]  Unknown.  Headlines  and  colophons  to  Tale  of  Melibeus. 
MSS.  Ellesmere,  ff.  1576,  171;  Hengwrt,  If.  216,  2346;  Corpus, 
fol.  2176  [headline  only];  Lansdowne,  851,  ff.  192,  206;  Hari. 
1758,  fol.  182  [col.  only]  ;  Petworth,  fol.  2466  [col.  only].  (Six- 
text  Canterbury  Tales,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1871-8> 
part  iv,  pp.  201,  252.) 

[Ellesmere]  U  Heere  bigynneth  Chaucers  tale  of  Melibee. 

U  Heere  is  ended  Chaucers  tale  of  Melibee  /  and 

of  Dame  Prudence. 
[Hengwrt]     U  Heere  bigyniieth  Chaucers  tale  of  Melibeus. 

IT  Here  is  endid  /  Chaucers  tale  /  of  Melibe. 
[Corpus]  Here  bygynnej)  Chauceres  tale  of*  Melibe  and 

his  wyf*  Prudence  and  his  doughte?'  Sapience. 
[Lansdowne]    Hie  incipit  fabula  de  Mellybeo  per  Chaucer. 

Explicit1  Tabula  Galfridi  Chaucer  /  de  Melibeo. 

Milite 
[Harl.  1758]    Here  /  enditli  Chaucers  /  tale  /  of  Melibe  /  And 

Prudence.  , 

[Petworth]  U  Here  endejj  chaucers  tale  of  melebye. 


[c.  1420-35.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  Prioress's  end  link.  MSS.  Elles 
mere,  fol.  155  ;  Hengwrt,  fol.  213  ;  Cambridge  Univ.  lib.  Gg.  4.  27, 
fol.  322  6  ;  and  side-note  in  Lansdowne  851,  fol.  189.  (Six-text 
Canterbury  Tales,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1871-8,  parts 
i-iii,  p.  190.) 

[Ellesmere]     Bihoold   the   murye    wordes   of    the    Hoost1   to 

Chaucer. 
[Hengwrt]  Bihoold  the  myrie  talkyng  /  of  the  Hoost  /.  to 

Chaucer. 
[Cambridge]  Byhold  the  myrie  talkynge  of  the  Hoost1  to 

Chaucer. 
[Lansdowne]  Byhold  the  myrie  talkynge  of  the  Hoost1  to 

Chaucer1. 


1421-2.  Hoccleve,  Thomas.  [Dialogus  cum  Amico.]  MS.  Durham  iii, 
9,  fol.  23  6.  (Hoccleve's  works,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc. 
vol.  i,  The  minor  poems,  1892,  p.  135,  11.  694-7.) 

The  wyf  of  Bathe,  take  I  for  auctrice 
\sai  wommen  han  no  ioie  ne  deyntee 
J>at  men  sholde  vp-on  hem  putte  any  vice ; 
I  woot  wel  so  /  or  lyk1  to  J>at,  seith  shee. 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  D 


34  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1421- 

fc  1421-5.1  Lydgate,  Jolm.  Horse,  Goose,  Sheep.  Inciprt  Disputacto 
inter  Equum  Aucam,  &  Ouem.  MS.  Harl.  699,  fol.  68.  (Political, 
religious  and  love  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  2nd  edn. 
1903,  p.  18.) 

U  The  hardy  prikeris  /  vpon  hors[e]  bak 

Be  sent  to-forn)  /  what  ground!  is  best  to  take, 
In  that  ordynaiwce,  that  ther  be  no  lak 

Bi  providance  /  the  feelde  /  wha?z  thei  shal  make, 
An  hors  wole  weepe  /  for  his  maistir  sake  : 

Chauwser  remembrith  /  the  swerd',  the  ryng,  the  glas, 
Presented  wern)  /  vpon  a  stede  of  bras. 

1423.  James  I.,  King  of  Scotland.  The  Kincjis  Quair,  Unique  MS. 
Arch.  Selden  B.  24.  (Ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  Scott,  text  soc.  1884,  p.  48.) 

Vnto  [the]  Impnis  of  my  maisteris  dere, 

Gowere  and  chaucere,  that  on  the  steppis  satt 
Of  reihorike,  quhill  thai  were  lyvand  here, 
Superlatiue  as  poetis  laureate 
In  moral i tee  and  eloquence  ornate, 
I  recommend  my  buk  In  lynis  sevin, 
And  eke  thair  saulis  vn-to  the  blisse  of  hevin.    Amen. 

[For  general  resemblance  of  this  poem  to  Chaucer's  work,  sec  also  ibid.  Introd.  pp. 
xxiii-xxxii,  xxxvii,  and  notes,  pp.  57-96 ;  and  English  Poets,  td.  T.  H.  Ward, 
2nd  edn.  1883,  vol.  i.  pp.  129-31.] 

[c.  1425.]  Unknown.  Colophon  at  end  of  Chaucer  s  Parliament  of 
Foules.  MS.  Camb.  Univ.  lib.  Gg.  4.  27,  fol.  490  6.  (Parallel  text 
of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871], 
p.  98.) 

Explicit1  parliament!!??!  Auium  In  die  sancti  Valentini  ten  turn 
secundum  Galfriduw  Chaucer.     Deo  gracias. 

[1426.]  Lydgate,  John.  The  Pilgrimage  of  the  Life  of  Man.  [Translated 
by  Lydgate  from  the  French  of  Diguileville.]  MS.  C«>tt.  Vitel. 
Cxiii,  ff.  256  6-7.  (Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  1901.  part  ii, 
pp.  527,  528,  11.  19751-89.) 

And  touchynge  the  translacioim 
Off  thys  noble  Orysoun, 
Whyloni  (yiff  I  shal  nat  feyne) 
The  noble  poete  off  Breteyne, 
My  mayster  Chaucer,  in  hys  tyme, 
Affter  the  Frenche  he  dyde  yt  ryme, 
Word  by  word,  as  in  substaurace, 
Kyght  as  yt  ys  ymad  in  Fraunce, 
fful  devoutly,  in  sentence, 
In  worshepe,  and  in  reuerewce 


1430]  Chaucer   Criticism  and  Allusion.  35 

Off  that  noble  hevenly  queue, 
Bothe  motler  and  a  mayde  clene. 

And  sythe,  he  dyde  yt  vndertake, 
ffor  to  translate  yt  ffor  hyr  sake, 
I  pray  thys  [Queue]  that  ys  the  beste, 
ffor  to  brynge  hys  soule  at  reste, 
That  he  may,  thorgh  liir  pray  ere, 
Aboue  the  sterrys  bryht  and  clere, 
Off  hyr  mercy  and  hyr  grace 
Apere  afforn  hyr  sonys  fface, 
"VVytli  seyntys  euere,  for  A  memorye. 
Eternally  to  regne  in  glorye. 

And  ffor  memoyre  off  that  poete, 
"Wyth  al  hys  rethorykes  swete, 
That  was  the  ffyrste  in  any  age 
That  amendede  our  langage  ; 
Therfore,  as  I  am  boimde  off  dette, 
In  thys  book  I  wyl  hym  sette, 
And  ympen  thys  Orysoii 
Affter  hys  translation, 
My  purpos  to  determyne, 
That  yt  shal  enlwmyne 
Thys  lytyl  book,  End  off  makyng, 
Wyth  som  clause  off  hys  wrytyng. 

And  as  he  made  thys  Orysou/i 
Off  ful  devout  eritencfouw, 
And  by  maner  off  a  pray  ere, 
liyht  so  I  wyl  yt  settyu  here, 
That  men  may  knowe  and  pleynly  se 
Off  Our  lady  the  .A.  b.  c. 

[Here  follows  Chaucer's  ABC  Prayer  to  the  Virgin.] 

[(?.  1430  ?]  Lydgate,  John.  Nowe  folowelpe  here  ]>e  maner  of  a  bille  by 
•icey  of  supplicacounpiitte  tolpe  kyng  holding  his  noble  feest  of  Christ  - 
masse  in  ]>e  Castel  of  Hertford,  as  in  a  disguysing  of  Ipe  Rude 
vpplandische  people  compleyning  on  hir  wyues,  uriih  Ipe  boystous 
aunswere  of  hir  un/ues,  deuysed  by  lydegate.  MS.  Trin.  Coll.  Cam 
bridge,  R.  3.  20.  flF.  45-0.  (Printed  by  E.  P.  Hammond  [in]  Anglia, 
vol.  xxii,  Halle,  1890,  pp.  371-2.) 

[The  wives  answer] 

And  for  oure  partye  J?e  worthy  wyff  of  Bathe 
Cane  shewe  statutes  moo  |)im  six  or  seuen 


36  Fii-c  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1430 

howe  wyves  make  liiu  housbandes  wynne  lieven 

})er  pacyenco  was  buryed  long  agoo 
Gresyldes  story  recorde)>e  pleinly  soo. 

[The  editress  states  that  she  is  unable  to  fix  a  probable  or  even  approximate  date 
for  this  'disguising'.] 

[1430.]  Lydgate,  John.  The  Proherny  of  a  marriage  betivix  an  olde 
man  and  a  yonge  wife,  etc.  MS.  Harl.  372,  fol.  45.  (Lydgate's 
minor  poems,  ed.  J.  O.  Halliwell,  1840,  Percy  soc.,  vol.  ii,  p.  28.) 

Remembre  wele  /  on  olde  January 

Which  maister  Chauuceres  /  ful  seriously  descryuetn 

And  on  fressh"  May  /  and  how  lustyne  did  vary, 

Fro  placebo  /  but  yet  \>G  olde  man  wyuetn 

Jms  sone  he  wexeth"  blynde  /  &  J>aw  onthryuetn" 

Fro  worldly  joye  /  for  he  sued  bad  doctryne ; 

Think  on  Damyan  /  Pluto  &  Proserpyne. 

[Dr.  H.  N.  MacCraoken  considers  this  poem  is  far  more  likely  to  be  by  Hoccleve 
than  by  Lydgate.  See  his  Lydgate  Canon,  Philological  soc.  Trans.  1908,  p.  xliv.] 

[1430.]  Lydgate,  John.  TJiis  world  is  a  thurghefare  ful  of  woo, 
MS.  Harl.  2251,  fol.  249  (old  no.  275  6).  (Lydgate's  minor  poems, 
sd.  J.  0.  Halliwell,  1840,  Percy  soc.,  vol.  ii,  p.  128.) 

O,  ye  maysters,  that  cast  shal  yowre  looke 
Vpon  this  dyte  made  in  wordis  play  no, 
Remembre  sothly  that  I  the  Refreyd?  tooke. 
Of  hym  that  was  in  makynge  souerayne, 
My  mayster  Chaucier,  chief  poete  of  Bretayne, 
Whiche  in  his  tragedyes  made  full  yore  agoo, 
Declared'  trewly  and  list  nat  for  to  seyne, 
How  this  world  is  a  thurghfare  ful  of  woo. 

[1430.]  Unknown.  Headlines,  etc.,  in  MS.  Addit.  35,286,  the  best 
Ashburnharn  MS.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  ff.  166,  168  6,  188. 

Here  bigynneth  Chaucers  tale  of  syr  Topas. 

Here  bigynneth  Chaucers  tale  of  Melibee  and  prudence. 

Here  endeth  Chaucers  tale  of  Melibee  and  prudence. 

1430.  Lydgate,  John.  Fall  of  Princes.  MSS.  Harl.  1766,  if'.  8,  86,  9, 
96,  26,  266,  101, 190,  and  262,  and  Harl.  4203,  ff.  786,  col.  2.  1406, 
col.  1. 

[1]  Here  begynneth  the  boke  of  Johan  Bochas  discryuing  the  fall 
of  princes.  .  .  .  Translated  in  to  Englysshe  by  John  Lydgate.  [col.] 
Imprinted  at  London  in  flete  strete  by  Richarde  Pynson. .  .  .  1527. 


1430]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [Lydgate}  37 

[2]  A  Treatise  .  .  .  shewing  .  .  the  falles  of  .  .  .  Princes  .  .  .  First, 
compyled  in  Latin  by  the  excellent  Clerke  Bocacins  .  .  .  and  .  .  . 
translated  .  .  .  &//  Dan  John  Lidgate  .  .  .  [col.}  Imprinted  at 
London  ...  by  Richard  Tottel  1554. 

[3]  The  tragedies,  gathered  by  John  Bochass,  of  all  such  Princes 
as  fell  from  theyr  estates.  .  .  .  Translated  into  Englysh  by  John 
Lydgate.  .  .  .  Imprinted  at  London,  by  John  Wayland  .  .  .  [1558] 

[For  convenience  of  identification,  references  to  all  three  editions 
are  given,  numbered  respectively  1,  2,  3.] 

Harl.  1766,  fol.  8-9  b  (1)  A  ii-iii  (2)  A  ii-iii    (3)  A  ii-ii  b 

„        ,  26-26  &    (l)viii&-ix  (2)  viii  6-ix  (3)  viii-6 

,  101  (1)  xlvii  (2)  xlvi          (3)  xliii  b 

„     4203      ,  78&  (1)  (2)  xc  [only  in  this  edn.] 

„         ,,        ,  140  (1)  clxiiii-6  (2)  clxiiii  b    (3)  cliiii 

„     1766     ,  190  (l)clxxx  (2)  clxxx       (3)  sign  aa  iii  6 

,,         „         ,  262  (1)  (2)  ccxvii  [only  in  this  cdn.] 

My  mayster  Chaimceer  /  with  his  f ressh  comodyes,  [Hjarlg- 1776 

Is  ded,  Alias  /  Cheef  Poete  of  breteyne, 
That  whylom  made  /  ful  pitous  tragedyes  : 
The  Fal  of  Prynces  /  he  did  also  compleyne 
As  he  that  was  /  of  makyng1  souereyne ; 

Whoom  al  this  lond  /  shulde  of  ryght  preferre, 
Sith  of  your  language  /  he  was  the  lodesterre. 


[Then,  after  mentioning  '  Senek  in  Eonie  .  .  And  Tullius  .  . 
Fraunceys  Petrark  .  .  And  John  Bochas,'  and  their  works  of 
4  materys  lamentable,'  Lydgate  goes  on] 

And  semblably  /  as  I  liaue  toold  to-fforn,  [fol.  8  6] 

my  mayster  Chaunceer  /  did  his  besynesse 
And  in  his  dayes  /  hath  so  wel  hym  born. 
Out  of  our  tounge  /  tauoyden  al  Rudnesse, 
And  to  Reffourme  it  /  with  Colours  of  swetnesse 
Wherfore  let  vs  /  yiue  hym  lawde  and  glorye 
And  putte  his  name  /  with  Poetys  in  memorye. 

Off  whoos  labour  /  to  make  menci'on), 

Wheer-thorugh  he  shulde  /  of  ryght  comendyd  be, 
In  yowthe  he  made  /  a  translation) 
Off  a  book  /  which  callyd  is  Trophe 
In  lombard  touwge  /  as  men  may  Kede  and  see, 
And  in  Our  Vulgar  /  longe  or  that  he  deydc, 
Gaff  it  tho  name  /  of  Troy] us  and  Creseyde, 


38  [Lydgate]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1430 

Which  for  to  Rede  /  loners  hem  delyte, 

They  ha[w]  ther-Inne  /  so  greet  DcuocTori) 
And  this  Poete  /  hym-sylff  also  to  quyte, 
Off  Bceces  book  /  the  cousolacioii) 
made  in  his  tyme  /  an  hool  transLicion) 

And  to  his  sone  /  that  Callyd  was  '  lowys,' 
he  made  a  tretees  /  fill  noble  and  of  greet  prys 

Vpon  thastrelabre  /  in  ful  notable  fourme 

Sette  hem  in  Ordre  /  with  ther  dyuision)s, 
mennys  wittes  /  taplyen  and  confourme, 
To  Yndirstonde  /  be  ful  expert  Resoii)s, 
Be  Domeffying  /  of  sondry  mansyon)s, 
The  Roote  Out  sought  /  at  the  assendent 
To-fforn  or  he  gaff  /  ony  lugement. 

He  wrot  also  /  ful  many  a  day  agone, 

Dante  in  ynglyssh l  f  hym-syltf  so  doth  expresse, 
Tlie  pitous  story  /  of  Ceix  and  Alcyone 

And  the  Deth  of  blaunche  /  the  Duchesse ; 
And  notably  /  [he]  did  his  besynesse 
By  greet  anys  /  his  wittes  to  dyspose 
To  translate  /  the  Komaimce  of  the  Rose. 

Thus  in  Vertu  /  he  set  al  his  entent  / 

ydelnesse  and  vices  /  for  to  Flee. 
Off  foulys  also  /  he  wrot  the  parlement  / 

Ther-Inne  remembryng  /  of  Royal  Egles  thre 
how  in  ther  Choys  /  they  felte  aduersite 
To-for  nature  /  proffryd  the  bataylle, 
Ech  for  his  party  /  yiff  it  wolde  auaylle. 

He  dyd  also  /  his  dilligence  /  and  peyne  [foi.  9] 

In  Our  Vulgar  /  to  translate  and  endyte 
Orygen  /  vpon  the  mawdeleyne  ; 

i  [This  statement  by  Lydgate,  which  is  repeated  by  Bale  ('  Dantem  Italum  transtulit,'  see 
below,  App.  A.  1557-9),  Speght(inhis  list  of  Chaucer's  works  in  his  1598  edn.  foL  ci.),  Laurence 
Humphrey,  1582  below,  p.  122,  Edward  Leigh  1650,  pj>.  232-3,  and  others,  has  given  rise  to 
considerable  discussion  as  to  whether  Chaucer  did  or  did  not  translate  any  part  ot  Dante  (see 
Studies  in  Chaucer,  by  T.  R.  Lounsbury,  vol.  i,  p.  425,  vol.  ii,  pp.  236-7).  Prof.  Skeat  holds 
tliat  under  thia  name  Lydgate  is  referring  to  the  '  House  of  Fame '  which  shows  marked  Dante 
influence  (Minor  Poems  of  Chaucer,  pp.  Ixx-lxxi,  see  alsozn  article  by  A.  Rambeau,  in  Englische 
Studien,  1880,  vol.  iii,  p.  209,  '  Chaucer's  House  of  Fame  in  seinem  Verhaltniss  zu  Dante's 
Divina  Commedia ').  Dr.  Paget  Toynbee  does  not  agree  that  this  refers  to  the  House  of  Fame, 
as  Lydgate  was  ignorant  of  Italian,  see  Dante  in  English  Literature,  1909,  pp.  1-2.] 


1430]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Lydgate\  39 

And  of  the  lyon)  /  a  book  he  did  wryte. 

Off  Annelcyda  /  and  of  fals  Arcyte 

he  made  a  compleynt  /  doolful  and  pytous, 
And  of  the  broche  /  which  that  Vulcanus 

At  thebes  wrought  /  fill  dyuers  of  nature, 

Ouyde  wryteth  /  whoo  therof  hadde  a  sight  / 
For  hyh  desir  /  he  sliuldb  nat  endure 

But  he  it  hadde  /  neuir  be  glad  nor  lyght  / 
And  yif  he  hadde  it  /  Onys  in  his  myght  / 
lych  as  my  mayster  /  seith  and  wryt  in  dede 
It  to  conserue  /  he  shulde  ay  leue  in  drede. 

This  poete  wrot  /  at  Eequest  of  the  queue, 

A  legende  /  of  parfight  hoolynesse 
Off  goode  women  /  to  Fynden  out  nyntene 
That  did  excelle  /  in  bounte  and  fayrnesse, 
But  for  his  labour  /  and  his  besynesse 

Was  inportable  /  his  wittes  to  encom?ibre, 

In  al  this  world  /  to  Fynde  so  greet  a  noumbre. 

He  made  the  book  /  of  Cauntirbury  talys 

Whan  the  pylgrymes  /  Rood?  on  pylgrymage 
Thorugh-out  kent  /  by  hille's  and  by  Valys, 
And  al  the  storyes  /  toold  in  ther  passage, 
Endyted  hem  /  ful  wel  in  our  language, 

Somme  of  knyghthood  /  and  somme  of  gentillesse, 
And  somme  of  lone  /  and  somme  of  parfightnesse, 

And  somme  also  /  of  greet  moral  yte, 

Somme  of  dispoort  /  includyng  greet  sentence. 
In  prose  lie  wrot  /  the  tale  of  mellybe 

And  of  his  wyff  /  that  eallycl  was  prudence, 
And  of  Grysyldes  /  parfight  pacience, 

And  how  the  monk  /  of  storyes  newe  and  Olde, 
Pitous  tragedyes  /  by  the  weye  tolde. 

This  seide  Poete  /  my  mayster,  in  his  Dayes, 

Made  and  com py led  /  ful  many  a  fressh  Dyte, 
Compleyntes,  ballades  /  Roundelles,  Virrelayes 
Ful  delytable  /  to  heryn  and  to  se, 
For  which,  men  shulde  /  of  ryght  and  equite, 
Sith  he  of  ynglyssh  /  in  makyng*  was  the  beste 
Prey  vn-to  god  /  to  yeue  his  sotile  good  Reste. 


40  [LijJcjale]  Fife  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1430 

And  this  Poetys  /  I  make  of  mention)  [fol.  96] 

Wer,  be  Old  tymo  /  had  in  greet  deynte, 
With  kynges,  Prynces^/  in  eiwy  Region) 
Gretly  preferryd  /  afftir  ther  degre, 
For  lordys  hadde  /  plesaunce  for  to  se,  . 

To  studyc  among  /  and  to  Caste  ther  lookys 
At  good  leyser  /  vpon  wyse  bookys. 

[fol.  26,  at  foot] 

But  yif  ye  iyst  /  haue  cleer  inspection) 
Off  this  stoory  /  vpon  euery  syde, 
Redith  the  legende  /  of  martyrs  of  Cupyde 
which  that  Chauncer  /  in  Ordre  as  they  stood, 
Compyled  of  women  /  that  wer  callyd  good'. 

TOwchyng  the  stoory  /  of  Kyng  Pandyon)  [fol.  266] 

And  of  his  goodly  /  fayre  Doughtre  tweyne, 
How  Thereus  /  fals  of  Condici'on), 

liem  to  Dysceyue  /  did  his  hesy  peyne, 
They  bothe  namyd  /  of  bewte  souereyne, 
Goodly  progne  /  and  yong[e]  phylomene, 
Bothe  Innocentys  /  and  of  Entent  ful  Clone. 

Ther  pitous  Fate  /  in  hope  to  expresse, 

It  wer  to  me  but  a  prestimpci'on), 
Sith  that  Chauncer  /  dyd  his  besynesse 
In  his  legende  /  as  made  is  money  on), 
Ther  martirdam  /  and  ther  passyon) 

For  to  Rehersen  hem  /  and  dyd  his  besy  peyne 
As  Clieef  Poete  /  Callyd  of  breteyne. 

Off  goode  women  /  a  book  he  did  wryte, 

The  nouwbre  vnco?ttplet  /  fully  of  nyntene. 
And  ther  the  stoory  /  he  pleynly  did  endyte 
Off  Tereus  of  progne  /  and  phylomene 
whcr  ye  may  seen  /  ther  legende,  thus  I  niene, 

Doth  hem  worshepe  /  and  forth  ther  lylf  doth  shewe 
For  a  Clecr  merour  /  be  Cause  ther  be  so  fewe, 

I  wyl  passe  ouir  /  and  speke  of  hem  no  more, 
And  vn-to  Cadmus  /  forth  my  style  dresse. 


1430]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Lydyate]  4»1 

TOwchyng  lucrece  /  Exaumple  of  wyffly  trouthe,    [foi.  101] 

How  yonge  Tarquyn  /  lure  falsly  did  Oppresse, 
And  afftir  that  /  which  was  a  greetfe]  Eouthe 
How  she  hire  sylff  /  slowh  for  heuynesse 
It  nedith  nat  /  Eehersyn  the  processe, 

Sith  that  Chaunceer  /  Cheef  Poete  of  breteyne 
Wrot  of  hire  lyfF  /  a  legende  souereyne. 

*•  i 

Ek  othir  stooryes  /  which  he  wroot  in  his  lyue 

Ful  notably  /  with  eusry  Circumstaiwce, 
And  ther  Fatys  /  did  pitously  descryue, 

Lyk  as  they  Fyl  /  put  hem  in  Kemembraimce. 
Wherfore  /  yiff  I  slmlde  my  penne  auaurace 
Afftir  his  makyng  /  to  putte  hem  in  memorye, 
Men  wolde  deme  it  /  presumpcion)  and  veynglorye. 

FOr  as  a  sterre  /  in  presence  of  the  sonne 

Lesith  his  f resshnesse  /  and  his  Cleer[e]  lyght, 
So  my  Eudnesse  /  vndir  skyes  donne, 

Daryth  ful  lowe  /  and  hath  lost  his  syght 
To  be  cowiparyd  /  ageyn  the  beemys  bryght 
Off  this  Poete  /  wherfore  it  wer  but  veyn  ; 
Thyng  seid  by  hym  /  to  wryte  it  newo  ageyn. 


Dant  In  y  taylle  .  Virgyle  in  Eome  town),     tH^4|,03'  fol-  7S  b' 

Petrak  in  Florence  .  hadde.al  hys  plesance, 
And  prudent  Chauseer^.  in  brutys  Albyon), 
lik  hys  desyr  .  fond'  vertuous  suffysance. 
Fredam  of  lordshype  .  weyed  in  ther  ballance 
Be  cause  they  flouryd  .  in  wysdam  &  science ; 
Support  of  prynces  .  fonde  hem  ther  dyspence. 

In  tliis  trouble  .  dreedful  &  odyous  [foi.  1406,  col.  i] 

As  is  rehersyd  .  in  ordyr  ye  may  reede, 
The  noble  knyght  .  Paulus  Lucious 
Exiled  was  .  of  malis  &  hatereede, 
Folwyng  vpon  .  the  grete  horrible  dede, 
The  pitous  detn  .  &  the  hateful  cas 
Of  gret  Antonye  .  &  Cleopatras. 

The  tragedy  e  .  of  these  ilke  tweyne 

For  me,  as  now  .  shal  be  set  a-syde, 
Cause  Chaucer  .  cheef  poyct  of  bretaygne, 


42  [Lydfjate]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1430- 

In  hys  book  .  the  legemle  of  Cupyde, 
Seying  ther  hertys  .  coude  not  devyde. 

Remembryng  .  there  .  as  oon  they  dide  endure, 
So  wer  they  buryed  .  in  oon  sepulture. 
Thyng  onys  seid  .  be  labour  of  chauceer 

Were  presumpcion) .  me  to  make  ageyn), 
Whos  makyng  was  .  so  notable  &  enteer1  ^ 

Kyght  compendious  .  &  notable  in  certeyn), 
Which  to  reherse  .  the  labour  were  in  veyn), 
Bochas  remembryng  .  how  Cleopatras 
Causyd  Antonye  .  that  he  destroyed  was. 
Hyr  auarice  .  was  so  Importable,  [col.  2] 

He  supprysed  .  with  hyr  gret  fayrnesse, 
Folwyng  ther  lusty s  .  foul  &  habomynable, 
She  desyryng  .  to  haue  the  Emperesse, 
And  he,  alias  .  of  froward  wylfulnese 
To  plesyn  hyr  .  vnhappily  began) 
To  werreye  .  the  gret  Octauyan). 

Myn  Auctour  here  /  no  lengere  lyst  soiourne,         ffiv^70' 

Off  this  Empe/ours  /  the  Eallys  for  to  wryte, 
But  in  haste  /  he  doth  his  style  tourne 
To  Zenobia  /  hire  story  for  tendyte ; 
But,  for  chaunceer  /  so  wel  did  hym  quyte 
In  this  tragedyes  /  Mr  pitous  fal  tentrete, 
I  wyl  passe  ovir  /  Kehersyng  but  the  grete. 

In  his  book  /  of  Cauntirbury  talys, 

This  souereyn  Poete  /  of  brutys  Albyon), 
Thorough  pylgrymes  toold  /  by  hillys  and  by  valys, 
Whereof  Zenobia  /  is  made  mencyon) 
Off  hire  noblesse  /  and  of  hire  hyh  Renon) 
In  a  tragedye  /  Compendyously  told  al 
Hir  marcyal  prowesse  /  and  hire  pitous  fal. 

I  nevir  was  aqueynted  /  with  virgyle  [foi.  262] 

nor  with  sugryd  Dytees  /  of  Omer, 
nor  Dares  frygius  /  with  his  goldene  style, 
nor  with  Ovyde  /  in  Poetrye  moost  entieer, 
nor  with  the  souereyn  balladys  of  Chaunceer, 
which,  among  alle  /  that  euere  wer  Rad  or  songe, 
Excellyd  al  othir  /  in  our  Euglyssh  ton)ge. 


1434]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  43 

As  the  gold-tressyd  /  biyght[e]  somyr  sonne 

Passith  othir  sterrys  /  with  his  beemys  clere, 
And  as  Lucynya  /  Chaseth  skyes  donne, 

The  frosty  nyghtes  /  Avhan  Esperus  doth  appere, 
Eyght  so  my1  mayster  /  hadfde]  neuir  pere,     i  MS.  my  may 
I  mene  Chaunceer  /  in  stooryes  that  he  tolde, 
And  he  also  wrot  /  tragedy  es  Olde. 
The  Fal  of  Prynces  /  gan  pitonsly  cowpleyne 

As  Petrark  did  /  and  also  lohn  bochas, 
Laureat  Fraunceys  /  Poetys  bothe  tweyne, 
Toold  how  Prynces  /  for  theer  greet  trespace, 
wer  ouirthrowe  /  Uehersyng  al  the  caas 

As  Chaunceer  did  /  in  the  monkys  tale  .... 

[The  two  references  from  Harl.  4203  are  wanting  in  the  earlier  and  better  MS.  Harl. 
1766.  See  below,  p.  219,  1641,  Wits  Recreation,  where  the  first  verse  is  given.] 

[c.  1430-40.]  Shirley,  John.  Headlines  to  Fortune.  MSS.  Camb. 
Univ.  lib.  li.  3.  21,  fol.  53;  Fairfax  16,  fol.  191;  and  Shirley's  two 
MSS.,  Ashmole  59,  fol.  37,  and  Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  R.  3.  20,  fol. 
142.  (Parallel  text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  eel.  F.  J.  Furnivall, 
Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  pp.  440-1.) 

[li.  3.  21]  Causer  /  Balades  de  vilage  sanz  peiutwe. 

[Ashmole]  U  Here  folowefe  nowe  a  compleynte  of  J>e 
Pleintyff1  ageinsf  agenst  [sic]  fortune  translated'  oute  of 
ffrenshe  into  Englisshe  by  fat  famous  Bethorissyen)  /  Geffrey 
Chaucier  / 

[Trin.  Coll.]  and?  here  h'lo\ve|?e  a  balade  made  by  Chaucier 
of*  J>e  louer  /  and'  of1  Dame  ffortune. 

[Fairfax]  IT  Balade  de  vilage  saunz  Peynture.     Par  Chaucer. 

[c.  1430-40.]    Unknown.     Fairfax  MS.  16.     See  below,  Appendix  A. 

1434-57.  Gascoigne,  Thomas.  Dlctionarium  Theoloc/icnm.  MS.  117, 
118,  Lincoln  Coll.  Oxford,  pars  secunda,  p.  377. 

[Gascoigne,  after  mentioning  Chaucer's  regrets  for  some  of 
his  writings,  expressed  just  before  his  death,  adds  these  words] : 
"  Fuit  idem  Chawserus  pater  Thome  Chawserus  [sic]  armigeri, 
qui  Thomas  sepelitur  in  Nuhelm  [Ewelme]  juxta  Oxoniam." 

[This extract  is  printed  by  Prof.  J.  W.  Hales  in  his  article  on  'Geoffrey  and  Thomas 
Chaucer,'  in  Athenaeum,  March  31,  1888,  pp.  404-5.  It  does  not  occur  in  Loci  e  libro 
veritatum,  passages  selected  from  Gascoigne's  theological  dictionary,  ed.  J.  E. 
Thorold-Rogers,  1881.  This  is  the  earliest  assertion  that  Thomas  Chaucer  was  the 
poet's  son.  For  the  whole  question  see  Life  Records  of  Cliauccr,  Chaucer  soc.,  1900, 
part  iv,  pp.  li-lvii;  also  Chaucer  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond, 
N.  York,  1908,  pp.  4T-8.] 


44  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1439- 

1439.  Lydgate,  John.  The  glorious  lyfe  and  passion  of  seint  Albon  .  .  . 
and  .  .  .  saint  Amaphabel.  MSS.  Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  39  ;  Lincoln 
57,  etc.  Sign,  a  ii.  of  the  edn.  pr.  in  1534  at  the  request  of  Robert 
Catton.  [Unique  copy  in  the  B.  M.,  pr.  nik.  C.  34.  g.  17.]  (ed. 
C.  Horstmann  1882,  p.  11.) 

The  golden  troiupet  of  the  house  of  fame, 

With  full  svvyfte  wynges  of  the  pegasee 

Hath  [blowe?]  full  farre  the  knyghtly  mannes  name, 

Borne  in  Verolame,  a  famous  olde  citie. 

[c.  1440.]  Unknown.  Note  to  Lydgate's  Troy  Book  in  MS.  Roy.  18  D. 
ii  i'ol.  88  [ink,  87  pencil]  6.  col.  i  at  "foot.  Of  the  worshipful 
recominendacyon  that  the  monke  of  Bury  ]>at  translate  }>is  boke 
gaue  Chaucere,  pe  chef  poete  off  Breteyne. 

Sythe  my  Maystare  chaucer  here  aforne. 

[See  above,  p.  25,  for  this  reference  of  Lydgate's  to  Chaucer.] 

[c.  1440.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  general  prologue  to  Canterbury 
Tales.  Harl.  1758,  fol.  1.  (Six-text  Canterbury  tales,  ed.  F.  J. 
Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1871-8,  pts.  i-iii,  p.  1.) 

hEre  begynneth  the  book  of  tales  of  Caunterburye  .  compiled 
by  Geffraie  Chaucers  .  of  Brytayne  chef  poete. 

[1440  ?]  Unknown.  The  Tale  of  Colkelbie  Sow.  Bannatyne  MS.  [1566]. 
Printed  for  the  Hunterian  club  [ed.  James  Barclay  Murdoch], 
1896,  vol.  iv,  p.  1048.  (Early  popular  poetry  of  Scotland,  ed. 
David  Laing  (revised  W.  C.  Hazlitt  1895),  vol.  i,  p.  210.) 

Twenty-four  chikkynis  of  )>ame  scho  hes 

The  lirst  wes  the  samyn  Chantecleir  to  luke 
Off  quhome  Chaucer  treitis  in  to  his  buke, 
And  his  lady  Partlot  sister  and  wyfe 
Quhilk  wes  no  lyse  in  detis  of  J»at  lyfe. 

[Robert  Pitcairn,  in  his  introduction  to  Early  popular  poetry  of  Scotland,  ed.  hy 
David  Laing  (vol.  i,  pp.  179-81),  says  "  that  from  the  Prohemium  the  poem  appears 
to  have  been  written  during  the  era  of  Minstrelsy,  although  from  internal  evidence 
posterior  to  Chaucer,"  and  he  therefore  assigns  it  to  "  some  time  previous  to  the 
middle  of  the  15th  century,  since  it  seems  to  have  been  very  popular  considerably 
anterior  to  the  age  of  Douglas  and  Dunbar."] 

[c.  1440.]  Unknown.     The  Chaunces  of  the  Dyse.     MS.  Fairfax  16,  ff. 
152,  1536  (supplementary  vol.  to  Minor  Poems  of  Lydgate,  ed. 
MacCracken,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  in  preparation). 

Of  olde  stories  taken  ye  grete  hede  [toi.  15-2] 

1-71  That  ye  ne  had  moo  bokes  is  gret  skathe 

For  your  talent  ys  gretely  set  to  rede 


1440]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  45 

Ye  kan  by  rote  the  wifes  lyfe  of  Bathe 
He  inyght  wel  sey  ful  erlych  and  to  rathe 
Chosen  he  had  that  machched  with  yo\v  were 
Sure  of  a  shrewc  myght  he  ben  with  out  fere. 

pH  Creseyde  is  here  in  worde  bothe  thought  and  dede  [foi.  isss] 

r~7"|        Fil  iieuer  dise  sith  god  was  bore  so  trewe 

Ye  leue  youre  olde  and  taken  newe  and  newe. 

[This  poem  has  one  stanza  for  every  possible  throw,  and,  like  Ragman  Roll,  the 
stanz*  was  given  as  a  '  fortune '  to  the  thrower.  It  is  quoted  by  Stowe  as  being  by 
Chaucer,  q.v.,  p.  159  below.] 

[c.  1440.]  Unknown.  A  Rebuke  to  Lijdgate.  MS.  Fairfax  16,  fol.  326  « 
(supplementary  vol.  to  Minor  Poems  of  Lydgate,  ed.  H.  N. 
MacCracken,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  in  preparation). 

So  wolde  god  that  my  symple  connyng  [15] 

Ware  sufficiaunt  this  goodly  flour  to  prayse 

For  as  to  me  ys  non)  so  ryche  a  thyng 
That  able  were  this  flour  to  counterpayse 
0  noble  chaucer  passyd  ben)  thy  dayse 

Off  poetrye  ynamyd  worthyest  [20] 

And  of  makyng1  in  alle  othir  days  the  best 

Now  thou  art  go  thyn  helpe  I  may  not  haue 
Wherfor  to  god  I  pray  right  specially 

Syth  thou  art  dede  and  buryde  in  thy  graue 

That  on)  thy  sowle  hym  lyst  to  haue  mercy  [25] 

And  to  the  monke  of  bury  now  speke  I 

For  thy  connyng1  ys  syche  and  eke  thy  grace 

After  chaucer  to  occupye  his  place. 

[c.  1440.]  Unknown.  Head  lines  and  end  lines  [in]  Addit.  MS.  34,360, 
ff.  216,  4'J,  53. 

[fol. 216]  Balade  that  Chauncier  made,  [witli  an  'Envoy'  of  six  lines, 
beginning :]  So  hath  myn  hert  caught  in  remembraunce. 

[foi.  49]  [Chaucer's  Complaint  to  Pity,  headed,  as  in  Harl.  78,  fol. 
80,]  And  now  here  fol  with  A  Complaynt  of  Pite  made  by 
Geffray  Chauncier  the  Aureat  Poete  that  euer  was  founde  in 
oure  vulgar  to  fore  his  dayes. 

[fol.  53]        Explicit  Pyte  dan  Chaucer  lauture. 

[See  Two  Britisli  Museum  MSS.  by  E.  P.  Hammond  [in]  Anglia,  vol.  xxviii,  1905, 
pp.  1-28.] 


4G  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.U.  1440- 

\c.  1440.1  Unknown.     A  Greeting  on  New  Year's  morning.     Lambeth 
MS    306,  fol.  136.     (Political,  religious  and  love  poems,  ed.  *.  J. 
Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  [new  edn.  1903],  p.  66,  1.  19.) 
palaman  gafe  his  herte  to  einely. 

[This  refers  most  probably  to  Chaucer's  Knight's  Tale,  rather  than  to  Boccaccio. 
Such,  at  least,  is  Dr.  Furnivall's  opinion.] 

[1443-7?]  Bokenam,  Osbern.     The  Leuys  of  Seyntys.    Translated  into 
Englys  be  a  Doctour  of  Dyuynite  clepyd  Osbern  Bokenam,  Frer 
Austyn  of  the  Conuent  of  Stokclare.     Unique  MS.  Arundel  32,. 
VitaSandae  Margaretae,  11. 170-8.    (Reprinted  for  Roxb.  club  1835, 
p.  13.    O.Bokenam's  Legenden,ed.  Carl  Horstmann  1883,  pp.  11,12.) 
.  .  as  Homer  /  Ouyde  or  ellys  Virgyle 
Or  Galfryd  of  Ynglond  /  I  wolde  copyle 
A  clere  descripcyoun  /  ful  expressely 
Of  alle  hyr  feturys  /  euene  by  &  by 
But  sekyr  I  lakke  both  eloquens 
And  kunnyiig  /  swych  maters  to  dilate 
For  I  dwellyd  neuere  /  w*  the  fresli  rethoryens 
Go\ver  /  Chauncers  /  ner  wyth  lytgate. 
Wych  lyuyth  yet  /  lest  he  cleyed  late. 

[Galfryde  of  Ynglond  in  Prol.  1.  83  is  Galfridus  de  Vinosalvo.  See  The  temple  of 
glas,  ed.  J.  Schick,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  1S91,  notes,  p.  78;  and  cf.  above,  p.  17  [c.  1403?] 
Lydgate,  Court  of  Sapyence,  note.] 

[c.  1444.  Lydgate,  John.]  Poem  on  the  truce  of  1444.  MS.  Harl. 
2255,  fol.  132.  (Political  poems  and  songs,  ed.  Thomas  Wright, 
1861,  vol.  ii,  p.  216.) 

Comouw  Astroloyeer  as  folk  expert  weel  knowe 
To  kepe  the  howrys  and  tydis  of  the  nyght, 
Sumtyme  hih  and  sumtyme  he  syngith  lowe 
Dam  peridot  sit  \viih  hire  brood  doim  right 
rn\&/ox  comyth  neer  with  oute  Candellyght 
To  trete  of  pees,  menyng  no  treson, 
»To  avoyde  al  gile  and  ffraude  he  hath  be  hight 
Alle  go  we  stille  the  Cole  hath  lowe  shoon. 

[Each  verse  ends  with  the  same  refrain,  and  the  first  three  verses  (the  aliove  is  the 
f  >urth)  of  the  poem  point  out  that  '  speche  is  but  fooly  and  sugryd  elloquence'  and 
that  silence  is  good.  Reminiscences  of  the  Nonne  Preestes  Tale  run  all  through  the 
first  four  verses.] 

[c.  1445?  De  la  Pole,  William,  Duke  of  Suffolk?]  See  below, 
Appendix  A. 

[c.  1445  ?]  Shirley,  John.  Sidenote  to  Chaucer's  A.  B.  C.  in  MS.  Sion 
Coll.,  Arc.  2.  23,  fol.  79.  (Odd  texts  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed. 
F:  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1868-80,  p.  66.) 

^1"  Chauc[er]  H  Deuotissima  oracio  [ad]  Maiiam  .  pro  omm 
tenftacione]  tribulacz'owe  necessptate]  angustia. 


1450]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  47 

[c.  1445.]  Unknown,  and  Shirley,  John.  Headline  to  Lack  of 
Stedfastness.  MSS.  Harl.  7333,  fol.  147  6,  and  Shirley's  Trin. 
Coll.  Camb.  R.  3.  20,  6  of  10th  fol.  from  end.  (Parallel-text  of 
Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871], 
p.  434.)  See  below,  App.  A. 

[Harl.]  This  balade  made  Geffrey  Chaunciers  the  LaureaB 
Poete  Of1  Albion  and  sent  it  to  his  souerain  lorde  kynge 
Eicharde  the  secounde  J>ane  being  /  in  his  CasteH  of  /  Winde- 
sore  /. 

[Cambridge]  IT  Balade  Eoyal  made  by  •  oure  laureal  poete 
of  Albyou  '  in  hees  laste  yeeres  /. 

[c.  1445.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  Marriage  or  Bukton.  MS.  Fairfax 
16,  fol.  193  6,  and  in  Julian  Notary's  edn.  q.v.  (1499-1502,  p.  65) 
sign.  B  iii.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J. 
Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  424.) 

[Fairfax]  U  ]  .envoy  de  Chaucer  A  Bukton.  / 
[Notary]  Here  foloweth  the  counceyll  of  Chaucer  touchyng 
Maryag  &c.  whiche  was  sente  te  [sic]  Bucketon  &c. 

[c.  1445.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  Envoy  to  Scogan.  MSS.  Cnmb. 
Univ.  lib.  Gg.  4.  27,  fol.  7  b  ;  Fairfax  16,  fol.  1926  ;  Pepys  2006, 
p.  385,  hand  E.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J. 
Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  421.) 

[Cambridge]  Litera  directa  de  Scogon  per  .G.  C. 
[Fairfax]         U  Lenuoy  de  Chaucer  A  Scogan./ 
[Pepys]  U  Lenuoie  de  Chaucer1  A  Scogan). 

1448-9.  Metham,  John,  of  Norwich.  Amoryus  and  Cleopes.  Unique 
MS.  Quaritch  [since  sold],  Epilogue,  [fol.  57  ?.]  (Political,  religious 
and  love  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  [new  edn.  1903], 
pp.  306-7.) 

And  yff  I  the  trwthe  schuld  here  wryght, 

As  gret  a  style  I  schuld  make  in  euery  dregre, 

[so] 

As  Chauncerys,  off  qwene  Eleyne  or  Cresseyd,  doht  ewdyht, 
Or  off  Polyxchene,  Grysyld,  or  Penelope. 

My  mastyr  Chauracerys,  I  inenp,  that  longe  dyd  endure 
Jn  practyk  oil'  rymyng  ;  qwerffore  proffoundely 
With  many  prouerbys,  hys  bokys  be  rymyd  uaturelly. 

[c.  1450.]  Burgh,  Benedict.     See  below,  Appendix  A. 

[c.  1450.]  Shirley,  John.  Headline  and  marginal  note  to  Gentilesse. 
Shirley's  MSS.  Ashmole  59,  fol.  27  ;  Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  R.  3.  206 
of  fol.  9  from  end  ;  Harl.  7333,  fol.  147  6,  col.  2.  (Parallel-text  of 


48  [Shirley]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1450 

Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871], 
p.  428.) 

[Ashmole,  marginal  note]  Geffrey  Chancier  mado  J>eos  thre 
balades  nexst  J?at  followen  // 

[Cambridge]  IT  Balade  by  Chaucier. 

[Harl.]  U  Moral  balade  of  /  Chancier  / 

\c  1450.]  Shirley,  John.  Headline  to  tlie  Compleynt  of  Venus.  Shirley's 
MSS.  Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  R.  3.  20,  fol.  139  ;  and  Ashmol«  59,  fol. 
43  b.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor  po.'ins,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall, 
Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  412.) 

[Trin.  Coll.]  And'  filowing  begynnejje  •  a  balade  translated' 
out4  of1  frenshe  in  to  englisslie  /by  Chancier  Geffrey  j?e  frensfte 
made  .  sir  .  Otes  de  Granntsonie  •  knigTlt  •  Sauosyen  / 

[Ashmole]  Here  begynne]>e  a  balade  made  by  Jjafc  worfy 
Kniglit  of  Sauoyc  in  frenslie  calde  sir  Otes  Grannson  .  trans 
lated  by  .  Chauciers  // 

[c.  1450.]  Shirley,  John.  Headline  to  Stanza  in  Ellesmere  Lydgate 
MS.  See  below,  App.  A. 

[c.  1450.]  Shirley,  John.  Headline  to  Truth.  Shirley's  MS.  Trin.  Coll. 
Camb.  R.  3.  20  [2  copies],  p.  144,  and  9th  fol.  from  end.  (Parallel- 
text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Fnrnivall,  Chaucer  soc. 
[1871],  p.  409.)  See  note  below  in  App.  A.  under  [c.  1450]  Shirley. 

H  Balade  ]>at  Chaucier  made  on  his  deetli  bedde. 

[c.  1450.]  Shirley,  John.  Headline  to  Adam  Scrivener.  Shirley's  MS 
Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  R.  3.  20,  4th  fol.  from  end.  Gf.  J.  Stowe's  edn. 
1561,  fol.  ccclv  6,  col.  1.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems, 
ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  177.) 

[Trin.  Coll.]  IT  Chauciers  wordes  -a.  Geffrey  vn  to  Adame 
his  owen  scryueyne. 

[Stowe]  Chaucers  woordes  vnto  his  owne  Scriuener. 

[See  below,  1614,  Ben  Jonson,  p.  189,  for  a  reference  to  Adam  Scrivener.] 

[c.  1450.]  Shirley,  John  (?).  Headline  to  The  Compleynt  of  Mars.  MS 
Trin.  Cell.  Camb.  R.  3.  20,  fol.  130.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's 
minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  100.) 

U  Loo  yee  loners  gladejje  and'  comfortejje  yon  .  of1  J?allyance 
etrayted'  bytwene  /  fe  hardy  and'  furyous  Mars  .  J>e  god'  of* 
armes  /  and?  Venus  ]>e  double  goddesse  of1  loue  made  by 
.  Geffrey  Chaucier .  at  J?e  comandement  of  J>e  renomed?  and' 
excellent  Prynce  my  lord?  J>e  Due  lonn  of1  Lancastre. 

[1450.]  Shirley,  John.  Heading  and  headline  to  pa  Cronyde  made  bif 
ChvAicier.  MS.  Ashmole  59,  fol.  38  6.  (Odd  texts  of  Chaucer's 
minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1868-80,  app.p.  vi.) 


1450]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  49 

IpQ  Cronycle  made  by  Chaucier. 

II  Hero  nowe  folowe  Ipe  names  of*  ]>&  nyene  worshipfullesfr 
Ladyes  ]>at  in  alle  cronycles  .  and  storyal  bokes  haue  beo 
founden  of  troupe  of*  constannce  and  vertuous  or  reproched 
womanbode  .  by  Chancier*. 

[c.  145.0.]  Shirley,  John.  Verses  in  praise  of  Chaucer,  in  his  metrical 
prologue  to  Boethius  de  Consolacione  Philosophise  ;  running  title, 
etc.,  and  praise  of  Chaucer  at  the  end  of  Boethius.  Add.  MS. 
16,165,  ff.  2,  4,  5  6-6,  8-12,  14  6-16,  21  6-22,  25  6-26,  33  6-36,  94. 

pe  prologe  of  the  Kalendere  of  pis  litell  booke.        [foi.  2] 

And  for  to  put  hit  in  youre  mynde 

First  pus  by  ordre  shul  ye  fynde 

Of  Eoece  pe  hole  translacyoun 

And  Phylosofyes  consolacyoun 

Laboured  by  Geffrey  Chaucier  [foi.  26] 

Whiche  in  oure  volgare  had  neuere  ys  pere 

Of  eloquencyale  Eetorryke 

In  Englisshe  was  neuer  noon  him  lyke 

Gyff  him  pe  prys  and  seype  perhoo 

For  neuer  knewe  ye  such  na  moo.  .  .  . 

And  Jms  endepe  .  .  .  Boece  .  .  .  translated'  by  pe  moral  and 
famous  Chaucyer  which  first  enlumyned  pis  lande  with  retoryen 
and  eloquent  langage  of  oure  rude  englissfre  mode  re  tonge  .  .  . 
[«,  1450.]    Unknown.     The  Tale  of  Beryn.     See  below,  Appendix  A. 

[c.  1450  ?]  Unknown.  Poem.  How  a  Louer  Prayseth  hys  Lady.  MS. 
Fairfax  16,  foi.  309.  (Temple  of  Glas,  by  J.  Lydgnte,  ed.  J.  Schick, 
E.  E.  T.  soc.,  extra  series  Ix,  1891,  pp.  cxliii,  78.) 

Cum  on  lulius,  with  su??i  of  thy  flouris  ; 
Englesshe  geffrey1  with  al  thy  colourys, 
That  wrote  so  wel  to  pope  Innocent ; 
And  mayster  Chauser,  sours  and  fimdement 
On  englysshe  tunge  swetely  to  endyte 
Thy  soule  god  haue  with  virgynes  white 
Moral  gower,  lydgate,  rether  and  poete 
Ouide  stase  lucan  of  batylls  grete 
Wher  art  thou  boece  symachws  and  Guido 
Virgil  barnard  Austyn  and  Varro 
Archytressy  melbeely  and  Aleyne 
They  knouwe  me  not  my  al  is  in  veyne, 

1  ['Englesshe  geffrey'  is  Galfridus  de  Vinosalvo.     See  above,  p.  17,  note.] 
CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  E 


50  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1450 

[c.  1450.1  Unknown.  Headline  to  Purse.  MSS.  Fairfax  16,  fol.  193  ; 
Shirley's  Had.  7333,  fol.  147  6  ;  and  in  French,  Pepys  2006,  p. 
388,  hand  E.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J. 
Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  pp.  448-9.) 

[Fairfax]  The  complaynt  of  Chaucer  to  his  Purse. 
[Harl.]      IT  A  supplicacion  to  Kyng  Bichard  by  chancier. 
[Pepys]     IT  La  Compleint  de  Chaucer1  A  sa  Bourse  Voide. 

[c.  1450.]  Unknown.  Headlines  to  Proverbs.  MSS.  Fairfax  16,  fol. 
195  b  ;  Harl.  7578,  fol.  20.  (Parallel-text  of  Chaucer's  minor 
poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  432.) 

[Fairfax]  Prouerbe  of  Chaucer1. 
[Harl.]       Prouerbe  of  Chaucers. 

[Dr.  Furnivall,  p.  431,  adds  [Quod  Chaucer]  to  the  Answers,  at  Mr.  Bradshaw's 
suggestion.] 

[c.  1450.]  Unknown.  Headline  to  the  Compleynte  to  Pite.  MSS.  Harl. 
78,  fol.  8 ;  Phillipps,  Cheltenham,  9053,  p.  91.  (Parallel-text  of 
Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  [1871]  p. 
41,  and  note  p.  49  ;  More  odd  texts  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  1886, 
p.  11  ;  Odd  texts  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  1868-80,  App.,  p.  ii 
note.) 

[Harl.]  }>e  balade  .  of  .  Pytee  .  By  Chauciers. 

[Phillipps]  And  now  here  folwitn  A  complaynt1  of1  pite 
made  by  Geffray  Chaucier  the  Aureaf  Poete  thatf  euer  was 
founde  in  oure  vulgar  to  fore  his  dayes. 

[c.  1450.]  Unknown.  Colophon  to  Balade  of  Pite.  Phillipps  MS., 
Cheltenham,  9053,  p.  99.  (More  odd  texts  of  Chaucer's  minor 
poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1886,  p.  50.) 

Explicit  Pyte 
dan  Chaucer  Lauceire  (?). 

[c.  1450.]  Unknown.  Latin  headings  and  colophons  to  MS.  Egerton 
2726  (Haistwell  MS.  of  Cant.  Tales,  the  H.  A.  of  Tyrwhitt's  edn.), 
ff.  180,  180  6,  197,  270  b. 

[Fol.  1  in  a  late  16th  or  early  17th  century  hand,  "  Gaulfridus  Chaucer  "  ;  fol.  271,  late 
18th  or  early  19th  century  hand,  in  red  ink,  "here  endith  the  Canterbury  Tales  com- 
piled  by  Geffrey  Chaucer,  of  whose  soule  Ihesu  Crist  haue  mercy.  Amen."] 

1450.]  Unknown.     Spurious  links  in  the  Canterbury  Tales. 

[These  links,  or  additional  lines  joining  tip  the  Tales,  are  given  here,  although 
they  do  not  refer  to  Chaucer  by  name.  Still,  being  of  the  nature  of  an  addition 
to,  and  imitation  of  his  work,  they  may  be  termed  references.  With  the  exception 
of  the  first  two  extracts,  which  are  not  elsewhere  printed,  the  text  is  not  given.] 

Four  lines   of  a  spurious  Prologue  to    Sir  Thopas,  with   some 
changes  in  the  Prologue  to  Melibeus  following,  in  MS.  Trin. 


1450]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  51 

Coll.  Camb.  E.  3   3,  fol.  87,  876.     [The  true  Prologue  to  Sir 
Thopas  is  not  found  in. this  MS.] 

Hiere  endeth  the  Manciples  tale. 

A  Prolog  and  a  tale  tolde  be  Master  Chaucer. 

Whan  Chaucers 

be  oure  oost  was  praide.     To  telle  a  tale  he  is  na 

withsaid.     But  beningly 

and  with  gode  chore.     Began  his  tale 

and  saide  as  folwitli  hiere. 

[fol.  87  b]      Listeneth  lordinges  in  good  entent  .   .  . 

[11.  1-30  only  :  ending] 
There  any  Earn  slial  stonde  &ce. 

[then  follow  '  Verba  Hospitis,'  i.  e.  prologue  to  Melibeus, 
50  lines,  including  2  lines  (not  in  Skeat)  at  the  end  :] 

Wicli  anon  in  profe  I  wol  telle  in  this  presence 
Of  Melibe  &  his  wif  &  there  douzter  Sapience. 

[also  in  place  of  Skeat,  11.  7-8,  MS.  has  :] 

Win  so  quod  I  win  wolt  thou  lat  me 
That  I  may  nat  telle  at  my  liberte. 

[then  at  the  end  the  rubric :] 
-Anothir      tale     in     prose^ 
tolde  be  mastir  Chaucer  v 
cf  Melibe  and  Prudence.  J 

[folio wed' by  the  Tale  on  fol.  88.] 

Four  additional  lines  at  the  end  of  the  Cook's  Tale  in  MS.  Eawl. 
poetry  141,  fol.  29. 

And  thus  w*  horedom  &  bryberye 
To  gecler  thei  vsed  titt  thei  honged  hye. 
fior  who  so  euel  byeth  shal  make  a  sory  sale 
And  thus  I  make  an  ende  of  my  tale. 

Twelve  additional  lines  at  the  end  of  the  Cook's  Tale  in  MS. 
Bodley  686,  printed  in  Chaucer's  works, edn.  of  1687,  q.  v.  below, 
p.  260. 

Four  lines  between  Cook's  Tale  and  Gamelyn  in  MS.  Lansdowne 
851,  printed  in  Canterbury  Tales,  ed.  T.  Wright,  1847, -vol.  i, 
p.  175,  also  in  App.  A.  of  Six  Text  Canterbury  Tales,  ed. 
Furnival],  1868,  part  I. 


52  Five  Hundred  Tears  of  [A.D.  1450- 

Ttco  lines  between  Cook's  Tale  and  Gamelyn  in  MSS.  Koyal 
18,  C.  ii,  Sloane  1685,  Barlow,  Hatton,  Laud  739,  Camb. 
Univ.  Libr.  Mm.  ii.  5,  Petworth,  Egerton  2863,  Hodson- 
Ashburnham,  printed  in  App.  A.  to  Six  Text  Canterbury 
Tales,  ed.  Furnivall  1868,  part  I. 

Sixteen  lines  between  Merchant's  Tale  and  W.  of  Bath  in  MSS. 
Barlow,  Laud  739,  Koyal  18,  C.  ii,  printed  by  Tyrwhitt  in 
his  edn.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  1775-8,  vol.  iv,  note  to 
1.  5583,  also  in  Canterbury  Tales,  ed.  T.  Wright,  1847,  vol.  i, 
pp.  245-6  note,  also  in  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by 
E.  P.  Hammond,  K  York,  1908,  p.  297. 

Six  lines  between  the  Franklin's  and  Doctor's  Tale  in  M.S. 
Harh  7335,  printed  by  Tyrwhitt  in  his  edn.  of  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  1775-8,  vol.  ii,  pp.  162-3,  see  also  his  Introd.  Discourse, 
§  xxviii,  and  his  note  on  1.  11929 ;  also  printed  by  T.  "Wright 
in  his  edn.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  1847,  vol.  ii,  pp.  245-6. 

Fourteen  lines  between  Canon's  Yeoman's  Tale  and  Doctor's 
Tale  in  MSS.  Arch.  Seklen,  B  14,  Koyal  17,  D.  xv,  Koyal 
18  C.  ii,  Kawl.  poet.  149,  Petworth,  Camb.  Univ.  Libr.  Mm. 
ii.  5,  Hatton,  Sloane  1685,  Barlow,  Egerton  2863,  Laud  739, 
printed  in  separate  issue  of  the  Petworth  MS.  Chaucer  soc. 
1875. 

Sixteen  lines  between  Canon's  Yeoman's  Tale  and  Doctor's  Tale 
(different  from  above)  in  MS.  Lansdowne851,  fol.  169,  printed 
in  separate  issue  of  this  MS.,  Chaucer  soc.,  part  V,  1875,  also 
by  T.  Wright  in  Canterbury  Tales,  1847,  vol.  ii,  p.  245  note. 

Twelve  lines  between  Pardoner  and  Shipman's  Tale  in  MSS. 
Harl.  1758,  Kawl.  poet.  149,  Petworth,  Camb.  Univ.  Libr. 
Mm.  25  and  I  i.  3.  26,  Hatton,  Sloane  1685,  Barlow,  Laud 
739,  Eoyal  18,  C.  ii,  Egerton  2863,  printed  by  Skeat  in  his 
edn.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  Chaucer's  works,  vol.  iv,  1894, 
p.  164  note;  also  the  various  MSS.  readings  in  Specimens 
of  ...  Moveable  Prologues,  prefixed  to  the  Six  Text  Chaucer, 
ed.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1868,  part  I. 

Six  lines  between  Pardoner  and  Shipman's  Tale  (quite  different 
from  above)  in  MS.  Lansdowne  851,  fol.  180  &,  printed  in  the 
separate  issue  of  this  MS.,  Chaucer  soc.,  part  V,  1875. 

Eight  lines  ending  Squire's  Tale  in  MSS.  Arch.  Selden  B  14  and 
Lansdowne  851,  printed  in  the  separate  issue  of  Lansdowne 
MS.,  Chaucer  soc.,  part  iv,  1874,  also  by  T.  Wright,  in  his 
edn.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  1847,  vol.  ii,  p.  157  and  vol.  i, 
p.  246  note. 

Four   lines  introducing  the  Wife   of   Bath  in    MS.  Lansdowne 
851,  printed  in  the  Six  Text  Canterbury  Tales,  eel.  Furnivall, 
1868,  also  in  separate  issue  of  Lansdowne  MS.,  Chaucer  soc 
partlY,  1874. 


1456]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  53 

[<•.  1450.]  Unknown.  Tico  stanzas  linking  Hoccleve's  poem,  No.  vi, 
"Item  cle  beata  virgine  "  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  and  turning  it 
into  the  ploughman's  tale,  in  MS.  Christ  Church  CLII,  fol.  228  6, 
[printed  in]  A  New  Ploughman's  Tale:  Thomas  Hoccleve's  Legend 
of  the  Virgin  and  her  Sleeveless  Garment,  with  a  spurious  link, 
ed.  by  A.  Beatty,  Chaucer  soc.  1902,  p.  12. 

[There  is  no  mention  of  Chaucer  in  this  'link,'  but  it  is  an  attempt  by  an  unknown 
writer  to  fit  Hoccleve's  poem  into  tlie  scheme  of  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales,  as  it 
represents  the  host  calling  upon  the  Ploughman  to  tell  his  tale,  and  the  latter's 
reply.] 

[c.  1450.]  Unknown.  Account  of  Lydgate  [in]  MS.  Harl.  4826,  fol.  2. 
(printed  in  The  ancient  poem  of  Guillaume  de  Guileville, 
entitled  Le  Pelerinage  de  I'homme  .  .  .  1858,  Introd.  pp.  viii-ix). 

John  Lidgat,  borne  at  Lidgat  in  Suffolke,  .  .  .  Hee  was  a 
great  Ornament  of  ye  English  Toting,  Imitating  therein  our 
Chaucer.  To  this  end  hee  vsed  to  reade  Dante  ye  Italian, 
Alan  ye  French  Poet,  and  such  like,  which  hee  diligently 
translated  into  English.  ;  .  . 
1451.  Cuniberworth,  Sir  Thomas.  Will,  see  Appendix  A. 

[1450-60 1}  Unknown.  Stanza  in  praise  of  Chaucer  at  end  of  Parlia 
ment  of  Foules.  MSS.  Harl.  7333,  fol.  132,  col.  4 ;  Trin.  Coll. 
Camb,  R.  3. 19,  fol.  24  b  (slightly  varying  from  each  other.  Parallel- 
text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc. 
[1871],  pp.  98-9). 

{Harl.  7333]       Maister  gefferey  Chauucers  J>«t  now  litrl  graue 
J:e  noble  Eethor  poete  .  of  grete  bretayne 
J?at  worth!  .  was  the  laurer  to  have 
Of  poyetry  .  And  ]>Q  palnie  ataiii 
j?at  furst  made  to  still  &  to  rain 
£e  gold  dew  Dropes  .  of  speclie  in  eloquence 
In  to  english  tonge  /  J)oro\v  his  excellens. 

[A  version  of  Lydgate's  lines  in  the  Life  of  our  Lady,  1409-11  q.  v.  above,  p.  19. 
This  stanza  is  also  given  in  Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1897,  p.  450.] 

[1450-60  ?]  Unknown.  Unto  my  Lady  the  Flower  of  Womanhood. 
Lambeth  MS.  306,  fol.  138.  (Political,  Religious  and  Love  Poems 
.  .  .  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  [2nd  edn.  1903],  p.  72.) 

Go  litiH  bill,  with  all  ImmMis, 

Vnto  my  lady,  of  woman  liede  J?e  floure 

and  saie  hire  howe  newe  troilus  lithe  in  distre$ 

All  onely  for  hire  sake. 

[a.  1456.]  Shirley,  John.  TJie  Prologue  of  the  Knyghtes  tale.  MS.  Harl. 
7333,  fol.  37,  col.  1.  (Prose  introduction  to  Chaucer's  Knight's 

Tale.) 

0  yee  so  noble  and  worthi  pryncis  and  princesse,  oj;er  estatis 
or  degrees,  what-euer  yee  beo,  j>at  haue  disposicione  or  pie- 


54  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1460- 

saunce  to  rede  or  here  J?e  stories  of  old  tymis  passed,  to  kepe 
yow  froine  ydelnesse  and  slovvthe,  in  escheuing  oper  folies 
pat  might  be  cause  of  more  harome  filowyng,  vowcheth  sauf, 
I  be-seche  yowe  to  fynde  yowe  occupation  in  J>e  reding 
here  of  )>c  tales  of  Caunterburye  wiche  beon  compilid  in  J)is 
boke  filowing  First  fotmdid,  ymagenid  and  made  bo))e  for 
disporte  and  leornyng  of  aft  ]?oo  that  beon  gentile  of  birtfie  or 
of  cowdicz'ons  by  j?e  laureal  and  moste  famous  poete  J?at  euer  was 
to-fore  him  as  in  femvelisshing  of  oure  rude  moders  englisshe 
tonge,  clepid  Chaucyer  a  Gaufrede  of  whos  soule  god  for  his 
mercy  have  pitee  of  his  grace.  Amen. 

[For  Stow's  reference  to  Shirley's  collecting  Chaucer's  works,  see  below,  1603,  p.  174.] 

[c.  1460-70.]     Unknown.     Headlines   and   end   lines  in   Sloane   MS. 
1686  (Canterbury  Tales),  ff.  243  6-244,  247  6. 

Here  endith  the  Prioresse  tale  [f»i.  »«&) 

And  here  begynneth  Chauncer  the  prolog1  of1  sir  Thopas. 

When  seide  was  this  tale,  euery  man 

As  sobre  was  /  as  wonder  was  to  see 

Tille  at  oure  Cost  /  iape  to  be-gan 

And  than  at  erst  /  h?  loked  vpon  me  .i.  Chauncer. 

And  seid  thus  :  . 

A  tale  of  Chauncer. 

CfS?244]e      Here  enditn  Chauwcer  the  prolog1  of  sir  Thopas 
And  here  begynneth  his  tale 

[Headline  of  fol.  247  b]  Prolog  off  ChailllCer. 

Pleasith  you  to  here  the  Tale  of  Maister  Chauraccr. 
Chauncer      A  yong  man  whilom  called  Melibe. 

[c.  1470.]  Ashby,  George.  Active  policy  of  a  Prince  (prologue).  MS 
Camb.  Univ.  lib.  Mm.  iv.  42,  ff.  2  6-3.  (George  Ashby's  poems" 
ed.  M.  Bateson,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  extra  series,  Ixxvi,  1899,  pp.  13-14.)  ' 

(1) 
Moisten  Gower,  Chauncer  &  Lydgate; 

Primier  poetes  of  this  nation, 
Embelysshing  oure  englisshe  tendure  algate 
Firste  finders  to  oure  consolation 
Off  fresshe,  douce  englisshe  and  formation 
Of  newe  balades,  not  vsed  before 
By  whome  we  all  may  haue  lernyng  and  lore. 


1470]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  55 


Alas  !  saufe  goddes  wille,  &  his  plesaunco, 

That  ever  ye  shulde  dye  &  chaunge  this  lyffe, 
Vntyl  tyme  /  that  by  youre  wise  pourueunce  (sic) 
Ye  had  lafte  to  vs  /  sum  remembratife 
Of  a  personne,  lerned  &  Inueutif, 
Disposed  aftur  youre  condicion, 
Of  fresshe  makyng  to  oure  Instruccioii. 

(3) 
But  sithe  we  all  be  dedly  and  mortal, 

And  no  man  may  eschewe  this  egression, 
I  beseche  almygtity  god  eternal 

To  pardon  you  all  youre  transgression 
That  ye  may  dwelle  in  heuenly  mansion, 
In  recompense  of  many  a  scripture 
That  ye  haue  englisshede  without  lesure. 


So  I,  George  Asshby,  not  comparison 
Making  to  youre  excellent  enditing 
With"  right  humble  prayer  &  orison, 

Pray  god  that  by  you  I  may  haue  lernyng, 
And,  as  a  blynde  man  in  the  wey  blondryng, 
As  I  can,  I  shall  now  lerne  and  practise 
Not  as  a  master  but  as  a  p[r]entise. 


[c.  1470.]  Unknown.  -Poem  [in]  MS.  Bodl.  Rawl.  poet.  36,  fol.  4. 
(Supplementary  vol.  to  Minor  Poems  of  Lydgate,  ed.  H.  N.  Mac- 
Cracken,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  in  preparation.) 

[The  poem  is  a  jilted  lover's  reply  to  the  '  scorn,'  or  flyting 
letter  of  his  mistress,  which  latter  is  also  in  verse,  and  imme 
diately  precedes  this  piece.] 

[i.  9]        To  me  ye  haue  sent  a  letter  of  derision 

[10]         Werfore  I  thanke  you  as  I  fynde  cause, 

The  ynglysch  of  Chaucere  was  nat  in  youre  mynd. 
Ne  tullyus  termys  wyth  so  gret  elloquence 
But  ye  as  vucurtes  and  Crabbed  of  leynde 

[15]         Eolled  hern  on  a  hepe  it  semytli  by  the  sentens. 


56  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1471- 

1471.  Bruyn,  Elizabeth.  Will  of  Dame  Elizabeth  Brune  in  South 
Ockendon  church,  Essex  (Excerpts  from  ancient  wills,  by  H.  W. 
King  ;  transactions  Essex  archceol.  soc.,  1884,  new  series,  vol.  ii,  pp. 
56-7). 

I  will  that  Eobert  Walsall  have  the  boke  called  Cante?-bury 
tales,  and  one  gilt  cup  wfc  ye  coueryng,  and  one  spapuer  of 
silke,  and  a  diall  of  gold,  and  ij  hors  in  my  stable,  and  j  double 
harpe. 

1475.  Henryson,  Robert.  The  Testament  of.Cresseid.  Compylit  be  M. 
Robert  Herysone,  Sculemai-ster  in  Dunfermeling.  Imprentit  at 
Edinburgh  be  Henry  Charteris  MDxciii,  [sign.  A  ii  and  6].  Stanzas 
6,  7,  9,  and  10.  (Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1897, 
pp.  328-9.) 

H  I  mend  the  fyre  and  beikit  me  about 

Than  tuik  ane  drink  my  spreitis  to  comfort 
And  armit  me  weill  fra  the  cauld  thairout 
To  cut  the  winter  nicht  &  mak  it  schort. 
I  tuik  ane  Quair,  &  left  all  vther  sport. 
"Writtin  be  worthie  Chaucer  glorious 
Of  fair  Cresseid,  &  worthie  Troylus. 

IT  And  thair  I  fand  efter  that  Diomeid 
Eessauit  had  that  Lady  bricht  of  hew. 

How  Troilus  neir  out  of  wit  abraid, 

And  weipit  £oir  with  visage  paill  of  hew, 

U  Of  his  distres  me  neidis  nocht  reheirs, 
For  worthie  Chauceir  in  the  samin  buik 

In  gudelie  termis,  &  in  loly  veirs 

Compylit  lies  his  cairis,  quha  will  luik. 

U  Quha  wait  gif  all  ]>*  Chauceir  wrait  was  trew     tjjsj-  A- 

Nor  I  wait  nocht  gif  this  narratioun 
Be  authoreist  or  fei^eit  of  the  new 
Be  sum  Poeit,  throw  his  Inuentioun 
Maid  to  report  the  Lamentatiouii 

And  wofull  end  of  this  lustie  Creisseid, 

And  quhat  distres  scho  thoillit,  &  quhat  deid. 

[No  early  MS.  copy  is  known  ;  first  printed  by  W.  Thynne,  in  his  edn.  of  Chaucer's 
works,  1532,  and  long  thought  to  be  by  Chaucer.  Speght  printed  it  as  his  in  1598, 
and  was  remonstrated  with  by  Francis  Thynne,  see  below,  p.  155,  and  for  full  informa 
tion  as  to  editions  and  authenticity,  see  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P. 
Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  p.  457.] 


1477]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  57 

[a.  1477.]  Unknown.  The  Book  of  Curtesye,  printed  by  William  Caxton, 
1477-8,  fol.  163  6.  (Ed.  F.  J.  Fnrnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  1868,  pp. 
34-5.  Dr.  Furnivall  also  printed  2  MS.  copies  of  the  same  treatise, 
Oriel  MS.  79,  and  Balliol  MS.  354.) 

(48) 

O  fader  and  founder  of  ornate  eloquence 
That  enlumened  hast  alle  our  bretayne 
To  soone  we  loste  /thy  laureate  scyence 
0  lusty  lyquour  /  of  that  i'ulsom  fontayne 
0  cursid  deth  /  why  hast  thow  J)*  poete  slayne 
I  mene  fader  chaucer  /  maister  galfryde 
Alas  the  whyle  /  that  euer  he  from  vs  dyde. 

(49) 

Redith  liis  werkis  /  ful  of  plesaunce 

Clere  in  sentence  /  in  langage  excellent 
Briefly  to  wryte  /  suche  was  his  suffysance 
Whateuer  to  saye  /  he  toke  in  his  entente 
His  langage  was  so  fayr  and  pertynente 
It  semeth  vnto  mannys  heerynge 
Not  only  the  worde  /  but  verely  the  thynge. 

(50) 

Redeth  my  chylde  /  redeth  his  bookes  alle 

Refuseth  none  /  they  ben  expedyente 
Sentence  or  langage  /  or  bothe  fynde  ye  shalle 
Ful  delectable  /  for  that  good  fader  mente 
Of  al  his  purpose  /  and  his  hole  entente 
How  to  plese  in  euery  audyence 
And  in  our  tunge  /  was  welle  of  eloquence. 

[Speght  quotes  the  first  of  the  above  three  verses  in  Chaucer's  Works,  1598,  sign, 
cii,  stating  he  '  found  them  in  a  book  of  lohn  Stoioes  called  Little  John.'J 


[o.  1477.]  Norton,  Thomas.  The  Ordinall  of  Alchimy.  MSS.  Karl. 
853,  No.  4,  fol.  40  b,  Ashmole  57,  p.  50.  First  printed  (in  Latin)  in 
Michael  Maier's  Tripus  Aureus,  1618,  p.  120,  (in  English)  in  Elias 
Ashmole's  Theatrum  Chemicum,  1652,  cap.  iii,  p.  42  (cf.  below  1577. 
Dr.  John  Dee,  p.  114,  and  Ashmole,  p.  227). 

Hir  name  [a  stone]  is  magnesia,  fewe  people  hir  knowe, 
She  is  fouude  in  hye  places  as  well  as  in  lowe 
Plato  knewe  her  propertie,  and  called  hir  by  hir  name, 
and  Chauser  rehearseth  how  Titanos  is  the  same. 


58  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1477- 

In  the  Canon  his  tale,  saynge  what  is  thuse, 

but  quid  ignotum  pe?*  magis  ignotius 

that  is  to  saye,  what  maie  this  be, 

but  unknowe  by  more  unknowne  named  is  she. 

[This  extract  is  given  from  the  Harl.  MS.  c.  1600-20.] 

[1477-8.  Parlement  of  Foules,  Gentilesse,  Truth,  Fortune,  Envoy 
to  Scogan.  No  title-page,  date,  or  place  of  publication.] 

[Printed  by  William  Caxton,  imperfect,  two  copies  only  known,  B.  M.  and  Camb. 
Univ.  library.  For  description  by  Mr.  Bradshaw  of  the  Cambridge  copy  sec  Trial  fore 
words  to  Parallel  text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc. 
[1871],  pp.  116-18.  See  also  Life  of  Caxton  by  William  Blades,  1861-3,  vol.  ii,  pp. 
61-3  ;  Index  to  early  printed  books  by  R.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.  9629.  Gentilesse  is 
here  printed  as  part  of  Scogan's  Moral  btillad,  c.  1407,  q.  v.  above,  pp.  18-19.  The  copy 
mentioned  by  Blades  and  other  bibliographers  as  being  at  the  Grammar-school  of  St. 
Albans,  is  the  one  now  in  the  B.  M.] 

[1477-8.  Anelida  and  Arcite,  compleynt  of  chaucer  ynto  his 
empty  purse.  No  title-page,  date,  or  place  of  publication.]  (A 
facsimile  reprint  was  issued  in  1905.  by  the  Camb.  Univ.  press.) 

[Printed  by  William  Caxton,  small  4°.,  unique  copy,  Camb.  Univ.  lib.  For  description 
gee  Trial  forewords  to  Parallel  text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall, 
Chaucer  soc.  [1871],  p.  118.  See  also  Life  of  Caxton  by  William  Blades,  1801-3,  vol.  ii, 
pp.  64-6.] 

[1477-8.  Canterbury  Tales.  No  title  page  or  colophon,  printed  by 
William  Caxton.] 

[Two  copies  in  B.  M.,  also  several  in  other  libraries.  See  for  description  Life  of 
Caxton,  by  William  Blades,  1861-3,  vol.  ii,  pp.  45-7  ;  also  Index  to  early  printed  books 
by  R.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.  9626.] 

[a.  1479].  Boethius  de  consolacione  Philosophic  ....  [colophon.] 
Geffrey  Chaucer  hath  translated  ....  I  William  Caxton  have 
done  my  deuoir  to  enprinte  it.  [No  date  or  place  of  publication.] 

[For  description  see  Life  of  Caxton  by  William  Blades,  1861-3,  vol.ii,  pp.  66-71;  and 
Index  to  early  printed  books,  by  R.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.  9630.] 

[a.  1479.]  Caxton,  William.  Epilogue  to  Boethius  de  Consolacione 
Philosophie,  fol.  93  b.  (Reprinted  in  Life  of  Caxton,  by  William 
Blades,  1861-3,  vol.  i,  pp.  151-2;  c/.  also  vol.  ii,  pp.  66-71.) 

.  .  .  the  worshipful  fader  &  first  fouwdeur  &  embelissher 
of  ornate  eloquence  in  our  englissh.  I  mene  Maister  Geffry 
Chaucer  hath  translated  this  sayd  werke  oute  of  latyn  in  to 
cure  vsual  and  moder  tongue  .  .  .  wherein  in  myne  oppynyon 
he  hath  deseruid  a  perpetuell  lawde  and  thanke  of  al  this 
noble  Royame  of  Englond  .... 

And  furthermore  I  desire  &  require  you  that  of  your  charite 
ye  wold  praye  for  the  soule  of  the  sayd  worshipful  man 
Geffrey  Chaucer  first  translatour  of  this  sayd  boke  into  enMissh 


1479]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [Caxton\  59 

&  enbelissher  in  making  the  sayd  langage  ornate  &  fayr  . 
whiche  shal  endure  perpetually  .  and  therefore  he  ought 
eternelly  to  be  remembird  .  of  whom  the  body  and  corps 
lieth  buried  in  thabbay  of  west-mestre  beside  london  tofore 
the  chapele  of  seynte  benet  .  by  whos  sepulture  is  wreton 
on  a  table  hongying  on  a  pylere  his  Epitaphye  maad  by  a 
Poete  laureat  .  Whereof  the  copye  foloweth  &c.  .  .  . 

[Caxton  here  gives  Snrigo's  epitaph ;  the  last  four  lines  Blades  supposes  may  be 
Caxton's  own  ;  for  these  see  next  entry,  below,  p.  CO. 

For  the  whole  question  of  Chanrer's  burial-place  and  tomb,  and  his  re-intennent 
by  Brigham  in  1555  or  1556,  see  Berthclet,  1532 ;  Brigham,  1556  ;  Bullein,  1564 ; 
Foxe,  1570  ;  Camden,  1600 ;  Stowe,  1600  ;  Weever,  1631  ;  Ashmole,  1652  ;  Dart,  1T23  ; 
below,  pp.  78,  94,  98,  107,  163,  165,  204,  227,  363,  also  M.  H.  Bloxam  in  Archaeological 
Journal,  1881,  vol.  xxxviii,  p.  361,  Athenaeum,  Aug.  9, 1902,  p.  189 (art.  by  J.  W.  Hales), 
Aug.  30,  1902,  p.  288,  Oct.  25,  1902,  p.  552  (Mrs.  C.  C.  Stopes),  and  Chaucer,  a 
bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  44-7.] 

[a.  1479.]  Surigo,  Stephen  (lie.  dect.  of  Milan).  Latin  epitaph  on 
Chaucer,  printed  by  Caxton  at  end  of  Boethius  de  Consolacione 
philosophic,  fol.  94  and  94  6.  (Life  of  Caxton  by  William  Blades, 
1861-3,  vol.  i,  p.  152  ;  and  Chaucer's  works,  ed.  W.  Thynne,  1532, 
fol.  383.) 

Epitaphiim  Galfridi  Chaucer,  per 
poetam  laureatu???  Stephauum  smigomm 
Mediolanensem  in  decretis  licenciatuw 

Pyerides  muse,  si  possunt  numina  ilet?/s 

Fuwdere  .  diuinas  atqwe  rigare  genas, 
Galfridi  vatis  chaucer  crudelia  fata 

Plangite  .  sit  lacrimis  abstinuisse  nephas 
Vos  coluit  viue?>s  .  at  vos  celebrate  sepultum 

Reddatur  merito  gracia  digna  viro 
Grande  decus  vobis  .  est  docti  miisa  maronis 

Qua  didicit  meliws  lingua  latina  loqui 
Grande  nomwique  decus  Chaucer  .  famamq?fe  parauit 

Heu  qw<:mtum  fuerat  prisca  britawna  rudis 
Reddidit  insignem  maternis  versibws  .  vt  iam 

Aurea  splendescat  .  ferrea  facta  prius 
Huuc  latuisse  \intm  nil  .  si  tot  opuscula  vertcs 

Dixeris  .  egregiis  quo  decorata  inodis 
Socratis  ingenium  .  vel  fontes  philosophie 

Quitquid  &  archani -dogmata  sacra  lerunt  x 
Et  <%uascunq_ue  veils  tenuit  dignissimus'artcs 

Hie  vates  .  pt«ruo  conditus  hoc  tumulo 


60  [Surigo]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1479- 

Ah  laudis  quantum  preclara  britanuia  perdis 

Dum  rapuit  tantu?«  mors  odiosa  virum 
Crndeles  parce  .  crudelia  fila  sorores 

]STon  tameu  extincto  corporc  .  fama  perit 
Viuet  ineternum  .  viuewt  dum  scripta  poete 

Viuant  eterno  tot  monimenta  die 
Si  qua  bonos  tangit  pietas  ,  si  carmine  digmw 

Carmina  qui  cecinit  tot  cumulata  mod  is 
Hec  sibi  marmoreo  scribantur  verba  sepulcliro 

Hec  maneat  laudis  sarcina  summa  sue 
Galfridus  Chaucer  vates  .  et  fama  poesis 

Materne  .  Lac  sacra  sum  tumulatus  liumo 

Post  obitum  Caxton  voluit  te  viuere  cura 

Willelmi.  Chaucer  clare  poeta  tuj 
Nam  tua  non  solum  compressit  opuscula  formis 

Has  quoque  sed  laudes  .  iussit  hie  esse  tuas 

[This  epitaph,  though  not  by  an  Englishman,  is  given  here  because  it  is  so  con 
stantly  quoted,  see,  for  example,  below,  p.  87,  c.  1545,  Leltind  ;  p.  78,  1532,  Thynne  ; 
p.  1S6,  a.  1613,  Commaundre ;  1598,  Speght,  Life  of  Chaucer,  sign,  c  ii  b  and  c  iij,  and 
note  on  p.  59  above.] 

1479.  Parmenter,  John.  Will  dated  17  Aug.  1479.  Prerogative  Court 
of  Canterbury,  Logge,  f.  142. 

Item  lego  Waltero  Nonne  vnum  librum  vocatum  Canterbury 
tales. 

[Parmenter  was  Commissary-General  of  Diocese  of  Canterbury.] 

[1482  ?]  Paston,  John.  Catalogue  of  John  Pastorts  books  [in]  The 
Paston  letters.  (Ed.  Sir  John  Fenn,  1787,  vol.  ii,p.  300;  ed.  James 
Gairdner,  1872-5,  vol.  iii,  1875,  p.  300.) 

The  Inventory  off  Englysshe  Bolts  off  John  ....  made  the 
v  daye  of  Novemtoe,  anno  regni  Regis  E.  iiij  .... 

2.  Item,  a  Boke  of  Troylus  whyche  William  Bra  .  .» .  . 
hathe  hadde  neer  x  yer  and  lent  it  to  Dame  ....  Wyng- 
felde  and  ibi  ego  vidi ;  valet. 

[The  Catalogue  is  very  imperfect.  It  is  written  on  a  strip  of  paper  about  17  inches 
long,  and  has  been  rolled  up,  so  that  some  of  the  names  have  been  nearly  obliterated. 
The  exact  date  is  unknown,  but  it  is  not  earlier  than  1474,  when  "The  Game  and 
Play  of  Chess"  (which  is  mentioned  in  the  catalogue)  issued  from  Caxton's  press  at 
Westminster.] 

[c.  1483.  Troylus  and  Creseyde]  ....  Here  endith  Troylus  as 
touchyng-  Cresede.  Explicit  per  Caxton.  [No  title  or  date.] 

[See  for  description,  Life  of  Caxton,  by  William  Blades,  1861-3,  vol.  ii,  pp.  169-70, 
and  Index  to  early  printed  books,  by  R.  Proctor,  1838,  etc.,  no.  9664.] 


1483]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  61 

[c.  1483].  The  book  of  Fame  made  by  Gefferey  Chaucer.  [No 
title,  the  above  is  the  beginning  of  the  text,  sign,  a  ij.  [col.]  Em- 
prynted  by  wylliam  Caxton.  [No  date  or  place  of  publication.] 

[See  for  description,  Life  of  Caxton,  by  William  Blades,  1861-3,  vol.  ii,  pp.  165-7 ; 
and  Index  to  early  printed  books  by  R.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.' 9662.] 

[c.  1483].  Caxton,  William.  Epilogue  to  the  Book  of  Fame.  Emprynted 
by  wylliam  Caxton,  sign,  d  5.  (Life  of  Caxton,  by  William  Blades, 
1881-3,  vol.  ii,  pp.  165-7.) 

I  fynde  no  more  of  this  werke  to  fore  sayd  /  For  as  fer 
as  I  can  vnderstowde  /  This  noble  man  Gefferey  Chaucer 
fynysshyd  at  the  sayd  conclusion  of  the  metyng  of  lesyng 
and  sothsawe  /  whereas  yet  they  be  chekked  and  maye  not 
departe  /  whyche  werke  as  me  semeth  is  crafty ly  made  /  and 
dygne  to  be  wreton  &  knowen  /  For  he  towchyth  in  it  ryght 
grete  wysedom  &  subtyll  vnderstondyng  /  And  so  in  alle 
hys  werkys  excellyth  in  myn  oppynyon  alle  other  wryters 
in  our  Englyssh  /  For  he  wrytteth  no  voyde  wordes  /  but 
alle  hys  mater  is  ful  of  bye  and  quycke  sentence  /  to  whom 
ought  to  be  gyuen  laude  and  preysyng  for  hys  noble  makyng 
and  wrytyng  /  For  of  hym  alle  other  haue  borowed  syth  and 
taken  /  in  alle  theyr  wel  sayeng  and  wrytyng  /  And  I 
humbly  beseche  &  praye  yow  /  emonge  your  prayers  to  remem- 
bre  hys  soule  /  on  whyche  and  on  alle  crysten  soulis  I  beseche 
almyghty  god  to  haue  mercy  Amen. 

[See  Blades,  vol.  ii,  p.  166,  and  Chaucer's  works,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1894,  vol.  iii,  Notes 
to  House  of  Fame,  p.  287,  for  accounts  of  the  lines  Caxton  added  at  the  end  of  this 
poem.] 

[c.  1483?  Canterbury  Tales.  ...  No  title,  date,  or  pagination.] 
(Printed  by  William  Caxton,  2nd  edn.) 

[See  for  description,  Life  of  Caxton,  by  William  Blades,  1861-3,  vol.  ii,  pp.  162-4 ; 
and  Index  to  early  printed  books  by  E.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.  9601.] 

[c..  1483  ?].  Caxton,  William.  Prohemye  to  Canterbury  Tales  (2nd 
edn.),  sign,  a  ij  and  a  ij  b.  (Life  of  Caxton,  by  William  Blade?, 
1861-3,  vol.  i,  pp.  173-4.) 

.Eete  thanks  lawde  and  honour  /  ought  to  be  gyuen 
vnto  the  clerkes  /  poetes  /  and  historiographs  /  that 
haue  wreton  many  noble  bokes  of  wysedom  of  the  lyues  / 
passions  /  &  myracles  of  holy  sayntes  of  hystoryes  /  of  noble 
and  famous  Actes  /  and  faittes  /  And  of  the  cronycle3  sith 
the  begynnyng  of  the  creacion  of  the  world  /  vnto  thys 
present  tyme  /  by  whyche  we  ben  dayly  enformed  /  and  haue 
knowleche  of  many  thynges  /  of  whom  we  sholcl  not  haue 


(52  [Caxton]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1483- 

knowen  /  yf  they  had  not  left  to  vs  theyr  monumentis  wreton  / 
Emong  whom  and  inespecial  to  fore  alle  other  we  ought  to 
gyue  a  synguler  laude  vnto  that  noble  £  grete  philosopher 
Gefferey  chaucer  the  whiche  for  his  ornate  wrytyng  in  our 
tongue  maye  wel  haue  the  name  of  a  laureate  poete/.  For  to 
fore  that  he  by  his  labour  enbelysshyd  /  ornatecl  and  /  made 
faire  our  englisshe  /  in  thys  Royame  was  had  rude  speche  & 
Incongrue  /  as  yet  it  appiereth  by  olde  bookes  /  whyche  at  thys 
day  ought  not  to  haue  place  ne  be  compared  emo?zg  ne  to  his 
beauteuous  volumes  /  and  aournate  [sic]  writynges  /  of  whom 
he  made  many  bokes  and  treatyces  of  many  a  noble  historye 
as  wel  in  metre  as  in  ryme  and  prose  /  and  them  so  craftyly 
made  /  that  he  comprehended  hys  maters  in  short  /  quyck 
and  hye  sentences  /  eschewyng  prolyxyte  /  castyng  away 
the  chaf  of  snperfluyte  /  and  shewyng  the  pyked  grayn  of 
sentence  /  vttered  by  crafty  and  sugred  eloquence  /  of  whom 
emong  all  other  of  hys  bokes  /  I  purpose  temprynte  by  the 
grace  of  god  the  book  of  the  tales  of  cauntyrburye  /  in  whiche 
I  fynde  many  a  noble  hystorye  of  euery  astate  and  degre  / 
Fyrst  rehercyng  the  condiciows  /  and  tharraye  of  eche  of 
them  as  properly  as  possyble  is  to  be  sayd  /  And  after  theyr 
tales  whyche  ben  of  noblesse  /  wysedom  /  gentylesse  /  Myrthe  / 
and  also  of  veray  holynesse  and  vertue  /  wherin  he  fynysshyth 
thys  sayd  booke  /  whyche  book  I  haue  dylygently  ouersen 
and  duly  examyned  to  thende  that  it  be  made  acordyng  vnto 
his  owen  makyng  /  For  I  fynde  many  of  the  sayd  bookes  / 
whyche  wryters  haue  abrydgyd  it  and  many  thynges  left  out  / 
And  in  some  place  haue  sette  certayn  versys  /  that  he  neuer 
made  ne  sette  in  hys  booke  /  of  whyche  bookes  so  incorrecte 
was  one  broughte  to  me  vj  yere  passyd  /  whyche  I  supposed 
had  ben  veray  true  &  correcte  /  And  accordyng  to  the  same 
[sipn.a  I  dyde  do  emprynte  a  certayn  nombre  of  them  /  whyche 
]  anon  were  sold  to  many  and  dyuerse  gentyl  men  /  of  whom 
one  gentylman  cam  to  me  /  and  said  that  this  book  was 
not  accordyng  in  many  places  vnto  the  book  that  Gefferey 
chaitcer  had  made  /  To  whom  I  answerd  that  I  had  made 
it  accordyng  to  my  copye  /  and  by  me  was  nothyng  added  ne 
mynusshyd  /  Thennc  he  sayd  he  knewe  a  book  whyche  hys 
fader  had  and  moche  louyd  /  that  was  very  trewe  /  and 
accordyng  vnto  hys  owen  first  book  by  hym  made  /  and 
sayd  more  yf  I  wold  enprynte  it  agayn  he  wold  gete  me  the 
same  book  for  a  copye  /  how  be  it  he  wyst  wel  /  that  hys 


1488]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [Caxton]  63 

fader  wold  not  gladly  departe  fro  it  /  To  whom  I  said  /  in 
caas  that  he  coude  gete  me  suche  a  book  trewe  and  correcte  / 
yet  I  wold  ones  endeuoyre  me  to  enprynte  it  agayn  /  for  to 
satysfye  thauctor  /  where  as  to  fore  by  ygnouratmce  I  erryd  in 
hurtyng  and  dyffamyng  his  book  in  dyuerce  places  in  settyug 
in  some  thynges  that  he  neuer  sayd  ne  made  /  and  leuyng 
out  many  thynges  that  he  made  whyche  ben  requysite  to  be 
sette  in  it  /  And  thus  we  fyll  at  accord  /  And  he  ful  gentylly 
gate  of  hys  fader  the  said  book  /  and  delyuerd  it  to  me  /  by 
whiche  I  have  corrected  my  book  /  as  here  after  alle  alonge 
by  thayde  of  almyghty  god  shal  folowe  /  whom  I  humbly 
beseche  to  gyue  me  grace  and  ayde  to  achycue  /  and  accom- 
plysshe  /  to  hys  lawde  honour  and  glorye  /  and  that  alle  ye 
that  shal  in  thys  book  rede  or  heere  /  wyll  of  your  charyte 
emong  your  dedes  of  mercy  /  remembre  the  sowle  of  the 
sayd  Gefferey  chaucer  first  auctour  /  and  maker  of  thys 
book  /  And  also  that  alle  we  that  shal  see  and  rede  therin  / 
may  so  take  and  vnderskmde  the  good  and  vertuous  tales  / 
that  it  may  so  prouffyte  /  vnto  the  helthe  of  our  sowles  /  that 
after  thys  short  and  transitory e  lyf  we  may  come  to  euer- 
lastyng  lyf  in  heuen/.  Amen. 

By  Wylliam  Caxton. 

{c.  1488.]  Unknown.  Colophons  in  MS.  Arch.  Selden  B.  24,  ff.  119-20, 
129-31,  136-8,  152,  187,  191.  (The  authorship  of  the  Kingis 
Quair,  by  J.  T.  T.  Brown,  1896,  pp.  72-5.  The  colophons  below 
are  printed  from  this  book,  and  not  from  the  MS.) 

[foi.  no,  p.  72]  Flee  from  the  press  and  duell  with  suthfastness 

Explicit  Chauceres  counsailing. 
[foi.ii9,p.73]  Eicht  as  pouert  causitrl  sobirness 

Qwod  Chaucere 

[Poem  by  J.  Walton  in  his  translation  of  Boethius  de  Consolations.   See  above,  p.  20.] 

[foi.  119  b]        Deuise  proues  and  eke  humylitee 

[foi.  120]          Qz«od  Chaucere  quhen  he  was  ryght  auisit 

[Not  Chaucer's ;  see  Chaucer's  minor  poems  (vol.  i  of  works),  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat, 
1894,  p.  47.] 

[foi.  120  6]        In  May  quhan  Flora  the  fresche  lusty  queue 
[foi.  129  &]        Here  endith  the  maying  and  disport  of  Cliaucere. 

[Lydgate's  Complaint  of  the  Black  Knight,  1402-3,  p.  10,  above,  q.  v.] 


64  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1490- 

[foi.  130]     Moder  of  God  and  virgyne  undefouled. 
[foi.  isi  6]   Explicit  oracio  Galfridi  Chaucere. 

[Hoccleve.] 

[foi.  136]      The  compleynt  of  Venws  folowith. 

[foi.  137]      Off  Gransown  the  best  that  makith  franco 

Qwod  Galfridtt*  Chaucere. 
[foi.  137  6]    Of  liie  Emperice  and  quene  celestial. 

[foi.  138]      Eternaly  abuse  all  erdly  wight. 
Quod  Chaucere. 

[Not  Chaucer's.    See  Skeat,  as  above.] 

[foi.  138  6,  p.  74]  The  Lord  of  loue  crie  benedicitce. 

[foi.  152]       Here  end  is  the  parliament  of  foulis 
Qttod  Galfride  Chaucere 

.  [foi.  187,  p.  75]  I  prone  as  wele  as  by  autoritee. 
[foi.  191  b]    And  thus  ended  Chaucere  the  legendis  of  ladyis. 

1490.  Irlandia,  John  de.  Colophon  at  the  end  of  2nd  book  of  MS. 
18.  2.  8,  Advocates'  library  Edin.,  immediately  before  Chaucer's 
poem  "  Mother  of  God."  At  the  beginning  of  the  whole  work  is 
"Johannis  de  Irlandia,  Opera  Theologica,  1490."  (See  Parallel- 
text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc. 
[1871]  etc.,  p.  144.) 

And  sene  I  haue  spokin  samekle  of  this  noble  and  haly 
virgin  I  will  in  the  end  of  Jris  buk  writ  ane  orisoune  fat 
Galfryde  Chauceir  maid  and  prayit  to  J)is  lady  And  tho*  I  be 
.  nofc  Eloquent  in  j>is  tovng  as  was  )>at  noble  poet  I  wil  writ  her 
twa  orisouns  in  lattin  that  I  maid  of  Jns  noble  and  excellent 
lady  and  send  furth  of  parice  with  a  buk  that  I  maid  of  hir1 
concepcioun  to  J?i  fader  of  gucl  mynd  The  first  is  of  J?e  gret 
honor  and  dignite  of  pis  lady  And  the  second  is  of  hir)  noble 
and  haly  byrth  of  hir  blist  son  Ihsus. 

[Two  Latin  Orisons  here  follow.] 

[c.  1492.  The  boke  of  the  tales  of  Canterburie  ....  by  W.  Caxton. 
Printed  by]  R  Pynson. 

[See  Index  to  early  printed  books,  by  K.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.  0780.1 


1501]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  65 

[c.  1492.]  Pynson,  Kicharcl.  Prohemye  (signed)  by  Pynson  to  his  ecfn. 
of  Chaucer's  Canterbury  tales,  sign,  a  i  and  a  i  b. 

[This  is  really  Caxton's  '  prohemye '  as  it  is  his  edition,  see  above,  pp.  61-3  ;  see  below, 
p.  76,  1526,  Pynson,  where  the  differences  between  the  two  are  pointed  out ;  there  is 
very  little  variation  between  the  prohemye  as  given  by  Pynson  in  1492  and  in  1526.] 

1498.  The  boke  of  Chaucer  named  Caunterbury  tales,  sign. 
•:.  iii  b. 

[col.]  Here  endytli  the  boke  of  the  tales  of  Caunterbury 
Compiled  by  Geffray  Chaucer  /  of  whoos  Soule  Criste  haue 
mercy.  Emprynted  at  "Westmestre  by  Wynkin  de  Word  ye 
yere  of  our  lord  .M.CCCC.lxxxxviii. 

(See  Index  to  early  printed  books,  by  R.  Proctor,  1898,  etc.,  no.  9710.  The 
edition  of  the  Canterbury  Tales  of  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  1495,  referred  to  by  Ritson  in 
Bibliogrnphia  Poetica,  p.  20,  Lowndes,  Ames,  Tyrwhitt  and  others,  is  almost 
certainly  non-existent,  and  comes  apparently  from  a  misprint  in  Ames,  who  follows 
Bagford,  see  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908, 
pp.  203,  543.] 

[1499-1502.]  The  Loue  and  complayntes  bytwene  Mars  and 
Venus  ....  Here  foloweth  the  counceyll  of  chaucer 
touchyng-  Maryag- ....  Thys  in  pryntyde  in  Westmoster  inkyng 
strete.  Per  me  Julianus  Notarii. 

[Unique  copy  in  Britwell  library.  See  under  1445,  headline  to  Marriage  or  Bukton 
given  from  this  edn.,  p.  47  above.] 

[c.  1500.]  Unknown.  Two  mentions  of  Chaucer's  name  in  a  volume 
entitled  Astronomise  aphorismi.  Sloane  MS.  446,  ft'.  506  and  56. 

Chaucer  Anglus Chaucer. 

[c.  1500.]  Unknown.  Praise  of  the  Mass,  Kawl.  MS.  poet.  36,  last  folio 
(supplementary  vol.  to  Minor  Poems  of  Lydgate,  ed.  H.  N.  Mac- . 
Cracken,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  in  preparation). 

Yif1  euy  crafte  be  in  baled  makyng1 
I  reserve  hyt  to  the  poetys  olde 
Chaucers  Gower  and  lydgatys  wrytyng1 
Whycfr  in  balade  made  bokys  manyfold1. 

1501.  Douglas,  Gavin,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.  The  Palis  of  Honoure, 
compyled  by  Gawyne  dowglas  .  .  .  Imprinted  at  London  ...  by 
Wyllyam  Copland  [1553?]  (Poetical  works,  ed.  J.  Small,  1874, 
vol.  i,  p.  36). 

Sa  greit  aue  prees  of  pepell  drew  vs  neir, 
The  hundreth  part  thair  names  ar  not  heir, 
3it  saw  I  thair  of  Brutus  Albyon, 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  F 


66  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1503- 

Geffray  Chancier,  as  a  per  se  sans  peir 
chauser  &  other     In  liis  vulgare,  and  morall  Joline  Goweir. 

Enj,'lyshe  and  T      ,       .       ,  .         .  .  .         ,  .          n 

scottishe  poetis.     Lyugait  the  monk  raid  musing  him  allone. 

[Xo  MS.  is  known  to  exist ;  J.  Small  lias  re]>rinted  Copland's  edn.;  a  facsimile  of  tlie 
Edinburgh  edn.  of  1579  (very  rare)  was  made  for  the  Bannatyne  club,  1827.  The 
two  editions  vary  greatly  in  language  ;  the  extract  here  given  is  from  that  of  1579.] 


1503.  Dunbar,  William.  The  Goldyn  Targe,  11.  253-61.  (Poems,  ed. 
J.  Small,  1893,  Scott,  text  soc.,  vol.  ii,  p.  10.  For  numerous  MSS. 
and  edns.  see  introduction,  pp.  cxciv,  etc. 

[May  1503.] 

0  reverend  Chaucere,  rose  of  rethoris  all, 
As  in  oure  tong  ane  flour  imperiall 
That  raise  in  Britane  ewir,  quho  redis  rycht, 
Thou  beris  of  makaris  the  tryumph  riall ; 
Thy  fresch  anamalit  termes  celicall 
This  matei1  coud  illumynit  haue  full  brycht : 
Was  thou  noucht  of  oure  Inglisch  all  the  lycht, 
Surmounting  ewiry  tong  terrestriall 
Alls  fer  as  Mayes  morow  clois  mydnycht  ? 

O  morall  Gower,  and  Ludgate  laureate, 
Your  sugurit  lippis  and  tongis  aureate, 
Bene  to  oure  eris  cause  of  grete  delyte ; 
Your  angel  mouthis  most  mellifluate 
Our  rude  langage  has  clere  illumynate, 
And  faire  our-gilt  oure  speche,  that  iniperfyte 
Stude,  or  your  goldyn  pennis  schupe  to  wryte ; 
This  He  before  was  bare,  and  desolate 
Off  rethorike,  or  lusty  fresch  endyte. 


[1503-4.]  Hawes,  Stephen.  Here  begynneth  the  booke  called  the  example 
of  vertu  made  by  Stephyn  Hau-^/s  .  .  .  the  xix  yere  fof  the  reien  of 
Henry  VII.]  fol.  3  6. 

0,  prudent  GOWER  !  in  language  pure 

Without  corruption,  most  facundious  ! 
0,  noble  CHAUCER  !  euer  most  sure 

Of  fruitful  sentence  right  delicious 
0,  virtuous  LYDGATE  !  much  sententious 
Unto  you  all,  I  do  me  excuse 
Though  I  your  cunning  do  now  use. 
Explicit  Prologus. 


1506]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Alhcsion.  67 

I  miss,  as  I  am  sure 

My  Master,  CHAUCER  !  to  take  the  cure 
Of  my  pen  ;  for  he  was  expert 
In  eloquent  terms  subtle  and  couert. 

[3rd  stanza  from  end.] 

[A  copy  of  the  1st  edn.,  printed  apparently  by  Wynkyu  de  Worde  c.  1512,  is  in  the 
Pepys  library,  Cambridge ;  of  the  2nd  edn.  of  1530  (by  the  same  printer)  one  copy 
is  at  Britwell  and  one  belonged  to  Thomas  Corser.] 

1506.  Hawes,  Stephen.  The  Historie  of  graunde  Amoure  and  la  bell 
Pncel,  called  the  Pastime  of  plesure  ....  impri/nted  by  John 
Wayland,  1554,  cap.  xiv,  signs,  i  iii  6-f  iiii  6.  (ed.  Thomas  Wright, 
Percy  soc.,  vol.  xviii,  1846,  p.  53). 

A  commendation  of  Gower,  Chaucer  and  Lydgate. 

Kemembre  the,  of  the  trace  and  daunce 
Of  poetes  olde,  wyth  all  thy  purueyaunce. 

As  moral  Gower,  whose  sentencious  dewe 
Adowne  reflareth,  with  fayre  golden  beanies 
And  after  Chaucers,  all  abroade  dothe  shewe 
Our  vyces  to  dense,  his  depared  streames 
Kindlyng  our  hartes,  wyth  the  fiery  leames 
Of  morall  vertue,  as  is  probable 
In  all  his  bokes,  so  swete  and  profitable 

The  boke  of  fame,  whiche  is  sentencious 
He  drewe  him  selfe,  on  his  owne  inuention 
And  then  the  tragidies,  so  piteous 
(sign.  f.  iiiij       Of  the  nintene  ladyes,  was  his  translation 
And  upon  his  ymagination 
He  made  also,  the  tales  of  Caunterbury 
Some  vertuous,  and  some  glad  and  merye 

And  of  Troylus,  the  piteous  doloure 
For  his  ladye  Cresyde,  full  of  doublenes 
He  did  bewayle,  full  well  the  langoure 
Of  all  his  lone,  and  great  vnhappines 
And  many  other  bokes  doubtlcs 
He  did  compyle,  whose  goodly  name 
In  prynted  bookes,  dothe  remayne  in  fame. 

And  after  him,  my  master  Lydgate 
[4  verses  on  Lydgate] 


68  [Hawes]  Wive  Hundred  Years  of  [A,D.  1507 

[sign.  f.  iiii  6]     Were  not  these  thre  greatly  to  commende 

Whiche  them  applied,  such  bokes  to  contriue 
Whose  famous  draughtes,  no  man  can  amend 
The  tyme  of  slouthe,  they  did  from  them  driue 
After  their  deatlie,  for  to  abide  on  lyue 
In  worthy  fame,  by  many  a  nacion 
Their  bokes,  their  actes  do  make  relation. 

0  master  Lydgate,  the  most  dulcet  spryng 
Of  famous  rethoryke   .... 

[Then  follows  Hawes's  celebrated  praise  of  Lydgate.  First  printed  by  Wynkyn  de 
Worde  in  1509 ;  a  copy  of  this  edn.  is  at  Ham  House,  Surrey  (library  of  Earl  of 
Dysart) ;  Wayland's,  from  which  the  above  extract  is  taken,  is  the  earliest  edn.  in  the 
B.  M. ;  Tottell's  edn.  of  1555  is  the  one  reprinted  by  the  Percy  soc.] 

1507.  Dunbar,  William.  Lament  for  the  MaJcaris,  11.  49-52.  (Poems, 
ed.  J.  Small,  Scott,  text  soc.,  1893,  vol.  ii,  p.  50.  For  numerous 
MSS.  and  edns.  see  introduction,  pp.  cxciv,  etc.) 

He  [i.  e.  Time]  lies  done  petuously  deuowr, 
The  noble  Chaucer,1  of  makaris  flouir 
The  Monk  of  Bery,  and  Gower,  all  thre ; 
Timor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

[1507  ?]  Skelton,  John.  IT  Here  after  foloweth  a  litle  book  of  Phillip 
sparoiv,  Cornpyled  by  inayster  Skelton,  Poete  Laureate,  [col.]  Im 
printed  at  London  ....  at  the  sygne  of  the  Lamb,  by 
Abraham  Weale  [i.e.  Veale],  11.  495-512,  612-27,  788-803,  sign. 
B  iv6,  B  v,  B  vii  and  6,  C  iii  and  6.  Veale's  edn.  (c.  1570?)  is  the 
latest  of  the  early  edns.  Copy  in  B.  M.  Barclay  in  his  Ship  of 
Foles,  written  in  1508,  refers  to  Philip  Sparrow.  (Poetical  works, 
ed.  A.  Dyce,  1843,  vol.  i,  pp.  66,  69,  70,  75.) 

Chaunteclere,  owr  Cocke,  [i.  495] 

Must  tel  what  is  of  the  clocke 
By  the  astrologye 
that  he  hath  naturally 
.  Conceyued  and  caughte 
And  was  neuer  taught 
By  Albumazer 
the  Astronomer 
[sign.  B  v]        Nor  by  ptholomy 

Prince  of  Astronomy, 
Nor  yet  by  Haly  ; 
And  yet  he  croweth  dayly 
And  nightly  the  tydes 
that  no  man  abides 

1  Bannatyne  MS.  Chawser. 


1507]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [$keltwi\  69 

With  partlot  his  hen 

Whome  now  and  then 

He  plucketh  by  tlie  hed  p.  siij 

[sign.  B  vii]  Though  I  can  rede  and  spel,  p.  612] 

Recount,  report,  and  tell 

Of  the  tales  of  Caunterbury, 

Some  sad  storyes,  some  mery. 
[sign.  B  vii  6]         As  Palamon  and  Arcet, 

Duke  Theseus  and  partelet ; 

And  of  the  wife  of  Bath, 

Thar  worketh  much  scath 

Whan  her  tale  is  told 

Among  huswiues  bold 

How  she  controld 

Her  husbandes  as  she  wold, 

And  them  to  d  is  pise 

In  the  homeliest  wise 

Bring  other  wiues  in  thought 

Their  husbawdes  to  set  at  naughte.         p.  627] 

[sign,  c  iii]  In  Chauser  I  am  sped,  p.  788] 

His  tales  I  haue  red  : 

His  mater  is  delectable 

Solacious  and  commendable ; 

His  englishe  wel  alowed, 

So  as  it  en  pro  wed, 

For  as  it  is  en  ployed 

There  is  no  englyshe  voyd — 

At  those  days  moch  commended, 

And  now  men  wold  haue  ame?zded 

his  english,  where  at  they  barke, 
{sign,  c  iii  v\          And  marre  all  they  warke  : 

Chaucer,  that  famous  Clarke, 

His  tearmes  were  not  darcke, 

But  pleasaunt,  easy,  and  playne ; 

No  worde  he  wrote  in  v.vyiie.  [i.  sos] 

Also  lohn  Lydgate 

Wryteth  after  an  hyer  rate 

It  is  diffuse  to  fynde 

The  sentence  of  his  mind. 


70  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1508- 

1608.  Cheprnan,  Walter,  and  Myllar,  Andrew.  Here  begynnys  the 
mayng  or  disport  of  chancer.  [col.]  Heir  endis  the  maying  and 
disport  of  chaucer.  Iiuprentit  in  the  eouth  gait  of  Edinburgh  be 
Walter  chepman  and  Androw  myllar  the  fourth  day  of  aprile  the 
yhere  of  god  .M.ccccc  and  viii  yheris,  sign,  a  vij.  (Reprinted  by 
Malcolm  Laing  under  the  title  '  The  Knightly  tale  of  Golagrus  and 
Gawane,  and  other  ancient  poems.'  .  .  .  1827.) 

[The  Advocates'  library,  Edinb.  possesses  a  unique  copy  of  this  book,  which  is 
really  Lydgate's  Complaint  of  the  Black  Knight,  1402-3  (q.  v.  p.  16),  with  the  title 
similar  to  that  in  MS.  Arch.  Selden  B.  24.  See  c.  1488,  p.  63  above.  Colophons  piven 
from  this  MS.] 


1509.  Feylde,  Thomas.  Here  begynneth  a  lytel  treatyse  catted  the  con- 
trauerse  bi/twene  a  louer  and  a  Jaye  lately  compyled.  [col.]  Thus 
endeth  the  treatyse  of  the  louer  and  a  Jaye  /  lately  compyled  by 
me  Thomas  Feylde.  T  Imprynted  at  London  in  FJete  strete  at  the 
sygne  of  the  Sonne  by  Wynkyn  de  Worde.  The  Prologue  stanza 
3;  Amator,  2  stanzas;  Graculus,  1  stanza,  sign,  a  &,  bivfr,  c  i, 
c.  ii.  (Copy  belonging  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire,  Roxb.  Club, 
Reprint,  1818,  ed.  T.  F.  Dibdin.) 

[Prologue,  st.  3.] 
[sign.  Ai  6]    U  Cancer1  floure  of  rethoryke  eloquence 

Compyled  bokes  pleasaunt  and  meruayllous 

After  hym  noble  Gower  experte  in  scyence 

"Wrote  moralytyes  herde  and  delycyous 

But  Lydgate's  workes  are  fruytefull  and  sentencyous 

Who  of  his  bokes  bathe  redde  the  fyne 

He  Avyll  hym  call  a  famus  rethorycyne. 


Amator, 

[sign.  B  iv  b]  II  I  have  serched  of  late 

Many  poete  laureate — 
That  dyuers  bookes  dyde  make 
[sign,  en  And  storyes  regystred 

Yet  in  comparyson 
Of  my  trewe  affeccyon 
Scarcely  can  I  fynde  one 
Sytb  Troy  1  us  reygned 
51  That  \vas  trewe  and  faythfull 
In  loue  that  is  paynfull 
Without  fraude  dysceytefull 
Or  preuy  stryfe — 

1  [Note  the  spelling  Cancer  for  Chaucer.] 


1513]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.       [Feylde]  71 

Therefore  as  I  fyncle 
I  wyll  sliewe  my  mynde 
Ryght  fewe  of  Gryseldes  kynde 
Is  now  lefte  on  lyue. 

Graculus. 
[sign,  c  ii]  ^[  Record e  of  Cresyde 

Whome  Troylus  loued 
And  was  sore  payned 
Canser  doth  tell 
Her  lone  was  fayned 
And  wortely  chaunged. 
And  gyuen  to  Dyomede 
With  grekes  to  dwelle. 

1509.  Richmond,  Margaret,  Countess  of.  Will,  with  bequest  of  the 
Canterbury  Tales.  (Memoir  of  Margaret,  Countess  of  Kichmond 
and  Derby,  by  C.  H.  Cooper,  1874,  App.  pp.  129,  134.) 

These  ben  the  legacies  of  vs  Margarette  Countesse  of  Rich- 
monde  and  Derbye  moder  to  our  souerain  lord  King  Henry 
the  vijth  made  at  Hatefelde  Episcopi  the  xv  day  of  Februarye 
the  xxiiijth  yere  of  hys  reign  .... 

To  John  Saynt  John  ....  Item  a  booke  of  velom  of 
Canterbury  tales  in  Englische. 

1513.  Bradshaw,  Henry.  The  Holy  Lyfe  and  History  of  Saynt  Wer- 
burge.  Printed  by  R.  Pynson,  1521  (copy  in  B.M.),  sign.  S  ii. 
(Reprint  of  above  for  Chetham  soc.,  vol.  xv,  ed.  Ed.  Hawkins,  1848, 
p.  209 ;  ed.  Carl  Horstmann,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  1887,  p.  199.) 

To  all  auncient  poetes,  liteli  boke,  submytte  the 

Whilom  fiWyng  in  eloquence  facundious, 

And  to  all  other  which  e  present  no  we  be  : 

Fyrst  to  maister  Chaucer  and  Ludgate  sentencious. 

Also  to  preignaunt  Barkley  no  we  beyng  religious 

To  inuentiue  Skelton  and  poet  laureate 

Praye  them  all  of  pardon  both  erly  and  late. 

1513.  Douglas,  Gavin,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.  The  xiii  Bukes  of  Eneados 
of  the  Famose  Poete  Virgill  Translated  .  .  .  bi  .  .  .  Mayster  Gawin 
Douglas. — Prolong  of  the  First  Buik.  Elphynstouii  MS.  Edin. 
(used  by  Small),  first  printed  1553,  from  the  press  of  William  Cop 
land.  (Poetical  works  of  G.  Douglas,  ed.  J.  Small,  1874,  vol.  ii, 
pp.  14-17.) 

[1513  is  known  to  be  the  date  of  composition  of  Gavin  Douglas's  ^noid.] 

Chausers      Thocht  venerable  Chaucer,  principall  poet  but  peir,   [p.  14] 

commenda-  . 

don.  Hevmlie  trumpet,  horleige  and  reguleir, 


72  [Douglas]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1517- 

In  eloquence  "balmy,  condit,  and  diall, 
Mylky  fountane,  cleir  strand,  and  rose  riall, 
ciiarsers       of  frescli  endite,  throw  Albion  Hand  braid, 
In  his  legeand  of  notable  ladyis,  said 
That  he  culd  follow  word  by  word  Virgill, 
Wisare  than  I  mycht  faill  in  lakar  stile ; 

I  say  nocht  this  of  Chaucer  for  offence,  [P.  16] 

Bot  till  excuse  my  lawit  insuffitience. 
For  as  he  standis  beneth  Virgill  in  degre, 
Ondir  him  als  far  I  grant  myself  to  be ; 
%     And  nocht  the  les  into  sum  place,  quha  kend  it, 
My  master  Chaucer  greitlie  Virgile  offendit. 
All  thocht  I  be  to  bald  hyme  to  repreif, 
He  was  far  baldar,  certes  by  his  leif , 
Saying  he  i'ollowit  Virgillis  lantern  to  forne, 
Quhen  Eneas  to  Dido  was  forsworne. 

Bot  sickirlie,  of  resoun  me  behuuis  [p.  17] 

Excuse  Chaucer  fra  all  maner  repruuis, 
In  loifing  of  thir  ladyis  lilly  quhyte 
He  set  on  Virgile  and  Eneas  this  wyte ; 
For  he  was  euer,  God  wait,  wenienis  frend. 

[This  extract  is  not  given  in  full.    Chaucer's  lines  to  which  Douglas  refers  are  :— 

Glory  and  honour,  Virgil  Mantuan, 

Be  to  thy  name  !  and  I  shal,  as  I  can, 

Folow  thy  lantern,  as  thou  gost  biforu 

How  Eneas  to  Dido  was  forsworn. 

The  Legend  of  Good  Women,  11.  924-7. 
The  thirteenth  book  is  the  continuation  of  the  JSneid  by  Maphseus  Vegius.] 

1517.  The  noble  and  amerous  auncyent  hystory  of  Troylus  & 
Cresyde  in  the  tyme  of  the  syege  of  Troye  ....  Compyled 
by  Geffraye  Chaucer  ....  [Printed  by  Wynkyn  de  Worde, 
see  next  entry.] 

1517.  Worde,  Wynkyn  de.  Colophon  to  Chaucer's  Troylus  and  Cressida 
printed  by  him  ;  sign,  z  vij  b.  B.  M.  and  Camb.  Univ.  lib. 

Thus  endeth  the  treatyse  of  Troylus  the  heuy 
By  Geffraye  Chaucer,  compyled  and  done 
He  prayenge  the  reders,  this  mater  not  deny 
Newly  correcked  [sic],  in  the  cyte  of  London 
In  Elete  strete,  at  the  sygne  of  the  sonne 
Inprynted  by  me,  Wynkyn  de  Worde 
The  M.ccccc.  and  xvii.  yere  of  our  lorde. 


1520]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  73 

1517.  Talbot,  Sir  Gilbert.  Inventory  of  the  goods  of  Sir  Gilbert  Talbot 
[taken  after  his  death  which  occurred  on  Aug.  16th,  1517].  Roy. 
Com.  Hist.  MSS.,  MSS.  in  Various  Collections,  vol.  ii,  MSS.  of 
Lord  Edmund  Talbot,  p.  308,  1903. 

[Among  the  contents  of  Sir  Gilbert's  own  chamber  are  two 
books  :]  A  boke  in  paper  prynt  of  the  talys  of  Caunterbury, 
price  vs.  iiijd.  A  premour,  price  xs. 


1519.  Erasmus,  Desiderius.  Erasmus  lodoco  lonae  Erphordiensi.  S.D. 
sign.  V  2,  p.  507,  in  Opus  Epistolarum  des.  Erasmi  Roterodami 
.  .  .  anno  MDxxix.  (The  lives  of  Johan  Vitrier  ....  and  John 
Colet  ....  translated  by  J.  H.  Lupton,  1883,  p.  23.) 

Habet  gens  Britarinica,  qui  hoc  prsestiteruwt  apud  suos,  quod 
Dantes  ac  Petrarcha  apud  Italos.  Et  horum  euoluendis  scriptis 
linguarn  expoliuit  [he,  Colet]  iani  turn  se  prseparans  ad  prae- 
conium  sermonis  Euangelici. 

[This  letter  is  dated]  Idus  lun.  Anno  M.D.xix. 

[Lupton  says  Gower  and  Chaucer  are  probably  alluded  to  in  this  rather  vague 
description.  See  Lupton's  '  Life  of  Dean  Colet,'  1887,  pp.  57-8.] 

[1520.  Rastell,  John  ?]  Prologue  [to]  Terens  in  englysh,  sign.  A  i  and  b. 

The  poet. 

[sign,  a  i]      The  famous  renown  through  the  worlde  is  sprowg 
Of  poetys  ornate  that  vsyd  to  indyte 
Of  dyuers  matters  in  theyr  moder  tong 
Some  toke  vppon  them  temslacions  to  wryte 
Some  to  compile  bokys  for  theyr  delyte 
But  in  our  english  tong  for  to  speke  playn 
I  rede  but  of  fewe  haue  take  any  gret  payn. 

Except  master  Gowre  which  furst  began 

And  of  moralite  wrote  ryght  craftely 

Than  master  Chaucer  that  exellent  man 

Which  wrote  as  compendious  &  elygantly 

As  in  any  other  tong  ener  dyd  any 

Ludgate  also  which  adournyd  our  tong 

whose  noble  famys  through  the  world  be  sprong. 

[sign,  a  i  6]   By  these  men  our  tong  is  amplyfyed  so 

That  we  therin  now  translate  as  well  may 
As  in  eny  other  tongis  other  can  do. 

[This  address  of  "  The  poet"  is  placed  before  "  The  translacyon  ont  of  latin  into 
euglysh  of  the  furst  comedy  of  tyrens  called  Andria."  No  date  or  place  of  publica 
tion.  There  is  some  doubt  whether  this  was  printed  by  Rastell.] 


74  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  15423- 

1523.  Skelton,  John.  A  ryght  delectable  Tratyse  upon  a  goodly  Garlande 
or  Chapelet  of  LaurelL  [col.]  Imprynted  by  me  Rycharde  i'aukes, 
1523,  «jrn.  B  ii  and  ft  D  ii,  D  iv6.  (Skelton's  Poetical  works, 
ed.  A.  Dyce,  1843,  vol.  i,  pp.  377-8,  405.) 

[sign.  Bii]       And  as  I  thus  sadly  amonge  them  auysid 

I  saw  Gower,  that  first  garnisshcd  our  englysshe  rude, 
And  maister  Chaucer,  that  nobly  enterprysyd 
How  that  our  englysshe  myght  fresshely  be  amende 
The  monke  of  Bury  then  after  them  ensuyd 
Dane  Jolm  lyd gate  :  theis  englysshe  poetis  thre, 
As  I  ymagenyd  repayrid  vnto  me. 

To  geder  in  armes,  as  brethern,  enbrasid; 

There  apparell  farre  passynge  beyonde  that  I  can  tell ; 

With  diamauntes  and  rubis  there  tabers  were  trasid, 

None  so  ryche  stones  in  turkey  to  sell ; 

Thei  wantid  nothynge  but  the  laurell ; 

And  of  there  bounte  they  made  me  godely  chere, 

In  maner  and  forme  as  ye  shall  after  here. 

Mayster  Chaucer  to  Skelton. 
[sign. Bit b]     Counter  wayng  your  besy  delygence 

Of  that  we  beganne  in  the  supplement, 
Enforcid  ar  we  you  to  recompence, 
Of  all  our  hooll  collage  by  the  agreament, 
That  we  shall  brynge  you  personally  present 
Of  noble  Fame  before  the  queues  grace 
In  whose  court  poynted  is  your  place. 

Poet  a  Skelton  answer  yth. 
O  Noble  Chaucer,  whos  pullisshyd  eloquence 
Oure  englysshe  rude  so  fresshely  hath,  set  out, 
That  bounde  ar  we  with  all  dew  reuerence, 
~With  all  our  strength  that  we  can  brywge  about, 
To  owe  to  yow  our  seruyce,  and  more  if  we  mowte  ! 
But  what  sholde  I  say  1  ye  wote  what  I  entende, 
Whiche  glad  am  to  please,  and  loth  to  offende. 

[sign.  i)ii]       [Reference  to  Pandar,  Troilus  and  Cresseid.] 

[sign.Divfo]    Forthwith  vpon  this,  ns  it  were  in  a  thought 
Gower,  Chawcer,  Lydgate,  theis  thre 
Be  fore  remembred,  me  curteisly  brought 
In  to  that  place  where  as  they  left  me, 


1526]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  75 

Where  all  the  sayd  poetis  sat  in  there  degre. 

But  when  they  sawe  my  lawrell  rychely  whought  [sic], 

All  other  besyde  were  counterfete  they  thought. 

[1525  ?]  Unknown.  Here  begynneth  a  lytell  treatyse  cleped  La  Conu- 
saunce  Damours.  Imprinted  by  Rycharde  Pynson  .  .  .  [colophon 
undated].  Thus  endeth  la  conusaunce  damours,  sign.  c.  i.  (T.  Corser, 
Collectanea,  Chetham  soc.,  part  iv,  1869,  p.  439,  gives  the  Chaucer 
reference  and  particulars  of  the  title,  which  is  wanting  in  the  B.M. 
copy.) 

[Speaking  of  Troylus  and  Creseide] 

What  shulde  I  herof  longer  processe  make 
Theyr  great  lone  is  wrytten  ail  at  longe 
And  howe  he  dyed  onely  for  her  sake 
Our  ornate  Chaucer  other  bokes  amonge 
In  liis  lyfe  dayes  dyd  vnderfonge 
To  translate  :  and  that  most  plesantly 
Touchyng  the  matter  of  the  sayd  fctory. 

1526.  [Works   of  Chaucer   and  others,   printed  by  B.   Pynson. 

No  general  title-page,  but  made  up  of  three  parts,  probably  intended 
to  sell  separately.] 

[Non-Chaucerian  pieces  distinguished  by  italics]. 

[Part  I.]  Here  beginneth  the  boke  of  Troylus  and  Cre- 
seyde,  newly  printed  by  a  trewe  copye,  [the  col.  sign.  K 
vi,  only  mentions  Pynson's  name  as  printer.] 

[Part  II.]  Here  begynneth  the  boke  of  Fame  made  by 
Geffray  Chaucer :  with  dyuers  other  of  his  workes,  sign,  a  i 
[col.],  sign.  ciij. 

The  assemble  of  Foules,  sign,  c  iiij. 

La  bell  dame  sauns  mercy  [by  Richard  Eos]  sign,  d  ij  b  [col.] 
e  iij  b. 

Ecce  bonum  consilium  Galfredi  Chaucer  Contra  fortunam, 
sign,  e  iiij. 

Morall  prouerbes  of  Cliristyne,  sign,  e  iiij. 
The  complaynt  of  Mary  Mugdaleyne,  sign,  e  v-f  iii  b. 
The  letter  of  Dydo  to  Eneas,  sign,  f  iv-f  v. 
Prouerles   of  Lydgate   ['I  counsayle  whatsoeuer  thou    be'], 
sign,  f  v  b-f  vi. 

[Part  III.]  Here  begynneth  the  boke  of  Canterbury 
Tales  dilygently  and  truely  corrected  and  newly  printed, 
sign,  a  i  [col.],  sign,  y  iii  I. 

[This  is  the  first  attempt  at  a  collected  edition  of  Chaucer's  works.  It  was  Pynson 
who  first  introduced  the  precedent  of  mixing  up  the  works  of  Chaucer  with  those  of 
others.  See  Introduction,  p.  xv,  by  W.  W.  Skeat  to  The  Works  of  Chaucer  and  Others 
(facsimile  reprint  of  Thynno's  edn.),  1905 ;  and  also  below,  under  1532,  Thynne, 
William,  pp.  78-9.] 


76  [Pynson]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1526- 

1526.  Pynson,  Richard.  Prohemye  [to  the  Canterbury  tales  in  his  edn. 
of  Chaucer's  works.  See  above],  sign,  a  i  6.  Colophon  to  Assemble  of 
Foules,  sign,  d  ij.  Title  to  La  bell  dame  sauns  mercy,  sign,  d  ij  b. 
Colophon  to  La  bell  dame  and  Title  to  Morall  proverbes,  sign,  e  iij  6. 

[The  'prohemye '  is  really  Caxton's,  c.  1483  (q.  v.  pp.  61-3)  with  slight  variations  of 
spelling  and  an  omission  between  "wherin  he  fynysshyth  thys  sayd  booke"  and 
"as  here  after  alle  alonge  by  thayde  of  almyghty  god,"  where  Pynson  has  inserted 
the  following :] 

Whiche  boke  is  dyligewtly  and  trewly  corrected  by  a  copy 
of  Willyam  Caxtons  imprintyng  according  to  the  true  makinge 
of  the  sayd  Geffray  Chaucer. 

[On  sign,  c  iij  of  the  Boke  of  Fame  (bound  up  with  the  Canterbury  tales),  Pynson 
has  inserted  Caxton's  epilogue  to  the  same,  c.  1483  (q.  v.  p.  61).] 

[sign,  dij]  Thus  endeth  the  assemble  of  Foules  othervvyse  called 
saynt  Yalentynes  day  compyled  by  the  famous  clerke  Geffray 
Chaucer. 

[sign,  d  ij  6]  This  boke  called  la  bele  Dame  Sauns  mercy  was  translate 
out  of  Frenche  in  to  Englysshe  by  Geffray  Chaucer  flour  of 
poetes  in  our  mother  tong. 

[sign,  e  iij  b]  Thus  endeth  the  boke  called  La  bell  dame  sauns  mercy  : 
And  here  foloweth  certayne  morall  prouerbes  of  the  foresayd 
Geffray  Chaucers  doyng. 

[Although  these  '  moral  proverbs '  are  in  this  colophon  wrongly  ascribed  to  Chaucer, 
they  are  yet  correctly  headed  'Morall  prouerbes  of  Christyne'  on  sign,  e  iiij.  See, 
on  this  point,  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York.  1908, 
p.  115.] 

1530.  Here  foloweth  the  Assemble  of  foules  ....  compyled  by 
the  preclared  and  famous  Clerke  Geffray  Chaucer  Imprynted 
in  london  ....  by  me  Wynkyn  de  Worde  1530. 

[Unique  (?)  copy  at  Britwell.  See  for  an  account  of  this  book  Ames's  Typo- 
graphical  Antiquities,  ed.  T.  F.  Dibdin,  1810-12,  vol.  ii,  pp.  278-80.] 

1530.  Copland,  Robert.  Robert  Coplande  boke  prynter  to  new  f anglers 
and  Lenuoy  of  R.  Coplande  boke  prynter.  Verses  in  Wynkyn  de 
Worde's  Assemble  of  foules  [see  last  entry].  (Quoted  in  a  letter  of 
John  Billam,  1786,  in  Ames's  Typographical  Antiquities,  ed.  T.  F. 
Dibdin,  1810-12,  vol.  ii,  pp.  279-80.  See  below,  1786.) 

Chaucer  is  deed  the  which  this  pamphlete  wrate 
So  ben  his  heyres  in  all  suche  besynesse 
And  gone  ia  also  the  famous  clerke  Lydgate 
And  so  is  yonge  Hawes,  god  theyr  soules  adresse 
Many  were  the  volumes  that  they  made  more  and  les 
Theyr  bokes  ye  lay  up,  tyll  that  the  lether  monies 
But  yet  for  your  inyndes  this  boke  I  wyll  impresse 
That  is  in  tytule  the  parlament  of  foules 


1530 


1532]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  77 

[Envoy  addressing  the  assemble  of  foules] 

And  where  tliou  become  so  ordre  thy  language 

That  in  excuse  thy  prynter  loke  thou  haue 

Which  e  liathe  the  kepte  from  ruynous  domage 

In  snoweswyte  paper,  thy  mater  for  to  saue 

With  thylke  same  langage  that  Chaucer  to  the  gaue 

In  termes  olde,  of  sentence  clered  newe 

Tha?i  methe  muche  sweter,  who  caw  his  myrcde  auewe. 

[The  first  four  verses  each  terminate  with  a  reference  to  the  '  parlament  of  foules  '  ; 
the  verse  quoted  here  is  the  second.  There  are  three  verses  in  the  envoy.  The  refer 
ences  are  taken  from  Dibdin's  Ames.] 

.  Lindsay,  Sir  David.  The  complaynte  and  testament  of  a  Popiniay 
Which  lyeth  sore  wounded  and  maye  not  dye.  [col.]  Imprynted  at 
London  in  Fletestrete  .  .  by  John  Byddell  1538.  Incipit  Prologue, 
sign,  a  i  6.  [Title  of  later  (Scotch)  edns.,  The  testament  and  com- 
playnt  of  our  souerane  lordis  Papyngo,  Kyng  James  the  Fyft,  etc.] 
(Poetical  works,  ed.  D.  Laing,  1879,  vol.  i,  pp.  61-2  ;  cf.  App., 
vol.  iii,  pp.  259-60.  Also  Works,  part  ii,  the  Monarche  and  other 
Poems,  ed.  J.  Small,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  1866,  2nd  edn.  1883,  p.  223.) 

Of  poetis  now  in  tyll  oure  vulgar  toung, 

For  why  the  bell  of  retorik  is  roung 

By  Chaucer,  Goweir,  and  Lidgate  laureate 

Who  dare  presume  these  poetis  till  impoung 

Whose  swete  sentence  through  Albion  bene  soung. 

[Note  there  is  a  great  difference  in  the  spelling  of  the  earlier  and  later  edns.,  the 
first  being  English,  the  later  ones  Scotch.] 

1531-2.  Gaunte,  William.  Will,  with  bequest  of  Canterbury  Tales, 
see  below,  App.  A,  1531-2. 

1532.  Berthelet,  Thomas.  To  the  Reder.  Jo.  Gower  de  confessione 
Amantis.  Imprinted  at  London  in  Fletestrete  by  Thomas  Berthe- 
lette,  sign,  aa  iij  6,  aa  iiij. 

And  this  ...  I  maye  be  boldo  to  saye,  that  if  we  shulde 
neuer  haue  sene  his  [Gower's]  counnynge  warkes,  the  whicho 
.  .  .  wytnesse,-  what  a  clerke  he  was,  the  wordes  of  the  mooste 
famous  and  excellente  Geffraye  Chauser,  that  he  wrote  in  the 
end  of  his  nioste  special  1  warke,  that  is  intitled  Troylus  and 
Creseyde,  do  sufficiently  testifye  the  same,  where  he  sayth  : 

0  morall  Gower  [etc.  Tr.  and  Cr.,  Ek.  v,  11.  1856-9.] 
U  The  whiche  noble  warke,  and  many  other  of  the  sayde 
Chausers,  that  neuer  were  before  imprinted,  and  those  that 
very  fewe  men  knewe,  and  fewer  hadde  them,  be  nowe  of  late 
put  forthe  together  in  a  fay  re  volume,  [i.  e.  Thynne's  edn.  See 
next  entry.]  By  the  whiche  wordes  of  Chauser,  we  may  also 


78  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1532 

vnderstcmde,  that  he  and  Gower  were  bothe  of  one  selfe  tyme, 
both  excellently  lerned,  both  great  frendes  to  gether,  and  bothe 
a  lyke  endeuoured  them  selfe  and  imployed  theyr  tyme  so  wel 
and  so  vertuously,  that  they  dyd  not  onely  passe  forth  their 
lyfes  here  ryght  honourably  ;  but  also  for  their  so  doyng,  so 
longe  (of  lykelyhode)  as  letters  shal  endure  and  continue,  this 
noble  royalme  shall  be  the  better,  ouer  and  besyde  theyr 
honest  fame  and  renowme 


[sign.aaiiij]    The  other  [Chaucer]  lyeth  buiyed  in  the  monasterye  of 
Seynt  Peters  at  westmyster  in  an  ile  on  the  south  syde  of  the 
Churche. 
[In  the  2nd  edn.  of  1554  this  address  is  practically  unaltered.] 

1532.  The  workes  of  Geffray  Chaucer  newly  printed,  with  dyuers 
workes  whiche  were  neuer  in  print  before.  [Blackletter.  ed. 
by  William  Thynne.  col.]  Thus  endeth  the  workes  of  Geffray 
Chaucer.  Printed  at  London  .  .  T.  Godi'ray  .  .  .  1532. 

[The  Dedication  to  Henry  VIII,  sign.  A  ij-A  iij  is  by  Sir  Brian  Tuke  (q.  v.pp.  79-80). 
On  the  last  page,  fol.  ccclxxxiii,  is  Surigo's  epitaph  on  Chaucer.  Skeat  has  pointed 
out  (Chaucerian  and  other  Pieces,  Oxford,  1897,  p.  ix),  that  if  the  title  of  Thynne's 
book  is  properly  read,  it  will  be  seen  that  he  did  not  intend  to  include  as  Chaucer's 
all  the  works  printed  in  it.  He  suggests  that  the  title  should  read  '  The  workes  of 
.  .  .  Chaucer  .  .  with  dyuers  workes  [of  various  authors]  whiche  were  neuer  in  print 
before.'  So  that  itwas  Thynne's  intention  to  print  a  collection  of  the  works  of  Chaucer 
and  other  writers  ;  and  it  was  Stowe,  who,  in  his  edn.  of  1561,  so  altered  the  title  as  to 
claim  for  Chaucer  for  the  first  time  the  authorship  of  the  whole  of  Thynne's  volume. 

Besides  these  works  by  other  writers  (see  list  in  note  below),  Thynne  printed  for 
the  first  time  six  of  Chaucer's  genuine  works,  viz. :  Rom.  of  the  Rose,  11.  1-1705 ; 
Legend  of  Good  Women  ;  Book  of  the  Duchess  ;  Complaint  to  Pity  ;  Lack  of  Stead- 
fnstness  and  Astrolabe.  For  an  account  of  this  edn.,  and  the  poems  contained  in 
it,  as  well  as  for  later  editions,  see  Chaucer's  works,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1894,  vol.  i, 
pp.  28  et  seq. ;  also  Skeat's  introduction  to  a  facsimile  reprint  of  the  above,  published 
by  A.  Moring  and  H.  Frowde,  1905.  For  a  clear  account  of  all  editions  of  Chaucer's 
'  Works,'  from  Pynson  1526  up  to  1906,  see  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by 
E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  114-149. 

For  purposes  of  reference,  we  append  here  a  list  of  the  various  poems  which  have 
by  his  editors  been  wrongly  attributed  to  Chaucer,  and  printed  as  his  in  the  old  folio 
edns.,  including  those  'appended'  by  Thynne,  and  which  were  claimed  by  later  editors. 
For  further  information  about  these  spurious  poems,  see  Skeat's  Chaucer  Canon,  1900, 
pp.  94-148,  also  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York, 
190S,  pp.  406-63.  Possibly  Nos.  21  and  24  have  never  been  actually  quoted  as 
Chaucer's,  but  Skeat  thinks  it  is  difficult  to  be  sure  of  this.  At  any  rate,  they 
occur  in  'Chaucer's  Works'.  This  also  applies  to  No.  5.  See  list  of  apocryphal 
pieces  in  Skeat's  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works,  vol.  vii,  1897.  For  an  admirable  summary 
of  the  present  posit  ion  as  regards  the  Chaucer  Canon,  set  Chaucer,  by  E.  P.  Hammond, 
pp.  51-69.] 

Spurious  poems  printed  by  Pynson  1526. 

1.  La    Belie    Dame    sans    Mercy    [by  ship  see  Skeat's  Introduction  to  the 

Richard  Ros  ;  repr.  by  Thynne].  Works  of  Chaucer  and  others,p.  xl- 

2.  Morall  prouerbs  [by  Richard  Ros].  xli]. 

3.  The   complaint  of   Mary  Mapdaleyn      4.  The  letter  of  Dydo  to  Eneas. 

[Reprinted  by  Thynne.    Forauthor-      5.  Proveibes  of  Lydgate. 


1532] 


Chaucer  Criticism  and  ^illusion. 


79 


First  printed  by  Thi/mie  [in  collected 
Works}  1532. 

6.  Eight    Goodly   Questions    [by   Lyd- 

gate?]. 

7.  Balades  :  to  King  Henry  V.  and  to 

the   Knights   of   the    Garter   [by 
Hoccleve]. 

8.  Three  sayings  [14  lines]. 

9.  The  Roraaunt  of  the  Rose,  11.  1706  to 

end. 

10.  The    Testament    of     Creseyde     [by 

Henrysoun]. 

11.  A  Goodly  Balade  :   '  Mother  of  nor- 

ture.' 

12.  The  Flower  of  Courtesy  [by  Lydgate]. 

13.  The  Assembly  of  Ladies  [by  a  lady]. 

14.  The  Complaint  of  the  Black  Knight 

[by  Lydgate]. 

15.  A  Praise  of  Women  :  'Al  tho  the  lyste 

of    women    euyl    to    speke'    [by 
Lydgate?]. 

10.  The  Testament  of  Loue  [by  Thomas 
Usk.] 

17.  The  Remedy  of  Love. 

18.  The  Letter  of  Cupid  [by  Hoccleve]. 

19.  A  commendation    of  Our  Lady    [by 

Lydgate]. 

20.  To  my  Soverayn  Lady  [by  Lydgate]. 

21.  To  King  Henry  IV  [by  Gower]. 

22.  The    Cuckoo    and    the    Nightingale 

[by  Clanvowej. 

23.  Envoy  to  Alison. 

24.  A  Moral  Balade  [by  Scogan]. 

25.  Go  forth  King  [by  Lydgate?] 

2(5.  Balade  of  Good  Counsel  [by  Lydgate]. 

Thynne's  2nd  edn.  1542. 

27.  The  Plowman's  Tale. 

First  printed  by  Stowe  1561. 

28.  A  Saying  of  Dan  John  [by  Lydgate]. 

29.  Yet  of  the  same  [by  Lydgate]. 


30.  Balade  de  Bon  Consail :    "If  it  be 

fall." 

31.  A  Balade  which  Chaucer  made  in  the 

praise  or  rather  dispraise  of  women 
for  their  doubleness  [by  Lydgate]. 

32.  The  Craft  of  Lovers. 

33.  A  Bitlade  :    "  Of   their  nature    they 

greatly  them  delite." 

34.  The  Ten  Commandments  of  Loue. 

35.  The  Nine  Worthy  Ladies. 

36.  AVirelai. 

37.  A  Balade  :  "  In  the  Season  of  Feue- 

rere." 

38.  A  Balade:  "O  Mercifull  and  merci- 

able." 

39.  Mercury,  Pallas,  Venus,  Minerua,  and 

Paris. 

40.  A   Balade   pleasaunt:    "I    haue    a 

Ladie." 

41.  A  Balade  :  "  O  Mossy  Quince." 

42.  A  Balnde,  warning  men  to  beware  of 

deceitful  women  [by  Lydgate  ?]. 

43.  A  Balade  on  Chastity. 

44.  The  Court  of  Loue. 

First  printed  by  Speght  (1598). 

45.  Chaucer's  Dream  ;    or,    '  The  Isle  of 

Ladies.' 

46.  The  Flower  and  the  Leaf  [by  a  lady]. 

Speght's  2nd  edn.  1602. 

47.  Jack  Upland  [in  prose]. 

First  included  in  '  Chaucer's  Works '  by 
Urry  1721. 

48.  The  Cook's  Tale  of  Gamelyn. 

49.  The  Pardoner  and  Tapster,  and 
The  Second  Merchant's  Tale  or 
Tale  of  Beryn. 


1532.  [Tuke,  Sir  Brian.]  Dedication  to  Henry  viii,  prefixed  to  Chaucer's 
works,  ed.  William  Thynne,  1532,  sign.  A  ii-A  iij  (printed 
in  Francis  Thynne's  Animadversions,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer 
soc.  1876,  pp.  xxiv-vi). 

...  I  ...  Wylliam  Thynne  /  .  .  .  moued  by  a  certayne 
inclynacion  &  zele  /  whiche  I  haue  to  here  of  any  thyng 
soundyng  to  the  laude  and  honour  of  this  your  noble  realme  / 
haue  taken  great  delectacyon  /  us  the  tymes  and  laysers  might 
suffre  /  to  rede  and  here  the  bokes  of  that  noble  &  famous 
clerke  Geifray  Chaucer  /  in  whose  workes  is  so  manyfest 
comprobacion  of  his  excellent  lernyng  in  all  kyndes  of  doctrynes 
and  sciences  /  suche  frutefulnesse  in  wordes  /  wel  accordynge 
to  the  mater  and  purpose  /  so  swete  and  plesaunt  sentences  / 
suche  perfectyon  in  metre  /  the  composycion  so  adapted  /  suche 


80  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1532- 

fresshnesse  of  inuencion  /  compendyousnesse  in  narration  / 
suche  sensyble  and  open  style  /  lackyng  neither  maieste  ne 
mediocrite  couenable  in  disposycion  /  and  suche  sharpnesse  or 
qnycknesse  in  conclusyon  /  that  it  is  moche  to  be  marueyled  / 
howe  in  his  tyme  /  whaw  doutlesse  all  good  letters  were  layde 
a  slepe  through  out  the  worlde  /  .  .  .  .  suche  an  excellent  poete 
in  our  tonge  /  sliulde,  as  it  were  (nature  repugnyng)  spryng  and 
aryse  :  .  . 

[Only  a  small  portion  of  this  preface  is  printed— the  direct  praise  of  Chaucer— as  it  is 
so  easily  accessible  in  Thynne's  Animadversions.  There  follows  an  account  of  Thynne's 
search  for  and  collation  of  copies  of  Chaucer's  works  ;  for  an  extract  from  this,  see 
under  1870,  below.  Although  written  in  Thynne's  name,  the  preface  really  was 
composed  by  his  friend  Sir  Brian  Tuke.  See  Thynne's  Animadversions,  ed.  Furnivall, 
Hindwords.p.  xxvi ;  also  Studies  in  Chaucer,  by  T.  R.  Lounsbury,  1892,  vol.  i,  p.  266.] 

[1532-5.]  Unknown.  The  Plowmans  tale,  [col.]  Printed  at  London 
by  Thomas  Godfray.  Cum  priuilegio. 

[This  is  the  earliest  known  print  of  The  Plowman's  Tale  :  there  is  a  unique  copy  at 
Britwell.  It  was  most  probably  printed  by  William  Thynne's  directions,  as  he  was 
apparently  prevented  from  including  it  (as  well  as  the  Pilgrim's  tale)  in  his  first  edn. 
of  Chaucer,  1532.  See  Francis  Thynne's  Animadversions,  p.  151  below.  The  tale  is 
ascribed  to  Chaucer  by  Speght  (see  App.  A,  under  1598),  and,  beginning  with  Thynne's 
second  edn.,  1542,  q.  v.  p.  83,  is  printed  with  his  works  and  regularly  assumed  to  be  by 
him,  until  Dart  in  the  '  Life '  prefixed  to  TJrry's  edn.  of  1721,  for  the  first  time  doubts 
its  authenticity.  Tyrwhitt  finally  rejected  it.  For  later  single  edns.  see  under  1606 
below,  p.  177,  also  Illustrations  of  ...  Gower  and  Chaucer,  1810,  by  Todd,  p.  xxxix 
note,  where  an  edn.  by  Wyllyam  Hyll  (1542  ?)  is  described.  See  also  T.  Corser,  Collec 
tanea,  iv,  pp.  330-1,  and  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond, 
N.  York,  1908,  pp.  444-6.] 

1583.  Elyot,  Sir  Thomas.     Pasqiiyll  the  Playne,  sign.  A  iij  b. 

Pasquill  [to  Gnato]  what  a  gods  name  haue  ye  a  booke  in 
yourehand?  A  good  feloweshyp  wherof  is  it1?  Let  me  se 

Nouum  stestamentum  [sic] But  what  is  this  in  youre 

bosom  1  An  other  booke  .  .  .  Let  se,  what  is  here  1  Troylus 
&  Chreseid  ?  Lorde  what  discord  is  bytwene  these  two  bokes. 

[There  is  no  copy  of  the  1st  edn.  in  the  B.  M.,  but  there  is  one  in  the  Douce 
collection  in  the  Bodleian;  the  extract  here  is  from  the  2nd  edn.,  1540. 

1533.  [Heywood,  John.]  A  mery  playe  betwene  the  pardoner  and  the 
frere  the  curafe  and  neybour  Pratte.  Imprynted  by  Wyllyam  Rastell, 
1533  [written  probably  before  1521,  see  D.N.B.,  and  Facsimile 
Reprint,  ed.  J.  S.  Farmer  1909]  sign.  A  ii-A  iii  (ed.  F.  J.  Child, 
Four  old  plays,  1848,  pp.  94-5,  97). 

[The  two  following  passages  are  taken,  with  almost  similar  word 
ing,  direct  from  Chaucer's  Prologue  of  the  Pardoner's  Tale,  11  7-48 
49-60.] 

But  first  ye  shall  knowe  well  y*  I  com  fro  Rome 

[36  lines,  to] 

[•ign.  Aijfc]  So  that  he  offer  pens  or  els  grotes. 


1536]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  \JHeywood]  81 

But  one  thynge  ye  women  all  I  warant  you 
[16  lines,  to]  ..... 

Now  shall  ye  se 
[sign.  Aiij]    Lo  here  the  popes  bull. 

[The  Pardoner  in  The  Foure  Ps  (printed  c.  1545,  written  c.  1530),  also  resembles 
Chaucer's  Pardoner  in  tone  and  attitude ;  and  there  is  undoubted  reminiscence  of 
Chaucer's  Parlement  ofFoules  in  the  description  of  the  eagle  in  the  ballad  written  by 
Heywood  to  celebrate  the  marriage  of  Queen  Mary  with  Philip  of  Spain  in  1554.  The 
ballad  is  reprinted  in  Harleian  Miscellany,  ed.  Park,  1813,  vol.  x,  pp.  255-6.] 


1535.  Layton,  Kichard.  Letter  to  Thomas  Cromwell.  (Record  Office, 
see  Calendar  of  State  Papers,  ed.  J.  Gairdner,  vol.  ix,  no.  42.  This 
extract  is  given  in  Henry  VIII  and  the  English  Monasteries,  by 
F.  A.  Gasquet,  revised  edn.  1899,  p.  144.) 

[Layton  writes  from  Bath  abbey]  Ye  shall  herewith  receive 
a  book  of  Our  Lady's  miracles  well  able  to  match  the  Canter 
bury  Tales.  Such  a  book  of  dreams  aS  ye  neuer  saw,  which  I 
found  in  the  library. 


1535.  Roper,  Margaret,  or  More,  Sir  Thomas.  Letter  to  Lady  Alington. 
The  workes  of  Sir  Thomas  More,  1557,  p.  1441,  col.  2,  F.  (The 
Mirrour  of  vertue  ....  or  the  Life  of  Sir  Thomas  More  .  .  by 
William  Roper,  ed.  I.  Gollancz,  the  King's  classics,  1903,  p.  143 ; 
for  MSS.  and  edns.  see  ibid.,  pp.  ix-xii.) 

In  good  fayth  father  quo])  I,  I  can  no  ferther  goe,  but  am 
(as  I  trowe  Cresede  saith  in  Chaucer)  comen  to  Dulcarnow 
euen  at  my  wittes  ende. 

[William  Roper  prefaces  this  letter  by  the  following  note,  on  p.  117: — "When 
Mistress  Roper  had  received  this  Letter  [from  Lady  Alington],  she,  at  her  next 
repair  to  her  Father  in  the  Tower,  showed  him  this  Letter.  And  what  communication 
was  thereupon  between  her  Father  and  her,  ye  shall  perceive  by  an  Answer  here 
following  (as  written  to  the  Lady  Alington).  But  whether  this  answer  were  written 
by  Sir  Thomas  More  in  his  Daughter  Roper's  name,  or  by  herself,  it  is  not  certainly 
known."] 


1536.  Unknown.  A  Remedy  for  Sedition,  wherein  are  conteyned 
many  thynges  concernyng  the  true  and  loyall  obeysance,  that  com- 
mens  owe  vnto  their  prince  and  soueraygne  lorde  the  Jcynge. 
sign.  B  i. 

Geffrey  Chauser  sayeth  also  somewhat  in  theyr  prayse, 
beare  it  well  away,  and  lawde  theyme  as  ye  fynde  cause, 

0  eterne  people  vniuste  and  vntrewe, 

Ay  vndiscrete  and  chaimgynge  as  a  fane, 

Delytynge  euer  in  rumours  that  be  newe ; 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  O 


82  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1536- 

For  lyke  the  rnone  euer  waxe  ye  and  wane : 
Your  reason  lialteth,  your  jugement  is  lawe, 
Your  dome  is  false,  your  Constance  euyll  preueth, 
A  full  great  foole  is  he  that  on  you  leneth. 

[An  imperfect  rendering  of  Clerkes  Tale,  11.  994-1001.] 

[1536-40  ?]  Unknown.  The  Pilgrim's  Tale,  if.  xxxiii,  vi,  xlv,  11.  93, 
263,  721-4,  739-40 ;  from  the  reprinted  Courte  of  Venus,  Douce 
fragment  92  6.  (Thynne's  Animadversions,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall, 
Chaucer  soc.  1876,  App.  I.,  pp.  79,  84,  97-8.) 

for  chaucer  sathe  in  the  sted  of  the  quen  elfe,  [i.  9»] 

[Ther  walketh  now  the  lymy  tour  himself]       [Wyf  of  Bath,  i.  874] 


tlier  ministre  shold  be  diligent  in.  260-3] 

as  Christ  himselue,  to  teache  vs  nought  for-gett 

[.         .         .         .         .  line  left  out\ 

and  first  he  dyd  yt,  and  after  he  taglit.      l^™*ifl$i*™l'}' 

he  sayd  he  durst  not  it  dis[c]lose  [ii.  721-4] 
but  bad  me  reyd  the  'romant  of  the  rose,' 

the  thred  leafe,  lust  from  the  end  ^quote^be^w']11' 

to  the  secund  page,  ther  lie  dyd  me  send  [ii.  724] 

he  prayd  me  thes  vi  stauis  for  to  marke  [ii.  739-40] 

whiche  be  chaucers  own  hand  work    [i.e.  n.  7165-70] 

[With  regard  to  date  and  authorship  of  above,  see  two  articles  by  Mrs:  C.  C.  Stopes 
in  Athenaeum,  June  24, 1899,  pp.  785-6  (The  Metrical  Psalms  and  the  Court  of  Venus), 
and  July  1,  1899,  p.  38  (The  Authorship  of  the  Newe  Courte  of  Venus).] 

1540.  Cavendish,  William.  MS.  Catalogue  of  his  library  at  North 
Awbrey  near  Lincoln,  formerly  in  the  possession  of  John  Wilson, 
of  Bromhead,  near  Sheffield.  (Who  wrote  Cavendish's  life  of 
Wolsey  1  [by  Joseph  Hunter]  1812,  p.  21.) 

Chaucer,    Froyssarte    Chronicles,    a   boke   of   French    and 
English. 

fc.  1540.]  Unknown.     Two  MS.  verses,  Harleian  MS.  4826,  fol.  139. 

Off  worthy  Chaucer 
here  the  pickture  stood 
That  much  did  wryght 
and  all  to  doe  vs  good. 


1542]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  83 

Summe  ffuryous  ffoole 

Have  Cutt  the  same  in  twayne 

His  deed  doe  she  we 

He  have  a  barren  Brayne. 

[Some  rfghtly  indignant  lover  of  Chaucer's  MS.  has  written  these  lines  at  the  foot 
of  fol.  139,  from  the  margin  of  which  almost  all  the  full-length  portrait  of  Chaucer 
has  been  cut.] 

[c.  1540.]   Jack  by  Lande   Compyled  by  the   Famous  Geoffrey 

Chaucer Cum  priuilegio  Regali.     Prynted  for  Ihon  Gougn. 

[Gonville  and  Gains  Coll.  Camb.]     MS.  Harl.  6641. 

[See  below,  1570,  p.  105,  for  Foxe's  reprint  of  Jack  Upland.] 

[c.    1540.]    Unknown.     Tales,    and   quicke   answeres,  very  mery,   and 

pleasant  to  rede.     Unique  copy  in  Huth  library.  [Reprint  called] 

Shakespeare's    Jest    Book,    ed.    S.    W.    Singer,  1814,    tale    28, 
pp.  28-9. 

This  tale  shewetli  that  dreames  sometyme  come  to  passe  by 
one  meane  or  other.  And  he  that  desyretli  to  knowe  more  of 
dreajnes  wrytten  in  our  englysshe  tonge,  let  hym  rede  the  tale 
of  the  nounnes  preste,  that  G.  Chauser  wrote :  and  for  the 
skeles  howe  dreames  and  sweuens  are  caused,  the  begynnynge 
of  the  boke  of  Fame,  the  whiche  the  sayde  Chauser  compiled 
with  many  an  other  matter  full  of  wysedome. 

1542.  Workes  of  Geffray  Chaucer.  [Blackletter  ed.  W.  Thynne,  2nd 
edn.]  W.  Bonham,  1542.  (Of.  Note  under  1532,  Thynne,  W., 
pp.  78-9.) 

[This  2nd  edn.  of  Thynne's  Chaucer  often  bears  different  printers'  names,  Toye, 
Kele,  Petit,  Bonham,  Reynes,  etc.  For  this  reason  it  is  often  confused  with  the 
undated  reprint,  see  under  1545  or  1550  below,  p.  86,  but  it  is  a  quite  distinct  and 
rarer  edn.] 

1542.  Unknown.  The  Plowman's  Tale.  Printed  in  Thynne's  2nd  edn. 
of  Chaucer's  Works,  as  above,  fol.  cxix,  following  the  Parson's  Tale. 

[This  is  the  first  time  the  Plowman's  Tale  was  printed  in  an  edn.  of  Chaucer's 
1  Works,'  it  was  first  printed  separately  by  Thomas  Godfray  in  folio  [1532-5],  q.  v.,  p. 
80.  In  the  next  edn.  of  Chaucer's  '  Works '  (undated,  but  ascribed  to  the  years  1545 
or  1550  q.  v.  p.  86)  the  Plowman's  Tale  was  inserted  before  the  Parson's,  and  the  first 
line  of  the  prologue  to  the  Parson's  Tale  was  altered  to  suit ;  reading  "  By  this  the 
plowman  had  his  tale  ended"  instead  of  manciple.  The  genuine  reading  was  not 
restored  until  Tyrwhitt  did  so  in  his  edition  of  1775.  See  Thynne's  Animadversions, 
ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  1876,  pp.  68,  69,  147;  also  for  a  note  of  H.  Bradshaw's,  ibid., 
p.  101.] 

[a.  1542.]  Wyatt,  Sir  Thomas  (d.  1542).  [Satire  ii],  Of  the  Courtiers  life 
written  to  lohn  Poins;  [Satire  iii],  How  to  vse  the  Court  and 
himself e  therein,  written  to  Syr  Fraunces  Bryan.  [Printed  in]  Songes 
and  Sonettes  written  by  the  .  .  .  Lorde  Henry  Howard  .  .  .  1557. 
[See 'next  entry]  f.  47  and  48  6  (Tottell's  Miscellany,  English 
Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1870,  p.  89,  11.  50-1,  p.  92,  11.  73-8). 

I  am  not  he  that  can 


84  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1542- 

[foi.  47]  Praise  syr  Topas  for  a  noble  tale, 

And  scorne  the  story  that  the  knight  tolde  : 

[foi.  486]          In  this  also  se  that  thou  be  not  idle  : 

Thy  nece,  thy  cosyn,  sister,  or  thy  daughter, 

If  she  bee  faire 

If  thy  better  hath  her  loue  besought  her  : 
Auaunce  his  cause,  and  he  shall  helpe  thy  nede, 
It  is  but  loue,  turne  thou  it  to  a  laughter. 
But  ware  I  say,  so  gold  thee  helpe  and  spede  : 
That  in  this  case  thou  be  not  so  vnwise, 
As  Pandar  was  in  such  a  like  dede. 
For  he,  the  fole  of  conscience,  was  so  nice  : 
That  he  no  gaine  would  haue  for  all  his  paine. 

[For  Chaucer's  influence  on  Wyatt's  verse,  which  was  considerable,  tee  below,  App. 
A,  a.  1542.] 

[c.  1542.]  Howard,  Henry,  Earl  of  Surrey.  Poem  on  the  Death  of  .  .  . 
Sir  T[homas]  W[yatt].  [First  printed  in  the  collection  of]  Songes 
and  Sonettes,  written  by  the  ryght  honorable  Lorde  Henry  B award 
late  Earle  of  Surrey,  and  other.  Apud  Kichardum  Tottel,  1557. 
[col.]  Imprinted  at  London  ...  by  Richard  Tottel,  the  fift  day  of 
June,  An.  1557.  [This  is  known  as  Tottel's  Miscellany,  a  unique 
copy  of  this  first  edn.  is  in  the  Bodleian  ;  our  transcript  is  from  the 
2nd  edn.  [in  B.  M.I  with  col.  '  Imprinted  at  London  ...  by  Richard 
Tottell  the  xxxi.  day  of  July,  An.  1557,'  if.  16  6  and  17.  (TottePa 
Miscellany,  English  Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1870,  p.  29.) 

Of  the  death  of  the  same  sir  T.piomas]  W.fyatt] 

Of  the  same. 
W.  Eesteth  here,  that  quick  could  neuer  rest : 

A  hand,  that  taught,  what  might  be  said  in  rime : 
That  reft  Chaucer  the  glory  of  his  wit : 
A  mark,  the  which  (unparfited,  for  time) 
Some  may  approch,  but  neuer  none  shal  hit. 

[There  are  three  known  copies  of  the  2nd  edn.  of  Tottell.     See  an  article  on  Tottel'a 
Miscellany,  by  W.  W.  Greg  in  The  Library,  April,  1904.] 

1542.  Leland,  John.  Naeniae  in  mortem  Thomae  Viati,  11.  1-8.  See 
below,  App.  A,  1542. 

1542-3.  An  Acte  for  thaduauncement  of  true  Religion  and  for  thab- 
bolisshment  of  the  contrarie.  Statute  34  and  35  Henry  VIII, 
chap,  i,  section  v.  (Statutes  of  the  Realm,  vol.  iii,  1817,  p.  895.) 

[The  statute  provides  for  the  utter  abolishment,  etc.,  of 
forbidden  books.]  Provided  allso  that  all  bokes  in  Englishe 
printed  before  the  yere  of  our  Lorde  a  thousande  fyve  hundred 


1544]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  85 

and  fourtie  intytled  the  Kings  Hieghnes  proclamacions  iniunc- 
tions,  trauslacions  of  the  Pater  noster,  the  Aue  Maria  and  the 
Crede,  the  psalters  pryniers  prayer  statutes  and  lawes  of  the 
Realme,  Cronycles  Canterburye  tales,  Chaucers  bokes  Gowers 
bokes  and  stories  of  mennes  lieues,  shall  not  be  comprehended 
in  the  prohibici'on  of  this  acte  .... 

[1543?]  Unknown.  Heading  to  Truth.  MS.  Arch.  Seld.  B  10,  fol. 
F  ii  and  6.  (at  end  of  Harding's  Chronicle,  p.  4  of  "  the  Prouerbes  of 
Lydgate."  More  odd  texts  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J. 
Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1886,  p.  29). 

Ecce  bomm  consilium  galfridi  chaucers  contra  fortunara. 

1544.  Ascham,  Roger.  Toxophilus.  Londini  In  sedibus  Edouardi 
Whytchurch,  Booki,  sign.  E  i  6,  E  ii  6-iii,  E  iv-iv  6,  F  ii-ii  b. 
(English  Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1868,  pp.  52,  54,  56,  59.) 

[sign.  E  The  Source  of  dise  and  cardes  is  werisome  Ydlenesse, 
enemy  of  vertue,  ye  drowner  of  youthe,  that  tarieth  in  it,  and 
as  Chauser  doth  saye  verie  well  in  the  Parsons  tale,  the  greene 
path  waye  to  hel,  hauinge  this  thing  appro priat  vnto  it,  that 
where  as  other  vices  haue  some  cloke  of  honestie,  onely 
ydlenes  can  neyther  do  wel,  nor  yet  thinke  wel. 

[Parson's  Tale,  11.  710-16  ?] 

{sign.  E      "Whose  horriblenes  [speaking  of   Gaming]  is  so  large  that 
it  passed  the  eloquence  of  our  Englislie  Homer  [Chaucer]  to 
compasse  it :  yet  because  I  euer  thought  hys  sayinges  to  have 
as  much  authoritye  as  eyther  Sophocles  or  Euripedes  in  Greke, 
therefore  gladly  do  I  reinembre  these  verses  of  hys  : — 
Hasardry  is  very  mother  of  lesinges 
And  of  deceyte  and  cursed  sweringes 

f8ifn'  B  Blasphemie  of  Christ,  manslaughter,  and  waste  also, 

Of  catel  of  tyme,  of  other  thynges  mo. 

[Pardoner's  Tale,  11.  590-4.] 

[Here  Ascham  inserts  a  moral  disquisition  on  various  clauses 
of  these  verses.] 

[sign.  E  Cursed  sweryng  Uasphemie  of  Christe.  These  halfe  verses 
Chaucer  in  an  other  place  more  at  large  doth  wTell  set  out,  and 
verye  Ihiely  expresse,  sayinge. 

Ey  bi  goddes  precious  hert  and  his  nayles 
And  by  the  blood  of  Christ  that  is  in  Hales 

Forsweringe,  Ire,  falsnes  and  Homicide,  etc. 

[Pardoner's  Tale,  11.  615-7]. 


86  [Ascham]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1544- 

tSi?&]E.  '  '  '  '  ^wo  men  ^  *ierc^  my  se^e>  whose  sayiuges  be  far  more 
grisely  than  Chaucers  verses.  .  .  . 

[sign.  F      Yet  this  I  woulde  wysche  that  all  great  men  in  Englande 
had  red  ouer  diligentlye  the  Pardoners  tale  in  Chaucer,  and 
there  they  shoulde  perceyue  and  se,  howe  moche  suche  games 
stande  with  theyr  worshyppe,  howe  great  soeuer  they  be.  ... 
I  wyll  make  an  ende  with  this  saying  of  Chaucer  : 
tBft  F        Lordes  might  finde  them  other  maner  of  pleye 
Honest  ynough  to  driiue  the  daye  awaye. 

[Pardoner's  Tale,  11.  627-8.] 

1544.  Betham,  Peter.  The  Prefatory  Epistle  [to]  The  preceptes  of 
Warre,  set  forth  by  James  the  Erie  of  Purlilia  and  translated  into 
Englysh  by  Peter  Betham  1544.  [col.]  Imprynted  at  London,  in 
the  Olde  Jewery,  by  Edwarde  Wnytchurche,  cum  priuilegio  ad 
imprirnendum  solum.  (Title  and  extract  with  Chaucer  ref.  given 
in  Censura  Literaria,  by  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  vol.  vii  (iv  of  new 
series).  1808,  pp.  67-72.) 

[p.  69]  Yet  lette  no  man  thyncke,  that  I  doo  damne  all  usual 
termes  borowed  of  other  tounges  whan  I  doo  well  knowe 
that  one  tounge  is  interlaced  with  an  other.  But  nowe  to 
be  shorte,  I  take  them  beste  Englysshe  men,  which  folowe 
Chaucer,  and  other  olde  wryters,  in  whyche  study  the  nobles, 
and  gentle  men  of  Englande,  are  worthye  to  be  praysed,  whan 
they  endeuoure  to  brynge  agayne  his  owne  clennes,  oure 
Englysshe  toungue,  and  playnelye  to  speake  wyth  our  owne 
termes,  as  our  [fjathers  dyd  before  us  .... 

[There  is  no  copy  in  B.M.,  but  one  in  Bodl.  and  one  in  Camb.  Univ.  library.] 

[1545  or  1550?.]  The  Workes  of  Geffray  Chaucer  .  .  .  Wyllyam 
Bonham. 

[A  reprint  of  Thynne's  2nd  edn.  1542,  q.  r.  p.  83,  in  which  the  Plowman's  Tale  was 
inserted  before  the  Parson's,  see  note  under  1542,  Plowman's  Tale,  p.  83.  Other  copies 
of  this  edn.  bear  a  different  printer's  name  in  the  col.,  Robart  Toye,  Rycharde  Kele, 
or  Thomas  Petit.  Cf.  above,  pp.  78-9,  1532,  Thynne,  W.) 

[c.  1545.]  Forrest,  William.     History  of  Joseph.     Univ.  Coll.   Oxford 

MS.  88,  fol.3.     (The  History  of  Grisild  the  Second written 

by  William  Forrest  .  .  .  ed.  Rev.  W.  D.  Macray.  Roxb.  Club,  1875, 
p.  167. 

The  Prologe. 

I  wote  this  hathe  not  the  florischinge  veyne 
Of  Gowers  phrase,  adorned  in  suche  sorte, 
Gather  of  Chaucers,  that  Poete  soueraynge 


1546]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  87 

To  aske  their  counsaylles  I  came  all  to  shorte  : 
Lydgate  in  this  gaue  me  no  comforte ; 
So  tell  I  yowe,  before  yee  doo  ytt  reade, 
I  cannot  them  rayse,  so  longe  agoe  deade. 

["Dated  as  having  been  finished  April  11,  1569,  but  said  by  the  author  to  have 
been  originally  written  24  years  before."  Cf.  Rox.  Club  edn.  introduction,  p.  xxi.] 

[c.  1545.]  Leland,  John.  Commentarii  de  Scriptoribus  Britannicis. 
[MS.  Bodl.]  [first  printed  by]  Antonius  Hall,  .  .  .  Oxonii,  1709. 
Cap.  DV,  De  Gallofrido  Chaucero,  pp.  419-26,  cap.  CDXCIII,  De 
Joanne  Govero,  p.  416. 

[This  is  the  first '  life '  of  Chaucer.  For  a  print  of  it,  see  below,  App.  A  c.  1545 
Leland.] 

[c.  1545.]  Leland,  John.  Principum,  etc  illustrium  aliquot  &  erudi- 
torum  in  Anglia  Virorum,  Encomia  .  .  .  nunc  primum  in  lucem 
edita.  Londini,  .  .  .  1589.  Encomia  illustrium  virorum.  In  laudem 
Gallofridi  Chauceri,  Isiaci,p.  79;  De  Gallofrido  Chaucero,  Equite, 
p.  80  ;  De  Gallofrido  Chaucero,  pp.  93-4.  (Reprinted  by  T.  Hearne, 
in  J.  Lelandi  de  Rebus  Britannicis  Collectanea,  1770,  vol.  v,  pp. 
141-2,  152.) 

[These  three  sets  of  verses  are  all  included  (with  some  variation  in  the  first  and 
third)  in  the  account  of  Chaucer  given  by  Leland  in  the  Commentarii  de  Scriptoribus 
Britannicis.  See  last  entry.] 

[c.  1545.]  Leland,  John.  Joannes  Lelandi  antiquarii  De  Rebus  Bri 
tannicis  Collectanea,  torn,  iii  [Tanner  MS.  Bodl.]  fol.  48.  (Reprinted, 
with  same  title  by  T.  Hearne,  1770,  vol.  iv,  p.  49.) 

Westmonasterii 

Distichon  ex  epitapliio  Galfredi  Chauceri 
Galfredus  Chaucer,  vates  &  fama  poe'sis 
Maternse,  hac  sacra  sum  tumulatus  humo. 

[These  lines  are  the  last  two  of  Surigo's  epitaph,  tee  above,  1479,  p.  60.  The 
references  in  The  Itinerary  of  John  Leland  (Tanner  MSS.  Bodl.),  ed.  Thomas  Hearne, 
2nd  edn.  1745,  are  to  Thomas  and  Alice  Chaucer  :  they  are  vol.  ii,  p.  7  ;  iv,  pp.  6,  19  ; 
vii,  pp.  69,  104.] 

1546.  Ashton,  Peter.  Epistle  dedicatory  [to]  A  shorte  treatise  vpon  the 
Turkes  Chronicles  ....  translated  out  of  Latyne  into  englysh  .... 
by  Peter  Ashton.  Imprinted  at  London  in  Fletestrete  ....  by 
Edwarde  Whitchurche  M.D.XL.vi.,  sign.  *vi  6.  (British  Biblio 
grapher,  ed.  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  1810-14,  vol.  ii,  1812,  p.  94.  Short 
extract,  containing  Chaucer  reference.) 

For  truly,  throwghe  out  al  this  simple  and  rude  translation, 
I  studyed  rather  to  vse  the  most  playn  and  famylier  english 
speche,  then  ether  Chaucers  wordes  (which  by  reason  of 
antiquitie  be  almost  out  of  vse)  or  els  ink  home  termes  (as 
they  call  them),  whiche  the  common  people,  for  lacke  of  latin, 
do  not  vnderstand. 


88  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1548- 

1548.  Bale,  John.  Illvstrium  Maioris  Britanniae  Scriptorum.   [1st  edn.] 
fol.  198  and  6  [Life  of  Chaucer],  fol.  202  6  [John  Lydgate],  fol.  233  b 
[Thomas  Wyat].      (For  text   of  extracts  see  Appendix  A,  1548, 
Bale,  and  cf.  2nd  edn.  of  1557-9,  p.  95  below.) 

[1548  ?]  Lindsay,  Sir  David.  The  Historie  of  Ane  Nobil  and  Wailjeand 
Squyer,  William  Meldrum.  [col.]  Imprentit  at  Edinburgh  be 
Henrie  Charteris  Anno  MDxciiii,  sign,  a  ii  and  a  ii  6.  (Poetical 
works,  ed.  D.  Laing,  1879,  vol.  i,  pp.  159-60  ;  also  Works,  part  iii, 
.  .  .  Squyer  .  .  .  Meldrura  ed.  F.  Hall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.  1868,  pp.  321-2.) 

(i.  ii]  Poetis  thair  honour  to  auance 

Hes  put  thame  in  remernberance 
Sum  wryt  of  preclair  Conquerouris, 
And  sum  of  vail^eand  Empriouris ; 

(1. 23]  Sum  wryt  of  deidis  amorous ; 

As  Chauceir  wrait  of  Troilus 
How  that  he  luiffit  Cressida  : 
Of  Jason  and  of  Medea. 

[In  the  table  of  contents  to  The  Warkis  of  ...  Sir  Dauid  Lyndsay  .  .  .  Imprentit 
...  be  Henrie  Charteris,  Anno  M.DLxxxii,  this  poem  is  mentioned  as  the  'Historie  of 
the  Squyer  William  Meldrum  of  the  Benis,  neuer  befoir  Imprentit,'  but  it  was  not 
Included  in  the  Works,  and  no  edn.  of  that  date  is  now  known  to  exist.  Squyer 
Meldrum  occurs  again  in  the  table  of  contents  in  the  1592  edn.  of  Lindsay's  Works, 
but  is  not  printed  amongst  them,  yet  it  seems  certain  that  an  edn.  was  issued 
previous  to  1585,  as  six  copies  are  mentioned  as  part  of  the  stock  in  trade  of  Robert 
Gourlay,  bookseller  of  Edinburgh,  who  died  in  Sept.  of  that  year.  See  Laing,  vol.  iii, 
pp.  278-80.] 

1549.  Becke,  Edmund.    Preface  to  Becke's  edition  of  the  Bible,  fol. 
1549,  sign.  A  A  vi. 

To  the  most  puissant  and  mighty  prince  Edwarde  the  first  .  . 

If  all  magistrates  &  the  nobilitie,  wolde  wel  wey  with  them 
selfs  the  inestimable  dignitie,  &  incomparable  goodnes  of  Gods 
boke,  .  .  .  and  wolde  also  as  willingly  vouchsafe  to  suffurate 
&  spare  an  houre  or  ii  in  a  day,  fro??i  theyr  worldly  busines, 
emploing  it  about  the  reading  of  this  boke,  as  they  have  been 
vsed  to  do  in  Cronicles  &  Canterbury  tales,  then  should  they 
also  abandone  ...  all  blasphemyes,  swearing,  carding,  dysing. 
.  .  .  Oh  what  a  norishing  co?7imune  wealth  should  your  grace 
inioy  &  haue  .  .  . 

[1549  ?]  Cramner,  Thomas.  A  Sermon  concerning  the  time  of  Rebellion. 
Corp.  Christ,  coll.  MS.  Camb.  cii,  pp.  409-99.  (Cranmer's  Works, 
ed.  J.  E.  Cox,  Parker  soc.  1844-6,  vol.  ii,  1846,  p.  198.) 

If  we  receiue  and  repute  the  gospel  as  a  thing  most  true  and 
godly,  why  do  we  not  live  according  to  the  same  ?  If  we  count 


1549]   .  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  89 

it  as  fables  and  trifles  why  do  we  take  upon  us  to  give  such 
credit  and  authority  to  it  1 

To  what  purpose  tendeth  such  dissimulation  and  hypocrisy  ? 
If  we  take  it  for  a  Canterbury  tale,  why  do  we  not  refuse  it  1 
Why  do  we  not  laugh  it  out  of  place,  and  whistle  at  it? 

[This  extract  is  given  from  the  Parker  soc.  edition.] 

1549.  Latimer,  Hugh.  The  seconde  Sermon  .  .  .  preached  before  the 
Kynges  maiestie  .  .  .  ye  xv.  day  of  March  Mcccccxlix.  Imprinted 
at  London  by  John  Daye  [1549  ?].  The  second  sermon  has  a 
different  title-page  to  the  first,  though  bound  together.  To  the 
Reader,  sign.  A  iiii.  (Seven  Sermons  before  Edward  VI.  English 
Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1869,  p.  49.  Also  Latimer's  works,  ed. 
Kev.  G.  E.  Corrie,  Parker  soc.,  1844-5,  vol.  i,  pp.  106-7.) 

...  if  good  lyfe  do  not  insue  and  folow  upon  our  readynge 
to  the  example  of  other[s]  we  myghte  as  well  spende  that  tyme 
in  reading  of  prophane  hysterics,  of  cantorburye  tales,  or  a 
fit  of  Koben  Hode. 

[1549  ?]  Unknown.  Le  A.  to  the  Eeder,  Envoy  to  The  goodli  history 
of  the  moste  noble  and  beautyfull  Ladye  Lucres  of  Scene  .  .  .  and 
of  her  louer  Euvialus,  sign.  H  iij  6.  (Reprinted  in  the  Hystorie  of 
the  most  noble  knight  Plasidas,  ed.  H.  H.  Gibbs,  Roxb.  club, 
1873,  Preface,  p.  ix.) 

Ther  was  also  the  noble  Troylus 

Whych  all  hys  lyfe,  abode  in  mortall  payne 
Delayed  by  Cresyde  whose  history  is  piteous 
Tyll  at  the  last  Achylles  had  hym  slayne 
Yet  other  there  be  whyche  in  thys  carefull  cliayne 
Of  loue  haue  contyimed,  all  theyr  lyfe  dayes 
Deathe  was  theyr  end,  there  was  non  other  wayes. 

[No  date  nor  printer's  name  (but  possibly  W.  Copland).  A  translation  of  ^Eneas 
Sylvius  Piccolomini's  (afterward  Pius  II)  De  duobus  amantibus  Eurialo  et  Lucresia, 
written  in  1443.  The  reference  is  most  probably  to  Chaucer's  version  of  Troilus  and 
Cressida.] 

[1549?]  Unknown.  The  Complaynt  of  Scotlande.  [Attributed  by 
Murray  to  an  unknown  priest  of  the  name  of  Wedclerburn,  and 
by  Laing  to  Robert  Wedderburn,  .Vicar  of  Dundee  ;  also  to  Sir 
James  Inglis,  and  to  Sir  D.  Lindsay]  Paris?  1549?  [f.  19  6].  Two 
copies  in  B.  M.  (Complaynt  of  Scotland,  ed.  J.  Leyden,  1801, 
p.  98,— ed.  J.  A.  H.  Murray,  E.  E.  T.  eoc.,  1872-3,  part  i,  p.  63.) 

[The  shepherds  each  tell  a  tale]  .  .  .  Sum  vas  in  prose  &  sum 
vas  in  verse  sum  var  storeis  and  sum  var  flet  taylis.  Thir 
var  the  namis  of  them  as  eftir  follouis.  the  taylis  of  cantir- 
berrye.  Eobert  le  dyabil  .... 

[See  Murray's  edn.  for  an  account  of  this  work ;  Dr.  F.  J.  Furnivall  reprinted  in  his 
Captain  Cox,  ed.  for  Ballad  soc.  1871,  the  list  of  books  contained  in  the  Complaynt. 


90  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1550- 

In  the  Grenville  copy  the  foliation  ceases  at  f.  31  recto  and  commences  again  as 
f.  32  on  what  should  be  f.  54  recto.  The  reference  here  given  means  f.  19  6  of  the 
unnumbered  leaves;  if  the  foliation  were  continuous  it  would  be  f.  50  b.] 

[c.  1550  ?]  Unknown.  Extract  from  Chanon  Yemannes  Tale,  11.  1428- 
71  [in  a  collection  of  extracts  relating  to  the  philosopher's  stone 
and  other  alchemical  subjects],  Sloane  MS.  1098,  ff.  17  6-18. 

Lo  thus  sayeth  arnolde  of  the  newe  towne 

when  y*  hym  lyketh  lo  this  ys  hys  ende. 
Chaucer. 

[c.  1550  ?]  Unknown.  Extract  from  Cfianon  Yemannes  Tale,  11.  1428- 
81  [in  a  collection  of  extracts  similar  to  above],  Sloane  MS.  1723, 
fol.  35. 

Jeffrey  Chawcer. 

Lo  thus  saith  Arnolde  of  the  new  towne 

God?  send?  euery  good  man  boote  of  his  bale, 
finis. 

1550.  Coke,  John.  The  Debate  betwene  the  Heraldes  of  Englande  and 
Fraunce,  compyled  by  Jhon  Coke,  clarke  of  the  Kynges  recognys- 
aunce  ....  MDL.  sign.  I  viii  6.  (Reprinted  with  Le  Debat  des 
He"rauts  d'  Armes  .  .  .  .  ed.  L.  L.  Pannier  et  P.  Meyer,  soc.  des 
anciens  textes  Frangais,  1877,  p.  108.) 

U  The  names  of  sum  famous  Clarkes  in  Englande  of  late 
dayes,  and  at  this  present  time. 

TTEM  Syr  Heralde  what  great  clarkes  &  Oratours  hath  ben 
of  late  dayes  and  be  at  this  daye  in  England,  as  Chauser, 
Gower,  Lydgate,  Bongay,  Grosdon,  Payee,  Lylly,  Lynacre, 
Tunstall,  Latymer,  Hoper,  Couerdale,  with  many  other. 

And  albeit  the  persons  of  these  honourable  men,  ben  to 
many  vnknowen,  yet  theyr  famous  workes  be  common  in  all 
the  vnyuersities  of  christendome.  So  it  is  euydent  that  we 
by  reason  of  tha?*tiquite  of  our  vniuersities  have  euermore  had 
and  yet  haue  more  famous  clarkes  then  you. 

[1550-3?]  Turner,  William  (Dean  of  Wells).  Letter  to  Mr.  Fox 
concerning  his  Book  of  Martyrs  :  and  Some  Intelligence  of  his 
Knowledge  of  Bishop  Ridley,  dated  Nov.  26.  Harl.  MS.  416,  fol. 
132.  (Works  of  N.  Ridley,  ed.  Rev.  H.  Christmas,  Parker  soc., 
1841,  pp.  490,  94.) 

Hoc  me  valde  male  habet,  quod  sanctissimi  martyris  domini 
Thorpii  liber  non  sit  ea  lingua  Anglice  conscriptus,  qua  eo 
tempore  quo  ipse  vixit  tune  tota  Anglia  est  usa.  Nam  talis 
antiquitatis  sum.  admirator,  ut  jegerrime  feram  talis  antiquitatis 
thesauros  nobis  perire;  quo  nomine  haud  magnam  apud  me 


1553]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  91 

gratiam  inierunt  qui  Petrum  Aratorem,  Gowerum  et  Chaucerum, 
et  similis  farinas  homines,  in  hanc  turpiter  mixtam  linguam, 
neque  vero  Anglicam  neque  pure  Gallicam,  transtulerunt. 

[I  greatly  regret  that  the  book  of  that  most  holy  martyr  Thorp  is  not  edited  in 
the  old  English  which  was  in  general  use  at  the  time  in  which  he  lived.  For  so 
great  an  admirer  am  I  of  antiquity,  that  I  could  ill  bear  treasures  of  such  antiquity 
to  perish  from  amongst  us.  On  which  account  I  feel  no  great  obligations  to  those 
persons,  who  have  translated  Piers  Plowman.  Gower  and  Chaucer,  and  authors  of 
a  similar  stamp,  into  a  mongrel  language,  neither  true  English  nor  pure  French.] 

[c.  1550-57.]  Bale,  John.  [Entries  in  Bale's  autograph  note-book.]  MS. 
Cod.  Seld.,  supra  64  (No.  3452  in  Bernard's  Catalogue)  Bodl.  Library, 
ff.  50,  596,68  6,  69,  116,  135,  1706,  211,  212,  [printed  in]  Index 
Britannise  Scriptorum  .  .  ed.  R.  Lane  Poole,  Oxford,  1902,  pp.  74- 
78,  82,  208,  210,  233,  255,  305. 

1552.  Ascham,   Roger.     A   Report    and    Discourse  written    by  Roger 
Ascham,  of  the  affaires  and  state  of  Germany  and  the  Emperour 
Charles  his  court  duryng  certaine  yeares  while  the  sayd  Roger  was 
there.     Printed  by  John  Daye  [1570?]  sign.  A  iiij.     (Works,  ed. 
Rev.  Dr.  Giles,  1864-5,  Library  of  Old  Authors,  vol.  iii,  p.  6.) 

Diligence  also  must  be  vsed  [by  an  Historian]  in  kepyng 
truly  the  order  of  tyme  :  and  describyng  lyuely,  both  the  site 
of  places  and  nature  of  persons  not  onely  for  the  outward 
shape  of  the  body  :  but  also  for  the  inward  disposition  of  the 
mynde,  as  Thucidides  doth  in  many  places  very  trimly,  and 
Homer  euerywhere,  and  that  alwayes  most  excellently,  which 
obseruation  is  chiefly  to  be  marked  in  hym.  And  our  Chaucer 
doth  the  same,  very  praise  worthely  :  marke  hym  well  and 
conferre  hym  with  any  other  that  writeth  of  in  our  tyme  in 
their  proudest  toung,  whosoeuer  lyst. 

1553.  Wilson,  Thomas.     The  Arte  of  Rhetorique Book  iii,  fol.  86 

and  86  6.    (Ed.  by  G.  H.  Mair,  1909,  p.  162.) 

Emong  al  other  lessons,  this  should  first  be  learned  that  we 
neuer  affect  any  straunge  ynkehorne  termes,  but  so  speake  as 
is  commonly  receiued  ....  Some  farre  iorneid  ientlemew  at 
their  returne  home,  like  as  thei  loue  to  go  in  forrein  apparel, 
so  thei  wil  pouder  their  talke  vfith  ouersea  language.  He 
that  cometh  lately  out  of  France  will  talke  Frewche  English, 
&  neuer  blushe  at  the  matter.  Another  choppes  in  with 
Angleso  Italiano :  the  lawyer  will  store  his  stomack  with  the 
[Jaj  pratyng  of  Pedlers.  The  Auditour  in  makyng  his  accompt 
and  rekenyng,  cometh  in  with  sise  sould,  and  cater  denere, 
for  vi  s  iiij  d.  The  fine  Courtier  wil  talke  nothyng  but 
Chaucer.  The  misticall  wise  menne,  and  Poeticall  Clerkes- 
will  speake  nothyng  but  quaint  prouerbes,  and  blynd  allegories, 


92  Five.  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1555 

delityng    mnche   in   their  awne  darkenesse,  especially,  Avhen 
none  can  tell  what  thei  dooe  sale. 

