Selections from the Confessio amantis

KU

sr

THE CONFESSION

{Miniatures from MSS. Bodley 902 and Bodley 294)

The M iniatures represent the Lover on his knees before the
Confessor. In the upper print, from MS. Bodley 902, the Lover
is represented, in accordance with the poem, as an old man,
and his figure is probably meant for a portrait of the author.
As regards the fashion of the beard and the shape of the
garment worn, it resembles the effigy upon the poet's tomb.
The ritual action of the priest, who is laying his stole upon
the head of the penitent, is one which occurs also in MS.
Corpus Christi Coll. Oxf. 67. The second miniature is more
conventional, and closely resembles those found in MS. Egerton
1991 and other manuscripts.

GOWER

SELECTIONS FROM THE
CONFESSIO AMANTIS

EDITED BY

G. C. MACAULAY, M.A.

LATE FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

OXFORD

AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1903

HENRY FROWDE, M.A.

PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

LONDON, EDINBURGH

NEW YORK

PREFACE

IN view both of the literary and the linguistic interest of
Gower's Confessio Amantis it seems desirable that it should
be made more accessible than it has hitherto been to young
students. One author alone, even though that one be Chaucer,
is not sufficient to illustrate the important period in the history
of English Literature and the English Language which was
reached towards the end of the fourteenth century, and in
the history of the development of the standard literary language
Gower properly takes his place beside Chaucer, notwithstand-
ing his inferiority in genius. Indeed, for linguistic purposes
the text of the Confessio A mantis is in many respects more
satisfactory to deal with than that of the Canterbury Tales,
since it has been handed down to us more exactly as it was
written, and it was written by an author who was particularly
careful in matters of language and orthography. The
contents too are sufficiently interesting, and on the whole,
no doubt, Gower represents the average literary taste of the
time better than Chaucer.

The Selections have been made with a view to exhibiting
the general plan and framework of the Confessio Amantis,
while including some of the more interesting stories. Many
more of the stories might well have been given, but for
necessary considerations of space ; it is hoped, however, that
sufficient specimens have been included to suggest an idea of
the whole.

The text is taken from the Fairfax manuscript, and it is

iv PREFACE

printed in exact accordance with the orthography of this copy.
In the present editor's complete edition of the Confessio Amantis
some modifications have been admitted for the convenience of
modern readers, but in the present text the student will find
some five or six thousand lines of this very excellent manuscript
exactly reproduced, and the editor hopes that this may be
regarded as a matter of some general interest. The text of
this book, it may be added, is the result of a quite independent
collation of the manuscript, and a few very trifling errors
(chiefly cases of « y ' for ' i '), which had escaped notice in the
larger edition, have been discovered and corrected here *.

In the Introduction some account is given of the author
and of his literary work, and a short summary of the Confessio
Amantis is added. The account of the language and metre
is founded upon that which is given in the larger edition,
but with much abridgement. The Notes of this book, on the
other hand, are considerably more extensive than those of the
complete edition, being intended for younger students. The
Glossary, it is hoped, will supply all that is necessary in
addition for the full understanding of the text.

1 viz. in 1.665, I9r9i 236o, ii. 2753, iv. 1170, 1336, 3591, v. 2104,
2I<57» 5039. *»«• 24°8, 2544, 2931.

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION vii

TEXT OF SELECTIONS i

NOTES 179

GLOSSARY aio

INDEX TO NOTES 249

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INTRODUCTION

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V - N, r '^ V^ '

Jf X J^

I. THE AUTHOR AND HIS WORKS

OF the life of John Gower very little is known.. As records
of him we have his marriage licence, his will, his tomb in
St. Saviour's, Southwark, and his writings. He calls himself
feeble and old at the year 1390 (Con/. Amantis, viii. 3070*),
and he became blind, apparently from old age, about the
year 1400, so that we can hardly place his birth later than
!335> and it may have been decidedly earlier. He belonged
to a flood Keqtish family; and bore the same arms as Sir
Robert Gower, who had a monument in Brabourne Church.
He was a man of substance, being the possessor of landed
property in at least two counties, and a considerable bene-
factor of the Priory of St. Mary Overy, within the precincts of
which he had a lodging and an oratory in the latter years
of his life, and in the church of which he was sumptuously
buried. It has been stated that he was a lawyer, but of this
there is no sufficient evidence, and we do not know whether
he followed any other pursuit than that of literature. It is
certain only that hp wa« a layman He was married late in
life, in the year 1398, to one Agnes Groundolf, and there is
extant the copy of a licence from the Bishop of Winchester,
specially authorizing the performance of the marriage ceremony
in the poet's own private oratory. It is from this document
that we learn that he was resident within the Priory, and we
may perhaps gather from it that he was at this time so infirm
that it was not convenient for him to be married in the parish

viii INTRODUCTION

church. It is possible that this may have been a second
marriage, for there are some allusions in his earlier writings
which suggest the idea that he had a wife.

As to his other personal relations, we know that he was
acquainted with Chaucer, for (i) he was one of the two persons
legally appointed by Chaucer to manage his business during
his absence abroad in the year 1378; (2) he is addressed,
in company with Strode, at the conclusion of Troilus and
Criseide, with a request that he will criticize and correct the
poem,

'O moral Gower, this book I directe
To thee, and to thee, philosophical Strode,
To vouchensauf, ther nede is, to correcte,
Of your benignetes and zeles gode.'

(3) the first edition of Gower's Confessio Amantis has
a passage in which Chaucer is spoken of not only with high
appreciation as a poet, but also as one with whom the author
is in relations of personal intercourse. See p. 209.

It may be added that there are no sufficient grounds for
the suggestion that the friendship of Chaucer and Gower was
broken off. Chaucer, it is true, in the introduction to the
Man of Lawes Tale made a playful allusion to the character
of some of the tales in the Confessio Amantis, which might
conceivably have been taken amiss by Gower ; but the dis-
appearance of the Chaucer lines from the Confessio Amantis
may reasonably be explained in connexion with the rewriting
of the conclusion of that work, without the assumption of
any ill-feeling.

We know also that he was an admirer first and then
a partisan of the king's brilliant cousin, afterwards his rival
and successor, Henry of Lancaster. There is every reason
to suppose that Gower was a public- spirited man, who felt
strongly about the misgovernment of the country during the

THE AUTHOR AND HIS WORKS IX

period of the minority of Richard II, that he had cherished
hopes that the young king would govern well when he came
to age, that he was only gradually disillusioned, and that he
finally turned to Henry, for whom he had previously had
great admiration, after the events of 1397. The gradual
change in his hopes and feelings may be fairly well traced in
the alterations which we find successively introduced into the
text of the Vox Clamantis and the Confessio Amantis. His
final opinions are most fully expressed in the account which
he gives of the political events of Richard's reign, and of his
deposition, in the Cronica Tripertita, which forms a kind of
sequel to the Vox Clamantis. Gower's principal English
work was undertaken at the suggestion of the king \ but it
was dedicated even in the first edition to Henry of Lancaster,
and as early as the year 1393 the author chose to remove the
personal reference to the king from the text of his poem, or
at least from some copies of it, and to introduce the name
of Henry with greater prominence. In the same year he
received a present of a collar from his favourite political hero,
and it is to be observed that the effigy upon Gower's tomb
is wearing a collar of SS, with the swan badge which was
used by Henry.

His will is dated Aug. 15, 1408, and was proved in
October of the same year by his widow, who was one of the
executors. Leland asserts, on good authority no doubt, that
he had been a large contributor to the rebuilding of the
church in which he was buried, and the printer Berthelette,
who describes his tomb as it was in the year 1532, says that
he had a mass of his own foundation daily sung in the church,

1 He describes in the first edition of the Confessio Amantis how he
met the king on the river and was invited to come into his barge, and
how the king suggested that he should write a new book for his reading.
It is probable enough that Richard also suggested love as the subject of
the book.

X INTRODUCTION

and an obit done for him yearly on the Friday after the feast
of St. Gregory (March 12). The tomb was originally in
the chapel of St. John the Baptist on the north side of the
church, but in 1832, the nave and north aisle being in ruins,
the monument was removed to the south transept, and restored.
On the occasion of the recent restoration of the church the
tomb was moved back to the north aisle (in 1894), and was
placed on the supposed site of the chapel of St. John the
Baptist, where it now stands.

In the course of five centuries the tomb has undergone
many changes, and the present colouring and inscription
are not original. What we now have is a canopy of three
arches over an altar tomb, on which lies an effigy of the poet,
habited in a long dark-coloured gown, with a standing cape,
and buttoned down to his feet, wearing a gilt collar of SS,
which is fastened in front with a device of a chained swan
between portcullises. His head rests upon a pile of three
folio volumes, marked with the names of his three prin-
cipal works, Vox Clamantis, Speculum Meditantis, Confessio
Amantis. He has a rather round face with high cheek-bones,
a moustache and a slightly forked beard, hair long and curling
upwards, and round his head a chaplet of four red roses at
intervals upon a band, with the words ' merci ihs ' (repeated)
in the intervals between the roses : the hands are put together
and raised in prayer ; at the feet there is a lion or mastiff
lying. The upper ledge of the tomb has this inscription, ' Hie
iacet I. Gower Arm. Angl. poeta celeberrimus ac huic sacro
edificio benefac. insignis. Vixit temporibus Edw. iii. et Ric.
ii. et Henr. iv.' In front of the tomb there are seven arched
niches. Against the wall at the end of the recess, above the
feet of the figure, a shield is suspended bearing arms, argent,
on a chevron azure three leopards' faces or, crest a talbot (or
lion) upon a chapeau. Originally the wall behind the tomb

THE AUTHOR AND HIS WORKS xi

under the canopy was painted with three female figures
(described by Berthelette), representing Charity, Mercy, and
Pity, which held scrolls inscribed with prayers for the soul of
the deceased, e.g.

'Pur ta pite*, lesu, regarde,
Et met cest alme en sauve garde,'

but these had already disappeared in the time of Stowe
(about 1600). Berthelette adds: 'And thereby hangeth a
table, wherein appeareth that who so ever prayeth for the
soul of John Gower, he shall, so oft as he so doth, have a
thousand and five hundred days of pardon/

Contemporary portraits of Gower are to be found in the
Cotton and Hunterian (Glasgow) MSS. of the Vox Clamantis.
These paintings closely resemble one another, but the features
shown in them have not much likeness to those which we see
upon the tomb.

Gower wrote extensively in three languages, French, Latin
and English, and the transition from the use of French to
that of English in the polite literature of the fourteenth cen-
tury is well illustrated by his successive productions. The
following is the account which he himself gives us (in Latin)
of his literary work :

'Since every man is bound to impart to others in pro-
portion as he has himself received from God, John Gower,
desiring in some measure to lighten the account of his
stewardship, while yet there is time, with regard to those
mental gifts which God gave him, amid his labours and
in his leisure composed three books for the information
and instruction of others, in the form which follows.

4 The first^ book, written in the French language, is divided
into ten parts, and treating of vices and of virtues, as also of
the various conditions of men in the world, endeavours rightly
to teach the way by which the sinner who has trespassed

xii INTRODUCTION

ought to return to the knowledge of his Creator. And the
title of this book is Speculum Meditantis *.

'The second book, metrically composed in the Latin lan-

- guage, treats of the various misfortunes which happened in

\England in the time of King Richard II, whence/not only the

nobles and commons of the realm suffered grejrt evils, but the

most cruel king himself, falling from on Ifcgh b7 nis own

evil doings, was at length hurled into the/pit which he dug 2.

And the name of this volume is Vox Clamantis.

' The third book, which was written in the English language
in honour of his most valorous lord Henry of Lancaster, then
earl of Derby, in accordance with the prophecy of Daniel on
the changes of the kingdoms of this world, marks out the
times from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar until now. It treats
also, in accordance with Aristotle, of the ^natters in which king
Alexander was instructed by his/discipline, both for the
governance of himself and for/other ends. But the chief
matter of this work is founded upon Love, and the infatuated
passions of lovers. And/Specially appropriated to this is the
name Confessio Amantis!

French Works. The French works of Gower consist of
the book mentioned above, the Speculum Hominis or Speculum
Meditantis, a work which is extant in a single copy under the
title Mir our de I'Omme*, a series of eighteen balades ap-
pended to the later copies of the Confessio Amantis, but also
found separately, on the condition of Marriage (' Traitfe* pour

1 In the first edition of this statement the title is Speculum Hominis.

* In the earlier form of the statement (1390) the author speaks of the
insurrection made by the serfs against the nobles and gentry of the kingdom,
and takes occasion to exculpate the king from all blame on account of his
tender age. The form which is given above is in fact a reference to the
later politics of the reign rather than to the period dealt with in the Vox
Clamantis.

3 It was long supposed to be lost, but was discovered in 1895 in the
Cambridge University Library, to which it had lately come from the sale
of a private library in Yorkshire.

FRENCH WORKS xiii

essampler les Amantz mariez '), and a collection of fifty-four
balades, two serving as a dedication to King Henry IV, with
fifty-two others, called by the author Cmkante Balades, on sub-
jects connected with love *.

The Mir -our de I'Omme is a long poem (nearly 30,000 lines
in all) written in the twelve-line stanza of octosyllables, which
was often used in French moral compositions. Under the form
of an allegory of the Human Soul, which is conspired against
by Sin, the World and the Devil, long descriptions are given
of the seven deadly Vices, and of the five daughters which are
born to each, and then of the seven contrary Virtues, each of
which also has five daughters assigned to her. Then follows
a general review of the various estates of human society, from
the Pope to the labourer, with the object of ascertaining how
far Sin has gained the victory over Man, and the conclusion
is that all estates are corrupted and thus Sin is the strongest
power in this world. The author shows that all the evils that
exist both in the moral and the physical world are due to the
sin of Man, who is a microcosm with whose state the natural
elements are in sympathy, and after confessing himself to be
one of the greatest of sinners, he points out the way of return
to God through the blessed Maid and Mother, who will in-
tercede for us with her Son. The book concludes with a
history of the life and death of the Virgin Mary and with
prayers and praises addressed to her. It is slightly imperfect
owing to the loss of a few leaves at the beginning and the end.

This is a very long and tedious performance, but neverthe-
less in some ways it is rather a remarkable one. It shows a
distinct sense of literary form and a very considerable mastery
over the instruments used, the language and the verse ; indeed
the technical skill with which the stanza is employed is very

1 The last balade, addressed to the Virgin, is not numbered, and one
other is accidentally omitted in the author's numeration.

xiv INTRODUCTION

noteworthy and sometimes quite takes us by surprise. More-
over there are touches of genuine poetry here and there, which
show that the author was capable of something better than
this dull morality.

The Speculum Hominis was written in all probability
about the year 1378, and it is this which earned for the
poet the title of ' moral Gower,' which is bestowed upon
him by Chaucer. The so-called Traitie belongs to a much
later period, about 139*7. This consists of balades of three
seven-line stanzas without envoy, or rather with an envoy
appended to the last balade, which really belongs to the whole
series,

*A1 universit^ cle tout le monde/ &c.

They contain first a vindication of marriage as a divine
institution, and then a series of examples showing the evils
which have sprung from the violation of its obligations, and
they conclude with some Latin lines which indicate the
author's own intention of entering into that condition :

'Hinc yetus annorum Gower sub spe meritorum
Ordine sponsorum tutus adibo thorum.'

Finally the Cinkante Balades, of which only a single copy
exists (at Trentham Hall), are love-poems in the form of
balades of three seven-line stanzas and an envoy of four
lines, for the most part addressed by a lover to a lady, but in
a few cases by the lady in reply, and ending with one
addressed to the Virgin, followed by an envoy of six lines
referring to the whole collection,

' O gentile Engleterre, a toi j'escrits,' &c.

These are graceful and poetical pieces for the most part,

and it would have been better for Gower' s poetical reputation

if they had been written in English. They were composed,

or at any rate collected into a single volume, for the entertain-

LATIN WORKS xv

ment of the gentlemen and ladies of the court of King
Henry IV, about the year 1399, and dedicated to King
Henry himself. It is evident that though the poet had
adopted English as the language of his most noteworthy literary
work, he had not abandoned the use of French, and that
this latter tongue seemed to him more suitable to the tastes
of the highest society. He addressed the king, however,
nearly at the same time in English, in the poem In Praise of
Peace.

Latin Works. The Latin works consist of the Vox
Clamantis, a poem of about 10,000 elegiac verses, in which
the author deals first with that most portentous event of the
period, the Peasants' insurrection, a*nd then re views the different
classes of society, much as he had llready done in the Specu-
lum Homim's, but this time with especially earnest exhortations
addressed to the youthful king. The author concludes, as be-
fore, that man's sin is the cause of all the evils of the world. The .
interest of this work consists first in the contemporary account I
which it gives, under allegorical forms however, of the insur- |
rection, and the author's vivid picture of the terror which it
caused among the higher classes of society, and secondly in the
indications which are afforded by successive changes in the text,
of the gradual evolution of the author's political opinions. As
to the style, we find on examination that there is a very large
amount of borrowing from other writers, and though Gower
himself had some facility in Latin verse, the best lines can
usually be traced either to Ovid or to some previous medieval
writer, as Alexander Neckam, Peter Riga, Godfrey of Viterbo,
or the author of the Speculum Stultorum. To such an extent
indeed is this practice carried, that in many places the
composition is almost wholly made up of such borrowed
matter variously arranged and combined. The date of the
first edition of this work was probably about 1382.

xvi INTRODUCTION

The other Latin works are the Cronica Triperlita, written
in leonine hexameters and giving an account of the political
events of the last twelve years of the reign of Richard II.
The first part deals with the events of the year 1387, the so-
called Good Parliament, and the punishment of the former
advisers of the king, brought about by the action of the
lords appellant ; the second part deals with the vengeance of
Richard ten years later, the murder of the Duke of Gloucester,
the execution of the Earl of Arundel, and the exile of his
brother the Archbishop of Canterbury and others ; the third
relates the banishment of Henry of Lancaster and his
return, the deposition of Richard, and the accession of
Henry to the throne. The" whole forms an interesting con-
temporary record by one who was a partisan no doubt, but
at the same time an honest man.

Besides this there are several shorter pieces, in hexameters
or elegiacs, upon the vices of the age, the accession of Henry IV,
or the author's own old age and blindness.

English Works. The English works are the Cnjtff.ssin
Amantis. first finished in i3QQ. and finally revised, with the
preface and the conclusion rewritten, in 1393, and the poem
In Praise of Peace, consisting of fifty-five seven-line stanzas,
addressed to King Henry IV soon after his accession.

The Confessio A mantis is in octosyllabic couplets and extends
to nearly 3 4,000 lines. It consists of a Prologue and eipftt books.
The Prologue deals with the general conditions of the time, and
with the succession of periods in the world's history as pre-
figured by the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his dream, and
the seventh book is a digression on the education of Alexander
by Aristotle, comprising the whole circle of knowledge, both
theoretical fcnd practical, and the virtues which are especially
necessary for a ruler. The main argument of the book,
however, is of Love, a subject which the author selects, because,

CONFESSIO AMANTIS xvu

as he says, it is of universal interest ; but at the same time
he has ingeniously contrived to drag in the same scheme of
morality as we have already seen in the Mir our de lOmme,
and though the application is made always to the case of
love, yet there is an abundance of morality of a more general
kind. The great merit of the Confessio Amantis, as compared
with Gower's other works, is the development which we find
in it of a simple and interesting style of narrative, as shown
in the great collection of stories with which he has illustrated
the various branches of his subject. He has made the
Lover's Confession into a framework which will conveniently
hold any number of stories upon every possible subject. By
giving the scheme an apparent limitation to the subject of
love he has not in fact limited the range of narrative, for there
is no impropriety in illustrating by a tale the general nature
of a vice or a virtue while making a special application of it
to cases which concern lovers, and this special application,
made with all due solemnity, has often a character of piquancy
in which the moral tale pure and simple might be wanting.
Add to this that the form adopted tends to a kind of quasi-
religious treatment of the subject, which was fully in accord-
ance with the taste of the day, and which produces upon
us an agreeable impression of quaintness.

The success of the work is due in the first place to the
author's unquestionable talent for story- telling. He has little)
of the dramatic power or the humour which distinguishes/
Chaucer, but he tells his tales in a well-ordered and interesting1,
manner, does not break the thread by digressions, never/
tires of the story before it is finished, as Chaucer so often does,\
and carries his reader through with him successfully to the I
end in almost every case. The materials of course are not 1
original, but Gower is by no means a slavish follower in detail \
of his authorities; the proportions and arrangement of his

xviii INTRODUCTION

stories are usually his own, and they often show good judge-
ment. Moreover, he not seldom gives a fresh turn to a well-
known story, as in the instances of Jephthah and Saul, or makes
a pretty addition to it, as in the case of some of the tales from
Ovid. There is no doubt that this gift of clear and interesting
narrative was the merit which most appealed to the popular
taste of his day, the wholesome appetite for stories being at
that time not too well catered for, and the plainness of the
style was an advantage rather than a drawback.

In spite of this plainness the stories have also poetical
qualities. Force and picturesqueness certainly cannot be
denied to the tale of Medea, with its description of the summer
sea glistening in the sun, which blazes down upon the
returning hero, and from the golden fleece by his side flashes
a signal of success to Medea in her watch-tower, as she prays
for her chosen knight. Still less can we refuse to recognize
the poetical power of the later phases of the same story : first
the midnight rovings of Medea in search of enchantments,

'The world was still on euery side:
Wij> open hed and fot al bare,
Hir her tosprad sche gan to fare,
Vpon hir clones gert sche was,
Al specheles and on }>e gras
Sche glod for]) as an Addre do)>:
Non oj>erwise sche ne go)>,
Til sche cam to }>e freisshe flod,
And J>ere a while sche wi|>stod.
Thries sche torned hire aboute,
And j>ries ek sche gan doun loute
And in }>e flod sche wette hir her,
And )>ries on J>e water )>er
Sche gaspej) wij> a drecchinge onde,
And )>o sche tok hir speche on honde.' (v.3962ff.),

and again later, when the charms are set in action, 4059 ff.,
a passage of extraordinary picturesqueness, but too long to be
quoted here. We do not forget the debt to Ovid, but these

CONFESSIO AMANTIS xix

descriptions are far more detailed and forcible than the
original.

For a picture of a different kind, also based upon Ovid,
we may take the description of the tears of Lucrece for
her husband and the reviving beauty in her face when he
appears,

'WiJ> )>at }>e water in hire yhe
Aros, )>at sche ne myhte it stoppe,
And as men sen j?e dew bedroppe
The leues and }>e floures eke,
Riht so vpon hire whyte cheke
The wofull sake teres felle.
Whan Collatin ha)> herd hire telle
The menynge of hire trewe herte,
Anon wib }>at to hire he sterte,
And seiae, " Lo, mi goode diere,
Nou is he come to ;ou hiere.
That 56 most louen, as je sein."
And sche wi)> goodly chiere a}ein
Beclipte him in hire armes smale,
And )>e colour, which erst was pale>
To Beaute )>anne was restored,
So ]>at it myhte noght be mored.' (vii. 4830 ff,),

a passage in which Gower, with his natural taste for simplicity,
has again improved upon his classical authority, and may
safely challenge comparison with Chaucer, who has followed
Ovid more closely.

Next to the simple ^dirprfnp'is r>f "arrativ* styi** whirh
distinguishes the stories themselves, we must acknowledge
a rprts^atfr^rtjvpnpgg i" tV<A cpt«inpr r>f th^m The Lover
decidedly engages our interest: we can understand his
sorrows and his joys, and we can excuse his frankly expressed
envy, malice, and hatred in all matters which concern his
rivals. His feelings are described in a very natural manner,
and we take his side when he complains of the Confessor's
want of feeling for a pain which he does not himself experience.

b2

xx INTRODUCTION

Even while we smile, we compassionate the suitor who is at
last disqualified on account of age, and recommended to make
a ' beau retret ' while yet there is time.

But there is also another character in whom we are
interested, and that is the lady herself. Gower certainly
appreciated the delicacy and refinement which ideal love
requires, but here we have something more than this. The
figure of the lady, which we see constantly in the background
of the dialogue, is both attractive and human. We recog-
nize in her a creature of flesh and blood; no goddess, as
her lover himself observes, but a charming embodiment of
womanly grace and refinement. Surrounded by lovers, she
is wise and wary. She is courteous and gentle, but at the
same time firm ; she does not gladly swear, and therefore says
nay without an oath, but it is a decisive nay to any who are
disposed to presume. She does not neglect her household
duties merely because a lover insists upon hanging about her,
but leaves him to amuse himself how he may, while she
busies herself elsewhere. If she has leisure to sit down to-
ner embroidery, he may read to her if he will, but it must be
some sound romance, not his own rondels, balades and
virelays in praise of her. Custom allows him to kiss her when
he takes his leave, but if he comes back on any pretext and
takes his leave again, a second kiss is not usually permitted.
She lets him lead her up to the offering in church, and ride
by her side when she drives out, but she will take no presents
from him. Her lover suspects that her soul may be in
a perilous state, seeing that she has the power of saving
a man's life and yet suffers him to die, but he admits that
there is no more violence in her than in a child of three years
old. Usurious dealing is a vice of which he ventures to
accuse her, seeing that he has given her his whole heart in
return for a single glance of her eye, but then, as the Confessor

CONFESSIO AMANTIS xxi

very justly replies, ' she may be such that her one glance is
worth thy whole heart many times over/

However, the characteristic which is perhaps most remark-
able in the Confessio Amantis is connected rather with the
form of expression than with the subject-matter. The
technical skill which is displayed in the verspf and the command
which the author has over the language for his own purposes,
is very remarkable. In the ease and naturalness of his
movement within the fetters of the octosyllabic couplet he far
surpasses his contemporaries, including Chaucer himself,
Certain inversions of order and irregularities of construction
he allows himself, and there are many stop-gaps of the con-
ventional kind in the ordinary flow of his narrative ; but in
places where the matter requires it, his management of the |
verse paragraph, the metricalj>moothness of his lines, attained \
without unnatural accent or forced order of words, and the
neatness with which he expresses exactly what he has to say
within the precise limits which he lays down for himself, show
a finished mastery of expression which is surprising in that
age of half-developed English style, and in a man who had
trained himself rather in French and Latin than in English
composition. Chaucer had wider aims, and being -an artist
of an altogether superior kind, he attains, when at his best, to
a higher level of achievement in versification as in other
things : but his command over his materials is evidently
incomplete, and he has not troubled himself to acquire
perfection of craftsmanship, feeling that other things are
more important. The result is that the reader often hesitates
in his metre, and is obliged to read lines over twice or even
thrice, before he can satisfy himself how the poet meant his
words to be accented, and what exactly was the rhythm he
intended. In fact, instead of smoothing the way for his
reader, he often deliberately chooses to spare himself labour

xxii INTRODUCTION

by taking every advantage, fair or unfair, of those licences
of accent and of syllable suppression for which the unstable
condition of the literary language afforded scope. The
reader of Gower's verse is never interrupted in this manner
except by the fault of a copyist or an editor ; and when we
come to examine the means by which the smoothness is
attained, we feel that we have to do with a literary craftsman
who by laborious training has acquired an almost perfect
mastery over his tools. The qualities of which we are
speaking are especially visible in the more formal style of
utterance which belongs to the speeches, letters, and epitaphs
in our author's tales. The reply of Constance to her
questioner (ii. 1148 ff.) is a good example of the first:

'Quod sche, "I am
A womman wofully bestad.
I hadde a lord, and )>us he bad,
That I for)> wi]> my litel Sone
Vpon the wawes scholden wone,
Bot what the cause was, I not :
Bot he which alle J>inges wot
3it ha)>, I |>onke him, of his miht
Mi child and me so kept vpriht,
That we be saue bo)>e tuo."'

And as longer instances we may point to the reflections of
the Emperor Constantine near the end of the same book
(ii. 3243 ff.), and the prayer of Cephalus (iv. 3197-3252).
The letter of Penelope (iv. 157 ff.) and the epitaph of Iphis
(iv. 3674 ff.) are both good examples of the simple yet
finished style.

In a word, the author's literary sphere may be a limited
one, and his conception of excellence within that sphere may
fall very far short of the highest standard, but such as his
ideals are, he is able very completely to realize them. The
French and English elements of the language, instead of still
maintaining a wilful strife, as is so often the case in Chaucer's

CONFESSIO AMANTIS xxni

metre, are here combined in harmonious alliance. More
especially we must recognize the fact that in Gower's English
verse we have a consistent, and for the moment a successful I
attempt to combine the French syllabic with the Englishl
accentual system of metre, and this without sacrificing the I
purity of the language as regards forms of words and gram-
matical inflexion. We shall see how careful and ingenious
he is in providing, by means of elision and otherwise, for
the legitimate suppression of those weak terminations which
could not find a place as syllables in the verse without dis-
turbing its accentual flow, while at the same time the sense
of their existence was not to be allowed to disappear. The
system was too difficult and complicated to be possible except
for a specially trained hand, and Gower found no successor
in his enterprise ; but the fact that the attempt was made is
at least worthy of note.

With considerable merits both of plan and execution the
Confessio Amantis has also, no doubt, most serious faults.
The scheme itself, with its conception of a Confessor who as
priest has to expound a system of morality, while as a devotee
of Venus he is concerned only with the affairs of love /
(i. 237-280), can hardly be called altogether a consistent or
happy one. The application of morality to matters of love,
and of love to questions of morality, is often very forced,
though it may sometimes be amusing in its gravity. More-
over, the author did not resist the temptation to express
his views on society in a Prologue which is by no means
sufficiently connected with the general scheme of the poem,
though it is in part a protest against division and discord, that
is to say, lack of love. Still worse is the deliberate departure
from the general plan which we find in the seventh book,
where, on pretence of affording relief and recreation to the
wearied penitent, the Confessor, who says that he has little or

xxiv INTRODUCTION

no understanding except of love, is allowed to make a digres-
sion which embraces the whole field of human knowledge,
but more especially deals with the duties of a king, a second
political pamphlet in fact, in which the stories of kings
ruined by lust or insolence, of Sardanapalus, Rehoboam,
Tarquin and the rest, are certainly intended to some extent
as an admonition of the author's royal patron. Again, the
fifth book, which even without this would be disproportionately
long, contains an absolutely unnecessary account of the
various religions of the world, standing there apparently for
no reason except to show the author's learning, and reaching
the highest pitch of grotesque absurdity when the Confessor
occupies himself in demolishing the claims of Venus to be
accounted a goddess, and that too without even the excuse
of having forgotten for the moment that he is her priest.
Minor excrescences of the same kind are to be found in the
third book, where the lawfulness of war is discussed, and
in the fourth, where there is a dissertation on the rise of
the Arts, and especially of Alchemy.

The general scheme of the work may be sufficiently
gathered from the selections, but the Prologue, the seventh
book (which contains, however, some excellent stories), and
in general the digressions to which reference has been made,
are altogether omitted. The following summary indicates
the manner in which the principal stories are introduced.

Lib. i. After dealing shortly with the sins of the eye and
the ear, illustrated by the stories of Actaeon, the Gorgons, and
the Sirens, the Confessor passes to the Seven Deadly Vices,
of which the first is Pride.

Pride has five ministers.

(i) Hypocrisy, illustrated as regards love by the tale of
Mundus and Paulina, as regards other matters by The Trojan
Horse.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS xxv

(2) Disobedience, with regard to which the advantages of
Obedience in love are shown by the tale ofFlorent (Chaucer's
Wife of Bath's Tale).

(3) Surquidry or Presumption, of which examples are
afforded generally by the tales of Capaneus and of The
Triumph of Death, and in matters of love by that of
Narcissus.

(4) Avantance or Boasting, illustrated by the tale of
Alboin and Rosemund.

(5) Vain Glory, of which Nebuchadnezzar was an example,
who was transformed into an ox.

Finally, the virtue of Humility is shown in the tale of The
Three Questions.
Lib. ii. Envy.

(1) Sorrow for Another's Joy, with the tale of Act's and
Galatea.

(2) Joy for Another's Grief, illustrated by the story of The
Travellers and the Angel.

(3) Detraction, with the tales of Constance (Chaucer's Man
of Law's Tale) and of Demetrius and Perseus.

(4) False Semblant, with the story of Hercules andDeianira.

(5) Supplantation, illustrated as regards love by the stories
of Geta and Amphitrion and The False Bachelor, and other-
wise by that of Pope Boniface.

The virtue of Charity, which is the contrary of Envy, is set
forth in the tale of Constantine and Silvester.
Lib. iii. Wrath.

(1) Melancholy, with the tale of Canace and Machaire.

(2) Cheste, with the stories of the Patience of Socrates, of
Jupiter, Juno and Tiresias, of Phoebus and Cornide and of
Jupiter and Laar.

(3) Hate, illustrated by the tale of King Namplus and the
Greeks.

xxvi INTRODUCTION

(4) Contek, which is associated with Rashness or Fool-
haste, and causes Will to get the better of Reason. The
tale of Diogenes and Alexander illustrates the due subjection
of Will to Reason : that of Pyramus and Thisbe conveys
a warning against rashness, and so also the case of Phoebus
and Daphne. Of good counsel by which rashness was
avoided an example is afforded by the tale of Athemas and
Demophon.

(5) Homicide, which often springs from the same causes,
and of which the tale of Orestes is a terrible example.

There follows a discussion on War, with the story of Alex-
ander and the Pirate.

An example of the virtue of Mercy is afforded by the tale
of Telaphus and Teucer.

Lib. iv. Sloth.

(1) Lachesse, illustrated as regards love by the tales of
Eneas and Dido, Ulysses and Penelope, and in general by that
of Grosstete and the Brazen Head.

(2) Pusillanimity, with examples of earnestness and perse-
verance in love afforded by the tales of Pygmaleon and of
Iphis.

(3) Forgetfulness, with the story of Demophon and Phyllis.

(4) Negligence, illustrated by the tales of Phaeton and of
Icarus.

(5) Idleness, with the examples of Rosiphelee ws\&Jephthatis
Daughter as examples of Idleness in love, and of Nauplus and
Ulysses with reference to war and arms. Instances of Prowess
are afforded by Protesilaus, Saul, The Education of Achilles,
Hercules and Achelons, and others.

The opposite of Idleness is Labour, by which all useful
arts were discovered.

(6) Somnolence, with the tale of Ceix and Alceone, to
prove that dreams sometimes come true, and The Prayer

CONFESSIO AMANTIS xxvn

•of Cephalus as an example of the lover's wakefulness. The
danger of Somnolence is shown by the tale of Argus and
Mercury.

(7) Tristesce, illustrated by the story otlphis and Anaxar-
athen.

Lib. v. Avarice.

This vice is exemplified generally by the tale of Midas, and
in love by that of Vulcan and Venus.

The mention of these raises the question of the heathen
gods, and the Religions of the World are discussed at length.

After this we return to the servants of Avarice.

(1) Coveitise, with the examples of VirgiTs Mirror, The
Two Coffers, The Two Beggars, and The King and his
Stewards Wife. The counsellors of Coveitise are False Wit-
ness and Perjury, the former of which is exemplified by the
story of Achilles and Deidamia and the latter by that of Jason
and Medea.

(2) Usury, with the tale of Echo against brokerage in
love.

(3) Parsimony, with the tale of Babio and Croceus.

(4) Ingratitude, illustrated generally by the story of Adrian
and Bardus, and as regards love by that of Theseus and
A riadne.

(5) Ravine, with the tale of Tereus and Philomene.

(6) Robbery, illustrated by the stories of Neptune and
Comix, and of Calistona.

The praise of Virginity, with examples of Phirinus, and
Valentinian.

(7) Stealth, with the stories of Leucothoe and of Hercules
and Faunus.

(8) Sacrilege, illustrated by the tale of Lucius (in one
edition of the poem) and also by that of Paris and Helen.

Prodigality and Liberality distinguished.

xxviii INTRODUCTION

Lib. vi. Gluttony.

(1) Drunkenness, and especially Love-drunkenness. The
two tuns kept by Jupiter and the value of prayer : Bacchus in
the Desert. Against drunkenness generally the story of the
Marriage of Pirithous and of Galba and Vitellus.

(2) Delicacy in love and in other ways. Examples of this vice
generally in the stories of Dives and Lazarus and of Nero.

Lawlessness in love leading to the use of Sorcery and
Magic Arts, with the tales of Ulysses and Telegonus and of
Nectanabus.

The mention of Alexander and Aristotle in this last tale
leads to the digression of the seventh book.

Lib vii. The teaching of Alexander by Aristotle.

(1) Theoric, of which the parts are Theology, Physics, and
Mathematics, the last including Astronomy.

(2) Rhetoric, illustrated by the case of Ulysses and
Antenor, and also by the debate on the conspiracy of Catiline.

(3) Practic, having three divisions, Ethics, Economics, and
Politics. This last is especially necessary for a king.

The first point of Policy is Truth, and this is illustrated by
the story of King, Wine, Woman and Truth from the third
book of Esdras.

The second is Liberality, with regard to which we have the
tales of Julius and the Poor Knight and Antigonus and Cini-
chus. But it is bad to encourage flattery, and as to this les-
sons are conveyed by the stories of Diogenes and Aristippus,
The Roman Triumph, The Emperor and his Masons, Caesars
Reply to a Flatterer, Ahab and Micaiah.

The third point is Justice. Examples of this are afforded
by Maximin, Gams Fabricius, Conrad, Carmidotorius, Cam-
fy'ses, Lycurgus.

The fourth is Pity, exemplified by the stories of The Pagan
and the Jew (in one edition only), of Codrus, and of Pompey,

LANGUAGE xxix

while its opposite, Cruelty, is shown in the tales of Leontius,
Phalaris (or Siculus), Dionysius, Lichaon, Spertacus. Of
slaying in a righteous cause we have as examples the stories
of Gideon, Saul and Agag, Solomon and Joab, while the value
of wisdom and good counsel to hold the balance even between
Justice and Pity is suggested by the stories of The Courtiers
and the Fool, and The Folly of Rehoboam.

Chastity is the fifth point of Policy. Stories of Sardana-
palus, Cyrus, The Counsel of Balaam, Solomon, Caracalla,
Tarquin, Virginia, Sara the daughter of Raguel.

Lib. viii. Unlawful love, and especially Incest.

Examples are Caligula, Ammon son of David, and Lot,
after which follows the long story viApollonius of Tyre (Shake-
speare's Pericles).

End of the Confession, with the absolution of the Lover
and his dismissal from the service of Venus.

II. LANGUAGE.

The language used by Gower is essentially the same*
as that of Chaucer, the London speech of the time as used \
in Court circles, and therefore strongly under the influence of
French literary culture. It is not, properly speaking, a pro-
vincial dialect, but in its essential features it is East Midland,
having a certain intermixture of Kentish forms.

Orthography. The system of orthography used by Gower
is tolerably consistent, and this was evidently a matter to
which he attached some importance. With regard to it we
may observe the following points.

Vowel-length is not usually indicated by doubling of the
vowel : thus we have as a rule on, bok,fot> hoi, tok, wot, &c.,
not oon, book, &c. (the only regular exception here is good),
ded, drem, ek, slep, not deed, dreem, eek, &c., but there are
variations in some words of this class, zsfeede, greene, degree,

xxx INTRODUCTION

jee, beside fede, grene, &c., and regularly^/ from fot. The
doubling of a (as maad, paas) is not found.

On the other hand consonants are frequently doubled, in
such words as godd, rodd, madd, &c., to indicate vowel-
shortness.

There is frequent use of ie in tonic syllables for close e.
This appears in French words such as achieue, appiere, chief,
chiere, matiere, &c., but also very commonly in words of
English origin, as diel, diere, hiede, hiere, lief, sieke, stiel,
which have in most cases the alternative spelling with e, as
del, dere, hede, seke, stel, but in all of which the vowel has
the close sound. This form of spelling may have been intro-
duced by analogy from the French words with a similar
vowel sound, or it may have grown out of the Kentish use of
ie, ye for O. E. eo, e, ie. In any case it is practically useful
as a distinguishing note of the close sound of e.

Both in the stems of words and in their terminations i is
on the whole preferred ioy, so that we have crie, hide, lif,
ride, &c. more usually than crye, hyde, &c., and also arrai,
mat, ladt, mi, pi more often on the whole than array, may,
lady, &c., but -ly in adverbs more frequently than -li.

The usual rule for the use of u and v, namely that v is
used initially for both the vowel and consonant sound, and u
in other positions, is subject to some slight variations, and
such forms as hov, nov, J>ov, jov, rvnne, havk, fivrgh, remve,
occur side by side with hou,pou, &c. Also occasionally we have
Envie, avantage, avis, &c., for Enuie, auantage, &c. Such
variations are merely ornamental, and do not indicate any
differences in pronunciation.

Before gh followed by / we find a, o almost regularly for ou,
au. Thus we have aghte, straghte, taghte, boghte, broghte,
doghter, noght, oght, &c., and only occasionally broughte,
daughter, ought, &c. Beside some of these there are forms in

ORTHOGRAPHY xxxi

which au (aw), ou (ow) are followed by a simple h, as tawhte^
dvuhter.

There is no difference in sound between -oun and -on as
terminations of such French words as dtm'sioun, complexioun,
but -oun is much the more usual form. They rhyme with
one another and with such English words as toun, doun.

In the case of an followed by a consonant the variation to
aun seems to be merely a matter of spelling, and we have
chaunce rhyming with remembrance, demande with comaunde, &c.

With regard to the consonants Gower consistently wrote
sch for sh initially, so that we have regularly schal, schape,
sche, schtp, and also lordschipe, worschipe, &c., in other places
usually ssh, as buissh, fissh, fleissh (also fissch, fleiscTi).

Gower writes h and not gh almost regularly after palatal
vowels, as alihte, briht, kniht, miht, heihte, sleihte. Occasionally
however we find g, as rarely bryghte, lighte, more frequently
heighte, sleighte, and pretty regularly eighle. After a guttural
vowel he writes gh> as in caghte, broghte> oghte, &c., but some-
times such forms as cawhte, owhte.

Where O. E. h is final, g is not usually written, as sih, hih,
bowk, lowh, ynowh, except in the case otfiogh.

There is no use of $ for h at gh: such forms as mtjfe,
ou$te are not found. On the other hand initially in such
words as ^e^e^iue (forjiue), jong, &c.,j is regularly used.
Only late and inferior MSS. have_y.

We find J> for th almost regularly except in the case of
a capital letter being required, as at the beginning of a line,
or in connexion with some foreign words and names, as
rethortque, Athemas, theuangile, Thebith. Cases of th for/ in
ordinary English words are rare, except in the word nathdes.

It may be noted that ff stands regularly for F except in
the case of an illuminated initial.

In some words of common occurrence the spelling of our

xxxii INTRODUCTION

author is a little unusual ; thus he regularly writes lot for but,
be for by, when used as a preposition, ous for us (pers. pron.),
noght for not (not being used for ne woi).

Phonology. Under this head we shall note only a few
points connected with the vowel sounds, in which distinctions
are made in Gower's rhymes which cannot be understood
without reference to the history of the words in question.

The uses of the letter e in accented syllables of words of
English origin may be classified as follows :

i. e, as in bed, men, let, telle, hell, kesse, slepte, mette, fell,
either from originally short e, eo, ea,y, &c., or shortened from
ea, a, <F, eo, &c., and occurring in closed syllables, i.e. syllables
ending in a consonant. The adverb we!, also written wiel,
has undergone lengthening, however.

ii. e in open syllables lengthened in M. E. from e, as in
trede, stede, bere, dere (= destroy), spere, swere, were (= defend,
or wear), gete,for$ete, mete (subst.), ete (inf.), breke(mt), speke
(inf.), with which may be classed such words as dede (=did),
lere (=loss), stere (=stir), the Kentish forms from original^.

iii. e from O. E. ea, as dep, ded, hed (=head), red (adj.), ere,
teres (= tears), drem, sir em, gret, bete (=beat), prete, les
(subst.), les (verb), ches.

iv. e from O. E. a, as (a) bede (pret. pi), brep, her (pi.
heres), lete, sir ete, er, gep, leue, $ee (=yea); (b) drede, eue,
fere (=fear), red (subst.), rede (verb), ><?rc, were, hete, lene, see
( = sea) • (c) dede (=deed), leche, meete (= dream), mete (=fit),
slepe, speche, speke (pret. pi.), pred, wete, $er, dene, del, euere,
neuere, lede, teche, and the suffix -hede.

v. e from O. E. e, eo, ie, 2&fele,fede, hede, seke, spede, deme,
seme, quene, wene, grete (= greet), mete, he, me, ^e (=ye), kne,
ire, ben, sen, dere (=dear), leuere,prest, Irest, whel, stel, ner.

With regard to the sounds represented, class i. includes the
words with e, and these of course are separate in sound from

PHONOLOGY xxxiii

the rest: thus bed (or bedd) will not rhyme properly with
hed (=head), but only with hedd, meaning 'hidden/ as iii.
1919 f., /<?/, participle of lette, rhymes not with gret, or with
let from lete, but with set, schet, &c.,felt with hell (=hill), but
not with either whel or del. This e has a short open sound.

Class ii consists of those words in which an originally short
e has been lengthened in an open syllable. Here we have
a long open e sound, but it evidently has not quite the same value
as the open e from an originally long vowel or diphthong, for
with very few exceptions these words are rhymed by Gower
only within their own class. Thus bede (past part.), dedc
(=did), s/ede, trede, rhyme together and are kept quite apart
from dede (=dead), drede, rede (pi. adj.), which also have the
open e sound. So bere, dere (= destroy), lere (=loss) are
separated in rhyme from ere, fere (=fear), were (from warori),
&c., ete, gete, mete (=meat) rhyme together and are separated
from grete, bete, strete. Presumably the vowel had not yet
been fully lengthened.

Class iii, in which e is from ea, has regularly the open e
sound, and the words which belong to it do not rhyme with
any of these in Class v.

Class iv, in which e is derived from «?, consists of words of
which some, as those of group (a), have regularly the open e ,
others under (£), an unstable sound which varies between the
open and the close ey while those of the third group (c) have
always or almost always the close sound, and of these many
have also forms with ie for £, as spieche, spieke (pret. pi.),
ctiene, dtel, hiede 1.

Finally Class v consists of those words which have e from
O. E. e, eo, ie, and these have regularly the close sound of e,

1 The distinction which has sometimes been made in this connexion
between <z corresponding to Germanic at and ce equivalent to West-
Germanic *, seems to have no bearing on the question.

xxxiv INTRODUCTION

rhyming with one another and with some of the words of
Class iv, as above, but not with any of the other classes.
Most of these words are spelt by Gower also with te, as fiede,
hiede, steke, spiede, griete, &c., and some exclusively so, as
hiere, lief, belieue (verb).

The case is much the same with o.

i. o in closed syllables such as god, rod, ofte, softe (shortened
From o), alofte, horn, cornporwe, sorwe, lost, song, long.

ii. o by lengthening in open syllables, as before, to/ore,
per/ore, and the participles bore, lore, swore, broke, spoke.

iii. 5 from O. E. a, as fro, go, mo, so, tuo, wo, brod, rod
(pret), horn, on (=one), non, gon, ston, mone (=moan)?
sor, lore (subst.), more, wot, hot, smot, op, goj>, lop, bope,
dope.

iv. d from O. E. o, as do, to (per to, &c.), blod, good, stod
(under stod, &c.), bok, tok, com (pret.), nom, dom, mone (=moon),
sone ( = soon),/0/, dop, top, sop, oper, brqper.

Of these the first class rhymes only within itself. In the
second class, where we have a half-lengthened open o, there
are a few examples of tofore, perfore rhyming with more,
nomore, &c., but otherwise this class also, as in the parallel case
of new-lengthened e, is separated from the next, so that fore,
bore, lore (partic.) do not rhyme with hore, lore (subst.), sore.
This distinction is to some extent observed by Chaucer, but
with less strictness than by Gower.

Class iii has long open o and Class iv close 5, but here, as
in Chaucer, there is tolerably free rhyming of do (mt'sdo,
vndo, &c.), and sometimes also otperto, with words of Class iii,
not only so, also, two, but also go, ago, po (adv.), ouermo,fo ;
we have also once dop rhyming with gop, and once don with
anon, and the rhyme dop : sop also occurs. Again the word
horn rhymes with the preterites com, nom. All these must be
regarded as imperfect rhymes due to the want of strictly cor-

PHONOLOGY xxxv

rect rhyme-words. The vowel-sounds in these two classes
should be kept distinct in pronunciation.

Another class of words which is quite clearly distinguished
is that in which o represents original u, as in sone (= son),
astone, wone, aooue, loue, some, come (inf. and participle), dore,
spore, wonder, begonne, wonne, sonne, tonne (the vowel inter-
changing with u in these last four words and in some others).
These words rhyme only among themselves or with corre-
sponding words in which u is preserved, as wonder : vnder.
The o, representing u, is not subject to lengthening in open
syllables, this ' new-lengthening' being applicable only to a,
o, e, not to **, u.

With regard to the other vowels the chief distinction to be
observed is that of length. Thus mad, past participle of make,
is of course to be distinguished in pronunciation from mad
(madd) adj. In regard to the inflected forms of such adjec-
tives as this, there is some variation, thus from bad we have
pi. badde rhyming with hadde, &c., from glad pi. glade rhym-
ing with made. A careful distinction must be made between
the i (y) of driue, ride, wryte (inf.) and the z of driue, ride,
write (plur. pret., and past participles), thus the participle
write rhymes with the inf. wife (=know), and the inf. wryte
with wite (= blame). Sometimes, but not regularly, j> is used
to represent t.

Inflexion. — (i) SUBSTANTIVES. In a certain number of
words there is variation in the matter of final e : thus we
have drink drinke, flyht flyhte, half halue, help helpe, kep kepe,
lack lacke, myn myne, queene queen, sor sore, wel wele, will wille,
to which must be added many words with the suffixes -hede,
-hode, -schipe, and the termination -t'nge, e.g. falshed(e\ knyht-
hod(e], manhed(e), felaschip(e), hunting(e), knowlechmg(e),
teching(e\ wenyng(e). In the case of the (English) termination
-ere the final e is usually written : such words are beggere, •

C 2

xxxvi INTRODUCTION

hindrere, ledere, louere, makere, spekere, writere. This -e',
however, is either elided or passed over in the metre, unless
an accent falls on the termination, in which case it may be
sounded, as vii. 2348, 'The Sofseiere f>o was lief/

As regards the oblique cases we note the following genitive

forms: cherche, herte (also hertes), heuene, ladi, souk, sterre

(pi.), wode (also wodes), to which add dowhter (also dowhtres\

fader (zhofadres), moder. In the expressions horse side, horse

heued, &c., horse is genitive singular.

The -e termination of the dative appears in a good many
prepositional phrases : to (in) bedde, in boke, to borwe, vnto
the chinne, be date, to (fro) depe (also fro deft), on (under)
fote, on fyre, to (vpori) grounde, on hede, in (on, vpori)
honde, to (into) honde, on horse, to horse, to (in, of) house,
to (into) londe, to lyue, be mowpe, be nyhte (also be nyht,
and regularly at nyht, on nyht, a nyht, to nyhf), be (to, into,
out of) schipe (also to schip), to scorne, to slepe (also to slep\
to toune, to wedde, to wyue, to jere, be $ere.

With regard to Romance substantives Gower appears to
be stricter than Chaucer in preserving their form. He gives
us regularly beste ' beast/ feste, requeste, tempeste. We have
however baner (also banere), host, maner, matier (beside
manere, matier e), press (beside presse), travaile, conseile
(occasionally for travail, conseil).

Several distinctively feminine forms are used, as capiteine,
chamberere, citezeine, cousine, enemie.

(2) ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS. A few adjectives vary as
regards final e in the uninflected form, for example ech eche,
lich liche, low lowe, many manye, old olde, oper opre, trewe trew.

In comparative forms -e is often dropped, as fairer,
furper, longer, rafier, jonger, but more often written, as
furpere, deppere,ferre, gladder e, grettere, lengere, r after e. This
-e, however, is either elided or passed over in the metre. Where

INFLEXION xxxvii

there is syncope of the penultimate, as after u in leuere, the
final e counts regularly as a syllable, so that in case of elision
the word is reduced to a monosyllable, which never takes
place with rapere^furpere, &c.

The definite form is used pretty regularly in the case of
English monosyllabic adjectives, and usually also in mono-
syllables of French origin. This rule applies (a) to adjec-
tives used after the definite article, a demonstrative pronoun,
or a possessive ; (Z>) to those employed as vocatives in address ;
(c) to adjectives in combination with proper names or words
used as proper names. Thus we have regularly (a) ' J>e
grete hert/ 'Ipe stronge coffre/ 'The qwike body with J?e
dedej ' Ipisproude vice/ 'Ipisjonge lord,' ' my /ongevto,' ' his lose
tunge/ ' Y\fulle mynde/ ' whos rihtc name,' &c. (3) ' O derke
ypocrisie,' ' O goode fader/ ' lime Sone/ &c. (c) ' grete Rome/
1 Blinde Auarice/ f proude Enuie/ 'faire Eole/ 'stronge
Sampson/ ' wise Tolomeus/ &c. •

In the case of adjectives of more than one syllable, whether
English or French, the definite form is exceptional. The
commonest case is that of superlatives, in which the definite
form -este is regularly used when the accent falls on the ter-
mination, whether in rhyme or otherwise, as fair 'este -, i. 767.
Even when the accent is thrown back, the definite inflexion is
more usually given than not, but sometimes dropped, as ' f>e
Congest 'of hem/ i. 3133, ' the lowest of hem alle/ vii. 224 : in all
cases, however, where the accent is thrown back, the adjective
is followed by a word beginning with a vowel, so that the
metre is not affected.

Other adjectives of which the termination is capable of
accent may take the definite inflexion, when the accent is
thrown on the termination, as *j?e couoitouse flaterie/ 'j>is
tyrannysshe knyht.'

Where the final syllable of the adjective is incapable of accent,

xxxviii INTRODUCTION

there is ordinarily no question of a definite inflexion, except
where there is syncope after u, as in euele. Such words are croked,
wicked, cruel, Kiel, middel, biter, dedly, lush', wilful, wrongful.

The formation of plurals in adjectives and participles used
attributively is governed by the same principles. We have
' preciouse Stones/ iv. 1354, but naturally words like wicked,
woful, lusti, &c., take no plural inflexion. In the expression
' som men ' som is without inflexion in the plural, but ' somme
clerkes/ ' some Binges.'

Adjectives used as predicates or in apposition are to some
extent treated according to convenience of metre or rhyme,
but in the case of monosyllables there is a decided preference
for inflexion. The following are some of the instances :
' Whan we ben dede,' Prol. 2, ' hem £>at weren goode, 42,
'my wittes ben to smale,' Si, 'Ther ben of suche manie
glade,' 299, 'become grete,' 303, 'ben with mannes senne
wrofie,' 920, so blinde, i. 774, hore and whyte, i. 2045, whyte,
falte, grete, iv. 1310, &c. We have also 'hise bedes most
devoute,' i. 669, 'in wordes so couerte' iv. 1606.

On the other hand, ' Of hem that ben so derk wif>inne/ i.
1077, 'Hire chekes ben with teres wet,' i. 1680, 'Here
bodies weren long and smal,' iv. 1320, and so frequently.

The participle used as predicate is ordinarily uninflected,
but there are a few examples of a plural form adopted for the
rhyme, as ansuerde, i. 3246, made, iv. 2343, hidde, v. 6789.

The usage of al, alle as an adjective is in some ways
peculiar, but tolerably consistent. In the singular, before an
article, a demonstrative pronoun, or a possessive, the un-
inflected form al (occasionally all) is used, as ' al f>e world,'
' al his wetye,' ' all his proude fare,' ' al a mannes strengf>e '
(also ' J»e Cite all,' ii. 3473), but before a substantive the form
alle (dissyllable), as ' alle grace/ ' alle fing/ ' alle vntroufe/
' alle vertu/ ' in alle wise/ 'in alle haste/ 'alle wel/ 'alle charite/

INFLEXION. PRONOUNS xxxix

but sometimes before vowels a!, as ' al Envie/ ii. 168. In the
plural, ' al }?e/ < all J?ese,' ' alle fe/ &c. (' alle ' being counted
as a monosyllable), and without the article, alle.

In cases of the combination of a French adjective with a
feminine substantive of the same origin the adjective occasion-
ally takes the French feminine form. Instances are as follows :
1 deuolte apparantie/ i. 636, 'veine gloire,' i. 26771!., 'vertu
souereine,' ii. 3507, ' seinte charite/ iv. 964, ' herbe souereine,'
vii. 1392, ' ioie souereine,' viii. 2530, and even as predicate,
'Dame Auarice is noght soleine,' v. 1971. Possibly also,
' O f>ou divine pourveance,' ii. 3243, and ' O j?ou gentile
Venus/ viii. 2294, may be examples of the same usage.

(3) PRONOUNS. The 3rd person sing. fern, is sche (never
written she), once scheo : the oblique case is hire, hir (never
here], and hire, though usually equivalent to a monosyllable,
sometimes has -e fully sounded, as i. 367.

The 3rd person neuter is #, seldom hit.

In the ist person plural the oblique case is ous, not short-
ened to us in spelling.

The possessives of the ist and 2nd persons sing., min,
thin, have no plural inflexion, but the disjunctive form pyne
pi. occurs, i. 1 68. On the other hand his, originally an
uninflected form, has usually the plural htse, but sometimes
his. The form hise is never a dissyllable.

The feminine possessive, 3rd pers., is hire or hir, used
without distinction with both singular and plural nouns, and
metrically equivalent: see i. i678ff. The forms our e, jour e
are usual for the possessives of the ist and 2nd pers. plur.,
and these are commonly used as monosyllables, e.g. i. 2062,
2768, and interchanged with our, jour \ but they are also
capable of being reckoned as dissyllables. Here again there
is no plural inflexion ('jour wordes/ iii. 627). The disjunctive
joures occurs in i. 1852.

xl INTRODUCTION

The possessive of the $rd pers. plur. is here, her, which is
practically never confused in good MSS. with hire, hir of the
fern. sing. We are justified in assuming that for Gower the
distinction was absolute.

The ordinary relatives are which andj>af: who is little used
as a relative except in the genitive case, whos. The plural
whiche is usually pronounced as a monosyllable, as ii. 604, iv.
1496, v. 1320, and often loses -e in writing, as iv. 1367, but
also sometimes counts as a dissyllable, e.g. i. 404.

(4) VERBS. In the Infinitive and Gerund, apart from the
cases of do, go, se, sle, &c., few instances occur of the loss of
final <?. The verb sem (sain) has seie and also say, and beside
the regular infinitive pute we have also/a/in several instances,
the next word beginning with a vowel or mute h, e. g. ' To put
hislif/ &c., i. 3213, ' put eny lette/ ii. 93; but also, 'It oghte
pute a man in fere/ i. 462. In addition to the above there
are a few instances of the same in other verbs, as f^/hire
a J?ank/ ii. 60, ' let it passe/ viii. 2056.

The gerund ' to done ' is common, but we do not find
either ' to sene ' or ' to seine/

Present Tense. In the ist pers. sing, of the present,
apart from such forms as do, go, &c., and prai beside preie,
praie, there are a few cases of apocope, as in the infinitive : e.g.
l\put me j?erof in jour grace/ i. 732, in which instance it
will be noticed that the following word begins with a consonant.

In the 3rd pers. sing, the syncopated and contracted forms
are very much used by Gower. He says regularly bit, ett,
get, put, schet, set, sit (2nd pers. sist\ smit, writ ; arist, bint,
fint, holt (halt), lest, went, wext ; berp, brety, bring}?, crip,
draw£, drinkj>,fal}>,far)>,forsakp, lei}?, lyfrprety, spety, taty
(or tap\ thenty,iif)>, and only occasionally drawefr, drinkep,
farep, kepej), sitte}>, waxe}>, &c. In the 3rd pers. plural several
supposed instances of/ ending have been alleged. Of these

INFLEXION. VERBS xli

most are expressions like ' men seij>/ where * men ' is used as
singular indefinite. One only is valid, viz. vii. 1107, * Diuerse
sterres to him longe)?' : cp. vii. 536.

Preterite. With regard to the tense formation of strong
verbs the following instances may be noticed of gradation
between the singular and the plural of the preterite : began,
pi. begunne begonne, gan, pi. gonnen, ran, pi. runne, wan, pi.
wonne, bond, pi. bounden, fond, pi. founden, song (sang),
pi. songe sunge, bar, pi. bere (beere), brak, pi. brieken, spak,
pi. spieke, sat, pi. sete(ri) siete(n) seete, bad, pi. bede, wrot, pi.
write(n), rod, pi. riden, ches, pi. chose, and among preterite-
presents can, pi. conne, mai, pi. mowe, schal, pi. schulle schull
schol, wot, pi. wite.

The 2nd pers. sing, has the -e termination, as come, viii.
2076. The 2nd pers. sing, of the preterite-present mai is
regularly miht (myhf), never ' mayest/

The preterite plural regularly has e or en.

Among Weak Verbs those which have the short or syn-
copated form keep the -e termination almost regularly. Such
preterites are, for example, cride, deide, hide, obeide, pqyde,
preide, seide, hadde, made, brende, sende, answer de,ferde, herde,
solde, spilde, tolde, wende, betidde, dradde, fedde, fledde, hedde,
spedde, gradde, ladde, radde, spradde, crepte, duelte,felte, hente,
kepte, kiste, lefte, lepte, loste, mente, slepte, wente, wepte, alihte,
caste, dihte, grette, knette, kutte, laste, liste, mette, plyhte, putte,
schette, sette, sterte, triste, arawhte, broghte, cawhte, oghte, roghte,
soghte, strawhte, tawhte, thoghte, wroghte, cowthe, dorste^ mihte,
moste, scholde, wiste, wolde.

At the same time it must be noted (as in the case of the
infinitive) that with some of these forms there is an occasional
tendency to drop the -e before a vowel at the beginning of the
next word (that is, where elision would take place). It is
impossible to trace any system, but the number of verbs

xlii INTRODUCTION

affected is not large, and in nearly every case the instances of
this kind of elision- apocope are largely outnumbered by the
examples of normal inflexion in the same verb.

The following are some of the examples : ' Sche cast on me/
i. 152, ' fanne wold I/ i. 183, ' told him/ 'And seid hir/ i.
3187 f., ' And kept hire/ ii. 181, ' miht eschuie/ iii. 1356, cp. iii.
1440, ' Andyfc// it ' (subj.), viii. 2165, ' so ferd I/ viii. 2445,
&c. This apocope hardly ever takes place before a consonant.

With regard to the weak verbs which form preterites with
ending -ede, the loss of the final e is somewhat more common,
but it is usually retained, and sometimes it counts as a syl-
lable in the verse. Where this is not the case, it is either
elided in the usual way, or if it be dropped in writing, this is
only under the conditions which apply to the verbs mentioned
above, namely, before a vowel at the beginning of the succeed-
ing word.

It is, however, noteworthy that the use of these forms,
whether in -ede or -ed, is decidedly rare, and was avoided by
our author even in cases where the -e would have been subject
to elision. It is evident that he was always conscious of this
ending, even if he did not always write it, and yet he felt that
the two weak syllables ought not to have full value in the
metre. The result was that he avoided the use of the form
generally, so far as it was reasonably possible to do so. The
whole number of these preterites in -ede, -ed to be found in
the Confessio A mantis is surprisingly small, both actually and
relatively, that is, taking account of the extent to which the
verbs in question are employed in their other tenses. The
method pursued is chiefly to substitute in narrative the present
tense, or the perfect formed with 'haf/ for the 3rd pers.
singular of the preterite, ' ConforteJ? ' for ' Confortede/
' Ha)? axed ' for * axede/ ' feignef ' for ' feignede/ and this
apparently as a matter of habit and even in cases where

INFLEXION. VERBS xliii

a vowel follows. No doubt the use of the present tense in
narrative is quite usual apart from this, but the extremely
frequent combination of strong or syncopated preterites with
the present tenses of verbs of this class seems to indicate
clearly how the matter stood.

The following are examples of this : ' The king comandep
ben in pes, And . . . caste', i. 3240 f., ' Comendep, and seide
ouermore/ 3361, 'he him befioghte, . . . And tornef) to the
banke a^ein/ ii. 167 fF., and so on. There are indeed many
narrative passages in which nearly all the strong or synco-
pated verbs are used in the preterite, and all the others
in the present, and it is evident that this cannot be accidental.

There are, however, a certain number of instances of the
use of weak preterites, indicative or subjunctive, and a few in
which the final e (or -en) is sounded in the metre.

The following are examples of -ede preterites (in one instance
-ide) : ' I wisshide after dej>/ i. 1 20, ' he passede ate laste/ 142,
' he hem stoppede alle faste/ 522, l Supplantede f»e worjri knyht/
ii. 2453, 'The hors and stikede in J>e Myr/ iii. 1631, so also
iv. 1340, 1345, 1444, ' And foundeden f>e grete Rome/ v. 904,
' Thei passeden the toun/ 2182, ' axede him/ 5129, 'That
loueden longe er I was bore/ vi. 882, ' Wij? loue wrastlede and
was ouercome/ 2240. In most of the instances the -e is
subject to elision, and of those that remain some are ex-
amples of the plural with -eden termination, and very few
only of the ending -ede. It will be noted that in the plural
the form -eden is used regularly when the syllables are to
be fully pronounced, though -ede can be used for the sake
of elision.

The -ed form of preterite is less frequent than the other,
and there is hardly an example of its employment before
a consonant or in rhyme. We have, for example, ' And vsed
it/ i. 342 (humbled him/ i. 2065, is probably a participle, ' to

xliv INTRODUCTION

have humbled himself), 'prydedl me,' i. 2372, ' ne feigned I/
ii. 2061, *J?e goddes . . . Comanded him/ iii. 2140 f., &c., and
before a consonant, vi. 997, ' Cam to J?e gate and axed mete.'
We may observe that the -ed form stands also in the plural.

Imperative. The singular and plural forms are often used
without distinction, as v. 2333 ff., ' Ches . . . and witep . . . ches
and tak . . . go)> . . . takep'. In the interchange of speech between
the Confessor and the Lover, while sometimes the distinction is
preserved, the Confessor saying tak, tell, understand, and the
Lover tellep, axefi, at other times the Lover says lest, say, tell \

Present Participle. The form of the present participle
is the most characteristic part of Gower's verb inflexion as
compared (for example) with Chaucer's. Chaucer seems
regularly to have used the form in -inge (often with apocope
-ing): Gower uses ordinarily the form -ende, and normally
with the accent thrown on the termination, as i. 204, ' To me
spekende thus began/ 236, 'Whos Prest I am touchende of
loue/ 428, ' Stondende as Stones hiere and there/ 633. Some-
times, however, the same form is used with accent on the pre-
ceding syllable, and in this case the -e is systematically elided,
e. g. ' Belongende vnto the presthode/ i. 296, 'As touchende
of my wittes fyue' (cp. 334, 742).

In a relatively small number of instances the form -inge
occurs either in rhyme, as i. 524, ' So whan J>ei comen forth
seilinge/ in rhyme with 'singe/ or with the accent thrown
back, as i. 115, ' Wisshinge and wepinge al myn one/

The final e is never lost in writing, but when the accent is
thrown back it is always elided.

Past Participle. There is hardly any use of the prefix
y- (*'-), but we have ybore, ii. 499.

1 Except in the case of these imperative forms the 2nd pers. plur. is
quite consistently used by the Lover in his shrift, and the 2nd. pers. sing,
by the Confessor in reply.

METRE xlv

III. METRE.

Smoothness anrl regularity ig tho most marked charac-
teristic of Gower's metre. The writer, while preserving the
syllabic rule, makes his verse flow smoothly without doing
violence to the natural accentuation of the words, and gives
throughout the effect of an accent verse, not one which
depends upon the counting of syllables. The licences which
occur in the octosyllabics of Chaucer and other English
writers of the period are to a great extent avoided by Gower,
and in particular he neither omits the first unaccented
syllable, as Chaucer so often does (e. g. ' Be it rouned, red
or songe/ Hous of Fame, ii. 214, * Any lettres for to rede,'
iii. 51, 'Of this hill that northward lay/ iii. 62), nor to any
great extent displaces the natural accent (as ' Of Decembre
the tenthe day,' Hous of Fame, i. 1 1 1, ' Jupiter considered
wel this/ ii. 134, 'Rounede everych in otheres ere/ iii. 954),
or slurs over syllables.

Some displacement of the natural accent may indeed be
found occasionally in the verse, even apart from the case
of those French words whose accent was unsettled, but it
is present in a very slight degree, and the rhythm produced
does not at all resemble that of the lines cited above from
Chaucer: e. g. i. 2296, ' Wher }>at he wolde make his chace/
2348, 'Vnder the grene f>ei begraue/ 2551. Such as it is,
this licence is nearly confined to the first foot of the verse,
and is not so much a displacement of the natural accent of
the words as a trochaic commencement, after the fashion
which has established itself as an admitted variety in the
English iambic. We may, however, read long passages of
the Confessio Amantis without finding any line in which
the accent is displaced even to this extent.