[c.  1555.]  Stevins,  Walter.     The  conclusions  off  the   astroldbye  com- 

pylyd   by  Geffruy  Chaucer  newlye  amendyd Sloane   Mb. 

261,  ff.  3-4,306,66. 

[For  an  account  of  this  MS.  and  evidence  as  to  its  date,  see  the  Introduction  to  the 
Treatise  on  the  Astrolabe,  by  A.  E.  Brae,  1870,  pp.  6-11.] 

[fo1- 3]  To  the  reader 

WHEN  I  happenyd  to  looke  vpon  the  conclusions  of  the 
astrolabie  compiled  by  Geffray  Chawcer,  and  founde 
the  same  corrupte,  and  false  in  so  many  and  sondrie  places, 
that  I  doubtede  whether  the  rudenes  of  the  worke  weare  not  a 
gretter  sclaunder  to  the  authonr,  then  trouble  and  offence  to 
the  readers  ;  I  dyd  not  a  lytell  marveH  if  abooke  shoulde  come 
oute  of  his  handes  so  imperfite  and  indigest,  whose  other  workes 
weare  not  onely  reckenyd  for  the  best  that  euer  weare  sette 
fowrth  in  oure  english  tonge  :  but  also  weare  taken  for  a  mani 
fest  argume?ite  of  his  singuler  witte  and  generalise  in  aft  kindes 
of  knowledge.  Howebeit,  when  I  called  to  remembrance  that 
in  his  proheme  he  promised  to  sette  fowrth  this  worke  in  fyue 
partes,  wherof  weare  neuer  extante  but  these  two  first  paries 
onely,  it  made  me  belyue  that  either  the  worke  was  neuer 

[foi.  36]  fynisshed  of  the  authoure,  or  els  to  haue  ben  corrupted  sens  by 
some  other  meanes  ;  or  what  other  thinge  might  be  the  cause 
therof  I  wiste  not.  !N"euer  the  lesse  vnderstandinge  that  the 
woorke,  which  before  lay  as  neglected,  to  the  profite  of  no  man 
and  discourage  of  many,  mighte  be  tourned  to  the  commoditie 
of  as  manye  as  herafter  showlde  happen  to  trauayle  in  that  parte 
of  knowledge :  I  thought  it  a  thinge  worth  my  laboure  if  I  coulde 
sette  it  in  better  order  and  frame — which  thinge  howe  I  haue 
done  it,  let  be  theire  indifferente  iudgemente,  which  heretofore 
haue  readen  thether  settinge  forth  ;  or  lyst  to  compare  this  and 
that  together,  wherin  I  confesse  that  besydes  the  amendinge 
of  verie  many  wordes  I  haue  displaced  some  conclusions,  and 
in  some  places  wheare  the  sentences  weare  imperfite,  I  haue 
supplied  and  filled  them,  as  necessitie  required. — As  for  some 
conclusions  I  haue  altered  them,  and  some  haue  I  cleane  put 

[fui.  4]  oute  for  vtterlye  false  and  vntrue :  as  namelye  the  conclusion 
of  direction  and  retrogradacorm  of  planetes  :  and  the  conclu 
sions  to  knowe  the  longitudes  of  sterres,  whether  thei  be 
determinate  or  indeterminate  in  the  astrolabie.  The  cowclu- 


1555]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [Stevins]  93 

sion,  to  knowe  with  what  degree  of  the  zodiacke  any  planet 
ascendeth  on  the  horizo??te  whether  his  latitude  be  north  -or 
sowth  ;  as  the  meanynge  of  the  same  conclusion  was  most 
hardest  by  reason  of  the  imparfitenes  therof  so  in  practise  I 
fownde  him  most  false,  as  he  shall  fynde  that  lyst  to  take  the 
lyke  paines.  Notwithstandinge  this  haue  I  doone,  not  chal- 
lenginge  for  my  selffe,  but  renimcynge  and  leauinge  to  worthie 
Chaucer  his  due  praise  for  this  worke,  which  if  it  had  come 
parfite  vnto  oure  handes  (no  dowbte)  woolde  haue  merited 
wonderful!  praise.  As  for  me  if  I  haue  done  any  thinge  therm 
it  shaft  suffice  if  the  louers  of  wittie  Chawcer  do  accepte  my 
good  witi  and  entente. 

Vale. 

[foi.  so  6]  [Upon  the  first  degree  of  Aries]  Albeit  y*  in  Chaucers 
tyme  upon  the  .12.  day  of  March  the  sonne  entred  into  the 
bedde  of  Aries  :  yet  in  oure  tyme  yu  shalt  finde  that  the  sonne 
entreth  therin  the  .10.  day  of  the  same  moneth. 

[foi.  66]  Thus  endethe  the  conclusions  of  the  astrolabye  co??iposed  by 
Geoffrey  Chawcer. 

1555.  Braham,  Kobert.  The  pistle  to  the  reader,  [prefixed  to]  The 
Auncient  historic  and  onely  trewe  and  syncere  Cronicle  of  wanes 
betwixte  the  Grecians  and  the  Troyans  .  .  .  translated  in  to. 
englyshe  verse  by  John  Lydgate,  sign.  *B  i  and  *B  i  6.  (Prefaces, 
dedications  .  .  .  from  early  English  books,  by  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  1874, 
pp.  18,  19.) 

....  And  so  by  these  degrees,  hath  bene  at  the  laste  by 
ye  diligence  of  John  Lydgate  a  moncke  of  Burye,  brought  into* 
our  englyshe  tonge :  and  dygested  as  maye  appere,  in  verse 
whoes  trauayle  as  well  in  other  his  doynges  as  in  this  hathe 
wythout  doubte  so  muche  preuayled  in  this  our  vulgare  lan 
guage,  that  hauynge  his  prayse  dewe  to  his  deseruynges,  may 
worthyly  be  numbred  amongst  those  that  haue  chefelye  deserued 
of  our  tunge.  As  the  verye  perfect  disciple  and  imitator  of 
the  great  Chaucer,  ye  onelye  glorye  and  beauty  of  the  same. 
Neuertheles,  lyke  wyse  as  it  hapned  yc  same  Chaucer  to  lease 
ye  prayse  of  that  tyme  wherin  he  wrote  beyng  then  when  in 
dede  al  good  letters  were  almost  aslepe,  so  farre  was  the  grose- 
nesse  and  barbarousnesse  of  that  age  from  the  vndersta?idinge 
of  so  deuyne  a  wryter.  That  if  it  had  not  bene  in  this  our 
time,  wherin  all  kindes  of  learnyng  (thancked  be  god)  haue  as 
much  floryshed  as  euer  they  did  by  anye  former  dayes  within 


Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1555- 

this  realme,  and  namelye  by  the  dylygence  of  one  willyam 
Thime  (sic)  a  gentilmarc  who  laudably  studyouse  to  ye  polyshing 
of  so  great  a  Jewell,  with  ryghte  good  iudgement  trauail,  & 
great  paynes  causing  the  same  to  be  perfected  and  stamped  as 
it  is  no  we  read,  ye  sayde  Chaucers  workes  had  vtterly  peryshed, 
or  at  y*  lest  bin  so  depraued  by  corrupcion  of  copies, 

tliat  afc  tlie  laste'  there  slloulde  no  Parfce  of  kys  meaning 
haue  ben  founde  in  any  of  them. 

1555.  Unknown.     The  Institution  of  a  gentleman.     A.  .  D.  .  M.D.L.V. 
Imprinted  at  London  ....  by  Thomas  Marshe,  sign,  a  iiii  fc-a  v, 
b  ii  6,  g  iiii,  h  vii  6,  h  viii. 

[,ign.aiiii6-av]  Tale  of  the  wyf  of  Bathe  1Li}J 

[sign,  b  ii  b]  Reference  to  the  maunciple's  tale  11. 207-22. 

[sign,  g  iiii]  The  reeves  prologue  n.  3903-4. 

[sign,  h  vii  6]  The  pardoners  tale  ii-  603-28. 

[sign,  h  viii]  The  pardoners  tale  n.  591-002. 

[A  brief  account  of  the  2nd  edn.,  1568,  of  this  work  will  be  found  in  Sir  8.  E. 
Brydge's  Restituta,  1814,  vol.  i,  pp.  536-40  ;  no  references  to  Chaucer  are  given.] 

1556.  Brigham,  Nicholas.     [Inscription  on  Chaucer's  Tomb  in  West 
minster  Abbey.] 

M.  S. 

QUI    FUIT    ANGLORUM    VATE8    TBR   MAXIMUS    OLIM 

GALFRIDUS   CHAUCER  CONDITUR  HOC  TUMULO: 

ANNUM    SI    QU^RAS    DOMINI,    SI    TEMPORA    VIT.E. 
ECCE    NOTjE    SUB8UNT    QU^E    TIBI    CUNCTA    NOTANT. 

25    OCTOBRIS    1400 
AERUMNARUM    REQUIES    MORS. 

N.    BRIGHAM   HOS   FECIT   MUSARUM   NOMINE   SUMPTUS 
1556. 

[See  p.  186,  below,  under  a.  1613,  R.  Commaundre,  who  gives  this  epitaph,  down  to 
Octobris  1400,  then  adds  Surigo's  two  lines,  quoted  by  Leland  (c.  1545,  p.  87)  ;  he,  how 
ever,  erroneously  puts  down  the  inscription  to  Hickeman.  For  the  whole  question  of 
Chaucer's  tomb  and  re-interment,  tee  note  under  a.  1479,  Caxton,  p.  59  above.] 

1556.  More,  Sir  William.     Catalogue  of  his  Books  made  by  Sir  William 
More,  of  Losely  in  Surrey,  Aug.  20,  1556,  a  transcript  of  which  is 
in  Arch&ologia,  1855,  vol.  xxxvi,  pp.  290-2. 

,[p.  290]      Itm.  chausore  ...vs. 

1557.  [Grhnoald  or  Grimald,  Nicholas,  editor]]    A  print  of  Chaucer's 
poem  on  Truth  (Balade  de  bon  conseyl),  with  interesting  variations, 
in  Songes  and  Sonettes,  written  by  .  .  .  Lorde  Henry  Haward  late 
Earle  of  Surrey,  and  other,   1st  edn.,  5  June,  1557   [unique  copy 
in  Bodleian],  sign.  A  Ai,  under  'Uncertain  Authors,'  and  headed 
'To  leade  a  vertuous  and  honest  life.'     (TotteFs Miscellany,  ed.  E. 
Arber,  1870,  pp.  194-5.) 


1561]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  95 

1557-9.  Bale,  John.  Scriptorum  lllustrium  maioris  Brytannice  .  .  . 
Co,talogus.  [col.]  Basileae,  ex  officina  loannis  oporini  anno  Sulutis 
humanae  M.E)Lix  Mense  Februario.  2  vols.  [2nd  edn.]  Furtlier 
notices  of  Chaucer  ;  vol.  i,  pp.  525-7  [Life  of  Chaucer,  fuller  than 
in  1st  edition]  ;  p.  537  [Thomas  Occleve]  ;  p.  586  [John  Lydgate]  ; 
p.  700  [Radcliffe,  R.]  ;  p.  702  [Grimoald,  Nicholas].  (For  Bale's 
whole  account  of  Chaucer,  pp.  525-7,  see  below,  Appendix  A, 
1557-9  ;  cf.  also  first  edn.  1548  above,  p.  88.) 
[The  date  1557  is  not  on  the  title-page,  but  is  at  the  head  of  sign,  a  6.] 

[a.  1559.]  Grimoald  or  Grimald,  Nicholas.  Troilus  ex  Chaucero 
comoedia,  lib.  1. 

[No  copy  of  this  work  is  known  to  exist,  the  only  mention  of  it  is  in  John  Bale's 
Scriptorum  illustriu?)i  maioris  Brytanniae  Catalogus,  Basle  [1557-9],  p.  702.] 

[a.  1559.  Radcliffe,  Ralph.]  De  patientia  Grisildis.  De  Melibceo 
Chauceriano. 

[No  copies  of  these  two  works  are  known  to  exist.    They  are  mentioned  by  John 
Bale  in  his  Scriptorum  illustrium  maioris  Brytanniae  Catalogus,  Basle  [1557-9],  p.  700.] 

fc.  1560  f]  Unknown.  Heading  to  Astrolabe  in  Sloane  MS.  314,  fol. 
656. 

1391.   Sr  Jeffery  Chawseres  worke. 

(c.  1560.]  Unknown.  A  fragment  of  MS.  of  16th  century  handwriting, 
[evidently  translated  from  Leland,  as  printed  by  Bale,  see  above, 
1557-9]  pasted  on  the  fly-leaf  of  the  2nd  edn.  of  Caxton's  Canter 
bury  Tales  (printed  c.  1483)  in  a  copy  in  B.  M.  (G.  11,586).  It  is 
stated  underneath  that  the  fragment  was  "cut  out  from  a  very 
antient  binding  of  this  Book."  See  Life  of  Caxton,  by  W.  Blades, 
1861-3,  vol.  ii,  pp.  163-4. 

Geffery  Chaucer  Englishman  borne  of  noble  parantage,  neer 
Oxford  imployed  his  studye  ther,  as  a  neighbour  and  well- 
wilier  vnto  the  same,  He  was  a  sharpe  Logician,  a  sweete 
Rhetorician,  a  pure  Poett,  a  graue  Philosopher,  and  a  sacred 
theologiciau,  He  surpassed  the  Mathematickes  in  his  tyme  in  ther 
art  or  cemeinge,  He  studied  vnder  John  Sombo,  St.  Nicholas 
Linna  of  the  order  of  the  Carmelites,  He  had  trauailed  into 
ffraunce,  &  was  expert  in  that  language  so  well  that  he  made 
the  Romaunt  of  the  Rosse  and  a  great  number  of  sundry 
Bookes,  He  florished  in  the  yea're  1 402. 

£1561.]  Baldwin,  William.  Beware  the  Cat.  [col.]  Imprinted  at 
London  at  the  long  Shop  adjoyning  vnto  Saint  Mildreds  Church  in 
the  Pultrie  by  Edward  Allde,  1584.  The  Second  Parte. 

Chaucers  While  I  harkned  to  this  broil,  laboring  to  discern 
fame6  °  botlie  voices  and  noyces  a  sunder,  I  heard  such  a 
mixture  as  I  think  was  neuer  in  Chaucers  house  of 
fame,  for  there  was  nothing  within  an  hundred  mile  of  me 
doon  on  any  side,  (for  from  so  far  but  no  further  the  ayre  may 
come  because  of  obliquation)  but  I  herd  it  as  wel  as  if  I  had. 


96  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1561- 

been  by  it,  and  could  discern  all  voyces,  but  by  means  of 
noyses  understand  none. 

[There  were  three  impressions  of  this  tract,  one  in  1561,  another  in  1570,  and  the 
third  in  1584,  but  of  the  first  two  only  fragments  remain  ;  see  J.  P.  Collier's  Biblio 
graphical  and  Critical  Account  of  the  rarest  books  in  the  English  Language,  1865, 
vol.  i,  p.  43.  Of  the  last  edn.  there  are  now  two  copies  known,  one  (the  Huth  copy, 
now  in  B.M.)  is  imperfect,  wanting  the  titlepage  ;  the  other,  from  which  we  quote, 
was  in  the  possession  of  Professor  Edward  Dowden  ;  this  copy  is  perfect,  but  is 
cut  close,  and  wants  the  signatures  and  headlines.] 

1561.  The  workes  of  Geffrey  Chaucer,  newlie  printed,  with  diuers 
addicions,  whiche  were  neuer  in  print  before :  With  the 
siege  and  destruccion  of  the  worthy  Citee  of  Thebes,  com 
piled  by  Ihon  Lidgate,  Monke  of  Berie.  As  in  the  table 
more  plainly  doeth  appere,  1561.  [Blackletter.  Generally- 
known  as  Stowe's  edition.] 

[This  is  partly  a  reprint  of  Thynne's  edn.  of  1532,  and  partly  consists  of  additional 
matter  contributed  by  John  Stowe.  There  are  two  issues  of  it,  with  different  title 
pages,  one  with  woodcuts  in  the  Prologue  to  the  C.  Tales,  and  one  without ;  see  the 
full  account  of  this  edn.  given  by  W.  \V.  Skeat  in  his  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works,  1894, 
vol.  i,  pp.  81-43  ;  also  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  in  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual, 
N.  York,  1908,  pp.  119-122,  and  see  also  the  note  under  1532,  Thynne,  above,  pp.  78-9.] 

1561.  Sackville,  Thomas,  and  Norton,  Thomas.  The  Tragedie  of 
Ferrex  mid  Porrex.  See  below,  App.  A,  1561. 

1561.  Stowe,  John.  The  workes  of  Geffrey  Chaucer  .  .  .  1561.  Six 
headlines  mentioning  Chaucer,  ff.  340-48. 

1561.  Unknown.  A  Couplet  on  Chaucer,  on  title  page,  under  the  coat- 
of-arms,  in  the  issue  of  above  edn.  without  woodcuts.  (One  in 
B.M.,  83.1.  5.) 

Vertue  florisheth  in  Chaucer  still, 

Though  death  of  hym,  hath  wrought  his  will. 

[This  couplet  is  also  printed  in  Speght's  2nd  edn.  of  Chaucer  1002,  after  sign  ciij  &.] 

1561.  Unknown.  Verses  [without  heading  or  signature,  among  the 
prefatory  matter  to]  Thefirste  syxe  bokes  of  the  mooste  Christian  Poet 
Marcellus  Palingenius,  called  the  zodiake  of  life  .....  Newly  trans 
lated  ...  by  Barnaby  Googe.  (This  extract  is  given  in  Censura 
Literaria  by  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  vol.  ii,  1806,  p.  207,  also  in  Arber's 
reprint  of  Googe's  Eglogs,  &c.,  1871,  p.  8.) 

If  Chaucer  nowe  shoulde  Hue, 

Whose  eloquence  deuine, 

Hath  paste  ye  poets  al  that  came 

Of  auncieut  Brutus  lyne, 

If  Homere  here  might  dwell, 

Whose  praise  the  Grekes  resound e 

If  Yergile  might  his  yeares  renewe, 

If  Guide  my ght  be  founde  : 

All  these  might  well  be  sure 

Theyr  matches  here  to  fynde, 


1563]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  97 

So  muche  clothe  England  florishe  now 
With  men  of  Muses  kynde. 

[The  above  verses  are  not  in  the  "firste  tlire  books,"  translated  by  B.  G.  1560 ;  nor 
in  the  edn.  of  1565.  Cf.  the  verses  on  p.  116  below,  1578,  Unknown.] 

1562.  Bale,  John.  MS.  notes  by  John  Bale,  printed  by  Thomas 
Hearne  in  Johannis  de  Trokelowe,  Annales  Edwardi  II,  ....  e 
codicibus  MSS.,  mine  primus  divulgavit  Tho.  Hearnius  .  .  1729. 
Appendix  iii,  pp.  286,  287  ;  Notse  MSS.  ipsius  Joannis  Bale, 
adjectae  Codici  impresso  de  Scriptoribus,  etc.  [For  extracts,  see 
Appendix  A,  1562,  Bale.] 

1562.  Legh,  Gerard.     The  Accedens  of  Armory,  sign.  C  j. 

Isidore  wryteth,  that  the  planet  [Venus]  exciteth  to  loue 
wowderfullye,  especiallye  betwene  man  and  woman.  But  that 
I  committe  wholy  to  the  iudgement  of  woorthy  Gower,  and 
of  that  i'amous  syr  Gefferey  Chauser,  whose  workes  do  yet 
remayn  as  greene,  as  the  Lawrell  tree,  comparable  in  euerye 
poynt  with  those,  which  haue  deserued  chiefest  prayse. 

1562.  Scott,  Alexander.  Ane  New  $eir  Gift  to  the  Queue  Mary,  guhen 
scho  come  first  Hame,  1562,  fol.  91  a,  stanza  16.  [Transcribed  from 
the  edn.  of  the  Scottish  Text  soc.] 

For  sum  ar  sene  at  sermonis  seme  sa  halye, 

Singand  Sanct  Dauidis  psalter  on  fair  bukis, 
And  ar  bot  biblistis  fairsing  full  fair  bellie, 

Bakbytand  ny*boum,  noyand  fame  in  nwikis, 
Ruging  and  raifand  vp  kirk  rentis  lyke  ruikis ; 

As  werrie  waspis  aganis  Goddis  word  makis  weir : 
Sic  Christianis  to  kis  -with  Chauceris  kuikis 

God  gife  fe  grace  aganis  fis  gude  new  $eir. 

[The  reference  to  Chauceris  kuikis  is  given  in  Scott's  poems,  ed.  J.  Cranstouu, 
Scott,  text  soc.  1896,  p.  5 ;  poems  of  A.  Scott  from  the  Barmatyne  MS.,  printed  for 
private  circulation  1882,  p.  11,  and  notes  pp.  98-9;  N.  and  Q.  Cth  ser.,  vol.  v,  1882, 
p.  334,  notes  by  W.  W.  Skeat  and  W.  E.  Buckley.  Cranstoun  also,  p.  5  and  notes, 
]'.  108,  quotes  from Montgomerie's  " The  Flyting,"  a.  1584, 11. 112-14(5.  v.  below,  p.  124). 
For  the  reading  Chanteris  kuikis,  see  Ancient  Scottish  poems  1770  and  1815,  ed.  Sir  G. 
Dalryniple,  Lord  Hayles,  p.  247  ;  Poems  of  A.  Scott,  ed.  D.  Laing  1821,  p.  9  ;  Poems 
<>f  A.  Scott,  modernised,  ed.  W.  Mackean,  1887;  and  Scott's  poems,  ed.  A.  Karley 
Donald,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  1902,  p.  6,  and  notes,  pp.  74-5.] 

1563-8.  Ascham,  Roger.  The  Scholemaster.  At  London.  Printed  by 
lolm  Daye,  1570,  [posthumously  published]  sign.  R  iiij  6.,  S  i  and 
b.  (English  Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1870,  pp.  145-6,  8.)  [The  2nd 
edn.,  sometimes  called  the  1st,  is  dated  1571.] 

t^.?!1- R  Some  that  make  Chaucer  in  Englishe  and  Petrach  in  Italian, 
their  Gods  in  verses,  and  yet  be  not  able  to  make  true 
difference,  what  is  a  fault,  and  what  is  a  iust  prayse,  in 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  H 


98  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1563- 

those  two  worthie  wittes,  will  moch  mislike  this  my  writyng. 
But  such  men  be  euen  like  followers  of  Chaucer  and  Petrarke 
as  one  here  in  England  did  folow  Syr  Tho.  More:  who,  being 
most  vnlike  vnto  him,  in  wit  and  learning,  neuertheles  in 
wearing  his  gowne  avvrye  vpon  the  one  shoulder,  as  Syr  Tho. 
More  was  wont  to  doe,  would  needes  be  counted  like  vnto  hym. 


[sign.         ^n(j  yOU)  that  ....  neuer  went  farder  than  the  schole  of 
Petrarke  and  Ariostus  abroad,  or  els  of  Chaucer  at  home  .... 

1563.  Neville,   Alexander.    A  dedicatory  poem  in  Eglogs,  Epytaphes, 
and  Sonettes,  newly  written  by  Barnabe  Googe,  1563,  15  Marche. 
IF  Imprynted  at  London,  by  Thomas  Colwell,  for  Raffe  Newbery. 
Three  copies  only  known,  Huth  &  Britwell  libraries  and   Capel 
collection  Trin.  Coll.  Camb.  (English  Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1871, 
p,  23). 

Alexander  Neuyll. 

Go  forward  sty  11  to  aduaunce  thy  fame 

Life's  Eace  halfe  ryghtly  ron 

Farre  easyer  tis  for  to  obtain 

the  Type  of  true  Renowne.    • 

Like  Labours  haue  been  recompenst 

with  an  immortall  Crowne. 

By  this  doth  famous  Chaucer  lyue, 

by  this  a  thousande  moore 

Of  later  yeares.     By  this  alone 

The  old  reuowmed  Stoore 

of  Auncient  Poets  lyue  .... 

1564.  Bullein,  William.     A  Dialogue  bothe  pleasaunte  and  pietifull, 
wherein  is  a  goodly  regimente  against  the  feuer  Pestilence  .... 
Newly  corrected  by  William  Bullein  the  autour  thereof.  —  Imprinted 
at  London  by  Ihon  Kingston,  Marcii  MDL  xiiii.     [Unique  copy 
of  1st  edn.  1564,  in  Britwell  library.     In  1573   edn.,  earliest  in 
B.  M.,  the  reference  is  on  pp.  19-20.]     (Ed.  M.  \V.  Bullen  and 
A.  H.  Bullen,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  extra  series  lii,  1888,  pp.  16-17.) 

Wittie  Chaucer  satte  in  a  chaire  of  gold  couered  with 
Koses,  writing  Prose  and  Eisme,  accompanied  with  the  Spirites 
of  many  Kynges,  Knightes  and  faire  Ladies,  whom  hee 
pleasauntly  besprinkeled  with  the  sweete  water  of  the  welle 
consecrated  unto  the  Muses  ecleped  Aganippe  ;  and  as  the 
heauenly  spirite  commended  his  deare  Brigham  for  the  worthy 
entombing  of  his  bones,  worthy  of  memorie,  in  the  long  slepyng 
chamber  of  most  famous  kinges,  Euen  so  in  tragedie  he  bewailed 


1566]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  99 

the   sodaine  resurrection  of  many  a  noble  man  before  their 

time,  in    spoylyng  of  Epitaphes;  whereby  many  haue    loste 

their  inheritaunce,  &c.    And  further  thus  he  said  lamentynge : — 

Couetos  men  do  catch  al  that  thei  may  haue, 

The  feeld  &  the  flock,  the  tombe  &  the  graue, 

And  as  they  abuse  riches,  and  their  graues  that  are  gone, 

The  same  measure  they  shall  haue  euery  one, 

Yet  no  burial  hurteth  holy  men  though  beastes  them  deuour, 

Nor  riche  graue  preuaileth  the  wicked  for  all  yearthly  power. 

[See  above,  a.  1479,  Caxton,  p.  59,  also  above,  1556,  Brigham,  p.  94.] 

1565.  Calfhill,  James.  Aunswere  to  the  Treatise  of  the  Crosse  [by  John 
Martiall],  fol.  134  6.  (Ed.  R.  Gibbings,  Parker  soc.  1846,  pp.  287-8.) 

.  .  .  the  friers  coule  must  be  honored.  Ye  remember  what 
the  hoste  in  Chawcer  sayd  to  sir  Thopas  for  hys  leude  ryme  : 
the  same  do  I  say  to  you  (bicause  I  haue  to  do  with  your 
Canterbury  tales)  for  youre  fayre  reasons. 

['No  more  of  this,  for  goddes  dignitee" 

Quod  oure  lioste,  '  for  thon  makest  me 

So  wery  of  thy  verray  lewednesse 

That,  also  wisly  god  my  soule  blesse, 

Myn  eres  aken  of  thy  drasty  speche.'      Prol.  to  Melibeus,  11. 1-5.] 

1565.  Googe,   Barnaby.      The    Preface   to    the   .   .   Reader   [in]    The 
Zodiake  of  Life.     See  below,  App.  A.    ' 

1566.  Decree  of  the  Court  of  Requests  as  to  the  payment  of  money  at 
Chaucer's  tomb.     7th  Feb.  8  Eliz.  [1566.] 

[See  below,  1585,  p.  128  ;  Order  by  the  Court  of  Requests  ;  and  1596,  Caesar,  p.  143, 
below.] 

1566.  Edwards,  Richard.  Palamon  and  Arcite,  a  play  acted  before 
the  Queen  at  Oxford  [now  lost].  Extract  from  Weed's  MS.  (Bodl.  ?) 
corrected  by  Mr.  Gou^h  (printed  in  The  Progresses  ....  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  by  John  Nichols,  1823,  vol.  i,  p.  210). 

At  night  the  Queen  heard  the  first  part  of  an  English  play, 
named  Palamon  &  Arcyte,  made  by  Mr  Richard  Edwards,  a 
Gentleman  of  her  Chapel,  acted  with  very  great  applause  in 
Christ  Church  Hall. 

[See  below  p.  141,  1594,  note  to  Palamon  and  Arsett.] 

1566.  Robinson,  Nicholas  (Dean  of  Bangor).  An  account  of  the 
performance  of  Edwards' 's  Palamon  and  Arcite  at  Oxford  [see 
above]  (printed  in  The  Progress  ...  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  by 
John  Nichols,  1823,  vol.  i,  p.  236  . 

Dies  Aet.  die  Lunce 

Ut  superiori  nocte,  sic  et  ista  Theatrum  exornatum  fuit 
splendide,  quo  publice  exhiberetur  Fabula  Militis  (ut  Chaucerus 
nominat)  e  Latino  in  Anglicum  sermonem  translata  per 
'M.agistmtum  Edwards  et  alios  ejusdem  Collegii  alumnos. 


100  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1567- 

1567.  Drant,  Tlio[mas].  [Address]  To  the  Reader,  [prefixed  to]  Horace 
hisArteofPoetrie,pistlesand  Satyrs  Englished  .  ...  by  Tho.  Drant, 
sign.  *v  b  and  *vi. 

....  For  good  thyngs  are  hard,  and  euyl  things  are  easye. 
"But  if  the  settyng  out  of  the  wanton  tricks  of  a  payre  of  louers, 
(as  for  example  let  them  be  cawled  Sir  Chaunticleare  and 
Dame  Partilote)  to  tell  you  how  their  firste  combination  of 
loue  began  ....  is  easye  to  be  vnderstanded  and  easye  to  be 
indyted  ...  If  onely  these  be  poesis,  or  be  poesis,  [sic]  or 
haue  any  comparison  to  a  learned  making  of  poesy : 

Principio  me  illorutn  dederis  quibus  esse  poetas 
Excerpam  numero  : 

I  take  them  to  be  ripe  toungued  tryfles  ;  venemouse  Allectyues, 
and  sweete  vanityes. 

1567.  H.  M.  Prefatory  verse  [to]  Certaine  Tragicall  Discourses  .  .  . 
by  Geffraie  Fenton  .  .  1567,  sign.  *viii.  (Ed.  E.  L.  Douglas,  Tudor 
Trans.  Series,  1898,  p.  13.) 

Floruit  antiquo  Galfridus  tempore  Chaucer 
Scripsit  &  eximio  permagna  volumina  versu 
Et  multi  viguere  viri,  quos  vnica  virtus, 
Nefandos  facile  effecit  tolerare  labores. 
Vixerunt :  &  sola  manet,  mine  fama  Sepultis 
At  tua  nunc  prinium,  (Galfride)  virescere  virtus 
Incipit,  &  teneras  cum  spe  producere  plautas. 

[1567-1579  1]  Harvey,  Gabriel.  Marginal  notes  in  Quintilian.  See 
below,  App.  A. 

1567.  Stowe,  John.  Epistle  Dedicatory  [to  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Alder 
men]  [prefixed  to]  The  Summarie  of  Englishe  Chronicles  [abrid 
ged],  1567,  sign,  a  iiifc.  (Stow's  Survey  of  London,  ed.  C.  L. 
Kingsford,  1908,  vol.  i,  pp.  Ixxvii-viii.) 

[If  my  book  be  appreciated]  and  fruitefullye  used  to  the 
amendemente  of  suche  grosse  erroures  [as  are  to  be  found  in 
Eichard  Graf  ton's  books]  I  shall  be  encouraged  to  perfecte  that 
labour  that  I  haue  begon,  and  such  worthy e  work es  of  auncyent 
Aucthours  that  I  haue  wyth  greate  peynes  gathered  together, 
and  partly  performed  in  M.  Chaucer  and  other  .  .  . 

[1567-8?]  Howell,  Thomas.  Neive  Sonets,  and  pretie  Pamphlets. 
[Unique  copy  in  the  Capell  collection,  Trin.  Coll.,  Camb.]  The 
britlenesse  of  thinges  mortall,  and  the  trustinesse  of  Vertue,  sign. 
B  iij  and  6.  (Howell's  poems,  in  Occasional  issues  of  unique  or  very 
rare  books,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1879,  vol.  viii,  pp.  121-2.) 

[These  verses  on  the  moral  to  be  drawn  from  the  story  of  Troilus  and  Cressida  most 
probably  refer  to  Chaucer's  version  of  the  poem.  Cf.  also  the  reference  in  Howell's 
Devises,  1581,  below,  p.  120.  Howell  owed  a  good  deal  to  Chaucer  ;  see  on  this  point 
Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  introduction  to  Howell's  Devises,  1906,  pp.  xi-xiv.] 


1568]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  101 

1567-8.  Keeper,  John.  Prefatory  Verse  to  Newe  Sonets,  and  pretie 
Pamphlets,  by  Thomas  Hovvell,  sign.  A  iv.  [See  last  entry.] 
(Howell's  poems,  in  Occasional  issues  of  unique  or  very  rare  books, 
ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1879,  vol.  viii,  p.  115.) 

loannes  Keper  Oxon,  ad  tho  Howell. 
Aurea  melliflui  voluuntur  scripta  Govveri, 

Chaucer ;  florent  acta  diserta  senis, 
Sic  quoqwe,  Chaucerida  similis  captobis  honores, 

Pergere  si  vigilans  vt  modo  pergis  aues, 
Vt  bene  capisti,  nullos  male  linque  labores, 
Gloria  sudore  est,  desidiaqwe  dolor. 
Finis. 

1568.  [Caius,  John,  M.D.].  De  Antiquitate  Gantabrigiensis  Academice, 
libri  duo,  London,  1568  [published  anonymously,  the  author  being 
described  as  '  Londinensis.'  Republished,  in  1574,  after  Caius's 
death,  with  his  name  on  the  title  page.  The  references  are  on 
pp.  40,  41  of  this  edition,  the  only  one  in  the  B.  M.].  (The  works 
of  John  Caius,  M.D.,  Cambridge  University  Press,  1912,  pp.  34,  35.) 

[p.  40]  Nam  ut  hie  res  uniuersas  siio  complexu  contineat,  ita  hsec 
uniuersarum  scientiarum  cognitionem  &  professionem  habeat. 
Consentit  &  Hoccleueus,  clarissimi  Chauceri  &  Goweri 
discipulus,  in  epitome  chronicon  manuscripta,  quam  addidit 
libro  quern  de  regimine  principum  scripsit  ad  Henricum 
sextum : 


[p.  4i]  Sed  quia  fusior  hie  Boulus  est,  proniorque  in  rem  con- 
trouersam  de  antiquitate  Cantebrigiensis  Academiae  .  .  . 
visum  est  loannis  Lydgati  (Galfredi  Chauceri,  nobilissimi 
olim  Poetae  discipuli,  omnium  poetarum  sui  temporis  in 
Anglia  facile  principis,  sicut  Baleus  scribit  etsi  tu  damnes, 
nt  vanum  ut  &  alios  omnes  qui  a  te  non  stant)  proferre 
testimonium,  opus  iain  ante  annos  nmltos  Anglico  metro 
formulis  excusum,  omnique  populo  diuulgatum. 

[See  below,  p.  104,  Thomas  Caius,  1570.] 

1568.  Charteris,  Henry.  Vnto  the  godlie  and  christiane  reidar,  Henrie 
Charteris,  tvischis  grace  .  .  .  [prefixed  to]  The  warkis  of  the  famous 
and  vorthie  Knicht  Schir  Dauid  Lyndesay  .  .  Newlie  Imprentit 
be  IOHNE  SCOT  at  the  expensis  of  Henrie  Charteris  ....  MDLXVIII, 
[fol.  3,  no  signatures.]  Two  copies  of  this  edn.  are  known,  one  at 
Britwell,  and  one  in  Lord  Mostyn's  library.  (The  poetical  works 
of  Sir  D.  Lyndsay,  ed.  D.  Laing,  1879,  vol.  iii,  p.  232;  also  D. 
Lyridesay's  Works,  part  v,  the  minor  poems,  ed.  J.  A.  H.  Murray, 
E.E.T.SOC.,  1871,  p.  5.) 


102  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1568- 

[Charteris  descants  on  the  Clergy's  dislike  of  Lindsay]  How 
cummis  it  tlian,  that  this  our  Authour  being  sa  plane  aganis 
thame,  and  as  it  war  professit  enemie  to  thame,  culd  eschaip 
thair  snairis,  quhen  vtheris  in  doing  les  hes  cruellie  perischiU 
Sum  will  think  because  his  wry  ting  was  commounlie  mixit 
with  mowis  and  collourit  with  craftie  consaitis  (as  Chaucer 
and  vtheris  had  done  befoir)  the  matter  was  the  mair  mitigate. 

[This  reference  is  at  sign.  A  3  in  The  Warkis  of  the  Famovs  and  Worthie  Knicht, 
Sir  Dauid  Lyndesay  .  .  .  Iruprentit  at  Edinburgh,  be  Henrie  Charteris,  anno 
MD  Ixxxxii.] 


1568.  Churchyard,  Thomas.  Verses,  [prefixed  to]  Pithy  pleasaunt  and 
profitable  Workes  of  maister  Skelton,  Poete  Laureate.  No  we  col 
lected  and  newly  published.  Anno  1568,  sign.  *A  iij.  (Poetical 
works  of  J.  Skelton,  ed.  A.  Dyce,  1843,  vol.  i,  p.  Ixxviii.) 

.  .  .  Peers  plowman  was  full  plaine, 

And  Chauser's  spreet  was  great 
Earle  Surry  had  a  goodly  vayne  : 

Lord  Vaus  the  marke  did  beat. 


1568.  Keeper,  John.  Prefatory  Verses  to  the  Arbor  of  Amitie,  by 
Thomas  Howell.  (Unique  copy  in  the  Bodleian  library,  sign. 
A  v  6.  HowelPs  poems,  in  Occasional  issues  of  unique  or  very  rare 
books,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1879,  vol.  viii,  p.  12.  See  British  Biblio 
grapher,  ed.  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  1810,  vol.  i,  p.  106.) 

Which  wise  Minerue  in  lap  hath  nurst, 
and  gaue  him  [Howell]  suck  so  sweete, 

Whom  I  doe  iudge,  Apolloes  Impe, 
arid  eke  our  Gliaucers  peare  : 

What  senselesse  head  of  malice  mad, 
will  seeke  such  branch  to  teare. 

1568.  Payne,  Henry.  The  Will  of  Henry  Payne,  of  Bury  St.  Edmunds, 
co.  Suffolk,  Esq.  June  14,  1568.  (The  Visitation  of  SufFolke 
made  by  William  Hervey  .  .  .  .  ed.  J.  J.  Howard,  1866,  vol.  ii, 
p.  /O.) 

[He  gave  as  legacy  to  Sir  Giles  Allington,  his  best  gelding 
and  his  Chaucer]  written  in  vellum  and  illumyned  in  gold. 

1568.  Unknown.     The  Bannatyne  MS.     Nine  poems  falsely  attributed 
to  Chaucer,  having  "quod  Chawseir"  written  at  the  end  of  them 
(Bannatyne  MS.,  ed.  [J.  B.  Murdoch],  Hunterian  club,  1896,  etc 
vol.  ii,  p.  12ft  ;  iii,  669,  755,  758,  768-9,  798,  804,  822  ) 


1569]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  103 

Quhlyome  in  Grece  that  nobill  regioun  [vol.  ii,  no.  xiiv,  pp.  123-5] 
The  Song  of  Troyelus  [  „  in,  no.  ccxxiv,  PP.  ees-9] 

Schort  Epegrammis  agains  Women         [  „    „    „  ccixxviii,  p.  755] 
Chau-    (This  work  quha  sa  sail  sie  or  ried) 

quod  Chawseir  [written  in  afterwards]  [  „    „    „  ccixxix,  PP.  755  &  8] 
Devyce,  Proves  and  eik  Humilitie  [  „    „    „  ccixxxv,  pp.  766-s] 

O  wicket  Weman  wilfull  and  variable     [  „    „   ,,  ccixxxvi,  pp.  768-9] 
Followis  the  Lettre  of  Cupeid  [  „    „    „  ccxcvi,  pp.  783-98] 

All  tho  that  list  of  wemen  evill  to  speik  [  „  „   „  eexcvii,  pp.  799-804] 
Quat  meneth  this  1  [„   „    „  occvi,  pp.  317-22] 

1569.  B.,  G.  [Barnabe  Googe  or  William  Baldwin?]  A  newe  Booke 
called  the  Shippe  of  safegarde,  wrytten  by  G-.  B.  anno  1569.  Im 
printed  at  London  by  W.  Seres,  sign.  D  vii  6.  (British  bibliographer, 
ed.  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  vol.  ii,  1820,  pp.  628-9.)  ' 

[The  writer  describes  Hypocrisy  as] 

A  rocke  but  soft  and  simple  to  the  eie, 

That  pleaseth  much  the  minde  of  worldlye  sight, 
Whereas  disceyte  doth  closely  couered  lie, 

Which  hindreth  men  from  trauailing  aright, 
The  place  is  large  and  riseth  some  thing  hie, 
Upon  the  top  whereof  in  open  sight, 

There  stands  an  Image  couered  all  of  stone, 
That  there  was  placed  many  yeares  agone. 

Which  Image  here  I  would  describe  to  thee, 

But  that  long  since  it  hath  bene  painted  plaine 
By  learned  Chaucer  that  gem  of  Poetrie, 

Who  passed  the  reach  of  any  English  braine, 
A  follie  therefore  were  it  here  for  me, 

To  touch  that  he  with  pencell  once  did  staine. 
Take  here  therefore  what  he  therof  doth  say, 
Writ  in  the  Romance  of  his  Roses  gaye. 

^1  Another  thing  was  done  their  write, 

That  seemed  like  an  Hypocrite, 
And  it  was  cleped  Pope  holye, 

[Romance  of  the  Rose,  quoted,  11.  413-48.] 

Thus  hath  the  golden  pen  of  Chaucer  olde, 
The  Image  plaine  descriued  to  the  eie, 

Who  passing  by  long  since  did  it  beholde, 
And  tooke  a  note  therof  aduisedly, 


104  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1570 

Unto  his  fellowes  of  that  age  it  tolde, 
And  left  it  eke  for  his  posteritie, 

That  ech  man  passing  by  might  plainly  know, 
The  perfite  substance  of  that  flattring  show. 

[This  book  has  been  attributed  to  both  Googe  and  Baldwin,  the  G.  standing  for  the 
latter's  Christian  name  in  Latin.  In  the  Stationers'  register,  ed.  E.  Arber,  no  author 
is  named.  The  dedication  by  G.  B.  is  addressed  to  "his  very  good  sisters  Mistresse 
Phillyp  Darell  and  Mistresse  Frances  Darell,  of  the  house  of  Scotneys."  As  Barnabe 
Googe  was  the  husband  of  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  Darell  of  Scotney,  Kent,  and  one  of  her 
sisters  was  called  Frances,  and  as  Baldwin  had  apparently  no  connection  with  the 
Darells  of  Scotney,  it  seems  more  probable,  in  spite  of  the  order  of  the  initials,  that 
Googe,  and  not  Baldwin,  was  its  author.  There  is  a  unique  copy  of  this  work  in 
the  John  Rylands  library,  Manchester  ;  Brydges  only  prints  an  extract.  See  below, 
pp.  171-2,  Anthony  Nixon,  1602.] 

[c.  1570.]  Caius,  Thomas.  Vindicice.  Antiquitatis  Academic?  Oxoniensis 
contra  Joannem  Cainin  Cantabrigiensem,  p.  333.  [First  printed  by 
Thomas  Hearne,  under  the  above  title  1730,  vol.  ii,  pp.  333,  352.] 

Producitur  Lydgatus,  poeta  Anglicus,  Galfridi  olim  Chauceri 
disciplus,  qui  ex  J3eda  &  Alfrido  Cantabrum  ducem,  Partholini 
regis  fratrem,  academies  Cantabrigiensis  authorem  facit. 

[For  the  whole  controversy,  see  the  D.  N.  B.  underThomas  Caius;  and  above,  p.  101.] 

1570.    Lambarde,  William.     MS.  note  at  the  beginning  of  the  MS.  of 
Lambarde's  Saxon  Dictionary,  MS.  Bodl. 
[For  complete  extract,  see  below,  p.  316,  1711,  Hearne.] 

1570.  Foxe,  John.  Ecclesiasficall  history  contaynyng  the  Actes  and 
Monumentes  of  thynges  passed  in  euery  Kynges  tyme  in  this  Realme. 
.  .  .  Newly  recognised  and  inlarged  by  the  Author,  John  Foxe. 
[2nd  edn.]  At  London,  Printed  by  lohn  Dave  .  .  .  1570,  vol.  i, 
sign.  £if  iiij,  pp.  341-5,  vol,  ii,  pp.  965-66  (ed.  G.  Townsend, 
1843-9,  vol.  i,  pp.  xxii-iii :  vol.  ii,  1842,  pp.  357-63  ;  vol.  iv,  1846, 
pp.  248-50). 

[None  of  these  references  are  in  the  first  edition  of  1563,  but  they  appear  in  full  in 
this,  the  second  edition  of  1570,  from  which  they  are  copied,  and  are  not  increased  in 
the  latest  edition  in  Foxe's  lifetime,  that  of  1583.  This  was,  as  is  well  known,  a  very 
popular  work,  of  which  nine  editions  appeared  by  1684 ;  viz.  1563,  1570,  1576,  1583, 
1596,  1610,  1632,  1641,  1684.] 

tV8^  i'if  J  (A  Protestation  to  the  whole  Church 'of  England.) 

To  discend  now  somewhat  lower  in  drawing  out  the  descent 
of  the  Church — What  a  multitude  here  commeth  of  faithful 
witnesses  in  the  time  of  loh.  Wickle/e,  as  Ocliffe,  Wicldeffe, 
an.  1376.  W.  Thorpe,  White,  Puruey,  Patshal/,  Payne, 
Gower,  Chauser,  Gascogne,  William  Swynderby,  Walter  Brute, 
Roger  Dexter,  William  Sautry  about  the  year  1400.  lohn 
Badley,  an  1410.  Nicholas  Tayler,  Rich.  Wagstaffe,  Mich. 
Scriuener,  W.  Smith,  lohn  Henry,  W.  Parchmenar,  Roger 
Goldsmith,  with  an  Ancresse  called  Mathilde  in  the  Citie  of 


1570]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.         [Foxe]  105 

Leicester,  Lord  Colham,  Syr  Roger  Acton  Knight,  lohn  Beuer- 
ley  preacher,  lohn  Hus,  Hierome  of  Prage  Scholemaster,  with 
a  number  of  faithfull  Bohemians  and  Thaborites  not  to  be  told 
with  whom  I  might  also  adioyne  Laurentius  Valla,  and 
Joannes  Picus  the  learned  Earle  of  Mirandula.  But  what  do 
I  stand  upon  recitall  of  names,  which  almost  are  infinite. 

[Vol.  i,  For  so  much  as  mention  is  here  made  of  these  superstitious 
sects  of  Fryers,  and  such  other  beggerly  religions,  it  shall  not 
seme  much  impartinent,  being  moued  by  the  occasion  hereof 
...  to  annexe  ...  a  certayne  other  aunciewt  treatise  com 
piled  by  Geoffray  Chawcer  by  the  way  of  a  Dialogue  or  ques 
tions  moued  in  the  person  of  a  certaine  uplandish  and  simple 
ploughman  of  the  Countrey.  which  treatise  for  the  same,  ye 
autor  intituled  Jack  vp  land  .  .  . 

U  A  treatise  of  Geoffrey  CJ/awcer  intituled 
lacke  vplande 

[Here  follows  a  reprint  of  Jack  Upland.     See  above,  p.  83.] 


p^fi's]*'        Moreouer  to  these  two  [Linacre  &  Pace],  I  thought  it  not 
Geffray    ou£   of    season,    to    couple   also    some    mention   of    Geffray 

Chaucer.  r 

lohn       Chaucer,  and  lohn  Gower :    Whiche  although  beyng  much 
Gower.    discrepant  from  these  in  course  of  yeares,  yet  it  may  seme  not 
vnworthy  to  bee  matched  with  these  forenamed  persons  in  com 
mendation  of  their  studie  and  learnyng  .  .  . 

.  .  .  Likewise,  as   touching  the  tyme  of    Chaucer,  by  hys 

owne  workes  in    the  end  of  his  first  booke  of  Troylus  and 

Creseide  it  is  manifest,  that  he  and  Gower  were  both  of  one 

&hQoweer  tvme»  although e  it  seemeth  that  Gower  was  a  great  deale  his 

com-        auncient :  both  notably  learned,  as  the  barbarous  rudenes  of 

mewrted  * 

for  their  that  tyme  did  geue,  both  great  frends  together,  and  both  in 

studious    ,.,/.,,,,.  V5  •    3  T  Ai 

exercise,  like  kind  of  studie  together  occupied,  so  endeuoryng  them 
selues,  and  employing  their  tyme,  that  they  excelling  many 
other  in  study  and  exercise,  of  good  letters  did  passe  forth  their 
lyues  here  right  worshipfully  &  godly  to  the  worthye  fame 
and  commendation  of  their  name.  Chaucers  woorkes  bee  all 
printed  in  one  volume,  and  therfore  knowen  to  all  men. 

This  I  meruell,  to  see  the  idle  life  of  ye  priestes  and  clergye 
men  of  that  tyme,  seyng  these  lay  persons  shewed  themselues 
in  these  kynde  of  liberall  studies  so  industrious  &  fruitfully 
occupied  :  but  muche  more  I  meruell  to  consider  this,  how 


106  [Foxe]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1570 

Chaucer  that  the  Bishoppes  condemnyng  and  abolishyng  al  maner  of 
Englishe  bookes  and  treatises,  which  might  bryng  the  people 
^  any  jjg^^  Of  knowledge,  did  yet  authorise  the  woorkes  of 
chaucers  Chaucer  to  reraayne  still  &  to  be  occupyed  :  Who  (no  doubt) 
kes>  saw  in  Religion  as  much  almost,  as  euen  we  do  now,  and 
vttereth  in  hys  works  no  lesse,  and  semeth  to  be  a  right 
Wicleuian,  or  els  was  neuer  any,  and  that  all  his  workes 
almost,  if  they  be  throughly  aduised  will  testifie  (albeit  it  bee 
done  in  myrth,  &  couertly)  &  especially  the  latter  ende  of  hys 
thyrd  booke  of  the  Testament  of  loue  :  for  there  purely  he 
toucheth  the  highest  matter,  that  is  the  Conmunion.  Wherin, 
excepte  a  man  be  altogether  blynd,  he  may  espye  him  at  the 
full.  Althoughe  in  the  same  booke  (as  in  all  other  he  vseth 
to  do)  vnder  shadows  couertly,  as  vnder  a  visoure  he  suborneth 
truth,  in  such  sorte,  as  both  priuely  she  may  profite  the  godly- 
minded,  and  yet  not  be  espyed  of  the  craftye  aduersarie.  And 
therefore  the  Byshops,  belike,  takyng  hys  workes  but  for  iestes 
and  toyes,  in  condemnyng  other  bookes,  yet  permitted  his 
bookes  to  be  read. 

So  it  pleased  God  to  blinde  then  the  eyes  of  them,  for  the 

Men        more  commoditie  of  his  people,  to  the  entent  that  through  the 

to  truth  readyng  of  his  treatises,  some  f  mite  might  redoimd  therof  to 

tagChau-hia  Churche,  as  no  doubt,  it  dyd  to  many:  As  also  I  am 

workes.   partly e  informed  of  certeine,  whiche  knewe  the  parties,  which 

to  them  reported,  that  by  readyng  of  Chausers  workes,  they 

were  brought  to  the  true  knowledge  of  Religion.     And  not 

unlike  to  be  true.     For  to  omitte  other  partes  of  his  volume, 

whereof  some  are  more  fabulous  than  other,  what  tale  can  bee 

more  playnely  tolde,  then  the   talke  of   the  ploughman?   or 

what  finger  can  pointe  oat  more  directly  the  Pope  with  his 

Prelates  to  be  Antichrist  then  doth  the  poore  Pellycan  reason- 

The        yng  agaynst  the  gredy  Griffon  1     Under  whiche  Hypotyposis 

mS l    or  Poesie,  who  is  so  blind  that  seeth  not  by  the  Pellicane, 

Chauser.  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  of  the  Lollardes  to  bee  defended 

agaynst  the  Churche  of  Rome  1     Or  who  is  so  impudent  that 

can  denye  that  to  be  true,  which  the  Pellicans  there  affirmeth 

in    describyng   the    presumptuous    pride    of    that   pretensed 

[p.  966]  Church  1     Agayne  what  egge  can  be  more  lyke,  or  figge  vnto 

an  other,  then  ye  words,  properties,  and  conditions  of  that 

rauenyng   Griphe   resembleth    the   true    Image,  that  is,  the 

nature  &  qualities  of  that  which  we  call  the  Churche  of  Rome, 


1570]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion,        [Foxe\  107 

in  euery  point  and  degre?  and  therfore  no  great  maruell,  if 
that  narration  was  exempted  out  of  the  copies  of  Chaucers 
workes :  whiche  notwithstandyng  now  is  restored  agayne,  and 
is  extant,  for  euery  man  to  read  that  is  disposed.  This 
Geffray  Chauser  being  borne  (as  is  thought)  in  Oxfordshire, 
&  dwellyng  in  Wodstocke,  lyeth  buried  in  the  Churche  of 
the  minster  of  S.  Peter  at  Westminster,  in  an  lie  on  the 
South  side  of  the  sayd  Churche,  not  far  from  the  doore  leading 
to  the  cloyster,  and  vpon  his  graue  stone  first  were  written 
these  ii  old  verses 

Galfridus  Chauser  vates  et  fama  poesis 
Maternse,  hac  sacra  sum  tumulatus  humo. 

Afterward,  about  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1556,  one  M. 
Brickam,  bestowyng  more  cost  vppon  his  tumbe,  did  adde 
therunto  these  verses  folowyng  .  .  . 

[Here  follow  Brigham's  lines,  q.  v.  above,  p.  94,  1556  ;  and  see  above,  p.  59.] 

[c.  1570.]  Rogers,  Daniel.  Two  Latin  Epigrams  on  Chaucer's  tomb 
and  his  poems.  MSS.  of  the  Marquis  of  Hertford.  Bk.  2  of  Epi 
grams,  leaves  unnumbered.  (4th  Eeport  of  the  Royal  Commission 
Historical  MSS.,  1874,  App.  p.  253,  col.  1.) 

Tumulus  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer  (as  follows) : — 

Musarum  Phoebique  decus,  patriaeque  larisque 

Chaucerum  hoc  clausit  marmore  parca  brevis ; 

Cui  patriis  numeris  Musas  Helicone  reduxit 

In  patriam  et  tractus,  Albion  alma,  tuos, 

Mortales  acri  perstringere  suetus  aceto ; 

Anglica  quo  regio  vate  superba  fuit, 

Scilicet,  Ausonio  laudem  quot  Horatius  orbi, 

Hie  patrise  peperit  tot  monumenta  sua  [sic,  for  suae  ]]. 

To  Chaucer's  poems  ;  as  follows  : — 

Qnantus  erat  Tusco  Boccacius  ore,  favebat 

Itala  quantum  olim  lingua  suada  [sic]  Petrarche  tibi 

Qualis  os  insurgit  Gallo  sermone  Marottus 

Aptat  dum  patria  [sic,  for  patrise  ?]  verba  poeta  lyrae ; 

Tantus  eras  Galfride  tuis  Chaucere  Britannis 

Ingenio  vates  nee  minus  ore  potens 

Anglica  quo  veneris  nunc  spirat  lingua  magistro 

Quas  Italic,  Gallis,  ille  vel  ille  dedit. 


108  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1572- 

1572.  Bossewell,  John.  Worses  of  Armorie  deuyded  into  three  bookes, 
entituled,  the  Concordes  of  Armorie,  the  Armorie  of  Honor,  and  of 
Coates  and  Creastes.  In  sedibus  Richard!  Totelli  .  .  .  1572,  sign. 
C  iv,  B  v  6-B  viii,  G  iv  6-G  v,  R  ii  6,  U  i-X. 

[sign. civ]  The  names  of  the  aucthors  .  .  .  owt  of  whiche  these 
workes  are  chiefelye  collected  and  amplified  .  .  .  Englishe 
writers  G.  Chaucer,  Jo.  Gower 

[sign.  BV&]  Sentences  concerning  generositie,  collected  out  of  sundrye 
Aucthors,  and  firste  certayne  verses  made  by  G.  Chaucer, 
teaching  what  is  gentlenes,  or  who  is  worthy  to  be  called 
gentle. 

The  iirste  stocke  father  of  gentlenes, 

All  wenre  he  mitre,  crowne,  or  diademe. 

[Gentilesse,  11.  1-21.] 

[sign.  B  vi  6]  But  nowe  yet  heare  what  M.  G.  Chaucer,  oure  noble 
poete  of  thys  Eealme  doth  write  touching  gentlenes  of  birthe, 
in  hys  taile  of  the  wife  of  Bathe.  These  are  hys  woordes. 

But  for  ye  speake  of  suche  gentlenesse. 

» "  .  .        [11.  1109-64.] 

[sign.  B  vii  b]  M.  G.  Chaucer,  lamenteth  in  hys  second  Booke  (whiche 
hee  entituleth  the  testament  of  loue)  that  laphetes  chil 
dren  

[Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  I,  Lb.  ii,  ch.  ii,  11.  105,  etc.] 

[sign.  Givfc]     This   game  [chess]  was   first   inuented   by  Athalus.  as 
Master  G.  Chaucer  reporteth  in  hys  dreame,  saying 
at  the  Chesse  with  me  she  gan  to  playe. 

[Book  oj  the  Duchesse,  11.  652-64.] 

[sign.  Rii&]  For  those,  in  whose  power  it  is  to  do  good,  and  doth  it 
not,  the  Crowne  of  honor  and  worshippe  shalbe  taken  from 
them,  and  (as  Chaucer  sayethe)  with  shame  they  shalbe 
annulled,  &  from  all  dignitie  deposed. 

[sign,  in]  Chaucer  in  hys  seconde  and  thirde  bokes,  entituled,  the 
Testament  of  loue,  maketh  a  great  processe  of  them  [mar 
guerites]  as  gemmes  very  precious,  clere,  and  little  ..... 

[Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  I,  bk.  iii,  ch.  i,  11.  35,  etc.] 

[sign,  u it]     CJiaucer  writeth  moche  of  thys  floure  [daisy]  in  many 


1574]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  109 

places  of  hys  workes :  and  in  especially  in  hys  preface  to  the 

legend  of  good  weomen [U.  i79_90.] 

And  the  sayd  Chaucer  writeth  in  a  goodly  Balade  of  hys 
also  of  the  Daysie,  where  he  calleth  it 

Daysie  of  lighte,  verie  grounde  of  comforte. 

[The  other  references  are  quotations  from  House  of  Fame,  11. 1361-4 ;  Sir  Thopas,  11. 
2096-7  ;  Romaunt  of  the  Rose,  11.  239-46,  1171-86 ;  Knightes  Tale,  11.  975-80,  2140-2.] 

1573.  Harvey,  Gabriel.  The  Schollers  LOOU&  or  Reconcilement  of  Con 
traries,  fol.  66.  (Letter- Book  of  Gabriel  Harvey,  1573-80,  ed.  from 
MS.  Sloane  93,  by  E.  J.  L.  Scott,  Camden  soc.  1884,  p.  134.  See 
also  Preface,  pp.  viii,  xv,  xvi.) 

[Harvey  describes  his  method  of  reading  :] 
At  Petrarche  and  Bocace  I  must  have  a  flynge. 
Every  idiott  swayne 
Can  commende  there  veyne.  ~, 

Now  and  then  a  spare  hower  is  allotted  to  Gascoyne 

sage  Govver 

And  sum  time  I  attende  on  gentle  Master  Ascham. 
They  sownde  well  enowghe  withoute  makinge  ryme 
That  iumpe  so  well  in  cuntry  tunge  and  tyrne. 
Would  God  Inglande  cowlde  atforde  a  thowsande  sutch  and 

better, 
On  condition  my  pore  selfe  knewe  never  a  letter. 

[1574.]  Robinson,  Richard.  The  rewarde  of  Wickednesse  ....  Newly 
compiled  by  Richard  Robinson,  Seruaunt  in  housholde  to  the  right 
Honorable  Earle  of  Shrowsbury.  [col.]  Imprinted  in  London  in 
Pawles  Churche  Yarcle  by  William  Williamson  ;  sign.  Q  2,  6. 

[si|^-  p  Eetourning  from  Plutos  Kingdome,  To  noble  Helicon  ; 
The  place  of  Infinite  loye. 

tsig2n-6]Q    And  Chawcer  for  his  merie  tales,  was  well  esteemed  there 

And  on  his  head  as  well  ought  best,  a  Laurell  garland  were, 
All  these  I  knewe  and  many  moe,  that  were  to  long  to  name 
That  for  their  trauels  were  rewarde,  for  euermore  with  Fame. 

['  The  Author  to  the  Reader'  is  dated  The  xix  Maie  1574.] 

[1574 1]  Unknown.  Eulogium  Chaucerj.  Poem  found  in  MS.  in  a 
black  letter  Chaucer  (1561)  ;  date  of  other  MS.  notes,  etc.,  c.  1574, 
transcribed  by  T.  A.  S.,  in  Notes  and  Queries,  ser.  i,  1853,  vol.  vii. 
p.  201. 

Geffraye  Chaucer,  the  worthiest  flower 

Of  English  Poetrie  in  all  the  Bower. 

[26  lines] 

Though  for  his  other  parts  of  grace 

Chaucer  will  liue  and  she  we  his  face. 


110  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1575 

1575.  Churchyard,  Thomas.  A  discourse  of  vertue,  see  below, 
Appendix  A,  1575. 

1575.  Gascoigne,  George.  The  delectable  history  of  sundry  aduentures 
passed  by  Dan  Bartholmew  of  Bath  ....  his  first  Triumphe.  The 
Posies  of  George  Gascoigne,  Esq.  [col.]  Imprinted  at  London  by 
H.  M.  for  Christopher  Barker,  1575,  sign.  E  iiij.  (Gascoigne's  Poems, 
ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  Roxb.  library,  1869-70,  vol.  i,  p.  105.) 

Thy  brother  Troylus  eke,  that  gemme  of  gentle  deedes 
To  thinke  hovve  he  abused  was,  alas,  my  heart  it  bleedes ! 
He  bet  about  the  bushe,  while  other  caught  the  birds, 
Whome  crafty  Cresside  mockt  to  muche,  yet   fede  him  still 

with  words. 

And  god  he  knoweth,  not  I,  who  pluckt  hir  first-sprong  rose, 
Since  Lollius  and  Chaucer  both  make  doubt  vpon  that  glose. 

[There  are  several  references  to  Cresside  in  Gascoigne's  poems;  these  are  very 
possibly  to  Chaucer's  poem,  but  no  special  reference  is  made  to  him,  see  for  instance 
immediately  below,  The  Doale  of  disdaine.] 

1575.  Gascoigne,  George.  The  doale  of  disdaine,  etc.  .  .  stanzas  5 
and  8.  The  Posies  of  George  Gascoigne  Esquire.  Weedes,  sign.  S  vi 
and  b  pp.  283-4.  (Gascoigne's  Poems,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  Roxb. 
library,  1869-70,  vol.  i,  pp.  492-3.) 

If  Cressydes  name  were  not  so  knowen 
And  written  wide  on  euery  wall :  [etc.] 

Thou  art  as  true  as  is  the  best 
That  euer  came  of  Cressedes  lyne. 

1575.  Gascoigne,  George.  Certayne  Notes  of  Instruction  concerning 
the  making  of  verse  or  ryme  in  English.  Appended  to  the  Posies  of 
George  Gascoigne,  Esquire.  .  .  .  1575,  sign.  Tij,T  iij  6,  Uij  b.  Re 
printed  1587.  (Gascoigne's  Poems,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  Roxb.  library, 
1869-70,  vol.  i,  pp.  500,  502,  507.) 

[sign.  T  *j,  p.  si]  For  it  is  not  inough  to  roll  in  pleasant  woordes 
nor  yet  to  thunder  in  Rym,  Ram,  Ruff,  by  letter  (quoth 
my  master  Chaucer)  nor  yet  to  abound  in  apt  vocables,  or 

epy  thetes.  [From  Prologue  to  Persones  tale,  1.  43] 

[sign.  T  iij  b,  p.  34]  Also  our  father  Chaucer  hath  vsed  the  same  libertie 
in  feete  and  measures  that  the  Latinists  do  vse :  and  who  so 
euer  do  peruse  and  well  consider  his  workes,  he  shall  finde 
that  although  his  lines  are  not  alwayes  of  one  selfe  same  num 
ber  of  Syllables,  yet  beyng  redde  by  one  that  hath  vnder- 
standing,  the  longest  verse  and  that  which  hath  most  Syllables 
in  it,  will  fall  (to  the  eare)  correspondent  vnto  that  whiche 
hath  fewest  sillables  in  it :  and  like  wise  that  whiche  hath  in 
it  fewest  syllables  shalbe  founde  yet  to  consist  of  woordes  that 


1575]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  Ill 

haue  suche  natural!  sounde,  as  may  seeme  equall  in  length 
to  a  verse  which  hath  many  moe  sillables  of  lighter  accentes. 

[•ign.  v  y  b,  p.  40]  I  had  forgotten  a  notable  kinde  of  ryme,  called 
ryding  rime,  and  that  is  suche  as  our  Mayster  and  Father 
Chaucer  vsed  in  his  Canterburie  tales,  and  in  diuers  other 
delectable  and  light  enterprises. 

[For  «Rym,  Ram,  Ruff,'  cf.  1595,  Peele,  below,  p.  142.] 

[1575.]  Smith,  Richard.  Commendatory  Verses  to  The  Posies  of  George 
Gascoigne  Esquire.  Corrected,  perfected,  and  augmented  by  the 
Authour  [2nd  edn.].  Printed  at  London  for  Richard  Smith,  etc. 
(Gascoigne's  Poems,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  Roxb.  library,  1869-70, 
vol.  i,  p.  26.) 

The  Printer  in  Commendation  of  Gascoigne  and  his  workes. 
Chawcer  by  writing  purchast  fame 
And  Gower  got  a  worthie  name  : 
Sweete  Surrey  suckt  Parnassus  springs  : 
And  Wiat  wrote  of  wondrous  things  : 
Old  Rochfort  clambe  the  stately  Throne, 
Which  Muses  holde,  in  Hellicone. 
Then  thither  let  good  Gascoigne  go, 
For  sure  his  verse  deserueth  so. 

1575.  Turbervile,  George.  The  Booke  of  Faulconrie  or  Hawking.  .  .  . 
Imprinted  at  London,  for  Christopher  Barker,  1575,  p.  260,  sign. 
Riifc. 

Yet  for  remedie  of  this  disease  (pin  in  the  Hawkes  foote) 
some  do  aduise  to  open  the  vain  of  the  leg,  a  thing  not  only 
friuolous  to  talke  of  and  a  verie  olde  womans  fable  or  Cantor- 
burie  tale,  but  also  verie  perillous  to  be  put  in  practise. 

[c.  1575.]  Unknown.  MS.  note  '  Gaulfridus  Chaucer '  on  MS.  Egerton 
2726,  fol.  i.  See  above,  p.  50,  c.  1450,  Unknown. 

1575.  Wharton,  John.  To  the  Christian  Eeader  lohn  Wharton  wisheth 
all  good  giftes  of  vertue  [Prefatory  address  to]  A  misticall  deuise  of 
the  spirituall  and  godly  loue  betwene  Christ  .  .  and  the  Church. 
Firste  made  by  .  .  .  Salomon,  and  now  newly  set  forth e  in  verse,  by 
Jud  Smith  [i.  e.  the  Song  of  Solomon]  ....  sign.  A  2. 

For  surely  (gentle  Eeader)  if  thou  couit  to  hearo  any  olde 
babies  [sic],  as  I  may  terme  them,  or  stale  tales  of  Chauser,  or  to 
learne  ho  we  Acteon  came  by  his  horned  head:  If  thy  mynde 
be  fixed  to  any  such  metamorphocall  toyes,  this  booke  is  not 
apt  nor  fit  for  thy  purpose. 


112  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1576 

[1576.]  A.  F.  [Arthur  Hall].  A  Utter  sent  by  F.  A.  touchyng  the  proceed 
ings  in  a  priuate  quarell  and  vnkindnesse,  betweene  Arthur  Hall, 
and  Melchisedech  Mallerie  .  .  .  With  an  admonition  to  the  Father 
of  F.  A.  to  him  being  a  Burgesse  of  the  Parliament,  for  his  better 
behauiour  therein,  sign.  E  iv,  E  iv  b  and  F  i.  [There  are  a  separate 
set  of  signatures  for  the  "Letter"  and  the  "Admonition,"  our 
reference  is  to  the  latter  tract.]  (Reprinted  in  Miscellanea  Antiqua 
Anglicana,  or  a  Select  Collection  of  Curious  Tracts,  1816  ;  the  two 
tracts  here  referred  to  are  dated  1815  ;  pp.  85-6). 

[sign.  E  iv]  Now  are  we  come  to  consider  ho  we  to  answere  the  office 
your  trusters  put  you  in,  not  for  any  perticular  profit,  but 
^Ol>  tne  wn°le  common  good  .  .  .  Will  you  go  to  Law  of 
nature,  to  the  Law  of  God,  to  the  Law  of  Princes,  too  ye  Law 
of  Confederats  :  wil  not  al  condemne  you  if  you  iugle  :  I  haue 
found  it  so.  Although,  in  very  deede  some  men  accept  iuggling 
for  an  English  word  in  good  part,  yet  I  neuer  vnderstoode 
it  in  Chaucer  or  olde  English,  neyther  in  the  conscience  of 
the  professors  of  Charity  or  well  dealing :  part  the  wordes 

[sign.    at  your  pleasure  enter  too  Ethnickes  or  too  Christianes. 

1576.  Gascoigne,  George.  The  Grief  of  loye.  .  .  .  Written  to  the 
Queenes  moste  excellent  Matie.  Roy.  MS.  18,  A.  61,  ibl.  5  b. 
(Gascoigne's  Poems,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  Roxb.  lib.,  1869-70,  vol.  i, 
p.  260.) 

The  first  Songe 

The  greeues  or  discommodities  of  lustie  yowth. 

.     I  venter  my  good  will 
Yn  barreyne  verse,  to  doe  the  best  I  can 
Lyke  Chaucers  boye,  and  Petrarks  iorneyman. 

But  if  some  Englishe  woorde  herein  seme  sweet, 
Let  Chaucers  name  exalted  be  therefore. 
Yf  any  verse  doe  passe  on  pleasant  feet 
The  praise  thereof,  redownd  to  Petrarks  lore. 

1576.  Hanmer,  Meredith.  The  Auncient  Ecdesiasticall  Histories  of  the 
First  Six  Hundred  Yeares  After  Christ  .  ...  by  Eusebius,  Socrates, 
and  Euagrius  ....  translated  .  ...  by  Meredith  Hanmer,  1577. 
The  Epistle  Dedicatorie,  sign.  *  iij.  The  Preface  vnto  the  Reader 
[hist,  of  Euagrius],  p.  408. 

Many  nowe  adayes  had  rather  reade  the  stories  of  Kinge 
Arthur :  The  monstrous  fables  of  Garagantua :  the  Pallace  of 
pleasure  :  the  Dial  of  Princes,  ....  the  Monke  of  Burie  full 
of  good  stories :  Pierce  ploweman,  the  tales  of  Chaucer,  where 
there  is  excellent  wit,  good  reading,  and  good  decorum  obserued, 


1576]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  113 

the  life  of  Marcus  Aurelius  ....  the  Epistles  of  Antonie 
Gwevarra  .  .  .  the  pilgremage  of  Princes  .  .  .  Bernard  the  Fox  : 
Beuis  of  Hampton  :  the  hundred  merry  tales  :  skoggan  : 
Fortunatus  .  .  .  but  as  for  bookes  of  diuinitie  ...  it  is  the 
least  part  of  their  care. 

There  is  hope  the  dayes  shall  neuer  be  seene  when  the 
prophesie  of  Chaucer  shall  take  place,  where  he  sayth 
When  lay th  fayleth  in  priestes  sawes 

Than  shall  the  land  of  Albion 
Be  brought  to  great  confusion, 

and  to  the  end  our  wished  desire  may  take  effect,  let  vs 
hearken  what  exhortation  he  geueth  vnto  the  chief e  magistrate, 
his  wordes  are  these 

Prince  desire  to  be  honorable 

And  wedde  thy  folke  ayen  to  stedfastnes. 

[Lak  of  Stedfastnesse,  11.  22-8.] 

[The  first  quotation  is  from  sayings  printed  by  Caxton  ;  Chaucerian  and  Other  pieces, 
ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1897,  p.  450, 11. 1-6.  The  dedication  is  dated  1576,  as  are  the  histories 
of  Socrates  and  Evagrius,  each  with  separate  title  pages.] 

[c.  1576.]  Maitland,  Sir  Richard  (of  Lethington).  On  the  folye  of  ane 
auld  manis  maryand  ane  young  woman.  MS.  in  Pepys  lib.  Cam 
bridge.  (Poems  of  Sir  R.  Maitland  [ed.  Joseph  Bain],  Maitland 
club,  1830,  p.  40.) 

.     For  folye  is  to  mary, 

Fra  tyme  that  baith  thair  strenthe  and  nature  faillis ; 
And  tak  ane  wyf  to  bring  him  selffe  in  tarye 
For  fresche  Maii,  and  cauld  Januarij, 
Agreeis  nocht  upon  ane  sang  in  tune. 

[Reference  to  the  Marchantes  Tale  ?] 

1576.  Thynne,  Francis.  Another  discourse  vppon  the  Philosophers 
Armes.  MS.  Ashmole  766,  fF.  85  6,  86.  Two  mentions  of  Chaucer 
among  a  list  cf  alchemists,  such  as  Bacon,  Ripley,  Norton,  etc. 
(Thynne's  Animadversions,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.,  1876, 
p.  135  ;  for  date,  etc.,  see  also  ibid.,  pp.  xlix,  115,  134.) 

1576.  Whetstone,  George.  The  Eocke  of  Regard,  Part  i.  The  Castle 
of  delight ;  Cressid's  complaint,  p.  21,  sign.  B  iij.  (Reprinted  by 
J.  Payne  Collier,  1870  ?) 

[Cressid  complains  of  her  age  ;] 

Or  as  the  horse,  in  whom  disorder  growes, 
His  iadish  trickes,  againe  wil  hardly  loose; 
So  they  in  youth,  which  Venus  ioyes  do  proue, 
In  drouping  age,  Syr  Chaucers  iestes  will  loue. 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  I 


114  Five  Hundred,  Years  of  [A.D.  1577- 

1577.  Dee,  John,  Dr.  Transcript  by  Dr.  John  Dee  of  Thomas  Norton's 
Ordinall  of  Alchemy.  Ashmole  MS.  57  [no  pagination]. 

Authors  recited  in  this  booJce 

Bacon 

Boetius 

Chauser 

Chanon  of  Lichfelde 

[See  1477,  Norton,  above,  p,  57.] 

1577.  Harvey,  Gabriel.  Letter  Booh  A  suttle  and  trechrous  aduantage 
(poetically  imagined)  taken  at  unawares  by  the  3  fa  tall  sisters  to 
beriue  M.  Gascoigne  of  his  life  ....  fol.  35,  p.  57.  (Letter  Book  of 
Gabriel  Harvey,  A.D.  1573-1580,  ed.  from  MS.  Sloane  93,  by  E.  J. 
L.  Scott,  Camden  eoc.,  1884.  See  also  for  dates,  Preface,  pp.  viii, 
xv,  xvi.) 

[Harvey  imagines  Gascoigne  in  Purgatory.] 

This  pleasure  reape  :  and  shake  thou  hands 
With  auncient  cuntrymen  of  thine  : 
Acquayntaunce  take  of  Chaucer  first 
And  then  with  Gower  and  Lydgate  dine. 

1577.  Holinshed,  Kaphael.  The  Laste  volume  of  the  Chronicles  of 
England,  Scotlande,  and  Irelande,  .  .  .  Faithfully  gathered  and 
compiled  by  Baphaell  Holinshed.  At  London,  Imprinted  for  John 
Harrison,  p.  1163.  (Holinshed's  Chronicles  .  .  in  six  volumes, 
London.  1808,  vol.  iii,  pp.  58,  59.) 

But  nowe  to  rehearse  what  writers  of  oure  English  nation 
liued  in  the  days  of  this  Kyng,  [Henry  the  Fourth],  that 
renowmed  Poete  Geffreye  Chaucer  is  worthily  named  as 
principal!,  a  man  so  exquisitely  learned  in  all  sciences,  that  hys 
matche  was  not  lightly  founde  anye  where  in  those  dayes,  and 
for  reducing  our  Englishe  tong  to  perfect  conformitie,  hee 
hath  excelled  therein  all  other.  He  departed  this  life  about 
the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1 402.  as  Bale  gathereth,  but  by  other  it 
appeareth,  that  he  deceased  the  fiue  and  twentith  of  October 
in  the  yeare  1400,  and  lyeth  buried  at  Westminster,  in  the 
South  parte  of  the  great  Church  there,  as  by  a  monumente 
erected  by  Nicholas  Bdgham  it  doth  appeare:  John  Gower  .  .  . 
studyed  not  only  the  common  lawes  of  this  Realme,  but  also 
other  kindes  of  literature,  and  grew  to  greate  knowledge  in  the 
same,  .  .  .  applying  his  endeuor  with  Chaucer,  to  garnish  the 
Englishe  tong,  in  bringing  it  from  a  rude  unperfectnesse,  unto 
a  more  apt  elegancie  :  for  whereas  before  those  dayes,  the 


1578]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  115 

learned  vsed  to  write  onely  in  latine  or  Frenclie,  and  not  in 
Englishe,  cure  tong  remayned  very  barreyne,  rude,  and  im 
perfect,  but  now  by  the  diligent  Industrie  of  Chaucer  and 
Govver,  it  was  within  a  while  greately  amended,  so  as  it  grew 
not  only  to  be  very  riche  and  plentiful!  in  wordes,  but  also  so 
proper  and  apt  to  expresse  that  which  the  minde  conceyued  as 
any  other  usuall  language.  Gower  departed  this  life  shortly 
after  the  decease  of  his  deere  and  louing  friend  Chaucer,  to 
witte,  in  the  yere  1402. 

1577.  Northbrooke,  John.     Spiritus  est  vicarius  Christi  in  terra.    A 
Treatise  wherein  Dicing,  Daunting,   Vaine  plaies  ....  commonly 
vsed  on  the  Sabboth  day,  are  reprooued,  by  the  authoritie  of  the 
worde  of  God,  and  auncient  Writers.     Imprinted  ....  1579,  pp. 
49,  49  b.     (Ed.,   same  title,   by  J.  P.  Collier,    Shakespeare  soc. 
1843,  pp.  131-2.) 

Youth.  Hath  any  honest  man  of  credite  and  reputation 
beene  euill  thought  of,  for  playing  at  Dice  ....  • 

Age.  That  there  hath,  and  not  of  the  meanest  sorte  ....  I 
will  recite  to  you  Chaucer,  which  saieth  hereof  [of  Demetrius] 
in  verses. 

Youth.  I  praye  you  doe  so  .... 

Age.  [quotes  Pardoners  tale,  11.  603-28.] 

Youth.  This  is  verie  notable :  but  yet  I  pray  you  shewe  me, 
what  Chaucers  owne  opinion  is  touching  Diceplaie  : 

Age.  His  opinion  is  this,  in  verses  also. 

[Pardoner's  tale,  11.  590-602.] 

[Entered  at  Stationers'  Hall,  Dec.  2, 1577.  The  first  attack  on  theatrical  represent 
ations,  six  months  before  Stephen  Gosson's.  There  is  another  edn.,  undated,  attributed 
by  Collier  to  1578,  but  by  other  authorities,  and  in  B.  M.  catalogue  given  as  1679.] 

1578.  Harvey,  Gabriel.    Gabrielis  Harueii  Gratulationum  Valdinensium 
Libri  Quatuor.     Lib.  iv,  p.  22. 

Prsecones  mulierum  omnes,  scribaeqwe  prociqwe 
Hsec  in  delicijs  Bibliotheca  siet, 
Chaucerusqwe  adsit,  Surreius  &  inclytus  adsit  j 
Gascoignoqwe  aliquis  sit,  Mea  Corda,  locus. 


[1578.]  Lyly,  John.  Evphues.  The  Anatomy  of  Wyt.  Imprinted  at 
London  for  Gabriell  Cawood  ;  no  date,  sign.  D  iiij  6.  (Works  of 
John  Lyly,  ed.  E.  Warwick  Bond,  1902,  vol.  i,  p.  219.) 

....  though  Aeneas  were  to  fickle  to  Dido,  yet  Troylus 
was  to  faithfull  to  Cmssida  .... 

[See  below,  Appendix  A,  [1578],  for  further  notes  on  Lyly's  debt  to  Chaucer.] 


116  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D   1578- 

1578.  P[rocter],  T[homas].  Preface  to  Of  the  knowledge  and  conducte 
of  warres,  sign.  IT  v. 

....  Yet  amonge  so  manye  bookes,  as  are  written  daylie  of 
dreames  &  fantacies,  ....  of  pleasant  meetinges  &  fables 
amonge  women,  of  Caunterbuiy,  or  courser  tales,  with  diuers 
iestes,  &  vaine  deuises  :  in  earnest ;  there  is  least  labour  layd 
on  that  arte,  wheareby  kinges  rule  .... 

1578.  P[rocter],  T[homas].  In  the  pray se  of  the  rare  beauty,  and  mani- 
folde  verities  of  Mistress  D.  as  followeth  in  A  gorgio'us  Gallery 
of  gallant  Inuentions  ....  by  T.  P.  [Thomas  Procter].  Imprinted 
at  London  for  Richard  lones,  1578,  sign.  H  iiij.  (Three  collec 
tions  of  English  Poetry  [ed.  Sir  H.  Ellis],  Roxb.  club,  1844,  sign, 
h  iiij.) 

If  Chawcer  yet  did  lyue,  whose  English  tongue  did  passe, 
Who  sucked  dry  Pernassus  spring,  and  raste  the  Juice  there  was  ; 
If  Surrey  had  not  scalde  the  height  of  loue  his  Throne, 
Unto  whose  head  a  pillow  softe  became  Mount  Helycon : 
They  with  their  Muses,  could  not  haue  pronounst  the  fame, 
Of  D.  faire  Dame,  lo,  a  staming  stock,  the  cheefe  of  natures 
frame. 

[The  Roxburgh  edition  was  printed  from  a  copy  at  Northumberland  House.  There 
is  also  one  in  the  Bodleian  library.] 

1578.  Whetstone,  George.     The  Eight  Excellent  and  famous  Historye 
of  Promos  and  Cassandra,    [col.]  Imprinted  at  London  by  Richarde 
Ihones  ....  August  20,   1578.     Part  I,  act  i,  sc.  3  ;  sign.  B  iii. 
(Promos  and  Cassandra  in  Shakespeare's  library,  ed.  J.  P.  Collier 
[1843],  p.  215.) 

La[mia]         .          .         .         .          . 

And  can  then  the  force  of  la  we,  or  death,  thy  miride  of  loue 

bereaue  ? 
In  good  faith,  no  :  the  wight  that  once  hath  tast  the  fruits  of 

loue, 
Untill  hir  dying  daye  will  long,  Sir  Chaucers  iests  to  proue. 

1579.  Fulke,  W.     D.  Heskins,  D.  Sanders,  and  M.  Rastel  accounted  .  .  . 
three  pillers  and  Archpatriarches   of  the  Popish  Synagogue,  etc. 
The  Third  Booke  of  Maister  Heskins  Parleament  repealed,  by  W. 
Fulke,  chap.  34,  p.  422. 

To  shutt  vp  this  Chapter,  he  flappeth  vs  in  the  mouth,  with 
S.  Mathewes  Masse,  testified  by  Abdias  in  the  diuels  name,  a 
disciple  of  the  Apostles  (as  hee  [H.]  saith)  but  one  that  sawe 
Christ  him  selfe,  (as  M.  Harding  sayeth)  In  verie  deed  a  lewd 
counterfeter  of  more  then  Caunterburie  tales. 


1579]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  117 

1579.  Lodge,  Thomas.  A  Reply  to  Stephen  Gosson's  Schole  of  abuse. 
In  Defence  of  Poetry,  Miisick,  and  Stage  Plays.  Bodl.  Malone, 
Adds.  896,  sign,  a  6,  pp.  1-48.  (Works  of  Lodge  [ed.  E.  W.  Gosse], 
Hunt,  club,  1883,  vol.  i,  p.  15.) 

Chaucer  in  pleasant  vain  can  rebuke  sin  vncontrold ;  & 
though  he  be  lauish  in  the  letter  his  sence  is  serious. 

1579.  K[irke],  E[dwardj.  Letter  to  Gabriel  Harvey,  prefixed  to  Shep- 
heards  Calender.  Also  Notes  to  Shepheards  Calender  :  Februarie, 
ff.  7-7  6  ;  March,  fol.  106  ;  Maye,  ff.  21  b.  '2'2  ;  June,  fol.  25  b  ; 
Julye,  fol.  30  b  ;  September,  ff.  39,  39  6  ;  Nouember,  fol.  48  ; 
December,  fol.  51.  (Works  of  Spenser,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1882-4, 
vol.  ii,  1882,  pp.  19,  20,  72,  74,  90,  142,  144,  147,  163,  185,  221,  223, 
270,  282.  Works,  Globe  edn.,  ed.  R.  Morris,  pp.  441,  450,  451, 
453,  462,  463,  466,  469,  475,  476,  483,  485.) 

bf'f Cr'  Vncouthe,  vnkiste,  sayde  the  olde  famous  Poete  Chaucer, 
1.809.]  whom  for  his  excellencie  and  wonderfull  skil  in  making,  his 
scholler  Lidgate,  a  worthy  scholler  of  so  excellent  a  maister, 
calleth  the  Loadestarre  of  our  Language  [see  above,  1430,  Fall 
of  Princes,  p.  37]  and  whom  our  Colin  clout  in  his  J^glogue 
calleth  Tityrus  the  God  of  shepheards,  comparing  hym  to  the 
worthiness  of  the  Roman  Tityrus,  Virgile.  Which  prouerbe 
myne  owne  good  friend  Ma.  Haruey,  as  in  that  good  olde 
Poete  it  serued  well  Pandares  purpose  for  the  bolstering  of 
his  baudy  brocage,  so  very  well  taketh  place  in  this  our  new 
Poete,  who  for  that  he  is  vncouthe  (as  said  Chaucer),  is 
vnkiste,  and  vnknown  to  most  mew,  is  regarded  but  of  few. 
But  I  dout  not,  so  soone  as  his  name  shall  come  into  the 
knowledge  of  men,  and  his  worthines  be  sounded  in  the 
tromp  of  fame,  but  that  he  shall  be  not  onely  kiste,  but  also 
beloved  of  all,  embraced  of  the  most,  and  wondred  at  of 
the  best.  ["From  ray  lodging  at  London  thys  10.  of  Aprill, 
1579."] 

[ff.  7-76]  [Glosse  to  Feb.]  Heardgromes.  Chaucers  verse  almost  whole. 
[The  whole  line  is  : — 

"  So  loytring  Hue  you  little  heardgroomes."] 
Tityrus.    I  suppose  he  meanes  Chaucer,  whose  prayse  for 
pleasaunt  tales  cannot  dye,  so  long  as  the  memorie  of  hys  name 
shal  liue,  and  the  name  of  Poetrie  shall  endure. 

This  tale  of  the  Oake  and  the  Brese,  he  telleth  as  learned  of 
Chaucer,  but  it  is  cleane  in  another  kind  and  rather  like  to 
JEsopes  fables, 


118  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1579- 

[foi.  256]  [Glosse  to  June]  Tityrus.  That  by  Tityrus  is  meant 
Chaucer,  hath  bene  already  sufficiently  sayde  ;  and  by  thys 
more  playne  appeareth,  that  he  sayth,  he  tolde  merye  tales. 
Such  as  be  hys  Canterburie  tales,  whom  he  calleth  the  God  of 
Poetes  for  hys  excellencie  ;  .  .  . 

[These  are  only  specimen  extracts  from  the  Glosses,  but  the  rest  are  mainly  notes 
on  words.     Cf.  1595,  below,  p.  142,  Unknown.] 

1579.  [Spenser,  Edmund.]  The  Shepheardes  Calender.  Februarie,  fol. 
iv  b  ;  June,  fol.  24  ;  December,  fol.  48  6  and  [Envoy]  fol.  52. 
(Works  of  Spenser,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1882-4,  vol.  ii,  1882, 
pp.  63,  156,  273,  289.  Globe  edn.,  ed.  E.  Morris,  pp.  449,  464,  484, 

486.) 

[foi.  iv6]       TUenot.     But  shall  I  tel  thee  a  tale  of  truth, 
Which  I  cond  of  Tityrus  in  my  youth 
Keeping  .his  sheepe  on  the  hills  of  Kent 


[fol.  24]        The  God  of  shepheards  Tityrus  is  dead,  •  ) 

Who  taught  me  homely,  as  I  can,  to  make. 
He,  whilst  he  lived,  was  the  soueraigne  head 
Of  shepheards  all,  that  bene  with  lone  ytake : 
Well  couth  he  wayle  his  Woes,  and  lightly  slake 
The  flames,  which  loue  within  his  heart  had  bredd 
And  tell  vs  mery  tales,  to  keep  vs  wake, 
The  while  our  sheepe  about  vs  safely  fedde. 

Nowe  dead  he  is,  and  lyeth  wrapt  in  lead, 

(0  why  should  death  on  hym  such  outrage  showe  ?) 

And  all  hys  passing  skil  with  him  is  fledde, 

The  fame  whereof  doth  dayly  greater  grovve. 

But  if  on  me  some  little  drops  would  flowe 

Of  that  the  spring  was  in  his  learned  hedde 

I  soone  would  learne  these  woods,  to  wayle  my  woe 

And  teache  the  trees,  their  trickling  teares  to  shedde. 

[fol.  486]      The  gentle  shepheard  satte  beside  a  springe 

That  Colin  hight  which  wel  could  pype  and  singe 
For  he  of  Tityrus  his  songes  did  lere. 

[Eauoy]        Goe  lyttle  Calender,  thou  hast  a  free  passeporte, 
Goe  but  a  lowly  gate  emongste  the  meaner  sorte 


1580]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  119 

Dare  not  to  match  thy  pype  with  Tityrus  hys  style 
Nor  with  the  Pilgrim  that  the  Ploughman  playde  awhyle, 
But  followe  them  farre  off,  and  their  high  steppes  adore 
The  better  please,  the  worse  despise,  I  aske  no  more. 

[For  the  influence  of  Chaucer  on  Spenser,  see  specially,  Observations  on  Spenser's 
Faery  Qneene,  by  T.Warton,  1762,  sect.5;  On  Spenser's  use  of  Archaisms,  by  G.  Wanner, 
Halle,  1879  ;  Quomodo  Edniundiis  Spenserus  ad  Chaucerum  se  fiugens  in  eclogis  'The 
Shepheardes  Calender'  versum  heroicum  renovarit,  by  Emile  Legouis,  Paris,  1896  ; 
Introduction  to  Shepheard's  Calender,  by  C.  H.  Herford,  Macmillan  1897 ;  Studies  in 
Chaucer,  by  T.  R.  Lounsbury,  N.  York,  1892,  vol.  iii,  pp.  43-6,  and  an  article  on 
Daphnaida  and  the  Book  of  The  Duchess  by  T.  W.  Nadal  in  Publns.  of  Mod.  Lang. 
Assoc.  of  America,  Dec.  1908,  vol.  xxiii,  No.  4,  pp.  646-661.] 

1579.  A  Student  in  Cambridge  [C.,  J  ?].    A  poore  Knight  his  Pallace 
of  priuate  pleasures  .  .  .  written  by  a  student  in  Cambridge,  and 
published  by  I.  C.  Gent.    Imprinted  at  London  by  Richarde  Jones, 
sign.  C  iij  6.   Of  Cupid  his  Campe.    D.  of  Northumberland's  library; 
unique  copy.     (Three  collections  of  English  Poetry,  ed.  [Sir  Henry 
Ellis]  Roxb.  club,  1845,  sign.  C  iij  6). 

Then  Morpheus   sayd,  loe  where    he    stands    that  worthy 

Chauser  hight 

The  cheefest  of  all  Englishmen,  and  yet  hee  was  a  knight. 
There  Goure  did  stand  with  cap  in  hand,  and  Skelton  did  the 

same, 
And  Edwards  hee,  who,  while  he  liude,  did  sit  in  chaire  of 

fame. 

1580.  Lyly,  John.     Euphues  and  his  England.     Imprinted  at  London 
for  Gabriell  Cawood.     [Unique  copy  in  Hampstead  public  library.] 
Printed  by  I.  R.  for  Gabriell  Cawood,  1597,  sign.  F  ii  [earliest 
edn.  in  B.  M.].     (Works  of  John  Lyly,  eel.  R.  Warwick  Bond, 
1902,  vol.  ii,  p.  43.) 

I  can  not  tell  whether  it  bee  a  Caunterbury  tale,  or  a  Fable  in 


[See  also  Bond's  edition,  biographical  appendix,  vol.  i,  p.  401,  where  the  editor 
notes  that  the  expression  is  used  as  a  synonym  for  a  fable.] 

1580.  Stowe,  John.  The  Chronicles  of  England  ...  [in  later  edns. 
Annales  of  England]  p.  548,  under  Hen.  IV.  [There  is  no  Chaucer 
ref.  in  the  earlier  edn.,  A  Summarie  of  Englyshe  Chronicles,  1565. 
The  *  Summarie  abridged,'  quoted  above  on  p.  100,  is  a  distinct 
work.] 

[For  the  text  of  this  reference  tee  p.  164  below,  under  1600,  The  Annales  of  England, 
pp.  527-8,  which  is  to  the  same  purport  as  that  in  this  edn.,  only  much  more  expanded. 
Below  are  given  all  the  Chaucer  references.  Where  any  change  was  made  in  them  in 
the  various  edns.  of  this  work,  the  text  of  the  new  edition  will  be  found  under 
the  year  in  which  it  first  appeared.  In  the  last  edn.,  revised  by  Stowe  just  before 
his  death  in  1605,  the  Chaucer  references  are  identical  with  those  in  the  1600  edn.] 

1592.  Annales  of  England,  pp.  431,  517-18.     See  below,  p.  136. 
1600.        „  „  pp.  437, 458,  527-8.  See  below,  p.  164. 


120  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1581 

1581.  Howell,  Thomas.  H .  His  Denises,  for  his  oivne  exercise,  and  his 
Friends  pleasure,  sign.  B  iij  b.  [Unique  copy  in  the  Bodl.  library, 
Malone,  342.]  (Occasional  issues  of  unique  or  very  rare  books,  ed. 
A.  B.  Grosart,  1879,  vol.  viii,  p.  178.) 

^T  Ruine  the  re  ward  e  of  Vice. 


Is  not  the  pride  of  Helens  prayse  bereft  ? 
And  Oresside  staynde,  that  Troian  knight  imbrased  : 
Whose  bewties  bright  but  darke  defame  hath  left, 
Unto  them  both  through  wanton  deedes  preferred. 
As  they  by  dynte  of  Death  their  dayes  haue  ended, 
So  shall  your  youth,  your  pompe,  and  bewties  grace 
When  nothing  else  but  vertue  may  take  place. 

[Howell  borrows  many  phrases  from  Chaucer  in  the  '  Devises ' ;  see  Walter  Raleigh's 
introduction  to  Howell's  Devises,  Clarendon  Press,  1906,  pp.  xi-xiv,  and  see  above 
p.  100.] 

1581.  Lawson,  John.  Lawsons  Orchet,  wharin  thou  shall  fynde  most 
pleasaunt  fructe  of  all  mannor  of  sortes.  That  is  to  sai,  the  true 
acte,  fact,  or  dfade,  of  euery  Prince  reininge  in  this  lande  sens  yt 
was  first  inhabett,  with  the  yeares  of  thaire  contynuaunce ;  and  the 
varieite  of  the  opinyons  of  the  Historiographers,  newly  gathyred, 
and  augmented,  contynuinge  vnto  the  Conquest. — 1581. — [Then 
follows  a  note  at  the  foot  of  the  page]  A°.  Dm.  1581.  et  Regin. 
Elizab.  23.  Jho.  lawson  feodary  in  ye  County  of  Northub:  sent 
me  this  booke.  [And  below  it  in  a  modern  hand]  This  is  Lord 
Burghl eigh's  Handwriting.  Lansdowne  MSS.  208,  tf.  411-411  6. 
(This  extract  is  printed  by  S.  E.  Brydges  in  Restituta,  vol.  iv, 
1814,  p.  29.) 

[A  personal  Address  from  the  Author]  To  the  Reader  [at 
the  end  of  the  Chronicle  is  followed  by  a  kind  of  Dedicatory 
and  explanatory  address.] 

[foi.  4ii]  To  the  right  honorable  lorde  Burghley  &c.  sir  William 
Damsell  Knight,  and  to  all  his  other  good  maisters  off  the 
courte  of  wairdes  and  liuereis  theire  humble  seruaunte  John 
lawson,  wisheethe  healthe,  &c. 


Yet  not  so  contented  for  more  ease  to  have  vnderstande 
Thaire  travell  all,  whiche  shynde  as  pearles  in  dede, 
I  tooke  maister  John  lydgaite  strighte  then  in  my  hande, 
With  whome  the  reste  of  my  tyme  I  thought  to  leede : 
T^hose  wordye  praise  and  everlastynge  meade, 
[foi.  4ii  6]  Thoo  he  was  a  monnke  at  that  Abbay  late  Bury, 

Myghte  be  in  equale  prase  with  maister  Chawcer  truly. 


1581]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  121 

/  might  thai  re  reade  the  greate  and  actyve  chyuelrie  ; 
Betwene  ye  Troyaine  knightes,  and  ye  Greekes  all ; 
Chawcer  nor  Go  were  was  neuer  of  more  antiquitie 
In  proise  or  miter,  with  theire  Englisshe  literall, 
Thaire  ortographia,  stile,  nor  syllapes  in  especiall : 
(Whiche  lyghtned  my  harte  the  enterpryse  for  to  take) 
Than  was  master  lydgaite  in  the  verses  he  did  make. 

TJiat  tedyous  tyme  he  haithe  discouered  out  at  lardge  : 
In  englysshe  verse,  right  plesaunde  to  the  eare ; 
Shewinge  all  the  Pamfylie  thaire  liaitered  and  rage, 
Under  blossomes  of  rethoricke,  ye  style  it  shoulde  not  dere  : 
Off  whoose  pretence  thoo  I,  maisters,  may  not  come  nere  : 
To  attempte  suclie  eloquence  in  als  wightye  a  matter ; 
Made  me  take  on  hande  ye  lyke,  to  followe  at  laser. 

[1581  ?]  Sidney,  Sir  Philip.  An  Apologie  for  Poetrie,  written  by  the 
right  noble,  vertuous,  and  learned,  Sir  Phillip  Sidney  Knight. 
Printed  for  Henry  Olney,  1595,  sign.  B  ii  6,  D  iii  6,  D  iv,  G  iv,  I  iv. 
(English  Keprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1869,  pp.  21,  34,  51,  62.) 

[sign.B      So  in  the    Italian  language,   the  first  that  made  it  aspire 
Si]'  P'  to  be   a  Treasure-house  of   Science,  were  the  Poets   Dante, 

Boccace,  and  Petrarch.     So  in  our  English  were  Gower  and 

Cliawcer. 

After  whom,  encouraged  and  delighted  with  theyr  excellent 

fore-going,  others  haue  followed,  to  beautifie  our  mother  tongue, 

as  wel  in  the  same  kinde  as  in  other  Arts.  .  . 

{sign.  D      See    whether    wisdome    and    temperance    in     Vlisses    and 

34] '      Diomedes,  valure  in  Achilles,  friendship  in  Nisus,  and  Eurialus, 

.[sign.  D  euen  to  an  ignoraunt  man,  carry  not  an  apparent  shyning  :  and 

contratily,  the  remorse  of    conscience    in    Oedipus,  the   soone 

repenting    pride   in   Agamemnon,  the  selfe-deuouring  crueltie 

in  his  Father   Atreus,  the  violence  of   ambition  in  the  two 

Tlieban  brothers,  the  sowre-sweetnes   of  reuenge    in    Medcea, 

and  to  fall  lower,   the  Terentian    Gnato,  and   our  Chaucer's 

Pandar,  so  exprest,  that  we  nowe  vse  their  names  to  signifie 

their  trades 

[sign.  G      Thirdly,  that  it  [Poetry]  is  the  Nurse  of  abuse,  infecting 

5i] 1>'     vs   with  many   pestilent   desires :    with    a    Syrens    sweetiies, 

drawing  the  mind  to  the  Serpents  tayle  of  sinfull  fancy.     And 


122  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1582 

lieerein  especially,  Comedies  giue  the  largest  field  to  erre, 
as  Chaucer  sayth :  howe  both  in  other  nations  and  in  ours, 
before  Poets  did  soften  vs,  we  were  full  of  courage,  giuen  to 
martiall  exercises;  the  pillers  of  manlyke  liberty  and  not 
lulled  a  sleepe  in  shady  idlenes  with  Poets  pastimes. 


[sign,  i       Chaucer,  vndoubtedly  did  excellently  in  hys  Troylus  and 

62]        Cresseid ;   of  whom,  truly  I  know  not,   whether  to  meruaile 

more,  either  that  he  in  that  mistie  time,  could  see  so  clearely,  or 

that  wee  in  this  cleare  age,  walke  so  stumblingly  after  him.     Yet 

had  he  great  wants,  fitte  to  be  forgiuen,  in  so  reuerent  antiquity. 

1582.  Humphrey,  Laurence.  lesuitismi  pars  prima.  Excudebat  Hen- 
ricus  Middletonus,  impensis  G  B.  1582.  Praefatio,  sign.  11111"  7. 

G.  Chau-  Oxoniensis  fuit  Galfridus  Chaucerus,  propter  dicendi 
gratiam  &  libertatem  quasi  alter  Dantes  aut  Petrarcha ; 
quos  ille  etiam  in  linguam  nostram  transtulit,  in  quibus  Romana 
Ecclesia  tanquam  sedes  Antichristi  describitur  &  ad  viuum 
exprimitur:  Hie  multis  in  locis  Fraterculos  istos,  monachos, 
missificos,  Pontificiorum  ceremonias,  peregrinationes  facunde 
notauit  verum  &  spiritualem  Christi  in  Sacramento  esum 
agnouit,  turpitudine?^  coactse  virginitatis  perstrinxit,  libertatem 
coniugij  in  Domino  commendauit,  vt  in  fabulis  Monachi, 
Fratris,  Aratoris  &  in  reliquis  legimus. 

[For  the  whole  question  of  Chaucer's  translation  of  Dante,  see  note  above,  p.  38.] 

1582.  Stanihurst,  Richard.  Thee  First  Fo[u]re  BooJces  of  Virgil  his 
JEinzis]  Translated  intoo  English  heroical  verse,  by  Richard  Stany- 
hnrst :  ivyth  oother  Poetical  diuises  theretoo  annexed.  Imprinted  at 
Leiden  in  Holland  by  John  Pateo,  MDLXXXII.  Prefatory  Address, 
signs.  A  ij  and  A  iij.  Epitaph  vpon  .  .  .  Lord  Girald  fitz  Girald, 
p.  106.  A  copy  of  1st  edn.  is  in  B.  M.  (Ed.  E.  Arber,  English 
scholars  library,  1880,  pp.  4,  152.) 

[Prefatory  address]   Too  Thee  Right  Honourable  my  verie 
loouing  Broother  thee  Lord  Baron  of  Dunsanye. 

But  oure  Virgil  not  content  wyth  such  meigre  stuffe,  dooth 
laboure,  in  telling,  as  yt  were  a  Cantorburye  tale  .... 

Too  lyke  effect  Chauncer  bringeth,  in  thee  fift  booke,  Troilus 
thus  mourning. 

Thee  owle  eeke,  which  that  hight  Ascaphylo, 
Hath  after  niee  sh  right  al  theese  nightes  two  : 


1582]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  123 

And  God  Mercurye,  now  of  inee  woful  wreche 

Thee  soule  gyde,  and  when  thee,  yt  seche.  [11.  319-22] 

[Epitaph]  Vpon  thee  Death  of  Thee  right  honourable 
thee  Lord  Girald  fitz  Girald,  L.  Baron  of  Offalye  [died 
1580]  .... 

0  that  I  thy  prayses  could  wel  decipher  in  order, 
Like  Homer  or  Virgil,  or  Geffray  Chauncer  in  English  : 
Then  would  thy  Stanylturst  in  pen  bee  liberal  holden 
Thee  poet  is  barrayn ;  for  prayse  sich  matter  is  offred. 


[1582.]  Watson,  Thomas.  The  E*aro/i;ra0ia,  or  Passionate  Centurie  oj 
Loue.  Sonnet  v,  prose  introduction.  London,  imprinted  by  John 
Wolfe  for  Gabriell  Cawood  ....  in  Paules  Churchyard,  sign.  A  3. 
(Reprinted  for  the  Spenser  soc.,  1869,  p.  19,  and  in  English 
Reprints,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1870,  p.  41.) 

[Sonnet  v.]  All  this  Passion  (two  verses  only  excepted)  is 
wholly  translated  out  of  Petrarch  where  he  writeth — 

S'amor  non  e,  che  dunque  e  quel  ch'  isento?    [Partprima, 

\  Sonnet  103.] 

Ma  s'egli  e  amor,  per  Dio  que  cosa,  e  quale  ? 
Se  buona,  ond^  e  1'effetto  aspro  e  mortals'? 
Se  ria,  ond'  e  si  dolce  ogni  tormento? 

Heerein  certaine  contrarieties,  whiche  are  incident  to  hinl 
that  loueth  extreemelye,  are  liuely  expressed  by  a  Metaphore. 
And  it  may  be  noted  that  the  Author,  in  his  first  halfe  verse 
of  this  translation  varieth  from  that  sense,  which  Chawcer 
vseth  in  translating  that  selfe  same  :  which  he  doth  vpon  no 
other  warrant  then  his  owne  simple  priuate  opinion,  which  yet 
he  will  Hot  greatly  stand  vpon. 

If  't  bee  not  loue  I  feele,  what  is  it  then? 

If.  loue  it  bee,  what  kind  a  thing  is  loue  1 

If  good,  how  chance  he  hurtes  so  many  men? 

If  badd,  how  happ's  that  none  his  hurtes  disproue 

[Cliaucer's  version : 

If  no  love  is,  O  god,  what  fele  I  so  ? 

And  if  love  is,  what  thing  and  whiche  is  he  ? 

If  love  be  good,  from  whennes  comth  my  wo  ? 

If  it  be  wikke,  a  wonder  thinketh  me, 

When  ever}'  torment  and  adversitee 

Thai  cometh  of  him,  may  to  me  savory  thinke  ; 

For  ay  thurst  I,  the  more  that  I  it  drinke. 

Troilus  and  Cnseyde,  Bk.  i,  11.  400-6.] 


124  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.B.  1583- 

1583.  Babington,  Gervase  (Bp.  of  Worcester).    A  very  frnitfull  Exposi 
tion  of  the  Commaundements,  pp.  412-13.    Ibid.  1637,  p.  78,  [in]  The 
Works  of  ...  Babington,  1637  (separate  pagination  for  each  work.) 
[In  Philip  Stubbes  Anatomy  of  Abuses,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  New 
Shakspere  soc.,  1877-9,  pp.  89*-90*  the  editor  quotes  Babington's 
reference  to  Chaucer's  Pardoiieres  Tale  against  the  sin  of  gaming.] 

....  Olde  Chaucer  so  long  agoe  set  his  sentence  downe 
against  this  exercise,  and  spares  not  to  display  the  vertues  of 

it  in  this  maner  :  [Here  follows  the  Pardoneres  Tale,  11.  591-602,  627-S.] 

[a.  1584.  Montgomerie,  Alexander.]  The  Flytting  betivixt  Mont- 
(jomerie  and  Polwart.  Newlie  corected  and  ammended,  Edin 
burgh  1629,  sign.  A  3,  A  4.  (Montgomerie's  Poerns,  ed.  J.  Cranstoun, 
1887,  Scottish  Text  soc.,  pp.  63-5.  See  also  ibid.,  introduction,  pp. 
liii-iv,  and  Cranstoun's  article  in  D.  N.  B.) 

Montgomerie  to  Polwart. 

p.  ii2]   Thy  scrowes  obscure  are  borrowed  fra  some  buik, 
Fra  Lindsay  thou  tuik   thou'rt  Chaucers  Cuike. 

Polwart  to  Montgomerie. 
[i.  165]   Also  I  may  bee  Chaucers  man 

And  3et  thy  master  not  the  lesse  .  .  .. 

[The  Flytting  was  first  published  in  1621,  and  the  only  copy  known  was  in  the 
Harleian  library  at  its  dispersal,  but  all  trace  of  it  has  since  been  lost.  A  portion 
of  the  poem  was  quoted  in  King  James's  Reulis  and  Cautelis  ofScottis  Poesie  in  1584, 
hence  it  must  have  been  written  before  that  date.  Cf.  above,  p.  97, 1562,  Alex.  Scott.] 

1584.  James  VI,  King.    Ane  schort  Treatise  conteining  some  revlis  and 
Cautelis  to  be  obseruit  and  eschewit  in  Scottis  Poesie  [in]  The  Essayes 
of  a  Prentise,  in  the  Divine  Art  of  Poesie.  1584.  Edinb.  library  D.  e. 
2.    57   [the  Treatise  begins  at  sign.   K].      (Elizabethan   Critical 
Essays,  ed.  G.  Gregory  Smith,  1904,  vol.  i,  p.  222,  and  note  pp. 
406-7.) 

For  tragicall  materis,  complaintis,  or  testameutis,  vse  this 
kynde  of  verse  following,  callit  Troilus  verse,  as 

To  thee,  Echo,  and  thow  to  me  agane 

In  the  desert,  amangs  the  wods  and  wells. 

[From  'Echo'  by  A.  Montgomcrie.] 

1584.  Scot,  Reginald.  The  discouerie  of  witchcraft.  Book  4,  chap.  12, 
p.  88,  book  14,  chaps.  1,  2  and  3,  pp.  353-59.  (Reprint  of  1st  edn. 
1584  ;  ed.  Brinsley  Nicholson,  1886,  pp.  69-70,  294-99.) 

The  censure  of  G.  Chaucer,  vpon  the  knauerie  of  Incubus. 

The  twelfe  Chapter. 

Now  will  I  (after  all  this  long  discourse  of  abhominable 
cloked  knaueries)  here  conclude  with  certeine  of  G.  Chaucers 
verses,  who  as  he  smelt  out  the  absurdities  of  poperie  so  found 


1584]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  125 

he  the  priests  kuauerie  in  this  matter  of  Incubus  and  (as  the 
time  would  suffer  him)  he  derided  their  follie  and  falshood  in 
this  wise  : 

For  now  the  great  charitie  and  praiers 

There  nis  none  other  Incubus  but  hee,  &c. 
Ge/r.  Chau.  in  the  beginning  of  the  Wife  of  Baths  tale.  [11.  865-880] 

[p.  353]       Of  the  art  of  Alcumystrie  .  .  . 

Here  I  thought  it  not  impertinent  to  saie  somewhat  of  the 
art  .  .  of  Alcumystrie  .  .  .;  which  Chaucer,  of  all  other  men, 
most  liuelie  deciphereth  .  .  .  [In  this,  and  the  following  two 
chapters  there  are  several  quotations  from  the  Chanon 
Yeoman's  Prologue,  as  well  as  a  prose  summary  of  the  tale.] 

[1584-88.]  Puttenham,  George.  Tlie  Arte  of  English  Poesie,  1589,  pp. 
11,  48-50,  54,  62,  71-3,  120,  177,  187-8,  200.  (English  Keprints, 
ed.  E.  Arber,  1869,  pp.  32,  74-6,  80,  89,  99,  101-2,  157,  221,  232, 
246 ;  see  also  Elizabethan  Critical  Essays,  ed.  G.  Gregory  Smith, 
1904,  vol.  ii,  pp.  17,  62-4,  68,  79,  89,  92-3,  150;  the  two  last 
references  are  omitted  in  this  edn.) 

And  in  her  Maiesties  time  that  now  is  are  sprong  vp 
an  other  crew  of  Courtly  makers,  Noble  men  and  Gentlemen 
of  her  Maiesties  owne  seruauntes,  who  haue  written  excellently 
well  .  .  .  ,  of  which  number  is  first  that  noble  Gentleman, 
Edward,  Earle  of  Oxford.  Thomas,  Lord  of  Bukhurst,  when 
he  was  young,  Henry,  Lord  Paget,  Sir  Philip  Sydney,  Sir 
Walter  Raicleigh,  Master  Edward  Dyar,  Maister  Fulke 
Greuell,  Gascon,  Britton,  Turberuille,  and  a  great  many  other 

learned  Gentlemen But  of  them  all  particularly  this  is 

myne  opinion,  that  Chaucer,  with  Goiuer,  Lulgat  and  Harding 
for  their  antiquitie  ought  to  haue  the  first  place,  and  Chaucer 
as  the  most  renowmed  of  them  all,  for  the  much  learning 
appeareth  to  be  in  him  aboue  any  of  the  rest.  And  though 
many  of  his  bookes  be  but  bare  translations  out  of  the  Latin 
and  French,  yet  are  they  wel  handled,  as  his  bookes  of  Troilus 
[p.  50]  and  Cresseid,  and  the  Eomant  of  the  Rose,  whereof  he  trans 
lated  but  one  halfe,  the  deuice  was  lohn  de  Mehunes,  a  French 
Poet,  the  Canterbury  Tales  were  Chaucers  owne  inuention 
as  I  suppose,  and  where  he  sheweth  more  the  naturall  of  his 
pleasant  wit,  than  in  any  other  of  his  workes,  his  similitudes, 
comparisons,  and  all  other  descriptions  are  such  as  can  not  be 


126  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1585 

amended.  His  meetre  Heroicall  of  Troilus  and  Cresseid  is  very 
graue  and  stately,  keeping  the  staffe  of  seuen,  and  the  verse  of 
ten,  his  other  verses  of  the  Canterbury  tales  be  but  riding 
ryme,  neuerthelesse  very  well  becomming  the  matter  of  that 
pleasaunt  pilgrimage  in  which  euery  mans  part  is  played  with 
much  decency.  . 

[p.  62]  But  our  auncient  rymers,  as  Chaucer,  Lydgate,  and  others, 
vsed  these  Cesures  either  very  seldome,  or  not  at  all,  or 
else  very  licentiously,  and  many  times  made  their  meetres 
(they  called  them  riding  ryme)  of  such  vnshapely  wordes  as 
would  allow  no  conuenient  Cesure,  and  therefore  did  let  their 
rymes  runne  out  at  length,  and  neuer  stayd  till  they  came  to 
the  end.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 

[p.  120]  Our  maker  th  erf  ore  at  these  dayes  shall  not  follow 
Piers  plowman,  nor  Gower,  nor  Lydgate,  nor  yet  Chaucer,  for 
their  language  is  now  out  of  vse  with  vs. 

[These  are  the  three  longest  references  to  Chaucer,  the  other  allusions  are  generally 
to  his  verse  ;  or  .quotations.  Puttenham  mentions  Troilus  and  Criseyde  four  times, 
the  C.  Tales  three  times,  and  the  Rom.  of  the  Rose  and  Cleikes  Tale  once  each.  One 
of  the  allusions  to  Chaucer's  '  Cresseida*  however  (Arber's  reprint,  p.  221),  and  the 
quotation  which  follows,  really  refers  to  Henryson's  Complaint  of  Cresseid,  1475,  and 
the  quotation  is  from  the  opening  lines  of  that  poem.] 

[c.  1585.]  Lambarde,  William.  Dictionarium  Anglice  Topographicum 
&  Historic-urn :  An  Alphabetical  Description  of  the  Chief  Places 
in  England  and  Wales  ....  now  first  published  from  a  Manuscript 
under  the  Author's  own  Hand.  London,  MDCCXXX,  pp.  390-1. 

Euioghnn          In  the  South  Parfc  of  this  Churche  [Westminster  Abbey] 
BnieCent.     lyeth  Geffrey  Chaucer,  whose  Tombe  was  re-editied  in  my 

Memorie  by  Mr  Brigham,  and  of  whome  Leland  sometyme 

made  this  Epitaphe 

Prcedicat  algerum  merita  florentia  Dan  tern 
Cui  veneres  del>et  pattia  lingua  suas 

[See  below,  App.  A,  c.  1545,  Leland.] 

.  .  .  And  lastly,  not  farre  from  Chaucer  lyeth  Robert  Halle, 
slayne  by  the  Lord  Latymer,  as  he  kneled  at  Masse,  upon  a 
Strife  growen  betwene  theim  in  Fraunce,  for  the  takinge  of 
a  Prisonner  :  Thus  muche  of  the  Buryed. 

[This  work  was  probably  written  in  1585,  as  in  that  year,  Lambarde  wrote  to 
Camden  saying  that  he  must  give  up  his  own  work  in  favour  of  Camden's ;  see  Cam- 
deni  et  illustrium  virorum  epistolae,  scriptore  Thoma  Smitho,  1691,  pp.  28-30.  See 
alto  below,  p.  191,  1615,  Vfallans],  W.,  The  Honourable  Prentice.] 


1585]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  127 

[c.  1585.]  Harvey,  Gabriel.  MS.  notes  in  Gabriel  Harvey's  hand 
writing,  prefixed  to  his  copy  of  The  Surueye  of  the  World,  by 
Dionise  Alexandrine ;  englished  by  T.  Twine,  1572.  (Gabriel 
Harvey's  Marginalia,  ed.  G.  C.  Moore  Smith,  Stratford- upon- A  von, 
1913,  pp.  159-161,  162.) 

[These  MS.  notes  deal  with  astronomy  in  connexion  with  Poets,  notably  Chaucer, 
Lydgate  and  Spenser,  but  they  refer  also  to  foreign  writers,  and  contemporary 
Englishmen.  They  are  prefixed  to  a  collection  of  small  Books  of  Travel  bound 
together,  one  of  them  [The  Trauailer,  by  leroine  Turler]  presented  by  Spenser  to 
Gabriel  Harvey,  1578,  most  of  them  having  Harvey's  name  on  the  title  pages.  These 
books  are  in  the  possession  of  Prof.  I.  Gollancz.] 

Notable  Astronomical  descriptions  in  Chawcer,  and  Lidgate ; 
fine  artists  in  manie  kinds,  and  much  better  learned  than  owre 
moderne  poets. 

Chawcers  conclusions  of  the  Astrolabie,  still  excellent  and 
vnempeachable :  especially  for  the  Horizon  of  Oxford.  A 
worthie  man,  that  initiated  his  little  sonne  Lewis  with  such 
cunning  and  subtill  conclusions:  as  sensibly  and  plainly 
expressed  as  lie  cowld  deuise.  ...  In  the  Squiers  tale.  In  the 
tale  of  the  Nonnes  preist.  In  the  beginning  of  the  seconde 
booke  of  Troilus. 

The  Description  of  the  Spring,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
prologues  of  Chawcers  Canterburie  tales. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Complaint  of  the  Black  Knight.  In 
the  beginning  of  the  flo[wre]  and  the  leafe. 

In  the  beginning  of  Lidgats  Storie  of  Thebes.  In  the 
roniant  of  the  Eose  :  122.6.  In  the  beginning  of  the  testament 
of  Creseide,  a  winterlie  springe. 

The  description  of  Winter,  in  the  Frankleins  tale.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  flowre  of  Courtesie  :  made  bie  Lidgate. 
In  the  beginning  of  the  assemblie  of  Ladies.  In  a  ballad  343. 

The  description  of  the  liower  of  the  day:  in  the  Man  of 
Lawes  prologue.  In  the  tale  of  the  Nonnes  preist.  In  the 
parsons  prologue. 

Notable  descriptions,  and  not  anie  so  artificial  in  Latin,  or 
Greek. 

Ecce  etiam  personaru?7i  rerumgwe  Iconismi. 

The  artificial  description  of  a  cunning  man,  or  Magician, 
or  Astrologer,  in  the  Franklins  tale. 

Two  cristall  stones  artificially  sett  in  the  botom  of  the  fresh 
well :  in  the  romant  of  the  Eose,  123.  The  Natiuitie  of 
Hypermestre :  in  her  Legend. 

Fowre  presents  of  miraculous  vertu  :  An  horse,  &  a  sword ; 
a  glasse  &  a  ring  :  in  the  Squiers  tale. 


128  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1585- 

The  Natiuitie  of  Oedipus,  artificially  calculated  in  the  first 
part  of  Lidgats  storie  of  Thebes  :  bie  the  cunningest 
Astronomers,  and  philosophers  of  Thebes. 

The  discouerie  of  the  counter/ait  Alcltymist,  in  the  tale  of 
the  Chanons  Yeman. 

Other  commend  Chawcer,  &  Lidgate  for  their  witt,  pleasant 
veine,  varietie  of  poetical  discourse,  &  all  humanitie:  I 
specially  note  their  Astronomic,  philosophic,  and  other  parts  of 
profound  or  cunning  art.  Wherein  few  of  their  time  were 
more  exactly  learned.  It  is  not  sufficient  for  poets  to  be 
superficial  humanists  :  but  they  must  be  exquisite  artists,  and 
curious  uniuersal  schollers. 


Saepe  miratus  sum,  Chaucerum,  et  Lidgatuw  tantos  fuisse  in 
diebus  illis  astronomos. 

[1585-1590  ?]    Harvey,    Gabriel.      MS.  notes  in   The   Mathematical 
lewel.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1585,  Nov.  3.     Order  by  the  Court  of  Requests  as  to  the  payment  of 
money  at  Chaucer's  tomb.     Books  of  Decrees  and  Orders,  Court  of 
Requests,  vol.  xiv,  fol.  29.     (Life  Records  of  Chaucer,  ed.  R.  E.  G. 
Kirk,  Chaucer  soc.,  1900,  pp.  334-5.) 

Michaelmas  term  27-28  Eliz.,  3rd  Nov. 

Puttenham  v.  Puttonham. 

Order  as  to  <£45  received  by  John  Bowyer,  Esquire,  one  of 
the  Queen's  [Serjeants-at-]arms,  upon  a  lawful  tender  thereof 
by  Thomas  Colbie,  Esquire,  on  31st  October  last,  "at  the 
tombe  of  Jeffrey  Chawcer,  within  the  Church  of  St.  Peter  in 
Westminster,  betwene  the  bowers  of  two  &  fower  of  the  clocke 
in  the  after  noone  of  the  same,"  according  to  a  Decree  made 
on  the  7th  Feb.  8  Eliz.  [1566]. 

[This  decree  has  not  been  traced.    See  1596,  below,  p.  143,  Caesar.] 

1586.  Camden,    William.      Britannia    Authore    Gniliehno    Camdeno, 
p.  199.     First  printed  1586.     (Trans.,  ed.  and  enlarged  by  Richard 
Gough,  1789,  vol.  i,  p.  286.) 

Dobuni,  Oxfordshire  .  .  .  Oppidum  ipsum  [Woodstock]  cum 
nihil    habeat    quod   ostentet.     Homerum   nostrum    Anglicum 
Galfredum  Chaucerum  alumnum  suum  fuisse  gloriatur.     De 
quo   &  nostris    Poetis    Anglicis  illud  vere   asseram,  quod  de 
Homero,  &  Grascis  eruditus  ille  Italus  dixit : 
Hie  ille  est,  cuius  de  gurgite  nacro 
Combibit  arcanos  vatum  omnis  turba  furores. 


1586]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  1291 

Ille  eniin  extra  omnem  ingenij  aleam  positus,  &  Poetastras- 
nostros  longo  post  se  interuallo  relinquens. 

— -jam  monte  potitus 
Ridet  anhelantem  dura  ad  fastifjia  turbam. 

[For  reference  in  later  edn.  see  below,  pp.  162-3,  1600.] 

1586.  Feme,  Sir  John.     The  Blazon  of  Gentrie,  etc.,  p.  202. 

The  bearer  heereof  [=  Arms  of  Pressignie],  ne  none  of 
his  name  be  English  :  but  by  cause  it  is  a  frencli  coate  I  will 
give  it  you  in  french  blazonne  :  .  .  .  .  But  if  you  would 
blaze  in  french  of  Stratford  at  Bow,  say,  that  Pressignie 
beareth  barrewaies  sixe  peces,  per  pale  counterchanged  in 
chief 

[Allusion  to  Prologue  C.  Tales,  11.  124-5?] 

1586.  Webbe,  William.  A  Discourse  of  English  Poetrie,  [only  two 
copies  known,  of  which  one  is  among  the  Malone  books  in  the 
Bodl.  library],  sign.  C  ii  6,  C  iii,  D  iii,  E  iiii.  (English  Eeprints,  ed. 
E.  Arber,  1871,  pp.  31-2,  41,  52;  Elizabethan  Critical  Essays,  ed. 
G.  Gregory  Smith,  1904,  vol.  i,  pp.  241,  251,  263.) 

gigi.cii&,  The  first  of  our  English  Poets  that  Ihaue  heard  of  was  lohn 
Gower  .  .  .  his  freend  Chawcer  .  .  speaketh  of  him  often 
times  in  diners  places  of  hys  workes.  Chawcer,  who  for  that 
excellent  fame  which  hee  obtayned  in  his  Poetry,  was  alwayes 
accounted  the  God  of  English  Poets  (such  a  tytle  for  honours 
sake  hath  beene  giuen  him),  .  .  .  hath  left  many  workes,  both 
for  delight  and  profitable  knowledge,  farre  exceeding  any  other 
that  as  yet  euer  since  hys  time  directed  theyr  studies  that  way. 
Though  the  manner  of  hys  stile  may  seeme  blunte  and  course 
to  many  fine  English  eares  at  these  dayes,  yet  in  trueth,  if  it 
be  equally  pondered,  and  with  good  judgment  aduised,  and 
confirmed  with  the  time  wherein  he  wrote,  a  man  shall  per- 
ceiue  thereby  euen  a  true  picture  or  perfect  shape  of  a  right 
Poet.  He  by  his  delightsome  vayne,  so  gulled  the  eares  of 
men  with  his  deuises,  that,  although  corruption  bare  such 
sway  in  most  matters,  that  learning  and  truth  might  skant  bee 
admitted  to  shewe  it  selfe,  yet  without  controllment,  myght 
hee  gyrde  at  the  vices  and  abuses  of  all  states,  and  gawle  with 
very  sharpe  and  eger  inuentions,  which  he  did  so  learnedly 
and  pleasantly,  that  none  therefore  would  call  him  into 
question.  For  such  was  his  bolde  spyrit,  that  what  enormities 
he  saw  in  any,  he  would  not  spare  to  pay  them  home,  eyther 
in  playne  words,  or  els  in  some  prety  and  pleasant  couert, 
that  the  simplest  might  espy  him. 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  K 


130  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1587- 

lsig?j D  Let  thinges  that  are  faigned  for  pleasures  sake  hane  a  neer 
resemblance  of  the  truth.  This  precept  may  you  perceiue  to 
bee  most  duelie  obserued  of  Cltawcer :  for  who  could  with 
more  delight  prescribe  such  wholsome  counsaile  and  sage 
aduise,  where  he  seemeth  onelie  to  respect  the  profitte  of  his 
lessons  and  instructions?  or  who  coulde  with  greater  wisedome, 
or  more  pithie  skill,  vnfold  such  pleasant  and  delightsome 
matters  of  mirth,  as  though  they  respected  nothing  but  the 
telling  of  a  merry  tale?  so  that  this  is  the  very  grounde  of 
right  poetrie,  to  give  profitable  counsaile,  yet  so  as  it  must  be 
mingled  with  delight. 

1587.  Churchyard,  Thomas.     The  Worthiness  of  Wales.     An  Introduc 
tion  for  Breaknoke  Shiere,   sign.  H  1  6.     (Reprint  of  edn.  of  1587, 
Spenser  soc.,  1876,  p.  62.) 

If  Quids  skill  I  had,  or  could  like  Homer  write, 
Or  Dant  would  make  thy  muses  glad,  to  please  ye  worlds  delite, 
Or  Chawser  lent  me  in  these  daies,  some  of  his  learned  tales, 
As  Petrarke  did  his  Lawra  praise,  so  would  I  speake  of  Wales. 

1588.  Fraunce,  Abraham.    The  Laiviers  Logike  .  .  .  Imprinted  by  W. 
How,  1588,  fol.  27. 

The  like  absurditie  would  it  bee  for  a  man  of  our  age  to 
affectate  such  wordes  as  were  quite  worne  out  at  heeles  and 
elbowes  long  before  the  natiuitie  of  Geffrey  Chawcer. 

1589.  Greene,  Robert.     Menaphon,  sign.  F  2  b.     (Greene's  Works,  ed. 
A.  B.  Grosart,  Huth  library,  1881-6,  vol.  vi,  1881-3,  p.  86.) 

The  Reports  of  the  Sliepheards. 

Whosoeuer   Samela   descanted  of  that   loue,  tolde  you  a 
Canterbury  tale. 

1589.  [Nashe,  Thomas.]  To  the  Gentlemen  Students  of  both  Vniuersities. 
Introduction  to  Greene's  Menaphon,  sign.  A  2.  (Ed.  E.  Arber,  1895 
pp.  15,  16.  Works  of  Thomas  Nashe,  ed.  R.  B.  McKerrow  1904-5' 
vol.  iii,  1905,  p.  322.) 

...  Tut  saies  our  English  Italians,  the  finest  witts  our 
Climate  sends  foorth,  are  but  drie  braind  doltes,  in  comparison 
of  other  countries :  whome  if  you  interrupt  with  redde  rationem 
they  will  tell  you  of  Petrache,  Tasso,  Celiano,  with  an  infinite 
number  of  others;  to  whome  if  I  should  oppose  Chaucer, 
Lidgate,  Gower,  with  such  like,  that  liued  vnder  the  tirranie  of 
ignorance,  I  do  think  their  best  louers,  would  bee  much  dis 
contented,  with  the  collation  of  contraries,  if  I  should  write 
oner  al  their  heads,  Haile  fellow  well  met— One  thing  I  am 
sure  of,  that  each  of  these  three,  haue  vaunted  their  meeters 


1590]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  131 

with  as  much  admiration   in  English   as    euer  the  proudest 
Ariosto  did  his  verse  in  Italian. 

[1589-90  ?  Shakespeare,  William  ?]     Titus  Andronicus,  II,  i,  126-7. 
The  emperor's  court  is  like  the  house  of  Fame, 
The  palace  full  of  tongues,  of  e}res  and  ears. 

This  is  almost  certainly  a  reference  to  Chaucer's  House  of  Fame.  It  is  true  that 
there  is  a  description  of  Fama's  abode  in  Ovid  (Metam.  xii,  39-64),  but  the  expression 
'  house  of  fame '  is  not  in  Gosling's  translation.  Moreover,  the  idea  of  the  many  tongues, 
eyes,  and  ears,  is  derived,  if  not  direct  from  Virgil  (Aen.  iv,  173-83),  from  the  close 
imitation  by  Chaucer,  whose  Fame  had  '  as  fele  eyen  ...  As  fetheres  upon  foules 
be'.  .  .  and  'also  fele  np-stonding  cres  And  tonges'  (H.  of  F.  Ill,  291-2,  299-300). 
Thero  may  be  a  debt  to  Peele'.s  Honour  oj  the  Garter,  1593,  which  would  affect  the 
question  of  the  date  of  Titus.  With  regard  to  Shakespeare's  authorship  of  the  play, 
see  Dr.  M.  M.  Arnold  Schroer,  Uber  Titus  Andronicus,  Marburg  1891,  Fleay's 
Shakespeare  Manual,  187(5,  p.  44,  and  H.  13.  Wheatley  in  New  Sliakespere  Soc. 
Transactions,  1874,  pp.  126-9.  For  other  possible  Chaucer  references  in  Shake 
speare,  and  his  indebtedness  to  Chaucer  and.  knowledge  of  him,  see  below,  Appendix 
A,  1589,  Shakespeare.] 

1590.  Greene,  B[obert].  Greenes  Mourning  Garment,  1616,  sign.  B  3, 
Huth  library.  (Greene's  Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1881-6,  vol.  ix, 
1881-3,  pp.  130-1.)  [Published  originally  in  1590,  but  no  copy  of 
this  edn.  is  known ;  the  only  edn.  that  we  have  been  able  to  trace 
is  one  of  1616.] 

The  description  of  the  youngest  sonne. 

PMlador was  courteous  to  salute  all,  counting  it 

commendable  prodigality  that  grew  from  the  Bonnet  and  the 
Tongue,  alluding  to  this  olde  verse  of  Chaucer. 
Miclde  grace  winnes  he 
Thats  franke  of  bonnet,  tongue  and  knee. 

1590.  Greene,  Kob[ert].  The  Royal  Exchange.  Contayning  Sundry 
Aphorismes  of  Phylosophie.  At  London,  printed  by  I.  Char! e wood 
.  .  .  1590.  [Unique  copy  Chetham  library.]  (Greene's  Works,  ed. 
A.  B.  Grosart,  Huth  library,  1881-6,  vol.  viii,  1881-3,  p.  321.) 

Olde  men,  (saith  Sir  leffrie  Chaucer),  are  then  in  their 
right  vaine,  when  they  haue  In  diebus  illis,  in  theyr  mouth ; 
telling  what  passed  long  agoe,  what  warres  they  haue  scene, 
what  charitie,  what  cheapeness  of  victuals,  alwaies  blaming 
the  time  present,  though  neuer  so  fruitful. 

[This  is  not  in  Chaucer,  but  see  the  description  of  Gower  and  Chaucer  in  Greene's 
Vision,  1592,  xii,  p.  209,  '  In  diebus  illis,'  hung  upon  their  garments.'] 

1590.  Unknown.  The  Cobler  of  Caunterburie,  or  An  inuective  against 
Tarltons  Newes  out  of  Purgatorie.  At  London,  printed  by  Robert 
Kobinson,  1590. — [2nd  edn.]  London,  Printed  by  Nicholas  Okes  for 
Nathaniel  Butter,  1608,  sign.  A  3  b,  B  1  b,  K  1  b.  (Ed.  Frederic 
Ouvry,  1862,  pp.  2,  3,  6,  76.) 

...  to  my  booke,  wherein  are  contained  the  tales  that 
were  told  in  the  Barge  betweene  Billingsgate  and  Grauesend  : 
imitating  herein  old  father  Chaucer,  who  with  the  like  Method 


132  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1590 

set  out  his  Canterbury  tales :  but  as  there  must  be  admitted 
no  compare  betweene  a  cup  of  Darby  ale,  and  a  dish  of  durtie 
water :  So  sir  leffery  Chaucer  is  so  high  aboue  my  reach,  that 
1  take  Noli  altum  sapere  for  a  warning ;  and  onely  looke  at 
him  with  honour  and  reuerence  .... 

[sign. B  16]  .  .  .  what  say  you  to  old  father  Chaucer?  how  like  you 
of  his  Canterlurie  tales'?  are  they  not  pleasant  to  delight, 
and  wittie  to  instruct,  and  full  of  conceited  learning  to  shewe 
the  excellency  of  his  wit?  All  men  commend  Chaucer  as 
the  father  of  English  Poets,  and  said  that  he  shot  a  shoote 
which  many  have  aymed  at,  but  neuer  reacht  too  .... 

[sign.  K  i  b]  Gentlemen  ...  at  the  motion  of  the  Cobler,  wee  haue 
imitated  old  Father  CJiaucer,  hauing  in  our  little  Barge,  as 
he  had  in  his  trauell  sundry  tales  .... 

[Of  this  work,  the  author  of  Greene's  Vision  [1592.  below,  pp.  137-8]  says,  "  But 
now  of  late  there  came  foorth  a  booke  called  the  Cobler  of  Canterburie,  a  merrie 
worke,  and  made  by  some  madde  fellow,  conteining  plesant  tales,  a  little  tainted 
with  scurilitie,  such  reuerend  Chawcer  as  your  selfe  set  foorth  in  your  iourney  to 
Canterbury."  Greene's  Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  vol.  xii,  1881-3,  pp.  212-3.  A 
copy  of  the  first  edn.  of  the  Cobler  is  in  the  Bodl.  library.  The  references  are  to  the 
second  edn.,  whicli  is  in  the  B.  M.,  and  varies  from  the  first  only  very  slightly.  Qf. 
1630,  The  Tincknr  of  Turvey,  p.  203,  below.] 

[c.  1590. J  Unknown.     Marginal  note  in  MS.  Addit.  24,663,  fol.  1. 

When  Faythe  fayleth  in  prestes  sawes^ 

wrytten  by 

-,  £  '  •        ( Jefferae  Chawser 

be  put  to  grett  confusion.  J 

[From  sayings  printed  by  Caxton,  see  above,  p.  113, 1576,  Meredith  Hanmer.] 

1590-6.  Spenser,  Edmund.  The  Faerie  Queene  ....  1590.  The  second 
part  of  the  Faerie  Queene,  containing  the  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth 
bookes,  1596  ;  book  iv,  canto  2,  p.  28  [should  be  p.  30].  Two  cantos 
of  Mutabilitie  [i.  e.  part  of  book  7,  first  printed  in]  The  Faerie 
Queene,  1609,  book  vii,  canto  7,  p.  359.  Cf.  also  book  i,  canto  1,  p. 
5  [catalogue  of  the  trees],  with  the  Parliament  of  Foules,  11.  176,  etc. 
(Works  of  Spenser,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1882-4,  vols.  vii,  pp.  70-1  ; 
viii,  p.  296.  Globe  edn.,  ed.  R.  Morris,  1869,  pp.  239,  430.) 

[The  Squire  brings  word  to  Sir  Blandamour  and  Sir  Paridell 
that  two  knights  and  two  ladies  they  have  overtaken  are  :] 
canto  2iV'      Two  of  the  prowest  Knights  in  Faery  lond ; 
xxri]       And  those  two  Ladies  their  two  loners  deare, 

Couragious  Cambell,  and  stout  Triamond, 
With  Canacee  and  Cambine  linckt  in  louely  bond. 


1590]  Cliaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  133 

Whylome  as  antique  stories  tellen  vs, 

Those  two  were  foes  the  fellonest  on  ground, 
And  battell  made  the  dreddest  daungerous, 
That  euer  shrilling  trumpet  did  resound; 
Though  now  their  acts  be  no  where  to  be  found, 
As  that  renowmed  Poet  them  compyled, 
With  warlike  numbers  and  Heroicke  sound, 
Dan  Chaucer,  well  of  Englishe  vndefyled, 

On  Fames  eternall  beadroll  worthie  to  be  fyled. 


But  wicked  Time  that  all  good  thoughts  doth  waste, 
And  workes  of  noblest  wits  to  nought  out  weare, 
That  famous  moniment  hath  quite  defaste, 
And  robd  the  world  of  threasure  endlesse  deare, 
The  which  mote  haue  enriched  all  vs  heare. 

0  cursed  Eld  the  cankerworme  of  writs, 

How  may  these  rimes,  so  rude  as  doth  appeare, 

Hope  to  endure,  sith  workes  of  heauenly  wits 

Are  quite  deuourd,  and  brought  to  nought  by  little  bits  1 

Then  pardon,  0  most  sacred  happie  spirit, 
That  I  thy  labours  lost  may  thus  reuiue, 
And  steale  from  thee  the  meede  of  thy  due  merit, 
That  none  durst  euer  whilest  thou  wast  aliue, 
And  being  dead  in  vaine  yet  many  striue  : 
Ne  dare  I  like,  but  through  infusion  sweete 
Of  thine  owne  spirit,  which  doth  in  me  surviue, 

1  follow  here  the  footing  of  thy  feete, 

That  with  thy  meaning  so  I  may  the  rather  meete. 


[Book  vii,   So  heard  it  is  for  any  liuing  wight, 

st.  ix]  '  All  her  [Dame  Nature's]  array  and  vestiments  to  tell 

That  old  Dan  Geffrey  (in  whose  gentle  spright 
The  pure  well  head  of  Poesie  did  dwell) 
In  his  Foules  parley  durst  not  with  it  mel, 
But  it  transferd  to  Alane,  who  he  thought 
Had  in  his  Plaint  of  Idndes  describ'd  it  well : 
Which  who  will  read  set  forth  so  as  it  ought, 
Go  seek  he  out  that  Alane  where  he  may  be  sought. 


134  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1591- 

1591.  Harington,  Sir  John.  An  Apologie  of  Poetrie.  Prefixed  to 
Orlando  Furioso  in  English  heroical  verses  by  John  Harington, 
sign.  IT  vii.  (Ancient  Critical  Essays  upon  English  Poets  and 
Poesy,  ed.  Joseph  Haslewood,  1811  -15,  vol.  ii,  1815,  pp.  139-40.) 

me  thinkes  I  can  smile  at  the  finesse  of  some  that 
will  condenme  him  (i.  e.  Ariosto),  &  yet  not  onely  allow,  but 
admire  our  Chawcer,  who  both  in  words  &  sence,  incurreth 
far  more  the  reprehewsio?*  of  flat  scurrilitie,  as  I  could  recite 
many  places,  not  onely  in  his  millers  tale,  but  in  the  good 
wife  of  Bathes  tale,  &  many  more,  in  which  onely  the 
decorum  he  keepes,  is  that  that  excuseth  it,  and  maketh  it 
more  tolerable. 

1591.  Lyly,  John.  Endimion.  [Character  of  Sir  Tophas,  name  most 
probably  suggested  by  Chaucer,  see  Works  of  John  Lyly,  ed.  K. 
Warwick  Bond,  1902  ;  the  play  is  reprinted  in  vol.  iii ;  cf.  notes 
ibid.,  pp.  503-4.] 

[1591?]  'Simon  Smel-Knaue  (studient  in  good-felowship).'  Fearefull 
and  lamentable  effects  of  two  dangerous  Comets,  which  shall  appeare 
in  the  Yeere  of  our  Lord  1591,  the  25.  of  March.  At  London, 
printed  by  I.  C.  for  John  Busbie,  sign.  C  2.  (See  British  Biblio 
grapher,  ed.  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  1810-14,  vol.  i,  p.  375.  Of.  1608 
The  Penniless  Parliament,  below,  p.  183.) 

Chaucer s  bookes  shall  this  yeere,  prooue  more  witty  then 
euer  they  were :  for  there  shall  so  many  suddayne,  or  rather 
sodden  wittes  steppe  abroad,  that  a  Flea  shall  not  friske  f oorth 
vnlesse  they  comment  on  her. 

1591.  Spenser,  Ed[mund].     Colin  Clouts  Come  Home  Againe.     Printed 
for   William    Ponsonbie,    1595,   II.   1-6  [dedication   dated    1591]. 
(Works  of   Spenser,   ed.  A.   B.   Grosart,   1882-4,   vol.  iv,   p.  37, 
Spenser's  Works,  Globe  edn.,  ed.  R.  Morris,  1869,  p.  549.) 

The  shepheards  boy  (best  knowen  by  that  name) 

That  after  Tityrus  first  sung  his  lay, 

Laies  of  sweet  loue,  without  rebuke  or  blame, 

Sate  (as  his  custome  was)  vpon  a  day, 

Charming  his  oaten  pipe  vnto  his  peres, 

The  shepheard  swaines  that  did  about  him  play. 

1592.  [Harvey,  Gabriel.]    Foure  Letters,  and  certaine  Sonnets,  especially 
touching  Robert  Greene  ....  The  Second  Letter.     To  mi/  louing 
frend,  Maister  Christopher  Bird  of  Walden,  pp.  7,  73.     (Works  of 
G.  Harvey,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  Huth  library,  1884,  vol.  i,  pp.  165,  252.) 

...  if  mother  Hubbard  in  the  vair.e  of  Chatccer,  happen 
to  tel  one  Canicular  tale ;  father  Elderton,  and  his  sonne 


1592]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  '  135 

Greene,  in  the  vaine  of  Skelton  or  Scoggin,  will  counterfeit  an 
hundred  dogged  Fables,  Libles  .... 

Sonnet  xxii. 

L'enuoy :  or  an  Answere  to  the  Gentleman,  that  drunke  to 
Chaucer,  vpon  view  of  the  former  Sonnets,  and  other  Cantos, 
in  honour  of  certaine  Braue  men. 

Some  Tales  to  tell,  would  I  a  Chaucer  were  : 
Yet  would  I  not  euen-now  an  Homer  be 
Though  Spencer  me  hath  often  Homer  term'd ; 
And  Monsieur  Bodine  vow'd  as  much  as  he, 
Enuy,  and  Zoilus,  two  busy  wightes, 
No  petty  shade  of  Homer  can  appeere, 
But  he  the  Diuell,  and  she  his  Dam  display  : 
[p.  74]   And  Furies  fell  annoy  swcete  Muses  cheere, 
Nor  Martins  I,  nor  Counter-martins  squibb  : 
Enough  a  doo,  to  cleere  my  simple  selfe ; 
Momus  gainst  Heauen;  and  Zoilus  gainst  Earth, 
A  Quipp  for  Gibeline ;  and  whip  for  Guelph. 
Or  purge  this  humour;  or  woe-worth  the  State, 
That  long  endures  the  one,  or  other  mate. 

1592.  Nashe,  Thomas.  Strange  Newes  of  the  intercepting  of  certains 
Letters  ....  by  Tho.  Nashe,  The  Epistle  Dedicatorie,  sign.  A  2, 
A  4,  G  3,  K  1.  (Works  of  Thomas  Nashe,  ed.  R.  B.  McKemnv, 
1904-5,  vol.  i,  pp.  255,  258,  299,  316-17.) 

To  the  most  copious  Carminist  of  our  time,  &c. 

[sign.  A 2]  Gentle  M.  William,  ....  I  am  bolde  in  steade  of  new 
Wine,  to  carowse  to  you  a  cuppe  of  newes  :  Which  if  your 
Worship  (according  to  your  wonted  CflATJCBR/sme)  shall  accept 
in  good  part,  111  bee  your  daily  Orator  to  pray  that,  &c.,  &c. 

[sign.  A 4] Proceede  to  cherish  thy  surpassing  carminicall  arte 

of  memorie  with  full  cuppes  (as  thow  dost)  let  Chaucer  bee 
new  scourd  against  the  day  of  battaile,  and  Terence  come  but 
in  nowe  and  then  with  the  snuffe  of  a  sentence 

[sign.  G  3]  Homer,  and    Virgil,  two   valorous   Authors,  yet  were  they 
never    knighted,    they   wrote    in    Hexameter   verses :    Ergo, 
Chaucer,  and  Spencer  the  Homer  and  Vergil  of  England,  were 
farre  ouerseene  that  they  wrote  not  all  their  Poems  in  Hexi; 
miter  verses  also. 


186  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1592 

(sign.  Ki]  Chaucers  authoritie  I  am  certainc,  shalbe  alleadgd  against 
mee  for  a  many  of  these  balductums  [i.e.  against  coining  new 
and  Latinised  words].  Had  Chaucer  liu'd  to  this  age,  I  am 
verily  perswaded  hee  wou'd  haue  discarded  the  tone  halfe  of 
the  liarsher  sort  of  them. 

They  were  the  Oouse,  which  ouerflowing  barbarisme,  with- 
drawne  to  her  Scottish  Northren  chanell,  had  left  behind  her. 
Art,  like  yong  grasse  in  the  spring  of  Chaucers  florishing,  was 
glad  to  peepe  vp  through  any  slime  of  corruption,  to  be  behold 
ing  to  she  car'd  not  whome  for  apparaile,  trauailing  in  those 
colde  countries. 

1592.  Nashe,  Thomas.  Pierce-Penilesse,  his  supplication  to  the  Diudl, 
sign.  D  3  b.  (Works  of  Thomas  Nashe,  ed.  E.  B.  McKerrow,  1904-5, 
vol.  i,  pp.  193,  194.) 

The  fruits  To  them  that  demaund  what  fruites  the  Poets  of 
>etry  our  time  bring  forth,  or  wherein  they  are  able  to 
proue  themselues  necessary  to  the  state.  Thus  I  answere. 
First  and  for  most,  they  haue  cleansed  our  language  from 
barbarisme  and  made  the  vulgar  sort  here  in  London  ....  to 
aspire  to  a  richer  puritie  of  speach  ....  What  age  will  not 
praise  immortal  Sir  Philip  Sidney  ....  together  with  Sir 
engiish  Nicholas  Bacon  ....  and  merry  sir  Thomas  Moore, 
worke  £Qr  ^Q  chiefs  pillers  of  our  engiish  speeche  1  Not  so 
much  but  Chaucers  host  Baly  in  Southworke,  and  his  wife  of 
Bath  he  keeps  such  a  stirre  with,  in  his  Canterbury  tales,  shalbe 
talkt  of  whilst  the  Bath  is  vsde,  or  there  be  euer  a  badhouse 
in  Southwork. 

1592.  Stowe,  John.  The  Annales  of  England  .  .  .  from  the  first  in 
habitation  vntill  this  present  yeere  1592,  pp.  431,  517-8.  [This  is 
the  same  book  as  the  Chronicles  of  England,  1580,  only  revised  and 
enlarged,  see  above,  p.  119,  note  under  1580,  Stowe.] 

Chaucer  About  the  same  time  the  Eale  \sic\  of  Salisbury, 
sent  into  and  sir  Richard  Anglisison  a  Poyton,  the  Byshoppe 
of  Saint  Dauids,  the  Byshoppe  of  Hereford,  Geffrey 
Chaucer,  (the  famous  Poet  of  England)  and  other,  were  sent 
into  Frau nee  to  treat  a  peace,  or  at  the  least  a  truce  for  two 
yeere  or  more,  but  they  coulde  not  obtayne  any  longer  truce, 
then  for  one  moneth,  which  they  utterly  refused.  Whereupon 
they  stayed  in  Fraunce  about  these  things  .... 

[For  this  journey  of  Chaucer's,  see  above,  1377,  p.  5  ;  1410,  p.  20.  For  the  text  of 
the  2nd  reference,  pp  517-18,  see  below,  p.  164,  under  1600,  The  Annales  of  England, 
pp.  527-8,  where  the  reference  is  practically  the  same.] 


1592]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  137 

1592.  Greene,  Robert.  A  Quip  for  an  vpstart  Courtier.  .  .  .  1592,  sign. 
D  2.  (Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  Huth  library,  1881-6,  vol.  xi, 
1881-3,  p.  255.) 

.  .  .  for  the  Simmer  it  bootes  me  to  say  little  more  against 
him,  then  Chaucer  did  in  his  Canterbury  tales,  who  said  hee 
was  a  knaue,  briber,  and  a  bawd  :  but  leaning  that  authority 
although  it  be  authenticall.  .  .  . 

[The  whole  substance  of  this  pamphlet  is  taken  from  Francis  Thynne's  poem, 
Pride  and  Lowlines,  c.  1568,  and  the  character  descriptions  in  both  pieces  are  much 
influenced  by  Chaucer.] 


[1592.]  Unknown.  Greenes  Vision.  Written  at  the  instant  of  his  death. 
Conteyning  a  penitent  passion  for  the  folly  of  his  Pen.  Sero  sed  Serio. 
sign.  C  1,  C  2,  C  3,  C  4,  H  1.  (Greene's  Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart, 
Huth  library,  1881-6,  vol.  xii,  1881-3,  pp.  208-74.) 

[This  has  hitherto  been  thought  not  to  be  by  Greene,  but  see  J.  Churton  Collins  in 
his  edn.  of  The  Plays  and  Poems  of  Robert  Greene,  Oxford,  1905,  vol.  i,  p.  20,  note, 
who  maintains  that  it  is  by  Greene,  and  written  in  1590.  See  ibid.,  pp.  27,  28,  for  a 
full  account  of  the  contents  of  the  pamphlet.] 

[sign,  ci]      The  description  of  sir  Geffery  Chawcer. 

His  stature  was  not  very  tall, 
Leane  he  was,  his  legs  were  small 
Hosd  within  a  stock  of  red, 
A  buttond  bonnet  on  his  head, 
From  vnder  which  did  hang  I  weene 
Siluer  haires  both  bright  and  sheene, 
His  beard  was  white,  trimmed  round, 
His  countenance  blithe  and  merry  found, 
A  Sleeuelesse  lacket  large  and  wide, 
With  many  pleights  and  skirts  side, 
Of  water  Chainlet  did  he  weare, 
A  whittell  by  his  belt  he  beare, 
His  shoes  were  corned  broad  before, 
His  Inckhorne  at  his  side  he  wore, 
And  in  his  hand  he  bore  a  booke, 
Thus  did  this  auntient  Poet  looke. 

fp5g2i2]  2'  Graue  Lawreats,  the  tipes  of  England s  excellence  for  Poetry, 
and  the  worlds  wonders  for  your  wits,  all  haile. 

^g2ib]3'  [Greene  blames  himself  for  the  writings  of  his  youth; 
Chaucer  answers  him  :]  ...  If  thou  doubtest  blame  for  thy 


138  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1593 

wantonnes,  let  my  selfc  suffice  for  an  instaimce,  whose  Canter- 
bur  ie  tales  are  broad  enough  before,  and  written  homely  and 
pleasantly  :  yet  who  hath  bin  more  canonised  for  his  workes 
than  Sir  Geffrey  Chaucer  1 

[pig2i8]4'  [Gower  on  the  contrary  blames  Greene.]  .  .  .  Therefore 
trust  me  John  Gowers  opinion  is  :  thou  hast  applied  thy  wits 
ill,  and  hast  sowed  chaffe  and  shalt  reape  no  haruest.  But  my 
maister  Chaucer  brings  in  his  workes  for  an  instance,  that  as 
his,  so  thine  shalbe  famoused :  no  it  is  not  a  promise  to  con 
clude  vpon  :  for  men  honor  his  more  for  the  antiquity  of  the 
verse,  the  english  &  prose,  than  for  any  deepe  loue  to  the 
matter :  for  proofe  marke  how  they  weare  out  of  vse. 

[Greene's  answer  to  Chaucer  and  Gower]  .  .  .  Now  I  per- 
ceiue  Father  Chawcer,  that  I  followed  too  long  your  pleasant 
vaine,  in  penning  such  Amorous  workes,  and  that  ye  same  that 
I  sought  after  by  such  trauail,  was  nothing  but  smoke. 

[As  the  whole  pamphlet  refers  to  the  vision  of  Chaucer  and  Gower,  and  to  their 
conversation  with  the  author,  only  some  extracts  have  been  given.  See  above,  a  note 
under  1590,  Cobler  of  Canterburie,  p.  132.] 

1593.  'A.'  The  Passionate  Morrice,  a  sequel  to  Tell-Trothes New- Yeares 
Gift,  1593.  Imprinted  by  Robert  Bourne,  sign.  H  2  6.  Unique  copy 
Peterborough  Cathedral  library.  (Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Shakspere 
soc.,  1876,  p.  95.) 

Doe   yow  tearme   such  dooing   iesting?  thought  Honestie : 
if  Cliaucers  iapes  were  such  iestes,  it  was  but  bad  sporte. 

1593.  Drayton,  Michael.  Idea.  The  Shepheards  Garland,  fashioned  in 
nine  Eglogs.  Imprinted  at  London  for  Thomas  Woodcocke  .... 
1593,  sign.  D  3-D  3  b,  I  2,  pp.  21-2,  60.  (Poems,  ed.  J.  P.  Collier, 
Roxb.  club,  1856,  pp.  82,  114-5.  Gf.  ibid.,  pp.  xvii-xviii,  where 
this  copy  is  described  ;  it  has  on  the  title-page  the  autograph  of 
Robert,  Earl  of  Essex,  and  a  few  MS.  notes  by  him ;  the  copy  is 
now  in  the  B.  M.,  pr.  m.  C.  30,  e.  21,  Cf.  also  notes,  p.  131.) 

The  Fourth  Eglog  .  .  . 
Gorbo 

Come  sit  we  downe  vnder  this  Hawthorne  tree 
The  morrowes  light  shall  lend  us  daie  enough 
And  tell  a  tale  of  Gaicen  or  Sir  Guy 
Of  Robin  Hood,  or  of  good  Clem  a  Clough 


1593]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  139 

Or  else  some  Koruant  vnto  vs  areed  [*efMS.] 

Which  good  olde  G\i|frey  *  taught  theo  in  thy  youtli 
Of  noble  Lords  and  Ladies  gentle  deede, 
Or  of  thy  loue  or  of  thy  lasses  truth 

Eighth  Eglog 
Motto 
Gorbo 

Farre  in  the  Country  of  Arden 
There  wond  a  knight  hight  Cassemai, 

as  bold  as  Isenbras, 
Fell  was  he  and  eger  bent, 
111  battell  &  in  Tournament, 

as  was  the  good  Sir  Thopas 
He  had  as  antique  stories  tell 
A  daughter  cleaped  Doicsabelle 
a  inayden  fayre  &  free 

[In  the  Eglogs  printed  in  Poemes  lyrick  and  pastorall   [1605-6],  sign.  E  8,  the 
'  Godfrey  '  reference  is  omitted  ;  the  line  runs — 

By  former  Shephearcls  taught  thee  in  thy  youth.] 

[1593-1601.]  Devereux,  .Robert,  2nd  Earl  of  Essex.  MS.  note.  [See 
above  under  1593,  Dray  ton,  Michael,  for  notice  of  a  copy  of  Drayton's 
Idea,  which  belonged  to  Essex,  and  in  which  he  altered  '  Godfrey ' 
to  '  Geffrey.'] 

1593.  Foulface,  Philip,  of  Ale-foord,  Student  in  good  Felloship 
[pseud.].  Bacchus  Bountie  .  ...  by  Philip  Foulface,  printed  at 
London  for  Henry  Kyrkhain,  1593.  (Harleian  Miscell.,  Oldys 
and  Park,  vol.  ii,  1809,  p.  306.  We  have  been  unable  to  trace  the 
possessor  of  this  tract.  &ee  Hazlitt,  Handbook,  p.  686.) 

[In  the  palace  of  Bacchus]  After  these  againe  came  stumbling 
in  blind  Homer,  the  Grecian  poet ;  nnd  with  him  came  Aristo 
phanes,  Menander,  and  others ;  and  along  with  these  came 
Virgil,  Horace,  Ovid,  olde  father  Ennius,  Geffery  Chaucer, 
Lydgate,  Anthony  Skelton,  Will.  Elderton,  with  infinite 


1593.  Harvey,  Gabriel.  Pierces  Supererogation,  or  A  new  pray se  of  an 
Old  Ass"..  A  Preparatiue  to  certaine  larger  Discourses,  intituled 
Nashes  S.  Fame,  pp.  145,  173,  si-n.  Ff  1,2.  (Work?  of  G.  Harvey, 
ed.  A  B.  Grosart,  Huth  library,  1884,  vol.  ii,  pp.  228,  266,  311.)  ' 

....  and  teach  Chaucer  to  retell  a  Canterbury  Tale. 


140  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1593- 

[P.  173]  Come  diuine  poets  and  sweet  Oratours,  the  sillier  stream 
ing  fountaines  of  flowingest  witt  and  shiningest  Art ;  come 
Chawcer  and  Spencer;  More  and  Cheeke;  Ascham  and 
Astely  ;  Sidney  and  Dier. 

[sign.  Ff.  1-2]  Errours  escaped  in  the  Printing.  With  certaine  Addi 
tions  to  be  inserted  ....  In  the  Third  loolce,  Page  205 
[wrongly  paged  135]  insert  ....  that  according  to  Chawcers 
English  there  can  be  little  adliny,  without  much  gabbing,  that 
is,  small  getting,  without  greatly  lying  and  cogging. 

1593.  Peele,  George.     The  Honour  of  the  Garter,  Displaied  in  a  Poeme 
gratulatorie,  to  the  worthie  ....  earle  of  Northumberland,  Created 
Knight  of  that  Order  and  install' d  at    Windsore.     Anno  Regni 
Elizabeths  35  .  .  Die  Junii.  26  ....   Ad   Mcecanatem  Prologus, 
sign.  A  46.   (Peele's  Works,  ed.  A.  H.  Bullen,  1888,  vol.  ii,  p.  319.) 

Why  thither  [to  heauen]  post  not  all  good  wits  from  hence, 
To  Chaucer,  Gowre,  and  to  the  fay  rest  Phaer 
That  euer  ventured  on  great  Vircjils  works  1 

[There  is  a  good  deal  of  reminiscence  of  Chaucer's  Hous  of  Fame  in  the  poem  itself, 
cf.  11.  172-3.] 

1594.  B.,  0.     Questions  of  profitable  and  pleasant  concernings.  talked  of 
by  two  olde  Seniors  ....  Printed  by  Richard  Field  ....  1594,  sign. 
E  2,  H  3  b,  1  2  b. 

Their  [the  catholics']  harmles  desire  to  instruct  the  ignorant 
....  is  laid  a  sleepe  and  changed.  I  remember  how  they 
dallied  out  the  matter  like  Chaucers  Frier  at  the  first,  vnder 
pretence  of  spiced  holinesse. 

[sign.  H  3  6]    [A    young]  reueler    .  .    .  hieth   .    .    .  with  his  purse  in 

his    hand   ready  drawne,  for   loosing  of   time,   and   that    as 

Chaucer  saith,  tied  with  a  Leeke,  that  it  may  not  be  long 
in  opening. 

[sign.  126]   I  beseech  you  sir  haue  you  not  taken  this  report  out  of 

Chaucer  his  lanuaHe  and  his  May.     [Reference  to  the  Merchantt*  Tale.] 

[The  dedication  to  .  .  Eobert  Devorax  [sic,  for  Devereux],  Earle  of  Essex,  is  signed 
"  Yours  [sic]  honours  most  bounden  O.  B."] 

[1594.]  Davies,  Sir  John.  Orchestra,  or  A  Poeme  on  Daunting  ,  .  stanza 
128  .  .  Printed  by  J.  Robarts  for  N.  Ling,  1596,  sign.  C.  8.  (Davies' 
Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  Fuller's  Worthies  library,  1869-76,  vol.  i, 
p.  229.  See  also  same,  pp.  172-3.) 

O,  that  I  had  Homer's  abundant  varne, 
I  would  hierof  another  Ilias  make ; 


1595]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  141 

Or  els  the  man  of  Mantua's  charmed  braine, 

In  whose  large  throat  great  Joue  the  thunder  spake. 

O  that  I  could  old  Gefferie's  Muse  awake 
Or  borrow  Colin's  fayre  heroike  stile, 
Or  smooth  my  rimes  with  Delia's  servants'  file. 

[There  is  a  (unique?)  copy  of  this  edn.  in  the  Bodl.  library.  This  verse  does  not 
occur  in  the  2nd  edn.  of  1622.  The  poem  was  entered  for  copyright  in  the  Register  of 
the  Stationers'  Company,  under  date  June  25,  1594,  although  not  published  till  1596. 
See  Notes  and  Queries,  3rd  S.  II,  1862,  p.  461.] 

1594.  Gr[eenwood],  P.  Grammatica  Anglicana  prcecipue  quatenus  a 
Latino,  differt,  ad  vnicam  P.  Hami  methodum  concinnata, 
Authore  P.  G.  .  .  .  1594.  [separate  title  page  sign.  E  5].  Vocabula 
Chauceriana  qnaedam  selectiora,  et  minus  vulgaria  ipsae  Hodie 

Poetarum  delicise,  vna  cum  eorum  signincatis Stellis 

ac  herbis  vis  est,  sed  maxima  verbis. 

[Here  follows,  sign.  E  6-E  8,  an  explanation  of  121  Chaucerian  words.  The  pre 
face  is  signed  P.  Gr.  ;  the  book  is  therefore  catalogued  in  B.  M.  under  Gr.,  P.] 

1594.  Unknown.     Palamon  and  Arsett. 

[A  Play  mentioned  by  Philip  Henslowe  in  his  diary,  possibly  Edward's  play,  1566 
[q.  v.  above,  p.  99].  See  Hensluwe's  Diary,  ed.  W.  W.  Greg,  1904,  vol.  i,  F.  10,  1.  21 
(p.  19)-] 

1595.  Churchyard,  Thomas.     A  praise  of  poetrie,  sign.  E  4  6,  G  1  6, 
part   of  A   Musicall   Consort   of  Heauenly   harmonie  .  .  .  called 
Churchyards  Charitie.     Imprinted  at  London,  by  Ar.  Hatfield  for 
William  Holme,  1595, 4to.    A  copy  was  in  the  Hnth  library  ;  the  title 
page  of  A  Praise  of  poetrie  is  on  -sign.  E  3.     (Reprint  in  Frondes 
Caducse,  vol.  4,  Auchinleck  Press,  1817,  pp.  28,  38.) 

Goore,  Chaucer   In  England  liued  three  great  men 

and  the  noble  .  °  .        , 

earieofSurry         Did  Poetrie  aduance 

And  all  they  with  the  gift  of  pen 
Gaue  glorious  world  a  glance 

Our  age  and  former  fathers  daies 
(Leaue  Goore  and  Chauser  out) 

Hath  brought  foorth  heere  but  few  to  praise 
Setirch  all  our  soyle  about. 

1595.  C[ovell],  W[illiam].     Polimanteia,  or  The  meanes  lawfull  and  vn- 

lawfull,  to  iudge  of  the  fall  of  a  common-wealth Whereunto 

is  added,  A  letter  from  England  to  her  three  daughters,  Cambridge, 
Oxford,  Innes  of  Court  .  .  .  sign.  R  2  b— R  3  b.  (Elizabethan 
England,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  Occasional  issues  of  unique  or  rare 
books,  vol.  xv,  1881,  p.  45.) 

Oxford,   thow   maist   extoll   thy   courte-deare-verse   happie 
Daniell,    whose    sweete   refined   muse  .   .  .      were    sufficient 


142  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1595- 

amongst  men,  to  gaine  pardon  of  the  sinne  to  Rosemond  .... 
Kegister  your  children's  petegree  in  Fames  forehead,  so  may 
you  fill  volumes  with  Chauser's  praise,  with  Lydgate,  the 
Scottish  Knight,  and  such  like,  whose  vnrefmed  tongues  farre 
shorte  of  the  excellence  of  this  age,  wrote  simplie  and  purelie 
as  the  times  weare.  And  when  base  and  iniurious  trades 
....  shall  haue  deuoured  them  ....  yet  that  then  such 

(if  you  thinke  them  worthie) may  Hue  by  your 

meanes,  canonized  in  learnings  catalogue. 

[This  book  was  formerly  attributed  to  William  Clerke,  but  in  a  copy  which 
belonged  to  Prof.  Dowden,  the  dedication  is  signed  William  Covell,  see  Athenaeum, 
July  14,  1906,  p.  44,  col.  i.] 

1595.  PFeele],  G[eorge].  The  Old  Wiues  Tale  .  .  .  Written  by  G.  P., 
sign.  E  1  b  (ed.  F.  B.  Gummere,  in  Representative  English  Comedies, 
ed.  C.  M.  Gayley,  vol.  i,  1903,  p.  374  and  note.  Works  of  G.  Peele, 
ed.  A.  H.  Bullen,  English  dramatists,  1888,  vol.  i,  p.  334). 

Huan\ebango\  He  no  we  set  my  countenance  and  to  hir  in 
prose ;  it  may  be  this  rim  ram  ruffe  is  too  rude  an  incounter. 

[Prol.  Persones  Tale,  1.  43.] 
[Cf.  above,  pp.  110-1,  1575,  Gascoigne.] 

1595.  Unknown,  [C.,  J.1?]  Alcilia,  Philoparthen's  Louing  Follie,  1595, 
stanza  48,  sign.  D  2.  Unique  copy  in  Town  library,  Hamburg. 
(Occasional  issues  of  unique  or  very  rare  books,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart, 
1879,  vol.  viii,  p.  27.  See  introduction  for  discussion  on  author 
ship,  etc.) 

Vncouth  vnkist  our  auncierit*  Poet  said,  *  Chaucer. 

And  he  that  hides  his  wants,  when  he  hath  need,  [Jr.  &Cr. 
May  after  haue  his  want  of  wit  bewraid,  809J 

And  faile  of  his  desire,  when  others  speed. 
Then  boldly  speak  :  the  worst  is  at  first  entring, 
Much  good  successe  men  rnisse  for  lack  of  ventring. 

[Cf.  above,  p.  117,  B.  K.'s  prefatory  letter  to  Shepherd's  Calendar,  1579.] 

(1595-6  ?]  C[arew],  R[ichardl  The  Excdlencie  of  the  English  tongue, 
by  R.  C.  of  Anthony  Esquire  to  W.  C.  Inserted  by  William 
Camden  in  the  2nd  edn.  of  his  Remaines  concerning  Britaine,  1614, 
pp.  43-4.  (Elizabethan  Critical  Essays,  ed.  G.  Gregory  Smith, 
1904,  vol.  il,  p.  293). 

Adde  hereunto,  that  whatsoeuer  grace  any  other  language 
carrieth  in  verse  or  Prose,  in  Tropes  or  Metaphores,  in  Ecchoes 
and  Agnominations,  they  may  all  bee  liuely  and  exactly 
represented  in  ours :  will  you  haue  Platoes  veine  1  reade  Sir 
Thomas  Smith,  the  lonickel  Sir  Thomas  Moore,  Ciceroesl 
Ascham,  Va)vo,  Chaucer,  Demosthenes  I  Sir  John  Cheeke  (who 


1596]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  143 

in  his  treatise  to  the  Eebels,  hath  comprised  all  the  figures  of 
Blietorick).  Will  you  rcade  Virgilll  take  the  Earle  of  Surrey, 
Catullusl  Shakespheare  and  Marlows  [printed  Barlows]  frag 
ment,  Ovid  1  Daniell,  Lucan  ?  Spencer,  Martial  1  Sir  John 
Davies  and  others  :  will  you  have  all  in  all  for  Prose  and 
verse1?  Take  the  miracle  of  our  age,  Sir  Philip  Sidney. 

[a.  1596  ?]  Peele,  George.  The  Tale  of  Troy,  by  G.  Peele,  M.  of  Arts  in 
Oxford,  1598.  Printed  by  A.  H.  1604,  11.  281-87.  (Peek's  Works, 
ed.  A.  H.  Bullen,  1888,  vol.  ii,  p.  255.  See  also  same,  p.  [235]. 
•  Introductory  note  to  A  Farewell,  etc.  See  also  A  Bibliographical 
.  .  .  account  of  the  rarest  books  in  the  English  Language  by  J.  P. 
Collier,  1865,  vol.  ii,  p.  144  et  seq.) 

So  hardy  was  the  true  Knight  Troilus, 

And  all  for  lone  of  the  vnconstant  Cressed, 
T'encounter  with  th'  unworthy  Diomed, 
But  leaue  I  here  of  Troilus  ought  to  say, 
Whose  passions  for  the  ranging  Cressida, 

Head  as  fair  England's  Chaucer  doth  vnfold, 
Would  tears  exhale  from  eyes  of  iron  mould. 

[This  reference  is  not  in  the  earlier  edn.  of  1589,  appended  to  Peele's  Farewell  to 
.  .  .  Sir  John  Norris  and  Syr  Frances  Drake.  This  1604  edn.  is  a  tiny  volume,  one 
inch  and  a  half  high  (4Smo) ;  a  unique  (?)  copy  exists  in  private  hands.  Peele  died 
about  1597.] 

1596.  Caesar,  Sir  Julius.  The  Ancient  State,  Authoritie,  and  Proceed 
ings  of  the  Court  of  Requests,  2  Octoh.  1596,  [Printed]  Anno  1597, 
p.  140. 

Anno  18  Elizdb.  [1577] 

9  Maij.  fol.  212.  Memorandum,  that  Mary  Puttenham  the 
wife  of  Richard  Puttenham  Esquire,  hath  this  day  in  open 
Court  receiued  the  summe  of  13  shil.  8d.  due  vnto  her  for  the 
halfe  yeeres  paiment  of  one  yeerly  annuitie  to  be  taken  and 
issuing  out  of  the  rentes  reuenues,  and  profites  of  the  said 
Richard  her  husband,  by  force  of  a  decree  heretofore  in  that 
behalf  made  by  her  Maiesties  Counsell  of  this  Court,  the  same 
being  due  at  the  Annunciation  of  our  Lady  last  past,  and 
attached  and  defalked  by  Spencer  esquire,  one  of  her  Maiesties 
Serieants  at  Armes,  by  order  of  this  Court,  vpon  the  last  day 
of  Aprill  last  past,  out  of  such  summes  of  money  as  were  ten 
dered  vpon  Chaivcers  tombe  within  the  Cathedrall  church  of 
S.  Peter  in  Westminster,  by  Rob.  Cheynie  Citizen  of  London, 
and  there  paied  to  the  vse  of  the  same  Rich:  Puttenham. 

[Cf.  above,  1566,  p.  99,  and  1585,  p.  128.] 


144  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1596- 

1596.  [Harington,  Sir  John.]     Vlysses  vpon  Aiax.     Written  by  Miso- 
diaboles  to  his  friend  Philaretes,  sign.  E  8  b. 

A  pleasant  wewch  of  the  country  (who  beside  Cliaucers  iest, 
had  a  great  felicitie  in  iesting)  .... 

[1596-7.1  Shakespeare,  William.  The  First  Part  of  King  Henry  IF, 
III,  iii,  57. 

How  now,  Dame  Partlet  the  hen  ! 

[The  allusion  must  clearly  be  to  Chaucer's  Nonne  Preestes  Tale,  as  he  first  gave  the 
name  of  '  Pertelote '  to  the  hen.  In  the  Roman  de  Benart  and  Reinhart  Fuchs,  the 
hen's  name  is  '  Pinte.'  See  also  above,  App.  A,  1589,  Shakespeare.] 

1597.  B[reton],  Nicholas].     The  Arbor  of  Amorous  Devices.— In  the 
praise    of   his    Mistresse.      [Unique    copy,   Capell   coll.    Cambr.] 
(Breton's  Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1879,  vol.  i,  p.  14.) 

For  Venus  was  a  toy,-  and  onely  feigned  fable 

And  Cresed  but  a  Chawcers  ieast,  and  Helen  but  a  bable. 

1597.  S.,  J.  The  NortJiren  Mothers  Blessing.  The  ivay  of  Thrift,  Written 
nine  years  before  the  death  of  G.  Chaucer.  London,  Printed  by 
Robert  Robinson  for  Robert  Dexter,  1597.  [in]  Certaine  Worthye 
Manuscript  Poems  of  great  Antiquitie  Reserned  long  in  the  Studie 
of  a  Northfolke  Gentleman.  And  now  first  published  by  J.  S. 
Imprinted  at  London  for  R.  D.  1597,  sign.  E  3.  (Ed.  H.  H."  Gibbs, 
Roxb.  club,  1873,  bound  with  The  historie  of  the  moat  noble  knight 
Plasidas,  p.  162  a.) 

[There  is  no  allusion  whatever  to  Chaucer  in  the  text.  In  the  B.  M.  copy,  sign. 
E  2  6,  there  is  written  in  a  late  17th  or  early  18th  century  hand :— "G.  Chaucer  was 
born  at  Woodstock  in  Oxfordshire  in  ye  14th  Century,  died  in  1440."  Cf.  The  Eahees 
Book,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  1868,  Forewords,  pp.  Ixix-lxxi.] 

[1597.]  Unknown.  The  Eeturne  from  Parnassus.  [Part  I.]  MS. 
Rawlinson  D  398,  act  iii,  sc.  1 ;  act  iv,  sc.  1.  (The  pilgrimage  to 
Parnassus  with  ....  the  return  from  Parnassus,  ed.  W.  D.  Macray, 
Oxford,  1886,  pp.  58,  62-3.  For  date  see  ibid.,  p.  viii  ;  see  also 
the  2nd  part  of  this  play  under  1602,  below,  p.  171.  The  extracts 
are  given  from  the  modern  edn.) 

[Gullio  wishes  Ingenioso  to  make  him  verses,  which  he  will 
himself  polish  and  correct]  ....  make  mee  them  in  two  or 
three  divers  vayns,  in  Chaucer's,  Gower's,  and  Spencer's  and 

Mr  Shakspeare's 

[pp.  62-3.]  [Ingenioso  brings  his  verses]  Gull.  Lett  mee  heare  Chaucer's 
vaine  firste.  I  love  antiquitia,  if  it  be  not  harshe. 

[Ingenioso  recites  three  verses  in  close  imitation  of  Chaucer's 
Troilus  and  Crisyde,  bk.  ii,  11.  967-73,  1026-27,  1091-2, 
1037-43,  ending  with  the  lines 

With  asse's  feet  and  headed  like  an  ape 
It  cordeth  not ;  soe  were  it  but  a  jape. 
Gullio  thereupon  objects  to  the  word  jape  :] 


1597]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  145 

Ingen.  Sir,  the  worde  as  Chaucer  useth  it  hath  noe  unhonest 
meaninge  in  it,  for  it  signifieth  a  jeste. 

Gulf.  Tush !  Chaucer  is  a  foole,  and  you  are  another  for 
defendinge  of  him. 

Ingen.  Then  you  shall  lieare  Spencers  veyne. 

A  gentle  pen  rides  prickinge  on  the  plaine 

Gull.  Stay  man  !  .  .  .  .  Let  me  heare  Mr  Shakspear's  veyne. 

Ingen.  [Seven  lines  in  imitation  of  Shakespeare's  '  Venus 
and  Adonis.'] 

Gull Ey  marry,  Sir,  these  have  some  life  in  them  ! 

Let  this  duncified  worlde  esteeme  of  Spencer  and  Chaucer,  I'le 
worshipp  sweet  Mr  Shakspeare,  and  to  honoure  him  will  lay 
his  Venus  and  Adonis  under  my  pillowe. 

[For  an  account  of  Chaucer  influence  on  this  play,  as  well  as  on  part  II,  1602,  see 
Chaucer's  Einfluss  auf  das  englische  Drama,  by  O.  Ballman,  Anglia,  xxv,  pp.  45-8.] 

1597.  Beaumont,  Francis.  F.  B.  to  his  very  louing  friend  T.  S.  [Letter 
to  Thomas  Speght  in]  The  Workes  of  ....  Chaucer  [ed.  T.  Speght], 
1598,  sign,  [a  iii  6-a  v]. 

[sign,  a  iii  6]  I  am  some  that  neither  the  worthinesse  of  Chaucers  owne 
praise,  nor  the  importunate  praiers  of  diuerse  your  louing 
friends  can  yet  mooue  you  to  put  into  print  those  good 
obseruations  and  collections  you  haue  written  of  him.  For  as 
for  the  obiections,  that  in  our  priuate  talke  you  are  wont  to 
say  are  commonly  alledged  against  him,  as  first  that  many  of 
his  wordes  (as  it  were  with  ouerlong  lying)  are  growne  too 
hard  and  vnpleasant,  and  next  that  hee  is  somewhat  too  broad 
in  some  of  his  speeches,  and  that  the  worke  therefore  should 
be  the  lesse  gratious :  these  are  no  causes,  or  no  sufficient 
causes  to  withhold  from  Chaucer  such  desert  of  glorie,  as  at 
your  pleasure  you  may  bestow  vpon  him.  For  first  to  defend 
him  against  the  first  reproofe.  [Beaumont  shows  that  no  man 
can  so  write  in  the  shifting  language  of  every  day,]  as  that  all 
his  wordes  may  remain  currant  many  yeares.  [This  even 
happens  among  the  Latin  writers  themselues,  when  Latin  was 
a  spoken  tongue]  .... 

But  yet  so  pure  were  Chaucers  wordes  in  his  owne  daies, 
as  Lidgate  that  learned  man  calleth  him  The  Loadstarre  of 
the  English  language :  and  so  good  they  are  in  our  daies,  as 
Maister  Spencer  .  .  .  hath  adorned  his  owne  stile  with  that 
beauty  and  grauitie,  which  Tully  speakes  of  :  [reviving  ancient 
words]  and  his  much  frequenting  of  Chaucers  antient  speeches 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  L 


146  \F.  Beaumont]    Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1597- 

causeth  many  to  allow  farre  better  of  him,  then  otherwise  they 
would  .  .  . 

Touching  the  inciuilitie  Chaucer  is  charged  withall;  What 
Romane  Poet  hath  lesse  offended  this  way  than  hee  ?  [Virgil 
and  Ovid  are  worse,  Plautus  and  Terence  are  most  to  be  ex 
cused,  because  they  observed  decorum]  in  giuing  to  their 
comicall  persons  such  manner  of  speeches  as  did  best  fit  their 
dispositions.  And  may  not  the  same  be  saied  for  Chaucer  ? 
How  much  had  hee  swarued  from  Decorum,  if  hee  had  made 
his  Miller,  his  Cooke,  and  his  Carpenter,  to  haue  told  such 
honest  and  good  tales,  as  hee  made  his  Knight,  his  Squire,  his 
Lawyer,  and  Scholler  tell  ?  .  .  .  . 

Chaucers  deuise  of  his  Canterburie  Pilgrimage  is  meerely 
his  owne,  without  following  the  example  of  any  that  euer  writ 
before  him.  His  drift  is  to  touch  all  sortes  of  men,  and  to 
discouer  all  vices  of  that  Age,  and  that  he  doth  in  such  sort, 
as  he  neuer  failes  to  hit  euery  marke  he  leuels  at  ... 

Chaucer  [may]  bee  rightly  called,  The  pith  and  sinewes  of 
eloquence,  and  the  verie  life  it  selfe  of  all  mirth  and  pleasant 
•writing :  besides  one  gifte  hee  hath  aboue  other  Authours,  and 
that  is,  by  the  excellencie  of  his  descriptions  to  possesse  his 
Readers  with  a  stronger  imagination  of  seeing  that  done  before 
their  eyes,  which  they  reade,  than  any  other  that  euer  writ  in 
any  tongue.  And  here  I  cannot  forget  to  remember  vnto  you 
those  auncient  learned  men  of  our  time  in  Cambridge,  whose 
diligence  in  reading  of  his  workes  them  selues,  and  commending 
them  to  others  of  the  younger  sorte,  did  first  bring  you  and 
mee  in  loue  with  him  :  and  one  of  them  at  that  time  was  and 
now  is  (as  you  knowe)  one  of  the  rarest  Schollers  of  the 
worlde.  The  same  may  bee  saide  of  that  worthy  man  for 
learning,  your  good  friend  in  Oxford,  who  with  many  other 
of  like  excellent  iudgement  haue  euer  had  Chaucer  in  most 
high  reputation.  .  .  . 

From  Leicester  the  last  of  lune,  Anno  1597. 

Your  assured  and  euer  louing  friend 

Francis  Beaumont. 

[Francis  Beaumont,  judge,  d.  1598,  was  the  father  of  the  dramatist;  he  and  Speght 
Trere  both  at  Peterhouse  between'  1560-70  ;  and  he  prided  himself  on  being  one  of 
those  who  first  urged  Speght  to  edit  Chaucer.  "The  rarest  scholler "  allnded  to  is 
possibly  Abp.  John  Whitgift,  who  was  during  those  years  Fellow  of  Peterhouse 
Master  of  Trinity  College,  Regius  Professor  of  Divinity,  etc.  We  have  been  unable  to 
trace  the  identity  of  "your  good  friend  in  Oxford."  This  letter,  somewhat  expanded, 
appeared  again  in  Speght's  edn.  of  1602,  though  Beaumont  died  in  1598.  See  below' 
16S3-4,  pp.  256-7,  where  Aubrey  quotes  this  letter.] 


1598]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  147 

1598.  The  Workes  of  our  Antient  and  lerned  English  Poet 
Geffrey  Chaucer,  newly  printed.  [ed.  Thomas  Speght. 
Blackletter.]  Lonclini,  Impensis  Geor.  Bishop,  anno  1598. 

[Other  title  pages  run,  '  London  Printed  by  Adam  Tslip,  at  the  charges  of  Bonhain 
Norton,  Anno  159S' ;  or  '  London  Printed  by  Adam  Islip  at  the  charges  of  Thomas 
Wight,  Anno  1598.'  For  second  edition  see  below,  p.  168.] 


1598.  Speght,  Thomas.    The  Workes  of  our  Antient  and  lerned  English 
Poet,  Geffrey  Chaucer }  newly  printed.     [See  also  App.  A,  1598.] 

[On  title  page] 
In  this  Impression  you  shall  find  these  Additions  : 

1.  His  Portraiture  and  Progenie  shewed. 

2.  His  Life  collected. 

3.  Arguments  to  euery  Booke  gathered.    £F°r  extracts,  tee  App. 

4.  Old  and  obscure  Words  explaned. 

5.  Authors  by  him  cited,  declared. 

6.  Difficulties  opened. 

7.  Two  Bookes  of  his  neuer  before  printed. 
Londini,  Impensis  Geor.  Bishop  :  Anno  1598. 
[Preliminary  matter] 

[Dedication]  To  ...  Sir  Robert  Cecil,  sign,  [a  ij.] 

To  the  Readers,  sign,  [a  ii  b,  a  iii.] 

F.  B.  to  his  very  louing  friend  T.  S.  sign,  [a  iii  &-a  v]  [Francis 
Beaumont,  q.  v.  above,  under  1597,  pp.  145-6.] 

The  Reader  to  Geffrey  Chaucer,  sign,  [a  v  b]  [signed  H.  B., 
see  below,  pp.  148-9.] 

[Portrait  of  Chaucer  after  Occleve],  sign,  [a  vi.] 

The  Life  of  our  learned  English  Poet,  Geffray  Chaucer,  sign. 
b  i-c  iii  b. 

Arguments  to  euery  Tale  and  Booke,  sign,  c  iii-cvi  b.  [For 
some  extracts  from  these,  see  below,  Appendix  A,  1598.] 

The  Epistle  of  William  Thinne  to  King  Henry  the  eight, 
sign.  U  i-U  ii. 

A  Table  of  all  the  names  of  the  workes,  contained  in  this 
volume,  sign.  A  ii  6-A  iii  b. 

[At  end  of  volume] 

The  old  and  obscure  words  of  Chaucer  explaned,  sign. 
Aaaa  i-Bbbb  ii. 

The  French  in  Chaucer  translated,  sign.  Bbbb  i  i-Bbbb  ii. 

Most  of  the  Authours  cited  by  G.  Chaucer  in  his  workes,  by 
name  declared,  sign.  Bbbb  ii  and  b. 


148  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1598 

Corrections  of  sonic  faults  and  Annotations  vpon  some 
places,  sign.  Bbbb  iij-vij  l>. 

[See  note  under  1532,  Thvnne,  above,  p.  78,  also  under  1597,  Beaumont,  pp.  145-6. 
For  a  complete  reprint  of  Spelt's  Life  of  Chaucer,  see  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical 
manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  19-35.] 

[sign.aiit-aiii]  To  the  Headers. 

Some  few  yeers  past,  I  was  requested  by  certaine  Gentlemen 
my  neere  friends,  who  loued  Chaucer,  as  he  well  deserueth  ;  to 
take  a  little  pains  in  reuiuing  the  memorie  of  so  rare  a  man,  as 
also  in  doing  some  reparations  on  his  works,  which  they  iudged 
to  be  much  decaied  by  iniurie  of  time,  ignorance  of  writers,  and 
negligence  of  Printers.  For  whose  sakes  thus  much  was  then 
by  me  undertaken,  although  neuer  as  yet  fully  finished. 
[Speght  gives  a  list  of  the  work  he  has  done,  much  the  same 
as  on  title  page].  As  that  little  which  then  was  done,  was 
done  for  those  priuat  friends,  so  was  it  neuer  my  mind  that 
it  should  be  published.  But  so  it  fell  out  of  late,  that  Chaucers 
Works  being  in  the  Presse,  and  three  parts  thereof  alreadie 
printed,  not  only  these  friends  did  by  their  Letters  sollicit 
me,  but  certaine  also  of  the  best  in  the  Companie  of  Stationers 
hearing  of  these  Collections,  came  vnto  mey  and  for  better  or 
worse,  would  have  something  done  in  this  Impression.  [Speght 
then  apologises  for  the  faultiness  of  his  additional  matter,  on 
the  score  of  its  not  having  been  originally  intended  for  publi 
cation,  and  also  because  he  was  hurried  over  it.]  ....  I 
earnestly  entreat  al  to  accept  these  my  endeuours  in  best  part, 
as  wel  in  regard  of  mine  owne  well  meaning,  as  for  the  desert 
of  oure  English  Poet  himselfe  :  who  in  most  vnlearned  times 
and  greatest  ignorance,  being  much  esteemed,  cannot  in  these 
our  daies,  wherein  Learning  and  riper  iudgement  so  mucli 
flourisheth,  but  be  had  in  great  reuerence,  vnlesse  it  bee  of  such 
as  for  want  of  wit  and  learning,  were  neuer  yet  able  to  iudge 
what  wit  or  Learning  meaneth 

1598.  B.  H.  The  Eeader  to  Geffrey  Chaucer.  A  short  poem  in  praise  of 
the  editor,  in  Speght's  first  edn.  of  Chaucer's  works,  signed  H.  B.% 
sign,  [a  v  li\. 

The  Reader  to  Geffrey  Chaucer. 
Hea[der] 

Where  hast  thow  dwelt,  good  Geffrey,  al  this  whilo 
Unknowne  to  vs,  saue  only  by  thy  bookes  ? 


1598]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  149 

Chau[cer] 

In  baulks  and  bernes,  God  wot,  and  in  exile, 
Where  none  vouchsaf  t  to  yeeld  me  words  or  lookes, 
Till  one  which  saw  me  there,  and  knew  my  friends, 
Did  bring  me  forth ;  such  grace  sometime  God  sends. 

Rea. 

But  who  is  he  that  hath  thy  Books  repar'd, 
And  added  moe,  whereby  thow  art  more  graced  1 

Chau. 

The  selfe  same  man  who  hath  no  labor  spar'd, 
To  helpe  what  time  and  writers  had  defaced : 
And  made  old  words,  which  were  vnknown  of  many 
So  plaine,  that  now  they  may  be  known  of  any. 

Eea. 

Well  fare  his  heart :  I  loue  him  for  thy  sake, 
Who  for  thy  sake  hath  taken  all  this  pains. 
Chau. 

Would  God  I  knew  some  means  amends  to  make, 
That  for  his  toile  he  might  receiue  some  gains. 
But  wot  ye  what?     I  knowe  his  kindnesse  such, 
That  for  my  good  he  thinks  no  pains  too  much  : 
And  more  than  that  •  if  he  had  knowne  in  time, 
He  would  haue  left  no  fault  in  prose  nor  rime. 

H.  B. 

1598.  Thynne,  Francis.  Animadversions  nppon  the  annotaciouns  and 
corrections  of  some  imperfections  of  impressiones  of  Chaucer's 
Workes  ...  .  1598,  sett  downe  by  F/Thynne.  MS.  in  the  Bridge- 
water  Library.  (Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.,  1875  and  1891, 
pp.  4-75.) 

To  Master  Thomas  Speighte 
ffrancis  Thynn  sendethe 

greetinge 

The  Industrye  and  loue  (master  Speighte)  whiche  you  haue 
vsed,  and  beare,1  vppon  and  to  oure  famous  poete  Geffrye 
Chaucer,  deseruethe  bothe  comendato'one  and  furtherance  :  the 
one  to  recompense  yowr  trauayle,  the  other  to  accomplyshe  the 
duetye,  whiche  we  all  beare  (or  at  the  leaste,  yf  we  reuerence 
lernynge  or  regarde  the  honor  of  oure  Countrye,  sholde  beare) 
to  suche  a  singuler  ornamente  of  oure  tonge  as  the  woorkes  of 
Chaucer  are  :  Yet  since  there  is  nothinge  so  fullye  perfected, 
by  anye  one,  whereine  somwe  imperi'ectione  maye  not  bee 


150  [F.  Thynne]      Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1598 

founde,  (for  as  the  pioueibe  is,  «  Barnaixlus/  or  as  others  have, 
'  Alanus,  non  videt  omnia,')  you  must  be  contented  togyue  me 
leave,  in  discharge  of  the  duetye  and  loue  which  I  beare  to 
Chaucer,  (whome  I  suppose  I  have  as  great  interests  to  adorne 
withe  my  smale  skyll  as  anye  other  hath,  in  regarde  that  the 
laborious  care  of  my  father  made  hym  most  acceptable  to  the 
worlde  in  correctinge  and  augmentinge  his  woorkes,)  to  enter 
into  the  examinations  of  this  newe  edit  zone,  and  that  the 

[P.  5]  rather,  because  you,  with  Horace  his  verse  "  si  quid  nouisti 
rectius  istis,  candidus  imparti,"  have  willed  all  others  to 
further  the  same,  and  to  accepte  yowr  labors  in  good  parte, 
whiche,  as  I  most  willingly  doo,  so  meanynge  but  well  to  the 
works,  I  ame  to  lett  you  vnderstande  my  conceyte  thereof, 
whiche  before  this,  yf  you  woulde  have  vouchesafed  my  howse, 
or  have  thoughte  me  worthy  to  have  byn  acqueynted  with 
these  matters  (whiche  you  might  weH  haue  donne  without  anye 
whatsoeuer  dispargement  [sic]  to  your  selfe,)  you  sholde  haue 
vnderstoode  before  the  impressione,  althoughe  this  whiche  I 
here  write  ys  not  no  we  vppon  selfe  wilt  or  fonnd  conceyte  to 
wrangle  for  one  asses  shadowe,  or  to  seke  a  knott  in  a  rushe, 
but  in  frendlye  sorte  to  bringe  truthe  to  lighte,  a  thinge  whiche 
I  wolde  desire  others  to  vse  towardes  mee  in  whatsoeuer  shall 
fall  oute  of  my  penne.  Wherefore  I  will  here  shewe  suche 
thinges  as,  in  mye  opynione,  may  seme  to  be  touched,  not 
medlinge  withe  the  seconde  editione  to  one  inferior  personne 
[John  Stowe's,  1561 ,  above,  p.  96]  then  my  fathers  editione  was. 
Fyrste  in  your  f  orespeche  to  the  reader,  you  saye  '  second 
ly,  the  texte  by  written  copies  corrected'  by  whiche  worde 
'  corrected,'  I  maye  seme  to  gather,  that  you  imagine  greate 
imperfection e  in  my  fathers  editione,  whiche  peraduenture 
maye  move  others  to  saye  (as  some  vnadvisedlye  have  sayed) 
that  my  father  had  wronged  Chaucer :)  Wherefore,  to  stoppe 
that  gappe,  I  will  answere,  that  Chaucers  woorkes  have  byn 
sithens  printed  twyce,  yf  not  thrice,  and  therfore  by  oure  care- 

tp.  6]  lesse  (and  for  the  most  parte  vnlerned)  printers  of  Englande, 
not  so  weH  performed  as  yt  ought  to  bee :  so  that,  of 
necessytye,  bothe  in  matter,  myter,  and  meanings,  yt  must 
needes  gather  corruptzone,  passinge  throughe  so  nianye  handes, 
as  the  water  dothe,  the  further  it  riumethe  from  the  pure 
founteyne.  To  enduce  me  and  all  others  to  iudge  his  editione 
(whiche  I  thinks  you  neuer  sawe  wholye  to-gether,  beinge  fyrst 
printed  but  in  one  coolume  [sic]  in  a  page,  whereof  I  will  speake 


1598]         Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [F.  Tkynne\  151 

hereafter)  was  the  pe?'fectest :  ys  the  ernest  desire  and  loue 
my  father  hadde  to  haue  Chaucers  "Woorkes  rightlye  to 
be  published,  for  the  performance  wherof,  my  father  not  onlye 
vsed  the  helpe  of  that  lerned  and  eloquent  kn[i]ghte  and  anti- 
quarye  Sir  Briane  Tuke,  but  had  also  made  greate  serche  for 
copies  to  perfecte  his  woorkes,  as  apperethe  in  the  ende  of  the 
squiers  tale,  in  his  editions  printed  in  the  yere  1542  ;  but 
further  had  comissione  to  serche  aft  the  liberaries  of  Englande 
for  Chaucers  Workes,  so  that  oute  of  aH  the  Abbies  of  this 
Kealme  (whiche  reserved  anye  monumentes  thereof)  he  was 
fully  furnished  with  multitude  of  Bookes.  emongest  w/iiche, 
one  coppye  of  some  part  of  his  woorkes  came  to  his  handes 
subscribed  in  diners  places  withe  "  examinatur  Chaucer."  By 
this  Booke,  and  conferringe  manye  of  the  other  written  copies 
to-gether,  he  deliuered  his  editione,  fullye  corrected,  as  the 
amendementes  vnder  his  hande,  in  the  fyrst  printed  booke  that 
euer  was  of  his  woorkes  (beinge  stamped  by  the  fyrste  impres- 

[p.  7]  sione  that  was  in  England)  will  weft  declare,  at  .what  tyme  he 
added  manye  things  whiche  were  not  before  printed,  as  you 
nowe  haue  donne  soome,  of  whiche  I  am  perswaded  (and  that 
not  withoute  reasone)  the  originaH  came  from  mee.  In  whiche 
his  editione,  beinge  printed  but  with  one  coolume  in  a  syde, 
there  was  the  pilgrymes  tale,  a  thinge  moore  odious  to  the 

[p.  8]  Clergye,  then  the  speche  of  the  plowmanne ;  that  pilgrimes 
tale  begynnynge  in  this  sorte  : 

In  Lincolneshyre  fast  by  a  fenne, 
Standes  a  relligious  howse  who  dothe 
yt  kenne,  &C.1 

[p.  9]  In  this  tale  did  Chaucer  [that  is,  the  unknown  author]  most 
bitterly e  enueye  against  the  pride,  state,  couetousnes,  and 
extorcione  of  the  Bysshoppes,  their  officialls,  Archdeacons, 
vicars  generalls,  comissaryes,  and  other  officers  of  the  spirituaH 
courte.  The  Inuentione  and  order  whereof  (as  I  haue  herde  yt 
related  by  some,  nowe  of  good  worshippe  bothe  in  courte  and 
countrye,  but  then  my  fathers  clerkes,)  was,  that  one  comynge 
into  this  relligious  howse,  walked  vpp  and  doune  the  churche, 
oeholdinge  goodlye  pictures  of  Bishoppes  in  the  windowes,  at 
lengthe  the  manne  contynuynge  in  that  contemplatione,  not 
knowinge  what  Bishoppes  they  were,  a  graue  olde  manne  withe 

t1  This  appears  in  The  Newe  Courte  of  Venus,  see  above,  p.  82  [1536-40  ?], 
The  Pilgrim's  Tale. 


152  [F.  Thynne]      Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1598 

a  longe  white  hedde  and  "berde,  in  a  large  blacke  garment  girded 
vnto  hym,  came  fortho  and  asked  hym,  what  he  iudged 
of  those  pictures  in  the  windowes,  who  sayed  he  knewe  not 
what  to  make  of  them,  but  that  they  looked  lyke  vnto  our 
mitred  Bishoppes ;  to  whome  the  old  father  replied,  "yt 
is  true,  they  are  lyke,  but  not  the  same,  for  our  byshoppes  are 
farr  degenerate  from  them,"  and  withe  that,  made  a  large 
discourse  of  the  Bishopps  and  of  their  courtes. 

This  tale,  when  kinge  henry e  the  eighte  had  redde,  he  called 
my  father  unto  hym,  sayinge,  "  William  Thynne  !  I  dobte  this 
witt  not  be  allowed  ;  for  I  suspecte  the  Byshoppes  wili  call 

{p.  10]  the  in  questione  for  yt ".  to  whome  my  father,  beinge  in  great 
fauore  with  his  prince,  (as  manye  yet  lyuinge  canue  testyfye,) 
sayed,  "  yf  your  grace  be  not  offended,  I  hoope  to  be  protected 
by  you  :  "  wherevppon  the  kinge  bydd  hym  goo  his  waye,  and 
feare  not.  AH  whiche  not  withstandinge,  my  father  was 
called  in  questione  by  the  Byshoppes,  and  heaued  at  by 
Cardinal!  Wolseye,  his  olde  enymye,  for  manye  causes,  but 
mostly  for  that  my  father  had  furthered  Skelton  to  publishe 
his  '  Collen  Cloute '  againste  the  Cardinal!,  the  moste  parte  of 
whiche  Booke  was  compiled  in  my  fathers  howse  at  Erithe  in 
Kente.  But  for  all  my  fathers  frendes,  the  Cardinalls  per- 
swadinge  auctorytye  was  so  greate  withe  the  kinge,  that  thoughe 
by  the  kiuges  fauor  my  father  escaped  bodelye  dauuger,  yet 
the  Cardinal!  caused  the  kinge  so  muche  to  myslyke  of  that 
tale,  that  chaucer  must  be  newe  printed,  and  that  discourse  of 
the  pilgrymes  tale  lefte  oute  [with  regard  to  this  supposed 
cancelled  edn.  by  Win.  Thynne,  see  note  by  Mr.  Bradshaw  in 
Thynne's  Animadversions,  ed.  Furnivall,  pp.  75-6] ;  and  so 
beinge  printed  agayne,  some  thynges  were  forsed  to  be 
omitted,  and  the  plowmans  tale  (supposed,  but  vntrulye,  to  be 
made  by  olde  Sir  Thomas  Wyat,  father  to  hym  which  was 
executed  in  the  firste  yere  of  Quene  Marye,  and  not  by  Chaucer) 
with  much  ado  permitted  to  passe  Avith  the  reste,  in  suclie 
sorte  that  in  one  open  parliamente  (as  I  haue  herde  Sz'r  Joline 
Thynne  reporte,  beinge  then  a  member  of  the  howse,)  when 
talke  was  had  of  Bookes  to  be  forbidden,  Chaucer  had  there 
for  euer  byn  condempned,  had  yt  not  byn  that  his  woorkes  had 
byn  counted  but  fables.  Whereunto  yf  you  will  replye,  that 

[p.  ii]  their  colde  not  be  any  suche  pilgrymes  tale,  because  Chaucer  in 
his  prologues  makethe  not  mentions  of  anye  suche  personne, 
which  he  wolde  haue  donne  yf  yt  had  byn  so  :  for  after  that 


1598]          Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.      [F.  T/njnne]  153 

lie  liad  recytecl  the  knighte,  the  squyer,  the  squiers  yeomane, 
the  prioresse,  her  nocwne,  and  her  thre  preistes,  the  monke,  the 
fryer,  the  marchant,  the  Clerkc  of  Oxenforde,  seriante  at  the 
lawe,  franckleyne,  haberdassher,  goldsmythe,  webbe,  dyer  and 
tapyster,  Cooke,  shypmane,  doctor  of  physicke,  wyfe  of  Bathe, 
parsonne  and  plowmane,  he  sayethe  at  the  ende  of  the  plow- 
mans  prologe, 

There  was  also  a  Eeue,  and  a  millere, 

A  Sumpnoure,  and  a  Pardoner, 

A  manciple,  and  myselfe ;  there  was  no  mo. 

All  wliiche  make  xxx  persons  weth  Chaucer :  Wherefore  yf 
there  had  byn  anye  moore,  he  wolde  also  haue  recyted  them  in 
those  verses  :  whereunto  I  answere,  that  in  the  prologes  he  lefte 
oute  somme  of  those  w/^'che  tolde  their  tales  :  as  the  chanons 
yomane,  because  he  came  after  that  they  were  passed  out 
of  theyre  Inne,  and  did  ouer-take  them,  as  in  lyke  sorte  this 
pilgrime  did  or  rnighte  doo,  and  so  afterwardes  be  one  of  their 
companye,  as  was  that  chanons  yeomane,  althoughe  Chaucer 
talke  no  moore  of  this  pilgrime  in  his  prologe  then  he  doothe 
of  the  Chanons  yeomane  :  whiche  I  dobt  not  wolde  fullye 
appere,  yf  the  pilgrimes  prologe  and  tale  mighte  be  restored  to 
his  former  light,  they  being  nowe  looste,  as  manye  other 
of  Chaucers  tales  were  before  that,  as  I  ame  induced  to  thinke 
by  manye  reasons. 

But  to  leave  this,  I  must  saye  that  in  those  many  written 
Bookes  of  Chaucer,  w/^'che  came  to  my  fathers  handes  there 
were  manye  false  copyes.  wliiche  Chaucer  shewethe  in  writinge 
of  Adam  Scriuener  (as  you  haue  noted) :  of  whiche  written 
[p.  121  copies  there  came  to  me  after  my  fathers  deathe  some  fyue  and 
twentye,  whereof  some  had  moore,  and  some  fewer,  tales,  and 
some  but  two.  and  some  three,  w/wche  bookes  beinge  by  me  (as 
one  nothinge  dobting  of  this  whiche  ys'  nowe  donne  for 
Chaucer)  partly  dispersed  aboute  xxvj  yeres  a-goo  and  partlye 
stoolen  oute  of  my  howse  at  Popler :  I  gaue  diuers  of  them  to 
Stephen  Batemanne,  person  of  Newington,  and  to  diuers  other, 
whiche  beinge  copies  vnperfecte,  and  some  of  them  corrected 
by  my  fathers  hande,  yt  maye  happen  soome  of  them  to  coome 
to  somme  of  jour  frendes  handes  ;  whiche  I  knowe  yf  I  see 
agayne  :  and  yf  by  anye  suche  written  copies  you  have  corrected 
Chaucer,  you  maye  as  weft  offende  as  seme  to  do  good.  But  I 
judge  the  beste,  for  in  dobtes  I  will  not  resolue  with  a  settled 


154  [F,  Thynne]     .Five,  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1598 

iudgemewte  althoughe  you  may  iudge  this  tediouse  discourse  of 
my  father  a  needlesse  thinge  in  setting  forthe  his  diligence  in 
breaking  the  yce,  and  gyuinge  lighte  to  others,  who  may  moore 
easeyly  perfecte  then  begyne  any  thinge,  for  "  facilius  est 
addere  quam  Inuenire  "  :  and  so  to  other  matters. 

[Next  Thynne  details  15  mistakes  made  by  Speght,  of  which 
the  following  directly  concern  Chaucer,  viz  : — 

[pp.  12-13]  (1)  He  states  that  Eichard  Chaucer  (the  poet's  grandfather) 
was  his  father. 

[pp.  H-15]  (2)  He  says  Heralds  think  Chaucer  came  of  a  mean  house, 
because  his  armes  are  mean. — This  "  ys  a  slender  coniecture  ". 

[p.  17]  (4)  He  conjectures  (from  merchants'  arms  in  windows)  that 
Chaucer's  ancestors  were  merchants. — This  has  no  validity. 

[pp. is-19]  (5)  He  misquotes  Gower ;  who  does  not  call  Chaucer  "a 
worthye  poet "  nor  "  dothe  he  make  hym  iudge  of  his 
Workes  ".  But  on  the  contrary  Chaucer  submits  his  works  to 
Gower  in  Troilus,  book  v.  This  error  is  Bales'  and  "you  have 
swallowed  yt". 

[pp.  21-2]  (7)  He  assumes  that  because  in  the  Temple  Records  it 
is  noted  that  Chaucer  beat  a  Franciscan  Friar,  that  therefore 
Gower  belonged  to  the  Temple  as  well  as  Chaucer  ;  Avhereas 
Thynne  doubts  whether  Chaucer  ever  belonged  to  the  Temple. 

[p.  22]  (8)  He  says  he  does  not  know  the  name  of  Chaucer's  wife. 
Nor  does  Thynne ;  for  though  some  think  it  was  Elizabeth, 
a  waiting  woman  to  Queen  Philippa,  who  had  a  grant  of 
a  yearly  stipend,  he  believes  this  was  Chaucer's  sister  or  kins 
woman,  who  became  a  nun  at  S.  Helen's,  London. 

[pp.  27-30]  Thynne  then  details  mistakes  made  by  Speght  as  to  the 
'  lioman  de  la  Eose  '  and  Chaucer's  '  Dreme '  or  '  Dethe  of 
Blaunche  the  Duchesse'. 

[pp.  31-68]  He  then  shows  mistakes  Speght  has  made  in  explaining 
Chaucer's  old  words,  and  in  annotations  on,  and  corrections 
of  the  text  of  Chaucer. — He  then  points  out  six  more 
mistakes  : — 

[pp. 68-9]  (1)  That  Speght  has  wrongly  placed  the  '  Plowman's  Tale' 
(before  the  Parson's  Tale).  Thynne's  father  put  it  after  the 
Parson's  Tale  (which  by  Chaucer's  own  words  was  the  last  tale) 
because  he  could  not  see  by  any  prologues  of  the  other  tales 
where  else  to  place  it.  But  it  ought  to  "be  sett  in  some  other 
place  before  the  manciple  and  persons  tale,  and  not  as  yt  ys  in 
the  last  editione."] 

(2)  One    other    thinge    ys,    that    yt    wolde    be    good    that 


1598]          Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [F.  Thynne]  155 

Chaucer's  proper  woorkes  were  distinguyshed  from  the  adulterat, 
and  suche  as  were  not  his,  as  the  Testamente  of  Cressyde,  The 
Letter  of  Cupide,  and  the  ballade  begynnynge  '  I  liaue  a 
layde,  where  so  she  bee'  &c.,  whiche  Chaucer  never  composed, 
as  may  suffycientlye  be  proued  by  the  thinges  them  selues. 

(3)  The  thirde  matter  ys,  that  in  youre  epistle  dedicatorye 
[p. 70]  to  S^r  Eoberte  Cecille,  you  saye,  "This  Booke,  whene  yt  was 

first  published  in  printe,  was  dedicate  to  Kinge  Henry e  the 
eighte  ".  But  that  is  not  soo,  for  the  firste  dedicatione  to  that 
kinge  was  by  mye  father,  when  diuerse  of  Chaucers  woorkes 
[p.  7i]  had  byn  thrise  printed  before ;  whereof  two  editions  were  by 
Wilham  Caxtone,  the  fyrste  printer  of  Englande,  who  first 
printed  Chaucers  tales  in  one  colume  in  a  ragged  letter,  and 
after  in  one  colume  in  a  better  order ;  and  the  thirde  editione 
was  printed,  as  far  re  as  I  remember,  by  winkine  de  word 
or  Kicharde  Pynson,  the  seconde  and  thirde  printers  of  Eng 
lande,  as  I  take  them.  Whiche  three  edit[i]ons  beinge  verye 
imperfecte  and  corrupte,  occasioned  my  father  (for  the  love  he 
oughte  to  Chawcers  lernynge)  to  seeke  the  augmente  and 
corrections  of  Chawcer's  Woorkes,  w/wche  he  happely  fynyshed ; 
the  same  beinge,  since  that  tyme,  by  often  printings  muche 
corrupted.  .  .  . 

[Francis  Thynne  makes  two  mistakes  here.  (1)  Speght  was  alluding  to  the 
collected  edn.  of  Chaucer's  '  Workes  '  first  made  by  William  Thynne,  which  was  the 
basis  of  his  own  edn.  Wm.  Thynne's  dedication  is  reprinted  in  all  the  old  editions, 
1542  (1550),  1561,  1598,  1602,  1687  and  1721. 

(2)  Only  one  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works  had  been  published  before  the  date  of 
Thynne's  1532,  and  that  was  Pynson's  [see  note  under  1532,  Thynne,  p.  78].  But 
many  separate  works  of  Chaucer  had  been  published  before  1532.] 

(4)  [Speght,  in  his  catalogue  of  authors,  has  omitted  many 
authors  '  vouched  by  chawcer '. 

(5)  &  (6)  Speght  misreads  '  Haroltes '  for  '  Harlottes ' ;   and 
[p.  74]  'Minoresse'  for '  Moueresse,'  both  in  the  'Eomaunt  of  the  Eose']. 

Thus  hoopinge    that    you  wilt  accepte  in  good  and  frendlye 

[p.  75]  parte,  these  my  whatsoeuer  conceytes  vttered  vnto  you,  (to  the 

ende   Chawcer's  Woorkes  by  muche    conference    and  manye 

iudgments  miglite  at  leng[t]he  obteyne  their  true  perfect^one 

and  glorye, as  I  truste  they  shall  yf  yt  please  godde  to 

lende  me  tyme  and  ley  sure  to  reprinte,  correcte,  and  comente 
the  same,  after  Ihe  manner  of  the  Italians,  who  haue  largelye 
comented  Petrarche ;) — I  sett  ends  to  these  matters:  corny  t- 
tinge  you  to  god,  and  me  to  yowr  Curtesye.  Clerkenwell 
Greene,  the  xvi  of  december,  1599.  Your  louinge  frcnde, 

FRANCIS    THYNNE. 


156  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1598 

1598.  Barnfield,  Richard.  Poems:  In  diners  humors.  London.  Printed 
by  G.  S.  for  lohn  laggard,  and  are  to  be  solde  at  his  shoppe  neere 
Temple-barre,  at  the  Signe  of  the  Hand  and  starre,  1598,  sign.  E  2. 
Sonnet  ii,  Against  the  Dispraysers  of  Poetrie.  (Illustrations  of 
Old  English  Literature,  1806,  ed.  J.  P.  Collier,  vol.  i,  pp.  43-4. 
Also  Complete  poems  of  Richard  Barnfield,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  Roxb. 
club,  1876,  p.  189  ;  English  Scholar's  library,  No.  14,  ed.  E.  Arber, 
p.  119.) 

Chaucer  is  dead ;  and  Goiver  lyes  in  grave  ! 

The  Earle  of  Surrey,  long  agoe  is  gone  ! 

Sir  Philip  Sidneis  soule,  the  Heauens  haue ! 

George  Gascoigne  him  beforne  was  tomb'd  in  stone ! 

Yet,  tho'  their  Bodies  lye  full  low  in  ground, 

(As  every  thing  must  dye,  that  earst  was  borne) 

Their  liuing  fame  no  Fortune  can  confound ; 

Nor  euer  shall  their  labours  be  forlorne. 

And  you,  that  discommend  sweet  Poetrie 

(So  that  the  Subject  of  the  same  be  good,) 

Here  may  you  see  your  fond  simplicitie  ! 

Sith  Kings  have  fauord  it,  of  royall  Blood. 

The  King  of  Scots  (now  liuing),  is  a  Poet ; 

As  his  Lerjanto  and  his  Furies  shoe  it ! 

[These  poems  are  the  last  of  four  pamphlets  in  verse  bound  and  issued  together  in 
1598  ;  the  title  of  the  first  being  The  Encomion  of  Lady  Pecunia.  This  reference  is 
not  in  the  edn.  of  1605.] 

1598.  Chapman,  George.  To  the  vnderstander,  an  address  prefixed  to 
Achilles  Shield,  translated  as  the  other  seuen  Bookes  of  Homer  out 
of  Jiis  eighteenth  booke  of  Iliades  by  George  Chapman  Gent,  sign. 
B.  2.  (Elizabethan  critical  essays,  ed.  G.  Gregory  Smith,  1904, 
vol.  ii,  p.  305.) 

All  tongues  haue  inricht  themselues  from  their  originall  .  .  . 
with  good  neighbourly  borrowing  ...  &  why  may  not  ours. 

Chaucer  (by  whom  we  will  needes  authorise  our  true  eng- 
lish),  had  more  newe  wordes  for  his  time  then  any  man  needes 
to  deuise  now. 

1598.  Dallington,  Sir  Robert.  A  Method  for  Trauell,  Shewed  by  taking 
the  View  of  France,  As  it  stoode  in  the  yea-re  of  our  Lord  1598. 
London,  printed  by  Thomas  Creede  [1606  1]  ?  sign.  V  4.  (The  only 
modern  edn.  is  a  French  translation,  "  View  of  Fraunce  "  traduit 
par  E.  Emerique,  1892,  pp.  188-9.) 

And  as  wee  may  say  of  our  English,  that  it  very  much 
fS)Ssgie18  diffei'eth  from  tllat  of  Chaucers  time:  so  with  Lu 
Roy]  Regius  of  the  French  tongue,  that  within  these  fiftie 
yeeres,  it  is  almost  growen  a  new  language,  and  which  still 


1598]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  157 

like  the  French,  apparell  euery  ycere  altered  ....  But  if  you 
demand  the  best  Authours,  for  the  language  it  selfe,  I  thinke, 
as  Ttiscaine  hath  a  Duute  [sic]  and  a  Petrarch,  Greece  an 
Isocrates  and  a  Demosthenes,  Rome  a  Cicero  and  a  Ctesar, 
we  a  Sydney  and  a  Chaucer :  so  France  hath  a  Bertas  and  a 
Romsart  [sic],  in  this  Kinde  most  recommendable. 

1598.  Guilpin,  Edward.  Skialetheia,  or  A  shadowe  of  Truth,  in  certaine 
Digrams  and  Satyres.  Satire  vi,  sign.  E  i.  (Occasional  issues  of 
unique  or  very  rare  books,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1878,  vol.  vi, 
Skialetheia,  p.  63.) 

For  in  these  our  times 

Some  of  Opinions  gulls  carpe  at  the  riemes 
Of  reuerend  Chawcer:  other-some  do  praise  them, 
And  vnto  heau'n  with  wonders  wings  do  raise  them. 
Some  say  the  mark  is  out  of  Gowers  mouth, 
Others,  he's  better  then  a  trick  of  youth. 

1598.  Hakluyt,  Richard.  The  Principal  Nauigations  Voiages  Trajffiyues. 
and  Discoueries  of  the  English  Nation  .  .  .  [second  edn.]  1598, 
vol.  i,  Preface  to  the  Reader,  sign.  **  b,  A  Catalogue  of  the 
Ambassages,  sign.  **4b,  p.  124  (published,  MacLehose,  Glasgow, 
1903,  etc.,  vol.  i,  pp.  liv,  307-8). 

[sign.  **b]  And  lastly,  our  old  English  father  Ennius,  I  meane,  the 
learned,  wittie,  and  profound  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  under  the  per 
son  of  his  Knight,  doeth  full  iudicially  and  like  a  cunning 
Cosmographer,  make  report  of  the  long  voiages  and  woorthy 
exploits  of  our  English  Nobles,  Knights,  &  Gentlemen,  to  the 
Northern,  and  to  other  partes  of  the  world  in  his  dayes. 

[sign.** 46]  U  The  Ambassages,  Treatises,  Priueledges,  Letters,  and  other 
obseruations,  depending  upon  the  Voyages  of  this  First  Volume. 

10.  Certaine  verses  of  Geffrey  Chaucer,  Concerning  the  long 
Voyages,  and  valiant  exploits  of  the  English  Knights  in  his 
dayes.  pag.  124. 

[At  the  end  of  the  voyage  of  Thomas  of  Woodstocke,  Duke 
of  Gloucester,  into  Prussia  in  the  yeere  1391]. 

[p.  124]  The  verses  of  Geofrey  Chaucer  in  the  Knights  Prologues 
who  liuing  in  the  yeere  1402.  (as  hee  writeth  himselfe  in  his 
Epistle  of  Cupide)  shewed  that  the  English  Knights  after  the 
losse  of  Aeon,  were  wont  in  his  time  to  trauaile  into  Prussia 
and  Lettowe,  and  other  heathen  lands,  to  advance  the 


158  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1598 

Christian  faith  against  Infidels  and  miscreants,  and  to  seeke 
honoure  by  feats  of  armes. 

The  English  Knights  Prologue. 
A  Knight  there  was,  and  that  a  worthie  man,  [Halduyt  quotes  (in 

black  letter)  to  '  ayenst  another  Heathen  in  Turkic '] 
The  time  Written  in  the  lustie  moneth  of  May 

in  our  Palace,  where  many  a  million 
of  louers  true  llave  habitation, 
^ie  vcere  °^  8race  ioyf  ull  an(i  iocond, 
a  thousand,  foure  hundred  and  second. 

[None  of  these  references  are  in  the  first  edition  of  1589.] 

1598.  [Hall,  Joseph  (Bishop  of  Norwich).]  Virgidemiarum  The  Three 
last  Bookes.  Of  byting  Satyres.  Imprinted  at  London  by  Kichard 
Bradocke  for  Robert  Dexter,  1598.  Lib.  4,  Satyre  4,  sign.  D  1  6 ; 
Lib.  5,  Satyre  2,  sign.  E  7.  [Copy  in  B.  M.  is  bound  with]  Virgi- 
demiarum  sixe  Bookes.  First  three  Bookes  of  Toothless  Satyrs. — 
London.  Printed  by  Thomas  Creede  for  Robert  Dexter,  1597. 
[The  title-page  of  the  1598  edn.  faces  sign.  F  3  6.]  (Satires  by 
Joseph  Hall  with  the  Illustrations  of  the  late  Thomas  Warton  and 
Additional  Notes  by  Samuel  Weller  Singer,  1824,  pp.  101,  132. 

[sign.  D  i]  Till  now  he  waxt  a  toothlesse  Bacheler 

He  thaw's  like  Chaucers  frosty  laniuere ; 
And  sets  a  Months  minde  vpon  smyling  May 

[sign.  E  7]  Certes,  if  Pity  died  at  Chaucers  date, 

He  liu'd  a  widdovver  long  behind  his  mate. 

[A  reference  to  the  sepulchre  of  Pity  in  the  Court  of  Love  (not  by  Chaucer),  1.  701.] 

1598.  Marston,  John,  [pseud.  W.  Kinsayder].  The  Scourge  of  Villanie, 
Three  Bookes  of  Satyres.  At  London  Printed  by  I.  R.  and  are  to  be 
sold  by  John  Bn/bie,  sign.  B  4  and  6.  (The  Works  of  John 
Marston,  ed.  J.  0.  Halliwell,  1856,  vol.  iii,  p.  246.) 

To  those  that  seem  iudiciall  perusers. 

Know  I  hate  to  affect  too  much  obscuritie,  &  harshnes, 
because  they  profit  no  sense  .  .  .  Perseus  is  crabby,  because 
antient,  &  his  ierkes  (being  perticulerly  giuew  to  priuate  cus- 
tomes  of  his  time)  duskie,  Juuenal  (vpon  the  like  occasion) 
seemes  to  our  iudgement,  gloomie.  Yet  both  of  them  goe  a 
good  seemely  pace,  not  stumbling,  shuffling.  Chaucer  is  harde 
euen  to  our  vnderstandings ;  who  knows  not  the  reason  ? 
Howe  much  more  those  old  Satyres  which  expresse  themselues 
in  ternies,  that  breathed  not  long  euen  in  their  daies. 

[For  further  traces  of  Chaucer  influence  on  Marston,  see  Chaucer's  Einfluss  auf  das 
fnglisclie  Drama,  by  O.  Ballinan,  Anglia,  xxv,  pp.  77-8.] 


1598]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  159 

1598.  Meres,  Francis.  A  Comparatiue  discourse  of  our  English  Poets, 
with  the  Greeke,  Latine,  and  Italian  Poets.  [In]  Palladia  Tamia. 
Wits  Treasury,  Being  the  second  part  of  Wits  Commonwealth,  p.  279. 
(English  Garner,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1879,  vol.  ii,  p.  94.  Elizabethan 
critical  essays,  ed.  G.  Gregory  Smith,  1904,  vol.  ii,  p.  314.) 

As  Greece  had  three  Poets  of  great  antiquity,  Orpheus,  Linus 
and  Musceus ;  and  Italy,  other  three  auncient  Poets  Liuius 
Andronicus,  Ennius  and  Plautus :  so  hath  England  three 
auncient  Poets,  Chaucer,  Gower  and  Lydgate. 

As  Homer  is  reputed  the  Prince  of  Greek  Poets ;  and 
Petrarch  of  Italian  Poets  :  so  Chaucer  is  accounted  the  God 
of  English  Poets. 

1598.  Stowe,  John.  A  Suruay  of  London,  1598,  pp.  •  107,  192,  198, 
338-9  [wrongly  printed  238],  383  (ed.  C.  L.  Kin^sford,  Oxford, 
1906,  vol.  i,  pp.  143,  241,  253,  vol.  ii,  pp.  62,  110-11.) 

[p.  107]   Ealdegate  Ward  [speaking  of  the  shaft  set  up  before 
St.  Andrew  Undershaft]  Geffrey  Chawcer,  writing  of  a  vaine 
boaster,  hath  these  wordes,  meaning  of  the  said  shaft : 
Chaucer,  Right  well  aloft  and  high  ye  beare  your  heade 

of  Dice.  •  •  •  • 

That  all  the  streete  may  heare  your  body  cloke. 

Chaucer,     [p.  192]    [Stowe  quotes  1st  stanza  of  H.  Scogan's  moral  ballad, 

335.  '  then    says]    Then    follow    of   verse    23   staues,    containing   a 

persuasion  from  losing  of  time,  follily  in  lust,  &  vice,  but  to 

spend  the  same  in  vertue  and  in  godlines,  as  ye  may  reade  in 

Geffrey  Chawcer  his  works  lately  printed. 


Chaucer,    [p.  198]    Ricliarde  Chawcer  Vintner  gaue  lands  to  that  church 
335.  '  [Aldmary],  &  was  there  buried  1348.     Richard  Chaucer  father 
to  Geffrey  Chaucer  the  poet,  as  may  be  supposed. 


[PP.  338-9]  For  the  Inne  of  the  Tabard  Geffrey  Cliaucer 
Esquire,  the  most  famous  Poet  of  England,  in  commendation 
thereof,  in  the  raigne  of  E.  the  3  writeth  thus  [Stowe  quotes 
11.  19-29  Prologue  Cant.  Tales]. 

[P.  383]  The  Citie  of  Westminster. 

Geffrey  Chaucer  the     ....   Geffrey  CJiauc&r  the  most  famous  Poet  of 
land.  England,  also  in  the  Cloyster  [of  the   Abbey], 

1 400,  but  since  Nicholas  Brigham  Gentleman,  raysed  a  Monu 
ment  for  him  in  the  South  crosse  He  of  the  Church  ;  his 
workes  were  partly  published  in  print  by  William  Caxton  in 


160  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1599- 

the  raigne  of  Henry  the  sixt :  Increased  by  William  Thinne 
Esquire,  in  the  raigne  of  Henry  the  eight :  Corrected  and  twice 
increased  through  mine  oune  painefull  labours,  in  the  raigne  of 
Quceno  ElizabetJi,  to  wit  in  the  yeare  1561,  and  again  beautified 
with  noates,  by  me  collected  out  of  diners  Ilecordes  and  Monu- 
mentes,  which  I  deliuered  to  my  louing  friende  Thomas  Speight, 
and  he  hauing  drawne  the  same  into  a  good  forme  and  methode, 
as  also  explained  the  old  and  obscure  wordes,  etc.,  hath 
published  them  in  Anno  1597. 

[The  poem  here  called  Chance  of  dice,  a  MS.  of  which  is  in  the   Bodleian  (MS. 
Fairfax  16),  is  anonymous,  it  is  certainly  not  by  Chaucer.     See  above,  c.  1440,  p.  44.1 

[1598-1600.]  Harvey,  Gabriel.  MS.  notes  in  his  copy  of  Speght's 
Chauceo.  Sec  below,  App.  A  [1598-1600]. 

1599.  Daniel,  Sam[uel].  Musophilus  :  Containing  a  generall  defence  of 
learning.  Separate  title-page  and  pagination,  but  part  of  the 
Poeticall  Essayes  of  Sam.  Danyel.  Newly  corrected  and  augmented 
....  1599,  sign.  B  3.  (Daniel's  Complete  Works,  ed.  A.  11 
Grosart,  1885-96,  vol.  i,  p.  230.) 

But  yet  in  all  this  interchange  of  all, 

Virtue  we  see,  with  her  faire  grace,  stands  fast ; 
For  what  hy  races  hath  there  come  to  fall, 

With  low  disgrace,  quite  vanished  and  past, 
Since  Chaucer  liu'd  who  yet  Hues  and  yet  shall, 

Though  (which  I  grieue  to  say)  but  in  his  last. 
Yet  what  a  time  hath  he  wrested  from  time, 

And  won  vpon  the  mighty  waste  of  daies, 
Vnto  tli'  immortall  honor  of  our  clime, 

That  by  his  meanes  came  first  adorn'd  with  Baies, 
Vnto  the  sacred  Relicks  of  whose  rime 

We  yet  are  bound  in  zeale  to  offer  praise  ? 
And  could  our  Hues  begotten  in  this  age 

Obtaine  but  such  a  blessed  hand  of  yeeres, 
And  scape  the  fury  of  that  threatning  rage, 

Which  in  confused  clowdes  gastly  appeares. 
Who  would  not  straine  his  trauailes  to  ingage, 

Whew  such  true  glory  should  succeed  his  cares  ? 
But  whereas  he  came  planted  in  the  spring, 

And  had  the  Sun,  before  him,  of  respect ; 
We  set  in  th'  autumne,  in  the  withering, 

And  sullen  season  of  a  cold  defect. 

[Musophilus  was  probably  also  issued  separately  in  1599,  before  being  bound  up 
with  Poeticall  Essayes  ;  this  was  a  common  practice  of  Daniel's. 


1600]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  161 

1599.  Nashe,  Thomas.  Nashes  Lenten  Slnffe  ....  sign.  D  4,  p.  23. 
(Works  of  Thomas  Nashe,  ed.  K.  B.  McKerrow,  1904-5,  vol.iii,  1905, 
p.  176.) 

The  prayse  of  the  red  Herring. 

....  had  I  my  topickes  by  me  in  stead  of  my  learned 
counsell  to  assist  me,  I  might  haps  marshall  my  termes  in 
better  aray,  and  bestow  such  costly  coquery  on  this  Marine 
maf/nifico  as  you  would  preferre  him  before  tart  and  galingale, 
which  Chaucer  preheminentest  encomionizeth  aboue  all 
iunquetries  or  confectionaries  whatsoeuer. 

[1599  ?]  Shakespeare,  William.  The  Merry  Wives  of  Windsor,  I,  iii, 
80-1. 

Pist.  Shall  I  Sir  Paudarus  of  Troy  become, 
And  by  my  side  wear  steel  ? 

[It  is  probable  that  this  allusion  is  to  Chaucer's  Troilus.    For  the  whole  question  of 
Chaucer  references  in  Shakespeare,  see  below,  App.  A,  1589,  Shakespeare.] 

1599.  Spenser,  Edmund.     A  View  of  the  Present  State  of  Ireland. 
MSS.  B.  M..  Cambridge,  Dublin,  etc.     (Works  of  Spenser,  ed.  A.  B. 
Grosart,  1882-4,  vol.  ix,  pp.  112,  233.     Spenser's  Works,  Globe  edn., 
ed.  B.  Morris,  1869,  pp.  639,  col.  2,  and  676,  col.  2.) 

[p.  639]  Irenceus.  All  these  that  I  have  rehearsed  unto  you,  be  not 
Irish  garments,  but  English ;  for  the  quilted  leather  Jacke  is 
old  English ;  for  it  was  the  proper  weede  of  the  horseman,  as 
ye  may  reade  in  Chaucer,  where  he  describeth  Sir  Thopas  his 
apparrell  and  armoure,  when  he  went  to  fight  agaynst  the 
Gyant,  in  his  robe  of  shecklaton,  which  shecklaton  is  that  kind 
of  guilded  leather  with  which  they  use  to  ernbroder  theyr  Irish 
jackes.  And  there  likewise  by  all  that  description  ye  may  see 
the  very  fashion  and  manner  of  the  Irish  horseman  most  lively 
set  foorth,  his  long  hose,  his  shooes  of  costly  cordewayne, 
his  hacqueton,  and  his  habberjon,  with  all  the  rest  therto 
belonging. 

[p.  676]  Eor  Borh  in  old  Saxon  signifyeth  a  pledge  or  suretye,  and  yet 
it  is  soe  used  with  us  in  some  speaches,  as  Chaucer  sayeth, 
St.  John  to  borrows,  that  is  for  assurance  and  warrantye. 

[Squire's  Tale,  1.  596.] 

1600.  [Bodenham,  John.]    Bel-vede're   or  The   Garden  of  the  Muses. 
The  Conclusion,  p.  235.     (Bodenham's  Belvedere,   reprinted   for 
Spenser  soc.,  1875,  pp.  235-6.) 

In  this  first  Impression,  are  omitted  the  Sentences  of 
Chaucer,  Gower,  Lidgate  and  other  auncient  Poets,  because  it 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  M 


162  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1600 

was  not  knowne  how  their  forme  would  agree  with  these  of 
ten  syllables  onely,  and  that  sometime  they  exceed  the  com- 
passe  herein  obserued,  hailing  none  but  lineall  and  couplet 
sentences,. aboue  and  beyond  which  course,  the  Gentleman  who 
was  the  cause  of  this  collection  (taking  therin  no  meane 
paines  him-selfe,  besides  his  friends  labour)  could  not  be  per- 
swaded,  but  determinately  aimed  at  this  obseruation.  Neuer- 
thelesse,  if  this  may  enioy  but  the  fauour  hee  hopes  it  will, 
and  the  good  intent  thereof  be  no  way  misconstrued  :  at  the 
next  impression  it  shall  be  largely  supplyed,  with  things  that 
[p.  236]  at  this  present  could  not  be  obtained  .... 

[This  is  a  collection  of  single  10-syllable  lines  or  couplets  from  a  number  of  poets, 
arranged  under  various  subject  headings,  such  as  Hope,  War,  Learning,  Life,  Death, 
<fec.  A  list  of  the  poets  from  whom  they  were  taken  is  given  in  the  Address  to  the 
Reader.] 

1600.  [Breton,  Nicholas?.]  Pasquils  Fooles-cappe,  v.  53.  [Unique  copy 
in  the  Bodl.  library,  sign.  C  3  6.]  (Breton's  Works,  ed.  A.  B. 
Grosart,  1879,  vol.  i ;  Pasquil's  Fooles-Cappe,  p.  22.) 

Shee  that         .         .         .         .         .  * 

.  .  ready  is  to  breake  a  Cliaucers  ieast. 

1600.  Butler,  Charles  (Vicar  of  Wotton).  Mhetoricce  Libri  Duo.  Quorum 
Prior  de  Tropis  &  Figuris,  Posterior  de  Voce  &  Gestu  prcecipit :  in 
vsum  scholarum  accuratius  jam  quarto  editi.  Oxoniae,  1618,  lib.  i, 
cap.  13,  sign.  C  5.  (The  dedication  is  dated  March  1600.) 

[Text]  Rhythmi  genera  partim  syllabarum  suarum  numero, 
partim  varia  sonorum  resonantium  dispositione  distingui 
possunt :  sed  ea  (4)  optimorum  poetarnm  observatio  optime 
docebit. 

[Note]  (4)  Quales  sunt  apud  nos  Homero,  Maroni,  Ovidio, 
cseterisque  melioris  notae  priscis  aequiparandi,  D.  PHILIPPVS 
SIDNEY,  EDMVNDVS  SPENCER,  SAMVEL  DANIEL,  MICHAEL  DRAY- 
TON,  JOSVAH  SYLVESTER,  GEORGIVS  WITHER,  aliique  ingenio  & 
arte  florentes,  quorum  hsec  setas  vberrima  est :  atque  inprimis 
horum  omnium  magister,  vnicum  caligantis  sui  seculi  lumen, 
D.  GALFRIDVS  CHAVCER. 

[This  4th  edn.  of  1618  is  the  first  in  B.M.  Edn.  1  is  of  1600.  In  the  next  edition, 
London,  1629,  the  Chaucer  reference — sign.  E  3  and  b— is  identical.] 

1600.  Camden,  William.  Britannia  [5th  edition].  Trinobantes,  p. 
379.  (Trans.,  ed.,  and  enlarged  by  Richard  Gough,  1789,  vol.  ii, 
p.  8.) 

wVon77!      Contumulantur  in  hoc  templo  (Westminster  Abbey) 

paged  277] 


1600]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  163 

.  .  .  quique  minimi  tacendus  Poetarum  Angloru??i  princeps 
Galfredus  Chaucer ;  &  qui  ad  ilium  ingenij  fselicitate,  &  diuite 
Poeseos  vena  proxime  inter  Anglicos  poetas  accessit  Edm. 
Spencerus, 

[This  reference  first  appeared  in  the  5th  edn.  of  1600.  For  reference  in  the  1st 
edn.  see  above,  under  1586,  p.  128.  The  6th  and  last  edn.,  1607,  corrected  by  the 
author,  contains  both  references  on  pp.  266  and  310.] 


1600.  [Camden,  William.]  Eeges,  Reginae,  Nobiles,  &  alij  in  Ecdesia 
Collegiata  B.  Petri  Westmonasterij  sepidti.  .  .  .  Londini.  Excu- 
debat  E.  Bollifantus  MDC,  sign.  I  and  6,  I  2  6-1  3. 

[sign,  i]     In  Australi  plaga  Ecclesiae. 

Galfridus  Chaucer  Poe'ta  celeberrimus,  qui  primus  Anglicam 
Poesin  ita  illustrauit,  vt  Anglicus  Homerus  habeatur.  Obijt 
1400.  Anno  vero  1555  Nicholaus  Brigham  Musarum  nomine 
huius  ossa  transtulit,  &  illi  nouum  tumulum  ex  marmore,  his 
versibus  inscriptis  posuit. 

[Here  follows  epitaph,  see  above,  p.  94  :  Qui  fuit  Anglorum 
vates  ter  maximus  olim ;  illuminated  coat  of  arms  on  margin.] 

[sign.  1 1 6]  Rachael  Brigham,  filia  Mcholai  Brigham  quadrimula  obijt, 
sita  est  iuxta  Galfridum  Chaucerum.  Obijt  1557,  21.  Junij, 

[With  regard  to  the  burial-places  of  Rachel  Brigham  and  her  father  Nicholas,  see 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Stopes  in  Athenaeum,  April  28,  1904,  p.  541,  and  Oct.  25,  1902,  p.  552.] 


[sign.  126]  Edwaklus  Spenser  Londinensis,  Anglicorum  Poetarum 
nostri  seculi  facile  princeps,  quod  eius  poemata  fauentibua 
Musis  vieturo  genio  conscripta  comprobant.  Obijt  immatura 
morte  anno  salutis  1598.  &  prope  Galfredum  Chaucerum 
conditur  qui  fselicissime  poesin  Anglicis  literis  primus  illus 
trauit.  In  quern  haec  scripta  sunt  Epitaphia 

Hie  prope  Chaucerum  situs  est  Spencerius,  illi 
Proximus  ingenio,  proximus  vt  tumulo. 
[sign.  1 3]  Hie  prope  Chaucerum  Spencere  Poeta  poetam 

Conderis,  fy  versu,  quam  tumulo  propior. 
Anglica  te  vino  vixit,  plausitque  Poesis  ; 
Nunc  moritura  timet,  te  moriente,  mori. 

[Anne  Clifford,  Countess  of  Dorset,  caused  a  monument  to  be  erected  to  Spenser 
in  1G20,  but  when  it  was  repaired  in  1878  no  trace  of  these  Latin  lines  was'found. 
The  change  in  Spenser's  Christian  name  is  added  in  contemporary  MS.  in  the  B.M. 
copy.] 


164  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1600 

[c.  1600.]  Stowe,  John.  Three  MS.  notes  in  Stowe's  hand  in  MSS. 
Addit.  34,360  (formerly  Phillipps  9053)  ff.  19,  37.  (Catalogue 
Add.  MSS.  in  B.M.,  1888-93  ;  1894,  pp.  318-20,  and  more  odd 
texts  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc., 
1886,  p.  43.) 

[foi.  19]      [Heading  to  Chaucer's  '  Complaint  to  his  Purse ']  Chaucer. 
[Colophon  to  same  poem.]     Thus  farr  is  printed  in  Chauce[r] 

fol.  320  vnder  ye  name  of  Tho.  Occleeue. 
[foi.  37]     [Marginal  note  to  spurious  Assembly  of  Ladies.]     Chausar  la 

samble  des  dames. 

[See  also  below,  c.  1640,  Browne,  William,  p.  219.] 

1600.  Stowe,  John.  Tlie  Annales  of  England,  pp.  437,  458,  527-8. 
(The  Annales  ....  of  England,  ed.  Edmoiid  Howes,  1614,  pp.  276, 
288,  326.  See  also  Life  Records  of  Chaucer,  iv,  ed.  R.  E.  G.  Kirk, 
Chaucer  soc.  1900,  p.  206,  no.  106.) 

[For  first  reference,  p.  437,  see  above,  p.  136,  under  1592,  The 
Annales  of  England,  p.  431,  which  is  the  same  as  here.] 
[p.  458]        [Under  Richard  the  second.] 

Jeffrey  There  were  that  day  beheaded  manie,  as  well  Flemings 
in  the  as  Englishmen  for  no  cause,  but  to  fulfill  the  crueltie 
thee  °  of  the  rude  Commons  :  for  it  was  a  solemne  pastime  to 
Triest!"  them,  if  they  could  take  any  that  was  not  sworne  to 
them,  to  take  from  such  a  one  his  hoode  with  their 
accustomed  clamour,  &  forth  with  to  behead  him  .... 

So  hidous  was  the  noyse,  a  !  benedicite  I 

As  thilke  day  \vas  niaad  upon  the  fox. 

[Nonne  Preestes  Tale,  11.  4583-7.] 

[pp.  527-8]  [Under  Henry  the  fourth.] 

1400  The  famous  Poet  Geffrey  Chaucer  esquire,  the 

GBiTcr.  Cnauccr     ,-,          ,,..         .  _ 

chiefe  Poet  nrst  illuminer  oi  our  English  language,  deceased. 
Newne1med'  This  was  a  worshipful  Gentleman,  and  of  faire 
possessions,  whose  abode  was  chiefly  about  Wodstocke,  (where 
he  had  a  faire  manor)  and  ^ew  elme  (in  Oxford  shire) 
which  also  was  his,  with  diners  other  manors :  he  was  oft 
times  imploied  by  K.  Edward  ye  3.  as  ambassador  into 
f ranee,  and  into  other  forrain  lands :  he  had  to  wife  the 
daughter  of  Paine  Roete  alias  Guian  King  at  armes.  by  whow 
[P.  528]  he  had  issue  Tho.  Chaucer,  who  maried  Mawd  daughter 
to  Sir  Bartholomews  Borwash,  by  whom  he  had  issue  Alice 


1600]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  165 

Chaucer,  first  maried  to  Sir  lohn  Philips  Knight,  after 
to  the  Earle  of  Salisbury,  and  thirdly  to  William  Duke  of 
Suffolke,  who  at  his  wiues  request  founded  an  hospitall  called 
Gods  home,  by  ye  parish  Church  of  JSTewelme  :  which  Church 
he  also  builded,  in  this  Church  lieth  buried  Tho.  Chawcer  the 
last  heire  male  .  .  .  but  our  first  named  Chaucer  the  poet,  by 
what  occasion  I  know  not,  was  buried  at  Westminster,  his 
workes  for  the  most  part  are  extant,  first  published  in  print  by 
William  Caxton,  sometime  a  mercer  of  London,  the  man  that 
first  brought  the  Art  of  printing  into  this  lande,  since  more 
largely  collected  into  one  volume  by  William  boteuil,  alias 
Thin,  Esquier,  chiefe  Clearke  of  the  Kitchin,  and  master  of 
the  household  to  K.  Henry  the  8.  vnto  whom  he  dedicated 
the  fruite  of  that  his  labour  Anno  Christi  .1540.  [*'.  e.  1532 
and  1542].  The  which  volume  was  since  againe,  to  wit,  in 
Anno  1560  [pub.  1561,  see  above,  p.  86]  by  viewe  of  diners 
written  copies,  corrected  by  my  sel'fe,  the  author  of  this 
history,  who  at  that  time  also  corrected  and  added  diners 
workes  of  the  said  master  Geffrey  Chaucers  iieuer  before 
imprinted,  [and  againe  in  the  yeere  1597.  further  increased 
with  other  his  workes,  as  also  his  life,  preferment,  issue  and 
death,  collected  out  of  records  in  the  towre  and  else  where  by 
my  selfe,  and  giuen  to  Thomas  Spight  to  be  published,  [in 
1598]  and  was  performed].  Besides  the  history  of  Oedipus 
and  locasta,  with  the  siege  of  Thebes,  translated  and  made 
into  English  verse,  by  Don  lohn  Lidgate,  a  disciple  of  the  said 
Chaucers. 

[The  above  extract  is  an  expanded  version  of  the  reference  in  the  first  edn.  of  1580, 
see  p.  119  ;  arid  it  is  identical  with  that  in  the  edn.  of  1592,  pp.  517-8  [p.  136,  above], 
with  the  exception  of  the  sentence  towards  the  end  within  square  brackets,  which  is 
here  added.] 

1600.  Thynne,  Francis.  Embltines  and  Epigrams.  Dedication  to  Sir 
Thomas  Egerton,  Epigrams  21,  38,  51;  Ellesmere  MS.,  ff.  47, 
53  b,  57  b.  (Ed.  E.  J.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  soc.,  1876,  pp.  3,  62, 
71,  77.) 


[p.  i]         [Dedication]  to  the  right  honorable  his  Singuler  good 

Sir  Thomas  Egerton,  Knight,  Lord  Keper  of  the  greate  Seale 

[p.  3]  ....  Thus,  my  good  Lord,  is  all  dutifull  love  commend- 
inge  these  my  slender  poems  (which  may  be  equalled  wa'th 
Sir  Topas  rynie  in  Chaucer)  vnto  your  good  likinge  .... 
I  humblie  take  my  leaue. 


166  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1600- 

[foi.  47j  (21)  Glasses. 

The  sundrie  sort  of  glasses  w/iich  art  doth  put  in  vse 

for  our  delights,  in  severall  kindes,  sweete  pleasures  doe  procure  : 

besides,  there  is  of  glasse  a  temple  fair  and  brighte 
w/nch  learned  Chaucer  buildecl  hath  with  penn  of  heavenlie 
spright. 

[foi.  53  6]  (38)  Spencers  Fayrie  Queene. 

Renowmed  Spencer  whose  heavenlie  sprite 
ecclipseth  the  sonne  of  former  poetrie, 
in  whome  the  muses  harbor  with  delighte 
gracinge  thy  verse  with  Immortal itie 
Crowning  thy  fayrie  Queene  with  deitie, 
The  famous  Chaucer  yealds  his  Laurell  crowne 
vnto  thy  sugred  penn  for  thy  renowne. 

[foi.  57  b]  (51)  To  Humfrie  Waldoun. 

A  foolishe  Cher  ill  I  maye  seeme  to  bee, 
that  shame  not  to  present  vnto  thy  sight 
Sir  Topas  ridinge  rime  not  meet  for  thee 
Nor  Goulding's  learned  vewe,  that  famous  wight 
whose  hawtie  verse  with  sugredd  words  well  knitt 
bereaves  the  same  of  Chawcers  flowing  witt. 

[c.  1600.  Unknown.]    MS.  notes  [in]  Addit.  MS.  10,303,  foi.  1  6. 

[foi.  ib]  [The  MS.  is  lettered  at  back]  Chaucer's  Dreame,  [title]  The 
death  of  Blaunche  the  Dutchesse  of  Lancaster,  fyrst  wyef  to  Jo : 
of  Gaunte  iiijth  sonne  to  Ed \varde  the  thirde,  written  by  that 
honorable  Englyshe  Poet  Geoffrey  Chaucer  esqre.  [By  another 
later  hand,]  no  doubte  mysse  entituled,  for  this  shoulde  be 
Chaucers  dreame,  &  his  dreame,  the  death  of  the  Duchesse. 

{c.  1600.]  Unknown.  MS.  note  [in  an  early  17th  cent,  hand]  to  Ship- 
man's  tale,  1.  1363.  Hengwrt  MS.  foi.  206.  (Six-text  Canterbury 
Tales,  ed.  F.  J  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.,  parts  i-iii,  1871-8,  p.  180, 
col.  2.) 

A  woman  wolld  haue  her  husband  to  be  hard  ye  wyse  Byche 
free  buxom  that  is  to  say  gentell  ....  these  syxe  things  a 
woman  doth  desyre  as  Mr.  Chaucer  dothe  wryte. 

[11.  1363-7.] 


1601]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  167 

1600.  Vaughan,  Sir  W[illiam].     The   Golden-groue  ....  [2nd  ecln.] 
1608,  bk.  iii,  chap.  43,  sign.  Z  5  b.      (British  Bibliographer,  ed.  Sir 
S.  E.  Brydges,  1812,  vol.  ii,  p.  272.     A  copy  of  1st  edn.  is  in  the 
Bodleian,  Wood.  743.) 

leffery  Chaucer,  the  English  Poet,  was  in  great  account  with 
King  Richard  the  second,  who  gaue  him  in  reward  of  his 
Poems,  the  Mannour  of  Newelme  in  Oxford  Shire. 

1601.  Fitzgeffrey,  Charles.    Caroli  Fitzgeofridi  Affanice ;  sive  Epigram- 
matum.     Libri  tres;  Ejusdem  Cenotaphia  ....  Oxonice,  Excudebat 
Josephus  Barnesius  1601,  lib.  sign.  L>v ;  lib.  3,  sign.  N  2  6.     (The 
poems  of  the  Kev.  Charles  Fitzgeoffrey,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1881, 
pp.  xix,  xx  ;  trans,  p.  xxiii.) 

AD  EDMVNDVM  SPENSERVM 

[sign.  DV]       Nostrim  Maron[em]  EDMONDE  CHAVCERYM  vocas? 
Male  hercle  !  si  tu  quidpiaw  potes  male 
Namqwe  ille  noster  Ennius,  sed  tu  Metro. 

[sign.  N2j  EDMONDO  SPENCERO 

[sign.  N  2  b]  In  ciusdem  Tumulum 

Chaucere  vicinum  Westmonast\eriuni\ 

Spenserus  cubat  hie  C/iaucero  setate  priori 
Inferior,  tumulo  proximus,  arte  prior. 

1601.  Holland,  Joseph.  Of  the  Antiquity,  and  use  of  Heralds  in 
England,  28  Novr  1601,  [in]  A  Collection  of  Curious  Discourses, 
Written  by  Eminent  Antiquaries  ....  Now  first  published  by 
Thomas  Hearne,  1720,  p.  98. 

John  of  Ghaunt,  Duke  of  Lancaster,  married  Katharine 
daughter  of  Guyon  King  of  Armes  in  the  time  of  K.  Edward 
the  3.  and  Geffrey  Chaucer  her  sister. 

1601.  Winwood,  Ralph.  Letter  to  Sir  Thomas  Edmondes,  Jan.  12, 
1601.  Stowe  MSS.  167,  vol.  ii  of  Edmondes  papers,  fol.  226. 
(B.M.  Cat.  Stowe  MSS.  1895,  vol.  i,  p.  167.) 

[Ralph  Winwood,  English  Resident  at  Paris,  to  Edmondes 
in  London]  :  I  am  sure  you  are  become  a  good  Chaucerist, 
and  therefore  I  speake  unto  yow  in  his  language,  and  say  that 
yf  all  the  earthe  were  parchemin  scribable,  all  water  inck,  and 
all  trees  pennes,  and  so  the  rest  in  proportion,  yet  were  there 
noe  meanes  fully  to  declare  the  contentment  which  I  doe 
enjoy  by  the  happie  tydinges  of  the  late  defaist  wcb  those 
rebells  receaved  in  Ireland,  etc. 

[This  is  a  reference  to  Lydgate's  "  Balade :  warning  men  to  beware  of  deceitful 
women;"  formerly  attributed  to  Chaucer:  see  Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed. 
W.  W.  Skeat,  Chaucer  soc.  1897,  p.  296, 11.  43-9.  Cf.  1643,  Cavendish,  William,  p.  223.] 


168  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1602 

1602.  The  Workes  of  Our  Ancient  and  learned  English  Poet 
Geffrey  Chaucer,  newly  Printed  [T.  Speght's  second  edn.  Black- 
letter]  ....  London.  Printed  by  Adam  Islip,  1602. 

[For  full  title-page,  see  next  eiitry,  and  for  first  edition  see  above,  p.  147.] 

1602.  Speght,  Thomas.  The  Workes  of  Our  Ancient  and  learned 
English  Poet,  Geffrey  Chavcer,  newly  Printed  [T.  Speght's  2nd 
edn.  The  following  list  is  on  the  title-page]. 

To  that  which  was  done  in  the  former  Impression  [1598] 
thus  much  is  now  added  : 

1  In  the  life  of  Chaucer  many  tilings  inserted. 

2  The  whole  worke  by  olde  Copies  reformed. 

3  Sentences  and  Prouerbes  noted. 

4  The  Signification  of  the  old  and  obscure  words  prooued : 

also  Caracters  shewing  from  what  Tongue  or  Dialect 
they  be  deriued. 

5  The  Latine  and  French,  not  Englished  by  Chaucer,  trans 

lated. 

6  The  Treatise   called  lacke    Vpland  against  Friers  :    and 

Chaucers  A.  B.  C.  called  La  Priere  de  nostre  Dame  at 
this  Impression  added. 

1T  London,  Printed  by  Adam  Islip,  An.  Dom.  1602. 
[Additions,   which  appear  for  the  first   time  in    this,   the 
2nd  edn.] 

[A  new  Dedication]  To  .  .  .  Sir  Robert  Cecil,  sign,  [a  iii.] 
[An  entirely  new  address]  To  the  Readers,  sign,  [a  iii  b-  a  iv.] 
After  this  booke  was  last  printed,  I  vnderstood,  that  M. 
Francis  Thynn  had  a  purpose,  as  indeed  he  hath  when  time 
shall  serue,  to  set  out  Chaucer  with  a  Cornent  in  our  tongue 
.  .  .  Whereupon  I  purposed  not  to  meddle  any  further  in  this 
work,  although  some  promise  made  to  the  contrarie,  but  to 
referre  all  to  him ;  being  a  Gentleman  for  that  purpose  in 
ferior  to  none,  both  in  regard  of  his  own  skill,  as  also  of  those 
helps  left  to  him  by  his  father.  Yet  notwithstanding,  Chaucer 
now  being  printed  againe,  I  was  willing  not  only  to  helpe 
some  imperfections,  but  also  to  adde  some  things :  whereunto 
he  did  not  only  persuade  me,  but  most  kindly  lent  me  his 
helpe  and  direction.  By  this  meanes  most  of  his  old  words 
are  restored :  Prouerbes  and  Sentences  marked  :  Such  Notes 
as  were  collected,  drawne  into  better  order :  And  the  text  by 
old  Copies  corrected. 

But  of  some  things  I  must  aduertise  the  Reader ;  [1st,  that 
Chaucer  changes  Latin  and  Greek  proper  names;   2nd,  that 


1602]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  169 

imitating  the  Greeks,  he  uses  two  negatives ;  3rd,  he  contracts 
the  verb  with  the  negative,  as,  '  I  not '  for  '  I  know  not ' ; 
4th,  that  instead  of  the  author,  he  names  some  part  of  his 
work,  as  Argonauticon  for  Apollonius  Rhodius.~\ 

And  for  his  verses,  although  in  diuers  places  they  may 
seeme  to  vs  to  stand  of  vnequall  measures  :  yet  a  skilfull 
Eeader,  that  can  scan  them  in  their  nature,  shall  find  it  other 
wise.  And  if  a  verse  here  and  there  fal  out  a  sillable  shorter 
or  longer  than  another,  I  rather  aret  it  to  the  negligence  and 
rape  of  Adam  Scriuener,  that  I  may  speake  as  Chaucer  doth, 
than  to  any  vnconning  or  ouersight  in  the  Author  :  For  how 
fearfull  he  was  to  haue  his  works  miswritten,  or  his  verse 
mismeasured,  may  appeare  in  the  end  of  his  fift  booke  of 
Troylus  and  Creseide,  where  he  write th  thus  : 

Jlnfc  for  there  is  so  great  binersitie 
In  (English,  ano.  in  toriting  of  our  tongue, 
§0  prag  I  (iob,  that  none  mistorite  the*, 
|le  thee  mismetre  for  infant  of  tongne,  &c. 


It  were  a  labor  worth  commendation,  if  some  scholler, 
that  hath  skil  and  leisure,  would  confer  Chaucer  with  those 
learned  Authors,  both  in  Greek  and  Latin,  from  whom  he 
hath  drawn  many  excellent  things ;  and  at  large  report  such 
Hystories,  as  in  his  Workes  are  very  frequent,  and  many  of 
them  hard  to  be  found  :  which  would  so  grace  this  auncient 
Poet,  that  whereas  diuers  haue  thought  him  vnlearned,  and 
his  writings  meere  trifles,  it  should  appeare,  that  besides  the 
knowledge  of  sundrie  tongues,  he  was  a  man  of  great  reading, 
&  deep  judgement  .... 

Vpon  the  picture  of  Chaucer,  [signed]  Fran.  Thynn.  [q.  v. 
below,  p.  170]  sign,  b  j. 

[Verse]  Of  the  Animadversions  vpon  Chaucer  [unsigned] 
sign.  b.  j.  [q.  v.  below,  p.  170.] 

[Under  « Bookes '  in  Chaucer's  Life]  M.  William  Thynn  in 
his  first  printed  booke  of  Chaucers  works  with  one  Columbe 
on  a  side,  had  a  Tale  called  the  Pilgrims  tale,  which  was  more 
odious  to  the  Clergie,  than  the  speach  of  the  Plowman.  The 
tale  began  thus :  En  Jfincolnshire  fast  bg  a  fenn.e : 
(Siatvbcth  a  religions  honse  toho  ooth  it  ktmtf.  The 
argument  of  which  tale  as  also  the  occasion  thereof,  and 


170  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1602 

the  cause  why  it  was  left  out  of  Chaucers  works,  shall  hereafter 
be  shewed,  if  God  permit,  in  M.  Fran.  Thyns  Content  vpon 
Chaucer:  &  the  Tale  it  self  e  .published  if  possibly  it  can  be 
found,  sign,  c  j. 

[Couplet  on  a  second  title  page]  sign,  c  iij  b. 

[The  headings  to  the  '  Purse '  and  its  envoy  are  altered,  and 
are  attributed  to  Hoccleve  instead  of  to  Chaucer  as  in  1598 
edn.]  Th.  Occleue  to  his  empty  purse,  fol.  320.  Occleue 
vnto  the  King.  fol.  320  b. 

Chaucer's  A.  B.  C.  [printed  for  the  first  time],  fol.  347. 

Jack  Ypland  [not  by  Chaucer]  fol.  348. 

[For  a  summary  of  the  changes  in  the  'life'  of  Chaucer  in  this  second  edn.,  see 
Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  35,  36 ; 
for  other  differences  between  the  two  edns.,  ibid.,  p.  126.] 

1602.  Thynne,  Francis.  Vpon  the  Picture  of  Chaucer.  A  poem  pre 
fixed  to  the  2nd  edn.  of  Spe^ht's  Chaucer,  sign,  b  j.  (Thynne's 
Animadversions,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1876,  pp.  cvi-vii.) 

Vpon  the  picture  of  Chaucer. 
What  Pallas  citie  owes  the  heauenly  mind 
Of  prudent  Socrates,  wise  Greeces  glorie; 
What  fame  Arpinas  spreadingly  doth  find 
By  Tullies  eloquence  and  oratorie ; 
What  lasting  praise  sharpewitted  Italie 

By  Tasso's  and  by  Petrarkes  penne  obtained ; 
What  fame  Bartas  vnto  proud  France  hatb  gained, 
By  seuen  daies  world  Poetically  strained : 

What  high  renowne  is  purchas'd  vnto  Spaine, 

Which  fresh  Dianaes  verses  do  distill ; 
What  praise  our  neighbour  Scotland  doth  retaine, 
By  Gawine  Douglas,  in  his  Virgill  quill, 
Or  other  motions  by  sweet  Poets  skill, 

The  same,  and  more,  faire  England  challenge  may, 
By  that  rare  wit  and  art  thou  doest  display, 
In  verse,  which  doth  Apolloes  muse  bewray. 
Then  Chaucer  Hue,  for  still  thy  verse  shall  line, 
T'  unborne  Poets,  which  life  and  light  will  giue. 

Fran.  Thynn. 

1602.  Unknown.  Of  the  Animaduersions  vpon  Chaucer,  [in]  The 
Workes  ...  of  Geffrey  Chaucer  [T.  Speght's  2nd  edn.],  1602, 
sign,  b  j. 


1602]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  171 

In  reading  of  the  learn'd  praise-worthie  peine, 
The  helpefull  notes  explaining  Chaucers  mind 
The  Abstruse  skill,  the  artificiall  veine ; 
By  true  Annalogie  I  rightly  find, 
Speght  is  the  child  of  Chaucers  fruitfull  breine 
Vernishing  his  workes  with  life  and  grace, 
Which  enuious  age  would  otherwise  deface ;   , 
Then  be  he  lou'd  and  thanked  for  the  same, 
Since  in  his  loue  he  hath  reuiu'd  his  name. 


1602.  [Day,  John  ?]  The  Returne  from  Pernassvs,  or  the  Scourge  of 
Simony.  Publiquely  acted  by  the  Stiidents  in  Saint  John's  Colledge 
in  Cambridge  [1602  ? ;  first  printed]  1606,  sign.  B  1  6,  act  i.  sc.  2. 
(The  Pilgrimage  to  Parnassus  with  the  return  from  Parnassus,  ed. 
W.  D.  Macray,  1886,  pp.  84-5  ;  or  ed.  Oliphant  Smeaton,  Temple 
Dramatists,  1905,  p.  13.  See  also  the  1st  part  of  the  play  [1597, 
pp.  143-4].) 

But  softly  may  our  honour's  ashes  rest 
That  lie  by  mery  Chaucers  noble  chest. 

[Macray,  from  a  MS.  reading,  substitutes  "  Homer's"  for  "honour's."  The  preced 
ing  lines  are  in  praise  of  Spenser.  For  I.  Gollancz's  views  on  John  Day's  authorship, 
see  English  dramatic  literature  ed.  A.  W.  Ward,  vol.  ii.  1899,  pp.  640-1,  and  the  intro 
duction  to  Smeaton's  edn.,  see  also  note  under  1597,  Part  I  of  this  play,  above,  p.  144.] 

1602.  Nixon,  Anthony.  The  Christian  Nauy.  Wherein  is  playnely 
described  the  perfit  course  to  sayle  to  the  Hauen  of  eternall  happi- 
nesse,  London,  Simon  Stafford,  1602,  sign.  F  4  6  and  G  1. 
(Transcribed  by  Dr.  Furnivall,  in  Notes  and  Queries,  series  5, 
vol.  xi,  p.  25,  1879.) 

Which  Image  here  I  would  describe  to  thee, 

But  that  long  since  it  hath  been  paynted  playne 
By  learned  Chaucer,  gemme  of  Poetry, 

Who  past  the  reach  of  any  English  brayne : 
A  folly  therefore  were  it  here  for  me, 

To  touch  that  he  did  often  vse  to  say. 
Writ  in  the  Komaunt  of  his  Roses  gay. 

[Here  follow  11.  413-48  of  the  Komaunt  of  the  Eose.] 
Another  thing  was  done  they  write. 
They  leesen  God  and  eke  his  raigne. 


172  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1602- 

Thus  hath  the  golden  pen  of  Chaucer  old, 
The  Image  playne  described  to  the  eye, 
Who  passing  by  long  since,  did  it  behold 
And  tooke  a  note  thereof  aduisedly, 
And  left  the  same  to  his  posterity, 

That  each  man  passing  by,  might  playnely  know 
The  perfit  substance  of  that  flattring  show. 

[Cf.  above,  1569.  B.  G.,  p.  104.  'The  Christian  Navy'  is  merely  a  reprint  of  the 
'Shippe  of  Safeguard,'  a  few  lines  and  words  only  are  altered;  the  Chaucer 
references  are  therefore  exactly  the  same.] 

1602.  B[owlands],  S[amuel].  Prefatory  verses  in  Tis  Merrie  when 
Gossips  meete,  sign.  A  2.  (Rowland's  works,  introduction  E.  Gosse, 
notes  S.  Herrtage,  Hunterian  club,  1880,  vol.  i,  p.  3.) 

Gentlemen. 
Chaucer,  our  famous  reuer'nt  English  Poet 

When  Canterbury  tales  he  doth  begin, 
(Such  as  liaue  red  his  auncient  verses  know  it) 
Found  store  of  Guests  in  South-warke  at  an  lime, 
The  Taberd  cal'd,  where  he  himselfe  then  lay, 
And  bare  them  Pilgrimes  company  next  day. 

A  Kentish  iourney  they  togither  tooke, 

Towards  Canterbury  marching  nine  and  twentie 
Knight,  Marchant,  Doctor,  Miller  &  Cooke, 

Scholler  and  Saylor,  with  Good-fellowes  plentie, 
But  of  blithe  Wenches  scarcitie  he  hath 
Of  all  that  Crue  none  but  the  wife  of  Bathe. 

S.  R. 

[c.  1602.]  Davies  [Sir  John  ?]  Letter  to  Sir  Robert  Cotton.  MS.  Cott. 
Julius,  c.  iii,  t'ol.  133.  (Printed  in  Queen  Elizabeth  and  her  times, 
ed.  by  Thomas  Wright,  1838,  vol.  ii,  p.  493.) 

Sweet  Robin,  for  a  few  sweet  words,  a  client  of  mine  hath 
presented  me  with  sweet-meates,  to  what  end  I  know  not, 
except  it  be  as  Chaucer  speak es 

'  To  make  mine  English  sweet  vppon  my  tongue ' 

[Prol.  to  C.  Tales,  1.  265.] 

that  I  may  pleade  the  better  for  him  to-morrow  at  the  Scale. 

Notwithstanding,  the  best  vse  I  can  make  of  it,  is  to  present 
you  with  it,  especially  at  this  time  when  you  are  in  physick, 
that  you  may  sweeten  your  taste  after  the  Rhewbarb. 


1603]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  173 

[c.  1602.]  "Wat. ,  Nic.  A  MS.  stanza  in  a  mutilated  1602  copy  of  Chaucer's 
Works  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  at  the  back  of  his 
Ad  Galfridum  Chaucer  "  Progenie  "  engraving. 

[Under  the  rough  full-length  portrait  on  this  title-page  is  the  lettering  "  The  true 
portraiture  of  GEFFREY  CHAUCER  the  famous  English  poet,  as  by  THOMAS  OCCLEVE  is 
described  who  lined  in  his  tune  and  was  his  Scholar."] 

Parnassus  Topp,  pure  streame  of  Hellicon, 

Grave  Lawreat,  and  thou  English  Horace,  he 
(Pearle  of  Olimp :)  whom  Muses  since  each  one 

So  dearely  priz'd,  y*  they  strove  whose  shouldst  be 
But  now  thou  art  gone  to  him  thai  first  thee  made 
To  walke  with  him  in  the  Elizean  shade, 
And  yet  th'art  heare,  where  Poetts  are  thy  Paiges 
And  thou  a  Tutor  to  surviveing  Ages. 

Kic°.  Wat. 


1603.  Dekker,  Thomas.     The  Pleasant  Comodie  of  Patient  Grissil. 

[For  the  resemblances  in  this  play  to  Chaucer's  Clerkes  Tale,  see  Chaucers  Einfluss 
auf  das  englische  Drama  by  O.  Ballman,  in  Anglia,  vol.  xxv,  1902,  pp.  66-72.] 

1603.  H[arsnet],  S[amuel].    Declaration  of  egregious  Popish  Impostures, 
pp.  137-8. 

And  Geo/ry  Chaucer,  who  had  his  two  eyes,  wit,  and 
learning  in  his  head,  spying  that  all  these  brainlesse  imagina 
tions,  of  witchings,  possessings  .  .  .  were  the  forgeries  .  .  . 
of  craftie  priests  .  .  .  writes  in  good  plaine  termes  of  the  holy 
Couent  [sic]  of  Friers  thus  : 

For  tliwe  as  wont  to  wallcen  was  an  Elfe 


TJiere  nis  none  other  Incubus  but  hee. 

[Wife  of  Bath's  tale,  11.  873-4,  879-80. 

1603.  Holland,  Hugh.  Pancharis  .  .  .  containing  the  Preparation  of 
the  Loue  betweene  Owen  Tudyr,  and  the  Queene.  Unique  copy 
Bodl.  library,  sign.  A  5,  C  *2.  (Illustrations  of  Old  English 
literature,  ed.  J.  P.  Collier,  vol.  ii,  1866,  pp.  5-6,  34.) 

....  amico  Gulielmo  Camdeno  .... 
Cum  Nasone  tamen  ponas  (hie  namque  libellus 
Sanctior,  u.t  multis  doctior  ille  modis) 
Vel  cum  Chaucero  (nee  enim  mihi  fidus  amator 
Est  minus,  et  multo  Nympha  pudica  magis.) 


174  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1603- 

[The  courtiers  of  Queen  Katherine  (Henry  V's  wife)  do] 
devise 

(So  soone  as  notice  of  her  minde  was  had) 
To  entertaine  her  with  some  strange  disguise, 

Done  by  Dan  Litigate,  a  great  learned  Munke, 
Who  then  in  Poesie  bare  away  the  prise ; 

For  after  Chaucer  had  he  deeply  drunke 
Of  Helicon,  as  few  besides  have  yet. 

1603.  Stowe,  John.     A   Suruay  of  London  ...  by  John  Stow  .  .  . 
increased  with  diuers  rare  notes  of  Antiquitie  .  .  .  1603,  p.  377 
[not  in  1st  edn.  of  1598].    (Ed.  C.  L.  Kingsfurd,  Oxford,  1908,  vol.  ii, 
P-  24.) 

This  Gentleman  (John  Shirley)  a  great  traueller  in  diuers 
countries  amongest  other  his  laboures,  painefully  collected  the 
workes  of  Geffrey  Chaucer,  John  Lidgate  and  other  learned 
writers,  which  workes  hee  Avrote  in  sundry  volumes  to  remayne 
for  posterity,  I  haue  scene  them,  and  partly  do  professe  [sic]  them. 

[In  the  1st  edn.  of  1598,  p.  306,  there  is  just  the  mention  of  Shirley,  and  no  reference 
to  Chaucer.  Further  additions  were  made  to  Stowe's  survey  by  Strype,  1720,-g.  v. 
below,  p.  352.  For  Shirley  see  above,  a.  1456,  p.  53.] 

1604.  Harbert,  William.     To  the  Maiestie  of  King  lames,  Monarch  of 
all    Britayne.     A   Prophesie    of  Cadwallader,   last    King   of   the 
Britaines  .  .  .  sign.  H  2.     (Poems  of  W.  Harbert,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart, 
Fuller's  Worthies  library,  vol.  i,  1870,  p.  92  [p.  248  of  whole  vol.].) 

If  Englands  Load-starre,  pride  of  Poesie  Chaucer,  so 

Could  the  firme  Centers  regiment  transpearse  :   M.  Camden. 
And  formalize  his  peerlesse  ingeny. 
Thy  all-surpassing  vertues  to  rehearse, 
A  Princely  matter  fitts  a  princely  verse  : 

Yet  were  his  wit  too  weake  thy  [i.  e.  James  I's]  deeds 

to  praise, 
Which  brought  vs  ioyes,  in  our  most  mourn  full  daies. 

[1604.]  Powel,  Gabriel.  Disputationum  theologicarum  .  .  de  Anti- 
christo  .  .  .  Libri  II.  ...  1605  [Epistle  dedicatory  and  title-page 
to  vol.  ii  dated  1604],  p.  32. 

Pnefatio  ad  Academ.  Oxon. 
Geffrey         43.    Galfridus    Chaucerus   Anglus,   Eques   auratus 

Chaucer.     _ 

Oxonn  dm  Literis  operam  dedit.  Multa  scripsit,  in 
quibus  Monachoruwi  otia,  missantium  multitudinem,  lioras  now 
intellectas,  reliquias,  peregrinationes,  ac  ceremonias  false  ridet : 
quinimo  Pontificem  ipsum  Pastorum  fatuum  &  Antichristum 
aperte  denunciat.  Claruit  anno  Domini  1402.  Chauc.  in 
Aratoris  Narratione,  &  alibi  passim. 


1605]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  175 

1604.  Sc[oloker],  An[thony].     Diaphantus,  or  the  Passions  of  Lone  .  .  . 
by  An.  Sc.  Gentleman,  sign.  E  4  b.     Unique  (?)  copy  in  the  Douco 
coll.  Bodl.  library.    (Ed.  E.  Wilbrahara,  Eoxb.  club,  1818;  ed.  A.  B. 
Grosart,  Occasional  issues   of  unique   or  very  rare  books,   1880, 
vol.  xiii,  p.  36.) 

Calls  Players  fooles,  the  foole  he  judge  th  wisest, 
Will  learne  them  Action  out  of  Chaucer's  Pander. 

1605.  [Camden,  William.]     Remaines  of  a  greater  worke,  concerning 
Britaine  .  .  .  London,  printed  by  G.  E.  for  Simon  Waterson,  1605, 
p.  40,  pp.  6,  7.     [This  last  reference  is  at  the  end  of  the  volume 
after  sign.  Hh  2.]     The   'Epistle   Dedicatorie'   addressed  to   Sir 
Robert  Cotton  is  signed  M.  N.  i.e.  William  Camden.     (Remaines 
concerning  Britaine,  in  Library  of  old  authors,  with  notes  by  Thomas 
Moule,  1870,  —  a  reprint  of  the  7th  edn.  of  1674,  —  pp.  67,  342-4.) 

[p.  40]  Usuall  Christian  names. 

Alan,  is  thought  by  lulius  Scaliger  ...  to  signifie  an 
hownd.  in  the  Sclauonian  tongue,  and  Chaucer  vseth  Aland  in 
the  same  sense. 

Certaine  Poemes  or  Poesies  ....  of  the  English  Nation  in 
former  Times.  Verses  vpon  the  death  of  K.  Richard  the  first 
penned  by  one  Gaulfrid  ....... 

.  .  .  Nihil  addere  nouerat  vltra, 
Ipse  fuit  quicquid  potuit  natura,  sed  istud 
Causa  fuit  quare  rapuisti,  res  pretiosas 
Eligis,  &  viles  quasi  didignata  relinquis. 

These  former  verses  were  mentioned  by  Chaucer  our  English 
Homer  in  the  description  of  the  sodaine  stirre  &  Panicall 
feare,  when  Chanteclere  the  Cocke  was  caried  away  by  Eeynold 
the  Eoxe  with  a  relation  to  the  said  Gal/ride. 

[Here  follows  a  quotation  from  the  Nonne  Preestes  Tale,  11.  4565-91,  followed  by 
11.  4537-62.] 


[1605.]  wrteo'N^Ward  Hoe>  1607'  si§n'  F  *•  Act'  iv" 
(The  dramatic  works  of  Thomas  Dekker,  London,  John  Pearson, 
vol.  iii,  1873,  p.  52.) 

May\bery\.  A  Commedy,  a  Canterbury  tale  smells  not  halfe 
so  sweete  as  the  Commedy  I  haue  for  thee  old  Poet  .... 

1605.  James,  Thomas.  Catalogus  Librorum  Bibliothecw  publicse  quam 
vir  ornatissimus  TJwmas  Bodleiiis  Eques  Auratus  in  Academia 
Oxoniensi  nuper  instituit.  .  .  .  Auctore  Thoma  James.  .  .  Oxonia 
1605,  p.  300.  Libri  artium.  Galfredi  Chauceri  opera  Anglice. 
Lond.  1561.  [For  the  two  following  Bodleian  catalogues  see  below, 
1620.  Thos.  James,  p.  193,  and  1674,  T.  Hyde,  p.  249.] 


176  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1605- 

[1605].  R.,  R.  Commendatory  lines  prefixed  to  Bartas  his  Deuine 
Weekes  &  Workes  Translated  ....  by  losuah  Syluester,  [1605-6] 
sign,  a  6  6.  (Works  of  Joshuah  Sylvester,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1880, 
vol.  i,  p.  15.) 

In  Commendation  of  this  worthie  WorJce. 
Foole  that  I  was,  I  thought  in  younger  times 
That  all  the  Muses  had  their  graces  sowne 
In  Chaucers  Spencers  and  sweet  Daniels  Bimes 
(So,  good  seemes  best,  where  better  is  vnknowne). 

1605.  V[erstegan],  R[ichard],  alias  Richard  Rowlands.  A  Restitution 
of  Decayed  Intelligence  In  antiquities  Concerning  the  English 
nation,  By  the  Studie  and  trauaile  of  E.  V.  Printed  at  Antwerp 
by  Robert  Bruney,  1605,  chap.  7,  pp.  203-4,  211. 

Of  the  Antiquitie  and  proprietie  of  the  Ancient  English 

Tovng 

Some  few  ages  after  [the  Conquest]  came  the  poet  Geffrey 

Chaucer,  who,  writing  his  poesies  in  English,  is  of  some  called 

the  lirst  illuminator  of  the  English  toung :  of  their  opinion  I 

am  not  (though  I  reuereuce  Chaucer  as  an  excellent  poet  for 

his  tyme).     He  was  indeed  a  great  mingler  of  English  with 

Chaucer         French,  vnto  which  language  by  lyke,  for  that  hee  was 

English  °Ur  tp-  so*!  descended    of    French    or   rather  wallon    race,   he 

?renchwith     caryed  a  great  affection. 

Since  the  tyme  of  Chaucer  more  Latin  &  French  hath  bin 
mingled  with  our  toung  then  left  out  of  it. 

[p.  2ii]  Buhsomnesse  or  Bughsomnesse.  Plyallensse  or  bowsomnesse, 
to  wit,  humbly  stooping  or  bowing  doun  in  signe  of  obedience. 
Chaucer  wrytes  it  Buxomnesse. 

[See  below,  p.  225,  16  i7,  Tooke,  and  1655,  p.  230,  Fuller.] 

[1605-6.]  Drayton,  Michael.     Epistle  to  the  Reader,  [in]  Poemes  lyrick 

and  pastorall At  London,  printed  by  R.  B.  for  N.  L.  and 

I.  Flasket,  n.  d.,  B.  M.  catalogue  [1606  ?],  sign.  A  4  6.  (Poems,  ed. 
J.  P.  Collier,  Roxb.  club,  1856,  p.  382.  Of.  also  Introduction, 
p.  xlii.) 

And  would  at  this  time  also  gladly  let  thee  vnderstand,  what 
I  think  aboue  (sic}  the  rest  of  the  last  Ode  of  the  twelue,  or 
if  thow  wilt  Ballad  in  my  Book ;  for  both  the  great  master  of 
Italian  rymes  Petrarch,  &  our  Chawcer,  &  other  of  the  vper 
house  of  the  muses,  haue  thought  their  Canzons  honoured  in 
the  title  of  a  Ballade,  which  for  that  I  labour  to  meet  truely 
therein  with  the  ould  English  garb,  I  hope  as  able  to  iustifie 
as  the  learned  Colin  Clout  his  Roundelaye  .... 


1606]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  177 

1606.  Unknown.  The  Plough-mans  Tale.  Shewing  by  the  doctrine 
and  Hues  of  the  Romish  Clergie,  that  the  Pope  is  Antichrist,  and  they 
his  Ministers.  Written  by  Sir  Geffrey  Chaucer,  Knight,  amongst 
his  Canterburie  tales ;  and  now  set  out  apart  from  the  rest,  with  a 
short  exposition  of  the  words  and  matters,  for  the  capacitie  and 
vnderstanding  of  the  simpler  sort  of  .Readers.  At  London,  printed 
by  G.  E.  for  Saumell  Macham  and  Mathew  Cooke  ....  1606. 
[References  to  Chaucer  in  the  notes],  sign.  A  2,  note  3,  A  2  6,  head- 
note,  A  3,  stanza  3,  note  3,  G  1  and  b  stanza  46.  note  1,  H  3  b,  note  3. 

[This  is  a  reprint  of  the  older  ednss.  of  1532-5,  1542,  with  the  addition  of  notes, 
'which,'  says  Thomas  in  his  preface  to  Urry's  Chaucer,  1721,  'are  thought  by  some 
to  be  Mr.  Francis  Thynne's.'  See  Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  manual,  by  E.  P. 
Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  444-46,  also  above,  [1532-5]  p.  80.] 

1606.  Barnes,  Barnabe.  Foure  Bookes  of  Offices  ....  made  and  deuised 
by  Barnabe  Barnes.  London,  Pr.  by  George  Bishop,  etc.,  1606. 
The  Second  Booke  of  Offices,  sign.  H  1  6,  p.  50. 

The  best  of  these  which  first  began  to  reduce  the  confused 
garden  of  our  language  into  some  proportion,  were  the  two 
laureate  knights  of  their  times,  Gower  and  his  Scholler  Chaucer, 
in  the  times  of  King  Richard  the  second,  and  King  Henry 
the  fourth.  One  Lydgate  a  monke  of  Edmonsburie,  succeeded 
them  in  that  worke  :  Most  of  whose  patternes  were  taken  and 
translated  out  of  Latine,  French  and  Italian,  intermingled  with 
some  other  excellent  inuentions  of  their  owne,  not  including 
any  great  matters,  tending  vnto  gouernment  and  moralitie. 

1606.  B[axter],  N[athaniel].  Sir  Philip  Sydneys  Ourania  .  .  .  .  Written 
by  N.  B.  London.  Printed  by  Ed.  Allde  for  Edward  White,  1606, 
sign.  C  1.  (Quoted  in  T.  Corser's  Collectanea,  Chetham  soc. 
part  ii,  1861,  p.  220.) 

[Endymion]  And  sang  the  Song  of  vniuersal  Pan 

A  Subject  fit  for  Sydneys  eloquence, 

High  Chaucers  vaine,  and  Spencers  influence. 

1606.  [Chapman,  George  1]  Sir  Gyles  Goosecappe,  Knight.  A  Comedie 
presented  by  the  Children  of  the  Chappell.  At  London,  Printed 
by  John  Windet  for  Edward  Blunt,  1606,  sign.  E  2,  act  iii,  sc.  1. 
(A  collection  of  old  English  plays,  ed.  A.  H.  Bullen,  1884,  vol. 
iii,  pp.  46-7.) 

Will:  Marrie  Sir,  they  are  inuited  to  a  greate  supper  tonight 
to  your  Lords  house  Captaine,  the  Zord  Furnifdll,  and  there 
will  bee  your  great  cosen  Sir  Gyles  Goosecappe,  the  Loide 
Tales,  and  your  vncle  Sir  Cutt:  Rudsby,  Sir  Cutbert  Kingcob. 

Foul[eivether].  The  Loid  Tales,  what  countriman  is  hee  1 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  N 


178  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1606- 

Ia[ck].  A  kentish  Lord  Sir,  his  auncestors  came  forth  off 
Canterburie. 

Foul.  Out  of  Canterburie. 

Will.  I  -indeed  Sir  the  best  Tales  in  England  are  your 
Canterburie  tales  I  assure  ye. 

[There  can  be  no  doubt  that  tlie  source  of  the  plot  of  Sir  Gyles  Goosecappe  is  the  first 
three  books  of  Chaucer's  Troilus  and  Criseyde;  see  Kittredge  in  the  Journal  of 
Germanic  Philology,  vol.  ii,  1898,  pp.  10-13.  He  says:  'Pandarus  has  become  Earl 
Monford  (Momford),  a  humorous  nobleman.  Troilus  has  become  Clarence,  a  poor 
gentleman  allied  to  Monford  in  the  closest  bonds  of  friendship.  Criseyde  is  now 
Eugenia,  a  widow,  the  niece  of  Monford.  Clarence  wishes  to  marry  Eugenia  and  Mon 
ford  favours  his  suit.  Not  only  is  the  correspondence  of  the  stories  unmistakable,  but 
the  dialogue  of  the  play  owes  much  to  Chaucer.'  Many  interesting  parallel  passages 
are  then  cited,  for  which  see  below,  Appendix  A,  1606. 

For  a  discussion  of  the  authorship,  and  evidences  of  Chapman  having  written  this 
play,  see  '  The  Authorship  of  Sir  Gyles  Goosecappe,'  by  T.  M.  Parrott,  in  Modern  Philo 
logy,  vol.  iv,  no.  i,  July  1906,  pp.  25-37 ;  also  for  date  and  authorship,  see  A.  H.  Bullen, 
Old  English  Plays,  vol.  iii,  introduction  and  pp.  93-4,  F.  G.  Fleay  in  Athenaeum, 
June  9,  1883,  p.  731,  and  Biographical  Chronicles  of  the  English  Drama,  vol.  i,  p.  58, 
vol.  ii,  p.  323.  Kittredge  notes  that  Chapman  uses  'Sir  Giles  Goosecap'  as  a 
synonym  for  a  fool  in  'The  Gentleman  Usher,'  II.  i.] 

1606.  W[arner],  W[illiam].     A   Continuance  of  Albions  England:  By 
the  first  Author,  W.  W.    London.    Imprinted  by  Felix  Kingston  for 
George  Potter  ....  160G.     [This  edn.  is  n< it  in.  the  B.  M.  ;  see  Biblio 
graphical  catalogue  by  J.   P.   Collier,    1865,   vol.   ii,   pp.  483-7  j 
Chaucer  reference,  p.  486.]  Albion's  England  ....  1612,  p.  331. 

To  the  Reader. 

The  Musits  [sic]  though  themselues  they  please, 
Their  Dotage  els  finds  Meede  nor  Ease  : 
Vouch' t  Spencer  in  that  Eanke  preferd, 
Per  Accidens,  only  interr'd 
Nigh  Venerable  Chaucer,  lost, 
Had  not  lunde  Brigham  reard  him  cost 
Found  next  the  doore  Church-outed  neere, 
And  yet  a  Knight,  Arch-Lauriat  Heere. 

[See  below,  1850,  J.  P.  Collier.] 

1607.  C.,  E.     The  Epistle  Dedicatone  [to]  A   World   of   Wonders;  see 
below,  App.  A,  1607. 

[1607.]  Dekker,  Thomas.  A  Knights  Coniuring :  Done  in  earnest: 
Discovered  in  lest,  chap,  ix,  sign.  K  4  and  6.  (Ed.  E.  E.  Eimbault, 
1842,  Percy  soc.,  vol.  v,  p.  75.) 

Beyond  all  these  places  is  there  a  Groue,  which  ....  is 
called  The  Groue  of  Bay  Trees,  and  to  this  Consort-Rome, 
resort  none  but  the  children  of  Phcelus  (Poets  and  Musitiom:} 
....  Full  of  pleasant  Bowers  and  queint  Arboures  is  all  this 
Walke.  In  one  of  which,  old  Chaucer,  reuerend  for  prioritie, 
blythe  in  cheare,  buxsome  in  his  speeches,  and  benigne  in  his 


1607]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  179 

hauiour,  is  circled  a  round  with  all  the  Makers  or  Poets  of  his 
time  their  hands  leaning  on  one  anothers  shoulders,  and  their 
eyes  fixt  seriously  vpon  his,  whilst  their  eares  are  all  tied  to 
his  tongue,  by  the  golden  chaines  of  his  Numbers;  for  here 
(like  Euanders  mother)  they  spake  all  in  verse  :  no  Attick 
eloquence  is  so  sweete :  their  language  is  so  pleasing  to  the 
goddes,  that  they  vtter  their  Oracles  in  none  other. 

Graue  Spencer  was  no  sooner  entred  into  this  Chappell  of 
Apollo,  hut  these  elder  Fathers  of  the  diuine  Furie,  gaue  him 
a  Lawrer  &  sung  his  Welcome  :  Chaucer  call'de  him  his  Sonne, 
and  plac'de  him  at  his  right  hand.  All  of  them  (at  a  signe 
giuen  by  the  whole  Quire  of  the  Muses  that  brought  him 
thither)  closing  vp  their  lippes  in  silence,  and  tuning  all  their 
eares  for  attention,  to  heare  him  sing  out  the  rest  of  his  Fayrie 
Queenes  praises. 

1607.  [Middleton,  Thomas.]  The  Famelie  of  Loue  ....  1608,  act  iii, 
sc.  1,  sign.  D  2  and  6.  [Licensed  for  printing  1607]  quoted  by 
Thomas  Hay  ward  in  the  British  Muse,  1738,  vol.  ii,  pp.  179-80. 
(Works,  ed.  A.  H.  Bullen,  1885-6,  vol.  iii,  1885,  p.  50.) 

Ger[ardine].     Here  me  exemplify  loue's  Latine  word, 
•  Together  with  thy  selfe 

As  thus  ;  harts  ioynd  Amore  :  take  A  from  thence 
Then  more  is  the  perfect  morall  sence? 
Plurall  in  manners,  which  in  thee  doe  shine 
Saintlike,  immortall,  spotles  and  diuine. 
Take  m  away,  ore  in  beauties  name, 
Craues  an  eternall  Trophee  to  thy  fame 
Lastly  take  o.  in  re  stands  all  my  rest : 
Which  /  in  Chaucer  stile  do  terme  a  iest. 

[For  Chaucer's  influence  on  Middleton's  plays,  see  Chaucer's  Eiiifluss  auf  das  englische 
Drama,  by  O.  Ballmann,  Anglia,  xxv,  pp.  74-6.] 

1607.  Niccols,  Richard.     The  Cuckow,  p.  46. 

[Passing  reference  to  January  and  May,  no  mention  of  Chaucer  himself.] 

1607.  W[alkington],  T[homas].  The  Optick  Glasse  of  Hvmors,  Or  The 
Touchstone  of  a  Golden  Temperature  .  .  .  &c.,  by  T.  W. ,  Master  of 
Artes.  Imprinted  by  lohn  Windet  for  Martin  Clerke  [London,] 

1607.     [same  title]  Oxford.     Printed  by  W.  T [n.d.]  cap.  ii, 

pp.  29,  144. 

....  wee  see  by  experience  in  trauaile,  the  rudenesse  and 
simplicity  of  the  people  that  are  seated  farre  north ;  which  no 
doubt  is  intimated  by  a  vulgar  speech,  when  wee  say  such  a 
man  hath  a  borrell  wit,  as  if  wee  said  boreale  ingenium : 
whereof  that  old-english  prophet  of  famous  memory  (whom 
one  fondly  tearm'd  Albion's  ballad  maker,  the  cunnicatcher  of 


180  Five.  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1607- 

time;  and  the  second  dish  for  fooles  to  feede  their  splenes 
vpon)  G.  Chaucer  tooke  notice  when  in  his  prologue  to  the 
Frankleines  tale  he  sayes 

But  Sirs,  because  I  am  a  borrell  man 

At  my  beginning  first  I  you  beseech, 

Ifaue  me  excus'd  of  my  rude  speech. 

[11.  716-18.] 

[p.  144]  The  history  is  well  known  of  Croesus  his  dreames,  whereof 
Pertelot  speakes  to  Chauntideere,  in  the  merry  tale  of  the 
Nuns  priest. 

Loe  Crasus  which  was  of  Lydia  king, 
Met  hee  not  that  he  sate  upon  a  tree 
Which  signified  that  he  should  hanged  be. 

[11.  318-20.] 

Many  more  be  rehearsed  in  that  place  which  is  worthy  to 
be  read  :  wherein  the  poet  shewes  himselfe  both  a  Divine,  an 
Historian,  a  Philosopher  and  Physician. 

[The  references  here  are  given  from  the  undated  edn.  in  B.  M.  Sidney  Lee,  in 
Walkington's  life  in  the  D.  N.  £.,  says  it  cannot  be  earlier  than  1631,  and  that  the 
1607  edn.  is  the  earliest  known  ;  a  copy  was  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  C.  M.  Ingleby.J 


[1607-9.]  yWnMaml-Fort""e  *»  Land<  and  *•• 

Comedy  .  .  .  written  by  Tho.  Hay  wood  and  William  Rowley  .  .  . 
Printed  .  .  .  1655,  act  iii,  sc.  i,  p.  22.  (reprinted  by  J.  E.  Walker, 
Boston  1899,  p.  83,  and  Hey  wood's  Dramatic  Works,  printed  John 
Pearson,  vol.  vi,  1874,  p.  393.) 

[Reference  to  Nonne  Preestes  Tale.] 

[ft.  1608.]  Thynne,  [Francis].  Of  the  Antiquity  of  the  Houses  of  Law, 
[in]  A  Collection  of  Curious  Discourses  Written  by  Eminent 
Antiquaries  ....  Now  first  published  by  Thomas  Hearne,  1720, 
p.  118. 

Of  the  Steward  of  which  Temple  [The  Temple  Law  Courts] 
and  Lawyers  Chaucer  speaketh  in  the  Manciples  prologue  in 
the  prologues  of  Chaucer,  and  diverse  Authors  mention  how 
the  Ribels  in  4th  of  Richard  the  Second  spoiled  the  Temple 
and  burnt  the  Lawyers  books  .  . 

1608.  Twyne,  Brian.  Antiquitatis  Academic  Oxoniensis  Apologia,  lib.  i, 
p.  27,  lib.  ii,  p.  140. 

[p.  27]  [Chaucer's  name  among  the]  "  autores  qui  Cantabri  fabulre 
non  meminerunt." 


1608]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  181 


dissentit  Galfredus  Chaucer  Oxoniensis  poeta  laureatus, 
in  suo  ad  Ludovicum  filium  Astrolabio,  quod  a  Mathematicis 
Oxoniensibus  ob  summam  perspicuitatem,  Lac  puerorum  dici 
consuevit. 


[1608-44?]  Twyne,  Bryan.  Extracts  from  CJiaiicer  in  vol.  10  of  the 
collections  of  B.  Twyne,  MS.  C.  C.  Coll.  Oxford,  cclxiii,  ff. 
1206-125.  (Catalogue'  of  Oxford  Coll.  MSS.,  by  H.  Coxe,  vol.  ii, 
1852,  p.  113.) 

[These  are  mainly  short  summaries  of  the  various  Canterbury  Tales,  of  which  the 
following  are  specimens.] 

[foi.  1206]  Out  of  Chaucer. 

A  couetous  man  is  called  a  niggarde  and  Sr  Guy  ye  bribour 
he  is  his  steward,  in  ye  eight  quest  : 

He  co??zrnendes  ye  prioresse  for  her  behauior  at  meate,  y* 
she  would  not  let  on  drap  fall  from  her  mouth.  She  honoured 
ye  a  b  c  much,  for  she  had  a  crowned  A  in  a  golden  broch, 
wth  this  poesy,  Amor  uincit  omnia. 

The  frier  had  his  tippet  furred  and  fased  wth  kniues  and 
pins  to  giue  wenches. 

He  saith  of  ye  Frankelen  y*  bred  and  meate  did  snowe  in 
his  house. 

I  thinke  in  ye  old  time  woaman  did  ride  wth  spurs  :  for  so 
Chaucer  saith  of  ye  wife  of  Bathe. 

Of  ye  strange  horse  of  brasse  y*  ye  kinge  of  Arabia  sent  to 
Cambuscan  Kinge  of  Sarra  y*  by  turninge  of  a  seme  or  pin 
would  fly  wth  you  euery  where  you  would  :  and  ye  sworde  of 
y1  vertue  it  would  pearce  thorough  any  armor  neuer  so  thicke 
and  ye  wounde  incurable,  it  made  :  but  if  you  stroke  ye 
wounde  againe  wth  ye  flat  side,  ye  wounde  shall  close  againe. 
and  a  glasse  wherein  you  might  see  euen  ye  uery  though  [t]s  of 
men  :  and  a  ringe,  by  whose  uertue  birdes  uoices  might  be 
understoode  :  and  thes  2  wer  giuen  to  Canace  ye  kings 
daughter  :  in  ye  squires  tale. 

There  is  a  pretty  note  in  ye  friers  tale,  y*  ye  sompner  and  ye 
diuell  goinge  about  for  briberies  and  preys  they  met  with  a 
carter  driuinge  a  loade  of  hay  and  cursinge  his  horses  because 
they  were  amyred  and  wished  ye  diuell  had  them  :  ye  Sompner 
would  haue  had  ye  diuell  take  them  away  presently  :  nay  saith 
ye  diuell  you  shall  heare  another  thinge  anone,  then  when  ye 
horses  had  got  out  of  ye  slowe,  Christ  blesse  you  saith  ye 


182  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1608- 

Carter,  soe  saith  ye  diuell,  ye  carter  speakes  one   thinge  and 
meanes  another. 

In  ye  Sompners  tale  ye  frier  commendes  glosinge  vppon  a 
text,  for  ye  letter  kills. 

[foi.1216]  Howe  ye  angry  iudge  iudged  3  knights  to  death  :  ye  one  for 
suspition  y*  he  had  killed  another  knight :  and  when  y*  knight 
came  home  safe,  they  led  ye  condemned  knight  backe  to  ye 
iudge  againe  :  hut  he  saide  y*  ye  one  must  die  because  he  was 
condemned  :  ye  other,  because  he  was  ye  cause  of  his  fellows 
death  :  ye  thirde  because  he  did  fulfill  his  commaundernent : 
Somp :  tale. 

In  ye  sompners  tale  there  is  a  fine  tale  of  ye  diuidinge  of  a 
fart  amonge  a  couent  of  friers  : 

The  scholler  of  Oxefords  tale  is  how  Walter  ye  Marquesse 
of  Saluce  tried  ye  patience  of  his  wife  Grisilde  :  by  takinge 
away  her  children  and  makinge  her  beleue  y*  he  would  diuorce 
her  and  marry  a  newe  :  it  is  taken  out  of  Petrarch. 

The  second  nonnes  tale  is  of  ye  life  and  death  of  St.  Cecily  : 
which  she  deriueth  either  was  coeli  lilium  :  or  else  from  Coecus 
because  she  was  ye  way  to  ye  blinde  by  he'r  doctrine  :  or  else 
from  ccelurn  an  Ai'av  ualde  :  or  else  quasi  coelum  Aaos  ye  heauen 
of  ye  people,  because  she  did  shine  so  much  amongest  ye  rest. 

He  went  as  thride  bare  as  an  Alchimist :  for  Chaucer  in  yc 
tfoi.  122]  Canons  yeomans  tale  giues  2  reasons  ho  we  Alchimists  may  be 
knowne  :  the  one  by  their  sent,  for  they  allways  stincke  of 
brimstone :  another  way  is  by  their  threadbare  apparrell  :  for 
they  say  if  they  shoulde  set  forth  themselues  and  be  net,  so 
they  might  be  knowne,  and  euery  man  would  kill  them  for  their 
science  :  but  indeede  ye  reason  is  because  they  spend  all  they 
haue  in  trienge  their  art :  where  you  may  reade  many  pretty 
thinges  of  Alchimy. 

The  Pardoner  in  his  prologue  to  his  tale  saith  y*  whensoeuer 
he  preached,  he  had  alwayes  but  one  them,  and  y*  was,  Radix 
omnium  malorum  est  cupiditas. 

Of  ye  white  win  of  Lepe  of  which  when  you  haue  dranke  3 
drafts,  you  will  thinke  your-selfe  in  Lepe  in  Spaine.  Pardon  : 
tale. 

The  Pardoners  tale  is  of  3  drunken  gluttons  yfc  went  about 
to  kill  death,  and  was  killed  by  it  [here  follows  a  summary]. 

The  nonnes  preist  tale  is  of  a  cocke  and  5  hens  which  cocke 


1609]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  183 

was  beguiled  by  ye  fox  who  pers  waded  him  to  crowe  winkinge 
and  then  caught  him  and  ran  away.  Me  thinks  ye  prettiest 
tale  of  all. 

[foi.  1226]  The  arrowes  of  loue  :  in  ye  Komant  of  ye  rose  of  beauty,  of 
simplicity,  of  fraunchise  ye  arrowe  of  company  and  semblant  : 
loue  also  had  other  arrows,  of  pride,  of  shame,  of  vaine  hope, 
of  newe  thought. 

The  Komant  of  ye  rose  containeth  all  things  appertaininge  to 
loue  :  what  loue  is,  and  howe  you  must  wooe. 

He  y*  knoweths  [sic  MS.]  well  ye  herbe  may  safely  lay  it  to 
his  eye.  1  lib  :  of  fame. 

Chaucer  writes  a  treatise  of  fame,  and  howe  ye  fame  of  euery 
thinge  comes  to  posterity  :  in  his  lib  :  2  he  hath  a  pretty 
demonstration  y*  every  thinge  comes  to  fames  house  :  he  proues 
it  by  ye  like,  by  a  circle  in  ye  water,  for  if  you  cast  in  a  stone 
it  will  make  a  circle,  and  y*  another,  and  so  forwarde  imtill  it 
come  to  ye  banke  side  :  so  since  euery  worde  is  but  aire  fractus 
(as  flamma  is  fumus  acceiisus)  one  ayre  breaketh  and  stirreth 
another,  vntil  it  comes  to  fames  house  :  and  this  reason  is  so 
plaine,  y*  as  he  saith,  a  man  may  shake  it  by  ye  bill. 


1608.  Unknown.     The  Penniles  Parliament  of  Threed-bare  Poets  ;  Or, 
All  Mirth  and  wittie  Conceites.     Printed  at  London,  for  William 
Barley,  1608.     (The  Harleian  Miscellany,  1808,  Oldys  and  Park, 
vol.  i,  p.  185.) 

[The  Chaucer  reference  is  practically  the  same  as  that  in  Feareful  and  lamentable 
effects  of  two  dangerous  Comets  by  Simon  Smel-Knaue  [1591?]  (q.  v.,  above,  p.  134), 
of  which  book  this  tract  is  an  adaptation.] 

[1609?]  Fletcher,  John.  The  Faithfull  Shepheardesse.  Printed  at 
London  for  K.  Bonian  and  H.  Walley,  sign.  136,  act  v.  (Works 
of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  ed.  A.  Dyce,  1843-6,  vol.  ii,  p.  105 
(see  note),  act  v,  sc.  3.) 

Thenot  

Her  beauty  euer  liuing  like  the  Rime 
Our  blessed  Tyterus  did  singe  of  yore. 

1609.  H[eale],  W[illiam].    An  Apologiefor  Women,  or  an  Opposition  to 
Mr.  Dr.  [Wm]  G[ayer~\  his  assertion  .  .  .  That  it  was  lawfull  for 
husbands  to  beate  their  iviues  ...  At  Oxford,  Printed  by  Joseph 
Barnes  .  .  .  1609,  p.  39. 

All  women  (you  saie)  are  altogether  evil :  of  men  you  are 
sure  there  are  some  good.  And  are  they  evil  all  ?  Why  then 
(6  graue  Plutarch)  how  came  it  to  passe  thy  wisdome  so  failed 


184  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1609- 

iib°hSr'      tjiee  ?  ancient  Hesiode,  who  corrupted  thy  mature  iudge- 
narumen-       ment  1  .    .   .    d  Chaucer,  how  miscaried  tliy  golden  pen? 
*aiternm,      Learned  and  most  holy  Saints,  S.  Hierom,  S.   Gregory 
'       .  .  .  who  deceived  you  all   for  deceived  you  al  are  (if 
^   pOSjtjow    ^e    received)    who    have    severally  written 
several  tracts  in  honor  of  honorable  womerc. 

[1609.]  Jonson,  Benjamin.  The  Masque  of  Queenes  Celebrated  From  the 
House  of  Fame:  ....  1609,  Title,  and  sign.  E  4.  (Works,  ed.  W. 
Gifford  and  F.  Cunningham,  vol.  vii,  1875,  p.  140). 

There  rests,  only,  that  we  giue  the  description  (we  promis'd) 
of  the  Scene,  which  was  the  House  of  Fame.  The  Structure, 
and  Ornament  of  which  ....  was  entirely  Mr.  Jones  his 
inuention,  and  designe  ....  In  which,  he  profest  to  follow 
that  noble  description,  made  by  Chaucer. 

1609.  Unknown.  Pimlyco,  or,  Runne  Red-Cap.  Tis  a  mad  world  at 
Hoysdon,  sign.  B  2. 

Skeiton     By  chance  I  found  a  Booke  in  Ryme, 
Writ  in  an  age  when  few  wryt  well, 
(Pans  Pipe  (where  none  is)  does  excell.) 
O  learned  Gower  !  It  was  not  thine, 
Nor  Chaucer,  (thou  art  more  Diuine.) 
To  Lydgates  graue  I  should  do  wrong, 
To  call  him  vp  by  such  a  Song. 

[The  book  he  found  was  Skelton's  poem,  the  Tunning  of  Eleanonr  Rummin, 
which  is  quoted  at  length  later  in  this  tract.  Our  transcript  is  taken  from  the 
facsimile  reprint  published  by  the  Oxford  Univ.  Press,  ed.  A.  H.  Bullen,  1891.  The 
only  known  copy  of  the  original  is  in  the  Bodleian.] 

1609.  Wyb[arne],  Jos[eph].  The  New  Age  of  old  Names  by  Jos. 
Wib.  Master  of  Artes  of  Trinitie  Colledge  in  Cambridge.  To  the 
Reader,  sign,  a  4  6.  (Prefaces,  etc.,  selected  from  early  English 
books,  by  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  1874,  p.  225.) 

.....  if  I  have  omitted  something  in  a  matter  so  variable 
remember  that  I  talke  of  Errors  Denne,  celebrated  by  the 
penne  of  our  second  Chaucer  [i.  e.  Spenser]. 


[1610.]  FlherJohn'T/ie  Coxcombe,  act  I.  sc.  i.  [in]  Comedies 
and  Tragedies,  written  by  Francis  Beavmont  and  John  Fletcher, 
Gentlemen  ....  1647,  p.  103.  (Works  of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher, 
ed.  A.  Dyce,  vol.  iii,  1843,  p.  151.) 

[Viola  is  seen  by  the  Tinker]  What's  this  ?  a  prayer,  or  a 
homilie,  or  a  Ballad  of  good  councell. 

[This  play,  written  in  1610,  was  acted  in  1612-13,  but  it  was  not  printed  till  it 
appeared  in  the  folio  edn.  of  1647.J 


1612]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  185 

[1610-11.]  Shakespeare,  William.     The  Winters  Tale,  II,  iii,  74-5. 
Leon.     Thou  dotard  !  thou  art  woman-tired,  unroosted 
By  thy  dame  Partlet  here. 

[See  note  to  [1,596-7]  Shakespeare,  and  for  the  whole  question  of  Chaucer  references 
in  Shakespeare,  see  below,  App.  A,  15S9,  Shakespeare.] 

1611.  'A7roS?7/Aowro<£iAos  [pseud].  Commendatory  verses  [to  the  author 
in]  Coryat's  Crudities,  1611,  sign,  c  36  and  c  4  (reprinted  Glasgow 
University  press,  1905,  vol.  i,  pp.  23,  24). 

Incipit  A7roS?7/AowTo<j!>jAos. 
Not  Mahoundj  no  nor  Tarmagaunt 
Could  euer  make  halfe  their  anaunt 

Of  deedes  so  sterne  and  fell, 
As  can  this  child  Sir  Thopas  Squire 
Inspired  with  a  sparke  of  fire 

Stolne  out  of  wisdomes  cell. 

Yet  would  he  not  play  Cupids  Ape 
In  Chaucer s  jest  lest  he  should  shape 
A  Pigsnye  like  himselfe. 

1611.  Sydenham,  George.  Note  to  Poem  [in]  Coryat's  Crudities.  See 
below,  App.  A. 

1611.  Sylvester,  Joshua.     See  below  App.  A,  1611. 

1611.  Unknown.     Melismata.     Musical   Phansies.     Fitting  the  Court, 
Citie,  and  Countrey  Humours  .  .  .  London,  Printed  by  William 
Stansby  for  Thomas  Adams,  1611,  sign.  D  i  6.  [A  book  of  songs 
collected  by  Thomas  Eavenscroft,  who  signs  the  Dedication  *T.R.;] 
(Reprinted  in  Selections  from  the  works  of  Thomas  Ravenscrofl,, 
Roxb.  club,  1822,  p.  11.) 

Citie  Bounds,  [no.]  9. 
My  Mistris  will  not  be  content 
To  take  a  lest,  a  lest,  a  lest,  as  Chaucer  meant, 
But  following  stil  the  womans  fashion, 
Allowes  it,  allowes  it,  for  the  new  translation, 
For  with  the  word  she  would  not  dispence, 
And  yet,  and  yet,  and  yet,  and  yet  I  know  the  \sic\  loues 
the  sence. 

1612.  F.,  William.     Cornucopice    .    Pasquils  Night-cap,   sign.  D  1   b, 
0  1  6-0  2.    Bodl.  and  Dyce  library,  S.  Kensington  (ed.  A.  B.  Grosart, 
occasional  issues  of  unique  .  .  .  books,  vol.  v,  1377,  pp.  22,  102-3. 
Cf.  also  N.  Breton's  Works,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  1879,  vol.  i,  p.  xxx). 

[References  to  '  Patient  Gresil'  and  the  'Parliament  of  Birds.'] 

[1612.]  Selden,  John.  From  the  Author  of  the  Illustrations. — To  the 
Reader. — Illustrations.  [Prefatory  address  and  notes  by  J.  Selden 
to]  Poly-Olbion  by  Michaell  Dray  ton  [1612],  sign,  a  3,  a  3  6,  and 
p.  68.  (Works  of  Drayton,  ed.  R.  Hooper,  library  of  old  authors, 
1876,  vol.  i,  pp.  xlii-iii,  114.) 


186  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1613- 

He  [Kobert  of  Gloster]  was,  in  Time,  an  Age  before,  but  in 
Learning  and  Wit,  as  most  others,  much  behind  our  Worthy 
Chaucer  :  .  .  .  [here  follows  a  long  digression  on  the  meaning  of 
Dulcarnon,  Tr.  and  Cr.,  bk.  iii,  1.  931,  which  he  says]  is  Two- 
horned,  [it]  well  fits  the  passage,  either,  as  if  hee  had  personated 
Creseide  at  the  entrance  of  two  wayes,  not  knowing  which  to 
take ;  ...  or  else,  which  is  the  truth  of  his  conceit,  that  shee 
was  at  a  Nonplus,  as  the  interpretation  in  his  next  Staffe  makes 
plaine.  How  many  of  Noble  Chaucers  Readers  neuer  so  much 
as  suspect  this  his  short  essay  of  knowledge,  transcending  the 
common  Rode  1  and  by  his  Treatise  of  the  Astrolabe  (which 
I  dare  sweare  was  chiefly  learned  out  of  MessalialaTi)  it  is  plaine 
hee  was  much  acquainted  with  the  Mathematics,  and  amongst 
their  Authors  had  it. 

[p.  68]  ....   Some  account  him  [St.  George]  an  allegory  of  our 

Sauiour  Christ ;  and  our  admired  Spencer  hath  made  him  an 
embleme  of  Religion.     So  Chaucer  to  the  Knights  of  that  order 

but  for  Gods  pleasance 

And  his  mother,  arid  in  signifiance 
That  ye  ben  of  S.  Georges  liuerie 
Doeth  him  seruice  and  Knightly  obeisance 
For  Christs  cause  is  his,  well  knowen  yee. 

[a.  1613.]  Commaundre,  Robert.  Epitaph  on  Chaucer  [in]  The  Booke, 
of  Heraldrye  and  other  thinges  ....  [Commonplace  book  of  R. 
Commaundre]  Egerton  MS.  2,642,  fol.  213  (old  no.  196). 

Carmina  Epitaphica  magistn  Hickeman  Auditoris  composita 
Anno  domini  1556  in  Laudem  Galfridi  Chawser,  que  dennO 
super  ipsius  Tumulum  renovari  fuit  et  Inscribi  in  Monasterio 
westmonasteriensi,  et  ipsum  Tumulum  suis  Expensis  decorari 
et  repingi  procuravit. 

Qui  fuit  Anglorum  Vates  ter  maxim  us  olim 

Galfridus  Chaucer  conditur  hoc  Tumulo 
Annum  si  queras  Domini,  Si  tempora  mortis, 
Ecce  Nota  subsunt,  que  tibi  cuncta  notent. 

25.  Octobris  Anno  1400. 
Galfridus  Chaucer,  Vates  et  Fama  Poesis 
Maternse,  hac  sacra  sum  tumulatus  Humo. 

[The  Rev.  Robert  Commaundre,  [d.  1613]  from  whose  Commonplace  book  the  above 
is  taken,  was  Rector  of  Tarporley,  Cheshire,  and  chaplain  to  Sir  Henry  Sydney  ;  the 
book  was  compiled  in  the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  a  few 
additions  were  made  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  See  Catalogue  of  Addit.  MSS.  B.  M., 
1882-7,  1889,  p.  359.  As  Nicholas  Brigham's  name  is  carved  on  the  tomb  of  Chaucer 
in  the  Abbey  as  its  restorer,  we  can  only  suppose  that  Commaundre  mistook  the  name. 
See  above,  p.  91,  1556,  Brigham  ;  the  last  two  lines  are  Surigo's,  see  above,  1479,  p.  59t 
and  note.] 


1614]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  187 

[1613 ?")    Fletcher,  John.   Prologue  to  The   Two  Nolle  Kinsmen  .... 
Written  by  the  memorable  Worthies  of  their  time  ; 

Mr  John  Fletcher  and     [  n 

Mr  William  Shakspeare  \  u 

Printed  at  London  by  Tho.  Cotes  for  lohn  Waterson  ....  1634,  verse 
of  title  page.  (Works  of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  ed.  A.  Dyce 
1843-6,  vol.  xi,  p.  329.) 

[The  Prologue  says  of  the  Play  it  introduces  :] 

It  has  a  noble  Breeder,  and  a  pure, 

A  learned,  and  a  Poet  never  went 

More  famous  yet  twixt  Po  and  silver  Trent. 

Chaucer,  (of  all  admir'd)  the  Story  gives  ; 

There  constant  to  Eternity  it  lives  ; 

If  we  let  fall  the  Noblenesse  of  this, 

And  the  first  sound  this  child  heare,  be  a  hisse, 

How  will  it  shake  the  bones  of  that  good  man, 

And  make  him  cry  from  under  ground,  0  fan 

From  me  the  witles  chaff e  of  such  a  wrighter 

That  blastes  my  Batjes,  and  my  fam'd  works  makes  lighter 

Then  Robin  Hood  ?     This  is  the  feare  we  bring  ; 

For  to  say  Truth,  it  were  an  endlesse  thing  ; 

And  too  ambitious  to  aspire  to  him  ; 

Weake  as  we  are,  and  almost  breathlesse  swim 

In  this  deepe  water.     Do  but  you  hold  out 

Your  helping  hands,  and  ice  shall  take  about 

And  something  doe  to  save  us ;  you  shall  heare 

Sceanes  though  below  his  Art,  may  yet  appeare 

Worth  two  houres  travell.     To  his  bones  sweet  sleepe. 

Content  to  you  !  .  .  . 

[For  the  general  likeness  of  the  Two  Noble  Kinsmen  to  Chaucer's  Knights'  Tale, 
and  the  citation  of  a  number  of  parallel  passages,  see  Chaucer's  Einfluss  auf  das 
englische  Drama,  by  O.  Ballmann,  in  Anglia,  vol.  xxv,  1902,  pp.  36-44.] 


[1613  ?J  Middleton,  Thomas,  No  like  a  Womans,  A  Comedy 

....  1657,  act  2,  sc.  1,  p.  36.      (Middleton's  Works,  ed.  A.  H. 
Bullen,  1885,  vol.  iv,  p.  322.) 

.    .    .   how  many  honest    words   have   suffered   corruption 
since  Chaucer's  days'? 


1614.  B[rowne],  W[illiam].  The  Shcpheards  Pipe.  London.  Printed 
by  N.  0.  for  George  Norton,  and  are  to  be  sold  at  his  shop  without 
Temple  Barre,  1614,  the  1st  Eclogue,  sign.  C  vi  b  and  C  vii. 


188  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1614- 

(Browne's  Works,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  Koxb.  library  1868,  vol.  ii,  pp. 
197-8;  Poems,  ed.  G.  Goodwin,  Muses' library  1894,  vol.  ii,  pp. 
118-9.) 

[Speaking  of  Occleve] 

There  are  few  such  swaines  as  he 
Nowadayes  for  harmony. 

Willie.    What  was  he  thou  praisest  thus? 

Roget.     Scholler  vnto  Tityrus  : 

Tityrus  the  brauest  swaine 

Euer  liued  on  the  plaine, 

Taught  him  how  to  feed  his  Lambes, 

How  to  cure  them  and  their  Dams  : 

How  to  pitch  the  fold,  and  then 

How  he  should  remoue  agen  : 

Taught  him  when  the  Oorne  was  ripe, 

How  to  make  an  Oaten  Pipe, 

How  to  ioyne  them,  how  to  cut  them, 

When  to  open,  when  to  shut  them. 

And  with  all  the  skill  he  had 

Did  instruct  this  willing  lad. 

[Note  at  end  of  Eclogue  1,  by  Browne]  THOMAS  OCCLEEVE,  one 
of  the  privy  Seale,  composed  first  this  tale,  and  was  neuer  till 
now  imprinted  ....  Hee  wrote  in  CHAVCER'S  time. 

1614.  Freeman,  Thomas.  Runne  and  a  great  Cast,  the  Second  Bowie 
[being  the  2nd  part  of]  Eubbe  and  a  great  Cast.  Epigrams  by 
Thomas  Freeman  ....  Imprinted  at  London,  and  are  to  bee  sold 
at  the  Tigers  Head,  1614,  epigram  14,  sign.  G  2. 

Mediocribus  esse  Poetis 

Non  homines,  non  dij,  non  concessere  columne 

Hor at.  arte. 

Pitty  6  pitty,  death  had  power 
Ouer  Chaucer,  Lidgate,  Goiver  : 
They  that  equal'd  all  the  Sages 
Of  these,  their  owne,  of  former  Ages, 
And  did  their  learned  Lights  aduance 
In  times  of  darkest  ignorance, 
When  palpable  impurity 
Kept  knowledge  in  obscurity, 
And  all  went  Hood-winkt  in  this  He, 
They  could  see  and  shine  the  while ; 
Nor  Greece,  nor  Kome,  could  reckon  vs, 


1615]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  189 

As  then,  among  the  Barbarous  : 

Since  these  three  knew  to  turne  perdy 

The  Scru-pin  of  Phylosophy 

As  well  as  they ;  and  left  behind 

As  rich  memorials  of  the  mind  : 

By  which  they  Hue,  though  they  are  dead, 

As  all  may  see  that  will  but  read ; 

And  on  good  workes  will  spend  good  howres 

In  Chaucers,  Litigates,  and  in  Gowers. 

1614.  [Heywood,  Thomas.]  The  life  and  death  of  Hector  ....  written 
by  lohn  Lidgate  ....  At  London,  Printed  by  Thomas  Purfoot. 
[A  modernized  version  by  Thomas  Heywood  of  Lydgate's  siege  and 
destruction  of  Troy,  Lydgate's  Chaucer  references  are  on  pp.  102-3, 
144, 183, 185  (wrongly  paged  183),  317, see  above,  1412-20,  pp.  23-5.} 

1614.  Jonson,  Benjamin.  Bartholomew  Fayre,  A  comedie  Acted  in  the 
Yeare  1614.  Printed  by  I.  B.  for  Robert  Allot ....  1631,  act  IV, 
sc.  iv,  sign.  I  3,  p.  61  [in]  Workes  of  Beniamin  Jonson,  2  vols, 
1616-40,  vol.  ii.  (Works,  ed.  W.  Gifford  and  F.  Cunningham,  1875, 
vol.  iv,  p.  459,  act  IV,  sc.  iii.) 

Was[pe]  ....  why  Mistresse,  I  knew  Adam  the  Cierke, 
your  husband,  when  he  was  Adam  Scriuener,  and  writ  for 
two  pence  a  sheet,  as  high  as  he  beares  his  head  now,  or  you 
your  hood,  Dame. 

1614.  Lane,  John.     Spensers   Squiers  tale  which  hath   been  loste  .  .  . 
now  brought  to   light,  by  J.  L.  1616.     Douce   MS.  170,  fly-leaf. 
[Revised  Version]  Chaucers  Filler  beinge  his  Master-peece,  called 
the  Squiers  Tale,  wcli  hath  binn  given  [up  as]  lost,  for  all  mcst  thease 
three  hundred  yeares :  but  now  found  out,  and  brought  to  light  by 
John  Lane  1630.     Ashmole  MS.  53  (ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer 
soc.  1888-90,  references  as  below)  : 

[pp.  3-6i       Dedications. 

[p.  8]  George  Haucocke  (q.  v.  below,  p.  190)  commendatory  verses. 

[pp.  s-io]     The  Poet  Spencer  concerning  this  invention  of  Chaucers 

lib.  4,  canto  2,  stafe  31. 
[pp.  io-i3]    The    discription    of    the     Squier   as    it    was    written   by 

Chaucer,  etc. 
[p.  is]          Thus  farr    Chaucer ;     Now    followeth   a  supplie  to    what 

heereof    is    missinge;    finished    by    John    Lane   anno 

Domini  1615. 
[pp.  234-5]    Epilogue. 
H>.  236]        Extra  lines  in  Ashmole  MS. 

[A  note  in  the  Douce  MS.,  fol.  35,  states:  This  supplemente  to  Chaucers  Squiers 
tale,  containinge  17  sheetes,  hath  licence  to  be  printed.  March  2  1614.  John 
Tauerner.] 

1615.  Gordon,  Patrick.     See  below,  App.  A,  1615. 


190  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1615- 

1615.  Hancocke,  George.  George  Hancocke,  Somersettensis,  to  his 
frende  J.  L.  Commendatory  lines  prefixed  to  Chaucer's  Squire's 
tale,  by  John  Lane  [q.v.  above,  p.  189],  Douce  MS.,  fol.  1  b. 
(Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  soc.  1888-90,  p.  8.) 

So  ringe  the  peale  of  love,  truith,  iustice  out, 
as  it,  into  theire  ehoire,  all  heerers  chime ; 

as  Chaucer,  Lidgate,  Sidney,  Spencer  dead, 

yett  livings  swanns,  singe  out  what  thow  haste  sedd  1 

1615.  Jonson,  Benjamin.  Masques  at  Court.  The  Golden  Age  Restored  in 
a  Maslce  at  Court,  1615  ;  [printed]  1616  [in]  The  Workes  of  Beniamin 
Jonson,  2  vols.,  1616-40,  vol.  i,  pp.  1012-13.  (Works  of  B. 
Jonson,  ed.  W.  Gifford  and  F.  Cunningham,  1875,  vol.  vii,  pp. 
251-2.) 

Pal[las].  Yow  farre-fam'd  spirits  of  this  happie  He, 
That,  for  your  sacred  songs  haue  gain'd  the  stile 
Of  PHCEBVS  sons  :  whose  notes  they  aire  aspire 
Of  th'  old  jEgyptiati,  or  the  Thrarian  lyre, 
That  Chaucer,  Gower,  Lidgate,  Spencer  hight 
Put  on  your  better  flames,  and  larger  light, 
To  waite  vpon  the  age  that  shall  your  names  new  nourish 
Since  vertue  prest  shall  grow,  and  buried  arts  shall  flourish. 
Poets  descend. 

1615.  Niccholes,  Alexander].   A  discourse  of  'marriage  and  wining 

by  Alex.  Niccholes,  Batchelour  in  the  Art  he  neuer  yet  put  in 
practise,  London,  1G20,  p.  16.  (Reprinted  from  an  edn.  dated 
1615  in  Harl.  Miscell.  Oldys  and  Park,  vol.  ii,  1809,  p.  165.) 

[Eeference  to  January  and  May.] 

1615.  Peacham,  Henry.     Prince  Henrie  Revived.     Or  a  Poeme  vpon 
the  Birth  ....  of  the  ....  yong  Prince  Henrie  Frederick  .  . 
sign.  B  i  6. 

I  may  not  rash  aread ;  but  this  I  wot 
How  lanivere,  his  bitter  rage  forgot, 
For  lustie  greene  y'chang'd  his  frostie  gray, 
(As  if  he  woed  the  sweet  and  daintie  May). 

1615.  V[allans],  W[illiam].  The  Honourable  Prentice :  or  This  Taylor 
is  a  man  ....  Where-unto  is  annexed  the  most  lamentable  murther 
of  Robert  Hall  at  the  High  Altar  in  Westminster  Abbey.  London, 
1615.  Bodl.  library.  (Dedication  to  his  friend  master  Robert 
Valens,  signed  "W.  V.") 

[p.  33,  running  title]  The  lamentable  murder  of  Robert  Hall. 
Hall  lyeth  buried  in  the  Abbey  at  Westminster,  not  far  from 


161G]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  191 

CJiaucers  Tombe,  vnder  a  faire  monument  of  a  fiat  Marble 
stone,  Avitli  his  image  of  brasse  in  his  armour :  and  about  the 
same  certaine  verses  in  Lattin,  which  (though  much  defaced 
with  treading,  and  neere  worne  out,)  may  be  found  in  a  booke 
called  the  JRemaines  of  a  greater  Worke,  set  foorth  by  Mr 
Camden,  al.  Clareceaulx  King  at  Arnes. 

[The  account  of  the  '  Murther  of  Hall '  is  wanting  in  the  1616  edition,  though  it  is 
given  on  the  title-page.  See  also  Win.  Lambarde  in  Dictionarium  Anglice,  etc.,  c.  1585, 
p.  390;  p.  126,  above.] 

[c.  1615.]  Beaumont,  Francis,  and  Fletcher,  John.  The  Woman's 
Prize:  or  The  Tamer  Tamed,  act  IV,  sc.  i,  [in]  Comedies  and 
Tragedies,  written  by  Francis  Beaumont  and  lohn  Fletcher 
Gentlemen  ....  1647,  p.  113.  (Works  of  Beaumont  &  Fletcher, 
ed.  A.  Dyce,  vol.  vii,  1844,  p.  172.) 

Petron[ius  to  Moroso  who  wishes  to  marry]  Thou  fond  man 
Hast  thou  forgot  the  Ballard  [sic],  crabbed  age, 
Can  May  and  January  match  together, 
And  nev'r  a  storm  between  'em  1 

[a.  1616.]  Pits,  or  Pitseus,  John.  Relationes  Historicse  de  Jtebm 
Anglicis,  Parisiis,  1619,  De  illustrious  Anglise  Scriptoribns,  pp. 
572-5  [life  of  Chaucer].  576  [Gower]  632  [Lydgate]  953  [Index]. 
[Published  after  Pits's  death  by  Dr.  W.  Bishop.  For  extract,  see 
Appendix  A,  a,  1616,  Pits], 

De  Illustribus  Angliae  Scriptoribus. 
;pp.  572-75]     No.  730.    De  Galfredo  Chaucero.     1400. 
[p.  576]          No.  731.     De  Joanne  Gowero.     1402. 
tp.  632]  No.  820.    De  Joanne  Lidgato.     1440. 

[p.  953]  Index  illustrium  Anglise  Scriptorum  qui  fuerunt  Oxoni- 

ensis  Academise. 

1616.  Camden,  William.  MS.  lines,  in  Camden's  hand  from  Chaucer's 
Nonne  Preestes  Tale  written  on  the  back  of  Grant  of  Arms  by  W. 
Camden,  Clarenceux,  to  Kobert  Wakeman,  D.D.,  of  Beerferris,  co. 
Devon.  Addit.  Charters  26,607  (Catalogue  Addit.  MSS.,  18T6-81, 
p.  264). 

Pro  Crista  autem  supra  Cassidem  et  tortile  ex  suis  coloribus, 
A  Cock  in  his  proper  and  natiue  colours,  with  a  scrole  in  his 
bek  inscribed  EVIGILA  QUI  DORMIS  vt  clarius  in  margine  depicta 
conspiciuntur  ;  [on  the  back  in  Camden's  hand,]  The  Cock 
giuen  for  the  Crest  in  the  Armes  within  described  is  like  that 
in  Geffrey  Chaucer  in  the  Nonnes  Priest  his  Tale  and  is  called 
Chaunteclere. 

His  comb  was  redder  then  the  fine  corall 

And  like  the  burned  gold  was  his  colour. 

[11.  4049-54.1 


192  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1616- 

[1616.]  Earle,  John.  An  Elegie  upon  Master  Francis  Beaumont,  [in] 
Poems,  by  Francis  Beaumont,  1640,  sign.  K  2. 

.  .  .  thine  [fame]  is  lowest  now, 
But  thou  shalt  live,  and  when  thy  name  is  grown, 
Six  ages  elder,  shalt  be  better  knowne  : 
When  th'  art  of  Chaucers  standing  in  thy  tombe, 
Thou  shalt  not  shame  [sic,  for  share],  but  take  up  all  his  roome. 

I.  Earle. 

[Reprinted  in  the  First  Folio  of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Comedies  and  Tragedies 
1647,  sign.  C  4  6,  where  it  is  preceded  by  the  remark  :  "  Written  thirty  yeares  since, 
presently  after  his  [Beaumont's]  death."  Cf.  Basse's  epitaph  on  Shakespeare,  below, 
p.  196  and  note.] 

1617.  [Br at h wait,  Richard.]  Chaucer's  incensed  Ghost,  a  poem  appended 
to  The  Smoaking  Age,  or,  the  man  in  the  mist,  with  the  life  and 
death  of  Tobacco  ....  cioio  cxvii. 

[A  copy  of  this  first  edn.  was  in  the  Huth  library,  and  is  fully  described  in  Collect 
anea  Anglo-Poetica  by  T.  Corser  (Chetham  soc.),  part  ii,  1861,  pp.  355-61.  It  was 
reprinted  in  The  Smoaking  Age  ....  To  which  is  added  CHAWCER'S  Incensed 
Ghost,  1703,  pp.  38-41;  see  also  a  reprint  in  R.  Braithwait's  Comments,  etc.,  ed.  C. 
Spurgeon,  Chaucer  soc.,  1901,  pp.  viii-xi.] 

1617.  Lane,  John.     The  corrected  historie  of  Sir  Guy  Earle  of  Warwick 
....  begun  by  Don  Lidgatt,  monk  of  St.  Edmunds  Berye ;  but  now 
diligentlie  acquired  from  all  antiquitie  by  John  Lane,  1621.     Harh 
MSS.  5243,  ff.  4,  5  b.,  7,  col.  1,  131,  col.  2.     Coloph:  written  by  me 
John  Lane,  have  licence  to  be  printed  July  13,  1617.     (The  refer 
ences  on  ff.  4  and  5  6  are  printed  in  Bp.  Percy's  Folio  MS.  Ballads 
and  Romances,  ed.  J.  W.  Hales  and  F.  J.  Furnivall,  1867-8,  vol.  ii, 
1868,  part  ii,  pp.  522,  524.) 

[Mere  passing  references  to  Chaucer.] 

[1618  ?]  Bolton,  Edmund.  Hypercritica ;  or  A  Rule  of  Judgment  for 
uniting  or  reading  our  History's.  .  .  by  Edmund  Bolton  .  .  now 
first  published  by  Ant.  Hall,  Oxford,  1722  [at  the  end  of  Hall's 
Nicolai  Triveti  Annalium  Continuatio,  etc.],  section  iii,  pp.  199, 
235  ;  Rawlinson  MSS.  (Reprinted  in  Ancient  Critical  Essays, 
etc.,  ed.  J.  Haslewood,  vol.  ii,  1815,  p.  249.) 

[p.  199]  Addresse  the  Fourth.  Prime  Gardens  for  gathering  English  : 
according  to  the  true  Gage  or  Standard  of  the  Tongue,1  about 

[p.  235]  15  or  16  years  ago.  Sect.  iii.  In  verse  there  are  Ed.  Spencers 
Hymns.  I  cannot  advise  the  allowance  of  other  his  Poems,  as  for 
Practick  English,  no  more  than  I  can  do  Jeff.  Chaucer,  Lydgate, 
Peirce  Ploughman,  or  Laureat  Skelton  ...  for  an  Historian 
in  our  Tongue  to  affect  the  like  [use  of  "  outworn  Words  "]  out 
of  those  our  Poets,  would  be  accounted  a  foul  Oversight. 

1  Anthony  a  Wood  thought  these  addresses  were  written  about  1610. 
[But  see  article  on  Bolton  in  D.N.B.] 

1618.  Savile,    Sir   Henry.      Thomw  Bradwardini   Archiepiscopi    olim 
Cantuariensis   De   Causa  Dei    ....    Opera  et  Studio   Domini 
Henrici  Sauilii,  Lectori  sign.  A  3. 

Nam  de  Galfrido  Chaucero  illorum  fere  temporum 
sequali,  poetarum  nostrorum  principe,  acris  iudicij,  non 


1620]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  193 

lepidi  tantum  ingenij,  viro,  qui  de  Thoma  hoc  nostrate  non 
tacuit,  nobis  nefas  sit  liic  tacere. 

1619.  Gil,  Alexander.     Lor/onomia  Anglica.     Qua  gentis  seram  facilius 
addiscitur.     Conscripta  ab.  Alexandro  Gil  Pjmlinae  Scota  Magistro 
Primario.     Londini.     Excudit  Johannes  Benle,  1619,  sign.    B  2  b. 
(ed.  from  the  edn.  of  1621  [same  title],  by  Otto  L.  Jiriczek  1903 
[in]  Quellen  nnd  Forschungen  ....  der  germanischen  Volker,  ed. 
Alois  Brandl,  Heft  90.) 

Prcefatio  ad  Lectorem. 

Hue  vsque  peregrinse  voces  in  lingua  Anglica  inauditse. 
Tandem  circa  annum  1400^  Galfridus  Chaucerus,  infansto 
omine,  vocabulis  Gallicis,  &  Latinis  poesin  suam  famosam 
reddidit.  Hie  enim  vulgi  indocti  stupor  est,  vt  ilia  maxime 
quae  non  intelligit  admiretur.  Hinc  noua  profluxit  scribendi, 
&  loquendi  scabies.  Nam  vt  quisque  sciolus  videri  vult,  & 
linguae  Latinse,  Gallicse,  aliusue  suam  peritiam  venditare  :  ita 
quotidie  fera  vocum  monstra  cicuriat;  horridasque,  &  male 
sonantes,  nidique  infausti  picas,  &  cicumas  nostra  verba  conari 
docet. 

1620.  James,  Thomas.     Catalogus  Vniversalis   librorum  in  Bibliotheca 
Bodleiana  .  .  .  anctore  Thoma  lames  .   .  .  Oxonise  1620,  p.  123. 

Galfr.  Chaucerus.  Opera  Anglice,  Lond,  1561,  C.  4.  4  & 
MS.  c.  7.11. 

Of  the  Warre  of  Thebes  (vt,  vid.)  MS.  40,  28. 

[The  war  of  Thebes  is  not  entered  either  under  War  or  Thebes.  For  the  first 
catalogue  (also  by  James),  see  above,  1605,  p.  175  and  for  the  third  see  below,  1674, 
p.  249,  T.  Hyde.] 

[1620-35?].  Jonson,  Benjamin.  Timber  or  Discoveries,  Made  vpon 
Men  and  Matter  ....  1641,  The  Workes  of  Beniamin  Jonson, 
1616-41,  vol.  ii,  pp.  116,  118,  119  [pagination  not  continuous]. 
(Works,  ed.  W.  Gifford  and  F.  Cunningham,  1875,  vol.  ix,  pp. 
193-4,  198.) 


'   '  '  And  as  it;  is  fit  to  reade  the  best  Authors  to  youth 
first,    so    let   them    be    of    the    openest    and    clearest  :    As 
Livy     Livy  before   Salust,  Sydney   before  .  Donne  :    and   beware  of 
Sydi.ey  letting  them  taste  Gfpwer,  or  Chaucer  at  first,  lest  falling  too 
Gower  much  in  love  with  Antiquity,  and  not  apprehending  the  weight, 
Spencer^hey  grow  rough  and  barren  in  language  onely.     When  their 
judgements  are  firme  and  out  of  danger,  let  them  reade  both, 
the  old  and  the  new  :  but  no  lesse  take  heed,  that  their  new 
flowers,  and  sweetnesse  doe  not  as  much  corrupt,  as  the  others 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  O 


194  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1620- 

drinesse,  and  squallor,  if  they  choose  not  carefully.  Spencer,  in 
affecting  the  Ancients  writ  no  Language  :  Yet  I  would  have 
him  read  for  his  matter  ;  but  as  Virgil  read  Ennius. 

tudo™'  @ust°me  i"3  tne  most  certaine   Mistresse  of  Language,  as  the 

[p.  us]  publicke   stampe  makes  the  current  money.     But  wee  must 

tp.  H9]  not  .   .   .  .fetch  words  from  the  extreme  and  utmost  ages; 

since  the  chiefe  vertue  of  a  style  is  perspicuitie,  and  nothing 

so  vitious  in  it,  as  to  need  an  Interpreter  ....   Virgill  was 

Virgil    most  loving  of  Antiquity;    yet  how  rarely  doth  hee  insert 

tius  "  aqnai  and  pictai  !  Ly  cretins  is  scabrous  and  rough  in  these ; 

ismffer'hQG  seekes  'hem  :   As  some  do  Chaucerismes  with  us,  which 

were  better  expung'd  and  banish'd. 

1620.  R[owlands],  S[amuel].    The  Night  Kauen.   By  S.  R.   Sign.  D  iv  b. 
(Rowland's  Works,  introduction  by  E.  Gosse,  notes  by  S.  Herrtage, 
Hunterian  club,  1880,  vol.  ii,  p.  32.) 
[A  summary,  in  20  lines,  of  part  of  the  Miller's  Tale.] 

1620.  Taylor,  John  (the  Water  Poet).    The  Praise  of  Hemp-seed.    1620, 
pp.  26-7.     (Works  of  Taylor,  Folio  edn.  of  1630,  reprinted  for 
Spenser  soc.,  1869,  part  iii,  p.  72.) 

In  paper,  many  a  Poet  now  suruiues 

Or  else  their  lines  had  perish'd  with  their  Hues. 

Old  Chaucer,  Gower,  and  Sir  Thomas  More, 

Sir  Philip  Sidney,  who  the  Lawrell  wore, 

Spencer,  and  Shakespeare  did  in  Art  excell, 

Sir  Edward  Dyer,  Greene,  Nash,  Daniell, 

Siluester,  Beumont,  Sir  lohn  Harrington, 

Forgetfulnesse  their  workes  would  ouerrun, 

But  that  in  paper  they  immortally 

Doe  Hue  in  spight  of  death,  and  cannot  die. 

1621.  Heylyn,  Peter.      MIKROKO2MO2.     A   little   Description  of  the 
Great    World.     Augmented  and  reuised.      Oxford.      Printed   by 
John  Lichfield  and  William  Tvrner,  1625.— The  Brittish  Isles,  pp. 
474-5,  sign.  Ff  8  6.  and  Gg  1. 

The  chiefe  in  matter  of  Poesie  haue  bin  1  Gower,  2  Chaucer, 
of  whom  Sir  Philip)  Sidney  vsed  to  say,  that  he  maruailed 
how  that  man  in  those  mistie  times  could  see  so  clearely,  and 
how  we  in  these  cleare  times  goe  so  stumblingly  after  him, 
3  Edmund  Spencer,  4  Drayton  .  .  . 

[The  title  of  the  first  edn. ,  printed  1621,  is  Microcosmus,  or  A  little  Description 
of  the  Great  World  .  .  .  By  P.  H.  At  Oxford.  Printed  by  lohn  Lichfield  and  lames 
Short  .  .  .  1621.  This  first  edn.  is  not  in  the  B.  M.  Hejlyn  enlarged  this  work  and 
reprinted  it  in  1652,  under  the  title  of  Cosmographie,  where  this  reference,  slightly 
altered,  occurs  on  p.  268.] 


1621]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  195 

1621.  Lane,  John.  Tritons  Trumpet  to  the  sweete  Monethes  husbanded 
and  moralized  by  John  Lane.  MS.,  Reg.  17  B  xv,  ff.  3,  23, 176,  18 1. 

[foi.  176]     But  Chaucer  shee  [Queen  Mary]  bidds  com  down  off  his 

spheare ! 
And  'mongst  the  Laureat  poets  waite  on  her ! 

[This  reference  is  given  in  An  Introduction  to  Shakespeare's  Midsummer  Night's 
Dream  by  J.  O.  Halliwell,  1841,  p.  (36.] 

1621.  Taylor,  John  (the  Water  Poet).  Taylor's  Motto  Et  habeo,  Et 
careo,  Et  euro,  sign.  E  2.  (Works  of  John  Taylor,  folio  edn.  ot 
1630,  reprinted  for  Spenser  soc.  1869,  part  ii,  p.  57.) 

[In  speaking  of  the]  "  Bookes  that  I  haue  read  of  Poesie  " 
[Taylor  says  :] 

Old  Chaucer,  Sidney,  Spencer,  Daniel,  Nash, 
I  dipt  my  finger  where  they  vs'd  to  wash. 
As  I  haue  read  these  Poets,  I  haue  noted 
Much  good,  which  in  my  memory  is  quoted. 

1621  v  Wither,  George.  Wither' 's  Motto  Nee  habeo,  nee  Gareo,  nee  Curo. 
London,  printed  for  John  Marriott  1621,  sign.  A  3  6,  A  4. 
(Juvenilia,  Poems  by  George  Wither,  reprinted  by  the  Spenser  soc. 
1871,  pt.  iii,  pp.  626-7.) 

To  any  body. 

The  foolish  Canterbury  Tale  in  my  scourge  of  Vanity  (which 
I  am  now  almost  ashamed  to  read  ouer),  euen  that,  hath  bin 
by  some  praysed  for  a  witty 


1621-51-2.  [Burton,  Robert.]  The  Anatomy  of  Melancholy  .  .  .  by 
Democritus  Junior.  [1st  edn.  1621,  continually  revised  by  the 
author  till  1651,  6th  edn.  posthumously  printed.  The  references 
are  to  the  edn.  of  A.  R.  Shilleto,  introduction  A.  H.  Bullen,  3  vols. 
1893.  The  subdivisions  are  given  so  that  the  references  may  be 
the  more  easily  traced  through  the  various  edns. ;  they  are  all  in 
vol.  iii  of  the  1893  edn.] 


57.     Part  iii,  sect,  ii,  mem.     i,  subs.  ii. 

60. 

65. 


60. 


„  ;,  „  ,      „  . 

'0                      „  ,,  ,,  5, 

89.          „  „  „  iii,      „  ii. 

124.          „  „  „  ii,      „  iv. 

129.          „  „  „  ii,      „  iv. 

»  »  }?  » 

14o.           ,,  ,,  ,,  „  v. 

154.          „  „  „  iii,       ,,  i. 


196  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1622 

p.  181.  Part  iii,  sect,  ii,  mem.  iii,    subs.  i. 

186. 
190,  197. 

233.  „  „  „  v,      „  ii. 

248.  „  „  „  „  iii. 
254. 

282.  „  „  „  „  v. 
292  [2  refa.],  295. 

301,  302.  „  „  iii      „  i,      „  i. 

306,  307,  320.  „  „  „  „  ii, 

339.  „  „  „  iv,      „  i. 

351.  „  „  „  „  ii. 

[These  references  are  practically  all  quotations  from  Chaucer,  most  frequently  from 
the  Wife  of  Bath's  Prologue  (7  references),  and  next  to  that  from  the  Knight's  Tale 
and  Troilus  'and  Creseid  (6  each).  It  is  worth  notice  that  Burton  only  quotes 
Chaucer  in  connection  with  '  Love.'  On  p.  181  he  refers  to  Chaucer  as  '  our  English 
Homer,'  and  in  a  note  on  p.  339  lie  says  '  Read  Petrarch's  Tale  of  Patient  Grizel  in 
Chaucer."  Thase  are  the  only  references  other  than  quotation  from  or  allusion  to 
some  one  of  Chaucer's  poems.] 

[c.  or  a.  1622  ?]  Basse,  William.  Epitaph  on  William  Shakespeare.  MS. 
Lansdowne  777,  fol.  67  b.  (The  Shakspere  Allusion  Book,  by 
C.  M.  Ingleby,  eel.  J.  J.  Munro,  1909,  vol.  i,  pp.  286-9.) 

On  Mr-  Wm.  Shakespeare,     he  dyed  in  Aprill  1616. 
Renowned  Spencer  lye  a  thought  more  nye 
To  learned  Chaucer,  and  rare  Beaumont  lye 
A  little  neerer  Spenser,  to  make  roome 
For  Shakespeare  in  your  threefold,  fowerfold  Tombe. 
To  lodge  all  fowre  in  one  bed  make  a  shift 
Yntill  Doomesdaye,  for  hardly  will  a  fift 
Betwixt  this  day  and  that  by  Fate  be  slayne, 
For  whom  your  Curtaines  may  be  drawn  againe. 
If  your  precedency  in  death  doth  barre 
A  fourth  p'lace  in  your  sacred  sepulcher, 
Vnder  this  carued  marble  of  thine  owne, 
Sleepe,  rare  Tragedian,  Shakespeare,  sleep  alone; 
Thy  vnmolested  peace,  vnshared  Caue, 
Possesse  as  Lord,  not  Tenant,  of  thy  Graue, 
That  vnto  us  &  others  it  may  be 
Honor  hereafter  to  be  layde  by  thee. 

Wm.  Basse. 

[There  are  many  versions  of  this  poem,  not  only  in  the  numerous  MSS.  in  which  it 
exists,  but  in  the  various  edns.  in  which  it  appeared  ;  a  very  complete  list  of  these  is 
given  in  the  Allusion  Book.  The  earliest  printed  version  of  it  is  in  Pcems,  with 
Elegies  ou  the  Author's  Death,  John  Donne,  1633,  p.  165.  A  distinct  reference  to  it 
is  made  in  Jonson's  own  epitaph  on  Shakespeare,  1623,  q.v.  below,  p.  198.  The  apparent 
reference  to  it  by  Earle,  1616,  q.v.  above,  points  to  that  year  for  its  composition.] 


1622]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  197 

[a.  1622.]  Middleton,  Tho[mas].  Two  New  Playes,  viz.  More  Dis 
semblers  besides  Women,  Women  beware  women,  1657.  More 
Dissemblers,  etc.,  act  i,  sc.  4,  p.  17.  (Works,  ed.  A.  H.  Eullen, 
1885-6,  8  vols.,  vol.  vi,  1885,  p.  397  ;  see  note  as  to  date,  ibid., 
p.  375.) 

....  Tis  not  good  to  jest,  as  old  Chaucer  was  wont  to 
say,  that  broad  famous  English  Poet. 

[For  Chaucer's  influence  on  Middleton  see  O.  Ballmann  ;  Chaucers  Einfluss  auf  das 
englische  Drama,  Anglia,  vol.  xxv,  pp.  74-6.] 

1622.  Peacham,  Henry.  The  Compleat  Gentleman  Fashioning  him 
absolute  in  the  most  necessary  and  Commendable  Qualities  Concern 
ing  Minde  or  Sodie  that  may  be  required  in  a  Noble  Gentleman. 
By  Henry  Peacham  ....  1622,  Of  Poetry,  ch.  10,  pp.  81-2, 
94-5. 

[p.  si]  Hence  hath  Poetry  neuer  wanted  her  Patrones,  and  euen 

the  greatest  Monarches  and  Princes   .   .    .  haue  exercised 

« Who  paue  their  Inuention  herein  :  .   .   .  Euery    child   knoweth  how 

is  thought,    deare  the  workes  of  Homer  were  vnto  Alexander  .      .  in 

his  Manner 

otEwhtimt    our  owne  Countrey,  a  Chaucer  to  Richard  the  second,  Gower 
shire!  °  '       to  H&nrie  the  fourth    with  others  I  might  alledge. 


[p.  94]  Sir  Geoffrey  Of  English  Poets  of  our  owne  Nation,  esteeme 
Sir  Geq/rey  Chaucer  the  father;  although,  the  stile 
for  the  antiquitie,  may  distast  you,  yet  as  vnder  a  bitter 
and  rough  rinde,  there  lyeth  a  delicate  kernell  of  conceit  and 
sweete  inuention.  What  Examples,  Similitudes,  Times,  Places, 
and  aboueall,  Persons,  with  their  speeches,  and  attributes,  doe 
as  in  Canterlurie-t&les  (like  these  threds  of  gold,  the  rich 
Arras)  beautifie  his  Worke  quite  thorough  ?  And  albeit  diuers 
of  his  workes.  are  but  meerely  translations  out  of  Latine  and 
French,  yet  he  hath  handled  them  so  artificially,  that  thereby 
he  hath  made  them  his  owne,  as  his  Troilus  and  Cresseid. 
The  Roman  t  of  the  Rose,  was  the  inuention  of  lehan  de 
Mehunes,  a  French  Poet,  whereof  he  translated  but  onely  the 
one  halfe  :  his  Canterburie-ia\e$  without  question  were  his 
owne  inuention,  all  circumstances  being  wholly  English.  Hee 
was  a  good  Diuine,  and  saw  in  those  times  without  his  spec 
tacles,  as  may  appeare  by  the  Plough-man  and  the  Parsons 
tale :  withall  an  excellent  Mathematician,  as  plainly  appeareth 
by  his  discourse  of  the  Astrolabe  to  his  little  sonne  Lewes.  In 
briefe,  account  him  among  the  best  of  your  English  bookes  in 
your  librarie. 

p.  95]        Goicer  .  .  .     was  a  knight,  as  also  was  Chaucer. 


198  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  16'22- 

1622.  Unknown.      The  History  of  Allchester  near  Bircester  in  Oxford 
shire  .  .  .  .  in  the  year  1622.    [Appendix,  pp.  683-703,  in]  Parochial 
Antiquities  Attempted  in  the  History  of  Ambrosden,  Burcester  .... 
by  White  Kennett  [Bp.  of  Peterborough]   MDCXCV,  p.  694  (new 
edn.,  2  vols,  Oxford,  1818,  vol.  ii,  p.  431.) 

[i«.  694]  ....  The  Town  of  Woodstock  is  a  good  Market  and  a 
Corporation,  and  more  graced  with  the  birth  of  ancient 
Learned  Chaucer  and  Doctor  Case  then  with  any  Monument 
of  Antiquity  within  it. 

[In  the  preface  to  the  edn.  of  1818,  vol.  i,  p.  xv,  Dr.  White  Kennett  gives  the 
following  account  of  the  MS. :  "There  was  one  Manuscript  communicated  to  me  by 
my  very  worthy  Friend  Mr.  Black  well,  B.D.,  which  (tho1  of  modern  age  and  no 
great  authority)  immediately  relating  to  these  parts,  I  thought  good  with  consent  of 
the  owner  to  join  as  an  Appendix  to  this  work,  under  the  title  of  the  History  of  All 
chester  near  Bircester  in  Oxfordshire,  etc.  wrote  in  the  year  1622.] 

[1623.]  Dekker,  Thomas.     The  Wonder  of  a  kingdome 1636, 

sign.  D  1.     (Dramatis  works  of  Thomas  Dekker,  ed.  John  Pearson, 
vol.  iv,  1873,  p.  245.) 

[Reference  to  January  and  May.] 

1623.  Jonson,  Benjamin.    [Epitaph]  To  the  memory  of  my  beloved,  the 
AVTHOR,  Mr  William  Shakespeare,  and  what  he  hath  left  vs  ;  [pre 
fixed  to  the  First  Folio  edn.  of]   Shakespeare's  Works,   printed 
by  Isaac  laggard  and  Ed.  Blount,  1623,  sign.  A  6. 

I,  therefore,  will  begin.     Soule  of  the  Age  ! 
The  applause  !  delight !  the  wonder  of  our  Stage  ! 
My  Shakespeare,  rise;  I  will  not  lodge  thee  by1 
Chaucer,  or  Spenser,  or  bid  Beaumont  lye 
A  little  further,  to  make  thee  a  roome : 
Thou  art  a  Moniment,  without  a  tombe, 
And  art  aliue  still,  while  thy  Booke  doth  Hue, 
And  we  haue  wits  to  read,  and  praise  to  giue. 

[i  This  is  a  reference  to  Basse's  lines  on  Shakespeare,  q.  i:  above,  1622,  p.  196.] 

1623.  Painter,  William.     CJiaucer  new  painted.     Licensed  to  Henry 
Seile  25  May,  1623.     [The  dedication  to  Sir  Paul  Pinder  sighed 
William  Painter,  not  the  author  of  the  Palace  of  Pleasure.     See 
Poetical  Decameron,  by  J.  P.  Collier,  1820,  vol.  ii,  pp.  165-6  ; 
also  W.  C.  Hazlitt's  bibliographical  collections,  2nd  ser.  1882,  p, 
442,  where  it  is  called  "  a  book."     No  copy  is  now  known  to  exist.] 

1624.  Webster,  John.     Monuments  of  Honor celebrated  in  the 

Honorable  City  of  London  ....  Invented  and  Written  by  John 
Webster  ....  Printed  at  London  by  Nicholas  Okes,  1624  [unique 
copy  at  Chatsworth,  Duke  of  Devonshire's  library].     (The  dramatic 
works  of  John  Webster,  ed.  W.  Hazlitt,  vol.  m,'l857,  pp.  236-7.) 

After  my  Lord  Mayor's  landing,  .  .  .  there  first  attends  for 
his  honor  in  Paul's  churchyard,  a  beautiful  spectacle,  called  the 
Temple  of  Honor  ....  In  the  highest  seat  a  person  repre- 


1625]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  199 

senting  Troynovant  or  the  City  ....  beneath  her  ....  sit 
five  eminent  cities,  as  Antwerp,  Paris,  Rome,  Venice  and  Con 
stantinople  :  under  these  sit  five  famous  scholars  and  poets  of 
this  our  kingdom,  as  Sir  Jeffrey  Chaucer,  the  learned  Gower, 
the  excellent  John  Lidgate,  the  sharp-witted  sir  Thomas  More, 
and  last,  as  worthy  both  soldier  and  scholar,  sir  Philip  Sidney, 
— these  being  celebrators  of  honor,  and  the  preservers  both  of 
the  names  of  men  and  memories  of  cities  above  to  posterity 
....  My  Lord  is  ....  saluted  with  two  speeches ;  first  by 
Troynovant  in  these  lines  following. 

Beneath  these,  [the  five  cities]  five  learn'd  poets,  worthy  men 

Who  do  eternise  brave  acts  by  their  pen, 

Chaucer,  Gower,  Lidgate,  More,  and  for  our  time 

Sir  Philip  Sidney,  glory  of  our  clime  : 

These  beyond  death  a  fame  to  monarchs  give 

And  these  make  cities  and  societies  live. 

[This  pageant  was  written  for  the  Lord  Mayor's  (John  Gore's)  Show  of  1624.] 

1625.  D[ekker],  Tho[mas].     A  Eod  for  Run-awayes Written  by 

Tho.  D.,  1625.  (Non-dramatic  works  of  Thomas  Dekker,  ed.  A.  B. 
Grosart,  Huth.  library,  vol.  iv,  1885,  p.  302.) 

[A  tale  of  a  young  "  Maide  "  of  Kent,  who  is  not  allowed  to 
go  to  her  sister  in  the  town,  as  the  citizens  fear  she  has  come 
from  London,  and  may  bring  the  plague  with  her.  She  goes 
into  the  fields  and  dies.  As  a  side  note  are  these  words  : — ] 

A  Kentish  tale,  but  truer  than  those  of  Chaucers. 

[Grosart  used  an  edition  in  the  Bodleian,  there  is  none  in  the  B.M.] 

[1625?]  Jonson,  Ben[jamin].  The  Staple  of  Newes,  a  comedie  acted  in 
the  yeare  1625  ....  Printed  ....  for  llobert  Allot  ....  1631, 
act  iii,  sc.  ii,  fol.  41.  [Bound  in  vol.  ii,  of  the  first  folio  edn.  of 
Jonson's  Works,  1640.]  (ed.  De  Winter,  1905,  Yale  Studies  in 
English,  ed.  A.  8.  Cook,  No.  xxviii,  p.  63.) 

[speaking  of  the  News  Staple  to  its  Register.] 
P[eni- Boy]  lu  [i.  e.  Junior]  ....  good  Register, 
We'll  stand  it  out  here,  and  obserue  your  Office ; 
What  Newes  it  issues.    .Register].  'Tis  the  house  of  fame,  Sir, 

2r°!Lce  Where a11  doe  meet> 

fame6  °J      ^°  tas^e  ^  Cornucopia  of  her  rumors, 

Which  she,  the  mother  of  sport,  pleaseth  to  scatter 
Among  the  vulgar. 

[For  resemblance  of  the  '  news  staple '  to  Chaucer's  House  of  Fame,  see  De  Winter, 
in  his  edn.  of  The  Staple  of  News  .  .  .  1905,  introduction,  pp.  xxii-iii,  and  also 
Emil  Koeppel  in  Quellen-Studien  zu  den  dramen  Ben  Jonson's,  etc.  [in]  Muuchener 
Beitrage  zur  roman.  u.  engl.  Philologie,  Heft  xi,  1895,  pp.  16-18.] 


200  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1625- 

[c.  1625.]  B[arry],  J[ames].  A  funerall  Elegy  on  King  James,  Trinity 
Coll.  MS.  (Ireland),  F.  4.  20.  (652). 

Shall  it  be  his  as't  was  greate  Henery's  fate 

That  none  but  poet  Skelton  should  relate 

His  worth,  whose  worke  may  well  deserve  that  doome, 

Th'  epitaph  is  more  berayer  than  the  tomb  : 

Bather  awake,  dead  Muse,  thy  master's  prayse 

May  grace  thy  accents  and  enriche  thy  layes 

A  thought  of  him  had  made  that  Skelton  write 

More  wittily  than  Chaucer.   .  .  . 

[c.  1625.]  Unknown.  Gaulfridus  Cfiaucer\  written,  in  an  early  17th 
cent,  hand,  in  the  margin  of  fol.  1  of  the  Haistwell  MS.  of  Chaucer's 
Canterbury  Tales,  now  Egerton  2726. 

[Sec  above,  c.  14:0,  p.  50.] 

[1626-43.]  Browne,  William.  Britannia's  Pastorals,  book  iii,  song  2. 
MS.  Salisbury  Cathedral  library.  First  printed  for  the  Percy  soc. 
1852,  by  T.  Croi'ton  Croker.  (Browne's  Works,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt, 
Koxb.  library,  1868-9,  vol.  ii,  p.  156  ;  Poems,  ed.  G.  Goodwin, 
Muses  library,  1894,  vol.  ii,  p.  66.) 

It  was  a  shepheard  that  was  borne  by-west, 
And  well  of  Tityrus  had  learnt  to  sing. 

[Cf.  above,  1579,  p.  118,  Edmund  Spenser,  who  also  refers  to  Chaucer  as  Tityrus.] 

1627.  Camden,  William.  Annales  Rerum  Anglicarum  et  Hibernicarum 
Begnante  Elizabetha.  .  .  .  1615,  Tomus  alter,  1627,  pp.  171-2.  (The 
history  or  Annals  of  England,  written  by  William  Cambden,  [in] 
A  complete  history  of  England,  vol.  ii,  1706,  p.  612.) 

[Under  year  1598]  Edm.  Spenserus,  patriu  Londinensis  .... 
Musis  adeo  arridentibus  natus,  vt  omnes  Anglicos  superioris 
a3ui  Poetas,  ne  Chaucero  quideni  conciue  excepto,  superaret 
[p.  172]  ....  expiravit,  &  Westmonasterij  prope  Chaucerum  im- 
pensis  Comitis  Essexiae  inhumatus,  Poe'tis  sunus  ducentibus, 
flebilibus  carminibus  &  calamis  in  tunmlum  conjectis. 

1627.  Drayton,  Michael.  To  my  most  dearely-loued  friend  Henery 
Reynolds  Esquire,  of  Poets  and  Poesie,  [in]  The  Battaile  of  Agin- 
court  ....  Printed  for  William  Lee,  1627,  sign.  Dd  1.  (The 
Barons  Wars,  etc.,  by  M.  Drayton,  ed.  Henry  Morley,  1887,  p.  260.) 

That  noble  C/taucer,  in  those  former  times, 
The  first  inrich'd  our  English  with  his  rimes, 
And  was  the  first  of  ours,  that  euer  brake, 
Into  the  Muses  treasure,  and  first  spake 
In  weighty  numbers,  deluing  in  the  Mine 
Of  perfect  knowledge,  which  he  could  refine, 


1628]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  201 

And  coyne  for  currant,  and  asmucli  as  then 
The  English  language  could  expresse  to  men, 
He  made  it  doe ;  and  by  his  wondrous  skill 
Gaue  vs  much  light  from  his  abundant  quill. 
And  honest  Gower,  who  in  respect  of  him,.  . 
Had  only  sipt  at  Aganippas  brimme, 
And  though  in  yeares  this  last  was  him  before, 
Yet  fell  he  far  short  of  the  others  store. 

1627.  Drayton,  Michael.     Nimphidia,  The  Covrt  of  Fayrie,  [in]  The 

Battaile  of  Agincourt Printed  for  William   Lee,  1627, 

sign.  Q   1  (The    Barons  Wars,   Nymphidia,  etc.,  by  M.  Drayton, 
ed.  Henry  Morley,  1887,  p.  193.) 

[Verse  1]       Okie  CHAVCER  (loth  of  TopOS  tell, 

Mad  RABLAIS  of  Pantagruell, 
A  latter  third  of  Dowsalell, 
With  such  poore  trifles  playing  : 

[Cf.  Drayton,  1593,  above,  pp.  138-9,  in  Idea,  Eclogue  8,  see  p.  114  of  Collier's 
edn.  quoted  under  this  latter  reference.] 

1628.  Earle,  John.     Micro-cosmographie  or  A  Peece  of  the  World  Dis 
covered  In  Essayes  and  Characters,  London,  Printed  by   William 
Stansby  for  Edward  Bloimt,  1628,  sign.  I  7.    -(English  Keprints, 
ed.  E.  Arber,  1869,  p.  70.     In   this  edition  "A  Vulgar-Spirited 
Man"  is  numbered  49  amongst  the  characters.) 

50.  A  vulgar-spirited  Man  [is  one]  .  .  .  That  cries  Chaucer 
for  his  Money  aboue  all  our  English  Poets,  because  the  voice 
ha's  gone  so,  and  hee  ha's  read  none. 

1628.  H[ayman],  E[obert].  Quodlibets.  lately  come  over  from  New 
Kritanolia,  Old  Newfoundland,  .  .  .  by  M.  H.  sometimes  Gouernour 
of  the  Plantation  there,  London,  Printed  by  Elizabeth  All-de  for 
Koger  Michell,  sign.  D  i  6,  p.  18.  (See  Anthony  a  Wood's  Athenae 
Oxonienses,  3rd  edn.,  1813,  vol.  ii  (1815),  p.  60S,  par.  607.) 

111.  To  the  Eeuerend,  learned,  acute,  and  witty,  Master 
Charles  Fitz-Geoffrey,  Bachelor  in  Diuinity,  my  especiall  kind 
friend,  most  excellent  Poet. 

Blind  Poet  Homer  you  doe  equalize, 

Though  he  saw  more  with  none,  then  most  with  eyes. 

Our  Geoffery  Chaucer,  who  wrote  quaintly,  neat, 

In  verse  you  match  equall  him  in  conceit, 

Featur'd  you  are  like  Homer  in  one  eye, 

Rightly  surnam'd  the  Sonne  of  Geoffery. 


202  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1629- 

1629.  Jonson,  Benjamin.  Tlie  New  Line  ...  as  it  was  .  .  .  negligently 
play'd  .  .  .  by  .  .  .  the  Kings  Seruants,  and  beheld  .  .  .  1629  .  .  . 
Now  .  .  .  to  'be  judged  .  .  .  1631,  act  i,  sc.  3  ;  act  ii,  sc.  4  ;  act 
iii,  sc.  2,  sign.  B  4,  C  5  b,  C  6,  E  5  and  b.  (Works,  ed.  W.  Gifford 
and  F.  Cunningham,  1875,  vol.  v,  pp.  313-14,  act  I,  sc.  i;  p.  335, 
act  II,  sc.  ii ;  pp.  370-71,  act.  Ill,  sc.  ii.) 

[For  a  detailed  account  of  Chaucer's  influence  on  Jonson's  plays,  see.  Chauctrs 
Einfluss  auf  das  englische  Drama,  by  O.  L'allman,  Anglia,  xxv,  pp.  14-28.] 

[Acti,sc.i]  [Lovel,  praising  men  nurtured  at  court,] 

....  doe  they  not  still 

Learne  there  the  Centaures  skill,  the  art  of  Thrace, 
To  ride  1  or  Pollux  mystery,  to  fence  ? 

To  make  their  English  sweet  vpon  their  tongue  ! 

As  reu'rend  Chaucer  says?  [Prologue,  1.  265].    Host.  Sir  you 

mistake 

To  play  Sir  Pandarus  my  copy  hath  it, 
And  carry  messages  to  Madame  Cresside. 

Host.  And  speakes  a  little  taynted,  fly-bio  wne  Latin, 
After  the  Schoole  ^ea[ufort] :  of  Strat 
For  Lillies  Latine,  is  to  him  vnknow. 


After  the  Schoole  #ea[ufort] :  of  Stratford  o'  the  Bow. 


[Act  in      Lad\ij\  What  pennance  shall  /  doe,  to  be  receiu'd 
And  reconcil'd,  to  the  Church  of  Loue  ? 
Goe  on  profession,  bare-foot,  to  his  Image, 
An  say  some  hundred  penitentiall  verses, 
There,  out  of  Cliaucers  Troilus,  and  Cresside  ? 
Or  to  his  Mother's  shrine  vow  a  Waxe  candle 
As  large  as  the  To  wne  May-pole  is,  and  pay  it ! 
Enioyne  me  any  thing  the  Court  thinks  fit, 
For  I  have  trespass'd,  and  blasphemed  Loue. 

1630.  Brathwait,  Eichard.  The  English  Gentleman,  containing  Sundry 
excellent  Hides  or  exquisite  Observations  tending  to  Direction 
of  Every  Gentleman  of  selecter  rank  and  qualitie.  Recreation, 
p.  190. 

[Speaking  of  the  royal  patronage  of  letters  in  the  past : — ] 
...  to  descend  to  our  later  times ;  how  much  were  Jehan  de 
Mehune,  and  Guillamne  [sic]  de  Loris  made  of  by  the  French 
Kings'?  and  Jeffery  Chaucer,  Father  of  our  English  Poets,  by 
Richard  the  second;  who  it  was  supposed,  gave  him  the 
Manner  of  Neirholme  in  Oxfordshire  ? 


1630]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  203 

[c.  1630.]  S[idnam],  J[onathan].  A  Paraphrase  vpon  the  three  first 
Bookes  of  Chaucers  Troilus  and  Cressida  Translated  into  our 
Moderne  English  For  the  satisfaction  of  those  Who  either  cannot, 
or  will  not  take  ye  paines  to  understand  The  Excellent  Authors 
Farr  more  Exquisite,  and  significant  Expressions  Though  now  growen 
obsolete,  and  out  of  vse.  By  3.  S[idnam].  MS.  Addit.  B.  M. 
29,494,  Folio,  70  leaves,  in  7-line  stanzas. 

tverse  i]  The  double  cares  of  Troilus  to  tell 

Who  was  ye  Sonne  of  Priam  King  of  Troy, 
In  his  first  love,  how  his  adventures  fell, 
Fro??^  Woe  to  blisse,  and  after  to  annoy. 
Is  now  the  task  that  must  my  Muse  employ 
Teach  me  Tysiphone  how  to  endite 
This  mournefull  verse,  which  weepes  as  I  doe  write. 

[An  unpublished  MS.  sold  at  Puttick  and  Simpson's  in  June  1873.  There  is  no 
introductory  matter.  Extract  from  W.  C.  Hazlitt's  Collections  and  Notes,  1876, 
p.  83.] 

1630.  Unknown.  The  Tincker  of  Turvey.  London.  Printed  for  Nath: 
Butter,  dwelling  at  St.  Austins  Gate,  1630  [the  running  title  is 
Canterburie  Tales],  sign.  A  3,  B  1,  B  2.  (ed.  J.  O.  Halliwell,  1859. 
.  .  .  The  Epistle,  p.  v,  and  pp.  9,  11.) 

[sign.  A  3]  The  Epistle  .  .  .  But  now  to  the  Tinkers  Tales,  which 
were  told  in  the  Barge  betweene  Billinsgate  and  Grauesend  : 
Herein  following  the  steppes  of  old  Chaucer,  (the  first  Father 
of  Canterbury-Tales  :)  These  comming  as  farre  short  of  his,  as 
Bragget  goes  beyond  the  Pigs  wash  or  small  Beere. 

Hw!d.t?tie]  Th*  Tinker  of  Turvey,  Or  Canlerburie  Tales. 

[sign.  B  2]  ...  lets  pass  away  the  time  in  telling  of  tales,  and  because 
I  thinke  most  of  us  are  for  Canterbury  we  will  call  them 
Canterbury  Tales. 

[Cf.  The  Cobler  of  Canterburie,  1590,  above,  p.  132,  to  which  there  is  a  reference 
in  Greene's  Vision,  1592,  above,  pp.  187-8.] 


c.  1630  ?]  Unknown.     Heading  to  11.  1428-81,  of  Chanon  Yemannes 
,  fol. 


Tale  in  Sloune  MS.  320,  fol.  35  6-36. 


J.  Chawser     The  tale  of  the  Channons  Yeoman. 
Lo  thus  saythe  Arnolde  of  ye  newe  town) 

God  sende  everie  good  man)  boote  of  his  bale  &c*. 
.  •  .  finis  // 


204  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1631- 

1631.  [Brathwait,  Richard.]  Whimzies:  Or,  A  New  Cast  of  Characters, 
Nova,  non  nota  de.lectant,  London,  printed  by  F.  K.  .  .  1631,  p. 
119  (reprinted  J.  O.  Halliwell,  1859,  p.  75,  and  quoted  in  Restituta, 
by  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges  1816,  vol.  iv,  p.  283). 

A  Post-Matter. 

Hee  rides  altogether  upon  spurre,  and  no  lesse  is  requisite  for 
his  dull  supporter ;  who  is  as  familiarly  acquainted  with  a  Can 
terbury,  as  hee  who  makes  Chaucer  his  Author,  is  with  hi&  Tale. 

[The  "Epistle  Dedieatorie"  is  signed  Clitus  Alexandrinus,  and  under  this  name  the 
book  is  entered  in  the  B.  M.  Catalogue.] 

[1631 .]  H[enderson],  Richard .  The  A  rraignement  of  the  Whole  Creature, 
at  the  Barre  of  Religion,  Reason,  and  Experience  ...  pp.  199,  256. 

[P.  199]  [A  discussion  of  the  fickleness  of  men  and  women 

in  their  desires]  ...  one  nayle  driving  out  another; 
forgetting  one,  as  they  get  another  :  (as  Eurialus  forgets 
his  Lucretia,  by  a  new'  Mistresse  ;  Cressida,  her 

*  Read  Chaucer,   Trojan*  Troijliis,  for  the  Greeke  Diomedes,  Demophon 

his  Troylus  ,  .      ._^7  ,77.      ,  ~    . 

&Cressida.          his  Phulis  ior  a  laircr  .  .   . 

[p.  256]  [reference  to]  '  Chaucer  in  his  Knights  Tale.' 

1631.  Weever,   John.      Ancient    Funerall    Monuments,    pp.    489-91, 
[Chaucer's  tomb  and  references  from  Hoccleve,  Lydgate,  etc.],  pp. 
727-8,  [John  Lydgate.] 
[See  below,  p.  296,  1708,  Hatton.] 

[1632.]  Jonson,  Benjamin.  The  Magnetic  Lady  or  Humors  Reconciled, 
act  hi,  sc.  4.  [Acted  in  1632.]  The  Workes  of  Beniamin  Jonson, 
2  vols.,  1616,  40,  vol.  ii,  1640,  sign.  E  2  b,  p.  36.  (Works,  ed.  W. 
Gifford  and  F.  Cunningham,  1875,  vol.  vi,  p.  60.) 

Pol\isli\.  Where  there  are  meanes,  and  Doctors,  learned  men, 
And  their  Apothecaries,  who  are  not  now, 
(As  Chawcer  sayes)  their  friendship  to  begin, 
"Well,  could  they  teach  each  other  how  to  win 

I'  their  SWath  bands [Prol.  Cant.  Tales,  11.  425-8.] 

Rut.   Leave  your  Poetry,  good  gossip, 

Your  Chaiocers  clouts,  and  wash  your  dishes  with  'hem. 

[1632?]  Milton,  John.  H  Penseroso  [in]  Poems  of  Mr  John  Milton, 
Both  English  and  Latin  compos'd  at  several  times  .  .  .  London  .  .  . 
1645,  p/41,  sign.  C  5.  (Milton's  Poetical  Works,  ed.  D.  Masson, 
1890,  vol.  i,  p.  376,  11.  109-15.) 

Or  call  up  him  that  left  half  told 
The  story  of  Camhuscan  bold, 


1633]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  205 

Of  Camball  and  of  Alyarsife, 

And  who  had  Canace  to  wife, 

That  own'd  the  vertuous  King  and  Glass 

And  of  the  wondrous  Hors  of  Brass 

On  which  the  Tartar  king  did  ride. 

[h  Penseroso  was  probably  written  at  tl.'e  eml  of  1632,  although  not  printed  until 
1645.] 

[1632  ?]  R[eynolds],  H[enry].  Mythomystes  .  .  .  a  survey  .  .  .  of  true 
poesy  .  .  .  London,  printed  for  Henry  Seyle,  p.  8.  [n.  d.  Preface 
signed  H.  E.  In  Transcript  of  the  Register  of  the  Stationers' 
Company,  ed.  E.  Arber,  vol.  iv,  1877,  p.  282,  this  hook  is  entered 
by  Henry  Reynolds  on  10  Aug.  1632.] 

[p.  5]  ...  from  the  multitude  ...  of  the  common  rimers  in 
these  our  moderne  times,  and  moderne  tongues  I  will  ex 
empt  some  few,  as  of  a  better  ranke  and  condition  than  the 

rest  . 


[p.  8]  I  will  returne  home  to  my  Countrey-men,  and  mother 
tongue :  And  heere,  exempt  from  the  rest,  a  Chaucer,  for 
some  of  his  poems;  chiefely  his  Troylus  and  Cresside:  .  .  . 
[Then  follow  mentions  of  Sidney  and  Spenser.] 

1633.  Nash,  Thomas  (Philipolites).  Quaternio,  or  a  fourefold  way  to  a 
happie  life,  p.  35.  (Quoted  by  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges  in  his  Censura 
Literaria,  vol.  ix,  1809,  p.  264.) 

As  for  hawking,  I  commend  it  in  some,  condemne  it  in 
others  ;  .  .  .  .  Yet  I  must  acknowledge,  I  haue  in  my  youthfull 
dayes  with  Machabseus  beene  guiltie  of  this  vanitie,  &  haue 
beene  as  glad  as  euer  I  was  to  come  from  Schoole,  to  see  a 
little  Martin  in  the  dead  time  of  the  yeare  when  the  Winter 
had  put  on  her  whitest  coat,  and  the  frosts  had  sealed  vp  the 
Brookes  and  Rivers,  to  make  her  way  through  the  midst  of 
a  multitude  of  fowle-mouth'd  ravenous  Crows  and  Kites, 
which  pursued  her  with  more  hydeous  cryes  and  clamors, 
*  Chawcerin  than  did*  Coll  the  dog,  and  Malkin  the  Maide,  the 

hisNunnes         „        .      Jl 

Priests  tale.      1*  ox  in  the  Apologue, 

When  the  geese  for  feare  flew  over  the  trees, 

And  out  of  their  hiues  came  the  swarme  of  Bees.   [ii.  4531-2.] 

and  maugre  all  their  oppositions  pulled  down  her  prey,  bigger 
than  her  selfe,  being  mounted  aloft  steeple-high,  downe  to  the 
ground. 


206  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1633- 

1633.  Prynne,  "William.  Hidrio-Mastix ;  The  Players  Scourge  or 
Actors  Tragcedie,  .  .  .  part  ii,  pp.  833-4. 

Wherefore  I  shall  here  approve  &  not  condemn,  the  ancient 
Tragedy  stiled  Christus  passus  .  .  wherein  Christs  passion  is 
elegantly  decyphered  together  with  Bernadinus  Ochin  his 
Tragedy  of  Freewil  .  .  &c.  which  like  Geffry  Chaucer s  &  Pierce 
the  Plowmans  tales  and  Dialogues,  were  penned  only  to  be  read, 
not  acted,  their  subjects  being  al  serious,  sacred,  divine,  not 
scurrilous  wanton  or  prophan,  as  al  modern  Play  poems  are. 

1633.  Ware,  Sir  James.     Preface  to  his  edition  of  Spenser's  View  of 
the  state  of  Ireland,  Dublin,  1633,  sign.  IT  36. 
[Spenser  buried  near  Chaucer,  his  epitaph  quoted.     See  below,  App.  A,  1633. ! 

[c.  1634.]  Cartwright,  William.  The  Ordinary,  A  Comedy,  .  .  .  [in] 
Comedies  Tragi-Comedies  with  other  Poems,  by  M*  William 
Cartwright ....  1651,  act  III,  sc.  i,  pp.  36,  38  ;  act  V,  sc.  iv,  p.  82. 
(Reprinted  in  K.  Dodsley's  collection  of  Old  English  plays,  ed. 
W.  C.  Hazlitt,  vol.  xii,  1875,  pp.  253,  255,  308.) 

[p  36]  Moth I  am  thine  Leeke,  thou  Chaucer  eloquent. 

[p.  37]  ...  I'll  be  as  faithfull  to  thee, 

[p.  38]  As  Chauriticleere  to  Madam  Partelot. 

{p.  82]  [Moth  on  his  marriage  changes  his  name  to  '  Giffery.'] 

[Cf.  also  note  in  Hazlitt,  p.  240,  where  the  editor  points  out  that  Moth's  words  are 
generally  borrowed  from  Chaucer,  arid  gives  their  meaning  from  Tyrwhitt's  Glossary. 
For  an  account  of  Chaucer  influence  on  this  play,  see  Chaucers  Einfluss  auf  das 
englische  Drama,  by  O.  Ballman,  Anglia,  xxv,  pp.  63-6.] 

[1634.]  Fletcher,  John,  [and  Massinger,  Philip.]  The  Lovers  Progres, 
act.  v,  sc.  1  [in]  Comedies  and  Tragedies,  written  by  Francis 
Beaumont  and  lohn  Fletcher,  Gentlemen  ....  1647,  p.  92. 
(Works  of  Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  ed.  Alexander  Dyce,  vol.  xi 
1846,  p.  105.) 

[Speaking  of  Calista,  Lysander  says  to  lay  down  his  life] 
....  will  cleare  her,  and  write  her  name  a-new  in  the  faire 
legend  of  the  best  women. 

[a.  1635.]  Corbet,  Richard,  Bishop  of  Norwich.  Certain  Elegant  Poems, 
ivritten  by  Dr.  Corbet,  Bishop  of  Norwich.  London,  Printed  by 
K.  Cotes  for  Andrew  Crooke  at  the  Green  Dragon  in  Pauls  Church 
yard,  1647.  Iter  Boreale  .  .  p.  11.  (Poems,  ed.  1807,  p.  193.) 

The  shot  was  easie,  and  what  concernes  us  more, 

The  way  was  so,  mine  host  did  ride  before, 

Mine  host  was  full  of  Ale,  and  History, 

And  on  the  morrow  when  he  brought  us  nigh 

Where  the  two  Eoses  joyned  [Bosworth  Field],  you  would 

suppose, 
Chaucer  nere  writ  the  Romant  of  the  Eose. 


1635]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  207 

1635.  Kynaston,  Sir  Francis.  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidw  libri  duo 
priores  Anglico-Latini.  Oxoniae.  Two  prefatory  addresses,  one 
to  Patrick  Junius,  the  other  to  the  Header,  dated  1634,  signs. 
A  2-f2  &,  contain  many  references  to  Chaucer  ;  for  extracts  from 
them,  and  for  a  specimen  of  the  translation,  see  below,  Appendix  A, 
1635,  Kynaston. 