Again, as to slurring of syllables, this no doubt takes place,

xlvi INTRODUCTION

but on regular principles and with certain words or combina-
tions only.

Gower's practice in this respect is very different from
Chaucer's. The rules laid down by ten Brink, Chaucers
Sprache, § 260, as to the cases in which weak final e is never
counted as a syllable in the verse, except in rhyme, require
some qualification even when applied to Chaucer, and they
are almost wholly inapplicable to Gower, as we shall see
if we examine them, (a) Gower has the forms hire, oure,
joure, all occasionally as dissyllables apart from special em-
phasis or rhyme. (£) pese, some, whiche are all sometimes
dissyllables, (y) The strong participles with short stems
as come, driue, write as a rule have the final e sounded. (8) The
-e of the 2nd pers. sing, of the strong preterite may be sounded,
e. g. iii. 2629 (but ' Were thou/ iv. 600). (e) The form made,
both singular and plural, regularly has -e sounded, were (pret.)
usually, and wite sometimes, (f) sone, wone, schipe (dat.), and
the French words in -ie (ye), &c., have -e regularly counted
in the metre: so also beste, entente, tempeste. (q) before, to/ore,
pere are used in both ways.

Gower's usage with reference to this matter is as follows : —

The personal and possessive pronouns hire, oure, pure,
here, and hise (as plural of his], written also hir, our, &c.,
are as a rule treated as monosyllables. We have, however,
1 Fro hire, which was naked al,' i. 367, 'In oure tyme
among ous hiere,' Prol. 5 (but ' Oure king hath do this
thing amis/ i. 2062). Add to these alle (pi.) before the
definite article.

In the following words also the final e is sometimes sup-
pressed for the verse : }>ese (also pes), whiche plur. (also
which}, }>ere (often per], were pret. ind. or subj. (also wer\
where (usually wher\more (also mor),before, to/ore (be/or, to/or],
fare (in 'fare wel '), sire, wite, wole (also wot), bope, wolde, come,

METRE xlvii

some, haue, loue, mowe, seie, preie, and a few more, but in the
case of nearly all these words the full pronunciation is also
found, as whiche, i. 404, fiere, were, more, bope, frequently,
come, iv. 1283, some,i. 2034, loue, i. 103, 251, &c., and in
many cases it is much the more usual.

Syncope (so far as regards the metre) regularly takes place
in the following : couere (discovere, &c.), deliuere, euene, euere,
heuene, leuere, neuere, pouere, sweuene (also swefne], and some
other words of a similar kind, to which add heued, euel, deuel.
In these cases a final e is always pronounced unless elided,
and in case of elision a word like heuene, neuere is reduced to
a monosyllable, as

'This world which euere is in balance.'
The following also are sometimes syncopated : louede, loueden,
beloued, i. 1928, behouely,behoueh'ch (buiunbehouely, viii. 2884),
amorous, namely. We may note, however, that this kind of
syncope is less used by Gower than by Chaucer, and that
chiualerie, chiualerous, foreward, foretokne, loueday, ptlegrin,
surquiderie, &c., are fully pronounced.

Unaccented /before weak e, either final or in inflexions, has
the force of a semi-vowel, and forms no syllable of itself : so
studie, carie, tarie, chirie, merte, manye, &c., are equivalent to
dissyllables, and are reduced by elision to the value of mono-
syllables, as i. 452, 'To tarie with a mannes poght,' i. 3238,
'And manye it hielden for folie,' ii. 2648, ' Thei carie til thei
come at Kaire/ Similarly Mercurie is made into a dissyllable
by elision, 'And ek the god Mercurie also,' i. 422. Akin to
this in treatment is the frequent combination many a, many
an, counting as two syllables (so ' ful many vntrewe/ v. 2886),
but many on, manion as three.

Elision of weak final e takes place regularly before a vowel
or an unaspirated h. The combinations byme, tome, lope, &c.,
have weak -e, which is elided before a vowel.

xlviii INTRODUCTION

An aspirated h prevents elision as effectively as any other
consonant. We have ' min hole herte/ ' grete homes,'
'Cadme' hyhte,' 'Mi Song, herkne/ 'propre hous/ Taste
holde' (and even *o]?re herbes,' iv. 3008); but there are
some words in which h is aspirated only when they are
emphatic in sense or position, as haue, haj>, he, htm, hire, how,
&c. For example, elision takes place usually before haue, he,
how, but not so as a rule in cases where they are used in
rhyme or with special emphasis, e. g. i. 2542, ' Of such werk
as it scholde haue/ iv. 3604, ' And al the cause hou it wente.'
On the other hand, the preterite hadde seems to have an
aspirated h even in unemphatic position. Elision also takes
place before hierafter, though not before hiere.

The article /* regularly coalesces with a succeeding word
beginning with a vowel or mute h, as pastat, fiavantages,
fieffect, themperour, perbage, perpe, J>onour, &C.1 The ex-
ceptions, which are very few, are cases of special emphasis, as
i. 3251, 'The ErJ»e it is.' Similarly the negative particle ne
with a succeeding verb beginning with a vowel, as nam,
naproche, nis (but ne haue), and also occasionally with some
words beginning with w, forming nere, nost, not, nyle, nyste,
&c. In some few instances to coalesces with the gerund, as
tacompte, teschuie.

There is diaeresis regularly in such proper names as Theseus,
Peleus, Tereus. We have Mo'ises usually, but Moises (dissylla-
ble) once. The termination -ius is dissyllabic, and the endings
-ioun, -ious, &c., are always fully pronounced.

As regards accent, it has been already observed that the
natural accent of words is preserved better in Gower's verse
than in Chaucer's. There are, however, a number of words
of French origin of which the accent was unsettled, and also

1 In one case the personal pronoun fie (=thee) is treated in the same
way, i. 568,^ <amende.

METRE xlix

some instances of English words in which a secondary syllable
was capable of receiving the principal accent, either in case
of composition, as in kingdom, knihthode, treweliche, or with
a formative termination, as that of the superlative, /atr&te, &c.,
or the present participle, as wepende. In such cases the
accent was often determined by the metre. Many Romance
words are quite freely treated in the matter of accent, as,
for example folie, fortune, mercy, mirour, nature, parfit,
preiere, resoun, science, sentence, tempeste. The terminations
-hode, -hede, -inge, -liche, -ly, -nesse, -schipe are all capable
of accent, and also the penultimate syllables of answere and
felawe.

Alliteration is used by Gower in a manner which is
especially characteristic of the new artistic style of poetry.
It is sufficiently frequent, both in formal combinations, such
as 'cares colde/ 'freisshe floures/ Musty lif,' 'pure pite/
'swerd or spere/ 'lief and lo}?/ 'wel or wo/ 'delue and
dyche,' ' slepe softe/ ' spille . . . spede/ ' wordes wise/ and as
an element of the versification :

i. 2044 f. And as a bussh which is besnewed,
Here berdes weren hore and whyte.
3372 God wot it were wel my wille.

iv. 1351 In which ]>e wofull womman sat.

v. 5113 f. To seche aboute in o)>er stede

His Ston to selle, and he so dede.

viii. 2425 f. I wot and haue it wel conceiued
Hou }>at \\ will is good ynowh.

But it is not introduced in accordance with any fixed rules,
and it often assists the flow of the verse without in the least
attracting the attention of the reader. We do not find any
examples of the rather exaggerated popular style which
Chaucer sometimes adopts in passages of violent action,
e.g. Cant. Tales, A 2604 ff.

1 INTRODUCTION

TEXT.

The text of the present edition is printed in accordance
with that of the Bodleian MS. Fairfax 3, except in the
small number of places where variation from it is re-
corded at the foot of the page. This MS. gives an
admirably correct copy of the Confessio Amantis in its
final form, a copy which was probably made and cor-
rected under the supervision of the author. It is certain at
least that no part of Chaucer's works has come down to
us in so trustworthy a copy, and in a case where the MS.
is so exceptionally good, it is worth while to reproduce it
almost exactly. The points in which the text as printed
differs from that of the MS. are as follows : (i) Punctuation
is supplied, that of the MS., though often useful, being too
irregular for convenience. (2) In some cases capital letters
are supplied, either for proper names, or in other places
where it is usual to employ them in modern English. Proper
names usually have capitals in the MS., but in the case of
some letters, as k, /, vy w there is very little difference, if any,
between capitals and minuscules, and in some cases proper
names are written without capitals : thus in ii. 2503, 3354,
3466, we have ' crist/ ' cristes/ though ' Crist ' occurs Prol.
237, 244, vi. 979 and often elsewhere; we have ' tibre/ v.
2207, but 'Tibre/ i. 1043, an^ s° in a few more cases.
Again, where a new speech or sentence begins in the middle
of a line, capitals are usually wanting in the MS., as i. 161,
i73> l89> 672> 2251, 3l62, ii. 200, 2739, iv. 1374, v. 2187,
&c. In other respects the MS.' has been followed in re-
gard to capitals, and the almost regular use of them with
certain nouns, as 'Ere/ ' Erfe/ ' Sone/ ' Schip/ ' Oxe/
' Tigre/ as well as the distinction between ' Sone ' and ' sone '
(adv.), 'Myn' and 'myn' (pron.), 'In' and 'in/ <Se' and

TEXT H

' se/ ' Dore ' and ' dore ' (verb) is worth observing. (3) The
contractions are written out in full without special indica-
tion. These are not numerous in the English text, and they
offer no difficulty. It should be observed however that the
French termination '-oun' is regularly written either 'on' or
'ouf in the MS., as ' deuocion/ ' contriciou,' i. 208 f., 'reson/
i. 3209, 'resou/ in. 1432, and '-aunce' is usually '-ance.'
Also ' Hondes/ i. 343, *monte/ i. 3065, 'seconde/ i. 3103,
' grofid/ ii. 3432, 'dante/ 'enchante/ i. 469 f., 'auante/ 'dante,'
i. 2389, ' chance/ i. 3203, and so on. For 'per' (or 'par') as a
separate word we have nearly always ' p/ but * Per aunter/
v- 335 !• Other abbreviations call for no special remark, e.g.
* wom0zan,' ' manwes/ ' f>anwe,' *whan»e/ 'euere,' ' ouerlpis,'
'Iper,'' mercy ,"Ta1per,' 'p^rceiueJ?/'Emp^rour/ 'pardoun," par-
amours/ ' begr^zue/ ' granten,' ' propre,' ' prt's,' ' honour,'
' Cronique.' (4) The distinction between s and,/ the former
used regularly at the end of words, and the latter in other
positions, has not been preserved in the text.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Incipit liber primus

Naturatus amor nature legibus orbem
Subdit, et wartimes condtat esse feras :
Huius enim mundi Princeps amor esse videtur,
Cuius eget diues^ pauper et omnis ope.
Sunt in agone pares amor et fortuna, que cecas
Plebis ad insidias vertit vterque rotas.
Est amor egra satus, vexata quies, pius error,
Bellica.pax, vulnus dulce, suaue malum.

T MAY noght strecche vp to J?e heuene

Min hand, ne setten al in euene
This world, which euere is in balance:
It stant noght in my sufficance
So grete f>inges to compasse,
Bot I mot lete it ouerpasse
And treten vpon o]?re finges.
fforfi J?e Stile of my writinges
ffro f>is day for)? I J>enke change,
And speke of J?ing is noght so strange,
Which euery kinde haj? vpon honde,
And whervpon J?e world mot stonde,
And haj? don sifen it began,
And schal whil f>er is any man ;
And fat is loue, of which I mene
To trete, as after schal be sene.
In which f>er can noman him reule,
ffor loues lawe is out of reule,
That of tomoche or of tolite
Welnyh is euery man to wyte, 20

10

[LOVE RULES
THE W°RLD-1

Postquam in
Prologo tracta-
tum hactenus
existit, qualiter
hpdierne condi-
cionis diuisio ca-
ritatis dileccio-
nem superauit,
intendit auctor
ad presens suurn
libellum, cutus
nomen Confes-
sioAmantisnun-
cupatur, compo-
nere de illo a-
more, a quo non
solum numan-
um genus, sed
eciam cuncta
animancia natu-
raliter subiciun-
tur. Btquianon-

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[LOVE RULES
THE WORLD.]

nulli amantes
vltra quam ex-
pedit desiderii
passionibus cre-
bro stimulantur,
materia libri per
totum super hiis
specialius d iffun-
ditur.

>^*^»

<*f^
30

And natheles fer is noman

In al J?is world so wys, fat can

Of loue tempre J?e mesure,

Bot as it falf> in auenture :

ifor wit ne strangle may noght helpe,

And he which elles wolde him jelpe

Is rarest f>rowen vnder fote,

Ther can no wiht f>erof do bote.

ffor jet was neuere such couine,

That couj>e ordeine a medicine

To fing which god in lawe of kinde

Haf> set, for f>er may noman finde

The rihte salue of such a Son

It haf and schal ben eueremor

That loue is maister wher he wile,

Ther can no lif make o}>er skile;

ffor wher as euere him lest to sette,

Ther is no myht which him may lette.

Bot what schal fallen ate laste,

The sof>e can no wisdom caste,

Bot as it fallef vpon chance;

ffor if J>er euere was balance

Which of fortune slant gouerned,

I may wel lieue as I am lerned

That loue haj? J>at balance on honde,

Which wol no reson vnderstonde.

•ffor loue is blind and may noght se,

ffor}?i may no certeinete

Be set vpon his lugemerit;

Bot as j?e whiel aboute went, f 50

He jiff his graces vndeserued,

And fro J?at man which haj? him serued

ffulofte he takf> aweye his fees,

40

LIBER PRIMUS

As he fat pleief ate Dees; JU.

And fervpon what schal befalle

He not, til fat f e chance falle,

Wher he schal lese or he schal winne.

And f us fulofte men beginne,

That if f ei wisten what it mente,

Thei wolde change al here entente. 60

And forto prouen it is so,
I am miseluen on of f o,
Which to fis Scole am vnderfonge.
ffor it is siffe go noght longe,
As forto speke of fis matiere,
I may jov telle, if 36 woll hiere,
A wonder hap which me befell,
That was to me bofe hard and fell,
Touchende of loue and his fortune,
The which me likef to comune ' 70

And pleinly forto telle it oute.
To hem fat ben louers aboute
ffro point to point I wol declare
And wryten of my woful care,
Mi wofull day, my wofull chance,
That men mowe take remembrance
Of fat f ei schall hierafter rede :
ffor in good feif fis wolde I rede,
That euery man ensample take
Of wisdom which him is betake, So

And fat he wot of good aprise •
To teche it forf, for such emprise
Is forto preise; and ferfore I
Woll wryte and schewe al openly
How loue and I togedre mette,
Wherof f e world ensample fette

B 2

[EXAMPLE OF
THE AUTHOR.]

Hie quasi in
persona alio-
rum, quos amor
alligat, fingens
se auctor esse
Amantem, va-
rias eorum pas-
siones yariis hu-
ius libri distinc-
cionibus per sin-
gula scribere
proponit.

'uU,

t^ tp+4 U*»*LM»S)

CONFESSIO A MANTIS

Mai after J?is, whan I am go,
Of filke vnsely iolif wo,
Whos reule stant out of j?e weie,
Nov glad and nov gladnesse aweie,
And jet it may noght be wifstonde
ffor oght J»at men may vnderstonde.

90

Hie declarat
materiam.dicens
qualiter Cupido
(]uodam ignito
iaculo sui cordis
memoriam graui
vlcere perfora-
uit; quod Venus
percipiens ip-
sum, yt dicit,
quasi in mortis
articulo spasrna-
tutn, ad confiten-
dum se Genio
sacerdoti super
amoris causa sic
semiviuum spe-
cialiter commen-
dauit.

Non ego Sampsonis vires, non Herculis arma
Vinco, sum sed vt hit victus amore pari*
Vt discant alii, docet experiencia facti.
Rebus in ambiguis que sit habenda via.
Deuius ordo ducts temptata pericla sequentem
Instruit a tergo, ne simul ille cadat.
Me quibus ergo Venus, casus, laqueauit amantem,
Or bis in exemplum scribere tendo palam.

Vpon fe point fat is befalle
Of loue, in which fat I am falle,
I f enke telle my matiere :
Now herkne, who fat wol it hiere,
Of my fortune how fat it ferde.
This enderday, as I forf ferde *\™
To walke, as I $ow telle may, —
,And fat was in fe Monfe of Maii, 100
Whan euery brid haf chose his make,
And fenkf his merfes forto make
Of loue J>at he haf achieued ;
Bot so was I nofing relieued,
ffor I was furfer fro my loue
Than Erfe is fro f e heuene aboue,
As forto speke of eny sped. ** x
So wiste I me non of er red,
Bot as it were a man forfare
Vnto the wode I gan to fare, no

no tofare F

LIBER PRIMUS 5

Noght forto singe wif f e briddes,
ffor whanne I was f e wode amiddes,
I -/»u»ctX"I fond a swpte grene pleine,

And f er I gan my wo compleigne

Wisshinge and wepinge al myn one,

ffor ofer merges made I none.

So hard me was fat ilke frowe, '^x-'

That ofte sif es ouerf rowe

To grounde I was wifoute bref ;

And euere I wisshide after def, 120

Whanne I out of my peine awok :

And caste vp many a pitous lok

Vnto f e heuene, and seide f us :

'O fou Cupide, O f ou Venus, [His COMPLAINT

rr«i_ j r i 11 11 TO CUPID AND

1 now god of loue and pou goddesse, VENUS.]

Wher is pile? wher is meknesse?
Now doj> me pleinly liue or dye,
ffor certes such a maladie
As I now haue and longe haue hadd,
It myhte make a wisman madd, 130

If fat it scholde longe endure.
O Venus, queene of loues cure,
Thov lif, f>ou lust, fou mannes hele,
Behold my cause and my querele, eo-ju*%<j**v«i,ei»lz»^
And ^if me som part of Ipi grace,
So f>at I may finde in f>is place
If fou be gracious or non. '
And wif fat word I sawh anon
The kyng of loue and qweene bof e :
Bot he fat kyng wif yhen wrofeV*.rM$^
His chiere aweiward fro me caste,
And forf he passede ate laste;
130 wismam F

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE FIERY
DART.]

[VENUS QUEEN
OF LOVE.]

Bot natheles; er he for]? wente,

A firy Dart me f oghte he hente,

And frew it furgh myn herte rote:

In him fond I non of er bote,

ffor lenger list him noght to duelle.

Bot sche fat is f e Source and Welle

Of wel or wo, fat schal betide

To hem fat louen, at fat tide 150

Abod, bot forto tellen hiere

Sche cast on me no goodly chiere :

Thus natheles to me sche seide,

What art fou, Sone? and I abreide

Riht as a man dof out of slep,

And f erof tok sche riht good kep,

And bad me noting ben adrad;

Bot for al fat I was noght glad,

ffor I ne sawh no cause why.

And eft scheo askef, what was 1 : 160

I seide, A Caitif fat lif hiere :

What wolde 36, my Ladi diere?

Schal I ben hoi or elles dye ?

Sche seide, Tell f i maladie :

What is f i Sor of which f ou pleignest ?

Ne hyd it noght, for if f ou feignest,

I can do fe no medicine.

Ma dame, I am a man of f yne, ^ . «»

That in f i Court haue longe serued,

And aske fat I haue deserued, 170

Som wele after my longe wo.

And sche began to loure f o,

And seide, per is manye of jow

ffaitours, and so may be fat f ow

Art riht such on, and be feintise

LIBER PRIMUS

Seist bat bou hast me do seruise.
And natheles sche wiste wel,
Mi world stod on an oj>er whiel
Wifouten eny faiterie :

Bot algate of my maladie . 180

Sche bad me telle and seie hir trowfe.
Ma dame, if je wolde haue rowfe,
Quod I, fanne wold I telle 3ow.
>ey forf>, quod sche, and tell me how ;
Schew me f>i seknesse euerydiel.
Ma dame, Jmt can I do wel,
\(. B<e_so my lif ferto wol laste.

WiJ> fat hir lok on me sche caste,

And seide : In aunter if f ou Hue,

Mi will is ferst fat fou be schriue; |U' 190

And natheles how fat it is

I wot miself, bot for al f is

Vnto my prest, which comb anon,

T ,i / „ .

1 woll pou telle it on and on, *^ l«j cnu.

Bofe all Jri J?oght and al }?i werk.

O Genius, myn oghne Clerk,

Com for]? and hier j?is mannes schrifte,

Quod Venus f»o; and I vplifte

Min hefd wij? J?at, and gan beholde

The selue Prest, which as sche wolde 200

Was redy fere, and sette him doun

To hiere my confessioun.

Confessus Cento si sit medicina salutis
Experiar morbis, quos tulit ipsa Venus.
Lesa quidem ferro medicantur membra saluti,
Raro tamen medicum itulnus amoris habet.

This worj?i Prest, J?is holy man
To me spekende J>us began,

[VENUS QUEEN
OF LOVE.]

[GENIUS, THE r^ '

\ PRIEST OF^^, ,<u fi

\ LOVR.]^ ^ jt*^

8 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE LOVER'S And seide : Benedicite,
Mi Sone, of J>e felicite
Of loue and ek of all f>e wo
Thov schalt fee schriue of bofe tuo.
Hie didt qua- What bou QT bis for loues sake

liter Genio pro

Confessore se- Hast felt, let nobmg be forsake, 210

denti prouolutus . ,. , . . , /• n

Amans ad confi- Tell plemliche as it is beialle.

tendum se flexis ' ,.

£enibus incurua- And wib pat word 1 gan cloun lane

tur, supplicans •

tamen, vt ad sui On knees, and wij? deuocioun

sensus informa- •*•*•« • •

cionem confessor And Wip full gFCt COntHClOUn
ille in dicendis -_ . , T^

e sibi be- I seide panne : Dominus,
' Min holi fader Genius,
So as Jxm hast experience
Of loue, for whos reuerence
Thov schalt me schriuen at Jris time,
I prai f>e let me noght mistime eW^*- 220
Mi schrifte, for I am destourbed
In al myn herte, and so contourbed, <**\?*^
That I ne may my wittes gete,
So schal I moche ]?ing forjete : *<*>^a. .
Bot if bou wolt my schrifte oppose

j ** ••

ffro point to point, )?anne I suppose,
Ther schal noting be left behinde.
Bot now my wittes ben so blinde,
That I ne can miseluen teche.
Tho he began anon to preche, 230

And wif> his wordes debonajre
He seide tolme softe and faire:
Thi schrifte to oppose and hiere,
Sermo Genii Mi sone, I am assigned hiere

sacerdotis super ~^

confessione ad -DC VenUS J>6 gOdeSSC abOUC,

Whos Prest I am touchende of loue.
227 beleft.F 234 sone sone F

LIBER PRIMUS 9

Bot natheles for certein Skile [THE LOVER'S

SHRIFT.]
1 mot algate and nedes wile i*. ***** t&u.

Noght only make my spekynges
Of loue, hot of oj?re Binges, 240

That touchen to f>e cause of vice,
ffor pat belongep to ^office
Of Prest, whos ordre pat I here;
So }?at I wol noting forbere,
That I the vices on and on
Ne schal pee schewen euerychon;
Wherof pou myht take euidence >*«* ****f^
To reule wip pi conscience.
Bot of conclusion final
Conclude I wol in special 250

ffor loue, whos seruant I am,
And why pe cause is pat I cam.
So penke I to don bope tuo,
fferst f>at myn ordre longef to,
The vices forto telle arewe, u> erA^-.
Bot next aboue alle oj>re schevve
Of loue I wol the propretes,
How f>at Ipei stonde be degrees
After J?e disposicioun

Of Venus, whos condicioun 260

I moste folwe, as I am holde.
ffor I wif> loue am al wtyholde,
So fat f>e lasse I am to wyte,
Thogh I ne conne bot a lyte
Of ofre f>inges }?at ben wise :
I am noght tawht in such a wise;
ffor it is noght my comun vs
To speke of vices and vertus,
266 awise F

10

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE LOVER'S
SHRIFT.]

[THE FIVE
SENSES.]

270

**

280

Bot al of loue and of his lore,
ffor Venus bokes of nomore
Me techen nowber text ne glose.

•n, ~ i , T I

Bot for als moche as I suppose

It sit a prest to be wel J>ewed,

And schame it is if he be lewed,

Of my Presthode after J?e forme

I wol f>i schrifte so enforme, ^U

That ate leste )?ou schalt hiere

The vices, and to J>i matiere

Of loue I schal hem so remene,-

That J>ou schalt knowe what J?ei mene:

ffor what a man schal axe or sein

Touchende of schrifte, it mot be plein,

It nedej? noght to make it_ queinte, & u

ffor trowfe hise wordes wol noght peinte/s^

That I wole axe of J>e forj>i,

Mi sone, it schal be so pleinly,

pat fou schalt knowe and vnderstonde

The pointz of schrifte how f>at fei stonde.

Visus et auditus fragilis sunt ostia mentis,
Que viciosa manus claudere nulla potest.
Est ibi larga via, graditur qua cordis ad antrum
Hostis, et ingrediens fossa talentd rapit.
Hec michi confessor Genius primordia profert,
Dum sit in extremis vita remorsa malts.
Nunc tamen vt poterit semiviua loquela fateri,
Verba per os timide conscia mentis agam*

Betwen the lif and def> I herde
This Prestes tale er I answerde, 290

And f>anne I preide him forto seie

281 aman F

LIBER PRIMUS

II

300

His will, and I it wolde obeie
After f e forme of his apprise.
Tho spak he tome in such a wise,

. , -r , , , i

And bad me pat I scholde schryue
As touchende of my wittes fyue,
And schape fat fei were amended
Of fat I hadde hem misdispended.
ffor f o be proprely fe gates,
Thurgh whiche as to f e herte algates
Comf alle fing vhto fe feire,***^ itL
Which may fe mannes Soule empeire
And now f is matiere is broght inne,
Mi Sone, I J>enke ferst beginne
To wite how fat J>in yhe haf> stonde,
The which is, as I vnderstonde,
The moste principal of alle,
Thurgh whom ]pat peril mai befalle.

And forto speke in loues kinde,
fful manye such a man mai finde,
Whiche euere caste aboute here yhe,
To loke if f>at f»ei myhte aspie
ffulofte Ip'mg which hem ne touchef,
Bet only fat here herte s°H^.
In hindringe of an ofer wiht;
And J?us ful many a worjri knyht
And many a lusti lady boj?e
Haue be fulofte sythe wro)?e.
So fat an yhe is as a J>ief
To loue, and dof ful gret meschief;
And also for his oghne part
ffulofte filke firy Dart
Of loue, which fat euere brennef,
293 ]*] \>e* F 294 awise F 298 mispended F

[THE FIVE

SENSES.]

Hicincipitcon-

fessio Amantis,

cui de duobus
sensuum, hoc est
confeSor precel
teris °pponit'

*^°^

[SEEING.]

310

320

12

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF AC-
TEON.]

HicnarratCon-
fessor exemplum
de visu ab illici-
tis preseruando,
dicens qualiter
Acteon Cadmi
Regis Thebarum
nepos, dura in
quadam fforesta
venacionis causa
spaciaretur, acci-
dit vt ipse quen-
dam fontem ne-
morosa arborum
pulcritudine cir-
cumventum su-
perveniens, vidit
ibi Dianam cum
suis Nimphis nu-
dam in flumine
balneantem;
quam diligencius
intuens oculos
suos a muliebri
nuditate nulla-
tenus auertere
volebat. Vndein-
dignata Diana
ipsum in cerui
figuram trans-
form auit ; quern
canes proprii
apprehendentes
mortiferis denti-
bus penitus dila-

Thurgh him into fe herte renne}?:
And ])us a mannes yhe ferst
Himselue grieuej? aljer werst, ^ oty
And many a time }>at he knowej? "k
Vnto his oghne harm it growej?.
Mi Sone, herkne now forfi
A tale, to be war J>erby
Thin yhe forto kepe and warde,

, ^ a

So J>at it passe noght his warde. J OLV^J. .- n

330

?.i«>

340

Guide tellef in his bok
Ensample touchende of mislok, I^UH^A
And seij? hov whilom })er was on,
A worfi lord, which Acteon
Was hote, and he was cousin nyh
To him )?at Thebes ferst on hyh
Vp sette, which king Cadme hyhte.
This Acteon, as he wel myhte,
Aboue alle oj?re caste his chiere,
And vsed it fro jer to 3ere,
WiJ? Houndes and wij? grete Homes
Among J>e wodes and f>e f ornes
To make his hunting and his chace:
Where him best foghte in euery place ^^
To finde gamen in his weie,
Ther rod he forto hunte and pleie.
So him befell vpon a tide
On his hunting as he cam ride,u*
In a fforest al one he was :

f^e syh vpon J>e grene gras
he faire freisshe floures springe,
e herde among J?e leues singe

335 whilonF 342 marg. sup<?rueveniens F 349 atide F

LIBER PRIMUS

IThe Trostle wib be nyhtingale : [TALE OF AC

mi- 1_ • 1 • * T>. i

Thus er he wiste into a Dale
He cam, wher was a litel plein,
All round aboute wel besein
WiJ? buisshes grene and Cedres hyhe;
And fer wifinne he caste his yhe. 360

Amidd fe plein he syh a welle,
So fair fer myhte noman telle,
In which Diana naked stod
To bafe and pleie hire in J?e flod
Wif> many a Nimphe, which hire seruejx
Bot he his yhe awey ne sweruef
ffro hire, which was naked al,
And sche was wonder wrof> wij?al,
And him, as sche which was godesse,
fforschop anon, and J?e liknesse 370

Sche made him taken of an Hert,
Which was tofore hise houndes stert, ^AYJt
That ronne besiliche aboute -tu^

WiJ? many an horn and many a route,
That maden mochel noise and cry:
And ate laste vnhappely
This Hert his oghne houndes slowhe,
And him for vengance al todrowhe. &A\ dJ-w^xUH .

Lo now, my Sone, what it is Confessor.

A man to caste his yhe amis, 380

Which Acteon haj> dere aboght ;
Be war forfi and do it noght.
ffor ofte, who fat hiede toke, ^'- '
Betre is to winke fan to loke.
And forto prouen it is so,
Guide f>e Poete also

374 aroute F 377 hondes F

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

FTALE OF ME-
DUSA.]

Hicponitaliud
exemplum de eo-
dem, vbi dicit
quod quidam
princeps nomine
Phorceus tres
progenuit filias,
Gorgones a vul-
go nuncupatas,
que vno partu ex-
orte deformita-
tera Monstrorum
serpentinam ob-
tinuerunt ; qui-
bus, cum in eta-
tem peruenerant,
talis destinata fu-
erat natura, quod
quicumque in eas
aspiceret in lapi-
dem subito mu-
tabatur. Et sic
quam plures in-
caute respicien-
tes visis ilhs peri-
erunt. Set Per-
seus miles clipeo
Palladis gladio-
que Mercurii mu-
nitus eas extra
montem Athlan-
tis cohabitantes
animo audaci
absque sui peri-
culo intetfecit.

A tale which to fis matiere
Acordef seif , as f ou schalt hiere.

In Metamor it tellef f us,
How fat a Lord which Phorceus 390

Was note, hadde Dowhtres f re.
Bot vpon here natiuite
Such was fe constellacion,
That out of mannes nacion
ffro kynde fei be so miswent, -W^ w^U , v w>
That to f e liknesse of Serpent
Thei were bore, and so fat on
Of hem was cleped Stellibon,
That ofer Soster Suriale,
The fridde, as tellef in f e tale, 400

Medusa hihte, and natheles
Of comun name Gorgones
In euery centre f er aboute,
As Monstres whiche fat men doute, ^
Men clepen hem; and bot on yhe
Among hem f re in pourpartie *,L»-v_
Thei hadde, of which f ei myhte se,
Now haf it fis, now haf it sche;
After fat cause and nede it ladde,
Be f rowes ech of hem it hadde. 410

A wonder f ing jet more amis
Ther was, wherof I telle al fis :
What man on hem his chiere caste
And hem behield, he was als faste
Out of a man into a Ston
fforschape, and fus ful manyon
Deceiued were, of fat fei wolde *;
Misloke, wher fat fei ne scholde.
397 bore] boj^e F

LIBER PRIMUS

15

430

**'

Bot Perseus fat worf i knyht,

Whom Pallas of hir grete myht 420

Halp, and tok him a Schield f erto, -t»uk/ , ^

And ek fe god Mercuric also

Lente him a swerd, he, as it fell,

Bejende Athlans Ipe hihe hell

These Monstres soghte, and fere he fond

Diuerse men of f ilke lond

Thurgh sihte of hem mistorned were,

Stondende as Stones hiere and fere.

Bot he, which wisdom and prouesse

Hadde of Ipe god and Ipe godesse,

The Schield of Pallas gan enbrace,

Wif which he coueref sauf his face, •**

Mercuries Swerd arid, out he drowh,

And so he bar him fat he slowh

These dredful Monstres alle lp re.

Lo now, my Sone, auise f e,
That lp ou f i sihte noght misuse :
Cast noght fin yhe vpon Meduse,
That fou be torned into Ston:
ffor so wys man was neuere non,
Bot if he wel his yhe kepe
And take of fol delit no kepe,
That he wif lust nys ofte nome, fc*
Thurgh strengf e of loue and ouercome.

Of mislokynge how it haf ferd,
As I haue told, now hast f ou herd,
My goode Sone, and tak good hiede.
And ouerfis jet I fee rede
That f ou be war of fin heringe,
Which to fe Herte fe tidinge
Of many a vanite haf broght,

[TALE OF ME-

DUSA.]

Confessor.

440

[HEARING.]

450

j.6 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

dul^V**"* ' j

[HEARING.] To tarie wif a mannes f oght. »

And natheles good is to hiere
Such f ing wherof a man may lere
That to vertu is acordant,
And toward al fe remenant
Good is to torne his Ere fro;
ffor elles, bot a man do so,
Him may fulofte mysbefalle.
I rede ensample amonges alle,
Wherof to kepe wel an Ere
It oghte pute a man in fere.

U ^

[THE PRUDENCE

OF THE

SERPENT.]

Hie narrat con-
fessor exemplum,
vt non ab auris
exaudicione fa-
tua animus de-
ceptus inuolua-
tur. Etdicit qua-
liter ille serpens,
qui aspis vocatur,
quendam precio-
sissimum lapi-
dem nomine Car-
bunculum in sue
frontis medio
gestans, contra
verba incantan-
tis aurem vnam
terre affigendo
premit, et aliam
suecaudestimulo
firmissime obtu-
rat.

,w

A Serpent, which fat Aspidis -
Is cleped, of his kynde haf f :
That he fe Ston noblest of alle,
The which fat men Carbuncle calle,
Berf in his hed aboue on heihte. *.,
ffor which whan fat a man be
The Ston to winne and him to daunte,
Wif his carecte him wolde enchaunte, 470
Anon as he perceiuef fat,
He leif doun his on Ere al plat
Vnto f e ground, and halt it faste,
And ek fat ofer Ere als faste
He stoppef wif his tail so sore,
That he fe wordes lasse or more
Of his enchantement ne hieref ;
And in f is wise himself he skieref ,
So fat he haf fe wordes weyued ^ .••'•"
And furgh his Ere is noght deceiued. 480

An of re fing, who fat recordef,
Licb vnto f is ensample acordef ,
454, 458 atnan F

LIBER PRIMUS

[TALE OF THE

SIRENS.]
Aliud exem-
plum super eo-
dem, qualiter
Rex Vluxes cum
a bello troiano
versus Greciam
nauigio remea-
ret, et prope ilia
Monstra marina,
Sirenes nuncu-
pata, angelica
voce canoras,
ipsum ventorum
aduersitate naui-
gare oporteret,
omnium nau-
tarum suorum
aures obturari
coegit. Et sic
salutari proui-
dencia prefultus
absque periculo
saluus cum sua
classe Vluxes per-
transiuit.

Which in J?e tale (^Tjgie I finde.

Sirenes of a wonder kynde

Ben Monstres, as j?e bokes tellen,

And in ]?e grete Se )?ei duellen :

Of body boj»e and of visage

Lik vnto wommen of $ong Age

Vp fro f>e Nauele_on hih f>ei be,

And doun benej>e, as men mai se, 490

Thei bere of fisshes J>e figure.

And ouerfis of such nature

Thei ben, fat wij? so swete a steuene

Lik to IpQ melodic of heuene

In wommanysshe vois J?ei singe,

Wi]j notes of so gret likinge,

Of such mesure, of such musike,

Wherof fe Schipes }>ei beswike

That passen be J>e cosies f>ere.

ffor whan f>e Schipmen leie an Ere 500

Vnto )?e vois, in here avys

Thei wene it be a Paradys,

Which after is to hem an helle.

ffor reson may noght wi}> hem duelle,

Whan £>ei j?o grete lustes hiere ;

Thei conne noght here Schipes stiere, **. '

So besiliche vpon ]?e note

Thei herkne, and in such wise assote,-^*^ H*

That f»ei here rihte cours and weie

ffor5ete, and to here Ere obeie, 510

And seilen til it so befalle

That J?ei into J>e peril falle,

Where as J?e Schipes be todrawe,

And )?ei ben wi}> J>e Monstres slawe.

Bot fro f»is peril natheles

i8

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OP THE
SIRENS.]

Confessor.

520

530

Wif his wisdom king Vluxes
Ascapef, and it ouerpassef ;
ffor he tofqr_£e hond compassef
That noman of his compaignie
Haf pouer vnto fat folie.
His Ere for no lust to caste ;
ffor he hem stoppede alle faste,
That non of hem mai hiere hem singe.
So whan fey comen forf seilinge,
Ther was such gouernance on honde,
That fei fe Monstres haue wif stonde,
And slain of hem a gret partie.
Thus was he sauf wif his navie,
This wise king, furgh gouernance.

Wherof, my Sone, in remembrance
Thou myht ensample taken hiere,
As I haue told, and what fou hiere /s>Jty
Be wel war, and $if no credence,'
Bot if fou se more euidence.
ffor if fou woldest take kepe
And wisly cowj>est warde and kepe t^ d^«*v/*
Thin yhe and Ere, as I haue spoke, *-"
Than haddest fou fe gates stoke
ffro such Sotie as comf to wimre
Thin hertes wit, which is wifinne,
Wherof fat now f i loue excedef
Mesure, and many a peine bredef .
Bot if f ou cowf est sette in reule
Tho tuo, fe fre were ef to reule:
fforfi as of f i wittes flue .
I wole as now nomore schryue,
Bot only of f ese ilke tuo. .
531 xnyhteF

540

LIBER PRIMUS 19

Tell me ferfore if it be so, [THE SINS OF

THE EYE AND

Hast fou f m yhen oght misfrowe ? £*** K ; THE EAR.]

Mi fader, je, I am beknowe, 550 Amans.

I haue hem cast vpon Meduse,

Therof I may me noght excuse :

Min herte is growen into Ston,

So fat my lady f ervpon

Hath such a priente of loue graue,

That I can noght miselue saue.

What seist f ov, Sone, as of fin Ere ? Opponit Confes-
Mi fader, I am gultyf fere ; Respondet A-

ffor whanne I may' my lady hiere,

Mi wit wif fat haf lost his Stiere : 560

I do noght as Vluxes dede,

Bot falle anon vpon fe stede,

Wher as I se my lady stonde ;

And fere, I do $ow vnderstonde,

I am topulled in my f oght,

So fat of reson leueth noght,

Wherof fat I me mai defende.

Mi goode Sone, god famende : Confessor.

ffor as me fenketh be f i speche

Thi wittes ben riht feer to seche. ^ </^v*«57o ^

As of fin Ere and of fin yhe

I woll nomore specefie,

Bot I woll axen ouerf is

Of of re f ing how fat it is.

Celsior est A quit ague Leone ferocior tile, [THE SEVEN

Quern tumor elati cordis ad alta mouet.
Sunt species quinque, quibus esse Superbia ductrix
Clamat) et in multis mundus adheret eis.
Laruando faciem ficto pallore subornat
ffraudibus Ypocrisis mellea verba suis.
c 2

20

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Hie loquitur
quod septem sunt
peccata morta-
li a, quorum caput
Superbia varias
species habet, et
earum prirna
Ypocrreis dicitur,
cuius proprieta-
tem secundum
vicium simplici-
ter Confessor
Amanti declarat.

[HYPOCRISY.]

Amans.

Confessor.

Sicque pios animos quamsepe ruit tmiliebres
Ex humili verbo sub latitante dolo.

Mi Sone, as I fee schal enforme,
Ther ben 3et of an ofer forme
Of dedly vices seuene applied, DJ^J*^
Wherof f e herte is ofte plied
To fing which after schal him grieue.
The ferst of hem, fou schalt belieue, 580
Is Pride, which is principal,
And haf wif him in special
Ministres flue ful diuerse,
Of whiche, as I f e schal reherse,
The ferste is seid Ypocrisie.
If fou art of his compaignie,
Tell forf , my Sone, and schrif fe clene.

I wot noght, fader, what 3^ mene :
Bot fis I wolde 3011 beseche,
That 36 me be som weie teche
What is to ben an ypocrite ;
And f anne if I be forto wyte,
I wol beknowen, as it is. etrw^/vs-

Mi Sone, an ypocrite is fis, —
A man which feignef conscience, -
As fogh it were al innocence,
Wif oute, and is noght so wif inne ;
And dof so for he wolde winne
Of his desir fe vein astat. <»v,,».£™
And whanne he comf anon f erat, 600

He schewef fanne what he was,
The corn is torned into gras,
That was a Rose is fanne a f orn,
And he fat was a Lomb beforn

584 I om. F 593 be knowen F

Mi

59°

LIBER PRIMUS 21

Is Jeanne a Wolf, and fms malice [HYPOCRISY.]

Vnder fe colour of Justice

Is hid; and as f>e poeple tellef>,

These ordres when where he duellef>, ipocrisis

As he J>at of here conseil is,

And filke world which j?ei er J>is 610

fforsoken, he draw]> in ajein.

He cloj?ef> richesse, as' men sein,

Vnder J>e simplesce of pouerte, ^^^LcU^ tu*^»4*l^

And do}> to seme of gret decerte

Thing which is litel worf> wifinne :

He seif> in open, fy ! to Sinne,

And in Secre fer is no vice

Of which fat he ni« a Norrice : -y^-v^

And euere his chiere is sobre and softe,

And where he goj? he blessef ofte, o«^i 620

Wherof fe blinde world he drecchef).

Bot jet al only he ne strecchef) xfcJC

His reule vpon religioun,

Bot next to }?at condicioun

In suche as clepe hem holy cherche

It schewej? ek how he can werche

Among j?o wyde furred hodes,

To geten hem }>e worldes goodes.

And )?ei hemself ben filke same

That setten most Ipe world in blame, 630

Bot jet in contraire of her lore

Ther is noting f>ei louen more;

So fat semende of liht fei werke 1'^Muxi '"*^

The dedes whiche are inward derke.

And fus f is double Ypocrisie

Wij? his deuplte apparantie (Uvm/Jt

A viser set vpon his face,

ipocrisis ecciesi-

22 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[HYPOCRISY.] Wherof toward f is worldes grace
He semef to be riht wel f ewed,
And jit his herte is al beschrewed. ^ ~64o
Bot natheles he stant belieued,
And ha]? his pourpos ofte achieued
Of worschipe and of worldes welf e,
And takf it, as who seif , be stelf e
Thurgh couerture of his fallas. AJ-*-**
And riht so in semblable cas
This vice haf ek his officers
secuia- Among f ese of re seculers &* r*-u*- *V

Of grete men, for of f e smale
' As for tacompte he set no tale, ^ "^^ **
<, ^jd^ot f ei fat passen f e comune '
v"Wif suche him like)? to comune,

And where he seif he wol socoure
N t^'V^5$N*< ^ne poeple, J>ere lie woll deuoure ;

ffor now aday is manyon
Which spekf) of Peter and of lohn
teju,,^ And fenkef ludas in his herte.

Ther schal no worldes good asterte *^A^ fa**

His hond, and jit he jiff almesse

And fastef ofte and hieref Messe : 660

Wif mea culpa, which he seif ,

Vpon his brest fullofte he leif

His hond, and cast vpward his yhe,

As f ogh he Cristes face syhe ;

So fat it semef ate syhte,

As he al one alle of re myhte

Rescoue wif his holy bede.

Bot jet his herte in of er stede

Among hise bedes most deuoute

Gof in fe worldes cause aboute, 670

LIBER PRIMUS

23

dedpit
centes.

How fat he myhte his warisoun
Encresce. And in comparisoun

Ther ben louers of such a Sort,
That feignen hem an humble port,
And al is bot Ypocrisie,
Which wi}> deceipte and flaterie
HaJ> many a worfi wif beguiled.
ffor whanne he haf> his tunge affiled,
WiJ> softe speche and wi)? lesinge,
rTorth_wif> his fals pitous lokynge, 680

He wolde make a womman wene
To gon vpon J>e faire grene,
Whan J?at sche fallef in J?e Mir.
ffor if he may haue his desir,
How so falle of Ipe remenant,
He halt no word of couenant;
Bot er ]>e time J>at he spede,
Ther is no sleihte at }>ilke nede,
Which eny loues faitour mai,
That he ne put it in assai, 690

As him belongef> forto done.
The colour of f>e reyni Mone
WiJ? medicine vpon his face
He set, and J?anne he axej? grace,
Asv he which haf> sieknesse feigned.
-Whan his visage is so desteigned,
Wif> yhe vpcast on hire he sike]?,
And many a contenance he pikej?,
To bringen hire in to belieue
Of J?ing which f>at he wolde achieue, 700
Wherof he berj? J»e pale hewe;
And for he wolde seme trewe,
He makf him siek, whan he is heil.

[HYPOCRISY OF

Hie tractat
Amante1"

^ 1 3t<i --.

24 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[HYPOCRISY OF Bot whanne he berb lowest be Seil,
LOVERS 1

panne is he swiftest to beguile

The womman, which fat ilke while
Set vpon him feif or credence.
Opponit Confes- Mi Sone, if fou fi conscience
Entamed hast in such a wise.

In schrifte fou fee myht auise, ^ 710

And telle it me, if it be so.
Respondet A. Min holy fader, certes no.

As_forto feigne such sieknesse O».»*.^M^M**^
It nedef noght, for fis witnesse
I take of god, fat my corage
Haf ben mor siek fan my visage.
And ek fis mai I wel auowe,
So lowe cowfe I neuere bowe f {^ <4 v<Ji-uax
To feigne humilite wifoute,

)pkum That me ne leste betre Iqute Ww, vJveU, l« 720
Wif alle f e f oghtes of myn herte :
ffor fat f ing schal me neuere asterte,
I speke as to my lady diere,
To. make hire eny feigned chiere. .
God wot wel, fere I lye noght,
Mi chiere haf be such as my foght;
ffor in good feif, fis lieuef wel,
Mi will was betre a fousendel *\w**H
Than eny chiere fat I cowfe.
. Bot, Sire, if I haue in my jowfe 730

Don ofer wise in of er place,
I put me ferof in ^our grace:
ffor fis excusen I ne schal,
That I haue elles oueral
To loue and to his compaignie
Be plein wifoute ypocrisie ;

LIBER PRIMUS

[HYPOCRISY OF
LOVERS.]

Bot fer is on, fe which I serue,

Alf ogh I may no fonk deserue,

To whom jet neuere into fis day

I seide onlyche or je or nay, 740

Bot if it so were in my f oght.

As touchende ofre seie I noght

That I nam somdel forto wyte

Of that je clepe an ypocrite.

Mi Sone, it sit wel euery wiht Confessor.

To kepe his word in trowfe vpryht
Towardes loue in alle wise.
fFor who fat wolde him wel auise
What haf befalle in f is matiere,
He scholde noght wif feigned chiere 750
Deceiue Loue in no degre.
To loue is euery herte fre;
Bot in deceipte if fat f ou feignest
And fervpon fi lust atteignest,
That fow hast wonne wif fi wyle,
Thogh it fee like for a whyle,
Thou schalt it afterward repente.
And forto proue myn entente,
I finde ensample in a Croniqe
Of hem fat loue so beswike. 760

[Here follow tales in illustration of the evils of
Hypocrisy in love and in other things. Then the
Confessor treats of Disobedience, which is the second
point of Pride, and tells the tale of Florent, to set
forth the advantages of Obedience in love, after
which he proceeds as follows :]

Forf i, my Sone, if f ov do ryht, Confessor.

Thov schalt vnto fi loue obeie,
And folwe hir will be alle weie.

•26

Amans.

Confessor.

[SURQUIDRY
OR PRESUMP-
TION.]

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

1880

Hie loquitur
de tercia specie
Superbie, que
presumpcio dici-
tur, cuius na-
turam primo se-
cundum vicium
confessor

Min holy fader, so I wile:'
ffor je haue told me such a skile. »***"*• r**-
Of fis ensample now tofore,
That I schal euermo ferfore
Hierafterward myn obseruance
To loue and to his obeissance 1870

The betre kepe: and ouer fis
Of pride if J?er oght elles is,
Wherof f>at I me schryue schal,
What ]?ing it is in special,
Mi fader, axe]?, I jou preie.

Now lest, my Sone, and I schal seie:
ffor jit J?er is Surquiderie,
Which stant wif> Pride of compaignie;
Wherof f>at f>ou schalt hiere anon,
To knowe if f>ou haue gult or non
Vpon J>e forme as J»ou schalt hiere:
Now vnderstond wel f>e matiere.

Omnia scire putat, set se Presumpcio nescit.
Nee sibi consimilem quern putat esse parent.
Qui magis astutus reputat se sincere bellum,
In laqueos Veneris forcius ipse cadit.
Sepe Cupido virum sibi qui presumit amantem
Faint, et in vacuas spes redit ipsa vias.

Surquiderie is filke vice
Of Pride, which fe fridde office
Ha]?' in his Court, and wol noght knowe
The trowfe til it ouer]?rowe. ^^^»
Vpon his fortune and his grace
Com}) hadde I wist fulofte aplace;
ffor he dof al his J?ing be gesse,
And voidej? alle sikernesse. 1890

Non oper conseil good him siemeth

tJX \JL"

\p* Otff

piiciter deciarat. Bot such as he himsclue dicmej? ;

LIBER PRIMUS

27

ffor in such wise as he compassef,
His wit al one alle of re passef;
And is wif pride so furgh-soght, ^
That he alle of re set at noght,
And wenef of .himseluen so,
That such as he f er be nomo,
So fair, so semly, ne so wis;
And fus he wolde bere a pris
Aboue alle of re, and noght forf i
He seif noght ones grant mercy
To godd, which alle grace sendef,
So fat his wittes he despendef
Vpon himself, as f ogh f er were
No godd which myhte auaile fere :
Bot al vpon his oghne witt
He stant, til he falle in fe pitt
So ferr fat he mai noght arise.

And riht fus in f e same wise
This vice vpon f e cause of loue
So proudly set fe herte aboue,
And dof him pleinly forto wene
That he to louen eny qwene
Haf worf inesse and sufficance ;
And so wif oute pouryeance
ffulofte he hewef vp so hihe, ''
That chippes fallen in his yhe ;
And ek fulofte he wenef fis,
Ther as he noght beloued is,
To be beloued alfer best.
Now, Sone, tell what so fee lest
Of fis fat I haue told fee hier.

Ha, fader, be noght in a wer ;
I trowe fer be noman lesse,

[SURQUIDRY

OR PRESUMP-

TION.J

1900

Hie tractat
confessor cum
Amante super
ilia saltern pre-
sumpcione, ex
cuius superbia
quam plures
fatui amantes,
cum maioria
certitudinis in
sibi

destituuntur.

1920

*•***, •**#*• Amans.

28

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[SURQUIDRY
OR PRESUMP-
TION.]

Confessor.

Amans.

^

Of eny maner worf inesse,

That halt him lasse worf fanne I

To be beloued; and noght forfi

I seie in excusinge of me,

To alle men fat loue is fre.-

And certes fat mai noman werne;

ffor loue is of himself so derne, *iu

It lutef in a mannes herte:

Bot fat ne schal me noght asterte,

To wene forto be worf i

To louen, bot in hir mercy.

Bot, Sire, of fat 56 wolden mene,

That I scholde of erwise wene

To be beloued fanne I was,

I am J)eknowe as in fat cas.

Mi goode Sone, tell me how.

Now lest, and I wol telle $ow,
Mi goode fader, how it is.
ffulofte it haf befalle or fis
Thurgh hope fat was noght certein,
Mi wenyinge haf be set in vein
To triste in f ing that halp me noght, ! •
Bot onliche of myn oughne f oght.
ifor as it semef fat a belle
Lik to f e wordes fat men telle
Answerf, right so, ne mor ne lesse,
To jow, my fader, I confesse,
Such will my wit haf ouerset,
That what so hope me behet,
fful many a time I wene it sof ,
Bot finali no spied it dof .
Thus may I tellen, as I can, ~"
Wenyng beguilef many a man;

1930

• i*4>*J- '

1940

1950

LIBER

So haf> it me, riht wel I wot :
ffor if a man wole in a Bot
Which is wifoute botme rowe,
He moste nedes ouerf>rowe.
Riht so wenyng haj? ferd be me : ^
ffor whanne I wende__next haue be,
As I be my wenynge caste,
Thanne was I furfest ate laste,
And as a foil my bowe vnbende, ^
Whan al was failed f>at I wende.
fforf>i, my fader, as of f>is,
That my wenynge ha]? gon amis
Touchende to Surquiderie,
}if me my penance er I die.
Bot if 36 wolde in eny forme At
Of f is matiere a tale enforme,
Which were ajein f is vice set, -
I scholde fare wel ]?e bet.

Mi Sone, in alle maner wise
Surquiderie is to despise,
Wherof I finde write )?us.
The proude knyht Capaneus 1980

He was of such Surquiderie, -..
That he J>urgh his chiualerie
Vpon himself so mochel triste,
That to J»e goddes him ne liste
In no querele to beseche,
Bot seide it was an ydel speche,
Which caused was of pure drede,
ffor lack of herte and for no nede.
And vpon such presumpcioun,
He hield f>is proude opinioun, 19-90

- 29

[SURQUIDRY

OR PRESUMP-
1960 TION.]

U *»*.

pAjfjJt, fcu-ut

1970

rw. a trwict

[TALE OF

CAPANEUS.]
Hie ponit Con-
fessor exemplum
contra illos, qui
de suis viribus
presumentes de-
biliores efficiun-
tur. Et narrat
qualiter ille Ca-
paneus, miles
m armis proba-
tissimus, de sua
presumens auda-
cia inuocacionem
ad superos tern-
pore necessitatis
ex vecordia tan-
turn et non aliter
primitus proue-
nisse asseruit.
Vnde in obsidi.
one ciuitatis
Thebarum, cum
ipse quodam
die coram sots
hostibus ad de-
bellandum se
obtulit, ignis de

CONFESSIO AMANT1S

[TALE OF

CAPANEUS.]
celosubitosuper-
veniens ipsum
armatum totali-
ter in cineres
combussit.

Til ate laste vpon a dai,
Aboute Thebes wher he lay,
Whan it of Siege was belein,
This knyht, as J>e Croniqes sein,
In alle mennes sihte fere,
Whan he was provdest in his gere,
And foghte how nofing myhte him
fful armed wif his schield and spere
As he fe Cite wolde assaile,
Godd tok himselue fe bataille
Asein his Pride, and fro f e Sky
A firy fonder sodeinly
He sende, and him to pouldre smot.
And f us fe Pride which was hot,
Whan he most in his strengfe wende
Was brent and lost wif outen ende :
So fat it proeuef wel ferfore, A^U^U
The strengfe of man is sone lore,
Bot if fat he it wel gouerne.
And ouer f is a man mai lerne
That ek fulofte time it grieuef ,
Whan fat a man himself belieuef ,
As fogh it scholde him wel beseme
That he alle ofre men can deme,
And haf fo^ete his oghne vice.
A tale of hem fat ben so nyce,
And feigne hemself to be so wise,
I schal fee telle in such a wise,
Wherof f ou schalt ensample take
That fou no such fing vndertake.

I finde vpon Surquiderie,
' How fat whilom of Hungarie

2000

2010

2020

LIBER PRIMUS

31

Be olde daies was a king,
Wys and honeste in alle }>ing :
And so befell vpon a dai,
And fat was in Ipe Monfe of Maii,
As f ilke time it was vsance,
This kyng wij? noble pourveance
Haj? for himself his Charr araied,
Wher inne he wolde ride amaied ^ 2030
Out of pe Cite forto pleie,
Wij? lordes and wij? gret nobleie
Of lusti folk J>at were ^onge:
Wher some pleide and some songe,
And some gon and some ryde,
And some prike here hors aside
And bridlen hem now in now oute.
The kyng his yhe caste aboute,
Til he was ate laste war
And syh comende ajein his char 2040

Two pilegrins of so gret age,
That lich vnto a dreie ymage cW
Thei weren pale and fade hewed, *4*r, {«UA^
And as a bussh which is besnewed,
Here berdes weren hore and whyte;
Ther was of kinde bot a lite,
That fei ne semen fulli dede.
Thei comen to j?e kyng and bede
Som of his good per charite ;
And he wij> gret humilite 2050

Out of his Char to grounde lepte,
And hem in boj?e hise armes kepte,
And keste hem bo)?e fot and hond
Before fe lordes of his lond,
2043 Thei] That F

[THE TRUMP
OF DEATH.]

Hie loquitur
confessor contra
illps, qui de sua
sciencia presu-
mentes aliorum
condiciones diiu-
dicantes indis-
crete redarguunt
Et narrat exem-
plum de quodam
principe Regis
Hungarie ger-
mano, qui cum
fratrem suum
pauperibus in
publico vidit hu-
iniliatura, ipsum
redarguendo in
contrarium edo-
cere presumebat:
set Rex omni
sapiencia prepol-
lens ipsum sic
incaute presu-
mentem ad hurni-
litatis memori-
am terribili pro-
uidencia micius
castigauit.

32 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE TRUMP And ^af hem of his good perto :
And whanne he hap pis dede do,
He gop into his char ajein.
Tho was Murmur, po was desdeign,
Tho was compleignte on euery side,
Thei seiden of here oghne Pride 2060

Eche vntil opre : What is pis ? ^
Oure king hap do pis ping amis,
So to abesse his realte
That euery man it myhte se,
And humbled him in such a wise
To hem pat were of non emprise. ^^ » "V^ »***
Thus was it spoken to and fro
- Of hem pat were wip him po
Al priuely behinde his bak;
Bot to himseluen noman spak. 2070

The kinges broper in presence
Was pilke time, and gret offence .
He tok perof, and was pe same
Aboue alle opre which most blame
Vpon his liege lord hap leid;
And hap vnto pe lordes seid,
Anon as he mai time finde,
Ther schal noping be left behinde,
That he wol speke vnto pe king.

Now lest what fell vpon pis ping. ao8o
The day was merie and fair ynowh,
Echon wip opre pleide and lowh,
And fellen into tales newe,
How pat pe freisshe floures grewe,
And how pe grene leues spronge, .
And how pat loue among pe jonge
2078 beleft F

LIBER PRIMUS

33

[THE TRUMP OF
DEATH.]

Began fe hertes Jeanne awake,
And euery bridd haf chose hire make:
And fus fe Maies day to fende
Thei lede, and horn ajein fei wende. 2090
The king was noght so sone come,
That whanne he hadde his chambre nome,
His broker ne was redi fere,
And broghte a tale vnto his Ere
Of fat he dede such a schame
In hindringe of his oghne name,
Whan he himself so wolde drecche, ^&-«u<.
That to so vil a pouere wrecche
Him deignef schewe such simplesce
Ajein fastat of his noblesce: 2100

And seif he schal it nomor vse,
And fat he mot himself excuse
Toward hise lordes euerychon.
The king stod stille as eny Ston,
And to his tale an Ere he leide,
And f oghte more fan he seide :
Bot natheles to fat he herde
Wei cortaisly fe king answerde,
And tolde it scholde be amended.
And fus whan fat her tale is ended, 2110
Al redy was fe bord and clof ,
The king vnto his Souper gof •

Among fe lordes to fe halle;
And whan fei hadden souped alle,
Thei token leue and forf fei go.
The king befoghte himselue fo
How he his brofer mai chastie,
That he f urgh his Surquiderie
2105 An F

34 CONFESSIO AMANT1S

TRUMpjor^Tok vpon honde to despreise

Humilite, which is to preise, 2120

And fervpon }af such conseil
Toward his king f>at was noght heil;
Wherof to be >e betre lered, U £*^ ,Uw
He j?enk}> to maken him afered.

It fell so fat in filke dawe *+^
Ther was ordeined be J?e lawe
A trompe wi}> a sterne brej?, a>x>*vt
Which cleped was fe Trompe of de}> :
And in J>e Court wher Ipe king was
A certein man Jris Trompe of bras 2130
Haj? in kepinge, and ferof serue)?, a*u. CIAJXXX •
That whan a lord his de]? deseruef>,^"
He schal Ipis dredful trompe blowe
Tofore his gate, and make it knowe
How f>at f>e lugement is joue <^u«>*
Of dej>, which schal noght be forjoue.
The king, whan it was nyht, anon
This man asente, and bad him gon
To trompen at his broker gate;
And he, which mot so don algate, 2140
GoJ> forf> and do}> J?e kynges heste.
This lord, which herde of Ipis tempeste
That he tofore his gate blew,
Tho wiste he be ]>e lawe and knew
That he was sikerliche ded :
And as of help he wot no red,
Bot sende for hise frendes alle
And tolde hem how it is befalle.
And j?ei him axe cause why;
Bot he Ipe solpe noght forf>i 2150

Ne wiste, and fer was sorwe fo:

LIBER PRIMUS 35

ffor it stod filke tyme so, (THE TRUMP OF

rp, . - , DEATH.]

This trompe was of such sentence,

That fera^ein no resistence

Thei couj?e ordeine be no weie,

That he ne mot algate deie,

But if so }>at he may pourchace

To gete his liege lordes grace.

Here wittes }?ervpon J?ei caste,

And ben apointed ate laste. dbJIx^vvi/uJL 2I60

This lord a worj>i ladi hadde
Vnto his wif, which also dradde
Hire lordes def>, and children flue
Betwen hem two ]?ei hadde alyue,
That weren jonge and tendre of age,
And of stature and of visage
Riht faire and lusty on to se.
Tho casten fei f>at he and sche
ffor)? wij? here children on f»e morwe,
As fei fat were full of sorwe, 2170

Al naked bot of Smok and Sherte,
To tendre wif> J?e kynges herte,
His grace scholden go to seche
And pardoun of fe def? beseche.
Thus passen J?ei J?at wofull nyht,
And Erly, whan fei sihe it lyht,
Thei gon hem forj> in such a wise
As J?ou tofore hast herd deuise,
Al naked bot here Schortes one.
Thei wepte and made mochel mone, 2180
Here Her hangende aboute here Eres;
Wif> sobbinge and wif> sory teres
This lord gof> f>anne an humble pas,
2159 HireF
D2

36 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE TRUMP OF That whilom proud and noble was;

Wherof f e Cite sore afflyhte, u«a ot*&

Of hem fat sihen f ilke syhte :

And natheles al openly

Wif such wepinge and wif such cri

fforf wif hise children and his wif

He gof to preie for his lif. 2190

Vnto fe court whan fei be come,

And men f erinne haue hiede nome,

Ther was no wiht, if he hem syhe,

fro water mihte kepe his yhe

ffor sorwe which fei maden f o.

The king suppose]} of f is wo,

And feignef as he noght ne wiste ;

Bot natheles at his vpriste

Men tolden him how fat it ferde :

And whan fat he fis wonder herde, 2200

In haste he gof into fe halle,

And alle at ones doun fei falle,

If eny pite may be founde.

The king, which sef hem go to grounde,

Haf axed hem what is fe fere,

Why fei be so despuiled fere.

His brof er seide : Ha lord, mercy !

I wot non of er cause why,

Bot only fat fis nyht ful late

The trompe of def was at my gate 2210

In tokne fat I scholde deie ;

Thus be we come forto preie

That 56 mi worldes def respite.

Ha fol, how fou art forto wyte,
The king vnto his brofer seif ,
2191 become F

LIBER PRIMUS 37

That bou art of so litel feib, [THE TRUMP OF

DEATH.]
1 hat only for a trompes soun

Hast gon despuiled furgh J>e toun,

Thov and f>i wif in such manere

fforf> \v\p pi children fat ben here, 2220

In sihte of alle men aboute,

ffor fat fou seist fou art in doute

Of def, which stant vnder f e lawe

Of man, and man it mai wifdrawe,

So fat it mai per chance faile.

Now schalt Ipou noght forfi meruaile

That I doun fro my Charr alihte,

Whanne I behield tofore my sihte

In hem fat were of so gret age

Min oghne def furgh here ymage, 2230

Which god haf set be lawe of kynde,

Wherof I mai no bote finde:

ffor wel I wot, such as fei be,

Riht such am I in my degree,

Of fleissh and blod, and so schal deie.

And fus, f Jgh I J?at lawe obeie dx> oWx*x*jLMxU

Of which f>e kinges ben put vnder,

It oghte ben wel lasse wonder

Than J?ov, which art wifoute nede

ffor lawe of londe in such a drede, 2240

Which for tacompte is bot a lape,

As J»ing which Ipou miht ouerscape.

fforfi, mi broker, after Jris

I rede, sif en J?at so is

That Ipou canst drede a man so sore,

Dred god wij? al fin herte more :

ffor al schal deie and al schal passe,

Als wel a Leoun as an asse,

CONFESSIO 4MANTIS

[THE TRUMP OF Als wel a beggere as a lord,
DEATH.] , , . ,

T owardes dep in on acord

Thei schullen stonde.

Amans.

Confessor.

2250

'

[TALE OF NAR-
cissusju

Hic in speciali
tractat confes-
sor cum Amante

2260

And in j?is wise

The king haf wij) hise wordes wise
His broker tawht, and al fo^iue.

For}>i, mi Sone, if Ipou wolt Hue
In vertu, Ipou most vice eschuie,
And wi}> low herte humble see suie,
So f>at Ipou be noght Surquidous.

Mi fader, I am amorous,
Wherof I wolde jov beseche
That 56 me som ensample teche,
Which mihte in loues cause stonde.

Mi Sone, J»ou schalt vnderstonde,
In loue and ofre Binges alle
If f>at Surquiderie falle,
It may to him noght wel betide
Which vsej) Jrilke vice of Pride,
Which tornej) wisdom to
And Soffastnesse into lesynge
Thurgh fol ymaginacion.
And for J?in enformacion,
That Ipou Ipis vice as I J»e rede
Eschuie schalt, a tale I rede,
Which fell whilom be daies olde,
So as J?e clerk Guide tolde.

Ther was whilom a lordes Sone, >*^
Which of his Pride a nyce
HaJ> cawht, j>at worfi to his liche,
To sechen al f>e worldes riche/
Ther was no womman forto loue.
So hihe he sette himselue aboue 2280

*!11

2270

LIBER PRIMUS

39

Of stature and of beaute bofe,
That him foghte alle wommen lofe;
So was fer no comparisoun
As toward his condicioun.
This jonge lord Narcizus hihte:
No strengfe of loue bowe mihte
His herte, which is vnaffiled;
Bot ate laste he was beguiled:
ffor of the goddes pourueance ^
It fell him on a dai per chance,
That he in all his proude fare
Vnto f e forest gan to fare,
Amonges of>re )?at fer were,
To hunte and to desporte him fere.
And whanne he cam into fe place
Wher fat he wolde make his chace,
The hovndes weren in a frowe
Vncoupled and fe homes blowe:
The grete hert anon was founde,
Which swifte feet sette vpon grounde,
And he wif Spore in horse side
Him hastef faste forto ride,
Til alle men be left behinde.
And as he rod, vnder a linde
Beside a roche, as I fee telle,
He syh wher sprong a lusty welle :
The day was wonder hot wif alle,
And such a thurst was on him falle,
That he moste owfer deie or drinke;
And doun he lihte, and be f e brinke
He teide his Hors vnto a braunche,
And leide him lowe forto staunche
His thurst : and as he caste his lok

2290

[TALE OF NAR-

CISSUS.]

contra illps, qui
de propria for-
mositate presu-
mentes amorem
tnulieris dedig-
nantur. Et nar-
rat exemplum,
qualiter cuius-
qam Principis fi-
lius nomine Nar-
cizus estiuo tern-
pore, cum ipse
rvenacionis causa
quendam cer-
uum solus cum
suis canibus ex-
agitaret, in gra-
uem sitim incur-
rens necessitate
comnulsus ad bi-
bendum de quo-
dam fonte pro-
nusseinclinauit;
vbi ipse faciem
suam pulcherri-
mam in aqua per-
cipiens, putabat
se per hoc illatn
Nimpham, quam
Poete Ekko yo-
cant, in flumine
coram suis oculis
pocius conspex-
isse ; de cuius
am ore confestim
laqueatus, vt ip-
sam ad se de fonte
extraheret, pluri-
bus blandiciis
adulabatur. Set
cum illud perfi-
cere nullatenus

Cit, pre nimip
ouore defici-
ens°cpntra lapi-
des ibidem adia-
centes. caput ex-
uerberans cere-
brum effudit. Et
sic de propria
pulcritudme qui
fuerat presump-
tuosus, de pro-

2300

2310

pria pulcritudine
fatuatus interiit.