[This  is  a  translation  of  the  two  first  books  of  Chaucer's  Troilus  and  Criseyde  into 
Latin  rhymed  verse,  the  English  and  Latin  being  on  opposite  sides  of  the  page. 
Kynaston  completed  this  work,  and  wrote  an  erudite  Latin  commentary  on  it,  but 
only  the  first  two  books  were  printed.  In  1793  Kynnston's  MS.  was  bought  by  F.  G. 
Waldron  (see  below,  p  49, 1796,  Waldron),  who,  in  1796,  published  a  small  book  entitled  : 
'  The  loves  of  Troilus  and  Creseid,  written  by  Chaucer ;  with  a  commentary  by  Sir 
Francis  Kinaston  :  never  before  published.'  This  consists  of  an  Advertisement  by 
Waldron  (see  1796,  infra),  followed  by  introductory  extracts  from  various  authors, 
relating  to  Kynaston,  his  MS.,  and  its  purchase  by  Waldron  ;  then  a  few  passages  are 
quoted  from  Kynaston's  commentary.  Waldron  prints  (pp.  vii,  xii-xiii)  from  the  MS., 
the  note  on  Morter,  which  was  incorrectly  printed  in  the  Glossary  to  TJrry's  Chaucer, 
1721,  and  there  signed  '  Kyn '.  Also  Kynaston's  note  on  the  Tale  of  Wade  is  printed 
(pp.  xvi-xvii),  and  his  long  note  on  Henderson's  authorship  of  the  Testament  of 
Creseid  (pp.  xxix-xxxi),  a  portion  of  which  had  been  misquoted,  without  acknowledg 
ment,  by  Urry  at  the  head  of  the  Testament  of  Creseid.  Then  follow  the  twelve  first 
stanzas  of  Troilus  (from  Chaucer),  and  after  that  12  pp.  of  Kynaston's  commentary 
on  it  (in  English),  expanded  by  Waldron's  own  notes.  Nothing  further  was  published, 
although  Waldron  intended  to  print  the  whole  poem  and  the  commentary.  See  extracts 
in  Hearne's  diary,  1711,  p.  315  below;  T.  Corser,  Collectanea,  iv,  Chetham  soc.,  pp. 
334-39,  also  a  long  review  in  the  Retrospective  Review,  vol.  xii,  1825,  pp.  106-23  ;  and 
Chaucer,  a  bibliographical  rnanr.al,  by  E.  P.  Hammond,  N.  York,  1908,  pp.  396-98.] 

1635.  Barker,  William.  In  Translationem  Authoris,  [prefatory  verses 
in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidse  libri  duo,  sign.  *3  6-*4. 


0 


LIM  Chaucerus  Anglicus,  Komano 
nc  ore  loquitur,  &  ita  Piano, 
Vt  ipse  se,  si  reuiuisceret, 
Hinc  intelligere  fortasse  disceret, 
Tarn  belle  ardores  suos  vrget  Troilus, 
Vt  nullus  damnet,  nullus  Carpat  Zoilus ; 
Tam  lepide  Creseida  petulantiam 
Parem  Amorem,  parem  inconstantiam ; 
Vt  ego,  si  iam  viueret,  amarem, 
Fortassis  etiam  plusquam  Basiarem. 

I 'ME  glad  the  stomacke  of  the  time's  so  good. 
That  it  can  relish,  can  digest  strong  food : 
That  Learning's  not  absurd;  and  men  dare  know. 
How  Poets  spake  three  hundred  yeares  agoe. 
Like  travellers,  we  had  bin  out  so  long, 
Our  Natiue  was  become  an  vnknowne  tongue, 
And  homebred  Chaucer  vnto  vs  was  such, 
As  if  he  had  bin  written  in  High  Dutch  : 
Till  thou  the  Height  didst  Leuell,  and  didst  Pierce 
The  depth  of  his  vnimitable  verse 


208  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1635 

Let  others  praise  thy  how ;  I  admire  thy  what. 

Twas  Noble,  the  adventure ;  to  Translate 

A  booke,  not  tractable  to  every  hand, 

And  such  as  few  presum'd  to  vnderstand  : 

Those  vpstart  verse-wrights,  that  first  steale  his  wit, 

And  then  pronounce  him  Dull :  or  those  that  sit 

In  judgement  of  the  Language  they  nere  view'd, 

And  because  they  are  lazie,  Chaucer's  Rude  ; 

Blush  they  at  these  faire  dealings,  which  haue  shown 

Thy  worth,  and  yet  reseru'd  to  him  his  owne. 

Wake,  wake  renowned  ghost  from  that  cold  clay, 
Where  Thou  and  Poetry  both  buried  lay. 
And  in  White  Hall  appeare,  among  those  men 
For  whom  thou'lt  ioy  thou  art  aliue  agen. 
Where  Mighty  Charles  his  Rayes  dar't  [sic]  Influence 
Into  a  Thousand  Poets,  which  from  hence, 
To  after  ages  shall  trans-mit  his  deeds 
The  subject  of  a  Second  ^Eneids. 
If  there  among  those  Swans  thou  Him  shal  see, 
That  to  our  knowledge  thus  hath  rescued  thee. 
Then  call  thine  Eagle  downe  to  raise  his  Name 
From  Troilus  vp  to  the  Hou'se  of  Fame. 

Guil.  Barker,  Art.  Mag.  Nov. 
Coll.  Socius. 

1635.  Cart wright,  William.  To  the  worthy  Author  on  this  his  Approved 
Translation,  [prefatory  verses  in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et 
Creseidse  libri  duo,  sign.  **1.  (Reprinted  in  Comedies,  Tragi- 
Comedies  ...  by  Mr.  William  Cartwright,  1651,  p.  250.) 

?T| ^IS  to  your  Happy  cares  wee  owe,  that  wee 

JL      Read  Chaucer  now  without  a  Dictionary ; 
Whose  faithfull  Quill  such  constant  light  affords, 
That  we  now  read  his  thoughts,  who  read  his  words, 
And  though  we  know't  done  in  our  age  by  you, 
May  doubt  which  is  the  Coppy  of  the  two. 

Hee,  that  hitherto 

Was  dumbe  to  strangers,  and  's  owne  Country  too, 
Speakes  plainly  now  to  all ;  being  more  our  owne 
Eu'n  hence,  in  that  thus  made  to  Aliens  knowne. 

Guil.  Cartwright. 


1635]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  209 

1635.  Corbet,  sir  John.  In  Chaucerianam  Francisci  Kinaston  Equitis 
Aurati  translationem.,  [prefatory  verses  in]  Kynaston's  Amorum 
Troili  et  Creseidae  libri  duo,  sign.  *2  6-*3. 

TVrpes  susurri,  proba  nefaria, 
Ronchi  maligni  iam  sileant,  Enini 
Musas  potentes  Nobiiitas  amat : 

Et  Literse  ducunt  genus, 

Stirpem  &  suam  a  multis  avis : 

Clarus  libris  qui  sanguine. 
Doctrina  tecto  baud  paupere  clauditur, 
Nee  veste  semper  carmina  rustica 
Contenta  :  Sordes  abstulit  lias  tua 

(Eomane  Chaucer)  Gloria : 

Et  Nobilem  gentem  Tui 

Noctes  laboris  vindicant. 
Omnes  Poetse  Numen  habent,  Poli 
Eervore,  flamma  &  Siderea  calent. 
Et  nocte  damnant,  &  Tenebris  mails, 

Quos  Ense  tangunt  carminis  : 

Earn  a  &  vetant  dignos  mori. 

Quantus  (Precor)  sancto  frui 
Ipsos  Poetas  qui  facit  yEthere  1 
Caeli  Magistros,  Lucis  &  arbitros 
Qui  donat  Astris,  Quantus  liabebiturl 

Curis  (Eques)  vivit  Tuis 

Chaucer,  Britannis  cognitus 

Olim,  manet  Mundi  incola. 

loh.  Corbet  Baronetti  filius  natu 
maximus  ex  Aula  Alb. 


1635.  Crouther,  John.    In  Translationem  Authoris,  [prefatory  verses 
in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidse  libri  duo,  sign.  t4  6-*l. 


A 


Deone  nil  est  fas  habere  privatum, 

Britannidumqwe  arcana  sacra  Musarum 
Vulganda  1  Nostziqiie  (&  nee  omnium  noster) 
Chaucerus  orbi  perlegendus  est  toti  ? 
Itane  insolentis  semper  in  sinum  Tybris 
Exonerat  Helicon  alueos  suos  omnis  1 
Kos  quoqwe  tributum  libere  damus  Linguae  ? 
En  quam  superbit  invidenda  linguarum 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM. 


210  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1635 

Regina,  quam  se  divitem  hoc  libro  gestit. 
Sic  continent!  quando  reddit  JEgyptum 
In  mare  relabens  ore  Nilus  averso. 
Stupere  Mediterraneus  novas  vndas, 
Et  intumescere  haud  sure  capax  molis. 
•         ••••• 

los.  Crouther,  Art.  Mag., 
Col.  D.  loh.  Socius. 

1635.  Dig-ges,  Dudley.  In  pulcherimos  conatus  Domini,  Fran.  Kina?ton, 
Equit.  Aur.  Amores  Troili  &  Creseidx  CHAVCERO  Anglice  decantatos 
latino  idiomate  donare  parantis,  [prefatory  verses  in]  Kynaston's 
Amorum  Troili  et  Creseida?  libri  duo,  sign.  *!-*!  6. 

SIC  sic  decebat  Vatis  Angli  manibus 
w  _       Cumulare  vitam  post  humam.  Britannia 
Arctum  sepulchrum  est.     Fama  tanti  nominis 
lacere  mundo  debuit,  non  Insula. 
Dudum  sepultus  cur  at  hoc  vnum  cinis 
Spirare  laxius  :  vmbra  iam  felix  satis 
Tunrnlo  soluta  iactat  hoc  solatium  ; 
Orbisqwe  lucis  conscius  novas  stupet. 
Generose  Vates  feceris  Nostrum  magis, 
Quod  eruditum  iuris  exteri  facis. 
Xeglecta  pene  Musa  Chauceri  iacet, 
Tineas  triumphus,  blattulis  spolium  frequens  : 
Dediscit  Anglus  nuper  indigenes  sales, 
Suiqwe  prorsus  exul  haud  intelligit 
Dulces  lepores  Musa  quos  vetustior 
EfFudit :  alia  debuit  lingua  loqui 
Cltaucerus,  aliter  lateat  ignotus  domi. 
Fruentur  Angli  vate  clarius  suo, 
Quod  orbis  vna  glorias,  iubar  colet. 

Dudleius  Digges,  Equit.  Aur.  filius, 
Col.  Omn.  An.  Socius. 

1635.  Evans,  Samuel.  Vpon  the  Translation  of  Chaucers  Troilus  and 
Creseide,  by  Sir  Francis  Kinaston,  [prefatory  verses  in]  Kynaston's 
Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidae  libri  duo,  sign.  **!-** l  fr 

THANKS  Noble  Kinaston,  to  whose  Learn'd  Arte 
We  owe  a  limbe  of  Chaucer,  th'  other  part 
Expects  thy  happy  hand,  Me  thinks  I  see 
It  pant,  and  heaue  for  a  recovery  : 


1635]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  211 

First  let  the  Troian  Boy  arise,  and  then 
True  Troians  all,  they  are  his  Countrymen. 
The  Sumner,  Franldin,  oh  that  I  might  heare 
The  Manciple,  and  early  Chauntideare 
Crowe  latin,  next  might  see  the  JReue,  and  Logge, 
The  Miller  and  learne  Latine  for  a  Cogge, 
The  Merchant ,  and  Sir  Topas  height,  the  wife 
Of  Bathe,  in  vulgar  Latine  scold  for  life. 
But  aboue  all  i\\e>  famous  Legacie 
Amongst  the  Couent  dealt,  so  Legally, 
Where  twelue  divide  the  As,  and  everyone 
Hath  part  initlumtm  Iptfalc&tion 
And  all  in  Latine,  surely  when  the  Pope 
Shall  heare  of  this  and  all  the  sacred  Troupe 
Of  Cardinalls  pervse  the  Worke,  theyle  all 
In  generall  Councell  mak't  Canonicall. 

Sam.  Evans,  LL.  Bac.  Nov. 
Coll.  Socius. 

1635.  Foulis,  Ed.  Vpon  that  worthy  Poet  Sir  Geofrey  Chaucer  &  Sir 
Francis  Kinastons  Translation,  [prefatory  verses  in]  Kynaston's 
Amorum  Troili  et  Creseida?  libri  duo,  sign.  *4  6. 

TRUE  Poet !  Who  could  words  endue 
With  life,  that  makes  the  fiction  true ; 

All  passages  are  scene  as  cleare 
As  if  not  pend,  but  acted  here  : 
Each  thing  so  well  demonstrated 
It  comes  to  passe,  when  tis  but  read. 

Here  is  no  fault,  but  ours  :  through  vs 
True  Poetry  growes  barbarous  : 
While  aged  Language  must  be  thought 
(Because  'twas  good  long  since)  now  naught. 

Thus  time  can  silence  Chaucer's  tongue. 
But  not  his  witte,  which  now  among 
The  Latines  hath  a  lowder  sound ; 
And  what  we  lost,  the  World  hath  found. 

Thus  the  Translation  will  become 
Th'  Originall,  while  that  growes  dumbe : 
And  this  will  crowne  these  labours  :  None 
Sees  Chaucer  but  in  Kinaston. 

Ed.  Foulis,  Equitis  $  Baronetti  filius 
Coll  Om.  An.  Socius. 


212  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1635 

1635.  Gowen,  T.  Authori  in  Chaucerum  Virbium,  [prefatory  verses  in] 
Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidse  libri  duo,  sign.  *2. 

ESTO  ;  dixeris  omnibus  renasci 
Fatum  Vatibus  esse,  sed  renasci 
Fato  dixeris  Auspicatiori. 
Sic  in  Virfjilio  legas  Homerum, 
Sed  prae  Virgilium  eligas  Homero  : 
Est  in  Carmine  Ncevius  Terenti, 
Sed  carmen  melius  Terentianum : 
Sic  tandem  Numeris  Tuis  recoctum, 
lucundum,  lepidum,  aureum  Poetam, 
Quantumcunqwe  fremant  Tenebriones 
Scabrarum  Tine8eq^^  Capsularum, 
lucundum,  lepidum,  aureum  Poetam, 
Chaucerum  Ingenij  redintegrati 
Vita  crescere  duplici  videmus  ; 
Atque  addi  poterat  Venustiori, 
Sed  Nostros  pudor  liic  Tuus  refraenat 
Proclives  Calamos  :  tamen,  Galore 
Cum  sitis  similes ;  pares  Camsenis  ; 
Apte  cum  Stichus  in  Stichum  recurrat ; 
Eythmum  Rhymus  agat  sequens  priorem 
Primam  Schedula  Schedulam  reflexa, 
Cum  sic  assimilentur,  hinc  &  inde 
Versus  versibus  Anglicis  Latini ; 
Astabis  lateri  Comes,  locumqwe 
Phcebi  iudicio  parem  obtinebis  ; 
Et  Musae  Tibi  Gratias  rependent, 
Qubd  iam,  Deliciis  reduplicatis 
Chaucero  liceat  frui  Gemello. 

T.  Gowen,  Nov.  Col.  Socius. 

1685.  James,  Francis.  Vpon  Noble  Sir  Francis  KinoMons  Translation 
of  the  excellent  Poem  of  Troilus  and  Creseide,  [prefatory  verses  in] 
Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidee  libro  duo,  sign.  **3-3  6. 
[Printed  in  blackletter.] 

CERTES,  yt  is  a  thinge  right  hard  to  done 
Thee  myckel  Prayse,  o  doughtie  KYNASTONE, 
I  peyne  me  sore  to  done  Thee  grace,  for  here 
I  thee  alowth  there  no  wight  nys  thy  peere, 
And  who  that  saith  it  nat  he  is  right  nice, 
I  dare  well  wage,  tho  mote  mine  herte  agrise 


1635]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion  213 

In  bytter  stound,  all  were  my  life  etern, 

Bote  if  I  should  tliee  prayse  both  late  and  yern. 

There  nas  none  wight  couth  wryte  more  thriftely 

!N"e  eke  more  bet,  ne  eke  more  Clerkly, 

There  nyst  none  speken  bet  of  Troilus, 

Ne  of  dame  Creseid  ne  of  Pandarus. 

For  that  thy  boke  beareth  alder  prize, 
That  I  nat  how  vnneth  thou  couth  devise, 
To  maken  Chaucer  so  right  wise  and  sage. 
Who  couth  all  craft  in  werkes,  take  pilgrimage 
To  Rome,  and  sothly  there  lerne  Latine  verse 
In  little  throwe,  so  seemlyche  to  reherse. 

Withouteri  maugre,  thou  hast  mowen  the  flower 
Fulfilled  of  all  Courtship  and  all  honour, 
Farced  with  pleasaunce  and  all  goodlyhede 
That  deyntie  is  to  see  :  Thee  thus  I  reade, 

Faire  mought  thee  fall,  who  art  the  second  Poet, 
Fro  Brittons  Homer  nephew  to  Payne  Roet. 

Sic  officiose  apxatfcfw  conatus  est  Franc  James 
Art.  Bac.  Nov.  Coll.  Socius. 

\Cf.  verses  by  James,  below,  pp.  218-19.] 

1635.  Johnston,  Arthur.     In  translationem  Authoris,  [prefatory  verses 
in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidse  libri  duo,  sign,  f  3. 

INSULA  quos  genuit  Phoenices  adspice,  quorum 
Alter  ab  alterius  lumine  lumen  habet. 
Chaucerus  patriam,  sibi  Kinastonus  at  orbem 

Devinxit,  Latio  sub  love  quantus  erat. 
Hie  comes  ingenio  est  tersee  facundia  linguae, 
Et  nitor,  immensus  vincit  vtramqwe  labor. 
Si  qua  fides  vero,  nil  maius  civibus  istis 
Insula  quos  genuit,  maximus  orbis  habet. 

Art.  lonstonus 
Med.  Eeg. 

1635.  Kynaston,  Samuel.  In  Translationem  Authoris,  [prefatory  verses 
in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidse  libri  duo,  sign.  *2  6. 

S~1Hauceri  ingenium  densam  quse  condidit  vmbram, 
^     Vicit  Sol  Doctus  radiis  felicibus.  Arcto 

Carcere  qui  clausus  regni,  cantabitur  orbe 

Toto ;  Contendent  venturaqwe  secula,  Vates 

Vtrum  Romano,  an  nostro  sermone  locutus  ? 

Vrbes  quot  celebrant  C/iauceri  carmina  Grajci, 


214  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1635 

Angliacum  poscent  tot  Regna  ingentia  Homerum. 
Quam  dedit  ergo  Intcrpres  vita  &  laude  fruatur ; 
Non  aliud  funus  Calamus  quam  mundus  habebit. 

Sam.  Kinaston,  Art.  M.  Col. 

Om.  An.  Socius. 

1685.  Lloyd,  Thomas.  Invidus  in  Chauceri  interpretem,  [prefatory 
verses  in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidas  libri  duo,  sign. 
t3M-46. 

S1HA  UCERUS  redivivus  audit ;  jfiaon, 
^     Pelops  Hipplitusue  vis  potitus 
Vitae  stamine  non  ministret  omen ; 
Erustrato  Felice  exitu  fruatur. 

Sermo  Britanicus  in  invidum. 
Quin  siste,  livor,  numen  in  partes  tuas 
Vocare  nostrum.    Conditum  tandem  caput, 
CJiaucere,  tolle.     Fata  subijsti  miser 
Poetatantum  ;  surge  sed  felix  simul 
Pater  Poetse  :  Dubise  &  ignotse  Sonant 
Voces  amami  Vatis.     En  veris  modis 
Resurgit  Echo  purior.     Mirum  cano, 
Parente  salvo  nascitur  Phtenix  novus. 
Conduplicatos  nee  decet  quaestus  sonos  ; 
Meum  Maronem  qui  dicat  flammis,  magis 
Est  saevus  ipsis.     Perge  ;  meruisti  bene, 
Interpres  alme.     Flamma  sic  crescat  tibi 
Cselestis  ignis  semula  :  auspiciis  tuis 
Spencerus  olim  sentiat  sortes  pares. 
Extende  Linguam  patriam  ;  discent  Phrasin 
Angli  Latinam  sedulb  :  Latii  scient 
Voces  Britannas  ;  sentient  omnes,  eos 
Vtrinqwe  victos,  prsemio  &  dignos  simul. 
Obscurasne  velis  Chauceri  exponere  voces  1 
Siste  :  sat  exposuit,  qui  transtulit  Angla  Latinis. 

Tho.  Lloyd,  LL.  Bac. 
e  Col.  Divi  lohan.  Bapt. 

1635.  Bead,  or  Beade,  Thomas.  Vpon  the  Authors  Translation,  [pre 
fatory  verses  in]  Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Creseidse  libri 
duo,  sign.  **2  6-**3. 

CHAVCER,  thou  wert  not  dead  ;  nor  can  we  feare 
Thy  death,  that  hast  out  liu'd  three  hundred  yeare. 
Thou  wert  but  out  of  fashion  ;  then  admit 
This  courtly  habit,  which  may  best  befit 


1635]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  215 

Thee  and  the  times.     Thou  hast  a  friend,  that  while 
He  studies  to  translate,  his  Latine  stile 
Hath  Englisht  thee,  and  cunningly  in  one 
Fram'd  Loth  a  comment  and  Translation. 

Once  more  thou'rt  ours,  by  him  whose  happy  veine 
Hath  not  reviu'd,  but  made  thee  young  againe. 
Nor  wert  thou  old,  but  in  thy  outward  hew 
Thy  judgement  and  invention  yet  are  new. 
Thy  seeming  rudenesse  might  some  ballad-poet, 
That  skill'd  thee  not,  amaze,  whereas  we  know  it 
The  best  adore  thee ;  from  which  learned  sect 
Thou  diffcr'st  not  in  worth,  but  Dialect. 
That  was  the  vaile  obscur'd  thee ;  that  the  cloud 
Ecclipst  thy  lustre,  and  is  now  remou'd 
By  our  Sir  Francis  pen  ;  to  whose  each  line 
Thou  honour  giu'st,  whilst  he  addes  light  to  thine. 

Tho.  Reade  LL.  Bac.  Nov. 
Col.  Socius. 

1635.  Strode,  William.  In  Galfridi  Ghauceri  Troilum,  a  Domino  Fran 
cisco  Kinaston,  Equite  Aurato,  Latine  redditum,  [prefatory  verses  in] 
Kynaston's  Amorum  Troili  et  Cresidse  libri  duo,  sign,  f  3 — 13  6. 

aVibus  obsoleta  Yerba,  carmen  hirsutum, 
Et  Musa  visa  est  rusticana  Chauceri, 
Quibus  is  profunde  Lepidus,  Acer,  Antiquus, 
Et  visus  obstupendus  arte  celata, 
Vtriusqwe  partes  factionis  accedant, 
Et  consulant  interpretem  Kinastonum  ; 
Galfridiorem  perlegantqwe  Chaucero  ;  » 

Equiti  Equitem,  Aulico  Aulicum  coaptatum, 
Verum  ludicem  Poematis,  Poetaeqwe. 
Troiam  Britannam  transferens  Hie  in  Roman: 
Lapis  esto  Lydius  Ingeniqwe,  Versusqwe, 
Si  dicat  Ilium  lector  Ingeni  plenum, 
Deprsedicare  non  dubito  fidelemistum. 
At  non  in  eius  laude  stat  Kinastoni 
Laus  summa  :  turpem  turpiterne  depinxit 
Thersitem  Homerus,  Choerilusve  Alexandri 
Decus  decore  ?     Tabula  par  suo  exemplo, 
Seu  pulchra  Veneris  Ora,  siue  rugosse 
Referat  Sybillse  membra,  pariter  oblectat. 

Guil.  Strode,  Publicus  Acad. 
Oxon.  Orator. 


216  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1635- 

1635.  Habington,  William.  Gastara.  The  second  Edition  Corrected 
and  Augmented,  first  part,  p.  59  [not  in  the  first  edn.  of  1634.] 
(ed.  E.  Arber,  English  reprints,  1870,  p.  50.) 

To  my  most  honoured  Friend  and  Kinsman  E.  St.  Esq. 
Since  Spencer  hath  a  Stone  ;  and  Draytons  browes 
Stand  petrefied  ith'  wall,  with  Laurell  bowes 
Yet  girt  about;  and  nigh  wise  Henries  herse, 
Old  Chaucer  got  a  Marble  for  his  verse  : 
So  courteous  is  Death ;  Death  Poets  brings 
So  high  a  pompe,  to  lodge  them  with  their  Kings  : 
Yet  still  they  mutiny. 

1635.  Marten,  Sir  Henry.  Letter  to  King  Charles  /.,  Feb.  9,  1639. 
(Calendar  of  State  Papers,  Dom.,  1634-5,  1864,  vol.  cclxxxiii,  no. 
27,  ii,  p.  506.) 

[Arthur  Champernoon  of  Dartington  petitions  the  King.  He 
has  had  goods  to  the  value  of  £570  seized  in  France,  to  pay 
compensation  due  on  a  French  ship  captured,  35  years  previ 
ously,  by  an  Englishman,  Captain  Andrew  French.  The  case 
was  heard  at  the  time  in  the  Admiralty  Court,  French  was 
condemned,  and  a  certain  Arthur  Champernoon  of  Childhay 
was  surety  for  him.  The  Petitioner  proved,  but  with  no 
result,  that  he  was  not  this  Arthur  Champernoon.  Sir  H. 
Marten  (judge  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty)  says  it  seems 
strange  that  one  man  should  be  condemned  for  another  without 
proof  of  identity,  but  it  is  evident  that  the  judges  (in  Paris) 
did  not  much  regard  that  point,  because  it  is  expressly  stated 
in  the  sentence  against  French  that  the  debt  was  to  be  sup 
plied  bp  the  goods  of  any  Englishman  in  France],  so  as  if  the 
petitioner's  name  had  been  Jeffrey  Chaucer,  he  would  have 
suffered  the  like  judgment  and  condemnation. 

1836.  Haxby,  Stephen.  Clarissimo  viro  Domino  Carolo  Fitz-geofrido, 
Steph.  Haxby  Cantabrigiensis.  S.  P.  D.,  [in]  The  Blessed  Birthday, 
by  Charles  Fitz-Geffry,  1636.  2nd  edn.  [not  in  1st],  sign.  *4.  (The 
Poems  of  the  Eev.  Charles  Fitzgeoffrey,  ed.  A.  B.  Grossart,  1881, 
p.  117.) 

Who  wisely  reades  thy  lines  may  well  be  bolde, 

Pythagoras  his  Paradoxe  to  holde 

That  dead  mens  soules  (for  which  men  fondly  mourne) 

Are  not  extinct,  but  after  death  returne 

To  other  bodies,  and  may  plainely  see 

Old  Geffry  Chaucers  soule  reviu'd  in  thee. 


1637]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  217 

Such  heavenly  Eaptures,  sentences  divine 
No  soule  could  vtter,  but  or  his  or  thine ; 
If  not  his  soule  (which  now  to  heaven  is  gone) 
Yet  is  his  verse  reviu'd  in  thee  (his  Sonne). 
So  long  as  the  worlds  eye  his  light  shall  giue, 
So  long  shall  both  you  (Divine  Poets)  liue. 

[Cf.  1646,  G.,  E.,  below,  pp.  224-5.] 

1636.  Taylor,  John  (the  Water  Poet).  The  Honourable  and  Memorable 
Foundations  .  ...  of  divers  Cities  .  .  .  .Also  a  Relation  of  the 
Wine  Tavernes  ....  sign.  D  7.  (Works  of  John  Taylor,  not  in 
cluded  in  the  Folio  vol.  of  1630,  repr.  for  the  Spenser  soc.  1870-78, 
4th  collection  1877,  p.  59.) 

A  catalogue  of  Tavernes. 

Oxfordshire.  Woodstocke  ....  The  town  is,  a  pretty  Market 
towne,  and  chiefly  famous  for  the  breeding  of  the  worthy 
leffrey  Chaucer,  the  most  ancient  Arch-Poet  of  England. 

[a.  1637.]  Jonson,  Benjamin.  The  English  Grammar,  Made  by  Ben 
lohnson  .  .  .  1640.  The  Second  Eooke,  Of  Syntaxe  .  .  .  .  ch.  i, 
p.  70  (1  ref.),  ch.  ii,  p.  72  (3  refs.),  ch.  iii,  p.  74  (2  refs.),  p.  75 
(3  refs.),  p.  76  (2  refs.),  ch.  iv,  p.  76  (2  refs.),  ch.  v,  p.  77  (2  refs.), 
p.  78  (2  refs.),  ch.  vii,  p.  80  (2  refs.),  ch.  viii,  p.  82  (3  refs.),  ch.  ix, 
p.  83  (1  ref.),  p.  84  (2  refs.).  (Works,  ed.  W.  Gifford  and  F. 
Cunningham,  1875,  vol.  ix,  pp.  291-319.) 

[p.  vo]       Apostrophus  .... 

Vowells  also  suffer  this  Apostrophus  before  the  Consonant  h 
CJiaucer  in  the  3.  Booke  of  Troilus. 

For  of  Fortunes  sharpe  adversitie, 
The  ivorst  kind  of  infortune  is  this  : 
A  man  to  have  beene  in  prosperitie, 
And  it  to  remember  when  it  passed  is. 

[11. 1625-28.1 

[p.  76]  Him  and  Tliem,  be  used  reciprocally  for  the  Compounds,  him- 
selfe,  themselves  :  .  .  .  . 

Chaucer  in  the  Squires  tale  : 

So  deepe  in  graine  he  dyed  his  colours 
Right,  as  a  Serpent  hideth  him  under  flowers.  [11.511-12.] 
His,  their  and  theirs  have  also  a  strange  use  ;  that  is  to  say, 
being  Possessives,  they  serve  instead  of  Primitives  : 
Chaucer  :  And  shortly  so  farre  forth  this  thing  icent, 
That  my  will  was  his  wills  instrument. 


218  Ftt*  Hundred  Tears  of  [A.D.  K 

Certaine  Prononnes,  governed  of  the  Verbe  doe,  here  abound 

[p.  TSJ  Chaucer,  3  loolee  of  Fame : 

And  as  I  wondred  me,  y  wis 

Upon  this  house.  PL 

&€.,&€. 


Troil«,  FtaL  to  Man  of  LAW'S  Tale,  BOOM  Preestes  Tale,  Beere*  Tale, 


1637.  Terrent,  T.    Elegy  [in]  Jonsonvs  Virbhu,  or  the  Memarie  of  Ben: 
Johnson,  Bevited  by  the  Friend*  of  the  Mute*.    Printed  by  E.  P.  for 
Henry  Sefle,  1638,  p.  64  [colophon  dated  Jan.  23,  1637], 

In  obitum  Ben:  lossoxi  Poetarum  facile  Principis. 

Hand  aliter  nostri  praemissa  in  principle  ortum 
Ludicra  CJtaiferi,  classisqu«  incompta  seqnentnm ; 
Nascent!  apt  a  parnm  divina  Laec  machina  regno, 
In  nostrum  servanda  fnit,  tanteqt^  decebat 
Praelogisse  Deos  aeri  certamina  fam& ; 
2S'ec  geminos  rates,  nee  Te  Stiakspeare  sflebo, 
Ant  quicquid  sacri  nostros  conjecit  in  annos 
Consiliom  Fati :  .  .  .  . 

T.  Terrent 

1638.  James,  F[ranei»].    To  hit  Friend,  A.  H.  <n  his  trandatwn  of 
Aehflle*  Tatius,  on  the  lores  of  Lcucippe  and  Clitophon,  [in]  The 

loves  of  Clitophon  and  Lencippe written  in  Greek  by  Achilles 

Tatins :  and  noir  Engli«hed,  Oxford,  1638,  sign.  A  6  6-A  7.    [The 
notes  are  by  James.] 

As  trhflom  for  the  lore  of  Engelond 
Gaufrid  an  orpyd  Knight  toke  upon  hond 
To  wryten  thilk  throwe ;  for  all  ages  after 
Of  Troyl  hight  Pryam&  son  and  lCfalchas  daxisflitet -, 
"  2The  double  sorrows  of  those  wights  to  tellen 
u  Froe  woe  to  wele  how  their  a  ventures  f ellen. 
depend  on  Muse,  to  help  for  to  endite 
His  balefull  verse  tliat  weepen  as  he  write2 
.Forthy  a  z  Muses  sotme  in  gret  nobles, 
That  can  of  Kniyltthode  chivalrie  and  prowes 

1  Cremda.        *-*  paraphrase  of  1L  1-7  Trail,  and  Cres. 
9  Sir  Francis  Kynasto*. 


1641]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  AUmion.  219 

The  lore;  whos  goodship  algates  did  deserve 
The  studili?  of  thilk  Goddess  1higlit  Minerve, 
-Pai/ne  JL      -  .V     heir  so  did  understood, 
As  shope  him  to  the  language  of  Koine's  loud. 
1  Minerva  Musaum.  2  Chaucer. 

[Cf.  dedicatory  verses  by  the  same  author  to  Kynaston's  translation  of  Troilus  and 
Cressida,  H>34,  pp.  -JI2-13  above.] 

[1638-39.]  Milton,  John.     Mansus.    34.  Poems  of  Mr  John  Milton 

1645,  pp.  73-4.     (Poetical  works  of  J.  Milton,  ed.  D.  Masson,  1890, 
vol.  i,  pp.  522,  313  (English  translation).) 

Nos  etiam  in  nostro  modulantes  flumine  cygnos 
Credimus  obscuras  noctis  sensisse  per  umbras, 
Qua  Thamesis  Iat6  puris  argenteus  urnis 
Oceani  glaucos  perfimdit  gurgite  criues ; 
Quiu  &  in  has  quondam  pervenit  Tityrus  oras. 

English  Translation  [by  Masson]. 

[We  also  think  that  we  have  heard  the  swans  in  onr  river 
Making  music  at  night  through  all  the  shadowy  darkness, 
Where  our  silver  Thames,  at  breadth  of  her  pure-gushing  current, 
Bathes  with  tidal  whirl  the  yellow  locks  of  the  Ocean  : 
Nay,  and  our  Chaucer  once  came  here  [Italy]  as  a  stranger  before  me.] 

1638.  Pick,  Samuel.  Festum  Voluptatis,  or  the  Banquet  of  Pleasure, 
p.  32. 

Friscus  in  secret  jesting  with  a  Lady, 

(Which  jesting  Chaucer  far  more  broadly  stiles). 

[c.  1640 1  Browne,  William  ?]  A  catalogue  of  the  poems  in  MS. 
Addit,  34,360  (formerly  Phillipps  9053),  on  fol.  3,  probably  by 
Browne,  who  was  a  former  owner  of  this  MS.  Entries  2,  3,  8,  9 
refer  to  Chaucer's  Poems  in  this  collection.  For  Stowe's  notes  in 
this  vol.  see  above,  c.  1600,  p.  164.  [A  late  18th  or  early  19th  cent, 
hand  has  written  "  Poems  by  Chaucer,  Lydgate,  etc."  on  fol.  1  of 
this  MS.] 

1641.  B[rome],  Alexander].  A  Canterbury  Tale,  Translated  out  of 
Chaucers  old  English  Into  onr  n<nr  B8UOM  Langvage.  Whereunto  is 
added  the  Scots  Pedler.  Nen-lit  enlarged  by  A.  B.  [These  are 
satirical  verses  against  Land,  archbp.  of  Canterbury,  and  other  pre 
lates.  The  Scots  Pedler  is  an  imitation  of  Chancer's  Pardoner  (see 
Prol.  11.  071-716,  also  Prol.  to  Pard.  Tale,  11.  329-462).  For  a  full 
account  of  the  pamphlet,  see  Chaucer's  Influence  on  English  Liter 
ature,  by  Alfred  Tobler,  Berne,  1905.] 

1641.  Unknown.  Witt's  Recreation,  Augmented  n*ith  Ingenious  Con- 
ceites  ....  Epitaph  140.  On  our  prime  English  Poet,  Geffery 
Chaucer  an  ancient  Epitaph,  sign.  R  7.  (Facetiw  Musarum  Delicise 
....  Wits  Recreations  [ed.  T.  Park],  2  vols.,  1817,  vol.ii,  pp.  260-1.) 

[This  is  a  stanza  from  John  Lydgate's  Fall  of  Princes,  c.  1430.  Harl.  1768,  fol,  8, 
quoted  on  p.  37  above.  It  is  not  in  the  first  edn.  of  Wit's  Recreation,  1640,  but  it  is 
reprinted  in  the  augmented  edns.  of  1645  and  1650,  Epitaph  152  and  168  respectively.] 


220  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1641- 

1641.  Jonson,  Benjamin.  The  Sad  Shepherd  ....  act  II,  sc.  vi,  sign. 
T  4,  p.  147,  printed  London,  1641.  The  Workes  of  Beniamin 
Jonson,  2  vols.,  1616,  1640,  vol.  ii,  1640.  (Works,  ed.  W.  Gifford 
and  F.  Cunningham,  1875,  vol.  vi,  p.  271,  act  II,  sc.  ii.) 

Mau[dlin]  The  Swilland  Dropsie  enter  in 

The  Lazie  Cuke,  and  swell  his  skin ; 
And  the  old  Mort-malon  his  shin 
Now  prick,  and  itch,  withouten  blin. 

[Prol.  Cant.  Tales,  1.  386.] 

1641.  Marmion,  Shakerley.  The  Antiquary,  a  Comedy  ....  written 
by  Shackerly  Mermion,  Gent,  act  I,  sign.  C  2.  (R.  Dodsley's  Old 
English  Plays,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt,  vol.  xiii,  1875,  p.  432.) 

The  Actors  names. 
Moccinigo,  an  old  Gentleman  that  would  appear  yong. 

Moc.  Yet  this  I  resolve  on, 

To  have  a  Maid  tender  of  age,  and  fair : 

Old  fish,  and  yong  flesh,  that's  still  my  dyet. 

[This  is  a  reference  to  Merchant's  Tale,  11.  1415-18  :— 
But  one  thing  warn  I  you,  my  friendis  dere, 
I  wol  no  old  wife  have  in  no  manere. 
She  shall  not  passin  sixtene  yere  certeine 
Old  fish,  and  young  flesh  woll  I  haue  full  faine. 

For  the  influence  of  Chaucer's  Merchant's  T.  on  this  play,  see  Chaucers  Einflussauf 
das  englische  Drama,  by  O.  Ballman,  Auglia,  xxv,  pp.  56-63.] 

1641.  [Milton,  John.]     Of  Reformation  touching  Church- Discipline  in 
England,  pp 
Henry  Mori 

[p.  3i]  [Constantino  did  much  harm  to  the  Church.]  And  this  was 
a  truth  well  knowne  in  England  before  this  Poet  [Ariosto] 
was  borne,  as  our  Chaucers  Plowman  shall  tell  you  by  and  by 
upon  another  occasion. 

[p.  41]  'Tis  only  the  merry  Frier  in  Chaucer  can  disple  [sic,  i.  e. 
discipline]  them. 

Full  sweetly  heard  he  confession 
And  pleasant  was  his  absolution 
He  was  an  easie  man  to  give  pennance. 

[Prol.  Cant.  Tales,  11.  221-3.] 

tpp.  50-1]  This  [the  encroachements  of  Eome]  our  Chaucer  also  hath 
observ'd  and  gives  from  hence  a  caution  to  England  to  beware 
of  her  Bishops  in  time  ....  [Quotes  2  stanzas  from  spurious 
Plowmans  Tale,  11.  693-708].  Thus  he  brings  in  the  Plow- 


England,  pp.  31,  41,  50-1.     (English  prose  writings  of  Milton,  ed. 
rley,  Carisbrook  library,  vol.  v,  1889,  pp.  71,  77,  83.) 


1642]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  221 

man  speaking Whether  the  Bishops  of  England  have 

deserv'd  thus  to  be  fear'd  by  men  so  wise  as  our  Chaucer  is 
esteem'd  ....  he  that  is  but  meanly  read  in  our  Chronicles 
needs  not  be  instructed. 

1641.  [Milton,  John.]  Animadversions  upon  the  Remonstrants  Defence, 
against  Smectymnuus,  p.  6.  (Milton's  Prose  Works,  Bohn's  edn., 
1848,  vol.  iii,  p.  46.) 

Remember  how  they  mangle  our  British  names  abroad ;  what 
trespasse  were  it,  if  wee  in  requitall  should  as  much  neglect 
theirs  ?  and  our  learned  Chaucer  did  not  stick  to  doe  so, 
writing  Semyramm  for  Semiramis,  Amphiorax  for  Amphioraus, 
K.  Sejes  for  K.  Geijx  the  husband  of  Alcyone,  with  many  other 
names  strangely  metamorphis'd  [sic]  from  true  Orthography, 
if  he  had  made  any  account  of  that  in  these  kind  of  words. 

1641.  Parker,  Martin.  The  Poet's  Blind  mans  bough,  or  Have  among 
you  my  blind  Harpers,  etc.  Printed  at  London  by  F.  Leach  for 
Henry  Marsh,  1641,  sign.  A  4.  (British  Bibliographer,  ed.  Sir 
S.  E.  Brydges,  1810-14,  vol.  ii,  1812,  p.  433.  Beprinted  in  Miscellanea 
Antiqua  Anglicana,  the  old  book  collector's  miscellany,  ed.  C. 
Hindley,  vol.  ii,  1873,  p.  4.) 

All  Poets  (as  adition  to  their  fames) 
Have  by  their  Works  eternized  their  names, 
As  Chaucer,  Spencer,  and  that  noble  earle, 
Of  Surrie,  thought  it  the  most  precious  pearle, 
That  dick'd  his  honour,  to  subscribe  to  what 
His  high  engenue  ever  amed  at  .... 

[a.  1642.  Barkham,  John  1]  MS.  note  at  beginning  of  MS.  Laud  misc. 
600  Bodl.  library  [formerly  MS.  Laud.  K.  50]. 

[The  first  page  contains  two  lists,  side  by  side,  of  the  Tales, 
viz.,  "The  Order  of  this  book  MS."  and  "The  order  of  the 
Printed."     The  latter  list  ends  :— ] 
13.  The  Franklin. 
14  &c.  All  the  rest  are  in  the  same  order  in  both  Bookes. 

fOnely  the  Plowmans  Tale,  is  not  MS.  &  if  it  were 
A  Chaucers,  it  was  left  out  of  his  Canterbury  Tales 
[for  the  tartnes  against  the  Popish  Clergie. 
It  is  very  probable  yfc  it  was  severally  written  by 
Chaucer,   &   not   as  one  of   the   Tales ;   wch   were 
supposed  to  be  spoken,  &  not  written :  for  so  the 
Plowman  concludeth  :  f.  92  of  the  printed : 


222  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1642- 

To  ho]y  Church  I  will  me  bow ; 
Each  man  to'  amend  him  Christ  send  space, 
And  for  my  writeing  me  allow, 
^He,  that  is  Almighty,  for  his  Grace. 
The   same  word   of   writeing   is  there   vsed  diuers 
times  :  as,  For  my  writeing  if  I  liaue  blame, — &, 
Of  my  writeing  liaue  me   excused  [Er?]#o,  it  was 
not  deliuered  as  a  Tale  told  by  mouth  and  all  the 
rest  were. 

[Thomas  Hearne  says  this  note  was  written  by  John  Barchara,  [or  Barkham]  to 
whom  the  MS.  belonged  ;  see  Hearne's  Diary,  May  9,  1709,  vol.  ii,  p.  196,  also  the 
end  of  his  long  letter  to  Bagford  [undated]  1709.  See  below,  p.  309 .  In  the  last 
paragraph:  Of  my  writeing  haue  me  excused  go,  'excused'  comes  at  the  end  of  the 
line  in  the  MS.,  and  possibly  it  may  have  been  followed  by  an  'Er,'  but  if  so  the 
1  Er '  has  got  rubbed  away,  which  is  quite  likely.] 

1642.  [Hall,  Joseph,  Bp.  of  Norwich  1]  A  Modest  Confutation  of  a 
Slanderous  and  Scurrilous  Libell  Entituled  Animadversions  vpon 
the  Remonstrants  Defense  against  Smectymnuus,  pp.  11-13. 

[p.  11   quotes  Pardoners  tale,  11.  413-22. 
p.  12       „      Parliament  of  Foules,  11.  288-9. 
„          „      Book  of  the  Duchesse,  11.  62-5. 
p.  13       „      Lydgate's   (as    Chaucer's)    Complaint   of  the 
Black  Knight,  11.  92-3.] 

1642.  Kynaston,   Sir  Francis.      Leoline  and   Sydanis,  p.  89.      [The 
author  must  surely,  owing  to  his   recent  translation  of  Troilus, 
have  had  Chaucer's  story  in  his  mind  when  he  wrote] 

'Mongst  other  stories  he  did  call  to  minde 
That  of  the  fairy  Creseid,  who  insteed 
Of  faithfull  Troilus  lov'd  false  Diomed. 

1643.  Baker,  Sir  K[ichard].     A  Chronicle  of  the  Kings  of  England,  pp. 
181,  29,  45,  sign.  Z,  Dd  3,  Ff.  3. 

[p.  isi]      The  Life  and  Eaigne  of  King  EDWARD  the  Third. 

Of  men  of  note  in  his  time. 

....  Sir  Geoffrey  Chawcer,  the  Homer  of  our  Nation ;  and 
who  found  as  sweete  a  Muse  in  the  Groves  of  Woodstocke,  as 
the  Antients  did  upon  the  banks  of  Helicon. 

[p.  29]  The  Keigne  of  King  EICHARD  the  Second.  Men  of  note  in 
this  Kings  time  ....  John  Moone,  an  English  man,  but  a 
student  in  Paris,  who  compiled  in  the  French  tongue,  the 
Romant  of  the  Rose-,  translated  into  English  by  Geoffrey 
Chawcer  and  divers  others. 


1645]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  223 

[p.  45]   The  Keigne  of  King  HENRY  the  Fourth. 
Of  men  of  note  in  his  time. 

The  next  place  after  these  [William  Wickham  and  Eoger 
Walden]  is  justly  due  to  Geo/ry  Chaucer  and  John  Goiver, 
two  famous  Poets  in  this  time,  and  the  Fathers  of  English 
Poets  in  all  the  time  after :  Chance?'  died  in  the  fourth  yeare 
of  this  king,  and  lyeth  buried  at  Westminster :  Goiver •,  in  this 
king's  ninth  yeare,  and  was  buried  in  St.  Mary  Overys  Church 
in  Southwarke. 

[The  pagination  is  not  continuous.] 
1643.  Unknown.     Powers  to  be  Resisted,  pp.  39,  40.     See  App.  A. 

[1643.]  Unknown.  The  Cities  Warning-Peece  .  ...  or  the  Bound- 
head  turn'd  Poet,  pp.  5,  6. 

Written  long  since,  but  Printed  in  the  Yeere 
That  every  knave  and  foole  turn'd  Cavaleere. 

[Date  of  publication,  February  27, 1642[-3],  added  in  MS.  by  Thomason,  from  whose 
Collection  in  B.  M.  this  copy  comes  (E  246/28).  Catalogued  under  London.1 

The  Spanish  Fleete  in  the  Downs. 
Twixt  our  Religions,  Home  and  Spaine,  and  we 
Put  all  together,  make  but  one  of  three : 
And  shall  you  feare  us,  or  shall  we  feare  you  1 
Tush,  Spain  is  England,  England  is  Spain  now. 

Pauls  for  your  sakes  is  almost  newly  built, 
And  'tis  not  long  since  Cheapside-crosse  was  gilt, 
Old  Charing  shall  be  now  re-edified 
That  lost  his  glory  when  old  Chaucer  died. 

1645.  Cavendish,  William  (Marquis,  afterwards  1st  Duke,  of  New 
castle).  The  Phanseys  of  the  Marquesse  of  Newcastle,  sett  by  him 
in  verse  at  Paris  [date  in  pencil  under  the  last  words  1645].  Old 
numbering  pp.  77,  78  ;  new  numbering  ff.  69  and  69  6.  [MS.  copy 
in  B.  M.,  Addit.  32,497.] 

Loues  Pretty  Answer. 

....  Oh  what  is  woman  att  the  best  they  fall 
Under  the  title  of  Dissembling  all 
If  wicked,  weare  the  Otian  all  turnd  InkS 
Each  floating^  Riuer  Siluer  Brooke  &  SinkS 
And  Eury  stick  a  Pen  for  to  Endite" 
And  all  the  Earth  smooth  Parchment  on  to  writ8 
It  were  too  litlS  for  their  wickednessS 
Old  Jeffry  Chauser  thought  them  sure  no  lessS 
For  those  four  lines  are  his  Expression,  knew 
Women  so  well  he  swor§  that  it  was  truS. 

[Refers  to  Lydgate's  "Balade:  warning  men  to  beware  of  deceitful  women," 
formerly  attributed  to  Chaucer.  See  Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat, 
Chaucer  soc.  1897,  p.  296,  11.  43-9.  Cf.  1601,  Win  wood,  Ralph,  above,  p.  167.] 


224  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1645- 

[1645-6.]  Unknown.  A  Parliament-Officer  at  Grantham,  [name  un 
known.]  A  Letter  [undated]  sent  from  a  Parliament-Officer  at 
Grantham  to  John  Cleveland  (the  royalist  poet)  in  Newark,  [printed 
in]  The  works  of  Mr  John  Cleveland,  containing  his  Poems, 
Orations,  Epistles,  Collected  into  one  volume  .  .  .  London  .  .  . 
1687,  pp.  95-6. 

[The  Officer  writes  satirically,  saying  Cleveland  is  such  a 
good  preacher,  he  is  a  great  loss  to  the  Church.]  Such  an  Holy 
Father  might  have  begot  as  many  Babes  for  the  Mother-Church 
of  Newark,  as  our  Party  of  late  hath  done  Garrisons,  and  con 
verted  as  many  Souls  as  Chaucer's  Friar  with  the  Shoulder- 
bone  of  the  lost  Sheep. 

[John  Cleveland  was  appointed  Judge-Advocate  to  Charles  I.'s  garrison  at  Newark 
in  1645,  and  remained  there  until  the  surrender  of  the  city  in  May  1646.  The  refer 
ence  is  of  course  to  Chaucer's  Pardoner,  not  to  the  Friar.  Prol.  to  Pardoner's  Tale, 
11.  22-29.] 

1646.  Daniel,  George.  Poems  written  upon  Severall  Occasions  .... 
MSS.  Addit.  19,255.  To  Time  and  Honour,  p.  33.  An  Essay ; 
Endeavouring  to  ennoble  our  English  Poesie,  p.  80.  (Poems  of 
G.  Daniel  of  Beswick,  MSS.  in  B.  M.  hitherto  imprinted,  ed. 
A.  B.  Grosart,  4  vols.,  vol.  i,  1878,  pp.  33,  80.) 

But  thinke  thee  [Albion]  fairest,  Sweetest,  richest,  Best ; 
fforgetting  Chaucer,  and  Dan  Lidgate's  Rhime ; 
Loe  here,  the  Glorie  of  our  modern  time, 
A  learned  Age ;  Since  great  Elizae's  reigne 
And  peace  came  in ;  the  proud  Italian 
tp.  34]  And  iustly  proud  in  Poesie,  will  allow 

The  English  (though  not  Equal!)  next  him  now 

[goes  on  to  mention  Sidney,  Spencer,  Jonsou,  etc.] 

IP-  80]  Shall  we  derive 

Our  English  fflame  our  Glories  Primitive 
From  antique  Chaucer  1     Blesse  me  witt,  if  right 
Were  onlie  right,  I  feare  a  present  night 
Would  cover  all  his  credit.     This  I  wage 
Onlye  for  Truth ;  in  reverence  to  the  Age 
Wherein  he  writ. 

1646.  G.,  E.  Commendatory  Verses  to  the  author  [in]  Men  Miracles  with 
other  Poems  by  M[artinJ  Ll[uelyn],  St[udent]  of  Ch[rist]  Ch[urch] 
in  Oxon,  Printed  in  the  yeare  1646,  sign.  A  5.  (These  verses  are 
reprinted  in  T.  Corser's  Collectanea,  Chetham  soc.,  part  8,  1878, 
p.  366.) 

To  the  Author. 

If  ever  I  believ'd  Pythagoras, 
(My  dearest  friend)  even  now  it  was 


1648]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  225 

While  the  grosse  Bodies  of  the  Poets  die 
Their  Souls  doe  onely  shift.     And  Poesie 
Transmigrates,  not  by  chance  or  lucke 
So  Chaucers  learned  soule  in  Spencer  sung, 
(Edmund  the  quaintest  of  the  Fairy  throng) 
And  when  that  doubled  Spirit  quitted  place 
It  fill'd  up  Ben  .... 

E.  G. 

[Cf.  163(3,  above,  pp.  216-17,  Haxby,  Stephen.] 

1646.  Selden,  John.     Uxoi\  Ebraica,  lib.  ii,  cap.  27,  p.  285.     [In  the 
edn.  of  1695  the  reference  is  lib.  ii,  cap.  27,  p.  203.] 

....  uude  Galfredus  Chaucerus  qui  sub  Edwardo  tertio 
floruit,  de  uxore  sua  Bathoniensi 

Shee  was  a  worthy  woman  all  hir  live 

Husbands  at  the  Church  dore  had  she  five.  [pro}[-  ^Orj* les> 

Id  est;  fcemina    erat    quamdiu   vixit   Celebris,  &  ad  ostium 
Ecclesiae  quinque  maritos  acceperat. 

1647.  T[ooke],  G[eorge].   The  Belides,  or  Eulogie  of  that  Noble  Martialist 
Major  William  Fairefax  .  ...  To  the  Reader,  Epistle  Dedicatorie, 
p.  22.    [This  1st  edn.  of  1647  is  bound  with  "  the  Belides,  or  Eulogie 
of  John,  Lord  Harrington,"  by  G.  T.,  London.    Printed,  1647.    The 
pagination  is   continuous ;   the  copy  in   B.  M.  is  supposed  to  be 
unique.     A  separate  edn.  was  printed  in  1660  ;  reference  on  sign. 
A  2  6.] 

A  Poet  also  has  the  prerogative  freely  to  follow  the  pro- 
pensitude  of  his  Genius ;  and  our  language  as  supply ed  from 
abroad,  is  of  richer  variety  for  the  cadence  of  either  Prose  or 
Verse.  Versteyan  will  indeed  upbraid  Chanc\&f\  with  it  as 
prejudicial ;  and  another  Netherlander  has  objected  our  English, 
to  me,  for  made  up  of  severall  shreds  like  a  Beggars  Cloake 

[See  above,  p.  176,  1605,  Verstegan.] 

1648.  Unknown.    A  fraction  in  the  Assembly  [of  the  Divines  at  West 
minster]  or  the  Synod  in  Armes,  pp.  7,  10. 

[p.  7]         ...     till  her  Tongue   travel'd  tantivie,  and  more  then  a 

Canterbury  pace. 
Ii».  10]        ....  is   not  this   in  the    Devills    name,  a  trick    of  the 

beast,  to    tell   the    people  of    a  Cock  and   a  Butt,  and    bind 

them  to  beleeve  all  the  stories  in   C/tawcer  for  Articles  of 

Faith  .... 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  Q 


226  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1649- 

1649.  Daniel,  George.    Trino.rchodia.     The  Raigne  of  Henrie  the  Fifth, 

stanzas  36-7,  290,  Addit.  MSS.  19,255.     (Poems  of  G.  Daniel 

ed.  A.  B.  Grosarfc,  4  vols.,  vol.  iv,  1878,  pp.  110,  173.  A  Chaucer 
reference  is  given  in  Restituta,  ed.  Sir  S.  E.  Brydges,  vol.  iv,  1816, 
p.  168.) 

(36) 

Or  was  it  N  umber' d  verse?  let  Orpheus  piny; 
Oar  Harry e  has  a  deeper  Sweeter  Note 

And  from  soft  Groves,  could  his  owne  Act  reherse 

As  high  as  Pindare,  or  Tyrtseus'  verse. 

(37) 

That  infancy  of  Time,  (when  vnfledg'd  Witt 
Tmp't  from  the  ragged  Surcill  Chaucer  drop't) 
Was  Smooth'd  by  him  a-new ;  &  fancy  knitt 
Harmonious  Sence  ;  it  is  but  to  be  hop'd 
A  King  &  Poet ;  if  it  shall  be  Seene 
Nature  full-handed,  made  that  Age  to  Him. 

(290) 

Like  Kites  perform'd  to  (him  who  like  him  fell) 

Suffolke  ;  old  Chaucer's  late  inheritance 

Proud  to  entombe  him ;  as  the  first  Summd  Quill 

Of  England,  not  enough  were  to  advance 

Eweline  [i.  e.  Evvelme]  ;  an  Athens,  if  his  Pen  that  Eame 
May  merit ;  Sure  this  Sword,  asserts  that  Claime. 

[c.  1649-64.]  Plume,  Thomas.  Anecdotes  of  English  writers  in  Dr. 
Plume's  pocket  book,  MS.  no.  25,  Maldon  library.  (A  transcript  has 
been  made  for  the  Bodl.  library ;  the  references  here  are,  however, 
taken  from  Dr.  Plume's  pocket  book,  by  Andrew  Clark  [in]  Essex 
Review,  vol.  xiv,  no.  53,  1905,  pp.  13-14.) 

Tis  now  the  sign  of  the  Talbott  in  Southwark  but  anciently 
it  was  of  the  Tdtibert,  i.  e. — Herald's  coat — old  Chaucer's  inne, 
from  whence  the  Canterbury  Tales  come. 

The  time's  coming  when  Doctors  and  Knites 
Will  be  as  common  as  woodcocks  and  snites 

says  old  Chaucer's  prophecy.  You  cannot  quoit  a  stone  up, 
but  'twill  fall  down  upon  a  Doctor. 

[The  latter  reference  was  "made  in  connection  with  the  deluge  of  honorary  degrees 
exacted  by  Court  pressure  from  the  universities  at  the  time  of  the  Restoration."  The 
editor  also  adds,  "the  Chaucerian  attribution  of  the  lines  will  hardly  earn  their 
inclusion  in  Professor  Skeat's  monumental  edition."] 


1652]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  227 

[c.  1650.  Sheppard,  Samuel.]  The  Faerie  King  Fashioning  Looe  and 
Honour  In  an  Heroicall  Heliconian  Dresse,  lib.  5.  canto  6.  verse  41. 
MS.  Rawlinson,  Poetry  28,  fol.  65  6. 

neare  these  were  foure  and  twentie  pillars  more 
equall  for  height,  and  bulke,  with  any  there 
the  first  supported  by  a  Swaine  of  yore 
the  bonniest  and  the  blythest  one  yfere, 
CHAWCER  a  Knight  readen  in  vertues  lore 
who  knew  full  wellen  how  to  Jape  and  Jeere 
by  MERCURY,  compare  these  barbarous  Times 
with  his  conceits,  and  you'll  applaud  his  Rimes. 

1650.  Simpson,  John.  Catalogm  universalis  librorum  omnium  in 
Bibliotheca  Collegii  Sionii  apud  Londinenses  .  .  .  Omnia  yer  J.  S. 
Bibliothecarium  .  .  .  collecta,  p.  37. 

Galfrid.  Chaivcer.     Opera  Anglice  Land.  1602.     C.  6.  8. 

[The  copy  in  B.  M.  (pr.  ink.  C.  28  e.  13)  has  copious  MS.  notes  by  the  author  and 
Richard  Smyth.] 

1650.  Toll,  Tho[mas].  To  the  Author  [in]  Fragmenta  Poetica  ...  by 
Nich.  Murford,  sign.  A  5.  See  App.  A. 

[c.  1650  ?]  Unknown.  MS.  note  on  the  date  of  the  death  of  Chaucer 
and  Gower,  and  their  places  of  burial.  Trentham  MS.  (Duke  of 
Sutherland's),  fol.  39  b.  (Gower's  Works,  ed.  G.  C.  Macaulay,  vol.  i, 
French  works,  1899,  p.  Ixxxi.) 

1652.  Ashmole,  Elias.  Theatrum  Chemicum  Britannicum;  Prolego 
mena,  signs.  A  3  and  A  3  6,  pp.  227-56.  The  tale  of  the  Chanons 
Yeoman,  Written  by  our  Ancient  and  famous  English  Poet,  Geoffry 
Chaucer  ;  p.  226  a  print  of  Chaucer's  tomb  erected  by  Nicholas 
Brigham.  Annotations  ....  upon  some  part  of  the  preceding 
Worke,  pp.  440,  447,  456,  465,  467-72  [470-72,  life  of  Chaucer], 
484-5. 
[These  references  are  chiefly  quotations  from  Chaucer.] 

[p.  470]  Now  as  Concerning  Chaucer  (the  Author  of  this  Tale)  [i.  e. 
Chanon  Yeoman's]  lie  is  ranked  amongst  the  Hermetick  Philoso 
phers,  and  his  Master  in  this  Science  was  Sir  John  Gower  .  .  . 
He  is  cited  by  Norton  for  an  Authentique  Author,  in  these 
words ; 

And  Chaucer  rehearseth  how  Tytans  is  the  same. 
Besides  he  that  Eeads  the  latter  part  of  the  Chanon's  Yeoman's 
Tale,  wil  easily  perceive  him  to  be  a  ludicious  Philosopher, 
and  one  that  fully  knew  the  Mistery.     [Ashmole  then  quotes 
Speght,  Bale,  Pits  and  Stow.] 

[Cf.  above,  c.  1477,  Norton,  p.  57.  For  Alchemy  in  general,  and  Chaucer's 
relation  to  it,  see  The  Alchemist,  by  Ben  Jonson,  ed.  C.  M.  Hathaway,  N.  York. 
1903,  Introduction.] 


228  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1652- 

1652.  Wharton,  G  [Sir  George  ?].  To  my  very  Honoured  Friend  Mr 
Robert  Loveday  upon  this  His  Matchlesse  Version,  Entituled  Loves 
Master-piece.  Prefatory  verses  to  Hymen's  Prseludia  :  or  Love's 
Master-piece.  Being  the  first  Part  of  that  so  much  admir'd  Romance, 
intituled  Cleopatra.  Written  originally  in  the  French,  [by  Gauthier 
de  Costes,  Seigneur  de  la  Calprenede]  and  now  rendred  into  English 
by  R.  Loveday  .  .  .  1652,  sign.  A  6  b. 

Chawcer  and  Gow'r  our  Language  but  Refirid, 
You  (SIR)  true  Chemist-\\\w<  have  it  Odlcin'd, 
Hetv'd  out  the  Barbarous  Knots,  and  made  it  Run 
As  Smooth,  as  doth  the  Chariot  of  the  Sun. 

[This  poem  does  not  appear  in  the  later  edns.  of  1654  and  165u.] 

[1653  '(]  Bowyr,  Ann.  Ann  Bowyr's  writing-book,  containing :  Exercises 
or  Extracts  from  various  English  poets  :  Chaucer,  the  Earl  of 
Surrey,  the  Mirror  for  Magistrates,  etc.  MS.  Ashmole  51,  f  1  &,  7  6, 
20  leaves  of  paper  (Catalogue  of  Ashmole  MSS.,  by  W.  H.  Black, 
1845,  col.  91.) 

[foi.  2]  Chascer  vpon  The  mancipels  Talle, 

harde  it  is  to  be  restraned  that 
Which  nature  hath  ingraft  in  ani  creture. 

L11.161-2J 

Chascer  the  Komont  on  the  rose. 
What  is  the  cas  that  men  complan  in  comon 
of  godes  hie  prouidenc  &  folish  fortune 
God  giueth  vnto  vs  in  sundri  wis 
far  beter  then  our  wits  can  deuis. 

[foi.  3  b]  Chauser  The  Romont  on  the  rose. 

Alle  knoledg  is  not  toute  in  scon  Is 
manitimes  on  may  learne  wit  of  foules 
out  of  onlde  feldes  as  men  may  say 
haue  wee  our  new  come  [corn '?]  from  day  to  day 
but  out  of  oulde  boukes  in  good  fay 
comes  our  new  learning  day  by  day. 

[Xot  in  R.  of  Rose,  but  the  last  4  lines  are  taken  from  the  Parlement  of  Foules 
11.  22-25. 1 

Chascer  vpon  ye  wife  of  bathes  prologue, 
[foi.  4  b]  Who  so  buildeth  his  hous  all  of  salowes 

&  pricketh  his  blind  hors  cure  ye  falowes 
&  suft'reth  his  wife  for  to  seche  hallo wes 
he  is  worthy  to  be  honged  on  ye  gallowes. 

Chascer  on  ye  man  of  La  wes  tale. 
in  hir  is  hie  beautie  without  pride 
youth  without  grenhed  or  folie 
to  all  her  workes  vertue  is  her  guide 


1654]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  229 

humblenes  hath  slain  in  her  all  tyraunie 
she  is  a  mirrour  of  all  curtesie 
her  hert  is  very  chamber  of  holinens  [sic] 
her  hand  minister  of  fredome  &  almes. 

[11.  162-8] 

[There  may  be  other  extracts  from  Chaucer  in  this  MS.,  but  the  above  are  the  only 
ones  that  are  noted  as  his.  There  is  no  date  in  the  MS.,  Init  it  is  probably  c.  1653.] 

1653.  Langbaine,  Gerard.  Letter  to  Mr.  Selden  [dated]  Queen's  Coll. 
Oxon,  11  Oct.  1653  [printed  in]  Joannis  Lelandi  .  .  De  rebus 
Britannicis  collectanea  .  cum  Thomse  Hearnici,  Prefatione  Notis 
et  Indice  ad  Editionem  primam  .  .  .  Londini,  1770,  vol.  v. 
[Appendi  Ludovici  Savoti  .  .  .  e  collectaneis  Smithianis  .  .  .], 
p.  270. 

Sir, 

I  give  you  many  thanks  for  imparting  so  much  (as  1 
earnestly  desired  to  know)  of  that  Scotch  Copy  of  Chaucer.  .  . 

[This  no  doubt  refers  to  the  Selden  MS.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales  now  in  the  Bodleian 
library.] 

1653.  Wallis,  John.     Grammatical  Lingua  Anglicance.     Oxonice,  1653, 
p.  34. 

[Brief  reference  to  certain  spelling  and  word  forms  in  Chaucer.] 

1654.  Evelyn,  Jolm.     Diary,  June  9th,  1654.     (Diary  and  Correspond 
ence  of  John  Evelyn,  ed.  William  Bray,  new  edn.  by  H.  B.  Wheatley, 
1906,  vol.  ii,  p.  52.) 

Din'd  at  Marlborough  ....  thence,  to  Newberry,  a  con 
siderable  towne,  and  Donnington,  famous  for  its  battle,  siege, 
and  castle ;  this  last  had  ben  in  the  possession  of  old  Geofrie 
Chaucer. 

1654.  Gayton,  Edmund.  Pleasant  Notes  upon  Don  Quixot.  By  Edmund 
Gayton,  1654,  book  3,  chap,  xi,  p.  150. 

Our  Nation  also  had  its  Poets,  and  they  their  wives  :  To 
passe  the  Bards :  Sir  Jeffery  Chaucer  liv'd  very  honestly  at 
Woodstock,  with  his  Lady,  (the  house  yet  remaining),  and 
wrote  against  the  vice  most  wittily,  which  Wedlocke  restraines. 
My  father  Ben  begate  sonnes  and  daughters ;  so  did  Spencer, 
Drayton,  Shakespeare  and  more  might  be  reckoned,  who 
doe  not  only  word  it,  and  end  in  aiery  Sylvia's,  Galatea's, 
Anglaura's, 

Sed  de  virtute  locuti, 
Clunem  agitant  .... 


230 


Five  Hundred  Years  of 


[A.D.  1655- 


[p.  151] 
[Trevisa] 
escaped 
persecution, 

As  did  his' 
contempor 
ary  Geoffery 
Chaucer. 


[p.  152] 
His  parent- 
age  and 
armes. 


1655.  Fuller,  Thomas.  The  Church- History  of  Britain,  book  iv,  pp. 
151-2,  book  vi,  p.  268.  (The  Church  History  of  Britain,  by  Thomas 
Fuller,  ed.  J.  S.  Brewer,  1845,  vol.  ii,  pp.  382-4.) 

46.  We  may  couple  with  him  [John  de  Trevisa],  his 
contemporary,  Geffery  Chaucer,  born  (some  say)  in  Berlte- 
shire,  others  in  Oxford-shire,  most    and  truest  in  London. 
If  the  Grecian  Homer  had  seven,  let  our  English  have 
three  places  contest  for  his  Nativity.     Our  Homer  (I  say) 
onely  herein  he  differed. 

Mceonides  nullas  ipse  religuit  opes 
Homer  himself  did  leave  no  pelf, 

Whereas    our    Chaucer    left   behinde   him    a    rich    and 
worshipful  estate. 

47.  His    Father    was    a    Vintner    in    London;   and    I 
have  heard  his  Armes  quarelFd  at,  being  Argent  and  Gules 
strangely  contrived,  and  hard  to  be  blazon'd.     Some  more 
wits  have  made  it  the  dashing  of  white  and  red  wine  (the 
parents  of  our  ordinary  Claret)  as  nicking  his  father's 
profession.     But,   were  Chaucer  alive,  he  would  justifie 
his  own  Armes  in  the  face  of  all  his  opposers,  being  not 
so  devoted  to  the  Muses,  but  he  was  also  a  son  of  Mars. 
He  was  the  Prince  of  English  Poets ;  married  the  daughter 
of  Pain  Roet.  King  of  Armes  in  France,  and  sister  to 
the  Wife  of  John  of  Gaunt,  King  of  Castile. 

48.  He   was   a   great   Refiner,  and   Illuminer   of  our 
English  tongue  (and,  if  he  left  it  so  bad,  how  much  worse 
did  he  finde  it1?)  witness  Leland  thus  praising  him,  [quotes 
and     translates    Leland's      lines     beginning     'Prsedicat 
Algerum,'  see  below,  App.  A.,  Leland,  c.  1545.]  .  .  . 

Indeed  Verstegan,  a  learned  a  Antiquary,  condemns 
him,  for  spoiling  the  purity  of  the  English  tongue,  by  the 
mixture  of  so  many  French  and  Latin  words.  But,  he 
who  mingles  wine  with  water,  though  he  destroies  the 
nature  of  water,  improves  the  quality  thereof. 

49.  I   finde    this    Chaucer  fined   in   the  Temple  two 
shillings,  for  striking  a  Franciscan  Frier  in  Fleet-street, 
and  it  seems  his  hands  ever  after  itched  to  be  revenged, 
and  have  his  penniworths  out  of  them,  so  ticlding  Religious 
Orders  with  his  tales,  and  yet  so  pinching  them  with  his 
truths,  that  Friers  in  reading  his  books,  know  not  how  to 
dispose  their  faces  betwixt  crying  and  laughing.     He  lies 


He  refined 
our  English 
tongue. 


a  In  liis 
restitution 
of  decaied 
intelligence, 
p.  203. 
[See  above, 
p.  176  6.] 


A  great 
enemy  to 
Friers. 


1656]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  231 

buried  in  the  South-Isle  of  St.  Peters,  Westminster,  and 
since  hath  got  the  company  of  Spencer  and  Dray  ton  (a 
pair-royal  of  Poets),  enough  (almost)  to  make  passengers 
feet  to  move  metrically,  who  go  over  the  place,  where  so 
much  Poetical  dust  is  interred. 

[bk.  vi,  These  Augustiniaus  were  also  called  Canons  Regular, 

where,  by  the  way,  I  meet  with  such  a  nice  distinction, 
which  disheartens  me  from  pretending  to  exactnesse  in 
reckoning  up  these  Orders.  For,  this  I  finde  in  our 
English  Ennius : 

Chaucer  And  all  such  other  Counter  faitours 

piowLans  Chanons,  Canons  and  such  disguised 

Been  Ooddes  enemies  and  Traytours 
His  true  religion  hau[e]  foule  despised 

[Chaucerian  and  other  pieces,  11.  1061-4] 

It  seems  that  the  H  here  amounteth  to  a  letter  so  effectual! 
as  to  discriminate  chanons  from  canons  (though  both  Canonici 
in  Latine)  but  what  should  be  the  difference  betwixt  them,  1 
dare  not  interpose  my  conjecture. 

1655.  M[ennis],  Sir  J[ohn],  and  Sjxnith],  Jafmes].     Musarum  Deliciaz 
or  The  Muses  Recreation,  by  Sr  J.  M.  and  Ja.  S.    London.    Printed 
for  Henry  Herringman,  1655,  pp.  71-3  :  Partus    Chauceri  Post- 
humus  Gulielmi  Nelson,  p.  73  :   Vpon  the  same,  pp.  74-5  :  Imitatio 
Chauceri  altera,  In  eundem.     (Facetiae.  Musarum  Deliciae.  etc.  [ed. 
T.  Park],  2  vols,  1817,  vol.  i.  pp.  85-9.) 

[In  the  2nd  edition  of  1656  the  above  references  are  on  pp.  85-9.] 

1656.  B[lount],  T[homas].     Glossographia,  or  a  Dictionary,  interpreting 
all  ....  hard  .  Words,  by  T.  B.  of  the  Inner-Temple,  sign.  A.  4 
and  016.     Fifth  edn.  1681,  sign.  A.  iv  b,  and  p.  213. 

To  the  Reader. 

....  words  in  Common  Tongues  like  leaves,  must  of 
necessity  have  their  buddings,  their  blossomings,  their  ripen 
ings  &  their  fallings  :  Which  old  Chaucer  also  thus  remarks  : — 

I  know  that  in  form  of  speech  is  change 
Within  a  hundred  years,  &  words  tho 
That  hadden  price,  now  wonder  nice  &  strange 
Think  we  them,  yet  they  spake  them  so 
And  sped  as  well  in  love  as  men  now  do. 

[Tr.  &  Ores,  ii,  11.  22-6.] 
[The  reference  on  sign.  0  1  b  is  a  note  under  Dulcarnon.] 


232  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1656 

1656.  Cowley,  Abraham.  Poems  ....  Hi.  Pindarique  Odes  [separate 
title-page  and  pagination]— To  Dr.  Scarborough,  note  on  verse  2, 
p.  37.  (Works  of  A.  Cowley,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  Chertsey  worthies 
library,  1881,  vol.  ii,  p.  23.) 

Find,  Refind— These  kind  of  Rhymes  the  French  delight  in, 
and  call  Rich  Rhymes ;  but  I  do  not  allow  of  them  in  English 
....  They  are  very  frequent  in  Chaucer,  and  our  old  Poets, 
but  that  is  not  good  Authority  for  us  now.  There  can  be  no 
Musiclc  with  only  one  Note. 

[See  also  below,  App.  A.,  a.  1664.] 

1656.  [Holland,  Samuel],  [secondary  title]  Don  Zara  del  Fogo.  A 
Mock  Eomance.  [title-page]  Wit  and  Fancy  in  a  Maze,  or  the 
incomparable  Champion  of  Love  and  Beautie  ....  Written  origin 
ally  in  the  British  Tongue,  and  made  English  by  a  person  of  much 
Honour,  London,  Printed  by  T.  W.  for  Tho.  Fere,  1656,  bk.  2, 
ch.  4,  pp.  101-2. 

.  .  .  the  Brittish  Bards  (forsooth)  were  also  ingaged  in 
quarrel  for  Superiority ;  and  who  think  you,  threw  the  Apple 
of  Discord  among  them,  but  Ben  Johnson,  who  had  openly 
vaunted  himself  the  first  and  best  of  English  Poets;  this 
Brave  was  resented  by  all  with  the  highest  indignation,  for 
Chawcer  (by  most  there)  was  esteemed  the  Father  of  English 
Poesie,  whose  onely  unhappines  it  was,  that  he  was  made  for 
the  time  he  lived  in,  but  the  time  not  for  him  .  .  .  [the  various 
poets  take  sides]  Skelton  Goiver  and  the  Monk  of  Bury  were  at 
Daggers-drawing  for  C/tawcer ;  .... 

[In  another  issue  of  the  above,  with  same  printers'  names  and  date,  the  title  runs 
differently,  Don  Zara  del  Fogo,  A  Mock  Romance,  Written  originally  in  the  Brittish 
Tongue,  and  made  English  by  a  person  of  much  Honor,  BASILIVS  MVSOPHILVS.  This 
book  was  reprinted  in  1660,  with  the  author's  name,  under  the  title  of  Romancio- 
mastrix;  and  later  in  1719  under  the  title  of  The  Spaniard,  or  Don  Zara  del  Fogo. 
Translated  from  the  Original  Spanish  by  BAPILIUS  MUSOPHILUS.  London.  Printed 
for  W.  Chetwood  .  .  .  and  It.  Franklin,  MDCCXIX  ;  in  which  edn.  the  above  reference 
is  on  p.  71.] 

1656.  Leigh,  Edward.     A  Treatise  of  Religion  and  Learning,  and  of 
Religious  and  Learned  Men,  sign.  A  6,  pp.  91,  160,  211. 

[sign.  A,  6]      The  Epistle  To  The  Header. 

I  shall  endeavour  to  marshall  up  some  of  our  English 
Schollers  .... 

Eor  Poets  of  old,  Chaucer,  Spenser,  Ockland. 

[p.  oi]  England  hath  been  famous  for  Learned  men,  and  for  her 
Seminaries  of  Learning,  as  well  as  other  things. 

For   Poetry.      Gower,   Chaucer,  Spencer,  Sir   Philip   Sidnie, 
Daniel  and  Draiton,  Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  Ben:  Jolmson. 


1G56]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  233 

[p.  loo]  Galfridus  Chaucerus,  Jeffery  Chaucer,  he  was  born  in  Oxford 
shire.  He  first  of  all  so  illustrated  the  English  Poetry,  that  he 
maybe  esteemed  our  English  Homer.  He  is  our  best  English  Poet 
and  Spencer  the  next,  [quotes  Latin  verse  from  Leland  begin 
ning,  '  Prsedicat  Algerum  ' ;  see  below,  App.  A,  c.  1545,  Leland.] 
He  seems  in  his  Works  to  be  a  right  Widevian,  as  that  of  the 
Pellican  and  Griffin  shews. 

He  was  an  acute  Logician,  a  sweet  Rhetorician,  a  facetious 
Poet,  a  grave  Philosopher,  and  a  Holy  Divine. 

His  Monument  is  in  Westminster- Abbey. 

Chaucerus  linguam  patriam  magna  ingenii  solertia  ac  cultura 
plurimiim  ornavit,  itemque  alia,  cum  Joannis  Mone  poema  de  arte 
amandi  Gallice  tantum  legeretur,  Anglico  illud  metro  feliciter 
reddidit.  Voss.  De  Histor.  Lat.  1.  3-c.  2  [see  App.  A,  below], 
[note  partly  in  margin  and  text].  Vixit  Anno  Domini  1402. 
Propter  docendi  gratiam  &  libertatem  quasi  alter  Dantes  ant 
Petrarcha  quos  ille  etiam  in  linguam  nostram  transtulit,  in 
quibus  liomana  Ecclesia  tanquarn  sedes  Antichristi  describitur, 
&  ad  vivum  exprimitur.  Humphr :  PrsefaU'o  ad  lib.  de 
Jesuitismo.  [See  above,  p.  122,  1582,  Humphrey.]  Fuere  & 
in  Britannorum  idiomate  &  eorum  vernaculo  sermone  aliqui 
poetae  ab  eis  summo  pretio  habiti  inter  qnos  Galfredus 
Chaucerus  vetustior  qui  multa  scripsit,  &  Thomas  Viatus, 
ambo  insignes  equites.  Lit.  Gyrald  De  Poet :  nost  Temp,  ii 
Dial  2  [see  Giraldus,  1551,  App.  A,  below]. 

[p.  211]  Joannes  Governs,  sive  Gouerus,  a  learned  English  Knight, 
and  Poet  Laureate. 

Hie  nomen  suum  extulit  partim  Us  qttce  ^  Gallice  fy  eleganter 
Anglice  elaboravit.  Sane  is  §  Gualterus  Chaucerus  primi 
Anglicam  linguam  expolire  covperunt.  Vossius  de  Histor:  Lat: 
I.  3.  c.  3. 

[For  the  question  of  Chaucer  and  Dante,  see  note  above,  p.  38.] 

1656.  S[mith],  J[ames].  The  Preface  to  that  most  elaborate  piece  of 
Poetry  entitnled  Penelope  and  Ulysses  [in]  Wit  and  Drollery. 
Jovial  Poems  by  Sir  J[ohn]  M[ennis],  Ja[mes]  S[mith],  Sir  Wfilliam] 
D[avenant],  J.  D.  and  other  admirable  Wits,  London,  Printed 
for  Nath.  Brook,  1656,  p.  2  ;  [also  in]  Wit  Restor'd  .  .  .  1658, 
p.  149  (reprinted  Facetiae,  Musarum  Delicise,  Wit  Restor'd  [ed.  T. 
Park],  2  vols.,  1817,  vol.  i,  p.  25'4.] 

Why  didst  thou  [the  author's  muse]  play  the  wag?     I'm 

very  sure 
T  have  commended  thee  above  old  Chaucer 


234  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1656- 

And  in  a  Tavern  once  I  had  a  Sawcer 
Of  white-wine  Vinegar  dasht  in  my  face 
For  saying  thou  deservedst  a  better  grace. 

1656.  Unknown.  Verses  written  over  the  Chair  of  Ben  Johnson  [in] 
Wit  and  Drollery.  Jovial  Poems,  by  Sir  J[ohn]  M[ennis],  etc.  [see 
last  entry,  under  James  Smith],  p.  79. 

And  though  our  nation  could  afford  no  room 

Near  CJiaucer,  Spencer,  Drayton,  for  thy  tomb  .  .  . 

1656.  Unknown.     Choyce  Drollery :  Songs  and  Sonnets,  Being  a  collec 
tion  of   divers  excellent  pieces  of   Poetry,  of    severall   eminent 
Authors.     Never  before  printed.     London,  Printed  by  J.  G.  for 
Kobert  Pollard,  at  the  Ben  Johnson's  head  .  .  .  1656.     (No  copy 
of  original  in  B.M.,  but  there  is  one  in  the  Bodleian  and  there 
was  one  in  the  Huth  collection.     Reprinted  by  J.  W.  Ebsworth, 
1876,  p.  7.) 

On  the  Time  Poets. 

...  Of  these  sad  Poets  this  way  ran  the  stream, 

And  Decker  followed  after  in  a  dream ; 

Bounce,  RolUe,  Hobble,  he  that  writ  so  high  big[:] 

Basse  for  a  Ballad,  John  Shank  for  a  Jig  ;  [Wm.  Basse] 

Sent  by  Ben  Jonson,  as  some  Authors  say, 

Broom  went  before  and  kindly  swept  the  way  : 

Old  Chaucer  welcomes  them  into  the  Green, 

And  Spencer  brings  them  to  the  fairy  Queen. 

1657.  Poole,  Josua.     The  English  Parnassus  :•  or,  A  Helpe  to  English 
Poesie.    Containing  a  short  Institution  of  that  Art ;  a  Collection  of 
all  Rhyming  Monosyllables,  the  choicest  Epithets  and  Phrases,  p.  41. 

[The  book  practically  consists  of  lists  of  adjectives  suitable 
to  be  applied  to  certain  nouns.  The  reference  to  Chaucer 
consists  of  his  name  among  the  list  of  '  Books  principally 
made  use  of  in  the  compiling  of  this  work.'] 

1658.  Atkins,  James.     To  his  Worthy  Friend,  Mr.  J.  8.   Upon  his 
happy  Innovation  of  Penelope  and  ulysses  [signed]  James  Atkins, 
[in]  Wit  Restor'd.     In  severall  Select  Poems  not  formerly  publisht. 
London,  Printed  for  R.  Pollard,  N.  Brooks  [etc.],  1658,  sign.  K  8. 
[There  is  a  separate  title-page  for  this  poem]  The  Innovation  of 
Penelope  and  Ulysses.     A  mock  Poem  by  J[ames]  S[mith],  1658. 
(Facetiae.  Musarum  Delicise.  Wit  Restor'd  [ed.  T.  Park],  2  vols., 
1817,  vol.  i.,  p.  243.) 

She  [Thalia]  lowr'd  her  flight,  and  soone  assembled  all 
That  since  old  Chaucer,  had  tane  leave  to  call 
Upon  her  name  in  print 

[See  above,  1656,  Smith,  Janus,  p.  233.  | 


1658]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  235 

1658.  Austin,  Samuel  ((he  Younger).  To  his  ingenuous  Friend,  the 
Author,  on  his  incomparable  Poem.  Naps  upon  Parnassus  .  .  . 
1658,  sign.  B  4  b  and  B  5.  (Printed  in  Fresh  allusions  to  Shak- 
spere,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  New  Shakspere  soc.,  1886,  pp.  181-2.) 

Carmen  Jocoserium. 
If  I  may  guess  at  Poets  in  our  Land, 
Thou  leaf  at  them  all  above,  and  underhand ; 

To  thee  compar'd,  our  English  Poets  all  stop, 
ut  should  have  An  vail  their  Bonnets,  even  Shakespear's  Falstop.1 
the  rhyme  had   Chaucer  the  first  of  all  wasn't  worth  a  farthing, 
permitted  it.      L^gai^  and  Huntingdon,  with  Gaffer  Harding. 

S.  W.,  W.  C.  C.  Oxon. 

[The  poet  here  addresses  himself  in  a  commendatory  "  Carmen  Jocoserium  "  under 
the  initials  S.W.,  W.  C.  C.  Oxon.  The  Advertisement  to  the  Reader  is  signed  Ado- 
niram  Banstittle,  alias  Tinderbox.  This  hook  may  be  found  in  the  B.M.  Catalogue 
under  Q.  K.,  with  references  from  Banstittle  and  Austin.] 

[a.  1658.]  Cleveland,  John.  The  Rustick  Rampant  or  Rural' Anarchy, 
affronting  Monarchy :  in  the  Insurrection  of  Wat  Tyler,  by  J.  C. 
London. '  Printed  by  R.  Holt,  for  Obadiah  Blagrave,  1687,'  p.  424 
(Works  of  Mr.  John  Cleveland,  1687,  p.  424). 

Our  most  famous  Chaucer  nourishing  then,  in  his  Descrip 
tion  of  the  terrible  Fright  and  Noise,  at  the  carrying  away  of 
Chanticlere  the  Cock  by  Remold  the  Fax,  reflects  upon  these 
Crys,  but  in  an  Hyperbole  of  his  Poetical  feigned  ones,  and 
much  undervaluing  the  Honor  of  the  Kentish  Throats,  as  he 
will  have  it. 

They  yellen  as  Eiends  do  in  Hell,  etc. 
So  hideous  was  the  Noise,  Ah  benedicite  ! 

Certes  Jack-Straw  ne  his  meney 
Ne  made  Shouts  half  so  shrill; 
When  they  would  any  Flemming  kill. 

[Nonne  Preestes  Tale,  11.  4579  and  4583-6.] 

1658.  Cokayne,  Sir  Aston.  Small  Poems  of  Divers  Sorts.  London. 
Printed  by  Wil.  Godbid,  1658,  pp.  8,  105,  155.  (Poems,  ed.  A.  E. 
Cokayne,  Congleton,  1877,  privately  printed,  pp.  10-11,  118.) 

A  Remedy  for  Love. 

[p.  8]  There  [London]  thou  upon  the  Sepulchre  maist  look 

Of  Chaucer,  our  true  Ennius,  whose  old  book 
Hath  taught  our  Nation  so  to  Poetize, 
That  English  rythmes  now  any  equalize ; 


236  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1658- 

That  we  no  more  need  envy  at  the  straine 
Of  Tiler,  Tagus,  or  our  neighbour  Seine. 

tP.  105]      To  Mr.  Humphry  G.  on  his  Poem  entitled  Loves  HawMng-Bcig. 
Chaucer,  we  now  commit  thee  to  repose, 
And  care  not  for  thy  Romance  of  the  Rose. 
In  thy  grave  at  Saint  Edmunds  Bury,  thy 
Hector  henceforth  (Lydgate]  may  with  thee  ly ; 
Old  Gower  (in  like  manner)  we  despise, 
Condemning  him  to  silence  for  his  Cryes 
And  Spencer  all  thy  Knights  may  (from  this  time) 
Go  seek  Adventures  in  another  Clime 
These  Poets  were  but  Footposts  that  did  come 
Halting  unto  's,  whom  thou  hast  all  outrun  : 


lp.  155]  Epigrams.  The  first  Book,  36  Of  Chaucer  [not  in  modern 
edition]. 

Our  good  old  Chaucer  some  despise  :  and  why  1 
Because  say  they  he  writeth  barbarously. 
Blame  him  not  (Ignorants)  but  your  selves,  that  do 
Not  at  these  years  your  native  language  know. 

1658.  P[hillips],  E[dward].  The  Mysteries  of  Love  and  Eloquence,  or 
the  Arts  of  Wooing  and  Complementing  ....  1658,  p.  180. 

Miscellania.     Fancy  Awakened  :  Natural  ....  Jovial  Ques 
tions  with  their  several  Answers  .... 
Q.    Wliat  was  old  Chaucers  Saw  1 
A.  Lord  be  merciful  unto  us, 

Fools  or  Knaves  will  else  undo  us. 

1658.  P[hillips],  E[dward].  The  New  World  of  Words,  or  a  generall 
dictionary,  by  E.  P.,  preface,  sign,  b  4  6.  [On  the  title-page  are 
pictures  of  Spenser,  Chaucer,  Lambard,  Camden,  Selden,  and 
Spelman.] 

....  it  is  evident,  that  the  Saxon,  or  German  tongue  is  the 
ground-work  upon  which  our  language  is  founded,  the  mighty 
stream  of  forraigne  words  that  hath  since  Chaucers  time  broke 
in  upon  it,  having  not  yet  wash't  away  the  root. 

1658.  Topsell,  Edward.  The  History  of  Four-footed  Beasts  and  Ser 
pents,  pp.  780,  781. 

[Quotes  Chaucer's  description  of  the  Franklin.] 


1659]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  237 

1659.  J[ones],  B[assett].  Hermcelogium  ;  or  an  Essay  at  the  rationality 
of  the  Art  of  Speaking.  As  a  Supplement  to  Lillie's  Grammar. 
Offered  by  B.  J.,  pp.  42,  43,  69. 

[P.  42]  Iii  that  the  first  and  second  persons  of  the  Yerb  be 
aswell  digitally  as  vocally  notified ;  but  this  third  person 
never  digitally,  saving  in  order  to  contempt.  So  that  it  was 
not  without  reason  that  the  old  English  usurped  it  for  the 
heightning  of  perswasion.  As  Sir  Geoff ery  Chaucer  when 
representing  the  cheating  Alchymist, 

The  chanons  Thus  said  he  in  his  game. 

Yeoman  s  Tale 

[11.1326-29)  

Put  in  your  bond  and  looketh  what  is  there. 

[p.  43]  The  Verb  Impersonal  of  the  Passive  Voice,  I  observe 
to  vary  from  the  sense  of  its  personality  only  while  it  fixeth 
our  observance  to  itself;  just  as  the  lore-quoted  noble  Chaucer 
doth  by  a  personal  Active,  where*  he  thus  singeth 

*in  Assem-  AS  frOm  awd  ground  Men  Saith  commeth  Corn  fro  veer  to 

bly  of  fowls  J 

[ii.  22-25]  year  [sic] 

So  from  awd  books,  by  my  faith,  commen  all  new  Science 
that  men  lore. 


[p.  69]  Whether  there  be  any  Books  writ  on  this  subject 
[i.  e.  of  interjections  conveyed  by  actions]  I  am  not  certain. 
But  observe  that  before  the  use  of  Bandstrings,  this  gravity 
hath  been  emulated  by  the  English.  The  noble  Chaucer,  as 
he  encomiats  the  deportment  of  the  Arabian  Envoy  in  the 
Tartarian  presence  thus  singing, 

The  Squier'  Tale     Accordant  to  his  woordes  was  his  chere 

As  teacheth  art  of  speech  hem  that  it  lere. 

1659.  With,  Elizabeth,  of  Woodbridge.  Elizabeth  Fools  Warning  .  .  . 
Being  a  caveat  for  all  young  women  to  marry  with  old  men  .  .  . 
By  Elizabeth  With  of  Woodbridge,  pp.  4,  5. 

[i>.  4]  Instead  of  smiles  he  gave  me  a  frown 

In  his  locking  up  my  best  silk  gown, 
Which  with  my  pettycoats  so  neatly  wrought 
Into  his  Sisters  Chest  after  he  brought 

Now  patient  Grisili  what  dost  thou  now  say 
Art  thou  contented  with  thy  gown  of  gray. 


238  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1060- 

[p.  5]  At  length  I  left  this  crying  strain  : 

And  when  old  Naboth  plaid  his  part, 
I  did  get  patient  Grisills  heart. 

1660.  P[arker],  M[artin] .  The  Famous  History  of  That  Most  Renowned 
Christian  Worthy  Arthur  King  of  the  Britaines,  p.  13.  [The 
preface  is  signed  M.  P.,  Parker's  initial.?,  under  which  he  often 
wrote.] 

King  Arthur  ....  instituted  at  the  City  of  Winchester 
where  he  was  then  residing  the  Order  of  the  Eound  Table  .... 
into  this  order  were  received  150  men  ....  which  were  called 
Knights  of  the  Eound  Table,  and  because  I  find  many  of  their 
names  to  be  at  this  day  great  sirnames  in  the  Monarchy  of 
great  Britain,  I  think  it  convenient  .  .  .  .  to  set  down  the 
names  of  the  first  Knights  of  the  Eound  Table  in  Alphabetical! 
order,  as  I  found  them  long  since  in  an  old  Chaucerian 
manuscript. 

1660.  Tatham,  John.  The  Character  of  the  Bump,  p.  1.  [In  Thomason 
Tracts,  B.M.  pr.  m.  E.  1017.]  (Tatham's  Dramatic  Works,  ed.  J. 
Maidment  and  W.  H.  Logan,  Edinburgh,  1879,  p.  287.) 

.  .  .  the  devil's  tail  in  Chaucer,  being  stuck  in  this,  would 
look  but  like  a  maggot  in  a  Tub  of  Tallo\v,  and  yet  he  saith — 

That  certainly  Sathanas  hath  such  a  tail 
Broader  than  of  a  Pinnace  is  the  Sail. 

1660.  Winstanley,  William.  Englands  Worthies,  sign.  A  7  6,  A  8  6, 
pp.  79,  91-8.  [Life  of  Chaucer  based  on  Speght,  c/.  Winstanley's 
Lives  of  the  Most  Famous  English  Poets,  1687,  below,  p.  261.] 

[P.  79]        His  body   [Edward  III]  was  solemnly   interred  at    West- 
minster    Church,    where    he  hath  his  monument,    with    this 
Epitaph  engraven  thereon,  made  by  Geffery  Chaucer  the  Poet. 
Hie  decus  Anglorum,  flos  regum  prteteritorum, 
Forma  futurorum,  Eex  clemens,  pax  populorum, 
Tertius  Edwardus,  regni  complens  Jubilseum, 
Invictus  Pardus,  pollens  bellis  Machabseum. 

[c.  1660.]  Widdrington,  Sir  Thomas.  Analecta  Eboracensia.  See 
below,  App.  A. 

1661-6.  Wood,  Anthony  a.  Survey  of  the  Antiquities  of  the  City  of 
Oxford.  MS.  Wood  F.  29a,  Boul.  ff.  7  6,  38  6,  220,  275  6.  (Survey, 
etc.,  ed.  Andrew  Clark,  1889-99,  vol.  i,  pp.  55,  173,  402  ;  vol.  ii 
(1890),  pp.  225,  287.  Merely  passing  references  to  Chaucer.) 

vol.  i,   ch.     iv,  p.     55,  fol.  7  b.   [Eeference  to  Astrolab. 

„    viii,  p.  130,    „  24  b.  Tabard     Jim     in    Oxford, 
Eeference  in  Clark's  note. 


1662]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  239 

vol.  i,  ch.  viii,  p.  173,  fol.  38  b.  Seller  Hall  and  Reeves 

Tale. 

„  „  xxi,  p.  402,  ,,  6  a.  Reference  in  Wood,  mar 
ginal  note  to  Chaucer. 

,,  ii  „  xxxi,  p.  225,  „  220  a.  Reference  in  text  and  mar 
ginal  note — Wood. 

„         ,,      ,,      p.  287,    ,,    275  b.   Chaucer  and  Wijclyve. 

„  „  „  p.  290,  ,,  276 «.  Reference  in  margin  by 

Clarke  to  Twyne,  xxiii, 
729.] 

1662.  E[velyn],  J[ohn].  Sylva,  or  a  Discourse  of  Forest- Trees  ....  by 
J.  E.,  Esq.  ...  as  it  was  Deliver'd  in  the  Royal  Society  ....  1662 
.  .  .  Printed  1664  ;  ch.  xxix,  p.  83.  (Sylva,  ed.  John  Nisbet,  1908, 
vol.  ii,  p.  43.) 

Nor  are  we  to  over-pass  those  memorable  Trees  which  so 
lately  flourished  in  Dennincjton  [sic]  Park  neer  Newberry, 
amongst  which  three  were  most  remarkable  from  the  ingenious 
Planter,  and  dedication  (if  Tradition  hold)  the  i'amous  English 
Bard  Jeofry  Chaucer ;  of  which  one  was  call'd  the  Kings, 
another  the  Queens,  and  a  third  Chaucers  Oak.  .  .  .  Chaucers 
Oak,  though  it  were  not  of  these  dimensions,  yet  was  it  a 
very  goodly  Tree. 

1662.  Fuller,  Thomas.  The  History  of  the  Worthies  of  England. 
Endeavoured  by  Thomas  Fuller,  p.  106,  sign.  P  1  b,  Barkshire, 
[Thomas  Chaucer] ;  p.  97,  sign.  Oo  1,  Kent ;  pp.  219-20,  sign.  Eee 
4  and  4  b,  London  ;  pp.  337-8,  sign.  Vvv  4  and  6,  Oxford-shire  ; 
pp.  68-9,  sign.  lii  2  b  and  3,  Suffolk  ;  p.  207,  sign.  Cccc  4,  York 
shire  [Gower].  (ed.  John  Nichols,  1811,  vol.  i,  pp.  107,  527  ;  vol. 
ii,  pp.  80-1,  230-1,  341-2,  514.) 

Proverbs 

Canterbury  Tales] 

So  Chaucer  calleth  his  Book,  being  a  collection  of  several 
Tales,  pretended  to  be  told  by  Pilgrims  in  their  passage  to  the 
Shrine  of  Saint  Thomas  in  Canterbury.  But  since  that  time 
Canterbury  Tales  are  parallel  to  Fabulce  Milesice,  which  are 
charactered,  Nee  verce,  nee  verisimiles,  meerly  made  to  marre 
precious  time,  and  please  fanciful  people. 

S'n1Eee4]  EoMOND  SPENCER  .  .  .  especially  most  happy  in  English 
Poetry,  as  his  works  do  declare.  In  which  the  many  Chaucer- 
isms  used  (for  I  will  not  say  affected  by  him)  are  thought  by 


240  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1662- 

the  ignorant  to  be    blemishes,  known  by  the   learned  to  be 
beauties  to  his  book ;  which  notwithstanding  had  been  more 
alable,  if  more  conformed  to  our  modem  language.    .    .    . 
srign3vw4]  JEFFREY  CHAUCER  was  by  most  probability  born  at  Wood 
stock  in  this  County   [Oxfordshire],  though  other  places  lay 
stiff  claim  to  his  Nativity  [i.  e.  Berkshire  and   London,   the 
claims  of  all  three  places  are  then  stated  in  parallel  columns.] 

[p.  338]  He  was  a  terse  and  elegant  Poet,  (the  Homer  of  his  Age), 
and  so  refined  our  English  Tongue,  Ut  inter  expolitas  gentium 
linguas  potuit  recte  qiiidem  connumerari,1  His  skill  in  Mathe 
matics  was  great  (being  instructed  therein  by  Joannes  Sombus 
and  Nicholas  of  Linn)  ;  which  he  evidenceth  in  his  book 
"  De  Sphaera."  He,  being  contemporary  with  Gower,  was 
living  anno  Domini  1402.  .  .  . 

s?gn68iii26]  JOHN  LYDGATE  ...  If  Chauc&rs  coin  were  of  a  greater 
weight  for  deeper  learning,  Lydgates  were  of  a  more  refined 
standard  for  purer  language,  so  that  one  might  mistake  him 
for  a  modern  "Writer. 

f1  Bale,  de  Scriptoribus  Britannicis,  cent,  vii,  num.  14.] 

1662.  Wilson,  John.     The  Cheats :   a  Comedy.     Written  in   the  year 
1662  ....  Printed  ....  1664.     Second  edition,  1671.    The  Author 
to  the  Reader,  sign.  A  3.     (Dramatic  works  of  J.  Wilson,  ed.  J. 
Maidment  and  W.  H.  Logan  [1873],  p.  13.) 

There  is  hardly  any  thing  left  to  write  upon,  but  what 
either  the  Ancients  or  Moderns  have  some  way  or  other 
touch'd  on : — Did  not  Apulejus  take  the  Kise  of  his  Golden 
Asse,  from  Lucian's  Lucius  1  and  Erasmus,  his  Alcumnistica, 
from  Chaucer's  Canons  Yeomans  Talel  and  Ben  Johnson  his 
more  happy  Alchymist  from  both?  The  Argument  were 
everlasting. 

1663.  Gayton,  Edmund  (Batchelor  of  Physick).     The  Religion  of  a 
Physician.     Or,  Divine  Meditations  upon  the  Grand  and  Lesser 
Festivals.     Epistle  to  the  Favourable  Header,  sign.  A  4  &  and  B  1. 
(This  reference  is  given  in  T.  Corser's  Collectanea,  Chetham  soc., 
part  vi,  1877,  p.  463.) 

Tis  true,  that  Sir  Jeffrey  Chaucer  had  but  an  ill  opinion  of 
my  Faculty,  when  he  saith  of  a  Doctor  of  Physick, 
His  meat  was  good  and  digestible, 
But  not  a  word  he  had  o'  th'  Bible,     ^.^"if"'"' 

To  wipe  off  that  stain  and  aspersion  from  our  Botanic/f  Tribe, 


1663]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  241 

]> wrote  these  Meditations,  to  show  the  world,  that  it  is  possible 
for  a  Physician  of  the  Lower  Form  to  be  TJieoloyue,  at  least 
wise  to  seem  to  be  one  .... 

1663-4.  Pepys,  Samuel.  Diary  for  June  14th  and  Dec.  10th  1663, 
July  8,  9,  Auy.  10,  1664.  (The  Diary  of  Samuel  Pepys,  ed.  H.  B. 
Wh'eatley,  1893-99,  vol.  iii,  pp.  168,  370-1  ;  vol.  iv,  pp.  178,  213.) 

tf0}^'  June  14th  1663  ....  So  to  Sir  W.  Pen's  to  visit  him  .... 
By  and  by  in  comes  Sir  J.  Minnes,  and  Sir  W.  Batten,  and  so 
we  sat  talking.  Among  other  things  Sir  J.  Minnes  brought 
many  fine  expressions  of  Chaucer,  which  he  doats  on  mightily, 
and  without  doubt  he  is  a  very  fine  poet. 

[P.  370]  Dec.  10,  1663.  To  St.  Paul's  Church  Yard  to  my  book 
sellers  ....  I  could  not  tell  whether  to  lay  out  my  money 
for  books  of  pleasure,  as  plays,  which  my  nature  was  most 
earnest  in ;  but  at  last,  after  seeing  Chaucer,  Dugdale's  History 
of  St.  Paul's,  Stow's  London,  Gesner,  History  of  Trent,  besides 
Shakespeare,  Jonson,  and  Beaumont's  plays,  I  at  last  chose 
Dr.  Fuller's  Worthys,  the  Cabbala  or  Collections  of  Letters  of 
State,  and  a  little  book,  Delices  de  Hollande,  with  another 
little  book  or  two,  all  of  good  use  or  serious  pleasure;  and 

[p.  371]  Hudibras  both  parts,  the  book  now  in  greatest  fashion  for 
drollery,  though  I  cannot,  I  confess,  see  enough  where  the 
wit-lies. 


[V°i78?  1664'  July  8th  •  •  •  •  So  to  "Paul's  Churchyarde  about  my 
books,  and  to  the  binder's  and  directed  the  doing  of  my 
Chaucer,  though  they  were  not  full  neate  enough  for  me,  but 
pretty  well  it  is ;  and  thence  to  the  clasp-maker's  to  have  it 
clasped  and  bossed.  [This  was  Speght's  edn.  of  1602,  still  in 
the  Pepysian  library,  bound  in  calf,  with  brass  clasps  and 
bosses.] 

July  9th  ....  So  home,  by  the  way  calling  for  my  Chaucer 
and  other  books,  and  that  is  well  done  to  my  mind,  which 
pleased  me  well, 

[p.  212]  Aug.  10th  Up,  and  .  .  abroad  to  do  several  small  busi 
nesses,  among  others  to  find  out  one  to  engrave  my  tables 
upon  my  new  sliding  rule  with  silver  plates.  ...  So  I  find 
out  Cocker,  the  famous  writing  master,  and  get  him  to  do 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  R 


242  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1665- 

[p.  213]  it  ...  he  says  that  the  best  light  for  his  life  to  do  a  very 
small  thing  by  (contrary  to  Chaucer's  words  to  the  Sun,  "that 
he  should  lend  his  light  to  them  that  small  seals  grave  "),  it 
should  be  by  an  artificial  light  to  a  candle,  set  to  advantage, 
as  he  could  do  it. 

[Pepys  here  refers  to  the  passage  in  Troilus  &  Criseyde,  book  iii,  st.  209,  11. 1457-63.] 

[a.  1665.]  Fairfax,  Henry.  The  Catalogue  of  the  library  of  Henry  Fair 
fax  (4th  son  of  Thomas,  first  Lord  Fairfax,  who  died  in  1665). 
Sloane  MS.  1872,  f.  81.  (See  Edw.  J.  L.  Scott  in  Athenaeum,  Mar.  3, 
1898,  p.  320,  col.  2.) 

[Under  the  heading  of]  Poesis— Anglici.  Chaucer's  workes.  fol. 

Spenser's  fairy  Queen,  fol. 
Johnsons  .2.  vol. 
Beaumont  &  ff.  Fletcher. 
Shakespeare. 

1665.  Brathwait,  Richard.     A  comment  upon  the  Two  Tales  of  our 
Ancient  ....  Poet  .  Sr  Jeffray  Chaucer  .  ...  The  Miller's  Tale  [and 
the]   Wife  of  Bath  (ed.  C.  Spurgeon,  Chaucer  soc.   1901),     [The 
whole  is  a  running  commentary  on  these  Tales,  we  quote  only 
Appendix,  p.  98.] 

A  Critick  ....  said  "  that  he  could  allow  well  of  Chaucer, 
if  his  Language  were  Better." — Whereto  the  Author  of  these 
Commentaries  return'd  him  this  Answer:  "Sir,  it  appears, 
you  prefer  Speech  before  the  Head  piece ;  Language  before 
Invention ;  whereas  Weight  of  Judgment  has  ever  given 
Invention  Priority  before  Language.  And  not  to  leave  you 
dissatisfied,  As  the  Time  wherein  these  Tales  were  writ,  ren 
dered  him  incapable  of  the  one ;  so  his  Pregnancy  of  Fancy 
approv'd  him  incomparable  for  the  other." 

Which  Answer  still'd  this  Censor,  and  justified  the  Author  ; 
leaving  New-holme  to  attest  his  Deserts ;  his  Works  to  per 
petuate  his  Honour. 

1666.  Dugdale,  Sir  William.    Origines  Juridiciales,  pp.  136  6,  137  a. 

[Concerning  the  robes  of  Serjeants  at  law],  I  am  of  opinion, 
that  the  form  of  the  Eobe,  and  colour  thereof,  which  they  use 
at  their  Creation,  is  very  antient :  for  in  Chaucer's  time  (which 
is  3  hundred  years  since)  it  is  evident,  that  parti-coloured 
Garments  were  much  in  fashion  ;  and  that  the  people  of  that 
age  were  grown  to  a  great  exorbitancy  therein  ;  so  that  in  his 


1667]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  243 

Parson's  Tale  he  sharply  inveighs  against  the  vanity  thereof : 
and  amongst  other  particulars  which  he  there  instanceth,  takes 
notice,  that  the  one  half  of  their  Hose  was  white,  and  the 
other  RedJ] 

[c.  1667.]  Butler,  Samuel.  Remains.  MSS.  Add.  32625,  fol.  186  b  ; 
Transcript  Add.  32626,  ff.  83,  92. 

Ifoi.1866]  When  King  Henry  8th  had  dissolu'd  all  Monasteries  and 
turnd  the  Friers  out  to  grass,  they  overspred  the  whole 
Nation  as  Chaucer's  Friers  did  Hell.  [Somnour's  Prologue  ] 

Character  of  a  Banker  .... 

[fol.  83]  He  borrows  the  king's  money  of  his  officers  to  break  his 
laws  with,  as  Chaucer's  fryar  borrow'd  money  of  a  merchant 
to  corrupt  his  wife  with,  and  makes  him  pay  for  his  own 

injury.  [ShipmannesTale.] 

Ifoi.  92]  These  are  all  that  is  left  of  the  Devils  oracles,  that  give 
answers  to  those  that  come  to  consult  him,  not  as  their 
forefathers  did  by  being  inspired  &  possest,  but  as  if  they 
possessed  the  Devil  himself,  &  had  him  perfectly  at  command  : 
for  if  they  were  riot  intrenched  in  their  circles,  he  would  serve 
them  as  they  did  Chaucer's  Sumner  for  daring  to  cite  him  to 

appeare  .    .    .    .  [FreresTale,  11. 1610-40.] 

[a.  1667.]  Cowley,  Abraham.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1667.  Evelyn,  John.  Diary,  Aug.  3rd  1667.  (Diary  and  Correspond 
ence  ot  John  Evelyn  .  .  .  .  ed.  William  Bray,  new  edn.  1850-2.  vol. 
ii,  1850,  p.  27.) 

Went  to  Mr  Cowley's  f  unerall ;  whose  corpse  lay  at  Waliing- 
ford  House,  and  was  thence  convey* a  to  Westminster  Abby  in 
a  hearse  with  six  horses  and  all  funeral  decency  ....  He  was 
interred  next  Geoffry  Chaucer  and  near  Spe?iser. 

[a  1667.]  Skinner,  Stephen.  Etymologicon  Linguue  Anylicance,  1671. 
Pr<e/tth'o,.8igri.  B  3.  [Licence  to  be  printed  Sept.  7,  1668  ;  Skinner 
died  1667.  Throughout  the  whole  work  there  are  continual  refer 
ences  to  Chaucer,  see  specially  the  3rd  appendix  to  the  Glossary.] 

Ex  hoc  malesano  novitatis  pruritu,  Belgw  Gallicas  voces 
passim  civitate  sua  donando,  patiii  serrnonis  puritatem  nuper 
non  leviter  inquinarunt,  &  Chaucerus  poeta,  pessimo  exemplo, 
integris  vocum  plaustris  ex  eadeni  Gallia  in  nostram  Linguam 
invectis,  earn,  nimis  antea  a  Normannorum  victoria  adulteratam, 
omni  fere  nativa  gratia  &  nitore  spoliavifc,  pro  genuinis  coloribus 
fucum  illinens,  pro  vera  facie  larvam  induens. 


244  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1667- 

1667.  Sprat,  Dr.  Thomas  (Bishop  of  Rochester).     History  of  the  Royal 
Society  of  London,  1667,  pp.  41-2. 

The  Truth  is,  it  [the  English  language]  hns  been  hitherto 
a  little  too  carelessly  handled ;  and  I  think  has  had  less  labor 
spent  about  it's  polishing,  then  it  deserves.  Till  the  time  of 
King  Henry  the  Eighth,  there  was  scarce  any  man  regarded  it, 
but  Chaucer ;  and  nothing  was  written  in  it,  which  one  would 
be  willing  to  read  twice,  but  some  of  his  Poetry.  But  then  it 
began  to  raise  it  self  a  little,  and  to  sound  tolerably  well. 

1868.  Denham,  Sir  John.  Poems  and  Translations,  with  The  Sophy, 
1668,p.  89.  (Works  of  English  Poets,  ed.  Samuel  Johnson,  additional 
lives  by  A.  Chalmers,  vol.  vii,  1810,  p.  247.) 

On  Mr  Abraham  Cowley,  his  Death  and  Burial  amongst  the 
Ancient  Poets. 

Old  Chaucer,  like  the  Morning  Star, 
To  us  discovers  day  from  far, 
His  light  those  Mists  and  Clouds  dissolv'd, 
Which  our  dark  Nation  long  involv'd ; 
But  he,  descending  to  the  shades, 
Darkness  again  the  Age  invades. 
Next  (like  Aurora)  Spencer  rose, 
Whose  purple  blush  the  day  foreshows. 

1668.  Waller,    Edmund.     Poems  ....  upon  several  Occasions.  .  .  . 
The  third  Edition  ivith  several  Additions  ....  pp.  234-5.     Of 
English  Verse  [not  in  earlier  edns.].     (Poems  of  Edmund  Waller, 
ed.  G.  Thorn  Drury,  Muses  Library,  1904,  vol.  ii.  p.  70.) 

Poets  that  lasting  Marble  seek 
Must  carve  in  Latine  or  in  Greek, 
We  write  in  Sand,  our  Language  grows, 
And  like  the  Tide  our  work  o're  flows. 

Chaucer  his  Sense  can  only  boast, 
The  glory  of  his  numbers  lost, 
Years  have  defac'd  his  matchless  strain, 
And  yet  he  did  not  sing  in  vain, 

The  Beauties  which  adorn'd  that  age 
The  shining  Subjects  of  his  rage, 
Hoping  they  should  immortal  prove 
Rewarded  with  success  his  love. 


1669]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  245 

1669-96.  Aubrey,  John.  Brief  Lives,  chiefly  of  Contemporaries,  set 
down  by  John  Aubrey,  between  the  years  1669  &  1696.  Edited 
from  the  Author's  MSS.  by  Andrew  Clark,  .  .  .  1898.  [MSS 
Aubrey  6,  7,  8  9,  Ashmole  ;  for  descriptions  of  MSS.  see  intro 
duction,  pp.  8-23.]  Vol.  i,  pp.  96  (MS.  Aubrey  6,  fol.  116  6), 
170-1  (8,  fol.  27),  189  (6,  fol.  113  6),  193  (8,  fol.  25),  219  (6,  fol. 
105  6),  vol.  ii,  pp.  318  (6,  fol.  11  6),  319  (8,  fol.  10  6). 

[p.  96]  [Francis  Beaumont's  prefatory  letter  in  Speght's  edn.  of  Chaucer.] 

[p.  170]  Sir  Geffrey  Chaucer:  memorandum  —  Sir  Hamond  L'Estrange, 
of  ...  [Hunstanton  1]  in  [Norfolk  ?]  had  his  Workes  in  MS., 
a  most  curious  piece,  most  rarely  writt  and  illumined,  which  he 
valued  at  100  li.  His  grandson  and  heire  still  haz  it.  —  From 
Mr.  Koger  L'Estrange. 

He  taught  his  sonne  the  use  of  [the]  astrolabe  at  10;  prout 
per  his  treatise  of  the  Astrolabe. 

Punnington  Castle,  neer  Newbury  was  his,  .... 

Memorandum  :  —  near  this  castle  was  an  oake  under  which 
Sir  Jeofrey  was  wont  to  sitt,  called  Chaucer'  s-oake,  which  was 
cutt  downe  by  ....  tempore  Caroli  Imi;  and  so  it  was  that  .... 
was  called  into  the  starre  chamber,  and  was  fined  for  it  .... 
Judge  Eichardson1  harangued  against  him  long,  and  like  an 
orator,  had  topiques  from  the  Druides,  etc.  This  information 
I  had  from  ....  an  able  attorney  that  was  at  the  hearing. 

His  picture  is  at  his  old  howse  at  Woodstock  (neer  the 
parke-gate),  a  foot  high,  halfe  way  :  has  passed  from  proprietor 
to  proprietor. 

One  Mr.  Goresuch  of  Woodstock  dined  with  us  at  Runmey 
marsh,  who  told  me  that  at  the  old  Gothique-built  howse 
neere  the  parke-gate  at  Woodstock,  which  was  the  howse  of 
Sir  Jeffrey  Chaucer,  that  there  is  his  picture,  which  goes  with 
the  howse  from  one  to  another  —  which  see. 


[p.  169]      [Cowley  buried  next  to  Chaucer]. 

tp.  193]  [Elizabeth  Danvers,  dau.  of  John  Nevill,  last  lord  Latimer.] 
His  [i.e.  Henry,  earl  of  Danby's]  mother,  an  Italian,  prodigious 
parts  for  a  woman.  I  have  heard  my  father's  mother  say  th.it 
she  had  Chaucer  at  her  finders'  ends. 


P  Sir  Thomas  Richardson,  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  1631 ;  we  have 
bten  unable  to  trace  this  case.] 


246  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1669- 

[p.  219]       [Sir  John  Denham  buried  near  Chaucer]. 

[vol.  ii,  p.  sis]  [reference  to  Chaucer's  '  Prologue  of  the  Doctor  of 
Pliysick  ']. 

[p.  319]       [reference  to  clocks  in  Chaucer's  isonnes  Priest's  Tale]. 

1669.  Ramesey,  William.]  The  Gentleman*  Companion  or  a  Character 
of  true  Nobility  ....  by  a  Person  of  Quality  ....  1672,  p.  129. 
[The  epistle  dedicatory  is  dated  1669.] 

[The  author  gives  a  list  of  books  to  be  read,  amongst  others] 
and  among  our  selves,  old  S^r  Jeffery  Chaucer,  Ben.  Johnson, 
Shakespear,  Spencer,  Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  Dryden,  and 
what  other  Playes  from  time  to  time  you  find  best  Penn'd. 

[c  1669.]  Unknown.  Verses,  set  to  music.  Harl.  MS.  6947,  fol.  401. 
(See  Athenaeum,  Aug.  9,  1902,  p.  191,  col.  3,  where  these  verses  are 
given  by  Dr.  E.  J.  L.  Scott,  who  dates  them  as  above.) 

To  heauen  once  ther  caime  a  poett  /  a  frend  of  mine  swore  hee 

did  know  itt 

No  sooner  ther  butt  hee  did  cale  /  the  aengills  littell  Cupitts  all 
Ther  haleluiaes  sungo  in  time  butt  angry  cause  itt  was  not  rime 
And  when  ther  prayers  they  did  reherse  hee  wondred  that 

is  [sic]  was  not  verse 
Seeing  sutch  gloris  hee  did  aske  whether  twere  not  a  twelph 

night  mask. 

Then  hee  satt  downe  vppon  a  bench  askt  for  a  tauerne  and  a 

wench 
What  sports  they  had  ther  in  ther  dayes  and  who  eatch  terme 

did  wright  new  playes 
What  joyes  to  sencis  great  delights  and  how  they  past  long 

winters  nights 
In  sweet  discorce  tongs  best  depaints  the  ould  wines  tales  of 

lines  of  saints 
Butt  had  no  auuser  mayd  him  there  wondred  wher  all  his  ould 

frends  weare. 

Xo  store  of  companey  ther  hee  then  did  jeere  the  shepperds 

fishermen 
And  asked  wher  the  good  fellowes  bee  and   could  not  one 

jentillman  see- 
Swore  that  the  place  was  dull  so  fell  from  thence  to  Lusefer 

in  hell 


1671]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  247 

Ould  Chatiser  mett  him  in  great  state  Spenser  and  Johnson  at 

the  gate 
Beamon  and  Flettchers  witt  mayd  one  butt  Shakspeers  witt 

did  goe  aloane. 

Butt  ther  the  poetts  nothing  lack  they  had  burnt  Claritt  and 

mukl  sack 

And  for  a  rasher  of  the  coales  the  had  good  tuff  vserers  sooles 
And  neuer  ther  did  want  a  fire  to  light  ther  pipes  to  ther  desire 
Will  Dauenants  health  they  drunke  amaine  to  all  the  poets  of 

the  trayne 
By  no  meanes  they  would  goe  from  thence  drunke  a  full  quart 

to  his  exselence. 

1670.  Baker,  Sir  Richard.     Theatrum  Triumphans,  p.  34. 

.  .  .  for  let  him  try  it  when  he  will,  and  come  himself 
upon  the  stage,  with  all  the  scurrility  of  the  Wife  of  Baili  .  .  . 

1670.  John  Dryden  s  Patent  [as  Poet  Laureate]  Pat.  22.  Car.  II,  p.  6, 
n.  6.     Printed  by  Edmond  Malone  in  The  .  .  .   Prose  Works  of 
John  Dryden,  1800,  vol.  i,  part  i,  Appendix,  p.  557. 

Know  yee,  that  wee  .  .  .  .  do  .  .  appoint  .  .  John  Dryden, 
our  POET  LAUREAT  and  HISTORIOGRAPHER  ROYAL  ;  giving  and 
granting  unto  him  the  said  John  Dryden  all  &  singular  the 
rights,  privileges,  benefits,  and  advantages,  thereunto  belonging, 
as  fully  &  amply  as  Sir  Geoffery  Chaucer,  Knight,  Sir  John 
Gower,  Knight,  John  Leland,  Esquire,  William  Camden, 
Esquire,  Benjamin  Johnson,  Esquire,  James  Howell,  Esquire, 
Sir  William  D'Avenant,  Knight 

1671.  [Culpeper,  Sir  Thomas.]     Essayes  or  Moral  Discourses  on  several 
Subjects  Written  by  a  Person  of  Honour,  1671,  pp.  110,  118. 

[p.  no]  I  would  willingly  be  resolved  if  caress,  trepan,  harange, 
and  the  like,  had  been  written  by  Chaucer,  whether  they  had 
not  appeared  as  harsh  and  barbarous  to  us  now,  as  any  of  the 
most  obsolet  used  by  him ;  .  .  . 

[p.  us]  Some  have  thought  to  honour  Antiquity  by  using  such 
[words]  as  were  obsolete,  as  hath  been  done  by  our  famous 
Spencer  and  others,  though  the  times  past  are  no  more 
respected  by  an  unnecessary  continuing  of  their  words  then 
if  wee  wore  constantly  the  same  trimming  to  our  Cloaths 
as  they  did,  for  it  is  not  Speech,  but  things  which  render 
antiquity  venerable,  besides  the  danger  of  expressing  no 


248  Mve  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1672- 

Language,:  if  as  Spencer  made  use  of  Chaucers,   we   should 
likewise  introduce  his  ;  ... 

1672.  Unknown.  Chancels  Ghoast ;  Or  a  Piece  of  Antiquity.  Con 
taining  twelve  pleasant  Fables  of  Ovid  penn'd  after  the  ancient 
manner  of  writing  in  England,  Which  makes  them  prove  Mock- 
Poems  to  the  present  Poetry  ...  By  a  Lover  of  Antiquity. 

[No  mention  of  Chaucer  save  in  the  title  and  in  a  short  poem  at  end  of  the  book, 
entitled  The  Authours  Friend  to  the  Readers.  See  next  entry.  It  is  not  the  ghost  of 
Chaucer,  but  of  Gower,  which  is  here  revived.  See  Studies  in  Chaucer,  by  T.  R. 
Lounsbury,  vol.  iii,  pi>.  118-19.] 

1672.  Unknown.  The  Authours  Friend  to  the  Headers  upon  his 
perusal  of  the  Work. 

my  loving  friend 

His  Conjurinr/- glass  unto  the  World  doth  lend  ; 
Where  both  his  wortli  appearing  we  may  finde, 
And  Chaucer's  Ghoast,  or  else  we  all  are  blinde. 

1672.  V[eal],  B[obert].     See  below,  App.  A. 

1673.  Phillips,  John.     Maronides  or  Virgil  Travesty,  .  .  a  .  .  .  para 
phrase  upon  the  Sixth  Book  of  Virgil's  *&neids,  p.  108. 

[p.  103]    They  came  to  the  capacious  High-lands, 
That  always  look  like  Summer-islands  ; 

[p.  108]    There  sits  Ben  Johnson  like  a  Tetrarch 

With  Chaucer,  Carew,  tihakespear,  Petrarch, 
Fletcher  and  Beaumont,  and  Menander, 
Plautus  and  Terence 

[a.  1674.]  Hyde,  Edward,  Earl  of  Clarendon.  The  History  of  the  Rebellion 
and  Civil  Wars  in  England,  begun  in  ...  1641,  by  Edward,  Earl 
of  Clarendon.  (1st  edn.  1702  ;  re-ed.froni  MSS.  by  W.  Dunn  Macray, 
1888,  vol.  iii,  bk.  vii,  §  212,  p.  176.) 

1641  .  .  .  his  majesty  .  .  .  leaving  a  garrison  ...  in 
Doimington  castle  (a  house  of  John  Packer's,  but  more  famous 
for  having  been  the  seat  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer). 

[a.  1674  ?]  Milton,  John.  Common  Place  Book,  MSS.  in  possession  of 
Sir  F.  V.  Graham.  Matrimonium  Vide  de  Divortio,  fol.  109,  De 
liberis  educandis.  Vide  de  scientia  literarum,  fol.  Ill,  Paupertas, 
fol.  150,  Nobilitas,  fol.  191.  (Ed.  A.  J.  Horwood,  Camden  soc., 
revised  edn.  1877,  pp.  14,  16,  19,  38  ;  see  also  A  Common  Place 
Book  of  John  Milton  reproduced  ....  from  the  original  MS.  ... 
introduction  by  A.  J.  Horwood,  under  the  direction  of  the  Boy. 
Soc.  of  Literature,  1876.) 

[fol.  109]  Matrimonium.  Vide  de  Divortio.  The  discommoditie 
of  marriage.  Sec  Chaucer,  marchants  tale,  and  wife  of  Baths 
prologue. 


1674]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  249 

[foi.  iii]  De  liberis  educandis.  Vide  de  scientia  literarum.  Not  to 
labour,  as  most  men  doe,  to  make  them  bold  and  pert  while 
they  are  young,  which  ripens  them  too  soon  ;  and  true  boldnes 
and  spirit  is  not  bred  but  of  vertuous  causes,,  which  are  wrought 
in  them  by  sober  discipline  :  to  this  purpose  Chaucer  speaking 
of  feasts  revells  and  daunces,  "such  things  maken  children  for 
to  be  too  soon  ripe  and  bold,  as  men  may  see,  which  is  full 
perillous,"  &c.,  Doctor  of  Phis,  tale,  fol.  58. 

[Physiciens  Tale,  11.  67-9.] 

[foi.  150]  Paupertas.  See  Chaucer.  No  poverty  but  sin.  Wife  of 
Bath's  Tale,  p.  36.  [11.  1177-1206?] 

[foi.  i9i]  Ndbilitas.  See  Chaucer,  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale,  fol.  36,  and 
Eomant  of  the  Eose,  fol.  118. 

[11.  1109-76;  R.  of  the  R.,  11.  2187-2205.] 

1674.  Hyde,  Thomas.  Catalogus  impressorum  librorum  bibliothecce 
Bodlejance  in  Academia  Oxoniensi  Curd  et  operd  Thomve  Hyde, 
p.  157. 

Geffrey  CHAUCER.  His  Works,  Lond.  1561,  C.  4.4.  Art. 
Et  Lond.  1602.  C.  1,  9.  Art.  Seld. 

The  Plough-man's  Tale,  shewing  that  the  Pope  is  Antichrist 
with  an  Exposition  on  the  same.  Lond.  1606,  4°.  C.  22,  Art. 

[For  the  two  first  Bodleian  catalogues  see  above,  1605,  p.  175,  and  1620,  p.  193.] 

1674.  Bay,  John,  F.R.S.  A  Collection  of  English  Words  not  generally 
used,  with  their  significations  and  Original  .  .  .  ,  pp.  38,  45,  53, 
55,60. 

[Chaucer's  use  of  '  recketh,'  '  stot,'  '  to  wite,'  '  yed,'  '  buck- 
some.'] 

1674.  [Ryxner,  Thomas.]  The  Preface  of  the  Translator  [to]  Reflections 
on  Aristotle's  Treatise  of  Poesie  ...  by  R.  Rapin,  sign.  A  6  6. 

[Rymer  is  about  to  discuss  the  "  Heroick  Poets  "  of  England.] 
I  shall  leave  the  Author  of  the  Romance  of  the  Rose  (whom 
Sir  Richard  Baker  makes  an  Englishman]  for  the  French  to 
boast  of,  because  he  writ  in  their  Langunge.  Nor  shall  I 
speak  of  Chaucer,  in  whose  time  our  Language,  I  presume,  was 
not  capable  of  any  Heroick  character.  Nor  indeed  was  the 
most  polite  Wit  of  Europe  in  that.  Age  sufficient  to  a  great 

design Spencer  I  think  may  be  reckon'd  the  first  of 

our  Heroick  Poets. 


250  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1674- 

1674.  Speed,  Samuel  (Stationer  and  Bookseller).  The  Legend  of  the 
Thrice- Honourable,  Ancient,  and  Renowned  Prince,  His  Grace 
Humphrey,  Duke  of  tit.  Paul's  Cathedral  Walk [in]  Frag 
ments  Carceris  or  The  Kings-Bench  Scuffle.  London.  Printed  by 
J.  C.  lor  S.  S.  1674,  sign.  G.  1. 

Old  Chaucer,  who  though  sickly,  full  of  ails, 
From  hence  collects  a  Book  as  full  of  Tales. 
His  Neighbour  Drat/ton,  who  was  his  Amoris, 
Studying  to  write  Encomiums  on  Autlwris. 


1675.  Phillips,  Edward.  Theatrum  Poetarnm,  or  a  Corn-pleat  Collec 
tion  of  the  Poets,  especially  the  most  Eminent,  of  all  Ages.  By 
Edward  Phillips,  sign.  **2  and  b,  The  Modern  Poets,  pp.  50-1, 109, 
112,223. 


fa*c*e2]  .  .  .  True  it  is  that  the  style  of  Poetry  till  Henry  the  Sth's 
time,  and  partly  also  within  his  Reign,  may  very  well  appear 
uncouth,  strange  and  unpleasant  to  those  that  are  affected 
only  with  what  is  familiar  and  accustom'd  to  them,  not 
but  there  Avere  even  before  those  times  some  that  had  their 
.Poetical  excellencies  if  well  examin'd,  and  chiefly  among  the 
rest  CHAUCER,  who  through  all  the  neglect  of  former  ag'd 
Poets  still  keeps  a  name,  being  by  some  few  admir'd  for  his 
real  worth,  to  others  not  unpleasing  for  his  facetious  way, 
which  joyn'd  with  his  old  English  intertains  them  with  a  kind 
of  Drollery. 

[pp.  50-51]  Sir  Geoffry  Chaucer,  the  Prince  and  Coryphceus,  generally 
so  reputed,  till  this  Age,  of  our  English,  Poets,  and  as  much  as 
we  triumph  over  his  old  fashion'd  phrase,  and  obsolete  words, 
one  of  the  first  refiners  of  the  English  Language,  of  how  great 
Esteem  he  was  in  the  Age  wherein  he  flourish'd,  namely  the 
Reigns  of  Henry  the  4th,  Henry  the  5th,  and  part  of  Henry 
the  6th,  appears,  besides  his  being  Knight  and  Poet  Laureat, 
by  the  Honour  he  had  to  be  allyed  by  marriage  to  the  great 
Earl  of  Lancaster,  John  of  Gaunt :  How  great  a  part  we  have 
lost  of  his  Works  above  what  Extant  of  him  is  manifest  from 
an  Author  of  good  Credit,  who  reckons  up  many  Considerable 
Poems,  which  are  not  in  his  publish t  works  ;  besides  the 
Squires  Tale,  which  is  said  to  be  compleat  in  Arundel-J louse 
Library. 


1675]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  251 

[P.  109]  Sr  Jolin  Gowr,  a  very  famous  English  Poet  in  his  time,  and 
counted  little  inferiour,  if  not  equal  to  Chaucer  himself ;  who 
was  his  Contemporary,  and  some  say  his  Scholar  and  Successor 
in  the  Laurel.  For  Gower  was  also  "both  Poet  Laureat  and 
Knight. 

[p.  112]       John  Lane  .  .  .  but  they  [his  poems]  are  all  to  be  produc't 

in  Manuscript,  namely his  Supplement  to   Chaucers 

Squires  Tale. 


[p.  223]  The  Supplement.  Gaul f rid  t  one  of  the  oldest  of  our 
Modern  Poets,  for  he  was  contemporary  with  Joseph  of 
Exeter:  he  is  mentioned  by  Chaucer  in  his  Description  of 
Chaunticleer,  the  Cock's  being  carried  away  by  Reynard  the 
Fox,  with  great  veneration  .... 

[p.  233]  Thomas  Deleave,  a  very  famous  English  poet  in  his  time, 
which  was  the  reign  of  King  Henry  the  Fourth  and  Henry 
the  Fifth  ;  to  which  last  he  dedicated  his  Government  of  a 
Prince,  the  chiefly  remember'd  of  what  he  writ  in  Poetry,  and 
so  much  the  more  famous  he  is  by  being  remember'd  to  have 
been  the  Disciple  of  the  most  fam'd  Chaucer. 


[a.  1675.]  Whitelock,  Bulstrode.  Memorials  of  the  English  Affairs. 
London.  Printed  for  Nathaniel  Ponder.  MDCLXXXI1,  p.  348  col.  b. 
(Memorials  of  the  English  Affairs  by  Bulstrode  Wlutelock.  A 
new  edition  .  .  .  Oxford,  at  the  University  Press,  1853,  vol.  ii, 
p.  452.) 

Anno  1648.  The  new  Serjeants  appeared  at  the  Chancery 
Bar,  and  Whitelock  made  the  speech  to  them  to  this  Effect : 


Our  old  English  Poet  Chaucer  (whom  I  think  not  improper 
to  cite,  being  one  of  the  greatest  Clerks  and  Wits  of  his  time) 
had  a  better  Opinion  of  the  state  of  a  Sergeant,  as  he  expresseth 
in  his  Prologue  of  the  Sergeant. 

A  Sergeant  at  Law  wary  and  wise, 
TJiat  oft  had  been  at  the  pervise, 
There  was  also,  full  of  rich  Excellence, 
Discreet  he  ivas,  and  of  great  Reverence. 

[Cant.  T.,  prol.  11. 309-12.] 


252  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1676- 

And  in  his  description  of  the  Franldyn  he  saith  of  him, 

At  Sessions  there  was  Jte  Lord,  and  Sire, 
Full  oft  had  he  bin  Knight  of  Shire  ; 
A  Sheriff  had  he  bin,  and  Countor, 
Was  no  where  such  a  'worthy  Vavasor. 

[Cant.  T.,  prol.  11.  355-6,  359-60. 

A  Countor  was  a  Sergeant,  and  a  Vavasour  was  the  next  in 
degree  to  a  Baron. 

[1676  ?  Adam,  Ben.]  Lennce  Hedeuiua,  or  a  Description  of  Kyngs  Lynn 
in  Norfolk  .  ...  in  English  by  Ben  Adam.  [Poem  in  MS.  formerly 
lost,  and  now  in  the  Castle  Museum,  Norwich  ;  the  MS.  is  a  tran 
script  on  paper  dated  1814 :  see  N.  &  Q.,  3rd  series,  vol.  iv,  p.  326, 
1863 ;  vol.  vii,  pp.  399  and  445,  1865.  Mr.  H.  J.  Hillen  published 
the  whole  MS.  in  the  "  Lynn  News,"  and  reprinted  it  as  a  pamphlet 
in  1909.  The  date  1676  occurs  on  the  margin  of  the  MS.  ;  but  the 
style  suggests  a  date  of  perhaps  a  generation  earlier.  Mr.  Hillen's 
attribution  of  it  to  temp.  Edward  IV  (History  of  the  Borough  of 
King's  Lynn  [1907],  pp.  249,  etc.)  is  impossible ;  the  chronicle 
stops  at  that  period.  (Information  kindly  given  by  the  Curator.) 

[foi.  5]  Lynn  had  the  honour  to  present  the  world 

With  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  Capgrave,  and  the  curled 
Pate  Allanus  de  Lenna  .... 

All  famous  in  theyr  time,  Lynn,  nursed  by  thee. 

1676.  Coles,  E[lisha].  An  English  Dictionary,  explaining  ....  difficult 
Terms  ....  by  E.  Coles,  School-Master  and  Teacher  of  the  Tongue 
to  Foreigners.  To  the  Reader,  sign.  A  3  6  and  L  3. 

Those  that  I  call  Old  Words,  are  generally  such  as  occur  in 
Chaucer,  Gower,  Pierce  Ploughman,  and  Julian  Barns. 

At  Didcarnon,  in  a  maze,  at  my  wits  end.  Chaucer,  1.  3, 
fol.  161.  [Tro.  &  Cres.  iii.  933.] 

1676.  Plot,  Robert.    The,  Natural  History  of  Oxford-shire,  pp.  7-8,  §  15. 

§  15.  As  for  Polysiillabical  articulate  Echo's,  the  strongest 
and  best  I  have  met  with  here,  is  in  the  Park  at  Woodstock 
....  The  object  of  which  Echo,  or  the  Centrum  phonocamp- 
ticum,  I  take  to  be  the  hill  with  the  trees  on  the  summit  of  it, 
about  half  a  mile  distant  from  Woodstock  town  ....  And 
the  true  place  of  the  speaker  or  Centrum  phonicum  the 
opposite  Hill  just  without  the  gate  at  the  Townsend,  about 
thirty  paces  directly  below  the  corner  of  a  Avail  inclosing  some 
hay-ricks,  near  Chaucer's  house  .... 


1678]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  253 

[a.  1677.]  Junius,  Francis.  (1)  An  annotated  copy  of  Speght's  edition 
(1598)  of  Chaucer's  works.  (2)  A  large  quarto  filled  with  slips  in 
Jumna's  handwiting,  entitled  '  Dictionarium  Veteris  Linguse 
Anglicanse.'  Junius  MSS.  9,  Bodl.  library.  (See  Athense  Oxon- 
iensis,  by  A.  k  Wood,  2nd  edn.  1721,  vol.  ii,  col.  604.) 

[(1)  The  annotations,  which  are  very  numerous,  are  almost  all  such  as  the  follow 
ing:  "Vide  Annotat.,"  "404m,"  "5971,"  "  64  i."  There  are  one  or  two  references 
to  other  works,  e.g.  "Vide  Aulnm  Gellium,"  "vide  etymol.  Anglicum."  There  are 
some  Latin  notes  on  the  text,  but  not  many.  At  the  end  is  a  "  Syllabus  operum 
Chauceri  hoc  libro  contentorum,"  in  Junius's  handwriting,  preceded  by  a  few  notes, 
such  as  the  following:  "Spelmanni  glossarium,  in  Colobium.  Hue  pertinet  illud 
Chauceri  de  Colono  peregrinante,  Hee  tooke  his  taburd,  and  his  staffe  eke."  (2)  The 
references  in  this  dictionary  correspond  with  the  notation  used  by  Junius  in  the  copy 
of  Speght's  Chaucer,  so  that  no  doubt  the  two  volumes  belong  together.  Sec 
Wanley's  Catalogus,  1705,  p.  292  ;  and  Hearne,  1711,  p.  317  below.  For  a  further 
account  of  all  these  notes,  and  evidence  that  Junius  really  planned  a  new  edition  of 
Chaucer's  works,  with  notes,  see  Mark  Liddell  in  Athenseum,  June  12,  1897,  p.  779.] 


1677.     A  Catalogue  of  all  the  Bookes  in  his  Highnesse  Prince  Rupert* 
Library,  November  1677.     Sloane  MSS.  555,  I'ol.  5. 

Titles.     Folio.  I        Authores.        I       Printed 

136.  The  Workesof  Chaucer  |  Jeffery  Chaucer  |  Lond.  1602. 


1678.  Perrot,  Charles.  Inscription  in  a  printed  copy  of  Chaucer's  Works, 
chained  in  his  house  at  Woodstock,  transcribed  [by  Timothy 
Thomas]  and  given  as  a  note  to  the  Life  of  Chaucer  [by  Dart]  in 
Urry's  edn.  of  Chaucer,  1721.  Sign.  &  2,  note  K. 

JEdium  haruni 

Quas  olim  vivus  incoluit, 

Ut  per  hac  ingenii  monumenta, 

In  quibus  seternum  vivet 

Una  cum  antiques  prosapise,  fidei,  fortitudinis  Viro 

Nicolao  Bayntun 

rursus  incoleret, 

Galfrido  Chaucer, 

Poetarum  sui  temporis  facile  Principi, 
Principum  Poetse,  amico,  adfini, 

A  priori  hospite  vi  dejecto 

Lseto  lubenti,  Isetus  labens. 

Possessionem  restituit 

Carolus,  Perrot  L.L.D. 

MDCLXXVIII 

[In  W.  Thomas's  handwriting,  in  his  interleaved  copy  of  Urry's  Chaucer  (B.  M.  pr. 
m.  643.  m.  4)  there  is  the  following  unfinished  note:  'Since  this  Inscription  was 
transcr  bed  by  T.  T.  it  has  been  taken  out  of  the  Book  ;  and  I  saw  the  original  since 
in  the  hands  of .'] 


"254  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1679- 

1679.  Dryden,  John.  Troilus  and  Cressula,  or  Truth  Found  too  Late. 
Epistle  Dedicatory  to  the  Right  Honourable  Robert  Earl  of 
Sunderland,  sign.  A  3  b,  preface  to  the  Play,  sign.  A  4  6. 
(Dryden's  works,  ed.  Sir  W.  Scott, ;  revised  G.  Saintsbury, 
1882-93,  vol.  vi,  1883,  pp.  252,  255.) 

[p.  252]  It  would  mortify  an  Englishman  to  consider  that  from 
the  time  of  Boccace  and  Petrarch  the  Italian  has  varied  very 
little  ;  and  that  the  English  of  Chaucer  their  contemporary, 
is  not  to  be  understood  without  the  help  of  an  old  dictionary. 

(P.  255]  The  original  story  was  written  by  one  Lollius,  a  Lombard, 
in  Latin  verse,  and  translated  by  Chaucer  into  English. 

[1679?]  Howell,  Dr.  William.  Medulla  Historic  Anglican^,  The 
Ancient  and  Present  State  of  Emjland.  .  .  .  Written  by  Dr. 
Howel;  and  Continued  by  an  Impartial  Hand  ,  .  .  1712,  p.*  123. 

[Kichard  II,  end].  Now  flourished  Sir  John  ffaivk/cood, 
whose  chivalry  had  made  him  Renowned  thro'  the  Christian 
World.  Sir  Geoffry  Chaucer,  Poet-Laureat,  now  also  lived. 

[The  earliest  edn.  of  this  work  mentioned  by  Wood  is  1679 ;  the  above  extract  is 
taken  from  the  6th  edn.,  the  earliest  in  the  B.  M.] 

1679.  Phillips,  Edward.  Tractatulus  de  Carmine  Dramatico  Poetarum 
Veterum  ....  Cui  Subjungitur  Compendiosa  Enumeratio  Poetarum 
....  Ab.  Edv.  Philippe,  1679.  [Printed  in]  Sacrarum  prosan- 
arumque  phrasium  poeticarum  thesaurus  ....  opera  Mri  Joaniiis 
Buchleri,  editio  decima  octava  .  .  .  1679,  p.  395. 

[Under  the  heading  Poetae  recentiores  Angli  &  Scoti,  a 
very  brief  notice  of  Chaucer,  Gower,  Lydgate,  etc.] 

1680-3.  [Dryden,  John  ?]  The  Art  of  Poetry,  Written  in  French  by  the 
Sieur  de  Boileau,  Made  English,  1683,  p.  25,  11.  165-8.  (Dryden's 
works,  ed.  Sir  W.  Scott,  revised  G.  Saintsbury,  1882-93,  vol  xv, 
1892,  p.  235.) 

Chaucer  alone  fix'd  on  this  solid  Base ; 
In  his  old  Stile,  conserves  a  modern  grace  : 
Too  happy,  if  the  freedom  of  his  Rhymes 
Offended  not  the  method  of  our  Times. 

[Corresponding  French  lines: 
De  ces  maitres  savans  disciple  ingenieux. 
Regriier,  seul  parmi  nous  formes  sur  leurs  modeles 
Dans  son  vieux  style  encore  a  des  graces  nouvelles ; 
Heureux,  si  ses  discours,  craints  du  chaste  lecteur, 
Ne  se  sentoient  des  licux  ou  frequentoit  1'auteur 


1681]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  255 

Et  si,  du  son  hard!  de  ses  rimes  cyniques 
II  n'alarmoit  souvent  les  oreilles  pudiques.] 

[This  is  Sir  William  Sonmes's  translation  made  in  1080  ;  the  reference  is  placed  under 
Drydeu's  name  on  account  of  the  following  remark  of  Tonson's  (reprinted  in  Dryden's 
works,  ed.  Sir  W.  Scott,  revised  G.  Saintsbury,  1882-93,  vol.  xv,  1892.  p.  223):  "I 
saw  the  MS.  lie  in  Mr.  Dryden's  hands  for  above  six  months,  who  made  very  con 
siderable  alterations  in  it ....  and  it  being  his  opinion,  that  it  would  be  better  to 
apply  the  poem  to  English  writers,  than  keep  to  the  French  names  as  it  was  first 
translated,  Sir  William  desired  he  would  take  the  pains  to  make  that  alteration,  and 
accordingly  that  was  entirely  clone  by  Mr.  Dryden."] 

[c.  1680-90.]  Unknown.  Note  at  foot  of  Egerton  MS.  2622,  fol.  50. 
A  Treatise  of  ye  Fabrique  and  use  of  ye  Astrolabe,  written  by  ye 
famous  Clerke  Sr  Geffery  Chaucer  K*.  (In  contents,  fol.  1.) 

Chaucer  of  the  Astrolabe. 

[c.  1680  ?]  Unknown.  MS.  note,  referring  to  Brigham's  tomb  of 
Chaucer,  in  a  copy  of  Petit's  edn.  of  Chaucer's  works,  in  the 
Library  of  the  Royal  College  of  Physicians,  at  foot  of  last  leaf, 
fol.  355  b. 

Galfridus  Chaucer  poeta  celeberrimus  qui  primus  Anglicam 
poesin  ita  illustravit  ut  Anglicus  Homerus  habeatur,  obiit 
1400.  anno  vero  1555  Nicholaus  Brigham  Musarum  nomine 
hujus  ossa  transtulit  et  illi  novum  tumulum  ex  marmore  in 
Austral!  plaga  ecclesise  Beat!  Petri  Westmonasterii  his  versibus 
inscriptum  posuit 

Qui  fuit  Anglorum  vates  ter  maximus  olim 

Galfridus  Chaucer  conditur  hoc  tumulo 

Annum  si  quseras  domini,  si  tempora  mortis, 

Ecce  nota  [sic,  for  notse]  subsnnt,  qu?e  tibi  cuncta  notant. 

25  Oct:  1400 
j^Erunmarum  requies  mors  . 

N :  Brigham  hoc  fecit  Musarum  nomine  sumptus 
Si  rogitas  quis  eram,  forsan  te  fama  docebit 
Quod  si  fama  neget,  mundi  quia  gloria  transit. 
[One  word,  possibly  signature,  cut  off.] 

[Cf.  above,  1479,  pp.  58-9.] 

1681.  K[eepe],  H[enry].  Monuments  Westmonasteriensia,  by  H.  K.  of 
the  Inner  Temple,  Gent,  1681.  London  .  .  1682,  p.  47. 

And  now  come  we  to  the  first  and  last  best  Poets  of  the 
English  Nation  Geffrey  Chaucer  and  Abraham  Coidey,  the  one 
being  the  Sun  just  rising,  and  shewing  itself  on  the  English 
Horizon  and  so  by  degrees  increasing  and  growing  in  strength 
till  it  came  to  its  full  Glory  and  Meridian  in  the  incomparable 


256  Five  Hundred  Years  of          ,     [A.D.  1681- 

Cmdey,  whose  admirable  Genius  hard  to  be  imitated  but  never 
equalled,  hath  set  the  bounds  to  succeeding  times.  Chaucer 
lies  in  an  antient  Tomb,  Canopied  of  grey  Marble,  with  his 
Picture  painted  thereon  in  piano,  with  some  Verses  by  ;  he 
died  in  the  Year  1400. 

1681.  Oldham,  John.  Horace  His  Artfof  Poetry.  Imitated  in  English. 
[In]  Poems  and  Translations  by  John  Oldham,  1684,  sign.  A  4,  p. 
5,  [bound  up  in]  The  Works  of  Mr.  John  OLlharn  Together  with 
his  Remains  1686.  [A  separate  pagination  begins  with  Poems  and 
Translations  ;  the  last  pasje  before  the  fresh  title  is  148.]  (Poetical 
works  of  J.  Oldham,  ed.  R.  Bell,  1854,  p.  147.) 

Tis  next  to  be  observ'd  that  care  is  due, 
And  sparingness  in  framing  words  anew. 

.  if  there  be  need 

For  some  uncommon  matter  to  be  said 
Pow'r  of  inventing  terms  may  be  allow'd, 
Which  Chaucer  and  his  Age  n'eer  understood. 

[1682.  Chiswel,  Richard.]  Bibliotheca  Smithiana,  sive  catalogue  librorum 
[the  sale  catalogue  of  Richard  Smith's  library],  p.  274. 

English  looks  in  Folio  77.  Chaucer's  (Geoff ery)  Works  of 
Antient  Poetry;  best  Edition  (with  a  MS.  of  a  Tale  of 
Gamelyn  taken  out  of  a  MS.  of  Chaucer's  Works  in  the 
University  Library  of  Oxford,  1602). 

[This  catalogue  was  compiled  by  Richard  Chiswel  at  the  Rose  and  Crown  in  St. 
Paul's  Churchyard.] 

1683-4.  Aubrey,  John.  An  Idea  of  Education  of  young  Gentlemen. 
By  Mr.  John  Aubrey,  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Societie  [a  private  Essay 
only].  168|.  MS.  Aubrey  10,  Bodl.  library,  Ch.  xx.  Mundane 
Prudence,  ff.  95,  84,  83. 

Chapter  XX.  Mundane  Prudence. 

[foi.  95]  Mr.  J.  Dreyden,  in  his  preface  to  the  Spanish  Fryar,  saies 
that  Description  is  the  most  principal  part  of  Poetrie,  and 
deserves  the  greatest  Prayse  :  in  order  to  this,  and  to  please 
their  ingeniose  minds,  let  'em  read  Mr.  J.  Milton's  Paradise 
lost ;  and  Paradise  rcgain'd  :  as  also  The  Tales  of  Sr  Geofry 
Chaucer,  "who  may  be  rightly  called  the  pith,  and  Sinews  of 
Eloquence,  and  very  life  it  selfe  of  all  mirth  and  pleasant 
writing.  Besides  one  gift  he  hath  above  other  Authors,  and  that 
is,  l>y  excellency  of  his  Descriptions,  to  possesse  his  Readers 
with  a  more  forcible  imagination  of  seeing  that  (as  it  were) 


1684]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  257 

done  "before  their  eies,  which  they  read,  than  any  other  that 
ever  hath  written  in  any  tongue."  x 

These  exercises  of  Descriptions,  I  would  have  in  Blank 
verse :  in  English  or  in  prose  (Latin,  and  English  for  variety). 

Chapter  XX.  Mundane  Prudence. 

[foi.  84]  Courtesie  [or  common  Civility]  is  the  cheapest  thing  in  the 
World,  and  the  most  usefull.  Great  men  doe  understand 
well,  the  Kespect  that  is  due  unto  them  .... 

Sr  Geofrey  Chaucer's  Character  of  a  Young  Knight. 
That  from  the  time  he  first  began 
To  riden  out,  he  loved  Chevalrie, 
Trouth,  honour,  freedome,  and  Courtesie. 

[Prol.  Cant.  Tales,  11.  44-6.] 
Chapter  XX.  Mundane  Prudence. 

[foi.  83]  [The  following  is  among  a  list  of  quotations  from  various 
writers,  which  Aubrey  introduces  in  speaking  of  the  advantages 
of  boys  brought  up  in  towns  :] 

Chaucer,  p.  71  b.  With  Scorners  ne  make  no  company, 
but  fly  her  words  of  venome. 

[Tale  of  Melibeus,  1.  2519.] 

1  Mr  Francis  Beaumont's  letter  to  Mr  Th.  Speght  before  Sr  Geofry  Chaucers 
workes  printed  London  1602.     [See  above,  1597,  pp.  145-6.] 

1684.  Chetwood,  Knightly.  To  the  Earl  of  Roscomon  on  his  Excellent 
Poem,  sign.  A  3  6.  [Commendatory  Verses  prefixed  to]  An  Essay 
on  Translated  Verse,  by  the  Earl  of  Roscommon,  1684.  [In  B.  M. 
Catalogue,  see  under  Dillon,  Wentworth.] 

Such  was  the  case  when  Chaucer's  early  toyl 
Founded  the  Muses  Empire  in  our  Soyl. 
Spencer  improv'd  it  with  his  painful  hand 
But  lost  a  Noble  Muse  in  Fairy-land. 
Shal'spear  say'd  all  that  Nature  cou'd  impart, 
And  Johnson  added  Industry  and  Art. 
Coivley,  and  Denham  gained  immortal  praise ; 
And  some  who  merit  as  they  wear,  the  Bays,  [etc.]. 

1684.  S.,  G.  Anglorum  Speculum,  or  the  Worthies  of  England  in  Church 
and  State.  Alphabetically  digested  into  the  several  Shires  and 
Counties  therein  contained.  London  .  .  1684,  pp.  497-8.  [The  Pre 
face  is  signed  G.  S.  He  was  once  Chaplain  to  the  Princess  Henrietta.] 

Edm.  Spencer,  bred  in  Comb.  A  great  Poet  who  imitated 
Chaucer  .  .  .  Returning  into  England,  he  was  robb'd  by  the 
Rebels  of  that  little  he  had,  and  dying  for  Grief  in  great  Want 
1598,  was  honourably  buried  nigh  Chaucer  in  Westminster. 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  S 


258  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1C85- 

1685.  Evelyn,  [John].  The  Immortality  of  Poesie.  To  Envy  [in] 
Poems  by  Several  Hands,  and  on  Several  Occasions.  Collected  by 
N.  Tate,  p.  91. 

Old  Chaucer  shall,  for  his  facetious  style, 

Be  read,  and  prais'd  by  warlike  Britains,  while 

The  Sea  enriches,  and  defends  their  Isle. 

[1685.  Wesley,  Samuel.]  Maggots:  or,  Poems  on  several  subjects  .  .  . 
by  a  Schollar,  p.  97,  note. 

[p.  95]        Scarce  peeps  out  the  Sim  with  a  blushing  young  Ray, 
eEre  my  brisk  feather'd  Bell-man  will  tell  me  'tis  Day; 

[N^ote6,  p.  97] :  Meaning  Chaunticleer, — as  Granaire  Chaucer 
lias  it ;  or  in  new  English,  no  better  nor  worse  than  a  Cock, — 

1685.  Unknown.  Miscellany  Poems  and  Translations  By  Oxford 
Hands  .  .  London,  Printed  for  Anthony  Stephens,  Bookseller  near 
the  Theatre  in  Oxford,  1685.  Elegy  the  Fifteenth,  p.  155. 

The  Fame,  I  seek,  shall  know  Eternity  : 
My  Wit  a  lasting  Monument  shall  raise, 
And  all  the  world  shall  loudly  sing  my  Praise. 
Chaucer  shall  live,  whilst  this  our  Brittish  Land, 
Or  the  vast  Cornwall-Mount  in  it  shall  stand  : 


Sidneys  great  Name  shall  last,  whilst  there  are  Swains, 
That  feed  their  Flocks  on  the  Arcadian  Plains; 

The  Majesty  of  mighty  Cowley's  name, 
IP.  156]    Shall  travel  thro'  the  farthest  coasts  of  Fame  ; 

Dryden,  great  King  of  Verse,  shall  ever  live, 

The  Lawrel  shall  the  matchless  Johnson  Crown. 
Shake  spear  [sic],  tho  rude,  yet  his  immortal  Wit 
Shall  never  to  the  stroke  of  time  submit, 
And  the  loud  thund'ring  nights  of  lofty  Lee  ; 
Shall  strike  the  Ears  of  all  Posterity. 
Creeches  Sublimest  Verse  in  God-like  State, 
Shall  soar  above  the  reach  of  humble  Fate  ; 

Spencer's  Heroick  Lines  no  death  shall  fear — 
[Stephen  and  Suckling  are  the  two  last  poets  praised.] 


1687]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  259 

1687.  The  Works  of  our  Ancient,  Learned  &  Excellent  English 
Poet,  Jeffrey  Chaucer  :  As  they  have  lately  been  Compar'd 
with  the  best  Manuscripts  ;  and  several  things  added, 
never  before  in  Print.  To  which  is  adjoyn'd,  The  Story  of 
the  Siege  of  Thebes,  By  John  Lidgate,  Monk  of  Bury. 
Together  with  The  Life  of  Chaucer,  Shewing  His  Countrey, 
Parentage,  Education,  Marriage,  Children,  Revenues, 
Service,  Reward,  Friends,  Books,  Death.  Also  a  Table, 
wherein  the  old  and  Obscure  "Words  in  Chaucer  are  ex 
plained,  and  such  Words  (which  are  many)  that  either  are, 
by  Nature  or  Derivation,  Arabick,  Greek,  Latine,  Italian, 
French,  Dutch,  or  Saxon,  mark'd  with  particular  Notes  for 
the  better  understanding  their  Original.  London,  Printed 
in  the  Year  MDCLXXXVII. 

[This  edition  is  really  a  reprint  of  Speght's  2nd  edition  of 
1602  (see  above,  p.  108),  with  a  different  title  page,  otherwise  the 
only  differences  are  the  following  small  additions  under  '  J.  H.' 
below,  and  the  omission  of  ff.  376-7  of  Speght's  edn.,  which 
contain  a  catalogue  of  Lidgate's  works,  and  a  list  of  Errata. 
The  text  is  in  black  letter.] 

1687.  H.,  J.  Advertisement  to  the  Reader  and  Advertisement  [on  last 
page]  in  -The  Works  of  our  Ancient  .  .  Poet,  Jeffrey  Chaucer  .  .  . 
1687,  ff.  b  4,  Ssss  1  h. 

Advertisement  to  the  Reader. 

Having,  for  some  Years  last  past,  been  greatly  sollicited  by 
many  Learned  and  Worthy  Gentlemen,  to  Re-print  the  Works 
of  this  Ancient  Poet ;  I  have  now,  not  only  to  answer  their 
Desire,  but  I  hope  to  their  full  satisfaction,  perform'd  the 
Obligation  long  since  laid  upon  me,  and  sent  Chaucer  abroad 
into  the  World  again,  in  his  old  dress,  and  under  the  Pro 
tection  of  his  own  Merits,  without  any  new  Preface  or  Letters 
Commendatory,  it  being  the  Opinion  of  those  Learned  Persons, 
that  his  own  Works  are  his  best  Encomium. 

Whereas  in  the  Life  of  Chaucer,  mention  is  made  of  a  Tale 
call'd  the  Pilgrims  Tale,  which  is  there  said  to  have  been  seen 
in  the  Library  of  Mr.  Stow,  and  promis'd  to  be  printed  so  soon 
as  opportunity  should  offer;  I  have,  for  the  procuring  of  it, 
used  all  Diligence  imaginable,  not  only  in  searching  the  publick 
Libraries  of  both  Universities,  but  also  all  private  Libraries 
that  I  could  have  Access  unto  ;  but  having  no  Success  therein 
I  beg  you  will  please  to  accept  my  earnest  Endeavour  to 
have  serv'd  you,  and  take  what  is  here  printed,  it  being  all 
that  at  present  can  be  found  that  was  Chaucer's. 

J.  H. 


260  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1687- 

Advertisement. 

Whilst  this  Work  was  just  finishing,  we  hapned  to  meet 
with  a  Manuscript,  wherein  we  found  the  Conclusion  of  the 
Cook's  Tale,  and  also  of  the  Squires  Tale,  (which  in  the 
Printed  Books  are  said  to  be  lost,  or  never  finish'd  by  the 
Author,)  but  coming  so  late  to  our  hands,  they  could  not  be 
inserted  in  their  proper  places,  therefore  the  Reader  is  desir'd 
to  add  them,  as  here  directed. 

Immediately  after  what  you  find  of  the  Cooks  Tale,  add  this  : 
What  thorow  himself  &  his  felaw  y*  fought, 
Unto  a  mischief  both  they  were  brought, 
The  tone  ydamned  to  prison  perpetually. 
The  tother  to  deth,  for  he  couth  not  of  clergy, 
And  therefore  yong  men  learne  while  ye  may, 
That  with  many  divers  thoughts  beth  pricked  all  the  day, 
Eemembre  you  what  mischief  cometh  of  misgovernaunce, 
Thus  mowe  ye  learn  worschip  and  come  to  substaunce  : 
Think  how  grace  and  governaunce  hath  brought  aboune 
Many  a  poore  man'ys  Son  chefe  state  of  the  Town 
Euer  rule  thee  after  the  best  man  of  name, 
And  God  may  grace  thee  to  come  to  ye  same. 

Immediately  after  these  words,  at  the  end  of  the  Squires  Tale, 
Apollo  whirleth  up  his  chare  so  hie, 
Untill  the  God  Mercurius  house  he  flie. 

Let  this  be  added, 

But  I  here  now  maken  a  knotte, 

To  the  time  it  come  next  to  my  lotte, 

For  here  ben  felawes  behind,  an  hepe  truly, 

That  wolden  talk  full  besily, 

And  have  here  sport  as  well  as  I, 

And  the  day  passeth  certainly, 

So  on  this  matters  I  may  no  lenger  dwell, 

But  stint  my  clack,  and  let  the  other  tell, 

Therefore  oft  taketh  now  good  hede 

Who  shall  next  tell,  and  late  him  spede. 

[Possibly  '  J.  H.'  stands  for  Joseph  Hindmarsh  the  printer.  All  the  above  lines 
are  spurious  additions.  The  twelve  lines  in  conclusion  to  the  Cook's  Tale  are  in  MS. 
Bodley  686;  and  those  at  end  of  the  Squire's  Tale  in  MS.  Selden  B  14.  See  Tyrwhitt's 
edn.  of  the  C.  Tales,  1775-8,  Appendix  to  the  preface  note  m.  See  also  c.  1450, 
Spurious  links,  above,  p.  51.] 


1689]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  261 

[c.  1687.  Wharton,  Henry.]  Historiola  de  Chaucero  nostro,  scripta 
etiam  a  Heverendiss.  Tho.  Tenison,  Archiepiscopo  Cant,  ad  calcem 
Historic  Cl.  Cavei  Literariee,  [printed  •  in]  Notge  MSS.  & 
Accessiones  Anonymi  ad  Cavei  Historian!  Literariam,  Codicis  Mar- 
gini  adscriptae,  in  Bibliotheea  Lambethana  [separate  pagination], 
[in  vol.  ii  of]  Scriptorum  Ecclesiusticorum  Historia  Literaria,  by 
William  Cave,  1740-3,  pp.  13-15. 

[For  extract,  see  below,  Appendix  A,  under  c.  1687, 
Wharton.] 

[Note  from  Illustrations  of  Gower  and  Chaucer  by  H.  J.  Todd,  1810.  Introduction, 
p.  xxxvi— ".  .  .  the  celebrated  Henry  Wharton  has  left  in  manuscript  a  sketch  of 
Chaucer  [as  a  theological  writer],  which  is  preserved  in  the  Manuscript  Library  at 
Lambeth,  and  was  intended  by  him  as  an  addition  to  Cave's  Scriptores  Ecelesiastici  ; 
although  in  the  republication  of  Cave's  work  in  1740,  this  Historiola,  of  Chaucer  ...  is 
given,  but  not  correctly,  to  Archbishop  Tenison.  See  MSS.  Lamb  956."  Todd  gives 
an  extract  from  Wharton.] 

1687.  Winstanley,  William.  The  Lives  of  the  most  Famous  English 
Poets,  pp.  18,  19,  20,  [Gower]  23-32  [life  of  Chaucer,  slightly  en 
larged,  cf.  Winstanley's  England's  Worthies,  1660,  above,  p.  238], 
33-35,  37,  [Lydgate]  89,  92,  [Spenser]  100,  107, 133  [Basse's  epitaph, 
see  above,  p.  196]. 

1689.  Evelyn,  John.  Letter  To  Mr.  Pepys  [dated]  Says-Court,  12  Aug. 
1689  (Diary  and  Correspondence  of  John  Evelyn,  ed.  William 
Bray,  new  edn.  by  H.  B.  Wheatley,  1906,  vol.  iii,  pp.  436,  444). 

.  .  .  The  late  Lord  Chancellor  Hyde  ...  to  adorne  his 
stately  palace  (since  demolished)  he  collected  the  pictures 
of  as  many  of  our  famous  countrymen  as  he  could  purchase 
or  procure  .  .  . 

[p.  444]  .  .  .  There  were  the  pictures  of  Fisher,  Fox,  Sr  Tho.  More, 
Tho.  Lord  Cromwell,  Dr  Nowel,  &c.  And  what  was  most 
agreeable  to  his  L?s  general  humor,  old  Chaucer,  Shakspere, 
Beaumont  &  Fletcher,  who  were  both  in  one  piece,  Spencer, 
Mr.  Waller,  Cowley,  Hudibras,  which  last  he  plac'd  in  the 
roome  where  he  vs'd  to  eate  &  dine  in  publiq,  most  of  which, 
if  not  all,  are  at  the  present  at  Cornebery  in  Oxfordshire. 

1689.  [Howard,  Edward.]  Caroloiades,  or,  the  Rebellion  of  Forty 
One  .  .  .  A  Heroick  Poem.  London  .  .  .  1689,  p.  137.  [Re-issued 
1695  with  a  fresh  title-page — Caroloiades  Redivivns  ;  or  the  War 
and  Revolutions  in  the  Time  of  King  Charles  the  First.  An 
Heroick  Poem.  By  a  Person  of  Honour. — Preface  signed  by 
Edward  Howard.  See  N.  &  Q.,  7th  ser.  vii,  1889,  p.  285,  for  Chaucer 
reference.] 

[A  description  of  Polyaster's  study  "  a  Character  of  Science 
.  .  Whose  then  aboad  near  Oxfords  confines  stood,"  which  is 
adorned  by  busts  of  the  poets.] 


262  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1689- 

[p.  i37j  .  .  .  around  their  brows  were  Lawrells  plac'd, 

Large  next  to  those  Apollo's  Temples  Grac'd : 
Of  which,  he  Chaucer,  Spencer,  much  beheld, 
And  where  their  Learned  Poems  most  excel  I'd. 
Tho'  words  now  obsolete  express  their  Flame, 
Like  Gemms  that  out  of  Fashon  value  Claim. 
Near  these  in  Statue  witty  Shalcspere  stood, 
Whose  early  Plays  were  soonest  next  to  Good. 

1689.  Unknown.  [Entry  in]  The  Term  Catalogues,  Easter  1689,  [printed 
in]  The  Term  Catalogues,  ed.  E.  Arber,  1905,  vol.  ii,  p.  261  [May] 
1689. 

The  works  of  .  .  Jeffry  [sic]  Chaucer,  as  they  have  lately  been 
compared  with  the  best  Manuscripts.  .  .  .  Sold  by  S.  Crouch 
in  Cornhill ;  Math.  Gilliflower,  and  W.  Hensman  in  West 
minster  Hall ;  and  A.  Roper,  and  G.  Grafton,  in  Fleet  Street. 

[For  full  title,  see  above,  1687,  p.  259  ;  this  is  an  entry  of  the  1689  reprint.] 

1690.  Blount,  Sir  Thomas  Pope.     Censnra  Celebriorum  Authorum,  pp. 
312,  313.    Oaifredus  Chaucerus  [a  collection  of  references  to  Chaucer 
by  Pits,  Lilius  Giraldus,  Vossius,  Camden,  Sir  H.  Savil,  Leland, 
Sprat,  Sir  R.   Baker,    Verstegan,   Speght's    Preface   to    Chaucer's 
works,  Skinner]. 

1691.  G[ibson,  Edmund],      Notes    [to]    Polemo-Middmia,   see  below, 
Appendix  A,  1691. 

1691.  Langbaine,  Gerard.  An  Account  of  the  English  Dramatick 
Poets.  [Copy  in  B.  M.,  C.  45.  d.  14,  with  MS.  notes  of  Bishop  Percy 
and  Oldys,  etc.  See  J.  Haslewood's  note  on  first  page],  pp.  86,  127, 
173,  215  [for  last  page  see  under  Oldys,  1725]. 

[p.  86]         [Abraham  Cowley]  He  was  Buried  at  Westminster  Abby, 

near  Two  of  our  most  eminent  English  Bards,  Chaucer  and 

Spencer  .  .  . 
[P.  127]       [Sir    John    Denham]  .  .  .  was    Buried  the  Twenty-third 

Instant  [March  1668]   at   Westminster,  amongst  those  Noble 

Poets,  Chaucer,  Spencer,  and  Cowley. 

[p.  173]  [Dryden's]  Troilus  and  Cressida,  or  Truth  found  out  too 
late;  a  Tragedy  acted  at  the  Duke's  Theatre,  to  which  is 
prefixt  a  Preface  containing  the  Grounds  of  Criticisme  in 

Tragedy,  printed  in  quarto  Lond,  1679 This  Play 

was  likewise  first  written  by  Shakespear  and  revis'd  by  Mr. 
Dryden,  to  which  he  added  several  new  Scenes,  and  even 
cultivated  and  improv'd  what  he  borrow' d  from  the  Original. 
The  last  scene  in  the  third  Act  is  a  Masterpiece,  and  whether 
it  be  copied  from  Shakespear,  Fletcher,  or  Euripides,  or  all  of 


1691]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  263 

them,  I  think  it  justly  deserves  Commendation.  The  Plot  of 
this  Play  was  taken  by  Mr.  Shakespear  from  Chaucer's  Troilus 
and  Cressida  ;  which  was  translated  (according  to  Mr.  Dryden] 
from  the  Original  Story,  written  in  Latine  Yerse,  by  one 
Lollius,  a  Lombard. 

[For  a  later  edition  see  below,  1699,  Gildon,  p.  270.] 

1691.  Unknown.  The  Athenian  Mercury,  vol.  ii,  no.  14,  Saturday, 
July  11,  1691.  [The  Athenian  Mercury  began  March  17,  1691, 
under  the  title  The  Athenian  Gazette  or  Casuistical  Mercury, 
Resolving  all  the  most  Nice  and  Curious  Questions  proposed  by  the 
Ingenious  ....  Printed  for  John  Dunton  at  the  Raven  in  the 
Poultry.  The  second  and  following  numbers  are  called  The 
Athenian  Mercury,  but  the  original  title  is  preserved  at  the  head 
of  each  vol.  See  extract  from  a  later  vol.,  below,  p.  265.] 

[In  answer  to]  Question  3.  Which  is  the  best  Poem  that 
ever  was  made,  and  who  in  your  Opinion,  deserves  the  Title  of 
the  best  Poet  that  ever  was  ?  [the  following  occurs]  :  Plautus 
wrote  wittily,  Terence  neatly — and  Seneca  has  very  fine 
thoughts. — But  since  we  can't  go  through  all  the  world,  let's 
look  home  a  little.  Grandsire  Chaucer,  in  spite  of  the  Age, 
was  a  Man  of  as  much  wit,  sence  and  honesty  as  any  that  have 
writ  after  him.  Father  Ben  was  excellent  at  Humour, 
Shakespeare  deserves  the  Name  of  sweetest  which  Milton  gave 
him. — Spencer  was  a  noble  poet,  his  Fairy-Queen  an  excellent 
piece  of  Morality,  Policy,  History.  Davenant  had  a  great 
genius. — Too  much  can't  be  said  of  Mr.  Coley  \sic\.  Milton' 's 
Paradise  lost  and  some  other  Poems  of  his  will  never  be 
equal' d.  Waller  is  the  most  correct  Poet  we  have. 

1691.  Haring-ton,  James.  The  Introduction  [to  vol.  ii  of]  Anthony  a 
Wood's  Athence  Oxonienses,  1691,  sign,  a  i  b. 

As  to  the  Poetry  of  the  Age,  the  beauty  of  Speech,  and 
the  Graces  of  measure  and  numbers,  which  are  the  inseparable 
ornaments  of  a  good  Poem,  are  not  to  be  expected  in  a  rude 
and  unsettled  Language;  And  tho  Chaucer,  the  Father  of 
our  Poets,  had  not  taken  equal  care  of  the  force  of  expression, 
as  of  the  greatness  of  thought ;  yet  the  refining  of  a  Tongue 
is  such  a  Work,  as  never  was  begun,  and  finished  by  the  same 
hand.  We  had  before  only  words  of  common  use,  coin'd  by 
our  need,  or  invented  by  our  passions  :  Nature  had  generally 
furnish'd  this  Island  with  the  supports  of  Necessity,  not  the 
instruments  of  Luxury ;  the  elegance  of  our  speech,  as  well  as 
the  finess  [sic]  of  our  garb,  is  owing  to  foreign  Correspondence. 
And  as  in  Clothes,  so  in  Words,  at  first  usually  they  broke  in 


264  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1691- 

unalter'd  upon  us  from  abroad;  and  consequently,  as  in 
Chaucer's  time,  come  not  over  like  Captives,  but  Invaders. 
But  then  only  they  are  made  our  own,  when,  after  a  short 
Naturalization,  they  fit  themselves  to  our  Dress,  become 
incorporated  with  our  Language,  and  take  the  air,  turn,  and 
fashion  of  the  Country  that  adopted  them. 

1691-2.  [Wood,  Anthony  a.]  Athena  Oxonienses.  [1st  edn.]  1691-2; 
[2nd  edn.]  ....  enlarged,  1721  ;  [3rd  edn.]  ed.  P.  Bliss,  1813, 
vol.  i,  pp.  10,  48,  136-7,  309-10,  and  clxxv;  vol.  ii,  1815,  p.  109; 
vol.  iii,  1817,  pp.  38,  1142. 

vol.     page          [1st  edn]  vol.  page       [2nd  edn] 

i  .  6.  Stephen  Havves.  i      6.  Stephen  Hawes. 

„        52-3.  William  Thynne.  „    22.  Thomas  Kichard  [not  in 

„  99.  Nicholas  Brigham.  1st  edn.]. 

„    319-20.  Francis  Thynne.  „    61.  William  Thynne. 

„  130.  Nicholas  Brigham. 
„  376.  Francis  Thynne. 

ii  Introduction    Ly  J.       ii          Introduction  by   James 

Harington,      sign.  Harington,  sign,  a  2 

a  1  and  a  1  6  [g.  t>.,       „    21.  Francis  Kynaston. 
p.  263]. 

„  11.  Francis  Kynaston.  „  604.  Franciscus  Junius   [not 

in  1st  edn.]. 

[a.  1692.]  Ashmole,  Elias.  Marginal  notes  in  shorthand  at  the  end  of 
Chaucer's  Coke's  Tale,  with  the  prologue  and  spurious  tale  of 
Gamelyn,  written  by  Ashmole  in  MS.  Ashmole  no.  45,  18  leaves 
of  paper.  Another  transcript  of  Gamelyn  by  Ashmole  is  on  20 
leaves  inserted  between  ff.  xx-xxi  of  Godf  ray's  [i.e.  Thynne's]  edn.  of 
Chaucer's  works  (1532  fol.),  MS.  Ashmole  1095.  (Catalogue  of 
Ashmole  MSS.,  ed.  W.  H.  Black,  1845,  cols.  70,  720.) 

[a.  1692].  Ashmole^  Elias.  Marginal  note  (in  MS.  Ashmole  59  (Shirley's), 
no.  9,  fol.  27)  to  Scogan's  Moral  Ballad.  (Catalogue  of  Ashmole 
MSS.,  ed.  W.  H.  Black,  1845,  col.  97.) 

[Ashmole  notes  that  Scogan's  Moral  Ballad  was  printed  in 
Godf  ray's  [i.e.  Thynne's]  edn.  of  Chaucer's  works,  1532,  see 
above,  p.  79,  and  against  the  14th  stanza  he  notes,]  These 
3  following  verses  were  made  by  Geffrey  Chaucer. 

1692.  Dryden,  John.  The  Satires  of  Decimus  Junius  Juvenalis  Trans 
lated  into  English  Verse,  by  Mr  Dryden  .  .  .  1693.  Dedication  to 
the  Right  Honourable  Charles  Earl  of  Dorset  and  Middlessex,  pp. 
viii,  1.,  [dated]  Aug.  18,  1692.  (Dryden's  works,  ed.  Sir  W. 
Scott ;  revised  G.  Saintsbnry,  1882-93,  vol.  xiii,  1887,  pp.  19,  117  ; 
also  Dryden's  Essays,  ed.  W  P.  Ker,  1900,  vol.  ii,  pp.  29,  109.) 

.[p.  viii]  His  [Milton's]  Antiquated  words  were  his  Choice,  not  his 
Necessity ;  for  therein  lie  imitated  Spencer,  as  Spencer  did 


1693]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  265 

Chawcer.     And  tho',  perhaps,  the  love  of  their  Masters,  may 
have  transported  both  too  far  .... 

[p.  i]  I  found  in  him  a  true  sublimity,  lofty  thoughts,  which 
were  cloath'd  with  admirable  Grecisms,  and  ancient  words, 
which  he  had  been  digging  from  the  Mines  of  Chaucer,  and  of 
Spencer,  and  which,  with  all  their  rusticity,  had  somewhat  of 
Venerable  in  them. 

1692.  Bymer,  [Thomas].   A  Short  View  of  Tragedy,  1693.   [published 
late  in  1692],  sign.  A  7.    (Contents  of  cli.  vi,  repeated    on  p.  73), 
pp.  78,  79.     [Bound  with  the  2nd  edn.  of  The  Tragedies  of  the 
Last  Age,  1692  ;  this  is,  however,  really  the  1st  edn.  of  A  Short 
View  of  Tragedy.     The  pagination  for  the  two  parts  is  distinct] 

[sign.A7]   Chap.  6.  .  .  .    Chaucer  refin'd  our  English.     "Which  in  per 
fection  by  Waller. 
y 

[p.  78]  But  they  who  attempted  verse  in  English,  down  till 
Chaucers  time,  made  an  heavy  pudder,  and  are  always  miserably 
put  to't  for  a  word  to  clink  :  .  .  .  Chaucer  found  an  Herculean 
labour  on  his  Hands ;  And  did  perform  to  Admiration.  He 
seizes  all  Provencal,  French  or  Latin  that  came  in  his  way, 
gives  them  a  new  garb  and  livery,  and  mingles  them  amongst 
our  English  :  turns  out  English,  gowty,  or  superannuated,  to 
place  in  their  room  the  foreigners,  fit  for  service,  train'd  and 
accustomed  to  Poetical  Discipline. 

But  tho'  the  Italian  reformation  was  begun  and  finished 

well  nigh  at  the  same  time  by  JBoccace,  Dante,  and  Petrarch. 

Our  language  retain'd  something  of  the  churl ;   something  of 

the  Stiff  and  Gothish  did  stick  upon  it,  till  long  after  Chance?'. 

Chaucer  threw  in  Latin,  French,  Provencial  [sic],  and  other 

fp.  79]  Languages,  like  new  Stum  to  raise  a  Fermentation;  In  Queen 
Elizabeth's  time  it  grew  fine,  but  came  not  to  an  Head  and 
Spirit,  did  not  shine  and  sparkle  till  Mr.  Waller  set  it  a 
running. 

1693.  Unknown.     [Answers  to]  Questions  from  the  Poetical  Lady  [in] 
The  Athenian  Mercury,  vol.  xii,  no.  1,  Oct.  24,  1693  [no  pagination 
or  signature.   For  full  title  and  extract  see  earlier  vol.,  above,  p.  263]. 

Quest.  4.  What  Boolts  of  Poetry  wou'd  you  Advise  one  that's 
Young,  and  extreamly  delights  in  it,  to  read,  both  Divine  and 
other  ? 

Answ.  For  Divine,  David's  Psalms,  Sandyja  and  Wood- 
ford's  Versions,  Lloyd's  Canticles,  Coidey's  Davideis,  Sir  J. 


266  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1693- 

Davis's  NosceTeipsum,  Herbert'sand  Crashaic-&  Poems,  Milton's 
Paradices,  and  (if  you  have  Patience)  Wesley's  Life  of  Christ. 
For  others,  Old  Merry  Chaucer,  Gawen  Douylas's  ^Eneads 
(if  you  can  get  it)  the  best  Version  that  ever  was,  or  We 
believe,  ever  will  be,  of  that  incomparable  Poem  ;  Spencer's 
Fairy  Queen,  $c.,  Tasfio's  Godfrey  of  Bulloign,  Shdkespear, 
Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  Ben.  Johnson,  Randal,  Cleaveland, 
Dr.  Donne,  Gondibert,  WALLER,  all  DRYDEN,  Tate, 
Oldham,  Flatman,  The  Plain  Dealer— and.  when  you  have 
done  of  these,  We'll  promise  to  provide  you  more. 

1693.  Yalden,  Thomas.     To  Mr.  Congreve  .  .  An  Epistolary  Ode,  1693, 
[in]   Works   of  the  English    Poet?,  ed.  Samuel   Johnson,  vol.  x, 
1779,  p.  373.     (Ibid.,  ed.  A.  Chalmers,  vol.  xi,  1810,  p.  68.) 

[Speaking  of  the  neglect  shown  to  poets  : — ] 
Thus  did  the  world  thy  great  fore-fathers  use ; 

Thus  all  tli'  inspir'd  bards  before 

Did  their  hereditary  ills  deplore  ; 
From  tuneful  Chaucer's  down  to  thy  own  Dryden's  Muse. 

1694.  Addison,  Joseph.     ,471  Account  of  the  Greatest  English  Poets. 
To  Mr  H[eiiry]  S[acheverell].    Ap.  3d,  1694.    [in]   The   Annual 
Miscellany  for  the  vear  1694,  Being  the  Fourth  Part  of  Miscellany 
Poems  ....  published  by  Mr  Dryden,  [2nd  edn.  1692,  85-1709,  6 
parts].     Printed  by   R.  E.  for. Jacob  Tonson,  1694,  pp.  317-18. 
(Addison's  works,  ed.  Richard  Kurd,  Bohn  series,  1854-6,  6  vols., 
vol.  i,  p.  23.) 

Since,  Dearest  Harry,  you  will  needs  request 

A  short  Account  of  all  the  Muse  possest ; 

That,  down  from  Chaucer's  days  to  Dryden's  Times, 

Have  spent  their  Noble  Rac/e  in  Brittish  Rhimes ; 

l]ll  try  to  make  they're  several  Beauties  known 
And  show  their  Verses  worth,  tho'  not  my  Own. 

Long  had  our  dull  Fore-Fathers  slept  Supine, 
Nor  felt  the  Raptures  of  the  Tuneful  Nine; 
Till  Chaucer  first,  a  merry  Sard,  arose ; 
And  many  a  Story  told  in  Rhime  and  Prose. 
But  Age  has  Rusted  what  the  Poet  writ, 
Worn  out  his  Language,  and  obscur'd  his  Wit : 
In  vain  he  jests  in  his  unpolish'd  strain 
And  tries  to  make  his  Readers  lau<j;h  in  vain. 


1696]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  267 

1694.  Blount,  Sir  Thomas  Pope.     De  Re  Poetica :  or  Remarks  upon 

Poetry,  ivith  Characters  and  Censures  of  the  most  considerable  Poets. 

tPart  2]  Characters  and  Censures,  pp.  41-44.  Geoff ry  Chaucer 
followed  by  references  to  Leland,  Bale,  Pits,  Wiristanley,  Ascham, 
Sir  P.  Sidney,  Sir  J.  Denham,  Sir  H.  Savil,  Sir  R.  Baker,  Camden, 
Dr.  Spratt,  Verstegan,  and  Brigham],  pp.  55.  137  [Dryclen,  Trans. 
Juvenal,  p.  50],  216,  247  [quotation  from  Rimer,  Short  View  of 
Tragedy,  p.  78,  see  above,  p.  265]. 

[P.  41]  Geoffry  Chaucer. 

Three  several  Places  contend  for  the  Birth  of  this  Famous 
Poet.  First,  Berkshire,  from  the  words  of  Leland,  that  he 
was  born  in  Darocensi  Provincid ;  and  Mr.  CamMen  affirms, 

[p.  42]  that  Duninc/ton  Castle,  nigh  unto  Newbury,  was  Anciently 
his  Inheritance.  Secondly.  Oxfordshire,  where,  John  Pits  is 
positive,  that  his  Father  (who  was  a  Knight)  liv'd,  and  that 
he  was  born  at  Woodstock.  Thirdly,  the  Author  of  his  Life, 
Printed  1602.  Supposes  him  to  be  born  at  London  [see  note, 
p.  148  above].  But  though  the  place  of  his  Birth  is  not 
certainly  known,  yet  this  is  agreed  upon  by  all  hands,  that  he 
was  counted  the  chief  of  the  English  Poets,  not  only  of  his 
time,  but  continued  to  be  so  esteem'd  till  this  Age ;  and  as 
much  as  we  despise  his  old  fashion'd  Phrase,  and  Obsolete 
Words,  He  was  one  of  the  first  Refiners  of  the  English  Language. 
Of  how  great  esteem  he  was  in  the  Age  wherein  he  flourish'd, 
viz.  the  Reigns  of  Henry  the  IV.  Henry  the  V.  and  part  of 
Henry  the  VI.  appears,  besides  his  being  Knighted,  and  made 
Poet  Lauriate  [sic]  by  the  Honour  he  had  to  be  ally'd  by 
Marriage  to  the  great  Earl  of  Lancaster,  John  of  Gaunt. 

"We  have  several  of  his  Works  yet  extant,  but  his  Squires 
Tale,  and  some  other  of  his  Pieces  are  not  to  be  found. 

[1695?]  B.,  T.  Commendatory  verses  on  the  Author,  in  England's 
Heroical  Epistles  ....  by  Michael  Dravton.  Newly  Corrected  and 
Amended.  Printed  for  S.  Smethwick.  A  Dedication  of  These 
and  the  foregoing  Verses  to  Mr  Drayton's  Heroick  Epistles,  sign. 
A  3  6.  [These  first  appear  in  the  edn.  of  1695.] 

Time  has  devour'd  the  Younger  Sons  of  Wit, 
Who  liv'd  when  Chaucer,  Spencer,  Johnson  writ : 
Those  lofty  Trees  are  of  their  Leaves  bereft, 
And  to  a  reverend  Nakedness  are  left.  .  . 

T.  B. 

1696.  Aubrey,  John.     Miscellanies,  pp.  28,  29. 

[Reference  to  Thinne's  explanation  of  'Gawyn'  in  his  edn. 
of  Chaucer,  with  a  quotation  from  Chaucer's  Squire's  Tale.] 


268  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1696- 

1696.  Smith,  Thomas,  Fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford.  Catalogus 
librot'iim  mannsci'iptorinn  bibliothecce  Cottoniance  ....  pp.  65,  69. 
(Of.  Parallel  text  of  Chaucer's  minor  poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall, 
Chaucer  soc.  1871,  etc.,  p.  407.) 

[p.  65.  Cotton,  Gaiba  E  ix]  Chaucer  .  Exemplar  emendate  scriptum. 

[p.  69.  Cotton,  otho  A  xviii,  24]  A  Ballade  made  by  Geffrey  Chaucer  upon 
his  death-bed,  lying  in  his  anguish  [this  is  a  copy  of  "  Truth," 
since  burnt].  [25]  Ballade  ryall,  made  by  Chaucer.  [26] 
Chaucer's  ballade  to  his  purse.  [27]  Cantus  Troili.  [28] 
Pictura  Galfridi  Chauceri. 

1696.  Unknown  (?).  Parnassus.  The  Session  of  the  Poets,  Holden  at 
the  Foot  of  Parnawtis  Hill,  July  9£/i,  1696.  Printed  for  E.  Whit- 
lock,  near  Stationers-Hall,  1696,  sign.  C  4,  p.  37. 

Indeed  his  [A.  0.1  chiefest  Talent  lies  in  composing  such 
sort  of  Ballads,  as  Patient  Grissel,  or  old  Chaucers  goodly 
Ballad  of  our  Lady,  whose  Title  is  usually  a  most  lamentable 
Example  of  the  doleful  Desperation  of  a  miserable  Worldling, 
who  alas  !  most  wickedly  forsook  the  Truth  of  Gods  Gospel, 
for  fear  of  the  loss  of  Life,  and  worldly  goods. 

[This  poem  is  evidently  a  satire  on  the  smaller  writers  of  the  day  ;  a  kind  of  mock 
Court  is  held,  each  poet  (designated  by  initials  only)  appearing  before  the  bar  in 
turn,  and  '  A.  O.'  is  one  of  these.] 

1696.  Unknown.    A  Pastoral  on  the  Death  of  the  Earl  of  Rochester, 

Jin]  Poems  on  several  Occasions  :  with  Valentinian  .  .  by  .  .  John, 
ate  Earl  of  Eochester,  p.  x. 

Old  Chaucer,  who  first  taught  the  use  of  Verse, 
No  longer  has  the  Tribute  of  our  Tears. 

[a.  1697.]  Aubrey,  John.  [Anecdotes and  traditions.]  Lansdowne  MS. 
231,  ff  110,  129,  178,  [printed  in]  Anecdotes  and  Traditions  .  .  ed. 
W.  J.  Thorns  .  .  Camdensoc.,  1839,  pp.  86,  98,  110. 

[p.  86]  In  time  of  thunder  they  invoke  St.  Barbara.  So  Sir  Geof. 
Chaucer,  speaking  of  the  great  hostesse,  her  guests  would  cry 
St.  Barbara  when  she  let  off  her  gun  [ginne]. 

[p.  98]        Chaucer's  Tregetours. 

For  I  am  siker  that  ther  be  sciences, 
By  which  men  maken  divers  apparenccs, 
Swiche  as  thise  subtil  Tregetoures  play. 
For  oft  at  festes  have  I  wel  herd  say 
That  Tregetoures,  within  an  hall  large, 
Hath  made  come  in  a  water  and  a  barge, 
And  in  the  halle  rowen  up  and  down. 
Sometime  hath  seemed  come  a  grim  leoun 


1697]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  269 

And  sometimes  floures  spring  as  in  a  mecle, 
Sometime  a  vine  and  grapes  white  and  red, 
Sometime  a  castel  al  of  lime  and  ston, 
And  when  hem  liketh  voideth  it  anon. 

Chaucer's  FranUein's  Tale,  [11.  1139-1150]. 

I  have  heard  my  grandfather  Lyte  say,  that  old  father  Davis  told 
him,  he  saw  such  a  thinge  doune  [sic]  in  a  gentleman's  hall  at 
Christmas,  at  or  near  Durseley  in  Gloucestershire,  ahout  the 
middle  of  King  Henry  the  Eighth's  reigne.  Edmund  Wylde, 
Esq.  saies  that  it  is  credibly  reported  that  one  shewed  the  now 
King  of  France,  in  anno  1689  or  1690,  this  trick,  sc.  to  make 
the  apparition  of  an  oake,  &c.  in  a  hall,  as  described  by  Chaucer  : 
and  no  conjuration.  The  King  of  France  gave  him  (the 
person)  five  hundred  Louis  d'or  for  it. 

Mm.  a  Hamborough  merchant,  now  (or  lately)  in  London,  did 
see  this  trick  donne  at  a  wedding  in  Hamborough  about  1687, 
by  the  same  person  that  shewed  it  to  the  King  of  France. 

tp.  no]  The  Friars  Mendicant  heretofore  would  take  their  oppor 
tunity  to  come  into  houses  when  the  good  women  did  bake, 
and  would  read  a  GJiospel  over  the  batch,  and  the  good  women 
would  give  them  a  cake,  &c.  It  should  seem  by  Chaucer's  tale 
that  they  had  a  fashion  to  beg  in  rhyme. 

Of  your  white  bread  I  would  desire  a  shiver, 
And  of  your  hen  the  liver. 

From  old  Mr.  Frederick  Vaughan. 

1697.  De  la  Pryme,  Abraham.     See  below,  Appendix  A,  1697. 

1697.  Dryden,  John.  The  Works  of  Virgil  ....  Translated  into 
English  Verse  by  Mr  Dryden.  Dedication  to  ....  Lord  Clifford, 
sign.  A  2,  postscript  to  the  reader,  p.  621.  (Dryden's  works,  ed. 
Sir  W.  Scott,  revised  G.  Saintsbury,  1882-93,  vol.  xiii,  1887,  p.  325, 
vol.  xv,  1892,  p.  188  ;  also  Dryden's  Essays,  ed.  W.  P.  Ker,  1900, 
vol.  ii,  p.  241,  postscript  only.) 

[sign.  A  2]  Spencer  being  Master  of  our  Northern  Dialect,  and  skill'd 
in  Chaucer's  English.  ........ 

tp.  G2i]  One  [speaking  of  Poets]  is  for  raking  in  Chaucer  (our 
English  Ennius)  for  antiquated  Words,  which  are  never  to 
be  reviv'd,  but  when  Sound  or  Significancy  is  wanting  in 
the  present  Language.  But  many  of  his  deserve  not  this 
Eedemption. 


270  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1698- 

1698.  Dennis,  [John].     The  Usefulness  of  the  Stage,  pp.  39,  40. 

And  tlio  I  will  not  presume  to  affirm,  tli.it  before  the  Eeign 
of  King  Henri/  the  Eighth  we  had  no  good  Writers,  yet  I  will 
confidently  assert,  that,  excepting  Chaucer,  no  not  in  any  sort 
of  Writing  whatever,  we  had  not  a  first  rate  Writer. 

1698[-9].  Dryden,  John.  Letter  to  Mrs.  Steward,  [dated]  Candlemas- 
Day,  1698,  in  Dryclen's  works,  ed.  Sir  W.  Scott,  revised  G.  Saints- 
bury,  1882-93,  vol.  xviii,  pp.  147-8.  [The  original  letter  was  in  the 
possession  of  Mr.  Huth,  see  ibid.  vol.  xviii,  p.  87.] 

I  pass  my  time  sometimes  with  Ovid,  and  sometimes  with 
our  old  English  poet  Chaucer ;  translating  sucli  stories  as  best 
please  my  fancy ;  and  intend,  besides  them,  to  add  somewhat 
of  my  own. 

1699.  Dryden,  John.  Letter  to  Samuel  Pepys,  Esq.,  no.  XXXV(Dryden's 
works,  ed.  Sir  W.  Scott,  revised  G.  Saintsbury,  1882-93,  vol.  xviii, 
p.  154).     [See  below  under  Pepys,  p.  271,  for  his  reply.] 

July  the  14th,  1699. 
PADRON  Mio, 

I  REMEMBER  last  year,  when  I  bad  the  honour  of  dineing 
with  you,  you  were  pleased  to  recommend  to  me  the  character 
of  Chaucer's  "  Good  Parson."  Any  desire  of  yours  is  a  com 
mand  to  me ;  and  accordingly,  I  have  put  it  into  my  English, 
with  such  additions  and  alterations  as  I  thought  fit.  Having 
translated  as  many  Fables  from  Ovid,  and  as  many  Novills 
from  Boccace  and  Tales  from  Chaucer,  as  will  make  an  in 
different  large  volume  in  folio,  I  intend  them  for  the  Press  in 
Michaelmas  term  next.  In  the  mean  time  my  Parson  desires 
the  favour  of  being  known  to  you,  and  promises,  if  you  find 
any  fault  in  his  character,  he  will  reform  it.  Whenever  you 
please,  he  shall  wait  on  you,  and  for  the  safer  conveyance,  I 
will  carry  him  in  my  pocket ;  who  am 

My  Padrons  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  DRYDEN. 
For  Samuel  Pepys,  Esq.    » 

Att  his  house  in  York-street,  These. 

[1699.  Gildon,  Charles.]  The  Lives  and  Characters  of  the  English 
Dramatic  Poets  .  .  .  First  begun  by  Mr  Langbain,  improv'd  and. 
continued  down  to  this  Time  by  a  Careful  Hand  [i.  e.  Gildon],  pp.  27, 

[p  129]  Troilus  and  Cressida,  a  Tragedy,  fol.  This  was  reviv'd  with 
Alterations,  by  Mr  Dryden;  who  added  divers  new  Scenes. 
Plot  from  Chaucer's  Troilus  and  Cressida.  [The  reference  on 
p.  47  is  of  the  same  kind,  that  on  p.  27  to  the  burial  of  Cowley 
next  Chaucer.  See  above,  1691,  Langbaine,  p.  262.] 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  271 

1699.  Pepys,  Samuel.  Letter  to  John  Dryden  dated  July  14,  1699. 
[in]  (The  Works  of  John  Dryden,  ed.  Sir  W.  Scott,  revised  G. 
Saintsbury,  1882-93,  vol.  xviii,  p.  155).  [See  above,  under  Dryden, 
for  the  letter  to  which  this  is  the  answer.] 

Sir, 

You  truly  have  obliged  mee ;  and  possibly  in  saying  so, 
I  am  more  in  earnest  then  you  can  readily  think  ;  as  verily 
hopeing,  from  this  your  copy  of  one  "Good  Parson"  to  fancy 
some  amends  made  nice  for  the  hourly  offence  I  beare  with 
from  the  sight  of  so  many  lewd  originalls. 

[a.  1700.  Cobb,  Samuel.]  Poetse,  Britannici.  A  Poem,  p.  10.  [A 
pamphlet,  folio,  no  title  page  ;  from  internal  evidence  (Dryden, 
old,  but  alive,  &c.)  it  must  have  been  written  just  before  1700.  It 
is  reprinted  in  Poems  on  Several  Occasions,  by  Samuel  Cobb,  3rd 
edition,  London,  1710,  pp.  188-9,  under  the  title  Of  Poetry. 
1.  Its  Antiquity.  2.  Its  Progress.  3.  Its  Improvement.] 

Sunk  in  a  Sea  of  Ignorance  we  lay, 

Till  Chaucer  rose,  and  pointed  out  the  Day, 

A  joking  Bard,  whose  Antiquated  Muse 

In  mouldy  Words  could  solid  Sense  produce. 

Our  English  Ennius  He,  who  claim'd  his  part 

In  wealthy  Nature,  tho'  unskilld  in  Art. 

The  sparkling  Diamond  on  his  Dung-hill  shines, 

And  Golden  Fragments  glitter  in  his  Lines. 

Which  Spencer  gathered  for  his  Learning  known, 

And  by  successful  Gleanings  made  his  own. 

So  careful  Bees,  on  a  fair  Summer's  Day, 

Hum  o'er  the  Flowers,  and  suck  the  sweets  away. 

Of  Gloriana,  and  her  Knights  he  sung, 

Of  Beasts,  which  from  his  pregnant  Fancy  sprung. 

0  had  thy  Poet,  Britany,  rely'd 

On  native  Strength,  and.  Foreign  Aid  deny'd ! 

Had  not  wild  Fairies  blasted  his  design, 

Mceonides  and  Virgil  had  been  Thine  ! 

Their  fmish'd  Poems  he  exactly  view'd, 

But  Chaucer's  steps  Religiously  pursu'd. 

He  cull'd  and  pick'd,  and  thought  it  greater  praise 

T'adore  his  Master,  than  improve  his  Phrase. 

Twas  counted  Sin  to  deviate  from  his  Page  ; 

So  sacred  was  th'  Authority  of  Age  ! 

The  Coyn  must  sure  for  currant  Sterling  pass 

Stamp'd  with  old  Chaucer's  Venerable  Face. 


272  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

But  Johnson  found  it  of  a  gross  Alloy, 
Melted  it  down  and  flung  the  Scum  away. 
He  dug  pure  Silver  from  a  Roman  Mine 
And  prest  his  Sacred  Image  on  the  Coyn. 

[The  1710  edn.  omits  'Of  Gloriana,  and  her  knights  he  sung  and  the  following 
line,  and  reads  '  Dross  '  for  '  Scum '  in  the  3rd  line  from  the  bottom.  In  the  Bodleian 
Catalogue  there  is  an  edn.  of  Cobb's  '  Poems  on  Several  Occasions '  printed  in  1709. 
Allibone  and  Watts  mention  a  Collection  of  Poems  1707.] 


1700.  Dryden,  [John].  Fables  Ancient  and  Modern,  Translated  into 
Verne  from  Homer,  Ovid,Boccace  c5  Chaucer:  With  Original  Poems. 
Preface,  sign.  *A  1  to  *D  2  b.  (Dryden's  works  ed.  Sir  W. 
Scott,  revised  G,  Saintsbury,  1882-93,  vol.  xi.  1885,  Preface, 
pp.  208-44  ;  also  Dryden's  Essays,  ed.  \V.  P.  Ker,  1900,  vol.  ii, 
pp.  246-73.) 

[sign.*Ai]  .  .  .  Spencer  and  Fairfax  both  flourished  in  the  Reign  of 
Queen  Elizabeth :  Great  Masters  in  our  Language  .  .  .  Milton 
was  the  Poetical  Son  of  Spencer,  and  Mr.  Waller  of  Fairfax ; 
for  we  have  our  Lineal  Descents  and  Clans,  as  well  as  other 
Families  :  Spencer  more  than  once  insinuates,  that  the  Soul  of 
Chaucer  was  transfus'd  into  his  Body ;  and  that  he  was  be 
gotten  by  him  Two  Hundred  years  after  his  Decease.  Milton 
has  acknowledged  to  me  that  Spencer  was  his  Original ;  .  .  . 

But  to  return  :  Having  done  with  Ovid  for  this  time,  it  came 
into  my  mind,  that  our  old  English  poet,  Chaucer,  in  many 
Things  resembled  him,  and  that  with  no  disadvantage  on  the 
Side  of  the  Modern  Author,  as  I  shall  endeavour  to  prove  when 
I  compare  them  :  And  as  1  am,  and  always  have  been  studious 
to  promote  the  Honour  of  my  Native  Country,  so  I  soon  resolv'd 
to  put  their  Merits  to  the  Trial,  by  turning  some  of  the  Canter- 
lunj  Tales  into  our  Language,  as  it  is  now  refin'd  :  For  by  this 
Means,  both  the  Poets  being  set  in  the  same  Light,  and  dress'd 
in  the  same  English  habit,  Story  to  be  compared  with  Story,  a 
certain  Judgment  may  be  made  betwixt  them,  by  the  Reader, 
without  obtruding  my  Opinion  on  him  :  Or  if  I  seem  partial  to 
my  Country-man,  and  Predecessor  in  the  Laurel,  the  Friends  of 
Antiquity  are  not  few  :  And,  besides  many  of  the  Learn'd,  Ovid 
has  almost  all  the  Beaux,  and  the  whole  Fair  Sex  his  declar'd 
Patrons.  Perhaps  I  have  assum'd  somewhat  more  to  my  self 
than  they  allow  me ;  because  I  have  adventur'd  to  sum  up  the 
Evidence  ;  but  the  Readers  are  the  Jury  ;  and  their  Privilege 
remains  entire  to  decide  according  to  the  Merits  of  the  Cause  : 
Or,  if  they  please,  to  bring  it  to  another  Hearing,  before  some 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Drydcri]  273 

other  Court.  In  the  mean  time,  to  follow  the  Thrid  of  my 
Discourse  (as  Thoughts,  according  to  Mr.  Hobbs,  have  always 
some  Connexion,)  so  from  Chaucer  I  was  led  to  think  on 
Boccace,  who  was  not  only  his  Contemporary,  but  also  pursu'd 
the  same  Studies  ;  wrote  Novels  in  Prose,  and  many  Works  in 
Verse  ;  particularly  is  said  to  have  invented  the  Octave  Rhyme, 
or  Stanza  of  Eight  Lines,  which  ever  since  has  been  maintain'd 
by  the  Practice  of  all  Italian  Writers,  who  are,  or  at  least 
assume  the  title  of  Heroick  Poets:  He  and  Chaucer,  among 
Other  Things,  had  this  in  common,  that  they  refin'd  their 
Mother-Tongues ;  but  with  this  difference,  that  Dante  had 
begun  to  file  their  Language,  at  least  in  Verse,  before  the  time 
of  Boccace,  who  likewise  received  no  little  Help  from  his  Master 
Petrarch:  But  the  Reformation  of  their  Prose  was  wholly 
owing  to  Boccace  himself;  who  is  yet  the  Standard  of  Purity 
in  the  Italian  Tongue,  though  many  of  his  Phrases  are  become 
obsolete,  as  in  process  of  Time  it  must  needs  happen.  Chaucer 
(as  you  have  formerly  been  told  by  our  learn'd  Mr.  Rhymer) 
first  adorn'd  and  amplified  our  barren  Tongue  from  the 
Proven^all,  which  was  then  the  most  polish'd  of  all  the 
Modern  Languages  :  But  this  Subject  has  been  copiously  treated 
by  that  great  Critick,  who  deserves  no  little  Commendation 
from  us  his  Countrymen.  For  these  Reasons  of  Time,  and 
Resemblance  of  Genius,  in  Chaucer  and  Boccace,  I  resolv'd  to 
join  them  in  my  present  Work ;  to  which  I  have  added  some 
Original  Papers  of  my  own ;  which  whether  they  are  equal  or 
inferiour  to  my  other  Poems,  an  Author  is  the  most  improper 
Judge ;  and  therefore  1  leave  them  wholly  to  the  Mercy  of  the 
Reader:  I  will  hope  the  best,  that  they  will  not  be  con- 
demn'd  ;  but  if  they  should,  I  have  the  Excuse  of  an  old 
Gentleman,  who,  mounting  on  Horseback  before  some  Ladies, 
when  I  was  present,  got  up  somewhat  heavily,  but  desir'd  of 
the  Fair  Spectators,  that  they  would  count  Fourscore  and 
eight  before  they  judg'd  him.  .  .  . 

[sign. *Bi]  I  proceed  to  Ovid,  and  Chaucer',  considering  the  former 
only  in  relation  to  the  latter.  With  Ovid  ended  the  Golden 
Age  of  the  Roman  Tongue  :  From  Chaucer  the  Purity  of  the 
English  Tongue  began.  The  Manners  of  the  Poets  were  not 
unlike :  Both  of  them  were  well-bred,  well-natur'el,  amorous, 
and  Libertine,  at  least  in  their  AVritings,  it  may  be,  also  in  their 
Lives.  Their  Studies  were  the  same,  Philosophy,  and  Philology. 
Both  of  them  were  knowing  in  Astronomy;  of  which  Ovid's 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  T 


274    [Dri/den]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

Books  of  the  Roman  Feasts,  and  Chaucer's,  Treatise  of  the 
Astrolabe,  are  sufficient  Witnesses.  But  Chaucer  was  likewise 
an  Astrologer,  as  were  Virgil,  Horace,  Persius,  and  Manilius. 
Both  writ  with  wonderful  Facility  and  Clearness  ;  neither  were 
great  Inventors  :  For  Ovid  only  copied  the  Grecian  Fables  ;  and 
most  of  Chaucer  &  Stories  were  taken  from  his  Italian  Contem 
poraries,  or  their  Predecessors  :  Boccace  his  Decameron  was 
first  publish'd,  and  from  thence  our  Englishman  has  borrow'd 
many  of  his  Canterbury  Tales  :  Yet  that  of  Palamon  and 
Arcite  was  written  in  all  probability  by  some  Italian  Wit,  in 
a  former  Age  ;  as  I  shall  prove  hereafter  :  The  tale  of  Grizild 
was  the  Invention  of  Petrarch  •  by  him  sent  to  Boccace  ;  from 
whom  it  came  to  Chaucer  :  Troilus  and  Cress  Ida  was  also 
written  by  a  Lombard  Author  ;  but  much  amplified  by  our 


*Bgi&]  English  Translatour,  as  well  as  beautified  ;  the  Genius  of  our 
Countrymen,  in  general,  being  rather  to  improve  an  Invention 
than  to  invent  themselves  ;  as  is  evident  not  only  in  our  Poetry, 
but  in  many  of  our  Manufactures.  I  find  I  have  anticipated 
already,  and  taken  up  from  Boccace  before  I  come  to  him  :  But 
there  is  so  much  less  behind  ;  and  I  am  of  the  Temper  of  most- 
Kings,  who  love  to  be  in  Debt,  are  all  for  present  Money,  no 
matter  how  they  pay  it  afterwards  :  Besides,  the  Mature  of  a 
Preface  is  rambling  ;  never  wholly  out  of  the  Way,  nor  in  it. 
This  I  have  leafn'd  from  the  Practice  of  honest  Montaign, 
and  return  at  pleasure  to  Ovid  and  Chaucer,  of  whom  I  have 
little  more  to  say.  Both  of  them  built  on  the  Inventions  of 
other  Men  •  yet  since  Chaucer  had  something  of  his  own,  as  The 
Wife  of  Baths  Tale,  The  Cock  and  the  Fox,  which  I  have  trans 
lated,  and  some  others,  I  may  justly  give  our  Countryman  the 
Precedence  in  that  Part  ;  since  I  can  remember  nothing  of 
Ovid  which  was  wholly  his.  Both  of  them  understood  the 
Manners  ;  under  which  Name  I  comprehend  the  Passions,  and, 
in  a  larger  Sense,  the  Descriptions  of  Persons,  and  their  very 
"Habits  :  For  an  Example,  I  see  Baucis  and  Philemon  as  perfectly 
before  me,  as  if  some  ancient  Painter  had  drawn  them;  and  all  the 
Pilgrims  in  the  Canterbury  Tales,  their  Humours,  their  Features, 
and  the  very  Dress,  as  distinctly  as  if  I  had  supp'd  with  them 
at  the  Tabard  in  Southward  :  Yet  even  there,  too,  the  Figures  of 
jCTiaucer  are  much  more  lively,  and  set  in  a  better  Light  :  Which 
though  I  have  not  time  to  prove  ;  yet  I  appeal  to  the  Reader, 
and  am  sure  he  will  clear  me  from  Partiality.  The  Thoughts 
and  Words  remain  to  be  consider'd,  in  the  Comparison  of  the 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Drydcn]  275 

two  Poets  ;  and  I  have  sav'd  my  self  one  half  of  that  Labour,  by 
owning  that  Ovid  liv'd  when  the  Roman  Tongue  was  in  its 
Meridian ;  Chaucer,  in  the  Dawning  of  our  Language  :  There 
fore  that  Part  of  the  Comparison  stands  not  on  an  equal 
Foot,  any  more  than  the  Diction  of  Ennius  and  Ovid ;  or  of 
Chaucer  and  our  present  English.  The  Words  are  given  up 
as  a  Post  not  to  be  defended  in  our  Poet,  because  he  wanted 
the  Modern  Art  of  Fortifying.  The  Thoughts  remain  to  be 
consider'd :  And  they  are  to  be  measur'd  only  by  their 
Propriety  ;  that  is,  as  they  flow  more  or  less  naturally  from  the 
Persons  describ'd,  on  such  and  such  Occasions.  The  Vulgar 
Judges,  which  are  Nine  Parts  in  Ten  of  all  Nations,  who  call 
Conceits  and  Jingles  Wit,  who  see  Ovid  full  of  them,  and 
Chaucer  altogether  without  them,  will  think  me  little  less  than 
mad  for  preferring  the  Englishman  to  the  Roman :  Yet,  with 
their  leave,  I  must  presume  to  say,  that  the  Things  they  admire 
are  only  glittering  Trifles,  and  so  far  from  being  Witty,  that  in 
a  serious  Poem  they  are  nauseous,  because  they  are  unnatural. 
Wou'd  any  Man,  who  is  ready  to  die  for  Love,  describe  his 
Passion  like  Narcissus  1  Wou'd  he  think  of  inopem  me  copia 
fecit,  and  a  Dozen  more  'of  such  Expressions,  pour'd  on  the 
Neck  of  one  another,  and  signifying  all  the  same  Thing1?  If 
this  were  Wit,  was  this  a  Time  to  be  witty,  when  the  poor 
Wretch  was  in  the  Agony  of  Death  ?  This  is  just  John  Little- 
wit,  in  Bartholomew  Fair,  who  had  a  Conceit  (as  he  tells  you) 
left  him  in  his  Misery ;  a  miserable  Conceit.  On  these 
Occasions  the  Poet  shou'd  endeavour  to  raise  Pity  :  But,  instead 
*Bg2i'  °^  ^his>  Ovid  is  tickling  you  to  laugh.  Virgil  never  made  use 
of  such  Machines  when  he  was  moving  you  to  commiserate  the 
Death  of  Dido  :  He  would  not  destroy  what  he  was  building. 
Chaucer  makes  Arcite  violent  in  his  Love,  and  unjust  in  the 
Pursuit  of  it :  Yet,  when  he  came  to  die,  he  made  him  think 
more  reasonably  :  He  repents  not  of  his  Love,  for  that  had 
alter'd  his  Character  ;  but  acknowledges  the  Injustice  of  his 
Proceedings,  and  resigns  Emilia  to  Palamon.  What  would 
Ovid  have  done  on  this  Occasion  ?  He  would  certainly  have 
made  Arcite  witty  on  his  Death-bed.  He  had  complain'd  he  was 
further  off  from  Possession,  by  being  so  near,  and  a  thousand 
such  Boyisms,  which  Chaucer  rejected  as  below  the  Dignity  of 
the  Subject.  They  who  think  otherwise,  would  by  the  same 
Reason,  prefer  Lucan  and  Ovid  to  Homer  and  Virgil,  and 
Martial  to  all  Four  of  them.  As  for  the  Turn  of  Words,  in 


276  [Dryden]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

which  Ovid  particularly  excels  all  Poets  ;  they  are  sometimes  a 
Fault,  and  sometimes  a  Beauty,  as  they  are  us'd  properly  or 
improperly ;  but  in  strong  Passions  always  to  be  slmnn'd, 
because  Passions  are  serious,  and  will  admit  no  Playing.  The 
French  have  a  high  Value  for  them  ;  and,  I  confess,  they  arc 
often  what  they  call  Delicate,  when  they  are  introduc'd  with 
Judgment ;  but  Chaucer  writ  with  more  Simplicity,  and  follow'd 
Nature  more  closely,  than  to  use  them.  I  have  thus  far,  to  the 
best  of  my  Knowledge,  been  an  upright  Judge  betwixt  the 
Parties  in  Competition,  not  medling  with  the  Design  nor  the 
Disposition  of  it ;  because  the  Design  was  not  their  own;  and 
in  the  disposing  of  it  they  were  equal.  It  remains  that  I  say 
somewhat  of  Chaucer  in  particular. 

In  the  first  place,  as  he  is  the  Father  of  English  Poetry,  so 
I  hold  him  in  the  same  Degree  of  Veneration  as  the  Grecians 
held  Home?',  or  the  Romans  Virgil :  He  is  a  perpetual 
Fountain  of  good  Sense  j  learn'd  in  all  Sciences  ;  and,  there 
fore  speaks  properly  on  all  Subjects  :  As  he  knew  what  to 
say,  so  he  knows  also  when  to  leave  off ;  a  Continence  which 
is  practis'd  by  few  Writers,  and  scarcely  by  any  of  the 
Ancients,  excepting  Virgil  and  Horace.  One  of  our  late 
great  Poets  is  sunk  in  his  Reputation,  because  he  cou'd  never 
forgive  any  Conceit  which  came  in  his  way  ;  but  swept  like 
a  Drag-net,  great  and  small.  There  was  plenty  enough,  but 
the  Dishes  were  ill  sorted;  whole  Pyramids  of  Sweet-meats 
for  Boys  and  Women ;  but  little  of  solid  Meat  for  Men  :  All 
this  proceeded  not  from  any  want  of  Knowledge,  but  of  Judg 
ment  ;  neither  did  he  want  that  in  discerning  the  Beauties 
and  Faults  of  other  Poets ;  but  only  indulg'd  himself  in  the 
Luxury  of  Writing ;  and  perhaps  knew  it  was  a  Fault,  but 
hoped  the  Eeader  would  not  find  it.  For  this  Eeason,  though 
he  must  always  be  thought  a  great  Poet,  he  is  no  longer 
esteemed  a  good  Writer :  And  for  Ten  Impressions,  which  his 
Works  have  had  in  so  many  successive  Years,  yet  at  present  a 
hundred  Books  are  scarcely  purchased  once  a  Twelvemonth  : 
For,  as  my  last  Lord  Rochester  said,  though  somewhat  profanely, 
Not  being  of  God,  he  could  not  stand. 

Chaucer  follow'd  Nature  every  where,  but  was  never  so  bold 

to  go  beyond  her  :  And  there  is  a  great  Difference  of  being 

Poeta  and  nimis  Poeta,  if  we  may  believe  Catullus,  as  much  as 

betwixt  a  modest  Behaviour  and  Affectation.     The  Verse  of 

*Bg26i  ®iaucer>  I  confess,  is  not  Harmonious  to  us ;  but  'tis  like  the 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Dry den]  277 

Eloquence  of  one  whom  Tacitus  commends,  it  was  aurilus 
istius  temporis  accommodata  :  They  who  liv'd  with  him,  and 
some  time  after  him,  thought  it  Musical ;  and  it  continues  so 
even  in  our  Judgment,  if  compar'd  with  the  Numbers  of 
Lidgate  and  Gower,  his  Contemporaries  :  There  is  the  rude 
Sweetness  of  a  Scotch  Tune  in  it,  which  is  natural  and  pleasing, 
though  not  perfect.  'Tis  true,  I  cannot  go  so  far  as  he  who 
publish'd  the  last  Edition  of  him  ;  for  he  would  make  us 
believe  the  Fault  is  in  our  Ears,  and  that  there  were  really 
Ten  Syllables  in  a  Verse  where  we  find  but  Nine  :  But  this 
Opinion  is  not  worth  confuting  ;  'tis  so  gross  and  obvious  an 
Errour,  that  common  Sense  (which  is  a*  Rule  in  everything 
but  Matters  of  Faith  and  Revelation)  must  convince  the  Reader, 
that  Equality  of  Numbers,  in  every  Verse  which  we  call 
Heroick,  was  either  not  known,  or  not  always  practis'd,  in 
Chaucer's  Age.  It  were  an  easie  Matter  to  produce  some 
thousands  of  his  Verses,  which  are  lame  for  want  of  half  a 
Foot,  and  sometimes  a  whole  one,  and  which  no  Pronunciation 
can  make  otherwise.  We  can  only  say,  that  he  liv'd  in  the 
Infancy  of  our  Poetry,  and  that  nothing  is  brought  to  Per 
fection  at  the  first.  We  must  be  Children  before  we  grow 
Men.  There  was  an  Ennius,  and  in  process  of  Time  a  Lucilius, 
and  a  Lucretius,  before  Virgil  and  Horace ;  even  after  Chaucer 
there  was  a  Spencer,  a  Harrington,  a  Fairfax,  before  Waller 
and  Denham  were  in  being  :  And  our  Numbers  were  in  their 
Nonage  till  these  last  appear'd.  I  need  say  little  of  his 
Parentage,  Life,  and  Fortunes  :  They  are  to  be  found  at  large 
in  all  the  Editions  of  his  Works.  He  was  employ'd  abroad, 
and  favour'd  by  Edward  the  Third,  Richard  the  Second, 
and  Henry  the  Fourth,  and  was  Poet,  as  I  suppose,  to  all 
Three  of  them.  In  Richard's  Time,  I  doubt,  he  was  a  little 
dipt  in  the  Rebellion  of  the  Commons ;  and  being  Brother- 
in-Law  to  John  of  Ghant,  it  was  no  wonder  if  he  follow'd  the 
Fortunes  of  that  Family  ;  and  was  well  with  Henry  the  Fourth 
when  he  depos'd  his  Predecessor.  Neither  is  it  to  be  admir'd, 
that  Henry,  who  was  a  wise  as  well  as  a  valiant  Prince,  who 
claim'd  by  Succession,  and  was  sensible  that  his  Title  was  not 
sound,  but  was  rightfully  in  Mortimer,  who  had  married  the 
Heir  of  York',  it  was  not  to  be  admir'd,  I  say,  if  that  great 
Politician  should  be  pleas'd  to  have  the  greatest  Wit  of  those 
Times  in  his  Interests,  and  to  be  the  Trumpet  of  his  Praises. 
Augustus  had  given  him  the  Example,  by  the  Advice  of 


278  [Dryden]          Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

Meccenas,  who  recommended  Virijil  and  Horace  to  him  ;  whose 
Praises  helped  to  make  him  Popular  while  he  was  alive,  and 
after  his  Death  have  made  him  Precious  to  Posterity.  As 
for  the  Religion  of  our  Poet,  he  seems  to  have  some  little 
Eyas  towards  the  Opinions  of  Wicliff,  after  John  of  Ghant 
his  Patron  ;  somewhat  of  which  appears  in  the  Tale  of  Piers 
Plowman :  Yet  I  cannot  blame  him  for  inveighing  so  sharply 
against  the  Vices  of  the  Clergy  in  his  Age  :  Their  Pride, 
their  Ambition,  their  Pomp,  their  Avarice,  their  Worldly 
Interest,  deserv'd  the  Lashes  which  he  gave  them,  both  in 
that,  and  in  most  of  his  Canterbury  Tales  :  Neither  has  his 
Contemporary*  Boccace,  spar'd  them.  Yet  both  those  Poets 
liv'd  in  much  esteem,  with  good  and  holy  Men  in  Orders : 
For  the  Scandal  which  is  given  by  particular  Priests  reflects 

[sign.  110t  on  the  Sacred  Function.  Chaucer's  Monk,  his  Chanon, 
and  his  Fryar,  took  not  from  the  Character  of  his  Good 
Parson.  A  Satyrical  Poet  is  the  Check  of  the  Laymen  .on  bad 

Priests 

I  have  followed  Chaucer,  in  his  Character  of  a  Holy  Man, 
and  have  enlarg'd  on  that  Subject  with  some  Pleasure,  re 
serving  to  myself  the  Eight,  if  I  shall  think  fit  hereafter,  to 
describe  another  sort  of  Priests,  such  as  are  more  easily  to 
be  found  than  the  Good  Parson  ;  such  as  have  given  the 
last  Blow  to  Christianity  in  this  Age,  by  a  Practice  so  contrary 
to  their  Doctrine.  But  this  will  keep  cold  till  another  time. 
In  the  mean  while,  I  take  up  Chaucer  where  I  left  him. 
He  must  have  been  a  Man  of  a  most  wonderful  comprehen 
sive  Nature,  because,  as  it  has  been  truly  observ'd  of  him,  he 
has  taken  into  the  Compass  of  his  Canterbury  Tales  the 
various  Manners  and  Humours  (as  we  now  call  them)  of  the 
whole  English  Nation,  in  his  Age.  Not  a  single  Character  has 
escap'd  him.  All  his  Pilgrims  are  severally  distinguish'd  from 
each  other;  and  not  only  in  their  Inclinations,  but  in  their 

*csin&i  very  Phisiog110™!68  an(l  Persons.  '  Baptista  Porta  could  not 
have  describ'd  their  Natures  better,  than  by  the  Marks  which 
the  Poet  gives  them.  The  Matter  and  Manner  of  their  Tales, 
and  of  their  Telling,  are  so  suited  to  their  different  Educations, 
Humours,  and  Callings,  that  each  of  them  would  be  improper 
in  any  other  Mouth.  Even  the  grave  and  serious  Characters 
are  distinguish'd  by  their  several  sorts  of  Gravity  :  Their 
Discourses  are  such  as  belong  to  their  Age,  their  Calling,  and 
their  Breeding  ;  such  as  are  becoming  of  them,  and  of  them 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Dryden]  279 

only.  Some  of  his  Persons  are  Vicious,  and  some  Virtuous ; 
some  are  unlearn'd,  or  (as  Chaucer  calls  them)  Lewd,  and 
some  are  Learn'd.  Even  the  Ribaldry  of  the  Low  Characters 
is  different :  the  Reeve,  the  Miller,  and  the  Cook,  are  several 
Men,  and  are  distinyuish'd  from  each  other,  as  much  as  the 
mincing  Lady-Prioress,  and  the  broad-speaking,  gap-toothed 
Wife  of  Bathe.  But  enough  of  this  :  There  is  such  a  Variety  7 
of  Game  springing  up  before  me,  that  I  am  distracted  in  my 
Choice,  and  know  not  which  to  follow.  'Tis  sufficient  to  say 
according  to  the  Proverb,  that  here  is  God's  Plenty.  We  have 
our  Fore-fathers  and  Great  Grand-dames  all  before  us,  as  they 
were  in  Chaucer's  Days ;  their  general  Characters  are  still 
remaining  in  Mankind,  and  even  in  England,  though  they  are 
call'd  by  other  Names  than  those  of  Moncks,  and  Fryars,  and 
Chanons,  and  Lady  Abbesses,  and  Nuns :  For  Mankind  is  ever 
the  same,  and  nothing  lost  out  of  Nature,  though  everything 
is  alter'd.  May  I  have  leave  to  do  myself  the  Justice,  (siuce_j 
my  Enemies  will  do  me  none,  and  are  so  far  from  granting  me 
to  be  a  good  Poet,  that  they  will  not  allow  me  so  much  as  to 
be  a  Christian,  or  a  Moral  Man),  may  I  have  leave,  I  say,  to 
inform  my  Eeader,  that  I  have  confined  my  Choice  to  such 
Tales  of  Chaucer  as  savour  nothing  of  Immodesty.  If  I  desir'd 
more  to  please  than  to  instruct,  the  Reve,  the  Miller,  the 
Shipman,  the  Merchant,  the  Sumner,  and  above  all,  the  Wife 
of  Bathe,  in  the  Prologue  to  her  Tale,  would  have  procur'd  me 
as  many  Friends  and  Readers,  as  there  are  Beaux  and  Ladies 
of  Pleasure  in  the  Town.  But  I  will  no  more  offend  against 
Good  Manners  :  I  am  sensible  as  I  ought  to  be  of  the  Scandal 
I  have  given  by  my  loose  Writings ;  and  make  what  Reparation 
I  am  able,  by  this  Public  Acknowledgment.  If  anything  of 
this  Nature,  or  of  Profaneness,  be  crept  into  these  Poems,  I 
am  so  far  from  defending  it,  that  I  disown  it.  Totum  hoc 
indicium  volo.  Chaucer  makes  another  manner  of  Apologie  for 
his  broad  speaking,  and  Boccace  makes  the  like;  but  I  will 
follow  neither  of  them.  Our  Country-man,  in  the  end  of  his 
Characters,  before  the  Canterbury  Tales,  thus  excuses  the 
Ribaldry,  which  is  very  gross  in  many  of  his  Novels. 
But  firste,  I  pray  you  of  your  courtesy, 
That  ye  ne  arrete  it  nought  my  villany, 
Though  that  1  plainly  speak  in  this  mattere,  [etc.], 
[quotes  11.  725-42  of  Prologue.] 
(sign.  *C2]  Yet  if  a  Man  should  have  enquir'd  of  Boccace  or  of  Chaucer, 


280  [Dryden]          Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

what  need  they  had  of  introducing  such  Characters,  when 
obscene  Words  were  proper  in  their  Mouths,  but  very  undecent 
to  be  heard ;  I  know  not  what  Answer  they  coulcl  have  made  : 
For  that  Reason,  such  Tales  shall  be  left  untold  by  me.  You 
have  here  a  Specimen  of  Chaucer's  Language,  which  is  so 
obsolete,  that  his  Sense  is  scarce  to  be  understood ;  and  you 
have  likewise  more  than  one  Example  of  his  unequal  Numbers, 
which  were  mention'd  before.  Yet  many  of  his  Verses  consist 
of  Ten  Syllables,  and  the  Words  not  much  behind  our  present 
English  :  as  for  Example,  these  two  Lines,  in  the  Description  of 
the  Carpenter's  Young  Wife  : 

Wincing  she  was,  as  is  a  jolly  Colt, 
Long  as  a  Mast,  and  upright  as  a  Bolt. 

I  have  almost  done  with  Chaucer,  when  I  have  ansvver'd  some 
Objections  relating  to  my  present  Work.  I  find  some  People 
are  offended  that  I  have  turn'd  these  Tales  into  modern 
English;  because  they  think  them  unworthy  of  my  Pains, 
and  look  on  Chaucer  as  a  dry,  old-fashion' d  Wit,  not  worth 
receiving  [edn.  of  1723  'reviving'].  I  have  often  heard  the 
late  Earl  of  Leicester  say,  that  Mr.  Cowley  himself  Avas  of  that 
opinion  ;  who,  having  read  him  over  at  my  Lord's  Request, 
declared  he  had  no  Taste  of  him.  I  dare  not  advance  my 
Opinion  against  the  Judgment  of  so  great  an  Author  :  But  I 
think  it  fair,  however,  to  leave  the  Decision  to  the  Publick. 
Mr.  Cowley,  was  too  modest  to  set  up  for  a  Dictatour ;  and, 
being  shock'd  perhaps  with  his  old  Style,  never  examin'd 
into  the  depth  of  his  good  Sense.  Chaucer,  I  confess,  is 
a  rough  Diamond,  and  must  first  be.  polish'd,  e'er  he  shines. 
I  deny  not  likewise,  that,  living  in  our  early  Days  of  Poetry, 
he  writes  not  always  of  a  piece ;  but  sometimes  mingles 
trivial  Things  with  those  of  greater  Moment.  Sometimes  also, 
though  not  often,  he  runs  riot,  like  Ovid,  and  knows  not 
when  he  has  said  enough.  But  there  are  more  great  Wits 
besides  Chaucer,  whose  Fault  is  their  Excess  of  Conceits,  and 
those  ill  sorted.  An  Author  is  not  to  write  all  he  can,  but 
only  all  he  ought.  Having  observ'd  this  Redundancy  in 
Chaucer,  (as  it  is  an  easie  Matter  for  a  Man  of  ordinary 
Parts  to  find  a  Fault  in  one  of  greater,)  I  have  not  ty'd 
my  self  to  a  Literal  Translation ;  but  have  often  omitted  what 
I  judg'd  unnecessary,  or  not  of  Dignity  enough  to  appear  in 
the  Company  of  better  Thoughts.  I  have  presum'd  farther 
in  some  Places,  and  added  somewhat  of  my  own  where  I 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Dry den]  281 

thought  my  Author  was  deficient,  and  had  not  given  his  ( 
•C&  Thoughts  their  true  Lustre,  for  want  of  Words  in  the  Beginning 
of  our  Language.  And  to  this  I  was  the  more  embolden'd,  \ 
because,  (if  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  it  of  my  self)  I  found  I 
had  a  Soul  congenial  to  his,  and  that  I  had  been  conversant  in 
the  same  Studies.  Another  Poet,  in  another  Age,  may  take  the 
same  Liberty  with  my  Writings ;  if  at  least  they  live  long 
enough  to  deserve  Correction.  It  was  also  necessary  some 
times  to  restore  the  Sense  of  Chaucer,  which  was  lost  or 
mangled  in  the  Errors  of  the  Press  :  Let  this  Example  suffice 
at  present  in  the  Story  of  Palamon  and  Arcite,  where  the 
temple  of  Diana  is  describ'd,  you  find  these  Verses  in  all  the 
Editions  of  our  Author  : 

There  saw  I  Dane  turned  unto  a  Tree, 

I  mean  not  the  goddess  Diane, 

But  Venus  Daughter,  which  that  hight  Dane. 

Which,  after  a  little  Consideration,  I  knew  was  to  be  reform'd 
into  this  Sense,  that  Daphne,  the  daughter  of  Peneus,  was 
turn'd  into  a  Tree.  I  durst  not  make  thus  free  with  Ovid, 
lest  some  i'uture  Milbourn  should  arise,  and  say,  I  varied  from 
my  Author,  because  I  understood  him  not. 

But  there  are  other  Judges,  who  think  I  ought  not  to  have 
translated  Chaucer  into  English,  out  of  a  quite  contrary  Notion  : 
They  suppose  there  is  a  certain  Veneration  due  to  his  old 
Language;  and  that  it  is  little  less  than  Profanation  and 
Sacrilege  to  alter  it.  They  are  farther  of  opinion,  that  some 
what  of  his  good  Sense  will  suffer  in  this  Transfusion,  and 
much  of  the  Beauty  of  his  Thoughts  will  infallibly  be  lost, 
which  appear  with  more  Grace  in  their  old  Habit.  Of  this 
Opinion  was  that  excellent  Person,  whom  I  mention'd,  the 
late  Earl  of  Leicester,  who  valued  Chaucer  as  much  as  Mr. 
Cowley  despis'd  him.  My  Lord  dissuaded  me  from  this 
Attempt,  (for  I  was  thinking  of  it  some  Years  before  his  Death,) 
and  his  Authority  prevail' d  so  far  with  me,  as  to  defer  my 
Undertaking  while  he  liv'd,  in  deference  to  him :  Yet  my 
Reason  was  not  convinc'd  with  what  he  urg'd  against  it.  If 
the  first  End  of  a  Writer  be  to  be  understood,  then,  as  his 
Language  grows  obsolete,  his  Thoughts  must  grow  obscure, 
multa  renascuntur,  quce  nunc  cecidere;  cadentque  quce  nunc 
sunt  in  honore  vocabula,  si  volet  usus,  quern  penes  arlntrium  est 
et  jus  et  norma  loquendi.  When  an  ancient  Word  for 


282    [Dryden]         Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

its  Sound  and  Significancy,  deserves  to  be  reviv'd,  I  have 
that  reasonable  Veneration  for  Antiquity,  to  restore  it.  All 
beyond  this  is  Superstition.  Words  are  not  like  Land-marks, 
so  sacred  as  never  to  be  remov'd:  Customs  are  chang'd,  and 
even  Statutes  are  silently  repeal'd,  when  the  Reason  ceases 
for  which  they  were  enacted.  As  for  the  other  Part  of  the 
Argument,  that  his  Thoughts  will  lose  of  their  original  Beauty 
by  the  innovation  of  Words ;  in  the  first  place,  not  only  their 
Beauty,  but  their  Being  is  lost,  when  they  are  no  longer 
understood,  which  is  the  present  Case.  I  grant  that  something 
must  be  lost  in  all  Transfusion,  that  is,  in  all  Translations  ;  but 
the  Sense  will  remain,  which  would  otherwise  be  lost,  or  at 
least  be  maim'd,  where  it  is  scarce  intelligible;  and  that  but  to 
a  few.  How  few  are  they  who  can  read  Chaucer,  so  as  to 
t^n-  understand  him  perfectly]  And  if  imperfectly,  then  with 
less  Profit,  and  no  Pleasure.  'Tis  not  for  the  Use  of  some  old 
Saxon  Friends,  that  I  have  taken  these  Pains  with  him :  Let 
them  neglect  my  Version,  because  they  have  no  need  of  it.  I 
made  it  for  their  sakes,  who  understand  Sense  and  Poetry,  as 
well  as  they ;  when  that  Poetry  and  Sense  is  put  into  Words 
which  they  understand.  I  will  go  farther,  and  dare  to  add, 
that  what  Beauties  I  lose  in  some  Places,  I  give  to  others 
which  had  them  not  originally  :  But  in  this  I  may  be  partial  to 
my  self;  let  the  Reader  judge,  and  I  submit  to  his  Decision. 
Yet  I  think  I  have  just  Occasion  to  complain  of  them,  who  be 
cause  they  understand  Chaucer,  would  deprive  the  greater  part 
of  their  Countrymen  of  the  same  Advantage,  and  hoord  him  up, 
as  Misers  do  their  Grandam  Gold,  only  to  look  on  it  themselves, 
and  hinder  others  from  making  use  of  it.  In  sum,  I  seriously 
protest,  that  no  Man  ever  had,  or  can  have,  a  greater  Venera 
tion  for  Cliaucer  than  my  self.  I  have  translated  some  part 
of  his  Works,  only  that  I  might  perpetuate  his  Memory,  or  at 
least  refresh  it,  amongst  my  Countrymen.  If  I  have  alter'd 
him  anywhere  for  the  better,  I  must  at  the  same  time  acknow 
ledge,  that  I  could  have  done  nothing  without  him  :  Facile  est 
inventis  adder e,  is  no  great  Commendation  ;  but  I  am  not  so 
vain  to  think  I  have  deserv'd  a  greater.  I  will  conclude 
what  I  have  to  say  of  him  singly,  with  this  one  Remark : 
A  Lady  of  my  acquaintance,  who  keeps  a  kind  of  Correspond 
ence  with  some  Authors  of  the  Fair  Sex  in  France,  has  been 
inform'd  by  them,  that  Mademoiselle  de  Scudery,  who  is  as  old 
as  Sibyl,  and  inspir'd  like  her  by  the  same  God  of  Poetry,  is  at 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Dryden]  283 

this  time  translating  Cliaucer  into  modern  French.  From  which 
I  gather,  that  he  has  been  formerly  translated  into  the  old 
Provenqall ;  (for,  how  she  should  come  to  understand  Old  Eng 
lish,  I  know  not).  But  the  Matter  of  Fact  being  true,  it  makes 
me  think  that  there  is  something  in  it  like  Fatality  ;  that,  after 
certain  Periods  of  Time,  the  Fame  and  Memory  of  Great  Wits 
should  be  renew'd,  as  Chaucer  is  both  in  France  and  England. 
If  this  be  wholly  Chance,  'tis  extraordinary;  and  I  dare  not 
call  it  more,  for  fear  of  being  tax'd  with  Superstition. 

Boccace  comes  last  to  be  consider'd,  who,  living  in  the 
same  Age  with  Chaucer,  had  the  same  Genius,  and  followed 
the  same  Studies  :  Both  writ  Novels,  and  each  of  them  culti 
vated  his  Mother-Tongue  :  But  the  greatest  Resemblance  of 
our  two  Modem  Authors  being  in  their  familiar  Style,  and 
pleasing  way  of  relating  Comical  Adventures,  I  may  pass  it 
over,  because  I  have  translated  nothing  from  Boccace  of  that 
Nature.  In  the  serious  part  of  Poetry,  the  Advantage  is  wholly 
on  Chaucer's  Side;  for  though  the  Englishman  has  borrow'd 
many  Tales  from  the  Italian,  yet  it  A  ppears,  that  those  of  Boccace 
were  not  generally  of  his  own  making,  but  taken  from  Authors 
of  former  ages,  and  by  him  only  modell'd  :  So  that  what  there 
was  of  Invention,  in  either  of  them,  may  be  judg'd  equal. 
But  Chaucer  has  refin'd  on  Boccace,  and  has  mended  the 
Stories,  which  he  has  borrow'd,  in  his  way  of  telling ;  though 
Prose  allows  more  Liberty  of  Thought,  and  the  Expression  is 
more  easie,  when  unconfin'd  by  Numbers.  Our  Countryman 
carries  Weight,  and  yet  wins  the  Eace  at  disadvantage.  I 
desire  not  the  Reader  should  take  my  Word ;  and,  therefore,  I 
•EUM  w^  set  two  °^  tne*r  Discourses,  on  the  same  Subject,  in  the 
same  Light,  for  every  Man  to  judge  betwixt  them.  I  trans 
lated  Chaucer  first,  and  amongst  the  rest,  pitch'd  on  The  Wife 
of  Bath's  Tale  ;  not  daring,  as  I  have  said,  to  advance  on  her 
Prologue,  because  'tis  too  licentious :  There  Chaucer  intro 
duces  an  old  Woman  of  mean  Parentage,  whom  a  youthful 
Knight  of  Noble  Blood,  was  forc'd  to  marry,  and  consequently 
loath'd  her :  The  Crone  being  in  bed  with  him  on  the 
wedding  Night,  and  finding  his  Aversion,  endeavours  to  win 
his  Affection  by  Reason,  and  speaks  a  good  Word  for  herself, 
(as  who  could  blame  her?)  in  hope  to  mollifie  the  sullen  Bride 
groom.  She  takes  her  Topiques  from  the  Benefits  of  Poverty, 
the  Advantages  of  old  Age  and  Ugliness,  the  Vanity  of  Youth, 
and  the  silly  Pride  of  Ancestry  and  Titles,  without  inherent 


284  [Eryden]          Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

Vertue,  which  is  the  true  Nobility.  '  When  I  had  clos'd 
Chaucer,  I  retum'd  to  Ovid,  and  translated  some  more  of  his 
Fables  ;  and,  by  this  time,  had  so  far  forgotten  The  Wife  of 
Bath's  Tale,  that  when  I  took  up  Boccace,  unawares  I  fell 
on  the  same  Argument  of  preferring  Virtue  to  Nobility  of 
Blood,  and  Titles,  in  the  Story  of  Sigismonda ;  which  I  had 
certainly  avoided  for  the  Eesemblance  of  the  two  Discourses, 
if  my  Memory  had  not  fail'd  me.  Let  the  Eeader  weigh  both  ; 
and  if  he  thinks  me  partial  to  Chaucer,  'tis  in  him  to  right 
Boccace. 

I  prefer  in  our  Countryman,  far  above  all  his  other  Stories, 
the  Noble  Poem  of  Palamon  and  Arcite,  which  is  of  the 
E pique  kind,  and  perhaps  not  much  inferior  to  the  llias  or 
the^Eneis  :  the  Story  is  more  pleasing  than  either  of  them,  the 
Manners  as  perfect,  the  Diction  as  poetical,  the  Learning  as 
deep  and  various;  and  the  Disposition  full  as  artful:  only  it 
includes  a  greater  length  of  time ;  as  taking  up  seven  years  at 
least;  but  Aristotle  has  left  undecided  the  Duration  of  the 
Action ;  which  yet  is  easily  reduc'd  into  the  Compass  of  a 
year,  by  a  Narration  of  what  preceded  the  Return  of  Palamon 
to  Athens.  I  had  thought  for  the  Honour  of  our  Nation, 
and  more  particularly  for  his,  whose  Laurel,  tho'  unworthy, 
I  have  worn  after  him,  that  this  Story  was  of  English  Growth, 
and  Chaucer's  oWn :  But  I  was  undeceiv'd  by  Boccace ;  for 
casually  looking  on  the  End  of  his  seventh  Giornata,  I  found 
Dioneo,  (under  which  name  he  shadows  himself,)  and  Fiametta, 
(who  represents  his  Mistress,  the  natural  Daughter  of  Robert, 
King  of  Naples)  of  whom  these  Words  are  spoken.  Dioneo  e 
Fiametta  granpezza  cantarono  insieme  d'Arcita,  e  di  Palemone: 
by  which  it  appears,  that  this  Story  was  written  before  the 
time  of  Boccace ;  but  the  Name  of  its  Author  being  wholly 
lost,  Chaucer  is  now  become  an  Original;  and  I  question  not 
but  the  Poem  has  receiv'd  many  Beauties,  by  passing  through 
his  Noble  Hands.  Besides  this  Tale,  there  is  another  of  his 
own  Invention,  after  the  manner  of  the  Provencalls,  call'd  TJie 
Flower  and 'the  Leaf',  with  which  I  was  so  particularly  pleas'd, 
both  for  the  Invention  and  the  Moral,  that  I  cannot  hinder 
myself  from  recommending  it  to  the  Reader. 

[sign.  A  i]     [Poem]  To  Her  Grace  The  Dutchess  of  Ormond. 
Madam, 

The  Bard  who  first  adorn'd  our  Native  Tongue 
Tun'd  to  his  British  Lyre  this  ancient  Song  : 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Drydcn]  285 

Which  Homer  might  without  a  Blush  reherse, 
And  leaves  a  doubtful  Psalm  in  Virgil's  Verse  : 
He  match'd  their  Beauties,  where  they  most  excell ; 
Of  Love  sung  better,  and  of  Arms  as  well, 
[sign.  A  16]  Vouchsafe,  Illustrious  Ormond,  to  behold 

What  Pow'r  the  Charms  of  Beauty  had  of  old ; 

Nor  wonder  if  such  Deeds  of  Arms  were  done, 

Inspir'd  by  two  fair  Eyes,  that  sparlded  like  your  own. 

If  Chaucer  by  the  best  Idea  wrought, 

And  Poets  can  divine  each  others  Thought, 

The  fairest  Nymph  before  his  Eyes  lie  set ; 

And  then  the  fairest  was  Plantayenet ; 

Who  three  contending  Princes  made  her  Prize, 

And  rul'd  the  Rival-Nations  with  her  Eyes  : 

Thus,  after  length  of  Ages,  she  returns, 
Restor'd  in  you,  and  the  same  Place  adorns ; 
[sign.  A  2]         Or  you  perform  her  Office  in  the  Sphere, 

Born  of  her  Blood,  and  make  a  new  Platonick  Year. 

0  true  Plantagenet,  0  Race  Divine, 

(For  Beauty  still  is  fatal  to  the  Line,) 

Had  Chaucer  liv'd  that  Angel-Face  to  view, 

Sure  he  had  drawn  his  Emily  from  You ; 

Or  had  You  liv'd  to  judge  the  doughtful  Right; 

Your  noble  Palamon  had  been  the  Knight : 

And  Conqu'ring  Theseus  from  his  Side  had  sent 

Your  Gen'rous  Lord,  to  guide  the  Theban  Government. 

Time  shall  accomplish  that ;  and  I  shall  see 

A  Palamon  in  Him,  in  You  an  Emily. 

Palamon  and  Arcite,  or  the  Knight's  Tale  from  Chaucer. 

[pp.  1-90.] 

The  Cock  and  the  Fox ;  or  The  Tale  of  the  Nun's  Priest  from 

Chaucer.  [pp.  223-53.] 

The  Flower  and  the  Leaf;  or  The  Lady  in  the  Arbour.     A 

Vision.  [pp.  383-405.] 

The  Wife  of  Bath  Her  Tale.  [PP.  477-99.] 

The  Character  of  a  Good  Parson.    Imitated  from  Chaucer  and 

Inlarg'd.  [PF-  531-36.] 

[Chaucer's  original  versions  of  the  above  Tales  are  given  later, 
on  pp.  567  to  646.] 


286  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700 

1700.  Tanner,  Rev.  Thomas.  Letter  to  Dr.  Arthur  Charlett,  [dated] 
May  6,  1700.  [printed  in]  The  Prose  Works  of  John  Dryden  .  .  . 
[ed.]  Edmond  Malone  .  .  .  1800,  vol.  i,  part  1,  p.  368,  note  2. 

[Dryden  to  be  buried]  with  Chaucer,  Cowley,  &c.,  at 
Westminster-Abbey  on  Munday  next. 

1700.  Playford,  Henry.  Advertisement  [in]  The  Postboy,  Tuesday, 
May  7,  1700.  [printed  in]  The  Prose  Works  of  John  Dryden, 
[ed.]  Edmund  Malone,  1800,  vol.  i,  p.  382,  note  9. 

The  death  of  the  famous  John  Dryden  Esq.,  .  .  .  being 
a  subject  capable  of  employing  the  best  pens;  and  several 
persons  of  quality,  and  others,  having  put  a  stop  to  his  inter 
ment,  which  is  designed  to  be  in  Chaucer's  grave,  in  West 
minster-Abbey ;  this  is  to  desire  the  gentlemen  of  the  two 
famous  Universities,  and  others,  who  have  a  respect  for  the 
memory  of  the  deceased,  and  are  inclinable  to  such  per 
formances,  to  send  what  copies  they  please,  as  Epigrams,  &c., 
to  Henry  Playford  .  .  .  and  they  shall  be  inserted  in  a  Collec 
tion.  .  .  . 

[This  collection  was  published  on  June  19,  1700,  under 
the  title  of  Luctus  Britannici,  see  below.] 


1700.  Unknown.  Notice  of  Dry  den's  funeral  [in]  The  Postboy,  May  7, 
1700.  Account  of  Dryden's  funeral  [in]  The  Postman,  May  14, 
1700.  Ditto  [in]  The  'Flying  Post,  May  14,  1700.  [all  printed  in] 
The  Prose  WTorks  of  John  Dryden,  [ed.]  Edmond  Malone,  1800, 
vol.  i,  part  1,  pp.  367,  note  1,  378-9,  note  8. 

[Dryden  buried  near  Chaucer.] 

1700.  Ward,  Edward.  Account  of  John  Dryden's  funeral  [in]  London. 
Spy,  p.  422.  [pr.  in]  The  Prose  Works  of  John  Dryden,  [ed.]  Edmond 
Malone,  1800,  vol.  i,  part  1,  p.  379. 

1700.  Hall,  Henry.  [Verses]  To  the  Memory  of  John  Dryden,  Esq., 
[in]  Luctus  Britannici  : '  or  the  Tears  of  the  British  Muses  for  the 
Death  of  John  Dryden,  Esq.  .  .  .  written  by  the  most  Eminent 
Hands  in  the  two  Famous  Universities,  and  by  several  Others. 
London  .  .  .  1700,  pp.  18,  19. 

Nor  is  thy  latest  Work,  unworthy  Thee. 
New  Cloath'd  by  You,  how  Chaucer  we  esteem ; 
When  You've  new  Polish'd  it,  how  bright  the  Jem  1 
And  lo,  the  Sacred  Shade  for  thee  make's  room, 
Tho'  Souls  so  like,  should  take  but  up  one  tomb. 


1700]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  287 

Let  us  look  back,  and  Noble  Numbers  trace 
Directly  up  from  Ours,  to  Chaucer's  days ; 
Chaucer,  the  first  of  Bards  in  Tune  that  Sung, 
And  to  a  better  bent  reduc'd  the  stubborn  Tongue. 

1700.  Unknown.  [Verses]  To  Dr.  Samuel  Garth,  occasioned  by  the 
much  Lamented  Death  of  John  Dryden,  Esq.,  [in]  Luctus  Britannici, 
pp.  54-5. 

But  if  the  Greek.,  and  if  the  Latin  share 
The  Bounties  of  his  Favours,  and  his  Care, 
If  Foreign  Tongues  have  His  assistance  known, 
What  Thanks  are  owing  to  Him  from  his  own  1 

Rugged,  and  rough,  the  Bard  her  Language  found, 
Without  a  Meaning,  or  a  proper  sound, 
As  Saxon  Syllabs  Choak'd  the  Roads  of  Sence, 
-.     And  Foreign  Words  were  all  Her  Tongues  Defence. 
But  Dryden' s  Diligence,  and  Dryden's  Thought, 
Chas'd  back  the  Troops,  which  false  Invaders  brought, 
New  stamp'd  the  Language  with  another  Face, 
And  gave  it  Majesty  as  well  as  Grace, 

Yet  though  his  Works  are  all  sublimely  Great  -, 

Though,  All  H'  [Dryden]  has  done  dares  Envy's  Nicest  Test, 

And  His  worst  Poem's  better  than  our  Best. 

His  latest  Work,  though  in  His  last  decays, 

As  far  exceeds  His  former  as  Our  Praise. 

And  Chaucer  shall  again  with  Joy  be  Eead, 

Whose  Language  with  its  Master  lay  for  Dead, 

Till  Dryden,  striving  His  Remains  to  save, 

Sunk  in  His  Tomb,  who  brought  him  from  his  Grave. 

1700.  Unknown.  [Fer.ses]  To  the  Memory  of  John  Dryden,  Esq.;  [in] 
Luctus  Britannici,  p.  36. 

Methinks  I  see  the  Reverend  Shades  prepare 
With  Songs  of  Joy,  to  waft  thee  through  the  Air 

Where  Chaucer,  Johnson,  Shakespear,  and  the  rest, 
Kindly  embrace  their  venerable  Guest. 

Whilst  we  in  pensive  Sables  clad  below 
Bear  hence  in  solemn  Grief,  &  pompous  Woe, 
Thy  sacred  Dust  to  Chaucer's  peaceful  Urn. 


288  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1700- 


1700.  Unknown.  A  Description  of  Mr.  D[ry dean's  Funeral.  A  Poem 
.  .  .  p.  8,  [a  separate  tract  bound  up  with  the  B.  M.  copy  of  Luctus 
Britannic!]. 

A  Crowd  of  Fools  attend  him  to  the  Grave, 
A  Crowd  so  nauseous,  so  profusely  lewd, 
"With  all  the  Vices  of  the  Times  endu'd, 
That  Cowleifs  Marble  wept  to  see  the  Throng, 
Old  Chaucer  laugh' d  at  their  unpolish'd  Song, 
And  Spencer  thought  he  once  again  had  seen 
The  Imps  attending  of  his  Fairy  Queen. 


1700.  Unknown.  Gallus  [Latin  Verses  in  Memory  of  John  Dryden, 
bound  as  a  supplement  with  the  B.M.  copy  of  Luctus  Britannici] 
signed  Ex  Aul.  C.  [probably  Catherine  Hall,  Cambridge],  p.  5. 


1700.  H.,  N.    [Latin  verses]  In  obitum  celeberrimi  Joannis  Dryden  ...  in 
Gallus  [bound  up  with]  Luctus  Britannici,  p.  15. 


1700.  Higgons,  Bevill.  [Latin  verses']  In  celeberrimum  Joannem 
Dryden  Chauceri  Sepulchro  Intectum,  [in]  Gallus  [bound  up  with] 
Luctus  Britannici,  p.  8. 


1700.  Vernon,  Henry.     [Latin  verses']  In  Memoriam  Johannis  Dryden 
...  in  Gallus  [bound  up  with]  Luctus  Britannici,  p.  18. 


1700.  W.,  P.,  Trin.  Coll.  Cant.      [Latin    verses    in    memory    of   John 
Dryden]  in  Gallus  [bound  up  with]  Luctus  Britannici,  p.  19. 


1700.  Unknown.  The  New  Wife  of  Beath  [sic],  much  better  Reformed, 
Enlarged,  and  Corrected,  than  it  tvas  formerly  in  the  old  uncorrect 
Copy.  With  the  Addition  of  many  other  Things.  Glasgow. 

In  Beath,  once  dwelt  a  worthy  Wife, 

Of  whom  brave  Chaucer  mention  makes.  .  .  . 

[An  enlargement,  ultimately,  of  the  ballad  "  The  Wanton 
Wife  of  Bath"  (q.v.  below,  Appendix  A,  c.  1670),  but  the  first 
words  of  the  address  "  To  the  Reader,"  "  Courteous  Reader, 
What  was  Papal  or  Heretical  in  the  former  copy  is  left  jut  here 
in  this  second  edition,"  must  refer  to  an  intermediate  version. 
The  address  to  the  reader  was  omitted  in  later  editions.  That 
of  [1785?]  has  the  misprint  "  Sanquer  "  for  "Chaucer."  It 
was  reprinted  in  Fugitive  Poetical  Tracts,  ed.  W.  C.  Hazlitt, 
1875,  Ser.  ii,  No.  xxviii.] 


1701]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  289 

1700.  Wesley,  Samuel.     An  Epistle  to  a  Friend  Concerning  Poetry. 
London.     Printed  for  Charles  Harper  at  the  Flower  de  Luce  in 
Fleetstreet,  MDCC,  p.  12. 

Of  CHAUCER'S  Verse  we  scarce  the  Measures  know, 

So  rough  the  Lines,  and  so  unequal  flow  ; 

Whether  by  Injury  of  Time  defac'd, 

Or  careless  at  the  first,  and  writ  in  haste  ; 

Or  coursly,  like  old  Ennius,  he  design'd 

What  After-days  have  polished  and  refin'd. 

1701.  Collier,    Jeremy.      The   Great   Historical,    Geographical,    Genea 
logical,    and  Poetical   Dictionary.   .    .    .   [chiefly]    collected   from 
.  .  .  Lewis   Morery  his  Eighth  'Edition.      The   Second   Edition, 
Kevis'd,  Corrected  and   enlarged  to  the  Year   1688,   vol.  i,  sign 
B.b.b.2.     [Life  of]  Jeffrey  Chaucer. 

CHAUCER  (Jeffrey),  born  at  Woodstock  in  Oxfordshire,  in 
the  Fourteenth  Century.  He  was  called  The  English  Homer, 
and  was  not  only  a  Poet  but  a  Mathematician,  and  under 
stood,  according  to  the  Talent  of  his  Time,  the  Polite  Part  of 
Learning.  He  died  in  1440,  and  has  a  Tomb  in  Westminster- 
Abby.  His  Works  are  Printed  in  Folio,  at  London  in  1561. 
Besides  these,  he  left  a  Manuscript,  in  which  he  Laments  the 
Liberties  he  had  taken  in  some  Part  of  his  Poems,  incon 
sistent  with  Modesty  and  Religion.  This  Manuscript'  is  now 
in  the  Hands  of  the  Reviser. 

[Authorities]  Leland,  Bale,  Cambden. 

1701.  Le  Neve,  Peter.  Letter  to  Sir  John  Perceval,  [printed  in] 
Report  on  the  Manuscripts  of  the  Earl  of  Egmont,  vol.  ii  (Hist. 
MSS.  Comm.),  1909,  p.  198. 

This  I  am  sure  of,  that  at  Henham  Hall  arid  Park  by  the 
road  side,  the  lovers  of  antiquity  will  find  occasion  of  con 
templation,  when  they  recollect  that  the  famous  Charles 
Brandon,  Duke  of  Suffolk,  in  Henry  VIII's  time  lived  here  ; 
and  before  him  the  family  of  Kederston,  whose  estate  devolved 
by  heirs  female  to  Thomas  Chaucer,  Esq.,  a  descendant  of  the 
famous  poet  of  that  name  .  .  . 

1701.  Unknown.  Chaucer's  Whims:  Being  .some  select  Fables  and 
Tales  in  Verse,  very  applicable  to  the  Present  Times.  [See  specially 
the]  Preface. 

If  I  have  not  done  Justice  to  Chaucer  by  putting  his 
Name  to  Fables  and  Stories  which  are  Collected  by  another 
Hand;  I  have  several  Precedents  to  excuse  me.  .  .  . 

CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  U 


290  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1701- 

1701.  Wanley,  [Humphrey].  Letter  to  Dr.  [Arthur]  Charlett,  May  21, 
1701,  [printed  in]  Letters  written  by  eminent  persons,  1813,  vol. 
i,  p.  127. 

[The  letter  is  on  the  meaning  of  the  title  "  Dan  "  in  connec 
tion  with  the  song  of  "  Dan  Hew."]  And  this  Monk  is  all 
along  called  by  his  Christian  name  in  the  rude  song  about 
him,  as  Absolom,  Nicholas,  and  others  in  Chaucer;  Sirnames 
being  not  yet  universally  received. 


1701.  White,  John.     The  Country-Man's  Conductor  in  Reading  and 
Writing  True  English  ...  by  John  White.     Sometime  Master  of 
Mr.  CtiilcoVs  English-Free-School  in  Tiverton,  and  now  Master  of 
a  Boarding  School  in  Butterly,  near  Tiverton  aforesaid.  .  .  .  Exeter, 
1701,  p.  125. 

From  this  Age  [the  time  of  Robert  of  G~loster~]  'till 
Chaucer's  time,  I  find  but  little  variation  in  the  English ; 
his  Works  are  extant,  and  the  Readers  of  any  thing  of  Anti 
quity  will  find  him  often  quoted  in  Examples  of  his  own 
English.  He  was  a  great  Refiner  of  our  English,  as  Leland 
saith, 

Our  England  honoureth  Chaucer  Poet,  as  principal, 
To  whom  our  Country  Tongue  doth  owe  her  Beauties  all. 
Chaucer  died  in  October  1400,  aged  about  72  years  :    Such 
as  have  his  Works  may  find  a  great  alteration  in  his  own 
English;   his  Lamentation    of  Mary  Magdalen  being  much 
finer  than  his  Works  done  in  his  younger  days.     You  may 
read  his  life  in  Mr.  Winstanly's  Worthies.     \Q*V*  above,  1660, 
P.  238.] 

1702.  Bysshe,  Edw[ard].     The  Art  of  English  Poetry,  containing,  I, 
Rules  for  making  Verses.      II,  A  Dictionary  of  Rhymes.     Ill,  A 
Collection  of  the  most  Natural,  Agreable,  and  Noble  Thoughts,  viz: 
Allusions;  Similes,  Descriptions,  and  Characters,  of  Persons  and 
Things;  that  are  to  be  found  in  the  best  English  Poets.     Preface 
sign  *26  *3  ;  p.  25. 

*2?jn  [Bysshe  says  he  has  inserted  quotations  from  all  our  modern 
poets] ;  I  say  of  our  Modern :  For  though  the  Ancient,  as 
Chaucer,  Spencer,  and  others,  have  not  been  excell'd,  perhaps 
not  equall'd  by  any  that  have  succeeded  them,  either  in  Just 
ness  of  Description,  or  in  Propriety  and  Greatness  of  Thought, 

[sign  yet  the  Gark  in  which  they  are  Cloath'd,  tho'  then  Alamode, 
is  now  become  so  out  of  Fashion,  that  the  Readers  of  our 
Age  have  no  Ear  for  them  :  And  this  is  the  Reason  that  the 


1704]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  ^illusion.  291 

Good  Shakespear  himself  is  not  so    frequently  Cited  in  the 
following  Pages,  as  he  would  otherwise  deserve  to  be 

tp.  25]  Thus  the  Tro'dus  and  Cressida  of  Chaucer  is  compos'd  in 
Stanzas  consisting  of  7  Verses. 

1703.  Hickes,  George.  Linguornm  Vett.  Septentrionalium  Thesauriis 
Grammatico-Griticus  et  Archxologicus,  1705,  pp.17  note,  27  note,  38 
and  note,  57-58,  65  note,  105.  (For  p.  65  n.  see  Urry's  Chaucer, 
1721,  p.  xxi.) 

jP-jJ5'  Legitur  hsec  Praepositio  in  veteribus  nostris  Scriptoribus,  ut 
in  carmine  Chauceri,  quod  inscribitur  the  Testament  of 
Creseide. 

Jt  fcolj!  0*a0cm  til  a  rarefoU  bite 

(Showlb  roru0ponb —    .    .    . 

[Throughout  the  book  there  are  numerous  references    to  Chaucer.    There  arc 
separate  title-pages  for  parts  1  and  2,  each  dated  1703.] 


[a.  1704.]  Brown,  Thomas  (of  Shifnal).  Letters  from  the  Dead  to  the 
Living.  The  third  and  last  letter  of  News  from  Signior  Giusippe 
Hanesio,  high  German  Doctor  in  Brandipolis,  to  his  Friends  at 
Will's  Coffee-house.  .  .  .  [in]  The  Works  of  Mr.  Thomas  Brown, 
ed.  James  Drake,  1707,  vol.  ii,  the  third  part,  pp.  206-7.  [The 
title  page  of  the  2nd  vol.  states  that  the  3rd  pt.  was  never  before 
printed.  Brown  died  in  1704.] 

[A  dialogue  in  one  of  the  coffee-houses  of  hell,  between 
Dryden  and  Chaucer.]  Sir,  cries  he  [Chaucer],  you  have 
tp.  207]  done  me  a  wonderful  Honour  to  Furbish  up  some  of  my 
old  musty  Tales,  and  bestow  modern  Garniture  upon  them, 
and  I  look  upon  my  self  much  oblig'd  to  you  for  so 
undeserv'd  a  favour;  however,  Sir,  I  must  take  the  Free 
dom  to  tell  you  that  you  overstrain'd  Matters  a  little,  when 
you  liken'd  me  to  Ovid,  as  to  our  Wit  and  manner  of  Versi 
fication.  Why,  Sir,  says  Mr.  Dryden,  I  maintain  it,  and 
who  then  dares  be  so  sawcy  as  to  oppose  me?  But  under 
favour,  Sir,  cries  the  other,  I  think  I  should  know 
Ovid  pretty  well,  having  now  conversed  with  him  almost 
three  hundred  Years,  and  the  Devil's  in  it  if  I  don't  know  my 
own  Talent,  and  therefore  tho'  you  past  a  mighty  compliment 
upon  me  in  drawing  this  Parallel  between  us,  yet  I  tell  you 
there's  no  more  resemblance  between  us  as  to  our  manner 
of  Writing,  than  there  is  between  a  Jolly  well  complexion'd 
Englishman  and  a  black-hair'd  thin-gutted  Italian.  Lord,  Sir, 


292  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1705- 

says  Dryden  to  him,  I  tell  you  that  you're  mistaken,  and  your 
two  Stiles  are  as  like  one  another  as  two  Exchequer  Tallies. 
But  I,  who  should  know  it  better,  says  Chaucer,  tell  you  the 
contrary. 

1705.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extracts  from  his  Diary,  Nov.  19,  Dec.  15, 
1705,  (in  Kemarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.  C.  E. 
Doble,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  1885,  vol.  i,  pp.  87,  129.) 

Nov.  19  (Mon.)  ...  In  the  story  of  Thebes  compiled  by 
John  Lidgate,  pag.  374,  at  ye  End  of  Chaucer's  Works,  is  a 
Testimony  of  Martianus  Capella ;  wch  ye  Gentleman  of 
Cambridge  (of  Queen's  Col.  viz  :  Mr  Wasse)  who  is  publishing 
Capella  anew  should  remember  to  put  down  among  ye 
Testimonia. 

Dec.  15.  Quaere  w*  Amies  are  now  in  the  Church  of 
Ewe-Elme  in  Oxfordshire.  There  are  several  of  them  in  the 
last  Editions  of  Sr.  Jeoff.  Chaucer's  Works.  His  Arms  were 
parted  per  Pale,  Argent  and  Gules,  a  Bend  Counter-changed  .  .  . 

1705.  Unknown.  The  Tale  of  a  Tub  revered  for  the  universal  improve 
ment  of  Mankind  [a  rehandling  of  Furetiere's  Nouvelle  allegorique 
des  troubles  arrives  an  royaume  d'eloquence],  p.  35. 

Not  a  part  of  the  Poetick  Country,  but  shewed  their  hearty 
Zeal  upon  this  occasion,  nay  Chaucer  himself,  notwithstand 
ing  his  Age,  march'd  at  the  head  of  his  Invalides  to  Queen 
KHETORICK'S  Assistance;  and  for  the  convenience  of  being 
supplied  with  an  interpreter,  had  leave  to  take  his  post  near 
Dryden. 

[The  only  copy  of  tliis  book  now  known  is  at  Lambeth.     Information  was  kindly 
supplied  by  Mr.  A.  Guthkelch.J 

1705.  Wanley,  Humphrey.  Codices  Anglo- Saxonici  Bibliothecee  Bod- 
leaianx  [in]  Antique  literaturse  Septentrionalis.  Liber  alter, 
seu  Humphredi  Wanleii  Librorum  Vett.  Septentrionalium  .  .  . 
Catalogus,  [being  the  second  volume  of]  Lingnarum  Vett.  Sep 
tentrionalium  Thesaurus  .  .  .  auctore  Georgio  Hickesio.  Oxonia?, 
1705,  vol.  ii,  p.  102. 

Jun.  26.  Superioris  Dictionarii  Saxonico-Anglici  .  .  . 
[William  Lambarde's  note  in  the  beginning  of  this  Dictionary 
is  then  quoted,  as  given  by  Hearne  1711,  see  above,  p.  104, 
below,  p.  316.] 

Libri  impressi  a  cl.  Junio  notati  &  emendati. 

Jun.  9.    Galfridi  Chauceri  opera,  edit.  Lond.  1598.  ad  quce 


1706]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  293 

parltQr   pertmet   opus  Junii  munu  scriptum,  &   Jun.    6.  sly. 
natiim,  in  quo  omnes  obsoletce  ajmd  Chaucerum  voces  colledce 
sunt,  pnvter  illas  quce  incipiunt  a  littera  A,  qnce  desiderantur. 
[Cf.  a.  1677,  Junius,  above,  p.  253.] 

1706.  Harrison,  William.  Woodstock  Park,  a  Poem,  [in]  A  Collection 
of  Poems  by  several  hands,  ed.  R.  Dodsley,  1758,  vol.  v,  pp. 
192-3. 

Goddess,  proceed ;  arid  as  to  relicks  found 

Altars  we  raise,  and  consecrate  the  ground, 

Pay  thou  thy  homage  to  an  aged  seat, 

Small  in  itself,  but  in  its  owner  great ; 

Where  Chaucer  (sacred  name  !)  whole  years  employ'd 

Coy  Nature  courted,  &  at  length  enjoy 'd ; 

Mov'd  at  his  suit,  the  naked  goddess  came, 

Reveal'd  her  charms,  &  recompens'd  his  flame. 

Koine's  pious  king  with  like  success  retir'd, 

And  taught  his  people,  what  his  Nymph  inspir'd. 

Hence  flow  descriptions  regularly  fine, 

And  beauties  such  as  never  can  decline : 

Each  lively  image  makes  the- reader  start, 

And  poetry  invades  the  painter's  art. 

This  Dryden  saw,  and  with  his  wonted  fate 

(Rich  in  himself)  endeavour'd  to  translate ; 

Took  wond'rous  pains  to  do  the  author  wrong, 

And  set  to  modern  time  his  ancient  song. 

Cadence,  and  sound,  which  we  so  prize,  and  use, 

111  suit  the  majesty  of  Chaucer's  Muse ; 

His  language  only  can  his  thoughts  express, 

Old  honest  Clytus  scorns  the  Persian  dress. 

Inimitable  bard  ! 

In  raptures  loud  I  would  thy  praises  tell, 
And  on  th'  inspiring  theme  for  ever  dwell. 

[A  copy  of  Harrison's  poem  is  in  the  Bodleian  (Gougli,  Oxford,  103),  The  title  runs  : 
Woodstock  Park,  a  poem,  by  William  Harison  [«ic],  of  New  College.  Oxon,  1706.  See 
D.  N.  B.] 

1706.  Unknown.  The  British  Warrior,  a  poem  addressed  to  Lord 
Cutts,  Oct.  30,  1706. 

[The  beginning  of  this  poem  is  written  by  J.  Haslewood  in  his  interleaved  copy  of 
Winstanley's  Lives  of  the  Poets,  to  face  p.  23.  See  below,  c.  1833.] 

The  British  muse  in  Chaucer  first  began, 
All  nature  list'ning  to  the  wondrous  Man, 
Our  rugged  youth  upon  his  accents  hung, 
And  melted  at  the  musick  of  his  son 


294  Five  Hundred  Years  of       .         [A.D.  1707- 

Strong  was  his  voice,  and  sprightly  were  his  lays, 
Which  warm'd,  but  wanted  still  the  pow'r  to  raise, 
Till  the  muse  taught  the  following  Bards  to  soar 
Thro'  beauteous  worlds  of  Wit  unknown  before, 
The  tree  he  planted  took  a  gen'rous  root, 
Shot  into  boughs  and  bent  with  golden  fruit ; 
Under  whose  fair  auspicious  shade  were  seen 
An  Eden  lost  and  won,  a  Fairy  Queen, 
A  Moor  to  doubts  betray'd,  and  lofty  Cataline  \sic\. 


c.  1707.]  Hughes,  Jabez.  [Verses]  Upon  Reading  Mr.  Dryden's  Fables 
[printed  in]  Miscellanies  in  Verse  and  Prose,  by  Mr.  Jabez  Hughes, 
1737,  pp.  95-97.  (Appendix  A,  No.  ix,  in  G.  Saintsbury's  revision 
of  Sir  Walter  Scott's  edition  of  the  Works  of  John  Dryden,  1893, 
vol  xviii,  p.  237.) 

Upon  Reading 
Mr.  Dryden's  Fables. 

Our  great  Forefathers  in  Poetic  Song, 
Were  rude  in?  Diction,  tho'  their  Sense  was  strong ; 
Well-measur'd  Verse  they  knew  not  how  to  frame, 
Their  Words  ungraceful,  and  the  Cadence  lame : 
Too  far  they  wildly  rang'd  to  start  the  Prey, 
And  did  too  much  of  Fairy  Land  display ; 
And  in  their  rugged  Dissonance  of  Lines, 
True  manly  thought  debas'd  with  Trifles  shines. 

Such  was  the  Scene,  when  Dryden  came  to  found 
.  More  perfect  Lays,  with  Harmony  of  Sound  : 
What  lively  Colours  glow  on  ev'ry  Draught ! 
How  bright  his  Images,  how  rais'd  his  Thought !  .  .  , 

[p.  97]     Revolving  Time  had  injur'd  Chaucer's  Name, 
And  dimm'd  the  brilliant  Lustre  of  his  Fame ; 
Deform'd  his  Language,  and  his  Wit  depress'd, 
His  serious  Sense  oft  sinking  to  a  Jest ; 
Almost  a  Stranger  ev'n  to  British  Eyes, 
We  scarcely  knew  him  in  the  rude  Disguise : 
But  cloath'd  by  Thee,  the  burnish'd  Bard  appears 
In  all  his  Glory,  and  new  Honours  wears. 
Thus  Ennius  was  by  Virgil  chang'd  of  old  ; 
He  found  him  Rubbish,  and  he  left  him  Gold. 


1708]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  295 

1707.  Unknown.     Of  ike  Old  English  Poets  and  Poetry ;  An  Essay 
[in]  The  Muses  Mercury  or  Monthly  Miscellany,  for  the  Month 
of  June,  vol.  i,  no.  6,  pp.  127-33. 

....  the  French  stand  in  as  much  need  of  a  Dictionary  to 
understand  the  old  Poem,  call'd  the  Romance  of  the  Rose, 
which  is  one  of  their  oldest  Pieces  in  Verse,  as  we  do  to  read 
Robert  of  Gloucester ;  not  to  say  Chaucer,  with  whom  how- 

[p.  128]  ever  his  Readers  will  now  and  then  be  puzzl'd,  if  they 
don't  know  a  little  French  and  a  little  Dutch  too,  there  is 
so  much  of  the  Saxon  or  German  Tongue  in  his  Language. 
.  . .  The  French  ...  As  for  their  Romance  of  the  Rose,  of  which 
they  talk  as  much  as  we  do  of  Chaucer's  Poems,  we  have 
more  Right  to  it  than  they,  for  the  Author  was  an  English 
man,  his  name  John  Moon:  He  was  a  Student  in  Paris,  and 
there  writ  that  Poem,  which  Chaucer  translated  into  English  . . . 
The  English,  till  Chaucer's  time,  might  be  look'd  upon  to  be 
no  more  than  a  eonfus'd  Mixture  of  Saxon  and  the  Norman 
Jargon  .... 

[p.  130]  About  70  Years  after  Longland  [sic]  came  Chaucer,  the 
Father  of  the  English  Poesy,  of  whom  an  old  Historian 
writes,  He  was  a  Man  so  exquisitely  learn1  d  in  all  Sciences 
that  his  Match  teas  not  easily  found  anywhere  in  those 
days,  etc.,  etc.  [i.  e.  John  Pits,  see  below,  p.  659,  Appendix 
A,  a.  1616.] 

Chaucer,  as  much  as  he  reform'd  our  Tongue,  found  it 
so  rude,  that  he  left  a  great  deal  to  be  done  by  those  that 
came  after  him.  His  Numbers  are  in  some  places  as  hobling 
as  his  Contemporaries ;  in  others  as  harmonious  as  ours.  [Then 
follows  a  comparison  between  Chaucer  and  Lydgate,  greatly 

[p.  isi]  in  favour  of  the  latter,  including  this  remark  :]  Let  the  Wit 
of  this  Monk  be  what  it  will,  his  English,  and  his  Numbers, 
are  more  polish'd  than  his  Master's  .... 

1708.  Downes,  John.     Roscius  Anghcanus  or  an  Historical  Review  of 
the  Stage,  p.  30. 

The  Jfan's  the  .Master,  Wrote  by  Sir  William  Davenant, 
being  the  last  Play  he  ever  Wrote,  he  Dying  presently  after ; 
and  was  Bury'd  in  Westminster- Abbey,  near  Mr.  Chaucer's 
Jfonument,  Our  whole  Company  attending  his  Funeral. 

1708.  [Freind,  Robert. 

Atterbury,  Francis. 

Smalridge,  George.]  Monument  to  John  Philips  in  Westminster 
Abbey  erected  by  Simon  Harcourt  Knight.  Westmonasterium  by 
John  Dart,  1742,  vol.  i,  pp.  82-4.] 


296  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1708- 

[The  long  latin  inscription  contains  the  following  lines  :] 
0  Poesis  Anglican®  Pater  atqwe  Conditur  [sic]  CHAUCERE 

Alterum  Tibi  latus  claudere 
Vatum  certe  Cineres  Tuos  undiqwe  stipantium 
dedecebit  Chorum. 


[Philips  died  in  Feb.  1708.  The  article  under  his  name  in  D.  N.  B.  states  that  this 
inscription  has  been  attributed  to  all  three  of  the  above.] 

1708.  [Hatton,  Edward.]  A  New  View  of  London  or  an  ample  account 
of  that  City,  vol.  ii,  pp.  527-8. 

St.  Peter's  Westminster,  .  .  .  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  a  learned 
and  admirable  Poet,  his  Monument  is  on  the  E.  side  of  the 
S.  Cross.  .  .  . 

[Then  follow  a  description  of  the  Monument,  a  copy  of 
the  inscription  and  references  to  John  "Weaver's  account  of 
the  tomb.  See  above,  1631,  p.  204.] 

1708.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extract  from  Ms  Diary,  Sept.  29,  1708.  [in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  eel.  C.  E.  Doble, 
Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  iii,  1886,  p.  136. 

Look  upon  Chaucer's  Translation  of  Boethius  de  Consolatione, 
in  8vo,  p[r]inted  at  ye  Exempt  Monastery  of  Tavistoke  in 
Denshire  .  .  . 

At  ye  end  of  ye  Translation  of  Boethius  by  Chaucer  (quaere) 
4°.  L.  21,  Art.  in  Bibl.  Bodl.  [Here  Hearne  gives  the  colophon.] 

1708.  Hearne,  Thomas.  'Letter  to  Mr.  Bagford,  [dated]  Oxon,  Dec.  20, 
1708,  [in]  Robert  of  Gloucester's  Chronicle,  ed.  T.  Hearne,  1724, 
vol.  ii,  Glossary,  p.  708. 

[The  letter  describes  an  edition  of  John  Walton  of  Osney's 
translation  of  Boethius,  1525.]  When  I  first  saw  this  Book, 
I  guess'd,  that  it  might  have  been  Chaucer's  ;  but  I  presently 
recollected,  that  his  is  in  Prose. 

[See  above,  1410,  pp.  20-1.  ] 

1708.  Prior,  Matthew.  The  Turtle  and  Sparrow.  An  Elegiac  Tale 
Occasioned  by  the  Death  of  Prince  George,  1708.  (Prior's  Poetical 
Works,  ed.  R.  Brimley  Johnson  (Aldine  edn.),  1892,  vol.  ii,  p. 
209.) 

Those  fowl  who  seem  alive  to  sit, 
Assembled  by  Dan  Chaucer's  wit, 
In  prose  have  slept  three  hundred  years  : 
Exempt  from  worldly  hopes  and  fears, 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  297 

And,  laid  in  state  upon  their  hearse, 
Are  truly  but  embalm'd  in  verse. 

[Th:s  poem  was  printed  separately  in  1723  as  "The  turtle  and  the  sparrow,  a  poem 
by  the  late  Matthew  Prior."  It  did  not  appear  in  the  1718  edn.  of  his  poems,  but  the 
title  given  is  in  the  edn.  of  1892.] 

1708.  Bymer,  Thomas.     Foedera,  etc.,  1704-32,  vol.  vi  (1708),  pp.  567, 
756. 

[p.  567.  Grant  to  Chaucer  of  20  marks  yearly,  20  June, 
1367;  see  above,  p.  1.  /&.,  p.  756:  Commission,  appoint 
ing  Chaucer  and  others  as  envoys  to  treat  with  the  Duke, 
citizens  and  merchants  of  Genoa,  12  Nov.,  1372;  see  above, 
p.  2.] 

1709.  Bagford,  John.     Letters  to  Thomas  Hearne,  dated  April  14  and 
May   3,  1709.     MS.  Rawl.  Lett:  21,  ff.  8  and  9.     [abstracts  in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  ii, 
ed.  C.  R.  Doble,  1886,  pp.  186,  192. 

[To  T.  Hearne]  Apr.  14.  ...  as  for  ye  Chausier  I  neuer 
intended  the  returne  of  it  nor  any  thin  else  I  euer  send  if 
ther  [sic]  are  worth  you  exceptance  and  paying  ye  Carridge  in 
a  lettle  time  I  shall  send  you  a  shet  of  paper  by  me  Collected 
Eclating  to  ye  seuirall  Imprison  of  Chausier  which  will  geue 
you  less  treble.  .  .  . 

May  3.  I  geue  you  my  hartey  thanks  for  your  last  kind 
Letter  and  next  thursday  you  will  receue  a  parsell  by  ye  Cayrier 
with  my  obseruations  and  ye  seuirall  Impresiones  of  Chausers 
Workes  which  I  am  apt  to  thinke  none  hetherto  as  I  haue 
herd  of  hath  taken  ye  like  paynes  and  all  of  them  from  ye 
Bookes  themselues  which  haue  run  throw  my  handes. 

I  would  not  haue  you  Rune  ouer  ye  MSS.  of  Chausier 
[sic]  Workes  but  on  ley  to  know  what  [MS.  torn]  n[um]ber : 
you  haue  &  whare  lodged  for  that  would  be  an  enless  [sic] 
worke. 

My  desier  is  onley  to  haue  ye  printed  Copeyes  loked  ouer 
with  ye  dates  &  printers  Names. 

1709.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extracts  from  his  Diary,  April  18,  24,  May  9, 
12,  18,  24,  1709  [in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne, 
ed.  C.  E.  Doble,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.  vol.  ii,  1886,  pp.  188,  190, 194- 
202. 

[p.  188]  April  18  (Mon.)  .  .  .  Chaucers  in  ye  Bodlej.  Library,  MS. — 
Laud  G.  69.  His  Canterbury  Tales.— K.  50.  His  Canterbury 
Tales,  except  ye  Plow-man's  Tale. — Of  ye  Astrolabe  Digby, 


298  [Hearne]         Five  Hundred    Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

72.— N.E.  D.  1.  16.  Of  ye  Astrolabe.— Super  Art.  A.  32. 
His  Tales. — Arcliiv.  Seld.  B.  24.  His  Troylus,  with  other 
Poems  of  his.— Arch.  Seld.  B.  30.  His  Tales.— Seld.  Supra 
56.  His  Troilus  and  Cressida. — Seld.  Supra  60.  His  Workes 
printed  by  Richard  Pynson. — Mus.  64.  Of  ye  Astrolabe. — 
Fairfax  16.  Some  Poems  by  Chaucer,  &  others. — -Charles 
Hatton.  Numb.  1.  Chaucer's  Works. — Jimius  9.  His  Works, 
with  some  Marginal  notes  MS.  by  Junius. — About  Sr.  G. 
Chaucer  in  Leland's  Itin.  vol.  II,  fol.  6. — Pedigree  of  Geff. 
Chaucer.  See  at  ye  Beginning  of  his  Works.  Edit.  opt.  .  .  . 
— Chaucer  in  his  Man  of  Lawes  Tale,  Part  2d.  calleth  ye 
Baptisterimn  the  Font-Stow. — MAURICIUS  AT  FOXTSTOXE  THEY 

HYM    CALLE. 

[p.  190]      April  24  (Sun.).     [Notes  from  Chaucer  in  the   Clerke  of 

Oxenfordes  Prologue]  .  .  . 

[P  194]  May  9  (Mon.).  Arch.  Seld.  B.  30.  Chaucer's  Canterbury 
Tales.  A  very  good  MS.  written  in  Velam,  I  believe  not  long 
after  ye  time  that  Chaucer  liv'd.  [Here  follows  the  order  of 
[p  195]  the  Tales,  and  the  conclusion  of  the  MS.  "Here  enden  the 
Talis  of  Caunturbury,  and  next  thautour  taketh  leve  "... 
"  the  booke  of  Seint  Valenty."]  The  Conclusion  conteyning 
Chaucer's  acknowledgment  of  his  Faults  &c.  not  in  the  Print. 
The  Booke  of  Seint  Valenty,  &  the  Booke  of  xxv  Ladies 
(unless  it  be  the  same  with  the  Assembly  of  Ladies)  not  in 
his  Printed  Works.  List  of  ye  Canterbury  Tales,  alphabetical, 
from  the  last  Edition.1 

The  Wife  of  Bathe's  Tale.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Chanon's  Yeoman's  T.  1.  2.  4.  5.  decst  3. 

Chaucer's  T.  1.  2.  4.  5.  deest  3. 

The  Cookes  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Frank eleine's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Freres  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Knight's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Man  of  Laws  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Manciple's  T.  1.  2.  4.  5.  deest  3. 

The  Merchant's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Miller's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Monke's  T.  1.  2.  4.  5.  deest  3. 

1  The  Mark  1.  denotes  MS.  Arch.  Sold.  B.  30.  When  only  1.  or  2. 
&c.,  is  put  it  shows  that  tale  is  in  the  MS. :  but  deest  added  it  shews  that 
the  same  Tale  is  wanting. — The  Mark  2.  Laud  K.  50. — 3.  Cod.  super. 
Art.  A.  32.— 4.  Pynson's  Edition  of  ye  Tales.  5.  MS.  Caroli  Hatton 
num.  1.  [Hearne's  note.] 


1 709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Ifearnc]  299 

The  Second  Bonne's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
[P.  196]  The  Bonne's  Priest's  T.  1.  2.  4.  5.  deest  3. 

The  Clerk  of  Oxenford's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Pardoner's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Parson's  .  1.  2.  4.  5.  deest  3. 
The  Doctor  of  Phisick's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Plowman's  T.  deest  1.  2.  3.  4. 
The  Prioresse's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Prologues  to  ye  whole.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Reve's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.     This  is  call'd  the  Carpenter's 

Tale  in  Cod.  5. 

The  Shipman's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Sompnour's  T.    1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Squire's  T.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 
The  Rime  of  Sr.  Topas.  1.  2.  3.  4.  5. 

The  Plowman's  Tale  is  not  in  the  MSS.  If  it  were 
Chaucer's,  it  was  left  perhaps  out  of  his  Canterbury  Tales, 
for  ye  Tartness  against  the  Popish  Clergy.  It  is  very  probable 
that  it  was  severally  loritten  by  Chaucer,  and  not  as  one  of  the 
Tales;  which  were  supposed  to  be  spoken,  &  not  written.  [Here 
follow  some  remarks,  with  quotation  from  Plowman's  Tale,  as 
at  end  of  Hearne's  Letter  to  Bagford  q.v.  below,  p.  309]  .  .  . 

At  the  Beginning  of  the  Astrolabe  of  the  last  Ed. — 

This  Booke  (written  to  his  Sonne  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1391,  and  in  the  14  of  K.  Richard  2)  standeth  so  good  at  this 
day,  especially  for  the  Horizon  of  Oxford,  as  in  the  opinion  of 
the  learned,  it  cannot  be  amended. 

It  was  therefore  written  9  years  before  his  Death,  viz.  in 
the  63  year  of  his  age,  he  being  72  Years  old  when  he  died. 
See  his  Life,  written  it  was  to  his  son  Lewis,  whom  he  calleth 
his  little  sonne  Lewys,  at  ye  beginning. 

Arch.  Seld.  B.  24.  Troilus  &  Cressida,  and  several  other 
Pieces  of  Chaucer.  At  the  End  of  Troilus  is  this  Note, 
written  in  ye  same  Hand  with  ye  Book,  viz.  Bativitas  principis 
nostri  Jacobi  quart!  anno  Domini  miiijc.  Ixxij0.  &  vij.die 
mensis  Marcij,  viz.  in  festo  Sancti  Patricij  Confessoris  In 
Monasterio  sanctse  Crucis  prope  Edinburgh.  That  wch  is  in 
ye  Print  call'd  The  Complaint  of  the  blache  Knigld  is  here 
call'd  the  Maying  and  Disporte  of  Chaucere. 

The  Parson's  Tale  in  Chaucer's  Cant.  Tales  in  MS.  Hatton 
(Caroli)  num.  1,  wch  MS.  seems  to  have  been  written  either 


300  [Ilearne]  five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

in  the  author's  Life  Time,  or  very  soon  after,  concludes  thus : 
[quotes  the  full  ending,  '  This  blisfull  regne '  .  .  .  '  Qui  cum 
patre,  &c.']. 

Ip.  107]  Chaucer  not  of  Oxfordsh. — or  Barksh.  as  Leland  supposed, 
but  of  London,  as  appears  from  his  Testament  of  Love.  His 
Father  suppos'd  to  be  Rich.  Chaucer  vintner  of  Lond.  in 
the  23  of  Ed.  3.  Eliz.  Chaucer,  in  Rich.  IIds.  time,  a 
Nunne,  who  was  perhaps  his  sister,  or  at  least  one  of  his 
Relations.  The  nobili  loco  of  Leland  &  Bale  to  be  under 
stood  of  the  Place  of  his  Nativity,  he  being  not  of  great  Birth, 
as  appears  from  his  arms,  wch  were  parted  per  Pale  arg.  &  g. 
a  Bend  counterchang'd.  Yet  this  argument  rejected  by  the 
writer  of  his  Life.  Chaucer  came  in  withe  ye  Conqueror,  as 
appears  from  the  Roll  of  Battle-Abbey,  Some  think  his 
Father  was  a  Merchant,  but  y*  is  uncertain.  'Tis  however 
certain  that  his  Parents  were  wealthy,  otherwise  they  could 
not  have  given  their  son  such  Education  as  to  render  him  fit 
for  the  Court,  &  to  qualify  for  Business  of  State  abroad.  He 
was  educated  both  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge. 

May  12  (Th.) 

IP-  198]  Troilus  and  Creseida  of  Chaucer  MS.  in  Bibl.  Bodl.  Seld. 
supra  56.  written  anno  Dni.  1441,  anno  Regni  H.  VI.  19. — 
MS.  Fairfax  16.  contains  several  Poetical  Pieces.  Some 
bear  Chaucer's  Name,  others  have  no  Name,  but  I  conjecture 
that  they  were  however  written  by  him,  tho'  not  amongst  his 
printed  Pieces. 

IP.  199]  May  18  (Wed.).  Leland  saith  that  Chaucer  was  nobili  loco 
natus,  &  summae  spei  juvenis. — William  Botevil  alias  Thinne 
Esqr.  publish'd  Chaucer  &  dedicated  it  to  K.  Hen.  VIII. 
anno  1540.  After  y*  in  1560  John  Stow  corrected  the  same 
with  divers  MSS.,  and  added  several  Pieces  not  printed 
before.  Afterwards  in  1597  he  added  to  it  several  Pieces  of 
Lidgate,  and  drew  up  an  Account  of  Chaucer's  Life,  Prefer 
ment,  Issue  &  Death,  collected  out  of  Records  in  ye  Tower 
&  other  Places,  wch  he  communicated  to  Thomas  Spight 
[sic]  to  be  publish'd,  wch  was  accordingly  performed.  Stow's 
Annals  Edit.  fol.  p.  326. — Thinne  found  the  Editions  before 
his  time  of  Chaucer  very  faulty,  wch  he  therefore  corrected 
according  to  MSS.  See  his  Ded.  to  K.  Hen.  8.  His  Edition  was 
printed  at  Lond.  in  1540.  by  Thomas  Bertholet  [sic]  as  appears 
from  Leland. — Mr.  Ashmole  p.  227.  of  his  Theatrum  Chem. 
Lond.  1652,  4°.  has  printed  Geoff.  Chaucer's  Tale  of  ye 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Hcarnc]  301 

Chanon's  Yeoman,  and  before  it  he  has  added  Chaucer's 
Picture  and  Epitaph  from  Westminster  Abbey.  Pitts  says 
Chaucer  was  born  of  Noble  Parents,  and  that  Patreni  habuit 
equestris  ordinis  virum,  his  Father  was  a  Knight. — 

The  Plough-Man's  Tale.  Shewing  by  ye  Doctrine  and  lives 
of  the  Romish  Clergie  that  the  Pope  is  anti-christ  and  they 
his  ministers,  written  by  sir  Geffrey  Chaucer,  Knight,  amongst 
his  Canterburie  Tales :  and  now  set  apart  from  the  rest,  with 
short  exposition  of  the  words  &  matters,  for  ye  capacitie  and 
understanding  of  ye  simpler  sort  of  Readers.  Lond.  1606, 
printed  by  G.  E.  for  Samuell  Macham  &  Matthew  Cooke.  4°. 
S.  77,  Art.  Seld.  There  is  no  Preface,  nor  any  Account  of 
ye  Publisher  in  this  Copy.  At  ye  Beginning  the  Author  of  ye 
Notes  (wch  are  very  good)  says,  .  .  .  [quotes  from  these  :  "  In 
the  former  Editions  .  .  .  written  near  to  Chawcer's  time." 
See  above,  p.  177,  Ploughman's  Tale,  1606].  The  Title  Page  of 
our  Pynson's  Edition  of  Chaucer's  Tales,  amongst  Mr.  Selden's 
MSS.  is  wanting,  as  is  also  the  date.  But  there  is  the 
Preface  of  Mr.  Pynson.  From  y*  Preface  it  appears  that  he 
printed  these  Tales  according  to  a  Copy  prepared  in  due 
Method  by  Mr.  Wm.  Caxton,  but  I  much  doubt  whether 
Caxton  ever  printed  all  ye  Tales,  &  am  of  opinion  that  he 
printed  only  some  Pieces  of  his  works,  notwithstanding  what 
Stow  and  others  say. 

In  the  Bodl.  Library  is  a  Collection  of  old  Romantick  Pieces, 
the  first  of  wch  is  The  story  of  ye  Noble  Kynge  Richard  Cure  de 
lyon,  pr.  at  Lond.  by  Wynkyn.  de  Worde  an.  1528,  without 
[p.  200]  ye  Author's  Name,  but  somebody  has  written  at  ye  Beginning 
these  words,  By  Jeffree  Chawsher  Pooet  Laret.     It  is  adorned 
with  wooden  Cutts.          ....... 

John  Shirley  Esqr.  lyes  buried  in  St.  Bartholomew's  Church, 
Lond.  He  was  a  great  Traveller  in  divers  Countries,  & 
amongst  other  his  Labours,  painfully  collected  the  works  of 
Geffrey  Chawcer,  John  Lidgate,  and  other  learned  writers ;  wch 
workes  he  wrote  in  sundry  volumes,  to  remain  for  posterity : 
Mr.  Stow  says  he  had  seen  them,  and  that  he  had  some  of 
them  in  his  Possession.  See  Survey  of  London,  p.  416.  He 
died  anno  1456. 

I  believe  the  Revocation  annex'd  to  the  Parson's  Tale  in 
some  Copies  of  Chaucer  not  to  be  genuine,  but  made  by  the 
Monks,  who  were  strangely  exasperated  for  the  Freedom  he 
took,  especially  in  the  Plow-man's  Tale  of  exposing  their 


302  [Hearne]         Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

Pride,  Loosness  and  Debauchery.  .  .  .  Pitts 
mentions  among  Chaucer's  Works  Oratoris  (read  aratoris) 
narratio,  wch  he  takes  to  be  the  same  with  Pierce  Plow-man, 
and  tells  us  'tis  exstant  in  MS.*  at  Oxon.  and  Cambridge. 
He  also  mentions  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales,  with  his 
Retractation,  as  being  in  MS.  in  the  Lord  Lumley's  Library. 

(p.  sou  May  24  (Tu.).  It  appeareth  from  ye  Testament  of  Love 
that  G.  Chaucer  was  in  some  Trouble  in  the  days  of  Rich. 
2d.  where  he  complains  very  much  of  his  own  Rashness  in 

(P.  202]  following  the  multitude,  &  of  their  hatred  against  him  for 
bewraying  their  Purpose.  And  in  that  complaint  wch  he  makes 
to  his  empty  purse  Mr.  Speght  found  ten  times  more  adjoyned 
in  a  MS.*  of  it  in  Mr.  Stowes  hands  than  is  in  the  Print, 
making  therein  great  Lamentation  for  his  wrongfull  Imprison 
ment,  wishing  Death  to  end  his  Dayes.  And  'tis  plain  from 
a  Record  in  ye  Tower  that  the  King  took  Geff.  Chaucer  &  his 
Lands  into  his  Protection  in  ye  2d.  year  of  his  Reign,  because 
there  was  much  Danger  from  him  by  reason  of  his  favouring 
some  rash  attempt  of  the  common  People. — Some  of  his 
Canterbury  Tales  were  translated  and  penned  in  the  Days  of 
Rich.  2d.,  after  the  insurrection  of  Jack  Straw,  wch  was  in 
the  4th  year  of  y*  King's  Reign,  &  whereof  Chaucer  maketh 
Mention  in  the  Tale  of  the  Nunne's  Prest. 


11709.]  Hearne,  Thomas.  A  Letter  to  Mr.  Bagfnrd,  containing  some 
Remarks  upon  Geffry  Chaucer  and  his  Writings  [in]  Robert  of 
Gloucester's  Chronicle,  ed.  Thomas  Hearne,  1724,  vol.  ii,  Appendix 
iv,  pp.  596-606. 

Sir, 

§1.  A  laudable  I  cannot  but  highly  commend  your  In- 
Undertaking,  to  dustry,  in  being  so  inquisitive  into  the  Life 
rnA?™lt0»ffi  and  Writings  of  Geffry  Chafer,  the  Prince 
Life  and  Writings  of  our  English  Poets ;  and  I  am  extremely 
of  Geffry  Chaucer.  obHg,d  to  JQ^  for  the  Account  you  sent  me 

of  the  Editions  of  him,  that  you  have  hitherto  met  with. 
Would  others  but  imitate  your  Diligence,  we  should  under 
stand  this  excellent  Poet  much  better  than  we  do,  and  be 
able  to  give  a  far  more  correct  Edition  of  him  than  has  hither 
to  appear'd.  Such  an  Undertaking  will  derive  great  Honour 
upon  those,  that  shall  ingage  in  it,  and  will  be  gratefully 
receiv'd  by  all  true  Scholars  and  Antiquaries.  For  Chaucer 
was  not  only  an  excellent  Poet,  but  was  admirably  well 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Hcarne]  303 

vers'd  in  most  Parts  of  Learning.  And  besides  his  profound 
Learning,  he  was  a  compleat  Gentleman,  &  skill'd  in  all  the. 
Arts  of  Address.  These  Qualifications  made  him  belov'd  and 
honour'd,  and  his  Conversation  &  Acquaintance  were  courted 
by  the  Greatest  Personages,  insomuch  that  he  was  sent 
Ambassadour  into  Forreign  Parts,  where  he  came  of  [sic]  with 
as  much  Applause,  as  he  did  in  any  of  his  Performances  in  his 
own  Native  Country.  This  does  not  seem  to  be  at  all  owing 
to  his  Birth,  his  Father,  notwithstanding  wealthy,  being,  in 
all  probability,  only  a  Merchant  ;  tho'  I  know,  that  Leland, 
in  which  he  is  follow'd  by  Bale,  tells  us,  that  he  was  nobili 
loco  natus,  which  seems  to  be  a  mistake,  there  being  no 
Evidence  now  remaining,  that  we  know  of,  to  confirm  such  an 
IP.  597]  Assertion,  unless  it  be  that  from  the  Koll  of  Battle-Abbey  we 
learn,  that  the  Chaucers  came  with  the  Conqueror  into 
England,  and  that  Pitts  tells  us,  that  his  Father  was  a  Knight. 
Xor  are  we  uncertain  only  as  to  his  Ancestors,  and  his  Quality, 
but  there  are  a  great  many  other  Particulars  relating  to  him, 
which,  at  present,  we  know  nothing  of,  which  I  am  perswaded 
we  might  be  satisfied  in  by  a  diligent  Inspection  into  antient 
Kecords.  I  have  not  time  myself  to  assist  in  any  such 
Attempt  :  and  therefore  I  leave  it  to  your  self  and  others,  who 
have  both  leisure  and  opportunity  of  going  through  so  desirable 
a  Work. 

§  2.  In    which         We   nave    several    eminent    Persons    for 
we  have  William     Precedents  in  this  usefull  Inquiry,   which 

oth'er     cannot  but  add  Life  and  Vig°ur  to 


eminent  Persons  who  concern  themselves  in  it.  For  soon 
for  Precedents.  after  printing  was  established  in  this  Island, 
William  Caxton,  besides  divers  other  good  Books,  set  him 
self  carefully  about  searching  out  and  publishing  the  several 
Pieces  of  Geffry  Cltaucer  ;  but  I  much  question  whether  he 
printed  divers  of  them  together.  For  tho'  Stow  and  some 
others  inform  us,  that  he  was  the  first  that  publish'd  his 
Works,  yet  I  believe  they  are  to  be  understood  of  some  Pieces 
printed  by  him  in  distinct  and  small  Volumes,  and  not  after 
the  Method  that  was  follow'd  by  his  Successors.  For  Richard 
Pynson,  in  his  Preface  to  his  Edition  of  the  Canterbury  Tales 
(which  we  have  amongst  Mr.  Selde?i's  MSS.,  and  contains 
nothing  else)  acquaints  us,  that  he  printed  them  from  a  Copy, 
that  was  prepar'd  for  the  Press  by  his  Master  William  Caxton, 
but  gives  not  the  least  Hint  that  they  had  been  before 


304  [Hcarne]         Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

printed.  Caxfon  and  Pynson  having  spent  their  time  so 
successfully  upon  Chaucer,  and  so  much  to  the  Content  and 
Approbation  of  learned  Men,  others  were  soon  animated  to 

fp.  598]  advance  and  promote  what  they  had  begun ;  and  accordingly 
several  Editions  follow'd  with  Improvements,  as  you  have 
particularly  specify'd  in  your  Paper :  but  Caxton  and  Pynson 
were  exceeded  in  their  Labours  by  William  Botevil,  alias 
Thinne,  Esq.,  who  having  collected  all  the  old  Copies  of 
Chaucer  that  he  could  any  ways  procure,  and  having  with  great 
Exactness  corrected  a  vast  number  of  Places,  and  made  con 
siderable  Additions,  amongst  which  must  not  be  passed  by  his 
Notes  and  Explications,  publish'd  the  Work  in  one  Volume  in 
Folio  in  the  Year x  MDXL.  (not  in  MDXLII.  as  Mr.  Wood  insinu 
ates2)  which  was  printed  at  London  by  Thomas  Bertholet  [sic], 
as  is  noted  by  Mr.  Leland,3  and  dedicated  to  K.  H.  vui. 
Twenty  Years  after  this  John  Stow 4  the  Antiquary  collated 
this  Edition  with  several  MSS.  (some  of  which,  I  suppose, 
are  part  of  those  that  had  been  collected  a  great  many  Years 
before  by  John  Shirley  Esq.,  who  died  in  the  Year  MCCCCLVI  5 
and  not  in  MCCCCLXV.  as  you  mistake)  added  some  Pieces  not 
printed  before,  and  in  the  Year  MDXCVII.  joyri'd  to  him  divers 
Poems  of  Lidgate  ;  which  being  done,  he  drew  up  an  Account 
of  Chaucer's  Life,  of  his  Preferment,  Issue  and  Death,  collected 
out  of  Kecords  in  the  Tower  and  other  Places,  which  he  at 
length  communicated  to  Thomas  Spef/ht,  who  publish'd  him 
the  same  Year,  with  the  said  Improvements  of  Stoiv  and  his 
own,  and  methodiz'd  his  Life  according  -to  his  own  Judgment. 
After  this  Francis  Thinne,  Lancaster-Herald  at  Arms,  a 
Person  very  well  vers'd  in  Antiquities,  and  descended,  as  it 
seems,6  from  the  before  mentioned  William  Thinne,  but  not 

[p.  599]  his  Son  as  is  affirm'd  by  SpeyJit  in  his  Life  of  Chaucer,  corrected 
this  Edition  in  abundance  of  Places,  drew  up  several  Notes  to 
it,  and  put  them  into  the  Hands  of  the  said  Mr.  Sper/ht,  who 
remitted  them  into  another  Edition  of  Chaucer  printed  in 
Folio  in  MDCII.  which  is  the  most  compleat  Edition  we  have 
yet,  and,  besides  the  Explication  of  old  and  obscure  Words, 
contains  great  Variety  of  Improvements,  that  were  not  in 
former  Impressions.  But  I  shall  not  trouble  you  with  a 
Catalogue  of  the  Editions  of  Chaucer,  which  you  are  acquainted 

1  See  Stow's  Annals  Edit.  fol.  p.  326,  and  Mr.  Leland  de  Scriptovib. 
in  vita  Chauccri. 

2  Athe.'ncc  Oxon.,  vol.  i,  col.  53.  3  Loco  citato. 

4  See  his  Annals  loc.  cit.  5  See  Stow's  Survey  of  London,  p.  416. 

6  See  Wood's  Athence  Oxon.,  vol.  i,  col.  320. 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Hearne]  305 

with  far  better  than  I  can  pretend  to.  I  shall,  however,  if  I 
meet  with  any  Edition,  that  you  have  not  specify'd,  let  you 
know  of  it ;  and  in  the  mean  time  I  must  take  notice,  that  I 
have  seen  some  Pieces  of  him  printed  separately  that  you 
have  not  mention'd,  and  'tis  likely  I  may  meet  with  others 
hereafter  in  my  Searches.  Amongst  Mr.  Selden's  printed 
Books  in  the  Bodleian  Library  is  a  Quarto  Collection  -of  old 
Komantick  Pieces,  the  first  of  which  is,  The  story  of  the  noble 
Kynge  Richard  Cure  de  Lyon,  pr.  at  London  by  Wynltyn  de 
Worde  an.  MDXXVIII.  The  Author's  name  is  not  added,  and 
therefore  'tis  put  down  in  Dr.  Hyde's  Catalogue  as  an 
anonymous  Tract ;  but,  upon  consulting  the  Book,  I  find,  that 
some  body,  perhaps  one  that  was  formerly  Owner  of  it,  has 
writ  the  following  Words  at  the  Beginning,  By  Jeffree  Charsher 
Pooet  Laret.  What  Authority  he  had  for  this,  I  will  not 
pretend  to  guess ;  but  I  thought  fit  to  give  you  an  account  of 
it,  that  you  may,  at  your  leisure,  examine  into  it.  In  the 
same  Library  we  have  another  Collection  of  old  English  Pieces, 
which  was  also  Mr.  Selden's,  in  which  is  the  Ploughman's 
Tale,  with  a  short  Exposition  of  the  Words  and  Matters,  pr. 
at  Lond^  MDCVI.  Quarto.  This  Exposition  is  very  usefull,  and 
the  Author,  who,  it  may  be,  was  the  said  Francis  Thinne, 
[p.  eoo]  shews  himself  to  be  a  Man  of  Skill,  and  to  have  been  a  Master 
of  Chaucer.  Besides  these  two  Pieces,  I  must  hint  to  you, 
that  the  famous  Mr.  Elias  Ashmole  has  printed,  The  Tale  of 
the  Chanon's  Yeoman,  in  his  Theatrum  Chem.1  [see  above,  1652, 
p.  227]  (before  which  he  has  put  Chaucer's  Picture  and 
Epitaph  from  Westminster-Abbey]  and  that  in  his  Museum 
at  Oxford  is  The  Miller's  Tale,  and  The  Tale  of  the  Wife  of 
Bath,  with  Comments,  pr.  at  London  in  MDCLXV.  [see  ante,  1665, 
p.  242]  which  last  I  have  not  yet  seen ;  but  I  shall  take  the 
first  opportunity  to  do  it,  and  I  will  not  fail  to  let  you 
know  the  Issue  of  my  Inquiry. 

§3.  Whenever-         But      notwithstanding      these     excellent 

theless  have  not  Persons  Labours  were  so  successful!,  as  that 

been  so  exact  in  .,  ..  , 

their      Editions,  tnev  mav  seem>  perhaps,   to   some  to  have 

but     that     they  superseded  all  future  Attempts,  yet  I  may 

reefed  ^and*  sup-  wila.    Modesty   assert,    that    a   much   more 

ply'd  from  MSS.  correct   and   compleat  Edition   of    Chaucer 

adderTlm^we^e  mi§ht  be  Siven  than  an7  that  has  hitherto 
never  yet  pub-  appear'd.  I  have  consulted  some  of  our 
lisll'd-  Oxford  MSS.  and  find  that  the  Print  is  in  a 

1  Pag.  227. 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  X 


306  [Hearne]         Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

great  many  Places  corrupted,  that  in  other  Places  whole  Verses 
are  wanting,  which  might  by  these  Helps  he  supply'd,  that 
sometimes  the  Titles  of  the  Tales  are  chang'd,  and  that,  lastly, 
intire  Tracts  might  be  added,  that  were  never  yet  made  publick. 
I  took  more  particular  notice  of  one  MS.  there,1  which  is  a 
Collection  of  Poems,  some  whereof  bear  Cliaucer's  name,  and 
others  have  no  name  at  all,  which,  nevertheless,  I  take  to 
have  been  written  by  him,  as  being  in  the  same  Style,  and  all 
in  the  same  Hand,  which  I  guess  to  have  been  of  -the  very 
Age  of  Chaucer.  From  this  Collection,  from  those  that  were 
in  Mr.  Stoic's  Library,  from  that  mention'd  by  Mr.  Edw. 
Philips  in  his  Theatrum  Poetarum  [see  above,  1675,  p.  250], 
[p.  601]  and  from  a  multitude  of  others,  we  might,  in  all  likelyhood, 
make  another  intire  Volume  of  Chaucer  in  Folio. 

§  4.  A  Frag-  I  shall  not  give  myself  the  Trouble  of 
merit  of  The  multiplying  Instances,  to  confirm  what  is 
\v?th  ^Passage  at  before  asserted,  since  those  cannot  but  be 
the  End  of  The  obvious  to  every  one,  that  shall  have  the 
whicT'*  TCtowl  Curiosity  to  inspect  and  examine  a  little  the 
revokes  some  of  MSS.  Yet  I  think  it  proper  at  present  to 
his  Works.  .  inform  you,  that  as  the  Prologue  of  the 

Squire's  Tale,  in  an  excellent  MS.  of  Mr.  Seldeu's,2  is  quite 
different  from  that  in  the  Print,  so  there  are  eight  Verses  in 
the  Tale  itself,  which  are  not  in  the  Common  Editions.  For 
whereas  we  have  receiv'd  as  yet  but  two  Verses  of  the  third 
Part,  with  a  Note  signifying,  that  none  of  the  rest,  notwith 
standing  diligently  sought  after,  could  be  recover'd,  we  have 
here  the  following  ones,  which  immediately  precede  the  two 
already  printed,  viz. 


I  her*  luriu  tool  makm  a  kit  otic, 
^.0  the  igme  it  comt  ntxtt  to  mg  iottt. 
Jfxrr  hen  bm  fdatoes  rj£hjmb.e  an  hep*  trulg, 
toolkit  talke  tni  besiiy, 
habe  hm  spoxtt,  as  to  et  as  I, 
the  bap  passith  mtqntlg. 

(Dste  tatath  noto  xjorjb  htbt, 
SBho  shal  ttextt  tzih,  anb  late  him  sytbt. 

And  whereas  you  mention  a  Passage,  intit'led  Penitentia  ut 
dicitur  pro  /alula  Rectoris,  by  which  Chaucer  revok'd  several 

1  Inter  Codd.  Fairfaxii,  num.  16. 

2  Arch.  B.  30,  in  Bibl.  Bodl. 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [Hearne]  307 

of  his  Books,  that  you  found  printed  in  an  Edition  of  his 
Poems  with  Mr.  Tanner,  which  you  have  not  seen  in  any 
other,  I  must,  withall,  acquaint  you,  that  I  have  found  the 

[p.  602]  same  Revocation  in  a  x  MS.  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  which 
because  it  is  fuller  than  that  you  mention,  and  somewhat 
different,  I  shall  transcribe  at  large.  J^oto  preg  £  iff  Item 
all,  that  herken  this  litul  tretise  or  rtbeit,  that  if  iher  be 
ang  thing  in  it,  that  iiketh  hem,  that  thereof  thei  thanken 
onr  |£orbe  Iliesu  Crist,  of  to  horn  procebeth  atie  toitte  anb 
all  goobene0se.  Jlnb  if  there  be  angthing,  that  hisyhst 
hem,  1  preg  hem  also,  that  thei  arrertc  it  to  the  befaute  ot 
my  u  unkoungng,  anb  not  to  mi)  toiU,  that  in  alb  fagne  habe 
seib  better,  if  £  habb£  komtgng :  for  our  boke  seith,  that 
al  that  is  toritien  for  oitre  boctriue,  £  that  i0  mgit  ^itteut. 
.  .  .  [Here  the  whole  passage  is  given  which  is  printed  at  the 
end  of  the  Persones  Tale,  11.  1082-92.] 

This  Passage  immediately  follows  these  words,    Jlitb  the 
rest  by  trabaite  attb  the  life  bg  b.eth  anb  mortification  of 

[p.  603]  (Sgn,  and  is  so  continued  with  the  Tale,  as  if  it  were  part  of 
it ;  but  tho'  this  Revocation  be  also  extant  in  the  above  men- 
tion'd  MS.  of  Mr.  Selden,  yet  it  is  written  as  distinct  from  the 
Tales,  which  conclude  with  that  of  the  Parson.  For  thus 
it  is  brought  in,  |pere  tiibtn  the  ^alis  of  Catmturburg,  anb 
next  thantour  taketh  lette. — Jfato  prey*  I  to  hem  atle  &c. 
So  that  it  begins  just  as  that  which  I  have  transcrib'd 
above ;  but  however  is  much  shorter,  ending  with  the  J5ookc 
of  cSeint  ^alcnty. 

Besides  the  Tracts  said  in  this  Revocation  to  have  been 
written  by  Chaucer,  and  the  Difference  of 

the   three  C,°PieS>  viz'   OUr  tw°>  and  that  in 
genuine,    but   to     Mr.   Tanner's  Book,  we  may  observe,  that 

Jav«  b^fen  fdded  the  Scribe  has  intit'led  himself  to  a  share  in 
by  the  Monks. 

the    Petition :    whence    I    begin    to    think, 

that  the  Revocation  is  not  genuine,  but  that  it  was  made 
by  the  Monks.  For  not  only  the  Regular,  but  Secular, 
Clergy  were  exasperated  against  Chaucer,  for  the  Freedom  he 
had  taken  to  expose  their  Lewdness  and  Debauchery;  but 
nothing  gave  them  so  much  offense,  as  the  Plowman's  Tale, 
in  which  he  has,  in  lively  Colours,  describ'd  their  Pride, 
Covetousness,  and  abominable  Lusts,  and  shew'd  that  the 

1  Inter  Codd.  Caroli  Hattoni,  num.  1. 


308  [ffearne]         Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

Pope  is  Anti-Christ,  and  they  his  Ministers.  Such  a  Satyr, 
made  by  a  Person  of  his  JSTote  and  Distinction,  and  so  much 
celebrated  for  his  wonderfull  fine  Parts  and  exquisite  Learning 
and  Judgment,  could  not  but  work  mightily  upon  them, 
especU^y  when  many  of  them  had  arriv'd  at  so  high  a  Pitch 
of  Wickedness,  and  were,  as  it  were,  drown'd  in  Sloath  and 
Luxury,  being  much  worse  now  than  their  Predecessors  above 
three  hundred  Years  before,  when  most  of  even  the  Bishops 
themselves  were  illiterate,  tho'  ador'd  and  flatter'd  upon 
account  of  their  Dignity  and  unbounded  Wealth,  and  attended 
(p.  604]  upon  by  an  amazing  Number  of  Servants  and  Sycophants. 

§  6.  If  it  be  sup-         But  if,  notwithstanding,  what  has  been 

pos'dtobeauthen-  alleg'd,  it  be  suppos'd,  that  this  Kevocation 

tick,    'tis    likely  .  ,.  ,       Lr,     ,,     ,     ,,  ,,    , 

'twas  written  by  1S    autnentick,    and    that     twas    pennd    by 

Chaucer   towards  Chaucer  himself,   we  may  then  conjecture, 

SfcJJJS  endth°ef  that  'twas  done  by  him  towards  the  latter 

second's  Reign,  he  end   of    the    Keign    of   Richard   II.    when 

being    then    old  having  lost  tne  favour   Of  his  Prince,  and 
and   m    disgrace,  ? -  ••.          i  i     -T.  •      -i     i  -IT- 

for    striking    in  most  of  his  noble  Friends  here,  and  being, 

with  _  the  Multi-     withaU,  grown  old,  he  retired  himself  from 

tude  in  some  dan-      ,,       _.,  ,.    ,,       ^TT     , ,          ,        ,,     ,    , 

[p.  605]  gerous  Enterprise.     tne  Pleasures  of  the  World,  and  reflected 

seriously  upon  the  Changes  and  Infirmities 
to  which  humane  Nature  is  subject.  This  Consideration,  with 
the  thoughts  of  a  future  State,  could  not  but  make  him 
renounce  the  Vanities  of  this  Life,  and  retract  those  Passages, 
which  he  perceiv'd,  either  had  [done]  or  might  do  Mischief  to 
Keligion  and  Morality.  After  which  he  became  quite  weary 
of  this  Life,  and  seem'd  to  have  no  relish  for  any  thing  in  it ; 
tho'  that  may  be  attributed  chiefly,  perhaps,  to  the  Mis 
fortunes  which  happen'd  to  him,  he  and  his  Lands  being 
taken  into  the  King's  Protection  in  the  second  Year  of  his 
Eeign,  because  of  some  danger  that  seem'd  to  threaten  from 
his  favouring  and  striking  in  with  the  rash  Attempts  of 
the  common-people.  Whatever  this  Attempt  was,  whether 
Rebellion,  or  something  bordering  upon  it,  'tis  certain  he 
forfeited  the  Love  of  his  Prince  and  most  of  his  Friends, 
and  he  was  forced  to  lead  afterwards  a  melancholy  Life, 
which  often  extorted  from  him  grievous  Complaints,  parti 
cularly  of  his  own  Rashness  in  following  the  Multitude,  and 
sometimes  would  wish  to  exchange  Life  for  Death,1  which 

1  This  may  be  seen  in  the  Complaint  he  made  to  his  empty  Purse,  which 
Mr.  Spcght  found  ten  times  larger  in  Mr.  Stoitfs  MS.  than  in  the  Print. 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.   \Hearne\  309 

Misery,  however,  was  fortunate  in  this,  that  it  prepar'd  him 
the  better  for  Eternity,  and  influenced  him  to  retract  all  the 
loose  Things  in  his  Writings. 

Now  the  Plough-man's  Tale  having  given 

more  offence  tnan  a11  tne  rest  of   Chaucer's 
man's     Tale     is     Works,   perhaps  that  is  the  reason  why  it 
found  but  in  few     flrmpflrq     ^     «5n    fpw     MSS        T     Imv^     rmf 
MSS.  Some  think     appe8 
'twas  not   Chau-     found  it  in  one  of  those  I  have  consulted  at 

cer's,  but  if  his,     Oxford,  which  has  made  some  think,  that 

it    is    improperly      ...  ,     ,.  .      ,. 

call'd  a  Tale.  tis   not    Chaucer  s,    and    this   they   believe 

confirm'd  from  the  Style,  which  is  different 
from  his  other  Poems.  Mr.  Pitts  confounds  it  with  the 
Satyr,  that  is  call'd  Piers  Plowman  •  but  the  Publishers  have 
skillfully  ascrib'd  it  to  him,  being  warranted  from  a  MS.  in 
Mr.  Stow's  Library;  tho'  it  must  be  confessed,  that  'tis  not 
properly  term'd  a  Tale,  and  it  does  not  seem  to  have  been  put 
as  one  of  the  Tales  by  the  Author  himself :  for  they  were 
suppos'd1  to  have  been  spoken  and  not  ivritten,  as  this  is 
plainly  said  to  be,  the  Plowman  concluding  thus : 

^Lo  holj)  OThtirch  3£  toill  uve  .fro  to, 
(£ch  man  to  am  cub  him  Christ  0eub  sy&ct : 

Jlnb  for  mg  tortting  nu  alloiu 
^e,  that  is  almightg,  for  hi0  (irace. 

The   same  word  of  toritittg   is   there   made   use  of  several 

times :  as,  Jfor  mg  turittng  if  S  hatoe  blante  and, 

©f  mg  toriting  hab^  me  exciieeb :  which  seems  to  me  an 
undeniable  Argument,  that  it  was  not  delivered  as  all  the 
rest  were. 

I  might  from  this  occasion  insist  upon  divers  other  Parti 
culars,  but  I  have  already  exceeded  the  Bounds  of  a  Letter, 
and  I  am  afraid  I  have  quite  tired  your  Patience.  I  hope, 
however,  you  will  take  what  I  have  said  as  an  instance  of  my 
Eeadiness  to  serve  you,  being,  with  all  sincerity, 
Sir, 

Your  very  humble  Servant, 

Tho.  Hearne. 

[A  MS.  note  by  W.  Thomas  in  Urry's  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works,  1721,  B.M.  pr.  m. 
643.  m.  4,  on  blank  leaf  to  f.  p.  32,  states  that  this  letter  was  written  in  1709.] 

1  See  a  Note  at  the  Beginning  of  the  Tales  in  MS.  (in  Bibl.  Bodl.  inter  Codd. 
Laud.  K.  50)  by  John  Barcham.     [See  above,  1642,  pp.  221-2.] 


310  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1709 

1709.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Letter  to  Robert  Harley,  after  Earl  of  Oxford, 
May  28,  1709.  MSS.  Marquis  of  Bath,  Longleat  [in  Report  iii  of 
Roy.  Coram.  Hist.  MSS.,  p.  198,  col.  i,  1872]. 

[This  letter  (which  is  not  printed  in  the  Hist.  MSS.)  con 
cerns  the  various  edns.  and  copies  of  Chaucer's  poems,  MSS. 
Cod.  Fairfax,  16 ;  Cod.  Hatton,  1,  and  Selden  MS.  B.  30  are 
cited.] 

[1709.]  King,  William.  The  Art  of  Love:  in  Imitation  of  Ovid  De 
Arte  Amandi.  London  .  .  [1709],  pp.  59,  60. 

Achilles,  a  Gigantick  Boy, 

"Was  wanted  at  the  Siege  of  Troy  : 

Venus,  although  not  over  virtuous, 

Yet  still  designing  to  be  courteous, 

Kesolv'd  for  to  procure  the  Yarlet 

A  naming  and  triumphant  Harlot ; 

First  stol'n  by  one  she  would  not  stay  with, 

Then  married  to  be  run  away  with. 

Her  Paris  carried  to  his  Mother, 

And  thence  in  Greece  arose  that  Pother, 

Of  which  old  Homer,  Virgil,  Dante, 

And  Chaucer  make  us  such  a  Cant. 

1709.  [Maynwaring  or  Mainwaring,  Arthur.]  The  Court  of  Love.  A 
Tale  from  Chaucer  [in]  Ovid's  Art  of  Love  ....  translated  into 
English  Verse  by  Several  Eminent  Hands  ...  To  which  are 
added  The  Court  of  Love  .  .  .  Printed  for  Jacob  Tonson  .  .  .  1709, 
pp.  351-68. 

[The  central  idea  of  the  poem  and  a  few  images  are  all  that  Maynwaring  has  given 
here.    See  below,   1715,  p.  341,  Oldmixon,  John.] 

1709.  Pope,  Alexander.  January  and  May,  or  the  Merchant's  Tale 
from  Chaucer,  [in]  Poetical  Miscellanies,  The  Sixth  Part,  London, 
Printed  for  Jacob  Tonson,  1709,  pp.  177-224.  (Works  of  Alexander 
Pope,  ed.  Rev.  Whitwell  Elwin  and  W.  J.  Courthope,  1871,  vol.  i, 
pp.  115-53.) 

[The  modern  references  to  Pope  are  all  to  this  latter  edition,  and  are  referred  to  in 
the  entries  below  as  "  Works,  1871."] 

[1709.]  [Pope,  Alexander.]  An  Essay  on  Criticism,  Printed  for  W. 
Lewis,  1711,  p.  28.  (Works,  1871,  vol.  ii,  p.  63.) 

Short  is  the  date,  alas  !  of  modern  rhymes, 
And  'tis  but  just  to  let  them  live  betimes. 
No  longer  now  that  golden  age  appears, 
"When  patriarch  wits  survived  a  thousand  years 


1709]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  311 

Now  length  of  fame  (our  second  life)  is  lost, 
And  bare  threescore  is  all  ev'n  that  can  boast ; 
Our  sons  their  fathers'  failing  language  see, 
And  such  as  Chaucer  is  shall  Dryden  be, 

[In  "The  Works  of  Mr.  Alexander  Pope,"  printed  1717,  it  states  under  the  title 
that  the  Essay  on  Criticism  was  written  in  1709.  Sec  below,  p.  314-15,  367,  369,  379, 
383.] 

1709.  Bymer,  Thomas.  Foedera,  etc.,  1704-1732,  vol.  vii  (1709), 
p.  35  ;  vol.  viii  (1709),  pp.  39,  51,  94. 

[Vol.  vii  (1709),  p.  35.  Grant  to  Chaucer  of  a  pitcher  of  wine, 
23  April,  1374;  see  above,  p.  3.— Vol.  viii  (1709),  p.  39. 
Royal  protection  for  Chaucer  for  two  years,  4  May  1398 ;  see 
above,  p.  13. — Ib.  p.  51.  Grant  to  Chaucer  of  a  butt  of  wine 
yearly,  13  Oct.  1398;  see  above,  p.  13. — Ib.  p.  94.  Confirma 
tion  by  Henry  IV  to  Chaucer  of  Richard  II's  two  patents  of 
20  marks  and  a  butt  of  wine  yearly  (Feb.  28  and  13  Oct. 
1398),  18  Oct.  1399;  see  above,  p.  13.] 

[1709  ?]  Smith,  Edmund.  A  Poem  on  the  Death  of  Mr.  John  Philips, 
Author  of  the  Splendid  Shilling  ...  p.  7.  Reprinted  in  Miscel 
laneous  Poems  and  Translations  by  several  Hands,  B.  Lintot, 
1712,  p.  156.  (Works  of  the  English  Poets,  by  Dr.  S.  Johnson, 
additional  lives  by  Alexander  Chalmers,  vol.  ix,  1810,  p.  205.) 

Rail  on,  ye  Triflers,  who  to  Witt's  repair 
For  new  Lampoons,  fresh  Cant,  or  modish  Air ; 
Rail  on  at  Milton's  Son,  who  wisely  bold 
Rejects  new  Phrases,  and  resumes  the  old  : 
Thus  Chaucer  lives  in  younger  Spencer's  Strains, 
In  Maro's  Page  reviving  Ennius  reigns ; 
The  ancient  Words  the  Majesty  compleat, 
And  make  the  Poem  venerably  great. 

1709.  Steele,  Richard.  The  Tatler,  No.  110,  col.  2,  Dec.  22,  1709. 
(The  Tatler,  ed.  George  A.  Aitken,  vol.  ii,  1898,  p.  402.) 

I  did  not  care  for  hearing  a  Canterbury  tale. 

17°§.  Steele,  Richard.  The  Tatler,  No.  132,  Feb.  11, 1709.  (The  Tatler, 
ed.  George  A.  Aitken,  vol.  iii,  1899,  p.  102.) 

I  must  own,  it  makes  me  very  melancholy  in  Company 
when  I  hear  a  young  Man  begin  a  Story;  and  have  often 
observed  that  one  of  a  Quarter  of  an  Hour  long  in  a  Man  of 
Five  and  Twenty,  gathers  Circumstances  every  Time  he  tells 
it,  till  it  grows  into  a  long  Canterbury  Tale  of  Two  Hours  by 
that  Time  he  is  Threescore. 


312  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1710 

[a.  1710.]  Betterton,  Thomas.  Chaucer  s  Characters  or  the  Introduction 
to  the  Canterbury  Tales — The  Miller  of  Trompington  or  the  Reve's 
Tale  from  Chaucer.  [Printed  in]  Miscellaneous  Poems  and  Trans 
lations  by  Several  Hands,  Printed  for  Bernard  Lintot,  1712, 
pp.  245-82,  and  301-20.  Eeprinted  1720,  1722.  [A  very  free 
rendering  of  Chaucer's  Prologue  and  Eeeve's  tale.] 

[Betterton  died  in  1710.  Warton  relates  that  Harte  told  him  that  Fenton  believed 
this  version  of  the  Prologue  to  be  by  Pope.  See  below,  p.  500,  1797,  Warton, 
and  also  Johnson's  Lives  of  the  Poets,  below,  p.  453,  1779-81.] 

j 

1710.  [Gildon,  Charles.]  Remarks  on  the  Plays  of  Shakespear  [in] 
The  works  of  ...  Shakespear,  vol.  vii,  1710,  p.  358. 

Shakespear  is  to  be  Excus'd  in  his  falsifying  the  Character 
of  Achilles,  making  him  and  Ajax  perfect  Idiots,  ...  I  say 
Shakespear  is  excusable  in  this  because  he  followed  Lollius,  or 
rather  Chaucers  Translation  of  him.  But  Mr.  Dryden  who  had 
Homer  to  guide  him  right  in  this  particular,  is  unpardonable. 

1710.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extracts  from  his  Diary,  Feb.  19,  Aug.  2, 
Aug.  11,  1710,  [in]  Eemarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne, 
ed.  C.  E.  Doble,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  ii,  p.  347,  vol.  iii,  pp. 
32,  39. 

Feb.  19  (Sun.).  The  Picture  of  Geofrey  Chaucer  in  a  MS*. 
of  his  Tales  in  Bibl.  Bodl.  super.  Art.  A.  32.— 

Aug.  2  (Wed.).  ...  F.  1.  18.  Th.— G.  2.  16.  Th.  We 
have  in  this  Volume  Geffry  Chaucer's  Translation  of  Boecius, 
printed  by  Caxton  in  the  year  I  think  1515,  &  I  believe  'tis 
not  express'd  in  our  Catalogue.  Quaere.  At  the  End  is  a  large 
Memorandum,  about  Chaucer  by  Caxton,  &  his  Epitaph.  .  .  . 

Aug.  11  (FrL).  .  .  .  4to  H.  24.  Art.  Chaucer's  Troilus  and 
Cresseida,  in  Latin  &  English.  The  Latin  is  a  Translation  by 
Sir  Francis  Kinaston,  &  the  second  Part  is  dedicated  to  Mr. 
John  House,  Keeper  of  the  Bodlejan  Library,  the  first  Part 
being  dedicated  to  Patrick  Young  the  King's  Librarian. 

[See  above,  p.  207,  1635,  Kynaston.] 

1710.  [Buddiman,  Thomas.]  Virgil's  JEneis  translated  into  Scottish 
Verse  by  the  famous  Gaivin  Douglas  Bishop  of  Dunkeld.  A  new 
edition  .  .  .  to  which  is  added  a  large  Glossary.  Edinburgh,  1710. 
Preface  [pp.  2,  4],  Glossary  sign.  C  2,  F  2-G  1,  H  1  b.,  etc. ;  Y  1. 

[Preface]  ...  By  the  help  of  the  Glossary  one  may  not  only 
understand  this  Translation  of  Virgil,  but  be  also  very  much 
assisted  to  Kead  with  profit  any  other  book  written  in  the 
same  Language.  Yea  Chaucer  and  the  other  English  Writers 


1710]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  313 

about  that  time  are  rendred  more  plain  and  easy  by  it  ... 
tpn4]     Some  have  blam'd  Him  for  the  Inequality  of  the  Measures  .  .  . 
but  this  has  been  no  less  objected  against  the  English  Ennius 
Chaucer  himself  .  .   . 

1710.  Stubbes,  Geofrgel  The  Laurel  and  the  Olive,  Inscrib'd  to 
George  Bubb,  Esq.  by  Geo.  Stubbes  ...  p.  iv.  (Quoted  by  Dr. 
F.  J.  Furnivall  in  his  edn.  of  Phil.  Stubbes's  Anatomic  of  Abuses, 
New  Shaks.  soc.,  pt.  ii,  882,  pp.  xxxix-xxxiix.) 

To  the  Author 

So  when  revolving  Years  have  run  their  Race, 
Bright  the  same  Fires  in  different  Bosoms  blaze : 
Known  by  his  glorious  Scars,  and  deathless  Lines, 
Again  the  Hero,  and  the  Poet  shines. 
In  gentler  Harison  soft  Waller  sighs, 
And  Mira  wounds  with  Sacharissa's  Eyes. 
Achilles  lives,  and  Homer  still  delights, 
Whilst  Addison  records,  and  Churchill  fights. 
This  happy  Age  each  Worthy  shall  renew, 
And  all  dissolv'd  in  pleasing  Wonder,  view 
In  ANN  Philippa,  Chaucer  shine  in  You. 

[1710.]  Welsted,  Leonard.  A  Poem  to  the  Memory  of  the  incomparable 
Mr.  J.  Philips  [in]  The  Works  in  Verse  and  Prose  of  Leonard 
Welsted  .  .  .  collected  ...  by  John  Nichols,  1787,  pp.  23-4. 

[p.  23]        ...  Rearing  with  majestick  pomp  thy  tomb, 
Swells  the  big  honours  of  that  hallow'd  dome, 
Where  their  dark  gloomy  vaults  the  Muses  keep. 
And,  lov'd  by  Monarchs,  near  those  Monarchs  sleep ; 

[p.  24]       Justly  in  death  with  those  one  mansion  have, 

Whose  works  redeem  their  glories  from  the  grave ; 
Where  venerable  Chaucer's  antient  head, 
And  Spenser's  much-ador'd  remains  are  laid ; 
Where  Cow  ley's  precious  stone,  and  the  proud  mould 
That  glories  Dryden's  mortal  parts  to  hold, 
Command  high  reverence  and  devotion  just 
To  their  great  relicks  and  distinguish'd  dust. 

Fenton,  El[ijah].  An  Epistle  to  Mr.  Southerne  from  Mr.  El. 
Fenton,  From  Kent,Jan.  28,  17f?,  p.  14.  (Works  of  the  English 
Poets,  ed.  Dr.  S.  Johnson,  additional  lives  by  A.  Chalmers,  vol.  x, 
1810,  p.  401.) 

Chance)'  had  all  that  Beauty  cou'd  inspire, 

And  Slurry's  Numbers  glow'd  with  warm  Desire : 


314  Five  Hundred,  Years  of  [A.D.  1711 

Both  now  are  priz'd  by  few,  unknown  to  most, 
Because  the  Thoughts  are  in  the  Language  lost ; 
Ev'n  Spencer's  Pearls  in  muddy  "Waters  lye, 
Karely  discover'd  by  the  Diver's  Eye  : 
Kich  was  their  Imag'ry,  till  Time  defac'd 
The  curious  Works ;  but  Waller  came  at  last. 
Waller  the  Muse  with  Heavenly  Yerse  supplies  .  .  . 

[Quoted  by  Samuel  Pegge  (the  Elder)  in  Anonymiana,  1778,  pr.  1809,  pp.  344-5, 
see  below,  1778,  p.  451 ;  and  by  Dr.  George  Sewell,  in  his  Memoirs  prefixed  to  the 
Poems  of  Henry  Howard,  Earl  of  Surrey,  1717,  pp.  xv-xvi,  see  below,  1717,  p.  346. 
In  Chalmers  the  line  "Rarely  discover'd  ..."  reads  "Yet  soon  their  beams  attract 
the  diver's  eye."] 

1711.  Addison,  Joseph.  The  Spectator  for  May  24,  1711,  No.  73, 
fol.  1  b.  (The  Spectator,  ed.  G.  Gregory  Smith,  1897-8,  vol.  i, 
p.  278.) 

This  Humour  of  an  Idol  is  prettily  described  in  a  Tale  of 
Chaucer :  He  represents  one  of  them  sitting  at  a  Table  with 
three  of  her  Votaries  about  her,  who  are  all  of  them  courting 
her  Favour,  and  paying  their  Adorations :  She  smiled  upon 
one,  drank  to  another,  and  trod  upon  the  other's  Foot  which 
was  under  the  Table.  Now  which  of  these  three,  says  the 
old  Bard,  do  you  think  was  the  Favourite.  In  troth,  says  he, 
not  one  of  all  the  three. 

U  The  Behaviour  of  this  old  Idol  in  Chaucer  puts  me  in 
mind  of  the  Beautiful  Clarinda,  one  of  the  greatest  Idols 
among  the  Moderns. 

[The  reference  is  to  the  'Remedy  of  Love,'  not  by  Chaucer,  but  first  printed  by 
Thynne  in  the  1532  edn.  of  Chaucer's  collected  Works.  ] 

[1711.]  Dennis,  John.  Reflections,  Critical  and  Satyrical,  upon  a  late 
Rhapsody  calVd  an  Essay  on  Criticism,  pp.  18-20. 

In  the  28th  Page  there  are  no  less  than  two  or  three 
Absurdities  in  the  compass  of  four  Lines  : 

Now  length  of  Fame  our  second  Life  is  lost, 
And  bare  Threescore  is  all  ev'n  that  can  boast. 
[p.  19]  Our  Sons  their  Fathers  failing  Language  see 

And  such  as  Chaucer  is  shall  Dryden  be. 

That  is  shall  grow  obsolete  and  neglected,  and  be  either  forgot 
[p.  20]  or  be  read  by  but  a  few.  .  .  .  Mr.  Dryden  had  one  Quality 
in  his  Language,  which  Chaucer  had  not,  and  which  must 
always  remain.  For  having  acquir'd  some  Justness  of 
Numbers  and  some  Truth  of  Harmony  and  of  Versification,  to 
which  Chaucer  thro'  the  Rudeness  of  the  Language  or  want 
of  Ear,  or  want  of  Experience,  or  rather  perhaps  a  mixture. of 


1711]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  315 

all,  could  not  possibly  attain,  that  Justness  of  Numbers,  and 
Truth  of  Harmony  and  of  Versification  can  never  be  destroy'd 
by  any  alteration  of  Language;  and  therefore  Mr.  Dryden, 
whatever  alteration  happens  to  the  Language,  can  never  be 
like  Chaucer. 

[This  extract  is  not  complete.  See  above,  pp.  310-11,  1709,  A.  Pope,  and  below, 
pp.  367,  369,  379,  383.] 

1711.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extracts  from  his  Diary,  April  28,  Aug.  27, 
Sept.  20,  Nov.  16,  Dec.  5,  1711,  [in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of 
Thomas  Hearne,  ed.  C.  E.  Doble,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  iii, 
pp.  155-6,  217,  234,  264,  274. 

[p.  155]  April  28  (Sat.).  .  .  .  Note  out  of  Sr  Fra.  Kinaston  of 
Oatly  in  Salop  his  Comments  on  Chaucer's  Troilus  &  Cresida 
[see  above,  1635,  p.  207].  (The  said  Sr.  Fr.  turn'd  that  piece 
into  Latin  Rhyme,  &  writ  also  Latin  Notes  upon  it.) 

For  Chaucer's  Personage  it  appears  by  an  excellent  piece 
of  him,  limm'd  by  the  Life  by  Thomas  Occleve  his  Schollar 
and  now  remaining  as  a  high  priz'd  Jewell  in  the  Hands  of 
my  honoured  Friend  Sr.  Thomas  Cotton  K*.  and  Bart,  that 
Chaucer  was  a  Man  of  an  even  Stature,  neither  too  high 
nor  too  low,  his  Complection  sanguine,  His  Face  fleshie,  but 
pale,  his  Forehead  broad,  but  comly  smooth  and  even. 
His  Eyes  rather  little  than  great  cast  most  part  downward, 
with  a  grave  Aspect,  His  Lipps  plump  and  ruddy  &  both 
of  an  equal  thickness,  the  hair  on  the  upper  being  thin  and 
short  of  a  wheat  Colour,  on  his  Chin  2  thin  forked  Tuffs. 
His  Cheeks  of  like  coller  with  the  rest  of  his  Face  being 
either  shaved  or  wanting  Hair.  All  which  considered 
together  with,  his  Witt  and  Education  in  ye  Cort,  and  his 
Favour  among  Great  Ladys  one  of  whose  Women  he  married : 
it  was  his  Modesty  made  him  speake  of  his  Unlikeliness  to 
be  a  Lover. 

This  Note  I  took  out  of  a  Book  of  Mr.  Urry  of  Xfc.  Church, 
who  transcrib'd  several  things  of  the  English  Comment  from 
the  MS.  in  the  Dean  of  Xb.  Church  (Dr.  Aldrich's)  Study. 

[p.  156]      Ibid.  [i.e.  Kinaston's  Comments]  157.  passed  prime. 

Our  Ancestours  in  Chaucer's  time  and  before  divided  their 
Morning  Devotions  into  two  Space  10%  fr.  6  of  the  Morning 
'till  nine  &  it  was  called  Spacium  orationum  primarum.  The 
other  from  9  a  clock  'till  twelve,  wch  was  call'd  Spacium 
Orationum  nonarum  &  hence  we  have  our  word  NOON.  . 


316  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1711 

Ibid.]  159.  Game  in  mine  hood.] 

In  Chaucer's  time  they  had  but  found  out  the  Invention  of 
Felt  &  Beaver  Hatts.  Before  that  time  they  either  wore 
Knitt  Capps  or  Silk,  or  Cloath  Hoods,  as  you  may  see  in  the 
prologues.  The  Invention  of  Hatts  there  you  may  see  (in  the 
Description  of  the  Merchant,  who  wore  a  Flanders  Bever 
Hatt  [1.  272]).  His  Meaning  is  that  Cresid  should  find  in  or 
under  his  Hood  some  Waggery  or  Merry  Conceits. 

[P.  216]  Aug.  27  (Mon.).  .  .  .  Mr.  Wm.  Lambard  writ  a  Saxon 
Dictionarie  [see  above,  p.  104],  wch  we  have  in  MS.  in  Bodley, 
inter  Codd.  Sold,  supra  n.  63,  at  ye  Beginning  of  wch  he  hath 
this  ^sTote : 

For  the  Degrees  of  the  Declination  of  the  old  Inglishe,  or 
Saxon  tongue,  reade     1.  The  Lawes  before   the    Conquest. 

2.  The  Saxon  Chron.  of  Peterborough,  after  the  Conquest. 

3.  The  Saxon  Writte  of  H.  3.  to  Oxfordshyre  :  in  the  litle 
Sooke  of  olde  Lawes,  fo.    4.  TJie  Pater  nostre,  $  Crede,  of 
Rob.    Grosted :    in   the  Boolce  of  Patrices  Purgatiorie  $c. 

[p.  217]  5.  The  Rytlime  of  Jacob :  in  the  Booke  called  flos  florum. 
6.  The  Chronicles  called  Brute:  Gower,  Chancier,  $c. 
By  the  ivch ,  and  such  like  it  may  appear 'e,  how,  and  by  what 
Steps,  our  Language  is  fallen  from  the  old  Inglishe,  and 
drawen  nearer  to  the  Frenche.  This  may  well  be  lightened 
by  shorte  Examples,  taken  from  theise  BooTces,  and  is  meete  to 
be  discovered  when  this  Dictionarie  shal  be  emprinted. 

W.  Lambarde  1570. 

Seld  supra  57.  Romanz  de  la  Rose  in  French.  Wch  hath 
been  translated  by  Chaucer  &  is  to  be  found  in  his  Works. 
In  this  MS*,  are  abundance  of  Pictures,  from  one  of  wch  it 
appears  y*  women  rid  astride  when  'twas  written. 

[p.  234]  Sept.  20  (Th.).  Mr.  Urry  tells  me  that  he  saw  a  MS. 
Chaucer  in  the  Study  of  the  IA  Treasurer  Harley,  written, 
he  believes,  in,  or  very  near,  the  time  in  which  Chaucer  liv'd, 
and  that  several  things  of  the  Cooks  Tale  are  in  this  MS*. 
that  are  not  in  the  common  Editions. 

[p.  264]  Nov.  16  (Fri.).  .  .  .  De  re  literaria  promo venda  valde  est 
sollicitus,  &  ut  ^Edis  X*1.  alumni  bonae  notse  scriptores 
recenseant,  notisque  brevibus,  sed  necessary's,  illustrent  ssepe 


1711]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  317 

monet  atque  incitat.  Quiii  &  D.  Joannem  Urrium,  amicum 
nostrum  probum  integrumque  ut  novam  Galfridi  Chauceri 
operum  Editionem  aggrediatur  hortatus  est.  Ut  Urrius  opus 
istud  in  se  suscipiat  ideo  optandum  esse  puto,  quod  linguae 
Anglo-Saxonicee,  &  vocum  obsoletarum  nostrarum  apprime  sit 
peritus,  &  in  liisce  study's  non  mediocriter  versatus.  Unus 
porro  ex  intimis  Hickesij  est  familiaribus,  qui  proculdubio 
consilijs  commodis  Urrium  sublevabit,  &  locos  paullo 
difficiliores  pro  virili  elucidabit. — 

[p.  273]  Dec.  5  (Wed.).  Yesterday  Mr.  Urry  came  to  the  Bodlejan 
Library  on  purpose  to  look  over  Junius's  MSS.  he  having  had 
a  Letter  from  Dr.  Hickes  (whose  Advice  he  ask'd  about  the 

[p.  274]  Matter)  that  an  Edition  of  Chaucer  was  there  in  great  measure 
done  to  his  Hands.  Num.  9th  of  those  MSS.  is  a  printed 
Chaucer  in  Folio,  with  divers  MSS.  Notes  throughout  by 
Junius's  own  Hand,  &  divers  of  his  other  Books  will  be  of 
signal  Service  in  the  Work,  especially  the  Etymologicon  of  the 
English  Tongue,  &  the  Original  of  old  English  Words,  wch 
are  distinctly  handled  in  three  Volumes,  wch  Mr.  Urry  designs 
carefully  to  read  over.  .  .  .  [see  above,  1677,  p.  253]. 

[See  above,  p.  292,  1705,  Wanley,  Humphrey.] 


1711.  Nicols,  William.  De  Literis  Inventis  Libri  Sex,  London  .  .  . 
1711.  Lib.  ii,  p.  49.  [The  B.  M.  copy  has  1716  pasted  on  the 
title-page  over  1711,  which  was  the  original  date.  This  passage 
is  referred  to  in  Memoirs  of  Literature,  2nd  edition,  1722,  vol.  iv, 
article  70,  p.  422. 

Aut  quam  nunc  Anglis  sunt  haec  quae  nobilis  olim 
Vates  Chaucerus  carmina  scripta  dedit, 

Chaucerus  (quo  olim  tantum  Woodstoca  superba 
Give  fuit,  quantum  Mantua  Yirgilio), 

Jam  lectore  caret ;  dum  tot  post  secla  leguntur 
Tityrus,  &  segetes,  armaque  clara  ducum. 

Pauca  manent  nobis  lingua  monumenta  Britanna, 
Quse  modo  Chauceri  tempore  scripta  forent, 

Quamvis  ter  centum  vatis  non  amplius  amnis 
Temporibus  duris  abfuit  ille  meis. 

Nulla  diu  vivent,  quae  vulgi  condita  lingua 
Quamvis  nee  careant  arte  nee  ingenio  : 


318  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1711- 

At  qtiae  Komano  sublimia  carmina  felix 
Eloquio  condas,  soecula  cuncta  legent. 

[This  Index  also  gives  under  Chaucer,  "  Homerus  Anglicus 
Cambdeno.  Ibid.  N."  :  but  this  has  not  been  found. 

For  a  review  of  this  work  and  reference  to  Chaucer,  see 
below,  1722,  Delaroche,  p.  362.] 

1711.  Pope,  Alexander.  The  Temple  of  Fame:  A  Vision.  Printed  for 
Bernard  Lintot  1715,  p.  5,  sign.  A  3,  advertisement,  p.  46  Notes. 
The  Works  of  Alexander  Pope,  Esq.  Printed  for  H.  Lintot,  1736. 
The  Temple  of  Fame,  vol.  iii,  pp.  1-35.  [In  this  edn.  another 
sentence  is  added  to  the  Advertisement  and  also  on  each  page  there 
are  numerous  passages  drawn  from  Chaucer.  In  the  1717  edn.  of 
Pope's  Works,  and  in  several  subsequent  ones,  the  remark,  "  written 
in  1711"  is  placed  under  the  Title  "The  Temple  of  Fame."] 
(Works,  1871,  vol.  i,  pp.  185-230.) 

[Works,  Advertisement.  The  hint  of  the  following  piece  was  taken 
P.  187  ]  .£rom  Chaucer's  House  of  Fame.  The  design  is  in  a  manner 
entirely  altered,  the  descriptions  and  most  of  the  particular 
thoughts  my  own :  yet  I  could  not  suffer  it  to  be  printed 
without  this  acknowledgment,  or  think  a  concealment  of  this 
nature  the  less  unfair  for  being  common.  The  reader  who 
would  compare  this  with  Chaucer,  may  begin  with  his  third 
Book  of  Fame,  there  being  nothing  in  the  two  first  books 
that  answers  to  their  title.  [The  following  sentence,  and  the 
parallel  passages  from  Chaucer  were  not  added  until  1736.] 
Whenever  any  hint  is  taken  from  him,  the  passage  itself  is 
set  down  in  the  marginal  notes. 
[Note  by  Pope  to  1st  edn.  Speaking  of  allegory  : — ] 
[Works,  .  •  •  Chaucer  introduced  it  here,  whose  Komaunt  of  the 
P.  189.]  jjogej  court  Of  Love,  Flower  and  the  Leaf,  House  of  Fame, 
and  some  others  of  his  writings,  are  master  pieces  of  this  sort. 
In  epic  poetry,  it  is  true,  too  nice  and  exact  a  pursuit  of  the 
allegory  is  justly  esteemed  a  fault ;  and  Chaucer  had  the 
discernment  to  avoid  it  in  his  Knight's  Tale,  which  was  an 
attempt  towards  an  epic  poem. 

1711.  Pope,  Alexander.  Letter  to  Henry  Cromwell,  Esq.,  July  24th, 
1711  [in]  Miscellanea  in  2  vols,  Never  before  published.  London. 
Printed  in  the  year  1727.  Letter  xxi,  vol.  i,  pp.  59-60.  (Works, 
1871,  vol.  vi,  p.  124.) 

Your  heroick  Intention  of  Flying  to  the  Belief  of  a  distressed 
Lady,  was  glorious  and  noble ;  such  as  might  be  expected  from 
your  Character,  for  as  Chaucer  says  (I  think) 


1712]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  319 

As  noblest  Metals  are  most  soft  to  melt 
So  Pity  soonest  runs  in  gentle  Minds. 

[The  second  line  is  a  paraphrase  of  Chaucer,  Knight's  Tale,  1.  903,  Merchant's  Tale, 
1.  742,  Squire's  Tale,  1.  471,  and  Legend  of  Good  Women,  B.,  1.  503.] 

1711.  Unknown  (?).     Preface  to  Expostulatoria,   by    Thomas    Ken, 
Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  sign.  A  4b. 

Take  his  [Bishop  Ken's]  Character  from  the  following 
Lines,  in  which  Mr.  Dry  den  has  very  accurately  and  justly 
drawn  his  Picture. 

[Here  follows  Dryden's  version  of  Chaucer's  character  of  a 
Good  Parson.] 

1712.  Cobb,  Samuel.     The  Carpenter  of  Oxford  or  The  Millers   Tale 
from  Chaucer.    Attempted  in  Modern  English.    To  which  are  added 
Two  Imitations  of  Chaucer  by  Matthew  Prior.     London.     Printed 
for  E.  Curll,  R.  Gosling,  and  I.  Pemberton,  1712. 

(Also  in  The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer  Modernis'd,  by 
Several  Hands.  Published  by  Mr.  Ogle,  1741,  vol.  i,  pp.  191- 
228,  see  below,  1741,  pp.  389-90.) 

1712.  [Gay,  John.]  Verses  addressed  to  Bernard  Lintot  [in]  Miscel 
laneous  Poems  and  Translations  by  several  Hands,  [published  by 
Lintot],  1712,  pp.  168,  171,  172.  [For  Thomas  Betterton's  Chau 
cerian  contribution  to  this  volume,  see  above,  1710,  p.  312.]  (Poet 
ical  .  .  .  and  Miscellaneous  Works  of  John  Gay,  in  6.  vols.  .  .  . 
printed  for  Edward  Jeffrey  .  .  .  1795,  vol.  vi,  p.  80.) 

On  a  Miscellany  of  Poems.     To  Bernard  Lintott. 

So,  Bernard,  must  a  Miscellany  be 
Compounded  of  all  kinds  of  Poetry  ; 

Let  Prior' &  Muse  with  soft'ning  Accents  move, 

Soft  as  the  Strains  of  constant  Emma's  Love  : 

Or  let  his  Fancy  chuse  some  jovial  Theme, 

As  when  he  told  Hans  Carvel's  jealous  Dream ; 

Prior  th'  admiring  Reader  entertains, 

With  Chaucer's,  Humour,  and  with  Spenser's  Strains. 

1712.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extracts  from  his  Diary,  Jan.  4,  24,  March  3, 
April  9,  May  21,  24,  June  9,  Aug.  7,  Sept.  3,  Dec.  26,  [in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  ed.  C.  E.  Doble, 
Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  iii,  1889,  pp.  288,  295,  317-18,  330,  363, 
365,  373,  425,  444,  vol.  iv,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1898,  p.  42. 

[p.  288]  Jan.  4  (Fri.).  An  old  Geffrey  Chaucer  in  Mr.  Urry's  Hands 
(belonging  to  my  Ld.  Harley)  printed  by  Eich.  Rele  [Kele] 
dwellyng  in  Lombard  Street.  [See  above,  1542,  p.  83.]  In  it 
is  a  MS*.  Bill  of  Fare  at  ye  Beginning  wch  may  be  of  use. 


320  [ffearne]          Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1712 

it  seems  to  have  been  by  the  Hand  in  tern.  Reg.  Eliz.  or 
soon  after. 

[P.  295]  Jan.  24  (Th.).  The  word  Stele  is  in  Geffery  Chaucer's  Tale 
of  the  Miller.  It  signifies  an  Handle.  I  find  it  so  written 
in  the  MSS. 

[C.  Tales,  A,  1.  3785.] 


[p.  317]  March  3  (Mon.).  .  .  On  the  Prologue  to  Chaucer's  Franke- 
leyn's  Tale  about  the  Welch  or  British  Songs  upon  their 
Instrum*8. 

[p.  318]  Ashmole  6928.  The  Cook's  Tale,  written  by  Mr.  Ashmole's 
own  hand  .  43  .  4.— 6937.  Chaucer's  Filler,  or  the  Squire's 
Tale  found  out  by  John  Lane,  1630.  4to.  53.  [See  above, 

1614,  p.  189.] 

< 

[p.  330]  April  9  (Wed.).  .  .  .  Mr.  Urry.  .  .  .  hath  got  a  Chaucer 
MS.  from  Mr.  Pepys  in  wch  are  some  Fragments  not  printed. 

[p.  363]  May  21  (Wed.).  Dr.  Sloane  hath  lent  Mr.  Urry  (who  is  pre 
paring  for  the  Press  a  new  Edition  of  Chaucer's  Works)  a  MS. 
call'd  The  Conclusions  of  the  Astrolabye  Compiled  by  Gejfray 
Chaucer  newlye  amendyd  [now  Sloane  MS.  261].  The  Author 
of  these  Emendations  was  Walter  Stevins,  as  appears  from  his 
Dedication  of  the  Work  to  the  right  honorable  $  his  vearie 
good  Lorde  Edwarde  (Courtney)  Earle  of  Devonshire.  Mr. 
Stevins,  of  whose  Composition  I  never  saw  nor  heard  of  any 
thing  before,  hath  added  a  Comment  or  Paraphrase  all  along : 
Quaere  what  this  Stevins  was,  &  whether  he  was  of  any 
University,  &  particularly  whether  of  Oxford  1  [See  above, 
c.  1555,  p.  192.] 

[p.  364]  May  24  (Sat.).  .  .  Mr.  Urry  hath  borrow'd  of  Dr.  Sloane  a 
Qto.  MS.  [now  Sloane  314]  which  is  written  in  Paper,  and  at 

[p.  365]  the  Beginning  is  thus  intitled,  Tractatus  Astrologico-Magicus, 
with  a  Discourse  written  by  Sr.  Geoffrey  Chaucer's  own  Hand 
of  the  Astrolabe.  I  know  not  what  Ground  there  was  for 
saying  the  Discourse  of  the  Astrolabe  was  written  by  Chaucer's 
own  Hand ;  for  tho'  he  was  the  Author  of  it,  &  it  be  written 
in  an  Hand  of  about  the  Age  of  Hen.  IVth.  yet  'tis  certain 


1712]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Hearne]  321 

from  the  Faults  and  Corruptions  of  the  MS.  that  it  cannot 
have  been  written  with  his  own  Hand.  Some  Body  or  other 
(perhaps  some  body  that  publish'd  Chaucer's  Works)  hath 
made  Corrections  and  observations  throughout.  'Tis  possible 
the  Person  that  put  that  Title  had  no  other  Ground  for  what 
he  did  than  these  "Words  that  are  added  by  some  Body  just  at 
the  Beginning  of  Chaucer's  Discourse,  viz.  1391.  Sr.  Jeffery 
Chawser's  Worke.  There  had  been  another  Discourse  in  this 
MS.  but  'tis  intirely  cut  out  all  but  the  first  Page  which  is 
the  2d.  Page  of  the  last  Leaf  of  Chaucer,  &  is  thus  intitled, 
Experimentum  bonum  Magistri  Johannis  de  Belton  .  .  . 


[p.  373]  June  9  (Mon.).  .  .  .  Dr.  Sloane  hath  an  imperfect  Copy  of 
William  Caxton's  Ed.  of  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales.  It  is 
now  in  Mr.  Urry's  hands.  Caxton's  Name  does  not  appear. 
But,  I  think,  there  is  no  doubt  of  his  being  the  Printer,  the 
Letter  agreeing  with  the  other  Pieces  I  have  seen  printed  by 
Caxton.  .  .  . 

[p.  425]      Aug.  V  (Th.).     To  Mr.  Urry. 

Sir, — I  haue  at  last  sent  you  three  Copies  of  the  8th  Vol.  of 
Leland's  Itin.  ...  I  hope  you  continue  to  meet  with  excellent 
Materials  for  your  Edition  of  Chaucer. 

[P.  444]  Sept.  3  (Wed.).  .  .  .  The  following  old  Fragments  given 
me  by  Thomas  Rawlinson,  Esqr. — Two  old  Love  Songs.  I 

know  not  who  the  Author.     Perhaps  Chaucer Two 

other  Love  Songs.     Perhaps  also  by  Chaucer. 


VoUv.  j)ec>  26  (Fri.).  Hesterna  die  D.  Urry  ex  ^Ede  X4i  mini 
ostendit  vetustam  Editionem  Chauceri,  sed  mutilam  cum  ad 
initium  turn  ad  finem.  Est  in  folio,  multis  adjectis  quae  non 
comparent  in  Edd.  Caxtoni  &  Pynsoni.  Quisnam  Editor  fuit 
mini  non  constat.  Edisci  tamen,  ni  fallor,  potest  e  schedula 
quadam  mecum  a  Bagfordo  communicata.  Typi  sunt  alij  ab 
ijs  qui  in  ceteris,  quas  vidi,  Edd.  habentur.  In  una  parte  libri 
hsec  verba  constat  W.  Thynne  leguntur.  An  fuerit  olim 
Thynni  illius,  qui  prelo  Chaucerum  paravit  ?  De  qua  re  consul- 
endus  Stoveus  in  Annalibus.  Hoc  etiam  Urry  indicavi.  Sed 
Annales  hosce  non  penes  se  habuit. 

[With  regard  to  the  two  Fragments  referred  to  above,  Doble  adds  the  following 
note,  iii,  444 :  On  vellum,  two  leaves  :  pasted  in.    Printed  :  Reliquiae  Hernianae  ( 
i,  p.  205  seq.] 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM. 


322  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1712 

[1712  ?]  Johnson,  Maurice.  An  Introduction  to  the  Minute  Books  of  the, 
Spalding  Society;  being  an  Historical  Account  of  the  State  of 
Learning  in  Spalding,  Elloe,  Holland,  Lincolnshire  .  .  written  by 
Maurice  Johnson,  Junior,  Secretary  to  the  Society.  [Printed  by 
John  Nichols  in]  Literary  Anecdotes  of  the  18th  century,  vol.  vi, 
1812,  pp.  45,  46. 

[p.  45]  Thus  this  house  [Priory  at  Spalding]  flourished ;  but  never 
more  than  under  the  influence  of  its  great  and  proper  patron 
John  of  Gaunt  .  .  .  who  ....  made  frequent  visits  to  this 
Convent,  with  his  brother  Geffrey  Chaucer,  who  married  his 
lady's  sister.  No  question  but  learning  then  flourished  in  this 
place  when  honoured  by  such  company,  the  fathers  of  our 
kings,  our  language,  and  our  verse ;  and  most  probably  this 
place  was  the  scene  of  action  of  that  severest  satire  of  Chaucer, 
mentioned  by  Mr.  Dart  in  his  life  of  that  poet  before  Mr. 
Urry's  edition  from  Mr.  Speght  which  yet  hath  not  been 
published,  beginning  thus : 

In  Lincolnshire  fast  by  a  fenne 

Standeth  a  religious  house  who  doth  it  kenne. 

[The  Society  was  founded  in  1712,  when  Maurice  Johnson  junr.  was  among  the 
Members,  and  Mr.  Lyon  was  elected  President.  This  introduction  to  the  Minute 
books  is  addressed  to  Mr.  Lyon,  so  possibly  the  date  is  1712,  it  is  certainly  before 
1721,  when  Urry's  Chaucer  was  published.  See  Literaiy  Anecdotes,  vi,  pp.  29,  34,37.] 

[a.  1712.]  King,  William.  Adversaria  ;  or  Occasional  remarks  on  men, 
manners,  &  books:  [printed  in]  Remains  of  Dr.  William  King, 
1732,  pp.  45-6  ;  [and  in]  The  Original  Works  of  William  King, 
LL.D.,  1776,  vol.  i,  p.  235. 

He  [William  Cartwright  the  poet]  has  a  Copy  of  Verses  on 
Sir  Francis  Kynaston's  Translation  of  Troilus  and  Cressida  .  .  . 
[See  above,  1635,  p.  207.] 

Criticisms  and  Kemarks  in  Poetry,  &c.  as  might  tend  to  the 
Honour  of  the  British  Name  and  Literature. 

To  collect  some  of  Spencer's ;  particularly  an  Eclogue  of 
Colin,  very  well  turned  into  Latin  verse.  Kynaston's  Chaucer, 
a  peculiar  Piece  of  Poetry  ;  Dean  Aldrich  has  taken  Pains  to 
give  us  Notes.  The  first  Book  only  published. 

[1712  ?  Oldmixon,  John.]  Reflections  on  Dr.  Sivift's  Letter  to  the 
Earl  of  Oxford  about  the  English  Tonyue,  [n.  d.]  pp.  24-5. 

[p.  24]  When  a  Tongue  is  come  to  any  degree  of  Perfection,  who 
ever  writes  well  in  it  will  Live;  ther'es  [sic]  a  Thirst  after  Wit 
in  all  Ages,  and  those  that  have  a  Taste  of  it  will  distinguish 

[p.  25]   the  Thought  from  the  Diction.     Chaucer  will,  no  doubt,  be 


1712]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  323 

admir'd  as  long  as  the  English  Tongue  has  a  Being;  and  the 
changes  that  have  happen'd  to  our  Language  have  not  hinder'd 
his  Works  out  living  their  Contemporary  Monuments  of  Brass 
or  Marble. 

[Swift  wrote  his  letter,  entitled,  A  Proposal  for  correcting,  improving  and  ascertain 
ing  the  English  tongue,  in  Feb.  1712,  printed  in  May  1712.  It  was  addressed  to 
Robert  Harley,  Earl  of  Oxford.  Various  answers  were  published  on  its  appearance, 
amongst  others  Oldmixon's — whose  name,  however,  does  not  appear.  There  are  no 
references  in  Swift's  letter  to  early  English  writers,  and  but  one  passing  mention  of 
Spenser.] 


1712.  Pope,  Alexander.  Letters  of  Mr.  Pope  to  Mr.  Gay,  Dec.  24, 1712, 
[in]  Letters  of  Mr.  Pope  and  Several  Eminent  Persons.  London. 
Printed  and  sold  by  the  Booksellers  of  London  and  Westminster, 
1735,  p.  120.  (Works,  1871,  vol.  vii,  p.  410.) 

He  who  is  forced  to  live  wholly  upon  those  ladies'  favours, 
is  indeed  in  as  precarious  a  condition  as  any  He  who  does 
what  Chaucer  says  for  sustenance.  [Cokes  Tale] 

[This  edition,  known  as  the  P.  T.  edition,  is  in  2  vols.  bound  together.  The 
letters  to  Gay  are  the  last  in  the  book,  and  begin  on  p.  117 ;  the  preceding  page 
being  numbered  194.] 


1712.  Prior,  Matthew.  Two  Imitations  of  Chaucer:  viz.  I.  Susannah 
and  the  Two  Elders;  II.  Earl  Roberts'  Mice,  by  Matthew  Prior, 
Esq.  London.  Printed  1712  [with]  Samuel  Cobb's  The  Carpenter 
of  Oxford,  or  The  Miller's  Tale  from  Chaucer,  sign.  H  l.-H  2  b. 
[See  above,  p.  319.]  (Prior's  poetical  Works,  R.  Brimley  Johnson 
(Aldine  edn.)  1892,  vol.  ii,  pp.  1-4.  The  text  in  this  edn.  is  from 
Prior's  Poems,  published  1718,  pp.  287-9,  our  extract  is  from  the: 
original  of  1712.) 

[sign.  H  i]    Susannah  and  the  Two  Elders,  in  Immitation  of  Chaucer.. 

Earl  Robert's  Mice. 

[sign.  H  2]        TWA  MICE,  full  Blythe  and  Amicable 
Batten  beside  Earl  ROBERT'S  Table. 

.  .  .  Eftsoons  the  Lord 
Of  BOLING,  whilome  JOHN  the  SAINT, 

Laugh'd  Jocound,  and  aloud  he  cry'd 
To  MATTHEW  seated  on  the  other  side ; 
[sign.  H  2 1]      To  thee  lean  Bard  it  doth  pertain 

To  understand  these  Creatures  Twain. 
Come  frame  us  now  some  clean  Device, 
Or  pleasant  Rhyme  on  yonder  Mice  : 


324  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1712 

They  seem,  God  shield  me,  MAT.  and  CHARLES, 
Bad  as  Sir  TOPAZ*  or  Squire  QUARLES. 
MATTHEW  did  for  the  nonce  reply 
At  Emblem,  or  Device  am  I, 
But  could  I  Chant  or  Ehyme  pardie, 
Clear  as  Dan  CHAUCER,  or  as  Thee, 
Ne  Yerse  from  me,  so  God  me  shrive, 
On  Mouse,  or  any  Beast  alive. 
[Note]    *  A  sort  of  Ballad  Rhymes,  so  call'd  by  CHAUCER. 

[The  two  versions  on  Susannah  were  reprinted  in  Miscellaneous  Poems.    Trans 
lations  by  Several  Hands.    B.  Lintot,  1712,  p.  74.] 


1712.  Tickell,  [Thomas].  A  Poem  to  His  Excellency  The  Lord  Privy 
Seal,  on  the  Prospect  of  Peace,  pp.  10,  11,  19,  [published  Oct.  1712, 
dated  1713].  (English  Poets,  by  Dr.  S.  Johnson,  with  additional 
lives  by  A.  Chalmers,  vol.  xi,  pp.  104,  5.) 

tp.  113  From  Fields  of  Death  to  Woodstock's  peaceful  glooms 

The   Poets  Haunt,   Britannia's  Hero  [Duke  of   Marl- 
borough]  comes : 

Begin,  my  Muse,  and  Softly  touch  the  String : 
Here  Henry  lov'd ;  and  Chaucer  learn'd  to  sing. 
Hail  fabled  Grotto  !  hail  Elysian  Soil ! 
Thou  fairest  Spot  of  fair  Britannia's  Isle  ! 
Where  Kings  of  old  conceal'd  forgot  the  Throne, 
And  Beauty  was  content  to  shine  unknown, 
Where  Love  and  War  by  turns  Pavilions  rear, 
And  Henry's  Bowr's  near  Blenheim's  Dome  appear ; 
Thy  weary'd  Champion  lull  in  soft  Alcoves, 
The  noblest  Boast  of  thy  Roman  tick  Groves. 
Oft,  if  the  Muse  presage,  shall  He  be  seen 
By  Rosamonda  fleeting  o'er  the  Green, 
In  Dreams  be  hail'd  by  Heroes  mighty  Shades 
And  hear  old  Chaucer  warble  through  the  glades. 

[p.  18]  Nor,  Prior,  hast  thou  hush'd  the  Trump  in  vain, 

Thy  Lyre  shall  now  revive  her  mirthful  Strain, 
New  Tales  shall  now  be  told ;  if  right  I  see, 
The  Soul  of  Chaucer  is  restor'd  in  Thee. 

1712.  Unknown.  Parliament  of  Birds,  1712.  [A  satire  in  verse,  with 
no  reference  to  Chaucer,  the  only  connection  with  him  being 
similarity  of  title.] 


1712]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  325 

1712.  TTrry,  John.  Letter  to  Lord  Harley,  [printed  in]  Report  on  the 
Manuscripts  of  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Portland,  preserved  at 
Wei  beck  Abbey,  vol.  v  (Historical  MSS.  Commission),  1899, 
pp.  247-8. 

[p. 247]  1712,  November  24— Mr.  Dean  of  Christ  Church  tells  me 
from  Mr.  Broxholm,  your  honour  has  found  out  another  Tale 
[p.  248]  of  Chaucer's,  that  never  was  in  print.  I  need  not  tell  you  I 
shall  be  glad  to  see  it,  and  hope  you  will  favour  me  with  a 
sight  of  it  when  I  come  to  Christ  Church,  which  will  be  very 
soon.  .  .  .  Last  week  the  Honourable  Mrs.  Thynn?  of  Cawston 
sent  me  a  MS.  Chaucer,  which  she  has  lately  purchased ;  it 
belonged  to  Mr.  Long,  Prebendary  of  Exeter  Church.  Tis  all 
unbound  and  wants  several  leaves,  and  some  whole  Tales,  but 
yet  there  are  two  in  it  that  I  have  not  met  with  anywhere 
else.  The  one  is  what  passed  at  the  inn  at  Canterbury, 
and  how  the  Pilgrims  disposed  of  themselves,  and  the  Par 
doner's  misadventure  with  the  Tapster  of  that  inn  [Prologue 
to  Beryn].  The  other  is  the  Merchant's  tale  as  they  return 
from  Canterbury  ;  'tis  long ;  I  have  not  read  it,  but  after  it 
are  these  two  lines  in  the  same  hand  with  the  rest  of  the 
MS  — 

Komen  autoris  presentis  cronica  Eomae 

Et  translators  filius  Ecclesise  Thomse. 

If  what  you  have  discovered  is  one  of  these,  I  shall  be  the 
better  enabled  to  put  it  forth  from  two  MSS.,  but  if  it  is 
different  from  these,  I  shall  thereby  enlarge  my  collection  of 
Chaucer's  works,  and  that  will  be  some  commendation  to  the 
edition  I  am  preparing.  I  transcribe  every  line,  so  that  I, 
that  am  not  a  swift  penman,  find  I  have  set  myself  a  tedious 
task.  I  am  advanced  a  great  way  in  the  Tales,  and  have 
taken  as  great  care  of  the  versification  as  I  can,  being  per 
suaded  Chaucer  made  them  exact  metre,  but  the  transcribers 
have  much  injured  them.  In  his  Troilus  and  Creseide  he  says 
to  his  book — 

And  for  there  is  so  great  diversitie 

In  English  and  in  writing  of  our  tonge, 
So  pray  I  God,  that  none  miswrite  the 

Ne  the  mismetre  for  default  of  tonge. 

So  that  if  I,  by  the  help  of  MSS.  and  several  printed  editions 
can  restore  him  to  his  feet  again,  I  shall  have  done,  though 
no  great  matter,  as  much  as  I  am  able  to  do,  and  that  in  a 
good  measure  I  think  I  shall  do. 


326  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1713 

I  shall  make  no  complaints  of  the  difficulties  I  meet  with  in 
this  trifling  business.  I  shall  reserve  them  to  a  paragraph  in 
the  preface,  and  there  I'll  magnify  my  labours  and  talk  as  big, 
though  but  a  paltry  editor,  as  if  I  were  the  very  author  him 
self.  But  Chaucer  was  a  modest  man,  and  boasting  will  not 
become  me.  However,  you  will  give  me  leave,  I  hope,  to 
mention  how  much  I  am  beholden  to  you  in  procuring  me 
that  valuable  MS.  from  my  Lord  Treasurer's  library,  and 
promising  to  get  me  the  habits  of  the  pilgrims,  and  finding 
out  a  new  Tale  to  grace  the  edition,  and  many  other  favours, 
for  all  which  I  most  humbly  thank  your  Lordship,  and  with 
all  respect  kiss  your  hands. 

[Mrs.   Thynne's  MS.   afterwards  passed    to   the    Northumberland   Collection  at 
Alnwick.    See  below,  Horwood  and  Martin,  1872.] 


1713.  Diaper,  [William].    Dryades;  or  the  Nymphs  Prophecy.    A  Poem, 
p.  2. 

How  happy,  when  I  view'd  the  calm  Retreat, 

And  Groves  o'er-look'd  by  WinchcomVs  ancient  Seat  ? 

Here  the  smooth  Kennet  *  takes  his  doubtful  Way 

In  wanton  Eounds  the  lingring  Waters  play, 

And  by  their  circling  Streams  prolong  the  grateful  Stay. 

Here  good  old  Chaucer  whilom  chear'd  the  Yale, 

And  sootely  sung,  and  told  the  jocund  Tale. 

*  A  River  in  Berkshire. 


1713.  Gay,  John.    The  Wife  of  Bath,  a  comedy,  ...  by  Mr.  Gay 
1713. 

Prologue. 

If  ancient  Poets  thought  the  Prologue  fit, 
To  sport  away  superfluous  Starts  of  Wit ; 
Why  should  we  Moderns  lavish  ours  away, 
And  to  supply  the  Prologue  starve  the  Play  ? 
Thus  Plays  of  late,  like  Marriages  in  Fashion, 
Have  nothing  good  besides  the  Preparation. 
How  shall  we  do  to  help  our  Author  out, 
Who  both  for  Play  and  Prologue  is  in  doubt  ? 
He  draws  his  Characters  from  Chaucer's  Days, 
On  which  our  Grandsires  are  profuse  of  Praise. 


i,  si;. 
sign.  B  2] 


1713]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  327 

Dramatis  Personse. 
Men. 
Chaucer. 
Doggrell. 

Franklyn,  a  Rich  Yeoman  of  Kent. 
Doublechin,  a  Monlc. 
Merit  in  Love  with  Florinda. 
Astrolabe,  an  Astrologer. 

TJ\?n^'    \Servants  to  Franklyn. 
William,  / 

A  Drawer. 
Wbmen. 

Myrtilla,  a  Lady  of  Quality. 

Florinda,  Franklyn's  Daughter. 

Alison,  the  Wife  (/Bath. 

Busie,  Myrtilla's  Woman.          Scene,  an  Inn  lying  in  the 

Road  between  London  and 
Canterbury. 

[Acti,se.i,.7Vanft.  You  must  know,  Sir,  that  we  came  thus  far  with 
the  Canterbury  Pilgrims, — certainly  the  most  diverting 
Company  that  ever  travell'd  the  Road — and  my  House 
lying  in  the  way,  I  design  to  invite  them  all  to  the 
Wedding  to  Morrow. 

Dog.  And  there  is  a  Nun  of  Quality,  I  am  told,  hath  just 
now  joyned  them. 

Frank.  The  Wife  of  Bath  is  enough  to  make  any  Mortal 
split  his  Sides.  She  is  as  frolicksome  as  a  young  Wench 
in  the  Month  of  May,  plays  at  Romps  with  the  Pilgrims 
all  round,  throws  out  as  many  quaint  Jokes  as  an  Oxford 
Scholar ; — and,  in  short,  exerts  herself  so  facetiously,  that 
she  is  the  Mirth  of  the  whole  Company. 

Dog.  But  the  Support  of  the  Society  is  Mr.  Chaucer — he 
is  a  Gentleman  of  such  inexhaustible  good  Sense,  Breed 
ing,  and  Civility,  that  since  I  have  had  the  Happiness  to 
converse  with  him,  he  hath  honour'd  some  of  my 
Productions  with  his  Approbation. 

[This  original  'Chaucer'  form  of  the  'Wife  of  Bath'  was  not  a  success,  so  in  1730, 
Gay  altered  and  revised  It,  striking  out  the  characters  of  '  Chaucer '  and  '  Franklyn,' 
and  substituting  the  modern  characters  of  '  Sir  Harry  Gauntlet '  and  '  Plowdon '  in 
their  place.  In  this  2nd  edn.  the  old  Prologue  is  kept,  and  there  is  no  word  of  the 
reason  for  the  change.  See  Johnson,  in  his  Life  of  Gay  (Lives  of  the  Poets,  1781), 
where  he  says  :  '  In  17] 3  he  [Gay]  brought  a  comedy  called  "The  Wife  of  Bath "  upon 
the  stage,  but  it  received  no  applause ;  he  printed  it,  however ;  and  seventeen  years 


328  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1713- 

after,  having  altered  it,  and,  as  he  thought,  adapted  it  more  to  the  public  taste,  he 
offered  it  again  to  the  town  ;  but  though  lie  was  flushed  with  the  success  of  the 
"Beggar's  Opera,"  had  the  mortification  to  see  it  again  rejected."  Both  versions  are 
reprinted  in  vol.  iii  of  Gay's  Miscellaneous  Works,  1772-3. 

See  letter  from  Gay  to  Swift,  9  Nov.  1729  ;  also  one  of  3  March,  1729-30,  in  which  he 
says,  'My  old  vamped  play  [The  Wife  of  Bath]  got  me  no  money,  for  it  had  no 
success.'  Pope,  Works,  1871,  pp.  165,  183.] 


1713.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extracts  from  his  Diary,  April  5,  Nov.  28, 
1713  [in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist. 
Soc.,  vol.  iv,  1898,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  pp.  150-1,  261. 

April  5  (Sun.).  Mr.  Urry  tells  me  y*  ye  Name  Cornhil 
appears  at  ye  End  of  the  Ketractation  of  Chaucer's  Parson's 
Tale  in  a  MS.  he  hath.  Who  [was]  this  Cornhill? 

In  a  MS.  Chaucer  lent  by  the  present  IA  Treasurer  to 
Mr.  Urry.     'Tis  in  Vellam,  very  near  the  time  in  wch  the  Author 
lived :  [Here  follow  a  list  of  births,  &c.  mostly  of  the  Fox 
[p.  i5i]  family,  1548  to  1585.]     At  the  End  of  the  said  Book : 

Edwarde  Foxe  oweythe  this  booke  ex  dono  patris  sui.  In 
red  Letters  this  followeth :  Here  endeth  the  book  of  the  tales 
of  Cauntirburye,  Compyled  by  Geffraye  Chaucers.  Of  whos 
soule  Ihesu  Crist  have  mercye.  Amen  quod  CornhyH. 

At  the  beginning  in  a  spare  Leaf :  Thys  boke  belongith  to 
me  Edmond  Foxe  felow  of  Lyncolls  Inne. 

Equus  de  stanno  for  a  Horse  of  Brass  in  one  of  the  MS. 
Chaucers  y*  Mr.  Urry  hath,  being  a  note  of  ye  Scribe. 

The  same  ignorant  Scribe  in  the  Title  of  the  Dr.  of 
Physick's  Tale,  Fabula  de  le  Fisician  de  Yirginius  Apius  & 
Claudius. 