4o

CONFESSIO A MANTIS

[TALE OF NAR-
CISSUS.]

Into J?e welle and hiede tok,
He sih fe like of his visage,
And wende f er were an ymage
Of such a Nimphe as J>o was faie^ "
Wherof f>at loue his herte assaie

Began, as it was after sene,

Of his sotie and made him wene 2320

It were a womman f>at he syh.

The more he cam J?e welle nyh,

The nerr cam sche to him a^ein ;

So wiste he neuere what to sein ;

ffor whanne he wepte, he sih hire wepe,

And whanne he cride, he tok good kepe,

The same word sche cride also:

And J>us began fe newe wo,

That whilom was to him so strange;

Tho made him loue an hard eschange, 2330

To sette his herte and to beginne

Thing which he mihte neuere winne.

And euere among he gan to loute, •-

And preij? J>at sche to him come oute ;

And oferwhile he go}? a ferr,

And oferwhile he drawef nerr,

And euere he fond hire in o place.

He wepf , he crif, he axef grace,

There as he mihte gete non;

So J>at ajein a Roche of Ston, 2340

As he J?at knew non ofer red,

He smot himself til he was ded.

Wherof fe Nimphes of }?e welles,

And ofre fat f er weren elles

Vnto fe wodes belongende,

The body, which was ded ligende,

LIBER PRIMUS 41

ffor pure pile bat bei haue [TALE OF NAR-

17 j i_ • i_ CISSUS.]

Vnder pe grene pei begraue.

And J?anne out of his sepulture

Ther sprong anon per auenture 2350

Of floures such a wonder syhte,

That men ensample take myhte

Vpon J?e dedes whiche he dede,

As j?o was sene in filke stede;

ffor in ))e wynter freysshe and faire

The floures ben, which is contraire

To kynde, and so was j?e folie

Which fell of his Surquiderie.

Thus he, which loue hadde in desdeign, Confessor.

Worste of alle of>re was besein, 2360

And as he sette his pris most hyhe, <^U~L - 1^¥ - V*"^
He was lest worj> in loues yhe
And most beiaped in his wit :
Wherof Ipe remembrance is jit,
So J?at j?ou myht ensample take,
And ek alle opre for his sake.

Mi fader, as touchejide of me, Amans.

This vice I }>enke forto fle,
Which of his wenynge ouertrowej? ;
And nameliche of f>ing which growej? 2370
In loues cause or wel or wo
}it pryded I me neuere so.
Bot wolde god J?at grace sende,
That toward me my lady wende
As I towardes hire wene !
Mi loue scholde so be sene,
Ther scholde go no pride a place, t ^ r^
Bot I am ferr fro f>ilke grace,
As forto speke of tyme now;
So mot I soffre, and preie jow 2380

42 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

That 36 wole axe on of er side
If f er be eny point of Pride,
Wherof it nedef to be schriue.
Confessor. Mi Sone, godd it fee for^iue.

If f ou haue eny f ing misdo
Touchende of f is, bot ouermo
Ther is an of er jit of Pride,
Which neuere cowf e hise wordes hide,
That he ne wole himself auaunte;
Ther mai noting his tunge daunte,
That he ne clappef as a Belle :
Wherof if f ou wolt fat I telle,
It is behouely forto hiere,
So fat fou myht fi tunge stiere,
Toward fe world and stonde in grace,
Which lackef ofte in many place
To him fat can noght sitte stille,
Which elles scholde haue his wille.

2390

\The fourth point of Pride is Avantance or
Boasting, the evil of which is illustrated by the tale
of Alboin and Rosemunde. The fifth is Vain Glory,
of which lovers are not a little guilty. Finally
the virtue of Humility is commended.]

[HUMILITY.] Ther mai noman to mochel blame
A vice which is forto blame;
rTorfi men scholde nofing hide
That mihte falle in blame of Pride,
Which is f e werste vice of alle :
Wherof, so as it was befalle,
The tale I f enke of a Cronique
To telle, if fat it mai fee like, 3060

LIBER PRIMUS

So fat fou myht humblesce suie f
And ek f e vice of Pride eschuie,
Wherof fe gloire is fals and vein;
Which god himself haf in desdeign,
That fogh it mounte for a frowe,
It schal doun falle and ouerfrowe.

Est virtus humtlis, per quam deus altus ad yma
Se tulit et nostre viscera carnis habet.
Sic humilis super est, et amor sibi subditur omm's ,
Cuius habet nulla sorte superbus opem ;
Odit eum terra, celum deiecit et ipsttm,
Sedibus inferni statque receptus ibi.

A king whilom was jong and wys,
The which sette of his wit gret pris.
Of depe ymaginaciouns
And strange interpretaciouns,
Problemes and demandes eke,
His wisdom was to finde and seke ;
Wherof he wolde in sondri wise
Opposen hem fat weren wise.
Bot non of hem it myhte bere
Vpon his word to ^eue answere,
Outaken on, which was a knyht;
To him was euery f ing so liht,&fc; «AUI
That also sone as he hem herde,
The kinges wordes he answerde;
What f ing fe king him axe wolde,
Therof anon f e trowf e he tolde.
The king somdiel hadde an Envie,
And foghte he wolde his wittes plie
To sette som conclusioun,
Which scholde be confusioun
Vnto f is knyht, so fat f e name

43

[HUMILITY.]

'

3070

3080

[TALE OF THE

THREE QUES-
TIONS.]

Hie narrat
Confessor exem-
plum simpliciter
contra Superbi-
am; etdicitquod
nuper quidam
Rex famose pru-
dencie cuidam
militi suo super
tribus OjUestioni-
bus, yt inde cer-
titudinis respon-
sionem daret,
sub pena capita-
lis sentencie ter-
minum prefixit.
Primo, quid mi-
noris indigencie
abinhabitantibus
orbem auxilium
inaius obtinuit.
Secundo, quid
maioris valencie
meritum conti-
nens minoris ex-
pense reprisas
exiguit. Tercio,
quid omnia bona
aiminuensex sui
proprietate nich-
il penitus valu-
it. Quarum vero
questionum que-
dam virgo dicti
militis filia sapi-

44

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE
THREE QUES-
TIONS.]

entissima nomi-
ne patris sui sol-
ucionem aggre-
diens taliter Regi
respondit. Ad
primam dixit,
quod terra nulli-
us indiget, quam
tamen adiuuare
cotidianis la-
boribus omnes
inten lunt. Ad
secundam dixit,
quod humilitas
omnibus virtuti-
bus preualet, que
tamen nulhus
prodegalitatis ex-
pensis mensu-
ramexcedit. Ad
terciam dixit,
quod superbia
omnia tarn cor-
poris quam ani-
me bona de-
uastans maiores
expensarum ex-
cessus inducit.
Et tamen nullius
valpris, ymmo
tocius perdicio-
nis, causam sua
culpa ministrat.

And of wisdom J?e hihe fame

Toward himself he wolde winne.

And lp us of al his wit wifnnne 3090

This king began to studie and muse,

What strange matiere he myhte vse

The knyhtes wittes to confounde;

And ate laste he haf» it founde,

And for J?e knyht anon he sente,

That he schal telle what he mente.

Vpon {)re pointz stod J?e matiere

Of questions, as fou schalt hiere.

The ferste point of alle fre i» questio

Was £>is : What fing in his degre 3100

Of al J?is world haj? nede lest,
And jet men helpe it alf>ermest?

The secounde is : What most is worj>, a» questjo
And of costage is lest put forf> ? <jf\LBtu^^*^Ti"

The J^ridde is : Which is of most cost, Hi* questio
And lest is worf and gof> to lost? 4-v

The king J>es f>re demandes axef>,
And to f>e knyht fis lawe he taxef, Ojvp^-uJi
That he schal gon and come ajein
The J?ridde weke, and telle him plein 3110
To euery point, what it amontej?.
And if so be f>at he miscontef,
To make in his answere a faile,
Ther schal non o)?er ]?ing auaile,
The king seif>, bot he schal be ded, UOUu^
And lese hise goodes and his hed.
The knyht was sori of J?is J?ing,
And wolde excuse him to f»e king,
Bot he ne wolde him noght forbere.
And fms }>e knyht of his ansuere 3120

<.,

LIBER PRIMUS

45

3130

Gob horn to take auisement :

•n f , .

J3ot after his entendement u>v4A-**Ju^*

The more he caste his wit aboute,

The more he stant ferof in doute.

Tho wiste he wel f>e kinges herte,

That he f»e def> ne scholde asterte,

And such a sorwe haj? to him take,

That gladschipe he haf> al forsake.

He foghte ferst vpon his lif,

And after fat vpon his wif,

Vpon his children ek also,

Of whiche he hadde dowhtres tuo ;

The 3ongest of hem hadde of age

ffourtiene 3er, and of visage

Sche was riht fair, and of stature

Lich to an heuenely figure,

And of manere and goodli speche,

Thogh men wolde alle Londes seche,

Thei scholden noght haue founde hir like.

Sche sih hire fader sorwe and sike, 3140

And wiste noght J?e cause why;

So cam sche to him priuely,

And J>at was where he made his mone

Wijrinne a Gardin al him one;

Vpon hire knes sche gan doun falle,

Wif> humble herte and to him calle,

And seide : O goode fader diere,

Why make 36 Ipus heuy chiere,

And I wot noting how it is?

And wel 36 knowen, fader, ]>is,

What auenture j?at jou felle,

36 myhte it saufly to me telle ;

ffor I haue ofte herd jou seid,

[TALE OF THE

.THREE QUES-

V~U*^UA«

3150

46 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

ITALE OF THE That 36 such trust haue on me leid,
THT!O£N?.]ES' That to my Soster ne my broker,
In al fis world ne to non ofer,
^e dorste telle a priuite
So wel, my fader, as to me.
fforfi, my fader, I jou preie,
Ne castef noght fat herte aweie, 3160

ffor I am sche fat wolde kepe
^oure honour. And wif fat to wepe
Hire yhe mai noght be forbore,
Sche wisshef forto ben vnbore,
Er fat hire fader so mistriste
To tellen hire of fat he wiste :
And euere among merci sche cride,
That he ne scholde his conseil hide
ffrom hire fat so wolde him good
And was so nyh his fleissh and blod. 3170
So fat wif wepinge ate laste
His chiere vpon his child he caste,
And sorwfulli to fat sche preide
He tolde his tale and f us he seide :
The sorwe, dowhter, which I make
Is noght al only for my sake,
Bot for fee bofe and for ;ou alle :
ffor such a chance is me befalle,
That I schal er fis fridde day
Lese al fat euere I lese may, 3180

Mi lif and al my good f erto :
Therfore it is I sorwe so.
What is fe cause, helas! quod sche,
Mi fader, that je scholden be
Ded and destruid in such a wise ?
And he began fe pointz deuise,

LIBER PRIMUS 47

Whiche as be kino; told him be mowbe, [TALE OF THE

. ., , ; r , . i , , , THREE QUES-

And seid hir plemly fat he cowfe TJONS.]

Ansuere vnto no point of f is.
And sche, fat hieref how it is, 3190

Hire conseil $af and seide f o :
Mi fader, sif en it is so,
That 36 can se non of er weie,
Bot fat 36 moste nedes deie,
I wolde preie of 3011 a f ing :
Let me go wif 3011 to fe king,
And 36 schull make him vnderstonde
How 36, my wittes forto fqnde, Gu^,
Haue leid 3our ansuere vpon me;
And tellef him, in such degre 3200

Vpon my word 36 wole abide
To lif or def , what so betide,
ffor 311 per chaunce I may pourchace
Wif> som good word fe kinges grace,
^our lif and ek 3001 good to saue;
ffor ofte schal a womman haue
Thing which a man mai noght areche. «&**<* ,
The fader herde his Dowhter speche,
And foghte fer was resoun inne,
And sih his oghne lif to winne 3210

He cowf e don himself no cure ;
So betre him foghte in auenture
To put his lif and al his good,
Than in fe maner as it stod
His lif in certein forto lese.
And f>us fenkende he gan to chese
To do fe conseil of f is Maide,
And tok f e pourpos which sche saide.
The dai was come and forf f ei gon,

48 CONFESS10 AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE Vnto fe Court fei come anon, 3220

^xfoNs.^ Wher as J* king in luggement

Was set and haf> f is knyht assent,
Arraied in hire beste wise
This Maiden wij? hire wordes wise
Hire fader ladde be fe hond
Into j?e place, wher he fond
The king wif of re whiche he wolde,
And to fe king knelende he tolde
As he enformed was tofore,
And preif fe king fat he ferfore 3230

His Dowhtres wordes wolde take,
And self fat he wol vndertake
Vpon hire wordes forto stonde.
Tho was fer gret merueile on honde,
That he, which was so wys a knyht,
His lif vpon so jong a wyht
Besette wolde in ieupartie,
And manye it hielden for folie:
Bot ate laste natheles

The king comandef ben in pes, 3240

And to fis Maide he caste his chiere,
And seide he wolde hire tale hiere,
He bad hire speke, and sche began:
Mi liege lord, so as I can,
Quod sche, f e pointz of whiche I herde,
Thei schul of reson ben ansuerde.
The ferste I vnderstonde is fis,
What fing of al f e world it is,
Which men most helpe and haf> lest nede.
Mi liege lord, fis wolde I rede: 3250

The Erfe it is, which eueremo

wwuU

LIBER PRIMUS 49

Als wel in wynter as in Maii [TALE OF THE

„,, . THREE QUES-

Ine mannes bond dof what he mai TIONS.J

To helpe it for]? and make it riche,

And forlpi men it delue and dyche

And eren it wif strengf e of plowh, £&n*|J\ -

Wher it haf of himself ynowh,

So fat his nede is ate leste.

ffor euery man and bridd and beste, 3260

And flour and gras and rote and rinde,

And euery f ing be weie of kynde

Schal sterue, and Erf e it schal become ;

As it was out of Erf e nome,

It schal to f erf e torne a3ein :

And fus I mai be resoun sein

That Erfe is fe most nedeles,

And most men helpe it natheles.

So fat, my lord, touchende of f is

I haue ansuerd hov fat it is. 3270

That ofer point I vnderstod,
Which most is worf and most is good,
And costef lest a man to kepe :
Mi lord, if 36 woll take kepe,
I seie it is humilite,
Thurgh which f>e hihe trinite
As for decerte of pure loue t*^^,^
Vnto Marie from aboue,
Of J>at he knew hire humble entente,
His oghne Sone adoun he sente, 3280

Aboue alle ofre and hire he ches
rfor fat vertu which bodef pes :
So fat I may be resoun calle
Humilite most worf of alle.
And lest it costef to maintiene,

50 CONFESSIO A MANTIS

[TALE OF THE In al J?e world as it is sene ;

rHES ffor who fat ha)? humblesce on honde,
He bring)? no werres into londe,
ffor he desiref for pe beste
To setten euery man in reste. 329°|-U

Thus wij? jour hihe reuerence 1*** w c
Me fenkej? J>at fis euidence
As to J?is point is sufficant.

And touchende of fe remenant,
Which is )?e fridde of joure axinges,
What leste is worj? of alle Binges,
And costej? most, I telle it, Pride; NA^»
Which mai noght in Ipe heuene abide,
ffor Lucifer wif> hem f>at felle
Bar Pride wif> him into helle. 3300

Ther was Pride of to gret a cost,
Whan he for pride haj? heuene lost;
And after f>at in Paradis
Adam for Pride loste his pris :
In Mideler)?e and ek also
Pride is J?e cause of alle wo,
That al }>e world ne may suffise
H ^0 stanc^e °f Pride J>e reprise.
Pride is J?e heued of alle Sinne,
Which wastef> al and mai noght winne; 3310
Pride is of euery mis £>e Pricke, »>vrv^
Pride is f>e werste of alle wicke,
And costnef most and lest is worf
In place where he haj> his forj>. >-^>OA
Thus haue I seid J»at I wol seie
Of myn answere, and to jov preie,
Mi liege lord, of joure office
That je such grace and such iustice .

LIBER PRIMUS 51

Ordeigne for mi fader hiere, [TALE OF THE

_. THREE QUES-

That after fis, whan men it hiere, 3320 TIONS.J
The world ferof mai speke good.

The king, which reson vnderstod,
And haf al herd how sche haf said,
Was inly glad and so wel paid
That al his wraf f e is ouergo :
And he began to loke fo
Vpon fis Maiden in fe face,
In which he fond so mochel grace,
That al his pris on hire he leide, *• f^f -p^
In audience and fus he seide: 3330

Mi faire Maide, wel fee be !
Of fin ansuere and ek of fee
Me like)? wel, and as f ou wilt,
rTorjiue be fi fader gilt.
And if fou were of such lignage,
That fou to me were of parage, ;utu-k,*x
And fat f i fader were a Pier,
As he is now a Bachilier, li^Vk
So seker as I haue a lif,
Thou scholdest Jmnne be my wif. 3340

Bot J>is I seie natheles,
That I wol schape J?in encress ;
What worldes good fat fou wolt craue,
Axe of my jifte and J?ou schalt haue.
And sche f>e king wif wordes wise
Knelende f onkef in f is wise :
Mi liege lord, god mot ^ou quite 1 VA^^MS
Mi fader hier haf bot a lite
Of warison, and fat he wende
Hadde al be lost ; bot now amende 3350
He mai wel furgh jour noble grace.

E2

52 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE Wib bat be king riht in his place

THREE QUES- ' . . ,

TIONS.] Anon forp in pat freisshe hete

An Erldom, which fanne of eschete
Was late falle into his hond,
Vnto }?is knyht wif rente and lond

Hab soue, and wib his chartre sesed;
, , „ , . T" >

And fus was all J* noise appesed.

This Maiden, which sat on hire
Tofore J?e king, hise charitees 3360

Comendef, and seide ouermore:
Mi liege lord, riht now tofore
^e seide, as it is of record,
That if my fader were a lord
And Pier vnto )?ese oj?re grete,
}e wolden for noght elles lete,
That I ne scholde be 5our wif;
And ))is wot euery worj»i lif,
A kinges word it mot ben holde.
fforjri, my lord, if fat ;e wolde 3370

So gret a charite fulfille,
God wot it were wel my wille :
ffor he, which was a Bacheler,
Mi fader, is now mad a pier;
So whenne as euere J>at I cam,
An Erles Dowhter now I am.

This jonge king, which peised al,
Hire beaute and hir wit wifal.
As he f>at was wif> loue hent,
Anon f>erto jaf his assent. 3380

He myhte noght ]>e maide asterte, u**ft~ I** w^jf 4)
That sche nis ladi of his herte ;
So J>at he tok hire to his wif,
3357 seled F

LIBER PRIMUS 53

To holde whyl bat he hab lif: [TALE OF THE

A , , . . THREE QUES-

And pus pe king toward his knyht TIONS.]

AcordeJ? him, as it is riht.

And ouer f>is good is to wite,
In f>e Cronique as it is write,
This noble king of whom I tolde
Of Spaine be j?o dales olde 3390

The kingdom hadde in gouernance,
And as }?e bok rnakj? remembrance,
Alphonse was his propre name :
The knyht also, if I schal name,
Danz Petro hihte, and as men telle,
His dowhter wyse Peronelle
Was cleped, which was full of grace :
And J?at was scene in jrilke place, * »***>£** o\ *****-
Wher sche hir fader out of teene
HaJ> broght, and mad hirself a qweene, 3400
Of f>at sche haj> so wel desclosed
The pointz wherof sche was opposed. [HUMILITY.]

Lo now, my Sone, as f>ou myht hiere, Confessor.

Of al f is f>ing to my matiere
Bot on I take, and f>at is pride,
To whom no grace mai betide :
In heuene he fell out of his stede,
And Paradis him was forbede,
The goode men in Er]?e him hate,
So fat to helle he mot algate, 3410

Where euery vertu schal be weyued
And euery vice be receiued.
Bot humblesce is al oferwise,
Which most is worf, and no reprise
It takj? a^ein, bot softe and faire,
If eny J>ing stond in contraire,

54

[HUMILITY.]

Amans.

Confessor.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Wif humble speche it is redresced :~*
Thus was fis 3onge Maiden blessed,
The which I spak of now tofore,
Hire fader lif sche gat f erfore,
And wan wif al f e kinges loue.
fforfi, my Sone, if f ou wolt loue,
It sit fee wel to leue Pride
And take humblesce vpon fi side;
The more of grace f ou schalt gete

Mi fader, I woll noght for^ete
Of fis fat je haue told me hiere ;
And if fat eny such manere
Of humble port mai loue appai
Hierafterward I fenke assaie :
Bot now forf ouer I beseche
That 36 more of my schrifte seche. * •-<

Mi goode Sone, it schal be do:
Now herkne and ley an Ere to ;
ffor as touchende of Prides fare,
Als ferforf as I can declare
In cause of vice, in cause of loue,
That hast f ou pleinly herd aboue,
So fat fer is nomor to seie
Touchende of fat; bot ofer weie
Touchende Envie I fenke telle,
Which haf fe propre kinde of helle,
Wifoute cause to misdo
Toward himself and of re also,
Hierafterward as vnderstonde
Thov schalt f e Spieces, as f ei stonde.

Explicit liber primus.

3420

343°

344°

LIBER SECUNDUS 55

Incipit liber secundus.

Inuidie culpa magis est attrita dolore, ENVY.]

Nam sua mens nullo tempore leta manet :
Quo gaudent alii, dolet ille, nee vnus amicus
Est, cuide puro comoda vellejacit.
Proximitatis honor sua corda veretur, et omnis
Est sibi leticia sic aliena dolor.
Hoc etenim mcium quam sepe repugnat amanti,
Non sibi) set reliqttis, dumfauet ipsa Venus.
Est amor exproprw motufantasticus, et que
Gaudia fert alius^ credit obesse sibi.

w after Pride f>e secounde
Ther is, which many a woful stounde
Towardes olpre berj? aboute
Wifinne himself and noght wifoute,
ffor in his J?oght he brennef euere :
Whan f>at he wot an ofer leuere
Or more vertuous ]mn
Which passej? him in his degre,

Therof he takf his maladie : Hicinsecundo

That vice is cleped hot Envie. 10

Forfi, my Sone, if it be so ^ d:
Thou art or hast ben on of Jx>,
As forto speke in loues cas,
If euere 5it >in herte was
Sek of an o)>er mannes hele?

So god auance my querele,
Mi fader, 56, a )?ousend sij>e : sequentca- oPPo-

Whanne I haue sen an o)?er blif>e
Of loue, and hadde a goodly chiere,
Ethna, which brennef }er be sere, 20

Was fanne noght so hot as I

56 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[SORROW FOR Of filke Sor which priuely
°Tjo?.]MAI ' Min hertes foght wif inne brennef .

The Schip which on fe wawes rennef ,

And is forstormed and forblowe,

Is noght more peined for a f rowe

Than I am f anne, whanne I se

An ofer which fat passef me

In fat fortune of loues jifte.

Bot, fader, fis I telle in schrifte, 30

That is nowher hot in o place;

ffor who fat lese or finde grace

In ofer stede, it mai noght grieue:

Bot fis 36 mai riht wel belieue,

Toward mi ladi fat I serue,

Thogh fat I wiste forto sterue, d**

Min herte is full of such sotie,

That I myself mai noght chastie.

Whan I f e Court se of Cupide

Aproche vnto my ladi side, 40

Of hem fat lusti ben and freisshe, —

Thogh it auaile hem noght a reisshe,

Bot only fat fei ben in speche, —

My sorwe is f anne noght to seche :

Bot whan fei rovnen in hire Ere,

Than growef al my moste fere,

And namly whan fei talen longe;

My sorwes f anne be so stronge

Of fat I se hem wel at ese,

I can noght telle my desese. 50

Bot, sire, as of my ladi selue,

Thogh sche haue wo were ten or twelue,

ffor no mistrust I haue of hire

Me grieuef noght, for certes, Sire,

LIBER SECUNDUS

57

70

I trowe, in al >is world to seche, r

Nis womman fat in dede and speche
Woll betre auise hire what sche dof,
Ne betre, forto seie a so)?,
Kepe hire honour ate alle tide,
And jit get hire a fank beside. 60

Bot natheles I am beknowe,
That whanne I se at eny f rowe,
Or elles if I mai it hiere,
That sche make eny man good chiere,
Thogh I f erof haue noght to done,
Mi fought wol entermette him sone.
ffor fogh I be miselue strange,
Envie makf myn herte change,
That I am sorghfully bestad
Of fat I se an of er glad
Wif hire; bot of ofer alle,
Of loue what so mai befalle,
Or fat he faile or fat he spede,
Therof take I bot litel heede.
Now haue I seid, my fader, al
As of f is point in special,
Als ferforfli as I haue wist, lav
Now axef furf er what 3ou list.
Mi Sone, er I axe eny more,
I f enke somdiel for fi lore
Telle an ensample of f is matiere
Touchende Envie, as f ou schalt hiere.
Write in Ciuile fis I finde :
Thogh it be noght fe houndes kinde
To etc chaf, jit wol he werne
An Oxe which comf to fe berne,
71 ojjre F

JOY.]

Confessor.

80

• •

CONFESSIO A MANTIS

[TALE OF ACTS
AND GALATEA

Hie ponit Con-
fessor exemplum
saltern contra is-
tos qui in amoris
causa aliorum
gaudiis inuiden-
tes nequaquam
per hoc sibi io-
sisproficiunt. Et
narrat, qualiter
quidam luuenis
miles nomine
Acis, quern Gala
theaNimphapul-
cherrima toto
corde peramauit,
cum ipsi sub qua-
darn rupe iuxta
litus maris col-
loquium adinui-
cem habuerunt,
Poliphemus Gi-
gas concussa ru-
pe magnam inde
pattern super ca-
put Acis ab alto
proiciens ipsum
per inuidiam in-
terfecit. Et cum
ipse super hoc
dictam Galathe-

Therof to taken eny fode.

And J>us, who J?at it vnderstode,

It stant of loue in many place :

Who J»at is out of loues grace, 9°

And mai himseluen noght auaile,

He wolde an ofer scholde faile;

And if he may put eny lette,

He dof> al fat he mai to lette.

Wherof I finde, as }>ou schalt wite,

To f>is pourpos a tale write.

Ther ben of suche mo }>an twelue,
That ben noght able as of hemselue
To gete loue, and for Envie
Vpon alle of>re ]?ei aspie ; 100

And for hem lacke]? J>at J»ei wolde,
Thei kepte J>at non o)?er scholde
Touchende of loue his cause spede :
Wherof a gret ensample I rede,
Which vnto J>is matiere acordef,
As Guide in his^bok recordef n>-JX
How Poliphemus whilom wroghte,
Whan f»at he Galathee besoghte
Of loue, which he mai noght lacche. $1*^
That made him forto waite and wacche no
Be alle weies how it ferde,
Til ate laste he knew and herde
How f>at an ofer hadde leue
To loue )?ere as he mot leue,
As forto speke of eny sped:
So fat he knew non ofer red,
Bot forto wayten vpon alle,
117 BoF

LIBER SECUNDUS 59

Til he may se be chance falle [TALEOFACIS

AND GALATEA.]
That he hire loue myhte gneue, am rapere voiu-

Which he himself mai noght achieue. 120

This Galathee, sei}> ]* Poete,

Aboue alle ofre was vnmete --^ S

Of beaute, fat men ]> anne knewe,

And hadde a lusti loue and trewe,

A Bacheler in his degree, transmutarunt.

Riht such an o]?er as was sche,

On whom sche haj> hire herte set,

So j?at it myhte noght be let

ffor 3ifte ne for no beheste,

That sche ne was al at his heste. 130

This :jonge knyht Acis was hote, <L**tL4

Which hire a5einward als so hote j

Al only loue]? and nomo.

Hierof was Poliphemus wo

Thurgh pure Enuie, and euere aspide,

And waitej? vpon euery side,

Whan he togedre myhte se

This 3onge Acis wif> Galathe.

So longe he waitej? to and fro,
Til ate laste he fond hem tuo, 140

In priue place wher fei stode
To speke and haue here wordes goode.
The place wher as he hem syh,
It was vnder a banke nyh
The grete See, and he aboue
Stod and behield }>e lusti loue
Which ech of hem to oj?er made
Wif goodly chiere and wordes glade,
That al his herte haj> set afyre
149 sette F

6o CONFESSIO AMANTIS

r Uf ( 4 * t****

Of pure Enuie: and as a lyre, *• 150

AND GALATEA.] Which flej, out of a myhti bowe,
Aweie he fledde for a frowe,
As he fat was for loue wod,
Whan fat he sih how fat it stod.
This Polipheme a Geant was;
And whan he sih fe sof e cas,
How Galathee him haf forsake
And Acis to hire loue take,
His herte mai it noght forbere
That he ne roref lich a Bere; 160

And as it were a wilde beste,
The whom no reson mihte areste,
He ran Ethna f e hell aboute, 4$
Wher neuere jit fe fyr was oute,
ffulfild of sorghe and gret desese,
That he syh Acis wel at ese.
Til ate laste he him bef oghte,
As he which al Envie soghte,
* And tornef to f e banke ajein,

Wher he wif Galathee haf seyn 170

Acis, whom fat he foghte grieue,

Thogh he himself mai noght relieue.

This Geant wif his ruide myht

Part of f e banke he schof doun riht,

The which euene vpon Acis fell,

So fat wif fallinge of f is hell

This Poliphemus Acis slowh,

Wherof sche made sorwe ynowh.

And as sche fledde fro fe londe,

Neptunus tok hire into honde 180

And kept hire in so sauf a place

ffro Polipheme and his manace,

,qo ^^*-1

SECUNDUS

That he wif» al his false Envie
Ne mihte atteigne hir compaignie.
This Galathee of whom I speke,
That of hirself mai noght be wreke,
WiJ?outen eny semblant feigned
Sche ha}> hire loues dej> compleigned,
And wif> hire sorwe and wi}? hire wo
Sche haf> fe goddes moeued so,
That J?ei of pite and of grace
Haue Acis in J?e same place,
Ther he lai ded, into a welle
Transformed, as f>e bokes telle,
WiJ? freisshe stremes and wif> cliere,
As he whilom wif> lusti chiere
Was freissh his loue forto qwerne.
And wif» J>is ruide Polipheme
ffor his Envie and for his hate
Thei were wrofe. And J?us algate,

Mi Sone, }?ou myht vnderstonde,
That if f>ou wolt in grace stonde
WiJ> loue, fou most leue Enuie;
And as f>ou wolt for J>i partie
Toward f>i loue stonde fre,
So most J?ou soffre an ofer be,
What so befalle vpon J?e chaunce:
ifor it is an vnwys vengance,
Which to non ofer man is lief,
And is vnto himselue grief.

Mi fader, j?is ensample is good;
Bot how so euere )?at it stod
WiJ? Poliphemes loue as }>o,
It schal noght stonde wiJ) me so,
To worchen eny felonie

61

[TALE OF ACIS
AND GALATEA.]

190

200

Confessor.

Amans.

62

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

In loue for no such Envie.
fforjM, if per oght elles be,
Now axej> for)?, in what degre
It is, and I me schal confesse
Wif> schrifte vnto 3oure holinesse.

220

[TALE OF THE

FALSEBACHE-
causa ^ contS

[The second form of Envy is Joy for another
man's Grief, illustrated by the tale of the Travellers
and the Angel. The third is Detraction, which
prevails much in the Court of Love, and of which
the Lover confesses that he is guilty as regards his
rivals. The evil of this vice is set forth in the
long tale of Constance, and in the story of Deme-
trius and Perseus. Next comes False Semblant,
with the tale of Deianira and Nessus; then Sup-
plantation, of which the Lover declares that he
is guiltless in deed but guilty in desire and in
thought. The evil of it is shown by the tale of
the False Bachelor^

Of pilke Cite chief of alle,

Et narrat de

quodam Romani

Imparatorisfilio,

quiprobitatesar-

morum super

omnia excercere

affectans nesci-
ente patre vltra
mare in partes
Persie ad deser-
uiendum Solda-
no super guerras
cum solo milite

tanquam socio

suo ignotus se

transtuiit. Et

cum ipsius mili-

de fama super

alios ibidem eel-

sior accreuisset,

Er * WaS SCt tO CristCS ^

Ther was> as > Cronique sei}>,
An Emperour, be which it ladde

' *

in pes v,^ he no werres hadde :
Ther was noting desobeissant

J

Which was to Rome appourtcnant,

Bot al was tomed into TCSte.
To SOHIC it boghte for be beSte,
To Some it boghte nobmg SO,

And bat was only vnto bo

TTT1 , 1111

Whos herte stod vpon knyhthode:

_ L . .. ... . ,

Bot most of alle of his manhode

mi i • r> r i

1 he worpi Sone of themperour,

2510

LIBER SECUNDUS

[TALE OF THE
FALSE BACHE-
LOR.]

contigi tut in quo-
dam bello contra
Caliphum Egipti
initp Soldanus a
<je?« sa2itta mortali-
Z520 ter vulneratus,
priusquam mo-
reretur, quen-
dam anulum filie
sue secretissimum
isti nobili Ro-
mano tradidit,
dicens qualiter
filia sua sub pa-
tern ebenediccio-
nis vinculo adiu-
rata est, quod
quicumque dic-

Which wolde ben a werreiour,

As he fat was chiualerous

Of worldes fame and desirous,

Began his fadre to beseche

That he fe werres mihte seche,

In strange Marches forto ride.

His fader seide he scholde abide,

And wolde granten him no leue :

Bot he, which wolde noght beleue,

A kniht of his to whom he triste,

So fat his fader nof ing wiste,

He tok, and tolde him his corage,^*^', ^"t-* ;( tup anulum

' . afferret, ipsam

I hat he pOUrpOSCf a ViagC. »n conmgezn pre

If fat fortune wif him stonde,
He seide how fat he wolde fonde
The grete See to passe vnknowe,
And fere abyde for a frowe
Vpon fe werres to trauaile
And to f is point wifoute faile
This kniht, whan he haf herd his lord,
Is swore, and stant of his acord,
As fei fat bofe jonge were;
So fat in priue conseil fere
Thei ben assented forto wende.
And fervpon to make an ende,
Tresor ynowh wif hem fei token,
And whan f e time is best fei loken,
That sodeinliche in a Galeie
ffro Romelond fei wente here weie,
And londe vpon fat ofer side.
The world fell so fat ilke tide, "
Which euere hise happes haf diuerse,
2537 And F

^

omnibus suscipe-
ret. Defuncto
autem Soldano,

2530 versus Ciui tat em
queKairedicitur
itinerantes, iste
Romanus com-
militoni sup hu-
ius inisterii se-
cretum reuela-
uit; qui noctan-
ter a bursa do-
mini sui anulum
furto surripiens,
hec que audiuit
vsui prpprio fal-
sissima Supplan-
tacione applica-
uit. Et sic ser-
uus pro domino
desponsata sibi
Soldani filia cp-
ronatus Persie

2 54° regnauit.

64 CONFESS2O A MANTIS

[TALE OF THE The grete Soldan banne of Perse
FALSE BACHE-
LOR.] A;em fe Caliphe of Egipte

A! i.f«v A werre, which fat him beclipte,^ 2550
Haf in a Marche costeiant. {•vn^LiAuuA
And he, which was a poursuiant
Worschipe of armes to atteigne,
This Romein, let anon ordeigne, *fp^
That he was redi euerydel :
And whan he was arraied wel
Of euery f ing which him belongef ,
Straght vnto Kaire his weie he fongef, fcta
Wher he fe SoTdan f anne fond,
And axef J?at wifinne his lond 2560

He mihte him for j?e werre serue,
As he which wolde his J?onk deserue.

The Soldan was riht glad wif al,
And wel J?e more in special
Whan fat he wiste he was Romein;
Bot what was elles in certein,
That mihte he wite be no weie.
And Jms J?e kniht of whom I seie
Toward fe Soldan is beleft,>^
And in f>e Marches now and eft, 2570

Wher fat f e dedli werres were,
He wroghte such knihthode fere,
That euery man spak of him good.
And f ilke time so it stod,
This mihti Soldan be his wif
A Dowhter haf , fat in f is lif
Men seiden fer was non so fair.
Sche scholde ben hir fader hair,
And was of ^eres ripe ynowh:
2562 jjong F

LIBER SECUNDUS 65

Hire beaute many an herte drowh 2580 [TALE OF THE

rr, , FALSE BACHE-

ro bowe vnto j?at like lawe LOR.]

ffro which no lif mai be wifdrawe,

And f>at is loue, whos nature

Set lif and def> in auenture

Of hem j?at knyhthode vndertake.

This lusti peine haf ouertake
The herte of }>is Romein so sore,
That to knihthode more and more
Prouesce auancef his corage.
Lich to J?e Leoun in his rage, 2590

ffro whom fat alle bestes fle,
Such was Ipe knyht in his degre:
Wher he was armed in J?e feld,
Ther dorste non abide his scheld;
Gret pris vpon Ipe werre he hadde.
Bot sche which al Ipe chance ladde,
ffortune, schop Ipe Marches so,
That be thassent of bof>e tuo,
The Soldan and f>e Caliphe eke,
Bataille vpon a dai J?ei seke, 2600

Which was in such a wise set
That lengere scholde it noght be let.
Thei made hem stronge on euery side,
And whan it drowh toward J?e tide
That Ipe bataille scholde be,
The Soldan in gret privete
A goldring of his dowhter tok,
And made hire swere vpon a bok
And ek vpon Ipe goddes alle,
That if fortune so befalle 2610

In }?e bataille J>at he deie,
That sche schal filke man obeie

66 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE And take him to hire housebonde,
FALSE BACHE-
LOR.] Which f ilke same Ring to honde

Hire scholde bringe after his def .
This haf sche swore, and for)? he gef
Wif al f e pouer of his lond
Vnto fe Marche, where he fond
His enemy full embatailled.

The Soldan ha)? fe feld assailed : 2620
Thei fat ben hardy sone assemblen, 4*^4 u*
Wherof )?e dredfull hertes tremblen :
That on sle)?, and fat o]?er steruef ,
Bot aboue alle his pris deserue)?
This knihtly Romein ; where he rod,
His dedly swerd noman abod,
Ajein ]?e which was no defence;
Egipte fledde in his presence,
And )?ei of Perse vpon f e chace
Poursuien : bot I not what grace \^ 2630
Befell, an Arwe out of a bowe
Al sodeinly j?at ilke j?rowe
The Soldan smot, and j?er he lay:
The chace is left for j?ilke day,
And he was bore into a tente.

The Soldan sih how j?at it wente,
And j?at he scholde algate die ;
And to j?is knyht of Romanic,
As vnto him whom he most triste,
His Dowhter Ring, fat non it wiste, 2640
He tok, and tolde him al be cas,

X3\ O Sfcx**

Ku u^ u^^P011 hire of what tokne it was
Of fat sche scholde ben his wif.
Whan f is was seid, f e hertes lif
* Of f is Soldan departef sone ;

LIBER SECUNDUS 67

And bervpon, as was to done, [TALE OF THE

FALSE BACHE-

T he dede body wel and faire LOR.]

Thei carie til Ipei come at Kaire,
Wher he was worfily begraue.

The lordes, whiche as wolden saue 2650
The Regne which was desolat, lv*A^tn*v
To bringe it into good astat
A Parlement f>ei sette anon.
Now herkne what fell fervpon:
This songe lord, }>\s worfi kniht
Of Rome, vpon J?e same niht
That J?ei amorwe trete scholde,
Vnto his Bacheler he tolde
His conseil, and J?e Ring wif al
He schewe}), f>urgh which J?at he schal, 2660
He seij), f>e kinges Dowhter wedde,
ffor so f>e Ring was leid to wedde, 44." 04 a^U
He tolde, into hir fader hond,
That wij? what man J?at sche it fond,
She scholde him take to hire lord.
And j?is, he seij>, stant of record,
Bot noman wot who haf> f>is ring.

This Bacheler vpon J?is Jring
His Ere and his entente leide,
And foghte more Jeanne he seide, 2670

And feignej? wif> a fals visage
That he was glad, bot his corage
Was al set in an olper wise.
These olde Philosophres wise
Thei writen vpon }>ilke while; ^^
That he mai best a man beguile
In whom |?e man ha]? most credence ;
And fis befell in euidence

F2

68 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE Toward fis 5onge lord of Rome
Hig Bacheler> which hadde tome

Whan fat his lord be nihte slepte, :
This Ring, f e which his maister kepte,
Out of his Pours awey he dede,
And putte an ofer in fe stede.

Amorwe, whan f e Court is set,
The songe ladi was forf fet,
To whom fe lordes don homage,
And after fat of Mariage
Thei trete and axen of hir wille.
Bot sche, which foghte to fulfille 2690

Hire fader heste in f is matiere,
Seide openly, fat men mai hiere,
The charge which hire fader bad.

Tho was f is Lord of Rome glad,
And drowh toward his Pours anon,
Bot al for noght, it was agon:
His Bacheler it haf forf drawe,
And axef f er vpon J?e lawe
That sche him holde couenant.
The tokne was so sufrtcant AAJ^UA^ 2700
That it ne mihte be forsake,
And natheles his lord haf take
Querelle a5ein his oghne man;
Bot for noting J?at euere he can
He mihte as J>anne noght ben herd,
So fat his cleym is vnansuerd,
And he haf of his pourpos failed.

This Bacheler was Jx> consjiiled <*^
And wedded, and of f ilke Empire
He was coroned Lord and Sire, 2710

2698

LIBER SECUNDUS 69

And al be lond him hab receiued; [TALE OF THE

TTT1 r i • i j i • i i FAI.SE BACHE-

Wherof his lord, which was deceiued, LOR.]

A seknesse er Ipe ]> ridde morwe

Conceiued haj> of dedly sorwe :

And as he lay vpon his def>,

Therwhile him laste]? speche and brej?,

He sende for J?e worfieste

Of al Ipe lond and ek f>e beste,

And tolde hem al j>e sofe J>o, '

That he was Sone and Heir also 2720

Of themperour of grete Rome,

And how }?at J>ei togedre come, r-^'-t^ .*«.^>*«

This kniht and he; riht as it wasf

He tolde hem al Ipe pleine cas,

And for f>at he his conseil tolde,

That oj?er haf> al J>at he wolde,

And he ha)? failed of his mede:

As for J?e good he takf non hiede,

He seij?, bot only of Ipe loue,

Of which he wende haue ben aboue. 2730-

And fervpon be lettre write

He doj? his fader forto wite

Of al fis matiere as it stod;

And fanne wi]? an hertly mod -ta^^^C

Vnto f>e lordes he besoghte

To telle his ladi how he boghte

Hire loue, of which an ofer glade});

And wi)? f>at word his hewe fade)?,

And seide, A dieu, my ladi swete.

The lif haf lost his kindly hete, 2740

And he lay ded as eny Ston;

Wherof was sory manyon,

Bot non of alle so as sche.

7o CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE This false knyht in his degree
Arested was and put in hold:
ffor openly whan it was told
Of f e tresoun which is befalle,
Thurghout f e lond f ei seiden alle,
If it be so]? fat men suppose,
His oghne vntrowfe him schal depose. 2750
And forto seche an euidence,
Wif honour and gret reuerence,
rv^M Wherof fei mihten knowe an ende,
To themperour anon Ipei sende
The lettre which his Sone wrot.
And whan fat he f e sofe wot,
To telle his sorwe is endeles,
Bot 3it in haste natheles
Vpon f e tale which he herde
His Stieward into Perse ferde 2760

Wif many a worfi Romein eke,
His liege tretour forto seke;
And whan fei fider come were,
This kniht him haf confessed fere
How falsly J>at he haj? him bore,
Wherof his worfi lord was lore.
Tho seiden some he scholde deie,
Bot jit J>ei founden such a weie
That he schal noght be ded in Perse
And fus fe skiles ben diuerse. A.^W
Be cause fat he was coroned,
And fat fe lond was abandoned
To him, alfogh it were vnriht,
Ther is no peine for him diht ;
Bot to f is point and to fis ende
Thei granten wel fat he schal wende

LIBER SECUNDUS 71

Wip f>e Romeins to Rome a^ein.

And Jjus acorded ful and plein, <0^

The qwike body wij> fe dede

WiJ? leue take for]? J>ei lede, 2780

Wher )?at Supplant haf> his luise.ot^..

{Finally the contrary virtue of Charity is set [CHARITY AND

, ., -, PITY-J

forth.]

Nov vnderstond, my Sone, and se, Confessor.

Ther is phisique for }>e seke,
And vertus for J?e vices eke.
Who fat fe vices wolde eschuie,
He mot be resoun Jeanne suie
The vertus; for be J>ilke weie
He mai j?e vices don aweie,
ffor f>ei togedre mai noght duelle :
ffor as fe water of a welle 3170

Of fyr abatef> J?e malice,
Riht so vertu fordoj> f>e vice.
A3ein Envie is charite,
Which is £>e Moder of Pite,
That makj? a mannes herte tendre,
That it mai no malice engendre
In him f>at is enclin J?erto.
ffor his corage is tempred so,
That f>ogh he mihte himself relieue,
Yit wolde he noght an oj>er grieue, 3180
Bot raf>er forto do plesance
He ber]? himseluen J?e greuance,
So fain he wolde an ofer ese.
Wherof, mi Sone, for fin ese
Now herkne a tale which I rede,

72

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF CON-

STANTINE AND

SILVESTER.]

Hicpon it Con-
fessor exemplum
de virtute carita-
tis contra Inui-
iliam. Et nar-
rat de Constan-
tino Helene filio,
qui cum Imperii
Romani dignita-
tem optinuerat,
a morbo lepre
infectus, medici
pro sanitate re-
cuperanda ipsum
in sanguine pu-
erorum mascu-
lorum balneare
proposuerunt.
Set cum innu-
mera multitude
matrum cum filiis
huiusmodi medi-
cine causa in cir-
cuitu palacii af-
fuisset, Impara-
torque eorum
gemitus et cla-
mores percepis-
set, caritate mo-
tus ingemiscens
sic ait: *O vere
ipse est dominus,
qui se facit ser-
uumpietatis.' Et
hiis dictis staturn
suum cunctipo-
tentis medele
committens, sui
ipsius morbum
pocins quam in-
tancium mortem
benignus elegit.
Vnde ipse, qui
anteaPaganus et
leprosus extite-
rat, ex vnda bap-
tismatis renatus
vtriusque mate-
rie, tarn corporis
quam anime, di-
uino miraculo
consecutus est
salutem.

And vnderstond it wel, I rede.

Among J»e bokes of latin
I finde write of Constantin
The worf>i Emperour of Rome
Suche infortunes to him come,
Whan he was in his lusti age,
The lepre cawhte in his visage
And so for)? oueral aboute,
That he ne mihte ryden oute :
So lefte he bo)?e Schield and spere,
As he J?at mihte him noght bestere,
And hield him in his chambre clos.
Thurgh al J>e world Jje fame aros,
The grete clerkes ben asent
And come at his comandement
To trete vpon f>is lordes hele.
So longe pei togedre dele,
That fei vpon \>is medicine
Apointen hem, and determine
That in J>e maner as it stod
Thei wolde him baj>e in childes
Withinne seuene wynter Age:
ifor, as fei sein, J>at scholde assuage
The lepre and al J»e violence,
Which f>at J?ei knewe of Accidence
And noght be weie of kinde is falle.
And ferto f»ei acorden alle
As for final conclusioun,
And tolden here opinioun
To themperour: and he anon
His conseil tok, and fervpon
WiJ> lettres and wij? Scales oute

w

3190

3200

3210

LIBER SECUNDUS 73

Thei sende in euery lond aboute [TALE OF CON-

,-,, , .. . - . STANTINE AND

The ^onge children forto seche, SILVESTER.]

Whos blod, fei seiden, schal be leche 3220

ffor themperoures maladie.

Ther was ynowh to wepe and crie

Among J?e Modres, whan J»ei herde

Hov wofully J?is cause ferde,

Bot natheles )?ei moten bowe;

And J?us wommen f»er come ynowhe

Wilp children soukende on ]?e Tete.

Tho was ]>QT manye teres lete,

Bot were hem lieue or were hem lofe,

The wommen and ]?e children bof>e 3230

Into Ipe Paleis for]? be broght

Wif> many a sory hertes J>oght

Of hem whiche of here bodi bore

The children hadde, and so forlore

Wi)?inne a while scholden se.

The Modres wepe in here degre,

And manye of hem aswoune falle,

The ^onge babes criden alle :

This noyse arcs, J?e lord it herde,

And loked out, and how it ferde 3240

He sih, and as who seij? abreide « & *^«-*^.

Out of his slep, and J?us he seide :

O J»ou diuine pourveance,
Which euery man in J>e balance
Of kinde hast formed to be liche ; —
The pouere is bore as is fe riche
And deief in Ipe same wise;
Vpon J?e fol, vpon Ipe wise
Siknesse and hele entrecomune ; >
Mai non eschuie fat fortune 3250

74 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF CON- Which kinde haf> in hire lawe set ;

ssnNvEs?ERN]D Hire strengfe and beaute ben beset
To euery man aliche fre,
That sche preferrej? no degre
As in fe disposicioun
Of bodili complexioun ;
And ek of Soule resonable
The pouere child is bore als able
To vertu as )?e kinges Sone ; ^ u k* *ww
ffor euery man his oghne wone 3260

After Ipe lust of his assay ^o
The vice or vertu chese may.
Thus stonden alle men franchised,
Bot in astat J>ei ben diuised;
Nota. To some worschipe and richesse,
To some pouerte and distresse,
On lordej? and an olper seruef;
Bot jit as euery man deseruef)
The world jiff) noght his jiftes hiere.
Bot certes he haf> gret matiere 3270

To ben of good condicioun,
Which haj> in his subieccioun
The men f>at ben of his semblance.
And ek he tok a remembrance
How he J>at made lawe of kinde
Wolde euery man to lawe binde,
And bad a man, such as he wolde
Toward himself, riht such he scholde
Toward an ofer don also.
And fus J?is worf>i lord as Ipo 3280

Sette in balance his oghne astat,
And wi]? himself stod in debat,
And ]?oghte hov f>at it was noght good

LIBER SECUNDUS 75

To se so mochel mannes blod [TALE OF CON.

-~ ., - - , . , STANTINE AND

Be spilt for cause of him alone. SILVESTER.]

He sih also f e grete mone,
Of fat f e Modres were vnglade,
And of f e wo f e children made,
Wherof fat al his herte tendref ,
And such pite wifinne engendref, 3290

That him was leuere forto chese
His oghne bodi forto lese,
Than se so gret a moerdre wroght
Vpon f e blod which gultef noght. -4 ^oJ-tj.
Thus for the pite which he tok
Alle of re leches he forsok,
And put him out of auenture
Al only into goddes cure;
And seif , Who fat woll maister be,
He mot be seruant to pite. 33°°

So ferforf he was ouercome
Wif charite, fat he haf nqrjae fe^Lw,
.His conseil and hise officers,
And bad vnto hise tresorers
That fei his tresour al aboute
Departe among fat pouere route
Of wommen and of children bof e,
Wherof f ei mihte hem fede and clof e ^
And saufli tornen hom a3ein
Wif oute lost of eny grein. 3310

Thurgh charite fus he despendef
His good, wherof fat he amendef
The povere poeple, and contrevailef
The harm, fat he hem so trauailef :
And fus fe woful nyhtes sorvve
To ioie is torned on f e morwe ;

76 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF CON- Al was bonkinge, al was blessinge,

STANTINE AND . J . ,

SILVESTER.] Which erst was wepmge and cursmge;
Thes wommen gon horn glade ynowh,
Echon for ioie on ofer lowh, 3320

And preiden for fis lordes hele,
Which haf relessed f e querele, IAMJU t o^-o^
And ha)? his oghne will forsake
In charite for goddes sake.

Bot now hierafter fou schalt hiere
What god haf wroght in fis matiere,
As he which dof al equite.
To him fat wroghte charite
He was ajeinward charitous,
And to pite he was pitous: 3330

ffor it was neuere knowe jit
That charite gof vnaquit.
The nyht, whan he was leid to slepe,
The hihe god, which wolde him kepe,
Seint Peter and seint Poul him sende,
Be whom he wolde his lepre amende.
Thei tuo to him slepende appiere
ffro god, and seide in fis manere:
O Constantin, for fou hast serued
Pite, )?ou hast pite deserued: 3340

fforfi fou schalt such pite haue
That god furgh pite woll fee saue.
So schalt fou double hele finde,
fFerst for fi bodiliche kinde,
And for fi wofull Soule also,
Thou schalt ben hoi of bofe tuo.
And for f ou schalt fee noght despeire,
Thi lepre schal nomore empeire,
Til f ou wolt sende f ervpon

LIBER SECUNDUS 77

Vnto J»e Mont of Celion, 3350 [TALE OF CON-

ITtrU T. ^ CM J l • 1 • STANTINE AND

Wher J>at Siluestre and his clergie SILVESTER.]

Togedre duelle in compaignie

ffor drede of ]?ee, which many day

Hast ben a fo to Cristes lay, Jw

And hast destruid to mochel schame

The prechours of his holy name.

Bot now Ipou hast somdiel appesed

Thi god, and wif> good dede plesed,

That Ipou J>i pite hast bewared a^Msl ^M+ipini

Vpon Ipe blod which f>ou hast spared. 3360

fforj?i to Ipi saluacion

Thov schalt haue enformacioun,

Such as Siluestre schal Ipe teche :

The nede)? of non oj>er leche.

This Emperour, which al J?is herde,
Grant merci, Lordes, he ansuerde,
I wol do so as 36 me seie.
Bot of o fing I wolde preie:
What schal I telle vnto Siluestre

OOnrdU.

Or of joure name or of 3oure estre? 3370

And J>ei him tolden what fei hihte,

And forj? wij?al out of his sihte

Thei passen vp into Ipe heuene.

And he awok out of his sweuene,

And clepef , and men come anon :

He tolde his drem, and fervpon

In such a wise as he hem tellef>

The Mont wher J»at Siluestre duellej?

Thei haue in alle haste soght,

And founde he was and wij? hem broght 3380

To themperour, which to him tolde

His sweuene and elles what he wolde.

78 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF COM- And whan Siluestre hab herd be king,

STANTINE AND '

SILVESTER.] He was riht loiful of pis ping,
And him began wif al his wit
To techen vpon holi writ
fferst how mankinde was forlore,
And how f e hihe god f erfore
His Sone sende from aboue,
Which bore was for mannes loue, 3390

And after of his oghne chois
He tok his def vpon fe crois;
And how in graue he was beloke, «k*
And how fat he haf helle broke,
And tok hem out fat were him lieue ;
And forto make ous full belieue
That he was verrai goddes Sone,
Ajein fe kinde of mannes wone
ffro defe he ros fe f ridde day,
And whanne he wolde, as he wel may, 3400
He styh vp to his fader euene
Wif fleissh and blod into fe heuene;
And riht so in f e same forme
In fleissh and blod he schal reforme,
Whan time comf, fe qwike and dede
At f ilke woful dai of drede,
Where euery man schal take his dom,
Als wel fe Maister as f e grom.
The mihti kinges retenue
That dai may stonde of no value 3410

Wif worldes strengfe to defende;
ffor euery man mot f anne entende ^ cJ
To stonde vpon his oghne dedes - lib*.
And leue alle of re mennes nedes.
That dai mai no consail auaile,

LIBER SECUNDUS 79

The pledour and f e plee schal faile, ?^£?TINE AND"

The sentence of fat like day SILVESTER.]

Mai non Appell sette in delay; o^*^-

Ther mai no gold f e lugge plie,

That he ne schal fe sofe trie 3420

And setten euery man vpriht,

Als wel fe plowman as f e kniht :

The lewed man, fe grete clerk

Schal stonde vpon his oghne werk,

And such as he is founde fo,

Such schal he be for eueremo.

Ther mai no peine be relessed,

Ther mai no ioie ben encressed,

Bot endeles, as f ei haue do,

He schal receiue on of f e tuo. 3430

And f us Siluestre wif his sawe 4*^ <\

The ground of al f e newe lawe

WiJ? gret deuocion he prechef ,

ffro point to point and pleinly techef

Vnto fis hefen Emperour;

And seif , f»e hihe creatour

Haf> vnderfonge his charite,

Of fat he wroghte such pite,

Whan he f>e children hadde on honde.

Thus whan J>is lord haf vnderstonde 3440

Of al J?is f ing how fat it ferde,

Vnto Siluestre he f anne ansuerde,

Wif al his hole herte and seif

That he is redi to fe feif .

And so fe vessel which for blod

Was mad, Siluestre, fer it stod,

Wif clene water of fe welle

In alle haste he let do felle,

8o CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF CON- And sette Constantin berinne

STANTINE AND J

SILVESTER.] Al naked vp vnto fe chmne. 3450

And in f e while it was begunne,
A liht, as fogh it were a Sunne,
ffro heuene into fe place com,
Wher fat he tok his cristendom;
And euere among f e holi tales
Lich as fei weren fisshes Skales
Ther fellen from him now and eft>
Til fat f er was noting beleft
Of al his grete maladie.
ffor he fat wolde him purefie, 3460

The hihe god, haf mad him clene,
So fat fer lefte noting sene;
He haf him clensed bofe tuo,
The bodi and Ipe Soule also.

Tho knew f is Emperour in dede
That Cristes feif was forto drede,
And sende anon hise lettres oute,
And let do crien al aboute,
Vp peine of def fat noman wejue H^
That he baptesme ne receiue: 3470

After his Moder qweene Heleine
He sende, and so betwen hem tweine
Thei treten, fat fe Cite all
Was cristned, and sche for^wifall. WHO**** l^.^
This Emperour, which hele haf founde,
Wifinne Rome anon let founde
Tuo cherches, whiche he dede make ca^Juti U" U
ifor Peter and for Poules sake,
Of whom he hadde Auisioun ;
And 3af ferto possessioun 3480

Of lordschipe and of worldes good.

LIBER SECUNDUS

8l

Bot how so fat his will was good^
Toward fe Pope and his franchise,
^it haf it proued of er wise,
To se f e worchinge of f e dede :
ffor in Cronique fis I rede ;
Anon as he haf mad fe 3ifte,
A vois was herd on hih fe lifte,-^
Of which al Rome was adrad,
And seif : To day is venym schad
In holi cherche of temporal,
Which medlef wif fe spirital.
And hov it stant of fat degree
^it mai a man f e sof e se :
God mai amende it, whan he wile,
I can fer to non ofer skile.
Bot forto go fer I began,
How charite mai helpe a man
To boj?e worldes, I haue seid:
And if }?ou haue an Ere leid,
Mi Sone, fou miht vnderstonde,
If charite be take on honde,
Ther folwef after mochel grace.
fforfi, if fat f ou wolt pourchace
How fat fou miht Envie flee,
Aqueinte fee wif charite,
Which is fe vertu souereine, Vr

Mi fader, I schal do my peine :
ffor fis ensample which 36 tolde
Wif al myn herte I haue wifholde,
So fat I schal for eueremore
Eschuie Envie wel f e more :
And fat I haue er fis misdo,

3486 ffroF 3492 WichF

SILVESTER.]

3490

Confessor.

35°°

r-

3510

Amans.

82 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

^if me my penance er I go.
And ouer fat to mi matiere
Of schrifte, why we sitten hiere
In priuete betwen pus tweie, 4*^.
Now axef what f er is, I preie.
Confessor. Mi goode Sone, and for fi lore

I woll fee telle what is more, 3520

So fat fou schalt f e vices knowe :

ffor whan fei be to fee full knowe,

Thov miht hem wel fe betre eschuie.

And for f is cause I f enke suie

The forme bof e and f e matiere,

As now suiende f ou schalt hiere

Which vice stant next after f is :

And whan fou wost how fat it is,

As fou schalt hiere me deuise,

Thow miht fiself fe betre auise. 3530

Explicit liber Secundus.

Liber Tercius.

[ The Third Book treats of Ire or Wrath, which
again is dealt with under five heads. The servants
of Wrath are Melancholy, Cheste or Strife, Hate,
Contek and Homicide. Contek has Foolhaste for
\ - ,his chamberlain, and the succeeding tale is in illus-
tration of 'this :]

[PYRAMUS AND I rede a tale, and tellef f is :

THISBE.]
Hie in amoris The Cite which Semiramis

Enclosed haf wif wall aboute,
Of worf i folk wif many a route

nimis acceleran-

- X

1340

C

1350

TERCIUS

Among Ipe whiche tuo f>er were
Aboue alle ofre noble and grete,
Dwellende Jx> wifinne a Strete
So nyh togedre, as it was sene,
That fer was noting hem betwene,

Bot WOW tO WOW and Wall to Wall.

This o lord hadde in special

A Sone, a lusti Bacheler,

In al be toun was non his pier:

*

That ofer hadde a dowhter eke,
In al be lond bat forto seke
Men wisten non so faire as sche.

And fell SO, aS_Jt_5Cholde be.^-H* <*
,

This faire dowhter nyh bis Sone
As bei togedre banne wone,

^ \. °

Cupide hap so be binges schape,

,_.

That J>ei ne mihte his hand ascape,
That he his fyr on hem ne caste ;
Wherof her herte he ouercaste
To folwe J>ilke lore and suie
Which neuere man jit miht eschuie;
And j^at was loue, as it is happed,
Which haj? here hertes so betrapped,
That f»ei be alle weies seche
How )>at f>ei mihten winne a speche,
Here wofull peine forto lisse. f*JU*

Who louef> wel, it -mai noght misse,
And namely whan fer be tuo
Of on acord, how so it go,
Bot if fat J?ei som weie finde ;
ffor loue is euere of such a kinde
And ha)? his folk so wel affaited, >^Y**'
That howso fat it be awaited, '"W1

G2

1360

83

IPYRAMUSAND
tes ex i

qSitef ' " piS

ter^sdemdepu*"

S£art»teBp3

impetuoso seip-

sum pre dolore

foditrquepostea

infra breue ve-

niens cum ipsum

sic mortuum m-
uemsset.eciamet
ilia in sui ipsius

mortem impe-

tuose festinans

eiusdem ^ladii

cuspide sui cor-

dis intima per

medium penetra-

84 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[PYRAMUSAND Ther mai noman fe pourpos lette:

And fus betwen hem tuo fei sette 1370

An hole vpon a wall to make,

Thurgh which fei haue her conseil take

At alle times, whan fei myhte.

This faire Maiden Tisbee hihte,

And he whom fat sche louef hote

Was Piramus be name hote.

So longe here lecoun f ei recorden,

Til ate laste f ei acorden

Be nihtes time forto wende

Al one out fro fe tovnes ende, 1380

Wher was a welle vnder a Tree;

And who cam ferst, or sche or he,

He scholde stille fere abide.

So it befell f e nyhtes tide

This maiden, which desguised was,

Al priuely f e softe pas

Gof furgh f e large tovn vnknowe,

Til fat sche cam wifinne a frowe

Wher fat sche likef forto duelle,

At filke vnhappi freisshe welle, 1390

Which was also f>e fforest nyh.

Wher sche comende a Leoun syh

Into fe feld to take his preie,

In haste and sche J>o fledde aweie,

So as fortune scholde falle,

ffor feere and let hire wympel falle

Nyh to J?e welle vpon ferbage. fc-^

This Leoun in his wilde rage

A beste, which fat he fond oute,

Haf slain, and wif his blodi snovte, 1400

Whan he haf eten what he wolde,

LIBER TERCIUS 85

To drynke of filke stremes colde IPYRAMUSAND,

Cam to fe welle, where he fond

The wympel, which out of hire hond

Was falle, and he it haf todrawe,

Bebled aboute and al forgnawe;

And f anne he strawhte him forto drinke

Vpon f e freisshe welles brinke,

And after fat out of f e plein

He tornef to fe wode a$ein. 1410

And Tisbee dorste noght remve,

Bot as a bridd which were in Mve,

Wifinne a buissh sche kepte hire clos

So stille fat sche noght aros;

Vnto hirself and pleignef ay.

And fell, whil fat sche fere lay,
This Piramus cam after sone
Vnto f e welle, and be f e Mone
He fond hire wimpel blodi fere.
Cam neuere }it to mannes Ere 1420

Tidinge, ne to mannes sihte
Merueile, which so sore aflihte
A mannes herte, as it fo dede
To him, which in fe same stede
Wif many a wofull compleignynge
Began his handes forto wringe,
As he which demef sikerly
That sche be ded: and sodeinly
His swerd al nakid out he breide
In his folhaste, and f us he seide : 1430

I am cause of f is felonie,
So it is resoun fat I die,
As sche is ded be cause of me.
And wif fat word vpon his kne

86 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[PYRAMUSAND He fell, and to be goddes alle
THISBE.] . . .,

Vp to f>e heuene he gan to calle,

And preide, sij?en it was so

That he may noght his loue as f>o

Haue in J?is world, J?at of her grace

He miht hire haue in o)?er place, 1440

ffor hiere wolde he noght abide,

He seif>: hot as it schal betide,

The Pomel of his swerd to grovnde

He sette, and J>urgh his herte a wounde

He made vp to J>e bare hilte :

And in J»is wise himself he spilte

Wif> his folhaste and dej> he nam ;

ffor sche wijnnne a while cam,

Wher he lai ded vpon his knif.

So wofull }it was neuere lif 1450

As Tisbee was, whan sche him sih :

Sche mihte noght o word on hih

Speke oute, for hire herte schette,

That of hir lif no pris sche sette,

Bot ded swounende doun sche fell.

Til after, whanne it so befell

That sche out of hire travnce awok,

WiJ> many a wofull pitous lok

TT- i i 1

Hire yhe alwei among sche caste

Vpon hir loue, and ate laste 1460

Sche cawhte brej? and seide pus:

0 f>ou which cleped art Venus,
Goddesse of loue, and f»ou, Cupide,
Which loues cause hast forto guide,

1 wot now wel J>at je be blinde,
r^* Of filke vnhapp which I now finde

Only betwen my loue and me.

LIBER TERCIUS 87

This Piramus, which hiere I se [PYRAMUS AN»

THISBE 1

Bledende, what haf he deserued?
ffor he youre heste haf kept and serued, 1470
And was Jong and I bof e also : - <^
Helas, why do 56 wif ous so?
^e sette oure herte bofe afyre,
And maden ous such fing desire
Wherof fat we no skile cowf e ;
Bot fus oure freisshe lusti jowfe
Wif oute ioie is al despended,
Which f ing mai neuere ben amended :
ffor as of me f is wol I seie,
That me is leuere forto deie 1480

Than Hue after fis sorghful day.
And wif fis word, where as he lay,
Hire loue in armes sche embrasef,
Hire oghne def and so pourchasef 4 •
That now sche wepte and nov sche kiste,1^^^ *
Til ate laste, er sche it wiste,
So grete a sorwe is to hire falle,
Which ouergof hire wittes alle.
:As sche which mihte it noght asterte,
The swerdes point a^ein hire herte 1490
Sche sette, and fell doun fervpon,
Wherof fat sche was ded anon :
And fus bofe on o swerd bledende
Thei weren founde ded liggende.

Now J?ou, mi Sone, hast herd fis tale, Confessor.

Bewar fat of fin oghne bale
Thon be noght cause in fi folhaste,
And kep fat f ou f i witt ne waste
Vpon f i f oght in auenture, i* fy *
Wherof fi lyues forfeture 1500

88

[THE LOVER'S

CONFESSION.

DANGER.]

Confessio

Amantis.

Confessor.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Mai falle : and if f ou haue so f oght
Er fis, tell on and hyde it noght.

Mi fader, vpon loues side
Mi conscience I woll noght hyde,
How fat for loue of pure wo
I haue ben ofte moeued so,
That wif my wisshes if I myhte,
A fousand times, I 30 w plyhte,
I hadde storuen in a day;
And f erof I me schryue may,
Though loue fully me ne slowh,
Mi will to deie was ynowh,
So am I of my will coupable:
And 311 is sche noght merciable,
Which mai me 3iue lif and hele.
Eot fat hir list noght wif me dele
I wot be whos conseil it is;
And him wolde I long time er fis,
And 3it I wolde and euere schal,
Slen and destruie in special.
The gold of nyne kinges londes
Ne scholde him saue fro myn hondes,
In my pover if fat he were ;
Bot 3it him stant of me no fere
ifor noght fat euere I can manace.
He is f e hindrere of mi grace,
Til he be ded I mai noght spede ;
So mot I nedes taken hiede
And schape how fat he were aweie,
If I ferto mai finde a weie.

Mi Sone, tell me now forfi,
Which is fat mortiel enemy
1503 loue F

1510

1520

1530

LIBER TERCIUS 89

That fou manacest to be ded. [DANGER.]

Mi fader, it is such a qwed,' - Confessio

That wher I come, he is tofore,

And dof> so, fat mi cause is lore.

What is his name ? It is Daunger, * "*JX k

Which is mi ladi consailer:

ffor I was neuere }it so slyh,

To come in eny place nyh 1540

Wher as sche was be nyht or day,

That Danger ne was redy ay,

Wif> whom for speche ne for mede

}it mihte I neuere of loue spede;

ffor euere f is I finde so]?,

Al fat my ladi seif or dof

To me, Daunger schal make an ende,

And fat makf al mi world miswende :

And euere I axe his help, bot he

Mai wel be cleped sanz pite; 1550

ifor ay fe more I to him bowe,

The lasse he wol my tale alowe.

He haf mi ladi so englued,

Sche wol noght fat he be remued;

ffor euere he hangef on hire Seil,

And is so priue of conseil,

That euere whanne I haue oght bede,

I finde Danger in hire stede,

And myn ansuere of him I haue ;

Bot for no merci fat I craue, 1560

Of merci neuere a point I hadde.

I finde his ansuere ay so badde,

That werse mihte it neuere be :

And fus betwen Danger and me

Is euere werre til he dye.

go

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[DANGER.]

Bot mihte I ben of such maistrie,
That I Danger hadde ouercome,
Wif J?at were al my ioie come.
T*1118 wolde I wonde for no Sinne,
Ne jit for al j?is world to whine;
If J»t I mihte finde a sleyhte,
To leie al myn astat in weyhte,
I wolde him fro fe Court disseuere,
So }>at he come ajeinward neuere.
Therfore I wisshe and wolde fain
That he were in som wise slain ;
ffor while he stant in J?ilke place,
Ne gete I noght my ladi grace.
Thus hate I dedly Jrilke vice,
And wolde he stode in non office
In place wher mi ladi is;
ffor if he do, I wot wel J>is,
That owfer schal he deie or I
Wifinne a while; and noght forjri
On my ladi fulofte I muse,
How fat sche mai hirself excuse,
If J>at I deie in such a plit.
Me fenkf sche mihte noght be qwjt
That sche ne were an homicide :
And if it scholde so betide,
As god forbiede it scholde be,
Be double weie it is pite. wH3u^ruAM
ffor I, which al my will and witt
Haue joue and serued euere jit,
And J?anne I scholde in such a wise
In rewardinge of m'y seruise
Be ded, me J>enkf it were a rowfe :
And furpermor, to telle trow]?e,

1570

"

1580

1590

LIBER TERCIUS

-

91

*

Sche, fat haf euere be wel named, < [DANGER.]

Were worfi fanne to be blamed 1600

And of reson to ben appeled,

Whan wif o word sche mihte haue heled

A man, and soffref him so deie.

Ha, who sawh euere such a weie?

Ha, who sawh euere such destresse ?

Wif oute pite gentilesse,

Wifoute mercy wommanhede,

That wol so quyte a man his mede,

Which euere haf be to loue trewe.

Mi goode fader, if je rewe 1610

Vpon mi tale, tell me now,

And I wol stinte and herkne $ow.

Mi Sone, attempre fi corage
ffro wraf f e, and let fin herte assuage :
ffor who so wole him vnderfonge,
He mai his grace abide longe,
Er he of loue be receiued;
And ek also, bot it be weyued,
Ther mihte mochel f ing befalle,
That scholde make a man to falle 1620
ffro loue, fat neuere afterward
Ne durste he loke f iderward.
In harde weies men gon softe, -
And er f ei clymbe auise hem ofte
Men sen alday fat rape rewef ;
And who so wicked Ale brewef,
ffulofte he mot f e werse drinke :
Betre is to flete fan to sincke;
Betre is vpon f e bridel chiewe
Thanne if he felle and ouerfrewe, 1630

1605 in such F

Confessor.

[MORE HASTE

92

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[MORE HASTB The hors and stikede in be Myr :

WORSE SPEED.] _

To caste water in f e fyr
Betre is fan brenne vp al f e hous :
The man which is malicious
And folhastif, fulofte he falle}>,
And selden is whan loue him callef .
fforf i betre is to soffre a frowe
Than be to wilde and ouerfrowe;
Suffrance haf euere be f e beste
To wissen him fat sechef reste : 1640

And f us, if f ou wolt loue and spede,
Mi Sone, soffre, as I f e rede.
What mai fe Movs ajein fe Cat?
And for f is cause I axe fat,
Who mai to loue make a werre,
That he ne haf himself f e werre ?
Loue axef pes and euere schal,
4 And who fat fihtef most wifal

Schal lest conquere of his emprise :

ffor fis fei tellen fat ben wise, 1650

Wicke is to stryue and haue fe werse;

To hasten is noght worf a kerse; tw

Thing fat a man mai noght achieue,

That mai noght wel be don at Eue,

It mot abide til fe morwe.

Ne haste noght fin oghne sorwe,

Mi Sone, and tak f is in f i witt,

He haf noght lost fat wel abitt.

Ensample fat it fallef fus,
Thou miht wel take of Piramus, 1660

Whan he in haste his swerd outdrowh
And on f e point himselue slowh
ffor loue of Tisbee pitously,

LIBER TERCIUS 93

ffor he hire wympel fond blody [MORE HASTE

. i • i j j i • WORSE SPEED.

And wende a beste hire hadde slam;

Wher as him oghte haue be riht fain,

ffor sche was fere al sauf beside ;

Bot for he wolde noght abide,

This meschief fell: forfi be war,

Mi Sone, as I fe warne dar,<w 1670

Do f ou noting in such a res, £**£.

ffor suffrance is fe welle of Pes.

Thogh fou to loues Court poursuie,

^it sit it wel fat f ou eschuie wl*' * L#ul

That fov ])Q Court noght ouerhaste,

fFor so miht fou fi time waste;

Bot if fin happ f erto be schape,

It mai noght helpe forto rape. -UUZ

Therfore attempre f i corage ;

ffolhaste do]) non auantage, 1680

Bot ofte it set a man behinde

In cause of loue, and fat I finde

Be olde ensample, as f ou schalt hiere,

Touchende of loue in bis matiere.

-VJI ^

A Maiden whilom fer was on, [TALBOFPHE-

Which Daphne hihte, and such was non DAPHNE.]

Of beaute J>anne, as it was seid.
Phebus his loue haj? on hire leid,
And fervpon to hire he soghte
In his folhaste, and so besoghte, 1690

That sche wif him no reste hadde;
ffor euere vpon hire loue he gradde,^^- ^Sunt^ E?
And sche seide euere vnto him nay. p^eo^qS

So it befell vpon a dai, |ah^s vir|-mm

pulcherimam no-

£ n mine Daphnem

1671 a res] ares F

[TALE OF PHE-

BUS AND

DAPHNE.]
nimia amoris ac-
celeracione in-
sequebatur, ira-
tus Cupido cor
Phebi saoitta
aurea ignita ar-
dencius vulnera-
uit. Et econtra
cor Daphne qua-
darn sagitta
plumbea, que
frigidissima fuit,
sobrius perfora-
uit. Et sic quan-
to magis Phebus
ardencior in
amore Daphnem
prosecutus est,
tanto magis ip-
sa frigidior Phe-
bi concupiscen-
ciam to to corde
fugitiua dedigna-
batur.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Cupide, which haf> euery chance

Of loue vnder his gouernance,

Syh Phebus hasten him so sore :

And for he scholde him haste more,

And 3it noght speden ate laste,

A dart J>urghout his herte he caste, 1700

Which was of gold and al afyre,

That made him manyfold desire

Of loue more Jeanne he dede.

To Daphne ek in J?e same stede

A dart of Led he caste and smot,

Which was al cold and nofiing hot.

And J?us Phebus in loue brennej>,

And in his haste aboute rennej>,

To loke if J>at he mihte winne ;

Bot he was euere to beginne, 1710

ffor euere awei fro him sche fledde,

So f>at he neuere his loue spedde.

And forto make him full belieue

That no ffolhaste mihte achieue

To gete loue in such degree,

This Daphne into a lorer tre

Was torned, which is euere grene,

In tokne, as 3it it mai be sene,

That sche schal duelle a maiden stille,

And Phebus failen of his wille. 1720

Be suche ensamples, as J>ei stonde,
Mi Sone, J?ou miht vnderstonde,
To hasten loue is J>ing in vein,
Whan J?at fortune is f>erajein.
To take where a man haf> leue
Good is, and elles he mot leue ;
ffor whan a mannes happes failen,

LIBER QUARTUS

95

Ther is non haste mai auailen.
Mi fader, grant merci of J>is :
Bot while I se mi ladi is
No tre, but halt hire oghne forme,
Ther mai me noman so enforme,
To whefer part fortune wende,
That I vnto mi lyues ende
Ne wol hire seruen eueremo.

Amans.

1730

t*G**v* »v^ C

Liber Quartus.

[The Fourth Book deals with Accidie or Sloth,
the divisions of which are Lachesce, Pusillanimity,
Forgetfulness, Negligence, Idleness, Somnolence,
and Tristesce. What follows is of Idleness.}

Absque labor e -vagus vir inutilis ocia plectens,
Nescio quidpresens vita valebit ei.
Non amor in tali misero viget, tmmo valoris
Qui faciunt opera clamat habere suos.

Among fese of re of Slowfes kinde,
Which alle labour set behinde,
And hatef) alle besinesse,
Ther is 3it on, which Ydelnesse
Is cleped, and is J?e Norrice
In mannes kinde of euery vice,
Which seche]? eases manyfold.
In Wynter dof> he noght for cold, 1090
In Somer mai he noght for hete ;
So whefer )?at he frese or swete,
Or he be inne, or he be oute,

[IDLENESS.]

Hie loquitur
Confessor super
ilia specie Acci-
die, que Ocium
dicitur, cuius
condicio in vir-
tutum cultura
nullius occupa-
cionis diligen-
ciam admittens,
cuiuscumque ex-
pedicionem cau-
se non attingit.

[IDLENESS.]

Confessor.

Amans.

Confessor.

Confess! o
Amantis.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

He wol ben ydel al aboute,
Bot if he pleie oght ate Dees.
ffor who as euere take fees u-*^
And )?enkf> worschipe to deserue,
Ther is no lord whom he wol serue,
As forto duelle in his seruise,
Bot if it were in such a wise,
Of fat he sef> per auenture
That be lordschipe and couerture
He mai fe more stonde stille,
And vse his ydelnesse at wille.
ffor he ne wol no trauail take
To ryde for his ladi sake,
Bot Hue]? al vpon his wisshes;
And as a cat wolde ete fisshes
Wifoute wetinge of his cles,
So wolde he do, bot natheles
He failej) ofte of J»at he wolde.

Mi Sone, if fou of such a mqlde «***k >
Art mad, now tell me plein f>i schrifte.

Nay, fader, god I 3iue a jifte,
That toward loue, as be mi wit,
Al ydel was I neuere jit,
Ne neuere schal, whil I mai go.

Now, Sone, tell me fanne so,
What hast fou don of besischipe
To loue and to fe ladischipe *
Of hire which fi ladi is ?

Mi fader, euere jit er J>is
In euery place, in euery stede,
What so mi lady haf> me bede,
Wif> al myn herte obedient
I haue perto be diligent.

mo

1120

LIBER QUARTUS 97

And if so is sche bidde noght, [IDLENESS.]

What f ing fat f anne into my ]x>ght

Comf ferst of fat I mai suffise,

I bowe and profre my seruise, 1130

Somtime in chambre, somtime in halle,

Riht as I se f e times falle.

And whan sche gof to hiere masse,

That time schal noght ouerpasse,

That I naproche hir ladihede,

In aunter if I mai hire lede *««&*.> ,eJ*A«ue*

Vnto the chapelle and asein.

Thanne is noght al mi weie in vein,

Somdiel I mai f e betre fare,

Bot afterward it do)? me harm 1142

Of pure ymaginacioun ;

ffor lp anne f is collacioun W^M^U. , unUMv^^<-*

I make vnto miseluen ofte,

And seie, Ha lord, hov sche is softe,

How sche is round, hov sche is small

Now wolde god I hadde hire al

Wifoute danger at mi wille! *^*fl^"*^

And fanne I sike and sitte stille, 1150

Of fat I se mi besi f oght

Is torned ydel into noght.

Bot for al fat lete I ne mai,

Whanne I se time an ofer dai,

That I ne do my besinesse

Vnto mi ladi worfinesse.

ffor I f erto mi wit afaite f^f^

To se f e times and awaite

What is to done and what to leue:

And so, whan time is, be hir leue, 1160

98 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[IDLENESS.] What fing sche bit me don, I do,
And wher sche bidt me gon, I go,
And whanne hir list to clepe, I come.
Thus haf sche fulliche ouercome
Myn ydelnesse til I sterue,
So fat I mot hire nedes serue,
ffor as men sein, nede haf no lawe.
Thus mot I nedly to hire drawe,
I serue, I bowe, I loke, I loute,
Myn yhe folwef hire aboute, 1170

What so sche wole, so wol I,
Whan sche wol sitte, I knele by,
And whan sche stant, fan wol I stonde :
Bot whan sche takf> hir werk on honde
Of wevinge or enbrovderie,
Than can I noght bot muse and prie
Vpon hir fingres longe and smale,
And now I J?enke, and now I tale,
And now I singe, and now I sike,

Kup uj» «> paUW And fus mi contienance I pike, r^ uSo
And if it falle, as for a time'
Hir likef noght abide bime,
Bot besien hire on of>er finges,
Than make I o)?re tariinges
To dreche forf fe longe dai,
ffor me is lof departe away.
And fanne I am so simple of port,
That forto feigne som desport
I pleie wif hire litel hound
Now on fe bedd, now on f>e ground,
Now wif hir briddes in fe cage ;
ffor f er is non so litel page,
Ne jit so simple a chamberere,

LIBER QUARTUS

That I ne make hem alle chere,

Al for f>ei scholde speke wel:

Thus mow je sen mi besi whiel,

That goj? noght ydeliche aboute.

And if hir list to riden oute

On pelrinage or of>er stede,

I come, J?ogh I be noght bede, 1200

And take hire in min arm alofte

And sette hire in hire sadel softe,

And so forf lede hire be f>e bridel,

ffor ]?at I wolde noght ben ydel.

And if hire list to ride in Char,

And )?anne I mai J?erof be war,

Anon I schape me to ryde

Riht euene be f»e Chares side ;

And as I mai, I speke among,

And oferwhile I singe a song, 1210

Which Guide in his bokes made,

And seide, O whiche sorwes glade,

O which wofull prosperite

BelongeJ> to J>e proprete

Of loue, who so wole him serue !

And jit J>erfro mai noman swerue,

That he ne mot his lawe obeie.

And }ms I ryde forj? mi weie,

And am riht besi oueral

Wif> herte and wif mi body al, 1220

As I haue said jou hier tofore.

My goode fader, tell ferfore,

Of Ydelnesse if I haue gilt.

Mi Sone, bot jx>u telle wilt
Oght elles J>an I mai now hiere,
Thou schalt haue no penance hiere.

H2

99

[IDLENESS.]

Confessor.

100

CONFESSIO A MANTIS

[IDLENESS.]

[TALE OF ROSI-
PHELEE.]

Hie ponit con-
fessor exemplum
contra istos qui
ainoris occupa-
cionem omitten-
tes, grauioris in-
fortunii casus ex-
pectant. Et nar-
rat de quad am
Armenie Regis
filia. que huius-
moaicondicionis
in principio iu-
uentutis ociosa
persistens, mira-
bili postea vis-
ione castigata in
amoris obsequi-

And natheles a man mai se,

How now adayes J>at J?er be

fful manye of suche hertes slowe,

That wol noght besien heni to knowe

What Jnng loue is, til ate laste,

That he wi£ strengfe hem ouercaste,

That malgre hem ]?ei mote obeie

And don al ydelschipe aweie,

To serue wel and besiliche.

Bot, Sone, fou art non of swiche,

ffor loue schal £>e wel excuse:

Bot oj>erwise, if ]?ou refuse

To loue, J>ou mint so per cas

Ben ydel, as somtime was

A kinges dowhter vnauised, uwn.'

Til )>at Cupide hire ha)? chastised

Wherof }?ou shalt a tale hiere

Acordant vnto "bis matiere.

1230

1240

Of Armenye, I rede J?us,
Ther was a king, which Herupus
Was hote, and he a lusti Maide

w^ , JK

N^X^

$ */v

^ i«^3
•* XIi

t
To dowhter hadde, and as men saide **"% 'y/

1250,

Hire name was Rosiphelge.;
Which Ipo was of gret renomee,
ffor sche was bofe wys and fair,
And scholde ben hire fader hair.
Bot sche hadde o defalte of Slowfe
Towardes loue, and fat was rowpe ;
ffor so wel cowde noman seie,
Which mihte sette hire in f>e weie
Of loues occupacion
Thurgh non ymaginacion ;

LIBER QUARTUS

101

That scole wolde sche noght knowe.

And fus sche was on of fe slowe 1260

As of such hertes besinesse,

Til whanne Venus fe goddesse,

Which loues court haf forto reule,

Haf broght hire into betre reule,

fforf wif Cupide and wif his miht:

flfor f ei merueille how such a wiht,

Which ])o was in hir lusti age,

Desire)? nother Manage

Ne jit fe loue of paramours,

Which euere haf be fe comvn cours 1270

Amonges hem fat lusti were.

So was it schewed after fere:

ffor he fat hihe hertes lowef

Wif fyri Dartes whiche he f rowef ,

Cupide, which of loue is godd,

In chastisinge haf mad a rodd

To dryue awei hir wantounesse ;

So fat wif inne a while, I gesse,

Sche hadde on such a chance sporned,

That al hire mod was ouertorned, 1280

Which ferst sche hadde of slow manere:

ffor fus it fell, as fou schalt hiere.

Whan come was fe Monfe of Maii,

Sche wolde walke vpon a dai,

And fat was er fe Sonne Ariste;

Of wommen bot a fewe it wiste,

And forf sche wente priuely

Vnto f e Park was faste by,

Al softe walkende on f e gras,

Til sche cam fer fe Launde was, 1290

Thurgh which fer ran a gret riuere.

[TALE OF ROSI-

PHELEE.]
um pre ceteris
diligencior effi-
citur

«

102 CONFESSIO A MANTIS

ITALE OF ROSI- it boghte hir fair, and seide, Here

PHELEE.]

I wole abide vnder J?e schawe : tw»«l ,
And bad hire wommen to wij>drawe,
And f>er sche stod al one stille,
To ]?enke what was in hir wille.
Sche sih }>e swote floures springe,
Sche herde glade foules singe,
Sche sih )?e bestes in her kinde,
The buck, be do, ]?e hert, J>e hinde, 1300
The madle go wib be femele ;
And so began ber a querele
Betwen loue and hir oghne herte,
ffro which sche coube noght asterte.
And as sche caste hire yhe aboute,
Sche syh clad in o suite a route
Of ladis, wher J>ei comen ryde
Along vnder be wodes syde.
On faire amblende hors ]?ei sete,
That were al whyte, fatte and grete, 1310
f**k*f»And euerichon ]?ei ride on side :
1 The Sadies were of such a Pride,
Wib Perle and grold so wel begon, vnnri r^ -fu

VV^^^tuSUa^iUur^JtH*^- . , °

rf. TW«~^8fAt *«*>§? nche *yh sche neuere non:
a Jvjun «aWi In kertles and in Copes riche

Thei weren closed, alle liche,
(AvJ^KJt*I)eparted euene of whyt and blew;
Wi|? alle lustes f>at sche knew
Thei were enbrouded oueral. ,

Here bodies weren long and smal, 1320

The beaute faye vpon her face
Non erbly J>ing it may desface ;
Corones on here hed f>ei beere,

1321 f. faye — desface written over erasure F

LIBER QUARTUS

IO3

As ech of hem a qweene weere,
That al fe gold of Cresus halle
The leste coronal of alle
Ne mihte haue boght after f e worf :
Thus come f ei ridende for)?.

The kinges dowhter, which fis syh,

[TAPHELEEJ°SI~

ffor pure abaissht drowh hire adryh

And hield hire clos vnder f e bowh,

And let hem passen stille ynowh;

ffor as hire foghte in hire avis,

To hem fat were of such a pris

Sche was noght worf i axen fere,

ffro when fei come or what fei were.

Bot leuere fan fis worldes good

Sche wolde haue wist hou fat it stod,

And putte hire hed alitel oute ;

And as sche lokede hire aboute, 1340

Sche syh comende vnder f e linde

A womman vp an hors behinde.

The hors on which sche rod was blak,

Al lene and galled on f e back,

And haltede, as he were encluyed,-'.

Wherof f e womman was annvied ; +w

Thus was fe hors in sori plit,

Bot for al fat a sterre whit

Amiddes in f e front he hadde.

Hir Sadel ek was wonder badde, 1350

In which f e wofull womman sat,

And natheles fer was wif fat

A riche bridel for f e nones

Of gold and preciouse Stones.

Hire cote was somdiel totore; <>

Aboute hir middel twenty score

. ..^,4^*^

1330

104 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF ROSI- Of horse haltres and wel mo

PHELEE.] .

op*r" Ther hyngen ate time J?o. <*^«

Thus whan sche cam }>e ladi nyh,
Than tok sche betre hiede and syh 1360
This womman fair was of visage,
ffreyssh, lusti, 3ong and of tendre age ;
And so fis ladi, fer sche stod,
BeJ?oghte hire wel and vnderstod
That j?is, which com ridende J?o,
Tidinges coufe telle of )?o,
Which as sche sih tofore ryde,
And putte hir for)? and preide abide,
And seide, Ha, Suster, let me hiere,
What ben f>ei, j?at now riden hiere, 1370
And ben so richeliche arraied?

This womman, which com so esmaied,
Ansuerde wif> ful softe speche,
And seij>, Ma Dame, I schal 3011 teche.
These ar of \>o }?at whilom were
Seruantz to loue, and trowfe beere,
Ther as ]?ei hadde here herte set.
ffare wel, for I mai noght be let:
Ma Dame, I go to mi seruise,
So moste I haste in alle wise; 1380

ffor]?i, ma Dame, 3if me leue,
I mai noght longe wi}> 3011 lejie. •***•****-

Ha, goode Soster, jit I preie,
Tell me whi 36 ben so beseie,
And wi}> J>ese haltres J»us begon.

Ma Dame, whilom I was on
That to mi fader hadde a king;
Bot I was slow, and for no Jring

1361 f. written over erasure gxcept womman F

LIBER QUARTUS 105

Me liste noght to loue obeie, [TALE OF ROSI-

And fat I now fill sore abeie. 1390

ffor I whilom no loue hadde,

Min hors is now so fieble and badde,

And al totore is myn arai ;

And euery seer f is freisshe Mail

These lusti ladis ryde aboute,

And I mot nedes suie here route

In f is manere as $e now se,

And trusse here haltres forf wif me,

And am bot as here horse knaue.

Non ofer office I ne haue, 1400

Hem f enkf I am worf i nomore,

ffor I was slow in loues lore,

Whan I was able forto lere,

And wolde noght fe tales hiere

Of hem fat covf en loue teche*

Now tell me fanne, I 5ov beseche,
Wherof fat riche bridel seruef .

Wif> fat hire chere awei sche sweruef ,
And gan to wepe, and fus sche tolde:
This bridel, which ;e nov beholde 1410

So riche vpon myn horse hed, —
Ma Dame, afore, er I was ded,
Whan I was in mi lusti lif,
Ther fel into myn herte a strif
Of loue, which me overcom,
So fat f erafter hiede I nom,
And f oghte I wolde loue a kniht :
That laste wel a fourtenyht,
ffor it no lengere mihte laste,
So nyh my lif was ate laste. 1420

Bot now, alias, to late war

io6

CONFESS IO AM A NT IS

ITALE OF ROSI-
PHELEE.]

That I ne hadde him loued ar:

ffor def> cam so in haste bime,

Er I ferto hadde eny time,

That it ne mihte ben achieued.

Bot for al fat I am relieued,

Of f>at mi will was good ferto,

That loue soffrej? it be so

That I schal swiche a bridel were.

Now haue je herd al myn ansuere: 1430

To godd, ma Dame, I 3011 betake,

And warnej> alle for mi sake,

Of loue f>at }>ei ben noght ydel,

And bidd hem J?enke vpon mi brydel.

And wif> f>at word al sodeinly

Sche passef, as it were a Sky, </.:i< (

Al clene out of )?is ladi sihte.

And ])O for fere hire herte afflihte,

And seide to hirself, Helas !

I am riht in J>e same cas : 1440

Bot if I Hue after J>is day,

I schal amende it, if I may.

And )?us homward J>is lady wente,

And changede al hire ferste entente,

Wif>inne hire herte and gan to swere

That sche none haltres wolde bere.

[TALE OF IPHIS
AND ARAXARA-

THEN.]

Hie

\The following tale is in illustration of Tristesce
or Despondency, the last point of Sloth.}

Whilom be olde daies fer
Of Mese was f»e king Theucer, »v^
narrat Which hadde a kniht to Sone, Iphis:

qualiter Iphis. _ _ .

Regis Theucn Ui loue and he so maistred is,

LIBER QUARTUS

That he ha)) set al his corage,

As to reguard of his lignage, ^ •» 3520

Vpon a Maide of lov astat.

Bot j?ogh he were a potestat

Of worldes good, he was soubgit

To loue, and put in such a plit,

That he excede)? f>e mesure

Of reson, J?at himself assure

He can noght; for ))e more he preide,

The lasse loue on him sche leide.

He was wi)) loue vnwys constreigned,

And sche wi)> resoun was restreigned : 3530

The lustes of his herte he suie)),

And sche for drede schame eschuiej>,

And as sche scholde, tok good hiede

To saue and kepe hir wommanhiede.

And f>us ))e }>ing stod in debat

Betwen his lust and hire astat:

He jaf, he sende, he spak be MouJ»e,

Bot 3it, for oght J>at euere he covfe,

Vnto his sped he fond no weie,

So J?at he caste his hope aweie, 3540

Wifinne his herte and gan despeire

ffro dai to dai, and so empeire,

That he ha)) lost al his delit

Of lust, of Slep, of Appetit,

That he furgh strengfe of loue lasse)?

His wit, and resoun ouerpassej).

As he which of his lif ne rowhte,

His de)) vpon himself he sowhte,

So }>at be nyhte his weie he nam,

Ther wiste non wher he becam ; 3550

The nyht was derk, f>er schon no Mone,

[TALE OF IPHIS
AND ARAXARA-

THEN.]

filius, ob araorem
cuiusdam puelle
nomine Araxara-
then, quam ne-
que donis aut
precibus vincere
potuit, desperans
antepatrisipsius
puelle ianuas
noctanter se sus-
pendit. Vndedii
commoti dictam
puellam in lapi-
dem durissi-
mum transmu-
tarunt, quam
RexTheucervna
cum filiu suo
apud Ciuitatem
Salamynam in
templo Veneris
pro perpetua me-
moria sepeliri et
locari fecit.

108 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF IPHIS Tofore f e gates he cam sone,
NDTHEN.] Wher fat J>is songe Maiden was,
And wij> fis wofull word, Helas!
Hise dedli pleintes he began
So stille fat f er was noman
It herde, and fanne he seide fus:
O fou Cupide, o f ou Venus,
ffortuned be whos ordinaunce
Of loue is euery mannes chaunce, 3560

^e knowen al min hole herte,
That I ne mai jour hond asterte;
On jov is euere fat I crie,
And jit jou deignef noght to pfi
Ne toward me ^oure Ere encline.
Thus, for I se no medicine
To make an ende of mi querele,
My def schal be in stede of hele.

Ha, fou mi wofull ladi diere,
Which duellest wif fi fader hiere, 357°

And slepest in fi bedd at ese,
Thou wost noting of my desese,
^ HOV ]*>u and I be now vnmete.

Ha lord, what sweuene schalt f»ou mete,

What dremes hast Ipou nov on honde ?

Thou slepest fere, and I hier stonde.

Thogh I no def to f>e deserue,

Hier schal I for fi loue sterue,

Hier schal a kinges Sone dye

ffor loue and for no felonie ; 3580

Wher fou \ erof haue ioie or sorwe,

Hier schalt f ou se me ded tomorwe.

O herte hard abouen alle,

3560 manes F 3576 sleplest F

LIBER QUARTUS 109

This deb, which schal to me befalle, [TALE OF IPHIS

AND ARAXARA-
ffor fat fou wolt noght do me grace, THEN.]

^it schal be told in many a place,

Hov I am ded for loue and trouf e

In f i defalte and in f i slouf e :

Thi Daunger schal to manye mo

Ensample be for eueremo, 3590

Whan fei mi wofull def recorde.

And wif fat word he tok a Corde,

Wif which vpon fe gate tre

He hyng himself, fat was pite.

The morwe cam, fe nyht is gon,
Men comen out and syhe anon
Wher fat f is ^onge lord was ded :
Ther was an hous wifoute red,
ffor noman knew fe cause why;
Ther was wepinge and fer was cry. 3600
This Maiden, whan fat sche it herde,
And sih fis fing hou it misferde,
Anon sche wiste what it mente,
And al fe cause hov it wente
To al fe world sche tolde it oute,
And preif to hem fat were aboute
To take of hire f e vengance,
ffor sche was cause of f ilke chaunce,
Why fat f is kynges Sone is spilt.
Sche takf vpon hirself fe gilt, 3610

And is al redi to f e peine
Which eny man hir wole ordeigne :
And bot if eny of er wolde,
Sche seif fat sche hirselue scholde
Do wreche wif hire oghne hond,

3596 syh F

110 CONFESSIO A MANTIS

ITALE OF IPHIS Thurghout be world in euery lond,

ANDARAXARA- __, ,._ , - . . .

THEN.] That euery lit perof schal speke,
Hov sche hirself it scholde wreke.
Sche wepf), sche crij>, sche swounej) ofte,
Sche caste hire yhen vp alofte, 3620

And seide among ful pitously :
A godd, f>ou wost wel it am I,
ffor whom Iphis is Ipus besejn :x^uv-
Ordeine so, f>at men mai sein
A thousend wynter after f>is,
Hou such a Maiden dede amis,
And as I dede, do to me :
ffor I ne dede no pite
To him, which for mi loue is lore,
Do no pite to me ferfore. 3630

And wij> J?is word sche fell to grounde
Aswoune, and J>er sche lay a stounde. ^
The goddes, whiche hir pleigntes herde,
And syhe hou wofully sche ferde,
Hire lif f>ei toke awey anon,
And schopen hire into a Ston
After J>e forme of hire ymage
Of bodi bofe and of visage.
And for J>e merveile of J?is J>ing
Vnto J?e place cam j?e king, 3640

And ek Ipe queene and manye mo;
And whan J>ei wisten it was so,
As I haue told it hier aboue,
Hou f>at Iphis was ded for loue,
Of f>at he hadde be refused,
Thei hielden alle men excused,
And wondren vpon the vengance.
And forto kepe in remembrance,

LIBER QUARTUS III

This faire ymage mayden liche [TALE OF IPHIS

,,7., . , . , . , - ANDARAXARA-

Wif> compaignie noble and nche 3650 THEN.I

Wif> torche and gret sollempnite
To Salamyne J?e Cite
Thei lede, and carie_fo^wij>al ^ *
The dede corps, and sein it schal
Beside f>ilke ymage haue
His sepulture and be begraue:
This corps and }>is ymage f>us
Into Ipe Cite to Venus,
Wher fat goddesse hire temple hadde,
Togedre bof>e tuo J>ei ladde. 3660

This ilke ymage as for miracle
Was set vpon an hyh pinacle,
That alle men it mihte knowe,
And vnder J?at J>ei maden lowe
A tumbe riche for )>e nones
Of marbre and ek of laspre Stones,
Wherin J)is Iphis was beloken,
That euermor it schal be spoken.
And for men schal J>e sofe wite,
Thei haue here epitaphe write, 3670

As J?ing which scholde abide stable :
The lettres grauen in a table
Of marbre were and seiden )>is :
Hier lif, which slowh himself, Iphis,
ifor loue of Araxarathen :
And in ensample of J>o wommen,
That soffren men to deie so,
Hire forme a man mai sen also,
Hou it is torned fleissh and bon
Into f>e figure of a Ston: 3680

3678 ainan F

112

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF IPHIS He was to neysshe and sche to hard.

AND ARAXAKA- -.-, ,.,.,.- ,

THEN.] Be war forfu hierafterward ;

^e men and wommen boj>e tuo,
Ensample]? 5011 of f»at was Ipo.
Confessor. Lo jms, mi Sone, as I fee seie,

It grieue]? be diuerse weie
In desespeir a man to falle,
Which is J>e laste branche of alle
Of Sloufe, as Ipou hast herd deuise.
Wherof }>at j?ou J>iself auise
Good is, er J?at fou be deceiued,

|«t fe grace of hope is weyued.

3690

-

Liber Quintus.

[The fifth book deals with Avarice \ in whose
household Covoitise is a principal servant. This
vice is illustrated by the ensuing stories of Virgil's
Mirror and the Two Coffers^

[COVOITISE.] Agros iungit agris cupidus domibusque domos-

que,

Possideat totam sic quasi solus humum.
Solus et innumeros mulierum spirat amores,
Vt sacra millenis sit sibi culta Venus.

Dame Auarice is noght soleine,
Which is of gold fe Capiteine;
Bot of hir Court in sondri wise
After IpQ Scole of hire aprise -tadu
Sche haj> of Seruantz manyon,
Wherof ]?at couoitise is on ;
Which go)> J>e large world aboute,
To seche Jmvantages oute,

Hie tractat

confessor super

ilia specie Aua-

ricie, que Cupi-

ditas dicitur,
causa lnpertrac!

tans Amanti so-

per hoc opponit.

LIBER QUINT US 113

Wher fat he mai fe profit winne, [COVOITISE.]

. To Auarice and bring)? it inne. £^^1980
That on hald and fat ofer drawef, ^.^^ tor*
Ther is no day which hem bedawef, . , tyJL
No mor fe Sonne fan fe Mone,
Whan f er is eny fing to done,
And namely wif> Couoitise;
ffor he stant out of al assisse
Of resonable mannes fare. i*-*^
Wher he pourposef him to fare
Vpon' his lucre and his bejete,
The smale paj>, J?e large Strete, i99o

The furlong and f>e longe Mile,
Al is bot on for filke while:
And for fat he is such on holde,
Dame Auarice him haf wif holde,
As he which is J>e principal
Outward, for he is oueral
A pourveour and an aspie.
ffor riht as of an hungri Pie
The storue bestes ben awaited,
Riht so is couoitise afaited ^ • 2000
To loke where he mai pourchace.
ffor be his wille he wolde embrace
Al fat f is wyde world beclippef ; -^v-Uctw, it
Bot euere he somwhat ouerhippef , ^M «^°
That he ne mai noght al fulfille V*4
The lustes of his gredi wille.
Bot where it fallef in a lond
That Couoitise in inyhti hond
Is set, it is ful hard to fiede;
ffor fanne he takf non ofer hiede, 2010
1988 tofare F

COW. SEL. j

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[COVOITISE.]

[TALE OF VIR-
GIL'S MIRROR.]
Hie ponit ex-
emplum contra
magnates cupi-
dos. Et narrat
de Crasso Ro-
manorum Im-
peratore, qui
turrim, in qua
speculumVirgilii
Rome iixum ex-
titerat, dolosa
circumuentus cu-
piditate eaertit.
Vnde non solum
sui ipsius pe.r-
dicionem, set to-
cius Ciuitatis in-
tollerabile dam-
pnum cpntingere
causauit.

Bot fat he mai pourchace and gete,

His conscience haf al forjete,

And not what f ing it mai amonte * W**

That he schal afterward acompte. "

Bote as fe Luce in his degre

Of f o fat lasse ben fan he

The fisshes griedeli deuouref,

So fat no water hem socouref,

Riht so no lawe mai rescowe

ffro him fat wol no riht allowe ; 2020

ffor wher fat such on is of myht,

His will schal stonde in stede of riht.

Thus be fe men destruid fulofte,

Til fat fe grete god alofte

A;ein so gret a couoitise

Redresce it in his oghne wise:

And in ensample of alle f o

I finde a tale write so,

The which, for it is good to Here,

Hierafterward f ou schalt it hiere. 2030

Whan Rome stod in noble plit,
Virgile, which was f o parfit,
A Mirour made of his clergie, ***-*
And sette it in fe tounes ye -^-w^A"
Of marbre on a piler wif oute ;
That f ei be thritty Mile aboute
Be daie and ek also be nyhte
In fat Mirour beholde myhte
Here enemys, if eny were,
Wif al here ordinance fere, 2040

Which fei ajein fe Cite caste:
So fat, whil f ilke Mirour laste,

LIBER QUINTUS 115

Ther was no lond which mihte achieue [TALEOFVIR-

WiJ> werre Rome forto grieue;

Wherof was gret envie J?o.

And fell )?at ilke time so,

That Rome hadde werres stronge

Ajein Cartage, and stoden longe

The tuo Cites vpon debat.

Cartage sih J?e stronge astat 2050

Of Rome in filke Mirour stonde,

And foghte al priuely to fonde

To ouerfrowe it be som wyle.

And Hanybal was J>ilke while

The Prince and ledere of Cartage,

Which hadde set al his corage

Vpon knihthod in such a wise,

That he be worj^i and be wise

And be non ofre was conseiled ;

Wherof J?e world is jit merueiled 2060

Of fe maistries J?at he wroghte

Vpon Ipe marches whiche he soghte.

And fell in filke time also,

The king of Puile, which was Jx),

Thoghte asein Rome to rebelle,

And f>us was take }?e querele,

Hov to destruie ]?is Mirour.

Of Rome J?o was Emperour
Crassus, which was so coueitous,
That he was euere desirous 2070

Of gold to gete J>e pilage
Wherof )?at Puile and ek Cartage
WiJ? Philosophres wise and grete
Begunne of J?is matiere trete,
2057 knithod F
12

Il6 CONFESSIO AMANT1S

And ate laste in bis degre '•

GIL'S MIRROR.] „,. _. .. .

Ther weren Philosophres f re,

To do f is f ing whiche vndertoke ;
And fervpon fei wif hem toke
A gret tresor of gold in cophres,
To Rome and fus fese philisophres 2080
Togedre in compainie wente,
Bot noman wiste what fei mente.
Whan fei to Rome come were,
So priuely fei duelte fere,
As fei fat f oghten to deceiue :
Was non fat mihte of hem perceiue,
Til fei in sondri stedes haue
Here gold vnder f e ground begraue
In tuo tresors, fat to beholde
Thei scholden seme as fei were olde. 2090
And so forf f anne vpon a day
Al openly in good arai
To themperour fei hem presente,
And tolden it was here entente
To duellen vnder his seruise.
And he hem axef in what wise;
And fei him tolde in such a plit,cjrxju&«
That eche of hem hadde a spirit,
The which slepende a nyht appieref
And hem be sondri dremes leref 2100

& ^ |»w After f e world fat haf betid.

Vnder f e ground if oght be hid

Of old tresor at eny f rowe,

Thei schull it in here sweuenes knowe;

And vpon fis condicioun,

Thei sein, what gold vnder fe toun

Of Rome is hid, fei wole it finde,

LIBER QUINT US 117

Ther scholde nosrht be left behinde. [TALEOFVIR-

e , GIL'S MIRROR.]

Be so f>at he fe haluendel

Hem grante; and he assentef wel: 2110

And ]ms cam sleighte forto duelle

Wijj Couoitise, as I fee telle.

This Emperour bad redily

That fei be logged faste by

Where he his oghnjt body lay ; ** ^

And whan it was amorwe day,

That on of hem seif fat he mette

Wher he a goldhord scholde fette : ^

Wherof f is Emperour was glad,

And fervpon anon he bad 2120

His Mynours forto go and myne,

And he himself of fat couine

Gof forf wif al, and at his hond

The tresor redi fere he fond,

Where as fei seide it scholde be;

And who was J?anne glad bot he?

Vpon J?at oj>er dai secounde
Thei haue an oj»er goldhord founde,
Which J?e seconde maister tok
Vpon his sweuene and vndertok. ^ 2130

And J>us J?e sof>e experience
To femperour 3af such credence,
That al his trist and al his feif>
So sikerliche on hem he leij>,
Of fat he fond him so relieued,
That fei ben parfitli belieued,
As fogh fei were goddes fre.
Nov herkne fe soutilete.

The fridde maister scholde mete, ^ <
2108 beleft F

Il8 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Which, as fei seiden, was vnmete 2140

s MIRROR.] bQue em &n ^ mogj;.

And he wifoute noise or bost
Al priueli, so as he wolde,
Vpon ]) e morwe his sweuene tolde
To femperour riht in his Ere,
And seide him fat he wiste where
A tresor was so plentiuous
Of gold and ek so precious
Of ieueals and of riche stones,
That vnto alle hise hors at ones 2150

It were a charge sufficant.
This lord vpon J>is couenant
Was glad, and axe]? where it was.
The maister seide, vnder j?e glas,
And tolde him eke, as for Ipe Myn
He wolde ordeigne such engin,
That J>ei Ipe werk schull vndersette Au^-sjrH'*
Wif> Tymber, j?at wifoute lette
Men mai Ipe tresor saufli delue,
So }?at J?e Mirour be himselue 2160

WiJ?oute empeirement schal stonde :
And f>is Ipe maister vpon honde
Ha)? vndertake in alle weie.
This lord, which hadde his wit aweie
And was wif> Couoitise blent,
Anon |?erto jaf his assent ;
And }>us Ipei myne forf> wij>al,
The timber set vp oueral, fUA^W;
Wherof Ipe Filer stod vpriht ;
Til it befell vpon a nyht, 2170

These clerkes, whan J^ei were war
2167 Myne F

LIBER QUINTUS 119

Hov bat "be timber only bar [TALEOFVIR-

,,. GIL'S MIRROR.]

The Filer, wher f e Mirour stod, —

Here sleihte noman vnderstod, —

Thei go be nyhte vnto f e Myne

Wif pich, wif soulphre and wif rosine,

And whan fe Cite was a slepe,

A wylde fyr into fe depe

They caste among fe timberwerk,

And so for]?, whil fe nyht was derk, 2180

Desguised in a pouere arai

Thei passeden fe tovn er dai.

And whan f ei come vpon an hell, a Kr \+*

Thei sihen how fe Mirour fell,

Wherof f ei maden ioie ynowh,

And ech of hem wij> ofer lowh,

And seiden, Lo, what coueitise

Mai do wif hem fat be noght wise!

And fat was proued afterward,

ffor euery lond, to Romeward 2190

Which hadde be soubgit tofore,

Whan fis Mirour was so forlore

And f>ei J>e wonder herde seie,

Anon begvnne desobeie

Wif> werres vpon euery side;

And f>us haf Rome lost his pride

And was defouled oueral.

ffor f is I finde of Hanybal,

That he of Romeins in a dai,

Whan he hem fond out of arai, 2200

So gret a multitude slowh,

That of goldringes, whiche he drowh

Of gentil handes fat ben dede,

Buisshelles fulle f re, I rede,

"7

120 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

TALEOFVIR- He felde, and made a bregge also,

G.I/S MIRROR.] ^ ^ ^^ ^ Tibfe gQ

Vpon f>e corps fat dede were

Of J>e Romeins, whiche he slowh fere.

Bot now to speke of }>e luise,
The which after fe couoitise 2210

Was take vpon f is Emperour,
ifor he destruide fe Mirour;
It is a wonder forto hiere.
The Romeins maden a chaiere fJ^j\
And sette here Emperour ferinne,
And seiden, for he wolde winne
Of gold )?e superfluite,
Of gold he scholde such plente
Receiue, til he seide HO : <*l*f»
And wij? gold, which fei hadden fo 2220
Buillende hot wijrinne a panne,
Into his MovJ? fei poure fanne.
And f>us lp e J»urst of gold was queynL
Wif gold which hadde ben atteignt. ^
Confessor. Wherof, mi Sone, J»ou. miht hiere,

Whan Couoitise haj> lost J>e stiere
Of resonable gouernance,
Ther fallef ofte gret vengance.
ffor fer mai be no worse fing
Than Couoitise aboute a king : 2230

If it in his persone be,
It dof fe more aduersite ;
And if it in his conseil stonde,
It bringf alday meschief to honde
Of commun harm; and if it growe
Wifinne his court, it wol be knowe,
ffor fanne schal j?e king be piled.

LIBER QU1NTUS 121

The man which haf hise londes tiled, [COVOITISE.]

AwaiteJ> noght more redily
The Heruest, fan fei gredily 2240

Ne maken fanne warde and wacche,
Wher fei f e profit mihten cacche :
And jit fulofte it fallef so,
As men mai sen among hem fo,
That he which most coueitef faste
Haf> lest auantage ate laste.
ffor whan fortune is ferajein,
Thogh he coueite, it is in vein ;
hagpes be noght alle liche,
On is mad pouere, an ofer riche, 2250

The court to some dof profit,
And some ben euere in o plit;
And jit f ei bof e aliche sore
Coueite, bot fortune is more
Vnto fat o part fauorable.
And fogh it be noght resonable,
This f ing a man mai sen alday,
Wherof fat I J?ee telle may
A fair ensample in remembrance,
Hov euery man mot take his chance 2260
Or of riche sse or of pouerte.
Hov so it stonde of fe decerte,
Hier is noght euery J»ing aquit,
ffor ofte a man mai se J?is jit,
That who best dof>, lest fonk schal haue;
It helpef noght J>e world to craue,
Which out of reule and of mesure
Haf> euere stonde in auenture
Als wel in Court as elles where :
And hov in olde daies fere 2270

122

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE]

TWO COFFERS.

HicponitCon-

fessor exemplum

contra iiios, qui

in domibus Re-
gum seruientes,

pro eo quod ipsi

secundumeorum

cupiditatem pro-

moti non exis-

tunt, de regio

semido quam-

uis in eorum de-

fectu indiscrete

murmurant.

It stod, so as f>e fringes felle,
I f>enke a tale forto telle.

In a Cronique fris I rede.
Aboute a king, as moste nede,
Ther was of knyhtes and squiers
Gret route, and ek of Officers :
Some of long time him hadden serued,
And f»oghten f>at f>ei haue deserued
Auancement, and 'gon wif>oute ;
And some also ben of f>e route 2280

That comen bot a while agon,
And f>ei auanced were anon.
These olde men vpon f>is Jring,
So as f>ei dorste, ajein f>e king
Among hemself compleignen ofte :
Bot f>er is nofring seid so softe,
That it ne comf» out ate laste ;
The king it wiste, and als so faste, t^-v
As he which was of hih Prudence,
He schop f>erfore an euidence 2290

Of hem f>at pleignen in f>at cas,
To knowe in whos defalte it was.
And al wif>inne his oghne entente,
That noman wiste what it mente,
Anon he let tuo cofres make
Of o semblance and of o make,
So lich f>at no lif f>ilke f>rowe ' ;- . pj**K
That on mai fro f>at of>er knowe :
Thei were into his chambre broght,
Bot noman wot why f>ei be wroght, 2300
And natheles f>e king haf> bede
That f>ei be set in priue stede.

LIBER QUINT US 123

As he bat was of wisdom slih, ewwJu** [TALE OF THE

TT71 . . ,. ,. .,~ TWOCOFFERS.1

Whan he ferto his time sih,

Al priuely, fat non it wiste, tV^

Hise_pghne hondes fat o kiste

Of fin gold and of fin perrie, /^

The which out of his tresorie

Was take, anon he felde full ;

That ofer cofre of straw and mull 2310

Wif Stones meind he felde also. >vv^-(*-

Thus be fei fulle hope tuo,

So fat erliche vpon a day

He bad wifinne, f er he lay,

Ther scholde be tofore his bed

A bord vpset and faire spred;

And f anne he let f e cofres fette,

Vpon f e bord and dede hem sette.

He knew f e names wel of tho,

The whiche ajein him grucche so, 2320

Bofe of his chambre and of his halle,

Anon and sende for hem alle,

And seide to hem in f is wise :

Ther schal noman his happ despise;

I wot wel 36 haue longe serued,

And god wot what je haue deserued :

Bot if it is along on me v 4 "•

Of J?at je vnauanced be,

Or elles it be long on 3ov,

The sofe schal be proued nov, 2330

To stoppe wij> ^oure euele word.

Lo hier tuo cofres on fe bord:

Ches which jou list of bofe tuo ;

And witef> wel fat on of tho

Is wif tresor so full begon,

124 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALE OF THE That if jc happe fervpon,

IRS'] 5e schull be riche men for euere.

Now ches and tak which 3011 is leuere :

Bot be wel war, er Jmt 36 take;

ffor of J?at on I vndertake 2340

Ther is no maner good ferinne,

Wherof je mihten profit winne.

Now go}) togedre of on assent

And take]? joure avisement;

ffor bot I 3011 f is dai auance,

It slant vpon 301116 oghne chance,

Al only in defalte of grace: tv-I^j v ^

So schal be schewed in Ipis place

Vpon 3011 alle wel afyn, lu»*jttu

That no defalte schal be myn. 2350

Thei knelen alle and wij> o vois

The king f>ei fonken of })is chois:

And after fat fei vp arise,

And gon aside and hem auise,

And ate laste f ei acorde ;

Wherof her tale to recorde,

To what issue fei be falle,

A kniht schal speke for hem alle.

He knelef> doun vnto Ipe king,

And seif> f>at fei vpon J?is'J?ing, 2360

Or forto winne or forto lese,

Ben alle auised forto chese.

Tho tok J?is kniht a 3erde on honde,

And gofy fere as Ipe cofres stonde,

And wij> assent of euerichon

He lei}) his 3erde vpon fat on,

And seij? fe king hou filke same

Thei chese in reguerdoun be name, x»*w»<J-

LIBER QUINTUS 125

And preib him bat bei mote it haue. [TALE OF THE

TWO COFFERS.]
The king, which wolde his honour saue,237o

Whan he haf> herd the commun vois,

Haf> granted hem here oghne chois

And tok hem J?ervpon )?e keie.

Bof for he wolde it were seie

What good J>ei haue, as J?ei suppose,

He bad anon f>e cofre vnclose>

Which was fulfild wij> straw and stones:

Thus be J>ei serued al at ones.

This king J>anne in j?e same stede

Anon f>at o]?er cofre vndede, 2380

Where as j?ei sihen gret richesse,

Wei more f>an J>ei covj?en gesse.

Lo, seif> j?e king, nov mai 36 se

That fer is no defalte in me ;

fforfi miself I wole aquyte,

And berej? ;e joure oghne wyte

Of }>at fortune haf }ou refused.

Thus was f»is wise king excused,

And f>ei lefte of here euele speche

And mercy of here king beseche. 2390

[One of the retainers of Avarice is Ingratitude
or Unkindness, of which the nature is as fol-
lows :]

Cuncta creatura, deus et qui cuncta creauit, [INGRATITUDE.]
Dampnant ingrati dictaque facta viri.
Non dolor alonge stat, quo sibi talis amicam
Traxit) et in fine deserit esse suam.

»
The vice lik vnto J?e fend,

Which neuere 311 was mannes frend,
And cleped is Vnkmdeschipe,

126

(INGRATITUDE.]

Hie loquitur
super ilia aoorta
specie Auaricie,

3ue Ingratitude
icta est, cuius
condicionem non
solura creator,
set eciam cuncte
creature abho-
minabilem de-
testantur.

CONFESS 1 O AM A NT IS

Of covine and of felaschipe

Wif> Auarice he is wifholde.

Him fenkf he scholde noght ben holde 4890

Vnto J>e moder which him bar ;

Of him mai neuere man be war,

He wol noght knowe J>e merite,

ffor fat he wolde it noght aquite ;

Which in Jns world is mochel ysed,

And fewe ben ferof excused.

To telle of him is endeles,

Bot fis I seie natheles,

Wher as }>is vice comj? to londe, «ff^^

Ther takf noman his }?onk on honde; 4900

Thogh he wif> alle his myhtes serue,

He schal of him no fonk deserue.

He tak}> what eny man wol ;iue,

Bot whil he haf o day to Hue,

He wol noting rewarde a$ein ;

He grucchef forto jiue o grein,

Wher he haf> take a berne full.

That makf a kinde herte dull,

To sette his trust in such frendschipe,

Ther as he fint no kindeschipe ; 4910

And forto speke wordes pleine,

Thus hiere I many a man compleigne,

That nov on daies fou schalt finde

At nede fewe frendes kinde;

What fou hast don for hem tofore,

It is for3ete, as it were lore.

The bokes speken of fis vice,

And telle hov god of his Justice,

Be weie of kinde and ek nature

And euery lifissh creature, ^unMit 4920

LIBER QUINTUS

127

The lawe also, who J?at it kan, [INGRATITUDE.]

Thei dampnen an vnkinde man.

It is al on to seie vnkinde
As fing which don is ajein kinde,
ffor it wi]? kinde neuere stod
A man to 3elden euel for good.
ffor who f>at wolde taken hede,
A beste is glad of a good dede,
And loueth filke creature
After J>e lawe of his nature, 4930

Which do}? him ese ; and forto se
Of fis matiere Auctorite,
ffulofte time it ha]? befalle :
Wherof a tale amonges alle,
Which is of olde ensamplerie,
I fenke forto specefie.

$*

^

*

To speke of an vnkinde man,
I finde hov whilom Adrian,
Of Rome which a gret lord was,
Vpon a day as he per cas
To wode in his huntinge wente,
It hapnef) at a soudein wente,
After his chace as he poursuief,
Thurgh happ, f>e which noman eschuie]?,
He fell vnwar into a pet,
Wher j>at it mihte noght be let.
The pet was dep and he fell lowe,
That of his men non myhte knowe
Wher he becam, for non was nyh,
Which of his fall }>e meschief syh.
And ]>us al one j?er he lay
Clepende and criende al j?e day

j-

[TALK OF
ABARDUS.]D

Hie didt qua-

liter bestie in

4940

^^

hominem ingra-
tum natura liter
precellunt. Et
ponit exemplum
de Adriano Rome
Cenatore, qui
in quad am no-
resta venaci-

3S2S pro"

495o

128

CONFESSIO AMANT1S

[TALE OF

ADRIAN AND

BARDUS.]
secundo Serpen-
tem, tercio A-
drianum, qui
pauperem despi-
ciens aliquid ei
pro benefacto
reddere recusa-
bat. Set tarn
Serpens quam
Simea gratuita
benevolencia ip-
sum singulis do-
nis sumcienter
remunerarunt.

ffor socour and deliuerance,

Til a3ein Eue it fell per chance,

A while er it began to nyhte,

A pouere man, which Bardus hihte,

Cam forf> walkende wif> his asse,

And hadde gadred him a tasse

Of grene stickes and of dreie

To selle, who J»at wolde hem beie, 4960

As he which hadde no liflode,

Bot whanne he myhte such a lode

To tovne wij> his Asse carie.

And as it fell him forto tarie

That ilke time nyh J?e pet,

And ha]> fe trusse faste knet, '

He herde a vois, which cride dimme,

And he his Ere to J?e brimme

HaJ> leid, and herde it was a man

Which seide, Ha, help hier Adrian, 4970

And I wol 5iuen half mi good.

The pouere man J>is vnderstod,
As he f>at wolde gladly winne,
And to f>is lord which was wijrinne
He spak and seide, If I f>ee saue,
What sikernesse schal I haue
Of couenant, J?at afterward
Thov wolt me :jiue such reward
As J»ou behihtest nov tofore?

That of>er haj> his oj>es swore 4980

Be heuene and be J?e goddes alle,
If fat it myhte so befalle
That he out of f>e pet him broghte,
Of all J>e goodes whiche he oghte
He schal haue euene haluendel.

LIBER QUINTUS 129

This Bardus seide he wolde wel ; [TALE OF

... ADRIAN AND

And wip pis word his Asse anon BARDUS.]

He let vntrusse, and )?ervpon

Doun goj? J?e corde into fe pet,

To which he haf> at ende knet 4990

A staf, wherby, he seide, he wolde

That Adrian him scholde holde.

Bot it was Ipo per chance falle,

Into )?at pet was also falle

An Ape, which at }?ilke frowe,

Whan J>at J>e corde cam doun lowe,

Al sodeinli j?erto he skipte,

And it in bof»e hise Armes clipte.

And Bardus wij> his Asse anon

Him ha]? vpdrawe, and he is gon. 5000

But whan he sih it was an Ape,

He wende al hadde ben a iape

Of faierie, and sore him dradde :

And Adrian eftsone gradde i/^-J-

ffor help, and cride and preide faste,

And he eftsone his corde caste;

Bot whan it cam vnto f>e grounde,

A gret Serpent it ha)) bewounde,

The which Bardus anon vp drovh.

And }>anne him j?oghte wel ynovh, 5010

It was fantosme, bot ;it he herde

The vois, and he J?erto ansuerde,

What wiht art }>ou in goddes name ?

I am, quod Adrian, f>e same,
Whos good J»ou schalt haue euene half.
Quod Bardus, Thanne a goddes half
The }?ridde time assaie I schal.
And caste his corde for)? wifal

I30

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[TALK OF

ADRIAN AND

BARDUS.]

Into f e pet, and whan it cam

To him, fis lord of Rome it nam, 5020

And f ervpon him ha)? adresced, j«af*>c c******

And wif his hand fulofte blessed,

And fanne he bad to Bardus hale,

And he, which vnderstod his tale,

Betwen him and his Asse al softe

Ha)? drawe and set him vp alofte

Wif outen harm al esely.

He seif noght ones grant merci,

Bot stratvhte him for]? to fe cite,

And let fis pouere Bardus be. 5030

And natheles fis simple man

His couenant, so as he can,

HaJ> axed ; and fat of er seide,

If so be fat he him vmbreide ••

Of oght fat haj> be speke or do,

It schal ben venged on him so,

That him were betre to be ded.

And he can f o non of er red,

Bot on his asse a;ein he caste

His trusse, and hief homward faste : 5040

And whan fat he cam horn to bedde,

He tolde his wif hov fat he spedde.

Bot finaly to speke oght more

Vnto fis lord he dradde him sore,

So fat a word ne dorste he sein :

And fus vpon fe morwe ajein,

In fe manere as I recorde,

fforf wif his Asse and wif his corde

To gadre wode, as he dede er,

He gof ; and whan fat he cam ner 5050

Vnto fe place where he wolde,

LIBER QUINTUS 131

He haf his Ape anon beholde, [TALE OF

Which hadde gadred al aboute BARDUS.]D

Of Stickes hiere and }>ere a route,
And leide hem redy to his hond,
Wherof he made his trosse and bond ;
ffro dai to dai and in fis wise
This Ape profref his seruise.
So fat he hadde of wode ynovh.
Vpon a time and as he drovh 5060

Toward f e wode, he sih besyde
The grete gastli Serpent glyde, I.
Til fat sche cam in his presence,
And in hir kinde a reuerenca
Sche ha}) him do, and for)) wif al
A Ston mor briht fan a cristall
Out of hir mouf tofore his weie
Sche let dcun falle, and wente aweie,
ffor fat he schal noght ben adrad.
Tho was )?is pouere Bardus glad, 5070

Thonkende god, and to fe Ston
He gof and takf it vp anon,
And haf gret wonder in his wit
Hov fat fe beste him haf aquit,
Wher fat f e mannes Sone haf failed,
ffor whom he hadde most trauailed.
Bot al he putte in goddes hond,
And torne}) horn, and what he fond
Vnto his wif he haf it schewed ;
And fei, fat weren bofe lewed, 5080

Acorden fat he scholde it selle.
And he no lengere wolde duelle,
Bot forf anon vpon fe tale £li,»\fc
5054 aroute F
K 2

132 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

ITALEOF The Ston he profref to J>e sale;
And riht as he himself it sette,
The lueler anon forj> fette
The gold and made his paiement,
Therof was no delaiement.

Thus whan fis Ston was boght and sold,
Homward wij? ioie manyfold 5090

This Bardus gof>; and whan he cam
Horn to his hous and J?at he nam
His gold out of his purs, wifinne
He fond his Ston also ferinne,
Wherof for ioie his herte pleide,
Vnto his wif and J>us he seide,
Lo, hier my gold, lo, hier mi Ston!
His wif haj? wonder fervpon,
And axef him hov j?at mai be.
Nov be mi troupe I not, quod he, 5100
Bot I dar swere vpon a bok,
That to my Marchant I it tok,
And he it hadde whan I wente:
So knowe I noght to what entente
It is nov hier, bot it be grace,
fforjri tomorwe in of»er place
I wole it fonde forto selle,
And if it wol noght wij? him duelle,
Bot crepe into mi purs ajein,
Than dar I saufly swere and sein, 5110
It is j?e vertu of J?e Ston.

The morwe cam, and he is gon
To seche aboute in oj>er stede
His Ston to selle, and he so dede,
And lefte it wif> his chapman f>ere :
Bot whan J»at he cam elleswhere,

LIBER QUINTUS 133

In presence of his wif at horn, [TALE OF

Out of his Purs and fat he nom

His gold, he fond his Ston wifal.

And fus it fell him oueral, 5120

Where he it solde in sondri place,

Such was fe fortune and f e grace.

Bot so wel may noting ben hidd,

That it nys ate laste kidd:

This fame golp aboute Rome

So ferforf , fat fe wordes come

To themperour Justinian;

And he let sende for the man,

And axede him hou fat it was.

Arsd Bardus tolde him al fe cas, 5130

Hou fat fe worm and ek fe beste,

Alfogh f ei maden no beheste,

His trauail hadden wel aquit;

Bot he which hadde a mannes wit,

And made his couenant be mouf e,

And swor ferto al fat he couf e,

To parte and jiuen half his good,

Haf nov foqete hou fat it stod,

As he which wol no troufe holde.

This Emperour al fat he tolde 5140

Haf herd, and f ilke vnkindenesse
He seide he wolde himself redresse.
And f us in court of iuggement
This Adrian was f anne assent, tu*.
And f e querele in audience
Declared was in fe presence
Of themperour and many mo;
Wherof was mochel speche fo
5131 ekeF

7

134

[TALE OF

ADRIAN AND
BARDUS.]

Confessor.

Atnans.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

And gret wondringe among the press,

Bot ate laste natheles 5150

ffor fe partie which haf pleigned

The lawe haf diemed and ordeigned

Be hem fat were auised wel,

That he schal haue fe haluendel

Thurghout of Adrianes good.

And f us of J)ilke vnkinde blod

Stant fe memoire into fis day,

Wherof fat euery wysman may

Ensamplen him, and take in mynde

What schame it is to ben vnkinde; 5160

A^ein f e which reson debatef ,

And euery creature it hatef .

Forf i, mi Sone, in fin office
I rede fle fat ilke vice,
ffor riht as fe Cronique seif
Of Adrian, hov he his feif
fforjat for worldes couoitise,
ffulofte in such a maner wise
Of louers nov a man mai se
ffull manye fat vnkinde be: «o 5170

ffor wel behote and euele laste
That is here lif; for ate laste.
•Whan fat fei haue here wille do,
Here loue is after sone ago.
What seist feu, Sone, to fis cas?

Mi fader, I wol seie Helas !
That euere such a man was bore,
Which whan he haf his troufe suore
And haf of loue what he wolde.
That he at eny time scholde 5180

Euere after in his herte finde

LIBER QUINTUS

135

To falsen and to ben vnkinde.
Bot, fader, as touchende of me,
I mai noght stonde in fat degre^

[INGRATITUDE.]

/

5190

ffor I tok neuere of loue why,
That I ne mai wel go ferby
And do my profit elles where,
ffor eny sped I finde fere.
I dar wel f enken al aboute,
Bot I ne dar noght speke it oute;
And if I dorste, I wolde pleigne,
That sche for whom I soffre peine
And loue hir euere aliche hote,
That novfer jiue ne behote
In rewardinge of mi seruise
It list hire in no maner wise.
I wol noght say fat sche is kinde,
And forto sai sche is vnkinde,
That dar I noght; bot god aboue,
Which demef euery herte of loue,
He wot fat on myn oghne side
Schal non vnkindeschipe abide :
If it schal wif mi ladi duelle,
Therof dar I nomore telle.
Nov, goode fader, as it is,
Tell me what fenkef jou of fis.
Mi Sone, of fat vnkindeschipe,
The which toward fi ladischipe
Thov pleignest, for sche wol fee noght,
Thov art to blamen of fat foght. 5210

ffor it mai be fat f i desir,
Thogh it brenne euere as dof fe fyrt
Per cas to hire honour missit, a
Or elles time com noght jit

5200

Confessor.

136

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[INGRATITUDE.] Which standt vpon J>i destine :
fforjri, mi Sone, I rede fee,
Thenk wel, what euere J>e befalle ;
ffor noman ha}> his lustes alle.
Bot as fou toldest me before
That f>ou to loue art noght forswore, 5220
And hast don non vnkindenesse,
Thou miht ferof Ipi grace blesse :
And lef noght J?at continuance ;
ffor J?er mai be no such greuance
To loue, as is vnkindeschipe.

\After this follows the tale of Theseus and A riadne>
to illustrate the vice of Ingratitude in lovers.]

[LOVE-DELI-
CACY.]

Liber Sextus.

\The sixth book deals with Gule or Gluttony,
under the heads of Drunkenness and Delicacy. These
"vices are seen also in matters that belong to love^
and the Lover confesses himself to be in some degree
guilty therein^

Bot for al fis 3it natheles
I seie noght I am gylteles,
That I somdel am delicat : ? <**~y "
ffor elles were I fulli mat, u>^j( ^.^^ 730
Bot if fat I som lusti stounde
Of confort and of ese founde,
To take of loue som repast ;
ffor J?ogh I wif> f>e fulle tast
The lust of loue mai noght fiele,
Min hunger oferwise I kiele fj^
Of smale lustes whiche I pike,

»il

au

LIBER SEXTUS

And for a time jit fei like;
If fat je wisten what I mene.

Nov, goode Sone, schrif fee clene
Of suche deyntes as ben goode,
Wherof f ou takst fin hertes fode.

Mi fader, I jou schal reherce
Hov fat mi fodes ben diuerse,
So as fei fallen in degre.
O fiedinge is of fat I se, f
An of er is of fat I here,
The fridde, as I schal tellen here,
It growef of min oghne f oght :
And elles scholde I Hue noght;
ffor whom fat faillef fode of herte,
He mai noght wel fe def asterte.

Of sihte is al mi ferste fode,
Thurgh which myn yhe of alle goode
Haf fat to him is acordant,
A lusti fode sufficant.
Whan fat I go toward f e place
Wher I schal se my ladi face,
Min yhe, which is lof to faste,
Beginf to hungre anon so faste,
That him f enkf of on houre f re,
Til I fer come and he hire se: iu ^.
And f anne after his appetit
He takf a fode of such delit,
That him non ofer deynte nedef.
Of sondri sihtes he him fedef :
He sef hire face of such colour,
That freisshere is fan eny flour,
He sef hire front is large and plein
Wif oute fronce of eny grein, vu

[LOVE-DELI-
CACY.]

74° Confessor.

Confessio
Amantis.

750

Nota qualiter
visas in amore
se continet deli-
catus.

760

770

138 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[LOVE-DELI- He §ef hire yhen lich an heuene,

He sej> hire nase stravht and euene,

He sef hire rode vpon the cheke,

He sef> hire rede lippes eke,

Hire chyn acordef to Ipe face,

Al fat he sef is full of grace,

He sef hire necke round and clene,

Therinne mai no bon be sene,

He sef hire handes faire and whyte ;

ffor al fis fing wifout wyte 780

He mai se naked ate leste,

So is it wel f e more feste f***^

And wel f e mor Delicacie

Vnto fe fiedinge of myn yhe.

He sef hire schapfe forf wifal,

Hire bodi round, hire middel smal,

So wel begon wif good array,

Which passef al fe lust of Maii,

Whan he is most wi}> softe schoures

fful closed in his lusti floures. 790

Wif suche sihtes by and by -^^

Min yhe is fed; bot finaly,

Whan he f>e port and J>e manere

Selp of hire wommanysshe chere,

Than haj> he such delice on honde, b**^

Him Ipenk]) he mihte stille stonde,

And fat he ha}) ful sufficance

Of liflode and of sustienance

As to his part for eueremo.

And if it f>oghte alle ofre so, 800

ffro f>enne wolde he neuere wende,

Bot fere vnto J>e worldes ende

He wolde abyde, if fat he mihte,

LIBER SEXTUS 139

And fieden him vpon be syhte. [LOVE-DELI-

CACY.l

fFor f ogh I mihte stonden ay

Into fe time of domesday

And loke vpon hire eueje in on, o-**^

^it whanne I scholde fro hire gon,

Min yhe wolde, as f ogh he faste,

Ben hungerstoruen al so faste, 810

Til efte asein fat he hire syhe.