In  the  Tale  of  the  Shipman  he  writes,  fabula  cujusd. 
Shipman. 

In  the  title  of  the  Manciple's  Tale  ye  same  scribe  :  Mancipij 
fab  :  de  la  Crowe. 

In  ye  Margin  of  a  Paper  MS.  (very  much  Shattered)  of 
Chaucer,  y*  Mr.  Urry  borrowed  of  Col.  Hen.  Worsley  at  ye 
Beginning  of  the  Sergeant  of  Law's  Tale,  where  he  mentions 
Europe,  this  Note :  Europa  est  tercia  pars  mundi.  It  is  agfc 
these  words  of  all  Europe  Queen.  Hence,  I  think,  it  is  plain 
y*  this  Book  was  written  before  ye  Discovery  of  America, 
[p.  261]  Nov.  28  (Sat.).  .  .  .  Mr.  Bagford  tells  me  y*  Caxton  printed 
Chaucer's  Fragmts.  in  4to.  wthout  Date  wch  are  not  taken  into 
his  Ed.  of  the  Tales.  This  is  now  in  the  Hands  of  ye  Bp.  of 
Ely,  who  had  it  of  Mr.  Bagford.  Dr.  Tanner  hath  seen  this 
Book.  And  'tis  certainly  a  Treasure. — K.  Henry  VIIIth.  hath 


1714]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  329 

an  Act  for  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  in  wch  also  Chaucer's 
Canterbury  Tales  and  Gower  de  Amore  are  allow'd  to  be  read 
by  the  common  People,  and  likewise  the  Legenda  Aurea. 

[See  above  1477-8,  p.  58,  for  Caxton,  and  1542-3,  p.  84,  an  Acte  for  thadvauncement 
of  true  Religion.] 

1713.  [Oldmixon,  John?]    Note  to  The  Salisbury  Ballad:  with  curious, 
learned  and  critical  notes,  by  Dr.  Walter  Pope.     London.     Printed 
in  the  year  1713  [in]  Poems  and  translations  by  Several  Hands  .  .  . 
printed  for  J.  Pemberton  .  .  .  1714,  p.  8.     [The  sub-title  runs] 
The   Salisbury  Ballad.     With  the   Learned   Commentaries  of  a 
friend  to  the  Author's  memory.     [The  dedication  to  the  whole 
collection  is  signed  by  John  Oldmixon,  who  was  probably  the 
author  of  these  notes.] 

[Text]          With  a  Cup  of  Old  Sack  he'll  wind  up  his  *  Jack. 
[Note]     *His  Engine  wherewith  he  makes  Verses.     So  CHAUCER. 
'  As  Winding  up  makes  a  Jack  go, 
So  good  Wine  makes  good  Verses  flow.' 

[1713-14.]  Montagu,  Lady  Mary  Wortley.  Unfinished  Sketches  of  a 
larger  poem,  [in]  The  Letters  and  Works  of  Lady  Mary  Wortley 
Montagu,  ed.  Lord  Wharncliffe,  1837,  vol.  iii,  p.  391. 

[Dulness  is  speaking :] 

Shall  mortals  then  escape  my  power  ?  she  cried  .  . 
Shall  Addison  my  empire  here  dispute 
So  justly  founded,  lov'd,  and  absolute, 
Explode  my  children,  ribaldry  and  rhyme, 
Eever'd  from  Chaucer's  down  to  Dryden's  time  1 

1714.  Fortescue-Aland,  John.     The  Difference   between  an  Absolute 
and  Limited  Monarchy  ....  being  A  Treatise  Written  by  Sir 

John  Fortescue.  Kt Publi&hd  with  some  Remarks  by  John 

Fortescue-Aland,  Preface,  pp.  Ixxviii-ix,  pp.  2-4,  15,  18,  23,  56,  90. 

[The  above  references  (except  those  to  the  Preface)  are  to  notes  on  the  pages 
indicated,  and  are  chiefly  on  similarities  of  words  and  expressions  between  Sir  John 
Fortescue  and  Chaucer.] 

1714.  Gay,  John.  TJie  Shepherd's  Week.  In  Six  Pastorals,  by  Mr.  J. 
Gay.  London  .  .  .  1714,  Notes,  sign.  B  2,  B  46,  C  5  b.  (Poetical 
Works  of  Gay,  ed.  John  Underbill,  1893,  Muses  Library,  vol.  i, 
pp.  74,  78,  89.) 

[First  Pastoral] 

[Line  3]  Welkin,  the  same  as  Welken,  an  old  Saxon  word  signifying 
a  Cloud;  by  Poetical  License  it  is  frequently  taken  for  the 
Element  or  Shy,  as  may  appear  by  this  Verse  in  the  Dream  of 
Chaucer,  Ne  in  all  the  Welkin  was  no  Cloud. 


330  Five  Hundred  'Years  of  [A.D.  1714 

[First  Pastoral] 

[Line  79]  Queint  has  various  Significations  in  the  ancient  English 
Authors.  I  have  used  it  in  this  Place  in  the  same  Sense  as 
Chaucer  hath  done  in  his  Miller's  Tale.  As  Clerkes  been 
full  subtil  and  queint,  (by  which  he  means  Arch  or  Waggish), 
and  not  in  that  obscene  Sense  wherein  he  useth  it  in  the  Line 
immediately  following. 

[Third  Pastoral] 

[Line  89]  To  ken,  Scire  Chaucero,  to  Ken ;  and  Kende  notus.  A.S. 
cunnan.  .  .  .  This  word  is  of  general  use,  but  not  very 
common,  though  not  unknown  to  the  vulgar  .  .  .  Eay,  F.R.S. 

[See  above,  p.  249,  1674,  Bay.    The  reference  may  be  to  the  2nd  ed.  of  Ray's  Col 
lection,  1691,  with  which,  however,  it  does  not  really  correspond.] 

1714.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extract  from  his  Diary,  Dec.  27,  1714  [in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc., 
vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  p.  7. 

Dec.  27  (Mon.).  Mr.  Urry  shew'd  me  a  fine  MS.  of  Chaucer's 
Works  written  in  Yellam  (in  an  Hand  of  that  time,  as  I  take 
it)  at  the  Beginning  of  which  is  Chaucer's  Picture  in  a 
Fragment  of  Ocleve.  There  are  Pictures  of  some  of  the 
Pilgrims,  &  there  have  been  others,  but  they  have  been  taken 
out.  This  Book  (which  is  a  great  Curiosity),  belongs  to  the 
Publick  Library  of  Cambridge,  from  whence  Mr.  Urry 
borrow'd  it. 

1714.  Pope,  Alexander.  The  Wife  of  Bath,  her  prologue,  from  Chaucer, 
[in]  Poetical  Miscellanies  .  .  .  publish'd  by  Mr.  Steele,  1714, 
pp.  3-27.  (Works,  1871,  vol.  i,  pp.  163-183.) 

1714.  TJrry,  Jolm.  Sketch  of  a  Preface  [to]  Edition  of  Chaucer  s  Works, 
not  published  until  1721  [q.  v.  below,  pp.  353-6],  also  some 
remarks,  quoted  by  Timothy  Thomas  in  his  Preface  to  Urry's 
Chaucer  1721,  [g.  u],  also  a  note  before  the  Coke's  Tale  of  Gamelyn, 
Urry's  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works,  1721,  p.  36.  [For  the  licence  for 
Urry's  edition,  dated  20  July,  1714,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1714.] 

[Quoted  at  end  of  the  Preface  as  being  Urry's  own  Words  to 
the  Reader : — ]  If  this  is  the  First  Edition  of  Chaucer  that 
ever  thou  didst  read,  it  will  be  to  little  purpose  to  tell  thee 
what  pains  I  have  been  at  to  fit  out  this  Edition  for  thee, 
Thou  wilt,  maybe,  not  thank  me  for  what  I  have  done,  and 
complain  of  me  for  having  left  so  much  undone.  All  this  I  do 
believe  thou  mayst  do  justly :  But  if  thou  hast  read  any  of 
the  former  Editions,  thou  wilt  be  my  witness  that  I  have  been 
at  some  trouble  in  settling  the  Text,  and  giving  Metre  to  the 
Poet's  Verse,  in  collating  many  MSS.,  and  not  a  few  Printed 


1714]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  331 

Books,  writing  out  Indexes,  looking  over  a  great  many 
Dictionaries  for  words  I  could  not  find,  as  well  as  for  words 
I  could.  In  short,  if  thou  ever  wert  an  Editor  of  such  Books 
thou  wilt  have  some  compassion  on  my  failings,  being  sensible 
of  the  toil  of  such  sort  of  creatures  ;  and  if  thou  art  not  yet 
an  Editor,  I  beg  truce  of  thee  till  thou  art  one,  before  thou 
censurest  my  Endeavours. 

[Note  before  Tale  of  Gamelyn  which,  in  the  annotated  copy, 
has  "  Urry  "  in  Thomas's  handwriting  at  foot.] 

tp.  36]  So  many  of  the  MSS.  have  this  Tale,  that  I  can  hardly 
think  it  could  be  unknown  to  the  former  Editors  of  this  Poet's 
Works.  Nor  can  I  think  of  a  Keason  why  they  neglected  to 
publish  it.  Possibly  they  met  only  with  those  MSS.  that  had 
not  this  Tale  in  them,  and  contented  themselves  with  the 
Number  of  Tales  they  found  in  those  MSS.  If  they  had  any 
of  those  MSS.  in  which  it  is,  I  cannot  give  a  Reason  why 
they  did  not  give  it  a  Place  amongst  the  rest,  unless  they 
doubted  of  its  being  genuine.  But  because  I  find  it  in  so 
many  MSS.,  I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  and  therefore  make  it 
publick,  and  call  it  the  Fifth  Tale.  In  all  the  MSS.  it  is 
called  the  Cooke's  Tale,  and  therefore  I  call  it  so  in  like 
manner  :  But  had  I  found  it  without  an  Inscription,  and  had 
been  left  to  my  Fancy  to  have  bestow'd  it  on  which  of  the 
Pilgrims  I  had  pleas'  d,  I  should  certainly  have  adjudg'd  it  to 
the  Squire's  Yeoman;  who  tho  as  minutely  describ'd  by 
Chaucer,  and  characteriz'd  in  the  third  Place,  yet  I  find  no 
Tale  of  his  in  any  of  the  MSS.  And  because  I  think  there  is 
not  any  one  that  would  fit  him  so  well  as  this,  I  have  ventur'd 
to  place  his  Picture  before  this  Tale,  tho'  I  leave  the  Cook  in 
Possession  of  the  Title. 

17||.  Hearne,  Thomas.    Letter  to  Eichard  Eaidinson,  dated  Feb.  2,  17^| 

(MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  Ill,  f.  31),  [abstract  of  it  printed  in]  Remarks 
and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed. 
D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  p.  20. 

...  I  find  Mr.  Urry's  Chaucer  advertised  as  being  to  go  to 
ye  Press  in  a  little  time.     I  have  not  seen  any  specimen. 


[in]  Re 
vol.  v, 


Hearne,  Thomas.    Extracts  from  liis  Diary,  Feb.  16,  Mar.  19,  17^| 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc., 
ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  pp.  23,  33,  34,  36. 

[p.  23]  Feb.  16  (Wed.).  Last  Night  Mr.  Urry  shew'd  me  a  very 
fine  Chaucer  in  Vellam,  the  best  preserved  y*  I  have  seen 
which  formerly  belong'd  to  Hamon  Le  Strange,  and  afterwards 


332  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  I7l4r- 

to  Sr.  Nich.  Le  Strange  to  whom  it  belongs  at  present.  [Now 
at  Chatsworth.] 

[p.  S3]  March  19  (Sat.).  Yesterday  about  3  Clock  in  the  Afternoon 
died  of  a  Feaver  my  great  and  good  Friend  Mr.  John  Urry, 
Student  of  Christ-Church.  This  Gentleman  was  Bachelor  of 

[p.  34]  Arts,  &  bore  Arms  against  Monmouth  in  the  Eebellion  called 
Monmouth's  Kebellion,  as  several  other  Oxford  Scholars  did. 
He  was  a  stout,  lusty  Man,  &  of  admirable  Principles.  His 
Integrity  &  Honesty  &  Loyalty  gain'd  him  great  Honour  & 
Kespect.  He  refused  the  Oaths,  &  died  a  Non-Juror  .... 
He  had  published  Proposals  for  a  new  Edition  of  Chaucer, 
which  he  had  almost  prepared  for  the  Press  before  he  died,  & 

[p.  36]  he  was  like  to  meet  with  very  great  Encouragement.  ...  He 
was  somewhat  above  50  Years  of  Age,  &  had  begun  an 
Epitaph  upon  himself,  which  was  found  in  his  Pocket  soon 
after  his  Decease,  &  is  as  follows :  [Here  Hearne  quotes  the 
epitaph,  for  the  last  verse  of  which  see  immediately  below.] 

[17 jf  ?  Urry,  John.]  Epitaphium,  Johannis  Urry  [in  MS.  on  a  piece  of 
letter  paper,  inserted  before  the  title  page  of  Urry's  edn.  of 
Chaucer,  with  notes  by  T.  and  W.  Thomas,  B.  M.  pr.  m.  643,  m.  4. 
The  following  note  is  at  the  end  of  it :  '  This  is  supposed  to  have 
been  made  by  Mr.  Urry  himself ;  It  was  found  in  his  Pockett 
after  his  Death  (I  think  it  was  written  in  his  own  Hand).  Tim*. 
Thomas,  1717.'] 

[The  epitaph  ends  thus  :] 

Et  quamvis  memorabile 
Nihil  perfecit  unquam, 
Jussus  tamen  est  aggressus 
Opus  ultra  vires  magnum 
Chaucerum,  nee  absolvit, 
Magno  sed  ausu  excidit. 

[For  the  date  of  above  epitaph,  see  diary  of  Thomas  Hearne  for  April  1,  1715, 
in  Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed. 
D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  p.  39.  '  Mr.  Urry  made  his  Epitaph  as  'tis  supposed  a  little 
before  he  kept  his  Bed,  he  being  up  one  whole  Night,  or  at  least  a  good  part  of  one.' 
Hearne  also  quotes  the  epitaph  in  full,  ibid.  p.  36.] 

17  ^f.  Hickes,  George.  Letter  to  Thomas  Hearne,  dated  March  22, 1?H> 
MS.  Bawl.  Lett.  f.  15,  (75).  [abstract  of  it  in]  Remarks  and 
Collections  of  Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed. 
D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  p.  35. 

I  am  as  sensible  &  sorry  for  the  great  Loss  of  Mr.  Urry, 
as  any  Friend  he  hath  left  behind  him,  and  desire  to  know  to 
whom  he  hath  left  his  Chaucer. 


1715]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  333 

17-J^.  Hearne,  Thomas.    Letter  to  George  Plaxton  [dated]  March  23, 

»17|£,  MS.  Hearne's  Diaries  56,  pp.  72-3.  [abstract  printed  in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.  vol  v, 
ed.  D.  W.  Kannie,  1901,  pp.  35-6. 

Mar.  23.  On  Saturday  Night  last  I  was  at  the  ffuneral  of 
Mr.  John  Urry  Student  of  X*  Church,  who  died  of  a  ffeaver 
the  Day  before.  He  was  a  couragious,  brave,  honest,  virtuous 
and  learned  man,  and  is  much  lamented.  He  was  about  an 
Edition  of  Chaucer,  but  what  will  become  of  it  now  I  cannot 
tell.  .  .  . 

1715.  Abstract  of  the  Articles  for  Printing  Chaucer's  [sic],  26th  Aug'.,  1715. 
A  MS.  sheet  inserted  at  the  beginning  [before  the  title  page]  of  the 
interleaved  copy  of  Urry's  edition  of  Chaucer's  Works  with  MS. 
notes  by  T.  arid  W.  Thomas  [B.  M.  643,  m.  4]. 

An  Agreement  dat.  26.  Augfc.  1715,  Between  Mr.  Wm. 
Brome  Exr.  to  Mr.  John  Urry,  The  Dean  &  Chapter  of  C.  C. 
Oxon  &  Bernd.  Lintot  Bookseller.  Reciting  the  Queen's 
License  to  Mr.  Urry  for  the  sole  Printing  of  Chaucer  for  14 
yrs  from  25  July  1714.  Assigned  over  by  him  to  Lintot 
17.  Decr  foils,  &  Mr.  Urry  Dying  soon  after  left  Mr.  Brome 
Exr.  And  Eeciting  Mr.  Urry's  Intention  to  Apply  part  of  the 
Profits  towds.  Building  Peckwater  Quadrangle. 

Mr.  Brome  assigns  his  Eight  to  Chaucer,  Glossary  &  License 
to  Mr.  Lintot  for  the  Eemr.  of  the  Term. 

The  Dean  &  Chapter  and  Mr.  Brome  to  Deliver  to  Lintot 
a  Compleat  Copy  of  Chaucer  &  Glossary  &  to  Correct  ye  same 
or  get  a  person  to  Correct  it  at  their  Charge. 

fp  1000  MF-  Lintot  to  Print  off  125°  C(ws  on  E°yal  PaPr 


—the  No  of  each  papr  to  be  determined  by  ye  parties  before 
—  the  Printing  begins.  Mr.  L.  to  be  at  the  Charge  of  printing 
Proposals  and  Eec4"  and  if  the  Subscription  exceed  1250, 
He  is  at  his  Charge  to  furnish  Copys  so  they  do  not  exceed 
1500,  Mr.  L.  being  to  have  of  the  produce  of  the  Subscrip 
tion  Books. 

If  the  Subscriptions  do  not  amount  to  1250  Then  such 
Books  are  [as  ?]  remain  to  be  Disposed  of  to  Booksellers  &  the 
Produce  to  be  equally  Divided  between  the  Three  partys. 

The  Neat  and  Clear  Share  of  ye  Dean  &  Chapter  to  be 
apply'd  to  the  Finishing  of  Peckwater.  Subscriptions  to  be 
taken  by  all  the  partys  &  to  acco[un]t  to  one  another  &  Mr. 
Brome  for  w*.  money  had  been  received  by  Mr.  Urry. 

Subscriptions  to  be  taken  in  till  publication  &  then  Books 


334  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1715 

to  be  Delivered  to  the  Subscribers  Compl*  in  Quires  on  paym1* 
of  their  Subscription  Money  &  not  otherwise. 

Mr.  Lintot  to  begin  Printing  as  soon  as  the  Copy  is  Certifyed 
by  the  Dean  &  Mr.  Brome  to  be  Compleat  &  to  finish  it  with 
all  convenient  Speed  fy  assoon  as  possible,  &  he  is  not  to  print 
nor  wittingly  or  willingly  suffer  to  be  printed  any  more  than 
1500  Copys  as   above  without  Consent  of   the   rest  of  the 
Partys,  nor  print  or  suffer  to  be  printed  the  sd  Work,  or  any 
part  thereof  in  any  manner  then  as  aforesd,  untill  this  Agree 
ment  be  in  all  respects  fulfilled  &  Compleated. 

If  any  Difference  arise,  the  parties  to  be  Determined  by 
Mr.  Arthur  Trevor  &  Dr.  Henry  Levet. 

The  College  Seal  annext. 

Witnesses       G.  Brookes  Signed       Witt  Brome 

Kob.  Philips  Bernd  Lintot 

J.  Holloway 

Printed  in  pursuance  of  this  Agreement  \          9  r  ~ 
of  the  Large  paper    ...          ...          . . .  / 

Do.  Small  papr 1000 


1250 

[See,  in  connection  with  this  edn.,  a  letter  from  Wm.  Brome  to  Mr.  Rawlins, 
below,  June  23,  1733,  p.  375.] 


[1715  ?  Thomas,  Timothy  ?]    Esb.  of  the  produce  of  the  Ed"  o  ^,  , 

a  small  MS.  sheet  inserted  in  beginning  of  annotated  copy  of  Urry's 
edition  of  Chaucer  [B.M.  643.  m.  4]  endorsed  as  above. 

There  are  printed  1000  Copys  of  Chaucer,  \ 

wch   at    £1.     10.    p    Book    (in    Small  I          1500 

•  Paper) J 

250  on  Large  Paper  at  £2.  10.    ...          ...  625 


The  Gross  Product       2125 

Out  of  wch  by  the  Articles  Lintot  is  to] 

have  J  for  the  Charges  of  Paper,  print- 1      708  •  6  •  8 

ing,  Graving  &c.  ...          ...          . . .  J 

To  be  Divided   between   Christ  Church } 

and  Brome,  they  paying  for  Correcting  I  1416  •  13  -4 

&  Glossary,       ...          ...          ...          ...J 

N.B.  Lintot  tells  me  he  is  assured  all  the  Copys  will  go  off. 

If  you  are  allowed  a  proportional  part 

You  may  insist  on  J  of  £1416  13    4  ...       472  •  4  •  5J 

i 354-3-4 

1 283-6-8 


1715]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  335 

1715.  Sloane,  Sir  Hans.  Three  Letters  to  Thomas  Hearne,  dated  respec 
tively  May  5,  June  30,  and  Oct.  29, 1715.  MS.  RawlinPon,  Lett.  16, 
ff.  71,  75,  77  [abstracts  of  them  in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of 
Thomas  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901, 
pp.  54,  72,  130. 

May  5,  1715.  .  .  .  I  am  to  begg  yor  favour  in  another 
matter  which  is  the  getting  for  me  some  MSS.  &  printed 
copies  of  Chaucer  I  lent  Mr.  Urry  for  forwarding  his  edition 
of  that  author.  He  had  one  in  his  own  handwriting  or  at 
least  said  to  be  so,  another  of  the  Astrolabe  fitted  for  the 
presse  in  folio  &  some  more.  You  may  find  them  out  by 
2  marks  either  MSS.  or  a  letter  of  the  alphabet  in  the  under 
part  of  the  back  and  a  number  on  the  upper.  The  same 
marks  are  generally  on  the  inside.  I  should  be  glad  to  hear 
one  of  yor  qualifications  would  undertake  the  publication  of 
so  usefull  a  work  even  for  the  language.  I  begg  pardon  for 
this  trouble  and  remain.  .  .  . 

June  30,  1715.  ...  As  to  my  MSS.  of  Chaucer,  I  shall 
only  desire,  as  occasion  offers,  that  you  would  (if  you  can 
easily)  gett  my  books. 

Oct.  29,  1715.  .  . '.  I  have  at  last  found  the  list  of  my  books 
in  Mr.  Urry's  hands,  viz. : 

The  works  of  G.  Chaucer  London.  1518.  in  fol.,  markd 
P.  150. 

The  conclusion  of  the  astrolabe  by  G.  Chaucer  mark'd 
MS.  324  in  fol. 

Tractatus  Astrologico  Magicus  w*.  a  discourse  written  by 
Sr.  G.  Chaucers  own  hand  of  the  astrolabe  mark'd  MS.  378. 
in  4°. 

You  will  do  me  a  great  favour  to  gett  these  books  for  me 
from  Mr.  Brorne  or  any  body  may  have  the  looking  into 
Mr.  Urry's  papers.  .  .  . 

[Sir  Hans  Sloane  had  some  difficulty  in  getting  back  the  books  he  had  lent  to  Urry, 
Mr.  Brome  on  being  applied  to  says  [Brome  to  Hearne,  c.,  Nov.  1,  1715,  MS.  Rawl. 
Lett.  13,  f.  139]  that  all  MSS.  and  printed  books  lent  to  Urry  which  came  into 
his  [Brome's]  possession  were  delivered  to  Dr.  Terry,  Subdean  of  Ch:  Ch:.  Next 
follows  Hearne's  letter  to  Sloane,  Nov.  13, 1715,  q.v.,  and  Sloane  to  Hearne,  Nov.  15, 
1715  [MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  9,  f.  74,  and  Remarks,  etc.,  ed.  Rannie,  v.  p.  139].  The 
MS.  was  finally  found  with  Dr.  Keil  [see  Hearne's  letter  to  Brome,  Nov.  20,  1715], 
but  Sir  Hans  Sloane  did  not  get  all  his  Chaucers  back  until  Feb.  29,  17^,  when  he 
writes  to  Hearne  in  acknowledgment  of  them,  q.v.  Mar.  1,  I7jf.  See  Remarks  and 
Collections  of  T.  Hearae,  vol.  v,  pp.  130-2,  138-40,  152,  175,  178-9.  For  present 
nos.  of  these  MSS.  see  Skeat's  Chaucer,  vol.  hi,  p.  Ix. » 


336  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1715 

1715.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Three  Letters  to  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  dated  Nov.  1 
and  13,  and  Dec.  12,  1715.  MS.  Hearne's  Diaries,  58,  pp.  54,  68, 
106.  [abstracts  in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford 
Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Ramiie,  1901,  pp.  138,  152.  [The 
Chaucer  reference  in  letter  of  Nov.  1  is  only  given  in  the  MS.J 

Nov.  1.  [Hearne  has  communicated  to  Mr.  Brome  par 
ticulars  in  H.  S.'s  letter  relating  to  Chaucer.] 

Nov.  13,  1715.  .  .  .  I  have  been  since  my  last,  with  Dr. 
[Moses]  Terry,  the  Subdean  of  X*  Church,  and  look'd  over  the 
Chaucers  in  his  Hands.  I  find  two  of  these  you  mention, 
viz.  that  mark'd  P.  150  and  that  mark'd  MS.  378,  but  the 
3d  mark'd  MS.  324  (which  is  the  Conclusion  of  the  Astro 
labe)  we  did  not  meet  with.  Dr.  Terry  is  ready  to  deliver 
up  the  two  foresaid  Books  when  he  hath  a  Note  of  Kelease 
from  Mr.  Brome,  to  whom  he  gave  his  Hand  for  them,  and  to 
whom  I  design  to  write  upon  this  Occasion.  I  intend  also  to 
ask  Dr.  [Edmund]  Halley  and  Dr.  [John]  Keil,  whether  either 
of  them  know  any  thing  of  the  MS.  that  is  wanting.  I 
mention  them,  because,  if  I  am  not  much  mistaken,  I  formerly 
heard  Mr.  Urry  say  that  he  would  let  one  or  both  of  them 
have  it  for  a  little  while,  that  he"  might  by  that  means  be 
able  to  receive  some  Assistance  in  his  Design,  these  Gentlemen 
being  great  Mathematicians. 

Dec.  12.  ...  [Hearne  would  have  answered  sooner  Sloane's 
letter  of  Nov.  15  last]  had  I  not  waited  for  Mr.  [William] 
Brome's  Order  to  have  the  two  Books  of  yours  that  are  in  Dr. 
Terry's  Hands  restored  to  me.  But  having  receiv'd  as  yet  no 
such  Order,  I  could  not  defer  writing  to  you  any  longer, 
especially  since  the  3d  Book,  mark'd  MS.  324  hath  been 
delivered  to  me  by  Dr.  Keil,  who  gives  you  his  humble  service. 
I  shall  send  this  Book  to-morrow  by  the  Carrier  that  sets  up 
at  the  Oxford  Arms,  and  I  will  write  again  to  Mr.  Brome 
about  the  others.  .  .  . 


1715.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Letters  (1)  to  William  Brome,  dated  Nov.  20, 
1715  ;  (2)  to  John  Bagford  [c.  Nov.  28,  1715]  MS.  Hearne's  Diaries 
58,  pp.  80,  94.  [abstracts  in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of  T. 
Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1791,  pp.  140, 
148. 

[Tow.  Nov.  20,  1715.  Sir,  I  have  been  with  Dr.  Terry,  and 
found  two  of  Dr.  Sloane's  Books.  The  third  is  in  Dr.  Keil's 
Hands.  I  have  spoke  with  Dr.  Keil,  who  is  ready  to  deliver 
it  to  me.  Dr.  Terry  is  likewise  ready  to  put  the  other  two 


1715]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  337 

into  my  Hands,  as  soon  as  he  hath  an  order  from  You.  I 
therefore  desire  that  you  Avould  be  pleased  to  let  him  have 
your  leave  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give 
him  leave  withall  to  deliver  to  me  Mr.  Bagford's  Chaucer  of 
Caxton's  Edition,  Mr.  Bagford  having  commission'd  me  to 
receive  it  by  virtue  of  the  following  Note,  viz. 

Mr.  Hearne,  I  would  have  you  to  demand  my  Chaucer's 
Canterbury  Tales,  printed  by  William  Caxton,  lent  to  Mr. 
Urry  sometime  since.  John  Bagford. 

.  .  .  As  soon  as  I  have  these  Books  I  will  deliver  them  to 
the  right  owners,  tho'  I  wish  with  all  my  heart  the  Edition 
were  carried  on. 

[To  J.  Bagford,  c.  Nov.  28,  1715.]  .  .  .  I  have  writ  to  Mr, 
Brome  about  your  Chaucer.  But  have  recd  no  Answer  as  yet. 

1715.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extract  from  his  Diary,  Oct.  24,  [printed  in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v, 
ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  p.  128. 

Oct.  24  (Mon.).  Mr.  [Kichard]  Smith  had  Chaucer's  works 
fol.  the  best  Edit.  1602,  with  a  MS*,  of  a  Tale  of  Gamelyn, 
taken  out  of  a  MSfc.  of  Chaucer's  Works  in  the  University 
Library  of  Oxford,  Cat.  p.  274. 

[See  above,  1682,  p.  250,  Chiswell.] 

1715.  Croxall,  Samuel.     The  Vision,  a  poem,  pp.  14,  15. 

Hard  by,  a  Turfy  Mount  with  Flowrets  spread 
Mantled  in  Green  uprais'd  its  double  Head : 

High  on  the  forky  Ridge  two  Eev'rend  Sires 
Their  Voices  tun'd,  and  struck  their  Golden  Lyres  : 
In  Notes  so  sweet  that  ev'ry  list'ning  Ear 
Was  held  attent  their  gentle  Strains  to  hear : 

Chaucer  the  Parent  of  Britannic  Lays 

His  Brow  begirt  with  everlasting  Bays, 

All  in  a  Kirtle  of  green  Silk  array'd 

With  gleeful  smile  his  merry  Lesson  play'd. 

His  fellow  Bard  beside  him  Spenser  sate 

And  twitched  the  sounding  chords  in  solemn  State. 

[The  poet  has  first  a  vision  of  certain  of  the  most  famous  of  the  raonarchs  of 
England,  and  it  is  significant  that  in  the  following  vision  the  only  two  poets  he  sees 
are  Chaucer  and  Spenser.] 
CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  Z 


338  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1715 

1715.  Elstob,  Elizabeth.  The  Rudiments  of  Grammar  for  the  English- 
Saxon  Tongue,  first  given  in  English :  with  an  Apology  for  the 
study  of  Northern  Antiquities.  Being  very  useful  toward  the 
understanding  our  ancient  English  Poets,  and  other  Writers.  By 
Elizabeth  Elstob  .  .  .  London  .  .  .  1715.  Preface,  pp.  xvi-xviii, 
note,  xix,  xxiv,  xxviii-ix. 

[Paraphrase  of  pp.  xi-xiii.  An  Examination  of  (1)  whether 
the  charge  made  against  the  Northern  languages  is  true,  that 
they  consist  of  nothing  but  Monosyllables ;  and  (2)  whether 
the  copiousness  and  variety  of  Monosyllables  may  be  always 
justly  reputed  a  fault.  The  answer  to  (1)  is  that  the  ancient 
Northern  languages  (Gothick,  Saxon  and  Teutonick)  do  not 
wholly  nor  mostly  consist  of  Monosyllables.  The  answer  to 
(2)  is  that  if  copiousness  and  variety  of  Monosyllables  be  a 
fault,  it  is  one  that  might  as  justly  be  charged  upon  Latin  and 
Greek — here  follow  examples  from  Greek  and  Latin  poets. 
Not  only  so,  but  in  modern  poets  we  find  great  use  of  mono 
syllables,  even  in  Dryden,  who  would  have  us  believe  he  had 
a  great  aversion  to  them ;  note  Denham's  lines  on  Cooper's 
Hill,  which  Dryden  so  admires.] 

Tr-  xvi]  To  give  greater  Probability  to  what  I  have  said  concerning 
Monosyllables,  I  will  give  some  Instances,  as  well  from  such 
Poets  as  have  gone  before  him  [Dryden],  as  those  which  have 
succeeded  him.  It  will  not  be  taken  amiss  by  those  who 
value  the  Judgment  of  Sir  Philip  Sydney,  and  that  of 
Mr.  Dryden,  if  I  begin  with  Father  CJiaucer. 

Er  it  was  Day,  as  was  her  won  to  do. 
Again, 

And  but  I  have  her  Mercy  and  her  Grace, 
That  I  may  seen  her  at  the  leste  way ; 
I  nam  but  deed  there  nis  no  more  to  say. 
i[p.  xvii]        Again, 

Alas,  what  is  this  wonder  Maladye : 
For  heate  of  colde,  for  colde  of  heate  I  dye. 
CJiaucer's  first  Book  of  Troylus,  fol.  159,  b.    fli.  419-20] 

But  before,  at  least  contemporary  with  Chaucer,  we  find 
Sir  John  Gower,  not  baulking  Monosyllables  ;  , 

ȣte]Vm'  Besides  the  Purpose  for  which  these  Verses  are  here  cited, 
it  may  not  be  amiss  to  observe  from  some  Instances  of  Words 
contain'd  in  them,  how  necessary,  at  least  useful,  the  Know 
ledge  of  the  Saxon  Tongue  is,  to  the  right  understanding 


1715]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  339 

our  Old  English  Poets,  and  other  Writers.  For  example, 
leutst,  this  is  the  same  with  the  Saxon  leojropt:,  most 
beloved,  or  desirable,  gobies  JfoIIu,  not  God  his  Folk,  this 
has  plainly  the  Remains  of  the  Saxon  Genitive  Case,  [&c.]. 

(p.  xix]       "  Let  Ly<lgate,  Chaucer's  Scholar  also  be  brought  in  for  a 

Voucher ; 

For  Chaucer  that  my  Master  was  and  knew 
What  did  belong  to  writing  Verse  and  Prose, 
Ne'er  stumbled  at  small  faults,  nor  yet  did  view 
With  scornful  Eye  the  Works  and  Books  of  those 
That  in  his  time  did  write,  nor  yet  would  taunt 
At  any  Man,  to  fear  him  or  to  daunt. 
Tho'  the  Verse  is  somewhat  antiquated,  yet  the  Example 

ought  not  to  be  despised  by  our  modern  Criticks,  especially 

those  who  have  any  Respect  for  Chaucer. 

(P.  xxvi]  To  these  let  me  add  the  Testimony  of  that  Darling  of  the 
Muses,  Mr.  Prior,  with  whom  all  the  Poets  of  ancient  and 
modern  Times  of  other  Nations,  or  our  own,  might  seem  to 
have  intrusted  the  chief  Secrets,  and  greatest  Treasures  of 
their  Art.  I  shall  speak  only  concerning  our  own  Island, 
where  his  Imitation  of  Chaucer,  of  Spencer,  and  of  the  old 
Scotch.  Poem,  inscribed  the  Nut-Broivn  Maid,  shew  how  great 
a  Master  he  is.  ... 

{p  xxviii]  Sir,  from  these  numerous  Instances,  out  of  the  writings  of 
our  greatest  and  noblest  Poets,  it  is  apparent,  That  had  the 
Enmity  against  Monosyllables  with  which  there  are  some  who 
make  so  great  a  Clamour,  been  so  great  in  all  Times,  we  must 
have  been  deprived  of  some  of  the  best  Lines,  and  finest 
Flowers,  that  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  beautiful  Garden  of 
our  English  Posie  [sic]  .... 

I  speak  not  this,  upon  Confidence  of  any  Judgment  I  have 
in  Poetry,  but  according  to  that  Skill,  which  is  natural  to  the 

{p.xxix]  Musick  of  a  Northern  Ear,  which,  if  it  be  deficient,  as  I  shall 
not  be  very  obstinate  in  its  Defence,  I  beg  leave  it  may  at 
least  be  permitted  the  Benefit  of  Mr.  Dryden's  Apology,  for 
the  Musick  of  old  Father  Chaucer's  Numbers,  "  That  there  is 
the  rude  Sweetness  of  a  Scotch  Tune  in  it,  which  is  natural 
and  pleasing,  tho'  not  perfect. 

[All  the  verse  quotations  are  in  black  letter.] 


340  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1715 

1715.  Gay,  John.  Letter  from  Gay  and  Pope  to  John  Caryll  [April 
1715].  (Pope,  Works,  1871,  vol.  vi,  1871,  p.  227.) 

Mr.  Rowe's  Jane  Grey  is  to  be  played  in  Easter  week,  when 
Mrs.  Oldfield  is  to  personate  a  character  directly  opposite  to 
female  nature — for  what  woman  ever  despised  sovereignty? 
Chaucer  has  a  tale  where  a  knight  saves  his  head  by  discover 
ing  that  it  was  the  thing  which  all  women  most  coveted. 

[The  first  part  of  this  letter  is  by  Gay.] 

1715.  Hughes,  [John].  Works  of  Edmund  Spenser  .  .  .  published  by 
Mr.  Hughes,  six  vols.,  vol.  i,  Life,  pp.  ii,  xv,  xvii,  xviii  (quotes 
Camden's  account  of  Spenser's  tomb :  see  above,  p.  163). — Essay  on 
Allegorical  Poetry,  pp.  xxvi,  xxxvii. — Remarks  on  the  Fairy 
Queen,  pp.  Ixxxvii,  xciv,— Remarks  on  the  Shepherd's  Calendar, 
pp.  ciii,  cvii,  Glossary  cxxi,  cxxv,  etc. 

[p.  ii]  ...  Edmund  Spenser,  the  most  Eminent  of  our  Poets  till 
that  time,  unless  we  except  Chaucer,  who  was  in  some  respects 
his  Master  and  Original.  .  .  . 

[Mr.  Waller  says  that  a  great  misfortune  which  attends 
[Essay  j^g}^  poets  js  that  they  are  writing  in  a  tongue  which  is 
gorfcai  changing  daily.  They  should  therefore,  like  wise  sculptors,  , 
P°^tr>r- choose  more  durable  material,  and  carve  in  Latin  or  Greek,  if 
they  would  have  their  labours  preserved.]  Notwithstanding 
the  Disadvantage  he  has  mention'd,  we  have  two  Antient 
English  Poets,  Chaucer  and  Spenser,  who  may  perhaps  be 
reckon'd  as  Exceptions  to  this  Remark.  These  seem  to 
have  taken  deep  Root,  like  old  British  Oaks,  and  to 
nourish  in  defiance  of  all  the  Injuries  of  Time  and 
Weather.  The  former  is  indeed  much  more  obsolete  in  his 
Stile  than  the  latter ;  but  it  is  owing  to  an  extraordinary 
native  Strength  in  both,  that  they  have  been  able  thus  far  to 
survive  amidst  the  Changes  of  our  Tongue,  and  seem  rather 
likely,  among  the  Curious  at  least,  to  preserve  the  Knowledg 
of  our  Antient  Language,  than  to  be  in  danger  of  being 
destroy'd  with  it,  and  bury'd  under  its  Ruins. 

Tho  Spenser's  Affection  to  his  Master  Chaucer  led  him  in 
many  things  to  copy  after  him,  yet  those  who  have  read  both 
will  easily  observe  that  these  two  Genius's  were  of  a  very 
different  kind.  Cliaucer  excell'd  in  his  Characters ;  Spenser 
[p.  in  his  Descriptions.  The  first  study'd  Humour,  was  an 
excellent  Satirist,  and  a  lively  but  rough  Painter  of  the 
Manners  of  that  rude  Age  in  which  he  liv'd.  .  .  . 


1715]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  341 

[Remarks        Before  his  [Spenser's]  time,  Musick  seems  to  have  been 

on  the  Fairy  -r,  ,     ,  ^-^1-1^1 

Queen,  p.  "  so  much  a  Stranger  to  our  Poetry,  that,  excepting  the  Larl 

of  Snrry's  Ly ricks,  we  have  very  few  Examples  of  Verses 

that  had  any  tolerable  Cadence.     In  Chaucer  there  is  so  little 

of  this,  that  many  of  his  Lines  are  not  even  restrain'd  to  a 

certain  Number  of  Syllables. 

1715.  [Oldmixon,  John.]  The  Life  and  Posthumous  Works  of  Arthur 
Maynioaring,  Esq.,  pp.  324-6. 

When  I  was  inserting  some  of  his  Poetical  Works,  I  should 
have  remember'cl  that  he  was  the  Author  of  the  Court  of 
Love,  which  is  annex'd  to  a  Version  of  Ovid's  Art  of  Love, 
Printed  by  Mr.  Tonson  his  Friend.  I  shall  repeat  only  a  few 
[p.  320]  Lines.  .  .  .  Whoever  will  be  at  the  Pains  to  compare  this 
Court  of  Love  with  the  Tale  in  Chaucer,  from  whence  'tis 
taken,  will  be  extreamly  well  pleas'd  to  see  how  he  has 
improv'd  it ;  and  will  find  the  Poem  intire,  with  Ovid's  Art 
and  Remedy  of  Love,  Printed  for  Mr.  Tonson. 

[See  above,  p.  310,  1709,  Maynwaring.] 

1715.  Sewell,  [George].  The  Life  and  Character  of  Mr.  John  Philips, 
written  by  Mr.  Sewell,  2nd  edn.  1715,  [a  small  pamphlet],  pp.  5,  6, 
32,  34  ;  [reprinted  in]  The  Whole  Works  of  Mr.  John  Philips, 
1720,  pp.  iv,  xxxv,  xxxvii.  [The  two  last  references  are  to  Philips's 
monument  in  Westminster  ;  see  above,  1708,  Freind,  etc.,  p.  295-6, 
and  below,  1823,  Neale.] 

[P.  5]  Nor  was  he  less  curious  in  observing  the  Force  and 
Elegancy  of  his  Mother  Tongue,  but,  by  the  Example  of  his 
Darling  Milton,  search 'd  backwards  into  the  Works  of  our  Old 
English  Poets,  to  furnish  himself  with  proper,  sounding,  and 
significant  Expressions,  and  prove  the  due  Extent,  and  Compass 
of  the  Language.  For  this  purpose,  he  carefully  read  over 
Chaucer,  Spenser ;  and,  afterwards,  in  his  Writings,  did  not 
scruple  to  revive  any  Words,  or  Phrases,  which  he  thought 
deserv'd  it.  ... 

.  Brome,  William.  Letter  to  Thomas  Hearne,  dated  Feb.  22.  17yf, 
MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  13,  f.  140,  [abstract  of  first  part  in]  Remarks  and 
Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W. 
Rannie,  1901,  p.  175. 

Dear  Sir  I  received  yours  of  Jan.  ye  6th  ...  by  the 
Bearer  of  this  I  intend  to  write  to  Dr.  Terry  to  deliver  the 
Books  and  MSS.  belonging  to  Dr.  Sloane  and  Mr.  Bagford  to 


342  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1715- 

you ;  and  shall  acquaint  him  that  your  discharge  shall  be  as 
obliging  as  one  under  my  own  hand  ,  so  I  hope  upon  your 
waiting  upon  him  they  will  be  deliver'd  to  you,  except  the 
Editors  of  Chaucer  have  farther  occasion  for  them,  and  then  I 
suppose  by  your  interposition  Dr.  Sloane  will  oblige  them  by 
a  longer  loan  of  them.  .  .  . 


17i|.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Letters  (1)  to  William  Brome  (MS.  Rawl. 
Lett.  13,  f.  141),  (2)  to  Hans  Sloane  (MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  39,  f.  80),  both 
dated  Feb.  28,  17 yf,  (3)  to  James  Sotheby  (MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  16, 
f.  92)  dated  March  1,  ITyf,  (4)  to  Thomas  Rawlinson,  (MS.  Rawl. 
Lett.  33,  f.  16),  dated  March  13,  17y|>  [abstracts  in]  Remarks  and 
Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W. 
Rannie,  1901,  pp.  178-9,  182. 

[To  W.  Brome]  Feb.  28  ...  Sir,  I  recd  yesterday  Dr. 
Sloane's  two  MSS.  that  were  in  Dr.  Terry's  Hands,  and  have 
left  a  note  of  them  with  Him.  I  have  sent  them  this  day  to 
Dr.  Sloane.  At  the  same  time  Dr.  Terry  deliver'd  me  Mr. 
Bagford's  Copy  of  Caxton's  Ed.  .  .  Dr.  Terry  hath  not  Mr. 
[Thomas]  Rawlinson's  Copy,  at  least  he  does  not  find  it.  I 
remember  y11  it  was  a  small  old  MS  :  but  I  did  not  take  down 
the  Title,  and  have  no  other  note  abfc  it  then  this,  viz.  June 
16th  (Mond.)  1712.  Recd.  of  M'\  Rawlinson  a  Chaucer  for 
Mr  Urry,  wch  I  delivered  to  Mr.  Urry  the  same  day,  I 
took  no  note  for  it  of  Mr.  Urry.  I  hope  you  will  be  able 
to  find  it.  I  will  write  ab*  it  to  Mr,  Rawlinson  himself,  who 
perhaps  can  recover  the  Title.  I  am,  Sir,  .  .  . 

[To  H.  Sloane]  Feb.  28  ...  Honrd.  Sir,  I  have  at  last 
heard  from  Mr.  Brome,  and  yesterday  Dr.  Terry  delivered  me 
your  two  Chaucers,  viz.  (1)  The  works  of  G.  Chaucer  Lond. 
1598.  in  fol.  mark'd  P.  150.  (2)  Tractatus  Astrologico 
Magicus,  with  a  discourse  written  by  Sr.  G.  Chaucers  own 
hand  of  the  Astrolabe  mark'd  MS.  378.  in  4°. — I  sent  them  to 
you  by  this  day's  waggon  y*  sets  up  at  ye  Oxford  Arms.  I 
formerly  sent  you  the  Conclusion  of  ye  Astrolabe  by  G. 
Chaucer  mark'd  MS.  324.  in  fol.  so  y*  now  you  have  all  y* 
you  wTas  pleased  to  lend  Mr.  Urry.  I  hope  the  two  I  now 
send  may  come  safe,  and  I  am,  .  .  . 

[To  James  Sotheby]  Mar.  1.  ...  Tell  Mr.  Bagford  I  have 
procured  his  Copy  of  Chaucer  of  Caxton's  Ed. 

[To  Thomas  Rawlinson]  Mar.  13.  ...  Be  pleased  to  send 
me  the  Title  of  the  little  MS.  that  you  lent  Mr.  Urry,  I  cannot 


1716]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  343 

otherwise  procure  it  for  you.  I  did  not  put  it  down.  And  I 
do  not  find  y*  they  are  very  ready  to  return  Books  unless  the 
Titles  can  be  given  them  distinctly. 


17yf .  Sloane,  Hans.     Letter  to  Thomas  Hearne,  dated  March  1, 

MS.  Kawl.  Lett.  9,  f.  75.  [abstract  in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of 
T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901, 
p.  179. 

Sr.,  I  give  you  very  many  thanks  for  yor  favours  and  the 
books  [edns.  of  Chaucer]  which  I  received  last  night  and  which 
without  yor  help  I  should  have  lost.  I  am  much  in  yor  debt 
on  that  and  many  other  accounts  and  should  be  glad  to  have  it 
in  my  power  to  shew  you  that  I  am  very  sincerely  yor  most 
obedfc.  . 


[1716.]  Bridges,  John.  Letter  to  Thomas  Hearne  [c.  June  5,  1716] 
(MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  3,  f.  5)  [abstract  in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of 
T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901, 
p.  233. 

I  saw  Chaucers  Picture,  wch  Mr.  Murray  mentions  to  be  in 
his  Custody  .  .  . 


1716.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Letters  to  Thomas  Rawlinson,  dated  Mar.  30, 
and  April  27,  (MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  33,  f.  20  and  33,  f.  21)  to  John 
Murray,  dated  June  3,  (MS.  Rawl.  Lett.  112,  f.  71)  [abstracts  in] 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v, 
ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  pp.  190-1,  211,  231-2. 

[To  T.  Rawlinson],  March  30,  1716.  .  .  .  I  desired  you  to 
send  me  the  Title  of  the  little  MS.  of  Chaucer  yl  you  lent  Mr. 
Urry. — I  urge  the  Request  again,  that  I  may  get  it  again.  If 
you  do  not  call  to  mind  what  it  was  it  will  be  lost,  the  Books 
being  all  at  Christ-Church  in  Dr.  Terry's  Hands,  to  whom  they 
were  delivered  by  Mr.  Broome.  I  got  Dr.  Sloane's  and  Mr. 
Bagford's,  otherwise  theirs  would  have  been  lost  too. 

[To  T.  Rawlinson],  Ap.  27,  1716.  .  .  .  I  hope  you  will 
take  care  to  retrieve  your  two  Chaucers.  I  suppose  they  are 
in  Dr.  Terry's  Hands.  .  .  . 

[To  John  Murray],  June  3,  1716.  I  have  preserved  your 
notes  about  Hoccleve  in  one  of  my  Books  [see  below,  p.  344, 
Diary  for  June  26,  1716].  I  long  to  see  the  MS.  it  self, 
particularly  the  Picture  of  Chaucer. 


344  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1716- 

1716.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Extract  from  his  Diary,  June  26,  1716,  [in] 
Eemarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v, 
ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  p.  241,  and  App.  p.  382. 

The  Note  here  pasted  in  about  Occleve  I  had  from  Mr. 
John  Murray  of  London,  who  hath  gob  a  fine  MS.  of  Occleve 
de  Eegimine  Principis,  with  Chaucer's  Picture  done  by 
Occleve : — 

Thomas  Hoccleve  wrote  this  Book  about  ye  year  of  our 
Lord  1400,  and  dedicated  and  presented  it  to  Henry,  Duke 
of  Monmouth.  This  Hoccleve  was  Friend  and,  by  his  own 
Testimony,  Scholar  of  Geofry  Chaucer  &  Jn°  Gower,  whose 
wit  and  Eloquence  he  largely  Extolls,  and  has  depicted  the 
Portraiture  of  Geofry  Chavcer  in  ye  Margin  of  ye  71  Page, 
with  ye  praises  of  ye  same  Chavcer.  .  .  . 

1716.  Brome,  William.  Letter  to  Thomas  Hearne,  dated  Sept.  19, 1716 
(Rawl.  3,  130)  [abstract  in]  Remarks  and  Collections  of  T.  Hearne, 
Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W.  Rannie,  1901,  pp.  314-5. 

If  you  are  acquainted  with  Mr.  Tickell  of  Queen's  Coll. 
Enquire  of  him  whether  he  ever  lent  Mr.  Urry  an  old  Chaucer, 
that  if  he  has,  I  may  look  after  the  Book. 

1716.  Proposals  for  Printing  Chaucer's  Works,  dated  June  30,  1716, 
inserted  before  the  title  page  of  the  interleaved  and  annotated  copy 
of  Urry's  edn.  of  Chaucer  in  B.  M.  [pr.  m.  643.  m.  4]. 

Proposals  for  printing  by  subscription  the  Works  of  the 
celebrated  and  ancient  English  Poet  Jeoffrey  Chaucer :  Care 
fully  compar'd,  not  only  with  former  Editions  of  Value,  but 
with  many  rare  and  ancient  MANUSCRIPTS  :  From  the  Collating 
of  which  the  Text  is  in  a  great  Measure  restor'd  and  perfected ; 
many  Errors  and  Corruptions  that  have  crept  in,  and  continued 
in  all  the  Editions  hitherto  printed,  are  amended ;  and  many 
whole  Lines,  omitted  in  all  the  Printed  Editions,  are  inserted 
in  their  proper  Places. 

Three  entire  New  TALES  of  this  Author  in  Manuscript 
(never  yet  printed)  have  been  recovered,  and  will  be  added 
to  this  Edition;  by  which  Alterations,  Amendments,  and 
Additions,  this  Work  is  in  a  manner  become  new. 

This  Work  was  at  first  undertaken  and  was  very  near  corn- 
pleated  by  John  Urry,  Student  of  Christ-Church,  Oxon,  and  is 
now  finish'd  from  his  Papers  by  a  Member  of  the  same  College. 
A  more  Useful  and  Copious  Glossary,  for  the  better  Under- 


1717]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  345 

standing  of  this  Poet,  than  has  yet  been  printed,  will  be 
added  at  the  End  by  Anthony  Hall,  A.M.,  Fellow  of  Queen's- 
College,  Oxon. 

N.B.  One  third  of  the  Monies,  that  shall  arise  from  Sub 
scriptions,  will  be  Employ'd  towards  the  finishing  of  Peck- 
Water  Quadrangle  in  Christ-Church;  so  that  all  Subscribers 
to  this  Edition  will  be  Benefactors  to  that  College. 

[On  the  back  of  the  page  of  which  we  have  given  the  text  above,  is  printed  the 
Queen's  Licence  to  Urry  (or  his  executors)  for  the  sole  Printing  of  Chaucer  for 
14  years  from  25  July  1714  (see  below,  Appendix  A.,  1714),  and  there  follows  a 
specimen  page  of  the  Prologue  to  the  Canterbury  Tales.  Timothy  Thomas  did  the 
Glossary  eventually,  not  Anthony  Hall,  as  advertised.] 

1716.  Unknown.     Brown  Bread  and  Honour,  A  Tale  modernized  from 
an  Ancient  Manuscript  of  Chaucer.     London.   Printed    for  John 
Morphew,  near  Stationers-Hall,  1716  (Price  3d). 

[There  is  nothing  about  Chaucer  in  the  poem,  which  is  a 
satire  in  verse,  the  title  being  founded  on  the  Prol.  to  W.  of 
Bath's  Tale,  11.  143-4; 

Lat  hem  be  breed  of  pured  whete-seed, 
And  lat  us  wyves  hoten  bar! y-b reed ..] 

1717.  Catcott,  [Alexander  Stopford].     The  Court  of  Love.     A  Vision 
from  Chaucer.     Oxford,  1717. 

[A  free  paraphrase  in  heroic  couplets  of  the  original  poem, 
which  is  not  by  Chaucer.] 

[1717.  Dennis,  John.]  A  True  Character  of  Mr.  Pope.  The  Second 
Edition,  p.  3.  [Not  in  first  edition.] 

...  In  all  his  Productions,  he  has  been  an  Imitator  .  .  . 
His  Pastorals  were  writ  in  Imitation  of  VIRGIL  .  .  .  His  Temple 
of  Fame,  of  CHAUCER. 

1717.  [Fenton,  Elijah.]  A  Tale  Devised  in  the  plesaunt  manere  of  gentil 
Maister  JEOFFREY  CHAUCER  [no  reference  to  Chaucer  in  the  Poem] 
Poems  on  Several  Occasions  [by  Elijah  Fenton].  Printed  for 
Bernard  Lintot,  1717,  p.  169.  (The  Works  of  the  English  Poets, 
by  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson.  Additional  Lives  by  A.  Chalmers,  1810, 
vol.  x,  p.  412.) 

1717.  Gray,  John.  An  Answer  to  the  Sompner's  Prologue  of  Chaucer  In 
Imitation  of  Chaucer's  Style,  [published  in]  Poems  on  Several 
Occasions,  by  Mr.  John  Gay,  .  .  .  London  .  .  .  1720,  vol.  ii,  pp. 
311-5.  (Poems  of  John  Gay,  Muses'  Library,  ed.  John  Underbill, 
1893,  vol.  ii,  pp.  379-81  ;  the  note  on  p.  378  as  to  date  of  first 
appearance  is  incorrect.) 


346  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A  D.  1717- 

1717.  Pope,  Alexander.  Eloisa  to  Abelard,  [in]  The  Works  of  Mr. 
Alexander  Pope,  4°,  p.  421.  (Works,  1871,  vol.  ii,  p.  241.) 

Love,  free  as  air,  at  sight  of  human  ties, 
Spreads  his  light  wings,  and  in  a  moment  flies. 

[The  reference  is  to  the  Frankeleyii's  Tale,  11.  30-38.    See  below,  p.  489.] 

1717.  [Sewell,  George.]    Memoirs  [prefixed  to]  Poems  of  Henry  Howard 
Earl  of  Surrey,  pp.  xv-xvi. 
[Sewell  quotes  Fen  ton's  lines  on  Chaucer.     See  above,  1710-11,  p.  313.] 

1717.  Winchelsea,    Anne,   Countess   of.     To   Mr  Pope,  by  the   Eight 
Honourable  Anne,  Countess  of  IVinchelsea,  [in]  The  Works  of  M 
Alexander  Pope.     London.     Printed  for  Bernard  Lintot  1717.  fol. 
sign.  d.  i.     (Pope,  Works,  1871,  vol.  i,  p.  21.) 

Your  Tales  be  easy,  natural  and  gay, 

Nor  all  the  Poet  in  that  part  display ; 

Xor  let  the  Critic,  there  his  skill  unfold, 

For  Boccace  thus,  and  Chaucer  tales  have  told. 

1718.  Dart,  John.      The  Complaint  of  the  Black  Knight,  from  Chaucer ', 
by  Mr.  Dart.     Preface,  sign,  a  2,  a  5  b. 

He  [Chaucer]  who  doubtless  was  a  gentleman  indu'cl  with 
all  the  Accomplishments  that  could  oblige  the  Learned,  and 
the  Fair ;  He  who  was  finely  turn'd  for  the  Court,  and  excel 
lently  form'd  for  Love,  seems  now  [through  the  obsoleteness 
of  his  language]  a  very  unfashionable  courtier  and  an  anti- 
[sign.a  5]  quated  Lover.  ...  I  could  wish  that  Gentlemen  would 
[s'f ?i a  miite  their  Endeavours  to  dress  him  intirely  in  a  more  refin'd 
Habit  .  .  .  that  he  may  be  fashionable  to  keep  Company 
with  the  Ladies  who  otherwise  are  depriv'd  of  Conversing 
with  the  greatest  Poet  that  England  (or  perhaps  the  World) 
ever  produc'd. 

[There  are  references  to  Chaucer  on  every  page  of  the  preface.  This  is  really 
Lydgate's  poem,  1402-3  (q.  v.  above,  p.  16),  and  references  to  Chaucer's  Kniyht's 
Tale  are  on  pp.  19-20  of  this  edition.] 

1718.  Gildon,  Charles.  The  Complete  Art  of  Poetry,  vol.  i,  pp.  67,  82. 
[Various  objections  to  Poetry.  That  it  is  the  mother  of  Lies, 
the  Nurse  of  Abuse]  'Tis  farther  urged,  that  Chaucer  says,  that 
before  Boers  [sic  for  Poets]  had  soften'd  us,  we  were  full  of 
Courage,  and  given  to  Martial  Exercises,  the  Pillars  of 
Manlike  Liberty ;  not  lull'd  asleep  in  Shady  Idleness,  and 
Poetical  Pastimes. 


1718]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  347 

[p.  82]  As  for  its  Else  in  England,  especially  in  our  native  Tongue, 
we  have  very  blind  Footsteps  to  trace  it;  Chaucer,  Gower, 
and  Lydgate,  were  the  first  who  made  any  tolerable  Figure  in 
that  Dress ;  of  whom  Chaucer  is  the  only  one  who  may  justly 
claim  the  Name  of  a  Poet.  After  him,  English  Poetry  was 
totally  neglected.  .  .  . 

[The  first  part  of  this  book  is  an  essay  on  Poetry,  and  the  second  part  a  collection  of 
extracts  from  various  poets  on  different  subjects,  of  the  same  nature  as  Bysshe's  Art 
of  Poetry,  1702.  In  vol.  ii,  to  face  title  page,  Chaucer  is  among  the  list  of  "Authors 
cited  in  this  Book,"  but  all  quotations  are  from  Dryden's  versions.] 


[1718  ?]  Prior,  Matthew.  In  the  same  [i.  e.  Chaucer's]  Style  [in] 
Poems  on  several  occasions  by  M.  Prior,  1718,  pp.  289-90.  (Prior's 
poetical  works,  ed.  R.  Brimley  Johnson  (Aldine  edn.),  1892,  vol.  ii, 
p.  3.) 

[A  poem  in  4  accented  rhyming  couplets,  with  no  Chaucer 
reference.] 


1718.  Sewell,  George.  The  Proclamation  of  Cupid,  or,  a  Defence  of 
Women,  a  poem  from  Chaucer,  by  Mr.  Sewell.  London  .  .  1718 
[a  folio  pamphlet  of  20  pp.].  Sign.  *  a  b.,  a  and  a  6. 

To  the  LADIES. 

To  You,  bright  British  Fair,  whom  she  defends, 

The  Muse  her  undesigning  Verse  commends  : 

Smile,  while  She  makes  old  Chaucer  plead  your  Cause ; 

It  is  no  Crime  to  give  the  Dead  Applause, 

For  never  Man,  nor  even  Woman  yet 

Made  lewd  Constructions  on  a  buried  Wit. 

If  Graves  and  Tombstones  don't  offend  your  Ears, 

He  has  been  shrouded— full  three  hundred  Years  ; 

And  now  returns  to  shame  this  graceless  Age, 

Who  Libel  Woman  from  the  Press,  and  Stage :  .  .  ., 

Our  Bard,  who  if  from  Picture  we  may  trace, 
Had  Strength,  and  Vigour,  and  an  English  Face, 
Scorn'd  the  Design  of  Nature's  Gifts  to  spoil, 
And  damn  his  comely  Person  by  his  Stile. 
He  knew,  whate'er  might  be  his  secret  Thoughts 
The  Sex  too  well,  to  tell  them  half  their  Faults, 


348  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1718- 

Not  that  lie  flatter'd  them,  and  gave  Pretence 
To  those  he  courted,  to  suspect  his  Sense. 

Chaucer,  who  shuns  the  Folly  of  Extremes, 

With  Wit  and  Truth  records  these  common  Themes ; 

Not  wholly  to  the  Fair  devotes  his  Pen, 

But  wisely  turns  the  Satyr  on  the  Men : 

Their  Arts,  their  Stratagems  at  large  displays, 

And  telling  them,  gives  Woman  silent  Praise. 

The  Preface. 

tsign.  a]  This  Poem  is  generally  admired  by  those  who  can  taste  it 
in  the  obsolete  Language  of  the  Author,  which  inclin'd  me  to 
believe  it  would  not  be  unpleasing  in  a  Modern  Dress,  the 
Subject  being  adapted  to  all  Times,  Humours,  and  almost  every 
Stage  of  Life  :  .  .  . 

Chaucer  knew  the  State  of  the  Case  between  the  Sexes  as 
well  as  the  best  Poets  of  any  Age,  and  in  this  Piece  has 
plainly  shewn  what  a  Master  he  was  of  Human  Nature  :  .  .  . 

[s'gn.  a&]  I  must  not  dissemble  that  in  some  Editions  of  Chaucer  this 
Work  is  attributed  to  Thomas  Occleve  a  Scholar  of  his,  and  is 
said  to  have  bore  [sic]  this  Title,  A  Treatise  of  the  Conversation 
of  Men  and  Women  in  the  little  Island  of  Albion.  But  this  in 
all  Probability  is  a  mere  Fiction ;  the  Title  indeed  might  be 
added  by  Occleve,  but  Leland  positively  ascribes  Epistolam 
Cupidinis  to  Chaucer,  and  reckons  it  among  his  genuine  Pieces. 
What  makes  this  more  probable  is,  that  Chaucer  refers  to  his 
Legend  of  Good  Women  in  this  Poem,  and  to  the  Romaunt  of 
the  Rose,  which  he  translated  from  the  French  of  John  de 
Mohun.  I  know  the  common  Story  of  Occleve's  Recantation, 
but  I  believe  this  Authority  enough  to  overballance  that; 
beside  that  Chaucer  in  his  Praise  of  Woman  has  much  the 
Same  Thoughts,  and  goes  upon  th6  same  Topicks  as  in  this 
Letter  of  Cupid's. 

I  cannot  call  this  Attempt  of  Mine  an  Imitation,  for  though 
I  have  commonly  had  the  Poet's  Scheme  in  my  Eye,  yet  I 
have  very  often  taken  the  Liberty  of  grafting  upon  his  Stock, 
where  I  fancied  it  would  bear  it  without  forcing  Nature  too 
much.  As  to  the  Design,  No  one  ought  to  be  offended  since 
the  Satyr  is  pretty  equally  dealt  on  each  Hand  ;  there  is 
Severity,  but  the  Severity  of  a  Court-Poet ;  much  Wit  and 
more  good  Manners.  This  I  speak  of  the  Original .  .  . 


1720]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  349 

1720.  Jacob,  Giles.  An  Historical  Account  of  the  Lives  and  Writings 
of  our  most  Considerable  English  Poets  [being  the  2nd  vol.  of  the] 
Poetical  Register,  1719,  pp.  v,  26-30,  36,  55,  66,  93-4,  148-9,  191, 
203,  277.  [Opposite  the  title  page  are  the  pictures  of  Milton, 
Butler,  Chaucer,  Cowley,  Waller ;  Chaucer's  picture,  in  the  middle, 
is  the  largest  and  most  prominent.] 

[p.  v]         [Dedication  to  the  Duke  of  Buckingham.] 

If  all  the  Poets,  whose  writings  I  have  enumerated,  ... 
were  yet  living,  they  would  approve  my  choice  in  Addressing 
to  Your  Grace  as  to  the  most  proper  Patron  for  a  Work  of 
this  Nature  :  they  would  all  jointly  and  unanimously  trust 
the  Decision  of  their  Fame  to  Your  Grace's  Judgment ;  and 
Chaucer,  Spenser,  and  Milton  would  stand  by  the  Determina 
tion  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham. 

[pp.  26-30]  [Life  of  Chaucer.] 

[The  usual  account  of  Chaucer,  educated  at  both  Univer 
sities,  his  Travels,  position  at  Court,  &c.]  .  .  .  His  liberal 
Education  at  the  Universities,  and  his  Improvements  in 
foreign  Countries,  rendered  him  both  fit  for  the  Court  at 
home,  and  also  for  the  greatest  Employments  abroad ;  but  it 
does  not  appear  that  he  had  any  other  Preferment  than  that 
of  Poet  Laureat  in  the  Keigns  of  Henry  the  Fourth  and 
Henry  the  Fifth.  This  he  obtained  by  the  Interest  of  John 
of  Gaunt,  the  Great  Earl  of  Lancaster  (to  whom  he  was  allied 
by  Marriage),  and  Knighted  upon  that  occasion.  .  .  . 

Some  Authors,  for  the  sweetness  of  his  Poetry,  compare 
him  to  Stesichorus ;  and  as  Cethegus  was  called,  Suadce 
Medulla,  so  Chaucer  may  be  esteemed  the  Sinews  of  Eloquence, 
and  the  very  Life  of  all  Mirth  and  Pleasantry  in  Writing. 
He  had  one  Excellency  above  all  other  Poets,  and  wherein, 
none,  since  his  time,  but  the  famous  Shakespear,  has  come 
near  him,  viz.  Such  a  lively  Description  of  Persons  and 
Things,  that  it  seems  to  surpass  Imagination,  and  you  see 
everything  before  your  Eyes  which  you  only  Read:  And 
herein  his  Canterbury  Tales  are  most  valued  and  esteemed. 
[Here  follow  appreciations  by  Sir  Henry  Savile,  Spenser, 
Sidney,  Sir  John  Denham,  Sir  Richard  Baker,  Camden, 

[P.  29]  Leland.]  He  died  in  the  year  1400  after  he  had  lived  above 
Seventy  two  Years  .  .  . 

[p.  36]  [Life  of  Mr.  Samuel  Cobb,  who  wrote  the  Miller's  Tale, 
from  Chaucer.  See  above,  1712,  p.  319.] 

[p.  55]  [Life  of  Elijah  Fenton,  and  Works.  He  wrote  A  Tale  in 
the  manner  of  Chaucer.  See  above  1717,  p.  345.] 


350  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1720 

[p.  66]        [Life  of  Gower.] 

[pp.  93-4]  [Life  of  Lydgate.]  ...  He  justly  acquired  the  Reputa- 
tion  of  the  best  Author  of  the  Age,  wherein  he  lived;  and 
if  Chaucer's,  Works  had  greater  Learning,  Lydgate's  were 
superior  for  Language.  His  Poetry  is  so  pure,  and  so  easie, 
that  one  might  mistake  him  for  a  Modern  writer. 

{pp.  148-9]  [Life  of  Pope.  List  of  his  Works.]  The  Temple  of  Fame. 
.  .  .  The  Hint  of  this  Piece  was  taken  from  Chaucer's  House 
of  Fame. 

January  and  May  .  .  .  from  Chaucer.     The  Wife  of  Bath, 
from  Chaucer. 

[p.  191]  [Life  of  John  Skelton.]  During  his  Kestraint,  either  to 
amuse  his  solitude,  or  at  the  Request  of  the  Abbot,  he  adorn'd 
the  Monuments  of  Several  great  Personages  in  Westminster 
Abbey  with  Tables  and  Epitaphs;  as  those  of  Sigebert  the 
Saxon,  Henry  VII,  Chaucer,  and  others;  some  of  which 
still  remain,  tho'  most  of  them  were  destroy'd  in  the  grand 
Rebellion. 

[p.  203]      [Life  of  Spenser,  buried  near  Chaucer.] 

[p.  277]       [Life  of  N.  Rowe,  buried  near  Chaucer.] 


1720.  Lewis,  John.  The  History  of  the  Life  and  Sufferings  of  the 
Reverend  and  Learned  John  Widiffe,  D.D.,  London,  1720,  ch.  x, 
pp.  175,  201. 

[Chap.x,     An  Account  of  the  principal  Persons  who  favoured  Dr. 
p"  175]  Widiffe  and  his  Doctrines. 

Geo/ery  Chaucer.     He  is  said  to  have  been  educated  in 


tor!  5S?-  Canterbury  or  Merton  College  with  John  Widiffe,  and  thereupon 

p"*20]  to  have  commenced  an  accute  [sic]  Logician,  a  sweet  Rhetori 

cian,  a  pleasant  Poet,  a  grave  Philosopher,  and  an  ingenious 

Mathematician,  and  an  holy  Divine.      He  died  1400,  ce,ta.  72. 

[For  Leland's  Life  see  below,  Appendix  A,  c.  1545.] 


1720.  [Sewell,  George.]  A  Defence  of  Women  of  [sic]  the  Proclamation 
of  Cupid,  a  poem  from  Chaucer.  The  Preface  to  the  Proclamation  of 
Cupid.  Preface  to  The  Song  of  Troilus,  and  The  Song  of  Troilus 
[in]  A  New  Collection  of  original  Poems,  never  before  printed 
in  any  Miscellany,  by  the  Author  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.  London, 
1720,  pp.  16-22,  43  n.,  44  n.,  82-5. 

[The  first  poem  here  referred  to,  and  the  prefatory  verses 
and  Preface,  are  an  exact  reprint  from  The  Proclamation  of 
Cupid,  1718.  See  above,  p.  347.] 


1720]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  ^Allusion.  351 

tp.  82]       Preface  [to  the  Song  of  Troilus]. 

I  have  often  wonder'd  that  Chaucer,  the  Father  of  our 
English  Poetry,  generally  acknowledged  as  such,  and  frequently 
applauded  for  his  Excellence,  should  be  so  little  read,  as 
appears  from  most  of  our  Modern  Compositions.  His  Fame 
is  taken  upon  Credit,  from  the  Recommendations  of  others ; 
and  they  who  speak  of  him,  rather  pay  a  blind  Veneration 
to  his  Antiquity  than  his  intrinsic  Worth,  which  perhaps 
may  bear  a  Competition  with  the  Refiners  of  Poetry  in 
any  other  Language.  They  who  seem  most  to  have  studied 
him,  are  our  incomparable  Spenser,  Milton,  and  Dryden  ; 
others  have  but  mimick'd  his  Garb,  without  hitting  his  Air 
and  Mien.  An  old  Word,  or  Phrase  or  two,  accidentally 
thrown  among  twenty  modern  and  fashionable  ones,  have  given 
an  unjust  Repute  to  some  Imitations  of- Chaucer.  In  the  mean 
time,  the  Boldness  of  his  Imagery,  the  natural  Beauty  of  his 
Similitudes,  and  the  Delicacy  of  his  Thoughts,  are  generally 
neglected,  though  his  best  Ornaments :  They  have  rubb'd  of 
his  Rust  for  their  own  Use,  and  left  the  Steel  in  the  Posses 
sion  of  the  right  Owner.  Mr.  Dryden  indeed  stands  an 
exception  to  this  Accusation,  he  never  missing,  but  improving 

[p.  83]  every  noble  Hint  of  this  Author ;  regardless  of  the  Expres 
sion,  his  view  is  at  the  Sense,  the  Spirit,  the  Figures  of 
his  Predecessor.  Before  ever  he  undertook  to  dress  him  in 
Modern  English,  it  is  plain  to  me,  that  he  was  an  early 
Admirer  of  him,  and  transferr'd  many  of  his  Beauties  into 
his  own  Poems ;  as  commendable  a  Design,  as  Virgil's  in 
borrowing  from  Ennius,  and  Lucretius.  I  could  give  many 
instances  of  this ;  but  let  one  general,  and  one  particular 
be  sufficient.  The  manner  of  reasoning  in  Verse,  which 
Mr.  Dryden  so  artfully  introduced  into  his  Heroic  Plays, 
is  entirely  Chaucer's,  as  may  be  seen  even  by  this  little  Piece 
following.  That  he  used  his  Images  and  Thoughts,  be  this 
a  Testimony.  In  the  Description  of  Absalom's  Beauty,  he 
summs  up  all  with  this  Line ; 

And  Paradise  was  opened  in  his  Face. 
Chaucer  in  his  Cresseide,  says, 

Tltat  Paradise  stood  formed  in  her  Eyen. 

The  Thought  in  this  Song  has  been  used,  and  diversified  a 
hundred  times  since  Chaucer  §  Days;  and  yet  he  seems  to 


352  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1720- 

have  said  more,  and  that  more  pathetically  than  any  of  his 
Imitators.  It  is  taken  from  the  First  Book  of  Troilus  and 
Cresseide ;  and  the  Reader  by  a  Comparison  may  see  how 
little  Variation  there  is  from  the  Original,  and  give  his 
Judgment  at  Pleasure.  I  only  wish  that  so  excellent  a  Poet 
as  Chaucer  may  be  no  longer  admir'd  at  a  Distance,  but 
brought  into  the  Acquaintance  of  the  Polite  World  ;  and  it 
it  is  to  be  hoped  the  New  Edition  of  his  Works  [Urry's 
Chaucer,  1721]  will  compleat  that  Wish. 

1720.  Strype,  John.  A  Survey  of  the  Cities  of  London  and  Westminster : 
.  .  .  Written  at  first  in  the  Year  MDXCVIII.  By  John  Stow.  .  .  . 
Since  Reprinted  and  Augmented  by  the  Author ;  And  afterward* 
by  A.  M.,  H.  D.  and  others.  Now  Lastly,  Corrected,  Improved, 
and  very  much  Enlarged:  .  .  .  By  John  Strype,  M. A.  .  .  .  The 
Second  Volume.  .  .  .  London.  .  .  .  MDCCXX.  .  .  . 

A  Survey  of  the  City  of  Westminster.  Book  VI.  .  .  .  The 
Monastry  of  St.  PETER,  31. 

In  the  South  He. 
Galfridus    Chaucer,     Poeta    celeberrimus,     qui 

primus  Anglicani  Poesin  ita  illustravit.  ut  Anglicus     bnried  in  the 

77     4  m  •  v    i  A  nn        A  South  Part 

Homerus     (laoeatur.       Obiit    1400.     Anno     vero         of  the 

1555.  Nicholaus  Brigham,  Musarwn  nomine 
lutjus  ossa  transtidit,  $  illi  novum  tumulum  ex 
marmore,  his  versibus  inscriptis  posuit : 

Qui  fuit  Anglorum  Votes  ter  maximus  olim, 
Galfridus  Chaucer,  conditur  hoc  tumulo. 
Annum  si  quceras  Domini,  si  tempora  mortis, 
Ecce  notcu  subsunt,  quce  tibi  cuncta  notant. 

25  Octobris,  1400. 

[Tliis  epitaph  is  not  in  the  edition  of  1598  ;  in  the  enlarged  sixth  edition  of  1755, 
it  is  in  vol.  ii,  p.  604,  col.  2.] 

1720.  Theobald,  [Lewis].  Preface  to  The  Tragedy  of  King  Richard 
the  II.  ...  altered  from  Shakespear,  By  Mr.  Theobald,  1720, 
sign.  Aa  4  b,  Bb  1. 

Our  late  Laureat  [Dryden],  and  some  Others  before  him, 
have  seem'd  to  be  of  Opinion  that  our  Poet  [Shakespeare]  took 
his  Troilus  and  Cressida  from  Lollius  and  Chaucer,  who  borrow'd 
his  Argument  from  the  Lombard.  But  the  Incidents  and 
Characters  of  these  Poems  are  so  few,  their  Arguments  so 
narrow,  and  confin'd,  in  Comparison  to  that  Scope  which  our 
Poet  takes,  that  I  dare  be  positive  he  drew  out  his  Scheme, 
and  modell'd  it  from  Homer  himself. 


1721]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  35 3 

1720.  Unknown.  Article  on  and  reprint  of  the  Cuckow  and  the  Night 
ingale,  [in]  The  Free-Thinker,  May  24  and  May  27,  1720.  Nos. 
ccxxvii  &  ccxxviii. 

I  was  not  willing  to  let  the  present  Month,  the  fairest  in 
the  whole  Circle  of  the  Year,  pass  over,  without  entertaining 
my  youthful  Headers  of  either  Sex,  with  something  suitable 
to  the  Gayety  of  the  Season.  And  yet,  I  should  have  been 
greatly  at  a  Loss  for  a  proper  Entertainment,  had  not  a 
Gentleman  whose  Knowledge  of  the  Polite  Writers  in  every 
Language  is  the  least  of  his  Commendations,  obliged  me  with 
a  Piece  of  fine  Invention  out  of  Cliaucer,  which  is  properly  a 
very  elegant  May-poem  ....  . 

It  is  hard  to  say,  whether  the  copiousness  of  Chaucer's 
Invention,  or  the  Liveliness  of  his  Imagination,  is  most  to 
be  admired  throughout  his  Writings.  He  flourished  above 
Three  Hundred  Years  ago :  and  yet  through  the  Cloud  of 
his  antiquated  Language,  his  Images  still  shine  out  with 
greater  Brightness  than  those  which  appear  in  any  of  our 
succeeding  Poets,  if  we  except  Spencer,  and  Shakespear,  and 
Milton.  He  was  a  great  Master  of  Perspicuity  and  Sim 
plicity,  in  all  his  Narrations ;  and  his  Expression  is  always 
precise  to  the  Justness  of  his  Ideas  .  .  .  Chaucer  is,  likewise, 
a  diligent  observer  of  Mature,  whether  he  deals  in  Realities 
or  in  Tables. 


1721.  The  Works  of  Geoffrey  Cliaucer,  compared  with  the  Former 
Editions  and  many  valuable  MSS.  Out  of  which,  Three 
Tales  are  added  which  were  never  before  Printed  ;  By  John 
Urry,  Student  of  Christ -Church,  Oxon,  Deceased  :  Together 
with  a  Glossary,  By  a  Student  of  the  same  College.  To 
the  Whole  is  prefixed  The  Author's  Life,  newly  written, 
and  a  Preface,  giving  an  Account  of  this  Edition.  London, 
Printed  for  Bernard  Lintot,  between  the  Temple  Gates. 
1721. 

[This  edition  is,  from  the  point  of  view  of  the  text,  the  worst  ever  issued.  Urry. 
altered,  respelt  and  even  added  words  to  Chaucer's  text  with  the  greatest  freedom, 
without  giving  any  indication  that  he  had  done  so— see  Preface  by  Timothy  Thomas. 
Urry  apparently  did  all  the  work  of  preparing  the  text  for  the  press,  and  then  died, 
on  March  18,  17}f,  before  the  prefaces,  glossary  &c.  were  written.  The  rights  of 
printing  the  edition  were  handed  over  by  Urry  to  his  executor  Mr.  Brome  and  the 
Dean  and  Chapter  of  Christ-Church  and  Bernard  Lintot,  bookseller,  and  proposals 
to  print  the  book  by  subscription  were  issued  in  1716  [q.  v.,  p.  344].  It  was  not, 
however,  published  till  1721,  being  then  completed  with  Preface,  Glossary,  etc.,  by 
Timothy  Thomas,  which  were  revised  for  press  by  William  Thomas.  (See  below  for 
W.  Thomas'  annotated  copy.)  Urry  included  in  this  edition  two  spurious  Talea, 
which  had  never  before  been  printed :  viz.  :  The  Coke's  Tale  of  Gamelyn,  pp.  86-48, 
and  the  Mery  Adventure  of  the  Pardonere  and  Tapstere  and  Tale  of  Beryn,  one 
piece,  pp.  594-626.  For  an  account  of  Urry,  see  extract  here  given  from  the  diary 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  A  A 


354  [£7m/]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1721 

of  Thomas  Hearne,  Mar.  17,  17H,  PP-  331-2  above,  and  also  the  whole  entry  in 
Remarks  and  Collections  of  Thomns  Hearne,  Oxford  Hist.  Soc.,  vol.  v,  ed.  D.  W. 
Rannie,  1901,  jip.  33-6.  See  also  the  account  of  Urry's  will  given  by  Hearne,  May  13, 
1715,  ibid.,  p.  58,  also  pp.  72  and  105. 

For  further  information  about  Urry  and  the  production  of  this  edition,  see 
Literary  Anecdotes  of  the  18th  century,  bv  John  Nichols,  1812,  vol.  i,  pp.  196-9, 
where  he  says,  amongst  much  else,  "About  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1711,  it  was 
proposed  to  Mr.  Urry,  who  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  by  some  persons  well  acquainted 
with  his  qualifications  (who  he  thought,  had  a  right  to  command  him)  to  put  out 
a  new  edition  of  Chaucer ;  which  he  was  persuaded  to  undertake,  though  much 
against  his  inclinations.  This  recommendation  was,  probably,  from  Dean  Aid  rich, 
who  well  knew  the  talents  of  Ids  pupil."  Then  follows  a  full  account  of  the  produc 
tion  of  the  book,  Urry's  application  for  a  patent,  his  death,  and  epitaph,  his  character, 
the  Agreement  for  the  printing  of  Chaucer  (see  under  1715),  the  Proposals  (see  under 
1716),  and  the  Glossary ;  also  a  reference  to  the  copy  of  Urry's  Chaucer  annotated 
by  T.  Thomas,  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  A.  Chalmers  (now  in  the  British 
Museum,  see  below),  in  which  Thomas  says  that  Bishop  Atterbury  was  the  chief 
person  who  proposed  to  Urry  to  undertake  an  edition  of  Chaucer.  Mr.  Thomas 
adds,  that  the  Bishop  (then  Dean  of  Christ-Church)  "did  by  no  means  judge  rightly 
of  Mr.  Urry's  talents  in  this  case ;  who,  though  in  many  respects  a  most  worthy 
person,  was  not  qualified  for  a  work  of  this  nature."  See  also  Tyrwhitt,  in  his 
Appendix  to  the  Preface  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  vol.  i,  1775,  pp.  xix,  xx  and  note. 
"I  shall  say  but  little  of  that  [Urry's]  edition,  as  a  very  fair  and  full  account  of 
it  is  to  be  seen  in  the  modest  and  sensible  Preface  prefixed  to  it  by  Mr.  Timothy 
Thomas,  upon  whom  the  charge  of  publishing  Chaucer  devolved,  or  rather  was 
imposed,  after  Mr.  Urry's  death.  The  strange  licence,  in  which  Mr.  Urry  appears 
to  have  indulged  himself,  of  lengthening  and  shortening  Chaucer's  words  according 
to  his  own  fancy,  and  of  even  adding  words  of  his  own,  without  giving  his  readers 
the  least  notice,  has  made  the  text  of  Chaucer  in  his  Edition  by  far  the  worst  that 
was  ever  published." 

Tyrwhitt  adds,  in  a  footnote  to  p.  xx.,  that  he  learns  Timothy  Thomas  wrote  the 
preface  "from  a  MS.  note  in  an  interleaved  copy  of  Urry's  Chaucer,  presented  to 
the  British  Museum  by  Mr.  William  Thomas,  a  brother,  as  I  apprehend,  of  Mr.  T. 
Thomas.  T.  Thomas  was  of  Christ-Church,  Oxford,  and  died  in  1757,  .aged  LIX. 
.  .  .  Mr.  W.  Thomas  has  taken  a  great  deal  of  unnecessary  pains  in  collating  that 
copy  of  Urry's  Edit,  with  several  MSS.  The  best  part  of  the  various  readings 
serves  only  to  correct  the  arbitrary  innovations,  which  Mr.  Urry  had  introduced  into 
the  text.  He  has  employed  himself  to  better  purpose  upon  the  Glossary,  where  he 
has  made  many  emendations  and  additions,  which  may  be  of  considerable  use,  if  ever 
a  new  Glossary  to  Chaucer  shall  be  compiled."  In  Tyrwhitt' s  Advertisement  to  his 
Chaucer  Glossary,  published  1778,  vol.  v.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  p.  ii,  he  acknow 
ledges  his  debt  to  T.  Thomas,  saying  he  has  "built  upon  his  foundations,  and  often 
with  his  materials."] 

CONTENTS  :  [To  face  title  page,  engraved  portrait  of  Urry.] 
[Title  page,  as  above,  with  engraved  picture  of  Chaucer's 
tomb.] 

[An  engraved  oval  portrait  of  Chaucer,  written  above 
"Geoffrey  Chaucer,  our  Antient  &  Learned  English  Poet, 
died  1400,  ^Eta.  72.",  and  underneath : 

"  Anglia  Chaucerum  veneratur  nostra  Poetam, 
Cui  veneres  debet  patria  lingua  suas." 

Tho.  Occleve  Contemporar.  &  discipulus  ejusdem  Chauceriad 
viv.  delin.  Geo.  Yertue  sculp.  1717.] 

{sign,  a-f 2]  The  Life  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer.      [By  Dart,  corrected  by 
"W.  Thomas,  see  below,  pp.  358-61.] 


1721]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.       \_Urry]  355 

^S-f"i>f  2b    Testimonies  of  Learned  Men  concerning  Chaucer  and  his 
'  Works.     [By  W.  Thomas.] 

[Testimonies  from  Gower,  Lidgate,  Occleve,  Anonymous 
verses  taken  by  Speght  from  a  book  of  Stow's,  Gawin  Douglas, 
Leland,  Wm.  Thynne,  the  publisher  of  Lidgate's  Trojan  war 
1555,  Roger  Ascham,  Sir  Philip  Sidney,  Puttenham,  Fox, 
Surigonius,  Camden,  Spenser,  Verstegan,  Francis  Beaumont, 
Sir  Henry  Savil,  Selden,  Sir  John  Denham,  Milton,  Sprat, 
Skinner,  Sir  Richard  Baker,  Peacham,  Will.  Winstanley, 
Edw.  Philips,  Sir  Thos.  Pope  Blount,  Rymer,  Dryden — and  in 
MS.  added  by  W.  Thomas,  the  Description  of  Chaucer  out  of 
Greene's  Vision  c.  1592,  Skelton's  Phillyp  Sparrow,  Lilius 
Gyraldus  Dialogi  de  Poetis  &  Flor.  1551,  p.  72,  Caxton  at  end 
of  his  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Boethius,  Addison,  Alex.  Gil,  Strype, 
and  Hearne's  Letter  to  Bagford.] 

tsi-mi]2a  The  Preface.     [By  T.  Thomas,  revised  by  W.  Thomas.] 

[sign.m2fc-ni<v]  The  Contents  [of  the  Text]. 

[sign,  n  n>-n  2*]  Eight  godely  Questions  with  their  Answeres. 

[sign  2nb]  [The  Licence,  dated  20  July  1714,  q.v.  below,  App.  A,  1714.]' 

[sign.  B  (p.  1)    rrrn       f       ,  -i 
-p.  626]        Lllie  texH 

A  Glossary  explaining  the  obsolete  and  difficult  words  in 
Chaucer  [by  T.  Thomas], 
to'indj  A  Short  Account  of  some  of  the  Authors  cited  by  Chaucer. 

[Description  of  an  interleaved  and  annotated  copy  of  the 
above  edition  bound  in  two  volumes  [ordinary  copies  are 
in  one  volume],  notes  by  T.  and  W.  Thomas,  in  the  British 
Museum,  643.  m.  4.] 

[vol.  i]       [Inserted  at  the  beginning  an  Agreement  for  the  printing  of 
Chaucer,  in  MS.,  dated  1715.     See  above,  pp.  333-4.] 

Proposals  [for  printing  Chaucer  by  subscription,  two  pages 
printed  folio,  dated  June  30,  1716.  See  above,  pp.  344-5]., 

[Title  page  as  above,  with  engraved  picture  of  Chaucer's 
tomb.] 

[Inserted  between  portrait  of  Urry  and  title  page,  two  copies 
of  Urry's  epitaph  (1714,  see  above,  p.  332),  one  in  Urry's 
writing,  the  other  a  copy.] 

Testimonies  of  Learned  Men  concerning  Chaucer  and  his 
Works,  sign,  f  2  &.-i  1  &.  [MS.  note  "  collected  by  W.  T. 
1720."] 

The  Preface,  [MS.  note  "by  T.  T.  with  corrections  and 
additions  by  W.  T."]  sign,  i  2-m  2. 


;35(5  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1721 

[MS.  leaf  inserted  between  sign.  1  l  b  and  1  2,  containing  a 
description  of  three  MS.  copies  of  the  Canterbury  Tales 
belonging  to  the  Earl  of  Oxford.] 

[On  blank  page  before  the  Glossary  extract  in  MS.  from  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Wotton,  May  5,  1722.     See  below,  p.  363.] 
[vol.  ii]      A  Glossary  explaining  the  obsolete  and  difficult  words  in 
Chaucer   [MS.  note  "By  Timothy  Thomas"],  sign.  7  U  2- 
8  Ql. 

[Copious  MS.  i*otes  all  through  by  Timothy  Thomas  and 
by  W.  Thomas.] 

1721.  Bailey,  Nathan.     An  Universal  Etymological  Dictionary. 

[Occasional  references  to  Chaucer,  e.  g.  Abedge.  Clmtterton 
is  known  to  have  used  Bailey's  Dictionary ;  see  below,  a.  1770, 
p.  433.] 

1721.  Thomas,  Timothy.  Preface  and  Glossary  to  The  Works  of 
Chaucer  .  .  .  printed  by  John  Urry  .  .  .  London,  1721.  [MS.  note 
in  margin  :  "by  T.  T.  with  corrections  and  additions  by  W.  T. "] 
also  copious  MS.  notes  to  edn.  of  Urry's  Chaucer  [B.  M.  pr.  m.  643. 
m.  4.] 

[sign,  i  2]  The  Eeader  will  meet  with  no  more  interruption  here,  than 
will  be  necessary  to  acquaint  him  in  some  measure  with  Mr. 
Urry's  Design  in  this  Edition  ....  As  for  my  self,  I  was 
equally  a  stranger  to  Mr.  Urry  and  his  Undertaking,  till  some 
time  after  his  Death ;  when  a  Person  [in  a  MS.  note  in 
margin  '  Dr.  Smalridge,  then  Dean  of  Christ  Church ']  whose 
Commands  I  was  in  all  Duty  bound  to  obey,  put  the  Works  of 
Chaucer  into  my  hands,  with  his  Instructions  to  assist  in 
carrying  on  this  Edition,  and  to  prepare  Matter  for  a  Glossary 
to  it.  Mr.  Thomas  Ains worth  of  Christ- Church  had  been  em 
ployed  by  Mr.  Urry  in  transcribing  part  of  the  Work  for  the 
Press,  and  was  therefore  thought  qualified  to  proceed  in 
preparing  the  rest  for  my  perusal.  This  Gentleman  likewise 
dyed  in  August  1719,  soon  after  the  whole  Text  of  Chaucer 
was  printed  off.  .  .  . 

About  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1711,  some  Persons  well 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Urry's  Qualifications  [MS.  note  : — '  Dr. 
Atterbury,  Dean  of  Ch.  Ch.']  (who,  he  thought,  had  a  right  to 
command  him)  proposed  to  him  to  put  out  a  new  Edition  of 
Chaucer ;  which  he  was  perswaded  to  undertake,  though  much 
against  his  inclination :  "  For,  though  (as  he  says)  his  skill  in 
the  Northern  Language  spoken  in  the  Lowlands  of  Scotland 
qualified  him  to  read  this  Poet  with  more  ease  and  pleasure 


1721]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  357 

than  one  altogether  bred  be-South  Trent  could  do  without 
more  than  common  Application,  yet  he  assures  us,  he  had  not 
the  least  thought  of  publishing  his  private  Diversions. 

Having  thus  undertaken  the  Work,  he  proposed  to  proceed 
in  this  Method,  viz.  to  correct  the  Text  of  Chaucer,  and  add 
what  he  could  find  of  his  Works  in  MSS.  which  had  not  been 
printed ;  to  make  some  Observations  upon  the  Author,  and 
among  other  things  to  shew  where  he  had  imitated  or  borrowed 
from  the  Greek  or  Latin  Poets;  to  add  a  more  copious 
Glossary  than  had  been  printed  before ;  to  write  a  fuller 
Account  of  his  Life  than  had  been  yet  published ;  and  to 
acquaint  the  Reader  in  a  Preface  what  he  should  have 

performed  in  this  Edition 

[sign,  i  26]  His  chief  business  was  to  make  the  Text  more  correct  and 
compleat  than  before.  He  found  it  was  the  opinion  of  some 
learned  Men  that  Chaucer's  Verses  originally  consisted  of  an 
equal  number  of  Feet ;  and  he  himself  was  perswaded  that 
Chaucer  made  them  exact  Metre,  and  therefore  he  proposed  in 
this  Edition  to  restore  him  (to  use  his  own  Expression)  to  his 
feet  again,  which  he  thought  might  be  performed  by  a  careful 
Collation  of  the  best  printed  Editions  and  good  MSS. 

He  had  observed  that  several  Initial  and  Final  Syllables  in 
use  in  Chaticer's  time,  and  since,  had  been  omitted  or  added  at 
pleasure  in  the  MSS.  by  unskilful  Transcribers,  from  whence 
the  same  Errors  crept  into  the  Printed  Editions,  whereby 
many  Verses  were  rendered  unjust  in  their  Measure ;  so  that 
the  lameness  of  many  of  them  might  easily  be  remedied  by  the 
discreet  Addition  or  Omission  of  such  Syllables. 

The  Initial  Syllables  were  chiefly  a,  i,  and  y.  .  .  .  The 
Final  Syllables  .  .  .  the  chiefest  of  which  .  .  .  was  the 
Final  e,  which  he  always  marked  with  an  accent  when  he 
judged  it  necessary  to  pronounce  it ;  ....  Whether  the 
assistance  of  this  Final  e  be  not  here  too  frequently,  and 
sometimes  unnecessarily,  called  in,  is  not  my  business  at 
present  to  enquire  into.  .  .  .  [Other  methods  used  by  Urry 
of  lengthening  the  words  were  the  pronunciation  of  the 
terminations  ed  and  id  in  the  past  tenses  of  verbs,  &c.,  of  en  and 
in  as  terminations  of  verbs,  nouns  and  adverbs,  and  of  the 
[sian.kiiplural  endings  es  and  is]  And  in  short  I  find  it  acknowledged 
by  him,  "That  whenever  he  could  by  no  other  way  help  a 
Verse  to  a  Foot,  which  he  was  perswaded  it  had  when  it  came 
from  the  Maker's  hands,  but  lost  by  the  Ignorance  of 


358  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1721 

Transcribers,  or  Negligence  of  Printers,  he  made  no  scruple  to 
supply  it  with  some  Word  or  Syllable  that  serv'd  for  an 
Expletive  " :  But  I  find  at  the  same  time  that  he  had  once  a 
design  of  enclosing  such  words  in  hooks  thus  [  ]  to  distinguish 
them  from  what  he  found  justified  by  the  authority  of  MSS., 
but  how  it  came  to  pass  that  so  just,  useful  and  necessary 
a  Design  was  not  executed,  I  cannot  satisfy  the  curious 
Reader.  .  .  . 

[Then  follows  a  complete  list  and  description  of  the  various 
MSS.  and  the  printed  editions  of  Chaucer  consulted.] 

[For  some  account  of  T.  Thomas,  and  appreciation  of  his  work,  see  Tynvhitt's 
Preface  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  vol.  i,  1775,  p.  xx  and  note,  also  Advertisement  to 
Glossary,  vol.  v,  1778,  p.  ii,  partially  reprinted  here  in  the  note  to  Urry's  edition, 
p.  354  above.] 

1721.  Dart,  John.  Life  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  prefixed  to  Urry's  edition  of 
Chaucer's  Works,  1721,  [q.  v.],  sign,  a  1-f.  2. 

[sign,  b  21  Thus  beloved,  esteemed  and  honoured,  he  spent  his  younger 
years  in  a  constant  attendance  upon  the  Court,  and  for  the 
most  part  living  near  it,  when  residing  at  Woodstock,  in  a 
square  stone  house  near  the  Park  Gate,  still  called  Chaucer's 
House,  That  this  was  the  chief  place  of  his  abode,  appears  by 
his  frequent  descriptions  of  the  Park  ;  as  particularly  a  Park 
walled  with  green  stone  (note  Bl.  Kn.  42),  that  being  the  first 
Park  walled  in  England,  and  not  many  years  before  his  time. 
In  most  of  his  pieces,  where  he  designs  an  imaginary  Scene, 
he  certainly  copies  it  from  a  real  Landskape  :  So  in  his  Cuclww 
and.'  Nightingale,  the  Morning  walk  he  takes  was  such  as  at 
this  day  may  be  traced  from  his  House  through  part  of  the 
Park,  and  down  by  the  Brook  into  the  Yale  under  Blenheim 
Castle,  as  certainly  as  we  may  assert  that  Maples  in  stead  of 
Phi/Ureas,  were  the  ornaments  round  the  Bower ;  which  place 
he  likewise  describes  in  his  Dream,  as  a  white  Castle  standing 
upon  a  hill ;  the  Scene  in  that  Poem  being  laid  in  Woodstock 
Park.  .  .  . 

[sign,  e  2  6]  When  disengaged  from  publick  Affairs,  his  time  was 
entirely  spent  in  study  and  reading :  So  agreeable  to  him 
was  this  exercise,  that  he  says,  he  preferred  it  to  all  other 
sports  and  diversions.  He  lived  within  himself,  neither 
desirous  to  hear  nor  busy  to  concern  himself  with  the  affairs 
of  his  Neighbours.  His  course  of  living  was  temperate  and 
regular ;  he  went  to  rest  with  the  Sun,  and  rose  before  it,  and 
by  that  means  enjoyed  the  pleasures  of  the  better  part  of  the 


1721]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  359 

day,  his  morning  walk  and  fresh  contemplations.  This  gave 
him  the  Advantage  of  describing  the  Morning  in  so  lively  a 
manner  as  he  does  everywhere  in  his  Works  :  The  springing 
Sun  glows  warm  in  his  lines,  and  the  fragrant  Air  blows  cool 
in  his  descriptions  ;  we  smell  the  sweets  of  the  bloomy  Haws, 
and  hear  the  Musick  of  the  feathered  Choir,  when  ever  we 
take  a  Forrest  walk  with  him.  The  hour  of  the  day  is  not 
easier  to  be  discovered  from  the  Reflexion  of  the  Sun  in 
Titiaris  Paintings,  than  in  Chaucer's  Morning  Landskapes. 
'Tis  true  those  Descriptions  are  sometimes  too  long,  and  (as  it 
is  before  observed)  when  he  takes  those  early  rambles,  he 
almost  tires  his  Reader  with  following  him,  and  seldom  knows 
how  to  get  out  of  a  Forrest,  when  once  entered  into  it :  But 
how  advantageous  this  beautiful  extravagance  is,  most  of  his 
Successors  well  know,  who  have  very  plentifully  lopt  off  his 
exuberant  Beauties,  and  placed  them  as  the  chief  Ornaments 
of  their  own  Writings. 

His  Reading  was  deep,  and  extensive,  his  Judgment  sound, 
and  discerning  :  but  yet  (a  thing  rarely  found  in  Men  of  great 
Learning  and  poignant  Wit)  he  was  communicative  of  his 
Knowledge,  and  ready  to  correct  or  pass  over  the  Faults  of 
his  Cotemporary  Writers.  He  knew  how  to  judge  of,  and  to 
excuse  the  slips  of  weaker  Capacities,  and  pitied  rather  than 
exposed  the  Ignorance  of  that  Age. 

In  one  word,  he  was  a  great  Scholar,  a  pleasant  Wit,  a 
candid  Critick,  a  sociable  Companion,  a  stedfast  Friend,  a 
grave  Philosopher,  a  temperate  OEconomist  and  a  pious 
Christian.  He  was  not  unacquainted  with  the  ancient  Rules 
of  Poetry,  nor  did  he  disdain  to  follow  them,  tho'  he  thought 
it  the  least  part  of  a  Poet's  perfections.  As  he  had  a  discerning 
Eye,  he  discovered  Nature  in  all  her  appearances,  and  stript  off 
every  disguise  with  which  the  Gothick  Writers  had  cloathed 
her :  He  knew  that  those  Dresses  would  change  as  Times 
altered ;  but  that  she  herself  would  always  be  the  same,  and 
that  she  could  never  fail  to  please  in  her  simple  attire,  nor 
that  Writer  who  drew  her  so ;  and  therefore  despising  the 
mean  assistances  of  Art,  he  copied  her  close.  He  knew  what 
it  was  to  be  nimis  Poeta,  and  avoided  it  as  the  most  dangerous 
extreme.  His  Strokes  are  bold,  and  his  Colours  lively;  but 
the  first  not  too  much  laboured,  nor  the  other  too  showy  or 
glaring.  There  is  a  wild  Beauty  in  his  Works,  which  comes 
nearer  the  Descriptions  of  Homer,  than  any  other  that  followed 


360  [Dart]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1721 

him  :  And  though  his  Pieces  have  not  that  regular  disposition 
as  those  of  the  Grecians,  yet  the  several  Parts  separately 
compared,  bear  an  equal  value  with  theirs ;  and  Mr.  Dryden, 
than  whom  there  was  no  better  Judge  of  the  Beauties  of 
Homer  and  Virgil,  positively  asserts  that  he  exceeded  the 
latter,  and  stands  in  competition  with  the  former.  "Whoever 
reads  the  Knight's  Tale,  which  is  the  best  of  his  Performances, 
being  a  finished  Epick  Poem,  and  examines  the  Characters,  the 
Sentiments,  the  Diction,  Disposition,  and  Time,  will  find  that 
he  was  not  unacquainted  with  the  Rules  of  that  way  of 
Writing ;  but  this  requires  an  abler  hand,  and  longer  time  to 
enlarge  upon  it. 

That  he  was  a  true  Master  of  Satyr,  none  will  deny.  It 
is  true  the  Persons  levelled  against,  and  the  Crimes  exposed, 
would  not  allow  of  the  severe  Scourge  Juvenal  made  use  of, 
nor  was  there  such  a  variety  of  Follies  as  Horace  facetiously 
I  sign  f.  exploded  :  Not  but  that  Chaucer  had  a  Scene  of  Vice  in  the 
Court  of  that  time,  capable  of  supplying  him  with  matter 
sufficient  for  the  sharpest  strokes  of  Satyr ;  but  he  was  wise 
enough  not  to  exasperate  a  Court  by  which  he  was  supported 
.  .  .  and  having  a  Court  to  back  him,  he  has  shewn  by 
severely  lashing  an  ignorant  and  corrupt  Clergy,  that  he  could 
(had  it  been  safe)  have  applied  as  severe  a  lash  to  a  vicious 
irreligious  Laity.  .  .  . 

That  in  the  Elegiack  Kind  of  Poetry  he  was  a  compleat 
Master,  appears  plainly  by  his  Complaint  of  the  Black  Knight, 
the  Poem  called  La  Idle  Dame  sans  mercy,  and  several  of  his 
Songs.  He  was  an  excellent  Master  of  Love-Poetr}^.  .  .  .  His 
Troilus  and  Creseide  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  Poems  of 
that  kind.  .  .  . 

It  i«  thought  by  some  that  his  Verses  every  where  consist  of 
an  equal  number  of  feet,  and  that  if  read  with  a  right  accent, 
are  no  where  deficient;  but  those  nice  discerning  Persons 
would  find  it  difficult  with  all  their  straining  and  working,  to 
spin  out  some  of  his  Yerses  into  a  measure  of  ten  Syllables. 
He  was  not  altogether  regardless  of  his  Numbers;  but  his 
thoughts  were  more  intent  upon  solid  sense  than  gingle,  and 
he  tells  us  plainly  that  we  must  not  expect  regularity  in  all 
his  Verses. 

His  Language,  how  unintelligible  soever  it  may  seem,  is 
more  modern  than  that  of  any  of  his  Cotemporaries,  or  of 
those  that  followed  him  at  the  distance  of  Fifty  or  Sixty 


1721]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  361 

years,  as  Harding,  Skelton  and  others ;  and  in  some  places 
it  is  to  this  day  so  smooth,  concise,  and  beautiful,  that  even 
Mr.  Dryden  would  not  attempt  to  alter  it,  but  has  copied 
some  of  his  Verses  almost  literatim:  And  Chaucer  was  the 
first  that  adorned  and  amplified  the  English  Tongue  from  the 
Provencal  .  .  . 

[In  the  annotated  copy  of  Urry's  Chnucer  in  B.  M.  (pr.  m.  643.  m.  4),  Timothy 
Thomas  has  written  the  following  note  at  tlie  head  of  Dart's  Life  of  Chaucer :  "  This 
Life  was  very  uncorrectly  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Dart,  and  corrected  and  enlarged  by 
W.  T.  [i.  c.  William  Thomas],  especially  in  that  part  which  gives  an  accot.  of  the 
Author's  works,  as  will  appear  by  the  Original]  with  W.  T.'s  corr"*.  reposited  wth 
the  R'.  Honble.  Ed\vd.  B.  of  Oxford  <bc.  in  his  Library."  See  also  Dart's  remarks  on 
the  way  his  "  Life"  was  cut  down  and  altered,  below,  p.  365.] 


1721.  Atterbury,  Francis.    Letter  to  Pope,  dated  Aug.  2, 1721,  [printed 
in]  Pope's  Works,  1871,  vol.  ix,  p.  26. 

I  have  found  time  to  read  some  parts  of  Shakespeare,  which 
I  was  least  acquainted  with.  I  protest  to  you  in  a  hundred 
places  I  cannot  construe  him  :  I  do  not  understand  him.  The 
hardest  part  of  Chaucer  is  more  intelligible  to  me  than  some 
of  those  scenes  .  .  . 

1721.   Dart,   John.     Westminster  Abbey,  a   Poem,   1721    [printed   in] 
Westmonasterium,  by  John  Dart,  1742,  vol.  i,  pp.  xxxviii-ix. 

pTxxx'viii]     To  Chaucer's  Name  eternal  Trophies  raise, 

And  load  the  antique  Stone  with  Wreaths  of  Bays ; 

Father  of  Yerse  !  who  in  immortal  Song 

First  taught  the  Muse  to  speak  the  English  Tongue. 

In  early  Time  he  rear'd  his  rev'rend  Head, 

When  Learning  was  with  thickening  Mists  o'erspread ; 

When  rhyming  Monks  in  barb'rous  Numbers  try 

The  Lives  of  Saints,  and  Feats  of  Errantry ; 

Above  such  trifling  idle  Tales  as  these 

His  Muse  disdain'd  by  vulgar  Ways  to  please : 

On  the  fam'd  Grcecian  Bard  he  fix'd  his  Sight. 

And  saw  his  Beauties  thro'  a  Cloud  of  Night ; 

With  Flight  advent'rous  dar'd  the  darksom  Way, 

And  gave  the  promise  of  a  following  Day ; 

And  that  he  might  his  Meaning  better  meet 

He  made  the  Mantuan  Verse  a  Lanthorn  to  his  Feet 

Justly  design'd,  and  with  a  steddy  View 

And  piercing  Eye  he  look'd  all  Nature  thro', 

(P  xxxix]    Not  thro'  the  gaudy  Prism  and  painted  Glass, 
But  saw  her  plain,  and  drew  her  as  she  was. 


362  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1721- 

His  rough  bold  Strokes,  with  rude  unpolish'd  Pride, 
Art's  curious  Touch  and  nicest  Care  deride  : 
The  Warrior  Tale  and  Ar die's,  Love  survey 
And  let  the  Greek  and  Roman  Bards  give  way. 

IThere  is  no  copy  of  the  1st  edn.  of  this  poem  in  the  B.  M.] 

1721.  [Madan,  Julia.]     The  Progress  of  Poetry,  MS.  Add.  28,101,  fol. 
155  b.  [first  printed  in]  The  Flower  Piece.     A  Collection  of  Mis 
cellany  Poems  by  Several  Hands,  1731,  p.  134. 

Here  [in  Britain]  CHAUCER  first  his  comic  Vein  display'd, 
And  merry  Tales  in  homely  Guise  convey'd ; 
Unpolish'd  Beauties  grac'd  the  artless  Song, 
Tho'  rude  the  diction,  yet  the  Sense  was  Strong. 

[Amongst  the  other  poets  mentioned  are  Shakespeare,  Cowley,  Waller,  Milton, 
Deiiham,  Dryden,  Congreve,  Addison,  Pope,  etc.  The  MS.  is  dated  1721 ;  the  volume 
in  which  it  is  contained  is  inscribed:  "  A.  Cowper.  The  family  Miscellany."  This 
poem  was  reprinted  in  The  Poetical  Calendar,  by  Francis  Fawkes  and  William  Woty, 
vol.  iii,  1764,  p.  21 ;  it  appeared  separately  in  1783,  but  there  is  no  copy  in  the  B.  M., 
and  it  was  also  printed  (without  the  author's  name)  in  the  Annual  Register  for  1772, 
pt.  2,  p.  227.  A  short  account  of  Mrs.  Madan  will  be  found  in  the  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  vol.  liii,  p.  152,  1783.] 

1722.  [De  la  Roche,  Michel?  editor.]     Memoirs  of  Literature,  contain 
ing  a  large  account  of  many  valuable  books  .  .  .  &c.     2nd  edn., 
1722,  vol.  iv,  Art.  70,  p.  422. 

[The  writer  is  reviewing  "  De  Literis  Inventis  Libri  Sex," 
by  William  Nicols,  1711  (see  above,  p.  317),  and  says]  Mr. 
Nicols  having  observed,  That  our  Modern  Languages  are  liable 
to  great  Alterations,  is  afraid  the  Works  of  the  best  English 
Poets  will  not  be  very  lasting,  and  that  their  Fate  in  Future 
Ages  will  be  the  same  with  that  of  Chaucer  in  our  Days. 
Nulla  diu  vivent  quse  vulgi  condita  lingua 

Eloquio  condas,  secula  cuncta  legent. 

Mr.  Waller  expresses  himself  to  the  same  Purpose  in  the 
following  Verses. 

[Here  follow  Waller's  verses  without  the  Chaucer  reference.   See  above,  1668,  p.  2i4.] 

1722.  Trapp,  Joseph.   Prcdectlones  Poeticce,  2nd  edn.,  p.  386.    [Chaucer 
reference  is  not  in  1st  edn.  of  1711.] 

In  hoc  Scripti  genere  parum  inter  se  sunt  comparand! 
Veteres  &  Neoterici;  cum  vix  quidquam  extet  Neotericmn, 
quod  Poe'matis  Heroici  titulum  mereatur.  Kovimus  quidem 
Angli  judicium  Drydeni  popularis  nostri  de  Poemate  quodam 


1723J  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  363 

Chauceri,  pulchro  sane  illo,  &  plurimum  laudando ;  nimirum 
quod  non  modo  vere  Epicum  sit,  sed  Iliada  etiam,  atque 
dSneida  sequet,  imo  superet. 

[See  below,  1779-81,  p.  458,  Dr.  Johnson's  reference  to  Trapp  in  his  Life  of  Dryden, 
where  he  quotes  this  passage.] 

1722.  Wotton,  Rev.  William,  D.D.     Letter  to  the  Rev.  Moses  Williams, 
dated  from  Bath,  May  5,  1722. 

I  have  lately  at  by  Houres  amused  my  self  wth  the  new 
Edition  of  Chaucer.  The  Glossary  I  read  with  great  Pleasure ; 
who  ever  writ  it  is  a  very  able  Man.  He  seems  to  me  to 
understand  Welsh ;  he  quotes  Welsh  words  every  now  and 
then,  &  always  to  the  purpose.  If  you  know  who  writ  it, 
let  me  know ;  for  I  perceive  Mr.  Urry  did  little  or  nothing 
in  it. 

[This  extract  is  copied  in  MS.  in  the  writing  of  Timothy  Thomas  (the  author  of 
the  Glossary)  in  his  copy  of  Urry's  Chaucer  [B.  M.  pr.  m.  643,  m.  4],  vol.  ii,  on 
the  blank  page  before  the  Glossary.] 

1723.  Dart,  John.     Westmonasterium,  or  the  History  and  Antiquities 
of  the  Abbey  Church  of  St.  Peter's,  Westminster,  2  vols.,  1723, 
[another  edn.],  1742,  vol.  i,  pp.  82-4,  86-9. 

[p.  82]  Next  adjoining  to  Mr.  Dray  ton's,  and  between  that  and 
Chaucer's  Monument,  is  a  curious  Cenotaph  of  White- 
Marble  .  .  . 

[p.  83]  ...  Adjoining  to  this  of  Mr.  Philips,  is  an  antient  Monu 
ment  of  grey  Marble  in  the  Wall,  erected  to  the  Memory  of 
the  Father  of  our  English  Poets,  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  of  whom  I 
have  given  a  large  Account  in  his  Life ;  printed  before  the 
last  Edition  of  his  Works ;  and  shall  therefore  in  this  Place 
give  only  some  Hints  of  him. 

[Here  follows  the  usual  description  of  Chaucer's  life,  followed 
by  one  of  his  tomb.] 

.  .  .  His  stone  of  broad  Grey  Marble,  as  I  take  it,  was  not 
long  since  remaining ;  but  was  taken  up  when  Mr.  Dry  den' 8 
Monument  was  erected,  and  sawn  to  mend  the  pavement  .  . 
[p.  36]  ...  While  I  am  speaking  of  Chaucer,  give  me  the  Liberty 
of  ono  Digression,  (for  I  think  I  shall  not  trouble  you  with 
many,)  and  that  is  to  clear  this  great  Man's  Character,  and  at 

a  long  Distance my  own.     It  has  been  for  many  Years 

believ'd,  that  Chaucer  was  the  Author  of  that  scandalous 
railing  Ballad,  The  Ploughman's  Tale,  and,  I  think,  it  has  not 
been  contested.  This,  I  know,  makes  him  obnoxious  to  many 


364  [Dart]  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1723 

Men  of  Letters,  especially  those  who  are  Roman  Catholiclcs. 
But  their  Resentment  will  cease  to  appear,  when  I  almost 
evidently  prove  to  them,  that  this  Piece  came  from  a  Quarter 
of  less  Learning,  and  more  ill  Manners;  and  that  Chaucer, 
who  was  a  fine  Gentleman,  and  one  who  had  a  Value  for,  and 
was  valu'd  by  the  better  Sort  of  the  Clergy  of  that  Time, 
would  never  have  fallen  so  rudely  foul  on  the  whole  Order, 
when  his  Practice  was  only  to  lash  those  who  were  obnoxious 
to  the  rest.  First  then,  we  must  observe,  that  this  Tale  is 
in  none  of  the  antient  Manuscripts  of  Chaucer,  not  in  any  one 
I  have  seen,  neither  in  that  curious  one  of  my  Lord  Harley, 
nor  in  those  in  the  King's  Library,  which  were  borrow'd  for 
Mr.  Urry:  But  after  the  verse,  By  this  the  Manciple  had  his 
Tale  I  ended,  &c.,  comes  on  The  Parson's  Prologue  and  Tale ; 
whereas  they  have  in  the  printed  Copies  thrust  this  in 
between,  and,  to  favour  the  Deceit,  chang'd  the  very  Verse, 
and  made  it,  By  this  the  Ploughman  had  his  Tale  y  ended, 
&c.  And,  indeed,  the  Tale  it  self  seems  to  be  of  a  different 
Piece,  having  no  Introduction ;  and  this  Ploughman  seems 
abruptly  to  have  fallen  in  with  them  by  the  way,  and  to  be 
a  different  sort  of  a  Creature  from  that  modest,  quiet,  good 
Parishoner,  that  came  with  his  Parson  to  them  at  Southwark  ; 
they  are  not  more  different  in  their  Dresses,  than  in  their 
Manners  and  Characters.  The  first  came  upon  a  Horse : 
This  Fellow  is  presented  with  a  Pilgrim's  Staff,  a  cumbersome 
Utensil  for  one  that  rides.  Chaucer  has  taken  care  to  give 
his  Farmer  the  Character  of  a  quiet  useful  Man  to  others, 
and  one  that  chearfully  paid  his  Tithes ;  or  else  indeed  I  think 
he  would  have  been  strangely  out,  to  have  brought  the  Parson 
with  him :  But  this  ill-bred,  saucy  Fellow  minds  nothing  but 
the  satisfaction  of  Gain,  having  left  his  Cattle  in  Grass  up  to 
the  Chin ;  and  indeed  we  may  perceive  him  to  be  a  covetous 
[p.  67j  Hog,  by  his  railing  against  Tithes,  the  too  common  Cry  of 
those  sordid  Wretches.  2^ow  if,  having  set  these  two  Men 
before  you,  you  can  still  think  them  the  same,  I'll  tell  you 
the  very  Places  they  came  from;  and  tho'  I  believe  (with 
Mr.  Stow)  that  they  were  both  born  at  a  time,  yet  they  had 
very  different  Originals ;  one  had  to  his  Father  our  learned, 
I  may  safely  say,  religious,  and  well-bred  Poet,  (for  the 
Obscenity  of  his  Writings,  I  have  sufficiently  spoke  of  both 
Prose  and  2  Verse,  tho'  the  first,  I  think,  is  left  out  in  the 
printed  Copy  of  the  Life :)  The  other  was  the  Son  of  one 
1  Poem  on  Chaucer  and  his  Writings,  Lond.  1722. 


1723]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.       [Dart]  365 

of  his  Name,  a  hot  warm  Incendary,  as  (pity  it  is,  too  many 
Creatures  of  the  State-Faction  pretending  Wickliff's  Opinions 
were)  one  Pierse  Ploughman.  And,  I  think,  this  will  need 
no  other  Proof  than  what  this  Fellow  says  in  his  Tale  of 
another  of  his  Performances,  Of  Freers  I  have  spolten  before 
in  a  making  of  a  Creed,  &c.  Now  this  same  Pierse  Plough 
man  wrote  that  very  thing  which  is  at  the  end  of  his  Book,  and 
call'd  a  Greed  of  Fryers,  which  I  have  by  me :  For  Mr.  Fox, 
who  thinks  Jack  Upland  must  be  it,  or  none,  has  mistaken  a 
Catechism  for  a  Creed.  Mr.  Stoic  is  more  modest,  as  he  was 
more  calm,  and  says,  he  had  seen  it  in  an  antient  Manu 
script  about  Chaucer's  Time,  and  (tho'  he  believes)  does  not 
positively  assert  it  to  be  his.  These  Arguments,  or  to  the 
like  Purpose,  I  have  laid  down  in  the  Life  of  Chaucer,  which 
lately  was  printed  before  the  Christ-Church  Edition,  the  Copy 
of  which  was  submitted  to  their  Perusal,  or  some  deputed  by 
them;  and  upon  the  Queries  mark'd,  I  submitted  to  such 
corrections  as  they  thought  proper.  After  which,  when  the 
Book  had  been  some  time  out,  I  found  upon  perusing  it,  that 
all  these  Arguments  were  entirely  omitted,  and  I  am  barely 
made  to  assert,  by  my  own  Authority,  that  Chaucer  never 
wrote  this  Piece  :  Yet  the  Alterer  has  made  me  so  modest 
(without  my  knowledge,  I  am  sure,)  to  refer  to  the  Preface. 
Upon  which,  at  least,  I  expected  the  ingenious  Gentleman 
who  wrote  it,  (and,  I  believe,  knew  nothing  of  what  was  said 
in  the  Life,)  had  some  better  Arguments  for  what  I  had  said. 
But  suddenly,  to  my  Suprize,  old  Mr.  Fox  was  set  there 
to  stare  me  in  the  Face,  and  give  the  Lye,  by  no  more 
Authority,  than  what  they  allow'd  me;  and  one,  who,  I 
believe,  was  willing  to  make  all  the  great  Names  he  could 
oppose  the  Innovations  of-  the  Times,  and  whose  Zeal, 
Passion,  laborious  Search,  and  Hurry,  made  him  (I'm  sorry 
to  say  it)  guilty  of  too  many  errors.  This  Usage  was  such 
as,  I  hope,  will  influence  the  Keader  to  excuse  my  leading 
him  out  of  the  way.  The  Life  was  in  other  Places  alter'd, 
as  concerning  Mr.  Packer's  Estate  at  Do7iington,  and  some 
few  other  Places,  which  I  cannot  now  remember :  For  the 
Book  I  have  never  seen  but  upon  a  Bookseller's  Compter,  not 
being  willing  to  buy  it,  when  my  old  one,  with  my  own  written 
Notes,  serv'd  me  as  well.  This  Usage,  I  think  undeserv'd, 
having  spar'd  no  Pains,  and  was  at  a  very  extraordinary 
Expence  to  collect  Eecords,  and  write  as  particular  and  full  a 
Life  as  possible,  of  a  Name  I  ever  reverenc'd,  and  for  a  Body 


366  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1723- 

of  Men  who  have  been  always  remark'cl  for  a  distinguishing 
Taste  :  A  Life,  which  I  have  been  told  by  no  mean  Judges, 
has  not  displeas'd.  This  I  here  mention  to  vindicate  my  self 
from  those  Mistakes  of  which  I  am  not  guilty;  and  this 
indeed  was  the  chief  Motive  to  my  Conclusion  of  a  Poem 
upon  this  Man  and  his  Works,  with  which  1  shall  likewise 
close  this  Account  of  his  Tomb. 

Industrious  thus  to  do  my  Master  right, 
And  save  his  Actions  Time  —   —  conceal' d  from  Night ; 
Long  on  the  dusty  Roll  and  mould' ring  File, 
I  urrfd  the  intricate  laborious  Toil ; 
Toil  ill  returned  by  this  ungenerous  Age, 
Unth  anlc'd  the  Labour,  and  defaced  the  Page. 
(P.  89]  Yet  not  discouraged  thus,  with  grateful  Fire, 

I  try  at  Verse,  and  reassume  the  Lyre  : 
Suspend,  great  Bard,  this  Tablet  at  thy  Shrine, 
And  bribe  the  World  to  Fame,  by  sounding  thine. 

[Tliere  is  no  copy  of  the  1st  edn.  at  the  B.  M.  ;  Westminster  Abbey,  a  Poem,  is 
prefixed  to  the  edn.  of  1742  (.see  above,  1721,  Dart,  J.,  p.  361).  The  "Poem  on 
Chaucer  and  his  Writings,  1722,"  is  not  in  the  B.  M.  or  Bodl.,  nor  have  \ve  been  able 
to  trace  it.  The  edn.  of  1742  contains  also  a  full-page  engraving  of  Chaucer's 
monument.] 

1723.  Pope,  Alexander.     Letter  [to  Mrs.  Judith  Cowper],  September  26, 
1723,  [in]  Letters  of  the  late  Alexander  Pope,  Esq.  to  a  Lady. 
Never  before  Published.     Printed  for  J.  Dodsley,  1769,  Letter  xii, 
pp.  79,  80-82.     (Works,  1871,  vol.  ix,  pp.  431-32,  and  see  also 
ibid.  p.  430.) 

IP.  so]  I  could  wish  you  tried  something  in  the  descriptive  way  on 
any  subject  you  please,  mixed  with  vision  and  moral ;  like 
pieces  of  the  old  provengal  poets,  which  abound  with  fancy, 
and  are  the  most  amusing  scenes  in  nature.  There  are 
three  or  four  of  this  k;nd  in  Chaucer's  admirable :  '  the 
Flower  and  the  Leaf '  every  body  has  been  delighted  with. 

[P.  8i]  ...  I  think,  one  or  two  of  the  Persian  tales  would  give  one 
hints  for  such  an  invention  [a  fairy  tale]  :  and  perhaps  if  the 
scenes  were  taken  from  real  places  that  are  known,  in  order 
to  compliment  particular  gardens  and  buildings  of  a  fine  taste 

tp.  82]  (as  I  believe  several  of  Chaucer  descriptions  do,  though  it  is 
what  nobody  has  observed),  it  would  add  great  beauty  to  the 
whole. 

1724.  [Defoe,  Daniel.]    The  Fortunate  Mistress  (Eoxana),  p.  359. 

That  foolish  young  girl  held  us  all  in  a  Canterbury  story ; 
I  thought  she  would  never  have  done  with  it. 


1724]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  367 

1724.  Hearne,   Thomas.       Glossary  [to]   Robert  of    Gloucester.  .  . 
Transcrib'd  ...  by  Thomas  Hearne,  1724,  vol.  ii,  p.  642. 

dighte,  sive  dight.  deck'd,  prepared,  Qui  %)ottas  digl davit 
[non  dihtavit,,  ut  Ed.  Oxon.]  fy  assas  jecerat  [non  jecerit,  ut 
Ed.  Oxon.]  extra  Polemo-Middin  per  Drummonde.  Hac  voce 
crebro  utitur  Chaucerus.  Vide  cl.  Gibsoni  Notas  ad  Jacob!  v 
Christs  kirk  on  the  greene,  p.  11.  .  .  . 

[For  Gibson,  see  below,  Appendix  A,  1691.] 

1724.  Welsted,  [Leonard].  A  Dissertation  concerning  the  Perfection 
of  the  English  Language,  the  State  of  Poetry,  &c.  [prefixed  to] 
Epistle?,  Ode?,  &c.  .  .  .  By  Mr.  Welsted,  .  .  .  1724,  pp.  x,  xii,  xiii. 

The  vulgar  Opinion  therefore  is  a  vulgar  Error,  viz.  that 
our  Language  will  continue  to  go  on  from  one  Kefmement  to 
another,  and  pass  through  perpetual  Variations  and  Improve 
ments,  till  in  Time  the  English,  we  now  speak,  is  become  as 
obsolete  and  unintelligible  as  that  of  Chaucer,  and  so  on,  as 
long  as  we  are  a  People ;  this  is  what  one  of  our  Poets  laid 
down  some  years  ago  as  an  undoubted  maxim, 

And  what  now  Chaucer  is,  shall  Dryden  be. 

But  whoever  this  Writer  is  [Pope,  in  his  Essay  on  Criticism, 
1.  483  ;  see  above,  p.  311,  and  for  other  references  to  it  see 
above,  p.  315,  and  below,  pp.  369,  379,  383],  he  certainly 
judg'd  the  Matter  wrong ;  it  is  with  Languages,  as  it  is  with 
Animals,  Vegetables,  and  all  other  Things ;    they  have  their 
Kise,  their  Progress,  their  Maturity,  and  their  Decay.  .  .  . 
IP.  xii]       The  Notion  I  have  .  .  .  is,   that   the   English   Language 
tp.  xiii]  does,  at   this   Day,  possess  all   the  Advantages  and  Excel 
lencies,  which   are  very  many,  that  its   Nature  will  admit 
of.  ... 

[The  same  idea,  without  any  mention  of  Chaucer's  name,  is'  expressed  in  Welsted's 
Epistle  to  the  Duke  of  Chandos,  ibid.  pp.  43-5. 

The  Growth  of  Learning,  like  the  Growth  of  Trees, 
Thrives  unobserved,  and  springs  by  slow  Degrees  j 
[p.  44]  Like  the  famed  English  Oak,  her  Head  she  rears, 

And  gains  Perfection  thro'  a  Length  of  Years  ; 
The  first  Essays  in  Verse  are  rudely  writ, 
The  Numbers  rough,  and  uncliastized  the  Wit : 
Thus,  BRIDGES,  in  thy  great  Forefathers'  Times, 
Harsh  was  our  Language,  and  untuned  our  Rhimes ; 
Great  SPENCER  first,  in  blest  ELIZA'S  Days, 
Smoothed  our  old  Metre,  and  refined  our  Lays  ; 
Next  manly  MILTON,  Prince  of  Poets,  came, 
And  to  our  Numbers  added  Homer's  Flame  ; 
Since  when,  in  Verse  few  Wonders  have  been  wrought, 
And  our  smooth  Cadence  flo  >\  s  devoid  of  Thought. 

[p.  45]  Th'  approaching  Times  my  raptured  Thought  engage  ; 

I  see  arise  a  New  Augustean  [sic]  Age.] 


368  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1725- 

[1725  et  seq.]  O[ldys,  William].  MS.  note  in  annotated  copy  of  An 
account  of  the  English  Dramatick  Poets,  by  Gerard  Langbaine, 
1691  [This  is  Haslewood's  copy  with  Oldys'  notes,  B.  M.,  pr.  m. 
C.  45.  d.  14],  to  face  p.  215.  [See  above,  1691,  p.  262.] 

[Beaumont  &  Fletcher.     Two  Noble  Kinsmen.] 
Note.     The  Story  from  Chaucer.     Warburton  says  Shake 
speare  wrote  only  the  first  act  in  this  Palemon  and  Arcite.    0. 

1725.  Pope,  Alexander.     The  Works  of  Shakespear,  Collated  and  Cor 
rected  by  the  former  Editions  by  Mr.  Pope.     Printed  for  J.  Tonson, 
Preface,  vol.  i,  pp.  xi-xiii.     (Works,  1871,  vol.  x,  pp.  541-2.) 

[p.xi]  We  may  conclude  him  [Shakespeare]  to  be  no  less  con 
versant  with  the  Ancients  of  his  own  country,  from  the  use  he 
has  made  of  Chaucer  in  Troilus  and  Cressida,  and  in  the 
Two  Noble  Kinsmen.  .  .  . 

[p.  xii]       [Reference  to  Ben  Jonson's  praise  of    Shakespeare :]    He 
[p.  xiii]  exalts  him  not  only  above  all  his  Contemporaries,  but  above 
Chaucer  and  Spenser. 

1726.  Sykes,    James.     Letters  to   Kobert   Harley,   Earl    of    Oxford, 
[printed  in]  Report  on  the  Manuscripts  of  His  Grace  the  Duke  of 
PortloAid,  preserved  at  Welbeck  Abbey,  vol.  vi  (Historical  MSS. 
Commission),  London,  1901,  p.  17. 

[Sykes  is  ordered  by  his  father's  executors  to  apply  for 
fifteen  guineas,  due  for  a  picture  of  Chaucer.  Has  also 
pictures  of  Jonson,  Shakspere  and  Milton,  which  he  desires 
to  give  the  Earl  the  refusal  of.  Receipt  annexed.] 

1726.  Theobald,  Lewis.     Shakespeare  Restored,  pp.  31.  53,  85,  119,  179, 

187. 

[Theobald  quotes  Chaucer  in  support  of  his  emendations  in 
the  text  of  Shakespeare.] 

1727.  [Defoe,  Daniel.]  A  Tour  Thro  the  Whole  Island  of  Great  Britain 
.  .  .  By  a  Gentleman,  1724-7,  vol.  iii,  1727,  p.  81. 

We  had  a  fair  View  of  that  antient  Whittl-making, 
Cutlering  Town,  called  Sheffield;  the  Antiquity,  not  of  the 
Town  only,  but  of  the  Trade  also,  is  established  by  those 
famous  Lines  of  Geoffry  Chaucer  on  the  Miller  of  Trumpington, 
which,  however  they  vary  from  the  print  in  Chaucer,  as  now 
extant,  I  give  it  you  as  I  find  it : 

At  Trumpington,  not  far  from  Cambridge, 
There  dwelt  a  Miller  upon  a  Bridge  ; 
With  a  rizzl'd  Beard,  and  a  hooked  Noset 
And  a  Sheffield  Whittl  in  his  Hose. 


1727]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion. 

1727.  Harte,  Walter.  To  a  Young  Lady,  with  Mr.  Fenton's  Mis 
cellany,  and  Notes  upon  the  Sixth  Thebaid  of  Statins,  [in]  Poems 
on  Several  Occasions.  .  .  .  London,  Printed  for  Bernard  Lintot, 
pp.  97,  98,  189-90,  195.  (The  Works  of  the  English  Poets,  by  Dr. 
Samuel  Johnson,  additional  lives  by  A.  Chalmers,  1810,  vol.  xvi, 
p.  330.)  For  the  text  of  the  Notes,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1727. 

Here  Spenser's  thoughts  in  solemn  numbers  roll, 
Here  lofty  Milton  seems  to  lift  the  soul. 
There  sprightly  Chaucer  charms  our  hours  away 
With  stories  queint,  and  gentle  roundelay. 
Muse  !  at  that  name  each  thought  of  pride  recall, 
Ah,  think  how  soon  the  wise  and  glorious  fall ! 

[p.  98]         Not  Chaucer's,  beauties  could  survive  the  rage 
Of  wasting  envy,  and  devouring  age  : 
One  mingled  heap  of  ruin  now  we  see ; 
Thus  Chaucer  is,  and  Fenton  thus  shall  be  ! 

[Cf.  Pope,  Essay  on  Criticism,  1709, 

"And  such  as  Chaucer  is,  shall  Dryden  be." 
See  above,  pp.  310-11,  315,  367,  and  below,  pp.  379,  383,  468.] 


1727.  Pope,  Alexander.  A  Tale  oj  Chaucer,  Lately  found  in  an  old 
Manuscript,  [in]  Miscellanies  in  Prose  and  Verse,  London, 
Printed  for  B.  Motte,  1727.  The  Last  Volume  [vol.  4]  pp.  44-5, 
[generally  called  Swift's  Miscellanies]  (Works,  1871,  vol.  iv, 
p.  423). 


1727.  Unknown.  Magna  Britannia  et  Hibernia.  .  .  .  A  new  Survey 
of  Great  Britain  wherein  to  the  Topographical  account  given  by 
Mr.  Cambden  .  .  .  is  added  a  more  large  History  .  .  .  of  Cities, 
Towns  .  .  .  vol.  iv,  pp.  374-5. 

This  town  [Woodstock]  ...  is  not  a  little  proud,  that  it  is 
the  Birth-place  of  our  famous  English  Homer,  Jeffrey  Chaucer. 
Other  Places  indeed  claim  that  Honour,  as  they  did  Homer's, 
viz. :  Newbury  in  Berkshire,  Dunnington  Castle  there  being 
his  Inheritance,  and  London,  in  which  he  says  he  was  forth 
grown,  which  may  rather  imply  his  Education  than  Birth ;  but 
Woodstock  has  the  greatest  Probability  on  her  Side ;  Leland, 
Pitts  and  Cambden,  our  greatest  Antiquaries  positively  assert 
ing  it ;  and  Pitts  tells  us  his  Father  was  a  Knight ;  and  since 
Authority  much  strengthens  Learning,  we  may  be  thoroughly 
tp.  375]  satisfied  that  here  was  he  born,  and  dwelt,  because  Queen 
Elizabeth  passed  a  fair  Stone-house  in  this  town,  standing  near 

CHAUCER  CRITICISM.  B  B 


370  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1728- 

her  Palace,  unto  the  Tenant,  by  the  name  of  Chaucer's  House, 
as  'tis  called  to  this  Day. 

[There  is  a  further  reference  to  "Chaucer's  House"  on  p.  374,  in  connection  with 
the  famous  "  Polysyllabical  Ecchoes."] 

1728.  Markland,  Jeremiah.  Modernisations  of  Canterbury  Tales,  [in] 
The  Altar  of  Love. 

[Advertised  (as  "just  published ")  in  "The  Velvet  Coffee-woman "  (Anne  Rochford), 
1728,  as  "A  Collection  of  Love  Poetry."  "The  Tales  from  Boccace  to  Chaucer  are 
moderniz'd  in  a  smooth  and  easy  manner  by  Mr.  Markland,  of  Peterhouse."  The 
advertisement  claims  that  Pope  had  "  a  large  share  in  it."  No  copy  of  this  book  has 
been  found.  See  below,  p.  389,  1741,  Ogle.] 

1728-30.  Pope,  Alexander.  [Sayings  reported  in]  Anecdotes  .  .  .  of 
Books  and  Men,  collected  from  the  Conversation  of  Mr.  Pope  .  .  . 
by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Spence.  First  published  with  notes  by  Samuel 
Weller  Singer,  1820,  Section  i,  pp.  19-21,  23,  49,  50.  [See  also 
below,  1734-6,  p.  377.] 

[p.  19]  I  read  Chaucer  still  with  as  much  pleasure  as  almost  any 
of  our  poets.  He  is  a  master  of  manners,  of  description,  and 
the  first  tale-teller  in  the  true  and  enlivened  natural  way. 

[p.  20]  There  is  but  little  that  is  worth  reading  in  Gower :  he 
wants  the  spirit  of  poetry,  and  the  descriptiveness,  that  are  in 
Chaucer. 

[p.  21]  Mr.  Sackville  .  .  .  was  the  best  English  poet,  between 
Chaucer's  and  Spenser's  time. 

[p.  50]  [Speaking  of  the  Letter  to  Sacheverel,  by  Addison.  See  above, 
p.  266.]  That  was  not  published  till  after  his  [Addison's] 
death,  and  I  dare  say  he  would  not  have  suffered  it  to  have 
been  printed  had  he  been  living ;  for  he  himself  used  to  speak 
of  it  as  a  poor  thing.  He  wrote  it  when  he  was  very  young ; 
and  as  such,  gave  the  characters  of  some  of  our  best  poets  in 
it,  only  by  hearsay.  Thus  his  character  of  Chaucer  is  dia 
metrically  opposite  to  the  truth ;  he  blames  him  for  want  of 
humour. 


1729.  Carey,  H[enry].  Epilogue  intended  for  Mr.  Gibber's  new  Pastoral 
called  Love  in  a  Riddle.  To  the  Tune  of  Sally  in  our  Alley,  [in] 
Poems  on  Several  Occasions  .  .  .  The  Third  Edition  much 
enlarged,  p.  98.  [Not  in  first  edition.] 

We  want,  alas  !  the  Voice  and  Gift 
Of  charming  SENESINI  ; 
Permit  us  then  to  make  a  shift 
With  Signor  CIBBERINI. 


1730]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  371 

"What  tho'  his  Lays  lie  cannot  raise 
To  soft  CUZZONI'S  Treble, 
Like  CHAUCER'S  Clark  our  tuneful  Spark 
Can  squeak  a  sweet  Quinible. 

1729.  Thomas,  Elizabeth.  Account  of  John  Dryden's  funeral,  [printed 
by  Malone  in]  Prose  Works  of  Dryden,  1800,  vol.  i,  pt.  i, 
p.  362. 

17§g.  Theobald,  Lewis.  Letters  to  [William]  Warburton,  March  6, 
1729-30,  March  31  and  Sept.  15,  1730,  [in]  Illustrations  of  the 
Literary  History  of  the  18th  century,  by  John  Nichols,  1817, 
vol.  ii,  pp.  540,  591,  608. 

March  6.  [Notes  on  Shakespeare's  Troilus  and  Cressida] 
And  to  this  old  Treatise  it  is,  [viz.  The  Eecuyles  and  Sieges 
of  Troy,  printed  by  W.  de  Worde,  1503]  (and  not  to  Lollius, 
or  Chaucer,  as  the  Editors  imagine)  that  our  Author  owes  his 
subject,  for  hence  only  could  he  derive  the  name  of  Hector's 
horse,  Galathe  .  .  . 

[See  Theobald's  edn.  of  Shakespeare's  Works,  1733,  vol.  vii,  p.  114,  where  this 
reference  is  given,  in  slightly  different  words,  in  a  note.  See  below,  p.  375. 

J.  O.  Halliwell-Phillipps  in  his  Memoranda  on  Shakespeare's  Tragedy  of  Troilus 
and  Cressida,  1880,  quotes  Theobald's  letter  of  March  6,  slightly  altering  the  words.] 

March  31.  [Speaking  of  Shakespeare's  use  of  "affects"  for 
affections]  In  this  he  is  an  imitator  of  his  two  great  masters, 
Chaucer  and  Spenser. 

Sept.  15.  [Speaking  of  Shakespeare's  use  of  "gemell"  in 
Midsummer  Night's  Dream  "  found  Demetrius  like  a  gemell."] 
This  is  so  finely  guessed,  and  gives  so  natural  a  sense  where 
before  there  was  none  at  all,  that  I  wish  heartily  the  word  had 
ever  been  used  again  by  Shakespeare  ;  or  that  I  could  meet  with 
it  either  in  Spenser,  Chaucer,  or  any  of  the  old  Glossaries. 

[a.  1730.]  Unknown.  A  Familiar  Epistle  from  the  Shades  below  giving 
an  Account  of  the  Station  of  the  Poets  [in]  The  Shrubs  of  Parnassus 
.  .  .  by  J.  Copywell,  of  Lincoln's  Inn  Esq.,  1760,  pp.  129-130  [The 
above  poem  is  preceded  by  this  note :]  The  three  following  [poems] 

were  written  many  years  since  by Esq  ;  (lately  deceased).     [It 

is  signed]  Parnassus,  Sept.  7,1730.     [See  below,  c.  1833,  Haslewood's 
Collections.] 

The  Poets,  both  Grecian  and  Roman  of  old, 
Of  whom  we  so  many  fine  things  have  been  told, 
Live  here  in  great  state,  are  Grandees  of  the  Court 
To  whom  all  the  Moderns  most  humbly  resort. 


372  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1730- 

Yet  few  find  admittance,  or  favour  with  those, 
So  poor  their  appearance,  so  shabby  their  cloaths  : 
Some,  indeed,  a  small  pittance,  or  place,  may  obtain ; 
But  the  rest  are  a  sad  ragged  crew  in  the  main : 


Old  Chaucer  and  Drayton  I  found  in  good  plight, 
And  Shakespear  and  Spencer  appear  pretty  tight, 
They've  each  a  small  freehold,  tho'  troth  bounded  in  sore, 
And  live  not  unlike  to  our  poor  Knights  of  Windsor. 
Ben  Johnson  sells  ale  on  the  side  o'  the  hill, 
And  Beaumont  and  Fletcher  go  halves  in  a  mill. 


1730.  B.  Letter  [signed  B.  and  dated  Cambridge  June  23,  1730,  in] 
Memoirs  of  the  Society  of  Grub  Street,  vol.  i,  no.  26,  pp.  138-9, 
1737. 

Mr.  Bavius,  [i.  e.  John  Martyn,  M.D.]  Your  just  warmth 
for  restoring  the  true  reading  in  some  of  our  English  poets, 
must  needs  be  very  agreeable  to  every  lover  of  criticism.  .  .  . 
It  would  be  worth  your  while  to  collate  all  the  most  ancient 
editions,  which  are  commonly  the  best.  Who  can  make 
sense  of  the  following  passage  concerning  VENUS  in  CHAUCER'S 
House  of  Fame  B.  i,  as  it  stands  in  Mr.  URRY'S  edition  1 

And  also  on  her  hedde  parde 
Her  rose  garlande,  white  and  redde 
And  her  combe  for  to  kembe  her  hedde. 
Her  doves,  and  dan  Cupido. 

But  in  that  scarce  and  valuable  edition  emprynted  by  Wyllyam 
Caxton  the  sense  is  clear, 


garixmfos  ertuU^rtQ  as  a  mebe, 
100  flgittg  abxmt  lur  htb.e 
H)er  Ibobts,  tic. 

That  the  passage  ought  to  be  read  thus,  may  farther  appear 
by  comparing  it  with  the  description  of  the  statue  of  VENUS 
in  the  Knight's  tale. 

A  citriole  in  her  right  hande  had  she 

Beforne  her  stoode  her  sonne  Cupido.  [11.  1959-63.] 


1731]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  373 

If  your  learned  Society  approve  of  this  reading  as  I  have 
restored  it,  it  will  be  a  pleasure  to 

Your  humble  Servant  B. 

[The  Grubstreet  Journal  commenced  Jan.  8,  1730,  and  was  continued  till  1737. 
Unfortunately  the  number  which  contained  this  letter  has  not  been  preserved  with 
the  others  in  the  Bodleian  library.  Tha  Memoirs  of  the  Society  of  Grubstreet  are 
really  a  reprint  of  the  best  papers  which  appeared  in  the  Journal.] 

1730.  Unknown.    Letter  [signed  "  Zoilus,"  and  dated]  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge,  Aug.  23,  1730,  Sunday  Afternoon,  in  Chappel-Time, 
[in]  Grub  Street  Journal,  Sept.  3,  1730.     [Inserted  by  J.  Hasle- 
wood  in  his  '  Collections,'  vol.  i,  p.  204.     See  below,  c.  1833.] 

To  Mr.  Bavius,  Secretary  to  the  Grubsean  Society.  Sir, 
Your  industrious  tho'  feeble  efforts  towards  Criticism,  mani 
fested  by  some  so-so  emendations  of  Milton  and  Chaucer, 
have  prevailed  upon  my  Knave  Humanity  to  enrich  your 
Paper  [by  the  Communication  of  an  emendation  to  Butler's 
Hudibras]. 
[c.  1730.  Young,  Edward.]  Two  Epistles  to  Mr.  Pope.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1731.  Unknown.     Letter,    [dated]  March  30,  [in]  Gentleman's  Maga 
zine,  March,  1731,  vol.  i,  p.  118. 

Another  Difficulty  started  by  the  writer  of  the  C  our  ant, 
is,  the  Fluctuation  of  our  Language,  whereby  it  may  become 
unintelligible  to  Posterity,  as  Chaucer  and  Goiuer  are  now. 

[For  an  Essay  in  the  September  No.  see  below,  App.  A.] 

1731.  Unknown.  Article  against  Law  proceedings  being  in  English, 
[in  the]  Daily  Courant,  March  4,  1731.  [See  below,  c.  1833, 
Haslewood,  J.] 

Many  Technical  words,  or  Terms  of  Art,  have  been  invented 
and  adapted  to  Legal  Proceedings,  which  have  long  since 
acquired  fixed  and  settled  Meanings  .  ,  .  This,  with  the 
fixed  meaning  of  the  Latin  Tongue,  shortens  Debates,  renders 
Judgments  intelligible  .  .  .  Whereas  if  the  Records  and 
Deeds  were  to  be  in  the  Language  in  Use  for  the  Time  being, 
in  two  or  three  Generations  a  great  Part  of  the  meaning  would 
be  lost,  as  we  see  in  Chaucer,  Gower,  and  other  ancient 
English  Poets ;  which  although  not  much  above  Two  Hundred 
years  old,  and  wrote  in  the  best  language  of  those  Times,  are 
scarce  intelligible  at  this  Day. 

1731.  Unknown.  [A  Newspaper  cutting  inserted  by  Haslewood  in  his 
annotated  edn.  of  Giles  Jacob's  Historical  Account  of  the  Lives  and 
Writings  of  our  most  considerable  English  Poets,  B.  M.  (pr.  m.  C. 
45.  d.  18.)  to  face  p.  26.  See  below,  c.  1833,  Haslewood.] 

From  the  PEGASUS  in  Grub-Street  [Haslewood  has  added 
in  writing]  Journal,  11  Mar.  1731. 


374  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1732- 

Mr.  T.  D.  Attorney,  who  wrote  the  Letter  to  a  Member  of 
Parliament,  printed  in  the  Courant  of  Tuesday,  Mar.  4,  is 
desired  to  consult  that  accurate  Work  of  our  learned  Brother 
Mr.  GILES  JACOB,  The  Poetical  Register,  Vol.  I,  where  he  will 
find  himself  under  a  great  mistake,  in  asserting  that  CHAUCER 
and  GOWER  are  (as  he  expresses  it)  not  much  above  two  hundred 
years  old:  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1400,  and  the  latter 
in  1402. 

[The  Grubstreet  Journal  is  not  in  the  B.  M.,  and  this  extract  is  not  in  the  Memoirs 
of  the  Society  of  Grub  Street,  2  vols.,  1737,  a  collection  of  the  best  pieces  from  the 
Journal.  The  Courant,  or  The  Daily  Courant,  is  also  not  in  the  B.M.] 

[a.  1732].  Herbert,  Thomas,  8th  Earl  of  Pembroke  [d.  1733].  MS. 
Notes  [in]  The  Book  of  Miscellanies,  [printed  at  S.  Albans]. 

[In  a  second  edn.  of  this  book,  printed  by  Winkyn  de 
Worde  in  1529,  there  is]  the  Nut  brown  maid,  suppos'd  by 
Chaucer,  as  Skelton  confirms,  by  having  had  a  copy  given  him 
by  Lidgate  .  .  .  Mr.  Prior  has  made  a  paraphrase  on  it,  and 
has  also  printed  it  from  the  old  English  but  knew  not  that 
it  was  by  Chaucer.  [Quoted  by  Samuel  Palmer,  q.v.,  imme 
diately  below.] 

1732.  Palmer,  S[amuel].  The  General  History  of  Printing.  Book  III. 
Of  English  Printing  and  Printers,  p.  136.  [Extract  from  MS.  notes 
by  the  Earl  of  Pembroke  -in  The  Book  of  Miscellanies  printed  at 
St.  Albans  in  the  Pembroke  Library  [see  last  entry],  pp.  342-4, 
378-9.  [Edns.  of  Chaucer's  Poems  and  Works,  by  Caxton  and 
Winkin  de  Worde,  Robert  Toy  and  John  Stowe.] 

[There  is  a  flaw  in  the  pagination  of  the  B.  M.  copy ;  pp.  313  to  336  are  wrongly 
numbered  pp.  121  to  144  ;  p.  136  should  be  p.  328.] 

1732.  [Theobald,  Lewis.]  A  Miscellany  on  Taste,  by  Mr.  Pope,  &c. 
[with  Eemarks  by  Lewis  Theobald].  Remark  b.  on  pp.  3,  4. 

b.  And  Books  for  Mead,]  This  worthy  Gentleman  [Dr. 
Richard  Mead]  has  a  vast  and  valuable  Library,  stor'd  with 
all  sorts  of  Books  Foreign  and  Domestic  ...  he  may  very 
likely  have  some,  among  so  prodigious  a  Collection,  which  he 
has  hardly  deign'd  a  reading.  But  I  hope  Mr.  Pope's  Works 
are  none  of  that  Number,  tho'  he  may  well  save  himself  the 
Trouble  even  of  looking  into  them ;  for  whether  Mr.  Pope 
knows  it  or  no,  he  can  read  Homer  and  Statius,  nay,  and 
Chaucer  and  Slialtespear,  in  their  Originals,  without  Recourse 
either  to  a  rhirning  Translator  or  a  Modernizer  to  point  him 
out  their  Meaning. 

1732.  Unknown.  Essays,  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below, 
App.  A. 


1733]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  375 

1733.  Brome,  [William.]  Letter  to  Mr.  [Thomas?]  Rawlins,  June  23, 
1733,  [in]  Letters  written  by  Eminent  Persons,  1813,  vol.  ii, 
pt.  i,  pp.  95-7. 

...  I  find  you  a  very  curious  person  (inter  alia)  about 
books,  for  I  see  your  name  among  Mr.  Hearne's  subscribers ; 
and  if  your  acquaintance  l»o  ii^eh.  among  the  Litterati,  as  I 
suppose  it  is,  you  may  do  me  a  kindness.  One  Mr.  Urry, 
student  of  Christ  Church,  .was  engaged  to  put  out  a  new  edition 
of  Chaucer  with  a  Glossary,  &c.  Before  he  had  finished  it, 
he  dies,  and  leaves  me  executor  with  an  intention  that  some 
of  the  profits  arising  from  the  impression  should  go  towards 
building  the  new  Quadrangle.  The  College,  myself,  and  Mr. 
Lintot,  the  bookseller,  enter  into  a  tripartite  agreement  upon 
these  terms.  The  College  and  myself  to  get  the  copy  of 
Chaucer,  with  Prefaces,  Indexes,  Glossary,  &c.,  for  Mr.  Lintot. 
Mr.  Lintot  to  be  at  the  expense  of  printing  and  paper :  and 
the  copies  were  to  be  equally  divided  in  three  parts  between 
us.  The  College  oblige  scholars  upon  their  entrance  to  take  off 
a  copy ;  and  by  their  acquaintance  dispose  of  their  share.  Mr. 
Lintot  is  in  the  way  of  business,  and  sells  off  his ;  but  mine 
lie  upon  hand,  so  that  I  am  like  to  be  a  great  sufferer.  By 
our  articles  we  are  not  to  sell  a  copy  under  the  subscrip 
tion  price,  which  is,  large  paper  fifty  shillings,  small  paper 
thirty  shillings,  in  sheets  :  the  book  is  adorned  with  copper 
plates  before  each  tale.  If  any  friend  of  yours  wants  such  a 
book,  I  can  supply  him  at  London  :  but  by  no  means  I  would 
have  you  importunate  with  any  person  on  my  account.  [For 
the  Agreement,  see  above,  1715,  p.  333.] 

1733.  Grosvenor, .     See  below,  App.  A. 

1733.  [Theobald,  Lewis.]  The  Works  of  Shakespeare  (Troilus  and 
Cressida),  vol.  vii,  pp.  4,  12,  48,  96,  114  [See  above,  letter  from 
Theobald  to  Warburton,  March  6,  1729-30,  p.  371.  For  additions 
in  the  second  edition,  see  below,  1740,  p.  388.] 

[Notes  on  words]  Sperre  up  the  sons  of  Troy  [Prol.  1.  19]. 
To  sperre  or  spar  .  .  .  signifies  to  shut  up,  defend  .  .  .  And 
in  this  very  Sense  has  CHAUCER  used  the  Term  in  the  5th 
Book  of  his  Troilus  and  Creseide  [1.  531]. 

[p.  12]  Before  the  Sun  rose,  he  was  harness-dight  [Act  I,  sc.  ii,  1.  8]. 
...  It  is  frequent  with  our  Poet,  from  his  Masters  Chaucer 
and  Spenser,  to  say  dight  for  deck'd. 

IP.  48]       He  shent  our  Messengers  [Act  II.  sc.  iii.  1.  74]. 


376  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1734- 

The  word  shent,  disgraced,  shamed  ...  is  frequent  both  in 

Chaucer  and  Spenser. 
[pp.  95-6]   But  by  the  forge  that  stythied  Mars  his  helm  [Act  IV,  sc.  v, 

1.  255]  .  .  . 

A  Stithy  or  Stith  signifies  an  Anvil.     So  CHAUCER  in  his 

Knight's  Tale  [1.  2025],  .  .  .  But  I  own  I  suspect  this  not  to 

have  been  our  Author's  Word.     [Theobald  in  the  text  emended 

the  word  to  smithied.] 
[p.  114]       [Theobald  refers   to  the  Destruction  of  Troy  printed  by 

Caxton,]   from    which   Book   our   Poet   has    borrow'ol    more 

Circumstances  of  this  Play,  than  from  Lollius  or  Chaucer. 

[The  Shakespeare  references  are  to  the  edn.  of  W.  G.  Clark  and  W.  A.  Wright, 
vol.  xxv,  1893.] 

17§fs  Hearne,  Thomas.  Letter  to  Dr.  Richard  Rawlinson,  March  13, 
1734-5  [in]  Letters  written  by  Eminent  Persons  .  .  .  1813,  vol.  ii, 
pp.  97-8. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  thank  you  for  the  large  parcel  of  books  I  received 
from  you  on  Saturday  last,  the  15th  inst.  Several  of  them 
are  old  Chaucers',  such  as  what  you  mentioned  some  time 
since.  The  more  I  look  upon  such  old  black-lettered  editions, 
the  more  I  wish  that  the  late  edition  had  been  printed  in  the 
black  letter,  which  was  what  my  friend  Mr.  Urry  intirely 
designed,  as  I  have  often  heard  him  say,  tho'  the  managers 
afterwards,  for  frivolous  reasons,  -acted  contrary  to  it.  Curious 
men  begin  to  esteem  the  old  editions  more  than  the  new  one, 
partly  upon  account  of  the  letter,  and  partly  upon  account  of 
the  change  that  hath  been  made  in  the  new  edition,  without 
giving  the  various  lections,  which  would  have  been  of  great 
satisfaction  to  critical  men.  John  Stowe  was  an  honest  man, 
and  knowing  in  these  affairs,  and  would  never  have  taken  such  a 
liberty,  and  I  have  reason  to  think  Mr.  Urry  would  (what  I 
used  often  to  tell  him  to  do)  have  accounted  for  the  alterations 
with  a  particular  nicety,  had  he  lived  to  have  printed  the  book 
himself.  .  .  . 

1735.  Hearne,  Thomas.  Appendix  ad  Prcefationem.  The  Publishers 
Addition  to  the  Account  of  Dr.  Borde  in  Athence  Oxon:  [in] 
Benedictus  Abbas  Petroburgensis,  De  Vita  et  Gestis  Henrici  II  et 
Ricardi  I  [ed.  T.  Hearne],  vol.  i,  pp.  Iv-lvi. 

Robert  Burton  being  so  curious  and  diligent  in  collecting 
judicious  and  merry  little  pieces,  'tis  no  wonder,  that  he  pro 
cured  likewise  Dr  Borders,  right  pleasant  and  merry  history  of 


1736]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  377 

the  Mylner  of  AUngton.  .  .  .  Tis  probable  Dr  Borde  took 
the  hint  of  this  merry  piece  from  Chaucer  s  Reve's  Tale,  with 
which  it  ought  by  such  as  have  opportunity  to  be  compared, 
to  see,  whether  it  be  not,  in  great  measure,  the  same. 

1735.  Pope,  Alexander.  Note  to  Letter  to  Henry  Cromwell,  [the  letter 
dated]  May  7,  1709,  [in]  Letters  of  Mr.  Alexander  Pope  and  several 
of  his  Friends.  London.  Printed  by  J.  Wright,  1737,  p.  43  (Works, 
1871,  vol.  vi,  p.  76). 

[The  letter  contains  an  allusion  to  Jacob  Tonson's  6th  vol.  of  Poetical  Miscellanies, 
and  the  note  added  by  Pope  in  1735  states  that  some  of  bis  versions  of  Homer  and 
Chaucer  were  first  printed  there.] 

1735.  Unknown.     Essays  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below, 
App.  A. 

£1734-36.]  Pope,  Alexander.     Sayings  [reported  in]  Anecdotes  ...  of 
Books  and  men  collected  from  the  conversation  of  Mr.  Pope  .  .  .  by 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Spence.     First  Published  with  notes  by  Samuel 
Weller  Singer,  1820,  section  iv,  pp.  171-2. 
[See  also  above  1728-30,  p.  370.] 

[p.  171]  It  is  easy  to  mark  out  the  general  course  of  our  poetry. 
Chaucer,  Spenser,  Milton,  and  Dryden  are  the  great  land 
marks  for  it. 

[p.  172]  Chaucer  and  his  contemporaries,  borrowed  a  good  deal  from 
the  Provengal  poets. 

1736.  Byrom,  John.     Shorthand  Journal  [for  May  22,  1736,  printed 
in]  The  Private  Journal  and  Literary  Remains  of  John  Byrom  .  .  . 
ed.  Richard  Parkinson,  Chetham  Soc.,  1856,  vol.  ii,  part  i,  pp.  48-9. 

.  .  .  Went  with  Taylor  White  to  his  room,  where  he 
desired  me  to  write  out  of  Chaucer  the  character  of  a  good 
parson,  which  I  did,  and  he  desired  I  would  put  it  into  verse. 

1736.  Entick,  John.  Proposals  for  Printing  by  Subscription  in  Two 
Volumes  Folio  the  Works  of  that  Most  Learned  Facetious  and  Ancient 
English  Poet,  Sir  Geoffrey  Chaucer  Knt.  Poet  Laureat.  .  .  .  Critical, 
Poetical,  Historical  and  Explanatory  Notes,  to  render  the  Work 
both  easy  and  pleasant  to  the  Header,  and,  by  shewing  his  un- 
parelleVd  Beauties,  convince  every  judicious  Englishman  that  this 
our  Author  is  no  ways  inferior  to  the  greatest  Poets  that  have  wrote 
in  any  Nation  or  Language,  either  before  or  after  him.  .  .  . 
The  Introduction. 

IP- 2,  Poetry  in  Enyland  never  flourisht  more  than  in  the  days  of 
Sir  GEOFFERY  CHAUCER,  the  Kiches  of  his  Understanding  flow'd 
like  Nectar  on  every  Word ;  whose  elegant  stile  adorn'd  his 
happy  Invention,  and  his  Profession  obtain'd  for  him  Riches 
and  Honours.  .  .  .  THEREFORE  my  present  Undertaking  is  to 
rescue  that  famous  English  Poet,  Sir  GEOFFERY  CHAUCER  out 


378  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1736- 

of  that  Oblivion  into  which  his  piratical  Imitators  have  en- 
deavour'd  to  bring  him.  .  .  .  [The  praises  of  Chaucer,  by 
Denham,  Lydgate,  Spenser,  "Wm.  Thynne,  Francis  Beaumont, 
Peacham,  Dryden  and  Sir  Henry  Savil,  are  then  quoted.] 
[p-4>  Therefore,  as  it  is  agreed  upon  by  all  hands  that  CHAUCER 
was  accounted  the  Chief  of  the  English  POETS,  not  only  in  his 
Time,  but  continues  to  be  so  esteem'd  in  this  Age  :  what  shou'd 
discourage  my  Undertaking  to  publish  his  WORKS  in  such  a 
modern  Dress,  that  it  may  be  justly  said  I  now  restore  to  this 
Age  the  most  valuable  Treasure  of  the  English-Poetic  Library ; 
so  that,  from  the  success  we  hope  this  WORK  will  meet  with 
from  our  COUNTRYMEN,  as  formerly  HORACE  took  the  Liberty  to 
speak  of  Himself  and  Works,  Methinks  I  hear  CHAUCER  say  : 
*  'Tis  fmish'd ;  I  have  rais'd  a  Monument, 
More  strong  than  Brass,  and  of  a  vast  Extent, 

Which  eating  Show'rs,  nor  North  wind's  piercing  Blast, 
Nor  whirling  Time,  nor  Flight  of  Years  can  waste : 
Whole  Chaucer  shall  not  die,  his  Songs  shall  save 
His  greatest  Portion  from  the  silent  Grave. 

[A  specimen  of  the  Prologue  then  follows,  with  copious 
notes.] 

1736  -7.  Bernard,  John  Peter. 
Birch.,  Thomas. 
Lockman,  John. 

A  general  Dictionary  .  .  .  in  which  a  New  and  Accurate  Transla 
tion  of  1hat  af  the  celebrated  Mr.  Bayle.  .  .  .  is  included  [by  the 
above]  and  other  Hands.  10  vols.,  1734-41  ;  vol.  iv,  1736,  pp. 
292-9  [an  ordinary  life,  followed  by  enloyies  from  Ascliam,  Sidney, 
Beaumont,  Milton,  etc.]  ;  vol.  v,  1737,  p.  494  [Gower  contemporary 
with  Chaucer.] 

1737.  Amatory  Poetry  selected  from  Chaucer,  Lidgate,  Skelton,  Surrey, 
Wyatt,  Nash,  Daniel,  etc. 
[Not  in  B.  M.  or  Bodl.     Known  from  a  dealer's  list.] 

1737.  [Cooper,  Elizabeth.]  The  Muses  Library;  or  a  Series  of  English 
Poetry  from  the  Saxons,  to  the  Eeign  of  King  Charles  II.  ... 
Preface,  pp.  viii,  xi,  xii,  pp.  1,  7,  8,  19,  23,  24-33,  140. 

[p.  viii]  Those,  who  read  the  ensuing  Yolume  with  Attention,  will 
be  convinc'd  that  Sense,  and  Genius  have  been  of  long  stand 
ing  in  this  Island;  and  'tis  not  so  much  the  Fault  of  our 
Writers,  as  the  Language  it  self,  that  they  are  not  read  with 
Pleasure  at  this  Day.  This,  naturally,  provokes  an  Enquiry, 


1737]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  379 

whether  'tis  in  the  same  Yagrant  Condition  still ;  or  whether 
the  Fame  of  our  most  admir'd  Moderns,  is  not  almost  as 
precarious,  as  that  of  their  now  obsolete  Predecessors  has 
prov'd  to  be ;  agreable  to  that  Line  in  the  celebrated  Essay  on 
Criticism, 

And  what  now  Chaucer  is,  shall  Dryden  be. 

[See  above,  1709,  pp.  310-11,  and  pp.  315,  367,  309,  and  below,  p.  383.] 

[p.  xi]  Chaucer,  not  the  next  Writer,  [to  Langland]  tho'  the  next 
extraordinary  Genius,  encountered  the  Follies  of  Mankind,  as 
well  as  their  Vices,  and  blended  the  acutest  Raillery,  with 
the  most  Insinuating  Humour.  By  his  Writings,  it  plainly 
appears  that  Poetry,  and  Politeness  grew  up  together ;  and  had 
like  to  have  been  bury'd  in  his  Grave.  .  .  . 

[p.  xii]  'Tis  certain,  very  Few  of  these  great  Men  are  generally 
known  to  the  present  Age :  And  tho'  Chaucer,  an»l  Spencer 
are  ever  nam'd  with  much  Respect,  not  many  are  intimately 
acquainted  with  their  Beauties. 

[p.  23]  Chaucer,  The  Morning-Star  of  the  English  Poetry !  .  . 
[short  account  of  his  life].  All  agree  he  was  the  first  Master 
of  his  Art  among  us,  and  that  the  Language,  in  general,  is 
much  oblig'd  to  him  for  Copiousness,  Strength  and  Ornament. 
It  would  be  endless,  almost,  to  enumerate  the  Compliments 
that  have  been  paid  to  his  Merit,  by  the  Gratitude  of  those 
Writers,  who  have  enrich'd  themselves  so  much  by  his 
inestimable  Legacies. — But  his  own  Works,  are  his  best 
Monument.  In  those  appear  a  real  Genius,  as  capable  of 
inventing,  as  improving ;  equally  suited  to  the  Gay,  and  the 
Sublime;  soaring  in  high  Life,  and  pleasant  in  low:  .  .  . 

[p.  24]  Ever  both  entertaining,  and  instructive  !  All  which  is  so  well 
known,  'tis,  in  a  Manner,  needless  to  repeat :  ...  it  is  not  a 
little  difficult  to  chuse  one  [a  quotation]  that  will  do  him 
Justice :  Most  of  his  principal  Tales  have  been  already 
exhausted  by  the  Moderns,  and  consequently,  neither  of  them 
would  appear  to  Advantage  in  their  antiquated,  original 
Dress  .  .  .  [The  Pardoner's  Prologue  is  then  given.] 

[p.  si]  [Occleve]  To  his  Care  and  Affection  is  owing  the  Original 
of  that  Print,  which  is  now  so  common  of  Chaucer. 

1737.  Dodd,  Charles.  The  Church  History  of  England  from  the 
year  1500  to  the  year  1688.  Brussels.  Printed  in  the  year 
MDCCXXXVII,  vol.  i,  Book  i,  Art  i,  p.  61  ;  Book  ii,  Art  iii,  p.  369. 


380  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1737 

The  courtiers  indeed,  at  this  time  [the  reign  of  Edward  III] 
were  disposed  to  buzz  many  thing[s]  in  the  king's  ear,  that  were 
prejudicial  to  the  Church ;  in  which  they  were  encouraged  by 
a  nattering  divine  called  John  Wicldiff,  and  the  witty  satires 
of  sir  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  who  took  all  occasions  to  lessen  the 
power  of  churchmen,  and  ridicule  their  character  ...  As  for 
sir  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  he  was,  according  to  the  stile  of  those 
days,  esteemed  an  excellent  poet,  and  being  infected  by 
Wicldiff,  could  not  fail  of  being  acceptable  to  the  libertines  of 
the  court. 

[P.  369]  Nicholas  Brigham  .  .  .  having  a  natural  genius  for  poetry, 
he  sported  away  some  of  his  youthful  hours  in  that  way ;  but 
quickly  laying  that  passion  asleep,  he  followed  the  more  useful 
studies  of  law  and  history.  However,  the  regard  he  had  for 
poetry,  and  particularly  for  sir  Geoffrey  Chaucer's  memory, 
engaged  him  to  be  at  the  expense  of  beautifying  the  monu 
ment  of  that  celebrated  person,  in  the  year  1556,  and  removing 
it  to  a  more  conspicuous  place,  in  Westminster  church,  as  we 
now  find  it. 

[See  above,  1556,* p.  94.] 

1737.  Lewis,  John.  Life  of  Mayster  Wyllyam  Caxton.  p.  xix.  (Testi 
monies  concerning  Wylliam  Caxton.  Joannes  Pits.  1600,  see  below, 
App.  A) ;  pp.  60,  80-1,  92,  102-8,  114,  122-4. 

[p.  60]  .  .  .  Now  it  was  but  an  hundred  and  twenty  four  Years 
since  that  Translation  [Trevisa's  of  the  Polychronicon]  was 
made;  whereas  Archbishop  Parker  noted  it  as  very  strange, 
that  our  Language  should  be  so  changed  in  four  hundred 
Years  from  his  time,  the  Manuscript  Book  of  the  Lives  of  the 
Saints,  written  about  A.D.  1200,  in  old  English  Verse,  now 
in  Sennet  College  Library,  was  so  written,  that  People  could 
not  understand  it.  This  seems  owing  to  the  generous 
Endeavours  of  those  two  great  Genius's,  Chaucer  and  Gower, 
to  polish  and  improve  their  Mother-tongue. 

[pp.  so-i]  He  [John  Gower~\  was  an  intimate  Friend  and  Acquaintance 
of  that  eminent  Poet  Geoff 'ery  Chaucer,  as  he  shews  in  this  Book, 
[Confessio  Amantis]  and  used  to  submit  his  Lucrubrations  [sic] 
to  his  Judgment,  as  Chaucer  did  his  Loves  of  Troilus,  to  the 
Censure  and  Correction  of  Gower  and  Strode. 

[p.  122]  Of  all  our  English  "Writers,  Mr.  Caxton  most  admired  our 
Poet  Geoffrey  Chaucer.  "In  all  his  works,  he  sayd,  he 
excelled,  in  his  opinion,  all  other  writers  in  our  English" 


1737]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  381 

[Here  Lewis  quotes  Caxton's  Epilogue  to  the  Book  of  Fame, 
see  above,  1483,  p.  61.] 

Accordingly,  as  a  Proof  of  the  Respect  which  Mr.  Caxton 
had  for  this  great  and  worthy  Man's  Memory  and  Writings, 
and  his  Desire  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  them,  one  of  his 
most  early  Performances  was  his  collecting  and  printing  as 
many  of  his  Works  as  he  could  get.  He  likewise  procured, 
as  has  been  hinted  before,  an  Elegy  to  be  made  for  him  in 
Latin  Verse,  and  caused  two  of  the  Verses,  there  being  in 
all  thirty  four,  to  be  inscribed  on  Chaucer's  Monument  in 
Westminster  Abby,  viz. 

Galfridus  Chaucer  vates  et  fama  Poesis 
Materne,  hac  sacra  sum  tumulatus  humo. 

[See  above,  1479,  p.  59.]  . 

Lastly,  Mr  Caxton  desired  his  Readers,  according  to  the 
[p.  124]  Superstition  of  his  Time,  that  of  their  charite  they  would 
pray  for  the  said  worshipful  Geffery  Chaucer. 

[On  pp.  102-8  are  references  to  Caxton's  edns.  of  Chaucer's  works ;  on  pp.  92,  114 
are  slight  allusions  to  Chaucer  by  Lewis.] 

1737.  [Morell,  Thomas.]  The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer,  in  the 
Original,  from  the  Most  Authentic  Manuscripts ;  And  as  they  are 
Turn'd  into  Modern  Language  by  Mr.  Dryden,  Mr.  Pope,  and  other 
Eminent  Hands.  London,  1737,  Dedication,  pp.  iii-vi.  William 
Thynne's  dedication  to  Henry  VIII,  pp.  vii-xiv.  Account  of  the 
Life  of  Chaucer  [drawn  from  the  Life  in  Urry's  edn.  1721],  pp.  xv- 
xx.  Preface,  pp.  xxi-xxxvj.  Appendix,  pp.  349-452.  [The  book 
only  contains  the  general  Prologue  to  the  Tales,  and  the  Knight's 
Tale.  See  below,  1771,  p.  436,  and  1741,  p.  389,  Ames.] 

jjfe-         This  ancient  Poet  Jeoffery  Chaucer,  has  now  stood  the  Test 
P-         of  above  300  Years,  still  read,  and  still  admired,  notwith 
standing  he  hath  been  so  wretchedly  abused,  miswrote  and 
mismetred  by  all  his  Editors,  the  last  not  excepted.     I  speak 
not  this  to  derogate  from  the  Tame  of  the  late  Mr.   Urry, 
who  died  before  he  had  completed  his  work.  .  .  .  [Quotations 
from  Thomas's  preface  to  Urry's  edn. :  that  Urry  was  of  opinion 
that  Chaucer  wrote  in  exact  Metre,  and  therefore  he  proposed, 
[p-        'to  restore  him  to  his  Feet  again.'!     But  if  Chaucer  was  a 

xxiv] 

Cripple  before  Mr.  Urry  restored  him  to  his  Feet,  ...  he  was 
really  born  such ;  'twas  a  natural  Lameness,  and  no  more  a 
Blemish  in  Chaucer's  Time,  than  Round-Shoulders  were  in  the 
Days  of  Alexander  the  Great.  .  .  . 

fr  From  this  last  Line  [from  the  H.  of  Fame,  1.  1098,  « 'Tho 

som  Verse  fail  of  a  Syllable '],   I   conclude,   that  an   exact 


382  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1737- 

LPxvii  Numerosity  (as  Bp.  Sprat  expresses  it  in  his  Life  of  Coivley, 
which,  by  the  way,  runs  parallel  with  our  Author's  in  many 
Cases)  was  not  Chaucer's  main  Care ;  but  that  he  had  some 
times  a  greater  Regard  for  the  Sense,  than  the  Metre  :  His 
Numbers,  however,  are,  by  no  Means  so  rough  and  inhar 
monious  as  some  People  imagine ;  there  is  a  charming  Sim 
plicity  in  them,  and  they  are  always  musical,  whether  they 
want  or  exceed  their  Complement.  .  .  . 

[PX  As  to  the  final  E,  it  was  anciently  pronounc'd,  no  doubt, 

in  feminine  Adjectives,  both  from  the  Saxon  and  French,  and 
in  those  Substantives,  that  from  the  old  Saxon  are  made 
English,  by  changing  a  into  e.  .  .  .  However,  our  Author 
seems  to  have  taken  the  Liberty  to  use  it  or  not,  as  it  best 
served  his  Metre ;  But  give  me  leave  to  observe,  that  he  has 
never  used  it  in  any  even  Place,  except  the  2d,  where  it  is 
allowable,  especially  if  the  Accent  be  strong  upon  the  4th. 

Whanne  that  Apryl.  v.  1. 

Thatte  no  Drop.  v.  131. 

I  say,  that  the  final  E,  (and  I  believe  I  might  say  the  same 
of  the  plural  es  or  is,  especially  of  Monosyllables,  .  .  .)  is 
never  used  in  the  4th,  6th,  8th,  or  last  Syllable  of  the  Verse, 
which  is  a  Fault  that  most  injudiciously  runs  thro'  Mr.  Urry's 
whole  edition. 

In  a  Goune.  v.  393. 

And  in  a  Glass  hadde  he,  699. 

.  .  .  [pp.  xxviii — xxxiv,  remarks  on  Chaucerian  English  and 
grammar]. 

[p-  So  lively  are  Chaucer's  Descriptions,  that  only  to  read  them, 

is  to  carry  Life  back  again,  as  it  were,  300  Years,  and  to  join 
Conference  with  his  merry  Crew  in  their  Pilgrimage  to 
Canterbury.  From  whence  we  may  observe,  that  Nature  is 
still  the  same,  however  alter'd  in  her  outward  Dress,  and 
the  Man  that,  like  Chaucer  and  Shalcespear,  can  trace  her  in 
her  most  secret  Recesses,  will  be  sure,  in  every  Age,  to  please. 

1737.  Pope,  Alexander.     The  Second  Book  of  the  Epistles  of  Horace. 
Imitated  by  Mr.  Pope.     Printed  for  T.   Cooper. — Epistle  i,  To 
Augustus,  p.  3.     (Works,  1871,  vol.  iii,  p.  351.) 
[i.  si]  Just  in  one  instance,  be  it  yet  confest 

Your  People,  Sir,  are  partial  in  the  rest. 
Foes  to  all  living  worth  except  your  own, 
p.  35]  And  Advocates  for  Folly  dead  and  gone. 


1738]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  383 

Authors,  like  Coins,  grow  dear  as  they  grow  old ; 
It  is  the  rust  we  value,  not  the  gold. 
Chaucer's  worst  ribaldry  is  learn'd  by  rote, 
And  beastly  Skelton  Heads  of  Houses  quote. 

1737.  D.,  A.     Quotation  [in]  Notes  and  Queries,  May  19,  1866,  3rd  S. 
ix,  414. 

I  met  this  passage  in  a  book  printed  in  1737 — "  In  a  word 
they  seemed  to  strive  who  should  make  us  yawn  first.  The 
instant  one  of  them  had  cited  a  passage  from  an  Ancient 
author,  the  other  would  begin  a  long  Canterbury  story  of  a 
duel  he  had  fought."  "Whence  this  expression  1  A.  D. 

[There  follows  an  explanatory  note  in  answer  to  the  above, 
very  long,  but  without  mention  of  the  source.] 

1737.  Unknown.     Modernization  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.    See 
below,  App.  A. 

1738.  Bancks,  John.     Miscellaneous  works  in  verse  and  prose  of  John 
Bancks,  vol.  i,  Preface  p.  xiii.     To  Mr.  Hogarth  ...  p.  88  and 
note  p.  89.     A  Critical  Epistle  .  .  .  vol.  ii,  p.  206. 

lv°88i"  Perhaps  in  CHAUCER'S  antient  Page 

We  view  the  HOGARTH  of  his  Age  : 
Upon  the  Canvas  first,  like  Thine, 
His  deathless  Characters  might  shine. 

t™1-  "•>  If  DRYDEN  must,  as  POPE  has  wrote 

Lose  all  the  Charms  he  now  has  got ; 
If  POPE  must  grow  like  Father  CHAUCER 
Niceness  is  Nonsense  for  that  Cause,  Sir. 

[For  Pope's  remark  on  Dryden  and  Chaucer,  see  above,  1709,  pp.  310-11,  and  for 
other  references  to  it,  see  above,  pp.  315,  367.  369,  379.] 

[1738.]  Davies,  Sneyd.  Letter  to  Timothy  Thomas  [written  c.  Feb. 
1738,  printed  in]  Illustrations  of  the  Literary  History  of  the  18th 
century  ...  by  John  Nichols,  vol.  i,  1817,  p.  522. 

I  cannot  thank  you  too  often  for  the  noble  Edition  of 
Chaucer,  valuable  in  itself,  but  more  so  for  the  sake  of  the 
expositor,  and  the  giver. 

[Nichols  notes  that  this  was  Urry's  Chaucer  [1721],  to  which  Thomas  wrote  the 
Preface  and  Glossary.] 

1788.  [Oldys,  William.]  The  British  Librarian ;  pp.  86-7  n.,  88-9,  138, 
218,  223,  309,  346-7,  356,  360. 

[p.  86]  [An  account  of  W.  Webbe's  Discourse  of  English  Poetrie, 
see  above,  1586,  p.  129.]  Our  end  of  reviving  here,  or  reviewing 
this  Discourse,  is  chiefly  for  the  sake  of  those  Characters, 


384  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1738- 

which  our  Author  has  given  in  it,  of  the  antient,  and  more 
especially  the  English  Poets,  from  Chaucer  and  Gower  down 
to  the  most  considerable  of  those  who  flourished  at  the  Tim  p. 
of  this  Publication ;  that  the  critical  Reader  may  better  know, 
whether  the  Opinions  held  of  them  in  those  Days,  and  ours, 
correspond.  .  .  . 

[p.  88]       [Summary  of  Webbe's  criticism  of  Chaucer,  see  above,  p.  129.] 

[p.  138]  [Account  of  Hakluyt's  Voyages,  1598,  where  there  is  a 
mention  of  Chaucer,  see  above,  p.  157.] 

223J218'  [Account  of  Scot's  Discovery  of  Witchcraft,  1651,  with 
Chaucer  reference,  see  above,  1584,  p.  124.] 

[p.  309]  [Chaucer  criticism  in  A  Restitution  of  decay'd  Intelligence 
in  Antiquities,  by  R.  Y[erstegan],  1605,  see  above,  p.  176.] 

iiaoi 846>  [Chaucer  references  in  "Weever's  Ancient  Funeral  Monu 
ments,  1631,  see  above,  p.  204.] 

1738.  Unknown.    The  Apotheosis  of  Milton.    A  Vision  [in]  The  Gentle 
man's  Magazine,  May  1738,  vol.  viii,  p.  233. 

...  I  percieved  [sic]  a  Door  unfold,  and  a  venerable  Figure 
enter,  clothed  in  a  deep  Yiolet-coloured  Robe,  with  a  Wand  in 
his  Hand,  and  proceeding  slowly  to  the  Chair  at  the  upper  end 
of  the  Table,  where  he  seated  himself.  That  Old  Man,  said 
my  Conductor,  wliose  Face  you  see  wears  the  Furrows  of  Age, 
is  the  Father  of  English  Poesy :  Notwithstanding  the  Solemn 
Figure  he  makes  here,  if  you  were  near  enough  to  observe  him 
aright,  you  might  perceive  an  Archness  in  his  Looks,  and  a 
certain  Vivacity,  that  is  either  not  to  be  found,  or  is  very 
aukivard,  in  most  of  his  Poetical  Descendants.  Here  my 
Conductor  was  silent,  and  upon  a  narrow  View  of  the  old 
Personage,  I  could  easily  perceive  that  it  must  be  Chaucer. 

[For  the  continuation  in  February,  1739,  see  below,  A  pp.  A.] 

1739.  Ogle,  George.    Gualtherus  and  Griselda:  or  the  Clerk  of  Oxford's 
Tale.    From  Boccace,  Petrarch,  and  Chaucer.    To  which  are  added, 
A  Letter  to  a  Friend,  with  the  Clerk  of  Oxford's  Character,  &c. 
The  Clerk  of  Oxford's   Prologue  from  Chaucer.     The  Clerk  of 
Oxford's  Conclusion,  from  Petrarch.     The  Declaration,  or  L'envoy 
de  Chaucer  a  les  Maris  de  notre  Temps,  from  Chaucer.    The  Words 
of  our  Host,  from  Chaucer.     A  Letter  in  Latin,  from  Petrarch  to 
Boccace.    By  George  Ogle,  Esq. ;  London  :  Printed  for  R.  Dodsley, 
at  Tully's-Head,  Pall-Mali.   M.   D.  CC.  XXXIX.     (Price  Three 
Shillings.) 

tp.  vi]        [In  his  "Letter  to  a  Friend,"  Ogle  contends  that  Chaucer 

[p.  vii]  was  one  of  Petrarch's  friends,  and  conjectures  that]  the  Person 

of  so  much  Humanity,  whom  Petrarch,  mentions  [in  his  Latin 


1739]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  385 

letter  of   1373  to  Boccaccio  about  Grisild]   to  have   seen  at 
Padua,  may  be  taken  for  our  very  Chaucer. 

This  Tale  [of  Griselda]  .  .  .  has  already  pass'd  thro'  the 
Hands  of  BOCCACE,  PETRARCH  and  CHAUCER  ;  that  is,  thro'  the 
Hands  of  three  Men  of  as  great  Genius  as  ever  appear'd  in  one 
Age.  BOCCACE  may  be  suppos'd  to  have  improv'd  on  Those  He 
follow'd;  PETRARCH  most  certainly  improv'd  on  Him;  and 
our  Countryman  undeniably  improv'd  on  them  Both  .... 

[p.  viii]  I  hold  Mr.  DRYDEN  to  have  been  the  first  Who  put  the  Merit 
of  CHAUCER  into  its  full  and  true  Light,  by  Turning  Some 
of  the  Canterbury  Tales  into  our  Language,  as  it  is  now  refin'd, 
or  rather  as  He  himself  refin'd  it.  ... 

Treating  of  CHAUCER  (Whom  He  puts  on  a  Footing  of 
Comparison  in  some  Instances  with  Ovid)  He  observes ;  that, 
among  other  Excellencies,  He  was  perfect  Master  of  the 
Manners  .... 

[p.  ix]  As  to  the  Point  of  Characterizing,  at  which  CHAUCER  was 
most  singularly  happy;  You  can  name  no  Author  even  of 
Antiquity,  wliether  in  the  Comic  or  in  the  Satiric  Way,  equal, 
at  least  superior,  to  Him.  Give  Me  Leave,  only  to  throw 
together  a  few  Touches  taken  from  his  Descriptions  of  the 
Pilgrims.  [Here  follow  a  large  number  of  quotations  in  this 
style]  .  .  .  The  Squire ;  with  Locks  curl'd,  just  fresli  from  the 
Press!  .  .  .  The  Lady  Prioress;  Who  wept  if  She  saw  a  Mouse 
taken  in  a  Trap  /  ...  To  conclude,  the  Doctor  of  Physic ; 
whose  Study  was  little  in  the  Bible  !  And  the  Serjeant  at  Law ; 
Who  seemed  much  busier  than  he  was  !  All  these,  I  say,  are 
the  Strokes  of  no  common  Genius,  but  of  a  Man  perfectly 
conversant  in  the  Turns  and  Foibles  of  human  Mature. 
Observe  but  his  Manner  of  Throwing  Them  in,  and  You  will 
not  think  I  exaggerate,  if  I  say,  these  Turns  of  Satire,  are  not 
unworthy  of  PERSIUS,  JUVENAL,  or  HORACE  himself.  Before  I 
cool  upon  this  Subject,  I  shall  venture  (as  far  as  the  Ludicrous 
may  hold  Comparison  with  the  Serious)  to  rank  our  CHAUCER 
with  whatever  We  have  of  greatest  Perfection  in  this  Character 
of  Painting;  I  shall  venture  to  Eank  Him  (making  this 
Allowance)  either  with  SALUST  [sic]  or  CLARENDON  .... 

[p.  x]  For  it  was  not  to  the  Distinguishing  of  Character  from 
Character,  that  the  Excellence  of  CHAUCER  was  confin'd ;  He 
was  equally  Master  of  Introducing  them  properly  on  the 
Stage ;  and  after  having  introduced  them,  of  Supporting  them 
agreeably  to  the  Part  They  were  formed  to  personate.  In  This, 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  CC 


386  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1739- 

He  claims  equal  Honour  with  the  best  Comedians  ;  there  is  no 
Admirer  of  PLAUTUS,  TERENCE,  or  ARISTOPHANES,  that  will 
pretend  to  say,  CHAUCER  has  not  equally,  thro'  his  Canterbury 
Tales,  supported  his  Characters.  And  all  must  allow,  that  the 
Plan,  by  which  He  connects  and  unites  his  Tales,  one  with 
another,  is  well  designed,  and  well  executed.  [Here  Ogle 
gives  a  sketch  of  the  plan  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  with  long 
quotations.] 

[A  later  edn.  of  the  above  appeared  in  1741,  12mo,  the  same  year  as  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  with  the  Title  as  above,  except  the  place,  and  publisher,  which  are  "Dublin: 
Printed  for  George  Faulkner  in  Essex  Street.  1741."  The  "  Letter  to  a  Friend  "  was 
reprinted  in  extenso  in  Ogle's  edn.  of  the  modernised  "  Canterbury  Tales,"  1741, 
see  below,  pp.  389-90.] 

1739.  Unknown.  Revieiv  of  John  Lewis's  The  Life  of  Mayster 
Wyllyam  Caxton,  1737,  [in]  The  History  of  the  Works  of  the 
Learned  .  .  .  containing  Impartial  Accounts  and  Accurate  Ab 
stracts  of  the  Most  Valuable  Books  published  in  Great  Britain 
and  Foreign  Parts,  1739,  vol.  i,  pp.  269-70,  article  xviii  [reference 
to  Chaucer's  Works  printed  by  Caxton,  see  above,  1737,  Lewis, 
pp.  380-1]. 

[In  1736  "The  Literary  Magazine  or  the  History  of  the  Works  of  the  Learned," 
ed.  by  Ephraim  Chambers,  and  "The  Present  state  of  the  Republick  of  Letters," 
ed.  by  Andrew  Reid,  were  converted  into  "The  History  of  the  Works  of  the 
Learned."] 

1739.  Unknown.  The  Apotheosis  of  Milton,  continued.  See  below, 
App.  A.  ;  for  the  first  part  see  above,  1738,  p.  384. 

1739.  Vinegar,  Tim.,  pseud.     Letter  to  Captain  Vinegar,  November 
24, 1739,  from  Tim.  Vinegar  [in]  The  Champion,  containing  a  series 
of  papers  humourous,  moral  .  .  .  London,  1741,  vol.  i,  p.  29. 

.  .  .  No  one  City  in  the  Universe  has  produc'd  so  many 
Ornaments  of  polite  Learning  as  this  [London]  :  and  when  I 
mention  the  great  Names  of  Chaucer,  Spencer,  Donne,  Milton 
and  Coivley,  with  those  of  Mr.  Pope,  and  Mr.  Glove?',  all  Natives 
of  London ;  no  Body  will  presume  to  treat  the  Word  Citizen, 
as  a  Term  of  Keproach  any  more. 