Such is f e nature of myn yhe :

Ther is no lust so deintefull,

Of which a man schal noght be full,

Of fat fe stomac vnderfongef,

Bot euere in on myn yhe longef :

ffor loke hou fat a goshauk tiref ,

Riht so dof he, whan fat he piref

And totef on hire wommanhiede;

ffor he mai neuere fulli fiede 820

His lust, bot euere aliche sore

Him hungref , so fat he fe more

Desiref to be fed algate:

And fus myn yhe is mad fe gate,

Thurgh which f e deyntes of my foght

Of lust ben to myn herte broght.

Riht as myn yhe wif his lok

Is to myn herte a lusti coc

Of loues fode delicat,

Riht so myn Ere in his astat, 830 Quaiiter auri8

„_, »•-«.' i in amore delec-

Wher as myn yhe mai nognt serue, tatur.

Can wel myn hertes f onk deserue

And fieden him fro day to day

Wif suche deyntes as he may.

ffor fus it is, fat oueral;

Wher as I come in special,

140

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[LOVE-DELI-

CACY.]

m& U

)** .1

I mai hiere of mi ladi pris ;

-r , . ,

I hiere on seif fat sche is wys,
An of er seif fat sche is good,
And som men sein, of worf i blod 840

That sche is come, and is also
So fair, fat nawher is non so;
And som men preise hire goodli chiere:
Thus euery fing fat I mai hiere,
U Which sounef to mi ladi goode,
Is to myn Ere a lusti foode.
And ek min Ere haf ouer f is
A deynte feste, whan so is
That I mai hiere hirselue speke:
ffor fanne anon mi faste I breke 850

On suche wordes as sche seif,
That full of trovf e and full of feif
Thei ben, and of so good desport,
That to myn Ere gret confort
Thei don, as fei fat ben delices.
ffor al f e metes and fe spices,
That eny Lombard covf e make,
Ne be so lusti forto take,
Ne so ferforf restauratif,
I seie as for myn oghne lif, 860

As ben f e wordes of hire movf :
ffor as f e wyndes of f e Souf
Ben most of alle debonaire,
So whan hir list to speke faire,
The vertu of hire goodly speche
Is verraily myn hertes leche.
And if it so befalle among,
That sche carole vpon a song,
Whan I it hiere I am so fedd,

LIBER SEXTUS 141

That I am fro miself so ledd, 870 [LOVE-DELI-

, , T ,. CACY.l

As pogh 1 were in paradis;
ffor certeS) as to myn avis,
Whan I here of hir vois f>e steuene,
Me J>enkf> it is a blisse of heuene.

And ek in oj?er wise also
ffulofte time it fallef so,

Min Ere wi}> a good pitance Uvv^ii^

Is fedd of redinge of romance ^J^, vfrf*
Of Ydoine and of Amadas, *****
That whilom weren in mi cas, " ^^ 880
And eke of ofre many a score,
That loueden longe er I was bore,
ffor whan I of here loues rede,
Min Ere wij? f>e tale I fede;
And wif> J?e lust of here histoire
Somtime I drawe into memoire
Hov sorwe mai noght euere laste;
And so comlp hope in ate laste,
Whan I non oj>er fode knowe.
And J?at endure)? bot a fro we, 890

Riht as it were a cherjejeste ; .- ^ , u^ \e,
Bot forto compten ate leste,
As for f»e while jit it ese)>
And somdel of myn herte appesej? :
ffor what fing to myn Ere spreede]?,
Which is plesant, somdel it feedej?
Wij? wordes suche as he mai gete*-^ ^^
Mi lust, in stede of ofer mete.

Lo j?us, mi fader, as I seie,
Of lust )?e which myn yhe haj? seie, 900
And ek of j?at myn Ere haf herd,
ffulofte I haue J>e betre ferd.

I42

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[LOVE-DELI-
CACY.]

Qualiter cogi-
tatus impres-
siones leticie
ymaginat iuas
cordibus inserit
amantum.

And po tuo bringen in pe pridde,

The which hap in myn herte amidde

His place take, to arraie

The lusti fode, which assaie

I mot; and nameliche on nyhtes,

Whan pat me lackep .alle sihtes,

And fat myn heringe is aweie,

Thanne is he redy in pe weie 910

Mi reresouper forto make, -Wz ^»^A,

Of which myn hertes fode I take.

This lusti cokes name is hote
Thoght, which hap euere hise pottes hote
Of loue buillende on pe fyr
Wip fantasie and wip desir,
Of whiche er pis fulofte he fedde
Min herte, whanne I was abedde;
And panne he set vpon my bord
Bope euery syhte and euery word 930

Of lust, which I haue herd or sein.
Bot jit is noght mi feste al plein,
Bot al of woldes and of wisshes,
Therof haue I my fulle disshes,
Bot as of fielinge and of tast,
^it mihte I neuere haue o repast.
And pus, as I haue seid aforn,
I licke hony on J?e porn,
And as who sei}>, vpon pe bridel
I chiewe, so pat al is ydel 930

As in effect pe fode I haue.
Bot as a man pat wolde him saue,
Whan he is sek, be medicine,
Riht so of loue pe famine
1 fonde in al pat euere I mai

LIBER SEXTUS

143

To fiede, and dryue forf J?e day,
Til I mai haue J* grete feste,
Which al myn hunger myhte areste.

Lo suche ben mi lustes f>re;
Of J>at I fenke and hiere and se 940

I take of loue my fiedinge
Wifoute tastinge or fielinge :
And as }>e Plouer do)? of Eir
I Hue, and am in good espeir
That for no such delicacie
I trowe I do no glotonie.
And natheles to joure avis,
Min holi fader, £>at be wis,
I recomande myn astat
Of fat I haue be delicat. 950

Mi Sone, I vnderstonde wel
That Ipou hast told hier euerydel,
And as me fenke]? be J?i tale,
It ben delices wonder smale,
Wherof Ipou. takst J?i loues fode.
Bot, sone, if f>at Ipou vnderstode
What is to ben delicious,
Thou woldest noght be curious
Vpon f>e lust of f>in astat
To ben to sore delicat, 960

Wherof J?at Ipou reson excede. Jv M. If
ffor in J?e bokes f»ou myht rede,
If mannes wisdom schal be suied,
It oghte wel to ben eschuied
In loue als wel as oj>er weie ;
ffor, as J?ese holi bokes seie,
The bodely delices alle
In euery point, hov so fei falle,

LLOVE-DELI-

Confessor.

aduerros ani-

144

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[DELICACY.]

970

[DIVES AND

LAZARUS.^

Hie _
eraplum contra
istos delicatos.
Et narrat de
diuite et Lazaro,
(juorum gestus
in euangelio Lu-
cas euidencius
describit.

Vnto J?e Soule don grieuance.
And forto take in remembrance,
A tale acordant vnto fis,
Which of gret vnderstondinge is
To mannes soule resonable,
I fenke telle, and is no fable.

Of Cristes word, who wole it rede,
Hov f>at Jns vice is forto drede
In thevangile it tellef plein,
Which mot algate be certein,
ffor Crist himself it berf witnesse. ,
And fogh J>e clerk and j>e clergesse ' 980
In latin tunge it rede and singe,
sit for ]>Q more knovlechinge
Of troupe, which is good to wite,
I schal declare as it is write
In Engleissh, for fus it began.

Crist seif , ]?er was a riche man,
A mihti lord of gret astat,
And he was ek so delicat
Of his closing, fat eueryday
Of pourpre and bisse he made him gay, 990
And eet and drank ferto his fille
After J»e lustes of his wille,
As he which al stod in delice
And tok non hiede of filke vice, tUr -
And as it scholde so betyde,
A pouere lazre vpon a tyde
Cam to J>e gate and axed mete:
Bot fere mihte he noting gete
His dedly hunger forto stanche ;
rTor he, which hadde his fulle panche 1000

LIBER SEXTUS

145

Of alle lustes ate bord,
Ne deignef noght to speke a word,
Onliche a Crumme forto ^iue,
Wherof f e pouere myhte liue
Vpon Ipe sifte of his almesse.
Thus lai f is pouere in gret destresse
Acold and hungred ate gate,
ffro which he mihte go no gate
So was he wofulli besein. p. ;
And as Ipese holi bokes sein,
The houndes comen fro Ipe halle,
Wher fat f is sike man was falle,
And as he lay fer forto die,
The woundes of his maladie
Thei licken forto don him ese.
Bot he was full of such desese,
That he mai noght f e def eschape ;
Bot as it was fat time schape,
The Soule fro Ipe bodi passef ,
And he whom noting ouerpassef ,
The hihe god, vp to Ipe heuene
Him tok, wher he haf set him euene
In Habrahammes barm on hyh,
Wher he fe heuene ioie syh
And hadde al fat he haue wolde.

And fell, as it befalle scholde,
This riche man fe same frowe
Wif soudein def was ouerf rowe,
And forf wif outen eny wente
Into fe helle straght he wente;
The fend into f e fyr him drovh,
Wher fat he hadde peine ynovh
Of flamme which fat euere brennef .

[DIVES AND
LAZARUS.]

, pu-f-*-1

1010

1020

1030

146 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[DIVES AND And as his yhe aboute rennef ,

LAZARUS.] Toward j,e heuene he cagt hig lok>

Wher fat he syh and hiede tok

Hov Lazar set was in his Se /u4r

Als ferr as euere he mihte se

Wif Habraham; and Jeanne he preide

Vnto f e Patriarch and seide : 1040

Send Lazar doun fro filke Sete,

And do fat he his finger wete

In water, so fat he mai droppe

Vpon my tunge, forto stoppe

The grete hete in which I brenne.

Bot Habraham answerde fenne

And seide to him in f is wise :

Mi Sone, f ou fee miht auise

And take into fi remembrance,

Hov Lazar hadde gret penance, 1050

Whyl he was in fat ofer lif,

Bot f ou in al f i lust iolif

The bodily delices soghtest:

fforfi, so as f ou fanne wroghtest,

Nov schalt f ou take f i reward

Of dedly peine hierafterward

In helle, which schal euere laste;

And f is Lazar nov ate laste

The worldes peine is ouerronne,

In heuene and haf his lif begonne 1060

Of ioie, which is endeles.

Bot fat fou preidest natheles,

That I schal Lazar to f e sende

Wif water on his finger ende,

Thin hote tunge forto kiele,

Thou schalt no suche graces fiele ;

LIBER SEXTUS 147

ffor to bat foule place of Sinne, [DIVES AND

~ i i i • • LAZARUS.]

nor euere m which pou schalt ben inne,

Com)} non out of J>is place fider,
Ne non of ^ov mai comen hider ; 1070

Thus be 5ee parted nov atuo.
The riche a^einward cride )?o :

0 Habraham, si)?e it so is,
That Lazar mai noght do me J>is
Which I haue axed in fis place,

1 wolde preie an of er grace,
ffor I haue 3it of brefren fyue,
That wif mi fader ben alyue
Togedre duellende in on hous;

To whom, as fou art gracious, 1080

I preie fat fou woldest sende

Lazar, so fat he mihte wende

To warne hem hov f e world is went,

That afterward f ei be noght schent ****

Of suche peines as I drye.

Lo, f is I preie and f is I crie,

Now I may noght miself amende.

The Patriarch anon suiende
To his preiere ansuerde nay ;
And seide him hou f>at eueryday 1090

His brefren mihten knowe and hiere
Of Moises on Erf>e hiere *****
And of prophetes ofre mo,
What hem was best. And he seff> no;
Bot if per mihte a man aryse
ffro dej? to lyue in such a wise,
To tellen hem hov fat it were,
He seide hov fanne of pure fere
Thei scholden wel be war ferby.

L2

148

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[DIVES AND
LAZARUS.]

Confessor.

Quod Habraham: Nay sikerly;
ffor if f ei nov wol noght obeie
To suche as techen hem f>e weie,
And alday preche and alday telle
Hov fat it stant of heuene and helle,
Thei wol noght fanne taken hiede,
Thogh it befelle so in dede
That eny ded man were arered,
To ben of him no betre lered
Than of an of er man alyue.

If f ou, mi Sone, canst descryue
This tale, as Crist himself it tolde,
Thou schalt haue cause to beholde,
To se so gret an euidence,
Wherof f e sof e experience
Haf schewed openliche at ye,
That bodili delicacie
Of him which jeuef non almesse
Schal after falle in gret destresse.
And fat was sene vpon f e riche :
ffor he ne wolde vnto his liche
A Crumme 3iuen of his bred,
Thanne afterward, whan he was ded,
A drope of water him was werned.
Thus mai a mannes wit be lerned
Of hem fat so delices taken ;
Whan f ei wif def ben ouertaken,
That erst was swete is fanne sour.
Bot he fat is a gouernour
Of worldes good, if he be wys,
Wifinne his herte he set no pris
Of al fe world, and jit he vsef
The good, fat he nofing refusef ,

noo

mo

1120

1130

LIBER OCTAVUS 149

As he which lord is of f e Binges.

The Novches and f e riche ringes,

The clof of gold and f e Perrie ^A^JP

He takf, and 31! delicacie

He leuef , f ogh he were al fis.

The beste mete fat fer is

He ett, and drink)? Ipe beste drinke;

Bot hov fat euere he etc or drinke, 1140

Delicacie he put aweie,

As he which gof fe rihte weie

Noght only forto fiede and clofe

His bodi, bot his soule bofe.

Bot fei fat taken oferwise

Here lustes, ben none of f e wise ;

And fat whilom was schewed eke,

If fou fese olde bokes seke,

Als wel be reson as be kinde,

Of olde ensample as men mai finde. 1150

Liber Octavus.

[ The seventh book is a digression upon the educa-
tion and the virtues of Rulers. In the eighth book
the long tale of Apollonius of Tyre is told, nominally
to illustrate the evils of Incest, and then comes the
conclusion of the whole poem, as follows, the Lover
having asked for final counsel as regards the conduct
of his suit.}

The more fat fe nede is hyh, [THE CONFES-

The more it nedef to be slyh
To him which haf fe nede on honde.
I haue wel herd and vnderstonde.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE CONFES-
SOR'S COUNSEL.]
Hie super A-
moris causa fini-
ta confessione,
Confessor Ge-
nius Amanti ea
que sibi salubrius
expediunt, sano
consilio finaliter
iniungit.

Mi Sone, al fat fou hast me seid,

And ek of fat fou hast me preid,

Nov at f is time fat I schal

As for conclusioun final 2070

Conseile vpon fi nede sette:

So fenke I finaly to knette

This cause, where it is tobroke,

And make an ende of fat is spoke.

ffor I behihte fee fat jifte

fferst whan fou come vnder my schrifte,

That f ogh I toward Venus were,

^it spak I suche wordes fere,

That for fe Presthod which I haue,

Min ordre and min astat to saue, 2080

I seide I wolde of myn office

To vertu more fan to vice

Encline, and teche fee mi lore.

fforfi to speken ouermore

Of loue, which fee mai auaile,

Tak loue where it mai noght faile :

ffor as of f is which fou art inne,

Be fat fou seist it is a Sinne,

And Sinne mai no pris deserue,

Wifoute pris and who schal serue, 2090

I not what profit myhte auaile.

Thus folwef it, if fou trauaile,

Wher fou no profit hast ne pris,

Thou art toward f iself vnwis :

And sett fou myhtest lust atteigne,

Of euery lust fende is a peine,

And euery peine is good to fle;

So it is wonder f ing to se,

Why such a fing schal be desired.

LIBER OCTAVUS 151

The more bat a Stock is fyred, 2100 [THE CONFES-

... . SOR'SCOUNSEL.]

The raf ere into Aisshe it tornef ;

The fot which in fe weie spornef

ffulofte his heued ha)? ouerfrowe;

Thus loue is blind and can noght knowe

Wher fat he gof>, til he be falle :

fforf i, bot if it so befalle

Wif good conseil fat he be lad,

Him oghte forto ben adrad.

ffor conseil passef alle f ing

To him which fenkf to ben a king; 2110

And euery man for his partie

A kingdom haf to iustefie,

That is to sein his oghne ddta. ''

If he misreule fat kingdom,

He lest himself, and fat is more

Than if he loste Schip and Ore

And al f e worldes good wif al :

ffor what man fat in special

Haf noght himself, he haf noght elles,

Nomor fe perles fan fe schelles ; 2120

Al is to him of o value :

Thogh he hadde at his retenue

The wyde world riht as he wolde,

Whan he his herte haf noght wif holde "*«~ ^ w

Toward himself, al is in vein.

And fus, my Sone, I wolde sein,

As I seide er, fat f ou aryse,

Er fat f ou falle in such a wise

That f ou ne myht f iself rekeuere ;

ffor loue, which fat blind was euere, 2130

Makf alle his seruantz blinde also.

My Sone, and if f ou haue be so,

[THE CONFES-
SOR'S COUNSEL.]

THE CONTRO-
VERSY.]

Hie loquitur
de controuersia,
qua inter Con-
fessorem et A-
mantem in fine
confessionis ver-
sabatur.

u

2140

CONFESSIO AMANTIS
'y

^it is it time to wif drawe,
And set fin herte vnder fat lawe,
The which of reson is gouerned
And noght of will. And to be lerned,
Ensamples fou hast many on
Of now and ek of time gon,
That euery lust is bot a while;
And who fat wole himself beguile,
He may f e raf ere be deceiued.
Mi Sone, now fou hast concerned
Somwhat of fat I wolde mene;
Hierafterward it schal be sene
If fat fou lieue vpon mi lore ;
ffor I can do to fee nomore
Bot teche fee fe rihte weie:
Now ches if fou wolt Hue or deie.

Mi fader, so as I haue herd
^our tale, bot it were ansuerd,
I were mochel forto blame.
Mi wo to 3ou is bot a game,
That fielen noght of fat I fiele :
The fielinge of a mannes Hiele
Mai noght be likned to f e Herte ;
I mai noght, f ogh I wolde, asterte,
And 56 be fre from al f e peine
Of loue, wherof I me pleigne.
It is riht esi to comaunde;
The hert which fre gof on fe Launde 2160
Not of an Oxe what him eilef ;
It fallef ofte a man merueilef
Of fat he sef an of er fare,
Bot if he knewe himself fe fare,
And felt it as it is in sof,

2150

LIBER OCTAVUS 153

He scholde don riht as he dob, [THECONTRO-

/^ 11 i • j VERSY.]

Or elles werse in his degre :
ffor wel I wot, and so do je,
That loue haj? euere jit ben vsed,
So mot I nedes ben excused. 2170

Bot, fader, if je wolde J>us
Vnto Cupide and to Venus
Be frendlich toward mi querele,
So J»at myn herte were in hele *«^Jr6t
Of loue, which is in mi briest,
I wot wel fanne a betre Prest
Was neuere mad to my behpue. ** ***
Bot al J>e whiles }>at I houe
In noncertein betwen }?e tuo,ut<
And not if I to wel or wo 2180

Schal torne, J>at is al my drede,
So fat I not what is to rede.
Bot for final conclusion
I }?enke a Supplicacion
Wi}? pleine wordes and expresse
Wryte vnto Venus fe goddesse,
The which I preie $ou to bere
And bringe ajein a good ansuere.
Tho was betwen mi Prest and me
Debat and gret perplexete : 2190

Mi resoun vnderstod him wel,
And knew it was sof euerydel
That he haf> seid, bot noght forfi
Mi will haj> noting set J>erby.
ffor techinge of so wis a port
Is vnto loue of no desport ; <vwx
}it myhte neuere man beholde
2173 Toward F.

154

CONFESS10 AMANTIS

[THE CONTRO-
VERSY.]

[THE SUPPLICA-
TION.]

Hie tractat
formam cuius-
dam Supplica-
cionis, quam ex
parte Amantis
per manus Genii
Sacerdotis sui
Venus sibi por-
rectam accepta-
vbat.

2200

2210

Reson, wher loue was wifholde, kjJ
Thei be noght of o gouernance.
And fus we fellen in distance,
Mi Prest and I, bot I spak faire,
And f urgh mi wordes debonaire
Thanne ate laste we acorden,
So fat he seif he wol recorden
To speke and stonde vpon mi syde
To Venus bof e and to Cupide ;
And bad me wryte what I wolde,
And seif me trewly fat he scholde
Mi lettre bere vnto f e queene.
And I sat doun vpon fe grene
ffulfilt of loues fantasie,
And wif f e teres of myn ye
In stede of enke I gan to wryte
The wordes whiche I wolde endite
Vnto Cupide and to Venus,
And in mi lettre I seide fus.

THE wofull peine of loues maladie,
A^ein fe which mai no phisique auaile,
Min herte ha]? so bewhaped wif> sotie,
That wher so J»at I reste or I trauaile, 2220
I finde it euere redy to assaile
Mi resoun, which fat can him noght defende :
Thus seche I help, wherof I mihte amende.

Ferst to Nature if fat I me compleigne,
Ther finde I hov fat euery creature
Som time a3er haf loue in his demeine,
So fat f e litel wrenne in his mesure
Haf ^it of kinde a loue vnder his cure : *****

LIBER OCTAVUS 155

And I bot on desire, of which I misse ; [THE SUPPUCA-

And f us, bot I, haf> euery kinde his blisse. 2230

The resoun of my wit it ouerpassef),

Of ]?at Nature teche)? me fe weie

To loue, and jit no certein sche compassej?

Hov I schal spede, and J?us betwen f>e tweie

I stonde, and not if I schal Hue or deie.

ffor J>ogh reson a^ein my will debate,

I mai noght fle, J»at I ne loue algate. <^±t**4A\ ,**>

Vpon miself is ]?ilke tale come,
Hov whilom Pan, which is J?e god of kinde,
Wif> loue wrastlede and was ouercome : 2240
ffor euere I wrastle and euere I am behinde,
That I no strengfe in al min herte finde,
Wherof fat I mai stonden eny frowe ;
So fer mi wit wif> loue is ouerfrowe.

Whom nedej? help, he mot his helpe craue,

Or helpeles he schal his nede spille :

Pleinly furghsoght my wittes alle I haue, /4*^K ifc^ v p^

v

Bot non of hem can helpe after mi wille ;
And als so wel I mihte sitte stille,
As preie vnto mi lady eny helpe : 2250

Thus wot I noght wherof miself to helpe.

Vnto J?e grete loue and if I bidde, Ai,
To do me grace of f>ilke swete tvnrie7- uU*
Which vnder keie in his celier amidde'(
Lif couched, j?at fortune is ouerrvnne,
Bot of fe bitter cuppe I haue begunne,
I not hou ofte, and fus finde I no game;
ffor euere I axe and euere it is \> e same.

I se J?e world stonde euere vpon eschange,
Nov wyndeslovde,and novfe wedersofte; 2260

[THE SUPPLICA-
TION.]

156 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

I mai sen ek fe grete mone change,
And fing which nov is lowe is eft alofte;
* The dredfull werres into pes fulofte ^ Ho

Thei torne ; and euere is Danger in o place,
Which wol noght change his will to do me grace.

Bot vpon f is fe grete clerc Guide,
Of loue whan he makf his remembrance,
He seif fer is f e blinde god Cupide,
The which haf loue vnder his gouernance,
And in his hond wif many a fyri lance 2 2 70
He woundef ofte, fer he wol noght hele ;
And fat somdiel is cause of mi querele.

Guide ek seif fat loue to parforne
Stant in the hond of Venus f e goddesse,
Bot whan sche takf hir conseil wif Satorne,
Ther is no grace; and in fat time, I gesse,
Began mi loue, of which myn heuynesse
Is now and euere schal, bot if I spede :
So wot I noght miself what is to rede.

Forfi to sou, Cupide and Venus bofe, 2280
Wif al myn hertes obeissance I preie,
If 36 were ate ferste time wrof e,
Whan I began to loue, as I jou seie,
Nov stynt, and do f ilke infortune aweie,
So fat Danger, which stant of retenue
Wif my ladi, his place mai remue.

O f ou Cupide, god of loues lawe,
That wif fi Dart brennende hast set afyre
Min herte, do fat wounde be wifdrawe,
Or ^if me Salue such as I desire : 2290

ffor Seruice in fi Court wifouten hyre

LIBER OCTAVUS

157

To me, which euere yi haue kept fin heste, [THE SUPPLICA-
Mai neuere be to loues lawe honeste.

O fou, gentile Venus, loues queene,
Wifoute gult f>ou dost on me J»i wreche ;
Thou wost my peine is euere aliche grene
ffor loue, and yi I mai it noght areche :
This wold I for my laste word beseche,
That J?ou mi loue aquite as I deserue,
Or elles do me pleinly forto sterue. 2300

[VENUS REPLIES
TO THE SUPPLI-
CATION.]
Hie loquitur
qualiter Venus,
acceptaAmantis
Supplicacipne, in-
dilate ad singula
respondit.

Whanne I fis Supplicacioun
Wij? good deliberacioun,
In such a wise as 56 nov wite,
Hadde after min entente write
Vnto Cupide and to Venus,
This Prest which hihte Genius
It tok on honde to presente,
On my message and for]? he wente
To Venus, forto wite hire wille.
And I bod in fe place stille, 2310

And was fere bot a litel while,
Noght full J>e montance of a Mile,
Whan I behield and sodeinly
I sih wher Venus stod me by.
So as I myhte, vnder a tre
To grounde I fell vpon mi kne,
And preide hire forto do me grace:
Sche caste hire chiere vpon mi face,
And as it wej?e haluinge a game
Sche axej> me what is mi name. 2320

Ma dame, I seide, lohn Gower.
Now, lohn, quod sche, in my pouer
Thou most as of ]>i loue stonde ;

158 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[VENUS REPLIES ffor I fi bille haue vnderstonde,

TO THE SUPPLI- . _, . ,

CATION.] In which to Cupide and to me

Somdiel fou hast compleigned fee,

And somdiel to Nature also.

Bot fat schal stonde among 3011 tuo,

ffor ferof haue I noght to done;

ffor Nature is vnder fe Mone 2330

Maistresse of euery Hues kinde,

Bot if so be fat sche mai finde

Som holy man fat wol wifdrawe

His kindly lust a}ein hir lawe;

Bot sielde whanne it fallef so,

ffor fewe men f er ben of f o,

Bot of f ese of re ynowe be,

Whiche of here oghne nycete

A;ein Nature and hire office

Deliten hem in sondri vice, 2340

Wherof fat sche fulofte haf pleigned,

And ek my Court it haf desdeigned

And euere schal; for it receiuef

Non such fat kinde so deceiuef •

ffor al onliche of gentil loue

Mi court stant alle courtz aboue

And takf noght into retenue

Bot f ing which is to kinde due,

ffor elles it schal be refused.

Wherof I holde fee excused, 2350

ffor it is manye daies gon,

That f ou amonges hem were on

Which of my court hast ben wif holde ;

So fat f e more I am beholde

Of f i desese to commune,

And to remue fat fortune,

LIBER OCTAVUS

159

Which manye daies haf> fe grieued.

Bot if my conseil mai be lieued,

Thou schalt ben esed er Jxm go

Of filke vnsely ipjif wo, wd> 2360

Wherof J?ou seist 1pm herte is fyred :

Bot as of )?at J?ou hast desired

After J?e sentence of J>i bille,

Thou most ferof don at my wille,

And I ferof me wole auise. « s

ffor be }x>u hoi, it schal suffise:

Mi medicine is noght to sieke ^

ffor f>ee and for suche olde sieke,

Noght al per chance as je it wolden,

Bot so as je be reson scholden, 2370

Acordant vnto loues kinde.

ffor in )?e plit which I J?ee finde,

So as mi court it haf> awarded,

Thou schalt be duely rewarded;

And if fou woldest more craue,

It is no riht fat f>ou it haue.

Qut cupit id quod habere nequit^ sua tempora

perdit,

Est vbi non posse, velle salute caret.
Non estatis opus gelidis hirsuta capillis^
Cum calor abcessit, equiperabit hiems ;
Sicut habet Mayus non dat natura Decembri,
Nee poterit compar floribus esse lutum :
Sic neque decrepita senium iuvenile voluptas
Floret in obsequium, quod Venus ipsa petit.
Conveniens igitur foret, vt quos cana senectus
Attigit, vlterius corpora cast a colant.

Venus, which stant wifoute lawe
In noncertein, bot as men drawe

[VENUS REPLIES
T0

tt*.
*v

160

[VENUS REPLIES
TO THE SUPPLI-
CATION.]
Hie in exem-
plum contra qups-
cunque viros in-
veteratps ampris
concupiscenciam
affectantes loqui-
tur Venus, huius-
que Amantis
I'Confessi suppli-
cacionem quasi
deridens, ipsum
pro eo quod se-
nex et delbilis est,
multis exhorta-
cionibusinsuffici-
entem redarguit.

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

Of Rageman ypon fe chance, ;

Sche leif no peis in fe balance, 2380

Bot as hir lykef forto weie;

The trewe man fulofte aweie

Sche put, which haf hir grace bede,

And set an vntrewe in his stede.

Lo, fus blindly f e world sche diemef

In loues cause, as tome siemef :

I not what of re men wol sein,

Bot I algate am so besein,

And stonde as on amonges alle

Which am out of hir grace falle : 2390

It nedef take no witnesse,

ffor sche which seid is fe goddesse,

To whefer part of loue it wende,

Haf sett me for a final ende

The point wherto fat I schal holde.

ffor whan sche haf me wel beholde,

Haluynge of Scorn, sche seide fus:

Thou wost wel fat I am Venus,

Which al only my lustes seche ;

And wel I wot, fogh fou beseche 2400

Mi loue, lustes ben f er none,

Whiche I mai take in fi persone;

ffor loues lust and lockes hore

In chambre acorden neueremore,

And fogh fou feigne a jong corage,

It schewef wel be f e visage

That olde grisel is no fole : fy*L

Ther ben fulmanye 5eeres stole

Wif fee and wif suche ofre mo,

That outward feignen joufe so 2410

And ben wif inne of pore assay. Ji^jt wv*>-t

LIBER OCTAVUS 161

Min herte wolde and I ne may [VENUS REPLIES

T , . -i , j , TO THE SUPPLI-

1s noght beloued nov adayes ; CATION.]

Er fou make eny suche assaies

To loue, and faile vpon fe fet,

Betre is to make a beau retret; '^ ^ 4 K*

ffor f ogh fou myhtest loue atteigne,

^it were it bot an ydel peine,

Whan fat fou art noght sufficant

To holde loue his couenant. 2420

fforfi tak hom fin herte a^ein,

That Ipou trauaile noght in vein,

Wherof my Court may be deceiued.

I wot and haue it wel concerned,

Hou fat fi will is good ynowh;

Bot mor behouef to f e plowh,

Wherof f e lackef , as I trowe :

So sitte it wel J>at Ipou beknowe

Thi fieble astat, er ]?ou beginne

Thing wher Ipou miht non ende winne. 2430

What bargain scholde a man assaie,

Whan fat him lackef forto paie?

Mi Sone, if f>ou be wel befoght,

This touchef fee; forjet it noght:

The fing is torned into was; v<J- ^ »4-rw

That which was whilom grene gras,

Is welded hey at time now. ^jfc±^ji

fforf i mi conseil is fat fou

Remembre wel hou fou art old.

Whan Venus haf hir tale told, 2440 Quaiiter super

A J T u i i i i_ densoria Veneris

And I befOght Was al aboutC, exhortacionecon

Tho wiste I wel wif oute doute

That f er was no recouerir ; JU^JUL *»upu«b - ruit^vW^vt s?fi

And as a man f e blase of fyr

cow. SEL. IVf mera multitu-

162

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

mantum variis
turmis assisten-
cium conspicie-
bat.

[THE COM-
PANIES OF
LOVERS.]

2460

dine nuper A- Wif water quenchef , so ferd I ;
A cold me cawhte sodeinly,
ffor sorwe fat myn herte made
Mi dedly face pale and fade
Becam, and swoune I fell to grounde.
And as I lay the same stounde, 2450

Ne fully quik ne fully ded,
Me f oghte I sih tofor myn bed
Cupide wif his bowe bent,
And lich vnto a Parlement,
Which were ordeigned for f e nones,
Wif him cam al fe world at ones
Of gentil folk fat whilom were
Louers, I sih hem alle fere
fforf wif Cupide in sondri routes.
Min yhe and as I caste aboutes,
To knowe among hem who was who,

I sih wher lusty ^ouf e f o,
As he which was a Capitein,
Tofore alle of re vpon f e plein
Stod wif his route wel begon,
Here heuedes kempt, and f ervpon
Garlandes noght of o colour,
Some of f e lef, some of f e flour,
And some of grete Perles were ;
(**lx*ta ^ ***** u*U*The newe guise of Beawme fere,
1^.1^-^ U^£* WiJ> sondri finges wel deuised,
I sih, wherof fei ben queintised.
It was al lust fat f ei wif ferde,
Ther was no song fat I ne herde,
Which vnto loue was touchende;
Of Pan and al fat was likende
As in Pipinge of melodic

2470

LIBER OCTAVUS 163

Was herd in bilke compaignie [THE COM-

oil . . PANIES OF

So lowde, f>at on euery side LOVERS.]

It foghte as al the heuene cride 2480

In such acord and such a sovn
Of bojnbard and of clarion
With Cornemuse and Schallemele, «Wu*un*v
That it was half a mannes hele
So glad a noise forto hiere.
And as me ]x)ghte, in )?is manere
Al freissh I syh hem springe and dance,
And do to loue her entendance
After j?e lust of 3ouJ?es heste.
Ther was ynowh of ioie and feste, 2490

ffor euere among J>ei laghe and pleie,
And putten care out of f»e weie,
That he wij> hem ne sat ne stod.
And ouerfis I vnderstod,
So as myn Ere it myhte areche,
The moste matiere of her speche i

Was al of knyhthod and of Armes,
And what it is to ligge in armes
loue, whanne it is achieued.
Ther was Tristram, which was belieued 2500

Wi)? bele Ysolde, and Lancelot De no

Stod wib Gunnore, and Galahot >*«• ^UU^i UtAm*ntum,nilq5

TTT- 1.11. i " — i (/al«i.^J tune Amanti

Wi)? his ladi, and as me ]x>ghte, spasmato, aiiqui

I syh wher lason wi]? him broghte senesleSapparue'

His loue, which fat Creusa hihte,

And Hercules, which mochel myhte, d2mdamor?sUpr™

Was fer berende his grete Mace,

And most of alle in filke place

He peynej? him to make chiere

Wij> Eolen, which was him diere. 2510

M 2

i64

[THE COM-
PANIES OF
LOVERS.]

t CtAXtC*. (»CtJU*>-«.

CONFESSIO AMANTI

Theseus, J»ogh he were vntrewe
To loue, as alle wommen knewe,)" .

^ OU*t4Ul tm OLW «

311 was he pere natheles

WiJ> Phedra, whom to loue he ches :

Of Grece ek ]?er was Thelamo

Which fro J?e king Lamenedon

At Troie his doghter refte aweie,

Eseonen, as for his preie, ^it^uJu ^u*

TTr,T, . . T

Which take was whan lason cam ^^sCX W"***
ffro Colchos, and }?e Cite naml*****-*** ^aclao
In vengance of J>e ferste hate ; **f^
That made hem after to debate, ^
Whan Priamus J?e newe toim ;U>«LX,
Ha]? mad : and in auisioun

Me J?oghte J>at I sih also
Ector for]? wi)? his brefren tuo;
Himself stod wif> Pantaselee,
And next to him I myhte se,
Wher Paris stod wij? faire Eleine,
Which was his ioie souereine ;
And Troilus stod wif Criseide,
Bot euere among, aljjogh he pleide,
Be semblant he was heuy chiered,
ffor Diomede, as him was liered,
CleymeJ? to ben his parcouner.
And )?us full many a bacheler,
A fousend mo ]?an I can sein,
WiJ? ^ow]?e I sih Iper wel besein
ffor]? wi]? here loues glade and blij?e.

And some I sih whiche ofte sij?e
Compleignen hem in o]?er wise ;
Among ]?e whiche I syh Narcise
And Piramus, ]?at sory were.

2530

2540

LIBER OCTAVUS 165

The worbi Grek also was "here, [THE COM-

. , -ii i • . r l J -J PANIESOF

Achilles, which for loue deide : LOVERS.]

Agamenon ek, as men seide,

And Menelay }>e king also

I syh, wi}? many an of>er mo,

Which hadden be fortuned sore

In loues cause.

And ouermore 2550

Of wommen in pe same cas,
Wi]? hem I sih wher Dido was,
fforsake which was wif> Enee; fy-
And Phillis ek I myhte see,
Whom Demephon deceiued hadde ;
And Adriagne hir sorwe ladde,
ffor Theseus hir Soster tok
And hire vnkindely forsok.
I sih }?er ek among J?e press
Compleignende vpon Hercules 2560

His ferste loue Deyanire,
Which sette him afterward afyre:
Medea was fere ek and pleignej?
Vpon lason, for }?at he feignef,
Wifoute cause and tok a newe;
Sche seide, fy on alle vntrewe !
I sih fere ek Deydamie,
Which hadde lost }?e compaignie
Of Achilles, whan Diomede
To Troie him fette vpon f>e nede. 2570

Among f>ese oj>er vpon Ipe grene
I syh also Ipe wofull queene
Cleopatras, which in a Caue
WiJ> Serpentz haj? hirself begraue
Alquik, and so sche was totore,

166 CONFESS10 AMANT1S

[THE COM- ffor sorwe of fat sche hadde lore
LOWERS.! Antonye, which hir loue haf be:
And for}? wif hire I sih Tisbee,
Which on fe scharpe swerdes point
ffor loue deide in sory point; 2580

And as myn Ere it myhte knowe,
She seide, Wo worf e alle slowe !
The pleignte of Progne and Philomene
Ther herde I what it wolde mene,
How Tereus of his vntrouf e
Vndede hem bofe, and fat was roufe;
And next to hem I sih Canace,
Which for Machaire hir fader grace
Ha}) lost, and deide in wofull plit.
And as I sih in my spirit, 2590

Me foghte amonges of re fus
The doghter of king Priamus,
Polixena, whom Pirrus slowh,
Was fere and made sorwe ynowh,
As sche which deide gulteles
ffor loue, and $it was loueles.
And forto take f e desport,
I sih fere some of of er port,
And fat was Circes and Calipse,
That cowfen do fe Mone eclipse, 2600

Of men and change f e liknesses,
Of Artmagique Sorceresses;
Thei hielde in honde manyon,
To loue wher }?ei wolde or non.

Bot aboue alle fat fer were
Of wommen I sih foure fere,
Whos name I herde most comended
Be hem fe Court stod al amended;

LIBER OCTAVUS l6^

ffor wher bei comen in presence, [THECOM-

, , . . . PANIES OF

Men deden hem pe reuerence, 2610 LOVERS.]

As fogh fei hadden be goddesses,

Of al fis world or Emperesses.

And as me foghte, an Ere I leide,

And herde hou fat fese ofre seide,

Lo, fese ben fe foure wyues,

Whos feij? was proeued in her lyues :

ffor in essample of alle goode

Wif Mariage so f ei stode,

That fame, which no gret fing hydef,

}it in Cronique of hem abydef. 2620

Penolope f>at on was hote,
Whom many a knyht haf> loued hote,
Whil J?at hire lord Vlixes lay
ffull many a $er and many a day
Vpon J?e grete Siege of Troie:
Bot sche, which ha)? no worldes ioie
Bot only of hire housebonde,
Whil fat hir lord was out of londe,
So wel haj> kept hir wommanhiede,
That al fe world ferof tok hiede, 2630

And nameliche of hem in Grece.

That of>er womman was Lucrece,
Wif to J?e Remain Collatin;
And sche constreigned of Tarquin
To ]> ing which was ajein hir wille,
Sche wolde noght hirseluen stille,
Bot deide only for drede of schame
In keping of hire goode name,
As sche which was on of fe beste.

The fridde wif was hote Alceste, 2640
Which whanne Ametus scholde dye

168 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE COM. Vpon his grete maladye,

PANIESOF 0 , ., , j,

LOVERS.] Sche preide vnto fe goddes so,
That sche receyuef al fe wo,
And deide hirself to 31116 him lif :
Lo, if f is were a noble wif.

The ferfe wif which I f er sih,
I herde of hem fat were nyh
Hov sche was cleped Alcione;
Which to Seyix hir lord al one 2650

And to nomo hir body kepte,
And whan sche sih him dreynt, sche lepte
Into fe wawes where he swam,
And fere a Sefoul sche becam,
And wif hire wenges him bespradde
ffor loue which to him sche hadde.

Lo, f ese foure were f o
Whiche I sih, as me foghte fo,
Among fe grete compaignie
Which loue hadde forto guye : <ft**^*~ 2660
Bot ^ouf e, which in special
Of loues Court was Mareschal,
So besy was vpon his lay, 4*^ t «. tfc. OHV
That he non hiede where I lay <™»p**~f.-
Haf take. And fanne, as I behield,

Me foghte I sih vpon fe field,
Where Elde cam a softe pas
Toward Venus, fer as sche was.
Wif him gret compaignie he ladde,
Bot noght so manye as ^ovfe hadde: 2670
The moste part were of gret Age,
And fat was sene in f e visage,
And noght forfi, so as fei myhte,
Thei made hem jongly to f e sihte :

LIBER OCTAVUS 169

Bot ait herde I no pipe fere [THE COM-

m i T- PANIES OF

To make noise in mannes Ere, LOVERS.]

Bot f e Musette I myhte knowe, j. rvuu^

fFor olde men which sounef lowe,

Wif Harpe and Lute and wif Citole. <a- j£u^<-

The houedance and fe Carole, 2680

In such a wise as loue haf bede,

A softe pas fei dance and trede;

And wif fe wommen oferwhile

Wif sober chier among fei smyle,

ffor laghtre was f er non on hyh.

And natheles full wel I syh

That fei fe more queinte it made ^

ffor loue, in whom fei weren glade. twwwuuj ( tu>ocru4 f

And J?ere me foghte I myhte se
The king Dauid wif> Bersabee, 2690

And Salomon was noght wif>oute ;
Passende an hundred on a route
Of wyues and of Concubines,
luesses bofe and Sarazines,
To him I sih alle entendant : i<rucA &
I not if he was sufficant, -iu^LuW"
Bot natheles for al his wit
He was attached wif fat writ •
Which loue wij> his Hond enselej?,
ffro whom non erj>ly man appele]?. 2700
And ouerfis, as for a wonder,
WiJ? his leon which he put vnder,
WiJ? Dalida Sampson I knew,
Whos loue his strengfe al ouerfrew.

I syh fere Aristotle also,
Whom fat fe queene of Grece so
HaJ? bridled, fat in f ilke time

170 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE COM- Sche made him such a Silogime,

PANIES OF ™, , - i r • i

LOVERS.] I hat he format al his logique ;

Ther was non art of his Practique,

Thurgh which it mihte ben excluded

That he ne was fully concluded

To loue, and dede his obeissance.

And ek Virgile of Aqueintance

I sih wher he fe Maiden preide, _ jj^w£*

Which was f e doghter, as men seide^^*^

Of themperour whilom of Rome;

Sortes and Plato wif him come,

So dede Ouide fe Poete.

I f oghte fanne how loue is swete, 2720

Which haf so wise men reclamed,

And was miself fe lasse aschamed,

Or forto lese or forto winne

In fe meschief fat I was inne:

And f us I lay in hope of grace.

And whan fei comen to fe place
Wher Venus stod and I was falle,
These olde men wif o vois alle
To Venus preiden for my sake.
And sche, fat myhte noght forsake 2730
So gret a clamour as was fere,
Let Pite come into hire Ere ;
And forf wifal vnto Cupide
Sche preif fat he vpon his side
Me wolde furgh his grace sende
Som confort, fat I myhte amende,
Vpon fe cas which is befalle.
And f us for me fei preiden alle
Of hem fat weren olde aboute,
And ek some of fe jonge route, 2740

LIBER OCTAVUS

171

Of gentilesse and pure troufe
I herde hem telle it was gret roufe,
That I wifouten help so ferde.
And fus me foghte I lay and herde.

Cupido, which may hurte and hele
In loues cause, as for myn hele
Vpon fe point which him was preid
Cam wif Venife, wher I was leid
Swounende vpon fe grene gras.
And, as me foghte, anon fer was
On euery side so gret presse,
That euery lif began to presse,
I wot noght wel hov many score,
Suche as I spak of now tofore,
Louers, fat comen to beholde,
Bot most of hem fat weren olde :
Thei stoden fere at filke tyde,
To se what ende schal betyde
Vpon f e cure of my sotie.
Tho myhte I hiere gret partie
Spekende, and ech his oghne avis
Haf told, on fat, an of er f is :
Bot among alle fis I herde,
Thei weren wo fat I so ferde,
And seiden fat for no riote
An old man scholde noght assote ;
ffor as f ei tolden redely,
Ther is in him no cause why,
Bot if he wolde himself benyce ;
So were he wel fe more nyce.
And fus desputen some of f o,
And some seiden nof ing so,

2750

2760

[CUPID AND THE
LOVER.]

Hie tractat
qualiter Cupido
Amantis senec-
tute confracti
viscera perscru-
tans, ignita sue
concupiscencie
tela ab eo peni-
tus extraxit,
quern Venus pos-
tea absque ca-
lore percipiens,
vacuum reliquit :
et sic tandem
prouisa Senec-
tus, racionem in-
uocans, hominem
interiorem per
prius amore in-
fatuatum mentis
sanitati plenius
restaurauit.

(^

172

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[CUPIDANDTHE Bot bat be wylde loues rage
LOVER.] r ' ' °

In marines hi forberp non Age;

Nota.

[THE FIERY
DART WITH-
DRAWN.]

Whil J>er is oyle forto fyre,

The lampe is lyhtly set afyre,

And is fulhard er it be queynt,

Bot only if it be som seint,

Which god preseruef of his grace.

And }>us me }?oghte, in sondri place 2780

Of hem fat walken vp and doun

Ther was diuerse opinioun :

And for a while so it laste,

Til J>at Cupide to fe laste,

fforf wij> his moder full auised,

Haf> determined and deuised

Vnto what point he wol descende.

And al fis time I was liggende

Vpon Ipe ground tofore his yhen,

And J>ei }?at my desese syhen 2790

Supposen noght I scholde liue :

Bot he, which wolde fanne jiue

His grace, so as it mai be,

This blinde god which mai noght se,

Haf groped til f>at he me fond ;

And as he pitte forj? his hond

Vpon my body, wher I lay,

Me foghte a fyri Lancegay,

Which whilom furgh myn herte he caste,

He pulle]? oute, and also faste 2800

As Jris was do, Cupide nam

His weie, I not where he becam,

And so dede al ]>e remenant

Which vnto him was entendant,

Of hem )?at in Auision

LIBER OCTAVUS 173

I hadde a reuelacion,

So as I tolde now tofore.

Bot Venus wente noght ferfore,
Ne Genius, whiche filke time
Abiden bofe faste byme. 2810

And sche which mai J>e hertes bynde
In loues cause and ek vnbinde,
Er I out of mi trance aros,
Venus, which hield a boiste clos,^rjt
And wolde noght I scholde deie,
Tok out mor cold fan eny keie ^L
An oignement, and in such point
Sche haj? my wounded herte enoignt,
My temples and my Reins also.
And for]? wif>al sche tok me }>o 2820

A wonder Mirour forto holde,
In which sche bad me to beholde
And taken hiede of J?at I syhe ; *L - a-M-
Wherinne anon myn hertes yhe
I caste, and sih my colour fade,
Myn yhen dymme and al vnglade,
Mi chiekes finne, and al my face
Wff> Elde I myhte se deface,
So riveled and so wo besein,
That fer was noting full ne plein; 2830
I syh also myn heres hore.
Mi will was J>o to se nomore
OutwiJ>, for j?er was no plesance;
And J>anne into my remembrance
I drowh myn olde daies passed,
And as reson it ha]? compassed,
I made a liknesse of miselue , Q«°.d *Ltatu.s

noimms Mensi-

Vnto be sondri Monbes twelue. bus anni equi-

peratur.

174 CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[THE HEALING Wherof f e 3eer in his astat

Is mad, and stant vpon debat, 2840

That lich til ofer non acordef .
ffor who fe times wel recordef,
And Jeanne at Marche if he beginne,
Whan fat fe lusti seer comf inne,
Til Augst be passed and Septembre,
The myhty 3ouf e he may remembre
In which fe ^eer haf his deduit ^^
Of gras, of lef, of flour, of fruit,
Of corn and of f e wyny grape.
And afterward fe time is schape 2850

To frost, to Snow, to Wind, to Rein,
Til eft fat Mars be come asein :
The Wynter wol no Somer knowe,
The grene lef is ouerf rowe,
The closed erfe is f anne bare,
Despuiled is f e Somerfare, "
That erst was hete is fanne chele.
And J>us f enkende foghtes fele,
I was out of mi swoune affraied,
Wherof I sih my wittes straied, 2860

And gan to clepe hem horn a^ein.
And whan Resoun it herde sein
That loues rage was aweie,
He cam to me f e rihte weie,
And haj> remued J>e sotie
Of filke vnwise fantasie,
Wherof fat I was wont to pleigne,
So fat of f ilke fyri peine
I was mad sobre and hoi ynowh.

Venus behield me fan and lowh, 2870
And axef , as it were in game,

LIBER OCTAVUS

175

What loue was: and I for schame

Ne wiste what I scholde ansuere;

And natheles I gan to swere

That be my troupe I knew him noght;

So ferr it was out of mi f>oght,

Riht as it hadde neuere be,

Mi goode Sone, J>o quod sche,

Now at f>is time I lieue it wel,

So go}? j?e fortune of my whiel; 2880

fforjri mi conseil is J>ou leue. &A*M

Ma dame, I seide, be jour leue,
:$e witen wel, and so wot I,
That I am vnbehouely u^
^our Court fro }>is day forf> to serue:
And for I may no J>onk deserue,
And also for I am refused,
I preie jou to ben excused.
And natheles as for fe laste,
Whil J>at my wittes wi}) me laste, 2890

Touchende mi confession
I axe an absolucion
Of Genius, er fat I go.
The Prest anon was redy J>o,
And seide, Sone, as of }>i schrifte
Thou hast ful pardoun and forjifte;
fforjet it feu, and so wol I.

Min holi fader, grant mercy,
Quod I to him, and to J»e queene
I fell on knes vpon fe grene, 2900

And tok my leue forto wende.
Bot sche, J?at wolde make an ende,
As ferto which I was most able, ^»A.^ vo*j
A Peire of Bedes blak as Sable

[THE HEALING

[THE ABSOLU-
TION.]

Amans.

I76

CONFESSIO AMANTIS

[LEAVE-TAKING Sche tok and heng my necke aboute :
OF VENUS.] ° /

Vpon f e gaudes al wifoute AJUJ« 0-

Was write of gold, For reposer.
Lo, fus sche seide, lohn Gower,
Now fou art ate laste cast,

OuUUUlt

\ e,; UN ^ .

—

aU^»

• •

2920

This haue I for fin ese cast, ^^ ,

That fou nomore of loue sieche.

Bot my will is fat fou besieche

And preie hierafter for f e pes,

And fat fou make a plein reles o

To loue, which takf litel hiede «f *

Of olde men vpon f e nede,

Whan fat f e lustes ben aweie :

fForf i to fee nys bot o weie,

In which let reson be fi guide;

ffor he may sone himself misguide,

That sef noght fe peril tofore.

Mi Sone, be wel war ferfore,

And kep f e sentence of my lore,

And tarie fou mi Court nomore,

Bot go fer vertu moral duellef ,

Wher ben f i bokes, as men tellef,

Whiche of long time fou hast write.

ffor f is I do fee wel to wite,

If fou fin hele wolt pourchace,

Thou miht noght make suite and chace, 2930

Wher fat f e game is noght pernable ;

It were a fing vnresonable,

A man to be so ouerseie. "" '

fforf i tak hiede of fat I seie ;

fTor in f e lawe of my comune

We be noght schape to comune,

Thiself and I, neuere after fis.

Now haue y seid al fat fer is

LIBER OCTAVUS ' 177

Of loue as for f i final ende : [LEAVE-TAKING

A ,. f t , , , OF VENUS.]

Adieu, for y mot fro f e wende. 2940

And wif fat word al sodeinly,

Enclosid in a starred sky,

Venus, which is the qweene of loue,

Was take in to hire place aboue,

More wist y nought wher sche becam.

And f us my leue of hire y nam,

And forf wif al f e same tide

Hire prest, which wolde nought abide,

Or be me lief or be me lof,

Out of my sighte forf he go)?, 2950

And y was left wif outen helpe.

So wiste I nought wher of to jelpe,

Bot only fat y hadde lore

My time, and was sori f er fore.

And f us bewhapid in my fought.

Whan al was turnyd in to nought,

I stod amasid for a while,

And in my self y gan to smyle

Thenkende vppon fe bedis blake,

And how fey weren me betake, f** ,^2960

ffor fat y schulde bidde and preie.

And whanne y sigh non ofre weie,

Bot only fat y was refusid,

Vnto f e lif which y hadde vsid

I foughte neuere torne a^ein :

And in fis wise, sof to seyn,

Homward a softe pas y wente,

Wher fat wif al myn hoi entente

Vppon f e point fat y am schryue

I fenke bidde whil y Hue. 2970

2940-2970 written over erasure F 2946 here F

2970 lieue F

NOTES

In references ' Prol.' means the Prologue of the Confessio A mantis,
and Roman numbers i, ii, iii, &c., refer to the successive books of this
poem.

LIB. I.

Latin. Verses. The principal difference in spelling between Medieval
and Classical Latin is the fact that the original diphthongs a and ce are
represented by e, as here in ' nature/ ' egra.' .

1. i. Naturatus amor. This is the love spoken of by Chaucer
(after Boethius) in the Knightes Tale, 2139 ff.,

' For with that faire cheyne of love he bond
The fyr, the eyr, the water and the lond
In certeyn boundes, that they may not flee.'

It is the principle of harmony and order as opposed to discord and
chaos.

I. 5. Sunt in agone pares : cp. below 11. 42 ff. of the English text, where
the poet represents Love as a capricious power, to which are really due
those changes which we attribute to fortune. Hence it is made respon-
sible here for the Peasants' rising and similar disturbances, acting in the
human race as a source of unbridled impulses and desires.

II. 7, 8. This description of love by paradoxical combination of
opposites 'egra salus/ ' vexata quies/ ' bellica pax/ &c., was a common-
place of the poetry of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries : cp. Rom.
de la Rose, 4320 ff.,

'Amors ce est pais ha'ineuse,
Amors est haine amoreuse/ &c.

So in the lines ' Est amor in glosa pax bellica, lis pietosa/ &c., which
follows Gower's balades on Marriage.

i ff. After a Prologue, in which the author sets forth the evils of the
existing state of society, tracing them for the most part to lack of love
between man and man, the author now deliberately renounces the task
of setting right the world, an undertaking which he has net shrunk from
in former years, but recognizes now as too great for his powers. He
proposes to change the style of his writings and treat now of something

N 2

180 NOTES

which all can understand, namely of that emotion of love which has been
implanted by Nature both in man and beast, and which no one is able
to keep within rule or measure. The former works to which he refers
are the French Speculum Hominis (or Speculum Meditantis} and the
Latin Vox Clamantis, in both of which he deals with the whole state of
human society and the problems of good and evil.

3. in balance, 'in a doubtful and perilous state': cp. iii. 2504^,

* Bot if ]>ei wolde in o]?er wise
Be werre haue broght in ]>e creance,
It hadde jit stonde in balance.'

10. offiing is, i. e. ' of thing which is ' : cp. ii. 1393, ' Wijrinne a Schip
was stiereles ' ; iii. 219, ' And sih J>e child was late bore '; v. 298, ' Vnto a
flod was faste by.'

1 6. sene : a quite usual form of the past participle of this verb
(beside ' sen,' ProL 342, « Bot ofte is sen >at,' &c.) : cp. Prol. 789, « And
)>at was on )>e Lombardz sene ' (rhyming with ' betwene '). It is hardly
correct to say that it is an adjective form, though it may have arisen
from confusion with an adjective. Gower uses also 'seie,' ii. 967, and
' sein,' i. 2883, &c., as past participles of the verb 'se.'

19. That, 'So that.'

21. natheles\ this seems to mean here 'moreover,' rather than 'never-
theless': cp. vii. 3877.

37. 'Wheresoever it pleases him to set himself,' 'him' serving a
double function.

50. "went', present tense, 'goes.'

54. Referring to the man who loses his reward, ' So that he is like one
playing at dice.' So in the succeeding lines, ' He not,' &c., the pronoun
refers to the lover.

57. Wher, i.e. 'Whether.'

62. / am miseluen, &c. Note however that the author guards himself
in the margin with ' quasi in persona aliorum, quos amor alligat, fingens
se . . . esse Amantem.'

65. 'As regards this matter': cp. p. 107 and 2137, 'As forto speke
of time now.'

77. schall: an exceptional form of the plural, but the best MSS. are
in agreement. Elsewhere Gower has ' schul(l),' ' schulle(n),' or ' schol.'

79 ff. ' That every man take example with regard to the wisdom that
is delivered to him, and that he knows by good teaching, to proclaim it
to the world.'

88. vnsely iolif 'wo : * iolif means ' amorous,* ' wanton ': cp. vi. 1052.
In Balades, xiii. 24, Gower speaks of love as ' le iolif mal sanz cure.'

Lattn Verses, 1. 5. ' The errors of the leader give warning to him
who coming behind approaches the perils that have been experienced.'

LIB. /, //. 3-205 l8l

1.7. The order of words is involved : ' casus, quibus Venus me amantem
laqueauit.'

98. This enderday, i.e. 'A few days ago ' : cp. v. 7400, ' This ender-
day, as I gan fare.' See the New Engl. Diet., where it is referred to
the Old Norse adverb, l endr,' ' formerly.' We have also the phrases
' this ender night ' and ' this ender (or endris) yere.'

The construction is broken off and the sentence resumed in a new
form afterwards.

107. ' As regards any success' : cp. 1. 65.

115. al myn one. The phrase was perhaps originally ' al me one,'
like ' al him one,' i. 3144, i.e. 'alone by myself (or 'for myself).
So we have ' him alone ' (and even ' al him alone,') and ' Mr alone,'
whence the Northern English ' her lane,' ' her ' being taken as a posses-
sive, and so also ' my lane,' &c. The word ' one ' as an adjective in the
sense of ' alone ' is regularly dissyllabic, and in Chaucer, Leg. of Good
Women, 2378 (for example), we must read 'alone' rhyming with
' mone', not ' aloon ' with ' moon' : cp. Conf. Am. i. 3143 f.

147. list: preterite, for ' liste,' so 'cast,' 1. 152. The omission of
final ' e ' in these cases is found fairly often in our text before vowels or
mute ' h,' but hardly before a consonant : one instance to the contrary is
v. 7137, ' Bot I wold stele, if ]>at I mihte.'

151. forto tellen hiere, ' as I may say ' : cp. 1. 65. Such redundancies
are not uncommon.

160. scheo\ elsewhere in Gower regularly 'sche.'

1 68. fiyne, plural. *~

184. SeyforJ), ' Go on speaking*: cp. i. 2668, 'Now axe)) for)).'

187. Be so, ' if so be that,' equivalent to ' if.'

189. In aunter if, ' on the chance that ' : cp. ii. 480,
' In aunter if wi]> eny wile
Thei mihte hire innocence enchaunte.'

194. on and on, ' one thing at a time,' ' one thing after another' : cp.
1. 245 and vi. 1315, ' He worchejj on and on be rowe.'

196. The idea of 'Genius' is perhaps taken jrom the Rjom. de la I
-where Genius is the priest of Nature, ' qui ce"l?broif en sa chapelle,r \
and she confesses to him, 16487 ff. (ed. Meon). Genius had been
introduced as the priest of Venus also in Gower's Latin poem, the Vox
Clamantis (iv. 587 ff. ), and he is there made the confessor for ill-regulated
convents. A marginal note by the author in that passage seems to imply
that he borrowed the idea from some Latin poet. In any case the
connexion with Venus has to do with the Roman idea of Genius as a
god who presides over the begetting of children.

205. Benedicite : the regular beginning of a confessor's address to his
penitent : so in Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, ii. 3. 31.

1 82 NOTES

213. Cp. Rom. de la Pose, 16927 f. (of Nature confessing to Genius),
' Qui dit par grant de"vocion
En plorant sa confession.'

225. my schrifte oppose, ( question me as to my confession ' : compare
the use of ' opponere ' in the margin here and below, 11. 298, 708, &c.

232. tome. This is Gower's form of combination when the accent is
to be thrown on the preposition. We have also ' byme,' ii. 2016, &c. ;
' tome,1 1. 294, &c. ; ' untome,' iii. 99 ; ' to>e,' iv. 1875. In such cases,
as is seen below, 1. 294, the final syllable is weak and subject to elision.

243. }at, to be taken with ' whos,' as in ' who J>at,' ' what £at,' 'if ]>at,'
' how }>at,' &c.

247. fou myht, ' thou mayest.' This (or ' miht') is the regular form of
the second person singular of ' may ' in Gower. The infinitive is ' mo we.'

248. Cp. 1. 452 and ii. 283, ' To hindre wi]> an o]>re wyht.'

271. now])er text ne glose, ( neither the text of them nor the comment ' :
cp. Chaucer, Legend of Good Women, 328 f.,

' For in plein text, withouten nede of glose,
Thou hast translated the Romance of the Rose.'

279. remene, 'bring back,' 'apply,' from French 'remener' (pres. ind.
' remeine ').

283. It nede} noght, 'there is no need,' cp. i. 714, ii. 1897.

To make it queinte, ' to be artful ' (or ' cunning'). The same meaning
is to be attached to the phrase in v. 4623,

' That J>ou canst maken it so queinte,

Thi slyhe wordes forto peinte.'

On the other hand in some passages the expression means ' to be gentle/
(or ' courteous') e. g. iv. 2314, and viii. 2687. The adjective ' queinte '
has a variety of meanings, among them ' artful,' ' cunning,' ' courteous.'
For the form of the phrase here cp. Chaucer, Troilus, v. 101, 'make
it tough.'

300. as to, ' as regards ' : cp. i. 713, 723. So, commonly, ' as of in the
same sense, e.g. 1. 557.

301. alle J)ing, 'everything': 'alle' is the regular form before a
substantive without the article, as 'alle wise,' i. 747, 'alle trowj>e,'
i. 925, 'alle sikernesse,' i. 1190, 'alle haste,' ii. 624, but it is sometimes
written ' al' Vhere there would be elision, as ' al honour,' i. 879, 'al
Envie,' ii. 168.

308. whomfiat, cp. 1. 243.

314 f. ' Except that their heart is full of suspicion in their desire to
hinder the success of another.'

320. The punctuation follows that of the manuscript. It would be
preferable for the sense to read ' To loue and do> ful gret meschief,'

LIB. /, //. 213-417 183

meaning * And doth great harm to love,' this position of the conjunction
being very common with Gower : cp. 1. 433.

326. alj>er werst: so ' al]>er best,' i. 1921, ' aljjermest/ i. 3102,
' aljjerworst/ vi. 238: 'al>er' is regularly used by Gower, but 'aller,'
* alder/ usually by Chaucer, in this genitive plural form.

331 f. Rhymes like this are allowable if the words are really different,
or even if used merely in a different sense : cp. 441 f., 473 f.

333 ff. This story is from Ovid, Metam. iii. I38ff.

341. caste his chiere, ' set his face.'

346. ' Where it seemed to him best to find/ i. e. ' Where he thought
he would best find.'

350. as he cam ride. This is the regular Old English use of the infinitive
after verbs of motion, replaced in the fifteenth century by the present
participle: cp. iv. 1307.

367. hire, a dissyllable in the verse, being rather emphatic, so also
i. 872, 1667. On the other hand it is often slurred, as i. 884, ' and ]>ei
hire bidden forto slepe/ 1673, * In place wher as he hire lefte.'

369. as sche which : a common form in Gower ; cp. Prol. 186, ' As he
which is king souereign/ 1020, ' as he J>at wolde feihte/ so i. 695, 925,
2170; cp. Mirour , 27942, ' Comme cil q'est tout puissant/ 'being all-
powerful.'

383. who )at hiede take, &c., ' if a man gave heed to the matter, he
would see/ &c., ' toke' being subjunctive : cp. Prol. 460, 'Who ]>at here
wordes vnderstode/ and so also ii. 88, iii. 971, &c. On the other hand
we have the verb sometimes indicative, as Prol. 13, ' who ]>at al of wisdom
writ,' i. 481, &c. Similar expressions are used in Gower's French, e. g.
Mirour de tOmme, 9055, <qui bien guarde en son purpens/ 16541, 'qui
bien se cure.'

389 ff. From Ovid, Metam. iv. 77 2 ff ., but not from that source alone, for
Gower adds details, e. g. the names of Medusa's sisters, which are not
to be found there. The names which he gives them are meant for Stheno
and Euryale. The confusion between the Gorgons and the Graeae which
we find here, 11. 405 ff., is also to be found in Boccaccio, De Genealogia
Deorum, x. 10, with which Gower may have been acquainted.

397 ff. ]>at on . . . That ojter, ' the one . . . the other ' : cp. Prol. 649,
' Bot if J>at on J>at o]>er waste.' So Chaucer, Squieres Tale, 495 f.,
'And euer whyl that oon hir sorwe tolde,
That other weep/
where the gender is feminine as here.

413. What man, 'whatever man' : so ' what womman/ i. 1610; also
' what man )>at/ &c., e. g. Prol. 68, 399.

414. ahfaste-. cp. 1. 474, ii. 1267, also 'als so faste/ i. 1041, ii. 132,
'als blyue/ iv. 1854, 'als so bliue/ vi. 1430.

4X7- of}**) ' because/ cp. i. 3279, ii. 3287, &c.

184 NOTES

419. Perseus : such names as this have the termination regularly
dissyllabic in Gower and Chaucer ; so ' Theseus,' 'Peleus,' 'Tereus,' &c.

422. Mercurie, metrically equivalent to ' Mercure,' so 'To studie
vpon', Prol. 323, 'To serue Accidie in his office/ iv. 539, ' Ha]> 3it
Perjurie of his acord,' v. 3225, &c.

Mercury's sword is mentioned neither by Ovid nor Boccaccio.

433. For the position of the conjunction cp. ProL 155, 521, 756, 759,
1014, i. 444, 854, 3281, iii. 1394, 1631, &c. This is one of the charac-
teristics of Gower's style and appears also frequently in his French, e. g.
Mirour, 415, ' Depar le deable et luy pria.'

452. To tarie wij), ' with which to vex' : cp. i. 248, 2172, ii. 283, &c.

4631!. The legend is founded upon Psalm Iviii. 4f. (Vulg. Ivii.
5 f.) ' Furor illis secundum similitudinem serpentis ; sicut aspidis surdae
et obturantis aures suas, quae non exaudiet vocem incantantium,' &c.
(Hence the genitive form ' Aspidis ' in our author's text, though he has
'aspis' in the margin). The moral application is connected with the
Gospel precept, ' Be ye wise as serpents,' to which reference is made in
the Mirour, 15253 ff. The serpent's method of stopping his ears was
perhaps first suggested by Augustine, who is followed by Isidore ; but
there is nothing in these authorities about the carbuncle.

474. alsfaste : cp. 1. 414.

481. who fiat recorde]) : see note on 1. 383.

483. The 'tale of Troie' which is followed here is the Historia
Troiana of Guido delle Colonne (' de Columpnis,' Chaucer, Hous of
Fame, iii. 379), Gower's usual authority for the stories connected with
the Trojan war, including the tale of Jason and Medea.

492 ff. For the form of sentence cp. 1981 ff. This accumulation of
clauses with ' so' and 'such* is observable also in our author's French
style, and the use of relatives like ' wherof ' (1.503), 'which,' &c., in
correspondence with these words, is like that of ' Dont,' ' Par quoy,' &c.,
in the French: e.g. Mir our, 219 ff.,

' Et tant luy fist plesant desport,
Dont il fuist tant enamoure
Que sur sa fille,' &c.

518. tofor J>e hand, 'beforehand': so in French « devant la mein,'
Mir. 8370, ' apres la mein,' 5436.

527. According to Guido, 'plus quam mille ex eis interfecimus.'

532. hiere, subjunctive: cp. ii. 252,

* Me recchej* noght who ouerj>rowe.'

557. as of: cp. Prol. 492, i. 1969, and note on 1. 300.

570. ' Thy senses have gone far astray ': cp. i. 924, ' This lady wit was
al to seche,' ii. 44, &c.

574. ofire fiing: probably plural, but the usual plural form is 'Binges'
or ' ]>inge,' e.g. Prol. 255, i. 1265, "• 255> v- 3885, &c.

LIB. 7, //. 419-718 185

Latin Verses. 1. I. Aquilaque Leone : for ' Aquila que Leone,' the con-
junction ' que ' being frequently used by Gower in this manner, e. g.
* Teque tuum regnum' ('Thee and thy kingdom'), ' paxque potestas*
(' peace and power ').