1740.  Alceeus,  pseud.    Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  August 
1740,  vol.  x,  p.  404. 

Sir, 

As  there  is  a  very  noble  Edition  of  the  Prince  of  our  English 
Poets,  in  a  modern  Dress,  preparing  for  the  Publick,  it  may 
not  be  disagreeable  to  some  of  your  Readers  to  present  them 
with  a  Specimen  of  that  Undertaking,  which  I  hope  the 
generous  Editor  will  forgive  me  for,  as  it  proceeds  from  an 


1740]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  387 

Apprehension  you  may  receive   the  Part  I  send  you,  more 
incorrect  from  another  Quarter. 

I  am,  Sir,  yours  &c.,  Alcseus. 

[Here  follows   an    extract  from   Cambuscan,   by  Ogle,  see 
below,  1741,  pp.  389-90.] 

1740.    Astrophil,   pseud.     In  Praise   of  Chaucer,  Father  of  English 
Poetry  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Jan.  1740,  vol.  x,  p.  31. 

Long  veil'd  in  Gothick  mists  our  Britain  lay, 
Ere  dawning  science  beam'd  a  cheering  ray, 
Dark  monkish  systems,  and  dull  senseless  rhymes 
Swell'd  the  vain  volumes  of  those  ruder  times : 
When  Chaucer  rose,  the  Phcelms  of  our  isle, 
And  bid  bright  art  on  downward  ages  smile ; 
His  genius  pierc'd  the  gloom  of  error  through, 
And  truth  with  nature  rose  at  once  to  view. 

In  regal  courts  by  princely  favours  grac'd 
His  easy  muse  acquir'd  her  skilful  taste : 
A  universal  genius  she  displays 
In  his  mixt  subject  tun'd  to  various  lays. 
If  in  heroic  strain  he  tries  his  art, 
All  Homer's,  fire  and  strength  his  strains  impart. 
Is  love  his  theme  ?     How  soft  the  lays,  how  warm  ! 
With  Ovid's  sweetness  all  his  numbers  charm 
His  thoughts  so  delicate,  so  bright  his  flame, 
Not  juster  praise  we  owe  the  Roman  name. 
What  pious  strains  the  heavenly  piece  adorn, 
Where  guilty  Magdalen  is  taught  to  mourne. 
Devotion's  charms  their  strongest  powers  combine, 
And  with  the  poet  equal  the  divine. 
When  he  some  scene  of  tragic  woe  recites, 
Our  pity  feels  the  strong  distress  he  writes ; 
Like  Sophocles  majestic  he  appears, 
And  claims  alike  our  wonder  and  our  tears. 
Does  he  to  comic  wit  direct  his  aim  ? 
His  humour  crowns  th'  attempt  with  equal  fame. 
Meer  fictions  for  realities  we  take, 
So. just  a  picture  his  descriptions  make; 
So  true  with  life  his  characters  agree, 
What  e'er  is  read  we  almost  think  we  see. 

Such  Chaucer  was,  bright  mirror  of  his  age 
Tho'  length  of  years  has  quite  obscur'd  his  page ; 


388  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1740- 

His  stile  grown  obsolete,  his  numbers  rude, 
Scarce  read,  and  but  with  labour  understood. 
Yet  by  fam'd  modern  bards  new  minted  o'er, 
His  standard  wit  has  oft  enrich'd  their  store ; 
Whose  Canterbury  Tales  could  task  impart 
For  Pope's  and  Dri/den'a  choice-refining  art ; 
And  in  their  graceful  polish  let  us  view 
What  wealth  enrich'd  the  mind  where  first  they  grew. 

Astrophil. 

[c.  1740?]  Clarke,  William.  An  Impi-omptu  on  some  of  the  English 
Poets,  [first  printed  by  John  Nichols  in]  Literary  Anecdotes  of  the 
18th  century,  vol.  iv,  1812,  p.  376. 

See  the  Fathers  of  Yerse, 
In  their  rough  uncouth  dress, 

Old  Chaucer  and  Gower  array 'd 
And  that  Fairy-led  Muse, 
Which  in  Spenser  we  lose, 

By  Fashion's  false  power  bewray'd. 

[Five  more  verses,   on  Shakespeare,   Fletcher,  Beaumont,  Ben  Jonson,  Milton 
Cowley,  Butler,  Waller,  Dryden,  Prior,  Addison  and  Pope.] 

1740.  Theobald,  [Lewis].  Notes  to  The  Works  of  Shakespeare,  in  8 
volumes,  2nd  edn.  1740,  vol.  i,  p.  123  ["  Gemell "  not  used  by 
Chaucer],  vi,  pp.  80  ["Fumitory"  written  "  femetere "  by 
Chaucer],  237  [quotes  glossary  to  Urry's  Chaucer  for  or,  =  before, 
ere].  [For  the  first  edition  see  above,  1733,  p.  375.] 

1740.  Vorio,  pseud.  Verses  occasioned  by  the  Translation  of  Chaucer 
in  your  last  Magazine  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Sept.  1740, 
vol.  x,  p.  463.  [Cambuscan,  see  above,  1740,  Alcaeus,  p.  387.] 

JEson  (says  Ovid  in  his  book) 
Medea  takes  in  hand  to  cook, 
Him  in  a  kettle  first  she  fixes, 
Then  powerful  charms  and  juices  mixes, 
Till  warm'd  all  over  up  he  sprung, 
Danc'd  with  his  daughter  and  was  young  [ 
Such  Chaucer  seems. — The  Muse  ordains 
This  fate  should  mark  his  endless  strains : 
That  future  bards  who  read  his  page, 
Shall  spread  his  praise  from  age  to  age, 
Not  by  their  own  inferior  thought, 
But  by  restoring  what  he  wrote  ! 


1741]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  389 

1741.  Ames,  Joseph.     MS.  Notes  from  Ames's  collections  for  the  history 

of  printing,    and    a    letter   from   him    to  . [dated]    London 

19  Aug.  [17]41.     Add.  MS.  5151,  ft'.  21,  109,  138,  151,  258,  etc. 

[foi.  258]  There  is  a  Curious  Edition  of  Chaucer  now  lately  done  by 
one  Mr.  Morell  a  Clergy  man  and  member  of  our  society, 
encouraged  much  by  Mr.  Harding  Clark  of  the  House  of 
Corns.,  one  vol.  is  printed  of,  in  8°  (and  I  purpose  to  let  him 
have  the  use  of  my  MS.  of  Chaucer's  on  the  inaynet  never  yet 
printed  that  I  know  of,  it  is  Joyn'd  with  that  of  the  astrolabe) 
without  his  name. 

[T.  Morell's  Canterbury  Tales  appeared  in  1737,  tee  above,  p.  381 ;  tee  also  below, 
1771,  p.  436.  The  references  on  the  other  pages  are  to  various  printers  of  Chaucer's 
works.] 

[1741?]  Minshull,  Randal.  Proposals  for  Priniing  an  exact  and 
Ample  Account  of  all  the  Books  Printed  by  William  Caxton  .  .  . 
with  a  Vocabulary  of  the  Old  English  Words,  and  an  Explanation  of 
them,  which  will  greatly  illustrate  the  Ancient  Enylizli  Language, 
as  it  was  written  in  the  Reign  of  Edward  III  and  continued  down 
to  Henry  VII  Kings  of  England,  contained  in  the  Writings  of 
Thomas  Woodstock  Duke  of  Glocester,  Anthony  Woochille  Earl 
Rivers,  John  Gower,  Geoff nj  Cliauctr,  John  Lydgate,  and  other 
famous  Persons.  By  R.  Minshull,  Library- Keeper  to  the  Right 
Honourable  the  Earl  of  Oxford,  deceas'd. 

[These  Proposals  were  apparently  never  carried  into  effect.  On  the  back  of  a 
copy  of  the  Proposals  inserted  in  the  beginning  of  W.  Herbert's  interleaved  copy 
of  Typographical  Antiquities  [B.  M.  pr.  m.  824.  k.  1-6]  vol.  I.  i,  there  is  a  receipt 
by  Minshull  to  Dr.  [Richard]  Mead  for  one  guinea,  being  the  first  half  of  the  sub 
scription,  dated  March  1,  1741.] 

1741.  Betterton,  Thomas. 
Boyse,  Samuel. 
Brooke,  Henry. 
Cobb,  Samuel. 

Grosvenor, .     (See  also  below,  App.  A.,  1733.) 

Markland,  Jeremiah.     (See  also  above,  1728,  p.  370.) 

All  took  part  in  modernising  the  Canterbury  Tales,  q.  v.  Ogle, 
immediately  below. 

1741.  Ogle,   George  and   others.  The   Canterbury   Tales  of  Chaucer, 

modernised  by  several  hands,  [i.e.  Betterton,  Ogle,  Dryden,  Cobb, 

Pope,  Markland,  Grosvenor,  Boyse  and  Brooke.l     Published  by 
Mr.  Ogle,  1741. 

[Dart's]  Life  of  Chaucer,  [as  published  in  Urry's  edn.  of 
Chaucer,  1721],  vol.  i,  pp.  iii-lx. 

A  Letter  to  a  Friend,  with  the  Poem  of  Gualtherus  and 
Griselda,  [by  George  Ogle]  vol.  iii,  pp.  v-xxviii  [reprinted 
from  Gualtherus  and  Griselda,  1739,  see  above,  p.  384.] 


390  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [AD.  1742- 

[Contents.— Order  of  the  Tales,  and  names  of  modernises.] 

[vol.  i]  Prologue  modernised  by  Ogle. 

Characters  of  the  Pilgrims  |    _  ^  Betterton. 

Knight  to  Merchant 

Clerk  of  Oxford.        ...                         .     ,,  ,,  Ogle. 

Man  of  Law  and  Franklin         ....,,  ,,  B  t  erton. 

Haberdasher  to  Cook ,,  „  Ogle. 

Shipman  to  Wife  of  Bath ,,  „  Betterton. 

Parson „  ,,  Dryden. 

Plowman  to  Pardoner ,,  ,,  Betterton. 

Prologue  to  Knight's  Tn  le        ....,,  ,  Ogle. 

Knight's  Tale ,,  ,  Dryden. 

Prologue  to  Miller's  Tale ,,  ,  Ogle. 

Miller's  Tale ,  ,  CobK 

Prologue  to  Reeve's  Tale ,,  ,  Ot-'le. 

Reeve's  Tale       .        .        .       x.        .        .        .     ,,  ,  Bettertou. 

[vol.  ii]          Prologue  to  Cook's  Tale ,,  ,  Ogle. 

Cook's  Tale ,,  ,  Boyse. 

.  Prologue  to  Man  of  Law ,,  ,  Ogle. 

Man  of  Law's  Tale     .        .        .        .        .        .     „  ,,  Brooke. 

Prologue  to  Squire's  Tale .        .        .        .'        .     ,,  ,,  Ogle. 

Squire's  Tale ,,  „  Boyse. 

Squire's  Tale  (Continued  from  Spenser)  \  Q  je 


Prologue  to  Merchant's  Tale  ) 

Merchant's  Tale.    Prolog;  e  to  W.  of  Bath      .  ,,  ,,   Pope. 

Prologue  to  Wife  of  Bath  (continued)      .        .  ,,  „   Ogle. 

Wife  of  Bath's  Tale ,,  „   Dryden. 

Prologue  to  Friar's  Tale ,,  „   Ogle. 

Friar's  Tale        .        .        .        .        .        .        .  „  ,,   Markland. 

Prologue  to  Sumner's  Tale        .        .        .        .  „  ,,   Ogle. 

Sumner's  Tale ,,  ,,   Grosvenor. 

Prologue  to  Clerk  of  Oxford's  Tale     -\ 

Clerk  of  Oxford's  Tale  V    .        .  ,,  ,,   Ogle. 

Conclusion  to  Clerk  of  Oxford's  TaleJ 

[Another  edn.  appeared  in  Dublin  in  1742,  in  2vols.;  th?  names  of  the  contributors 
are  given  on  the  title  page  (Boyse  beiug  ini.spnnteit  '  Boyle '.)] 

1742.  Dart,  John.     Westmonasterium.     See  above,  1721,  p.  361  ;  1723, 
p.  363. 

1742.  Walpole,  Horace.     Letter  to  Sir  Horace  Mann,  Chelsea,  July  29, 
1742.      (Letters   of  Horace    Walpole,    ed.    Mrs.    Paget   Toynbee, 
1903,  vol.  i,  p.  262.) 

They  have  given  Mrs.  Pulteney  an  admirable  name,  and 
one  that  is  likely  to  stick  by  her — instead  of  Lady  Bath,  they 
call  her  the  wife  of  Bath.  Don't  you  figure  her  squabbling  at 
the  gate  with  St.  Peter  for  a  halfpenny  ? 

[Note  by  Walpole]  In  allusion  to  the  old  ballad.  [See 
above,  1700,  p.  288,  and  below,  App.  A.,  c.  1670.] 

1743.  Junius,   Franciscus,  the  younger.     Etijmologicum    Anglicanum. 
[Continual  references  to  Chaucer.    Amongst  others]  ARSENICKE, 
sig.  E.2.     BALE,  sig.  G.     WARRY,  sig.  H  h'h.  h  h  h  Ib.     WENDE, 
sig.Kkkkkkl. 

1743.  Unknown.   Article  and  quotation  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine. 
See  below,  App.  A. 


1745]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  391 

1744.  Thomson,  James.  Summer  [in]  The  Seasons,  Printed  for  A. 
Millar,  in  the  Strand,  1744,  p.  119,  11.  1557-1564.  [These  lines 
are  not  in  any  of  the  earlier  editions  of  "  Summer."  In  that  of 
1746,  which  contained  Thomson's  final  alterations,  the  references  to 
the  above  are  pp.  115-6,  11.  1557-64.  (The  Seasons  and  the 
Castle  of  Indolence,  ed.  J.  Logie  Robertson,  Clarendon  Press,  1891, 
p.  108.  [Also  notes  on  pp.  303,  306.]) 

Nor  shall  my  Verse,  that  elder  Bard  forget, 
The  gentle  SPENSER,  Fancy's  pleasing  Son ; 
Who,  like  a  copious  River,  pour'd  his  Song 
O'er  all  the  Mazes  of  enchanted  Ground : 
Nor  Thee,  his  antient  Master,  laughing  Sage, 
CHAUCER,  whose  native  Manners-painting  Verse 
Well-moraliz'd,  shines  thro'  the  Gothic  cloud 
Of  Time  and  Language  o'er  thy  Genius  thrown. 

1744.  Whitehead,  William.     On  Nobility.     See  below,  App.  A.,  1744. 

[a.  1745.]  Anstis,  John.  MS.  History  of  the  Officers  o/  Arms  in  the 
Herald's  Office.  MS.  at  the  Coll.  of  Arms,  vol.  ii,  p.  5,  under 
Lancaster,  ch.  xi,  sect.  13,  p.  559.  (Thynne's  Animadversions, 
ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Chaucer  Soc.,  1876,  p.  137,  also  ibid.  p.  cv.) 
[This  is  merely  a  reference  to  Francis  Thynne's  work  on  Chaucer.] 

1745.  Montagu,  Elizabeth.     Letter  to  the  Duchess  of  Portland,  July  24. 
(Elizabeth  Montagu,  by  E.  J.  Climenson,  1906,  vol.  i,  pp.  155-7, 
198-9.) 

[P.  198]  One  day  this  week  we  rode  to  Chaucer's  Castle  [Donning- 
ton]  where  you  will  suppose  we  made  some  verses  no  doubt, 
and  when  they  showed  us  Chaucer's  well,  I  desired  some 
Helicon,  hoping  thereby  to  write  you  a  more  poetical  letter, 
but  the  place  having  been,  during  the  last  Civil  War,  besieged, 
the  Muses  were  frightened  away,  and  forbade  this  spring  to 
flow.  .  .  . 

1745.  Thompson,  William.  Sickness,  a  Poem  in  Three  Books. 
London,  1745.  Book  I,  p.  18,  and  Notes  p.  43. 

[i.  275]  Father  of  fancy,  of  descriptive  verse, 

And  shadowy  beings,  gentle  Edmund,  hight 
Spenser !  the  sweetest  of  the  tuneful  throng, 
Or  recent,  or  of  eld. 

[p.  43]  [Note  to  above,  wrongly  printed  ver.  267.]  The  date  of 
our  English  poetry  may  with  great  justice  begin  with  Spenser. 
It  is  true,  Chaucer,  Gou-er,  and  Lydgate  were  masters  of 
uncommon  beauties,  considering  the  age  they  lived  in,  and 


392  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1745- 

have  described  the  humours,  passions  &c.  with  great  discern 
ment.  Yet  none  of  them  seem  to  have  been  half  so  well 
acquainted  with  the  very  life  and  being  of  poetry,  inven 
tion,  painting,  and  design,  as  Spenser.  Chaucer  was  the 
best  before  him ;  but  then  he  borrowed  most  of  his  poems, 
either  from  the  ancients,  or  from  Boccace,  Petrarch,  OY  the 
Proven£al  writers,  &c.  Thus  his  Troilus  and  Cressida,  the 
largest  of  his  works,  was  taken  from  Lollius ;  and  the  Romant 
of  the  Rose,  was  translated  from  the  French  of  John  Noon, 
[sic]  an  Englishman,  who  flourished  in  the  reign  of  Richard  II. 
and  so  of  the  rest.  As  for  those  who  follow'd  him,  such  as 
Heywood,  Scogan,  Skelton,  &c.  they  seem  to  be  wholly  ignorant 
of  either  numbers,  language,  propriety,  or  even  decency  itself. 
I  must  be  understood  to  except  the  Earl  of  gurry.  Sir  Thomas 
Wiat,  Sir  Philip  Sidney,  several  pieces  in  the  mirror  of 
magistrates,  and  a  few  parts  of  Mr.  G.  Gascoign's  and 
Turbervill's  works. 

[3.  1745.]  Thompson,  William.  In  Chaucer's  Boure,  Garden  Inscrip 
tions  no.  vii,  [in]  The  Poetical  Calendar  ...  by  Francis  Fawkes 
and  William  Woty,  vol.  viii,  ed.  2,  1763,  p.  103.  [also  in]  Poetical 
Works  of  William  Thompson,  ed.  Park,  British  Poets,  vol.  26, 1807, 
p.  181. 

In  Chaucer's  Boure. 

Who  is  this  thilke  old  bard  which  wonneth  here  1 
This  thilke  old  bard,  sirs,  is  Dan  Chaucer : 
Full  gentle  knight  was  he,  in  very  sooth, 
Albee  a  little  japepish  [sic]  in  his  youth. 
He  karoll'd  deftly  to  his  new  psautry, 
And  eke  couth  tellen  tales  of  jollity. 
And  sangs  of  solace,  all  the  livelong  day, 
Soote  as  the  ouzle  or  throstell  in  May. 
Withouten  words  mo,  a  merie  maker  he, 
Ne  hopen  I  his  permagall x  to  see. 
Ne  Johnny  Gay,  perdie,  ne  Matthew  Prior. 
In  diting  tales  of  pleasaunce  couth  go  higher. 
Here  in  this  gardyn  full  of  flowers  gend, 
Betwixt  this  elder-tree  and  fresh  woodbend, 
He  hearkeneth  the  foules'  assemblie, 
That  fro  the  twigs  maken  their  melodie. 
Ye  pied  daisies,  spring  neath  his  feet, 
Who  sung  so  sootly,  "  The  daisy  is  so  sweet :  " 
1  His  equal. 


1747]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  393 

And  whilest,  "  benedicite,"  he  sings, 
Ryn  little  beck,  in  silver  murmurings, 
O  pleasaunt  poete,  thyselven  solace  here, 
And  merie  be  thy  heart,  old  Dan  Chaucer. 

[17] 46.  Rudd,  Abraham  Joseph.  Two  letters  from  S.  John's  College, 
Oxford,  dated  respectively  April  21  and  29,  [17]46,  to  Mr.  Ames 
[Joseph  Ames,  the  bibliographer  and  antiquary]  Wapping  Street, 
near  the  Hermitage,  London  ;  describing  Caxton's  first  edition  of 
the  Canterbury  Tales  [no  criticism  of  Chaucer.  These  letters  are 
now  inserted  in  the  copy  of  Caxton's  first  edn.  of  the  Canterbury 
Tales  in  B.  M.  (pr.  m.  167.  c.  26).] 

[See  Ames's  Typographical  Antiquities,  1749,  p.  55.] 

1746.  Unknown.  Poem  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below, 
App.  A. 

1746.  Upton,  John.     Critical  Observations  on  Shakespeare,  pp.  193,  327. 
["Fere"  and  "atwain,"  old  words  used  by  Chaucer.] 

[See  the  enlarged  edn.  of  174S,  below,  p.  396,  for  many  more  Chaucer  allusions.] 

1747.  Mason,  William.     Musaeus,  a  monody  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Pope, 
in  imitation  of  Milton '$  Lycidas,  pp.  8-10. 

First,  sent  from  Cam's  fair  banks,  like  Palmer  old, 
Came  TITYRUS  l  slow,  with  head  all  silver'd  o'er, 
And  in  his  hand  an  oaken  crook  he  bore, 
And  thus  in  antique  guise  short  talk  did  hold. 
'  Grete  clerk  of  Fame'is  house,  whose  excellence 
Maie  wele  befitt  thilk  place  of  eminence, 
Mickle  of  wele  betide  thy  houres  last, 
For  mich  gode  wirk&  to  me  don  and  past. 
For  syn  the  daies  whereas  my  lyre  ben  strongen, 
And  deftly  many  a  mery  laie  I  songen, 
Old  Time,  which  alle  things  don  maliciously, 
Gnawen  with  rusty  tooth  continually, 
Gnattrid  my  lines,  that  they  all  cancrid  ben, 
Till  at  the  last  thou  smoothen  'hem  hast  again : 
Sithence  full  semely  gliden  my  rymes  rude, 
As,  (if  fitteth  thilk  similitude), 
AVhanne  shallow  brooke  yrenneth  hobling  on, 
Ovir  rough  stones  it  maken  full  rough  song ; 
But,  them  stones  removen,  this  lite  rivere 
Stealen  forth  by,  making  plesaunt  murmere  : 
So  my  sely  rymes,  whoso  may  them  note, 
Thou  maken  everichone  to  ren  right  sote ; 
1  i.e.  CHAUCER,  a  name  frequently  given  him  by  Spenser.    [Xote  by  Mason.] 


394  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1747- 

And  in  thy  verse  entuneth  so  fetisely, 

That  men  sayen  I  make  trewe  melody, 

And  speaken  every  dele  to  myne  honoure, 

Mich  wele,  grete  clerk,  betide  thy  parting  houre  ! ' 

He  ceas'd  his  homely  rhyme. 

[After  Chaucer  come  Colin  Clout  (Spenser)  and  Thyrsis 
(Milton).] 

1747.  Unknown.  An  Account  of  Barkshire  or  Berkshire.  [Article  in] 
Universal  Magazine,  June  1747,  vol.  i,  p.  15. 

[The  reference  is  to  Chaucer's  connection  with  Donnington 
Castle.] 

1747.  Vertue,  George.  Remarks  of  G.  Vertue's  on  a  Letter  from  Mr.  G. 
Stovin  to  his  Son,  concerning  the  body  of  a  Woman  and  an  antique 
Shoe  found  in  a  Morass  .  .  .  Philosophical  Transactions  [of  the 
Eoyal  Soc.]  vol.  xliv,  no.  484  (1747),  p.  575  (see  below,  1749, 
p.  400,  Unknown,  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine). 

.  .  .  Chaucer  in  his  Time  mentions  the  Use  of  long  piked 
Shoes,  so  long  as  to  be  tied  up  by  Strings  or  small  Chains  to 
their  Knees. 

1747.  Warburton,  William.     The  Works  of  Shakespeare,  8  vols. 

[A  few  references  in  the  footnotes  on  words  and  phrases.] 

1747.  Warton,  Thomas,  the  elder.     Hereafter  in  English  Metre  ensueth 
a  Paraphrase  on  the  Holie  Book  entituled  Leviticus  Chop,  xi,  vers. 
13  d-c.  Fashioned  after  the  Maniere  of  Maister  G-eoff'ery  Chaucer  in 
his  Assemblie  of  Foules :  [a  poem  in]  Poems  on  Several  Occasions, 
by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Thomas  Warton  .  .  .  sometime  Professor  of 
Poetry  in  the  University  of  Oxford  .  .  .  London  .  .  .  1747. 

[For  a  specimen  of  this  translation,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1747.] 

1748.  Stanhope,  Philip  Dormer,  4th  Earl  of  Chesterfield.     Letter  to 
his. Son,  Sept.  27,  o.s.,  1748.     Letters  written  by  the  ...  Earl  of 
Chesterfield  to  his  son  .  .  .  published  by  Mrs.  Eugenia  Stanhope 
...  2  vols.,  1774.     vol.  i,  pp.  341-2. 

I  have  always  observed,  that  the  most  learned  people, 
that  is  those  who  have  read  the  most  Latin,  write  the  worst ; 
and  that  distinguishes  the  Latin  of  a  Gentleman  scholar,  from 
that  of  a  Pedant.  ...  [A  Pedant]  will  rather  use  olli  than 
illi,  .  .  .  and  any  bad  word,  rather  than  any  good  one, 
provided  he  can  but  prove,  that,  strictly  speaking,  it  is  Latin ; 
that  is,  that  it  was  written  by  a  Koman.  By  this  rule,  I 
[p.  342]  might  now  write  to  you  in  the  language  of  Chaucer  or  Spenser, 


1748]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  395 

and  assert  that  I  wrote  English,  because  it  was  English  in 
their  days ;  but  I  should  be  a  most  affected  puppy  if  I  did 
so,  and  you  would  not  understand  three  words  of  my  letter. 

[In  a  letter  dated  Mar.  2,  17|-| ,  apropos  of  reading,  Lord  Chesterfield  says :  "  A 
gentleman  should  know  those  winch  I  call  classical  works,  in  every  language  ;  such 
as  Boileau,  Corneille,  Racine,  Moliere,  &c.,  in  French;  Milton,  Dryden,  Pope,  Swift, 
&c.,  in  English,  and  Boccacio,  Tasso,  and  Ariosto  in  Italian."  This  is  of  interest 
as  mentioning  no  writer  earlier  than  Milton  as  an  English  classic.] 

1748.  Unknown.  Biographia  Britannica,  vol.  ii,  pp.  1026  [account  of 
W.  Bullein,  Dialogue,  see  above,  1564,  p.  98],  1229,  1240-1,  1245-6 
[Caxton],  1293-1308  [a  long  article  on  Chaucer].  For  later 
volumes  see  below,  App.  A.,  1757  and  1760. 

CHAUCER  (Geoffrey)  the  Father  of  our  English  Poets,  and 
the  first  great  improver  and  reformer  of  our  language  .  .  . 
as  he  justly  obtained  the  highest  admiration  amongst  his 
contemporaries,  so  his  memory  has  ever  since  been  highly 
honoured.  [Here  follow  the  events  of  his  life  in  great  detail, 
and  a  statement  of  the  difficulties  of  getting  at  the  facts  about 
it.  Sprat,  Pits,  Leyland,  Speght,  Dart,  Hearne,  Ashmole, 
Bale,  and  others  are  quoted.]  .  .  . 

[p.  1305]  If  we  look  upon  him  as  an  author,  he  may  truly  be 
stiled  the  Father  of  English  Poetry,  and  perhaps  the  Prince 
of  it,  for  except  the  unavoidable  defects  of  language,  his 
Works  have  still  all  the  beauties  that  can  be  wished  for 
or  expected,  in  every  kind  of  composition.  He  was  not 
unacquainted  with  the  antient  rules  of  Poetry,  nor  was  he 
incapable  of  writing  up  to  them,  as  very  clearly  appears  by 
the  Knighfs  Tale,  which,  as  Mr.  Dryden  very  justly  says, 
is  a  finished  Epick  Poem,  but  he  did  not  always  judge  this 
exactness  necessary.  .  .  . 

[p.  130T]  We  are  not  however  to  suppose,  that  with  all  these  great 
qualifications  ['  true  genius,  extensive  learning,  and  a  free 
spirit '],  Chaucer  could  entirely  escape  the  fang  of  false 
criticks  .  .  .  Those  who  have  attacked  Chaucer  have  not 
presumed  to  question  his  wit,  for  of  this  perhaps  no  writer  of 
our  nation  ever  had  more,  neither  have  they  disputed  his 
poetical  abilities,  which  certainly  set  his  on  a  level  with  the 
greatest  names  in  antiquity;  nor  have  they  dared  to  throw 
any  aspersion  on  his  learning,  the  extent  of  which  is  not 
greater  than  the  masterly  degree  of  propriety  with  which  it  is 
everywhere  applied  :  but  the  point  to  which  they  object,  is,  his 
changing,  debasing,  or  corrupting  our  language,  by  introducing 


396  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1748 

foreign  words,  as  if  the  worth  of  all  languages  did  not  arise 
from  their  being  thus  enlarged  and  compounded  .  .  . 

(i\  1308]  It  is  however  just  to  observe,  that  this  reflection  never  made 
any  great  impression,  and  that  with  the  best  and  most  elegant 
writers  in  our  tongue,  Chaucer  passes  not  only  for  a  great 
improver,  but  for  the  very  Father  and  Founder  of  it ;  and  it 
is  not  a  little  to  his  honour,  that  amongst  those  who  are  of 
this  opinion  we  may  reckon  one  of  the  soundest  of  our  Critics 
[Rymer],  and  one  of  the  correctest  writers  in  our  language 
[Sprat]. 

[See  above,  1692,  p.  265,  Rymer,  and  1667,  p.  244,  Sprat.] 

1748.  Upton,  John.  Critical  Observations  on  Shakespeare,  the  second 
edition,  with  Alterations  and  Additions.  Preface,  pp.  xvi-xxii, 
xxiv-v,  xxvii,  136  note,  184  no.e,  185  note,  226  note,  232-3,  241 
note,  253,  277  note,  297  and  note,  298,  327  note,  329  note,  336 
.  note,  346  note,  347  note,  362  note,  363,  [Additional  notes  at  end] 
403-4,410.  [See  above,  1746,  p.  393,  for  1st  edn.] 

[Preface,  There  is  an  English  author,  which  was  much  studied  by 
fp.Xxvii]  Shakespeare,  but  very  superficially  by  Shakespeare's  editors 
now  lying  before  me.  Tis  well  known  that  the  Coke's  Tale 
of  Gamelyn  was  the  original  of  the  play  called  As  You  Like  It. 
A  Midsummer  Night's  Dream  had  its  origin  from  The  Knighfs 
Tale;  which  I  don't  remember  to  have  seen,  as  yet,  taken 
notice  of.  There  are  some  passages  of  Chaucer's  Troilus  and 
Creseide  in  a  play  of  the  same  name  by  our  Tragedian ;  and 
several  imitations  there  are  likewise,  very  elegantly  inter 
spersed,  in  other  plays,  which  some  time  or  other  may  be 
pointed  out :  at  present  I  shall  content  myself  with  the 
following  in  King  Lear,  Act  III.  Where  the  Fool  thus 
speaks, 

"  I'll  speak  a  prophecy  or  ere  I  go." 
.  .  .   [Upton  then  quotes  the  prophecy,  ending  :] 
[p.  xix.]     "  This  prophecy  Merlin  shall  make,  for  I  live  before  his 
time." 

This  Merlin  is  the  prophet  Dan  Geoffrey  Chaucer.  Among 
some  verses  prefixed  to  the  prologues  of  the  Canterbury  tales 
are  the  following,  intitled 

Chaucer's  Prophecie. 
"  When  faith  faylith  in  Priest'is  sawes, 
And  lordes  hestes  are  holde  for  lawes, 


1748]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  397 

And  robberie  is  liolde  purchace, 

And  letcherie  is  liolde  solace ; 

Then  shall  the  loud  of  Albion 

Be  brought  to  great  confusion." 

Shakespeare  has  taken  this  prophecy ;  but  to  make  it  more 
resemble  the  oracular  responses  of  antiquity,  and  the  prophet 
ical  stile,  he  has  artfully  involved  it  in  a  seeming  confusion : 
Tis  ONE  prophecy  consisting  of  two  parts;  the  former  part 
having  a  relation  to  what  now  is ;  the  latter  to  what  never 
shall  be.  The  fool  to  the  two  lines  of  Chaucer,  has  humor 
ously  added  two  lines  of  his  own,  which  properly  can  be 
referred  only  to  the  former  part  of  the  prophecy  .  .  . 
[p.  xx]  [Upton  next  points  out  that  in  the  expression  "bold  beating 
oaths"  used  by  Falstaff  in  The  Merry  Wives  II;  beating  is 
from  the  A.S.  betan,  excitare,  as  used  by  Chaucer  in  the 
Reve's  Tale,  v.  828— 

"He  was  a  Markit  beter  at  the  full," 

[A,  1.  3936.] 

or  in  the  Knight's  Tale, 

"  I  will  don  sacrifice,  and  firis  bete." 

[p.  xxi]  Again,  "  alder  lievest "  as  used  by  Shakespeare  in  Hen.  VI.  2. 1, 
has  the  same  meaning  as  in  Chaucer's  Tr.  and  Cress.  III.  v. 
240.  So  with  overcome,  meaning  overcast,  and  Child  Rowland 
(K.  Lear  III)  meaning  prince ;  as  in  Tale  of  Gamelyn,  225]. 

Sfiss8!]    [A  long  note  on  the  llse  of  "  fere  "  by  Chaucer.] 

[p.  232]  In  Troilus  and  Cressida.     Act  I. 

"  They  say  he  is  a  very  MAN  PER  SE 

And  stands  alone." 

As  plausible  as  this  reading  appears,  it  seems  to  me  originally 
to  come  from  the   corrector  of    the  press.     For  our  poet  I 
imagine  made  use  of  Chaucer's  expression,  from  whom  he 
borrowed  so  many  circumstances  in  this  play.  .  .  . 
[p.  233]  "  0  faire  Creseide  the  floure  and  A  PER  SE 

Of  Troie  and  Greece."     [Test,  of  Creseide,  v.  78.] 
Douglas  in  his  preface  calls  Virgil,  The  A  PER  SE,  i.  e.  as  the 
glossary  explains  it,  an  extraordinary  or  incomparable  person, 
like  the  letter  A  by  itself  ...  I  would  therefore  thus  read 
in  Shakespeare, 

"  They  say  he  is  a  very  A  PER  SE 
And  stands  alone." 


398  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1748- 

[Notes,       [Errors  in  transcription  in  old  writers.]      In  the  Legende  of 
11  Hypsipyle  and  Medsea,  1.  308, 

"And  of  thy  tongue  the  infynite  graciousnesse  1 " 

Can  it  be  doubted  then  that  Chaucer  wrote  yfained  or 
if ained,  i.  e.  feigned,  dissembled  .  .  .  ?  There  is  another 
blunder  ...  in  line  381  of  the  Prologue, 

"  And  ponder  Marchant,  tarte  and  galingale," 
(P.  404]  I  would  read 

"And  purveigli  Mancliet" 

i.  e.  They  had  a  cook  with  them  whose  business  'twas  to  boil, 
&c.,  and  to  provide  Manchet,  &c. 

[The  phrases  in  italics  are  in  black  letter  in  the  original.] 


1748.  Walpole,  Horace.     Letter  to  George  Montagu,  Strawberry  Hill, 
Aug.    11,    1748.      (Letters    of    Horace   Walpole,    ed.    Mrs.    Paget 
Toynbee,  1903,  vol.  ii,  p.  330.) 

...  In  this  search  [for  his  possible  descent  from  the  house 
of  Yere]  I  have  crossed  upon  another  descent,  which  I  am 
taking  great  pains  to  verify  (I  don't  mean  a  pun),  and  that  is 
a  probability  of  my  being  descended  from  Chaucer,  whose 
daughter,  the  Lady  Alice,  before  her  espousals  with  Thomas 
Montacute,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  and  afterwards  with  William 
de  la  Pole,  the  great  Duke  of  Suffolk  .  .  .  was  married  to  a 
Sir  John  Philips,  who  I  hope  to  find  was  of  Picton  Castle, 
and  had  children  by  her ;  but  I  have  not  yet  brought  these 
matters  to  a  consistency ;  Mr.  Chute  is  persuaded  I  shall,  for 
he  says  anybody  with  two  or  three  hundred  years  of  pedi 
gree  may  find  themselves  descended  from  whom  they  please ; 
and  thank  my  stars  and  my  good  cousin  the  present  Sir  J. 
Philipps,  I  have  sufficient  pedigree  to  work  upon  ... 

Yours  ever, 

Chaucerides. 

[Alice  Chaucer  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Chaucer,  who  was  probably  the 
poet's  son.  See  D.  N.  B.  She  had  no  children  by  her  first  husband,  Sir  John  Philip.] 

1749.  Ames,  Joseph.     Typographical  Antiquities,  Preface  [p.  3],  sign, 
a  4,  pp.  54-58,  60-62,  66,  127-8,  130,  141,  149,  210,  221-2,  263, 
296,  404. 

to  face  sign,  b  1.  Specimen  of  Caxton's  printing  of  Boethius. 
[See  above,  p.  58.] 


1749]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  399 

pp.  54-8.  Extracts  from  Canterbury  Tales  and  Boethius 
by  Caxton.  [See  above,  pp.  58-9,  61-3.] 

pp.  60-2.  Book  of  Fame,  &c.,  by  Caxton.  [See  above, 
p.  61.] 

p.  66.     Werk  of  Sapience.     [See  above,  pp.  16,  17.] 

pp.  127-8,  130.  Pynson's  edns.  of  Chaucer.  [See  above, 
pp.  64,  75,  76.] 

p.  141.     Goclfray's  edn.     [See  above,  p.  78.] 

pp.  148-9.    Bastell's  Terence  in  Englysh.    [See  above,  p.  73.] 

p.  210.     Thos.  Petit's  Chaucer.    \ 

p.  221.     Kobt.  Toy's  edn.  1546.   V  [See  above,  p.  86.] 

p.  263.     Kichd.  Kele's  edn. 

p.  296.     John  Kingston's  edn.  1561.     [See  above,  p.  96.] 

p.  404.  Robert  Robertson's  The  northern  mother's  blessing, 
1597.  "Written  nine  years  before  the  death  of  G.  Chaucer." 
[See  above,  p.  144.] 

[For  additions  in  Herbert's  2nd  edn.  of  Ames,  see  below,  1785,  p.  477,  1786,  p.  483, 
and  1790,  p.  491,  and  for  Dibdin's  3rd  edn.,  1810.] 

1749.  B.,  C.  Note  [to  verses  entitled]  To  the  Memory  of  Mr.  Pope, 
occasioned  by  reading  the  Monody  wrote  by  Mr.  Mason  [in] 
The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  vol.  xix,  1749,  p.  468. 

Tho'  the  works  of  Chaucer,  and  Spencer,  do  justly  entitle 
them  to  a  place  among  poets  of  a  distinguished  rank,  yet  is  it 
for  their  language,  or  their  sentiments,  that  we  admire  them  ? 
If  for  the  latter,  which  is  most  assuredly  the  case,  what  has 
any  poet  of  these  days  to  do  with  the  former?  .  .  .  Those 
authors,  at  the  time  they  wrote,  appeared  in  all  the  pomp  and 
splendor  of  poetry,  that  the  language  of  the  times  would  admit 
of ;  which  then,  perhaps,  seemed  as  well  suited  to  the  main 
tenance  of  their  genius  as  did  the  ruff  of  Queen  Elizabeth 
to  that  of  her  person. 

— Sed  tempora  (fy  lingua)  mutantur. — 

Instead  therefore  of  thus  meanly  borrowing  their  dress,  it 
would  be  but  justice  to  them,  and  to  posterity,  if  we  generously 
lent  them  our  own.  Who  can  read  those  embellished  tales  of 
Chaucer,  and  the  no  less  improved  satires  of  Dr.  Donne  with 
out  admiring  the  piety,  as  well  as  the  poetry  of  him,  who 
has  rescued  from  oblivion,  what  must  else  have  perished  in 
the  ruins  of  an  antiquated  style,  and  given  them  immortality 
by  a  language,  which  we  trust  will  never  die  1 

Nottinghamshire.  C.  B. 


400  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1749- 

1749.  C.,  J.  Verses  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below, 
App.  A. 

1749.  Newton,  Thomas.  Paradise  Lost  .  .  .  by  .  .  .  John  Milton 
.  .  .  with  Notes.  .  .  .  vol.  i,  pp.  60,  71,  340  ;  vol.  ii,  p.  397.  [All 
references  to  words  or  expressions  used  by  Chaucer.] 

1749.  Potter,  [Robert].  A  Farewell  Hymne  to  the  Country,  attempted  in 
the  manner  of  Spenser's  Epithalamion,  pp.  15,  16. 

Oft  too  thy  hallow'd  Sonnes  enthroned  hie, 

0  peerlesse  Poesie ! 
Sounding  great  Thoughts  my  raptur'd  Mind  delight ; 

He  first,  the  glorious  Child  of  Libertie, 
Mceonian  MILTON,  beaming  heav'nly  bright, 

He  who  full  fetously  the  Tale  ytold, 

The  Kentish  TITYRUS  old ; 
And  he  above  the  Pride  of  Greatness  Great, 
Sweet  COWLEY  :  .  .  . 

[In  the  2nd  ed.  of  1750  the  reference  to  Chaucer  (i.e. 
Tityrus)  is  identical ;  but  there  is  also  a  list  of  contents  to 
face  the  title  page,  with  the  following  words :]  Leisure- 
philosophic-poetic-Praise  of  Milton — of  Chaucer. 

1749  Unknown.  {Description  of  a  sandal,  in]  Explanation  of  the 
Figures  on  the  half-sheet  Plate  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
vol.  xix,  May,  1749,  p.  203. 

Fig.  VIII.  The  form  of  a  woman's  sandal,  found  in  digging 
peat  at  Amcott's  moor,  in  Lincolnshire  ...  A  very  particular 
account  of  the  discovery  is  given  in  the  Philos.  Trans.,  No. 
484,  just  published.  [See  above,  1747,  Vertue,  George,  p.  394.] 
.  .  .  'Chaucer  mentions  long  piked  men's  shoes,  ty'd  up  at  the 
knee  by  strings,  or  silver  chains  .  .  . 

[1749.  Warton,  Thomas.]  The  Triumph  of  Isis.  A  Poem,  Occasioned 
by  Isis,  an  Elegy.  London,  printed  for  W.  Owen,  at  Homer's 
Head  near  Temple  Bar,  p.  12,  sign.  B.  2  b.  (The  Triumph  of 
Isis,  [in]  The  Cabinet  of  Poetry,  1808,  vol.  vi,  p.  326.) 

Ev'n  now  confest  to  my  adoring  eyes, 
In  awful  ranks  thy  [Oxford's]  sacred  sons  arise  : 
With  ev'ry  various  flow'r  thy  temples  wreath'd, 
That  in  thy  gardens  green  its  fragrance  breath'd. 
Tuning  to  knightly  tale  his  British  reeds, 
Thy  crowding  Bards  immortal  CHAUCER  leads  : 
His  hoary  head  o'erlooks  the  gazing  choir. 
And  beams  on  all  around  cselestial  fire. 


1750]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  401 

1750.  Jackson,  A[ndrew.]  Matrimonial  Scenes;  consisting  of  the  Sea 
man's  Tale,  the  Manciple's  Tale,  the  Character  of  the  Wife  at  [sic] 
Bath,  the  Tale  of  the  Wife  of  Bath  and  her  Five  Husbands — all 
modernized  from  Chaucer. 

The  first  refiner  of  our  native  lays 

Chaunted  these  tales  in  Second  Richard's  days ; 

Time  grudg'd  his  wit,  and  on  his  language  fed, 

We  rescue  but  the  living  from  the  dead  ; 

And  what  was  sterling  verse  so  long  ago 

Is  here  neiv  coined  to  make  it  current  now. 

[The  above  title  and  verse  are  quoted  in  a  note  by  John  Nicliols,  in  his  Literary 
Anecdotes  of  the  18th  century,  vol.  iii,  1812,  pp.  625-6  note.  The  author,  Andrew 
Jackson,  was,  says  Nichols,  well  known  to  many  dealers  in  old  books  and  black 
letter,  and  kept  a  shop  for  more  than  40  years  in  Clare  Court,  Drury  Lane.  la  1740 
he  published  the  first  book  of  Paradise  Lost  in  rhyme.  In  1751,  in  conjunction  with 
Charles  Marsh,  he  republished,  as  Shakespeare's,  a  "Briefe  conceipte  touching  the 
Common  weale  of  this  Realine  of  England;  originally  printed  in  1581."  He  issued 
Book  Catalogues  (in  rhyme)  1756,  57,  59.  He  died  July  25,  177S.  There  is  no  copy 
of  this  book  in  either  the  B.  M.  or  the  Bodleian  Library.] 

[c.  1750  ?]  Johnson,  Samuel.  Extract  from  a  catalogue  of  publications 
projected  by  Johnson  at  different  periods ;  [printed  in]  Sir  John 
Hawkins'  Life  of  Johnson,  1787,  p.  82.  (This,  is  given  also  by 
Boswell,  in  his  Life  of  Johnson  1799  (vol.  iv,  p.  405),  who  adds 
"  From  the  Catalogue  of  intended  works  presented  by  Johnson  to 
Mr.  [Bennet]  Langton,  and  by  him  to  the  King."  See  also  Essays 
Biographical  .  .  .  illustrative  of  the  Rambler  ...  by  Nathan 
Drake,  1809  (q.v.  below),  vol.  i,  pp.  159,  160.  (Boswell's  Johnson, 
ed.  G.  Birkbeck  Hill,  vol.  iv,  1887,  p.  381.) 

Chaucer,  a  new  edition  of  him,  from  manuscripts  and  old 
editions,  with  various  readings,  conjectures,  remarks  on  his 
language,  and  the  changes  it  had  undergone  from  the  earliest 
times  to  his  age,  and  from  his  to  the  present :  with  notes 
explanatory  of  customs,  &c.,  and  references  to  Boccace,  and 
other  authours  from  whom  he  has  borrowed,  with  an  account 
of  the  liberties  he  has  taken  in  telling  the  stories ;  his  life, 
and  an  exact  etymological  glossary. 

1750.  Unknown.  A  Panegyrick  on  the  Ladies.  Being  Chaucer's 
Recantation  for  x  The  blind  eat  many  a  fly.  As  it  is  sung  at  the 
Spring  Gardens,  Vaux  Hall,  with  great  applause,  [in]  The  Student, 
or  the  Oxford  and  Cambridge  Monthly  Miscellany,  vol.  i,  no.  vi, 
June  30,  1750,  p.  230. 

Recitative 

Old  Chaucer  once  to  this  re-ecchoing'  [sic]  grove 
Sung  "  of  the  sweet  bewitching  tricks  of  love  " ; 
But  soon  he  found,  he'd  sullied  his  renown, 
And  arm'd  each  charming  hearer  with  a  frown ; 

1  [Footnote,  p.  230.]  A  song  moderniz'd  from  the  old  English  of  Chaucer. 
CHAUCER   CRITICISM.  DD 


402  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1750- 

Then  self-condemri'd  anew  his  lyre  he  strung, 
And  in  repentant  strains  this  recantation  sung. 
Air 
I 

Long  since  unto  her  native  sky 
Fled  heav'n-descended  Constancy ; 
Nought  now  that's  stable's  to  be  had, 
The  world's  grown  mutable  and  mad  : 
Save  WOMEN — They,  we  must  confess, 
Are  miracles  of  stedfastness, 
And  every  witty,  pretty  dame 
Bears  for  her  motto — /Still  the  same. 
[3  more  Stanzas,  and  Chorus.] 

[The  above  poem  was  reprinted  in  The  London  Magazine,  August,  1750,  p.  376.] 

[c.  1750.]  Unknown.  Verses  [in]  Holkham  MS.  667,  Canterbury  Tales, 
imperfect.  In  the  blank  2nd  column  of  fol.  42  (which  has  its 
back  blank  too)  is  written  in  an  18th  century  text  hand  : 

Poetes  haue  licence,  tis  no  matter  what  they  write 
be  it  good  or  bad  for  both  they  doe  recite 
Old  Chaucer  here  hath  kept  as  even  a  straine 
twixt  good  and  bad  that  alle  comend  his  vaine. 

1751.  Birch,  Thomas.  The  Life  of  Edmund  Spenser,  [in]  The  Faerie 
Queen  .  .  .  with  an  exact  collation  of  the  two  original  editions, 
p.  ii. 

[Spenser],  to  whom  we  owe,  not  only  the  chief  Improve 
ment  of  our  Poetry  since  the  Time  of  CHAUCER,  but  likewise 
the  forming  of  the  genius  of  MILTON,  etc. 

1751.  Lloyd,  Robert.  The  Progress  of  Envy,  written  in  the  year  1751, 
stanza  vi.  [in]  Poems,  by  Robert  Lloyd,  A.M.,  London,  1762,  p.  209 

Not  far  from  these,1  DAN  CHAUCER,  antient  wight, 
A  lofty  seat  on  Mount  Parnassus  held, 
Who  long  had  been  the  Muses'  chief  delight; 
His  reverend  locks  were  silver'd  o'er  with  eld ; 
Grave  was  his  visage,  and  his  habit  plain ; 
And  while  he  sung,  fair  nature  he  display'd, 
In  verse  albeit  uncouth,  and  simple  strain ; 
Ne  mote  he  well  be  seen,  so  thick  the  shade, 
Which  elms  and  aged  oaks  had  all  around  him  made. 

1751.  Unknown.  Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below, 
App.  A. 

1  Spenser  and  Milton. 


1751]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  403 

1751.  Upton,  John.  A  Letter  concerning  a  neic  edition  of  Spenser's 
Faerie  Queene.  To  Gilbert  West  Esq.,  pp.  9-16,  19,  22-3,  25-8, 
34-5,  37-8.  [The  letter  is  signed  John  Upton  ;  it  consists  of  some 
informal  notes  sent  as  a  sketch  of  what  the  author  might  do,  did 
he  undertake  to  edit  the  Faerie  Queene.  A  large  portion  of  them 
is  concerned  with  Spenser's  debt  to  Chaucer ;  and  we  print  some 
specimens  only.] 

[p.  9]  ...  My  province  at  present  is  to  consider  .  .  .  our  poet's 
[P.  10]  knowledge  of  antiquity,  and  ancient  books  .  .  .  What  poet 
shall  I  first  take  in  hand1?  whom  preferable  to  his  Tityrus, 
'his  renowmed  poet,  the  well  of  undefiled  English 1'  whose 
footsteps  with  reverence  Spenser  always  followed  1  I  could  wish 
however  that  he  never  thought  of  compleating  the  Sgiiier's  tale, 

'  Or  call  up  him  that  left  half  told 
The  story  of  Cambuscan  bold,'  .  .  . 

I  must  own  that  when  I  red  Chaucer's  tale,  and  the  completion 
of  it  by  Spenser,  that  he  seemed  below  himself.  'Tis  elegant 
however  to  imitate  Chaucer  in  the  introduction  to  the  story, 

1  Whylome  as  antique  stories  tellen  us,' 

Which  is  the  beginning  of  the  Knight's  tale.  I  hardly  think 
that  a  story  promising  so  fair  in  the  beginning  should  be  left 
half  told.  I  rather  think  with  Spenser,  that  icicked  Time 
hath  defaced  that  famous  monument :  or  a  negligent  transcriber 
might  have  lost  Chaucer's,  original  copy.  For  as  to  those 
verses  in  Mr.  Selden's  MS.  which  perhaps  influenced  Milton's 
judgment,  I  make  no  doubt  of  their  being  surreptitious  :  and 
to  me  they  seem  to  have  been  added  by  Lidgate  ...  for 
they  are  exactly  after  his  cast. 

Will  you  acknowledge  with  me,  that  the  authority  of 
Chaucer,  considered  merely  as  authority,  stands  in  the  same 
rank  with  the  authorities  of  more  antient  poets  1  If  so  then 
Spenser  had  Chaucer's  authority  *  for  making  '  Morpheus  the 
"God  of  Slepe."  He  had  Chaucer  too  before  him,  when 
he  wrote  that  beautiful  description,  in  the  first  book  of 
'  Morpheus'  house.'  .  .  . 

[P.  15]  Give  me  leave  now  to  explain  and  correct  a  verse  in 
Chaucer,  where  he  is  describing  the  Prioresse  ;  having  finished 
her  mental  qualifications,  he  speaks  of  her  person  and  dress, 

'Full  fetise  was  her  cloke,  as  I  was  ware.'     v.  157. 
I  can  get  no  insight  into  the  meaning  of  this  verse  from  any 
1  The  dreme  of  Chaucer,  v.  136.     [The  Isle  of  Ladies,  not  by  Chaucer.] 


404  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1751— 

edition  or  glossary  :  I  thought  once  that  ware  was  thus  written 
to  rhime  to  the  word  bare,  and  was  the  same  as  warne,  i.e. 
assured.  But  Chaucer  draws  the  characters  of  the  Pilgrims, 
and  describes  their  particular  dresses,  from  his  own  observa 
tions.  I  think  therefore  the  place  corrupted,  and  without 
altering  a  letter,  and  by  an  easy  transposition,  we  may  read, 

'  Full  f  etise  was  her  cloke  as  was  iware  '  : 

i.  e.  Her  cloak  was  very  neat,  and  as  handsome  as  was  worn  by 
any  woman.  .  .  . 

I  omit  many  expressions  that  Spenser  borrows  from  Chaucer, 
such  as,  Put  in  his  liode  an  ape  —  well,  to  file  Ins  tongue  — 
doughty  dousipeers  —  cost  him  many  a  Jane  —  well  mote  thou 
the  —  SIT  :  to  become,  suit,  agree  with  .  .  . 

[p.  16}       [Satire  against  the  clergy  in  the  Ploughman's  tale.] 


[p.  25]        Let  me  explain  a  difficult  passage  in  Chaucer, 

1  That  gifte  nought  to  praisin  is 
That  a  man  gevith  malgre  his.'' 

Kom.  of  Eose  [11.  2385-6].  .  . 

[Upton  also  quotes  Rom.  of  Rose,  C.  11.  5933-4,  and  gives  the 
French  original  in  both  cases.] 

[p.  28]  Chaucer  should  have  said  malgre  him,  himself  ;  but  the 
rime  would  not  permit  him,  so  that  his  stands  for  himself  :  and 
this  is  a  usual  liberty  which  the  old  poets  took,  and  sometimes 
Spenser  too  has  taken,  viz.  of  risking  a  little  false  grammar 
rather  than  risk  a  false  rime. 

I  have  twice  at  least  cited  The  Court  of  Love,  as  written  by 
Chaucer,  but  accidentally  turning  over  the  new  edition  of 
Cavers  History  of  the  Ecclesiastical  writers,  I  there  met  with 
a  little  History  of  Chaucer,  drawn  up  by  a  learned  archbishop 
of  Canterbury  [Tenison],  who  tells  me  I  am  mistaken  in 
thinking  The  Court  of  Love  was  written  by  Chaucer. 

1  Sunt  qid  Cantalirigice  etiam  literis  ilium  incubuisse  volunt; 
testimonio  ex  Amoris  Aula  desumpto  innixi.  Verum  libellum 
istum  Chauceri  non  esse  nos  infra  adnotabimus?  And  presently 
after  '  AMORIS  AULA,  qua  quidem  Chaucero  abjudicanda  videtur. 
In  prooemio  enim  author  ruditatem  suam  excusans,  ait  neque 


1752]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  405 

Tullii  flosculos  nee,  Virgilii  poesia  [poemata]  nee  Galfridi  (quo 
nomine  Chaucerum  designari  parum  est  dubium}  artem  a  se 
expedanda  esse.'  [From  H.  Wharton's  account  of  Chaucer, 
see  below,  App.  A,  c.  1687.] 

Now  if  there  were  no  other  Jeffry  in  the  world  but  Jeffry 
Chaucer,  his  Grace's  criticism  would  have  some  weight :  but 
with  all  submission,  this  Jeffry  mentioned  in  the  Court  of 
Love  was  Jeffry  Vinesaufe,  or  as  he  is  called  in  Latin  Galfridus 
de  Vino  Salvo.  .  .  . 

If  this  poem  is  not  Chaucer's,  by  a  parity  of  reasoning  and 

learning,  He  did  not  write  the  House  of  Fame  :  for  there  .  .  . 

Q>.  27]  mention  is  made  of  an  ©nglishc  (!5;tlfri£)£ :  Nor  did  he  write 

the  Story  of  the  Cock  and  the  Fox,  for  there  likewise  we  meet 

this  same  Galfride  .  .  . 

[See  a  letter  signed  '  Philologus,'  in  The  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  July  1790,  vol.  Ix,  p.  613,  saying  that  he  is 
disappointed  no  good  life  or  account  of  Upton  has  been  pub 
lished,  and  that  a  new  edition  of  his  works  would  be  very 
desirable,  for  he  is  "justly  celebrated  for  his  Canons  of 
Criticism,  Remarks  upon  Spenser,  Observations  on  Shake 
speare,  and  also  for  some  Strictures  on  Chaucer."] 

1752.  Fawkes,  Francis.  A  description  of  May  from  Gawin  Douglas, 
by  Francis  Faickes.  Preface,  pp.  v-vi. 

The  following  poem  [viz.  Proloug  of  the  Description  of 
May]  .  .  .  may  also  serve  as  an  instance,  that  the  Lowland 
Scotch  language  and  the  English,  at  that  time  were  nearly  the 
same.  CHAUCER  and  DOUGLAS  may  be  looked  upon  as  the 
two  bright  stars  that  illumin'd  England  and  Scotland,  after  a 
IP  vi]  dark  interval  of  dulness,  a  long  night  of  ignorance  and 
superstition,  and  foretold  the  return  of  day  and  the  revival  of 
learning. 

[1752.]  Unknown.  Observations  upon  the  English  Language.  In  a 
Letter  to  a  Friend.  London.  Printed  for  Edward  Withers,  p.  19, 
note. 

.  .  I  am  desirous,  if  possible,  that  we  might  all  write  with 
the  same  Certainty  of  Words  and  Purity  of  Phrase  to  which 
the  ITALIANS  first  arrived  and  then  the  FRENCH.  It  should 
mortify  an  Englishman  to  consider  that  from  the  time  of 


406  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1753 

BOCCACE  and  PETRARCH  the  ITALIAN  hath  varied  very  little,  and 
that  the  English  of  Chaucer  their  Co-temporary  is  not  to  be 
understood  without  the  Help  of  a  Dictionary :  but  their  Goth 
and  Vandal  had  the  advantage  to  be  grafted  on  a  Roman 
stock. 

1753.  [Armstrong1,  John.]     Taste.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1753.  Carter,  Edmund.  The  History  of  the  County  of  Cambridge,  .  .  . 
By  Edmund  Carter,  of  Cambridge.  Cambridge  .  .  .  1753,  pp.  279- 
286. 

In  this  parish  [Trumpington]  was  formerly  a  water  [?  -mill] 
on  the  Cam,  (the  ruins  of  which  are  still  visible)  chiefly  noted 
for  the  diverting  copy  of  verses  made  by  the  incomparable 
Chaucer,  upon  the  Miller  thereof,  viz. 

The  Miller  of  Trumpington. 

A  Tale. 

At  Trumpington,  not  far  from  Cambridge,  stood, 
Across  a  pleasant  stream,  a  Bridge  of  Wood  .  .  . 

[The  whole  tale  is  then  quoted  in  Dryden's  version,  without  comment.] 

1753.  Gibber,  [Theophilus].  The  Lives  of  the  Poets  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland.  ...  in  4  [or  rather  5]  vols.  .  .  .  vol.  i,  pp.  1-17  ;  [Life 
of  Chaucer,  founded  on  Leland,  Pits,  Speght,  and  Dart],  18,  20,  21, 
23,  25,  27,  30,  97  ;  vol.  ii,  p.  53  ;  vol.  iii,  p.  79. 

[Robert  Shiels,  a  Scotchman,  was  the  author  in  whole  or  in  part  of  this  work.  See 
Boswell's  Johnson,  April  10,  1776,  and  the  following  note  made  by  Isaac  Reed  in  his 
copy  of  Cibber's  Lives  (annotated  by  J.  Haslewood,  vol.  i,  flyleaf,  Brit'sh  Museum, 
10854.  a.  1) :  "  Mr.  Rob1.  Shields  wrote  the  greater  part  of  these  Volomes.  He  was 
Amanuensis  to  Dr.  S.  Johnson  and  wrote  several  Poems.  He  dyed  27  Decr.  1753." 
See  also  Six  Essays  on  Johnson,  by  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  Oxford,  1910,  p.  120  note.] 

[p.  13]  His  language,  how  unintelligible  soever  it  may  seem,  is 
almost  as  modern  as  any  of  his  cotemporaries  .  .  .  and  in  some 
places  it  is  so  smooth  and  beautiful,  that  Dryden  would  not 
attempt  to  alter  it;  I  shall  now  give  some  account  of  his 
works  .  .  .  and  subjoin  a  specimen  of  his  poetry,  [Pardoner's 
Prologue],  of  which  profession  as  he  may  justly  be  called  the 
Morning  Star,  so  as  we  descend  into  later  times,  we  may  see 
the  progress  of  poetry  in  England  from  its  great  original, 
Chaucer,  to  its  full  blaze,  and  perfect  consummation  in 
Dryden.  .  .  . 

[p.  18]  LANGLAND.  It  has  been  disputed  amongst  the  critics 
whether  this  poet  preceded  or  followed  Chaucer.  ...  I  am 
rather  inclined  to  believe  that  he  was  cotemporary  with  him 
.  .  .  and  my  conjecture  is  strengthened  by  the  consideration 
of  his  stile  which  is  equally  unmusical  and  obsolete  with 


1753]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  407 

Chaucer's  :  and  tho'  Dryden  has  told  us  that  Chaucer  exceeded 
those  who  followed  him  at  50  or  60  years  distance,  in  point 
of  smoothness,  yet  with  great  submission  to  his  judgment,  I 
think  there  is  some  alteration  even  in  Skelton  and  Harding. 
One  cannot  read  the  works  of  this  author,  or  Chaucer,  without 
lamenting  the  unhappiness  of  a  fluctuating  language,  that 
buries  in  its  ruins  even  genius  itself ;  for  like  edifices  of  sand, 
every  breath  of  time  defaces  it,  and  if  the  form  remain,  the 
beauty  is  lost. 

1753.  [Colman,  George,  the  elder.]  Literary  Offerings  in  the  Temple 
of  Fame:  A  Vision  [in]  The  Adventurer,  No.  90,  September  15, 
1753,  p.  118.  [Reprinted  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  September, 
p.  422,  signed  "  Crito."]  (The  British  Essayists,  ed.  A.  Chalmers, 
vol.  xx,  1823.  Adventurer,  vol.  ii,  p.  294.) 

[p.  no]  ...  By  command  of  Apollo  and  the  Muses,  all  who  have  ever 
made  any  pretensions  to  fame  by  their  writings,  are  injoined 
to  sacrifice  upon  the  altar  in  this  temple,  those  parts  of  their 
works,  which  have  hitherto  been  preserved  to  their  infamy, 
that  their  names  many  [sic]  descend  spotless  and  unsullied  to 

U>.  us]  posterity.  ...  I  marked  with  particular  attention  the  several 
offerings  of  the  most  eminent  English  Writers.  CHAUCER  gave 
up  his  obscenity,  and  then  delivered  his  works  to  DRYDEN,  to 
clear  them  from  the  rubbish  that  encumbered  them.  DRYDEN 
executed  his  task  with  great  address  ...  he  not  only  repaired 
the  injuries  of  time  but  threw  in  a  thousand  new  graces. 

1753.  Unknown.  The  Life  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  the  Father  of  English 
Poetry.  With  a  curious  Print  of  his  head,  [in]  The  London 
Magazine,  September,  1753,  pp.  398-400. 

[The  Life  is  followed  by  "  An  Account  of  Chaucer's  Works," 
i.  e.  chiefly  of  the  occasions  on  which  they  were  supposed  to 
have  been  written,  and  "  A  Specimen  of  Chaucer's  Poetry," 
from  the  Pardoner's  Prologue,  "  Lordings,  quoth  he  ...  So 
that  he  offer  good  pens'or  grotes."  This  example  was  probably 
taken  from  Elizabeth  Cooper's  Muses'  Library,  1737,  q.v. 
above,  p.  379.] 

[1753.]  Unknown.  Newspaper  Cutting  of  Publisher's  advertisement  of 
the  Lives  of  the  Poets  by  Theophilus  Cibber,  1753,  to  come  out 
in  weekly  numbers.  [No  name  or  date.  In  an  interleaved  copy 
of  Cibber's  Lives  of  the  Poets,  1753,  with  MS.  notes,  &c.  by 
Isaac  Reed  and  Joseph  Haslewood,  (B.  M.  pr.  m.  10854  a.  1) 
immediately  before  contents  of  vol.  i.] 

[A  long  and  puffing  account  of  the  need  there  is  for  this 
work,  and  the  excellence  of  its  execution.]  The  Lives  of 


408  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1753- 

the  Poets  have  been  less  perfectly  given  to  the  World,  than 
the  Figure  they  have  made  in  it  and  the  Share  they  have  in 
our  Admiration,  naturally  demand.  .  .  .  The  general  Error 
into  which  Langbain,  Mrs.  Cooper,  and  all  the  other  Bio 
graphers  have  fallen,  is  this  :  They  have  Considered  the 
Poets  merely  as  such,  without  tracing  their  Connexions  in 
civil  Life,  the  various  Circumstances  they  have  been  in, 
their  Patronage,  their  Employments,  in  short  .  .  .  while 
they  have  shewn  us  the  Poet,  they  have  quite  neglected 
the  Man.  .  .  . 

We  have  .  .  .  taken  in  all  who  have  had  any  Name  as 
Poets,  of  whatever  Class  :  .  .  .  We  have  likewise  Considered 
the  Poets,  not  as  they  rise  Alphabetically,  but  Chronologically, 
from  Chaucer,  the  Morning  Star  of  English  Poetry,  to  the 
present  Times  :  And  we  promise  in  the  Course  of  this  Work, 
to  make  short  Quotations  by  way  of  Specimen  from  every 
Author,  so  that  the  Headers  will  be  able  to  discern 
the  Progress  of  Poetry  from  its  Origin  in  Chaucer  to  its 
Consummation  in  Dryden. 

[1753.]  Unknown.  The  Stage  Coach  containing  the  character  of  Mr. 
Manley  and  the  History  of  his  Fellow  Travellers,  vol.  ii,  pp.  182-3. 

Chap.  v.  A  Canterbury  tale  is  told. 

.  .  .  '  If  you  would  oblige  me  with  a  detail  of  it  [your  life] 
I  should  acknowledge  it  as  a  great  favour.'  '  With  all  my 
heart,  colonel,'  reply'd  the  old  gentleman,  *  if  you  can  have 
the  patience  to  attend  to  an  old  man's  Canterbury  tale ;  for  in 
that  city  I  drew  my  first  breath.' 

1754.  Gemsege,  Paul,  [pseud.  Pegge,  Samuel]  and  Others.  Letters  [in] 
The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  1754.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1754,  Grey,  Zachary.  Critical,  Historical,  and  Explanatory  Notes  on 
Shakespeare,  vol.  i,  Preface,  p.  ix,  Notes,  pp.  19,  20,  26,  31,  35,  40- 
1,  43,  45,  53,  57,  62,  91-2, 125, 128-31, 137-39,  145, 153,  155-6,  158, 
163,  173,  191,  196,  231,  234-5,  252,  262,  332,  349,  365-6,  384,  386- 
7,  397;  vol.  ii,  pp.  10-12,  16,  22,  34,  37,  39,  41,  81,  104-8,  116,  118, 
125,  129,  131,  133,  141-2,  170,  196,  227,  230,  266,  275,  285-6,  308, 
316,  321. 

[p.  ix]  I  have  read  over  the  works  of  Chaucer,  Skelton,  and  Spenser, 
and  have  endeavoured  to  point  out  those  passages,  which 
Shakespeare  probably  borrowed  from  thence.  .  . 

[It  is  remarkable  what  a  very  large  number  of  notes  are 
here  given,  compared  for  instance  with  Theobald,  1740,  on 
resemblances  between  Shakespeare  and  Chaucer,  mostly  on 


1754]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  409 

similar  uses  of  words,  but  also  on  similar  expressions  and 
references  to  the  same  proverbs  [i,  pp.  20,  366] ;  or  incidents 
[i,  pp.  35,  137] ;  or  things  [i,  365];  or  persons  [ii,  142];  a 
suggested  borrowing  by  Shakespeare  [i,  155]  ;  possible  ref.  to 
lines  in  Chaucer  [ii,  125];  comparison  of  the  description  of 
the  funeral  of  Marcius,  Coriolanus,  act  v,  so.  6,  and  that  of 
Arcite  in  Chaucer's  Knight's  Tale  [ii,  170];  note  on  duels, 
Romeo  and  Juliet,  act  iii,  sc.  4 ;  [ii,  275]  '  one  might  imagine 
that  duels  were  prohibited  in  Chaucer's  time  from  Knt's  Tale  ' 
11.  1704-13.] 

1754.  Warton,  Thomas.  Observations  on  the  Faerie  Queene  of  Spenser, 
pp.  36  n.,  40,  41  and  n.,  42,  66,  81,  85,  87  n.,  88  and  n.,  89  n.,  90, 
91  n.,96  and  n.,  99  to  142,  175,  181  n.,  198-200,  203,  227-229,  233, 
244-5,  253,  263,  269,  274,  283,  288-9. 

[p.  i4i]  [Of  Spenser's  Imitations  from  Chaucer.] 

I  cannot  dismiss  this  section  without  a  wish,  that  this 
neglected  author  whom  Spenser  proposed  in  some  measure,  as 
the  pattern  of  his  language,  and  to  whom  he  is  not  a  little 
indebted  for  many  noble  strokes  of  poetry  should  be  more 
universally  and  attentively  studied.  Chaucer  seems  to  be 
regarded  rather  as  an  old  poet,  than  as  a  good  one,  and  that 
he  wrote  English  verses  four  hundred  years  ago  seems  more 
frequently  to  be  urged  in  his  commendation,  than  that  he 
wrote  four  hundred  years  ago  with  taste  and  judgment.  We 
look  upon  his  poems  rather  as  venerable  relics,  than  as  finish 'd 
patterns ;  as  pieces  calculated  rather  to  gratify  the  antiquarian 
than  the  critic.  "When  I  sate  down  to  read  Chaucer  with  the 
curiosity  of  knowing  how  the  first  English  poet  wrote,  I 
left  him  with  the  satisfaction  of  having  found  what  later  and 
more  refin'd  ages  could  hardly  equal  in  true  humour,  pathos, 

[p.  142]  or  sublimity.  It  must  be  confest  that  his  uncouth  or  rather 
unfamiliar  language  has  deterr'd  many  from  perusing  him; 
but  at  the  same  time  it  must  be  allowed,  that  nothing  has 
more  contributed  to  his  being  little  looked  into,  than  the 
convenient  opportunity  of  reading  him  with  facility  in  modern 
imitations.  Thus  when  translation  (for  such  may  imitations 
from  Chaucer  be  call'd)  becomes  substituted  as  the  means  of 
attaining  the  knowledge  of  any  difficult  and  antient  author, 
the  original  not  only  begins  to  be  neglected  and  excluded  as 
less  easy,  but  also  to  be  despised  as  less  ornamental  and 
elegant.  .  .  . 

[p.  228]      .  .  .  Gower  and  Chaucer  were  reputed  the   first  English 


410  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1754- 

poets,  because  they  first  introduced  INVENTION  into  our  poetry ; 
they  MORALIZED  THEIR  SONG,  and  strove  to  render  virtue  more 
amiable,  by  cloathing  her  in  the  veil  of  fiction.  Chaucer,  it 
must  be  acknowledged,  deserves  to  be  rank'd  as  one  of  the 
first  English  poets,  on  another  account ;  his  admirable  artifice 
in  painting  the  manners,  which  none  before  him  had  ever 
attempted  even  in  the  most  imperfect  degree ;  and  it  should 
be  remember'd  to  his  honour,  that  he  was  the  first  who  gave 
the  English  nation,  in  its  own  language,  an  idea  of  HUMOUR. 

[See  the  second  edn.  of  1762,  p.  423  below,  where  the  first  of  the  two  above  passages 
is  somewhat  altered  and  expanded.] 

1754.  Unknown.    Article  [in]  The  Monthly  Keview,  Aug.  1754,  vol.  xi, 
pp.  118-19. 

[A  brief  summary  of  sect.  5  of  Warton's  Observations  on  .  . 
Spenser,  which  deals  with  Spenser's  imitations  of  Chaucer. 
See  above,  p.  409.] 

[1755.  Grey,  Zachary.]  Remarks  upon  a  late  Edition  of  Shakespeare. 
See  below,  App.  A.  [1755]. 

1755.  E,.,  R.     Letter  to  Mr.   Urban,  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
August,  1755,  vol.  xxv,  pp.  347-8  [on  the  use  of  "boro"  or  "bor- 
rowe  "  by  Chaucer  and  Spenser]. 

1755.  Rider,  W.     Westminster  Abbey.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1755.  Johnson,  Samuel.  A  Dictionary  of  the  English  Language, 
1st  edn.  The  History  of  the  English  Language,  vol.  i,  pp.  9, 
10,  11,  12,  13,  14. 

ti>.  oj  The  history  of  our  language  is  now  brought  to  the  point 
at  which  the  history  of  our  poetry  is  generally  supposed  to 
commence,  the  time  of  the  illustrious  Geoffry  Chaucer,  who 
may  perhaps,  with  great  justice,  be  stiled  the  first  of  our 
versifiers  who  wrote  poetically.  He  does  not  however  appear 
to  have  deserved  all  the  praise  which  he  has  received,  or  all 
the  censure  that  he  has  suffered.  Dryden,  who  mistaking 
genius  for  learning,  and  in  confidence  of  his  abilities,  ventured 
to  write  of  what  he  had  not  examined,  ascribes  to  Chaucer  the 
first  refinement  of  our  numbers,  the  first  production  of  easy 
and  natural  rhymes,  and  the  improvement  of  our  language, 
by  words  borrowed  from  the  more  polished  languages  of  the 
Continent.  Skinner  [see  above,  1667,  p.  243]  contrarily  blames 
him  in  harsh  terms  for  having  vitiated  his  native  speech  by 
whole  cartloads  of  foreign  words.  But  he  that  reads  the  works 
of  Goiver  will  find  smooth  numbers  and  easy  rhymes,  of  which 
Chaucer  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  inventor,  and  the  French 


1755]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  411 

words,  whether  good  or  bad,  of  which  Chaucer  is  charged  as 
the  importer.  Some  innovations  he  might  probably  make,  like 
others,  in  the  infancy  of  our  poetry,  which  the  paucity  of  books 
does  [not]  allow  us  to  discover  with  particular  exactness ;  but 
the  works  of  Gower  and  Lydgate  sufficiently  evince  that  his 
diction  was  in  general  like  that  of  his  contemporaries  :  and 
some  improvements  he  undoubtedly  made  by  the  various  dis 
positions  of  his  rhymes;  and  by  the  mixture  of  different 
numbers,  in  which  he  seems  to  have  been  happy  and  judicious. 
I  have  selected  several  specimens  both  of  his  prose  and  verse ; 
and  among  them,  part  of  his  translation  of  Boetius  ..." 
[Johnson  quotes  also  from  the  Astrolabe,  the  Prol.  of  the  Test, 
of  Love,  the  Prol.  to  Canterbury  Tales,  the  House  of  Fame, 
and  some  short  poems.] 

[Johnson  quotes  very  rarely  from  Chaucer  in  the  body  of 
the  Dictionary,  on  the  principle  expressed  in  the  Preface : 
"  I  have  been  cautious  lest  my  zeal  for  antiquity  might  drive 
me  into  times  too  remote,  and  croud  my  book  with  words  now 
no  longer  understood.  I  have  fixed  Sidney's  work  for  the 
boundary,  beyond  which  I  make  few  excursions."  Thus  for 
"Keeve"  he  quotes  Dryden,  for  "Chanticleer"  Camden  on 
Chaucer,  and  for  "  Manciple "  Betterton's  Miller  of  Trump- 
ington,  rather  than  quote  Chaucer  himself.  But  for  "  Welkin  " 
and  "  Shall"  ("the  faith  I  shall  to  God"),  and  probably  for 
a  few  other  words,  he  quotes  from  Chaucer.] 


1755.  Unknown.     The  Praises  of  Isis;  a  poem.     By  a  Gentleman  of 
Cambridge,  p.  16. 

.  .  .  Why  loves  to  bend 
His  lonely  step  to  yonder  aged  oak, 
Deep-musing,  while  bright  Cynthia  silvers  o'er 
The  negro  forehead  of  uncomely  Night, 
Th'  enraptur'd  Bard  ]  .  .  . 

.  .  .  there  Fame  records 
Custom'd  the  merry  Chaucer  erst  to  frame 
His  laughter-moving  tale  :  nor,  when  his  harp 
He  tun'd  to  notes  of  louder  pitch,  and  sung 
Of  ladies  passing  fair,  and  bloody  jousts, 
And  warrior  steeds,  and  valour-breathing  knights 
For  matchless  prowess  fam'd,  deserv'd  he  not 
The  laureat  wreath ;  for  he,  like  Phoebus,  knew 
To  build  in  numbers  apt  the  lofty  song. — 


412  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1756- 

1756.  Unknown.  Some  Account  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  Chaucer, 
[in]  The  Universal  Visitor  and  Memorialist  for  the  Year  1756, 
Jan.,  pp.  9-15. 

[p.  12]  We  come  now  to  consider  the  writings  of  Chaucer,  from 
which,  we  shall  find,  that  if  not  the  greatest,  he  was,  without 
controversy,  the  most  universal,  genius  that  ever  was.  .  .  . 
There  is  not  a  single  species  of  poetry  in  which  this  great 
man  has  not  left  some  specimens  of  his  excellency. 
[PP. ii-i5]  [Quotes  Chaucer's  '  Flee  from  the  prees  '  (modernised),  '  0 
mercifull  and  0  merciable/  and  dedication  of  the  Treatise 
of  the  Astrolabe.] 

[The  title-page  of  the  volume  bears  the  motto  :] 
Sounding  with  Moral  Virtue  was  his  Speech, 
And  gladly  would  he  learn,  and  gladly  teach. — CHAUCEE. 
[The  frontispiece,  by  A.  Walker,   represents  the  Visiter 
writing  before  a  row  of  busts  of  Chaucer,  Spenser,  Shakespeare, 
Waller  and  Dry  den,  and  has  a  legend  of  six  lines  beginning :] 
"  To  CHAUCER  !   who  the  English  Tongue  designed."  .  . 

[The  Universal  Visiter  is  largely  by  Smart.  This  article,  which  is  signed  *  *,  has 
been  attributed  to  Johnson,  but  was  rejected  by  Boswell  (Life  of  Johnson,  ed.  G. 
Birkbeck  Hill,  i.  306).  See  below,  1791,  p.  492.] 

1756.  Warton,  Joseph.     Essay  on  the  Writings  and  Genius  of  Pope, 
vol.  i,  p.  155  [quotes  Pope's  line  "and  such  as  Chaucer  is,  shall 
Dryclen  be,"  and  Waller's  "Chaucer  his  sense  can  only  boast"], 
p.  257,  [Chaucer  appears  to  have  been  particularly  struck  with  the 
tale  of  Ugolino  in  Dante]  ;  301,  [Chaucer  and  John  of  Meung] 
p.  303  n,  [Chaucer  translated  Boetius]. 

[For  vol.  ii,  which  was  not  printed  till  1782,  see  below,  p.  470.] 

1757.  G-emsege,  Paul  [pseud.  Pegge,  Samuel].     Letter  [in]  The  Gentle 
man's  Magazine.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1757.  Thompson,  William.  Preface  [to]  An  Hymn  to  May,  [in] 
Poems  on  Several  Occasions,  by  William  Thompson,  M.A.,  Oxford, 

1757,  p.  156.      . 

[p.  i56j  As  I  profess'd  myself  in  this  Canto  to  take  Spenser  for  my 
Model,  I  chose  the  Stanza  [a  7-lined  stanza  with  Alexandrine 
at  end,  rhyming  ababccc,  not  used  by  Chaucer] ;  which  I 
think  adds  both  a  Sweetness  and  Solemnity  at  the  same 
Time,  to  subjects  of  this  rural  and  flowry  Nature.  The  most 
descriptive  of  our  old  Poets  have  always  used  It  from  Chaucer 
down  to  Fairfax,  and  even  long  after  him. 

1757.  Unknown.  Biographia  Britannica,  vol.  iv.  See  below,  App.  A., 
1757. 

[a.  1758.]  H[arris],  J[ames].  A  Fragment  of  Chaucer,  by  J.  H.  Esq.  [in] 
A  Collection  of  Poems  ...  by  several  hands,  [ed  ]  R.  Dodsley. 

1758,  vol.  v,  p.  296.     [This  is  not  in  the  earlier  edition  of  1748. 
See  also  The  Epigrammatists,  by  H.  P.  Dodd,  2nd  edn.  1875,  p.  609.] 

[Ten  lines  in  the  style  of  Chaucer.] 


1758]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  413 

1728-58.  Spence,  Joseph.  Anecdotes  .  .  .  of  Books  and  Men  collected 
from  the  Conversation  of  Mr.  Pope  and  other  Eminent  Persons  of 
his  Time.  First  published  with  notes  by  Samuel  Weller  Singer, 
1820.  Section  i,  pp.  19-21,  23,  50  [see  above,  Pope,  1728-30,  p.  370]. 
Section  iv,  p.  140  [note  by  editor  quoting  Chaucer  reference  in 
Pope's  letter  to  Mrs.  Judith  Cowper.  See  above,  Pope,  1723, 
p.  366],  pp.  171-2  [see  above,  Pope,  1734-6,  p.  377].  Section  v, 
p.  206.  Supplement,  p.  336. 
[p.  336]  I  have  seen,  of  Mr.  Pope's  drawing,  a  grave  old  Chaucer, 

from  Occleve. 

[a  1758.]   Akenside,  Mark.     For  a  Statue  of  Chaucer  at   Woodstock. 
[Inscriptions  II.     First  published  in  R.  Dodsley's]  Collection  of 
Poems,  1758,  vol.  vi,  pp.  30-1.     (Poetical  works  of  ...  Akenside, 
ed.  C.  Cowden  Clarke  [1880],  p.  256.) 
Such  was  old  Chaucer,     such  the  placid  mien 
Of  him  who  first  with  harmony  inform'd 
The  language  of  our  fathers.     Here  he  dwelt 
For  many  a  cheerful  day.     these  ancient  walls 
Have  often  heard  him,  while  his'  legends  blithe 
He  sang ;  of  love,  or  knighthood,  or  the  wiles 
Of  homely  life  :  through  each  estate  and  age, 
The  fashions  and  the  follies  of  the  world 
[p.  si]     With  cunning  hand  portraying.     Though  perchance 
From  Blenheim's  towers,  0  stranger,  thou  art  come, 
Glowing  with  Churchill's  trophies ;  yet  in  vain 
Dost  thou  applaud  them,  if  thy  breast  be  cold 
To  him,  this  other  heroe ;  who,  in  times 
Dark  and  untaught,  began  with  charming  verse 
To  tame  the  rudeness  of  his  native  land. 
1758.  A.,  A.   Article  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1758-9.  Church,  Ralph.  Notes  [in]  The  Faerie  Queene,  by  Edmund 
Spenser,  a  new  edition,  with  notes  critical  and  explanatory,  by 
Ralph  Church  ...  in  four  volumes.  .  .  1758.  [Vol.  ii  is  dated 
1759.] 

[There  are  numerous  references  to  Chaucer  in  the  notes.] 

1758.  Gemsege,  Paul  [pseud.  Pegge,  Samuel].  Letter  to  Mr.  Urban, 
[in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June  1758,  vol.  xxviii,  pp.  261-2. 

The  botanists  pretend  to  have  made  a  new  discovery,  which 
they  call  by  a  very  pretty  metaphorical  name,  the  sleep  of 
plants.  .  .  ,  The  fact  is  remarkably  observable  in  the  daisy, 
which  towards  the  evening  always  erects  and  brings  close  its 
petals.  .  .  .    And  this  observation,  concerning  this  flower,  is 
as  old  as  the  time  of  Jeffrey  Chaucer,  who  in  the  proeme  to 
the  Legende  of  good  women,  has  the  following  lines  : 
'  There  loveth  no  wight  hartyer  aly ve 
And  whan  that  it  is  evyn  I  rynne  belyve, 


414 


Five  Hundred  Years  cf 


[A.D.  1758 


As  sone  as  the  sone  ginneth  to  west, 

To  see  this  floure,  how  it  wall  go  to  rest,''  &c. 

[Prol.  to  Leg.  of  Good  Women,  Text  B,  11.  59-62.] 

I  have  a  MS.  of  this  part  of  the  author,  from  whence,  to 
spare  the  trouble  of  reporting  various  readings,  I  have 
transcribed  the  above  passage  literatim.  Those  who  are 
curious  may  compare  it,  if  they  please,  with  the  printed 
copies  of  Chaucer,  since  there  are  some  variations,  which  I 
think  preferrable  [sic]  to  what  at  present  are  read  in  Mr.  Urry ; 
however  there  are  none  that  concern  the  subject  of  this  letter. 
[Quotes  again  twice  from  Chaucer.] 

1758.  [Goldsmith,    Oliver.]     The    Poetical    Scale   [in]   The    Literary 
Magazine,  Jan.,  1758,  p.  6. 


This  scale  is  supposed  to  consist  of  20  degrees  for 
each  column,  of  which  19  may  be  attained  in  any  one 
qualification,  but  the  20th  was  never  yet  attain'd  to. 

Genius. 

-*5 

to 

T3 
IJ 

i-S 

Learning. 

Versifications. 

16 

12 

10 

14 

Spencer    
Drayton   

18 
10 
19 

12 

a 

14 

14 
16 
14 

18 
13 
19 

Johnson  [Ben  Jonson]      .... 
Cowley     
Waller     

16 
17 
12 
12 

18 
17 
12 
12 

17 
15 
10 
14 

[1118 
17 
16 
13 

17 

10 

10 

17 

Milton      
Lee  
Dryden    

18 
16 
18 
15 

16 
10 
16 
16 

17 
10 
17 
14 

18 
15 
18 
14 

Vanburgh  [sic]         
Steel         

14 

10 

15 
15 

14 
13 

10 
10 

Addison                     a 
Prior        
Swift        

16 
16 

18 

18 
16 
16 

17 
15 

16 

17 
17 
16 

18 

18 

15 

19 

Thomson  .        .        . 
Gay          
Butler      
Beaumont  and  Fletcher    .... 
Hill  (Aaron)    

16 
14 
17 
14 
16 

16 
16 
16 
16 
12 

14 
14 
14 
16 
13 

17 
16 
16 
12 
17 

Howe       .        .        .        ... 
Farquhar          
Garth       .                  .... 

14 
15 
16 

16 
16 
16 

15 
10 
12 

16 
10 
16 

15 

15 

11 

14 

15 

16 

13 

16 

[First  attributed  to  Goldsmith  in  the  Bohn  edn.,  1885,  ed.  by  J.  M.  W.  Gibbs.] 


1758]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  415 

1758.  [Goldsmith,  Oliver.]  "  Brito."  The  History  of  our  own  Language 
[in]  The  Literary  Magazine,  Jan.  1758,  pp.  57,  58. 

Tho'  Chaucer  is  generally  look'd  upon  as  the  father  of 
English  poetry,  yet  several  writers  in  the  North,  where,  as 
we  have  already  hinted,  the  Anglo-Saxon  tongue  prevailed  in 
its  greatest  purity,  preceded  him  in  point  of  time,  and  in 
some  respects,  of  excellence.  Barbour,  who  was  a  domestic 
chaplain  to  Robert  the  first  of  Scotland,  and  if  I  mistake  not, 
a  native  of  the  North  of  England,  wrote  his  master's  life  in 
the  Anglo-Saxon  language  long  before  Chaucer's  days.  .  .  . 

[First  recognised  as  Goldsmith's  by  J.  M.  W.  Gibbs,  the  editor  of  Bohn's 
18S5  edn.] 

1758.  Massey,  William.  Article  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See 
below,  A  pp.  A. 

1758.  P.,  R.  Letter  to  Mr.  Urban,  [in  answer  to  Mr.  Gemsage,  see 
above,  p.  413 ;  in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  July  1758,  vol. 
xxviii,  p.  315. 

The  real  cause  of  the  somnus  plantarum  was  not  known 
till  experiments  very  lately  determined  it,  and  as  to  the  vigilice 
florum  it  will  scarcely  be  granted  that  Chaucer  knew  the 
physical  cause,  whatever  use  he  might  make  of  that 
phenomenon  in  a  poetical  way. 

1758.  Upton,  John.  Spensers  Faerie  Queene.  A  new  edition  with  a 
glossary  and  notes  explanatory  and  critical,  by  John  Upton,  2  vols., 
vol.  i,  pp.  vii-ix,  xxxv-vi.  The  Glossary  (sign.  *a  2-*f  4)  and  the 
Notes  (vol.  ii,  pp.  332-658)  have  references  to  Chaucer  on  practi 
cally  every  page ;  they  are  chiefly  on  Spenser's  debt  to  Chaucer  for 
words  and  phrases. 
[See  below,  p.  416,  1759,  Unknown.] 

1758.  Walpole,  Horace.  A  Catalogue  of  the  Eoyal  and  Noble  Authors 
of  England,  "2  vols.,  vol.  ii,  pp.  182-3. 

James  I  [of  Scotland,  .wrote]  ..."  Scotch  Sonnets," 
one  book.  One  of  them,  "  A  Lamentation  while  in  England," 
is  in  manuscript  in  the  Bodleian  library,  and  praises  Gower 
and  Chaucer  exceedingly. 

[This  must  be  the  Selden  MS.  of  the  King's  Quhair.] 

1758.  Williams,  Sir  Charles  Hanbury.  [Verses]  To  Mrs.  Bindon  at 
Bath,  [in]  A  Collection  of  Poems  in  six  volumes  by  several  hands 
("Dcdsley's  Miscellany3'),  1758,  vol.  v.,  p.  156. 

Apollo  of  old  on  Britannia  did  smile, 
And  Delphi  forsook  for  the  sake  of  this  isle  .  .  . 
Then  Chaucer  and  Spenser  harmonious  were  heard, 
Then  Shakespear,  and  Milton,  and  Waller  appear'd. 


416  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1759— 

1759.  Andrews,  James  Pettit.  Letter  [giving  an  account  of  the  parish 
of  Shaw-cum-Donnington,  written  by  Andrews  in]  Answers  to 
Berkshire  Queries,  [in  the  fourth  volume  of  the]  Bibliotheca  Topo- 
graphica  Britannica,  [which  contains  the  Antiquities  in  Bedford 
shire,  Berkshire  .  .  .]  1790,  pp.  76,  80.  [The  pagination  is  not 
continuous.] 

[p.  76]  The  most  remarkable  building  in  the  parish  is  the  cele 
brated  Donnington-castle,  which  was  (for  the  latter  part  of 
his  life)  the  dwelling-place  of  that  father  of  English  poetry, 
Chaucer.  I  have  often  heard  and  read  of  that  oak  under 
which  he  is  said  to  have  composed  some  of  his  poems,  but  on 
the  strictest  search,  and  the  most  careful  enquiry  of  the  oldest 
people,  I  cannot  find  the  least  remains  of  it ;  though  I  think 
Camden  says  that  in  his  time  it  was  standing.  .  .  . 

[p.  so]  There  is  at  the  house  near  Donnington  castle  [belonging 
to  the  Packers,  descendants  of  Jack  of  Newbury]  an  original 
portrait  of  the  celebrated  Chaucer  :  the  very  same  from  which 
all  those  prints  and  drawings  which  we  have  of  him  are  taken. 

[For  additions  to  the  above,  see  below,  1783,  p.  475.] 

1759.   [Astle,  Thomas.]     A    Catalogue   of  the   Harleian   Collection  of 
Manuscripts.     Preface,  p.  25  ;    a  general  description  of  Chaucer 
MSS.  ;  and  see  the  Index. 
[See  below,  p.  424,  1763,  Unknown.] 

1759.  Johnson,  Samuel.  The  Idler,  no.  63,  June  30,  1759  ;  no.  69, 
August  11,  1759.  (The  Idler.  Two  vols.,  printed  1761,  vol.  ii, 
pp.  62-3,  91-2.) 

[Merely  passing  references  (1)  to  the  fact  that  the  improvement  of  the  English 
language  dates  from  the  time  of  Gower  and  Chaucer  ;  (2)  to  Chaucer's  translation  of 
Boethius.] 

1759.  Lowth,  R[obert].  Letter  to  Joseph  Warton,  [dated]  Bath, 
April  19, 1759,  [in]  Biographical  Memoirs  of  Joseph  Warton,  D.D., 
ed.  John  Wooll,  1806,  pp.  261-2. 

Pray  where  did  you  meet  with  "William  the  Conqueror's 
Ode,  and  Chaucer's  accompanying  the  Duke  of  Clarence  to 
Milan,  and  being  personally  acquainted  with  Petrarch?  I 
should  be  glad  if  you  could  give  us  your  authorities  for  such 
curious  matters. 

1759.  Massey,  William.  Article  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine. 
See  below,  App.  A. 

1759.  [Unknown].  An  Impartial  Estimate  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Upton's  Notes  on  the  Fairy  Queen,  pp.  14-19. 

[The  author  blames  Upton  for  borrowing  notes  from  Warton, 
(q.v.  above,  1754,  p.  409)  among  the  rest  those  on  Chaucer's 
influence  upon  Spenser.] 


1760]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  417 

1759.  [Young,  Edward.]     Conjectures  on   Original    Composition,  2nd 
edn.,  pp.  7-8. 

Moreover,  if  we  consider  life's  endless  evils,  what  can  be 
more  prudent,  than  to  provide  for  consolation  under  them? 
A  consolation  under  them  the  wisest  of  men  have  found  in 
the  pleasures  of  the  pen.  Witness,  among  many  more, 
Thucydides,  Xenophon,  Tally,  Ovid,  Seneca,  Pliny  the 
Younger  .  .  .  And  why  not  add  to  these  their  modern  equals, 
Chance)',  Rawleigh,  Bacon,  Milton,  Clarendon  ?  .  .  . 

[The  first  edn.  (also  1759)  omits  Chaucer,  and  begins 
"  Rawleiyh,  Milton,  Clarendon."] 

1760.  Copy  well,   Jemmy.      Poems  [in]  The   Gentleman's   Magazine. 
See  below,  App.  A. 

[a.  1760.]  Darrell,  Dr.  An  Excellent  Ballad.  To  the  Tune  of  Chevy- 
Chace  [a  satire  on  Browne  Willis,  who  died  in  1760,  in]  The 
Oxford  Sausage,  1764,  p.  158.  (See  Hone's  Every-Day  Book,  vol. 
ii,  p.  299.) 

A  stick,  torn  from  that  hallow'd  Tree, 

Where  Chaucer  us'd  to  sit, 
And  tell  his  Tales  with  leering  Glee, 
Supports  his  tott'ring  Feet. 

[1760.]  Gibbon,  Edward.  Outlines  of  the  History  of  the  World.  The 
Fourteenth  Century.  (The  Miscellaneous  Works  of  E.  Gibbon, 
ed.  John,  Lord  Sheffield,  1837,  p.  618.) 

If  any  barbarian  on  this  side  the  Alps  deserves  to  be 
remembered  [in  connection  with  literature],  it  is  our  country 
man  Chaucer,  whose  Gothic  dialect  often  conceals  natural 
humour  and  poetical  imagery. 

1760.  Gray,  Thomas.  [Letter'}  to  [Horace'}  Walpole  on  'Anecdotes  of 
Painting'  [dated]  Cambridge,  Sept.  2,  1760.  (Gray's  Letters,  ed. 
D.  C.  Tovey,  1900-12,  vol.  iii,  pp.  325-6,  330.) 

[p.  325]  Mr.  Vertue's  MSS.  (as  I  do  not  doubt  you  have  experienced) 
will  often  put  you  on  a-  false  scent.  Be  assured  that  Occleve's 
portrait  of  Chaucer  is  not,  nor  ever  was,  in  St.  John's  Library  : 
they  have  a  MS.  of  the  Troilus  and  Cressida  without  illumina 
tions,  and  no  other  part  of  his  works.  In  the  University 
Library,  indeed,  there  is  a  large  volume  with  most  of  his 
works  on  vellum,  and  by  way  of  frontispiece  is  (pasted  in)  a 
pretty  old  print,  taken  (as  it  says)  by  Mr.  Speed  from  Occleve's 
original  painting  in  the  book  De  Regimine  Principum,  in  the 
middle  is  Chaucer,  a  whole  length,  the  same  countenance, 

CHAUCER     CRITICISM.  EE 


418  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1760 

attitude,  and  dress  that  Vertue  gives  you  in  the  two  heads 
which  he  has  engraved  of  him ;  the  border  is  composed  of 
escutcheons  of  arms,  all  the  alliances  of  the  Chaucer  family, 
and  at  bottom  the  tomb  of  Thomas  Chaucer  and  Maud 
Burghershe  at  Ewelm.  The  print  and  all  the  arms  are  neatly 
coloured.  I  only  describe  this  because  I  never  took  notice  of 
such  a  print  any  where  else,  though  perhaps  you  may  know  it ; 
for  I  suppose  it  was  done  for  some  of  Speed's  works.  About 
the  painting  I  have  a  great  puzzle  in  my  head  between 
Vertue,  Mr.  D'Urry,  and  Bishop  Tanner.  Vertue  (you  know) 
has  twice  engraved  Chaucer's  head,  once  for  D'Urry's  edition 
of  his  works,  and  a  second  time  in  the  set  of  poets'  heads. 
Both  are  done  from  Occleve's  painting ;  but  he  never  tells 
us  where  he  found  the  painting,  as  he  generally  uses  to  do. 
D'Urry  says  there  is  a  portrait  of  Chaucer  (doubtless  a  whole 
length),  for  he  describes  his  port  and  stature  from  it,  in 
possession  of  George  Greenwood,  Esq.,  of  Chastleton  in 
Gloucestershire.  A  little  after  he  too  mentions  the  picture  by 
Occleve,  but  whether  the  same  or  not  does  not  appear. 
Tanner,  in  his  Bibliotheca  (Artie.  Chaucer,  see  the  notes) 
[see  above,  1748,  p.  395],  speaks  of  Occleve's  painting  too, 
but  names  another  work  of  his  (not  the  De  Regim.  Principuni), 
and  adds,  that  it  is  in  the  King's  Library  at  Westminster :  if 
so,  you  will  certainly  find  it  in  the  Museum,  and  Casley's 
Catalogue  will  direct  you  to  the  place. 

1760.  Unknown.  Biograpliia  Britannica,  vol.  v.  See  below,  App.  A., 
1760. 

[1760-1  ?]  Gray,  Thomas.  Metrum.  Observations  on  English  Metre. 
[Miscellaneous  notes  on  metre  and  on  early  English  poetry,  which 
form  part  of  the  material  intended  for  his  projected  History  of 
Poetry.  Pembroke  MSS.  Cambr.,  first  printed  by  T.  J.  Mathias 
in  1814.]  (Gray's  Works,  eel.  E.  Gosse,  1884,  vol.  i,  pp.  325-6, 
328-9,  335-6,  339,  343-4,  345  n.,  346-8,  353-5,  357  n.,  358-9. 
Some  Remarks  on  the  Poems  of  John  Lydgate,  pp.  390-1,  397, 
401-2,  407.) 

Ip.  325]  Though  I  would  not  with  Mr.  Urry,1  the  Editor  of  Chaucer, 
insert  words  and  syllables,  unauthorized  by  the  oldest  manu 
scripts,  to  help  out  what  seems  lame  and  defective  in  the 
measure  of  our  ancient  writers,  yet  as  I  see  those  manuscripts, 
and  the  first  printed  editions,  so  extremely  inconstant  in  their 
manner  of  spelling  one  and  the  same  word  as  to  vary  con- 
1  Sue  the  Preface  to  Urry's  Chaucer.  Fol. 


1760]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  419 

tinually,  and  often  in  the  compass  of  two  lines,  and  seem  to 
have  no  fixed  orthography,  I  cannot  help  thinking  it  probable, 
that  many  great  inequalities  in  the  metre  are  owing  to  the 

[p.  326]  neglect  of  transcribers,  or  that  the  manner  of  reading  made  up 
for  the  defects  which  appear  in  the  writing.  Thus  the  y 
which  we  often  see  prefixed  to  participles  passive,  ?/cleped, 
yhewe,  &c.  is  not  a  mere  arbitrary  insertion  to  fill  up  the 
verse,  but  is  the  old  Anglo-Saxon  augment  .  .  .  which  as 
early  as  Edward  the  Confessor's  time,  began  to  be  written 
with  a  y,  or  an  i.  .  .  .  x  This  syllable,  though  (I  suppose) 
then  out  of  use  in  common  speech,  our  poets  inserted, 
where  it  suited  them,  in  verse. — [The  same  was  the  case 

[p.  327]  with  the  final  syllable  of  verbs  -in,  -on,  -en,  -an]  ...  As 
then  our  writers  inserted  these  initial  and  final  letters,  or 
omitted  them ;  and,  where  we  see  them  written,  we  do  not 
doubt  that  they  were  meant  to  fill  up  the  measure ;  it  follows, 

[p.  328]  that  these  Poets  had  an  ear  not  insensible  to  defects  in  metre ; 
and  where  the  verse  seems  to  halt,  it  is  very  probably 
occasioned  by  the  transcriber's  neglect,  who,  seeing  a  word 
spelt  differently  from  the  manner  then  customary,  changed  or 
omitted  a  few  letters  without  reflecting  on  the  injury  done  to 
the  measure.  The  case  is  the  same  with  the  genitive  case 
singular  and  the  nominative  plural  of  many  nouns,  .  .  .  but 
we  now  have  reduced  them,  by  our  pronunciation,  to  an  equal 
number  of  syllables  with  their  nominatives  singular.  This 
was  commonly  done  too,  I  imagine,  in  Chaucer's  and  Lydgate's 
time ;  but,  in  verse,  they  took  the  liberty  either  to  follow  the 
old  language  in  pronouncing  the  final  syllable,  or  to  sink  the 

[p.  329]  vowel  and  abridge  it,  as  was  usual,  according  to  the  necessity 
of  their  versification.  I  have  mentioned  .  .  .  the  e  mute, 
and  their  use  of  it  in  words  derived  from  the  French,  and  I 
imagine  that  they  did  the  same  in  many  words  of  true  English 
origin,  which  the  Danes  had  before  robbed  of  their  final 
consonant  .  .  .  Here  we  may  easily  conceive,  that  though 
the  n  was  taken  away,  yet  the  e  continued  to  be  pronounced 
faintly,  and  though  in  time  it  was  quite  dropped  in  conversa 
tion,  yet  when  the  poet  thought  fit  to  make  a  syllable  of  it, 

1  ...  Chaucer  seems  to  have  been  well  aware  of  the  injustice  that  his 
copyists  might  chauce  to  do  to  him  :  he  says,  towards  the  end  of  his  Troilus, 
'  And  for  there  is  so  great  divi«rsitie, 
In  English,  and  in  writing  of  our  long ; ' 

[quotes  the  whole  passage,  11.  1793-6]. 


420  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1760- 

it  no  more  offended  their  ears  than  it  now  offends  those  of  a 
Frenchman  to  hear  it  so  pronounced,  in  verse. 

[pp.  329-35]  [Puttenham's  remarks  on  metre.] 

[p.  335]  These  reflections  may  serve  to  shew  us,  that  Puttenham, 
though  he  lived  within  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  of 
Chaucer's  time,  must  have  been  mistaken  with  regard  to  what 
the  old  writers  called  their  Riding  Rhyme  ;  for  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  which  he  gives  as  an  example  of  it,  are  as  exact  in  their 
measure  and  in  their  pause  as  in  the  Troilus  and  Cresseide, 
where  he  says,  "  the  metre  is  very  grave  and  stately " ;  and 
this  not  only  in  the  Knight's  Tale,  but  in  the  comic  Intro 
duction  and  Characters  .  .  . 

...  I  conclude,  that  he  was  misled  by  the  change  which 
[p.  336]  words  had  undergone  in  their  accents  since  the  days  of 
Chaucer,  and  by  the  seeming  defects  of  measure  which 
frequently  occur  in  the  printed  copies.  I  cannot  pretend  to  say 
what  it  was  they  called  Riding  Rhyme,  but  perhaps  it  might  be 
such  as  we  see  in  the  Northern  Tale  of  Sir  Thopas  in  Chaucer. 

But  nothing  can  be  more  regular  than  this  sort  of  stanza,  the 
pause  always  falling  just  in  the  middle  of  those  verses  which 
are  of  eight  syllables,  and  at  the  end  of  those  of  six.  I 
imagine  that  it  was  this  very  regularity  which  seemed  so 
tedious  to  mine  host  of  the  Tabbarde,  as  to  make  him  interrupt 
Chaucer  in  the  middle  of  his  story.  .  .  . 

[p.  339]  But  the  Riding  Rhyme  I  rather  take  to  be  that  which  is 
confined  to  one  measure,  whatever  that  measure  be,  but  not 
to  one  rhythm ;  having  sometimes  more,  sometimes  fewer 
syllables,  and  the  pause  hardly  distinguishable,  such  as  the 
Prologue  and  History  of  Beryn,  found  in  some  MSS.  of 
Chaucer,  and  the  Cook's  Tale  of  Gamelyn,  where  the  verses 
have  twelve,  thirteen,  or  fourteen  syllables,  and  the  Csesura  on 
the  sixth,  seventh,  or  eighth,  as  it  happens.  .  .  . 

Some  Remarks  on  the  Poems  of  John  Lydgate. 
[p,  397]  I  do  not  pretend  to  set  him  [Lydgate]  on  a  level  with  his 
master,  Chaucer,  but  he  certainly  comes  the  nearest  to  him  of 
any  contemporary  writer  that  I  am  acquainted  with.  His 
choice  of  expression,  and  the  smoothness  of  his  verse,  far 
surpass  both  Gower  and  Occleve.  .  .  . 


1762]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  421 

[p.  101]  It  is  observable  that  in  images  of  horror,  and  in  a  certain 
terrible  greatness,  our  author  comes  far  behind  Chaucer.  .  .  . 

[p.  402]  Lydgate  seems  to  have  been  by  nature  of  a  more  serious  and 
melancholy  turn  of  mind  than  Chaucer;  yet  one  here  and 
there  meets  with  a  stroke  of  satire  and  irony  which  does  not 
want  humour,  and  it  usually  falls  (as  was  the  custom  of  those 
times)  either  upon  the  women  or  on  the  clergy. 

1761.  [Dalrymple,  Hugh?]  Woodstock  Park.  An  Elegy.  London, 
Wilson,  4°. 

Old  Chaucer,  who  in  rough  unequal  verse, 
Sung  quaint  allusion  and  facetious  tale ; 
And  ever  as  his  jests  he  would  rehearse, 
Loud  peals  of  laughter  echoed  through  the  vale. 

What  though  succeeding  poets,  as  they  [their  f|  sire, 
Revere  his  memory  and  approve  his  wit ; 
Though  Spenser's  elegance  and  Dryden's  fire 
His  name  to  ages  far  remote  transmit ; 
His  tuneless  numbers  hardly  now  survive 
As  ruins  of  a  dark  and  Gothic  age ; 
And  all  his  blithesome  tales  their  praise  derive 
From  Pope's  immortal  song  and  Prior's  page. 

[There  is  no  copy  of  this  pamphlet  (published  at  one  shilling)  in  the  British 
Museum  ;  this  extract  is  taken  from  Professor  Lounsburj  "s  Studies  in  Chaucer, 
iii,  239.] 

1761.  Unknown.     [Life  of]  Chaucer,  [in]  A  New  and  General  Biographi 
cal  Dictionary,  vol.  iii,  pp.  172-7. 

[An  ordinary  life,  followed  by  quotations  from  Beaumont's 
letter  to  Speght,  q.v.  above,  1597,  p.  145,  and  from  Bryden, 
q.v.  above,  1700,  p.  271.  In  Tooke's  edition  of  1798  an 
enthusiastic  reference  to  Tyrwhitt's  edition  is  added  at  the 
end.] 

1762.  [Hurd,  Kichard  (Bp.  of  Worcester).]    Letters  on  Chivalry  and 
Romance,  pp.  58,  59  [Letter  vii.],  106-108  [Letter  xi.],  112. 

[p.  58]  [Milton,  in  the  Penseroso]  extolls  an  author  of  one  of  these 
[i>.  59]  romances,  as  he  had  before,  in  general,  extolled  the  subject  of 
them ;  but  it  is  an  author  worthy  of  his  praise ;  not  the  writer 
of  Amadis,  or  Sir  Launcelot  of  the  Lake,  but  Chaucer  himself, 
who  has  left  an  unfinished  story  on  the  Gothic  or  feudal 
model. 


422  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1762 

1  Or,  call  up  him  who  left  half-told 
The  story  of  Cambuscan  bold  .  .  . 
Where  more  is  meant  than  meets  the  eye.' 

The  conduct  then  of  these  two  poets  may  incline  us  to  think 
with  more  respect,  than  is  commonly  done  of  the  Gothic 
manners,  I  mean  as  adapted  to  the  uses  of  the  greater  poetry. 

[p.  106]  .  .  .  long  before  his  [Ariosto's]  time  an  immortal  genius 
of  our  own  (so  superior  is  the  sense  of  some  men  to  the  age 

[p.  io7]  they  live  in)  saw  as  far  into  this  matter  as  Ariosto's  examiner. 
This  sagacious  person  was  Dan  Chaucer ;  who  in  a  reign,  that 
almost  realized  the  wonders  of  romantic  chivalry,  not  only 
discerned  the  absurdity  of  the  old  romances,  but  has  even 
ridiculed  them  with  incomparable  spirit. 

His  RIME  OF  SIR  TOPAZ,  in  the  Canterbury  Tales,  is  a 
manifest  banter  on  these  books,  and  may  be  considered  as  a 
sort  of  prelude  to  the  adventures  of  Don  Quixot.  I  call 
it  a  manifest  banter :  For  we  are  to  observe  that  this  was 
Chaucer's  own  tale,  and  that,  when  in  the  progress  of  it 
the  good  sense  of  the  Host  is  made  to  break  in  upon  him, 
and  interrupt  him,  Chaucer  approves  his  disgust  and,  changing 
his  note,  tells  the  simple  instructive  tale  of  Melibeeus,  a  moral 

[p.  108]  tale  virtuous,  as  he  chuses  to  characterize  it ;  to  shew,  what 
sort  of  fictions  were  most  expressive  of  real  life,  and  most 
proper  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  People. 

One  might  further  observe  that  the  Rime  of  Sir  Topas 
itself  is  so  managed  as  with  infinite  humour  to  expose  the 
leading  impertinences  of  books  of  chivalry,  and  their  impertin- 
encies  only ;  as  may  be  seen  by  the  different  conduct  of  this 
tale,  from  that  of  Cambuscan,  which  Spenser  and  Milton  were 
so  pleased  with,  and  which  with  great  propriety  is  put  into  the 
mouth  of  'the  SQUIRE. 

But  I  must  not  anticipate  the  observations  which  you  will 
take  a  pleasure  to  make  for  yourself  on  these  two  fine  parts  of 
the  Canterbury  Tales.  Enough  is  said  to  illustrate  the  point, 

[p.  109]  I  am  now  upon,  '  That  these  phantoms  of  chivalry  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  laughed  out  of  countenance  by  men  of  sense, 
before  the  substance  of  it  had  been  fairly  and  truly  represented 
by  any  capable  writer.' 

[See  the  later  edition  of  1765,  below,  App.  A,  1765,  where  Hurd  expands  consider 
ably  his  comparison  of  Sir  Topaz  and  Don  Quixote.  A  portion  of  this  is  quoted  by 
Thomas  Warton  from  the  edn.  of  1765  in  his  History  of  Poetry,  vol.  i,  ]774,pi>.  433-4.] 


1762]  CJiaiicer  •  Criticism  and  Alluvion.  423 

1762.  Walpole,  Horace.  Anecdotes  of  Painting  in  England  ,  .  .  col 
lected  by  the  late  Mr  George  Vertue  .  .  .  and  now  publidted  .  .  .  by 
Mr  Horace  Walpole.  Printed  ...  at  Strawberry  Hill.  vol.  i, 
p.  30. 

The  painted  effigies  of  Chaucer  remained  till  within  these 
few  years  on  his  tomb  at  Westminster;  and  another,  says 
Yertue  on  his  print  of  that  poet,  is  preserved  in  an  illuminated 
MS.  of  Thomas  Occleve,  painted  by  Occleve  himself.  D'Urry 
and  Tanner  both  mention  such  a  portrait,  which  places  Occleve 
in  the  rank  of  one  of  our  first  painters  as  well  as  poets. 

[See  a  note  by  James  Dallaway  in  his  edn.  of  Anecdotes  of  Painting  in  England, 
1820,  vol.  i,  pp.  56-7,  note.] 

1762.  Warton,  Thomas.  Observations  on  the  Fairy  Queen  of  Spenser, 
.  ,  .  second  edition,  corrected  and  enlarged  ...  2  vols. 

[The  Chaucer  references  are  very  numerous,  but  very  much  the  same  as  those  in 
1st  edn.,  1754  [q.  v.  above,  p.  409] ;  we  quote  below  a  passage  (vol.  i,  pj>.  196-7)  which 
in  this  edn.  is  somewhat  altered  and  expanded,  cf.  with  1st  edn.  p.  409,  above.] 

[p.  196]  I  cannot  dismiss  this  Section  without  a  wish,  that  this  neg- 
tp.  197]  lected  author,  whom  Spenser  proposed  as  the  pattern  of  his 
style,  and  to  whom  he  is  indebted  for  many  noble  inventions, 
should  be  more  universally  studied.  This  is  at  least  what  one 
might  expect  in  an  age  of  research  and  curiosity.  Chaucer  is 
regarded  rather  as  an  old,  than  as  a  good,  poet.  We  look  upon 
his  poems  as  venerable  relics,  not  as  beautiful  compositions ; 
as  pieces  better  calculated  to  gratify  the  antiquarian  than  the 
critic.  He  abounds  not  only  in  strokes  of  humour,  which  is 
commonly  supposed  to  be  his  sole  talent,  but  of  pathos,  and 
sublimity,  not  unworthy  a  more  refined  age.  His  old  manners, 
his  romantic  arguments,  his  wildness  of  painting,  his  simplicity 
and  antiquity  of  expression,  transport  us  into  some  fairy  region, 
and  are  all  highly  pleasing  to  the  imagination.  It  is  true  that 
his  uncouth  and  unfamiliar  language  disgusts  and  deters  many 
readers :  but  the  principal  reason  of  his  being  so  little  known, 
and  so  seldom  taken  into  hand,  is  the  convenient  oppor 
tunity  of  reading  him  with  pleasure  and  facility  in  modern 
imitations.  .  .  . 

1762.  Warburton,  Wfilliam]  (Bishop  of  Gloucester).  Letter  to  Dr.  Bal- 
guy,  Oct.  7,  1762  [in]  Biographical  Memoirs  of  Joseph  Warton,  D.D., 
ed.  John  Wooll,  1806,  pp.  283-4. 

When  you  see  Mr.  T.  Warton,  pray  tell  him  with  what 
new  pleasure  I  have  read  his  improved  edition  of  his  Observa 
tions  on  the  Fairy  Queen  ...  if  he  goes  on  so,  he  will  rescue 
antiquarian  studies  .  .  .  from  the  contempt  of  certain  learned 


424  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1763- 

blockheads,  and  the  stale  ridicule  of  ignorant  wits.     Above  all 
{p.  284]  there  is  nothing  I  more  wish  than  an  edition  of  my  favourite 
Chaucer  from  his  hand. 

[c.  1763.  Chatter-ton,  Thomas,  borrows  Speght's  Chaucer.  See  below, 
a.  1770,  pp.  432-5.] 

1763.  [Colman,  George  (the  Elder).]  The  Deuce  is  in  Him,  a  farce  .  .  . 
Act  ii,  p.  31.  (The  Deuce  is  in  Him  [in]  The  Modern  British 
Drama,  1811,  vol.  v,  p.  396). 

[Col.  Tamper  pretends  to  have  lost  a  leg  and  an  eye  during 
the  war,  but  is  discovered.] 

[Bell]  What !  to  come  here  with  a  Canterbury  tale  of  a  leg 
and  an  eye,  and  heaven  knows  what,  merely  to  try  the  extent 
of  his  power  over  you ! 

1763.  Unknown.  Some  account  of  the  Harleian  Collection  of  Manu 
scripts  now  in  the  British  Museum ;  from  the  Preface  to  the  new 
Index  to  that  Collection,  most  judiciously  compiled  by  Mr,  Astle 
[in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  August  1763,  vol.  33,  pp.  374-5. 

[This  series  of  articles  begins  on  p.  163.     A  few  extracts  from  Astle's  preface  are 
given  ;  for  Astle  see  above,  1759,  p.  416.] 

1763.  Unknown.  Verses,  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Oldfield  [in] 
The  Poetical  Calendar  .  .  .  Written  and  Selected  by  Francis 
Fawkes,  and  William  Woty,  1763,  vol.  ii,  p.  117. 

In  vain,  secure  of  deathless  praise, 

There  [to  Westminster]  poets  ashes  come, 

Since  obsolete  grows  Chaucer's  phrase, 
And  moulders  with  his  tomb. 

1763.  Walpole,  Horace.  List  of  Vertue's  Works,  [in]  A  Catalogue  of 
Engravers. 

Class  11. — Poets  and  Musicians.  Set  of  12  poets  .  .  . 
2  Geofry  Chaucer.  .  .  . 

Geofry  Chaucer,  large,  in  oval  frame.*  Another  smaller, 
verses  in  old  character.*  A  plate  with  five  small  heads  of 
Chaucer,  Milton,  Butler,  Cowley,  Waller.*  [Walpole's  note]  f 
Those  numbered  are  the  set.  Those  with  an  asterisk  do  not 
belong  to  it. 

[a.  1764].  Thomas,  William.  Copious  MS.  notes  in  the  interleaved  copy 
of  Urry's  edn.  of  Chaucer,  1721,  q.v.,  [B.  M.  pr.  m.  643,  m.  4], 
presented  to  the  British  Museum  by  William  Thomas,  Dec.  1, 1764. 


1765]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  425 

1764.  [Gough,  Eichard  ?]  A  manuscript  inscription  in  black  letter 
character,  on  the  flv-leaf  of  an  imperfect  copy  of  Chaucer's  Works, 
that  once  belonged  to  the  antiquary  Richard  Gough. 

[Printed  by  J.  Haslewood,  '  Eu.  Hood ',  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Aug.  1623, 
vol.  93,  p.  109.  Cutting  inserted  by  Haslewood  in  his  annotated  copy  of 
Winstanley's  Lives  of  the  Poets,  to  face  p.  23  ;  see  below  c.  1833.] 

Knowe  ye  all  wightes  y*  on  my  leeves  doe  looke 

Of  Maister  William  Shenstone  whylome  was  I  ye  boke 

But  syns  to  Dan  Orcus  nows  [sic,  for  '  hows ']  he  is  ygone 

Kyzard  of  Englefield  doeth  me  owne. 

Thus  goe  I  through  all  Regiouns  : 

Eft  chaunge  I  my  Mansiouns  : 

Ah  me  y*  I  have  loste 

Some  Leeves  to  my  coste  : 

Yet  of  one  enoughe  remayneth 

To  delyghte  him  y*  complayneth 

For  Love  or  for  Despyte 

By  day  or  by  nyghte. 

In  ye  yeere  of  ye  Incarnacyon  MCCDLXIV. — R.  G. 

1764.  Unknown.  Account  of  the  Life  of  Mr.  Samuel  Boyse  [in] 
Annual  Register,  vol.  vii,  [pt.  ii.],  p.  58. 

He  [Boyse]  was  employed  by  Mr.  Ogle  to  translate  some 
of  Chaucer's  tales  into  modern  English,  which  he  performed 
with  great  spirit,  and  received  at  the  rate  of  threepence  a 
line  for  his  trouble.  Mr.  Ogle  published  a  complete  edition 
of  that  old  poet's  Canterbury  tales  modernized  ;  and  Mr.  Boyse's 
name  is  put  to  such  tales  as  were  done  by  him. 

(See  above,  1741,  p.  389.] 

1764.  Unknown.     England  Illustrated,  vol.  ii,  p.  171. 

(Oxfordshire.  Curiosities.)  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  a  famous 
English  poet,  is  said  to  have  been  born  at  Woodstock,  where 
there  is  a  house  which  still  retains  his  name. 

[1765,  or  a.]  Dunkin,  William.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1765.  [Heath,    Benjamin.]    A   Eevisal   of  Shakespear's   Text,  pp.  80, 
133,  etc. 

[Occasional  quotations  from  Chaucer  in  support  of  readings.] 

1765.  Hurd,  Richard.  Letters  on  Chivalry  and  Romance.  [For 
additions  made  in  the  1765  edn.,  see  below,  App.  A.] 


426  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  17C5 

1765.  Johnson,  Samuel.  Preface  [to]  The  Plays  of  William  Shake-, 
speare,  in  8  vols.,  ...  to  which  are  added  Notes  by  Sam.  Johnson. 
London,  1765,  vol.  i,  sign.  B  8  b,  C  4,  E  3. 

[sign.  B  8  6]  The  stories,  which  we  now  find  only  in  remoter  authours, 
were  in  his  [Shakespeare's]  time  accessible  and  familiar.  The 
fable  of  As  You  Like  it,  which  is  supposed  to  be  copied  from 
Chaucer's  Gamelyn,  was  a  little  pamphlet  of  those  times ; 
and  old  Mr.  Cibber  remembered  the  tale  of  Hamlet  in  plain 
English  prose,  which  the  criticks  have  now  to  seek  in  Saxo 
Grammaticus. 

[sign,  c  4]  Our  author  [Shakespeare]  had  both  matter  and  form  to 
provide ;  for  except  the  characters  of  Chaucer,  to  whom  I 
think  he  is  not  much  indebted,  there  were  no  writers  in 
English,  and  perhaps  not  many  in  other  modern  languages, 
which  shewed  life  in  its  native  colours. 

[sign.  E  3]  The  criticks  on  ancient  authours  have,  in  the  exercise  of 
their  sagacity,  many  assistances,  which  the  editor  of  Shake 
speare  is  condemned  to  want.  They  are  employed  'upon 
grammatical  and  settled  languages,  whose  construction  con 
tributes  so  much  to  perspicuity,  that  Homer  has  fewer 
passages  unintelligible  than  Chaucer. 

1765.  Percy,  Thomas,  Bp.  of  Dromore.  Eeliques  of  Ancient  English 
Poetry,  vol.  i,  pp.  ix,  32,  123-4  ;  vol.  ii,  pp.  6-7,  11,  13,  43,  164 ; 
vol.  iii,  pp.  viii,  ix,  xii,  xviii,  xxi,  xxiii,  11,  104,  209. 

[Added  in  vol.  i,  p.  Iv,  of  2nd  edn.,  1767]  Junius  inter 
prets  glees  by  Musica  Instrumenta,  in  the  following  passages 
of  Chaucer's  Third  Boke  of  Fame — 

.  .  .  Stoden  .  .  the  castell  all  aboutin 
Of  all  maner  of  Mynstrales  .  .  . 
And  other  harpers  many  one, 
And  the  Briton  Glaskyrion. 

[House  of  Fame,  Skeat,  Bk.  iii,  11.  1195-7,  1205,  6.] 
See  below,  vol.  iii. 

[voi  i        ^ne  JGW'S  daughter,  a  Scottish  ballad  .  .  .  The  following 
P-  32]    ballad  is  probably  built  upon  some  Italian  Legend,  and  bears 

a  great  resemblance  to  the  Prioresse's  Tale  in  Chaucer.  .  .  . 

The  conclusion  of  this  ballad  appears  to  be  wanting ;  what  it 

probably  contained  may  be  seen  in  Chaucer. 

i23Pi24i  -"-n  Chaucer's  Time  "Plays  of  Miracles"  [the  words  "in 
Lent"  added  in  edn.  3,  1775]  were  the  common  resort  of 


1765]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  427 

idle  gossips.     [Note]  See  Prologue  to  Wife  of   Bath's  Tale, 
v.  558,  Urry's  ed.     [1.  558,  Skeat's  edn.] 

[vol.  ii,  This  antique  Elegy  [on  the  Death  of  King  Edward  I]  is 
IT-  6, 7]  extracted  from  the  same  MS.  volume  as  the  preceding  article 
[Richard  of  Almaigne] ;  is  found  with  the  same  peculiarities 
of  writing  and  orthography ;  and  tho'  written  at  near  the 
distance  of  half  a  century  contains  little  or  no  variation  of 
idiom :  whereas  the  next  following  poem  by  Chaucer,  [see 
below,]  which  was  probably  written  not  more  than  50  or  60 
years  after  this,  exhibits  almost  a  new  language.  This  seems 
to  countenance  the  opinion  of  some  antiquaries  that  this  great 
poet  made  considerable  innovations  in  his  mother  tongue, 
and  introduced  many  terms,  and  new  modes  of  speech  from 
other  languages. 

[p.  ii]        An  original  Ballad  by  Chaucer. 

This  little  sonnet,  which  hath  escaped  all  the  editors  of 
Chaucer's  works,  is  now  printed  for  the  first  time  from  an 
ancient  MS.  in  the  Pepysian  library,  that  contains  many  other 
poems  of  its  venerable  author.  The  versification  is  of  that 
species,  which  the  French  call  RONDEAU,  very  naturally 
englished  by  our  honest  countrymen  JlouND  0.  Tho'  so 
early  adopted  by  them,  our  ancestors  had  not  the  honour  of 
inventing  it :  Chaucer  picked  it  up,  along  with  other  better 
things,  among  the  neighbouring  nations.  A  fondness  for 
laborious  trifles  hath  always  prevailed  in  the  dawn  of  litera 
ture.  The  ancient  Greek  poets  had  their  WINGS  and  AXES  :  the 
great  father  of  English  poesy  may  therefore  be  pardoned  one 
poor  solitary  RONDEAU. — Dan  Geofrey  Chaucer  died  Oct.  25, 
1400,  aged  72. 


youre  two  eyn  will  sle  me  sodenly 
I  may  the  beaute  of  them  not  sustene. 

[p.  13]  It  does  honour  to  the  good  sense  of  this  nation,  that  while 
all  Europe  was  captivated  with  the  bewitching  charms  of 
Chivalry  and  Romance,  two  of  our  writers  in  the  crudest 
times  could  see  thro'  the  false  glare  that  surrounded  them,  and 
discover  whatever  was  absurd  in  them  both.  Chaucer  wrote 
his  Rhyme  of  sir  Tropas  [sic]  in  ridicule  of  the  latter,  and  in 


428  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1765- 

the  following  poem  [The  Turnament  of  Tottenham]  we  have 
a  humourous  burlesque  of  the  former. 

[p.  43]  This  little  piece  [A  Ballet  by  the  Earl  Rivers],  ...  is 
written  in  imitation  of  a  poem  of  Chaucer's,  that  will  be 
found  in  Urry's  Edit.,  1721,  pag.  555,  beginning  thus, 

Alone  walkyng,  In  thought  plainyng,  &c. 
[p.  iei-4]    [ref.  to  the  word  '  fitt  '  as  used  by  Chaucer  in  Sir  Thopas.] 


tre^    to    Chaucer's    Sir   Thopas;    the    verse    naming    the 

romances  is  quoted.] 

They  [the  romances  of  chivalry]  cannot  indeed  be  put  in 

competition  with  the  nervous  productions  of  so  universal  and 

commanding  a  genius  as  Chaucer,  but  they  have  a  simplicity 

that  makes  them  be  read  with  less  interruption,  and  be  more 

easily  understood.  .  .  . 
[p.  ix]        ...   Chaucer  and    Spenser  .  .  .  abound   with   perpetual 

allusions  to  them  [romances  of  chivalry].  .  .  . 
[p.  xii]       I  shall  select  the  Romance  of  LIBIUS  DISCONIUS,  as  being 

one  of  those  mentioned  by  Chaucer.  .  .  . 
[p.  xvii]     I  shall  conclude  this  prolix  account,  with  a  List  of  such 

old  Metrical  Romances  as  are  still  extant  :    beginning  with 

those  mentioned  by  Chaucer.  .  .  . 
[p.  xviii]     As  for  Blandamoure,  no  Romance  with  this  title  has  been 

discovered;  but  as  the  word  occurs  in  that  of  Libeaux,  'tis 

possible  Chaucer's  memory  deceived  him.  .  .  . 
tp.  xxi]      Sir  Isenbras  ...  is  quoted  in  Chaucer's  R.  of  Thop.  v.  6. 

[p.  xxiii]     The  Squyr  of  Lowe  degre,  is  one  of  those  burlesqued  by 
Chaucer.  . 

THE  MARRIAGE  or  SIR  GAWAiNE  is  chiefly  taken  from  the 
fragment  of  an  old  ballad  in  the  Editor's  MS.  which  he  has 
reason  to  believe  more  ancient  than  the  time  of  CHAUCER,  and 
what  furnished  that  bard  with  his  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale. 

[Added  in  edn.  3,  1775,  p.  43.]  See  what  is  said 
concerning  the  hero  of  this  song  [Glasgerion],  (who  is  cele 
brated  by  Chaucer  under  the  name  of  Glaskyrion)  in  the 
Essay  prefixed  to  Vol.  I.  Note  H  [or  rather  I]  Pt  IV.  (2). 
[See  above,  vol.  i.] 


1766]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  429 

[p.  104]       [Sir  Guy  quoted  by  Chaucer.] 

[p.  209]  THE  FAIRIES  FAREWELL.  The  departure  of  the  Fairies  is  here 
attributed  to  the  abolition  of  monkery  :  Chaucer  has,  with  equal 
humour,  assigned  a  cause  the  very  reverse.  [Wife  of  Bath's 
Tale,  11.  1-16.] 

1765.  Unknown.     Review  of  Percy's   Reliques  [in]   The  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  April  1765,  vol.  xxxv,  pp.  179,  180.     [Brief  references.] 

1766.  [Tyrwhitt,  Thomas.]     Observations  and   Conjectures  upon  some 
Passages  of  Shakespeare,  p.  21. 

[Chaucer's  and  Shakespeare's  use  of  the  word  barbe.] 

1766.  Unknown.  The  Life  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  [an  article  in]  British 
Biography  ;  or  an  accurate  and  impartial  account  of  the  lives  and 
writings  of  Eminent  Persons  .  .  .  vol.  i,  pp.  109-137. 

[p.  109]  The  Name  of  CHAUCER  is  peculiarly  endeared  to  every  lover 
of  English  Poetry.  His  great  and  distinguished  poetical 
abilities,  in  an  age  in  which  polite  literature  .  .  .  was  little 
known,  .  .  .  his  admirable  talent  at  painting  manners  and 
characters ;  and  some  other  circumstances  in  which  he  has 
been  thought  to  resemble  the  immortal  Grecian  Poet,  have 
occasioned  him  to  be  frequently  stiled  the  ENGLISH  HOMER, 
and  the  FATHER  of  the  English  Poets  .  .  . 

[p.  127]  As  a  Poet,  our  author  has  been  deservedly  considered  as 
one  of  the  greatest,  as  well  as  earliest,  which  this  nation 
has  produced.  Allowing  for  those  unavoidable  defects  which 
arise  from  the  fluctuation  of  language,  his  works  have  still  all 
the  beauties  which  can  be  wished  for,  or  expected,  in  every 
species  of  composition  which  he  attempted;  for  it  has  been 
truly  said,  that  he  excelled  in  all  the  different  kinds  of  verse 
in  which  he  wrote.  In  his  sonnets,  or  love  songs,  written 
when  he  was  a  mere  boy,  there  is  not  only  fire  and  judgment, 
but  great  elegance  of  thought,  and  neatness  of  composition  .  .  . 
As  he  had  a  discerning  eye,  he  discovered  nature  in  all  her 
appearances,  and  stripped  off  every  disguise  with  which  the 
Gothic  writers  had  clothed  her  .  .  .  and  .  .  .  despising  the 
mean  assistances  of  art,  he  copied  her  closely.  He  was  an 
excellent  master  of  love  poetry,  having  studied  that  passion 
in  all  its  turns  and  appearances;  and  Mr.  Dryden  prefers 
him  upon  that  account  to  Ovid.  His  Troilus  and  Creseide 
is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  poems  of  that  kind,  in  which 


430  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1767- 

love  is  curiously  and  naturally  described,  in  its  early  appear 
ance,  its  hopes  and  fears,  its  application,  fruition  and  despair 
in  disappointment.  That  in  the  elegiac  poetry  he  was  a 
great  master,  appears  evidently  by  his  Complaint  of  the  black 
Knight,  the  poem  called  La  belle  Dame  sans  mercy,  and 
several  of  his  songs.  And  his  great  talents  in  the  satirical 
and  comic  way,  are  strikingly  evident.  [Warton's  remark  on 
humour  in  Observations  on  ...  Spenser,  1754,  is  then  quoted, 
followed  by  appreciations  by  Ascham,  Sidney,  Beaumont  and 
Dryden.] 

[A  long  article,  partly  compiled  from  that  in  the  Biographia  Britannica,  1747,  and 
partly  from  Dart's  Life  prefixed  to  Urry's  edition,  1721,  with  a  certain  number  of 
unbnrrowed  remarks.  The  Life  is  followed  by  a  list  of  Chaucer's  works,  pp.  131-33, 
and  the  character  of  the  Monk,  modernised  by  Betterton,  and  the  Clerk  or  Scholar 
of  Oxford,  modernised  by  Ogl<\  pp.  136-7.] 

1767.  Farmer,  Richard.  An  Essay  on  the  learning  of  Shakespeare,  1767, 
pp.  16,  18-19.  The  Second  Edition,  with  large  additions,  1767, 
pp.  24  note,  27,  32  (same  references  as  1st  edition ;  the  following 
are  new),  pp.  36,  37  and  note,  40  note. 

[Passing  references  to  Chaucer,  except  on  p.  40,  where  the 
note  is  as  follows  : — ] 

Let  me  here  make  an  observation  for  the  benefit  of  the 
next  Editor  of  Chaucer.  Mr.  Urry,  probably  misled  by  his 
predecessor,  Speght,  was  determined,  Procrustes-like,  to  force 
every  line  in  the  Canterbury  Tales  to  the  same  Standard ;  but 
a  precise  number  of  Syllables  was  not  the  Object  of  our  old 
Poets.  .  .  .  Chaucer  himself  was  persuaded,  that  the  Rime 
might  possibly  be 

'  somewhat  agreable, 

Though  some  Verse  faile  in  a  Syllable.' 

[House  of  Fame,  11.  1097-8.] 

In  short  the  attention  was  directed  to  the  Ccesural  pause,  as 
the  Grammarians  call  it;  [Farmer  then  quotes  Gascoigne's 
remarks  on  Chaucer's  metre,  "Whosoever  do  peruse,"  &c.,  see 
above,  1575,  p.  110.] 

1767.  Percy,  Thomas,  Bishop  of  Dromore.     Eeliques  of  Ancient  English 
Poetry.     For  additions  made  in  edn.  2,   1767,  see  above,  edn.  1, 
1765,  p.  426]. 

1768.  A  Catalogue  of  a  large,  valuable  and  curious  Collection  of  Books 
[to   be   sold]   by  Benjamin   White,  At   Horace's   Head,   in  Fleet 
Street,  London,  March  10th,  1768  ;  pp.  29,  136. 

Ip.  29]        Chaucer's  Works,  by  Speght,  wants  title,  4s. 

Chaucer's  Works,  by  Urry,  with  a  Glossary,  11  5s,  neat.  1721, 


1769]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  431 

The  same,  royal  paper,  new  and  neat,  11  lls  6cl    1721. 
[p.  136]       Chaucer's   Canterbury    Tales,    published   by    Ogle,    3    vol. 
sewed,  7s  6d     1741. 

The  same  Book,  3  vol.  bound,  neat,  10s  6d     1741. 

1768.  A  Catalogue  of  the  Libraries  of  the  Rev.  Zachary  Grey,  LL.D. 
.  .  .  Malachy  Postlethwayte,  Esq.  .  .  .  Thomas  Cranmer,  M.D. 

.  .  .  and  several  other  Persons  deceased They  will  be  sold, 

for  Ready  Money,  ...  on  Tuesday,  March  8,  1768  ;  .  .  .  by 
L.  Davis  and  C.  Reymers,  at  their  Great  Room,  over-against 
Gray's-Inn,  Holborn,  Printers  to  the  Royal  Society  ;  p.  42. 

[p.  42]  Chaucer's  "Works  by  Urry,  with  a  Glossary,  new  and  neat, 
11  5s  1722. 

Another  Copy,  royal  paper,  11  lls  6d     1722. 

[1768.  Capell,  Edward.]  Introduction,  Origin  of  Shakespeare's  Fables, 
[in]  Mr.  William  Shakespeare,  his  Comedies,  Histories  and 
Tragedies,  vol.  i,  p.  69. 

The  loves  of  Troilus  and  Cressida  are  celebrated  by  Chaucer, 
whose  poem  might  perhaps  induce  Shakespeare  to  work  them 
up  into  a  play. 

(Gray,  Thomas.  Note  [in  prose,  added  to]  The  Progress  of 
oesy.  A  Pindaric  Ode.  [The  Ode  was  written  in  1754,  and  first 
published  in  1757  without  notes,  under  the  title  : — Odes  by  Mr. 
Gray.  Notes  were  first  added  in  the  edn.  of  1768.]  (The  Works 
of  Thomas  Gray,  ed.  by  Edmund  Gosse,  1884,  vol.  i,  p.  33.) 

Progress  of  Poetry  from  Greece  to  Italy,  and  from  Italy  to 
England.  Chaucer  was  not  unacquainted  with  the  writings  of 
Dante  or  of  Petrarch.  The  Earl  of  Surrey  and  Sir  Tho. 
Wyatt  had  travelled  in  Italy,  and  formed  their  taste  there ; 
Spenser  imitated  the  Italian  writers;  Milton  improved  on 
them ;  but  this  School  expired  soon  after  the  Restoration,  and 
a  new  one  arose  on  the  French  model,  which  has  subsisted 
ever  since. 

1768.  Walpole,  Horace.    Letter  to  George  Montagu,  [dated]  Strawberry 
Hill,  April  15,  1768.     (Letters  of  Horace  Walpole,  ed.  Mrs.  Paget 
Toynbee,  vol.  vii,  1904,  p.  180.) 

Your  wit  and  humour  will  be  as  much  lost  upon  them, 
as  if  you  talked  the  dialect  of  Chaucer :  for  with  all  the 
divinity  of  wit,  it  grows  out  of  fashion  like  a  fardingale. 

1769.  Granger,  J[amesl   A  Biographical  History  of  England.   Article  I, 
Class  IX,  Men  of  Genius  and  Learning,  vol.  i,  pp.  45-7. 

[After  enumerating  the  portraits  of  Chaucer,  Granger  says] 
This  great  poet,  whom  antiquity  and  his  own  merit  have  con- 


[1768.] 


432  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1769- 

tributed  to  render  venerable,  is  said  to  have  been  the  master 
of  all  the  learning  of  his  age.  We  see,  and  admire,  in  his 
works,  the  outlines  of  nature  ;  but  the  beauty  of  colouring, 
and  the  delicate  touches,  are  now  lost,  as  a  great  part  of  his 
language  is  grown  obsolete.  It  is  probable  that  his  cotem- 
poraries  found  little  or  no  dissonance  in  his  verses ;  but  they 
are  very  ill  accomodated  to  the  ears  of  the  present  age. 

[In  the  2nd  edn.  of  1775,  vol.  i,  pp.  63-5,  the  remarks  on  Chaucer  are  slightly 
expanded,  but  the  list  of  portraits  remains  the  same.] 

1769.  Howard,  Charles  [afterwards  10th  Duke  of  Norfolk].  Historical 
Anecdotes  of  some  of  the  Howard  Family,  p.  27. 

[Reference  to  Fenton's  lines  on  Chaucer  and  Surrey,  see  above,  Fenton,  17^9,  p.  313. 
See  also  below,  1778,  pp.  450-1,  Anonymiana  by  Samuel  Tegge  (the  elder),  printed 
1809,  pp.  344-5,  and  above,  1717,  Sewell,  George,  p.  346.] 

1769.  Hurd,  Richard.  Letter  to  Joseph  Warton,  Sept.  15,  1769,  [in] 
Biographical  Memoirs  of  Joseph  Warton,  D.D.,  ed.  John  Wooll, 
1806,  p.  349. 

The  Greek  poem  of  Theseus  is  a  curiosity,  and  may  be 
well  worth  your  perusing ;  tho'  you  will  scarce  find  it  so 
masterly  a  performance  as  that  of  Chaucer  or  Dryden. 

1769.  Ruffhead,  Owen.     The  Life  of  Alexander  Pope,  Esq.,  p.  173. 

[Reference  to  Chaucer's  House  of  ,Fame,  and  Pope's 
adaptation  of  it.] 

1769.  Unknown.  Observations  on  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  English 
Poetry  [in]  Whitehall  Evening  Post,  Jan.  7,  1769.  [Taken  from 
Thomas  Warton's  Observations  on  the  Faerie  Queene  of  Spenser, 
see  above,  1754,  p.  409.]  A  newspaper  cutting  inserted  by  J.  Hasle- 
wood  in  his  Collections  for  the  Lives  of  the  English  Poets,  vol.  i, 
pp.  5-8,  see  below,  c.  1833. 

1769.  Unknown.  Of  the  ancient  and  modern  dresses  of  the  English  [in] 
The  Town  and  Country  Magazine  for  Feb.  1769,  vol.  i,  p.  60. 

We  are  glad  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  assistance  of  Chaucer 
the  poet,  who  describes  the  dresses  in  the  time  of  Richard  II. 

[Here  follows  a  reference  from  the  Parson's  Tale  to  the  clothes  of  the  period.] 

[a.  1770.  Chatterton,  Thomas.]  (i)  Poems,  supposed  to  have  been 
written  at  Bristol  by  Thomas  Rowley  and  others  [edited  under  this 
title  in  1777  by  Tyrwhitt],  (ii)  MS.  Extracts  and  Notes,  [and] 
(iii)  and  (iv)  Articles. 

[Chatterton  knew  very  little  of  Chaucer  at  first  hand  (see 
below,  1871,  Skeat,  edn.  of  Chatterton,  vol.  ii,  pp.  xxiv-vii) ; 
but  he  is  known  to  have  borrowed  a  copy  of  Speght's  1598 
edn.  (see  above,  1598,  p.  147,  sqq.  and  c.  1763,  p.  424),  and 
with  the  aid  of  its  glossary  and  of  Kersey's  Dictionarium 


1770]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  433 

Anglo-Britannicum,  1708,  and  Bailey's  Universal  Etymological 
Dictionary,  1721  (see  above,  1721,  p.  353),  to  have  compiled 
his  own  MS.  Rowley  vocabulary. 

Chatterton  died  on  24th  Aug.,  1770,  and  the  scanty  refer 
ences  to  Chaucer  in  his  poems  and  prose  articles,  and  in  those 
of  his  manuscript  notes  which  survive,  are  accordingly  entered 
here  under  that  year. 

The  Rowley  Poems  were  very  well  edited  by  Tyrwhitt 
in  1777,  with  Chatterton's  own  notes  (the  Advertisement 
on  p.  xxvii  states  that  "  the  notes  at  the  bottom  of  the  several 
pages,  throughout  the  following  part  of  this  look  [i.  e.  the 
text],  are  all  copied  from  MSS.  in  the  handwriting  of  Thomas 
Chatterton"}.  Tyrwhitt  added  an  Appendix  to  edn.  3,  1778 
(see  below,  p.  451),  shewing  that  Chatterton  was  their 
author.  Warton  took  the  same  view  in  his  History  of  English 
Poetry,  vol.  ii,  1778  (see  below,  p.  454).  In  1778  Dampier 
or  Woodward,  in  1781  Bryant,  and  in  1782  Milles  (see 
below,  pp.  456,  458,  468)  and  others  defended  the  authen 
ticity  of  the  Poems,  which  was  impugned  by  Mason  or 
Baynes,  Malone  and  others.  See  below,  1781-1782  passim. 
The  Chattertonian  controversy  was  finally  summed  up  by 
W.  W.  Skeat  in  his  edition  of  Chatterton,  1871,  vol.  ii, 
pp.  xxiv— xxvii.  The  references  to  Chaucer  in  the  controversy 
consist  chiefly  of  notes  on  similar  or  dissimilar  use  of  words 
in  both  poets,  of  allusions  to  Chatterton's  having  borrowed 
Speght,  and  of  some  unimportant  remarks  on  Chaucer's 
versification.  In  most  cases  therefore  the  bare  reference  is 
all  that  is  given  here.] 

(i)  Poems,  supposed  to  have  been  written  .  .  .  by  Thomas 
Ron-ley,  etc.  [edited  by  T.  Tyrwhitt,  1777],  pp.  1,  n.,  26-7. 
[p.  ij  Twayne  lonelie  shepsterres  dyd  abrodden  6  flie, 

[Chatterton's  note :]  6  abruptly,  so  Chaucer,  Syke  he 
abredden  dyd  attourne. 

[p.  26]  The  underwritten  lines  were  composed  by  JOHN  LADGATE, 
a  Priest  in  London,  and  sent  to  ROWLIE,  as  an  Answer  to  the 
preceding  Songe  of  jElla. 

Ynne  Norman  tymes  Turgotus  and 

"Goode  Chaucer  dydd  excelle, 
Thenne  Stowe,  the  Bryghtstowe  Carmelyte 

Dydd  bare  awaie  the  belle. 

[p.  27]  Now  Rowlie  ynne  these  mokie  dayes 

Lendes  owte  hys  sheenynge  lyghtes, 
And  Turgotus  and  Chaucer  lyves 
Ynne  ev'ry  lyne  he  wrytes. 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  F  F 


434  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1770 

(ii)  Autograph  MSS.  of  Chatterton,  B.M.  MSS.  Add.  5766  B 
[miscellaneous  MSS.  containing  notes  and  extracts  for  articles, 
as  well  as  poems]  if.  31,  71,  and  5766  C  (The  Rolle  of  Seynct 
Bartlemewis  Priorie),  if.  3,  4,  7. 

[B.foi.si]  After  Chaucer  had  distributed  Copys  of  the  Tale  of  Piers 
Plowman,  the  first  of  his  Performances,  a  Franciscan  Friar, 
wrote  a  Satyric  Mommery  (the  Comedy  of  the  Age)  upon 
him,  which  was  acted  at  every  Monastery  in  London  and  at 
Woodstock  before  the  Court :  Chaucer  not  a  little  nettled  at 
the  poignancy  of  the  Satyre,  &  the  popularity  of  it,  meetino-  his 
Antagonist  in  the  Fleet  Street ;  beat  him  with  his  Dao-o-er  for 
which  he  was  fined  two  Shillings,  as  appears  by  a  record  of  the 
Inner  Temple  where  Chaucer  was  a  Student.  [Printed  in  The 
Town  and  Country  Magazine,  Jan.  1770,  vol.  ii,  p.  16.  For 
Chatterton's  note  of  the  reference  to  this  anecdote  in  Speght, 
see  below.] 

[B.  foi.  7i]  [Notes  of  the  quotations  in  the  Roll  of  Seynct  Bartlemewes 
Priorie,  (C)  fol.  3b,  4,  given  below,  also  the  following  : 
Rounde  was  his  Face  and  Camisde  was  his  Nose 

Reeve's  Tale.     [ed.  Skeat,  i.  3934.] 
To  Plaies  of  Miracles  &  to  maryages. 

Wife  of  Bath's  Prologue,    [ed.  skeat,  i.  558.] 
Doe  come  he  saied  mye  minstrales, 
And  jestours  for  to  tellen  us  Tales, 

Anon  yn  mine  armynge, 
Of  Romaunces  that  been  roiale, 
Of  Popes  and  of  Cardinauls, 
And  eeke  of  Love  Longing. 

Rime  of  Sir  Thopas.    [ed.  Skeat,  11. 2035-40.] 
With  a  red  hatte  as  usen  Minstrals. 

Plowman's  Tale. 
Of  all  mannere  of  Minstrales, 
And  jestours  that  tellen  tales, 
Both  of  weeping  and  of  Game, 
And  of  all  that  longeth  unto  Fame. 

The  Third  Book  of  Fame.    [ed.  skeat,  n.  1197-1200.] 
Chaucer,  when  of  the  Inner  Temple,  as  appears  by  the 
record,  was  fined  two  shillings  for  beating  a  Franciscan  Friar 
in  fleetstreete.  Speght. 

[See   above,   1598,  Thynne,  p.   154.    For  Chatterton's  expanded  version  of  the 
Anecdote,  see  above.  ] 

[C.  fol.  3]  [Note  to  "  Gilbertyne."]  This  Author  is  mentioned  in 
Chaucer  as  a  skilful  Physician,  his  real  name  was  Raufe  de 


1770]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  435 

Blondeuille,  called  Gilbertine  or  Le  Gilbertine  from  his  being 
of  the  Order  of  St.  Gilbert. 

[note  to  'Mormalles']  .  .  .  Chaucer  in  the  Canterbury 
Tales  writes — 

[C.foi.3b.]      Botte  great  harme  was  yt  as  itte  thoughte  mee, 
That  one  his  shinne  a  Mormaul  had  hee, 
And  blacke  Manger — 

[Prol.  ed.  Skeat,  11.  385-7.] 

[C.foi.4]  [note  to  'blacke  Maingere']  .  .  .  the  Conclusion  of  the 
following  Couplet  of  Chaucers  would  seem  to  mean  some 
thing. 

He  galpethe  and  he  spekethe  thro'  his  Nose 
As  Hee  were  in  the  quacke  or  in  the  Pose. 

[Reve's  Tale,  ed.  Skeat,  11.  4151-2.] 

The    Monkish    Writer    concludes    with    inveighing    against 
the  taste  of  the  Age  in  considering  broad  bawtocks  and  large 
breasts  beautiful ;  he  probably  lived  in  Chaucer's  time  who  has 
.     these  Lines, 

With  bawtockes  brode  and  breastis  rounde  and  hie. 

Reeve's  Tale.    [ed.  Skeat,  i.  3975.] 

[C.foi.7b.]  [Note  to  Bradwardin]  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  in  1348 
celebrated  by  Chaucer. 

(iii)  An  Account  of  Master  William  Canynge,  written  by 
Thomas  Rowlie,  Priest,  in  1460.  [Printed  in  The  Town  and 
Country  Magazine,  Nov.  1775,  p.  593;  also  in  the  Gentle 
man's  Magazine,  Sept.  1777,  p.  427.  (Poems  of  Chatterton, 
ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1871,  vol.  ii,  p.  222.)] 

I  gave  Master  Canninge  my  Bristow  Tragedy,  for  which  he 
gave  me  in  hand  twentie  pounds,  and  did  praise  it  more  than 
I  did  think  my  self  did  deserve,  for  I  can  say  in  troth  I  was 
never  proud  of  my  verses  since  I  did  read  Master  Chaucer. 

(iv)  Antiquity  of  Christmas  Games.  (Poetical  Works  of  Chatter- 
ton,  ed.  W.  W.  Skeat,  1871,  vol.  i,  p.  280.) 

Minstrels,  jesters,  and  mummers,  was  the  next  class  of 
performers :  every  Knight  had  two  or  three  minstrels  and 
jesters,  who  were  maintained  in  his  house,  to  entertain  his 
family  in  their  hours  of  dissipation ;  these  Chaucer  mentions  in 
the  following  passages.  [Quotes  the  two  passages,  copied  in  the 
extracts  above,  from  the  Eime  of  Sir  Thopas,  and  Third  Book 
of  Fame.] 

[First  printed  by  Southey,  1803,  from  a  lost  MS.,  an  expanded  version  of  B.M. 
MS.  Add.  5766  C.  fol.  4b-6a,  which  has  not  the  Chaucer  quotations.] 


436  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1770- 

1770.  [Dalrymple,   Sir  David   (Lord   Hailes).]     Notes  [to]   Ancient 

Scottish  Poems,  published  from  the  MS.  of  George  Bannatyne  .  .  . 

Edinburgh  .  .  .  1770,  pp.   224,  227,  254,  257,  264,  279,  284,  287, 

295,  298. 
[p.  227]      Every  one  must  admit  the  justice  of  his  [Dunbar's]  panegyric 

on  Chaucer,  who  was  indeed  a  prodigy. 

[The  rest  of  the  notes  are  chiefly  on  the  similarity  of  words  used  by  Chaucer  and 
the  Scotch  Poets.] 

[c.  1770.]  Garrick,  David.  [Reading  of  Nun's  Priest's  Tale  ;  cf.  Angelo, 
Henry,  Reminiscences,  vol.  i,  p.  8  (q.v.  below,  1828)  :  "  I  remember 
being  at  Hampton  many  years  before  he  [Garrick]  left  the  stage, 
and  after  supper  to  amuse  us  boys,  his  reading  Chaucer's  Cock  and 
the  Fox."] 

[Garrick  bought  his  house  at  Hampton  in  1754  and  left  the  stage  in  1776  ;  Angelo 
was  born  in  1760,  so  that  it  cannot  have  occurred  "  many  years  "  before  Garrick  left 
the  stage,  nor,  in  fact,  much  before  1770.] 

1770.  Gray,    Thomas.     Letter  to   Thomas   Warton,  [dated]  Pembroke 
Hall,  April  15,  1770.     Printed  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Feb. 
1783,  vol.  liii,  p.  102.      (Gray's  Letters,  ed.  D.  C.  Tovey,  1900-12, 
vol.  iii,  p.  278.) 

[Gray  is  giving  a  sketch  of  his  design  for  a  History  of 
English  Poetry]  Part  II.  On  Chaucer,  who  first  introduced 
the  manner  of  the  Provenc,aux,  improved  by  the  Italians  [,]  into 
our  Country.  His  character,  and  merits  at  large.  The  different 
kinds  in  which  he  excelled.  Gower,  Occleve,  Lydgate,  Hawes, 
Gawen  Douglas,  Lyndesay,  Bellenden,  Dunbar,  &c. 

[This  is  the  whole  of  Part  II,  and  there  are  five  parts  in  all ;  dating  from  1100 
to  Gray's  own  times.] 

1771.  Morell,    Thomas.      Letter    [to   James   Westl  dated]    Eton   18 
[July  1771],  B.  M.  Add.  MS.  34728,  West  Papers,  vol.  ii,  f.  203. 

Dear  Sir  ...  I  never  ask'd  you  before  you  left  the  Town, 
whether  you  had  receiv'd  the  Chaucer  I  left  for  you  at  your 
house, — or  your  Opinion  of  it, — and  I  cannot  help  acquainting 
you  that  the  Kemainder  has  lain  by  me,  not  nine,  but  forty 
years  ready  for  the  Press,  as  I  found  it  too  expensive  to  go  on 
with  it  on  my  own  bottom ; — But  being  at  the  Museum  the 
other  day,  I  observ'd  a  Gentleman  collating  Chaucer ;  I  took 
no  notice  of  it,  but  it  reminded  me  of  my  own  former  Labour, 
which  being  unwilling  to  lose,  I  intend  to  continue  ere  long, 
some  way  to  reassume  the  Work,  and  hope  to  get  the  start  of 
him,  as  there  is  one  Volume  already  printed; — but  more  of 
this,  when  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you. 

Set  above,  1737,  p.  381  and  1741,  p.  389,  Ames. 

1771.  Unknown.  Encyclopaedia  Sritannica,  first  edition,  3  vols., 
article  Language,  vol.  ii,  p.  878. 

With  regard  to  the  pleasingness  of  sound  alone,  it  [the 


1773]  Chaiccer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  437 

English  language]  was  perhaps  much  more  perfect  in  the  days 
of  Chaucer  than  at  present. 

[This  is  the  sole  reference  to  Chaucer  in  this  first  edition  of  the  Encyclopaedia. 
The  omission  of  Chaucer  under  a  separate  heading  is  not  remarkable,  as  no  names  of 
writers  or  great  men  are  included.  There  is  no  article,  for  instance,  on  Shakespeare 
or  Milton  or  Dryden.  For  the  history  of  Chaucer  articles  in  subsequent  editions,  tee 
below,  1778,  p.  452.] 

1772.  Barrett,  William.  Letter  to  Dr.  Ducarel  [dated  March  7,  1772, 
in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June,  1786,  p.  460. 

It  has  been  supposed  .  .  .  that  no  poetry  can  be  produced, 
worthy  the  name  of  poetry,  betwixt  the  time  of  Chaucer  and 
Spenser. 

1772.  Ducarel,  Andrew  Coltee.  Letter  to  Mr.  William  Barrett,  Mar. 
18,  1772,  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June,  1786,  p.  461. 

[Dr.  Ducarel  urges  the  printing  of  Kowley's  poetry.]  That 
there  should  no  poets  arise  between  Chaucer  and  Spenser  is  a 
very  strange  notion  (especially  to  me  who  have  never  studied 
the  antiquity  of  the  old  English  poetry). 

1772.  Gough,  Richard.  Letter  to  the  Eev  Michael  Tyson,  [dated] 
Jan.  30,  1772,  [printed  in]  Literary  Anecdotes  of  the  18th  century 
...  by  John  Nichols,  vol.  viii,  1814,  p.  579. 

Mr.  Tyrwhitt  (late  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Commons) 
applies  himself  toils  viribus  to  Chaucer  in  the  Museum,  where 
is  a  copy  of  TJrry's  edition,  with  infinite  collations  by  Bishop 
Tanner.  Mr.  Tyrwhitt  conceals  his  design  from  his  most 
intimate  friends;  but  much  is  suspected  and  expected  from 
his  leisure  and  application. 

1772.  Bow,  T.   [pseud.  Pegge,  Samuel].     Essay  on  Sirnames  [in]  The 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  Nov.,  1772,  vol.  xlii,  p.  510. 
[Derivation  of  Chaucer.] 

3772.  Unknown.  An  Emblem  of  Wedlock.  In  Chaucer's  Style.  [Poem 
.in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  April,  1772,  vol.  xlii,  p.  192. 

1772.  Unknown.     The  Progress  of  Poetry,  [in]  Annual  Register.  Taken 
from  edn.  2,  1775,  vol.  xv,  [pt.  ii],  p.  227]. 

Here  CHAUCER  first  his  comic  verse  display'd, 
And  merry  tales  in  homely  guise  convey'd  : 
Unpolish'd  beauties  grace  the  artless  song, 
Tho'  rude  the  diction,  yet  the  sense  was  strong. 

1773.  Grose,  Francis.     The  antiquities  of  England  and  Wales,  vol.  i, 
Berkshire.     Dunnington  Castle  [no  pagination  ;  merely  a  reference 
to  Chaucer  at  DonningtonJ. 

1773.  Steevens,  George.  Notes  [in]  The  Plays  of  William  Shakespeare. 
(See  below,  Appendix  A.) 

1773.  Strutt,  Joseph.  The  Regal  and  Ecclesiastical  Antiquities  of 
England,  pp.  25  [Description  of  Chaucer's  Portrait  given  on  Plate 
xxxvii],  26. 


438  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1774 

1774.  Carter,  Elizabeth.  Letter  to  Mrs.  Montagu  [dated]  Deal, 
September  3,  1774.  Letters  from  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Carter  to 
Mrs.  Montagu  .  .  .  1817,  vol.  ii,  pp.  272-3. 

As  I  never  read  Chaucer,  I  know  nothing  more  of 
"  Combuscan  [sic]  bold  "  than  by  his  dim.  grandeur  in  Milton. 
Canace,  the  Eing,  and  the  Wondrous  Horse  of  Brass,  always 
bring  to  my  mind  the  famous  story  of  Gyges,  as  it  is  related 
in  Plato's  Republic,  and  from  him  by  Cicero,  in  the  third  book 
of  his  Offices. 

[This  is  interesting,  as  being  the  solitary  allusion  to  Chaucer  in  Miss  Carter's 
letters.  She  was  a  great  scholar  and  a  voracious  reader :  Homer,  Virgil,  Plato, 
Aristotle,  Xenophon,  Plutarch,  Euripides,  yEschylus,  Cicero,  Livy,  Tacitus,  Longinus, 
Thucydides,  Pliny,  among  the  ancients ;  Erasmus,  Ariosto,  Corneille,  Racine, 
Voltaire,  Bosseau,  and  Spenser,  Shakespeare,  Milton  Cowley,  Locke,  and  Hume 
among  moderns,  are  continually  alluded  to  by  her  in  her  letters  ;  yet  not  only  has 
she  not  read  Chaucer,  but  has  apparently  not  the  faintest  desire  to  do  so.] 

1774.  Cooke,  William.  The  Guckow  and  the  Nightingale.  Modernized 
from  Chaucer  [in]  Poetical  Essays  on  several  occasions  by  the  Eev. 
William  Cooke,  A.M.  1774,  pp.  85-103. 

1774.  Falconer,  T.,  Letter  to  C[harles]  G[ray],  dated  Chester,  Sept.  3, 
Hist.  MSS.  Comm.,  14th  Keport,  App.  ix,  p.  305. 

"Warton's  account  of  English  poetry  is  entertaining  in  many 
parts;  but  his  extracts  before  the  time  of  Chaucer  were  so 
uncouth  that  I  would  as  soon  attempt  the  Chinese  .  .  . 

[For  Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  i,  see  below,  p.  439.] 

1774.  [Graves,  Rev.  Richard.]  Note  [to]  Galateo  :  or  a  Treatise  on 
Politeness  .  .  .  from  the  Italian  of  Monsig.  Giovanni  de  la  Casa, 
1774,  p.  180. 

[Casa  says  that  those  who  carry  tooth-pick  cases  hanging 
down  from  their  necks  are  undoubtedly  mistaken  in  their 
notions  of  politeness.]  We  see  in  the  pictures  of  Chaucer 
(who  had  been  much  in  Italy)  a  pen-knife,  (if  I  mistake  not) 
hanging  in  this  manner. 

1774.  Unknown.  Tears  of  the  Muses  for  the  Death  of  Dr.  Goldsmith 
[under  the  heading]  Flowers  of  Parnassus,  [in]  The  Monthly 
Miscellany  for  June  1774,  p.  309.  [See  also  below,  c.  1833, 
Haslewood,  J.,  Collections  for  the  Lives  of  the  English  Poets,  vol. 
ii,  p.  447.] 

MELPOMENE. 

.  .  .  Thy  [Death's]  unrelenting  hand 
With  envious  haste  snatch'd  CHAUCER  from  our  arms ; 
And  as  succeeding  bards  rose  up  to  view, 
Thine  arrows  pierc'd  them. — SPENCER,  DRYDEN,  GAY, 
ROWE,  SHAKESPEARE,  OTWAY,  and  the  matchless  POPE  : 
THOMSON,  with  SHENSTONE  and  unnumber'd  throngs 
Of  gentle  bards,  thy  early  victims  fell. 


1774]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  439 

1774.  Unknown.  Review  of  Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry,  [in] 
The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Aug.  and  Sept.  1774,  vol.  xliv,  pp. 
372-73,  425-29. 

[The  part  on  Langland  and  Chaucer  ends  as  follows : — ] 
If  the  dross  of  these  old  bards,  troubadours,  and  minstrels, 
like  that  of  Ennius  in  the  hands  of  Virgil,  has  here  received  both 
lustre  and  value  from  the  skill  and  taste  with  which  they  have 
been  refined  and  illustrated,  what  may  we  not  expect  in  the 
golden  age  of  literature,  in  the  aera  of  a  Spenser  and  a  Shake 
speare,  a  Milton  and  a  Dryden "? 

[For  Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  i,  see  below,  1774.] 

1774.  Walpole,  Horace.  Letter  to  the  Rev.  William  Mason,  [dated] 
Strawberry  Hill,  April  7,  1774.  (Letters  of  Horace  Walpole,  ed. 
Mrs.  Paget  Toynbee,  1904,  vol.  viii,  p.  439-40.) 

Well,  I  have  read  Mr.  Warton's  book ;  [the  History  of 
English  Poetry,  vol.  i,  1774,  q.v.  immediately  below]  and  shall 
I  tell  you  what  I  think  of  it  ?  I  never  saw  so  many  entertain 
ing  particulars  crowded  together  with  so  little  entertainment 
and  vivacity.  The  facts  are  overwhelmed  by  one  another,  as 
Johnson's  sense  is  by  words;  they  are  all  equally  strong. 
Mr.  Warton  has  amassed  all  the  parts  and  learning  of  four 
centuries,  and  all  the  impression  that  remains  is  that  those 
four  ages  had  no  parts  or  learning  at  all.  There  is  not  a 
gleam  of  poetry  in  their  compositions  between  the  Scalds  and 
Chaucer.  ...  I  am  sorry  Mr.  Warton  has  contracted  such 
•  an  affection  for  his  materials,  that  he  seems  almost  to  think 
that  not  only  Pope  but  Dryden  himself  have  added  few 
beauties  to  Chaucer. 

1774.  Warton,  Thomas.  The  History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  i.  [For 
vol.  ii  see  below,  1778,  p.  454,  for  vols.  iii  and  iv  see  below,  1781,  p. 
464.]  Dissertation  i,  on  the  origin  of  romantic  fiction  in  Europe,  sign. 
a  3  6,  n. ;  Dissertation  ii,  on  the  introduction  of  learning  into 
England,  sign,  f  3  b,  n.  ;  sign,  h  2,  n.  ;  pp.  38,  68  n.,  126  n.,  127-8, 
142,  144,  148,  164  n.,  165  n.,  169  and  ?i.,  172-3  n.,  175, 197  and  n., 
208  n.,  215  n.,  220  n.,  222  n.,  224  n.,  225  n.,  234-5,  and  n.,  236, 
255,  278  and  n.,  282  n.,  302  n.,  306  and  n.,  333-4,  339,  341-468. 

[vol. ;,      [Here  the  account  and  criticism  of  Chaucer  begins,  and 

sect  xii 

P.  34i] 'continues  till  the  end  of  the  volume,  p.  468.  We  can  only 
quote  a  few  passages  of  special  interest.] 

[p.  867]  [Speaking  of  the  Knight's  Tale.]  We  are  surprised  to 
find,  in  a  poet  of  such  antiquity,  numbers  so  nervous  and 
flowing :  a  circumstance  which  greatly  contributed  to  render 
Dryden's  paraphrase  of  this  poem  the  most  animated  and  har 
monious  piece  of  versification  in  the  English  language.  .  .  . 


440  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1774- 

[p.  306]  Pope  has  imitated  this  piece  [House  of  Fame],  with  his 
usual  elegance  of  diction  and  harmony  of  versification.  But 
in  the  meantime  he  has  not  only  misrepresented  the  story,  but 
marred  the  character  of  the  poem.  He  has  endeavoured  to 
correct  it's  extravagancies,  by  new  refinements  and  additions 
of  another  cast :  but  he  did  not  consider,  that  extravagancies 
are  essential  to  a  poem  of  such  a  structure,  and  even  constitute 
it's  beauties.  An  attempt  to  unite  order  and  exactness  of 
imagery  with  a  subject  formed  on  principles  so  professedly 
romantic  and  anomalous,  is  like  giving  Corinthian  pillars  to  a 
Gothic  palace.  When  I  read  Pope's  elegant  imitation  of  this 
piece,  I  think  I  am  walking  among  the  modern  monuments 
unsuitably  placed  in  Westminster-abbey. 

[p.  435]  But  Chaucer's  vein  of  humour,  although  conspicuous  in 
the  CANTERBURY  TALES,  is  chiefly  displayed  in  the  Characters 
with  which  they  are  introduced.  In  these  his  knowledge  of 
the  world  availed  him  in  a  peculiar  degree,  and  enabled 
him  to  give  such  an  accurate  picture  of  antient  manners, 
as  no  cotemporary  nation  has  transmitted  to  posterity. 
It  is  here  that  we  view  the  pursuits  and  employments,  the 
customs  and  diversions,  of  our  ancestors,  copied  from  the  life, 
and  represented  with  equal  truth  and  spirit,  by  a  judge  of 
mankind,  whose  penetration  qualified  him  to  discern  their 
foibles  or  discriminating  peculiarities ;  and  by  an  artist,  who 
understood  that  proper  selection  of  circumstances,  and  those 
predominant  characteristics,  which  form  a  finished  portrait. 
We  are  surprised  to  find,  in  so  gross  and  ignorant  an  age, 
such  talents  for  satire,  and  for  observation  on  life ;  qualities 
which  usually  exert  themselves  at  more  civilised  periods.  .  .  . 
These  curious  and  valuable  remains  are  specimens  of  Chaucer's 
native  genius,  unassisted  and  unalloyed.  .  .  . 

[p.  457]  It  is  not  my  intention  to  dedicate  a  volume  to  Chaucer, 
how  much  soever  he  may  deserve  it ;  nor  cart  it  be  expected, 
that  in  a  work  of  this  general  nature,  I  should  enter  into  a 
critical  examination  of  all  Chaucer's  pieces.  Enough  has 
been  said  to  prove,  that  in  elevation,  and  elegance,  in  harmony 
and  perspicuity  of  versification,  he  surpasses  his  predecessors 
in  an  infinite  proportion :  that  his  genius  was  universal, 
and  adapted  to  themes  of  unbounded  variety  :  that  his  merit 
was  not  less  in  painting  familiar  manners  with  humour  and 
propriety,  than  in  moving  the  passions,  and  in  representing  the 
beautiful  or  the  grand  objects  of  nature  with  grace  and  sublimity. 


1775]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  441 

In  a  word,  that  he  appeared  with  all  the  lustre  and  dignity  of 
a  true  poet,  in  an  age  which  compelled  him  to  struggle  with  a 
barbarous  language,  and  a  national  want  of  taste ;  and  when  to 
write  verses  at  all,  was  regarded  as  a  singular  qualification. 

1775.  Ash,  John.  A  New  and  Complete  Dictionary  of  the  English 
Language,  in  which  .  .  .  The  Obsolete  and  Uncommon  Words  [are] 
supported  by  Authorities,  etc.  2  vols. 

[Chaucer  is  freely  quoted  throughout ;  Mason  in  his  Supple 
ment  to  Johnson,  1801  (q.v.  below)  states  that  Ash's  chief 
work  was  that  he  "  carried  his  [Johnson's]  language  back  to  the 
writings  of  Chaucer."] 

1775.  Atticus.  Stanzas  on  Poetry  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See 
below,  App.  A. 

1775.  Dobson,  Susanna.  The  Life  of  Petrarch,  London  1775,  vol.  i, 
pp.  xvi-xvii.  [The  preface  is  dated  Feb.  8,  1775.] 

.  .  .  The  two  famous  English  poets  Gower  and  Chaucer 
were  also  contemporaries  with  Petrarch  .  .  The  various 
beauties  interspersed  in  the  works  of  Chaucer  and  particularly 
the  masterly  strokes  of  character  we  find  in  them,  though 
obscured  by  an  obsolete  language  and  mixed  with  many 
blemishes,  shew  the  powers  of  a  fine  imagination,  great  depth 
of  knowledge,  and  that  perfect  conception  of  men  and  manners 
which  is  the  surest  mark  of  an  elevated  genius.  The  picture 
he  has  given  us  of  those  times  is  indeed  so  animated  that  we 
seem  actually  to  converse  with  his  characters,  and  are  pleased 
to  consider  men  like  ourselves  even  in  the  nicest  resemblances, 
under  the  different  circumstances  of  an  age  so  very  remote. 

1775.  Unknown.     Catalogue  of  New  Publications  [in]  The  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  March,  1775,  vol.  xlv,  p.  141. 
[Tyrwhitt's  Canterbury  Tales.] 

1775.  Unknown.  Remeio  of  Mrs.  Dolson's  Life  of  Petrarch,  [in] 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  May  1775,  vol.  xlv,  pp.  242-3. 

No  mention  (it  is  observable)  is  made  in  this  work  of 
Chaucer  being  present  at  Milan,  at  the  marriage  of  the  Duke 
of  Clarence,  and  of  his  being  there  introduced  to  Petrarch,  as 
Mr.  "Warton  has  affirmed  (we  know  not  on  what  authority,  see 
vol.  xliv,  p.  427)  in  his  History  of  English  Poetry.  [Further 
remarks  on  this  point.] 

1775.  Percy,  Thomas,  Bp.  of  Dromore.  Reliques  of  Ancient  English 
Poetry.  [For  additions  made  in  edn.  iii,  see  above,  p.  426,  edn.  i, 
1765.] 


442  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1775 

1775.  Unknown.  Letter  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Sept.  1775,  vol. 
xlv,  p.  423. 

[Remarking  that  "Warton,  in  his  History  of  English  Poetry, 
produces  no  authority  for  supposing  Chaucer  met  Petrarch  at 
Milan,  and  asking  from  what  writer  Warton  took  this  curious 
anecdote.] 

1775.  [Editor  of  Gentleman's  Magazine.]  Note,  by  the  editor,  to 
above  letter,  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Sept.  1775,  vol.  xlv,  p.  423. 

[If  the  writer  could  have  given  Warton's  authority,  we 
should  have  been  much  obliged  to  him.] 

1775.  Parkin,  Charles.  An  Essay  Towards  a  Topographical  History 
of  the  County  of  Norfolk  [in]  an  Essay  Towards  a  Topographical 
History  of  the  County  of  Norfolk,  by  Francis  Blomefield,  1739 
.  .  .  and  continued  from  vol.  iii,  p.  678,  by  the  late  Reverend 
Charles  Parkin,  A.M.;  vol.  iv,  pp.  319,  320,  402.  (In  the  edition  of 
1805-10,  the  references  are  vol.  viii,  1808,  pp.  127,  243.) 

[Vol.  iv,     Gresham  [manor].     Sir  John  Burghersh  was  lord  of  the  other 

pp-319;i  moiety,  in  right  of  his  wife  Maud,  and  dying  in  the  19  of 

Richard  II   his   daughter  and  co-heir,  Maud,  brought  it  by 

marriage  to  Thomas  Chaucer,  Esq.;  son  of  the  famous  poet  Sir 

Geffrey.  ... 

[p.  402]  Kierdeston  Manor  .  .  .  William  de  la  Pole  Earl  of  Suffolk 
and  Alice,  his  wife,  daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  Chaucer, 
Esq.,  son  of  the  famous  poet  of  that  age.  .  ,  . 

1775.  [Tyrwhitt,  Thomas.]  The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer. 
To  which  are  added  an  Essay  upon  his  Language  and 
Versification ;  an  Introductory  Discourse  ;  and  Notes.  In 
Four  volumes,  1775.  Of  Tyrwhitt's  writing,  vol.  i  contains 
The  Preface,  pp.  i-v,  Appendix  to  the  Preface  [containing  (A)  an 
account  of  former  edns.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  pp.  vi-xxi, 
(B)  a  list  of  MSS.  collated,  or  consulted,  pp.  xxii-iii,  (C)  an 
abstract  of  the  historical  passages  of  the  Life  of  Chaucer,  pp.  xxiv- 
xxxvi].  Vol.  iii,  Notes  on  the  3rd  volume,  pp.  281-314.  Additional 
notes,  pp.  315-20.  Vol.  iv,  An  Essay  on  the  language  and 
versification  of  Chaucer,  pp.  1-111,  An  Introductory  Discourse  to 
the  Canterbury  Tales,  pp.  112-189.  Notes  on  the  Canterbury 
Tales  [1st  and  2nd  vols.],  pp.  190-336.  [For  vol.  v,  see  below,  1778, 
P.45L] 

An  Essay  on  the  Language  and  Versification 

of  Chaucer. 

[vol.  iv,  The  Language  of  Chaucer  has  undergone  two  very  different 
judgements.  According  to  one,  he  is  the  "well  of  English 
undefiled";  according  to  the  other,  he  has  corrupted  and 
deformed  the  English  idiom  by  an  immoderate  mixture  of 
French  words.  Nor  do  the  opinions  with  respect  to  his 
Versification  seem  to  have  been  less  discordant.  His  con- 


1775]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  443 

[p.  2]  temporaries,  and  they  who  lived  nearest  to  his  time,  universally 
extoll  him  as  the  "chief  Poete  of  Britaine,"  "the  flour  of 
Poetes,"  etc.,  titles,  which  must  be  supposed  to  implie  their 
admiration  of  his  metrical  skill,  as  well  as  of  his  other  poetical 

[p.  3]  talents ;  but  the  later  critics,  though  they  leave  him  in  posses 
sion  of  the  same  sounding  titles,  yet  are  almost  unanimously 
agreed,  that  he  was  either  totally  ignorant  or  negligent  of 
metrical  rules,  and  that  his  verses  (if  they  may  be  so  called) 
are  frequently  deficient,  by  a  syllable  or  two,  of  their  just 
measure. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  the  following  Essay  to  throw  some 
light  upon  both  these  questions.  Admitting  the  fact,  that  the 
English  of  Chaucer  has  a  great  mixture  of  French  in  it,  I 
hope  to  shew,  that  this  mixture  (if  a  crime)  cannot  fairly 
be  laid  to  his  charge.  I  shall  then  proceed  to  state  some 
observations  upon  the  most  material  peculiarities  of  the 
Norman- Saxon,  or  English  language,  as  it  appears  to  have 
been  in  general  use  in  the  age  of  Chaucer ;  and  lastly,  apply 
ing  these  observations  to  the  poetical  parts  of  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  as  they  are  faithfully  printed  in  this  edition  from  the 

[P.  4]  best  Mss.  which  I  coud  procure,  I  shall  leave  it  to  the 
intelligent  Keader  to  determine,  whether  Chaucer  was  really 
ignorant  of  the  laws,  or  even  of  the  graces,  of  Versification, 
and  whether  he  was  more  negligent  of  either  than  the  very 
early  Poets  in  almost  all  languages  are  found  to  have  been. 

[pp.  4-26  contain  an  account  of  the  reasons  for  the  great 
admixture  of  French  in  English  in  the  12th,  13th  and  14th 
centuries.] 

[p.  26]  From  what  has  been  said,  I  think,  we  may  fairly 
conclude,  that  the  English  language  must  have  imbibed  a 
strong  tincture  of  the  French,  long  before  the  age  of  Chaucer, 
and  consequently  that  he  ought  not  to  be  charged  as  the 
importer  of  words  and  phrases,  which  he  only  used  after 
the  example  of  his  predecessors  and  in  common  with  his 
contemporaries.  .  .  .  [pp.  26-28,  more  proof  of  this.] 

[pp.  28-46.  Examination  of  the  English  language  in  the 
time  of  Chaucer,  pp.  46-75.  State  of  English  poetry 
before  Chaucer,  pp.  76-111.  Versification  of  Chaucer.] 

[p.  88]  In  order  ...  to  form  any  judgement  of  the  Versification 
of  Chaucer,  it  is  necessary  that  we  should  know  the  syllabical 
value  ...  of  his  words,  and  the  accentual  value  of 


444    [Tyrwhitt.]   Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1775 

his  syllables,  as  they  were  commonly  pronounced  in  his 
[p.  89]  time,  for  without  that  knowledge,  it  is  not  more  probable  that 
we  should  determine  justly  upon  the  exactness  of  his  metres, 
than  that  we  should  be  able  to  cast  up  rightly  an  account 
stated  in  coins  of  a  former  age,  of  whose  current  rates  and 
denominations  we  are  totally  ignorant. 

[P.  9i]  The  great  number  of  verses,  sounding  complete  even  to  our 
ears,  which  is  to  be  found  in  all  the  least  corrected  copies  of 
his  works,  authorizes  us  to  conclude,  that  he  was  not  ignorant 
of  the  laws  of  metre.  Upon  this  conclusion  it  is  impossible 
not  to  ground  a  strong  presumption,  that  he  intended  to  observe 
the  same  laws  in  the  many  other  verses  which  seem  to  us 
irregular;  and  if  this  was  really  his  intention,  what  reason 
can  be  assigned  sufficient  to  account  for  his  having  failed  so 
grossly  and  repeatedly,  as  is  generally  supposed,  in  an  opera 
tion,  which  every  Ballad-monger  in  our  days,  man,  woman,  or 
child,  is  known  to  perform  with  the  most  unerring  exactness, 
and  without  any  extraordinary  fatigue  I V  -.  . 

[p.  93]  But  a  great  number  of  Chaucer's  verses  labour  under  an 
apparent  Deficiency  of  a  syllable,  or  two.  In  some  of  these 
perhaps  the  defect  may  still  be  supplied  from  MSS. ;  but  for 
the  greatest  part  I  am  persuaded  no  such  assistance  is  to  be 
expected ;  and  therefore,  supposing  the  text  in  these  cases  to 

[P.  04]  be  correct,  it  is  worth  considering  whether  the  verse  also  may 
not  be  made  correct,  by  adopting  in  certain  words  a  pronun 
ciation,  different  indeed  from  modern  practice,  but  which,  we 
have  reason  to  believe,  was  used  by  the  author  himself. 

For  instance,  in  the  Genitive  case  Singular  and  the  Plural 
Number  of  Nouns  .  .  .  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  such 
words  as,  shoures,  ver.  1.  croppes,  ver.  7.  shires,  ver.  I5.1ordes, 
ver.  47,  &c.  were  regularly  pronounced  as  consisting  of  two 
syllables.  ...  In  like  manner,  we  may  be  sure  that  ed,  .  .  . 
made  ...  a  second  syllable  in  the  words,  perced,  ver.  2, 
bathed,  ver.  3,  loved,  ver.  45,  wered,  ver.  75,  &c.  .  .  . 

[p.  96]  But  nothing  will  be  found  of  such  extensive  use  for  supply 
ing  the  deficiencies  of  Chaucer's  metre  as  the  pronunciation  of 
the  e  feminine.  .  .  .  [pp.  96-102.  Arguments  in  favour  of 
this  having  been  sounded  in  0.  &  M.  English]. 


1775]       Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.     [Tyrwkitt.]       445 

[p.  102]  The  third  kind  of  irregularity,  to  which  an  English  verse  is 
liable,  is  from  the  Accents  being  misplaced.  The  restoring  of 
Chaucer's  words  to  their  just  number  of  syllables,  by  the 
methods  which  have  been  pointed  out  above,  will  often  be  of 
signal  service  in  restoring  his  accents  also  to  their  proper  places 
...  [In  addition]  I  am  persuaded  that  in  his  French  words 
he  most  commonly  laid  his  accent  according  to  the  French 
custom  .  .  .  which,  as  is  well  known,  is  the  very  reverse  of 
our  practice.  Thus  in  ver.  3,  he  uses  licour  for  liqnour  .  .  . 
&c.  &c. 

In  the  same  manner  he  accents  the  last  Syllable  of  the 

[p.  104]  Participle  Present,  as,  ver.  885,  6,  wedding — coming  .  .  .  if  he 
followed  this  practice  at  the  end  of  his  verses,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  he  did  the  same  in  the  middle,  whenever  it  gave 
a  more  harmonious  flow  to  his  metre ;  and  therefore  in  ver.  4. 
instead  of  vertue,  I  suppose  he  pronounced,  vertiie  ;  .  .  .  &c.  .  .  . 
It  may  be  proper,  however,. to  observe,  that  we  are  not  to 
expect  from  Chaucer  that  regularity  in  the  disposition  of  his 
accents,  which  the  practice  of  our  greatest  Poets  in  the  last 

[p  105]  and  the  present  century  has  taught  us  to  consider  as  essential 
to  harmonious  versification.  None  of  his  masters,  either  French 

tp.  106]  or  Italian,  had  set  him  a  pattern  of  exactness  in  this  respect ; 
and  it  is  rather  surprizing,  that,  without  rule  or  example  to 
guide  him,  he  has  so  seldom  failed  to  place  his  accents  in  such 
a  manner,  as  to  produce  the  cadence  best  suited  to  the  nature 
of  his  verse. 

I  shall  conclude  this  long  and  (I  fear)  tedious  Essay,  with 
a  Grammatical  and  Metrical  Analysis  of  the  first  eighteen 
lines  of  the  Canterbury  Tales.  ..... 

I.  *  Whdnne  that  April  with  his  2  shoures  3  sate. 

II.  The  droughte  of  March  hath  1perced  to  the  2  rote, 

I.  x   Whanne,  SAX.  Hjjsenne,  is  so  seldom  used  as  a  Dissyllable  by 
Chaucer,  that  for  some  time  I  had  great  doubts  about  the  true  reading  of 
this  line.     I  now  believe  that  it  is  right,  as  here  printed,  and  that  the 

[p.  107]  same  word  is  to  be  pronounced  as  a  Dissyllable  in  ver.  703. 

But  with  these  relikes  whanne  that  be  fond. 

Thanne,    a  word  of  the  same  form,    occurs  more   frequently  as  a 
Dissyllable.     See  ver.  12260,  12506,  12721,  13924,  15282. 
2  Shoures,  Dis.  Plural  number.  .  .  . 
8  Sote.     See  ver.  V.  [Dis.] 

II.  l  Perced,  Dis.  Participle  of  the  Past  Time. 
8  Rote;  root. 


446  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1775- 

III.  And  1  lathed  every  veine  in  2  siviche  3  licour, 

IV.  Of  whiche  x  vertue  engendred  is  the  flour ; 
[And  so  on  for  18  lines,  pp.  106-11.] 

[The  Introductory  Discourse  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  pp. 
112-189,  is  a  short  account  of  the  general  plan,  and  of  the 
various  tales,  their  origins,  &c.  and  contains  practically  no 
criticism.] 

1775.  Unknown.  Eeviews  of  Tyrwhitt's  edition  of  the  Canterbury  Tales, 
[in]  the  Critical  Eeview,  the  London  Magazine,  and  the  Monthly 
Eevievv,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1775. 

1775  6.  Strutt,  Joseph,  ponda  Anjel-cynnan  :  or  a  Compleat  View 
of  the  Manners,  Customs,  Arms,  Habits,  &c.  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  England,  vol.  ii,  pp.  85-6;  vol.  iii,  pp.  107,  139,  157,  173. 

[vol.  ii,      [Quotes  Chaucer's  ('  the  great  father  of  the  English  poets ') 

P-  *5]    remarks  on  clothing  in  the  Parson's  Tale ;  '  Alas !  may  not 

a  man  see  as  in  our  daies  the  sinnef  ull  costlew  array  of  clothing ' 

&C.  [1.  414.] 

[p.  86]        Quotes  Hoccleve,  '  the  disciple  of  Geofry  Chaucer. 

[vol.  iii,     Quotes  from  Parson's  Tale,  as  to  food  :   '  Also  in  excesse  of 

P.  107]  Divers  meates,'  &c. 

[p.  139]      Quotes  from  Prologue  to  Wife  of  Bath's  Tale  :  *  Therefore 

made  I  my  visitations.'  fi.  555j 

[p.  157]      Wife  of  Bath's  prologue  :  *  The  bacon  was  not  fet  for  them, 

I  trow,'  &c.  [i.  217.] 

[p.  173]      Chaucer  exposes  the  priests.] 

1776.  Hawkins,  Sir  John.    A  General  History  of  the  science  and  practice 
of  Music,  vol.  ii,  pp.  79-82  and  n,  84-88,  91,  101,  103-112,  118. 

[pp.  70,      [Influence  of  Provencal  poets  on  Chaucer,  Clerk  of  Oxford's 

tale  taken  from  Petrarch.] 

[pp.  si,      [Quotation  from  Pardoner's  Tale,  showing  that  the  music  of 
82]        "harpes,  lutes  and  geternes"  was  usual  in  Chaucer's  day  in 

taverns.] 

[pp.  84-      [Quotations  from,  and  Comments  on  the  Miller's  Tale,  as 
88^       regards  music.] 
[p.  »i]       [Ballads  of  Chaucer.] 

III.  »  Bathed,  Dis.  see  II.  i. 

2  Swiche,  such  ;  from  swilke,  SAX. 

3  Licotir,  Fr.  has  the  accent  upon  the  last  syllable  after  the  French 
mode. 

IV.  1  Verttie,  FK.  may  be  accented  in  the  same  manner.     There  is 
another  way  of  preserving  the  harmony  of  this  verse,  by  making  whiche 
(from  whilke,  SAX.)  a  Dissyllable.  .  .  .  Vertue  may  then  be  pronounced, 
as  it  is  now,  with  the  accent  on  the  first ;    the  second  syllable  being 
incorporated  with  the  first  of  engendred. 


1777]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  447 

[p.  101]  [The  history  of  music  necessitates  a  knowledge  of  customs 
and  modes  of  living  peculiar  to  different  periods]  a  knowledge 
of  these  is  not  to  be  derived  from  history  .  .  .  and  were  it  not 
for  the  accurate  and  lively  representation  of  the  manners  of 
the  old  Italians,  and  the  not  less  ancient  English,  contained  in 
the  writings  of  Boccacce  and  Chaucer,  the  inquisitive  part  of 
mankind  would  be  much  at  a  loss  for  the  characteristics  of  the 
fourteenth  century.  .  .  .  [Chaucer]  has  feigned  an  assemblage 
of  persons  of  different  ranks,  the  most  various  and  artful  that 
can  be  imagined,  and  with  an  amazing  propriety  has  made 
each  of  them  the  type  of  a  peculiar  character.  ... 

[p.  IDS]  It  remains  now  to  speak  of  our  ancient  English  poet,  and 
from  that  copious  fund  of  intelligence  and  pleasantry  the 
Canterbury  Tales,  to  select  such  particulars  as  will  best  illus 
trate  the  subject  now  under  consideration.  [Here  follows  an 
account  of  the  Prologue  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  with  such 
particulars  as  therein  relate  to  music,  also  some  account  of  the 
Miller's  and  Keeve's  Tales.] 