1. 4. Clamat, ' claims.'

1. 8. sub latitante, * lurking underneath,' * sub ' being an adverb.

577. applied, ' assigned' : cp. iv. 2607,

'To whom Jus art is most applied.'

v. 913, ' And jit a Sterre vpon ]>e Sky

He ha]) vnto his name applied.'

588. what )e_mene. Note that throughout the shrift, the Confessor |
addresses the Lover in the second person singular, and the Lover replies '
with the second person plural.

595. feigne]) conscience : ' makes pretence as to his state of mind*
(' As J)Ogh it were al innocence ') : cp. iii. 1504, ' Mi conscience I woll
noght hyde.'

608. These ordres, i. e. ' The orders ' (of religion) : so ' >ese clerkes,'
Prol. 900.

620. blesse]), ' crosses himself ': cp. v. 5022.

626. // schewefi, ' It appears ' : cp. Prol. 834,

* Wherof ]>e so]?e schewe may,
At Rome ferst if we beginne.'

636. deuolte apparantie : the words are French, and the French femin-
ine inflexion is used for the adjective : cp. ' seinte apparantie,' Mirour,
1 1 24. On the other hand ' deuoute ' in 1. 669 seems to be a plural
form.

637. set, present tense: so 11. 650, 707, cp. 'cast,' 663, 'halt,' 686,
' put,' 690.

6^S.^ese o}re seculers, ' the men of the world also.'

650. ' He makes no reckoning in his account' : cp. i. 2241.

6So./brJ> wij>, 'together with': cp. Prol. 680, 'ffor> wi> his Sone
Cambises,' i. 2169, 'fforj) wi}> here children,' ii. 3474, ' forj) wij>all.'

695. As he which, &c., that is simply, 'feigning to be sick': so iv.
J^SS, 'As he which feigne)> to be wod.' For the expression 'as he
which,' ' as sche which,' cp. note on 1. 369.

698. ' And makes many a pretence ': cp. iv. 1180.

699. belieue, substantive.

709. Entamed, ' wounded ' : used in a similar moral sense in Mirour,
25161, 'Car Covoitise les entame.'

713. As forto feigne, ' as regards feigning ' : see note on 1. 300.
718 ff. For this form of sentence, 'So lowe cowj>e I neuere bowe, . . .

186 NOTES

That me ne leste betre loute,' which is a favourite one with our author
in all his three languages, cp. i. 1319 ff.,

' For ]>er was neuere rooted tre,
That stod so faste in his degre,
That I ne stonde more faste
Upon hire loue.'
So, for example, Mirour, 18589 ff.,

' Unques le corps de sainte Heleine
Serchant la croix tant ne se peine,
Qe nous ovesque nostre Court
Assetz n'y mettons plus du peine,' &c.
Vox Clamantis,'\. 263 ff.,

' In Colchos tauri, quos vicit dextra lasonis,
Non ita sulphureis ignibus ora fremunt,
Quin magis igne boues isti,' &c.

Cp. Balades, vii. 23, xviii. 8, xxx. 10, Vox Clamantis, i. 355, 449,
499, &c.

722. schal me neuere asterte, ' shall neuer happen to me ' : cp. i. 1934,
' Bot )jat ne schal me noght asterte,
To wene forto be worjri
To louen, bot in hir mercy.'
Also absolutely, v. 707, ' Thogh such an happ of loue asterte.'

732. in $o ure grace, ' at your mercy.'

733. ' For I shall not allege this in my defence, that/ &c.

1886. til it ouerj>rowe, ' till it fall into calamity,' ' ouer]>rowe ' being
intransitive, as in 1. 1962.

1888. Hadde I wist, i. e. repentance for error : cp. ii. 473,
' And Jms fulofte hirself sche skierej),
And is al war of hadde I wist.'

1890. alle : cp. 1. 1903, and see note on 1. 301.

1895. And is, i. e. ' And he is,' the pronoun being frequently omitted:
cp. Prol. 676, « And hield him stille,' i. 2083, &c.

1911. vpon J)e cause of loue, ' in the case of love ' : cp. i. 2261.

1917 f. A proverbial expression: cp. Lydgate, Secres of the Philo*
sophres, 459, ' Yit wer me loth ovir myn hed to hewe.'

1921. afyer best : see note on 1. 326.

1934 f. See note on 1. 722.

1938. That I scholde\ quoting the terms of the charge made against
him. We may compare the use of * sollte ' in modern German.

1942. Though the Lover addresses the Confessor regularly in the

LIB. I, //. 722-2099 187

second person plural, cp. note on 1. 588, yet the forms of the imperative
used are often singular. We had 'axe)> ' in 1. 1875, but ' lest ' here and
' 3if ' in 1. 1972. This interchange of singular and plural in the impera-
tive is common also in other cases, e.g. v. 2333 ff., viii. 1509 f.

1963. be me, ' in regard to me.'

1967. vnbende, ' I unbent ' ; so ' sende,' 1. 2003.

1975. were: subjunctive, because dependent on a conditional clause.

1980 ff. The example of Capaneus is probably from Statius. The
medieval romances do not represent Capaneus as slain by a lightning
stroke. The impious speech here alluded to, ' Primus in orbe decs fecit
timor ! ' is in Statius, Theb. iii. 661, and the death of Capaneus is
narrated later, Theb. x. 827 ff.

1986. it was an ydel speche, i.e. the invocation of the gods in prayer.

1991. Til ate taste, &c. This really introduces a consecutive clause
after 'such ' : so ' Wherof ' in 1. 2019. The sentence is rather rambling.
' He held this opinion so presumptuously, that at last, when this knight
was in arms and about to assail the city of Thebes, God himself took up
the battle against his pride.'

2007. it proeuej), 'it appears* : cp. Pro/. 926,

' So may it proeuen wel be ])is,
A mannes Senne is forto hate.'

202 1 ff. This story was probably taken by Gower from the Vita
Barlaam etjosaphat, cap. vi. The incidents are the same, but amplified
with details by Gower, who has also invented the king's title. The story
is found in several collections, including the Gesta Romanorum.

2030. ride amaied, cp. v. 145, ' This Prest was drunke and go]?
astraied ' ; vii. 2660, ' J>ei wente aboute astraied ' ; so also Chaucer, Cant.
Tales, C 406, 'Though that her soules goon a blakeberyed,' D 354,
'goon a-caterwawed,' Piers Plowman, C. ix. 138, 'folk that gon
a-begged.' See Skeat's notes on these passages. Whatever may have
been the origin of these forms, it is evident that Chaucer and Gower
took them for past participles. For the practice of going out Maying
cp. Chaucer, Knightes Tale, 189, 639 ff., with Skeat's notes.

2047. For this negative, cp. i. 2388 ff.

2065. And humbled him, ' And to have humbled himself.'

2073. andwasj>e same: cp. i. 629.

2078. This line, which would more naturally follow the next, is
thrown in here parenthetically.

2083. Andfellen : cp. i. 1895.

2093. ne was redi: see note on 1. 718. The adjective here supplies
the same sense as a comparative.

2099. Him deignej), cp. iv, 3564 : but also personal, e. g. vi. 293,

188 NOTES

2131. }erof ' seme}. That whan, &c., ' Does service with it in such
a manner, that.'

2160. apointed, 'determined' : cp. ii. 3204.

2169. ffbrj) wij>, cp. 1. 680.

2170. See note on 1. 369.
2172. See note on 1. 452.

2176. sihe : the mixture of past with present tenses is common in Gower.

2236. obeie, 'do obeisance to ' : cp. v. 1539,

' And J?ei J>at )>anne wolden plese
The fader, scholden it obeie.'

2241. for tacompte, cp. i. 650.

2275. ff. The tale of Narcissus is doubtless from Ovid, Met. iii. 402 ff.,
but the account of his death is different from that which we find there.
Ovid relates that he pined away gradually, and that his body was not
found, but in place of it a flower.

2278. Cp. ii. 55.

2316 f. Cp. Boccaccio, Genealogia Deorum, vii. 59, 'existimans fontis
Nympham esse.' By the margin we find that the nymph here meant is
Echo, who is represented by Ovid as having wasted away for love of
Narcissus and as giving an answer to his cries.

2317. as ])o was fate, l as then was endued with magic power,' ' faie*
being an adjective, as in ii. 1019, iv. 1321, v. 3769.

2333- euere among', cp. ii. 1079, ' and euere among Sche wepte,' iii.
1459, 'Hire yhe alwei among sche caste Vpon hir loue.'

2343-2358. This pretty passage is a late addition to the poem,
appearing in the author's third edition.

2355 ff. This application of the story, founded on the fact that the
narcissus blooms in early spring, seems to be due to our author.
Similar additions are found elsewhere, e. g. ii. 196, iii. 1717.

2377. a place', equivalent to ' aplace,' which we find in i. 1888, i. e.
* on place,' 'into place* : cp. 'a ferr,' 1. 2335, 'a game,' viii. 2319.

2379. oftyme now. cp. iv. 1358.

2398. scholde haue : as a rule elision of weak -e takes place before
'haue,' e.g. Prol. 61, 'Thogh I seknesse haue vpon honde,' but i. 2542,
' Of such werk as it scholde haue,' where the word ' haue ' is made em-
phatic by standing in rhyme. On the other hand the preterite ' hadde'
and the participle ' had' regularly have ' h ' sounded, as i. 2465. Perhaps
here the true reading is ' scholde haue al his wille,' which is given by
most of the MSS.

3067 ff. The tale of the Three Questions is one of which the origin
does not seem, to have been traced, notwithstanding the details of name
and place which are given at the end, as, for example, that the king was

LIB. 7, //. 3131-3442 189

of .Spain and called Alphonso, that the knight's name was Pedro, and
his daughter's Petronilla. A reference to the second and third questions
occurs in the Mir our de fOmme, 12601 ff.

Latin Verses, 5 f. With these lines cp. 3407 ff.

3075. it myhte bere, ' could endure,' i.e. 'was able.'

3104. ' While at the same time least is expended upon it.'

3108. taxep, 'appoints': cp. ii. 334, 'And ]ms to hem his grace he
taxe]).'

3115. he schal be ded, 'he shall be slain' : so 1. 3185, and iv. 1959,
* Thurgh lust of armes weren dede.'

3153. herd jou seid: so v. 1623, 7609, ' herd me told.' This form of
expression for ' herd 3ou seie,' &c., may have sprung from such a use of the
participle as we have in v. 3376, ' Sche hadde herd spoke of his name ' :
cp. the use of participle for infinitive with 'do' in ii. 1799, 'He haj)
do slain,' and so Chaucer, Knightes Tale, 1055, ' Hath Theseus doon
wroght.'

3215. in certein: cp. ii. 1738, 'And J>oghte in certein ]>at he wolde
Vengeance take,' &c.

3279. OfJ>at, 'because': cp. i. 417, 3401 ; so also Pro!. 333, i. 1128,
2566, ii. 70, &c.

3281. Cp. 11. 3305, 3330, and note on 1. 433.

3291. ' Thus with all respect to you.'

3297. telle, 'name': cp. iii. 450, 'I telle him schent.'

3343- What . . . }at : cp. Prol. 68, ' What wysman ]>at,' 997, 'what
J)ing J>at.'

3347. god mot, ' may God/ expressing a wish. This form is used as
an optative, but also ' mote,' as i. 2878, ' Vpon )>i fomen alle, Sire king,
J)i sweuene mote falle.' Usually either dependent, as ' God grante I mote,'
or with inverted order, as ' mot I.'

3357- sesed, a legal term, ' put into his possession.'

3366 f. lete, That I ne scholde be : cp. iv. 454, ' He swor it scholde
noght be lete . . . That it ne scholde be forlore.' So also v. 4465,
' I wol noght lete . . . That I ne schal hire sine and lene.' The word
'lete' (from 'Isetan') is used in the sense of omit,' and as a rule it is
followed by a negative. The same construction occurs with the past
participle ' let,' meaning ' hindered,' (from ' lettan'), in ii. 128, and the
sense is nearly the same. So also after 'forbere,' ii. I59f., cp. iv.
"35, H55, &c.

3381. asterte, ' escape (the influence of).'

3398. scene, a variation of ' sene.' So in Gower's French, Mirour,
16637, we have 'scilence,' and below, 1. 3417, 'redresced.'

3416. stand, for ' stonde,' subjunctive.

3442 f. The hellish nature of Envy consists in the fact that it wrongs
both itself and others without cause, that is, without having any further

190 NOTES

object to gain. It rejoices in evil for the sake of the evil itself, and not
for any advantage to be won from it.

LIB. II.

Latin Verses. 1. 4. de puro . . . velle, of mere good- will: the infinitive
is used as a substantive after the preposition, as in the phrase, ' produxit
ad esse,' ' brought into existence.'

ii. if it be so, equivalent to ' is it so,' from the form, 'I ask if it be so.'
20. Ethna\ cp. Mirour de fOmme, 3805 ff.,

'Ly mons Ethna, quele art toutdiz,
Nulle autre chose du paiis
Forsque soy mesmes poet ardoir;
Ensi q' Envie tient ou pis
En sentira deinz soy le pis.'

(The last two lines mean, * Thus whosoever has Envy in his breast
will feel the worst evil of it within himself.') The idea is that Envy,
like Mount Etna, burns within itself continually, but is never consumed :
cp. Ovid, Metam. xiii. 867 (in the tale which follows below of Acis and
Galatea),

'Uror enim, laesusque exaestuat acrius ignis,
Cumque suis videor translatam viribus Aetnam
Pectore ferre meo.'

25. Gower perhaps formed the word ' for stormed ' on the analogy of
'fordo,' ' fordriue,' ' forblowe,' &c., this prefix conveying the idea of being
overpowered or driven with violence.

32. who fat lese, &c. In i. 3287 we have 'who J>at' used with
indicative, so also Prol. 13, 550, i. 481, &c. The subjunctive makes the
phrase more indefinite : so Prol. 460, i. 383, ii. 88, &c.
44. See note on i. 570.

55. in alfiis world to seche, ' if one seeks throughout the world ' : cp.
i. 2278.

83. Write in Ciuile. ' Ciuile' is certainly the Civil Law, for so we
find it in Mirour, 15217, 16092, &c., and also personified in Piers
Plowman. It seems that the ' Lex Furia Caninia,' which restricted the
power of owners of slaves to manumit them by will, and which is called
in the Institutions of Justinian 'rather invidious ' ('quodammodo invidam'),
was taken by medieval commentators as a stock example of dog-in-the-
manger policy, and some supposed it to have been called « Canina ' (or
1 Caninia ') for this reason. So in Bromyard's Summa Predicantium,
under the head of ' Invidia.' Hence apparently the idea that this fable
J comes out of the Civil Law. It was probably found in some commentary
*on this passage of the Institutions (i. 7).

88. who J>at it vnderstode : cp. note on i. 383.

LIB. II, II. 1-3173 IQI

91. auaile, 'help': cp. ii. 265, so also v. 229, 'How J>at he mihte
his cause auaile.'

97. twelue, an indefinite number adopted for the rhyme ; so Prol. 1 58.

104 ff. This story is from Ovid, Metam. xiii. 750 ff., where it is told at
greater length. The circumstances, however, of Polyphemus running
round Etna and roaring with rage and jealousy before he killed Acis
are added by Gower, possibly from a misunderstanding of 1. 872.

115. See note on i. 107.

117. vpon alk, 'on all occasions.'

160. See note on i. 3366 f.

196 f. For this addition by our author cp. i. 2355 ff.

218. axe} for}-, cp. i. 184.

2501 ff. The source of this story does not seem to have been traced,

2537. The reading ' As >ei J>at' is given only by two MSS., but it
must be right. For the form of expression cp. Prol. 186, 1020, i. 369,
». 3327, &c.

2550. -which )at him beclipte: referring apparently to the Caliph of
Egypt, ' who pressed hard upon his borders.'

2558. Kaire. It is evident that our author conceives this as the
capital not of Egypt but of Persia : cp. 2648.

2569. ' Remains with the Soldan.'

2578. hair. This form is used in rhyme here and iv. 1252 : elsewhere
'heir,' e.g. i. 1429.

2616. ge]>, used for the rhyme, but it is the originally correct form
from O. E. gse]>.

2621. assemblen, 'engage in battle': cp. iv. 1953, 'Assemblen wi]>
here enemys.'

2630. what grace, ' what fortune.'

2642 f. ' How that it was a token that she should be his wife upon
her oath.'

2670. The same line occurs also i. 2106, ii. 895.

2675. vpon])ilke while, 'in old time.'

2680. tome, ' leisure,' ' opportunity,' from the adjective ' torn,' empty.

2708. consailed, ' advised by his council.'

2722. come, pret. plural, is a good rhyme to ' Rome,' but the infinitive,
past participle and pres. indie, 'come,' rhyme only with their own com-
pounds and with 'some,' 'nome' (participle) : cp. note on ii. 3260.

2739. And seide : for omission of pronoun subject cp. i. 1895.

2753- Wherofpei mihten, ' In order that they might.'

2778. Absolute construction, ' it being thus fully agreed.'

3173. According to the usually accepted moral scheme there were
seven virtues corresponding to the seven deadly vices. This is fully set

I92 NOTES

forth in our author's Mirour de rOmme. Answering to Pride, Envy,
Wrath, Sloth, Avarice, Gluttony, and Lechery, are Humility, Charity,
Patience, Prowess, Liberality, Temperance, and Chastity.

3i87ff. The Latin books referred to are 1*g_fT.rrpnt IJYftS nf Saint
Silvester, the substance of which is reproduced in the Legenda Aurea.
fcower tells the story in better style than we have it there, with
jamplifications of his own, especially as regards the reflections of Con-
jstantine, 3243 ff., and the preaching of Silvester to the Emperor, 3383 ff.
There are some variations in detail from the current account, which may
or may not point to a special source. For example, in the Life of
Silvester we are told that the Emperor met the lamenting mothers as
he was riding up to the Capitol to take his bath of blood, and the moun-
tain where Silvester lay in hiding is usually Soracte (or Saraptis), not
Celion.

3210. of Accidence. ' Accidentia' in its medical sense is explained as
* affectus praeter naturam ' : cp. v. 763, * and ofte of Accidence . . . Thei
ben corrupt be sondri weie.'

3241. as who seij>, 'so to speak,' a qualification of the succeeding
metaphor : cp. ii. 696, ' Stod )>anne, as who sei)>, ded for feere.'

3243 ff. These reflections, continued to 1. 3300, are an expanded and
improved form of the rather tasteless string of maxims given in the legend,
the most pointed of which is that with which our author concludes,
'Omnium se esse dominum comprobat, qui servum se monstraverit
pietatis.'

3260. his oghne wone, ' according to his own habits,' like * his oghne
hondes,' 1.1427, 'his oghne mou]>,' v. 5455, for 'with his own hands,' &c.
The only admissible rhyme to <sone' ( = son) is ' wone,' i.e. this
substantive or the corresponding verb (O. E. sunu, wunian).

3308. hem, ' themselves.'

3338. The punctuation is that of the Fairfax MS.

3364. The nedej> of. The more usual form is what we have, for
example, in i. 2446, 'Thus nede]> me no repentance,' iii. 1311, 'Non
o]>er good of )>ee me nede]?.' Also impersonal and followed by ' to,' as
i. 283.

3434. For the position of ' and' here and in 1. 3443, cp. i. 433.

3448. ./&//«, a Kentish form (from O. E. fyllan), used here for the
rhyme: cp. 'senne,' 'kesse,"dede,' 'hell,' &c. For the combination
'let do,' cp. ii. 1286, 'And let a fyr do make J>o/ and below 1. 3468.

3474. for]> wi]>all, 'moreover,' 'together with the rest': cp. ii. 791,
and note on i. 680.

3477. dede make, ' caused to be made ' : ' dede ' is Kentish for ' dyde.'

3482 ff. Gower had strong views about the temporal power of the
popes and the evil done by the (alleged) donation of Constantine. Cp.
Mirour, 18637, Vox Clamantis, iii. 283 ff.

LIB. II, I. 3187-7/7, 1459 193

3507. vertu souereine : a clear case of the French feminine inflexion,

so in 'veine gloire,' i. 2677 ff.

35 r 3- ' And as for that in which I have done wrong before this.'
3517. betwen ous tweie, i.e. 'together'; cp.ii. 653, 'Betwen hem two

whan ]>at J>ei were.'

1331 ft The story of Pyramus and Thisbe is taken from Ovid,, Metam.

iv. 55-166. Chaucer has taken it from the same source in the Legend

of Good Women. When we compare the results, we findjhat Chaucer

\ has followed his authority much more closely than Gower, who gives

\ a paraphrase in his own language rather than a close translation, and

1 varies the details in several instances. He says, for example, that the

lovers themselves made the hole in the wall through which they con-

versed ; he omits Ninus' tomb ; he says that Thisbe hid in a bush, not

a cave, and that then the lion slew and devoured a beast before drinking

at the spring ; he represents that Pyramus was slain at once instead of

living till Thisbe came ; he invents a speech for Thisbe ; and he omits, as

Chaucer does also, the mulberry-tree and its transformation. Gower,

in short, writes from a general recollection of the story, while Chaucer

has his Ovid before him and endeavours to translate closely.

Gower's rendering of the story is simple and pathetic, and he has
even some points of superiority to Chaucer, as 1386 f., the passage of
Thisbe through the town at night, 1411, her terror when concealed in
the bush, and finally 1486 ff., where instead of deliberately resolving on
death and inflicting it calmly, she is more naturally represented as over-
come by a sudden impulse in the midst of her mourning and killing her-
self almost without consciousness of what she did.

1331. tellc): cp. i. 400.

1341. There seems to be no difference in meaning between « wow ' and
4 wall.'

1348. as it scholde be, ' as fate would have it': cp. iii. 1222, 'As )>ing
which scholde so betyde,' and also below, 11, 1395, 1442.

1365. Bot if J>at, equivalent to 'That . . . ne,' as in 1. 1352 : ' It can-
not fail that they find some way/

1368. howsofiat if be awaited, 'whatever watch may be kept.'

1394. In haste and: cp. 11. 1396, 1415, and note on i. 433.

1412. which were-, subjunctive (because the case is purely imaginary).

1430. The punctuation is that of the MS.

1448. ffor sche, a reference to the ' folhaste ' of the previous line. It
was his haste that destroyed him ; for if he had waited but a little, he
would have seen her come.

1459. alwei among-, a variant of 'euere among,' 'from time to time.*

GOW. SEL. O

194 NOTES

1466 f. ' If it be only by this mishap which has befallen my love and
me together.' For the use of 'betwen' cp. note on ii. 3517.

1471. For this use of bope, equivalent to 'also,' cp. iv. 1874, 'And
grieue )>ee per chance boj>e.'

1484 f. ' And sought after her own death in weeping and kissing.'
1499. Vponfii Jtoght, 'in thy thoughts': in auenture, 'at random.'
1524. him stant of me no fere : cp. ii. 2124, 'hem stant no doute
To voide,' &c., v. 7244, ' Hem stod of al J>e world no doute.'

1537. Daj&nger. This name represents in the allegorical love-poetry
of the time those influences which are unfavourable to the lover's suit,
and chiefly the feelings in the lady's own mind which tend towards
prudence or prompt her to disdain. The personification in the Rom.
de la Rose is well known. There Danger is the chief guardian of the
rose-bush, and has for his helpers Malebouche, who spreads unfavour-
lable reports of the lover, with Honte and Paour, who represent feelings
jin the mind of the supposed mistress : see Rom. de la Rose, 2837 ff.,
Chaucer, Leg. of Good Women, 160, and Troilus, ii. 1376,

•Though it be so

That kinde wolde hir don for to beginne
To han a maner rowthe upon my wo,
Seith Daunger, Nay, thou shalt me nevere winne.'
Cp. Conf. Amantis, v. 6613 ff., Balades, xii.

Elsewhere the word is used without personification for scornfulness
or reluctance in love, as Rom. de la Rose, 1498,

'Du grant orguel et du danger
Que Narcisus Ii ot mene.'

So we have ' hire daunger,' ' Thi Daunger,' Conf. Am. iv. 2813, 3589,
and in Gower's Balades, xxxvii. 20,

'Vostre danger tantost m'a deslaieV

There is also the adjective ' dangerous ' in the sense of ' coy,' ' reluct-
ant,' e.g. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, D. 1090,

'Is every knight of his so dangerous?'
1 560. for no merci, &c., ' however much I crave mercy.'
1 569. ' I would not turn from my purpose for any fear of committing
sin.'

1572. ' By staking all that I am worth.'

I593fc The construction of the sentence is interrupted, but the sense
is clear: 'For if I, who have given all my will and wit to her service,
should in reward thereof be suffered to die, it were pity.'

1623 ff. Note the series of proverbial sayings which here follow (1623-
1658) in favour of prudence and patience.

1630. overthrewe. The verb is intransitive, as often, e.g. i. 1886,
and below, 1. 1638.

LIB. Ill, 1. i466-/F, 1245 195

1631. The hors and: see note on i. 433.

1666. him oghte hane be. The personal and impersonal constructions
are both used: cp. i. 462, 2238, and ii. 2142, 'Him oghte be )>e more
war,' iii. 704, ' Him oghte among J>e wommen alle . . . The name bere
of Pacient.' So also by Chaucer, Cant. Tales, Prol. 660, G. 1340.

1685 ff. From Ovid, Metam. i. 453-567, but Gower cuts the story short.

1701. Ovid, Metam. i. 470,

'Quod facit auratum est et cuspide fulget acuta.'

1704. The final syllable of 'Daphne' is weak and subject to elision,
so also ' Progne,' v. 5574, &c.

1718 ff. The suggestion is Gower's own, as in other similar cases, e. g.
i. 2355, ii. 196.

Berthelette, in describing Gower's tomb, says that he has a garland on
his head, 'in token that he in his life-days flourished freshly in literature
and science,' a remark which is quite in the style of his author.

1727 f. Cp. above, 1677 f.

1733. ' Whichever way fortune may turn.'

LIB. IV.

1096 f. take . . . ]>enk]>. The subjunctive is here combined with the
indicative after the indefinite ' who as euere ' : cp. note on i. 383.

1102. couerture. Elsewhere in Gower this word means dissimulation
or deceit, as ii. 1939, ' WiJ> ffalssemblant and couerture,' but here it
stands rather for 'pretext,' referring to the excuse which his position
might give him for idleness.

1114. For this expression cp. iv. 1684,

' And to Cupide I make a jifte,

That,' &c.
The meaning here is, ' I vow to God.'

1135. That 1 naproche : cp. note on i. 3365, and below, 11. 1155, 1194.

1149. wi]>oute danger, i.e. 'without resistance' : see note on iii. 1537.

1 1 80. 'Thus I keep up a pretence (for staying) ' : see note on i. 698.

12456*". A somewhat similar story to this is to be found in Andreas
Capellanus, De Amore. This book (written about 1220) gives imaginary
colloquies between different kinds of persons, to illustrate the ways of
courtship, ' Plebeius loquitur plebeiae,' ' Plebeius nobili,' ' Nobilis
plebeiae,' ' Nobilis nobili.' In this last occurs the story of a squire who
saw the god of love leading a great company of ladies in three bands,
the first well mounted and well attended, the second well mounted, but
attended by so many that it was a hindrance rather than n help, and the
third in wretched array, with lame horses and no attendance. The
meaning of the sight is explained to the squire by one of these last, and

0 2

196 NOTES

he is taken to see the appropriate rewards and punishments of each band.
He relates what he has seen to his mistress in order to make her more
ready to accept his suit.

There are some expressions which resemble those which Gower uses,
^but the story is in many ways different. The tale of Rosiphelee is well
told by Gower and in more than one passage it bears marks of having
j been carefully revised. The alteration of 1321 f. is peculiarly happy.
1252. hair: cp. ii. 2578.

1285. er)e Sonne Ariste, ' before the rising of the sun' : cp. iii. 1224,
* To loke vpon J>e Sonne ariste.'

1292. and seide: cp. i. 122, 1895, ii. 2739.
1307. comen ryde : see note on i. 350.

i 1311. on side. The use of the side-saddle for ladies was perhaps one

1 of the new fashions that came in with Anne of Bohemia : cp. ' the newe

1 guise of Beawme,' viii. 2470. In the miniatures of the Ellesmere MS. of

the Cant. Tales the Prioress uses a side-saddle while the Wife of Bath

rides astride.

1320. long and smal, 'tall and slender.' Adjectives used predicatively
with a plural subject take the plural inflection or not according to
convenience. In Prol. 81 we have ' Bot for my wittes ben to smale.'
1321 f. The author first wrote,

' The beaute of here face schon
Wei bryhtere J?an J?e cristall ston.'
Another variation is,

' The beaute of here faye face

Ther mai non erply Jnng deface.'

1323. beere. This is preterite plural, as in 1. 1376, also spelt 'bere,'
e.g. i. 2 795. The infinitive or present tense ' bere ' would rhyme in Gower
with 'were' meaning 'wear,' but not with the preterite 'were' from
O. E. wseron.

1330. For pure abaissht. This is parallel to the phrase in Chaucer,
Troilus, ii. 656, ' And with that thought for pure ashamed she Gan in
hir hed to pulle.' Thus it would seem that 'abaissht' is a past participle
rather than a noun, and the use of the participle with 'for' in this
manner occurs several times in Lydgate, e.g. 'for unknowe,' 'for
astonied,' meaning ' from ignorance,' &c., Temple of Glas, 632, 934,
1366. So also adjectives, as ' for blak' (probably), Chaucer, Knightes
Tale, 1286, and 'for pure wood,' Rom. of the Rose, 276.

1357. horse : here genitive plural.

1358. ate time po\ cp. i. 2379.
I36if. Originally this was,

' The womman was riht fair of face,
Al ]>ogh hire lackede o]>er grace.'

LIB. IV, I. 1253-^, 1980 197

1367. Which as, for * which ' (or rather ' whiche '), cp. i. 1653 f.,
' Bot if so be J?o wordes helpe,

Whiche as Jje womman ha)> him tawht.'
142 2. That I ne hadde, ' I would that I had ' : cp. v. 3747,
' Ha lord, J>at he ne were alonde ! '

3515 if. The story is based upon Ovid, Metam. xiv. 698-761. Our
aut^orTEowever, has reversed the social positions of-the laver _and his
mistress. In Ovid Anaxarete is a high-born maid of the race of Teucer,
while Iphis is ' humili de stirpe creatus.' Moreover, the story is con-
siderably developed by Gower, to whom belong the speech of Iphis, the
whole account of the grief and self-condemnation of Araxarathen, the
details of the funeral and the tomb, and finally the very successful
epitaph. Ovid says that she saw from a window the body of Iphis
being carried by for burial, and was forthwith turned into stone. He
adds that a statue may still be seen at Salamis in witness of the truth of
his tale. There is nothing said in his story about remorse on her part,
rather the opposite is implied.

3516. ofMese, that is, ' of Mysia.' This, however, is a mistake, due to
a confusion with Teuthras king of Mysia, who is mentioned in another
story under the name of ' Theucer' (iii. 2645 ff.). The king here men-
tioned is really Teucer son of Telamon, founder of Salamis in Cyprus.

352of. These lines have been transposed by the author for the sake
of the rhyme, cp. 1. 3616. The meaning is 'on a maid of low estate
compared with his own.'

3542. The punctuation is that of the MS.

3564. $ou deignej) : cp. i. 2099.

3573. vnmete, perhaps ' far apart,' i. e. separated in our fortunes.

3581. Wher, 'Whether.'

3589. Thi Daunger\ see note on iii. 1537.

3653. for]> wij>al, 'together with them' : cp. ii. 3474.

3658 f. The expression of Ovid was not understood,

' Veneris quoque nomine templum
Prospicientis habet.'

3691 f. er fiatfiou be deceiued, Wher J>at, &c., ' before thou be beguiled
into that condition where all hope is laid aside.'

LIB. V.

1971 f. soleine . . . Capiteine : French feminine forms : cp. ii. 3507, viii.
2530.

1980. The MS. has a stop after ' Auarice,' but the sense must be ' and
brings it in to Avarice.' In some cases the punctuation of the MS. is
certainly wrong, e. g. v. 5096.

198 NOTES

1982 ff. The meaning is perhaps, that they make no distinction of day
or night when there is anything of this kind to be done.

1993. holde, ' considered.'

2004. ouerhippe}, i. e. leaps over or omits something, so that he has
not all that he desires. The word is used in Piers Plowman, xv. 379,
of omitting passages in the services of the Church. The verb ' hip ' is
a Middle English and provincial variation of ' hop.'

2013. whatftng it mai amonte, &c., i.e. knows not what rendering
an account means.

2031 ff. The tale of Virgil's Mirror is here taken from the French
prose Roman des Sept Sages. Gower seems to be responsible for the
introduction of Hannibal and the Carthaginians. It is hardly necessary
to remark that Virgil was regarded in the Middle Ages as a great
magician.

2034. ye. This form, which is of course dissyllabic, is usually sub-
stituted for ' yhe ' when the word is in rhyme with an ' -ie ' termination.
Thus we have ' yhe,' i. 305, 319, 325, 331, &c., not in rhyme, also ' yhe'
in rhyme with 'hyhe,' 'syhe,' i. 360, 903, &c., but 'ye' rhyming with
'specific,' 'clergie,' &c., Prol. 34, 330, &c. Sometimes 'yhe' occurs
in this latter case also, as i. 311, ' yhe ' in rhyme with ' aspie,' and vi. 983,
with ' Delicacie ' ; and in one case ' pryhe ' is written for ' prie,' when the
word is in rhyme with ' yhe,' v. 470. It is doubtful whether there was
any difference of pronunciation in Gower's time. He seems certainly to
have aimed sometimes at rhyming for the eye as well as for the ear ; cp.
ii. 2578 and below, 1. 2079, where the form 'cophres' is used in rhyme
with ' philisophres,' the word elsewhere being ' coffre,' or ' cofre,' e. g.
Prol. 314, ii. 2257, v. 33, 2295 ff.

2099. slepende a nyht, i. e. while they slept.

2101. Cp. Prol. 182, 'Vpon J>e world >at is betid,' i.e. 'in the state
of things that we have now.' The expression here means ' according to
the events of past ages.'

2105. vpon]>is condicioun : the condition is expressed by ' Be so ]>at,'
&c. in 1. 2109.

2115. he his oghne body, 'he himself.'

2122. of}>at couine, ' in that company' : so ii. 1895, ' Of o couine, of
on houshold ' ; cp. v. 4888.

2168. 'The timber having been set up everywhere'; 'set' is a past
participle.

2183. hell: a Kentish form (O. E. hyll), which in Gower alternates
with ' hull' : Prol. 618, i. 424, ii. 163, v. 1570, &c. Other similar forms
are ' felde,' 'bregge,' 1. 2205, ' pet,' 1. 4945.
2219. Ho, ' stop ! ' Cp. iv. 1682,

' Bot nou ho J>er, I seie nomore.'

LIB. V. II. 1982-4937 199

The word is probably an interjection, which came later to be some-
times used as a verb (' to ho '). In such passages as vii. 570 f.,
'Til J>at men come vnto J>e gates

Of Paradis, and )>ere ho/
it is to be taken as an interjection, ' and there (we say) stop ! '

2224. atteignt, probably 'tainted* or 'corrupted,' but this would
more properly be ' atteint/ We might remove the comma after ' queynt,'
and take the meaning to be, ' thus the thirst of gold was quenched with
gold, which had been acquired.'

2241. Ne maken: the negative is an echo of that in the preceding
clause.

2273ff. The tale of the two coffers is essentially the same as that
which we have in Boccaccio, Decam. x. i, though quite different in its
details. The story is not at all connected with the idea of choosing by
the outward appearance. The coffers are exactly alike, and the point
of the situation lies in the fact that the choice is a purely fortuitous one.
The object was to show that they who complained were persons who
had fortune against them, and that this was the cause of their having
failed of reward, and not any neglect on the part of the king.

Gower's source has not been traced, so far as I am aware.

2281. conien, preterite.

2288. als so faste, 'immediately': cp. i. 1041; so also 'als faste/
i. 414, 474, 'als blyue,' iv. 1854.

2306. Hise oghne hondes, 'with his own hands.' The same phrase
occurs i. 1427, iii. 2011 ; ' his oghne hond,' v. 1883; ' his oghne mou)>,'

v. 5455-

2327. along on me, 'because of me': cp. iv. 624, ' How al is on
myself along ' ; 952, ' It is noght on mi will along ' ; so ' long on sov,' just
below.

2333 £ Ches . . . "wite]>. For this combination of singular and plural
see note on i. 1942. In the succeeding lines we have ' ches,' ' tak,' ' be,'
'go>,' 'take]).'

2345 ff. ' For if I do not advance you to-day, it will be on account of
your own fortune, entirely because grace is lacking.'

2361. Cp. i. 1809,

' And sei)> J>at forto wynne or lese
He mot on of two >inges chese.'

Latin Verses. 2. dictaque facta, ' the words and deeds.'
4899. com]) to londe, •' appears.'

4921. who fiat it kan, i. e. as any one who knows it will witness : cp.
1. 4927, ' For, as any one who observes may know, a beast,' &c.

This story, which is of Eastern origin, is told near the end of

200 NOTES

the Speculum Stultorum (i. e. Burnellus], with which Gower was well
acquainted, as we know from the Vox Clamantis. The names there are
Bernardus and Dryanus, and the animals are three, a serpent, an ape,
and a lion. A similar tale is told by Matthew Paris, under the year
1195, as related by King Richard I in order to recommend liberality in
the cause of Christendom. In this the rich man is Vitalis, a Venetian,
and the poor man's name is not given. The animals in the pit are
a lion and a serpent. The magic qualities of the gem which the serpent
brings are not mentioned in this form of the story.

4945- Pe*'' see note on v* 2I^3. Gower also has 'pitt* and (pi.)
'puttes.'

4967. dimme, 'faintly': the adjective 'dim' is so used by Chaucer,
Knightes Tale, 1575,

'he herde a murmuring
Ful lowe and dim, that sayde thus, Victorie.'

5022. blessed, 'crossed himself.' This ceremony plays a considerable
part in the story of Vitalis, for by it he is preserved from the wild beasts
who are with him in the pit.

5025. Betwen him and his Asse, 'he and his ass together': cp. i.
2164.

5050. ner : properly a comparative adverb (of 'nih'), as ii. 2296,
' Bot J>erof was sche noght J>e ner,' but used also as a positive, partly by
analogy with ' fer.'

5057. See note on i. 433.

5126. come : preterite, as we know from the rhyme.

5139. As he which : cp. i. 369.

5185 ff. ' For I never received any favour in love, which should prevent
me from passing it by and seeking my profit elsewhere, for any success
that I achieve in my present suit.'

LIB. VI.

729. That is, ' I deny not that I am somewhat delicate' : we should
expect ' nam-.'

735. lust, 'pleasure,' with no bad sense: cp. iv. 1318, and below
11. 737, 921, &c. The word also means 'desire,' e. g. i. 443.

738. for a time }it: cp. vi. 311, ' As for ]>e time jit,' and 893, ' As for
J>e while sit.'

754. alle goode-. see note on i. 301.

761. 'it seems to him three hours instead of one.'

770. ' Without wrinkle of any kind ' : cp. Mirour de VOmme, 10164,
' Car moult furont de noble grein ' : or perhaps ' without the smallest
wrinkle,' ' grein ' standing for the smallest quantity of a thing ; cp. ii.
3310.

LIB. r, I 4945-Wi 986 201

778 f. Cp. Chaucer, Bok of the Duchesse, 939 fF.,
' But swich a fairaesse of a nekke
Hadde that swete, that boon nor brekke
Nas ther non sene that myssat,' &c.

791. by and by, 'one after the other': cp. iii. 557, 'And euery tale
by and by ... I J>enke and peise in my balance ' ; v. 5503, ' I schal J>e
proprete deuise Of euery vice by and by.'

807. euere in on, ' continually,' 'without ceasing* : cp. i. 1795, *Bot
euere in on sche spak and preide,' so Chaucer, Knight es Tale, 913,
' they wepen evere in oon.'

810. alsofaste, for 'als so (or also) faste ' : cp. v. 2288.

811. syhe, pret. subjunctive.

817. tire]). This expresses the action of a falcon pulling at its prey;
cp. Chaucer, Troilus, i. 787, ' Whos stomak foules tiren everemo.'

830. The new paragraph, marked with a coloured letter, begins here
in the MSS., the subject of the Ear being now introduced, after the
preliminary clause, ' Riht as myn yhe,' &c., cp. viii. 2462.

845. sounej) to, ' tends to,' ' has regard to ' : cp. Chaucer, Cant. Tales,
B- 3348> ' That wiste to what fyn his dremes sowned ' ; F. 517, ' That
sowneth into gentilesse of love.' So perhaps also Cant. Tales, Prol. 307,
' Sowninge in moral vertu was his speche.'

mi ladi goode, ' my lady's goodness.'

852. That, ' in that,' ' since.'

855. As J>eiJ)at ben: cp. i. 369.

857. Lombard cooks were celebrated, and there was a kind of pastry
called ' pain lumbard ' ; cp. Mirour, 7809.

87Q._ThejQmance of Ydri"F «"rf Amqdac is One of those mentioned
at the beginning of the Cursor Mundi. It has been published in the
'Collection des poetes fran^ais du moyen age' (ed. Hippeau, 1863).
Amadas is the t)pe of the lover who remains faithful through every
trial.
""882. loueden, two syllables in the verse.

891. a cheriefeste : cp. Prol. 454, ' ffor al is bot a chirie feire.' It is
an expression used for pleasures which last but a short time: cp.
Audelay's Poems (Percy Soc. xiv,) p. 22,

' Hit fallus and fadys forth so doth a chere fayre.'

892. ' But to reckon it at the lowest value* : unless we punctuate after
' compten ' and take ' ate leste ' with the next line.

897. he, i. e. ' my ear.'

908. lackej). The singular form is due probably to the common use of
the verb impersonally, as viii. 2427, ' Wherof J>e lackej).'
919. he set, present tense.

961. excede, subjunctive, 'so as to go beyond reason.'
9JS6JL This story furnishes a favourable example of our author's style

202 NOTES

and versification. It is tnH lirnpljMind rlpnrfrj and the verse is not only
smooth and easy, but carefully preserved from monotony by the breaking
of the couplet very frequently at the pauses : see 11. 986, 998, 1006, 1010,
1016, &c.
990. bis
indue batur purpura et bysso.'

994. ]>ilke vice, i. e. the vice of delicacy.

995. For similar expressions of fatalism cp. iii. 1348, and below, 1.
1026.

996. lazre. From the name Lazarus in this parable came the common
use of ' lazar ' for leper, though the beggar is not said in the original to
have been a leper, but only ' full of sores.'

1059. is ouerronne, ( has passed beyond.'

1 09 2 . Moises, three syllables always in the Conf. Amantis, except iv. 648 .
1097. were, subjunctive of indirect speech.

i no. descry ue, apparently 'understand,' 'discern,' perhaps by con-
fusion with ' descry.'
1 1 20. ffor, 'because.'

LIB. VIII.

2077. toward Venus, ' on the side of Venus.'
2095. sett, imperative, ' set case,' 'suppose that.'
2108. Him oghte : cp. iii. 1666.

2113. his oghne dom. The word 'dom' is used here in special
reference to ' kingdom ' in the line above. ' Every man has a royal rule
to exercise, that is to say, the rule over himself.'

2124 f. 'When he has not kept possession for himself of his own
heart.'

2134. set. Probably imperative : ' set ' for ' sette ' is hardly admissible
in Gower's verse before a consonant.

2135 f. The opposition of reason and will, or 'wit and will,' is
brought out strongly in iii. 1157 ff.,

' Min herte is wonderly begon
WiJ) conseil, wherof witt in on,
Which ha]> resoun in compaignie ;
Aseyn ]>e whiche stant partie
Will, which ha)> hope of his acord ;
And )>us )>ei bringen vp descord.' &c.
2161. Not, i. e. ' ne wot.'

2163. ' Because he sees another man behave (in a certain way).'
2165. felt, for ' felte,' pret. subjunctive in this case.
2174. were, ' might be.'

2185. expresse : this need not be a plural inflexion, cp. v. 3220,
'The troupe and J>e matiere expresse.'

LIB. VI. 1. 990-F//7. 2312 203

2194. haj) noting set )erby , 'made no account of it.'
2198. wtfholde, 'kept' (in service), cp. 1. 2353.
2 2 i^j. This ' Supplication ' is written in the seven-line stanza used by
Gower also in the Praise of Peace, and by Chaucer in the Parlement of
Fowles and Troilus and Criseide. This and the poem In Praise of
Peace are the only English compositions by Gower which are written in
five-accent verse, but they are enough to show that he could manage the
measure with sufficient skill.

2220. wher so J>at, ' whether ': cp. iv. 641, ' Wher so I lawhe or so I
loure.'

2245. Whom nede]> help \ cp. vi. 765. ,

2253 ff. For these two tuns cp. vi. 330 ff.,
' ffor lupiter abouen alle,
Which is of goddes souerein,
Haj) in his celier, as men sein,
Tuo tonnes fulle of loue drinke,' &c.

The idea is apparently borrowed by Gower from the Roman de la
Rose, 6836 ff.,

'Jupiter en toute saison
A sor le suel de sa maison,
Ce dit Omers, deus plains tonneaus,

C'est une taverne planiere,
Dont Fortune la taverniere
Trait aluine et piment en coupes,' &c.
(The basis in Homer is //. xxiv. 527 ff., .

Sotoi yap Tf iriOot Karaictiarai ev Atos ou5«, K. r. X.)
Gower has applied the idea especially to the subject of love, and has
made Cupid the butler instead of Fortune.
2259ff. Cp. Balades, xx. 9*?.,

' Apres la guerre on voit venir la pes,
Apres 1'iuern est 1'estee beal flori,
Mais mon estat ne voi changer iammes,
Qe ieo d'amour porrai troeuer merci.'
2264. Danger: see note on iii. 1537*

2276. in pat time: that is, at a time when Venus was under the
influence of Saturn.
2288. Cp. i. 143 if.

2294. gentile: probably the feminine form, cp. v. 1971, rather than
the definite inflexion, which with a French word of more than one
syllable would be very unusual.
2312. a Mile: cp. iv. 689,

' And ]>ogh I stonde )>ere a myle,
Al is forjete for fe while.'

204 NOTES

It seems to mean the time that it takes to go a mile : cp. Chaucer,
Astrol. i. 16, ' five of these degres maken a milewey and three mileweie
maken an houre.' So also ' furlong-wey,' Chaucer, Leg. of Good Women,
307, 841.

2319. a game, for 'agame,' so 'a place/ i. 2377; 'a swoune,' viii.
1060 ; ' a slepe,' v. 2177 ; &c.

2321. This pronunciation of the name ' Gower/ with an accent on the
final syllable, is supported by the line,

( Vostre Gower, q'est trestout vos soubgitz/

in the Dedication of the Balades, and again in ,the concluding lines of
the Traitit we have,

' lohan Gower ceste Balade envoie ' ;
on the other hand, in the poem In Praise of Peace, 374, we have,

' I, Gower, which am al Jn liege man.*
2323. as of, ' in regard to,' cp. i. 557.
2335. sielde whanne \ cp. iv. 2734,

'And o)>erwhile sielde whanne
That he mai dreme a lusti sweuene.'

2341. fulofte ha]> pleigned'. as for example in the Planctus Naturae
of Alanus de Insulis.

2365. 'And I will consider the matter': rather an ominous phrase;
for the form ' Le Roy s'avisera/ in reply to a petition, was practically
equivalent to a refusal.

2367. 'My remedy will not be found wanting': cp. i. 570.
Latin Verses 2. non posse, veils, infinitives used as substantives.
2373 f. ' In no security, but as men draw the chances of Ragman.' To
understand this it is necessary to refer to compositions such as we find
in the Bodleian MSS., Fairfax 16, and Bodley 638, under the name of
' Ragman (or Ragmans) Rolle.* The particular specimen contained in
these MSS. begins thus,

' My ladyes and my maistresses echone,
Lyke hit unto your humble wommanhede,
Resave in gre of my sympill persone
This rolle, which withouten any drede
Kynge Ragman me bad [me] sowe in brede,
And cristyned yt the merour of your chaunce.
Drawith a strynge and that shal streight yow lede
Unto the verry path of your governaunce.'

After two more stanzas about the uncertainty of Fortune and the
chances of drawing well or ill, there follows a disconnected series of
twenty-two more, each giving a description of the personal appearance
and character of a woman, in some cases complimentary and in others

LIB. VIII, II 3319-2450 205

very much the reverse, usually in the form of an address to the lady

herself, e.g.

' A smal conceyt may ryght enogh suffyse
Of your beaute discripcion for to make;
For at on word ther kan no wyght devyse
Oon that therof hath lasse, I undertake,' &c.

Apparently these stanzas are to be drawn for and then read out in order

as they come, for the game ends with the last,

' And sythen ye be so jocunde and so good,
And in the rolle last as in wrytynge,
I rede that this game ende in your hood.'

Evidently the same kind of game might be played by men with a view
to their mistresses. It is much the same thing as the ' Chaunces of the
Dyse,' in the same MSS. , where each stanza is connected with a certain
throw made with three dice. The name ' RagmanJELpllfi/ which belongs
properly to the list of Scottish nobles, landholders, &c., who did homage
to Edward I in 1 296, is applied to this kind of composition, either because (
of its disconnected character or possibly because the arrangement of strings •
for drawing suggested the idea of seals appended to a legal document.
2407. oldegrisd\ cp. Chaucer, 71? Scogan, 35,

* Lo tholde grisel list to ryme and pleye ! '
* grisel ' means properly ' grey horse,' hence used of an old man.
2409. wij> J>ee, ' by thee,' or * in the case of thee ' : cp. 1. 2553.
2415. vpon}efet, that is, when the time comes for action. The rhyme
with ' retret ' shows that this is not the plural of ' fot,' which, moreover,
is regularly spelt ' feet ' by Gower.
2428. sittc, for ' sit.'

2435. into was, the verb used as a substantive, cp. vi. 923,
' Bot al of woldes and of wisshes
Therof haue I my fulle disshes.'

2450 ff. The situation here has some resemblance to that in the
ProtCfue of the Legend of Good Women, where the author has a vision
of the god of love coming to him in a meadow, as he lies worshipping
the daisy, accompanied by queen Alcestis, and followed first by the
nineteen ladies of the Legend, and then by a vast multitude of other
women who had been true in love. The differences, however, are
considerable. Here we have Venus and Cupid, the latter armed with
a bow, and blind (whereas Chaucer gives him two fiery darts and his
eyesight), with two companies of lovers, both men and women, mar-
shalled by Youth and Eld as leaders ; and the colloquy with the poet
has for its result to dismiss him with wounds healed from Love's
service, as one who has earned his discharge, while in the case of

206 NOTES

Chaucer it is a question of imposing penance for transgressions in
the past and of enlisting him for the future as the servant of Love.
The conception of the god of Love appearing with a company of true
lovers in attendance may be regarded as the common property of the
poets of the time, and so also was the controversy between the flower
and the leaf (1. 2468), which Chaucer introduces as a thing familiar
already to his readers. If our author had any particular model before
him, it may quite as well have been the description in Froissart's
Paradys d Amours (ed. Scheler, i. 29 f.) :

' Lors regardai en une lande,
Si vi une compagne grande
De dames et de damoiselles
Friches et jolies et belles,
Et grant foison de damoiseaus
Jolis et amoureus et beaus.

" Dame," di je, " puis je S9avoir

Qui sont ceuls que puis la veoir?"

" Oil," dit ma dame de pris ;

" Troillus y est et Paris,

Qui furent fil au roi Priant,

Et cesti que tu vois riant,

C'est Laiscelos tout pour certain,"' &c.

and she proceeds to enumerate the rest, including Tristram and Yseult,
Percival, Galehaus, Meliador and Gawain, Helen, Hero, Polyxena,
and Medea with Jason.

2461. who was who : cp. vii. 2001, * Til noman wiste who was who.'

2468. Cp. Chaucer, Leg. of G. Women, 72, 188, &c. The opposition
between the flower and the leaf, as representing perishable beauty
opposed to constancy and enduring qualities, had evidently become
a commonplace in poetry before Chaucer's references to it.

2470. The newe guise of Beawme, that is, the new fashions of dress,
&c., introduced from Bohemia by the marriage of Richard II in 1382.

2500 f. which was believed With bele Ysolde, ' who was accepted as
a lover by Belle Isolde.' Apparently ' believed * is here used in the
primary sense of the verb, from which we have ' lief.' For the use of
'with' cp. 1. 2553. We may note here that the spelling 'believe' is
regular in Gower, ' ie ' representing « e.'

2502. Galahot, not Galahad but Galahalt, called by Mallory 'the
haut prince.'

2504 ff. It may be noted that several of the lovers in the company
of Youth are impenitent in their former faithlessness, as Jason,
Hercules and Theseus, while Medea, Deianira and Ariadne are left

LIB. VIII, II. 2450-2583 207

to complain by themselves. Troilus has recovered Cressida, if only
for a time. It is hard to say why Pyramus failed of Thisbe's
company, unless indeed she were unable to pardon his lateness
(cp. 2582).

2505. Creusa, a dissyllable regularly in Gower and Chaucer ; cp. v.
2540 and Leg. ofG. Women, 945. The whole story of Jason is told by
Gower, v. 3247 ff.

2506. For Hercules and Eolen see v. 6807 ff.
2511. The story of Theseus is told v. 5231 ff.

2515 ff. For this story see v. 7211 ff. ' Lamenedon,' there called
' Lamedon,' is Laomedon, who is said to have shown hostility to the
Argonauts on their voyage to Colchis. The outrage was avenged on
their return by the sack of his city and the capture of Hesione, and this
again was in part the cause of the expedition of Paris to Greece and the
carrying away of Helen (cp. 1. 2522). The story was current as told by
Guido in the Historia Troiana.

2525. The new paragraph, marked by a coloured initial, begins here
in the MSS., so also 1. 2666.

2527. Penthesilea was represented in the medieval account of the
siege of Troy as coming to help the Trojans for love of Hector : cp. iv.
2i39ff.,v. 2547 ff.

2531 ff. The story of Troilus is not told in full by Gower, but referred
to v. 7597 ff.

2542. Narcise, i. 2275 ff.

2543. Piramus, iii. 1331 ff.

2544 f. Achilles, according to the medieval story, was betrayed to
death through his love for Polyxena : cp. v. 7591 ff.

2553. -with Enee: cp. 11. 2409, 2501. See also vii. 3358 f.,

' He made her bodies to ben etc
WiJ> o>re men wijrinne his hous,'

that is, ' by other men.'

2554 f. For her tale see iv. 731 ff.

2560 ff. See ii. 2259 ff.

2567 ff. For this story see v. 2961 ff. Deydamie is five syllables.

2573 ff. This idea of Cleopatra's death may be a reminiscence of
Chaucer's Legend of Good Women, 696 ff. Chaucer apparently got it
from some such account as that cited by Vincent of Beauvais, ' in mau-
soleum odoribus refertum iuxta suum se collocavit Antonium. Deinde
admotis sibi serpentibus morte sopita est.' From this to the idea of
a grave full of serpents would not be a difficult step.

2582. Wo worfie alle slowe\ Cp. viii. 1334, ' Bot wo wor)>e euere
fals enuie ! ' We must take ' worj>e ' as an optative.

2583 ff.. The story is told v. 5551 ff.

208 NOTES

2587 ff. See iii. 143 ff.

2592. Cf. note on 1. 2544 f.

2599. See vi. 1426 ff., where we find that Gower (following medieval
authorities) represented Circe and Calypso as dwelling together in one
island.

2621. Penolope. The story of Penelope and Ulysses is told by Gower,
iv. 147 ff.

2632. Lucrece: see vii. 4754 ff.

2640. Alceste : cp. Chaucer, Legend of Good Women, 510 ff.

2649 ff. See iv. 29271!.

2660. loue : really a proper name here and below, ' loues,' though not
given with a capital letter in the MS. Note that ' loue ' is a dissyllable
for the metre even before ' hadde.'

2663. lay, 'law,' i.e. the arrangement of his company : cp. ii. 3354.

2680. Cp. vi. 143 f.,

'Wher as I moste dance and singe
The houedance and carolinge.'

2687. }e more queinte it made : cp. iv. 2314,
' I trowe )>at ]>er is no beste,
If he wij> loue scholde aqueinte,
That he ne wolde make it queinte
As for J>e while ]>at it laste.'

It means apparently « behave gently.'

2698 f. attached . . . writ . . . enselej) : the language is legal.

2705. Aristotle. The allusion is to such stories as we have in the
' Lay d'Aristote,' of the philosopher being so far enslaved by love that
his mistress was able to put saddle and bridle upon him and to ride upon
his back.

2710. Practique. Cp. vii. 1641 ff. This is the third main division of
Philosophy, including Ethics and Politics.

2712. conclttded, used with reference to the conclusion of a logical
syllogism. The punctuation of the next line is that of the MS.

2714 ff. Virgil as well as Aristotle appears in the medieval fabliaux
as a victim of love. The story referred to here is of the daughter of the
Emperor, who on pretence of drawing him up in a box to her window,
left him suspended in mid air till the morning.

2718. Sortes. Apparently this is the well-known ' Sortes Sanctorum,'
or 'Sortes Virgilianae,' personified here as a magician and placed in
company with Virgil. The process referred to by this name consists of
a chance reference to some book, the Scriptures, Virgil or some other,
with a view to obtaining guidance from the passage upon which the
finger lights.

2799. Cp. i. 143 ff.

LIB. VIII, II. 2587-2938 209

2823. syhe, pret. subj., ' should see.'

2833. OutiviJ), ' outwardly,' ' of the outward appearance ' : so ' inwith '
often for ' within,' ' inwardly' : cp. Ormulum, i. 165, ' utennwi)>)>,' and
Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 6669, ' outwith.'

2881. leue, i.e. ' leave off loving.'

2903. ' As the thing for which I was most fit,' referring to what follows.

2904. A Peire ofBedes : the usual expression for a rosary : cp. Chaucer,
Cant. Tales, Prol. is8f.f

< Of smal coral aboute hire arm sche bar
A peire of bedes gauded al with grene.'

The ' gaudes ' mentioned below, 2906, are the larger and more orna-
mental beads of the rosary, which mark the intervals of a series of prayers,
originally perhaps connected with the ' gaudia ' or ' joys ' of the Virgin
Mary.

2909. cast : i.e. judgement is finally given against him.
2914. 'And that thou make a full renunciation of thy claims.'
2926. J>i bokes, that is the Speculum Hominis and the Vox Clamantis.
2931. noght pernable, 'not to be caught.' From 'prendre' Gower
uses ' pernons,' ' pernetz,' &c., in the Mirour.

2928^From this point onwards the text of the Fairfax MS. is in
a cTnterent hand, and the orthography varies in certain points from the
standard spelling which we have in the rest of the MS. Examples of
these are ' enclosid,' ' bewhapid,' ' turnyd,' ' bedis,' ' nought,' ' >oughte,'
'sighte,' ' sigh,' ' in to,' ' wij) outen,' ' ]>er fore,' ' vppon,' *y ' (for ' I '), &c.
The text is here written over an erasure, and the original version of the
passage had after 1. 2940 the well-known address to Chaucer,
' ^ f<A**** ,i* And g1"^ wel Chaucer whan 36 mete,
I 'yUj^lLyAs mi disciple and mi poete:
ffor in }>e floures of his

or n >e oures o s 3oue
In sondri wise, as he wel couj>e,
^\ I Of Ditees and of songes glade,

The whiche he for mi sake made,
The lond fulfild is oueral :
Wherof to him in special
Aboue alle oj>re I am most holde.
ffor])i now in hise daies olde
Thou schalt him telle pis 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 )>ou hast do J)i schrifte aboue,
So )>at mi Court it mai recorde.'

GLOSSARY AND
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES

THE Glossary and Index of Proper Names contains all the proper
names with full references, and such words as seem to require notice or
explanation with as many references as are needed to verify their use in
the Selections.

The grammatical abbreviations are, s. substantive, a. adjective, v. verb,
v. a. verb active, v. n. verb neuter, v . a. n. verb active and neuter, 3 s.pres.
3rd person singular present tense, fret, past tense, //. past participle, def.
definite form of adjective, &c.

acompte, s., account.

acompte, v. a. v. 2014; v. n.

tacompte, i. 630 : account for,

reckon.
acord, s., of his acord, ii. 2536;

in on acord, i. 2 250 : agreement,
acordant, a. i. 455, iv. 1244, suit-
able: adv. viii. 2371.
acorde, v. n. i. 388, ii. 105 ; reft.

i. 3386 : agree.
Aoteon, i. 336 ff.
Adam, i. 3304.
aday, adv. now (nou) aday, i.

655 : also now adaies, e. g. iv.

1228.
adieu, viii. 2940, a dieu, ii. 2739,

v. 3662.

adoun, adv. i. 3280, down,
adrad, a. i. 157, ii. 3489, afraid,
adresce, v. a. v. 5021, prepare

(oneself)-

Adriagne, viii. 2556, Ariadne.
Adrian, v. 4938 ff., genii. Adri-

anes, v. 5155.
adryh, adv. iv. 1330, aside,
aduersite. s. v. 2232, harm,
afaite, Waffaite.
afered, a. i. 2124, afraid,
affaite, v. a. ii. 464, afaite, iv.

1157, v. 2000, prepare, train,
afflle, v.a. i. 678, sharpen, prepare.

a, inter j. iv. 3622.

a ( = Fr. a), in a dieu, a fin, see

adieu, afyn.
a, in a ferr, a game, a nyht, a

place, see ferr, game, &c.
abaissht,//. iv. 1330, see note.
abandone, abandoune, v. a. ii.

2772, let go, give up, devote,
abesse, v. a. i. 2063, abase,
abide, abydefn), v. n. i. 3201,

wait, remain; v. a. ii. 2594,

2626, iii. 1616, wait for, endure :

3 s. pres. abitt, iii. 1658, pret.

abod, i. 151.
aboute, adv. i. 403, aboutes, viii.

2460, round, round about : prep.

iv. 1356.
abreide, v. n. pret. i. 155, ii. 3241,

started.

absolucion, s. viii. 2892.
abye, abie, v. a., pp. aboght, i.

381, pay for.

accidence, s. ii. 3210, see note.
accidie, s., sloth,
achieve, v. a. i. 103, 700, finish,

attain to : v. n. v. 2043, succeed.
Achilles, viii. 2545, 2569.
Acis, ii. 131 ff.
acold, a. vi. 1007, cold.

GLOSSARY

211

afflyhte, afflihte, aflihte, v. n.
pret. i. 2185, iv. 1438, was dis-
turbed (with grief, joy or fear),
was afflicted ; v. a. iii. 1422.

afflraie, v. a., pp. aflfraied, viii.
2859, startle, frighten.

aforn, adv, vi. 927, before.

&fter, prep. i. 259, iv. 1327, after,
according to.

afterward, adv. i. 757.

afyn, adv. v. 2349, finally.

afyre, ii. 149, on fire.

Agamenon, viii. 2546, Agamem-
non.

agrise,//. v. 5908, terrified.

aisshe, s. viii. 2101, ashes.

al, all, alle, a. sing., al, all, i.
158, 195, 2291, alle, i. 301,
747 ; //. all, v. 4984, alle, i.
1930: as subst. al, i. 2247, //.
alle ; vpon alle, ii. 117, on all
occasions.

adv. al, i. 2, 640, with a. al lene,
iv. 1344, al one, i. 351, 666, (cp.
alone), al myn one, i. 115, al
him one, i. 3144, al only, ii.

133.

Alcione, viii. 2649, Alcyone.
Alceste, viii. 2640, Alcestis.
algate, adv. ii. 2637, vi- 823>

algates, i. 300, in any case,

assuredly.
aliche, alyche, adv. ii. 3253,

equally.

alihte, v. n. i. 2227, alight,
alitel, see litel.
alofte, adv , on high, aloud,
along, adv., along on, v. 2327,

long on, v. 2329, on account of.
alowe, v. a. iii. 1552, approve.
Alphonse, i. 3393.
alquik, a. viii. 2575, alive,
als, adv., als faste (at once), i.

414, als so faste, &c., ii. 132,

v. 2288, al so faste, vi. 810 : cp.

also, as.
also, adv., ek also, i. 3305, &c.:

cp. als.

alper best (alperbest), adv. i.

P

1921, alper worst, i. 326, best

(worst) of all.

alpermest, adv. i. 3102 , most of all.
alwey, alwei, adv. iii. 1459.
alyue, a. or adv. \. 2164.
amaied, pp. i. 2030, a-maying.
amasid, pp. viii. 2957, confused.
amblende, (pres. part.} iv. 1309,

ambling.
amende, v. a., god pamende, i.

568, //. amended, viii. 2608 ;

z/.».i.335o: improve, be restored.
Ametus, viii. 2641, Admetus.
amiddes, prep, or adv., pe wode

amiddes, i. 112, amiddes in,

iv. 1349; amidd,/tt?/. i. 361.
amis, adv. i. 1970, wrong,
among, amonges, prep, among,

during: among, adv. iv. 1209,

evere among, i. 2333, alwei

among, iii. 1459, meanwhile,

at times,
amonte, amounte, v. n.i. 3111,

v. 2013, avail, mean,
amorwe, adv. ii. 2657, amorwe

day, v. 2116.

annuied, //. iv. 1 346, vexed,
anon, adv., anon forth, i. 3353,

anon as, i. 471 : straightway,
ansuere, answere, v. n. i. 290,

3 s. pres. answer}), i. 1951, pp.

pi. ansuerde, i. 3246.
ansuere, answere, s., answer.
Antonye, viii. 2577, Marcus An-

tonius.
aplace, adv. i. 1888, a place, i.

2377, into place,
apointe, appointe, v. a., reft. ii.

3204, to ben apointed, i. 2160:

fix, resolve,
appaie, apaie, v. a. i. 3429,

please, satisfy.

apparantie, s. i. 636, appearance,
appele, v. a. iii. 1601, accuse ; v. n.

viii. 2700, appeal,
appell, j. ii. 3418, appeal,
appetit, s. iv. 3544.
appiere, v. n. ii. 3337, appear.
applied,//, i. 577, assigned.

212

GLOSSARY

appourtenant, a. ii. 2508, be-
longing.

apprise, aprise, .$•. i. 81, 293,
teaching.

aproche, v. n. ii. 40; v. a. (na-
proche), iv. 1135.

aqueinte, v. refl. ii. 3506.

aquyte, v. a. v. 2385, acquit.

ar, adv. iv. 1422, before.

arai, array, s. iv. 1393, dress,
equipment.

araie, arraie, v.a. i. 2029, prepare,
equip ; arraied of, ii. 2556,
provided with.

Araxarathen, iv. 3675.

areche, v. a. i. 3207, attain,
reach to; v. n. i. 3024, reach
up, extend.

arede, v. a. »., explain, give ex-
planation.

arere, v. a. vi. 1107, raise up.

areste, p. a. ii. 162, 2745, delay,
keep in check, arrest.

are we, arowe, adv. i. 255, in order.

ariste, s. iv. 1285, rising.

Aristotle, viii. 2705.

Armenye, iv. 1245, Armenia.

arowe, see arewe.

arrai, array, see arai.

arraie, araie, see araie.

artmagique, s. viii. 2602, magic.

arwe, s. ii. 2631, arrow.

as, i. 666, as he which &c., i. 369,
"• 2537> as kim which, iii.
1276, as of (as regards), i. 557,
1969, iii. 1479, as to, i. 300, as
for, vi. 860, as forto, i. 107,
2379, aspo ( = then), ii. 213, as
in (= in), i. 1946 : cp. als.

aseude, v. a., pret. asente, i.
2138, //. assent, i. 3222, sent
for.

aspidis, s. i. 463, asp.

aspie, s. v. 1997, spy, watch.

aspie, v. a. i. 312, v. n. ii. 100,
pret. aspide, ii. 135 : perceive;
keep watch.

assaie, v. a. n. i. 3430, try, ex-
perience.

assaile, assaille, v. a. i. 1999,
the feld a., ii. 2620, attack,
attempt.

assay, assai, s. i. 690, ii. 3261,
trial, proof.

asse, s. i. 2248.

assemble, v. n. ii. 2621, engage
in battle.

assent, pp., see asende.

assente, v. n., pei ben assented,
ii. 2539, agree.

assigne, v. a. i. 234.

assisse, assise, s. v. 1 986, order,
manner.

assote, v. n. i. 508, behave fool-
ishly, dote.

assuage, v. n. iii. 1614; v. a. ii.
3208.

assure, asseure, v. a. iv. 3526,
satisfy.

astat, s. i. 599, pastat, i. 2100,
condition.

asterte, v. a. i. 658, 722, 1934,
3381, escape from, elude,
happen to; v. n. iv. 1304,
escape, be avoided, come to

aswoune, adv. ii. 3237, iv. 3632,

in a swoon,
at, prep. , ( = to) ii. 2648 ; ate,

i. 54, ii. 59.
Athlans, i. 424, Atlas.
attache, v. a. viii. 2698, arrest,
atteigne(n), v. a. i. 754, ii. 184,

2533, PP- atteignt, v. 2224 (see

note}.

atwo, adv., in two.
audience, s. i. 3330, public hearing.
Augst, viii. 2845, August.
aunter, s., in aunter if, i. 189,

venture, chance.
auaile, v.a. n. i. 3114, ii. 91, viii.

2085, avail, help,
auance, v. a. ii. 16, 2589, v. 2345,

help, promote.

auancement, s. v. 2279, promo-
tion.

auant, s., boast,
auantance, s. i. 2399, boasting.

GLOSSARY

213

auaunte, v. reft. i. 2389, boast

(oneself),
auenture, s. ii. 3297, peril, chance,

case ; put (sette) in auenture,

i. 3212, per auenture, i. 2350,

iv. noi.
auis, s. i. 501, iv. 1333, opinion,

advice,
auise, v. re/I, i. 436, 748, viii.

2365, consider, beware ; auised

wel, v. 5153.

auisement, s. i. 3121, considera-
tion.

auisioun, s. ii. 3479, vision,
auowe, v. a. i. 717, declare,
awaite, awayte, v. a. Hi. 1368,

watch for, attend to; v. n. watch,

wait.
awake, v. a. i. 2087, wake, keep

awake ; ~v. n. pret. awok,i. 121.
awarde, v. a. viii. 2373.
aweie, aweye, adv. i. 53, awei,

iii. 1711, iv. 1277, away, iv.

1186.

aweiward, adv. i. 141, away,
axe, aske, v. a. i. 170, 694, 2149,

imperat. axe, i. 3344 ; v. n. i.

160, 1875, ask, ask for, demand,
axinge, s. i. 3295, question,
a^ein, prep. i. 2040, 2340, against,

to meet ; a}ein cue, v. 4954,

towards evening.
a}ein, a^eyn, adv. i. 2090, iv.

1137, agam> back, in reply: cp.

agayn.
a^einward, adv. ii. 132, vi. 1072,

in return, in answer.
a^er, adv. viii. 2226, in the year.

bacheler, s. i. 3373, ii. 125, 2658,
iii. 1343, bachilier, ii. 2658.

back, bak, s. i. 2069, iv. 1344.

badde, a. iii. 1562, iv. 1350, bad.

bak, see back.

balance, s. i. 3, 42, ii. 3244, scales,
danger.

bale, s. iii. 1496, ruin.

banke, s. ii. 144.

baptesme, j. ii. 3470.

Bardus, v. 4956 ff.

bargain, s. viii. 2431.

bataille, s. ii. 2600, battle.

be, prep. i. 175, be me (in my

case), i. 1963, be cause that, ii.

2771 : cp. by.

beau, a., beau retret, viii. 2416.
beaute, s. ii. 123.
Beawme, viii. 2470, Bohemia,
beblede, v. a., //. bebled, iii.

1406, stain with blood,
beclippe, v. a. ii. 2550, v. 2003,

embrace, contain,
bedawe, v. n. v. 1982, dawn,
bede, s. i. 667, peire of bedes,

viii. 2904 : prayer, bead,
befalle, v. n. i. $$,pret. befell, i. 67.
beggere, begger, s. i. 2249.
bego, v. a., pp. bego(n), i. 3252,

work upon, furnish; pp. with

adv. wel begon of, wel b. with,

v. 2335, wo bego(n), iv. 3394.
begraue, v. a. i. 2348, bury; //.

begraue, i. 2541, engraved,
beheste, s., promise,
behet, behiete, behihte, see

behote.
behinde, behynden, prep. i.

2069 : adv. i. 227.
beholde(n),z>. a. i. 199, 3 s. pres.

beholt,3 j./r<r/.behield, 1.414.
beholde, pp. viii. 2354, bound,
behote, v. a. n. v. 5171, 3 s.

pres. behet, i. 1954, pret.

behihte, viii. 2075 : promise,

assure, pronounce,
behoue, v. n. viii. 2426, be need-
ful, help,
behouely (-11), a. i. 2393, v.

1757, profitable, helpful.
beie, v. a. ii. 3061, pret. boghte,

ii. 2736, buy, pay for, avenge.
beiape,».a. i. 2363, deceive, mock,
beknowe(n), v. a. n. i. 593, pp.

beknowe(n), i. 550, make

known, confess : lambeknowe,

i. 550, 1940, I confess.

2I4

GLOSSARY

Bele Ysolde, viii. 2501.
beleue, v. n. ii. 2524, remain : is
beleft, was beleft, ii. 2569,

3458.
(belie), v. a., pp. belein, i. 1993,

besiege,
belieue, v. a. n. i. 580, 2012, viii.

2500, believe, believe in, trust.
belieue,bilieue, s. i. 699, ii. 3396,

belief, faith.

belle, s. i. 1949, 2391, bell,
beloke(n), pp. ii. 3393, iv. 3667,

shut up.
belonge, v. n. 1.691, 2345, belong,

be fitting.

benedicite, interj. i. 205.
benyce, v. refl. viii. 2769, befool

(oneself).

berd, s. i. 2045, beard,
bere, s. ii. 160, bear,
bere, v. a., 3 s. pres. ber)?, i. 467,

pret. s. bar, i. 434, //. bere,

beere, iv. 1323, 1376, //. bore,

*• 397-

berne, s. ii. 86, v. 4907, bam.

Bersabee, viii. 2690.

beschrewe, v. a., curse.

beschrewed, a. i. 640, evil-dis-
posed.

besein,beseie,//. 1.358, 2360, iv.
1384, provided, equipped, pre-
pared.

beseche, v. a. n. i. 589, 1985,
2174, besieche, viii. 291 2, pret.
besoghte, ii. 108.

beseme, v. a. i. 2013.

besette, v. a. i. 3237, //. beset,
ii. 3252, set, employ, bestow.

besi, besy, a., busy.

besien, v. refl. iv. 1183, 1230,
employ.

besiliche, adv. i. 373, iv.
1235-

besinesse, s., business, activity.

besischipe, s. iv. 1119, activity.

besnewed, pp. i. 2044, sprinkled
with snow.

besprede, v. a.,/r^.bespradde,
viii. 2655, cover.

bestad, pp. ii. 69, 1149, situated,

engaged,
beste, s., beast.

bestere, v. reft. ii. 3196, bestir,
beswike, v. a. i. 498, 760, deceive,
bet, adv. i. 1976, better: <r/.betre.
betake, v. a. iv. 1431 , pp. be-

take(n), i. 80, viii. 2960, give,

deliver, commend.
bete, v. a. n., beat,
beteche, v. a., deliver.
bej>enke,^. a. n., think ot, remem-
ber ; reft. bej>ogb.te him selue,

i. 2116.
betide, betyde, v. n. i. 149, 2265,

pp. betid, v. 2101, happen, come

to pass.

betokne, v. a. n., signify,
betraie, v. a. viii. 1923.
betrappe, v. a. iii. 1358, ensnare,
betre, bettre, adv. i. 720: cp. bet.
bet wen, betuen, prep. i. 2164,

v. 5025.

betyde, see betide,
beware, v. a. ii. 3359, spend,

employ,
bewhape, v. a. viii. 2219 (//.

bewhapid,viii. 2955), bewilder,

amaze,
bewinde, v. a., pp. bewounde,

v. 5008, envelop,
bewreie, v. a., reveal, expose,
be^ende,/^/. i. 424, beyond,
beijete, s. iv. 1709, property,

possession.
bidde, v. a. n., 3 s. pres. bit, iv.

1161, bidt, iv. 1162, pret. bad,

i. I57,//. bede,i. 2048, imperal.

bidd, iv. I434,//. bede: bid,

command, invite, ask for, pray.
bide, v. n., pret. bod, viii. 2310,

stay.

bilieue, see belieue, s.
bille, j. viii. 2324, writing.
bime, see byme.
binde, bynde, v. a. n. viii. 2811,

pret. s. bond, v. 5056.
blak, a. iv. 1343, black,
blame, a. i. 2405, blameworthy.

GLOSSARY

215

blase, s. viii. 2444, blaze,
blende, v. a., blind, conceal,
blesse, v. a. i. 3418, v. 5222 ; v. n.

i. 620, v. 5022, cross oneself,
blessinge, s. ii. 3317.
blew, a. as subst. iv. 1317, blue.
blind, blynd, a. i. 47, blinde,

def. i. 621, //. i. 228, iii. 1465,

blind, deceitful.
blod, s. i. 2235, 3170, blood.
blodi, a. iii. 1400, bloody,
blowe, v. a. n. i. 2i$$,pret. blew,

i. 2I43,//. blowe,i. 2298, blow,
blyue, bliue, adv., quickly.
bode, v. a. i. 3282, proclaim.
bodili, bodely, a. ii. 3256, bodi-

liche,ii.3344, bodily ,of the body,
boiste, j. viii. 2814, box.
bok, s., book,
bombard, s. viii. 2482 (a musical

instrument).

bone, s., petition, boon,
bord, s. i. 211 1, board, table,
borde, s., jest,
bost, s. v. 2142, boast,
bot, s. i. 1960, boat,
bot, conj. or adv. i. 6, 675, v.

5105, ne ... bot, i. 264, bot if,

i. 441, bote, v. 2015 ; but, only,

unless, except.

bote, s. i. 28, 2232, remedy, help,
bope, a. pi. i. 317, bope tuo, vi.

1 144, cure herte bope, iii. 1473,

bope also, iii. 1471.
botme, j. i. 1961, bottom,
bowe, s. i. 1967, ii. 151, bow.
bowe, v. n. i. 718, ii. 3225, bow,

bend, turn aside, submit,
bowh, s. iv. 1331, //. bowes,

bough,
branche, s. iv. 3688, braunche,

i. 2311.

brede, s., breadth,
brede, v. a. i. 542, breed,
breide, v. a., pret. iii. 1429, drew,
bregge, s. v. 2205, bridge,
broke, v. a. «., pret. brak, pp.

broke, ii. 3394, break,
brenne, v. a. n. i. 323, ii. 5, 23,

I pi. pret. brenden, pp. brent,

i. 2006, burn,
brest, s. i. 662, briest, viii. 2175,

breast, heart.

brep, s. i. 119, 2127, breath,
brewe, v. a. iii. 1626.
brid, s. i. 101, bridd, i. 2088, //.

briddes, i. in, bird.
bridel, s. iii. 1629, iv. 1203,

brydel, iv. 1434, bridle,
bridlen, v. a. i. 2037, viii. 2707,

bridle, guide.

briht, bryht, bright, 0., bright,
brihte, bryhte, adv., brightly,
brimme, s. v. 4968, edge,
bringe, v. a., pret. broghte,

bring.

brod, a., broad,
bryht, see briht.
buille, buile, v. »., pres. p.

buillende, v. 2221, boil.
buissh, s. i. 359, bussh, i. 2044,

bush.

buisshelles, s.pl.v. 2204, bushels.
burned, a., polished.
buxom, a., obedient,
by, adv. iv. 1172 ; by and by, vi.

791 (see note).
byme, bime (=-by me), iv. 1182,

1423 (to me).

cacche, v. a., pret. cawhte, iii.
1461, pp. cawht, i. 2277 ; v. n.
ii. 3192 : catch.

Cadme, i. 339, Cadmus.

caliphe, s. ii. 2549, caliph.

Calipse, viii. 2599, Calypso.

can, see conne.

Canace, viii. 2587.

Capaneus, i. 1980.

capitein, s., fern, capiteine, v.
1972, leader, ruler.

carbuncle, s. i. 466.

carecte, s. i. 470, charm, con-
juration.

carie, v. a. ii. 2648, carry.

carole, s., dance, song.

2l6

GLOSSARY

carole, v. n. vi. 868, sing.

Cartage, v. 2048 ff.

carte, s. car, chariot.

cas, s. i. 646, per cas, iv. 1239.

caste, v. a. i. 40, i s. pres. caste,

i- J965, 3 s. cast, i. 66$, pret.

caste, i. 122, 2159, cast, i. 152,

imperat. s. cast, i. 438, pi.

casteth, i. 3i6o,//. cast, viii.

2909 : throw, defeat, conjecture,

plan, calculate.
cause, s. i. 3437, be c. that, ii.

2771, for c. of, ii. 3285, be c.

of, iii. 1433.
cause, v. a. i. 1987.
caue, s. viii. 2573.
cedre, s. i. 359, cedar.
celier, s. viii. 2254, cellar.
Celion, ii. 3350.
certein, a. i. 237, a certeinman,

i. 2130 ; as subst. in certein,

i. 3215 (certainly),
certeinete, s. i. 48, certainty,
certes, adv. i. 128, assuredly,
cesse, v. a. #., come to an end,

bring to an end.

chace, s. i. 345, 2 296, ii. 2634,chase.
chaf, s. ii. 85, chaff.
chaiere,j. v. 2214, chair,
chamberere, s. iv. 1193, chamber-
maid,
chance, chaunce, s. ii. 207, per

chance, i. 2225.
chapelle, s. iv. 1137.
chapman, s. v. 5115, dealer.
char, charr, s. i. 2029 ff.,iv. 1205,

genii, chares, iv. 1 208, carriage,

car.
charite, s.\. 2049, 3371, Charite,

"• 3i73»/f- eharitees, i. 3360.
charitous, a. ii. 3329, charitable.
charr, see char,
chartre, s. i. 3357, charter,
chastie, v. a. i. 2117, ii. 38,

punish, correct,
chastise, v. a. iv. 1242.
chastisinge, s. iv. 1276.
cherche, s. ii. 3477, church,
chere, see chiere.

cherie, s. vi. 891, cherry,
chese, v. a. n., pret. s. ches, i.

3281, //. chose, imperat. ches,

pp. chose(n), i. 101, 2088,

choose.

cheste, s., contention (in words),
chieke, s. viii. 2827, cheek,
chiere, chere, s. i. 141, 341, 619,

3172, iv. 1408, chier, viii. 2684,

face, looks, welcome ; hevy c.,

i. 3148, make c., iv. 1194.
chiered, a., hevy chiered, viii.

2533, sad.

chiewe, v. n. iii. 1629, chew,
chin, chyn, s. vi. 775, vnto the

chinne, ii. 3450, chin,
chippes, s. pi. i. 1918, chips,
chiualerie, s., army, prowess,
chiualerous, a. ii. 2517, valiant,
chois, s. ii. 3391, choice,
chyn, see chin.
Circes, viii. 2599, Circe,
citole, viii. 2679 (a stringed in-
strument).

Ciuile, ii. 83, the civil law.
clamour, s. viii. 2731.
clappe, v. i. 2391.
clarion, s. viii. 2482.
(cle), s.pl. cles, iv. 1109, claws.
clene, a. ii. 3447, pure: adv. \.

587, wholly.

dense, v. a. ii. 3463, cleanse.
Cleopatras, viii. 2573, Cleopatra.
clepe, v. a. n. i. 744, call.
cler, see clier.
clergesse, s. vi. 980, clergy.
clergie, s. ii. 3351, learning, clergy,
clerk, clerc, s. i. 2274, clerk,

writer.

clier, cler, a. ii. 195, clear,
clippe, v. a., pret. clipte, v. 4998,

embrace.
clos, a. or adv. ii. 3197, iv. 1331,

close, closely.
cloj>e(n), v.a. n. i. 6i2,//. clad,

iv. 1306 ; v. n. iv. 2236 : clothe ;

be clothed.
cofre, cophre, s. ii. 2257, v.

2079, 2295, chest, coffer.

GLOSS A R Y

217

Celebes, viii. 2520, Colchis.
collacioun, s. iv. 1144, confer-

ence, contrivance.
Collatin, viii. 2633, Collatinus.
colour, s. i. 606, 692, colour, pre-

tence.

comande, v. a. n. i. 3240.
comandernent, commande-

ment, s. ii. 3200.
come(n), v. n., 3 s. fires, com]),

i- J93> Pret. 2 s. come, viii.

2076, //. come(n), i. 2048, iv.

1307, imperat. com, i. 197, //.

come(n), iv. 1283.
comende, commende, v. a. i.

commun, commune, see comun,

&c.
compaignie, s.\. 735, compainie,

v. 2081, company, friendliness.
compasse, v. a. n. i. 5, 518,

1 893, surround, contrive, achieve.
compleigne, v. a. i. 114, ii. 188;

refl. viii. 2541 : mourn for,

mourn, murmur, complain.
compleignte, s., complaint.
compleignynge, s. iii. 1425, la-

mentation.
complexioun (-on), s. ii. 3256,

constitution.
comvn, commun, a. iv. 1270, v.

2235, common.
comune, s. i. 651, common people,

commonalty.
comune, commune, v. a. i. 70 ;

v. n. i. 652 : communicate, share;

associate, converse, share.
conclude, v. n. i. 250; v. a. viii.

2048, 2712.
conclusioun (-on), s. i. 249,

3085.

concordable, a., suitable.
condicioun (-on),j. ii. 3271, con-

dition, disposition.
conforte, z>. a., strengthen.
confounde, v. a. i. 3093, over-

come.

confusioun, s. i. 3086, defeat.
conne, konne, kunne, v., i, 3 s.

pres. can, kan, i. 28, ii. 3496,
conne, cunne, i. 506, subj.
conne, i. 264, pret. cowj>e,
coupe, i. 30, 536, cowde,
coude, iv. 1255, know, know
how to, be able to.

conquere, v. n. iii. 1649, conquer.

consaile, see conseile.

consailer, see conseilour.

conscience, s. i. 595, iii. 1504,
feeling, conscience, sense of
guilt.

conseil, con sail, i. 609, 3415,
conseile, viii. 2071, counsel,
advice.

conseile, consaile, consaille, v.
a. n. ii. 2708, advise, ask advice.

conseilour, conseiller, con-
sailer, s., councillor.

Constantin, ii. 3188,3339, 3449,
Constantine the Great.

constellacion (-oun), s. i. 393.

constreigne, v. a. iv. 3529,
compel.

contenance, contienance, s. i.
698, iv. 1180, bearing, expres-
sion.

contour-bed,//, i. 222, confused.

contraire, a. i. 2356, contrary ;
in contraire, i. 631, 3416, in
opposition.

centre, s., country.

contrevaile, v. a. ii. 3313, com-
pensate.

contricioun, s. i. 214.

cope, s. iv. 1315, cloak, covering.

corage, s., heart, disposition.

corde, s. iv. 3592, v. 4989.

cornemuse, s. viii. 2483, bag-
pipe.

coronal, s. iv. 1326, crown.

corone, s. iv. 1323, crown.

corps, s. iv. 3657, //. v. 2207,
body.

cortaisly, courtaisly, adv. i.
2108, courteously.

costage, s. i. 3104, cost.

coste, v. n. i. 3273, cost.

coste, s. i. 499, coast, country.

2l8

GLOSSARY

costeiant, a. ii. 2551, bordering,
costne, -v. n. i. 3313, cost,
cote, s. iv. 1355, coat,
couche, v. a. viii. 2255, place,
coude, see conne.
coupable, a., blameworthy,
cours, s. i. 509, iv. 1270, course,
courtaisly, see cortaisly.
courteis, curteis, a., courteous,
coup, #., see cowp.
coupe, v., see conne.
coueite, v. a. n., covet,
coueitous, a., covetous,
couenable, a., suitable,
couere, v. a. i. 432, cover,
couert, a., secret,
couerture, s. i. 645, iv. 1102,

concealment, protection,
couine, s. i. 29, &c., company,

agreement, device, conspiracy,
couoitise, coueitise, s. v. 1976 ff.,

covetousness.
cowde, see conne.
cowj), coup, a., known,
cowp, z>., see conne.
Crassus, v. 2069.
craue, v. a. n. i. 3343, ask for,

ask.

creatour, s. ii. 3436, Creator,
credence, s. i. 533, 707, belief,

faith.

crepe, v. n. v. 5109, creep.
Cresus, iv. 1325 (genit.}, Croesus.
Creusa, viii. 2505.
cri, cry, s. i. 375, 2188, iv. 3600.
crie(n), v. a.n.,$ s. pres. crith, i.

2338> iv. 3619, pret. cride, i.

2326, 3167; cry, lament, pray

for, proclaim.

Criseide, viii. 2531, Cressida.
Crist, genit. Cristes, i. 664, ii.

2503, 3354, 3466, vi. 975 ff.
cristall, s. v. 5066.
cristendom, s. ii. 3454, Christian-
ity.

cristne, v. a. ii. 3474, christen.
crois, s. ii. 3392, cross,
cronique, croniqe, i. 759, 1994,

3059, chronicle.

crumme, s. vi. 1003, crumb,
cunne, see conne.
Cupide, i. 124, ii. 39, iii. 1351,
1463, 1695, iv. 1242, 1265,

1275, 3558> viii- 2I72 ff->
2453 ff., Cupido, iv. 1733, viii.

2745.

cure, s. i. 132, 3211, care, remedy,
curteis, see courteis.

dai, day, s. i. 1991, //. dales, i.

2273, nou on d., v. 4913, cp.

adaies.

Dalida, viii. 2703, Delilah,
dame, s., ma dame, i. 168, iv.

1374-

dampne, v. a. v. 4922, condemn,
danger, see daunger.
danz, s. i. 3395, sir (used as a

title).

Daphne, iii. 1686 ff.
dar, v. n., i s. pres. ind. pret.

dorste, i. 3157, pret. subj.

durste, iii. 1622, dare,
daunger, danger, s. iii. 1537 ff.,

iv. 1149, 3589, viii. 2564: see

note on iii. 1537.
daunte, v. a. i. 469, 2390, tame,

conquer.

Dauid, viii. 2690.
dawe, s. i. 2125, day.
debat, s., strife, dispute.
debate, v. a. n. v. 5161, viii.

2522, contend, contend for, con-
tend against,
debonaire, a. i. 231, vi. 863,

gentle, mild.

deceipte, s. i. 676, 753, deceit,
decerte, s. i. 614, 3277, service,

merit.

ded, a. i. 3115, dead, killed.
dede, s. i. 634, deed.

dedly, dedli, a. i. 577, adv. iii.

1579, deadly.
deduit, s. viii. 2847, delight.

dee, j., //. dees, i. 54, iv. 1095,
die,//, dice.

GLOSSARY

219

deface, see desface.

defalte, s. iv. 1 253, in pi defalte,
iv. 3588, failure, want, fault.

defence, defense, s., prohibition,
protection.

defende, v. a. i. 567, ii. 3411,
protect, forbid.

defoule, v. a. »., pollute, de-
stroy.

degre, degree, s. i. 751, condition,
manner; be degrees, i. 258, in
gradation.

Deyanire, viii. 2561, Deianira.

Deydamie, viii. 2567, Deidamia.

deie, see dye.

deigne, v. n. vi. 1002 ; intpers. i.
2099, iv. 3564 : deign.

deintefull, a. vi. 813, dainty.

del, see diel.

delaiement, s. v. 5088, delay.

dele, v. «., deal, consult.

deliberacioun, s. viii. 2302, de-
liberation.

delicacie, s. vi. 783, daintiness.

delicat, a. vi. 729, dainty.

delice, s. vi. 795, delight.

delicious, a. vi. 957, delightful,
delicate.

delit, s. i. 442, pleasure, charm.

delite, v. n. and re/I. , delight.

delue, v. a. n. i. 3256, v. 2159,
dig, dig for.

demande, s. i. 3071, question.

deme, dieme, v. a. n. i. 1892,
2014, v. 5152, 5200, think good,
judge of, condemn, decide.

demeine, s. viii. 2226, posses-
sion.

Demephon, viii. 2555, Demo-
phoon.

dep, a. v. 4947, depe, (def.) iv.

I715r(^)f« 3069, deep,
departe(n), v. a. n. iv. 1317,

divide, distribute, depart.
dere, v. a. i. 1997, injure,
dere, a., see diere.
derk, a. i. 634, dark,
derne, a. i. 1932, secret,
desclose, v. a. i. 3401, reveal.

descoeuere, discoeuere, v. a.,

discover, reveal,
descord, s., disagreement,
descorde, v. n., disagree,
descrive, descryve, v. a, vi.

1 1 10, describe, understand,
desdeign, s. i. 2058, 2359, dis'

dain.

desdeigne, v. a. viii. 2342, dis-
dain, refuse,
deserue, v. a. n. i. 170, 738, ii.

3268, iv. 3577, earn, deserve,
desese, s. ii. 50, trouble,
desese, v. a., trouble,
desespeir, s. iv. 3687, despair,
desface, deface, v. a. n. iv. 1322,

viii. 2828, destroy, be destroyed,
desguise, v. a. iii. 1385, disguise,
desir, s. i. 599, 684.
desobeie, v. a. n., disobey,
desobeissance, s., disobedience,
desobeissant, a., disobedient,
despeire, v. n. and re/I. ii. 3347*

iv. 3541, despair,
despende, v. a. i. 1904, spend,

employ.

despise, v. a. i. 1978, scorn, hate,
despit, s., insult,
desplese, v. a., displease,
desport, s. iv. 1188, amusement,
desporte, v. a. and refl. i. 2294,

amuse.

despreise, v. a. i. 2119, dispraise.
despuile,z>. a. i. 2206, viii. 2856,

strip,
desputen, v. n. ii. 310, iv. 812 ;

v. a. iv. 619.
destance, see distance,
desteigne, v. a. i. 696, stain, dis-
figure.

destine, s., destiny,
destourbe, destorbe, v. a. i. 221,

disturb,
destresse, distresse, s. ii. 3266,

iii. 1605, vi. 1118, distress.
destruccioun, s., destruction,
destruie, v. a. iii. 1520, pret.

destruide, v. 2212, pp. de-

struid, i. 3185, ii. 3355, destroy.

220

GLOSSARY

determine, v. n. ii. 3204, viii.

2786.
dep, s. i. 2128, fro depe, ii.

3399, death.

deuise, v. a. i. 2 178, tell, contrive.
deuocioun (-on), s. i. 213, ii.

3433-
deuolte, a. i. 636, devoute, i.

669, devout.
deuoure, v. a. i. 654.
Diana, i. 363.
Dido, viii. 2552.
diel, del, s., portion ; no del, no

diel, nothing : as adv. neuere

a diel, not at all.
dieme, see deme.
diere, dere, a. i. 162, 3147, dear:

adv. i. 381, dearly.
dignite,dignete, j.,rank, honour.
dihte, v. a., prepare, set in order.
dimme, adv. v. 4967, faintly (of

voice) : cp. dymme, a.
Diomede, viii. 2534, 2569.
discouere, discoeuere, see des-

coeuere.

displese, see desplese.
disposicioun (-on), s. ii. 3255.
dissevere, v. a. iii. 1753, separate.
distance, destance, s. viii. 2200,

difference.

distresse, see destresse.
diuerse, v. n., change; pp. di-

versed, changed, made different.
diuerse, a. i. 426, different, per-

verse.
diuin, a., diuine (def. or fern.},

".

diuise, see deuise.

diuised, pp. ii. 3264, divided.

do, don, v. a. (».) i. 155, to
(forto) done, i. 691, pret.
dede, i. 561, imperat.pl. doth,
i. 127, pp. do, don, i. 13: let
do, ii. 3448, 3468, do ... be,
viii. 2289, do ... forto, viii.
2300 : do, cause, make, put,

do, doo, s. iv. 1300, doe.

dom, s. viii. 2113, judgement,
dominion,

domesday, s. vi. 806, day of

judgement,
dominus, i. 215.
dore, s., door,
double, a. i. 635 (deceitful); ii.

3343-

doubte, see doute.

doute, v. a. i. 404, fear.

doute, s. i. 2222, 3124, fear.

dowhter, doubter, s., genit.
dowhter, i. 3208, dowhtres,
i. 3231, pi. -dowhtres, i. 391,
daughter.

drawe, v. a. n. i. 2336, 3 s. pret.
drowh, drouh, ii. 2695, vi.
1 03 1, pp. drawe.

dreccne, v. a. n. i. 621, 2097,
deceive, torment, debase, delay.

drede, v. a. refl. and n. i. 2245,
pret. dradde, v. 5003, imperat.
dred, i. 2246, fear.

drede, s. i. 1987, fear, doubt.

dredful, a. i. 435, 2133, terrible.

dreie, a. i. 2042, dry.

dreint, dreynte, see drenche.

drem, s. ii. 3376, //. dremes, iv.
3575, dream.

dreme, v. n. iii. 51, iv. 2722, 3285.

drenche, v. a. n. pret. dreynte,
pp. dreint, dreynt, drown.

driue, see dryue.

droppe, v. vi. 1043.

drye, dryhe, v. a. vi. 1085, en-
dure.

duelle(n), dwelle, i. 147, iii.
1338, pret. duelte, v. 2084, re-
main, dwell.

duete, s., duty.

dwelle, see duelle.

dyche, v. a. i. 3256, trench.

dye, die, deie, v. n. i. 127, die.

dymme, a. pi. viii. 2826, dim.

ech, eche, pron. i. 2061, each.
echon, pron., each one.
Ector, viii. 2526, Hector.

GLOSSARY

221

eft, efte, adv. i. 160, after, again.

eftsone, eftsones, adv., after.

Egipte, ii. 2549, 2628, Egypt.

eile, v. n., ail.

eir, s. vi. 943, air.

ek, eke, adv. vi. 1147, also.

elde, s. viii. 2828, old age.

Eleine, viii. 2529, Helen.

elles, adv. i. 2344, ii. 3382, else,
besides.

embatailled, pp. ii. 2619, in
battle array.

embrace, enbrace, v. a. i. 431,
put on the arm, take in hand, em-
brace.

empeire, v. a. »., damage, become
worse.

empeire ment, s. v. 2161, harm.

emperesse, s. viii. 2612, em-
press.

emprise, s. i. 2066, valour, worth,
object.

enbrouded,//. iv. 1319, embroid-
ered.

enbrouderie, s. iv. 1175, embroid-
ery.

enchaunte, v, a. i. 470.

encheson, s., occasion.

enclin, a. ii. 3177, inclined.

encline, v. a. n. iv. 3565, viii.
2083, incline.

encluyed,//. iv. 1345, hurt with
a nail.

encresce, encresse, v. a. n. i.
672, ii. 3428, increase.

encress, s. i. 3342, increase, ad-
vancement.

endeles, a. vi. 1061 ; adv. ii.
3429, for ever.

enderday, s, i. 98 : see note.

endite, v. a. n. viii. 2214, com-
pose.

Enee, viii. 2553, ^Eneas.

enformacion, s. i. 2270, informa-
tion.

enforme, v. a. n. i. 276, 1974*
3229, relate, instruct, inform.

erjgendre, v. a. n. ii. 3176, pro-
duce.

engin, engyn, s. v. 2156, disposi-
tion, device.

enhabite, v. a. iii. 1335, inhabit.

enke, s. viii. 2213, ink.

enoignte, v. a., pp. enoignt, viii.
2818, anoint.

ensample, s., example.

ensample(n), v. a. (usu. refl?) iv.
3684, v. 5159, provide with
example.

ensamplerie, s. v. 4935, example.

ensele, v. a. viii. 2699, seal.

entaile, s., form, fashion.

entame, v. a. i. 709, wound.

entendance, s. viii. 2488, service.

entendant, a. viii. 2695, doing
service.

entende, v. n. ii. 3412, pay atten-
tion, undertake.

entendement, s. i. 3122, under-
standing, meaning.

entente, s. i. 60, meaning, pur-
pose, thought.

entrecomune, v. n. ii. 3249, have
common part.

eny, any, ,pron. i. 14, v. 2039.

Eolen, viii. 2510, lole.

epitaphe, s. iv. 3670, epitaph.

equite, s. ii. 3327, justice.

er, or, prep. i. 610, 1944, iv. 1285,
v. 2182 ; er, ar, adv. ii. 1995, iv.
1422 ; er, con/, i. 911 : before.

ere, s. i. 2181, ear.

ere, v. a. n. i. 3257, plough.

erl, s. i. 3376, earl.

erldom, s. i. 3354, earldom.

erli, erly, adv. i. 2176, erliche,
v. 2313.

ernest, s., seriousness.

erst, adv., at first.

erpe, i. 3251, 3265, earth, clay.

erply, erpli, a. iv. 1322, earthly.

eschange, s. i. 2330, viii. 2259,
exchange.

eschape, see ascape.

esohete, s. i. 3354, forfeit.

eschuie, v. a. n. i. 2255, ii. 3250,
iii. 1674, avoid, escape.

ese, s. ii. 49, ease.

222

GLOSSARY

ese, v. a. n. ii. 3183, relieve.

esely, adv. v. 5027, gently.

Eseonen, viii. 2518, Hesione.

esmaied, //. iv. 1372, troubled.

espeir, s., hope.

estre, s. ii. 3370, abode.

esi, a. viii. 2 1 59, easy.

ete, v. a. «., 3 s.pres. ett, vi. 1 139,

//. ete(n), Hi. 1401, eat.
eth, a. i. 544, easy.
Ethna, ii. 20, 163, Etna,
euel, s. v. 4926.
euene, a. as subst., in euene, i.

2; adv. ii. 175, 3401, v. 4985,

exactly, rightly,
euere, adv., euere in on, vi. 807

(see note).
euermore, adv., eueremor, i. 34,

eueremo, iv. 3590, for ever,
euerychon, euerichon, pron. i.

246, 2103, iv. 1311, every one.
eueryday, adv. vi. 1090.
euerydel, euerydiel, adv., alto-
gether,
excede, v. a. i. 541, iv. 3525, go

beyond.

exclude, v. a. viii. 2711, hinder,
excuse(n), v. a. i. 733, 2102,

excuse, give as excuse.
excusinge, s. i. 1929.
expresse, a. viii. 2185.

fade, adv. i. 2043, faintly,
fader, s. i. 216, &c., fadre, ii.

2519, 26gi,genit. fader, i. 3334.
faie, faye, a. i. 2317, iv. 1321,

fairy-like.

faierie, s. v. 5003, enchantment,
faile, s. i. 3113, mistake,
fain, a. iii. 1666; adv. fain

wolde, &c. ; glad, gladly.
fair, a. i. 362, pi. fatre, i. 353.
faire, adv. i. 3415, fairly.
faiterie, s. i. 179, false pretence,
faitour, s. i. 174, 689, deceiver,
f alias, s. i. 645, deceit.

falle(n), v. n. i. 39, 683, 3 s.

pres. faljj, i. 24, pret. pi. fellen,

i. 2083, subj. felle, i. 3151.
false (n), v. n. v. 5182, break

faith.

falshede, falshiede, s., falsehood,
fantosme, s. v. 5011, illusion,
fare, v. n. i. no, 1976, pret.

ferde, i. 97, ii. in, //. ferd, i.

445 (also faren), imperat. fare

(wel), iv. 1378, go, happen,

fare.
fare, s. i. 2291, v. 1987, viii. 2164,

doing, condition, business,
faste, adv. i. 473, 2302 ; alsfaste,

i. 414, 474, quickly; faste by,

close by.

fastnen, v. n. v. 3598.
faye, see faie.
fee, s., pi. fees, i. 53, iv. 1096,

wages.

feer, see ferr.
feigne, v. a. n. i. 166, 595, 2197,

pretend, speak falsely.
feihte, see fihte.
feint, a., false, faint,
feintise, s. i. 175, feigning,
feire, s. i. 301, fair.
feip, s. i. 707, 2216, in good

feip, i. 727, faith,
felawe, felaw, s., fellow, equal.
feld, s. ii. 2593, field, battle.
fele, a. pi., many,
felicite, s. i. 206, happiness.
fell, a. i. 68, cruel,
felle (i), ii. 3448, v. 2205, fill:

(also fllle).
felle (a), v. a., fell,
felonie, s. ii. 215, iv. 3580, crime,
felt, felte, see flele.
femele, a. as subst. iv. 1301,

female.

femeline, a. v. 5550, female,
fend, s. v. 4885, vi. 1051, fiend,
fer, a. , see ferr.
ferde, ferd, see fare,
fere, s. i. 462, 2205, ii. 46, iii.

1524, feere, iii. 1396, fear.
fere, feere, v. a., fear.

GLOSSARY

223

ferforth, adv., far.

ferforthli, adv. ii. 77, far.

ferr, fer, feer, a. i. 2378, far,

distant: adv. feer, i. 570; a

ferr, i. 2335.

ferst, a., def. ferste, i. 580, first.
ferpe, a., def., fourth,
fest, s., fist,
feste, s.j feast,
fet, j. viii. 2415, deed, feat.
fette(n), v. a., pret. fette, //. fet,

fett, ii. 2686, fetch, get.
feture, s. viii. 2977, feature,

make.

fleble, a. iv. 1392, feeble,
flede, v. vi. 1143, feed,
fledinge, s. vi. 746, 941, feeding,
flele, v. a. »., pret. felte, i. 2497,

felt, viii. 3165, //. felt, i. 210,

feel, think.
fielinge, s. vi. 344.
flere, s., companion ; in fiere, to-
gether.

fihte (feihte),z>. «.iii. 1648, fight,
finde, fynde, v. a., 3 s. pres. fint,

fynt, pret. fond, i. 113, 2337,

//. founde(n), pp. founde(n),

i. 2299; find, invent, provide,
firy, fyri, a. i. 144, 2002, iv.

1274, fiery,
fissh, fissch, s., pi. fisshes, i.

491, ii. 3456.
flue, see fyue.
fle, flen (i), v. a. n., pret. fledde,

ii. 152, escape, flee, avoid,
fle (2), v. n., 3 s. pres. flep, ii.

151, /«*• flyk, flih> fly-

fleissh, s. (fleisch), i. 2235, flesh.

flete, v. n. iii. 1628, float.

flod, s. i. 364, water, flood.

flour, s. i. 3261, flower.

flyh, see fle (2).

fo, s. ii. 3354, enemy.

fode, s. ii. 87, foode, vi. 846,

food.

fol, a. i. 442, 2269, foolish.
fol, s. i. 2214, ii. 3248, foil, i.

1967, pi. foles, fool,
fole, s. viii. 2407, foal.

folhaste, s. iii. 1430 ff., foolish

haste, rashness,
folhastif, a. iii. 1635, rash'
folie, s. i. 520, 2357, folly,
folwe, v. a. n. i. 261, ii. 3503,

follow,
fonde, v. a. n. i. 3198, attempt,

try.

fonge, v. a. ii. 2558, take,
for. prep., for al pis, i. 192, (in

spite of this).
for, for pat, conj. i. 598, since,

because, in order that.
forbere, v. a. n. i. 244, 3119,

3163, leave out, spare, prevent,

forbear,
forbiede, v. a. «., pret. forbad,

//. forbede, i. 3408.
forblowe(n), pp. ii. 25, blown

about.

fordo, v. a. ii. 3172, destroy,
forfare, pp. i. 109, worn out (with

travel),
forfeture, forsfaiture, iii. 1500,

offence, punishment.
forgnawe, //. iii. 1406, gnawed

to pieces.

forme, s. i. 576, kind.
forsake, v. a.,pret.pl. forsoke(n),

i. 6u,pp. forsake, i. 210, 3128,

ii. 157; deny, give up, avoid,

desert,
forschape, v. a., pret. forschop,

i- 370, PP> forschape, i. 416,

transform.

forsfaiture, see forfeture.
forstormed, pp. ii. 25, driven by

storms.
forp, adv., forp ouer, i. 3431 ; a

prep, forp wip, i. 680, together

with, with.

forp, s. i. 3314, course,
forpdrawe, v. a., pp. forpdrawe,

ii. 2697, draw out, bring forth.
forpfare, v. n.pret. forpferde, i.

98, go forth,
forpi, adv. i. 8, &c., therefore ;

noght forpi, i. 1901, never-
theless.

224

GLOSSARY

forto, i. 61, 83, &c.

fortune, z>. a. viii. 2549, deal with,

make fortunate.
for}ete, v. a. n. i. 224, 3426, pp.

for^ete, i. 2015, forget.
for}ifte, s. viii. 2896, forgiveness,
for^iue, v. a. n. i. 2384, pp.
for;iue, i. 2253, 3334, forijoue,
i. 2136, forgive, give.
fot, s. i. 2053, under fote, pi.

feet, i. 2300, foot,
foul, s. iv. 1298, bird,
founde, v. a. ii. 3476, found,
fourtenyht, s. iv. 1418, fortnight,
fourtiene, num. i. 3134, fourteen.
franchise, s. ii. 3483, freedom,

privilege.

franchised, //. ii. 3263, privi-
leged.

fre, a. i. 752, 1930; adv. ii. 3253.

freissh, freyssh, a. i. 353, 3353,

iii. 1390, iv. 1362 ; comp. freis-

shere, vi. 768 : fresh, newly

sprung.

freissh, adv. viii. 2487, vigorously.
frend, s. i. 2147, friend,
frendly, frendlich, a. i. 2423,

viii. 2173, friendly,
frese, v. n. iv. 1092, freeze,
fro, prep. i. 395; adv. i. 457;

from, away,
fronce (frounce), s. vi. 770,

wrinkle.

front (frount), s. iv. 1349, fore-
head.

fulfllle, v. a., pret. pp. fulflld,
fulfllt, viii. 221 1, fill, perform,
fulhard, a. viii. 2777, very diffi-
cult.
fulli (fulliche), adv. i. 2047,

completely.

fulmanye,a.viii. 2408, very many,
fulofte, fullofte, adv. i. 662,

1919, very often,
fy, interj. i. 616.
fynde, see nnde.
fyr, s. ii. 164, fire,
fyre, s.ii. 150, bolt (of a crossbow),
fyre, v. a. viii. 2775, set on fire.

fyri, see flry.

fyue, fiue, num. i. 296, 545,
2163, five.

G

Galahot, viii. 2502.
Galathe(e), ii. 108 ff.
galeie, s. ii. 2543, galley,
game, gamen, s. i. 347, viii.
2931 ; a game, viii. 2319, (in
sport).

gan, see ginne.
gardin, s. i. 3144, garden,
gastly (-Ii), a. v. 5062, fearful,
gate, s. i. 299, 2134, gate tre, iv.

3593 ; gate, way.
gaudes, s. pi. viii. 2$o6'(see note).
geant, s. ii. 155, giant.
Genius, i. 196, viii. 2306, 2809,

2893.

gentil, a., gentile, viii. 2294.
gere, s. i. 1996, armour,
gesse, s. i. 1889, guess,
gete(n), v. a. (n.} i. 628, get,
(inf.'] ii. 60, pret. gat, i. 3420,
pp. gete, get, beget.
gilt, see gult.
ginne, v. n., pret. gan, i. no,

114, 199, &c.

glade(n), v. n. ii. 2737, rejoice,
gladschipe, s. i. 3128, gladness,
glas, s. v. 2154, mirror,
glose, J. i. 271, comment, flattery.
glose, v. n., flatter, cajole,
go, gon, v. n. i. 2177 ; 3 s. pres.
gop, imperat. gop, v. 2343,
//. go, gon, i. 87, go, gon
( = ago), i. 64.
goddesse, godesse, s. i. 125,

235, 369* goddess,
goldhord, s. v. 2118, hoard of

gold.

goldring, s. ii. 2607, v. 2202.
good, s., pi. goodes, i. 628, v.

4984, wealth.
goode, s., goodness.
Gorgones, i. 402.
gouernance, s. i. 3391.

GLOSSARY

225

Gower, viii. 2321, 2908.
gracious, a. \. 137, favourable,
gradde, v. n. pret. iii. 1692, v.

5004, cried out.
grant merci (-y), i. 1902, ii.

3366, thanks.

gras, s. i. 352, grass, herb,
graue(n), v. a. pp. i. 555, iv.

3672, engraved.
Grece, viii. 2515, 2631, 2706.
gredi, a. v. zoo6, greedy,
gredily, adv. v. 2240, griedili,

v. 2017.
grein, j. ii. 3310, vi. 770, grain,

condition.

Grek, s. viii. 2544, Greek,
grene, a. i. 113, green, fresh,
grene, s. i. 682, 2348, green field,
gret, a. i. 3365, great,
greuance, see grieuance.
greuen, v,, see grieue.
griedili, see gredily.
grief, s. ii. 210, harm.
grieuance (greuance), vi. 969,

harm,
grieue, greue(n), v. a. n. i. 326,

ii. 119; impers. i. 2011, ii. 54:

hurt, vex, do injury, be vexed,
grisel, s. viii. 2407, gray horse,
groin, s. ii. 3408, servant.
growe,z>.#.ii. 46, pret. pi. grewe,

i. 2084, pp. growen, i. 553.
gult, gilt, i. 1880, 3334, iy*

1223, guilt.

gulte, v. n. ii. 3294, be guilty,
gulteles, a. ii. 1702, gylteles, vi.

728.

gultyf, gultif, a. i. 558, guilty.
Gunnore, viii. 2502, Guinevere,
guye, guie, v. a. viii. 2660, guide,
gylteles, see gulteles.

ha, interj., ha lord, i. 2207, A

godd, iv. 3622.
Habraham, genit. Habraham-

mes, vi. 1023 fF.

j hair, heir, s. i. 1429, ii. 2578, iv.

1252, heir.

hale, v. a. n. v. 5023, pull,
half, halue, s., side, half; a

goddes half, v. 5016, in God's

name.

halle, s. i. 2113, hall,
halten, v. n., pret. haltede, iv.

I345> g° lame-

haltres, s. pi. iv. 1357 ff., halters.
halue, see half,
haluendel, s. v. 2109, 4985,

half,
haluinge, haluynge, adv. viii.

23I9, 2397> half-
hange, honge, v. n. i. 2181, iii.

J555> P™^ Pl- hyngen, iv.

1358; v. a. pret. heng, viii.

2905 : hang.

Hanybal, v. 2054, 2198.
happ, hap, i. 67, pi happes, ii.

2547, v. 2249, fortune, chance,
happe, v. n. v. 2336 ; impers. iii.

1357 : chance.

hardi, hardy, a. ii. 2621, bold,
haste (n), v. refl. i. 2302; v. a.

iii. 1656, 1723.
hatte, v., seehote.
he, pron. i. 38, hem (//. obl.\

i. 72, him ( = himself), i. 17,

26, hem ( = themselves), i. 625.
hed, heved, hefd, s. i. 199, 467,

3309, pi. hevedes, viii. 2466 :

head,
heihte, s., hight, on heihte, i.

467, on high.
heil, a. i. 703, 2122, healthy,

wholesome,
helas, inter/, i. 3183, iii. 1472 :

cp. alias.

hele, s., health, salvation.
Heleine, ii. 3471, Helena,
hell, hel, s. 1.424, ii. 163, iv. 2991,

hull, v. 1573, hill,
helle, s. i. 3410, hell,
helpe(n), v. a. n. i. 25, pret. halp,

i. 421, 1947.

hemself, hemselue(n), them-
selves.

226

GLOSSARY

hente, v. a., pret. hente, i. 144,

pp. hent, i. 3379, take, seize.
her, s. i. 218 1,//, heres, i. 2999,

hair.

"h&r,pron., see here.
Hercules, viii. 2506, 2560.
here, her, pass, pron., their,
heringe, hieringe, s. i. 449, vi.

909, hearing,
herkne, v. a. n. i. 96, 329, listen

to, listen.

hert, i. 371, 2299, iv. 1300, hart,
herte, s., genit. herte, i. 145, pL

hertes, i. 2087, but oure herte,

here herte, iii. 1473, iv. 1377 :

heart.

hertly, a, ii. 2734, earnest.
Herupus, iv. 1246.
heruest, s. v. 2240, harvest,
heste, s. i. 8i3,//. hestes, i. 1335,

command.

hete, s. i. 3353, ii. 2740, heat,
hepen, a. ii. 3435, heathen,
heued, see hed.
heuene, s. i. i, heaven,
heuenely, heuenly, a. i. 3136.
heuy, adv. viii. 2533.
hewe, s. i. 701, ii. 2738, hue.
hewed, a. i. 2043, coloured.
hey, s. viii. 2437, hay.
hide, hyde, v. a. i. 1784, 2388,

imperat. hyd, i. 166, hyde, iii.

1502,^. hid, i. 607.
hider, hidir, adv. iv. 1788, vi.

1070.
hiede, s. i. 2192, heede, ii. 74,

heed.

hiele, s. viii. 2154, heel,
hier after, adv. i. 77.
hierafterward, adv. i. 1869.
hiere, v. a. n. i. 532, pret. herde,

pp. herd, i. 446, imperat. hier,

i. 197, hear.

hiere, here, hier, adv., here.
hieringe, see heringe.
hierof, adv., of this.
hih, hyh, a., def. hihe, hyhe, pi.

hyhe, high : hihe, hyhe, adv.

i. 2280.

hihte, see hote.
hilte, s. iii. 1445, hilt,
hinde, s. iv. 1300, hind,
hindre, v. a., hinder,
hindrere, s. iii. 1526, hinderer.
hindringe, s. i. 315, 2096.
hire, \L\T, per s. pron. i. 181, 365 ff.,

3188, her; i. 364, herself.
hire, hir, pass. pron. i. 188, her;

disj. hires, hire, hers.
hirself, hireself, pron., sche

hirself, iv. 3618, hirselue(n),

hireseluen, herself,
his, poss. pron. i. 49, pi. hise, i.

669, his, i. 51, &c.; disj. his, of

his: his, its.

histoire, s. vi. 885, story.
ho, inter j. v. 2219, stop!
hod, s. i. 627, hood.
hoi, a. ii. 3346, whole: hoi,

hole, adv., wholly.
hold, s. ii. 2745, stronghold,

prison,
holde(n), v. a. n., 3 s. pres. halt,

i. 1927, hald, v. 1981, pret. s.

hield,//. hielden, i. 3238, pp.

holde(n): hold, stand firm,

possess, consider.
holi, holy, holly, adv., wholly,
hond, hand, s. i. 2, in honde, on

hond, hand, s. i. 2, (vpon)

honde, i. ii, to honde, ii. 2614,

be ]>e hond, i. 3225, tofor pe

hond, &c., i. 518, his oghne

hond, iii. 2142, his oghne

hondes, v. 2306.
honeste,*a., honourable, good,
honge, see hange.
hony, s. vi. 928, honey.
hor, a. viii. 2403, hoary.
hors, s. i. 2311, genit. horse (side,

heved), i. 2301, horse haltres,

iy- I357> horse knaue, iv.

T399> pl* hors, i. 2036, iv. 1309.
hote, adv. ii. 132, hotly,
hote, v. n. (a.\ pret. hihte,

hyhte, i. 401, 765, (a/whatte)

//. hote, i. 337, call, command,

be called.

GLOSSARY

227

hou, hov, how, adv. and conj. i.

184, how so that, howso that,

ii. 3482, iii. 1368, how so, iii.

1364.
houedance, s. vm. 2080, court

dance.

hull, see hell,
humblesce, humblesse, s. i.

3287, humility.
humilite, s. i. 3275.
Hungarie, i. 2022.
hungerstoruen, pp. vi. 810,

starved to death,
hungre, v. n. vi. 760, impers. vi.

822.

hungre d, a. vi. 1007.
hunte, v. n. i. 348, 2294.
hurte, v. a. viii. 2745.
hyhte, see hote.
hyre, s. viii. 2291, wages.

iape, i. 2241, jest,
lason, viii. 2504, 2564.
iaspre, a. pi. iv. 3666.
ieueal, s. v. 2149, jewel.
ieupartie, s. i. 3237, danger,
like, a., same.

in fortune, s. ii. 3190, misfortune,
inly, adv. i. 3324, inwardly.
inne, adv. i. 303, wher inne, i.

2030.

interpretacioun, s. i. 3070.
into, prep. i. 739, in to, viii.

2944, into, until,
inward, adv. i. 634, within.
lohn (St.), i. 656.
lohn Gower, viii. 2321, 2908.
ioie, ioye, s., joy.
ioiefull, ioiful, a. ii. 3384.
iolif, a. i. 88, vi. 1052, wanton,
love, viii. 2252.
Iphis, iv. 3517.
ipocrisie, see ypoerisie.
issue, s. v. 2357, conclusion.
ludas, i. 657.
iueler, s. v. 5086, jeweller.

luesse, s. viii. 2694, Jewess,
iuise, s., judgement, punishment,
iustefie, v. a. viii. 2112, set right,

prove, rule,
lustinian, v. 5127.

Kaire, ii. 2558, 2648.
kan, see conne.
keie, s. viii. 2816, key.
kempt, //. viii. 2466, combed,
kepe, kep, s. i. 156, care,
kepe(n), v. a. n. i. 746, pret.

kepte, i. 2052, kept, ii. 181,

imperat. kep, iii. 1498: keep,

hold, take care of, regard, wait

for ; take care, expect,
keping(e), i. 2131, viii. 2638.
kerse, s. iii. 1652, cress,
kertell, s. v. 6915, pi. kertles,

iv. 1315, kirtle, skirt.
kid, kidd, pp., known,
kiele, v. a. vi. 736, 1065, cool.allay.
kinde, a. v. 4908.
kinde, kynde, s. i. n, 31, lawe

of kynde, i. 2231: nature,

manner, race.

kindeschipe, s. v. 4910, kindness.
kindly, a. ii. 2740, natural,
kisse, kesse, v. a., pret. keste, i.

2053, kiss.

kiste, s. v. 2306, chest.
kne,j.,//.knes,knees,i.2i3,3i45.
knele, v.n. i. 302 7, iv. 1172, kneel,
knette, v. a., pp. knet, v. 4966,

fasten together, bind,
kniht, knihthode,&c.,^knyht,

&c.
knowe(n), v. a. n., pret. pi.

knewe, ii. 3210, //. knowe, i.

21 34-
knowleching(e) , knoulechinge,

s. vi. 982, knowledge,
konne, see conne.
knyht, kniht, s. i. 316, knight,
knyhthode, knihthode, s. ii.

2513, knihthod, v. 2057,

knighthood, valour.

Q 2

228

GLOSSARY

knyhtly, knihtly, a. ii. 2625.
kynde, see kinde.

lacche, v. a. ii. 109, seize,
lacke, lack, s. i. 1988, want,

fault : cp. lak.
lacke, v. n. i. 2396, impers. lack-

ep, viii. 2427 if., cp. vi. 908,

be wanting,
ladi, lady, s. i. 162, 317, genii.

ladi, lady, ii. 40, iv. 1437, pi.

ladis, ladys, iv. 1307.
ladischipe, s. iv. 1120, ladyship,

honour.

laghtre, s. viii. 2685, laughter.
lak, s., fault.
Lamenedon, viii. 2516, Laome-

don.

lancegay, s. viii. 2798, javelin.
Lancelot, viii. 2501.
largesce, s., liberality,
lasse, a. comp. i. 476 : adv. lasse,

i. 263, 1927, lesse, i. 1925:

less.

Latin, s. ii. 3187, Latin (lan-
guage): a. latin, vi. 981.
launde, s. iv. 1290, viii. 2160,

glade.
lawhe, laghe, v. n. viii. 2491, 3

s. pret. lowh, louh, ii. 3320,

laugh.

lay, s. ii. 3354, viii. 2663, law.
Lazar, vi. 1037 ff.
lazre, s. vi. 996, leper.
leche, s. ii. 3220, 3296, vi. 866,

physician, remedy,
lecoun, s. iii. 1377, lesson.
led, s. iii. 1705, lead,
lede(n), v. a. i. 2090, pret. ladde,

ledde, pp. lad, ledd, vi. 870 :

lead, guide, manage, take,
ledere, s. v. 2055, leader.
lef, s.,pl. leves, i. 354, leaf.
leie, lein, v. a. i. 500, 3 s. pres.

leip, i. 472, pret. leide, i.
2312, imperat. ley, lei, i. 3434:

lay, set, apply.

lene, a. iv. 1344, lean.

lene, v. a., pret. lente, i. 423,

lend.

leng, adv. comp., longer.
lengere, adv. comp. ii. 2602,

lenger, i. 147, longer,
leoun, leon, s. i. 2248, lion,
lepe, v. n., pret. lepte, i. 2051,

leap.

lepre, s. ii. 3192 ff., leprosy,
lere, liere, v. i. 454, 2123, v.

2029, learn, teach.
lerne, v. a. n. i. 44, 2010, teach,

learn.

lese, v. a. n. ii. 32, lose,
lesinge, lesynge, s. i. 679, 2268,

lying.

lesse, see lasse.
lest, v. imperat. i. 1876, listen,
lest, v., see list,
lest, a. i. 3249, ate leste, i. 277,

3259; least.

lest, adv. i. 2362, leste, i. 3296.
let, s., see lette.
lete, v. a. n. i. 6, 3366, pret. let,

pp. lete, ii. 3228, leave, omit,

let, shed,
lette, v. a. n. i. 38, ii. 94, pret.

lette, pp. let, ii. 128, hinder,

delay, put off.

lette (let), s. ii. 93, hindrance,
leue, s. ii. 113, iv. 1160, leave,
leue(n), v. a. n. iv. 1159, viii.

288i,flret. lefte,v. 2389, leave,

leave off, omit.
leue, v. n. iv. i382,/ntf.lefte(n),

remain.

leueful, see lieffull.
leuere, a. comp.iii. 762 ; adv. iv.

1337, dearer, rather: cp. lief,

lieuest.

leuest, see lieuest.
lewed,a. i. 274, ii. 34 2 3, unlearned,

ignorant,
lich, liche, a. ii. 3245, iv. 3649,

lik, i. 488, like ; adv. lich, ii.

3456, lik, i. 1950.
liche, s. i. 2277, like, lyke, i.
23I5> 3I39> likeness, match.

GLOSSARY

229

lie, lye, v. n. (i), lie, speak falsely.
lie, lye, v. ».(a), 3 s. pres. lip,

lyj>, i. 161, 3 j./r*/. lay, lai, 3

//. lihe, lyhen, leie(n), lie, be

situated : cp. ligge.
lief, a. ii. 209, lief . . . lop,

lieue . . . lope, ii. 3229, //.

lieue, ii. 3395, dear, pleasant :

cp. leuere, lieuest.
lief, s., loved one.
liegance, ligeance, s. allegiance,

rule.

liege, a. i. 2075, ii. 2762.
lieue, v. a. n. i. 44, 727, believe,

trust.
lieuest, a. superL, adv. i. 1608 :

cp. lief.

lif, s. i. 36, v. 2297, life, person,
lifissh, a. v. 4920, living,
liflode, s. v. 4961, vi. 798, liveli-
hood.

lifte, s. ii. 3488, sky.
ligge, v. n.,pres. part, liggende,

iii. 1494, ligende, i. 2346, lie.
lignage, s. i. 3335, descent,
liht, lyht, j. i. 633, light.
liht, lyht, a. (i), i. 2176, bright,
liht, lyht, a. (a), i. 3078, light,

easy,
lihte, v. n.,pret. lihte, i. 2310,

alight,
lihtly, lyhtly, adv. viii. 2776,

easily.

lik, see lich.
like, lyke, s., see liche.
like, lyke, v. n. i. 70, 652, 756, iv.

u82,likende,viii. 2476, please,

like,
liking(e), likynge, s. i. 496,

pleasure.

likned,//. viii. 2155, compared,
liknesse, s. i. 370, viii. 2601.
lime, s., limb.

linde, s. i. 2304, iv. 1341, linden-
tree.

lisse, v. a. iii. 1361, relieve,
list, lest, v. impers. i. 37, 1922,

pret. (ind. or subj.} liste, i.

1984, leste, i. 720, please.

lite, see lyte.

litel, a. i. 357 • adv. i. 615, alitel,

iv. 1339-
lockes, s. pi. viii. 2403, locks (of

hair).

logged,//, v. 2114, lodged,
logique, s. viii. 2709, logic,
lok, s. i. 122, 2313, 3033, look,

gaze, glance,
loke(n), v. a. n., look, take care,

watch.

lokinge, lokynge, s. i. 680, look-
ing, sight.

lomb, s. i. 604, lamb,
lond, j., to londe, v. 4899, into

londe, i. 3288, of londe, i.

2240, fro pe londe, ii. 179:

land.

londe, v. n. ii. 2545, land,
long, adv., see along,
long on, see along,
longe, v. n. i. 254, belong,
lorde, v. n. ii. 3267, be lord,
lore, j., teaching, learning,
lore, pp. i. 2008, lost : cp. lose,
lorer, s. iii. 1716, laurel,
lose, v. a., pret. loste, i. 3304,

lose : cp. lese.
lost, s. i. 3106, loss.
lop, a. iv. n86,//. lope, i. 2282,

lief . . . lop, ii. 2227, lieue . . .

lope, ii. 3229 : unwilling, un-

pleasing, hateful,
lope, v. a., hate, make hateful,
loure, v. n. i. 172, frown,
loute, v. n. i. 720, 2333, iv. 1169,

bow, yield (to).
lowe, adv. i. 718, low.
lowe, v. a. n. iv. 1273, bring

down.

lowh, louh, seel&whe.
luce, s. v. 2015, pike.
Lucifer, i. 3299.
Lucrece, viii. 2632.
lust, s. i. 443, 754, pi. lustes, iv.

1318, pleasure, desire, charm,
lusti, lusty, a. i. 317, 2167, 2306,

pleasant,
lute, v. n. i. 1933, lurk.

230

GLOSSARY

lye, v. , see lie.
lyht, see liht.
lyke, see liche.

lyte, a., as subst. a lyte, a lite, i.
264, little.

1C

ma dame, i. 168, iv. 1374.
mace, s. viii. 2507, club.
Machaire, viii. 2588, Macareus.
madle, a. as subst. iv. 1301, male.
mai, v. , see mowe.
maide(n), i. 3217, 3327.
Mail, i. 100, 2026, genit. Males,

i. 2089, May.

maintiene, v.a. i. 3285, maintain,
maister, s. i. 35, master,
maistred, v. a. pp. iv. 3518, over-
come.

maistresse, s. viii. 2331, mistress.
maistrie, s. iii. 1566, pi. mais-

tries, v. 2061, mastery, great

deed,
make, s. (i), i. 101, 2088, mate,

match.

make, s. (2), v. 2296, fashion,
maladie, maladye, s. i. 128, ii. 9,

3221, viii. 2642, disease,
malgre, s. adv., in spite of the

will ; malgre hem, iv. 1233, in

spite of themselves.
manace, v. a. n. iii. 1525, 1533,

threaten,
manere, s. iv. 1281, alle maner

wise, &c., i. 1977, manner,
manliod(e), s. ii. 2514, man's

nature, manliness.
many,mani, a. sing. ii. 89, many

a, i. 1958, pi. manye, i. 2530,

many, v. 5147 ; as subst. manye,

i. 3238.
many fold, adv. iii. 1702, many

times,
manyon, pron. i. 416, 655, many,

many a man.
marbre, s. iv. 3666 ff., v. 2035,

marble.

marchant, s. v. 5102, merchant,
marche, s. ii. 2521 ff., border,

territory.
Marche, viii. 2843, Mars, viii.

2852, March,
mareschal, s. viii. 2662.
Marie, i. 3278.
Mars, see Marche.
masse, see messe.
mat, a. vi. 730, weak, dejected,
matiere, s., matter, cause,
may, v., see mowe.
mea culpa, i. 66 1.
mede, s. ii. 2727, reward.
Medea, viii. 2563.
medicine, s. i. 30, 167, ii. 3203,

medicine, healing. ,

medle, v. a., mingle.
Meduse, Medusa, i. 401 ff.,

551-

meene, see mene.
meete, see mete,
meind, see meynd.
meknesse, s. i. 126, gentleness.
melodie, s. i. 494.
memoire, s., remembrance.
men, indef. pron. sing. viii. 2926,

people,
mene, meene, v. a. n. i. 15, 280,

mean, speak.
Menelay, viii. 2547.
merci, mercy, s. i. 1902, 1936,

thanks, mercy.

merciable, a. iii. 1514, merciful.
Mercurie, Mercurius, i. 422 ff.
merie, merye, a. i. 2081, merry.
merpe, s.tpl. merges, i. 102, re-
joicing,
merueille, v. n. iv. 1266, mer-

uaile, i. 2226, wonder,
merueile, merueille, s. i. 3234,

iii. 1422, wonder,
merueiled, a. v. 2060, filled with

wonder.

meschief, s., harm.
Mese, iv. 3516.
messager, s., messenger,
messe, masse, s. i. 660, iv. 1133,

mass.

GLOSSARY

23I

Metamor, Methamor, i. 389,

Ovid's ' Metamorphoses.'
mete, s., meat,
mete, meete, miete, v. a. n. (i),

pret. mette, i. 85, meet,
mete, meete, v. a. n. (2), pret.

mette, dream.

mete, meete, a. and adv., fit, fitly.
Methamor, see Metamor.
meynd, meind, a. v. 2311,

mingled.

mi, min, see my.
midelerpe, s. i. 3305.
middel, s. iv. 1356, vi. 786, waist,

middle.

miete, see mete,
miht, mihte, #., see mowe.
miht, s., see myht.
mile, myle, s., thritty mile, v.

2036, (of time) viii. 2312.
minde, see mynde.
mini s4 res, s.pl. i. 583, attendants.
mir, see myr.
mirour, s. v. 2033, viii. 2821,

mirror.

mis (mys), s. i. 3311, wrong,
mis (mys), adv. i. 2404, amiss,
misconte, v. n. i. 3112, make a

mistake.

misdespende, v. a. i. 298, mis-
spend.
misdo, v. a. n. i. 3443,//. misdo,

i. 2385, ii. 3513, do amiss,
miselue(n), miself, pron. i. 62,

192, 556.
misfare, v. n.^pret. misferde, iv.

3602, go wrong, transgress.
misguide, v. a. viii. 2920, lead

wrong.

mislok, s. i. 334, wrong looking,
misloke, v. «. i. 4 1 8, sin in looking,
mislokynge, s. i. 445, wrong look-
ing,
misreule, v. a. viii. 2114, rule

badly,
misse, v. n. iii. 1362, viii. 2229,

fail,
missit, v. n., 3 s. pres. v. 5213, is

unfitting.

misprowe, v. a. i. 549, cast

wrongly.

mistime, v. a. i. 220, disorder,
mistorne, v. a. n. i. 427, trans-
form.

mistriste, v. n. i. 3165, doubt,
mistrust, s. ii. 53, doubt,
miswende, v. a. n. iii. I548,//.

miswent, i. 395, turn aside, go

wrong.

mo, a. pi. iv. 1357 : CP- nomo.
moche, a. i. 224, many a ; for als

moche as, i. 272, since.
mochel, a. iii. 1619, much, many

a ; adv. i. 1983, much,
mod, s. ii. 2734, iv. 1280, mood,

mind,
moder, s., genit. moder, //.

modres, ii. 3223, mother,
moerdre, s. ii. 3293, murder.
moeue(n),z>. a. n. ii. 190, move.
Moises, vi. 1902.
molde, s. iv. 1112, earth, fashion.
mone, s. (i), i. 2180, 3143, moan,

lament.

mone, s. (2), iii. 1418, moon,
monstre, s. i. 404, monster,
mont, s. ii. 3350, 3378, pi. montz,

mountain.

montance, s. viii. 2312, amount,
monthe, s. i. 100, 2026, month,
mor, adv. for more, i. 1951.
mortiel, a. iii. 1532, mortal.
morwe, s. i. 2169, morrow,
most, a. superl. i. 2074,^/1 moste,

ii. 46, greatest, chief: adv.

moste, i. 307.
mote, v. «., 2 s.pres. most, ii. 206,

3 s. mot, i. 2102, //. mote(n),

ii. 3225, pret. moste, (as pres.}

i. 261, (as pret.} i. 2309, pres.

subj. (expressing a wish), mot,

mote, i. 3347 : must, may.
mounte, v. n. i. 3065, go up.
mous, s. iii. 1643, mouse.
mowe, v. n., i, 3 s. pres. mai,

may, i. 174, 689, 2 s. miht,

myht, i. 247, 710, 2242, pret.

mihte, myhte, i. 2261, 2332,,

232

GLOSSARY

miht, Hi. 1356: be able (to),

have power, (may, might),
mue, s. iii. 1412, cage,
mull, s. v. 2310, rubbish,
muse, v. n. i. 3091, reflect, gaze,
musette, s. viii. 2677, (a musical

instrument).

musike, musique, s. i. 497, music,
my, mi, myn, min, poss. pron.

i. 2, 74 ff.,//. my, myn, min, i.

228; al myn one, i. 115, see

one.

myht, miht, s., power,
myht, myhte, v. mowe.
myle, see mile,
myn, pron., see my.
myn, s. v. 2155, mine,
myne, v. n. v. 2121, mine,
mynde, minde, s. mind, memory,
mynour, s. v. 2121, miner,
myr, iii. 1631, mir, i. 683, mire,
mys, see mis.
mysbefalle, v. impers. i. 459,

happen ill (to).

nacion (-oun), s. i. 394, kind, race.

nam ( = ne am), i. 743.

nam, v. a. pret. iii. 1447, pp.

nome, i. 443, 3264, took, taken,
name, v. a. i. 3394, iii. 1599.
namely, namly, adv. ii. 47,

nameliche, i. 2370, especially.
naproche( = ne aproche), iv. 1135.
Narcizus, i. 2285, Narcise, viii.