[1776  ?]  Mortimer,  J.  H.  Nine  drawings  illustrating  the  Canterbury 
Tales.  Engraved  by  J.  Hogg,  Sharp,  E.  Williams  and  J.  K.  Slier- 
win,  and  published  Feb.  12,  1787,  by  J.  K.  Smith,  No.  31,  King 
Street,  Covent  Garden.  See  the  Note  by  Dr.  Furnivall  in  Notes  and 
Queries,  6th  S.  II,  1880,  pp.  325-6. 

The  drawings  are  as  follows  : — 

1.  Prologue. 

2.  Palamon  and  Arcite  fighting. 

3.  Nicholas  and  Robin  (Miller). 

4.  Miller  of  Trompington  (Eeve). 

5.  The  Coke  and  Perkin  (Coke). 

6.  Sompnour,  Devil,  and  Old  Woman  (Frere). 

7.  Frere  and  Thomas  (Sompnour). 

8.  January  and  May  (Merchant). 

9.  Three  Gamblers  and  Time  (Pardoner). 

1777.  Berkenhout,  John.  Biographia  Literaria :  or,  A  Biographical 
History  of  Literature,  vol.  i,  pp.  309-13,  "Geoffrey  Chaucer,  the 
Father  of  English  Poetry."  References  to  Chaucer  on  pp.  314, 
316-8,  380. 

1777.  Boyd,  H[enry].  Woodstock,  The  Prize  Poem  for  the  year  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy  seven  [in]  Poems  ;  chiefly 
dramatic  and  Lyric,  by  the  Rev.  H.  Boyd,  1793,  pp.  469,  472-8. 
[The  second  edn.  of  this  collection,  published  1805,  is  called  The 
Woodman's  Tale ;  the  Chaucer  references  in  it  are  on  pp.  267, 270-6.] 


448  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1777- 

[P.  469]          Ye  lonely  shades  where  Rosamund  allur'd 

Her  Henry's  steps  from  Glory's  paths  to  stray ; 
Where  in  the  roseate  bow'r  of  bliss  imnrur'd, 
Reckless,  he  saw  his  laurel'd  pride  decay. 
How  brook'd  the  genius  of  yon  solemn  grove, 
His  ancient  haunts  by  lawless  love  profan'd  ? 
Disdain'd  not  his  pure  feet  those  lawns  to  rove 
Till  late  the  1  lyre  once  more  his  presence  gain'd. 

1  In  the  time  of  Chaucer,  the  father  of  English  poetry,  who  was  born 
near  WOODSTOCK. 

[The  subject  of  the  poem  is  Elizabeth's  confinement  at  Woodstock  by  her  sister 
Mary  ;  pp.  472-8  describe  her  vision  of  Chaucer.] 

1777.  [Chattel-ton,  Thomas.]  Poems,  supposed  to  have  been  written  at 
Bristol  by  Thomas  Rowley,  and  others.  [Edited  by  Tyrwhitt,  1777. 
See  above,  a.  1770,  p.  432.] 

1777.  Dilly,  Edward.  Letter  to  James  Boswell,  Southill,  Sept.  26, 1777, 
(Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson,  ed.  G.  Birkbeck  Hill,  vol.  iii,  1887, 
p.  110  ;  also  quoted  by  E.  Anderson,  in  his  Preface  to  Poets  of 
Great  Britain,  1795,  q.v.  below,  p.  496). 

The  edition  of  The  Poets,  now  printing,  will  do  honour  to 
the  English  press ;  and  a  concise  account  of  the  life  of  each 
authour,  by  Dr.  Johnson,  will  be  a  very  valuable  addition  .  .  . 
[reasons  for  the  undertaking,  inaccuracy  of  text  and  small  type 
of  Bell's  edn.  of  the  Poets,  then  printing  at  Edinburgh]  .  .  . 
These  reasons,  as  well  as  the  idea  of  an  invasion  of  what  we 
call  our  Literary  Property,  induced  the  London  Booksellers  to 
print  an  elegant  and  accurate  edition  of  all  the  English  Poets 
of  reputation,  from  Chaucer  to  the  present  time. 

[This  scheme  was  not  carried  out.  Only  53  authors  were  included,  beginning 
with  Cowley.] 

1777.  [Pegge,  Samuel.]  Of  the  Crasis,  a  Grammatical  Figure,  [in]  The 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  Aug.  1777,  vol.  xlvii,  p.  372. 

[The  use  of  'nill,'  'nam,'  'nart,'  etc.  by  Chaucer.] 

1777.  Unknown.  Review  of  Poems,  supposed  to  have  been  written 
...  by  Thomas  Rowley,  and  others,  in  the  Fifteenth  Century 
[in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June,  1777,  vol.  xlvii,  p.  277. 

[The  poems  of  Aella,  Goddwyn  and  the  Battle  of  Hastings] 
for  pure  poetry  .  .  as  well  as  harmony  .  .  .  may  vie  with 
the  most  elegant  and  harmonious  of  the  moderns.  And  this 
last  is  certainly  the  most  suspicious  circumstance,  as,  with  all 
their  merit,  all  our  other  old  bards,  from  Chaucer  down  to 
Donne,  are  in  that  particular  so  defective,  that  many  of  their 
verses  are  mere  prose,  and  others  hardly  legible. 


1778]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  449 

1777.  Unknown,  [pseud.  Historians].    An  Account  of  Chaucer.    (Trans 
lated  from  the  French}  [from]  The  Morning  Post.     [In  an  inter 
leaved  copy  of  the  '  Lives  of  the  Poets '  by  Theophilus  Gibber, 
1753,   with   MS.    notes  by   Isaac   Eeed  and  Joseph   Haslewood. 
(B.M.  pr.  m.  10854.  a.  1.)  to  face  p.  10.     The  date.  Nov.  1777,  is 
added  m  MS.] 

An  Account  of  CHAUCER  (Translated  from  the  French). 

Chaucer  died  in  the  year  1400  aged  70  years,  and  was 
interred  in  Westminster-Abbey.  He  contributed  greatly  by 
his  poetry  in  praise  of  the  Duke  of  Lancaster,  his  brother-in- 
law,  to  obtain  the  crown  from  [sic,  should  read  'for']  him, 
and  partook  of  the  good  and  bad  fortune  of  that  monarch. 
His  poetical  works  were  published  in  London  in  the  year 
1561.  We  find  in  them  tales  full  of  pleasantry,  simplicity, 
and  licentiousness,  composed  after  the  manner  of  those  of 
Troubadours  and  Bocase.  The  imagination  which  dictated 
them  was  sharp,  chearful  and  fruitful,  but  not  well  regu 
lated,  and  very  often  too  obscene.  His  stile  is  disgraced  by 
a  number  of  obscure  and  unintelligible  words.  The  English 
language  during  his  time  was  harsh  and  coarse.  If  the  wit 
of  Chaucer  was  agreeable,  his  language  was  not  so,  and  the 
English  can  scarce  understand  it  even  at  this  time.  Chaucer 
has  left  behind  him,  besides  his  poetry,  some  works  in  prose, 
viz.  the  Testament  of  Love,  and  a  Treatise  on  [the]  Astrolabe.  He 
applied  himself  as  much  to  Astronomy  and  foreign  languages ; 
[sic]  as  to  versification,  he  was  even  inclined  to  dogmatize. 
The  opinions  of  Weclef  making  a  great  noise  at  that  time 
Chaucer  embraced  them,  and  caused  himself  to  be  driven  out 
of  his  countiy  for  some  time. 

Historicus. 

[This  is  a  translation  of  the  life  of  Chaucer  by  L.  M.  Charon  contributed  to  the 
Nouveau  Dictionnaire  historique  portatif,  1770  (new  edn.,  and  probably  in  1st  edn., 
1766),  and  afterwards  reprinted  in  Feller's  Dictionnaire  historique,  1781,  and  ed.  2, 
1789-94.] 

1778.  Brooke,  Henry.     Constantia  [A  modernisation  of  the  Man  of 
Law's  Tale,  in]  A  Collection  of  the  Pieces  formerly  published  by 
Henry  Brooke,  Esq.,  vol.  i,  pp.  253-379. 

[First  published  in  Ogle's  Canterbury  Tales,  q.v.,  above, 
1741,  p.  389.  The  text  of  the  original  tale  is  here  printed 
at  the  foot  of  the  pages.] 

1778.  [Craven,  Elizabeth  Lady.]  Prologue  [to]  The  Sleep  Walker.  A 
Comedy,  .  .  .  translated  from  the  French  [Le  Sonmambule,  by 
the  Comte  Le  Pont  de  Veste],  .  .  .  Strawberry  Hill,  sign.  A  2  and  b. 
See  also  Annual  Register,  xxi  (Poetry),  pp.  203-204.  [The  Prologue 
and  Epilogue  are  by  Lady  Craven.] 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  0  G 


450  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1778 

PROLOGUE. 

.  .  .  Last  night,  indeed,  as  thro'  old  Chaucer's  grove  1 
In  solitary  mood,  I  chanc'd  to  rove, 
[sig.A26]   A  rev'rend  form  address'd  my  list'ning  ear, 
And  thus  advis'd  me  to  suppress  each  fear. 
'  Welcome,  thrice  welcome,  to  this  beauteous  spot, 
Fam'd  Donnington  !  this  once  my  happy  lot. 
Chaucer  my  name ;  I,  first  attun'd  the  lyre, 
And  gave  to  British  sounds  poetic  fire. 
The  praise  of  Berkshire,  erst  these  woods  among, 
Inspir'd  my  lays,  and  cheer'd  my  tuneful  song ; 
Berkshire,  whose  scenes  might  rouse  a  poet's  thought, 
Berkshire,  with  ev'ry  pleasing  beauty  fraught, 
Demands  thy  fost'ring  hand,  thy  daily  pray'r, 
And  let  the  poor  and  aged  be  thy  care ; 
Employ  thy  genius,  and  command  each  friend, 
Turn  mirth  and  pleasure  to  some  pious  end  ! ' 
He  ceas'd.     The  poet's  shade  dissolv'd  in  air, 
His  sage  advice  is  deeply  written  here. 
I  joyfully  obey — and  this  night's  gain 
Is  to  relieve  the  voice  of  want  or  pain  .  .  . 

1  The  piece  was  acted  for  a  charitable  purpose  at  Newberry,  near 
which  is  Donnington-castle.  formerly  the  seat  of  Chaucer,  at  the  feet 
of  which  stands  the  seat  of  Mr.  Andrews,  called  Chaucer's  Grove. 

1778.  Buncombe,  John.     An  Elegy  written  in  Canterbury  Cathedral. 

See  below,  App.  A.   . 
1778.  Home  (later  Horne-Tooke),  John.     A  Letter  to  John  Dunning, 

Esq.,  by  Mr.  Home:  pp.  45,  46n,  52  [quotation  from  Junius]. 

[Extracts  from  this  letter  were  printed  in  the  Annual  Kegister, 

vol.  xxi,  pt.  ii,  p.  187.] 
[n.  45]        [Same  remark  on  Chaucer's  use  of  Bot  in  Urry's  glossary,  as 

in  Diversions  of  Purley,  p.  241.     See  below,  1786,  p.  486.] 

1778.  Johnson,  Samuel.  Conversation  between  Johnson  and  Allan 
Ramsay,  April  9,  1778  (Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson,  ed.  G.  Birkbeck 
Hill,  vol.  iii,  1887,  p.  254). 

^Johnson]  .  .  .  Our  literature  came  to  us  through  France.  Caxton 
printed  only  two  books,  Chaucer  and  Gmcer,  that  were  not 
translations  from  the  French;  and  Chaucer  we  know  took 
much  from  the  Italians. 

:[c.  1776-1778.]  Pegge,  Samuel  (the  elder).  Anonymiana;  or  Ten 
Centuries  of  Observations  on  Various  Authors  and  Subjects,  pp. 
344-5.  [The  above  collection  was  never  printed  by  Samuel  Pegge, 
but  seems  to  have  been  written  between  1766  and  1778,  vide  pp.  v, 
viii.  It  was  printed  in  1809  by  John  Nichols  ;  the  references  given 
are  to  this  edition  of  1809.] 


1778]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  451 

Cc'ruif'      ^r>  Fenton,  speaking  of  Chaucer  and  the  Earl  of  Surrey, 

viii,  sec- says 
tionxi]       y  ' 

"  Both  now  are  prized  by  few,  unknown  to  most, 
Because  the  thoughts  are  in  the  language  lost." 

[p.  345]  On  which  Charles  Howard  Esq.  [afterward  Duke  of  Norfolk] 
criticises,  by  saying,  the  judicious  Reader  ''will  find  the  Earl's 
language  not  so  obscure  as  Mr.  Fenton  intimates  "  :  but,  with 
submission,  obscurity  is  not  the  charge ;  but  obsoleteness,  on 
account  of  which  few  people,  he  thinks,  will  be  at  the  pains 
of  reading  them. 

[See  also  above,  1769,  p.  432,  Historical  Anecdotes  of  some  of  the  Howard  family, 
by  Charles  Howard,  p.  27.  For  Fenton's  lines  on  Chaucer  and  Surrey,  see  above, 
1710-11,  p.  313,  Epistle  to  Mr.  Southerne ;  and  for  another  reference  to  these  lines 
by  George  Sewell,  see  above,  1717,  p.  346.] 

1778.  Steevens,  George.  Note  [in]  The  Plays  of  William  Shake 
speare,  edn.  2,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1778. 

1778.  Tyrwhitt,  Thomas.  Vol.  v  of  The  Canterbunj  Tales  of  Chaucer, 
containing  A  Glossary.  [For  vols.  i-iv  see  above,  1775,  p.  442.] 
Advertisement,  pp.  i-vi.  An  Account  of  the  Works  of  Chaucer  to 
which  this  Glossary  is  adapted ;  and  of  those  other  Pieces  which 
have  been  improperly  intermixed  with  his  in  the  Editions,  pp.  vii- 
xxiii.  A  Glossary  pp.  1-284.  Words  and  Phrases  not  understood, 
pp.  285-6.  Additions  and  corrections  to  the  former  volumes, 
pp.  287-90. 

1778.  Payne,  J[ohn].  [Review  of]  The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer, 
to  which  are  added  an  Essay  upon  the  Language  and  Versification, 
vol.  5  [in]  The  Monthly  Review,  vol.  lix,  p.  .310. 

1778.  [Tyrwhitt,  Thomas.]  Appendix  to  Poems,  supposed  to  have  been 
written  at  Bristol  by  Thomas  Rowley,  and  others  .  .  .  [published 
with  edn.  '3  of  the  Poems]  pp.  315-21  and  n,  326,  330,  332  n. 

[p.  32i]  And  this  leads  me  to  the  capital  blunder,  which  runs 
through  all  these  poems,  and  would  alone  be  sufficient  to 
destroy  their  credit ;  I  mean  the  termination  of  verbs  in  the 

[note]  singular  number  in  n. —  [note].  It  is  not  surprizing  that 
Chatterton  should  have  been  ignorant  of  a  peculiarity  of  the 
English  language,  which  appears  to  have  escaped  the  obser 
vation  of  a  professed  editor  of  Chaucer.  Mr.  Urry  has  very 
frequently  lengthened  verbs  in  the  singular  number,  by  adding 
n  to  them,  without  any  authority,  I  am  persuaded,  even  from 
the  errors  of  former  Editions  or  MSS.  It  might  seem  in 
vidious  to  point  out  living  writers,  of  acknowledged  learning, 
who  have  slipped  into  the  same  mistake  in  their  imitations  of 
Chaucer  and  Spenser. 

[Edn.  3  of  the  Poems  is  reviewed  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June  1777.    See 
above,  p.  448.] 


452  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1778 

1778.  Unknown.  Encyclopaedia  Britannica,  2nd  edition,  10  vols, 
1778-83,  article  Chaucer,  vol.  iii,  1778,  pp.  1799-1800.  [For 
Lydgate  article,  see  below,  1780.] 

[The  history  of  the  Chaucer  articles  in  the  Encyclopaedia 
Britannica  is  briefly  as  follows  : 

1st  edn.,  3  vols.,  1771.     No  Chaucer  article. 
2nd  edn.,  10  vols.,  1778-83.     Chaucer  and  Lydgate  articles 
first  appear,    (extracts  from  them 
are  given  below)  1778  and  1780. 

3rd  edn.,  18  vols.,  1797.^1  These  same  Chaucer  and  Lydgate 
4th  „  20  vols.,  1810.  -  articles  are  reprinted.  They  are 
5th  ,,  20  vols.,  1817. J  also  reprinted  in  other  Cyclo- 
6th  „  has  not  been  paedias,  such  as  the  English  Cycl. 

seen.  1802. 

7th  ,,  21  vols.,  1842.  A  New  Chaucer  article  signed 
1  C.G.C.'  (Charles  Cowden  Clarke  1) 
see  below,  1842.  The  Lydgate 
article  of  1778  is  reprinted. 

8th  edn.,  21  vols.,  1853-60.  Exactly  the  same  Chaucer 
article  as  in  the  7th  edn.,  1842 
(giving  the  story  of  Chaucer's 
flight  and  imprisonment,  proved 
impossible  by  Nicolas  in  1845, 
and  with  no  reference  to  Nico- 
las's  'Life'  published  in  1845), 
but  now  signed  'D.L.'  (David 
Laing?).  A  new  Lydgate  article, 
unsigned,  see  below,  1857. 

9th  edn.,  24  vols.,  1875-89.  New  Chaucer  amd  Lydgate 
articles  by  W.  Minto,  see  below, 
1876,  and  1883. 

10th  edn.,  11  new  vols.,  1902-3.     No  Chaucer  article  or  supple 
ment  to  it. 

llth  edn.,  29  vols.,  1910-11.  A  sound  and  accurate  Chaucer 
article  by  Mr.  A.  W.  Pollard 
embodying  all  Chaucer  informa 
tion  and  discoveries  up  to  the 
time  of  writing. 

The  article  of  1778  is  as  follows  :] 

[p.  1799,  Chaucer  (Sir  Geofrey)  an  eminent  English  poet  in  the  14th 
century,  born  at  London  in  1328.  [There  follows  the  usual 
account  of  the  poet's  travels,  studies  at  the  Inner  Temple, 


1778]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  453 

his  posts  at  Court  and  his  missions  abroad.]  At  this  period 
[after  he  had  returned  from  Genoa  and  had  been  made 
comptroller  of  the  customs]  Chaucer's  income  was  about 
£1000  a  year  ;  a  sum  which  in  those  days  might  well  enable 
him  to  live,  as  he  says  he  did,  with  dignity  in  office,  and 
hospitality  among  his  friends.  It  was  in  this  meridian  blaze 
of  prosperity,  in  perfect  health  of  body  and  peace  of  mind, 
that  he  wrote  his  most  humorous  poems.  [His  connection 
with  the  duke  of  Lancaster ;  Chaucer's  misfortunes  caused 
him  to  write  The  Testament  of  Love]. 

[p.isoo,  The  duke  of  Lancaster  at  last  surmounting  his  troubles, 
col.  i]  married  lady  Catharine  Swynford,  sister  to  Chaucer's  wife ; 
so  that  Thomas  Chaucer,  our  poet's  son,  became  allied  to 
most  of  the  nobility,  and  to  several  of  the  Kings  of  England. 
]STow  the  sun  began  to  shine  upon  Chaucer  with  an  evening 
ray;  for  by  the  influence  of  the  duke's  marriage,  he  again 
grew  to  a  considerable  share  of  wealth.  ...  [Henry  IV 
assumed  the  crown.]  The  measures  and  grants  of  the  late 
king  were  annulled ;  and  Chaucer,  in  order  to  procure  fresh 
grants  of  his  pensions,  left  his  retirement,  and  applied  to 
court :  where,  though  he  gained  a  confirmation  of  some 
grants,  yet  the  fatigue  of  attendance,  and  his  great  age, 
prevented  him  from  enjoying  them.  He  fell  sick  at  London; 
and  ended  his  days  in  the  72nd  year  of  his  age,  leaving  the 
world  as  though  he  despised  it,  as  appears  from  his  song  of 
Flie  from  the  Prese.  The  year  before  his  death  he  had  the 
happiness,  if  at  his  time  of  life  it  might  be  so  called,  to  see  the 
son  of  his  brother-in-law  (Hen.  IV)  seated  on  the  throne. 
[Tomb  in  Westminster  Abbey,  editions  of  his  works.] 

Chaucer  was  not  only  the  first,  but  one  of  the  best  poets 
which  these  kingdoms  ever  produced.  He  was  equally 
great  in  every  species  of  poetry  which  he  attempted  ;  and 
his  poems  in  general  possess  every  kind  of  excellence,  even 
to  a  modern  reader,  except  melody  and  accuracy  of  measure ; 
defects  which  are  to  be  attributed  to  the  imperfect  state  of 
our  language,  and  the  infancy  of  the  art  in  this  kingdom  at 
the  time  when  he  wrote.  [Dryden  quoted  as  stating  that  he 
venerated  Chaucer  as  the  Greeks  did  Homer,  and  that  he  is 
a  perpetual  fountain  of  good  sense,  &c.]  This  character 
Chaucer  certainly  deserved.  He  had  read  a  great  deal;  and 
was  a  man  of  the  world,  and  of  sound  judgement.  He  was  the 
first  English  poet  who  wrote  poetically,  as  Dr.  Johnson 


454  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1778- 

observes  in  the  preface  to  his  dictionary,  and  (he  might  have 
added)  who  wrote  like  a  gentleman.  He  had  also  the  merit 
of  improving  our  language  considerably,  by  the  introduction 
and  naturalisation  of  words  from  the  Provencal,  at  that  time 
the  most  polished  dialect  in  Europe. 

1778.  Walpole,  Horace.  Postscript  to  Letter  to  William  Barrett,  [dated] 
Strawberry  Hill,  May  23, 1778,  [printed  in]  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
May,  1782,  p.  250.  (Letters  of  Horace  Walpole,  ed.  Mrs.  Paget 
Toynbee,  1904,  vol.  x,  p.  251-2.) 

Vertue  was  even  a  versifier,  as  I  have  many  proofs  in  his 
MSB.)  and  searched  much  after  Chaucer  and  Lidgate,  of 
whom  he  engraved  portraits. 

1778.  Warton,  Thomas.  The  History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  ii  (for 
vol.  i,  see  above,  1774,  p.  439,  for  vol.  hi,  see  below,  1781,  p.  464), 
pp.  1  and  note,  2  and  n.t  5, 11  and  n.,  25-6,  29-31, 33-34  n.,  38-39  n.y 
42  n.,  43-4  and  n.,  50-2,  57,  70-2,  74-5  n.,  78,  80  n.,  83  n.,  85  n.y 
123, 125  n.,  134-5,  and  n.,  157,  165  n.,  167  n.,  168  ??.,  169,  173,  174, 
176  n.,  179  7i.,  195,  212  and  n.,  213,  215  and  n.,  216  n.,  218  and  n.t 
219,  223  n.,  224  and  n.,  225  n.,  227  n.,  229  n.,  231  n.,  234  «.,  235  n., 
238  n.,  242,  257,  259  n.,  260  n.,  264,  266  n.,  271  [Dunbar's  reference 
to  Chaucer  in  Golden  Terge  quoted],  273  n.,  279,  288  n.,  305  n.,  318, 
326  n.,  329  n.,  331  n.,  341,  348  n.,  350  n.,  353  and  n.,  [Skelton's  refer 
ence  to  Chaucer,  also  Eastell's]  354  n.,  355  n.,  387,  441. 

Emendations  and  Additions  to  vol.  i.  Sign,  a  3  6  n,  b  2  6,  c  4, 
d  1,  d  2,  d  4  and  b,  e  1  b  and  e  2  (a  long  note  comparing  Chaucer's 
and  Boccaccio's  treatment  of  Palamon  and  Arcite],  e  2  b,  e  3,  e  4 
and  6,  f  1  and  6,  f  3  and  6,  f  4  and  6,  g  1. 

Emendations  to  vol.  ii,  g  2,  h  1  n,  h  3,  k  1  6,  k  2  and  6,  k  3  and  h. 

[P.  50]  I  close  this  section  with  an  apology  for  Chaucer,  Gower 
and  Occleve ;  who  are  supposed,  by  the  severer  etymologists, 
.  to  have  corrupted  the  purity  of  the  English  language,  by 
affecting  to  introduce  so  many  foreign  words  and  phrases. 
But  if  we  attend  only  to  the  politics  of  the  times,  we  shall 
find  these  poets  .  .  .  much  less  blameable  in  this  respect, 
than  the  critics  imagine..  [Close  connection  with  France,  also 
some  with  Spain,  during  this  period.]  .  .  . 

It  is  rational  therefore,  ...  to  suppose,  that  instead  of 
coining  new  words,  they  only  complied  with  the  common  and 
fashionable  modes  of  speech.  Would  Chaucer's  poems  have 
been  the  delight  of  those  courts  in  which  he  lived,  had  they 
been  filled  with  unintelligible  pedantries  ?  The  cotemporaries 
of  these  poets  never  complained  of  their  obscurity.  But 
whether  defensible  on  these  principles  or  not,  they  much 
improved  the  vernacular  style  by  the  use  of  this  exotic 
phraseology.  It  was  thus  that  our  primitive  diction  was 


1779]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  455 

enlarged  and  enriched.  The  English  language  owes  its 
copiousness,  elegance  and  harmony,  to  these  innovations.  .  .  . 
pSe5ij "''  I  consider  Chaucer  as  a  genial  day  in  an  English  spring.  A 
brilliant  sun  enlivens  the  face  of  nature  with  an  unusual 
lustre,  .  .  .  and  we  fondly  anticipate  a  long  continuance 
of  gentle  gales  and  vernal  serenity.  But  winter  returns  with 
redoubled  horrors.  .  .  . 

Most  of  the  poets  that  immediately  succeeded  Chaucer, 
seem  rather  relapsing  into  barbarism,  than  availing  themselves 
of  those  striking  ornaments  which  his  judgment  and  imagin 
ation  had  disclosed.  They  appear  to  have  been  insensible  to 
his  vigour  of  versification,  and  his  flights  of  fancy.  .  .  .  His 
successors  .  .  .  approach  him  in  no  degree  of  proportion. 

[1778  ?  Dampier,  Henry  1  or  Woodward,  Dr.,  of  Bath  ?].  Remarks 
upon  the  eighth  section  of  the  second  volume  of  Mr.  Wartoris  History 
of  English  Poetry,  pp.  8-10,  27. 

[An  attempt  to  prove  the  authenticity  of  the  Rowley 
poems.] 

[The  eighth  section,  vol.  ii,  pp.  139-64,  contained  Warton's  views  on  Chattertoii's 
authorship  of  Rowley's  poems.    See  above,  1778.  Warton.] 

1778.  Unknown.     Review  of  1st  and  2nd  vols.   of  Thomas  Warton's 

History  of  English  Poetry  [in]  Annual  Register  vol.  xxi,  pp.  219, 

228-234.     [Brief  references.} 
1778.  Unknown.     Review  of  vol.  ii  of  Thomas  Warton's  History  of 

English  Poetry  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  May  1778,  vol.  xlviii, 

pp.  225,  227,  230.     [Brief  references.] 

1778.  Unknown.      Of  Chaucer  and  Lydgate ;    [Extracts]  from   Mr. 
Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry;  find  a  Review  of  the  same 
work  (vols.  1  and  2)  [in]  The  Annual  Register  for  1778,  vol.  xxi, 
pt.  ii,  pp.  21-3,  25,  219.     [For  Warton's  vol.  i  see  above,  1774, 
p.  439,  for  vol.  ii  see  immediately  above,  1778.] 

1779.  An  Account  of  the  Agreement  between  Urry's  executor,  the  Dean 
and  Chapter  of  Ch.  Ch.,  Oxon,  and  Bernard  Lintot  for  the  printing 
of  Chaucer — (q.v.  above,  1715,  p.  333) — [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
Sept.  1779,  vol.  xlix,  p.  438. 

1779.  Antiquarius.  Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Jan.  1770, 
vol.  xlix,  p.  24. 

[Eeference  to  Tyrwhitt's  Glossary  to  Chaucer.] 

1779.  Barrington,  Daines.  Observations  on  the  earliest  Introduction  of 
Clocks  ;  by  the  Honourable  Daines  Barrington.  In  a  Letter  to  the 
Honourable  Mr.  Justice  Blaclcstone  [in]  Annual  Register  for  1779. 
vol.  xxii,  pt.  ii,  p.  135. 

Mr.  B.  remarks  upon  the  following  lines  of  Chaucer l  when 
he  speaks  of  a  cock's  crowing, 

"  Full  sikerer  was  his  crowing  in  his  loge 
As  is  a  clock,  or  any  abbey  orloge," 

[Nonne  Preestes  Tale,  11.  4043-4.] 
1  Chaucer  was  born  A.D.  1328,  and  died  in  1400. 


456  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1779 

that  in  the  14th  century,  clock  was  often  applied  to  a  bell 
which  was  rung  at  certain  periods,  determined  by  the  hour, 
glass  or  sun-dial,  but  that  the  abbey  orloge  (or  clock)  could  not 
have  been  uncommon  when  Chaucer  wrote  these  lines. 

1779.  Burlington,  Charles.  The  Modern  Universal  British  Traveller, 
Chap,  xvii,  Middlesex,  p.  302. 

[Westminster  Abbey.]  The  monument  of  that  antient  poet 
Geoffrey  Chaucer  was  once  a  very  handsome  one  in  the  Gothic 
stile ;  but  it  is  now  greatly  defaced  by  time.  He  was  born  in 
1328,  and  died  in  1400. 

1779-81.  Johnson,  Samuel.  Lives  of  the  English  Poets,  ed.  G.  Birk- 
beck  Hill,  1905,  vol.  i,  pp.  413-14,  454-5  ;  vol.  iii,  pp.  88,  225-6. 

[p.  414]  [From  the  Life  of  Dryden.]  In  his  [Dryden's]  general 
precepts,  which  depend  on  the  nature  of  things,  and  the 
structure  of  the  human  mind,  he  may  doubtless  be  safely 
recommended  to  the  confidence  of  the  reader ;  but  his  occa 
sional  and  particular  positions  were  sometimes  interested, 
sometimes  negligent,  and  sometimes  capricious.  It  is  not 
without  reason  that  Trapp,  speaking  of  the  praises  which  he 
bestows  on  Palamon  and  Arcite,  says,  "Novirnus  judicium 
Drydeni  de  poemate  quodam  Chauceri,  pulchro  sane  illo,  et 
admodum  laudando,  nimirum  quod  non  modo  vere  epicum  sit, 
sed  Iliada  etiam  atque  JEneida  sequet,  imo  superet.  Sed 
novimus  eodem  tempore  viri  illius  maximi  non  semper  accura- 
tissimas  esse  censuras,  nee  ad  severissimam  critices  normam 
exactas  :  Illo  judice  id  plerumque  optimum  est,  quod  nunc  pree 
manibus  habet,  et  in  quo  nunc  occupatur."  [See  above,  1722, 
Trapp,  J.,  p.  363.] 

[p.  454]  His  [Dryden's]  last  work  was  his  Fables,  in  which  he  gave 
us  the  first  example  of  a  mode  of  writing  which  the  Italians 
call  refacimento,  a  renovation  of  ancient  writers,  by  modern 
izing  their  language.  .  .  .  The  works  of  Chaucer,  upon  which 
this  kind  of  rejuvenescence  has  been  bestowed  by  Dryden, 
require  little  criticism.  The  tale  of  The  Cock  seems  hardly 
worth  revival;  and  the  story  of  Palamon  and  Arcite,  con 
taining  an  action  unsuitable  to  the  times  in  which  it  is  placed, 
can  hardly  be  suffered  to  pass  without  censure  of  the  hyper 
bolical  commendation  which  Dryden  has  given  it  in  the  general 
Preface,  and  in  a  poetical  Dedication,  a  piece  where  his  original 
fondness  of  remote  conceits  seems  to  have  revived. 

S"1'      [From  the  Life  of  Pope.]     By  Dryden's  Fables,  which  had 


1779]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  457 

then  been  not  long  published,  and  were  much  in  the  hands  of 
poetical  readers,  he  was  tempted  to  try  his  own  skill  in  giving 
Chaucer  a  more  fashionable  appearance,  and  put  January  and 
May  and  the  Prologue  of  the  Wife  of  Bath,  into  modern 
•  English. 

He  [Pope]  appears  to  have  regarded  Betterton  with  kindness 
and  esteem  ;  and  after  his  death  published,  under  his  name,  a 
version  into  modern  English  of  Chaucer's  Prologues,  and  one 
of  his  Tales,  which,  as  was  related  by  Mr.  Harte,  were  believed 
to  have  been  the  performance  of  Pope  himself  by  Fenton,  &c. 

[See  above,  a.  1710,  Betterton,  p.  312,  and  below,  1797,  p.  499,  Warton.] 

(PP.  225-6]  The  Temple  of  Fame  has,  as  Steele  warmly  declared,  '  a 
thousand  beauties.'  Every  part  is  splendid;  there  is  great 
luxuriance  of  ornaments ;  the  original  vision  of  Chaucer  was 
never  denied  to  be  much  improved  ;  the  allegory  is  very  skil 
fully  continued,  the  imagery  is  properly  selected  and  learnedly 
displayed :  yet,  with  all  this  comprehension  of  excellence,  as 
its  scene  is  laid  in  remote  ages,  and  its  sentiments,  if  the  con 
cluding  paragraph  be  excepted,  have  little  relation  to  general 
manners  or  common  life,  it  never  obtained  much  notice,  but 
is  turned  silently  over  or  mentioned  with  either  praise  or 
blame. 

1779.  Knox,  Vicesimus.  On  the  old  English  Poets,  Essay  xxxix  [in] 
Essays  Moral  and  Literary.  .  .  The  second  edition,  corrected  and 
enlarged.  London  1779,  vol.  i,  pp.  292-3. 

[The  anonymous  first  edition,  1778,  does  not  contain  this  essay.] 

The  mere  antiquarian  taste  in  poetry  is  certainly  absurd. 
It  is  more  difficult  to  discover  the  meaning  of  many  of  our 
old  poets,  disguised  as  it  is  in  an  obsolete  and  uncouth  phraseo 
logy,  than  to  read  an  elegant  Greek  or  Latin  author.  Such 
study  is  like  raking  in  a  dung  hill  for  pearls,  and  gaining  one's 
labour  only  for  one's  pains. 

Our  earlier  poets,  whose  names  and  works  are  deservedly 
forgotten,  seem  to  have  thought  that  rhyme  was  poetry.  And 
even  this  constituent  requisite  they  applied  with  extreme 
negligence.  It  was,  however,  good  enough  for  its  readers; 
most  of  whom  considered  the  mere  ability  of  reading  as  a  very 
high  attainment.  It  has  had  its  day,  and  the  antiquary  must 
not  despise  iis,  if  we  cannot  peruse  it  with  patience.  He  who 
delights  in  all  such  reading  as  is  never  read,  may  derive  some 
pleasure  from  the  singularity  of  his  taste ;  but  he  ought  still 


458  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1779- 

to  respect  the  judgment  of  mankind,  which  has  consigned  to 
oblivion  the  works  which  he  admires.  While  he  pores  un 
molested  on  Chaucer,  Gower,  Lydgate  and  Occleve,  let  him 
not  censure  our  obstinacy  in  adhering  to  Homer,  Virgil, 
Milton,  and  Pope. 

In  perusing  the  antiquated  pages  of  our  English  bards,  we 
sometimes  find  a  passage  which  has  comparative  merit,  and 
which  shines  with  the  greater  lustre,  because  it  is  surrounded 
with  deformity.  While  we  consider  the  rude  state  of  litera 
ture,  the  want  of  models,  the  depraved  taste  of  readers,  AVC  are 
struck  with  the  least  appearance  of  beauty  .  .  .  We  select  a 
few  lines  from  a  long  work,  and  by  a  little  critical  refinement, 
prove  that  they  are  wonderfully  excellent.  But  the  candid 
are  ready  to  confess  that  they  have  not  often  discovered 
absolute  merit  sufficient  in  degree  or  quantity  to  repay  the 
labour  of  research. 

.  .  .  Notwithstanding  the  incontrovertible  merit  of  many 
of  our  antient  relics  of  poetry,  I  believe  it  may  be  doubted, 
whether  any  one  of  them  would  be  tolerated  as  the  production 
of  a  modern  poet.  As  a  good  imitation  of  the  ancient 
manner  it  would  find  its  admirers,  but  considered  independently 
as  an  original,  it  would  be  thought  a  careless,  vulgar,  inarti 
ficial  composition.  There  are  few  who  do  not  read  Mr.  Percy's 
own  piece,  and  those  of  other  late  writers,  with  more  pleasure, 
than  the  oldest  ballad  in  the  collection  of  that  ingenious  writer. 

1779.  Tytler,  William.  A  Dissertation  on  the  Scottish  Musick  [in 
Appendix  to]  The  History  of  Edinburgh,  by  Hugo  Arnot,  p.  632, 
note.  [This  Dissertation  was  reprinted  as  a  supplement  to  Tytler's 
edition  of  the  Poetical  Remains  of  James  I  of  Scotland,  for  which 
see  below,  1783,  p.  475.] 

Within  this  aera  [reign  of  James  I  to  end  of  James  V] 
flourished  Gavin  Douglas,  Bishop  of  Dunkeld,  whose  excellent 
translation  of  Virgil's  ^Eneis  may  compare  with  Chaucer. 

1779.  Unknown.  Account  of  Abraham  Cowley  [in]  The  Antiquarian 
Repertory,  a  miscellany,  vol.  ii,  1779,  p.  26  [Cowley  buried  near 
Chaucer]. 

1779.  Unknown.    Poem  To  Mr.  Warton  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine. 
See  below,  App.  A. 

1780.  Antiquarius.      Letter  [in]  The   Gentleman's    Magazine.      See 
below,  App.  A. 

[c.  1780  ?]  Jeffereys,  James.  A  series  of  24  sepia  and  wash  drawings 
[each  14£  x  11  in.]  illustrating  Chaucer  s  Pilgrims,  mounted  in 
imperial  folio  scrapbook,  with  MS.  title  page  and  Chaucer's 


eighteenth  century  hand. 


1781]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  459 

[Jeffreys  (1757-84)  was  a  clever  young  artist,  who,  at  the  age  of  17,  obtained  the 
Royal  Academy's  gold  medal  for  the  best  historical  picture.  He  was  sent  to  Italy, 
where  he  stayed  four  years,  bi.t,  after  his  return  to  England,  he  died  of  consump 
tion  in  1784.  This  series  of  drawings  was  probably  intended  for  publication,  with 
text  as  here  arranged.  But  the  work  never  got  beyond  the  engraving  of  one  subject 
("the  Frere"),  of  which  a  trial  proof  is  inserted.  These  drawings  were  in  Jan. 
1908  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  James  Tregaskis,  the  dealer,  High  Hulborn.] 

1780.  B,.,  J.    Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.   See  below,  App.  A. 
1780.  Reed,  Isaac.    Preface  [to]  Dodsley's  Select  Collection  of  Old  Plays, 
1780,  vol.  i,  p.  xvii. 

When  Mr.  Dodsley  undertook  the  present  publication,  the 
duties  of  an  editor  of  English  works  were  not  so  well  under 
stood  as  they  have  been  since.  *  The  collation  of  copies  had 
not  at  that  time  been  practised  in  any  case  that  the  editor  is 
informed  of,  (for  it  is  certain  neither  Theobald  nor  any  other 
editor  of  Shakspeare,  nor  either  of  the  gentlemen  who  had 
published  Chaucer  or  Spenser,  had  any  claim  to  praise  on  this 
account),  and  a  knowledge  of  the  writings  of  contemporary 
authors  was  still  less  deemed  necessary. 

1780.  Unknown.     Encyclopaedia   Britannica,  2nd  edition,  10  vols., 
1778-83,  vol.  vi,  1780,  p.  4094  [article  Language,  the  same  as  in 
the  1st  edn.  of  1771,  q.v.  above,  p.  436],  p.  4323  [article  Lydgate]. 

[p.  4323]  [A  short  account  of  Lydgate's  life  and  work,  ending  :]  His 
language  is  less  obsolete,  and  his  versification  much  more 
harmonious,  than  the  language  and  versification  of  Chaucer, 
who  wrote  about  half  a  century  before  him. 

[See  the  note  on  the  Chaucer  and  Lydgate  articles  in  the  Encyclopaedia  Britannica, 
1778,  above,  p.  452.] 

1781.  B.,  W.     Reviewed  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below, 
App.  A. 

1781.  Bryant,  Jacob.  Observations  upon  the  Poems  of  Thomas  Rowley: 
in  which  the  authenticity  of  those  Poems  is  ascertained,  pp.  26  n,  58, 
61  ?t,  -65,  67,  77,  84,  104-6,  123,  152  [these  are  all  glossarial  notes], 
166,  284,  358,  413,  444,  450-1,  577. 

1781.  [Cowper,  William.]  Anti-  Thelyphthom ,  A  Tale,  in  Verse, -p.  6. 
(The  Life  and  Works  of  William  Cowper,  ed.  Robert  South ey, 
8  vols,  1853-5,  vol.  v,  1854,  p.  91.) 

But  what  old  Chaucer's  merry  page  befits, 
The  chaster  muse  of  modern  days  omits. 
Suffice  it  then  in  decent  terms  to  say, 
She  saw — and  turn'd  her  rosy  cheek  away. 

1781.  H.     Letters  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.    See  below,  App.  A. 
1781.     Harris,  James.     Philological  Inquiries.     See  below,  App.  A. 
1781.  Henry,  Robert.     The  History  of  Great  Britain,  from  the  First 
Invasion  of  it  by  the  Romans  under  Julius  Caesar,   Written  on  a 
New  Plan,  vol.  iv  [A.D.  1216-1399],  pp.  467,  469-471,  510-11,  522, 
524,  584,  589-90,  595,  597-8,  605-6.     [For  a  reference  in  vol.  v, 
1785,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1785.] 


460      [Henry]       Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1781 

[p.  467]  Poetasters  abound  in  every  age ;  but  real  and  great  poets, 
who  do  honour  to  their  country,  and  merit  a  place  in  its 
history,  are  commonly  very  few.  Of  such  excellent  poets, 
who  were  also  men  of  uncommon  worth  and  learning,  I  know 
only  three,  viz.  John  Gower,  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  and  John 
Barbour,  who  flourished  in  Britain  in  the  present  period 
[1216-1399] 

[p.  469]      Geoffrey  Chaucer,  the  contemporary  and  intimate    Geoffrey 
friend  of  Gower,   was  born  in  London  about  A.D.     Chaucer. 
1328  .  .  .  [This  imaginary  date  is  followed  by  other  like  details 
from  the  Life  in  Urry's  Chaucer  1721,  Bale,   Leland,  Bio- 
graphia  Britannica,   and  Thomas  Usk's  Testament  of  Love, 
(treated  as  Chaucer's).     Chaucer's  Conclusions  of  the  Astrolabe 
are  called  "A  work  which  discovers  an  extensive  knowledge 
in  astronomy,  with  an  admirable  faculty  of  communicating 
that  knowledge  to  a  child  only  ten  years  of  age."     The  account 
of  the  poet  winds  up  with  the  following  :] 

(P.  47i]  Whoever  reads  the  works  of  Chaucer  with  attention,  will  be 
surprised  at  the  variety  and  extent  of  his  learning,  as  well  as 
charmed  with  the  fertility  of  his  invention,  the  sweetness  of 
his  numbers,  (for  the  times  in  which  he  lived),  and  all  the 
other  marks  of  a  great  and  cultivated  genius.  The  writer  of 
his  life  prefixed  to  Mr.  Urry's  edition  of  his  works,  hath  given 
him  the  following  character,  and  produced  sufficient  evidence 
that  he  deserved  it :  "In  one  word,  he  was  a  great  scholar,  a 
pleasant  wit,  a  candid  critic,  a  sociable  companion,  a  stedfast 
friend,  a  grave  philosopher,  a  temperate  ceconomist,  and  a  pious 
Christian."  Should  such  a  man  ever  be  forgotten  1 

[p.  510]      When  Chaucer  was  roused  from  his  famous  poetical  dream, 
he  expresses  his  surprise,  that  all  the  gay  objects  which  he 
had  seen  in  his  sleep  were  vanished,  and  he  saw  nothing, 
Save  on  the  wals  old  portraiture 
Of  horsmen,  haukes,  and  houndis, 
And  hart  dire  all  full  of  woundis. J 

This,  I  am  persuaded,  is  a  real  description  of  the  poet's  bed 
chamber.  In  the  same  poem,  Chaucer  describes  a  church- 
window  : 

—  richly  ypeint 

With  lives  of  many  divers  seint. 

1  Chaucer's  Works,  by  Urry,  p.   587,   col.   1.   ["Chaucer's   Dream" 
(The  Isle  of  Ladies,  not  by  Chaucer),  11.  2168-70.] 


1781]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  461 

[p.  5ii]      It  is  said  of  the  squire,  or  knight's  son,  in  Chaucer, 
Songis  he  could  make,  and  well  endite, 
Just,  and  eke  daunce,  and  well  portraie  and  write.1 

[p.  522.]  It  is  remarkable,  that  though  Barbour  was  a  Scotsman,  his 
language  is  rather  more  intelligible  to  a  modern  English  reader 
than  that  of  any  other  poet  of  the  fourteenth  century,  his  great 
contemporary  Chaucer  himself  not  excepted. 

Chaucer  and  At  the  same  time  flourished  the  two  princes  of  ancient 
Gower.  English  poets,  the  great  improvers  of  their  art,  and  polishers 
of  the  language  of  their  country,  Jeoffrey  Chaucer  and  John 
Gower,  whose  personal  histories  have  been  briefly  related. 
The  shortest  analysis  that  could  be  given  of  the  numerous 
works  of  these  two  venerable  bards  would  swell  this  section 
far  beyond  its  due  proportion ;  it  is  therefore  hoped  that  the 
reader  will  be  satisfied  with  the  following  characters  of  their 
poetical  talents,  drawn  by  the  hand  of  one  of  the  most 
ingenious  and  intelligent  critics  of  the  present  age,  who  appears 
to  have  studied  their  works  with  great  attention.  [Henry 
then  quotes  from  '  Mr.  Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry, 
v.  i,  p.  457,'  last  paragraph  of  the  extract  on  Chaucer, 
q.  v.  above,  pp.  440-1,  "  Enough  hath  been  said  to  prove 
...  a  singular  qualification  " ;  and  adds  from  the  same  work, 
vol.  ii  (1778),  p.  1,  a  short  bit  on  Gower,  "  If  Chaucer  had  not 
existed  ...  to  establish  an  English  style."] 

[p.  524]  Among  the  accomplishments  of  Chaucer's  parish-clerk  we 
are  told, 

In  twenty  manir  couth  he  trip  and  daunce 

And  as  well  couth  he  play  on  a  giterne.2 

Chaucer's  miller  was  also  a  musician ;  but  on  a  more  vulgar 

instrument. 

A  bagge  pipe  well  couth  he  blowe  and  sowne, 
And  therewithal  brought  he  us  out  of  towne.3 

[p.  584]  Besides  this,  Chaucer,  Gower,  Wickliff,  and  several  others, 
composed  voluminous  works,  both  of  prose  and  verse,  in 
English;  and  being  men  of  learning,  well  acquainted  with 


1  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  2.     [ed.  Skeat,  Prol.  11.  95-6.] 

2  Chaucer,  p.  26.     [ed.  Skeat,  Miller's  Tale,  11.  3328-J 

3  Ibid.,  p.  5.     [ed.  Skeat,  Prol.,  11.  565-6.] 


462  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1781 

French  and  Latin,  and  some  of  them  with  Greek  and  Italian, 
they  borrowed  many  words  and  idioms  from  those  languages, 
with  which  they  adorned  and  enriched  their  own.  By  these 
means,  the  Anglo-Saxon  tongue  was  greatly  changed  before 
the  end  of  this  period,  and  the  language  of  the  best  writers 
approached  much  nearer  to  modern  English  than  that  of 
Kobert  of  Gloucester,  and  others  who  flourished  in  the 
thirteenth  century. 

[p.  589]      Geoffrey  Chaucer's  account  of  the  dresses  of  his  age  is  not 
more  favourable.     "  Alas  !  may  not  a  man  si  as  in  our  daies 
the  sinnefull  costlewe  arraie  of  clothing.  .  .  .' l 
IP.  590]  Some  other  parts  of  this  description  are  too  indelicate  to  be 
admitted  into  this  work.   .  .  . 

Chaucer's  spruce  parish-clerk  Absolom 

Had  Paul  'is  windows  corven  on  his  shose  2 
These  shoes  were  called  craclwwes ;  and  continued  in  fashion 
about  three  centuries  .  .  . 

{p.  595]  The  cook  in  the  Canterbury  Tales  was  no  mean  proficient  in 
his  profession. 

A  coke  thei  hadde  with  them  for  the  nones, 

For  blank-manger,  that  made  he  with  the  best.3 
Chaucer,  in  the  Parson's  Tale,  complains  of  the  too  laboured 
and  artificial  cookery  of  those  times :  "  Pride  of  the  table 
[p.  596]  apereth  also  full  ofte  ...  so  that  it  is  abusion  to  think."  4 

[p.  597]  In  our  present  period,  people  of  all  ranks  made  only  two 
stated  meals  a-day,  dinner  and  supper,  the  former  in  the  fore- 

[p.  598]  noon,  the  latter  in  the  evening.  .  .  .  These  two  meals,  and 
the  times  at  which  they  were  taken,  are  mentioned  in  the 
following  lines  of  Chaucer. 

For  every  day,  when  Beryn  rose,  unwash  he  wold  dyne, 
And  draw  hym  to  his  feleship,  as  even  as  a  lyne, 
And  then  come  home,  and  ete  and  soop,  and  sclepe  al  nyht.5 

The  following  lines  contain  an  enumeration  of  some  of  the 
spices  known  and  used  in  this  period. 

1  Chaucer's  Works,  by  Urry,  p.  198.    [ed.  Skeat,  Parson's  Tale,  415-30.] 

2  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  26.    [ed.  Skeat,  Miller's  Tale,  1.  3318.] 

3  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  4.    [ed.  Skeat,  Prol.,  11.  379-87.] 

4  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  198.     [ed.  Skeat,  Parson's  Tale,  1.  445.] 

5  Chaucer's  Works,    p.   603,  col.   1.     [ed.  Furnivall  and   Stone,   1887, 
Chaucer  Society,  11.  1069-71  ;  the  Tale  of  Beryn  is  not  by  Chaucer.] 


1781]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  463 

There  was  ike  wexing  many  a  spice, 

As  clowe,  gilofre,  and  licorice, 

Gingiber,  and  grein  de  Paris, 

Canell  at  setewale  of  pris, 

And  many  a  spice  delitable 

To  eten  whan  man  rise  fro  table.1 

[p.  605]  Many  of  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales  are  in  the  facetious 
strain,  and  are  therefore  called  comedies ;  some  of  them  are 
mournful  stories,  and  are  called  tragedies.  He  gives  this  last 
name  to  his  poem  of  Troilus  and  Creside. 

[p.  606]  Go,  litil  boke,  go,  litil  tragedie  .  .  . 

So  sende  me  might  to  make  some  comedie.2 
Tragedy  is  thus  described  by  Chaucer's  monk  in  the  prologue 
to  his  tale, 

Tragidy  is  to  tell  a  certain  story, 

Lo  !  this  ought  enough  you  for  to  suffice.3 

Tragetours        Tragetours,  .  .  .  or  jugglers,  contributed  to  the  amusement 

or  jugglers.    Of  those  who  could  afford  to  pay  them  for  their  exhibitions, 

which  tended  to  excite  surprise  and  admiration,  by  certain 

tricks  and  appearances  which  imposed  upon  the  senses  of  the 

spectators.     Several   of   these   exhibitions   are   described   by 

Chaucer,  of  which  it  will  be  sufficient  to  produce  an  example, 

For  I  am  sikir  there  be  sciences, 

[p.  607]  Thus  semid  it  to  every  mann'is  sight.4 

1  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  224,  col.  2.  [ed.  Skeat,  Romaunt  of  the  Rose, 
11.  1367-72.] 

2  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  332.   [ed.  Skeat,  Troilus,  11.  1786-8.] 

3  Chaucer's  Works,  p.  161.    [ed.  Skeat,  Monk's  Prol.,  11.  3163-72.] 

4  [Ed.  Skeat,  Frankleyu's  Tale,  11.  1139-51.] 

1781.  [Malone,  Edmond.]  Remarks  on  two  new  publications  on 
Rowley's  Poems,  arguments  of  Dr.  Milles  and  Mr.  Bryant  refuted, 
[in]  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Dec.  1781,  vol.  li,  pp.'  555-6,  558, 
610. 

[These  Remarks,  signed  Misopiclerus,  were  republislied  anonymously  in  1782  with 
the  title  Cursory  Observations  oh  the  Poems  attributed  to  Thomas  Rowley,  with 
some  Remarks  on  the  Commentaries  ...  by  Dr.  Jeremiah  Milles  .  .  .  and  Jacob 
Bryant  .  .  .  the  second  edition,  revised  and  augmented.  There  are  no  new  Chaucer 
references  in  the  later  edn.  See  below,  178-2,  Greene,  B.  B.,  p.  466,  also  a  '  Critique" 
by  'Q'  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Jan.  1782,  p.  14.] 

1781.  Pinker-ton,  John.     Rimes,  p.  131.     See  below,  App.  A. 
1781.  Scrutator.     Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below, 
App.  A. 


464  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1781— 

1781.  Unknown.  The  World  as  it  goes:  Exemplified  in  the  Characters 
of  Nations,  States.  ,  .  .  Selected  from  the  most  distinguished  English 
Poets  from  Chaucer  to  Churchill ;  and  all  the  Characters  applied. 

[In  spite  of  this  title  there  are  no  extracts  from  Chaucer  in 
the  book.] 

1781.  Walpole,  Horace.  Letter  to  the  Rev.  William  Mason,  [dated] 
Strawberry  Hill,  Nov.  13,  1781.  (Letters  of  H.  Walpole,  ed.  Mrs. 
Paget  Toynbee,  1904,  vol.  xii,  p.  92.) 

I  am  too,  though  a  Goth,  so  modern  a  Goth  that  I  hate 
the  black  letter,  and  I  love  Chaucer  better  in  Dryden  and 
Baskerville  than  in  his  own  language  and  dress. 

[Mason  had  offered  Walpole  a  black-letter  Chaucer  of  the 
first  edition  for  one  guinea.] 

1781.  Warton,  Thomas.  The  History  of  English  Poetry,  vol.  iii.  [For 
vol.  i,  see  above,  1774,  p.  439,  for  vol.  ii,  see  above,  1778,  p.  454.]  A 
Dissertation  on  the  Gesta  Romanorum,  pp.  iii,  vi  and  n.,  xv,  xxxiv  n., 
xxxviii,  xxxix  71.,  xl,  xlvii,  xlviii  n.,  Ivi,  lix  and  n.,  Ixv,  Ixvi,  Ixix, 
Ixx,  Ixxiv,  Ixxxi,  Ixxxiii,  Ixxxiv,  xciii,  xciv,  12  and  n.,  14  n., 
25  [quotation  from  Ascham's  Scholemaster.  See  above,  1563-8, 
p.  97],  35  [Wyatt's  allusion  to  Sir  Thopas  and  Knight's  Tale.  See 
above,  1542,  p.  84],  41,  56-7,  76,  81  [Ashby's  reference.  See  above, 
1470,  p.  54],  93  n.,  103  and  n.,  128  «.,  148  n.,  151  n.,  203,  219,  276 
[Ed.  Bolton's  reference.  See  above,  1618,  p.  192]  311,  327,  335 
[Wilson's  reference  in  his  Rhetoric.  See  above,  1553,  p.  91],  336  n. 
[Puttenham's  reference.  See  above,  1584,  p.  125],  353  and  w.,  354. 
and  n.  [reputation  of  Chaucer  in  16th  century],  415  [Ascham's 
reference.  See  above,  15G3-8,  p.  97],  426  71.  [Gabriel  Harvey  in 
Gratulationes  Valdinenses.  See  above,  1578,  p.  115]  436  [Dekker's 
reference.  See  above,  1607,  p.  178]  451  [B.  Googe's  reference.  See 
above,  1569,  p.  103]  464.  Fragment  of  vol.  iv  at  end  of  vol.  iii, 
pp.  44  n. ,  45  n. 

1781.  Unknown.     Review  of  vol.  iii  of  Thomas  Warton's   History  of 
English  Poetry  [in]  Annual  Register,  vol.  xxiv,  1781,  pt.  ii,  pp. 
193-4.     Also  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  April  1781,  p.  181. 
[Brief  references.] 

1782.  The  Poetical  Works  of  Geoff.  Chaucer,  in  14  volumes.    The 
Miscellaneous    Pieces    from    Urry's    Edition,    1721;    The 
Canterbury  Tales  from  Tyrwhitt's  Edition,   1775;    Edin 
burgh,  at  the  Apollo  Press,  by  the  Martins,  1782;  [in  John] 
Bell's  Edition  of  the  Poets  of  Great  Britain,  complete  from 
Chaucer  to  Churchill,  109  vols. ,  Edinburgh,  1782-83,  12°. 

Vol.  i,  general  title  page  to  Chaucer's  works,  with  testimonies 
from  Gower,  Lydgate,  Occleve,  Douglas,  Dunbar.  Title  page  to 


vol.   i,  testimonies  from   [Canterbury]  Tales,   Spenser,   Denhain, 
haucer  [the  same  as  that  in  Biographia 


Akenside.    The  Life  of  Cl 


Britannica,  q.v.  above,  1747,  p.  395],  pp.  vii-lxv.  Abstract  of  hist, 
passages  in  life  of  Chaucer  from  Tyrwhitt's  edn.,  1775,  pp.  Ixvi- 
Ixxvi.  Tyrwhitt's  preface  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  pp.  Ixxvii-lxxx. 
Appendix  to  ditto,  pp.  Ixxxi-xciii.  Tyrwhitt's  essay  on  the  language 
and  versification  of  Chaucer,  pp.  xciv-clxx.  Tyrwhitt's  Intro 
ductory  Discourse  to  the  Canterbury  Tales,  pp.  clxxi-ccxxii. 
Tyrwhitt's  List  of  MSS.,  pp.  cxxiii-iv.  Extract  from  T.  Thomas's 


1782]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  465 

Preface  to  Urry's  edn.,  pp.  ccxxv-xxxvi.  Thynne's  Epistle 
dedicatory  to  Henry  VIII,  pp.  ccxxxvii-xlii.  Verses  to  the 
King's  most  noble  Grace,  &c.,  pp.  ccxliii-v.  Eight  goodly  Questions, 
pp.  ccxlv-vii.  Chaucer's  Prophecie,  pp.  ccxlvii.  The  Reader  to  G. 
Chaucer,  prefaced  to  Speght's  edn.,  1602,  p.  ccxlviii.  Upon  the 
picture  of  Chaucer,  from  Speght's  edn.,  p.  ccxlix.  Vol.  xiii, 
Testimonies  of  learned  men  concerning  Chaucer  and  his  works 
[50  extracts,  from  Occleve  to  Hayley],  pp.  166-200.  Vol.  xiv. 
Tyrwhitt's  Glossary,  with  his  prefatory  remarks. 
[For  letter  from  Tynvhitt  on  this  edn.,  see  below,  1783,  p.  473.] 

1782.  [Baynes,  John  1]  An  ArchfEological  Epistle  to  the  reverend  .  .  . 
Jeremiah  Milieu  .  .  .  editor  of  a  superb  edition  of  the  poems  of 
Thomas  Rowley,  priest,  1782,  p.  13. 

Tyrwhytte,  thoughe  clergyonned  in  Geoffroie's  leare," 
Yette  scalle  yat  leare  stonde  thee  in  drybblet  stedde.* 

Geoffroie  wy  the  Rowley  how  maiest  thoue  comphere  1 c 
Rowley  hanne  mottes/  yat  ne  nianne  ever  redde, 

Ne  couthe  bewryenne,e  inne  anie  syngle  tyme, 

Yet  reynneythe/  echeone  mole,9'  in  newe  &  swotie  ryme.A 

rt  Well-instructed  in  Chaucer's  language.  b  Little  stead.  c  Compare. 
d  Words.  e  Express,  or  speak  in  any  single  sera  of  our  language. 

/  Runneth  or  floweth.  0  Soft.  ;'  In  modern  and  sweet  versification. 

[This  poem  is  generally  attributed  to  Baynes,  thougli  he  denied  its  authorship. 
Joseph  Haslewood  (amongst  others)  attributed  it  to  William  Mason,  in  a  MS.  note  of 
his  appended  to  the  review  of  the  Epistle  which  appeared  in  the  Critical  Review  for 
July  1782  (vol.  54,  pp.  19-24).  The  B.  M.  press  mark  of  Haslewood's  MS.  Notes 
and  Extracts  on  Chatterton  is  C.  39  f.  12.  For  Milles,  see  below,  p.  468.] 

1782.  Burney,  Charles.  A  General  History  of  Music.  .  .  .  vol.  ii,  pp. 
368-69,  371-82  and  note. 

[p.  371]  The  most  ancient  of  our  poets  perhaps  that  can  be  read 
with  pleasure,  is  CHAUCER,  .  .  . 

[p.  372]  Indeed  he  was  so  superior  to  Gower,  Lydgate,  Occleve,  and 
all  his  cotemporaries,  and  even  successors,  as  low  down  as 
Spenser,  for  language,  clearness,  and  versification,  that  his 
equal  is  not  to  be  found ;  and  for  wit,  humour,  and  other 
poetical  excellencies,  perhaps  not  till  a  much  later  period.  .  .  . 

[pp.  373-82]  [Dr.  Burney  goes  through  Chaucer's  works  from,  the  point 
of  view  of  the  musical  references.] 

1782.  Callander,  John.  Tivo  ancient  Scottish  poems  ;  the  Gaberlnnzie- 
man,  and  Christ's  Kirk  on  the  Green,  with  notes  ...  by  John 
Callander,  pp.  25,  39,  51,  57,  etc. 

[The  references  to  Chaucer  are  unimportant ;  they  occur  in  the  philological  notes 
which  occupy  the  greater  portion  of  the  book.] 

1782.  [Dodsley,  James  ?J  Note  [in]  A  Collection  of  Poems  ("  Dodsley's 
Miscellany  "),  vol.  iv,  1782,  pp.  6,  7,  [on  the  parallel  between  U  ray's 

Even  in  our  Ashes  live  their  wonted  Fires 

and  Chaucer's  Reve's    Prologue,  v.  3880,  quoting   Tyrwhitt  and 
William  Mason.] 

CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  HH 


466  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [AD.  1782 

1782.  [Greene,  Edward  Burnaby.]  Strictures  upon  a  pamphlet  intitled 
Cursory  Observations  on  the  Poems  attributed  to  Rowley  [by  E. 
Malone.]  .  .  .  with  a  Postscript  on  Mr.  Thomas  Warton's  Enquiry 
into  the  same  subject,  sign.  B  1,  pp.  5,  19  [comments  on  Chaucer's 
rhymes]  26,  50,  52,  55-6,  60-2,  65. 

gift1-     To  the  lernede  DEANE  PERCY  : 

±5  1J 

Greteynge. 

PERCY,  of  Poetes  olde,  wythe  balade  clere 

Whose  precious  stories  hertes  of  fere  to  thawe 
Full  marvayleouslie  flowe  wythe  Pitie's  tere, 

Or  bende  stoute  Chivalrie  to  Cupyde's  law, 
Thie  skylle  hathe  fetelie  wove,  great  Clerke  of  fame, 

The  guerdon  swete  to  sente,  ere  CHAUCER'S  tale 
Stepede  in  nature's  dewe  han  rered  hys  name, 

Tyl  SPENCER  dreste  his  Allegorycke  vayle ; 

Edward  Burnaby  Greene. 

[This  sonnet  is  quoted  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  July  1782,  vol.  lii,  p.  342. 
See  above,  1781,  Malone,  p.  463,  and  below,  1782,  Warton,  p.  472.] 

1782.  Hayley,  William.     An  Essay  on  Epic  Poetry  in  Five  Epistles 
to  the  Revd.  Mr.  Mason,  with  Notes.    Epistle  III,  p.  63. 
See,  on  a  party-colour'd  steed  of  fire, 
With.  Humour  at  his  side,  his  trusty  Squire, 
Gay  CHAUCER  leads — in  form  a  Knight  of  old, 
And  his  strong  armour  is  of  steel  and  gold ; 
But  o'er  it  age  a  cruel  rust  has  spread, 
And  made  the  brilliant  metals  dark  as  lead. 

Now  gentle  SPENSER,  Fancy's  fav'rite  Bard 
Awakes  my  wonder  and  my  fond  regard ; 

[Reviewed,  mentioning  Chaucer  reference,  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,    July 
1782,  vol.  lii,  p.  345.] 

[1782.  Hickford,  Rayner,  and  Fell,  John.]  Observations  on  the  Poems 
attributed  to  Rowley  tending  to  prove  that  they  were  really  written 
by  him  and  other  ancient  authors  [by  Hickford],  To  which  are 
added  Remarks  on  the  Appendix  of  the  Editor  of  Rowley's  Poems, 
p.  30.  [The  remarks  are  by  Fell ;  bound  up  together  but  with 
separate  pagination  and  with  a  separate  title  page  as  well  as  above. 
The  references  to  Chaucer  occur  on  nearly  every  one  of  the  thirty- 
five  pages  of  the  latter  tract] 

1782.  [Mathias,  Thomas  James.]  Ron-ley  and  Chatterton  in  the 
Shades,  or  Nugce.  antiquce  et  novse,  a  new  Elysian  interlude,  pp.  34-7. 

[Rowley  and  Chatterton  are  present] 
Enter  Pierce  Plowman,  Chaucer,  Lydgate,  and  Spenser. 


1782]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  467 

PIERCE  PLOWMAN. 

ip.  si]   We  have  reasoned  right  oft  in  these  shady  solitudes, 
Then  answer  me  in  accentes  shrewd  and  artful, 
For  thou  hast  painted  with  a  powerful  pencil, 
And  given  harmony  and  high-bearing  to  words, 
Good  Maister  Chaucere. 

CHAUCER. 

Grete  Plowman,  if  aright  thy  wordes  I  rede, 
In  mannis  truthe  thou  haste  but  smalle  crede : 
I  too  have  dwelte  in  many  sondry  londes, 
And  wandered  farre  and  wide  to  distaunt  strondes ; 
I  marked  their  manners  and  eache  divers  geste, 
Their  smooth e  glozings,  rare  deceits  at  beste ; 
Those  tongues  right  sote  who  trusts,  must  nedes  falle, 
Their  sugre  tempred  is  with  mickle  galle. 
Come  then  thou  heavenlie  gift,  dread  Poesie ; 
With  sotindis  fulle  of  pleasaunt  minstrelsie ; 
Come  forth,  but  with  a  righte  bold  seinblaunce, 
And  vice  will  shrinke  with  his  high  portaunce : 
Let  notes  of  sweetest  modulation 
Kise  in  our  lines  with  exultation, 
This  be  the  praise  and  wirke  of  my  honde, 
Fadre  of  polished  verse  in  fair  Englonde. 

[Lydgate  announces  that] 

...  a  wondrous  Boy  has  touched  our  stringes, 
And  veiled  in  termes  straunge  his  mobile  thought 
[p.  3d        Whereof  enmarvailled  all  Englonde  ringes  .  i 
[And  Spenser  rejoices  to  hear  it] 

CHAUCER. 

Come  broder-bards,  among  these  swotie  greves,1 
While  Zephyrus  blowes  pleasaunce  through  the  leves. 
[p.  37]   Let  us  retire  and  holden  mickle  speeche, 
If  that  our  ken  may  this  reporte  reche, 
And  so  that  hendy  Boy  with  poets  olde 
For  his  gode  wirke  be  sithence  enrolde. 

[Exeunt  Pierce  Plowman,  etc. 

CHATTERTON. 

Brave  poets  these ;  I  am  always  ravished  with  their  antique 
melody;  but  I  have  given  fcheir  modes  a  continued  cadence 
which  justly  surprizes  the  world.  .  .  . 
1  sweet  groves. 

[This  satire  is  reviewed  in  The  Critical  Review  for  July  1782,  vol.  liv;  there  is  a 
Chaucer  reference  on  p.  27.] 


468  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1782 

1782.  [Maty,  Henry?]  Short  sketch  of  the  Chattertonian  Controversy 
from  the  Work*  of  Mr.  Tyrwhitt,  Milles,  Bryant,  etc.  [in]  The  New 
Review  for  April  1782,  ed.  by  Henry  Maty,  vol  i,  p.  221. 

[A  reference  to  Tyrwhitt's  evidence  as  to  Chatterton's  mis 
use,  through  ignorance,  of  Chaucerian  words.] 

1782.  Milles,  Jeremiah  (Dean  of  Exeter).  Poems,  supposed  to  have 
been  written  at  Bristol  in  the  fifteenth  century  by  Thomas  Rowley, 
Priest,  with  a  Commentary  in  which  the  antiquity  of  them  is 
considered  and  defended.  Preliminary  Dissertation,  pp.  5,  17, 
19,  26,  28,  30-2.  The  Notes  to  the  text  have  numerous  Chaucer 
references,  and  these  occur  also  on  nearly  every  page  of  the 
additional  evidence,  and  answer  to  the  Appendix  at  the  close  of 
the  book. 

[See  above,  1778,  p.  451,  Tyrwhitt,  Appendix.  This  book  was  reviewed  by  Malone 
in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Dec.  1781.  See  above,  p.  463.] 

1782.  N.     Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Oct.  1782,  p.  471. 
[Chaucer's  use  of  *  Hosen.'] 

1782.  [Ritson,  Joseph.]  Observations  on  the  three  first  volumes  of  the 
History  of  English  Poetry  [by  Thomas  Warton],  in  a  familiar  letter 
to  the  author,  pp.  10-15,  33,  48  and  note. 

[A   pamphlet   pointing    out   mistakes    and    plagiarisms   in 
Warton's  History,  and  abusing  him  roundly.] 

[p-  48]  Of  all  men  living,  the  learned  and  intelligent  editor  of 
THE  CANTERBURY  TALES  [i.  e.  Tyrwhitt]  is  the  best  able  to  afford 
you  the  requisite  help  .  .  .  His  publication  of  Chaucer  is 
the  most  erudite,  curious  and  valuable  performance  that 
(excepting  only  that  mine  of  literary  treasure  Dr.  Hickeses 
Thesaurus  .  .  .)  has  yet  appeared  in  this  country.  I  do  not, 
however,  mean  to  pronounce  it  entirely  faultless  :  It  undoubt 
edly  contains  some  mistakes  *  .  .  . 

1  Such  as  his  supposing  Chaucer's  lines  to  contain  eleven  syllables  ; 
an  idea  as  just  as  that  3  and  3  make  7  : — his  adopting  and  misspelling 
certain  words  contrary  to  the  evidence  of  all  the  MSS.  he  consulted  : — 
a  few  erroneous  notions  with  respect  to  Chaucer's  language  .  .  .  with 
some  others,  perhaps,  of  still  less  consequence.  .  .  . 

[The  above  'Observations'  are  reviewed,  with  remarks  on  Occleve's  lines  to 
Chaucer,  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Nov.  1782,  p.  532.] 

1782.  [Rogers,  Charles.]  The  Inferno  of  Dante  Translated,  Canto 
xxxiii,  1.  88,  p.  128,  n. 

[Chaucer  in  his  Monk's  Tale  tells  the  story  of  "  Hugelin 
of  Pise."] 

1782.  Scrutator.  Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Aug.  1782, 
p.  367. 

[W.  Harte's  line  is  borrowed  from  Pope,  see  above,   1727 
p.  369.] 


1782]  Chaucer  Criticism  avid  Allusion.  469 

1782.  Tyrwhitt,  Thomas.  A  Vindication  of  the  Appendix  to  the 
Poems,  called  Rowley's,  in  reply  to  the  answers  of  the  Dean  of 
Exeter,  Jacob  Bryant,  Esquire,  and  a  third  anonymous  writer ,'  .  .  . 
pp.  7,  8,  17  n.,  22,  27,  32,  36,  37,  42,  43,  46,  47,  51,  52.  53,  55,  56  n. 
57  n.,  58  n-.,  59,  61,  67-75,  79,  84,  86  n.,  87  n.,  88,  154  n. 
[Chattel-ton's  knowledge  of  Chaucer],  161,  163,  166,  169  n.  171, 
173,  175,  176,  179-182,  184,  185,  205. 

[Walpole  refers  to  Tyrwhitt's  Vindication  in  a  letter  of  this  year ;  see  below, 
p.  4C9.  For  Milles,  see  above,  17S2,  for  Br.yant  above,  1781,  p.  459,  for  the  anonymous 
writer  (Hickford  and  Fell)  above,  p.  466,  for  Tyrwhitt  above,  1788,  p.  451.] 

1782.  Unknown.  Poem  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below, 
App.  A. 

1782.  Unknown.  [Extract  from]  Address  to  Poetry  ;  an  Extract  from 
an  Essay  on  Epic  Poetry,  by  William  Hayley,  Esq.,  [in]  Annual 
Kegister,  vol.  xxv,  1782,  p.  191.  [See  above,  p.  466.] 

1782.  Unknown.  Review  of  Poems  supposed  to  be  by  Rowley,  .  .  . 
by  Jeremiah  Milles  [in]  The  Critical  Review  for  June  1782,  vol. 
liii,  pp.  410,  415;  also  July  1782,  vol.  liv,  p.  3. 

1782.  Unknown.     Review  of  Observations  on   the   Poems  of  Thomas 
Rowley  by  Jacob  Bryant  [in]  The  Critical  Review  for  Aug.  1752, 
vol.  liv,  pp.  88,  91-2. 
[For  Bryant,  see  above,  p.  459.] 

1782.  Unknown.  Review  of  a  Vindication  of  the  Appendix  to  the 
Poems  called  Rowley's,  by  Thomas  Tyrwhitt  [in]  The  Critical 
Review  for  Sept.  1782,  vol. 'liv,  pp.  189-91. 

[1782.]  Unknown.  An  Examination  of  the  Poems  attributed  to  Thomas 
Rowley  and  William  Canynge,  with  a  Defence  of  the  opinion  of  Mr. 
Warton,  Sherborne,  pp.  9,  15-17. 

1782.  "Walpole,  Horace.  Letter  to  Earl  Harconrt,  [dated]  Strawberry 
Hill,  Sept.  7,  1782.  (Letters  of  Horace  Walpole,  ed.  Mrs.  Paget 
Toynbee,  1904,  vol.  xii,  p.  328.) 

Has  your  Lordship  seen  Mr.  Tyrwhitt's  book  in  answer  to 
Mr.  Bryant  and  Dr.  Archimage  ?  It  is  as  good  as  arguments 
and  proofs  can  be  after  what  is  much  better,  wit  and  ridicule. 
As  Mr.  Mason  is  absorbed  in  Fresnoy  and  Associations,  I 
conclude  he  does  not  condescend  to  look  at  such  trifles  as 
Arc/tceologic  Epistles,  and  dissertations  on  the  language  of 
Chaucer. 

[Dr.  Archimage  was  Dr.  Milles,  Dean  of  Exeter,  see  above,  1782,  Milles,  p.  468. 
For  the  Archaeological  Epistle,  see  above,  1782,  Baynes,  p.  465.] 


470  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1782 

1782.  Warton,  Joseph.  An  Essay  on  the  Genius  and  Writings  of 
Pope,  in  two  vols.  Fourth  edition  corrected  :  vol.  i,  sect,  vii, 
pp.  348-57,  378  note,  412-14  ;  vol.  ii,  sect,  viii,  pp.  7-12,  30. 

[Warton  published  the  1st  vol.  in  1756,  q.v.  above,  p.  412,  but  the  2nd  vol.  did  not 
appear  till  1782.  The  Chaucer  references  down  to  end  of  sect,  vi  are  identical  in 
the  edns.  of  1756  and  1782,  therefore  under  this  latter  date  only  the  new  references 
are  given  from  sect,  vii  onwards.  The  most  important  part  of  Wartou's  Chaucer 
criticism  is  here  reprinted,  but  not  quite  in  full.] 

[V°348] P'    Of  the  TEMPLE  of  FAME,  from  CHAUCEK. 

tp.  349]  ...  It  was  to  the  Italians  we  owed  anything  that  could 
be  called  poetry  :  from  whom  Chaucer,  imitated  by  POPE  in 
this  vision,  copied  largely,  .  .  .  and  to  which  Italians  he  is 
perpetually  owning  his  obligations,  particularly  to  Boccace 
and  Petrarch.  .  .  . 

[p.  351]  But  whatever  Chaucer  might  copy  from  the  Italians,  yet 
the  artful  and  entertaining  plan  of  his  Canterbury  Tales,  was 
purely  original  and  his  own.  This  admirable  piece,  even 
exclusive  of  its  poetry,  is  highly  valuable,  as  it  preserves  to 
us  the  liveliest  and  exactest  picture  of  the  manners,  customs, 
characters,  and  habits  of  our  forefathers,  whom  he  has  brought 
before  our  eyes  acting  as  on  a  stage,  suitably  to  their  different 

[p.  352]  orders  and  employments.  "With  these  portraits  the  driest 
must  be  delighted ;  by  this  plan,  he  has  more  judiciously  con 
nected  these  stories  which  the  guests  relate,  than  Boccace  has 
'  done  his  novels  :  whom  he  has  imitated,  if  not  excelled,  in 
the  variety  of  the  subjects  of  his  tales.  It  is  a  common  mis 
take,  that  Chaucer's  excellence  lay  in  his  manner  of  treating 
light  and  ridiculous  subjects ;  for  whoever  will  attentively 
consider  the  noble  poem  of  Palamon  and  Arcite,  will  be  con 
vinced  that  he  equally  excels  in  the  pathetic  and  the  sublime. 
It  has  been  but  lately  proved  that  the  Palamon  and  Arcite  of 
Chaucer,  is  taken  from  the  Theseida  of  Boccace  ...  I  cannot 
forbear  expressing  my  surprise,  that  the  circumstance  of 
Chaucer's  borrowing  this  tale  should  have  remained  so  long 
unobserved,  when  it  is  so  plainly  and  positively  mentioned  in 

[p.  353]  a  book  so  very  common,  as  the  Memoirs  of  Niceron  [1736]. 

[p.  355]  .  .  .  The  French  are  perpetually  boasting,  that  they  have 
been  our  masters  in  many  of  the  polite  arts,  and  made  earlier 
improvements  in  literature.  But  it  may  be  asked,  what 
cotemporary  poet  can  they  name  to  stand  in  competition  with 
Chaucer,  except  William  de  Loris  1  .  .  .  I  can  find  none  of 
this  age,  but  barren  chroniclers,  and  harsh  romancers  in  rliiine, 


1782]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.    [J.  Wartori]  471 

without  the  elegance,    elevation,    invention,    or   harmony   of 
Chaucer  .  .  . 

[p.  356]  THE  HOUSE  OF  FAME,  as  Chaucer  entitled  his  piece,  gave  the 
hint,  as  we  observed,  of  the  poem  before  us,  though  the  design 
is  in  truth  improved  and  heightened  by  the  masterly  hand  of 
POPE.  .  .  . 

[yoi  ^ii,  JHE  ^rIFE  QF  j>ATH,  is  the  other  piece  of  Chaucer  which  POPE 
selected  to  imitate  :  One  cannot  but  wonder  at  his  choice, 
which  perhaps  nothing  but  his  youth  could  excuse.  .  .  . 
Chaucer  afforded  him  many  subjects  of  a  more  serious  and 
sublime  species ;  and  it  were  to  be  wished,  POPE  had  exercised 
his  pencil  on  the  pathetic  story  of  the  patience  of  Grisilda, 
or  Troilus  and  Cressida,  or  the  complaint  of  the  black 
knight ;  or,  above  all,  on  Cambuscan  and  Canace.  From  the 
accidental  circumstance  of  Dryden  and  POPE'S  having  copied 
the  gay  and  ludicrous  parts  of  Chaucer,  the  common  notion 

[P.  8]  seems  to  have  arisen,  that  Chaucer's  vein  of  poetry  was  chiefly 
turned  to  the  light  and  the  ridiculous.1  But  they  who  look  into 
Chaucer,  will  soon  be  convinced  of  this  prevailing  prejudice,  and 
will  find  his  comic  vein,  like  that  of  Shakespear,  to  be  only  like 
one  of  mercury,  imperceptibly  mingled  with  a  mine  of  gold. 

CHAUCER  is  highly  extolled  by  Dryden  in  the  spirited  and 
pleasing  preface  to  his  Fables  .  .  .  [here  Warton  quotes 
Dryden,  q.v.  above,  1700,  pp.  272-85.] 

[In  this  year  also  appeared  vol.  ii,  which  had  been  in  print  for  over  twenty  years 
(see  Preface).  It  was  issued  with  the  3rd  edn.  of  vol.  i,  and  begins  with  section  viii, 
the  Chaucer  references  are  pp.  3-8,  29,  60-2,  69-75,  92,  318.  On  p.  6  (corresponding 
to  p.  352  above)  the  reference  to  Niceron  is  omitted,  but  the  following  is  given :] 

I  have  lately  met  with  an  elegy  in  Joannes  Secundus 
occasioned  by  this  Story  ;  it  is  in  his  third  book,  and  is  thus 
intitled :  2  'In  Historian!  de  rebus  a  Theseo  gestis  duorumque 
rivalium  certamine,  Gallicis  numeris  ab  illustri  quadam 
Matrona  suavissime  conscriptam.'  Perhaps  this  compliment 
was  addressed  to  Madame  de  Scudery,  who  is  said  to  have 
translated  Chaucer  into  modern  French.  [See  above,  p.  282.] 

1  [Note  by  Warton.]  Cowley  is  said  to  have  despised  Chaucer.  I  am 
not  surprized  at  this  strange  judgment.  Cowley  was  indisputably  a 
Genius,  but  his  taste  was  perverted  and  narrowed  by  a  love  of  witticisms. 
[See  above,  1700,  Dryden,  p.  280,  below,  1795,  D'Israeli,  p.  496,  and 
Cowley,  App.  A.,  n.a.  1667.] 


•ley,  App. 
Eleg.  15. 


472  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1782- 

1782.  Unknown.  Reviews  [principally  long  quotations]  of  Warton's 
Essay  on  the  Genius  and  Writings  of  Pope,  [in]  Annual  Register, 
Account  of  Books,  vol.  xxv,  1782,  pp.  211,  212.  Also  in  The 
Gentleman's  Magazine  May  1782,  vol.  lii,  pp.  236,  239. 

[Brief  references.] 

1782.  Warton,  Thomas.  An  Enquiry  into  the  authenticity  of  the  poems 
attributed  to  Thomas  Rowley.  In  which  the  arguments  of  the  Dean 
of  Exeter  [Jeremiah  Millesj  and  Mr.  Bryant,  are  examined,  pp.  7, 
19,  21,  34,  35,  38,  39,  42,  49,  50,  53,  54,  56,  60,  110. 

[Warton  is  quoted  by  Robert  Fellowes  ;  see  below,  1799,  p.  501.     For  Milles  and 
Bryant,  see  above,  p.  468  and  p.  459  respectively.] 

1782.  Unknown.  Review  of  [Warton's]  Enquiry  into  the  Authenticity 
of  the  Poems  attributed  to  Thomas  Rowley,  [in]  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  March,  pp.  129-30,  April,  vol.  lii,  pp.  195-7. 

1782.  Unknown.     Review  of  Warton's  Enquiry  into  the  Authenticity 
of  the  Poems  attributed  to   Thomas   Rowley,    [in]   The  Critical 
Review  for  August  1782,  vol.  liv,  pp.  98,  101. 

[p.  98]  His  [Chatterton's]  knowledge  of  the  Language  and  Phrases 
of  our  elder  poets  has  been  attained  by  a  laborious  search 
through  the  rubbish  of  Occleve,  and  the  richer  ore  of  Gower 
and  Chaucer. 

1783.  Barry,    James.     Account   of  a  series  of  Pictures   .    .    .    at  the 
Adelphi,  pp.  134-5. 

...  In  the  centre  sits  Homer,   on  his  right  Milton  and 
Shakespeare,  Spencer  and  Chaucer  are  next.   .  .    . 

[This  is  No.  vi  (Elysium)  of  the  series  painted  by  Barry,  between  1777  and  1783,  on 
the  walls  of  the  Society  of  Arts.] 

1783.  Beattie,  James.  Dissertations  moral  and  critical.  The  Theory  of 
Language,  pp.  252,  261,  On  Fable  and  Romance,  p.  559. 

[p.  252]  [Quotes  Wallis,  who  says  in  his  grammar]  that  some  old 
people  in  his  time  retained  so  much  of  Chaucer's  pronuncia 
tion,  as  to  say  house  and  horse,  articulating  in  these  and  the 
like  words  the  final  e,  which  is  now  invariably  mute. 

[p.  26i]       [Final  e  pronounced  in  age  of  Chaucer.]    ' 

[p.  559]  The  fourteenth  century  produced  also  the  illustrious  Geoffry 
Chaucer;  who,  though  not  the  first  who  wrote  in  English, 
is  the  first  of  our  great  authors,  and  may  be  truly  called 
the  father  of  our  language  and  literature.  His  writings 
are  chiefly  translations,  or  imitations  of  the  Provensal  [sic]  and 
Italian  writers  then  known.  But  he  has  imitated  and  trans 
lated  with  the  greatest  latitude,  and  added  many  fine  strokes 


1783]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  473 

of  character,  humour  and  description,  so  that  we  ought  to 
consider  him  as  an  original  ;  since  he  does  in  fact  exhibit, 
especially  in  his  Canterbury  Tales,  a  more  natural  picture  of 
the  English  manners  of  that  age,  than  is  to  be  met  with  in  any 
other  writer.  He  did  not,  however,  fix  the  English  tongue,  as 
his  contemporaries  Petrarch  and  Boccaccio  had  fixed  the 
Italian.  Many  of  his  words  soon  fell  into  disuse  :  and  his 
language  at  present  is  not  well  understood,  except  by  those 
who  have  taken  some  pains  to  study  it.  .  .  . 

1783.  Hoole,  John.  Preface  [to]  Orlando  Furioso  :  translated  ...  by 
John  Hoole ;  vol.  i,  p.  lii ;  vol.  ii,  p.  6  n. 

(voh_j,  ipne  genius  of  our  heroic  verse  admits  of  a  great  variety ; 
and  we  have  examples  of  very  different  species  of  writing,  in 
the  works  of  Dryden  and  Pope,  from  the  sublime  style  of 
Homer  and  Virgil,  to  the  familiar  narratives  of  Boccaee  and 
Chaucer. 

1783.  Matthias,  Thomas  James.  An  Essay  on  the  evidence,  external 
and  internal,  relating  to  the  Poems  attributed  to  Thomas  Ron-ley, 
containing  a  general  view  of  the  ichole  controversy,  pp.  47,  62,  66, 
68,  74,  76,  113. 

1783.  Pinkerton,  John.  Letter  to  John  Nichols,  [dated]  Oct.  3,  1783, 
[printed  in]  Illustrations  of  the  Literary  History  of  the  18th 
century  ...  by  John  Nichols,  vol.  v,  1828,  p.  674. 

My  dear  Sir, 

You  know  well  that  there  was  no  edition  of 
Cowley  for  fifty  years  till  your  friend  Dr.  Hurd  published  his 
Select  Works,  which  have  passed  through  four  editions  already. 
I  hope  like  success  would  attend  the  Select  Works  of  Geoffrey 
Chaucer ;  and  submit  this  to  you  that  you  may  consider  if  it 
is  worth  your  while  to  try.  Lose  you  cannot  in  my  opinion, 
for  every  purchaser  of  Johnson's  Poets  would  buy  the  book  to 
complete  their  sets ;  and  I  am  much  mistaken  if  the  work 
would  not  be  very  popular,  and  your  gain  very  considerable ; 
but  you  are  the  only  judge. 

My  love  of  Chaucer  has  induced  me  to  dwell  on  the  subject 
con  amore,  and  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  ponder  well  ere  you 
pronounce  on  a  design  so  important  to-  English  literature  and 
antiquity,  of  which  you  are  no  mean  proficient. 
I  ever  am,  dear  Sir 

1783.  [Ritson,  Joseph.]  Remarks  .  .  .  on  .  .  .  the  last  edition  of 
Shakespeare,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1783. 


474  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1783 

1783.  S.,  D.     Criticisms  of  Wartons  'History,'  [in]  The  Gentleman's 
Magazine.   'See  below,  App.  A. 

1783.  Tyrwhitt,  Thomas.     A  letter  to  a  Friend,  upon  the  late  Edition  of 
Chaucer,  by  J.  Bell,  [dated]  Welbeck  Street,  June  12,  1783,  [printed 
in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June  1783,  vol.  53,  pp.  461-2. 
[For  Bell's  Chaucer,  see  above,  1782,  p.  464.] 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  intelligence  concerning 
the  late  edition  of  Chaucer.  I  find  it  true  in  all  particulars. 
Your  alarm  however  for  my  property,  as  you  call  it,  is  ground 
less.  As  I  have  not  entered  my  book  at  Stationers-Hall,  I 
have,  it  seems,  no  legal  property  in  it.  But  if  I  had,  would 
you  advise  me  to  go  to  law  for  a  property  unattended  by  any 
profit  1  A  certain  philosopher,  when  his  gouty  shoes  were 
stolen,  only  wished,  that  they  might  fit  the  thief  as  well  as 
they  fitted  himself ;  and  for  my  own  part  I  shall  be  contented, 
if  my  book  shall  prove  just  as  lucrative  to  Mr.  Bell,  as  it  has 
been  to  me. 

At  the  same  time  I  do  not  pretend  to  be  without  all  feeling 
for  my  own  personal  injury,  as  well  as  for  the  pernicious 
tendency  of  the  example.  If  a  book  may  be  thus  reprinted, 
with  all  its  imperfections,  whenever  a  hungry  bookseller 
thinks  that  he  can  make  a  penny  of  it,  without  allowing  the 
author  an  opportunity  of  rectifying  mistakes,  supplying  defici 
encies,  &c.,  we  must  give  up,  I  fear,  all  expectation  of  ever 
seeing  a  really  accurate  work.  In  the  present  instance,  I  have 
not  only  been  precluded  (as  far  as  Mr.  Bell  can  preclude  me) 
from  the  usual  opportunity  of  lessening  the  faults  of  my  book, 
but  several  errors,  which  I  had  actually  pointed  out  for  cor 
rection,  have  either  been  left  unamended,  or  have  been 
amended  in  such  a  blundering  manner  as  to  require  still 
further  correction.  [Tyrwhitt  further  points  out  that  the 
type,  especially  that  of  the  Notes,  is  too  small,  and  that  the 
publication  was  probably  intended  solely  for  the  use  of  young 
people.  That  this  is  so]  ...  is  further  evident  from  Mr. 
Bell's  having  printed  the  greatest  part  of  Chaucer's  works 
from  Urry's  edition ;  in  which  (as  you  know  very  well)  there 
is  scarce  a  line  as  the  author  wrote  it.  Having  given  them  a 
picture  at  the  beginning  of  each  volume,  he  seems  to  have 
thought  (and  perhaps  with  reason)  that  they  would  be 
perfectly  unconcerned  about  everything  else. 

But  leaving  Mr.  Bell  and  his  edition  to  their  respective 
fates,  I  must  add  a  few  words  upon  what  is  the  principal 


1783]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  475 

object  of  this  letter.  The  assured  manner  in  which  my  name 
is  used  may  lead  people  to  imagine  that  I  have  been  at  least 
consenting  to  this  republication  of  my  book ;  and  therefore 
I  beg  the  favour  of  you,  and  all  my  other  friends,  to  take 
every  opportunity  (the  more  public  the  better)  of  declaring  for 
me,  that  the  whole  transaction  has  passed  without  my  consent, 
approbation,  or  knowledge. 

I  am,  &c., 

T.  TYRWHITT, 


117,  118,  155,  161.  [See  also  art.  by  Henry  Wood,  on  Chaucer's 
influence  upon  King  James,  in  Anglia,  1880,  vol.  iii,  pp.  223-265.] 
[p.  49]  Chaucer,  the  father  of  English  poetry,  as  he  may  be  stiled 
the  first,  so  he  is  the  best  poet  of  his  time.  His  universal 
genius  has  comprehended,  in  his  Canterbury  Tales,  the  various 
manners  and  humours  of  every  rank  of  men  in  his  age  and 
country  .  .  .  And  he  has  shewn  the  extent  of  his  genius  and 
learning  in  almost  every  species  of  poetry  from  his  heroic 
poem  of  Palamon  and  Arcite  to  his  ballads.  Having  said  this 
in  preference  of  Chaucer,  I  may,  however,  be  allowed  to 
compare  the  episode  of  the  Court  of  Venus,  in  the  following 
poem  of  James  [The  King's  Quair]  with  the  Court  of  Love  of 
Chaucer;  in  which  view,  .  .  .  our  poet  [James]  will  lose 
nothing  by  the  comparison,  particularly  in  the  pourtraiture  of 
the  mistress  of  each  poet.  .  .  . 

[p.  50]        To  such  as  one  not  versant  in  the  old  poets,  Chaucer,  Gower, 

[p.  oi]  &c.,  the  numbers  of  the  verses  will  often  appear  to  be  unequal, 

as  the  apostrophe's,   signs  of  contraction,  elisions,  and  marks 

for  the  division  of  the  syllables  for  the  sake  of  the  verse, 

which  were  used  by  the  old  poets,  are  now  lost.  .  .  . 

What  Waller  says,  in  his  elegant  verses  on  Chaucer,  .  .  . 
may,  with  equal  force,  be  applied  to  the  poetical  remains  of 
King  James  I.  of  Scotland :  [quotes  Waller's  lines,  "  Poets, 
that  lasting  marble  seek,"  see  above,  p.  244]. 

1783.  Unknown.  Eemarks[on  J.  P.  Andrews'  Letter  giving  an  account 
of  the  Parish  of  Shaw-cum-Donnington,  1759,  in]  Answers  to 
Berkshire  Queries  in  the  fourth  volume  of  Bibliotheca  Topo- 
graphica  Britannica,  which  contains  Antiquities  in  Bedford 
shire  and  Berkshire,  1790,  pp.  *82-3.  [The  pagination  is  not 
continuous.] 

[p.* 82]  Mr.  Grove  published  a  plan  of  this  [Donnington]  castle, 
with  a  front  view  of  the  gate,  engraved  by  Adam  Smith,  from 


476  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1783- 

a  very  accurate  plan  and  drawing  made  on  purpose  with  much 
care  and  labour,  and  such  as  was  wished  for  by  the  author  of 
Chaucer's  life  prefixt  to  Urry's  edition.  .  .  . 

[p.*  83]       The  portrait  of  Chaucer  is  now  removed  to  Bucklebury,  the 
seat  of  Henry  Winchcombe  Hartley,  esq. 

[For  Andrews'  Letter  see  above,  1759,  p.  416.  A  note  on  p.  *  81  states  that  these 
remarks  are  additions  made  by  a  correspondent  twenty-four  years  later.] 

1783.    Unknown.     Article  on  The  Legend  of  Saint  Cecilia  [in]  The 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  Aug.,  p.  635. 

[Quotation  from  the  Second  Nonnes  Tale.] 

1783    V.,  B.     Account   of  Lichfield  Cathedral   [in]   The   Gentleman's 
Magazine,  Feb.,  vol.  liii,  p.  120. 

[The  library  contains]  a  Folio — illuminated  Chaucer,  fairly 
written. 

1783.  J.,  W.     Reply   to  H.    T.    W.'s   letter,   immediately   below.     See 
below,  App.  A. 

1783.  W.,  T.  H.     Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine. 

1783.  [Waldron,  Francis  Godolphin.]     The  Sad  Shepherd  .  .  .  written 
by  Seii  Jonson  .  .  .  with  a  Continuation,  Notes  and  an  Appendix, 
[by   F.    G.    Waldron]   pp.   29,   41,   notes.      Supplemental    notes, 
pp.    123-4,    128.      Appendix,    p.    189    [extract    from    Bulleyn's 
Dialogue.     See  above,  1564,  p.  98.] 

1784.  Astle,  Thomas.     The  Origin  and  Progress  of  Writing,  p.  xvi. 

[In  a  list  of  eminent  writers  who  prevented  the  lamp  of 
learning  from  being  entirely  extinguished,  Chaucer  is  men 
tioned,  and  a  short  account  of  him  is  given.] 

1784.  Eugenic;  W.,  K.,  and  Unknown.     Letters  and  Remarks  [in] 
The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1784.  [Kippis,  Andrew  ?]    Supplementary  article  [signed  K]  in  the  notes 
to  the  account  of  Chaucer  in  Biographia  Britannica,  second  edition 
[corrected  and  enlarged]  by  Andrew  Kippis  [and  others],  vol.  iii, 
pp.  466-82. 

[The  whole  article  on  Chaucer,  pp.  450-82,  is  reprinted  verbatim 
from  that  in  the  1st  edn.  of  1747,  q.v.,  but  in  addition  there  is  a  very 
long  supplementary  note  giving  the  latest  criticism  on  Chaucer, 
including  the  whole  of  Tyrwhitt's  Essay  on  the  Language  and 
Versification  ryf  Chaucer,  1775,  without  his  notes — also  long 
extracts  from  Warton's  History  of  English  Poetry,  1774.] 

[c.  1785  ?]  Bell,  William.     See  below,  p.  480,  Unknown. 

1785.  D,  J.  ;    E,  N.  ;    E,  S.  ;  Unknown ;    W,  T,  H.     Articles  and 
Reviews  in  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below,  App.  A. 


1785]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  477 

1785.  Herbert,  William.  Typographical  Antiquities  .  .  .  begun  by  the 
late  Joseph  Ames  .  .  .  considerably  augmented  .  .  .  by  Willmm 
Herbert  ...  in  3  volumes,  1785-90,  vol.  i,  pp.  1871,72-76,79-83, 
89,  123,  276-79,  281-82,  319-21,  415,  416,  420,  557,  558,  592,  593. 

[Joseph  Ames,  the  antiquary,  published  his  Typographical  Antiquities,  in  one  vol. 
in  1749  (q.v.  above,  p.  398),  and  this  was  re-edited  and  very  much  enlarged,  in  3  vols, 
1785-90,  by  William  Herbert.  All  the  Chaucer  references  in  this  later  edn.  are  given, 
with  a  note  as  to  those  already  written  by  Ames.  For  vol.  ii,  see  below,  1786,  p.  483, 
for  vol.  iii,  1790,  p.  491  ;  for  fuller  and  more  correct  information,  see  Typographical 
Antiquities  .  .  .  greatly  enlarged  by  Thomas  Frognall  Dibdin,  4  vols,  1810-19,  un 
finished.] 

[A  specimen  of  Caxton's  Boethius  immediately  before  sign  Bl 
given  by  Ames.] 

note?  [Pynson  is  mistaken  in  attributing  the  "  Moral  Proverbs  " 
to  Chaucer,  see  Caxton.] 

[p.  72]  [Description  of  Caxton's  edns.  of  Chaucer's  Canterbury 
tales.  Ames's-  notes,  pp.  54-8,  are  slightly  enlarged.]  Mr. 
Caxton  printed  two  editions  of  these  Tales,  and  both  without 
date,  for  anything  at  present  known  to  the  contrary. 

A  copy  of  the  first  edition  is  now  in  the  King's  library,  and 
has  this  MS.  anecdote  annexed;  "This  first  edition  of  Chaucer, 
printed  by  Caxton,  is  the  only  perfect  one  known  in  England.1 
The  Earls  of  Pembroke  and  Oxford  told  me,  after  the  utmost 
inquiry,  that  they  never  could  see  one.  Some  fragments  are 
in  the  hands  of  Sir  Peter  Thompson,  late  Mr.  Ames's,  Mr. 
Ratcliff,  and  at  St.  John's  Coll.  Oxford ;  but  united  will  not 
make  a  perfect  copy.  J.  West."  I  make  no  doubt  but  that 
*this  copy  had  been  accordingly  collated,  and  the  work  found 
perfect ;  for  as  it  has  no  catchwords,  signatures,  or  numbers  to 
the  leaves,  its  being  perfect  or  not  could  only  be  known  by 
that  means ;  but  on  the  leaves  being  told,  there  are  found  372, 
including  a  blank  leaf  at  the  end  .  .  .  [Description  of  the 
edn.  here  follows,  and  Caxton's  "  Prohemye "  also  Chaucer's 
"Extraction"  and  the  end  of  "Boecius"  and  the  first  and  last 
lines  of  the  epitaph  on  Chaucer  by  Surigo,  pp.  73-76.] 

tllp8'3]9>  [Description  of  a  collection  of  Chaucer's  and  Lydgate's 
poems  printed  by  Caxton  in  the  Public  Library  at  Cambridge. 
Ames  describes  Book  of  Fame  and  Troilus,  pp.  60-2,  but  the 
notes  are  considerably  enlarged  by  Herbert.] 

[P.  89]  [Extract  from  "  The  Werk  of  Sapience  "  printed  by  Caxton, 
with  Chaucer  reference  given  by  Ames,  p.  66.] 

[p.  123]      Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales.    Collected  by  William  Caxton, 

1  Mr.  Tyrwhitt  mentions  another  copy  seemingly  complete  in  Merton 
Coll.  library,  Canterb.  Tales,  vol.  i,  p.  6,  note  a. 


478  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1785 

and  printed  by  Wynken  de  Worde  at  Westmestre.  1495. 
See  Mr.  Tyrwliit's  [sic]  Preface,  pag.  viii. 

[p.  276]  [Description  of  a  copy  of  Deguilleville's  "  Pylgrimage  of 
perfection,"  1526,  printed  by  Pynson,  with  '  Chaucer's  pro 
phecy'  in  16th  century  handwriting  on  front  leaf.] 

[pp.  277-9]  [Description    of  Pynson's  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works,  1526.] 

[PP.  281-2]  [Description  of  Caxton's  edn.  of  the  Canterbury  Tales, 
printed  by  Pynson,  c.  1492.  A  few  words  on  this  is  given  by 
Ames,  pp.  127-8,  and  he  prints  Caxton's  "prohemie"  here.] 

[PP.  3i9-2i][Description  of  W.  Thynne's  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works,  printed 
by  T.  Godfray,  1532.  Discussion  as  to  whether  an  edn.  [in 
Harleian  Libr.]  mentioned  by  Timothy  Thomas  in  his  preface 
to  Urry's  Chaucer  [1721]  is  the  same  as  this  edn.  by  Godfray, 
or  if  not,  what  edn.  it  was.  This  edn.  is  just  mentioned  by 
Ames,  p.  141,  but  all  the  notes  are  added  by  Herbert] 
[Rastell's  Terence  in  Englysh.  Allusion  to  Chaucer,  given  by 
Ames,  pp.  148-9.] 

[P.  4i5]  [Description  of  W.  Thynne's  2nd  edn.  of  Chaucer's  Works, 
1542.]  Prynted  by  John  Eeynes  dwellyinge  at  the  synge  [sic] 
of  saynte  George  in  Pauls  Churche-yarde,  1542  .  .  .  The  preface 
to  Urry's  Chaucer  mentions  it  being  printed  this  year  by 
William  Bonham ;  and  by  the  description  of  the  cut  [for 
Knight's  and  Squire's  tales]  there,  the  printing  this  edition 
seems  to  have  been  a  joint  affair  between  him  and 
Eeynes. 

[P.  416]      [Mention  of  Chaucer's  Works  printed  by  Thomas  Berthelet.] 

[p.  420]  [Description  of  Berthelet's  edn.  of  Gower's  Confessio 
Amantis,  1532,  with  a  quotation  from  Berthelet's  testimony 
to  Chaucer  in  his  address  to  the  Reader;  see  p.  77, 
above.] 

[p.  557]  [Description  of  the  reprint  of  Thynne's  2nd  edn.  of  Chaucer's 
Works,  1545  or  1550,  printed  by  Thomas  Petit,  see  above, 
p.  86.  This  is  mentioned  by  Ames,  p.  210.] 

[p.  588]  [Reference  to  same  edn.  as  above,  only  printed  by  Robert 
Toy,  mentioned  by  Ames,  p.  221.] 

[PP593]92 '  [Chaucer's  Works,  printed  by  WT.  Bonham,  1 542,  and  1 545  or 
1550.] 

1785.  Heron,  Robert,  pseud.  [Pinkerton,  John].  Letters  of  Literature 
~by  Robert  Heron  Esq.  Letter  xiv,  p.  75,  xxv,  p.  160,  xxvi,  p.  166, 
x'xxiv,  p.  244,  263,  272,  xxxviii,  p.  309,  xxxix  p.  319. 

[p.  244]      Now  I  will    hazard    a    bold    opinion,  namely,   that    our 


1785]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  479 

language  is  now  infinitely  more  barbarous,  in  all  respects,  than 
it  was  in  the  days  of  Chaucer.  For  melody  there  is  no 
comparison ;  the  e  always  pronounced,  as  in  spoke,  shake,  &c. 
was  alone  sufficient  to  render  it  much  more  melodious. 

[P.  272]      Who  of  us  knows  how  Chaucer  pronounced  English  ? 

(P.  309]  Nice  occurs  often  in  Chaucer,  and  in  the  Tale  of  Beryn,  for 
foolish. 

1785.  B[eeve],  C[lara].  The  Progress  of  Romance  .  .  .  by  C.  E.  Author 
of  the  English  Baron  .  .  .  vol.  1,  pp.  49,  50  [Extract  from  The 
Romance  of  the  Rose],  53,  55,  86. 

(P.  86]  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales  would  tell  equally  well  in  verse 
or  prose  .  .  .  Permit  me  to  remark  that  Dry  den's  elegant, 
rich,  and  harmonious  numbers,  have  preserved  this  [The 
Knight's  Tale],  and  many  other  of  Cliaucer's  works,  from  sink 
ing  into  oblivion,  and  he  has  given  the  old  Bard  a  share  of  his 
own  immortality. 

1785.  Sterling,  [Joseph],  Cambuscan,  or  the  Squire's  Tale  of  Chaucer, 
modernized  by  Mr.  Boyse ;  continued  from  Spencer's  Fairy  Queen, 
by  Mr.  Ogle ;  and  concluded  by  Mr.  Sterling,  Dublin,  1785,  p.  3, 
sonnet,  p.  4,  and  Advertisement  by  Sterling. 

[Prefatory]  Sonnet. 

What  Chaucer  sung  in  Woodstock's  rural  bow'rs, 
Was  marr'd  by  death,  or  Time's  unsparing  hand ; 

[p.  4]  [Advertisement.]  The  ingenious  Mr.  Warton,  in  the  first 
volume  and  fifteenth  section  of  his  History  of  English  Poetry, 
speaks  of  the  story  of  CAMBUSCAN  in  terms  of  the  highest 
respect.  He  says,  that  after  the  KNIGHT'S  TALE,  it  is  the 
noblest  of  the  productions  of  Chaucer  :  He  proves  that  it  is 
an  Arabian  fiction,  engrafted  on  Gothic  chivalry.  This  Poem 
was  continued  by  Spenser,  and  admired  by  Milton.  It  has 
been  considerably  improved  by  Mr.  BOYSE,  the  Modernizer. 
The  Concluder  feels  his  poetic  powers  far  inferior  to  those  of 
CHAUCER  and  SPENSER  ;  but  as  he  endeavours  to  amuse,  hopes 
for  the  indulgence  of  the  Public. 


1785.  Unknown.  The  New  Oxford  Guide.  ...  To  which  is  added  a 
Tour  to  Blenheim  .  .  .  Nuneham.  ...  By  a  Gentleman  of  Oxford. 
7th  edn.  p.  131  ;  and  8th  edn.  [1789  ?]  p.  130. 


480  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1785 

A  Tour  to  Nuneham.     The  Flower  Garden.  .  .  .    Fronting 
the  Gate  is  a  Bust  of  FLORA  on  a  Term ; 
Here  springs  the  Violet  all  newe 

That  castin  up  ful  gode  favoure. 

CHAUCER  [R.  of  Rose,  n.  1431-8.] 

[The  extract  is  given  from  the  8th  edn.,  as  we  have  been  unable  to  see  the  7th, 
and  it  does  not  appear  in  the  1st  or  the  6th.] 

1785.  Unknown.  The  wife  of  Beitk,  by  Chaucer  .  .  .  a  new  edition, 
1785.  See  above,  1700,  p.  288,  and  below,  App.  A.  [1670  ?]. 

[c.  1785  ?]  Unknown  [possibly  William  Bell,  of  Ulcomb,  Kent,  whose 
bookplate  is  in  the  volume].  MS.  Notes  in  a  copy  of  Fables, 
Ancient  and  Modern,  translated  into  Verse,  from  Homer,  Ovid, 
Boccace,  and  Chaucer  ...  by  Mr.  Dryden,  1700.  [B.M.  11631. 

i.  12.] 

[These  notes  are  principally  numerous  corrections  of  the  text,  with  a  view, 
apparently,  to  issuing  a  new  edition  of  Dryden's  Fables.  The  following  note,  the 
first  of  several,  is  on  the  verso  of  the  title  page.  "Imagining  it  in  my  Power 
to  improve  Dryden's  Fables  (so  called)  which  I  deem  at  least  equal  to  any  of  his 
works,  by  elevating  the  unequal  Parts  to  a  level,  I  have  employed  some  leisure 
hours  in  that  Task ;  thinking  it  a  pity  such  Jewels  should  want  perfection."  Of 
the  notes  mentioning  Chaucer  only  a  selection  is  given  below.] 

[Note  at  foot  of  p.  7  to]  "  Thus  Year  by  Year  they  pass 
and  Day  by  Day." 

Year  by  year,  and  day  by  day  was  an  anticlimax  of 
Chaucer ;  in  whom  it  seems  remarkable  that  his  rhymes  are 
carried  from  one  paragraph  to  another. 

[Note  at  foot  of  p.  14  to]  "And  wish'd  that  ev'ry  Look 
might  be  the  last."  Chaucer  wanted  judgment.  This  I  have 
pointed  out  in  regard  to  Theseus :  and  Palamoii  and  Arcite 
are  drawn  ferocious  instead  of  generous,  &  the  latter  without 
candour  or  justice,  and  impious  withal. 

[Note  at  foot  of  p.  63  to] 

*  For  this  Advantage  Age  from  Youth  has  won, 
As  not  to  be  outridden,  though  outrun.' 

This  is  truly  Chaucerian.  Chaucer  was  as  fond  of  his 
jests  and  dashes  of  satire  as  Cowley  of  his  wit  [and]  puns,  and 
the  Knight's  Tale  is  of  a  mixt  nature  like  the  Fairy  Queen 
and  the  Davideis,  yet  the  three  poems  are  moreover  all 
different  from  one  another. 

Note  [at  foot  of  p.  80]  to 

"Why  would'st  thoti  go,  with  one  Consent  they  cry, 
When  thou  hadst  Gold  enough,  and  Emily  !  " 


1785]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  481 

"  This  is  copied  from  Chaucer,  and  a  miserable  jest  it  is : 
though  it  is  not  always  easy  to  say  "whether  he  meant  a  burlesque, 
or  jest,  or  whether  the  homeliness  and  uncouthness  of  the 
language  to  us,  gives  it  such  a  cast.  Be  it  as  it  may,  Dryden's 
interlaying  satirical  pleasantries,  hitting  exactly  the  manner  of 
Chaucer,  is  deserving  of  observation,  and  perhaps  of  praise. 

[Note  at  foot  of  p.  84  to]  "With  nameless  Nymphs  that 
liv'd  in  ev'ry  Tree."  Chaucer  discovers  here  and  there  a  strong 
inclination  to  spoil  this  Poem  with  burlesque,  as  well  as  with 
jocoseness.  He  puts  us  in  mind  of  Charles  2.  who  could 
hardly  sustain  his  gravity  long  enough  even  to  make  a  speech 
from  the  throne. 

[Note  at  foot  of  p.  90  and  head  of  p.  91,  at  end  of  the 
Knight's  Tale.] 

Dryden's  modernization  of  the  Knight's  Tale,  and  other 
works  of  Chaucer,  being  properly  but  imitations,  quotations 
are  made  from  them  by  writers,  as  Dryden's  own  productions : 
and  perhaps  it  might  be  replied  to  an  allegation  of  injustice 
therein,  that  Chaucer  himself  is  but  a  translator,  or  imitator. 
Indeed  Dryden  has  greatly  improved  and  adorned  the  Knight's 
Tale,  by  an  expansion  of  2159  lines  into  2446.  .  . 

[Note  on  verso  of  the  half-title  to  The  Cock  and  the  Fox, 
to  face  p.  222.] 

The  Cock  and  the  Fox  is  so  foolish,  if  not  worse,  that  I 
omit  it  entirely  notwithstanding  it  has  some  good  lines.  It 
adds  little  to  Chaucer's  Keputation  that  he  was  the  original 
Author  of  it. 

[Note,  p.  223,  above  the  beginning  of  The  Cock  and  the  Fox.] 
The  Printer  is  desired  to  omit  this  Tale. 

[The  tale  is  then  all  scratched  out.] 

[Note  on  verso  of  the  half-title  to  The  Flower  and  the  Leaf, 
to  face  p.  383.] 

The  Flower  and  the  Leaf  modernized  from  Chaucer  is  so 
beautiful  that  I  have  more  closely  attended  to  revising  it  than 
some  of  the  others. 

[Note  at  foot  of  p.  480  to]  "  There  haunts  not  any  Incubus, 
but  He."  Keen  indeed  !  This  was  Chaucer's.  It  is  not  to  be 
doubted  but  that  with  his  wit,  learning,  and  penetration,  he 
was  a  favourer  of  the  reformists. 

[A  few  slips  of  the  pen  have  been  corrected  in  transcribing  tlie  above  notes.] 
CHAUCER    CRITICISM.  I  I 


482  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1785- 

1785.  [Darby,  Samuel.]  A  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  T,  Warton  on  his  late 
edition  of  Milton's  Juvenile  Poems,  p.  10. 

[Reference  to  Warton's  note,  p.  225,  on  Chaucer's  use  of  the 
word  "boult."  See  below,  1785,  Warton,  T.] 

1785.  Walpole,  Horace.  Letter  to  John  Pinkerton.  [dated]  June  22, 
1785.  (Letters  of  Horace  Walpole,  ed.  Mrs.  Paget  Toynbee,  11)05, 
vol.  xiii,  p.  275.) 

With  regard  to  adding  a  or  o  to  final  consonants,  consider, 
Sir,  should  the  usage  be  adopted,  what  havoc  it  would  make ! 
All  our  poetry  would  be  defective  in  metre,  or  would 
become  at  once  as  obsolete  as  Chaucer ;  and  could  we  promise 
ourselves  that,  though  we  should  acquire  better  harmony  and 
more  rhymes,  we  should  have  a  new  crop  of  poets,  to  replace 
Milton,  Dryden,  Gray,  and,  I  am  sorry  you  will  not  allow  me 
to  add,  Pope  ! 

1785.  Warton,  Thomas.  Poems  upon  several  occasions  by  John  Milton 
.  .  .  irith  notes  by  Thomas  Warton,  pp.  9,  24,  49,  81-2,  225,  etc. 

[These  are  only  a  few  of  the  frequent  references  to  Chaucer  in  the  notes  ;  they  are 
mainly  philological .  That  on  p .  225  is  referred  to  by  Darby.  See  above,  1785.] 

[p.  si]  [Or  call  up  him  that  left  half  told 

The  story  of  Cambuscan  bold,  &c.] 

Hence  it  appears,  that  Milton,  among  Chaucer's  pieces,  was 
IP.  82]  most  struck  with  his  SQUIER'S  Tale.  It  best  suited  our 
author's  predilection  for  romantic  poetry.  Chaucer  is  here 
ranked  with  the  sublime  poets  :  his  comic  vein  is  forgotten 
and  overlooked. 

[And  if  aught  else  great  bards  beside  ,  .  .]  From  Chaucer, 
the  father  of  English  poetry,  and  who  is  here  distinguished 
by  a  story  remarkable  for  the  wildness  of  its  invention,  our 
author  seems  to  make  a  very  pertinent  and  natural  transition 
to  Spenser.  .  .  . 

1785.  Worfat,  William  fa,  pseud.  [Hutton,  William].  A  Bran  New 
Wark  by  William  de  Worfat,  containing  a  true  Calendar  of  his 
Thoughts  Concerning  good  Nebberhood.  Naw  Jirst  printed  fra  his 
M.S.  for  the  use  of  the  hamlet  of  Woodland.  Kendal  :  Printed 
by  W.  Pennington,  1785  (ed.  W.  W.  Skeat  in  Specimens  of  English 
Dialects,  English  Dialect  Soc.,  1879,  p.  195). 

.[p.  195,  Withaut  this  binding  quality  o  aur  righteousness  is  as 
filthy  rags ;  dea  I  say  filthy  ?  yea  the  Holy  Spirit  in  abhor 
rence  of  sic  sort  of  conduct,  seems  to  mak  use  of  words 
purposely  braade. 


1786]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  483 

See  Esaiah  6.  5.  Qu.  Might  not  the  translator  have  conveyed  to  us 
the  sense  of  the  sacred  writer  by  a  more  delicate  expression  ?  I  have 
often  asked  myself  this,  on  reading  other  parts  of  Scripture — I  know  with 
Chaucer  that 

"  Braade  words  ergood,  whilst  good  folks  use  them 
They  er  only  bad,  when  bad  folks  abuse  them," 

And  again 

"  Christ  spake  himself  full  braade  in  holy  \vrit, 
And  weel  I  wat,  no  villainy  is  it." 

[C.  T.  Prol.,  ed.  Skeat,  11.  741-2.] 

[There  are  only  two  or  three  copies  of  this  first  edn.  extant.  The  best  is  in  King's 
College,  London,  used  by  Skeat.  No  copy  of  this  edn.  is  in  B.  M.  On  p.  212  will 
be  found  the  editor's  comment  on  the  Chaucer  reference  .  .  .  The  former  quotation 
is  plainly  nothing  but  a  poor  paraphrase  of  the  same  two  lines,  and  can  hardly  (I 
think)  be  found  in  Chaucer  himself.] 

1786.  Beatniffe,  Richard.  The  Norfolk  Tour,  or  Traveller's  Pocket 
Companion  .  .  .  4th  edition,  p.  170.  [Not  in  former  editions.  The 
author's  name  does  not  appear  on  the  title-page,  but  at  the  foot  of 
the  preface.] 

[A  short  account  of  Nicholas  of  Lynne,  mentioning  that] 
Chaucer  had  a  great  esteem  for  him,  stiling  him  Frere  Nicholas 
Linn,  a  Eev.  Clerke. 

1786.  Billam,  John.  Letter  to  William  Herbert,  [dated]  Aug.  4,  1786, 
[with  an  account  of  Wynkyn  de  Worde's  edn.  of  the  Assemble  of 
Foules,  1530,  and  quoting  Robert  Copland's  lines  (q.v.  above,  1530, 

676),   in]  J.   Ames's   Typographical    Antiquities,   ed.    William 
erbert  and  T.  F.  Dibdin,  vol.  ii,  pp.  278-80  [see  below,  1812]. 

1786-96.  [Gough,  Richard.]  Sepulchral  Monuments  in  Great  Britain, 
vol.  i,  pt.  i,  (1786),  pp.  clvii,  clix-clxiv,  clxvii-viii,  clxxvii,  clxxxi, 
clxxxvi,  clxxxviii-ix,  cxci,  35  ;  vol.  ii,  pt.  ii,  (1796),  pp.  1-3, 106-8. 

[The  references  to  Chaucer  in  the  Introduction  consist  of  numer 
ous  extracts  from  his  works,  more  particularly  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  illustrative  of  the  dress  of  his  age  ;  those  in  vol.  ii,  pp.  1-3, 
are  to  his  monument  in  Westminster  Abbey,  and  to  the  various 
engravings  of  his  portraits,  and  they  contain  also  a  few  words  on 
his  life  ;  pp.  106-8  refer  to  the  tomb  of  Sir  Thomas  Chaucer  at 
Ewelme,  and  to  his  connection  with  the  poet.] 

1786.  Herbert,  William.  Typographical  Antiquities  .  .  .  begun  by  the 
late  Joseph  Ames  .  .  .  considerably  augmented  .  .  .  by  William 
Herbert ...  in  3  volumes,  1785-90,  vol.  ii,  1786,  pp.  686  n.,  691  n., 
738,  747  (Rd.  Kele's  reprint  of  Thynne's  2nd  edn.  of  Chaucer's 
works  [1545  or  1550],  mentioned  by  Ames,  p.  263),  780  and  835 
[Chaucer's  works,  with  the  Siege  of  Thebes  1561,  mentioned  by 
Ames,  p.  296],  1152  [Speght's  edn.  of  Chaucer,  "impensis  Geo. 
Bishop,  .  .  1598."],  1236.  ["The  Northern  Mother's  Blessing," 
see  also  Ames,  p.  404],  1287,  1304. 

[For  vol.  i,  see  above,  1785,  p.  477,  for  vol.  iii,  below,  1790,  p.  491 
for  Ames,  above,  1749,  p.  398,  for  Dibdin's  enlarged  but  unfinished 
edn.,  below,  1810.] 


484  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1786- 

1786.  Pinkerton,  John.  Ancient  Scotish  Poems,  vol.  i,  Preface,  pp. 
viii-xi,  xvi,  xviii.  An  Essay  on  the  Origin  of  Scottish  Poetry,  pp. 
Ixi,  Ixvi,  Ixviii,  Ixx,  Ixxii.  A  List  of  all  the  Scotish  Poets,  pp. 
Ixxxii,  Ixxxix,  xc,  xciv,  cxii.  Vol.  ii,  Notes,  pp.  367, 378,  380,  382-4, 
397-8,  400,  412,  414,  416,  422-3,  425  n.  Appendix,  pp.  451,  482. 
Additions  and  Corrections,  542. 

[p.  xi]  These  Tales  [The  Twa  Mariit  Women  and  the  Wedo,  and 
The  Ereirs  of  Berwik]  place  Dunbar  in  quite  a  new  and  more 
important  light ;  for  it  is  believed  they  will  be  as  much  pre 
ferred  to  his  Goldin  Terge,  and  Thistle  and  Eose,  tho  these 
pieces  have  an  elegance  and  opulence  which  Chaucer  nowhere 
attains,  as  Chaucer's  Tales  are  to  his  allegorical  poems.  Dunbar, 
having  a  genius  at  least  equal  to  Chaucer,  and  perhaps  more 
original ;  and  having  the  advantage  of  living  a  whole  century 
after  him,  when  the  language  was  more  rich  and  expressive ; 
it  is  no  wonder  that  he  should  excell  that  venerable  poet  in 
every  point,  but  in  the  length  of  his  pieces,  a  most  dispensable 
quality. 

[p.  xviii]  The  old  Scotish  poets  ought  to  be  regarded  in  the  same  light 
as  Chaucer  and  the  old  English  ones ;  and  who  suspects  that 
the  perusal  of  the  latter  can  injure  the  purity  of  English  con 
versation,  or  writing  1  .  .  .  As  long  as  Chaucer  is  read  there 
fore,  and  he  will  be  read  till  the  English  language  perishes, 
so  long  may  we  hope  for  equal  attention  to  Barbour  and 
Dunbar. 


[p.  ixx]  And  perhaps,  if  the  mixture  of  French  words  with  English 
was  a  fault,  Lermont,  and  not  Chaucer,  ought  to  bear  the  blame ; 
tho  there  be  no  doubt  but  that  Lermont  and  Chaucer  only 
used  the  language  of  the  politest  people  of  the  period. 

[p.  bum]  Mr.  Tyrwhitt,  in  a  note  to  his  Life  of  Chaucer,  says, 
'  Chaucer's  reputation  was  as  well  established  in  Scotland  as  in 
England :  and  I  will  take  upon  me  to  say,  that  he  was  as 
much  the  father  of  poetry  in  that  country,  as  in  this.'  This  is 
quite  a  mistake.  Chaucer  was  in  the  highest  admiration  in 
Scotland,  as  he  justly  deserved :  but  not  one  Scotish  poet 
has  imitated  him :  or  is  in  the  least  indebted  to  him.  I  wish 
the  Scotish  writers  had  owned  him  as  father  of  their  poetry 
with  all  my  heart :  but  not  a  trace  of  this  can  be  found. 
They  praise  him;  but  never  imitate  either  his  language, 


1786]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  485 

stanza,  manner,  or  sentiments.  ...  If  Mr.  Tyrwhitt  will 
point  out  one  imitation  of  the  slightest  passage  of  Chaucer  in 
any  Scotish  poet  whatever,  it  will  operate  to  his  purpose ;  but 
I  know  from  certain  knowledge  that  he  cannot;  so  must 
refuse  my  assent  to  his  opinion. 

IP.  sciv]  The  Historian  of  English  Poetry  [T.  Warton,  History  of 
English  Poetry,  vol.  ii,  1778,  p.  257.  See  above,  p.  454]  .  .  . 
says  '  the  Scotish  writers  have  adorned  the  present  period  with 
a  degree  of  sentiment,  and  spirit,  a  command  of  phraseology, 
and  a  fertility  of  imagination  not  to  be  found  in  any  English 
poet  since  Chaucer  and  Lydgate.'  He  might  safely  have 
added,  *  not  even  in  Chaucer,  or  Lydgate.' 

I??*!?'  ^e  num^er  °f  syllables  was  never  attended  to  by  the 
P.  382]  Gothic  or  the  Saxon  poets,  save  in  stanza.  .  .  .  This  was  also 
the  practice  of  our  oldest  English  poets,  and  if  they  who  fight 
for  the  regularity  of  Chaucer's  couplet-measure  had  but  read 
the  Geste  of  King  Horn  .  .  .  they  would  have  dropt  the  idea 
at  once. 

[p.  398]  There  is  no  passage  in  Chaucer  so  exquisite  as  his  full 
description  of  the  Carpenter's  Wife  in  The  Miller's  Tale. 

[p.  400]  The  Millere's  Tale,  a  poem  which  deserves  to  be  called  the 
master  piece  of  Chaucer. 

[P.  482]  There  are  12  English  poems  ...  I  doubt  if  any  one  of 
these,  ascribed  to  Chaucer,  be  in  the  common  editions  of  his 
works,  but  he  was  lord  of  the  manor  of  poetry  for  a  long  time, 
and  all  stray  cattle  went  to  him. 

1786.  B.,  B. ;  Unknown  ;  W.,  C.  ;  W.,  T.,  H.  Letters  and  Notes  [in] 
The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1786.  Seward,  Anna.  Letter  to  George  Hardinge,  Esq.,  [dated]  Lich- 
field,  Oct.  27,  1786.  (Letters  of  Anna  Seward,  Edinburgh,  1811, 
vol.  i,  p.  206.) 

The  author  [Hayley,  in  his  Essay  on  Epic  Poetry;  see 
above,  1782,  p.  466]  did  not  mean  that  time  had  made  the 
frolic  compositions  of  Chaucer  heavy  as  lead — he  uses  the 
word,  but  says  "  dark  as  lead."  Time,  rendering  their  language 


486  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D  1786- 

obsolete,  may  well  be  allowed  to  have  made  that  metal  dim, 
or  dark  as  lead,  that  once  was  brilliant  as  steel  and  gold. 

1786.  Tooke,  John  Home.    Eirta  HrtpoevTa  or  the  Diversions  of  Purley> 
pp.  1 86  n.,  197-9, 216-19  nn.,  230  n.,  241  [reference  to  Bot  in  Glossary 
to  Urry's  Chaucer],  242,  244  n.,  257  [reference  to  Junius,  who  quotes 
Chaucer],  259,  260,  284  n.,  349  «.,  394-5,  439,  458  and  n.,  463-4,  467, 
469,  471-2,  484-5,  497-9,  500-2,  506-8,  518.     [These  are  merely 
passing  references,  largely  in  the  form  of  footnotes.]     MS.  notes, 
pp.  197,  198,  224,  225,  228,  interleaved  p.  of  MS.  to  face  pp.  230-1, 
232,    245,  261,  266,  267,  274,  275,  306,  374,  462,  463,  464,  465, 
467,  468,  471,  472,  473,  485,  494,  496,  497,  498,  499,  500,  501,  509, 
511, 517,  519;  also  two  leaves  of  MS.  notes  at  the  end  of  the  book.] 

[This  copy  of  the  1st  edition  (B.  M.  pr.  m.  C.  60.  i.  15)  has  been  corrected  by  the 
author  for  the  2nd  edition,  1797,  in  which  most  of  the  MS.  notes  were  subsequently 
embodied.  These  additions  are  principally  extracts  from  the  older  poets,  more 
especially  Chaucer.  See  also  below,  1700.  Cassander,  p.  491.] 

1787.  A.,  J.  ;  Search,  T. ;  Unknown  ;  W.,  T.  H.     Letters  and  article 
[in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1787.  Headley,  Henry.  Select  Beauties  of  Ancient  English  Poetry,  tvith 
Remarks  by  Henry  Headley,  A.B.,  vol.  i,  Preface,  p.  x. 

...  I  have  avoided,  as  much  as  possible  touching  those 
who  have  already  justly  obtained  the  distinction  of  being 
denominated  our  Older  Classics,1  who,  though  not  universally 
either  read  or  understood  (as  must  ever  be  the  case  with  the 
best  elder  writers  in  every  country),  are  notwithstanding 
familiar  to  us  in  conversation,  and  constantly  appealed  to  in 
controverted  points  of  poetical  taste :  these  I  have  studiously 
avoided,  and  confined  myself  in  the  general,  to  some  of  the 
better  parts  of  the  unfortunate  few  who  still  remain  un 
popular.  .  .  . 

1  As  Chaucer,  Shakspeare,  Jonson,  Milton. 

[The  poets  quoted  from  are  :  Tho.  May,  Phineas '  and  Giles  Fletcher,  Richard 
Niccols,  William  Browne,  Thomas  Sackville,  Lord.  Buckhurst,  Michael  Drayton, 
Richard  Crashawe,  Samuel  Daniel,  George  Gascoigne,  William  Warner,  Sir  John 
Beaumont,  William  King,  Robert  Southwell,  Francis  Quarles,  Sir  John  Davies, 
William  Habington,  Sir  Henry  Wotton,  E.  Kinwelmershe,  George  Herbert,  Sir 
Thomas  Wyatt,  Richard  Lovelace,  Thomas  Carew,  Dr.  Richard  Corbet,  William 
Drummond,  James  Graham  Lord  Montrose,  Sir  William  Davenant,  Henry  Howard 
Earl  of  Surrey,  Q.  Elizabeth,  "  M.  Yloop,"  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.] 

1787.  Unknown.  Genealogical  note  on  a  copy  of  a  letter  written  by 
William  de  la  Pole,  Duke  of  Suffolk,  d.  1450,  to  his  son,  John  de 
la  Pole,  [in]  Annual  Register  for  1787,  vol.  xxix,  pt.  ii,  p.  96  n. 
[Mentions  Alice,  grand-daughter  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer.] 

1787.  Warton,  Thomas.  Ode  on  His  Majesty's  birthday.  June  JfrJ.787. 
Stanzas  1  and  4,  [in]  The  Poems  on  Various  Subjects  of  Thomas 
Warton,  .  .  .  Now  first  collected  .  .  .  1791,  pp.  241,  244. 


1789]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  487 

[stan /a  i]          The  noblest  Bards  of  Albion's  choir 

Have  struck  of  old  this  festal  lyre. 

Ere  Science,  struggling  oft  in  vain, 

Had  dar'd  to  break  her  Gothic  chain, 
Victorious  Edward  gave  the  vernal  bough 
Of  Britain's  bay  to  bloom  on  Chaucer's  brow : 
Fir'd  with  the  gift,  he  chang'd  to  sounds  sublime 
His  Norman  minstrelsy's  discordant  chime ; 

In  tones  majestic  hence  he  told 

The  banquet  of  Cambuscan  bold ; 

And  oft  he  sung  (howe'er  the  rhyme 

Has  moulder'd  to  the  touch  of  time) 

His  martial  master's  knightly  board 

And  Arthur's  ancient  rites  restor'd  ; 
The  prince  in  sable  steel  that  sternly  frown'd, 
And  Gallia's  captive  king,  and  Cressy's  wreath  renown'd. 

[stanza  iv]         Had  these  blest  Bards  been  call'd,  to  pay 

The  vows  of  this  auspicious  day, 

Each  had  confess'd  a  fairer  throne, 

A  mightier  sovereign  than  his  own  ! 
Chaucer  had  bade  his  hero-monarch  yield 
The  martial  fame  of  Cressy's  well-fought  field 
To  peaceful  prowess,  and  the  conquests  calm, 
That  braid  the  sceptre  with  the  patriot's  palm  .  .  . 

1788.  Belzebub.     Letters  on  Education  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Maga 
zine,  May  1788,  p.  391.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1789.  Diplom.  [and  others].     Letters  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
June,  Sept.,  Nov.,  1789.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1789.  Gregory,  G[eorge].  The  Life  of  Thomas  Chatterton  .  .  .  with  a 
concise  mew  of  the  controversy  concerning  Rowley's  Poems,  pp.  44, 
149,  175,  195. 

[This  was  first  published  in  A.  Kippis's  Biographia  Britannica,  vol.  iv,  1789,  pp. 
573-619.    The  Chaucer  references  are  pp.  579,  600,  605,  609.] 

1789.  N.,  B.  ?  Verse  [with  a  letter,  signed  B.  N.,  and  dated  Nottingham 
Jan.  1789  in]  The  Literary  Museum,  ed.  by  Francis  Godolphin 
Waldron,  1792.  [Each  extract  has  a  separate  pagination  ;  see  list 
of  contents.] 

Onne  mie  Maister  LYDGATE,  Ms  travellynye  ynnto  Fraunce 
Written  three  hundred  and  sixty  years  since. 
Maister  of  Poettes,  venerable, 
Ryghte  worthye,  honourable, 


488  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1789- 

Myror  of  deauratte  Eloquence, 
Sythennes  dygne  Mayster  Chaucere, 
Eke  Ennglonndes  Poette  Dan  Gowere, 
And  Occleue  are  gone  fro  us, 
Poettes  hertedde  as  Vergilius  .  .  . 

[Note  by  Waldron.]  Whether  this  Poem  was  written  by  a  Rowley 
or  a  Chatterton  I  will  not  presume  to  say  ;  I  only  take  the  liberty  to 
say  that  the  MS.  from  which  it  was  printed  has  a  few  inaccuracies, 
which  denote  it  to  have  been  a  transcript.  .  . 

1789.  [Neve,  Philip.]  Cursory  Remarks  on  some  of  the  Ancient  English 
Poets,  pp.  1-9,  [account  of  Chaucer]  pp.  10,  22,  61,  62,  128. 

[p.  2]  The  general  Prologue  is  justly  the  most  celebrated  part  of 
Chaucer's  works.  The  acuteness  of  his  observation,  his  judg 
ment,  and  discrimination  of  character  are  there  alike  con- 

[p.  3]  spicuous.  Nor  is  it  wonderful  that  a  mind,  possessing  much 
native  humour,  and  enriched  by  long  experience  and  extensive 
information,  should  exhibit  characters  such  as  are  there  to 
be  found,  with  striking  resemblance  to  nature  and  living 
manners. 

Chaucer,  for  the  time  when  he  wrote,  was  a  very  learned,  and 
a  very  powerful  master  in  his  art.  When  he  began  his  Canter 
bury  Tales,  English  could  scarcely  be  called  the  predominant 
language  of  the  country.  ...  To  enrich  his  English  style, 
therefore,  he  consulted  the  best  foreign  sources.  .  .  . 

[p.  5]  Against  his  diction,  his  uncouth  and  obsolete  terms  (as 
they  are  called),  the  general  prejudice  is  unreasonably  strong. 
Chaucer  is  not  now  what  he  was,  before  the  year  1775.  In 
that  year,  Mr  Tynvhitt,  a  gentleman  who  can  never  be  named, 
without  respect  and  gratitude,  by  any  scholar,  or  reader  of 
Chaucer,  published  the  Canterbury  Tales  with  a  Glossary, 

[p.  6]  Notes,  and  Illustrations,  executed  with  method,  acumen  and 
perspicuity,  no  where  exceeded,  among  all  the  commentators 
on  books.  In  this  edition,  the  text  is  published  in  its  original 
purity  ;  and  a  reader,  to  go  through  with  it,  has  only  to  consult 
his  faithful  guide  the  editor;  who  will  equally  amuse  and 
instruct  him,  on  the  pilgrimage.  Of  corruptions  in  the  text 
of  Chaucer,  every  page,  sentence,  almost  every  line  would 
afford  example,  before  the  publication  of  this  edition.  To 
take  the  instance,  which  offers  itself  most  readily  to  those,  who 
have  not  at  hand  the  different  editions  of  Chaucer  to  compare ; 
that  couplet  of  Pope,  in  his  Epistle  of  Eloisa  to  Abelard, 


1789]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  489 

Love,  free  as  air,  at  sight  of  human  ties, 
Spreads  his  light  wings,  and  in  a  moment  flies — 
is  taken  from  Chaucer's  Franlceleines  Tale, 

Love  wol  not  be  constreined  by  maistrie. 
Whan  maistrie  cometh,  the  God  of  Love  anon 
Betetli  his  winges,  and,  farewel,  he  is  gon. 
Bishop  Warburton,  in  his  notes  on  Pope,  has  quoted  these 
[p.  7]     lines  of   Chaucer,  from  that  vile  edition,  published  by  Mr. 
Urry  ;  and  they  stand, 

Love  will  not  be  confined  by  maisterie ; 
When  maisterie  comes,  the  Lord  of  Love  anon 
Flutters  his  wings,  and  forthwith  is  he  gone  : — 
by  which  it  is  seen,  that,  in  three  lines,  are  four  words,  which 
do  not  belong  to  Chaucer. 

[p.  8]  [The  writer  next  compares  Chaucer  to  Dryden,  and  quotes 
the  description  of  morning  from  the  Knight's  Tale  as  given 
by  Chaucer  and  Dryden  respectively,  stating  that  in  point 
of  harmony  Chaucer  excels.] 

1789.  P.,  E.  0.  Particular  Circumstances  which  connects  us  with  past 
Ages  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Feb.  1789,  vol.  lix,  p.  116. 

[We]  are  not  altogether  strangers  to  Chaucer,  Lydgate  and 
Gower  in  the  fourteenth  [century]. 

1789.  Powell,  [?]  Preface  [to]  Lille,  James  de,  Translation  from  the 
French  of  his  Garden,  or  the  Art  of  Laying  out  groundes,  by 
Powell,  1789.  12mo.  4s. 

[The  amateur  in  landscape]  will  admire,  but  without  regret, 
the  few  faint  touches  etched  by  HOMER,  and  by  VIRGIL  :  .  .  . 
he  will  warm  and  enrich  his  imagination  with  the  brilliant 
enchantments  of  TASSO  and  ARIOSTO,  with  the  fond  fancies 
of  CHAUCER  and  SPENSER,  with  the  Paradise  of  MILTON  ;  he 
will  correct  his  j  udgement  with  the  critical  lessons  of  BACON, 
of  TEMPLE,  and  of  POPE,  with  the  various  designs  of  WATELET 
and  MOREL,  with  the  chaste  touches  of  MASON,  and  the  judicious 
illustrations  of  BURGH.  Thus,  with  a  mind  taught  to  admire, 
and  willing  to  imitate  the  fair  forms  of  genuine  nature,  he 
will  ever  follow,  obedient  to  the  '  Genius  of  the  Place,'  and,  as 
situation  may  suggest,  either  walk  with  the  cautious  KENT,  or 
tread  the  fairy  footsteps  of  BROWN. 

[Dr.  N.  Drake,  in  Noontide  Leisure,  1824,  vol.  i,  p.  Ill,  publishes  an  extract  from 
the  prefatory  address  by  the  translator  of  the  Abbe  de  Lille's  Les  Jardins.  He  gives 
the  date  as  1789,  but  not  the  exact  title  of  the  work  ;  the  above  title  is  taken  from 
Watt,  Bibliolheca  Britannica,  1824,  under  Lille,  and  must  refer  to  the  same  work. 
We  have  been  unable  to  find  a  reference  to  the  book  itself  in  any  catalogue.] 


490  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1789- 

1789.  Shaw,  Stebbing.  A  Tour  to  the  West  of  England  in  1788, 
pp.  90-93.  (Reprinted  in  1808  in  Pinkerton's  Collections  of  Voyages 
and  Travels,  vol.  ii,  p.  195.) 

[A  description  of  Woodstock,  taken  almost  verbatim  from 
Dart's  Life  of  Chaucer,  prefaced  to  Urry's  edn.  1721,  q.v. 
above,  p.  358.] 

1789.  Seward,  Anna.  Letter  to  Mr  Weston,  [dated]  Lichfield,  Jan.  7, 
1789.  (Letters  of  Anna  Seward,  Edinburgh,  1811,  vol.  ii,  p.  211.) 

Have  you  reflected,  that  the  most  brilliant  and  celebrated 
of  Dryden's  works  (his  noble  Ode  excepted)  are  paraphrastic 
translations  from  Chaucer,  &c.  Neither  he  nor  Pope  have  one 
original  poem  so  rich  in  poetic  invention  ...  as  Hayley's 
Triumphs  of  Temper. 

[In  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  T.  S.  Whalley,  April  16,  1799  (Letters,  vol.  v,  p.  216),  Miss 
Seward  makes  practically  the  same  remark  as  above.] 

1789.  Seward,  Anna.  Article  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See 
below,  App.  A. 

1789.  Waldron,  Francis  Gotlolphin.  Prefatory  note  [to  a  reprint  of] 
The  Period  of  Mourning  ...  by  Henry  Peacham  .  .  .  1613  [in] 
The  Literary  Museum.  [Each  reprint  has  separate  pagination  ;  see 
list  of  contents.] 

To  reprint  the  writings  of  Chaucer,  Spenser,  Shakespeare, 
or  Milton,  now  entitles  an  editor  to  no  other  praise  than  that 
which  results  from  a  careful  collation  of  ancient  copies,  and 
an  intelligent  illustration  of  the  text.  To  revive  the  almost 
forgotten  lines  of  their  minor  contemporaries,  as  it  is  an 
arduous,  is  (it  is  presumed)  not  an  irnmeritorious  task.  .  .  . 

1789.  Walpole,  Horace.     Letter  to  Miss  Mary  and  Miss  Agnes  Berry, 
[dated]  Strawberry  Hill,  Sept.  4,  1789.   (Letters  of  Horace  Walpole, 
ed.  Mrs.  Paget  Toynbee,  vol.  xiv,  p.  201.) 

As  Spenser  says, 

A  semely  man  our  hoste  is  withal 
To  ben  a  marshal  in  a  lordis  hall. 

[The  lines  are  not  by  Spenser,  but  are  incorrectly  quoted  from  Chaucer's  Prologue 
to  the  C.  Tales,  11.  751-2.] 

1790.  Cassander  I,  pseud,  [i.  e.  Bruckner,  John.]     Criticisms  on  the 
Diversions  of  Pur  ley ,  in  a  letter  to  Home  Tooke,  Esq.,  p.  55. 

In  your  next  article l  you  represent  Sot  and  But  as  having 
been  originally,  that  is  in  the  Anglo-Saxon,  two  words  very 
1  p.  232  [of  the  Diversions  of  Purley]. 


1790]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  491 

different  in  origin,  as  well  as  signification.  Would  yon  be  so 
obliging,  Sir,  as  to  let  ns  know,  in  what  Anglo-Saxon  author 
one  is  likely  to  see  this  nice  distinction  observed  .  .  .  you 
quote,  indeed,  Chaucer  and  Gawin  Douglas  .  .  .  But  on  what 
ground  can  [the  latter]  be  called,  I  will  not  say  an  original, 
but  an  Anglo-Saxon  writer?  I  apprehend,  that  neither  he, 
nor  Chaucer  who  lived  an  hundred  years  before  him  will  pass 
for  one  of  the  number  among  those  who  consider  how  much 
the  language  had  been  vitiated  at  the  time  they  lived  by  the 
importation  of  foreign  words.1 

1  See  Johnson's  Preface,  Art.  Chaucer. 
[Cf.  1V86,  Tooke,  Diversions  of  Purley,  p.  486  above.] 

1790.  '  Climax.'  Letter  [on  Chaucer's  use  of  '  han '  in]  The  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  Aug.  1790,  p.  692. 

1790.  Herbert,  William.  Typographical  Antiquities  .  .  .  begun  by  the 
late  Joseph  Ames  .  .  .  considerably  augmented  .  .  .  by  William 
Herbert,  in  3  volumes,  1785-90,  vol.  iii,  1790,  pp.  1356  [Greene's 
Vision,  1592,  Description  of  Chaucer  quoted,  p.  137,  above]  ;  1776 
[Troilus  and  Cressida,  printed  by  W.  de  Worde,  1517,  Colophon 
quoted,  see  p.  72  above] ;  1777  [The  assemble  of  foules,  printed  by 
K.  Copland,  1530,  see  p.  76  above];  1784,  1816.  [For  vol.  i  see 
above,  1785,  p.  477,  for  vol.  ii,  above,  1786,  p.  483,  for  Ames, 
above,  1749,  p.  398,  for  Dibdin's  enlarged  edn.,  below,  1810.] 

1790.  Malone,  Edmond.  Notes  [in]  The  Plays  and  Poems  of  William 
Shakespeare.  See  below,  Appendix  A. 

1790.  *  Philologus.'  Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  July, 
1790.  See  above,  p.  405. 

1790.  [Ritson,'  Joseph.]  Ancient  Songs  from  the  time  of  King 
Henry  the  Third  to  the  Revolution,  Introduction,  pp.  xv  n.,  xix, 
xxxi-iii,  xxxvi  n.  10,  xli-vii,  2. 

[p.  xxxi]  The  venerable  father  of  English  poetry  had  in  his  time 
penned  "many  a  song  and  many  a  lecherous  lay,"  of  which 
we  have  infinitely  more  reason  to  regret  the  loss,  than  he  had 
in  his  old  age  to  repent  the  composition.  His  larger  works, 
and  above  all  the  inimitable  Canterbury  Tales,  afford  us 

[p.xxxii]numerous  particulars  relative  to  the  state  of  vocal  melody  in 
that  age  .  .  . 

[1790  ?]  Unknown.  The  Good  and  Bad  Priests.  Fowler,  Printer, 
Silver  Street,  Salisbury.  [A  single  sheet.]  The  Good  Priest. 
From  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales  [part  of  Dry  den's  Character  of  a 
good  Parson].  The  Bad  Priest,  a  modern  character. 


492  Fixe  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1790- 

1790.  White,    James.     The   Adventures  of  John  of  Gaunt,  Duke  of 
Lancaster,  2  vols.     12°. 

[Chaucer  appears  as  a  character.  The  manuscript  (says  the 
introduction)  was  compiled  in  Latin  :]  by  friar  Hildebrand,  a 
Cistercian,  at  the  desire,  and  under  the  auspices  of  Geoffrey 
Chaucer,  that  pleasant  poet,  for  the  use  of  his  neighbour  the 
lord  abbot  of  Heading ;  and  was  discovered  by  White,  when 
wandering  thro'  the  ruins  of  an  ancient  castle,  well  known 
to  have  been  a  residence  of  Geoffrey  Chaucer,  and  turned  into 
English  by  him. 

[See  an  account  of  this  by  Wilbur  L.  Cross  in  Anglia,  vol.  xxv,  p.  251.] 

1791.  Boswell,  James.     The  Life  of  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.D.,  by  James 
Boswell,  1791  (ed.  G.  Birkbeck  Hill,  1887,  vol.  i,  p.  306). 

Christopher  Smart  .  .  .  was  one  of  the  stated  undertakers 
of  this  miscellany  [The  Universal  Visiter],  and  it  was  to  assist 
him  that  Johnson  sometimes  employed  his  pen.  All  the 
essays  marked  with  two  asterisks  have  been  ascribed  to  him, 
but  I  am  confident,  from  internal  evidence,  that  of  these, 
neither  'The  Life  of  Chaucer,'  'Reflections  on  the  State  of 
Portugal,'  nor  an  'Essay  on  Architecture,'  were  written  by 
him.  [See  above,  1756,  Unknown,  p.  412.] 

1791.  C.,  H.     Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  Dec.  1791,  p.  1119. 

[Chaucer's  use  of  'moison.'] 

1791.  [Huddesford,  George.]  Salmagundi,  p.  143.    See  below,  App.  A. 

1791.  Lodge,  Edmund.  Illustrations  of  British  History,  etc.,  3  vols. 
1791,  vol.  iii,  p.  171. 

[A  reference,  in  a  note,  to  Chaucer's  connection  with 
Donnington.] 

[This  note  is  referred  to  in  John  Nichols'  Progresses  of  King  James,  I,  25S,  note.] 

1791.  [Smith,  John  Thomas.]  Antiquities  of  London  [engraved  plates, 
without  pagination  or  signatures  ;  pages  have  been  added  in  pencil] 
p.  27. 

[A  Picture  of  John  Stowe]  Erom  his  Monument  in  the 
church  of  St.  Andrew,  Undershaft  .  .  .  our  Author  Stowe, 
had  a  principal  hand  in  two  improved  Editions  of  Chaucers 
works,  published  in  this  reign.  .  .  . 

1791.  Unknown.  Imitation  of  Chaucer  [in]  The  Bee.  See  below, 
App.  A. 


1792]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  493 

1791.  Unknown.     [Review  of]  The   Miller's  Tale  :   from  Chaucer  fin] 
The  Monthly  Review,  1791,  vol.  vi,  pp.  456-7. 

[This  is  otherwise  unknown  ;  it  can  hardly  be  by  Lipscomb, 
who  omitted  the  Miller's  Tale  from  his  Canterbury  Tales.] 

1792.  G.,D.  R.  H.;  Mercier,  R.  E. ;  Tyson,  [M.];  Sigla  ;  Unknown. 
Letters,  article  and  review  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See 
below,  App.  A. 

1792.  Lipscomb,  William.    The  Pardoner's  Tale  .  .  .  modernized  from 
Chaucer. 

[This  separate  edition  of  the  Pardoner's  Tale  is  known  from 
the  notice  in  The  Monthly  Review,  q.v.  immediately  below. 
For  Lipscomb's  complete  Modernization  of  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  see  below,  1795,  p.  496.] 

1792.  Unknown.     Review  of  The  Pardoner's  Tale,  from  Chaucer.     By 
the  Rev.  Win.  Lipscomb  [in]  The  Monthly  Review,  vol.  ix,  p.  456. 

[A  brief  notice,  postponing  a  full  review  until  the  whole 
Canterbury  Tales  should  appear.  See  below,  1795,  p.  496.] 

1792.  "M s."     Letter  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  June  1792,  vol. 

Ixii,  p.  532,  col.  ii. 

Ch.  Ch.  Oxf.,  June  14. 
Mr.  Urban, 

Every  one  who  visits  Woodstock  Park  and  Blenheim  must 
feel  indignant  at  that  false  taste  which  removed,  as  an 
unpleasing  object,  the  ruins  of  the  antient  palace  of  our 
kings,  and  the  habitation  of  the  Black  Prince.  There  are, 
however,  still  existing  some  remains  of  the  house  of  Chaucer, 
which  is  now  made  use  of  as  a  malt-house,  and  if  there  is  no 
drawing  of  it,  I  wish  some  friendly  hand  would  rescue  so 
venerable  an  object  from  oblivion.  In  the  Picture  Gallery  at 
Oxford  there  is  a  portrait  of  our  old  Bard  with  the  date  of 
1400  on  it,  the  year  in  which  he  died.  May  not  this  be  the 
work  of  Thomas  Occlive,  who  (as  is  said  in  D'Urry's  [sic] 
edition]  "lived  in  his  life,  and  was  his  scholar?"  The 
manner,  however,  appears  to  be  better  than  might  be  expected 
from  that  age,1  and  the  painting  is  in  good  preservation.  I 
have  not  Tyrwhitt's  edition  to  refer  to. 

M s. 

1  [Note.]  Since  I  wrote  the  above,  I  am  induced  almost  to  relinquish 
my  opinion  from  the  silence  of  Lord  Orford,  with  respect  to  this  portrait, 
in  his  Anecdotes  of  Painting,  vol.  I,  p.  52. 

[In  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  July  1792,  vol.  xxxii,  p.  624,  is  an  article,  signed 
D.  H. ,  in  which  the  above  is  commented  on  :  '  The  portraits  by  Chaucer  are  all  very 
much  alike,  and  may  have  been  copied  from  that  by  Occleve.'] 


494 


Five  Hundred  Years  of 


[A.D.  1792- 


1792.  Seward,  Anna.  Letter  to  Henry  Gary,  Esq.,  of  Clirist  Church, 
[dated]  May  29, 1792.  (Letters  of  Anna  Seward,  Edinburgh,  1811, 
vol.  iii,  pp.  140,  141.) 

Your  assertion  that  Chaucer,  Spenser,  and  Milton  are  the 
greatest  poets  of  this  country,  may  be  controverted.  Chaucer 
had  certainly  genius ;  but  beneath  the  rust  of  his  obsolete, 
coarse,  and  inharmonious  diction,  there  is  no  ascertaining  its 
degree. 


1792.  T.,  I.     Letter  [in]  Gentleman's  Magazine,  [dated]  Harewood,  June 
1792,  vol.  Ixii,  p.  614. 

N.B.  The  inclosed  head  of  Chaucer  (Jig.  4)  has  been  in  my 
possession  many  years ;  I  believe  it  (though  a  hasty  perform 
ance)  to  be  a  good  likeness  of  that  eminent  poet,  and  hope  it 
will  find  a  place  in  your  excellent  Miscellany. 

[Under  the  print  of  Chaucer,  to  face  p.  612,  is  the  lettering :  '  Chaucer,  from  an 
antient  Illumination  by  his  Disciple  Iloccleve  ;  in  the  Collection  of  the  Revd.  Mr. 
[Michael]  Tyson.'] 

1793.  [Anderson,  Robert  ?]    The,  Life  of  Chaucer  [prefixed  to  his  Poems 
in]  The  Poets  of  Great  Britain  (Anderson's  Poets),  1795.     [1793  is 
the  date  on  title-page  of  Chaucer's  Works.    For  Anderson's  general 
preface  to  the  series,  see  below,  1795,  p.  496.] 


1793.  Bromley,  Henry, 
p.  18. 


A  Catalogue  of  engraved  British  Portraits, 


Literary  Persons. 


Geoffrey  CHAUCER,  Poet.    Ob.  1400,  set.  72. 

in  the  public  library,  at  Ox 

ford    .         .         .  sm.  mez. 

in  Birch's  "Lives" 

wh.  len.  with  his  genealogy, 
prefixed  to  his  "Works," 
by  Speght,  1598  l.fol 

in  the  set  of  Poets  .        I.  foL 

square    .         .         .         l.fol. 

prefixed  to  his  "Canterbury 

Tales,"  1727        .          Svo. 

oval,    with   Milton,    Butler, 

Cowley  and  Walter  [sic]  Svo. 

in  an  oval  of  palms     Uo  mez. 

with    Spencer,    Shakespeare, 

and  Jonson  mez. 


Painter  or 
Designer. 


T.  Occleve. 
Id. 


Engraver  or 
Printseller. 


(Faber.) 
J.  Houbraken. 


J.  S(peght.) 

G.  Vertue. 

Id. 

Id. 
Id. 


1794]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  495 

[1793.]  Bitson,  Joseph.  Letter  to  Mr.  Robert  Harrison  [dated]  7th  Oct. 
2d  year  of  the  French  republic  [in]  The  Letters  ot  Joseph  Ritson, 
[ed.  ...  by  his  nephew,  Joseph  Frank],  1833,  vol.  ii,  p.  29. 

'  The  words  haberdasher  and  beshrew  still  baffle  all  my  etymo 
logical  researches.  The  former  is  used  by  Chaucer,  so  that  I 
entirely  abandon  the  cry  of  Frankfort  Fair  :  Hebt  u  das  herr  ! 

1794.  Alves,  Robert.  Sketches  of  a  History  of  Literature:  containing 
Lives  and  Characters  of  the  most  eminent  writers  in  different 
languages,  ancient  and  modern,  and  critical  remarks  on  their 
ivories  .  .  .  Edinburgh  .  .  .  1794,  pp.  63,  112,  113. 

tp.  H2]  ...  He  [Chaucer]  was  the  author  of  the  Canterbury 
Tales,  and  other  works  of  excellent  humour.  But  he  had 
an  equal  turn  for  the  higher  species  of  poetry ;  being  a  sun 
of  literature,  a  genius  of  the  first  rank,  capable  of  various 
exertions,  and  justly  entitled  the  father  of  English  verse  ;  for 
though  his  numbers  are  rude,  and  his  style  now  obsolete,  we 
may  still  discern  that  his  sense  is  strong,  and  his  wit  genuine. 

1794.  [Mathias,  Thomas  James.]  The  Pursuits  of  Literature,  or  Wliat 
you  will:  A  Satirical  Poem  in  Dialogue,  pp.  26,  28-0  n.,  37. 

(P.  26]          Hold  !  cries  Tom  Payne,  that  margin  let  me  measure, 
And  rate  the  separate  value  of  each  treasure  : 
Eager  they  gaze — Well,  Sirs,  the  feat  is  done ; 
Cracherode's  Poetce  Principes  have  won  : 
In  silent  exultation  down  he  sits, 
'Mong  well  be-Chaucer'd  Winkyn-Wordian  wits. 

tp.  si]         The  sage  Ichnobates  1  see  Tyrwhitt  limp ; 

1  Ichnobates  means  a  dog  who  tracks  out  the  game  before  him.  No 
one  was  more  diligent  than  this  dog,  yet  he  frequently  went  upon  a 
wrong  scent ;  but  would  never  suffer  the  huntsman  to  call  him  off, 
especially  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Canterbury  and  Bristol  [i.  e.  Chaucer 
and  Chatterton].  ...  If  I  were  again  to  metamorphose  these  hounds 
into  men,  I  should  lament  the  application  of  Mr.  Tyrwhitt 's  learning 
and  sagacity. 

[For  the  reference  on  p.  29,  see  below,  App.  A.,  1794.] 

1794.  P.,  B.  ;  Unknown.  Notes  and  reviews  [in]  The  Gentleman's 
Magazine.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1794.  [Penn,  John.]  The  Squire's  Tale,  a  fragment  from  Chaucer, 
[printed  in]  Poems,  London,  1794.  sign.  B  4-E  Ib. 

[The  poem  is  headed  by  the  extract  from  Milton's  II  Pense- 
roso, 

'  Call  up  him  that  left  half  told 
The  story  of  Cambuscan  bold '  .  .  . 
and  begins :] 


496  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1795- 

Part  I. 

In  Sana's  city  once,  in  Tartary,  reign'd 
A  King  who  was  with  Russia's  tribes  inaintain'd ; 
By  which  there  fell  in  arms,  of  splendid  fame, 
Full  many  a  Knight,'  .  .  . 

[This  is  a  pamphlet  containing  three  poems  only,  each  of  which  has  separate 
pagination ;  on  the  title  page  is  the  following  note  in  a  late  18th  or  early  19th 
century  hand:   "This  Pamphlet  was  printed  at  the  private  press  of  the  Author    " 
John  Penn  Bsq  at  Stoke  Park  near  Windsor."     It  is  quite  different  from  Ogle's 
version,  which  is  in  stanzas,  while  this  is  in  heroic  couplets.] 

1795.  Anderson,  Robert.  Preface  to  A  Complete  Edition  of  the  Poets 
of  Great  Britain,  vol.  i,  pp.  2-5. 

[Contains  some  account  of  previous  Collections  of  British 
Poets,  and  remarks  on  Chaucer  having  been  excluded  from 
Johnson's  Poets,  although  the  original  intention  was  to 
include  him;  see  above,  1777,  Dilly,  Edward,  p.  448.  The 
Chaucer  was  printed  in  1793,  see  above,  p.  494.] 

1795.  D'Israeli,  Isaac.  An  Essay  on  the  Manners  and  Genius  of  the 
Literary  Character,  p.  117. 

The  witty  Cowley  despised  the  natural  Chaucer. 

[The  reference  is  to  Dryden's  preface  to  his  Fables ;  see  above,  1700,  p.  280,  and 
1782,  Warton,  p.  471. 

1795.  [Lipscomb,  William.]  The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer;  com 
pleted  in  a  modern  Version.  In  three  volumes.  1795.  Preface, 
pp.  v-x,  Postscript,  p.  xi,  both  by  Lipscomb,  Life  of  Chaucer, 
pp.  1-68  [Lipscomb  says  this  Life  is  by  Tyrwhitt.  which  is 
incorrect.  It  is  the  Life  which  appears  in  the  Biographia  Britan- 
nica,  1748  [q.v.  above,  p.  395]  in  which  year  Tyrwhitt  was  aged  17.] 
Introductory  Discourse  by  Tyrwhitt,  pp.  69-137.  The  versions  of 
Ogle,  Betterton,  Dryden,  Pope,  Brooke,  Markland,  Grosvenor  and 
Boyse,  from  Ogle's  edn.  1741,  are  reprinted  in  vols.  i  and  ii,  and 
Lipscomb's  own  modernizations,  with  Boyse's  Squire's  Tale,  follow 
in  vol.  iii.  He  also  prints  some  of  Tyrwhitt's  notes  to  the  tales. 
For  Lipscomb's  previous  publication  of  the  Pardoner's  Tale,  see 
above,  1792,  p.  492. 

[Preface,  The  following  collection  of  the  Canterbury  Tales,  now 
p°v.]'  first  completed  in  a  modern  version,  is  offered  to  the  public 
under  the  reasonable  confidence,  that  the  improved  taste 
in  poetry,  and  the  extended  cultivation  of  that,  in  common 
with  all  the  other  elegant  arts,  which  so  strongly  characterizes 
the  present  day,  will  make  lovers  of  verse  look  up  to  the  old 
Bard,  the  Father  of  English  poetry,  with  a  veneration  propor 
tioned  to  the  improvements  they  have  made  in  it.  ...  By  a 
fatality  almost  unexampled,  the  venerable  subject  of  these 
[p.vi]  pages  has  found  the  Temple  of  Fame  .  .  .  crumble  from  , 
around  his  shrine  :  the  materials  with  which  it  Avas  built 


1795]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  497 

were  of  too  perishable  a  nature  to  support  the  pretensions 
he  so  justly  makes  to  immortality  j  in  a  word,  the  language, 
in  which  he  wrote,  hath  decayed  from  under  him  .  .  . 

1795.  Unknown.  Review  of  Lipscomb's  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer 
completed  in  a  modern  version,  [in]  The  Monthly  Review,  vol. 
xviii,  pp.  354-5. 

[After  praising  Tyrwhitt's  Canterbury  Tales,  and  desider 
ating  a  similar  edition  of  Chaucer's  other  works,  the  reviewer 
notices  Lipscomb's  omission  of  the  Miller's  and  Reeve's  Tales.] 

1795.  Unknown.  Review  of  Lipscomb's  edition  of  The  Canterbury 
Tales  of  Chaucer,  completed  in  a  modern  version,  [in]  The  British 
Critic,  April  1795,  pp.  372-8. 

[P. 37]  ...  It  remained  for  him  (Mr.  L.)  to  complete  the  task 
(of  modernisation) ;  and  to  remove  the  rust  of  antiquity  from 
all  the  parts  of  this  irregular  drama,  which  had  hitherto  been 
left  untried  by  the  pen  of  innovation. 

The  Tales,  which  are  now  for  the  first  time  exhibited  in 
modern  dress,  are  certainly  .  .  .  far  inferior  in  point  of  inte 
rest  and  excellence  to  those  which  arrested  the  attention  and 
employed  the  genius  of  former  dillettanti.  Under  these  dis 
couragements,  we  think  Mr.  L.  has  executed  a  difficult  task 
well ;  .  .  .  His  versification  is,  in  general,-  harmonious,  .  .  . 
his  language  is  grammatically  pure  ;  and  the  ear  of  Swift  him 
self  was  not  more  chaste,  with  respect  to  accuracy  of  rhyme. 

To  the  acute  and  learned  Tyrwhitt,  Mr.  Lipscomb  is  under 
the  greatest  obligations.  The  whole  of  the  Prolegomena,  the 
Life  of  Chaucer,  and  the  few  but  ingenious  notes,  .  .  .  are 
all  the  productions  of  this  accomplished  scholar  .  .  . 

We  are  sure  that  whenever  the  shade  of  the  old  bard  shall 
welcome  Mr.  L.  to  the  elysium  of  poets,  he  will  greet  him 
with  affectionate  cordiality,  and  acknowledge  the  fidelity  and 
success  with  which  he  has  presented  him  to  his  modern 
countrymen. 

1795.  Sciolus  ;  Unknown;  Z.,  K.  ;  Letters  and  revieivs  [in]  The 
Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1795.  Unknown.     A  Fortnight's  Ramble  through  London,  p.  83. 

The  landlady,  with  the  politest  address  she  was  mistress 
of,  very  cordially  invited  him  into  the  bar,  and  he  found 

CHAUCER     CRITICISM.  KK 


498  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  1796- 

means  to  entertain  her  with  several  Canterbury  tales,  and 
cock  and  bull  stories,  about  his  spouse,  and  her  relations, 
who  were  all  immensely  oppulent  [sic]  people. 

1796.  Burke,  Edmund.  Letter  to  Mr.  Malone,  [dated  8  April,  1796, 
in]  A  Biographical  Memoir  of  Edmoud  Malone[by  James  Boswell, 
in]  The  Plays  and  Poems  of  William  Shakespeare,  1821,  vol.  i, 
p.  Ixviii. 

You  have  .  .  .  given  us  a  very  interesting  History  of  our 
Language,  during  that  important  period  in  which,  after  being 
refined  by  Chaucer,  it  fell  into  the  rudeness  of  civil  confusion. 

1796.  [Gough,  Richard.]  Sepulchral  Monuments  in  Great  Britain, 
vol.  ii,  pt.  ii,  1796.  See  above,  1786,  p.  483. 

1796.  [Mason,  George.]  Preface,  Glossary  and  Notes  [to]  Poems  by 
Thomas  Hoccleve  .  .  .  selected  from  a  MS.  in  the  possession  of 
George  Mason  ;  pp.  2,  8,  9,  17,  18,  20-1,  25  ;  Notes  27,  36-9,  42, 
47,  52,  62,  78,  80  ;  Glossary,  89,  92,  105,  108-9.  [Passing  refer 
ences  to  Chaucer.] 

1796.  Meen,  Henry.  Letter  to  Dr.  Thomas  Percy  [dated]  Aug.  6, 
1796,  [printed  in]  Illustrations  of  the  Literary  History  of  the 
18th  century  ...  by  John  Bowyer  Nichols,  vol.  vii,  1848,  pp. 
39-40. 

[Remarks  on  "  quappe  "  used  by  Chaucer.] 

1796.  Ritson,  Joseph.     Letter  to  Mr.  [Robert]  Harrison  [dated]  15th 
'August,  1796  [in]  The  Letters  of  Joseph  Ritson,  [ed.  by  ...  his 
nephew,  Joseph  Frank]  1833,  vol.  ii,  p.  129. 

And  first  as  to  the  word 

Harow 

which  you  have  so  frequently  met  with :  as  for  instance,  in 
Chaucer  :   "  Thai  crieden,  out !  liarow  and  wala  wa  ! " 

1796.  Steevens,  George.  Letter  to  Dr.  Thomas  Percy,  [dated]  Oct.  24, 
1796,  [printed  in]  Illustrations  of  the  Literary  History  of  the  18th 
century  ...  by  John  Bowyer  Nichols  .  .  .  vol.  vii,  1848,  pp.  5-7. 

[P.  5]  I  ...  take  the  liberty  of  pointing  out  a  passage  in  our 
late  friend  Mr.  Tyrwbitt's  edition  of  Chaucer,  that  seems  to 
encourage  an  idea  that  there  has  been  blank  verse,  by  a 
century  at  least,  more  ancient  than  any  you  have  ascertained. 
'The  Tale  of  Melibeus.'  Mr.  Thomas  has  observed 
that  'this  Tale  seems  to  have  been  written  in  blank  verse. 

.[p.  6]  MSS.  notes  upon  Chaucer,  ed.  Urry,  in  Brit.  Mus.  [See 
above,  1721,  p.  353.]  It  is  certain  that  in  the  former  part  of 
it  we  find  a  number  of  blank  verses  intermixed,  in  a  much 


1797]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  499 

greater  proportion  than  in  any  of  our  author's  other  prose 
writings.  But  this  poetical  style  is  not,  I  think,  remarkable, 
beyond  the  first  four  or  five  pages. 

[p.  7]  Mr.  Thomas's  remark  on  the  metrical  turn  of  the  Melibeus 
may  be  countenanced,  perhaps,  in  some  degree,  by  the  following 
article  in  Du  Fresnoy's  Bibliotheque,  vol.  ii,  p.  248.  '  Le 
roman  de  Melibee,  &c.  en  vers,  in  fol.  manuscrit,  et  in  4. 
dans  la  Bibliotheque  Seguier.' 

Some  such  MS.  might  have  been  Chaucer's  original.  He 
might  have  commenced  his  imitation  in  verse ;  and  when  he 
changed  his  design  might  have  been  too  lazy  to  obliterate  the 
vestiges  of  his  first  resolution. 

1796.  Unknown.  The  Squires  Tale,  imitated  from  Chaucer  [in]  The 
Monthly  Magazine,  suppl.  No.  to  vol.  ii,  pp.  987-92. 

1796.  Unknown.  Reviews  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.  See  below, 
App.  A. 

1796.  Waldron,  Francis  Godolphin.     Advertisement  and  Introductory 
Extracts  [in]  The  Loves  of  Troilus  and  Creseid  written  by  Chaucer 
with  a   Commentary   by    Sir    Francis    Kinaston.     Never    before 
published.    Printed  for  and  sold  by  F.  G.  Waldron.     [The  adver 
tisement    is    signed    F.  G.  W.   and    dated    Dec.    1,    1795.     The 
references  to   Chaucer  are   continuous  on  every  page,  including 
numerous  extracts  from  various  authors.     Waldron  bought  Kynas- 
ton's  Latin  MS.  which  included  the  translation  of  the  whole  work 
and  a  Latin  commentary.     He  only  published  the  first  twelve 
stanzas  of  the  first  book  and  the  commentary  on  them,  though  he 
had  intended  to  complete  the  whole  work.    See  p.  207,  above,  1635, 
Kynaston.] 

1797.  J.,  J.,  H.    Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below, 
App.  A. 

1797.  Lamb,  Charles.     Letter  to  Coleridge,  [dated  by  mistake?]  Jan.  5, 

1797,  [begun  Sunday,  Feb.  5,  1797].     (The  Works  of  Charles  and 
Mary  Lamlx  ed.  E.  V.  Lucas,  1905,  vol.  vi,  p.  90.) 

Your  dream,  down  to  that  exquisite  line- — "  I  can't  tell  half 
his  adventures,"  is  a  most  happy  resemblance  of  Chaucer.  The 
remainder  is  so  so.  The  best  line,  I  think,  is,  "  He  belong'd, 
I  believe,  to  the  witch  Melancholy." 

[The  poem  of  Coleridge's  here  referred  to  as  the  "  Dream,"  is  that  afterwards  called 
"  The  Raven,  a  Christmas  Tale,  told  by  a  school-boy  to  his  little  brothers  and  sisters," 
first  printed  in  the  Morning  Post  of  Mar.  10,  1798.  See  letter  to  Godwin,  Nov.  10, 
1803.] 

1797-8.  Lee,  Harriet  and  Sophia.      Canterbury  Tales,  2  vols.  (vol.  ii, 

1798,  by  Sophia  Lee). 

[No  connection  with  Chaucer  beyond  the  title.] 


500  Five  Hundred   Years  of  [A.D.  I1 

1797.  Ritson,  Joseph.  Letter  to  Mr.  Robert  Harrison,  [dated]  26 
January,  1797,  [in]  The  Letters  of  Joseph  Ritson,  [ed.  by  ...  his 
nephew,  J.  Frank,]  1883,  vol.  ii,  pp.  144-5. 

[On  the  use  of  "self"  and  "selves."]  You  will  see  what 
Wallis,  Lowth  and  Johnson,  say  on  this'  subject ;  and  may 
consult  Tyrwhitt,  if  you  have  his  Chaucer,  on  the  other  side. 

1797.  Unknown.  Review  [of]  The  Loves  of  Troilus  and  Cresseid, 
written  by  Chaucer  ;  with  a  Commentary,  by  Sir  Francis  Kinaston, 
never  before  published,  [in]  The  British  Critic,  Nov.,  1797,  p.  549. 
[See  above,  1796,  Waldron,  p.  499.] 

1797.  Warton,  Joseph.     The  Works  of  Alexander  Pope,  Esq.  .  .   .   With 
Notes  and  Illustrations  by  Joseph  Warton,  D.D.  and  others,  vol.  i 
[Life  of  Pope],  pp.    xiii,  xvii,  Ixiii  ;   vol.   ii,  pp.   51,   57-60,  102 
[Translations,    Temple    of    Fame],    107-8    [January  and   May]. 
Throughout  this  poem  Warton  inserts  long  extracts  from  Chaucer 
in  the  notes,  pp.  109-118,  147-8,  165-6   [Wife  of  Bath];  vol.  iv, 
p.  150  [Imitations  of  Horace]. 

[vol.  ii,  Mr.  Harte  assured  me,  that  he  was  convinced  by  some 
circumstances  which  Fenton  his  friend  communicated  to  him, 
that  Pope  wrote  the  characters  that  make  the  introduction  to 
the  Canterbury  Tales,  published  under  the  name  of  Betterton. 

[See  above,  n.a.  1710,  Betterton,  p.  312,  and  Johnson,  1779-81,  p.  457.] 

1798  The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer  ...  by  the  late  Thomas 
Tyrwhitt,  Esq.,  F.B.S.,  2nd  edn.  Oxford,  Clarendon  Press,  1798. 
[A  reprint,  in  two  large  quarto  vols.,  of  Tyrwhitt's  Canterbury  Tales, 
1775  (q.v.  above,  p.  442),  with  a  few  emendations  and  additions 
from  MS.  notes  made  by  Tyrwhitt  in  his  own  copy  of  the  first  edn.] 

[1798?  Haworth,  Dr.]  MS.  notes  [on  words],  pencilled  in  a  copy  of 
The  Canterbury  Tales  of  Chaucer,  2nd  edition,  ed.  T.  Tyrwhitt, 
Clarendon  Press,  1798  [B.  M.  11626.  h.  2,  3]. 

1798.  Jaques.     See  below,  Appendix  A,  1798. 

1798.  Seward,  Anna.  Letter  to  Mr.  [John]  Saville,  [dated]  Lichfield, 
June  15,  1798.  (Letters  of  Anna  Seward,  Edinburgh,  1801,  vol.  v, 
pp.  116-123.) 

[Practically  the  whole  letter  is  devoted  to  comments  on 
"  Urry's  Life  of  Chaucer,"  (i.  e.  Dart's  Life  of  Chaucer,  in 
Urry's  edn.,  1721),  which  Miss  Seward  had  just  been  reading. 

1798.  Seward,  Anna.  Letter  to  the  Rev.  H.  J.  Todd,  on  receiving  his 
edition  of  Milton's  Comus,  [dated]  Lichfield,  Oct.  19,  1798. 
(Letters,  vol.  v,  p.  159.)] 

The  utter  \vant  of  harmonious  flow  in  the  numbers,  which 
characterize  our  verse  from  Chaucer's  time  till  Spenser's.  .  . 


1799]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  oOl 

1798-1805.  Tooke,  John  Home.     Enea  Urepoevra  .  .  .  Second  edition. 
See  first  edition,  above,  1786,  p.  486. 


1798 


[Description  of  Chaucer's  monument  in  Westminster  Abbey 
quoted,  followed  by  quotations  referring  to  Chaucer's  life.-] 

1798.     Unknown  ;     Wiccamicus.       Review     and    Letter    [in]    The 
Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1798.  Walpole,  Horace.     A  Catalogue  of  the  Royal  and  Noble  Authors 
of  England,  [in]  The   Works  of  Horatio  Walpole,  5  vols,  vol.  i, 
p.  564. 

Chaucer  had  enriched  rather  than  purified  our  language. 

[The  Appendix,  in  which  this  occurs,  was  added  in  this  edition  from  Walpole's 
notes.] 

1799.  Adams,  James.     The  Pronunciation  of  the   English  Language 
vindicated  from  imputed  anomaly  and  caprice,  p.  149. 

[Barbour  contemporary  with  Chaucer.] 

1799.  Fellowes,  Robert.     Some  account  of  Thomas  Chatterton  [in]  The 
Monthly  Mirror,  Sept.  1799,  vol.  viii,'  p.  146. 

Mr.  Warton  has  observed  that  Chaucer  is  like  a  genial  day 
in  an  English  spring  ;  but  Chatterton  appears  to  resemble  a 
meteor  seen  in  a  summer  sky,  which  passes  away  too  soon  for 
all  its  deviations  to  be  noted,  or  all  its  lustre  ascertained. 
[See  above,  1782,  Warton,  p.  472.] 

1799.     Gilpiti,    John,    and    others.      Letter    and    Articles    [in]    The 
Gentleman's  Magazine.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1799.  M[anners,  Catherine  Rebecca],  Lady.    Revieiv  of  Poetry,  Ancient 
and  Modern.     A  Poem.     By  Lady  M  ****** 

As  amid  the  gloom  of  night, 
When  no  star  emits  its  light, 
Swift  the  meteor's  sudden  ray 
Gleams  a  momentary  day  ; 
Thus  gay  Chaucer's  mirthful  rhymes 
Glitter'd  amid  barb'rous  times. 

1799.  Bitson,  Joseph.    Letter  to  the  Editor,  [Joseph  Frank,  dated]  8th 
October,  1799,  [in]  The  Letters  of  Joseph  Ritson,  1833,  vol.  ii,  p.  188. 

Egerton  allows  II.  7s.  for  Tyrwhitts  Chaucer. 


502  Five  Hundred  Years  of  [A.D.  1799- 

1799.  Strutt,  Joseph.     A  complete  mew  of  the  Dress  and  Habits  of  the 
people  of  England,  1796,  [vol.  ii,  1799].    Vol.  ii,  pp.  128  n.,  129  n., 
132-4,  140  n.,  155  n.,  157,  167-170  n.,  172-3  n.,  176-7  n.,  191  n., 
251-2,  274,  277-285,  287-9, 292,  304  71.,  318,  320-1, 326, 332-3, 336-7, 
348-350,  354  n.,  355,  357,  361,  363,  365-7,  370-4,  376-8. 

[Chap,  iv,    The  Dresses  of  the  several  Personages  described  in  Chaucer's 
r>277]  Canterbury    Tales    briefly    considered.    .    .    .    [pp.    277-285 
devoted  to  this.] 

The  different  characters  exhibited  by  Chaucer,  in  his 
Canterbury  Tales,  are  drawn  with  a  masterly  hand  :  they 
are,  undoubtedly,  pictures  of  real  life,  and  throw  great  light 
upon  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  age  in  which  the  Poet 
flourished.  .  .  . 

[Chap,  vi,  It  seems  to  have  been  almost  as  fashionable,  in  the  days 
of  Chaucer,  to  make  occasional  visits  to  the  tomb  of  some 
favourite  saint ;  as  it  now  is  to  frequent  the  different  watering 
places.  The  Poet  calls  his  journey  to  Canterbury  a 
pilgrimage;  but  surely,  his  description  of  this  journey  little 
justifies  the  appellation ;  and  the  generality  of  the  stories 
introduced  by  the  pious  fraternity  have  not  even  a  distant 
reference  to  religion;  on  the  contrary,  several  of  them  are 
deficient  in  morality,  and  some  few  outrageous  to  common 
decency.  It  was  evidently  his  intention  to  hold  up  these 
idle  vagrancies  to  ridicule. 

[a.  1800.]  Pegge,  Samuel  (the  younger).  Anecdotes  of  the  English 
Language,  1803.  [Published  after  the  author's  death,  in  1800, 
written  probably  between  1780  and  1800.]  pp.  21,  26,  27  and  n., 
38,  70  n.,  81  and  n.,  82-4,  96, 112  and  n.,  116,  118  n.,  129,  130  and 
n.,  134,  135  n.,  142,  174  and  «.,  198,  200  and  n.,  201,  205,  224,  235 
and  n.,  236  n.,  241,  268,  274,  281. 

[p.  38]  It  is  no  very  easy  matter  to  read  and  understand 
Chaucer,  and  the  Poets  of  that  age,  currently  in  their  old- 
fashioned  spelling  (apart  from  their  obsolete  words),  even  when 
translated,  as  I  may  term  it,  into  modem  types  ;  and  much 
less  so  in  their  ancient  garb  of  the  Gothick  or  black  letter, 
till  their  language  becomes  familiarized  by  habit.  I  conceive 
farther,  that  the  antiquated  French  tongue  would  be  still 
more  unintelligible  to  a  Frenchman  of  the  present  age.  .  .  . 

1800.  [Brydges,  Sir  Samuel  Egerton.]     See  below,  App.  A. 

1800.  Howard,    Frederick,    5th   Earl   of  Carlisle.      Prologue  to   The 
Father's  Revenge,  a  Tragedy :  with  other  Poems,  sign.  A  1 .     [This 
is  not  in  the  earlier  edn.  of  1783.] 


1800]  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.  503 

PROLOGUE. 

In  ancient  times,  when  Edward's  conquering  son, 
O'er  prostrate  France  his  glorious  course  had  run ; 
'Midst  clashing  arms,  and  'midst  the  din  of  war, 
Meek  Science  follow'd  not  the  Victor's  car. 
Though  Gower  and  Chaucer  knelt  before  her  shrine, 
And  woo'd,  on  British  ground,  the  tuneful  Nine, 
Yet  she,  to  climes  congenial  to  her  soul, 
Fled  from  our  chilling  blasts,  and  northern  pole. 

1800.  [Malone,  Edmond.]  [Preface  and  Additions  to]  Theatrum 
Poet  arum  Anglicanorum  ...  by  Edward  Phillips  .  .  .  first 
published  in  1675,  and  now  enlarged  by  additions  to  every  article 
from  subsequent  biographers  and  critics,  pp.  xlvii,  xlviii,  Ivi,  Jix, 
2,  3,  7-12,  13,  15,  16,  20-3,  25,  28,  35,  39,  178.  [Many  of  these 
are  little  more  than  quotations  from  Warton's  Hist,  of  Eng.  Poetry.] 

tp.  xivii]  Chaucer,  whose  genius  still  shines  brightly  through  all  the 
obscurities  of  four  centuries,  must  have  been  as  superior  to 
his  cotemporaries  in  judgment  as  he  was  in  fancy.  In 
rudeness,  in  barbarism,  in  grossness  and  flatness  of  imagery 
and  sentiments  he  is  as  much  exceeded  by  them,  as  he  totally 

[p.xiviii]  flies  away  from  them  in  beauties.  Such  is  the  mighty  flame, 
so  prophetic  is  the  eye  of  genius,  that  he  anticipated  the 
polish  of  nearly  two  hundred  years.  Perhaps,  the  native 
powers  and  the  rareness  of  genius  can  by  no  instance  be  so 
unanswerably  illustrated  as  by  the  character  of  Chaucer. 

1800.  Malone,  Edmond.  The  Critical  and  Miscellaneom  Prose  Works 
of  John  Dryden,  2  vols. ;  vol.  i,  pt.  i.,  [Life  of  Dryden],  pp.  256, 
257,  318,  319,  328,  362,  375-6,  377-8  note,  382  note,  557. 

[p.  25C]  .  .  .  Such  is  the  Golden  Legend  of  Jacobus  Januensis ;  the 
foundation  of  Chaucer's  Second  Nonnes  Tale,  which  he  has 
inserted  among  his  other  Canterbury  Tales,  but  appears  to 
have  originally  intended  for  a  distinct  work  [footnote  on 
Tyrwhitt's  observations  on  this  point]. 

tp.  257]  [Footnote  on  St.  Cecilia  as  inventress  of  the  organ,  and 
quotation  of  Second  N.  T.,  134-5.] 

{p.  sis]  That  in  the  middle  of  the  year  1698,  he  [Dryden]  began 
to  modernize  Chaucer,  may  be  collected  from  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Pepys  .  .  .  from  which  we  learn  that  "the  Character 
of  a  Good  Parson"  was  introduced  into  this  work  on  his 
suggestion.  .  .  .  When  he  resolved  to  give  rejuvenescence  to 


504  Chaucer  Criticism  and  Allusion.          [A.D.  1800 

the  venerable  father  of  English  poetry,  he  brought  to  his  task 
only  such  a  knowledge  of  his  author,  as  would  enable  him  to 
clothe  Chaucer's  meaning  with  the  rich  trappings  of  his  own 
mellifluous  verse.  In  this  neglect  of  archaiologick  lore  he 
was  by  no  means  singular ;  for  to  the  great  mass  of  English 
readers  at  that  time  there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that 
this  ancient  bard  was  nearly  as  difficult  to  be  understood,  as  if 
his  works  had  been  written  in  a  foreign  language. 

1800.  Mason,  George.  Supplement  to  Johnson's  English  Dictionary, 
London,  1801,  p.  iv. 

Ash  also  by  the  help  of  glossaries  carries  his  [Johnson's] 
language  back  to  the  writings  of  Chaucer.  [See  above, 
p.  441,  1775,  Ash.] 

1800.  Trinitarius.  Letter  to  the  editor  [in]  The  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  April  1800,  vol.  Ixx,  pp.  1263-4. 

[The  writer  encloses  Chaucer's  '  Character  of  the  Parsone  '  newly 
modernised.] 

1800.  Tytler,  Alexander  Fraser  (Lord  Woodhouselee).  Poems  of 
Allan  Eamsay,  pp.  Ixxxi,  ?/.,  cviii. 

[p.  Ixxxi  n.  :  reference  to  language  of  Chaucer  compared 
with  Spenser,  p.  cviii,  Eamsay's  "  Monk  and  Miller's  Wife  " 
compared  with  humorous  work  of  Chaucer  and  Boccaccio.] 

1800.  Unknown.  Version,  partly  modernised,  of  Chaucer's  Character 
of  the  Parson,  by  "  Trinitarius  "  (i.  e.  a  member  of  Trinity  College, 
Oxford,  cf.  the  Oct.  No.,  p.  943)  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine, 
vol.  Ixx,  pp.  1263-4. 

1800.  Unknown.  Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  April  1800, 
vol.  Ixx,  p.  336.  See  below,  App.  A. 

1800.  Warton,  Thomas.     Essays  on  Gothic  Architecture,  p.  7. 

[Warton  quotes  from]  an  old  poem  called  Pierce  the  Plow- 
man's  Creede,  written  perhaps  before  Chaucer's  \_Hous  of  Fame], 
[He  also  quotes  from  the  Hous  of  Fame.'] 


END    OF   VOL.    I. 


PRINTED  .IN  GREAT  BRITAIN  BY  RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 
BRUNSWICK  ST.,  STAMFORD  ST.,  S.E.,  AND  BUNGAY,  SUFFOLK 


ADDENDUM 

1800.  Wordsworth,  William.  Lyrical  Ballads,  ivith  other  Poems. 
(Preface,  p.  xii  n.  The  Prose  Works  of  William  Wordsworth, 
ed.  W.  Knight,  2  vols.,  1896,  vol.  i,  p.  49  n.) 

It  is  worth  while  here  to  observe,  that  the  affecting  parts 
of  Chaucer  are  almost  always  expressed  in  language  pure  and 
universally  intelligible  even  to  this  day. — W.  W.,  1800. 

[This  preface  did  not' appear  in  the  first  edition  of  1798.] 


504 


Chaucer  Criticism  and  ^Illusion. 


[A.D.  1800 


the  venerable  father  of  English  poetry,  he  brought  to  his  task 
only  such  a  knowledge  of  his  author,  as  would  enable  him  to 
clothe  Chaucer's  meaning  with  the  rich  trappings  of  his  own 
mellifluous  verse.  In  this  neglect  of  archaiologick  lore  he 
was  by  no  means  singular ;  for  to  the  great  mass  of  English 
readers  at  that  time  there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that 
this  ancient  bard  was  nearly  as  difficult  to  be  understood,  as  if 
his  works  had  been  written  in  a  foreign  language. 

1800.  Mason,  George.      Supplement  to  Johnson's  English  Dictionary, 
London,  1801,  p.  iv. 

Ash  also  by  the  help  of  glossaries  carries  his  [Johnson's] 
language  back    to  the  writings   of    Chaucer.      [See   above, 


vol.  Ixx,  pp.  1263-4. 

1800.  Unknown.     Letter  [in]  The  Gentleman's  Magazine,  April  1800, 
vol.  Ixx,  p.  336.     See  below,  App.  A. 

1800.  Warton,  Thomas.     Essays  on  Gothic  Architecture,  p.  7. 

[Warton  quotes  from]  an  old  poem  called  Pierce  the  Plow- 
man's  Creede,  written  perhaps  before  Chaucer's  [Hous  of  Fame], 
[He  also  quotes  from  the  Hous  of  Fame.] 

END    OF   VOL.    I. 


PRINTED  JN  GREAT  BRITAIN  BY  RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 

BRUNSWICK   ST.,    STAMFORD   ST.,    S.E.,    AND   BUNGAY,    SUFFOLK 


PR  Chaucer  Society,   London 

1901  ..Publications. 

A3 

ser.2 

no.   48 

CIRCULATE  AS  MONOGRAPH 


PLEASE  DO  NOT  REMOVE 
CARDS  OR  SLIPS  FROM  THIS  POCKET 

UNIVERSITY  OF  TORONTO  LIBRARY