2542.
natheles, adv. i. 21, 143, &c.,

nevertheless, moreover,
natiuite, s. i. 392, birth,
nauele, s. i. 489, navel,
nay, adv. i. 740.
ne, adv. i. 733, ne . . . no, i. 159,

792, ne .. . noght, i. 166, pat...

ne, i. 2093, ne . . . bot, i. 264,

hon... ne,iv. 1400; ne( = nor),

i. 25, ne . . . ne, viii. 2451.
nede, s. i. 1988, 2239, pL nedes,

ii. 3414 ; adv. mot nede, nedes

mot, moste nedes, &c. : need,

needs,
nedeles, a. i. 3267, without need

(of help).
nede]>, needej), v. n. 3 s. pres.

i. 2446, viii. 2245; impers. i.

.283, ii. 3364: is necessary, (it)

is needful.

nedly, adv. iv. 1168, of necessity.
Neptunus, ii. 180.
nere ( = ne were).
nerr, a. and adv. comp. i. 2323,

ner, v. 5050, nearer,
neuere, adv. i. 2324.
neueremo, neueremore, adv.)

never again,
newe, a. i. 2083.
neysshe, a. iv. 3681, soft,
nice, see nyce.
niht, see nyht.

nimphe, s. i. 365, 2317, nymph,
nis ( = ne is), i. 618, 3382, nys, i.

443-

no, a. i. 152 : cp. non.
no, adv. i. 712, no lengere, v.

5082.

nobleie, s. i. 2032, nobility,
noblesce, noblesse, i. 2100,

nobility.

noght, s. i. 2197, nothing,
noght, adv., not.
noman, i. 21, &c., no one.
nomo, s.pl. i. 1898, ii. 133, no

more,
nomore, nomor, subst. i. 270,

3439 ; cp. nomo : adv. i. 2101.
non, a., pi. none, iv. 1446, no :

adv. i. 137, not.
noncertein, s. viii. 2179, 2378,

uncertainty.

nones, iv. 1353, occasion,
norrice, s. i. 618, iv. 1087, nurse,

nurture,
not ( = ne wot), i. tfi^pret. nyste

( = ne wiste).

note, s. i. 496, note (of music).
noj>er, see nouj>er.
nojring, adv. i. 3029, &c., not at all.
nouche, s. vi. 1134, brooch.

GLOSSARY

233

nouper, nowper, conj. i. 271,
noper, iv. 1268, neither.

now, nou, adv., nou . . . nou, i.
90, as now, i. 546, tyme now,
i. 2379, viii- 2437: CP- now
adaies, iv. 1228.

nowher, adv. ii. 31, nowhere.

nowper, see nouper.

nyce, nice, a. i. 2016, 2276, fool-
ish, fastidious, delicate.

nyh, adv. prep. i. 2322, 3170 : cp.
nerr.

nyht, niht, s. ii. 2656 ; be nyhte,
be nihte, ii. 2681, be nyht, iii.
1541, a nyht, v. 2099 : night
(by night, &c.).

nyhte, v. n. v. 4955, become night.

nyhtingale, s. i. 355.

nys, see nis.

nyste, see not.

o, pron. a. v. 2252, 2296, pat o, v.

2255, pat o . . . pat oper, v.

2306 ff. ; cp. on, pron.
obeie, v. a. n. i. 510, 2236, obey,

submit, do obeisance,
obeissance, s. i. 1870, viii. 2713,

obedience, homage,
obseruance, s. i. 1869, duty.
of, prep. i. 8, 10, 2237, v. 1998, of,

from, by reason of, as regards,

by ; of pat ( = since), i. 41 7.
ofte, adv. i. 620, ofte sipes, i.

1 1 8, often.

oghne, oughne, a. i. 1948, own.
oght, s., ought, anything ; adv. i.

549, in any way.
oghp, v., 3 s. pres., pret. oghte, i.

462, 2238, v. 4984 ; impers. iii.

1666 : ought, owe, own.
oignement, s. viii. 2817, ointment,
old, a..//, olde, i. 3390 ; be olde

ensample, iii. 1683.
on, num. i. 194, one; in on, euere

in on, vi. 807, in the same way,

without ceasing ; on and on, i.

194, one by one : pron. on, pat

on ... pat oper, i. 397, v.
2298: cp. o.

one, a. i. 2179, al one, i. 351,
al myn one, &c., i. 115, single,
alone.

ones, adv., at ones, i. 2202, once.

only, onli, adv. i. 622, onlyche,
onlich(e), i. 740, 1948, only.

open, a., in open, i. 616 (in pub-
lic).

openly, adv. i. 2187, openliche,
publicly.

oppose, v. a. n. i. 225, question,
ask questions.

or, conj., or ... or, i. 740, either
... or, iv. 1093, whether. . . or.

or, prep., see er.

ordeine, ordeigne, v. a. i. 2126,
3319, iv. 3624, appoint, arrange.

ordinaunce, s. iv. 3559, manage-
ment, order.

ordre, s. i. 243, //. ordres, i. 608,
office, religious order.

oper, a., an oper, i. 178, an opre,
i. 481, non opre, viii. 2962, //.
opre, iv. 1184, oper, i. 116, iv.
1183: as subst. eche (echon)
. . . opre, i. 2061, 2082, //.
opre, i. 2074.

operwhile, adv. i. 2335 f., some-
times, any time.

operwise, adv. i. 1938.

oughne, see oghne.

ought, see oght.

cure, pass. pron. i. 2062, iii.

1473-

ous, pers.pron., us, ourselves,
out, oute, adv. ii. 3240.
outake(n), outtake, pp., as prep.

i- 3°77> excepted, except,
outdrowh, outdrouh, v. a. pret.

iii. 1 66 1, drew out.
ouper, conj., see owper.
outtake, see outake.
outward, adv. v. 1996, outwardly,

out.

outwip, a. viii. 2833, outwardly.
o-uer,prep. over, besides ; ouer pis,

ouer pat, ouer al, throughout.

234

GLOSSARY

oueral, adv., everywhere, through-
out.

ouercaste, v. a. iii. 1354, over-
throw, upset.

ouergo, v. n., pp. ouergo(n), i.
3325, pass away ; v. a. iii. 1488,
overcome.

ouerhaste,z>. a. iii. 1675, press too
hard.

ouerhippe, v. a. v. 2004, leap
over.

ouermo, ouermore, adv. i. 2386,
3361, moreover.

ouerpasse, v. a. i. 5 17, pass over,
avoid, surpass ; v. n. i. 6, iv.
1134, pass away.

ouerrenne, v. a., pp. ouerronne,
vi. 1059, conquer, pass.

ouerscape, v. a. i. 2242, escape
from.

ouersein, ouerseie, a. viii. 2933,
careless, imprudent.

ouerset, v. a. pp. i. 1593, upset.

ouerpis, adv. i. 448, 573, iv. 3698,
moreover.

ouerprowe, v. #.,/r^.ouerJ>rew,
viii. 2704, turn over, overthrow ;
v. n. i. 1886, 1962, pret. subj.
ouerprewe, iii. 1630, be over-
thrown.

ouertorne, v. a. iv. 1280, turn
over, overturn.

ouertrowe, v. n. i. 2369, be arro-
gant.

Ouide, i. 333, 386, 2274, ii. 106,
viii. 2266 ff., 2719.

owj>er, ouj>er, conj. i. 2309, either.

paie, v. a. «., pp. paid, i. 3324,

please.

paiement, s. v. 5087, payment,
paleis, s. ii. 3231, palace.
Pallas, i. 420 ff.
Pan, viii. 2239, 2476.
panche, s. vi. 1000, belly.
Pantaselee, viii. 2527.
paradis, paradys, s. i. 502, 3303.

paraga, s. i. 3336, equal rank, rank.

paramour, s. iv. 1269, lover.

parcouner, s. viii. 2535, partner.

pardoun, s. i. 2174, viii. 2896.

parfit, a. v. 2032, perfect.

parfitly, parfitli, adv. v. 2136,
perfectly.

parforne,z>. a. viii. 2273, perform.

Paris, viii. 2529.

park, s. iv. 1288, enclosure.

parte, v. a. n., divide, distribute,
depart.

partie, s., part, party.

pas, pass, s., pass, passage, pace.

passe(n), v. a. i. 332, 651, 2175,
viii. 2692, pass, pass through,
pass over, surpass; v. n. i. 142,
499, 2247, pass, happen, pass
away.

peine, s., pain, endeavour.

peine, peyne, v. reft. viii. 2509,
suffer, take pains ; peined, pp.
ii. 26, troubled.

pein^e, v. a. i. 284, paint, em-
bellish.

peire, s., p. of bedes, viii. 2904
(see note).

pels, s. viii. 2380, weight.

peise, v. a. i. 3377, weigh.

Penolope, viii. 2621, Penelope.

per, prep. i. 2049, 2225, iv. IIOIT
1239, by, for.

perce, v. a., pierce.

perdurable, a. viii. 2976, eternal.

perle, s. iv. 1313, pearl.

pernable, a. viii. 2931, to be
caught.

Peronelle, i. 3396.

perplexete, s. viii. 2190, difficulty.

perrie, J.vi. 1135, precious stones.

Perse, ii. 2548, 2629 ff., Persia.

Perseus, i. 419.

pes, s., peace, protection.

pet, s. v. 4945 ff., pit.

Peter, i. 656, ii. 3335, 3478.

Petro, i. 3395.

Phebus, iii. 1688 ff.

Phedra, viii. 2514.
Phillis, viii. 2554.

GLOSSARY

235

Philomene, viii. 2583.

philosophre, s. ii. 2674, philiso-
phre, v. 2080, philosopher.

phisique, s. ii. 3163, medicine,
treatment.

Phorceus, i. 390.

pich, s. v. 2176, pitch.

pie, s. v. 1998, magpie.

pier, s. i. 3337, iii. 1344; as a. i.
3365 : peer, equal.

pike, pyke, v. a. n. i. 698, pick,
assume.

pilage, s. v. 2071, plunder, plun-
dering.

pilegrin, s. i. 2041, pilgrim.

pinacle, s. iv. 3662, gable.

Piramus, iii. 1376 ff., 1660, viii.

2543-

pire, v. n. vi. 818, peer.
Pirrus, viii. 2593.
pitance, s. vi. 877, portion (of

food).

pite, s. i. 2203, 3174, mercy, pity,
pitous, a. i. 122, 680, merciful,
pitously, adv. iii. 1663, iv. 3621,

piteously.
place, s. i. 136, a place, i. 2377 :

cp. aplace.

plat, adv. i. 472, flatly, plainly.
Plato, viii. 2718.
pledour, s. ii. 3416, pleader.
pie, plee, s. ii. 3416, plea,
pleie, v. n. i. 54, 348, 2031, refl.

i. 364, sport, play,
plein, a. (i), full,
plein, a. (2), i. 282, 736, level,

simple, plain.

pleine, plein, s. i. 113, 357, plain,
pleinly, pleinli, adv. i. 127,

pleinliche, i. 2 1 1 , fully, plainly,
plentiuous, plenteuous, a. v.

2147, abundant,
pleye, see pleie.
plie, v. a. i. 578, ii. 3419; v. n. iv.

3564 : bend, submit,
plihte, plyhte, v. a. iii. 1508,

engage.

plit, s. v. 2031, condition, manner,
plouer, s. vi. 943.

plowh, plouh, s. i. 3257,

plough.

plowman, s. ii. 3422.
plyhte, see plihte.
poeple, s., people.
poete,j. i. 386, ii. 121, viii. 2719,

poet,
point, i. 73, viii. 2579^, //.

pointz, i. 288, point, condition,

manner.
Poliphemus, Polipheme, ii.

107 ff.

Polixena, viii. 2593.
pomel, iii. 1443, pommel,
por (reposer), viii. 2907.
pore, see pouere.
port, s. i. 674, 3429, viii. 2195,

bearing, behaviour, kind,
pot, s., pi. pottes, vi. 914.
potestat, s. iv. 3522, powerful

man.

pouer, s., power,
pouere, a. i. 2098, 3010, pore,

viii. 2411, as subst. vi. 1004;

poor.

pouerte, s., poverty.
Foul, ii. 3335, 3478> Paul,
pouldre, s. i. 2003, powder,
pourchaee, pourchase, v. a. iii.

1484, procure, seek after; v. n.

i. 2157, ii. 3504, v. 2001, en-
deavour, make gain, succeed,
poure, v. a. v. 2222, pour,
pourpartie, s. i. 406, share.
pourpos, s. i. 642, purpose,
pourpose, v. a. n. ii. 2528, refl.

v. 1988, intend,
pourpre, s. vi. 990, purple.
pours, purs, s. ii. 2683 ff., v.

5093 ff., purse.

poursuiant, s. ii. 2552, suitor,
poursuie, v. a. n. ii. 2630, iii.

J673, pursue, make pursuit,

continue.

poursuite, pursuit,
pourveance, s. i. 1916, 2028,

providence, foresight, provision,
pourveie, #. a., provide, ordain.
pourveour, s. v. 1997, procurer.

236

GLOSSARY

preche(n), v. a. ii. 3433, preach,

admonish.

prechour, s. ii. 3356, preacher,
precious, a., pi. preciouse, iv.

1354-

preferre, v. a. ii. 3254, prefer,
preie, s. iii. 1393, prey.
preie, v. a. n. i. 3195, viii. 2998,

prai (i s. pres.}, i. 220, pret.

preide, iv. 1368, pray to, pray

for, pray.

preiere, s., prayer,
preise, v. a. n. i. 2120, praise,
pres, press, presse, s. viii. 2751,

crowd, eagerness,
presente, v. a. viii. 2307 ; refl. v.

2093.

press, presse, j., see pres.
presse, v. a. n. viii. 2752, press,

crowd.

prest, priest, s. i. 193 ff., priest,
presthod(e), viii. 2079, priest-
hood.

presumpcioun, s. i. 1989.
Priamus, viii. 2523, 2592.
pricke, s. i. 3311, point,
pride, pryde, v. reft. i. 2372.
prie, v. n. iv. 1176, pry.
priente, s. i. 555, print.
prieue, see proue, proeue.
prike, v. a. n. i. 2036, spur, ride,
pris, s. i. 1900, 3304, 3329, value,

prize, fame, praise ; sette pris

of, i. 3068, iii. 1454, value;

stonde in p., be valued, be

praised.

priue, a., secret,
priuely (-Ii), adv. i. 2069, v

2143.

priuete, £., secrecy,
probleme, s. i. 3071, riddle,
proeue(n), proue(n), v. a. n. \.

6 1, 758> try, prove, appear,
profre, v. a. n. and reft., offer.
Progne, viii. 2583.
prophete, s. vi. 1093, prophet,
propre, a. i. 3393, proper, own.
proprely (-11), adv. i. 299, rightly,

truly.

proprete, s., pi. propretes, i.

257, property,
prosperite, s. iv. 1213.
prouesse (-esce), ii. 2 5 89, prowess.
proue, v., see proeue.
Puile, v. 2064 ff.
puison, puyson, s., poison,
pure, a. i. 1987, pure, mere.
purene, v. a. ii. 3460, cleanse.
purs, see pours,
pute(n), v. a. inf. i. 462, put, i.

3213, ii. 93, i s. pres. put, i.

732, 3 s. put, i. 690, pret. putte,

pitte, viii. 2796, imperat. sing.

put,ii. 3154.
pyke, see pike.

Q

queint, queynte, see quenche.
queinte, qweinte, a. i. 283, viii.

2687, cunning, curious, gentle,
queintise, s., cunning,
queintise, v. a. viii. 2472, adorn,
quelle, v. a., kill,
queme, see qweme.
quenche, v. a., pp. queint,

queynt, v. 2223.
querele, s. i. 134, ii. 16, v. 2066,

querelle, ii. 2703, cause,

quarrel, enterprise.
questioun (-on), s. i. 3098,

question, torture,
quik, quyk, qwik, a. viii. 2451,

def. qwike, ii. 2779, pi. s.

qwike, ii. 3405, alive, living,
quit, qwyt, a. iii. 1588, free,

unpunished,
quite, quyte, v. a. i. 3347, iii.

i6o8,//. quit, pay for, requite,

acquit.

quod, v.pret. i. 183, 3183, said.
qwed, qued, s. iii. 1534, bad

thing, villain.
qweinte, see queinte.
qweme, queme, v. a. n. ii. 197,

please, be pleasing,
qwene, qweene, s. i. 139, 1914,

queene, i. 132, queen.

GLOSSARY

237

qwik, see quik.
qwyt, see quit.

Rageman, s. viii. 2379, see note.
rape, s. iii. 1625, haste.
rape, v. n. iii. 1678, hasten.
rapere, raper, aafe. comp., sooner,

rather; superl. rapest, i. 27.
rauine, s., rapine,
real, a., royal,
realte, s. i. 2063, royalty.
rebelle, v. n. v. 2065, rebel,
recche, v. n., pret. rowhte, iv.

3547, have care; impers., be a

care (to).
reclame, v. a. viii. 2721, call back

(as a hawk), summon,
recomande,^. a. vi. 949, commend,
record, s., be of r., i. 3363.
recorde(n), v. a. n. i. 481, ii. 106,

iii. 1377, viii. 2204, remember,

take note of, relate, repeat,
recouerir, s., remedy, expedient.
red, s. i. 108, 2146, ii. 116, advice,

counsel,
rede, v. a. n. i. 77 f., 2271, ii. 104,

read, advise, decide,
redely, redily, adv. v. 2239,

easily, eagerly.

redi, redy, a. i. 2093, ii. 3444.
redinge, s. vi. 878, reading,
redresce, v. a. i. 3417, set right,

reform.

redy, see redi.

reforme, v. a. ii. 3404, restore,
ref te , v. a. pret. viii. 2 5 1 7 , snatched,
refuse, v. a. n. iv. 1238, deny,

refuse.

regne, s. ii. 2651, kingdom,
regne(n), v. «., reign,
reguard, s. iv. 3520, consideration,
reguerdoun, s. v. 2368, reward,
reherse, reherce, v. a. i. 584,

declare, repeat,
rein, s., rain,
reins, s.pl. viii. 2819, reins (of the

body).

reisshe, reysshe, s. ii. 42, rush.

rekevere, v. refl. viii. 2129, re-
cover.

relesse, v. a. ii. 3322, give up.

relieue, v. a. i. 104, ii. 172, v.
2135, raise up, assist, relieve,
satisfy.

remembrance, .$•. i. 3392, memory,
mention.

remenant, s. i. 3294, rest.

remene, v. a. i. 279, apply.

remue, v. a. n. iii. 1411, move,
remove.

renne, v. n. ii. 24, pret. ran, //.
ronne, i. 373, run.

rente, s. i. 3356.

repast, s. vi. 926.

reposer, viii. 2907.

reprise, s. i. 3308, 3414, retribu-
tion, cost.

reresouper, s. vi. 911, late supper.

res, s. iii. 1671, haste.

rescoue, v. a. i. 667, rescowe, v.
2019, save, deliver.

respite, v a, i. 2213, delay.

restauratif, a. vi. 859, refreshing.

retenue, s. ii. 3409, service,
retinue.

retret, s. viii. 2416, retreat.

reule(n), v. a. n.i. 17, govern.

reuers, a., opposite, contrary.

reward, s., regard, reward.

rewarde, v. a. viii. 2374.

rewardinge, s. iii. 1596, v. 5195,
reward.

rewe, v. a. n. iii. 1610, 1625,
repent, be sorry, have pity.

reyni, reyny, a. i. 692, rainy.

riche, s. i. 2278, domain.

richeliche, adv. iv. 1371, richly.

richesse, s., riches.

ride, ryde(n), v. a. n. i. 350,
2035, ii. 3194, iv. 1106, pret.
sing, rod, i. 348, pi. riden ; cam
ride, &c., i. 350, iv. 1307 : ride,
make expedition, lie at anchor.

riht, a., def. rihte, i. 33; adv.
riht, ryht, i. 639, 1862, 3362, ii.
1789.

238

GLOSSARY

riht, ryht, s.} right.

rihte, ryhte, v. a., direct, arrange.

rihtwisnesse, s., righteousness.

rinde, rynde, s. i. 3261, bark.

riveled,//. viii. 2829, wrinkled.

roche, s. i. 2305, rock.

rodd, s. iv. 1276, rod.

rode, s. vi. 773, ruddy colour.

rodi, rody, a., ruddy.

Romanie, ii. 2638.

Borne, ii. 2502 ff., 3189, 3476 ff.,

v. 2031 ff., 2196, viii. 2717.
Rornein, a. ii. 2565 ; subst. ii.

2554 ff., Remain, viii. 2633, //.

Romeins, ii. 2777, v. 2199 ff.
Romelond, ii. 2544.
Romeward, v. 2190.
rore, v. n. ii. 160, roar.
rose, s. i. 603.
rosine, s. v. 2176, rosin.
Rosiphelee, iv. 1249.
rote, s. i. 145, root.
roune, v. n. ii. 45, whisper.
route, s. v. 5054, company,

quantity.

roupe, see rowpe.
rowpe, rouj>e, s. i. 182, iii. 1597,

pity.

ruide, rude, ii. 173, rude, violent.
ryde, see ride.
ryht, ryhtwisnesse, see riht, &c.

S

sable, s. viii. 2904.

sadel, s. iv. I2O2,//. sadles, iv.

sai, sain, saide, &c., see seie.
Salamyne, iv. 3652, Salamis.
Salomon, viii. 2691, Solomon.
salue, s. viii. 2290, cure.
same, a. as subst., i. 629, 3032.
Sampson, viii. 2703.
sanz,/r^. iii. 1550, without.
Sarazin, s., fern. Sarazine, viii.

2694.

Satorne, viii. 2275, Saturn.
sauf, a. ii. 181, safe; as prep. i.

432, save, except.

saufly, saufli, adv. i. 3152, ii.

3309, v. 2159, safely,
saue, prep., see sauf.
sawe, s., saying, speech,
scene, see se.
schal, v., i, ?>s.pres.,pL schuUe(n),

i. 2251, schul(l), i. 3197, 3246,

schall, i. 77, pret. scholde(n),

i. 131, «Scc., schulde, viii. 2961 :

shall, must, may.

schallemele, s. viii. 2483, shawm,
schame, s. i. 274, ii. 3355.
schape(n), v. a. n. andrefl. i. 297,

3342,/r<tf.schop,//.schape(n),

shape, appoint, contrive, bring

about.

schappe, s. vi. 785, shape,
schawe, s. iv. 1293, wood,
sche, pron. i. 148, &c., scheo, i.

1 60.

sehede(n), v. a., shed, spill,
scheld, see schield.
schelle, s. viii. 2120, shell,
schent, v. a., pp., harmed, ruined,
schep, schiep, s., sheep,
scherte, s. i. 2171, schortes (//.),

i. 2179, shirt.

schette, v. a. n. iii. 1453, shut,
schewe(n), v. a. i. 84, 185, show;

v. n. i. 626, vi. 115, appear, be

evident,
schield, scheld, s. i. 421, 1998,

ii. 2594, shield,
sohiep, see schep.
schip, s. ii. 24, ship,
schipman, s. i. 500, sailor.
schof, see schowue.
scholde, see schal.
schortes, see scherte.
schowue, v. a., pret. schof, ii.

174, push, thrust,
schrewe, s., rascal, scoundrel.
schrewed, a. vi. 2098, villainous,
schrifte, s. i. 197, confession,

absolution.
schriue(n), schryue, v. a. n. and

refl. i. 208, 219, 546, imperat.

serif (pee), i. 587, pp. schri-

GLOSSARY

239

2969: confess, hear in confession,

absolve.

schyne, v. n. ,/ntf.schon, iv. 3551.
scole, j., school,
se, sen, v. a. n.,pret. sih, syh, i.

352, 2315, &c., sawh, i. 138,

iii. 1604, pret. subj. syhe, sihe,

i. 664, 2193, //. sen, sene, i.

2354, scene, i. 3398, seie, ii.

967, v. 2374, sein, seyn, ii.

170: see.
seche, v, a. n, i. 570, 2278, ii.

3219, sieche, viii. 2911, seke,

sieke, i. 3072, pret. soghte(n),

i. 425, sowhte, iv. 3548 ; noght

to seche, ii. 44 : seek,
secounde, a. ii. i, v. 2127,

seconde, v. 2129, following,

second,
secre, a. secret ; as s. in secre, i.

617.
seculers, s. pL i. 648, men of the

world.

see, se, s. (i), vi. 1037, seat,
see, se, s. (2), i. 486, ii. 145, 2531,

sea.

sefoul, s. viii. 2654, sea-bird,
seie (i), sein, sain, v. a. n. inf.

i. 281, say, sai, v. 5198, 2 s.

pres. seist, saist, i. 176, 3 s.

sei}>, 3 pi. sein, sain, seie,

pret. seide, saide, i. 153, &c.,

3218, seid, i. 3188, imperat.

sey,sei, say, sai, i. i84,&c., //.

seid, said, i. 585, 3323: say,

name.

seie (2), see se.
seil, s. i. 704, iii. 1555, sail,
seile(n), saile, v. n. i. 511, 524,

sail.

sein, pp., see se.
seint, a. ii. 3335 ; s. viii. 2778 :

saint,
sek, siek, a. i. 703, ii. 15, def.

sike, vi. 1012; as subst. pi.

seke, ii. 3163, sieke, viii. 2368 :

sick, sick man.
seke, see seche.
seker, adv. i. 3339, surely.

sekernesse, see sikernesse.

seknesse, sieknesse, i. 185, 713,
siknesse, ii. 3249, sickness.

selde(n), sielde, adv. iii. 1636,
sielde whanne, viii. 2335, sel-
dom.

selue, a. i. 200, ii. 51, same, self.

semblable, a. i..646, similar.

semblance, semblaunce, s. ii.

3273.

semblant, s. ii. 187, appearance,
pretence.

seme(n), v. n. and impers. i. 614,
sieme, i. 1891, viii. 2386, seem.

Semiramis, iii. 1332.

semly, semlich, a. i. 1899, hand-
some.

sende, v. a. n., pret. sende, v.
2322, sente, i. 3095, send.

senne, tinne, s. i. 615, &c., sin.

sentence, s. i. 2153, ii. 3417.

Septembre, viii. 2845.

sepulture, s. i. 2349, burial.

sese, v. a. i. 3357, seize, deliver
as a possession.

sesoun (-on), s., season.

sete, s., seat.

sette(n), v. a. n. i. 2, 3 s. pres.
set, i. 637, pret. sette, i. 201,
imperat. sett, viii. 2095, pp.
set, viii. 2194: set, appoint, sup-
pose, account, make attack.

seuene, num. i. 577.

Seyix, viii. 2650, Ceyx.

sieche, see seche.

siek, sieknesse, see sek, sek-

sieke, v. , see seche.

sielde (n), see selde(n).

sighte, see sihte.

sihte, syhte, s. i. 427, 437, 665,

2221, sighte, viii. 2950, sight,
sik, see sek.
sike, syke, v. n. i. 697, 3140, iv.

1150, sigh.

siker, seker, a., sure, secure,
sikerliche, sekerliche, adv. i.

2145, sikerly, iii. 1427, vi.

noo, surely, assuredly.

240

GLOSSARY

sikernesse, sekernesss, s. i. 1890,
security.

siknesse, see seknesse.

silogime, s. viii. 2708, syllogism.

Siluestre, ii. 3351 ff.

simplesce (-esse), s. i. 2099, sim-
plicity, humility.

sincke (sinke), v. n. iii. 1628,
sink.

singe, v. n. i. 1 1 1 , pret. sang, i.
2732, //. songe, i. 2034, sing.

sinne, see senne.

sire, s. ii. 54, lord, sir.

Sirenes,//. i. 484.

sipe, sype, s., ofte sipa (sipes),
fulofte sype, &c., i. 118, 318,
time, times.

sippe(n), adv. i. 1842 ; conj.
sippe, sip, sipe(n), i. 13,
vi. 1073, sipen pat, i. 2244 :
since.

sitte, v. n. i. 2397, 3 s. sit, sitt,
pret. sat, pi. seten, sit, be
seated ; impers. (it) sit, i. 273,
745, iii. 1674, sitte, viii. 2428 :
suits, is fitting.

skales, s. pi. ii. 3456, v. 4128,
scales.

skiere, v. {reft.} i. 478, defend.

skile, s. i. 36, 1866, //. skiles,
reason, reasoning.

sky, s. i. 2001, iv. 1436, viii. 2942,
cloud, sky.

slake, v. a., slacken, appease.

sle(e), slen, v. a. n., 3 s. pres.
sleth, ii. 2623, pret. slowh,
slouh, slow, slou, i. 434, &c.,
pi. slowhe, i. 377, //. slain,
slayn, i. 527, slawe, i. 514:
slay.

sleihte, sleyhte, s. i. 468, 688,
sleighte, v. 2111, skill, device,
trickery.

slep, s. i. 155, a slepe, v. 2177,
to slepe, ii. 3333, sleep.

slepe (n), v. n., sleep.

slih, see slyh.

slow, slowh, a. iv. 1260, 1281,
sluggish.

slowpe, sloupe, s. iv. 1083, 3689,

sloth.

slyh, slih, a. v. 2303, cunning,
smal, a., def. smale, v. 1990,

slender, small,
smite, see smyte.
smok, s. i. 2171, smock,
smyte, v. a. n., 3 s. pres. smit,

pret. sing, smot, i. 2003, 2342,

pp. smite (n), strike,
snoute, s. iii. 1400.
sobre, a. viii. 2684, 2869, sober,
socoure, v. a. i. 653, help.
sodein, sodeinly, &c., see sou-

dein, soudeinliche.
soffrance, suffrance, s. iii. 1639,

1672, endurance,
soffre, suffre, v. a. n. i. 2380, ii.

206, iv. 1428, suffer, leave,

permit,
softe, a. i. 619; the s ofte pas,

iii. 1 386 : gentle, quiet,
soiorne, soiourne, v. n., dwell,

remain,
soldan (souldan), s. ii. 2548 ff.,

sultan,
solein, soulein, a., fern, soleine,

v. 1971, alone, lonely, strange,
solempnite, sollempnite, s. iv.

3651, celebration, ceremony,
somdiel, somdel, adv., somewhat,
somer, s. iv. 1091, viii. 2853,

summer,
somerfare, s. viii. 2856, condition

of summer,
somme, s., sum.
somtime, somtyme,tfdz/. iv. 1131,

sometimes,
sondri, sondry, a., separate,

several, various.
sone, s. i. 206, son.
sone, adv. i. 2091, also sone, i.

3079, soon,
sonne, s. iii. 1307, sunne, ii.

3452, sun.

sor, s. ii.22, hurt, sore,
sorceresse, s. viii. 2602.
sore, adv. i. 475, 2245, much,
sorgful(l), a. iii. 1481, sorrowful.

GLOSSARY

241

sorgfully, sorwfulli, adv. i. 3173,

ii. 69, sorrowfully,
sorghe, see sorwe.
sori, sory, a. i. 2182, iv. 1347,

wretched, unhappy.
sort, s. i. 673, kind, lot.
Sortes, viii. 2718.
sorwe, s. ii. 48, iv. 1212, sorghe,

ii. 165, sorrow,
sorwe, v. n. i. 3182, grieve,
soster, s. i. 399, 3155, iii. 165,

iv. 1383, suster, iv. 1369,

sister.

so)), a. vi. 1114, true,
sopiastnesse, s. i. 2268, truth,
soply, adv. , truly.
sotie, s. i. 539, 2320, folly,
soubgit, a. iv. 3523, subject,
soubtilite, see soutilete.
souche, v. n. i. 314, suspect,
soudein (sodein), a. v. 4942,

sudden,
soudein liclie, soudeinly, adv.,

suddenly.

souke, v. n. ii. 3227, suck.
souldan, see soldan.
soulein, see solein.
soulphre (sulphre), v. 2176,

sulphur.

soun, s. i. 2217, sound,
soune, v. n. vi. 845, sound, tend

(to).

soupe, v. n. i. 2114, have supper.
souper, s. i. 2112, supper,
soutilete (soubtilite), v. 2138,

subtlety.
souerein, a., fern, souereine, ii.

3507, subst. i. 862, chief.
Spaine, i. 3390.
specefie, see specifie.
speche, s., speech,
specifie, specefie, v. a. n. i. 572,

describe,
sped, s. i. 107, ii. 115, spied, i.

1956, success, advantage,
spede, spiede, v. n. i. 687, suc-
ceed, be advanced ; v. a. and

refl. ii. 103, 2232, advance,

help, hasten.

GOW. SEL.

speke(n), v. n. i. 10, 204, 3 s.

pres. spekj), i. 656, pret. spak,

i. 294, pi. spieke(n),//. spoke,

i- 537, speak.

spekynge, i. 239, discourse,
spere, s. i. 1998, ii. 3195, spear.
spiece, s. i. 3446, vi. 856, kind,

spice.
spille, v. a. pret. ii. 3285, iii.

1446, destroy, spill, waste ; v. n.

perish, fail,
spirital, a. as subst. ii. 3492,

spirituality,
spore, s. i. 2301, spur,
sporne, v. n. iv. 1279, stumble,
sprede, spreede, v. a. n.v. 2316,

vi. 895, spread,
springe(n), v. n. i. 353, pret.

sprong, i. 2306, //. spronge,

i. 2085, spring,
squier, s. v. 2275, squire.
stable, a. iv. 3671, firm,
stanche, staunche, v. a. i. 2312,

3308, quench, satisfy, heal,
stature, s. i. 2166, 3135, stature,

form,
stede, s. v. 2087, place ; in stede

of, viii. 2213, in pe stede, ii.

2684, in hire stede, iii. 1558.
stele, v. a. «., steal.
Stellibon, i. 398.
stelpe, s. i. 644, stealth,
stere, v. a., stir, move,
sterne, a. i. 2127, severe,
sterre, s. iv. 1348, star.
sterred, a. viii. 2942, set with

stars,
sterte, v. n. i. 372, start, rush,

move,
sterue(n), v. n. i. 3263, ii. 36,

pret. sing, starf,//. storve(n),

iii. 1509, v. 1999, die.
steuene, s. i. 493, 3025, voice,

promise.

steward, see stieward.
stiere, s. i. 560, helm, guidance,
stiere, v. a. i. 506, 2394, steer,

guide,
stieward, steward, ii. 2760.

242

GLOSSARY

stike, v. n. iii. 1631, stick.

stile, j. i. 8, style.

stille, a. adv. iii. 1719, quietly,

always,
stille, v. a. viii. 2636, silence,

satisfy.
stinte(n),v. a. n. iii. 161 2, imperat.

stynt, viii. 2284, cease, make to

cease.

stoke (n), v. a.pp.i. 538, shut,
stonde, v. n. i. 428, 3233, 3 s.

pres. stant, pres. subj. stond, i.

3416, pret. stod, ii. 2513, pi.

stode(n), 3 s. pret. subj. stode,

iii. 1580, pp. stonde (n) : stand,

remain, depend,
storue, see sterue.
stounde, s. ii. 2, iv. 3632, time,

period.

straied,//. viii. 2860, gone astray,
strauht, a. vi. 772, straight,
strauht, strawht, adv., straight,
straw (stree, stre), s. v. 2310.
strecche, v. a. and refl. i. i, 622,

pret. strawhte, strauhte, iii.

1407, stretch, direct; v. »., reach,

g°-

stree, stre, see straw,
streite, adv., near, closely,
strem, s. ii. 195, stream,
strete, s. iii. 1338, street,
strong, a. ii. 48, 1740, def. v.

2050, conip. strengere, superl.

strongest.

stryue, v. n. iii. 1651.
studie, v. n. i. 3091.
styh, v. n., 3 s. pret. ii. 3401, as-
cended.

subieccioun (-on), s. ii. 3272.
such,/»7wz. a. i. 175, swiche, iv.

1429, pi. swiche, ii. 504 : as

subst. swich,//. suche, swiche,

iv. 1236.
sufflcance, s. i. 4, 1915, ability,

sufficiency,
sufflcant, a. ii. 2700, viii. 2696,

sufficient,
suffise, suffice, v. n. iv. 1129,

suffice, be able.

sufirance, suffice, see soffrance,

&c.
suie, v. a. i. 2256; v. »., pres. p.

suiende, ii. 3526, vi. 1089 : fol-
low,
suite, s, iv. 1306, viii. 2930,

fashion, pursuit,
sulphre, see soulphre.
supplicacion (-oun),*. viii. 2184,

2301, petition,
suppose, v. a. n. i. 226, 2196,

conjecture, think.
Suriale, i. 399.
surquiderie, s. i. 1877, 2358.
surquidous, a. i. 2257.
swere, v. a. n. v. 5101, pp. swore,

ii. 2536.
swerue, v. a. n. i. 366, iv. 1216,

1408, turn aside,
swete, v. n. iv. 1092, sweat,
swete, vi. 1127, swote, a. i. 113,

iv. 1297, sweet,
sweuene, swefne, s., dream,
swich(e), see such,
swipe, adv., swiftly,
swote, see swete.
swoune, adv. viii. 2449, in a swoon,
swoune, v. «., swoon,
swoune, s. viii. 2859, swoon.
syh, syhte, see se, sihte.
syke, see sike.
syj>e, see sij>e.

T, p

table, s. iv. 3672, tablet,
tacompte ( = to accompte), i. 650,

2241.
take(n), v. a., pret. tok, i. 421, v.

2373, 2 s. tok, i. 2421, //.

toke(n), pret. subj. toke, i. 383,

itnperat. tak, i. 447,^. take(n),

take, give.

tale, s. i. 650, tale, reckoning,
tale(n), v. n. ii. 47, iv. 1 178, speak.
tarie, v. a. i. 452, viiL 2924, vex,

delay; v. n., delay,
tariinge, tariynge, s. iv. 1184,

delay.

GLOSSARY

243

taste, v. a. n. iv. 2546, taste, per-
ceive, try.

taxe, v. a. i. 3108, appoint.

teche, v. a. n. i. 229, 2260, pret.
tawhte,. tauhte, pp. tawht,
tauht, i. 2253, teach, show.

teene, tene, s. i. 3399, sorrow.

teide, v. a. pret. i. 2311, tied.

telle(n), v. a. n. i. 66, 400, 3297,
3 s. tellep (impers.}, i. 400, cp.
iii. i$$i,pret. tolde(n), i. 2109,
told, i. 3187, imperat. tell, i.
164 : tell, say, speak, name.

tempeste, s. i. 2142, storm.

temples, s. pi. viii. 2819, temples
(of the head).

temporal, a., as subst. ii. 3491,
temporal power.

tempre,z>. a.\. 23, 11.3178, mingle,
temper, restrain.

tendre, a. ii. 3175, iv. 1362, tender,
delicate.

tendre, v. a. i. 2172, soften ; v. n.
ii. 3289, grow tender.

tendresse (-esce), affection, care.

tene, see teene.

tere, v. a., tear.

teres, s. pi. i. 2182, tears.

Tereus, viii. 2585.

tete, s. ii. 3227, teat.

}>amende ( = thee amende), i.
568.

pank, see ponk.

panne, pan, adv. i. 183, then;
conj. i. 1927, than.

par, impers., it behoves.

pastat ( = the astat), i. 2100.

pat, dem. pron. and a. i. 15, 45,
&c., pat on ... pat oper, i. 397,
pat (-that which), i. 77, 298,
603, &c. ; //. po, i. 299 : relal.
i. 22, 53, &c. : conj. i. 19, 35,
439, til pat, i. 56, if pat, i.
131, who pat, i. 96, pat I ne
hadde, &c. (a wish), iv. 1422.

pauantages ( = the advantages),
v. 1978.

pe, def. art. i. i, 8, &c., pe more,
&c., i. 2322 f., viii. 2100 f.

Thebes, i. 338, 1992.
Thelamon, viii. 2515, Telamon.
penke, pinke (i), v. n. i. 6^, pret.

poghte, i. 2106, poughte, viii.

2965, imperat. penk, v. 5217,

think.
penke, pinke (2), impers., 3 s.pres.

penkp, vi. 761, penkep, i. 569,

pret. poghte, i. 346, iv. 1333,

seem.
penne, fro penne, adv. vi. 1046,

thence.
per, pare, adv. i. 725, there, in that

matter ; conj. where, whereas ;

per(e) as, ii. 114.
perat, adv. i. 600.
pera3ein, adv., against it.
perbage ( = the herbage), s. iii.

perby, adv. i. 330, v. 5186.
perfro, adv. iv. 1216, from it.
perinne, adv. i. 2192, therein.
perof, adv. i. 732.
peroute, adv., out there, out.
perpe ( = the erthe), i. 3265.
perto, adv. i. 421, 2055, to it,

moreover.
perwhile, adv., meanwhile ; conj.

ii. 2716, perwhiles pat, while.
pese, see pis.

Theseus, viii. 2511, 2557.
Theucer, iv. 3516.
thevangile ( = the evangile), vi.

997-
pewed, a., wel pewed, i. 273, 639,

of good disposition.
pi, pin, poss. pron. i. 165, 449 ;

disj. pyne (//.), i. 168.
pider, adv., thither.
piderward, adv. iii. 1622.
pilke, pron., that.
pinke, see penke.
pinne, a. viii. 2827, thin.
po, pron., see pat.
po, adv. iv. 1358, then.
poffice ( = the office), i. 242.
pogh, conj., as pogh, i. 2013.
poght, s. i. 195, pought, ii. 66, pi.

poghtes, i. 721.

R 2

244

GLOSSARY

ponder, pondre, s. i. 2002, thunder,
thunder-bolt.

ponk, s. i. 738, pank, ii. 60, grati-
tude, thanks, reward.

ponke, v. a. n. i. 3346, thank, give
thanks.

ponkinge, s. ii. 3317.

ponkles, a., without thanks.

porn, s. i. 603, pL pornes.

porst, s.t see purst.

pousendel, s. i. 728, thousandth
part, thousand times.

pridde, a. i. 400, 1884, third.

pritty (-ti), num., thirty.

prowe, s. (i), i. 117, 410, 2297,
time, short time.

prowe, s. (2), throe, pang.

prowe (n), v. a. -iv. 1274, pret.
threw, i. 145, //. throwe(n),
i. 27.

purgh,/^., through, by reason of;
adv., all over, thoroughly.

purghout, adv. v. 5155, al-
together.

purghseche, v. a., pp. purgh-
soght, porghsoght, i. 1895,
viii. 2247 : seek through, pene-
trate, resolve.

purst, porst, s. i. 2308, thirst.

Tibre, v. 2206.

tide, tyde, s. i. 150, &c., time,
tide, season.

tidinge, tyding(e), s. i. 450, pi.
tidinges, iv. 1366.

til, ptep. viii. 2841, to; conj. til
pat, i. 56, til whanne, iv. 1 262,
until.

timberwerk, s. v. 2179.

tire, v. n. vi. 817, pull.

Tisbee, iii. 1374 ff., 1663, viii.
2578.

tOyprep.i. i,ii. 158 ; with gerund,
i. 5, 20, cp. forto :
adv. (i) to ... fro, i. 2067 ; (2),
too ; cp. tomoche, tolite.

tobreke, v. a. «., pret. tobrak,
//. tobroke, viii. 2073, break
in pieces.

todrawe, v. a., 3 //. pret. to-

drowhe, i. 378, pp. todrawe,
i. 513, iii. 1405, tear asunder.

tofore, prep. i. 2134, &c., tofor,
i. 518, before, in presence of;
adv. now t., i. 1867, before,
formerly.

togedre, adv. ii. 137, together.

tokne, s. i. 2211, token.

tolyte, tolite, s. i. 19, too little.

tombe, see tumbe.

tome, s. ii. 2680, (leisure), op-
portunity.

tome ( = to me), i. 294, viii. 2386.

tomoche, s. i. 19, too much.

tomorwe, adv., tomorrow.

tonge, see tunge.

tonne, s., see tunne.

topulled, v. a. pp. i. 565, pulled
asunder.

torche, s. iv. 3651.

torne, v. a. i. 2267 ; v. n. 1.3265,
turn, return.

tote, v. n. vi. 819, spy, gaze.

top, s., tooth.

totore,//. iv. 1355, torn in pieces.

touche, v. a. i. 313, touch, con-
cern ; touchende, i. 742, 3341,
concerning: v. n. i. 241, have
concern, treat ; touchende of,
i. 1232, touchende to, i. 1971,
concerning.

toun, s. iii. 1380, town.

toward, prep. i. 456, 638, 2103,
2284, 3032, ii. 2679, viii. 2077,
towardes, i. 747, to, towards,
with regard to, near.

trance, traunce, s. iji. 1457, viii.
2813.

travail(l), s. iv. 1105, labour.

travaile, v. n. ii. 2533, labour,
travail ; v. a. ii. 3314, trouble,
cause to labour.

trede, v. viii. 2682, tread.

tresour, s. ii. 3305, treasure.

tresorer, s. ii. 3304, treasurer.

trete(n), v. a. n. i. 7, ii. 3201,
3473, treat, deal, deal with.

trewe, trew, a. i. 702, true.

trewly, treuly, adv., truly.

GLOSSARY

245

trie, trye, v. a. ii. 3420, separate,

purify, test,
triste, v. a. n. i. 1947, truste,

pret. triste, i. 1983, trust.
Tristram, viii. 2500.
Troie, viii. 2517, 2570, 2625 ;

tale of T.,i. 483.
Troilus, viii. 2531.
trompe, s. i. 2128, trump.
trompen, v. n. i. 2139, sound a

trumpet.

trosse, see trusse.
trestle, s. i. 355, throstle.
trowe, v. a. n. i. 1925, believe,

think,
trowpe, troupe, s. i. 746, truth,

assurance, loyalty,
trusse, v. a. iv. 1398, pack,
trusse, trosse, s. v. 4966, 5056,

bundle.

trust, s. i. 3154, trist, v. 2133.
tumbe, tombe, s. iv. 3665, tomb,
tunge, s. i. 678, vi. 1065, tongue,

language.

tunne (tonne), s. viii. 2253, cask.
tuo, two, num. i. 2041.
tweie, num., tweine, tueine, ii.

3472, two.
twinklinge, twinclinge, s. i.

3033.

tyde, s., see tide,
tyding(e), see tidinge.
tymber, see timber.

vanite, s. i. 451.

vein, a. i. 599, fern, veine ; in

vein, i. 1946.

veines, veynes, s. pi., veins.
Venus, i. 124, 235 ff., iii. 1462,

iv- 3558, 3658, viii. 2172 ff.
venym, s. ii. 3490, venom,
verrai, verray, a. ii. 3397, true,
verrailiche, verraily, adv. vi.

866, truly.

vertu, s. v. 5111, virtue, power,
vertuous, a. ii. 7, virtuous,

powerful.

viage, s., journey.

victoire, s., victory.

vil, a. i. 2098.

vilein, a., worthless, cowardly.

vilenie, vileinie, .s^worthlessness,
unworthy deed.

Virgile, v. 2032, viii. 2714.

viser, s. i. 637, mask.

Vluxes, Vlixes, Vlixe, i. 516 ff.,
viii. 2623.

vmbreide, v. a. v. 5034, reproach.

vnaffiled, a. i. 2287, untrained.

vnansuerd, a. ii. 2706.

vnaquit, a. ii. 3332, unrewarded.

vnauanced, a. v. 2528.

vnauised, a. or adv. iv. 1241, un-
wise, unwisely.

vnbehouely, viii. 2884, unfit.

vnbende, v. a. pret. i. 1967,
unbent.

vnbinde, v. a. viii. 2812.

vnbore, vnborn, a. i. 3164.

vnclose, v. a. v. 2376, open.

vncoupled, v. a. pp. i. 2298.

vnderfonge, v. a., pp. vnder-
fonge, i. 63, receive, accept.

vndersette, v. a. v. 2157, support.

vnderstonde, v. a. n. i. 46, pret.
vnderstod, imperat. vnder-
stond,i. 1 882,//. vnderstonde,
viii. 2066, understand.

vnderstondinge, s. vi. 972,
understanding, significance.

vndertake, v. a. n. i. 2020, 3232,
v. 2340,^;-^. vndertok, v. 2310,
//. vndertoke, v. 2077, under-
take, take in hand, declare.

vndeserued, a. i. 51.

vndo(n), v. a. n., pret. vndede,
v. 2380, open.

vnej>es, adv., hardly.

vnglad, a., pi. vnglade, ii. 3287.

vnhapp, s. iii. 1466, misfortune.

vnhappely, adv. i. 376, un-
fortunately.

vnhappi, a. iii. 1390, unfortunate,
ill-omened.

vnkinde, vnkynde, a. v. 4923 ff.,
unnatural, ungrateful.

246

GLOSSARY

vnkindeliche, vnkindely, adv.
viii. 2558, unnaturally, unkindly.

vnkindeschipe, s. v. 4887, in-
gratitude.

vnliche, vnlike, «., unequal, un-
like.

vnmete, vnmeete, a, ii. 122, iv.
3573, unequalled, unworthy,
far apart ; adv. v. 2140, beyond
comparison.

vnresonable, a. viii. 2932.

vnriht, a. ii. 2773, wrong.

vnsely, a. i. 88, viii. 2360, unhappy.
$. i. 2061, unto.
. i. 2162, &c.

vntrusse, v. a. v. 4988, unload.

vnwar, a., ignorant, careless, un-
known.

vnwis, see vnwys.

vnwys, a. ii. 208, iv. 3529, vnwis,
viii. 2094, unwise.

voide, voyde, v. a. i. 1890,
empty, drive away.

vois, s. i. 495, voice, rumour.

vp, prep. ii. 3469, 1342, upon ;
adv. i. 339.

vpcaste, v. a., pp. vpcast, i. 697,
cast up.

vplefte, vplifte, v. a. pret. i. 198,
lifted up.

vpriht, vpryht, a. and adv. i. 746.

vpriste, s. i. 2198, rising.

vpward, adv. i. 663.

vs, s., use, usage.

vsance, s. i. 2027, custom.

vse(n), v. a. n. i. 342, 2101, use,
practise, be wont.

W

wacche, v. n. ii. no, watch.
wacche, wachche, s. v. 2241,

watch,
waisshe(n), v. a. n. and refl.,

wash,
waite, wayten, v. n. ii. no, 117,

wait, keep watch,
wantounesse, s. iv. 1277,

wantonness.

war, a. i. 330, aware, careful,
warde, s. i. 332, guard,
warde, v. a. n. i. 331, 536, guard,
warisoun (-on), s. i. 671, 3349,

property.

was, v. as subst. viii. 2435.
waste, v. a. i. 3310.
wawe, s. ii. 24, wave,
waxe, wexe, v. n., increase,

grow.

wayten, see waite.
wedd, s., pledge ; to wedde, ii.

2662, as a pledge,
weder, s., weather,
weene, v., see wene.
weie, s. i. 89, 3440, way, road,

means.

weie, v. a. n., weigh,
weile, see waile.
weke, s. i. 3110, week.
wel, adv. ii. 3512, 3523, wel a

fourtenyht, iv. 1418, als

(also) wel ... as, i. 2248 f., ii.

3408, well, fully.

wel, weie, s. i. 149, 2371, pros-
perity, happiness.
welke, v. n. viii. 2437, wither,
welle, s. i. 148, 2306, 2343, well,

spring.

welthe, s., prosperity, wealth,
wende(n), v. a. n. i. 2090, 3 s.

pres. went, i. $o,pret. wente, i.

J43i/A went, vi. 1 083, turn, go.
wene, weene, v. n. i. 681, 1897,

pret. wende, i. 2005, think, ex-
pect, trust.

wenge, wynge, s. viii. 2655, wing.
wente, s. vi. 1029, turn, way,

device,
wenynge, wenyng, i. 1946,

2267, expectation, thought,
wepe, v. n. i. 115, 2180, 2338,

weep.

wepinge, s. i. 2188, 3171.
wer, s. i. 1924, doubt, difficulty.
werche, see worche(n).
were, v. a. iv. 1429, vi. 1137,

wear,
werk, s., work.

GLOSSARY

247

werne, v. a. n. i. 1931, ii. 85, vi.

1123, prevent, refuse.
werre, j. i. 3288, war.
werre, v. a. n., fight against, make

war.

•werre, see worse,
werreiour, s. ii. 2516, warrior,
werse, werre, a. comp. iii. 1563,

1646, worse,
werste, a. sup. i. 3057 ; adv.

werst, i. 326, worste, i. 2360 :

worst.

wete, v. a. vi. 1042, wet.
wetinge, s. iv. 1109, wetting,
weuinge, s. iv. 1175, weaving,
wexe, see waxe.
weyhte, s. iii. 1572, weight,

balance,
weyue, v. a. n. i. 479, ii. 3469, iv.

3692, put aside, leave, refuse,
whan, whanne, conj. i. 112, &c.,

when.

whel, see whiel.
whenne, when, interr. adv., fro

whenne, fro when, iv. 1336 ;

conj. whenne as euere, i.

3375 : whence.
wher (i), where, interr. adv.

i. 1 26 ; conj. i. 35, wher pat,

wher as (euere), i. 37 : where.
wher (2), interr. adv., wher . . .

or, i. 57 ; conj. wher ... or,

iv. 3581, wher so ... or, viii.

2720 : whether.
wherof, rel. adv. i. 454, wherof

pat, i. 541 : of which, whence,
whervpon, rel. adv. i. 12.
whether, a. iii. 1733, which (of

the two), which ever,
whether, conj., whether pat . . .

or, iv. 1092 : cp. wher (2).
which, rel. pron. and a. i. 193,

//. whiche, i. 404, which pat,

i. 94; in exclamation, iv. 1212.
whider, interr. adv. iv. 578, 3446,

whither,
whiderward, interr. adv. vii.

777-
whiel, whel, iv. 1196, wheel.

whil, whyl, while, conj. vi.

1051, iii. 1577, whyl pat; i.

3384, while,
while, whyle, s. i. 706, 756, time,

short time, leisure,
whilom, i. 975, vi. 1 147, formerly,
who, pron. indef., who pat, i.

481, 3287, who as euere, iv.

1096, as who seip ; interr. viii.

2461 ; relat. pe whom, ii. 162.
why t, whit, a. iv. I348,//. whyte,

i. 2045, iv. 1310: as subst.

whyt, iv. 1317.
wicke, a. iii. 1651, bad.
wicke, s. i. 3312, evil,
wif, s. i. 677, genit. wyues, dat.

wyue, woman, wife,
wiht, wyht, s. i. 28, 315, 745,

person, creature,
wile, see wyle.
wille, will, s. i. 190, 1953, will,

pleasure, wilfulness.
winke, wynke, v. n. i. 384, close

the eye.

winne, see wynne.
wis, see wys.

wise, s. i. 478, 747, 2018, man-
ner.

wisly, see wysly.
wiss, adv., surely,
wisse(n), v. a. iii. 1640, inform,

guide,
wisshe, v. n. i. 115, 3164, iii.

itfi$,pret. wisshide, i. 120.
wisshes, s. pi. iii. 1507, iv. 1107.
wist, see wite.
wit, witt, s. i. 1907, pi. wittes, i.

296, mind, reason, senses,
wite(n), v. a. n., 2 s. pres. wost,

"• 3528> 3 s. wot, $pl. witen,

i. 608, pret. wiste, ii. 36, pp.

wist, hadde I wist, i. 1888,

know : cp. not.
wip, prep, and adv. i. 248, 514,

viii. 2501, 2553, with, by; forp

wip, see forp.
wipal, adv. i. 1225, wipalle, i.

2307, wipall, ii. 3474, wip al, i.

3421, therewith, moreover.

248

GLOSSARY

wipdrawe, v. a. and reft. i. 2224,
pret. wipdrowh,wipdrouh,//.
wipdrawe, ii. 2582.

wipholde, v. a., pp. wipholde, i.
262, keep, retain (in service).

wipinne, prep. i. 1158; adv.\.
360 : within.

wipoute, prep. i. 119, without;
adv. wipoute, i. 597, ii. 4, v.
2279, outside, outwardly, with-
out.

wipsein, wipseie, v. a., oppose,
say in opposition.

wipstonde, v. a., pret. wipstod,
//. wipstonde, i. 91, withstand.

witnesse, i. 714, evidence, wit-
ness.

wo, s., wo worpe, viii. 2582.

wo, a. ii. 134, sorrowful.

wod, a. ii. 153, mad, wild.

wode, s. i. no, 344, genit. wodes,
iv. 1308, wood.

wol, v. i, 3 s.pres. i. 73, woll, i.
84, wole,i. 2389, wile, i. 1865,
2 s. wolt, i. 2254, wilt, i. 3333,
//. ae wole, i. 1831, ;e woll,
i. 66, 3274, 3//. wole, v. 2107,
wol, vi. 1105, 3 s.pres subj. (?)
wole, iv. 1171, 1215, wile, i.
35>/r^- in(l' and subj. wolde,
i. 162, 3169, wolde god, iv.
1148; will, would (as auxil.} :
v. a. i. 3169, desire.

woldes, as subst. pi. vi. 923, de-
sires.

womman, s. i. 68 1, ii. 56, pi.
wommen, i. 488.

wommanhede, s. iii. 1607,
woman's nature, womanliness.

wommanysshe, a. i. 495, woman-
ly, effeminate.

wonde(n), v. n. iii. 1569, turn
aside.

wonder, a. i. 67, 411, wondrous;
adv. i. 368.

wondre, v. n. iv. 3647, have won-
der.

wone, s. i. 2276, ii. 3260, custom,
habit.

wone, v. n., dwell.

worche(n), v. a. n. ii. 215,

werche, i. 626, werke, i. 633 ;

pret. wroghte, pp. wroght,

work, do.

worchinge, s. ii. 3485, effect.
world, s. i. 178, 2213, ii. 3499,

iii. 1548, world, fortune,
worm, s. v. 5131, serpent.
worschipe, s., honour,
worste, see werste.
worpe, v. n.} become, wo worpe,

viii. 2582.

wow, s. iii. 1341, wall,
wower, s. ii. 52, wooer,
wrastle, v. n. viii. 2240 f., contend,
wrappe, s. i. 3325, anger,
wrecche, s. i. 2098, wretch.
wreche, s., vengeance,
wreke, v. a. iv. 3618, pp. wreke,

ii. 1 86, avenge, satisfy.
wrenne, s. viii. 2227, wren.
write, see wryte.
writinge, see wrytinge.
wroghte, wroght, see worchen.
wroth, a. i. 368, angry,
wryte(n), v. a. n. i. 74, &c., 3 s.

pres. writ, pret. s. wrot, //.

write(n),//. write(n) : write,
wrytinge, s., writinges (pL}, i.

8, writing,
wyht, see wiht.
wyle, wile, s. i. 755, cunning,

wile,
wympel, wimpel, s. iii. 1396,

1419, wimple,
wyn, s., wine,
wynke, see winke.
wynne, winne, v. a. n., pret.

wan, i. 3421, //. wonne, pp.

wonne, i. 755, win, get, make,

gain,
wynter, s. i. 2355, 3253, pi. -with

num. wynter, ii. 3207.
wyny,#.viii. 2 849, producing wine,
wys, wis, a. i. 1899, def. wyse, i.

3396, //. wise, i. 2017 ; as subst.

sing, pe wise, ii. 3248, //. vi.

1 146 : wise, wise man.

GLOSSARY

249

wysly, wisly, adv. i. 536, wisely,
wysman, wisman, s. i. 130, v.

5158, wise man.
wyte, s., blame, censure,
wyte, v. a., charge ; to (forto)

wyte, i. 20, 263, 592, 2214, to

be blamed.

wyue, v . n., take a wife,
wyue, wyues, s.} see wif.

ydel, a. i. 1986, iv. 1094, idle,

useless, empty; adv. iv. 1152.
ydeliche, adv. iv. 1197, idly.
ydelnesse, s. iv. 1086, 1104.
Ydoine, vi. 879.
ye, see yhe.
yhe, ye, s. i. 305, 2362, v. 2034,

pi. yhen, i. 140, eye, sight,
ymaginaeion (-oun), s. i. 2269,

3069.

ynowh, a. \\. 3220, enough,
ynowh, ynovh, ynow, adv. ii.

3319, v. 5010, sufficiently,
ypocrisie, ipocrisie, s. i. 585,

635, hypocrisy.

ypocrite, s. i. 591 ff., hypocrite.
Ysolde, vii. 2501.
ywiss, iwiss, adv., certainly.

3

y&,pron.\. 182, 588,500, vi. 1071,

obi. 3011, 3ow, i. 66, 173.
36, 3ee, adv. i. 550, 740, ii. 17,

yea.

3elde(n), v. a., render, repay.
3elpe, v. n. (re/I.'} i. 26, boast.
;er (jeer), s. i. 342, ii. 2o,//. ^er,

1.3134, year.
3erde, s. v. 2363, stick.
3eue, see 3iue(n).
3ifte, s., gift ; god I ^iue a 3ifte,

iv. 1114, I vow to God.
313, adv., yes.
3it, adv. i. 2364, ii. 60, 3et, i. 576 ;

for J»e time :jet, vi. 893 : yet,

as yet, moreover.
3iue(n), 3eue, v. a. iv. \n^,pret.

;af, imperat. jjif, i. 135, 1972,

pp. 3oue(n), iii. 1594, give.
3ong, a. i. 488,//. 3onge, ii. 3219;

- 3J33 : young.

^ongly, a. viii. 2674, youthful.
3001, 3ow, see 30.
3o\ire, 3our, pass, pron.^ your,

yours.
3ouJ>e, jowpe, s. i. 730, viii.

2462 ff., youth.

INDEX TO THE NOTES

abaissht, iv. 1330.

accidence, ii. 3210.

adjective forms, i. 636, ii. 3507, iv.

1320.

a game, viii. 2319.
Alanus de Insulis, viii. 2341.
alle, i. 301.
* al myn one,' i. 115.
'along on,' v. 2327.
'als faste,' i. 414, cp.v. 2288.
alper, i. 326.
amaied, i. 2030.
anacoluthon, i. 98, iii. 1523.

c and,' position of, i. 433,

Andreas Capellanus, iv. 1245.

a place, a doun, &c., i. 2377.

applied, i. 577.

ariste, iv. 1285.

Aristotle, viii. 2705.

' as he which,' &c., i. 369, 695.

asp, i. 463.

asterte, i. 722.

' as to,' ' as forto,' i. 300.

'as who sei>,' ii. 3241.

atteignt, v. 2224.

Augustine, i. 463.

250

INDEX TO THE NOTES

Balades (of Gower), i. 718, viii.

2259.

balance, i. 3.

Bar loam etjosaphat, i. 2021.
beere, iv. 1323.
belieue, viii. 2500.
' benedicite,' i. 205.
' betwen hem two,' &c., v. 5025.
blesse, v. 5022.

Boccaccio, i. 389, 2316, v. 2273.
Bohemian fashions, viii. 2470.
<bot>e,' iii. 1471.
Bromyard, Summa Pracdicantium,

ii. 83.
byme (= by me), i. 232.

1 cam ride,' i. 350.

Chaucer and Gower, iii. 1331, viii.
2450, 2573, 2938.

Chaucer referred to, i. 115, 271,
283, 326, 397,483, 203o,iii.i33i,
1537, 1666, iv. 1330, vi. 778,
807, 817, 845, viii. 2312, 2407,
2450, 2468, 2573, 2640, 2904.

Chaunces of the Dyse, viii. 2373.

cherry fair (or feast), vi. 891.

Civile, ii. 83.

conjunctions, position of, i. 433.

conscience, i. 595.

consecutive clauses, i. 492, 1991.

contenance, i. 698.

couerture, iv. 1102.

couine, v. 2122.

'danger,' iii. 1537.

descryue, vi. mo.

dimme, v. 4967.

disorder of clauses,!. 2078, iv. 3520.

dom, viii. 2113.

elision apocope, i. 147.
elision before ' haue,' i. 2398.
enderday, i. 98.
entame, i. 709.
Etna, fire of, ii. 20.
'euere among,' i. 2333.

faie, i. 2317.

fatalism of Gower, iii. 1348, vi. 995.

felle, ii. 3448.

feminine forms of adjectives, i.

636, ii. 35°7-

' fere,' ' him stant no fere,' iii. 1524.
fet, viii. 2415.
'for pure abaissht,' iv. 1330.
forstormed, ii. 25.
< for]) wi)>,' i. 680.
French fern, adj., i. 636, ii. 3507.
Froissart, viii. 2450.

Galahot, viii. 2505.
Genius, i. 196.
' Gower,' viii. 2321.
grein, vi. 770.
grisel, viii. 2407.
Guido di Colonna (or delle Co-
lonne) referred to, i. 483, viii.

'haddelwist,'i. 1888.

' hire ' in the metre, i. 367.

' his oghne (hondes, &c.),' ii. 3260,

v. 2306.
ho, v. 2219.
<hond' ('tofor ]>e hond,' &c.), i.

518.

'if/ interrogative, ii. ii.
imperative sing, and plural, i. 1942,

v. 2333.
iolif, i. 88.

Jupiter's tuns, viii. 2253.

Kaire, ii. 2558.

Kentish forms, ii. 3448, 3477, v.
2183.

Lay cFAristote, viii. 2705.

lazre, vi. 996.

Legenda Aurea, ii. 3187 ff.

lete, i. 3366.

Lombard cooks, vi. 857.

lust, vi. 735.

Lydgate, i. 1917, iv. 1330.

Matthew Paris, v. 4937.
mint, i. 247.

INDEX TO THE NOTES

25 1

mile, viii. 2312.

Mirour de rOmme, i. 369, 463,
492, 636, 709, 718, 3067, ii. 20,
83, v. 2015, vi. 770, 857, viii.
2931.

« mot," mote,' i. 3347.

uatheles. i. 21.
' nede>,' ii. 3364.

'ofj>at,'i. 3279.

'oghte,' iii. 1666.

omission of pronoun subject, i.

1895; of relative, i. 10.
'on and on,' i. 194.
oppose, i. 225.
Ormulum, viii. 2833.
outwip, viii. 2833.
ouerhippe, v. 2004.
ouerprowe, i. 1886, iii. 1630.
Ovid as authority, i. 333, 389,

2275 ff., ii. 104, iii. 1331, 1685,

iv. 3515 ff.

paragraphs in the MSS., vi. 830.
participle absolute, v. 2099.
participle for infinitive, i. 3153.
'peire of bedes,' viii. 2904.
pernable, viii. 2931.
'Practique,' viii. 2710.
proeue, i. 2007.
pronoun of second person, use of,

i. 588.

pronoun subject omitted, i. 1895.
proverbs, i. 1917, iii. 1623.
punctuation, i. 320, ii. 3338, iii.

1430, iv. 3542, v. 1980, viii. 2712.

queinte, i. 283.

Ragman, viii. 2378.
relative omitted, i. 10.
Thyme, ii. 2578, 2616, 2722, 3448,

iv. 1323, v. 2034, 5I26.
Romance of Ydoine and Amadas,

vi. 879.

Roman de la Rose, i. 196, 213.
Roman des Sept Sages as authority,

v. 2031.

scene, i. 3398.

schall (//.), i. 77.

schewe, i. 626.

second pers. sing, and plur., use of,

i. 588, 1942, v. 2333.
sene, i. 16.
side-saddles, iv. 1311.
' sielde whanne,' viii. 2335.
Silvester, legend of, ii. 3187.
Sortes, viii. 2718.
' soune to,' vi. 845.
Speculum Hominis, i. i : see

Mirour de VOmme.
Speculum Slultorum, v. 4937 ff.
Statius as authority, i. 1980.
subjunctive in indirect speech, i.

532; with 'who that,' &c., i.

383, ii. 32, iv. 1096.
'Supplication,' viii. 2217.
symbolism of Gower, i. 2355, *"•

1718.

taxe, i. 3108.

temporal power, ii. 3482.

'J>at,' 'pat I ne hadde,' &c., iv.

1422, 'J?at . . . ne betre (more,

&c.),' i. 718-
ping, i. 574.
tire, vi. 817.
tome (= to me), i. 232.
tome (subst^), ii. 2680.

vnmete, iv. 3573.
vices and virtues, ii. 3173.
Vincent of Beauvais, viii. 2573.
Virgil, legends of, v. 2031, viii.

2714.
Vox Clamantis, i. i, 718.

' was,' viii. 2435.

' what ' ( = whatever), i. 413, 3343.

' who pat,' i. 383, ii. 32.

'Wit and Will,' viii. 2135.

'wij?,' use of, i. 248, 452.

ye, yhe, v. 2034.

' Bit,' ' for a time Bit,' vi. 738.
' siue a Bifte,' iv. 1114.

OXFORD
PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS

BY HORACE HART, M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

PR 1984 .C62 1903

SMC

GOWER, JOHN, 13257-1408.

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